[Dr. Terrance Grant-Malone of the Historic St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 1.]
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GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
JUDGE HIDALGO IS NOT HERE YET. WE HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS I THINK JOINING US VIRTUALLY. THERE HE IS.
AND WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
IT IS NOW 9:09. WE'LL GET STARTED WITH FIRST THE PRAYER AND PLEDGE AND I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAVE A GUEST THAT IS JOINING US TODAY FOR THE PRAYER?
>> I DO COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER BRIONES WAS HAPPY
TO DO THE INTRODUCTION. >> FIRST OF ALL, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. DR. GRANT-MALONE, WE ARE THRILLED YOU'RE HERE ON MANY LEVELS AND TO SPEND YOUR BIRTHDAY WITH US IS IS EXTRA SPECIAL SO WE WELCOME YOU AND HISSER ELLIS WELCOMES YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING SUCH A DISTINGUISHED NOT ONLY LOCAL BUT NATIONAL LEADER.
SO DR. GRANT-MALONE IS A LONG-TIME PASTOR.
HE FOUND HIS CALLING TO MINISTRY AT THE AGE OF 15.
AND SINCE THEN, HE HAS SERVED IN VARIOUS MINISTERIAL AND LEADERSHIP CAPACITIES. HE IS THE LONG-TIME PASTOR, THE HISTORIC SAINT JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH WHERE HE HAS SERVED SINCE MAY OF 2005. HE HAS BEEN A LEADER AND CONTINUES TO BE IN SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND I'LL NAME A FEW OF THEM. SO VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BAPTIST YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S CONVENTION.
NOT RADAR OF THE FELLOWSHIP UNITED DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS. HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF ALPHA 52-WEEK HIGH ALPHA. HE IS A FHI ALPHA. HE HAS ADVISED PRESIDENT BIDEN, SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON, THE LATE CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON-LEE. I COULD GO ON AND ON.
HE HAS A BACHELOR IN ENGLISH FROM [INDISCERNIBLE] A MASTER OF ARTS AND DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND HE'S A LEADER AMONGST LEADERS AND HAS NUMEROUS ACCOLADES AND WHAT I RESPECT MOST IS HIS LEADERSHIP IN PUTTING HIS FAITH INTO ACTION AND TO MEANINGFUL ACTION LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY SO WE ARE HONORED YOU ARE HERE TODAY AND WE'RE HONORED TO SHARE YOUR BIRTHDAY WITH YOU. SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR DR.
>> GOOD MORNING, THE PRIVILEGE IS MINE.
LET US PRAY... UNTO THEE OH, LORD DO WE GIVE THANKS.
WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE MANY GIFTS FROM THE BOUNTY.
WE INVOKE YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS PLACE.
WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GIVE CLEAR DIRECTION TO YOUR LEADERS, ALLOW PEACE TO ABIDE, ALLOW POSITIVITY TO EXUDE.
WE THANK YOU FOR EACH OF THEM. WE ASK THAT YOU GUARD THEIR BODIES, THEIR MINDS, THEIR HEALTH, HOLD IT IN THE HOLLOW OF YOUR HANDS AND WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD KEEP THIS COUNTY SAFE.
WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO SERVE CAN INTEGRITY, CONSISTENCY AND LOYALTY TO YOUR PEOPLE. NOW BLESS THEM AND BLESS US, WE PRAY. AND KEEP US BOUND TOGETHER FOREVER IN UNITY, LOVE AND PEACE.
FOR THESE THINGS WE GIVE YOU THANKS IN ADVANCE BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU'RE ABLE TO DO THEM ALL. AND SO BLESS US, WE PRAY, IN
YOUR NAME WE GIVE THANKS, AMEN. >> AMEN.
>> THANK YOU, PASTOR. YESTERDAY WAS VETERANS DAY, AND I AM LOOKING TO SEE -- JASON, YEAH -- SORRY TO WAKE YOU UP, MAN. BUT LISTEN, JASON IS A MEMBER OF THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE.
WOULD YOU DO US THE HONOR AND LEAD US IN THE RECOMMENDATION OF ALLEGIANCE. YOU PUT ME ON SPOT.
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.
>> ANY VETERANS IN THE AUDIENCE IN PLEASE STAND UP, PLEASE STAND UP. ALL VETERANS.
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IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE IN YESTERDAY'S PARADE AND AS I WAS TELLING THE PRIDE, EVERY DAY IS VETERANS DAY AND WE SHOULD HONOR YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 1 of 5)]
SERVICE AND ADVANTAGE SACRIFICE. WITH THAT WE HAVE THE CLERK WHO HAS REQUESTED TO TAKE ITEMS 323 AND 357 OUT OF ORDER.IS THAT CORRECT? >> 323 AND 324, YES.
GOOD MORNING. >> OKAY, PLEASE, YEAH.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBERS.
I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL TO DELIVER TO YOU THE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026 GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION CANVAS.
THIS IS A TRADITIONAL ITEM THAT WE TAKE UP.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOLIDIFIED THE ELECTION HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT THE STATE IS ABLE TO DO THEIR PART. SO THIS WILL ONLY TAKE A VOTE FROM YOUR BODY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND OFFICIALLY CLOSE OUT THE NOVEMBER 3RD ELECTION.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
LET ME JUST SAY IT'S NOT COINCIDENCE I'M WEARING BLUE BUT THIS IS A NON- PARTISAN MOMENT. I HOPE -- EXPECT AND HOPE THAT EVERYBODY WILL VOTE TO APPROVE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.
I THINK WE'RE WELL PAST THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL THAT ELECTIONS ARE COMMONLY STOLEN IN OUR COUNTRY, SO WE SHALL SEE.
BUT LET ME JUST SAY TO THE MEMBERS HERE AND THE PUBLIC AND PRESENT COLLEAGUES, WHAT AN INSPIRING ELECTION.
WHAT AN INSPIRING ELECTION. FOR MY PART I WAS A BIT CYNICAL.
I WAS DISAPPOINTED. AROUND THE COUNTRY, THERE HAVE BEEN EGREGIOUS ATTACKS ON MIGRANTS, EGREGIOUS AND INHUMAN DEPORTATION OF VETERANS. I WAS READING OF A PURPLE HEART VETERAN THAT WAS DEPORTED AFTER SERVING.
THE RECENT CASE OF MY I CAN'T FARROW, WE CAN SEE THE FOOTAGE OF THE I.C.E. AGENT RUNNING HIM OVER.
SO HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RUNNING FROM I.C.E., HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN RUNNING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WENT AROUND IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, I.C.E. WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO RUN OVER A CURB TO RUN OVER THE MAN BUT THAT SEEMED TO BE OKAY.
THEN YOU LOOK AT THIS COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, LOSING SERVICES FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CARE, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LOSING SERVICES ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE, SOME PROGRAMS. BECAUSE OF BI-PARTISAN GROUP OF THIS COURTROOM DECIDED NOT TO EVEN ALLOW THE VOTERS, NOT TO EVEN PUT IT ON THE BALLOT TO ASK THE VOTERS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS CONTINUED.
SO I THOUGHT I WAS CYNICAL, I THOUGHT NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE IMMIGRANTS BECAUSE THEY DON'T VOTE.
NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY DON'T VOTE, THESE FOREIGN WARS, IT'S ABOUT DEMOCRACY, BUT OF COURSE THE UKRAINIANS AREN'T HERE VOTING. MY SURPRISE WITH THE ELECTION AND MY PRIDE IS THAT THE ELECTORATE, DEMOCRACY IS AN AWESOME THING TO BEHOLD WHEN IT WORKS, WHEN THE VOTERS COME OUT AND SAY, COMPASSION IS IMPORTANT, EVEN IF THE CHILDREN DON'T ENDORSE AND EVEN IF THE MIGRANTS DON'T VOTE, COMPASSION IS IMPORTANT. AND SO I THINK I AM SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYBODY WHO CAME OUT AND PARTICIPATED THE NEXT DAY, WHEN I WAS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, VOTERS ARE SAYING, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE RESULTS, I SAID MAN, I'M JUST GLAD I'M NOT GETTING THOSE TEXT MESSAGES ANYMORE.
VOTERS CAME OUT EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE BUSY, EVEN THOUGH COSTS ARE HIGH AND THEY SAID NO TO CORRUPTION, THEY SAID NO TO CYNICISM, AND THEY SAID NO TO DECISIONS LIKE DEFUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND AND YOU BETTER BE N WATCH BECAUSE DESTROYING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS FOR NO LOGICAL REASON IS JUST AS BAD.
SO PEOPLE SAW THAT, LUCKY YOU, YOU DIDN'T HAVE A PRIMARY OPPONENT BECAUSE YOU HAD SO MUCH PAY TO PLAY MONEY THAT YOU HAD AN UNLIMITED WAR CHEST IN THE PRIMARY AND NO OPPONENT FOR SOME OF YOU. SO LET ME JUST -- LET ME JUST -- AS I CANVAS I HAVE TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT DEMOCRACY. AND SO I KNOW THIS DOESN'T COME FROM YOU, IT COMES FROM ME. WHAT MOTION DO WE NEED TO MAKE TO APPROVE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION? RIGHT BEFORE WE MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ELECTION, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBER HERE FOR FUNDING ELECTIONS, FOR MAKING SURE WE HAVE FACILITIES FOR POLLING LOCATIONS AND FOR ASSISTING TO MAKE SURE WE HAD ENOUGH ELECTION WORKERS IN THE FIELD FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. THIS IS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS. THIS COUNTY CAME TOGETHER TO CONTINUE TO SHOW BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE WON 9 BACK-TO-BACK TO BACK ELECTIONS. AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. SO THANK YOU.
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I NEED ONE MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 3RD ELECTION AND THE BODY WILL VOTE AND WE HAVE ONE MORE ITEM.>> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 3RD ELECTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
ELLIS. DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING -- CLERK.
>> SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND EMPLET WOULD ALLOWED.
WE'RE ALLOWED TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> WE HAVE A SIGN-UP, WHEN PEOPLE MAKE OUTBURSTS IN THE
AUDIENCE -- >> IT'S A YES OR NO QUESTION.
ARE WE ALLOWED TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS? GO AHEAD, MA'AM, MAKE -- YOUR NAME AND MAKE YOUR REMARKS PLEASE, AT THE MICROPHONE. BECAUSE I -- AUDIENCE, IT WON'T BE RECORDED IN THE PROCEEDINGS.
SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT, FOR IT TO BE PUBLIC I NEED YOU TO COME UP HERE AND MAKE THE STATEMENT FOR THE MICROPHONE. OTHERWISE, LEGALLY, IT'S NOT FAIR, BECAUSE PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE ROOM WILL NOT HEAR -- THEY WILL ONLY HEAR YOUR COMMENTS IF YOU'RE AT THE MICROPHONE.
>> YOU'RE ASKING FOR YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
WHEN YOUR ELECTIONING VOTING MACHINE VOTES OPPOSITE OF WHAT I WANT, THAT IS NOT A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION.
IT IS A CORRUPTED ELECTION. AND YOU KNOW THAT, BECAUSE YOU ALLOW 86,500,000 VOTESONED VOTER ROLL THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE.
I'M HERE BECAUSE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAYS HE'S NOT GOING TO GET HIS MONEY. REMEMBER, YOU HAD $4.5 BILLION SURPLUS AND YOU ARE MISSPENDING IT.
AND THEN YOU ASK US TAXPAYERS TO PAY AN EXTRA -- WHAT -- 4 POINT SOMETHING PERCENT TAX INCREASE. AND YOU MISSPENT THE MONEY AND YOU WANT MORE. AND NOW YOU CAN TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN HERE, RODNEY, HOW DARE YOU. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE MONEY FROM SOMEBODY ELSE, YOU CAN'T EVEN SPEND IT PROPERLY IN YOUR DISTRICT. STAY IN YOUR STRICT, EACH ONE DE
OF YOU. >> MA'AM -- JUDGE, CAN THE PERSON STATE THEIR NAME FOR THE RECORD SO WE CAN HAVE HER SIGN
UP AS A SPEAKER? >> MA'AM -- MA'AM, WHAT WAS YOUR NAME? YOUR NAME, MA'AM? SHE DID SAY IT, FEW OF YOU GUYS. SHE SAID IT, JAY.
THANK YOU, YOU'RE GOOD. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?
YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU.
CLERK? I JUST WANT TO RECIPROCATE.
AUTOMATIC OF US WERE OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, SHAKING THE FINAL HANDS AND KISSING THE FINAL BABIES PRIOR TO THE POLLS CLOSING. BUT YOU AND YOUR TEAM WERE WORKING. AND I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
>> -- THE WORK YOU'VE DONE. AND I WILL SAY THAT YOU CONTINUE FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE LOOKING AT HARRIS COUNTY ALL THE CONFIDENCE THAT ELECTIONS ARE BEING RUN BY THE LAW RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP.
I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AS
AND I HOPE MY TEAM IS LISTENING BECAUSE -- BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> LIKEWISE I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS AND YOUR TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE YOUR NAME ON SPEED DIAL.
>> YES. >> AND THERE WERE ANY NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT COME UP DURING THE ELECTION, YOU ALWAYS ANSWER
>> YOU ALWAYS ADDRESS THE ISSUE. YOU DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB --
>> THANK YOU. >> -- IN RUNNING ELECTIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT.
AND I HOPE WE CAN GET THAT VOTE NOW.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
THIS IS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER 3RD ELECTION. ALL IN FAVOUR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, CLERK.
AND THANK YOU TO THE VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND TEXAS THAT INSPIRED THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
IS 324, NOTE YOU ALL MAY NOT BE AWARE BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE A RUN-OFF ELECTION. THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT HAS TWO POSITIONS THAT DID NOT HAVE 50% PLUS ONE OF THE
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VOTE AND WE NEED YOUR VOTE TO APPROVE THE PRESIDING JUDGE FROM KENNETH AXON TO BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THIS ELECTION AND THAT ISTHE FINAL VOTE I'LL NEEDED TO. >> MOTION AND SECOND.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. OKAY, SO NOW WE ARE WELCOMING
[Appearances before court]
STUDENTS FROM SPRING ISD WHO ARE HERE TO SEE LOCAL IN ACTION.SO COLLEAGUES, WHOSE GUEST ARE THE STUDENTS?
BRIONES, I'M GUESSING? >> ALL RIGHT, RAMSEY AND ELLIS.
ALL RIGHT, WELL WELCOME, WELCOM. MY NOTES SIMPLY SAYS WELCOME STUDENTS FROM SPRING ISD TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ACTION.
SO THIS IS WHY THAT'S ALWAYS SAID BUT PLEASE --
>> WELL, I'LL WAIT UNTIL THE PUBLIC COMMENTS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT I CAME TO TALK ABOUT. BUT THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING LEADERS OF OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY, AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER RONNIE ELLIS, BECAUSE YOU BOTH REPRESENT SPRING ISD, AND THAT IS ALL.
HERE IS OUR STUDENTS BACK HERE AND OUR CHAPERONES.
>> STAND UP, EVERYONE. >> OUR FUTURE LEADERS.
>> ALL RIGHT. AND THESE STUDENTS, MA'AM, WHAT
>> THESE ARE SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL. CONGRATULATIONS.
I SEE SOME LETTERMAN JACKETS. AND SO VERY PROUD OF YOU ALL.
WERE ANY OF YOU OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION? ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, WAY TO GO. WAY TO GO.
WAY TO GO, YOUNG MAN. WAY TO GO.
YOU KNOW, YOU AS OUR 17 OR 18 -- 26 I RAN FOR OFFICE AND AT 27 I WAS ELECTED TO LEAD THE COUNTY. THE SIZE OF LOUISIANA IN POPULATION, 20,000 EMPLOYEES. DON'T SELL YOURSELF SHORT.
DON'T BE SKETCHY. THE WAY YOU SEE ON T.V. TO DO THE POLITICS, WELL YOU KNOW, LIKE WINK-WINK-NOD-NOD, LET ME PRETEND I'M ON SOME SORT OF GANGSTER MOVIE RIGHT NOW.
SOME FOLKS TRY TO DO IT THAT WAY.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO, OKAY? REMEMBER THAT.
REMEMBER THAT. ALL RIGHT, NEXT -- MOVING ON TO THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS? VERONICA? SO WE'LL DO SOME HOUSEKEEPING HERE.
WE HAVE THE SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA PROCESS, THEN, PRECINCT 4, 346 WHICH IS AN UPDATE ON EMPLOYEES BENEFITS, OUT OF ORDER AND THEN AFTER THE LUNCH RECESS, WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO ADDRESS ANY ITEMS REQUIRING DISCUSSION.
I KNOW WE MIGHT HAVE SOME JUSTICES OF THE PEACE JOINING US FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, SO I'M STILL WAITING TO SEE, COLLEAGUES, WHAT TIME THEY'RE AVAILABLE, WHAT TIME WE'RE AVAILABLE SO WE CAN SCHEDULE ACCORDINGLY.
>> I SEE THE JUDGE, THANK YOU. FROM OUR JP COURT.
OUT OF RESPECT FOR THEIR TIME IF WE COULD PLEASE DO EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE LUNCH, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR YOUR DOCKET, JUDGE, IS THAT CORRECT?
OKAY, THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, ARE YOU HERE FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM -- I'M SORRY, MY ETERNAL PROBLEM WITH THE GLASSES. SO YOU'RE HERE ON THE -- ON THE CYBERSECURITY ITEM. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S MULTIPLE COLLEAGUES THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT SO I'M GOING TO HAVE MY STAFF VISIT WITH YOU JUST NOW AND YOUR COLLEAGUES AND FIND TIME WHEN EVERYBODY CAN MAKE IT.
WE HAVE BEN HERE FROM OUR I-T -- >> I KNOW IT'S YOU AND ALSO I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ANOTHER JP SO THERE'S AT
>> HOW ABOUT WE COORDINATE OFFLINE BUT I'M GOING TO HAVE THEM PIN YOU THIS MOMENT SO WE'RE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR TIME.
OKAY, LET'S GET GOING WITH THE SPEAKERS.
TIFFANY? >> JENNIFER BLACK ON ITEM 143.
ROBERTO COST AS ITEM 143. JACOB [INDISCERNIBLE] ITEMS 246, 249 AND 251. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M JENNIFER BLACK.
I'M THE ATTORNEY FOR FIVE STAR. AND WE ARE HERE ON 143, WHICH IS A MOTION BY THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF TO SHUT DOWN THE FIVE STAR FACILITY, WHICH WOULD PUT
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ABOUT 40 PEOPLE OUT OF BUSINESS. BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, FIVE STAR HAS OPERATED SINCE 2015, WHEN IT OBTAINED ITS FIRST PERMIT FROM THE TCQ. TCQ AND HARRIS COUNTY HAVE INSPECTED THE FACILITY MANY TIMES, WITHOUT NOTING ANY ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS. THE VIOLATIONS HAVE MOSTLY RELATED TO ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES LIKE FAILING TO FILE REPORTS.LITIGATION IS ONGOING AS A RESULT OF THOSE VIOLATIONS AND WE'RE NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT LITIGATION.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT LITIGATION SHOULD PROCEED.
HOWEVER, HARRIS COUNTY NOW WANTS INJUNCTIVE RELIEF TO SHUT DOWN THE FACILITY. (BEEP).
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THE POINT IS THAT WE DON'T THINK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IS
APPROPRIATE -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
MA'AM, IF I LET YOU CONTINUE, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO LET EVERYBODY ELSE CONTINUE, SO I'LL HAVE MY TEAM SIT WITH YOU RIGHT
NOW. >> THAT WOULD BE TERRIFIC.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
YEAH, JUST TO I GUESS CONTINUE ON THE TOPIC, WHAT SHE WAS SAYING, YEAH, WE JUST -- WHAT WE'RE SEEKING IS MORE TIME BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE THE PERMITTING PROCESS, AND WE HAD DONE OUR PREVIOUS PERMIT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT IT JUST KEPT GETTING DELAYED AND DELAYED BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME ISSUES WITH TCQ, THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT'S IN CHARGE OF THAT.
SO WE APPLIED FOR A SECOND PERMIT AND WE GOT IT EXPEDITED SO THAT ONE SHOULD BE APPROVED IN ABOUT -- A FEW MONTHS, MAYBE TWO OR THREE MONTHS SO WE'RE JUST SEEKING MORE TIME BEFORE HARRIS COUNTY WANTS TO SAY IF THEY WANT TO SHUT US DOWN.
SO YEAH, WE BELIEVE -- WE'RE MORE CONFIDENT IN A FEW MONTHS WE'LL HAVE OUR PERMIT TO OPERATE ONE OF THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE.
SO THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE -- WE JUST NEED MORE TIME, BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO SHUT US DOWN. AND THAT'S IT.
SIR, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> ROBERTO COST AS. >> THANK YOU.
>> HI, GUYS. AND THIS IS FOR COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1 RONNIE ELLIS, WHEN HE'S REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SPONSOR THE GOSPEL MUSIC CULTURAL ARTS CENTER AND THAT'S GOOD, BECAUSE I'VE GOT TWO GOSPEL SONGS THAT I THINK ARE GOOD IS... āŖ WHEN YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD āŖ ALL RIGHT ".
āŖ LET ME PEOPLE GO, GO DOWN TO MOSES āŖ [INDISCERNIBLE] NOW TO COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4, LESLIE BRIONES NUMBER 249, THE [INDISCERNIBLE] CLUB.
THAT'S GOOD, BECAUSE THEIR READING IS AT A CHILDREN'S LEVEL. THAT COMES FROM THE ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL PERSON AND -- (BEEP) (BEEP).
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS JOSETTE DOWIDOW ON ITEM 231.
JOSE RODRIGUEZ, ITEM 235. JACK BARZU, ITEM 272.
KIMBERLY SONNIER ITEM 272, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. EYE NAME IS JOSETTE DOWDOW AREA ORGANIZER DIRECTOR FOR ASK ME HARRIS COUNTY AND A SUPPORTER OF HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS. ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS, WE WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE OUR GRATITUDE WITH THE COUNTY OFFICES THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CONSULTATION POLICY. SINCE OCTOBER 2025, HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS TOOK COURAGEOUS STEPS TO CONNECT WITH OTHER WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTY TO GET ORGANIZED.
THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY JOURNEY.
ASK ME IS HONORED THAT THE WORKERS IN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE ALLOWED US TO ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR ORGANIZING EFFORTS.
THIS IS NOT A MOMENT THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED OR AN OUTCOME THAT WE BELIEVE HAS BEEN HANDED TO US.
EVEN AFTER VERIFYING THE 5% OF WORKERS WHO WANT TO BE REPRESENTED BY ASK ME WITH -- FOR A CONSULTATION AGENT, WE HAVE STILL FACED MANY DIFFICULTIES REACHING WORKERS AT
THE WORK SITE (BEEP). >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO
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AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JOSE RODRIGUEZ.I'M THE DIRECTOR OF LOCAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE COALITION FOR THE HOMENESS OR C FTH. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 235 AND WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND HER TEAM FOR BRINGING THIS AGREEMENT FORWARD. THE HMIS IS MORE THAN JUST A DATABASE. IT'S A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CONNECTS THE WAY HOME OR OUR REGIONAL HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM. IT HELPS PARTNERS COORDINATE SERVICES, REDUCE DUPLICATION AND ENSURE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS DO NOT HAVE TO NAVIGATE MULTIPLE SYSTEMS ON THEIR OWN. BY CONNECTING HARRIS COUNTY COUNT TO HMIS WE WILL WE WILL CT SERVICES AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY. WE APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER BRIONES' LEADERSHIP AND HARRIS COUNTY'S CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WAY HOME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE]. I'M A PROUD NAVY VETERAN AND GRADUATE OF EMPOWERS ADVANTAGE APPRENTICE PROGRAM.
AND SOMEONE WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF JOINING EMPOWER AS AN APPRENTICE IN MAY OF 2025, AN EXPERIENCE THAT ALLOWED ME TO GROW PROFESSIONALLY, DEVELOP MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE IMPACT EMPOWER HAS ON THE STUDENTS SEEKING LIFE CHANGING CAREERS IN TECHNOLOGY.
IN OCTOBER 2026, I WAS HONORED TO BE HIRED AS A RECRUITMENT [INDISCERNIBLE] MANAGER WITH EMPOWER, SOMEONE WHO ONCE SAID IN THE SAME SEAT AS OUR APPLICANTS, I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE TRES EMPOWER PLACED IN ME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OTHERS BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY TOWARDS SUCCESS.
TODAY I'M GRATEFUL NOT ONLY TO MY CAREER GROWTH BUT ALSO FOR THE CHANGE TO GIVE BACK TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT INVESTED IN ME. EMPOWER CHANGED MY LIFE AND I AM PROUD TO HELP OPEN DOORS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT.
GO AHEAD. >> HI, GOOD MORNING.
KIMBERLY SONNIER-LEWIS WITH EMPOWER.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF EMPOWER ADVANTAGE APPRENTICE PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS COUNTY. THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. OVER THE FIRST THREE YEARS, EMPOWER EXCEEDED ITS ENROLLMENT TARGET BY 180%, ENROLLING 193 PARTICIPANTS IN YEAR 3 ALONE AND SERVING 454 PARTICIPANTS OVERALL. MORE THAN 96% OF THE ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS COMPLETED OUR TECH FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING, FAR SURPASSING THE GOAL OF 70%. MORE THAN 90% EARNED INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATIONS, EXCEEDING OUR 80% TARGET.
AVERAGE HOURLY WAGES MORE THAN DOUBLED, INCREASING FROM 11.49 TO $23.52 PER HOUR. JUST AS IMPORTANT PARTICIPANTS TELL US THE PROGRAM IS WORKING. WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN OUR PROGRAM AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
CONGRATULATIONS. >> SENEA BROWN ON ITEM 272.
ALPHA SITERRAN ITEM 272, BARBARA BENSON ITEM 341.
[INDISCERNIBLE] ITEM 341. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.
MY NAME IS S SEANAE BROWN. I'M A GRADUATE OF EMPOWER.
WITH OVER 24 YEARS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE, I RECOGNIZE THAT TECHNOLOGY IS OUR FUTURE AND WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR IT.
THROUGH EMPOWER, I EARNED CERTIFICATION [INDISCERNIBLE] GOOGLE I-T SUPPORT, GOOGLE PROJECT MANAGER, AI AND I'M CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN OUR NEWEST PROGRAM, ADVANCED AI PROMPT ENGINEER PROGRAM. TODAY I SERVE AS THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT EMPOWER WHERE I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF NOW SERVING THE VERY COMMUNITY I'M A PART OF.
CONNECTING EMPLOYEES WITH TALENT AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MY OTHER FELLOW ALUMNI. THAT'S THE POWER OF APPRENTICESHIP, THE APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE POWER.
IT DOESN'T JUST PREPARE PEOPLE FOR CAREERS, IT TRANSFORMS LIVES. I ENCOURAGE HARRIS COUNTY TO CONTINUE THE INVESTMENT AND I [INDISCERNIBLE] (BEEP).
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS ALBA [INDISCERNIBLE] AND I SERVE AS THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT TEXAS GOLF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION, AFLCIO. I'M HERE TO MARK THE TRANSMITTAL OF A THIRD YEAR REPORT ON OUR APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE PROGRAM. IT WAS CONDUCTED BY AN
[00:30:01]
INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY AND THEY FOUND THAT WE EXCEEDED OUR ENROLLMENT GOAL BY A FACTOR OF 1 ASK 3.WE'VE WORKED WITH 204 EMPLOYEES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND SOME EXCITING RESULTS IS THAT WHERE THEY COULD COLLECT WAGE DATA, THEY FOUND THE WAGES INCREASED 49% FROM $17.90 TO $25 AND ALMOST 50 CENTS. WE HAD MANY PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED AND THEY WENT 100% FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, AND 92.3 OF THOSE PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED WENT TO FULL EMPLOYMENT.
THEY ALSO GET HEALTH BENEFITS AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE PROFOUND INVESTMENT SO WE CAN HAVE STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUCTION THAT ALLOWS HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS TO EARN WHILE THEY LEARN AND BUILDING TRADES, TRANSPORTATION AND
ENTERTAINMENT. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
THANK YOU. >> AND THANK YOU FOR THE
PROCLAMATION. >> BARBARA DENSON.
>> ITEM 341 IS ABOUT EQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF TRANSPORTATION FUNDING. EQUITABLE DOESN'T MEAN EVERYBODY GETS THE SAME SLICE. IT MEANS EVERYBODY GETS WHAT THE WORKLOAD REQUIRES. THUS, IF ONE PRECINCT OWNS A BICYCLE, ANOTHER OWNS A PICKUP TRUCK AND A THIRD OWNS A FLEET OF DUMP TRUCKS, GIVING EVERYONE THE SAME GAS CARD ISN'T EQUITY.
YET EVERY FEW YEARS, YOU SEEM SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THAT A PRECINCT WITH MORE ROADS, MORE INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITIES ACTUALLY COSTS MORE TO OPERATE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU ALREADY SOLVED THIS PROBLEM.
LAST YEAR, THIS COURT UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A FORMULA BASED ON ROAD MILES, ROAD CONDITIONS AND FUNDING HISTORY.
WHAT EXACTLY CHANGED BETWEEN THEN AND NOW? THE ROADS CERTAINLY DIDN'T GET SHORTER.
PRECINCT 3, MORE ROADS, MORE RESPONSIBILITY, LESS MONEY? IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT EQUITY, FOLLOW THE FORMULA.
IF NOT, AT LEAST STOP CALLING IT EQUITY.
>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT. I'M [INDISCERNIBLE] OF LEAD SPRING VOTES WHICH IS THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT VOTE [INDISCERNIBLE] SCHOOL DISTRICT. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH ONE QUESTION: WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING OUR ROADS, SHOULDN'T WE BE LOOKING AT MORE THAN JUST THE MILEAGE? WHEN COMPARING PRECINCTS 1 AND 3, BECAUSE AGAIN THEY BOTH REPRESENT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE MUST LOOK BEYOND ROAD MILEAGE. HARRIS COUNTY'S OWN 2023 DATA IDENTIFIED OVER 425,000 RESIDENTS IN PRECINCT 1, LIVING IN HIGHLY VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES COMPARED TO APPROXIMATELY 57,000 IN PRECINCT 3. AGAIN THIS WAS BACK IN 2023.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FAMILIES WHO DEPEND ON SAFE STREETS, CHILDREN WALKING TO SCHOOL AND NEIGHBORHOODS THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO BE OVERLOOKED. I'M NOT SAYING ROAD MILEAGE SHOULDN'T MATTER, I'M SAYING IT SHOULD BE -- IT SHOULDN'T BE THE ONLY DECIDING FACTOR. AS WE CONSIDER FUNDING, I ASK THAT YOU PRIORITIZE SAFETY, COMMUNITY IMPACT AND NEED.
BECAUSE FUNDING SHOULD REFLECT NEED, NOT JUST MILEAGE.
(BEEP). >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> NEXT IS -- ON ITEM 341 STEVEN GUTTIEREZ, MARTHA BURNS.
HENRY LOMBRONA. STEPHANIE MADRID.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO, JUDGE HIDALGO, COUNTER COMMISSIONERS. MY MAIM IS STEVEN GUTIEREZ.
I SERVE AS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER IN [INDISCERNIBLE] COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND RAMSEY, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE PRECINCT. I COME BEFORE YOU ASKING FOR SUPPORT OF THE BODY WHOLE AND LOOKING AT THE REDISTRIBUTION OF MOBILITY FUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT TO STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY. SPECIFICALLY OF THE [INDISCERNIBLE] THAT'S A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE CONNECTING THE NORTHEAST PORTION OF OUR DISTRICT TO TUMBLE ISD AND I'M SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT TUMBLE HIGH SCHOOL.
NOT ONLY HAVE YOU ALREADY IDENTIFIED -- AS A DANGEROUS ROAD NEEDING IMPROVEMENTS WE ALSO HAVE YOUNG DRIVERS, TEENAGED DRIVERS THAT WE AS A DISTRICT HAVE COMMITTED WITH THE COUNT TO THESE IMPROVEMENTS FOR SAFETY, ASHARING THEM, HEY, WE HAVE OUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART SO WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER.
WE'VE ALREADY MADE THESE COMMITMENTS SO JUST ASK THAT
THIS COURT -- (BEEP). >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
THANK YOU. THOSE ARE ALL THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS -- LET VOTERS DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE THEM AND THE COLLEAGUES SAID NO. BUT WHY NOT? BECAUSE VOTERS DON'T WANT TO SEE AN INCREASE IN TAXES.
FAST FORWARD THEY INCREASED TAXES UNILATERALLY.
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WHY NOT? BECAUSE THEY'RE HALF BAKED.THEY HAVEN'T BEEN EVALUATED. INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS, THROUGH OUR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. COLLEAGUES, I'M NOT LETTING THIS GO. I'M NOT -- I'M NOT GIVING UP ON EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS UNTIL VOTERS GIVE UP ON EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. TRYING TO CATCH SOMEBODY'S EYE HERE, THE FOLKS THAT WOULDN'T LET VOTERS DECIDE.
ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.
I'M MARTHA BURNS ON THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CYPRESS ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES. AND I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK, BEG IF NECESSARY THAT FUNDS ARE NOT DECREASED TO PRECINCT 3.
PRECINCT 3 HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE HELPING US SERVE THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. PRECINCT 3 HAS THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF UNINCORPORATED AREA IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THERE IS LESS RESOURCES THERE. WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE FOOD AND THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE PROVIDE TO PEOPLE IN THE AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY SO I'M ASKING FOR THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE LAST YEAR TO REMAIN INTACT.
>> I'M HERE TO SAY THAT I'M NOT IN FAVOR TO SEE ANY KIND OF MONIES RE-ALLOCATED AND TAKEN AWAY FROM PRECINCT 3.
TAKING AWAY FUNDING ALREADY ALLOCATED TAKES AWAY MONEY FROM PANTRIES LIKE MYSELF. WE ARE READY OUT IN THE SUBURBS OR OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY WE HAVE VERY LIMITED RESOURCES, AND I WANTED TO SAY ONE THING, IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE HAVE MOVED FROM SERVING OVER 300,000 FAMILIES TO -- 30,000 FAMILIES AT 300,000 FAMILIES, THIS PAST YEAR WE GAVE OUT $1.2 MILLION WORTH OF DONATIONS BUT WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE HELP OF PRECINCT 3 AND OTHERS.
WE HAVE VERY LIMITED RESOURCES OUT THERE AND I JUST THANK Y'ALL
AND I'M -- THANK YOU GUYS. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS THE OF RELOCATION OF FUNDS.
WE WOULD LIKE THE FUNDS TO SAY IN PRECINCT 3.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. IT IS A DAY-TO-DAY STRUGGLE GETTING FOOD OUT, GETTING CLOTHING, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, RENTAL ASSISTANCE. IT IS A DAY-TO-DAY BATTLE OUT THERE AND I KNOW CYPRESS MAY CARRY THIS REPUTATION THAT THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY OUT THERE BUT PEOPLE ARE REALLY LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. THE STRUGGLE IS VERY REALLY ALREADY OUT THERE SO WHY WOULD WE TAKE FUNDING OUT OF PRECINCT 3 AND MAKE THEM STRUGGLE EVEN MORE? SO I JUST WANT TO CLOSE WITH THIS.
IF THE GOVERNMENT IS BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE, WE MUST ENSURE THAT FUNDING REMAINS IN PRECINCT 3 SO WE MAY CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 341, LISA COVINGTON. AL EASTERN A SPEAR.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS LISA COVINGTON AND I SERVE ON THE TUMBLE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL. I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK TO THE COURT AGAINST ANY REALLOCATION OF FUNDS AWAY FROM PRECINCT 3.
PRECINCT 3 IS A WONDERFUL STEWARD OF FUNDS.
THEY HAVE HELPED US WITH OUR ROADS, SURROUNDING [INDISCERNIBLE] THE MAIN GATEWAY ON THE NORTH SIDE GETTING TO MAGNOLIA AND THE WOODLANDS IS CURRENTLY IMPASSIBLE EVERY MORNING AND EVERY NIGHT. IT NEEDS A COMPLETE RECONFIGURATION. IT NEEDS A LIGHT.
WE CANNOT DO THAT WITHOUT HELP. THOSE ARE COUNTY OWNED ROADS.
OUR SCHOOLS, INCLUDING TOMBAL TOMBAL IDZD CENTER, WE ISD.
THEY ARE IN GRIDLOCK. WE NEED HELP FROM PRECINCT 3 AND WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT FUNDS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER AND WELCOME.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME ISAL EASTERN IS ALISHA SPEAR. A RESULT OF YOUR APPROVAL OF A MULTITUDE OF NEW SUBDIVISIONS WITHOUT PROVIDING AN INVESTMENT
[00:40:03]
IN SCHOOLS, WATER SYSTEMS AND ROADS.CUTTING TRANSPORTATION FUNDING WOULD WORSEN CONDITIONS THAT ARE ALREADY PAINFUL FOR OUR FAMILIES.
ON FOLEY ROAD A TWO-LANE ROAD SERVING TWO AND RAPIDLY EXPANDING NEIGHBORHOODS, RESIDENTS REPORT LONG BACKUPS AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS. WHAT EVIDENCE HAS CHANGED SINCE THE UNANIMOUS VOTE IN APRIL 2025 THAT WOULD JUSTIFY REDUCING PRECINCT 3'S SHARES WHILE THE DEMANDS ON ITS ROADS ARE EVER INCREASING? ON ITEM 341 KEEP THE CURRENT FORM WHAT. EXPLAIN HOW THE COUNTY PLANS TO SERVE THE DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY APPROVED.
THE PUBLIC DESERVES THAT ANALYSIS BEFORE YOU VOTE.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE] I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY IN SUPPORT OF FAIRNESS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONTINUED PROGRESS IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3. I RESPECT EVERY NEED OF EVERY PRECINCT REPRESENTED HERE TODAY, BUT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HAVE TO TAKE PROGRESS AWAY FROM ONE COMMUNITY TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER COMMUNITY.
LET FAIRNESS GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS TODAY.
LET COOPERATIONS GUIDE YOUR LEADERSHIP.
AND LET HARRIS COUNTY MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU. >> MA'AM, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE
YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS MELVA LAST NAME
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MARLISS A BRIGGS, PRESIDENT OF THE NORTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION AND I ALSO SERVE ON HGAC'S TACK AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER.
I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF HARRIS COUNTY AND [INDISCERNIBLE] TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.
THE REASON IS SIMPLE: THE HIGHEST GROWTH, HIGHEST TRAFFIC AREAS OF UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY DEPEND ON THOSE DOLLARS.
HGAC'S REGIONAL GROWTH FORECAST SHOWS STEADY INCREASES IN HOUSEHOLDS AND JOBS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS THROUGH 2045. THESE AREAS GENERATE ENORMOUS TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND THE ROADS ARE CARRYING FAR MORE VEHICLES THAN THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR. THIS ISN'T ONLY ABOUT EXPANSION OF INFRASTRUCTURE BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT MAINTENANCE.
MORE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT NATURALLY CAUSES INCREASED WEAR AND TEAR, PUTTING A STRAIN ON DRAINAGE AND MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE. REDIRECTING FUNDS WOULD HARM --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE] IDENTIFY ONE PERSON TO CALL UP HERE TO GIVE THEIR PERSPECTIVE. DWIGHT JUDGE.
HE'S FROM OUR BARRACK COMMUNITY. SOMEONE I'VE WORKED WITH AS A FRIEND AND SOMEONE WHO IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
IYOU CAN DWIEWS INTRODUCE YOURSI NEED MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES BUT I'LL TRY TO CONDENSE IT DOWN. I'M HERE NOT TO JUST SAY NO TO THE RELOCATION BUT HELL NO. LIVING IN BARRETT TEXAS, SOME OF YOU MAY AFFECTIONATELY RECOGNIZE IT AS BARRETT STATION, WE HAVE BEEN AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY FOR 151 YEARS.
