Aug 17, 2026 Special Commissioners Court

[Appearances Before Court]

[00:00:08]

>> OKAY, COLLEAGUES. SO, IT'S NOW 9:04, AND WE'LL -- COMMISSIONERS COURT IS NOW IN SESSION.

I THINK WE CAN JUST GO STRAIGHT TO THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONERS.

>> FIRST IS ELIZABETH HOWLEY, SPEAKING ON ITEM 2.

NORMA GONZALES ON ITEM 2. TERRY CHAN ON ITEM 2, YOU EACH

HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI.

MY NAME IS ELIZABETH HOWLEY. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPARKS SCHOOL PARK PROGRAM. WE WORK ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF SPARK.

WE WORK WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TRANSFORM SCHOOLS YARDS INTO COMMUNITY PARKS. PARKS PROVIDE IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY BENEFITS, SAFE PLACES TO WALK, EXERCISE, AND PLAY WHILE BRINGING NEIGHBORS TOGETHER AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES. I APPRECIATE THE COUNTY'S INVESTMENT IN SIDEWALKS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION, BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS AND PARKS. I ALSO WANT TO RAISE AN URGENT CONCERN: RECENT SCHOOL CLOSURES IN HOUSTON ISD AND SPRINGBANK ISD HAVE CLOSED SIX SPARK PARKS.

SPARK INVESTED NEARLY $1 MILLION IN THESE PARKS, AND THEY SERVE OVER 15,000 PEOPLE. I ASK THE COUNTY TO EXPLORE WORKING WITH THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PRESERVE THESE

PROPERTIES AS PARKS. >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS NORMA GONZÁLEZ. YOU'VE ASKED OUR COMMUNITIES WHAT WE WANT OUR MONEY SPENT ON, AND WE'RE ANSWERING YOU.

WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT WILL HARM US.

WE'RE SCARED OF FLOG, POLICE AND I.C.E.

THESE ARE TOOLS OF SURVEILLANCE, TYRANNY, CRIMINALIZATION AND MURDER. MANY OF YOU STANDING BEHIND THAT BENCH KNOW WOODY HANTOS. YOU'VE COME TO OUR EVENTS AND GIVEN US RECOGNITION. YOU KNOW THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. YOU CLAIM TO BE A PART OF THEM.

I'M SCHOOL YOU TO CONTINUE TO STAND WITH US NOW AND LISTEN TO US. WE KNOW YOUR HANDS ARE NOT TIED WHEN IT COMES TO THE FLOCK CONTRACTS.

YOUR OWN POLICY STAND TOLD COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT FLOCK CONTRACTS CAN STILL BE AMENDING AND THAT ENDING IT IS POSSIBLE.

WE NEED HOUSE, HEALTH CARE, ACCESS TO LANGUAGE, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. STOP FUNDING FLOCK.

>> MY NAME IS TERRI CHEN, AND I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH WOODY JUNTOS. OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WHICH ARE THE BEAUTIFUL IMMIGRANTS THAT IF I HAVE OUR COUNTY VIBRANCY AND CULTURE, SAY THAT THEY'RE SCARED EVERY DAY TO LEAVE THEIR HOUSES.

FLOCK CAMERAS INVERT THE VERY NATURE OF HOW POLICE ARE SUPPOSED TO FUNCTION, WHICH IS INVESTIGATING AFTER CRIME OCCURS. THEY OBVIOUSLY AREN'T PREVENTING CRIME, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE LARGEST BUDGET.

HOWEVER, UNDER MASS SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, WE'RE ALL UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALL CRIMES AT ALL TIMES.

OUR 4TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS ARE OUT THE WINDOW.

THERE'S NO FREEDOM IN THIS SO-CALLED LAND OF THE FREE.

THERE'S NOTHING BRAVE ABOUT PEOPLE USING FLOCK CAMERAS TO STALK WOMEN. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY, BUT PEOPLE ARE DETAINED EVERY DAY FOR GOING TO WORK, WHILE TRYING TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE DECADES-LONG AND EXPENSIVE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. STOP FLOCK SPENDING.

PUT OUR MONEY TOWARDS PROGRAMS SUCH AS HART AND INSF.

THANK YOU. >> YOUR TIME IS UP, THANK YOU.

>> KELLY FAIR DAY. CAROLINE CLEARY.

ELIZABETH SCHOOLER, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I'M KELLY FAIR ADDAI. AS HARRIS COUNTY DEVELOPS ILLUSTRATE FISCAL YEAR 27 BUDGET, WE -- MUST GROW OUR TAX BASE, NOT JUST CUT SERVICES. A PRELIMINARY REPORT SHOWS, THAT FOR EVERY THREE CLIMATE AND ENERGY STARTUPS THAT ARE IN HOUSTON -- SORRY, FOR EVERY FOUR THAT ARE IN HOUSE TOWN, THREE OF THEM LEAVE. SO WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY AND WE NEED TO ACT. THE COMPANIES NEED ACCESS TO CAPITAL. CUSTOMERS, AND WE HAVE LOTS OF

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DEMONSTRATION FUNDING. TALENT.

WE HAVE LOTS OF THAT. AND MANUFACTURING SITES.

SO I ASK COMMISSIONERS COURT TO DEVELOP AN ENERGY STARTUP RETENTION PLAN SCALE-UP STRATEGY, AND WE ARE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU IN ANY WAY TO HELP CONVENE THAT.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS EVANTHA COLLINS. I'M ASKING YOU TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 3.

STATE-FUNDED SERVICES REQUIRE A CHILD TO HAVE A 25% OR GREATER DELAY IN DEVELOPMENT, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CHILD ONLY A 5 OR 10% DELAY? A CHILD SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED BEFORE THEY QUALIFY FOR HELP.

HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZED THIS GAP AND INVESTED IN FUNDING IN ECI THROUGH THE HA THE HARRIS OR FOR HELP.

INTERVENTIONS THAT HELP BABIES TO SPEAK, SIT UP OR WALK FOR FIRST TIME. AND MORE THAN 800 FAMILIES RECEIVED PEER SUPPORTS TO AID THEIR CHILD'S SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION INTO SCHOOL. THE OUTCOMES SHOW EARLY INTERVENTION WORKS. PLEASE CONTINUE INVESTING TO ACCESS TO EARLY BETTER INTERINVESTIGATION CAN BE DETERMINED BY A CHILD'S ENVIRONMENTAL NEED.

NOT A FUNDING THRESHOLD. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS CAROLINE CLEARY. I'M THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF HOUSTON, LOCATED IN PRECINCT 1. FIRST, THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING $2.5 MILLION TO THE DA TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE MURDER OF LORENZO SELL GADO.

WE REQUEST THAT YOU SEEK ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO, 1, HOLD I.C.E. ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTION, AND 2, PROTECT THE PUBLIC VIEWING DURING VOTING IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

NO COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHOULD FEAR THAT A CALL TO THE POLICE WILL TRIGGER I.C.E. DETENTION OR THAT GOING TO THE POLLS IS A RISKY ACTION. YET, THAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

WHEN RESIDENTS SHUN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHEN CITIZENS ARE AFRAID TO VOTE, ALL RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY ARE MADE LESS SAFE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU.

>> HI. I'M ELIZABETH SCHOOLER FROM THE SHARP SOUND CIVIC ASSOCIATION. HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CHANCE TO SPEAK. I URGE YOU TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR SIDEWALK REPAIRS AND PARK MAINTENANCE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. PLEASE ALLOCATE THE NEEDED FUNDS TO REPAIR OUR SIDEWALKS AND MAINTAIN OUR PARKS.

SAFE SIDEWALKS ARE CRUCIAL FOR CHILDREN WALKING TO SCHOOL, SENIORS NAVIGATING NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THE SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

MANY OF OUR SIDEWALKS ARE IN POOR CONDITION AND NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. OUR PARKS ARE ALSO VITAL.

THEY PROVIDE SPACES FOR RECREATION, BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER, AND SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS' HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WITHOUT PROPER MAINTENANCE, THESE SPACES QUICKLY DETERIORATE AND LOSE THEIR VALUE TO THE COUNTY. INVESTING IN SIDEWALKS AND PARKS IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY'S SAFETY, HEALTH AND FUTURE. I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT MAKING THESE PRIORITIES A REALITY.

PLEASE MAKE SIDEWALK REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. THANK YOU.

>> ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, TED CORE.

RICARDO BARNS. MAMARYMARY VILLANUEVA.

>> GOOD MORNING. YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I REQUEST THAT YOU CONTINUE TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TRANSPORTATION, ESPECIALLY FOR SAFETY OF MOBILITY OF PEDESTRIANS FROM -- INVESTING IN SIDEWALK AND STREET LIGHTS.

ALSO INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPING OF THIRD SPACES.

WE HAVE A VERY SCARCITY OF PARKS OUTSIDE OF SUBDIVISION PARKS, AND I THINK THIRD SPACES ARE NEEDED FOR US TO HAVE A HEALTHY INTERACTION FOR FAMILIES. YOU KNOW, WE JUST DRIVE TO WORK, COME BACK TO WORK, AND THEN I CAN DRIVE FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND PAY FOR ENTERTAINMENT. SO IT'S A BIG REQUEST FROM MY SIDE TO PLEASE INVEST IN THAT THIRD SPACES.

THERE IS A GREAT PROJECT THAT WAS UNDERTAKEN BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL SOCIETIES WHERE MY KIDS GO, AND THE SIDEWALK NEEDS CROSSING COMPLETED OVER 525.

THANK YOU. >> MA'AM.

THANK YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> PAGE KHOR. >> THANK YOU.

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>> GOOD MORNING. I'M RICARDO BARNS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPRINGBANK DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

WE BRING TOGETHER TRUSTED NON-PROFIT PARTNERS THAT PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN ONE LOCATION AT 8575 PITNER. NER WE WANT TO UNLOCK POTENTIAL. POVERTY RATES AMONG THE CHILDREN IN OUR AREA IS OVER A 5%. OVER 61% OF THE ADULTS HAVE NO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. BEYOND THE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COSTS OF LITERACY, THE COST OF LOCAL ECONOMIES IS STAGGERING.

GAP UP ESTIMATES THAT ALL ADULTS IN HARRIS COUNTY LOVE FROM LEVEL 1 TO LEVEL 2 LITERACY LEVEL, IT COULD GENERATE AN ADDITIONAL $13 BILLION TO THE ECONOMY OF THE CITY.

WE ARE HERE SEEKING THE COUNTY'S SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THE 9 MEANS TO REACH THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS WHO ASPIRE TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF LITERACY GOALS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGES. I'M BARBIE BOUCHER.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL. I WANT TO START BY THANKING YOU ALL. YOU ALL HAVE LED THE WORK FOR SOME INCREDIBLE WORK IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FIELD THAT IS BEING LOOKED AT NATIONALLY. THAT WAS BEING DONE WITH ARPA FUNDS, AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THAT.

THERE ARE SOME CRITICAL PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGIES THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.

HART AND RISE... AMAZING PROGRAMS. CHANGING LIVES. SAVING LIVES.

AND DECREASING EXPENSES BECAUSE OF CRIME.

AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS BECOME PART OF THAT STRATEGY.

WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH HART AND RISE.

THEY ARE TRULY INCREDIBLE. MY ASK IS THAT, AS YOU MAKE

THESE DIFFICULT DECISIONS -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> PLEASE CONSIDER THE LIFE COST.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS RACHNA CURRAY. DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HELPS SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN GET SAFE, OFTEN IN THE MOMENT WHEN THE RISK OF HOMICIDE IS ASKING.

THIS FUND TURNS INTO ACTION IMMEDIATELY.

A HOTEL TONIGHT. A BUS TICKET TO SAFE FAMILY.

KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON. FOOD AND MEDICINE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THIS MODEL IS WORKING.

MORE THAN $3 MILLION HAS SUPPORTED OVER 4,000 SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH 20 PARTNER AGENCIES RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS FUND FILLS GAPS THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REMAINING IN DANGER OR GETTING TO SAFETY.

TODAY, RESOURCES ARE SHRINKING AS THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS RISE.

THIS COURT HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY AT THE RIGHT MOMENT CAN SAVE A LIFE. YOU BUILT THIS.

IT'S WORKING. PLEASE PROTECT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MARY VILLANUEVA, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOME AND WORKING-CLASS FAMILY AGAINST THE TAX INCREASE THAT Y'ALL ARE PROPOSING.

ONE SUCH EXAMPLE IS MY MOTHER'S OLD HOME.

WHEN I LIVED THERE, I PAID $1,953 IN PROPERTY TAXES, BUT THEN AFTER THE -- I LEFT, IT INCREASED TO 3,000.

THERE HAVE BEEN SMALL INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN PROPERTY TAXES. EXCEPT IN 2024 WHEN Y'ALL HAD ANOTHER TAX INCREASE. IT INCREASED IT TO $1,000.

$4,793 ARE EXPENSE THAT IS ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOME INSURANCE, WHICH WAS $3,050. THE FRONT INSURANCE, 1.265, MAKING IT A TOTAL OF 9-POINT 048 ON THIS HOME THAT THE A"R" HOMET

THE -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

>> ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, ELIZABETH HOWLEY.

I'M SORRY. ESMERALDA.

RUSTY BRIGGS. RAYMOND BACKENS.

GREG SHAW. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ESMERALDA.

I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1, AND I'M HERE DEMANDING THAT THE

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ONCE OUR TAXES FUND THESE CAMERAS, THIS DATA IS ENTERED INTO A NATION-WIDE NETWORK THAT ANY AGENCY CAN ACCESS.

I IMPLORE YOU TO STOP FUNDING MASS SURVEILLANCE AND FUND OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH GREEN SPACES, LIBRARIES, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND MORE.

THANK YOU. >> I'M NERVOUS.

HI. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDDAL OWE D COMMISSION. I CAME TO ASK THE COURT TO FULLY FUND AN OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND TO EXPAND HART, THE HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM.

HART CAN RESPOND TO THOSE MANY SITUATIONS THAT CURRENTLY CONSUME TOO MUCH OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' TIME AND RESOURCES. WHEN SOMEONE SUFFERS A METAL OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS, IT ONLY MAKES SENSE TO SEND INDIVIDUALS TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO ASSESS THE SITUATION, DE-ESCALATE THE CRISIS AND CONNECT THAT PERSON TO NEEDED SERVICES. HART ALLOWS OUR COMMUNITY TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY AND WITH COMPASSION, BUT IT'S NOT JUST KIND. IT'S APPROPRIATE, AND IT'S CHEAPER THAN FURTHER OVERBURDENING THE --

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU DIDN'T SOUND NERVOUS AT ALL.

>> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSION.

MY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. MY NAME IS RAY BACKENS, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT'S THE EXTRA EVENLY I ADVISORY COUNCIL AND A LONG-TIME LEADER AND A TEAM MEMBER.

SO I'M HERE TO OPPOSE POLICE AND JAIL-BASED RESPONSES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

A PERSON WHO NEEDS CARE SHOULD NOT BE TREATED LIKE A CRIMINAL.

WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS THE PRIMARY RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THE SITUATION CAN ESCALATE UNNECESSARILY AND LEAVE INDIVIDUALS WITH LASTING TRAUMA, AND THEIR FAMILIES.

I ALSO OPPOSE INCREASING THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET, WHILE COMMUNITY-BASED SAFETY PROGRAMS REMAIN UNDERFUNDED.

HARRIS COUNTY CANNOT CONTINUE DIRECTING MORE RESOURCES TOWARDS POLICING AND INCARCERATION, WHILE ASKING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS, OUTREACH WORKERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

PUBLIC SAFETY -- >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK Y'ALL. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS. MY NAME IS GREG SHAW.

I'M WITH THE TEX TEXAS ORGANIZIG COMMITTEE.

MY THING IS MENTAL HEALTH CARE. YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAD A SHOOTING IN HOUSTON, ABOUT -- A GUY SHOT THREE CARS.

HE WAS A SCHOOL TEACHER. YOU KNOW, MENTAL HEALTH IS REALLY ONE OF THE GROUP CAUSES OF OUR PROBLEM HERE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GOTTA GO TO SCHOOL YOU GOT ARMED GUARDS IN SCHOOL.

WHEN INSTEAD OF HAVING A FIRE DRILL, YOU HAVE A DRILL THAT AN ARMED PERSON IS ON CAMPUS. WE HAVE TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT THIS IS TRAUMA ON OUR KIDS.

TEXAS HAS THE LARGEST UNINSURED PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY.

1.5 MILLION, AND ONE MILLION OF 'EM ARE KIDS.

WE GOT KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE, AND MOST OF THE THAT'S COME FROM MENTAL STRESS. I MEAN, WE HAD 4,000 TEACHERS RESIGN BECAUSE OF THE STRESS, YOU KNOW, OF BEING ENDANGERED.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 2: DODGY PIPER.

OREL MCBRIDE. SANDRA MCVEERA.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

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YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GRACIAS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS SANDRA RIVERA.

I'M A RESIDENT OF HARVEST COUNTY, A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE TO TREAT THE MENTAL CRISIS NOT AS A PROBLEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

WHEN A PERSON IS IN NEED OF -- IS IN CRISIS, THEY NEED ATTENTION, SUPPORT, AND APPROPRIATE SERVICES.

AND RESPONSE -- NOT TO PROVIDE A RESPONSE THAT'S ONLY GOING TO WORSEN THE SITUATION. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH CRISIS, MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, DESERVE TO BE TREATED BY PROFESSIONALS THAT CAN HELP TO REDUCE THE CONFLICT AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT -- IMMEDIATE SUPPORT AND CONNECT THEM WITH NEEDED RESOURCES. THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE INVEST IN EQUIPMENT AND PROPER RESPONSES THROUGH THE

MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST. >> THANK YOU.

>> GRACIAS. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS DR. DOJI PIPER. I'M A CRIMINOLOGIST AND THE COORDINATING AT TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

I URGE YOU TO FORM AN OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND EXPAND HART. THESE ARE COMPLEX COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS THAT REQUIRE TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SURVIVOR ADVOCATES, VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS, RESTORATIVE PRACTITIONERS AND TRUSTED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. WHEN POLICE AND JAILS BECOME OUR DEFAULT RESPONSE, WE RISK CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE WHO NEED CARE AND ESCALATING SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE SUPPORT.

I ASK YOU TO INVEST IN AN OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY THAT COORDINATES HART, SURVIVOR SUPPORT, HOUSING, AND HEALTH CARE. FUND CARE.

FUND PREVENTION. EXPAND HART.

GIVE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS THE RIGHT RESPONSE.

NOT A POLICE RESPONSE. >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS EARL MCBRIDE, AND I DO HOLD A DEGREE IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE, AND I WANT TO TELL Y'ALL THIS MORNING THAT BEFORE APPROVING ANY INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR POLICING, COMMISSIONERS COURT SHOULD FULLY FUND THE HART PROGRAM AND AN OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY SAFE. THIS IS NOT ABOUT IGNORING SERIOUS HARM. IT'S ABOUT INVESTING IN PREVENTION, CARE, AND COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.

PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS MORE THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT MEANS KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, AND I'M ASKING YOU Y'ALL, BECAUSE WE TRYING TO BREAK THAT WEDGE IN.

WE SEE THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

MENTAL HEALTH IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THEY RUN TO 'EM WITHOUT GIVING 'EM A CHANCE BECAUSE OF THE CRISIS.

WE NEED EVERYBODY TO BE TRAINED AND BE ON ONE LEVEL, AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FROM TOPS. OPEN UP THE COMMUNITY FOR A SAFER PLACE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 2: MINA VONG. LIZ HANKS.

AUDREY NATH. CECILIA FANTINO.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> FLOCK IS A KILLER OF WOMEN.

[00:25:02]

YOU ARE ALLOWING ABUSIVE MEN TO HAVE ACCESS TO HUNDREDS OF TIME-STAMPED SCANS OF WOMEN'S LOCATIONS.

YOU ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR HIM TO BE ABUSIVE BECAUSE THE CAMERAS DO ALL THE WORK FOR HIM. IF YOU WERE AN ACTUAL ADVOCATE FOR SURVIVORS, YOU KNOW THAT ABUSERS WILL DO ANYTHING TO ASSERT POWER OVER THEIR VICTIMS. RULES AND REGULATIONS WON'T STOP THEM FROM THIS. IT'S CRUCIAL YOU REMOVE FLOCK FROM HOUSTON BECAUSE, IF NOT, YOU ARE AN ENABLER OF ABUSE, AND YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF VICTIMS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, AND JUDGE.

MY NAME IS CECILIA FANTINO. AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER.

MANY RESIDENTS ATTENDED COUNTY HUNDRED HALLS AND SPOKE HERE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT. ONE THING -- ONE THING THAT WAS CONSISTENT WAS THERE WERE MORE CALLS FOR FUNDING TO GO TOWARDS HOUSING, HEALTH CARE AND CHILDCARE.

INSTEAD, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT. WE HAD TO SCALE BACK PROGRAMS FOR CHILDCARE WAS CUT, AND HOUSING IS STILL UNDERFUNDED.

INCREASED FUNDING SHOULD HAVE GONE TO FLOOD PROTECTION, PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOUSING; PROGRAMS THAT HELP OUR

COMMUNITIES. >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS LIZ HANKS. I'M A BOARD MEMBER OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL.

MANY OF YOU KNOW ME FROM MY PRIOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ADVOCACY WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION.

PUBLIC SAFETY DOESN'T BEGIN WHEN A CRISIS BECOMES A 911 CALL.

IT BEGINS JUST EARLIER, WITH PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND GIVING FAMILIES THE RESOURCES THEY NEED BEFORE VIOLENCE ESCALATES. GUN VIOLENCE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OVERLAP IN FRIGHTENING WAYS, AND TO DO THE SOLUTIONS.

OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, HARRIS COUNTY HAS BUILT A COORDINATED SYSTEM ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND THEY'RE ACHIEVING RESULTS. I AM PROUD TO KNOW LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE DATA AND BUILT PROGRAMS TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE OUR FORWARD MOMENTUM. PLEASE PROTECT WHAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS WORKED SO HARD TO BUILD.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS AUDREY NATH.

AND I'M A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 1.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY WITH REGARD TO THE BUDGET, TO ASK FOR NO INCREASE TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET.

I'LL ASKING THAT WE ALLOCATE MORE OF THE SHERIFF'S UNINCREASED BUDGET TO VIOLENCE PREVENTION, AND SPECIFICALLY, I'M ADVOCATING FOR INCREASED FUNDING TO RISE, THE RELENTLESS INTERPRETERS SERVING EVERYONE, A PROGRAM TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE, AND ALSO AS A PHYSICIAN, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT PREVENTION IS FAR LESS EXPENSIVE AND MORE EFFECTIVE IN DEPOSITING ANY PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, INCLUDING THAT OF GUN VIOLENCE.

>> THTHANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 2: MARVIN.

TROY DAVIS. WALTER STENTLAND.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JEMANA MULBERRY.

I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF CALLING PRECINCT 4 MY HOME FOR SO MANY YEARS. I'M SO GRATEFUL TO THE COURT FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE PROJECTS TO IMPROVE OUR STREETS AND HOMES THEY PROTECTED DURING HEAVY RAINS. I'D ALSO LOVE TO SEE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN SIDEWALKS SO THAT NEIGHBORS OF ALL AGES CAN GET AROUND SAFELY AND COMFORTABLY. ESPECIALLY AROUND OUR WORSHIP CENTER AREA, WHERE I SEE MANY PEDESTRIANS, YOUNG AND OLD, WALKING ON THE GRASS OR INTO THE STREETS, WHICH IS A VERY UNSAFE ACT. ALSO INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS WOULD MEAN A LOT, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE OUT WALKING

[00:30:04]

IN OUR AREA TO FUND -- >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> HI.

GOOD MORNING. I'M THE CEO SPRINGBRANCH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, ONE OF THE FEDERALLY-QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS IN HOUSTON, AND ALSO A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3 AND SPRING BRANCH. I'M HEARING ADVOCATING FOR CONTINUAL OR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A LARGE POPULATION OF UNINSURED RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHWEST, WEST AND SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY, SO I ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE, AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO BRING FEDERAL DOLLARS INTO HARRIS COUNTY AS FQH CS.

WE CAN'T MAINTAIN THOSE SERVICES WITHOUT THE COUNTY'S SUPPORT.

AND JUST LASTLY, PLEASE CONTINUE TO FUND OUR SAFETY NET HOSPITALS, PROVIDING HEALTH SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY, WELLNESS VISIONS, HIV TESTING, AND DELIVERING HEALTHY FOOD WEEKLY TO OUR RESIDENTS. GWEN, I ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE. MIME A RE I'M A RESIDENT OF PRET 2 AND PEER JUSTICE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE FUNDING FOR HOUSING. IF TAXES ARE INCREASED, THOSE COSTS WILL BE PUSHED ON TO HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS, BECAUSE THE LANDLORDS WILL PASS ON THOSE COSTS TO THEM.

I WAS OUT CANVASSING AND MET A WOMAN WHO WAS SLEEPING IN HER CAR WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO GO. I MET ANOTHER YOUNG LADY WHO WAS ESCAPING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION.

SHE CALLED A NUMBER OF PLACES, THAT WERE FILLED.

SHE HAS TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE TO LIVE BY SEPTEMBER 1ST.

SHE'S ALLOWING SOMEONE ELSE TO KEEP HER KIDS UNTIL SHE FINDS STABLE HOUSING. EVICTION PROTECTIONS FOR ALL HOUSTONIANS. WE NEED HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO RETURNING FROM INCARCERATION.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSION. I'M THE VISE PRESIDENT OF THE DEPUTIES ASSOCIATION. WE HAVE ALREADY PROVEN THAT COMPETITIVE PAY WORKS. BEFORE HARRIS COUNTY INVESTED IN PAY PARITY, WE FACED VACANCIES, RISING BURNOUTS, SLOWER RESPONSE TIMES AND THE LOSS OF EXPERIENCED DEPUTIES TO HIGHER-PAYING AGENCIES. THE RESULT OF THAT INVESTMENT IS UNDENIAL. TURNOVER RATES DROPPED MORE THAN 50%. VACANCIES RATES DECLINED AT 172 ADDITIONAL OFFICERS ARE NOW SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, APPLICATIONS INCREASED BY 35%.

AND WE ARE -- HIRING HAS NEARLY DOUBLED.

PAY PARITY IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT A PAYCHECK.

IT'S ABOUT KEEPING EXPERIENCED DEPUTIES ON OUR STREETS AND PROTECTING MORE THAN 4 MILLION PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

COMMISSIONERS, PROTECT THIS INVESTMENT.

PROTECT OUR WORKFORCE. PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

VOTE "YES" TO KEEP HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPETITIVE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.

>> YES, SIR. >> APPRECIATE YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2: CHRISTOPHER VERA.

NOAH MALINDRES AND OTHERS. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I WORK WITH THE TEXAS HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT. EVERY YEAR, TEAMS LIKE YOU CONTINUOUSLY ASK FOR TAX INCREASES, AND IN THIS YEAR, YOU ASKED EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENTS TO CUT THEIR BUDGET IN A SCENARIO WHERE THEY HAVE TO CUT 8%, BUT YOU DIDN'T ASK THE SHERIFF OR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS.

WE COULD HAVE PUT THAT TOWARDS THE BELL INITIATIVE AND HAVE THE PEOPLE DECIDE WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT FUNDING FOR HART AND RISE AND ALL OF THESE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE TEAMS, INSTEAD OF THE SHERIFF, EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE PERSON WHO TALKED.

[00:35:01]

WE NEED TO ELIMINATE FLOCK BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT

PROTECTING -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IT UP.

ALLOW CLAPPING, SO WE CAN DO THE SNAPPING.

THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD.

>> I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1, AND I'VE BEEN TO SEVERAL TOWN HALLS BUDGETS HOSTED BY YOUR OFFICES, AND ALL OF YOU PRESENTED THIS BINARY. THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY OPTIONS.

ANY ONE OF YOU COULD HAVE FOUGHT TO BRING A SHERIFF OR CONSTABLE BUDGET CUT TO THE VOTERS THE SAME WAY YOU'RE LOOKING TO BRING A TAX RATE INCREASE TO THE VOTERS.

I'M TOLD, WE SUPPORT YOU, BUT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS WOULDN'T, OR THE COMMUNITY WON'T SUPPORT THIS, AND AS CHRIS SAID, EVERY DEPARTMENT WAS ASKED TO PRESENT AN 8 TO 10% BUDGET CUT.

THE CONSTABLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN BEEN ASKED TO DO THE SAME EXERCISE. WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH THE COMMUNITY, BUT HOW COMMUNITY SUPPOSED TO DO ANYTHING WITH YOU IF YOU WON'T BE TRANSPARENT WITH US.

INSTEAD OF TELLING US EVERYTHING YOU CAN'T DO, WORK WITH US TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN, OR BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT YOU WON'T SO YOUR VOTERS KNOW WHERE YOU STAND.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS EMMA SAP ATA.

I'M HERE TO DEMAND THAT YOU AS OUR ELECTED LEADERS STOP USING OUR TAX DOLLARS TO FUND MASS SURVEILLANCE TOOLS LIKE FLOCK CAMERAS. WE'VE BEEN THE PRE REPEATEDLY TT OWES TOOLS ARE AROUND OUR YOUR SAFETY, BUT THEY'RE NOT KEEPING US SAFE AND THEY ARE VIOLATING OUR TOOLS.

THERE'S NO NEED TO FUND A TOOL THAT HAS CAUSED SO MUCH HARM TO OUR FELLOW HOUSTONIANS. WE SHOULD INSTEAD BE USING THAT MONEY TO ACTUALLY HELP OUR FELLOW HOUSTONIANS, TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES. AGAIN, I AM HERE TO COMMAND THAT YOU ALL STOP USING YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO FUND THESE TOOLS, AND, INSTEAD, FUND OUR LIBRARIES, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS LIKE HART. OUR HEALTH SERVICES.

