1. Adopt a Proclamation declaring March 24, 2022 as World TB Day for Hays County. INGALSBE/T.CRUMLEY

[2. Presentation of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Hays County Auditor's Office and the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement to the Hays County Auditor from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). BECERRA/VILLARREAL-ALONZO]

AGENDA ITEM 2. >> PRESENTATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING TO THE HAYS COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND THE AWARD OF FINANCIAL REPORTING ACHIEVEMENT TO THE HAYS COUNTY AU

AUDITOOR FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK Y'ALL FOR ALLOWING THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO COME AND BE PRESENTED WITH OUR CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT. I'M GOING TO READ THE PRESS

RELEASE. >> WOULD YOU LIKE -- JUST TO HELP YOUR VOICE.

>> CERTAINLY. >> I'M TRYING TO BE HELPFUL TO YOU.

ROXANNE IS MAGNIFICENT READER. >> GOVERNMENT'S OFFICE OF UNITED STATES AND CANADA HAS AWARDED THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE IN HAYS COUNTY FOR ITS ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2020.

THE REPORT HAS BEEN JUDGED BY AN IMPARTIAL STANDARD TO MEET THE HIGH STANDARDS OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDE DEMONSTRATING A CONSTRUCTIVE SPIRIT OF FULL DISCLOSURE TO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE ITS FINANCIAL STORY AND MOTIVATE POTENTIAL USERS AND USER GROUPS TO READ THE REPORT. THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION IN THE AREA OF GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ITS ATTAINMENT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT BY A GOVERNMENT AND ITS MANAGEMENT.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. IT'S GREAT. >> WE HAVE OUR STAFF HERE, FROM OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AUDIT DIVISION AND PURCHASING DIVISION.

THIS IS THE STAFF THAT WORKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR REVIEWING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INVOICES, PROCESSING THOUSANDS OF CHECKS, REVIEWING PURCHASE ORDERS, COUNTY-WIDE BASIS, THE DEPARTMENTS SUBMIT TO THEM FOR REVIEW AND AUDIT. THEY SPEND A WHOLE YEAR WORKING DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF OUR FINANCES ARE ACCOUNTED FOR, AUDITED AND APPROPRIATE SO THAT WE CAN FINALIZE OUR AUDIT BOOK AND GET A CLEAN OPINION FROM OUR AUDITORS.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEM FOR THEIR DILIGENCE AND DETAILED AND HARD WORK.

KIMBERLY ANDREWS, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE MANAGER, PAULA CRAWFORD, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AUDITOR. AND STEPHANIE HUT, OUR PURCHASING MANAGER.

AND VICKIE IS WITH US TODAY. [APPLAUSE] >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP FOR A QUICK PIC? IT'S CUSTOMARY FOR US TO DO SUCH A THING.

[3. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing Rosalinda Moreno, a Gary Job Corps employee, on her service to the community. BECERRA]

[00:15:41]

DOCTOR, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. >> NUMBER 3, ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING ROSALINDA MORENO ON HER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TAKE

ROLL FIRST? JUDGE BECERRA: LET'S READ IT. >> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING ROSALINDA MORENO DAY, WHEREAS MORENO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HAYS COUNTY, GRADUATED FROM SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL AND ATTENDED SOUTHWEST STATE UNIVERSITY. WHEREAS, MS. MORENO'S CAREER STARTED ON MAY 1976, AS A RESIDENTIAL LIVING CLERK. WHEREAS, MRS. MORENO CONTINUED AS DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR 22 YEARS. AND THEN PROMOTED TO THE CENTER DIRECTOR FOR THE POSITION SHE HELD FOR THE LAST 23 YEARS. MRS. MORENO RECEIVED THE GARY EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH AWARD IN 1995, 2000, SERVICE AWARDS FROM STUDENT GOVERNMENT, APPRECIATION AWARD FROM THE GARY COLLEGE PROGRAM IN JUNE 2000 AND HAS BEEN A NOTARY PUBLIC FOR 22 YEARS. MRS. MORENO IS AN ASSET TO THE GARY JOB CORPS COMMUNITY FOR HER DEDICATION TO THE STUDENT'S ALLEGIANCE TO THE CENTER. WHEREAS, ALTHOUGH MRS. MORENO WILL CONTINUE TO WHAT GIVES HER THE SERVICE AND FULFILLMENT TO HAYS COUNTY.

HER CONTRIBUTION WILL BE MISSED WHEN SHE RETIRES ON MARCH 11, 2022.

HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 11TH, 2022, ROSALINDA MORENO DAY. JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION.

WE HAVE A SECOND. WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YES. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS LORRAINE LANE, EXECUTIVE CENTER DIRECTOR OF THE GARY JOB CORPS CENTER. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU AND THE PANEL FOR RECOGNIZING AND ACCEPTING THIS PROCLAMATION. I HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO WORK WITH MRS. MORENO FOR THREE YEARS. BUT WHEN I TELL YOU THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION THAT SHE HAS AND HAS PROVIDED FOR ME TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MY JOB IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. SHE IS MY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.

SO I AM GOING TO BE COMPLETELY LOST AFTER FRIDAY. BUT I AM VERY HAPPY THAT SHE HAS THIS OPPORTUNITY IN HER LIFE TO GO ON TO THE NEXT JOURNEY AND ENJOY HER TIME.

SO MRS. MORENO, I APPRECIATE YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

JUDGE BECERRA: IF YOU'LL COME ON UP, WE TAKE A QUICK PIC. WILL YOU PLEASE OPEN AGENDA

[4. Update on the February Report of the Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disability Meeting by Charles Campise. BECERRA]

[00:21:25]

ITEM NUMBER 4. >> 4, UPDATE ON THE FEBRUARY REPORT OF THE HILL COUNTRY MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY MEETING BY CHARLES CAMPISE.

JUDGE BECERRA: IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> MY NAME IS CHARLES CAMPISE, HAYS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE TO WHAT USED TO BE A PORTION OF THE TEXAS MHMR AGENCY, STATE AGENCY. I WAS APPOINTED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND JUDGE BECERRA TO REPRESENT HAYS COUNTY TO WHAT NOW IS THE HILL COUNTRY MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AGENCY. 19 COUNTIES, INCLUDING HAYS COUNTY.

HAYS IS THE LARGEST COUNTY AND SPENDS ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THE MONTHLY BUDGET.

OUR BUDGET CURRENTLY IS $44 MILLION PER YEAR. AND I WAS NOT PRESENT FOR THE FEBRUARY MEETING, EXCEPT THROUGH ZOOM, AND MY COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING WELL.

I COULD HEAR WHAT WAS GOING ON. BUT I COULDN'T RESPOND TO ANYTHING.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE MISSING A MEETING. I GIVE YOU A WORD OF CAUTION, IF YOU'RE ON A BOARD DON'T MISS A MEETING BECAUSE THEY WILL ELECT YOU AS AN OFFICER OF THE BOARD. THEY ELECTED ME AS THE SECRETARY.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE -- WHO WON YOUR PRIMARY ELECTIONS, TO THE VICTORS GO THE SPOILS OF WAR. BUT DON'T GET TOO CLOSE TO US WITH YOUR SPOILS.

THE LAST MEETING HELD WAS HELD TUESDAY MARCH 1ST, WHICH WAS ELECTION DAY.

AND WAS HELD AT THE CENTER OFFICES IN KERVILLE TEXAS. ALL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT, ONLY ONE ATTENDED BY ZOOM. NEWLY-APPOINTED MEMBER, MRS. LISA PRITCHARD FROM BERNIE, TEXAS. SHE WAS SWORN IN AS THE FIRST MATTER OF BUSINESS.

MRS. PRITCHARD IS IN CHARGE OF THE COUNSELING SERVICES FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THERE IN BURNEY. EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS NEXT. ONE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED WITHOUT NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR AGENCY. THE SECOND LAWSUIT WAS REPORTED ON BY LEGAL COUNSEL. LEGAL COUNSEL PLANS TO ATTEND THE COURT HEARING AND TO APPEAL TO A HIGHER COURT SHOULD THIS AGENCY LOSE THE SUIT. LEGAL COUNSEL SUBMITS TO US THAT BECAUSE WE ARE A QUASI-STATE AGENCY, WE'RE NOT LIABLE TO THE SUIT.

THE SECOND MATTER IN THIS SESSION REGARDS PURCHASE OF A BUILDING WE CURRENTLY LEASE IN HONDO, TEXAS. THE BOARD TOOK ACTION REGARDING THE PROPERTY, ONCE EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS OVER AND WE WERE BACK IN THE OPEN SESSION. OUR BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY IN HONDO. THE BUILDING WITH PARKING SPACES IS 7,000 SQUARE FEET.

[00:25:03]

AND THE PURCHASE, $900,000. OUR FINANCIAL OFFICER REPORTED THAT THE AGENCY HAS RECEIVED A GRANT FOR $700,000, WHICH WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE 400 AND REPLACE 400 COMPUTERS FOR STAFF USE AT EVERY LEVEL OF SERVICE. NEXT THERE WAS AN ASSIGNMENT FROM THE FUND BALANCE.

HE REPORTED ALSO THAT THE AGENCY STILL HAS RESERVES TO COVER OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR MORE THAN 200 DAYS. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA WAS REQUIRED TRAINING SESSION.

AND THAT BEGINS IN FISCAL YEAR 2023. THE CHANGE WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT THE AGENCY AND THE AMOUNT OF $8 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OPERATIONS. AND THEN WILL INCREASE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT ANNUALLY TO EXCEED THE DOLLARS LOST. TAKE NOTE IN THE PREVIOUS MEETING WHICH I DID NOT ATTEND, IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASED FUNDING IS GOING TO COVER THE COST OF SALARIES FOR MEDICAL PERSONNEL. AS YOU RECALL, I REPORTED BEFORE THAT NOT ONLY WILL HILL COUNTRY PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, BUT ALSO EVERY NEW CLIENT, AND THAT IS THOUSANDS PER YEAR, INCLUDING THE CURRENT CLIENTS, WILL RECEIVE ATTENTION AND SERVICES FROM A MEDICAL DOCTOR. THAT IS NOW A FEDERAL REQUIREMENT.

AND IT'S GOING INTO EFFECT RIGHT NOW. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL EXPECT THE AGENCY TO IMPLEMENT A NEW DIRECTED PAYMENT PROGRAM AND USE A CHARITY CARE POOL.

THE CHARITY CARE POOL WILL ACTUALLY GIVE US MORE DOLLARS PER OFFICE IN OUR AREA.

THE TRAINER WHO IS AN EMPLOYEE OR AGENCY GAVE A LIST SHOWING THE COST FOR UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS SERVED. AND THIS RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO A YOUTH CRISIS HOME THAT WAS OPERATED HERE IN SAN MARCOS. WHEN COVID HIT, WE WERE FORCED TO CLOSE BECAUSE ALL OF THE STAFF TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. AND THERE WAS YET A VACCINATION AVAILABLE. FUNDS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE FOR ITS REOPENING.

OUR TRAINER MENTIONED THE POSITIVE VALUES GAINED BY RESIDENTS DURING THE MONTHS OF OPERATION. SHE OFFERED THAT REOPENING WILL SOON OCCUR AND YOUTH WILL AGAIN GAIN GREAT BENEFIT. THE CENTER OPERATED EVERY DAY OF ITS EXISTENCE AT 100 PERCENT OCCUPANCY. THE IDD CRISIS AND RESPITE CENTERS, WHICH WAS A SERVICE WHERE WE SENT PERSONNEL TO THE HOME OF A PERSON WITH DISABILITIES, ALSO SHUT DOWN AT THAT TIME. AND IT TOO WILL SOON BE OPENING.

ITS VALUE LIES IN THE FACT THAT IT ALLOWS OUR CLIENTS TO STAY HOME.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING SERVICES THROUGH OUR AGENCY, WHO ARE STAYING AT HOME, WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE PLACED IN SOME STATE FACILITY, AS THEIR RESIDENCE.

THE REPORT FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WAS NEXT. HE REPORTED THAT THE CRISIS STABILIZATION OCCUPANCY REMAINS HIGH. I MENTIONED TO YOU ALL BEFORE THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY CRISIS STABILIZATION FACILITIES OR SERVICES HERE.

I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE ALSO THAT EITHER DEPUTY SHERIFFS UNITS WITH TWO DEPUTIES OR AN

[00:30:07]

EMS UNIT FROM HAYS COUNTY WITH TWO EMS PERSONNEL ARE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR AN ENTIRE DAY, AN ENTIRE SHIFT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE NEAREST CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT, WHICH IS IN KERVILLE. THE COLAMALA COUNTY EXTENDED OPERATION UNIT IS GOING FORWARD WITH CREATION. EXTENDED OBSERVATION UNIT IS A STEPDOWN FROM A CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY, SHOULD OUR ASSESSMENT TEAM DECIDE THAT WE DON'T NEED IN HAY FULL-BLOWN MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL, I SUBMIT THAT WE DO WELL IN SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF HAYS COUNTY WITH AN EXTENDED OBSERVATION UNIT IN WIMBERLY, BUDA, KYLE AND SAN MARCOS. THAT WOULD PROBABLY COVER OUR NEEDS.

THE EXTENDED OBSERVATION UNIT AT EVERY LOCATION STARTED WITH THE NEW ONE IN CAMALA COUNTY WILL SERVE EIGHT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AND EIGHT ADULTS. AND THE EXTENDED STAY FOR ANY GUESTS THERE IS 48 TO 72 HOURS. WE HAVE NEWS FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, REGARDING THE UVALITY HOSPITAL PROJECT. THE SPECIFICS ARE BEING ALTERED TO DOWN-SIZE, SINCE IT IS QUITE LIKELY WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET $25 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR FIVE MILLION FROM THE STATE. IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY NEEDS ASSESSMENT TEAM IS UNDERWAY WITH THEIR WORK AND JUDGE BECERRA STILL INTENDS TO CREATE A HOSPITAL FOR SERVICES, IF THAT IS WHAT IS NEEDED. PLEASE NOTE, THIS AGENCY HILL COUNTRY HAS PLAYED A MAJOR PLACE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IS GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN FUNDING OF FUTURE OPERATIONS, ONCE THERE ARE SPECIFIC PLANS AVAILABLE.

