[Dr. Doug Stringer of Somebody Cares America / International in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 3.]
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>> IT'S NOW 9:03. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS IN INDUSTRY. COMMISSIONER RAMSAY, YOU HAVE
OUR INVOCATION OF THE DAY. >> WE'RE FORTUNATE TODAY TO HAVE TWO DOUG STRINGER. DOUG, WHY DON'T YOU COME UP? DOUG IS PRESIDENT OF SOMEBODY CARES AMERICA.
IT'S REALLY A GLOBAL COMPASSION RESPONSE NETWORK, A MODEL CREATED FOR CONNECTING NEEDS WITH RESOURCES DURING NATURAL CALAMITIES, LIKE IN JAPAN WHEN THE TSUNAMI HIT THAT REGION.
TEXAS WILDFIRES. REALLY, IT'S A BOOTS ON THE GROUND WHEN PEOPLE NEED IT THE MOST.
HE'S A HERO IN MANY PEOPLES' BOOKS.
JUDGE EMMITT, I THINK, RESPONDED MANY TIMES.
THE TEXAS GOVERNOR RICK PEERY ALSO INCLUDED DOUG IN MANY SPECIFIC INITIATIVES, AND THERE WAS A NATIONAL MOBILIZATION COORDINATOR FOR RESPONSE WHERE 50,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA AND PRAYED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU FOR DOING THINGS THAT HELP PEOPLE, AND GET US OFF
STARTED RIGHT THIS MORNING. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE EVERYONE, AND SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS THAT I'VE KNOWN FOR MANY YEARS. I'VE BEEN IN HOUSTON SINCE 1978.
AND 45 YEARS THIS YEAR, AND TURNING 70 AS WELL.
STARTED IN HOUSTON AND NOW AROUND THE WORLD.
I JUST WANTED TO PRAY FOR US TODAY, BECAUSE MICHAEL JAY, THE COMEDIAN SAID, WHAT DO YOU DO? LET ME ASK YOU WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO? I THINK WE NEED TO BE REMINDED WHERE WE COME FROM AND WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.
LORD, WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY IN HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE.
REGARDLESS OF OUR DIFFERENCES OR PERSONAL PREFERENCES, OPINIONS, EVEN OUR PERSPECTIVES OR EVEN OUR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES, MAY WE NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE COMMON RESPONSIBILITY WE SHARE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE.
EVEN WHEN WE STRONGLY DISAGREE, HELP US MAINTAIN CIVILITY, DIGNITY AND RESPECT IN OUR PUBLIC DISCOURSE, AND MAY OUR WORDS TODAY NOT SIMPLY BE CEREMONIAL OR WITH PLATITUDE, BUT MAY THEY COME WITH HEART AND TURN TOWARD YOU.
LORD, EVEN AS THE PROPHET JOEL CALLED THE PEOPLE IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY IN THEIR NATION, HE RECOGNIZED THAT THEY HAD A NEED FOR YOU. SO WE RECOGNIZE THAT WHATEVER WE DO TODAY, WE NEED YOU IN OUR LIVES.
WE KNOW THAT WISDOM IS IN THE STRATEGIES.
SO WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM, YOUR STRATEGIES, YOUR GUIDANCE TODAY. YOU BRING HOPE OUT OF DESPAIR AND WISDOM WHEN WE DO NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN.
EACH OF, YOU INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED DETOURS OR CHALLENGES AND APPOINTMENTS OR EVEN CIRCUMSTANCES WE NEVER ANTICIPATED.
AND THOSE WHO SERVE IN THIS CHAMBER ARE NO DIFFERENT AND NEITHER ARE THE PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT.
SO, FATHER, GIVE THESE COMMISSIONERS WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT FOR THE DECISIONS BEFORE THEM.
GIVE THEM COURAGE WHEN DIFFICULT DECISIONS MUST BE MADE, HUMILITY TO LISTEN, INTEGRITY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHOSE VOICES MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD, AND A REMINDER THAT THE DECISIONS MADE IN THIS SHAME AFFECT REAL PEOPLE, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR LIVELIHOODS, THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES. AND FATHER, GUIDE US ALL WHO ARE CALLED TO SERVE. BUSINESS LEADER OR CITIZEN, TO NEVER FORGET WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM.
KEEP US MINDFUL OF THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED TO SERVE, AND MAY WE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE CALLED FOB SERVANTS, NOT SOVEREIGNS, STEWARDS, NOT OWNERS.
LORD JESUS, YOU GAVE US A GREAT PICTURE THAT, WHILE MEN REACHED FOR THRONES TO BUILD THEIR OWN KINGDOMS, JESUS REACHED FOR A TOWEL TO WASH MEN'S FEET. MAY THAT SPIRIT OF HUMILITY SHAPE THE WAY WE LEAD. DEBATE WITHOUT BECOMING DIVIDED IN SPIRIT. AND PURSUE WHAT IS RIGHT RATHER THAN MERELY WHAT IS CONVENIENT. AND MAY WE SEEK THE WELFARE OF HARRIS COUNTY ABOVE OUR OWN INTERESTS.
ENTRUSTED WITH LEADERSHIP MARKED BY CHARACTER, COMPASSION, INTEGRITY, WISDOM, AND GENUINE HEART TO SERVE THOSE YOU'VE CALLED US TO SERVE. MAY HARRIS COUNTY NOT ONLY BE KNOWN FOR ITS INFLUENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT ALSO AROUND THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD FOR THE CHARACTER AND SERVANT LEADERSHIP OF THOSE ENTRUSTED TO LEAD IT.
WE ASK ALL THIS IN THE PRECIOUS NAME OF JESUS.
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>> THANK YOU, DOUG STRINGER. I WAS JUST WAITING TO WAIT.
I THINK THE JUDGE MAY BE OUTSIDE.
IF YOU CAN, PLEASE JO JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND TO
THE TEXAS FLAG. >> (IN UNISON): I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
>> JAY, DO WE NEED TO DO CORRECTIONS OR JUST GO STRAIGHT
TO THE SPEAKERS? >> COMMISSIONER, I BELIEVE THAT THE JUDGE HAS A RUN OF SHOW, AND I THINK THE NEXT -- WE WERE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[Appearances before court]
>> ALL RIGHT. PLEASE GO STRAIGHT TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4. HELLO, COMMISSIONER.
YESTERDAY, I HAD THE HONOR TO TOUR THE JPC AND LEARN ABOUT PROGRAMMING IN THE FACILITY. I LEARNED THE REALITY OF WHAT PRISON HEALTH CARE AND PROGRAMMING LOOKS LIKE, AND IT HAS SEEDS OF PRISON REFORM HAPPENING WITH THE TRANSFORMATIONAL WORK THAT MAJOR MILLS HAS BEEN DOING AROUND RAPID RESPONSE AND CORE ENTRY SUPPORT.
WE REALIZE THAT THE EMPOWERMENT OF IMPRISONED PEOPLE IS CRUCIAL TO CHANGE. SO I DID FEEL PRIVILEGED GETTING TO WITNESS THE SEEDS OF EMPOWERMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT EXISTS. SO THERE'S STILL A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND PRISON REFORM THAT HASN'T BEEN A CONVERSATION WITH PRISON ABOLITION, AND I'M INTERESTED IN HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS. SO, YEAH, I JUST LEARNED THAT IT'S NOT A CONTRADICTION TO WORK FOR BETTER PRISON ENVIRONMENTS AND TO WORK TO ABOLISH THEM AT THE SAME TIME.
THOSE ARE EXACTLY THE CONVERSATIONS WE NEED TO HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
I'M LINDSAY WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT OF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 64 AND 88, WHICH IS GREATER EAST OF LOAN DALE WAYSIDE.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY, AND THANK YOU TORE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR LEADERSHIP ON THIS PROPOSED MERGER WITH NORFOLK PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN. WE LIVE THE TRAINS.
A TRAIN STOP FOR FIVE HOURS, AND KIDS COULDN'T WALK TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. FIRST RESPONDERS WERE DELAYED, HAVING TO GO AROUND. YESTERDAY, A CHILD WAS SEEN UNDERNEATH A STOPPED TRAIN WITH A SKATEBOARD, AND THE TRAIN STARTED MOVING AS HE WAS STILL UNDER IT.
WE SHOULD NOT VIEW THIS AS NORMAL.
UNION PACIFIC WILL BE IN YOUR OFFICES WITH A ROSIE STORY ABOUT EFFICIENCY THAT DOESN'T MATCH THEIR FEDERAL APPLICATION.
THIS WEEK, THEY CALLED OUR BLOCK CROSSINGS A DEBATE, AS IF THE DATA IS NOT ON OUR SIDE. THE WORST BLOCKED CROSSINGS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE IN THE EASTERN AND 5TH WARD, AND EASTERN PACIFIC IS NOT PLANNING TO STUDY A SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
PLEASE KEEP PUSHING AND ASKING QUESTIONS, AND I HOPE YOU PLAN TO OPPOSE THIS MERGER AND FIGHT FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
>> ARNOLD.OU. RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4.
I'M HERE TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
TAXPAYERS ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY MORE WHILE WATCHING MONEY BEING SPENT ON OVERSIZED PARK SIGN, EXPENSIVE BUS WRAPS TO CREATE PRECINCT 4 PARTY BUSSES AND PROJECTS THAT DO LITTLE TO ADDRESS THE REAL PROBLEM FACING OUR COMMUNITIES.
ROADS REMAIN SEVERELY CONGESTED. DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES.
TRAFFIC WORSENS, AND RESIDENTS SIT IN GRIDLOCK EVERY DAY.
WE'VE SEEN NEW SIDEWALK BEING BUILT ON ROADS THAT NEED TO BE WIDENED. THE RESULT IS CLEAR: OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS FALLING BEHIND.
WHILE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES HAVE INVESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IMPROVES BOTH SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
THE ISSUE IS NOT A LACK OF REVENUE.
THE ISSUE IS A LACK OF DISCIPLINE.
FAMILIES IN THIS COUNTY ARE EXPECTED TO LIVE WITHIN THEIR BUDGETS. COUNTY GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO THE SAME. WE DON'T NEED HIGHER TAXES.
WE NEED ACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP THAT TREATS TAXPAYERS DOLLARS WITH THE SAME CAROLINA AND CARED RESPONSIBILITY THAT --
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
CANDIDATE FOR HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER.
EDMOND BURKE SAID "ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR EVIL TO TRIUMPH IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING." THE TAX INCREASE IS EVIL.
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SOCIALISM IS EVIL. PEOPLE BEING TAXED OUT OF THEIR HOME IS EVIL. I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS.THE BUDGET WAS 1.3 BILLION. I BOUGHT PROPERTY BASED ON THAT SOUND FISCAL LEADERSHIP. TODAY, WE FACE A $3.1 BILLION BUDGET AND AN HISTORIC TAX INCREASE.
ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE MAKING MORE THAN $300,000 PER YEAR, AND SOME COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE MAKING NEARLY $500,000.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND DRAINAGE. NOT FOR CHILDCARE AND SOFTBALL TOURNAMENTS. LET'S RETURN TO COMMON SENSE.
SLASH THIS BUDGET AND DO NOT RAISE TAXES ON THE HARD-WORKING
PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.
THANK YOU. >> ON ITEMS 476 AND 480.
I OPPOSE YOUR RIDICULOUS PROPOSED TAX INCREASE FOR ALL -- MANY TAXES AND EXPENSES. MY OWN COSTS HAVE GONE UP ACROSS THE YEAR. MY MEDICARE INSURANCE HAS GONE UP ALMOST 20% OF THE U.S. RATE OF INFLATION -- INFLATION IS ABOUT 3.5%, AND Y'ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT RAISING TAXES ABOUT TWICE THAT MUCH. AGAIN, YOU GOT PEOPLE ON PAYROLL OF $400,000 OR MORE. THAT'S HIGHER THAN THE U.S.
PRESIDENT. AND WE -- WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS FOR EMPLOYEE-ONLY MEDICAL COVERAGE PLANS? THE COUNTY GETS MORE REVENUE EACH YEAR FROM ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION.
WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE TAXES. THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS VINCE DUNCAN.
I'M IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS' PRECINCT.
PRECINCT 1. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN A TIME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE RAISING OUR PROPERTY TAXES TO A HISTORIC HIGH, AND, AT THE SAME TIME, GIVING CONSTABLES A 129% PAY INCREASE. WITH THE COST OF PROPERTY TAXES, HOA FEES, MORTGAGES AND INSURANCE, THIS ACTION WILL MAKE THE -- THIS ACTION WOULD MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.
I'M ENCOURAGING THE COURT TO LOWER PROPERTY TAXES BY 30%.
THIS WOULD INCENTIVIZE AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BUY HOMES HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. RIGHT NOW, I'M T I'M TOLD WE HAE
40,000 HOUSES THAT -- >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> HI. MY NAME MARION RIGHT, AND I'M URGING THE COUNTY NOT TO RAISE THE TAXES.
THIS ISN'T AN ABSTRACT POLICY. MY MOTHER WAS FORCED TO SELL A HOME LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASES.
HCAD RAISES THE TAXES 10% EVERY YEAR.
WE HAVE PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES THAT CANNOT DEAL WITH THIS.
THIS IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS. IT HAS TO STOP.
Y'ALL SHOULD NOT BE FIXING THE BUDGET DEFICIT WITH JUST RAISING TAXES, WITH REACHING IN PEOPLES' BACK POCKETS.
PEOPLE HAVE WORKED HARD FOR WHAT THEY OWN, AND THEY DON'T EVEN --
THEY CAN'T. >> EVEN OWN IT ANYMORE.THIS HAS.
LESLEY BRIONES -- I MEAN COMMISSIONER BRIONES, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO INCREASE
70 PEOPLE IN YOUR STAFF? >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
>> HELLO. I AM A STAY-AT-HOME MOM RAISING THE FUTURE GENERATION. I'M HERE URGING YOU TO ENACT A PAUSE ON NEW AND EXISTING HYPER SCALED DATA CENTERS, ULTIMATELY LEADING TO A BAN. BY MAKING IT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA, GIVING PUBLIC NOTICE WITH ADVERTISEMENT AND GIVING EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION IN ADVANCE.
THERE'S ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF DESTRUCTION IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. FROM OUR SHARED ENVIRONMENT AND ECOSYSTEMS TO OUR OWN PERSONAL HEALTH AND THAT OF OUR LOVED ONES. ONE CAN ARGUE IT IS THE REASON OUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE SUBJECT TO INCREASE SINCE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IS BEING PUTTING ON US. LASTLY, I URGE THIS COURT TO OPPOSE BILL HR 2289. IT IS PROBLEMATIC, BECAUSE IT
[00:15:10]
WILL -- PUBLIC CONTROL OVER WHERE WIRE HOUSE TOWERS ARE BEING PLACED. THANK YOU.>> MA'AM. THANK YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME
>> THANK YOU. >> ON ITEMS 476 AND 480...
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M ELISA DUTT, AND I'M A CONCERNED HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYER. AS COMMISSIONER RAMSAY HAS SAID.
WE DON'T HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM. WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM.
STOP REQUIRING TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR A SPENDING SPREE.
USYOU'RE ASKING FOR 12% MORE THN LAST YEAR.
THAT INCLUDES PAY EQUITY RAISES, NEW EMPLOYEES, 89 MILLION IN INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS, INCLUDING SOME PAYING NO MONTHLY HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS, AND ARPA FUNDS AND OTHER ONE-TIME FUNDS.
FUND HARRIS COUNTY'S CORE RESPONSIBILITIES FIRST.
AMONG OTHER THINGS. AND WE'LL SPEND -- I NOTICE WE'LL SPEND $17 MILLION TO EXPAND THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICE, AND MILLIONS MORE TO HELP OFFENDERS RE-ENTER SOCIETY.
HOWEVER, WHEN I LOOK AT THE BUDGET, I SEE VERY LITTLE IN TERMS OF THESE CRIME VICTIMS WHO HAVE NEVER -- WHO DIDN'T ASK TO
BE WHERE THEY ARE. >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> PLEASE STOP THE SPENDING.
>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION THIS MORNING. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ATTENTION THIS MORNING. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I DON'T KNOW YOU PERSONALLY, BUT I HAVE HEARD YOU SPEAK A FEW TIMES, AND YOU'VE ALWAYS INSPIRED ME. YOU'VE HAD INSPIRING WORDS TO SAY, BUT TODAY, I'M NOT INSPIRED.
I'M URGING YOU TO VOTE "NO" OR TO PLEASE TABLE THE VOTE UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND MAYBE SPEND THE WEEKEND SEEING WHERE YOU CAN SAVE MONEY AND NOT INCREASE THE BUDGET BY $327 MILLION.
AND CONSIDER IF YOU ACTUALLY NEED 70 NEW EMPLOYEES.
THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS...
I ALSO HAVE A MORAL CODE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
HELLO? I ALSO HAVE A MORAL CODE, JUSTIJUSTLIKE YOU DO, BUT MY COS NOT TO SPEND BEYOND MY MEANS.
WITH IN OUTRAGEOUS TAX INCREASE, THE COURT IS STEALING FROM TAXPAYERS. COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE DON'T TAX
US OUT OF OUR HOMES. >> THANK YOU.
CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?
>> MY NAME IS KEVIN DAVIES. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY THAT WE LIVE IN.
HOWEVER, I LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, HAVE OUR CONCERNS OF THE WAY THE MONIES ARE BEING SPENT. AS A RETIRED PERSON ON LIMITED INCOME, I DO WORRY ABOUT BEING ABLE TO HANDLE THIS 12% TAX INCREASE, AND I JUST WORRY THAT ME AND OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE TO FLY -- FLEE OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITIES TO GO ELSEWHERE, WHERE IT'S MORE AFFORDABLE IN THE FUTURE IF WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE TAXES, BECAUSE THAT IS A CONCERN.
I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE WORDS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID SO FAR REGARDING ALL THE CONCERNS ABOUT WHERE THE MONIES ARE BEING SPENT. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JALEN GARDNER.
I'M A HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT LIVING IN PRECINCT 2.
MY STATEMENT REFLECTS MY VIEWS ONLY.
WE KEEP HEARING THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS FACING AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS. WHY IS THE COUNTY ASKING TAXPAYERS TO PAY MORE WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY APPROVING SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN COMPENSATION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS? THE COURT'S OWN RECORDS SHOW THAT CONSTABLE SALARIES WERE ABOUT $333,000 IN 2024, MEANING THEIR COMPENSATION HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN JUST A FEW YEARS.
MEANWHILE, RESIDENTS ARE BEING ASKED TO ABSORB HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES WHILE DEALING WITH RISING HOUSING COST, SOARING INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND ABOVE-AVERAGE GROCERY COST AND UNPRECEDENTED
[00:20:01]
UTILITY BILLS. YOU CANNOT TELL NEW FAMILIES AND WORKING HOMEOWNERS LIKE MYSELF THAT WE HAVE AN AFFORDABILITY PROBLEM. THEN TURN AROUND ASKING US TO PAY MORE MONEY WITHOUT FIRST DEMONSTRATING IS THAT ACCOUNTING HAS EXHAUSTED EVERYTHING REASONABLE.>> THANK YOU U YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M MAXINE YOUNG WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE CRIME AND THE CRIME-RELATED ISSUES. THIS IS WHERE HEARTS AND MINDS COME TO PLAY. THESE ARE THE PROVEN PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO KEEP THE NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE AND PEOPLE WITHOUT OUT OF A CYCLE OF INCARCERATION.
RISE WORKS TO INTERPRET VIOLENCE AND CONNECT PEOPLE.
THESE MAY LOOK DIFFERENT ISSUES, BUT THE PRINCIPLES ARE THE SAME.
PREVENTION COSTS SOMETHING, BUT SO DOES WAY.
DOES WAITING.WHAT IS INVESTMENTN PREVENT GREATER HUMAN AND FINANCIAL COSTS TOMORROW? ALL COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM THE INVESTMENT. WE ALSO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM THAT HAS THE RESOURCES TO INTERVENE BEFORE
PEOPLE REACH POINT OF CRISIS. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> ON ITEMS 476 AND 480...
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. AND JUDGE.
CINDY SEGAL. I'M A CPA AND A HOMEOWNER HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND MY CLIENTS ARE YOUNG FAMILIES, PEOPLE GETTING READY TO RETIRE, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND THEY'RE ALL STRUGGLING.
THIS HISTORICAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE MEANS HOMEOWNERS WILL POTENTIALLY BE TAXED OUT OF THEIR HOMES.
FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE RENTING, THOSE PROPERTY TAXES ARE GONNA BE PASSED ON. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE MY CLIENTS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PASS THAT ON TO THE CONSUMER.
STOP PAYING WALLā STREETSALARIES TO COUNTY MANAGERS, AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU CAN STOP SENDING OUT THESE HIGH-GLOSSY BROCHURES, MAILERS, AND IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN SAVE DOLLARS BUT NOT SENDING IT TO MY HOUSE. DO THE RIGHT THING: MY FATHER WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, AND HE ALWAYS SAID, IT'S SOMETIMES HARD, BUT YOU SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING.
HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE STRUGGLING.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANKS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS CRAIG, WITH TOP. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COUNTY RESOURCES, WE HAVE TO ASK WHAT WE'RE INVESTING IN AND WHAT OUTCOMES WE EXPECT FROM THOSE INVESTMENTS.
OUR COMMUNITIES ARE ASKING FOR CONTINUED INCREASED SUPPORT FORR HART AND RISE. HART PROVIDES A RESPONSE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING CERTAIN HEALTH BEHAVIOR ISSUES.
EVICTION PREVENTION HELPS FAMILIES AVOID DISPLACEMENT BEFORE A HOUSING CRISIS BECOMES HOMELESSNESS.
THESE INVESTMENTS DON'T ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES. THEY STRENGTHEN THE SAFETY NET AROUND THEM. WE ARE ASKING THE COUNTY TO LOOK UPSTREAM, TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO SOLVE.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M JACQUELINE LUCCI SMITH, AND I'M THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY.
AS LEADERS, WE ARE CALLED UPON TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT REQUIRE STRONG COUNSEL, PREPARED TO OFFER REAL SOLUTIONS.
THAT COUNSEL WAS NOT HERE WHEN IT WAS NEEDED AND NOW IT'S THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AT THAT ARE PAYING THE PRICE.
TODAY, WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO SHOW HARRIS COUNTY THAT WE'RE LISTENING. THE EASY THING TO DO IS RAISE TAXES. THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS FIND ANOTHER PATH. PRESIDENT REGAN REMINDS US WHY THIS MATTERS. THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS, BUT THERE ARE SIMPLE ANSWERS. WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT WE KNOW IS MORALLY RIGHT. I CALL UPON THIS COURT TO DO WHAT IS HARD AND RIGHT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS ALREADY PUT A REAL ANSWER ON THE TABLE. LET'S SHOW HARRIS COUNTY THAT LEADERSHIP MEANS DOING WHAT'S HARD, NOT WHAT'S EASY.
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THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS. A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I'M IN THE COMMUNITY OF COTTAGE GROVE.
THE PURPOSE OF MY STATEMENT TODAY IS TO DEMAND FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY BY URGING YOU TO VOTE "NO" ON THE PROPERTY TAX HIKE. I KNOW BUDGET CHALLENGES ARE THE NORM. INSTEAD OF WRITING CHECKS WITH SOMEONE ELSE' MONEY. I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER ISSUING A BUDGET CHALLENGE INSTEAD. FOCUSING ON THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF THE COUNTY: PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS FORCES EVERY OFFICE TO LOOK INWARDLEY AND EXPLICITLY IDENTIFY WHAT THEY WILL STOP DOING AND WHAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DO TO ACHIEVE EFFICIENCIES.
YOU KNOW, AT HOME, ONE NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR BUDGET REALLY HARD, AND WHEN TIMES DEMAND IT, YOU TAKE ON ANOTHER JOB. YOU FIND SOME OTHER WAY TO GET SOME FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
YOU DON'T GO GET CABLE. YOU DON'T GET HBO AND YOU DON'T
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> SO FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY,
PLEASE. >> THANK YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> ROSE JONES.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LOOSE IN LUCINDA.
I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.
WE MUST THINK BEYOND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A CRISIS.
WHILE HARRIS COUNTY INVESTS HEAVILY IN PROGRAMS LIKE HART AND RIES. AND RISE, WE NEED TO KEEP ASKING, ARE WE INVESTING ENOUGH TO REDUCE THE COST WESS WE PAY N THE BACK END. INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, SUPPORT, DIVERSION AND PREVENTION ARE PUBLIC SAFETY, TOO. A SAFE COUNTY REQUIRES BOTH EMERGENCY RESPONSES AND PREVENTIBLE RESOURCES.
PLEASE ENSURE HART AND RISE HAVE FULL FUNDING.
RESPONSIBLE BUDGET ISN'T JUST ABOUT TODAY'S PRICE.
IT'S ABOUT WHAT IT COSTS US TOMORROW IF WE FAIL TO ACT TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> MAY I PLEASE ASK THE REPRESENTATIVES STAN KITSMAN? I KNOW HE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, AND I KNOW HE HAS ANOTHER COMMITMENT.
TIFFANY, MAY HE PLEASE GO NEXT? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> STAN KITS MAN ON ITEM 470, AS WELL AS OTHERS.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
I AM STAN KITS MAN. I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE COOKS MAN DRAINAGE DISTRICT. I WANT TO ASK YOU TO WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO LOOK AT OUR DRAINAGE AND FLOODING ISSUES.
WE ALL KNOW WHERE THE WATER ORIGINATES.
WE KNOW WHERE IT GOES. SOMETIMES WE FIND OUT HARSHLY WHERE IT SITS. BUT TO WORK TOGETHER REGIONALLY AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST, BOTH THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND THEIR FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM AND YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THE BURKESHIRE KATIE DRAINAGE MASTER DRAINING AN PLAN.
WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE TO PROTECT THE
CITIZENS OF THIS REGION. >> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE
>> REPRESENTATIVAL WALL COME, AND APOLOGIES FOR NOT CALLING ON YOU EARLIER. I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU WERE HERE.
WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS DAVID ESPINOZA.
FIRST, I WANT TO GIVE THANKS FOR HEARING OUR TESTIMONY LAST WEEK AND THE AMENDMENTS SHOW THAT YOU TOOK OUR COMMENTS INTO CONSIDERATION. I HOPE YOU OFFER THIS BUDGET BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE IN FACT THE MIND OF THE LIFE AND SAFETY OF OUR.
DISCERN OF COURSE THE QUESTION ON EVERYONE'S MIND IS HOW DO WE PAY FOR THIS? I DO AGREE WITH JUDGE HIDALGO'S STATEMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE WITH ITS SPENDING WHEN YOU VOTED TO APPROVE THE POLICE BUDGET.
IF YOU DON'T CONSIDER FREEZING THE RAISES AND MAKING -- INSTEAD OF MAKING DEEPER CUTS, THEN I THINK YOU'RE IN THE WRONG JOB.
SO WHEN HAD YOU VOTE TODAY, THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU CAN SAVE WITH THOSE SERVICES YOU ARE FUNDING, AND I KNOW THIS, BECAUSE IT WAS COUNTY HOSPITALS THAT SAVED MY LIFE AS A CHILD WHEN I HAD ASTHMA AND MY FAMILY COULD BARELY AFFORD THE TREATMENT. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT
[00:30:04]
>> MY NAME IS MARY LOU BELLOW, AND I AM A PRECINCT 4 CONSTITUENT. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO CONTINUE TO FUND FOR SOME CRITICAL PROGRAMS. WE -- I WAS 31 YEARS A CHAPLAIN AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICE, AND I SAW MORE KIDS WALKING ACROSS UNDERNEATH THE TUNNELS TO GO INTO JAIL. THERE'S A NEW PROGRAM, THOUGH.
IT'S WONDERFUL. IT'S THE OPPORTUNITIES CENTER, AND WHEN KIDS LEAVE THERE, THEY HAVE HOPE.
THEY HAVE A SKILL, AND THEY HAVE A TRADE.
IF WE GIVE UP ON THESE KIDS, WE'RE DOING THE BACK END.
THEY'RE GOING TO JAIL. THEY'RE GOING TO PRISON.
WE DON'T WANT THAT. SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE, PLEASE CONTINUE THOSE CRITICAL PROGRAMS.
>> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE TAXPAYERS ARE TIRED OF BEING TOLD TO PAY FOR DECISIONS THEY DID NOT MAKE.
YOU MADE THE DECISION TO APPROVE MASSIVE INCREASE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPENSATION, AND NOW WHEN THE BILL COMES DUE, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR TAXPAYERS TO ABSORB THE CONSEQUENCES.
COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL THIS COMMUNITY THE TRUTH. EVERY PROMISE YOU MAKE HAS A PRICE TAG. SO I HAVE A SIMPLE QUESTION: WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY? YOU CANNOT MAKE EXPENSIVE COMMITMENTS AND THEN ACT SURPRISED WHEN TAXPAYERS ARE HANDED THE BILL. FAMILIES ARE ALREADY MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS, CHOOSING BETWEEN GROCERIES, RENT, CHILDCARE, MORTGAGES AND KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON.
THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WONDER WHICH COUNTY SPENDING DECISION IS GOING TO SHOW UP ON NEXT ON THEIR TAX BILL.
IF PUT MADE THE DECISION, OWN THE DECISION.
IF YOU APPROVED THE SPENDING, EXPLAIN THE SPENDING, AND IF YOU WANT TAXPAYERS TO PAY MORE, YOU OWE THEM MORE THAN EXCUSES.
YOU OWE THEM TRANSPARENCY. COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS YOUR MONEY. IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND THEY DESERVE ACCOUNTABILITY.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> OKAY.
HI. I'M WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL, AND I WANT TO THANK THIS COURT FOR YOUR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT AND INVESTMENT IN THE DOMDOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND SINCE 2021.
A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY AT THE RIGHT MOMENT CAN CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF A FAMILY LEAVING VIOLENCE, DECREASE THE HOMICIDE RATE AND MAKE OUR COUNTY SAFER. IT MIGHT BE A BUS TICKET TO GET TO SAFE FAMILY, CHILDCARE WHILE A MOTHER ATTENDS COURT FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER, A HOTEL WHEN SHELTER IS FULL, OR CHANGING THE LOCKS WHEN ABUSE STARTS AGAIN. AND WE'RE NOT JUST HAND HANDING SOMEONE MONEY AND WALKING AWAY. SURVIVOR-DRIVEN ADVOCACY AND CONNECTIONS TO LONGER-TERM SUPPORT.
AS FAMILIES ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY, SURVIVORS FACE THOSE SAME PRESSURES, WHILE ALSO TRYING TO STAY SAFE IN THEIR VERY OWN HOMES. TODAY, MORE THAN 4400 SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFER BECAUSE OF THIS PROGRAM.
YOU BUILT THIS INFRASTRUCTURE. IT IS WORKING.
PLEASE PROTECT IT IN THIS BUDGET.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
AND THERE'S ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET THAT -- THAT'S NOT PASSED IN THIS BUDGET FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE SURVIVORS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. >> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?
SORRY? >> THERE'S A MILLION DOLLARS ASSIGNED TO THE CHILDREN WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> -- DID NOT MAKE IT.
THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT LAST TIME. SO THERE'S JUST A ISSUE WITH THIS PENCHANT FOR PICKING ON THE KIDS.
ALL THE KIDS' PROGRAMS ALL CUT OUT.
THANK YOU. I'M NOT JUST SAYING THAT.
WE'RE ALL FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNTIL IT COMES TIME TO --
>> EXACTLY, THAT 18-MONTH PROGRAM MADE ENORMOUS DIFFERENE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN ACROSS DIFFERENT AGENCIES.
ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL 18 MONTHS HELPING THESE CHILDREN OFFER RECOVER FROM TRAUMA, AND THAT'S NO LONGER IN THIS BUDGET. THAT'S CORRECT.
>> CAN YOU TELL US A STORY, ONE OF THE KIDS --
>> THESE WERE CHILDREN WHO WERE EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE NOT ONLY BY WITNESSING IT, BUT ALSO EXPERIENCING SEXUAL ABUSE AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. THESE WERE LIFE-SAVING SERVICES, INCLUDING FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, INCLUDING THERAPY, AND INCLUDING PLAY THERAPY AND TALK THERAPY. AND CHILDREN WERE REALLY ABLE TO THRIVE, AND IT WAS DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH MOTHERS GETTING SOME SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, SO THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THIS HEALING IN
[00:35:02]
A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE. THOSE FUNDS WILL BE GREATLYAND I MEAN, THIS WAS NOT A MISTAKE.
LAST TIME, I DID CLARIFY TO THE COURT, THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE DECIDING TO KILL. YOU'RE DECIDING NOT TO SUPPORT THESE KIDS. AND STILL THAT WAS THE VOTE, SO... ANYWAY, I HOPE THERE'LL BE A RECONSIDERATION OF THIS AND VARIOUS CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. LET'S SEE THE KIDS DON'T HAVE A UNION.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> THEY'RE NOT OUT THERE RAISING MONEY. SO THE TEACHERS AND THE MOTHERS AND THE FATHERS ARE OVER HERE PICKING ON THE KIDS.
THANK YOU. >> WE HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE A VOICE FOR THEM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, I'M GOING TO NEED EXTRA 15 SECONDS. IT'S FOR -- JUST FOR LORENZO, AND IF YOU CAN'T, THEN I WILL BE PRACTICING MY FIRST AMENDMENT, AND IF YOU HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND ARREST ME, GO FOR IT.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THIS IS NOT WORKING OUT, SIR.
WE REACHED OUT TO YOU A BUNCH OF TIMES, AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T REALLY RESPONDED BACK. BY NOT TAKING ANY ACTIONS, SIR, YOU ARE SAYING THAT WE HISPANICS AND IMMIGRANTS ARE GOOD TO MAKE YOUR COFFEE AND GOOD TO MAKE YOUR LUNCH AND BREAKFAST, CLEAN YOUR HOUSE, CLEAN YOUR TOILET, CUT YOUR GRASS.
BUT WHEN THE TIME STANDS FOR YOU TO STAND BESIDE US, HOLD YOUR PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, YOU CAN'T. SO MR. ELLIS, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU: SIR, ARE YOU GOING TO SHOW UP ON SEPTEMBER 22ND OR THE 29TH? FOR THE SECOND TIME, MR. ELLIS, WILL Y, ARE YOU GOING TO? MR. ELLIS, WILL YOU GOING TO
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
I'M JOSE LĆPEZ. REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 3,900 MEMBERS. WE SIMPLY WANT TO SAY "THANK YOU." THANK YOU.
A YEAR AGO, I STOOD BEFORE THIS COURT ASKING FOR PARITY WITH HPD. LET'S NOT FORGET WHERE WE WERE.
HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS FACING A MASS EXODUS OF EXPERIENCED DEPUTIES, PUTTING AT RISK OUR ABILITY TO KEEP THEM HERE PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES. YOU ACTED.
YOU INVESTED, AND IF WORKED. IT WORKED.
YOU HELPED TURN THE TIDE. DEPUTIES ARE STAYING, AND THEY TELL ME "I DON'T HAVE TO WORK EXTRA JOBS ANYMORE." THAT MEANS DINNER WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
A SON'S BASEBALL GAME. A DAUGHTER'S GYMNASTICS.
MOMENTS THEY CAN NEVER GET BACK. SO ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUED PARITY WITH HPD.
>> THANK YOU, SERGEANT . APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.
>> SERGEANT , JUST A REALLY QUICK NOTE, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE, AND I'LL ASK THE BUDGET DIRECTOR THIS, TOO.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT MISTAKEN ON THIS.
THE VOTE IS -- IS A STAIR STEP, CORRECT? SO THE BASE SALARY LAST YEAR WAS I WANT TO SAY IN THE 70S?
>> OKAY, SO FOR THIS COMING YEAR, WOULD BE...?
(. >> I DON'T HAVE IT OFF THE TOP
OF MY HEAD, BUT ABOUT 09. >> I GUESS WHAT YEAR DO WE HIT THE GOAL, AND HOW MUCH IS THE GOAL?
>> SO, THE VOTE THAT WAS TAKEN WAS TO MAINTAIN PARITY WITH HPD.
HPD HAS AGREED AT THE TIME TO A FAVE-YEAR CONTRACT, SO WE'RE IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THAT PAY PARITY.
IT'S A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT, SO I BELIEVE IT'LL GO THROUGH IN
2031. >> SO 2031 THEY WOULD MEET, I BELIEVE -- CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, HERE, 2031, THE BASE PAY
WILL BE $101,000? >> THAT SOUNDS RIGHT.
>> THAT SOUNDS ABOUT CORRECT. >> AND I KNOW WE VISITED BEFORE, AND I -- I'M NOT TRYING TO BE DISRESPECTFUL, PUT YOU BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL AT ALL HERE. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M ABOUT TO DO.
JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY SO THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN ASK ME: I KNOW I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE PAY INCREASES. I WANT YOU TO KNOW AND THE FOLKS YOU REPRESENT TO KNOW IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT DESERVES PAY INCREASES.
I'VE LONG ADVOCATED FOR THIS. 2022, WHEN I WAS UP FOR RE-ELECTION, YOU KNOW, I WAS TOTALLY BAFFLED.
I PROPOSED RAISES, AND THE -- I DON'T THINK YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH THIS, BUT SOME OF THE POLITICAL LEADERS BOYCOTTED THE POSSIBILITY OF THE RAISES. MY POINT IS -- AND I DON'T KNOW
[00:40:01]
IF THIS IS STILL AN OPTION: MY POINT IS LET'S GO TO THE VOTERS AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHEN IT COMES TO SUCH A LARGE AMOUNT. AND WHAT I THINK OF -- AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RIGHT -- IS IF WE WENT TO THE VOTERS, COULD WE GET THE 101,000-DOLLAR BASE PAY -- LIKE, IF WE HAD GONE, WOULD WE HAVE GOTTEN IT SOON ALREADY.IN WE WENT NEXT YEAR, WOULD WE GET IS SOONER THAN 2031? AND I GET THERE'S THIS PARITY IDEA, BUT I THINK THAT -- ANYWAY, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT? WHERE DO THE DEPUTIES STAND ON THAT? WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT THAT WITH ME?
WHAT'S KIND OF -- YEAH. >> WE'RE ALWAYS OPEN AND WILLING TO DISCUSS. WE DISCUSSED IT BRIEFLY LAST YEAR BEFORE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PARITY WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT DEFINITELY WE'RE ALWAYS OPEN TO TALK ABOUT IT. WHENEVER Y'ALL WANT TO DO IT,
WE'RE HAPPY TO DO IT. >> YEAH.
AND I THINK -- ANYWAY, WE SHOULD VISIT, BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE HAD VISITED ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND, AND MY POSITION IS SIMPLY IF WE HAD GONE TO THE VOTERS AND THAT HAD BEEN APPROVED, WE WOULD HAVE HAD THE MAX PAY -- NOT "WE." YOUR PEOPLE, WHO PUT THEIR LIVES AT RISK EVERY DAY, AND I RECOGNIZE WE'RE JUST A FEW DAYS FROM 9/11. -- WOULD HAVE THAT PAY AND WE WOULDN'T BE PUTTING STRAIN ON THE BUDGET BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TOLD US, LOOK, WE'RE WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS, AND IF WE'RE NOT, THEN WE COME BACK AND WE DECIDE, ARE WE GOING TO STRAIN IT, OR ARE WE NOT? SO -- ANYWAY, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE FOR ME OR JUST -- I DON'T WANT IT TO BE JUST SORT OF A ONE-WAY QUESTION SITUATION. I DON'T WANT TO BE UNFAIR.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. JUDGE, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AT THE TIME, BUT WE'LL DEFINITELY MEET AND TALK ABOUT IT.
>> MY NAME IS DON HUMMEL, AND I ADMINISTRATE TAX AND REINVESTMENT ZONES, OR TRZS. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY FY 27 BUDGET.
THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET IS CRITICAL FOR TRZ OPERATIONS.
TO HELP LEVERAGE MILLIONS OF TAX INCREMENT DOLLARS FOR ESSENTIAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, LIKE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CHIMNEY ROCK ROAD. LIKE THE SHARPSTOWN CENTER POINT TRAIL AND THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER HIGHWAY 90A.
LIKE THE HOGAN LORRAINE STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND THE HARRISBURG SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS. WITHOUT HARRIS COUNTY SUPPORT, MANY TOURIST PROJECTS WOULD NOT BE SUPPORT.
THE TRZS ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIP WITH HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> I REPRESENT COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. HOUSTON POTENTIAL IT UNDENIABLE, BUT PUSHING PASSED THE COUNTY CRISIS IS GOING TO TAKE MORE THAN JUST IDEAS. IT TAKES A REAL STRATEGY TO GET US OUT OF WHERE WE'RE AT. WE NEED LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BUILD MOBILITY AND LONG-TERM LEGACY IN OUR CITY. I SAY WE TURN TO THE VOTERS.
ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU.
ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.
SANDRA EDWARDS. GRACIE ISRAEL.
JAN GLASNER. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M JAN GLASNER FROM THE 4TH PRECINCT OF I'VE ADVOCATED FOR ENDING GUN VIOLENCE SINCE THE EOVALDI MASS SHOOTING. PLUS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR U.S. CHILDREN. HARRIS HEALTH HAS PILOTED THREE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE ACHIEVED REMARKABLE SUCCESS IN REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE. THE HART PROGRAM HAS RESPONDED TO OVER 3200 CALLS, REDIRECTING HUNDREDS FROM RETALIATION,
[00:45:03]
VIOLENCE, JAILS, AND HOSPITALS. THE RISE PROGRAM SENDS COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH SIMILAR LIFE EXPERIENCES TO INTERRUPT VIOLENCE AND DEFUSE TENSION. THEY HAVE FACILITATED A 44% REDUCTION IN FIREARM-RELATED HOMICIDES.THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND HAS HELPED 5,000 VICTIMS RECEIVE LIFE-SAVING ASSISTANCE. THESE PROGRAMS MAKE US SAFER.
PASS THE BUDGET. IT WILL SAVE LIVES.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> -- AND DOLLARS.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
GRACIE ISRAEL, ORGANIZER AT BAYOU CITY WATER KEEPER.
CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT 4. POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES NEEDS GREATER INVESTING FOR TESTING, INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT.
THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY OFFICE ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION NEEDS DEDICATED RESOURCES TO HOLD REPEAT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTERS RESPONSIBLE. WE ALSO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT HART AND RISE PROGRAMS. WE ASK YOU TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE AND NOT CRIMINALIZE OUR VULNERABILITIES.
MAJOR INDUSTRIAL POLLUTERS CONTINUE RECEIVING MILLIONS OF TAX ABATEMENTS. WORKING FAMILIES ARE PAYING WHILE THE INDUSTRY GETS A BREAK. COUNTY LEADERSHIP POINTS TO STATE REVENUE CAPS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SPENDING MINIMUMS TO JUSTIFY UNDERFUNDING ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS. BUT SOMEHOW WHEN IT COMES TO CORPORATE TAX BREAKS, THE MONEY
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. I AM HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN HART AND RISE.
WE CANNOT DEFUND PROGRAMS THAT WORK, AND WE KNOW THAT HART WORKS. AS AN ORGANIZER, I HAVE PERSONALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN CRISES WITH HART, ESPECIALLY TO HELP ADDRESS THOSE SITUATIONS BEFORE THEY ESCA ESCALATED. TOO OFTEN FAMILIES DEALING WITH ADDICTION, MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR OTHER CASES FAIL TO FIND A HELPING HAND. WE CANNOT PUT PROGRAMS LIKE HART, RISE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND EVICTION PROTECTION ON THE BACK SEAT. I URGE YOU TO PROTECT THE FUNDING FOR HART AND RISE. THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE TODAY, BECAUSE THEY CAN HELP LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS SANDRA EDWARDS. I'M A COMMUNITY LEADER.
I'M A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST, AND I'M FIGHTING FOR MY COMMUNITY TODAY. I WANT Y'ALL TO SAY "NO" TO THAT DAMN BUDGET. IT IS NOT RIGHT.
YOU'RE TAKING MONEY FROM PEOPLE THAT NEEDS IT.
YOU'RE TAKING FROM MEDICAID. YOU'RE TAKING FROM PEOPLE THAT HAS WORKED ALL THEIR LIFE ON DISABILITY.
LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR. I I SEE SICK PEOPLE ALL DAMN DAY LONG. HAVE GOTTEN THEIR BENEFITS STRIPPED FROM THEM. HAVE GOTTEN THEIR EVERYTHING STRIPPED FROM THEM. EVERYTHING IN HERE NOW IT'S WRONG. YOU CAN RIDE THAT BOAT ON DOWN THERE IF YOU WANT TO, BUT IT WRONG.
Y'ALL KILLING PEOPLE AND TAKING INNOCENT PEOPLES' LIVES, AND I
LIVE IN 5RD WARD. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
THE CLAPPING, BECAUSE THEN WE GET INTO THE HOOTING AND THE BOOING AND HOLLERING. LET'S JUST DO THE SNAPS.
>> YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO.
MY NAME IS ELSA PEARLA AND I AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO PASS THE BUDGET. THIS FUNDING WILL HELP PROTECT THE BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE TEEN HEALTH CLINIC.
IT WILL PROTECT PROJECT ASIT, WHICH PROVIDES FREE TUITION FOR HEALTH CARE CERTIFICATION. I AM HERE AS A STUDENT AND A PATIENT OF HEALTH CARE CLINICS AND BENEFITED FROM PROJECT ASIT.
BECAUSE OF THE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE, TUITION AND OTHER STIPENDS I RECEIVED FROM BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, TEEN HEALTH CLINIC AND ASIT, I WILL BEGIN WORKING AS A SCHOOL NURSE.
I WANT TO SAY THIS IS REALLY MEANINGFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO DOESN'T ACTUALLY HAVE THE SUPPORT.
[00:50:03]
SO I DO BELIEVE YOU SHOULD PASS THE BUDGET.THANK YOU FOR THOSE SUPPORT OF THESE LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMS.
MY NAME IS ANNIE ZACKMIRE. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT NEW ECONOMY FOR WORKING HOUSTON, AND OFTEN I COME TO COURT WITH DATA AND STATS FROM PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH, BUT TODAY I'M GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE VULNERABLE.
I GREW UP POOR. I FACED FOOD INSECURITY AND MANY OF THE OTHER TRAPPINGS OF POVERTY.
THEN I MADE IT BY THE GRACE OF GOD TO TEXAS AMU UNIVERSITY.
I WORKED FOR YEARS AT CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW BOTH INVESTMENT AND LACK OF INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES IMPACTS FAMILIES, AND I IMPLORE YOU ALL TODAY THAT, IF YOU CARE ABOUT CHILDREN FAMILIES, TAKE ACTION TO FULLY FUND THE BUDGET. AS A TAXPAYER WHO IS BY NO MEANS WEALTHY AND HOMEOWNER IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS' DISTRICT, I AM HAPPY TO PAY A LITTLE MORE TO SEE THE BIG IMPACT THAT WE HAVE.
WHILE THE HEADLINE OF HISTORIC TAX INCREASES MIGHT MAKE A SPLASH, THERE'LL BE A BIGGER SPLASH IF WE CONSTANTLY HAVE HEADLINES ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER IMPACTS OF THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS THAT CAN BE MITIGATED BY THIS INVESTMENT.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION, AND YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE ANSWERING, THAT'S FINE.
>> SURE. >> WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON, YES, THESE ARE IMPORTANT SERVICES WE NEED TO CONTINUE FUNDING, AND PART OF THE REASON WE CAN'T AFFORD THEM WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES IS THAT WE'VE BEEN SPENDING MONEY ON OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE KNEW WE DIDN'T HAVE FUNDING FOR, THAT THE BUDGET DIRECTOR SAID WE DIDN'T HAVE FUNDING M FOR AND WE ALSO HAVE OTHER INEFFICIENCIES IN THE COUNTY, LIKE FIVE DIFFERENT ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS. NINE DIFFERENT CALL CENTERS.
WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE, INCLUDING ALL OF THAT, IF YOU
I THINK THAT THERE ARE CERTAINLY WAYS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE COUNTY CAN THINK ABOUT EFFICIENCIES AND WHAT -- WHAT BUCKETS THEY GO INTO. I DO THINK A LOT OF THIS CRISIS HAS BEEN CREATED ACTUALLY IN THINGS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL WITH REGARDS TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
LIMITS ON OUR SPENDING AND WHAT I WOULD JUST CALL, YOU KNOW, KIND OF, LIKE, MEDDLING TO PREVENT LOCAL GOVERNANCE.
AND SO I THINK THOSE ARE REALLY THE THINGS WHERE I'M GOING TO FOCUS MY TIME, IS TO TRY TO CHANGE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF LITTLE LEVERS THAT WE CAN MOVE, BUT UNTIL THAT LEVER IS MOVED, WE WILL CONTINUE
TO HAVE THESE BUDGET SHORTAGES. >> YEAH.
>> THANK YOU. >> VERY WELL SAID.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JESUS AMORA, AND I LIVE IN PRINTING 4. DURING THIS BUDGET SEASON, YOU FACED CRUCIAL CHOICE B.C. PUBLIC FUNDS, FAMILIES DESERVE SAFETY WITHOUT GIVING UP THEIR PRIVACY OR LIVING UNDER MASS SURVEILLANCE. I ASK YOU TO STAND UP FOR OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES, VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORS, WHO FEAR APR IS BEING USED AS EYES FOR FUTURE DEPORTATIONS.
TAX DOLLARS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAMS. HARRIS COUNTY WOULD NOT BE ALONE. CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS TEXAS HAVE ALREADY CANCELED THEIR CONTRACTS TO PROTECT THEIR RESIDENTS. ALPRS CANNOT BE REGULATED.
THEY MUST BE REMOVED. PLEASE SHOW COURAGE, PROTECT OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND VOTE "NO" ON ALPRS.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, AND JUDGE.
MY NAME IS KELLY HEAP, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SUPPORT SERVICES AT FAMILY TIES FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES.
I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY, SAFETY, HOUSING STABILITY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION.
CONSIDER A TIME IN YOUR LIFE WHEN SOMETHING SEEMED PROMISING AND GOOD. WHETHER IT BE YOUR HEALTH, A CAREER, OR A CAREER. SUDDENLY IT TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORST. WHAT SUPPORT HELPED YOU TURN A DEVASTATING SITUATION INTO ONE OF HOPE AND A FUTURE? DID YOU CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ALL ALONE, OR DID SOMETHING OR SOMEONE PROVIDE HELP OR AN OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR THE BETTER? I'D LIKE TO SHARE FROM ONE OF OUR MANY SURVIVORS WHO APPRECIAPPRECIATES YOUR INVESTM" WE FLED WITH NOTHING." SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE WAS FRIGHTENED, OVERWHELMED AND ENSURE HOW THEY WOULD SURVIVE, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUND GAVE HER FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE.
>> THANK YOU. AND JUST OFF OF THE QUESTION
[00:55:01]
THAT I ASKED -- OKAY, ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, I KNOW THAT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND IS VERY CLEAR, AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE THAT FOCUS ON THE CHILDREN ASK SURVIVORS. ON THE BUDGET, AND WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS AT THE TOWN HALLS, BUT IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SPEAK TO THIS WHEN WE COME BACK TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET: ONE OF THE SORT OF QUESTIONS I'M TRYING TO ASK FOLKS IS, OKAY, THE CONVERSATION I JUST HAD WITH THE PREVIOUS CONSTITUENT.SO IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE RAISES THAT WE DIDN'T GO TO THE VOTERS FOR, RIGHT? THAT'S GOING TO COST ALMOST $300 MILLION ANNUALLY EVENTUALLY, RIGHT? AND THEN WE HAVE $15 MILLION THAT WE ASSIGNED TO REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAMS LAST TIME. THE -- WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ROOT CAUSES, MY CONCERN IS WE APPROVE THE BUDGET, AND ARE WE SORT OF REWARDING OR FAILING TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THE VOTES FOR THESE POLITICALLY-POPULAR EXPENSES THAT COME AT THE COST OF OTHER PROGRAMS? RIGHT? AND SO MY QUESTION IS, H LIKE, F YOU WERE IN MY SEAT, HOW DO YOU -- HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD ONCE MORE? OR DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD -- WHERE WE SHOULD SHIFT PRIORITIES SO THAT WE'RE HAVING TO RAISE THE TAXES PERHAPS NOT SO MUCH AND CONTINUE TO FUND CERTAIN PROGRAMS, BUT NOT SOME OF THE ONES THAT ARE INEFFICIENCIES, ET CETERA? I HOPE I'M MAKING SENSE, BUT IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT, I'D REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
I LIVE IN PRECINCT 2 AND I WORK AT PEOPLES' COUNCIL.
I'M DEEPLY FRUSTRATED BY THE KIND OF CONTINUING POINT TO STATE LAW WHEN THE ANTI-DEFUND LAWS WERE PASSED IN 2021.
EVERY SINGLE INCREASE SINCE THEN, WE'VE INDICATED TO COMMISSIONERS THAT THAT WAS MONEY THAT WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET, AND LIKE THE INCREASE LAST YEAR, WE MADE EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAR THAT THE COUNTY CANNOT AFFORD THESE CONTINUAL RAISES AND WE'RE STILL BEING TOLD THAT WE NEED TO RAISE TAXES NOW TO FUND THESE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS. THAT'S NOT TRUE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT'S NOT WHERE THE COMMISSIONERS' PRIORITIES ARE? DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT IS GETTING 1 MILLION.
THAT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE $60 MILLION INCREASE THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ALONE IS GETTING.
AND WE'RE DOING THE BOTH AND FUNDING -- FUNDING A FLOCK TECHNOLOGY THAT CONTINUALLY PUTS WOMEN AT DANGER.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
JUST A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT. THERE'S AN OVERFLOW ROOM ON THE 5TH FLOOR. AND SO IF YOU -- WE NEED ABOUT TEN TO 15 PEOPLE TO PLEASE HEAD TO THE 5TH FLOOR, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO AND YOU ALREADY SPOKE SO THAT WE CAN ALLOW OTHER SPEAKERS IN. ALL RIGHT.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE.
I'M AN EDUCATOR WITH YEARS OF SERVICE ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY, FORMERLY WITH HISD, HAVING TAUGHT AT RIVER OAKS ELEMENTARY IN PRECINCT 4. I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO HAVE SAFE ACCESSIBLE PATHS TO AND FROM SCHOOL. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS THAT PRECINCT 4 HAVE MADE, ADDING OVER 82 MILES OF SIDEWALKS AND PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH WEST HARRIS COUNTY. THAT HAS CREATED SAFER CONNECTIONS TO SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
THESE INVESTMENTS AREN'T SIMPLY ABOUT CONCRETE.
THEY'RE ABOUT CHILDREN BEING ABLE TO GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY, FAMILIES BEING ABLE TO WALK THROUGH THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND CREATING NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE TRULY CONNECTED AND ACCESSIBLE.
AS HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, I HOPE YOU CONTINUE PRIORITIZING AND INVESTING IN SAFE SIDEWALKS, CROSSWALKS, AND WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. PLEASE PASS THE BUDGET TO ENSURE
[01:00:02]
THAT WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES.>> THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR TEACHING AT MY ALMA MATER.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS DEANNA GIBSON, AND I'M A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS OWNER IN PRECINCT 4.
MY ORGANIZATION ICON HEALTH PROVIDES 24/7 HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT TO ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WHO'VE EXPERIENCED VARYING ASPECTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
I SEE FIRSTHAND WHY PROGRAMS LIKE HART MATTER WHEN SOMEONE WITH A INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IS IN CRISIS, A RESPONSE FROM A TRAINED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNNECESSARY INJURY, HOSPITALIZATION, INCARCERATION, AND IN SEVERE CASES, DEATH. BEHIND OTHER CALL TO HART IS A PERSON AND FAMILY THAT DESERVES A COMPASSIONATE AND APPROPRIATE RESPONSE. IF THIS BUDGET DOES NOT PASS, CRITICAL PROGRAMS LIKE HART CAN NO LONGER EXIST.
THE IMPACT GOES BEYOND FARTHER THAN A BUDGET LINE: IT CAN BE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS BLAKE JOHNSON. I'M A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AT ICON IN PRECINCT 4. WHERE I PROVIDE 24/7 SUPPORTIVE LIVING SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND COMPLEX BEHAVIORAL NEEDS. SOME INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE EXPERIENCE BEHAVIORS SUCH AS AWOL OR ELOPEMENT, AND DURING AN ESCALATION, THEY MAY LEAVE UNEXPECTEDLY AND ENTER THE COMMUNITY WHILE EMOTIONALLY DISREGULATED.