YOU CAN BE SOMEONE IF YOU START ALLOCATING THESE FUNDS TOWARDS

RESOURCES WE ACTUALLY NEED. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JENNIFER FINLAY.

I RESIDE IN PRECINCT. I'M HERE TO DEMAND THAT YOU DEFUND FLOCK AND MASS SURVEILLANCE.

ON THE DRIVE HERE, WE HAVE ALL BEEN SURVEYED.

YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILIES, YOUR CHILDREN.

THEIR LIVES, OUR LIVES, ARE ALL ON THIS MASS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM, THAT IS UNREGULATED AND ON A NATIONAL DATABASE.

YOU CANNOT -- WE THINK WE HAVE AUTONOMY, BUT YOU STEP OUTSIDE AND YOUR LIFE IS BEING LIVESTREAMED.

WHO KNOWS WHO WILL ABUSE THIS POWER.

AND OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN CRIMINALIZED FOR EXISTING AND BUILDING OUT THIS VERY CITY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

DAVID CORNER ATTO ON ITEM 4. LENITA ROBINSON ON ITEMS 5 AND 6. AND JACOB ON ITEM 11.

YOU RECEIVE HAVE ONE MINUTE. -- HE RECEIVE HAVE ONE MINUTE.

I'M IN LESLEY BRIONES' PRECINCT. YOUR PRIORITY AS A GROUP, AS COMMISSIONERS, IS FOR YOUR SAFETY.

I ASK THAT YOU KEEP THE CREDIBLE MESSENGER VISITS, PROVIDING THIS INTERVENTION, AND KEEP THE HOLISTIC RESPONSE TEAM.

BUT I ALSO ASK YOU TO THINK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN EVERY CITY. WE NEED MORE TREE CANOPIES.

MORE NATURAL PLACES, BECAUSE IT REDUCES THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT.

HEAT IS A HEALTH DANGER. >> I SEE WEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODSWE LOW-WEALTH NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THAT, SO PLEASE PRIOR TIES THAT.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M THE PRESIDENT HE HAVE THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN SHERIFF'S ORGANIZATION.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY "THANK YOU" TO THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR MAKING SURE THAT THE HARRIS HARRISCOUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE MAINTAINS ITS ABILITY TO ATTRACT THE BEST, THE BEST CANDIDATES AND INCREASE OUR HIRING, OF COURSE.

THIS PAST WEEK, I THINK MANY OF OUR MEMBERS BECAME A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT A RECENT EMAIL.

[00:40:01]

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND HAVE A GOOD MORNING.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS LENITA ROBINSON.

HARRIS COUNTY IS ASKING RESIDENTS TO PRIORITIZE BUDGETS CUTS, WHILE APPROVAL ANOTHER COUNCIL PAY INCREASE AND USING ONE-TIME FUNDING TO BALANCE AN UNSUSTAINABLE BUDGET.

CAN THE POSITION BE ELIMINATED? ITS DUTIES ABSORBED BY EXISTING STAFF AND THE COUNTY'S CURRENT GRANT CONTRIBUTION REDIRECTED TOWARD REDUCING THE DEFICIT? SECOND, AGENDA ITEM 5 TERMINATES THE LIBERAL IN-FUNDED HEALTH CARE THE HOMELESS HOUSTON DENTAL CARE AGREEMENT. THE AGENDA DOES NOT EXPLAIN WHY.

HOW MUCH FUNDING REMAINS OR HOW PATIENTS WILL AVOID INTERRUPTED CARE. PLEASE DISCLOSE THE FULL FISCAL IMPACT, THE LEGAL RESTRICTIONS AND THE PLAN FOR THESE SERVICES.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> RESIDENTS CANNOT MEANINGFULLY PRIORITIZE CUTS --

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> HI.

I'M JACOB. AND THIS IS -- HOW MUCH IS CALLED FOR, AND, WELL, THINGS LIKE THAT.

LIKE YOU TALK MORE ABOUT IT. AND GO, DYNAMO.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

I KNOW THAT THE CLERK IS HERE, AND I BELIEVE MRS. BURGESS, OUR DISTRICT CLERK. SO GO AHEAD, DISTRICT CLERK BURGESS, AND THEN WE'LL HERE FROM CLERK HESPETH.

OR EITHER. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'LL WAIT FOR OUR DISTRICT

CLERK. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGES COMMISSIONERS. THE ITEM 1 SALARY GRIEVANCES IS GOING TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE YOU TODAY.

THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT CLERK IS TO PROVIDE THE ITEMIZED NAMES AND GET IT SENT OUT TO ALLOW FOR THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE TO

PERFORM THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES. >> GOOD MORNING, MEMBERS OF THE COURT. PURSUANT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE NUMBER 1 52.015. WE GENERATED THE LIST OF ALL PERSONS WHO SERVED AS A GRAND JUROR IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025. WE THEN USED COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO GENERATE SECURE RANDOM 10 BYTE NUMBERS FOR EACH JUROR.

THE JURORS WERE SORTED ACCORDING TO THE RANDOMLY GENERATED NUMBERS, AND THE RESULTING ORDER WAS PLACED INTO AN XL SPREAD.

SHE I AM PRESENTING A COPY OF THAT NAME PRESENTING 309 NAMES OF ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO SERVED IN 2025 HOUSTON GRAND JURY FORT ADOPTION OF THIS BODY AND IN THE MINUTES, AS REQUIRED BY DISTRAUGHT. ONCE THIS BODY DETERMINES THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE, WHETHER ALL PUBLIC MEMBERS OR A COMBINATION OF ELECTED AND PUBLIC MEMBERS, WE WILL CONTACT THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC MEMBERS NEEDED, AS DESCRIBED IN THE FOP.

PURSUANT TO THE STATUTE AND FOLLOWING THE HEARINGS, SIX MORE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE VOTE TO RECOMMEND AN INCREASE TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARY. THE COMMITTEE SHOULD SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATION TO COMMISSIONERS COURT IN WRITING.

COMMISSIONERS COURT IS THEN REQUIRED TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION AT ITS NEXT MEETING.

IF NINE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND AN INCREASE, THAT INCREASE TAKES EFFECT IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER

[00:45:01]

IN ORDER TO FULFILL AN IMPORTANT STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY.

THEIR PARTICIPATION DESERVES OUR RESPECT AND CONSIDERATION.

FOR THAT REASON, I STRONGLY URGE THIS BODY TO FOLLOW THE STATUTE AND GIVE FULL CONSIDERATION TO ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT COMES BEFORE IT. LAST YEAR, THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION WAS NOT CONSIDERED BY THIS BODY AND WAS NOT EVEN READ INTO THE MINUTES. I BELIEVE THAT WAS DEEPLY DISRESPECTFUL TO THE PUBLIC MEMBERS WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND FULFILLED THEIR PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES ENTRUSTED TO THEM BY THE LAW. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THIS BODY ULTIMATELY AGREES WITH OR REJECTS THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE'S WORK AND RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE FULL CONSIDERATION THE STATUTE REQUIRES AND THE COURTESY THESE VOLUNTEERS DESERVE.

HERE IS THE LIST OF JURORS THAT SERVED IN HARRIS COUNTY IN 2025 IN RANDOMIZED ORDER, AND NUMBERED 1 THROUGH 109, THAT I WILL PRESENT TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE INCLUSION IN THE MINUTES AND FOR ADOPTION BY THIS BODY.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO DO ON THIS, JAY?

>> WE WILL NEED TO KNOW THE DATE AND TIME OF THE MEETING SO THAT WE CAN REACH TOUT THE PUBLIC MEMBERS.

>> OKAY. >> JUDGE -- YES, THERE'S A COUPLE OF MOTIONS, I THINK, THAT HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED.

THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE COURT HAS TO MAKE A DECISION IF IT'S GOING TO HAVE A A COMPOSITION THAT IS GOING TO BE ALL-PUBLIC, VERSUS ONE THAT IS GOING TO BE A COMBINATION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE STATUTORILY PRESCRIBED, WITH PUBLIC MEMBERS.

>> IS THIS -- I KNOW THAT WE WANTED TO DISCUSS ITEMS 1 THROUGH 7 AFTER ITEM 2, BUT IT SEEMS THAT WE'RE GOING -- WE'RE JUMPING TO -- EXCUSE ME, 1 AND 7.

SO WE CAN JUMP TO 1 AND 7, SEEING AS THE TWO ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE HERE. ARE YOU GUYS OKAY WITH THAT, COLLEAGUES? OKAY.

SO ON THAT TOPIC... LET ME SEE.

[Departments]

>> YES. >> OKAY.

SO WE START WITH THAT SIMPLE ONE, IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> YES. >> ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE -- A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RANDOMIZED

LIST OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS. >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THEN WE NEED TO ENTER THE LIST INTO THE OFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES. YES?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. JUST CONFIRMING.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> SECOND.

>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THEN -- THEN WE NEED TO SELECT THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF PUBLIC MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES FROM THE

LIST. >> I THINK WE NEED TO ESTABLISH

THE COMMITTEE FIRST. >> OKAY.

>> TO -- YEAH. >> SO, LET ME -- IS THAT THE

QUESTION THAT YOU RAISED? >> YES.

THAT'S CORRECT, YES. >> OKAY.

SO, WHAT ARE THE -- WHAT ARE THE TWO OPTIONS, THEN?

>> GO AHEAD.

>> YES. TO ACCEPT THE -- I CAN'T REMEMBER THE TERM YOU USED. YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF EITHER NINE PUBLIC MEMBERS THAT MAKE UP THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE, OR YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF SIX ELECTED OFFICIALS, PLUS THE NUMBER OF ELECTED PUBLIC MEMBERS THAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO BRING THE COMMITTEE TO NINE. SO, IF -- OF THE SIX ONLY FIVE COULD SERVE, THEN YOU WOULD NEED FOUR PUBLIC.

IF ALL SIX COULD SERVE, YOU'D NEED THREE PUBLIC.

>> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DO ELECTED, PLUS THE RANDOMIZED

LIST. >> WHAT DO YOU GUYS RECOMMEND, MADAM CLERK AND MADAM DISTRICT CLERK?

>> I DON'T HAVE A RECOMMENDATION ON IT.

>> WHAT DID WE DO LAST CYCLE? >> I THINK WE HAD THE MIX.

>> ELECTED PLUS. >> I SECOND THE MOTION.

>> YEAH. ELECTED PLUS PUBLIC

PARTICIPATION. >> WHATEVER THAT'S --

>> WHOEVER'S AVAILABLE. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK ON THAT, CLERK. CAN I ASK A QUESTION FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE ANSWER IS "NO," BUT JUST FOR PURPOSES OF TRANSPARENCY:

[00:50:02]

>> NO. THAT PERSON IS NOT REMOVED FROM

THE COMMITTEE. >> SO THEN THE ALTERNATIVE IS ALL PUBLIC MEMBERS. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, YES. THERE'S NO OPTION TO SELECT ONLY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE COMMITTEE -- OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. EVERYONE ON THAT LIST THAT'S PRESCRIBED BY STATUTE HAS THE ABILITY TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE.

>> AND CAN THE PERSON -- LET'S SAY THE ELECTED PERSON ON THE COMMITTEE IS CHALLENGING HIS OR HER SALARY, CAN THEY RECUSE

THEMSELVES? >> THTHAT WOULD BE UP TO THEM.

>> SO THAT'S COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY, THEN.

>> SO, FOR THAT REASON, I HAVE A MOTION THAT I WOULD PUT PUBLIC

MEMBERS ONLY. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY. SO WE DID HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON -- EXCUSE ME, BY COMMISSIONERS ELLIS -- ON HAVING THE SAME AS WE'VE HAD SO FAR, WHICH IS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. NOW WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY COMMISSIONERS BRIONES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONERS GARCIA, ON HAVING SOLELY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

SO -- >> AND I --

>> THE SECOND MOTION WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE WE VOTE ON.

SO COMMISSIONER BRIONES -- >> GOT IT.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, GO AHEAD. >> WHO WOULD BE THE ELECTED

OFFICIALS? >> I HAVE IT.

SURE.

SORRY. COUNTY JUDGE, THE SHERIFF, TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, DISTRICT CLERK, COUNTY ATTORNEY OR THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY. >> AND WHAT'S THE VOTE THAT

WOULD BE REQUIRED? >> COURT?

>> IF 6 OF THE 8 VOTE TO APPROVE THE ELECTION, IT GOES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AS A WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COURT IS REQUIRED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THAT RECOMMENDATION AND THEN EITHER VOTE IT UP OR DOWN. IF NINE PUBLIC MEMBERS REACH A DECISION UNANIMOUSLY, IT AUTOMATICALLY GOES INTO EFFECT.

AND IS THIS SECOND MOTION AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION, WHICH WOULD THEN GO FIRST, OR IS IT A NEW MOTION, WHICH WOULD GO SECOND?

>> IT WOULD BE COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SINCE IT'S THE MOST

RECENT. >> WHATEVER RULES WE'VE ADOPTED, THAT'S WHAT RULES. WE'VE CHANGED THEM SO MANY TIMES, HONESTLY, MADAM DISTRICT CLERK.

AND THE CONCERN WAS -- DID YOU SAY ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED CONFLICT

OF INTEREST? >> THE ONES THAT THEY J JUST RED CAN SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE. THOSE SAME PEOPLE CAN BE GRIEVING THEIR SALARY. AND THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT OF RUE ACCUSAL. FOR THAT REASON, GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, I THINK IT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY THAT THERE BE ALL PUBLIC MEMBERS.

SO THE MOTION LANGUAGE THAT IS PUBLIC MEMBERS ONLY WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH THE SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 152.015 A 2.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW MY SECOND.

IT'S NOT A CONFLICT. BUT 9 PEBUT THE PERCEPTION OF AT IS THERE. I'LL WITHDRAW MY SECOND BECAUSE

OF THE PERCEPTION OF A CONFLICT. >> JUST AS AN FIY, THE PUBLIC MEMBERS WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE CURRENT SERVICE OF THE TREASURER THAN HAD THE PUBLIC WILL.

>> I'M SORRY. COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> JUST AS AN FYI -- THE PUBLIC -- NOT THE PUBLIC, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES CONCERNING THE CURRENT TENURE OF THE CURRENT TREASURER.

>> YEAH. NO, I UNDERSTAND.

SO, ON THAT NOTE, JUST ASSESSING THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,

I WAS JUST WONDERING THE -- >> THAT'S NOT THE MOTION.

I'M JUST EXPLAINING MY RATIONALE.

SO, BASICALLY, IF YOU'RE CHALLENGING YOUR SALARY AND THEN YOU'RE ON THE SAME COMMITTEE DECIDING, THERE SHOULD BE A SEPARATION, IN MY OPINION, BUT THE LAW DOESN'T MANDATE RECUSAL.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2025, IT WAS EIGHT PUBLIC MEMBERS.

[00:55:03]

IT WAS A HYBRID: ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC MEMBERS. SO THERE'S PRECEDENT FOR BOTH.

THERE'S TWO PROVISIONS IN THE STATUTE THAT ALLOWS EITHER THE HYBRID -- IE, THE MIX -- OR ALL PUBLIC MEMBERS, SO MY MOTION ESSENTIALLY SAYS "ALL PUBLIC MEMBERS."

>> AND I'M NOT BEING -- I JUST WANT TO REMEMBER THERE'S PLENTY OF ISSUES WHERE THE LAW DOESN'T MANDATE THAT THINGS BE DONE DIFFERENTLY, BUT THERE'S A

CONFLICTING SITUATION. >> JUDGE, YOU ASKED MY OPINION.

I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT WANT TO BE ON THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, BECAUSE THIS WOULD DEFINITELY MAKE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR THE COUNTY CIRCLE AND SOME OF THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT COULD SERVE. SO TO COMMISSIONERS BRIONES' POINT, I THINK IT MAKES IT FAR BETTER FOR THE PUBLIC TO SIT ON THIS COMMITTEE THAN IT IS FOR ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL.

>> OKAY. SO WE HAVE -- OH, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> QUICK QUESTION.

YOU MENTIONED WITH NINE -- WITH NINE PUBLIC MEMBERS, THEY HAD TO REACH UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT ON THE AGREEMENT?

>> IF THE NINE REACH A UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT, IT GOES INTO EFFECT AUTOMATICALLY, WITH NO FURTHER ACTION.

IF 6 TO 8 RECOMMEND THE RAISE THAT'S PROPOSED, THEN IT COMES BACK TO THIS COURT FOR YOU TO ACT ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION.

>> SO, 6 TO 8 COMES BACK. ANYTHING LESS THAN SIX --

>> IT DIES. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE? >> YES, COMMISSIONER?

>> ALL OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WERE ON THAT LIST, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY EVERYBODY, OWNER US, AND ONE OF OFFICE, THIS GROUP OF CITIZENS WILL MAKE THAT DECISION.

OKAY. AND IF SIX OF 'EM DON'T SAY

MOVES FORWARD, IT'S OVER WITH. >> IF ONLY SIX AGREE THAT IT SHOULD RAISE TO THE AMOUNT REQUESTED, IT COMES BACK TO THIS BODY AS A RECOMMENDATION, AND THIS BODY MUST VOTE ON IT TO

ACCEPT IT OR DENY IT. >> AND JUST TO CLARIFY SOMETHING: YOU JUST HAVE TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION? THERE'S NOT A REQUIREMENT THAT COURT ACTUALLY ACT ON THE RECOMMENDATION?

BUDGET PROCESS, AS USUAL. >> COMMISSIONER RAMOS?

>> IT'S JUST THE ONES THAT ARE GRIEVING, WHICH WE ONLY HAVE ONE ACTIVITY. IT'S NOT FOR THE WHOLE CLASS, OR ANYBODY WHOSE SALARY HAS BEEN CHANGED.

>> OKAY. >> IT'S ONLY IF ALL NINE ARE

UNANIMOUS THAT IT'S AUTOMATIC. >> OKAY.

>> OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION.

A SECOND MOTION WAS BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

SECOND -- WAS IT GARCIA? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THE ITEMS 1 AND 7. THE SAME MOTIONS.

>> DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU GUYS? >> JUDGE?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ITEM 2?

>> BEFORE WE DO THAT. I JUST HAVE A QUICK COMMENT, IN TERMS. HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS.

WAS IT THE DENTAL CONTRACT? I HAD THE SAME QUESTION.

WOULD YOU REMIND ME WHY THAT CANCELATION IS ON THERE?

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. ARE YOU DIRECTING THAT TO ME OR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? I'M NOT SURE.

>> WHOEVER KNOWS THE ANSWER. >> I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THAT'S A CONTRACT.

>> I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, JUDGE, AND GET AN ANSWER TO YOU.

>> OKAY, IT'S ITEM 5. >> CORRECT.

>> SO BEFORE WE MOVE ON, HERE'S THE PROPOSED RUN OF SHOW: WE ALREADY DID ITEMS 1 AND 7. WE ARE GOING TO DO ITEM 2 NEXT, ON THE BUDGET AND TAX RATES. FOLLOWING THAT, WE MOVE TO ITEM 4, HEALTH AND BENEFIT RATES. AFTER THAT, COLLEAGUES, IF THANK YOU DON'T MIND JUST HAVING A QUICK EXPLANATION ON ITEM 5, AS TO THE HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS ISSUE.

AND THEN, FINALLY, WE WILL CONCLUDE WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION, ITEMS 19 AND 20. WOULD --

>> JUDGE? >> I APOLOGIZE.

I THINK THERE'S ONE ADDITIONAL MOTION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE.

>> GO AHEAD. >> SO SELECT IN THE ORDER OF THE RANDOMIZED LIST AND NUMBER OF PUBLIC MEMBERS REQUIRED TO COMPOSE A COMMITTEE, PLUS 65 ALTERNATES.

>> OKAY. CAN THAT BE A MOTION?

>> YES. THAT'S A MOTION.

>> ALL RIGHT. WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT

MOTION? >> I'LL MAKE IT.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKES THE MOTION.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> I'D ADD THAT TO ITEMS 1 AND 7.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JAMES.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA, COLLEAGUES, YOU'D LIKE TO DISCUSS BESIDES ITEMS 2, 4, 19 AND 20?

>> SO, JUDGE, ITEM 2. I THINK THAT'S GONNA TAKE MORE THAN TEN MINUTES, SO I ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO SUSPEND THE

[01:00:08]

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

>> I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST WE TAKE A TEN-MINUTE BREAK.

>> LET ME PRESS THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THE ITEMS, PLEASE.

ON ITEM 19, WE ADD "PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE" AFTER "SESSION." AND "CERTAIN" BEFORE THE WORD "APPOINTED." SO NOW IT NOW READS REQUESTS BY THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN APPOINTEDAPPOINTED OFFICIALS." DID I MISS ANYTHING? ALL THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EXCEPT FOR THE ONES JUST COMMISSIONED. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE UNANIMOUS CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. A TEN-MINUTE BREAK.

SO

>> THANK YOU. OKAY, IT'S 10:17.

COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

SO WE'RE GOING TO START WITH ITEM 2, AND WE'LL HAND IT OVER TO OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR, DINA RAMOS.

I THINK WE ARE READY. ALL RIGHT.

GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD, BUDGET DIRECTOR.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M DANIEL RAMOS, RAM I'M THE CS BUDGET DIRECTOR.

JUST A QUICK STATEMENT. THE BUDGET THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE PRESENTED TODAY IS THE CULMINATION OF THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF WORK BETWEEN MY OFFICE, YOUR OFFICE, DEPARTMENT STAFF AND MY FELLOW DEPARTMENT HEADS. I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR YOUR COLLABORATION. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M VERY RARELY IN A POSITION TO DO GOOD NEWS, BUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IN THIS BUDGET IS THE HISTORIC COMMITMENT WE'RE GOING TO EMPLOYEES, NOT JUST ON SALARY.

NOT JUST FOR BOTH CIVILIANS AND FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT ALSO IN THINGS LIKE WORKSITE SAFETY.

THINGS THAT REALLY GO AND SHOW THAT WE CARE ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES. NOT JUST FAIR PAYCHECKS, BUT THEIR OVERALL WELLNESS. NEXT SLIDE.

SO, IN TERMS OF AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, I'LL GO THROUGH THIS QUICKLY, AND THEN GO INTO SOME MORE DETAILS HERE.

OUR RECOMMENDED BUDGET IS 3.08 BILLION, WHICH IS -- SORRY.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THERE ARS OF OUR INCREASED BUDGET: $89 MILLION FOR HEALTH CARE INCREASES.

THIS IS REALLY A CULMINATION OF TWO YEARS.

WHEN WE PUT THE BUDGET -- LAST YEAR'S BUDGET TOGETHER, WE HAD ASSUMED A 6% INCREASE. THAT NUMBER CAME IN CLOSER TO 15%. WHEN WE PUT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TOGETHER, WE THOUGHT WE WERE BEING VERY CONSERVATIVE AT 8%.

IT CAME IN CLOSER TO 12. SO WE'RE HAVING TO MAKE UP FOR ESSENTIALLY TWO YEARS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED HEALTH CARE EXPENSES. THIS IS THE SECOND FULL YEAR OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY PARITY. THE 8% THAT WAS PRESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL MOTION IS 45 MILLION, AND THEN THE FULLY FUNDING THE VACANCIES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS AN ADDITIONAL 31. WE ALSO, YOU KNOW -- WE TALK A LOT ABOUT ONE-TIME ITEMS. THOSE BILLS DO COME DUE, SO WE DID RESTORE $69 MILLION WORTH OF ONE-TIME SAVINGS.

WE ALSO HAD ABOUT $61 MILLION WORTH OF CLSS EXPENSES.

THIS IS REALLY, YOU KNOW -- YOU COULD REPLACE THAT CLSS REQUEST WITH INFLATION. THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT -- WHERE WE EVALUATED, YOU KNOW, CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, SERVICES ARE ALL UP ACROSS.

GENERALLY DUE TO THE INFLATION THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE ECONOMY, BUT IT ALSO DOES INCLUDE $14 MILLION OF PRIORITY ARPA PROGRAMS THAT THIS COURT VOTED TO CONTINUE.

THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST FULL YEAR OF THE PAY PARITY, SO WE HAD BUDGETED $50 MILLION AND I BELIEVE IMPLEMENTED $47 MILLION OF THOSE LAST YEAR, SO THERE WAS A BALANCE OF $30 MILLION THIS YEAR WHEN YOU ANNUALIZE THE COST, BECAUSE WE INCLUDED FEBRUARY. THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHEN WE START -- SHIFT AND START TALKING ABOUT TAX RATES, WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASED UTILIZATION OF TOURISM, WHICH IN TURN ARTIFICIALLY INCREASES OUR TAX RATE.

[01:05:01]

NEXT SLIDE. SO THIS IS A ONE-TIME.

WE TALK A LOT FROM CLS WHAT THAT PROJECTED DEFICIT WAS, WHICH AT THE END OF THE DAY WAS $189 MILLION.

THIS IS REALLY THE ONLY TIME WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT FROM THAT STANDPOINT. EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU SEE TODAY WILL BE FROM FISCAL YEAR 26 TO 27.

OUR OTHER REVENUE WENT UP ABOUT 16 MILLION.

OUR TAX REVENUE WENT UP 16 MILLION.

THE NON-TAX REVENUE WENT DOWN 14 MILLION.

A LOT OF THAT WAS KIND OF ONE-TIME ITEM THAT WE HAD IN PREVIOUS OR SHORT-TERM ITEMS THAT WE HAD IN PREVIOUS BUDGETS THAT CAME OUT, AND THEN WE IDENTIFIED 111 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE SAVINGS OPTIONS, AND THEN THAT FISCAL YEAR 25 SURPLUS. OF THE GROUP HEALTH, WE HAD PUT A PLACE-HOLDER OF 38 MILLION IN THE BUDGET.

THAT NUMBER ENDED UP GROWING TO 89.

WE ALSO WERE A LITTLE AGGRESSIVE IN OUR INITIAL JAIL SAVINGS.

WE WORKED WITH NOW MAJOR MILLS TO REALLY HAMMER OUT WHEN WE DO EXPECT TO SEE THESE FOLKS COME BACK TO HAIR HARRIS COUNTY AND N ACTUALLY ARE WE FILLING THE ACADIE TO GET THE REQUISITE DO TO NEED TO RESTORE STAFFING. ONE FOR THE DA INVESTIGATION INVOLVING I.C.E., AND THE OTHER FOR THE CONSULTATION POINT OF VIEW. WE ALSO HAVE -- THIS BUDGET, IF FULLY IMPLEMENTED, AND I STRESS THAT "FULLY IMPLEMENTED," AS IT, SURPLUSES COULD EITHER BE USED TO INVEST IN PRIORITIES OF THE COURT OR TO REDUCE THE TAX RATE. AND THEN WE HAD 44 MILLION OF COUNTY-WIDE SAVINGS AND 16 MILLION WORTH OF DEPARTMENTAL CUTS. NEXT SLIDE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NEW CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO GO STRONG. I WILL NOTE THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WELL OVER A DECADE, WE SAW A DECLINE IN THE APPRAISALS.

THERE'S A FEW REASONS FOR, THAT BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES THAT WE'VE SEEN IS THE NUMBER OF APPEALS WHICH TYPICALLY TRACKS WITH THE AMOUNT OF GROWTH, WENT UP PRETTY AGGRESSIVELY, SO EVEN THOUGH FOLKS ARE SEEING APPRAISALS THAT ARE NEAR FLAT, THEY'RE IN THE HABIT OF GOING AND AND APPEALING THEIR COSTS.

EVEN IF IT REALLY DOESN'T SAVE THEM MONEY AT THE END.

AT THE END OF THEDAY. THE OTHER THING IS, WHEN THE STATE AUTHORIZED THE PERSONAL EXEMPTION.

THAT'S A MASSIVE NUMBER. IT'S ROUGHLY THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE CENT OF OUR TAX RATE. IT'S JUST THAT JUST THAT EXEMPTION ALONE. WE ARE DOING -- WE HAVE WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH COUNTY AUDITOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR ANY INVESTMENT INCOME THAT ARE IN SPECIAL FUNDS WHERE THE LAW ARE SILENT ON WHETHER THAT INVESTMENT CAN BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE GENERAL FUND. WE ARE RECOMMENDING A POLICY OF SHIFTING THAT BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND AS OPPOSED TO LETTING THOSE FUNDS SIT ELSEWHERE.

WE ARE SETTING A TARGET OF $25 MILLION WORTH OF PROPERTY.

COURT TOOK ACTION ON THIS LAST WEEK, SETTING UP ESSENTIALLY FOUR MINI COMMITTEES WHERE WE'LL BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE COMMISSIONER TO IDENTIFY PROPERTY WITHIN YOUR PRIOR TOES TO SURPLUS. WE ARE WORKING WITH HE HCTRA.

GENERAL FUND SUPPORT THAT GOES TO HCTRA FOR THINGS LIKE I.T.

MY STAFF ARE BANKING,ETS AND THAT WOULD BE BACK-DATED TO 2023, AND THEN ARPA INVESTMENT INCOME WAS REALLOCATED A FEW MONTHS AGO BY COURT, AND THEN THE TEXT COLLECTOR ASSESSOR DID A GREAT JOB OF REACHING OUT TO ALL THE FOLKS THAT CONTRACT WITH THAT OFFICE TO COLLECT TAXES AND RAISE THE RATES COMMISERATE WITH THE ACTUAL COST OF PROVIDING THAT SERVICE.

NEXT SLIDE. SO JUST REALLY QUICKLY ON HEALTH CARE. WE'LL HAVE A WHOLE PRESENTATION LATER, BUT I JUST DO WANT TO FLAG, THIS WAS BY FAR THE GREATEST SINGLE GROWTH THAT WE'VE HAD IN HEALTH CARE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE. I WENT BACK TO THE FIRST BUDGET THAT I WAS HERE FOR, WHICH WAS THE 22-23.