UNTIL -- UNTIL BECOMING A PART OF PRECINCT 3 -- I CAN'T -- I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TERRIBLY WE HAVE BEEN TREATED.
WE HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE FOR THE YOUTH.
WE HAVE THINGS THAT -- PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON TO REALLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN BARRETT.
AND TO EVEN THINK ABOUT -- EVEN THINK ABOUT RE-ALLOCATING FUNDS IS LUDICROUS. I SUPPORT YOU, TOM.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DWIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 341, FRED BARRETT. DR. SHELLY SA ICU LA-GIBBS.
PAULA PATTERSON. HECTOR MARTINEZ.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.
>> NAY NAME IS FRED BARRETT AND I LIVE IN BARRETT TEXAS, PART OF PRECINCT 3 AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DESIRE NOT TO HAVE FUNDS RE-ALLOCATED.
AS DWIGHT JUDGE SAID, WE ARE A 152-YEAR-OLD TOWN AND WE'VE BEEN AT THE END OF THE LINE. IT'S REFRESHING TO GET A COMMISSIONER -- EVEN THOUGH COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID SOME PART TO HELP BARRETT AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS KNOWS BARRETT, WE NEED TO NOT LET FUNDS GET AWAY FROM OUR TOWN.
[00:45:04]
WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN EXPLOSION OF CONSTRUCTION [INDISCERNIBLE] 3500 HOMES THAT'S GOING TO BE BUILT BY 2030 IN OUR AREA.AND WE DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
OUR KIDS HAVE NO ACTIVITIES TO DO BECAUSE WE HAVE NO FACILITIES, AND WE NEED THE HELP.
SO WE NEED FOR YOU TO STAY WITH US AND SUPPORT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND NOT RE-ALLOCATE HIS FUNDS.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AM DR. SHELLY S ICU LAGIBBS AND I HAVE WORKED RECENTLY WITH MEMBERS OF THE TPC. I AM REPRESENTING THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP UNOFFICIALLY TODAY. AND WE ARE WITH THE TPC INITIATING LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR ROADS FOR THIS TPC REGION, EIGHT COUNTIES OF AND IN DOING SO WE HOPE TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE GROWTH PAINS THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING, BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO IGNORE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS REQUESTED, WHICH IS A FORMULA THAT'S IN PLACE AND TELL THEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO REDO IT. WE SHOULD KEEP THAT FORMULA IN PLACE FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND STILL WORK TOGETHER UNIFORMLY AND AS A GROUP TO REQUEST MORE FUNDING.
I THINK IF WE UNDO WHAT THEY REQUESTED TO DO, THAT WE WILL
NOT -- (BEEP). >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> SO THANK YOU FOR THAT CONSIDERATION.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M PAULA PATTERSON, SUPERINTENDENT OF CROSBY ISD. I'M HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE INVALUABLE PARTNERSHIP WE SHARE WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3. FROM OUR BACK TO SCHOOL BASH TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMING, SENIOR INITIATIVES, WE HAVE EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM OF THE AS YOU CONSIDER AGENDA ITEM 341 I ENCOURAGE YOU TO RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES LIKE CROSBY AND BARRETT. WITHOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES OF A MUNICIPALITY, WE RELY HEAVILY ON COUNTY INVESTMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT SAFE TRANSPORTATION, ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES AND ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOUR FUNDING DECISIONS REFLECT THE GEOGRAPHIC RESPONSIBILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.
STRONG SCHOOLS AND STRONG COMMUNITIES GO HAND IN HAND AND STRONG COUNTY PARTNERSHIPS HELP MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS HECTOR MARTINEZ.
I'M PROUD PRESIDENT OF [INDISCERNIBLE] LITTLE LEAGUE.
HAVE BEEN FOR TEN YEARS. I HAVE SEEN OUR PARK BEING MANAGED BY PRECINCT 2 AND PRECINCT 3.
BOTH DID A GREAT JOB ADMINISTERING MONEY FOR THE PARK AND THE COMMUNITY. AS YOU KNOW, [INDISCERNIBLE] IS AN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREA WHERE OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS ANY AND ALL THE HELP IT CAN GET TO SHOW WHAT A GREAT COMMUNITY WE ARE. AGAIN WITH THE ALLOCATING OF THE FUNDS, IT'S GOING TO DEEPLY IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY.
I ASK Y'ALL TO PLEASE RECONSIDER DOING THAT.
RAMSEY, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE FIGHT FOR US AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY THAT WE HAD LAST WEEK. WE DEFINITELY NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET TO BETTER THE ROADS, SIDEWALKS, SAFETY FOR OUR KIDS.
>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 341, JOHN GRANT.
WENDY BAM BRIDGE. CHRISTIAN JENNINGS.
ALYSSA DETT. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GORGE, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M JOHN GRANT, THE DIRECTOR ON THE ALL TOWN AUSTRIAN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNER OF THE DUGOUT.
I'M HERE ON 341. OLD TOWN SPRING IS A WALKING DISTRICT. PRECINCT 3 HAS INVESTED $4 MILLION CREATING ONE WAY STREETS FOR BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW.
FUTURE PLANS INCLUDE FIXING SIDEWALKS FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, DRAINAGE FIXES AND PLANNING BEAUTIFICATION.
FOR OUR MERCHANTS, THAT'S WHAT BRINGS VISITORS BACK.
THAT WORK DEPENDS ON THE FORMULA THAT THE COURT UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED IN APRIL 2025 BASED ON ROAD RESPONSIBILITY, ROAD CONDITION AND PAST FUNDING AND KEPT IN PLACE IN AUGUST.
PRECINCT 3 MAINTAINS 47% OF THE UNINCORPORATED ROADS IN HARRIS COUNTY. PLEASE KEEP THE FORMULA YOU'VE ALREADY AGREED TO SO PROJECTS LIKE OURS CAN BE COMPLETED.
[00:50:01]
MY NAME IS WENDY BANEBRIDGE. I'M WITH THE CITY OF HEN WHICH CAN VILLAGE. I AM HERE AT THE REQUEST OF THE MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE RESIDENTS.I'M RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING WE MAINTAIN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS AMONG ALL FOUR PRECINCTS. THE INTENT OF THESE FUNDS IS TO SUPPORT ROADWAY CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
THE DISTRIBUTION PREVIOUSLY WAS EQUITABLE BECAUSE IT RECOGNIZED THAT EACH PRECINCT HAS DIFFERENT ROADWAY NEEDS.
SPECIFICALLY, PRECINCT 3 HAS A GREATER NUMBER OF ROADWAYS, WHICH NATURALLY CREATES THE GREATER NEED FOR FUNDING.
MOVING TO AN EQUAL FOUR-WAY SPLIT IS NOT EQUITABLE.
EQUITY MEANS ALLOCATING FUNDING BASED ON ACTUAL NEEDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THE CURRENT DISTRIBUTION WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THOSE DIFFERENCES IN MIND.
FOR THESE REASONS, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT WE PRESERVE THE CURRENT FUNDING DISTRIBUTION RATHER THAN CHANGE TO AN EQUAL SPLIT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ROLE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> TAKE CARE.
>> MA'AM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR WORK.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M ALYSSA DUTT, A CONCERNED PRECINCT 3 TAXPAYER. PRECINCT 3 STANDS TO LOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING. I'M ASKING THIS COURT TO HONOR ITS COMMITMENTS TO ITS COMMUNITIES.
COMMISSIONER -- PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY HAS BEEN A GREAT STEWARD OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, INVESTING RESPONSIBLY IN ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE. NOW ITEM 341 COULD CHANGE HOW HARRIS COUNTY AND HECK EXTRA DISTRIBUTE FUNDS AND PROCEEDS FROM DEBT AMONG PRECINCTS. SHOW RESIDENTS WHAT EACH PRECINCT STANDS TO GAIN OR LOSE AND WHICH PROJECTS COULD BE DELAYED. I URGE YOU TO HONOR THE AGREEMENT AND MAKE SURE COUNTY DOLLARS FOLLOW THE WORK, THE NEEDS AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES, NOT THE POLITICS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR.
>> GOOD MORNING AND GOD BLESS. MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN JENNINGS, I'M PASTOR AT RIVER PRAISE CHURCH.
MY GRANDFATHER FOUNDED THAT CHURCH IN 1981 IN A SWAMP.
SINCE THEN, IT'S GROWN A LOT. WE'VE GROWN JUST 28% SINCE 2020 AND I'M HERE TO STAND IN THE GAP FOR COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY AND OUR PEOPLE THAT HAVE SEEN FLOODING INTO THEIR HOMES, BECAUSE OF THIS ECONOMIC BOOM AND BECAUSE WE'RE GROWING SO MUCH, WE -- THE THINGS THAT WE NEED THAT IS NOT DECREASING, THAT'S INCREASING. WE HAVE LIKE PEOPLE HAVE SAID, WE'VE GOT SO MANY ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING WITH OUR LIGHTS AND OTHER THINGS BUT I CAN SAY TOM RAMSEY AND HIS TEAM HAVE STEPPED UP QUICKLY AND DONE A GREAT JOB, BEEN A GREAT STEWARD WITH WHAT THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I STAND FOR IS STEWARD SHIP. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE LAST THING TO THE GUYS IN THE BACK. MY WORD OF GOD SAYS TO SPRING HIGH SCHOOL, THAT FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD, PLANS TO PROSPER YOU. THERE'S HOPE IN JESUS.
GOD BLESS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 344, SOFAT AMITA.
LINDA MORALE EZ. WILLIAM HARRISON.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT ROCK SIDE SAFETY POLICY MONITORING SHOULD REMAIN WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY.
THIS POLICY'S PURPOSE GOES BEYOND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, IS PROTECTS WORKERS, WHOLE HOLDS CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE AND ENSURES PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE SPENT RESPONSIBLY.
ENGINEERING PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE BUT DEO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WORKFORCE STANDARDS, CONTRACTOR COMPLIANCE AND ECONOMIC EQUITY.
WE NEED CLEAR LINES OF RESPONSIBILITY, MOVING, MONITORING TO ENGINEERING [INDISCERNIBLE] THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN MANAGING A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND INDEPENDENTLY HOLDING CONSTRUCTORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR WORKER PROTECTIONS.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT DEEO REMAIN THE LEAD DEPARTMENT WITH ENGINEERING PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND COORDINATION.
WE SHOULD STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING ACCOUNTABILITY
STRUCTURE AND NOT -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> -- BY MOVING RESPONSIBILITIES ELSEWHERE.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, LINDA MORALES WITH THE GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION HERE TO SPEAK ON 344.
KEEP WORK SITE SAFETY MONITORING IN DEEO WHERE WORKER ACCOUNTABILITY BELONGS. THE WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY
[00:55:03]
REPRESENTS A COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD OUR HOSPITALS, ROADS AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. DEO HAS THE WORKFORCE ACCOUNTABILITY MISSION. ENGINEERING SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A PARTNER, BUT WORKER PROTECTION SHOULD NOT BECOME SECONDARY TO CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULES, BUDGET OR PROJECT COMPLETION.WE NEED INDEPENDENT MONITORING, WORKER INPUT, SITE VISITS, REAL CONSEQUENCES WHEN CONTRACTORS FAIL TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS.
KEEP WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY MONITORING IN DEFICIT.
THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS WILLIAM HARRISON.
AND I WORK THE HEALTH CARE FOR OVER A DECADE.
TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU NOT JUST FOR MYSELF BUT FOR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS, FRONTLINE CAREGIVERS.
WE CARE FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE, PEOPLE THAT LACK COMFORT AND WE SOMETIMES BECOME THE FAMILY SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE.
YET TOO MANY CAREGIVERS FACE LOW WAGES AND DEMANDING WORK LOADS.
HOW CAN WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE WHEN THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN FAMILIES? I ASK HARRIS COUNTY TO WORK WITH STATE LEADERS TOWARDS FAIR PAY, SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS BECAUSE THOSE WHO DEDICATE THEIR LIVES FOR CARING FOR OTHERS DESERVE TO BE CARED FOR TOO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] I'M A POLICY ATTORNEY WITH THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PUBLIC.
THIS NEW REQUEST FOR A TOTAL OF 20 NEW POSITIONS AFTER THE BUDGET HAS BEEN FINALIZED IS VERY CONCERNING TO US.
OUR MAIN CONCERN IS WHERE THE FUNDING FOR THESE NEW POSITIONS WILL BE ALLOCATED FROM, NOT ONLY NOW BUT IN THE FUTURE.
EVEN IF THE SURPLUS FOR THESE PERMANENT POSITIONS THIS YEAR, IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO COVER SALARIES IN THE FUTURE, THE COURT COULD BE ON THE HOOK TO FILL THE GAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 120 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, WHICH PROHIBITS HARRIS COUNTY FROM PROPOSING A BUDGET THAT REDUCES OR REALLOCATES FUNDING DEDICATED TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY UNTIL THE COUNTY HOLDS AN ELECTION AND RECEIVES VOTER APPROVAL. SO THE COURT COULD BE SETTING ITSELF UP TO FORCIBLY ALLOCATE MORE FUNDING TO AN ALREADY OVERFUNDED DEPARTMENT, MONEY THAT COULD BE SPENT ON CRIME PREVENTION AND ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE PROGRAMS LIKE THE 24/7 HARD ACCESS PROGRAM. THANK YOU.
FRED OWE DOMINGUEZ. PEOPLE'S COUNCIL, POLICY ORGANIZER, I LIVE IN PRECINCT 2 AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED CONSTABLE POSITIONS -- I'M A BROKEN RECORD.
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY. I'VE BEEN UP HERE CONSISTENTLY TALKING ABOUT THE KIND OF GRIEVOUS -- WELL, FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY HAS ENGAGED IN, AND THE CONTINUING INCREASE OF THE POLICING BUDGET FAR BEYOND WHAT THE COUNTY'S REVENUE GROWTH CAN SUPPORT AND WHAT I THINK IS MOST STRIKING IS WE'RE BEING FRAMED AS OH, WE'RE JUST SPENDING THE SURPLUS ON 20 NEW POSITIONS, BUT IN REALITY WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR IS A 2 MILLION-DOLLAR INCREASE, FUNCTIONALLY, INTO THE CONSTABLES BUDGET IN PERPETUITY, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE THIS FUNDING AND THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THE CONSTABLES ARE GOING TO HAVE -- A SURPLUS TO COVER THIS FUND FOR THE COUNTY EVERY SINGLE TIME.
I WAS EXCITED LIKE MANY OTHERS WHEN A LOT OF FOLKS EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE ON TUESDAY AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE ALL THE NEW POTENTIALS THAT THIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S BODY CAN ENGAGE IN NOW THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE EXCUSE THAT IT'S ON AUSTIN AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE ALL KINDS OF NEW --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKERS, WILLIE DREW, JENNIFER HERRING.
LEONARD KINCADE. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNTY -- HI. THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I KNOW I JUST GOT VERY LIMITED TIME. I DROPPED A PROPOSAL FOR YOU ALL TO LOOK ABOUT AN REENTRY PROGRAM ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE, SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT WOULD HELP REDUCE FUNDING THAT'S NEEDED FOR THE COUNTY JAIL. WE CAN HELP REDUCE THAT BY Y'ALL PAY $150 PER DAY FOR THE COUNTY JAIL.
WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN VISIT THIS PROPOSAL.
WE'RE HAVING A TOUR OF THIS PROPOSAL, THIS PROJECT ON THE 18TH AT 1:30. I'M HOMING THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CAN COME OUT AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS AND MY
[01:00:04]
COLLEAGUES WILL DISCUSS MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT.I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK AT.
I'M A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER AND I AM KNOW THAT JAIL CAN BE A CHALLENGE. THANK YOU ALL.
>> SIR, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LEONARD KINCADE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO REQUEST SUPPORT FOR THE FUNDING OF THIS RESIDENTIAL REENTRY FACILITY TO SERVE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND HARRIS COUNTY COURTS. I KNOW FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS A LONG HISTORY OF OFFERING PROACTIVE, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS I HAVE WORKED IN OR MANAGED SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
FROM 23 YEARS AT THE COUNCIL ON RECOVERY AND 12 YEARS LEADING THE HOUSTON RECOVERY CENTER, I HAVE PROVIDED PROGRAMS TO MULTIPLE PROJECTS AND MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTSING IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCLUDING PRY TRIAL SERVICE, JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAMS, WORKING DIRECTLY WITH HARRIS COUNTY JAIL: THE EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE HAD HAS PROVIDED -- (BEEP).
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. APPRECIATE IT.
APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.
I'M JENNIFER HERRING, A 22-YEAR SOCIAL WORKER CURRENTLY PURSUING MY DOCTORATE IN SOCIAL WORK FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. AND IN 2013 I WAS HIRED BY THEN SHERIFF NOW COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA TO DEVELOP A REENTRY PROGRAM IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.
THE PROGRAMS TARGETED TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WERE A SUCCESS. HOLDING RATES OF RECIDIVISM BETWEEN 26 AND 30%. THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOW KNOWN AROUND JAILS IN THIS COUNTRY. ESPECIALLY OUR MENTORING MOMS PROGRAM AND OUR STARS AND STRIPES VETERANS PROGRAM.
THE SEED WAS PLANTED AND NOW WE WOULD LIKE TO PLANT THE SEED IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE AT RISK JUSTICE-INVOLVED CITIZENS HOLISTIC STRENGTH-BASED PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ASSIST THEM IN ABOUT HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE. >> THANK YOU.
>> ARE WE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS? CAN I ASK DR. HERRING A QUESTION OR --
>> YES, JUDGE, YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
>> I'M NOT SURE IF THERE'S ACTION FOR US TO TAKE OR ANYTHING. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> HI, I'M SHANTE PETERS AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE REENTRY PROGRAM AND OUR GOALS. WE ARE INNOVATIVE AND UNIQUE.
THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY EXIST IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY, MODELED AFTER THE NORWEGIAN GOOD NEIGHBOR APPROACH AND INCARCERATION. WHO SPECIFICALLY ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL WHO CONTINUE TO RESID RATE, DWI'S POSSESSION CONTROLS SUBSTANCE USE, THEFT, TRESPASSING, THEY'RE UNABLE TO ENROLL IN SIX MONTH, TWELVE MONTH AND 18-MONTH PROGRAMS. WE ARE SERVICING LIFE SKILLS, CAREER SKILLS, COMMUNITY SKILLS TAUGHT BY STAFF AND AGENCIES AND VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY. PRINCIPLES WE STAND ARE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, LEADERSHIP.
THESE ARE MEN THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH, EVIDENCE BASED HOLISTIC PRACTICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, CHANGE COMPANIES, ENCOURAGE TO CHANGE COLUMN, TRAUMA ENFORCED CARE AND DERN THANK [INDISCERNIBLE] THANK YOU FOR
>> GOOD MORNING TO THE COURTS. AND JUST TO ADD TO WHAT SHE WAS SAYING, THEY ALSO WILL PROVIDE THE MUSIC AND ART THERAPY, PEER TO PEER MENTORING AND GROUP EXERCISES, TO INCLUDE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS SO THERE'S NO IDLE TIME WITH ASPCA, FOOD BANKS, CLEAN UP HARRIS COUNTY. HOPE FARMS, URBAN AGRICULTURAL AND VOA. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK IF ANYBODY WAS AVAILABLE, IF THEY WERE -- WOULD BE INTERESTED IN COMING OUT TO THE -- THE FACILITY ON THE 18 OF 18TH OF TS
[01:05:02]
SIR, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> IT'S GARY WHITEHEAD. >> THANK YOU.
>> OKAY. HOW ABOUT THIS? I'LL HAVE MY TEAM VISIT WITH YOU AND WE CAN PUT AN ITEM ON THE NEXT AGENDA. IF RELEVANT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENGAGE WITH YOU ALL BUT I CAN'T, BECAUSE IT'S NOT AN AGENDA ITEM. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS MONDAY AGENDA NON- AR AARON MOSS.
ASEF CHOUDRY. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS AARON MOSS.
I'M AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELICOPTER PILOT HERE IN THE CITY SO I KNOW TO GET TO THE POINT REAL QUICK.
I AM HERE TO INVITE YOU TO A LAUNCH PARTY, LIGHT THE WORLD, GIVING -- YOU TOO, CONSTABLE, YOU'RE INVITED.
IMAGINE SWIPING YOUR CREDIT CARD AT A VENDING MACHINE BUT INSTEAD OF A CANDY BAR FOR YOURSELF YOU'RE BUYING ITEMS LIKE FOOD, MEDICAL CARE FOR A FAMILY IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY OR MAYBE A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE.
IN 20169 20169 2016 WE INTRODUCE WORLD, THE GIVING MACHINE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE FOLLOWING YEAR AS PART OF THAT EFFORT AND THE GIVING MACHINES -- ARE VENDING MACHINES WITH TABS THAT REPRESENT ITEMS OF SERVICES THAT CAN BE PURCHASED DIRECTLY TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES.
SINCE 2017, MORE THAN 3.85 MILLION VISITORS HAVE USED THESE VENDING MACHINES AND APPROXIMATELY 70 MILLION IN DONATED GOODS AND SERVICES HAVE BEEN GENERATED.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.
>> IN REGARD TO THE BEAR CREEK VILLAGE DRAINAGE PROJECT REQUEST THAT HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ARRANGED TRUCK ROUTES TO MITIGATE EXCESSIVE DUST FROM THOUSANDS OF HEAVY DUMP TRUCKS.
THE ROAD BLOCK AT MILL HOLLOW DRIVE AND ARE ALWAYS VERY BUSY, HICKORY DOWNS EXIT OUT TO CLAIRE ROAD.
USING OUR PERFECTLY FUNCTIONINGS LARGE DRAINAGE SWELL LEADING FROM [INDISCERNIBLE] DIRECTLY TO CLAY ROAD WOULD MITIGATE THE DUST AND TRAFFIC SITUATION. NOTE SUCH SWELL WOULD WORK PERFECTLY DURING [INDISCERNIBLE] RESERVOIR OVER FILLS FROM WATER COMING IN FROM NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY [INDISCERNIBLE] I MIGHT ALSO NOTE THAT DURING [INDISCERNIBLE] ALL THE STUFF COMING OUT OF GARAGES AND SUCH, EVERY PESTICIDE, YOU NAME IT, ALL CAME IN TO ADOX RESERVOIR AND IS IN THE RESERVOIR NOW.
THOSE SOILS ARE CONTAMINATED. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> RICHARD HIDE. >> THANK YOU.
>> ORIGINALLY I WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE, BUT MR. ELLIS
IS NOT HERE SO -- SINCE -- >> HE'S ON THE LINE, I BELIEVE.
HE'S ON THE LINE. >> IT'S OKAY.
SO I DO HAVE -- I CAN ADDRESS SOMETHING ELSE.
SO JUDGE, I THINK -- I TRIED TO CONTACT YOUR OFFICE, I LOST COUNT [INDISCERNIBLE] IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S VERY HARD.
AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, I MEAN, I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD HELP A LITTLE BIT MORE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS MUCH EASIER.
ALSO I THINK IT'S KIND OF CONCERNING HOW SOME SPEAKERS GETS TREATED SO BASICALLY IT'S LIKE 1933 GERMANY.
THE THING IS AS A SPEAKER, YOU DO TALK UNLIMITED TIME AND SOMETIMES YOU DO GO OVER AND BEYOND.
BUT IF WE HAVE -- WANT TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL AND EQUITABLE EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT, I THINK THAT ONE MINUTE IS PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH.
I MEAN, YOU JUST KNOW IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
SO MAYBE MOVING FORWARD, NEXT YEAR OR SOMETHING --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME SUPPLEMENT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR AND PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
WANTED TO WRAP UP? >> NO, THAT'S OKAY.
>> GIVE US YOUR NAME THOUGH. >> OH, THAT'S OKAY.
>> AND JUDGE, IF HE WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH MY STAFF, THEY ARE
THERE AND HE CAN MEET WITH THEM. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, SIR AND WE'RE -- MY STAFF IS ABOUT TO GO FIND YOU AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT -- >> JUDGE, THAT WAS ALL THE
[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 2 of 5)]
THANK YOU, TIFFANY. SO LET ME -- ON THE -- I'M TEMPERATURED, YOU GUYS, TEMPTED TO TAKE THE MOBILITY
[01:10:03]
ITEM -- FIRST WE HAVE SEVERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, I THINK THEY MIGHT HAVE STEPPED OUT ALREADY, MOST EVERYONE.SO ANYWAY -- IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN THEM FIRST BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE HERE AND I'M NOT WEARING MY GLASSES.
SO I MEANT NO DISRESPECT. SECOND, THIS INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING ITEM 341, I CAN SEE THE DEBATE ACROSS THE PRECINCT 3 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PRECINCT 1 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I WONDER, COLLEAGUES, IF WE OUGHT TO TAKE THAT MAYBE IRS IF WHILE THOSE SPEAKERS ARE STILL HERE. ONLY BECAUSE THERE'S -- I THINK IT'S FAIR TO MAKE IT A PUBLIC CONVERSATION WHERE WE CAN GO BACK AND FORTH AND GIVE PEOPLE CONTEXT.
SO DO YOU HAVE ANY FEELINGS ABOUT THE COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT'S YOUR TUMOR WOULD YOU RATHER TAKE IT AS TIME GOES ON?
>> IT'S FINE. WHATEVER Y'ALL PREFER.
>> ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES -- ALL RIGHT, BYE, THANK YOU TO THE
WELL, LET'S -- COLLEAGUES, I SUGGEST WE TAKE IT UP AND WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THIS AND WE CAN GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, BUT JUST BEFORE THE RELEVANT SPEAKERS LEAVE -- ALTHOUGH DID THEY ALREADY?
>> THEY ALREADY LEFT. >> THEY ALREADY LEFT, OKAY, ALL
RIGHT, OKAY THEN. >> -- [INDISCERNIBLE] I SAW HER
OKAY. SO WE'LL GET TO THIS LATER,
[Departments (Part 1 of 4)]
THEN. LET ME GET BACK TO THE -- I THINK WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM TO OPEN.THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I THINK IT'S A PUBLIC HEARING.
GIVE ME JUST A SECOND. OKAY, SO IT SAYS ON HERE -- ITEM 257. WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 257 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 33.
I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 53 OF THE TEXAS WATER CODE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF HARRIS COUNTY FRESH WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT NUMBER 65.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THAT ITEM? ALL RIGHT, SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION, COLLEAGUES? SEEING AS THERE IS NO DISCUSSION, IS THERE -- I WILL NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HARRIS COUNTY FRESH WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT NUMBER 65?
>> MOTION. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONS BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION PASSES AND THAT IS THAT. SO NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEMS THAT NEED MINOR CHANGES OR IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER ERRORS, SO LET ME JUST GO OVER THAT REAL QUICK. ITEM 69, REMOVE REREQUEST FOR AL TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE GULFON MANAGEMENT DISTRICT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ART-GULF TON MAINTENANCE SPARKS -- ART GULF TON MAINTENANCE SPARKS LOGISTICS PRECINCT 4. NOT THE WORD VILLAGE, OKAY.
ITEM 111... REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO UTILIZE $10,000 IN FUNDS BEING TRANSFERRED FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOUNDATION TO THE GENERAL FUND TO SUPPORT THE 2026 ALL STAFF WELLNESS EVENT SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 6TH, 2026.
ITEM 128, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, REQUEST NO ACTION.
ITEM 134, REPLACE AT A COST OF 4 MILLION WITH "AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY". AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. ITEM 308, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
[01:15:07]
CORRECTION, REPLACE "WITH A REQUIRED CASH MATCH" WITH "WITH AN IN KIND MATCH". AND THAT IS WHAT I'VE GOT.SO NOW WE'LL GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA.
EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 294, I'VE REQUESTED NO ACTION SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEND THAT BACK TO THE REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA FOR APPROVAL -- OR FOR I GUESS NO ACTION. SPEAKS TO ITSELFMENT 295, DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 295, DEVELOPMENT OF A
>> 296 -- YES. 297 DO WE NEED TO GO TO
EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 297? >> ONLY IF THERE'S QUESTIONS,
JUDGE? >> ANY QUESTIONS ON 297?
>> JUDGE, WE NEED TO GO BACK. >> OKAY.
AND THEN WE HAVE 342, WE DO NEED TO GO BACK.
ITEM -- DISCUSSION LIST, ITEM 3, REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT STILL? ITEM 6, PRECINCT 3 REQUEST WE TAKE ITEM 6, 11, 117, 150 AND 183 TOGETHER AS THEY'RE ALL RELATED TO P CARDS. ITEM 84, WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS CDBGDR AND OMIT UPDATES. ITEM 918 -- YES, ITEM 93,
COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4? >> YES.
>> THIS IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
ITEM 95, UNIVERSAL SERVICES -- YES, 104.
113 IS A PART OF THE P CARD ITEM, SO YES.
117, SAME THING, STAYS ON THE DISCUSSION LIST.
>> YES. 150 IS ALSO PART OF THE P CARD DISCUSSION. 152, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YES?
>> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> I APOLOGIZE, I ALSO WANT TO
PULL 115. >> SO WE HAVE -- GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT, PLEASE. THIS ITEM IS ABOUT RESERVE DEPUTIES AND I WILL PUT THAT IN THE DISCUSSION LIST.
NEXT WE HAVE 115 -- YES, FOR P CARDS.
WE'RE DISCUSSING IT'S TRAVEL AND TRAINING.
>> 232 IS NO ACTION, RIGHT. THANK YOU.
233, STORMWATER DETENTION BASIN. THAT'S A PRECINCT 3 ITEM AS WELL WELL. 234, COMMISSIONER BRIONES --
>> YES. >> 237, WE'RE DISCUSSING ALONGSIDE 307 AND 331 AS THEY ALL RELATE TO THE DOWNTOWN
>> 273 IS A TRANSMITTAL ON WHAT TOPIC? THIS IS 273. TECHNOLOGY PURCHASING QUARTERLY AUDIT. SO WE ARE DISCUSSING THAT ONE.
THEN WE HAVE 275, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WOULD YOU STILL LIKE TO
DISCUSS THAT ONE? >> THEN IT'S 277 --
[01:20:02]
340. YES, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT. 341, YES.
>> YES. >> 343, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,
IT'S A RENAMING OF CYPRESS PARK. >> WE DON'T NEED --
>> OKAY, WHAT ABOUT 344, WORK SITE SAFETY?
AND THEN WE HAVE 345, PRECINCTS 3 AND 4.
OKAY, AND THEN -- SO WE HAVE A COUPLE REMAINING MOTIONS ON ITEM 1, REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION, POSSIBLE ACTION -- UNLIMITED BUDGET TO SUPPORT NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.
IT WOULD BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
THEN FOR ITEM 94 -- >> WE HAVE A SPECIFIC MOTION
FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS. >> ITEM 1 YOU SAID?
>> YES. >> SO WHAT'S THE MOTION?
>> MOTION TO ALLOCATE $150,000 FROM GENERAL ADMINISTRATION TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT OFFICIAL TRANSITION EXPENSES OF INCOMING COUNTY OFFICERS AS APPROPRIATE DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD THAT ENDS DECEMBER 31ST, 2026.
>> SO MOVED. SO THAT'S THAT MOTION.
>> SECOND. >> AND THEN ITEM 94 IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED, YEAH? OKAY. SO LET ME -- SO LET'S VOTE ON ITEM -- LET'S VOTE ON ITEM 1, THE MOTION WAS MADE BY GARCIA -- NO, BY ELLIS. MOTION BY ELLIS, SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND THEN -- SO -- IT'S TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED ONCE WE GET TO VOTING ON THAT ONE. SO TO GO OVER THE FINAL DISCUSSION LIST HERE BEFORE WE VOTE.
295 -- EXCUSE ME, EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS 295, 296, 298, 341. REGULAR AGENDA, 3, 6, 84, 91, 93, 95, 104, 113, 115, 117, 146, 150, 152, 155, 162, 170.
347 AND 348. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL
ITEMS -- >> I HAVE A QUESTION ON A FEW REAL QUICK. ON ITEM 233 IT'S A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION, I KNOW Y'ALL SAID THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE A DISCUSSION. IS IT GOING TO BE APPROVED AS
PRESENTED? >> APPROVED AS PRESENTED, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? IT'S RENAMING -- OR NAMING, YES.
>> AND THEN 342 AND 343 ARE ALSO DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
ITEMS. >> WHICH ITEMS DID YOU SAY?
>> 342 AND 343. >> ALL RIGHT, 342.
WITH POSSIBLE ACTION REQUESTING TO COURT -- RIGHT, SO THAT ONE IN THEORY, THAT WAS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION SO WE DON'T KNOW YET
WHAT'S GOING TO COME BACK. >> 343?
>> AND THEN 343 IS AS PRESENTED, RIGHT?
343 IS AS PRESENTED. >> AND CAN WE GO BACK TO 94?
[01:25:10]
ADMINISTRATOR CARTER? OR DIRECTOR -- IN TERMS OF THEMOTION YOU NEED? >> OKAY, I DON'T THINK -- I THINK IT WAS APPROVED AS PRESENTED, IS THE MOTION, YEAH.
THAT IS THE REQUEST. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER.
>> WITH REGARD TO 94 -- >> WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE
APPROVED AS PRESENTED. >> OKAY, PERFECT, THANK YOU.
ANYTHING ELSE? CLERK'S OFFICE NOW? OKAY. ALL RIGHT, SO NOW LET ME -- THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 351, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED?
>> ALL RIGHT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES? ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
SO THAT PUTS US AT -- WE HAVE A MEETING AT 11 A.M. WITH THE JPS AND THE REST OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. SO MY SUGGESTION, COLLEAGUES, IS THAT WE MEET IN TEN MINUTES, QUARTER TO 11, WE GO THROUGH MAYBE ONE OF THE ITEMS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE THE JPS SHOW UP OR GET BRIEFED AHEAD OF THEM SHOWING UP AND THEN JUST GET THROUGH EXECUTIVE SESSION. IS THAT OKAY?
>> I CAN GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MOTION IF IT'S OKAY.
ON ITEM 6, 113, 117, 150 AND 183.
GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> SOMEBODY NEEDS TO MAKE THE
MOTION, I'M NOT. >> OH, RIGHT, SO THAT'S PCARD ITEM. OKAY.
>> I'LL MOVE IT. >> SO THE MOTION FOR THAT -- I'M TRYING TO FIND WHAT THE MOTION IS.
>> YEAH, JUST -- IT WOULD BE APPROVAL AS PRESENTED ON
ITEMS -- 6 AND 113 -- >> 6, 113, 117, 150 AND 183.
>> I MOVE WE APPROVE THOSE ITEMS AS PRESENTED.
>> ALL RIGHT, SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-1.
SO I'LL MARK THAT AND THEN IS IT OKAY, COLLEAGUES, THAT WE BREAK TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? IT'S 10:37.
AND THEN -- AND THEN THAT WAY I CAN MARK THESE AND MEET YOU GUYS IN 8 MINUTES. I SEE YOU FROWNING, JAY.
>> JUDGE, I THINK FOR -- I THINK SEVERAL OF THE ITEMS ARE LEGAL RELATED AND I THINK IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR US TO DO THAT AFTER THE JPS, RIGHT, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AFTER.
SO IF WE COULD MAYBE GO THROUGH ONE ITEM BEFORE AND THEN BREAK
AT 11, IS THAT POSSIBLE? >> I'M SAYING -- OKAY, LET'S GO THROUGH ONE OTHER ITEM, THEN. WHAT ABOUT ITEM 3?
>> YES, JUDGE. I ā JUSTWANTTOTHANK STAFF FOR WORKING THROUGH AND FINDING -- AND CONTINUING WITH OUR PLAN TO SAVE SOME MONEY, AND THIS IS SIMPLY TO DELETE SOME UNUSED PCNS. SO I MOVE TO MAKE THE DERBY MOVE
ON THE ITEM AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
LET'S SEE, WE ALREADY DID 6. 8484 WILL GO A LITTLE LONGER, WT ABOUT ITEM 91, WOULD YOU HIKE TO GO THROUGH THAT ONE?
>> IS THE DIRECTOR AVAILABLE? SO THE BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT IS GIVEN THE CHANGES AND THE ELECTION RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK, MY ASK, PLEASE, IS THAT WE UPDATE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO BE MORE PROACTIVE AND PLAY MORE OFFENCE THAN SIMPLY DEFENSE.
I HAVE A LOT OF VARIOUS TOPICS, BUT BEFORE I GO ONE BY ONE, DIRECTOR, I WOULD LIKE YOUR HIGH LEVEL THOUGHTS ON OPPORTUNITIES AND THEN MY ASK WILL BE THAT YOU CIRCULATE A DRAFT OF AN UPDATED VERSION TO ALL FIVE OFFICES AND THAT WE THEN DISCUSS AND VOTE ON
DECEMBER 17TH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
[01:30:02]
I WOULD TRY TO GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW AND TRY NOT TO GO INTO THE -- I THINK WHAT EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS.SO SESSION BEGINS ON JANUARY 12TH.
AS YOU KNOW, THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION RESULTED IN A NEW POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT WITH CHANGES OF LEADERSHIP IN DANGER BRANCHES OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND ALSO DIFFERENT [INDISCERNIBLE] OF OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION.
THE MOST NOTABLE CHANGES IS THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF THE TEXAS HOUSE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BUT REPUBLICANS WILL STILL RETAIN A MAJORITY ON THE SENATE, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A CHANGE IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S POSITION.
THIS DOES CREATE A DIFFERENT GOVERNING STRUCTURE, BUT HOW THE THREE DIFFERENT ENTITIES WILL WORK TOGETHER WILL -- I MEAN, IT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ASSESSING AND REMAINS TO BE SEEN. A LOT NEEDS TO HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND WE'RE MONITORING, WE'RE WORKING WITH DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS, OUR CONSULTANTS, MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION, JUST DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP, TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT THE CONTEXT WILL BE AND HOW WE CAN BETTER PREPARE FOR THAT. ANOTHER THING THAT WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT SOME OF THE CHANGES IN THE GOVERNORS ADMINISTRATION WILL ALSO RESULT IN DIFFERENT APPOINTMENTS TO STATE BOARDS AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS.
THAT SOME OF THEM WILL BE STAGGERED AND SOME OF THEM, A LOT OF THEM WILL REQUIRE SENATE CONFIRMATION.
SO THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT WE'RE MONITORING AND MAKING SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY REMAINS PLUGGED IN AND REPRESENTED IN THOSE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. SO WHAT WE'RE DOING, WE JUST -- SEVERAL OF US FROM MY TEAM JUST CAME BACK FROM DC YESTERDAY.
WE MET WITH STAFF FROM MEMBERS OF OUR DELEGATION, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE REAP ASSESSED COUNTY PRIORITIES AND THAT WE BETTER UNDERSTAND KIND OF WHAT THIS NEXT CONGRESS AND NEW MEMBERS AND MEMBERS THAT ARE COMING BACK WILL BE FOCUSED ON.
SO JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PRIORITIES REMAIN REPRESENTED AND THAT WE UNDERSTAND KIND OF WHAT WE'RE FACING.
ON THE FEDERAL -- ON THE STATESIDE, SORRY, WE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN MEETINGS WITH ALL OF OUR CONSULTANTS.
WE'RE DOING GROUP MEETINGS AND WE'RE DOING INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS JUST TO GET A BETTER LAY OF THE LAND AND JUST UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND HOW TO AGAIN BETTER RESPOND TO ALL OF THAT. WE ARE TRAVELING TO AUSTIN ON TUESDAY NEXT WEEK, TO MEET WITH OTHER COUNTIES AND ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE REPRESENTED.
THE MAIN THINGS THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON IS WHAT WE HEARD FROM THIS COURT, IS UNFUNDED MANDATES.