A BURNING ISSUE WITH OUR AGENCY CURRENTLY IS RECRUITMENT OF NEW EMPLOYEES.

SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, 25 NEW EMPLOYEES WERE HIRED AND 45 QUIT.

MANY OF THEM TO GO TO HIGHER PAYING JOBS. IT WAS ANNOUNCED BY OUR CEO THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN OPIOID LITIGATION FUND CREATED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AFTER A MAJOR FEDERAL LAWSUIT. AND THIS IS SIZEABLE ENOUGH, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TO FUND EVERY INTENDED PROJECT IN THE AREA. THIS SHOULD MEAN FULL FUNDING THE 25 MILLION FOR THE UVALITY HOSPITAL, COUNTY UNITS AND EVEN A HOSPITAL HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.

MONEY IS AVAILABLE AFTER APPLICATION IS MADE. THERE WAS NO FURTHER BUSINESS.

THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO A CLOSE AT 11:55 A.M. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED TO THE COURT, CHARLES CAMPISE, REPRESENTATIVE FOR HAYS COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> CHARLIE, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO ABSOLUTELY COMPLETE. I AM JUST GENUINELY GRATEFUL, AS A LIFE-LONG PASSION OF YOURS THAT YOU REPRESENT THIS COURT AND BY DEFAULT THIS COUNTY IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT ENDEAVOR. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

AND FOR YOUR CONSTANT SUPPORT AND UPDATES. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS,

COMMENTS? >> NO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR.

[5. Update by Director of Countywide Operations and Hays County Staff on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP); possible discussion and/or action may follow. BECERRA]

CAMPISE. PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5.

>> NUMBER 5, UPDATE BY DIRECTOR OF COUNTY-WIDE OPERATIONS AND HAYS COUNTY STAFF ON THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR

ACTION MAY FOLLOW. >> >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. JUST A QUICK UPDATE OF THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE WITH THE ERA TICKETS. LAST COURT SESSION WE HAD $1.2 MILLION THAT HAD BEEN DISPERSED FOR THE ERA PROGRAM. AS OF YESTERDAY, WE HAVE 1.5 THAT HAS BEEN DISPERSED.

ADDITIONAL $375,900 THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROCESS IN ABOUT 13 WORKING DAYS.

WE'RE PROUD OF OUR PROGRESS THERE. WE HAVE JUST APPROXIMATELY, I'M

[00:35:05]

GIVING APPROXIMATE NUMBERS, BECAUSE THINGS FLUCTUATE MINUTE TO MINUTE WITH APPLICATIONS.

APPROXIMATELY 358 OPEN TICKETS. OF THOSE, 200 ARE WAITING ON CITIZEN RESPONSES.

65 ARE UNDER AUDITOR'S REVIEW AND 91 ARE UNDER CASEWORKER REVIEW.

WE HAVE THE NEW PROGRAM MANAGER TEAM COMING IN TOMORROW FOR TRAINING TO MEET THE STAFF AND TO TAKE OVER THE PROGRAM. JUDGE BECERRA: WONDERFUL. WILL THEY BE WORKING OUT OF

THIS OFFICE OR WHAT WILL THE LAYOUT BE? >> THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION TOMORROW. WHATEVER WORKS BETTER FOR THE FLOW.

OUR STAFF WILL BE HERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEW MANAGER SITUATION WILL BE.

THEY WILL HAVE ONE FULL-TIME PERSON THAT WILL BE HERE, I KNOW FOR A WHILE, TO GET THE LAY OF THE LAND, IF YOU WILL AND WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE STAFF.

JUDGE BECERRA: AND IF IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT THIS IS THE BEST PLACE, THIRD FLOOR IN THE CORNER OF THE COURTHOUSE, THEN WE NEED TO PICK ANOTHER SPOT, LIKE BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS. BUT I'LL SAY IT FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

WE ARE ALL IN IN HELPING TO SUPPORT A DIFFERENT LOCATION FOR AN OFFICE SO THAT THE

COMMUNITY CAN GET TO IN AND OUT OF EASILY. >> YES.

JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONERS. >> TAMMY, I KNOW YOU JUST SAID THAT ONE PERSON IS GOING TO BE HERE JUST TO KIND OF ASSESS. SO HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE AFTER THAT WILL BE COMING IN TO HELP?

DO YOU KNOW? OR IS THAT -- >> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT WITH OUR SYSTEM AND WHAT THEY FEEL THEY CAN PROCESS.

THEY HAVE TWO TEAM MEMBERS THAT ARE ASSIGNED, I THINK THERE'S FOUR COMING TOMORROW, JUST TO GET AN ASSESSMENT DONE. AND THEN WE HAVE -- WE STILL HAVE OUR FULL-TIME POSITION OPEN. AND I'LL HAVE AN ITEM COMING BACK TO COURT FOR ANOTHER -- I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE ON THE AGENDA TODAY. BUT IT'S NOT.

CONVERTING ONE OF OUR OTHER POSITIONS TO A FULL-TIME REGULAR POSITION.

AND THEN THEY WILL ASSESS WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WITHIN THEIR ORGANIZATION FOR ANY ADDITIONAL

STAFFING. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING.

AND GETTING THOSE TICKETS PROCESSED AND TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

>> TAMMY, I DON'T KNOW IF JENNIFER WAS CONTACTED, BUT SHE WANTS TO BE A PART OF THAT

TRAINING. >> YEAH. WE HAD TRAINING WORKED OUT AND SCHEDULING NEEDED TO BE REDONE. SO SHE IS ON THE LIST FOR SCHEDULING.

JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THESE UPDATES AND I'M SURE THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM THEM. WE'LL KEEP THEM ON THE AGENDA UNTIL EVERYTHING IS SMOOTH AND

TAKEN CARE OF. THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I MEAN, SYLVIA IS AVAILABLE. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN TO OUR OFFICE.

JUST A THOUGHT. >> I'LL LET THEM KNOW THAT. >> APPRECIATE IT.

JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. SO WE'LL MOVE THROUGH CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.

[Items 6 - 15]

WILL YOU PLEASE OPEN 6 THROUGH 15. >> 6, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. 7, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF JUROR CHECKS.

8, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTH CARE CLAIMS. 9, APPROVE COMMISSIONERS COURTS MINUTES OF JANUARY 18TH, 2022, FEBRUARY 1, 2022, AND FEBRUARY 15TH, 2022.

10, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE MARCH 15TH, 2022, PAYROLL DISBERSMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,175,000, EFFECTIVE MARCH 15TH, 2022. AND POST TOTALS FOR WAGES, WITHHOLDINGS DEDUCTIONS AND BENEFITS ON THE HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED.

11, ACCEPT THE 2021 RACIAL PROFILING REPORT FROM THE HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICE PRECINCT ONE. 12, APPROVE THE REAPPOINTMENTS OF JOE AND CHUCK WARE TO EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR, FOR TWO-YEAR TERMS ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2023.

13, AUTHORIZE THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT TO UTILIZE INSURANCE PROCEEDS FOR HVAC REPAIRS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 14, AUTHORIZE THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER TO PURCHASE ONE WASTE DISPOSAL WITH LEG KIT, VALUED AT $2,986.33.

AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 15, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A GENERAL AND NO LITIGATION CERTIFICATE RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS BY CAPILLARY HOUSING FINANCE

[00:40:02]

CORPORATION FOR LEGACY SQUARE APARTMENTS, LOCATED IN SAN MARCOS, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> NO COMMENTS, PLEASE CALL THE

ROLL. >> ROLL CALL. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN 16

[Items 16 - 29]

THROUGH 29. >> 16, APPROVE RENEWAL OF RFP-2018-10.

COUNTY WIDE ELECTRICAL SERVICES WITH PT ELECTRIC FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR, AS STATED IN THE ORIGINAL BID. 17, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO COWBOY HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF AUSTIN, FOR THE HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 OFFICE. 18, AUTHORIZE SECURITY ONE TO INSTALL A CELLULAR COMMUNICATOR TO THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AT PRECINCT 5 BUILDING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $800 AND EXECUTE THE UPDATED SYSTEM MONITORING AGREEMENT.

19, AUTHORIZE THE RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT 7090 MICRO, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,022, FOR THE AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

20, AUTHORIZE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE ANNUAL 2021 WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES REPORT FOR NATURE PRESERVE. 21, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT AWARD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE FY 23 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUNDING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $126,721. 22, ACCEPT THE 2021 RACIAL PROFILING REPORT FROM HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICE PRECINCT 5.

23, RATIFY THE ACCEPTANCE OF THREE SINGLE SIDED BANNERS VALUED AT $600 FROM LEWIS SIGNS TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR RECRUITING PURPOSES AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

24, ACCEPT A 2021 RACIAL PROFILING REPORT FOR THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

25, APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL UTILIZING SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTINUING EDUCATION FUNDS FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION LIEUTENANT MICHAEL BRIGGS, TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL HOMELAND SECURITY CONFERENCE ON JULY 11TH THROUGH 14, 2022, IN CLEVELAND, OHIO.

26, APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL, UTILIZING SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTINUING EDUCATION FUNDS FOR DETECTIVE MIKE ANDREWS TO ATTEND CERTIFICATION ON APRIL 25TH THROUGH 29TH, 2022, IN CLEVELAND, OHIO. 27, AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO USE SALARY SAVINGS TO COVER PRICE INCREASES FOR FY 22 BULLETPROOF VESTS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

28, APPROVE AND CONFIRM APPOINTMENT OF THOMAS MCGREEVY AS A REGULAR FULL-TIME

CONSTABLE. 29, APPROVE UTILITY PERMITS. >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ON NUMBER 25, IS THERE SOMEONE HERE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? I SEE NO MOVEMENT. SAVE THAT ONE.

ON 27, I KNOW THERE IS NO ONE HERE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. PRICE INCREASE ON THE

BULLETPROOF VEST. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH? >> I BELIEVE IF YOU LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND DOCUMENTATION, THE INDIVIDUAL VESTS OVERALL, I THINK IT'S LESS THAN $100 PER VEST. BUT THE OVERALL NUMBER THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET WASN'T ENOUGH TO COVER IT. SO THIS IS A SHIFT UNDER THE CURRENT BUDGET IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THAT. THESE VESTS EXPIRE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

THIS WILL COVER THE VESTS THAT EXPIRE DURING THIS PERIOD. NOT ALL OF THE VESTS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. JUDGE BECERRA: DID YOU JUST SAY THE VESTS EXPIRE EVERY

YEAR? >> CERTAIN NUMBER DO EXPIRE EVERY YEAR.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAVE AN ANNUALIZED BASIS. THE TYPE OF VEST, THE LIFE SPAN ON IT VARIES. JUDGE BECERRA: JUST FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, THANK YOU, CHIEF. THE VIEWING PUBLIC IS NOT -- DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BACK-UP. I DO, BUT I WANT TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC TO NOT HAVE MISSING PIECES. SO THAT IS WHY I LIKE TO ASK SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT I KNOW THE ANSWER TO. BUT I GET THEM ASKED AND THIS WILL HELP US SAVE ENERGY. ALSO, THERE IS TYPICALLY A GRANT THAT FUNDS THESE AS WELL,

CORRECT, COMMISSIONER? >> YES. IT DOESN'T FUND THE TOTAL COST

[00:45:02]

OF ALL OF OUR BULLETPROOF VESTS. BUT THERE IS GRANT FUNDING THAT WE DO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF. JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. I'M GRATEFUL THAT OUR CHIEF DEPUTY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAME IN. I JUST WANTED TO BRING UP.

NO PODIUM REQUIRED. SINCE I AM THE DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR HAYS COUNTY, I DON'T TALK ABOUT IT, BUT ONCE APPROVED, UPON THE TRAINING, UPON OUR RETURN FROM THIS TRAINING IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, I WOULD LIKE TO BE UPDATED ON WHAT THE LATEST AND

GREATEST WAS THAT THEY'VE LEARNED, IF YOU DON'T MIND. >> ON THAT AGENDA ITEM, WE DO THE INITIAL -- WE PAY THE INITIAL COSTS FOR THAT. BUT THEN WE ARE REIMBURSED FROM THE AUSTIN REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER. JUDGE BECERRA: GREAT POINT.

A LOT OF THIS MONEY, I KNOW IT'S CONFUSING. SINCE WE HAVE STUDENTS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY, AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, WE CAN TAKE THEM IN BLOCKS, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALMOST CONSIDERED DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS, IF YOU WILL.

SO YOU WILL SEE STORIES OF MONEY GAINED AND MONEY LOST, MONEY MOVING BACK AND FORTH IN DIFFERENT SETTINGS. FOR EXAMPLE, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 21, WE ARE CAPTURING $126,721 LITERALLY, WE ARE GRABBING EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUNDS DIRECTLY TO HAYS COUNTY, SO I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES IT'S FUN TO CATCH HEADLINES ABOUT MONEY LOST OR MONEY MOVED IN CERTAIN E'RE RECEIVING LOTS FROM OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND WE ARE A BONA FIDE BENEFICIARY TO MONEY COMING IN AND WE GIVE IT TO THE RIGHT DEPARTMENTS IN EFFICIENT MANNER.

I WANTED FOLKS TO KNOW THAT IT'S NOT ALWAYS DOOM AND GLOOM, THE SKY IS FALLING.

WE ALWAYS HAVE GREAT SUPPORT ON OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON DOLLARS.