[01:10:03]

NEXT SLIDE. SO JUST SOME HIGHLIGHTS: AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE DO PRACTICE THE ALCA BASED BUDGETING.

EVERY DEPARTMENT AND PROGRAM IS ASSIGNED TO ONE OF THESE PRIORITIES. EACH ONE OF THESE PRIORITIES HAS PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THEY'RE NOT ALL IN THE BUDGET BOOK THAT WE HAVE OUT TODAY, BUT THEY WILL BE IN THE MORE DETAILED VOLUME 2 THAT COMES OUT AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

BUT JUST IN TERMS OF MAKING HARRIS COUNTY SAFER AND MORE JUST: WE'RE CONTINUING HISTORIC INVESTMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

15 MILLION. THIS WOULD -- YOU KNOW, WE FINISHED THE FIRST THREE YEARS UNDER COURT ACTION OF THE COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU MADE THE MOTION, TO GET US UP TO 50 PERFORMANCE WHILE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF EXPANDING AND TAKING ON MORE CASE, THE NUMBER OF CASES HAS EXPLODED, SO WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO TO GET TO THAT 50%.

SO WE'LL CONTINUE UNDER THE MOTION, I BELIEVE TROUGHS WEEKS I BELIEVE IT WAS TWOWEEKS AGO, . THEN WE'RE RESERVING ABOUT 1.2 MILLION FOR THE IMPACTS OF BS-9.

THAT WAS THE STATE CHARTER BILL WHICH MADE CHANGES TO WHO AND WHEN BAIL WAS BEING SET FOR. NEXT SLIDE.

NEXT SLIDE. SORRY.

SORRY. GO BACK.

MY BAD. SO, WE ALSO -- ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE PROUD OF IS THAT THIS BUDGET REFLECTS A CONTINUED REDUCTION ON THE RELIANCE OF OUTSOURCING INMATES.

SO WE ARE INVESTING $3 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL DETENTION OFFICERS TO SAVE $6 MILLION ON OUTSOURCING.

WE'RE PROJECTED TO SPEND SOMEWHERE IN THE 37 RANGE.

WHERE AT OUR PEAK WE ARE SPENDING ALMOST A $55 MILLION ON OUTSOURCING A YEAR, SO WE'RE CONTINUING TO SEE THAT TREND DOWN. I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL THE WORK THAT ALL THE JUSTICE PARTNERS HAVE DONE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT -- MAKE THAT A POSSIBILITY. NEXT SLIDE.

SO, IMPROVING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES ACROSS ALL COMMUNITIES: THIS IS WHERE WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF THOSE EFFECTIVE ARPA PROGRAMS BEING PICKED UP.

2.3 FOR NUTRITION AND FOOD ENROLLMENT SYSTEMS. A MILLION DOLLARS FOR BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING.

WE KNOW THAT THE NEED IS TREMENDOUS, BUT THESE WERE PROGRAMS THAT WERE VERY EFFECTIVE.

THEY WENT -- THEY'VE GONE THROUGH STEERCO MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO KEEP THEM AS PART OF THE BUDGET. NEXT SLIDE.

THE BUDGET RECOMMENDS KEEPING THE MOBILITY TRANSFER FLAT, WHILE ALSO FLEXING IN $300 MILLION WORTH OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR ROADS.

THE FIRST 160 MILLION WAS PART OF OUR LAST BOND SALE.

THOSE FUNDS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT I BELIEVE AT THE NEXT MEETING. WE'RE CLOSING ON TUESDAY.

NEXT SLIDE. MAKING OUR ECONOMY MORE INCLUSIVE: ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE ARPA PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE SEEN IS THE APPRENTICESHIP.

THIS BUDGET REFLECTS A $4 MILLION INVESTMENT TO MAINTAIN THAT PROGRAM IN THE GENERAL FUND IN PERPETUITY.

IT ALSO SHOWS ALMOST 2 MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE -- IN OUR WORKSITE SAFETY PROGRAM, WHICH THE COUNTY HAD NOT HAD BEFORE. NEXT SLIDE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO FLAG HERE: WHILE IT IS NOT A DIRECT IMPACT TO THE BUDGET IN TERMS OF COST, WE DO MAINTAIN, BY FAR -- AND I REALLY STRESS THE "BY FAR"-- HIGHEST HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ALLOWABLE UNDER THE LAW.

WE ALSO LEAD THE STATE, AND NOT BY A SMALL MARGIN, IN THE SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, SO WE REALLY -- WHILE WE TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM THAT THE STATE CREATED FOR US PUT SUCH ONEROUS DEMANDS ON OUR PROPERTY OWNERS, I DO BELIEVE THIS COURT HAS LED THE STATE IN -- NEXT SLIDE. THEN MINIMIZING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTERS. MANY OF OUR INVESTMENTS HERE ARE

[01:15:03]

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR FOOTPRINT WITH THE TWO NEW DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS, AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN FLAT TO VERY MODEST GROWTH IN FUEL AND ENERGY ERB, D THAT'S JUST AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR A JURISDICTION OF OUR SIZE, TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THOSE EXPENSES AT NEAR LEVEL YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

NEXT SLIDE. AND THEN -- CAN WE SKIP TO 18? SO, I'M GOING TO TALK REALLY QUICKLY.

SO THAT'S THE GENERAL FUND, AND I'M GOING TO TALK VERY QUICKLY ABOUT FLOOD CONTROL AND HCTRA AND THEN I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. BUT ON THE FLOOD CONTROL, THIS IS OUR THIRD FULL YEAR. THE VOTERS TRUSTED US TO NEARLY DOUBLE THE ALLOCATION -- THE TAX RATE FOR FLOOD CONTROL.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT WE'RE PUTTING THAT MONEY TO USE.

I BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, DIRECTOR STUCKIN AND I TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK, THEY'RE NEAR FULLY STAFFED.

ANYTHING THAT THEY'RE NOT FULLY STAFFED FOR, THEY HAVE CONTRACTORS DOING MAINTENANCE. SO WE'RE DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE WE MADE TO VOTERS. WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN IT SO THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN WORLD-CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT.

THEY ARE -- ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE, THEY ARE SEEING SOME SIGNIFICANT INFLATION, BUT THE THING -- THE SHORT STORY HERE IS THAT THEY'RE GETTING TO THAT FULLY STAFFED AND BEING ABLE TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISE OF MAINTAINING THE AMAZING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S GETTING BUILT.

AND THEN IF WE COULD GO TWO SLIDES, TO HCTRA.

SO AS Y I MENTIONED, WE'RE RECOMMENDING A FLAT -- THE DIRECTOR AND I -- A FLAT TRANSFER OF 180 MILLION.

INFLATION IS HITTING ALL OF US. THEY'RE ALSO MAKING SOME BIG INVESTMENTS IN THEIR PROGRAM, ALLOWING WITH DOUBLING DOWN ON COLLECTION. SO THERE'S AN EXPENSE THERE.

JUST FOR THE COURT'S BENEFIT. WHILE WE'RE RELATIVELY -- WE'RE PRETTY CONSERVATIVE ON THE TRANSFER AMOUNT, IF WE SEE THAT THERE'S ADDITIONAL FUNDING THERE, WE'LL COME BACK AND, YOU KNOW, REMIT WHATEVER EXTRA THERE IS IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS SO THAT YOU'LL ALWAYS GET THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE. WITH THAT, I'LL -- TIFFANY, YOU CAN TAKE THE POWER POINT DOWN. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR TURN IT OVER TO HARRIS HEALTH.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU.

DANIEL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I WANT TO THANK YOUR STAFF.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR RESPECTIVE OFFICES FOR THEIR COLLECTIVE WORK ON WORKING THROUGH THIS -- THIS BUDGET.

IT HASN'T BEEN JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS OF WORK, BUT, RATHER, MONTHS, AND HUNDREDS OF HOURS, SO I WANT TO AGAIN SAY "THANK YOU" TO ALL OF OUR RESPECTIVE TEAMS, AND MY OFFICE, IN PARTICULAR. THEY'VE BEEN KEEPING ME POSTED ON EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED.

THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE BEEN FINDING.

CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING.

THE UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND THE COLLECTIVE THOUGHT, WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN A VERY, VERY DELIBERATE THOUGHT, OF HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE MOST CRITICAL SERVICES WITHOUT DISRUPTION TO OUR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES. AS WELL AS CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT OPERATIONS IN GENERAL MOVE FORWARD AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR COMMITMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE, AS IT WAS MENTIONED BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT, RETENTION. RETENTION IS AT ITS BEST PLACE EVER, AND WE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

BUT THIS HAS ALSO BEEN A DIFFICULT TIME FOR US BECAUSE OF THESE UNFUNDED MANDATES AND BECAUSE THE STATE SITS ON A $24 BILLION SURPLUS THAT THEY ARE THUS FAR REFUSING TO SHARE WITH COUNTIES ACROSS TEXAS AND HAHAIR HARRIS COUNTY, IN PARTICULAR. THE GOVERNOR STILL REFUSES TO

[01:20:01]

SO, IN SPITE OF ALL THESE CHALLENGES, WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH IT. WE'VE BEEN STARING AT THIS DEFICIT, WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ABOUT $181 MILLION, AND AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF, BECAUSE I DIRECTED 'EM TO LOOK AT EVERY, EVERY PENNY THAT CAN BE SAVED AND BE PROPOSED AS AN OFFSET, AND WE HAVE -- WE HAVE DONE THAT. THE -- ALSO THE IDEA OF -- LOOK... I TAKE SIGNIFICANT PRIDE IN CONSTITUENT SERVICES FOR MY RESIDENTS BEING -- HAVING THE LOWEST MEDIAN INCOME, LOWER HOMEOWNERSHIP RATE, HIGHEST HEALTH CARE DESERTS, HIGHEST FOOD DESERTS, HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE BY 20 YEARS, SO THE OF A TS HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT VERY, VERY CAREFULLY BY ME AND DISCUSSED IN DEPTH BY ALL OF MY STAFF, SO, AGAIN, I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING.

THEY'VE BEEN MEETING WITH YOUR OFFICE, THEY'VE BEEN MEETING WITH DIRECTORS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS BUDGET WILL AFFECT THEM, AND THE -- AND THE GOAL WAS MAINTAIN CONSTITUENTS IS, MINIMIZE LAYOFFS OR AVOID THEM ALTOGETHER.

HOW MANY IS THAT? >> I CAN CONFIRM.

WE HAVE ZERO LAYOFFS WITH THIS BUDGET.

>> VERY GOOD. >> SO, OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, NAVIGATING ALMOST A $400 MILLION DEFICIT -- OR OVER $400 MILLION DEFICIT, I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE HAS BEEN LAID OFF AS A RESULT.

>> GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU.

AND IT PROVIDES, AGAIN, OUR COMMITMENT FOR THE RAISES THAT WE COMMITTED TO OUR FRONTLINE DEPUTIES, WHO PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND THEN IT KEEPS -- IT STILL HAS US KEEP HAVING A DISCUSSION ON WHAT THE ULTIMATE RATE WILL BE THAT WE ADOPT, BUT, AGAIN, THE WORK OF OUR COLLECTIVE STAFF, AND YOU, MR. RAMOS, HAVE BEEN -- HAVE JUST BEEN STELLAR IN HELPING US WORK THROUGH ALL THIS.

BUT, AGAIN, THERE HAVE BEEN NO SIMPLE SOLUTIONS.

IT HASN'T BEEN AN EASY PROCESS, BUT THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE.

WE'VE ROLLED UP OUR SLEEVES. WE'VE SAT AT THE TABLE.

WE'VE HAD, AGAIN, NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS.

AND THEN THERE'S, YOU KNOW, SOME DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE GOT TO HAVE. HEALTH CHEALTH CARE, AS YOU POI, MR. RAMOS, FOR OUR EMPLOYEES IS SOMETHING THAT -- I USED TO CALL IT A TRAIN COMIN' DOWN AT US: I THINK THE TRAIN IS HERE, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE ADJUST THIS, AND LOOKING AT OUR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, IN PARTICULAR, SINCE WE LOOK TO THEM FOR PARITY IN TERMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE'RE ALSO -- WE SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT -- TO HOW SEE THEY'RE DOING WITH THEIR HEALTH CARE.

AND I'M IMPRESSED WITH WHAT THEY'VE DONE, AND I HOPE THAT THIS BECOMES A CONVERSATION THAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. IF NOT, AT A MINIMUM, BEGINNING TO SET THE STANDARD GOING FORWARD WITH FOLKS THAT ARE NOT YET WORKING FOR THE COUNTY. I THINK THAT IS GONNA BE AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION THAT WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE.

AND THEN WE HAVE TO ALSO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US IN AREAS THAT WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IN A VERY LONG TIME. SO ONE AREA -- AND I WANT TO BEGIN SOME OF THE CONVERSATION WITH A MOTION IN THIS REGARD -- IS EVICTION FEES, AND I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAVE LOOKED AT THIS? BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS THAT OUR EVICTION FEES ARE THE LOWEST IN THE REGION. AND SO I'M GOING TO PROPOSE AN INCREASE ON OUR EVICTION FEES. AND THAT MOTION IS GONNA READ "TO MOVE TO DIRECT OMB TO RETURN TO COURT ON SEPTEMBER THE 8TH OF THIS YEAR WITH A PLAN TO REVISE EVICTION FEES TO $120." AS A COMPARISON, MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS ALREADY AT 120.

GALVESTON COUNTY IS AT 110. AND -- AND IF WE WERE TO ADOPT

[01:25:05]

CURRENTLY, WHAT IS OUR EVICTION FEE, MR. RAMOS?

>> IT'S 85. AND THE BUDGET REFLECTS AN INCREASE TO 100. TO ANSWER YOUR ECONOMY, COMMISSIONER: WE ADJUSTED THESE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. PRIOR TO THAT, I BELIEVE IT WAS EARLY 2010S THAT THEY WERE ADJUSTED.

AND THEN JUST ONE PIECE OF CONTEXT THERE: WHAT WE'RE REFERRING TO IS EVICTION FEES.

THERE'S A WHOLE SLATE OF FEES THAT THE CONSTABLES CHARGE.

THE EVICTION FEES SPECIFICALLY CAN ONLY BE CHARGED BY A CONSTABLE. THESE ARE NOT THINGS THAT CAN BE

REPLACED BY A PRIVATE SERVER. >> EXACTLY.

EXACTLY. THANK YOU.

SO THAT WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT MOTION THAT I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO THINK ABOUT. AND THEN THERE'S STILL SOME WORK TO BE DONE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE THAT WE NOT ONLY MAINTAIN OUR SERVICES, BUT ALSO MAINTAIN A STANDARD OF SERVICES. AND SO, MR. RAMOS, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN, YOU KNOW, MAINTAIN THAT -- THE LIBRARY ACCREDITATION. I KNOW THERE'S A COST THERE, BUT I THINK IT'S MINIMAL. AND IT IS ONE OF THE MAIN SERVICES THAT MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE ASKED US TO BE VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT. AND, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, TO MY PRECINCT HAVING THE LOWEST EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT RATE.

NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE BRIGHT STUDENTS, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS BASED ON FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES.

I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO PROVIDE THEM AND MAINTAIN THE BEST INFORMATION AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, AND NOT TO MENTION THAT, BEYOND WHAT WE HISTORICALLY AND TYPICALLY THINK ABOUT LIBRARIES, THEY DO A WHOLE OTHER HOST OF SERVICES THAT IS PHENOMENAL AT EMPOWERING FAMILIES, SO I'D YOU TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAINTAIN THAT ACCREDITATION.

>> YES, SIR. >> AND SO, WITH THAT, I WANT TO AGAIN THANK YOU. AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF. BUT I DO WANT TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE MOTION ON THE EVICTION FEES, TO RAISE IT TO $120 AND BRING THAT BACK TO SOME -- ON SEPTEMBER THE 8TH.

. >> I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.

>> THANK YOU. >> HOW MUCH WILL IT BRING IN?

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> MILLION, COMMISSIONER. ROUGHLY 3 MILLION.

>> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SO THAT WILL BRING IN 3 MILLION. ARE WE GOING TO MAKE A MOTION

NOW, OR LATER? >> I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, TOO, AND HONESTLY WOULD PREFER TO GO OVER IT IN THE CONTEXT OF EVERYTHING ELSE, THAT WE CAN, LATER TODAY.

>> WE CAN DOCUMENT ALL THE DISCUSSIONS HERE, AND IF IT NEEDS A MOTION, WE CAN TACK THEM ON AT THE END AND JUST REMIND

COURT OF WHAT'S ON THE TABLE. >> IN TERMS OF THE PROCESS, IF I MIGHT, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM US TODAY?

>> IN TERMS OF TODAY. WE DO NEED FEEDBACK ON MENTAL ON HEALTHCARE. OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S REALLY MEANT TO BE INFORMATIONAL HERE AND TO --

>> INFORMATIONAL, AND THE VOTES WILL COME.

>> CORRECT, AND THEN ON THE BUDGET AMENDMENT DAY, WE'LL COME IN IN THE MORNING TO SET THE TAX RATES, AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL CUTS OR REVENUE GENERATIONS, AND THEN IN THE AFTERNOON, DO THE

BUDGET AMENDMENTS. >> I KNOW YOU -- MR. RAMOS, TELL ME TO MAKE SURE I WAS BACK HERE.

I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO KALLE, COLOMBIA, WHICH YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE EARTHQUAKE, SO I GOT BACK HERE.

I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO AT ALL. THE LIBRARY ACCREDITATION, HOW MUCH WAS THAT? A MILLION BUCKS?

>> A LITTLE OVER A MILLION, I BELIEVE.

AND AS A REMINDER. WHAT THAT WAS WAS ESSENTIALLY SKIPPING A YEAR, GOING INTO A PROBATION STATUS AND THEN PICKING IT UP. I'VE HEARD FROM MULTIPLE OF YOU HAVE THAT THAT'S A PRIORITY, SO WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S

PREPARED. >> AND WE'LL BE THE ONLY ONE IN THE REGION WITH A GOVERNMENT ACCREDITED LIBRARY, RIGHT? THAT'S A GOOD THING. WE'LL BE ABLE TO BRAG ABOUT THAT. LOOK, YOU ALL HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.

IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT THE REVENUE CAPS WERE THRUST UPON US. I HAD DINNER WITH SOME BUSINESS PEOPLE LAST NIGHT. SOMEBODY MADE THE COMMENT, WITH ALL OF THIS GROWTH, I SAW YOU OUT THERE WITH TIM COOK THE OTHER DAY. WITH ALL OF THIS GROWTH, HOW DO YOU HAVE A BUDGET DEFICIT? IT'S LIKE PEOPLE JUST FORGET ABOUT THE REVENUE CAP BEING THERE, OR THE TAX BREAKS THAT THE STATE PUT IN PLACE THAT PUT MORE OF A BURDEN ON HOMEOWNERS

[01:30:03]

129 MILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT. >> YES, SIR.

>> AND THEN LATER THAT INCREASED TO 181.

>> YES, SIR, AND THAT'S THE DELTA BETWEEN OUR 8% PLACEHOLDER AND THEN THE FORMAL ACTUARIAL REPORT THAT WE RECEIVED.

>> OKAY. AND THEN JUST HIGH OVERVIEW, AGAIN, TO MAKE SURE I WALK THROUGH IT RIGHT.

SO YOU PROPOSING TO CLOSE THIS GAP WITH $128 MILLION AND USING ONE-TIME SAVINGS, INCLUDING 49 MILLION TO SELL OFF COUNTY-OWNED LAND. RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR. 128 AND THEN 59 MILLION IN

RECURRING SAVINGS. >> 59.

OKAY. SO WITH THAT 128 IN ONE-TIME SAVINGS, YOU KNOW, I JUST USE THE TERM "STRUCTURAL DEFICIT." I MEAN, EXPERTS DISAGREE ON WHEN YOU CALL IT STRUCTURAL.

THIS WILL BE THE FIFTH TIME IN A ROW.

>> I BELIEVE SO. THAT THAT FIRST YEAR I CAME IN -- WE DIDN'T DO A CLS IN THE SAME WAY.

BUT I BELIEVE SO. THERE WAS A SMALL DEFICIT THAT

YEAR. >> YEAH.

SO I THINK AT LEAST THE BOND RATING AGENCIES WOULD CLASSIFY

THAT AS STRUCTURAL. >> YES, SIR.

AND WE ACTUALLY -- AT OUR LAST BOND SALE, WE MET WITH THE HEADS OF A COUPLE OF OUR BIG INVESTORS.

WHAT THEY HAVE TOLD US IS THEY DO LOOK/THEY ARE LOOKING AT HOW MUCH IS ONE-TIME VERSUS RECURRING.

BUT ULTIMATELY THEY WANT TO SEE THAT YOU'RE BALANCING THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR, WHICH WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO.

>> WE HAVE TO DO. >> CORRECT.

>> SO I GUESS I JUST WANT TO LAY ON THE TABLES FOR MY COLLEAGUES: YOU'VE SAID IT BEFORE. I USE THE TERM "SMOKE AND MIRRORS." I USE THAT PHRASE.

THERE'S ABOUT OVER. THERE'S NOT MUCH LEFT.

ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN PULL OUT OF THE HAT?

>> EVERY YEAR, THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT THAT WE UNCOVER OR CERTAIN CHANGES THAT HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BUT IN TERMS OF THE LOW-HANGING FREE TRADE, WE'RE IN OUR THIRD YEAR OF PLUCKING AND HAS HARVESTING,O NOTHING ON TOP OF THIS COMES TO MIND. I CAN ASSURE YOU: WE'RE GOING TO BE SENDING OUT THE LIST SHORTLY OF WHAT'S SORT OF NEXT ON THE TABLE, AS THINGS FALL OFF AND AS WE GET ASKED TO FUND SOME OF THESE PRIORITIES. I CAN PROMISE EVERYONE IN THIS BUILDING THE CHOICES DON'T GET EASIER THAN WHAT WE'VE PUT ON THE TABLE. THE ONE -- THE TWO DRIVERS, COMMISSIONER, THAT KIND OF GIVE ME HOPE THAT WE CAN GET BACK ON TRACK IS INDIGENT DEFENSE AND OUTSOURCING.

THOSE ARE TWO THINGS WHERE I DON'T FEEL -- AND I THINK COURT SHARES THE SENTIMENT -- GETTING FULL BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

OUTSOURCING DOESN'T NECESSARILY HELP US.

IT DOESN'T HELP THE INMATES. IT DOESN'T GET THEM OUT FASTER.

INDIGENT DEFENSE. WE'VE TALK ABOUT THINGS AND THE TRANSPARENCY THERE. I THINK EVERYBODY'S WORKING ON THIS -- THE EXPANSION TO THE PDO.

THE INVESTMENTS MADE AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

THE INVESTMENTS MADE AT THE JAIL.

THAT COULD REALLY TURN THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTY, IF WE

COULD GET THOSE COSTS. >> SINCE YOU BROUGHT IT UP, I DO WORRY ABOUT THE INDIGENT BECAUSE, BECAUSE THE STATUTE

TIES OUR HANDS. >> I LIVE IN FEAR THAT THEY'RE

GOING TO UPDATE THE FEES. >> I WANT TO STRESS TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT THAT'S ONE THAT WE DON'T CONTROL.

AND ON THE OUTSOURCING, ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAYS FOR US TO REDUCE IT, HAS THE MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM, DESPITE THE CRITICISM OF IT. IF AT SOME POINT THAT GOES AWAY, I THINK THAT'S MYSTICAL TO THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO STOP OUTSOURCING, I HOPE WE DO, BUT IS THAT A FAIR COMMENT? MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM. MOST PEOPLE WITH THAT CHARGE -- IT'S SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS THAN IT HAS IN THE PAST.

>> I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL TRUE. AND THEN WORKING WITH THE

EXPERTS AND -- >> YEAH.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT -- WE'D BE OUTSOURCING FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT FOR MY COLLEAGUES, BUT, LOOK, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT ONE-TIME SAVINGS ISSUE.

I WORRY A BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN ONE-TIME SAVINGS WITH THIS PROPERTY. ALTHOUGH I KNOW IT HELPS BALANCE THE BUDGET. AS AN EXAMPLE: I CALLED DR. RAMIN, I THINK, ON FRIDAY OR SATURDAY, AND FOOD CONTROL IS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GO, AND THAT PINE MOUNT FACILITY, WHICH THE COUNTY BOUGHT -- SOME OF THESE

[01:35:05]

I, FOR ONE, DON'T WANT TO SIGN A TEN-YEAR LEASE.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT THAT. IT HELPS US GET THROUGH THIS CYCLE, BUT I'D HATE TO IN A RUSH CLEAR UP THIS PROJECTED DISCREDEFICIT,WE GO AND H OUR OE SALES.

I KNOW YOU GOTTA BALANCE IT, SO YOU MEET THAT MANDATE, BUT I'M WORRIED ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF BEING SOLD AT A FIRE SALE, BECAUSE WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SAY WE'RE CLEARING UP

THAT DEFICIT. >> WE'RE PREPARED TO DIG DEEPER.

YOU KNOW, MY GENERAL SENSE IS -- I THINK THE COUNTY IS ON A BETTER TRACK THAN WHAT WE'RE SHOWING FINANCIALLY.

I REALLY DO THINK WITH THE DA AND PDO THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE TODAY, THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ON A VERY DIFFERENT TRACK FINANCIALLY WHEN THEY'RE ABLE TO FULLY IMPLEMENT ALL OF THEIR INITIATIVES AND GET US BACK, BECAUSE IT REALLY IS INDIGENT DEFENSE AND OUTSOURCING THAT HAS DRIVEN AT LEAST HALF -- AT LEAST HALF OF THIS DEFICIT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SO WE'RE PREPARED TO DIG DEEPER. YOU KNOW, MY THOUGHT IS, IS WE HAVE THESE ONE-TIME, THEY DO RUN OUT, BUT IF THEY HAVE THEM AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THEM, IT'S PREFERRABLE THAN LAYING SOMEONE OFF OR DELAYING SOME OF THESE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS THAT COURT

HAS PLANNED. >> WELL, AND I'LL LEAVE MY COMMENT FOR THE PUNDITS TO ANALYZE, BUT IN MY MIND, IT HAS BEEN MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM THAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST DRIVER TO HELP US STOP SHIPPING SO MANY PEOPLE OUT OF HERE, BUT LET ME RUN THROUGH THE REST OF THIS MATH.

$25 MILLION IN CUTS ACROSS DEPARTMENTS.

ELIMINATING VACANT POSITIONS. CUTTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. REDUCING SOME PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND SHIFTING FUNDING SOURCES.

IS THAT FAIR? >> 21 MILLION-DOLLAR TOTAL.

ABOUT 16 OF THAT IS DEPARTMENTAL CUTS.

>> OKAY. AND THEN 9.4 MILLION, EMPLOYEES

WOULD PAY MORE FOR HEALTH CARE. >> YES, SIR.

>> NOW, AS YOU KNOW, AS A VERY SENSITIVE ONE FOR ME.

YOU AND I JUST HAVE A PHILOSOPHICAL DISAGREEMENT ON THAT. SINCE YOU WANT FEEDBACK, THAT'S A RED LINE FOR ME. I JUST WON'T DO THAT.

>> UNDERSTOOD, AND WE PLAN -- THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED HAS A $21.7 MILLION SURPLUS. YOU KNOW, WE PREPARED THAT SOME OF THESE THINGS WERE NOT GOING TO COME DOWN.

ULTIMATELY, IT'S COURT'S PROGRESSIVE, AND WE'LL DEAL.

JUST -- IT DOES LIMIT WHAT --

>> I'M JUST GIVING YOU AND MY COLLEAGUES THE FEEDBACK.

>> UNDER. AND HAVING BEEN IN GOVERNMENT FOR SO LONG -- EVEN WHEN I HAD A LITTLE SMALL BUSINESS, I THOUGHT MY INSURANCE WAS BETTER ON MY $600 A MONTH JOB THAN WHAT I DID ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME MY LITTLE EXTRA MONEY FOR IT, BUT ALWAYS TOOK MY GOVERNMENT INSURANCE, AND EVEN IF THE CITY CHANGES, I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE STAYED IN GOVERNMENT JOBS WITH ME WHEN I WAS IN THE SENATE PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE HEALTH CARE. AND SOME WOULD LEAVE, GO OUT AND GET ANOTHER JOB, AND THEN COME BACK AND TELL ME IT WAS PRIMARILY FOR THE HEALTH CARE. SO I'M REAL SENSITIVE ABOUT THAT. AND I WAS SENSITIVE ABOUT IT WHEN I WAS YOUNG. SO I'M CERTAINLY SENSITIVE ABOUT IT NOW THAT I'M WISER. AND, THEN, THE 7.7 MILLION IN CONTRIBUTIONS FOR RETIREMENT: SO WE ARE REDUCING SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS. BUT WALK US THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME HOW WE'RE STILL WELL ABOVE MOST OTHER

PLACES. >> YES, SIR.

>> JUST WALK US THROUGH THAT. >> YES, SIR.

SO THE REDUCTION IN 7.7: WHAT WE'VE ESSENTIALLY BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST DECADE IS SORT OF AKIN TO CONTRIBUTING EXTRA TO YOUR -- TO YOUR MORTGAGE.

IT'S THE PRUDENT FINANCIAL THING, BUT AS WE HAVE NEEDS LOCALLY, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD NOT NECESSARILY CONSIDER THAT TO BE THE BEST USE OF MONEY, BUT FROM A JUST HARD NUMBERS, WHERE WE ARE WITH THE PENSION. WE'RE AT 90% FUNDED.

90.1% FUNDED. THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION CONSIDERS ANYTHING ABOVE 80 TO BE EXTREMELY HEALTHY. WE ALSO, AS PART OF IT, TCDRS MAINTAINS CASH ON HAND FOR US. I'M NOT SURE OF THE NUMBER.

I BELIEVE IT'S SOMEWHERE IN THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS RANGE.

WHEN YOU ADD THE CASH THAT THEY HAVE ON HAND THAT THEY DON'T KEEP INVESTED, ALONG WITH THE 90%, WE'RE OVER 100% FUNDED.