BECAUSE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ARE OFTEN ENVISION, THEY CAN BE INTERPRETED AS DISOBEDIENCE OR NONCOMPLIANCE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WITH RESPECT TOLY URGE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PASS THE BUDGET AND ENSURE THESE CRITICAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES CONTINUE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS ISAIAH JOHNSON. I'M A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AT ICON IN PRECINCT 4. I PROVIDE SUPPORT LIVING SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. BUT COMMUNITY LIVING REQUIRES COMMUNITY-BASED CRISIS RESOURCES.
WHEN ONE EXPERIENCES A BEHAVIORAL OR MENTAL HEALTH ESCALATION, 911 OR LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD NOT BE OUR OWN OPTION. CRISIS BEHAVIORS CAN BE MISUNDERSTOOD. HART GIVES PROVIDERS ANOTHER OPTION: TRAINED RESPONDERS WHO CAN HELP DE-ESCALATE APPROPRIATELY IN NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS BEFORE THEY BECOME EMERGENCIES. FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE, HART IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY NET.
I'D ESPECIALLY URGE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PASS THE BUDGET TO THESE CRITICAL SERVICES CONTINUE.
I'M A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER. I WORK AT ICON IN PRECINCT 4.
IN MY ROLE, I'VE SEEN HOW MISSED PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS AND DISRUPTIONS IN CARE CAN TURN A MANAGEABLE SITUATION INTO A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. BUT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE.
SOMETIMES A PERSON NEEDS A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHO CAN DE-ESCALATE, ASSESS THEIR NEEDS AND CONNECT THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE CARE BEFORE THAT CRISIS BECOMES A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ENCOUNTER. SUPPORTING HART MEANS SUPPORTING EARLY INTERVENTION, APPROPRIATE CARE AND BETTER OUTCOMES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO PASS THE BUDGET AND ENSURE THAT THESE CRITICAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES CONTINUE. THANK YOU.
>> TIANNA THOMAS. MARIA GLORIA MENDES.
JOSETTE DOWDLE. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS TIANNA THOMAS. I'M A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AT ICON IN PRECINCT 4. WHEN PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. IN THOSE MOMENTS, WE ALSO HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO PROTECT OUR CLIENT'S PRIVACY.
IT ALLOWS US TO COMMUNICATE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MATTER AND PROVIDE RESPONDERS WITH ONLY THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO SAFELY DE-ESCALATE WITHOUT DISCLOSING A
[01:05:05]
PERSON'S PRIVATE HISTORY OR IDENTITY.CRISIS BEHAVIORS CAN BE MISUNDERSTOOD.
I RESPECTFULLY URGE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT TO PASS THE BUDGET AND ENSURE THESE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES CONTINUE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE 2027 BUDGET, WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT NUMBERS ON A SPREADSHEET. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE.
OUR FAMILIES. OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
OUR SCHOOLS. OUR HOSPITALS, AND THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY. HARRIS COUNTY IS FACING A PROJECT BUDGET SHORTFALL OF MORE THAN 180 MILLION.
AT THE SAME TIME, OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ARE FACING FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY AS FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT EXPANDS ACROSS HOUSTON. I.C.E. ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN ISOLATION. WHEN PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO GO TO WORK, WHEN CHILDREN ARE AFRAID...
ARE AFRAID THEIR FAMILIES COULD BE SEPARATED, WHEN VICTIMS HESITATE TO REPORT CRIMES BECAUSE THEY FEAR IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY FEELS THE IMPACT.
THIS IS WHY I'M ASKING ON THE COUNTY TO INVEST IN PEOPLE, LEGAL ASSISTANCE... MENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING, STABILITY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MA'AM. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> MARIA GLORIA MENDES.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. BRIEFLY...
I SEE THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHANDLER RING IS HERE AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, BUT HE DID NOT SIGN UP, BUT MAYBE YOU COULD SPEAK AFTER THE GENTLEMAN IN RED? OKAY. GOOD MORNING.
GO AHEAD. >> I STAND BEFORE YOU AGAIN TO SAY IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO COME BEFORE YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND YOU GUYS STILL NOT VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS OR TAKE OUR OPINIONS INTO ACCOUNT IN THE SLIGHTEST.
WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR A BUDGET THAT TRULY PUTS PEOPLE FIRST.
INSTEAD, HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATION YEAR AFTER YEAR IS TIRING, FRUSTRATING, AND INCONSIDERATE.
WE'LL SEE FIRSTHAND HOW INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES CAN CREATE MEANINGFUL AND LASTING CHANGE.
THESE PROGRAMS ARE MORE THAN NUMBERS ON A BUDGET.
THEY REPRESENT OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORT AND HOPE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING NOT TO BECOME A PART OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTS.
HARDER THAN SOME CAN EVEN UNDERSTAND OR RELATE.
AS YOU MAKE YOUR DECISIONS, REMEMBER THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE NUMBERS. JUST AS YOU REMEMBER TO CONSIDER YOURSELF. VOTE FOR A BUDGET THAT RULES IN FAVOR OF PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS IMANI RANKINS.
JOSETTE ASKED ME HERE AS COUNTY 0832.
I URGE THE ADOPTION OF THE VOTER-APPROVED TAX RATES.
HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS KNOW IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT TO FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE AS THERE ARE INCREASED DEMANDS ON COSTS FOR CORE SERVICES, UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES AND DECREASED FEDERAL FUNDING. WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS AND TIRELESS WORK IN CRAFTING THESE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, AND WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTY MEMBERS, HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS AND HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS ACROSS.
>> IT IS REALLY QUITE IMPRESSIVE THAT, COMMISSIONERS, YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO CONVINCE THE PUBLIC THAT THIS BUDGET CAN ONLY BE A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO EXTREMES. AN HISTORIC TAX INCREASE MAINLY TO FUND DISCRETIONARY POLICE INCREASES OR THEY'LL LOSE OUT ON THE COMMUNITY AMENDMENTS, AND EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT WILL COME UNDER THREAT. IT'S ALSO REALLY DISHEARTENING TO HEAR SO MANY COMMUNITY ACTIVIADVOCATES AND ORGANIZERS O HOLD ON TO THE SMALL BITS AND CRUMBS THAT YOU'RE DANGLING IN FRONT OF US, BUT YOU CAN AT LEAST BE HONEST ABOUT SOME OF THE MATH AND WHY WE'RE ALL HERE. YOU ARE THE REASONS.
YOU CAN ALWAYS MANIFEST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THIN AIR FOR THESE RAISES. PLEASE TAKE SOME BOLD ACTION.
USE ALL THE TOOLS IN YOUR ARSENAL.
WHOEVER'S COMING IN YOUR SEAT AFTERWARDS WILL NOT DO THAT.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME NOR THE RECORD?
>> TIFFANY JEN. >> I THINK YOU KIND OF RESTATED MY QUESTION MORE ELEGANTLY, WHICH IS I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT
GETS TO, WHICH THERE'S -- >> JUDGE HIDALGO, DO YOU MIND IF
[01:10:06]
I GET BACK TO WORK? >> OH, YES, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS BRIAN KELLY.
PRECINCT 1. HELPING HARRIS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS HERE TODAY. THESE BITS AND CRUMBS REPRESENT PEOPLE GOING FROM 17.50 AN HOUR TO A LIVING WAGE, AND THAT MEANS A LOT TO THE HUNDREDS OF MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS IN THIS COUNTY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A LOT OF UPSET PEOPLE HERE TODAY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, THE INS AND OUTS OF THE BUDGET IS A LOT TO COMPREHEND, BUT, YOU KNOW, IF THIS BUDGET IS NOT ADOPTED, MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH ARE GONNA CONTINUE TO HAVE TO DONATE PLASMA AT THE END OF THEIR DELAYS DAYS AND DRIVE DELIVERY TRUCKS TO MAKE A LIVING.
AND THAT MATTERS A LOT TO MENTAL HEALTH CAREWORKERS THAT SERVE THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THIS SOCIETY.
I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR INVESTMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH AND RRISE AND MENTAL HEALTH CAREWORKERS.
SIR, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION, OR DO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE?
>> I DO HAVE TO GO TO WORK... >> OKAY.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CHANDLER RAIN.
I'M THE FIRST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND I'M A PROUD RESIDENT OF PRECINCTS 4, AND JUDGE HIDALGO, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS BRIEF OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS BODY P I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE WOMEN AND MEN THAT MAKE UP OUR INVESTIGATIVE BUREAU AT THE HARRIS COUNTY D.A.'S OFFICE.
WE DO NOT HAVE ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS FOR INVESTIGATORS.
THEY COME TO US FROM OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. PRECINCT 3.
PRECINCT 4. THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. MOST OF THEM ARE RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO COME AND WORK FOR US, SO THIS BODY'S SUPPORT IN GIVING THEM PARITY WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IS SO CRITICAL TO US BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR OPERATIONS AND THE MISSION THAT WE SERVE EVERY DAY.
EACH OF OUR INVESTIGATORS SERVES A UNIQUE PURPOSE.
THEY'RE NOT JUST NORMAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
THESE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE HOLDING THE H THE HANDS OF CHILDREN AS THEY'RE WALKING IN TO COURT TO FACE THE PEOPLE WHO
>> THESE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN HOLDING THE HANDS OF A MOTHER WALKING IN ABOUT TO LISTEN TO THE CLOSING ARGUMENTS FOR HER SON WHO WAS MURDERED. THEY BRING SUCH A UNIQUE LEVEL OF SKILL AND EXPERIENCE TO THE JOB, AND WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S SUPPORT AND THE INVESTMENT THAT YOU'VE MADE IN THEM.
THIS YEAR, WE LOST AN INVESTIGATOR.
MYRON DILLINGHAM, TRAGICALLY, IN A FATAL CAR CRASH.
MYRON REPRESENTED EVERYTHING THAT WE WANT TO REPRESENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND HIS LOSS IS A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT LIFE IS SHORT AND LIFE IS PRECIOUS, AND I BELIEVE, LIKE MYRON DID, THAT IT IS SPENT BEST IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS, AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR INVESTIGATORS BELIEVES IN THAT ETHOS AS WELL.
SO Y'ALL INVESTING IN THEM MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO US, AND I'M JUST
> THANK YOU. Select to skip to this part of the video">HERE TO SAY "THANK YOU." >> THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY "THANK YOU" FOR COMING DOWN, AND I APPRECIATE YOU. PLEASE CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY MY APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR EVERYTHING HE'S DONE. 1, HE'S HELPED US MOVE THE DOCKET, WHICH HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR JAIL POPULATION, WHICH HAS HELPED TO REDUCE COSTS.
BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE'S HELPED TO BRING STABILITY AND SOME MORALE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ORGANIZATION, AND IT'S NOTED.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE. >> NEXT IS JAN HESS.
CFAT AMID J A. LAURIA GALLAGHER.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS MARIAN. MARIAN HESS, AND MY NICKNAME IS JUAN. I'M THE UNKNOWN CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE, SO I'M HERE TODAY.
I WANT TO ASK THESE COMMISSIONERS: DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GIVE $305,000 BASE SALARY TO THESE POSITIONS? CONSTABLE.
THEY DON'T EVEN NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE OR PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE.
BUT YOU WANT TAXPAYERS TO BE DONORS TO THEIR INFLATED SALARIES. HOUSING IS A BASIC NEED.
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT. EVEN THE KIDS KNOW THAT.
YOU KNOW THAT, BECAUSE YOU'RE ALL HIGHLY-EDUCATED.
I GUESS THAT'S IT. YOU JUST DON'T CARE.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS OWEN BROSNAN, AND I'M
[01:15:03]
A LOCAL RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN MY NEIGHBORHOODS, PARTICULARLY WITH THE SIDEWALK ALONG WEST GREEN AND MASON.GIVING US A SAFER WAY TO WALK TO SCHOOL AND TO CHURCH.
SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT. IT MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE.
AND I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I APPRECIATE IT AND I APPROVE THIS BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. TODAY, I'M HERE TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING A BUDGET THAT ADEQUATELY FUNDS THE SERVICES HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITIES RELY ON.
THE PROPOSED TAX RATE CAN HELP ENSURE THE COUNTY HAS THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
THIS INCLUDES IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN SAFETY, APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES, EVICTION PREVENTION, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES.
IN PARTICULAR, THE WORKSITE SAFETY PROGRAM NEEDS ADEQUATE RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING TO HELP ENSURE SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS ON COUNTY-FUNDED PROJECTS.
AS YOU CONSIDER THE BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE TODAY.
I ASK THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES NEED THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE SERVING HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITIES EFFECTIVELY.
THANK YOU. I'M WORKING WITH NEW HOUSTON.
>> I'M DR. NANCY ZARS. I'M A HOSTAGE NEGOTIATOR.
WITH THE FBI'S COUNTER VIOLENCE EXTREMISM UNIT.
I'M A NATIONAL SPEAKER ON VIOLENCE AND NEGOTIATION, AND I GIVE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA INTERVIEWS.
I AM DEDICATED TO EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, SAFETY AND RESILIENCE, WHILE REDUCING AND MANAGING RISK.
HARRIS COUNTY CREATED COMMUNITY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS WHICH DO JUST THAT. THE HART PROGRAM DISPATCHES TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH RESPONDERS TO NON-VIOLENT EMERGENCIES.
THE RISE PROGRAM SENDS CREDIBLE MESSENGERS TO REDUCE TENSION AND RETALIATORY VIOLENCE. THESE PROGRAMS REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE, HOSPITALIZATION,EN, INCARCERATION, AND DEATH.
THEREFORE DECREASING HEFTY EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL COSTS.
SUPPORTING THIS BUDGET SUPPORTS HARRIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS LAURA GALLAGHER, PRECINCT 1.
IT'S NOT OKAY TO GIVE YOUR COLLEAGUES EXTREME RAISES WHILE THE KINDER INSTITUTE SAYS 50 50F YOUR RESIDENTS ARE FOOD INSECURE. HART WOULD HAVE SAVED MY BROTHER'S LIFE. HE WAS NOT A CRIMINAL.
BUT WITH NO HELP AVAILABLE, HE TOOK HIS LIFE, LEAVING THREE YOUNG CHILDREN. MY GRANDSON HAS ASTHMA, AND HE NEEDS MORE POLLUTION CONTROL, NOT LESS.
IN MY 40-YEAR CPA CAREER, PROBATE COURT WAS AN ESSENTIAL ALLY FOR MY DISABLED CLIENTS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE ONLY POSSIBLE AT THE SCALE OF GOVERNMENT. NOBODY IN PUBLIC SERVICE NEEDS $300,000 A YEAR WHILE GOVERNMENT IS NOT FULLY DELIVERING FUNDS AND PROGRAMS THAT -- WHILE GOVERNMENT IS NOT FULLY FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT KEEP PEOPLE IN THE LEGITIMATE ECONOMY SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEND 60% OF OUR TAXES POLICING, JAILING AND
PROSECUTING THEM. >> THANK YOU.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.
MY NAME IS JAVON TONE, AND I AM A PRECINCT 1 RESIDENT, AND I ALSO SERVE AS THE HBC ORGANIZER FOR THE TEXAS FREEDOM NETWORK.
ALSO KNOWN AS TEXAS RISING, AND I'M YEAR TO TALK ABOUT THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR 2027, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE MAGNIFICENT WORK THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE ENTIRE COUNTY, FROM PRECINCT 1 ALL THE WAY TO PRECINCT 4, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, I REALLY FEEL AS THOUGH ALL THESE PROGRAMS THAT Y'ALL HAVE CREATED FROM A WHILE BACK AGO, THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE THESE PROGRAMS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE HELPED OVER HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF RESIDENTS, RIGHT? AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE, AND I KNOW THAT IT'S GONNA BE A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING THROUGH SOME BARRIERS WITH THIS NEW BUDGET, AND THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOU COME DOWN TO MAKE THIS DECISION ON THIS BUDGET, JUST PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO US RIGHT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS A PERSON SPEAKING
[01:20:07]
VIRTUALLY. YOU WIYOU HAVE WIN MINUTE.>> THANK YOU. I'M REVEREND JOCELYN GRIFFIN.
>> DO YOU NEED -- GO AHEAD, MA'AM, APOLOGIES.
>> I'M THE DIRECTOR OF JUSTICE FOR EVERLEY MOVEMENT.
I'M HERE AS THE MOTHER OF A CUSTODY DEATH IN YOUR JAIL AND A CONCERNED CITIZEN. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR VETERANS, RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS FOR OUR CITIZENS WHO ARE RETURNING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES, AND DEFINITELY EVERY JAIL BUDGET TO HIRE MORE STAFF AND PROGRAMS THERE FOR SAFETY TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THEREFORE, THE MENTAL HEALTH HART PROGRAMS, DB ASSISTANCE.
POLLUTION CONTROL, EVICTION AID AND MANY MORE.
IT WILL BE SEVERELY IMPACTED BY THIS BUDGET, AS WELL AS LIMITED.
PLEASE CONSIDER PASSING THE BUDGET TO KEEP HARRIS COUNTY SAFE. THANKS TO JUDGE AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
>> NEXT IS STEPHANIE VALDEZ. DEVANTE POPE.
MICHAEL GALLAWAY. CHRISTOPHER RIVERA.
TAYLOR VALLEY PRESLEY. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND COURT.
MY NAME IS STEPH. JUDGE HID HIDALGO, I'VE LISTEN COMING TO THIS COURT SINCE 2022. MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE TAKEN SERIOUSLY THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITY THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN OVERLOOKED. THIS IS YOUR FINAL YEAR ON THE COURT, AND THAT I BELIEVE THIS BUDGET IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT SOME OF THAT LEGACY. AND YOU ARE RIGHT.
POLICE FUNDING IS A MAJOR DRIVER OF THIS CRISIS, AND I CALL ON PRECINCT 4, 3, AND 2 TO MAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE CHOICES THAT YOU HAVE ALL MADE THAT HAVE BROUGHT US HERE, BUT I CALL ON THE COURT TO STOP THE LOOTING OF OUR COUNTY RESOURCES AT THE EXPENSE OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES. YOU HAVE SPENT YEARS HELPING LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR A BETTER HARRIS COUNTY, AND AS YOU FINISH YOUR FINAL YEAR, I HOPE THIS COURT PROTECTS THOSE INVESTMENTS AND GIVES THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE BUILDING ON THEM. THE FIGHT FOR A BETTER HARRIS COUNTY WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS, BUT THE CHOICES YOU MAKE IN THIS BUDGET WILL HELP DETERMINE WHAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH.
I ASK YOU TO VOTE "YES." AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING
>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COURT. MY NAME IS TAYLOR VALLEY PRESLEY, AND I'M AN ADVOCATE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND BEING PROACTIVE WITH RESIDENTS BYPASSING THE AMENDMENTS LAST WEEK THAT MADE POSITIVE IMPACTS TO OUR PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSING, POLLUTION CONTROL AND OVERALL WELL-BEING.
WHILE PUBLIC SAFETY IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR MOST, IT IS OFTEN FORGOTTEN AND OVERLOOKED THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AND GENERAL WELL-BEING HAS MORE TO DO WITH JUST POLICE, BUT HEAVILY WITH OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE THAT INCLUDES ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE, UPWARD ECONOMIC MOBILITY, ACCESS TO QUALITY HOUSING, AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC RESOURCES SUCH AS PARKS AND LIBRARIES. THIS PROPOSED BUDGET WITH THE AMENDMENTS TO HART, RISE AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES, JUST TO NAME A FEW, REFLECTS THAT, AND THE COUNTY WOULD BE TAKING A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BYPASSING THIS BUDGET WITH THESE AMENDMENTS. FOR THESE REASONS, I ASK THAT THIS BUDGET IS APPROVED SO THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN CONTINUE TO RELY ON AND TRUST ITS LEADERS FOR A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE THAN.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DEVANTE HO POPE, ANDM AN ARMY VETERAN AND RESIDENT. WHEN THE BUDGET GETS TIED, OUR PUBLIC YOUTH PROGRAMS, LIBRARIES, PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ARE ALWAYS THE FIRST THINGS THREATENED.
PASSING THE BUDGET ALLOWS GREED AND PASSING THE COST TO THE CONSUMER. THAT'S PEOPLE WITH MONEY AND INFLUENCE CHOOSING THE SERVICE, WHILE EVERYBODY ELSE INHERITS THE BILL, AND PROPERTY TAX INCREASES EVENTUALLY REACH THEIR RENT. IF THE BUDGET IS TRULY FOR PEOPLE, THEN THE PEOPLE STRUGGLING THE MOST SHOULD NOT BE ASKED TO PAY MORE SO THOSE WITH THE MOST INFLUENCE CAN RECEIVE MORE. PUT OUR TAX DOLLARS WHERE THE NEED IS AND NOT WHERE THE MONEY ALREADY IS.
>> AS A SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE THAT I SERVE EACH AND EVERY DAY AND AS A MENTOR, THE NUMBER 1 THING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO FOR THOSE THAT YOU SERVE IS TEND TO THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
AND Y'ALL HAVE FAILED TO DO THAT.
THERE'S PEOPLE OUT HERE. THERE'S KIDS THAT I DEAL WITH EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT ARE STRUGGLING.
[01:25:01]
FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING. AND WE'RE HERE AGAIN.I CAN REMEMBER LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY, LAST YEAR THIS SAME TIME, PLEADING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO PLEASE RECONSIDER THE WAYS AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING OUR MONEY AND SPENDING MONEY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE FOR PAY P PARITIES O LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE BEST THING THAT I CAN SAY, BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA MAKE YOUR DECISIONS.
THESE ARE PREMADE DECISIONS THAT YOU VOTED ON.
I CAN IN THE WAIT UNTIL NOVEMBEE CHANGE THAT'S GOING TO COME TO THIS COUNTY AND TO TEXAS SO THAT WAY WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
>> SIR, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> THE MICHAEL GALLAWAY. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. >> YEAH, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
EI WORK WITH THE TEXAS RIGHTS PROJECT, AND I'M HERE TO KIND OF ECHO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INCREASES TO THEM, BUT WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN INCREASES TO ACTUAL WORKERS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THAT'S WHY HIGH I'M HERE TO SUPT THE $20 MINIMUM WAGE PROGRAM, THE HART PROGRAM, THE RISE PROGRAM.
AND I AGREE WITH YOU, JUDGE HID HIDDOLOGY OWE, THAT WE SHOULD PUT THESE THINGS ON THE BALLOT. WE SHOULD CANCEL THE FLOCK CONTRACT. WE SHOULD ALSO JUST REALLY LET THE PEOPLE CHOOSE WHERE THIS MONEY GOES, SO IF THE FUTURE, PLEASE AND YOUR RIGHT TO PUT THESE ITEMS ON THE BALLOT AND LET THE PEOPLE CHOOSE WHERE THEY WANT THE MONEY DIRECTED.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JUAN RUBIO.
I'M THE POLICY COORDINATOR AT WORKERS EVENTS PROJECT.
I'M HERE TODAY TO REPRESENT THE VOICES OF OUR MEMBERS, HISPANIC IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND ON THEIR BEHALF, I URGE YOU CALL TO CONTINUE FUNDING PUBLIC SERVICES.
THIS POLICY IS CREATED TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS IN ONE OF THE NOR THE MOST DEMANDID DANGEROUS INDUSTRIES IN TEXAS.
I'VE PERSONALLY SPOKEN WITH MEMBERS -- DIALYSIS BECAUSE OF HEAT ILLNESS BY DENIED BEING GRANTED REST BREAKS YEARS AGO. THE COUNTY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS RESIDENTS.
I ALSO WANT TO RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT ANOTHER COUNTY SPENDING PRIORITY, THE COUNTY'S FLOCK CONTRACT.
OUR MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES MANY MIXED STATUS FAMILIES WHO ALREADY LIVE WITH THE THREAT OF SEPARATION.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LEO LEE ANYONE OWE, D I'M CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PRESIDENT OFAN ORGANIZATION.
WE WANT TO SAY "THANK YOU" FOR THE PUBLIC RAISE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. IT MEANS A LOT TO US.
WE HAVE MEMBERS NOW THAT CAN TAKE VACATIONS, BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, CRITICAL TIMES IN THEIR NEEDS AND OUR NEEDS AS WELL. SO WE THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US. I KNOW THAT THIS BUDGET IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT, BUT PUBLIC SAFETY IS PUBLIC AND IT'S PARAMOUNT FOR US.
I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT, FOR US, OUR BOARD, WE'RE GOING AROUND TO EVERY SINGLE CONSTABLE JUST TO SIT DOWN, TALK WITH THEM, TELL 'EM, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP YOU? WHAT CAN WE DO FOR OUR OFFICERS,
FOR OUR DEPUTIES. >> THANK YOU.
>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LEE, THANK YOU FOR COME DOWN.
THANK YOU SUPPORT SPEAKING. APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR EVOLUTION.
PROUD OF YOU, MAN. I WOULD ASK YOU THAT, AS YOU SIT DOWN WITH THE CONSTABLES, ONE AREA THAT I HAVE BEEN IN PURSUIT OF FOR QUITE SOME TIME IS SOME AREA OF -- OPPORTUNITIES OF CONSOLIDATION. CONSOLIDATION OF PROPERTY ROOMS AND CONSOLIDATION OF DISPATCH OPERATIONS.
THAT WOULD HELP US SAVE SOME MONEY.
SO, IF YOU COULD HELP ME ADVOCATE FOR THAT, I'D
[01:30:02]
AND IF I CAN GET YOUR INFORMATION AGAIN, BECAUSE I LOST IT WHEN YOU LEFT. SO I'LL GET THAT TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BUDDY. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JACQUES BALLARD.
I'M A GREATER HOUSTON AREA FIELD REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COMBINED LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS OF TEXAS.
WE REPRESENT OVER 28,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMBERS IN TEXAS, MAKING US THE LARGEST POLICE OFFICERS' UNION IN THE STATE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR RAISES FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BODY IN HARRIS COUNTY: WHILE PAY RAISES ARE APPRECIATED AND LONG OVERDUE, IT'S UNFAIR THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BEING MADE THE SCAPEGOAT FOR THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES.
THE RAISES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MULTIPLE BUREAUCRACIES AND HIGH-PAYING POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED WITHIN THE PAST DECADE. THE COUNTY BUDGET IS A MATTER OF PRIORITIES. PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD BE AMONGST THE HIGHEST. MORE MUST BE DONE TO CREATE A NEW ASPECT OF PARITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF HPD.
ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD ENJOY CIVIL SERVICE PROCESS AND PROTECTION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> SIR, JUST BRIEFLY ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BEING MADE A SCAPEGOAT, CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT, AND IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE WAY I'M FRAMING IT AS WELL?
>> WELL, I MEAN, I'VE HEARD EVEN TODAY WITH THE TESTIMONY OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE'RE HEARING ABOUT THE RAISES BEING THE DRIVER FOR THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, AND I THINK THAT'S UNFAIR TO THE BODY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A WHOLE.
THAT SHOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE OTHER ISSUES ARE HANDLED IN THE COUNTY, LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID. IT'S A MATTER OF PRIORITIES.
WE SHOULD -- PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD ALWAYS BE NUMBER 1, OR IF NOT NUMBER 1, NUMBER 2.
>> RIGHT. AND I THINK THAT'S A FAIR POINT, AND I APPRECIATE THE PERSON THAT POINTED TO NOVEMBER.
I MEAN, THE ISSUE IS NOT WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT NEED TO BE PAID BETTER. WE ALL KNEW THAT.
>> YES. >> THE ISSUE IS WITH THE DECISION TO COMMIT -- TO ME, TO COMMIT FUNDS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE. IF YOU'RE GONNA -- IF YOU'RE GONNA MAKE SUCH A LARGE BUDGET ITEM, MY PERSPECTIVE IS, YES, IT'S A PRIORITY. SO, THEN, WHAT ARE ARE YOU GOING TO CUT? OR ARE YOU GOING TO GO ASK THE VOTERS FOR MORE DOLLARS? AND SO THAT'S HOW I SEE IT.
AND PERHAPS YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION ON HOW YOU CAN FRAME IT DIFFERENTLY, SAY IT DIFFERENTLY? SO THAT'S WHAT -- I'D RATHER THE OFFICERS GET THE FULL RAISE SOONER THAN LATER. SO, ANYWAY, WHAT -- WHAT DO YOU THINK AND HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST THAT I TALK ABOUT IT?
>> WELL, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF TALKING ABOUT IT.
IT'S A MATTER, AGAIN, OF MAKING PRIORITIES.
HOWEVER THE BUDGET PROCESSES ARE, THAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST ONES THAT ARE MADE AND SOLIDIFIED BEFORE MOVING TON AEO OTHER ITEMS. WE SHOULDN'T BE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE AGENDA. WE SHOULD BE AT THE TOP.
THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. >> YEAH, AND IT'S NOT ON YOU TO MAKE THE BUDGET, RIGHT? THAT'S OUR JOB.
IT'S NOT ON YOU TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BALANCE IT.
AND SO I THINK -- I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING IS -- I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING IS, YES, SAFETY IS A PRIORITY, AND THE OFFICERS NEED TO BE BETTER PAID, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT THE -- THE OFFICERS' LEADERSHIP, NOR THE OFFICERS, THAT DECIDED HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND, YOU KNOW, EARLIER WHEN I WAS HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE SERGEANT, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M PUTTING WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH, SIR, WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE HAD A DISCUSSION BEFORE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK IF I PROPOSE GOING TO THE VOTERS? THAT WAS LAST YEAR. SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S MY -- THAT'S MY ISSUE WITH IT. IS, LIKE, PART OF -- REALLY, OUR JOB -- AND YOU SAID PRIORITY NUMBER 1, PRIORITY NUMBER 2.
OUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY BESIDES FUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, AND IF WE MAKE EXPENSES WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE REVENUE'S GOING TO COME, WE'RE -- WE'RE FORCING A BALANCE OF THE BUDGET WITHOUT EVEN TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE'RE CUTTING. ANYWAY...
DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT? YOU'RE JUST HELPING ME THINK ABOUT HOW TO BE CLEAR WITH THIS, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE SCAPEGOAT.
THAT'S NOT MY INTENTION. >> WE APPRECIATE THAT.
ONE OF THE ISSUES, I THINK, THAT HAS COME OUT OF IT -- JUST FOR FOLKS IN THE PUBLIC -- IS OVER THE MONTHS, WE'VE REALIZED THAT
[01:35:03]
THE PAY INCREASES ACTUALLY COST MORE THAN INITIALLY BUDGETED, BECAUSE IT WASN'T CAREFULLY THOUGHT-THROUGH, SO THERE'S BEEN MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHERE WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, PLEASE ADD $1 MILLION TO CHILD VICTIMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, TO CHILD VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE ARE, LIKE, OH, WE DIDN'T ACTUALLY REALIZE THAT THE RAISES CAUSE 5, 12, HOW EVER MANY MORE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. SO THAT'S MY ISSUE.>> I'M CHRISTOPHER JENKINS: I'M A NATIVE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT. I'M GOING TO EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN COMMISSIONERS COURT.
ALL THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE, ALL WE HAVE IS CUTS AND NO ACTIONS AND STUFF SUPPORTING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT BUILD THE COMMUNITY. WHERE IS THE VALUE AND EQUITY IN INTHAT? WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON SOLUTIONS TO STABILITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
WE NEED MORE SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION'S OFFICE, PUBLIC HEALTH, THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, HUMAN RESOURCES, ALONG WITH THE HART PROGRAM, INCLUDING RISE.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US.
NO REMEDY. STAND UP FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
I HAVE NOT HAD REPRESENTATION IN MY COMMUNITY FROM CONGRESS AND MY DISTRICT SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHEN.
SO THAT HAS MY BACK IN ADDRESSING THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR NOT TREATING OUR COUNTY AS IT SHOULD?
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ERICA, AND I'M A STUDENT. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 480 AND THE PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET. I'VE HELPED BUILD A POCKET PARADE, WHICH IS A IS A "A" ASSIST GREEN COMMUNITY SPACE WHERE FAMILIES CAN COME TOGETHER AND ENJOY NAME I WORK ALONGSIDE OTHER YOUTH PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PLANT HUNDREDS OF NATIVE PLANTS. THAT EXPERIENCE SHOWED ME WHAT A COMMUNITY WITH REAL SUPPORT -- A COMMUNITY WHO RECEIVES REAL SUPPORTS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN IT.
BUT ONE PROJECT CANNOT MEET EVERY NEED.
OUR FAMILY STILL DEPENDS ON SAFE SIDEWALKS, LIBRARIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, HEALTH SERVICES, AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT VETERANS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
MORE THAN $150 MILLION IN PROGRAMS COULD BE AT RISK IF THIS BUDGET DOES NOT PASS. TO SOME PEOPLE, A BUDGET MAY JUST LOOK LIKE NUMBERS, BUT TO US IT MAY LOOK LIKE --
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS DANG WYNN.
FFELIX KAPUR. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ELAINE MORALLESS ELA PRECINCT 2 RESIDENT. I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF A BUDGET THAT SUSTAINS PUBLIC HEALTH, HEALTH CARE, ACCESS TO FOOD AND NUTRITION BENEFITS, AS FAMILIES FACE GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS AND RISING GROCERY COSTS.
A BUDGET THAT PROTECTS TRAINING PROGRAMS AS MORE ADULTS FACE NEW WORK REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN SNAP AND NEED OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
A BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN EVICTION DIVERSION TO ADDRESS THE MORE THAN 70,000 EVICTION FILES WE HAVE IN A YEAR, AND A LONG-OVERDUE HOUSING TRUST FUND THAT CAN SUPPORT HOME REPAIR AND MODERNIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE NEED ELECTED OFFICIALS TO INVEST IN WHAT HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS NEED TO STAY HEALTHY, HOUSED AND RESILIENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS DANG WIN.
I'M THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN PEACE ASSOCIATION. FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR PASSING THE BUDGET LAST YEAR.
IT HAD BUILT GOOD MORALE IN ALL OF OUR MEMBERS IN HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT ALSO HELPED RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT AS WELL. SO I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK IF YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AND PASS THE BUDGET FOR THIS CYCLE YEAR. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.
[01:40:02]
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF COMBINED LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS OF TEXAS. FIRST OF ALL, ON BEHALF OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING US IN THIS PAY PARITY.I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PAY PARITY CAME AT A COST, AND BUT A COST THAT HAD TO BE DONE. I BELIEVE THAT BY SAVING REON RECRUITING AND TRAINING, THERE WOULD BE A SAVINGS FOR THE COUNTY ITSELF. FOR THE PAST FIVE, SIX, EIGHT YEARS, THE COUNTY WAS BEING USED AS A TRAINING VENUE FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS. AS SOON AS PEOPLE FINISHED THE ACADEMY, THEY WERE RECRUITED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS, AND IT WAS A COST FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY ITSELF. AND BY SAVING THAT AND THE RETENTION OF THESE EXPERIENCED DEPUTIES, IT'S A BENEFIT FOR THE COUNTY ITSELF, AND I BELIEVE BY DOING THIS, IT'S A LONG-TERM
COST SAVING FOR THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> MARTY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
YOU SAID IT WELL. APPRECIATE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
MY I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASIANS AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT CONTINUING THE DOM DOMESTIC VIOE ASSISTANCE FUND. ADA RECEIVED THIS FUNDING FOR THREE YEARS, AND THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT IT ALLOWED US TO PROVIDE SURVIVORS WAS UNPRECEDENTED. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT AWARDED FUNDING THIS APRIL, AND WE HAVE BEEN -- WE HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THE HIGHLY-UNDERSERVED SURVIVORS WE SERVE. THE FUNDING ENDED, BUT THEIR NEEDS DID NOT, AND I KNOW THE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE EVEN GREATER IF THIS FUND IS ELIMINATED.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO DO THREE THINGS: DO NOT CUT THIS FUND. EXPAND IT.
PRIORITIZE IT. ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE PRIMARY MISSION IS SERVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND ISSUE A NEW SOLICITATION TO QUALIFIED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGENCIES HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY. THESE FUNDS DIRECTLY IMPACT THE
SAFETY OF SURVIVORS AND -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS FELIX.
CO-DEFECTOR OF HOME REPAIR AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AT WEST STREET RECOVERY AND PROUD MEMBER OF THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE. THE BUDGET HAS THE SEEDS FOR WHAT A SAFER HARRIS COUNTY LOOKS LIKE.
SMALL INVESTMENTS IN POLLUTION CONTROL.
COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAMS. INVESTING MILLIONS IN A HOUSING TRUST ARE WHAT CITIZENS WANT TO SEE THEIR MONEY SPENT ON.
WITH THIS BUDGET PASSING, THERE MAY BE A GLIMMER OF HOPE.
HOWEVER, IT'S NOT ALL GOOD NEWS. LIKE LAST YEAR, THE BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES MASSIVE PAY INCREASES TO POLICE, WHICH HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED AT LENGTH, AND WE DO NOT SUPPORT THOSE, WHICH WILL NOT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES.
THE STRUGGLE FOR A BETTER BUDGET NEXT YEAR BEGINS NOW.
THE COUNTY MUST HALT EXTRACTING COUNTY RESOURCES AT THE EXPENSE OF PROGRAMS THAT KEEP US HEALTHY AND ALLOW US TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY. AND I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, JUDGE, AND FOR THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS: HOW PLAUSIBLE IS IT, ESPECIALLY, JUDGE, BEFORE YOU LEAVE OFFICE, TO TAKE THESE RAISES TO THE VOTERS, A IT'S THE VOTERS' MONEY
THAT WE'RE SPENDING? >> YEAH, SO THE THING IS -- RIGHT? -- IT DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST YEAR.
AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THIS YEAR. AND SO IT WOULD HAVE TO BE NEXT YEAR WHEN I'M NO LONGER HERE. THE BENEFIT OF THAT, AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER WITH ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, IS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD GET THE FULL PAYMENT EARLIER.
THE -- I IRONY FOR ME IS THERE WERE TWO PROPOSALS TO GO TO THE VOTERS THE PAST TWO YEARS. WE ONLY COULD DO ONE OF THEM.
BOTH YEARS, I SAID, CAN WE -- I'LL PUT LAW ENFORCEMENT FIRST, BECAUSE I -- TO ME, I THINK IT WOULD PASS.
I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL.
AND THE SENSE WAS, NO, LET'S NOT PUT IT TO THE VOTERS.
THAT'S COMMIT ALL THIS MONEY. THEN THERE WAS THE PROPOSAL TO CONTINUE FUNDING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, WHICH ARE ALSO PROVEN TO SAVE MONEY. I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN.
I HAVE CATS, BUT MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE CHILDREN, STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THAT, AND THAT PROGRAM -- THAT PROPOSAL SAID, NO, LET'S NOT TAKE IT TO THE VOTERS AND LET'S NOT FUND IT. AND THE RAISES WERE PASSED VERY QUICKLY, WITH DISCUSSION BEING LIMITED.
IT WAS ALSO USING A SLIGHT OF HAND OF THE RULES TO CURTAIL DISCUSSION. SO, TO ME, IT'S -- I THINK, YOU KNOW, BOTH THINGS ARE IMPORTANT. AND THE QUESTION IS, WHY ARE WE SCARED OF THE VOTERS? AND WHY ARE WE CURTAILING
[01:45:04]
DISCUSSION IF YOU GO BACK AND WATCH THE RECORDING? YOU CAN SEE THAT. SO, ANYWAY, THAT'S THE -- THE OTHER THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IS INSTEAD OF, YOU KNOW, VOTING THE BUDGET UP OR DOWN, IS SAYING, OKAY, HOW DO WE AFFORD THIS? RIGHT? WHAT DO WE DO HERE? DO WE -- ANYWAY, THAT'S KIND OF THE BIGGER CONTEXT.I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
>> SURE, AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM OTHER COMMISSIONERS AS TO, LIKE, WHY WE'RE NOT GOING TO THE VOTERS FOR THIS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS? BECAUSE I CAN'T KEEP COMING WITH MY COMMUNITY OVER HERE AND FIGHTING FOR CRUMBS, FIGHTING FOR $2 MILLION FOR THIS PROGRAM, HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL, WHICH CREATE PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IN THE END, DO NOT MOVE THE NEEDLE AND DON'T PREVENT, YOU KNOW, PLANT FIRES FROM IMPACTING OUR AIR QUALITY. THEY DON'T IMPACT VULNERABLE CITIZENS FROM ACTUALLY LIVING A SAFE LIFE.
THEY DON'T IMPACT OUR JAIL NUMBERS EITHER.
AND THERE'S A NEW JAIL ON THE HORIZON, SO I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM OTHER COMMISSIONERS ON, LIKE, WHY WE'RE NOT GOING TO GOE VOTERS TO HAVE THEM DECIDE ON SUCH A HUGE INVESTMENT.
>> I HAVE THE SAME QUESTION, IS WHY ARE WE SCARED OF THE VOTERS? AND THE WAY IT'S BEEN FRAMED IS, WELL, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO PROPOSE A -- I DON'T WANT TO RAISE TAXES, WHICH THEY ARE PROPOSING THIS YEAR, RIGHT? THE EXCUSE TO NOT GO --
>> ALL OF YOU ARE PROPOSING IT BYPASSING THIS BUDGET.
YOU ARE COMPLICIT, TOO, EVEN IF YOU VOTE "NO."
>> I SEE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. SO, YOU KNOW, THE EXCUSE LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE IS -- OF THE COURT WAS WE DON'T WANT TO RAISE TAXES. THEREFORE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO THE VOTERS. BUT, OF COURSE, THAT'S A FALLACY, BECAUSE ASKING VOTERS IS SIMPLY ASKING VOTERS WHAT THEY WANT AND DOING WHAT VOTERS WANT.
INSTEAD, THE DECISION IS BEING MADE TO RAISE TAXES WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS, WITHOUT ASKING WHAT THEY WANT, PASSING THINGS REALLY QUICKLY, AND AS YOU SAID -- AS YOU NOTICED, RADIO SILENCE. IT'S SIMPLY THE SPIN THAT'S THE RESPONSE IS WHY WE DIDN'T GO, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO RAISE
I APPRECIATE THE RESPONSE, JUDGE.
AND I DON'T APPRECIATE THE SILENCE FROM THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS, BECAUSE I AM A REGISTERED VOTER, AND I WOULD LIKE A SAY IN THIS DECISION, OTHER THAN, YOU KNOW, COMING TO THIS MICROPHONE AND GETTING ONE MINUTE.
>> MESA LAWRENCE. LEO LEE CORNETT.
CHERYL HENDERSON. ANTHONY HUBBARD.
MARILYN ALLEN. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MESA.
I'M A SENIOR MANAGER AT WEST HOUSTON ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES.
WE HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS OF PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES FOR OVER 44 YEARS. I FIRST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME AND SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY ABOUT SUCH AN IMPORTANT MATTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR GENEROSITY, YOUR ASSISTANCE TO WHA THROUGH THE YEARS.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABO ABOUT ITEM, THE BUDGET.
WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE OF FAMILIES IN CRISIS.
WE ARE REALLY GOOD AT TAKING FAMILIES FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY THROUGH SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
WAM HAS SEEN OVER A TO% INCREASE IN FAMILIES THAT ARE EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE'VE SEEN AN OVER 20% INCREASE IN FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THAT'S IN OUR AREA ALONE. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARILYN ALLEN.
I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4. AS WE SAID BEFORE, WE NEED A BUDGET THAT SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITIES AND PUTS PEOPLE FIRST. YOU'VE HEARD FROM MANY ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS EVERY DAY.
LAST YEAR, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO INCREASE SALARIES OF CONSTABLES AND OTHER STAFF, AND OUR COMMUNITIES ARE FACING THE CONSEQUENCES. PLEASE REMEMBER YOU'VE BEEN ELECTED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE. PASS A BUDGET THAT BUILDS COMMUNITIES, SUPPORTS RESIDENTS, AND INVESTS IN PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT HARM, LIKE HART AND RISE.
PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS TODAY, B BECAUSE WHEN THE WRONG DECISIONS ARE MADE, IT'S OUR COMMUNITIES THAT PAY THE PRICE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST, PRECINCT 1. SO THE POLICE IS ASKING FOR ANOTHER RAISE, AND THE ONLY TIME YOU SEE THEM IS WHEN SOMEBODY'S
[01:50:01]
LAYING DEAD IN THE STREET. WHEN THE HELL CAN -- WHAT CAN A POLICEMAN DO THIS PERSON THAT'S LAYING THERE DEAD? ALLOCATE THE MONEY TO THE HOMELESS, TO PUBLIC HEALTH, AND TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT SO WE CAN LIVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEWS, CRIME IS AS HIGH AS IT'S EVER BEEN IN TEXAS, AND THE POLICE IS NOT PROTECTING US. WE ARE ONLY -- THEY ARE ONLY HIDING BEHIND THE MONEY THAT WE ARE GIVING THEM.SO PLEASE, NO POLICE RAISES. CHOOSE THE TAXPAYERS.
CHOOSE HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS CHERYL HENDERSON.
I STAND 3RD WARD AND PRECINCT 1.
I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF NAC. AND I SAT HERE AND I HEARD FROM A LOT OF THE POLICE PEOPLE, AS WELL AS YOU ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE'RE GONNA -- YOU CAN MAKE IT WORK.
WHEN YOU GIVING THEM THAT MONEY, YOU TAKING AWAY FROM THE CITIZENS, AND THOSE PROGRAMS THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT US AND KEEP US IN PLAY, IT SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN AWAY FROM US AND TAXES RAISED AND CON CONSTAY GETTING RAISED EVERY YEAR TO GIVE MONEY TO THE POLICE, TO GIVE MONEY TO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND MONEY GETTING TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CITIZENS WHERE IT NEED TO BE AND STAY AND USED SOMEWHERE ELSE.
AND IT COULD BE -- IT COULD BE WORKED OUT THE SAME WAY.
IF YOU'RE GONNA GIVE 'EM THEIR RAISE, GIVE US --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GIVE US WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP
AND I AGREE WITH YOU. 15 MILLION IS -- IT IS PEOPLE.
I'M NOT SAYING WE DON'T NEED THE 15 MILLION, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
IT'S A DISTRACTION, IN MY MIND. THAT'S JUST ME.
THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS ANTHONY.
THIS IS A FAILURE, FROM ALL OF Y'ALL.
WHAT Y'ALL CAN SAY YOU DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING? WE'VE BEEN WARNED FOR YEARS THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUDGET DEFICIT, AND NOW YOU'RE ACTING SURPRISED THAT WE HAVE TO RAISE TAXES AGAIN. WHY IS THERE THIS DISPARITY? WHY ARE WE SPENDING 1 MILLION ON FLOCK AND CUTTING 1 MILLION FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE CHILDREN? THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE? WHY ARE HEALTHCARE WORKERS COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TO SELL PLASMA TO SURVIVE, WHEN YOU HAVE OFFICERS COMPLAINING THAT THEY CAN'T LIVE OFF $78,000? THAT DOESN'T MAKE.
I HAVE $20 IN MY POCKET. I MAKE 40 K A YEAR.
WHO CAN YOU TAKE IT FROM? TAKE IT FROM MY POCKET.
THEY DON'T SAY IT, BUT THEY'LL VOTE FOR IT.
Y'ALL WILL VOTE FOR IT. SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CITY TO LOOK AFTER ITS PEOPLE?
WHY IS IT NOT A PROGRESSIVE TAX? >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 480.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
MY NAME IS MANDY ORDON, IS, AND I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TODAY, BUT LISTENING TO EVERYBODY... I'VE REALIZED, YOU KNOW, IT SHOULD BE OUR CHOICE, THE PEOPLES' CHOICE.
Y'ALL ARE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR WORDS ARE HEARD.
AND IT'S NOT. IT'S LIKE WE'RE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL OR WE JUST HAVE A CREDIT CARD THAT HAS AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY. I'M SORRY.
AND HOW AM I GOING TO FIND THAT EXTRA MONEY WHEN I DON'T HAVE IT TO BEGIN WITH? YEAH, WE GOTTA INCREASE FOR LIVING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
THAT WENT STRAIGHT TO MEDICARE, SO, NO, THERE IS NO INCREASE ON MY PART. BUT I WANT TO DO MY PART.
SO HOW DO I DO MY PART WHEN THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN PLACE TO HELP US ARE DOING THEIR OWN THING AND SAYING, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE VOTERS. DON'T WE HAVE A CHOICE? DON'T WE HAVE A VOICE THAT NEEDS TO BE HEARD?
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. >> GREETINGS, COMMISSIONERS.
[01:55:10]
ESPECIALLY RAMSEY AND GARCIA. I'M AN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ADVOCATE, AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. I FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS AREN'T PRIORITIZING THE MAIN ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.THERE ARE SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED, BUT ARE BEING REFUNDED AND TAKEN AWAY. MAY EVEN PUT MENTAL STRAIN ON THEIR CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH STATUS.
I'M ASKING THE COURT TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION FOR THE CITIZENS WHO ARE IN NEED OF SERVICES BEING DEFUNDED OR TAKEN AWAY, AND ALSO FOR COMMISSIONERS NOT TO HAVE AN ADEQUATE ATTITUDE AND SCAN STAND FOR JUSTICE. Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO LITERALLY GIVE MONEY TO THE POLICE, AND THAT'S NOT HELPING.
IT'S LITERALLY JUST CAUSING MORE AND MORE CHAOS IN THE COMMUNITIES AND IN OUR CURRENT STATE.
AND THE COUNTY IS LITERALLY JUST SITTING HERE GIVE AND ALL Y'ALL DIDN'T SAY NOTHING WHEN THE MAN SAID CAN I HAVE A QUESTION? Y'ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO BE
CAN YOU PLEASE SATURN FOR THE RECORD?
>> CHYRON JACKSON. >> GOOD MORNING COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY FOR ITS INVESTMENT IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND AND CELEBRATE THE ECIP EVALUATION.
IT PROVIDED 112 DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRIC EVALUATIONS AND TRAINED 8,000 PROFESSIONALS WHO SUPPORT CAREGIVERS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES. THEY HELP FAMILIES ACCESS SERVICES SOONER. THE RAND EVALUATING PROVIDES VALUABLE IMPLEMENTATION LESSONS TO STRENGTHEN FUTURE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SUSTAINABLE EFFORTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO HARRIS COUNTY'S YOUNGEST RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
>> HI, COMMISSIONERS. JANE ADAMS. A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT FOUR. THE FEDERAL CUTS TO MEDICAID TRICKLE DOWN AND IMPACTED YOUR NEW $89 MILLION INCREASE TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS. CONSIDER WHAT CUTS YOU MIGHT MAKE TODAY AT YOUR LEVEL IMPACT DOWN THE LINE.
IT'S EASY TO DISCUSS CUTTING PROGRAMS THAT YOU CAN NEVER SEE YOURSELF NEEDING. WE'RE ALL LIVING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES. A.I. COULD AUTOMATE SCHWARZENEGGER -- SWATHS OF OUR WORKFORCE.
DO NOT OVERLOOK THE RIPPLES CREATED BY ABSORBING $89 MILLION BUT TURN AROUND AND PUNISH PEOPLE THAT SUFFER THE MOST UNDER THAT SYSTEM DESIGN WHO DESERVE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS AND HEALTHCARE. WE CAN'T AGREE A HUNDRED PERCENT ON HOW THE BUDGET IS SPENT. DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBERED AS --
>> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS -- >> SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 7, ALTON, BONNIE, ON ITEM 508, KATIE MCCONNELL, NAOMI, DR. TRISHA ZUCKER. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS. TODAY I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THE EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK'S ACCOMPLISHMENT IN SERVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
WE TRAINED 600 CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND CAREGIVERS IN '29.
IT ACCOMPLISHED BOTH OF THESE GOALS.
CHILDREN PROVIDERS IMPROVE THEIR ASSESSMENT SCORE BY MORE THAN 50% DURING 98% WERE APPLYING WHAT THEY LEARNED.
99% SAID THE PROGRAM MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.
WE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 8,803 CHILDREN ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY CREATING CALMER CLASSROOMS. CONTINUE THE FINDING.
EXPERIENCE THAT EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK INITIATIVE
BECAUSE MANY PROVIDERS -- >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
[02:00:01]
>> EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK TEACHER TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> IS THERE A SHORTAGE OF
THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS. TEACHERS TURNOUT IS THERE.
WE TRAINED 600 TEACHERS IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH CHILDCARE PROVIDERS. THE NEED IS HUMONGOUS.
THEY'RE WAITING FOR MORE SPOTS AND REQUESTING AND CALLING US FOR MORE TRAININGS TO PROVIDE. I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE THE FUNDING AND HELP TEACHERS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, PLUS INFORMAL CAREGIVERS TOO. THEY'RE MAKING PHONE CALLS TO CONDUCT TRAINING IN HARRIS COUNTY.
>> I WANT TO POINT OUT TO THE PUBLIC ANOTHER ONE OF THE FALLACIES ON THE AGENDA IS THE PRESENTATION ABOUT NEW INITIATIVES ON CHILDCARE. AND SO THERE'S A BUSINESS ACCELERATOR FOR CHILDCARE CENTERS, AND THERE'S ALSO A CHILDCARE PROVIDER GUIDE. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE SPENT YEARS TRAINING HOW MANY TEACHERS? 600 EDUCATORS AND TEACHERS IN 19 MONTHS.
>> WE ALREADY DID THAT. IT WAS EVALUATED.
>> INTERNALLY. WE DID INTERNAL IMPACT STUDY.
>> I KNOW OTHER PROGRAMS HAD MULTIPLE EXTERNAL EVALUATORS.
AND WHEN IS THIS PROGRAM ENDING AGAIN?
>> IT ENDED ALREADY. SO BY THE END OF AUGUST.
IT ENDED BY THE END OF AUGUST. SOMEBODY SAID YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PROGRAMS THAT YOU DON'T USE.
ACTUALLY, I THINK, EVERYBODY HERE KIDS AND SURELY PUT THEM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. THAT'S ACTUALLY MORE PAINFUL TO ME. BUT I WILL -- THAT'S PART OF WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF IN THE BUDGET IS THIS CONSTANT USE OF FALLACIES AND ALSO WHY CAN'T WE ASK VOTERS ABOUT PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, HAVE BEEN EVALUATED, AND WE'RE ACTUALLY PRETENDING LIKE THEY HAVEN'T HAPPENED AND PROPOSING TO REPEAT THEM.
IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE EMOTIONAL TO HEAR YOU GUYS COME HERE.
THERE'S AN AWARD FOR OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS.
SO, YEAH, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING ALONGSIDE OUR PARTNERS THROUGH THE EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK OR ELQN. OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THIS PROGRAM IMPACTED 13,000 CHILDREN IN HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDING CRITICAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
THROUGH TRAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS, CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENTS AND TECHNOLOGY, ELQN CREATED A MEANINGFUL NETWORK OF SUPPORT.
I HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE IMPACT.
TEACHERS EXCITED TO RECEIVE THE TRAINING THEY CAN IMMEDIATELY PUT INTO PRACTICE AND FAMILIES GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
AS THIS FUNDING COMES TO A CLOSE, WE URGE POLICYMAKERS TO KEEP EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY BIRTH THROUGH 5 AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR CONVERSATIONS.
WE DO PROUDY ACCEPT THE AWARD. >> THANK YOU.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ASK WHY CAN'T WE PUT THIS TO THE VOTERS? WHY TWO YEARS IN A ROW THIS BODY VOTED NOT TO PUT THIS TO THE VOTERS? I NEVER ASKED THIS TO BE PUT INTO THE BUDGET OR CUT ANYTHING ELSE OR FORCE A TAX INCREASE LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OTHER INITIATIVES. I SIMPLY ASK, PUT THESE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS TO THE VOTERS.
WHY NOT? IF YOUR ANSWER IS I DON'T WANT TO INCREASE TAXES, YOU KNOW THAT IS A FALLACY.
TO PUT IT TO THE VOTERS IS TO ASK THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED RIGHT NOW IS TO INCREASE TAXES.
SO AS I SAID BACK THEN, I DON'T KNOW -- I DON'T HAVE KIDS.
AND I FEEL ASHAMED THAT WE DIDN'T PUT THIS TO THE VOTERS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU LOOK AT KIDS IN THE EYES.
YOU SENSOR CHILDREN BEING HERE AND YOU SIMPLY LET PROGRAMS EXPIRE AND YOU CAN'T EVEN ANSWER WHY YOU WON'T LET THE VOTERS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT THESE AWARD-WINNING EVALUATED MULTI-YEAR PROGRAMS CONTINUE AND THEN YOU HAVE THE GOAL TO GO AND PROPOSE A NEW INITIATIVE THAT REPEATS WHAT WE ALREADY DID AND PRETEND LIKE YOU'RE ACHIEVING SOMETHING.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> AND, YES, THE ELECTION IS IN
NOVEMBER. >> COMMISSIONER COURT MEMBERS, I'M THE CHILD DIRECTOR AT WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER.