>> YES. I WAS GOING TO SAY ONE LAST COMMENT THAT I HAVE, I WANTED TO THANK LEWIS SIGNS FOR THEIR DONATION TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH THE THREE BANNERS.

>> JUDGE, JUST TO CLARIFY, I SAID ABOUT $100. IT'S INCORRECT.

OVERALL IT'S 38 BULLETPROOF VESTS, AT A COST OF $11,970. IT'S ACTUALLY $315 PER VESTS.

JUDGE BECERRA: BIG DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. CHIEF DEPUTY, ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD. NOT NECESSARY. OKAY.

IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

[30. Authorize the Sheriff's Office to use existing funds to purchase law enforcement tactical equipment totaling $2,590.00 and amend the budget accordingly. SHELL/CUTLER]

JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 30. >> 30, AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO USE EXISTING FUNDS TO PURCHASE LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT TOTALING

$2,590 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL SIGNED

UP TO SPEAK. MR. DAN LYON, COME ON DOWN. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

LIKE YOU WERE SAYING, MUCH OF THE VIEWING AUDIENCE DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE BACK-UP.

BUT I LOOKED IN THE BACK-UP ON THIS. AND THERE IS BASICALLY NOTHING THERE. IT DOESN'T SAY, YOU KNOW, IT SAYS HERE TACTICAL EQUIPMENT, PURCHASE LAW ENFORCEMENT TACTICAL EQUIPMENT. AND THAT CAN COVER A VARIETY OF THINGS. YOU KNOW, AS THEY USED TO SAY ON TV, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE. YOU KNOW, INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND. DO WE HAVE A CAPACITY FOR EXPANDING ON THAT INFORMATION.

SINCE YOU'RE HERE. >> IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, I'LL ANSWER TO THE BEST I CAN.

JUDGE BECERRA: I THINK THE QUESTION WAS, THE TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT QUESTION WAS VAGUE AND MR. LYON WAS TRYING TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, IF THERE ANY AVAILABLE THAT YOU

CAN SHARE. >> IT'S BASICALLY SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT.

SO I WOULD PREFER NOT TO GO INTO A LOT OF DETAIL. BUT THAT IS WHAT IT IS IN A NUTSHELL. JUDGE BECERRA: SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT.

OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU, CHIEF. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER JONES. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA.

[Items 31 & 32]

>> YES. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN NUMBER 31 AND 32.

>> 31, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN ANNUAL RENEWAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS

[00:50:05]

COUNTY BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND JOHNSON CONTROLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,030.22.

32, APPROVE AN INCREASE OF $600 IN THE CHANGE FUND FOR THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR, PER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 130.902D.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE

ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

[33. Ratify the execution of an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Hays County and Grimes County for housing and care of Hays County corrections inmates. INGALSBE/CUTLER]

>> 33, RATIFY AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND GRIMES COUNTY, FOR HOUSING AND CARE FOR HAYS

COUNTY CORRECTIONS INMATES. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

JUDGE BECERRA: ONE INDIVIDUAL SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. MR. AMAYA.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COURT. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THIS. I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH RED RIVER COUNTY, THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. IT'S BEEN A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE -- BY THE WAY, THEY'RE STILL ON THE NON-COMPLIANCE LIST WITH THE COMMISSION.

(INAUDIBLE) INVOLVING MY SON. IT'S A MESS. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SIGNS ANY KIND OF AGREEMENT WITH THESE FOLKS. BUT IT'S BEEN A HORRIBLE MESS.

ANYWAY, GRIMES COUNTY, I WAS LOOKING AT THEIR WEB PAGE RIGHT NOW.

ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING, COMMON DENOMINATOR IN A LOT OF THESE THINGS, CURRENT INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW WITH THE COVID SITUATION.

EVERYTHING -- EVERYWHERE YOU GO, VIRTUAL, VIRTUAL, COMPUTER. WELL I WAS LOOKING AT THE GRIMES COUNTY SITE AND THEY'RE STILL USING THE TERM TCLUSE. THAT HAS CHANGED.

IT'S NOW TCOAT ACRONYM. AT THE SAME TIME, ACCORDING TO THE WEB PAGE, THEY HAVE AN ON-SITE GARDENING PROGRAM. I WANTED THE CHIEF TO TELL ME IF HE KNOWS WHAT KIND OF GARDENING, PEPPERS OR CUCUMBERS OR WHAT THEY'RE GROWING UP THERE.

THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS, UTILIZED WHEN AND IF IS WHAT Y'ALL HAVE ON THE BACK-UP.

OKAY. BUT THIS THING WAS SIGNED, ACCORDING TO THIS, FEBRUARY 17TH OF 2021. SO HAVE Y'ALL BEEN PAYING THEM SINCE FEBRUARY 2021, THE ONES THAT IS ON THE BACK-UP HERE, THAT IS WHAT IT SAYS. IT'S GOT COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE, GARY CUTLER. SO HAVE Y'ALL BEEN PAYING THEM? 2021 IS THE DATE ON HERE.

IS THAT A TYPO AGAIN OR WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS? >> JUDGE, I WAS ASKED TO SIGN THIS IN YOUR ABSENCE. AND SO I DON'T BELIEVE, AND MARK, YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THAT WE'VE SENT ANY OF OUR INMATES THERE. THIS IS JUST IN PLACE IN THE

EVENT WE NEED TO UTILIZE THAT FACILITY. >> WE DO HAVE INMATES THERE.

THIS THREE-WEEK BREAK THAT THE COURT HAD CAUSED AT THE STAFF LEVEL, A NEED FOR US TO REACT IN ADVANCE OF THAT. THAT IS WHY THE ITEM READS RATIFY.

THAT IS 2022. AND NOT 2021. THAT IS A CLERICAL ERROR.

>> CLERICAL ERROR. JUDGE BECERRA: I WAS AVAILABLE.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS I WAS ASKED TO SIGN IT. MY INTENT IS NOT TO THROW ANYONE UNDER THE BUS. I WAS AVAILABLE. WHEN I WAS ASKED TO SIGN IT, I WANTED TO BRING IT TO COURT FIRST. THAT WAS MY GOAL AND HOPE.

I REACHED OUT TO THE SHERIFF IN AN E-MAIL, ASKING HIM IF THE NEED WAS URGENT, THAT I NEEDED TO SIGN IT ON THE SPOT. AND HE IN HIS E-MAIL CONVEYED TO ME THE NEED FOR IT, BUT NOT THE URGENCY FOR IT. THAT WAS MY INTERPRETATION OF THE E-MAIL THAT THE SHERIFF SENT MY OFFICE. SO THAT IS WHY I THOUGHT I WOULD WAIT UNTIL COURT TO DISCUSS IT AND NOT HAVE A RATIFICATION. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, I WAS NOT ABSENT. AND I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU SIGNED IT. NOT THAT IT WAS YOUR FAULT. BUT DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU

SIGNED IT. >> JUDGE, IF I CAN MAKE A FEW COMMENTS ON THE POPULATION RIGHT NOW. POPULATION FIGURES, 675 HAS BEEN THE AVERAGE FOR THE LAST I DON'T KNOW, FEW WEEKS. GOTTEN OVER 680. WE HAVE A JAIL PROJECT GOING ON

[00:55:10]

THAT WILL ULTIMATELY HOLD AROUND 600 IN THE PHASE THAT IS BEING CONSTRUCTED RIGHT NOW.

IT'S NOT. RIGHT NOW IT'S PROBABLY IN THE 450 RANGE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THAT MEANS WE'RE OUTSOURCING ON ANY GIVEN DAY 200 TO 300 INMATES. I THINK I'VE SEEN THE COST TO GET TO 15,000 A DAY AND OVER RECENTLY OF OUTSOURCING. I THINK ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IN OUR OWN FACILITY IS STAFFING SHORTAGES. WE ALL KNOW THE LABOR MARKET IS EXTREMELY TIGHT RIGHT NOW. WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME ACROSS THE COUNTY OF FILLING SOME POSITIONS. OUR JAIL IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES.

I THINK IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE'RE NOTICING A SIMILAR TREND, THAT JAILS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME STAFFING, MEETING THE JAIL STANDARDS, WHICH MEANS THAT BED SPACE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW. AND I THINK ANY TIME WE CAN ADD A COUNTY THAT WILL GIVE US THE FLEXIBILITY TO ADDRESS A PROBLEM WHEN IT ARISES IS A GOOD IDEA.

BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHO IS GOING TO COME INTO OUR FACILITY AND ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

WE'RE SEEING ARRESTS ON THE WEEKENDS IN 25 PLUS OF ALL AGENCIES.

IT PUTS IN A REAL BIND, UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE A LIMITED CAPACITY AND NOW SO DOES MOST OF THE JAILS THAT WE'RE USING IN THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THIS PROBLEM.

AND THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS GET OUT OF JAIL STANDARDS, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO TAKE SOMEONE WHEN IT'S NEEDED. SO I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE REASON FOR THE URGENCY. DOES IT MEAN IT'S NEEDED THAT VERY DAY THAT THERE IS SOMEONE WAITING, THAT THERE IS NO BED FOR, EITHER AT OUR FACILITY OR CONTRACTED FACILITIES, I DON'T THINK THAT HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY. BUT I DO THINK IT'S A POTENTIAL TO HAPPEN ON ANY DAY, ESPECIALLY A WEEKEND WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THERE COULD BE AN EVENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE URGENCY ON THIS. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS GOING TO GO AWAY. I WISH I HAD AN OPTIMISTIC VIEWPOINT.

BUT OUR ARRESTS TEND TO GO UP COUNTY WIDE IN THE SUMMERTIME. I THINK WE WOULD TEND TO SEE A 100 PLUS INCREASE IS PROBABLY A GOOD ESTIMATE. THAT MEANS WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT POTENTIAL 750 PLUS INMATES IN THAT DIFFERENCE IN THAT 100, LOOKING AT THE ISSUES WE'RE HAVING ACROSS THE STATE IS GOING TO PUT US IN A VERY URGENT SITUATION.

I KNOW THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS BEEN SLOWED DOWN WITH COVID AND JURY TRIALS AND ALL OF THESE OTHER REASONS THAT HAVE CAUSED PROBABLY A BIT OF THAT.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO SEE, I THINK COMING INTO THIS SUMMER A VERY URGENT SITUATION.

AND I THINK THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO FROM OUR JAIL SIDE IS TO DO THIS.

TO FIND COUNTIES THAT WILL ALLOW US TO USE THEIR SPACE. BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO NEED AS MANY AS WE CAN TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY ONE SIDE OF IT.

THERE IS WHOLE OTHER ANGLES TO JAIL POPULATION. I'M LOOKING PURELY AT INDIVIDUALS GETTING ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH CRIMES THAT HAVE TO BE DETAINED.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE TO PUT THEM. I THINK WE NEED TO EXPLORE EVERY OPTION. JUDGE BECERRA: WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> IF I COULD BRIEFLY. JUDGE BECERRA: YES, SIR. >> JUST IN COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE'S DEFENSE, IT WAS MY OFFICE THAT ASKED COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT.

MY OFFICE HAD REACHED OUT TO ANITA AND YOUR OFFICE FOR YOUR SIGNATURE.

SHE ASKED IF IT COULD NOT WAIT. WE INFORMED HER THAT IT COULD NOT WAIT.

BUT THEN WE GOT SILENCE FROM ANITA AFTER THAT. AFTER ABOUT THREE DAYS, WE GOT COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE TO SIGN. I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT WE WOULD NOT NORMALLY GO OUT OF THE NORMAL PROTOCOL TO GET ANOTHER COURT MEMBER TO SIGN UNLESS WE NEEDED TO.

JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

[Items 34 - 43]

>> PLEASE OPEN NUMBER 34 THROUGH 41. >> 34 APPROVE THE REJECTION OF ALL BIDS RELATED TO IFB 2022 BO 8 AT GARDEN HILL SAWYER RANCH. 35, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A QUOTE WITH EXXON, AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. 36, AMEND THE JUVENILE DETENTION BUDGET FOR EQUIPMENT AND GRAPHICS NEEDED FOR THE DODGE CHARGER APPROVED IN THE FY 22 BUDGET PROCESS. 37, ACCEPT A $500 DONATION FOR THE HISTORICAL KYLE DEPOT FROM

[01:00:06]

DANNY AND KAREN DAVIS. 38, AMEND THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2 OPERATING BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,588 FOR INCREASED COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH AN 200P PORTABLE RADIO FOR THE NEW DEPUTY CONSTABLE. 39, AUTHORIZE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL CASE QUEST SOFTWARE LICENSES FROM DELL TECHNOLOGIESS RELATED TO END POINT COMPLIANCE. 40, EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSES OF FINALIZING THE CLERK'S RECORD, THE FINAL VERSION OF THE AGREEMENT FOR GRANT MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HAYS COUNTY.

41, AUTHORIZE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE LAPTOPS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 1-1, 1-2 AND 3 OFFICES AND AMEND THE BUDGET

ACCORDINGLY. >> THERE IS ONLY TWO LEFT. >> 42, AMEND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OPERATING BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $894 FOR INCREASED COST ASSOCIATED FOR PORTABLE RADIO FOR THE INVESTIGATION APPROVED IN THE FY 22 BUDGET.

43, AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF FOUR CHIP SCANNERS OF $400 EACH, TO BE USED AT EACH COMMISSIONER'S PRECINCT OFFICE TO REUNITE LOST PETS WITH THEIR OWNERS AND AMEND THE BUDGET

ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND A SECOND. COMMISSIONERS.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK MR. AND MRS. DAVIS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE KYLE DEPOT.

