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>> BRING IT DOWN, BRING IT DOWN. A VERY GOOD MORNING, I LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
THIS MORNING'S INVOCATION WILL BE LEAD BY CHRIS MILLER. IF YOU'LL PLEASE ALL RISE.
>> GOOD MORNING, I SERVE AS THE LEAD PASTOR AT THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH, IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH YOU.
>> I'M SORRY I SAID MILLER. >> THAT'S OKAY. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT. THE SPIRIT OF GOD, HELP MY INFIRMITIES, WHEN I'M PRESSED DOWN BELOW THE SORROW PERPLEXED NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO, SLANDERED. PERSECUTED,MADE TO FEELED WEIGHT OF THE CROSS, HELP ME, I PRAY THEE.
IF THOU SEE ANY WRONG THING ENCOURAGED, ANY EVIL DESIRE CHERISHED, ANY DELIGHT THAT IS NOT -- ANY HABIT THAT GRIEVES THEE, ANY NEST OF SIN IN MY HEART GRANT ME THE KISS OF THY FORGIVENESS AND TEACH MY FEET TO WALK THE WAY OF THY COMMANDMENTS, DELIVER ME FROM FOOLISH CARES AND MAKE ME A HAPPY, HOLY PERSON.
HELP ME TO WALK THE SEPARATED LIFE WITH FIRM AND BRAVE STEPS. AND TO WRESTLE SUCCESSFULLY AGAINST WEAKNESS. TEACH ME TO LAUD, ADORE AND MAGNIFY THEE, THE MUSIC OF HEAVEN AND MAKE ME A PERFUME OF PRAISE FOR GRATITUDE TO THEE. I DO NOT CROUCH AT THY FEET AS A SLAVE BUT EXALT BEFORE THEE AS A SON WITH THE FATHER. GIVE ME POWER TO LIVE AS THY CHILD IN ALL MY ACTIONS AND TO EXERCISES -- PRESERVE ME FROM THE INTOXICATION THAT COMES OF PROSPERITY. SOBER ME WHEN I'M GLAD WITH THE JOY THAT COMES NOT FROM THEE. LEAD ME SAFELY ON TO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM. NOT ASKING WHETHER THE ROAD BE ROUGH OR SMOOTH. I REQUEST ONLY TO SEE THE FACE OF HIM I LOVE. TO BE CONTENT WITH BREAD TO EAT, WITH GARMENT TO PUT ON. THAT I CAN BE BROUGHT TO THY HOUSE IN PEACE, WE BRING THIS BEFORE YOU AND ASK THAT YOU MIGHT ACCOMPLISH YOUR JUSTICE IN THIS PLACE HERE TODAY. GOD, AS WE PRAY OFTEN AS A CHURCH WE PRAY WE'D SEE SAN MARCOS AND HAYS COUNTY LOOK MUCH MORE LIKE HEAVEN THAN IT DOES TODAY. SO, FATHER, WE ASK FOR YOUR JUSTICE, THE RULE AND REIGN IN THIS ROOM, IN THIS CITY AND IN THIS COUNTY.
FATHER, WE PRAY JUSTICE WOULD BE DONE, THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. LORD, THAT YOU WOULD BRING ABOUT YOUR GOOD EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THINGS THAT SEEM INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING. SO WE OFFER OURSELVES TO YOU TODAY RECOGNIZING THAT YOU ULTIMATELY WERE SOVEREIGN OVER ALL OF US. WE THANK YOU FOR JESUS WHO MADE NEWNESS OF LIFE POSSIBLE. A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. IT'S IN HIS NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WELL DONE.
>> 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. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALLED ROLL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: HERE. THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO
[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
HAVE SUBMITTED A PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WITNESS FORM WILL NOW HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK ON NON-AGENDA RELATE ITSELF ITEMS. UNFORTUNATELY NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN BY THE COURT AS WE'RE EXPECTED NOT TO RESPOND.ANY COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN AS RHETORICAL. BECAUSE IT'S NOT A COMMUNICATION TIME. PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS AND LANGUAGE CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE REMAINDER OF YOUR TIME.
IN THE SPIRIT OF RESPECT, PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. LET'S SEE SOME MOVEMENT. JUST DOUBLE CHECK. PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME.