I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK
[02:05:03]
PROGRAM. WESLEY PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL OF THE INITIATIVES. THE ELQM WAS SPECIAL.IT TOOK THE PERSPECTIVE THAT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY, THE INITIATIVES WERE HELPFUL TO FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDERS, AND THE INITIATIVE THAT PERHAPS HELPED THE BIGGEST IMPACT WAS TEMPORARY AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
AT WESLEY, EIGHT FAMILIES THAT HAD BEEN ON THE CCS WAIT LIST WERE GIVEN CARE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
THOSE FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE COST OF CARE WHILE EVERYTHING ELSE WAS RAISING AND THE CENTER GOT VERY TIMELY PAYMENTS.
CHILDCARE IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE. WITHOUT AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE, HOW CAN WE EXPECT PARENTS TO CONTINUE TO WORK?
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS DR. KATIE MCCONNELL.
I SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF STATE INITIATIVES AT THE CHILDREN'S LEARNING INSTITUTE AT UT HEALTH HOUSTON.
I'M HERE TODAY TO AGAIN RECOGNIZE OUR ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH THE NOCO AWARD RECEIVED FOR OUR EFFORT IN SUPPORTING THE ACCESSIBLE CHILDCARE TRAINING SUPPORT OR ACTS PROGRAM.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE DONE THIS WORK AND SUPPORT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE IN HARRIS COUNTY. AT CLI, OUR MISSION IS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND INNOVATION. ACTS EXPANDS THAT ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THE RESULTS OF THIS WORK DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE OF INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR AND EDUCATE OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN.
WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP AND ARE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE HARRIS
COUNTY'S EDUCATORS, CHILDREN. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
I HAVE NOT ACTUALLY READ IT. EXACTLY WHAT'S THE AWARD?
WHAT EXACTLY IS IT FOR? >> THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY ORGANIZATION AWARD THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY WERE AWARDED FOR THEIR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS THAT THEY IMPLEMENTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF ARPA
FUNDING. >> IS IT A NATIONAL AWARD?
>> IT IS A NATIONAL AWARD. >> INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC COACHING AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT TO SUPPORT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, THAT'S BEING PROPOSED WITHOUT FUNDING RIGHT NOW INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE VOTERS TO VOTE ON WHAT ALREADY EXISTS.
>> YEAH. >> I HAVE TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE THAT SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DEPTH ABOUT THE AX PROGRAM, NOT ONLY WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER OVER THE COURSE OF 18 OR 19 MONTHS. THE RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS THAT WE DID ON THE IMPACT.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.
I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD THE SUCCESS NONETHELESS.
THANK YOU. >> TO MY COLLEAGUES AGAIN, WHY ARE YOU SCARED OF THE VOTERS? WHY NOT GO TO THE VOTERS TO ASK WHETHER THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS CONTINUED?
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M THE MANAGER OF THE ACTS PROGRAM WITH THE CHILDREN LEARNING INSTITUTE.
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, ACTS HAS INVESTED IN HARRIS COUNTY'S EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE THROUGH MULTIPLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS. PARTICIPANTS ACCESSED HIGH QUALITY TRAININGS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES OR CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS AND ENDORSEMENTS. WE PAIR THESE OPPORTUNITIES WITH 1-ON-1 MENTORING SESSIONS, BILINGUAL SUPPORTS, TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE AND FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING THROUGH OUR CLI ENGAGED PLATFORM. TOGETHER EFFORTS RESULTED IN NEARLY 50,000 OUTREACH OVER-THE-COUNTERS, DELIVERED 46,000 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORTED OVER 400 EDUCATORS PURSUING CDA CREDENTIALS.
MORE IMPORTANTLY WE IMPACTED 3544 CHILDREN ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SUCH AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I'M SORRY.
WAS THIS, LIKE, A DISCUSSION GROUP KIND OF THING OR...
>> SO THE ACTS PROGRAM WAS FUNDED WITH ARPA FUNDS AS DR. KATIE MCCONNELL EXPLAINED. THIS MONTH CONCLUDES OUR
PROGRAM. >> I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS WITH FAMILIES, CONSULTATION WITH
WE HAD OUTREACH ENCOUNTERS WITH OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS INFORMING CHILDCARE, TEACHERS, DIRECTORS OF PROGRAMS WITH OUR CDA
SUPPORTS. >> ONE OF THE PROGRAMS BEING PROPOSED WITH ZERO FUNDING THIS YEAR IS TO CREATE A UNIFIED
[02:10:04]
COUNTY RESOURCE SHEET AND ESTABLISH A QUARTERLY INTERNAL WORK GROUP OF RELEVANT STAFF FROM COUNTY DEPARTMENTS.WE SPENT YEARS ENGAGING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR AND PUBLIC SECTOR.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M DR. TRISHA ZUCKER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN'S LEARNING INSTITUTE AND THE LAST SPEAKER ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.
I WILL START WITH YOUR ASK. WE HOPE YOU WOULD CONSIDER IN YOUR FUTURE BUDGET PRIORITIES THE NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE EDUCATORS WHO SUPPORT THEM IN CHILDCARE.
I WAS THE EVALUATOR FOR THE ACTS PROGRAM.
THIS MENTOR TO CDA PROGRAM WAS EFFECTIVE.
THE TEACHERS WHO ENGAGED MORE ROUTINELY WITH THEIR MENTORS WERE MORE LIKELY TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THAT CDA CREDENTIAL SHOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF SOMEONE WALKING ALONGSIDE YOU AS A MENTOR. THESE WOMEN AND MEN WHO WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM CONSISTENTLY REFER TO THEIR MENTORS AS THEIR CHEERLEADER, A TRUSTED GUIDE AND ALSO AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER TO MAKE THE PROGRESS TOWARDS THAT NATIONAL CREDENTIAL.
AND WE ANALYZED MANY, MANY DATA POINTS AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS
CONSISTENTLY EFFECTIVE. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MA'AM. >> JUST THE LAST QUESTION.
I KNOW I'M BEATING THIS TO THE GROUND.
I CANNOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE ARE RAISING TAXES WITHOUT GOING TO THE PEOPLE.
WE CANNOT EVEN ASK THEM IF THEY WANT TO SEE EARLY CHILDHOOD CONTINUE. SOMEBODY MENTIONED THAT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF NEED AS PERTAINS THIS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY AND CAN YOU GO OVER WHAT THE NEED IS?
>> THERE'S TREMENDOUS NEED. THE WORKFORCE DOES NOT PROVIDE QUALITY SUPPORT. SPECIFICALLY IN CHILDCARE DESERT AREAS, TEACHERS WANT TO DO BETTER.
THEY NEED TRAINING AND HOURS TO GET TOWARDS THOSE CREDENTIALS AND HOW TO ACT. MOST OF THESE WOMEN SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE MYSELF IN YEARS, AND THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVED HAVING A MENTOR WALK ALONGSIDE THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE A VERY DEMANDING CAREER, AND THEY DID THIS AS PART OF THEIR ON-THE-JOB HOURS.
>> MY TWO QUESTIONS WOULD BE DID THE COURT SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO TRAIN EARLY CHILDHOOD PRE-K TEACHERS? WE THEY UNTRAINED AND UNCERTIFIED? WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF VOTERS AND ASKING THE VOTERS WHETHER THEY WOULD LIKE A TAX INCREASE? WHETHER THEY WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS? WHY ARE WE SCARED OF THE VOTERS?
>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 538, KELLY FARADAY. ROGER BROWN AND CHRIS PARKER AND THAN N-- THEN OTHER SPEAKERS. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M CHRIS PARKER. I'M A TRUSTEE AND MOM.
I'M HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR PLACING ON YOUR AGENDA KEEPING RELIANT STADIUM AS A GRADUATION VENUE.
NOBODY UNDERSTANDS PINCHING PENNIES LIKE SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES. WE KNOW EVERY TAX DOLLAR MATTERS. BUT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR KIDS TO PROVIDE OUR KIDS WITH THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN. RELIANT PROVIDES A SAFE AIR CONDITIONED SPACE FOR THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES.
THERE HAS BEEN MISINFORMATION THAT WE DO NOT PAY RENTAL FEES.
WE DO. WE ARE WILLING TO BE FLEXIBLE WITH THE DATE, A GRADUATION DATE IN THE SPRING.
CONCERT PROMOTERS BOOK A YEAR TO TWO YEARS OUT.
WE ARE WILLING TO HAVE OUR DATE PICKED FOR US ABOUT NINE MONTHS OUT WHEN SCHOOL STARTS. SO PLEASE OUR BOARD HAS PASSED A RESOLUTION WHICH I BROUGHT FOR YOU TODAY.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.
PLEASE KEEP SPEAKING ON THIS. I THINK IT WAS IN POOR FORM HOW THIS WAS PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THE SCHOOLS.
SO I HAVE ALREADY COMMUNICATED THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE STRONGLY
RECONSIDERED SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> THERE WAS NEVER A CHOICE NOT TO VOTE FOR THAT.
I THINK WE MADE THAT CLEAR LAST TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS KELLY FARADAY ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR HOUSTON ENERGY AND CLIMATE WEEK AND THE NON-PROFIT THAT ORGANIZES IT,
[02:15:07]
MANAGES IT, AND PRODUCES IT WHICH IS THIS WEEK.THANK YOU FOR RESOLUTION 538 RECOGNIZING THIS WEEK AS HOUSTON ENERGY AND CLIMATE WEEK. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND THE PRESENCE OF MANY PEOPLE FROM THE COUNTY. IT'S BEEN A FANTASTIC WEEK.
AND WE HAD A SPECIAL THANK YOU AS WELL TO SOME REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY THAT JOINED US LAST WEEK. YOU MAY NOTICE OUR COLOR IS PURPLE IF YOU LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE AND OUR PEN.
THAT IS INTENTIONAL. PURPLE IS THE COLOR OF UNITY.
IT'S WHO WE ARE, A NEUTRAL PLATFORM FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE LITERACY, WORKFORCE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND CIVIC DIALOGS ABOUT OUR ENERGY FUTURE. THIS WEEK WE HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COME JOIN US.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> HELLO.
MY NAME IS ROGER BROWN. I SERVE AS THE SUPERINTENDENT.
I'M GOING TO MENTION RELIANT STADIUM ONE LAST TIME.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIANT STADIUM AND THE GRADUATION EXPERIENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT'S THE ONLY LARGE VENUE AVAILABLE IN LATE MAY AND EARLY JUNE THAT PROVIDES THE NEEDED SPACE FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS.
ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE TO ENSURE RELIANT STADIUM CONTINUES TO BE AVAILABLE, IT'S JUST GREATLY APPRECIATED. WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR OUR CONCERNS. THANK YOU ALL.
>> GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS GAZI. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND GROWING CONCERN ABOUT ISLAMOPHOBIA, ANTI-MUSLIM HATE AND DISCRIMINATION AFFECTING MUSLIM FAMILIES AND INSTITUTIONS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS THAT EVERY RESIDENT SHOULD FEEL SAFE AT HOME, AT WORK, AT SCHOOL AND AT THEIR PLACES OF WORSHIP REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAITH OR BACKGROUND.
WE'RE ALSO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT RECENTLY ADOPTED CHANGES TO THE STATE BOARD, MUSLIM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND EDUCATORS HAVE RAISED SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT HOW ISLAM AND PROPHET MUHAMMAD ARE PORTRAYED. WHEN ISLAM IS PRESENTED THROUGH AN UNFAIRLY NEGATIVE AND STEREOTYPED LENS, IT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO ISLAMOPHOBIA, ANTI-ISLAM VIEWS, BULLYING AND
DISCRIMINATION. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT FOR ISLAMIC AND MUSLIM COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE IGNORANCE OR THE HATE THAT COMES YOUR WAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS RAMON.
I LIVE IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY IN PRECINCT TWO HERE TO IMPLORE YOU TO ADOPT A COUNTYWIDE NOISE ORDI ORDINANCE. MY WIFE AND I ARRIVED HOME TO LOUD SPANISH MUSIC COMING FROM OUR NEIGHBOR.
IT WAS A ONE-MAN BAND WITH HIS AMPLIFIER THAT WENT ON UNTIL 3 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. NOW SUNDAY MORNING.
I CALLED THE HARRIS SHERIFFS OFFICE TWICE.
THERE IS NOT A LOUD NOISE ORDINANCE.
INDIVIDUALS COULD ONLY REQUEST. IT WAS AT THAT TIME AT 2:11 A.M.
I KNEW THAT I NEEDED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION.
I COMPLETED THE FORM ONLINE IN ORDER TO ADDRESS YOU.
REGARDLESS OF THE GENRE OF THE MUSIC, DEPUTIES NEED THE TOOLS TO TRULY KEEP THE PEACE FOR THOSE OF US THAT ATTEND CHURCH ON SUNDAY. GIVE THE DEPUTY AND THE TOOLS NEEDED TO ADOPT A LOUD NOISE ORDINANCE.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL HAVE SOMEONE VISIT WITH YOU. THERE IS A STATE LAW ON NOISE.
I'M NOT SURE WHY YOU WERE GIVEN THAT DIRECTION.
LET ME LOOK INTO THIS AND GET BACK TO YOU.
>> I GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS DR. CATHY TATUM.
HI, HON. JAKOB AND RICHARD, YOU EACH HAVE
DO I JUST START TALKING? HOPEFULLY I DO MY AGENDA.
WHEN THERE'S A FUNERAL FOR OUR MISS MACY.
I'M DR. CATHY TATUM. I HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR
[02:20:03]
A VERY LONG TIME. I'M PRECINCT 1.I LIVE. I'M A LITTLE TIRED OF PEOPLE GETTING $600,000 WHEN I TORE THAT PLACE DOWN.
I'M AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. I'M NOT GOING TO CUSS.
I SHOULD REALLY DO CUSS Y'ALL OUT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY Y'ALL KEEP USING BLACK WOMEN TO CRY WHEN Y'ALL NEED SOMETHING. Y'ALL HIRE US.
Y'ALL DO A LOT OF MEDIA. AT THE END OF THE DAY I WANT TO KNOW WHICH ONE OF Y'ALL NOT GOING TO BE HERE NEXT YEAR.
I'M RUNNING FOR YOUR POSITION. IT SHOULD NOT TAKE ME TO COME DOWN HERE WHEN THERE IS PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT DO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING. I COME FROM THAT WORLD.
I HAVE NOT SLEPT IN THREE DAYS. I LOST 150 POUNDS.
STOP GIVING IT TO THE CITY NON-PROFITS.
THAT'S WHY WE DON'T TRUST YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER COURT.
>> I BROUGHT UP TWO MONTHS AGO. MY BROTHER HAS BEEN ATTACKED BY A CRIMINAL CRIMINAL WITH A CROWBAR.
HE'S IN ICU. THE TRAGEDY UPSET MY FAMILY PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. YOU NEED MORE TIME TO CHECK WITH THE DOCTOR. HE CAN'T STAND THE TRIAL.
I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND AWARE TO COMMUNITY.
A DANGEROUS MAN CAN BE FREELY OUT TO THE PUBLIC WITH NO CONTROL. IT SHOULD BE SERIOUS LIKE DWI.
THEY KEEP VIOLATE PUBLIC SAFETY TIME AFTER TIME NONSTOP.
GENTLEMAN, SIR, RATHER, I HEARD THIS STORY.
CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
I WILL HAVE SOMEONE VISIT WITH YOU.
WE NEED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS.
MY NAME IS RICHARD HYDE. I LIVE IN PIRECINCT 4.
WE HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO TRUCKS AND ALL KINDS OF CONSTRUCTION EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN PART B. WE WERE INCLUDED IN PART A.
NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THIS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON THROUGH THERE FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF YEARS.
THERE IS AN EXIT THAT THEY COULD BE USING WHERE THEY'RE RIPPING OUT THE OLD UD-6 DRAINAGE WHICH WORKED PERFECT EVEN DURING HARVEY. BUT THEY COULD BE TAKING THAT DIRT OUT ABOUT 200 FEET TO CLAY ROAD WHICH THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THERE ANYWAY OR THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BLOCK THE EXIT FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO CLAY ROAD.
SO THIS WOULD HELP A LOT IF WE COULD GET THAT.
NOW THE CONTRACTOR NEEDS TO DO SOME PAPERWORK, AND THERE NEEDS
TO BE A PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEET. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
WE'LL VISIT WITH YOU. >> PRINCIPLE ANIMALS, I'M KNOWN SIMPLY AS A POLITICAL BEAST. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR GIVING ME THAT RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT HELPED ME GET A RESOLUTION FROM A CONGRESSWOMAN SENATOR GARCIA AND THE MAYOR. I'M A POLITICAL BEAST BECAUSE I WANT TO WARN PEOPLE THAT THIS HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE CANDIDATE FORUM IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE THE COMPANY THE FORM ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH AT 7 P.M. AND 5601 BRADY.
I HAVE GOT TO GET BACK ONTO THE CASE OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THAT'S ALL THE
GUYS, DO I NEED TO CLOSE THE HEARING OR SOMETHING?
>> NO. JUDGE, I THINK THE WAY WE DID IT IS WE JUST HAD ALL THE SPEAKERS. WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE, OPEN THE HEARING, SEE IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE WHO HASN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SAY SOMETHING. YOU CAN CLOSE THE HEARING AND MOVE ON. WE'LL DO THEM ONE BY ONE.
>> THE ROUTINE TABLE OF CONTENTS AND WHATNOT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE
[Departments]
[02:25:03]
I DIDN'T FORGET SOMETHING THERE. >> THANK YOU TO ALL THE
SPEAKERS. >> ITEM 165, WE NEED TO REPLACE THE AGENDA CAPTION AFTER PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT.
IT READS, "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS WITH CASCADE CIVIL SERVICES LLC AND CIVITUS ENGINEERING INC. FOR HYDRAULICS ET CETERA. NO ACTION.
ITEM 191, THE ACD HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THE LEGAL AID.
302, A GRANT, OCA REQUESTS NO ACTION, VICTIM COORDINATOR." ITEM 303, FORENSIC EVIDENCE, NO ACTION.
428, NO ACTION. 17 POSITIONS, PRECINCT 4 REQUESTS NO ACTION. AND THAT'S IT.
>> WHAT ITEM WAS THAT FOR, JUDGE?
>> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> A COUPLE ITEMS, IF WE COULD PULL ITEM 252 FOR DISCUSSION AND ITEM 504 FOR DISCUSSION.
>> AND ASK FOR NO ACTION ON ITEM 443.
>> OKAY. LET'S DO NO ACTION ON 443 FIRST.
SO THAT IS AN ITEM ON HOUSE COMMITTEE DONATION SOCCER PITCH.
OKAY. SO LET'S GO TO THE DISCUSSION LIST. WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 546 FLAGGED ON A HARRIS CENTER BOARD APPOINTEE.
DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ITEM?
>> ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE FOR
EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> THAT WILL BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED? APPROVED AS PRESENTED, YES.
>> NO EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY. THE DISCUSSION LIST, WE HAVE ITEM 1 AND WE WILL TAKE THAT ONE WITH 457.
THEY'RE BOTH RELATED TO THE JAIL.
ITEM 2 ON THE COURT MEETING CALENDAR, DO WE STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> YES. ITEM 3, IT'S THE STRATEGIC HIRING POLICY. THAT'S THE HIRING FREEZE; RIGHT?
ITEM 5 TRANSFER OF 12TH POSITION.
ITEM 7 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ITEM 8 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> 15 WAS ALSO FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ACCORDING TO
MY NOTES HERE. >> YES, PLEASE, THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. GIVE ME JUST A SECOND.
BEFORE I LOSE MY PLACE. >> OKAY.
49 COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YES.
>> 129, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> YES.
>> YES. >> 181 PUBLIC NUISANCE.
>> 190, THAT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FLAG SOME GENERAL FUNDS.
191, THAT IS A NO ACTION. SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT OUT OF THE DISCUSSION AGENDA. 199, DETENTION OFFICERS.
>> YES. >> I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DISCUSSING 252.
>> YES. >> 317, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,
>> 328. A POSITION FOR THE TREASURER'S OFFICE THAT WAS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3 AS WELL.
>> I'M ASSUMING THAT WILL BE NO ACTION.
>> NO ACTION. >> TRANSFER A POSITION BACK TO
THE TREASURER'S OFFICE. >> NO ACTION.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO NO ACTION ON 328.
351, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> BACK TO SENT.
[02:30:02]
>> YES. >> YOU MENTIONED 443, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SO 443 IS -- >> JUST TO MAKE SURE.
NO ACTION. >> THAT WAS NO ACTION.
THAT'S CORRECT. >> WE'RE GOING TO NO ACTION THAT ONE. ALL RIGHT.
AND THEN WE HAVE 457 WHICH WE'RE GOING TO TAKE WITH ITEM 1 ON THE JAIL. 480, YES.
THAT IS THE BUDGETS. 482 IS THE TAX RATES.
THAT'S THE CASE WITH 484 AS WELL.
>> 520 PREVAILING WAGE MEMORANDUM.
548. WE WILL TAKE ALONG WITH 480 AND LET ME JUST MARK THIS HERE. 548.
WE'RE TAKING WITH 480. THEY'RE BOTH RELATED TO BUDGET DIRECTIVES. WOULDN'T WE TAKE THAT WITH THE TAX RATE? ALL OF THAT KIND OF GOES
TOGETHER, YEAH? >> REQUEST THAT THE TAX RATES GO
BEFORE THE BUDGET ITEMS. >> RIGHT.
RIGHT. THEN WE HAVE 554 FLAGGED BY
>> 559. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE
>> ARE ANY OF THESE JUST A VOTE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> THEY'RE OUR ALGORITHM. >> YOU WOULD RATHER GET TO THEM WHEN WE GET TO THEM? YEAH.
>> HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. I HAVE 1-2-3-5-7-8-11-15-49-88-129-179- 181-188-189-190-199-214-244-252- 311-312-313-317-354-369-370-371- 421-432-434-457-480-482-484-504- 547-548-554-559-564-565-572.
AM I MISSING ANYTHING? >> WILL 9 AND 16 BE APPROVED AS
>> ITEM 9 AND 16. >> I DIDN'T THINK WE HAD 916.
>> MY APOLOGIES. >> LET ME SEE.
ITEM 16 IS TITLE 6 OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT APPROVED AS PRESENTED
>> NO ACTION. >> IS 9 A NO ACTION OR 16 A NO
>> YEAH, GO AHEAD. >> ITEM 483 AND 485, WILL THAT ALSO BE PUT ON THE DISCUSSION LIST SINCE THERE'S MOTIONS FOR
THEM? >> 483 AND 485, LET'S SEE? 483 AND 485, YES, THAT SHOULD BE IN THE DISCUSSION LIST.
THANKS FOR FLAGGING THAT. GIVE ME JUST A SECOND SO I DON'T MISS THAT. 483?
[02:35:02]
THAT'S THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TAX RATE.AND 485 IS THE PORT OF HOUSTON. OKAY.
>> AND THEN JUST THE PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE ALSO SEPARATE?
SO NOW IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS, 1 THROUGH 575 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DID YOU WANT TO MENTION PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 476 THROUGH 583.
>> THAT'S SEPARATE. LET'S NOT DO THAT RIGHT NOW.
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
I NEED A BREAK YOU GUYS. SAY THAT?
>> SO WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO TAKE AN EARLY LUNCH OR CAN WE BREAK FOR 15 MINUTES AND THEN KEEP UP.
>> SINCE PEOPLE ARE HERE, WE OUGHT TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND
GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON THIS. >> ALL RIGHT.
>> IT IS 11:59 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
SO WE START WITH THE TAX RATE ITEMS.
WHICH ARE -- >> 42, 43, 44, 45.
>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU WANT
TO SAY SOMETHING? >> NO I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A
I JUST SAW YOUR THING PRESSED. >> ALL RIGHT.
SO IS 482 THE -- >> COUNTY TAX RATE.
>> AND THEN IT'S ALL THE OTHER ONES.
>> NO. WE PUT THEM ON THE AGENDA, I THINK IN THIS ORDER. TAX RATE 482.
483 WAS FLOOD CONTROL TAX RATE. 485 WAS THE PORT TAX RATE.
>> SO I DO NEED TO READ THE PUBLIC HEARING SCRIPT.
SO EACH OF THEM REQUIRES A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE A RECORDS ARCHIVE PLAN PORT OF CD.
OKAY. WHERE IS MY SCRIPT? IT IS 12:01. WHERE IS MY SCRIPT? I'M GOING TO NEED THE SCRIPT, YOU GUYS.
I CAN'T FIND IT HERE. IS IT JUST LIKE -- IT'S 12:01 AND WE OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ITEM 563 FISCAL YEAR '26-27
ARCHIVE RECORDS PLAN? >> NO, JUDGE.
THE HEARINGS ARE FOR THE BUDGET. >> I HAVE HERE LISTED 563, 479,
477, 478, 476, 481 AND 480. >> JUDGE, 563 IS CORRECT.
SO Y'ALL COULD DO THAT PUBLIC HEARING NOW IF YOU WANTED TO.
>> APOLOGIES, YES, CORRECT. >> OKAY.
SO I -- THIS IS JUST THE ORDER I HAVE IT HERE.
WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR 365 IN A SUPPLEMENTAL SECTION ON PAGE 70. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL RECORDS ARCHIVE PLAN.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? ANY DISCUSSION? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM FOR APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR '26-27 RECORDS ARCHIVE PLAN?
>> SO MOVED. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. WHO WAS THE SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA? ALL IN FAVOR?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> NEXT WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 479 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 61. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO
[02:40:04]
CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED.00603 PER HUNDRED DOLLARS OF VALUE FOR THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY.IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? AM I OKAY THAT I DIDN'T GIVE THE
WHAT WAS THAT? >> I NEED TO GIVE THE TIME.
>> IT'S 12:03. NOW WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST? OKAY.
I NOW -- IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM -- OR, SORRY, I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?
JUST MAKE A MOTION. >> I THINK YOU CAN READ IT OUT.
>> FOR PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY MOVE THAT PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0.00603 WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 1.86% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
THIS RATE IS FOR DEBT SERVICE. SO MOVED.
>> ALL RIGHT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THEN I HAVE FLOOD CONTROL.
IT IS 12:04. WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 477 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 61.
I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED 0 .05266. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? ANY DISCUSSION FROM MY COLLEAGUES? OKAY. I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? >> FOR HARRIS COUNTY?
>> FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. >> I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0 .05266 WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 6.2% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
THIS RATE CONSISTS OF 0.04023 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS
AND 0.01243 FOR DEBT SERVICE. >> SECOND.
>> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> AND NOW WE'RE MOVING ON TO HARRIS HILLS.
12:05. WE'RE HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 478 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 61.
I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DBA HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.
IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?
ANY DISCUSSION, COLLEAGUES? >> YES.
BEFORE YOU MAKE THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IF TEXAS WERE TO BECOME A MEDICAID EXPANSION STATE, THIS TAX RATE WOULD BE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT AND LOWER, AND IT COULD SAVE TAXPAYERS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS A COMMENT.
THEN I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU MIND PUSHING YOUR BUTTON SO THAT I'M
NOT -- >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> WON OUT AGAIN. AS WE DISCUSSED OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, I THINK THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAD ROUGHLY 250 MILLION LEFT AFTER THIS YEAR'S BUDGET GIVE OR TAKE.
WE HAVE 2 BILLION IN RESERVES. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO INCREASE THE TAX RATE AT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
>> COMMISSIONER. >> I WANTED TO THANK HARRIS HEALTH, OUR HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I WILL PROUDLY BE SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE OF THE CRITICAL WORK THAT YOU DO.
HARRIS HEALTH PROVIDES HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR MILLIONS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE, AND I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA JUST SAID.
TEXAS NEEDS TO EXPAND MEDICAID. DO Y'ALL KNOW SINCE 2016, TEXAS HAS TURNED AWAY MORE THAN $186 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS THAT COULD HAVE COME TO TEXAS THAT ARE GOING TO OTHER STATES? THIS COULD HELP OUR COMMUNITY SO MUCH.
INSTEAD BECAUSE TEXAS HAS NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID, AGAIN THE RATE IS CHANGING AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE PAYING.
BUT THIS IS AN INVESTMENT THAT IS CRITICAL.
THIS IS CRITICAL HEALTHCARE FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS AND WE ARE GOING TO STEP UP AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO
[02:45:03]
HAVE IT. THIS IS LBJ, BEN TAUB, OUR COMMUNITY CLINICS. I WANT TO THANK HARRIS HEALTH FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO. THEY'RE ON THE FRONT LINES OF CARING FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.THANK YOU LINDSAY AND THE TEAM. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> I HAVE A BRIEF COMMENT. THEN I WILL MAKE A MOTION.
I WANT TO THANK THE TAXPAYERS OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR AGREEING TO SUPPORT $2.5 BILLION BOND PACKAGE SO WE CAN MAKE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS. WE'RE DOING CATCHUP FROM PREDECESSORS WHO SERVE US KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
WHEN THE NEW FACILITY COMES ONLINE, WE HAVE TO RUN IT.
IT HAS TO BE OPERATED. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO DO THIS.
I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0.19528 EFFECTIVELY A 4.7% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.
THIS RATE CONSISTS OF 018086 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND
0.01442 FOR DEBT SERVICE. >> SECOND.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I -- MY COMMENT IS SIMPLY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE THAT NEXT YEAR, AND WE HEARD ABOUT THIS EARLIER, AS THE NEW HOSPITALS THAT VOTERS APPROVED COME ONLINE, THERE WILL BE NEED FOR A LARGE INCREASE. SO PART OF MY CONCERN ON THIS IS I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE THAT WE SORT OF -- WE PRETTY MUCH KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING.
THERE'S NO OTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING TO STAFF THOSE HOSPITALS, ET CETERA. SO WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?
I'M IN FAVOR. THAT MOTION PASSES 4-1.
>> JUST AS SORT OF A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THE ACTUAL HEARING AND THE ADOPTION ARE TWO SEPARATE ITEMS ON THE COURT'S AGENDA. THIS IS FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL.
THE PORT HEARING WAS 479. THE ADOPTION WAS 485.
THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WAS 477.
THEN THE ADOPTION, THE ACTION WAS 483.
FOR HARRIS HEALTH IT WAS 478 WAS THE HEARING AND THE ADOPTION IS 484. SO JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING AND FOR THE CLERK TO MAINTAIN THOSE RECORDS, THAT
>> LET'S JUST GO BACK TO -- >> SURE.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO THE PORT OF HOUSTON.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO DO THERE?
>> THERE'S NOTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE VOTE THAT'S TAKEN IS APPLIED TO THE CORRECT NUMBER. FOR THE PORT HEARING, THE ADOPTION OF THE MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS 485. FOR FLOOD CONTROL THE HEARING ITSELF ITEM WAS 477 AND THEN THE ACTION WAS FOR 483 AND THEN FOR HARRIS HEALTH IT WAS FOR 478 IS THE HEARING AND THEN THE ACTION IS FOR 485. IT'S JUST -- THE STATUTE --
THE STATUTE REQUIRES TWO SEPARATE ITEMS.
AND IT'S REALLY JUST THAT. >> DO WE NEED TO DO IT OVER?
>> WE DON'T NEED TO. THIS IS FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES FOR THE COURT. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DID EVERYTHING CORRECTLY. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED IT OUT FOR
YOU. >> WHAT ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND?
WHAT ARE THE TWO ITEMS? >> 476 AND THEN THE ADOPTION IS
>> THIS IS THE ITEM WE'RE AT NOW.
HERE'S MY QUESTION GOING OFF OF WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST SAID. IT'S ONE THING TO HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING; RIGHT? SO WE'RE SAYING, LIKE, USING THE PORT HERE, WE'RE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING, PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING FOR OR AGAINST CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.
YOU CAN SAY ALL OF THAT GOES TO 479, AND THEN THE OTHER ITEM --
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> -- IS THERE A MOTION FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM. THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS
SAID. >> EVERY ITEM UNDER PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 583 WILL BE MARKED AS NO ACTION.
>> THERE'S NO ACTION REQUIRED ON PUBLIC HEARINGS.
YOU OPEN AND YOU CLOSE IT. >> OKAY.
WE WILL PUT THAT ON THE RECORD FOR ALL THE ONES MARKED UNDER
PUBLIC HEARINGS. >> FOR THE TAX RATE.
>> FOR THE TAX RATE. >> THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. SO LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN.
[02:50:03]
COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WERE YOU GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT?>> SO NOW WE'RE ONLY HEARING ON 476; RIGHT?
>> WHEN THE JUDGE OPENS IT UP. >> OKAY.
I DON'T HAVE A COMMENT. >> ALL RIGHT.
SO THANKS FOR BEARING WITH ME HERE.
>> OKAY. SO THAT'S 476; CORRECT?
WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 476 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 61. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED 2026 TAX RATE OF .1750 OF $400 OF VALUE FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
>> I'LL HAVE A MOTION. >> I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND THEN LET'S SEE HERE.
SO NOW WE MOVE TO WHICH ITEM, JAY.
SO THIS IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS GO AHEAD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE
A MOTION. >> ITEM 482, I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0.41750, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 7.97% INCREASE OF THE TAX RATE.
THIS RATE CONSISTS OF 0 0.36 -- 396 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND 0 .05354 FOR DEBT SERVICE.
GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE ON THIS, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT AT THE LAST COURT MEETING, WHEN WE WERE DEBATING THIS BUDGET, WE SET OUR BUDGET AND RECOGNIZED THAT WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 15 MILLION UNALLOCATED TO THE BUDGET. I MADE A MOTION TO RETURN THAT 15 MILLION TO THE TAXPAYERS AND DID NOT RECEIVE A SECOND TO THAT ITEM BY ANY MEMBER ON THIS COURT.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS VOTE IS NOT A PLEASANT ONE FOR ME, BUT -- AND 15 MILLION IS NOMINAL.
I THINK IT WAS AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE TO SHOW THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GRAB EVERYTHING THAT'S AVAILABLE JUST BECAUSE WE CAN.
BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE OPERATIONS THAT SERVE OUR CONSTITUENTS, HEALTH CLINICS, LIBRARIES, POLLUTION CONTROL, THOSE SERVICES, COURTS, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THOSE OPERATIONS ARE CRITICAL OPERATIONS TO HELPING THIS COUNTY STAY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT VOTES THAT I HAVE MADE IN MY ELECTED CAREER AS A MEMBER OF A LEGISLATIVE BODY, AND I THINK -- I TAKE NO PLEASURE IN IT. THE ALTERNATIVE IS BECAUSE A COLLEAGUE HAS MADE A MOTION OR INSINUATED THAT WE COULD CUT 400 MILLION OFF THE BUDGET ASSUMING THAT THOSE ARE FUNDS THAT AREN'T STATUTORILY REQUIRED, MAYBE NOT STATUTORILY REQUIRED, BUT THEY DO MAKE US PAY FOR THE UNFUNDED MANDATES FOR US IN ORDER TO MAKE THOSE UNFUNDED MANDATES WORK. SO THERE'S ALWAYS THOSE STRINGS ATTACHED, ESPECIALLY TO THE UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT THE LEGISLATURE SEEMS TO TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE IN PASSING AT SESSIONS AND PUSHING DOWN TO LOCAL TAXPAYERS.
SO THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST REGRETFUL AND PAINFUL VOTES THAT I WILL TAKE, BUT THE ALTERNATIVE IS CRITICAL DEVASTATION TO ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES. THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND THEN
COMMISSIONER BRIONNES. >> OKAY.
BEFORE WE VOTE, I WILL ECHO AGAIN, THERE ARE CUTS THAT CAN'T BE MADE. WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THOSE COULD BE AT THE LAST MEETING. AND I'LL PROVIDE MORE DEAL WHEN WE HAVE OUR BUDGET DISCUSSION SHORTLY, AND WE LOOK AT ADOPTING THE GO-FORWARD BUDGET. BUT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE BUDGET FOR THE LAST FOUR TO FIVE MONTHS.
WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DETAILED DISCUSSIONS ON WHAT WE COULD DO, WHAT COULD BE SAVED OR OTHER OPTIONS, AND WE GET TO THIS
[02:55:03]
POINT. WE ARE WORKING TOWARD, AND THIS VOTE THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO TAKE, THIS IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ALLOWED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS ON OUR GENERAL TAX RATE.I THINK WE KNEW FIVE MONTHS AGO THAT THIS WAS THE TAX RATE.
AT LEAST THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT WE COULD TAKE, THE VAR I THINK IS WHAT IT'S REFERRED TO. SO I WOULD CONTEND IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE BUDGET WAS BASED ON WHAT'S THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE THAT WE CAN TAKE WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS.
AND THAT SOMEHOW ENDED UP BEING OUR BUDGET AMOUNT SET.
AND THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 325 MILLION.
SO WHETHER YOU CUT 15 MILLION HERE OR YOU CUT A HUNDRED MILLION THERE, THERE ARE I THINK PLACES YOU CAN CUT.
AND I LOOK AT THE -- JUST THE POSITIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE TITLE ADMINISTRATIVE TYPE. IT'S OVER $700 MILLION.
AND ALL I'M SAYING IS YOU COULD LOOK AT THAT IN THESE TIMES AND LOOK AND, I THINK, FIND A WAY TO REDUCE THIS INCREASED TAX.
I THINK IT'S BEEN REFERRED TO A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT PART OF OUR PROBLEM IN HARRIS COUNTY IS WE'RE OPERATING UNDER A CAP FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS. JUST SO YOU'LL KNOW, THE CAP THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS PLACED ON HARRIS COUNTY FOR THIS GENERAL TAX RATE STILL ALLOWS US TO RAISE TAXES 325 MILLION.
SO I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, WOULD WE RAISE IT MORE THAN 325 MILLION IF THE CAP WAS NOT WHERE IT IS NOW? SO I THINK WE HAVE DONE THE HARD WORK.
AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS TODAY.
JUST SO FOLKS KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE COME AND ADDRESS THE COURT, I THINK WE OWE IT TO THOSE FOLKS TO ALLOW THEM TO SPEAK, HAVE TIME TO SPEAK, AND DON'T GET INTO 25-MINUTE DISCUSSIONS WITH EVERYBODY THAT APPEARS BEFORE THE COURT.
I THINK I SAVE ALL MY COMMENTS FOR WHEN WE COME TO THE AGENDA ITEM. I THINK THAT CERTAINLY MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON SPECIFIC ITEMS WITHIN OUR BUDGET, AND AT LEAST AT THIS POINT, I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE BUDGET.
I THINK WHEN YOU ADD ALL OF THE TAXES THAT WE'RE INCREASING FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO THE GENERAL, IT'S WELL OVER 400 MILLION TOTAL. SO THERE IS -- THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DO THIS IN TERMS OF THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. OUR NUMBER ONE ISSUE, IT SEEMS LIKE, OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS HAS BEEN AFFORDABILITY.
THIS CERTAINLY IS GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY ON THEIR ABILITY TO AFFORD THEIR
HOMES. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONNES AND
THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO HAVE MY LONGER COMMENTS WHEN WE GET TO THE ACTUAL BUDGET ITSELF, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS BUDGET RESPONDS TO THE NEEDS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT MAY TURN THEIR BACKS AND MASSIVELY IMPACT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY, BUT WE ARE STEPPING UP AND MAKING SURE THAT THESE CRITICAL SERVICES FROM HEALTHCARE TO INFRASTRUCTURE TO FLOOD PROTECTION TO PUBLIC SAFETY, WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE FUNDED BECAUSE IF WE KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, IF WE EXACERBATE WHAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE DOING, THINGS WILL GET WORSE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE SERVICES.
WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY IS STEPPING UP.
AS SOMEBODY WHO GREW UP CHECK TO CHECK, IT IS HARD.
IT'S HARD ON ALL OF US. THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER ON AVERAGE FOR AN AVERAGE HOMEOWNER IS SOMEONE WHO HAS A HOME OF 400,000. THIS WILL INCREASE TAXES ABOUT $193. $193 IS $193.
THESE ARE INVESTMENTS IN CRITICAL SERVICES THAT WE CANNOT TURN OUR BACK ON. SO HARRIS COUNTY IS HERE FOR THE PEOPLE, AND THIS BUDGET REFLECTS THE NONNEGOTIABLES WE HAVE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM THE PEOPLE. AND AS SUCH, I WILL BE
SUPPORTING THE MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER -- ALL RIGHT.
THAT WAS COMMISSIONER BRIONNES. SO WE HAVE A MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND -- ACTUALLY, I HAVE SOME COMMENTS TOO.
SO MY COMMENTS HERE WOULD BE ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE'RE PUBLIC
[03:00:05]
OFFICIALS AND WE SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE TAXPAYERS, AND THAT MEANS THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR VERDICT AND WE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO MAKE DECISIONS AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND PROPERLY IN FRONT OF THE COMMUNITY.YOU KNOW, PART OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE IS -- AND EVEN THOSE THAT SAY WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM, THE SPENDING PROBLEM HAS BEEN VERY MUCH ON COMMITTING FUNDS IN A RUSHED WAY, NOT EVEN KNOWING WHAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT WAS GOING TO BE, KNOWING FOR A FACT THAT WE DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT.
THERE CAN BE ARGUMENTS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM SHOULDN'T EXIST, THAT PROGRAM SHOULDN'T EXIST, BUT THE FUNDAMENTAL PIECE BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO THAT IS HOW ABOUT WE DON'T SPEND MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE AND THEN WE CAN DEBATE THE OTHER PART.
I THINK THE MORE PROBLEMATIC PART FOR ME IS TWOFOLD AND THIS IS ON THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SIDE OF THINGS.
ONE IS THIS FEAR OF GOING TO THE VOTERS WITH THE MAJOR RAISES THAT THREW OUR BUDGET OFF WITH THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL, BUT THE SECOND PIECE IS REPEATING THESE FALLACIES AND TWISTING THINGS.
THERE WAS JUST A COMMENT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO DO THIS TODAY SO WE DON'T KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
WE'RE PASSING A BUDGET TODAY THAT KICKS THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. MY QUESTION TO THE COURT WOULD BE DOES THIS YEAR'S BUDGET REDUCE HARRIS COUNTY'S STRUCTURAL DEFICIT? THE ANSWER IS NO.
DOES THIS YEAR'S BUDGET REDUCE HARRIS COUNTY'S STRUCTURAL DEFICIT? LET'S SEE IF WE DO RECEIVE AN ANSWER. THE ANSWER WE ALL KNOW IS NO.
WE ARE LITERALLY KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
JUST THIS COMMENT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS DESIRE TO NOT BE DIRECT WITH THE PUBLIC AND I'M PROUD TO ENGAGE THE CONSTITUENTS WHEN THEY COME DOWN AND TO HEAR WHAT THEY THINK.
AND I'M PROUD TO DO THAT. AND I HEAR THEM.
AND I LEARN FROM THAT. SO WHAT I WAS HOPING TO DO THIS BUDGET SEASON, THE PAST YEARS I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING AND SAYING THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE, WE'RE NOT BEING TRANSPARENT.
WE'RE SPINNING THINGS. AND FINALLY THIS BUDGET SEASON, I SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GOING TO PUT MY FOOT DOWN AND BREAK THE CYCLE EVEN THOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT, BUT WE CAN'T JUST KEEP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE VOTING FOR. I THINK THAT IF THERE WAS REALLY A COMMITMENT TO DO THAT, THERE WOULD NOT BE 5 PEOPLE HERE.
SO MY STEPPING OUT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT I WILL SYMBOLICALLY STEP OUT FOR THE VOTE.
AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, LET'S CONTINUE TO CALL FOLKS TO TASK.
LET'S NOT JUST HEAR THE SPIN AND BELIEVE IT.
I THINK I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR TAXPAYERS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS BUDGET DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FISCAL PLAN. THIS TAX RATE DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FISCAL PLAN.
IT HAS WASTEFUL SPENDING. IT HAS VERY, VERY EASY LOW HANGING FRUIT THAT HAS NOT BEEN PASSED, AND ALSO I'M GLAD THAT TAXPAYERS ARE SEEING AND HOLDING PEOPLE TO ACCOUNT AND I'LL JUST REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT THE ELECTION NOVEMBER 3RD.
>> OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
THERE'S A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE? AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED VOTE NO? NO. THREE YEAS AND ONE NAY, ONE ABSENT. SO THE MOTION DOES PASS.
NOW WE WILL GO TO THE BUDGET ITEM.
AND THE BUDGET ITEM WOULD BE ITEM NUMBER 480?
>> WHICH ITEM WAS THE BUDGET ITEM, JAY?
>> 480 I THINK IS THE FIRST ONE? >> ALL RIGHT.
>> I THINK THE ORDER WE HAVE IN THE RUN OF SHOW IS 40 AND THEN
>> THAT'S THE ORDER THAT THE JUDGE HAD LAID OUT.
[03:05:02]
>> 481 WAS THE FIRST ONE. >> THEN WE GO TO 480.
>> SO THE HOSPITAL BUDGET FIRST. >> YES.
WE STARTED WITH THE POOR AND THEN WE WENT TO FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. WE NEED TO WORK ON THAT ONE TOO.
>> MY APOLOGIES, CAN I GO BACK REAL QUICK TO VERIFY THE LAST
>> 482 WAS MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONNES.
THANK YOU. >> JUST TO CLARIFY, THERE'S NO PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PORT. THERE'S NO PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PORT BUDGET? IT'S DEBT SERVICE ONLY.
>> RIGHT. WE HAD ONE ANYWAY BUT...
SO THAT'S IN THE BUDGET. THEN NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO TO FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. AND THIS ITEM -- SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THE HEARING FOR THE BUDGET ITSELF AS WELL?
>> JUDGE, WHICH ITEM ARE YOU STARTING WITH?
>> I'M GOING TO GO IN THE SAME ORDER.
>> YOU CAN GO TO FLOOD CONTROL. >> THIS IS THE ORDER, I HAVE IT
HERE FOR SOME REASON. >> OKAY.
SO LET'S GO TO FLOOD CONTROL. AND THIS IS -- IT IS 12:29.
AND I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL.
AND, JUDGE, YES. >> CAN YOU JUST FOR
CONFIRMATION, WHAT ITEM IS THAT? >> THIS IS 480.
SHE'S GOING, STARTING WITH 480. AND THEN WE'RE GOING DOWN.
>> ALL RIGHT. >> AND THEN, I BELIEVE, THE CONFUSION MIGHT BE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE GENERAL FUND ALSO GOES ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU GUYS, WHY DON'T WE TAKE A LITERAL UP.
LET ME TALK TO YOU GUYS AND GET IT STREAK.
IT'S 12:37, AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
SO, YES, WE ARE CLEAR THAT FOR THE RECORD HERE THAT FOR THE PORT, ITEM 479 WAS THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE CONCLUDED THAT. ITEM 485 WAS THE ADOPTION ITEM.
FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, I'M TALKING ABOUT TAX RATES HERE, FOR THE PORT TAX RATE, PUBLIC HEARING 479, TAX RATE ADOPTION 485. FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS 477. THE TAX RATE ADOPTION WAS 483.
FOR HARRIS HEALTH THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS 478.
THE ADOPTION WAS 484. FOR THE COUNTY THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS 476 AND THE ADOPTION IS 482.
SO COLLEAGUES, ITEM 480 IS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ALL THREE OF FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND HARRIS COUNTY.
UNLIKE THE TAX RATE FOR THE BUDGET, 480 IS USED AS THE SAME ITEM FOR BOTH THE HEARING AND THE BUDGET ADOPTION.
AND SO -- AND THEN FOR HARRIS HEALTH, THE ITEM IS 481.
SO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO NOW IS OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 480. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FC2027 ANNUAL BUDGETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. OH, OH, GO AHEAD, MA'AM.
GO AHEAD, MA'AM. PLEASE APPROACH THE MIC.
THANK YOU FOR APPROVING FUNDING FOR HEART RISE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION THAT RECOGNIZES PUBLIC SAFETY BEYOND POLICING AND PREVENTION AS A COUNTY RESPONSIBILITY.
GOING FORWARD, MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS PERMANENT, FUND THEM ACCORDING TO COUNTY-WIDE NEED, RESIDENTS IN CONNECTED CARE AND AUDIT EVERY TAX ABATEMENT PUBLICLY REPORT WHERE THERE ARE DELIVERED JOBS, INVESTMENTS, TAX DOLLARS GIVEN AWAY DESERVE THE SAME SCRUTINY AS DOLLARS SPENT ON COMMUNITY SERVICES.
A CRISIS BEGINS LONG BEFORE SOMEONE CALLS 9-1-1.
EVERY CHILD AND EVERY PARENT AND EVERY PERSON IN HARRIS COUNTY
[03:10:01]
MATTERS. NOT ONLY THOSE LIVING IN BIG HOUSES IN GATED AND MASTER PLAN COMMUNITIES.BUILD A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THAT.
THANK YOU GUYS, SO MUCH. >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> LONITA APPROVE THE BUDGET
ROBERTSON. >> HOWDY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT Y'ALL APPROVED THE BUDGET. TAX RATE INCREASE.
I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING TO YOU, EVERYONE THAT'S BEEN COMING TODAY. YOU DON'T EVEN GIVE ANYONE THE ATTENTION. THAT'S SOMETHING YOU GIVE IN TOASTMASTERS. YOU GIVE EYE CONTACT.
YOU LOOK AT YOUR PHONES AND COMPUTERS.
IT'S DISRESPECTFUL AND VERY DISAPPOINTING.
REGARDING THE TOLL ROAD, DON'T FORGET ADMINISTRATIONS, THE TOLL ROAD SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID OFF MANY YEARS AGO.
PLEASE USE THOSE TAX DOLLARS WISELY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?
>> OKAY. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THE PUBLIC
HEARING FOR ITEM 480? >> OKAY.
I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. NOW WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON THAT SAME ITEM TO DISCUSS AND PASS THE BUDGET.
>> COMMISSIONER, YES. >> I'M SORRY.
YOU HAD IT MARKED DURING DISCUSSION THAT YOU WANTED TO TAKE ITEM 540 -- SORRY. I HAVE IT WRITTEN DOWN RIGHT HERE. 598 WITH 480.
IS THAT STILL THE CASE? OH, I'M SORRY.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE. >> THAT'S -- THAT'S THE
OKAY. AND THAT'S PART OF THE -- WE CAN. YEAH, WE CAN TAKE THEM TOGETHER.
SO OKAY SO WE'RE TAKING 548 AND 480.
I SEE COMMISSIONER ELLIS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
AND I ALSO IMAGINE THAT THERE MAY BE A CONVERSATION OR INFORMAL PRESENTATION ABOUT 548. WOULD YOU LIKE TO START
I REALLY WANT -- I KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE FOUR OF US IN A ROOM; RIGHT? WHEN WE VOTE ON 480.
I'M JUST GOING TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO -- IS THAT
CORRECT? >> IT'S JUST A TAX RATE
COMMISSIONER. >> I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION IF YOU WANT ME TO WAIT TO GET TO IT.
>> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW 548 WAS YOUR DIRECTION TO ME. DO YOU WANT ME TO JUST GO OVER
VERY QUICKLY? >> JUST TO RECAP, COMMISSIONER GARCIA DIRECTED LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE ON HEALTHCARE. ONE OF THE ITEMS GIVEN WAS TESTING THE MARKET. WE PRESENTED TWO OPTIONS.
THEY'RE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. THE MOTION THAT WE PROVIDED HAS US GOING ON BOTH. WE ARE ALLOWED UNDER OUR CONTRACT TO DO A DEEP DIVE WITH OUR VENDOR TO LOOK AT ARE THERE EXPENSES OUT OF WHACK WITH THE MARKET.
WE'RE GETTING CHARGED ABOVE MARKET? WE'RE ABLE TO IN THAT SENSE APPEAL THOSE EXPENSES.
WE WILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.
I KNOW THE DIRECTOR OF HRT COORDINATING DIRECTLY, THERE IS A DESIRE TO GO AND LOOK AT OUR BENEFIT CONSULTANT TO SEE IF MAYBE WE CAN GET SOMEBODY THAT IS A LITTLE BIT BIGGER AND POTENTIALLY FIND SOMEONE THAT HAS DEEPER EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA. THAT WOULD BE STEP NUMBER ONE DOING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF OUR EXPENSES AND WORKING THROUGH OUR EXISTING VENDOR. WE ARE GOING INTO OUR FOURTH YEAR OF A 5-YEAR CONTRACT. AND SO THE PROCESS WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER, THE RFP IS UNDER WAY. THE DIRECTOR AND I AGREE, WE REALLY WANT TO GET THIS RIGHT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT THAT THERE IS -- THAT WE GET THE FEEDBACK. IF THERE ARE GOING TO BE CHANGES, WE HAVE THOSE IN THE RFP SO THE VENDORS CAN PRICE
MR. RAMOS, THANK YOU FOR THAT. I WANT TO THANK HRT FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS. LOOK, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIVE TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
THEY SPOKE UP. THEY EXPRESSED CONCERNS.
BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS ONE OF THE PRICIER ITEMS ON THIS BUDGET THAT WE'RE HAVING TO PASS AND DISCUSS.
BUT TO THAT END, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALSO DON'T DO ANYTHING CATASTROPHIC TO OUR EMPLOYEES, AND ESPECIALLY TO OUR RETIREES. SO I'M A THOROUGH -- OR I'M A FAN RATHER FOR A THOROUGH TEST OF THE MARKET TO SEE WHAT IS OUT THERE, TO SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND THAT IS COMPARABLE TO WHAT WE'RE
[03:15:02]
OFFERING OUR EMPLOYEES. IT DOESN'T COME WITH THE SAME PRICE TAG THAT WE HAVE OUT THERE.AND SO I APPRECIATE THE WORK BEING DONE WITH THIS CONSULTANT.
I'M JUST CURIOUS WHY WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS SOONER.
I MEAN, THIS WAS A LONG CONVERSATION IN ADVANCE TO THIS.
AND SO I ā JUSTASK THATNEXTTIME WE BE AS PROACTIVE AS POSSIBLE RECOGNIZING THAT WE JUST CAN'T SIT THERE AND SEE THE PRICE TAG THAT'S GOING TO COME OUR WAY AND THEN HAVE A BLOWUP WITH EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES AND THEN START TO REACT TO THIS.
SO I WANT TO SEE THIS BE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED IN THE MARKET AND SEE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES MAY BE OUT THERE.
SO I AM IN SUPPORT OF PUTTING AN RFP OUT THERE REGARDLESS.
I WANT TO SEE AN RFP PRODUCED BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET -- I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET ENOUGH DETAILS WITHOUT AN RFP. AND SO WE MAY BE TOLD CERTAIN THINGS. BUT I WANT TO SEE AN RFP BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY REAL WAY TO TEST THE MARKET AND SEE WHAT COMES OUT. SO I'M STILL ADVOCATING.
I APPRECIATE THE WORK BEING DONE.
BUT I'M STILL ADVOCATING FOR AN RFP.
>> DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE? SHOULD I MOVE ON?
>> NO. WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD YOUR 2 CENTS, BUT THAT'S WHY WE WANTED TO PRESENT TWO OPTIONS. THEY'RE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
WE PLAN ON ATTACKING THEM ON A DUAL TRACK.
>> SO MY -- I KNOW THIS IS -- HOLD ON A SECOND.
HOW DOES THIS ITEM READ? >> HERE WE GO.
SO I GUESS THE -- SO YOU'LL PREPARE -- DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH DIRECTION? OR, JADE, DOES THE ITEM OF RFP NEED TO BE PUT -- DO I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO CONSTRUCT THAT?
>> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE A CRAFT MOTION.
WE ARE WORKING IN HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT TO ENGAGE OUR MARKETING TALENT. MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS AND FROM A PARITY ISSUE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL WHEN FEASIBLE AND PROVIDE COMMISSIONER'S COURT REGULAR
REPORTS ON THE PROGRESS OF BOTH? >> I THINK I'M GOING TO REFER A MOTION TO HAVE THE PLANNED ADMINISTRATORS SUBMIT PROPOSALS AND PREPARE THE FULL PLAN INCLUDING COSTS, NETWORKS, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EMPLOYEE SUPPORTS IN ORDER TO GET A COMPLETE AND MORE THOROUGH REVIEW.
THAT WOULD BE THE MOTION THAT I WOULD PUT ON THE TABLE.
>> AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
AND I WANT TO ADD TO THAT. BUT I BELIEVE YOU -- DIRECTOR RALEIGH DID YOU WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING BEFORE WE --
>> YEAH. I'M ALIGNED WITH WHAT DIRECTOR RAMOS PROPOSED. WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT.
WE WANT TO DO IT WITH ALL OF OUR DUCKS IN THE ROW.
I LIKE HIS TERMINOLOGY WHEN FEASIBLE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO GO THROUGH THE STEPS.
>> ANDREA, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION WE NEED WITHOUT PUTTING A FULL RFP OUT THERE.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT, SIR. WE'RE GOING TO GET BITS AND PIECES AND SUGARCOATING FROM OUR CURRENT VENDOR.
WITHOUT A FULL RFP, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET ALL THE DETAIL WE NEED TO COMPARE THE PLANS EFFECTIVELY.
>> CHIEF RALEIGH, COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW LONG YOU NORMALLY
PUT THE RFP BEFORE A CHANGE? >> IT TAKES A GOOD YEAR TO GET EVERYTHING LAID OUT. SIR, WHAT WE DID HAVE PLANNED, PRIOR TO THIS CURRENT PLAN, WE HAD RFP'ED THIS MEDICAL PROGRAM EVERY SEVEN YEARS AND THE PLAN NOW IS EVERY FIVE YEARS.
AND SO WE WOULD GO THROUGH A PROCESS OF RFPING WITH OUR BENEFITS CONSULTANT EARLY IN THE YEAR AND REGARDING THAT FULL RFP THAT YOU'RE ALLUDING TO NEXT YEAR.
PLAN NEAR '29 IMPLEMENTATION. THAT WAS WHAT THE 5-YEAR PLAN,
WORK PLAN HAS BEEN. >> WILL THIS EFFECTIVELY COMPARE US TO ANY OTHER VENDORS IN THE MARKET?
YES OR NO? >> THE MARKET CHECK THAT WE WILL DO EARLY IN THE YEAR WILL BE HELPFUL.
IT'S NOT AS THOROUGH AS THE FULL RFP.
>> THAT'S MY POINT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REAL
[03:20:03]
DOLLARS. >> I'M NOT GOING TO PLAY AROUND WITH THAT NUMBER. WE'RE GOING INTO A NEW FISCAL YEAR AFTER WE PASS THIS PIFISCA ONE.
WE NEED TO MOVE EXPEDITIOUSLY ON THIS.
>> CAN I ASK A QUESTION ON THIS POINT?
>> YEAH. >> IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO BOTH? OBVIOUSLY WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, GO DO IT.
AND THEN ALSO ADOPT HIS MOTION. AND IF IT COMES BACK, AND WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANY CHANGES, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT.
JUST A SUGGESTION. AND I WOULD LIKE TO END THIS
MEETING BEFORE TOMORROW. >> THAT'S TRUE.
IT'S TRUE. YES, WE CAN DO BOTH.
IF WE ACCELERATE THE RFP, WE WON'T DEAL WITH THE FULL BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRESSIVE POTENTIAL PREMIUMS OR THE NEW EMPLOYEE HANDLING. YES, WE CAN DO BOTH.
AGAIN, WE'RE RECOMMENDING THE 94% OF THE DRIVERS AND COST IN THIS PLAN ARE A PLANNED DESIGN AND PLANNED UTILIZATION.
THERE'S LESS OPPORTUNITY ON THE VENDOR THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING.
THIS IS OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL COME TO WITH DISRUPTION.
THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE WANT TO EVALUATE AND THAT METHODICAL FASHION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO A GREAT JOB SO...
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FEELING SOME PRESSURE. THEY'RE DOING IT FOR A PROFIT
>> THEY'RE NOT DOING IT TO GET US WELL.
THEY'RE WELL-PAID FOR IT. >> THAT'S TRUE.
>> I'M TRYING TO COMBINE THE TWO.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LANGUAGE DOES NOT CONFLICT.
DOES SOMEBODY WANT TO LOOK AT THAT?
>> WHAT I READ IS THAT THE SECOND OPTION YOU GAVE ME, DANIEL, SO DOES THAT WORK IN ORDER TO ALLOW BOTH OF THESE TO
MOVE IN PARALLEL? >> WE HAVE OUR DIRECTION.
NOBODY WANTS TO LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS MORE THAN THE TWO OF US.
>> THE RFP LANGUAGE, THE RFP LANGUAGE THAT I READ MOVING PARALLEL WITH WHATEVER WORK YOU'RE GOING TO DO.
>> CAN WE PLEASE REPEAT THE MOTION?
>> YEAH, I DON'T HAVE THE MOTION.
I NEED TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING. ARE WE VOTING TO POTENTIALLY
CHANGE PROVIDERS NEXT YEAR? >> IF THE --
>> SO WE'RE -- WE HAVE GOT FOUR YEARS THIS WOULD BE OUR FOURTH YEAR. NEXT YEAR WOULD BE THE FIFTH
YEAR. >> SO 2020, 2027, CALENDAR YEAR 2027 WOULD BE THE 4TH. CALENDAR YEAR 2028 WOULD BE THE FIFTH. WE DON'T HAVE TO GO A FULL YEAR.
IT'S A TON OF WORK. >> CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION UNTIL
WE FINISH THIS ITEM. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. CAN I PASS THIS? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
GO AHEAD. >> YOU WANT US TO START WORKING ON THIS AGGRESSIVELY. WE CAN PROVIDE A TIME LINE ON WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. IT JUST MAY BE THAT IT DOESN'T PERFECTLY ALIGN WITH THE PLAN HERE.
WE MAY NEED TO EXTEND WITH OUR CURRENT PROVIDER AND CURRENT PLANS FOR THREE ADDITIONAL MONTHS INTO A YEAR THAT MAKE THE TRANSITION. WHAT I'M HEARING IS YOU WANT US WORKING ON THIS AS AGGRESSIVELY AS POSSIBLE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW THE MOTION. DID YOU SEND IT AROUND?
WHAT DID YOU SAY DIRECTOR? >> THE MOTION YOU PASSED WAS
WE NEED TO PASS THE MOTION TO HAVE CONTEXT ON THE DISCUSSION.
>> HERE'S -- LET ME READ THE MOTION AGAIN.
>> THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT PLAN ADMINISTRATORS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS AND COMPARE THE FULL PLAN INCLUDING COST, NETWORKS.
>> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I WAS DISTRACTED. ALSO YOU GUYS SHOULD REALLY EMAIL THIS OUT. WHAT IS IT?
AND I WILL WRITE IT. >> THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT PLAN ADMINISTRATORS TO SELECT ONB AND HRT TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS -- OR TO DIRECT PLAN ADMINISTRATORS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS AND COMPARE THE FULL PLAN INCLUDING COST, NETWORKS, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND EMPLOYEE SUPPORTS. THIS IS IN ORDER TO GET A MORE COMPLETE REVIEW OF OUR CURRENT HEALTHCARE PLAN.
>> DID YOU GET IT? >> AND SO I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND RAMSEY HAVE A COMMENT. I'M SIMPLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THIS. IF YOU GUYS ARE -- IF YOU GUYS HAVE COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> SO I HAVE QUESTIONS AND I HAVE COMMENTS, BUT THE BOTTOM
[03:25:01]
LINE IS I'M SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS SAYING.TO LEVEL SET WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, NUMBER ONE, WE REMAIN DEEPLY COMMITTED TO OUR EMPLOYEES' HEALTH BENEFITS, PERIOD, FULL STOP. AND WE HAVE ABOUT 46,000 INDIVIDUALS ON OUR PLAN. WE HAVE CURRENT EMPLOYEES, DEPENDENTS, RETIREES, DEPENDENTS, AND THAT IS A SACRED BENEFIT; RIGHT? WE'RE PROUD TO OFFER THE BENEFITS. HOWEVER, AS WE SAW FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR, THE PREMIUM, IT WENT UP FOR US.
OUR COST AS THE EMPLOYER, 89 MILLION FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT, AND THAT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.
AND AS WE TALK ABOUT THE TAX RATE AND Y'ALL'S PROPERTY TAXES WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS PREPARE FOR NEXT YEAR SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE BOTH AND. OFFER COMPETITIVE BENEFITS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PLAN DESIGN AND STRUCTURE HELPS US CONTAIN AND MAINTAIN COSTS. AND BECAUSE WE'RE IN YEAR FOUR OF FIVE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VENDOR, WE WANT TO GO OUT TO THE MARKET TO GET A COMPETITIVE PLAN AND COMPETITIVE RATES SO THAT IT'S MORE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE FOR THE COUNTY TO OFFER THESE. AND SO IN ADDITION TO DOING THE MARKET ANALYSIS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS, THE COST DRIVERS, PLAN DESIGN, POTENTIAL CHANGES. WE NEED TO GO OUT TO RFPS TO HAVE A MARKET COMPETITION TO HAVE A FINANCIALLY SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE PATH FORWARD. IN ADDITION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA BROUGHT ABOUT ANALYZING AS WELL, COULD THE UNIVERSE BY BIFURCASTED OF RETIREES AND EMPLOYEES.
THE OTHER IS PROGRESSIVE. THOSE WHO MAKE MORE ON THE PAY SCALE AND WE CAN TRANCHE IT OUT, THEY PAY MORE THAN THOSE MAKING LOWER WAGES; RIGHT? WE HAVE 20,000 EMPLOYEES.
WE WANT TO BE FAIR. DOING IT PROGRESSIVELY -- WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY IN THE ABSTRACT.
WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR OWN WORKERS.
IN ADDITION TO THE RFP, I WAS GOING TO ASK IN THE ANALYSIS WHILE YOU'RE CONSIDERING THIS BIFURCASTED WITH NEW EMPLOYEES IF YOU COULD VERY EMPLOYEES EARNING MORE THAN A HUNDRED THOUSAND. IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT LEVERS OF CHANGE TO DO THE BOTH AND, PROVIDE COMPETITIVE BENEFITS BUT DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE, WE JUST HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE AND THE TRUTH IS TO ECHO ANOTHER ONE OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINTS, I WAS SHOCKED IT WENT UP 89 MILLION FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT. OUR BENEFITS CONSULTANT DIDN'T FLAG IT SOONER. OUR ESTIMATE WAS SO OFF.
IT WAS VERY CONCERNING. TO THE OTHER POINT MADE, WE WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND THOROUGH. DO THE RIGHT THING AND DO THE THING RIGHT. WE DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE ANY SORT OF RAPID CHANGES WITHOUT A THOROUGH DUE DILIGENCE AND DOING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND WORKING WITH THE BEST AND TESTING THE MARKET BECAUSE THERE CLEARLY MUST BE A BETTER PLAN DESIGN THAT CAN HELP MITIGATE, FOR EXAMPLE, STANDALONE EMERGENCY ROOMS WHICH WAS ONE OF THE HUGE COST DRIVERS; RIGHT? AND WE CAN STILL GIVE THE CARE BUT MITIGATE THE THINGS THAT ARE CREATING THOSE ASTRONOMICAL COSTS.
AND SO IN SUM, I SUPPORT WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS SAYING AND I WANT TO ADD THAT PROGRESSIVE.
THE LOWER EARNERS, I WANT TO TREAT THEM DIFFERENTLY THAN THE
HIGHER EARNERS. >> I WOULD ACCEPT THAT AS A
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. >> THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER. >> SHE NEEDS .
>> IF YOU CAN PLEASE READ IT ONE MORE TIME SO WE HAVE IT FOR
CLARITY FOR THE RECORD. >> AND THEN I'LL ASK COMMISSIONER TO TAG ON HER AMENDED.
SO THE MOTION WOULD READ TO DIRECT O&B AND HRT TO WORK WITH ADMINISTRATORS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS AND PREPARE THE FULL PLAN INCLUDING COST, NETWORK, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EMPLOYEE SUPPORTS IN ORDER TO GET A MORE COMPLETE REVIEW OF OUR HEALTH
CARE PLAN IN ADDITION. >> IN ADDITION TO CONSIDERING POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR NEW EMPLOYEES VERSES CURRENT AND RETIREES, TO CONSIDER A PROGRESSIVE HEALTH CARE PREMIUM STRUCTURE WITH HIGHER PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING MORE THAN 100,000 DOLLARS ANNUALLY.
>> ALL RIGHT. DOES THIS REQUIRE A VOTE?
>> WE HAVEN'T VOTED YET. >> WE HAVE NOT VOTED YET ON
THIS. >> SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAVE
YOU SPOKEN TO THIS ALREADY? >> JUST A QUICK QUESTION.
SO WE HAD TWO OPTIONS, SOUNDS LIKE WE COMBINE THE TWO OPTIONS,
[03:30:03]
WE'RE GOING TO DO THE RFP AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO EVALUATE OUR CURRENT PLAN AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THE AT THE SAME TIME.I'VE READ COMMISSIONER BRIONESS'S MOTION, I SUPPORT THAT ONE. IS SOUNDS LIKE YOUR OPINION SO I'M LOOKING AT A PIECE OF PAPER YOU'LL IMPLEMENT THIS AT THE END OF THE DAY. THE ONLY THING I HADN'T HEARD IS THE DATE. HOW MUCH TIME WILL YOU NEED.
>> CAN I SUGGEST YOU SAY AS SOON AS FEASIBLE AND WE CAN PUT IT
BACK ON THE AGENDA. >> VERY GOOD.
>> SINCE WE'RE DOING THIS ON THE RUSH HERE .
>> OKAY. SO JUST BACKING UP BECAUSE WE DID COME UP DIFFERENT FROM SOMETHING FROM WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE DISCUSSING AND I HEARD SOME HESITATION EARLIER FROM YOU, DIRECTOR. SO I'M JUST WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR HESITATION AND WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.
>> JUST MAKING SURE WE HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF THE WHOLE ENTIRE PROCESS.
SO WE WILL DO THAT AS DIRECTED AND THANK YOU FOR THE FEASIBLE YEAH WE'LL DO OUR ABSLAWT BEST TO DO IT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN TO
DO IT WELL. >> BY THE ORDERING YOU MEAN.
>> INITIALLY WHAT WE WERE THINKING JUDGE IS THAT WE WOULD WORK THROUGH THE PROPOSALS AROUND NEW HIRES AND AROUND PROGRESSIVE AND SO FORTH AND COME BACK I THINK WE WERE ASKED IN JANUARY ON THOSE ITEMS SO WE WOULD HAVE THAT ALIGNMENT AND WE WOULD RFP THE BENEFIT'S CONSULTANT AND THEN WE WOULD GO INTO THE FULL RFP SO WE WOULD DO A MARKET CHECK AND ADD THAT IN AND ADD THAT IN SO WE KNOW WE'RE NOT MISSING ANYTHING THAT WE CAN ACT ON IMMEDIATELY AND THEN DO THE FULL RFP SOMETIME NEXT YEAR FOR IMPLEMENTATION 2029 BUT I UNDERSTAND.
>> I'M STILL DISCUSSING, COMMISSIONER.
SO ARE WE -- HOW ARE WE ABLE TO DO THE RFP WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THAT PART FIRST? IS THAT REASON AABLE?
>> I WILL MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED AND WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND THEN WE'LL JUST LET THEM KNOW AS PART OF THAT PROCESS WHEN WE GET CONFIRMATION IN JANUARY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT ON THOSE OTHER TWO ITEMS HOW WE'RE
CHANGING THOSE. >> I'M NOT CATCHING IT, HOW IS
THAT DIFFERENT. >> WE'LL JUST BE PUTTING IT OUT WITH THE CURRENT STRUS STATUS THE WAY CLAIMS ARE MANAGED.
IF THERE'S A NEW HIRE AND THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT PLAN WHEN WE'RE SENDING OUT THE INFORMATION FOR RFP BEFORE WE HAVE THAT ALIGNMENT THEN WE'LL BE SENDING IT OUT IN THE CURRENT STRUCTURE AND THEY'LL BE SENDING BACK PAID CLAIMS FOR NEW HIRES AS IF THEY WERE UNDER THE CURRENT STRUCTURE SO THEN WE'LL HAVE TO SAY AFTER JANUARY ACTUALLY IT LOOKS LIKE THIS FOR NEW HIRES AND THIS
BY -- YOU KNOW. >> BUT WE WON'T HAVE TO GO BACK
OUT. >> NO, THEY WILL JUST HAVE TO
MODIFY THEIR PROPOSALS. >> OKAY.
AND YOU FEEL -- SOUNDS LIKE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE NOW?
>> WE WILL ABSOLUTELY DO AS DIRECTED, YES.
AS DIRECTOR RAMOS SAID WE WANT TO GET HEALTH CARE COSTS DOWN AS
WELL. >> SO YOU DO FEEL COMFORTABLE?
>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT RUSHED AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS UNDER WAY LIKE THE 457B RFP THAT WE'LL BE IMPLEMENTING HOPEFULLY IN MARCH AND WE HAVE VOLUNTARY BENEFITS IN MARCH SO THE TEAM IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY BURDENED BUT WE WILL FIND A WAY TO DO AS DIRECTED.
>> YEAH, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU -- I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW -- I GUESS THE BUDGET IS TIGHT. BUT I DISAGREE WITH SORT OF POINTING THE FINGER AT THE HR DEPARTMENT BECAUSE YOU'RE RELATIVELY NEW AND WE WERE THE ONES THAT TURNED DOWN THE RECOMMENDATION AND I AGREED WITH TURNING IT DOWN BUT I WON'T BE HERE ANYMORE BUT I DON'T WANT TO RUSH THIS JUST FOR THE SAKE OF -- YOU KNOW, SAVING FACE THE DAY OF THE BUDGET VOTE.
SO I WOULD JUST ASK DIRECTOR -- I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING ADMINISTRATOR OR DIRECTOR RAMOS TO SUPPORT HR THAT WE CAN DO TO
SUPPORT OR IS THISS -- >> WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT
CHIEF RAW LY. >> PURCHASING AGENDA, MS. WILLIAMS, CAN I ASK YOU TO A ALSO -- RATHER, LET ME INCLUDE THE PURPOSING AGENT IN THE MOTION AS WELL.
[03:35:01]
SO O&B, HRT AND THE PURCHASING AGENT THAT WAY WE CAN GET THAT RFP, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULD TAKE A YEAR FOR AN RFP SO IF YOU COULD HELP US ACCELERATE IT THAT WOULD BE GREAT.COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> I DON'T WANT TO CONFUSE US. I'LL DO IT AFTER WE VOTE ON THIS ONE. ONCE WE VOTE ON HIS I HAVE A
SIMPLE TRANSPARENCY MOTION. >> SO LET'S VOTE ON THIS ONE.
DO YOU HAVE THE MOTION. >> YES, JUDGE.
>> SO THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONSE.
ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUS.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> MY MOTION IS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BEING AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE.
I WORKED WITH HRT ON IT AND WE HAD DIFFERENCE ON OPINION, I LIKE MY LANGUAGE A LITTLE BETTER.
I KNOW WHEN THIS PROCESS CAME UP BEFORE I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THAT PULLED THAT VIDEO ON YOU DANIEL THAT WERE COMMITMENTS THAT WERE MADE, I JUST DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN AGAIN SO THE MOTION READS, MOTION THAT OFFICER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES, HRT AND AND O&B PROVIDE ADVANCED NOTICE OF NO LESS THAN 7 CALENDERS PRIOR TO RELEASE DAY FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING IN WHICH ANY CHANGE TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED VIA EMAIL OR DIRECT COMMUNICATION TO ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHENEVER ANY MAJOR MODIFICATION TO EMPLOYEE BENEFITS IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.
AND I GUESS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IS, CAN I HAVE A SECOND, I THINK YOU CAN STILL DO THE ADVISORY PANEL THAT YOU'RE DOING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T -- YOU KNOW, WHEN THAT ITEM CAME UP BEFORE IT WAS COMING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION. AND IT WAS JUST ON THE AGENDA.
AND I KNOW THAT WAS SOME HEART BURN BECAUSE I ASKED A NOTICE BE SENT OUT TO EVERY EMPLOYEE AND I THOUGHT I WOULD ASK WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN SENT TO THEM WHEN I PULL THAT LIST OF SOME OF THE FAIRLY INSIGNIFICANT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT OUT AT THE REQUEST OF OTHER PEOPLE I FIGURE THIS IS CERTAINLY A LITTLE BIT MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWING THAT THE HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL IS COMING UP, YOU KNOW, IN CASE THEY DIDN'T KNOW THANKSGIVING WAS COMING UP. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT WHAT WE DO.
I MADE A MOTION. CAN I HAVE A SECOND?
>> OKAY. SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A MOTION, IS THERE A SECOND. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GAGARC.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION? IS 7 DAYS LONG ENOUGH
>> MOTION SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUST A BRIEF COMMENT IF I MIGHT. I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ANGST ABOUT HEALTH CARE PLANS AT HARRIS COUNTY, MR. RAM SQUOS I WANT TO ASK YOU, TO MY KNOWLEDGE THESE PLANS THAT THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE NOW WAS HERE WHEN I GOT HERE.
AND IT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS, IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? SO IT'S NOT AS IF THIS NEW COURT CAME IN AND WE JUST SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED BENEFITS. THAT WAS THE SYSTEM PRETTY MUCH
LAST 25 YEARS AT HARRIS COUNTY. >> I'VE BEEN HERE SHORTER BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE BASIC STRUCTURE HAS BEEN AROUND.
>> WHEN YOU'RE REVIEWING THE PLANS I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STATE PLANS SINCE I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 26 YEARS IT'S PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH WHAT THE STATE OF TEXAS DOES WITH A MAJOR EXCEPTION THEY DON'T PROVIDE AS MANY BENEFITS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS ON THE STATE LEVEL BUT THAT PLAN IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO. SO WHEN WE DO THE COMPARISON IN THE MARKET IT WAS JUST INTERESTING THAT I DIDN'T SEE THE STATE OF TEXAS IN THERE. WE TALK ABOUT WHAT DALLAS AND OTHER PLACES DID BUT THE STATE OF TEXAS WAS NOT IN THERE.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO THAT WAS COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
WE PASSED THE BUDGET ON THAT. REPASSED THE MOTIONS ON THAT.
ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE NEED TO PASS ON THAT ITEM, DIRECTOR.
>> WE JUST NEED TO GO BACK TO 480 TO PASS THE BUDGET.
>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN. I HAVEN'T DONE ANY POLLING BUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS NOT HERE. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
TAKE A BREAK AND COME BACK. >> I ADVOCATE FOR LUNCH.
>> I ADVOCATE FOR A BUDGET BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO STRESS IT IF WE DON'T PASS ONE TODAY, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?
>> WE'RE VERY MUCH IN DANGER OF NOT BEING ABLE TO PAY FOLKS
OCTOBER 1ST. >> BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN 2022 WE DID NOT PAY PEOPLE ON TIME.
[03:40:01]
>> WE ADOPTED THE BUDGET IT WAS JUST A SMALLER ONE.
>> RIGHT BUT IT'S NOT THAT PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO GET PAID.
THERE'S NOT A QUORUM ISSUE, YOU GUYS, IT'S FINE.
>> IT'S BASED ON THE DISCUSSION FROM THE LAST MEETING I HAVEN'T COUNTED ANY VOTES BUT I'M PRETTY GOOD AT MATH.
SO IF IT'S 2-2, IT WOULDN'T PASS.
>> CORRECT. BUT WE CAN ALSO TAKE A 481 IF WE
WANT TO MAKE USE OF THE TIME. >> OKAY.
481. >> WHICH IS HARRIS HEALTH.
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT UP. >> YEAH.
I MEAN I THINK WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA NOT BEING HERE I DON'T WANT HIS VOTE TO NOT BE RECORDED.
YEAH, I AGREE, THERE'S ALL THESE FOLKS HERE IS ALL.
BUT OKAY. SO IT'S 1:11 WE'LL BREAK UNTIL
>> WHAT I SUGGEST WE DO IS GO TO NONCONTROVERSIAL ITEMS AND GET BACK TO THE MAIN ITEM WHEN EVERYBODY GETS BACK IN.
JAKE CAN YOU HELP ME GIVE ME SOME SENSE.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THAT NUMBER THAT YOU PULLED.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ITEM TWO ON THE CALENDER.
>> THAT COULD BE CONTROVERSIAL. >> OKAY.
THAT'S NOT CONTROVERSIAL. >> I'M SURE EVERYBODY WANTS TO GIVE THEIR INPUT ON IT. SUSTAINABILITY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, HOW ABOUT THAT ONE. ITEM FIVE? PAGE TWO, ITEM FIVE. TRANSFER OCAS, 12 POSITIONS.
SOMETHING WHERE MAYBE TWO OF US MIGHT BE ALIGNED I'M JUST
I MOVE ITEM 5 -- AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
YOU HELP US REMIND OUR COLLEAGUES.
>> WHEN THEY COME BACK THEY CAN ADD THEIR VOTES.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, HOW ABOUT ITEM 7, PAGE TWO, ITEM 7.
P CARDS, PERSONNEL FOR MEALS. >> I WANT TO TAKE 7, 11, 421 AND
I WILL MOVE ALL ITEMS. >> THESE ARE ALL P CARDS.
>> I MOVE ALL OF THE ITEMS UNDER THIS NUMBER 7, 11, 421 AND 554
>> COMMISSIONER BRION EES SECON. IT.
NOW I WILL MOVE ITEM 7, 11, 421 AND 554 UNDER ITEM 7.
HE PULLED THOSE OFF. SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? HE WANTS US TO VOTE AGAINST THIS.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY YA. >> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER YOU
LOST US ON THAT ONE. >> ITEM 7 ON THE P CARDS.
>> THEY ARE SEPARATE ITEMS. >> OH, I'M SORRY.
>> I VOTED NO. >> YEAH, THE ITEMS PASSED 2-1
>> OKAY SO NOW I'LL JUMP TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
YOU WANT ME TO GRAB THOSE OTHERS SO YOU CAN VOTE NO.
>> NO, WE'RE GOOD. >> THE VOTE WAS 2-1 ON THOSE
IS THAT A CONTROVERSIAL ONE. >> THIS IS JUST SPACE PLANNING.
I THINK IT'S AS PRESENTED. >> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.
>> I THINK AT THIS POINT, JUST A MINUTE
>> WE CAN COME BACK TO IT IF YOU WANT TO.
>> THERE'S PROBABLY SOME COMMENTS.
>> WE'LL HOLD THAT ONE AND GET TO IT LATER.
JUST MAKE SURE I DIDN'T GET CONFUSE, SO ITEM 11, WE DID THAT
>> OKAY. AND THEN ITEM 15, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THAT'S YOU AS WELL. IF YOU'RE READY ON THAT ONE.
HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT TO HARRIS COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICIES
[03:45:01]
TO INCLUDE AMENDMENTS TO WORKPLACE SAFETY.>> THIS IS ON THE -- >> WORKPLACE SAFETY AND WELLNESS LEA LEAVE.
>> TALKING TO -- I HAD SOMETHING OF CONCERN, I'LL MENTION IT HERE. WE WERE CONTACTED BE -- BY THE FOLKS PURSUING THE CONSULTATION AGREEMENT, AFCM -- AFSCME, AND THIS IS THE EMAIL I RECEIVED IN MY OFFICE -- MY EMPLOYEES RECEIVED IN THEIR OFFICE AND YOU REMEMBER THESE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE COMPETING TO BECOME THE UNION OR THE LABEL ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING OUR EMPLOYEES. AND THE EMAIL TO OUR FOLKS WAS DEAR -- I WON'T FILL IN THE NAME, OUR UNION WON A CONSULTATION POLICY, NOW WE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SET OUR AGENDA FOR OUR FIRST CONSULTATION MEETING.
THEY DID NOT WIN THE CONSULTATION POLICY.
THIS IS A GROUP THAT IS SENDING OUT IN ACCURATE -- THAT'S THE KIND WORD, MISLEADING WOULD BE A CLEAR WORD, TO EMPLOYEES THEY DID NOT WIN IT. WE WON'T KNOW THAT UNTIL OCTOBER
1, IS THAT RIGHT, ADMINISTRATOR? >> AND THEN 5 DAYS WHEN WE
VERIFY. >> THERE'S BEEN NO VERIFICATION.
SO FOR THEM, TO BE OUT THERE TELLING OUR EMPLOYEES THAT THEY WON THE CONTRACT, THEY HAVE A DIRECT FINANCIAL BENEFIT, FINANCIAL GAIN FROM MISREPRESENTING AND NOT TELLING THE TRUTH. I THINK THERE'S A PROBLEM HERE.
>> COMMISSIONER WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THAT AND COME BACK --
GET BACK AT THE NEXT COURT. >> I MAY NOT GET A SECOND BUT I MAKE A MOTION TO DISQUALIFY AMSCME FROM CONSULTATION AGENT SELECTION PROCESS DUE TO CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND POLICY CREATION, POLICY VIOLATIONS AND EMPLOYEE DECEPTION.
THEY ARE THE PRIMARY ONE WE LISTEN TO WHEN WE WROTE THIS POLICY SO NOT ONLY WERE THEY WRITING THE POLICY BUT OUT THERE MISREPRESENTING THE FACT THAT THEY WON IT.
>> JUDGE, WE'RE ON ITEM 15. >> THAT'S ITEM 15.
>> AND I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.
WAS THIS A LETTER THAT CAME FROM HRT? OR THE ADMINISTRATOR? OR CAME FROM THE -- FROM ASCME.
>> COMMISSIONER THAT CAME F FROM -- I READ A COPY OF IT HERE. IT CAME FROM THE UNION.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A SECOND TO YOUR MOTION BUT IS THERE ANY CONCERN THAT WOULD -- SO THAT HR -- I WAS COMPLAINING EARLIER I KNOW YOU GOT MAIL WHEN I PUT OUT THE THING ON HEALTH CARE BUT ANY REASON FOR HRT TO PUT OUT A NOTICE SO THIS THEY UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, IT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU MAY CONSIDER.
>> NOTICE TO WHOM? >> I GUESS TO WHOEVER THIS ONE WENT TO. I GUESS IT WENT TO ALL OF THE
EMPLOYEES. >> IT DID NOT GO TO ALL EMPLOYEES. IT WENT TO SOME.
>> WHO DID THIS ONE GO TO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> IT WENT TO MY JENNIFER, WHO WORKS IN MY OFFICE.
>> OKAY AND YOU ASSUME IT WAS A MASS EMAIL TO YOUR EMPLOYEES?
>> WELL, I'M ASSUMING. SHE WASN'T THE ONLY WON THAT GOT IT BUT EVEN IF SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT GOT IT WHEN THEY ARE SENDING INFORMATION THAT'S NOT ACCURATE BECAUSE AGAIN WE WANT PEOPLE TO SIGN UP, ONE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER WE'RE IN OR WE'RE OUT, SO THOSE DECISIONS HADN'T BEEN MADE YET. I DON'T KNOW.
BUT I WOULD THINK ANYBODY WOULD BE CONCERNED WHEN THE FOLKS THAT ARE COMPETING, KEYWORD THERE, COMPETING, ARE SENDING OUT INACCURATE INFORMATION TO OUR EMPLOYEES.
>> I'M JUST CURIOUS ADMINISTRATOR, HRT, HAVE WE SENT OUT SOMETHING THAT EXPLAINS THE PROCESS TO THE EMPLOYEES? KNOWING THAT WE HAVE A CONSULTATION POLICY.
>> THAT WOULD BE NO. WE HAVEN'T SENT A MASS COMMUNICATION. HRT AND THEY MIGHT WANT TO GET UP THERE THEY WORK REGULARLY WITH ALL THE HR LIAISONS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE LISTED AS IN THE POLICY.
AND ALSO I'VE COMMUNICATED REGULARLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT
HEADS. >> I FOR ONE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH YOU ALL SENDING SOMETHING OUT SO THAT THEY DO KNOW IN FACT THERE'S A PERSON THAT SPEAR HEADED A POLICY, I MAY PUT IT OUT MYSELF. IF Y'ALL WON'T PUT IT OUT FOR ME I CAN GET THE EMAIL IN OPEN RECORD AND AS PUT IT OUT MYSELF.
BUT I JUST THINK SO THAT THEY KNOW WHETHER THEY WANT TO
[03:50:01]
PARTICIPATE OR NOT I WANT THEM TO KNOW.'CAUSE I COULD JUST SEND OUT MY NEWS LETTER.
>> I GUESS MY SPECIFIC -- I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAYING THERE, LET'S BE TRANSPARENT, THELET'S CLEAR, THERE ARE POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BUT BEFORE -- AT SOME POINT I THINK AFSCME NEEDS THEIR HAND SLAPPED FOR SENDING OUT SOMETHING THAT'S NOT ACCURATE. AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE EBB GAUGE -- ENGAGE ON IT.
>> SO THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE, JUDGE.
JUST WAITING FOR A SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT.
SO THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S NOTION. >> TO DISQUALIFY AFSCME SITING SUBSTANTIATED CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN POLICY KREEX.
OKAY AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU'RE SAYING BECAUSE
THEY SENT A MESSAGE. >> COMMISSIONER, ON THE MOTION I THINK IT WOULD BE SINCE THIS IS ACTUALLY CALLING TO DISQUALIFY -- WE WOULD NEED TO LOOK INTO THE -- THIS IS THE FIRST I THINK MANY OF US HAVE HEARD THIS SPECIFIC THING AND IF
YOU WOULD ALLOW US. >> IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I TALKED TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I TALKED TO YOUR BOSS.
>> SURE, UNDERSTOOD. >> I TALKED TO ABBY KAYMAN.
IF Y'ALL COULD JUST TELL ME YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT.
RATHER THAN SAYING WE'RE GOING TO IGNORE IT AND THEY CAN SAY ANYTHING TO ANYBODY. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING, BE ACCURATE IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THIS IS CLEARLY TO THEIR ADVANTAGE TO MISREPRESENT THEIR POSITION.
WHEN THEY SAY OUR UNION WON A CONSULTATION POLICY, THAT'S NOT ACCURATE. IN FACT THAT'S A LIE.
IS THERE A BENEFIT FOR THEM LYING? ABSOLUTELY. THEY WANT TO GET THE CONTRACT.
>> SO WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, CONTACT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF AFSCME AND EXPLAIN THE ISSUE TO THEM.
SO THAT'S WHAT THE QUESTION REQUEST IS, IS THAT OKAY.
RAISE YOUR CONCERNS. >> ALL RIGHT.
I'M GOOD WITH THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> THANK YOU. >> SO CAN COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I RECORD OUR VOTES ON THE ITEMS THAT WERE ALREADY DISCUSSED. 5, 7, 11, 421 AND 554.
SO ON 5 -- >> I THINK YOU WANT TO VOTE
YET. >> ON 5, YES, I'M IN FAVOR.
>> SHOW ME IN SUPPORT OF ALL. >> ON 7 I'M IN SUPPORT AS WELL.
11, ALSO IN SUPPORT. >> DO YOU NEED A MOTION OR JUST
A REQUEST. >> THEY CAN JUST MAKE A REQUEST
OH, 421, THANK YOU. I'M IN FAVOR.
>> YES, THOSE ARE ALL P CARD. >> AND 554.
>> YES AND 554 IS PROCUREMENT CARD.
I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF THAT ONE. >> YEP.
>> SO IT WILL BE 5-0 UNANIMOUS FOR THOSE.
>> I HEARD YOU. >> MY APOLOGIES.
AND THEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A MOTION FOR ITEM 15 OR IS THAT GOING TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
>> WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION. >> ITEM 15 NEEDS A MOTION.
>> I JUST DIDN'T HEAR HER. >> SO ITEM 15 IS AMEND THE PERSONAL POLICIES. OKAY.
SO THAT'S THE -- SO WE DID DISCUSS THAT ONE?
>> OKAY. SO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.
YOU RECORDED ME IN FAVOR FOR THAT ONE AS WELL?
>> YES, JUDGE. I JUST NEED WHOM MADE THE MOTION
AND SECONDED. >> I MADE THE MOTION AND I THINK COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED IT.
>> FOR 15. >> YES, I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER -- JUST.
>> APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ITEM 15. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY.
>> WE'LL GO BACK TO THE BUDGET, JUDGE.
[03:55:03]
I WAS JUST KIND OF KILLING SOME TIME.>> ALL RIGHT, YES, LET'S GO BACK TO THE BUDGET.
AND LET ME SEE -- OH, OKAY. SO ON THE BUDGET I HAVE A M MOTION, YOU GUYS, BUT WE CAN ALSO DISCUSS FIRST IF THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT FOLKS NEED. TO BRING UP.
SO I THINK WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORD COORD COORDINATING COUNCIL.
WELCOME, HI. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, SO
COLLEAGUES -- SOME MATERIALS. >> OKAY.
SO WHAT THIS IS IS FROM THE CLOSING LUNCH IN ON THE EARLY CHILDHOOD RESILIENCY FUND WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CONFUSING NAME BUT ESSENTIALLY IT'S THE PROGRAM THAT SERVES CHILDREN WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND I WAS AT THIS L LUNCH-INAND THERE WAS AN EVALUATION AND THE SPEAKER WILL TALK ABOUT IT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN SEE HERE AND I'LL LET YOU
TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM. >> SURE.
>> BUT SOMETHING I WANT TO POINT MY COLLEAGUE'S ATTENTION TO IS THE ARTWORK THAT THESE KIDS -- THAT THESE KIDS PRODUCED.
SO THERE'S THIS REALLY BEAUTIFUL ONE, BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS THAT HAS -- YOU KNOW, DARK WORLD ALONE SAD PAIN AND THE JOYFUL WORLD THAT THE PROGRAM BROUGHT AND THEN YOU CAN SEE ONE ON THE SECOND TO LAST PAGE AS WELL AND ON THE FINAL PAGE THIS IS WHAT THE CHILD SEES THEIR MOTHER AS BEING NOW, INDEPENDENT, LOVELY, STANDS -- I DON'T REMEMBER THAT ONE, ALL THE ABOVE.
SO SHE HIGHLIGHTS -- THE CHILD HIGHLIGHTS ALL OF THE ABOVE.
SO ANYWAY, IT'S A REALLY BEAUTIFUL PROGRAM.
I KNOW THAT THE -- AND IT'S BEEN EVALUATED SUCCESSFUL LY I KNOW THAT THE BUDGET HAS 400,000 DOLLARS THAT ARE UNALLOCATED.
THIS PROGRAM IS A 3.1 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM SO FAR WE'VE DECIDED NOT TO FUND IT AT ALL. AND, OF COURSE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WAS GOING TO GO IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD BALLOT ITEM. SO I THINK THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO INVEST THIS 400,000 DOLLARS ON AT LEAST SERVING SOME OF THESE KIDS GOING FORWARD. GO AHEAD.
>> SURE, SO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD RESILIENCE FUND AS JUDGE HIDALGO SAID SERVICES DEVELOPMENTAL AND CLINICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE KNOW FROM OUR RESEARCH THAT CHILDREN WHO WITNESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GROW UP IN HOMES WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE FOUR TO TEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO USE VIOLENCE OR BECOME VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE IN THE FUTURE JUST BECAUSE IT BECOMES NORMALIZED IN THEIR HOMES.
WITH THE MONEY WE HAD 14 AGENCIES, EVERYTHING FROM SHELTERS AS YOU MENTIONED, THE BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS, HOUSTON WOMEN'S CENTER, FAMILY TIME, CRISIS CENTRE TO EVEN CHURCHES, TAKING THIS MONEY INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND DOING DEVELOPMENTAL WORK AND CLINICAL WORK WITH CHILDREN WHO HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE. SO THAT LOOKS LIKE PLAY THERAPY, IT LOOKS LIKE ONE-ON-ONE TALK THERAPY FOR THOSE WHO ARE A LITTLE BIT IN THEIR TEENAGE YEARS OR PRETEEN YEARS AND IN THAT, IN THIS PROGRAM WE WERE ABLE TO REACH 2,727 CHILDREN AND WE HAD OF THAT -- THE NUMBER OF SESSIONS THEY RECEIVED WAS OVER 20,000 SESSIONS OF AGE APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION AND THERAPY. AMOUNTING TO -- YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF SERVICES. SO I THINK ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS AS JUDGE HIDALGO MENTIONED WE'RE WORKING ON THE EVALUATION WITH DR. LAYLA WOOD OUT OF UT HEALTH.
SHE AND I WERE JUST ON THE PHONE AND SENT ME SOME PRELIMINARY RESULTS, THESE AREN'T FINAL NUMBERSEN THE AESTHETICS OF ARE COMING TOGETHER BUT THE OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN, 88% OF TEACHERS
[04:00:04]
REPORTED THE CHILD DOING BETTER IN SCHOOL, 86%, MORE FRIENDS IN SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE, 85% OF TEACHERS REPORTED THESE CHILDREN ENJOYED SCHOOL MORE THAN THEY DID BEFORE ENTERING THIS PROGRAM. AND 84% OF THE CHILDREN HAD FEWER CONFLICTS. SO THIS WAS A VERY -- YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A REALLY GENEROUS INVESTMENT IN CHILDREN AND REALLY IN INTERRUPTING THAT CYCLE OF VIOLENCE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GET TO THESE CRISIS SITUATIONS.AND WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AHEAD OF Y'ALL WITH THE BUDGET.
BUT ANY EXTRA FUNDS AND, OF COURSE, COMING FROM A 3 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM TO 400,000 SEEMS LIKE WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE IMPACT BUT WE ABSOLUTELY WOULD, YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST ON THE PHONE WITH DOCR. WOOD, SHE'S OU EVA EVALUATOR AND PH.D. IN THIS WORK AND WE WOULD JUST BE MORE STRINGENT IN HOW WE WOULD BE SPENDING THE MONEY SO THE REACH WOULDN'T BE WIDER BUT WE WOULD WANT TO GO AS DEEP WITH THESE CHILDREN BECAUSE OVER 80% IN ALL OF THESE CATEGORIES OF LESS CON CONFLICT, OF MORE JOY IN SCHOOL IS A WONDERFUL THING AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE SOME PARENT OUTCOMES, YOU KNOW, 92% OF PARENTS ARE USING THE SKILLS THAT THEY LEARNED. SO IN COLLABORATION WITH THESE CHILDREN'S SERVICES, WE ALSO WORKED WITH UTMB AND DR. JUDITH MCFARLAND, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU KNEW HER, SHE PASSED AWAY TWO DAYS AGO AND WITH HER AND DR. CARLA SHARP THIS WAS THEIR BABY AND THEY DO THE MOTHER'S INTERVENTIONS ALONGSIDE THE CHILDREN'S INTERVENTION. 92% OF CHILDREN'S MOTHERS, PARENTS, WERE USING THE THING THEY LEARNED AND 87% AGREED PARENTING SKILLS IMPROVED. ALL THE MOTHERS IN MY LIFE IT'S HARD PRESSED TO GET THEM TO SAY I'M A GREAT MOM BUT IT WAS REALLY BEAUTIFUL TO SEE THAT 87% OF MOTHERS SAID LIKE THEY ARE PARENTING BETTER BECAUSE OF THIS WORK.
AND THESE ARE THE MOMS ARE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE CHILDREN WERE EITHER EXPERIENCED VIOLENCE FIRST HAND OR EXPOSED TO IT IN THEIR HOMES THUS NORMALIZING IT FOR THE FUTURE. WITH 400,000 DOLLARS WE CAN CONTINUE SOME OF THOSE SERVICES AS THIS PROGRAM ENDED IT WAS 18 MONTHS. SOME OF THIS WORK COULD CONTINUE ESPECIALLY FOR SOME OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO ARE MOST AT RISK WHO COULD USE SOME MORE SESSIONS TO KIND OF CLOSE OUT THESE
SERVICES IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. RAMMOS.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. THIS IS A BIT UNORTHODOX BUT WHAT'S THE PROCESS OF AMENDING THE BUDGET THAT WE'VE USED IN
THE PAST. >> TYPICALLY AT THIS POINT WE HAVE HAD A GENERAL PERSON'S AGREEMENT NOT TO AMEND THE BUDGET AT THIS POINT. YOU KNOW WE SPEND AN INORDER GNAT AMOUNT OF TIME PREPARING FOR BUDGET DAY WHICH WAS LAST SUNDAY THAT BEING SAID COURT CAN DO WHATEVER IT SEES FIT AND REALLY THE RULE IS YOU CANNOT ADD TO THE BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE BUT YOU CAN SUBTRACT AND YOU CAN TRANSFER DOLLARS WITHIN
>> BUT IT'S BEEN THE FIRST TIME THE BUDGET WILL BE AMENDED ON
ADOPTION DAY. >> DOES THIS ADD, SUBTRACT, OR
TRANSFER. >> THERE IS SOME UNALLOCATED DOLLARS. I THINK THAT WAS WHERE THE $400,000 SO BY THE LEGAL STANDARD I'M JUST REMINDING FOLKS TYPICALLY COURT HAS NOT AMENDED ON ADOPTION DAY.
>> RIGHT BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD UNALLOCATED DOLLARS TO PUT -- LIKE IT'S ONE THING TO TAKE FROM ONE PROGRAM TO PUT IN ANOTHER OR TO REDUCE A CERTAIN PROGRAM BUT THIS IS SIMPLY THAT $400,000 WOULD GO BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND.
WE DECLINE TO FUND THIS PROGRAM, I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT TO COMPLETELY END THIS PROGRAM SO LET'S PUT THE $400,000 ON THAT. IT'S NOT A SLIPPERY SLOPE, THE THING IS AMENDING THE BUDGET IT'S A SLIPPERY BUDGET LIKE I WOULD RATHER FUND THIS THAN THAT, IT'S A 3.1 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM CAN WE PLEASE ALLOCATE THE 400,000 TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN THAT ARE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
SO MY MOTION WOULD BE TO AMEND THE BUDGET TO ALLOCATE THE 400,000 UNALLOCATED FUNDS -- $400,000 IN UNALLOCATED FUNDS TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD RESILIENCY FUND.
THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND TO CONTINUE
[04:05:07]
THE PROGRAM FOR KIDS THAT SURVIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? CAN FOLKS EXPLAIN WHY AND WHAT THEY WOULD RATHER DO WITH THE400,000. >> CAN WE MOVE ON TO NEXT ITEM
PLEASE? >> I HOPE THE PRESS IS GETTING THIS. EVEN WHEN IT COMES TO IT, SHOULD WE SUPPORT KIDS WHO SURVIVE GHS WITH UNALLOCATED FUNDS THEY JUST LOOK DOWN AND DON'T EVEN ANSWER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.
AND I THINK WE USE CHILDREN AS PROPS A WHOLE LOT MORE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BEING PARENTS AND BEING TEACHERS AND THEN WE DEFUND ALL THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS AND DON'T EVEN ANSWER FOR IT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE ARE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. WE CONTINUE OUR WORK AT OUR SHELTERS AND OUR PROGRAMS AND REACHING OUT TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL TO HELP BRING SOME DOLLARS TO THIS WORK 'CAUSE WE DO KNOW THAT IT WORKS. SO I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> THE EVALUATION FOR THIS PROGRAM IS BEING DEVELOPED BUT THOSE ARE SOME NUMBERS.
THESE ARE THE EVALUATIONS FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INITIATIVES THAT I SIMPLY WANTED TO ASK VOTERS IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT IT. I SIMPLY ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES, WOULD YOU PLEASE LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY THINK IT'S FUNNY TO PICK ON CHILDREN.
I HONESTLY FIND NO LOGIC TO THIS.
AND I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES, JUST LIKE I ASKED THEM WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID TO TAKE THESE PROGRAMS TO THE VOTERS? WHY DON'T YOU SUPPORT 400,000 IN UNALLOCATED FUNDS TO SUPPORT AN EVALUATED AND PROVEN PROGRAM TO HELP CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? AND WHY DON'T YOU ANSWER QUES QUESTIONS AND RESPOND TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
THANK YOU. >> AND I DO HAVE MY NAME UP, JUDGE, ACTUALLY, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMPORTANT WORK. SECOND OF ALL, THE ACTUAL FACTS THAT WE ARE INVESTING 3.4 MILLION INTO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND AND APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED IN THAT FUND ARE CHILDREN, ARE PEOPLE UNDER 18. SO I HOPE WE CAN FIND A CREATIVE SOLUTION SO THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE APPROACHES THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE DONE WITH THE PROGRAM THAT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AGAIN TO THE TUNE OF $3.2 MILLION IN THIS BUDGET. SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT
YOU DO. >> IS THERE UNMET NEED? ARE ALL THE CHILDREN SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALREADY SERVED WITH THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN
COMMITTED? >> I MEAN, I THINK THERE WILL ALWAYS BE NEED. I'VE HEARD SO MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ROOT CAUSES TODAY AND OBVIOUSLY FAMILY VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY ROOT CAUSES FOR SO MUCH OF THE CRIME AND SAFETY ISSUES THAT WE FACE.
YOU KNOW, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAVE NEVER BEEN RESOURCED ENOUGH AND THIS IS NOT A HARRIS COUNTY THING AT ALL.
THIS IS JUST THE FACTS OF THIS IS ISSUE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY A NEED AND WE ARE CONFIDENT, WE ARE SURE THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE SPENT IN REALLY IMPACTFUL WAYS. WE ALSO -- YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY AT THE RIGHT TIME TRULY SAVES LIVES.
I'VE SEEN IT FOR 10 YEARS USING THE WONDERFUL FUNDS FROM THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND AND WHAT ECRF LET US POUR INTO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS KNOW THEIR PEOPLE SO WELL AND GIVE THEM THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES AND TOOLS THAT THEY NEED WHETHER IT'S LANGUAGE APPROPRIATE OR DEALING WITH THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY LIVE AND THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A
NEED. >> I GUESS WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE NEED DOES THE CURRENT INVESTMENT SERVE?
>> WELL, WE DO KNOW THAT 75% OF HOUSTONIANS ARE TURNED AWAY FROM SHELTER IF THEY NEED IT. AND SO HOUSTON IS A RICH, DIVERSE CITY. IT'S MY HOME.
BUT THERE'S FRANKLY JUST NOT ENOUGH SERVICES, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND, THE 3.4 MILLION WILL LIKELY SERVE ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE, WHICH IS QUITE A FEW AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, MOST MOTHERS ARE -- MOST MOTHERS ARE SPENDING THESE DOLLARS DIRECTLY ON THEIR CHILDREN, DIRECTLY ON THEIR CHILDREN AND SO BETWEEN THAT AND THE TURN AWAY RATE WE KNOW NOW IT'S ONE IN TWO WOMEN EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SO WE KNOW THAT THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A GAP. WHAT ECRF DOES AND WHAT DVAF
[04:10:05]
DOES IS TAKE THESE MONEYS AND PUSH THEM OUT INTO COMMUNITY SPACES THAT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SPACES.THERE'S SO MUCH SHAME TO COME FORWARD.
AND SO WE DO APPRECIATE THE FLEXIBILITY THERE.
WE WOULD LOVE THAT FOR CHILDREN WHO MAY NOT HAVE THAT SHORT TERM TANGIBLE NEED, THEY MAY NEED SOME DEEPER SERVICES THAT REQUIRE EXPERTISE AND THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE OF WHAT ECRF DID.
>> YEAH, I DO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE EXISTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDING, 3 MILLION DOLLARS AND LET'S COMPARE THIS TO THE MASSIVE INVESTMENTS WE'VE MADE NOT KNOWING WHERE THE MONEY WAS GOING TO COME FROM.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND THEN THE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE PROGRAM THAT'S ENDING?
>> THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND IS FOR FINITE COSTS THAT ARE SMALLER SCALE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A HOTEL ROOM, FOOD FOR THE KIDS, MEDICINE FOR THE KIDS, THIS IS LIFE SAVING. ECRF LOOKS AT IT, LOOKS AT THIS ISSUE IN A BROADER -- A LONGER TIME FRAME SO THIS IS ABOUT REALLY INVESTING IN THE MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE NORMALIZED VIOLENCE AS A TOOL FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION. AND THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND THEREFORE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. SO THE ECRF IS A WAY TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE FUTURE FOR THE LONG TERM WHILE DVAF ALSO PREVENTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THIS IS MORE OF AN EMERGENCY
FINITE SITUATION. >> AND IT DOESN'T GET AT THE
MENTAL HEALTH PIECE. >> IT CAN, PEOPLE CAN USE IT FOR MANY OF THE SURVIVORS WE WORK WITH ARE UNINSURED.
BUT NO, IT'S PRIMARILY FOR THINGS TO HELP FOLKS FLEE OUT OF THAT REALLY LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION WHICH IS INCREDIBLY
CRITICAL AS WELL. >> WELL I THINK IT'S ANOTHER FALLACY HERE TO SAY BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME MONEY FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IT'S OKAY TO NOT ALLOCATE MONEY THAT WE'RE LITERALLY NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH BUT WE DID BUDGET FOR.
WE WILL CREATE PROGRAMS THAT WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR AND WE WILL NOT FUND A PROGRAM THAT WE DO HAVE MONEY FOR THAT SERVES CHI CHILDREN.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAD ALREADY LEFT AND I JUST WANTED YOU TO COME DO THAT TO ALL THE FAMILIES, CHILDREN, ALL THE FAMILIES, ALL THE CHILDREN, TO ALL THE NONPROFITS THAT WORKED ON THIS, THE FUNDING IS GOING AWAY, THE PROGRAM IS ENDING, THE EVALUATION IS COMING OUT. AND JUST REMEMBER -- YOU KNOW, WHY ARE THEY SO AFRAID TO GO TO THE VOTERS? WHY SO AFRAID TO ASK VOTERS IF THEY WANT TO SEE THIS AND THEN THE INSTINCT IS TO VOTE NO AND THEN WE'RE SO AFRAID TO ASK THE VOTERS WHETHER THEY WANT TO SEE THE PAY INCREASES AND THE INSTIMPTH IS TO VOTE YET. THIS HAS BEEN EVALUATED AD NAUSEAM FOR YEARS. WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST. IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART.
AND I HOPE THE CHILDREN ARE WATCHING.
THANK YOU. BY THAT, I MEAN YOUR OWN.
>> WE'LL CONTINUE OUR WORK. >> WHAT COLLEAGUES, COMMISSIONER BRIONES WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO WITH THE 400,000 DOLLARS.
>> TO TODAY IS BUDGET PASSING DAY. THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF OTHERS WE SHOULD BE ASSESSING SO TO RESPECT THE PROCESS, TO RESPECT MOVING THIS ALONG AND KNOWING WE HAVE A DEEP COMMITMENT AND WE'LL FIND WAYS AND I APPRECIATE YOU DIRECTOR FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND I KNOW OUR TEAMS ARE IN TOUCH.
WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AND AGAIN OUT OF RESPECT FOR OUR COLLEAGUES, ALL OF US HAVE OTHER THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP BUT AGAIN WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS FOR MONTHS.
>> WHAT PROGRAM ARE WE REASSESSING?
>> IF YOU WANT TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS, THERE ARE MANY OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE COULD ALL PUT FORWARD BUT RATHER THAN DOING THAT OUT OF PROFESSIONAL RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE 70 PLUS DEPARTMENT THAT IS WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS BUDGET FOR MONTHS, TODAY IS THE DAY YOU PASS THE BUDGET OR YOU VOTE AGAINST IT. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT THIS
POINT IN TIME. >> HOW IS IT DISRESPECTFUL.
>> THERE WASN'T A SECOND SO WE CAN MOVE TO THE NEXT ITEM.
>> POINT OF ORDER, JUDGE, POINT OF ORDER.
I'D LIKE TO STAY WITHIN OUR RULES AND WE VOTED ON THIS, THERE'S NO SECOND FOR THE ITEM, SO WE NOW MOVE ON.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ITEM THAT IS ON THE BUDGET. AND THERE IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
ITEM ON THE BUDGET. >> IS THERE A MOTION?
[04:15:02]
>> SO HERE WE GO AGAIN, FOLKS, I'M TRYING TO CURTAIL DISCUSSION BECAUSE THEY ARE EMBARRASSED BY WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
OKAY. SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE MEETING, TELL ME H HOW -- HOW WOULD YOU GUYS USE THE UNALLOCATED 400,000 DOLLARS, IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER WORTHY
PROGRAM, PLEASE, WHAT IS IT? >> POINT OF ORDER.
>> LET'S PUT THAT ONE FORWARD. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU'RE
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE COURT. >> I'M STILL DISCUSSING THIS ITEM. SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO UNDE UNDERSTAND.
>> YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE TALKING, JUDGE.
REALLY WE DO NEED TO MOVE ON. YOU'RE TALKING TO YOURSELF ABOUT
THE SAME ISSUE. >> I'M TALKING BECAUSE YOU'RE
SCARED TO ANSWER. >> WE'RE READY TO MOVE ON.
>> BECAUSE YOU'RE ASHAMED. OKAY.