RETAINING LOCAL CONTROL. AND THEN JUST IDENTIFYING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH STATE RIDERS OR JUST DIFFERENT STATE IMPOSED FORMULAS AND HOW WE CAN BETTER WORK WITH STATE AGENCIES TO REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY'S INTERESTS. WE ARE -- IN TERMS OF THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WE HAVE BEGUN REVIEWING THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND AGENDA. THE PLATFORM IS ALREADY BROAD ENOUGH THAT I THINK IT ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE ON ALL THE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THIS COURT SO WE ARE REVIEWING IT AND WE'VE ALREADY BEGUN REACHING OUT TO COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, PARTICULARLY ONB, TO MAKE SURE THAT -- WHAT NEW OPPORTUNITIES WE CAN EXPLORE WITH A DIFFERENT -- WITH THE RESULTS IN THE DIFFERENT POLITICAL CLIMATE, WITH ONB WE'RE TRYING TO REVIEW WHERE WE CAN WORK TO IMPROVE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS THAT WE'VE OF YEARS WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH, SO WE'RE WORKING ON THAT. BILL FILING FOR THE 90TH SESSION BEGUN THIS MONDAY, SO ABOUT -- OVER 1300 BILLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED. THE TEAM IS ALREADY REVIEWING THOSE AND WORKING WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS ON REVIEWING AND PROVIDING ANALYSIS ON THOSE. LIKE I SAID STATE FUNDING AND FISCAL IMPACTS, WE ARE TAKING A BROAD LOOK, NOT KIND OF -- WE USED TO TAKE A MORE NARROW VIEW AND TRY TO PLAY DEFENSE IN TERMS EVER PROTECTING WHAT WE OF PROTECTING WHAT WE ALREADY HAD SO WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK AT IT FROM A BROADER PERSPECTIVE AND JUST REVIEWING WHAT OTHER FUNDING SOURCES ARE OUT THERE.
WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE AGENCIES, REVIEWING THE FORMULAS, ET CETERA SO AGAIN KIND OF TAKING A BROADER LOOK AT THAT. AND AGAIN, SO ONCE WE FINISH WITH ALL THESE MEETINGS, ALL THIS REVIEW, ONCE WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE TRANSITION TEAMS AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADERSHIP, AND WE HEAR BACK FROM THE DEPARTMENTS, I BELIEVE WE'RE AIMING AT THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER TO REVIEW KIND OF ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE
[01:35:01]
GATHERED, WE'LL BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO COURT AND PRESENT RESULTS AND WORK WITH YOUR TEAMS ON WHAT COMES NEXT AND WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OR CHALLENGES ARE OUT THERE.I THINK I PRETTY MUCH COVERED THE MAIN THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON -- OH, SORRY ONE LAST THING.
WE'RE ALSO IN THE PROCESS -- AND THIS MIGHT TAKE A LITTLE LONGER, CAN'T PROMISE THIS BY FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER -- WE'RE ALSO WORKING ON REVIEWING VETOED BILLS OR BILLS THAT HAD PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS WITH MAJORITY BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT BUT MAYBE WAS VETOED FOR DIFFERENT REASONS SO WE'RE ALSO REVIEWING THOSE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE CAN WORK ON THAT ALSO KIND OF WORKS TOWARDS THOSE SAME OBJECTIVES OF PROTECTING LOCAL CONTROL OR REGAINING LOCAL CONTROL AND JUST BUDGETARY
REASONS FOR THE COUNTY. >> SO THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, FOR DIVING IN, AND WE'RE READY TO PLAY OFFENCE AND BE AS PROACTIVE IN SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITIES, SO YOU SEEM TO HAVE SUMMARIZED ALL THE KEY ONES THAT I KNOW WE HAD DISCUSSED, RESTORING LOCAL CONTROL, EXPANDING COUNTY FUNDING AND COUNTY TOOLS.
IDENTIFYING LIMITING AND ELIMINATING IDEALLY THE UNFUNDED MANDATES TO SEEK FUNDING FOR THEM.
LOOKING AT EXISTING LAWS FOR REPEAL OR AMENDMENT, AS WELL AS THE ONES THAT HAD BEEN VETOED, AS WELL AS A PROACTIVE PUSHING TO EXPAND MEDICAID, PUSHING FOR APPRENTICESHIPS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WORKING ON OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD COALITION THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, AND SO JUST REALLY BEING AS PROACTIVE AS POSSIBLE IN SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITIES, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE DRIVING PROGRESS IN THE COUNTY.
SO JUST TO RECAP THE TIME LINE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEND AN UPDATED DRAFT TO THE FIVE OFFICES FOR REVIEW IN DECEMBER AND THEN THE DECEMBER 17TH FINAL COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING OF THE YEAR -- IT WOULD BE READY FOR US TO VOTE ON, IS
THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS OUR GOAL, YES.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. COMMISSIONER HE WILL ELSE HAS
HIS HAND UP? >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> JUST QUICKLY. THE POLICY USED TO BE FOR THE COUNTY THAT OUR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM COULD TAKE A POSITION UNLESS A MEMBER OF COMMISSIONERS COURT DISAGREED ON A PARTICULAR MATTER. AND THEN I THINK IF -- IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT THE TIME I DISAGREED WITH SOMETHING THAT THE PREVIOUS COURT WAS GOING TO DO, THEY CHANGED THE POLICY AND WE STILL HAVE THAT POLICY NOW. WE DON'T TAKE A POSITION UNLESS WE VOTE ON IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS BUT IT IS JUST A SUGGESTION. WE FIGURE OUT WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO BECAUSE OF THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN PLACE AND THE CHANGES COMING ABOUT SO QUICKLY. THERE WILL BE A LOT OF INSTANCES IN WHICH THINGS ARE GOING TO MOVE SO FAST AND IF THE COUNTY WANTED TO TAKE A POSITION, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A MEETING.
AND YOU KNOW, COURT USED TO MEET LIKE EVERY OTHER WEEK, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT QUITE THAT NOW. WE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT ANOTHER APPROACH TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN DO IT AND NOT VIOLATE OPEN MEETINGS, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S HELPFUL, SOMEBODY CAN PUT IN A CARD SAYING, HARRIS COUNTY IS FOR SUCH AND SUCH, WHEN SOMETHING CHANGES VERY QUICKLY.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE SOLUTION IS, I'M NOT SURE WHAT OTHER PLACES DO WITH BUT WE OUGHT TO K ABOUT IT.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THINGS THAT
[INDISCERNIBLE] >> WITH THE OTHER URBAN COUNTIES AND WE DO SOMETHING PRETTY SIMILAR, IS THAT'S WHAT THE PLATFORM IS ABOUT, THAT'S WHAT THE -- WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PLATFORM GUIDES WHERE WE CAN SUPPORT OR OPPOSE DIFFERENT BILLS WHEN THERE IS A CONFLICT, WHERE WE FEEL THAT WE DON'T HAVE CLEAR GUIDANCE FROM THE COURT, OR THE MAJORITY OF COURT.
WE TRY TO MEET WITH YOUR TEAMS TO TRY TO GET THAT GUIDANCE.
AND WE HAVE DURING SESSION RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE IT EVERY OTHER WEEK, BUT DURING SESSION, WE HAVE WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH STAFF FROM YOUR OFFICES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALIGNING TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE. THAT'S WHAT THE OTHER COUNTIES
DO. >> AGAIN, WHAT ABOUT, YOU KNOW -- 20,000 OR SO BILLS THAT MAY COME ROAMING THROUGH, THAT
SOME PEOPLE -- I WAS ONE OF THE] >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMS I ALL IN FAVOUR, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- >> I'M NOT SURE --
>> NO, GO AHEAD, SORRY, I COULDN'T HEAR BEFORE.
>> YEAH. I'M NOT SURE HOW WE DO IT, BUT YOU KNOW, I WAS ONE OF THOSE FOLKS WHO SOMETIMES OFFER AN AMENDMENT, PRETTY MUCH CHANGING MY BILL, IF I HAD BROUGHT CAPTURE AND IT MAY MOVE SO QUICK, I'M NOT SURE HOW WE REACT. YOU KNOW, EACH OF US INDIVIDUALLY CAN CALL -- WE ALL HAVE APPRECIATES BUT SOMETIMES IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT RELATIOY HELP FIND THOSE VOTES SO I'M NOT
[01:40:03]
SURE HOW TO DO IT BUT I THINK IT'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY COMING UP IN THIS SESSION, TO EVEN MORE QUICKER.>> YEAH, AND WE TRIED TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE TO STAY ON TOP OF THOSE VERY, VERY QUICK AMENDMENTS, AND WHEN WE ARE NOT -- WHEN WE DON'T FEEL THAT WE HAVE CLEAR GUIDANCE FROM THE COURT, WE DO REACH OUT TO Y'ALL, TO YOUR TEAMS OR YOURSELVES, BUT WE TRY TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE EVERY TIME WE -- WE MONITOR EVERY SINGLE ITEM THAT WE CAN, ESPECIALLY THE BIG ITEMS THAT ARE MOVING QUICKLY AND THOSE AMENDMENTS.
BUT OF COURSE, SOME WILL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BUT WE DO OUR BEST AND THAT'S PART OF WHY WE ENGAGE WITH THE OTHER COUNTIES AND WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH THE ASSOCIATIONS, BECAUSE WE'VE TRIED TO COLLABORATE WITH THEM ALSO AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> AND WE WILL TRY TO EXPLORE OTHER WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN
IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN. >> THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU.
DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT YOU HAVE -- YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUST PHENOMENAL AT BEING AT ALL PLACES AT ALL TIMES AND TRACKING SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE MOVING AT INCREDIBLE SPEEDS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS DO IT, BUT I APPLAUD YOU FOR IT.
AND I KNOW THAT YOUR WORK HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL UNDER ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES, AKA THE PREVIOUS STATE LEADERSHIP.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU'LL BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WALKING INTO IN THE NEXT SESSION. SO I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE THAT THE PLATFORM GUIDE YOU WELL, THAT YOUR PREVIOUS PROCESSES HAVE NOT -- I CANNOT THINK OF ONE ITEM WHERE IT HAS FAILED US. SO I JUST BELIEVE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO HAVE THE RIGHT APPROACH, THE RIGHT TEAM AND THE PLATFORM GIVES YOU ALL THE GUIDANCE AND YOU KNOW WHERE -- WHEN AND WHERE TO MAKE THE CALL. SO I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE WORK OF YOUR TEAM.
>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT. >> DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. YOUR HOMEWORK UP TO THIS POINT.
AND YOUR CHALLENGE GOING FORWARD.
I KNOW ATTENDING MANY TECH ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, OUR COUNTY VOICE HAS BEEN -- LET'S JUST SAY MUTED IN RECENT YEARS.
THERE'S THE THREATS AND THE OTHER WAYS THAT I THINK THEY HAVE -- I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE STAYING IN CONTACT WITH THEM.
I KNOW THEY'VE GOT LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EQUALLY SPENDING TIME TRYING TO TARGET THROUGH, GO THROUGH THESE THINGS IN TERMS OF COUNTY-SPECIFIC. SO STAY ENGAGED WITH THEM, LISTEN TO THEM AS WELL. THEIR LEGISLATIVE GREETINGS WE HAD EVEN, WHAT, FIVE WEEKS AGO WERE OLD NEWS, COMPARED TO WHAT WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT GOING FORWARD.
>> YES, COMMISSIONER AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN ASSOCIATION MEETING NEXT WEEK, WITH THE CONFERENCE OF URBAN COUNTIES AND THEN DECEMBER 3RD WITH THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND BOTH ARE FOCUSED ON THE -- THEIR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND HOW TO BRING COUNTIES TOGETHER, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ALL ALIGNED ON PROTECTING LOCAL CONTROL, UNFUNDED MANDATES AND SAME PRIORITIES THAT I'VE HEARD FROM THIS COURT.
SO WE REMAIN WORKING WITH THEM. CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM.
>> THANK YOU AGAIN, DIRECTOR. I HAVE A MOTION.
IF THERE'S NO ONE ELSE? MOTION TO DIRECT INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS IN COORDINATION WITH OCA RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES TO REASSESS AND UPDATE HARRIS COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND AGENDA FOR THE 90TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IDENTIFY LEGISLATIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND COUNTY AUTHORITY AND FINANCING TOOLS, REPEAL OR AMEND RESTRICTIVE LAWS AND REDUCE OR ELIMINATE UNFUNDED MANDATES AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY DECEMBER 17TH WITH FINDINGS AND A REPRIORITIZED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
>> ALL RIGHT, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND BY ELLIS IT LOOKS
>> ALL RIGHT, MOTION BY BRIONES, SECOND BY HE WILL ELSE.
[01:45:01]
ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.A POINT OUR SPEAKER MADE EARLIER, ALL YEAR WHEN WE PUT THE COUNTY STRUCTURAL DEFICIT, WE REFUSE TO PUT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ON THE BALLOT TWO YEARS IN A ROW, THE BLAME WAS ALWAYS ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND I'M AFRAID THAT WITH THE -- WHAT I'VE BEEN CALLING THE GOP3 HARRIS COUNTY HAS ACTUALLY BEEN SHOWING WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DEMOCRATS TAKE OVER AND THEN FORGET WHAT THEY RAN ON AND FORGET WHAT THE PEOPLE ELECTED THEM TO DO, BETRAYING CHILDREN, BETRAYING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER THAT SAID THAT THE CHAIN OF GOVERNMENT MEANS HARRIS COUNTY CAN NO LONGER BLAME THE STATE GOVERNMENT FOR ACTIONS THAT DEMOCRATS WHO ARE ACTUALLY VOTING AS REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TAKING ON THIS COURT.
SO I THINK THIS IS ALL WELL AND GOOD BUT I WANT TO SEE THE
[Executive Session]
ACTION ON THIS COURT. THANK YOU.ALL RIGHT, COLLEAGUES, I DON'T KNOW -- I'M HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS TO CONTINUE FOR FIVE MORE MINUTES BUT I NEED TO BREAK SO I CAN PREPARE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
AND WE ARE BREAKING TO MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 11.
CAN I JUST SAY FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, I AM -- CAN YOU READ
THAT? >> JUST THE SPECIFIC ITEMS,
JUDGE. >> SO AND I THINK WHEN WE'RE IN THERE WE MIGHT DECIDE TO COME BACK AND THEN DO THE REST LATER, SO IT MAY BE ALL OF THESE OR MAYBE SOME.
WE HAVE ITEMS 295, 296, 298 AND 342.
>> OKAY BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ITEM 295 NO ACTION. 29 NO ACTION.
ARE WE MISSING ANYTHING? >> JUDGE THERE'S A GLOBAL OUTAGE FOR OUTLOOK SO COURT MEMBER IFS THERE'S ANY MOTIONS OR ANY DOCUMENTS THAT-- IF YOU COULD PRINT IT OUT, AND DISTRIBUTE TO EVERYONE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. OKAY SO IT IS 12:56.
LET'S COME BACK AT 2 O'CLOCK. THAT MEANS IT'S 5 TO 1, RIGHT?
[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 3 of 5)]
COMMISSIONER COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS STILL ON? HI.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. SO, COLLEAGUES, I KNOW MY STAFF SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE REQUEST TO DISCUSS THE PROCUREMENT ITEM NOW BECAUSE THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL STAKE HOLDERS ALL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AT THIS TIME. SO IF THAT'S OKAY, YOU I WOULD
LIKE TO JUMP TO THAT ITEM. >> EXCUSE ME, JUDGE.
DOES THIS REQUIRE MOTION TO TAKE THE SIDE.
>> NO, THE JUDGE CANERED THE ITEM.
UNLESS THERE'S A REASON. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION AND THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT WANTS TO TAKE A DIFFERENT ITEM, YOU CAN DO THAT, BUT SHE CAN DO IT WITHOUT A MOTION.
>> WHICH ITEM IS IT? >> I THINK 339.
SO, COLLEAGUES, IS IT OKAY IF WE GO TO ITEM 339 AND THEN WE CAN GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA OF THE DISCUSSION LIST? OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
>> I'M ON A DIFFERENT TIME ZONE. IT DEPENDS HOW LONG IT TAKES.
THERE'S SOME ITEMS I WANT TO VOTE ON.
SO IF YOU CAN DELAY THOSE ITEMS UNTIL I'M BACK, IT'S A LITTLE
LATER WHERE I AM. >> COMMISSIONER, IS THERE PARTICULAR ITEMS YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND GET YOUR NAME ON?
>> 84, 93, 307, 341, 346 AND 347.
>> THEN I MOVE THOSE ITEMS TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA.
>> I'LL SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THOSE ITEMS ONE MORE TIME, PLEASE.
>> 84, 93, 307, 341, 346 AND 347.
AND I PROMISE I'LL BE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.
>> 84, 93, WHAT WERE THE OTHERS? >> 307, 341, 346 AND 347.
I HOPE I'M NOT SKIPPING ANY IT
ITEMS. >> SO, COLLEAGUES, THAT WAS -- I THOUGHT MY CHIEF OF STAFF SPOKE TO YOUR CHIEFS OF STAFF BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE MY GROUP THERAPY AT 3, GROUP COMMISSIONER.
SO LET'S START WITH -- >> IT'S A LITTLE LATER WHERE I
[01:50:03]
ALL RIGHT. SO DO YOU HAVE YOU A PREFERENCE OF THE ORDER OF THE ONES YOU MENTIONED OR JUST NUMERICAL
ORDER? >> NUMERICAL ORDER MIGHT BE EASIER. AND I WANT TO ASK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID I GET ALL OF THOSE RELATED TO THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN? I DIDN'T SKIP ANYTHING, DID I?
WHAT? >> DID I GET ALL OF THEM RELATED
TO 307? >> OH , YEAH, THOSE THREE.
237, 307 AND 331 ARE ALL DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN.
>> YEAH. SO, JUDGE, IF YOU DO 307, 337 --
>> OKAY. 307, DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN.
THAT GOES ALONG WITH -- >> 237 AND 331.
>> OKAY, LET'S GET STARTED ON THAT.
>> OKAY. >> WHOSE ITEM IS THAT?
>> AND I THINK 348 IS ONE AS WELL.
TOM, DID YOU PULL IT OR DID I PULL IT?
>> I THINK WE MAY HAVE BOTH. >> ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER, I'LL LET YOU GO AHEAD WHILE I FIGURE THIS OUT WITH MY STAFF.
>> SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE MAIN POINT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CLEAR AS A COMMISSIONERS COURT WE HAVE VOTED NUMEROUS YOU TIMES ON THE REMEMBRANCE PARK. THAT STARTED AT THE LAST CO COURT -- THE LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT I THINK IN 2019.
THAT WE WOULD GO AFTER THE MARKERS IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA IN HARRIS COUNTY. FIRST IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE IN THE PARK AND THEN WE VOTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO EXPAND THAT TO ESSENTIALLY THREE CITY BLOCKS IN DOWNTOWN, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC SERVICE PLAZA. AND IN COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PRECINCT, GOING DOWN TO THE BAYOU AS WELL.
I WON'T CALL THAT A BLOCK, BUT YOU THAT LAND THAT GOES DOWN TO THE BAYOU. SO IT'S THREE PLUS.
BUT CLEARLY WHERE THE FAMILY LAW CENTRE IS, THE BLOCK ACROSS THE STREET WHERE THE COFFEE POT BUILDING USED TO BE THERE.
LT GOING INTO THE BAYOU. AND WE'VE ALSO INCORPORATED THE PUBLIC SERVICE PLAZA TO BE A PART OF THAT.
TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSTON. AND GOING THROUGH THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN HOUSTON. IT'S A TIE IN WITH HISPANICS, MIGHT I ADD, WHEN YOU LEAVE TODAY YOU'LL NOTICE ONE MURAL HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE PLAZA BY ONE OF THE MOST RENOWN LATINO PAINTERS IN THE WORLD.
IT'S A REPLICA WHICH WE HAVE LEGAL PROVISION TO PUT THERE, BY THE WAY, BUT ONLY FOR FIVE YEARS. BUT WE'VE GONE THROUGH IT. MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON IT.
ONE OF THESE ITEMS, I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THIS ONLINE. IT'S A CONTRACT WITH HOOD CONSULTING, WHO ARE THE LEAD ARCHITECTURAL FIRM ON IT.
THERE WILL BE A LOT OF GREEN SPACE.
WE'VE HAD A PUBLIC LAY OUT. MY STAFF WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO BRIEF ANY OF YOUR STAFF IF YOU'D LIKE ON THIS PROJECT, BUT IT WILL BE A HEALTHY ADDITION TO DOWNTOWN.
BUT I WANT TO STRESS THAT WE VOTED ON IT SEVERAL TIMES AND I'D LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
IF THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTS TO BRING UP, I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO LISTEN TO THEM.
BUT TWO COUNTY ENGINEERS INDEPENDENTLY HAVE RECOMMEND ARED THAT WE TAKE DOWN -- RECOMMENDED THAT WE TAKE DOWN THE FAMILY LAW CENTRE. I DO NOTE WE'VE ALSO TAKEN DOWN THAT OTHER OLD JAIL THAT COUNTY CONTROLS AS WELL.
THAT WILL BE A SITE FOR WHATEVER.
WHETHER IT'S A NEW JAIL OR COURTHOUSE THAT COMES ABOUT OR NEW COMPLETED ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX WITH EVERYTHING.
LT BUT WE'VE GONE DOWN THIS ROAD MANY TIMES.
AND A GOOD BIT OF MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT BUT IT WILL BE A VERY TALKED ABOUT ADDITION UNTIL THE DOWN HOUSTON AREA, WHICH WILL BRING IN SERIOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
NUMEROUS STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PARK SPACE DOES INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES IN THE AREA. I WON'T RUN THROUGH ALL THAT BECAUSE WE'VE DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES.
I WANTED TO STRESS THAT. >> COMMISSIONER, MY ONLY COMMENT ON 237, 307 AND 331 AND CERTAINLY 331 IS THIS IS ONE OF
[01:55:02]
YOUR PRIORITIES IN YOUR PRECINCT.WE'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE. MY ONLY QUESTION IS AT SOME POINT WE NEED A MASTER PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN.
WE'RE BUILDING COURTROOMS. WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE COURTS GO. WE'RE BUILDING THESE FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT COURTS AS WE SP SPEAK. WE CAN DO EACH ONE OF THESE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD ON ALL OF THESE WITHOUT ANY MASTER PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN. I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.
THAT'S NOT REASON NOT TO MOVE FORWARD, COMMISSIONER.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT. I'M JUST SAYING WHEN WE SEE EVERY MEETING THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE JANNED RELATED TO A FACILITY DOWNTOWN, AND WE HAVE NO MASTER PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN.
I JUST THINK THAT'S BORDERLINE IRRESPONSIBLE.
>> WELL, I DO KNOW THAT WE SPENT ABOUT A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS SINCE 2024, I THINK, BUT WE HAVE THE COUNTY ENGINEERING NEARBY.
I THINK HE CAN WALK YOU THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO COME UP
WITH WHAT WILL DO DOWNTOWN. >> I KNOW WE'VE GOT BITS AND PIECES. .
MY STAFF PARTICIPATES WITH Y'ALL STAFF AND WE GO TO MEETINGS AND WE GET SOMEWHAT BRIEFINGS, BUT IT IS THE MOST PIECE MILLED -- THERE'S NO -- THERE IS A TRANSMITTAL -- I THINK EVEN IN THIS COURT -- BUT IT'S FAR FROM WHAT IDENTICAL A MASTER PLAN.
IT REFERENCES ELEMENTS, BUT THERE'S NO RECOMMENDATIONS.
THERE'S NO CLEAR DEFINED THIS IS THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING.
AND I'M FINE WITH DOING THESE ONE AT A TIME, AS WE'RE DOING IT. BUT JUST KNOW, AT SOME POINT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS OUR PLAN, PARTICULARLY -- AND I'M PROBABLY MOST CONCERNED ABOUT OUR COURT SYSTEM BECAUSE OF ALL THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DOWNTOWN.
THAT COURT SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CLEARLY PLANNED OUT AND DEFINED.
YOU'VE MENTIONED THE OLD JAIL WE COULD TEAR DOWN AND PROBABLY BUILD SOME COURTS THERE. I'M SURE THERE ARE GREAT ALTERNATIVES. JUST NO ONE HAS PUT IT ON A PIECE OF PAPER TO MOVE IT FORWARD.
AGAIN, THAT'S NOT REASON ARE TO DO ALL THREE OF THESE.
I'M NOT SAYING WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANY OF THESE, BUT THAT'S JUST A REMINDER THAT WE ARE FAR, OVERDUE FOR A MASTER PLAN.
>> IF CHIEF IS AROUND, HE MIGHT WANT TO COME IN ON THAT.
AND HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB ON THIS ALONG WITH THE DOCTOR.
CHIEF, ARE YOU NEARBY? >> YES, SIR.
GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY JUDGE.
THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER HERE.
TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, YES HE. THEY WERE HIRED IN 2025 TO PRODUCE A MASTER PLAN FOR THE AREA AND ASKED ESSENTIALLY TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS. DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS AND PARKING, ARE THEY ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROJECTED PLANNING FOR 5, 10 AND 20 YEARS. THAT PLAN HAS BEEN UNDER DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2025. IT WILL PLAN NOW BEFORE THIS COURT PROVIDES SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, COMMISSIONER, ON THE BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE, THE INVENTORY THAT WE HAVE, THE PROJECTED GROWTH AND SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SHORT, MID AND LONG-TERM IN TERMS OF FACILITIES AND THEN PROJECTED NEEDS. THE REMEMBRANCE PARK ITEM IS ALSO INCORPORATED INTO THIS DOWNTOWN MASTERER PLAN AND ACKNOWLEDGES THE PREVIOUS COURT OPTION S AND P ALSO MAKES A RECOMMENDATION THAT ANY CHANGE FROM THAT WOULD REQUIRE A COMMISSIONERS COURT VOTE TO ALTER THOSE PREVIOUS ACTIONS BUT AGAIN, IT'S BEEN VETTED TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE, TO THE COURTS COMMISSIONERS OFFICE THROUGH REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEY'RE HERE WITH US YOU AS WELL TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS FAR AS THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN AND WHAT THE METHODOLOGY WAS TO GET
US TO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS. >> IDENTICAL WHAT'S ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW VERY LIMITED PLAN FOR SOME PARTS OF DOWNTOWN.
I WOULD NOT CALL IT A MASTERER PLAN.
EVEN WHEN I WAS TALKING TO OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, SOME OF THE DETAILS, IT'S LACKING IN TERMS OF SPECIFICITY, IN TERMS OF DOES IT INCLUDE EVERYTHING DOWNTOWN.
IT INCLUDES PARTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM AND PARTS OF OTHER ENTITIES THAT ARE DOWN HERE. SO AGAIN, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT IS NOT WHAT I WOULD CALL A MASTER PLAN BY ANY STRETCH OF
[02:00:01]
THE IMAGINATION THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS REMEMBRANCE PARK IS GOING TO BE THERE AND IT WILL WORK AND WE'LL MAKE IT WORK IN TERMS OF GOING FORWARD. BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S TIME TO FINISH THE MASTER PLAN AND GET EVERY FACILITY THAT IS IN THE COUNTY THAT THE COUNTY OWNS DOWNTOWN, GET PLANNED, INCLUDING THE BUILDING THAT WE'RE IN TODAY.BE SURE THAT WE GET ALL THE DETAILS, PUT ON THE PIECE OF PAPER SO WE'LL KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DOWNTOWN, WHAT COULD BE, WHAT ARE SOME OPTION S FOR COURTS.
COURTS ARE PROBABLY SOME OF OUR MOST PRESSING NEEDS.
AND I APPRECIATE THE LIMITED INTERIM UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE WITH THE PLAN, BUT IT'S NOT A MASTER PLAN.
>> YES, SIR. IF I MAY, COMMISSIONER, THIS IS A PLANNING DOCUMENT. IT IDENTIFIES NEEDS AND SOME OPTIONS. THE ITEM THAT IS ARE IN THIS PLAN, THE DOCUMENT, IT DOESN'T BIND THE COURT TO ANYTHING.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT MAKES A STATEMENT THAT, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATION ARES.
OTHER THAN THE REMEMBRANCE PART, WHICH HAVE BEEN VOTED ON ALREADY AND THOSE ARE CODIFIED, BUT ANY ACTION FURTHER BEYOND THAT WOULD
HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COURT. >> I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING FOR IS I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I'D LOVE TO HAVE -- >> IS THERE A MOTION FOR DISCUSSION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUS. >> AGAIN, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THIS TODAY. BUT I RECOGNIZE THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR COURTS, AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OTHER ISSUES DOWNTOWN. A LITTLE CONCRETE DIRECTION
WOULD BE BENEFITTED. >> ONLY BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE WHOSE ON THIS LIST I HOPE I'M NOT MISSING ANYTHING.
THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, BUT I THINK WE'VE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS FROM WHERE WE WERE IN THE OLD DAYS.
THEY WERE GOING TO MOVE OUT. AM I RIGHT, CHIEF?
>> HE WAS GOING TO MOVE OUT TO THE SITE.
WITH ALL THOSE BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN BEING VACANT, AND, YOU KNOW, NOT WANTING TO END UP LOOKING LIKE SOME OF OUR FRIENDS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. WE WENT AND BOUGHT THE BUILDING.
WE WENT AND BOUGHT THE FIRST CITY BACK UP BUILDING.
I THINK THE COMMISSIONER GARCIA MIGHT HAVE MADE IT SHORTLY AFTER WE GOT HERE. IT KIND OF HELPED STABILIZE DOWNTOWN. ALL OF THIS IS NOT PERFECT, BUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE ITEMS, THEY'LL BE IN A POSITION TO COME UP WITH A MASTER PLAN. OBVIOUSLY I'M PROTECTIVE OF THAT GREEN SPACE. IT JUST KIND OF LOOKS, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE BEST WAY TO START IT. BUT I THINK THAT PARK AND I'M VERY PROTECTIVE OF IT. NOT JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT IT DOES. COULD HAVE SPENT THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE PRECINCT, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO MAKE WHERE WE WORK THE HEART, THE SYMBOL OF OUR COUNTY.
HOUSTON IS THE COUNTY SEAT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.
IT HAPPENS TO BE IN THE AREA I REPRESENT.
SOME OF IT. IT'S SO IMPORTANT.
SO THE APPROPRIATE TIME I'D LIKE TO OBVIOUSLY MOVE THE ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE TO TELL ME. ALL I KNOW IS 307.
I THINK YOU SAID 237, 331 AND 337, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
I'M LOOKING ATTET MY NOTES. >> JUDGE, WE'D NEED A MOTION
FOR APPROVAL FOR 237 AND 331. >> SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON
>> BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND THEN ON 307 WE NEED --
>> JUST ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL. >> YES, THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, I HAD A QUESTION. >> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS FOR YOU, CHIEF, OR YOU, COMMISSIONER, BUT FROM WHAT I RECALL, THE PLAN FOR THE PARK WAS TO CONNECT A COUPLE OF BLOCKS TOGETHER.
HAS THE CITY AUTHORIZED THE CLOSURE YOU OF THOSE STREETS?
>> NO. AND WE NEVER WERE GOING TO CLOSE THE STREETS. I MET WITH THE MAYOR LAST WEEK.
WE WANT TO SPEND COUNTY DOLLARS TO MAKE THOSE STREETS MORE ATTRACTIVE SO THAT THEY WILL BLEND IN WITH THE PARK.
BUT WE'RE NOT ASKING TO CLOSE ANY STREETS.
AT SOME POINTET WHEN THE PARK IS DONE WE MAY ASK ON WEEKENDS WHEN
[02:05:03]
NOTHING'S GOING ON. >> I ALSO REMEMBER WHEN YOU AND I FIRST TALKED ABOUT THIS. THE PLAZA IS RIGHT THERE.
>> YES. >> SO I STILL WANT TO SEE SOME -- YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU MADE REFERENCE TO SOME OF THE EARLY LATINOS HERE WHO HAD BEEN LYNCHED AS WELL.
AND SO MR. TORRES WAS A CONTEMPORARY LYNCHING.
AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS SOME CONNECTIVITY TO
THE PLAZA. >> THERE WILL BE, COMMISSIONER.
AND IT'S GREAT BECAUSE YOU WERE KIND ENOUGH TO LET ME -- YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S HALF A MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE GAVE YOU YOU TO USE THAT LAND. ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE.
WHAT IS THAT, THE WEST SIDE OF THE PLAZA.
AND THAT TRAIL IS THERE ALONG BUFFALO BAYOU THAT CONNECTS IT TO. BUT IT'S A TREMENDOUS STORY.
EVEN ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TEXAS WHEN YOU MAKE THE POINT THAT IT WAS PRESIDENT GUERRERO WHO ABOLISHED SLAVERY IN MEXICO.
>> SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PLANS REFLECT THAT COMMITMENT, THE LATINO COMMUNITY WOULD ALSO BE IDENTIFIED AS
BEING A PART OF THE REMEMBRANCE. >> EVERYBODY'S REMEMBERED.
IT'S A PART OF IT. >> SO I JUST HAD A FEW BRIEF COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY WE HAVE A REMEMBRANCE PARK.
WE NEED OUR HISTORY IN THE PUBLIC REALM.
I AGREE IT WILL BE THE KIND OF CENTRE OF JUSTICE AND JUST A TRANSFORMATIONAL ADDITION TO DOWNTOWN AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY. SO I'M THRILLED AND I LOVE THE CONNECTIVITY TO THE BAYOU AND JUST THE UNITY THAT WILL BE IN THIS REMEMBRANCE. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL OF THE VOTES THAT HAVE ENSUED.
I'M STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DAY.
CHIEF BENA, I HAVE A QUESTION. I APPRECIATE THE COUNTLESS HOURS SPENT THUS FAR TO GET US YOU WHERE WE ARE.
CAN YOU JUST BRIEFLY OUTLINE WHAT YOU SEE AS THE NEXT STEPS, SHORT-TERM, MIDTERM, LONG-TERM AS WE DEVELOP THIS KIND OF MORE
HOLISTIC, DEEPER MASTER PLAN? >> YES, MA'AM, SO THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE ON THE JUDICIAL COMPLEX.
DOWNTOWN T COURTS ARE PRIMARY. THEY'LL BE AFFECTING THE NEAR TERM, THE RECOMMENDATION ARES FOR THIS MASTER PLAN.
YOU HAVE THE ITEM BEFORE YOU, NOBODY 237 AS WELL THAT MAY IMPACT. THE SUPER SIX IS ANOTHER WAY OF ADDRESSING THE SIX COURTS, STATE MANAGED SIX COURTS THAT'S ALREADY IN PROGRESS. THAT WORK IS ALREADY ONGOING.
THE SUPER SIX CONCEPT IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING US TO THE SAME END POINT. BUT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL CAPACITIES. AS FAR AS NEXT STEPS, THIS GETS ACCEPTED. THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION IN THE PLAN ITSELF FOR A RENEWAL. AT LEAST EVERY FIVE YEARS.
A REASSESSMENT. OR AT COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTION. SO IF THERE IS A MORE PROGRAM TICK APPROACH BEING ASKED FOR, THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL SCOPE TO THIS PLAN. THE PLAN AS SCOPED HAS BEEN DELIVERED. IF WE WANT ADDITIONAL, MORE PROGRAM TICK APPROACH TO THE SPACE PLANNING, THEN WE'D HAVE TO GO DOWN THAT ROUTE. AND IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.
>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT. >> WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE PROGRESS TOGETHER.
THANK YOU, CHIEF. >> I THINK 348 IS A PART OF THIS AS WELL. CHIEF, DO YOU KNOW?
>> 348 GOES WITH 347. THE TWO ITEMS.
>> OKAY. >> THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I'M LOOKING ATTET A COMPUTER INSTEAD OF PAPER.
>> OKAY. SO LET ME TRY TO TAKE IT BACK -- WOULD YOU LIKE TO JUMP TO THOSE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, OR SHOULD I GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THE LIST YOU GAVE US?
I I HAVE 84, 93 RIGHT NOW. >> I'D GO TO 341 AND THEN GO TO
341, THAT'S THE MOBILITY. ALL RIGHT.
SO LET'S GO 341 MOBILITY MONEY. IS SOMEONE PRESENTING ON THAT ITEM? OR ARE WE JUST HAVING A
DISCUSSION? >> JUST HAVING A DISCUSSION.
>> OKAY. >> SO THIS IS THE ITEM THAT WE HAVE DIVIDED THE MOBILITY FUNDING ALL OVER THE BOARD.
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, THEY VOTED MAYBE SHORTLY AFTER I GOT THE NOMINATION.
[02:10:06]
I WENT TO MY PREDECESSOR AND SAID WHAT'S GOING ON.I GET THE NOMINATION AND THEN IT WENT TO ITS LOWEST POINT.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER, I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE GONE DOWN TO, LIKE, 15% OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
AND I WAS TOLD, WELL, YOU WEREN'TET THE FAVORITE ONE BY COMMISSIONERS COURT. I WASN'T ON IT.
I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I CAME DOWN AND SPOKE OR NOT OTT BEFORE I GOT ON IT. BUT PRIOR TO THAT, IT HAD BEEN DIVIDED EVENLY FIRST, 25% PER PRECINCT.
AND THEN PREEXTINCTET 1 AND 2 DID GET A SMALL AMOUNT, AND I THINK THEY HAD A GENTLE PERSONS AGREEMENT BACK THEN THAT MAYBE ONE COMMISSIONER READ THESE TWO OR THREE AREAS.
I'M NOT SURE. AND SOME OF THEM ARE NO LONGER WITH US. BUT THE STORIES CHANGE, AS I'M SURE STORIES WILL CHANGE WHEN WE LEAVE.
BUT WE AS A COURT DECIDED WE DID A BOND ISSUE FOR ROADS, THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAME UP WITH AN EQUITY FORMULA THAT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THOSE PRECINCTS THAT HAD GOTTEN LEASED IN THE PAST AND WHO HAPPENED TO REPRESENT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF UNDERSERVED AREAS. SOMETIMES THE ARGUMENT IS MADE AND I GET IT. SOME HAVE MORE ROAD MILES BECAUSE THEY WERE GIVEN MORE MONEY.
REMEMBER IT STARTED OFF EVENLY. DIVIDED FOUR WAYS.
MOST PEOPLE THINK EQUITY MEANS THEY GET MORE.
THAT'S NOT HOW YOU DEFINE EQUITY.
IT'S USUALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHATEVER DISADVANTAGES WILL WORK INTO THE SYSTEM.
WHATEVER UNFAIR THINGS WERE DONE IN THE PAST AND YOU'RE TRYING TO LEVEL THAT OUT. BUT A GOOD PRACTICE IS, IF YOU CAN'T AGREE ON WHAT EQUITY MEANS, IT'S DIVIDED FOUR WALES.
LET'S BE REAL. ALL OF US KNOW.
WHY THIS FORMULA WAS CHANGED. FROM THE WAY WE WERE DIVIDED UNDER THIS, MOST OF US WHO ARE R HERE NOW.
WE DIVIDED IT FOUR WAYS EVENLY. THAT CHANGE BECAUSE THERE WERE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO WERE BEING ASKED ON THEIR OWN DECIDED THEY WANTED TO GET MORE FOR THEIR LEGISLATIVE AREAS.
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY TOOK CARE OF AREAS THEY THOUGHT FAVOURED THEM MORE. IN MY JUDGMENT.
I OPPOSED IT. WHEN THIS CAME ON THE AGENDA A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. AND I FELT THEN REGARDLESS OF HOW THE ELECTIONS WENT, IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO DO THAT.