YOU ARE UNIQUE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
SO WE HAVE A FEW SIGNED UP UNDER PUBLIC COMMENTS. OUR
FIRST ONE IS MR. MIKE JONES. >> GOOD MORNING, COURT.
MIKE JONES, DIRECTOR OF HAYS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES.
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I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO INTRODUCE OUR NEW COUNTY LAY ACE SOON OFFICER COME FROM US THIS AUSTIN.SHE IS TO ASSIST US IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL AND OF COURSE THIS COUNTY.
>> TARA MAYBE YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHAT YOUR ROLE IS
HERE. >> YEAH. YEAH. SO MY NAME IS TAYLOR HOLIDAY. I'M THE COUNTY LIAISONON OFFICER FOR HAYS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY SO MY MAIN ROLE IS TO SUPPORT YOU IN ALL MAIN ASPECT THAT WE CAN SUPPORT YOU. ANY RESOURCES FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO ME WITH ANYTHING YOU
NEED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: FIRST, TETUM, MOST HOME MAY NOT KNOW -- TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THAT IS THE STATE'S SUPPORT FOR US HERE LOCALLY. DOES ANYTHING HAVE TO SAY FROM OUR TEXT DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BESIDES
WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO SEE HER AT THE SAME TIME AND WE COULD SAY
WELL TO THE RODEO. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE
YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MIKE: NEXT UP WE HAVE LAURA NUNN, IF YOU'LL PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.
>> GOOD MORNING, COURT, JUDGE BECERRA. I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY TO RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY RETAIN THE RECORDS FROM THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP THEM FOR 22 MONTHS AND ONE DAY. THERE'S NO LIMIT FOR HOW LONG YOU MAY KEEP THEM.
THERE STILL REMAINS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NUMBERS, THE NUMBERS FROM THE VOTER ROLLS.
THE NUMBERS NUMBERS FROM WHAT IS PUBLISHED ON THE HAYS COUNTY ELECTIONS WEBSITE. THERE BE DISCREPANCIES AND WE'D LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE TIME TO REVIEW THE RECORDS THOROUGHLY. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND NEXT UP WE'VE P. J.
LEMONS. YOU'LL PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. YOU'LL
HAVE 3 MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE BECERRA, COMMISSIONERS, INGALSBE, JONES,SHELL AND SMITH, MY NAME IS P. J. LEMONS. ACTUALLY THAT IS A NICK NAME. I TELL PEOPLE IT STANDS FOR PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY AND MY LAST TIME LEMONS FOR LEMONADE SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. I MOVED TO HAYS COUNTY FROM AMARILLO, AND WHERE I WORKED IN AMARILLO FOUR ABOUT 30 YEARS IN THE ELECTION PROCESS FINANCE I -- I TOOK CARE OF OUR PARTY HEADQUARTERS FOR 18 YEARS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO HOW MANY TIMESY.
I LOVE AMERICA AS I KNOW YOU DO. AND WE THE PEOPLE WANT TO COME ALONG BESIDE YOU TO MAKE HAYS COUNTY THE BEST COUNTY IN TEXAS. I'M HERE BECAUSE ALONG WITH OTHER HAYS COUNTY CITIZENS, I HAVE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
THE FIRST THREE WORDS OF OUR CONSTITUTION IS WE THE PEOPLE, AND I AM SAD TO SAY THAT WE THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN NEGLECTFUL IN HELPING THE COURT WITH THE ELECTION PROCESS. WE HAVE BEEN ASLEEP BUT WE NOW HAVE INVESTIGATED THE PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, AND HAVE FOUND MUCH MALADMINISTRATION IN THE HAYS COUNTY. MANY CITIZENS AROUND THE UNITED STATES ARE FINDING MALADMINISTRATION IN THEIR COUNTIES AS WELL.