[01:40:02]

>> HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO WHAT THE STATE OF TEXAS DOES? AND THE REASON I ASK IS, WHILE IN THE LEGISLATURE, LEGISLATION WOULD PASS, SOMETIMES CITIES ASKING FOR IT.

HOUSTON IN PARTICULAR, TO REDUCE THEIR CONTRIBUTION, AND WOULD PASS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AT THE SAME TIME THE STATE WOULD NOT DO THAT. DO YOU KNOW HOW WE COMPARE TO

THE STATE? >> I DON'T KNOW HOW WE COMPARE TO THE STATE, BUT DO YOU WANT ME TO LOOK AT OTHER COUNTIES?

>> FROM MY MEETING WITH YOU, I FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT 7 MILLION-DOLLAR REDUCTION, BUT NOW WOULD YOU COME BACK WITH

THAT AGAIN? >> WE WOULD COME ON A YEAR BY YEAR BASIS. AT SOME POINT, YOU CONTRIBUTE ENOUGH THAT YOU DO HIT THAT 100% AND IT DOES REDUCE FUTURE PAYMENTS, BUT, AGAIN, AS WE'RE DEALING WITH SOME OF THESE HUGE UNFUNDED MANDATES AND SOME OF THESE -- AND WE'RE STILL WITH, YOU KNOW, A CRIES AT OUR JAIL AND JUSTICE SYSTEM, THEN I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE BEST USE OF MONEY AT THIS TIME.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WHEN THEY MADE THE INITIAL -- YOU KNOW, WHEN TWO PREDECESSORS AGO MADE THAT DECISION, IT WAS BECAUSE THIS PLACE WAS SO CASH-RICH, WE'RE LIMITED ON WHAT WE CAN GET ON INVESTMENTS LOCALLY.

BUT IN TERMS OF HOW WE COMPARE TO LOCAL STATES: TARRANT WAS THE ONLY LARGE COUNTY THAT WE SAW WAS HIGHER AT 93.6. DALLAS IS AT 89.

WHEN YOU COMPARE US NATIONALLY: SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS AT 8%.

COOK COUNTY IS AT 66%. AND L.A. COUNTY IS AT --

>> ONLY TARRANT, WHEN YOU LOOKED AT COUNTIES?

>> TARRANT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WE'VE SEEN THAT HAS A HIGHER

RATIO THAN US. >> THE CITY GOT ITS UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY ISSUE BECAUSE THEY WERE ASKING FOR IT, AND I REMEMBER CALLING A MAYOR TO SAY, MY STAFF HAS SAID TO ME DON'T VOTE FOR THIS. BUT YOUR TEAM IS ASKING TO VOTE FOR THIS. NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN UNRAVELED, EVERYBODY CLAIMS THEY DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS, SO THAT'S JUST MY FEAR.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT BEING IN A COLLECTIVE LIKE TCDRS, IS WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THE OTHER THINGS THAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS DO TO ARTIFICIALLY LOWER THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. THEY -- YOU KNOW, THERE ARE -- WHEN LOCALLY-MANAGED PENSION, THEIR BOARDS CAN VOTE FOR CONTRIBUTION HOLIDAYS, SO IT'S ESSENTIALLY SKIPPING PAYMENTS AND JUST ACCEPTING THE LOWER FUNDED RATIO.

THEY CAN CHANGE THE INVESTMENT BENCHMARK TO SOMETHING -- SOMETHING THAT'S UNREASONABLE AND UNLIKELY.

WE CAN'T DO ANY OF THAT. ALL OF THAT REQUIRED THE TCDRS BOARD AND/OR AT A TIME LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.

WE GET TWO NUMBERS FROM THE PENSION BOARD.

ONE IS THE REQUIRED RATE. WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING GOING WITH. THE OTHER RATE IS JUST A MORE CONSERVATIVE VERSION. THEY PUT THAT OPTION OUT THERE LARGELY FOR SMALL COUNTIES WHO CAN'T HANDLE SWINGS IN THE

MARKET. >> JUST TWO MORE.

THE $29 MILLION, AND THAT'S THE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ITEMS -- BIG ITEMS THAT I WAS PICKING OUT THAT YOU USED TO DEAL WITH THE DETROIT. THE 29 MILLION-DOLLAR TO RECOUP ACTUAL COSTS IN THE LOCAL AGREEMENTS.

IS THAT ALL OF IT? >> YES, SIR.ERYTHING, YES, SIR.

>> THE LAST ONE I TALKED WITH YOU AND KNOW PROPOSE THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM AND ALTERNATIVE RESPONDER PROGRAM AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DOLLAR AMOUNT.

I MET WITH YOU. THAT IS REVENUE NEUTRAL.

GET IT ON THE RECORD. >> WE'RE FINALIZING THE COST SAVINGS AND THE LAST STAGE OF IT AND BELIEVE BUDGETED SAVINGS IF THE PROGRAM IS EFFECTIVE WE NEED TO LAYER ON THE TIMING, LIKE, THESE PROGRAMS TAKE TIME TO BUILD UP AND BECOME EFFECTIVE.

WE SHOULD HAVE THE TEAM THIS WEEK.

>> I WANT TO BE THE CHURCH I WAS AT ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE PASTOR HAS TWO OR THREE ENDINGS. BUT REALLY THE LAST ONE IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE DO IN THE HEALTH CARE SPACE AT OUR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT THE HARRIS -- THAT THE DOCTOR AND

HIS TEAM CAN TAKE. >> WE'RE CONTINUING TO EVALUATE THAT. THE BUDGET ASSUMES 5.5 MILLION WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND THE DISCUSSION WITH DR. PORSA IS 10 MILLION RELATIVELY EASY. IT WOULD BE A CONCERTED EFFORT, I THINK, TO GET TO 20. I DON'T KNOW JAY IF YOU WANT TO

[01:45:02]

FOLKS WE SERVE. >> COULD THEY DO THE ONES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE AND WE DO THE ONES THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE? I WOULDN'T WANT TO TALK UP BOTH SIDES OF MY MOUTH AND REDUCING HEALTH CARE. IF THERE ARE THINGS THEY CAN DO THAT WE ARE DOING, IF IT'S THE ELIGIBILITY ISSUE, WHY COULDN'T WE DO THOSE? WHY COULDN'T IF IT'S CHEAPER IF THE ECONOMIES OF SCALE, COULD WE LEGALLY GIVE THEM THE MONEY TO

DO THOSE? >> WE'LL BE PREPARED WITH A MUCH MORE IN-DEPTH ANSWER ON THE 8TH. AND WHAT THAT NUMBER WILL ULTIMATELY LAND AT. WE CAN WORK WITH YOUR TEAM ON WHATEVER NUMBER WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO AND THEN WORK BACKWARDS

TO FILL IT. >> YEAH, I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE IF IT IS ALL STRUCTURAL DEFICITS HAVE TO END AT SOME POINT OR THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO THAT.

BUT THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BROWN AND

GARCIA. >> THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND ALL OF OUR TEAMS FOR THE MONTHS OF WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.

AND TO ALL OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO CAME TO THE TOWN HALLS AND DID THE SURVEYS, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

FEW QUESTIONS TO BUILD ON SOME OF MY COLLEAGUE'S QUESTIONS JUST SO WE'RE CRYSTAL CLEAR, YOU MENTIONED THIS, BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO CONFIRM THIS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THE BUSINESS TAX EXCEMPTION PASSED BY THE STATE TOOK $8 BILLION OFF THE ROLES; IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT.

>> WHAT ENDING UP HAPPENING WITH EXEMPTIONS AND THIS IS FOR ALL EXEMPTIONS WHAT ESSENTIALLY HAPPENS IS THAT VALUE HOWEVER MUCH IT IS, FOR THE HOMESTEAD IS 380,000 A YEAR.

WHAT IT DOES IS TAKE IT OFF THE ROLES KIND OF PRIOR TO US SETTING THE TAX RATE. BECAUSE OF THE ROLES WE'RE A LEVEE STATE AND START WITH THE REVENUE AND BACK INTO THE TAX RATE. IT MEANS THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE PAYING SOME PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT FOR EACH OF THOSE EXEMPTIONS.

SO IN THE CASE OF THE PERSONAL BUSINESS TAX EXEMPTION, THERE WAS 8 BILLION THAT WAS ON OUR ROLES LAST YEAR THAT IS NO LONGER ON OUR ROLES WHICH MEANS THAT THE TAX RATE IS HIGHER FOR -- LIKE, THE DENOMINATOR THAT WE USE TO CALCULATE THE TAX RATE IS ABOUT ONE SET HIGHER. IT'S 0.8 AND CHANGE AND MEANS THAT THE AVERAGE HOMESTEADERS PAYING ABOUT $23 MORE THAN THEY

WERE IN THE PRIOR YEAR. >> SO FOR ALL FAMILIES LISTENING AND STRUGGLING WITH AFFORDABILITY, THIS ONE ACTION BY THE STATE TO EXEMPT BUSINESS PROPERTIES TOOK $8 BILLION OF PROPERTIES OFF THE ROLES AND THEN DIRECTLY IMPACTS HOMEOWNERS AN ADDITIONAL $23, JUST THE ONE ACTION.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> YOU ALSO MENTIONED SP-9 A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT STATE LAWS. CAN YOU PLEASE JUST TALK ABOUT THE UNFUNDED MANDATES, ANY OTHER ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE'S MANY. HOW WE ARE LEFT IN THIS REALITY WHERE US AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO STEP IN WITH ALL OF THESE

UNFUNDED MANDATES. >> SURE.

SO SOME OF THEM ARE -- JUST FOR CONTEXT, ONE SET OF THE TAX RATE GENERATES ROUGHLY 65 MILLION. EVERY 65 MILLION YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY RAISING THE TAX RATE ABOUT A CENT.

IN TERMS OF THE UNFUNDED MANDATES AND IF DIRECTOR WANTS TO JUMP IN AND HELP ME OUT HERE, THE BIG ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS SPENDING ROUGHLY $12 MILLION A YEAR ON DEFINITE SERVICE BECAUSE THE STATE CHANGED THE ELECTION CODE.

THERE'S ALSO SINCE WE UPGRADED -- WE BOUGHT AND UPGRADED -- OR RENTING AN UPGRADING FACILITY TO MEET ALL OF THE MANDATES AND PAYING CONSTABLES TO DO SOME OF THE WORK THAT USED TO BE ABLE TO BE DONE BY VOLUNTEERS, I DON'T HAVE A FULL NUMBER THERE.

BUT I WOULD GUESS PER ELECTION YEAR -- THE BIG ELECTION YEARS IS PROBABLY LOOKING AT 5 TO 10 MILLION EASILY THERE ON THE DEBT SERVICE ON THE MACHINES. OUTSOURCING IS A STATE-MANDATED ACTION. YOU'RE LOOKING AT FOR THIS YEAR, SOMEWHERE AROUND 40 MILLION. AGAIN, DEPENDING ON HOW AGGRESSIVE WE CAN BE AROUND HIRING DOS, YOU KNOW, NOW SP-23 TAKES ALL THE FLEXIBILITY OUT OF LOCAL COMMISSIONER COURT HANDS COMES TO LOWERING LAW ENFORCEMENT SALARIES.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY THE IMPACT OF HP-196 AND HP-26 YET.

BUT JUST THE ROLL OVER. THE ONE THAT ALLOWS TO KEEP THE

[01:50:01]

PROBABLY CLOSER TO 20 MILLION THAN 10.

WE ARE ESSENTIALLY IN THE POSITION WHERE WE HAVE TO BECAUSE OF SP-23 FAZE IN THE CONTRACT PATROL ITEMS. THAT IS 5 TO 8 MILLION BY ITSELF TO FULLY CHARGE BY THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE. THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I HAVE TOP OF MIND. THEY EXIST ALL AROUND US.

>> THE BIG ONE THE COLLEAGUES THAT I HAVE MENTIONED JUST TO CONCLUDE THIS BEFORE I JUMP TO THE NEXT TOPIC, WE'RE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN THE COUNTRY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE MORE WE GROW, WE NEED MORE SERVICES FOR ROADS AND DISASTER RESPONSE AND HEALTH CARE AND LIBRARIES, BEYOND.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WE HAVE A GROWING POPULATION, GROWING DEMANDS AND THE STATE PASSED A REVENUE CAP OF 3.5%.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN SO THE COMMUNITY KNOWS EXACTLY THE

IMPACT OF THAT 3.5% CAP. >> SURE.

SO THE CAP WAS SET AT 8%. SO WE'RE ESSENTIALLY MORE THAN CUTTING IN HALF WHAT OUR ABILITY TO GROW WAS --

>> IN THE PAST. >> IN THE PAST.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO THINGS THAT HAVE IMPACT TO THE REVENUES THAT ARE JUST ADMINISTRATIVE IN NATURE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF A HOME HAS AN APPEAL THAT IS NOT ADJUDICATED BY THE COURTS OR HCAP BY JULY 25TH, WE HAVE TO GO AND PAY AND WRITE A CHEQUE TO THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OPPOSED TO CALCULATING IT AS PART OF OUR TAX RATE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A VERY SIMPLE ADMINISTRATIVE FIX THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO PROJECT SOME OF THAT OUT, FACTOR IT INTO THE TAX RATE AND THIS YEAR ALONE WE WERE $10 MILLION OVER WHAT WE EXPECTED TO BE ON THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL APPEALS THAT HAPPENED AFTER JULY 25TH.

SO THERE ARE ALSO A SUITE OF THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET. TO ANSWER THE QUESTION DIRECTLY, WE ARE -- THE WAY THAT THE TAX RATE IS SET UP, 3.5% GETS LARGELY EATEN BY ALL OF THE EXEMPTIONS, BY ALL OF THE -- BY THE APPEALS, ET CETERA, ALL THE NUANCES OF THE TRUTH AND TAXATAXATION. WHAT WE'RE LEFT WITH IS THE NEW CONSTRUCTION. GOD BLESS WE ARE STABLE AT 2 AND 2.3% WORTH OF NEW CONSTRUCTION A YEAR.

YOU HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO THOSE.

WE'RE NEVER REALLY GETTING AHEAD IN TERMS OF ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE THE APPRAISAL GROWTH IS HAPPENING AND NEW CONSTRUCTION IS HAPPENING, IT'S ALL IN OUR UNINCORPORATED AREA WHERE WE'RE DELIVERING THE SERVICES.

>> OTHANK YOU. WE CAN CONTINUE ON THE LINE.

WE HAVE TEXAS EXPANDED MEDICAID AND COSTS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> EVERY DOLLAR OF COMPENSATED CARE OF HARRIS HEALTH IS PICKED

UP BY LOCAL DOLLARS. >> WE'LL HEAR MORE IN A SECOND.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS DECISIONS AND LACK OF ACTION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT AND WE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND OUR LOCAL FAMILIES ULTIMATELY PAY THE COST.

>> THAT'S FAIR. IF I COULD JUST ADD ONE NOTE ON THAT AS WELL, IT'S THE SYSTEM THAT THE STATE CREATED, THERE ARE OTHER STATES HAVE THINGS IN PLACE TO MITIGATE THE RELIANCE ON PROPERTY TAXES. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, ALI COUNTY IS MUCH CLOSER TO 50% RELIANT ON PROPERTY TAXES AND WE'RE AT 80%. ALLOWS FOR KIND OF, YOU KNOW, FEES AND FINES THAT -- OR IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE TRANSFER RECORDATTION TAX THAT MORE GOES TOWARDS THE DEVELOPERS OF NEW CONSTRUCTION VERSUS THE FOLKS THAT ARE BUYING THE HOME.

SO IT'S THE SYSTEM THAT THE STATE HAS CREATED THAT 80% PROPERTY TAXES AND OF THE 20, ALMOST ALL IS FEE FOR SERVICES.

WE'RE TURNING AROUND AND CHARGING AND STATE PUT CAPS ON HOW MUCH WE CAN CHARGE AND PRETTY MUCH ALL INSTANCES WHERE WE'RE MAXED AT BARELY RECOOPING THE COST.

>> I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BENEFITS IN A SECOND. I SHARE THE CONCERNS ECHOED BY MY COLLEAGUES. TTHIS IS PART OF THE SACRED PROMISE COMING TO WORK AT HARRIS COUNTY AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT. I WILL SPARE THAT UNTIL WE GET THERE. YOU STATED AND EVERYONE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR, THIS BUDGET YOU'RE PROPOSING BASED ON THIS MONTHS OF WORK, HOW MANY FILLED POSITIONS WOULD BE CUT?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS ZERO. IF THE DEPARTMENT HAS CHANGED THAT SINCE THEN, BUT AS OF OUR LAST REVIEW, THE ANSWER IS ZERO.

>> ZERO LAYOFFS. OKAY, ALSO WE HAVE A RESERVE AND

[01:55:02]

CAN YOU PLEASE STATE THE CURRENT BALANCES OF THOSE RESERVES AS WELL AS OUR RAINY DAY FUND, PLEASE.

>> I CAN ASK THE STAFF TO PULL THE LAST RESERVE NUMBER.

WE'RE SOMEWHERE IN THE 350 MILLION TO 400.

THIS IS OUR KIND OF CASH POOR PART OF THE YEAR WHERE WE GET CASH RICH IN THE DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY AS PEOPLE PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILLS. AND THEN WE KIND OF WIND DOWN IN THE SEPTEMBER, YOU KNOW, WE'LL BE AT THE LOWEST IN THE OCTOBER RANGE. IN TERMS OF THE PICK, WE HAVE $200 MILLION WORTH OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENCE.

WE ARE ALSO EXPECTING ROUGHLY 126 MILLION IN REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE OUTSTANDING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ACTUALLY LARGER THAN THAT. WE ASSUME 75%, WE GET BACK.

IT'S JUST TO BE CONSERVATIVE. WE'RE RIGHT AROUND 320 IN CASH

AND RECEIVABLES. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. AND THEN MY LAST QUESTION, I KNOW YOU WILL DO A FULL PRESENTATION ON THE BENEFITS.

IS PENSIONS COVERED IN THAT? IF SO, I WILL DEFER THE

QUESTION. >> PENSIONS IS NOT COVERED ON

THAT. >> TO BUILD ON SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT MY COLLEAGUES ASKED, COULD YOU PLEASE BREAK DOWN WHAT YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS AND WHY YOU'RE RECOMMENDING IT

SO EVERYONE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR. >> SURE.

WE'RE PROVIDED TWO RATES BY THE PENSION BOARD.

ONE IS THE REQUIRED RATE WHICH IS THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO PAY IN ORDER TO STAY IN OUR -- STAY IN OUR GROUP.

THE OTHER IS I FORGOT THE TERMINOLOGY.

THE MORE CONSERVATIVE RATE. THE REASON AND AGAIN I WANT TO REITERATE. THE REASON THEY HAVE THE CONSERVATIVE RATE IS THERE'S A LOT OF JURISDICTIONS IN THE STATE, WE HAVE 254 COUNTIES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE APPRAISALS THAT ARE SMALLER THAN THIS BLOCK.

THEY CAN'T HANDLE A BIG SWING IN THE MARKET.

AND SO THEY PROVIDE THAT KIND OF HIGHER NUMBER TO ALLOW JURISDICTIONS TO PAY MORE AND KIND OF BE SHIELDED AGAINST, YOU KNOW, BIG ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS. NOW, AGAIN, THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICER ASSOCIATION THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST FINANCIALLY CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WORLD SAYS THAT 80% FUNDED IS GOOD. AND 90% FUNDED YOU'RE GETTING VERY CLOSE TO FULLY FUNDED WHEN YOU FACTOR IN ALL OF THE CASH THAT TCDRS HAS ON HAND FOR US. THEY KEEP CASH ON HAND UNINVESTED SO IF TOMORROW, YOU KNOW, LEHMAN BROTHERS COMES BACK AND COLLAPSES AGAIN, THEY'RE ABLE TO BRUNT -- THEY HAVE THINGS NOT IN THE MARKET TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF INFUSE CASH SO YOU DON'T SEE BIG DIPS IN YOUR FUNDED RATIO.

AND, AGAIN, JUST I WILL TRY NOT TO BORE THE COURT TOO MUCH WITH ACCOUNTING. BUT THE RATIO -- 90.1 RATIO BASICALLY SAYS IF HARRIS COUNTY WERE TO DISAPPEAR TODAY, HOW MUCH OF THE PAYMENTS THAT YOU OWE FOLKS THAT HAVE PAID INTO THE SYSTEM COULD YOU DO WITH TODAY'S ASSETS.

WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE AS FAR AS I KNOW.

THE NUMBER SHOULD NEVER COME INTO PLAY.

BUT ALSO WE'RE ESSENTIALLY 14 YEARS AWAY.

IF BY DOING THE REQUIRED RATE, WE WOULD GET TO 100% FUNDED IN 14 YEARS. I THINK WHEN I CHECKED WITH THEM LAST TIME, WE DID THE HIGHER RATE AND BE THERE IN 12 YEARS.

IF YOU HAVE THE EXTRA CASH, IT'S NOT A BAD USE OF DOLLARS.

BUT GIVEN JUST THE INCREDIBLE SCOPE OF NEEDS THAT WE HAVE AS HARRIS COUNTY, I CAN'T SIT HERE AND SAY THAT'S THE BEST USE OF

DOLLARS. >> SO TO BE CLEAR, FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE, EVERY RETIREE LISTENING, CONTRIBUTING AT THE RATE THAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING WOULD STILL HAVE US AHEAD OF ALMOST EVERY OTHER JURISDICTION IN TEXAS OTHER THAN ONE?

>> YES. >> DID I HEAR THAT CORRECTLY?

>> CORRECT. >> AND CONTRIBUTING AT THIS RECOMMENDED RATE WOULD NOT BE UNDERFUNDING OUR PENSIONS?

>> CORRECT. THE ONE LAST PIECE TO ADD THERE IS THE COURT HAS VERY FEW TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S PENSIONS. THIS DOES NOT IN ANY WAY MEAN THAT ANYONE'S PENSION WHETHER RECEIVING IT TODAY OR RECEIVING IT IN 20 YEARS, ANYTHING WILL CHANGE.

>> THE STRUCTURE REMAINS EXACTLY THE SAME; IS THAT CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. >> AND WHETHER SOMEONE IS ALREADY DRAWING FROM THEIR PENSION BECAUSE THEY'RE RETIRED OR SOMEONE MIGHT RETIRE IN 20 YEARS, JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS

WOULD NOT REDUCE BENEFITS. >> CORRECT.

>> FOR EMPLOYEES OR RETIREES? >> CORRECT.

>> ONE MORE TIME FOR SAKE OF ABUNDANCE OF CLARITY AND CAUTION, THIS CHANGE WOULD NOT REDUCE BENEFITS FOR ANY RETIREES

[02:00:02]

OR EMPLOYEES? >> CORRECT.

SO KIND OF THREE COMPONENTS THAT MAKE UP THE PENSION.

THE EIGHT YEAR VESTING OR THE VESTING DATE, OUR BENCHMARK THAT IS 7% AND THEN THE MATCHING WHICH IS 2.25 OR 225%, THIS YOU DOESN'T CHANGE ANY OF THOSE -- IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE VESTING DATE, IT DOESN'T CHANGE WHAT -- HOW MUCH YOUR MONEY GETS -- THE RETURNS ON YOUR MONEY THAT IS BEING INVESTED AND IT DOES NOT CHANGE HOW MUCH COMMISSIONER COURT MATCHES YOU ONCE YOU VEST.

>> THIS IS AN ANNUAL CHOICE? >> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO WE HAVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GO BACK AROUND COLLEAGUES IF THAT'S OKAY. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

DID YOU ALREADY GO? >> I ALREADY DID.

I WAS BACK IN THE QUEUE. >> I HAVEN'T GONE AT ALL.

DID YOU ALREADY GO AT ALL? >> I HAVEN'T GONE.

IF ANYBODY HAS WENT, I WOULD LIKE TO GO AND THEN COME BACK AROUND. OKAY.

SO MY QUESTION A COUPLE ONES. IF WE JUST MAGICALLY FIX THE INDIGENT DEFENSE AND OUTSOURCING ISSUES, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD WE MAKE UP?

>> SO OUTSOURCING ALONE WOULD BE ROUGHLY 40 MILLION.

ON INDIGENT DEFENSE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEW SUSTAINABLE NORMAL WOULD BE, I WOULD GUESS PROBABLY 30 TO 40 MILLION. IF WE WERE TO GO BACK TO PRE-HARVEY, PRE-COVID WHERE WE SEEN THE CAUSES OF THE BIG

SPIKES IN CASES. >> OKAY.

AND THEN IN TERMS OF -- I THOUGHT I HEARD IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIGENT DEFENSE SOMETHING ABOUT UPDATING FEES.

>> I LIVE IN FEAR THAT THE JUDGES COME AND UPDATE THE FEES TO SOMETHING HIGHER. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER COURT HAS NO AUTHORITY OVER.

IF MAJORITY OF THE JUDGES AGREE TO RAISE THE RATES FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEN THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH AND

PLAN AROUND. >> WHAT FEES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? WHAT IMPACT?

>> THIS IS WHAT WE PAY FOR OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS.

>> THE HOURLY FEE KIND OF THING? >> CORRECT.

>> RIGHT. OKAY.

>> WHEN WE DONE THE ANALYSIS TO LOOK AT -- WE ESSENTIALLY DOUBLED IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN HERE, WE DOUBLED THE AMOUNT WE SPENT ON OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

WE LOOKED AT KIND OF THE SPREAD OF HOW MUCH OF IT IS VOLUME AND HOW MUCH OF IT IS THE COST INCREASE, IT'S ROUGHLY HALF IS THE COST INCREASE. THE REASON FOR THAT IS IN THE OLD WORLD AND I UNDERSTAND THE POLICY REASON BEHIND IT WAS THEY GOT TO CHARGE KIND OF A FLAT RATE PER CASE AND THEN EVERY DAY YOU HAVE A PER DIEM EVERY DAY IN COURT.

IT REALLY FORCED THE ATTORNEYS TO PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS ON THE DOCKET AND MOVED TO BILLABLE HOUR AND MORE PER TRANSACTION.

THE ISSUE WITH THAT WHILE IT DOES KIND OF INCENTIVIZE THEM TO DO MORE WORK PER CASE, WE ALSO -- WE DIDN'T PUT ANY SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO REALLY PREVENT US FROM HAVING THESE RUN AWAY BILLS. WE DIDN'T FORCE PEOPLE TO SUBMIT ALL THE BILLS THEY HAD UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM, SO WE'RE SEEING KIND OF THE TALE OF WHERE THE CASES ARE GETTING ADJUDICATED TODAY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE DA AND WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, A MORE RECEPTIVE JUDICIAL BRANCH, BUT WE'RE PAYING FOR CASES AND WE'RE PAYING FOR SOME CASES AND SOME INSTANCES FROM

THREE, FOUR YEARS AGO. >> RIGHT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE POINTS THAT YOU GUYS ARE REVIEWING IS TO SEE ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO ON THE PRIVATE ATTORNEY SIDE TO SAVE.

THOSE NOT REQUIRING FOLKS TO SUBMIT BILLS, ET CETERA, IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN -- UP TO JUDGE. THEN WE TALKED ABOUT REVENUE NEUTRAL. WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS LINE ITEMS ON THE BUDGET THAT ARE REVENUE NEUTRAL?

>> REALLY JUST TWO. IT'S THE BIGGEST ONE IS THE CHARGES. WE COLLECT THE REVENUE ON BEHALF OF THE TERSIS THAT THE COUNTY PARTICIPATES IN AND WE TURN AROUND AND WRITE THE CHEQUE. THE OTHER ONE IS CONTRACT PATROL. THAT ONE IS NOT -- DEPENDING ON WHEN IT IS IN PROCESS. IT'S NOT ALWAYS REVENUE NEUTRAL.

WE GET THE REVENUE, THAT GOES DIRECTLY BACK TO THE EXPENSE.

>> ISN'T THE WAY WE'RE OUTSOURCING INDIGENT DEFENSE AND

[02:05:03]

WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT IF NOT REVENUE NEUTRAL?

WHAT'S THE CATEGORY OF -- >> WE'RE ALLOWED TO ADD SOME -- FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE, WE ARE ALLOWED TO ADD THE INCREASE THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR BUT NOT DOLLAR PER DOLLAR ON THE TAX

RATE. >> THE FACT WE'RE SAYING, YOU KNOW, FOR THE FUTURE WE THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING TO DO BETTER, NOT GOING TO BE IN SUCH A PICKLE BECAUSE INDIGENT DEFENSE COSTS ARE GOING TO DECREASE AND OUTSOURCING WILL DECREASE, DOES THAT -- IS THERE A NAME FOR THAT, FOR THAT KIND OF LIKE PROJECTING SAVINGS OF A CURRENT POLICY?

>> I'M SURE THERE IS. I'M JUST BLANKING RIGHT NOW.

>> OKAY. >> IT'S DIFFICULT FOR US, YOU KNOW, ON A YEAR TO YEAR BASIS, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR US TO PROJECT. LIKE THAT ANALYSIS THAT WAS DONE TO PREDICT THE 3 MILLION IN SAVINGS FROM OUTSOURCING, THAT WAS ALMOST A MONTH'S WORK OF TIME BETWEEN THE SHERIFF, THE DA

AND OUR TEAM. >> OKAY.

AND THEN THE LAST ONE ON THE PICK FUND, HOW MUCH DID HARVEY COSTS AND HOW MUCH DID COVID COST OUT OF THE PICK FUND?

>> SO HARVEY, I BELIEVE, WAS HUNDRED MILLION.

SO OUR GOAL HAS BEEN TO SUSTAIN TWO HARVEYS.

COVID I WOULD NEED TO GET BACK TO YOU.

IT WAS SPREAD ACROSS. IT WASN'T JUST THE PICK.

IT WAS ALSO THE CARIS ACT FUNDING.