PROUDLY TELL ME YOU'RE HAPPY TO KILL THIS PROGRAM AND NOT ALLOCATE 400,000 DOLLARS. ARE YOU PROUD OF THAT DECISION? TO KILL THIS PROGRAM? WHEN WE HAVE $400,000 THAT ARE TO TAKE FROM ONE PROGRAM TO PUT TO THE OTHER.
TELL ME YOU'RE PROUD OF THAT DECISION, SIR? TELL ME YOU'LL STAND BY IT AND YOU'RE PROUD AND YOU WANT THE VOTERS TO KNOW THAT. HOW ABOUT THE COLLEAGUE THAT IS ARE UP FOR REELECTION. TELL YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT
YOU'RE PROUD. >> CAN I MAKE A MOTION WE MOVE
ON. >> YEAH, YOU CAN MAKE A MOTION
SO WE MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE ON, AGAIN WHAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THEY ARE EMBARRASSED ON THE CAMERAS.
>> EVERY TIME WE SPENT 40 MINUTES TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, WE MOVE ON.
WE'VE BEEN MORE THAN PATIENT WITH YOUR CONVERSATION.
MORE THAN PATIENT WITH YOUR CONVERSATIONS.
IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON. >> SO WHY WON'T YOU SAY YOU'RE PROUD OF THAT VOTE THEN? WHY WON'T YOU BE ACCOUNTABLE? WHY WON'T YOU PUT THINGS ON THE BALLOT? WHY WON'T YOU ASK PEOPLE BEFORE YOU SPEND THEIR MONEY?
>> THERE'S OVER 500 AGENDA ITEMS WE COULD VOTE ON WITH THE PUBLIC. REFUSE TO DO IT THIS WAY AND I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO -- AT SOME POINT MOVE ON, JAKE, CAN WE MOVE
ON. >> COMMISSIONER, YOU MADE A
MOTION TO CLOSE DISCUSSION. >> OKAY.
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES TO CALL DISCUSSION ON WHETHER TO PUT UNALLOCATED FUNDS ON THIS THEY STILL WON'T ANSWER IF THEY ARE PROUD AND STAND BY THE DECISION. ALL IN FAVOR.
DISCUSSION IS CURTAILED. >> JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE GO TO -- GO TO ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL ITEM OR TWO UNTIL OUR COLLEAGUE COMES BACK.
>> I NOTICED BISHOP DICKSON IS HERE AND WE COULD TAKE THAT ITEM
UP IF THAT MAKES SENSE? >> SURE.
UNLESS HE'S WALKING RIGHT IN. >> I DON'T SEE HIM.
>> JUST 5 MINUTES. >> BISHOP DICKSON.
>> I'D LIKE TO PUT THIS 400,000 DOLLARS ON SPEEDING THESE
MEETINGS UP. >> I'M HAPPY TO CONSIDER THAT.
>> JUDGE, 572. >> YES, PLEASE.
>> 572? >> WE NEED -- WE OWE THE CONSTITUENTS AN ANSWER TO WHERE ARE WE PUTTING THOSE DOLLARS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A SUGGESTION.
>> ARE YOU TAKING THEM FROM YOUR PRECINCT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON ITEM 480 --
>> WHY WILL YOU NOT ANSWER. >> 480 AND 481 WE CAN ALL GO IN OUR VARIOUS SECTIONS AND HAVE OUR PRESS CONFERENCES SO I JUST WANT TO ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES. GET THE BUDGET DONE AND THEN WE CAN TAKE A BREAK AND EVERYBODY CAN GO AND TALK TO WHOEVER WE
400,000 DOLLARS. >> ARE YOU MAKING A MOTION.
>> TO APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2027 ANNUAL BUDGETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES TOTAL APPROPRIATION BUDGET OF 3 BILLION -- 309.54 MILLION FOR HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND AND TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET OF 266.2 MILLION FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL GENERAL FUND I DIDN'T BUTCHER ANYTHING WRONG.
>> I THINK IT'S OKAY. >> MOTION TO VOTE ON THOSE
SEPARATELY. >> I THINK THE NUMBER IS 400,000 LESS THOUGH DIRECTOR. IF UNALLOCATED HOW CAN IT STILL
BE PART OF THE BUDGET. >> STILL STAYS ALLOCATED FOR WHENEVER WE HAVE SOME ISSUE COME UP.
>> WE ALWAYS DO. >> HAVE SOME ISSUE COME UP.
THEN WE CAN USE THE TIME. THEN IT'S OKAY TO USE PEOPLE'S TIME AND 50 DEPARTMENT HEADS. CAN PASS COMPLETELY UNALLOCATED, LINE ITEM THAT SAYS WE DON'T KNOW, WE ARE NOT GOING TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHERE THIS MONEY GOES.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE. >> AND I WILL SECOND THAT,
[04:20:02]
COMMISSIONER. >> NEED A BREAK FOR COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY. >> LET'S PUT ON THE FLOOD
>> DO I NEED TO READ SEPARATE LANGUAGE HOW DO I DO THIS TO
COMPLY WITH THE LAW? >> JUST A MOTION TO APPROVE -- THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE THE BUDGET.
IT'S A SINGULAR BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY, AND INCLUDES FLOOD CONTROL AND HECTARA, COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, SO DON'T BILL OUT,
IS THAT RIGHT? >> I THINK YOU CAN MOVE SEPARATELY THE 27 FLOOD CONTROL BUDGET.
>> MOVE, COMPLY WITH THE LAW. >> ALL IN FAVOUR?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> WHAT'S MY SECOND MOTION.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR HECTARA.
>> MOTION, SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOUR.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> HOW ABOUT GENERAL FUND.
MOVE GENERAL FUND. >> THAT'S A SEPARATE ONE.
>> HAVE TO DO A HEARING ON THAT ONE.
>> GENERAL FUND IS NEXT. >> SAME LANGUAGE.
MOVE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR GENERAL FUND.
>> SECOND. >> DISCUSSION I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THE FLOCK CONTRACTS. WE DO WORK WITH THE DIRECTOR AND WE NOTIFIED THE COMMUNITY AND THE PRESS THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING FLOCK TODAY SINCE THE DISCUSSION WAS RUSHED LAST TIME IT CAME UP. SPEND A FEW MINUTES ON PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS COUNTY AHEAD.
INVESTED SIGNIFICANT TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN AL, LICENSE PLATE READERS. WHEN WE MAKE AN INVESTMENT THIS SIZE PARTICULARLY ONE INVOLVING PUBLIC SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY, I THINK THIS COURT HAS AN OBLIGATION TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT TAXPAYERS ARE GETTING FROM THEIR MONEY.
THAT MEANS UNDERSTANDING NOT ONLY WHETHER THE TECHNOLOGY IS EFFECTIVE. WE HAVE EVIDENCE OF THAT.
BUT ALSO HOW IS IT BEING USED? WHO HAS ACCESS TO IT? WHAT SAFEGUARDS ARE IN PLACE? HOW IS THE DATA HANDLED AND SHARED? THE POLICIES AND OVERSIGHTS SUFFICIENT? I RAISE A NUMBER OF THESE QUESTIONS PUBLICLY. INCLUDING THE QUESTIONS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS HAD. I DID TRY TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSION MONTHS AGO AND THE MOTION TO END DISCUSSION WAS ALSO MADE. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR AN UPDATE WHAT WE CURRENTLY KNOW ABOUT OUR INVESTMENT IN ALPRS AND THEN I ALSO HAVE A MOTION THAT WE SENT SEVERAL DAYS AGO, A MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CONSTABLE OFFICERS, PURCHASING AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE LANDSCAPE OF HARRIS COUNTY'S ENGAGE AND APLR AND BEST PRACTICES IF ANY EXIST, AND TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON 10/15/26 FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION. SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AT MINIMUM, SUMMARY OF APLR TECHNOLOGY AND USE IN HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -- INCLUDED BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE NUMBER AND LOCATIONS OF ALL ALPRS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE FUNDING AMOUNT THE COUNTY HAS SPENT IN EACH AGREEMENT HAS ENTERED INTO FOR APLR TECHNOLOGY.
A SUMMARY WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ADMINISTER IN THE COUNTY. HOW MANY DEVICES.
AND WHAT ADMINISTERING ENTAILS IN THIS CONTEXT.
AND SUMMARY WHAT EXTERNAL PARTIES HAVE DATA ACCESSED BY APLR OWNED AND ADMINISTERED BY HARRIS COUNTY, HOW MANY TIMES SEARCHED TO DATE BY INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PARTIES AND WHAT PURPOSES. AND WHAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE GOING TO SAFEGUARD APLR DATA. THIS IS A BRIEF OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR. I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. SIMPLY TO SET THE TONE FOR THE COMMUNITY SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK NEXT TIME.
ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, IF I CAN PLEASE ASK YOU TO WHAT EXTENT THE COUNTY HAS LOOKED INTO THESE ISSUES OF PRIVACY, DATA RETENTION, INNER AGENCIES, SHARING AND CONSEQUENCES FOR MISUSE AS IT PERTAINS FLOCK CAMERAS, NOT THAT BECAUSE VIGILANT TOO. ALPR.
>> SURE. DONE BASED ON CONVERSATIONS YOU ALL HAVE HAD, AND OF COURSE FROM COURT STAFF WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS ACROSS DEPARTMENT WITH OUR SHERIFF'S SCOFFS THEY MAY WANT TO WEIGH IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THE ISSUES INCLUDING DATA RETENTION, PRIVACY, AUDITING AND CONTRACTUAL PROTECTIONS. OF COURSE, THIS INVOLVES
[04:25:02]
MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS IN WORK STREAMS. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS ALREADY INDICATED THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT THEIR OPERATIONAL USE OF APLRS AND LOOKING AT UPDATING AN UPDATED POLICY THAT ADDRESS AUDITING AND IF MADE PUBLIC IT WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC ONCE FINALIZED.WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON THAT AS WELL IN AUGUST.
ALSO PURCHASING AGENT WILLIAMS IS HERE IF WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT CONTRACTS. BUT THERE ARE SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT LOOKING AT POTENTIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO CONTRACTS.
>> AND WHAT ARE THE PROVISIONS SPECIFICALLY THAT WE ARE LOOKING
INTO IF YOU KNOW. >> THAT WOULD BE COUNTY ATTORNEY
SO LET ME GO TO THE PURCHASING AGENT IN TERMS OF -- I DON'T KNOW IF SHE IS CALLING IN OR IF SHE IS HERE.
I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES. ABOUT AGENT WILLIAMS, THIS IS TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACTS. I PERSONALLY WENT AND PULLED THE VARIOUS CONTRACTS FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND I COULDN'T MAKE SENSE OF IT.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE -- HI -- THE VIGILANT AND FLOCK CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE, WHEN DO WE EXPIRE, WHO OWNS THE DATA, ET CETERA.
>> RIGHT. SO WE ARE IN THE THIRD RENEWAL FOR THE CONTRACT. IT WAS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED IN
2024. >> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FLOCK.
REALLY IT'S CONFUSING. >> I'M SORRY.
>> SO FOR FLOCK, I'M SORRY THE CONTRACT WAS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED IN JUNE 6TH, 2023.
AND SO WE ARE NOW IN THE THIRD RENEWAL.
WE DO HAVE, AS THE ADMINISTRATOR MENTIONED, WE HAVE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO THE FLOCK CONTRACT.
MAY BE WHY IT'S CONFUSING, BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS USING THE FLOCK TECHNOLOGY.
AND SO THE RECENT RENEWAL WAS DONE THIS PAST JUNE TO ALLOW THE CONTRACT TO CONTINUE FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME AMENDMENTS MADE THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT RENEWALS BUT NONE SPEAK DIRECTLY TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU MENTIONED. SO IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN MAKING ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SO.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE VIGILANT CONTRACTS.
THAT'S WHAT ABOUT. ARE THERE ANY THAT ARE STILL
OPEN. >> VIGILANT, I WILL NEED TO CHECK ON. I WILL NEED TO SEE.
OVER TIME DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE ADOPTED THE FLOCK CONTRACT.
I BELIEVE FLOCK ALSO ADDED SUBCONTRACTORS AS WELL BUT VIGILANT IS ONE THAT I WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON.
>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DEPARTMENTS, IT SOUNDED LIKE -- AND I DON'T WANT TO TWIST YOUR WORDS HERE, IT SOUNDED LIKE DEPARTMENTS HAVING THEIR OWN CONTRACTS WITH FLOCK.
>> NO, THERE IS A SINGLE COUNTY CONTRACT, BUT IT ALLOWS DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OR PRECINCTS TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THE FLOCK TECHNOLOGY, IN PARTICULAR EITHER PRECINCT OR
DEPARTMENT USE. >> SO WHICH DEPARTMENTS AND
PRECINCTS CURRENTLY USE THE -- >> I DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE LIST.
BUT I THINK ALMOST MOST OF THE COMMISSIONER OFFICES DO HAVE SOME TYPE OF FLOCK TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR PRECINCTS AND THEN THERE ARE ALSO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE SHERIFF, THE CONSTABLES THAT HAVE USE OF THE CONTRACT AS WELL.
>> I WILL SAY I WAS NOT AWARE, THE PUBLIC WAS NOT AWARE THAT PRECINCTS 2, 3, 4 HAVE THEIR OWN AGREEMENTS WITH FLOCK AND HAVE
HAD THEM FOR AWHILE. >> IT IS NOT THEIR OWN
AGREEMENTS. >> LIKE, WERE USING FLOCK.
PRECINCTS 2, 3, 4 HAVE BEEN USING FLOCK.
THERE IS NO EFFORT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THAT WHEN THAT CAME UP
EARLIER THIS YEAR. >> I WOULD ADD FOR THE AMENDMENTS, IT DOES LIST THE COURT OFFERSES WHO ARE
REQUESTING -- >> RIGHT IT'S IN THE BACKUP.
THAT'S HOW I KNOW. BUT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW, THE MEDIA DIDN'T KNOW. I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I WENT AND READ PERSONALLY READ THE CONTRACT WHICH OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T DO FOR EVERY CONTRACT. SO IT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL FOR NEXT TIME TO LOOK AT THE VIGILANT CONTRACTS.
IF IT'S A SUBCONTRACTOR WOULD WE HAVE OUR OWN CONTRACT WITH THEM? NO, RIGHT. IT WOULD JUST BE THROUGH THE
FLOCK CONTRACT. >> IT WOULD BE THROUGH THE FLOCK CONTRACT. OUR PROVISIONS THAT COVER OUR PLAN FLOW DOWN TO ANY SUBCONTRACTOR.
>> I DID PULL A LOT OF VIGILANT CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND VIGILANT. THAT WILL BE HELPFUL WHEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT. WHO OWNS THE DATA ACCORDING TO
THE AGREEMENTS? >> HARRIS COUNTY OWNS THE DATA.
>> LIKE WHO? >> DOESN'T SPECIFY.
SAYS HARRIS COUNTY OWNS THE DATA.
>> DOES THAT MEAN WE HAVE A LIMIT WHO CAN ACCESS IT? LIKE IF MY PRECINCT HAD A FLOCK CONTRACT COULD I AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER OR MY STAFF ACCESS THE DATA BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY
OWNS THE DATA. >> THE CONTRACT IS SILENT TO THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL. SIMPLY SAYS HARRIS COUNTY OWNS THE DATA. SO THAT WOULD BE A CONVERSATION.
[04:30:02]
>> THAT'S INTERESTING. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT.
AND THAT'S DEFINITELY A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT THERE.
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES CAN WE TERMINATE THE CONTRACTS, AND WHAT IS NEEDED TO AMEND THE CONTRACTS?
>> SO FOR TERMINATION, YOU CAN TERMINATE FOR CAUSE OR FOR CONVENIENCE. WE HAVE TO PROVIDE 30 DAYS' NOTICE. THERE IS A COST IF FOR SOME REASON THE CONTRACT IS TERMINATED AND THE CAMERAS HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO FLOCK THEN THERE IS A COST INVOLVED IN THAT. SO IT JUST DEPENDS ON YOU KNOW HOW THAT'S EXECUTED. FOR AMENDMENTS, THOSE CAN BE INITIATED, AND WE WILL WORK WITH THE VENDOR TO SHARE THOSE AMENDMENTS WITH THEM. THEY WOULD HAVE TO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE MAKE. WE HAVE MADE AMENDMENTS THROUGH THE THREE DIFFERENT RENEWALS WE HAVE HAD AND FLOCK HAS ACCEPTED ALL OF THOSE. SO IT WOULD BE JUST A MATTER OF MAKING THOSE AMENDMENTS. THOSE WOULD NEED TO COME TO PURCHASING. WE WOULDN'T INITIATE THAT.
>> WHAT HAVE THE AMENDMENTS BEEN THAT HAVE PASSED OVER THE PAST
FEW YEARS? >> SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN ABOUT INCREASING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OR EITHER ADDING DIFFERENT CAMERAS TO THE SYSTEM. THE LAST AMENDMENT WAS TO LOOK AT HOW THE CAMERAS ARE SPACED BECAUSE WE SAW THAT THEY WERE FLOCK WAS PUTTING CAMERAS TOO CLOSE IN PROXIMITY SO CAUSING SOME CONFUSION WITH THE TECHNOLOGY.
BUT THOSE AMENDMENTS WERE INITIATED BY THE DIFFERENT
DEPARTMENTS THAT REQUESTED IT. >> SO THOSE AREN'T -- NONE OF THOSE GET AT OVERSIGHT AND PRIVACY, IS POINT? THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TO AMENDING THE CONTRACT GOING FORWARD, WHAT IS FLOCK AND OR VIGILANT IF IT BECOMES RELEVANT, WHAT IS THEIR INCENTIVE TO AGREE TO AN AMENDMENT?
>> THERE IS NOT NECESSARILY AN INCENTIVE IN THE CONTRACT.
IT'S JUST I GUESS A DESIRE FOR THEM TO CONTINUE -- CONTINUE TO DO WORK WITH THE COUNTY. BUT I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT THEY WOULD BE INCENTIVIZED BY. NOTHING IN THE CONTRACT THAT
SPEAKS TO IT. >> DO YOU FEEL AT ALL COMFORTABLE SAYING IF YOU THINK THAT THEY MIGHT BE OKAY FOR
AMENDING FOR PRIVACY REASONS. >> I AM NOT BECAUSE THAT'S
REALLY THEIR DECISION. >> RIGHT, OKAY.
OKAY. AND I THINK WHEN THE REPORT COMES BACK, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO PRESENT SOLUTIONS, RIGHT. AND THERE IS NOT A PERFECT ONE.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAS THE ANSWER AROUND THE COUNTRY BUT LIKE LET'S SAY THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER VENDOR THAT WAS WILLING TO PROVIDE MORE PRIVACY, THEN HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO GO SEEK THAT OUT, RIGHT? I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS IF IT'S OKAY, AND I WILL HAVE MY STAFF FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR TEAM ON THIS, THAT FOR THE 15TH TO TRY TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD SENSE OF WHAT OUR -- WHAT OUR ROOM IS TO NAVIGATE.
NOT TO SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO USE THAT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BUT AT LEAST WE KNOW WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO AND NOT HAVING
UNINFORMED CONVERSATIONS. >> OKAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH PURCHASING AGENT.
JUST HAVE TWO MORE FOLKS. THANK YOU.
COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I BELIEVE PAGE WAS GOING TO ANSWER
THE QUESTION ON THIS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE.
>> HI. THANK YOU FOR MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE. MY QUESTION ON THIS ONE IS ANY UPDATE -- HAVE WE TOLD FLOCK THAT WE MIGHT HAVE PRIVACY OR OVERSIGHT AMENDMENTS, AND WHERE DO THINGS STAND ON CHANGING THE
SO SOME OF THIS I WILL DEFER TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ON BECAUSE I KNOW THEIR OFFICE HAS BEEN HAVING COMMUNICATIONS WITH FLOCK ABOUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS, AND SO I DO KNOW THAT THOSE COMMUNICATIONS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING DIRECTLY.
OUR ROLE HAS TO HAVE BEEN WORK WITH PART OF THE GROUP WITH ALL OF YOUR STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TO BASICALLY DRAFT WHATEVER AMENDMENT IS REQUESTED BY YOUR OFFICES.
>> OKAY, SO THERE IS NOT RIGHT NOW ANY KIND OF AGREEMENT THAT WE'LL BE BRINGING AMENDMENTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT?
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DEVELOPMENTS IN THAT FLOCK HAS INTRODUCED SOME NEW POLICIES, AND I THINK THE ADMINISTRATOR CAN SPEAK TO THOSE.
AND SO THERE HAS BEEN SOME QUESTIONS I THINK FROM ALL OF THE COUNTY WHAT THE IMPACT OF THOSE CHANGES WOULD BE.
AND WHETHER THOSE ARE ITEMS WE WOULD WANT TO INCORPORATE IN AN AMENDMENT. AS WELL AS OTHER BEST PRACTICES FROM WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN TEXAS. AND SO WE HAVE ALSO BEEN
REACHING OUT ON THAT. >> THANK YOU.
I THINK THAT KIND OF GOES WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT'S PIECE WHAT THE BOUNDARIES AND OPTIONS ARE.
I KNOW FLOCK INTRODUCED SEVEN-DAY MORATORIUM ON THE
[04:35:02]
DATA. THE QUESTION IS WHO CAN ACCESS IN THOSE SEVEN DAYS AND IS SEVEN DAYS ENOUGH FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.ANYWAY, YEAH, THAT'S HELPFUL. ASK YOU ONE LAST THING, I KNOW EARLIER WE HEARD FROM THE PURCHASING AGENT THAT THE CONTRACT IS WITH HARRIS COUNTY, PRECINCTS 2, 3, 4 USING FLOCK AS WELL AS CERTAIN OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
IS THERE ANY KIND OF -- DO WE HAVE LEGALLY, WE AS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT OR THE PUBLIC ANY LEGAL RIGHT TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO HAS ACCESSED WHAT, WHERE ARE THE CAMERAS, THAT KIND OF A THING? I MEAN I THINK THEY WOULD PROVIDE IT, BUT I'M JUST WONDERING IN CASE IT DOESN'T COME OUT.
>> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT ALL OF THE INFORMATION.
I DO KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ASSEMBLY WHATEVER DATA WE ALREADY HAVE AND I THINK WE CAN REPORT BACK IF THERE ARE ANY ROADBLOCKS
GETTING ALL OF THAT TOGETHER. >> I WILL HAVE MY STAFF FOLLOW UP ON THAT TOO IF YOU WILL JUST TAKE A NOTE, JUST SO THAT WHEN WE COME BACK WE CAN SAY WE DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION, DID PUT IN A PA, HOPEFULLY HERE'S EVERYTHING, PEOPLE WERE TRANSPARENT. OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> FINALLY, I WILL -- IF JASON SPENCER IS STILL AVAILABLE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> JUDGE, WHILE HE COMES ON, JAY, HOW COME I HAVEN'T HEARD
THE BELL FOR THE TEN MINUTES. >> GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER.
BECAUSE THE MOTION FOR ITEM 480 AS A WHOLE TO SUSPEND THE RULES UNTIL WE COMPLETED ITEM 480. WHICH IS SOMETHING I THINK WE IN THE PAST HAVE TRIED TO DISCOURAGE YOU GUYS FROM DOING BUT I UNDERSTAND WE WANT TO ALLOW YOU TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS.
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE -- IF YOU WANT HAPPY TO PLACE THE TEN
MINUTES PER SECTION AGAIN. >> I THINK THAT WILL HELP.
>> SO JUST FOR NOTE WE ARE DISCUSSING FLOCK AND HERE'S ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO CURTAIL DISCUSSION ON THE SPECIFIC SUBJECT OF FLOCK. WE ALREADY DECIDED WE WOULD DISCUSS BUDGET UNTIL WE WERE DONE DISCUSSING IT.
MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOUR.
>> I'M OPPOSED TO CURTAILING DISCUSSION ON FLOCK AGAIN.
SO, OKAY, SO THE QUESTIONS I HAVE I WILL WAIT AND SEE IF SOMEBODY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IF JASON SPENCER IS AVAILABLE, BUT THE QUESTION THERE WAS GOING TO BE HOW MANY ALPR CAMERAS DOES THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ADMINISTER, WHERE ARE THEY, IS THERE SOMEWHERE CAN ACCESS THE CAMERAS, WHO CONTROLS THE DATA AND WHAT IS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOING AROUND PRIVACY CONCERNS AND PROPOSED OVERSIGHT.
I KNOW SPEAKING WITH THE SHERIFF THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT TAKING IT VERY SERIOUSLY. ANY UPDATE? IS ANYBODY ELSE AVAILABLE? WE'LL SEND THAT OVER TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO THAT WE CAN PUT THAT INFORMATION OUT AHEAD OF THE 18TH, AND IS THERE -- HAVE YOU GUYS HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CONSTABLES ON THIS? I KNOW EVERYBODY HAS BEEN BUSY WITH THE BUDGET BUT
ADMINISTRATOR CARTER. >> SURE.
MY TEAM REACHED OUT A FEW TIMES TO TALK TO SOME OF THE OFFICES.
RIGHT NOW WE CONFIRMED ONE CONSTABLE OFFICE HAS DIRECT CONTRACTS ON LICENSE PLATE READERS.
BUT WOULD INVOLVE CONTINUING OUTREACH.
>> OKAY. SO WE'RE JUST BEGINNING TO REACH OUT, WHICH IS FINE. BUT IT'S JUST BASICALLY LIKE EVERYBODY IS PLAYING BALL SO FAR.
ALL RIGHT, SO -- OKAY. SO LET ME JUST SEE -- SO THEN
THE MOTION, COLLEAGUES. >> I WILL SECOND YOUR MOTION, JUDGE, I THINK GETTING THAT INFORMATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
>> DO I NEED TO READ IT AGAIN? >> IF THERE IS NO CHANGES TO THAT MOTION, JUDGE, WE SHOULD BE FINE.
>> I'M SORRY CAN YOU SPEAK UP. >> IF THERE IS NO CHANGES TO THE MOTION THAT YOU READ AND I KNOW YOU ALL SENT US THE E-MAIL,
WE'RE OKAY WITH THAT. >> OKAY.
SOUNDS GOOD. YEAH, THAT'S THE MOTION.
I MADE THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHAT'S YOUR VOTE.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I ALREADY SAID NO.
>> SO MOTION CARRIES 3-2. OKAY, SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU, ADMINISTRATOR.
>> JUDGE. >> I DO WANT FOR FOLKS TO KNOW AND THE PUBLIC TO KNOW ON THE -- AT THE NEXT MEETING WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THIS ON OCTOBER 15TH AND WE EXPECT INFORMATION SO THAT WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE DON'T
[04:40:03]
KNOW. THANK YOU.COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SO I HAVE TWO MORE MOTIONS AND THEN I'M SUGGESTING WE TAKE A BREAK, EVERYBODY CAN GO AND SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT TO SAY TO THE PRESS.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING I NEED TO SAY --
(INDISCERNIBLE). >> DIDN'T DO GENERAL FUND.
>> I DIDN'T VOTE ON GENERAL FUND.
>> MAKING THAT MOTION. >> SECOND HAS BEEN MADE.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> ALL IN FAVOUR.
AND I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA.
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING I NEED TO TALK TO THE PRESS ABOUT UNLESS
MY COLLEAGUES DO. >> SORRY, JUDGE IF YOU WOULDN'T
MIND MOVING ALL OTHER FUNDS. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE ALL
>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> GRANTS AND SPECIAL REVENUES AND ALL THE OTHER KIND OF SMALLER FUNDS.
>> OKAY, SO MOTION -- >> UNDER 480.
>> I SHOULD ADD THAT TOO. 480.
>> YEAH. >> SO THAT'S A MOTION BY
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SECOND.
>> DID YOU CATCH THAT. >> TO MOVE ALL OTHER FUNDS.
>> YES. >> MOVE TO APPROVE THE BUDGETS
OF ALL OTHER FUNDS. >> THIS IS UNDER ITEM 481.
>> PRETTY GENERIC. >> ITEM 41 IS A HEARING, COMMISSIONER. NEED TO DO THE SAME PROCESS FOR THAT ONE. 481.
>> ALL FUNDS. >> NEED TO DO A PUBLIC HEARING
FOR ALL THE OTHER FUNDS. >> JUST FOR 481 THAT'S THE
HARRIS HEALTH FUND. >> MADE THE MOTION.
SECONDED BY BRIONES TO MOVE ALL OTHER FUNDS.
>> I'M OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
WE'LL GO TO HARRIS HEALTH. >> NEED A HEARING.
>> ALREADY DID THE HEARING. >> CORRECT.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE FISCAL YEA- >> COMMISSIONER, WE STILL NEED THE HEARING. APOLOGIES.
>> DIDN'T WE DO THE HEARING? >> ITEM 41 THIS IS A HEARING FOR
THE HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET. >> THE BUDGET.
AND WE ARE OPENING THE HEARING FOR THE ITEM 481.
>> CORRECT, YES. THE REQUEST BIHARRIES COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, HARRIS HEALTH FOR DISCUSSION APPROVAL OF THE
ANYBODY HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?
IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECONDED. >> ALL RIGHT, I WILL CLOSE THE HEARING. WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON THE HEARING. AND SO NOW THIS IS THE MOTION COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTED TO MAKE.
JOINABLE BE INAUDIBLE. >> YOU CLOSED THE HEARING.
>> YEAH. >> I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL.
>> SECOND. >> SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN
>> I'M IN FAVOUR. MOTION CARRIES 4-1.
>> I MOVE THAT WE TAKE 15 MINUTE BREAK.
EVERYBODY ELSE GIVEN SPEECHES TO THE PRESS.
LIKE TO GIVE MINE. >> HOW ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
>> 30 MINUTES, OKAY. >> I THOUGHT WE WERE SO BUSY AND WE COULDN'T DISCUSS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BECAUSE THERE IS 70 DEPARTMENTS -- I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO CONTINUE WE HAVE 50 DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE PLACES TO BE AND DON'T W WANT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL TO PEOPLE'S TIME.
JUST GET TIED UP ON YOUR ILLOGICAL THINGS, ALL RIGHT.
3:24 AND WE ARE TAKING A >> IT'S 3:52.
WE ARE BACK IN SESSION. TRYING TO CATCH THE JUDGE BUT I THINK WE CAN PROBABLY GO TO NGR ITEM.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU ALL. WHAT NUMBER IS THAT.
>> WELCOME OUR CEO AND BISHOP DIXON, WELCOME.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS THIS YOUR ITEM?
>> DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN, BISHOP, THANK YOU
THE ISSUE THAT CAME UP THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAS TO DO WITH THE USE OF RELIANT STADIUM FOR HOSTING GRADUATION CEREMONIES AND I KNOW YOU ARE ALL DOING A GREAT JOB OF MANAGING THAT ASSET OUT THERE IN TERMS OF EVENTS AND OTHER THINGS.
I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I BOTH WERE SEEING WHAT WE COULD DO TO ACCOMMODATE. I KNOW WE DO TO A CERTAIN EXTENT AND I WILL BE QUIET IN A MINUTE AND MARTY, YOU CAN TELL US WHAT
[04:45:05]
THE PLAN IS GOING FORWARD. JUST BE SURE THERE ARE SOME HIGH SCHOOLS THAT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND ANY PLACE AS LARGE AS INDOOR AS LARGE AS RELIANT. I GUESS WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS COULD WE MAKE GOING FORWARD THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO YOU ALL.>> WANT TO ALLOW YOU FOR US COMING HERE AND PUT CONTEXT
AROUND THE DECISION. >> I WANT TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING BEFORE THEY START. DID YOU?
>> NO (INAUDIBLE). >> I WILL SAY, MY COLLEAGUES, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE AWKWARD TO GIVE ACCESS WHEN IT'S GOING TO COST MONEY BY THE WAY FOR SOME AND NOT OTHERS.
SO I WOULD FEEL VERY STRONGLY, WHATEVER YOU DO FOR ONE, YOU DO FOR ALL. OBVIOUSLY IF IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL THAT HAS 500 PEOPLE, THEY MAY NOT WOULDN'T TO GO IN ANY WAY.
I KNOW SOME OF MY KIDS GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE IN NEW YORK FOR EXAMPLE, SPEND A FORTUNE, OUT THERE IN HOT SUN IN AN OUTDOOR STADIUM. SOME OF THEM LIKE LAW SCHOOL THEY DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING SMALLER, AND YOU COULDN'T TAKE EVERYBODY. I KNOW IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS THAT COULD NOT GO BUT COULD WATCH IT VIRTUALLY.
BUT I WANT SOME SENSE HOW EVERYBODY BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CALL, WON'T MENTION NAMES BUT A COUPLE OF SUPERINTENDENTS MADE ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS BECAUSE IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THEM IT'S A MATTER OF MONEY.
NOT SOMETHING DON'T WANT TO DO BECAUSE YOU COULD GO AND HAVE IT AT THE BASEBALL STADIUM, COULD HAVE IT AT THE BASKETBALL STADIUM, COULD GO TO THE SOCCER STADIUM.
AT A TIME WHEN WE WENT THROUGH A DIFFICULT BUDGET PROCESS, AND CERTAINLY ARE CHALLENGES WITH THE NEXT PHASE FOR WHATEVER HAPPENS, NRG BE MINDFUL OF THAT. WHEN YOU PRESENT I WANT TO BE SOME SENSE. SURELY WOULDN'T TELL SOMEBODY THEY CAN'T GO BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T WANT THEM IN THE FACILITY.
I ASSUME COMPETING WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS PAYING WHATEVER THE MARKET WILL GIVE AT THAT GIVEN TIME.
>> FAIR. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ARE YOU
JUMPING IN NOW. >> I WILL WAIT UNTIL AFTER.
>> THREE THINGS PRELIMINARY IF I MAY.
WE WANT TO ECHO WE DON'T TAKE THIS DECISION LIGHTLY.
WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF GRADUATIONS AND WHAT A MILESTONE THAT IS, AND SO WE DO NOT TAKE THEIR CONCERNS LIGHTLY NOR MINIMIZE THEM. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS UNDERSTOOD, AND WE ARE ALSO EXCITED AND HAPPY THAT WE DO HAVE THIS AS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OF OUR YOUNG TEXANS GRADUATING. IT'S A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.
THE SECOND THING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WE ARE NOT REMOVING GRADUATIONS FROM RELIAN PARK. WE ARE SIMPLY TRANSITIONING THEM FROM THE STADIUM TO THE ARENA. THE ARENA HAS THE CAPACITY OF BETWEEN 6500 AND 7500 STUDENTS. SEATING CAPACITY.
AND WE ALSO OFFERED OVERFLOW THAT COULD ACCOMMODATE A SCHOOL WITH AN ATTENDANCE OF UP TO 12,000.
AND A THIRD POINT I WAS ASKED TO BRING A ONE MAJOR IF I MAY DISTRIBUTE THAT. I THINK THE OVERARCHING CONCEPT THAT I WANT EVERYONE TO GRASP IS THAT YOU KNOW WE ARE FACED WITH MANAGING THIS ASSET. IT'S 350-ACRE ASSET WITH YOU KNOW FACILITIES ON IT THAT ARE AGEING AND NEED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR IN ADDITION TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GRADUATION TIME PERIOD OF THE 20 DAYS, THAT 20-DAY PERIOD EXPANDS WHAT IS CONSIDERED THE PRIME STADIUM PROGRAMMING WINDOW, ALL RIGHT. SO TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT, IF I'M ABLE OR SUCCESSFUL TO PUT ONE WELL-PERFORMING CONCERT IN THAT 20-DAY WINDOW, THAT IN TERMS OF TWO TO THREE X IN ADDITION WHEN IT COMES TO REVENUE OVER ALL OF THE GRADUATIONS BRING US WITHIN THAT 20 DAYS.
TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND BE SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THIS IS A COMMUNITY ASSET WHILE MAINTAINING THE ASSET IN TERMS
[04:50:01]
OF SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPLACE BOILER SYSTEMS THAT ARE AT THEIR END OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE, THEN WE WON'T HAVE ANYTHING GOING ON AT THE STADIUM. SO WE ARE BALANCING THAT AND WE ARE FINDING A HAPPY MEDIUM AND THIS DECISION IN OUR OPINION IN CONSULTATION WITH MY BOARD WAS THE WAY THAT WE COULD ACCOMMODATE BOTH OF THOSE CONSIDERATIONS.>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I DO WANT TO MAKE ONE POINT AS WELL. I KNOW I SEEN THE REQUEST OF 12,000 ATTENDEES FOR ONE OF THE ISDS.
WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT IN THE ARENA AND WE OFFERED OVERFLOW AND MANY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS DID COME OUT BY OUR INVITATION TO VIEW THE ALTERNATIVE THAT IS WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEM FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU DID HAVE A SCHOOL THAT NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE 12,000 GUESTS, WE COULD ACCOMMODATE THAT IN THE ARENA DEPENDING ON THE CONFIGURATION, IT COULD BE # 5 TO 75 AND THEN WE COULD DO OVERFLOW IN HALL D AND WOULD ALLOW FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5,000 THAT WOULD GET YOU TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE SCHOOLS WITHOUT HAVING TO LIMIT TICKETS.
SO WE DO HAVE OPTIONS. WE HAVE ALTERNATIVES FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE.
IT'S JUST THAT THEY WILL BE IN THE ARENA AND OVERFLOW AND LEAVING US OPEN FOR THE STADIUM TO PUT THE PROGRAMMING IN THERE THAT WE NEED TO GENERATE THE REVENUE THAT'S REQUIRED TO
MAINTAIN THE ASSET. >> BISHOP, DID YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING. WE DIDN'T LET YOU COME UP -- NORMALLY WANT YOU TO LAY HANDS ON US BUT CLOSE TO LAYING HANDS
ON EACH OTHER TODAY. >> I WAS PRAYING.
>> I'M GLAD YOU WERE PRAYING BISHOP DIXON.
>> I WAS PRAYING. GOOD AFTERNOON, COURT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALWAYS AN HONOUR TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU AND WANT TO THANK MARTI FOR THE CONTEXT SHE HAS PROVIDED TODAY. THIS IS NOT UNFAMILIAR PROBLEM FOR MANY OF US IN MANY CONTEXTS. DO IT IN OUR CHURCH.
OUR SANCTUARY SEATS 200 PEOPLE, ANOTHER HALL THAT SEATS PEOPLE.
MOST BEAUTIFUL OF THE FACILITIES.
HOWEVER, WHEN IT COSTS US TO TURN THAT OPERATION ON, IT COSTS 2,000. AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE WITH THIS CIRCUMSTANCE. WE ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN. I GRADUATED FROM WALTER HIGH SCHOOL AND MY GRADUATION WAS IN THAT ARENA, AND IT WAS A GREAT TIME. I THINK THAT WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE HONOUR THE GRADUATES AND HONOUR THE SCHOOLS, AT THE SAME TIME BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 35E TASKED AT YOUR BEHEST TO MANAGE. AND WITH BUDGETS THAT THEY ARE, AND YOU ALL ARE -- (INDISCERNIBLE) SOMETHING WITH THE BUDGET, RIGHT, WE ARE ALL SACRIFICING, AND MAKING ADJUSTMENTS, AND I THINK THAT KIND OF SEASON WORKING TOGETHER TO UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT YOU LOOK AT $28 MILLION GAP, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE. AND AS MARTI MENTIONED WE ARE MANAGING AGING FACILITIES. ALREADY BEHIND.
WE KNOW THAT. AND CAN'T KEEP COMING TO THE SAME COFFERS TO GET MORE AND MORE.
SHE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH STAFF AND TEAM TO HELP US TO MANAGE IT BETTER BASED ON THE CONDITIONS SHE HAS BEEN GIVEN AND TASK THAT SHE HAS BEEN GIVEN AND OUR BOARD WITH CONSENSUS SUPPORTED THIS OPTION. WE DO THINK THAT AS YOU MENTIONED MIGHT BE OTHER FACILITIES, IF WANT 15, 18,000 PEOPLE, IT IS A STANDARD OF DIKEN PARK.
I WAS AT DIKEN LAST YEAR. SUMMER CREEK HAD THEIR GRADUATION THERE. THERE ARE SOME OTHER OPTIONS.
I WILL CLOSE ON THIS: I THINK THAT WE HAVE MANAGED TO OFFER THE BEST OPTION KEEPING EVERYTHING, THOSE AT RELIANT BUT THE OVERFLOW OPTION IS A GREAT OPTION.
WE DO THAT AS WELL. PACK OUT A ROOM, WE DO THAT AT CHURCH. I THINK PEOPLE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO THAT. IT'S JUST AN ADJUSTMENT.
I HOPE THAT THE COURT WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT.
AND MOST DID UNDERSTAND BUT CHANGE IS CHANGE, AND CHANGE IS NEVER EASY. BUT WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN AND WE THINK THAT YOU OUGHT TO BE PROUD OF THE JOB THAT SHE IS DOING BECAUSE IT TAKES A SHARP PENCIL TO MANAGE FACILITIES THAT
[04:55:04]
ARE AGING WITHOUT INCREASED REVENUE.AND WE'RE TRYING TO INCREASE REVENUE SO WE CAN CATCH UP.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT. >> THANK YOU, BISHOP.
I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED (INDISCERNIBLE) WILL COME DOWN.
HAVING HER MEDICAL SESSION, THERAPY SESSION 3:00 ON THURSDAYS. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> FIRST OF ALL, BISHOP DIXON FOR BEING HERE AND CEOMARTI KENDRICK THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND LAYING OUT THE CONTEXT.
I KNOW YOU BOTH ARE THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE AND TRYING TO DO RIGHT IN BALANCING THESE COMPETING PRIORITIES.
SO MY QUESTIONS ULTIMATELY ARE HOW CAN WE EVEN BETTER BOTH AND THIS. AS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER MYSELF I HAVE A 11TH GRADER AT WALTRIP, SOON WILL BE ATTENDING A GRADUATION AS A MOM. WE KNOW HOW CRITICAL AND JUST FRANKLY SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDINGS ARE BEING CUT, RIGHT.
IT'S NOT EASY FOR THEM TO GO RENT TOYOTA OR DIKEN, ET CETERA.
AS THE COUNTY OWNS THIS LAND, WE TAKE THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND COMMUNITY COMMITMENT REALLY SERIOUSLY BECAUSE WE WANT TO OPEN IT UP FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WE KNOW WE NEED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR MAINTENANCE, ET CETERA, RIGHT.
SO THE BOTH AND IS. SO I HEAR YOU.
THE 20 DAYS THAT ARE PRIME FOR GRADUATIONS, WE MAKE 1.2 MILLION FROM GRADUATIONS HISTORICALLY IF I'M HEARING YOU CORRECTLY.
MORE OR LESS. BUT IN WITHIN ONE CONCERT CAN
MAKE 1.2 IS THAT -- >> NO 2, 3 X THAT.
>> PRIME CONCERT SEASON. >> THAT'S ONE CONCERT IN THE 20
DAYS. >> SO MY QUESTION, SO CONCERTS -- ULTIMATELY HOW DO WE BEST BOTH AND, AND I HEAR YOU THE ARENA IS A GREAT OPTION FOR MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS BUT WE DO HAVE SOME HUGE, HUGE HIGH SCHOOLS.
SO IS THERE A FAIR WAY CAN DO A THRESHOLD OVER X NUMBER OF GRADUATES POTENTIALLY YOU COULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE STADIUM ONLY IN THE MORNINGS, ONLY ON MONDAYS, YOU KNOW, CONCERTS AREN'T IN THE MORNING, AND SO IS THERE A WAY -- AND I'M JUST THROWING THIS OUT HYPOTHETICALLY BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME BALANCED WAY WHERE WE KEEP THE CONCERTS AND THESE REVENUE-GENERATING AND I KNOW THERE IS CLEAN-UP AND SETUP.
I GET AT SOME LEVEL, I DON'T GET IT AS MUCH AS YOU DO CLEARLY.
BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME WAY TO TITRATE THIS IN A WAY THAT WE'RE NOT JUST COMPLETELY FOR EVERYTHING SHUTTING IT OFF.
BECAUSE I KNOW THAT -- BUT WE NEED SOMETHING THAT'S CLEAR AND CONSISTENT BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE FAIR TO ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. IS THERE ANY CREATIVE SOLUTION WHERE WE CAN -- MOTION TO EXTEND.
>> SECOND. >> IS THERE -- AND I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WRESTLING WITH THIS FOR MONTHS.
BUT THAT'S MY QUESTION. CAN WE CREATE -- AND IT MIGHT BE A VERY LIMITED OPPORTUNITY, BUT FOR X SIZE IF YOU ARE WILLING TO DO IT AT X TIME ON THIS DAY, YOU KNOW, AND THEN THEY CAN CHOOSE AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE OBVIOUSLY USING OUR ARENA, SOMETHING THAT'S FAIR, DOESN'T JUST CLOSE THE DOOR?
>> I THINK -- >> COULD YOU LOOK AT IT AND COME BACK. EVEN IF HAVE TO CHARGE MORE TO CLEAN IT. OBVIOUSLY CONCERT ON SUNDAY NIGHT HAVE TO PAY MORE OVERTIME TO GET SOMEBODY TO CLEAN IT.
I KNOW IF YOU DON'T KNOW NOW I HATE TO JUMP IN.
>> I THINK STUDY IT SOME MORE AND SOME MORE.
DO THAT OF COURSE. I THINK THAT WHAT WE DO WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF, IF WE SAY SCHOOL A, HERE'S AN OPTION IF YOU HAVE A LARGER SCHOOL TO HAVE MORE SEATS IN THE STADIUM.
SCHOOL B MAY NOT HAVE AS MANY STUDENTS, BUT HAVE AS MANY COUSINS AND NEPHEWS AND NIECES, SO THEY TOO COULD SAY, WE TOO
WILL HAVE 15,000 PEOPLE. >> IF YOU DO IT, I DO THINK YOU OUGHT TO DO IT FOR ALL OF THEM. I'M JUST -- I HATE TO JUMP IN.
BUT IF THERE IS A CONCERT ON FRIDAY NIGHT IF THEY GOT USHER OR WHOEVER THEY ARE. JANET JACKSON, IF SOMEBODY WANTS IT THAT BAD AND PAY SOMEONE TO COME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO CLEAN IT. IF YOU CAN MAKE MORE MONEY OFF OF IT. IF IT WON'T WORK GIVE ONE OF MY
FACILITIES, PUT TEN UP. >> WANT MARTI TO RESPOND.
MINDFUL OF THESE CONCERTS HAVE TO BE SCHEDULED MONTHS AND
>> AND -- YOU FOLLOW ME. SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE THAT BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE TO LET THE CONCERTS IN ON THE TIMING THAT THEY NEED TO SCHEDULE.
AND THAT CREATES CONFLICT AS WELL.
WE DON'T WANT TO MISS THAT REVENUE.
[05:00:01]
THE CHALLENGE FOR US, I KNOW MARTI WILL SPEAK TO IT AS WELL, WE'LL HAVE TO LIMIT CONCERT ACCEPTING DATES TO LEAVE ROOM FOR THOSE POTENTIALS IN THE GRADUATION.THAT'S A LOT TO BALANCE. WE'LL LOOK AT IT THOUGH AND SEE
WHAT WE -- >> IF I MIGHT BECAUSE TRYING TO GET A FLIGHT TO GET OUT OF HERE. EVEN IF YOU DECIDED ONE DAY AND IF THEY WANTED TO ASK SOMEBODY AT 7, SOMEBODY AT 10, ONE DAY, BECAUSE I GET IT, IF SOMEBODY BOOKS I GUESS THESE PEOPLE WANT TO DO -- WHAT PYROGRAPHICS ALL THAT STUFF NEED TIME.
>> NEED TO SET IT UP. >> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE THOUGHT THIS OUT THOROUGHLY AND WE GIVE YOU THE ANSWERS AND THE OPTIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN OPTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED. IF YOU WOULD ALLOW US TO GET BACK WITH LEGENDS, THEY HAVE BEEN HELPFUL IN TRYING TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THIS. THERE ARE A COUPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED. LET US TEASE THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT AND THEN WE CAN BRING THAT BACK OR SUBMIT TO YOUR COURT
OFFICES SO YOU CAN SEE. >> WE MIGHT HAVE SOME IDEAS TO
SEND THEM. >> IF YOU HAD A SHORTER WINDOW,
20 DAYS PROBABLY WAY -- >> THAT'S A LITTLE HIGH.
>> KEEP IN MIND. >> FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.
SMALLER WINDOW. JUST SOMETHING, YOU GET IT THIS YEAR, MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO OGET IT NEXT YEAR.
JUST SOME BASIC WHAT YOU COULD TRY TO MAKE WORK.
>> WE'LL STUDY IT. >> SO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING IN, BISHOP GOOD TO SEE YOU, MARTI, THANK YOU.
ONE IS THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE MONTHS IN ADVANCE BUT WE ALWAYS KNOW WHEN GRADUATION IS GOING TO HAPPEN, OKAY.
SO I REALLY OUGHT TO APPROACH THIS THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
YOU GIVE THE SCHOOLS FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL.
BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO GET A CONCERT OR NOT, RIGHT. YOU DON'T.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO GET A CONCERT.
>> THAT'S TRUE. BUT THE DEAL IS, AND THAT'S WHY LEGENDS, THEY ARE OUT SHOPPING CONCERTS AND PROMOTERS.
SO TO YOUR POINT, RIGHT, WE KNOW GRADUATION SCHEDULES.
LOCKED THEM IN. LIMITS THEIR ABILITY TO
NEGOTIATE. >> SO BISHOP, MY POINT IS WE OUGHT TO GIVE THE SCHOOLS FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL SINCE WE DO KNOW WE CAN PREDICT THEIR SCHEDULES.
SECONDLY, USE THE ARENA AS A PLAN B FOR THOSE OCCASIONS.
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T GET A CONCERT, THEN YOU HAVE ALREADY DISPLACED FAMILIES. AND LOOK, I GOT SEVERAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE THE ARENA JUST WON'T DO.
THEY ARE JUST HUGE. I HAVE GOT A THOUSAND STUDENT GRADUATING CLASS OUT OF NORTH SHORE.
AND SO I REALLY THINK THAT WE SHOULD APPROACH IT FROM THE BACKSIDE, GIVE THE SCHOOLS FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL, HAVE THE ARENA AS A PLAN B, AND YOU KNOW BECAUSE IT JUST, YOU KNOW, AND THEN ALSO, THE WAY I GOT IT, YOU CAN GIVE ME YOUR SIDE, THE WAY I GOT IT IS THAT THE WORLD CUP CAME, THEY UNDERSTOOD, THEY ACCOMMODATED, AND THEN WHEN AS THE WORLD CUP WAS OUT, THIS NEW POLICY KICKED IN. AND SO THEY FELT THAT THEY WERE NOT ENGAGED. AND SO IT WOULD BE HELPFUL THAT IF YOU USE -- IF YOU WORK WITH THEM TO HELP YOU COME UP WITH A PLAN OVERALL, VERSUS HAVING US AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT FOR THEM, MAKE THEM STAKEHOLDERS, ENGAGE THEM IN THE PROCESS, BUT I REALLY DO THINK YOU SHOULD APPROACH IT FROM THE REVERSE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN THEIR HOME FOR YEARS, FOR DECADES, AND SO -- AND THEN I DO TAKE STRONG EXCEPTION THAT MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SEVERAL OF THEM WILL BE DISPLACED AND THEY WILL HAVE TO LIMIT THEIR GRADUATION ATTENDANCE.
AND THESE ARE, YOU KNOW, UNDERSERVED AREAS, AND SO I JUST GOT TO FIGHT FOR THEM. AND SO -- AND THEN LASTLY, AS YOU ARE WORKING THROUGH THINGS LIKE THIS THAT DO HAVE A COMMUNITY PAIN POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU AND NOT GET CAUGHT BY MY SUPERINTENDENTS AT A LUNCHEON.
>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE STARTED FROM THE SAME PERSPECTIVE AS YOU MENTIONED, THINKING OF THE SCHOOLS FIRST. WE BACK INTO WHERE WE ARE HAVING
[05:05:04]
STARTED WITH THE SCHOOLS FIRST. MY HAT BEFORE BEING ON THIS BOARD IS COMMUNITY GUY, RIGHT. THAT'S MARTI'S PERSPECTIVE.DID START FROM THAT VANTAGE POINT AND DID TRY TO WITH THE DISTRICTS EARLY ENOUGH TO HAVE COLLABORATION CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT. IF WE HAVE COMMENT WHO THANKED US THE WAY MARTI DID APPROACH IT.
IT'S DIFFICULT. >> NO KIDDING.
NO KIDDING. >> IT'S DIFFICULT.
>> NO KIDDING. WELCOME TO OUR WORLD.
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, PATH IS NOT EASY.
>> DOES DIKEN CHARGE MORE THAN WE DO.
I WOULD HAVE TO COST MORE -- >> I DON'T KNOW DIKEN'S FEES BUT THEY MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY THAN WE DO AND MIGHT BE MORE ACCOMMODATING THAT WE CAN BE. I THINK AS I CLOSE ON THIS COMMISSIONER, WE TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.
I THINK THAT IF WE COULD JUST UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE WENT BACK TO WHAT WE WERE DOING, WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, WE DID ALL THE DATES FOR GRADUATION FIRST AND THEN WHAT WAS LEFT OVER IS WHAT WE DID FOR CONCERTS. WE ARE LOSING REVENUE DOING IT THAT WAY. THAT'S THE CHALLENGE.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, TODAY WE TOOK A DIFFICULT VOTE ON A BUDGET. AND I WAS TRYING HARD NOT TO MAKE IT ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. AND SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FAMILIES AND KIDS WHO THEY ALREADY WENT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WITHOUT GRADUATIONS. AND I JUST, I WOULD HATE TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO THAT WOULD BE COMPARABLE TO THE PANDEMIC. I JUST KNOW THAT THERE IS CAPACITY TO THINK THROUGH THIS AND WORK OUT SOMETHING THAT'S
MORE OF A WIN/WIN. >> WE'LL SCRATCH IT AGAIN.
>> QUICK POINT, WHATEVER YOU DO I WANT YOU TO ASK TO BRING IT BACK HERE. IF MY COLLEAGUES MAKE THE DECISION THEY WANT TO DO IT REGARDLESS OF THE COST I KNOW WE HAVE A NO MONEY COMPLEX. BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY, WELL, WERE YOU ALL THINKING ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU SAID JUST GO DO IT. CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
USE MY LINE. SOMETIMES EYES ARE BIGGER THAN OUR STOMACHS. BRING IT BACK.
WHATEVER YOU COME UP WITH. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THREE OF THEM DO WHAT THREE BUT YOU HAVE TO MAXIMIZE.
I SUGGEST YOU TALK TO OTHER STADIUMS BECAUSE THEY ARE INFLUENCED BY PUBLIC ENTITIES AS WELL.
ONLY REASON I KNEW ABOUT IT WAS SOME SCHOOL, COALITION SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS COME TO SEE ME BUT WOULDN'T SAY WHAT THEY WANTED.
SO I CALLED THE SUPERINTENDENT, SAID WHAT IS THIS ABOUT, HE SAID WE NEVER CALLED YOU BECAUSE WE MET WITH THEM, EXPLAINED IT TO US. SUPERINTENDENT SAID I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE TO MAKE MONEY. JUST LIKE IF SOMEBODY WANTED THE AUDITORIUM. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
>> WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE TASK THAT YOU GAVE MARTI TO BE FISCALLY SMART, TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY, AND I WANT YOU TO
JUST APPRECIATE. >> YOU ARE DOING EXCEPTIONALLY WELL. WE APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU. >> JAY, WHAT DID I SKIP?
>> COMMISSIONER, IT WILL BE NO ACTION ITEM.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER, WE CAN START
>> THAT'S A RECORD. >> JAIL POPULATION, STAFFING
CONDITIONS. >> PULL UP THE SLIDES AND START
IT. >> IS THIS GOING TO BE A LONG
ONE? >> I STREAMLINED IT AS MUCH AS I COULD AND ALSO HEAR FROM ENGINEERING TWO SHORT SLIDES AND
TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS AND... >> WE'LL BE DOING 1 AND 457
ANYWAYS, AS THE SLIDES ARE COMING UP, SINCE 2023, PRESENTED QUARTERLY REPORTS TO YOU ALL. YOU CARE DEEPLY ABOUT OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENTERING CUSTODY AND HOW LONG THEY REMAIN THERE, AND WE KNOW IT'S AFFECTED BY MANY TOUCH POINTS AND PROUD TO WORK WITH OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE, DA PUBLIC DEFENDER MATT, JUDGES, COURTS AND PRETRIAL AND SO MANY MORE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS.
SLIDE 2, SO WE'LL DO A QUICK UPDATE ON A FEW DEMOGRAPHICS.