WE IN HAYS COUNTY WANT TO BE FOUND DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, JUST AND VERIFIABLE AND I KNOW THIS COURT TRIES TO DO THAT. WE THE PEOPLE WANT TO COME ALONG BESIDE YOU. PERSONALLY, I WOULD LIKE THE COURT TO ASK TO DO THE FOLLOWING: TO USE CONSECUTIVE NUMBERED BALLOTS BEGINNING WITH THE NUMBER 1 AS TEXAS LAW REQUIRES, ACCORDING TO TEXAS ELECTION CODE 52.062. TO PRINT NUMBER 2, PRINT ELECTION BALLOTS UNDER A SECURED PAPER. NUMBER 3 ASSIGN VOTING TO PRECINCT LEVEL ONLY SO WE CAN VOTE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS ACCORDING TO A ELECTION, TEXAS ELECTION CODE 42.002. PLEASE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE STATE TO WITHDRAW FROM ERIC THE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION INFORMATION CENTER WHICH WOULD SAVE THE STATE OF TEXAS $25,000 FOR JOINING
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AND $75,000 PER YEAR AS FAR AS I KNOW. AND LEAVING E.R. I. C. WILL PROTECT TEXAS CITIZENS BY KEEPING OUR PRIVATE AND PERSONAL DRIVERS LICENSE INFORMATION FROM GOING TO A COMPANY OUTSIDE THE STATE TO DO WITH WHATEVER THEY WISH. THAT MEANS YOUR DRIVERS' LICENSE INFORMATION AND MINE AS WELL.
WE ARE, OUR DUTY IS TO PROTECT TEXAS CITIZENS.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY LEMONS. NEXT WE'VE ANDRE LEMKE. I HOPE I SAID THAT RIGHT. THANK YOU.
PRONOUNCATIONS, THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF PRONOUNCATIONS WITH THE SAME EXACT SPELLING, SO THANK YOU.
>> INDEED. GOOD MORNING, AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HAYS COUNTY. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTION HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE FOUNDING OF OUR NATION.
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS TAMMANY HALL MACHINE WAS USED TO BUY OFF JUDGES AND POLITICIANS.
ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT RASMUSSEN POLL 83% OF LIKELY VOTERS BELIEVE THE ISSUE OF ELECTION INTEGRITY IS% IMPORTANT IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS. MORE THAN HALF OF U.S. VOTERS BELIEVE CHEATING AFFECTED THE 2020 ELECTION. SINCE THE TIME OF THE TAMMANY HALL MACHINE THE INVOLVEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY IN OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS HAS BECOME DRAMATICALLY MORE COMPLEX. IN 2012 VICTORIA COLLIER ELECTION INTEGRITY ACTIVIST SAID IT LIKE THIS: TWO MAJOR EVENTS HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR A LETHAL FORM OF ELECTION MEMBERSHIPS. THE MASS ADOPTION OF COMPUTERIZED VOTING TECHNOLOGY AND THE OUTSOURCING OF OUR ELECTIONS TO CORPORATIONS THAT OPERATE IN THE SHADOWS WITH LITTLE OVERSIGHT OR ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITHOUT PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OR CONTENT. LEADING TO ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS AND LEAST UNDERSTOD CRISIS IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. SHE CONCLUDES THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY LOFT THE LOST THE ABLE TO VERIFY ELECTION RESULTS. ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES WERE ADOPTED UNDER THE GUISE TABULATING VOTES COULD OCCUR MORE QUICKLY. THIS WOULD BE LAUGHABLE IF IT WASN'T SO SERIOUS. HOW MUCH ARE ARE HANDS COUNT ORDERED WHEN THE PROCESS OF COMPUTER RISED TABULATION FAILS? MANY PEOPLE ARE SUSPICIOUS EVER RECENTLY ADOPTED VOTING TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR DUBE YEWS BLACK BOX COMPANY FROM DOMINION AND HARD INTERCIVIC. WHAT DOES MATTER IS PEOPLE DO NOT TRUST THAT THEIR VOTES ARE OCCUR AND CLEARLY NO ONE IS BUYING THAT THESE MACHINES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE AT COUNTING VOTES.