I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN ANGRIER, YOU KNOW, AT A COURT MEETING. AND USUALLY I PRIDE MYSELF ON KEEPING A POKER FACE AND NOT SHOWING MY EMOTIONS, BUT I WAS JUST -- I JUST COULDN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
AS THE ONE MEMBER OF THIS COURT, BY THE WAY, WHO FOR WHATEVER REASON ON MOST OF THE OTT MOTIONS THAT COME UP TO BRING IN MORE MONEY, I TOOK THAT HEAT TO MAKE THEM.
NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFULLY, BUT I DID IT.
BUT I JUST THINK IT'S A DIFFERENT LEGISLATURE NOW.
WHATEVER PEOPLE HAD, WE ALL RAN, AND THE PEOPLE WHO ENDED UP IN CONTROL IN THE LEGISLATURE RAN ARE ON MAKING SURE WE DIDN'T REENFORCE INEQUITIES PUT INTO EFFECT.
ONE LAST COMMENT AND THEN I'LL BE QUIET BECAUSE I TOLD YOU I'D DO THAT. I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT AS A VETERAN LEGISLATOR, IT WAS A MISTAKE TO TRY AND GO GET THE STATE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S HARRIS COUNTY'S BUSINESS.
WHEN I WAS IN THE SENATE, THERE WAS A BIG VOTE.
TO FORCE HOUSTON TO HAVE ANOTHER REFERENDUM ON RAIL.
AND TWO OF MY CLOSEST ALLIES WERE CARRYING THE BILL BACK THEN. ONE IS THE MAYOR OF HOUSTON RIGHT NOW. AND ANOTHER WAS THE MAYOR OF HOUSTON BEFORE. AND MAYOR TURNER DID TELL ME LATER ON RIGHT NOW I'M SURE GLAD YOU TEAMED UP WITH ONE OF YOUR POLITICAL DETRACTORS, YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVES.
HE AND I TEAMED UP TO KILL THAT BILL, THAT SENATOR WHITMIRE WERE CARRYING. WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE LITTLE RAIL WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IF THAT DIDN'T PASS.
YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU WERE RIGHT ON THAT ONE.
YOU WEREN'T RIGHT ON MUCH, BUT YOU WERE RIGHT ON THAT ONE WHEN YOU DISAGREED WITH ME. HE SAID THAT.
I THINK AS A GENERAL RULE WE DON'T GO ASK THE LEGISLATION TO GET INTO THE DISAGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE.
THAT'S WHY I WOULD PREFER WE TAKE THE EQUITY FORMULA THAT WE CAME UP YOU WITH, BUT WE CAN CROSS THAT BRIDGE LATER.
[02:15:01]
AT THE VERY LEAST, MY MOTION WOULD BE NOT TO GO ISSUE THOSE BONDS WHERE WE'D USE TAXES TO BACK UP THAT INEQUITABLE FORMULA. THE FORMULA THAT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT VOTED ON AT A PREVIOUS MEETING AND GOING FORWARD I WOULD PREFER WE USE THE FORMULA THAT THE DOCTOR CAME UP WITH, WHICH WE VOTED ON. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE VOTE WAS.COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR IT OR NOT. BUT WE VOTED ON AN EQUITY FORMULA THAT WAS WELL THOUGHT OUT.
I'D BE HAPPY FOR HIM TO COMMENT ON IT IF THAT DOESN'T IMPOSE ON THE TIME, JUDGMENT I KNOW YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AS WELL.
>> GO AHEAD. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THEN UP TO YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHETHER YOU'D LIKE TO TALK NOW OR AFTER THEY'VE MADE THEIR COMMENTS.
>> I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO Y'ALL. I THINK Y'ALL REMEMBER ARE WHAT
HE CAME UP WITH BEFORE. >> I DON'T REMEMBER ANYWAY.
IS HE HERE? >> LET ME QUICKLY RESPOND.
I UNDERSTAND THE SPIRIT OF THE QUESTION.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY FOR DECADES AND THERE'S BEEN ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT PEOPLE SPLIT MONEY UP AND LOOKING AT IT FROM A ROAD MILE STAND POINT, SEEMS TO BE AT LEAST ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT OUGHTA BE CONSIDERED.
BUT LET ME JUST START WITH APRIL OF 2025 WHEN WE VOTED, AND IT WAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. AND HERE'S SOME OF THE COMMENTS RELATED TO WHY WE WOULD WANT TO HAVE A FORMULA.
WE PUT TOGETHER A FORMULA SO THAT WE COULD DEVELOP IT LOCALLY. I REMEMBER COMMENTS BEING WE DON'T NEED THE STATE OF TEXAS TELLING US ANYTHING.
WE NEED TO COME UP WITH OUR OWN FORMULA ON WHAT WE THINK.
AND SO THERE'S THREE FACTORS IN THE FORMULA.
ONE IS ROAD MILES. TWO CONDITION OF THE ROAD.
AND THREE, LOOKING BACKWARD. WERE THERE LEGACY INVESTMENTS NOT MADE? WERE THERE INVESTMENTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE? LOOK BACKWARD.
FACTOR THAT INTO IT. SO I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY THOUGHTFUL. I DIDN'T COME TO THE COURT AT THAT TIME SAYING, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT 47% OF THE ROAD MILES, THEREFORE I SHOULD GET 47% OF THE MONEY.
THAT WASN'T EVEN A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.
BUT AS YOU THE IT TURNS OUT, IF YOU GO THROUGH THOSE THREE FACTORS WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE DISTRIBUTION SHOULD BE, LOOKING BACKWARD, LOOKING AT ROAD MILES, LOOKING AT CONDITION OF THE ROAD, THEN I ENDED UP 31%.
WELL, 32%. SO THAT WENT FROM 25 TO 32.
I DIDN'T DRAW THIS MAP. THIS MAP WAS GIVEN TO ME WHEN Y'ALL SAID TELL YOU WHAT, YOUR COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 YOUR NEW BOUNDARIES ARE THIS. I DIDN'T DRAW THAT MAP.
I DIDN'T VOTE IN FAVOUR OF THAT MAP.
BUT YOU THE MAP GAVE ME 47% OF THE ROADS.
ALL I'VE DONE SINCE 2022, THAT'S FIVE YEARS.
2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 AND JUST FINISHED 2026.
I'VE TAKEN CARE OF THE ROADS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
AND I'VE GOT THE NUMBERS TO SHOW I'VE SPENTET MORE TAKING CARE OF ROADS IN HARRIS COUNTY JUST BECAUSE I HAVE MORE TO TAKE CARE OF. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, THIS PERIOD, TODAY, WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE TO GIVE PRECINCT THREE A BIT MORE MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF AN EXTRAORDINARY RESPONSIBILITY.
I THINK WE HEARD SOME GOOD TESTIMONY THIS MORNING THAT THERE ARE NEIGHBOURHOODS UNINCORPORATED IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THEY GAVE GREAT TESTIMONY AND I THINK I'VE BEEN MORE THAN SENSITIVE TO THOSE AND I'VE GOT LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY THAT I CAN SHOW YOU THAT WE SPENT. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE END OF
THE OTT DAY -- >> ALL RIGHT, MOTION, ALL IN
FAVOUR. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND I SEE YOUR HAND UP
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SO AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'VE GONE THROUGH THESE STUDIES.
WE DID APPLY THE EQUITY FORMULA TO THE BOND, WHICH RESULTED IN,
[02:20:06]
AGAIN, $37 MILLION LESS IN TERMS OF INVESTMENTS IN PRECINCT THREE WHEN WE USED THE FORMULA YOU REFERRED TO EARLIER.WE USED THE FORMULA WHEN WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING RELATED TO DRAINAGE PRO PROJECTS. THEY'VE USED LESS FOR PRECINCTET 3 USING THE FUNDING, USING THE FORMULA.
AGAIN, THE FORMULA SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE FACTORS THAT YOU'VE REFERENCED. BUT IT'S SUCH AN EXTREME PENALTY TO THE 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN PRECINCT 3, AND AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE CREATIVITY IN APRIL OF 2025 WHEN IT WAS COMMITTED TO ME. I'VE GOT ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM THE COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS WE WENT TO THE STATE. AND BY GEORGE, WE TOLD THE STATE OF TEXAS YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY.
WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BUSINESS BECAUSE WE HAVE A FORMULA THAT MAKES SENSE AND WORKS.
SO TO BACK UP YOU NOW AND SAY, YEAH, WELL, IT'S A DIFFERENT TIME, A DIFFERENT EVEN NOW AFTER THE ELECTION LAST WEEK, A DIFFERENT PERIOD OF TIME AND WE DON'T WANT TO USE THAT FORMULA ANYMORE BECAUSE -- AND HONESTLY, I THOUGHT THAT WAS DONE AT THE TIME PRIMARILY BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS TRYING TO SEEK A FAIR FORMULA. NOT A 47% FORMULA, BUT SOME NUMBER THERE. AND I THINK IT HAS WORKED.
LT I THINK IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE GOING FORWARD, AND AGAIN, I APPRECIATE CONSIDERATION OF LEAD LEAVING THE FORMULA THE WAY IT
>> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, I RAISE THE ISSUE OF THE NEW PRECINCT THREE AMOUNT OF ROAD MILES AT REDISTRICTING.
I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.
AND WHILE THIS IS A NEW DAY, I DON'T THINK IT'S A DAY FOR US YOU TO NOT BE THOUGHTFUL OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
AND SO I DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON ANYTHING THAT WILL CHANGE ANYTHING THAT WE'VE PROVED AT TODAY'S COURT.
I WOULD JUST RATHER ALLOW OUR TEAMS TO WORK TOGETHER, WORK WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEERS OFFICE, WORK WITH HECTRA AND THINK THROUGH WHAT IS A WAY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
BECAUSE I'VE GOT BEAT UP ROADS AND MY OWN SET OF CHALLENGES IN THAT REGARD. I COULD ARGUE THAT MY SIDE OF
TOWN SHOULD GET >> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO LOOK AT THIS NEW DAY WITH A VERY RARE CLEAR SET OF LENSES IN THAT WE NEED TO WORK TO TAKE CARE OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY IN A VERY, VERY PRACTICAL WAY. AND ALL THE ISSUES OF EQUITY ARE OF CONCERN TO ME. I THINK PRECINCT 2 HAS BEEN THE ARMPIT FOR DECADES, BUT IT'S HARD TO NOT LOOK AT THE ANOINTED NUMBER OF ROAD MILES IN PRECINCT 3 THAT WE PUT IN THERE.
AND SO, I WOULD JUST ASSUME LET'S ALL TAKE A BREATH.
LET'S ENGAGE SOME EXPERTS AND THEN COME UP WITH SOME OPTIONS THAT I THINK WOULD BRING US CLOSER TOGETHER TO COME TO A MORE REASONABLE SOLUTION. SO, MY POSITION WOULD BE IF I'M GOING TO VOTE ON ANYTHING TODAY, I PROBABLY WON'T VOTE FOR ANYTHING. I ASSUME LET'S TAKE NO ACTION ON THIS. HAVE A GOOD DISCUSSION, BUT ENGAGE THE EXPERTS AND THEN COME BACK.
THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IS THAT YOU HAVE RAISED THE ISSUE OF AD VALOREM TAXES COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANT TO SAY MR. RAMOS, I WISH YOU HAD COME TO COURT WITH THE IDEA THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BACK CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION WITH HECTRAMONEY.
[02:25:07]
THERE'S NO COURT ACTION TO DIRECTED YOU HOW TO CONSTRUCT THIS PARTICULAR FUNDING PROCESS. YOU SPOKE TO ENGINEERS FROM THE OFFICES BUT MY TEAM SAID THEY NEVER KNEW HOW YOU WOULD BACK UP THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. WHEN YOU MET MY OFFICE, WE TALKED ABOUT CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, THIS NEVER CAME UP.SO I THINK IT IS CATCHING ME BY SURPRISE FOR SURE AND ASSUME LET'S TAKE A BREATH, FIGURE THIS OUT AND I THINK WE CAN GET TO A MORE REASONABLE PLACE WITHOUT EVERYBODY FIGHTING FOR A PIECE THAT IS REASONABLE FOR EVERYBODY.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> SO I FEEL SIMILARLY.
I WANT TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU IN GOOD FAITH TO FIND SOMETHING THAT'S ACCURATE, FAIR AND EQUITABLE.
I SEE IT HAS TWO SEPARATE ISSUES.
ONE TO START WITH THE FINANCING. I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT THE BONDS AND THE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS VERSUS HECTRA MOBILITY, SURPLUS, THE FUNDING SOURCE TO ME TRIGGERS OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND I DON'T FEEL THAT IT WAS ARTICULATED FAR ENOUGH IN ADVANCE AND WITH ENOUGH CLARITY SO WE NEED AS A TEAM TO REALLY RUN THAT DOWN SO WE'RE ALL CRYSTAL CLEAR ON WHERE WE ARE.
IN TERMS WHAT IS FAIR, WE NEED TO, EVERYBODY IN HERE THIS COUNTY DESERVES SAFE ROADS. WE NEED TO TAKE THE LANE MILES INTO CONSIDERATION BUT THE HISTORIC INVESTMENT OR UNDER INVESTMENT AS WELL AS THE PAVEMENT CONDITIONS, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, SAFETY, HOW ARE WE ENVISIONING VISION ZERO OR GROWTH. SO FOR EXAMPLE, ALL OF US HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS SIMILAR NEEDS BUT DIFFERENT NEEDS, PRECINCT 4, WE HAVE 60% OF THE NEW PLATS, THAT'S 60% OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENT IS HAPPENING IN PRECINCT 4.
SO FOR EXAMPLE, 12 NEW SCHOOLS WERE BUILT BY KATY ISD AND TWO LANE ROADS BUSES CAN'T TURN. WE THINK ABOUT FAIRNESS AND SAFETY AND EQUITY, I THINK WE NEED TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND DELIBERATE AND CLEAR IN WHAT CONCERNED ME AS SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO MAKE DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE PREVIOUS PCI INDEX DATA HAD QUALITY ISSUES AND CAME TO MY ATTENTION THE INVESTMENT AMOUNTS WERE BASED, AND OF THE PRECINCT LINES WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CRYSTAL CLEAR ON THAT DATA. AND ROAD MILES HAVE CHANGED.
YESTERDAY I GOT A NEW NUMBER OF LANE MILES, AND I ALSO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ALL HAVE THE DATA.
SO OUR TEAM GOT DATA SPECIFIC TO PRECINCT 4 BUT NOT THE WHOLE COUNTY. THIS WAS YESTERDAY RIGHT BEFORE COURT. SO, IF WE'RE CHARGED TO BE STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER RESOURCES AND MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY IN A WAY THAT'S EQUITABLE, FAIR AND STRATEGIC, WE NEED TO BE ACCURATE AND THE DATA NEEDS TO BE CRISP AND WE ALL NEED TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE OF HOW WE'RE, ALL OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS NEED TO BE A PART OF FORMULA.
BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL RELEVANT AND THEN SEPARATELY, WE NEED TO DISCUSS THE FUNDING SOURCE HOW IT'S BACKED WITH WHICH FUNDS.
SO, I ULTIMATELY LAND IN TERMS OF WE NEED MORE TIME IF WE'RE GOING TO BE AS ACCURATE AND FAIR AND THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY
>> YES, MA'AM. >> ARE YOU SPEAKING FOR HIM?
>> YES, MA'AM. DIRECTOR RAMOS IS NOT HERE.
>> I WANT TO SEE WHO WE CAN TALK TO THROUGH YOUR DEPARTMENT.
>> YOU CAN SPEAK WITH ME AND I CAN RELAY THE INFORMATION BACK.
>> SO, I'M JUST TRYING TO GO BACK IN TIME JUMPING BACK TO MY STUFF. I REMEMBER IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALLUDED TO THIS EARLIER. HERE'S WHAT I HAVE IN MY NOTES.
IN 2019, WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD BEEN IN OFFICE FOR, GARCIA AND I TOOK OFFICE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD BEEN IN OFFICE FOR A HANDFUL OF YEARS AND HERE WAS THE SPLIT AND THE WAY THE MOBILITY DOLLARS WERE DIVIDED.
PRECINCT 1, 20%. PRECINCT 2, 15%, PRECINCT 3, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER.
>> ALL IN FAVOR. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[02:30:06]
>> OKAY. SO, LET ME GO BACK TO PRECINCT 1, 20%, 2 WAS 15% OF THE MOBILITY FUNDS, PRECINCT 3 RECEIVED 32% OF THE MOBILITY FUNDS AND PRECINCT FOUR RECEIVED 33% OF THE MOBILITY FUNDS. I DON'T THINK THAT CHANGED.
IT'S NOT LIKE 2018 OR 2017. THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR A WHILE. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S GROWTH.
BUT PRECINCT THREE AND FOUR RECEIVED MORE THAN TWICE AS MUCH MOBILITY AS PRECINCT 2. 15 COMPARED TO 32 AND 33.
SO THIS IS WHY I THINK THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT IS IMPORTANT.
PRECINCT 1 ONLY HAD 20%. THEN WE CAME IN AND WE HAD, WE CAME IN JANUARY 2019. THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CONVERSATIONS WE HAD AS COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
I RECEIVE ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTY AND MADE IT EXTREMELY CLEAR DOESN'T MATTER WHEN IT'S D OR R, I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO TAKE A POSITION ON WHAT THE FORMULA SHOULD BE. BECAUSE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE AT THE TIME HAD THE MOST ROAD MILES.
WAS IT CAGLE OR RAMSEY? I CAN'T REMEMBER FROM THE REDISTRICTING. SO, OKAY, SO THAT'S AN ARGUMENT FOR HAVING THE GREATER PERCENTAGE.
THEN THE OTHER COMMISSIONER 3 HAD NOT SO MANY ROAD MILES AND STILL A LOT. THEN COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2 HAD HEAVY TRUCKS AND ELLIS, PRECINCT ONE HAD HISTORIC UNDER INVESTMENT AND THEY SUBSIDIZE THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN INTERESTING CASE STUDY FOR A GRADUATE PROGRAM. SO WE SAID WE'RE GOING 25, 25, 25. WHERE I'M, AND THAT'S WHERE I THINK WE SHOULD BE BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THERE'S A GOOD ANSWER. AND EVERYBODY HAS A COMPELLING CASE. AND WE DO REDISTRICT BY POPULATION AND ANYWAY. BUT I JUST DON'T REMEMBER AND I NEED FOR TO YOU REMIND ME AND PERHAPS I DON'T KNOW COLLEAGUES WHAT I'M MISSING HERE, WHY DID WE GO TO -- WHEN DID WE SWITCH IN 2025? WHY DID WE OPEN THIS CAN OF
WORMS? >> WE WENT IN IF I MIGHT, WE WENT TO A FORMULA THAT CALLED FOR 26% WAS BASED ON THE SBI MODEL. SOCIALLY VULNERABLE INDEX AND 64% WAS BASED ON EQUAL DISTRIBUTION.
WE DID THAT BECAUSE WE WERE DOING A BOND ISSUE FOR ROADS.
AND REAL SIMPLE, HOW ARE YOU GOING PAST A BOND ISSUE AND SAY YOU WANT EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY TO VOTE ON IT BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR AND ROADS IN THE CITY.
AS THE COMMISSIONER WHO SPENT THE MOST, $25 MILLION AROUND TEXAS SOUTHERN. 20 MILLION, 15 MILLION AROUND UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WHERE YOU LIVE.
INCORPORATED OR UNINCORPORATED, THOSE ARE EDUCATIONAL MAGNETS FOR ALL OF US. THE OTHER ARGUMENT WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA WITH THE PORT.
HE HAD THE BIGGEST DRIVER FOR THE ECONOMY OR THE MEDICAL CENTER. IF YOU WANT TO PASS IT, THAT ISSUE WAS COMING UP AND THEY WERE GOING TO KILL IT.
IT WAS NOT GOING TO PASS. SO LOOK, YOU KNOW, I AGREE IT'S COMPLICATED, BUT, IT WOULD BE A GOOD COURSE THAT WAY.
>> SO BECAUSE I'M, I'M HEARING YOU SAY SBI GOT ADDED ON THIS APRIL 2025, SO WHAT WAS THE FORMULA?
STARTING IN APRIL 2025? >> YOU HAD ONE FORMULA FOR COUNTY MONEY FROM BONDS WE ISSUED.
WE HAD 25, 25. IT WASN'T BASED ON ROAD MILES IN THE PAST, IT WAS BASED ON POLITICS.
WHEN WE CHANGED THIS FORMULA, WHETHER WE WERE BEING HONEST WITH OURSELVES, IT WAS BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD.
I WASN'T IN THE MEETING BECAUSE I WOULD SAY FORGET THAT DEAL.
CERTAIN MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE SAID YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS AND THEY WANTED TO PROTECT THEIR AREAS.
I'M SAYING LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE OUT OF IT.
IT WAS NEVER A GOOD THING TO DO. WE CAN MAKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ARGUMENT. >> BUT SO, WE WENT TO THE VOTERS FOR THE 2022 BOND AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE MATTERS.
[02:35:04]
FOR THE 2022 BOND, DO YOU HAVE THE FORMULA CHIEF?>> YES, JUDGE, THE FORMULA FOR 2022 BOND WAS EXCUSE ME, JUST AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS DESCRIBED. IT WAS 26% BUT BASED ON SBI.
AND 64% OF WAS EQUAL DISTRIBUTION.
>> OKAY. AFTER THAT, WE STILL HAD THE MOBILITY FUNDS THAT WE CONTINUE. THOSE WERE STILL AT 25, 25.
>> THOSE WOULD DEFER TO DANIEL AND --
>> DANIEL. >> THOSE ARE EQUALLY UP UNTIL
SO THEN WHAT HAPPENED? >> THE ISSUE WAS THE
LEGISLATURE. >> SO THEY SAID WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOUR HECTRA MONEY UNLESS AND WHAT WAS IT? PARTLY THIS IS FOR ME AND THE PUBLIC.
I WANT YOU TO ADD, PLEASE. >> SO, THE LEGISLATURE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HECTRA. THEY WERE CONCERNED TO THE POINT THEY WERE GOING TO DO AN AUDIT. THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE WERE SPENDING MONEY COMING OUT OF HECTRA.
THEY WERE COMING OUT OF THINGS THAT'S REALLY LOCAL DECISIONS WE CAN MAKE. WE ADVOCATED FOR LOCAL DECISIONS. THEY SAID WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL US THE FORMULA BY WHICH YOU ARE DISTRIBUTING THESE SURPLUS HECTRA FUNDS. PLEASE TELL THE FORMULA, OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH ONE.
>> THEY CAME UP WITH A FORMULA BASED ON THREE FACTORS, AGAIN THREE FACTORS, LOOKING BACKWARDS, LEGACY, CONDITION OF THE ROAD, TWO, AND THE THIRD ELEMENT WOULD BE ROAD MILES.
>> OKAY. SO, WHEN THEY SAID TELL US HOW YOU'RE SPENDING THE MONEY, THEY HAD A PROBLEM GOING 25, 25, 25.
>> THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH HOW WE WERE SPENDING THE MONEY COMING OUT OF HECTRA SURPLUS. THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DOLLARS THAT WERE COMING OUT. THEY WERE LOOKING AT IT FROM A STANDPOINT OF YOU HAVE MONEY AND YOU GIVE IT OUT.
WHAT IS YOUR BASIS? AND WE GAVE THEM THE BASIS FOR
OUR DISTRIBUTION. >> WHAT I REMEMBER, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WHAT I REMEMBER IS THAT THERE WAS A CONCERN OF WHETHER THE MOBILITY FUNDS IN OTHER WORDS, THE HECTRA SURPLUS FUNDS ARE USED TO MOBILITY PROJECTS.
I REMEMBER THAT BEING THE ISSUE. >> OKAY.
THAT WAS ONE OF ISSUES. THAT'S WHEN WE SAID WE DEFINE AND ALL OF US AGREED WE WERE GOING TO SPEND FUNDS, WE WERE GOING TO REALLY NARROW AND MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE SPENDING THESE SURPLUS HECTRA FUNDS ON ROADS, HIGHWAYS AND RELATED FACILITIES.
>> AND WE DID NOT WANT THEM TO WRITE A BILL --
>> THIS COURT TOOK THE INITIATIVE AND SAID THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED IT.
>> THERE WAS A COMMITMENT TO THE LEGISLATURE WE WOULD FIGURE IT
OUT. >> CAN I GET MY PERSPECTIVE AS
SO COMMISSIONER, >> IF I MIGHT AS SOMEONE WHO SPENT 46 YEARS IN THE SENATE. IT WAS A POLITICAL FORMULA.
PEOPLE WHO WERE IN POWER, I WANT TO BE DELICATE, BECAUSE THEY'RE ABOUT DOING TO SESSION AGAIN. WE ALL KNOW WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY. THEY WERE POWERFUL MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE WHO WANTED TO DO MORE FOR THEIR DISTRICTS WE CAN DANCE AROUND IT BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING.
THAT WAS POLITICALLY DRIVEN. THAT WAS A GUN TO OUR HEADS.
AND THAT'S WHY THAT FORMULA WAS BORN I ARGUED AGAINST IT.
I SAID IF Y'ALL GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY AND THE VOTES ARE THERE, I WILL LET IT GO. SOMETIMES YOU VOTE FOR SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT REALLY FOR IT. YOU CAN JUST COUNT.
WHEN YOU SEE FOUR VOTES AND THERE ARE THREE, YOU LET IT GO.
>> I GET IT COMMISSIONER. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME NO MATTER HOW THE VOTE COMES OUT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND IT. IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THE WHOLE TIME I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO TAKE THE TIME AND PARSE THROUGH THIS.
SO, ON THE PART, ON THE ISSUE OF THE WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY ON, WE ALL AGREE TO NARROW THAT DOWN.
WE BEING THE FIVE OF US AND THE FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT WERE CONCERNED. SO THAT IS A POINT ASIDE.
THEN THE CONCERN WAS STILL WHAT IS THE ACTUAL FORMULA THAT WE'RE USING. SO, WHY DID WE CHANGE THE FORMULA FROM 25, 25, TO THIS LEGACY CONDITION AND THIRD ONE.
AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WHERE WAS YOUR THINKING WHEN YOU SUPPORTED THAT LAST YEAR? BECAUSE THAT WAS A UNANIMOUS
[02:40:01]
VOTE IF I REMEMBER. >> FOR THOSE FOUR.
INCLUDING ME YOUR HONOR. >> SO YOU WERE AGAINST.
>> INSTEAD OF VOTING NO. I WENT TO LEGISLATORS SAYING CAN YOU GET ENOUGH VOTES TO BLOCK THIS.
NO. YOU HAVE ONE PARTY IN CONTROL
AND THIS IS WHAT THEY WANTED. >> SO THEN WE JUST SAID, I THINK I DO THINK, I THINK WE ALL VOTED FOR IT OR CERTAINLY I
REMEMBER I DID. >> AND WE ALSO ALL VOTED FOR THE
OKAY. SO NOW WE'RE SAYING, NOW THAT WE HAVE A DIFFERENT, NOW WE HAVE A DIFFERENT -- YEAH.
>> WE FOUND OUT UNBE KNOWNING TO US, AD VALOREM TAXES WOULD BE USED TO BACK UP THIS FUNDING FOR TOLL ROAD MONEY TO DO ROADS IN THE COUNTY. MR. RAMOS.
>> GO AHEAD, DIRECTOR. >> JUDGE.
CAN I GET A MOTION TO EXTEND TIME?
>> UNTIL WE FINISH. >> MOTION MADE.
>> BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR.
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> SO, THE ONLY REASON WE CAME FORWARD BECAUSE WORKING WITH TOLL ROAD, THEY HAD AGGRESSIVE IN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEARS. THE SURPLUS TRANSFER INCREASED BY A $100 MILLION. THE AGREE WAS TO GIVE HECTRA THE TIME TO BALANCE. IN ORDER TO KEEP THE FUNDING THE SAME, WE BROUGHT FORKED THIS IDEA OF UNVOTED COS.
WE PRESENTED THEM AS SUBPLANTING THE WHAT WOULD NORMALLY BE THE HECTRA CASH TRANSFER. THAT'S WHERE THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE IS, IS LEGALLY, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO BACK THE FUNDING BY THE HECTRA SURPLUS. WE HAVE TO FRONT WITH GO BUT WITH THE INTENTION OF PAYING IT BACK WITH MOBILITY FUNDS.
>> SO, I'M HEARING YOU. AND I NEED YOU TO BACK UP A BIT BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS MAKING A PARTICULAR POINT ABOUT THE FORMULA SPLIT. BUT THEN YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT COS. CAN YOU BRIDGE THAT FOR US.
>> WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL QUESTION?
>> WE HAD THE FORMULA 25, 25. THEN WE CAME TO A DIFFERENT FORMULA FOR THE BOND. IN 2025, WE HEARD FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND TOOK OUR OWN INTERPRETATIONS AND EACH OF US DECIDED TO VOTE FOR A REVISED FORMULA FOR MOBILITY MONEY.
NOW YOU'RE INTRODUCING A SEPARATE FACTOR COS.
CAN YOU GO -- >> SURE SO THE COS ARE SUBSIDY ROAD BONDS NONVOTED. THE FIRST TIME THE COUNTY HAS EVER MOVED FORWARD WITH ROAD COS.
INITIALLY, THE IDEA WAS TO TRY AND DOUBLE BARREL IT WITH THE MOBILITY TRANSFER WITH ATO PLEDGE.
WHEN WE DID THE LEGAL ANALYSIS, IT WOULD HAVE THREATENED THE CREDIT HECTRA ITSELF. IT WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE ORDER FOR WHO WAS ON DECK IN PAYING. THE IDEA WAS WAS THE FULL CREDIT OF THE COUNTY. UTILIZE THE HECTRA SURPLUS TO BUY DOWN THE DEBT. SO,
>> CAN I -- IF I MIGHT. IN SIMPLE ENGLISH PLEASE.
>> MR. RAMOS BROUGHT ITEM TO THE AGENDA.
THE FORMULA WAS BROUGHT UNDER DURESS AND INSTEAD OF USINGINGS THE DEBT OF THE TOLL ROAD, HE WAS GOING TO USE AS A BACKUP TO PAY THE BILL, BOND IS A CREDIT CARD.
THE CREDIT CARD HE WAS GOING TO USE WAS BACKED UP BY THE AD VALOREM TAX DOLLARS OF EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY.
THAT'S THE BIG BLOWUP AT LEAST FROM MY PART.
THAT'S WHY I WAS RAISING CANE. I THOUGHT I MADE IT CLEAR.
MAYBE I WAS SO ANGRY I COULDN'T BECAUSE WE WERE GOING, WHAT WE DID A BOND ISSUE WITH COUNTY MONEY FOR ROADS, WE CAME UP WITH THIS EQUITY FORMULA WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.
I CAN'T REMEMBER IF YOU VOTED FOR IT OR NOT.
[02:45:03]
COMMISSIONER BROWN, IT'S A LITTLE LATE.THAT'S WHAT WE VOTED ON WENT TO THE VOTERS.
THAT'S EVERYBODY'S TAX DOLLARS. AND THEN, IT WAS ADOPTED UNDER POLITICAL DURRESS. THERE'S NO WAY WE WOULD HAVE DONE THAT. BUT FOR THE FACT, THE AD VALOREM TAX DOLLARS. SO WE CAN DO IT.
NO , I MADE IT CLEAR. TO USE AD VALOREM TAX DOLLARS.
THEY'RE GOING TO PAY MORE AD VALOREMTAXES NOT TOLL FEES.
TO BACK UP THE BONDS WITH SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN. I DON'T MIND WAITING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS FAIR. BUT I KNOW WHAT IS NOT FAIR.
THAT'S WHAT WE WERE DOING. THAT'S NOT FAIR.
I AM OPEN TO DISCUSSION OF WHAT IS.
IF YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS FAIR, GO BACK OLD SCHOOL.
>> SO CAN WE STILL THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU COLLEAGUES FOR BEING WITH ME HERE.
LET ME ASK THE LAST QUESTION RAMOS.
IF WE GIVE THIS ANOTHER MONTH, LIKE, ARE THE PHYSICS SUCH THAT WE COULD GO BACK TO THE UNEASY PIECE OR AT A POINT OF NO
RETURN? >> DOES THAT STOP USING AD
VALOREM TAX DOLLARS? >> THEY'RE DIFFERENT QUESTION.
>> THE DECISION TO PAY THE DEBT DOWN WILL COME AS PART OF THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE AND TAX RATE ADOPTION.
AT THAT POINT, WE WILL HAVE THE HECTRA CERTIFIED AUDIT FROM HECTRA AND THE CASH PROJECTION AND RECOMMENDATION FROM DIRECTOR TREVINO AND WILL COME AS PART OF THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.
I'M SORRY, JUDGE YOUR QUESTION? IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT YOU ADOPTED, IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING TODAY, DOES THAT MEAN WE'RE STUCK WITH USING ADVALOREM TAXES?
>> YOU CAN ACCESS THE HECTRA TAXES.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MR. TREVINO.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY DID WE HAVE THE BIG FIGHT ABOUT IT A
COUPLE WEEKS AGO? >> THE ISSUE WAS --
>> BECAUSE WE HAD TO MAKE, AGAIN THE IDEA BEHIND THE ROAD COS WAS TO GIVE HECTRA THE BREAK OF TRANSFERRING, WE WEREN'T FROM $180 MILLION WHEN I FIRST STARTED UP TO $280 MILLION FOR TWO YEARS. WE CAN'T MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THE HECTRA TRANSFER UNTIL AFTER THE CERTIFIED COMES OUT IN MARCH AND THEN MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION IN THE JUNE-JULY TIME FRAME.
AT THAT POINT, IT WOULD BE UP TO COURT TO DECIDE, HEY WE CAN UTILIZE X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS FROM THE HECTRA SURPLUS.
>> COMMISSIONER. >> MR. RAMOS, WE HAVE ISSUED THE BONDS. BECAUSE IF WHIP THE CREDIT CARD OUT, YOU HAVE TO PAY IT. THE BOND HOLDERS DON'T WANT TO
HEAR WE WILL DEAL WITH IT LATER. >> WE CAN PAY DOWN THE DEBT SERVICE IN THE FUTURE YEARS WITH MOBILITY FUNDS.
>> MR. TREVINO. ARE YOU ON THE LINE?
>> WELCOME. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, HECTRA CASH FLOWS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. AND HECTRA IS GOING TO NEED ITS OWN ISSUANCE OF DEBT TO MAINTAIN THE CIP FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN EXCEEDING OUR REVENUE PROJECTIONS BUT, IN THE CASH FLOW WE HAVE GOING FORWARD, THERE IS NO PROJECTIONS TO ACCOMMODATE THIS ADDITIONAL OBLIGATION TO OUR CASH FLOW TODAY. NOW, IF COURT DECIDES TO USE THE REVENUE, WE WILL INCLUDE IN THE PROJECTED CASH FLOW.
THERE'S NO CASH FLOW THAT ACCOMMODATES THESE OBLIGATIONS.
[02:50:05]
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ROBERTO, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. NUMBER ONE, I KNOW I WASN'T BRIEFED ON HOW COS WERE GOING TO PLAY INTO THIS.
WERE YOU BRIEFED ON THIS? >> NO, SIR.
>> LOOK, I AGREE WE GOT TO FIGURE THIS OUT.
I DON'T THINK WE FIGURE IT OUT RIGHT NOW.
EVERY TIME WE FIGURE SOMETHING OUT AT THIS TABLE, WE DON'T GET IT RIGHT ANYWAY. BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER.
WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER ROAD CONDITIONS.
WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER ROAD MILES. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER NEW DEVELOPMENT. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER THE HISTORICAL UNDERINVESTMENTS. WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER EXISTING BOND MONEY. UNSPENT BOND MONEY RATHER.
THERE'S SO MUCH WE GOT TO CONSIDER.
I'M NOT, I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE ON SOMETHING TODAY ESPECIALLY WHEN I DIDN'T GET ANY INFORMATION THAT GOT US INTO THIS CONVERSATION. SO, I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR NEARLY AN HOUR.
AND SO, I MOVE THAT WE TABLE THIS ITEM.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR HAND IS STILL UP.
>> I SECOND THAT. JUST TO BE CLEAR.
WE NEED TO ALL WORK ON THIS TOGETHER TO GET IT RIGHT AND BE
AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE. >> YEAH, I JUST WANT TO ASK, IF WE DO THAT, WHERE DOES IT LEAVE US MR. RAMOS?
IT LOOKS LIKE -- >> THAT'S THE OTHER POINT, COMMISSIONER, I HAVE ALREADY SPENT THE MONEY I HAVE BEEN GIVEN. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT IT.
I ALREADY WRITTEN A CHECK FOR $25 MILLION.
SO, I AM NOT GOING TO CLAW BACK MY PRECINCT BECAUSE MR. RAMOS DIDN'T TELL ME HOW THIS ALL WAS GOING TO BE STRUCTURED.
I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT. WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO FALL BACK TO FORMULA UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT?
>> WE DID AT LAST MEETING. >> NO, LOOK, WE ALL HAVE BEEN PUT IN A VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE.
AND NOT BY ANY ONE COMMISSIONER'S DOING.
SO, I MOVE TO TABLE THIS ITEM, GET THE PRINCIPLES TO THE TABLE.
LET'S FIGURE THIS OUT IN THE BEST WAY.
>> WELL, I WILL RESPECTFULLY VOTE NO ON THAT.
I THINK THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY DONE.
AND SO BY SIMPLY CARRYING A BLIND EYE, OF THE INEQUITY.
>> NOBODY IS TURNING A BLIND EYE.
SOMEONE BLINDFOLDED ME. >> BUT, SOMEBODY BLINDFOLDED ME AND THAT IS NOT A POSITION I CREATED POLITICALLY FOR IF YOU OR ANYBODY ELSE. SO, I HAVE BEEN BLINDFOLDED ON THIS ITEM ON HOW WE GOT TO THIS CONVERSATION.
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHEN I VOTED FOR BACK IN COS WITH HECTRA MONEY. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHEN THE CONVERSATION AND COS WAS TALKED ABOUT AT THIS TABLE.
THERE'S NO RECORD OF THAT. SO, FOR THAT REASON --
>> I RESPECT THAT. I WON'T -- I WILL VOTE NO.
>> SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE MOTION, THIS ITEM, I HEAR YOU.
GIVE ME 30 SECONDS HERE. ITEM 341 IS DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION. YOU PLACED THIS ITEM, COMMISSIONER, WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, THE MOTION I
WHEN IT FAILS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M TRYING TO UNDO THE DAMAGE WE DID. I MOVE TO DIRECT ONP TO ALLOCATE EQUALLY AMONG COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS, $160 MILLION IN ROAD CERTIFICATES IN OBLIGATION AND FUTURE ISSUANCE OF ROAD
CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. >> JUST, I WILL MAKE A SECOND ON THAT SO WE CAN DISCUSS IT. WHEN THIS IS A SUBSTITUTE
MOTION. >> OBJECTIVELY TREVINO AND RAMOS. WHY WOULD YOU ADVISE ME TO VOTE NO ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION?
>> WE NEVER MADE A RECOMMENDATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING. I'M NOT PREPARED TO MAKE ONE
NOW. >> BUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE POINT, I THINK WHAT I HEARD, EVEN IF HE WANTED TO VOTE YES ON ELLIS' MOTION HE COULDN'T BECAUSE HE ALREADY COMMITTED THE MONEY. FROM WHERE YOU ARE, YOU HOLD THE PURSE STRINGS AND SEE THE NUMBERS.
IF I VOTED WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS, NOT IT'S GOING TO PASS, I DON'T THINK. ANYWAY.
LIKE, DOES THE MATH, MATH OR IS THERE A MATH REASON WHY WE
[02:55:02]
CANNOT SUPPORT MR. ELLIS' MOTION?>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE AVAILABLE BALANCES IN EACH OF THE FUNDS. I THINK A LOT OF THE ROAD COS HAVE BEEN ENCUMBERED AND NOT ALL SPENT.