>> JUST ONE QUESTION. I KNOW THAT OUR -- SEVERAL OF OUR CONSTABLE OFFICES HAVE PET SCANNERS. MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE GOING TO BE SOME TRAINING TO GO ALONG WITH THOSE? IF THESE ARE LOCATED IN OUR OFFICES, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO USE THEM, SOME TYPE OF PROTOCOL SET UP WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IF THEY BRING THESE LOST PETS IN THROUGH OUR ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE QUALIFIED PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THIS. WE'RE NOT JUST BUYING A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT TO STICK IN THE OFFICE. JUDGE BECERRA: GREAT POINT. WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF AND THE CHIEF AND TALKED ABOUT THE INTENT AND THEY HELPED SHAPE THIS AGENDA ITEM 100 PERCENT. WE FELT THAT WOULD BE A GOOD SUPPORT FOR A DRIPPING SPRINGS RESIDENT, FUNNY ENOUGH, WAS MY EXAMPLE, NOT HAVING TO COME ONE HOUR TO SAN MARCOS ANIMAL SHELTER AND CAPTURE A QUICKER POTENTIAL TURN-AROUND. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL I'M SURE FACILITATE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE USEFUL AND NECESSARY TO HELP IN THAT

SUPPORT. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE THAT EQUIPMENT, NUMBER ONE. IN THE FUTURE, IF WE'RE GOING TO ASK OUR OFFICE STAFF TO DO THINGS LIKE THAT, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE DISCUSSION ABOUT IT BEFORE WE LOOK AT IT. JUDGE BECERRA: I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS WHAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS IN MIND. I'M NOT SURE HOW THEY WILL CONSIDER USING THAT SCANNER.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER JONES. >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL

>> YES >> COMMISSIONER SMITH >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE >> YES. >> JUDGE

>> YES. JUDGE BECERRA: THAT ROUNDS OUT CONSENT.

NOW WE GET TO GO ONE BY ONE. BUT I GUESS I COULD START LEFT TO RIGHT OR RIGHT TO LEFT SO THAT WE CAN CLEAR THE COURTROOM. AGENDA ITEM NUMBERS.

YOU'RE DONE. WE'RE MOVING THROUGH EFFICIENTLY.

[56. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Sheriff's Office to hire a Budget Coordinator, slot 0027-01 at the 50th percentile. SHELL/CUTLER]

56. PLEASE OPEN NUMBER 56. >> 56.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO HIRE A BUDGET

COORDINATOR SLOT 0027-01 AT THE 50TH >> SO MOVED

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE SOMEONE AT THE PODIUM.

IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> (INAUDIBLE) BUDGET MANAGER FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. BEEN A WHILE (INAUDIBLE) JUDGE BECERRA: WELCOME BACK. TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND KNOW THAT WE'RE ALL HERE TO SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU. WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE IN THE PERSONNEL SCHEDULE, WE'RE APPROVED A BUDGET COORDINATOR POSITION EFFECTIVE APRIL 1ST. THE CANDIDATE THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS POSITION HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AND WE'RE REQUESTING THE 50TH PERCENTILE.

[01:05:15]

REVIEWING OF PURCHASE REQUISITIONS. KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE BUDGET AND OPERATIONS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. FAMILIAR WITH HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND HAYS COUNTY POLICIES. UNDERSTANDS COUNTY BUDGETS AND GENERAL LEDGERS AND CAPITAL ASSET CRITERIA AND SUPPLIES. WELL INFORMED WITH THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL SYSTEM NEW WORLD. INFORMATIVE OF THE PROCESSES, RFQS, CONTRACTS AND SERVICE AGREEMENTS. THE DUTIES THIS POSITION WILL TAKE ON INCLUDE DAILY, WEEKLY MANAGEMENT AND TRACKING OPERATIONAL NEEDS FOR THE JAIL MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT.

THE KITCHEN, LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPLIES AND INVENTORY AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE.

IN ADDITION TO BUDGET COORDINATION AND BUDGET PREPARATION FOR THESE DEPARTMENTS. DUE TO THE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS POSITION, WE BELIEVE THAT THE TRAINING FOR THIS POSITION WOULD BE MINIMAL. MAYBE A REFRESHER ON NEW WORLD AND CHAIN OF COMMAND THERE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

DEFINITELY BE AN ASSET TO OUR OFFICE. >> WONDERFUL.

>> YES, JUDGE. I HAD REACHED OUT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

(INAUDIBLE) DOES CAUSE INEQUITY, NOT ONLY IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE BUT OTHER OFFICES AROUND THE COUNTY. I BELIEVE THE SALARY IS 54,000. AND I HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN MY OFFICE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE 18 YEARS, ARE MAKING $36,000 AND WILL BE REVIEWING THIS WORK THAT IS SUBMITTED. I ALSO HAVE AN OPEN POSITION IN MY OFFICE THAT IS BEING ADVERTISED AT 36,000 FOR THE PURCHASING SPECIALIST POSITIO. AND THAT POSITION ALSO WILL BE REVIEWING THE WORKS SUBMITTED BY OTHER, NOT ONLY THIS OFFICE, BY OTHER OFFICES AS WELL.

WE SPOKE TO HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AND THERE ARE OTHER INEQUITIES AROUND THE COUNTY.

BRINGING IN SOMEONE AT THIS HIGH PERCENTAGE RATE, CAUSES INEQUITIES WITH SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS AS WELL. I KNOW THAT WE ARE HURTING WITH HIRING EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE'VE HAD OUR JOBS POSTED FOR WEEKS, YEARS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HIRE INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT WE BE ALLOWED TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR, AS FAR AS POSTING JOBS AT THE FULL RANGE AND THEN BRINGING THEM IN, DEPENDING ON THEIR EXPERIENCE. BUT THAT HASN'T BEEN THE POLICY THAT WE'VE USUALLY FOLLOWED.

AND WE WOULD HAVE TO COME IN TO COURT WITH EXCEPTIONS OURSELVES IN ORDER TO HIRE INDIVIDUALS TO COME IN AND PERFORM THESE JOB DUTIES, WHERE WE'RE CONCERNED THAT IT IS CAUSING NEGATIVE MORALE AROUND THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS THE INEQUITY, THAT COULD BE A SITUATION WHERE WE START LOSING EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE ASKED THAT THE COURT LOOK AT OUR POSITIONS.

I KNOW HUMAN RESOURCES DID SOME MARKET STUDIES. BUT IT'S STILL -- OUR EMPLOYEES ARE STILL, AS FAR AS ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ASSOCIATES ARE THE SECOND LOWEST GRADE IN THIS COUNTY. AND FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY THAT POSITIONS HAVE, WE NEED TO DO A STUDY, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE ALL OF THE POSITIONS AND SEE WHAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE. BECAUSE EVERY MANAGER, EVERY DEPARTMENT HAS SUPPORT THAT FUNCTIONS AND ASSISTS MANAGERS AT THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND LEVEL.

AND CAUSING INEQUITIES REALLY CAUSES DISTURBANCES IN OUR DEPARTMENTS.

JUDGE BECERRA: VERY WELL SAID. CHIEF, I SAW SOME MOVEMENT. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN

APPROACHING THE PODIUM? I DON'T WANT TO SKIP YOU. >> OUR INTENTIONS WITH THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT TO CREATE ANY INEQUITY. THE REALITY IN TODAY'S WORLD IS WE CAN'T FIND PEOPLE TO HIRE AS MENTIONED. WE HAVE A PERSON THAT BRINGS A

[01:10:04]

LOT OF EXPERIENCE. WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE COUNTY POLICY AS ALLOWED TO GET THIS DONE. ANY INEQUITY THAT WE CAUSE IS UNINTENTIONAL.

BUT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE CAN HIRE. WE CAN'T JUST SIT HERE AND THROW OUR HANDS UP AND DO NOTHING. SO THE POLICY DOES ALLOW US TO DO THIS. AGAIN, WE HAVE WORKED WITH HR AS WELL THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

WE JUST ASK THAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO HIRE THIS PERSON SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

JUDGE BECERRA: CHIEF, A FEW YEARS AGO, I WANTED TO SYNCHRONIZE THE HR.

AND ONE OF MY REASONS FOR WANTING TO SYNCHRONIZE, MY BACKGROUND IS THAT.

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, 100 PERCENT.

I FIND IT A DISAPPOINTMENT THAT MARISOLA CAN'T STAFF. I BELIEVE WE HAVE MASS PEAKS AND VALLEYS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY AND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB AT IT.

I DON'T WANT TO CAP MARISOLA IN A NEGATIVE WAY, WITH THIS INEQUITY, HER WORD, WHICH I UNDERSTAND AND I SEE. BUT I WANT TO SUPPORT WHAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE I KNOW THE REAL WORLD AND HOW HARD IT IS TO ACTUALLY GET SOMEONE THAT WANTS TO COME TO WORK.

I MEAN, MOST PEOPLE WANT TO STAY HOME. AND IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE FOR WITHIN THE POLICY, AS YOU'VE STATED, THAT WANTS TO COME IN, I FEEL THAT PERSONALLY, I WILL STATE MY POSITION, I FEEL THAT WE SHOULD GRAB THEM AND HURRY UP HR TO FLUSH OUT THOSE INEQUITIES AND MAKE THINGS MORE UNIFORM. AND IF WE NEED TO REEVALUATE,

LET'S REEVALUATE BECAUSE CLEARLY WE'RE FALLING SHORT. >> I BELIEVE THE EXCEPTION POLICY WAS USED SO THAT WE COULD RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS. FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING FROM HR, THE JOB WAS POSTED ONE DAY AND ONE APPLICATION WAS RECEIVED. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS CORRECT. SHERI? JUDGE BECERRA: SO WE'RE GOING TO YIELD THE PODIUM TO OUR HR DIRECTOR, CHIEF. THANK YOU.

CLEARLY THIS IS A TOUGH THING, WHILE SHE APPROACHES THE PODIUM, CLEARLY THIS IS A TOUGH THING FOR THE COURT. BECAUSE GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE WANT TO BE FAIR.

WE SEE MORE THAN A THOUSAND PEOPLE THROUGH THIS LENS. IT'S NOT AN EASY THING.

BUT IT'S A VALID CONCERN THAT OUR AUDITOR HAS BROUGHT FORTH AND OUR CHIEF DEPUTY HAS SET

FORTH. >> ABSOLUTELY. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, SHERI MILLER, HR DIRECTOR FOR HAYS COUNTY. TO CLARIFY, THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE HR OFFICES, COUNTY HR OFFICE AND THE HR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WE COLLABORATE ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. SANDRA HAS E-MAILED ME TWICE THIS MORNING FOR QUESTIONS. THERE IS NOT A DISCONNECT BETWEEN THOSE OFFICES.

I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT FOR THE COURT. AND THE PUBLIC.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH, AS WE DO EVERY DEPARTMENT THAT ASKS FOR A SALARY EXCEPTION, WE ARE CONSULTED AND REVIEW THE IMPACT OF THAT SALARY EXCEPTION ON OTHER EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PERFORMING THE SAME OR SIMILAR FUNCTIONS, AS WELL AS OTHER EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. THIS SALARY EXCEPTION COMES ALONG WITH ABOUT FIVE OR SIX OTHERS THAT YOU ALL HAVE REVIEWED AND ADDRESSED. INCLUDING A COUPLE THAT MARISOLA HAS ASKED FOR. THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL OR OUT OF THE POLICY.

OUR SALARY EXCEPTION POLICY DOES ALLOW THE DEPARTMENTS TO REQUEST EXCEPTIONS UP TO THE 25TH PERCENTILE IN GRADES 112 AND ABOVE. ANYTHING ABOVE THE 25TH PERCENTILE IN ANY GRADE THE POLICY INDICATES SHOULD COME TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

YOU ALL HAVE REVIEWED AND ADDRESSED ALL OF THOSE IN THE PAST.

INEQUITIES IN TERMS OF THE POSITION FUNCTIONS, THERE ARE OVERLAP IN THE POSITIONS THAT MARISOLA HAS IN HER DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THIS BUDGET COORDINATOR POSITION, WHICH IS THE POSITION THAT YVETTE HAS HELD MANY YEARS. YVETTE'S POSITION WAS REGRADED TO A HIGHER LEVEL MANAGERIAL POSITION. WE THEN CAME BACK AND ESTABLISHED A NEW POSITION IN THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET TO FULFILL THE FUNCTIONS THAT SHE HAS BEEN

[01:15:05]

PERFORMING. THAT WAS ESTABLISHED AND APPROVED IN THE FY 22 BUDGET.

THERE ARE INEQUITIES IN THE COUNTY. YOU'RE GOING TO ALWAYS FIND SALARY DIFFERENCES IN ANY ORGANIZATION, ESPECIALLY AN ORGANIZATION WITH 1200 EMPLOYEES. TO ADDRESS THOSE INEQUITIES, I CAN DO THAT ALL DAY LONG.

BUT THEN WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT? WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT INFORMATION? IS THERE A BUCKET OF MONEY READY TO ADDRESS? JUDGE BECERRA: YES, THERE IS.

>> THEN I WILL DEVELOP MY OWN MARCHING ORDERS HERE AND I WILL DO THAT.

WE CAN DO A VERY THOROUGH IN-DEPTH SALARY ANALYSIS OF OUR POSITIONS AND THE EMPLOYEES ACTUAL SALARIES. AND I'M GOING TO NEED THE HELP OF EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD AND ELECTED OFFICIAL, INTUITIVELY, A MANAGER KNOWS WHAT AN EMPLOYEE'S SALARY SHOULD BE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YVETTE SHOULD BE PAID. I'M NOT HER MANAGER OR SUPERVISOR. BUT HER SUPERVISORS KNOW THE VALUE OF HER.

AND SO I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO GET WHERE HR, SHERI, DECIDES WHAT EACH EMPLOYEE'S SALARY IS.

OUR GOAL WITH CLASSIFICATION AND SALARY PLAN MANAGEMENT IS TO MANAGE THE PLAN.