COVID WAS BY FAR THE MOST EXPENSIVE DISASTER THAT I THINK THE COUNTRY EVER HAD. BECAUSE IT WAS SPREAD ACROSS MULTIPLE FUNDS, I WOULD NEED TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THE EXACT

AMOUNT. >> AND THEN WE HAD THE WINTER FREEZE DURING COVID AND SORT OF THE OTHER ONES SORT OF COUNT.

GOT IT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> THANK YOU. JUST A COUPLE OF FOLLOW-UP

QUESTIONS. >> YES, SIR.

>> THERE WAS A RECENT RULING ON TERS, ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ANY SURPRISES AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT TO OUR BUDGET?

>> IT WOULDN'T IMPACT THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET BUT WOULD IMPACT THE TERS PROJECT THAT YOU HAVE, THAT YOU'RE PARTNERING WITH THEM ON. I BELIEVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS PREPARED -- I THINK THAT'S EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> NO DIRECT IMPACT TO THE

PROPOSED BUDGET. >> WOULDN'T HIT THE GENERAL FUND AT ALL, JUST THE 80 MILLION WE CAN'T USE ANY WAY WOULD GO AWAY.

I KNOW THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE PLANNED IN THE PRECINCTS WOULD HUNDRED PERCENT BE IMPACTED.

>> OKAY. ON THE POINT OF THE PROGRAM I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COST -- THE MAINTENANCE COST ASSOCIATED

WITH THOSE PROPERTIES. >> YES, SIR.

>> BECAUSE WHILE WE CONTINUE TO HOLD THEM, AND NOT, YOU KNOW, LOOK TO -- LOOK TO SELL THEM, WE STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE

MAINTENANCE TO THEM. >> WE'LL WORK TO ENGINEER.

>> YOU CAN MAKE SURE TO BRING THE COST.

AND THEN LASTLY WE HAD A COUPLE OF WALKOUTS YEARS AGO RELATED TO THE BUDGET BY A COUPLE OF MEMBERS OF COURT.

AND THAT FORCES INTO NO NEW REVENUE RATE CIRCUMSTANCE.

ARE WE STILL PAYING FOR THAT? >> THE ONE IN 2018?

>> NOT '18. IT WAS AFTER '18.

>> THE ONE PRIOR TO ME BEING HERE, I THINK IT WAS TAX Y YEAR '20. THAT IS $150 MILLION A YEAR THAT WE'RE STILL BEING IMPACTED BY. THE OTHER ONE I BELIEVE WAS 2022, IT WAS A ONE-TIME HIT OF 90 MILLION.

>> OKAY. WE'RE STILL -- WHY ARE WE PAYING

FOR ONE AND NOT THE OTHER? >> BECAUSE THOSE -- SO THE WAY THAT THE TAX RATE WORKS IS IF YOU DON'T USE THE FULL VAR, YOU CAN CARRY IT FOR UP TO THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THE ONE IN 2020, THOSE TWO YEARS BETWEEN, THEY NEVER USED THE UNUSED INCREMENT. IT EXPIRED.

ON THE 202 '21, THE VERY NEXT YEAR, WE USED THE UNUSED INCREMENT TO GET BACK. THAT'S WHY THERE'S THE BIG GAP, BIG INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE FOR THAT

REASON. >> GOTCHA.

IF YOU COULD, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE AT THIS MOMENT, I WILL WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOMETHING FROM THE OFFICE BEING VERY EXPLICIT AS TO WHAT THE $8 BILLION PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THAT WAS PROVIDED, HOW THAT IMPACTS OUR BUDGET.

[02:10:02]

>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE KIND OF AN INITIAL MEMO OUT NOW. WE'LL WORK WITH HCAT TO GET

SOMETHING MORE DETAILED. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> YEAH, IT'S AN INTERESTING TIME OF THE YEAR. I WILL START WITH DIRECTOR RAMOS YOU'VE DONE A GOOD JOB. AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE TAX RATE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE NUMBERS.

THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS YOU AND I HAD THROUGH THE YEARS AND NUMBER OF DETAILS, AT LEAST I KNOW ONE THING, WHEN YOU GIVE ME A NUMBER, IT'S RIGHT. AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIGURE OUT ANY OF THIS UNLESS WE HAVE GOOD NUMBERS.

AND YOU AND YOUR STAFF SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. NOW, I WILL THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO BACK AND VISIT HISTORY A BIT.

UNLESS WE KNOW HOW WE GOT WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, IT'S SOMETIMES HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE'RE GOING. I WILL START WITH A NUMBER.

SINCE 2019, WE ARE SPENDING $1 BILLION MORE PER YEAR THAN WE WERE IN 2019. THAT'S A FACT.

THAT'S NOT ANYTHING BUT THE BUDGET WAS ROUGHLY 1.9 BILLION IN 2019, WHAT WE'RE ADVOCATING THIS YEAR IS A LITTLE OVER 3 BILLION. SO IT'S A BILLION DOLLAR INCREASE IN SPENDING. AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THE BUDGET YOU PROPOSED IS A SPENDING BUDGET.

AND BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT A SPENDING BUDGET, WE HAVE TO HAVE A REVENUE TO PAY FOR THE SPENDING BUDGET, THEREFORE, YOU'RE HEADED TOWARDS A TAX RATE.

SO UNLESS WE GET THE BUDGET RATE, IT'S HARD TO SET A TAX RATE. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CONCRETE MAY NOT BE SET EXACTLY ON THIS BUDGET, BUT IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT THAT IT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO DOING THAT.

YOU MENTIONED TAX RATE YEARS AND OTHER THINGS.

PRIOR TO 2019, ROUGHLY 1990 TO 2019, THE TAX RATE WAS FAIRLY -- RELATIVELY STABLE. NOW, HERE IS THE GAME PEOPLE PLAY WITH THE TAX RATE: THE TAX RATE WAS STABLE.

EVERYBODY CELEBRATED. WE HAVE A STABLE TAX RATE.

WHAT THEY DIDN'T TALK ABOUT PRIOR TO 2019 WAS THE APPRAISALS WERE GOING UP EVERY YEAR. SO THE MONEY YOU WERE PAYING AND THE LADY I SEE SITTING IN THE BACK NODDING, SHE GAVE YOU A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO PAY.

SO EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SAYING, GOSH, DIDN'T RAISE THE RATE THIS YEAR, THE AMOUNT OF TAXES YOU WERE PAYING OBVIOUSLY WENT UP.

SO IF I LOOK AT 2018 WHICH LAST YEAR, WE HAD THE LAST RATE THAT HE WAS INVOLVED WITH, THE RATE WAS 0.62998.

62-CENTS. I WILL SAY ROUGHLY 63-CENTS.

IN 2019, IT WAS 61-CENTS. NOW I THINK THAT RATE WAS SET WITH -- BASED ON NO NEW REVENUE, BASED ON A WALK.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> YES, SIR. 2019.

>> IMPACTS THAT CONTINUE. THE NEXT YEAR THE RATE WAS ROUGHLY 60-CENTS. THAT'S A 2020 RATE.

THE 2021 RATE WAS ROUGHLY 58-CENTS.

AND THEN IN 2022, THE RATE DROPPED TO 53-CENTS.

WELL, THAT'S WHEN A COUPLE OF US COULD NOT BE HERE FOR LACK OF A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ON WHAT THE BUDGET WAS AND NO FLEXIBILITY ON ADJUSTING THE BUDGET. VERY LITTLE CONVERSATION ON HOW WE MIGHT ADJUST IT, IT WAS JUST A TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

AND I FOR ONE LEFT IT. AND SO THAT TAX RATE WAS REDUCED FROM 58-CENTS TO 53-CENTS. IN 2023, THAT TAX RATE WAS THE SAME 53-CENTS. THEN IN 2024, IT WENT UP TO 60-CENTS. THAT IS THE LARGEST TAX RATE IN ONE YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY IN 2024.

WE ALL KNOW WHY. WE CHOSE TO TAKE THE DISASTER MONEY. THAT WAS THE YEAR OF THE DISASTER. THAT WAS THE REASON.

WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTOOD THE IMPACTS.

I JUST WISH THAT WE HAD SPENT ALL OF THAT MONEY ON DISASTERS.

[02:15:04]

I STILL HADN'T BEEN REIMBURSED FOR A LOT OF MY EXPENSES DURING THOSE DISASTERS. AND MY REQUEST FOR THE FUND, I WILL CONTINUE TO PUT THAT. YOU'RE FROWNING.

I WILL GET YOU THAT LIST TODAY. WE HAVEN'T BEEN REFUNDED ON EVERYTHING WE HAVE SPENT ON THAT.

THAT WAS 2024. IN 2025, IT WAS THE -- ESSENTIALLY THE VAR, THAT WAS 62-CENTS GIVE OR TAKE.

AND THEN WHAT'S BASED ON YOUR BUDGET, THE BUDGET BASED ON THE BUDGET THAT IS HERE AND AN ASSUMPTION MAYBE ON WHAT YOU'RE RECORECOMMENDING FOR THE HOSPITL DISTRICT, THAT NUMBER WILL BE 68-CENTS. THAT WILL BE THE SECOND LARGEST INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY.

FROM 62 TO 68. SO THAT'S THE NUMBERS.

AGAIN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUDGETS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SPENDING. BUT WHERE WE'RE HEADED IN JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS IS ADOPTING A TAX RATE TO FUND A BUDGET.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, ONE, TO KNOW WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM, HOW WE GOT THERE, BUT WE ARE -- WE DEFINITELY HAVE MORE REVENUE THAN WE DID TEN YEARS AGO. CERTAINLY A LOT OF OTHER THINGS IMPACTED THESE. WE HAD -- OF COURSE WE HAVE GONE THROUGH COVID. I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, WE GOT A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ARPER MONEY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT MADE MORE THAN ONCE, WE DIDN'T USE IT TO PLUG THE BUDGET HOLE.

I THINK THERE'S INTEGRITY WITH IT.

AND WHEN YOU TAKE THE MONEY AND SAY I WILL DO THIS XYZ AND THAT'S WITH A BILLION DOLLARS OF HELP DURING THAT PERIOD.

AGAIN, I'M TALKING ABOUT MONEY WE'RE SPENDING.

MONEY WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT PRIORITIES.

MONEY WE'RE TRYING TO BE SURE IT'S PUT ON THE CORRECT PRIORITIES. THIS IS INCREASE AND $26 MILLION OF SPENDING FROM FISCAL YEAR '27 TO FISCAL YEAR '26 GIVE OR TAKE.

THAT'S A NUMBER. THAT'S NOT A -- I WOULDN'T CALL IT AN EAST TEXAS POOR MAN'S BUDGET.

THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD INCREASE IN SPENDING IN ONE YEAR.

I'M A -- THERE'S CONVERSATION OBVIOUSLY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY'RE SINGLED OUT AS THE PRIMARY CULPRITS IN BEING THE PROBLEM. I THINK THAT INCREASE THAT THEY GAVE AND WE GAVE AND I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUE'S SUPPORT ON THAT AS WE LOOKED AT THAT ISSUE AND WE PROVIDED THAT, BUT THAT WASN'T THE ONLY THING THAT CONTRIBUTED, I THINK, TO INCREASED EFFORT. BY THE WAY, THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM THAT IS DEMONIZED FOR MANY TIMES, WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOODS ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTING IN TOTAL OF ROUGHLY $100 MILLION TO THE COUNTY THAT THEY'RE SAYING WE NEED LAW ENFORCEMENT. ONE WOULD ASK, WELL, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT WORKED? WHAT'S THE METRIC ON THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM. I LOOK AT THE CRIME.

THE CRIME IS FIVE TIMES LESS IS UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY THAN CITY OF HOUSTON. THAT'S A BIG NUMBER.

I FULLY CREDIT THE SHERIFF OFFICE AND CONSTABLE OFFICE AND THE GOOD JOB THEY'RE DOING IN TERMS OF MAKING THAT SAFER.

SO MY CHOICES ARE STATUTORY, I THINK WE BETTER MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE COURT SYSTEM, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER INCLUDED THAT WE DO THE THINGS WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO, THE JAIL, THE THINGS THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO RELATED TO INDIGENT HEALTH CARE AND OTHERS. FRANKLY, I FEEL LIKE THE CITY OF HOUSTON COULD HELP US MORE. WE'RE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JAIL AND ALL THE COSTS THERE AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS BENEFITING BECAUSE WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

WE'RE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE PRETTY MUCH FOR INDIGENT HEALTH CARE AND APPRECIATE A LITTLE HELP FROM THE CITY ON THAT.

THIS ALL CAME UP IN A CONVERSATION LAST YEAR DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SOMEHOW IT WAS BEING CONSIDERED THAT

[02:20:01]

THIS BUDGET DOESN'T TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT.

SHOULDN'T TAKE IT INTO ACCOUNT. I DON'T HAVE ANY INTENTION TO DO THAT. I WILL TELL YOU IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $300 MILLION OF TAX DOLLARS ARE SHIPPED TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON EVERY YEAR FROM UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY FOR NO SERVICES. MOST OF THOSE IN MY PRECINCT.

WE SEND MONEY FROM UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND NO SERVICES PROVIDED, NO FIRE, NO EMS, NO WATER AND NO SEWER, THAT'S ALL IN THOSE UNINCORPORATED AREAS. AS WE TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT THINGS AND PEOPLE SAY WHAT WOULD YOU DO? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHAT WOULD YOU LOOK AT? SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE OUT THERE, I HAVE SEEN IT.

I CAN GET MORE DETAILS, DIRECTOR CARTER AND I TALK OFTEN ON MANY LEVELS ON WHERE WE ARE WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT $89 MILLION INCREASE IN ADMINISTRATIVE COST.

WE HAVE A FLAWED PAY PARODY STUDY.

WE SAID IT'S FLAWED. IT'S CLEAR IT'S FLAWED.

THE EMPLOYEES OF HARRIS COUNTY KNOW THAT IT'S FLAWED.

THEY ALL TELL ME. THEY SAID WHAT IS THIS? I DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND IT. HRT CAN TELL -- GIVE MANY STORIES THERE. THAT'S 80 MILLION.

80 MILLION OVER THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD BASED ON THE FLAWED STUDY. WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.

WE SHOULD LOOK AT THAT. I THINK THERE'S ONGOING ARPER FUNDED PROGRAMS THAT WE SAID WE WOULD USE THAT MONEY BUT NOT GOING FORWARD. THAT'S ROUGHLY 14 MILLION OF THAT. JAIL REVENUE DELAYS AND OUTSOURCING, I COULD WRITE A BOOK ON OUR LACK OF URGENCY ON THE JAIL. I WATCHED US WORK ON TRY TO GET FLOOR NUMBER 7, GOT TO BE A JOKE, REALLY, WHEN IS FLOOR NUMBER 7 GOING TO BE DONE? DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY INMATES CAN BE HOUSED ON FLOOR NUMBER 7? 550.

AND YET, WE ACT LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'LL GET TO IT WHEN WE CAN.

THERE'S NO URGENCY TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE, IT'S $45 MILLION.

AND I THINK WE'RE CELEBRATING BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SAVE A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS. WE NEED TO GET THAT NUMBER DOWN.

JUST TODAY, THERE'S 1094 INMATES OUTSOURCED.

1094 INMATES. ONE, THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING.

THERE ARE INMATES THAT HAVE DIED OUT OF STATE WHEN THEY WERE UNDER THE CUSTODY OF SOMEBODY ELSE.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT. WHEN WE'RE OUTSOURCING INMATES AND KNOWING WE HAVE 700 BEDS HERE THAT THEY COULD BE HOUSED IN, THERE IS A -- WE NEED TO APPEAL MAYBE TO THE JAIL STANDARDS GROUP FOR ANOTHER 600 BEDS.

I DON'T THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY AND WE -- THIS IS NO CRITICISM OF TANIA AND EVERYTHING SHE'S DOING AND SHE'S OVER AT THE SHERIFF OFFICE WORKING AND HELPING AND DOING GOOD THINGS, BUT WE NEED TO RAISE UP THE SENSE OF URGENCY FOR THAT AND WE MENTIONED INDIGENT DEFENSE AND OUTSOURCING AND THAT'S A JOKE OF HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE SPENDING THERE.

WE SPEND FAR MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY.

THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. THE CONFUSION WE HAVE WITHIN DEEO AND WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THE ISSUES.

WE ADOPT A JOB SITE SAFETY PROGRAM, AND WE STRUGGLE WITH IMPLEMENTING ANYTHING. WE DON'T TALK TO CONTRACTORS.

WE DON'T LISTEN TO PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS.

THIS BUDGET DOES NOT EVEN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT WHEN WE START BIDDING PROJECTS AND WE WILL BID PROBABLY 3 TO $4 BILLION WORTH OF WORK OVER THE NEXT 4 TO 5 YEARS, WHEN YOU'RE ADDING 30% OF COSTS BECAUSE YOU'VE IMPLEMENTED A FLAWED JOB SITE SAFETY PROGRAM, SOMEBODY SHOULD LISTEN. SO I THINK, AGAIN, IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T WANT A JOB SITE SAFETY PROGRAM, I JUST WANT ONE THAT'S RUN WELL. I WANT ONE THAT HAS INSPECTORS THAT KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THEY'RE JUST SO MUCH OUT THERE THAT WE COULD LOOK AT. WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE DETAILS AND WHAT THIS BUDGET AND I CALL IT THE PROPOSED SPENDING BUDGET, BECAUSE THIS IS HOW THE BUDGET GOES.

[02:25:02]

WE JUST TAKE A PEEK AT -- WHAT IS THE VAR? WHAT IS THE MOST MONEY THAT WE CAN GET KNOWING THE RESTRICTIONS THAT THE STATE HAS DONE AND ALL THE OTHER? WHAT'S THE MOST MONEY? AND YOU REALLY WORK BACKWARDS.

THAT'S WHAT THIS BUDGET IS BASED ON A VAR OF WHAT WE THINK WE CAN GET AND IT'S REALLY STARTING WITH SPENDING LAST YEAR AND WE GO THROUGH THE EXERCISE, CAN YOU SAVE ME 5% HERE AND CUT HERE AND GO THROUGH THAT EXERCISE? BUT IT'S REALLY A SPENDING BUDGET. WE PROBABLY NEED TO START WITH WHERE WOULD WE WANT TO SPEND OUR MONEY? RATHER THAN WE WILL START WITH HOW WE START LAST YEAR AND TWEAK THAT AND THAT WILL BE OUR NEW BUDGET, LISTEN, I SERVED AS MAYOR FOR EIGHT YEARS. AND IT WAS A SMALL TOWN.

BUT IT'S NO LESS CHALLENGING WHEN YOU'RE MAYOR OF A SMALL TOWN AND TRYING TO DO A BUDGET, BUT WE DID A BOND ISSUE AND WE REPLACED EVERY STREET THAT WAS NEEDING REPLACING.

WE REPLACED EVERY PIPE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DRILLED A NEW WELL. TODAY THAT TAX RATE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN WHEN WE STARTED.

AGAIN, WE ARE STEWARDS OF DOLLARS.

AND WE START WITH 1.9 BILLION IN 2019 AND WE'RE OVER 3 BILLION, THAT'S OUR REVENUE, I THINK WE HAVE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK AT OUR CURRENT SPENDING LEVEL.

I'M GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR CERTAINLY A VAR IN THE FLOOD CONTROL RATE. I'M GOING TO LOOK AT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, MAYBE CONTRIBUTING IN A TUNE OF CUTTING THEIRS A PENNY THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FUND OUR NO NEW REVENUE. IF YOU ADOPT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IN HARRIS COUNTY ON THE GENERAL TAX RATE, IF YOU ADOPT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE ON THE GENERAL TAX RATE, YOU'RE STILL INCREASING THE TAX BY HALF A PENNY.

SO THAT'S 30 OR $40 MILLION THAT YOU'RE GOING.

SO I'M SAYING BASED ON WHAT PEOPLE CALL ME EVERY DAY ON IN TERMS OF TAX RATES AND WHAT WE SPEND, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, I THINK, TO ADOPT AN EVEN TAX RATE, WHICH OUR CURRENT TAX RATE INCLUDING HOSPITAL DISTRICT, INCLUDING FLOOD CONTROL AND INCLUDING OUR GENERAL IS 62-CENTS -- 62.4 CENTSS.

AND THAT WOULD BE WHERE -- I THINK WE CAN GET THERE.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY KEY BUDGET DECISIONS YOU TALK ABOUT ON PAGE 14 INCREASING ANNUAL TOURIST PAYMENTS TO INFLECT THE COUNTY PARTICIPATION IN TERMS OF 1 AND 24, I WANT TO STRESS HOUR IMPORTANT THESE ARE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ASKED ABOUT BONDING FOR UNINCORPORATED AREAS, THOSE TERIS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR US IN UNINCORPORATED AREA IN PARTICULAR. TWO OF THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC PROJECTS COME INTO THE COUNTY HAPPEN TO BE UNINCORPORATED AREAS THAT I REPRESENT, BOTH CLOSE TO YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, APPLE AND FOXCOM WITH SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND MORE MAY BE COMING. ELI LILY AND BRITOL MEYERS, PART OF WHY THEY PICKED UNINCORPORATED RIGHT NEXT TO HOUSTON, THEY'RE HAPPY TO BE HERE.

THEY WANT TO BE CLOSE TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THE PERMITTING IS A LOT QUICKER. THE TAX RATE, WE MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT IT, IS CONSIDERABLY LOWER, BUT WHEN I MEET WITH THEM, BOTH TIMES AND I MET WITH THEM EVERY TIME THEY WANTED TO TALK, THEY ARE ASKING FOR MORE AND MORE. THE PEOPLE TAKE THE JOBS, SOME OF THEM WANT TO LIVE IN THE AREAS.

AND THEY WANT ROADS, THEY WANT PARKS, THEY WANT THOSE AMENITIES. I THINK THAT APPLE AS AN EXAMPLE MADE A COMMITMENT TO INVEST $600 BILLION IN THE UNITED STATES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. 60 BILLION WILL BE IN TEXAS.

[02:30:06]

MR. RAMOS ON THE TERIS I WANT TO ASK YOU HOW IT WORKS A BIT.

I'M THINKING MORE UNINCORPORATED.

COMMITMENTS CERTAINLY MADE ON MY PART OUT AT GENERATION PARK TO DO ROADS, PRECINCT ONE GETS LESS FROM THE TOLL ROAD THAN ANY OTHER PRECINCT. THEY WON'T BE COMING.

THEY DON'T HAVE IT. I WANT YOU TO COMMENT HOW IMPORTANT THE TERISS ARE AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE AND LOOK AT AND INCREASING TERIS PAYMENTS OF 30 MILLION TO AFFECT COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION IN THOSE TWO. THAT MONEY DOESN'T COUNT AGAINST THE GAP FIRST OF ALL THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO SERVICE THE AREAS. >> MECHANICALLY THE WAY IT WORKS, IT FREEZES PROPERTY TAX VALUES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE GENERAL FUND WHATEVER YEAR THE TERIS IS ENTERED TO AND ANY INCREMENT DEVELOPED THERE PUT INTO THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND REMITTED BACK TO THE TERIS. IT IS ONE OF THE FEW FINANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCING TOOLS THAT WE HAVE IN

UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. >> ABOUT THE ONLY ONE.

IT'S THE BIGGEST ONE. >> THE ONLY ONE THAT DOESN'T COME DIRECTLY OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

WE TALKED ABOUT 381 AGREEMENTS AND THOSE ARE GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTIONS. THERE'S A FEW OTHERS MUCH SMALLER ONES. BUT IT IS A HUGE HANDY -- I DON'T WANT TO OVERSTEP. I KNOW THERE'S ACTIVE LITIGATION OR MIGHT BE ACTIVE LITIGATION ON THIS.

BUT IT'S OUR BIGGEST -- BY FAR THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC TOOL WE HAVE TO FUND -- TO HELP FUND INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THOSE

MAJOR PROJECTS. >> I WANT TO STRESS THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE IS THAT REVENUE CAP. DESPITE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE COME, THEY CERTAINLY HAD AN IMPACT.

BUT THE REVENUE CAP, SINCE YOU MENTIONED IT, I WILL GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF QUOTES. I GOT IN 2017 WHEN THE BILL PASSED AND BILL IN 2019, THE COMMENT WAS IT'S SNAIL OIL.

SNAKE OIL. PUT THAT IN THE OP ED AND PUT THE REFERENCE TO THE STATE WAR ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND WARNED PEOPLE WHEN COUNTY SERVICES ARE INFRASTRUCTURE LAGGED BEHIND, DON'T BLAME COUNTY GOVERNMENT, BLAME THE STATE OFFICIALS WHO SUPPORT IN SENATE BILL 2. ALSO MADE THIS COMMENT: SENATE BILL 2 THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HELD WITH GREAT FANFARE WILL NOT ACTUALLY LOWER INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY TAXES AND WILL HAVE SERIOUS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR TEXAS' FUTURE.

I WANT TO STRESS I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT IS DONE MORE TO IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER SERVICES.

IN A REGION BIGGER THAN 26, 27 STATES AND IT MATTERS.

PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING. I WANT TO SAY THAT THE PAY PARODY MEASURE WAS THE RESULT OF A STUDY THAT TOOK OVER THREE YEARS. I DIDN'T PICK THE FOLKS TO DO IT. BUT A LOT OF THOUGHT WAS PUT INTO THAT. AND EVEN SOMEBODY WAS NOT HAPPY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET A RAISE, I HEARD NOBODY ARGUE WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL PREMISE THAT CAME OUT OF IT.

WOMEN PARTICULARLY WOMEN OF COLOR WERE BEING PAID DISPROPORTIONATELY LESS THAN PEOPLE DOING THE SAME JOB SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THEM ON SOME DEPARTMENT DOING THE VERY SAME THING THAT INEQUITIES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

ON THE ARPER PROCESS WAS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON GENERATIONAL POVERTY.

I'M GLAD THAT IN THIS COUNTY FOR THE MOST PART, WE DID THAT.

WE DIDN'T JUST DO WHAT A LOT OF OUR PEERS AROUND THE REGION AND THE COUNTRY DID. JUST PLUG HOLES TO ADD TO THEIR ONGOING DEFICIT. ONCE THAT MONEY WENT AWAY, THEY JUST EXACERBATED THEIR STRUCTURAL DEFICIT PROGRAMS. LOOK, THAT WAS CERTAINLY COLLEAGUES AT THE TIME THAT SAID DON'T DO IT BECAUSE WHEN IT ENDS INSTEAD OF YOU BEING COMPLEMENTED WHEN YOU DID IT, PEOPLE WILL BE MAD.

I REALIZE THAT. I TAKE THE CRITICISM FOR DOING THAT. ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK ABOUT THE AREA HOUSING IN PARTICULAR.

OUR ECONOMY WAS JUST DEVASTATED. I'M GLAD THAT WE TOOK THE TIME TO COME UP WITH AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK HOW WE WOULD SPEND THE

[02:35:01]

FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE UPSET ONCE THAT WENT AWAY, I CAN LIVE WITH THAT. I'M JUST GLAD WHEN WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, WE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

AND TRUST ME, WE REALLY DID A LOT TO REDUCE GENERATIONAL POVERTY. WE CAN'T KEEP IT GOING IF NEW ADMINISTRATION COMES IN AND GIVES US A BILLION DOLLARS AGAIN, I HOPE WE GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS.

BUT WITH THAT SAID, MR. RAMOS AND THE TEAM, I APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORT YOU PUT INTO IT. DID YOU GET ENOUGH INPUT?

>> OKAY. THEN JUST LET ME SEE IF I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION ON WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS PROPOSING.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IF YOU DON'T MIND JUST TO CLARIFY, AM I HEARING THAT YOUR SUGGESTION WOULD BE THE VAR FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND THEN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DID YOU SAY REDUCING

THAT ONE ON THE ACTUAL RATE? >> YES.

>> OKAY. THEN AS FAR AS THE GENERAL FUND,

DID YOU EMEAN NNR OR SAME RATE? >> THE GENERAL WOULD BE NO NEW REVENUE. EVEN WHEN YOU SAY NO NEW REVENUE, IT DOES INCREASE THE TAX RATE BY ROUGHLY 5-CENTS I

THINK. >> EVEN WHEN WE SAY NO NEW

REVENUE? >> APPRAISALS WENT DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME, EVEN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS SLIGHTLY HIGHER.

>> BECAUSE APPRAISALS WENT DOWN. I WAS LIKE WAIT A MINUTE.

OKAY. THAT MAKES SENSE.

COOL. SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO HARRIS HEALTH. WE HAVE OUR LUNCH BREAK IN ABOUT 38 MINUTES. SO WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU DIRECTOR. WE'LL TAKE OUR HARRIS HEALTH REPRESENTATIVE ISLAMIC. REPRESENTATIVES.

I WANT TO ECHO THE COLLEAGUES THANKING EVERYONE WHO WORKED HARD ON THIS AND THE DEPARTMENT. CLEAR HOW HARD YOU WORKED.

>> THANK YOU JUDGE. I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM WHO DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB DIGGING AS DEEP AS POSSIBLE AND REALLY TAKING TO HEART AT THE END OF THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD OF OUR DECISION, THERE'S A RESIDENT THAT WILL GET SERVICE OR NOT.

VERY PROUD OF MY TEAM AND WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO UNDER THE

CIRCUMSTANCES. >> YOU FOUND SAVINGS THAT NOBODY HAD BEEN ABLE TO FIND BEFORE. GOOD JOB.

HI. GOOD MORNING.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.

WE'RE HERE REPRESENTING HARRIS HEALTH.

DR. PO RSA IS AWAY AT ANOTHER STATE AND COMING TO US VIRTUALLY

AND DEFER TO HIM TO START. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HEAR ME.

>> YES. >> FIRST AND FOREMOST, MY APOLOGIES I COULDN'T BE THERE IN PERSON.

IT COULDN'T BE AVOIDED. HAD A SCHEDULING MIXUP AS TO WHEN THIS HEARING WAS GOING TO BE HELD.