>> HEARING YOU DON'T KNOW. YOU NEED TIME.
>> WE WOULD LIKELY BE ABLE TO DO IT.
IT MAY REQUIRE PRECINCTS MOVING PROJECTING BETWEEN FUNDS.
>> AND THEN TREVINO SAME QUESTION FOR YOU DIRECTOR.
>> JUDGE, THAT'S A POLICY DECISION.
HECTRA'S WILLINGNESS IS TO MAKE SURE TO RUN AN EFFICIENT OPERATION. ONCE WE TRANSFER TO THE COUNTY,
IS MORE OF A COURT DECISION. >> LOOK, I GUESS I WILL PUT UP A
THIRD SUBSTITUTE MOTION FOR -- >> POINT OF ORDER, JUDGE.
I MADE A MOTION. IT'S BEEN SECONDED.
IT WAS A MOTION TO TABLE THE ITEM.
AND I THINK WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE A VOTE ON THAT FIRST.
>> REMEMBER, >> NO, THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION. WE HAVE TO TAKE A VOTE ON THAT AND IF THAT FAILS, YOU TAKE THE MAIN MOTION.
YOUR MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> IF I MAKE A SUBSTITUTE TO THE SUBSTITUTE, THAT WOULD BE THE MORE IMMEDIATE ONE, RIGHT?
>> ASSUMING THERE'S A SECOND TO IT.
WE DON'T KNOW BECAUSE I HAVEN'T MADE IT YET.
YES. >> IF I MIGHT, I WANT TO CHANGE MY SUBSTITUTE MOTION, JUST MAKE IT SIMPLE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO FAIL. I MOVE TO DIRECT OMB TO ALLOCATE EQUALLY AMONG THE PRECINCTS DISTRICTS THE $161 MILLION ROAD CERTIFICATES AND ANY FUTURE ISSUANCE.
THAT MAKES IT SIMPLER. EVEN IF IT FAILS, AT LEAST IT'S ON THE RECORD. YEAH.
AND THEN SO, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SECOND IT, BUT I ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO OFFER A LITTLE BIT OF AN AMENDMENT JUST AGAIN FOR THE RECORD BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE WAY I READ IT NOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TO ME, IT COULD BE READ AS SAYING THAT WHAT SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF PUBLIC HEARD IT AS, WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE MONEY FROM ONE TO ANOTHER. WHAT I THINK I'M DOING HERE.
BE RESPONSIBLE AND TRANSPARENT WITHIN OUR OWN INSTITUTION ABOUT THE FINANCIAL MECHANISMS TO BACK THESE DOLLARS.
AND SO, I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY IS TO DIRECT ONB TO DIRECT OMB, BASICALLY WHAT I'M ASKING RAMOS TO LOOK INTO.
TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAINTAIN, DIRECTOR RAMOS, HELP ME OUT WITH THIS. I'M TRYING TO SAY MAINTAIN THE ALLOCATION AS IT IS. NOT MESS WITH THE FORMULA FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR' 27 WITH THE CERTIFICATE, WITH THE CERTIFICATE OF BEING SPLIT EVENLY WOULD BE MY MOTION.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> MR. RAMOS, DOES THAT DO THE SAME THING MY MOTION DOES.
>> NO YOUR ENCOMPASSES ALL MOBILE FUNDS NOT JUST COS.
>> I THINK THEY WILL BOTH FAIL. I WILL SECOND IF THAT'S YOUR PREFERENCE. SO TO DIRECT DIRECTOR RAMOS TO MAINTAIN THE MOBILITY ALLOCATIONS ACROSS PRECINCT BUT ENSURE THE CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATIONS ARE SPLIT EVENLY.
THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION BY HIDALGO. SECOND BY ELLIS.
MOTION FAILS 3-2. I MOVE TO TABLE THE ITEM.
>> I WILL SECOND THAT AND I WOULD PLEASE LIKE ALL FIVE OFFICES TO WORK WITH HECTRA. OM B AND USING THE MOST CURRENT DATA FROM OCE TO DO THE MOST ACCURATE DATA-DRIVEN FAIR EQUITABLE FORMULA THAT WE WORK ON COLLABORATIVELY ON A GO
FORWARD. >> SO TABLING IT JUST MEANS NO ACTION. CAN WE JUST MOVE
SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WHAT OTHER ITEM? NEXT ON YOUR LIST. I THINK IT'S 346, 347 AND 348.
THAT WOULD BE COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON HEALTHCARE BENEFITS.
>> WOULD WE PLEASE HAVE A QUICK UPDATE FROM HR T AND I HAVE A
[03:00:06]
FEW QUESTIONS. THANK Y'ALL.>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.
I'M HERE WITH SARAH ACOSTA AND HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE UPDATE.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A NUMBER OF DIRECTIVES YOU HAVE GIVEN US.
WE WANT TO MAKE THE POINT WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON A NUMBER OF THESE. SARAH WILL SHOW YOU WHERE WE ARE ON EACH ONE. WE WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK WITH A MORE HOLISTIC VIEW AS WE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
LET'S GO TO SLIDE 2. WE WILL START AT TABLE OF CONTENTS. SO, WE'RE GOING TO JUST REVIEW HIGH LEVEL PROGRESS AND PLANNING AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN ALL OF THOSE WORK STREAMS. WE WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT SOME PRELIMINARY OPTIONS FOR THOSE PROGRESSIVE PREMIUMS THAT WERE REQUESTED. AND THEN HIGHLIGHT COMPETITIVES, THE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION. LET'S MOVE FORWARD TO SLIDE FOUR
SO, ALL OF THE ASKS ARE IN PROGRESS AND THAT'S WHAT THIS SLIDE SHOWS. WE DO HAVE THOSE PRELIMINARY OPTIONS BOTH HAVE DIFFERENT TART DATES TO BE REVVED BACK BACK.
THE NEW HIGHER PLAN OPTIONS AND PREMIUM STRUCTURES ARE IN PROGRESS. HOPING TO HAVE FEEDBACK OR EARLY MODELLING LATER THIS MONTH AND THE RFP PART.
WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE TIMELINE FOR THAT. WE WILL HIGHLIGHT RISKS WE HAVE COME ACROSS IN THIS COMING PLAN YEAR PREPARATION FOR 2028 COULD BE A BIT OF A PINCH. SO, LET'S MOVE TO LET'S SEE SLIDE SIX. LET'S GO TO OUR PREMIUMS. OPTIONS HERE. WE HAVE THREE SHOWING.
THERE'S TONS OF MODELS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN US AND SIEGEL. OPTION ONE IS HOW THE MOTION WAS WRITTEN. THAT'S FOR EMPLOYEES MAKING $100,000 OR MORE TO HAVE AN INCREASE IN THEIR PREMIUM.
WE HAVE A BREAK DOWN OF WHERE OUR DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYEE SALARIES FALL. THE MAJORITY FALL BELOW THAT THRESHOLD. AND THEN WE HAVE IN THE MIDDLE THERE THE INCREASE, SUMMARY OF THAT INCREASE LOOKS LIKE.
AS A REMINDER, ACO PLAN IN THE BASE SELF ARE $0.
SO THEY WOULD ONLY GO UP TO 30 AND $40 A MONTH.
THEN THE PLUS PLAN WOULD BE ADDITIONAL $50.
THAT BRINGS IN A SMALL, NOT SMALL BUT BRINGS IN REVENUE DOING THAT. $3.93 MILLION.
OPTION TWO, NOW THAT GOES INTO THREE BANDS.
THAT'S A LITTLE MORE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER PEERS THAT DO THIS.
WE HAVE ABOUT 50% UNDER THAT LOWEST BAND AND WOULDN'T SEE THE INCREASE AND THE MIDDLE BAND, 75 TO $100,000 HAS A MINOR INCREASE AND THE HIGHEST BAND REPRESENTING ABOUT A QUARTER OF OUR EMPLOYEES WOULD SEE THE HIGHER INCREASES IN PREMIUMS. THAT BRINGS UNDER $6 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
OPTION THREE IS REALLY JUST LOOKING AT DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THE TWO, THE SALARIES. 50% BELOW $75,000.
50% FALL ABOVE TO SHOW WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
THE NEXT SLIDE. LET'S GO AHEAD.
I THINK WE WILL HIGHLIGHT JUST THIS ONE.
WE JUST WANTED Y'ALL TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS IN THIS SPACE.
SELECTED PEER COMPARISON. IT'S NOT EXHAUSTIVE.
WE HAVE HARRIS HEALTH. THAT'S A GOOD COMPARATIVOR.
THAT'S WHERE THEIR SALARY BREAK ARE AND HAVE WELLNESS BAKED TO THE PREMIUM STRUCTURE. THE OTHER IS CITY OF DALLAS AND UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. ONE THING WE WANT TO POINT OUT IN THE LITERATURE WITH THE NATIONAL BENCHMARKING DATA.
ONLY FOUR % OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS THAT DID THAT SURVEY COMPLETED THAT USE A SALARY BASED HEALTH PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION. MAYBE MORE BIGGER EMPLOYERS THAT IT SHOWED 20,000 OR MORE EMPLOYEES DO THIS STRUCTURE BUT IT'S A LITTLE MORE RARE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
LET'S MOVE ON TO SLIDE NINE. SO, THIS IS ONE THING WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF FOR THE WHOLE RFP PROCESS AND IN CONSIDERATION OF EARLY TERMINATION OF THE CURRENT AETNS
[03:05:05]
AND CVS. WE WOULD HAVE A 22 TO $27 MILLION IMPACT OF UNPAID RX REBATES.SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE GET BACK FOR BRANDING DRUGS AND THAT'S BAKED IN OUR CVS CONTRACT AND REPRESENTS THE LAST TWO QUARTERS WE WOULD NOT RECEIVE BACK.
OTHER POTENTIAL LOSSES ARE PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED PAYMENTS WE WOULDN'T RECEIVE. WE DID RECEIVE BACK A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF CLOSE TO $2 MILLION FOR 2025.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES NOT BEING MET.
THE OTHER SUBSTANTIAL THING WOULD BE STOP LOSS TERMINATION COVERAGE. SOMETHING WE HAVE TO PAY WHEN WE COME TO THE END OF THE CONTRACT AND NEED TO MOVE THAT DECISION UP SOONER TO PROVIDE THAT $2 MILLION PREMIUM INVESTMENT IN WE ELECTED IT. LET'S MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
SO THIS JUST SHOWS THE CASE FOR WHY WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP OR WHY WE'RE RECOMMENDING A KEEPING WITH THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE.
AND THAT WAS REALLY KEEPING AETNA THROUGH THE END OF NEXT YEAR. SO THAT WAY ALLOWS US THE TIME AS OUR BENEFITS CONSULTANT CONTRACT IS ACTUALLY COMING OUT TO TERM. IT ENDS AT THE END OF JUNE THIS COMING YEAR. PIVOT, WORK ON THE BENEFITS CONSULTANT AND AS THEY AGREEMENT OR NEW CONSULTANT COMES ON BOARD, WORK ON BENCHMARKING, WORK ON BRINGING IN ALL THAT INFORMATION THAT WILL HAVE FROM THE BENEFITS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH WHAT DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO WITH FOR THE NEW MEDICAL RFP. THAT KEEPS US ON TRACK TO ISSUE THE RFP IN A GOOD TIMELINE. AS WE TALKED WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT LAST NIGHT AND KIND OF TALK THROUGH WHAT WOULD BE AN IDEAL TIMELINE TO DO A REALLY SOLID RFP GOING TO 28 AND HAVING EFFECTIVE 2029. IF WE STAY ON ACCELERATED THAT'S WHAT THE TIMELINE LOOKS LIKE. THAT WE WE CAN MEET AT A VERY AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE TO RELEASE THAT IN JANUARY.
HOPEFULLY HAVE EVERYTHING AWARDED AT THE START OF JUNE COURT DATE. WE HAVE 90 DAYS ON HAVE EVERYTHING READY FOR JUNE 2028. NEXT SLIDE.
ACTUALLY, LET'S GO TO 13. ALL RIGHT.
THE OTHER PIECE THAT IS MOVING AND WE HAVE KIND OF ALLUDED TO WITH WHAT WORK WE HAVE IN PROGRESS ARE THE BENEFIT DESIGN CHANGES WE WILL BRING BACK IN JANUARY.
ALL OF THAT WOULD BE RUNNING TANDEM IF WE KEEP THE ACCELERATED RX RFP. IT'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN THE FRONT END AND ONCE WE HAVE DECISIONS AND CONFIGURATION IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT NEVER HAD A SALARY-BASED INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATING THAT AND WORK ON POTENTIALLY COMMUNICATING THE CHANGES TO EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS A NEW CARRIER TRANSITION WHICH IMPACTS ALL OF OUR COVERED LIVES.
THAT'S AGAIN WHY WE WOULD RECOMMEND STICKING WITH OUR CURRENT SCHEDULE VERSUS DOING THE ACCELERATED.
I THINK THAT'S AHEAD OF OUR HEALTH PLAN MARKET ANALYSIS.
SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORKED FOR WITH THE RFP DOCUMENTS SO WE DON'T LOSE THAT RUN WAY. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING IT WOULD BE A VERY COMPLICATED AND A CHANGE MANAGEMENT SITUATION AS WE MOVE INTO NEXT YEAR. ALL RIGHT.
SO SOME THINGS WE FEEL LIKE EMPLOYEES COULD HELP US OUT WITH. ONE OF THEM IS SIMPLY JUST KNOWING WHERE TO GO FOR CARE. AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE DATA POINTS, WE SHARED THIS WITH YOUR OFFICE.
THAT FREE STANDING ER HAS BEEN A BIT OF AN INCREASE OR USE COST DRIVER FOR OUR CLAIM THIS PAST YEAR.
THIS YEAR AS WE'RE SEEING THEM COME IN.
BEING AWARE. KNOWING WE HAVE LOW OUT OF PACKET COSTS FOR LOWER LEVELS OF CARE.
ESPECIALLY IF THAT'S WARRANTED. INSTEAD OF USING THESE THREE STANDING ERS THAT OFFER SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND ULTIMATELY THEY'RE COMING BACK AND THERE'S NO SURPRISES ACT THAT'S CAUSING SIGNIFICANT CLAIM INCREASES THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS. OTHERS ASKING FOR PRESCRIPTION OPTIONS. GOING WITH GENERICS AS WELL AS CHECKING COSTS BEFORE SCHEDULED CARE.
TRYING TO FIND SOME OF THE LOWEST ALTERNATIVES.
AGAIN THESE ARE THINGS THAT FOLKS WOULD HAVE TO DO ON THEIR
OWN. >> MOTION TO EXTEND DISCUSSION.
>> MOTION TO EXTEND. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR.
[03:10:02]
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> THANK YOU.
THIS SHOWS HOW LOWER LEVELS OF CARE AND THE COST IS 0, 15, YOU KNOW AS MUCH AS JUST $50 IF PEOPLE USE AN URGENT CARE ACROSS ALL THREE PLANS. THIS HAS BEEN PART OF OUR COMMUNICATION FOR YEARS. WE WORKED WITH AETNA TO DO TARGETED ER CAMPAIGNS FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT USE FREE STANDING ERS IN THE LAST YEAR. THAT WILL BE AN EFFORT WE CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT YEAR. SO.
WE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES GARCIA
LOOK FORWARD TO THE ADDITIONAL DATA THAT YOU WILL KEEP PRESENTING. ULTIMATELY, WE I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF. I VERY MUCH WANT TO KEEP AS COMPETITIVE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES RETIREES AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND WHAT WE SAW LAST YEAR WITH THE INCREASE OF $89 MILLION FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. THESE RISING COSTS ARE THREATENING OUR ABILITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AS COMPETITIVE AND KEEP AS AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR THE DIFFERENT WORK STREAMS THAT Y'ALL ARE RACING TOWARDS.
THIS IS HELPFUL. MY QUESTION TO YOU AND YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT. IF YOU COULD SUMMARIZE THE KEY COST DRIVERS FOR THE $89 MILLION, FREE STANDING ERS AND CERTAIN DRUGS. ARE THERE ANY OTHER LEVERS WHILE WE WORK ON THE RPF. WHILE WE'RE WORKING ON THE MARKET ASSESSMENT? WHAT LEVEL OF EDUCATION TO EMPLOYEES DEPENDENTS RETIREES ARE THEIR IMMEDIATE ACTION ITEMS SO TO SPEAK WHILE WE'RE WORKING ON THE PARALLEL TRACKS AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.
WE SAW THAT RISE. IT WAS A LOT TO HAVE TO ABSORB.
SO, SITTING HERE TODAY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT Y'ALL AND BE AS PROACTIVE AS POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE COMPETITIVE AFFORDABLE BENEFITS WHILE MAKING SURE WE'RE MITIGATING AGAINST UNSUSTAINABLE COST INCREASES? WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?
>> AND OR IF YOU COULD SUMMARIZE KIND OF THE KEY --
>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE ALREADY IN MOTION.
I KNOW IT'S NOT 2027 YET BUT WE ARE, WE HAVE ALREADY SET THE PATH FOR THAT. WE PUT IN PLACE WHAT WE CAN.
Y'ALL APPROVED THE AETNA PROGRAMS. WE WILL PROMOTE ZURIGO. FOR FOLKS THAT QUALIFY FOR THAT.
>> YEAH, MOST OF OUR COSTS IS DRIVEN BY OUR CLAIMS CLEARLY.
THAT'S WHY SARAH PUT TOGETHER THE IDEAS FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE LISTENING AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEND. THANKS SARAH FOR THAT.
EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE COMING FORTH WILL HELP US ANALYZE THE BEST WAY TO DRIVE BEHAVIOR TO CREATE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE UTILIZE OF OUR HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS.
WE PUT FORWARD THE IDEAS PEOPLE CAN DO.
THE REST COMES TO PLAN DESIGN AND THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE.
WE WILL ALSO BRING YOU OTHER IDEAS AS WE DID LAST YEAR TO
HELP INCENTIVE BEHAVIOR. >> ULTIMATELY, IT'S ALL OF THE
ABOVE. >> WE WORK ON THE RPTO GO TO MARKET AND MEAN WE'RE DOING THE MARKET ANALYSIS.
MEANWHILE WE'RE LOOKING AT PROGRESSIVE STRUCTURES NEW VERSUS EMPLOYEES VERSUS CURRENT. I GUESS MY NEXT QUESTION IS, IN TERMS OF THESE PROPOSALS AND DECISION POINTS, THERE WILL BE A MULTITUDE. IF WE COULD DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER INTO THE MARKET ANALYSIS SO WE CAN MANAGE OUR EXPECTATIONS, CAN YOU TAKE A DEEPER DIVE HOW YOU DEFINE WHAT OUR MARKET IS IN TERMS OF WHAT JURISDICTIONS, SECTORS ET CETERA.
>> THAT'S, I AM NOT ABLE TO ANSWER THAT JUST BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SIEGEL IS PERFORMING FOR US WITH THEIR ENTITY. I'M NOT PREPARED TO ANSWER.
>> SIEGEL IS OUR BENEFITS CONSULTANT.
THEY ARE CONDUCTING THAT ANALYSIS.
>> I JUST BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE OTHER ANALYSIS FROM CONSULTANTS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAN IN FURTHER SO HOW THEY DEFINE THE MARKET IN TERMS OF OUR COMPETITOR SO TO SPEAK DALLAS COUNTY, TRAVIS COUNTY, BEXAR COUNTY, HOW THEY DEFINE
[03:15:04]
THE MARKET BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE AND ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES IN TERMS OF PREMIUM COST SHARING STRUCTURES. IN TERMS OF PLAN DESIGN.AND WE HAVE, REHASH EXPERIENCES WE HAD WITH OTHER CONSULTANTS I'M NOT SAYING SIEGEL, SOMETIMES HOW THEY DEFINE THE MARKET IS QUESTIONABLE. I WANT AS ACCURATE DATA WHEN WE
GET THAT ANALYSIS ON IT. >> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. YOU'RE REFERENCING THE MARKET FOR EXAMPLE BENCHMARKING. WE WILL MAKE SURE THOSE INCLUDE
THE MOST RELEVANT. >> CITY OF HOUSTON, THE STATE OF
TEXAS. >> SO, HOW ARE THEY DEFINING OUR
AND THE OTHER COMPONENT IS THAT MARKET CHECKPOINT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. THE MARKET ANALYSIS.
THAT IS LOOKING AT HOW OUR PLAN IS PERFORMING VERSUS OTHER PLANS. LIKE OTHER VENDORS.
THAT'S A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MARKET AND MEANT TO ANALYZE HOW COMPETITIVE OUR PRODUCTS ARE AND WHETHER OR NOT IT'S WORTH IT TO
GO FORWARD WITH AN RFP. >> PROVIDER NETWORK.
SO LIKE. BASICALLY THAT WE HAVE FED OUR UNMASKED CLAIMS FILE OVER. AND SO THEY'RE TAKING MACHINE READABLE DATA. THAT HAS, WHAT THE DIFFERENCE CARRIERS PUT OUT ON WHAT THEY HAVE PROVIDERS CHARGING OR NETWORK DISCOUNTS. THEY WILL LOOK AND SEE ARE PROVIDER NETWORK DISCOUNTS ON OUR PLAN AS COMPETITIVE AND LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE POINT DIFFERENCE AS OTHER CARRIERS.
SO THAT WOULD GIVE US AN IDEA AS ARE WE GETTING THE BEST CLAIMS SPENT ON THAT CARE? OR COULD WE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO ANOTHER CARRIER AND GET A LOWER AMOUNT AND HAVE TO CAUTION WITH THAT BECAUSE IT IS A POINT IN TIME.
BECAUSE THESE PROVIDER NETWORK ARRANGEMENTS ARE NEGOTIATED.
IT COULD BE VERY GOOD ONE YEAR AND CHANGES THE NEXT.
>> THANK YOU BOTH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. RAMSEY AND ELLIS.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. THANK Y'ALL FOR THE UPDATE.
SO, IF I'M HEARING YOU RIGHT, YOU'RE SAYING CAN'T PUT OUT THE RFP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT THE COST US $27 MILLION BECAUSE OF UNPAID PRESCRIPTIONS. MR. RAMOS, YOU HAVE COME BACK ON SEVERAL BUDGETS BEFORE TO TELL US THE INSURANCE HAS GONE UP.
AND THAT WE HAVE TO PONY UP MORE UNBUDGETED MONEY TO PAY FOR THAT. DO WE, DO YOU FORESEE THE SAME THING HAPPENING IN THIS FISCAL YEAR?
>> THERE WILL BE GROWTH. I CAN ALWAYS GUARANTEE THAT I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE --
>> AND NOT TO MARRY YOU TO IT. >> I WOULD SAY 6 TO 8% EASILY.
>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> 6 TO 8 WOULD BE 25 TO
$35 MILLION. >> SO, THAT'S, THAT WOULD BE UNEXPECTED, UNBUDGETED THAT WE WOULD --
>> JUST NORMAL GROWTH AND COST. >> ALMOST A WASH FOR THE UNPAID BENEFITS. I MEAN PRESCRIPTIONS WOULD BE?
>> IF WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT SAVINGS ON THE MARKET.
>> SO I'M STILL ON MY POINT WE OUGHT TO GO FORWARD.
. I THINK WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. THERE IS A THING CALLED THE PUBLIC POWER POOL FOR ENERGY. I THINK WE OUGHT TO, NOW WE HAVE A DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATION, WHETHER IT MAKES SENSE TO BUY INTO THE STATE HEALTH CONTRACT, BUT I THINK WE JUST CAN'T KEEP OURSELVES IN THE SITUATION WHERE WE'RE HAVING TO PAY UNINTENDED COSTS ON THIS. PLUS THIS PRESENTATION DOES NOT INCLUDE OUR RETIREE. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ON THE IMPACT TO RETIREES. I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AS I DIRECT PREVIOUSLY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND ELLIS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU SPENT NOT JUST IN PREPARATION FOR THIS BUT GOING THROUGH THE ANALYSIS.
[03:20:01]
ONE THING WE KNOW MAKE A MOTION WE CONTINUE UNTIL WE FINISH.>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.
>> THIS IS THE MOST UNPREDICTABLE THING HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES. WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS ON WHAT OUR HEALTHCARE BENEFITS WILL BE.
WE'RE ON THE LEADING EDGE IF YOU WILL ON BEING SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF NOT ONLY OUR RETIREES BUT OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND DO IT IN SOME PREDICTABLE FASHION. I DON'T THINKS CLEARLY NOT WORTH GOING OUT EARLY. TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ANY CHANGES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE.
EVEN IF WE DID GO OUT EARLY AND DID A THREE-TIERED SYSTEM AND ALL THESE THINGS IN 2027, IT WOULD CREATE NOT ONLY NEGATIVE COST BUT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR EMPLOYEES.
I WOULD RATHER IT'S KIND OF LIKE LEASING A CAR.
SOMETIMES YOU GET THREE YEARS INTO THE LEASE AND WISH YOU SIGNED A TWO-YEAR LEASE. BUT WE GOT A FOUR-YEAR PLAN, WE GO OUT FOR PROPOSAL AS WE PLANNED.
IN 2028, IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES.
>> EARLY NEXT YEAR. LET'S DO THAT TAKE A DEEP BREATH. LET'S MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT.
DO THE RESEARCH. BE SURE WE HAVE THE BEST PEOPLE DOING THAT RESEARCH. AND THEN GET SOMETHING DEFINED IN TERMS OF A AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT OUR MARKET IS.
AND WE WANT TO BE, WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
I KNOW WHERE IN TERMS OF OUR BENEFITS.
I THINK WE'VE GOT PRETTY GOOD BENEFITS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW PRETTY GOOD RELATES TO EVERYBODY ELSE.
WHETHER IT'S CORPORATE, EXXON, SOME OTHER COUNTY WHERE WE STACK UP. IT'S AT LEAST NICE TO KNOW IF WE'RE DRIVING A CADILLAC OR I VOLKSWAGEN BUG.
GO THROUGH THE ANALYSIS, TAKE THE TIME.
LET'S THINK THROUGH THIS. I DON'T THINK WE DO ANYTHING RUSHED. NOT WITH 20,000 EMPLOYEES.
THAT DEPEND ON US TO MAKE GREAT DECISIONS.
I AM FOR TAKING OUR TIME, GET IT RIGHT.
GO THROUGH THIS YEAR. GET READY.
GO OUT FOR PROPOSAL NEXT YEAR AS PLANNED.
BUT BE REALLY PREPARED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BENEFIT WE CAN THE IMPACTS ARE. I DON'T KNOW IF OUR COSTS ARE GOING UP. IN A GREATER PROPORTIONATELY SPEAK. MR. RAMOS, YOU SAID LAST YEAR WAS EXTRAORDINARY HOW MUCH WE HAD TO PAY.
IS THAT WHAT EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD HAD TO DO?
ARE OR ARE WE DIFFERENT? >> BECAUSE WE OFFER MORE OPTIONS
IT COST MORE. >> WHAT YOU HEARD WE HAVE IF YOU WILL, BENEFITS TO THAT. I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING OTHER THAN JUST TO UNDERSTAND THAT. BECAUSE WE OFFER MORE OPTION.
BECAUSE WE OFFER IN MANY WAYS MORE BENEFITS, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT. AND EITHER UNDERSTAND THAT OR DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT GAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS. I AM ONE THAT LET'S JUST GET BACK ON OUR SCHEDULE. DON'T DO ANYTHING IN A RUSH CHAOTIC MANNER. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT PEOPLE WHO STAYED WITH COUNTY ALL OF THESE YEARS MADE THAT DECISION IN PART BECAUSE OF HEALTHCARE.
IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF THE PAY. WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB IN TERMS OF PEOPLE AT THE TOP. BUT THAT'S A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE. WE MADE PROGRESS ON PAY EQUITY EVEN WHEN A LOT OF COMPLAINING NATIONAL ALONG THE WAY.
BUT WE HAVE ALSO ADDED SIGNIFICANT COSTS AND BUDGET.
SOMETIMES AT THE VERY LAST MOMENT.
I WANT TO LET THESE EMPLOYEES KNOW.
I THINK THAT WAS ANGST WHEN I ASKED FOR A LETTER TO GO OUT FOR CHANGES THAT WERE BEING PROPOSED.
SOME CRITICISM OF ME FOR DOING IT.
THEN I FOUND OUT WE HAVE BEEN SENDING OUT NOTICES BY HALLOWEEN. I THINK THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE THAN TRICK OR TREAT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT IS THE PLAN TO LET THESE EMPLOYEES KNOW WELL IN ADVANCE IN THIS ERA WHERE WE JUST HAD AN ELECTION.
WHAT DECISIONS WERE MADE BASED ON AFFORDABILITY.
[03:25:02]
I WANT TO MAKE SURE AT THE LAST MINUTE THEY DON'T FIND WE'RE POPPING ON. HOW MUCH PRESSURE WE CAN PUT ON THE CARRIERS IS VERY COMPETITIVE TO GIVE A SIGNATURE ACCOUNT LIKE HARRIS COUNTY. WHAT PRESSURE CAN WE PUT ON THEM? TO HELP US OUT.I'M NOT IN ANY WAY ASHAMED OF HAVING GREAT BENEFITS.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE MY DOCTOR.
I DON'T WANT SOMEBODY PUSHING ME TO, I WANT TO KEEP THE DOCTOR I HAVE. I AM WELL AWARE OF THOSE DEBATES ABOUT HEALTHCARE IN THE PAST. I DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE.
I'M TELLING YOU, I WILL BE VERY VOCAL ABOUT LIMITING OPTIONS, INCREASING COSTS, BALANCING OUR BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF OUR EMPLOYEES. YOU KNOW WE HAVE DONE A LOT TO HAVE PEOPLE COME ON BACK TO WORK.
BUT AT LEAST MAJORITY OF US HAVE SAID WE DON'T FAVOR ALL OF THE REMOTE WORKING. MAYBE AND COMPANIES ARE DOING IT THAT ARE PUSHING AWAY FROM IT. WE GOT A HARD WORKING GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THAT 20,000 EMPLOYEES. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING SLIPPING UP ON THEM AT THE LAST MINUTE. IN PART BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL DECISIONS WE MADE AND ASK ONE QUESTION.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE.
I DISAGREE WITH MR. RAMOS AND FOLKS IN THE PAST.
I DON'T HIDE IT. I'M NOT EMBARRASSED IN ANY WAY OF FIGHTING FOR PEOPLE'S HEALTHCARE.
IN A LOT OF WAYS THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT AT LEAST EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT AS THE PAY. BUT WHAT THE PLAN.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS COMING ON? OR WHAT OPTIONS? WE'RE TARGETING JANUARY 14TH, SINCE THAT WAS THE MOTION TO COME BACK WITH THE TWO ITEMS PROGRESSIVE PREMIUM STRUCTURE AND NEW HIRE PLAN OPTIONS AND PREMIUMS. AHEAD OF THAT, WE WOULD RELEASE AN E-MAIL MAINLY BECAUSE THOSE TWO ARE WHAT IMPACT EMPLOYEES.
THEY DON'T IMPACT RETIREES AND RELEASE THE E-MAIL IN ACCORDANCE OF YOUR MOTION MAKING SURE THEY'RE AWAY OF THIS.
IF A DECISION IS MADE TO WHICH DIRECTION TO GO, WE WOULD HAVE A LONG RUN WAY TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE FULLY INFORMED AHEAD OF OPEN ENROLLMENT. THAT WAS THE WHOLE INTENT OF Y'ALL HAVING US COME BACK IN JANUARY TO MAKE THE DECISIONS OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET SEASON SO WE HAVE TIME TO REALLY GET FOLKS
READY FOR THAT TRANSITION. >> SOMEWHERE IN THE PLAN ENGAGEMENT PROCESS FOR THEM? I DON'T WANT THEM TO FIND OUT AFTER WE DID IT AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT DID SUCH AND SUCH. I WANT THEM TO WEIGH IN AND COME DOWN AND SAY IT. I LIKE TO GET THE LIST AND PUT IT OUT MYSELF. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO LET THEM KNOW SO THEY CAN WEIGH IN ON IT AND THE EMPLOYEE GROUPS THAT REPRESENT AND BRIEF THEM. I SUGGEST YOU BRIEF THEM IN
ADVANCE WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE. >> MAKE SURE THE RETIREIES -- RETIREES ARE INCLUDED. WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING UP THE
NEW EMPLOYEES COUNCIL. >> THAT WILL START IN THE FIRST QUARTER. Y'ALL'S OFFICES RECEIVED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF MAKING SELECTIONS FOR THE CHOICES OF RETIRING EMPLOYEE TO SERVE ON THAT COUNCIL.
OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE INVOLVED IN THE WHOLE PROCESS.
THAT WAS WHY WORKING TO HAVE THE RFP WITHIN THE CURRENT OR THE ORIGINAL TIMELINE GIVES US THE SPACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE WHOLE PROCESS THE WHOLE WAY.
EVEN HAVE POSSIBLY ONE OR TWO OF THEM SERVE ON THE PURCHASING EVALUATION COMMITTEE. FOR THE MEDICAL RFP.
AHEAD OF JANUARY 14TH COURT, WE WERE GOING TO SHARE WHAT WAS BEING PROPOSED BUT I DON'T THINK GIVEN WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE INFORMATION TRYING TO GET READY FOR THAT AND THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S TIME TO GET A SURVEY OUT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE WE GET MOVE PEOPLE'S RESPONSES ON HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE OPTIONS BEING
PRESENTED AT COURT. >> I WILL LIKE TO GET SOME SENSE OF HOW THEY FEEL BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT.
OR WHEN IT COMES UP, I WILL BE SAYING WE DIDN'T LET THEM WEIGH IN. I SUGGEST ALTHOUGH THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING UP. THEY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT BEFORE THEY GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.
SINCE WE HAVE A CONSULTATION POLICY NOW.
AT LEAST THE LEADERS OF THE CONSULTATION ENTITIES YOU SHOULD
WE CAN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ENGAGEMENT.
YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN. WE UNDERSTAND THAT'S VERY
IMPORTANT. >> I MIGHT JUST ASK MR. RAMOS,
COST WAS ABOUT $20 MILLION? >> I DID 20 MILLION IS THE
[03:30:03]
FLOOR. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DISAGREEWITH ME. >> THEN, YOU MENTIONED IT LAST GO AROUND. ASSUMING WE DO NO NEW REVENUE FOR THE NEXT ROUND. IT'S A GUESS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT DEFICIT DID YOU SAY 250?
>> THAT'S MY BEST GUESS IF WE WERE TO GO TO THE NNR.
>> YEAH. IS IT, THAT'S A FLOOR?
>> I WOULD SAY YES. >> FLOOR OR CEILING?
>> I WOULD SAY FLOOR. >> OKAY.
ALL RIGHT. YOU COUNT IT $20 MILLION IN IT?
I KNOW THAT'S ANOTHER ITEM IN TERMS OF BUDGET PROCESS.
WE HAVE A VERY DELIBERATIVE AND CREATIVE AS PEOPLE COME IN ASKING FOR MORE THINGS AND LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCIES.
BECAUSE I GOT A SENSE THAT'S THE DIRECT WE'RE HEADED.
>> IF I CAN ADD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I AGREE WITH YOU ON THE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT OF OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES DEPENDENTS AND RETIREES. IN JANUARY YOU WILL COME FORWARD WITH OPTIONS AND THEN WE CAN ASSESS THEM AND WE WOULD HAVE TIME TO THEN ALLOW LET'S SAY A MONTH FOR ENGAGEMENT VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS AND VOTE IN A FEBRUARY COURT AND STILL GIVE US OR MATCH COURT AND STILL GIVE US MANY MONTHS TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH? WE NEED ROBUST TIME FOR THE TEAM MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO WEIGH IN.
I FEEL LIKE WITHOUT KNOWING THE CLEAR OPTIONS THAT YOU WILL PRESENT, DO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE FEEDBACK WE'RE RECEIVING ARE THINGS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY ON THE TABLE.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU'RE GOING TO COME IN JANUARY WITH
MORE THE CLEAR OPTIONS. >> YES.
THAT'S CORRECT. JANUARY WAS THE TARGET OF THE MOTION. SO, THAT'S WHEN WE WOULD BE BRINGING THEM BACK AND THEY'RE FULLY FORMED INCLUDING ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONSIDER.
I THINK TIMING, THAT TYPE OF ENGAGEMENT WITH EMPLOYEES RETIREES AND ANY OF THAT COULD FOLLOW.
THAT WAY THEY'RE FULLY AWARE AND COME BACK.
FEBRUARY I WOULD SAY BY THE LATEST MARCH SO WE HAVE A DECISION AND WORK WITH THE INTERNAL TEAMS INVOLVING HC US AND PAYROLL DEPENDING ON WHICH OPTION IS DECIDED UPON.
>> PERFECT. I DEFINITELY AGREE TO BUILD THAT ROBUST ENGAGEMENT INTO THE TIMELINE.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. COLLEAGUES HOPING TO JUMP TO
ITEM 339 ON PROCUREMENT. >> NO OKAY.
>> YES JUDGE, YOU HAVE BEEN PATIENT.
339, LET ME CALL UP PURCHASING AGENT.
KIMBERLY WILLIAMS. >> THANK YOU, AGENT WILLIAMS AND OTHER DIRECTORS. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. >> THANK YOU.
KIM WILLIAMS. PURCHASING AGENT.
WHEN I CAME ON BOARD IN AUGUST 2025.
I WAS ASKED ABOUT RECOMMENDATIONS THE COURT MADE IN APRIL OF 2024. JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE ON AT THAT TIME THERE WAS AN AUDIT DONE BY -- DIRECTOR, DO YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR US TO BE LOOKING AT.
>> I DO NOT. I GOT WORD ABOUT THIS LAST
>> WE DID AN AUDIT OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE AND THREE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE AT THAT TIME.
ONE OF REGARDING DOCUMENTATION OF SELECTION OF QUALIFIED BIDDERS. COMPLETION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS FORMS AND COMPLETEMENT OF FEDERAL DEPARTMENT FORMS. I'M PLEASED THERE HAS BEEN OKAY TAKEN SINCE THE AUDIT WAS DONE AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF COURT IN APRIL 2024.
I WANT TO THANK THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICERS WHO REALLY ADVANCED A LOT OF THIS EFFORT BEFORE I CAME ON BOARD. SO AS OF TODAY WHERE WE STAND IS THAT ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION, OCE, FLOOD CONTROL AND HECTRA HAVE PROCEDURES IN PLAY THAT ADDRESS ISSUES FROM 2024 AUDIT. WE REVIEWED OUR INTERNAL RECORDS AND HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION IN PLACE.
I WANT TO ADD IN ADDITION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS, WE HAD TWO AUDITS. 2025 IN OCTOBER.
THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE DID AN AUDIT AND HAD ONLY ONE CORRECTIVE ACTION DEALING WITH SAM DOT GOV.
[03:35:05]
IT WAS APPROVED TO THIS COURT IN MAY OF 2026 GLOW AS ISSUED A CLEARANCE RECORD AND MOST RECENTLY, I WILL DEFER TO THERE WAS AN AUGUST 2026 AUDIT COMPLETED AS WELL I BELIEVE YOU ALL RECEIVED AND IN THAT THEY WERE NO PARTICULAR FINDINGS.SO, I THINK YOU WILL BE PLEASED TO KNOW THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD ANDED MANY OF THEM AND IN COMPLIANCE. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. AGENT WILLIAMS. SO, LET ME, I KNOW THAT FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, ENGINEERING, AUDITOR STAFF ARE ALSO HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD COMMENTS.
LET ME FOCUS ON PURCHASING AGENT.
IN AUDITOR POST OR SOMEONE FROM HIS OFFICE.
THAT'S WHERE I WILL GO NEXT. SO, IF YOU GUYS WOULDN'T MIND WALKING US THROUGH. HERE'S WHERE I'M AT.