YOU CAN DIG IN DEEPER WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS EACH EMPLOYEE'S SALARY. WE DID THAT IN 2008. AND RIGHT NOW, I DON'T RECALL HAT IT COSTS, BUT TO GRACIOUSLY FUNDED SIGNIFICANT SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR A LOT OF EMPLOYEES. JUDGE BECERRA: SHERI, WANT TO CHIME IN FOR A SECOND. IN YOUR OFFICE, IS THERE STILL A WALL FULL OF VACANCIES?

>> YES, SIR. JUDGE BECERRA: I WILL START HERE, THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK ON YOU. PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT THAT WAY. WE ARE CO-WORKERS.

THAT IS MY FIRST AND FOREMOST GOAL HERE. BUT I BELIEVE THAT BOARD, THAT WALL, IT'S NOT A BOARD, IT'S A WALL FULL OF JOB POSTINGS, COUNTYWIDE, IN ALL DEPARTMENTS, IS MY ORIGINAL BACKGROUND WAS IN AUTOMOTIVE, TO ME THAT IS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

SO I BELIEVE, THIS IS ME SPEAKING PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, ALL OF OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES, SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, CONSTABLE DEPUTIES, ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AS A WHOLE ARE PROBABLY UNDER-PAID. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CAPTURE SOME OF THE -- I DO SEE IT.

AT THIS MOMENT, I'M STILL THE CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER FOR THE COUNTY.

I SEE REAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR US. NOT TO BE MORE WASTEFUL, BECAUSE I'M A BIG FISCAL CONSERVATIVE CHEAPSKATE. AND IT IS WHO I AM, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, OH WELL. BUT I THINK WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY HERE TO CAPTURE SOME OF THIS, IT'S MY OPINION, WASTEFUL TYPE OF USE OF MONEY AND APPLY IT TO OUR CO-WORKERS.

I BELIEVE EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT CASHES A CHECK OR GETS AUTO DEPOSITED HAYS COUNTY LOGO CHECK HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HAPPIER WITH THEIR PAYCHECK. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM. YOU TALKED TO MANY BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THE PROGRAM AS A WHOLE THAT IS AN INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR BEING A COUNTY EMPLOYEE.

AWESOME. YOU HAVE DONE A MAGNIFICENT JOB ON THAT, FRIEND.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH THE TIGHTENING OF OUR LABOR POOL, I THINK WE NEED TO DIAL IT UP. I KNOW WE'VE DONE THIS WORK, I SAT HERE WATCHING AND BEING A PART OF IT. I THINK THE CHIEF DEPUTY'S CONCERN AND ASK IS LEGITIMATE, BONA FIDE, REASONABLE AND I THINK WE NEED TO ALSO ADDRESS MARISOLA'S.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT AN ATTACK ON YOU. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO REVISIT THIS THING. WE FIND MONEY FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO FIND MONEY FOR OUR CO-WORKERS, PERSONALLY SPEAKING.

>> YES, SIR. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE. >> SO A FEW QUESTIONS, SHERI.

WHAT DID WE DO LAST BUDGET YEAR AS FAR AS EMPLOYEE MERITS AND ADJUSTMENTS?

>> SO FY 22, THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF POSITIONS THAT WERE REGRADED, NOT VERY MANY AT ALL.

AND THEN YOU AWARDED MERIT OF 4 PERCENT, I THINK. SO THAT WAS OCTOBER OF 2021.

FOUR PERCENT. THE YEAR BEFORE, FY 21, THERE WERE AGAIN, A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF POSITION REGRADES. OF WHICH MY DEPARTMENT, I HAD A REGRADE IN THE POSITION IN MY

[01:20:07]

DEPARTMENT AND THE EMPLOYEE BECAUSE OF THEIR LONGEVITY AND CURRENT PAY RATE DID NOT RECEIVE A SALARY INCREASE. BUT I EXPECT THE JOB HAS DEVELOPED INTO A HIGHER RESPONSIBLE POSITION. AND THEN THERE WAS A TWO PERCENT SALARY INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD THAT WAS EFFECTIVE 4/1 OF 21. SO IN TWO YEARS, SIX PERCENT.

>> AND THEN BACK IN WHAT WAS IT, MAYBE 2015 OR 2016, WE DID SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY

AVERAGED FIVE PLUS PERCENT? >> YES. 2016, WE DID A CALCULATION OF SALARIES OFF THE MIDPOINT. WE LOOKED AT EMPLOYEES'S SALARIES IN THE ENTIRE PAY RANGE. AND IF YOUR SALARY WAS OFF THE MIDPOINT BY -- IT WAS A FIVE PERCENT CALCULATION IN THERE. I DON'T RECALL TO LOOK BACK. BUT THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT

ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL IN 2016. >> YEAH. I KNOW THE INTENT WAS TO SORT OF YOU KNOW, OVER TIME I THINK WHAT MARISOLA JUST EXPLAINED HAPPENED, I THINK THAT 2015 WORK WAS TO TRY TO REBALANCE, AS THOSE INEQUITIES HAVE GOTTEN LARGER AND OUT OF WHACK.

AND I DON'T DISAGREE WITH OUR AUDITOR ON HER FEELINGS AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO HER AND I UNDERSTAND HER OFFICE AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO AND SHE HAS SOME VERY EXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES THAT NO DOUBT, I THINK SHE IS SAYING EXACTLY WHAT SHE SHOULD SAY.

I AGREE WITH HER COMPLETELY. IT IS HARD, THOUGH, AND THESE INEQUITIES WILL COME ABOUT INEVITABLY AS WE MAKE THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS. ESPECIALLY IN A MARKET WHERE WE ARE. I DO HAVE SOME IDEAS ON POLICY. FOR ONE, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO TRY TO DEVELOP SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID IN 2015. LOOKING TOWARDS THE BUDGET PROCESS, WHICH IS ABOUT TO START, BEFORE WE KNOW IT. TO SEE IF YOU CAN IDENTIFY WITHIN THOSE DEPARTMENTS AND THEN ACROSS THE COUNTY THE INEQUITIES AND THEN SEE WHAT IT

WOULD TAKE TO FIX THEM. >> YES, SIR. >> I THINK THE JOB MARKET IS TIGHT. WE'VE MENTIONED IT, THE JAIL EARLIER, OR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WITH A SIMILAR ITEM ON HERE IN A LITTLE WHILE. IT IS BECOMING HARDER AS THE JOB MARKET HAS TIGHTENED AND INFLATION HAS GONE UP FOR US TO FIT INTO WHAT WE HAVE NORMALLY OPERATED IN. THAT BEING SAID, I DO THINK ONE THING, WHICH I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF, I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVEN'T DONE IT, POST THE RANGE WHEN WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING APPLICANTS, WHEN THEY'RE SEEN AT A MINIMUM AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WITH TEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS AN ACCOUNTANT, IT'S A QUARTER OF WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WE MIGHT AS WELL NOT WASTE THE PAPER TO PUT IT ON THE WALL. I THINK WE HAVE TO DO THAT. AND I THINK EACH OFFICE HAS TO TAKE THIS AS WELL WITHIN THEIR OWN OFFICE AND LOOK AT IT VERY CLOSELY, LIKE YOU SAID.

AND LOOK AT WITHIN THEIR OFFICE AND ALSO THE COUNTY POSITION BY POSITION, NOT PERSON BY PERSON.

BUT POSITION BY POSITION. AND COME TO SOME REASONABLE IDEAS OF WHAT THEY BELIEVE WILL HELP THEM NAVIGATE WHAT IS A STRANGE TIME IN EMPLOYMENT, IN THE EMPLOYMENT WORLD.

I ALSO THINK THAT IF SOMEONE IS ASKED -- IT ASKS FOR A SALARY EXCEPTION, THAT WE SHOULD

REQUIRE THE POSTING TO BE OPEN FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS. >> OKAY.

>> SO THAT IF A DEPARTMENT HEAD HAS POSTED A JOB OPENING, AND THEY COME AND SAY I WANT TO ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION, THAT THAT JOB OPENING EITHER NEEDS TO BE REOPENED FOR TWO WEEKS OR TO HAVE BEEN OPENED FOR TWO WEEKS FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT THEY SELECTED.

I DO BELIEVE THE SALARY EXCEPTION IS FOR RECRUITMENT. I WOULDN'T ARGUE WITH SOMEBODY IF THEY FOUND AN EMPLOYEE SOMEWHERE THAT THEY KNEW WOULD FIT THE JOB AND SAID YOU KNOW, HEY I'VE GOT THIS. AND THEY KNEW IT WAS A GOOD CANDIDATE. I'M NOT ARGUING THAT.

BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO COME IN HERE AND SAY THE REASON WE'RE PAYING AT THIS RATE IS BECAUSE OF THE MARKET AND WE CAN'T GET GOOD APPLICANTS, I'VE GOT ONE, THAT TWO WEEKS WOULD BE A DECENT OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT AT THAT TYPE OF A JOB WITH THE RANGE POSTED, AGAIN, THIS DOESN'T WORK IF THE RANGE ISN'T POSTED, THAT WE WOULD FIND OUT IF THERE IS OR IF THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WOULD WORK SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE THAT BRING EXPERIENCE THAT IS WORTH PAYING THEM MORE THAN THE MINIMUM. SO I THINK THAT IS A LOGICAL THING. IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT, FIRST THE RANGE HAS TO BE POSTED, INDIVIDUALS WITH EXPERIENCE CAN SAY OH, YOU KNOW, I MAY NOT MAKE THE MOST

[01:25:07]

IN THAT RANGE, BUT I MAY NOT MAKE THE LEAST EITHER. THIS IS WORTH ME COMING AND TALKING TO SOMEBODY. THAT WILL HELP US IN RECRUITMENT TO GET PEOPLE IN THE DOOR. MAYBE WE CAN EXPLAIN TO THEM SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE COUNTY, WHICH THERE ARE. AND MAYBE THOSE DEPARTMENT HEADS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN THAT. IF THAT INDIVIDUAL SHOWS EXCEPTIONAL QUALITIES AND CAPABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE, THEN I ENCOURAGE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO TRY TO GET INDIVIDUALS LIKE THAT TO WANT TO WORK FOR US.

IF THAT MEANS COMING INTO COURT AND SAYING THEY NEED TO GET PAID AT THE 30TH PERCENTILE, 50TH, I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT. I'M ALWAYS OPEN, I KNOW ANY COURT MEMBER IS, OF DEPARTMENT HEADS EXPRESSING THESE FEELINGS.

IT IS HARD AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KNOW MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES COULD GO GET A JOB SOMEWHERE, RIGHT NOW MAKING MORE.

THAT IS THE MARKET. HOW LONG THAT MARKET LASTS, I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVE A FEELING THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF JOBS IN THE OIL FIELD SOON.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE RECRUITING AGAINST THAT PRIVATE SECTOR.

AND JUST LOOKING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS, THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

THE PEOPLE LEAVING THAT PROFESSION AREN'T MOVING TO GO BE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS IN ANOTHER COUNTY, THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT BECAUSE THERE IS OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT AND MAKE MORE. WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF THIS. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE QUALITY EMPLOYEES WORKING HERE FOR 10, 12, 15 YEARS AND THAT WE TRUST AND WE KNOW THEY'LL SHOW UP WHEN THEY'RE NEEDED AND DO ANYTHING WE ASK THEM WHEN THOSE EMERGENCIES HAPPEN, I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM LEAVE OR FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO GO, AND IT CAN BE FAIR ACROSS THE BOARD AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. I THINK TAKING A REFRESH OF EVERYTHING LIKE WE DID IN 2015, THE POLICY OF POSTING OF THE RANGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE MARKET WE'RE IN, AT LEAST MINIMUM POSTING REQUIREMENTS IF THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED, A SALARY EXCEPTION JUDGE BECERRA: DO YOU NEED A

MOTION FOR THAT? >> I THINK SHE CAN GO OFF DIRECTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY. I TOTALLY AGREE, THE STATE OF EMPLOYMENT AND THE GREAT RESIGNATION AS IT'S BEING CALLED IS OF GREAT CONCERN. THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES THAT THE COUNTY HAS, SPECIFICALLY IN OUR SECURE AREAS OF THE JAIL, OUR JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY IS EXPERIENCING A GREAT NUMBER OF VACANCIES. AND OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS MANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE ONE OR TWO VACANCIES, A STAFF OF TEN, THAT IS HURTFUL. I MEAN, WE DO ADVERTISE OUR POSITIONS IN AS MANY PLACES AS WE CAN FIND. MOST OF THEM ARE FREE ADVERTISING. BUT WE TRY TO TARGET THE PLACES THAT WE BELIEVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE THAT DO WANT TO GO TO WORK ARE LOOKING FOR WORK. WE DO ENCOURAGE --

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT. WHAT ABOUT OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE SGR? DOES THAT ALLOW US, ESPECIALLY FOR SOME, I DON'T KNOW, GRADE 112 AND ABOVE TYPE POSITIONS.

ESPECIALLY PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, IS THERE A WAY WE CAN

LEVERAGE TO THAT >> WE DID SUBSCRIBE TO THEIR JOB BOARD.

REASONABLE COST TO SUBSCRIBE TO THEIR JOB BOARD. OUR POSITIONS SHOULD BE

APPEARING ON THE JOB BOARD AS WELL. >> MAKE SURE THAT IT IS THE

RANGE? >> YES. THERE ARE PROBABLY SOME POSTINGS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE RANGE. WE'VE BEEN TRANSITIONING OUR POSTINGS TO INCLUDE THE RANGE. SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE THOSE EDITS AND GET THOSE RANGES

POSTED. >> IS THAT A DIRECTION TO POST THE ENTIRE RANGE OR RANGE UP TO

25TH PERCENTILE. >> I WOULD POST THE ENTIRE RANGE.

>> ENTIRE RANGE AND FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS, I WOULD MAKE SURE THEY ARE ON SGR.