REGARDLESS, THANK YOU ALL COMMISSIONERS FOR THE TIME THAT YOU SPEND WITH US IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS.

I WANT TO THANK MR. RAMOS AND HIS OFFICE FOR THE GREAT WORK THEY HAVE DONE. YOU HAVE SPENT HOURS ON END SINCE JANUARY WORKING WITH THEM TOWARDS THIS PROPOSAL.

AND I SINCERELY WANT TO THANK HIM FOR THE PARTNERSHIP IN THIS.

WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. I CAN'T SEE THIS.

THERE WE GO. GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE AND NEXT SLIDE. I WON'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE DETAILS. WANT TO BRING A COUPLE DETAILS TO YOUR ATTENTION. GO BACK ONE SIDE.

I THINK YOU SKIPPED ONE. THIS IS THE EXPANSION OF HOSPITAL AT HOME PROGRAM. AS YOU HEAR ABOUT THE VOLUMES, THE OUTPATIENT, INPATIENT VOLUMES ARE GOING TO STAY FLAT BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURAL LIMITATIONS.

HOWEVER, AS YOU HEARD THIS COUNTY IS GROWING, THE POPULATION IS GROWING, THE NUMBER OF UNINSURED IS GROWING DISPROPORTIONATELY. WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO INCREASE HEALTH CARE FOR THE PATIENTS BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL AT HOME IS GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS. SO FAR, IT SAVED THE HOSPITAL MORE THAN 2000 INPATIENT BED DAYS WHERE YOU PUT TOGETHER THE OUTPATIENT AND THERAPY, THAT'S ANOTHER 8,000 HOSPITAL PATIENT BEDS. TOGETHER 10,000 INPATIENT HOSPITAL BEDS THEY CAN AFFORD BECAUSE OF THE TWO PROGRAMS. THEY'RE PROUD OF THE TEAM, THE HARRIS HEALTH TEAM FOR THE INNOVATIVE APPROACH. THE ENDOSCOPY I WANT TO TOUCH ON THAT AS A THANK YOU. WE ALL REMEMBER IN 2024 IT WAS THROUGH THE HELP FROM THE COUNTY THEY WERE ABLE TO ACTUALLY

[02:40:05]

NOW WE PLAN TO GO TO FOUR PROCEDURE ROOMS FIVE DAYS A WEEK. CURRENTLY PROUD TO SAY WE DON'T HAVE ANY BACKLOG FOR THE COLONOSCOPY PROCEDURES.

WHEN THE PATIENT RECEIVES AN ORDER FOR COLONOSCOPY, WITHIN SIX WEEKS TO GET TO THE PROCEDURE THAT IS STANDARD OF

CARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM. >> THAT'S GREAT.

>> THAT'S GREAT. >> THANK YOU AGAIN.

I WANT TO SAY IN ADDITION TO UPDATING AND OPERATING BRICK AND MORTAR WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF JOHN MACMILLAN HOSPITAL ON THE LBJ CAMPUS AND FUTURE EXPANSION HOSPITAL AND NEW CLINICS ON BOARD, WE ARE ALSO INVESTING IN THE I.T. INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE SYSTEM. PROUD OF WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THE FOUNDATION WHERE I AM TODAY SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF HARRIS HEALTH AND EVERYTHING ELSE WE ARE DOING IN TERMS OF OUR TECHNOLOGY WHICH MAKES OTHER THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT POSSIBLE AT THE HOSPITAL AT HOME PROGRAM AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, AS MENTIONED, THE PATIENT VOLUMES WILL REMAIN BASICALLY STATIC EXCEPT FOR THE AREAS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH OUR PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY SERVICES.

SPECIALTY SERVICES NEED THROUGH THE FEDERAL REPORT BY HEALTH MEMBERS, WE ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE VOLUMES THROUGH THAT APPROACH AS WELL. I'M GOING TO AT THIS POINT TURN IT OVER TO VICTORIA TO TALK ABOUT OUR BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU MR. RAMOS. DR. PORSA, AS THE SCOPE OF REFERENCE, THE SIZE OF THE BUDGET IS ALMOST THE SAME THAT YOU HAVE DISCUSSED FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE IN THE 2.9 TO $3 BILLION RANGE.

NEXT PAGE, PLEASE. I'LL TALK ABOUT THE THREE MAIN REVENUE SOURCES THAT OUR BUDGET IS MADE OF.

ONE AND VERY IMPORTANT ONE, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OVER ONE-THIRD IS OUR NET ADVELORM TAXES COME FROM THE COUNTY AND BASED ON THE RATES THAT HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION TODAY.

SO THE TWO RATES, 1.2 BILLION FOR THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND 1.5 BILLION FOR THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, THEY DO INCLUDE -- THESE ARE TOTAL RATES, THOUGH THEY DO INCLUDE 94 MILLION IN DEBT SERVICE. WE HAVE TAKEN IN ON DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS. WITH YOUR HELP, THE BOND ISSUANCE OF 840 MILLION AND BOND ISSUANCE OF 830 MILLION WE RECEIVED IN JUNE. NEXT PAGE.

NET REVENUE FOR THE PATIENT SERVICES IS PROBABLY ABOUT A THIRD AT THIS POINT IN TIME. AS YOU ALL KNOW, IF NOT FOR THOSE THAT ARE LISTENING ABOUT 50% OF OUR PATIENT POPULATION IS UNFUNDED COMPLETELY UNFUNDED OR SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERFUNDED.

AND SO WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO GET SO MUCH FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES IF THEY HAVE ONE LIKE A MEDICARE OR MEDICAID OR CA MARKETPLACE. WE DO DON'T ASK FOR PAYMENT FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE NO ABILITY TO PAY.

EVEN WITH THAT BEING SAID DUE TO OUR TECHNOLOGY JOURNEY AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE HAVE PLACED IN THE REVENUE CYCLE, THE TEAM IS PLANNING TO INCREASE THE COLLECTIONS BY 3.6% OR 30 SOME MILLION DOLLARS IN 2027. NEXT SLIDE.

THE FOLLOWING TWO SLIDES TALK ABOUT MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS THAT AGAIN IS ONE-THIRD OR THEREABOUTS OF OUR REVENUE.

IT'S ABOUT $700 MILLION. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS MULTIPLE TIMES IN FRONT OF YOU. I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THIS IS A SOURCE OF REVENUE THAT HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF UNCERTAINTY ASSOCIATED WITH IT. ONE BECAUSE THAT'S SIMPLY HOW THE PROGRAMS WORK AT THE STATE LEVEL AND NATIONAL LEVEL.

ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE PROGRAMS ARE TYPICALLY DEPENDENT ON POLICY DECISIONS. THERE IS ALSO AN ELEMENT OF TIMING. IF WE CAN GO TO NEXT SLIDE.

IT TALKS ABOUT HALF OF OUR MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS

[02:45:04]

NOT THIS FISCAL YEAR. I WANT TO PREFACE THAT, BUT 2028 AND BEYOND. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO THESE ARE THE REVENUE SOURCES.

NOW WE COME TO THE OPERATING EXPENSE.

AND SO THIS BUDGET IS A REALLY TIGHT ONE FOR US IN THE SENSE THAT WE ARE STILL HAVING A LOT OF PROCESSES THAT ARE IN FLIGHT RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THAT DR. PORSA DISCUSSED WITH YOU. THE MAJORITY OF THAT IS DUE TO INFLATION. WE HAVE BUILT IN 4.2% INFLATION IN THE BUDGET. AS WE ALL KNOW, THE INFLATION HAS BEEN ON THE RISE. WE FEEL THIS NUMBER IS A GOOD MEDIAN NUMBER FROM ALL THE SOURCES THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO.

HOWEVER, THAT NUMBER MAY GROW IN THE COMING MONTHS.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW. BUT WE DO KNOW THAT EVEN THE INTEREST RATE CUTS HAVE BEEN STALLED BECAUSE OF THE INFLATION BEING ON THE RISE. SO 114 MILLION OUT OF THE 200 MILLION THAT WE ARE GROWING OUR BUDGET IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS ALL DUE TO INFLATION. THE REST ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STRATEGIC PROJECT. NEXT SLIDE I WILL RUN THROUGH VERY QUICKLY BECAUSE IT BASICALLY TALKS ABOUT DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF OUR EXPENSE. BUT IT'S GOING TO MENTION MUCH OF THE SAME VALUES IN TERMS OF THE INFLATION AND SO FORTH.

SO FOR THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS, WE ARE INCREASING THOSE BY 4.5%. THE NEXT ONE IS IF YOU CAN -- THANK YOU. SO THE NEXT ONE IS AN ESTIMATED 15.7 MILLION OR ROUGHLY IN THE 4 TO 5% DEPENDING ON THE SUPPLY FOR PHARMACEUTICALS 5% AT LEAST. THERE ARE DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO SOME OF THE FEDERAL INITIATIVES RELATED TO THE PHARMACEUTICAL PROGRAMS THAT WE RUN THAT MIGHT IMPEDE OUR CASH FLOW AS WELL AS DECREASE SOME OF OUR -- INCREASE SOME OF OUR REVENUE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

PHYSICIAN SERVICES, PURCHASE SERVICES, AGAIN, DEPENDING WHERE THESE SERVICES ARE IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE, IT'S THE 4.3 TO 5% INFLATION THAT WE HAVE BUILT IN.

AND THAT IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BRING US TO REALLY THE CRUX OF THE CONVERSATION OF THE PROPOSED MARGIN.

THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FROM ONB GIVE US THE 2% MARGIN ON THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE OR A 12% MARGIN ON THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. SO TAKING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY WITH A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH, WE ARE PROPOSING NNR PLUS $10 MILLION PLUS THE ONE CENT.

THE $10 MILLION IS REALLY 6 MILLION IN WAVED REVENUES AND $4 MILLION PLACE HOLDER AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

AS DANIEL SAID COME BACK WITH A FIRM PROPOSAL.

IN OPERATING EXPENSE TO THE TOTAL OF 10 MILLION IN SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY INITIATIVES THAT MEET OUR STATUTORY PURPOSE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE CAN MOVE THROUGH THIS ONE.

THIS IS JUST A TABLE. AND JUST WANTED TO HAVE A COUPLE OF WORDS ON THE ROUTINE CAPITAL BUDGET AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S $150 MILLION. WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURAL NEEDS THAT WE MUST COMPLETE BEFORE OUR NEW HOSPITAL COMES ONLINE AS WELL AS NEW CLINICS AND OTHER FACILITIES THAT ARE PART OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

SO IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WE DO HAVE A NEED OF ABOUT 300 MILLION FOR CAPITAL. THIS YEAR IS 150 MILLION.

AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT IS INCLUDED IN OUR PROPOSED RATE.

[02:50:01]

MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO FRUITION ALL OF IT IN FISCAL '27 BUT DEFINITELY IS GOING TO HIT US HARDER IN FISCAL 2028 AND BEYOND. WHAT WE DO KNOW RIGHT NOW IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE FINANCIAL OFFICER IS THE MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL POOL, THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE POOL THAT IS GOING TO POTENTIALLY DRAMATICALLY DECREASE.

AS WE ARE ESTIMATING THE IMPACT, THAT MAY HAPPEN.

THERE IS A LOT OF TIME TO NEGOTIATE AND SEE WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS. IT COULD BE A HIT OF ALMOST $260 MILLION. WORSE CASE SCENARIO.

BEST CASE 200 MILLION. IF NOTHING ELSE COMES INTO THAT SPACE. ON THE ACA MARKETPLACE, WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN AND IT'S ALREADY PART OF OUR LIFE AND OUR BUDGET AS WE PRESENT IT TODAY IS OUR UNFUNDED POPULATION HAS GROWN BY 5% ALREADY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO BE QUALIFIED FOR THE MARKETPLACE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE OBB A AND RULE CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

NEXT PAGE. HERE I'M JUST GOING TO TOUCH UPON THE 340B PHARMACEUTICAL INITIATIVES THAT AGAIN ARE COMING TO US FROM HERSA AND THE FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES.

THESE DO AND WILL IMPACT THE CASH FLOW ISSUES AS WELL AS WE MAY BE REQUIRED TO PAY A LOT MORE FOR DRUGS.

SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES ARE HALTED IN THE COURTS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. BUT WE HAVE BEEN SIGNALED THAT JANUARY 1ST OF 2027 THEY WILL BE GOING FORWARD.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GO FORWARD IN 2026.

NEXT PAGE. I THINK, YES, JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE PRESENTED TODAY, BUT WILL BE COMING BACK TO YOU WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO EXPENSE AS WE OPEN OUR NEW JOHN ARQIN HOSPITAL, THAT IS QUITE AN IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF THE LICENSE BEDS, IT WILL HAVE 330 LICENSE BEDS COMPARED TO 215 THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AT LBJ, THERE'S A NEW CANCER CENTER ON THE LBJ CAMPUS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2028 AND ALSO THE GREATER ALIEF HEALTH CENTER THAT IS A NET NEW CLINIC THAT IS GOING TO OPEN IN FISCAL 2028 AS WELL.

THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL OUTLAY.

RIGHT THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH COMMISSIONERS. THIS WAS INFORMATIONAL ONLY.

WE ARE OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS COLLEAGUES?

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU DOCTOR AND TEAM FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. COULD YOU PLEASE, AGAIN, REITERATE WHAT IS ASK IS WITH REGARD TO THE TAX RATE AND THE WHY BEHIND IT? CAN YOU BREAK IT DOWN A BIT

MORE? >> YES.

THERE'S THE NNR RATE THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US.

AND THE $10 MILLION PLEDGE THAT WE ARE NEGOTIATING WITH THE COUNTY AT THIS POINT IN TIME IN TERMS OF THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PICK UP BASED ON OUR STATUTORY.

WE'RE ASKING TO ADD THAT 10 MILLION TO THAT RATE.

AND WE'RE ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL CENT TO HELP US WITH

THE CAPITAL PROGRAM. >> I'M SORRY.

COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE LAST PART.

>> NNR PLUS 10 MILLION PLUS 1 CENT TO HELP WITH THE CAPITAL

PROGRAM. >> OKAY.

>> CAN I JUST -- >> NNR PLUS A PENNY PLUS

10 MILLION. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> I WILL ASK MY NEXT QUESTION AFTER DIRECTOR RAMOS CHIMES IN.

>> NNR IS A BAD WORD HERE. IT'S LAST YEAR'S REVENUE NUMBER.

WHEN YOU SAY NNR IT HAS IMPLICATIONED HOW THE DEBT RATE IS CALCULATED. IF WE CAN REFER TO THE HOSPITAL RECOMMENDATION AS LAST YEAR REVENUE PLUS A CENT PLUS 10 MILLION PLEASE, I DON'T WANT TO CONFUSE THE PUBLIC AND THEN CERTAINLY DON'T WANT DEFAULT IN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

[02:55:05]

>> LAST YEAR'S REVENUE PLUS A PENNY AND 10 MILLION.

IS THAT THE PREFERRED LANGUAGE? OKAY.

THIS PLUS A PENNY, IF IT WAS HALF A PENNY, WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY COSTS AND TRADEOFF? CAN YOU JUST KIND OF REALLY

UNPACK THAT FOR US FURTHER? >> I DON'T KNOW IF DR. PORSA

WANTS TO CHIME IN. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR ME. YES.

FIRST OF ALL, AGAIN, THANK YOU. WORKING WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE WHAT VICTORIA SAID, THIS IS OUR INITIAL PROPOSAL TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT BASED ON OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE THINGS ARE. WHAT WOULD HALF A PENNY GOING AWAY DO TO US? IT WOULD NOT PUT US IN THE SITUATION THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE SERVICES.

IT WOULD NOT PUT US IN THE SITUATION WHERE WE WOULD HAVE TO FORGO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU JUST HEARD.

WE WOULD HAVE TO RE-PROGRAM SOME OF OUR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SO THAT NOT THAT THEY WOULD NOT GET DONE, BUT THEY WOULD GET DONE POTENTIALLY WITH THE DELAY IN MIND.

BUT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONERS THAT IS THE DIRECTION THAT COMMISSIONERS WANTS US TO GO? CAN WE GO BACK AND WORK WITH MR. RAMOS AND COME BACK WITH A BETTER ASSESSMENT OF WHAT WOULD LOOK LIKE? WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THAT, COMMISSIONER.

>> I WANTED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE TRADEOFFS.

SO MY NEXT QUESTION, WITH REGARD TO THE 10 MILLION, I KNOW IT'S IN DISCUSSIONS AND I SEE DIRECTOR BARTON, DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, I SO APPRECIATE DR. PORSA YOU AND YOUR TEAM WORKING WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO SEE WHAT OPPORTUNITY AND SYNERGY AND FOREGONE REVENUE YOU CAN HELP AUGMENT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE US AN OVERVIEW AND I APPRECIATE THE CHART THAT YOU SENT US, JUST SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, WHAT THE 10 MILLION CONSISTS OF AND THEN CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THESE WOULD BE A RECURRING PARTNERSHIP OFFSETS?

>> I'M AT A DISADVANTAGE. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE

MY SMILE DR. PORSA. >> I CAN'T.

I DON'T HAVE THE LIST IN FRONT OF ME.

POTENTIALLY VICTORIA HAS THAT. >> I THINK VICTORIA HAS IT.

>> LET ME SAY THIS: YOU TOUCHED ON IT, IT'S REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO ALSO APPRECIATE AND THANK DIRECTOR BARTON FOR HER PARTNERSHIP. YOU KNOW, YOU HEARD TODAY FROM MR. RAMOS ABOUT SOME OF THE HEADWINDS THAT ARE COMING, YOU KNOW, AGAINST THE COUNTY, YOU HEARD FROM VICTORIA ABOUT SOME OF THE HEADWINDS THAT HARRIS HEALTH IS GOING TO EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY IN 2028 AND BEYOND BECAUSE OF THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND THE CHANGES TO MEDICAID AND CHANGES TO AFFORDABLE CARE ACT THAT BROKE FOR UNINSURED. MY UNDERSTANDING IS OBVIOUSLY THE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOT IMMUNE TO THOSE ISSUES. THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO BE EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT HEADWINDS AS WELL.

WHAT I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR TODAY TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS IS THAT WE STAND READY TO HELP. BEYOND THIS YEAR IN WHATEVER WAY THAT WOULD ALIGN WITH THE STATUTORY MANDATE AND THE AVAILABILITY TO DO SO, WE WANT TO BE OF ASSISTANCE TO THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

WITH THAT, I WILL LET VICTORIA GO OVER THE DETAILS OF THE

$10 MILLION. >> AND I WILL ACTUALLY BE DOING THAT FOR THE RECORD. I'M LEWIS SMITH, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF HARRIS HEALTH. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY IN MULTIPLE WAYS TO SEE HOW WE CAN PROVIDE FURTHER SUPPORT FOR ITEMS THAT ARE ALIGNED AND OUR ABILITY TO DO SO. PUBLIC HEALTH IS ONE OF THOSE.

BUT THERE'S ALSO OTHERS WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SOME OF THE COMMUNITY ITEMS THAT THE COUNTY HAS AS WELL.

SPECIFICALLY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, THERE IS A STRONG OPPORTUNITY FOR THE EPIC SUPPORT RELATED FOR TECHNOLOGY IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH BUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR ORGANIZATIONS RELATED TO THE FLOW OF INFORMATION AND PATIENTS THAT GO BETWEEN OUR CLINICAL SERVICES.

IT'S ALSO FOR THE BALANCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM, FOR THE

[03:00:01]

IT ALSO WOULD ENCOMPASS SUPPORT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RELATED TO OTHER TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT RELATED TO WHAT WE'RE DOING AS WELL AS SOME ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES THAT WE BENEFIT FROM

FROM HARRIS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU LEWIS AND THANK YOU VICTORIA. IN SUM 10 MILLION WE'RE WORKING OUT THE DETAILS BUT ASSIST HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND EPIC AND OTHER ITEMS AND WANT TO THANK YOU DR. PORSA FOR THE CONFIRMATION ONGOING PARTNERSHIP AND UNDERSTOOD HUNDRED PERCENT WITH THIS LABYRINTH OF REGULATORY CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS, THAT YOU'RE ALWAYS HAVING TO CONTEND WITH AND SAME WITH PUBLIC HEALTH. I APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND EVERYTHING YOU DO TO ADVANCE HEALTH AND SAVE LIVES ACROSS THE REGION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT COMMISSIONER.

I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, RAMSEY,

AND ELLIS. >> THANK YOU.

DR. PORSA AND TO YOUR TEAM, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AS WELL. AND LOOK, SOME OF THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING HERE TODAY IS THAT YEARS BACK, HARRIS COUNTY WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE FLAT TAX RATE AND BALANCED IT ON THE BACK OF HARRIS HEALTH. WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.

WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN TO WORKING FAMILIES, WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN TO OUR ECONOMY AND THE VALUE THAT YOU BRING TO ALL OF US ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE UNDER INSURED IN OUR REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITIES AND FOR SOME WHO MIGHT BE UNINSURED.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO.

COUPLED WITH YOUR COMMITMENT TO, YOU KNOW, PERSONALLY SPEAKING TO REACH OUT AND TO EAST HARRIS COUNTY AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THOSE OUT THERE WHO LOST THEIR HOSPITAL CAPACITY WITH THE HCA GOING AWAY. BUT TO THAT END, I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR AGAIN THAT HARRIS COUNTY USED TO BE ABLE TO TOUT, YOU KNOW, A FLAT TAX RATE, BECAUSE IT BALANCED IT ON THE BACK OF PUBLIC -- ACUTE PUBLIC CARE, HEALTH CARE.

WE'RE NOT DOING THAT ANYMORE. SO TO THAT END, I WANT TO PROPOSE A MOTION AND THAT MOTION IS TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY TO PRESENT A BUDGET WITH AT LEAST ONE CENT OF SAVINGS IN COMPARISON TO THE CURRENT TAX RATE.

I THINK THAT WOULD HELP TO ADDRESS THE POINT THAT YOU WERE MAKING AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS GETTING TO.

THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO HELP US GET TO THAT PROPOSAL THAT I THINK WILL BE HELPFUL TO EVERYBODY.

>> OKAY. >> GO AHEAD DR. PORSA.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, I APPRECIATE YOU KNOWLEDGING THE SITUATION IN THE PAST.

YOU KNOW, TODAY IN HARRIS COUNTY ONE OUT OF EVERY FOUR ADULTS DOESN'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. THAT NUMBER IS UNFORTUNATELY INCREASING. THE NEED FOR HARRIS HEALTH CONTINUES TO GROW. IT IS DOING IT AT A MUCH MORE RAPID PACE THAN IN THE PAST. SO I APPRECIATE JUST ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WHAT HARRIS HEALTH MEANS TO THE -- NOT JUST THE HEALTH OF THIS COMMUNITY, BUT TO THE ECONOMY OF THIS COMMUNITY. THERE'S THE SAYING THAT AS GOES HOUSTON GOES TAXES, I BELIEVE AS GOES THE HEALTH OF HOUSTONIANS

GOES HOUSTON. >> EXACTLY.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE A COMMUNITY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO THRIVE.

THANK YOU FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

>> REALLY QUICKLY, WHAT IS THE -- HOW MANY CENTS OF OUR TAX WILL BE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE LEGISLATION FOR INDIGENT CARE?

>> ALMOST THREE CENTS. >> WE WERE TO TAKE THREE CENTS OFF AND WEREN'T DEALING WITH THIS AND IN SPITE OF THE PROPERTY TAX AND IN SPITE OF OTHER UNFUNDED MANDATES, JUST ON HARRIS HEALTH ALONE, WE COULD BE PROPOSING A 65-CENT RATE?

>> IF YOU'RE GOING FROM WHERE THEY ARE TODAY, IF YOU'RE GOING

FROM VAR WOULD BE DOWN TO 68. >> BUT IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL RATE? IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 68-CENTS,

CORRECT? >> YEAH, SO THE PROPOSAL IS FOR 68-CENTS THAT REFLECTS THE VAR FOR FLOOD CONTROL.

[03:05:03]

>> CORRECT. >> AND THEN --

>> ALL INCLUSIVE. WE'RE TO TAKE THOSE THREE CENTS

WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT 65-CENTS? >> YES, SIR.

>> GOTCHA. ON THE PROPERTY TAX, HOW MUCH MORE IS THAT TO THIS RATE? HOW MUCH MORE OF THAT IS -- OF

OUR RATE IS THAT? >> WELL, LET ME GET SOME

CLARIFICATION. >> ON THE PROPERTY TAX RATE, ON

THE -- >> I THINK SO.

IT'S ABOUT $20 A CENT. IT WOULD BE ABOUT --

>> A PENNY. >> YEAH.

>> SO 4-CENTS ARE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THOSE UNFUNDED

MANDATES? >> YEAH.

>> AND SO WE COULD HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A 64-CENT COST?

>> IF ONLY... >> YEAH.

THAT WOULD PUT US ON TRACK TO JUST A NOMINAL PROPOSAL OF 2-CENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR?

>> IF I'M TALKING THEM, YES. >> THANK YOU.

I HAVE A MOTION AND READ THE MOTION AGAIN IN HOPES TO HAVE A SECOND. MOTION IS TO DIRECT HARRIS HEALTH TO PRESENT A BUDGET WITH AT LEAST 1 CENT OF SAVINGS IN COMPARISON TO THE CURRENTLY REQUESTED TAX RATE FOR THE

SEPTEMBER 8TH COURT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO SECOND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M TRACKING. YOUR MOTION IS WHAT THEIR ASK?

>> CORRECT. >> LAST YEAR'S REVENUE PLUS ONE

PENNY. >> CORRECT.

>> PLUS THE 10 MILLION. >> CORRECT.

>> IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE -- YES? >> THE MOTION IS BASICALLY TO TAKE OUT THE PENNY THAT THEY'RE REQUESTING, CORRECT

COMMISSIONER. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR. >> I THINK DANIEL WILL

UNDERSTAND THE STRUCTURE. >> WE'RE PRESENT THE OPTIONS.

ON THE 8TH. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I WANT TO CHECK IF I HAVE A

SECOND FOR THE MOTION OR NOT. >> DR. PORSA I WANT TO GET

YOUR REACTION TO THE MOTION. >> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK COMMISSIONER -- THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR ASKING FOR MY REACTION. I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH MR. RAMOS TO SEE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME TO REACT RIGHT NOW TO WHAT THAT MEANS.

BUT AS I SAID PREVIOUSLY TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WE ARE ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO DOING WHAT WE CAN TO BE HELPFUL TO THE COUNTY, TO THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GOING BACK TO MR. RAMOS AND FIGURING OUT WHAT THE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOR US TO DO, WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS ASKING.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> WOULDN'T BE BY NAME.

>> I WILL SECOND IT. >> YOU WOULD NEED IT.

YOU WOULD VOTE ON THE 8TH FOR WHAT TO NOTICE FOR THE ADOPTION ON THE 17TH. IT WOULDN'T BE BINDING IN ANY

WAY. >> OKAY.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND

BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> NOT BINDING WHY VOTING ON IT? YOU'RE DIRECTING THEM TO COME UP WITH ALTERNATIVES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT JUDGE. THERE'S NO NEED FOR VOTE AS LONG AS THE DIRECTOR HAS AS MUCH DIRECTION TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> I'M GOOD EITHER WAY. >> OKAY.

>> SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THANK YOU DR. PORSA. I APPRECIATE YOUR TEAM'S EFFORT IN PROVIDING INFORMATION. YOU ALWAYS DO A GOOD JOB.

YOU HAVE SOME OF THE LONGEST DETAILED POWER POINTS THAT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REVIEW. BUT THEY'RE CHALKED FULL OF INFORMATION AND DATA DOES MATTER.

THERE'S BEEN CONVERSATION TODAY WITH LEAH BARTON AND OTHERS THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME SERVICES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING HANDLED BY CALL IT HARRIS HEALTH LEAH AND THINGS THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING.

IT MAY BE BETTER IF YOU ALL DID IT RATHER THAN WE DID IT.

ARE WE EXPLORING THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HARRIS HEALTH, IE, LEAH BARTON'S GROUP AND WHAT YOU'RE ALL DOING FOR ANY REDUNDANCY.

>> I CAN SAY ABSOLUTELY YES. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THAT IN THE PAST. I THINK HAVING THE CONVERSATION IN FAIRNESS, THOSE ARE HAPPENING NOW TO EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST

SAID. >> ANOTHER QUESTION THE TAX DOLLARS THAT YOU RECEIVED TO FUND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, IS THAT ROUGHLY A THIRD OF THE REVENUE YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR

BUDGET HAPPEN? >> THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT, YES,

COMMISSIONER. >> SO WHEN YOU TALK TO THE OTHER

[03:10:07]

>> SO -- COMMISSIONER, I WILL ALLOW VICTORIA TO COMMENT ON THAT. SHE'S MUCH MORE INFORMED THAN I

AM. >> THANK YOU.

THE OTHER TWO-THIRDS IF WE SPLIT THEM IN HALF, A THIRD AND A THIRD, ONE IS GOING TO COME STRAIGHT FROM THE PARENTS AND THE FUNDING SOURCES IF THEY HAVE ONE.

AS NOTED, 50% HAVE NO FUNDING SOURCE.

IT'S BACK TO IF THEY HAVE INSURANCE, IF THEY'RE THE MEDICARE PATIENT OR MEDICAID PATIENT OR COMMERCIAL PATIENT THAT WE HAVE A FEW, MOST OF THEM COME FROM THE MARKETPLACE PROGRAM. THEN THERE'S REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT THAT WE CAN DO EXCEPT TRY TO IMPROVE OUR OWN PROCESS AND COLLECT BETTER. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING WITH THE HELP OF TECHNOLOGY. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BUILDING THE ADDITIONAL 30 MILLION. WE'RE BUILDING THAT INTO THE BUDGET. SO THAT'S THE ONE-THIRD.

THE SECOND THIRD IS THE MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS.

