* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning. [00:00:04] >> HI GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR ME IN THE COURTROOM? >> YES, JUDGE. >> ALL RIGHT. LET ME KNOW WHEN I'M GOOD TO START. >> WE'RE READY FOR YOU TO START, JUDGE. >> OKAY. WELCOME EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTY. HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE AND I'M CHAIR OF THE SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE. IT IS CURRENTLY 11:23 A.M. ON THURSDAY AUGUST 20TH. THOSE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD AND WE'LL START WITH THE GENTLEMAN OVER TO THE RIGHT OF ADMINISTRATOR CARTER ON THE FAR END. >> THANK YOU. MICHAEL PAUL. >> NADIA HAKENE. >> DUDLEY DRURO. >> LISA MARANTO. >> YOLANDA HARERA PEREZ. >> ROBIN HODGES. >> CYNTHIA TILFORD. >> JOHN OGALOSKY. >> CATLIN ORASCO. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE AUGUST 20TH, 2026 MEETING OF THE SALARY GRIEVANCE MEETING TO ORDER. THE SALARY GRIEVANCE HEARS GRIEVANCES FILED BY ELECTED COUNTY OR PRECINCT OFFICERS WITH RESPECT TO SETTING OF THE SALARIES AND PERSONAL EXPENSES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET. WE APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT AND SEARCH THE PUBLIC. TODAY I'M DESIGNATED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO FACILITATE THE SALARY GRIEVANCE MEETING. I HAVE A PRIOR COMMITMENT AND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT SALARY GRIEVANCE MEETING HOLD THIS MEETING BY THE REQUIRED DEADLINE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. BEFORE I PASS THE FLOOR TO ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON IN YOUR LIVES AT WORK AND PERSONAL LIVES, PROCESS THAT WE SET UP TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THESE KINDS OF ISSUES. SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE. AND I'M VERY PROUD TO REPRESENT YOU AS YOUR HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE. SO ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, I WILL PASS IT TO YOU. AGAIN, THANK YOU EVERYONE SO MUCH. HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR DAY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE. AND, YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING. I AM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ERICA LEE CARTER AND SERVE AS THE NON-VOTING FACILITATOR AT THE SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE MEETING. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN FOR THE TIME AND THOSE WHO HAD TO WAIT FOR A SLIGHTLY DELAYED START. JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU OUR TEAM CAN HELP IF YOU NEED TO EXIT TO A RESTROOM AT ANY POINT, WE WON'T BE TAKING OFFICIAL BREAKS. BUT I'LL BE TRACKING FOR QUORUM IF ANYONE NEEDS TO EXIT. YOU WILL EXIT THAT WAY. ON THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND WE ARE IN A PUBLIC MEETING THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS SUBJECT OPEN MEETINGS ACT. AS A RESULT, THE COMMITTEE CAN ONLY TAKE UP ITEMS LISTED ON THE POSTED AGENDA ON THE BLUE FOLDER YOU HAVE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMMENT ON COMMITTEE BUSINESS BUT THE COMMITTEE MAY ADOPT REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS ON THE COMMENTS. ADDITIONALLY THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED AND BROADCAST VIRTUALLY. AT TODAY'S MEETING WE ARE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHO ADVISE THE COMMITTEE ON ANY TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT QUESTIONS THAT MAY ARISE AND THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE WHO WILL TAKE MINUTES. THANK YOU TO BOTH. ALSO PRESENT ARE COUNTY TREASURER CARLA WYATT THE ONLY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO SUBMITTED A GRIEVANCE TO BE HEARD TODAY. DANIEL RAMOS DIRECTOR OF OFFICE AND BUDGET AND FRANCIS NUGET FROM THE COUNTY INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS OFFICE AND SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. YOU ARE ON THE COMMITTEE AND DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE. YOUR ROLE IS LIMITED TO CONSIDERING INCREASES IN SALARY THAT WERE REQUESTED BY COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS. HOWEVER, THE COMMITTEE MAY NOT SET POLICY OF THE COUNTY OR ADD ANY NEW ITEMS TO THE PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE HEARING TODAY, T YOU THE MEMBERS WILL TE A VOTE ON EACH GROW VANCE. [00:05:04] GRIEVANCE. I WILL GO OVER THE VOTE COUNT. IF FIVE OR FEWER MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR NO FURTHER ACTION IS TAKEN AND THE REQUEST FAILS. IF SIX TO EIGHT MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL'S REQUEST, THEN THE INCREASE IS FORWARDED TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AS A RECOMMENDATION. IF ALL NINE MEMBERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL'S REQUEST, THEN THE INCREASE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. ANY QUESTIONS? NO, OKAY. TODAY, ONE ELECTED OFFICIAL COUNTY TREASURER CARLA WYATT HAS SUBMITTED A GRIEVANCE. HE WILL BE REFERRED TO AS THE GRIEVANT. WE WILL HEAR FROM HER SHORTLY. BEFORE WE DO SO, I WANT TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED SEQUENCE OF THE AGENDA ITEMS. SO THE SEQUENCE SHOULD GO AS FOLLOWS: THE FIRST WILL BE TO ADOPT THE RULES THAT WILL GOVERN THE WAY THE COMMITTEE HEARS THE GRIEVANCE REQUEST AT THE MEETING. ONCE YOU REVIEWED THE PROPOSED RULES THAT AGAIN ARE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE FOLDER, WE WILL VOTE TO ADOPT THEM. SO THEY'RE BEHIND THAT PAGE. YES, THANK YOU. OKAY. YOU WILL VOTE TO ADOPT THEM. THEN WE WILL MOVE TO HEARING THE GRIEVANCE REQUEST ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENT AND DISCUSSING AND VOTING ON THE GRIEVANCE REQUEST. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR ORDER OF AGENDA BEFORE WE MOVE ON? OKAY. AS NOTED YOU ARE NOW REVIEWING THE RULES. PLEASE REVIEW THE RULES AS PRINTED AND OUTLINE THE COMMITTEE'S ROLE AND PROVIDES AN ORDER OF OPERATIONS FOR THE MEETING. I WILL GIVE YOU ONE OR TWO MINUTES. IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE ALREADY, WE WILL NEED TO OFFICIALLY VOTE ON THESE RULES. BUT I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RULES AND OF COURSE OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY COULD ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> MICHAEL PAUL. I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RULES AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> SECOND, YOU NEED TO SAY YOUR NAME. >> CYNTHIA. I SECOND THE MOTION. >> OKAY. >> WE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND. DO I HAVE TO GO BY EACH PERSON'S NAME? >> FOR THIS ITEM JUST VOTE -- WHEN WE GET TO VOTE ON THE SALARIES, DO THE ROLL CALL VOTE. >> THANK YOU. SO FOR THOSE IN FAVOR TO ADOPT THE RULES AS WRITTEN AND PRESENTED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS SO I CAN -- THE CLERK CAN COUNT THE VOTE. OKAY. THANK YOU. PUT YOUR HAND DOWN. FOR ANY VOTING NO NOT TO ADOPT THE RULES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. OKAY. THE RULES ARE ADOPTED NINE IN FAVOR. SOME ALREADY UNDERSTOOD HOW TO MAKE A MOTION. BUT I WILL READ OUT LOUD FOR OTHERS WHO MAY NEED THE INFORMATION. YOU WILL SAY AYE AND STATE YOUR NAME SO IT CAN BE ON THE RECORD. MOVE TO ADOPT AND WHATEVER YOU'RE MAKING THE MOTION TO ADOPT OR SUGGEST. AND THEN THAT WILL CONCLUDE THAT. IF YOU'RE SECONDING, YOU JUST NEED TO SAY YOUR NAME AND I'M SECONDING THAT MOTION. FOR ALL OTHER VOTES, WE WILL DO A ROLL CALL VOTE. YOU HAVE TO SAY YOUR NAME AND THEN YOUR ACTUAL VOTE VERSUS A HAND RAISE. OF COURSE, FOR QUESTIONS, YOU CAN ALWAYS RAISE YOUR HAND. OKAY. NOW THAT THE RULES HAVE PASSED, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE GRIEVANCE. UNDER THE RULES WE ADOPTED, THIS IS THE PROCESS AS WRITTEN. FIRST, I WILL ANNOUNCE THE GRIEVANCE NAME AND TITLE ALONG WITH THE CURRENT SALARY AND THE INCREASE THAT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED. THE GRIEVANT WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO PRESENT THE ARGUMENTS AND THEN THE COUNTY WILL HAVE UP TO FIVE MINUTES TO RESPOND. AFTER THE GRIEVANT PRESENTATION AND THE COUNTY'S RESPONSE, WE WILL HAVE TIME FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO ASK QUESTIONS OF EACH SPEAKER. BEFORE SPEAKING A COMMITTEE MEMBER SHOULD RAISE THEIR HAND AND WAIT TO BE CALLED ON. AFTER THE GRIEVANT PRESENTATION AND RESPONSE, THE COMMITTEE WILL ACCEPT COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE HEARINGS. EACH MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK UNLESS THEY ARE USING A TRANSLATOR. IN WHICH CASE, THEY HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK. AFTER PUBLIC COMMENTS, I WILL CALL FOR DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION AMONG COMMITTEES THAT WILL BE AN OPEN SESSION. AGAIN, BEFORE SPEAKING, COMMITTEE MEMBER SHOULD RAISE THEIR HAND AND THEN WAIT TO BE CALLED ON. DISCUSSION AMONGST YOU THE COMMITTEE IS LIMITED