>> YES. BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT IS WHERE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE THAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE ARE LOOKING. AND IF WE JUST HAVE THE MINIMUM ON THERE, NO ONE HAS BEEN AN

ACCOUNTANT FOR TEN YEARS. >> THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COME. WE HAVE HAD APPLICATIONS FOR

TWO YEARS. >> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT UP TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD TO GO THROUGH THOSE THAT ARE WILLING TO WORK HERE SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE MINIMUM, MAKE DECISIONS BASED UPON WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS BEST FOR THEIR OFFICE. BUT RIGHT NOW, I AGREE, I DON'T THINK THERE IS A POSSIBILITY IF WE'RE ONLY ADVERTISING MINIMUMS. SHE IS NEVER GOING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO COME TO HER AND SAY, I WOULD LIKE THE JOB. I GET PAID X RIGHT NOW. I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN HAYS

COUNTY. >> YOU'LL UPDATE THE JOB BOARD FOR FULL RANGE.

[01:30:03]

>> YES, SIR. >> CAN I ASK FOR CLARIFICATION. I HAVE TEMPORARY PART-TIME SUMMER PART-TIME POSITIONS, I HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL THAT IS ASKING, HE HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR TEMPORARY PART-TIMES FOR YEARS, HE'S ASKING ABOUT A DIFFERENT PAY RANGE.

SO WOULD THAT INCLUDE THAT? >> YOUR TEMPORARY PART-TIME SALARIES, THEIR HOURLY RATE IS SET WITHIN THE BUDGET. SO I WOULD SAY THAT IS POSSIBLE TO REQUEST A DIFFERENT SALARY.

>> AND CHIEF, WOULD Y'ALL BE WILLING TO PULL THIS ITEM UNTIL YOU POSTED IT FOR TWO WEEKS?

>> IF THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO. FOR CLARIFICATION, ONCE THE TWO WEEKS GOES BY, DO WE NEED TO COME BACK TO COURT AND REVISIT THIS?

>> YES. >> I THINK THAT IS REASONABLE. I MEAN, IT'S A NEW POLICY.

BUT I THINK THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY IF Y'ALL WOULD BE WILLING TO FOLLOW THE POLICY THAT HASN'T QUITE BEEN CREATED. YOU COULD POST IT TODAY. JUDGE BECERRA: GRACE US WITH

YOUR PRESENCE. >> I HAVE A HARD TIME. WE POST IT FOR ONE DAY AND WE'VEGOT OTHER EMPLOYEES THAT ARE 18 YEARS. THAT WE'RE NOT MEETING THAT NEED YET. SHERI, WHAT WOULD AN INDEPENDENT MARKET SURVEY COST

FOR ALL OF OUR POSITIONS? >> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE WE USED ONE. AND THAT WAS TO STUDY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I WILL GET QUOTES, CALL AROUND. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMPANIES THAT DO THAT TYPE OF WORK.

WE RESPOND TO LOTS OF THEIR SURVEYS. I'LL CERTAINLY CHECK ON THAT AND BRING, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COURT WANTS TO ENTERTAIN, THEN I CAN BRING THAT BACK PROBABLY BY THE 22ND, THE NEXT COURT SESSION. AND HAVE THE COURT CONSIDER THAT. I WOULD LIKE A WORKSHOP ON SALARY GUIDELINES.

>> JUDGE, REAL QUICK. WHAT POT OF MONEY ARE YOU THINKING OF? JUDGE BECERRA: GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE COULD DISSECT THE BUDGET AT ANOTHER TIME.

BUT I WILL SAY I OVERLOOKED, WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS AGENDA ITEM.

IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE NO ACTION ON THIS AGENDA ITEM AT THIS TIME. DOES THAT CHANGE YOUR INTEREST IN SPEAKING?

>> NO, SIR. GOT ME MORE EXCITED. JUDGE BECERRA: I LOVE IT.

IF YOU WILL, PLEASE, YOU'VE GOT THREE MINUTES. >> ALL RIGHT, SIR.

FIRST OF ALL, APPRECIATE ALL OF THE CATCHY PHRASES. THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

THE PROBLEM THAT IS UNATTENDED COMES A CRISIS. WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING HERE CALLED PANDORA'S BOX. EVERYBODY IS GOING TO WANT TO COME IN, Y'ALL ARE OPENING THAT BOX. NOT A GOOD THING. IT'S NEVER GOING TO STOP.

IT'S AN INSATIABLE DESIRE FOR MORE MORE. IT'S IN THE BIBLE.

IT'S A SIN. I'M NO PASTOR. A LOT OF THINGS BUT NOT THAT.

FIRST OFF, JUDGE, DON'T ASK THE CHIEF TO COME UP HERE IF HE WANTS TO COME AND TALK.

EARLIER WHEN Y'ALL WERE DISCUSSING JAIL ADMINISTRATION ISSUES, THEY'RE OUTSIDE OVER THERE. JUDGE BECERRA: JUST KNOW THAT YOU NEED TO STAY TO THE AGENDA

ITEM, SIR. >> THE OTHER THING IS THAT IT'S THE PUBLIC'S MONEY.

NOW WE'VE GOT -- IT WAS A QUESTION, IS THERE A BUCKET OF MONEY SOMEWHERE.

ANSWER FROM THE JUDGE WAS YES. YOU KNOW, THE SUMMARY FOR THIS POSITION, MINIMAL TRAINING.

GUARANTEE YOU IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, SOMETHING WENT WRONG, FOLKS ARE SAYING WE BELIEVE THIS PERSON IS EXCEPTIONALLY QUALIFIED. WE NEED MONEY FOR THIS AND THIS. I'M GOING TO BRING Y'ALL BACK TO TODAY, WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

AND I'M GOING TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO. OKAY.

WE DON'T WANT EMPLOYEES LEAVING. TALKING ABOUT RETENTION.

CONSTABLE GRUMBLES, THEY WERE PHENOMENAL AT WHAT THEY DID. BUT BECAUSE OF POLITICAL ISSUES, THEY WERE FORCED OUT. I HEAR YOU TALKING ABOUT RETENTION EFFORTS.

KIND OF CUTE. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT. I WANT TO SEE IT.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I'M WORKING HARD AT GETTING THAT LOST RUN REPORT ABOUT HOW MANY EMPLOYEES ARE SUING FOR WRONGFUL TERMINATION AND OTHER ISSUES LIKE THAT.

THERE USED TO BE A THING WHEN I WAS APPLYING FOR JOBS, USED TO SAY EMPLOYEES APPLYING FOR THIS WILL PERFORM TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[01:35:02]

SOME OF THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE IN THE ENTRIES FOR THE LOST RUN REPORT FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT, WRONGFUL TERMINATION, ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THIS AGENDA.

SIT DOWN. >> SIT DOWN? JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER,

PLEASE ALLOW ME. STICK TO THIS AGENDA ITEM. >> MY THING IS, JUDGE, COURT, DON'T OPEN THIS BOX. IT'S NEVER GOING TO STOP. Y'ALL PROMISE TO BE FISCALLY UDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. THE WAY I READ THE COURT, THERE IS AN INTEREST IN TABLING THIS AGENDA ITEM AND BRINGING IT BACK AFTER THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> JUST A FEW COMMENTS. YOU KNOW, OUR JOB IS TO HELP ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY, SOME ELECTED, SOME NOT, TO DO WHAT THEY ARE TASKED TO DO FOR OUR CITIZENS.

OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE SOME CITIZENS THAT DON'T THINK WE SHOULD SPEND A DOLLAR ON ONE SERVICE WHEREAS ANOTHER MIGHT THINK WE SHOULD SPEND 50 PERCENT ON THAT SERVICE.

I DO BELIEVE WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY, THOSE THAT DO WORK VERY HARD FOR ALL OF OUR TAXPAYERS AND RESIDENTS. I UNDERSTAND IT'S EASY SITTING OUT THERE TO THINK THAT EVERYBODY THAT WORKS FOR HAYS COUNTY IS LAZY, INCOMPETENT.

EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL IS INCOMPETENT. I KNOW THEY WOULD PROBABLY SLEEP BETTER IF THEY COULD BELIEVE THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MAKES PEOPLE WANT TO HATE OTHER PEOPLE. BUT WE DO HAVE VERY QUALITY EMPLOYEES AT THIS COUNTY THAT I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF. THERE IS PROBLEMS, OF COURSE. WE'VE HAD ISSUES.

EVERY ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY HUMAN KIND HAS HAD ISSUES.

BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE VERY UPSTANDING PEOPLE TRYING TO DO THE BEST JOB THAT THEY CAN. SOMETIMES THEY GET THE DATE WRONG.

INSTEAD OF 2022, IT'S 2021. I WANT OUR EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE CARE ABOUT THEM AND WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FOR OUR TAXPAYERS. THEY EXPECT WHEN THE CALL TO 911 SOMEBODY SHOWS UP. THEY EXPECT WHEN THERE IS POTHOLES AND IT'S DANGEROUS THAT SOMEBODY COMES. THE STOP SIGN IS KNOCKED DOWN, SOMEBODY COMES.

THEY GO DO THAT IMMEDIATELY. THEY DON'T WAIT FOR SOME FORMAL PROCESS.

THEY SEND THE GUYS OUT THERE. WHATEVER TIME IT IS, SOMEBODY SHOWS UP.

AND I THINK THAT THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE REWARDED FOR DOING THAT.

AND THEY'RE NOT PAID A LOT. THEY'RE NOT PAID MUCH AT ALL. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT MOST OF THE PUBLIC PROBABLY MAY NOT AGREE WITH ME OR US ON EVERYTHING, BUT I THINK MOST OF THEM UNDERSTAND THEY WANT QUALITY INDIVIDUALS WORKING FOR THEM.

THEY DO NOT WANT TO THROW THEIR TAX DOLLARS AWAY FOR SOMEBODY TO DO NOTHING.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. ARE WE GOING TO GET IT RIGHT EVERY TIME? UNFORTUNATELY, NOT. SOMETIMES WE'RE GOING TO HIRE PEOPLE THAT DON'T WORK OUT. SOMETIMES WE'RE GOING TO HIRE PEOPLE THAT GO I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT JOB ANYMORE, IT DOESN'T PAY ENOUGH. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT. OUR EMPLOYEES SHOULD KNOW FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, MANY OF THOSE WE REPRESENT, TRULY APPRECIATE THEM. I GET E-MAILS ABOUT THEM ALL OF THE TIME. I TRY TO FORWARD IT TO OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO OUT THERE ON SUNDAY AND DO THAT. BUT THEY DID IT BECAUSE THEY CARE.

JUDGE BECERRA: FLIP SIDE OF THAT, I WANT TO ECHO A PIECE OF WHAT YOU SAID, THE POSITIONS AS THEY ARE SLOTTED AND BUDGETED, IT'S NOT WHAT THE PERSON IS WORTH.

IT'S WHAT THE POSITION IS ABLE TO PAY BASED ON THE SKILL SET. BUT AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, ABSOLUTELY DISPARITIES HAPPEN OVER TIME, ET CETERA. AND I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT MS. MILLER IS HERE TO SEE THIS CONVERSATION, FRONT ROW JOE, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR GOALS ARE.

I BELIEVE SHE HAS RECEIVED GOOD DIRECTION FROM US SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD. BECAUSE I AGAIN, I BELIEVE WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM BETTER PAY

FOR OUR CO-WORKERS. >> JUDGE, THERE IS NOT AN INDUSTRY IN OUR AREA THAT IS NOT LOOKING FOR WORKERS OR WANTING TO COME AND PICK UP SOME OF OUR WORKERS, IF WE DON'T TAKE STEPS TO REMEDY THAT, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A WORLD OF HURT WHEN WE HAVE A MASS EXODUS. LOYAL EMPLOYEES THAT DON'T HAVE THE CHOICE IF WE DON'T DO WHAT

IS RIGHT. >> JUDGE, I APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION THAT HAS HAPPENED.

AND YOU KNOW, WHEN I HEAR FROM AARON THAT THEY TRY VERY HARD TO KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE BENEFITS THAT HAYS COUNTY OFFERS, BUT YOU KNOW, THE AMOUNT THAT THEY'RE GETTING PAID, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE ON THEIR PAYCHECK IS MORE THAN THEY'RE GETTING FROM HAYS COUNTY. SO THEY DECIDE TO LEAVE. AND UNFORTUNATELY, THEY LOSE

[01:40:05]

ALL OF THOSE BENEFITS. I MEAN, UNLESS THEY KEEP THEM IN THERE.

BUT YOU KNOW, IN THE LONG-RUN, IT IS BETTER TO STICK IT OUT IF THEY CAN.

I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE DISCUSSION THAT HAS HAPPENED. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WONDERFUL EMPLOYEES AND WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MAINTAIN THEM.

AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER SHELL FOR ALL OF HIS COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. AND I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE MARISOLA ALSO WHEN SHE COMES, HER AND VICKIE ARE IN TEARS BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION THAT THEY'RE IN, YOU KNOW, I WOULD ENCOURAGE HER TO COME MAYBE IN TWO WEEKS ALSO TO MAKE, OR WHENEVER WE MEET AGAIN, TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED. WE JUST NEED TO DO THAT. BUT IT'S BEEN A GREAT CONVERSATION. AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I JUST APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT, SHERI, THAT YOU'RE TAKING THIS ON AND WE JUST NEED TO DO RIGHT BY OUR EMPLOYEES.

JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> ON THIS CONVERSATION, ONE OF THE THINGS, EVEN IN THIS SITUATION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE RETURN OF THE PREVIOUS COUNTY EMPLOYEE. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY LIKE FOR HR TO LOOK AT, WHEN WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION, WHEN WE BRING IT BACK THE NEXT TIME, WE SERIOUSLY D DISINCENTIVIZE EMPLOYEES FORMERLY WITH THE COUNTY COMING BACK TO THE COUNTY.

THAT 20 YEARS WITH A BREAK IN SERVICE THAT WE LOOK AT, I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT.