THIS IS A MUCH, MUCH HARDER PROSPECT TO NEGOTIATE, BECAUSE IT DEPENDS ON POLICY DECISIONS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO WE ARE PARTICIPATING WITH OUR ADVOCACY GROUPS AT BOTH LEVELS ALL THE TIME, I CAN ASSURE YOU WE'RE PART OF THE TEACHING HOSPITALS, WE'RE PART OF OTHER HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND SO THERE'S WORK THAT'S ONGOING ON ALL FRONTS TO HELP ALLEVIATE WHAT MAY BE COMING DOWN, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE ARE POLICY DECISIONS.

AND SO IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCES. THESE ARE VERY UNCERTAIN REVENUE

STREAMS, COMMISSIONER. >> I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, HOW RELIABLE HAVE THEY BEEN NOT YOU'RE LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE BUT JUST IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, HAVE THEY TAKEN GREAT DEPTHS DOWN OR UP OR PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU BUDGETED FOR?

>> IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE IN, AGAIN, IN THE POLICY AREA RELATED TO MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL.

THERE WAS A BIG DISCOURSE AROUND 2021 WHEN THE STATE WAS TRYING TO RENEW THE WAIVER AND THEN WE HAD THAT BEING HELD IN COURT AND SO IT WAS SETTLED BY THE COURTS. SO THERE'S BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF UPHEAVAL IN THE LAST TEN YEARS IN THAT SPACE.

IT HAS HELD STEADY FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS FOR US.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BUDGETING FOR '27 AS WELL.

>> VICTORIA AND COMMISSIONER, IF I MAY ADD TO THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE ASKING THE LAST TEN YEARS.

I WANT TO JUST JUXTAPOSITION WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST WHAT I CALL THE DISTANT PAST COMPARED TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. I DON'T BELIEVE ANY TIME IN THE HISTORY THAT I CAN REMEMBER AND I'VE BEEN IN THE POSITION FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TRILLION DOLLAR CUT

TO MEDICAID. >> MM-HMM.

>> SINCE 2019, AND I BELIEVE I HAVE THIS INFORMATION CORRECTLY, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A REDUCTION IN A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019 SINCE BEFORE COVID TO HAVING 250,000 LESS PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. LAST YEAR WHEN I CAME TO THE COMMISSIONER COURT I ANTICIPATED THAT WE HARRIS HEALTH ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE IMPACT, THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE IN 2028.

WHAT YOU JUST HEARD FROM VICTORIA, IT HAS BEEN SURPRISING THAT WE HAVE SEEN A DIRECT CORRELATION OF A 5% REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH INSURANCE COMING TO HARRIS HEALTH AND 5% INCREASE IN THE UNINSURED.

SO HAS IT BEEN RELATIVELY STABLE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS? I WOULD SAY YES. HAVE THINGS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY ANDLESS RELIANCE ON THOSE TWO THIRDS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS?

ABSOLUTELY, YES. >> I CHOOSE NOT TO GO WITH ANY

KIND OF POLITICAL STATEMENT. >> RIGHT.

>> I AM GETTING THE FACTS AND LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS.

IF I WATCHED NEWS EVERY NIGHT, I WOULD BE AFRAID TO COME TO WORK.

[03:15:04]

I APPRECIATE YOUR POLITICAL STATEMENT THERE.

I WANT TO THANK THE PRIVATE ENTITIES.

WHEN I TALK TO FOLKS LIKE MEMORIAL HERMAN AND METHADOUS THEY'RE CONTRIBUTING BILLIONS IN INDIGENT HEALTH CARE.

SOMETIMES WE FORGET THAT. WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF SOME OF THE FINEST HEALTH CARE ON THE PLANET.

THEY'RE PARTNERS WITH US IN WAYS THAT THAT MIGHT NOT BE IN THE BUDGET WHAT THEY'RE DOING. BUT WE KNOW THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF A LOT OF FOLKS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

I WANT TO THANK THEM PUBLICLY. THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND COST THAT I HAVE SEEN. THEIR BOTTOM LINES, I HAVE SEEN HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'RE SPENDING. I APPRECIATE WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL WORLD AND THE EFFORTS TO TRY TO SAVE MONEY, WHETHER IT'S -- THAT'S ALL I HEAR, WE WILL GET THIS DRUG AND BE ABLE TO SAVE MONEY, SO WE'RE NOT SEEING ANYTHING OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS RELATED TO DRUG COSTS SAVINGS, EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.

HAS THAT BEEN THE BOTTOM LINE? >> IN GENERAL TERMS.

>> EXACTLY. >> OKAY.

SO I JUST WON'T LISTEN TO THE NEWS ON THAT ONE EITHER.

OKAY. THAT -- SO THE TAX RATE, TO BE CLEAR, DR. PORSA, WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC TAX RATE THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING WITH YOUR BUDGET, WITH THE BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE, WHAT IS YOUR TAX RATE AND I WORK IN YOUR CURRENT TAX RATE IS 0.187610. WHAT IS THE PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR YOUR BUDGET THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING? I UNDERSTAND WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS ASKED DANIEL TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT AND COME UP WITH SOME DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

BUT WHAT ARE YOU SPECIFICALLY PROPOSING?

>> SO -- >> CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE THAT ON.

I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME.

>> YES. SO WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS CLOSE TO 19-CENTS. THAT'S THE PROPOSAL.

FOR THE MNO. >> I'LL GIVE YOU THE EXACT

NUMBER. >> FOR THE MNO 0.8932.

DEBT RATE 0.142. FOR COMBINED RATE OF 0.20374.

>> GOT IT. >> OKAY.

THAT'S A NUMBER AT LEAST WE KNOW WHERE WE'RE STARTING.

JUST FOR THE RECORD, IT APPEARS BASED ON WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU'RE NO PROJECTING $184 MILLION SURPLUS IN PHYSICAL

YEAR 2026; IS THAT ACCURATE? >> THAT IS ACCURATE AS OF TODAY?

>> AS OF TODAY. SO, AGAIN, ON ONE HAND, THAT'S GOOD BUDGETING, WE DON'T WANT TO BE FORECASTING A DEFICIT.

SO I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT IT'S -- IT IS 184 MILLION SURPLUS. THERE WAS A SURPLUS LAST YEAR.

THAT'S TWO YEARS IN A ROW THAT WHEN WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION A YEAR AGO, YOU PROJECTED A MARGIN ROUGHLY OF 53 MILLION AND NOW 184 MILLION. SO I'M SENSING A LITTLE CONTINGENCY IN THERE. AGAIN, I LOOK AT TRENDS.

THAT'S WHY I KEEP ASKING ABOUT THE TEN-YEAR TREND, THE TWO-YEAR TREND, THREE-YEAR TREND. I JUST WANTED THAT NUMBER UNDERSTOOD IN TERMS OF 184 MILLION SURPLUS IN THIS

YEAR'S BUDGET. >> WHAT THIS IS, COMMISSIONER, IT HAS MULTIPLE LAYERS TO THAT. WE'LL START WITH WHERE WE ARE IN THE JOURNEY WITH BONDS AND WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR US BY THE RATING AGENCIES. AND SOME OF THESE ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE BECAUSE THEY ARE AT THE LEVEL OF REQUIREMENT FOR A DOUBLE-RATED ENTITY THAT WE ARE. SO THEY DO REQUIRE THE NUMBER THAT IS THE CASH ON HAND IN TERMS OF DAYS.

THEY DO REQUIRE VERY STRONG OPERATING MARGIN.

AND SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE HAD PEOPLE AT HARRIS HEALTH WORK EXTREMELY HARD AND WE ARE PUSHING THEM ON A DAILY BASIS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, TO IMPROVE PROCESSES, TO OPTIMIZE, TO GET US TO THE LEVELS THAT THE RATING AGENCIES ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE A

[03:20:02]

AND SO WE HAD THESE MEETINGS WITH THEM TWICE BACK-TO-BACK IN 2025 WHEN WE ASKED FOR THE FIRST ISSUANCE IN 2026.

IN 2025, THE CONVERSATION WAS MUCH HARDER.

IT WAS A LITTLE EASIER IN 2026 BECAUSE THEY LOOKED BACK AND THEY HAVE SEEN OUR PERFORMANCE AND, YES, WE HAD A DOWNGRADE PREVIOUSLY AS YOU ARE INFORMED, BUT WE ACTUALLY GOT SOME COMPLEMENTS THIS TIME THAT WE WENT OUT FOR THE BOND ISSUANCE, THAT OUR PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN IMPROVED FROM THEIR STANDPOINT.

SO THAT'S KIND OF PART OF IT. THE SECOND PART OF IT IS THAT WE ARE TAPPED OUT AS FAR AS OUR CREDIT CAPACITY IS CONCERNED AT 2.5 BILLION. SO ANY OTHER ISSUANCES ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION AT THIS POINT. WHATEVER THAT DEBT MIGHT BE LIKE. SO WE HAVE TO FINANCE OUR INTERNAL CAPITAL NEEDS THAT WE STILL HAVE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY FROM THESE RETAINED EARNINGS.

THAT'S ANOTHER PART OF IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SO I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ALL WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IF THE STATE PERMITTED YOU TO DRAW ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MONEY, HOW MUCH DO YOU GET THIS YEAR IF YOU COULD ACCESS THE AFFORDABLE CARE MONEY, HOW MUCH

WOULD THAT IMPACT YOU? >> I'M NOT SURE I'M FOLLOWING.

>> VICTORIA, LET ME ANSWER IT THIS WAY, I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE ASKING COMMISSIONER. NOT SO MUCH THE MONEY HAS GONE AWAY, THE ABILITY OF FOLKS TO ENROLL IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAS BEEN DIMINISHED BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES WITH ENROLLMENT, BUT ALSO THE INCREASED COST OF FOLKS GETTING ENROLLED.

SO LET'S JUST TALK ABOUT THE 5%. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 5% OF HAVING MORE INSURED PATIENTS VERSUS 5% OF PEOPLE COMING TO US AND AS YOU HEARD FROM MR. RAMOS EARLIER, EVERY DOLLAR INDIN GENT CARE THAT THEY PROVIDE GOES ON THE TAXPAYERS ON HARRIS COUNTY. THAT'S THE OPPORTUNITY COST WHEN WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS THE INSURED PATIENTS WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR

QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. >> IT DOES.

I'M MAKING A POINT IF WE DREW DOWN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MONEY, IT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE YOUR BUDGET.

YOU WOULD HAVE A LOT MORE MONEY? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> YES. >> YEAH.

AND I HEARD MY COLLEAGUE MAKE REFERENCE TO THE INDIGENT CARE FROM THE HOSPITALS. SO WHAT DOES THAT COME TO? HOW MUCH DO THEY PICK UP OF THE TAB ON THE INDIGENT?

>> GO AHEAD VICTORIA. >> GO AHEAD DR. PORSA.

>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.

I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. RAMOS'S COMMENT AND I WANT TO THANK THE NOT FOR PROFIT HOSPITALS FOR THE -- FOR WHAT THEY DO IN TERMS OF INDIGENT HEALTH CARE.

THEY DO QUITE A BIT. THAT IS TRUE.

THEY ARE MUCH BIGGER SYSTEMS. THE PAYER SOURCE IS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN OURS. COMMISSION IS DIFFERENT THAN OURS. THAT DOES NOT TAKE AWAKE FROM THE FACT THAT I ABSOLUTELY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO IN TERMS OF PROVIDING INDIGENT CARE.

CURRENTLY 1.2 MILLION UNINSURED PATIENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HARRIS HEALTH CAN'T PROVIDE SERVICE TO 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE.

I WISH WE COULD. THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT.

IT'S SPREAD AROUND NOT JUST HARRIS HEALTH BUT ALSO OUR NOT FOR PROFIT AND SOME FOR PROPERTY HOSPITAL COLLEAGUES AS WELL.

THEY DO QUITE A BIT. >> SO DO YOU KNOW IS THAT REPORTED SOMEWHERE IN STATE GOVERNMENT?

INSTEAD OF GUESSING, DO -- >> NO.

THEY DO. BECAUSE THEY DO ALSO -- THEY ALSO DRAW A BENEFIT FROM IT. BECAUSE OF PROVIDING THAT SERVICE, IT PUTS THEM IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THEM. FOR EXAMPLE, TAX EXEMPT FOR ONE THING. THEY CAN ALSO DRAW DOWN FOR SOME OF THE OTHER STATE AND FEDERALLY FUNDED ADDITIONAL PAYMENT FOR THE CARE THAT THEY PROVIDE TO THE INDIGENT.

>> DO WAN I DON'T WANT TO DO MOE WORK ON YOU.

BUT PAY THE INDIGENT CARE IN TEXAS BECAUSE ONE OF THE

[03:25:01]

YOU COLD COULD LOOK IT UP. NOBODY REPORTS TO IT.

I THINK IT'S REPORTED TO THE AG OFFICE AND THE COMP CONTROLLER.

IF MEMORY SERVES RIGHT, I THINK I ASKED FOR 10% IN THE BILL, THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS IN THE BIBLE, THEY DIDN'T PAY US BUT GUTTED TO 3% NET REVENUE AND THE COMMUNITY DEFINES IT AND YOU HAVE TO DO THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT. I CAN AFFIRM IT'S NOT THAT MUCH UNLESS SOMETHING CHANGED SINCE THAT BILL --

>> IT'S NOT. IT'S AROUND 3%.

>> I WAS GUESSING. >> THE NUMBER I QUOTED IS THEIR NUMBER. IT'S THEIR NUMBER.

IT'S ALMOST AS MUCH AS WE PROVIDE.

SEVERAL BILLION. >> DO YOU HAVE A PERCENTAGE ON IT? DID THEY SAY?

>> THEY JUST ACTUAL -- THESE WERE FOLKS THAT SHOWED UP EVEN AT THE METHODOSU FACILITY OR OTHERS.

THEY DON'T TURN ANYBODY AWAY. >> IS THAT CORRECT, THEY DON'T TURN ANYBODY AWAY? I WASN'T AT THE MEETING BUT I WAS SAYING I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE.

>> IT'S THE FEDERAL REGULATION. NO HOSPITAL CAN TURN ANYBODY

AWAY. >> THEY SENT TO YOU.

>> THERE'S THE EMERGENCY SITUATION.

SO ONCE THEY'RE IN THE EMERGENCY SITUATION HAS BEEN ADDRESSED, I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE DISTINCT IS DRAWN BETWEEN HARRIS HEALTH, SECULAR HOSPITAL AND NOT FOR PROFIT OR FOR PROFIT HOSPITAL.

ONCE THE EMERGENCY SITUATION IS ADDRESSED, THE HOSPITAL ARE NO LONGER OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE THE CONTINUATION OF THAT SERVICE.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

SOMEBODY WALKS INTO THE NOT FOR PROFIT HOSPITAL WITH THE BROKEN ARM, THE EXPECTATION FROM INTEL IS THE BROKEN ARM GETS ADDRESSED, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY CAN BE PUT IN A SPLINT, A CAST, BUT LET'S SAY THIS PERSON ALSO REQREQUIRES WORTH IMMEDIATE YESI CAN SURGERY TO FIX IT WITH HARD HARDWARE IN THE ARM.

THAT IS NOT FOR THE NOT FOR PROFIT HOSPITAL AND NOT ROUTINELY TAKEN BY THE NOT FOR PROFIT.

AND IN THOSE SITUATION THEY ARE SENT TO HARRIS HEALTH AND OUR HOSPITAL FOR THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.

>> WON'T DEBATE IT HERE. WORTH LOOKING INTO.

>> IT'S A BIG NUMBER. >> IN TEXAS THE NUMBER WAS -- I THINK THE LAW REQUIRES PROBABLY 3.5%.

MAYBE 4% OF NET PATIENT REVENUE BECAUSE IN THE OLD DAYS PEOPLE WERE DEFINING CHARITY CARE AS SOME LEGISLATIVE CALLED UP AND SAID CAN YOU TAKE CARE OF THE CONSTITUENT? BUT THE BILL DEFINES WHAT IS INDIGEN SI.

IT'S NOT A GUESS. >> WITH FEW SERVICES IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. THEY GO TO FOR PROFIT.

THEY HAVE TO. NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.

I'M SAYING THEY TRACK THE NUMBER.

IT'S IN THE BILLIONS. >> THAT WOULD BE ONE TO PUT IN THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE. I THINK YOU SHOULD BE SHOCKED IF

THEY DID A LITTLE DIGGING. >> TELL YOU WHAT AT THE NEXT COURT I WILL BRING BACK THE NUMBER.

THEY HAVE A SPECIFIC UNDERLYING NUMBER.

I WILL BRING IT BACK. >> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO

LOOK AT. >> CAN YOU GIVE US WHAT THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS ARE SO I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S REQUEST THAT CAME UP EARLIER? JUST WALK US THROUGH WHAT YOU WOULD GET. HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GET FROM THE NO REVENUE RATE AND HOW MUCH MONEY FROM THE VAR RATE?

GIVE ME THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS. >> VICTORIA DO YOU HAVE THAT

INFORMATION? >> I CAN.

I THINK DANIEL PROBABLY IS YOUR BETTER SOURCE.

>> I GOT YOU. >> I HAVE A BILLION AND 125 AND 124 MMO AND 94 DEBT SERVICE AND 1.218 AS THE TOTAL.

PROPOSED RATE DID YOU ASK VAR COMMISSIONER?

>> GIVE ME PROPOSED RATE. >> FOR THE MNO 1.233.

>> HOW MUCH IS THAT ABOVE THE NO REVENUE RATE?

>> THAT IS ABOUT $110 MILLION MORE.

>> SO BETWEEN THE TWO, WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING IS WHETHER OR

NOT YOU HAVE EXTRA $110 MILLION. >> MM-HMM.

>> WHERE WOULD YOU SPEND THAT $110 MILLION?

>> SO THAT INCLUDES THE 10 MILLION THAT WE ARE TAKING ON

[03:30:03]

YEAR IS $150 MILLION. >> SO YOU ARE GOING TO COME BACK AND GIVE US SOME SENSE OF IF YOU DON'T GET WHAT YOU ARE REQUESTING TODAY, WHAT IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON YOU?

>> CORRECT. >> GOING BACK TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT, WHAT ELSE COULD YOU ALL PICK UP THAT STILL MEETS YOUR STATUTORY PURPOSE IN TERMS OF HEALTH CARE WE DO WITH THE

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT? >> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY A CONVERSATION THAT WE STILL NEED TO HAVE AND COME BACK TO YOU

WITH A BETTER ANSWER. >> WHETHER WE DO IT OR NOT, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. BECAUSE ON OUR SIDE DEALING WITH THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS IF THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO. IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T MEET THE INDIGENCY LEVEL THAT'S A SEPARATE LEVEL.

IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU DO, AT LEAST WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT

THOSE ARE. >> UNDERSTOOD.

>> OKAY. >> AS COMMISSIONER MENTIONED, THE BOARD CAN EARN US WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THE OTHER DEPARTMENT AS WELL TO SEE IF THERE ARE SYNERGIES THAT WE CAN ARRIVE AT THAT IS GOING TO BE NOT ONLY BETTER IN TERMS OF SAVING COSTS FOR THE COUNTY FOR HARRIS HEALTH, IT'S ACTUALLY BETTER FOR THE PATIENT.

>> WHAT HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WOULD THOSE BE WHEN LOOKING AT DEPARTMENTS OTHER THAN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, NOT SURE IF THE SHERIFF OFFICE COUNTS AS THE DEPARTMENT BUT THE SHERIFF OFFICE, I.T., TECHNOLOGY, THINGS

OF THAT CENTER. >> HARRIS CENTER, THINGS OF THAT

NATURE. >> MAINLY THAT ALIGNS REALLY WELL WITH US IS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY.

WE'RE BOTH IN THE SAME BUSINESS. >> I WOULD BE CURIOUS IF THERE ARE OTHER AREAS, HOW THEY HANDLE IN OTHER COUNTIES.

SO JUST LOOK AND SEE IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER YOU PICKING UP, HOW DO OTHER COUNTIES SIMILARLY SITUATED, WHAT DO THEY DO IN DALLAS AS AN EXAMPLE?

>> THAT REVIEW IS UNDER WAY AND WE WILL BE WORKING WITH DIRECTOR RAMOS FOR FURTHER CLARITY ON THE ITEM.

>> IS THIS ENOUGH TIME? CAN WE DO THIS BEFORE WE ADOPT THE BUDGET. I'M SURE YOU'RE WORKING ON THIS.

>> WE'RE WORKING ON THIS. THERE'S THE LIST WE'RE WORKING THROUGH. WE'LL HAVE IT BY THE 8TH.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUST REAL QUICK BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE ABOUT TO BREAK FOR LUNCH.

IT'S ECHOING A LITTLE BIT DR. PORSA WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND ELLIS WE'RE SEEING THE UNINSURED NUMBER INCREASING.

I THINK ONE THING THAT WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IS THE FACT IT'S A LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER. WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT THE INDIGENT PATIENTS BUT ANY ONE OF US COULD FIND OURSELVES THERE AND SO I THINK THAT YOU NEED TO HELP ME HELP YOU BY GIVING A BIT MORE DETAIL AS TO WHY EXACTLY YOU GUYS NEED THE ADDITIONAL PENNY AND THE ADDITIONAL 10 MILLION.

AND I JOTTED DOWN ALREADY WHAT I HEARD.

BUT I JUST THINK THAT I HAVE TO JUSTIFY THIS, RIGHT? AND RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE YOU'RE RIGHT.

I DO. BUT I CAN'T VERBALIZE WHY.

IT'S JUST KNOWING THE WORK YOU GUYS DO AND I KNOW Y'ALL ERR ON THE SIDE ASKING FOR LESS GENERALLY THAN ASKING FOR MORE.

THAT'S WHY MY INSTINCT IS I WOULD PROBABLY AGREE WITH YOU ALL. BUT I JUST NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> IT DOES. LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH THIS AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP WITH WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THIS AND WE HAVE SUBMITTED IN WRITING AND UNDER THE STRATEGIC PLAN. WHEN WE FIRST WENT TO THE COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR THE $2.5 MILLION BOND IN 2023, WE WERE VERY CLEAR THAT OUR NEEDS WERE MUCH HIGHER THAN $2.5 BILLION AT THE TIME WE HAVE ANTICIPATED THAT THE COST OF THE PLAN IS NORTH OF $3.2 BILLION. THERE WAS A DELTA OF $700 MILLION. THE WAY WE HAD DESCRIBED HOW TO CLOSE THAT GAP IS $100 MILLION OF PHILANTHROPY AND PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE AND PROUD OF THE COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE THAT AND OUT OF 600 MILLION, AND 300 MILLION FROM ROUTINE

[03:35:04]

SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO HAVE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL MONEY, IS ADDRESSING THE PROMISE THAT WE MADE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE THIS GAP TO ACHIEVE ALL THE PROMISES WE MADE IN TERMS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE

IMPROVEMENTS FOR HARRIS HEALTH. >> SO YOU'RE BASICALLY SAYING WITHOUT THOSE INCREASES, YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DELIVER ON

THE BOND THAT PEOPLE PASSED? >> NO, NO, NO.

COMMISSIONER, NO. THE PROMISES MADE RELATED TO THE BOND PROJECT, WE ARE GOING TO DELIVER ON THOSE.

THE TIMELINESS OF WHEN WE CAN DELIVER ON THOSE CAN BE EXTENDED IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CAPITAL MONEY TO BRING THOSE PROJECTS

ONLINE. >> YEAH, JUST FOR CLARITY FOR THE COURT, AS WE HAVE PRESENTED TO THE COURT ON A QUARTERLY BASIS OUR STRATEGIC FACILITY PLAN, THAT TOTALITY OF THAT PLAN WHICH Y'ALL HAVE COPIES OF THAT LIST ALL THE PROJECTS IN THE APPENDIX OF THE REPORT, ALL OF THAT IS FUNDED BY BOND, BUT ALSO OTHER CASH WHICH IS OUR PHILANTHROPY AND OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY. AND IN THE APPENDIX, YOU WILL ACTUALLY SEE WHICH PROJECTS GET AFFECTED BY THE BOND VERSUS NONBOND. THAT'S THE PROJECTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF TRYING TO KEEP A VERY AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE SO THAT WE CAN EXPAND ACCESS AND CAPABILITIES RELATED TO HARRIS COUNTY RELATED TO THAT.

THE MORE THAT THOSE RESOURCES GET RESTRICTED, THE FURTHER OUT IN TIME THOSE PROJECTS GO AS WE'RE TRYING TO MEET THOSE

NEEDS. >> I MEAN, LOOK, YOU'RE TELLING ME TO GO SOMEWHERE IN A BOOK THAT WE GOT IN THE PAST QUARTER.

SO IF I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN THIS TO THE PUBLIC, YOU KNOW, I'M

STUMPED. >> THE NEXT QUARTER REPORT IS COMING AT THE FIRST OF SEPTEMBER.

>> YEAH, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S ENOUGH.

BECAUSE THE REPORT ISN'T GOING TO ANSWER WHY DO YOU GUYS NEED A

PENNY PLUS 10 MILLION. >> WE CAN MAKE THAT SHARPER IN TERMS OF MAKING THAT A VERY SPECIFIC ANSWER AND WE CAN

PROVIDE THAT. >> IF YOU'RE SAYING IT'S EXCLUSIVELY THE PENNY AND THE 10 MILLION IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THAT. THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEAR. >> QUITE UNDERSTOOD.

I THINK WE CAN MAKE THAT CLEAR. >> OKAY.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? ALL RIGHT.

DR. PORSA WE WILL BREAK FOR LUNCH IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING

ELSE. >> NO.

JUST A THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU GUYS.

>> JUDGE. >> I WANT TO CLARIFY.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOTION HAS BEEN WITH DRAWN AND DANIEL HAS DIRECTION? EXCELLENT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM FOR

NOW. >> YES.

>> THANK YOU DR. PORSA. THANK YOU VICTORIA.

THANK YOU LEWIS. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, IF WE'RE BREAKING? TIME AND --

>> ALL RIGHT. IT'S 12:53.

>> ALL RIGHT. IT'S 1:56 AND WE'RE BACK IN SESSION AND WE'RE MOVING ON TO FLOOD CON CONTROL.

>> YOU MEAN THEIR BUDGET? >> THE TAX RATE?

NO? >> HE SAID THAT HE WAS PREPARED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT HE DEFERRED.

I GAVE THE HIGH LEVEL TALKING POINTS.

SO WE'RE DONE WITH ITEM 2. >> SO WE HAVE ITEM 4 AND

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> YEAH.

OKAY. YEAH.

SO WE HAVE A COUPLE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ITEM 2. THEN 4.

EXECUTIVE SESSION, THEN WE HAVE 5 AND THEN 19 AND 20.

SO WE CAN HEAD TO EXECUTIVE SESSION NOW IF YOU GUYS WOULD

WITH LIKE, OR WE CAN -- >> I HAVE A QUICK MOTION ON

ITEM 4. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> SO IS THAT ALL RIGHT? >> YEAH, GO AHEAD.

>> SO MY MOTION IS TO APPROVE ONLY THE EDNA PROGRAM SAVINGS, ENHANCED NATIONAL NETWORK, ZEREGO AND PRUDENT IMPLEMENTATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

MR. RAMOS? >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I WITH WOULD SECOND THAT, BUT I'D PLEASE LOVE TO HEAR JUST SO WE'RE ALL CRYSTAL CLEAR ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT THIS.

>> SURE. SO THE BUDGET HAS $9 MILLION PROGRAMMED FOR PREMIUM AND DEDEDUCTIBLE INCREASES TO OUR EXISTING PLANS. AND P $3 MILLION FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CHANGES THAT WE THINK WILL SAVE MONEY.

[03:40:02]

>> SO THIS WITH WOULD MEAN NO CHAUPGS TO PREMIUMS AND DEDUCTIBLES, BUT A COUPLE OF MINOR CHANGES UNDER THIS MOTION.

I THINK IT WOULD AFFECT MAYBE FIVE PEOPLE.

>> IT'S FIVE PEOPLE FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL, I THINK.

YEAH, IT'S A REALLY SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

I BELIEVE THE PLAN IS TO REACH OUT TO THEM INDIVIDUALLY WITH

THESE CHANGES. >> YEAH, THEY'LL HAVE ACCESS TO PHARMACIES NEARBY. WE'VE VALIDATED THAT ALREADY.

IT WILL HELP THEM MANAGE THE TRANSITION.

>> K OKAY. >> AND THE OTHER TWO PROGRAMS

ARE VOLUNTARY. >> AND I WOULD JUST ASK THAT AS WE DID WITH THE CHANGES FOR RETIREES, IF AT SOME POINT THE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO COME FORWARD WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES, DO FOR THEM WHAT WE DID FOR THE RETIREES. MAKE SURE YOU LET THEM KNOW BEFORE IT'S COMING ON THE AGENDA.

OKAY. >> I HAVE ARE SOME QUESTIONS, PLEASE, JUST SO EVERYONE'S CLEAR AND ALL OF THE TEAM MEMBERS AT HARRIS COUNTY ARE CLEAR. SO THE MOTION COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE IS WITH REGARD TO ONLY OPTION THREE; IS THAT CORRECT? THE COST CONTAINMENT PROGRAMS WITH THE PHARMACY?

>> YEAH, THREE PROGRAM CHANGES. SO THE DEDEDUCTIBLE AND THE PROGRAM CHANGES WITH WOULD NOT OCCUR BASED ON HIS MOTION.

>> OKAY. TO ME, AGAIN, THE BENEFITS ARE THE SACRED PROMISE WE'VE MADE TO TEAM MEMBERS WHO HAVE JOINED HARRIS COUNTY. SO I'M VERY MUCH NOT IN FAVOUR OF OPTION ONE OR OPTION TWO AT THIS TIME.

OPTION 3, I KNOW YOU JUST SUM RISED IT, BUT SO THAT EVERYONE'S CLEAR, COULD YOU PLEASE STATE WHAT IS INCLUDED IN OPTION 3 AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE IMPACTED.