THE HISTORY I FOUND OUT, I ALWAYS KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY THE WAY THE CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT. SOMEBODY THAT WORKED HERE HIGH UP IN THE COUNTY CLUED ME IN AND DIDN'T TELL ME EXACTLY HOW.
I SPENT THE FIRST 2019, 2020 ALMOST TO 2024 TRYING TO PUT MY FINGER ON WHAT WAS GOING ON. WHAT KEPT GETTING SPUN AROUND AND WE KEPT REFORMING AND UPDATING THE PURCHASING WITHIN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. FINALLY, WE DISCOVERED THANKS TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. SINCE THE 70S AND SIR, MR. HOL HOLLOWAY.
YOU HAVE TO REMIND ME OF THE EXACT DATE.
FOR DECADES, THERE HAD BEEN A CONTRACTS LET OUTSIDE OF THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND THOSE WERE THE ONES THAT HAD NOT, WERE NOT FOLLOWING IN DOCUMENTED PROCESSES.
SO WHILE WE WERE FOCUSED ON FIXING THE POLICY PURCHASING PROCESSES, THE REAL PROBLEM WAS OUTSIDE OF THE PURCHASING.
THE THING IS, IT WAS HARD TO IDENTIFY THIS AS THE FOLKS WERE INVOLVED IN THIS NOBODY SPOKE UP AND SAID IT WAS HAPPENING.
ALSO BECAUSE WE WERE THE ONLY COUNTY THAT WE COULD FIND THAT HAD BEEN TAKING PART IN THOSE PRACTICES.
IF I REMEMBER AND PLEASE MR. HOLLOWAY CORRECT ME.
I REMEMBER YOU GUYS REACHING OUT TO OUR COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ASKING IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER COUNTY OR CITY THAT HAD THEIR CONTRACTS AWARDED OUTSIDE OF THE INDEPENDENT PURCHASING AGENT. SAN ANTONIO ANSWERED SOMETHING HINTED AT MAYBE THEY HAD SOMETHING SIMILAR TO US AND SAID, NO. NO.
WE MISUNDERSTOOD. NO WAY WE DO WHAT YOU GUYS DO.
THAT'S WHAT I REALIZED, WE ARE IN REAL TROUBLE.
THE THING IS, IT WAS NOT ILLEGAL.
NOBODY BROKE THE LAW. THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WAS RIGHT FOR ANY KIND OF STANDARD IS PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
YOU HAVE THE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION OR THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND IT GOES OUT TO BUILD. YOU COLLECT THE BIDS AND THERE'S A SELECTION COMMITTEE AND THEN THE SCORING CRITERIA AND THEN THIS CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS AND THEN THE VENDOR IS CHOSEN.
AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL OF THAT OR JUST AS IMPORTANT IS THE DOCUMENTATION. THAT'S WHAT I WAS HEARING IN AGENT WILLIAMS. IF THERE'S NO DOCUMENTATION HOW CAN YOU PROVE YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS PROCESS? AUDITOR POST WORKED VERY HARD AND YOU GUYS EXPOSED THESE PROBLEMS. AND THEN WE ALL VOTED I THINK IT WAS APRIL 2024 TO SAY, WE WILL GO TO THESE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDING CONTRACTS OUTSIDE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THESE STANDARD PROCESSES AND DOCUMENT EGG. THEN WE CAME BACK IN 2025 AND FOUND THAT THEY WERE NO, THEY HAVE -- JUST SO HAPPENED THEY HAD NOT PUT OUT CONTRACTS TO BID.
IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
AND THEN OF COURSE ONE OF REASONS, ONE OF THE FRUSTRATIONS
[03:40:05]
I HAD WITH SUPERVISOR PETERSON AND I WAS VERY PUBLIC.I DO ACKNOWLEDGE IT WAS DOCTOR RAMON.
HOW DO YOU AWARD THE CONTRACTS AND EVERYBODY WAS QUIET.
RAMON HAD THE COURAGE TO TELL ME IT WAS PHONE CALLS.
>> THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, PURCHASING AGENT.
AUDITOR, ENGINEERING HECTRA. FLOOD CONTROL, THE PLAYERS THAT WERE SOMEHOW IN CAHOOTS WITH ALL OF THIS.
COMING OUT OF THAT, WE SAID LOOK, CLEARLY SO LONG AS THE DEPARTMENTS, SO LONG AS THE DEPARTMENTS SERVE THE PLEASURE OF THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, AND THE DEPARTMENTS ARE THE ONES DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO IMPLEMENT THE SYSTEMS ANY TIME ANY POINT IN TIME WE CAN GO BACK TO LACKING A PROCESS.
SINCE 2025 UNTIL NOW, WE FOCUS HAS BEEN TO PUT PROCUREMENT INSIDE OF THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT WHERE IT BELONGS WHERE IT NEEDED TO HAVE BEEN WHERE IT IS IN EVERY OTHER COUNTY AND CITY. THAT'S THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU TWO TODAY. IS ALL PROCUREMENT IN HARRIS COUNT I CONDUCTED VIA THE PURCHASING AGENT AS IT SHOULD BE
CONDUCTED? >> SO I WILL START BY SAYING THAT THE WAY THE COUNTY POLICIES ARE WRITTEN, FLOOD CONTROL AND HECTRA ARE ABLE TO DO THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOLICI SOLICITATIONS, HOWEVER FLOOD CONTROL, I'M SORRY COUNTERY ENGINEER HAVE AGREED TO WORK THROUGH THE PURCHASING AGENT. SO AS OF AUGUST 2025, THEY ARE COMING THROUGH OUR OFFICES. SO THEY DO ADVERTISE THROUGH THE BOND FIRE SYSTEM WHICH IS THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENTS, WE CALL RECORD OF TRUTH AND REVIEW EVERY FILE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE CONFLICT OF INTERESTS FILED AND DOCUMENTATION FILED.
I BELIEVE THAT'S SUPPORTED BY THE AUDIT RELEASED IN AUGUST OF 26. I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. I CAN SAY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS COURT WHO PROVIDED US ADDITIONAL COMPLIANCE PERSON, WE ARE ABLE TO GO THROUGH AND LOOK AT EVERY STAGE FROM AWARD TO RENEWAL TO DETERMINE THAT ALL OF THAT PAPERWORK IS IN PLACE.
AND I WILL ASK MR. HOLLOWAY TO SHARE THE RESULTS OF THE AUGUST
AUDIT WHICH CONFIRMS THAT. >> OKAY.
GLEN HOLLOWAY CHIEF ASSISTANT COUNTY AUDITOR.
WHAT WE DID, WE HAVE REVIEWED THE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES IN THE PAST AND HECTRA FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER. RESULT OF THOSE AUDITS, THERE WAS MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS FORMED AND THEY WERE SEVEN MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN CLOSED.
THOSE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS ADDRESSED DOCUMENTATION OF THE VENDOR SELECTION COMPLETION OF THOSE CONFLICT OF INTERESTS FORMS AND THE DEBARMENT CHECKS. AS A RESULT OF THOSE, THESE PROCESSES, THE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED AND THE INTERNAL CONTROLS HAVE BEEN ALSO BEEN STRENGTHENED IN THOSE AREAS. YES, COMMISSIONER, I SEE YOUR
HAND UP. >> WE NEED A MOTION TO EXTEND CONVERSATION ON PROCUREMENT REFORM.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND DISCUSSION? WHOA, OKAY. Y'ALL ABOUT TO BE IN TROUBLE.
SOMEBODY VOTED ON SOMETHING WAS ANTICORRUPTION.
>> ALL RIGHT. MOTION BY RAMSEY TO CONTINUE UNTIL WE FINISH. SECOND BY BRIONES.
ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
ANY POST? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
SO WE HAD THOSE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS WHICH WE HAVE CONFIRMED HAVE BEEN CLOSED. IN THAT THE POLICY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND BEING FOLLOWED ON THOSE WE LOOKED AT.
SO THIS REPRESENTS AS I SAID, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND ALSO STRENGTHENS IN INTERNAL CONTROL PROCESSES.
SO, WE GOT A LOT OF COOPERATION FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND
[03:45:02]
APPRECIATE ALL OF THE TEAMS THAT WORK TOGETHER TO IMPLEMENT TOMAKE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS. >> OKAY.
SO, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT WAYS TO LOOK AT SOMETHING.
RIGHT. LIKE LET ME FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE, THIS HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT IN 50 YEARS IT'S BEEN EVERYONE FROM EACH OF YOURS OFFICES TO DEPARTMENTS TO BUDGET.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. ATTORNEY, COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
PROPERLY FUNDING YOUR WORK PURCHASING AGENTS.
SO I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROGRESS.
THAT SAID, I WANT TO VERIFY THAT IT IS WHERE I BELIEVE WE OWE IT TO THE TAXPAYERS TO BE. THE PROCUREMENT STANDARD FOR IN ANY OTHER COUNTY, I MEAN, PICK WHICHEVER ONE, IS HERE.
THIS IS HOW PROCUREMENT IS DONE. IT ALL GOES THROUGH THE PURCHASE AGENT. YOU GUYED COOKED UP MANAGEMENT OKAY PLANS WITH THE RELEVANT STAKEHOLDER SAYS AND THEY COM COMPLIED.
ARE WE UP TO HERE OR HERE? >> I WAS SAY BASED ON THE EXTERNAL AUDIT. THE LAND OFFICE DID A VERY THOROUGH AUDIT WHEN I CAME IN IN OCTOBER OF 2026.
I'M SORRY, 2025. I WILL SAY WE ARE THERE NOW.
WE NEVER WANT TO STOP DOING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS AND CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT THAT. THERE HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS STRIDES MADE SINCE THE APRIL 2024 EXERCISE.
I WANT TO ADD AS OF FY 26-27. WE NOW HAVE DEDICATED PROCUREMENT TEAMS EMBEDDED WITH FLOOD CONTROL AND HECTRA.
THE PURCHASING AGENT IS ON SITE TO IT KNOW TO RAISE THE BAR
EVERY CHANCE WE HAVE. >> YOU BROUGHT UP GLO.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ALWAYS COMPLIED.
THE STANDARD THAT ALL THE OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT FOLLOW AND EVERY OTHER GOVERNMENT THAT I HAVE KNOWN OF.
BECAUSE IT'S JUST THE STANDARD. SO, WE ALREADY WERE COMPLIANT TO THAT STANDARD IN PROJECTS THAT INVOLVED FEDERAL FUNDING.
AND STATE FUNDING. WHY IS IT RELEVANT THEY THINK WE'RE COMPLIANT WHEN WE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN COMPLIANT WHEN IT PERTAINING TO THEIR MONEY? THE PROBLEM WITH HARRIS COUNTY PROPERTY TAX MONEY, SPECIFIC EXAMPLE IS THE BOND.
THE FLOOD BOND, THE T $25. BILLION.
EXCUSE ME, FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS.
THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS THAT WERE BEING BID OUT AND FUNDED BY LOCAL FLOOD BOND MONEY WERE PROBLEM ATICALLY BID OUT.
THESE WERE BID OUT WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY OF COURSE THEY FOLLOWED THE STANDARD OF FEDERAL, STANDARD FEDERAL
>> IN APRIL 2024, THERE WAS A FEDERAL PROCUREMENT FINDING.
WHEN GLO CAME IN OCTOBER OF 2025.
THEY REVIEWED THE PROGRAM AND HAD A MINOR CORRECTION.
REALLY JUST DEALING WITH MORE DETAIL.
THERE WAS A FINDING IN 24 THAT WAS NOT A FINDING IN 2025.
>> OKAY. SO, THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.
BACK TO OUR LOCAL MONEY HERE. I HAVE JULY 2026 HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE. I'M TRYING TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS A DIFFERENT WAY. SO, I'M TRYING TO GET AT SOMETHING HERE. I GUESS I WILL GET TO THAT IN A SECOND. I WROTE DOWN THE WORDS HERE.
MADAM PURCHASING AGENT, THAT YOU MENTIONED THEY HAVE THE ABILITY THEY'RE ABLE, FLOOD CONTROL AND HECTRA ARE ABLE TO DO THEIR
PROCUREMENT. >> BECAUSE THEY HAVE A STAMP.
>> SO DOES THAT NOT LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN FOR A FUTURE FLOOD
[03:50:02]
CONTROL OR HECTRA DEPARTMENT HEAD TO REVERT TO INAPPROPRIATE PRACTICES? IN OTHER WORDS, IF THIS WERE THE WAY TO DO THINGS, WOULDN'T EVERY ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL OR EQUIVALENT DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY GIVE THOSE DEPARTMENTS THE ABILITY TO DO THEIR OWN PROCUREMENT?>> SO ULTIMATELY, THEY STILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO THIS BODY.
>> BUT THIS BODY WAS OKAY WITH IT FOR 50 YEARS.
THAT'S WHY I PURCHASING AGENT EXISTS.
WE ALL IN A DEMOCRACY I BELIEVE ARE DUTY BOUND TO TIE OUR OWN HANDS. YOU CAN NEVER LEGISLATE EVERY SINGLE POSSIBILITY. IF YOUR GOVERNING PHILOSOPHY IS I WILL DO EVERYTHING IF IT'S NOT ILLEGAL.
>> THE THING TO FOCUS ON HERE ANYONE WHO HAS BAD INTENT CAN DO BAD THINGS. HOWEVER, WHAT WE HAVE FOUND AND WHAT I HAVE SEEN IS THAT ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING THROUGH THE OFFICE OF PURCHASING AGENT.
WE ARE MAKING SURE WE'RE COMPLIANT.
THERE'S TWO AUDITS DONE WITHIN THIS YEAR SHOW WE ARE.
WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE PROCESS.
BUT THERE'S NOTHING ABOUT THE FINDINGS OF THOSE TWO AUDITS BOTH DONE BY THE EXTERNAL COUNTY AUDIT OR AND THIRD PARTY GLO
SHOWS WE HAVE AN ISSUE. >> I GET THAT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT. WHAT I'M SAYING IS, THE VOTERS VOTED ANTICORRUPTION MANDATE. SO THIS IS ISN'T EVEN JUST ME.
IT HAPPENS TO BE VERY TIMELY. NUMBER ONE.
NUMBER TWO. HARRIS COUNTY HAS A 50 YEAR HISTORY. IF IT'S NOT 50, IT'S 49 OF AWARDS CONTRACTS OUTSIDE PROPER PURCHASING PRACTICES.
SO, ARE YOU TELLING ME AND MY PLEA WOULD BE THAT WE MOVE THE CONTRACTS TO THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT JUST AS EVERY OTHER JURISDICTION DOES IT SO THAT WE DON'T LEAVE IT UP TO FUTURE POTENTIAL DEPARTMENT HEADS OR ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE BEST INTEREST IN MIND TO REVERT TO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE.
WHY NOT SIMPLY OPERATE THE WAY EVERY OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY OPERATES AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND ACCORDING TO AUDITOR'S RESEARCH.
WHY NOT? >> THAT'S A BUSINESS DECISION IN TERMS OF HOW THE COUNTY WANTS TO OPERATE.
I WILL SAY CURRENTLY ALL INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISIONS.
>> YOU SAID THAT ALREADY SEVERAL TIMES.
WHY NOT MOVE THINGS OVER TO THE PURCHASING AGENT? IS THERE SOMETHING I'M NOT HEARING FROM YOU.
THE ANSWER I'M LOOKING FOR. WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY.
OR IT WOULD, WE NEED MORE MONEY. WHY NOT?
>> THAT'S THE DOWN SIDE OF OPERATING THE WAY EVERY OTHER JURISDICTION OPERATES. I HEAR YOU SAYING THAT RIGHT NOW THIS AUDIT, THE LATEST AUDITS WE VERY COMPLYING.
THE MINUTE THERE'S NO ATTENTION AND WE ARE NOT HERE, THERE'S A REASON CHECKS EXIST. IS THERE SOMETHING I'M NOT CATCHING? I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND
>> I THINK WE ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE ACTIVELY PUT A DEDICATED TEAM WITH HECTRA AND FLOOD CONTROL. YOU'RE SAYING IS IT A LACK OF RESOURCES? IT IS.
HOWEVER, CREDIT TO FLOOD CONTROL AND HECTR A, THEY HAVE RESOLVED THAT CONSTRAINT BY PAYING FOR A TEAM THAT MAINTAINS THIS
COMPLIANCE. >> WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE? IN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY AND DALLAS COUNTY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
>> I WOULD HAVE TO DO RESEARCH. WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE FOR US. STARTING WITH HECTRA LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE EMBEDDED FIVE PURCHASING AGENTS INTO THEIR OFFICE. THEY ARE THERE ON SITE AND MANAGE THE AGREEMENTS THROUGH THE ORGANIZATIONS.
>> LOOK, IF THERE'S SOMETHING I'M NOT HEARING, PLEASE JUMP IN SIR. ANYBODY ELSE.
BUT I'M KIND OF STUCK WHERE I HAVE BEEN.
THE ITEM FOR THE LAST QUOTE OF THE YEAR.
IT'S NICE THESE, I AND APPRECIATE IT.
THE NOBLE. OF THESE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO PAY, WE'RE GOING TO USE OUR BUDGET THAT
[03:55:02]
WE'RE LIMITED SO THAT PURCHASING CAN COME BE A WATCH DOG FOR US.THERE'S NOTHING, THAT'S JUST NOT HOW POLICY MAKING WORKS.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, LET'S GET RID OF PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND HAVE ALL DEPARTMENTS DO IT ON THEIR OWN.
WHY HAVE AN INDEPENDENT PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND INDEPENDENT AUDITOR IF WE CAN TRUST THE DEPARTMENTS AS LONG AS THERE HASN'T BEEN RECENT DOCUMENTED ISSUES AND WE TRUST THAT'S HOW THE IN THE FUTURE. I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU AND BRING BACK FOR WHATEVER MOTIONS NEED TO BE MADE AT THE END OF THE YEAR SO THAT THESE CONTRACTS CAN GO THROUGH YOUR OFFICE RATHER THAN IT BEING DEPENDENT ON THE KINDNESS OF THE HEARTS OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE EXISTING POLITICIANS. JUDGE, CAN I MAKE A --
>> I AM A REGISTERED ENGINEER PRACTICE IN TEXAS.
I HAVE DONE WORK FOR 50 CITIES, 20 COUNTIES, EVERY STATE AGENCY YOU CAN'T NAME. EVERY ONE OF THEM, WHEN IT'S TIME TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO HIRE AN ENGINEER TO DO ANYTHING FOR THE CITY OR THE COUNTY OR STATE AGENCY, THEY MUST FOLLOW THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT.
NOW THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1936.
IT WAS ESTABLISHED TWO MONTHS AFTER A SCHOOL DISASTER IN NEW LONDON, TEXAS, THIS HAPPENED AFTER A PETROLEUM ENGINEER DESIGNED A NEW SCHOOL FOR THE DISTRICT AND TAPPED INTO THE DEVELOPING EAST TEXAS OIL FIELD AND GOT GAS FOR FREE.
OF COURSE, NATURAL GAS BACK THEN YOU COULDN'T SMELL IT.
A MAINTENANCE PERSON CAME TO WORK THAT COLD MARCH MORNING IN 1936 TURNED ON A SWITCH AND BLEW UP 300 CHILDREN.
IT WAS A HUGE TRAGEDY. STATE LEGISLATURE SAID THIS IS WRONG. WE DON'T NEED AGENTS PICKING ENGINEERS. WE DON'T NEED PROCESSES PICKING ENGINEERS. WHAT WE WANT IS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS PICKING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS PERIOD.
IF YOU WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, START HAVING AGENTS NO DISRESPECT AGENT, PICKING ENGINEERS.
IT'S AGAINST THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT.
SO THE REASON WHY IT'S NOT JUST CONVENIENT, YOU HAVE MADE VERY SERIOUS REPUTATION CONCERNS ABOUT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.
I RESENT IT EVERY TIME YOU SAY IT, JUDGE, BECAUSE EVERY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IS REQUIRED, THEIR NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. WHEN THEY GET A JOB IN SAN ANTONIO OR GO GET A PROJECT FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, WHEN THEY GO TRY TO DO WORK, I HAVE, WORKED IN DALLAS PUBLIC UTILITIES. I HAVE WORKED IN OTHER CITIES, OUR PROCESS WE HAVE HAD FOREVER IN HARRIS COUNTY, SUBMIT A FORM.
STANDARD FORM 350. WHAT IS THAT? IT DESCRIBES YOUR QUALI QUALIFICATIONS.
BEFORE YOU GET PICKED TO DO A BRIDGE, CAN YOU DO A BRIDGE? HOW DO I KNOW YOU CAN? I MUST INTERVIEW YOU.
I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU. I'M GOING TO LOOK AT YOUR QUALIFICATIONS. I WILL SELECT THE QUALIFIED ENGINEER. WE HAVE BEEN PICKING QUALIFIED ENGINEERS CONSULTANTS FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PICK QUALIFIED CONSULTANTS GOING FORWARD. AND IT'S NICE THAT WE HAVE PURCHASING AGENTS TO DOCUMENT ALL OF THAT.
I COULD TELL YOU STORIES OF PURCHASING AGENTS THAT WORK IN MAJOR CORPORATIONS ALONG IT IS SHIP CHANNELS, THE PROBLEM WAS A LOT OF CORRUPTION. THEY CLEANED ALL THAT UP MANY YEARS AGO. SO IT'S NOT A MATTER OF AGENT.
[04:00:04]
WE HAVE GOT I THINK, THE BEST PURCHASING AGENT ON THE PLANET.I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO IS WONDERFUL.
THE AUDITOR, WHAT YOU DO IS GREAT.
YOU DOCUMENT. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.
BUT, WE THE VERY FIRST STEP THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP AT ANY SELECTION PROCESS ON A CONSULTING ENGINEER IN THIS AREA IS GOING TO BE YOU GOT TO GET A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER TO PICK IT. AND THEN Y'ALL CAN DOCUMENT THE PROCESS. SO, THANK YOU FOR HELPING WITH THE DOCUMENTATION BUT WE HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY PROCESS.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT EXTRAORDINARY PROCESS GOING FORWARD. OR I'LL TURN EVERYBODY IN HERE INTO THE STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION IF YOU WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE IN STATE, LET'S DO THAT.
I KNOW EVERY ONE OF PEOPLE ON THAT STATE BOARD.
I WILL BE TAKING MY ETHICS COURSE IN THREE WEEKS.
EVERY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN STATE HAS TO TAKE ONE IF YOU WANT TO BE REGISTERED. THE MOST RESPECTED PROFESSION BY MANY SURVEYS ARE ENGINEERS AND TECHNICAL PEOPLE.
SO PLEASE, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CONCERNS, KEEP IT TO DOCUMENTATION, DON'T INDICT AN ENTIRE PROFESSION IN TERMS OF WHERE WE HAVE TO GET OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU KNOW THESE CORRUPT ENGINEERS. THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.
NO THEY'RE NOT. THEY DO A WONDERFUL JOB.
BOTH THE PEOPLE THAT WORKA COUNTY AND THE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET WORK AT THE COUNTY. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT MY INTENTION. LET ME USE THE BEST WORDS SO I DON'T MAKE ANY KIND OF IMPLICATIONS OR INSIGNE FOR PARTICULAR EMPLOYEES LET ALONE A PROFESSION.
MY DAD IS AN ENGINEER. OF COURSE HE'S A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND I SAID ELECTRICAL. THIS IS NOT ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS AND ETHICS. WHAT I'M SAYING IN RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENT. I'M NOT ARGUING WE'RE SELECTING UNQUALIFIED ENGINEERS OR TRYING TO IMPLY.
THE POINT I'M MAKING IS, NO MATTER WHAT THE, NO MATTER, WHICH PART OF GOVERNMENT AND SAME THING WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEYS, SAME THING WITH ANYTHING.
IT IS INCUMBENT ON US I BELIEVE, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS TO SEE TO MINIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
SO, DO I BELIEVE THAT CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO UNQUALIFIED VENDORS. NO, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT.
DO I BELIEVE THAT COMMISSIONERS OR ENGINEERING FIRMS OR COUNTY STAFF HAVE BEHAVED IN A CORRUPT MANNER? NO. I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE IN NOT SETTING UP A APPROPRIATE SAFEGUARDS.
AND I BELIEVE THAT WE OWE IT TO THE PUBLIC TO HAVE PROPER DOCUMENTATION. IT'S JUST THE WAY THESE THINGS WORK. THERE'S, THERE IS A REASON WHY WE HAVE CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS AND SCORING CRITERIA AND SCORING COMMITTEES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WE KEEP A RECORD OF ALL THAT. THIS SEEMS TO BE NO REASON WHY WE SHOULDN'T HAVE THAT. IN HARRIS COUNTY, UNLIKE EVERY OTHER CITY AND COUNTY, THOSE CITIES WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR DECADES. IT'S A MATTER OF DUE DILIGENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN TERMS OF SAFEGUARDS.
MY POINT HERE AND I WILL JUST BRING IT BACK NEXT TIME.
THIS IS NOT WHERE I THOUGHT WE WERE.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE MORE OF A CELEBRATORY CONVERSATION. WE NEED TO MAKE AN ADDITIONAL STEP AND WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE.
[04:05:06]
THAT IS TO ALLOW HARRIS COUNTY TO CONTACT ITS PROCUREMENT THE SAME WAY THAT IT'S DONE IN OTHER EQUIVALENT JURISDICTIONS.THERE'S NO REASON, THERE'S NO REASON WHY WE SHOULD AWARD THINGS WITHIN DEPARTMENTS THAT AN INEQUIVALENT JURISDICTION WOULD BE AWARDED WITHIN THE PURCHASING AGENT.
TO BE CLEAR, I'M NOT SAYING THE AGENT IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE A DECISION ON ENGINEERS. THE SELECTION COMMITTEE INCLUDES THE QUALIFIED TECHNICALLY TRAINED PEOPLE.
IT'S JUST THE SELECTION PROCESS TAKES PLACE WITHIN THE INDEPENDENT, DEPARTMENT THAT WAS LEGISLATED INTO EXISTENCE SPECIFICALLY TO INSULATE IT FROM THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED APPEARANCE, ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED PROBLEMATIC PROCUREMENT.
SO THAT'S WHERE I AM. AND THEN, HERE'S THE OTHER PIECE. AND I KNOW IT'S A SORE SPOT.
THE MEDIA AND VOTERS KNOW IT. UNLIKE MANY OTHER STATES, AND JURISDICTIONS, WE ARE ABLE TO ACCEPT UNLIMITED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. UNLIMITED.
MY PERSPECTIVE IS, THERE HAS TO BE OR HANDS NEED TO BE TIED IN SOME DIRECTION. AM I SAYING ANY OF US ENGAGED IN INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. THE POSSIBILITY TO DO IT IS SO EASY AND WOULD BE UNLESS WE CHANGE THINGS BECAUSE WE'RE SAYING WE CAN HIRE AND FIRE THE DEPARTMENT HEAD THAT OVER SEES THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. THEY SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF US P POLIT POLITICIANS. YOUR MAKING MY POINT FOR ME.
THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS SERVE AT OUR PLEASURE.
SO IF THESE DEPARTMENTS SERVE AT OUR PLEASURE, WE ARE ASKING THEM TO CONDUCT A PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
WE BOTH CAN AND DO ACCEPT ENORMOUS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE SAME VENDORS THAT ARE GETTING THESE CONTRACTS.
NOW WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION. I THINK IF WE HAD DOCUMENTATION IN PAST, IT WOULD HAVE SHOWN THE PROCESS WAS PROMOTE.
NOW WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION. WE NEED TO PLACE THE SELECTION PROCESS WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO. THAT'S JUST WHAT I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE. SO, OR, IF WE WANTED TO REMAIN WITHIN A DEPARTMENT, THAT SERVES AT THE PLEASURE OF US POLITICIANS, WE NEED TO NOT TAKE THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, ONE OR THE OTHER. THIS SIMPLY IS ME WANTING TO PUT HARRIS COUNTY IN LINE WITH EVERY OTHER JURISDICTION I HAVE YET TO FIND ONE. I COMMEND EVERYBODY FOR FINALLY CHANGING THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A SEXY TOPIC.
>> JUDGE, NOTHING, WE DO I CAN SAY THIS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN DOING WORK IN TEXAS FOR 50 YEARS.
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN HARRIS COUNTY IS MUCH LIKE WHAT GOES ON IN TRAVIS COUNTY, DALLAS COUNTY, BEXAR COUNTY, THERE'S NUANCES BETWEEN THE CITIES AND THE COUNTIES BUT ESSENTIALLY I HAVE TO SUBMIT MY QUALIFICATIONS TO DO A PARTICULAR PROJECT, A COMMITTEE, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS GET IN A ROOM AND PICK AND DIFFERENT COUNTIES AND CITIES DO IT DIFFERENTLY.
IN TERMS OF HARRIS FROM JIM ADAMS. TERRY ANDERSON. ART STORY.
ALL OF THEM OVER SELL A VERY DIRECT AND EFFECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS EVALUATION. THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM IN THE WORLD THAT WE NEED TO SOLVE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
PERIOD. THE CHRONICLE WRITE THIS IS ARTICLE ABOUT EVERY SIX MONTHS AND THEY WILL WRITE ANOTHER ARTICLE AND I TELL THEM ABOUT THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT AND GO TO AUSTIN AND SIT DOWN WITH THE STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION.
WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM. >> WE ARE BOTH SAYING TWO SIDES
[04:10:01]
OF THE SAME COIN. WHAT YOU SAID COMMISSIONER, I'M SIMPLY SAYING THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL SIDE TO THINGS.NOBODY CAN BE AWARDED A CONTRACT, ENGINEERING FIRM WILL NOT BE AWARDED A CONTRACT AND NOT EVEN MAKE IT INTO THE CONSIDERATION LESS IF THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED, CERTIFIED, CAPABLE. YOU AND I AGREE ON THAT.
WHAT I'M SAYING. AND THERE'S DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THEY ARE QUALIFIED ENGINEERING FIRM AND CAN BE TRUSTED TO DO THE WORK. WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT THAT. UNLIKE OTHER COUNTIES, HARRIS COUNTY EVEN THOUGH HAD DOCUMENTATION ON CAPABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS, IT DID NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON WHY THIS QUALIFIED FIRM WAS SELECTED OVER THESE OTHER 20 QUALIFIED FIRMS. AND THAT IS SIMPLY A MATTER OF PROPER SELECTION PROCESSES.
IT'S LIKE ANYTHING. JUST DOING ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS. OR SAN ANTONIO OR BEXAR COUNTY OR TRAVIS COUNTY. JUST LIKE US, ONLY QUALIFIED VENDORS CAN COMPLETE. FOR 50 YEARS, YOU COULD ASK THEM FOR THEIR RECORDS. ON WHO SCORED WHAT AND WHY.
WHO SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE. WERE ANY OF THEM RELATED TO ANY COMPANIES THAT HAD CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND WHY WAS THIS COUNTY PICKED OVER OTHER ONES. SOME JURISDICTIONS HAVE LIMITATIONS ON THE ABILITIES OF THE COMPANY SELECTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE POLITICIANS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT.
>> AGREE TO DISAGREE. >> I WILL BRING THIS BACK NEXT TIME. YOU HAVE DONE FABULOUS JOB.
I BELIEVE THE WORK WILL BE FOR NOT.
AND WILL BE EASILY UNDONE UNLESS YOU PUT US TO THE STANDARD OF EVERY COUNTY AND CITY I'M AWARE OF.
THERE'S A REASON THE CONTRACTS ARE HANDLED BY INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT. THAT'S JUST, THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT. OF THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY, WE OUGHT TO MEET THOSE STANDARDS.
LAST THING I WILL SAY AND I WAS TALKING TO FORMER COUNTY,LAST IN 2012 OR SOMETHING. SHE, WENT TO THE -- SHE WENT TO THE STATE WHERE THE PROPOSAL ON THE RIVER POLICY.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU WORK IN HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, YOU SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THAT JOB AND IMMEDIATELY GOING TO WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT IS SEEKING BUSINESS WITH COUNTY.
AGAIN THIS IS VERY STANDARD. VERY STANDARD OVERSIGHT PROCEDURE. ACCOUNT ABILITY MECHANISM.
SECURED A MAJORITY VOTE ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
THE BILL WAS VETOED BY GOVERNOR PERRY AT THE TIME.
THIS IS SOMETHING VOTERS WANT TO SEE.
I THINK OUR EMPLOYEES OUGHT TO WANT TO SEE AND US AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF IMPRESSION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST ALSO.
IT PASSED TWO CHAMBERS OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. MY MOTION WOULD BE TO EXPLORE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE TO DO THAT HERE.
OF COURSE, AT THE TIME, CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA TO GO TO AUSTIN BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T GET THE SUPPORT OF THIS BOARD.
THE MOTIONS WOULD BE TO DIRECT OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, COUNTY'S ATTORNEY OFFICE TO ADOPT THE PRINCIPLES OF SENATE BILL 2478 INTO HARRIS COUNTY RULES AND POLICIES.
DIRECT THE DEPARTMENTS TO EVALUATE THE POST COOLING OFFICE FOR RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS CAN BE ESTABLISHED USING EXISTING MEASURE OF AUTHORITY, DIRECT OCA AND PURCHASING AGENT TO PRESENT PROPOSALS IN DECEMBER. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS STILL APPLIES. THIS WAS 10, 15 YEARS AGO.
THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM HERE. AND LOOK AT OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND BRING BACK HOW CAN WE HAVE PROCESSES THAT AGAIN PUT US IN LINE WITH THOSE OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO DO ANYTHING MORE STRINGENT OR COMPLICATED. I'M ASKING FOR HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS TO MEET THE STANDARDS OUR MUCH SMALLER NEIGHBORS DO.
THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. >> WE ALREADY DO.
[04:15:03]
>> I WORK FOR ALL OF THEM. SO WE'RE FINE.
WHEN DO YOU THINK CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA BROUGHT THAT?
>> I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HER. I DID WORK WITH CONGRESSMAN WHEN SHE WAS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER. I ACTUALLY DID WORK WITH HER.
>> OKAY. I WOULD SAY, AND I CAN JUST, I WOULD SAY IF YOU KNOW, I WOULD ENCOURAGE COLLEAGUES TO AND I GUESS I CAN JUST HAVE MY STAFF DO THE RESEARCH.
I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO REQUEST A PURCHASING AGENT AND AUDITOR TO RESEARCH. THAT MIGHT BE MY MOTION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEY COME BACK AND SAY WE'RE IN LINE.
>> I THINK IT'S NOT NECESSARY. >> SO I MADE THE MOTION.
DO I HAVE A SECOND FROM MY MOTION TO EVALUATE WHETHER HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS TO TIGHTEN UP THE RESOLVING DOOR POLICIES TO BE IN LINE WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS?
>> I WILL DO MY OWN RESEARCH ON THIS AND BRING IT BACK.
COLLEAGUES, IF I MIGHT, I WOULD ADVISE YOU WE ALWAYS VOTED ON ANTICORRUPTION. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE'S CORRUPTION GOING ON. IF YOU'RE UNWILLING TO BE TRAN TRANSPARENT. YOU HAVE POLITICAL ADVISORS IF
[Departments (Part 2 of 4)]
FOR THAT. >> JUDGE IS IT CONSIDERED NO
WE WILL WORK ON THE FLOOD CONTROL ITEM.
I THINK THAT WAS THE OTHER ONE COMMISSION ELLIS HAD.
AND MARCUS, GO AHEAD. WILL YOU REMIND US THE ITEM
FLOOD CONTROL ITEM. >> GO AHEAD DIRECTOR.
>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MARCUS DUCKETT.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.
I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU UPDATE ON THE CDBG PROGRAMS. THE PURPOSE HERE IS TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR EXECUTION OF THE PROGRAMS. TO HAVE SOME TRANSPARENCY ON OUR SPENDING. OUR FUNDING.
OR SCHEDULES, AND AS WELL AS WHAT WE EXPECT TO BE UNALLOCATED AND HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PROGRAM GOING FORWARD.
NEXT SLIDE. SO, THE BOTTOM LINE HERE.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT $113 MILLION IN UNALLOCATED FUNDS FOR THE DR. AND THIS IS BASED ON THE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION THAT THE GLO HAS PROVIDED US AND WHICH WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR. FOR THE CDBG MIDPROGRAM.
WE HAVE $207 MILLION BASED ON ONE-YEAR EXTENSION.
ONE THING I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M STRESSING HERE, $113 MILLION FOR THE D R PROGRAM DOES NOT MEAN A LOSS IN PROJECTS OR BENEFIT. THIS IS AN AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WAS BASED ON A BUDGET THAT WAS NOT MET BECAUSE BID CAME IN LOW AND CONTINGENCIES. AS IT RELATES TO THE $207 MILLION, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT STORY.
SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS ARE STILL IN DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT.
AND A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION DOES NOT GIVE US ENOUGH TIME TO COMPLETE THE PROJECTS WHICH WILL REQUIRE US TO RESCOPE AS WELL AS REMOVE SOME OF THOSE FROM THE PROGRAM.
NEXT SLIDE. SO, THE PURPOSE OF THIS SLIDE IS JUST TO KIND OF WALK US THROUGH WHERE WE STARTED IN JUNE 11TH, TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. ON JUNE 11TH, A PLAN WAS SUBMITTED TO THE COURT OR PRESENTED TO THE COURT TO DO TWO THINGS. ONE, IS TO ADDRESS THE SCHEDULE DEADLINE FEBRUARY 2027 AND REDUCE BUDGETS BASED ON SCOPE REDUCTIONS AS WELL AS SOME OTHER CHANGES TO SCOPES.
SO, WHEN I ARRIVED IN JUNE, WE LOOKED AT SOME OF THE PROJECTS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT NEEDED TO BE MODIFIED TO CONFIRM BUDGETS AS WELL AS TO EXECUTE THIS PLAN. SO, BY AUGUST OF 2026, WE HAD ALREADY SUBMITTED ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS THAT THE GLO APPROVED ON JUNE 11TH PLAN AND BY SEPTEMBER, WE HAD HALF OF
[04:20:01]
THOSE APPROVED. A FEW, I GUESS ABOUT A FEW DAYS AFTER THE OR AFTER THE APPROVAL OF THOSE PARTICULAR APPLICATIONS, WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THE, WE WOULD GET THE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION. ALONG WITH THAT ONE-YEAR EXTENSION, THE GLO WANTED US TO GO BACK TO THE PLAN PRIOR TO WHAT WAS PRESENTED ON JUNE 11TH. NEXT SLIDE.SO, THE PURPOSE OF THIS SLIDE IS JUST TO KIND OF HIGHLIGHT THE WORK THAT THE DISTRICT HAS DONE SINCE THE PLAN WAS PRESENTED ON JUNE 11TH. YOU WILL SEE HERE THERE'S BEEN A SIX TIMES INCREASE IN PRODUCTION ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
THIS PARTICULAR DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SHARED WITH STAFF MEMBERS TO TRY TO INCREASE OUR TRANSPARENCY SO THAT THE COURT STAFF CAN GO IN AND SEE HOW WE'RE DOING ON PROJECTS.
I EXPECT THIS NUMBER TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THE DISTRICT HAS DONE A LOT IF YOU LOOK AT THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, WE SPENT IN THAT MONTH, $19 MILLION IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
NEXT SLIDE. THIS SLIDE SORT OF SHOWING THE SAME THING SINCE JUNE 11TH, WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN OUR RE IMBURSEMENT SUBMITTALS TO GLO. THE AMOUNT TO DATE HAS BEEN $55 MILLION. HERE WE'RE LOOKING AT SCHEDULE SAYS FOR THE DR PROJECTS. ALL OF THESE PROJECTS ARE CURRENTLY IN CONSTRUCTION. WE HAVE TWO LINES THAT SHOWS WHERE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD WE STAYED ON THE 2027 DEADLINE TO A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF 2028 DEADLINE.