I WANT WHENEVER WE LOOK AT THIS CONVERSATION, THE SECOND TIME, WHEN WE COME BACK, I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR US TO HAVE AN EVALUATION ATTACHED TO THAT OR HAVE THAT CONVERSATION THAT IF WE HAVE THAT BREAK IN SERVICE HOW WE CAN ADDRESS IT. AND HOW WE CAN TRULY INCENTIVE THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE GOOD EMPLOYEES FOR US THAT WE LOST, TO BRING THEM BACK TO THE COUNTY AND NOT MAKE THEM NOT HAVE THAT BE A DETRIMENTAL SITUATION FOR THEM WHEN THEY ARE LOOKING AT RETIREMENT OR BENEFITS. I KNOW IT'S A HANDFUL OF EMPLOYEES, BUT IF WE HAVE A GOOD EMPLOYEE, BRING THEM BACK TO THE COUNTY, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO AS MUCH TRAINING, I THINK WE NEED TO INCENTIVIZE THAT. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS, YOU KNOW, WE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS SIT UP HERE AND WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE GETTING INTO WHENEVER WE RUN FOR THESE JOBS. WE KNOW WHAT THE PAY IS WHEN WE RUN FOR THESE JOBS.

WE KNOW WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE. AND WE KNOW WHAT BOMBS ARE GOING TO BE THROWN AT US AND WHAT HEAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IN OUR POSITIONS.

AS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE, WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT FACE SIMILAR, I'M GOING TO SAY SIMILAR ATTACKS AND INSULTS ON A DAILY BASIS, THEY'RE TRYING TO DO THEIR JOB.

AT THE BEST RATE AND AT THE BEST POSSIBLE FUNCTIONALITY OF OUR COUNTY.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE 254 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE'RE ABOUT NUMBER 40 AS FAR AS LOWEST TAX RATE IN THE STATE. FUNCTIONALITY THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE ABLE TO GIVE OUR COUNTY AND CITIZENS, BEING THE 40TH LOWEST TAX RATE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS IS PRETTY GOOD. I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO. I WILL JUST SAY TO HAVE INDIVIDUALS COME IN HERE AND INSULT OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND NOT HAVE THE CARE TO STAY AND WATCH THE DEBATE AND THE ACTUAL INPUT OR ANSWERS RELATED TO THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY ASK, THAT IS INSULTING.

IT'S INSULTING TO THE COURT, INSULTING TO ME AND CERTAINLY INSULTING TO OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. IT'S MORE THAN DISHEARTENING. JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONER. ANYTHING ELSE FROM ANYONE ELSE? >> JUST ONE MINUTE.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT OUR AUDITOR IS RIGHT. I THINK THAT THAT SHOULD -- WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT. SHE IS DOING THIS BECAUSE THAT IS HER JOB AND SHE IS I THINK DOING A GOOD JOB OF THAT. I KNOW THERE IS GREAT FRUSTRATION IN THE OFFICE WITH THOSE VACANCIES BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME. THAT BURDEN IS GREAT.

AND YOU KNOW, BETWEEN MARISOL AND VICKIE, THEY ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF THINGS WITH VERY FEW FOLKS. AND THEY DO IT VERY WELL. I WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND, THIS IS NOT ABOUT A DISAGREEMENT. I BELIEVE THEM. I KNOW THEY DISAGREE WITH ME AND THEY'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO. MORE THAN LIKELY THEY WILL BE RIGHT MORE TIMES THAN NOT. I UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT ON THEM WITHOUT THE STAFF TO DO IT AND THAT IT'S BEEN VERY HARD TO ACCOMPLISH THAT IN

TIMES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN ALWAYS PLEASANT. >>

[01:45:04]

JUDGE BECERRA: I WILL SAY, YOU KNOW THIS, YOU AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS, VICKIE, GONE, BUT YOU KNOW THAT I 100 PERCENT SUPPORTED YOU NON-STOP. SO I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE BEHIND YOU GUYS. I CONSIDER YOU GUYS EVERYONE, MY CO-WORKERS, I AM NO ONE'S BOSS. WHATEVER I CAN DO TO PULL FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES, I'M HONORED. I FEEL PRIVILEGED TO BE IN THIS CAPACITY.

AND I AM A SYMPATHETIC CO-WORKER. SO THANK YOU.

PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS TABLING FOR AS A NEGATIVE. THANK YOU.

[50. PLN-1647-NP; Discussion and possible action to approve final plat of Anthem Phase 1C-1 Subdivision. JONES/PACHECO]

OKAY. SO WE'RE GOING TO GO ON NOW. AGENDA ITEMS.

>> 50. >> 50. PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM 50.

>> 50, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE FINAL PLAT OF ANTHEM PHASE 1C-1 SUBDIVISION.

>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. >> JUDGE, GOOD MORNING.

THIS SUBDIVISION IS A ONE LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS 4.097 ACRES, PART OF THE ANTHEM SUBDIVISION.

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE FOR AN AMENITY CENTER. WATER AND WASTE WATER SERVICES FOR THESE LOTS WILL BE COVERED BY THE CITY OF KYLE. THIS ITEM HAS FULL STAFF

RECOMMENDATION. >> I WENT OUT THERE YESTERDAY, THE SUBDIVISION IS COMING ALONG NICELY. THIS WAS GOING TO BE A LOT LARGER SUBDIVISION AT ONE TIME AND IT'S GOT MORE GREEN SPACE NOW. SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.

JUDGE BECERRA: MOST DEFINITELY. I LOVE THE BILL BOARD.

YES. WE NEED ROOFTOPS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NO OTHER COMMENTS, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

[53. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Constable Precincts 2, 4 & 5 Offices to transfer $884.00 each to the Sheriff's Office budget for the purchase of necessary tools and equipment to perform vehicle maintenance and repairs to Constable's Harley-Davidson motorcycle fleet and amend the budget accordingly. SMITH/HOOD]

JUDGE BECERRA: NEXT AGENDA ITEM. 53.

>> 53, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSTABLE PRECINCTS 2, 4 AND 5 OFFICES TO TRANSFER $884 EACH TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET FOR THE PURCHASE OF NECESSARY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO CONSTABLES HARLEY DAVIDSON

FLEET AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND WE HAVE

OUR CONSTABLE HOOD AT THE PODIUM. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHTFORWARD PROPOSAL.

THE CONSTABLES PRECINCT 2, 4 AND 5 HAVE NOTICED THAT, IN MAKING REPAIRS TO OUR MOTOR VEHICLE UNITS, THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL COSTS TO THOSE REPAIRS, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE REPAIRS, IN THE FORM OF YOU KNOW, OIL CHANGES AND CHANGING OUT TIRES AND BATTERIES.

PRETTY SIGNIFICANT COSTS. CONSTABLES GOT TOGETHER, WE LOOKED AT THE COSTS AND WE WERE TRYING TO DETERMINE A MEANS IN WHICH WE COULD CUT THE COSTS. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. GONZALES AT THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, HE ASSURED US THAT HE COULD PROVIDE THOSE COST SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY, IF WE WERE TO BRING THAT SERVICE TO THE HAYS COUNTY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT. IN THE BACK-UP MATERIAL THAT I PROVIDED YOU, I GAVE YOU EXAMPLES OF THE THIRD-PARTY VENDOR THAT WE HAD BEEN USING TO PROVIDE SERVICE.

YOU WILL SEE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT COST TO THEIR SERVICE.

MAJORITY OF THAT INVOLVED NOT ONLY THE MATERIAL, BUT THE LABOR.

AND I BELIEVE THE COST SAVINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE HERE, IF THE COURT APPROVES THIS, TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE CONSTABLE'S BUDGET TO THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY, IN THE FORM OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WILL NOT BE CHARGING US LABOR. AND IN THE LONG-RUN THAT IS GOING TO SAVE THE COUNTY MONEY.

JUDGE BECERRA: CONSTABLE HOOD IS A BIG HUGE, OBVIOUS PUBLIC SUPPORTER OF MOTORS.

I AM GRATEFUL THAT YOU AS CONSTABLES HAVE TAKEN THIS STEP BECAUSE IT IS FURTHER SUPPORTING THAT MOTORS ARE A GOOD IDEA. WE JUST NEED TO FINE TUNE WHAT WE'RE DOING AND YOU MANAGED TO PULL THIS OFF THIS WAY IS SUPER SUPER WONDERFUL TO HEAR.

I APPLAUD YOUR EFFORT AND YOUR INTEREST IN SAVING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

SO GRATEFUL. THANK YOU. >> JUST GET THEM BACK ON.

BECAUSE THE MOST CALLS I GET IN MY OFFICE IS FOR PEOPLE TO PATROL IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB. >> WHEN I SAT DOWN WITH THE CONSTABLES TO LOOK AT THIS, THE AVERAGE HOURLY RATE FOR LABOR ON THESE FUNCTIONS IS ABOUT $80 AN HOUR. AND LITERALLY AN OIL CHANGE OR BRAKE PADS, ANY OF THAT STUFF,

[01:50:01]

YOU'RE LOOKING AT A MINIMUM OF AN HOUR. EVERY ONE OF THESE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS, WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING THESE DOLLARS.

QUESTION QUICKLY ONE CONSTABLE OFFICE WITHIN FOUR OR FIVE OIL CHANGES, THIS WILL PAY FOR IT.

I APPRECIATED THE THREE CONSTABLES GETTING TOGETHER, PUTTING TOGETHER A PROPOSAL.

I WAS VERY HAPPY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. JUDGE BECERRA: BRAVO.

>> SAME THING. APPRECIATE Y'ALL WORKING TOGETHER AND WORKING WITH THE MAINTENANCE GUYS TO FIGURE THIS OUT. THANK YOU.

JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

JUDGE BECERRA: TALKING TO PEOPLE. 58, PLEASE.

[58. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Transportation Department to hire two (2) Road Maintenance Operator positions, slots 1075-011 & 1075-012 at the 40th percentile effective March 14, 2022. JONES/SHELL/BORCHERDING]

>> 58, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO HIRE TWO ROAD MAINTENANCE OPERATOR POSITIONS, SLOTS 1075-001 AND 1075-012, AT THE

40TH PERCENTILE, EFFECTIVE MARCH 14TH, 2022. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND A SECOND.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TITLE TO THE AUDIENCE. >> AARON JONES, ROAD MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT, TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. WHAT WE HAVE IS TWO OPERATOR POSITIONS. THEY'RE AT THE 40TH PERCENTILE. WE LOOKED AT OUR MEMBERS IN THAT FIELD, EQUIVALENT IN TIME FRAME, TRIED TO BASE IT ON THAT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING PEOPLE ABOVE THE POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE. CDL DRIVERS ARE A TOUGH COMMODITY TO, IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THOSE OUT THERE.

AND WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND TO HAVE TWO CANDIDATES COME IN RECENTLY.

THESE TWO POSITIONS WILL BE FILLING IN POSITIONS FOR CREWS, RUNNING MATERIALS FOR US.

AND ALSO THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH OPERATING SOME EQUIPMENT, ASPHALT AND CONCRETE EXPERIENCE. SO IT'S GOING TO HELP US OUT WITH OUR CREWS.

AS STATED WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, WE DO HAVE A SHORTAGE.

WE'RE AT 30 EMPLOYEES, IS WHAT WE'VE GOT OPEN POSITIONS FOR RIGHT NOW.

THE COURT: 3-0? >> YES, SIR. >> WE'RE ROUGHLY RUNNING, I'D SAY TWO-THIRDS OF OUR STAFF RIGHT NOW. SO NORMALLY I HAVE ABOUT NINE CREWS RUNNING. WE HAVE ENOUGH TO FILL ABOUT FIVE CREWS.

SO TO SAY WE'RE STRETCHED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. BUT WE HAVE SOME GREAT STAFF MEMBERS, GREAT CREW MEMBERS GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TRYING TO SUPPORT THOSE WITH SOME HELP FROM WHEN WE CAN GET INDIVIDUALS TO HIRE. THESE POSITIONS WE'LL DEFINITELY FILL. THESE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN OPENED.

I WILL SAY, AND PRIOR TO COVID, WE TYPICALLY WOULD RUN PROBABLY ANYWHERE BETWEEN FIVE TO EIGHT POSITIONS OPEN. IT WAS YOU KNOW, OPEN POSITIONS THERE.

HERE RECENTLY, WE'VE LOST SOME. THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WE'VE LOST IS GOING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

HIGHER SALARIES. IT'S DEFINITELY -- AND LATELY WE'VE GOTTEN FOUR APPLICATIONS IN THE PAST WEEK AND A HALF, TWO WEEKS. SO WE'VE SEEN SOME.

WHICH IS TO SAY EXCITING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT ON THAT ALSO. JUST INTERVIEWS WHERE WE CAN BRING PEOPLE IN. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE DID LOOK AT WHERE THESE CANDIDATES WOULD FIT WITHIN THE OPERATOR POSITION WITH OUR CURRENT STAFF MEMBERS.

SO IT FITS INTO THAT RANGE, THEIR EQUIVALENT AND EXPERIENCE LEVELS.

JUDGE BECERRA: ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT Y'ALL SAID. IT IS HELPFUL. IT GIVES A MORALE BOOST TO HEAR WITH OUR EMPLOYEES TO HEAR THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT SALARIES AND HOW WE CAN GET BETTER, FOR

SURE. >> RIGHT ON. THANK YOU, AARON.

JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU DURING ELECTION DAY FOR STOPPING THE WORK IN THE

PRECINCT FOUR BOX. GOOD JOB AND THANK YOU. >> (INAUDIBLE) FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, THESE GUYS WERE EXPONENTIALLY HARD IN ORDER TO GET A USABLE ROADWAY INTO PATRIOT'S HALL IN ORDER TO HAVE A USABLE BOX THERE. AND THAT FIRST MONDAY MORNING, THEY WERE ACTUALLY MOVING THE EQUIPMENT OFF THE ROADWAY IN ORDER TO -- THERE WAS ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. BUT THEY DID A GREAT JOB AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THAT

[01:55:04]

DONE. THANK YOU. JUDGE BECERRA: YEAH.