TO 20 MINUTES. AFTER 20 MINUTES, A MEMBER CAN MAKE A MOTION FOR A ONE-TIME EXTENSION OF TEN MINUTES. THE MOTION MUST BE SECONDED AND APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO EXTEND THE TIME. TOTAL DISCUSSION CANNOT GO LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES. AT THE END OF THE DISCUSSION, THE COMMITTEE SHALL VOTE ON THE GRIEVANT'S REQUEST. [00:10:02] THE VOTING PROCESS. FIRST, THE FACILITATOR WILL ANNOUNCE THE NAME OF THE GRIEVANT AND THE AMOUNT OF THE INCREASE REQUESTED. IF A MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND THE INCREASE, THE MEMBER SHOULD RAISE THEIR HAND, AGAIN, AND SAY AYE YOUR NAME AND MOVE TO RECOMMEND THE NAME OF THE OFFICIAL, RECEIVE AN INCREASE TO AND YOU WOULD STATE THE ACTUAL DOLLAR AMOUNT. AT THAT TIME, THE MEETING FACILITATOR WILL ASK IF ANY OTHER MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THE MOTION, AND ANYONE CHOOSING TO DO SO, SHOULD SAY YOUR NAME AND MOVE TO SECOND THE MOTION. ONCE THE MEMBER HAS MADE A MOTION AND ANOTHER MEMBER HAS SECONDED IT, WE WILL PROCEED TO A ROLL CALL VOTE. I WILL CALL EACH OF YOUR NAMES AND YOU WILL TELL ME WHETHER YOU VOTE YES TO RECOMMEND THE INCREASE OR NO. I WILL ANNOUNCE THE VOTE AND THEN THE COUNTY WILL CIRCULATE THE FORM, A COUNTY CLERK. MEMBERS WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF AN INCREASE SHALL SIGN THE FORM. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT. ONCE THE COMMITTEE HAS CONSIDERED THE GRIEVANCE, WE WILL ADJOURN. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE RULES OR GUIDANCE? >> CYNTHIA, CAN YOU RECOMMEND AN AMOUNT BETWEEN WHAT IT CURRENTLY EXISTS AND THE REQUESTED AMOUNT? >> YES. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU CAN RECOMMEND AN AMOUNT DIFFERENT THAN THE AMOUNT IN THE ACTUAL REQUEST BY THE ELECTED OFFICIAL. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? [2. Hearings on grievances submitted pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 152.016(a)] OKAY. THANK YOU. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE GRIEVANCE. THE GRIEVANCE WAS SUBMITTED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER. HE CURRENT SALARY IS 139,547.20. SHE HAS REQUESTED HER SALARY BE INCREASED TO $250,000. WE HAVE INCLUDED A COPY OF THE GRIEVANCE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE IN YOUR PACKET FOR REFERENCE. PLEASE HOLD ALL QUESTIONS UNTIL AFTER THE GRIEVANT HAS PRESENTED AND THE COUNTY HAS PROVIDED A RESPONSE. COUNTY TREASURER, IT IS NOW YOUR TIME TO PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM TO PRESENT YOUR GRIEVANCE. YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES WHICH WILL BE MONITORED BY THE COUNTY CLERK. >> GREETINGS MADAM CHAIR AND GRIEVANCE SALARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS. I'M DR. CARLA WYATT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER AND 24 VETERAN AT HARRIS COUNTY AND STARTED 24 YEARS AS AN INTERN AND HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY IN THE PERIOD OF TIME. YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME BUDGET HEARINGS HERE LATELY WITH REGARD TO COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL AS STAFF MEMBERS HERE AT THE COUNTY. THOSE THINGS HAVE KIND OF BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH. I MADE A -- I DID A GRIEVANCE FOR $250,000. I'M FORMALLY MAKING A MOTION TO MOVE ME TO 305 JUST LIKE THE OTHER COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS. I HAVE BEEN HERE. I'M A COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIAL. THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY PUT ME HERE. AND SO I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THEM IN THIS CAPACITY. AGAIN, I'M GRATEFUL TO STAND BEFORE THIS BODY. YOU LOOK LIKE A GROUP OF REASONABLE PEOPLE WHO ARE INVESTED IN GOOD GOVERNMENT AND SERVING AS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS. AGAIN, AS I APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY, I'M ASKING FOR AN INCREASE OF MY SALARY TO 305 JUST LIKE THE OTHER COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS. I DON'T INTEND TO BE DISRESPECTED. SO AS I GO ON THROUGH THIS, YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS OF CHOOSING A SALARY FOR SOMEONE IS BASED UPON BEING FAIR, BEING NOT DISCRIMINATORY AND BEING UNRACIALLY BIASED AND OBJECTIVE AND REASON WHY YOU CHOSE THIS PARTICULAR SALARY. THUS FAR, I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A REASON AS TO WHY THIS WAS CHOSEN FOR ME TO STAY AT 139 AND BE LEFT OUT OF THE 305 OTHER -- AS THE OTHER COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS. THE ISSUE BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY IF DETERMINED SHOULD BE FAIR AND SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS OFFICE AND CONSIDER WHAT WE DO ON A DAILY BASIS, WE RECEIVER 5.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I SERVE 5.2 MILLION PEOPLE AS ALL THE OTHER COUNTY-WIDE OFFICIALS. I DON'T SERVE LESS. THE PRACTICE HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY APPLIES TO ALL INDIVIDUALS. I DON'T INTEND TO BE DISRESPECTED OR HAVE ANY SORT OF SEXISM OR PERSONAL DESIRES OR [00:15:02] UNFAIR OR IGNORING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT STUDIES THAT HARRIS COUNTY USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DO. THEY DID A STUDY. THEY MADE A RECOMMENDATION. AND COMMISSIONERS COURT DECIDED TO LEAVE ME OUT. THEY INTENTIONALLY CALLED ALL THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS DEPARTMENTS AND LEFT ME OUT. I DON'T KNOW WHY. THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A REASON. IF THERE IS A REASON, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. THE PACKET THAT I GAVE YOU HAS FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS JUST IN CASE I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO THROUGH THEM. I JUST GAVE THEM TO YOU IN THE PAPER FORM. BUT I JUST THINK THAT THE LEGACY OF THE DISPARITY THAT HAS OCCURRED AT HARRIS COUNTY NOT ONLY FOR WOMEN, BUT MINORITIES AND ALL INDIVIDUALS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TODAY. HARRIS COUNTY HAS AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH ELECTED OFFICIALS' SALARIES AND I INTEND TO BE TREATED JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIAL OR DEPARTMENT HEAD OR SENIOR PERSONNEL. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE DECISION IS BEING MADE ACCORDING TO THE OBJECTIVES AND CONSISTENT STANDARDS. WHY IS THE HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER PAID OUT? PAY EQUITY DOESN'T MEAN EVERY POSITION SHOULD RECEIVE THE SAME SALARY. MEANS THERE IS DIFFERENT COMPENSATIONS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS THAT HAVE TO BE LEGITIMATE AND UNDERSTANDABLE AND CONSISTENT AND RESPECTFUL OF THE JOB THAT'S BEING DONE HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY. I DEDICATED MY LIFE TO HARRIS COUNTY. I'M GRATEFUL TO BE HERE. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAVE TO BE HERE DOING THIS. I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. AGAIN, I ASK, YOU KNOW, WHY WAS THE TREASURER'S OFFICE LEFT OUT? THEREFORE I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COMMITTEE TO LOOK BEYOND THE PROPOSED SALARY. AND TO MAKE A MOTION TO UNANIMOUSLY ADJUST MY SALARY ACCORDINGLY BECAUSE I SERVE THE SAME INDIVIDUALS. I'M GETTING CLOSE TO THE END HERE, Y'ALL, I'M SORRY. I NEED YOUR EXPERT OPINIONS TO UNDERSTAND THE CLARITY AS TO WHY I WAS LEFT OUT. I HAVE THE SAME SORT OF RESPONSIBILITIES, VALUES, I HAVE A PH.D. IN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY WHICH MEANS I'M A CHEMIST AND B B B BIOLOGIST ANDA STATSATION AND COUNT GOOD AND FIND STUFF. I HOPE THAT THE MOMENTS WE HAD TOGETHER TODAY WILL ALLOW YOU TO ASK YOURSELF WHY WAS THE HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER LEFT OUT? >> THAT'S TIME. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU COUNTY TREASURER. NOW, WE WILL GIVE THE COUNTY -- THE COUNTY WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO RESPOND. DIRECTOR RAMOS AND FRANCIS WILL HAVE YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU ADMINISTRATOR AND MEMBERS OF THE JURY TO SERVE TODAY. I'M DANIEL RAMOS AND THE BUDGET DIRECTOR. I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE COMMISSIONER COURT DECISION. I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT NOTHING SAID HERE IS A REFLECTION OF DR. WYATT OR HER DISTINGUISHED TENURE HERE WITH HARRIS COUNTY BUT RATHER REFLECTION OF THE CONSISTENT COURT ACTION THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO REDUCE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THAT OFFICE AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO FRANCIS IN A SECOND ABOUT SOME OF THE FURTHER STEPS TO ULTIMATELY ELIMINATE IT. ON FEBRUARY 19TH, THE COURT MOTIONED TO REDUCE THE -- TO TRANSFER THE FUNCTION OF POSITIVE PAY TO THE OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT, THAT WAS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSFERRED IN MARCH. AFTER A HISTORY OF REDUCING SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES BY PRIORITY COURT PRIOR TO BOTH DR. WYATT AND I TENURE AND THINGS LIKE INVESTMENT AND OVERSEEING THE MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AMONGST OTHER THINGS THAT HAS SINCE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGERMENT OR BUDGET OR TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MR. FRANCIS. >> GOOD MORNING ADMINISTRATOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS. WE REPRESENT THE COUNTY'S INTEREST AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS TO POINT OUT THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS WE'RE GUIDED BY OUR LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND AGENDA WHICH IS A SET OF DIRECTIVES FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT. ONE OF THE CORE OVERARCHING IMPERATIVES OF THAT AGENDA IS ENSURING THE SUSTAINABILITY AND ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY OF COUNTY OPERATIONS. I SAY THAT BECAUSE CONSISTENT WITH THE GUIDING IMPERATIVE, IN FEBRUARY COMMISSIONER'S COURT UNANIMOUSLY DIRECTED IGA AND I WILL READ THE MOTION RIGHT NOW... THAT THE ELIMINATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER OFFERS BE PLACED AS A [00:20:01] LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR THE 2027 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE HAVE BEGUN ENGAGING WITH THE LEGISLATORS AND GO INTO THE NEXT, THE 90TH SESSION WHEN GRAVELS IN JANUARY AND WE WILL GET A RESOLUTION PASSED THROUGH THE BODY OR WE INTEND TO, IT WILL REQUIRE TWO-SPITHIRDS SUPPT IN THE STATE HOUSE. IT WILL AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 16, SECTION 44 AND SEND IT TO THE VOTERS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS WHO ON THE UNIFORM ELECTION DATE IN NOVEMBER WILL HAVE THE DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO ELIMINATE THE COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT WILL BE THE STATE AND HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS HAVE TO PASS THAT. AGAIN, THIS IS ABOUT THE POSITION. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PERSON. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT A LOT OF OTHER PARTICULARLY LARGE COUNTYS IN THE STATE HAVE DONE. TERRANT COUNTY AND COLIN COUNTY AND EL PASO COUNTY AMENDED THE CONSTITUTION TO ELIMINATE THE TREASURER OFFICE. DANIEL CAN SPEAK A LOT MORE TO WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE -- OF HISTORICALLY MAYBE DECADES AGO WHERE WERE THE TREASURER'S OFFICE HAVE BEEN RETAINED BY OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY. BUT WE WILL BE ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT. THAT'S THE DIRECTIVE OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE CAN EXPLAIN MORE. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE TODAY. >> THANK YOU TO DANIEL AND FRANCIS FOR THE COUNTY'S PRESENTATION. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON -- BEFORE WE MOVE ON I WANT TO GIVE REMINDER THAT I DIDN'T GIVE AT THE BEGINNING THAT TO THE PUBLIC THAT PER THE RULES THAT YOU APPROVED UNAUTHORIZED REMARKS AND APPLAUDING AND STOMPING FEED AND WHISTLES AND OTHERWISE EXPRESSING APPROVAL AND DISAPPROVAL IN THE ACTIONS TAKEN AT THIS MEETING FROM PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND PODIUM OR AUDIENCE SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED EXCEPT UNLESS YOU ARE PUBLICLY RECOGNIZED AS THE COMMITTEE MEMBER. THANK YOU. NOW REACHED THE TIME OF QUESTION AND ANSWERS. WE HAVE UP TO 20 MINUTES FOR THIS COMMITTEE TO ASK QUESTIONS. IF AFTER THE 20 MINUTES EXPIRES, THE COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE ASKING QUESTIONS, THEN THE COMMITTEE CAN MOTION AND VOTE TO EXTEND FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10 MINUTES. AGAIN, I WOULD NEED A MOTION AND SECOND. THE MAJORITY WOULD NEED TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE EXTENSION. NOW AT THIS TIME AND PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION. DOES ANYONE ON THE COMMITTEE HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE GRIEVANT OR FOR THE COUNTY? OKAY. YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ME TO CALL ON YOU. THANK YOU. I WILL START THIS WAY. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. I WILL TRY TO GET IT DOWN SHORTLY. >> YEAH. JOHN, TWO QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY. THE 305 NUMBER THAT MS. WYATT SUGGESTED THAT THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE RECEIVING, IS THAT APPROVED AND SET IN STONE OR IN DISCUSSION? THE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION WOULD BE IS YOUR POSITION THAT YOU DID NOT INCREASE THE TREASURER'S SALARY BECAUSE OF MOVING SOME OF THE ROLES TO OMB AND THINGS LIKE THAT? IF SO, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF KIND OF THE PERCENTAGE OF THAT POSITION WAS TAKEN AWAY OUT OF THE OFFICE? >> SURE. IN TERMS OF THE OTHER SALARIES, THEY'RE STILL IN DRAFT. THEY GO IN AS AN APPROVAL OF THE OVERALL BUDGET WHICH WILL HAPPEN ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, I BELIEVE. THE FINAL DECISION WILL BE SEPTEMBER 8TH ON WHAT WE CALL BUDGET AMENDMENT DAY. IN TERMS OF RESPONSIBILITIES, THE ONLY THING THAT'S BEEN MOVED THUS FAR HAS BEEN THAT POSITIVE PAY FUNCTION. BUT HISTORICALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT STILL HAVE A TREASURER AND HAVE A SALARY HIGHER THAN OURS, THEY ARE LIKE DALLAS COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, INVESTMENTS IS ONE WHERE IT CURRENTLY SITS IN OMB HISTORICALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY IT'S AT THE TREASURER'S, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND DIRECTLY MANAGING OF THE BANKING CONTRACTS AS WELL AS KIND OF THE -- I FORGET THE TECHNICAL TERM. EVERY TIME YOU SWIPE THE CARD THAT FUNCTION SITS IN OMB THAN THE TREASURER OFFICE. IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISONS WITH OTHER TREASURERS. >> I'M SORRY, THE GENTLEMAN NEXT TO YOU. WAS YOUR ARGUMENT BASICALLY THAT THE STATE IS HOPING TO -- NOT HOPING, YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE TO TRY TO ELIMINATE THE ROLE AT SOME POINT? >> WE'VE BEEN -- THAT'S THE DIRECTIVE OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN THE INTEREST OF EFFICIENCY OPERATIONAL DELIVERY, [00:25:04] THEY'VE ASKED US UNANIMOUSLY TO SEEK THAT AT THE LEGISLATURE. >> YOU'RE BRINGING IT UP IN THE NEXT SESSION, I GUESS? >> YES, SIR. >> AND JUST TO KIND OF CLARIFY THE ROLES OF FRANCIS AND I HERE, WE'RE HERE REPRESENTING COMMISSIONER'S COURT. OUR GOVERNING BODY GIVEN US DIRECTION. SO WE'RE HERE TO DEFEND AND INFORM THE DECISION THAT GOT MADE. WE ULTIMATELY CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM BECAUSE SOME OF THESE DECISIONS, DISCUSSIONS HAPPEN IN CLOSED SESSION. BUT THAT'S -- AGAIN, WE'RE HERE REPRESENTING OUR BOSSES ESSENTIALLY. >> YEAH, COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. I THINK WE HAD MICHAEL ON THE NEXT QUESTION. >> MICHAEL PAUL, I HAVE THREE QUESTIONS BETWEEN YOU GUYS AND THE TREASURER. QUESTION NUMBER 1, COULD YOU SPECIFY WHAT THE ACTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TREASURER ARE GOING INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR? WHAT PROBLEM IS IT SOLVING? NUMBER 2, HOW BIG IS THE STAFF THAT'S BEING MANAGED? NUMBER 3, IS THERE A DEGREE OR A CERTIFICATION LIKE CPA OR CFP REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB? >> SO THE STAFF IS NINE, I BELIEVE. THERE -- I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY REQUIREMENT MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR THIS OFFICE FOR RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE. BUT IF OUR LEGAL TEAM WANTS TO CHIME IN THERE. THIS TERMS OF THE CORE DUTIES, THE ONES THAT ARE LEGALLY NOT ABLE TO BE TRANSFERRED IS PREDOMINANTLY ON THE MOVEMENT OF MONEY OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY AND ACTIONED BY THE TREASURER. >> OKAY. >> ACTUALLY THE STAFF IS 12 PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF. ONE POSITION WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM OUR OFFICE TO DO THE POSITIVE PAY. BUT THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION WITH MY OFFICE OR MYSELF TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS NEEDED TO MOVE. THERE WAS NO RECOMMENDATION ON HOW WE COULD RECTIFY THIS WITHOUT MOVING THE POSITION. I AM ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER. I HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. MY BOSS -- Y'ALL ARE MY BOSSES. I WAS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. I WILL BE RE-ELECTED IN NOVEMBER BY THE PEOPLE. AND I WILL HAVE A FOUR-YEAR TERM AND SO IT'S UTTERLY RIDICULOUS TO TRY TO GET RID OF THE TREASURER'S OFFICE WHEN THE PEOPLE SAY THAT I SHOULD BE THERE. AND I'M SORRY, WAS THERE ANOTHER PART TO YOUR QUESTION? THE RESPONSIBILITIES? >> THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM THAT THE ROLE IS SOLVING. >> THE SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US IS TO BE ANOTHER WATCHFUL EYE ON THE MONEY THAT'S MOVING FROM HARRIS COUNTY, FOR INSTANCE, THERE WAS A TRANSFER ON AUGUST THE 11TH FROM -- THAT CAME TO OUR OFFICE FOR $17 MILLION. WE RECOMMENDED TO THE BUDGET OFFICE THAT THAT MONEY NOT BE MOVED BECAUSE THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT FUNDS IN THE ACCOUNT. THEY APPROVED IT ANY WAY. IT GOT REJECTED. AND THEN WE HAD TO GO BACK AND REDO THAT. SO IT'S ANOTHER SET OF EYES TO WORK TOGETHER, ONE WITH ANOTHER, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE OVERSEEING THE MONEY OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR RULES, THE QUESTION WAS DIRECTED TO THE COUNTY. YOU HAD A CHANCE TO RESPOND. >> HE SAID AND THE TREASURER. >> DID YOU ORIGINALLY SAY THAT? >> YES, HE DID. >> OKAY. >> YES. I THINK UNDER THE RULES, MOST PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED THE WAIT TO SPEAK UNTIL THEY'RE RECOGNIZED BY FACILITATOR. SO I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE WILL BE QUESTIONS ADDRESSED TO ALL OF Y'ALL. IF YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL EACH PERSON IS FINISHED RESPONDING TO THE QUESTION IN FULL BEFORE YOU COME IN. THE RULES PROHIBIT CROSS-TALK BETWEEN Y'ALL WHICH I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD -- THAT WAS PRESENT IN THE LAST DISCUSSION. BUT JUST AS A REFRESHER. AND THEN ON THE QUESTION ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS OF THE TREASURER, THE OFFICE -- THE TREASURER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE 20 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION EACH YEAR. BUT OTHERWISE THERE AREN'T SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR QUALIFICATIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS LIKE CITIZENSHIP AND THAT KIND OF THING. >> I'M GOING TO HAVE THE NEXT PERSON SO WE CAN GET TO OTHERS AND IT WOULD BE -- THANK YOU. >> INCIDENT THINK YEAH, COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. NUMBER 1 I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES MAKING THIS MOVE TO ELIMINATE THIS OFFICE. MY PRIMARY QUESTION IS, WHY? WHY ARE THESE RESPONSIBILITIES BEING MOVED BECAUSE IF THIS OFFICE HAS ALREADY BEEN OPERATING EFFECTIVELY, WHICH I ASSUME IT HAS, AND I ASSUME THAT THIS MOVE TO ELIMINATE THIS OFFICE SINCE IT REQUIRES A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD [00:30:04] TAKE A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. SO THIS OFFICER IS GOING TO BE IN OFFICE PENDING WHETHER OR NOT SHE'S RE-ELECTED TO NOT PROVIDE ANY INCREASE AT ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR RESPONSE. >> WHO IS THE QUESTION DIRECTED TOWARDS? WHO ARE YOU DIRECTING THE QUESTION TOWARDS? >> TO THE GENTLEMEN HERE. >> THE COUNTY. >> THE COUNTY. >> I TAKE THE FIRST PART REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF TIME. SO IN THE EVENT THAT NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION THERE IS A SUCCESSFUL BILL THAT GETS THE TWO-THIRDS SUPPORT, IT WILL BE PUT ON THE NEXT STATE UNIFORM ELECTION DATE, WHICH WOULD BE NOVEMBER OF NEXT YEAR. AND THEN THE VOTERS OF TEXAS AND THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE. SO THE VOTERS AT THE END OF THE DAY WOULD GET TO MAKE THE DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE OFFICE REMAINS AN ELECTED POSITION IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND SO THE TREASURER WOULD SERVE THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF NEXT YEAR. SO THAT WOULD BE 2027 IN THE EVENT THIS -- >> AT A MINIMUM. >> -- THIS BILL HAPPENS AND THEN THE VOTERS VOTE TO ELIMINATE. I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE COMPENSATION QUESTION. >> IN TERMS OF WHY OTHERS -- >> NOT WHY OTHERS. WHY HERE? WHY ARE THESE RESPONSIBILITIES, IF THE TREASURER'S OFFICE HAS BEEN OPERATING EFFECTIVELY, WHY DO WE EVEN WANT TO MAKE THIS MOVE JUST BECAUSE SOME OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING IT? >> I DO NOT WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE COMMISSIONERS. I DO KNOW THAT EVERYTHING WE ARE DIRECTED TO DO ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS IN THE INTEREST OF COUNTY OPERATIONS, COUNTY EFFICIENCIES AND BEST UTILIZING COUNTY RESOURCES TO BEST SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. WE WILL GO ON. I THINK YOU HAD A QUESTION. >> HI THERE. NADIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. THAT WAS ONE OF THEM THAT I HAD REGARDING HOW LONG THEY WOULD STILL BE IN OFFICE EVEN IF THIS WAS TAKEN AWAY. DO Y'ALL HAPPEN TO KNOW THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN ELECTED OFFICIAL'S SALARIES ACROSS THE BOARD. >> TO THE COUNTY. >> FOR THE COUNTY, PLEASE. >> IF YOU GIVE US A FEW MINUTES, WE CAN GET THAT NUMBER FOR YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. >> IT'S SPLIT UP OVER A FEW -- THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TAKEN IN WAVES AND LAST YEAR PREDOMINANTLY FOCUSED ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND THIS YEAR WAS EVERY -- AND JUSTICE ALONG WITH THE JUDGES AND THIS YEAR WAS PREDOMINANTLY THE -- ALL THE OTHER COUNTY-WIDE ELECTIVES. IF YOU GIVE ME FIVE MINUTE, SOMEBODY ON THE TEAM WILL PULL IT. >> GREAT, THANK YOU. FOR TREASURER, THANK YOU DR. WYATT FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. THIS IS VERY HELPFUL. CAN YOU TELL US WHERE YOU GOT THE NUMBERS FROM. >> I WENT TO THE TACK ORGANIZATION THAT LOOKS AT COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WEBSITES. SO I TOOK THE FIRST FIVE FOR THE TOP POPULATED AND THEN I WENT TO THE FIVE THAT ARE -- HAVE SALARIES HIGHER THAN MINE THAT ARE IN TEXAS BUT HAVE EXTREMELY LOWER POPULATIONS. SO THESE NUMBERS ARE CHANGING DAILY. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE ON HOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE ON PAPER. AND AS FAR AS BEING ELECTED INTO THE OFFICE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? DRAG ME OUT? IF THE PEOPLE PUT ME IN FOR FOUR YEARS, THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE HEARD. >> THANK YOU. >> DID YOU STILL HAVE A QUESTION? OKAY. THANK YOU. >> HI. KAITLYN. I'M STILL FOLLOWING UP ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION I HAD WRITTEN DOWN COULD YOU GIVE EXAMPLES OF TWO TO THREE EQUITABLE ELECTED OFFICIALS DEMONSTRATING THE INCINERATED RAISES THAT THE TREASURER HAD PROPOSED MEANING LIKE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT WAS THEIR ORIGINAL SALARY AND BASALRY, THE PERCENTAGE OF THEIR INCREASE IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND THE AMOUNT THEY'RE GETTING PAID AS OF NOW -- BASE SALARY. THAT ARE EQUITABLE TO THE TREASURER'S POSITION. >> CAN YOU PLEASE CONFIRM WHO YOU'RE DIRECTING THE QUESTION TO. >> YOU CAN POINT IF EASIER. >> I WOULD SAY THE COUNTY AND MS. WYATT. >> OKAY. IN TERMS OF -- I THINK THE COMPARABLES IS A LITTLE BIT HARD BECAUSE WE HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE SCOPE AND THE [00:35:01] AMOUNT OF STAFF DIFFERS PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY. SO, YOU KNOW, 11 POSITIONS AND SHERIFF THAT IS CLOSE TO 5,000 POSITIONS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY 900. IT'S HARD TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. >> WELL, I'M NOT ASKING FOR AN EXACT ANSWER. JUST A PROPOSAL OF WHAT THE TYPICAL RAISE OR INCREASE WOULD BE FOR SOMEONE IN A SIMILAR OR EQUITABLE POSITION TO THE TREASURER. BECAUSE I KNOW HER JOB ISN'T JUST, YOU KNOW, EASY WORK. IT'S HARD. AND IT'S DIFFERENT -- >> WHAT I CAN SAY IS THE MAJORITY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS -- THE COUNTY-WIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS WERE MOVED UP TO 305 IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE. >> IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, ALL THE COUNTY WIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS EXCEPT FOR MYSELF WERE RECOMMENDED TO MOVE TO 305. THEY WERE CALLED OUT IN COURT. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE. ALL OF THEM EXCEPT FOR ME. >> OKAY. >> IS THERE A REASON FOR THAT? IS IT BECAUSE THE POSITION -- >> YOU HAVE TO DIRECT THAT TO THE SPECIFIC -- >> I'M SORRY. TO THE COUNTY. IS THERE A SPECIFIC REASON WHY THE TREASURER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THAT INCREASE? >> ONE OTHER CLARIFICATION THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE -- SO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR HARRIS COUNTY WAS ALSO NOT ON THE LIST. SO THERE WAS ANOTHER -- AGAIN, I CAN'T SPEAK, YOU KNOW, EXACTLY FOR COURT. BUT LIKE I SAID, THERE'S BEEN CONSISTENT ACTION TO REDUCE AND ULTIMATELY ELIMINATE THE POSITION. SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT SOME OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS WAS, YOU KNOW, WHY MAKE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE WHEN, YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY THE HOPE FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT HOPE IS FOR IT TO GO AWAY IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. >> I THINK THERE WAS ANOTHER QUESTION ON THIS SIDE. THANK YOU. >> THIS IS FOR THE COUNTY. AFTER WYATT'S CURRENT ROLE, WHY DOES SHE HAVE MORE ASSIGNMENTS THAN THE PRIOR TREASURES? IS IT MORE OR LESS? >> I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE LESS, WITH THE TRANSFER OF THE POSITIVE PAY FUNCTION. >> IS THAT THE ONLY ASSIGNMENT THAT MAKES HER CURRENT ROLE LESS THAN THE PRIOR TREASURERS? >> IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TREASURER OSBORNE WHO WAS THE IMMEDIATE LAST TREASURER, I BELIEVE SO. BUT THAT ALSO PREDATES ME. >> AND YOU SAY, IN THE FUTURE, CURRENTLY-- CURRENTLY SHE STILL HAS THE SAME ROLE AS THE PRIOR TREASURERS? >> WITH THE EXCEPTION OF POSITIVE PAY. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE THAT HAS NOT ASKED A QUESTION, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION BEFORE I GO BACK? OKAY. >> LISSON RANCHO. PARDON IF I STUMBLE MY WAY THROUGH THIS. I'M TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO ARTICULATE IT. I AM CURIOUS, OF THOSE WHO ARE MOVED WITH THE 305, WHAT ARE THE COMPARABLE OFFICE SIZES? IN OTHER WORDS, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, YOU HAVE SOME OFFICIALS WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT STAFF REPORTING TO THEM. SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES. WHAT ARE THE ONES MOST COMPARABLE TO THE TREASURER WHO WERE ALSO MOVE TO 305. WHAT STAFF NUMBERS DO THEY HAVE? >> SURE. SO THE-- I'M GOING FROM MEMORY HERE. MY SAFFOLD FLAG ME IF I'M OUT OF TURN. THE COUNTY CLERK IS PROBABLY THE NEXT SMALLEST. OVER 300 POSITIONS. PLUS AT LEAST ANOTHER 200 OF TEMPORARY STAFF THAT THEY BRING ON FOR ELECTIONS. THE TAX ASSESSMENT COLLECTOR IS NORTH OF 400, I THINK APPROACHING 500 TOTAL STAFF DOING ALL OF THE COUNTY LOT-- COUNTYWIDE REVENUE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF COUNTYWIDE REVENUE INTAKE, AS WELL AS 20 TEMPORARY STAFF THAT DO ELECTION REGISTRATION. -- I'M JUST GOING DOWN THE LIST IN MY HEAD. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WAS ONE THAT HAD THE ADJUSTMENT. THEY ARE AT ABOUT 400. IF THEY WERE TO BE IN COMPARISON WITH PRIVATE-SECTOR LAW FIRMS IT WOULD BE THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AT 900, THE LARGEST LAW FIRM IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND WHO AM I MISSING. IN TERMS OF COUNTYWIDE? THE DISTRICT CLERK HAS ABOUT-- I BELIEVE SHE'S CLOSE TO 300 ACROSS ALL FUNDS. THEY STAFF ALL OF THE DISTRICT COURT-- DISTRICT [00:40:03] COURTS. >> THAT IS GOOD. I AM HAPPY WITH THAT. QUESTION FOR DR. WYATT. I WAS TRYING TO DIGEST THE ANALYSIS THAT YOU DID. WHICH IS HELPFUL. AND I AM LOOKING AT THE CITIES HERE. AND I APPRECIATE THE POPULATION COMPARISON. BUT I DO NOT SEE A COST-OF-LIVING COMPARISON. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE-- WE ARE NOT TAXED-- CALIFORNIA, NOT ILLINOIS. ARIZONA. I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT I'M CURIOUS, THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD LOVE TO SEE. TO BE ABLE TO REALLY MAKE A DIRECT LINE COMPARISON AS BEST WE CAN. I KNOW YOU MAY NOT HAVE THAT, BUT-- I GUESS THAT IS A COMMENT. >> MAY I SAY SOMETHING? >> YES, COUNTY TREASURER. >> IN PERSPECTIVE TO STAFF, THE ENTIRE COUNTY IS THE STAFF. THE 5.2 MILLION PEOPLE. WE WORK WITH THE PORT OF HOUSTON MOVING THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT MOVES IN AND OUT OF THE PORT OF HOUSTON. WE WORK WITH FLOOD CONTROL, ENGINEERING, FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND THE DEPARTMENTS HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE-- EVERYBODY, MY BOSS AND EVERYBODY IS MY CLIENT. SO BECAUSE I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE I HAVE, I'VE WORKED IN ALL THOSE DEPARTMENTS, AND I'M FAMILIAR WITH HOW IT WORKS. SO BEFORE I BECAME THE TREASURER, NO ONE KNEW THAT WE HAD A TREASURER. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> CYNTHIA TILFORD. I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING DR. WYATT MENTIONED EARLIER. THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP IN NOVEMBER, AND THERE WILL BE A TREASURER ON THAT BALLOT. IS THERE A PRECEDENT FOR ELIMINATING A ROLE IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMEONE'S TERM. TO THE COUNTY, PLEASE. >> IN TERMS OF THE ULTIMATE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE ROLE SHOULD BE ELIMINATED, THAT WOULD GO TO THE VOTERS NEXT NOVEMBER IN THE EVENT THAT THE RESOLUTION MAKES IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE. >> NOT MY QUESTION. MY QUESTION IS IS THERE A PRECEDENT FOR ELIMINATING THE ROLE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ELECTED TERM? >> GALVESTON COUNTY JUST WENT THROUGH THIS. >> GALVESTON COUNTY DID IT IN 2023. FROM THE LEGISLATURE IT MADE IT THROUGH, AND THE VOTERS IN TEXAS AND GALVESTON COUNTY VOTED IT IN. >> WAS IT APPEALED OR SUIT OR ANYTHING? >> THE TIME HAS EXPIRED. IF THE COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND, WHICH IS OPTIONAL, WE WOULD NEED A MOTION, A SECOND AND A MAJORITY VOTE. IT IS NOT REQUIRED BUT IT IS AN OPTION. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE EXTEND FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THE EXTENSION. >> CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR NAME, PLEASE. >> CYNTHIA TILFORD. >> LISA BARRANCO, I SECOND THE EXTENSION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO EXTEND FOR 10 MINUTES. I WILL DO A ROLL CALL VOTE TO RECORD THE VOTE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, A SECOND AND WE RECORDED A VOTE. WE WILL EXTEND FOR 10 MINUTES AND WAIT FOR THE CLOCK. THERE WE GO. SO WE MAY CONTINUE WITH QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE. PLEASE REMEMBER TO DIRECT COUNTY OR COUNTY TREASURER, OR IF YOU'RE DOING BOTH, BE CLEAR. THANK YOU. I WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PERSON. MICHAEL. >> FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE ROLE OF THE TREASURER IS TO BE A SECOND SET OF EYES TO PREVENT PAYMENTS THAT SHOULD NOT GO OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM. FROM MANY PREVIOUS AUDITS, HAS IT BEEN EFFECTIVE? HAVE THEY CAUGHT PAYMENTS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE? >> WE HAVE NEVER-- THE COUNTY [00:45:04] HAS NOT HAD A NEGATIVE AUDIT. SO WE GET THE ANNUAL SINGLE AUDIT, WHICH REFLECTS OUR FINANCIALS AND OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO IT. SO WE HAVE NOT HAD, IN REGARDS TO THE POSITIVE PAY-- >> INTERNAL? >> WE HAVE HAD INTERNAL. THERE HAS BEEN A HANDFUL OF ISSUES THAT WOULD BE MORE ONE OFF. I WOULD SAY IN NATURE. THE POSITIVE PAY FUNCTION THAT WAS TRANSFERRED, THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHEN SOMEONE CASHES A CHECK AND OUR BANK FLAGS POSSIBLE FRAUD FOR THOSE CHECKS, WHERE SOMEBODY WHITEWASH IS A NUMBER OVER OR THE CHECK HAS BEEN CASHED PREVIOUSLY AT A DIFFERENT BANK, AND IT FLAGS FOR US, THAT POSITIVE PORTION-- THAT PORTION OF THE SECOND SET OF EYES VERIFYING THAT HAS SINCE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO OAP. >> OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, JOHN. >> TWO QUICK WINS FOR THE COUNTY. DO YOU HAVE THE FISCAL YEAR '26 SALARY? AND YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE GOING TO WORK ON IT, IS THERE A PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE THAT THE-- THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS? A PERCENTAGE FOR EACH ONE, AND THE 26 SALARY FOR THE TREASURER? >> I JUST GO THROUGH THE LIST AND WE WILL GET TO SOMETHING PRINTED OUT. FOR THE CONSTABLES, THE ACTUAL SALARY THIS PAST YEAR, WHICH WAS 260. PROPOSED AT 305, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS AT 217484. RECOMMENDED TO 305. THE COUNTY CLERK AT 179420. ALSO RECOMMENDED AT 305. TAX-- TAX ASSESSMENT COLLECTOR. THAT'S ROUGHLY TO 305. SHERIFF GONZALEZ WAS DONE LAST YEAR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY WAS CURRENTLY AT 21744. RECOMMENDED TO 305. DISTRICT CLERK IS AT 179 FOR 20. RECOMMENDED TO 305. AND OUR COUNTY JUDGE IS AT 208, 416. AND SHE WAS RECOMMENDED TO STAY FLAT. >> TO STAY FLAT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. TO STAY THE SAME. >> AND THE FISCAL YEAR '26 SALARY FOR THE TREASURER? >> 139, 54720. -- 13954720. THAT WAS COURTS VOTE. >> THANK YOU. AND WE ARE GETTING A PRINTOUT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. CAITLIN? >> SORRY. CAITLIN ROSCOE. MAYBE I AM NOT FAMILIAR, TREASURER, BUT WHAT ARE YOUR DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES? BECAUSE, GRANTED THE CONSTABLES DO A LOT OF THINGS, BUT WHY ARE THEY GETTING A 79% INCREASE AND YOU ARE NOT? CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT? >> I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER WHY THEY ARE GETTING MORE OF AN INCREASE. BUT THE WAY I SEE IT, I WORK FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY. ALL OVER, MAKING SURE THAT I-- PEOPLE KNOW I AM THE TREASURER FOR ALL AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE CONNECTIVITY TO CHECKS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN STILLED DATED, CHECKS THEY MAY HAVE NOT RECEIVED BECAUSE THEIR ADDRESS IS WRONG. WE ARE RUNNING DOWN FOLKS TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE MONEY THEY DESERVE FROM HARRIS COUNTY, AS FAR AS CONTRACTS, IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, WITH THE ARE BOLD MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO MR. RAMOS IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS. AND I JUST-- MY DAY TO DAY ACTIVITY, I'M OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, OUT WITH THE PEOPLE, MAKING SURE THAT I LET THEM KNOW THAT I AM THE HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER FOR ALL. AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT I MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE. SO WE MOVE THE MONEY. WE DO NOT MAKE THE DECISION. WE DON'T HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO CHANGE IT. WE MOVE IT AND LOOK AT IT AND TRY TO MAKE SURE THERE IS CLARITY. LIKE WITH THE 17 MILLION-DOLLAR CHECK THAT WE DECLINED, THE BUDGET OFFICE TO-- APPROVED IT. AND WE HAD TO COME BACK AGAIN. BECAUSE I WAS NO MONEY IN THE ACCOUNT. AND WE TRY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT. BUT WE MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT THAT RECOMMENDATION. SO IT'S A CONSTANT MOVING AROUND OF MONEY. THAT'S WHAT IT IS. >> I AM A NO WAY DEMEANING YOUR POSITION. I HOPE IT DOES NOT COME OFF THAT WAY. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY [00:50:01] THERE'S SUCH A VAST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO ROLES, COULD THE COUNTY PROVIDE ANSWERS AS TO WHY A? IS IT BECAUSE THE POSITION IS GOING TO BE ELIMINATED OR WANTING TO BE ELIMINATED? AND TREASURER SAFEGUARDS LIKE THE MONEY FOR THE COUNTY. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN THE WORKS, BEING MADE TO SAFEGUARD FUNDS FOR THE COUNTY ONCE THE POSITION IS ELIMINATED? >> I WILL TAKE CARE QUESTION FIRST. I CAN ANSWER THE THOUGHT PROCESS AROUND THE CONSTABLE NUMBER, AND I'LL LEAVE IT THERE. ESSENTIALLY THE PREDOMINANT REASON FOR MOVING IT TO 305 WAS AS SOME OF YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWSPAPER, THE COMMISSIONER MADE A DECISION TO REACH PAY PARITY WITH HPD. WE WERE ABOUT 14% BEHIND. HPD HAS ENTERED AN AGREEMENT WITH THEIR UNION FOR CLOSE TO 50% INCREASES OVER FIVE YEARS. WHEN WE DID THAT, IT RAISED MANY OF THE SUPERVISOR SALARIES ABOVE THE CONSTABLE THEMSELVES. SO THEY ESSENTIALLY MADE THE CASE TO COMMISSIONERS, AND THE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY OPERATE, THAT THEY SHOULD BE TOP PAID. THAT WAS THE THOUGHT PROCESS AROUND THE 305. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AROUND THE SAFEGUARDS, THE TREASURER POSITION WAS CREATED ALONGSIDE THIS COUNTY, ESSENTIALLY. WE HAVE MOVED LEAPS AND BOUNDS TECHNOLOGICALLY IN TERMS OF HOW WE SAFEGUARD MONEY, WHERE WE ARE DRAMATICALLY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CHECKS THAT WE SEND OUT PIG DRAMATICALLY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF CASH THAT THE COUNTY TRANSACTS WITH. MOVING TOWARDS CARDS OR ACH IS-- ACH'S. SO THERE IS A FORMAL PLAN IN PLACE. BUT IF IT WERE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT THE LEGISLATURE, WE WOULD PUT TOGETHER A THIRD WERE-- A THIRD WORLD TRANSITION PLAN, SAME WITH GALVESTON COUNTY. >> I'D LIKE TO SEE IF ANOTHER MEMBER HAS A QUESTION. >> LET ME FOLLOW-UP WITH YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTIONS. THE AVERAGE INCREASE WAS 25%. BETWEEN 70 PERCENT, WITH THE AVERAGE BEING 75. >> ANYONE ELSE LOOKING-- GO-AHEAD. YOLANDA. >> YOLANDA PEREZ. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF METHODOLOGY WAS USED TO DETERMINE THE SALARY FOR TREASURY FOR 2027, AND FROM LAST YEAR. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? >> I CANNOT EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT THE TREASURER'S SALARY HAS BEEN UNCHANGED SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE. BESIDES A COUNTYWIDE COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT THAT WAS DONE. I BELIEVE IN 2024. WE DON'T MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ELECTED OFFICIALS THE SALARIES. IT WAS ULTIMATELY COURTS DECISION ON WHERE TO MOVE IT OR LEAVE IT. >> IS THERE SOMETHING THAT IS WRITTEN THAT HAS FOLLOWED SOME CHECKLIST THAT IS FOLLOWED TO DETERMINE WHAT THE SALARY WOULD BE? OR IS IT JUST A VOTE? >> I BELIEVE IN THIS INSTANCE IT WAS A VOTE. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? LAURA? >> LISA MORANTO. THIS IS FOR THE COUNTY. I AM CURIOUS. IT SEEMS YOU ARE RESTING ON THIS NOTION THAT THIS POSITION WILL GO AWAY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE LAST DAY IN OFFICE WOULD BE? IF THE TIMELINE PLAYS OUT, AS YOU ANTICIPATE? >> IN THE EVENT OF THAT IT GETS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND IT'S PAST BY THE VOTERS, IT WOULD GO THROUGH THE END OF NEXT YEAR. I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE LIKE JANUARY 1ST OR SECOND. WOULD BE THE-- 2028 WOULD BE THE FINAL DAY. >> THANK YOU. >> THE TIME HAS EXPIRED. PER THE RULES, THAT WAS THE LAST OF THE QUESTION AND ANSWER SECTION. AND IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE DELIBERATION. FOR ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. EACH MEMBER WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE OR 2 MINUTES IF THEY ARE SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR. TO THE COUNTY AGENDA TEAM, DID [00:55:02] ANY PUBLIC SPEAKER SIGN UP FOR COMMENT? >> WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> PLEASE APPROACH FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. >> HELLO. I AM JUST ANOTHER WORKING-CLASS TEACHER, LIVING IN PRECINCT FOUR. THE SALARY GRIEVANCE I HAVE IS THAT MANY COUNTY LEADERS MAKE WELL OVER SIX FIGURES, AS WE LEARNED TODAY, WHEN THERE IS AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS ACROSS THE COUNTY. ELECTED BUREAUCRATS ARE MEANT TO BE IN SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE, MAKING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE BALL THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS NEED UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME AND UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. INCREASING SALARIES FOR THE SAKE OF PAY PARITY FOR ANYONE IS A RIDICULOUS JUSTIFICATION. AND INCREDIBLY OBSCENE, WHEN IT'S BEEN PROVEN THAT THE TREASURER HAS HAD MANY DIFFICULTIES DURING THEIR TENURE-- TENURE IN OFFICE, ACCORDING TO A ARTICLE BY THE "HOUSTON CHRONICLE", SHARED YESTERDAY, WITH NOT CATCHING ROUGHLY $53,000 IN FRAUD CHECKS. COMMISSIONERS COURT REMOVING THE OFFICE'S KEY FINANCIAL OVERSIGHTS, OVER THE TERMS, AS WELL AS THE TREASURER'S ARREST RECORD DURING TERM SO FAR, WAS ALSO SHARED IN THE "HOUSTON CHRONICLE" ARTICLE. ELECTED POLITICIANS-- >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. >> ARE THERE ANY FINAL DOCUMENTS? THAT WERE COMING? I CANNOT HEAR YOU. [3. Votes and recommendations on grievances] THEY ARE STILL COMING? OKAY. WE WILL MOVE ON TO DISCUSSION. WE WILL START WITH A TIME LIMIT OF 20 MINUTES TO DISCUSS THE GRIEVANCE, WHICH WILL BE IN PUBLIC DELIBERATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY MEMBER MAY MAKE A MOTION OR COMMENT DURING THIS TIME. AND YOU MAY MAKE A MOTION REGARDING THE GRIEVANCE AS WELL. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO START WITH COMMENT. IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS IT CAN ONLY BE ANSWERED AMONGST EACH OTHER. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS CANNOT BE ANSWERED BY THE COUNTY OR THE COUNTY TREASURER. >> I'LL MAKE A COMMENT. >> WE ARE WORKING ON RAISING OUR HAND AND BEING CALLED ON. MICHAEL? >> MY COMMENT IS THAT I AM HESITANT TO AGREE TO INCREASE, FOR TWO REASONS. NUMBER 1, THE POSITIONS, THE SALARIES ARE KNOWN FOR THE OFFICE. NUMBER 2, IT IS A POSITION THAT IS BEING ELIMINATED. NUMBER 3, THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES, AS THE COMMENTER MENTIONED, WHERE THE OFFICE HAS FAILED. AND IT SEEMS TO BE A DWINDLING OFFICE THAT DOES NOT NEED MUCH FROM THE COUNTY. SO I GENERALLY AM FEELING AGAINST THE IDEA OF INCREASING SALARY. >> JONATHAN? >> I DON'T NECESSARILY DISAGREE. -- I TAKE THAT BACK. I DO DISAGREE. I THINK THERE IS PROBABLY A STRONG ARGUMENT FOR AND INCREASE. I THINK THAT WHILE IT'S NOT THE PURPOSE OF THIS PANEL, I THINK 858% RAISE ON SOME OF THESE OTHER POSITIONS IS A BIT ASTRONOMICAL. AND A TOUGH ASK. BUT AS FAR AS I CONCERT-- I AM CONCERNED, THE POSITION EXISTS. THERE IS HOPE THAT MAYBE IT MIGHT BE ELIMINATED. BUT IT EXISTS NOW. WE SHOULD TREAT IT LIKE IT EXISTS NOW. BUT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, I THINK 58% FOR SOME OF THESE OTHER ROLES WOULD BE QUITE A BIT MORE, TO BRING THIS POSITION TO 305, I THINK THERE IS A STRONG ARGUMENT TO BE MADE FOR SOME SORT OF AN INCREASE. BUT MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT THE 305 ACROSS THE BOARD IS A BIT