THIS SLIDE IS A POINT IN TIME AS OF AUGUST 31ST, 8032 PEOPLE WERE IN CUSTODY. IN OUR HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.
88% WERE HOUSED LOCALLY IN OUR FACILITIES.
1052 PEOPLE REMAINED OUTSOURCED. AS WE DISCUSSED BUDGET SAVINGS RELATED TO OUTSOURCING OUR TARGET NUMBER IS AROUND 8500 IN
[05:10:02]
OUR FACILITIES. SO THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO REDUCE THOSE CONTRACTED SLOTS OUT OF OUR COUNTY.SLIDE 3. WE ALWAYS WANT TO LOOK AT SOME OF OUR RACE AND ETHNIC BREAKDOWN WITHIN OUR SYSTEM.
WE HAVE OBSERVED THAT BLACK INDIVIDUALS ARE 47% OF IN CUSTODY POPULATION, BUT THEY ARE ONLY 20.5% OF THE HARRIS COUNTY'S OVERALL POPULATION. WHEN WE LOOK AT STAYS LONGER THAN ONE YEAR, THAT IS 53% OF THAT POPULATION IS BLACK.
WE'LL NOW GO ON TO SOME OF OUR KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DATA, STARTING WITH AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION AND LENGTH OF STAY, SLIDE 4. CHART 7 OF THAT SLIDE SHOWS A RECENT CHANGE IN DIRECTION THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
THOUGH (INDISCERNIBLE) DECLINED AND REACHED 8288 IN MAY, IT HAS SINCE GRADUALLY INCREASED EVERY MONTH REACHING 8666 IN AUGUST.
AT THE SAME TIME ON CHART A WHICH IS OUR LENGTH OF STAY, SHOWS IN CUSTODY LENGTH OF STAY HAS GENERALLY IMPROVED.
FOR EXAMPLE, DECLINED TO 134 DAYS IN AUGUST.
HOWEVER, THOSE TRENDS CAN KIND OF WORK IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION BECAUSE LENGTH OF STAY IS A LAGGING MEASURE.
NEWLY BOOKED INDIVIDUALS BEGIN WITH VERY SHORT STAYS, AND RECENT INCREASE IN POPULATION DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY INCREASE THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY METRIC.
BUT IF THE RECENT INCREASE IN JAIL POPULATION IS SUSTAINED SUSPECT MIGHT AFFECT LENGTH OF STAY IN THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX MONTHS. SO IT'S SOMETHING WE'LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR. SLIDE 5 A, JAIL BOOKINGS AND RELEASES. SO ON THIS SLIDE, YOU WILL NOTE IN CHART 9 THAT OUR BOOKING OF VOLUME HAS GENERALLY BEEN HIGHER WHEN COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. THROUGH AUGUST, WE CAN SEE THAT FY 26 BOOKINGS 2.7% HIGHER WHEN COMPARED TO SAME TIME IN FY 25.
CHART 10 IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT EARLIER IN THE FISCAL YEAR RELEASES GENERALLY STAYED AHEAD OF BOOKINGS.
BEGINNING IN MAY RELEASES BEGAN TO LAG BOOKINGS.
AND IN PARTICULAR, AUGUST HAD THE LARGEST MONTHLY GAP DURING THAT PERIOD WITH 372 FEWER RELEASES THAN BOOKINGS.
SO WHEN RELEASES LAG BOOKINGS FOR SUSTAINED PERIOD IT CAN CREATE UPWARD PRESSURE ON OUR AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION.
SLIDE 6 HIGHLIGHT THE DISTRICT COURTS IN CUSTODY FELONY BACKLOG. A CHART WE PRESENT FOR NOT TRANSPARENCY NOT PERFORMANCE RANKING.
KNOW THOSE CASES ARE COMPLEX AND DETAILS DIFFER BROADLY.
BUT A SYSTEM-WIDE FOCUS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE WE HAVE CONTINUED MOVEMENT ON LONG STAYS.
WHAT THIS CHART SHOW SINCERELY THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE PROGRESS IN THE DEEPEST PORTION OF THE BACKLOG THOUSAND PLUS DAY GROUP.
DECLINED TO 128 CASES IN JUNE TO 120 IN AUGUST.
AT THE 365-DAY THRESHOLD HOWEVER WE SEE THE TOTAL IS RELATIVELY STABLE AND HAD A SLIGHT INCREASE EVEN IN JUNE.
WHILE THE OLDEST CASES ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE, ADDITIONAL CASES MAY BE AGING INTO BACKLOG STATUS.
SLIDE 7, PLEASE. SO THIS SLIDE FOCUSES ON THE OVERALL FELONY POPULATION IN ALL DISTRICT COURTS.
IT SHOWS ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE POPULATION HAVE IN CUSTODY FEWER THAN 180 DAYS, 12% BETWEEN 183 AND 364 MARK.
THAT GROUP IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THOSE CASES CAN BECOME TOMORROW'S BACKLOG IF THEY AGE WITHOUT RESOLUTION.
11% ARE ALREADY BEYOND THE ONE YEAR.
GOING TO GO TO SLIDE 8, FELONY CASE TRENDS.
CHART 13 CENTERS ON THE IN-CUSTODY FELONY CASE BACKLOG AND COMPARES THE TOTAL BACKLOG WITH NEW FILE AND TOTAL DISPOSITIONS. FIRST THING TO EMPHASIZE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS JUDICIARY MADE AND WANT TO COMMEND THEM OF THEIR 69% DECLINE OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THAT SOME FELONY CASE MOVEMENT. WHILE DISPOSITION WHICH IS THE BLACK LINE CONTINUED TO EXCEED THE NEW FILINGS THE GAP HAS NARROWED IN RECENT MONTHS. IN JULY DISPOSITIONS EXCEEDED FILINGS BY 858 CASES BUT IN AUGUST, MARGIN NARROWED TO ONLY 383 CASES. SLIDE 9.
FELONY CASE TRENDS, COMPARES TOTAL PENDING FELONY CASES INCLUDING BOND AND IN CUSTODY CASES WHICH WE HAVE SEEN DECLINES SINCE 2022. BUT MORE RECENTLY, THE IN CUSTODY PENDING CASE LOAD HAS BEGUN TO MOVE IN THE OPTS DIRECTION AND STARTED TO SHOW A SLIGHT INCREASE, ABOUT 2% FROM JUNE TO AUGUST. WHILE NOT YET A MAJOR CONCERN WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER WITH ADP, AND THE DROP IN OVERALL RELEASES
[05:15:04]
WE WANT TO KEEP AND WE'LL KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THIS PENDING FELONY CASES AS THEY MOVE OVER TIME. NOW AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE CLOSE (INDISCERNIBLE) SHOW EMERGING TRENDS TO MONITOR AND THIS SLIDE 10 IS ABOUT ERDS NOW CALLED EIDS THE EMERGING ISSUES DOCKET.IN LATE 2025 THE INITIAL FOCUS WAS MOVING LOWER LEVEL IN CUSTODY CASES. AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM WE SAW VERY STRONG RESULTS TO THAT APPROACH EARLY FY 26.
WITH 85% OF EID DISPOSITIONS BEING LOWER LEVEL CASES IN Q-1 AND SUBSTANTIAL VOLUME OF CASES DISPOSED E DELETE S -- EIDS. SEEN DECREASES IN VOLUME WITH SUBSTANTIALLY LESS LOWER LEVEL CASE MOVEMENT WE SAW IN Q-1.
CAN SUPPORT SEVERAL NEEDS INCLUDING REDUCE BACKLOG AND PREVENTING NEWER IN-CUSTODY CASES FROM AGING INTO THE BACKLOG. IF LESS CAPACITY IS REDUCING THE HIGHER VOLUME CASE MOVEMENT WE SAW EARLIER IN FY 26 CONTRIBUTION TO REDUCING THE LENGTH OF STAY AND JAIL POPULATION MAY ALSO BE SMALLER. AND SO THIS REMAINS IMPORTANT AS WE SEE OTHER TRENDS THAT MAJOR MILLS WILL DISCUSS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMIS COMMISSIONERS.
TONYA MILLS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
SO THIS SLIDE, WE ACTUALLY SHOWED THIS THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE WHERE WE STARTED LOOKING AT THE AVERAGE DAILY BOOKINGS.
WE WERE SEEING AVERAGE DAILY BOOKINGS FOR THE MONTH THEY WERE EXCEEDING 300. IT WASN'T JUST DAYS THROUGHOUT MONTH THAT WE HAD 300. WE HAVE HAD FIVE CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF 300 OR HIGHER. I WILL NOTE THAT SEPTEMBER TO DATE IS 316. SO IT'S INCREASING OVER AUGUST, AND DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL REMEMBER FROM THIS SLIDE BUT TYPICALLY IN SEPTEMBER WE SEE A DECLINE IN IN-TAKES AND WE ARE SEEING A CONTINUED INCREASE. WHEN VOLUME IN-TAKES -- WHEN IN-TAKE VOLUME LIKE THIS INCREASES ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE START PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO AT THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER IS HOW PROS ASSESSOR ARE MOVING, AND AS VOLUME GOES UP TIME WHAT IS GOING TO GIVE TAKES LONGER TO MOVE THROUGH THE SYSTEM. WE ARE THANKFUL AND APPRECIATIVE OF THE RESOURCES THAT THIS COURT INVESTED IN PRETRIAL AND COURTS TO HELP KEEP THOSE PROCESSES MOVING.
WE THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HUGELY BENEFICIAL.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. AND HERE THERE IS -- THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HERE, BUT TAKE-HOME POINT IS WE HAVE GIVEN BACK ABOUT JUST OVER 50% OF THE GAINS THAT WE SAW WITH TODAY'S CURRENT POPULATION FROM THE 82 AND SOME CHANGE WE WERE MONTHS AGO, WE HAVE GIVEN BACK ABOUT 50% OF THE GAINS THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS. AND OUR CONCERN IS THAT BEGINS TO IMPINGE OR IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO HAVE THE OUTSOURCING REDUCTION PLAN LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT IN MARCH AND APRIL WHERE WE WANT TO BRING 550 BACK. WHERE SOME OF THAT GROWTH IS WE'RE SEEING IT JUST IN THE POPULATION GROWTH.
SO WE ARE REALLY WANTING TO FOCUS AND WORK WITH OCA, AND STAKEHOLDERS, DA'S OFFICE AND THE COURTS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN'T DO TO TRY TO BRING THE POPULATION BACK DOWN, MANAGE THE CASE, PROCESSING TIMES AND GET IT STABILIZED AGAIN.
THE CHIEF TALKED EARLY ON THAT WE NEEDED TO BE BETWEEN 83 AND 85 IN ORDER TO HAVE THE OUTSOURCING REDUCTION THAT WE HAD PLANNED FOR THE 550 TO COME BACK.
THANK YOU. AND SO WE ARE WATCHING THIS VERY, VERY CLOSELY AND WORKING REALLY CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP BRING THAT DOWN.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE ON THIS SLIDE. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
THANK YOU ALL BOTH. IT BLOWS ME AWAY THAT STILL THAT WE'RE AT 100 PLUS DAYS OF AN AVERAGE STAY IN JAIL.
IN MY TIME IT WAS 30 DAYS. AND YOU HAVE GIVEN US NUMBERS ON THE BOOKINGS. CAN I ASK YOU ALL TO ALSO TRACK THE RELEASES. BECAUSE --
>> SURE. >> WE USED TO BE ALMOST IN PAR WITH EACH OTHER TAKING IN 300, RELEASING 300.
AND I THINK THAT CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND A FEW OTHER THINGS.
I KNOW THAT THE BOOKINGS, AS YOU NOTED IN YOUR PRESENTATION, ARE OUTPACING THE BOOKINGS -- OR THE BOOKINGS ARE OUTPACING THE
[05:20:01]
RELEASES, RATHER. I THINK THAT WOULD HELP US.I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE JUDGES THAT HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF BACKLOG, WHICH IS JUDGE BELL, JUDGE VEO, JUDGE PINAGE, AND JUDGE WALASKIS. WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR WORK.
WE DO HAVE JUDGE THAT IS HAVE A BACKLOG, SIGNIFICANT BACKLOG, DON'T WANT TO MENTION THEIR NAMES BUT I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE HELPING US MOVE THIS ALONG.
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS NOW COME UP WITH A NEW VERSION OF THEIR IN-TAKE DIVERSION.
HOW DO YOU SEE THAT WORKING BETTER THAN CURRENTLY IS?
>> SO I THINK IN-TAKE 2.0 IS WHAT THEY ARE CALLING IT, I THINK THAT THE THING THAT WILL BE VALUABLE THERE IT IS FOCUSING ON BOTH SITE AND RELEASE AND INITIATIVES TO TRY TO LOWER THE AMOUNT OF TIME SOMEBODY WOULD STAY IN JAIL BY TAKING FOLKS TO GRAND JURY AND NOT WAIT 90 DAY TOSS FIND OUT THEY ARE JUST GOING TO STOP IT THERE. WE ARE HITTING BOTH SIDES.
IF WE CAN RAMP UP SITE AND RELEASE WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE BOOKING AND RELEASE PROCESS IN AVERAGE 300 DAILY IN-TAKES THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING.
I THINK THAT WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT.
HITTING BOTH SIDES WHICH IS GOOD.
TWO THINGS FOCUS HOW MANY COMING IN AND HOW LONG STAYING.
IF CAN DO WITH ONE SWING, ALL THE BETTER.
>> I KNOW WE ARE WORKING THROUGH ALL THE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS, GOT A PRESENTATION. ASSUME ALL THE FLOORS ARE DONE.
HOW MANY DETENTION OFFICERS ARE YOU CURRENTLY SHORT?
>> HOPEFULLY THE CHIEF IS ON. CHIEF? WHILE WE ARE WAITING ON THEM COME --
>> YOU ARE MUTED, CHIEF. THERE YOU ARE.
>> IF THE FLOORS WERE TO BE OPENED HOW MANY DOS DO YOU NEED?
>> I THINK WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT 200, 250 OR SO.
AT THE TAIL END TO GET ALL THE WAY BACK TO 10,000 ABOUT.
>> GOTCHA. AND HOW IS THE HIRING PROCESS
COMING ALONG? >> MAKING STEADY PROGRESS ON
>> AND ON AVERAGE HOW MANY DOS DO YOU HAVE A CLASS AND HOW MANY
CLASSES ARE YOU DOING A YEAR? >> WE DO -- WE DO CADET SCHOOL EVERY THREE WEEKS, AND THOSE RANGE BETWEEN 35 TO 45 CADETS IN EACH CLASS. WE ARE GRADUATING THEM ONCE A
MONTH. >> AND WHAT'S YOUR AVERAGE
MONTHLY ATTRITION ON DOS? >> OVERALL ON ALL CATEGORIES, TERMINATION, RESIGNATION, MOVING ON TO OTHER CAREER FIELDS, ABOUT
20 GIVE OR TAKE FOUR OR FIVE. >> ON AVERAGE 25.
>> YES, SIR. >> SO YOU ARE NETTING SOMETIMES
40% OF THE GRADUATING CLASS. >> YES, SIR.
>> YEAH. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK CHIEF AND CONTINUE TO THANK YOUR DOS FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK.
I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY PLACE TO WORK.
BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING, AND MAJOR THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. CHAIR RECOGNIZES COMMISSIONER
MAJOR MILLS, ADMINISTRATOR CARTER I APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION. MAJOR MILLS THE UPTICK THAT WE ARE SEEING WHAT ARE THE KEY DRIVERS? WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE BEING BOOKED?
>> SO WE'RE NOT -- WE ARE NOT NOTICING ANY SIGNIFICANT DEVIATIONS IN THE TYPES OF CHARGES THAT WE HAVE SEEN HISTORICALLY. IT IS JUST MORE PEOPLE.
WE DO KNOW OR NOTED THAT THERE WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT HPD GRADUATED A COUPLE OF LARGE CLASSES JUST BEFORE LABOUR DAY.
WE THINK THAT HAS PROBABLY HAD A LITTLE BIT OF AN IMPACT.
BUT IT IS JUST THAT THE FLOOR -- IT FEELS LIKE THE FLOOR IS BEING RAISED. THERE IS NOT ANY ONE CHARGE THAT SEEMS LIKE IT'S OUT. WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK PRETTY STEADY UPTICK IN PUBLIC ORDER TYPE CRIMES.
NOT ALL NUISANCE. SOME HIGHER LEVEL PUBLIC ORDER CRIMES. BUT THOSE CASES TYPICALLY DON'T STAY VERY LONG. SO WE STILL SEE A LOT OF FELONIES AND ABOUT -- I WANT TO SAY IT WAS 53 OR 54% OF OUR IN CUSTODY POPULATION IS VIOLENT OFFENCES.
>> THANK YOU. SO MY NEXT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER WAS TOUCHING ON THIS THE DETENTION OFFICERS.
[05:25:04]
OF ALL THE POSITIONS THAT WE APPROVED AND FUNDED, HOW MANYREMAIN VACANT? >> I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT 100
VACANCIES AT THIS TIME. >> IF THERE IS ANYTHING -- I KNOW HRT IS SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS FOR THE HIRING.
IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT, PLEASE LET US KNOW BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S SO CRITICAL TO CONTINUE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR JAIL. CHIEF, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU THIS RECENT POPULATION GROWTH, IF IT CONTINUES ON THIS TREND, CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH, I KNOW WE HAVE OUR PLAN TO REDUCE OUTSOURCING. A, WHAT IS THE CURRENT PLAN? B ARE WE ON TRACK? C, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PREPARE IN CASE THIS TREND, I PRAY IT DOESN'T CONTINUE BUT IF IT DOES.
>> SO THIS YEAR WE HAD TWO STEPS.
WE FINISHED STEP 1 ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO WHICH WAS TO BRING 100 INMATES BACK. WE ARE ON TRACK NOW EVEN WITH THESE NUMBERS WE'RE GOING TO DELIVER ON STEP 2 THIS YEAR, WHICH IS TO REDUCE BY ANOTHER 150.
AND WE LOOK TO DO THAT IN ABOUT THE NEXT 45 TO 60 DAYS.
SO RIGHT AROUND OCTOBER OR SO. AND THAT WILL BE THE TWO STEPS THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR, WHICH WAS TO REDUCE BY 250. OUR PLAN NEXT YEAR IS TO DO TWO STEPS AT 200 A STEP. AND WE'LL JUST HAVE TO -- WE'LL HAVE TO GAUGE A LOT OF FACTORS. WE'LL HAVE TO GAUGE, SLOWDOWN DUE TO HOLIDAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON TRACK FOR NEXT YEAR. BUT WE'LL DELIVER ON STEP 2 OF THIS YEAR, WHICH IS A REDUCTION OF 150.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. >> CHIEF, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON BOARD. TONYA, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, JUST IN GENERAL NOT GET INTO THE 25 QUESTIONS ON -- THIS IS -- I HAVE SEEN COMPLICATED ENGINEERING PROBLEMS BEFORE. THIS RATES RIGHT UP THERE.
YOU NEED A CALCULUS TO GET THROUGH SOME OF THIS.
YOU GOT A DA THAT IMPACTS IT. AND WE HAVE SEEN SOME HELP COMING THERE. YOU GOT THE COURTS THAT IMPACT IT. YOU HAVE OUTSOURCING THAT IMPACTS IT. YOU HAVE GOT JAIL RENOVATION THAT IMPACTS IT. YOU GOT DETENTION OFFICERS THAT IMPACTS IT. YOU HAVE JAIL STANDARDS AND WHAT THEY HAVE GOT. AND THERE IS ROUGHLY 2,000 BEDS EMPTY AT THIS POINT. AND I KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT NUMBER THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE ON RESERVE BECAUSE OF JAIL STANDARDS. AND WHATEVER THAT NUMBER IS, SO WITH ALL THE WORK AND DANIEL IS NOT HERE, BUT WE HAVE GONE FROM ROUGHLY 50 MILLION IS WHAT I REMEMBER THE NUMBER YEARS AGO THIS YEAR I THINK 39 MILLION. CALL THAT PROGRESS GOING FROM 50 TO 39. WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT ZERO. BUT WE KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT WHERE WE ARE. MY QUESTION IS MORE DO WE -- CAN WE BE SURE WE HAVE A QUARTERBACK, AND TONYA, IS THAT YOU? YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING OVER HERE. VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE DA.
VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT THE SHERIFF IS.
WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CHIEF IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING.
BUT ALL THESE DIFFERENT FACTORS ARE PLAY INTO IT.
HAVE WE BEEN TO AUSTIN BEGGING TO GET SOME RELIEF ON THE JAIL STANDARDS? WE MAY HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BEDS VERY IN RESERVE.
WORKING EVERYTHING WE KNOW. (INDISCERNIBLE) CAME OVER AND WE HAD AN HOUR AND MOST PRODUCTIVE HOUR WITH HIM AND SAM GOING THROUGH THE DETAILS. WE KNOW 47, WHICH IS THE MOST
>> ALL RIGHT, SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> WE KNOW IN TALKING TO THE ENGINEER, AND HE WILL GIVE US A REPORT, A SHORT REPORT IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT THAT REPORT 7, 4 TOOK ABOUT 2Ā½ YEARS. THAT'S NOT ANY ONE PERSON'S FAULT. NOT SAYING THIS PERSON, THE JAIL OR ENGINEERING OR WHAT. IT JUST TOOK 2Ā½ YEARS.
THE PLAN WAS WE WERE GOING TO TAKE SIX MONTHS.
WE HAVE FIVE MORE FLOORS TO DO. SO HOPEFULLY WE HAVE LEARNED
[05:30:02]
FROM FLOOR 7 THAT WE CAN GET THAT CLOSER TO THE SIX MONTHS THAT WE ORIGINALLY -- BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL BECAUSE WE GET ALL THE FLOORS FINISHED, THAT'S AT LEAST 5, 600 IMPACT. AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO THE CHIEF'S OBJECTIVE NEXT YEAR OF DOING 200 AND 200.I GET THAT. JUST ANYTHING WE COULD DO TO ACCELERATE GETTING FOLKS BACK HERE AND OUT OF THE OUTSOURCING WOULD BE A BIG, BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND I KNOW WE WORK IN MANY DIFFERENT FACTORS. I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO SIT HERE AND TRY TO LITIGATE EXACTLY WHICH ONE IS THE PROBLEM OR NOT.
YOU ARE CONSTANTLY MANAGING SO MANY VARIABLES THAT CHANGE ALMOST EVERY DAY. BUT IF WE CAN KIND OF KEEP OUR EYE ON THAT. MILTON AND I HAD REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION ON THINGS WE COULD DO NOW THAT WE KNOW -- AS MILTON REMINDS ME, WE ARE RENOVATING A FORMER MEAT PACKING PLANT.
SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GO IN AND TRY TO REWORK THE PLUMBING AND REWORK THE -- ALL THE DIFFERENT DETAILS, AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THAT. SO WE ARE NOT HERE JUDGING.
WE ARE SITTING HERE ASKING I THINK BRIONES ASKED IT, I'M ASKING, IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP MOVE THIS ALONG IN TERMS OF WHETHER IT'S GOING TO AUSTIN.
I LEARNED HOW TO BEG A LONG TIME AGO.
IF WE NEED TO GET KNEE PADS AND I WILL GO TO THE JAIL STANDARDS AND IF WE CAN'T GET A LITTLE RELIEF UP THERE.
ANYTHING WE CAN DO FROM THE COURT TO HELP WITH THIS NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S NOT RIGHT TO HAVE THAT MANY PEOPLE OUTSOURCED.
IT IS JUST A LOGISTIC ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD DEATHS IN TERMS OF THOSE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN OUTSOURCED.
WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO GET IT BACK.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO MY 25 QUESTIONS.
YOU ALL HAVE BEEN VERY FORTHCOMING.
YOU ANSWER THE PHONE. I ASK A QUESTION.
YOU GIVE ME ANSWERS. BUT IT'S THE MORE QUESTIONS I ASK, THE MORE COMPLICATED IT GETS.
SO PLEASE CONTINUE TO WORK THE ISSUE.
BE SATISFIED THAT YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE KNOW HO DO TO TRY TO GET THAT NUMBER DOWN AS HARD AS WE CAN.
THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THE COURT, I WILL SAY WE APPRECIATE THE COURT'S CONTINUED SUPPORT. THE JAIL STAFF PASSED NOW TWO INSPECTIONS BY THE STATE. SO WE NEED ONE MORE COMPREHENSIVE WHICH WE EXPECT WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX MONTHS. THE SOONER THE BETTER.
AND ONCE WE PASS THAT SECOND COMPREHENSIVE ON-SITE INSPECTION, THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO GO BACK AND ASK THE COMMISSION TO LIFT THE REMEDIAL ORDER WHICH WOULD GIVE ACCESS TO 580 BEDS CURRENTLY NOT APPROVED FOR USE.
SO WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES AND THAT COMES WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS PUTTING IN, HEALTH POPULATION, ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED HERE, AND REALLY THE CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM THE COURT. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT.
AND THAT IS OUR MAIN FOCUS, TO GET OUR BEDS BACK ONLINE AND TO
GET OUTSOURCING DOWN. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF.
THANK YOU, GUYS SO MUCH. >> YOU WANT ENGINEERING.
>> PLEASE PULL UP THE SLIDE, GEOMAINTENANCE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MEMBERS OF THE COURT, COUNTY ENGINEER ALONG WITH ME CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.
HAPPY TO BE HERE TO PROVIDE YOU A QUICK UPDATE IN TERMS OF TWO KEY IMPROVEMENTS WE HAVE. ONE IS THE IMPROVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE ON THE JAIL, AND ALSO PROPOSITION A, LAW ENFORCEMENT BOND PROJECTS THAT WE ARE LEADING. FIRST, BEFORE TOO LONG THANK THE COURT CONTINUOUS COMMITMENT INVESTING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FACILITY. AND ALONG WITH THAT ALSO, NEED TO THANK ADMINISTRATIVE, WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE THE PRESENTATION SHE GIVE AND BUDGET OFFICER RAMOS FOR GIVING US THE FLEXIBILITY AND I WAS EXPLAINING SOME OF YOU AS BUILDING $122 MILLION CAPITAL RENOVATION PROJECT, WE ALSO SEE NEW PROJECTS COMING IN LINE, AND GIVING THAT FLEXIBILITY TO SHERIFF'S OFFICE HEY, WE GOT A FREEZER NOT WORKING, WE NEED TO FIX IT, RATHER THAN WAITING TWO MONTHS FOR THE APPROVAL PROCESS.
SO THANK YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR WORKING WITH US. WHAT I WANTED TO REPORT TO YOU ALL FIRST, THE COMMITMENT WE MADE IN MARCH, UPDATE GIVE YOU
[05:35:05]
STILL ON TRACK AND STILL PLAN TO FINISH IT ALL FLOOR RENOVATION BY THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2028, BEAT THE SCHEDULE.ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID WE HAD A ROUGH START. TRYING TO LEARN HOW WE WORK IN OLD MEAT PACKING PLANT, WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO, DO WE NEED A DETAILED PLAN SET OR USE OUR ON CALL CONTACT TO GO IN.
HOW DO WE MEET THE CURRENT PLUMBING STANDARDS VERSUS WHAT WE HAD YEARS AGO. THOSE KIND OF CHALLENGES.
WE WERE ABLE TO OVERCOME ALL THOSE.
WE ARE DOING A LOT OF FIELD ENGINEERING AS WE ARE WORKING ON. AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO BE HAVING MORE CREWS, YOU KNOW, ANY CONSTRUCTION JOB ONE OF THE MAIN GOAL TO HAVE MORE CREWS AND WORKING LONG HOURS. WE ARE EXPLORING ALL THOSE OPTIONS TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK 24 HOURS SCHEDULE.
ALSO ALSO IMPACTING A LOT OF BED CAPACITY.
AND THANK YOU SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR COLLABORATION.
WITH THAT SAID PASS IT ON TO THE CHIEF TO GIVE YOU DETAILS WHAT
WE ARE IN SUMMARY. >> THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
WITH THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER.
GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON THE JAIL MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
THIS IS AS OF SEPTEMBER 8TH AND THE FINANCIAL NUMBERS WE ARE PRESENTING AS OF SEPTEMBER 16TH.
THE REPORT ALSO COMMUNE INDICATES SIMILAR INFORMATION THAT WE TRANSMIT TO YOUR OFFICES AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ON THIS. WHAT I WILL DO I WILL GIVE YOU THE HEADLINES RATHER THAN WALK YOU THROUGH EACH LINE ITEM.
IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO GO DEEPER AFTER THE PRESENTATION.
ON THE FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT AS OF SEPTEMBER 16TH SPENT 5.$4 MILLION AND INN COUPLE BETTERED ANOTHER 11.2 ACROSS THE IDENTIFIED PROJECTS. ONE THING I DO WANT TO FLAG WE HAVE THREE GENERATOR PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE PIPELINE.
THOSE ARE BUDGETED AT APPROXIMATELY 7.$6 MILLION.
THE 1200 BAKER AND 1307 BAKER COMBINED ABOUT 5.6 MILLION.
BOTH OF THOSE ARE IN DESIGN AND COMING TO BID LATER.
AND THAT AMOUNT IS GOING TO BE ADDED TO THE INCUMBERED AMOUNT AS WELL, THE 11.2. THERE IS ALSO A LARGER ITEM COMING BEHIND IT, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS APPROVED A FULL FIRE SPRINKLER REPLACEMENT AT 1200 BAKER.
THAT'S A SCOPE INCREASE. WE WERE JUST DOING THE SPRINKLER HEADS. BUT TO THE SHERIFF'S CREDIT, THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
THAT IS CURRENTLY WE ARE PURSUING A DESIGN CONSULTANT.
AND ONCE THAT SCOPE IS DEFINED, IT'S GOING TO BRING ITS OWN BID PACKAGE AND INCUMBERENCES ON TOP WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY ENCUMBERED.
ALSO TRACKING THAT AS THESE ENCUMBRANCES WILL RISE IN THE COMING QUARTERS, BECAUSE AS NEW PROJECTS COME ON BOARD, AND THE ONES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN DESIGN, MOVING TO CONSTRUCTION, THAT'S GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL INCUMBERENCES AS WELL.
ON THE STATUS PROJECT, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THREE THINGS THAT STAND OUT. ONE, AS THE DOCTOR MENTIONED THE SEVENTH FLOOR PLUMBING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE SEVENTH FLOOR REACHED SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION AT THE END OF JUNE. THE PUNCH WALK WAS INITIALLY DELAYED BECAUSE THE CITY OF HOUSTON WAS DOING SOME WATER MAIN WORK TO THE LINE THAT FEEDS THIS FACILITY.
THADEUSED SOME AIR AND SOME DEBRIS INTO THE LINES, AND THE CONTRACTORS HAD TO GO BACK AND FLUSH THOSE LINES AND CLEAN OUT THE VALVES. THAT TOOK US A LITTLE BIT TO RECOVER FROM. BUT ONCE THAT WAS DONE, THE CONTRACTORS FINISHED THERE THEIR PUNCH LIST IN JULY AND COMMUNICATED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT THE JOB WAS DONE.
THEIR COMMISSIONING CAME ON BOARD IN JULY AND AUGUST.
AS OF SEPTEMBER THE 4TH, WE WERE GIVEN NOTICE TO PROCEED ON THE SIXTH FLOOR. ON THE SIXTH FLOOR WE STARTED WORK ACTUALLY ON THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 8TH, IN POD 6 B STARTING RIGHT NOW. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE OFFERED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN COLLABORATION WITH THEM IS OUR CONTRACTORS ARE OKAY WITH WORKING IN A FACILITY OR ON A FLOOR THAT'S NOT FULLY VACATED.
SO THE -- I GUESS THE -- TRYING TO SAY, I LOST MY WORDS.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY HERE WE IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE ABILITY OF -- OR THE AVAILABILITY OF BEDS, THE CONTRACTORS ARE OKAY WITH WORKING ON A FLOOR THAT IS NOT FULLY VACATED.
BUT THAT'S STRICTLY A SHERIFF'S OFFICE OPERATIONAL DECISION.
THAT'S NOT NOT ON US. AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE
[05:40:05]
SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CHIEF ON THAT COLLABORATION, AND WE'LL REALLY WORK ON ANY FLOOR THAT IS ALLOWED AND WHATEVER SPACE THEY ALLOW TO US WORK ON, AND WE ARE PREPARED TO DO THAT.THE THIRD THING IS THAT AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTIONED, WE LEARNED FROM THE SEVENTH FLOOR.
THE SIXTH FLOOR IS A MIRROR IMAGE OF SEVENTH FLOOR.
THAT LEARNING CURVE I THINK HAS BEEN OVERCOME.
THE CONTRACTS, THE EQUIPMENT, THE MATERIALS ARE ON ORDER.
THE PO VERSUS BEEN ISSUED. SO WE ARE READY TO PROCEED WITH THE SIXTH FLOOR. WE ANTICIPATE A SIX-MONTH PROJECT ON THERE. AND WE HAVE GIVEN DIRECTIONS TO PROJECT MANAGERS TO GO AHEAD AND GET THE QUOTES THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THE REST OF THE FLOORS RIGHT NOW SO WE COULD TRY TO STAY AHEAD OF THESE PROJECTS. SO WITH THAT, WE'RE OPEN TO ANY
QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, GARCIA AND THEN BRIONES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> THANK YOU. CHIEF AND DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I WANTED TO REACT A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED. THE -- I WOULD DISCOURAGE TRYING TO COMMINGLE CONTRACTORS AND EVEN A FEW INMATES PER FLOOR.
I JUST DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BODE WELL.
SO I WOULD JUST CAUTION AGAINST THAT.
I MEAN, I APPRECIATE THE WILLINGNESS, BUT -- AND I THINK I SEE CHIEF REACTING TO THAT AS WELL.
BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE WANTING TO FIND SOME ANGLES TO TRY TO GET THIS DONE. AND THEN THE OTHER SIDE, I JUST WILL TELL YOU THAT THIS PLACE IS FALLING APART AS YOU FIX IT.
AND SO THE CONVERSATION OF WHERE WE GO, WHAT WE DO IN THE FUTURE, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ACCELERATE THAT, ESPECIALLY GIVEN WHAT SOME THINGS MAY BE IN FRONT OF US, RELATED TO SOME LEGAL ISSUES. SO I JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU GUYS GOT GOING IN FRONT OF YOU ALL.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MEET WITH US AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO ASK A TON OF QUESTIONS THE OTHER DAY. BUT MY QUESTION IS JUST VERY SIMPLE, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ASKED MAJOR MILLS.
WHAT ELSE CAN THIS COURT DO TO HELP SUPPORT YOU ALL TO DELIVER THESE PROJECTS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE INMATES AS WELL AS THE STAFF OF THE JAIL? ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO TO HELP.
>> COMMISSIONER, WE'LL BRING ANY IDEAS WE HAVE THAT NEEDS COURT APPROVAL. AT THIS TIME WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE WITH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE INTERNAL COOPERATION WITH ALL OF OUR TEAM HAS BEEN GREAT.
SO THAT WAY WE ARE NOT SITTING ON ANYTHING FROM THE PROCUREMENT OFFICE TO ALL OFFICES. WE ALIGNED COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ALL THE OTHEROSES TO WORK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> IN INTEREST OF TIME I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE THE UPDATE ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOND, BUT YOU ALL ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON THE $100 MILLION, NOW A LITTLE MORE THAN 100 MILLION. BUT THE 100 MILLION FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOND THAT WAS PASSED IN 2022, CORRECT.
>> ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE CURRENTLY OUT OF THE EIGHT PROJECTS BEEN PART OF THE BOND, ONE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
>> OKAY. >> WE HAVE QUICK SLIDE IF YOU
CAN PULL THE SLIDE UP. >> WE APPROVE THE 19.7 MAY 2026,
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND DISCUSSION?
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THIS IS EVERYTHING FROM --
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO PULL IT UP BUT THE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING FACILITY TO THE SWIFT WATER TRAINING FACILITY TO
THE NEW DISTRICT, RIGHT. >> YES.
FACILITY CONSTRUCTION IS ONGOING.
WE HAVE THREE PROJECTS -- THERE YOU GO, THERE IS THE SLIDES.
WE HAVE THREE PROJECTS. NEXT SLIDES.
>> IT'S OKAY. >> ACTIVELY WORKING ON ALL THE PROJECTS, MOST ARE STILL IN DESIGN.
ONE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WHEN DO WE ANTICIPATE THE CONSTRUCTION TO BE COMPLETE FOR ALL OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOND
PROJECTS? >> WE EXPECT TO HAVE ALL THE PROJECTS COMPLETED, COMMISSIONER, BY THE SECOND -- SECOND QUARTER OF 2028 IS WHEN WE ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE EVERYTHING COMPLETED. YOU ARE CORRECT IT'S 119.7 MILLION INVESTMENT. YOU ALL APPROVED BACK IN MAY.
AN ADDITIONAL $19 MILLION. WE DO HAVE ONE PROJECT IN CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS SWIFT WATER FACILITY THAT WE JUST BROKE GROUND ON. WE HAVE FOUR PROJECTS THAT ARE
[05:45:01]
IN DESIGN. PATROL DISTRICT 5, THE ACTIVE SHOOTER, TRAINING ACADEMY EXPANSION AND CRIME PROCESSING FACILITY. THOSE ARE IN DESIGN.AND FOR BID THREE OF THEM THAT WILL BE BID THIS MONTH AND NEXT MONTH. THAT'S GOING TO BE THE PATROL DISTRICT 6, THE FIREARMS COMPLEX, AND THE DRIVING TRACK.
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, JUST TO ADD, SO WE EXPECT WITHIN NEXT QUARTER START CONSTRUCTION OF THE THREE
WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO. THANK YOU.
>> ON THIS ONE, Y'ALL, HOW DO WE KNOW -- SO I'M LOOKING HERE FROM THE TOP PROJECT 1, 701, COMPLETE, COMPLETE, COMPLETE.
PROJECT NUMBER 5, DO WE KNOW WHEN THAT SOMEONE EXPECTED TO BE
WE STARTED LAST WEEK ON THIS. AND IT'S -- PROJECTING SIX-MONTH
PROJECT ON EACH FLOOR. >> THAT'S THE ONE -- AND SO, CHIEF, IT SOUNDS LIKE -- IF YOU ARE STILL ON THERE -- IT SEEMED -- HI. SO DO YOU THINK IT'S FEASIBLE TO
DO THIS CONSTRUCTION POD BY POD? >> TO HAVE CONTRACTORS ON A FLOOR WITH INMATES, JUDGE, IS THAT YOUR QUESTION?
>> FROM THE WAY YOU ARE SAYING IT SOUNDS LIKE NO.
I WANT TO HEAR YOU SAY IT. >> NO, IT'S NOT SAFE.
AND ALSO THE OTHER FACTOR IS THOSE FLOORS DO THE PIPING SYSTEM, WE CAN'T EVEN OCCUPY FULLY 7 BECAUSE WHEN THEY HAVE TO SHUT OFF WATER TO WORK ON SECTIONS OF 6, IT AFFECTS THE WATER FLOW ON 7. SO WE HAVE TO KEEP CERTAIN PODS ON SEVENTH FLOOR UNOCCUPIED SO WE CAN HOPSCOTCH INMATES AROUND
IF THAT MAKES SENSE. >> THAT MAKES SENSE.
SO IF THE SIXTH FLOOR IS STILL OCCUPIED, SOUNDS LIKE IT IS.
>> NO MA'AM. AS OF LAST WEEK, THE SIXTH FLOOR HAS BEEN EMPTY OF INMATES. SO WE COULD TURN IT OVER TO ENGINEERING SO THEY COULD START WORKING AND WE MOVED INMATES ON TO THE SEVENTH FLOOR AS OF LAST WEEK.
>> SO RIGHT NOW YOU DO HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO GIVE THEM A FLOOR AT A TIME TO GIVE ENGINEERING A FLOOR AT A TIME.
>> THE SIXTH FLOOR IS COMPLETELY THEIRS TO WORK ON.
>> OKAY, GREAT. AND THEN, GUYS, THE SIXTH FLOOR, OKAY, THAT WAS THE ONE FOR THE CHIEF.
FOR 7, 8, 9, 10, DO YOU GUYS AT THIS STAGE, ARE YOU GUYS ABLE TO HAVE A PROJECTION WHEN WE MIGHT FINISH ALL OF THAT?
>> THE BUILDING-WIDE AC COIL REPLACEMENT THAT WILL BE DONE BY THE END -- I HAVE IT LISTED AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
IT SLIPPED A COUPLE OF WEEKS. SO IT WILL BE DONE IN OCTOBER FOR NUMBER 7. NUMBER 8, THE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT, THIS IS -- THIS IS A NEW PROJECT.
WE ARE SEEKING A CONSULTANT, DESIGN CONSULTANT FOR THIS ONE.
AND SO THAT WILL BE DETERMINED AS FAR AS WHEN WE COMPLETE THAT PROJECT. THE LED LIGHT REPLACEMENT ON ALL FLOORS, THE CURRENT ONE FOR FLOOR NUMBER 7 HAS BEEN COMPLETED. AND THE LED LIGHTING, IF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CHOOSES TO DO THAT ON EVERY FLOOR WILL BE COMPLETED ON THE SAME TIMELINE AS THE PLUMBING.
>> JUST REAL QUICK FOR THE ONES THAT ARE STILL IN PROGRESS, SO 5, 7, 8, 9 AND 10, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THIS MEAN? LIKE, FOR SOMEBODY LIVING THERE, WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT THE PIPE CHASE PLUMBING IS NOT WORKING? AT THIS POINT ON 7TH FLOOR PRESUMABLY IT IS WORKING. JUST UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OTHER
FLOORS ARE STILL GOING THROUGH? >> YES, MA'AM.
SO THE PLUMBERS ARE GOING FLOOR BY FLOOR AND REPLACING LIKE FOR LIKE ON THE PLUMBING SYSTEM. SO AS THE CHIEF KIND OF DESCRIBED, THEY WILL GO INTO ONE POD, THEY WILL TAKE OUT ALL THE OLD GUTS ESSENTIALLY, AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW PARTS.
THE ISSUE IS THAT IF YOU ARE WORKING ON FLOOR NUMBER 6, POD B, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE UPPER FLOOR --
>> THAT'S NOT THE QUESTION I HAVE.
I MEAN, WHY ARE WE REPLACING THIS?
IS IT JUST -- >> THEY ARE ALL AGED.
>> IS IT CAUSING A PROBLEM -- >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THAT THE FOLKS CAN NOTICE. IF YOU ARE AN INMATE, WHAT DO YOU NOTICE. IF YOU ARE AN INMATE IN FLOOR
5 -- >> I THINK FROM THE INMATES' PERSPECTIVE THEY WILL NOT NOTICE ANYTHING.
IT'S LIKE YOUR OLD WATER PIPELINE.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN POTENTIALLY IF WE HAVE A BIG BUST ON A PIPELINE
[05:50:01]
DURING A STORM OR COLD WAVE COULD HAVE THREE, FOUR -- ENTIRE JAIL COULD BE (INDISCERNIBLE). MORE RESILIENCY.ALL THESE PIPES 30, 40 YEARS LIFE CYCLE.
AT THE END OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE. DON'T USE THESE OLD COPPER PIPE.
STANDARD HAS CHANGED. SO THIS IS BASICALLY LIKE A VEHICLE YOU HAVE 400,000 MILES AT SOME POINT YOU GOT TO CHANGE
SAME QUESTION, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN INMATE, WHAT DO YOU NOTICE SEEING AS THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED YET?
>> YES, MA'AM. AT THIS POINT, THE INMATES ARE NOT GOING TO SEE ANYTHING DIFFERENT.
WE ARE REPLACING UNITS AT THE END OF THEIR SERVICE LIFE.
BUT THEY ARE FUNCTIONING. WHAT IS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW IS FUNCTIONING. IT'S JUST GETTING TOWARDS THE END OF SERVICE LIFE. BEING REPLACED.
>> WHAT ABOUT 8? >> NUMBER 8 IS THE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT. AGAIN, THAT PROJECT IS RIGHT NOW
IT'S SERVICEABLE. >> IT'S JUST LIKE AN END OF LIFE
>> WHAT ABOUT NINE AND 10? >> 9 LED REPLACEMENT, AS THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE FLOOR HAPPENS, ONE OF THE PROJECTS INCLUDED LED LIGHT. YOA IF I CAN ADD ON THAT, JUDGE, ALL OF OUR COUNTY'S FACILITIES FOCUS ON RESILIENCE AND EFFICIENCY. STANDARD.
WHEN GO TO FLOOR DON'T WANT TO USE THE OLD LIGHT BECAUSE INCREASES ENERGY. TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF IT WHILE
THERE. >> THE REMAINING FLOOR RENOVATION THAT'S WHEN WE ARE PHASING IT DOWNWARD.
SO THAT'S WHY YOU PUT FOURTH QUARTER 2028 AND ARE THE OTHER FLOORS ALSO SIMILAR DESIGN. MIRROR IMAGES OR A LEARNING
CURVE FOR OTHER FLOORS? >> YES, MA'AM, THEY ARE SIMILAR.
FLOOR NUMBER 6 AS I MENTIONED EXACT SAME LAYOUT AS FLOOR NUMBER 7 AND AS WE MOVE DOWN FURTHER, MAY BE SOME AREAS THAT ARE -- THAT MAY BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD CONVERTED MEAT PACKING PLANT BUT CERTAINLY PAST THAT LEARNING CURVE THAT WE
TOOK FOR FLOOR NUMBER 7. >> 13 ALSO SEEMS LIKENED OF LIFE SITUATION. STOP ME IF I'M WRONG.
SAME WITH 14. 16 IS THE SAME THING THAT WE SAW ABOVE AS FAR AS THE PROJECT, THAT TYPE OF PROJECT.
ROOF REPLACEMENT. GENERATOR GENERATEERER PLACEMENT. ELEVATOR RENOVATION.
SOUNDS LIKE THEY DON'T NOTICE ANYTHING BUT WE KNOW IT'S NOT--
THAT IT'S NOT LONG-TERM. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
THIS CONSULTANT IS WHAT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS JAIL OPERATION SERVED TO OPERATE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. SO WHAT COULD CAUSE A MASSIVE CHALLAGE TO COME IN. AND SAY THAT IS NOT WORKING.
THAT IS YOU KNOW-- SOME THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> OKAY SO THAT'S MY LAST QUESTION.
IS-- IF ONE OF THESE THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPLACED.
WERE TO-- FOR IN A PREDICTABLE WAY.
WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN THAT WATER CAN'T GET THERE?
OR WOULD IT-- YEAH. >> SO WHAT IT MEANS IS IT CAN BE ZONE BY ZONE. LIKE THE SEVENTH FLOOR THERE'S A LOT THAT CAN BE INVOLVED SO IF WE HAVE IT, WE MAY HAVE-- LIKE FIVE AREAS THAT YOU HAVE. THEN YOU MAY HAVE THE LAST-- OR WE CAN HAVE ONE LEAK AND A SINGLE POINT WE CAN CONTROL IT BUT THEY WILL HAVE THOSE PLACES.
>> OKAY SO IT COULD BE-- DEPENDING ON WHERE IT IS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> OKAY AND THEN THE AC-- WHAT'S FAILURE ON THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> WILL NOT HAVE COLD AIR. >> OH THERE'S-- FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO TAKE SOME DISCUSSION.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR.
OKAY SO THAT WOULD BE NO AC. AND THEN THE FIRE ALARM AND LED
LIGHTING. >> AND ALSO COMPLIANCE.
THERE A LITTLE BIT BUT DEFINITELY GOOD FOLLOW ALONG
SYSTEM. >> OKAY-- NO-- THE LIGHTING.
>> THE LIGHTING IS--. >> OKAY.
AND THEN THE OTHER FLOOR INNOVATIONS.
IN WHAT WAY? >> WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT FACILITYS. THE WAY YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT.
>> RIGHT. LOOKING THAT ITEM BACK UP.
[05:55:05]
SO THE RENOVATION IS THAT ALL OF THE ABOVE?>> SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS ONCE WE ARE DONE ONE FLOOR, WE ARE MOVING TO THE NEXT FLOOR.
>> TO CONDUCT ALL THE OTHER ONES.
SO THIS IS TRACKING-- WHICH FLOORS WE HAVEN'T DONE YET.
ALL RIGHT-- WELL YOU KNOW-- FOR MY QUESTION IS JUST IF WE'RE MOVING AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE-- BUT I WOULD SAY TO ADMINISTRATOR CARTER.
IN PRIORITY. DOING THIS BUSINESS.
AND THIS IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE.
THANK YOU GUYS. >> THIS IS A QUESTION FOR MAYBE CHIEF OR MAYBE TANYA. WE-- THE JAIL COMMISSION TOOK ALL OF OUR LOW RIDER BIDS, RIGHT?
AND WHAT IS KEEPING US FROM-- GETTING THOSE?
IS IT STAFFING? >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT-- BIDS? OKAY.
BECAUSE I REMEMBER BACK IN THE DAY.
SO-- OKAY. TO HAVE BEEN IN COMPLIANCE-- SO WE HAVE BEEN IN COMPLIANCE NOW. BUT IT TAKES TWO CYCLES.
COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTIONS. AGAIN SO WE PASS IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE INSPECTION. WE PASS ONE OUTSIDE COMPREHENSIVE. WE NEED TO PASS THE SECOND ONE.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BE NEEDING THOSE BEDS PRETTY QUICKLY.
IS THIS JUST A TRANSMITTER. OR DO YOU NEED A MOTION?
>> JUDGE THESE TWO ITEMS ITEM ONE IS JUST DISCUSSION.
>> REQUIRES A MOTION. JUST AS PRESENTED.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
OKAY. SO THAT WAS ONE AND THIS LAST ONE THAT WE DID, LET'S GO TO ITEM TWO.
>> COURT CALENDAR. >> THE COURT CALENDAR.
THERE ARE THREE OPTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
AND SO-- WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
AN AGREEMENT ON ONE ALREADY INCLUDED.
IF NOT-- IF YOU WANT CHANGES, YOU CAN LET US KNOW AND WE'LL TRY TO COME BACK IN OCTOBER WITH A FINAL VERSION.
>> MY MOTION WOULD BE TO ADOPT OPTION TWO.
>> SECOND. >> AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A CAVEAT TO IT. IF THERE'S A PAY PROBLEM,
SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING. >> YEAH.
>> AGREED. >> OKAY SO THERE'S A MOTION COMMISSIONER SECOND BY COMMISSIONER E LYSE.
>> I'M GOING TO STAY OUT OF THIS ONE BECAUSE I WON'T BE HERE SO MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 1. OKAY.
THEN WE HAVE-- ITEM THREE. STRATEGIC HIRING POLICY.
WE ALREADY WENT OVER THAT ONE. OR NO-- NO, OKAY.
ITEMS THREE AND FOUR. >> BEFORE I ASK MY QUESTION, COULD YOU PLEASE JUST UPDATE US ON THIS UPDATED VERSION OF THE POLICY. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY
NOT THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THE HIRING FREEZE SAVINGS.
IT'S ABOUT $5 MILLION. SO BECAUSE THE AMOUNT IS MUCH LORE THAN WHAT WE'D REQUEST LAST YEAR.
SAYING IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT APPROACH.
THE DIFFERENT APPROACH. SO THE PROCESS WILL BE THAT WE WILL LOOK AT. AND THEN WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT
[06:00:09]
THE TYPICAL VACANCY AND ATTRITION IS.AND WILL TRY TO SWEEP THOSE OUT UP FRONT.
SO WILL COME BACK AND PRESENT OPTIONS ON WHICH DEPARTMENTS WILL BE IMPACTED. AND THE AMOUNTS.
AND THE IDEAS THAT DEPARTMENTS HAVE DIFFERENT VACANCIES.
AND FIND THE VACANCIES SAVINGS THAT'S AVAILABLE THAT HAS THE LEAST IMPACT ACROSS ALL THE COUNTY THAT'S ELIGIBLE.
>> THEY COULD ADJUST UP A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HIT $25 MILLION THIS YEAR BECAUSE VACANCIES THAT WERE AVAILABLE.
AND EXEMPT TO 25. SO INCLUDED.
SO THAT THEY WERE BEARING THE BURDEN.
SO THEY WANTED TO GIVE MORE OPERATIONAL CONTROL.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> MY COMMENT.
I WOULD JUST CONTINUE WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.
THAT SEEMED TO WORK PRETTY WELL.
I REALIZE THAT WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET $25 MILLION NEXT YEAR. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS NOT TO HONOURTOUS GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
I WOULD SAY I WOULD CONTINUE WITH WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.
>> GARCIA AND BRIONES. >> THANK YOU.
AND I WOULD SUPPORT THAT. I'M ALREADY STARTING TO LOOK AT--. AT SEPTEMBER OF NEXT YEAR.
AND SO I WOULD-- ENCOURAGE US TO START TO PUT SOME REINS ON OUR SPENDING AND PUT SOME INITIAL REACTION CONTROL.
SO I WOULD SUPPORT THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSY.
WOULD YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION ON THAT.
OR DOES THIS POLICY PRESENT-- DOES THAT SUPPORT WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY JUST INDICATED?
>> THIS WAS NOT THE POLICY FROM FY26.
>> SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I'D LIKE A MOTION WE CONTINUE WITH-- 26. INTO 27.
>> ALL RIGHT COMMISSIONER-- MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. HAS A COMMENT.
>> YES. AND I WILL SUPPORT THAT MOTION.
I THOUGHT IT-- ONE WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE
FLEXIBILITY. >> WHEN PEOPLE MAKE A CASE.
AND I THINK WE WERE VERY FAIR AND APPROVING THE MERITORIOUS ONES BUT IT ALSO CREATED CHECKS AND BALANCES.
AND ALLOW FOR BUDGETARY PLANNING.
SO KIND OF THIS BOTH/AND APPROACH.
SO I SUPPORT STICKING WITH THE POLICY AS WE HAD IT.
THANK YOU. >> OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR.
OKAY. ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT THIS IS FOR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S-- NO I LIKE WHAT YOU GUYS PROPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
BY YOU GUYS, I MEAN. THE ADMINISTRATOR TEAM.
OKAY. AND NOW WE HAVE ITEM EIGHT.
PRECINCT THREE. ON THE SPACE PLANNING
COMMITTEE. >> I THINK TO UNDERSTAND ALL FIVE REPRESENTATIVES SAID THIS WAS FINE.
>> YES. YOUR FIVE-- THE VOTING MEMBERS
DID SAY FIVE ON SEPTEMBER 4TH. >> I GUESS AT THIS POINT,
IMPLEMENT AND GO. >> OKAY, SO IS THAT APPROVED AS
>> MOTIONED BY RAMSEY AND SECONDED ELLIS ALL IN FAVOR.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. I AM 49 COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THAT IS WESTFIELD ESTATES. >> THANK YOU.
I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE WORK OF BOTH THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT ENGINEERING AND MY STAFF.
AND THE CONSUMER PROJECT WHICH IS BRINGING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
AND NEIGHBOURHOODS THAT HAVE A HISTORY HAVE GOTTEN LONGSTANDING INEQUITIES. THIS WAS FUND BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING. THIS PROJECT PROVIDES A MUCH NEEDED PUBLIC WATER WASTE WATER COMMISSION SYSTEM.
AND DEEP COMMISSIONS OLD SEPTIC TANKS FOR UP TO 812 RESIDENTS.
[06:05:04]
AND THE BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. AND E LIMB NATING MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE SEPTIC AND REDUCTION OF SANITARY ODORS.AND FRAMED ON SPACE ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS.
BEING DONE AT NO CONSTRUCTION COST TO THE RESIDENTS SO THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY ABOUT 78% COMPLETE.
WITH A FINAL COMPLETION DATE OF DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
SO I JUST WANT TO THINK EVERYBODY FOR WORKING ON THIS.
HAVING AN AREA THAT STILL HAS AN INORDINANCE R NANT NUMBER OF SEPTIC TANKS AND WELLS. THESE PROJECTS ALWAYS GET MY ATTE ATTENTION.
AND I'M EXCITED TO SUPPORT IT. >> SECOND.
MOTION CARRY USE NAN MOUSILY. 49 MOVING ONTO 88.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YES AND THIS IS A MOTHER SIMILAR PROJECT. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE.
MAYOR AND SHAUN-- WITH THE CITY OF LAGO.
WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO REVITALIZE STREETS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM WHERE MAKING THE KIND OF-- THAT THE RESIDENTS REALLY WANT TO SXEE APPRECIATE.
SO-- THESE PROJECTS WILL ENABLE FOR SAFER TRAVEL AND BETTER CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT NEIGHBOURHOODS.