I WAS OUT THERE DRIVING AROUND IN IT AS WELL. THANK YOU, AARON.

IF THERE IS NO OTHER COMMENTS, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER JONES. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL

>> YES. >> JUDGE >> YES.

[51. Discussion and possible action to adopt an Order and approve polling locations for the May 7, 2022, Constitutional Amendment election. BECERRA/DOINOFF]

JUDGE BECERRA: 51, PLEASE. >> 51, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT AN ORDER AND APPROVE POLLING LOCATIONS FOR THE MAY 7TH, 2022, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

ELECTION. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

JUDGE BECERRA: THERE YOU ARE. >> GOOD MORNING, JENNIFER, HAYS COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO ACTUALLY ADOPT THE ORDER AND THE POLLING LOCATIONS AND THEN I ALSO HAVE ONCE WE FINISH THAT THE NOTICE TO DELIVER YOU TO SIGN AS WELL FOR THE MAY 7TH ELECTION. THE TURN-AROUND TIME FOR THIS ELECTION IS VERY VERY SHORT.

JURISDICTIONS HAVE ORDERED THEIR ELECTIONS AND ARE AWAITING THIS LIST OF POLLING LOCATIONS. IF YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT, IT IS 18 ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS AND 8 EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS. AND I DIDN'T BRING MY -- I GOT IT RIGHT HERE. SO WE HAVE TWO EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS IN EACH COMMISSIONER'S PRECINCT. AND THEN WE HAVE SIX ELECTION DAY IN PRECINCT ONE, THREE AND PRECINCT 2. JUDGE BECERRA: I'M SORRY. REPEAT THAT.

FIVE PRECINCTS? >> ELECTION DAY. OKAY.

SO SIX IN ONE. THREE IN PRECINCT TWO. FOUR IN PRECINCT THREE.

FIVE IN PRECINCT FOUR. AND ALL OF THESE JURISDICTIONS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO -- I MEAN, ALL OF THE POLLING LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO OUR JURISDICTIONS ON THE BALLOT AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY OUR JURISDICTIONS ON THE BALLOT.

I KNOW THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE HAVE GOING ON OTHER THAN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION IS GOING TO BE IN PRECINCT TWO, FOR THE SCHOOL BOND.

AND SO THEY HAVE ALREADY LOOKED AT THESE LOCATIONS AND HAVE APPROVED THEM FOR THEIR BOND ELECTION ALSO. JUDGE BECERRA: SO THOSE HAVE HIRED US TO RUN THEIR ELECTIONS ARE GOOD WITH THE LOCATIONS. COMMISSIONERS, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR LOCATIONS?

>> I'M GOOD. I KNOW THAT PRECINCT TWO HAS THE FEWEST BECAUSE WE HAVE THE

LEAST AMOUNT OF AREAS. >> YES. >> ONE CORRECTION ON THE LOCATION SHEET, THE ADDRESS, WE HAD IN COURT ADOPTED AN ADDRESS FOR PATRIOTS HALL.

AND IT IS AN INCORRECT ADDRESS ON THERE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT

WE HAVE THE CORRECT ADDRESS WHEN WE PUBLISH IT. >> OKAY.

YES. WE'LL CHANGE THAT. >> IT WAS CORRECT ON THE RELEASE THAT WE DID FOR THIS ELECTION, SO I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE IT.

>> YES. WE WILL CORRECT THAT. AND ANOTHER THING TO NOTE IS ORDINARILY WE WOULDN'T BE HERE FOR A MAY ELECTION TO HAVE THE COURT ORDER THIS ELECTION OR PASS THE POLLING LOCATIONS, BUT SINCE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAD A SECOND AND THIRD SPECIAL SESSION, WHICH ADOPTED TWO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO BE ON THE BALLOT FOR MAY, THAT IS WHY WE'RE HERE TO DO THIS. JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IF THERE IS NO OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL

[Items 48 & 49]

>> YES. >> ROLL CALL. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN 48

AND 49. >> 48, PLN-1807, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL PLAT FOR MOUNT GAYNOR ESTATE SUBDIVISION. 49, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY PLAN FOR THE FLAT CREEK PRESERVE SUBDIVISION.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS COLBY, SENIOR COUNTY PLANNER WITH HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. FIRST ITEM, FOUR LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS EIGHT ACRES.

CUT OUT OF THE ORIGINAL PARENT TRACK, CONSISTING OF 26 AND A HALF ACRES.

FULLY OFF MOUNT GAYNOR ROAD IN DRIPPING SPRINGS. WATER UTILITY WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS. WASTE WATER TREATMENT WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ADVANCED ON-SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES.

THERE ARE NO VARIANCES REQUESTED AND THIS ITEM HAS FULL STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

[02:00:04]

AND FOR THE SECOND ITEM, THE FLAT CREEK RESERVE PRELIMINARY PLAN, THIS IS A PROPOSED EIGHT LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS 53 ACRES. LOCATED AGAIN, IN THE FULLY UNINCORPORATED AREA OF PRECINCT THREE, LEDGE ROCK ROAD. WATER UTILITY WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS. WASTE WATER TREATMENT ACHIEVED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ON-SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES. ADDITION OF ONE PUBLICLY DEDICATED ROADWAY WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT TO BE BUILT TO APPLICABLE HAYS COUNTY STANDARDS. PRELIMINARY PLAN HAS NO VARIANCES REQUESTED AND HAS FULL STAFF RECOMMENDATION. JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? OKAY. WELL DONE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> ROLL CALL. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN 55. >> 55, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE

[55. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Transportation Department to purchase four school zone flasher posts w/accessories in the amount of $14,304.00 for the new Sunfield Elementary School and amend the budget accordingly. JONES/BORCHERDING]

ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE FOUR SCHOOL ZONE FLASHER POSTS WITH ACCESSORIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,304 FOR THE NEW SUNFIELD ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. JUDGE BECERRA: VERY WELL WRITTEN.

SELF-EXPLANATORY. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

JUDGE BECERRA: YOU GOT A NUMBER? PLEASE 57.

[57. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a Quote with Tyler Technologies related to the Brazos Ticket Writer iPhone Platform for Constable's Offices. INGALSBE/JONES/MCGILL]

>> 57, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A QUOTE WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO THE BRAZAS TICKET WRITER IPHONE PLATFORM FOR CONSTABLE OFFICES.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND A SECOND ECHOED. MR. MCGILL PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE.

>> JEFF MCGILL, APPROVED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 22 BUDGET. THIS FOLLOWS OUR PATTERN OF REPLACING THE LEGACY TICKET RIDERS TO PUT THEM ON THE IPHONE.

SO WE HAVE A MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE, INSTEAD OF SEPARATE PHONES.

WE'VE CONVERTED SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CONSTABLE PRECINCT FOUR.

WE'RE CONTINUING THE REPLACEMENT OF THOSE DEVICES SO WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THOSE EXPENSIVE TICKET RIDERS TO MAINTAIN IN THE PLACE. JUDGE BECERRA: GOOD.

EFFICIENCIES. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

THANK YOU, MR. MCGILL. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE

>> YES. >> ROLL CALL. JUDGE BECERRA: IF THERE IS

NOTHING ELSE I WANT TO GO BACK TO 44. >> JUDGE, MAY I JUST ASK A QUESTION ON 51. MAY 7TH, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION.

WHEN DO THE RUNOFFS HAPPEN, JENNIFER? >> MAY 24TH.

>> SO WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK. I WAS HOPING WE COULD CONSOLIDATE.

>> WE WILL BE CANVASSING AND CALLING THE RUNOFF ON MAY 24TH. >> WE DON'T CANVAS HERE FOR A PRIMARY. ACTUALLY, WE WON'T BE BACK HERE TO DO THAT AT ALL.

GO THROUGH THE PARTY. JUDGE BECERRA: GOOD QUESTION. RUNOFF MAY 24TH.

BEAUTIFUL. THERE IS A FEW OF THOSE. OKAY.

GOOD QUESTION. THANK YOU. OKAY.

[44. Discussion and possible action to call for a public hearing on March 22, 2022 to reduce the current speed limit of 35 MPH to 25 MPH on Brangus Road and Nature View Loop in Rutherford West subdivision, per a recent traffic study. SMITH/BORCHERDING]

IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO ROADS, 44, PLEASE.

>> 44, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON MARCH 22ND, 2022, TO REDUCE THE CURRENT SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MILES PER HOUR TO 25 MILES PER HOR ON BRANGUS ROAD,

PER A RECENT TRAFFIC STUDY. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

JUDGE BECERRA: WILL YOU PLEASE OPEN 45. >> 45, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE

[45. Discussion and possible action to approve the selection of Pape Dawson Engineers, Inc. to perform Construction Engineering & Inspection (CE&I) services for the Winters Mill Parkway at RM 3237 Safety Improvements project in Precinct 3; and to authorize staff and counsel to negotiate a Work Authorization under their On-Call CE&I contract. SHELL/BORCHERDING]

ACTION TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF PAPE DAWSON ENGINEERS INC. WINTERS MILL PARKWAY, SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN PRECINCT THREE AND TO AUTHORIZE STAFF AND COUNSEL TO NEGOTIATE

A WORK AUTHORIZATION UNDER THEIR ON CALL CE&I CONTRACT. >> SECOND.

JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL.

[46. Discussion and possible action to approve the selection of Pape Dawson Engineers, Inc. to perform Construction Engineering & Inspection (CE&I) services for the RM 12 at RM 3237 Safety Improvements project in Precinct 3; and to authorize staff and counsel to negotiate a Work Authorization under their On-Call CE&I contract. SHELL/BORCHERDING]

[02:05:03]

JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN 46. >> 46, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF PAPE DAWSON ENGINEERS INC. TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE RM12 SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN PRECINCT THREE AND TO AUTHORIZE STAFF AND COUNSEL TO NEGOTIATE A WORK AUTHORIZATION UNDER THEIR ON CALL CONTRACT.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. JUDGE BECERRA: ON CALL PIECE,

COMMISSIONER SHELL WHAT IS THAT? >> PERIODICALLY WE DO AN RFP FOR THESE TYPES OF SERVICES AND THEN WE SELECT QUALIFIED FIRMS TO BE ON THAT LIST AND THEN WHEN WE PICK SOMEONE FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT, WE CAN PICK THEM OFF OF THAT LIST BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN PRE-QUALIFIED FOR THE RFP. IT ALLOWS US TO SELECT FIRMS AT THAT TIME ARE QUALIFIED. THIS SECOND ONE, THERE IS TWO PROJECTS, ON BOTH ENDS JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> ROLL CALL. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN 47. >> 47, PLN-1840-PC, CALL FOR A

[47. PLN-1840-PC; Call for a Public Hearing on March 22, 2022 to discuss possible approval of the Deer Run Estates, Lots 18 and 21, Replat. SHELL/MACHACEK]

PUBLIC HEARING ON MARCH 22ND, 2022, TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF THE DEER RUN

ESTATES LOTS 18 AND 21 REPLAT. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER JONES >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE >> YES.

[52. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Amendment No. 4 to the Stop Loss Policy between Hays County and United Healthcare Insurance Company. BECERRA/MILLER]

>> YES. 52. >> 52, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR TO THE STOP LOSS POLICY

BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND UNITED HEALTH CARE INSURANCE COMPANY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> ROLL CALL. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN 54. >> 54, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE

[54. Discussion and possible action to approve the 2022 Sheriff & Constable Fees. BECERRA/CARDENAS]

ACTION TO APPROVE THE 2022 SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE FEES. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> ROLL CALL. JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE OPEN NUMBER 67.

[67. Discussion of issues related to the Hays County Jail, and the planning of projects pertaining to the public safety facilities needs within the County. Possible action may follow. INGALSBE/CUTLER]

>> 67, DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO THE HAYS COUNTY JAIL THE PLANNING OF PROJECTS PERTAINING TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY'S NEEDS WITHIN THE COUNTY.

JUDGE BECERRA: OPENING THE WRONG ONE. 66 IS MY INTENTION.

[66. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA]

>> 66, DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION COUNTS AND COSTS. JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER INGLALSBE WAS LIKE WHAT DO I SAY? MY MISTAKE. THE SHERIFF SENDS MY OFFICE, I'M GRATEFUL FOR A REPORT SUMMARIZING OUR INMATE POPULATION.

SO I GET THE PRIVILEGE OF READING THIS MAXIMUM JAIL CAPACITY IS 410 INMATES.

JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS HOLDING THAT CAPACITY OPEN, WHICH LOWERS OUR CAPACITY TO 368. THE JAIL'S DAILY AVERAGE WAS 674 AND PEAK WAS 683 ON MARCH 4TH. ESTIMATED COSTS FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES WAS $111,055.

THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES 219 AND FEMALES, 16.

THIS WEEK'S INMATES WERE HELD IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY. PAPER READY INMATES INMATES HAVE NOW BECOME STATE INMATES, NO LONGER COUNTY INMATES, WHICH I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BRING AWARENESS TO BECAUSE THAT IS STATE FUNDED AND WE'RE STILL HOLDING THEM HERE, WHICH IS OF COURSE, WE JUST HEARD, VERY EXPENSIVE. WE ARE HOLDING 38 STATE INMATES AT THIS TIME IN OUR COUNTY JAIL. HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 45. CONSTABLE PRECINCT ONE, SEVEN. KYLE PD, 26.

SMPD, 36. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, THREE. WHICH IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN,

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

LEAVES US ONLY WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. AND IF THERE NO EXCEPTIONS, MR. KENNEDY, WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THEM ALL. PLEASE OPEN 59 THROUGH 64.

>> EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.