RIDICULOUS EVEN FOR SOME OF THESE OTHER POSITIONS. >> DEADLY? >> I DON'T NECESSARILY DISAGREE, IN GENERAL. HOWEVER, WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT THROUGH AUTOMATION, AND THROUGH OTHER TECHNOLOGIES, THE NEED FOR THIS OFFICE IS DWINDLING. RIGHT? SOME OF THE DUTIES HAVE TRANSITIONED OUT. THE LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY IN TERMS OF STAFF IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN ANY OTHER AREAS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN A COMPARISON-- AND I DON'T WANT TO ASSUME. THERE'S BEEN A COMPARISON TO THE 305, SAYING THAT THERE IS JUSTIFICATION IN THOSE CASES. ON NOT NECESSARILY HEARING ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR AN INCREASE AT THIS POSITION, GIVEN THE FACT [01:00:01] THAT THERE WILL BE A PROPOSAL FOR IT TO GO AWAY. IT HASN'T GONE AWAY YET. IT HAS TO PASS LEGISLATION IN THE VOTERS. HOWEVER, I AM FEELING THE SAME WAY. AS MICHAEL SAID, IN TERMS OF-- I'M NOT HEARING ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY AN INCREASE. >> CYNTHIA? >> CYNTHIA TELFORD. I KIND OF TEND TO AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE TO MY LEFT. THAT I THINK THAT THE OVERALL INCREASES IN COMPENSATION AND AGREEING WITH THE YOUNG LADY FROM THE PUBLIC WHO SPOKE, THAT GIVEN THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN THIS NATION, AND IN THE CITY, AND IN THIS COUNTY, THE PERCENTAGES OF INCREASE, TO ME, PRETTY CLOSE TO BEING OUTRAGEOUS. THAT BEING SAID, THE TREASURER'S RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE NOT ALL GONE AWAY. I ASSUME IT IS STILL PRETTY MUCH A FULL-TIME JOB. WHETHER IT NEEDS TO GO TO 305, I DO NOT KNOW THAT. BUT I THINK THAT SOME INCREASES MERITED. >> FOR TRANSPARENCY THESE ARE THE ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES THAT WERE SELECTED BY THE COMMITTEE. YOLANDA? >> YOLANDA PEREZ. I'M GLAD WE RECEIVED THE LIST OF ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH WHAT THEIR SALARY WAS. OUT OF ALL OF THESE OFFICIALS, I SEE THE LOWEST PAY IS DR. WYATT. AND SOMETIMES FAIRNESS ACROSS THE BOARD IS-- SHOULD BE SOMETHING VALUED BY EVERYBODY. NO ONE WANTS TO DO A JOB THAT EVERYONE HAS DONE, AND DON'T GET THE SAME COMPENSATION AS THEIR PREDECESSOR. THE PRIOR OFFICIAL. SO THAT IS WHY I FEEL THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO LOOK AT THE FAIRNESS OF THE COMPENSATION, AND ADJUST-- IT JUSTIFIES, TO ME, AND INCREASE. >> LISA? >> LISSON MORANTO. I FIND MYSELF TORN, I'M AGREEING WITH EVERYBODY. AND I THINK WHERE I AM LANDING, WHICH MAY CHANGE, BUT ANY PERFORMANCE ISSUES, PERHAPS THE VOTERS, I THINK WE ELECTED HER, AND THAT'S FOR US TO CONTEND WITH. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR TO SITE TO THAT AS A REASON FOR JUSTIFICATION FOR NOT INCREASING THE SALARY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION IN THE BACKGROUND AS TO HOW THESE INCREASES ARE DECIDED. IF THEY ARE BASED ON PERFO PERFORMANCE, WHICH IS BEING SUGGESTED, I JUST-- I WOULD WANT MORE TRANSPARENCY THERE. WHAT RUBRIC WAS USED TO GO THROUGH THIS ANALYSIS? SO I DON'T AGREE WITH THE NOTION THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO INCREASE. THE OFFICE IS HERE. SHE IS DOING HER JOB. AND YET-- YES, I AM OFFENDED AT THIS BLANKET-- ALMOST BLANKET INCREASE AT 305. AT IS JUST RIDICULOUS. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DO NOT THINK THAT-- I'M NOT SAYING THAT BECAUSE THERE WERE INCREASES FOR OTHERS. THERE SHOULD NECESSARILY BE AN INCREASE FOR ONE. I DISAGREE WITH THE EXTENT OF THE INCREASES TO THE 305. NOT THAT THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY. BUT THOSE ARE MY VIEWS THUS FAR. >> I WANT TO SAY THAT I AGREE WITH THE YOUNG LADY WHO CAME IN HERE FROM THE PUBLIC. MAYBE IT'S JUST PERSONAL OPINION. BUT TO SEE THESE SALARIES ALMOST AT OR OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR, AND THE COSTS BEING PROPOSED ARE [01:05:03] MORE THAN THE COUNTY JUDGE? I THINK IT'S KIND OF LUDICROUS. BUT ALSO I DON'T KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF EACH ROLE. I'M SURE THEY ARE COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT IN ALL OF THEM. I AM ALSO ON THE FENCE. I BELIEVE AN INCREASE WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. HOWEVER, GOING TO A SPECIFIC PERCENTAGE OR NUMBER, I CANNOT QUITE DECIDE HOW MUCH WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. >> NADIA? >> MINE COLLEAGUES BRING UP VERY GOOD POINTS. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO BE AROUND SUCH SOUND MINES. IT'S A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. I... YEAH. THESE INCREASES ARE ASTRO ASTRONOMICAL, IN SOME INSTANCES. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE SERVED THE COUNTY FOR 24 YEARS. SO... YEAH, THEY YEAR TO YEAR INCREASE JUST FOR YOUR LOYALTY SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED. WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD TAKE A TREMENDOUS JUMP-- AS SOME OF THESE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, THAT IS PROBLEMATIC ACROSS THE BOARD. BUT I DO THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN INCREASE ALSO IN THE SENSE OF-- LET'S SAY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIMINATED. IF SOMEBODY ELSE WAS ELECTED IN NOVEMBER, WOULD WE WANT THEM TO BE STUCK AT THE SAME SALARY? OR IF THE POSITION IS NOT ELIMINATED, WHOEVER'S IN THE POSITION FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WOULD BE AT THIS 139 AS WELL. SO I'M JUST THINKING ON THE OTHER SIDE. >> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR STATEMENTS? JONATHAN? >> I WILL MAKE MY FINAL COMMENT AND REPEAT WHAT I SAID. I'M SURE LIKE MOST OF US APPEAR I GOT A CALL LAST NIGHT TO COME HERE, AND I DID ABOUT 5 MINUTES WORTH OF RESEARCH. FROM WHAT I COULD TELL, QUICKLY, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE POSITION SALARY HAS INCREASED IN AT LEAST THE LAST TWO YEARS, AT LEAST MEANINGFULLY INCREASED. AND-- YOU KNOW, I THINK, YOU KNOW, 50% INCREASE IS A BIT MUCH. BUT I THINK I SHOULD PROBABLY LOOK AT THIS. MY OPINION IS GOING TO BE THAT I WILL LOOK AT THIS. I WILL LOOK AT THE INCREASE FROM 179 THAT WENT TO 305, AND I'M GOING TO END UP PROPOSING THAT WE MATCH THAT PERCENTAGE, PROBABLY. AND THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INCREASE TO 305. NOT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE HERE. BUT THAT IS A BIT MUCH. AS FAR AS THE ROLE BEING ELIMINATED, THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION FOR VOTERS. BUT THE LAST TIME THAT WE ASKED THEM THEY REELECTED MISS WYATT. WE KEPT THE ROLE. SO AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THAT'S NOT GOING TO COUNT IN MY OPINION HERE, AS I DELIBERATE THIS. BUT SHE IS HERE. THE POSITION EXISTS. IT HAS NOT GOTTEN A MEANINGFUL INCREASE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. IT NEEDS SOMETHING. >> DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT? MICHAEL. >> I AM KIND OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A MIDDLE GROUND HERE. I DO NOT GET A MASSIVE INCREASE LAST YEAR. I NEED TO TALK TO MY BOSS ABOUT INCREASING THE SALARY TO 305, AND I DO HAVE AN ACCOUNTING DEGREE. SORRY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I AGREE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME A LOT OF PEOPLE DID NOT GET AN INCREASE. THIS IS A SMALL OFFICE. I AM GOING TO PROPOSE A 10% INCREASE JUST AS SOMETHING THAT RECOGNIZES-- I DON'T THAT MOST OF US GOT A 10% INCREASE, THOSE OF US WHO WORK. SO IT'S A PRETTY GENEROUS INCREASE, I THINK. >> ARE YOU MAKING AN OFFICIAL MOTION? [01:10:02] >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO INCREASE THE SALARY OF THE COUNTY TREASURER. >> SORRY. YOU WILL HAVE TO SAY YOUR NAME. >> I, MICHAEL, MAKE A MOTION TO INCREASE THIS TREASURERS SALARY BY 10%. >> COUNTY ATTORNEY, WE MAY NEED THE EXACT NUMBER FOR THE TOTAL PER THE COMMITTEE. WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH AN EXACT NUMBER SO BUDGET CAN MAKE THAT CALCULATION QUICKLY. >> 153501. >> AND YOU SAY THAT AGAIN WITH THE NUMBER? >> I WILL START AGAIN. I MICHAEL S PAUL MAKE A MOTION TO INCREASE THE COUNTY TREASURER SALARY TO $153,502. >> THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION. >> LISSON MORANTO. A PROCEDURAL QUESTION. I'M CURIOUS, IS THIS LIKE-- WE VOTE ON THIS MOTION AND IT EITHER PASSES OR FAILS? OR DO WE DECIDE WHICH MOTION WE COLLECTIVELY WANT TO VOTE ON, AS OPPOSED TO AD HOC? >> PER RULES, WHICH YOU ALL VOTED ON, THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE. AND WE WILL WAIT TO SEE IF THERE IS A SECOND. IF THERE IS NO SECOND IT WILL NOT BE VOTED ON. IT THERE IS A SECOND IT WILL BE VOTED ON. >> LISSON MORANTO. QUESTION. AND WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHICH MOTION WE MIGHT HAVE MORE AGREEMENT ON? I AM HAVING A HARD TIME STEPPING THROUGH HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK OUT? WE MAY DECIDE TO GO BACK TO THIS. >> YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK. BUT IF IT DOES NOT GET A