THIS IS A $2.2 MILLION PROJECT WITH $1.7 MILLION COMING FROM PRECINCT TWO. AND IT WILL REPLACE THE CONCRETE PANELS THROUGHOUT THE ILAGO COMMUNITY.
AND THEY ARE BASED IN THE AREAS OF GREATEST NEEDS.
LIKE IT WENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MCNAIR MEMORIAL PARK.
IS GOING THROUGHOUT PRECINCT TWO.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE. AND I WANT TO THANK THEM ALL
FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK. >> SECOND.
>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSEED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GAR SEE YA'.
ITEM 16 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
129 ON PAGE 16. A FINAL N'MENT MEMO FOR ENERGY-- ENGINEERING CAPITAL SALARIES.
>> SHOULD BE CAPITALIZING SALARIES.
THAT'S NOT A GREAT SUSTAINABLE PLAN.
MOTION COMMISSIONER BRIONES BRIONES SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. DIRECTOR, WHY ARE WE
CAPITALIZING SALARYS? >> BECAUSE IF WE DIDN'T, WE'D HAVE TO FIND THE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE AND INCREASE THE DEFICIT. SO THIS HAS BEEN A LONGSTANDING PRACTICE LONG BEFORE MANY OF US HAVE BEEN IN OUR ROLES.
>> SO WE HAVE BEEN CAPITALIZING SALARIES THIS WHOLE TIME? OKAY. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT SO MOTION TO SECOND ALL IN FAVOR FAVOR.
>> AYE. >> OPPOSEED? MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1. ITEM 179 ON PAGE 22 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER TWOS AND FOUR. ERP MODERNIZATION.
>> YES. THE DIRECTOR THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
YOU HAVE HEARD ME OVER AND OVER LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.
THE PEOPLE-- IS OLD. IT'S OUT OF DATE.
AND DYSFUNCTIONAL AND ITS END OF LIFE HAS BEEN WAY BEHIND US.
SO WHEN ARE WE STARTING THE PROCESS TO START TO MIGRATE TO SOMETHING ELSE THAT WILL HELP US BE MORE E EFFICIENT.
HELP US SAVE MONEY. AND HELP US BETTER SERVE OUR DIRECTORS AND THEIR OPERATIONS. MY RECOLLECTION WAS THAT THE PEOPLE-- WAS NOT WELL THOUGHT THROUGH.
AND IT LACKED A GREAT DEAL OF STAKEHOLDERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER. AND SO I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
HOW-- WHEN WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SOLVING? WHAT DOES SUCCESS ULTIMATELY LOOK LIKE? AND HOW ARE WE GOING ABOUT REPLACING THE TECHNOLOGY OR CHANGING THE BUSINESS PROCESSES. HOW ARE THE DIRECTORS BEING INVOLVED AND ENGAGED? AND HOW WILL WE AVOID AGAIN RECREATING THE PEOPLE AND THE PROCEDURES IN A NEW SYSTEM.
[06:10:07]
AND WHICH DEPARTMENT WILL ULTIMATELY BE THE OWNER OF THISSOFTWARE? >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONER'S GROUP.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND PRESENT ON THIS MISSION CRITICAL PROJECT AS COMMISSIONER JUST ALLUDED TO. COMMISSIONER TODAY YOU HAVE SEEN THE PRESENTATION BEFORE. THIS PRESENTATION SLIDE WAS PRESENTED DURING AUGUST-- SORRY JULY-- COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
SO WE HAVE COME BACK WITH THE FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU WERE ASKED. SO COMMISSIONER I WILL ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS AS WE GO THROUGH THE SLIDE.
WE WILL HAVE SOME ANSWERS AND WHEN WE COME BACK WE WILL ADDRESS QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY. SO I HAVE WITH ME THE PROJECT MANAGER RUNNING THIS PROJECT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTRY.
AS OUR PARTNER GOT ME HERE. THEY ARE GOING TO BREEZE THROUGH. AND JUST FOCUS ON THE SLIDES THAT HAVE THE QUESTIONS AND THE ANSWERS TO SOME THAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR. FOR THAT I WILL BRING-- I'LL REQUEST OUR PROJECT MANAGER CLINT BAILEY TO START AND HAND
IT OVER TO GOVERNOR. >> WONDERFUL.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS COURT.
AND JUDGE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK TO YOU.
CAN WE PROCEED TO--. OH YES I'M SORRY CLINT BAILEY PROJECT MANAGER FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES.
SO THIS SLIDE AGAIN WE SPOKE TO THIS LAST MONTH BUT JUST WANTED TO SEW THIS AGAIN ESPECIALLY GIVEN QUESTIONS THAT YOU PUT FORTH COMMISSIONER. SO WE HAD THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN ALL ABOUT THE COLLABORATION WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS.
BECAUSE THIS WILL TOUCH EVERY SINGLE PERSON THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. SO CONDUCTING DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS WITH ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION.
AND WE HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 90-PLUS PARTICIPANTS IN EACH OF THOSE WORKSHOPS. AND THAT ALLOWEDTOUS GATHER THE INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP US POSITION OURSELVES FOR A MUCH RATHER SOLICITATION AS WE GO INTO THE RP PROCESS.
AND WITH THAT, I WILL TURN OVER TO BRYAN TO TALK ABOUT THE
STRATEGIES. >> COMMISSIONER BEFORE BRYAN COMES OVER, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS YOUR QUESTION ABOUT HOW ARE WE TAKING CARE OF SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAPPENED BEFORE THEY EMBARKED. SO ONE OF THE STEPS AS YOU CAN SEE ENGAGING TO ALMOST ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN-- I WOULD SAY ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS HERE. EVERYONE HAS BEEN INVITED TO ALL THE WORKSHOPS. AND NOW ENGAGING EVERY STAKEHOLDER. JUSTICE, PUBLIC SAFETY.
SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ALL OF THEM HAVE PARTICIPATED.
90-PLUS PARTICIPANTS IN EVERY WORKSHOP.
AND THEY HAVE SEEN WIDESCALE PARTICIPATION AS WELL.
THEY HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR FEEDBACK AND INPUTS.
SO THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS.
SO IN ORDER TO ADDRESS ANY GAPS.
>> PERFECT. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE?
>> SO GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS-- CHI ASSOCIATE PARTNER AND SENIOR DIRECTOR WITH GARTNER CONSULTING. AND GLAD TO BE BACK TO SPEAK ABOUT MORE PROGRESS THAT HAD BEEN MADE MAKING ON THIS MODERNIZATION EFFORT. SO REALY JUST TO REITERATE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT LIKE WHAT PROBLEMS WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE. I DO WANT TO-- REITERATE FOR EVERYBODY LIKE WHAT EXACTLY WE'RE TRYING TO-- SOME ORGANIZATION. THROUGH NEW WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATIONS. THAT ALL THE 90-PLUS PARTICIPANTS OF THOSE WORKSHOPS.
THAT'S A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE. THAT HAD BEEN CONSULTED SO FAR.
SEVERAL THEMES HAVE EMERGED. A DESIRE FOR RELIABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DATA. STRONGER DATA AND REPORTING CAPABILITES. IMPROVED SYSTEM INTEGRATION.
AND ENHANCED SECURITY. AND ACCESS TO MODERN CAPABILITES THAT SUPPORT FUTURE INNOVATIONS.
SUCH AS AI ENABLED. ON THE FLIP SIDE, WE ALSO HEARD SOME VERY CONSISTENT THEMES CHALLENGES AS WELL.
SUCH AS PROCESS THAT WERE INEFFICIENT.
TO DISCONNECTED SYSTEMS THAT IMPEDED PRODUCTIVITY AND LEGACY THAT REQUIRED AN INCREASING NUMBER OF EFFORT.
[06:15:01]
SO TAKING ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER.THAT'S SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE. I THINK THAT'S MORE EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATED ON THE NEXT SLIDE WHERE WE HAVE THE EFFICIENT STATEMENT. SO NEXT SLIDE PLEASE? SO TO DEFINE A NORTH STAR FOR THIS TRANSFORMATION, WE DEVELOPED THE ERP VISION STATEMENT THAT IS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN TO CAPTURE THIS SHARED GOAL.
WHICH READS AS FOLLOWS. HARRIS COUNTY'S ERP VISION IS TO INTEGRATE AND STREAMLINE ALL CORE BUSINESS PROCESSES FROM FINANCE AND OPERATIONS TO PROCUREMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES. SINGLE UNIFIED PLATFORM.
EMPLOYEES WITH KINDLY RELIABLE DATA.
TO IMPROVE PRECISION IN SEAMLESS COLLABORATION ACROSS DEPARTMENTS. BY CONTINUOUSLY OPTIMIZING PROCESSES. LEVERAGING MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND PRIORITIZING USER NEEDS. THE COUNTY'S ERP SOLUTION-- FUTURE ERP SOLUTION MAY BE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ORGANIZATION'S GROWTH, EFFICIENCIES AND INEFFICIENT.
AND WHAT'S NOT SHOWN ON THE SLIDE RIGHT HERE IS BEYOND THIS, AND IS PART OF THE CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS.
HARRIS COUNTY IS ALSO WORKING ON BRANDING.
THIS INITIATIVE INCLUDING A PROJECT NAME, A LOGO, AND A TAG LINE. OPTIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING EXPLORED RIGHT NOW AND WILL COME BACK TO THE COURT NEXT TIME ONCE WE HAVE MORE DETAILS ON WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE.
SO NEXT SLIDE PLEASE? SO THIS IS AGAIN A SLIDE WE HAVE SHOWN LAST TIME ALREADY. ACROSS MULTIPLE WORKSHOPS WHAT THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY THE BUSINESS CAPABILITES THAT THE COUNTY NEEDS FROM THIS FUTURE ERP SOLUTION.
AND VERY BRIEFLY THESE WOULD ENCOMPASS THINGS LIKE FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION. BUDGET MANAGEMENTS.
ACID MANAGEMENT, PROCUREMENT AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT.
OUR GOAL REALLY IS SIMPLE. IT'S REALLY TO FIND SOLUTIONS IN THE MARKET THAT CAN BEST MEET THE COUNTY'S RECURRENCE FOR THE CAPABILITES ON SCREEN. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE?
>> BEFORE YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT EXISTS. SO IN THE PRIOR SLIDES, THEY ARE SEVERAL SYSTEMATIC-- IF YOU WOULD GO TO ONE SLIDE BEFORE--.
YEAH. THERE ARE SEVERAL SYSTEMS, ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT SOMETIMES TALK AND DO NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER. SO THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT JUST TO CONSOLIDATE THOSE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE ERP ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO TO CREATE THOSE EFFICIENCIES WITH A DATA TRANSFER DOESN'T BECOME SUCH A BIG PROBLEM.
IT CREATES TRANSPARENCY, HELPS US MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.
SO ALL OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES DO EXIST HERE.
>> THANK YOU. IF WE CAN MOVE AHEAD TWO SLIDES. TO THE ROAD MAP, PLEASE.
SO AFTER THIS ONE--. PERFECT, THANK YOU.
AND AS PART OF THIS EFFORT. SORRY-- IN THE LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING, WE WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE AN INDICATIVE TIMELINE FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE--.
OKAY PERFECT REPRESENTATIVE. >> WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT.
>> OKAY PERFECT THANK YOU. SO IN THE LAST MEETING WE WERE ASKED TO PROVIDE AN INDICATIVE TIMELINE FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE ERP ROAD MAP THAT WE PRESENTED TODAY.
SO WE PRESENT AND REVISED VERSION OF THE ROAD MAP.
AND WHAT'S SHOWN HERE IS A LOT OF GOOD BEST PRACTICES BEING FOLLOWED IN THE FOUR PRIMARY AREAS OF NOT INCLUDING FOUNDATIONAL ACTIVITIES. TO SELECT THE ERP VENDOR AND IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER. FOLLOWED BY THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION AND VALUE REALIZATION ACTIVITIES.
WE ALSO HAVE ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE ACTIVITIES TO ESTABLISH GOOD LEADERSHIP AND OVERSIGHT. AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT WHILE SUPPORTING SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION AND USER ADOPTION.
WE HAVE A SWIM LANE FOR TECHNOLOGY PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE STATE ARCHITECTURE PLATFORMS AND TOOLS.
AND FINALLY DATA GOVERNANCE TO SUPPORT A BETTER ANALYTIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FUTURE. AND AS NOTICED EARLIER, THE DATES SHOWN ON THE ROET MAP ARE REPRESENTATIVE.
THE TIMING AND DURATION WILL DEPEND ON THE COUNTY'S READINESS, THE SOLUTION SELECTED AND THE IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH.
BUT AS WE CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD WITH THIS INITIATIVE, HAVING A BASELINE ROTE MAP LIKE THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY
[06:20:01]
IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS REDUCING RISK.INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A SUCCESSFUL TRANSFORMATION AND ALSO KEEPING ALL COUNTY STAKEHOLDERS ALIGNED INVOLVED.
AND INFORMED. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE? SO FINALLY WE HAVE THE SLIDE ON TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP WHAT WE CALL TCO. WE HAVE BEGUN WORK ON DEVELOPING A TCO MODEL TO HELP THE COUNTY UNDERSTAND THE INVESTMENT REQUIRED TO SUPPORT AN INVESTMENT DECISION PROCESS.
AND THIS MODEL WILL COVER FOUNDATIONAL ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES AND ALSO EXTENDING TO INTERNAL RESOURCE COSTS. SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION FEES.
ALL TOGETHER THIS REALLY HELPED TO LAY OUT WHAT THE FUTURE INVESTMENT IS REQUIRED. BUT ALSO TO IDENTIFY AND E VALUATE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE WE CAN RETIRE SOME LEGACY COSTS AS WELL. AND WITH THIS, I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TODAY.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT ON THIS INITIATIVE.
AND LET ME HAND IT BACK TO CINDY.
>> THANK YOU BRIAN. COMMISSIONERS NOW TO GET BACK TO YOUR QUESTIONS. YOU ASKED HOW ARE WE PREVENTING THE ISSUE THATS CAME UP DURING-- SO AS YOU HEARD WE ARE INVOLVING THE DEPARTMENTS RIGHT FROM THE GET GO.
SOME OF THE NEEDS FOR US IS TO BE CAPABLE OF BEING PUSHED THIS PROJECT FORWARD. AS IN BEING IN POWER TO KEEP PUSHING THIS TO ACHIEVE THOSE MILESTONES IN A TIMELY FASHION.
SO WE ARE TAKING THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM PEOPLE SOFT.
VERY SERIOUSLY. AND WE HAVE STARTED ACTING ON EACH AND EVERY LESSONS LEARNED. CHANGE MANAGEMENT WAS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE STARTED WITH ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE MANAGEMENT.
INVOLVEMENT FOLKS FEEL THAT THEY HAD A SAY WHEN THIS WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED. WE ARE INVOLVING EVERY STAKEHOLDER IN THAT. SO THERE IS VERY SERIOUS EMPHASIS ON LOOKING INTO THE LESSONS LEARNED AND INCORPORATING THAT FROM THE GET GO.
>> WONDERFUL. >> YOU HAD ASKED WHO WOULD BE THE OWNER OF THIS TECHNOLOGY-- OF THE SYSTEM IN GENERAL.
THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS TO THIS. IN ANY OF THE TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS.
ONE IS TECHNOLOGY. UNIVERSAL SERVICE WOULD TAKE THE OWNERSHIP OFF THE TECHNOLOGY.
THE BACKHAND MAKING SURE THE VMS PATCHED AND RUNNING.
BUSINESS PROCESSES ARE CONFIGURED, ALL OF.
THE BUSINESS PROCESS-- THE BUSINESS OWNERSHIP LIES WITH THOSE KEY DEPARTMENTS. THAT HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK WITH THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO DEFINE WHAT THOSE BUSINESS PROCESSES THAT THEY HAND OVER TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO BE CONFIGURED WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
SO THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO THAT. >> GOOD DEAL AND LET ME JUST SAY SOMETHING TO THAT. GIVEN THAT THE-- WE HAVE CHALLENGES WITH THE PROMPT PAY. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THAT PROCESS PARTICULAR ATTENTION.
SO THAT IT GETS BAKED INTO THE TECHNOLOGY PROCESS.
RATHER THAN US TRYING TO PATCH IT AND RETROFIT THINGS INTO IT.
SO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS GIVEN SOME THOUGHT.
SECONDLY THE SAME THING WITH HR.
SO THAT WHEN WE INSTITUTE THESE HIRING FREEZES OR OTHER PROCESSES IT CAN BE MADE SURE THAT'S THOUGHT THROUGH INTO HOW
THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS. >> YES, SIR.
CURRENTLY THE REASON WHY WE ARE GOING THROUGH SO MANY PAINS AS IT RELATES TO PEOPLE SOFT CONFIGURATION IS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WAS IMPLEMENTED THAT WAY.
WE MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE FUTURE SYSTEM.
SO WE WILL KEEP THAT IN THE FOREFRONT AS WE GO IN BECAUSE WE WOULD GO IN WITH THIS PROCESS ALREADY DEFINED.
SO THAT'S THE GOAL. THE QUESTION YOU ASKED WAS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE.
AND AS BRIAN ALLUDED TO, WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT DON'T TALK TO EACH OTHER. A VERY RIGID ERP SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T ALLOW US TO BE NIMBLE WHEN MAKING CHANGES.
SO THERE ARE SEVERAL SUCH PROBLEMS THAT WOULD BE SOLVED AS A RESULT OF THIS ERP. AND YOU ASKED ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE THE SUCCESS FACTOR. THOSE WOULD DEPEND SIGNIFICANTLY ON US COMING COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER AND ENSURING THAT THE BUSINESS PROCESS RIGHT FROM THE GET GO.
WHEN THE ERP VENDOR IS SELECTED AND THEY COME HERE WE HAVE A VERY BUSINESS PROCESS READY TO HAND OVER TO THEM.
SO SOME OF THE OFFICERS HAVE ALREADY STARTED LOOKING AT IT.
REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE A PART OF THE ERP
[06:25:01]
SOLICITATION PROCESS THOROUGHLY BEING EVALUATED BY THE BUSINESS PROCESS OWNERS. SO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT WOULD DEPEND UPON OUR READYNESS TO ADOPT THOSE PROCESSES.ONE ASPECT. SECOND WOULD BE IN TERMS OF COLLABORATION IN ORDER FOR EVERYONE TO COME TOGETHER AND AGREE TO THE GOALS OF MOVING FORWARD TO THE MILESTONES.
SO WE ARE SETTING UP A GOVERNANCE PROCESS.
COMMISSIONER YOU ASKED ABOUT EVERYONE'S INVOLVEMENT.
THERE IS A PROCESS THAT WOULD BE STOOD UP FORMALLY FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT. AND IT WOULD BE KEY STAKEHOLDERS WHO WOULD BE A PART OF F THOSE PROJECTS.
SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE FUTURE MILESTONE PRESENTATIONS WHERE WE WILL BRING IF WE ARE HAVING ANY CHALLENGES.
TODAY WE REQUEST MOTIONS AND POWERHOUSE TO KEEP MOVING.
>> WONDERFUL AND I THINK COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS MOTIONS IN THAT REGARD THAT SUPPORT ONE MORE LAST PIECE.
WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH DATA. AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE VISION OF-- AND I SUPPORT HAVING A DATA WAREHOUSE.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THERE THROUGH THIS PROCESS AS WELL.
THANK YOU. >> SO MOST OF MY QUESTIONS COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALREADY ASKED.
THANK YOU. I'M SO EXCITED AND THE POTENTIAL IT WILL OFFER US TO HAVE A UNIFIED COHESIVE STREAMLINE CLEAR PROCESSES FOR ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS AND HAVE THAT ACCESS TO DATA AND BE NIMBLE.
IT'S GOING TO BE TRANSFORMATIVE.
AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK ON THE FRONT END AND DEPARTMENTS AND BUSINESS PROCESSES AND BUY IN.
THIS WILL REALLY HELP US BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT.
BUT MY QUESTION IS WHEN IS A SMALL ONE BUT ONE THAT HAS BEEN LINGERING ON MY MIND. A CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DATA BASE THAT I KNOW WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR-- SEVERAL YEARS.
WHERE ARE WE ON THAT? >> WE HAVE MAJOR MILESTONES HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED. WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO FINISHING THE PHASE ONE. WHEN I SAY VERY CLOSE THERE ARE A FEW HURDLES THAT HAVE COME UP ON THE WAY AS WE HAVE BEEN PROGRESSING THROUGH IT. BECAUSE WE LEARNED ABOUT A FEW THINGS TAIL END. HOWEVER THE GOAL IF NO OTHER COMES UP AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GET A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT ARE GOING TO COME VERY SOON. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THOSE ITEMS, WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE THE GOAL-- BEFORE THE END
OF THE YEAR. >> WONDERFUL SO MY NEXT QUESTION IS, THAT SYSTEM, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SYSTEM IS SELECTED WITH THE RFP, THAT WILL BE A RELEVANT INTEGRATED SYSTEM INTO THIS STREAMLINE PROCESS, RIGHT?
>> YES. THOSE ARE THE INTERFACES.
THE INTERFACE DIAGRAMS. ALL OF THAT ARE READY FOR US TO PUT INTO THE SOLICITATION PROCESS.
SO YES THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE SYSTEMS.
WE ARE ON TRACK TO PUBLISH THE RFP IN OCTOBER.
IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> OKAY. AND THEN FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE RFP. HOW LONG WOULD IT BE OPEN AND THEN HOW LONG-- WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN TERMS OF TIMELINE?
>> I WOULD ASK-- ALSO TO JOIN HERE.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE PURCHASING
AGENT AS WELL AS--. >> JUST A MINUTE WE NEED A MOTION TO EXTEND. BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. OKAY ALL IN FAVOR.
OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> THANK YOU. WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY.
WITH THE-- OFFICE. THE TARGET TO GET IT COMPLETED WITHIN SIX MONTHS. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THAT'S THE GOAL. BUT I'LL LET PURCHASING AGENT.
>> SO WILL GO-- OCTOBER AND BE OPEN.
WE WANT PEOPLE FAIR CHANCE FOR FOUR MONTHS.
FOLKS HAVE A MONTH. THEN ALL THE ASSESSMENT.
OKAY. >> SO-- THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR THE QUESTION. OUR GOAL IS IF WE RECEIVE THE SCOPE OF WORK IN OCTOBER, IS TO HAVE THE ADVERTISEMENT, THE PROPOSALS BACK, E VALUATION OF INITIAL RESPONDENTS DONE BY THANKSGIVING. BECAUSE WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN THE HOLIDAYS COME IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SCHEDULE.
OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT OF VARIABLES BUT THAT'S THE GOAL.
THEN FROM THERE IT WILL FOLLOW THE NORMAL CORE SCHEDULE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO IT HAS THE MOTIONS.
[06:30:01]
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TEAMWORK ON THIS.SO MOTIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED AND THANK YOU DIRECTOR FOR LEADING THIS. ONE MOVE TO ADOPT ERP STRATEGIC DRIVERS ENVISION AS THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ERP PROCUREMENT IMPLEMENTATION AND TRANSFORMATION ACTIVITIES.
AND MOVE TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES PURCHASING AND RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RFP PROCESS TO SOLICIT, EVALUATE AND SELECT AN ERP SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR ONCE THE ERP SCOPE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY KEY
DEPARTMENTS. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER E LYSE.
I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR-- SO ONE OF THE ISSUES AND CORRECT ME IF I'M MIS-REMEMBERING HERE.
IS WHEN WE CAME IN, IT WAS RELATIVELY NEW.
SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT'S THE BEST PRACTICE AND HOW ARE WE IMPLEMENTING IT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T SPEND ALL THIS TIME ROLLING IT OUT AND BY THE TIME IT'S ROLLED OUT, IT'S OLD AND
NOT A GOOD ONE ANYMORE. >> JUDGE THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. SO AS WE SAW IN THE TIMELINE, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT THOUGHT PROCESS BEING PUT TOGETHER.
ONE OF THE REASONS FROM-- I WASN'T HERE WHEN PEOPLE SOFT WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED AND I CAME IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER IT HAD GONE LIVE. SO ONE OF THE LESSONS LEARNED THAT HAD SEEN FROM THE END OF PEOPLE SOFT IMPLEMENTATION LESSONS LEARNED EXERCISE, WAS THAT IT TOOK SO LONG BECAUSE THERE WAS A LACK OF COLLABORATION IN TERMS OF COMING TOGETHER. IN ADOPTION OF THE CHANGE THAT WAS COMING THROUGH WITH PEOPLE SOFT.
HERE, WE ARE TAKING THOSE STEPS AHEAD OF TIME.
WE ARE ENGAGING THE DEPARTMENTS.
WE ARE DISCUSSING DEPARTMENTS AND HEARING THEIR CONCERNS AND OUR FEEDBACK AND INCORPORATING IT RIGHT FROM THE GET GO.
THAT'S ONE AREA WHERE WE WILL NEED SIGNIFICANT HOPE FROM THE COMMISSIONERS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS IN COMING TOGETHER AND FINALIZING THE BUSINESS PROCESSES.
SO IF THAT RISK IS ADDRESSED, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT ISSUE.
>> BECAUSE YOU'RE SELECTING THE VENDOR IF I'M READING THIS CORRECTLY. YOU'RE SELECTING THE VENDOR IN 2027. AND THEN YOU'RE DONE
IMPLEMENTING IT WHEN? >> AGAIN, THAT IS OUR TIMELINE.
>> RIGHT BUT BEST CASE TIMELINE IS WHEN IS IT FULLY ROLLED OUT?
>> IT WOULD BE ROLLED OUT PHASED APPROACH.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE SLIDE DECK THE PHASED APPROACH.
SO OUR GOAL IS TO GET IT COMPLETED AGAIN.
TENTATIVELY DEPENDS UPON THE VENDOR AND UPON OUR READINESS ALL OF IT. BUT OUR GOAL IS TO GET IT COMPLETED AND STOOD UP COMPLETELY BY 2029.
LAST QUARTER OF 2029 OR EARLY 2030.
>> RIGHT, OKAY LOOK. BECAUSE WHAT I REMEMBER ANYWAY IS WE GOT IN-- NOBODY LIKED PEOPLE SOFT AND WE WERE LIKE CAN WE CHANGE IT AND THE ANSWER-- WE JUST GOT IT.
SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST RODEO.
BUT JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GO B FLEXIBLE. BUT I GET WE'RE DOING BETTER COLLABORATION BUT THAT'S STILL A COUPLE YEARS.
ERP RS GENERALLY TWO TO FIVE YEARS.
AND GIVEN THE SIZE OF OUR ORGANIZATION, THAT'S THE BEST
CASE SCENARIO. >> ALL RIGHT SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. DO YOU HAVE BOGS MOTIONS ALREADY? OKAY I FORGOT WHO MADE THE SECOND? COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANKS.
>> ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM I VOTED FOR THE WRONG ONE.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER ITEM TWO.
THIS IS ON THE SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS.
>> YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ANY OBJECTION?
>> SAY AGAIN? >> I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE ITEM. TWO YEAH.
>> ALL RIGHT MOTIONED COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR OF RECONSIDERING THE ITEM. ANY OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> MY SUGGESTION.
I THOUGHT MY COLLEAGUE-- HE SLIPPED ONE ON ME.
SLIDES-- NO SLIDES AFTER 5. NEW RULE.
I THOUGHT WE WERE VOTING FOR OPTION--.
>> ALL DAY LONG. >> I WOULD SECOND THE MOTION ON OPTION THREE WHICH IS WHY I SAID SCHEDULE SPECIAL MEETINGS IF WE HAVE A PROMPT PAY ISSUE. BUT I LOVE ALL OF YA'LL BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE WITH YOU-- TIMES NEXT YEAR.
OUR BUSINESS COURT MEET VGS TURNED INTO REGULAR.
YOU HAVE MY VOTE BUT I WILL POP IN VIRTUALLY.
[06:35:01]
NOT DOING IT. MY MOTION WOULD BE TO DO OPTION THREE AND I'M SAY GOING THERE'S A PROMPT PAY ISSUE, SCHEDULE ANADDITIONAL MEETING. >> SECOND.
>> OKAY MOTION COMMISSIONER E LYSE SECONDED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A COMMENT.
>> I'M IN THE QUEUE FIRST. >> OKAY ALL IN FAVOR.
>> NO. >> OKAY I'LL STAY OUT OF THIS ONE. 4 TO 1.
ALL RIGHT SO WE HAVE RECONSIDERED THAT.
THEN WE ARE COMING BACK DOWN IN ORDER.
I BELIEVE THE NEXT ONE IS 181. YEP?
>> JUDGE I WANTED TO COME BACK TO 179.
BECAUSE I DID HAVE A MOTION THAT I WANTED TO ADD.
AND THIS IS TO AGAIN SOLIDIFY THE WHOLE PROCESS OF CREATING THAT STAKEHOLDERSHIP AND MAKING SURE WE KEEP EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE ON THIS. MY MOTION WOULD BE 179 ON THE ERP. SO THE MOTION WOULD READ MOVE TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING TO RETURN TO COURT WITH THE ERP SOLUTION SELECTION DECISION OF THE RFP EVALUATION COMMITTEE. THAT WORK FOR YOU?
>> GOOD DEAL. >> OKAY MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL MOTION?
>> SO CAN I JUST POINT OF CLARIFICATION COMMISSIONER IF I CAN JUST MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING.
SO YOU WANTED TO BRING BACK THE PRIOR TO REWARDING CONTRACT YOU WANT THE SELECTION. TRADITIONALLY WHAT WE NORMALLY DO WHAT PURCHASING HAS DONE IS WE DO BOTH THE AWARD AND THE CONTRACTING. SO WE GO THROUGH NEGOTIATION PROCESS. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND-- WE ARE ALL CLEAR SO YOU WANT TO DO THE REWARD BEFORE WE DO NEGOTIATION PROCESS FOR CONTRACT.
>> CORRECT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE
GETTING A GOOD SELECTION. >> I ACTUALLY IF THE PURCHASING
AGENT WOULD COMMENT ON THIS? >> YEAH THANK YOU.
IT'S JUST A DEVIATION. >> YEAH-- GLAD HE FLAGGED IT.
>> I APOLOGIZE. I WAS HAVING TWO CONVERSATIONS.
>> GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> MY MOTION I WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL THE STAKE HOLDERS STAY TOGETHER AND EVERYBODY COMMITTED TO THE PROCESS.
BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF WHAT WE'RE GETTING OURSELVES INTO. SO MY MOTION WOULD READ WAS TO MOVE TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING TO RETURN TO COURT WITH THE ERP SOLUTION SELECTION DECISION OF THE RFP EVALUATION COMMITTEE. SO I WANT TO HEAR AND SEE WHAT THE PROCESS WAS FOR THE SELECTION COMMITTEE THROUGH THE
RFP PROCESS. >> SO YOU WANT US TO HAVE THE DECISION BEFORE WE DO THE NEGOTIATION? OKAY. I'LL NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SOLICITATION PROCESS. AND THEN SECONDLY.
SOMETIMES WHO YOU START NEGOTIATIONS WITH IS NOT WHO
YOU CONTINUE. >> I'LL FORWARD THIS MOTION TO YOU IF YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK TO SEE THE BEST WAY TO GET THERE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO LEGAL ETHICAL PROBLEMS.
>> I AGREE. >> IF WE VOTE ON IT.
THEY ASSUME THEY HAVE IT. AND IT MAY TAKE AWAY THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE. HOW MUCH STRENGTH YOU HAVE TO
NEGOTIATE. >> WE DON'T RARELY DO THIS BUT THERE'S OFTEN TIMES THE PURCHASING DEAL WITH WHERE WE MAY HAVE TO GO TO THE SECOND PERSON.
FIRM AND SO THAT OPTION BECOMES--.
>> OBVIOUSLY TO GO THROUGH IT AND IT COMES TO US.
SO WE GET ANOTHER BITE BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEY ARE.
IF WE DON'T AGREE WITH IT. >> CAN LOOK AT IT, YEAH.
SO TO SELECT SOMEBODY AND THEN-- THEN WHAT THAT
NEGOTIATION ABOUT? >> THEY EVALUATE IT.
THE TEAM WOULD SELECT THE TOP CANDIDATE.
AND THEN WE WOULD NEGOTIATE WITH THAT CANDIDATE.
AND THEN IF WE ARE ABLE TO REACH TERMS THEN WE BRING THAT BACK TO COURT FOR APPROVAL. IF WE DON'T REACH TERMS THEN WE
[06:40:02]
GO TO THE NEXT PERSON ON THE LIST.>> AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHAT'S THE INTENTION BEHIND IT
COMING BEFORE THEY NEGOTIATE? >> THE WHOLE IDEA WAS REFLECTING BACK ON PEOPLE SOFT WAS THAT ONE WE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT KIND OF COMPANY WE WERE GETTING.
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS OR TWO MAKE IT AS ROBUST AS IT NEEDED TO BE. AND SO IT WAS REALLY, I DON'T THINK WE GOT ENOUGH OUT OF THE FOLKS ACROSS THE TABLE FROM US.
IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS GOING TO HELP MOVE FORWARD.
>> IF I MAY, THAT ISSUE MAY BE BETTER HANDLED WHEN WE CREATE THE SCOPE OF WORK. TELLING THE VENDOR WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF THE SYSTEM. AND TO DIRECTER-- EARLIER REMARKS. A CONSERVATIVE AMOUNT OF TIME MEETING WITH THE COUNTY AND MEETING THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO MA TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE WANT GOING IN.
AND I'LL LET THE DIRECTOR SPEAK TO THIS.
THE SYSTEM IS ONE THING. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IT IS ANOTHER. TO SPEAK TO THAT.
>> THE MOTION IF I MAY-- IT WAS TO COME BACK WITH A STATUS UPDATE. DID NOT HEAR YOU WANTING TO HEAR ABOUT AND I MAY BE WRONG WHERE YOU'RE NOT ASKING FOR THE
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE COMMITTEE IS COMING UP WITH SO WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE GETTING OURSELVES INTO.
>> SO I WILL FOLLOW WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
WE MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO USE THE SESSION TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.
BECAUSE IF WE TELL YOU WHAT SOLUTION IT IS, WE MAY TIP OUR HAT AS TO WHO THE VENDOR AS WELL.
>> SO I SAID MY MOTION OVER TO BOTH OF YOU IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND NEEDS SOME CLEANING UP.
>> WE WILL CONFER ON THAT AND FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.
>> IS THIS SOMETHING WE COULD BRING NEXT MEETING? WE HAVE TO DO IT TODAY. GOT IT.
>> I'M SORRY JUST TO CLARIFY. >> I WITHDRAW THE MOTION.
>> OKAY BUT I WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO ITEM TWO WE HEARD YOU SAY NO AND WANTED TO CLARIFY YOU'RE VOTING YES.
>> NO WHAT I MEANT TO SAY 3-1. OKAY.
SO LET'S GO TO ITEM 181 ON PUBLIC KNEWSANT COMMISSIONER
GARCIA. >> AGAIN INCREDIBLE WORK TAKING PLACE. I'M PROUD OF THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE CONTINUE TO MAKE. TO MAKE PRECINCT TWO CLEANER SAFER. AND ALL THE WORK WE'RE DOING IN THE PRECINCT. NUISANCES CONTINUE TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE REGRETTABLY FOR PRECINCT TWO.
HOWEVER THE COMBINATION OF KEEP TWO CLEAN AND THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT PROCESS ARE MAKING INCREDIBLE STRIDES.
SO ENABLINGTOUS TAKE REAL PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS FOR FAMILIES OUT OF THE COMMUNITY AND FOR FUNDING WE ARE APPLYING HERE WILL HELP US ABATE 20 PROPERTIES AND ADDRESS ABOUT 90 OTHER NUISANCE VIOLATIONS. SOME OF THE 11 PROPERTIES ON TODAY'S AGENDA ARE LOCATED WHERE WE HAD SIGNIFICANT IDENTIFIED CONCENTRATIONS OF NUISANCE ISSUES INCLUDING IN CHANNEL VIEW AREA. THESE HOT SPOTS ARE ALSO WHERE I KEEP TO CLEAN INITIATIVE COMES INTO PLAY AND OUR INVESTMENT AND NUISANCE ABATEMENT PAIRED WITH KEEP TWO CLEAN EFFORTS TO COMBAT FOR EXAMPLE ALLOWS US TO TACKLE THESE ISSUES FOR MULTIPLE ANGLES AND PREVENT THEM FROM CONTINUING TO BURDEN OUR RESPECTIVE NEIGHBOURHOODS.
SO I WANT TOE SAY MY CONSTITUENTS TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN FACT I WANT TO JUST COMMEND CASTILLO FOR HER INCREDIBLE WORK AND I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WE JUST IMPLEMENTED THE ADOPT A COUNTY ROAD PROGRAM.
BECAUSE WHEN HUH ADOPT THEM OUT.
ONLY APPLICABLE TO STATE ROADWAYS.
SO NOW WITH OUR ADOPT A COUNTY MILE OR ROADS WE NOW HAVE ADOPT A COUNTY MILE. AND THIS ALSO IS PLAYING INTO IT SO THROUGHOUT THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WITH THE ABATEMENTS
[06:45:01]
INCLUDED. THE 400,000 OR 500,000.TO KEEP THESE INITIATIVES MOVES FORWARD.
EXCITED AND PROUD. AND GREAT TO FEEL PUBLIC HEALTH. DIRECTOR BARTON.
SO I MOVE ON THE ITEM PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR ANY OPPOSED 181.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUST QUICK I HAVE TO GO TO THE AIRPORT AND ASK LEGAL. CAN I BE SHOWN VOTING YES ON THE REMAINDER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
OKAY THANK YOU. >> YES COMMISSIONER.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. >> I WILL CONSIDER THE
CALENDAR. >> YES, ALL RIGHT SO FOR THAT ONE, DO WE ALREADY PASS IT? OKAY SO LET'S GO TO 188.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ON THIS ONE I WANT TO FIRST BEGIN BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE TRAGEDY RECENTLY. A YOUNG MAN EZEQUIEL MEN DOE SA 18 YEARS OLD WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE AND WAS KILLED AS HE WAS RIDING HIS BIKE DOWN LAUDER ROAD.
LAUDER IS A PART OF THE COUNTY'S HIGH INJURY NETWORK AND UNFORTUNATELY HIS TRAGEDY CONTINUES TO REINFORCE WHAT MANY FAMILIES IN THIS AREA ALREADY KNOW AND THAT IS THAT SAFER INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT OPTIONAL.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. AND FOR THAT REASON I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT I WISH WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN THIS PROJECT MOVING EARLIER. BUT WE DO HAVE A SIDEWALK PROJECT THAT'S ALREADY IN DESIGN.
IT'S 95% COMPLETE FOR LAUDER ROAD.
THIS PROJECT WILL BUILD A CONTINUOUS 6 FOOT SIDEWALKS ALONG THE SOUTHSIDE OF LAUDER FROM CHRIS-- ROAD TO INTERSTATE 69. SPAN OF MORE THAN THREE MILES BECAUSE OF THE OPEN ROADSIDE DITCHES ALONG LAUDER.
LARGE PERSON OF THIS WORK WILL INCLUDE PIPING THOSE DIGITS TO MAKE ROOM FOR SAFE PEDESTRIAN SPACE.
IT IS A COMPLEX PROJECT BUT A CRITICAL ONE AND I WANT TO THANK MY ENGINEERING TEAM ALONG WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. BECAUSE THIS IS A MILLION-DOLLARS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUNDING THAT WILL SUPPORT THIS WORK AND HELP ADVANCE THE PROPRO JEKT TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION. SO WE'RE EXPECTING CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 2028. THE INFRASTRUCTURE CANNOT UNDO THE PAIN UNFORTUNATE THAT THE MENDOZA FAMILY IS ENDURING.
BUT IT CAN PREVENT FUTURE TRAGEDIES.
AND I DO WANT TO SAY TO THE FAMILY JUST AS HI WORKED WITH ANOTHER FAMILY WHERE WE HAD A SIMILAR TYPE OF TRAGEDY UNFORTUNATELY THIS ONE WAS WITH A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS JUST TRYING TO CROSS THE STREET. THAT YOU KNOW WHEN WE HEAR OF THESE TRAGEDIES AND WE WORK TO PUT PROJECTS IN PLACE, IT IS AGAIN AN INDICATION OF THE CONVERSATION TOWARDS THE BUDGET EARLIER. THE BUDGET WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT I WAS EXCITED TO CONTEND WITH.
HOWEVER WITH THE RESOURCES WE HAVE, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE PROJECTS LIKE THIS MOVE FORWARD.
AND MAKE SURE THAT TRAGEDIES LIKE WHAT THE FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH DO NOT GO IN VAIN SO I SAY TO THE FAMILY, I EXTEND MY DEEPEST AND MOST SINCEREST CONDOLENCES.
AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON LAUDER ROAD.
AND WILL WORK TO MAKE EVERY OTHER ROADWAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE IN THE COUNTY AS WELL AS IN PRECINCT TWO.
AND I WILL BE VISITING WITH THE FAMILY IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MEMORY OF THEIR SON IS CONTINUES TO BE HIGHLIGHTED AND REMEMBERED.
I MOVE ON THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. AND ALSO MY REGARDS TO THE FAMILY. ITEM 189 COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
[06:50:01]
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS THE REVITALATION OF THE BARBARA MAE STREET. ANOTHER REVIVE TO THRIVE.
ABOUT INVESTING IN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND IMPROVING SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY AND REDUCING FLOOD RISK AND BUILDING STRONGER MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITYS.
THIS PROJECT WILL DELIVER APPROXIMATELY A MILE AND A QUARTER OF NEW FIVE FOOT SIDEWALKS ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF BARBARA MAE STREET FROM-- STREET TO ALDERSON STREET.
THIS MEANS SAFER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE WAYS FOR RESIDENTS TO MOVE THROUGH THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
BUT THEY ARE NOT JUST IMPROVING WHAT'S ABOVE THE GROUND.
WE ARE ALSO MAKING CRITICAL DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING BOTH OPEN DITCHES AND CLOSED STORM SEWER SYSTEMS ALONG WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS.
THESE INVESTMENTS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT APPROXIMATELY 1745 RESIDENTS IN THE CLOVER LEAF COMMUNITY INCLUDING MANY LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES. THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS REACH THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.
SO WE'VE COMPLETED THE DESIGN AND AS OF SEPTEMBER 4TH, THE PROJECT IS BEING NOW ADVERTISED FOR BID.
THAT PUTS US ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING THE SHOVELS IN THE GROUND AND DELIVERING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY.
WHEN THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE, RESIDENTS WILL HAVE SAFER PEDESTRIAN ACCESS. IMPROVED DRAINAGE AND A MORE RESILIENT BARBARA MAE STREET CORRIDOR.
THESE ARE THE KINDS OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT STRENGTHEN THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
TODAY I'M REQUESTING APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT TWO THAT WILL PROVIDE $2 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT. THOSE DOLLARS WILL BE COMBINED WITH $1.7 MILLION IN AMERICA RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS AND $1,328,192 OF PRECINCT TWO FUNDS.
BY BRINGING THESE RESOURCES TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN CLOVER LEAF AND CONTINUE OUR WORK IN PRECINCT TWO TO MAKE IT THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY. SO I'M EXCITED TO MOVE THIS
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
THAT WAS 189. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
190 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSEDED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
I GUESS 4 TO 1 VOTING YES. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
DETENTION OFFICER--. >> I'LL MOVE ON THE ITEM.
>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 214 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> JUST WANT TO QUICKLY NOTE THIS IS A GREAT INVESTMENT.
-- DOING A GREAT JOB THIS WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS AS THEY RESPOND TO CALLS. THE DATA FOR THIS PROGRAM IS EXTRAO EXTRAORDINARY.
I PUT THIS IN AWARD WINNING CATEGORY SO JUST SHOUT ZHAO TO CERT AND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED THE COUNTY SHERIFF IS DOING A GREAT JOB I'LL MOVE ON THE ITEM.
>> SECOND. >> OKAY MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 244 FLAGGED BY
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> JUST NEED TO VOTE.
>> MOVED COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BRIONES ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
ITEM 252 COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YES THANK YOU.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. I DON'T SEE OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY ABBY KINNON HERE BUT I DO WANT TO SAY TO HER AND HER STAFF, THAT I WANT TO THANK HER FOR KEEPING THE COUNTY AT THE TABLE OF THE UP MERGER DISCUSSION. I CAN TELL THAW WE HAD HER SPEAK EARLIER LINDSAY WILLIAMS. SPEAKING ABOUT THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN TO AREA NEIGHBOURHOODS. I DON'T THINK THERE'S BEEN-- A MONTH WHERE THERE'S NOT A CONVERSATION ABOUT STOPPED TRAINS. SOMETIMES TRAGEDIES EVOLVING STOPPED TRAINS AND PEOPLE TRYING TO CROSS UNDER OR OVER THEM. AND THE STOP TRAINED IN GENERAL
[06:55:05]
AND THE FRUSTRATION IT CAUSES MANY RESIDENTS TRYING TO GET TO OR FROM WORK. SO I WILL SIMPLY SAY I CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM A LOT OF FOLKS. A LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS ESPECIALLY IN HOUSTON'S EAST END WHO ARE VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY THIS MERGER MAY IMPACT THEM AND WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO THE ALREADY CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE TRAINS IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS.SO EVERYBODY IS CONCERNED HOW THIS MERGEN WILL IMPACT THEM.
IT'S A BIG DEAL HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
AND WE NEED TO BE HEARD. SO I WANT TO THANK COUNTY ATTORNEY-- FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND FOR THINKING ABOUT NEIGHBOURHOODS LIKE THOSE IN PRECINCT TWO.
AND I WILL ALSO SAY THAT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT UP HAS BEEN ENGAGING ME AND MY OFFICE AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
HOWEVER IN MY TIME IN ELECTED OFFICE AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.
THE ENGAGEMENT BY UP WAS RARE. WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, MAYOR WHITE, TO CREATE A CAMERA SYSTEM TO TRY TO CATCH WHEN THOSE TRAINS WERE STOPPIC AND HOW LONG THEY WOULD BE STOPPED.
AND WE EVEN TRIED TO TICKET CONDUCTORS WHICH DIDN'T GO VERY FAR. BUT ULTIMATELY THE RESULT OF ALL THAT WORK WAS NO CHANGE. IT DID NOT CHANGE THE BEHAVIOUR OF UP. SO AS OF LATE I'VE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH UP AND AGAIN I APPRECIATE THAT.
OVER THE YEARS. SO THERE'S STILL A LOT OF TRUST TO BE BUILT. I PREESH THE CONVERSATIONS.
I APPRECIATE THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED AT WHAT THE INTENTION IS. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OKAY TO SEE IT IN WRITING. COUNTY ATTORNEY TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AND THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY.
RESIDENTS PARTICULAR AT THE TABLE.
AND BEING ADDRESSED. IS THIS A--.
I GUESS NO MOTION NECESSARY I GUESS TRANSMITTING?
>> IT'S NOT A TRANSMITTAL. >> MOTION?
>> APPROVED US--. >> I MOVE ON AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY-- LOOKING AT 252 JAY.
YOU'RE GOOD. >> JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON BEHALF-- AS YOU SAID, COUNTY DOING SOME GREAT WORK ON THIS AND SHE'S BEEN LEADING US ON THIS SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. MUCH DESERVED.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE MOTION I WAS TRYING TO MAKE EARLIER I THINK BOTH PURCHASING AGENT HAVE WORKED IT OUT.
SO LET ME GIVE THIS ANOTHER TRY.
MOTION ON ITEM 179 IS TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING TO RETURN TO THE NOVEMBER COURT WITH THE ERP SOLICITATION SCHEDULE UPDATE. THAT WORK FOR EVERYBODY?
>> SECOND. >> LEGAL? ALL RIGHT NOBODY GETS IN TROUBLE.
ALL RIGHT THANK YOU. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
SO TALK ABOUT SCHEDULE? CALENDAR? OKAY ALL RIGHT GOT IT. ALL RIGHT IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES-- SHOULD I ADD-- THIS IS KIND OF A RECONSIDERATION.
TO ADD COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO THIS ONE.
I WAS GOING TO VOTE FOR YOU. >> ALL RIGHT MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY LET'S MOVE ONTO ITEM-- 311
[07:00:08]
SO THIS IS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT THREE.ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSEDED? MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1. 312 FLACKED BY PRECINCT THREE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES. >> NEED A MOTION.
>> JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> SO MOVED.
>> MOTIONED COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
>> MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
317 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? AUDITOR.
>> I HAVE ONE ITEM PFM GROUP. SO I WOULD APPROVE MOTION TO APPROVE ALL PAYMENTS EXCEPT PFM GROUP.
>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSEDED?
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> I MOVE WE ACCEPT PFM.
>> ALL RIGHT MOTION MOVED BY GARCIA SECONDED E LYSE ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1. NOW WE ARE OFF UP TO 354 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. HEART PROGRAM.
>> SO MOVEED. >> ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
ON 360 NATURALIZATION SFRSS. GARCIA AND BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? NO MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1. 370 $80,000 JUS DIS.
>> SO MOVEED. >> MOTIONED COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSEDED? MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
>> ALL RIGHT MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSEDED? MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
AND THEN 432 COMMISSIONER GARCIA CHANNELVIEW FOUNDATION
OF HOPE. >> ON 432 THE CHANNELVIEW FOUNDATION OF HOPE ON NEW HEALTH SOCIAL SSS IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY HAS NOW BEEN OPEN FOR A FEW MONTHS.
VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT HELPED GET US THERE. WHAT WE'VE STARTED TO DO IS NOT TO LOOK AT HEALTH FROM ONE PERSPECTIVE INSTEAD WE'RE LOOSHGING TO ADDRESS THE MANY HEALTH DISPARITIES FACING PRECINCT TWO BY TARGETING THE SOCIAL DETERM NANCE OF HEALTH.
THAT MEANS NOT ONLY FOCUSING ON ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE BUT ALSO ACCESS TO EDUCATION, STRONG NEIGHBOURHOODS.
BUILT ENVIRONMENTS AND GREATER COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC STABILITY. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING TO DO AT THE FOUNDATION OF HOPE. BRINGING TOGETHER PARTNERS WHO CAN ADDRESS HEALTH FROM ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ANGLES.
OUR FRIENDS OVER AT STRATEGIC RECOVERY SOLUTIONS ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT. PROVIDING ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY SERVICES. RIGHT HERE AT THE FOUNDATION OF HOPE. THROUGH COUNSELING, COACHING, RESPONSIBLE MEDICATION, SUPPORT AND PEER-BASED RECOVERY SERVICES THEY HELP INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATE THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY AND ACCESS OF SUPPORT THEY NEED.
THEY ALSO OFFER BILINGUAL RECOVERY SUPPORT AND CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHEN NEEDED.
STRATEGIC RECOVERY SOLUTIONS IS ONE OF THE MANY PARTNERS THAT WE'RE RAMPING UP TO HAVE AT OUR FOUNDATION.
SO I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE MORE LOCAL PARTNERS PROVIDING SERVICES AT THE FOUNDATION OF HOPE AS WE CONTINUE WORKING TO DRESE ALL OF THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS THAT IMPACT THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
SO I WANT TO THANK DR. BAILEY. I WANT TO THANK KENSEY SADIKI AND THANK THIS YOUNG LADY BEHIND ME HEATHER CRUZ AND OTHERS. I WANT TO THANK MERCEDES SANCHEZ BECAUSE SHE LED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT IN 2019 WHEN WE FIRST GOT HERE AND WE FINALLY GOT IT GOING.
SO VERY EXCITED AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THESE INCREDIBLE PARTNERS ARE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO I MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.
MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 434 COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> THANK YOU YES ON 434 THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE DESIGN FOR THE JD WALKER COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION.
THE CENTER HAS A LONG HISTORY IN THE MCNAIR COMMUNITY.
NAMED IN HONOR OF THE LATE JEFFERSON DAVID JD WALKER A
[07:05:04]
LONG-TIME MCNAIR RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY LEADER AND ESTEEMED EDUCATOR. PUBLIC SERVANT AND FOUNDATIONAL LEADER IN THE MCNAIR COMMUNITY. HIS LEGACY IN THE HOUSTON AREA IS DEFINED BY DECADES OF GRASS ROOTS.COMMUNITY BUILDING AND A LASTING FOOTPRINT ON LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE. THE JD WALKER COMMUNITY CENTER HAS BEEN SERVING ITS RESIDENTS SINCE 1978.
MR. WALKER IS FEATURED IN THE BUILDING BUREAU WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE LIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HELPED SHAPE MCNAIR'S IDENTITY INCLUDING HISTORIAN JAY WARREN SINGLETON, E DNA MAE WASHINGTON A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND BUSINESSWOMAN. ANTHONY EAGLETON THE JD WALKER COMMUNITY CENTER REGIONAL DIRECTOR.
LOVE THAT GUY. -- FONT KNOW JR. AERIAL SPACE ENGINEER AND SEVERAL OTHERS. STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO LEGACY AND PRIDE IN THE MCNAIR COMMUNITY.
THE ANTICIPATED RENOVATION WILL ENHANCE A CENTER'S FUNCTIONALITY AND CREATE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY FOCUS SPACE. THE PROJECT WILL MODERNIZED AND REHABILITATE THE EXISTING 19,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY.
INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES. ELECTRICAL UPGRADES.
APPLIANCE UPGRADES. HVAC SYSTEM UPGRADES.
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING UPGRADES.
PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS. LAND SKAM IMPROVEMENTS AND A ROOF REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION AN APPROXIMATE 3500 SQUARE FOOT ADDITION IS BEING STUDIED TO ACCOMMODATE A NEW WORKOUT AND FITNESS AREA THAT OUR SENIORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAD BEEN ASKING ABOUT. SO TODAY WE LOOK FORWARD TO ADVANCING INTO THE DESIGN PHASE OF THE JD WALKER COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION PROJECT. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY TO ALL THE FOLKS OUT THERE MY TEAM WHO MAKES THAT PLACE SO INVITING AND WELCOMING. WE HAVE A YOUTH CENTER THERE WITH 3D PRINTERS. SO ALL OF THIS REMODELLING AND RENOVATION IS SO CRITICALLY NEEDED.
BUT IT'S GOING TO REALLY ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT USE THE FACILITY THERE.
AND SO I'M JUST EXCITED. THIS IS GOING TO BE A TOTAL OF ALMOST $800,000. WITH A COST THAT WILL ULTIMATELY GET NEAR THE $10 MILLION MARK.
SO I'M EXCITED TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION ON ITEM 434 ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM-- FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER
GARCIA CDBGDR. >> SOY WANT TO BUT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON THE CDBG-- DR PROGRAMS. WITH THE DR DEADLINE APPROACHING.
I WANT SOME CLEAR VISIBILITY INTO THE STATUS OF THE PLAN PRESENTED IN JUNE AND THE PROJECTS BEING SPLIT BETWEEN DR AND M.I. T. RECENTLY FLAG CONTROL SHARED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NEW PLAN AND ITS FORTHCOMING AND THAT A FULL CDBG STATUS UPDATE WILL BE PRESENTED FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON OCTOBER 15TH.
IN THIS TRANSMITTING NINE PROJECTS ARE IDENTIFIED AS BEING SPLIT BETWEEN DR AND M.I. T.
HOWEVER THE CORRESPONDING BUDGETS AND EXPENDITURES HAVE NOT YET BEEN SEPARATED. ONE OF THE SPLIT PROJECTS IS THE GREENS BUY EWE MID-REACH CHANNEL CONVEYANCE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS IN PRECINCTS ONE AND TWO.
THE CURRENT BUDGET IS $76 MILLION WITH $2.2 MILLION BEING EXPENDED TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS BUDGET WILL BE ALLOCATED BETWEEN DR AND M.I.T.
AND WHETHER THE DR DEADLINES PRESENT ANY RISK TO DELIVERY OF THE M.I.T. PORTION. I ALSO NEED CLARIFICATION REGARDING FUNDING FOR THE SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROGRAM.
IN JUNE THE NEW PROGRAM IDENTIFIED $127 MILLION IN DR FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT TRANSFER TO FLOOD CONTROL.
WHILE THE CURRENT TRANSMITTING REFLECTS APPROXIMATELY $112.5 MILLION. WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE ROUGHLY $15 MILLION DIFFERENCE AND DOES ANY PORTION OF THIS FUNDING RISK BEING RETURNED TO G.L. O. SO FLOOD CONTROL HAS RECENTLY INDICATED THAT THE WALLS WEST PROJECT IS UNLIKELY TO MEET M.I.T. DEADLINE DUE TO THE RIGHT AWAY TIME LINES.