>> YES. THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO IT. AND SARAH ACOSTA OUR BENEFITS INSTRUCTOR WILL JOIN ME TOO TO MAKE SURE IT'S RIGHT TMENT FIRST IS RELATED TO PHARMACIES THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO.

AS INDICATED BY DIRECTOR RAMOS, WE'VE IDENTIFIED FIVE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE NETWORK OF EMPLOYEES AND REARE TIRES AND WE'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED THERE ARE PHARMACIES NEARBY THAT THEY CAN MOVE THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS SO. SO WE'LL REACH OUT TO THEM PROACTIVELY TO FACILITATE THAT. THE SECOND COMPONENT IS RELATED TO SOME VERY HIGH COST PHARMA UTILIZATION RELATED TO SOME SKIN CONDITIONS, AND WHAT IT'S DOING IS VOLUNTARILY REACHING OUT TO EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES WHO WILL BE USING THOSE DRUGS TO OFFER THEM LIGHT THERAPY, ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO TRY FIRST, WHICH HAS PROVEN VERY COST EFFECTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL.

IF THAT DOESN'T WORK OR THEY DON'T WANT TO, THEY CAN CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THE DRUGS. AND THE THIRD COMPONENT, SARAH, IF YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN THIS ONE WITH, YOU CAN DO IT BETTER THAN

ME. >> OKAY.

IT'S BASICALLY A MANUFACTURER SAVINGS PROGRAM BUILT INTO OUR SPECIALTY DRUGS ON THE MEDICAL SIDE.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE PRUDENT RX, WHICH IS BUILT INTO OUR PHARMACY PLAN. THAT'S BUILT IN MANUFACTURER'S SAVING PROGRAM FOR THOSE FOLKS TAKING HIGH COST DRUGS THAT YOU LERNLDZ ABOUT EARLIER THIS YEAR. SO IT MIRRORS THAT SIMILAR SET UP, BUT IT'S FOR THOSE DRUGS ADMINISTERED THROUGH OUR MEDICAL PROGRAM. SO THERE'S A WIN BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE OUT OF POCKET AND THEN THE PLAN SAVES MONEY ALSO.

THEY HAVE TO OPT IN BUT THEY GET TARGETED OUTREACH BY PRUDENT

MED. >> OKAY.

SO OPTION THREE IS JUST, IF I HEARD CORRECTLY, PLEASE CONFIRM, WILL ONLY AFFECT FIVE PEOPLE OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND ALL OF OUR

RETIREES; IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, AS WE'VE IDENTIFIED, YES

HE. >> AND THERE WILL BE ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO THOSE FIVE PEOPLE?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

AND BASED ON ALL THE DUE DILIGENCE PERFORMED, YOU'RE

CONFIDENT OF THIS? >> YES.

>> K. AND SO -- AND AGAIN, WE'RE NOT -- WELL, I'M NOT VOTING IN FAVOUR OF OPTION ONE OR TWO BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT'S A SACRED PROMISE THAT WE HAVE MADE.

I DO WANT TO RETURN AT A HIGH LEVEL, HOWEVER.

SO DIRECT RAMOS SAID THAT THE COST INCREASE FOR HEALTH CARE --

DID YOU SAY $89 MILLION? >> THAT'S FOR THE GENERAL FILE.

$110 MILLION ACROSS ALL FUNDS. >> OKAY.

CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO THESE INCREASES AND ANY KIND OF HIGH LEVEL THOUGHTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AS WE APPROACH THE FUTURE IN THE

NEXT THREE, FIVE, TEN YEARS? >> OF COURSE.

WE HAVE SOME BACK UP. I WON'T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON IT. BUT I THINK IT WOULD HELP YOU IF YOU CAN SEE A COUPLE OF CHARTS. TIFFANY F YOU'RE ABLE TO BRING THAT UP, PLEASE. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE HEALTH CARE COSTS HAVE BEEN SKYROCKETING, AND THAT'S NOT JUST FOR HARRIS COUNTY, BUT THAT'S FOR ALL EMPLOYERS EVERYWHERE.

AND SO WHAT YOU'LL SEE HERE -- WE CAN MOVE TO I THINK PAGE 6.

[03:45:03]

OKAY. SO WHERE WE STAND TODAY IS WE SPEND ABOUT THIS MUCH EVERY SINGLE DAY ON HEALTH CARE.

FOR OUR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES. IN 2016 THIS FIGURE WAS ABOUT HALF AS MUCH. THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW ASTRONOMICAL THE INCREASES HAVE BEEN.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> AND CAN YOU SHARE FOR THE PUBLIC HOW MANY TOTAL PEOPLE CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

ARE ON OUR PLAN? >> YEAH.

WE WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 46,000 COVERED.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND HERE WE HIGHLIGHT JUST A FEW OF THE KEY COST DRIVERS. MOST OF THEM WILL BE FAMILIAR TO YOU. AND THERE ARE SOME THAT WE CAN EDUCATE EMPLOYEES AND WE'RE WORKING TO EDUCATE EMPLOYEES MORE ON HOW WHEN THEY GO THE TO USE SERVICES THEY CAN MAKE SURE THEY'RE MAKING THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE CHOICE THAT IS STILL WORK FOR THEM. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO PROACTIVELY MORE OF TO HELP THEM KNOW HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE. FOR EXAMPLE, HOW CAN I TAKE THE LIGHT THERAPY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AND AGAIN, THIS JUST SUMMARIZES JUST WHERE WE SEE SOME OF THE BIGGEST COST INCREASES AND IT WON'T SURPRISE TO YOU SEE THAT PHARMA IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST. BUT OVERALL, WE'RE SEEING ABOUT AN 8.1 TRENDS THIS YEAR. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

YEAH. AND SO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE FIGURES. WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND TIME ON THIS ONE WITH THE IF WE JUST MOVE FORWARD -- TIFFANY, PLEASE.

THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT. I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES AND SO DO WE.

OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP PROVIDING DESIRABLE, RELIABLE BENEFITS TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND DO THIS IN A FASHION THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN OVER TIME. AND SO AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S A COST SHARE BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND US AS HARRIS COUNTY.

EMPLOYER. AND THE WAY YOU SEE EMPLOYEES CONTRACTING IS THROUGH THINGS LIKE PREMIUMS AND DEDUCTIBLES.

THOSE ARE SOME EXAMPLES. AND SO YOU CAN SEE OVER TIME HISTORICALLY HARRIS COUNTY AND MOST EMPLOYERS TARGET, LIKE, AN 80-20 COST MIX BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE.

BUT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS OUR SHARE OF THAT COST HAS RISEN.

AND THE REASON IS PRIMARILY BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T MADE ANY CHA CHANGES.

>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A VERY HELPFUL SLIDE.

THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION. I KNOW WE'RE ALL COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE HIGH QUALITY PLANS AND BENEFITS FOR OUR HARD-WORKING TEAM MEMBERS AND THESE COSTS ARE HUGELY ASTRONOMICAL. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EXPLAINING THIS. AND WE APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT

PARTNERSHIP. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THEN

RAMSEY, THEN ELLIS. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL FOR Y'ALL'S WORK ON THIS.

AND A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ONE IS THAT IS THERE ANYTHING I GUESS THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER COSMETIC THAT'S IN THE PLAN THAT WE'RE PAYING FOR? THIS MAY BE A BAD EXAMPLE TODAY, BUT YOU WITH WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL, I THINK IT SAVED US # $5 MILLION WHEN WE TOOK VIAGRA ■ OUT OF THE PLAN.

AND SO IS THERE ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT ISN'T THAT CLOSE TO ONE'S HEALTH CARE THAT WE MAY BE PAYING FOR?

>> WELL, THAT IS A DRUG CLASS WE COULD TAKE OUT, IF YOU'D LIKE, E.D. DRUGS. BUT ULTIMATELY WE DON'T COVER THOSE WEIGHT LOSS MANAGEMENT DRUGS.

WE ONLY COVER THEM IN THE FORM THAT THEY'RE DIABETIC IN USE.

BUT I MEAN, WE COULD, YOU KNOW, WORK WITH THEM TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING UNDER THE COVER TO BRING BACK.

>> IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE. AND THEN SECONDLY, THE -- I THINK COMMISSIONER, YOU'VE GOT A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

>> I DID. >> I THINK YOU'VE BEEN TALKING TO MY TEAM ABOUT WORKING TO SEPARATE NEW EMPLOYEES.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH PEOPLE BEING OF THE IN GETTING THAT DONE. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT.

WE'LL FIGURE THAT OUT. BUT MY QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH WOULD CHANGING THE PLANS ON NON-EXISTING EMPLOYEES SAVE US

TODAY? >> HE WE JUST HAVE AN EARLY ESTIMATE RIGHT NOW. GO AHEAD.

>> WE HAD THE OMB TEAM. THEY JUST DID THE PREMIUMS ALONE. IT WAS MAYBE $540,000 JUST BASED ON THE NEW HIRES THAT WE HAVE, THE CADENCE THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT A YEAR. SO IT'S A SIGNIFICANT LIFT FOR SUCH A MINIMAL -- NOT A MINIMAL, BUT IT IS A MINIMAL AMOUNT JUST TO PUT ALL NEW HIRES INTO A SEPARATE PLAN DESIGN.

THEY'D HAVE TO MILES AN HOUR TR THREE PLANS WE WE HAVE NOW FROM A STRUCTURAL STAND POINTS, AS WELL AS HAVE ALL THOSE COVERAGE

TIERS SET UP AND WHATNOT. >> BUT THAT'S HALF A MILLION

[03:50:05]

>> THEY'RE BASING THAT ON 2027. >> BUT GOING FORWARD IS THERE

AN ESCALATOR TO IT? >> THEY DIDN'T PUT THAT IN WHEN WE WERE COSTING IT OUT BUT THEY COULD DO THAT AND SEE IF YOUR DESIRE IS TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT CHANGES AND EVERYBODY THAT'S IN THIS GRANDFATHERED GROUP, THAT'S HOW THEY'D HAVE TO FIGURE IT.

>> WE CAN PLUG IT INTO THE MODEL AND SEE WHERE WE LAND OVER

TIME. >> YEAH, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT OVER TIME, AS THE WORKFORCE PRESUMABLY WOULD TRANSITION, THAT WOULD BE A HUGE SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY.

SO I DO WANT TO SEE HOW WE CAN MODEL THAT OUT AND UNDERSTAND IT

BETTER. >> WE CAN WORK ON THAT,

COMMISSIONER. >> AND I THINK BACK TO YOUR QUESTION EARLIER, COMMISSIONER, THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS LIKE THAT THAT WE'VE STARTED TO INVESTIGATE.

I KNOW YOUR TEAM WORKED WITH US TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE PROGRESSIVE PREMIUM FOR HIGHER INCOME EMPLOYEES.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN IMPLEMENT.

WE CAN ALSO LOOK INTO THAT FOR NEXT PLAN YEAR, NOT THIS PLAN YE YEAR.

>> AND I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I MADE A MOTION EARLIER.

AND THAT WAS TO -- I KNOW IT'S SEPARATE FROM THIS, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO BACK TO THE EVICTION FEES.

BECAUSE WE MADE A MOTION THAT WAS SECONDED BUT WE DIDN'T VOTE ON IT. THANK YOU.

>> DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT NOW?

>> YEAH. WE MADE A MOTION ON IT --

[INAUDIBLE] >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DID

VOTE. >>

[INAUDIBLE] >> I THINK THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION BECAUSE THE MOTION APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN WITH DRAWN AT THE END OF DISCUSSION. WE CAN GO BACK TO IT IN

COLLABORATION WITH THE CLERK. >> SURE.

>> MOVE TO RAISE THE EVICTION FEES TO 120.

>> SECOND. >> SECONDED.

>> AND BY THE WAY, FOR FOLKS WHO MAY BE LISTENING BECAUSE WE DID GET A CALL ON THIS. THIS COST IS NOT PAID BY THE RESIDENTS. THIS IS A COST PAID BY

LANDLORDS. >> COMMISSIONER, I THINK THE MOTION THAT WAS CIRCULATED EARLIER WAS FOR TO DIRECT OMB TO RETURN WITH WITH A PLAN TO RAISE EVICTION FEES TO $120.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S THE MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> SO THEN CAN WE JUST -- OH, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. WE SAID IT WAS JUST GOING TO

BE -- >> DIRECTING.

WE WERE REFERRING TO ANOTHER ITEM.

>> YEAH. IT WAS A DIFFERENT ITEM THAT HE

WE ENDED UP WITH THE DIRECTION. >> IF YOU TAKE THE MOTION ACTIONEN IT NOW, IT WILL BE IN THE BOOK.

IF NOT IT WILL COME UP FOR ANOTHER VOTE.

SO HOWEVER COURT WOULD LIKE TO DO IT.

>> YUP. >> OKAY.

SO JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, YOU YOU DO WANT IT RAISED TO 120,

NOT COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL. >> YES.

>> OKAY. THAT'S A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT

MOTION THEN. >> SEE, I'M NOT SURE BECAUSE I THINK WE SHOULD TALK TO THE JP'S FOR STARTERS.

AND I THINK -- I THINK IF THE CASE WERE DECIDED IN THE LANDLORDS' FAVOUR, THEN THE LANDLORD IS ENTITLED TO ALL COURT COSTS, INCLUDING FILING FEES, SO THAT WOULD MEAN THAT THE JUDGE'S ORDER AGAINST THE TENANT WOULD INCLUDE THAT ADDITIONAL FEE. AND THEN ALSO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD PHASE IT IN. BECAUSE -- I MEAN, IT'S JUST A PRETTY -- YEAR ALREADY CHANGING IT.

WE ALREADY UPPED IT TO $100. I GUESS THE QUESTION WITH IS WHY GO TO 120? WHY NOT LEAVE IT AT $100?

>> BECAUSE HONESTLY, WORKING WITH THE CONSTABLES IS NOT ALWAYS THE EASIEST THING WHEN THERE'S EIGHT OF THEM.

WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE $100 WITHOUT ANY PUSH BACK, BUT I THINK THEY'LL FOLLOW COMMISSIONER COURT'S DIRECTION

ON THIS. >> JUDGE, WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY NOTICED THIS FEE CELLS. SO I THINK WHAT WE'D RECOMMEND IS JUST BRING IT BACK ON SEPTEMBER 8TH.

THE COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTED -- THE COURT CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A VOTE AND DIRECT THEM TO COME BACK WITH A SPECIFIC DOLLAR AMOUNT, BUT WE'D PROBABLY WANT TO DO THAT AND HAVE IT COME BACK

ON SEPTEMBER 8TH. >> ALL RIGHT.

IT WILL BE IN THE BUDGET BOOK ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> THANK YOU. >> THIS IS REALLY PROCEDURAL,

NOT BUDGET. >> THANK YOU.

NOTICED. THANK YOU.

SO COME BACK ON THE 8TH. >> YES, SIR.

>> IT'S STILL A MOTION. >> THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AL I DON'T KNOW WHO SECONDED IT.

>> I'LL SECOND IT. >> OKAY.

>> OKAY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HE WILLIS.

ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED?

>> I'M OPPOSED. I THINK IT CAME ALL OF A SUDDEN.

[03:55:02]

YOU KNOW, WE SAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REALIZE TAXES AND RAISE FEES. WE SAID NO, WE'RE FOT GOING TO RAISE FEES, BUT HERE WE ARE RAISING FEES.

BUT YEAH, I WANT TO REVIEW IT WITH THE JP'S AND WHATNOT BEFORE WE BRING IT. BUT THE MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

>> IT WILL STILL COME BACK FOR ANOTHER VOTE THEN.

>> YEAH. >> K OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> QUICKLY ON WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED, I THINK WHAT COMMISSIONER HE WILLIS HAS PUT OUT THERE IS MEASURED.

IT IMPACTS FIVE PEOPLE. THERE'S A SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY OF $9 MILLION. MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

WITH THAT SAID, HOW TO WE COMPARE WITH OUR MEDICAL CARE COVERAGE TO OTHER MAJOR COUNTIES?

AND I'M LOOKING AT THIS BOOK. >> WE DO HAVE A SLIDE AND A BACK UP ON THAT AS WELL, COMMISSIONER.

WE CAN ANSWER THAT FOR YOU. VERY WELL WOULD BE THE GENERAL ANSWER AND THEN WE CAN TELL YOU SPECIFICALLY BY COUNTY.

TIFFANY, IS IT POSSIBLE TO BRING THAT UP REAL QUICKLY? IF NOT I'LL LET SARAH EXPAND OP THAT A BIT.

>> WE ACTUALLY EXTRA VERY ROBUST HEALTH PLAN.

MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE HE LOW OUT OF POCKET OF ALL THREE PLANS.

THEN ALSO OFFER ING TWO CELLPHONE PLANS THAT ARE NO COST. AND THEN BASED ON I THINK EVEN IN THE BACK UP OF THE SLIDES, YOU'VE GOT THE COMPARISON OF WITH WHAT CELLPHONE OLYMPICS LIKE FOR THE DIFFERENT PLANS WE DO HAVE. SO PPO'S COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING AND THEN ALSO THE ACO THAT WE OFFER , THE LIMITED NETWORK, KELSEY CARE, A LOT OF OUR OTHER PEERS OFFER SOMETHING SIMILAR.

AND SO OUR RATES FOR BOTH OF THOSE PLANS ARE STILL MUCH LESS THAN WHAT THEY'RE ASKING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO PAY ON A MONTHLY

BASIS. >> SO FOR OUR BASE PLAN, OUR PREMIUM IS $0. DALLAS COUNTY IS 93.

BARRETT COUNTY'S PLUS PLAN IS 112.

CITY OF HOUSTON 190. THIS IS FOR --

>> YOU CAN'T FINDS ANYBODY IN TEXAS WITH BETTER.

>> CORRECT. >> INCLUDING THE CITY OF

HOUSTON. >> YEAH, THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS ACTUALLY AN OUTLIER IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.

>> I DIDN'T GET THAT FAR DOWN THE LIST, CITY COUNCILLOR.

P

>> IN TERMS OF THE INDIVIDUAL DEDUCTIBLE, OUR BASE PLAN IS AT 0. DALLAS IS 500.

TERENCE AT 500. SORRY, THAT WAS OUR PLUS PLAN.

OUR BASE PLAN IS AT 600. TRAVIS AT 700.

BEAR'S 80 0. CITY OF HOUSTON 850.

BARRETT COUNTY BASE IS 1,500. >> SO THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US IN THAT CATEGORY. I FOUND IT INTERESTING YOUR CHART SHOWED IN 2019 AND 2020 WE WERE 80% OF COST.

TODAY WE'RE 88%. NOT ONLY ARE WE BETTER THAN ANYBODY AROUND US, WE'RE BETTER THAN WE WERE IN 2020 AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL. COMMISSIONER, I LIKE THE CONCEPT OF NEW HIRES. THAT'S EASY TO BEGIN THAT, IF YOU BEGIN NOW. IT WILL BECOME LESS AND LESS OF AN ISSUE. SO ADOPTING A PLAN THAT WILL SAY IS A BIT MORE LIKE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OUT THERE, AND NOT LIKE TRANSITION. THAT'S GOOD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT. >> OF COURSE.

AND PAGE 20 MIGHT BE HELPFUL T

TOO. >> SO A FEW ADDITIONAL QUICK QUESTIONS. SO ONE, YOU DID RAISE -- OKAY.

>> 21, SORRY. >> CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER RAWLEY, THANK YOU. I KNOW OUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN TALKING. SO IN TERMS OF PROGRESSIVE, SO SIX FIGURE FOLKS IN FUTURE YEARS CHANGING THAT PER CENT ALLOCATION, THROES FOR ME IS SOMETHING I WOULD BE OPEN TO.

I KNOW THERE WAS UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

PEOPLE SAW COMPONENT TO KIND OF BIFURCATE OR TRIFURCATE.

SO I WOULD BE INTERESTED FOR THE HIGHER EARNERS, THE SIX FIGURE AND WE CAN HAVE IT DIFFERENT. BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT WILL GO INTO PRESSURE TESTING OPTIONS, AND THEN THE

[04:00:03]

BUT IN TERMS OF THE KELSEY BEING FREE, COMPLETELY FREE, CAN YOU JUST SPEAK TO IT. AGAIN, AS WE TRY TO OFFER THE MOST -- LITERALLY, I LOVE THAT WE'RE LEADING AND THAT WE'RE OFFERING SUCH HIGH QUALITY CARE AND THE REALITY OF THE COSTS ARE JUST INTENSE. SO CAN YOU JUST VERY QUICKLY TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT KIND OF COST CONTAINMENT MEASURES AND WHAT EDUCATION MEASURES, SO ABOUT THE KELSEY FREE PLAN, WITH WHAT OTHER WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AS A HARRIS COUNTY TEAM

TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE REALITY. >> YES.

EXCUSE ME. THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WAS NOT TO CHANGE KELSEY. AND THEN INCREASE BASE PLAN BY 5% AS FAR AS PREMIUMS AND COST PLAN BY 10% BECAUSE THAT'S THE EXTERIOR RICH ONE WITH. SO ALONG THE SAME LINE OF THINKING IS WHAT WE'VE DONE IS LOOK INTO WHERE WHERE THE BIGGEST SPENDS ARE. TO YOUR POINT, WHAT CAN WE DO TO EDUCATE EMPLOYEES SO THAT WHEN THEY'RE MAKING HEALTH CARE DECISIONS THEY CAN DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM BUT ALSO WHAT'S OVERALL GOOD FOR THE COUNTY. SARAH'S TEAM HAS DONE SOME WORK ON THAT. WE KNOLL PHARMA IS IT ONE OF OUR BIGGEST AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY, AS WELL AS FREESTANDING E.R.'S, SO WE'RE WORKING HARD TO EDUCATE EMPLOYEES SO THEY CAN MAKE SMART DECISIONS. KELSEY ALWAYS REMAINS A CONTAINED NETWORK. IT MAINTAINS A VERY COST EFFECTIVE APPROACH FOR EMPLOYEES.

THAT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE A HOLISTIC VIEW OF HEALTH AND ALL THE PROVIDERS ARE IN THE SAME NETWORK.

IN THOOR IT'S A NICE SYSTEM APPROACH TO TAKING CARE OF

HEALTH. >> AND WE HAVE ABOUT 20,000 EMPLOYEES LISTENING INTENTLY. WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY CHAUNGS

TODAY TO PREMIUM YOUS, CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES TODAY WITH REGARD TO

DEDUCTIBLES, CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> OPTION THREE AGAIN LITERALLY IS A VERY MEASURED, FOCUSSED CHANGE THAT AFFECTS FIVE PEOPLE, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. AGAIN, THE OTHER TWO ELEMENTS OF IT ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE WHO HAS THOSE PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, BUT THEY'RE VOLUNTARY.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO ON THIS ONE, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'RE PUTTING OURSELVES AGAINST THE WALL IN TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL DECISIONS. AND I THINK THAT THE CHICKENS ARE COMING HOME THE ROOST THIS YEAR.

I THINK SOME OF US EXPECTED IT TO BE NEXT YEAR.

ON THIS TOPIC, THANKFULLY, WE'RE NOT FORCED -- WE'RE NOT FORCED TO MAKE THESE CHANGES. I THINK IT'S REASONABLE THE CHART, BUT OBVIOUSLY IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS WERE TOP HAPPEN, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS.

SO EMPLOYEES, THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE SOME KIND OF PHASE IN.

I JUST DON'T THINK THAT IT VIABLE TO MAKE A CHANGE LIKE THIS ONE RIGHT NOW. AND I HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MADE IN THE FUTURE, BUT I IMAGINE IT WILL BE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING SO CLEAR ON THIS.

I KNOW YOU GUYS FIGURED THIS YOU THE.

THE OTHER MOTION THAT'S NOT GONNA IMPACT ANYONE'S PREMIUMS AND WHAT NOT. AND IT LET'S US SAVE MONEY AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN THERE FOR YEARS.

AND YOU GUYS FOUND IT. SO WAY TO GO.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> YOU SAID 46,000 EMPLOYEES

WOULD BE IMPACTED. >> THAT'S HOW MANY COVERED

LIVES WE HE HAVE ON OUR PLAN. >> SO THAT MEANS ABOUT 20,000 CURRENT EMPLOYEES? 18, 20000.

>> YES. >> SO THAT WOULD BE THE

RELATIVES OR RETIREES. >> YEAH, RETIREES OR

DEPENDENTS. >> SO 46,000 LIVES YOUR COMING UP WITH. SO I WANT TO SAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE ARE LUCKY. YOU KNOW MY EAST TEXAS HISTORY.

[INDISCERNIBLE] AND BLAIR.

BUT I WANT TO STRESS THAT JUST A FEW QUICK POINTS.

WE SHOULDN'T EVER BE MAKING THESE CHANGES UNLESS THIS EMPLOYEES KNOW ABOUT IT. BEFORE IT'S ON OUR AGENDA.

I KNOW YOU ALL WITH WERE IN A TOUGH POSITION.

TRYING TO BALANCE THE BOOKS. BUT WE SHOULDN'T EVER DO THAT.

AND WE RUSHED WHEN WE MADE A DECISION BEFORE.

I THINK I VOTED FOR IT. AND MY COLLEAGUES WOULDN'T PULL THAT TAPE UP ON YOU, DANIEL, SO WE OUGHTA KNOW BECAUSE WE MOVE SO QUICK. BUT FROM THE DATA MY STAFF GAVE ME WHEN THEY REVIEWED IT, ABOUT 60% OF THE EMPLOYEES OVER THE

[04:05:04]

53.1% OF THOSE ARE AGES 50 TO 59 ENROLLED IN THE PLUS PLAN AS WELL. SO IT LOOKS LIKE OLDER EMPLOYEES ARE NOT CHOOSING KELSEY CARE, P THAT'S THEIR CALL.

AS GOOD AS THAT PLAN MAY BE FOR SOME, MANY PEOPLE NEED ACCESS TO SPECIFIC PROVIDERS OUTSIDE OF KELSEY'S NETWORK.

LOOKING AT THE SALARY BRACKETS, 45% OF THE EMPLOYEES EARNING UNDER $50,000 ARE IN THE BASE PLAN.

UNDER THIS PROPOSAL THE PREMIUM WOULD INCREASE ON EVERY SINGLE PAYCHEQUE, EVEN THOUGH MANY SELECTED THAT PLAN ORIGINALLY BECAUSE IT OFFERED NO PREMIUM. NO PREMIUM OPTION.

YES, THEY COULD SWITCH TO CALGARY FOR A FREE PLAN, BUT WE COMMUNICATED TO THEM THOSE TRADE OFF CLEARLY, AND IT IS THEIR CALL. SO IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THEM GIVE UP SOMETHING, WE HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT IT.

I APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S WILLINGNESS IN THE COURT.

YOU KNOW, I WENT TO DRASTIC MEASURES BECAUSE I THINK THIS ITEM HAS COME UP YOU IN SOME FORM THE LAST FOUR CYCLES.

SO I HOPE THIS PUTS AN END TO IT.

OR IF IT COMES, Y'ALL ARE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM BEFORE IT COMES. OKAY.

SO MOTION'S ON THE TABLE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HE WILLIS. SECONDED.

ALL IN FAVOUR. YES.

>> IF IT COULD BE READ FOR THE RECORD JUST TO BE CLEAR.

>> YES. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE ONLY THE ETNA PROGRAM SAVINGS, ENHANCED -- APPROVE ETNA PROGRAM SAVINGS ONLY.

THAT'S THE MOTION. TO APPROVE ONLY THE ENHANDLED NATIONAL NETWORK ZEREGO AND PRUDENT MED FOR FISCAL YEAR

2027. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOUR. ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOUR. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, IF I MIGHT FOR ONE

QUICK FOLLOW-UP YOU. >> GO AHEAD HE.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION HOW DO WE COMPARE TO THE STATE, WE WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PULL THE PUBLIC SAFETY ONE, BUT FOR THE REGULAR TEXAS EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THEY'RE AT 74% FUNDED. AGAIN, WE'RE AT 90.1.

THE TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM IS 78%.

AND AGAIN WE'RE AT 90. >> YOU WANT TO GO DOWN TO THAT 74? I'M JUST ASKING.

>> HE WE CAN'T UNDER THE CURRENT RULES.

WITH TDRS WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GO DOWN TO THE 74.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD ONLY MATTER IN THE EVENT THAT THE

COUNTY WENT BELLY UP, RIGHT? >> OR THERE WAS SOME SORT OF MAJOR PENSION LOSS. THE ONLY TWO TIMES I'VE SEEN IT

USED. >> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. OKAY.

SO THAT WAS 2 AND 4. 5 I NOTE IS JUST REALLY BRIEF, JAY. IF YOU WOULDN'T JUST MIND STATING ON THE RECORD WHAT THAT ONE'S ABOUT.

>> SURE, I CAN DO IT. HOUSING RESPONDED.

THEY HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN SERVICE YET UNDER THAT AGREEMENT.

THEY WERE FEDERAL FUNDS. AND THAT ORGANIZATION SAID THEY COULDN'T SPEND IT IN THE TIMELINE.

SO THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY ENDING. THEY'RE REDOING THE AGREEMENT FOR THE NEXT YEAR, FISCAL YEAR. AND IT WILL COME BACK.

>> OKAY. SO IT WILL COME BACK.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND THEN WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS 19 AND 20.

DID I MISS ANYTHING OTHER THAN THOSE TWO?

>> ITEM 20 NO LONGER NEEDS ACTION.

>> OKAY, NO ACTION ON 20. SO ITEM 19 EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> JUDGE, CAN YOU ALL TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM 5.

>> OH , YES. IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS ITEM 5 AT PRESENTED? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HE WILLIS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ER RAMS. ALL IN FAVOUR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, JAMES. OKAY.

[Executive Session]

>> YES. ITEM 19.

>> OKAY. SO IT'S 2:27 AND WE'RE GOING TO

>> IT IS NOW 2:51 AND WE'RE BACK IN SESSION FROM EXEC SESSION. THERE W

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.