THERE'S TWO PROJECTS HERE THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT ORANGE BAR WHICH IS CONSTRUCTION EXTENDS PAST THE DEADLINE.
THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT WE CONSIDER IN CLOSE OUT CONSTRUCTION WILL BE COMPLETE BUT WE WILL BE DOING THE PAPERWORK THAT'S REQUIRED FOR THE GRANT.
WE EXPECT WE CAN SHORTEN SOME OF THAT SUBMITTING THE PAPERWORK PRIOR TO THE CONSTRUCTION FINISHING.
IT'S LIKELY WE WILL PUSH THAT LINE BACK CLOSER TO THE END DATE THAT'S THERE, BUT I DON'T SEE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ISSUE IF WE'RE IN CLOSE OUT WITH THE GLO. NEXT SLIDE.
SO, IF THIS SLIDE HERE IS TO JUST TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESSION OF THE FUNDING. SO, ON JUNE 11TH, WHAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THERE'S TWO AMOUNTS THAT ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SLIDE. THERE'S $40 MILLION FOR CHANGE ORDER AND ACCELERATIONS. AND $20 MILLION FOR PROJECTS THAT WERE UNDER REVIEW FOR ELIGIBLE WORK.
THAT IS $67 MILLION IN UN ALLOCATED FUNDS.
SO I WANT TO BE SURE WE'RE CLEAR IN JUNE 11TH, THERE HAD BEEN $67 MILLION IDENTIFIED AS UNALLOCATED.
JUST HADN'T BEEN PRESENTED AS UN UN UN UNNAL -- UNNAL ALLOCATED THE WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE THINGS STOOD AND THAT NUMBER AS OF AUGUST 21ST, 2026, WAS $88 WE HAD THE EXTENSION AND WE HAD THE REVERSION BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN PRIOR TO WHAT WAS PRESENTED ON JUNE 11TH.
AND AT THAT TIME, WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS AGAIN, AND IT BECAME 113 MILLION. NOW, THE OBVIOUS QUESTION, OF COURSE, IS HOW DO YOU GET AN EXTENSION.
YOU END UP HAVING TO TAKE BACK MORE MONEY? HERE IN THIS LITTLE CORNER BLOCK OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS, PART OF THAT, THAT JUNE 11TH PLAN HAD SEVEN OF THOSE PROJECTS TRANSFERRING OVER UNDER THE DOCTOR PROGRAM.
SO THAT'S A LARGE PORTION OF WHERE THAT DIFFERENCE COMES FROM. IS THOSE PROJECTS NOT STAYING OR COMING OUT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND GOING INTO FLOOD CONTROL, BUT BEING REVERTED BACK TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. NEXT SLIDE.
SO COMMISSION ASKED THE QUESTION PREVIOUSLY ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THIS WAS BASED ON CONTINGENCIES, AS WELL AS LOW BIDS.
WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THAT NUMBER.
AND BASED ON 113 MILLION, ABOUT 80 OF THAT WAS BASED ON EXCESS CONTINGENCIES THAT WERE PART OF THE BUDGET AS WELL AS OTHER BIDS ON THE PROJECTS. ONE THING TO POINT OUT HERE ON
[04:25:02]
ALL OF THESE NUMBERS IS THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THESE AND THESE ARE BUDGETED NUMBERS BASED ON BEST GUESSES OF WHERE THESE PROJECTS WERE AT THE TIME. AND SO YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE FLUCTUATIONS, AS YOU GET CLOSER TO.YOU WON'T KNOW A FINAL NUMBER UNTIL YOU'RE DONE WITH CONSTRUCTION, AND YOU'VE HAD ALL YOUR PAY ITEMS DONE AND SUBMITTED ALL YOUR PAPERWORK. SO AS I MOVE FORWARD, WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THESE NUMBERS JUST REALIZE THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME FLUCTUATION DEPENDING ON WHERE PROJECTS ARE.
ALL RIGHT, NEXT SLIDE. SO WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN A LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN TRY TO DO TO SPEND AS MUCH AS THIS MONEY AS WE CAN.
ONE OF THOSE SCENARIOS WAS FOR US TO SIMPLY JUST BRING THOSE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BACK INTO THE DOCTOR PROGRAM. ANOTHER OPTION, WE LOOKED AT WAS TAKING SOME OF THE FLOOD PLAN PRESERVATION ACQUISITIONS THAT WE'VE DONE UNDER THAT ONE PROGRAM AND PUTTING IT UNDER THE DOCTOR. THE OPTION TO BRING A CITY PROJECTS TAKES THAT NUMBER TO NEAR ZERO OR ZERO.
AND BRINGING OVER THE FLOODPLAIN PRESERVATION DOLLARS THAT WOULD TAKE US THAT THAT WOULD REDUCE THAT NUMBER BY ABOUT HALF.
NEXT SLIDE. SO WITH THAT, WE PERFORMED THE SAME TYPE OF ANALYSIS ON THE MID PROGRAM, WORKING WITH WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE'VE CONFIRMED AS A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION PERMIT.
AGAIN, THANK THE GLO FOR THAT ONE-YEAR EXTENSION ON THAT.
BASED ON OUR ANALYSIS, WE STILL END UP WITH $207 MILLION OF UNALLOCATED FUNDS, BASED ON THAT PROGRAM.
IF WE ARE ABLE TO GET TWO YEARS EXTENSION, WE ESTIMATED THAT THAT NUMBER WOULD BE ABOUT 48 MILLION.
AND IF WE GOT THREE YEARS THAT WE COULD BE HAVING NEAR ZERO AN ALLOCATED FUNDS. AND I WANT TO REITERATE THESE PROJECTS STILL HAVE RISKS. A LOT OF THEM ARE STILL IN DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN. SO UP AND DOWN AND DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS AS WE PROGRESS THESE TWO CONSTRUCTION.
NEXT SLIDE. AND THAT LOOKS LIKE THE MID PROGRAM. SO AND IS THAT THE NEXT SLIDE OR DID WE SKIP ONE? BECAUSE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TWO THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DOCTOR PROGRAM AND A MID PROGRAM, OKAY THAT'S MID 34. GO BACK TO THE NEXT ONE.
SO MID PROGRAM. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: MOTION TO
EXTEND. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: A MOTION BY
COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I'LL SECOND.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> HOW MUCH MORE DO WE HAVE? >> PROBABLY BE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. ALL RIGHT.
THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> OKAY, SO SORRY ABOUT THAT I CONFUSED MYSELF BY LOOKING AT MY OWN SLIDES.
THE MID PROGRAM. THESE ARE PRECINCT ONE AND TWO PROJECTS SHOWN HERE. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE IS A ONE, TOO, THREE-YEAR EXTENSION OF WHERE THESE PROJECTS ARE.
AND WHAT WE WOULD THINK WE'D BE ABLE TO COMPLETE BY THE END OF THESE PROGRAMS. TWO OF THE MAJOR ONES HERE TO POINT OUT ARE THE C 118 HERE AT THE TOP, AND THE C 147.
WHICH ARE BOTH PROJECTS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE SCALED BACK IN ORDER TO JUST DO SOMETHING TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH SOME SORT OF BENEFIT OF THE PROJECTS WITH THE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION.
SO WE HAVE TO CUT THOSE PROJECTS BACK.
NEXT SLIDE. SO THESE ARE THE PRECINCT THREE AND FOUR PROJECTS. AND AGAIN, YOU'LL NOTICE HERE, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION LINE, THEN YOU HAVE ONE PROJECT THAT EXTENDS PAST THAT, WHICH IS THE PRECINCT THREE PROJECT. TWO PROJECTS THAT ARE VERY CLOSE TO IT, WHICH ARE PRECINCT FOUR PRECINCT THREE PROJECT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM JUST BECAUSE IT EXTENDS PAST THE DEADLINE.
THE OTHER TWO THAT ARE VERY CLOSE THERE, AGAIN, IT'LL BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO A CLOSE THAT WITH US BEING DONE WITH CONSTRUCTION. AND WE THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THOSE PROJECTS WITHOUT THERE BEING AN ISSUE.
NEXT SLIDE. SO THESE ARE TWO THIS SLIDE DISCUSSES IN DETAIL WHAT I JUST MENTIONED ON THE PREVIOUS TWO SLIDES. SO WHAT I'LL DO HERE IS I'LL START AT THE TOP OF THIS, WHERE WE HAVE THE ONE YEAR ANNOUNCED EXTENSION. AND JUST GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY HAVING A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION.
SO THE C 18 PROJECT, OR IT'S CALLED SALTWATER DITCH ON HERE, THAT'S THE ONE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RE SCOPE TO A BASIN ONLY PROJECT. A LARGE PART OF THAT IS JUST DUE
[04:30:01]
TO SOME ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING ISSUES THAT ARE PART OF THE PROJECT. SAME THING FOR C 147.IN ORDER TO GET SOMETHING DONE WITHIN THAT ONE-YEAR EXTENSION, WE NEED TO REDUCE THAT SCOPE TO A BASIN ONLY.
FURTHER ROSEWOOD STORMWATER DETENTION BASIN, THAT PROJECT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE PROGRAM AND THE BIGGEST DRIVER THERE IS RIGHT AWAY ACQUISITION. THE LAST COUPLE TIMES I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS, OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS RIGHT OF WAY AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING.
FOR BOTH OF THOSE, WE ASSUME THAT IT'S A YEAR AND A HALF PROCESS. AND SO WITH A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION, OF COURSE, THAT PROJECT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NOTHING THAT WE COULD DO TO KEEP IT IN THERE. WE COULDN'T REDUCE IT.
FOR THE PROJECT THAT PROJECT WOULD NEED TO BE SCOPED INTO A BASIN. AND I MESSAGE FOR THE BOUDREAU PROJECT THAT ONE WOULD NEED TO COME OUT OF THE PROGRAM.
NOW COMES THIS LINE DOWN. WE HAVE THE TWO, TWO, THREE-YEAR EXTENSION. IF WE RECEIVE A TWO YEAR, THREE-YEAR EXTENSION, THOSE TWO PROJECTS OF SALT POWDER DITCH AS WELL AS C 147, WE THINK WE WOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETE BOTH OF THOSE. BUT WE NEED TO SCOPE THOSE TO BE BELOW THE 100 MILLION-DOLLAR THRESHOLD FOR THAT'S DEFINED BY GLO. FOR ROSEWOOD, AGAIN, AS LONG AS OUR ASSUMPTION OF 18 MONTHS FOR RIGHT AWAY ACQUISITION HOLDS, THEN WE COULD COMPLETE THAT PROJECT.
SO THAT PROJECT WOULD MOVE FORWARD AS PLANNED.
JUST IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IT'S AN 18-MONTH ASSUMPTION IF THINGS DRAG ON LONGER OR WE END UP IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE A SALAD THAT WE JUST CAN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH, THEN IT WOULD STILL NEED TO BE REMOVED OUT OF THE PROGRAM.
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, THEN YOU WOULD ASSUME THAT WE CAN DO THAT BASED ON OUR ASSUMPTIONS. FOR THE HARDY WEST PROJECT, THAT'S A PROJECT THAT WOULD REMAIN THE SAME.
IT WOULD STILL NEED TO BE RESOLVED TO A BASIN ONLY.
AND THE LARGEST DRIVER THERE IS. WE HAVE THE TWO ISSUES THAT THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE RIGHT OF WAY, AND WE HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL. IN ORDER TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY, WE HAVE TO COMPLETE THE ENVIRONMENTAL.
WELL, WE HAVE AN UNWILLING SELLER WHO WON'T ALLOW US ACCESS TO DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL. SO WE CAN'T FIND THE PROPERTY.
SO THAT PROJECT GETS STUCK IN A LOOP IN ORDER TO MEET ANY TYPE OF DEADLINE, UNLESS THAT PROPERTY OWNER DECIDES TO LET US ONTO THE SITE TO DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL, THAT WILL GET US WHAT WE NEED TO GET GRANTS, FUNDS AUTHORIZED GRANT FUNDS, AND FOR BOUDREAUX, WITH THE TWO OR THREE-YEAR EXTENSION, THAT'S A PROJECT THAT WE THINK WE'LL COMPLETE.
NEXT SLIDE. AND AGAIN, IN CONCLUSION, THIS IS $113 MILLION. BASED ON A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR THE DOCTOR PROGRAM. $207 MILLION WITH ONE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR THE MID PROGRAM. WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE ARE BASED ON THE BUDGETARY NUMBERS AND THEY COULD FLUCTUATE. AND WITH THAT, I WILL TAKE ANY
QUESTIONS. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
I GOT SEVERAL QUESTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF TIME.
I JUST WANT TO PROPOSE A COUPLE OF MOTIONS.
BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT YOU PRESENTED TO US IS WITH THE ANTICIPATION THAT NOTHING CHANGES AT THE STATE AND NOTHING CHANGES IN DC. SO THESE TWO MOTIONS ARE INTENDED TO HELP US LOOK INTO THAT AND SEE IF WE CAN'T MAKE SOME PROGRESS WITH THAT NEW LAND COMMISSIONER COMING IN.
SO MY FIRST MOTION IS TO REQUEST THAT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, WITH IGA, CONVENE A BOND WORKING GROUP TO ELEVATE PATHWAYS FOR ADDITIONAL SPENDING OF EXISTING FUNDING.
AND RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY FEBRUARY 11TH, 2027, WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON A PROPOSED PATH FORWARD.
RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ADOPTED 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND APPLICABLE CDBG D, R AND C, W, G, MIT REQUIREMENTS.
>> ALL SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU. THE SECOND MOTION IS TO DIRECT IGA TO DRAFT THE LETTER TO SENATOR ELECT TALARICO REGARDING HARRIS COUNTY'S CDBG DRNCBGMIT ALLOCATIONS REQUESTING HIS SUPPORT IN ENSURING THESE FEDERAL FUNDS REMAIN DEDICATED TO HARRIS COUNTY AND FULFILLS THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THEY WERE
[04:35:02]
APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS. >> I WILL SECOND THAT AS WELL COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU PLEASE CONSIDER AFTER SENATOR ELECT TALARICO TO ADD AND OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION?
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: YES. THANK YOU.
>> AND INCLUDE SANTA CRUZ. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: YES.
AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE IN MY PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN DC, I WAS TOLD REPEATEDLY THIS MONEY HAS NO TIMELINE.
AND SO BUT THERE WAS SOME CONVERSATIONS I HAD HEARD THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL OF, OKAY, NO TIMELINES.
WE CAN PULL THE MONEY BACK AND SPEND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE IN TEXAS, WHICH WAS A CONCERN AS WELL.
SO I WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN HELP YOU OUT, GIVE YOU A LITTLE BREATHING ROOM BY TRYING TO RESOLVE THESE TWO ISSUES.
BUT THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.
SO THOSE TWO MOTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.
THEY'VE BEEN SECONDED WITH THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I STILL HAVE COMMENTS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT
BEFORE VOTING OR AFTER? >> THANK YOU.
AND CAN I GET CLARIFICATION WHO SECONDED THE MOTION FOR BOTH?
ME. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND I WILL SAY THAT WELL, SOME COMMENTS.
CERTAINLY NECESSARY, BUT NOT SUFFICIENT BECAUSE I THINK AT THAT POINT, THAT I'LL VOTE IN FAVOR.
MY POINT IS, WE CAN GET AN EXCEPTION ALL WE WANT, BUT WE NEED TO DELIVER THE PROGRAMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, OH, THESE NUMBERS THAT YOU ADDED, THESE PROGRAMS DO NOT INCLUDE THE 26 OR SO PROGRAMS THAT ARE PAUSED INDEFINITELY WITH NO HOPE FOR COMPLETION.
WE'VE NOT TALKED ABOUT THOSE AT ALL, AND SO I JUST DON'T WANT TO CAUSE FALSE HOPE OR TO SAY. THE ELECTION CHANGED THERE'S FALSE HOPE THAT ALL PROGRAMS WILL BE COMPLETED AND THAT ALL PROGRAMS WILL BE COMPLETED FASTER THAN EXPECTED.
BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS HOPE THAT WE WILL NOT LOSE FUNDING, BUT WE STILL NEED TO SPEED IT UP AND THE COURT OWES THE COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY ON THESE OTHER 26 PROJECTS THAT ARE PAUSED INDEFINITELY. YEAH.
>> IF I COULD REAL QUICKLY PICK ON THAT POINT, THE PAUSE PROJECT ARE MOSTLY UNFEASIBLE PROJECTS. IS THAT ACCURATE?
>> I DON'T KNOW, MOSTLY, BUT THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE PAUSED BECAUSE THEY'RE INFEASIBLE. , YES.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY?
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: BECAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER -- ANYWAY, I'LL BRING IT BACK QUICK I DO HOPE TO
PUT KIND OF A CLOSING -- >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THE
JANUARY AGENDA. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: I'M GOING TO PUT IT ON THE NEXT ONE. I WANT TO PUT A CLOSING NOTE ON THE BUDGETARY SITUATION AND THE REALITY IS GOING TO TAKE TO TAKE HARRIS COUNTY OUT OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL DEFICIT.
IT'S EITHER GOING TO HAVE TO BE DISMISSALS OR MAJOR CUTS TO NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS. THERE'S JUST NO OTHER WAY ABOUT IT ON THESE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT. I BELIEVE THERE'S TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS NEEDED TO COMPLETE PROJECTS THAT WERE PROMISED IN THAT FLOOD BOND. AND SO I'LL MAKE SURE AND HAVE A REPORT FOR THAT BEFORE MY TERM IS UP JUST SO THAT IT CAN BE CLEAR AND MEMORIALIZED WHERE THINGS ARE HEADED.
YEAH, WE WANT THE ELECTION, BUT ACTUALLY WE'RE NOT IN A GOOD PLACE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER BRIONES
AND THEN RAMSEY. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SO TO BE CLEAR, FOCUSING ON THE DOCTOR PROJECTS FOR A SECOND, THAT 113 BILLION ON THE TABLE, TO CLARIFY ALL OF THE DOCTOR PROJECTS IN THE PORTFOLIO WILL BE COMPLETED?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND THE REASON FOR THAT 113 IS BECAUSE OF UPDATED BUDGETARY NUMBERS AND LOWER BIDS THAN EXPECTED, IS THAT CORRECT SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: OKAY, AND I WANT TO COMMEND YOU, THAT NEARLY 17 MILLION SPENT IN OCTOBER, HOW YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ACCELERATING THE DELIVERY AND ARE JUST ACTIVELY IN CONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
I REALLY HAVE BEEN BLOWN AWAY. SO THESE PROJECTS ARE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION. SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, TO KEEP THAT PACE, HOW WILL WE KEEP THE PACE QUICK? AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO BETTER SUPPORT YOU?
>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE KEEPING THE PACE.
WE'RE ASSUMING A WORST CASE SCENARIO.
WE ARE PUSHING PROJECTS FORWARD REGARDLESS.
I'VE HAD THE TEAM ON SOME OF THESE PROJECTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ENGINEERING, ASSUMING THAT WE WILL RECEIVE SOME FAVORABLE RESPONSES. AT THIS MOMENT, I'M NOT ASKING THE COURT TO DO ANYTHING, I JUST WANTED TO BRING THE INFORMATION FORWARD TO MAKE IT PUBLIC SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY ON WHAT WE'RE DOING.
[04:40:02]
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I WILL HOLD MY QUESTIONS UNTIL OUR NEXT CONVERSATION THANK YOU AGAIN TO
YOU AND YOUR TEAM. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. I'LL JUST PUBLICLY STATE THAT I THINK THIS COURT'S COMMITMENT WE'RE GOING TO DO THESE PROJECTS EVEN THE ONES THAT ARE ON PAUSE. THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND ABOUT IT, IS THEY'RE GOING THROUGH DIFFERENT DESIGN PHASES AT THIS POINT. I THINK THIS COURT'S COMMITMENT IS WHEN WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING IN THAT BOND, WE'RE GOING TO DO THOSE PROJECTS. AND WE'RE APPLYING.
IT'S INTERESTING WHEN WE DID THE ANALYSIS AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN PRECINCT THREE THAT WERE IDENTIFIED AS NOT MOVING FORWARD.
WE TOOK THOSE 20 AS ON THE SHELF TO WORK ON AND WENT OUT AND FOUND OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING AND WE'VE DONE EVERY ONE OF THEM. SO THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.
WE KNOW WHAT THE PROJECTS ARE. THEY'RE GOOD PROJECTS, EVEN THE ONES THAT ARE ON PAUSE. THE PROJECTS THAT ARE DELAYED, A LOT OF THAT'S PARTICULARLY IN THE MIT SIDE IS, BY THE WAY, RELATED IN MY MIDDLE APPROVAL RELATED.
YOU SHOULD, IF YOU JUST WENT FROM ONE-YEAR TO TWO YEARS, YOU CAN HAVE IT, YOU CAN GO TO ZERO AND THREE.
SO WE'RE IN THE HUNT. WE'VE GOT A CHANCE TO STAY ON TOP OF IT. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES THAT YOU'RE WORKING IN COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW A LOT OF THOSE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I KNOW A LOT OF THOSE WE'RE GOING TO GET THOSE PROJECTS DONE.
WE'VE GOT SOME IDENTIFIED. WE'VE GOT SCOPED.
THE DESIGN, IS THERE A. SOME OF THIS IS RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION, WHICH TAKES LONGER THAN IT SHOULD, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET THOSE PROJECTS DONE. WORKING WITH THE GLO, LIKE YOU'VE BEEN DOING, CONTINUE TO DO THAT OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FEW DIFFERENT PLAYERS AND WE'LL WORK THROUGH THOSE ISSUES. BUT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU. YOU CAME INTO A TOUGH SITUATION.
YOUR PREDECESSOR HAD A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES THAT WERE NOT CREATED BY HER, BUT THEY WERE THERE, SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WITH PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP, NOT THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP, PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP AT GLO THAT DID THINGS TO PENCIL WHIP HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY, AND THEN WHEN WE FINALLY GOT MONEY, WE HAD ON A SPACESHIP TO GET IT DONE. I THINK WITH ALL HANDS ON DECK AND YOU BEING AS TRANSPARENT AS YOU ARE, YOU'LL GET IT DONE.
IT IS IMPORTANT WE MADE A COMMITMENT.
WE WENT TO THE VOTERS, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATED TO THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK AND GETTING AWAY FROM CROSS COST BENEFIT RATIO ON THIS PROJECT, WE GOT TO DO WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO TO GET THOSE PROJECTS DONE. IF NOT WHEN WE GO BACK TO THE VOTERS, WE'LL MAKE SURE THERE'S TRANSPARENCY ON WHAT WE DID NOT DO. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO PICK WHATEVER RESOURCES WE HAVE TO USE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS DONE. WITH THAT SAID, ALL COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU. THERE MAYE EVEN BE THINGS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ALL OF US COULD HELP WITH AS COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM GOES OUT OF OFFICE. THERE'S SOME DECISIONS THAT HE COULD MAKE FOR OUR PREDECESSOR. AND I'M SURE ALL OF US ARE REACHING OUT TO HER SUCCESSOR. THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.
I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING THIS FURTHER AND I THINK OBJECTIVELY, THE NUMBER OF -- THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT WE WOULD LEAVE ON THE TABLE IS LOWER UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP THAN YOUR PREDECESSORS. I TOOK A LEAP OF FAITH AT THE TIME. I DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION TO, AT LEAST AS FAR AS MY VOTE WAS CONCERNED TO VOTE ON A CHANGE OF A FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR AT SUCH A SENSITIVE AND DIFFICULT TIME. I THINK BASED ON THE REPORT AND OF COURSE, I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE MY MIND LATER.
BUT SO FAR, I'M CONFIDENT IN YOUR COMMITMENT NOT JUST TO GET THESE PROJECTS DONE, BUT ALSO TO THE ETHICS PART OF THINGS THAT YOU'RE MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE TYING YOUR OWN HANDS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT WEIGHT PROCUREMENT IS DONE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT.
SO I APPRECIATE THAT. AND I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU AND THE ADVOCACY WITH THE SENATOR ELECT AND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS AS IT PERTAINS AS A MENTIONED, THE 26 UNFUNDED PROJECTS, NOT JUST THESE. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, YOUR TEAM AND ESPECIALLY THAT PIECE ON THE ETHICS REFORM.
[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 4 of 5)]
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: IN COLLEAGUES, I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO HAVE TO RUN TO ANOTHER COMMITMENT AND
[04:45:06]
JUST BEFORE THAT, I DID WANT TO JUST MAKE A VERY, VERY QUICK MOTION AND IT'LL JUST BE A YES OR NO.I DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT. SO THIS IS -- WE ALREADY MADE THE MOTION ON THIS ONE. AND THEN THE OTHER -- THE MOTION I WANTED TO MAKE AND I'D APPRECIATE YOUR GUYS'S SUPPORT
ON THIS. >> WHICH ITEM IS IT ON?
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: I'M FILIBUSTERING TO FIND THE ITEM NUMBER. [LAUGHS] IT'S ADAM 340.
SO IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE ARCHIVAL REPORT MEMORIALIZING THE WRECK OF HARRIS COUNTY, BRIGHTER FUTURES, A SET OF 19 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HARRIS COUNTY DESIGN BUILD CARRIED OUT AND EVALUATED BETWEEN 2019 AND 2026. THIS REPORT MUST INCLUDE PROGRAM IMPACT REPORTS. IT ALSO MUST INCLUDE PREPROGRAMED WORK. 2025 AND 2026 EARLY CHILDHOOD BALLOT ITEM PROPOSALS. EVALUATIONS COMPLETE LIST OF PARTNERS AND PRESS CLIPS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
AND THE PURPOSE OF THE ITEM IS TO MEMORIALIZE THE WORK THAT WAS DONE SO THAT WE DON'T WE DO WORK AND RESEARCH THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE IN THE FUTURE, BUT SO THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION PICTURE.
I APPRECIATE A SECOND PICK, BUT IF NOT, I'LL PULL THIS TOGETHER FROM MY OFFICE. SO ANYWAY, THAT'S MY MOTION.
IS THERE A SECOND TO MEMORIALIZE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WORK? ALL RIGHT COLLEAGUES.
SOME YOU GOT TO STOP DIGGING YOURSELF INTO A DEEPER HOLE BUT IT'S MY FREE POLITICAL ADVICE. ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I'LL HAND YOU THE REINS. AND SO NO ACTION ON THAT ONE.
[Departments (Part 3 of 4)]
THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL
RIGHT, WHAT'S THE NEXT ITEM? >> 93.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: 93, AND THAT HAS BEEN PULLED BY --
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: COMMISS IONER BRIONES.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: YES, 93 IS THE NEW.
ILA BETWEEN HARRIS HEALTH AND DEO FOR THE PREVAILING WAGE COMPLIANCE SERVICES. AND SO IF WE COULD HAVE A WITH UPDATE, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE -- MY TEAM AND I WERE VERY TROUBLED BY WHAT WE SAW MONTHS AGO, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW I.L.A. THAT BETTER PROTECTS WORKERS INCREASING THE FTES INCREASING THE FUNDING SO THAT WE HAVE A TIGHTER AND MORE WATCHFUL PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS WHO ARE WORKING ON OUR HARRIS HEALTH PROJECTS.
AND SO THIS ESSENTIALLY EXPANDS THE ROLE, AND IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE A VERY BRIEF UPDATE AND AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THIS COURT AND D O TAKING ACTION IN COLLABORATION, AND I APPRECIATE DR. PAUSE AND THAT HARRIS HEALTH TEAM.
COULD YOU HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AND HOW THIS COULD BETTER PROTECT WORKERS? THANK YOU?
>> YEAH, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JAY YOU, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. SO WHEN I STEPPED IN THIS ROLE, I REALIZED THAT FIRST OF ALL, THE D, E OH DOESN'T RECEIVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO PERFORM THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WAS IN THE EXISTING INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS HEALTH.
SO ALSO, WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A METHODOLOGY BASED ON THE PROJECTED PROJECTS IN EACH FISCAL YEAR AND WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH HARRIS HEALTH TO UNDERSTAND EXPECTATIONS IN TERMS OF WAGE COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING WORK.
SO ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE ON THE FINDINGS THAT THE RETURNED IN THE AUDITOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND WAS WORKING ON A MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN.
WE REALLY REVIEWED ALL THAT RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT, AND ALSO REVIEWED FEEDBACK FROM THE EXTERNAL PARTNERS. AND INCORPORATED SOME OF THAT INTO THIS NEW VERSION OF THE AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS HEALTH.
SO IT IS REALLY A COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH MULTIPLE PARTIES, TO REACH THIS NEW AGREEMENT WHICH WILL SECURE ENOUGH RESOURCES
[04:50:03]
INCLUDING STAFFING FOR FY 27, GIVING THE PROJECTED PROJECT.IT IS ABOUT 68, INCLUDING SOME ARE ALREADY ACTIVE, SOME ARE ABOUT TO BE ACTIVE AND SOME ALSO IN THE PIPELINE, LIKE IN PLANNING MODE. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU.
SO JUST TO RECAP, 68 PROJECTS THE DEO WILL SUPPORT FOR HARRIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THIS IS INCREASING FROM ONE FTE TO SIX FTE, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> IT'S FROM 1.5 FTE TO ABOUT SIX FTE.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND THIS IS EVERYTHING FROM PAYROLL REVIEWS, SITE VISITS, WORKER INTERVIEWS, AND COMPLIANCE
REPORT? >> CORRECT, YEAH, AND ALSO THEY PROVIDED FUNDING FOR NON-LABOR COSTS, INCLUDING THE SOFTWARE
FOR LCP TRACKER. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU, AND THE AUDITORS TEAM DID AN EXCELLENT REPORT WITH MANY RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WE HAVE DISCUSSED MULTIPLE TIMES.
AND THIS IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND. CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT ADDITIONAL STEPS THAT YOU ARE PLANNING TO FURTHER IMPLEMENT
THE AUDITOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS? >> YES, IN THIS NEW VERSION, YOU WILL SEE THE COMMUNICATION FRAMEWORK THAT WAS SET UP TO ESTABLISH TOGETHER SO THAT BRING CLARITY IN TERMS OF HOW WE HANDLE DIFFERENT SCENARIO IN THIS SITUATIONS AND HOW TO ESCALATE SOME OTHER CLAIMS AND ALLEGATIONS.
AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH HARRIS HEALTH TO ADDRESS THAT.
ALSO, THERE'S IN TERMS CLAUSE ABOUT TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT. A REQUEST AND HOW TO HANDLE THOSE REQUESTS. ADDITIONAL, NOT TO CLARIFY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THE E OH HAVE AND ALSO RESPONSIBILITIES THAT HARRIS HEALTH WILL TAKE ON FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT, HARRIS HEALTH PROMISE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONTRACTORS SUBCONTRACTORS COME UP, WHATEVER THEY HAVE, WITHIN THREE DAYS. SO WE ALREADY SCHEDULED THAT
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: EXCELL ENT.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THANK YOU. YOU CAME BY AND SPENT PROBABLY MORE TIME THAN YOU ANTICIPATED FOR GOING OVER THIS.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN TERMS OF GETTING THIS ON TRACK, BUT OBVIOUSLY MY CONCERNS ARE WE'RE BEING ASKED TO GO.
MONITOR THE WAGES WITHIN THE 60 PLUS CONTRACTS AND WHEN WE IDENTIFY ISSUES IT'S STILL NOT CLEAR TO ME WHAT'S BEING DONE ABOUT IT. AND WE'RE JUST MONITORING AND REPORTING. I'M LOOKING AT OUR AUDITOR BACK THERE. THEM AND EIGHT MONITORING MODE.
THAT WE FIND PROBLEMS. WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE IN -- I THINK THAT'S A PART OF WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO MONITOR SOMETHING, THERE SHOULD BE SOMEBODY, AND THIS IS IN THE CATEGORY OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH PEOPLE WORKING WITH.
THIS ALMOST LIKE WE IDENTIFIED AN OPEN ITEM.
AND SOMEBODY ELSE MAYBE ENFORCEMENT WILL DEAL WITH THAT ITEM. I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR US TO CLOSE THE BOOK ON ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE.
>> WE WORKED THROUGH THAT WITH HARRY'S HEALTH.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT IF WE IDENTIFY SOME DISCREPANCIES, FOR EXAMPLE, WITHIN THE CERTIFIED PAYROLL REVIEW, WE WILL DO SOME INVESTIGATION AND ALSO GIVING THE CONTRACTOR A CHANCE TO CORRECT THOSE. IF NOT, WE WILL PUT TOGETHER A PRELIMINARY FINDING REPORT AND THEN SUBMIT IT TO HARRIS HEALTH.
AS SOON AS WE CAN. SO THEY CAN HAVE THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATORS TO LOOKING INTO THAT AND ADDRESS THAT PARTICULAR. SO DOWN THE LINE, THEY WILL SUBMIT A REPORT AT THE END, WHETHER IT IS GOOD-FAITH OR IF THERE'S SOME GOOD CAUSES. AND THEN CIRCLE BACK WITH THE E OH. SO WE KNOW KIND OF A CLOSED FEEDBACK LOOP. SO WE WILL KNOW WHAT --
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: ARE WE DOING A SIMILAR WITH THE
QUESTION MARK. >> A PORT IS A LITTLE BIT
DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE ESTABLISH >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: DIFFERE
NT PROTOCOLS, DIFFERENT -- >> YEAH, DIFFERENT PROTOCOLS.
THIS IS SPECIFIC FOR HARRIS HEALTH PROJECTS.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I THINK IT'S JUST A MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> AYE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION
CARRIES THANK YOU. >> I'M SORRY APOLOGIES.
IS THERE WHO MADE THE FIRST -- >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
[04:55:03]
I THINK I GOT IT BACKWARDS. >> ATLAS.
>> WE ALL VOTE IN FAVOR. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE ALL
VOTED. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: SECONDE
D BY ELLIS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 347 AND
348. >> THOSE ARE MY TWO ITEMS. 347 IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF 12 POSITIONS FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT FOUR CONSTABLE HERMAN'S OFFICE AND 348 IS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF EIGHT POSITIONS FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT FIVE, AND THAT'S CONSTABLE ALL BRITAIN'S OFFICE AT THE BOTTOM IS PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY TOP PRIORITY FOR PRECINCT FOR.
IT IS THE TOP PRIORITY OF PRECINCT FOR RESIDENTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY HAS TO KEEP PACE WITH GROWTH.
SO 70 -- 70, 70% OF THE COUNTY'S GROWTH SINCE 2,000 I'LL REPEAT THAT BECAUSE IT'S STAGGERING 70% OF THE COUNTY'S GROWTH SINCE 2,000 HAS BEEN IN CONSTABLE PRECINCT FOUR AND CONSTABLE PRECINCT FIVE. AND OVER A DECADE HAS PASSED THESE TWO CONSTABLE'S OFFICE TO NOT HAVE GOTTEN ANY NEW GENERAL PATROL DEPUTIES. THESE DEPUTIES WILL BE PAID OUT OF THE SURPLUS FUNDS FROM CONSTABLE.
HERMAN AND CONSTABLE. ALBRITTON AND UNDER HOUSE BILL 192, WHICH WAS PASSED THAT ESSENTIALLY ALLOWS THEM TO KEEP THEIR SURPLUS FUNDS AND TO USE R ANY LAWFUL PURPOSE, WHICH I WOULD ARGUE HIRING DEPUTIES TO PATROL AIR FACING FOR AND PRECINCT FIVE IS A LAWFUL PURPOSE.
THEREFORE, I AM BRINGING 347 AND 348, AND I WOULD MOVE THEM AS
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: CAN I ASK A FEW QUESTIONS.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: YEAH, GO AHEAD.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WANT TO ASK A QUICK.
MR. REYNOLDS WHAT ARE THE BUDGET IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EARS WHEN THERE IS NO SURPLUS BECAUSE OF THE STATE LAW THAT IS IN PLACE?
>> SO WHAT WE DO NOW IS CREATE THE POSITION, CREATES A LIABILITY TO FUND THE POSITION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THAT
REVENUE SOURCE IS THERE OR NOT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SO THAT MEANS BY DOING IT, WE LOCK OURSELVES IN BECAUSE OF THE STATE LAW AND OF COURSE, WE COULD NEVER TAKE IT OUT.
WE'RE SETTING OURSELVES UP FOR HOW MUCH WHEN THERE'S NO -- WHEN
THEY DON'T HAVE RESERVES. >> IT'S ABOUT 3 MILLION.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: AND WHAT OTHER PRECINCTS TO BE IN THIS POSITION WOULD BE ENTITLED TO PUT SOMETHING USING THE SAME LOGIC AND WHAT THE BUDGET IMPLICATIONS WOULD YOU HAVE?
>> FOUR OR FIVE COULD CONSISTENTLY HAVE THE HIGHEST SURPLUS. I WOULD NEED TO GO BACK AND CHECK WITH SOME OF THE OTHER ONES ARE.
I WOULD ALSO JUST NOTE THAT THE SURPLUS THAT ARE GENERATED ARE GENERATED FROM LABOR SAVINGS, AND EACH OF THOSE CONSTABLE'S
HAS VACANCIES ON THEIR ROSTER. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SO WE COULD BE IN A POSITION WHERE OTHER CONSTABLES COULD DO THE
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: AND CREATE LIABILITY IN OUT YEARS.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. SO ONCE WE CREATE -- BUT ONCE WE CREATE THE POSITION WE ARE REQUIRED TO FUND IT AT ITS FULL AMOUNT. WE SAW THIS LAST YEAR WHERE WE SPENT $30 MILLION TO FUND POSITIONS FROM KIND OF THE LEVEL THEY WERE FUNDED THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED AT TO THE
SALARY. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SO FOR THAT REASON, I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT, BUT I COULDN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE VOTE FOR IT, SO I HAVE TO VOTE NO.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: AND I UNDERSTAND THAT BETWEEN THE TWO CONSTABLES, THERE'S 80 OPEN POSITIONS, OVER 80 OPEN POSITIONS RIGHT NOW. SO I DON'T SEE A NEED FOR IT.
SO THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, SECOND.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL THE .
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION FAILS? OKAY. WHAT'S THE NEXT ITEM? IT WILL BE NO ITEM FOR BOTH ACTIONS?
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: COULD I BE SHOWN VOTING FOR ITEMS ON THE
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ABSOLUT ELY.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: COMMISS >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: COMMISS IONER RAMSEY? THAT'S A UNIVERSAL SERVICES.
>> THIS AMENDMENT FOR THE APPLICATION.
TRANS REPLACE PROJECT FOR INCREMENTAL AUTHORIZATION OF
THREE-POINT 75 MILLION TO. >> I MAKE A MOTION.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE. I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIES. NEXT ITEM, J.
>> I HAVE 104. >> THAT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER
[05:00:03]
REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF NINE POSITIONS, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER TO 14 TO SUPPORT COORDINATED CARE DIVISION.JUST? >> SO ONE QUICK QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. AHEAD ON THAT ONE.
THIS HAS TO DO WHEN I READ WHAT THIS GROUP HEALTH PREVENTION AND COORDINATED CARE VISION AND BY CREATING THESE POSITIONS, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH INCREASED ACCESS TO FOOD AND NUTRITION BY IMPROVING FOOD DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY, BY PROVIDING SERVICES RELATED TO FOOD, NUTRITION I GET THAT POSITIONS, LEE. YOU GUYS TRUST WHAT Y'ALL DO AND TRUST HOW YOU DO IT. MY PRACTICAL SIDE OF ME AND 2020 GOING IN 2027, MY ALTERNATE MOTION TO THIS WOULD BE TAKE THE MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE SPENT HERE AND GO GIVE IT TO THE FOOD BANKS SO THEY CAN GIVE IT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE.
TO ME, THAT BE A MORE DIRECT WAY OF HELPING PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING FOOD SECURITY ISSUES RATHER THAN HIRING NINE PEOPLE
TO GO RUN TRAPS, IF YOU WILL. >> YEAH, SO THIS ITEM WAS APPROVED THROUGH THE CLSS PROCESS.