HOWEVER ITEM 155. REQUEST APPROVAL AND WE'VE
[07:10:03]
APPROVED IT TO REQUIRE MORE THAN 50 ACRES OF LAND.SO I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHETHER MOVING FORWARD WITH THE ACQUISITION POSES A RISK. BECOMING ELIGIBLE AND POTENTIALLY BEING RETURNED TO G.L.O. IF THE PROJECT CANNOT BE COMPLETED BY THE M.I.T. DEADLINE.
AND SO I'D LIKE A CLEAR PICTURE OF ALL THE PROJECTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE D.R. AND M.I.T. PROGRAM SPLITS INCLUDING SCHEDULE. UPDATED BUDGETS.
EXPENDITURES. REMAINING BALANCES, G.L.O.
APPLICATION STATUS AND ANY PROJECT OR FUNDING IDENTIFIED AS AT RISK. SO THAT THE COURT CAN DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ACTIONS ARE NEEDED PRIOR TO THE D.R. DEADLINE.
SO I'VE GIVEN YOU A BIT OF A MOUTHFUL.
SO IF YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH MY QUESTIONS.
>> ALL RIGHT SO MARCUS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-- FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. SO WE WILL TAKE THEM ONE BY ONE BECAUSE YOU SAID A FEW OF THEM. STARTING WITH THE GREENS MID-REACH THAT YOU MENTIONED HERE.
FOR GREENS-- I THINK YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH WILL BE SPENT IN DR AND HOW MUCH IN M.I. T. WHAT I WILL SAY RIGHT NOW IS WE HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF MIT-- I MEAN SORRY OF DR THAN MIT BECAUSE IT WILL DEPEND ON HOW MUCH WE HAD TO SPEND THROUGH MIT. SO IN LOOKING AT GREENS BAY EWE RIGHT NOW. LOOKING AT ABOUT $9 MILLION COMING FROM DR FOR THAT PROJECT.
WHICH IS PART OF THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE SUBMITTED
DEADLINES? >> SO WHEN YOU SAY-- SO ARE YOU ASKING ME IS THERE A RISK TO FUNDS NOT BEING SPENT? THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS YES.
>> OKAY. AND IS THE FUNDING ALSO GOING
TO PUT AT RISK THE MIT PORTION? >> IT MAY PUT SOME OF THE MIT AT RISK AS WELL. CORRECT.
>> OKAY. H HOW-- WHEN DO YOU KNOW? YOU'RE MOVING FORWARD ON IT WHICH I APPRECIATE BUT WHEN WILL YOU KNOW WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE GOING TO BE AND THEN ULTIMATELY WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE PLAN IF THESE ARE ULTIMATELY AT RISK?
>> RIGHT-- SO-- WHEN WE PRESENT ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE 15TH, WE WILL KNOW A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
SPAIN BY THE MID-MIDDLE OF JANUARY.
SINCE OUR DEADLINE RIGHT NOW IS FEBRUARY 28TH 2027.
AND WE ARE PROJECTING HOW MUCH WE WILL SPEND BY THE LOOKING AT OLD HISTORICAL PAYOUTS AND OUR CURRENT SPENDING RATE.
SO THAT'S HOW WE'RE COMING UP WITH WHERE WE'RE GOING TO END UP AT FOR DR. AND WOULD JUST BE THE REMAINING AMOUNT OF THAT WE COULD SPEND AND THAT WILL HELP YOU DEPEND WHETHER OR NOT WE RECEIVE AN EXTENSION.
>> GOT YA'. ALL RIGHT WHAT ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE-- ON THE SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROGRAM IN JUNE. WE HAD $127 MILLION IN IT IN DR FUNDS. AND NOW WE'RE SAYING THAT THERE'S 112.5 IN IT SO THE DIFFERENCE OF THE $15 MILLION
WHAT'S THAT? >> SO IT WAS AN ERROR.
THE $127 MILLION MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE TEAM WAS USING BEST AVAILABLE DATA AND WHAT THEY HAD AT THE TIME WERE THE NUMBERS FROM THE APPLICATIONS SUBMITED.
THE NUMBERS THAT ARE SHOWN NOW ARE BASED ON ACTUAL BIT
NUMBERS. >> AND THE $15 MILLION IS BEING PUT INTO THE POT FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS?
WHERE IS THAT GOING? >> SO THAT $15 MILLION WILL STAY WITHIN THE PROGRAM AND ACTUALLY WHEN WE COME BACK, IN OCTOBER. THEN YOU'LL SEE THAT NUMBER CHANGE AS WELL. BECAUSE WE STILL CURRENTLY WORKING ON APPLICATIONS WITH THE GLO.
>> GOT YA'-- AND THEN ON THE RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION THAT WE APPROVE TODAY-- AND YOU KNOW YOU SAID THAT THE PROJECT-- TOLD ME A MONTH OR SO AGO THAT IT'S MOSTLY AT RISK.
HOW ARE WE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT AND WHAT CHALLENGES DOES ACQUIRING THAT LAND POSE TO EITHER THE DRER TO MITT FUNDS?
>> YEAH SO-- REGARDLESS OUR PLAN IS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE GO
[07:15:07]
WITH THE MID-FUNDING. THE DR FUNDING.OUR PLAN IS TO ATTEMPT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THIS PROJECT.
SO THERE ARE OTHER PORTIONS OF LAND.
MUCH SMALLER THAN WHAT WAS PRESENTED ON JUNE 11TH.
NECESSITY DOESN'T CHANGE THE PATH FORWARD.
THE PROJECT WOULD STILL BE AT RISK.
BUT IF WE DEEM IT PUBLIC NECESSITY THEN WE CAN ACQUIRE
EVEN IF AT SOME LATER DATE. >> OKAY.
AND THEN-- THE BEING ABLE TO GET-- I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE IT RIGHT NOW OR IF YOU DO, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
IF YOU HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF ALL THE PROJECTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DR AND MIT PROGRAM SPLITS.
BECAUSE WHEN VISITED-- I THINK WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT DR.
AND WE HAD NO INSIGHT TO MIT AT THE TIME.
PROVIDE AN UPDATE INCLUDING A SCHEDULE, UPDATED BUDGETS.
EXPENDITURES REMAINING BALANCES.
THE GLO APPLICATION STATUS. AND ANY PROJECT OR FUNDING IDENTIFIED AS AT RISK. SO THAT WE KNOW SO YOU CAN BRING IT TO COURT. SO WE CAN ALL TAKE A LOOK AT IT
AND UNDERSTAND IT BETTER. >> OKAY AND SO.
WHAT THE SPLITS ARE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO GLO. CURRENTLY REFERRING TO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. SO THEY AREN'T OFFICIALLY ACCEPTED. WHICH IS WHY YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THESE NUMBERS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS PRESENTED PREVIOUSLY. BECAUSE THESE NUMBERS ARE BASED ON THE ORIGINAL APPLICATIONS. AND THE GLO WON'T MAKE MODIFICATIONS UNTIL THE APPLICATIONS ARE APPROVED.
SO THE NUMBER IN THESE FIRST FEW COLUMNS HERE ARE THE ONES THAT ADD UP TO THE GLO ON THE WEBSITE.
ONCE THEY ARE APPROVED FOR THE SPLITS FOR WHAT WAS WENT FROM FLOOD CONTROL. AND THE MID-SPLITTER ALL GOING TO SHOW UP ONCE WE GET THE APPLICATIONS APPROVED.
>> GOT YOU. >> MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE SHARE THIS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE EVERY SINGLE PROJECT.
IS THAT WE HOLD OFF ON THIS DISCUSSION UNTIL OCTOBER 15TH.
>> OKAY. >> SO IF WE CAN PROVIDE THAT.
EACH COURT MEMBERS. TEAM REPRESENTATIVES.
EACH COURT MEMBER TEAM REPRESENTATIVES.
A SCHEDULE. AND RIGHT NOW AT THE END OF THIS WEEK. PLAN ON FINALIZING THIS
PRESENTATION. >> NO-- ALL RIGHT HE SAYS NO.
BY TOMORROW WE PLAN ON FINALIZING THAT PRESENTATION.
22ND WE HAVE A MEETING SET UP WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES FOR EACH COURT MEMBER. TO DISCUSS THAT PRESENTATION AS WELL AS THE LETTERS THAT I PLAN TO SUBMIT TO THE G.L.O. FOR EXTENSIONS. AND DISCUSSIONS OF WHAT
POTENTIAL FUNDS ARE AT RISK. >> OKAY.
GOOD DEAL. SO WHEN YOU PROVIDE ALL THAT IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO REVIEW IT.
AND THEN LESLIE-- WHEN YOU VISITED ME.
AND WE WENT THROUGH WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING AT AT THAT TIME, YOU INDICATED ALL PRECINCTS EXCEPT THREE WOULD LOSE DR FUNDING. MY-- WAS $51 MILLION I THINK THAT WAS THE LARGEST EVERYBODY MENTIONED.
BUT THE NEXT DAY OR SO YOU DID A TV INTERVIEW AND YOU SAID THERE'S NO PROBLEMS WITH THE PROGRAM.
SO WHICH WOULD--. >> I THINK WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO WAS THE QUESTION OF-- I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT QUESTION BUT MY RESPONSE WHERE THERE'S-- YOU CAN'T CLAIM A PROJECT TO BE RISK FREE. BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE
ARE NO PROBLEMS. >> I'LL BE HAPPY TO PLAY THAT INTERVIEW. IT WASN'T AS QUALIFIED.
>> WELL ON OCTOBER 15TH IT WILL BE TRANSPARENT AS WE'VE
PROMISED. >> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THEN BRIONES.
>> YEAH QUICKLY THANK YOU DIRECTOR APPRECIATE COMING DOWN THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON HERE.
JUST IN THE LAST 15 MINUTES MY-- I'M ENCOURAGED.
DETAILS AND FACTS. I THINK EVERYTHING YOU INHERITED IN JUNE HAS BEEN MADE BETTER.
[07:20:01]
WE WERE AT SIGNIFICANTLY AT RISK.WE'VE MADE PROGRESS. PROBABLY SOME OF THE UNKNOWNS AND WE'LL KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT IN OCTOBER.
BUT SOME OF THAT WILL BE WHAT KIND OF RELIEF WE'LL GET ON DEADLINES. THERE ARE STILL SOME UNKNOWNS RELATED TO THE DEADLINES. OPERATING AS IF THOSE DON'T MOVE. IF WE DO AND PERFORM MAYBE WE'LL GET A LITTLE RELIEF AT SOME POINT.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR FULL SPEED AHEAD.
EYES DOWN OBVIOUSLY ONCE WE GET THROUGH THE DR AND ABLE TO DO THAT. MAYBE THE MITT WILL HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY ON HOW WE GET THOSE PROJECTS TAKEN CARE OF.
I MIGHT GO THROUGH DETAILS. I LOOK FORWARD TO A BETTER-- MORE COMPLETE SUM EHRIE IN OCTOBER WE'LL KNOW MORE ON OCTOBER. AND IN NOVEMBER.
AND IN DECEMBER. I GUESS THE POINT IS A LOT OF THIS IS CONSTRUCTION ORIENTED AS YOU GET SOME OF THIS THE CONTRACTORS MOVING FORWARD. THEY ARE SPENDING IT AS FAST AS THEY CAN. THE GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS IS SOME OF THESE PROJECTS CAME IN SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER BUDGET BECAUSE YOU HAVE UNDERBUDGETED USUALLY THAT'S A GOOD THING.
IN THIS CASE YOU HAVE TO SPEND IT AND FIND A PLACE TO SPEND IT. SO YOU'VE INHERITED QUITE THE INTERESTING COMPLEX PROJECTS SO APPRECIATE YOUR INITIAL EFFORTS. I THINK GREAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN
MADE. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES THEN I SEE YOUR HAND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> YOU CAN GO FIRST I KNOW YOU'RE HEADED TO THE AIRPORT.
>> THANK YOU COLLEAGUE. AND I THANK YOU DIRECTOR YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB. YOU CAME IN UNDER VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES BUT THIS IS ONE OF YOUR LONGER PRESENTATIONS YOU'VE BEEN WITH US BEFORE BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PRESENTATION COMING UP AND I THINK WE ALL WILL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ON THE AGENDA THAT'S A PROJECT IMPORTANT TO BOTH OF US.
BOTH GREENS AND-- KEY ELEMENTS IN THE BOND PACKAGE AND HAD A LOT OF IMPACT GOING. SO TO ACCEPT ANY OF THE LOSS BETTER PRIORITIZE EARLY ON WHAT OTHER FUNDS THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY TO PASS ANOTHER BOND ISSUE BUT THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> DIRECTOR THANK YOU. FOR PULLING THIS ITEM I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FULL REPORT ON OCTOBER 15TH AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION YOU'VE BEEN SHARING WITH ME AND MY TEAM AND MEETING WITH US. SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET I WANTED TO CONFIRM THE TWO CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED ARE THE LOUDER AND P2 AND THE SOUTH-- CREEK AND P4. CORRECT.
THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED AND WE'RE MAKE PROGRESS DEGREES DAILY IS MY POINT.
BUT THOSE TWO HAVE BEEN AWARDED SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET LIKE
TWO WEEKS AGO. >> I HAVE TO LOOK AT MY TEAM TO CONFIRM. WAS NODDING.
OKAY. >> AND WE'RE STILL RACING DAILY. GIVING IT EVERYTHING.
LEAVING IT ALL ON THE FIELD FOR THE CURRENT DEADLINE CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. WE ARE OPERATING TOWARDS
FEBRUARY OF 2027. >> AND ALL OF US ARE DEEPLY INVESTED IN SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTING THESE PROJECTS BY THE DEADLINE AND VERY THANKFUL TO THE PARTNERSHIP.
BUCKINGHAM IN PARTICULAR. MY QUESTION IS WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN STEPS TO CUT THE RED TAPE AND MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING THINGS AS SMOOTH AND I KNOW THESE PROJECTS ARE DEEPLY COMPLEX. BUT OTHER SORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAUCRATIC. ANY OTHER IDEAS OF WAYS WE CAN SU FORT MAXIMIZE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS AND EXECUTION BY THE DEADLINES. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
CUT THE RED TAPE FURTHER. >> YES THE BIG SOFT RIGHT NOW I'M NOT EXPERIENCING ANY RED TAPE.
THE BIGGEST THING THAT I CAN GET FROM THE COURT IS ADVOCACY ON EXTENSION. THE MORE TIME THAT WE RECEIVE FOR DR THEN THE MORE FUNDING WE CAN SPEND AND AGAIN ON OCTOBER 15TH WE'LL COME BACK AND I'LL GIVE YOU SOME OPTIONS ON WHAT AN EXTENSION FOR HOW MUCH MORE WE CAN REDUCE WHAT IS SPENT AND FOR MITT I'LL COME BACK WITH EXTENSIONS OF A FEW YEARS.
SO WHATEVER ADVOCACY WHATEVER CONNECTIONS THAT YOU HAVE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. JUST TO GET US THAT EXTENSION BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO SHOW PROGRESS.
>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR. >> I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PLANNED UPDATE ON THE 15TH. I KNOW YOU'LL HAVE A MORE
[07:25:04]
THOROUGH REPORT THEN. >> THANK YOU FOLKS.
OKAY SO THAT'S-- JUST TRANSMITTAL.
LET'S MOVE ONTO 520 TRANSMITTAL BY AUDITOR DEEO PREVAILING WAGE
MEMO. >> IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE US SOME OF THE KEY FINDINGS. FROM THE AUDIT AND KEY RECOMMENDATIONS. AND THEN I'D LOVE TO HEAR PLEASE FROM ADMINISTRATOR CARTER HOW WE'RE WORKING HARD
TO IMPLEMENT THEM. >> ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE SIT MOST OF THE DAY SO YOU CAN HEAR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED, RIGHT? YOU COME UP WITH ALL KINDS OF
SO WE COMPLETED THIS DEO PREVAILING WAGE COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT ENGAGEMENT. THE FOCUS ON THIS WAS THE PROCESSES AND CONTROLS THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2025. THIS APPLIES TO THE PROJECTS GOVERNED BY THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 2258 REGARDING PREVAILING WAGES. OVERALL THE DEO HAS IMPLEMENTED FOUNDATIONAL PROCESSES THAT SUPPORT PREVAILING WAGE OVERSIGHT. SOME OF THESE FOUNDATIONAL PROCESSES INCLUDE THE LCP TRACKER CERTIFIED PAYROLL REVIEWS. WORK SITE VISITS.
WORKER INTERVIEWS AND COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS.
THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR KEY IMPROVEMENTS AND CONTROLS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PROJECTS, CONTRACTORS, SUB CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS ARE IDENTIFIED AND MONITORED.
THERE ARE ALSO OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE CONTROLS TO FORMALIZE AND STANDARDIZE WORKER CLASSIFICATION REVIEWS.
TO FORMALIZE AND STANDARDIZE WORK SITE MONITORING TO IMPROVED DOCUMENTATION AND SUPERVISE REVIEWS.
TO USE MORE RISK BASED MONITORING AND STRENGTHEN COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT PRO PROCEDURES.
INCLUDING TRACKING. CROSS ENTITY COMMUNICATIONS AND PROTOCOLS. THERE ARE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS PROVIDED BY DEEO AND THESE WILL SERVE AS THE LEADING COORDINATING DEPARTMENT. THESE IMPLEMENTATIONS WILL REQUIRE COORDINATION WITH OTHER PARTNERS WITH DEEO.
THE MAPS ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE GOVERNANCE, CONSISTENCY, TRANSPARENCY AND WILL OVERALL IMPROVE THE ABILITY TO MONITOR PREVAILING WAGE.
>> I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YA'LL DOING THIS AUDIT.
I KNOW WHEN WORKERS ON THE LBJ PROJECT REACHED OUT TO MY TEAM, IT WAS INCREDIBLY CONCERNING AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, ANY PERSON WHO WORKS ON A COUNTY FUNDED PROJECT SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT BEING DENIED THEIR WAGES.
AND SHOULD HAVE A VERY CLEAR SYSTEMATIC WAY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THE COMPLAINTS. AND SO MY VISION AND DEEPEST DESIRE IS THAT WE CAN BE VERY PROACTIVE ABOUT OUR COMPLIANCE.
SO NONE OF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AND OUR WORKERS DESERVE BETTER AND PROJECTS ARE KEY. AND I KNOW DEEO WERE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING A NEW DIRECTOR BUT JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, MY CONCERN CONTINUES.
SEEING THAT THEY OVERSEE 175 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO PREVAILING WAGE MONITORING AND THESE PROJECTS RANGE IN VALUE FROM 400,000 TO $773 MILLION AND THERE'S EIGHT PREVAILING WAGE MONITORS. SO I APPRECIATE THE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT MAKING SURE THE CERTIFIED PAYROLL RECORDS THAT WE'RE TRACKING THE STANDARDIZED WORKER CLASSIFICATION REVIEWS AND THE INTERVIEWS AND ASSIGNING CAPACITY BASED ON THE PROJECT'S COMPLEXTY AND RISKS.
AS WELL AS MAKING SURE WE HAVE A CENTRALIZED STANDARD PROCESS AND WAY TO TRACK COMPLAINTS. SO THE FINDINGS OF THE AUDIT WERE DEEPLY TROUBLING. THEY DO NOT MEET THE STANDARDS THAT THE COURT HAS E SPECIALLY FOR THE WORKERS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD TO FIGHT FOR THEIR SAFETY AND WAGES.
AND SO MY QUESTION IS-- THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT.
I'M TURNING TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
WHAT IS THE ACTION PLAN SO THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT THESE CHANGES.
AND SO THAT WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION GOING FORWARD?
>> THANKS. WORKING ON SOME OF THE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS INCLUDED IN HERE.
[07:30:02]
AND ONE OF THEM IS THE DATA TRACKING TO ENSURE THEY WEREN'T GETTING THE REPORTS THEY CAN RESPOND MORE QUICKLY.THEY'VE ALREADY BEGUN TRAINING THAT THEY STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. DIRECTED SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY. AND THAT WE ARE ALMOST LANDING THE PLANE ON THAT WHICH WILL AUGMENT THE STAFF MONITORING AND ALL OF THE ILA UPDATES WHETHER WITH HCD AND WITH ANY OF THE PARTNER DEPARTMENTS WILL INCLUDE SOME STAFF AUGMENTATION. BECAUSE AS YOU NOTED THEY NEED MORE STAFF TO LOOK CLOSELY THAT'LL BE PAID FOR BY THE PARTNER DEPARTMENTS. WOULD YOU ENTER INTO THAT?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A QUICK UPDATE ON THE INCLINATION OF THE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN. REVIEWING THIS SLPS AND THE WORKING WAS DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS ON THOSE ISSUES.
TOOLS AND SLPS. AND WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED CHECK LISTS RIGHT NOW TO VISIT REPORT TEMPLATES TO STRENGTHEN SLP.
AND PROVIDED JOB TO THE MONITORS.
REGARDING THE LCP TRACKER THAT IS THE SYSTEM.
SO WE KEEP ALL THE RECORDS. SO WE HAD TWO MEETINGS ALREADY WITH LCP TRACKER. TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE IS ANY ENHANCE REPORTING MODULES THAT WE CAN USE.
ADDITIONALLY WE ARE ADDING ONE MODULE CALLED THE CASE VIEW.
THAT WILL HELP US TO INCLUDE INVESTIGATION RESULTS INTO THE SYSTEM. SO THIS IS ALREADY WHERE WE JUST HAD A MEETING YESTERDAY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A KICK-OFF MEETING REGARDING CASE VIEW MODULE.
FOR THE INVESTIGATION. WHICH WAS CONNECTED IT TO COMPLAINT INTAKE. SO THANK YOU TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE SO WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY AND ALREADY IMPLEMENTED THE FRAUD WASTE ABUSE HOTLINE. ADDING ONE TIER TO INCLUDE A WAGE RELATED COMPLAINTS AND ALLEGATIONS.
SO ANYTHING THAT IS GOING THROUGH THE HOTLINE RELATED TO WAGE, THEY ARE GOING TO ROUTE IT TO DEEO.
SO HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ON ALLEGATIONS SINCE WE LAUNCHED THAT. BUT WE ARE STILL TESTING MAKING SURE WE CAN ACCEPT OR CONFIDENTIAL ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS AND WE HAVE LIKE A PROCESS MAP.
HOW TO DO THE INTAKE OR THE WAY TO INVESTIGATION AND WORKING WITH DIFFERENT AGENCIES. TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.
LET ME SEE WHAT ELSE IN TERMS OF TRAINING WE HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED NINE HOURS OF TRAINING THROUGH THE MONITORS.
INCLUDING ONE THAT HAPPENED IN EARLY JUNE AND RECENT ONE THREE HOURS. A BIG THANK YOU TO THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OFFICE LUCY GARCIA WHO PROVIDED THREE HOUR TRAININGS TO OUR MONITORS. SO THOSE TRAINING SESSIONS ARE SCHEDULED IN A STAGGERED WAY SO THAT THE MONITORS CAN IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE BEST TRACK SISES AND TO COME BACK ASKING ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR THE TRAINER. SO THERE'S ANOTHER TRAINING SESSION SCHEDULED IN NOVEMBER. SO ANOTHER THREE HOURS.
WE KEEP RECORD OF ALL OF THAT. OKAY THE LAST THING, NEW ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR MOU AND INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT RENEWAL.
SO IN THE PAST THE REASON WHY WE HAVE HANDLED ALL THAT MANY PROJECTS BUT WE ONLY HAVE EIGHT MONITORS I THINK IT GOES TO THE WAY HOW WE ASSESS THE WORKLOAD. SO I WORK WITH OUR TEAM TO POOL THE HISTORIC RECORD. A PROJECT LIST.
FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR AND IMPORTANT METRICS.
INCLUDING NUMBER OF ACTIVE PROJECTS.
ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION VALUE. NUMBER OF CONTRACTORS AND SUB CONTRACTORS. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SITE VISITS. BECAUSE THOSE ARE RELATED TO THE WORKLOAD AND THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF WORKERS AT THE PEAK
[07:35:02]
TIME DURING ONE MONTH. THAT TELLS US HOW MANY SITE VISITS WE NEED TO DO IN THE MONTHS DEPENDING ON THE RISK.THAT WE ASSIGNED TO EACH PROJECTS.
SOME ARE NEW PROJECTS THAT MAY RECEIVE A HIGHER RISK NUMBER BUT SOME ARE ACTIVE PROJECTS SO THAT WE MONITOR THE LAST.
I APPRECIATE ABOUT THESE CHANGES.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND? >> MOTION TO EXTEND.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THANK YOU.
>> I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE THUS FAR TO IMPLEMENT THESE AND CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT ABSOLUTE BEST OF OUR ABILITY TO DO SO. AND QUICK QUESTION ADMINISTRATOR WHEN DO WE ANTICIPATE THE REVISED HARRIS HEALTH. TO BE FINALIZED?
>> TRYING FOR OCTOBER 15TH. >> OKAY.
EXCELLENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE AUDIT. YOU'VE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM.
I THINK I HEARD THAT WE HAVE EIGHT MONITORS TRYING TO DO PROBABLY MORE THAN THEY ARE ABLE TO.
WE ARE JUST MONITORING WAGE. SHAH THE ONLY WAY PEOPLE ARE
DOING IT? >> THE PAYROLL REVIEW.
AND THE SITE VISITS ALL OF THAT, YES.
>> THIS ONE PREVAIL WAGES. >> SO ONLY GET SOMEONE ELSE DOING THE SAFETY. THE SAFETY WE DON'T HAVE ANY INSPECTORS AND WE HAVE MONITORS.
>> I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING.
JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE DOING IT THAT WAY.
>> YOU MEAN SEPARATELY? HAVING DONE A FEW.
TYPICALLY THE PERSON THAT COMES BY AND LOOKS AT THE SAFETY AND THE QUALITY OF THE WORK AND THE QUANTITY OF THE WORK.
IT IS ALSO GOING TO GET IN THAT OFFICE AND LOOK AT THE
PREVAILING WAGE. >> SORRY SO IT DEPENDS ON WHAT
KIND OF TRAINING THEY RECEIVE. >> AND I AGAIN YOU'RE RAPIDLY TRYING TO COACH UP TRAIN UP THE FOLKS.
HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO ADD? OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE DONE YOUR FREQUENCY OF VISITS.
GOING THROUGH THE ANALYSIS NOW. YOU HAVE 301 ADDITIONAL PRE-BID PROJECTS IN THE BACK COMING. WHAT IS THE PLAN GOING FORWARD.
ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO ADD PEOPLE?
>> THAT ANY ADDITIONS WOULD BE PAID FOR.
TO BE PAID FOR BY THE PARTNER DEPARTMENTS.
SOME OF IT ARE TEMPORARY WORKERS SO IT CAN FLUCTUATE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF SCIENCE AND PAYROLL THEY HAVE
TO REVIEW. >> THE REPORT THAT THE AUDITOR PROVIDED IS A RED FLASHING LIGHT REPORT SO I HOPE WE RESPOND TO IT IN LIKE MANNER. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY WHEN YOU FIND SOMEONE OUT OF COMPLIANCE, WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL TO DEAL WITH THE ENTITY THAT'S OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONTRACTOR. WHAT IS THE-- DO YOU HAVE A STANDARD PROTOCOL IF YOU FIND SOMEONE THAT'S NOT IN
COMPLIANCE? >> SO IF THE CONTRACTOR SUBMIT CERTIFIED PAYROLL AND WE FOUND AN ISSUE WE GO BACK TO THE CONTRACTORS TO MAKE SURE WE CORRECT THAT.
IF THERE ARE ISSUES WE FIND THAT'S VIOLATION, WE WILL COME UP WITH A PRELIMINARY FUNDING REPORT AND SUBMITTED IT TO AGENCY WHETHER IT IS FLOOD CONTROL FOR EXAMPLE NOTIFYING
THEM THE FINDINGS. >> THANK YOU I THINK WE HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS PROGRAM AND I KNOW YOU'RE DEALING WITH IT. THANK YOU FOR WORKING THROUGH IT BUT CLEARLY IDENTIFIED SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE AUDIT AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET A HANDLE. I WOULD RATHER NOT GO TO A SITE THEN SAY I'M SUPPOSED TO GO TO A SITE.
IF WE HAVE MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE WE NEED TO GO TO PLAN B.
MODIFY WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I WOULDN'T CONTINUE TO LEAVE
[07:40:01]
THE IMPRESSION THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF SOMETHING WE CLEARLY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO IT.>> SO THAT'S THE PART OF THE NEGOTIATION OF THE AGREEMENTS SO WE HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH FLOOD CONTROL SO THAT'S THE FIRST WE HANDLED. DEEO JUST NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT A LOT OF THINGS.
>> MIGHT I SUGGEST WE HAD OTHER PEOPLE GO INTO THAT SITE THAT COULD PROBABLY BE TRAINED UP WHETHER THEY ARE INSPECTORS OR OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES MONITORING INSPECTING THE SAME JOB SITE. SO THERE MIGHT BE SOME RELIEF
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> THANK YOU. JUST QUICK WHEN WILL YOU BE ABLE TO BRING BACK WHETHER WE CAN REPURPOSE, RETRAIN SOME EXISTING FOLKS OR WHETHER WE'LL NEED MORE FUNDS TO COMPLETE
THESE TASKS? >> SORRY CAN YOU REPEAT?
>> WILL YOU BE ABLE TO COME BACK-- WHEN WILL YOU BE ABLE TO COME BACK WITH AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE WITH VARIOUS TASKS AND WHETHER WE'LL NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OR WHETHER WE CAN DO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS SUGGESTING TO
CONSIDER? >> I WOULD SAY MAYBE NOVEMBER.
TO GIVE US BUSINESS--. >> LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR A REALLY LONG TIME AND A LOT OF PREDECESSORS OH IT'S FINE AND OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T SO I'M HAPPY YOU'RE THERE.
>> ASK THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT I WORKED WITH TO PROVIDE A LOT OF GUIDANCE THROUGH THINGS AND UNDERSTANDING THAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> OF COURSE THANK YOU GUYS. OKAY.
SO THAT IS A TRANSMITTAL SO WE DON'T NEED A VOTE THERE.
ITEM 537. >> YES MAY WE PLEASE HAVE A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE HARRIS HEALTH BOND CAPITAL PROGRESS BEING MADE? AND THEN I HAVE A FEW
QUESTIONS. >> YES COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
THIS IS CHIEF OPERATOR OFFICER-- I KNOW WE HAVE A PRESENTATION THAT WAS TO BE CUED UP.
IF WE COULD BRING THAT UP AND I CAN JUST GO TO A FEW SLIDES.
JUST TO GIVE THE UPDATE. THIS IS THE THIRD QUARTER RELATED TO BOND PROJECT AS WELL AS THE OVERALL CAPITAL PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION. IF YOU CAN GO TO SLIDE FIVE WE WILL JUMP RIGHT INTO THE NUMBERS HOW THEY ARE PERFORMING. IF YOU RECALL IN OUR PRIOR REPORT, THE SECOND BLUE COLUMN THE PROGRAM ESTIMATE THAT WE DID IN JANUARY OF 2023. THE 2.947 FOR THE TOTAL PROGRAM AND THEN THE VERY ENDING BLUE COLUMN 2984 IS WHERE WE ESTIMATE SITS THAT NUMBER HAS REMAINED CONSTANT THROUGH ALL THREE QUARTERLY REPORTS. TO MAKE CHANGES AT THIS POINT IN TIME. 2.5 THE NEXT COLUMN NEXT TO IT BOND PROCEEDS RELEASED AS OF JUNE UPDATED PORTION OF THIS REPORT WE HAVE NOW RELEASED THE 1 $1,55,0,000 FOR OUR PROJECTS SO CONTINUING ON THE PROJECTED CASH FLOW SO ON TRACK FOR BUDGET AND TIME RELATED TO PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMMENCED.
AND FUTURE EXPENSES WILL BE REMAINDER OF WHAT EXISTS FOR THE 2.5 TOTAL BOND PROGRAM AND I'LL SHOW MORE DETAIL IN THE NEXT SLIDE RELATED TO THAT. BUT THOSE ESTIMATES ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE 1.4 AND THEN THE GREEN COLUMN IS OUR OTHER FUNDING SOURCES SO KEEP IN MIND THE BONDS WERE FOR 2.5 AND PROJECTED ESTIMATES 2.9 SO THIS IS THE BALANCE BRING IN PHILANTHROPY AND CAPITAL RESERVES IN THE ORGANIZATION TO CONTINUE KEEPING PROJECTS ON TRACK.
WE HAD ANTICIPATED THAT ORIGINALY.
WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING. NEXT SLIDE.
[07:45:03]
THE BOND SELF-PROJECTIONS SO IF YOU LOOK AT VOTER APPROVED 2.5 WHICH IS THE THIRD COLUMN OVER THE VERY FIRST ONE THE PEACH COLOUR THERE THEN WE HAVE THE RELEASE 3G SO WE'VE COVERED THAT. SO IF WE LOOK AT THE RED MAROON TYPE COLUMNS THE VERY FIRST ONE WAS OUR 25 BOND.WHICH WERE RELEASED IN JUNE OF 2025.
ACCORDING TO PLAN. ANTICIPATED THE EXPENDITURE IN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS. COMPLETED THEN IN THE 2026 BOND WHICH WE JUST RELEASED. WE HAVE AS YOU CAN SEE $215 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON THAT. WE HAVE REMAINING-- WE ARE PLANNED RELATED TO THAT AND OUR THIRD INSTALLMENT THEN MAKE UP THE TOTALITY OF THE $2.5 BILLION WE ARE ANTICIPATING.
WE WILL SKIP A YEAR AND COME BACK OF 2028 FOR THAT REMAINING SECTION. THAT WOULD THEN TAKE US TO THE TOTALITY OF THE 2.5. AND PROJECT SCOPE AND SCHEDULES REMAINING ON TRACK AND PLAN RELATED TO THAT.
WE DO GIVE AN UPDATE ON OTHER ASPECTS ON THE PROGRAM WE ARE CONTINUING THAT AND I APPRECIATED THE COMMENTS OF ASKING DEEO ABOUT VARIOUS PLANS WE ARE INVOLVED IN THE ASPECTS THAT AFFECT THE HARRIS HEALTH PRO PROJECTS. VERY PRODUCTIVELY AS WE CONTINUE TO E INVOLVE AND STRENGTHEN THE APPROACH TO THAT PROGRAM RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE ONE OUTSTANDING CASE THAT IS BEING INVESTIGATED WHERE WE WILL BE MAKING A DETERMINATION BY SEPTEMBER 20TH RELATED TO THAT ITEM.
BUT STILL WORKING ON THE FOCUS OF GETTING MORE PROACTIVE IN THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE PAYROLLS WHICH YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT THROUGH THE DISCUSSIONS WITH DEEO.
WE ARE ALL ON TRACK WITH THE IOA CONVERSATIONS AND INCREASING STAFF RELATED TO THE HARRIS HEALTH PROJECTS SO WE ARE ANTICIPATING THAT WILL BE COMPLETE ED AS YOU HEARD BY THE OCTOBER 15TH DATE AND POTENTIALLY BEFORE AND THAT WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THE DEO RELATED TO RESOURCES.
AS PROJECTS GO THOSE RESOURCES WILL BE VARIABLE BECAUSE WE ARE JUST ABOUT AT THE APEX OF HARRIS HEALTH CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN TERMS OF THE PERSON MEETING FOR PREVAILING WAGE IN THAT REGARD WILL BE STARTING TO COME DOWN OFF OF THAT IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS SO THERE'LL BE A PROBATION RELATED TO THOSE RESOURCES BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEO TO ESTIMATE RESOURCES. YOU'LL SEE ON THE BALANCE IF THE SECOND QUARTER REPORT REPORTED 17 TO 21 SO THOSE HAVE INCREASED. DETAIL BY TRADE IS IN THE APPENDIX TO THE REPORT SO THAT'S A VARIABLE TO REVIEW.
AS WE'VE MOVED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSPITAL IT HAS BROUGHT ON SOME ADDITIONAL TRADES AND APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES SO WE ARE REMAINING ABOVE GOAL RELATED TO THAT AND WE ARE SEEING THOSE NUMBERS INCREASE.
WHAT WOULD ANTICIPATE THOSE NUMBERS TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE AND THE NEXT QUARTERLY REPORT AS WELL SINCE WE ARE MOVING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING RELATED TO THAT.
AND THEN FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT SOME OF THAT DETAIL.
WE HAVE AN INSURANCE PROGRAM WHERE WE ENSURE THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROJECT VERSUS EACH CONTRACT HAVING THEIR OWN INSURANCE SO WE HAVE A FULL-TIME SAFETY MONITOR THAT IS ON SITE RELATED TO REVIEWING THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE A FULL SAFETY PLAN RELATED TO PHYSICAL SAFETY AND HEAT SAFETY THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT ARE DEPLOYED WHICH WAS VOTED ON AND ENACTED BY OUR BOARD RELATED TO THE SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES RELATED TO THAT. I COULD GO INTO MORE DETAILS BUT I'LL STOP THERE. THIS HIGHLIGHTS THE TIME OF DAY BUT CERTAINLY OPEN TO QUESTIONS FROM THE COURT.
>> MR. SMITH WE APPRECIATE THIS UPDATE.
I WAS THRILLED WHEN THE VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY IN 2023 APPROVED
[07:50:03]
THIS $15.5 MILLION BOND AND THESE REGULAR UPDATES ARE SO CRITICAL IN MAKING SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY. KEEP THEM INFORMED AND MAKING SURE WE CONTINUE TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND HONOR THE TRUST THEY PUT IN US AND AS WE DISCUSSED ALL DAY TODAY THE WORK DOW IS CRITICAL. YOU ARE THE BACKBONE FOR HEALTH CARE AND MILLIONS FOR THE UNINSURED AND MEDICALLY INSURED. I HAVE A FEW QUICK QUESTIONS.YOU ALREADY ANSWERED MOST OF THEM IN YOUR PRESENTATION.
JUST ON THE PREVAILING WAGE TO WRAP THAT UP I KNOW WE'RE AMENDING THE ILA BUT WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE PREVAILING
WAGE INVESTIGATIONS? >> IN THE PROGRAM THEY HAVE ALL BEEN CLOSED OUT EXCEPT FOR ONE AT THIS POINT.
WE DO HAVE ONE OUTSTANDING THAT INVOLVES OUR HOLLY HALL PROJECT RELATED TO THE BUILDING WE'RE BUILDING AS OUR OPERATION CENTER WHERE THERE IS AN ALLEGED QUESTION RELATED TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS RELATED TO SO WE ARE IN THE FINAL REVIEWS OF THAT AND WILL BE ISSUING EITHER A GOOD CAUSE OR NO GOOD CAUSE TERMINATION, OUR DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 20TH RELATED TO THAT.
BUT IT IS ONLY ONE OPEN INVESTIGATION AT THIS POINT IN
AND IN ADDITION TO AMENDING THE IALA SO WE HAVE MORE CAPACITY AND MONITORS, ARE YOU ALL STILL USING THE ADDITIONAL THIRD PARTY
FIRM -- >> YES, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE THIRD PARTY GIVEN SOME OF THE INTRICACIES AND COMPLEXITIES OF THE PROJECT BUT WE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING -- TRY TO GET MORE UPSTREAM AND PROACTIVE RELATED TO ANY PREVAILING WAGE CONCERNS SO IT WILL BE A TWO-PRONG APPROACH RELATED TO SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF ENSURING THE WORKERS
ARE GETTING PAID CORRECTLY. >> EXCELLENT SO IT WILL BE BOTH DEO AND THIS THIRD PARTY TO FURTHER ENHANCE OUR PROACTIVE PROTECTION OF THE WORKERS, CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> OKAY, MOTION TO EXTEND.
>> MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? ALL IN FAVOUR. AYE.
ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-0.
>> SO THEN VERY BRIEFLY, THE STATUS OF THE HEALTH CLINIC, WE ARE ALL THRILLED ABOUT THAT. WHEN IS IT ANTICIPATED TO OPEN,
WHAT'S THE -- >> THAT ONE, I GOT TO FLIP TO MY APPENDIX PAGE, GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT.
YEAH, SO THAT ONE IS SLATED TO --
>> IT'S MAY 2028. >> YES, YES.
QUARTER 3 OF 2028. >> COMPLEND ANDEXCELLENT.
I WAS PLEASED TO SEE WE'VE EXCEEDED THE 10% GOAL AND WE'RE RANGING BETWEEN 22 AND 27% SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU ALSO FOR APPENDIX A WHERE YOU BROKE IT UP BY TRADE.
I WAS HAPPY TO SEE FOR INSTANCE WITH THE ELEVATOR TRADING WE'RE HITTING AN 87%, JUST EXCELLENT. BUT WITH CONCRETE WE'RE AT 3%.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING TO TRY TO IMPROVE WITH REGARD TO THE
CONCRETE TRADE? >> YEAH, THE CONCRETE IS LARGELY OVER AT THIS POINT. THAT WAS ACTUALLY SELF-PERFORMED BY THE OVERALL CONTRACTOR RELATED TO THAT.
SO THAT NUMBER WILL NOT CHANGE AT THIS POINT AS THAT'S BASICALLY COMPLETE AT THIS POINT, BUT WAS SELF-PERFORMED BY
THE MAIN CONTRACTOR. >> EXCELLENT.
SO THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF -- UPDATE IS THE LBJ SPEND AND
BUILD IS ON TRACK? >> YES, CORRECT.
>> AND THERE'S NO CHANGE IN THE 2.98 BILLION TOTAL PROGRAM COST, AND THAT'S THE 2.5 [INDISCERNIBLE]
>> THAT IS CORRECT. NOW, WE DO ANTICIPATE SOME CHANGES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER REPORT.
SO I'LL BE IN PERSON TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THOSE AS WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR PROJECTS AND SOME PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN EXPAND ON SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.
SO I'LL BE BRINGING THAT BACK FOR EXPOSURE AND DISCUSSION AT THAT POINT IN TIME. BUT WE ARE REMAINING ON THAT.
IN FACT THE LBJ PROJECT IS ACTUALLY AHEAD OF BUDGET IN A GOOD WAY, I GUESS THE LOW BUDGET PROJECTIONS RELATED TO THAT.
WE HAVE CONTINGENCY AS PART OF THAT AND WE'RE ANTICIPATING HAVING SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO INVEST IN THE LBJ CAMPUS THAT WE ORIGINALLY HAD DIVERTED TO THE HOSPITAL, BECAUSE OF THE COST ESTIMATES BEING HIGHER DUE TO COST ESCALATIONS FROM WHEN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES WERE DONE TO THE BUDGETS.
[07:55:02]
>> YEAH, QUICKLY, DON'T WANT TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS BUT I KNOW THAT IN IN THE PROCESS OF MANAGING THE PROJECT, THERE HAS BEEN SOME SCOPE ADJUSTMENT TO MAINTAIN THE BUDGET.
ARE YOU STILL DOING THAT? >> WELL, THOSE -- YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY ON THE LBJ CAMPUS WITH THE --
>> YES. WHAT TIME -- LIKE FOUR -- SEVERAL FEW HUNDRED MILLION OVER, BUT Y'ALL ADJUSTED THE SCOPE AND GOT IT BACK WITHIN BUDGET.
>> SO AGAIN. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> THAT'S A STRATEGY JUST TO UNDERSTAND WE VOTE ON ONE THING, WE GET INTO CONSTRUCTION, WE HAVE TO ADJUST THE SCOPE, GET IT, YOU MAINTAIN A BUDGET BUT EVERYBODY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WE ARE JUST IN SCOPE TO MAINTAIN BUDGET.
>> WELL, IT WAS SCOPE NOT ON THE HOSPITAL BUT ON THE CAMPUS ITSELF, RIGHT. SO FROM THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES IN '21 TO THE ACTUAL BUDGETS THAT WERE BAKED IN AS WE ENTERED INTO '24, THERE WAS THE COST EFFECT HATIANS COST ESCALATIONS COMING OUT OF COVID SO WE PUT THOSE RESOURCES TOWARDS THE HOSPITAL TO KEEP IT AS INTENDED.
WE DO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES ON THE CAMPUS, WE BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE CONTINGENCIES THAT WE WILL NOT NEED TO USE FOR THE HOSPITAL THAT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO BRING BACK TO THE CAMPUS, SO WE BELIEVE SOME OF THAT ORIGINAL 400 MILLION THAT WAS PLANNED FOR THE LEGACY HOSPITAL WILL BE BRINGING BACK A PORTION OF THAT BACK TO THE LEGACY HOSPITAL DUE TO GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM. AND THEN WE'LL BE LOOKING AT FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES AS WE GO FORWARD WITH REPURPOSING THE LEGACY FACILITY OVER TIME. IT WILL NOT CONSTRICT OR CHANGE ANY SERVICES THAT WERE INTENDED TO BE PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY
BY THOSE PROJECTS. >> BY THE WAY, THIS AFTERNOON OR TODAY, GOVERNOR ABBOTT ANNOUNCED NEARLY 12 BILLION OF MEDICATED D FUNDING BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS COMING OUR WAY, COMING TO TEXAS, SO THAT SHOULD BE GOOD NEWS.
>> I HAVE SAY WHAT WE BENEFIT FROM THAT, WE STILL ANTICIPATE SOME HEADWINDS AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN '28 AND '29 --
>> I WAS TRYING TO BE OPTIMISTIC.
YOU DON'T NEED TO THROW WATER ON MY LITTLE OPTIMISM HERE.
>> OKAY, I WILL ACCEPT IT. THANK YOU.
>> THAT'S SOME GOOD NEWS. JUST TO BUILD ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT JUST SO WE'RE BEING CRYSTAL CLEAR WITH THE COMMUNITY, COULD YOU MORE CLEARLY STATE WHAT THE CHANGE IN
SCOPE EXACTLY WAS? >> WELL, AT THE TIME, WE HAD -- WE WERE GOING TO NEED TO REPURPOSE THE LEGACY LBJ HOSPITAL AND FIX THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THEN LOOK AT ADDITIONAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES WE MIGHT PROVIDE ON THAT CAMPUS. THEY WERE NOT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED AT THE TIME. IT WAS A BUDGET OF MONEY -- OR OR AN ESTIMATE OF MONIES RELATED TO THE ABILITY TO REPURPOSE THE FACILITY, SO BY PUTTING THOSE FUNDS OVER DUE TO COST ESCALATION, WE DIDN'T ACTUALLY CHANGE THE SCOPE OF THE HOSPITAL, IT WAS REALLY THE COST ESCALATIONS THAT REALLY INCREASED WHAT THAT HOSPITAL WAS GOING TO NEED.
WE JUST PUT A PAUSE ON THE PLANNING OF HOW TO REPURPOSE THE LEGACY HOSPITAL. WE HAVE BEGUN BRINGING THAT BACK ON. IN THE SECOND QUARTER REPORT, I TALKED ABOUT A CANCER FACILITY THAT WE'LL BE BUILDING ON THE CAMPUS, THAT IS ONE OF THE NEW PROJECTS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BRING BACK ONTO THE CAMPUS OF LBJ BECAUSE OF MANAGING THE PROJECTS AND CREATING FUNDING AVAILABLE, WE ANTICIPATE WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT FURTHER AS WE GET CLOSER TO OQUIN OPENING AND BEING ABLE TO CONVERT SOME OF THE CONTINGENCY FUNDS AND REDIRECT THOSE BACK TO THE CAMPUS.
>> THANK YOU, MR. SMITH. >> I WILL NOTE THAT ALL OF THAT MOVEMENT, JUST TO BE CLEAR, MY DISCUSSIONS AROUND THE LBJ CAMPUS, RIGHT, WE DID NOT ALLOW THAT TO IMPINGE ON THE [INDISCERNIBLE] OR THE AMBULATORY DIVISION FUNDS THAT WERE REPRESENTED AND THE USE OF BOND AS WELL AS NON- BOND RESOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE SERVICES AND THOSE PROJECTS ARE BEGINNING TO START GETTING INTO PRODUCTION RELATED TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, THE GREATER [INDISCERNIBLE] CLINIC BEING ONE OF THOSE AS WELL SO WE HAVE KEPT THOSE FUNDING SOURCES INTACT RELATED TO THOSE AREAS OF HARRIS AND EXPECT THOSE TO
CONTINUE AS PLANNED. >> I'M ENERGIZED BY THE PROGRESS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY.
>> WE APPRECIATE THE COURT'S SUPPORT FOR -- ESPECIALLY YOUR ACTION EARLIER TODAY ON THE TAX RATE IN THE BUDGET AND THE ONGOING CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE, Y'ALL HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE
[08:00:01]
AND WE APPRECIATE THAT GREATLY. >> THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE THE REPORT. I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION, AND NOT TO -- NOT ABOUT BEING POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, I DO THINK IT'S GOOD NEWS COMPARED TO NOT HAVING THOSE FUNDS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. BUT I KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ASK US THE QUESTION, SO WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE IMPACT AND WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED, NOW THAT THOSE FUNDS ARE COMING TO TEXAS?
>> IN TERMS OF HOW HARRIS HEALTH MAY BE -- TO THE DEGREE WE BENEFIT FROM THAT, WHICH WE'VE STILL GOT TO DETERMINE THAT, IT REALLY ALLOWS US TO FURTHER KEEP ON TRACK WITH THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN ADDITION UNITED STATES NOW, BOTH ON WE HAVE IN ADDITIONNATED USING SOME OF OUR INTERNAL FUNDS RELATED TO STAYING ON TRACK. THE TOTAL PROGRAM EXCEEDS OVER $3.8 BILLION IN TOTALITY, SO THERE IS A LOT OF NEED TO ADDRESS A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES.
SO THERE'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE THAT AND WE DO -- WE ARE IN A VERY SATURATED CAPACITY LEVEL, SO I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME DIFFERENT COMMUNITY TALK AROUND PROJECTIONS OF VOLUME AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE A VERY IN DEMAND COMMUNITY AND WE EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE, AND WHILE WE NEED WE NEED TO KEEP OK AND CREATE THAT ACCESS FOR THE
COMMUNITY. >> DO YOU KNOW YET HOW MUCH IS
COMING TO HARRIS COUNTY? >> I DO NOT AT THIS POINT.
>> IF SOMEBODY ASKS YOU WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE IMPACT OF THIS NEWS ON HARRIS HEALTH AND IMAGE AND HEALTH CARE, WHAT'S YOUR
QUICK ANSWER? >> I WOULD SAY THAT WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE STATE RELATED TO THAT SPECIFICITY AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY UPDATES AT THIS POINT.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.
BUT, YES, IT'S GREAT NEWS. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND TO YOUR COLLEAGUES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO 547. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR HARGUS AND COUNTIER ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE US A QUICK UPDATE ON WHAT YOU'RE PRESENTING AND THEN I HAVE A
WHAT WE'RE PRESENTING THROUGH OUR GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIP TEAM IS TO -- FOR THEM TO CONTINUE A FEASIBILITY REVIEW TO ESTABLISH POTENTIALLY COLLABORATING WITH A 501C3 TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO BETTER ATTRACT PRIVATE DOLLARS FOR COUNTIES WIDE.
THIS WOULD BE DESIGNED AND WOULD CONSIDER ALL OF THE PRECINCT EXISTING 501C3S, OF COURSE OUR LIBRARY, PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND IT WOULD BE A REPORT BACK TO Y'ALL IN MARCH, NOT TO ACTUALLY AUTHORIZE IT DERBY WASN'T ACTUALLY GOING TO PRESENT IT UNLESS YOU WANTED ME TO. WE COULD GO TO MAYBE SLIDE 3.
AND THEN REPORT BACK IN MARCH, IT WOULD HAVE A MORE DETAILS THAT WE COULD REVIEW AND THEN YOU THOUGHT OF THAT REPORT, THAT WOULD BE REQUESTED POTENTIALLY TO TAKE STEPS TO AUTHORIZE -- ACT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMING BACK IN MARCH.
>> PERFECT. WELL, I FLAGGED HAD -- I HAVE A MOTION, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS IS THAT I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS, NOT ONLY AS A FORMER TAX ATTORNEY WHO USED TO DO NON- PROFIT TAX WORK BUT AS A FORMER GENERAL COUNSEL WHO WORKED AT A FOUNDATION FOR YEARS. YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT NEWARK WAS ABLE TO DO WITH PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS AND THERE ARE SO MANY CASE STUDIES AND THE EIGHT YEARS I SPENT IN PHILANTHROPY, WE GAVE A BILLION DOLLARS ON THESE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS SO THERE'S NOWHERE TO GO BUT-UPS IN TERMS OF THE PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT THAT WE CAN GET FROM HARRIS COUNTY AND OBVIOUSLY THERE'S PROS AND CONS WITH THE DIFFERENT VEHICLE STRUCTURES, AND I'M VERY THANKFUL -- I KNOW WE ALL HAVE 5013C ARMS TO THE PRECINCTS AND IT'S BEEN EXCELLENT -- WE'VE HIT OVER 60 MILLION IN GRANTS AND WE'RE JUST ROLLING, AND IT REALLY TO THIS POINT ABOUT THE BUDGET, IT REALLY HELPS LEVERAGE PUBLIC-PRIVATE DOLLARS TO DO MORE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
SO I'M THRILLED THAT YOU'RE REALLY QUARTERBACKING THIS AND TAKING US TO THE NEXT LEVEL. DIRECTOR CARTER.
SO I CAN READ THE MOTION THAT OCA -- MOVE THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTS THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO CONTINUE EVALUATING THE FEASIBILITY STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND POTENTIAL USES AND VALUE OF OPTIONS TO COLLABORATE WITH A 501(C)(3) NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A
[08:05:05]
WORK GROUP THAT INCLUDES A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH COURT OFFICE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, OMB AND OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE ANUPDATE BY THE MARCH 2027 COURT. >> SECOND.
>> OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. MOTION CARRIES 3-0.
I ALSO APPRECIATE -- BEFORE I EVEN TOOK OFFICE, WE GOT A MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DURING THE TRANSITION.
AND SINCE THEN -- HOW DO WE GET MORE PHILANTHROPIC DOLLARS, SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. JUDGE?
>> YES, AM I GOING TO DO -- >> YES, FOR ELLIS, YEAH AND OF COURSE IF WE HEARING ANYTHING FROM GARCIA, WE'LL ADD HIS.
ALL RIGHT, SO THAT WAS 547. NOW WE HAVE 559, COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? >> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.
>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOUR?
>> MOTION CARRIES 4-1. LET'S MOVE ON TO 564 --
>> WAS 3-1 SINCE CIGARS IS GARCS ABSENT?
>> THANK YOU. 564 -- I DON'T LIKE TO DO MATH IN PUBLIC, THAT'S ALL. 564, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
ONE, TO, THREE, FOUR TO ZERO. 565, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, HAVE THE SECOND.
>> OKAY, SO 3-1. AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT.
WHAT AM I MISSING? >> JUDGE, WE HAVE ONE -- I
THINK, NICK, DO YOU WANT TO -- >> YES, JUDGE, I THINK I'M AWARE OF A NEED TO CORRECT AN ITEM THAT WAS APPROVED ON CONSENT THIS MORNING SO WE'RE GOING TO DO A MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND
THEN DO THE CORRECTION. >> WHICH ITEM?
>> 255. WE HAVE POTENTIAL LANGUAGE FOR THE MOTION IF YOU WOULD LIKE FOR US TO READ IT OUT.
>> IT WILL BE MOTION TO CONSIDER ITEM 255 AND MAKE A CORRECTION TO THE ANXIOUS TO REPLACE HOUSTON CIVIC EVENTS INC WITH GREATER HOUSTON LGBTQ2+ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION TO MATCH THE AGREEMENT LANGUAGE THAT WAS APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS MORNING, THEN TO REAPPROVE THE ITEM AS AMENDED.
>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I'LL SECOND IT. ALL IN FAVOUR?
>> NO. >> DOES ELLIS COUNT ON THIS? YES? OKAY, SO --
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS YES. >> SORRY, HE WOULD BE COUNTED AS
YES ON THIS. >> SO WE HAVE 3 YESS AND 1 NO.
DO WE NEED TO VOTE AGAIN OR IS THAT --
>> WE INCLUDED THAT -- THE SECOND VOTE KIND OF IN THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO MAKE IT EASIER ON Y'ALL.
>> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT BUT DIDN'T HURT TO ASK.
>> THANKS, JUDGE. >> ANYTHING ELSE? CLERK, ATTORNEY, COLLEAGUES? ALL RIGHT, OKAY, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >> FOR THE WORK ON THE BUDGET.
IT IS 7:16 AND
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.