SECOND, PER SE, YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO DISCUSS IT. AND OTHERS CAN PUT OTHER THINGS UP ON THE TABLE, BASICALLY. SO A MOTION HAS BEEN MADE. DUDLEY? >> I SECOND THE MOTION. >> A MOTION HAS BEEN MADE FOR 153,000. $502. AND SECONDED. SO WE WILL TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THIS MOTION. BY NAME. OBVIOUSLY YOUR OPTIONS, YOU CAN HAVE DISCUSSION ON THIS? SORRY. YOU CAN HAVE DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION BEFORE VOTING. >> IF WE DID NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION, DOES THAT MEAN THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE? OR DOESN'T STILL LEAVE US OPEN FOR DISCUSSION OF A DIFFERENT INCREASE OR NOT. >> IT COULD LIKELY LEAVE ROOM FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION DEPENDING ON HOW THE VOTE TAKES OUT. >> CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC? >> IF THE VOTE FAILS. >> YES, THERE IS ROOM FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION, OR IF THE VOTE PASSES BY FIVE OR SIX, IT'S JUST A RECOMMENDATION. MAYBE THERE CAN BE ROOM FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION, BUT POTENTIALLY IF YOU PASS SOMETHING ELSE WAS SIX OR MORE PEOPLE, YOU COULD BE SENDING COMPLETE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. IF THIS MOTION WERE TO PASS 9-0, WHERE IT BECOMES BINDING AND PART OF THE COUNTY BUDGET, IT WOULD PROBABLY JUST BE DONE THERE. >> TO SUMMARIZE, IF IT GETS LESS THAN SIX, IT FAILS AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT MORE. MORE THAN SIX IT GETS A BIT STICKIER. -- SIX OR MORE IT GETS STICKIER? >> CORRECT. >> YES, SIX OR MORE YOU CAN SEND MULTIPLE RECOMMENDATIONS AND NINE IS AUTOMATIC UNANIMOUS SUBMISSION. INCLUSION IN THE BUDGET. >> LISSON MORANTO. GOING BACK TO THIS PROCEDURAL QUESTION, IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS? BEFORE WE THEN HAVE-- >> YOU CAN HAVE MORE DISCUSSION, YOU CANNOT VOTE ON ANOTHER PROPOSAL BEFORE THIS IS VOTED ON. RIGHT NOW THE MOTION IS THERE. >> IN THE COURSE OF DISCUSSING THIS MOTION WE CAN DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES? >> YES. >> OKAY. >> OKAY. JONATHAN. >> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. YOU MADE THE COMMENT THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF-- YOU MADE THE COMMENT THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF SALARIES NOT INCREASED. WHERE YOU MAKING THAT COMMENT BASED ON THE SHEET THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US? AND I THINK IF I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY CORRECTLY, SOME OF THESE WERE NOT INCREASED BECAUSE OF THE PAST-- IN THE PASSED-- PAST YEAR OR TWO THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN AN INCREASE PURCHASE TO CLARIFY THAT. I AM SORRY. BASED ON MY CURSORY RESEARCH, THE TREASURER POSITION HAD NOT [01:15:05] GIVEN A MEANINGFUL SALARY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OR SO? >> MICHAEL, WERE YOU RESPONDING? >> I AGREE THAT 305 IS RIDICULOUS. >> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE. IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? BEFORE I CALL A ROLL CALL VOTE. >> THIS IS LISA MORANTO. I WANTED TO THROW OUT THE OBSERVATION, I WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH AN INCREASE UP TO THE 189. THAT SEEMS LIKE A FAIR MIDDLE GROUND, IN MY VIEW. >> OKAY. ANYTHING FURTHER BEFORE WE TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE FIRST MOTION. JONATHAN? >> REMIND ME ONE MORE TIME ABOUT WHAT THE 10% INCREASE WOULD BRING IT TO? >> I WILL CALL ON MICHAEL. I FORGOT TO WRITE IT DOWN. >> 150 TO 500. >> LET MICHAEL DO IT. IT SAYS MOTION. >> I HAD 153501. >> THE 153 WAS THE MOTION MADE AND SECONDED AS WELL. 153, IVO TWO-- 153502. >> THAT WAS IN THE MOTION. SO DESPITE THE CALCULATORS, WE GO WITH THE MOTION. I WILL PROCEED WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE, BASED ON $153,502. MICHAEL? >> AYE. >> NADIA. >> AYE. >> DUDLEY. >> AYE. >> LISA. >> NEE. >> YOLANDA. >> NEE. >> ROBIN? >> AYE. >> CYNTHIA? >> NEE. >> JONATHAN. >> NEE. >> CLERK-- I WAS CALLING NAMES. >> THE MOTION FAILED? THAT WAS FOUR YES, AND FIVE NO. >> OKAY. >> MOTION FAILS. >> MOTION FAILS BY A VOTE OF 5-0 FOR YES. WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE ORIGINAL END OF THE DELIBERATION TIME. THE RULES ALLOW FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10 MINUTES IF THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND, AND A VOTE TO EXTEND DELIBERATION BY 10 MINUTES. MISS YOLANDA? >> YOLANDA PEREZ WOULD LIKE TO MOTION THAT AN INCREASE MOVES TO 200. >> WE HAVE TO-- IN TIME. WE RAN OUT OF TIME. >> OH. >> I CANNOT MAKE THAT MOTION. ANYONE-- >> I CYNTHIA TILFORD WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE EXTEND BY 10 MINUTES. >> MOTION MADE, WE NEED A SECOND. >> JOHN LETOWSKI. I WILL SECONDED. >> MOTION AND SECOND TO EXTEND THE COMMITTEE DELIBERATIONS BY 10 MINUTES. WE WILL DO A QUICK ROLL CALL VOTE. MICHAEL? >> AYE. >> NADIA. >> AYE. >> DUDLEY. >> AYE. >> LISA. >> AYE. >> YOLANDA. >> AYE. >> CYNTHIA. >> AYE. >> JONATHAN. >> AYE. >> KAITLIN. >> AYE. >> NINE YESES FOR TEN MORE MINUTES OF DELIBERATION. YOLANDA, HE WERE PROCEEDING ON SOMETHING ELSE. >> I, YOLANDA PEREZ, WOULD LIKE TO MOTION THAT THE INCREASE BE UP TO 200,000. >> EXACTLY 200? OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION-- I'LL HAVE YOU REPEAT IT EXACTLY. SORRY. FOR OFFICIAL. YOU NEED TO SAY "I, YOUR NAME, DO INCREASE THE SALARY OF ENLISTED TREASURER." AND THEN THE NUMBER. >> I, HE ALAND UP PEREZ, MOVE TO INCREASE THE SALARY OF THE COUNTY TREASURER TO 200,000. >> THE MOTION IS ANY-- I DON'T KNOW IF I SAW HANDS. ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? I NEED A HAND AND A NAME. [01:20:02] SORRY. >> JOHN LETOWSKI, I WILL SECOND THE MOTION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR COUNTY TREASURERS SALARY AT $200,000. IF THERE IS TIME FOR ANY MORE COMMENTS-- KAITLIN? >> I'M CURIOUS, WHAT WOULD THE PERCENTAGE BE IF IT WAS UP TO 200,000, WHAT WITH THE PERCENTAGE BE OF THE INCREASE? >> THAT WOULD BE YOUR COMMITTEE TO GET THAT FOR YOU. >> I'M NOT GOOD AT MATH. >> DOES ON THE COMMITTEE MAYBE ABLE TO GET THAT FOR YOU. >> NEVER ASK AN ATTORNEY FOR MATH QUESTIONS AS WELL. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS WHILE WE USE THE CALCULATORS? MICHAEL PLEASE STATE THAT IN TO THE MIGHT? >> 43.3%. INCREASE. >> 43.3%. >> IF I AM CALCULATING CORRECTLY. >> ANYONE ELSE ON THE COMMITTEE CAN COME UP WITH OTHER INFORMATION? ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR DISCUSSION? OKAY. WE HAVE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR COUNTY TREASURERS SALARY AT $200,000. I HAVE SEEN SOME ONGOING-- ANYTHING ELSE ANYONE WANTS TO SAY BEFORE I PROCEED WITH THE ROLL CALL VOTE. >> ARE WE-- I'M SORRY. I LOST MY TRAIN ON WHERE WE ARE. ARE WE VOTING ON THE 200,000? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THAT'S MY QUESTION. >> THANK YOU. WE WILL PROCEED WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE. THE MOTION IS TO INCREASE THE COUNTY TREASURERS SALARY TO $200,000. MICHAEL? >> NO. >> NADIA? >> NEE. >> DUDLEY. >> NEE. >> LISA? >> YOLANDA? ROBIN? JONATHAN? KAITLIN? WE WILL WAIT FOR THE CLERK. >> MOTION FAILS SIX TO THREE. >> MOTION FAILS SIX TO THREE. WE HAVE TIME FOR DELIBERATION OR COMMENT. IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS TO-- KAITLIN? SORRY, YOU ARE CYNTHIA. I APOLOGIZE. >> I CYNTHIA TILFORD WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT THE COUNTY TREASURERS SALARY BE INCREASED BY 30%. WHICH WOULD BE 181,411 AND 36 CENTS. >> WE HAD A MOTION. >> I'D, YOLANDA PEREZ, SECOND THAT MOTION. >> WE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND. THE MOTION IS FOR AN INCREASE TO THE COUNTY TREASURERS SALARY TO 181,000-- 180-- $181,411.31-- 36. MY HANDWRITING IS POOR. 36 CENTS. AND IF THERE IS ANY MORE DELIBERATION OR COMMENT BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE ROLL CALL VOTE, I WILL PAUSE. OKAY. HEARING NONE, I WILL PROCEED WITH THE ROLL CALL VOTE. THE SALARY THAT HAS BEEN MOTION. $181,411.36. MICHAEL? >> NO. >> NADIA. >> NAY. >> DUDLEY. >> NAY. >> LISA. >> AYE. >> YOLANDA. >> AYE. >> ROBIN. >> AYE. >> CYNTHIA. >> AYE. >> JONATHAN. >> AYE. >> KAITLIN. >> AYE. >> MOTION PASSES, SIX TO THREE. >> MOTION PASSES SIX YES, THREE NAY. THAT WILL PASS AS A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. SORRY. I HAVE ANNOUNCED THE VOTE, SIX YES. THREE NO. TO INCREASE THE COUNTY TREASURERS SALARY TO [01:25:04] $181,411.36. THE COUNTY CLERK WILL CIRCULATE THE FORM TO ALL MEMBERS WHO VOTED IN FAVOR. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU STAY AND SIGN THE FORM. NOW THAT WE HAVE HEARD AND CONSIDERED ALL TIMELY GRIEVANCES, YOUR TREMENDOUS WORK IN CONSIDERATION FOR TODAY IS DONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. THE TIME IS 12:48 P.M. AND THE SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE WILL NOW ADJOURN * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.