THIS WAS THE APPROACH TO FOOD AND NUTRITION THAT WAS RECOMMENDED AND APPROVED THROUGH THE ARPA STEERING COMMITTEE.
BUT WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS IS THAT WE'RE DOING BOTH.
SO IT'S A BOTH AND, COMMISSIONER BRIONES BUT THERE'S FOOD AND NAVIGATORS. SO IT BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY SPECIALISTS WHO WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OVER 4,000 RESIDENTS WITH BENEFITS APPLICATIONS. AND SO THAT HAS A GREAT MULTIPLIER EFFECT THIS REALLY SHOULD BRING BACK ABOUT $20 MILLION A YEAR AND REALLY HERE IN THE VALUE OF THOSE BENEFITS. AND THEN WE WILL ALSO BE SECURING 30,000 FOOD BOXES TO BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE TO PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE BENEFITS, OR IT MAY JUST NEED MORE IMMEDIATE HELP. SO I THINK REALLY BEING ABLE TO INNOVATE THE APPLICATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFITS HELPS THESE
DOLLARS GO FARTHER. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: IS THIS
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I WILL MOVE ITEM 95.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR -- >> I'M SORRY 104.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: WAIT THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, AYE ALL OPPOSED THE MOTION CARRIES, 2-3.
SAID THAT HE HAD FIGURED OUT. I'M SORRY.
>> SO YOU SAID MOTION CARRIES? >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IT
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: SO NEXT ITEM IS 115.
>> WHAT ABOUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS SHOULD BE SHOWN YES.
>> SORRY. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA:I APOLOGIZE. THANK YOU FOR THE CATCH.
BACK TO 115. CONSTABLE HAS RESOLVED THIS.
SO THIS IS A NO ACTION. I GUESS, 146 IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THAT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, REQUEST BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
FOUR AFFIRMATIVE -- >> I TALKED TO DANIEL ON THIS ONE. THIS IS AN INTERESTING FIND THAT COMES OUT OF HETRA. AND I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION. BUT DANIEL JUST NOTE THAT THOSE DOLLARS WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT IN THAT FUND, PLEASE CONSIDER THAT AS A PART OF OUR RESOURCES WHEN WE'RE LOOKING TO FILL GAPS HERE AND FILL GAPS, THERE, IT'S JUST, IN MY OPINION, IT JUST SHOULD NOT JUST BE PARTICULARLY THIS IS COMING OUT OF HETRA.
AND I KNOW IT'S THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
BUT IT'S ALMOST FOR ANY -- ALMOST FOR ANY PURPOSE.
PRETTY BROAD SPECTRUM. >> WE COORDINATED PRETTY CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THIS ONE, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO SHIFT TO A LARGE PORTION OF THEIR GENERAL FUND BUDGET OVER THE
LAST THREE YEARS. >> I MAKE A MOTION.
>> MOTION MADE. ALL IN FAVOR OF.
ALL OPPOSED THE MOTION CARRIES FOR-1.
NEXT ITEM IS -- >> COMMISSIONER, SORRY, I JUST WANT TO MAKE A QUICK, ON COMMISSIONER RAMSAY'S THE ITEM THAT WAS PULLED. I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, THAT IS A SPECIAL PURPOSE FUND THAT RESTRICTED ONLY TO BE USED BY THE ATTORNEY FOR THE SO IT'S NOT A GENERAL PURPOSE, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT PART. IT'S THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BUDGET GOES THROUGH BUDGET PROCESS.
[05:05:03]
AND ALL HAVING THE SAME KIND OF INCLUDING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.TO MAKE ENDS MEET. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: GRANTED , IT'S WITHIN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
BUT WE SHOULD BE YOU GET MY POINT, BUT I THINK THIS CREATES SOME FLEXIBILITY, IF YOU WILL. CREATES YOUR ABILITY TO DEAL WITH SOME GENERAL FUND ISSUES WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND IT'S JUST ANOTHER SIGN THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND
WHERE IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT. >> UNDERSTOOD.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: NEXT ITEM IS 152.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS PRETRIAL SERVICES REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO ADD THE CLARIFICATION SUPERVISOR TO BLANKET EXEMPTION LIST UNDER THE HIRING FREEZE POLICY.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: CAN WE ADD THAT TERM REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO ADD THE CLASSIFICATION JPC SUPERVISOR TO
THE BLANKET EXEMPTION LIST? >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ANY --
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: JPC. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IS THAT AN ACCEPTABLE ADJU
ADJUSTMENT? >> SORRY GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER, THE PHYSICIANS ARE ASKING FOR MORE THAN THE JPC. SINCE THE HIRING FREEZE AND WE HAD ONE SUPERVISOR LEAVE RIGHT BEFORE FOR CONCORD.
WE NEED SUPERVISORS OUTSIDE OF THAT.
WE KEEP HIRING IN STAFF, BUT OUR STAFF SUPERVISOR RATIOS KEEP INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF KPI'S THAT WE'RE PUTTING ON THAT SUPERVISORS AS WELL AS WITHIN 10 VOICES TO CONFIRM THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING SUPERVISED ARE BEING BUILT THAT WERE BEING BUILT PROPERLY SO THAT WE'RE PRUDENT WITH THE FUNDS THAT YOU PROVIDE US. WE ARE THAT WE WOULD PREFER TO KEEP THAT BROAD. RIGHT NOW, TO EARTH TO JPC SUPERVISORS, ONE FOR THE COURTS, AND THEN THERE'S ADDITIONAL ONE THAT WE WOULD THAT WERE NOT SURE WHERE THAT POSITION WILL BE.
WE KNOW THAT THAT JPC WE ARE DOWN TO SUPERVISORS.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I WAS TRYING TO HELP.
>> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I THOUGHT IF I MADE IT, I WANT TO BE SURE THEY GET WHAT THEY NEED, BUT YOU'RE SAYING THE GENERIC SUPERVISOR.
WE'LL SERVE YOU BETTER THAN THE JPC.
>> YES, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I APPRECIATE IT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I'M NOT TRYING TO HELP SO MUCH. [LAUGHTER]
>> I MAKE A MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IS THERE A MOTION ON THE ITEM? A MOTION HAS BEEN MADE.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR.
I WILL POST THE MOTION CARRIES 4-0.
COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO JUST TO CLARIFY A FEW HAD THE MOTION WAS FOR-1 QUICK I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, IT WILL BE FOR-0.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS: -0, I'M SORRY.
THIS ONE IS FOR-0 AS WELL. AT 155 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS
IS. >> TRAINING REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL FOR USE OUT OF TEXAS TWO AND TRAINING.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I'VE GOT ONE BLANKET.
UNIVERSAL SERVICES. DON'T TAKE THIS PERSONAL AND MOVE TO APPROVE ALL OF THEM. BUT I DON'T WANT.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA:I'LL SECOND.
YEAH, SECOND. A MOTION TO PASS ALL ITEMS EXCEPT THE ONE IDENTIFIED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ALL IN
FAVOR. >> AND I'LL MOVE THE UNIVERSAL
THAT MOTION HAS BEEN MADE TO APPROVE THAT ONE ITEM, ALL IN FAVOR, I'LL SECOND IT. ALL IN FAVOR, AYE ALL OPPOSED.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM IS 162, GRANTS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, REQUEST BY HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR APPROVAL TO EXTEND ONE GRANT FUNDED POSITION.
THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE A MOTION MADE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR OF.
THAT'S 3-1. 70 IS GRANTS, COMMISSIONER IS THAT ANOTHER? THIS IS HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS FOR APPROVAL, TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF GENERAL FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,000,410.95.
GRAM. THE COST OF ONE GRANT POSITION PENDING RECEIPT OF THE AWARD FOR THE FY 27 FAMILIES GRANT FROM
THE CHILDREN'S. >> THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BRIDGE. I MAKE A MOTION.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE.
THAT MOTION CARRIES 4-0. 184, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS AN ITEM REQUEST BY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR APPROVAL.
[05:10:04]
UPDATE THE FUNDING SOURCE OF CERTAIN POSITIONS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 26 OF THIS YEAR TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF THEN CARE DIVISION AND THE OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT. THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY ME, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR, AYE OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES 3-1. ALL RIGHT.NEXT ITEM IS 230. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS YOUR ITEM FOR DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE ACTION ON SECTION FOUR-POINT 3.1 OF FUELS INFRASTRUCTURE CONDUCT AND
DECORUM. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I WAS NOT AT THE MEETING WE VOTED TO ADD TAGGING.
I DON'T KNOW AT THAT POINT OF HAVING TAGGING.
IF WE DON'T WANT SOMETHING TO MOVE FORWARD TO GET THREE VOTES AND IT NOT MOVE FORWARD, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE -- GET RID OF TAGGING BECAUSE IF WE WANT TO WAIT UNTIL EVERYBODY'S HERE, TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AGAIN, THEN I CAN PUT THIS AS NO ACTION. BUT I DON'T KNOW THE BENEFIT.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD EVEN LEAD TAGGING.
MAYBE SOMEBODY EXPLAIN IT TO ME. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THAT MOTION HAS BEEN MADE IS THERE A
SECOND? >> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY MOTION PICTURE. I THINK -- I'M SORRY YOU'RE
ASKING. >> IT LOOKS LIKE HE WANTED TO
THE COURT CAN SET RULES. IS A VERY COMMON PRACTICE IN
OTHER JURISDICTIONS, TOO. >> THE CARRY --
>> ENTIRELY UP TO THE COURT. THEY CAN SET THEIR OWN RULES IF
THE -- IS. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: COULD, THAT
MIGHT BE A REASON NOT TO DO IT. >> UNDERSTOOD.
IF YOU WANT TO BRING IT BACK. >> I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH ALL
THE OFFICES. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IT WILL BE NO ACTION ITEM 231, COMMISSIONER YOU, IS THIS ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR ITEMS? POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CONSULTATION AGENT SELECTION PROCESS.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I'LL NOT GO INTO MY LONG DISCUSSION.
I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONSULTATION, AGENT, THAT WHOLE PROCESS HAS BEEN DETERMINED. THERE'S ONLY 5,644, ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. WE GOT 20,000 EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY TO TAKE OUT LAW ENFORCEMENT.
YOU GET ROUGHLY 15,000. I GREW UP IN A WORLD OF EXHIBIT AND NONEXEMPT THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE NONEXEMPT THEY GET PAID OVERTIME. THEY'RE WORKING EVEN IN MY PRECINCT, PROBABLY 80% OF THE PEOPLE ARE NONEXEMPT.
THAT MEANS THEY WOULD BE I WOULD SAY PEOPLE THAT DO WORK OUT THEIR IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE FRONT LINES AND I JUST FIND IT SHOCKING THAT YOU SOMEHOW SO MANY QUALIFIERS AND IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME. THAT THE REASON IS 5,644 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. WE HAD TO GET THE NUMBER DOWN FOR SO THAT WE COULD GET THIS PARTICULAR CONSULTING -- CONSULTANT AGENT ON BOARD. THEY GOT 5% OF 5,644, I THINK THAT MEANS THERE'S 330 OF THEM THAT'S A PRETTY LOW BAR, IF YOU ASK ME. NOW, GOING FORWARD, THEY'VE GOT TO GO GET 20% OKAY AND THEY THEN MOVED UP TO ANOTHER CATEGORY IN TERMS OF THEIR ABILITY TO WORK THROUGH OUR HR, SPENDING A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT. FOR 330 FOLKS AND THEY'RE GOING TO WORK ON TRYING TO GET TO THE 20%, WHICH PUTS THEM IN ANOTHER CATEGORY. IT'S INTERESTING TO LOOK AT 20%.
YOU BECOME THE AGENT. THE AGENT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS SOMEBODY ELSE GETS LIKE 70%. SO THAT'S KIND OF INTERESTING.
YOU GET ON BOARD AT 20. BUT YOU GET TO STAY AND REMAIN THERE UNLESS IT'S 50. THESE NUMBERS JUST CRY OUT FOR IS THIS REALLY, AND I KNOW THAT THEY HELP WRITE THE POLICY.
I GET THAT. I JUST THINK THAT THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS. SO MY SIMPLE QUESTION, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YEAR, OF HOW THE POLICY WAS DESIGNED BY THE AGENT THAT ACTUALLY GOT THE WORK BUT MY CONCERN IS HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO GET TO 20%.
IS IT INFINITY? IS IT INFINITY AND BEYOND?
[05:15:01]
>> AS THE PALACE IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, THERE'S NO SPECIFIC
DEADLINE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA:
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: SO WHY IS IT FOREVER A QUESTION MARK.
>> THAT WAS HOW THE POLICY WAS ADOPTED.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: IS THAT A MISTAKE? I DIDN'T WRITE THE POLICY, SO I CAN'T SAY THAT.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE AN END DATE.
I WANT TO SAY JUNE 1ST OF 2027. THAT'S A DATE.
SO HEARING NO SECOND CRICKET. [LAUGHTER]
>> ALL RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: SO NO ONE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE DATE AT THIS POINT.
>> ARE YOU ASKING US? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I GUESS.
SO I'LL BRING IT BACK. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: NO
ACTION ON THE ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: WE'LL DO AN UPDATE. I'LL BRING BACK QUARTERLY UPDATES ON HOW WE'RE DOING. [LAUGHTER]
>> AND VERY QUICKLY, JUST TO LEVEL SET THE COMMITTEE, CAN YOU THAT I KNOW I KNOW IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WANTED TO SHARE SOMETHING ABOUT THE CADENCE OF THE MEETINGS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AS FAIR AND THOUGHTFUL AND BEST POSITIONED
FOR SUCCESS. >> I'M HAPPY TO INTRODUCE MCBRIDE. SHE'S OUR NEW MANAGER.
AND SHE'S GOT EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN THIS.
SO STEEP LEARNING CURVE HAS BEEN ACCELERATED THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SUPPORT. >> SURE, I THINK THE BETTER ANSWER I CAN PROVIDE ARE SOME NUMBERS BECAUSE THAT NUMBER WILL CHANGE DAILY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE LEAVING AND JOINING THE COUNTY DAILY. AND SO IT TAKES ABOUT 1,111 EMPLOYEES TO REACH THAT 20% THRESHOLD, FOLKS, THAT WE WHAT THAT NUMBER IS SMALL IS BECAUSE WE HAVE OMITTED THE EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS. WE ALSO OMITTED EMPLOYEES THAT REPORT TO PRECINCT THREE. SO WE ARE ONLY ACCOUNTING, 26 DEPARTMENTS PLACING ONE, TWO, AND FOUR, AND SO THAT NUMBER IS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN 7,000, AND SO THAT'S WHY THAT NUMBER LOOKS SMALL IN THAT 5% OF THAT NUMBER WILL GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO COME INTO THE COUNTY FACILITIES, AND THEN THAT 20% WOULD BE THE 1111 NUMBER, SO THAT'S WHAT THE NUMBER LOOKS THAT WAY. I DON'T HAVE AN OPINION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, ABOUT THAT. I DO THINK THE DEADLINE WOULD BE BENEFICIAL JUST BECAUSE IT GIVES US A TIME, CERTAIN TO NOTE WHEN THE ANSWER IS COMPLETE. BUT WE HAVE THE POLICY THAT WE HAVE, AND SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ASK ME AS THEY PRESENT MEMBERSHIP CARDS COUNT THEM, DETERMINE WHETHER THE EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE, AND THEN COMPILE THAT LIST SO THAT HE HAS TO MEET
THE 20% BASED ON THAT LIST. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: SO THEY'LL UPDATE YOU ON A REGULAR BASIS ON PROGRESS, THEY'RE MAKING SO YOU CAN REPORT TO US ON THE.
SO THE WORK THEY'VE BEEN AT IT FOR SIX MONTHS AND UP TO 532 OR 30 PEOPLE OR WHATEVER. OKAY.
[Departments & Emergency/Supplemental Items]
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU NEXT ITEM, AND JUST SPEAKING
FOR A FRED,. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: EXCELLE
NT? >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: NO ACTION AND SPEAKING FOR FRIEND, ABOUT TO LOSE A QUORUM.
SO NEXT ITEM IS ITEM TWO 34. THIS IS COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND IF I MAY, PLEASE TAKE UP 234 AND 345 TOGETHER BECAUSE THERE RELATED.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE WANT TO BE AS PROACTIVE AND STRATEGIC AS WE ALREADY STARTED DIVING INTO PREPARING FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. WE'RE ASKING HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES TO DO MORE WITH LESS. WE KNOW HOW CHALLENGING AFFORDABILITY IS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO DELIVER PROGRESS IN FINDING THESE STRATEGIC SAVINGS EFFICIENCIES AND IMPROVING AND SO THIS IS TWO-PRONGED.
SO FIRST WITH REGARD TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, I KNOW YOU HAD BROUGHT FORTH SOME IDEAS FOR THE DEPARTMENTS THAT REPORT TO YOU. WHERE CAN WE FIND CONTINUED DEFICIENCIES FOR HR, IT, FINANCE, BUDGET AND GRANTS FOR THE OCA REPORTING DEPARTMENT? I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS IN THE SECOND, BUT THAT'S ONE PIECE OF IT.
AND THEN THE OTHER PIECE OF IT IS GETTING INTO A REGULAR RHYTHM SO WE HAVE A BUDGET WITHIN GROUP.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: THEY CAN. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND BUDGET DIRECTOR REPRESENTS FROM ALL FIVE OF OUR OFFICES.
SO THAT WE CAN WORK AS COLLABORATIVELY AND STRATEGICALLY AS POSSIBLE TO FIND ALL THE STRATEGIC SAVINGS AND PRIORITIZE INVESTMENTS AND SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE SURPRISES AND THAT WE'RE WORKING AS DILIGENTLY AND AS FOCUSED AS
[05:20:03]
POSSIBLE SO THOSE ARE TWO TH THINGS.AND YES. AND IF I COULD -- IF I MAY, I KNOW EVERYONE HAS TO GO TO I ALSO KNOW THAT WE DID OUR FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN AND FIVE YEAR EFFICIENCY STUDY.
WE'RE IN YEAR THREE OF THAT AND KNOWING HOW LONG SOMETIMES PROCUREMENT CAN TAKE, I ALSO WANT TO LOOK AHEAD TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BEING AS PROACTIVE SO THAT WE CAN ESSENTIALLY HAVE ANOTHER EFFICIENCY STUDY SO THAT WE'RE FINDING EVERY SAVINGS WHILE CONTINUING TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE AND GROW CORE SERVICES.
SO AGAIN, THE BOTH END. I'LL STOP HERE, BUT I'D LOVE TO TURN TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER WITH REGARD TO THE STUDY OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT REPORT TO YOU AND HE THOUGHTS RECOMMENDATIONS, BEFORE I MAKE A MOTION?
>> I THINK MY THOUGHT WOULD BE TO DIG IN MORE TO THE FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN THE ITEMS THAT HAVE YET TO BE LOOKED AT MORE THOROUGHLY THAN A REMAINING. ARE THE HARDER ITEMS, AND I DON'T WANT TO PROMISE THAT IT CAN BE DONE WITHIN THIS YEAR.
BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS REMAINING RELATED.
AS YOU SAID TO HR, I T. FINANCE COMES TO SOME OTHER THINGS THAT REDUCE SILOS AND I WANT TO COMMEND THE WORK THEY'VE ALREADY WORKED ON ENTERPRISE CONTRACTS AND SUPPLIES AND HOW CAN WE ASSESS THAT BETTER AND PICTURE MAXIMIZING ECONOMIES OF SCALE. BUT I WOULDN'T SAY WE'RE PREPARED TO DO A FULL EFFICIENCY STUDY AT THIS TIME.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SO WOULD IT BE FEASIBLE TO DOUBLE DOWN WITHIN THE OCA REPORTING DEPARTMENT TO JUST CONTINUE TO DIG INTO THE EFFICIENCIES AND SMART STRATEGIC SAVINGS THAT YOU CAN FIND SYNERGIES IN ALL THOSE DIFFERENT HR I.T. FINANCE
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ETC.? >> AS IT RELATES TO THE FIVE
YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, YES. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: OKAY.
AND SO -- AND THEN ON THE BUDGET WORKING GROUP, DIRECTOR RAMOS, ANY THOUGHTS BEFORE WE MAKE THE MOTION?
>> MR. RAMOS: NO ISSUES FROM ME.
I'M HAPPY TO HELP STAFF THAT. AND HAPPY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH YOUR STAFF AND JUST MAKE SURE TO SEND ME SOMEBODY WHO'S READY TO
WORK. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: OKAY.
SOUNDS GOOD. SO THE MOTION WOULD BE MOTION TO INITIATE A REVIEW OF ALL SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS APPROVED BY COURT IN THE PAST FISCAL YEARS. IDENTIFYING THE ASSOCIATED SERVICE BY DEPARTMENT, ITS PURPOSE INITIAL INVESTMENT, ANNUAL BUDGET, AND ASSOCIATED KPIS COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL REPORT FINDINGS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY APRIL 15TH, 2027.
AS WELL AS UPDATES IN THESE ITEMS THAT I WILL DO 345 THE
MONTHLY MEETINGS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE. SECOND THE MOTION CARRIES 4-0.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND THEN 345.
IT IS ESSENTIALLY A MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED TO CREATE THE FISCAL YEAR 2028 BUDGET WORKING GROUP CO-CHAIRED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND BUDGET DIRECTOR WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL SECOND ED.
ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES IT
FOR-0. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND ALL RIGHT, IF I CAN CLARIFY A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS.
THANK YOU. METHYLENE, STARTING JANUARY 2027 AND TO RETURN BY MAY 2027 SO THAT AT LEAST 15 MILLION INSTRUCTIONAL RECURRING SAVINGS OPTIONS THAT COULD BE REINVESTED INTO PUBLIC FACING SERVICES, INCLUDING ESTIMATED SAVINGS
TIMELINES, AND IMPACTS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THE MOTION CARRIES WITH THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
>> IS THAT FOR ITEM THREE 45? >> YEAH.
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL RIGHT, THAT WAS 2 FOR 35, AND WHAT'S THE OTHER ITEM?
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: ONE ITEM ON THAT COMMISSIONER.
IF YOU SEE ANY OTHER COMMITTEES THAT ARE SOMEWHAT, IF YOU CAN IF
WE START ONE, KILL TWO. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: A LOOK -- SPEAKING OF EFFICIENCY STUDIES, YES, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER TEST BUDGET YEAR. HOW CAN WE MAXIMIZE AND IMPROVE CORE SERVICES THAT ARE CRITICAL TO THE COMMUNITY WHILE CONTINUING TO FUND THESE STRATEGIC SAVINGS AND FIND WAYS TO DO MORE WITH LESS. SO GOD BLESS YOU.
[Departments (Part 4 of 4)]
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES, NOW 272, COMMISSIONER, THIS IS TRANSMITTAL ON ECONOMIC AND EQUITY OPPORTUNITY. APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE PRO
PROGRAM. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: OH, YES. IF I MAY GO TO 235 THE COALITION
FOR THE HOMELESS ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: SORRY. OKAY.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: 235 IS SOMETHING REALLY EXCITING. THIS IS AND I WANT TO THANK
[05:25:03]
NISHAD FROM OUR PRECINCT 14 AND COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS.CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE SOME BRIEF WORDS AS TO WHY THIS IS SO CRITICAL, AND THEN I HAVE A FEW QUICK COMMENTS TO MAKE.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
SO EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH THE COALITION BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE EFFICIENT AND CREATE THAT ONE SINGLE STORY, BRING THE DATA, HELP THE PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT AND WE'RE SO EXCITED FOR THOSE THAT ARE UNHOUSED AS WELL AS AT RISK OF BEING UNHOUSED, TO HAVE THAT QUICK SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO BE THERE TO WHERE THEY'LL REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS.
WE'RE EXCITED FOR THE PARTNERSHIP.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?
THANK YOU FOR WAITING. >> THANK YOU FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP. HMIS FOR THE HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR GREATER CONNECTION AND CONNECTIVITY ACROSS OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.
OR THE WAY HOME AND GREATER CONNECTION COMING GREATER CONNECTIVITY ALLOWS FOR MORE COORDINATION INSIDE THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, WHICH ULTIMATELY HELPS US HAVE BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY FOR OUR CLIENTS, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND TO YOUR TEAM.
AND OF COURSE, FOR THE COUNTY LAST BUDGET SEASON.
YOU ALL ADDED TO TEMPORARY HOMELESSNESS RELATED PROGRAMS INTO GENERAL FUND. AND AS A COALITION, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW OUR NORTHERN STAR, WHICH IS A SUSTAINABLE SETTING SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY LIVES ON THE
STREETS. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU. AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH AND THANK YOU FOR THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, EVERYTHING YOU DO ALL DAY, EVERY DAY AND THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A BOLD FORWARD THINKING LEADER, AND ON THIS NOTE OF DOING MORE WITH LESS BECAUSE OF NEJAD, WORKING COLLABORATIVELY, NOW PRICING FOR IS A PILOT AND I HOPE WE CAN EXPAND THIS WE WANT TO BETTER HELP THOSE WHO ARE UNHEALTHY AND AT RISK OF BEING UNHOUSED. SO THIS IS A CONDITION USING DATA TO STREAMLINE CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES.
AND SO AGAIN, HAVING A TOOL THAT'S ALREADY THERE, BUT BRINGING IT IN. SO THAT WE CAN DO MORE FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THAT HEART HUSTLE, IN HIGHER STANDARDS THAT YOU SHOW EVERY DAY IS SOMETHING REMARKABLE.
SO WITH THAT, I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO BUILD ON THIS PARTNERSHIP AND BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND AS SUCH, I MOVE TO 35 AS PRESENTED.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE SECOND BY ME. ALL IN FAVOR? I'LL OPPOSE THAT. MOTION CARRIES, 4-0.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: WE'RE AT 272.
IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY, THAT'S YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. TRANSMITTAL.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SO I LOVE SO MUCH OF WHAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO. OUR APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE OF ALL OF OUR INVESTMENTS.
BECAUSE THIS HELPS MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM A AMERICAN REALITY FOR THE PARTICIPANTS, INDIVIDUALS CAN EARN A PAYCHECK WHILE THEY LEARN A SKILL AND THEN GET DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO EMPLOYMENT, AND AS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AND I KNOW YESTERDAY AT VETERANS DAY EVENTS AND WE HEARD THIS MORNING FROM MANY VETERANS, THAT WHETHER IT IS YOUTH, WHETHER IT'S VETERANS COMING, WHETHER IT'S SOMEONE WANTING TO RETURN TO WORK FOR US. CLEMENT A PATHWAY TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM, AND I'M SO THANKFUL THAT WHAT BEGAN AS OUR UPPER INVESTMENT, THAT WE HAVE ROLLED INTO OUR GENERAL FUND SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE GROWING THIS, AND I'M THANKFUL TO OUR PARTNERS AT THE TEXAS GULF COAST, AFL-CIO AND EMPOWER AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CREATE GOOD PAYING JOBS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE ARE DOING IT, AND SO WITH THAT, IT IS A TRANSMITTAL THAT SHOWS THE GREAT SUCCESS THUS FAR OF THE PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE BEEN IN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.
AND I ESPECIALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE 100% JOB PLACEMENT FROM THE TRADES PROGRAM THAT IS HUGE.
AND SO I HOPE WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO DOUBLE DOWN.
SO PART OF THIS BUDGET, I WANT TO FIND THESE SUCCESSFUL THINGS THAT WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN WHILE WE CREATE EFFICIENCIES TO FREE UP FUNDS. BUT THIS TO ME REPRESENTS MAKING THE AMERICAN DREAM MORE ATTAINABLE FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, AND AS SUCH IT IS A TRANSMITTAL, BUT I'M PROUDLY ACCEPTING IT ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL RIGHT, 273 IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THIS IS TRANSMITTED AS WELL.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: AGAIN, JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A SHOUT OUT, DIRECTOR, YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB ON THIS, PARTICULAR A LITTLE UPDATE ON MAYBE THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR ON PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING. OR MAYBE IN SOME AREAS THAT LACK THEREOF. BUT JUST SHOWING THE BENEFITS OF THESE PURCHASES, THAT TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY, WHETHER IT'S SOFTWARE OR WHETHER IT'S HARDWARE CONTINUE TO GIVE US KIND OF THOSE UPDATES.
THIS HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL, AND I'LL ONLY PULL IT JUST TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AND THE GOOD WORK YOU'RE DOING.
[05:30:02]
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.
THANK YOU. TO THE NEXT ITEM IS A TRANSMITTAL AS WELL BY EVERYBODY THIS IS VETERAN SERVICES.
COLONEL AND JASON, I'LL LEAVE IT TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR
WERE ABOUT 35 MINUTES AHEAD OF WHERE I PREDICTED WE WOULD BE.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WE'RE WINNING.
PRESENTATION VERY BRIEFLY. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK
YOU, VERY BRIEFLY. >> YEAH, VERY.
IT'S ONLY 48. NO, I'M JUST KIDDING.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. I'M PROUD TO BE HERE TO REPRESENT THE 185,000 VETERANS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR ALL YOU DO FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING SOME GOOD THINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT NO OTHER COUNTY MAYBE AROUND THE COUNTRY IS DOING, AND WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH OUT YOUR SUPPORT HERE. WE WANT TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER FOR THE END RIGHT THERE HIS MISSION STATEMENT.
WHEN YOU ADD IN VETERAN FAMILY MEMBERS, DEPENDENT WIDOWS, THINGS LIKE THAT, ABOUT 400,000 POPULATION THAT WE SERVE HERE AND, SIGNIFICANT, AND WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THEM.
WE WANT EVERY VETERAN TO SUCCEED NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
JUST SOME QUICK NUMBERS HERE I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE IN PARTICULAR. YOU SEE A THOUSAND VETERANS IN THE JAIL. INCLUDING 465 THAT RECIDIVISM RATE WHEN WE DON'T GET A VETERAN POPULATION PREFERABLY 75%, BUT THEY GET INVOLVED WITH THAT VETERAN POPULATION, HAD DROPPED TO 120%. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT WE ALWAYS NOTICED WITH SOME IF THEY GOT THEIR BOOTCAMP WE CAN'T GET THEM BACK ON, STEP ON, STEP PICKED UP.
SO WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THAT AND WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE AT. AND I'LL LEAVE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE REST OF THE NUMBERS NEXT SLIDE PLEASE I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THREE OF THE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE DOING HERE, THAT YOU HELPED US ESTABLISH AN AUTHORIZED, THE SUICIDE MORTALITY IS YOU CAN YOU GIVE US SOME TIME TO GET THAT GOING, THAT GOES TO THE HOUSTON AREA, SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION TOOK A SIGNIFICANT. WE'VE MET, I THINK SIX MEETINGS.
WE'VE REVIEWED THE WE'VE GOT DOZENS OF RECOMMENDATIONS, FORWARD THAT WE WILL BRING BACK TICKET WE'RE NOT GOING TO BRING ALL OF THAT RECOMMENDATIONS. CALLING THEM RIGHT NOW TO BRING THEM BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THE OVER 600 SUICIDES THAT TAKE PLACE IN HARRIS COUNTY EVERY YEAR.
MANY OF THEM ARE PREVENTABLE. WE BELIEVE IT.
AND WE'RE GETTING AFTER THAT. SO ANTICIPATED PRESENTATION IN JANUARY FROM US OF WHAT THE HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING I'M REALLY PROUD OF. IT'S CALLED THE TEXAS TWO STEP.
THE TEXAS TWO STEP THAT ARE SECURE.
THAT MEANS AND REACH OUT FOR HELP.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: 5% OF VETERANS WHO DIE BY SUICIDE AND ABOUT 60% OF TEXANS WHO DIED BY SUICIDE WILL USE A FIREARM TO DO THAT AND WE ARE NOT ADVOCATING FOR A LEGISLATIVE APPROACH.
I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
BUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS PROVIDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, FOR CLOSE EVENTS, AND ESPECIALLY CLINICIANS TO COME IN AND LEARN ABOUT THE FIREARMS THAT THEY ARE DOING THE COUNSELING FOR MANY OF THEM ARE VERY UNFAMILIAR AND GET INTO UNCOMFORTABLE AREAS VERY QUICKLY, WE'VE TRAINED OVER 50 CLINICIANS AT THIS POINT. THEY LOVE THE TRAINING BECAUSE THEY LOVE THAT THEY GET SOME ACTUAL HANDS ON TRAINING.
WE DO IT IN AN AMMO FREE ENVIRONMENT.
BUT SOME HANDS ON TRAINING WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY SEE HOW TO PUT THE GOOD LUCK, WHAT KIND OF WEAPON AND SOME OTHER THINGS SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THAT THEN FINALLY, YOU'RE ALL AWARE BECAUSE YOU'VE PUT IT OUT JUSTICE INVOLVED FOR VETERANS PROGRAMS, FOR INDIVIDUALS ALL THE TIME.
LOOK AT WHAT I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU IS WE FOUND THAT THREE OF THOSE POSITIONS THROUGH THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION, THEY HAVE CHANGED THEIR CRITERIA.
THEY'RE TAKING THAT GREAT OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM US.
I'M GOING TO ASK NOW IN THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THAT. YES, SIR.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THAT IS THE MOST AMAZING THING I'VE SEEN SINCE I'VE BEEN IN HARRIS COUNTY.
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I THINK
WE NEED TO CONTINUE. >> AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
PICK THAT SAME SMALL TEAM ALSO WORKS WITH THE VETERAN TREATMENT COURT THEY WORK WITH COURT, THEY WORK WITH SERT, THEY WORK WITH HEART. WE'RE PULLING ALL THOSE PEOPLE PIECES TOGETHER TO TRY TO GET AHEAD OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEN PREVENT RECIDIVISM. SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND IN ADVANCE FOR ALL OF THAT SO WE'RE SEEING THAT RECIDIVISM.
WE'RE SEEING THE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO WE'RE MAKING THOSE VETERAN TO VETERAN CONNECTIONS COME AND WE'RE CHANGING LIVES.
[05:35:01]
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: AND THAT'S I THINK THAT'S MY GET OFF
THE STAGE SLIDE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA:
COLLEAGUES? >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND JUST TO CLARIFY, THIS IS FOR ITEM 277, NOT 275.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: OKAY, I'M SORRY.
TO 77. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THIS ONE WAS 277, SO WE STILL NEED TO DO 275.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: 275. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: JUST ACCEPT IT? SOUNDS GOOD.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: I'LL ASK MY STAFF TO BRING IT BACK
NEXT MEETING. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WHO WAS THE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE VETERANS
THERE? >> WE HAD THIS WEEK WHICH WAS FANTASTIC AND SOME INTERESTING. PROVIDED A --
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: WHO WAS IT?
>> I THINK IT WAS THE TEXAS A AND M BOYS CHOIR.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: YOU GO. >> THAT USED TO BE CALLED THE --
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: IT'S THE SINGING CADETS.
>> THEY WERE FABULOUS. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THEY WERE SINGING THE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS.
FACING A LOT OF NICE PRESENTATIONS.
>> ALWAYS THE BEST SHOW IN TOWN, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU
FOR PUTTING THAT ON FOR US. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: A GOOD
[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 5 of 5)]
DEAL. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK
YOU, COLONEL LEWIS. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: AND.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: AND LET ME JUST GO AHEAD AND ASK BECAUSE MY TIME HAS EXPIRED. IS THERE ANY ITEMS YOU NEED
FOLKS ON BEFORE WE LOSE QUORUM? >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: YES.
COMMISSIONER, DID YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOURS? I'M HAPPY TO PRIORITIZE MINE MIXTURE 306.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: 306. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: I'M
HAPPY TO MOVE, 306 AS PRESENTED. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE FIRST COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: HE LIKED IT, SO HE MADE THAT ONE BUT I DO. SECOND ALL IN FAVOR OF.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AYE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THIS ITEM CARRIES 3-1. ALL RIGHT, 309.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: 309 I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN HEART AND I WILL MOVE, 309 AS PRESENTED THANK YOU DIRECTOR BARTON AND
YOUR TEAM. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY ME ALL IN FAVOR, OPPOSED? THIS CARRIES 3-1. 310 IS COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
REQUEST -- >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: YES.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE AMENDMENT.
I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD BE CLEAR ON WHAT THE AMENDMENT IS.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF VERY BRIEFLY -- BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE INVESTING 100% OF THE SAVINGS INTO FURTHER ENERGY EFFICIENCY INVESTMENTS.
SO THAT WOULD BE THE AMENDMENT, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE.
OH, MR. DICKERMAN, I'M SORRY. >> JESSIE DICKERMAN, COMMISSIONER, THIS ONE GOES IN THE OF THINGS IN THE AMENDMENT.
THIS IS BELIEVED TO STANDARDIZE SOME OF THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT.
PROCESSES IN THE ESTABLISHING HVAC SCHEDULING DEMAND RESPONSE. MUTUALLY INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
STANDARDIZING OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON.
AND GOOD COLLABORATION WITH OAK CAN ADMINISTRATOR HAS HELPED
DRIVE THIS ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND DIRECTOR DICKERMAN, TO BE CLEAR, ARE YOU MISSING THE AMENDMENTS
AS PRESENTED? >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: HAS BEEN MADE ALL IN FAVOR, AYE ALL OPPOSED THE MOTION CARRIES.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK THAT'S JUST A VOTE FOR YOU.
>> JUST A QUICK QUESTION. 102 POSITIONS AND I'M FINE WITH THAT, AND I'M NOT SURE WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET 102, SO IF WE DON'T HIRE 102, DOES THAT JUST GET -- SPIN, IT OFFSETS THE SPENDING IN
THE PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I MOVE
ON THE ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL IN FAVOR, ALL OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES, FOR-0 PERIOD THE 3:35. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: 3:35.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I MOVE ON ITEM.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL IN FAVOR, I'LL, THE MOTION CARRIES 4-0. 3:36, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THAT
IS A PURCHASING AGENT. >> SO MOVE.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSE? 3-1.
A MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY ME, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIAN, ALL IN FAVOR, AYE ALL OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-1.
339, WAS THE JUDGES ITEM. I THINK THAT --
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: IT WAS ALREADY VOTED ON.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: OKAY. 340 IS REQUESTED BY THE JUDGE.
THAT'S ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON. 341, THAT WAS COMMISSIONER ELLIS REQUEST. I THINK THIS IS -- YEAH WE ALREADY DONE THAT ONE. 344, LET'S SEE,
[05:40:06]
COMMISSIONER NANCY, THIS IS YOUR ITEM, REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION,POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE -- >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I HAVE AN EFFICIENCY IDEA. I WILL DISCUSS THAT WITH OUR KENNY ADMINISTRATOR ON HOW WE MAY BE ABLE TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS AND HAVE A BETTER PROGRAM.
BUT LET ME WORK THAT THROUGH THE >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND COM MISSIONER GARCIA, CAN WE GO BACK TO 310 BECAUSE I RECOGNIZE THE MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESIDENT DIDN'T INCLUDE ONE PIECE. MOTION TO DRUG CONTROL SERVICES TO PROPOSAL TO KEEP WHAT% OF SAVINGS, INCLUDING OPERATIONAL IMPACTS AND HOW THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WOULD BE USED TO EXPAND
ENERGY SAVING PROJECTS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA:
MOTION PASSED AS AMENDED. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK
YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALL RIGHT. AND NOW FOR AT --
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: THERE WAS 310, IN CASE YOU WERE ABOUT TO , NO, I THINK THE CLERK'S OFFICE WAS ABOUT TO ASK ME THAT WAS 310.
>> AND 345 WAS THE LAST ITEM. I BELIEVE YOU ALREADY HAD.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THERE WAS NO ACTION AND THAT WAS 345.
>> RIGHT DAN. >> THAT'S THE LAST ITEM.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THAT'S THE LAST ITEM? ALL RIGHT, WE STAND
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.