SO I HAVE A QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FIDELITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, WHY MOVE TO A MORE COMPLEX SYSTEM WHICH IS MORE EASILY MANIPULATED AND ONE WHICH THE PEOPLE DO NOT TRUST IF WE DON'T HAVE TO? AND WHO STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM THE USE OF THIS TECHNOLOGY? IN ORDER TO INSURE A SECURE AND VERIFIABLE PROCESS WE SHOULD IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: AS MENTIONED BY OTHERS: ONE, SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED BALLOTS BEGINNING WITH THE NUMBER 1 AS LAID OUT IN TEXAS ELECTION CODE SECTION 52. THAT SEEMS PRETTY SIMPLE BUT IT'S NOT BEING DOWN HERE IN HAYS COUNTY. 2 REQUIRE A JUDGE'S SIGNIFICANT ON THE BACK OF EACH BALLOT AS OUTLINED IN SECTION 62 OF TEXAS ELECTION CODE ALSO NOT BEING DONE IN HAYS AND 3 TO KEEP DOCUMENTATION MANAGEABLE, WE MUST GO BACK TO PRECINCT VOTING. SO MY LAST QUESTION IS THIS, IF AN AGENCY OR OFFICE IS TRULY INTERESTED IN UPHOLDING THE INTEGRITY AND SURETY OF OUR ELECTIONS WHY WOULD THEY NOT HOLD TO THE LEGISLATIVE PRACTICES AND STRAIGHT FORWARD METHODS? AS FOR THE HAYS COUNTY 2020 ELECTION I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST OUR ELECTION COMMISSION TO RETAIN ALL ELECTION RECORDS INDEFINITELY. SO THEY MAY BE THOROUGHLY REVIEWED AND INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP WE HAVE
MR. DEBBY ADAMS. >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I HAVE VOTED IN NEARLY EVERY SINGLE ELECTION SINCE THE TIME I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE HAPPY TO DO MY CIVIC DUTY BUT OVER THE YEARS I GREW DIS DISENFRANCHISED BECAUSE SOMETHING FELT OFF. VOTING DEPARTMENT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. POLITICIANS PROMISED A LOT BUT FRANKLY DID THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY PROMISED. TURNS OUT
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THERE IS A REASON SOMETHING HAS FELT OFF.WE DON'T HAVE ELECTIONS. WE'VE SELECTIONS. TO BELIEVE THAT'S NO FRAUD IN OUR ELECTIONS IS TO BE INCREDIBLY NAIVE OR WILLFULLY IGNORANT.
WITHOUT A DOUBT THE LARGEST SOURCE OF FRAUD COMES FROM THE VOTING MACHINES. WE'RE ALL TOLD THEY'RE SAFE AND SECURE BUT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. FRAUD HAPPENS EVERYDAY AND I HAVE NO DOUBT IF WE WERE TO TAKE A POLL IN THIS ROOM WE WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND ONE PERSON WHO HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED BY FRAUD WHETHER IT WAS CREDIT CARD FLAWED, MEDICAL RECORDS BREACHED OR ANY OF A MULTITUDE OF OTHER HACKING EVENTS.
I RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM T MOBILE ABOUT A BREACH THEY JUST DISCOVERED. I'VE NOT HAD SERVICE WITH T MOBILE FOR 6 YEARS. SO WHO KNOWS WHEN THAT BREACH ACTUALLY HAPPENED. EVERYTHING CAN AND WILL BE HAD. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME.
BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MACHINES WHISPERS AND PROMISES THAT THEY'RE SAFE AND SECURE DOES NOT MAKE IT SO. NOT EVERYONE WHO WHISPER IN YOUR EAR MEANS YOU WELL. THIS PAST WEEK WITH $25 WORTH OF PARTS A RESEARCHES HACKED INTO ELON MUSK'S STARTLING SATELLITE DISHES. SOMETHING FELT SO OFF TO ME ABOUT THE ELECTIONS I GOT INVOLVED AND I'VE SEEN FOR MYSELF THE FRAUD. WE'RE ALL CURRENTLY PAYING A VERY HARD PRICE. COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE BECERRA,ALL EACH TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. YOU HAVE A MORAL,ITH CAL AND LEGAL OBLIGATION TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY. TO THAT END I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU GET RID OF THESE MACHINES, USE SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED PAPER BALLOTS SIGNED BY A JUDGE, LIMIT ABSENTEE VOTING TO MILITARY OR DISABILITY AND DON'T EVEN LOOK AT FREE MONEY.
FREE MONEY IS NEVER FREE. THERE IS ALWAYS A STRING OR A CATCH INVOLVED. I'LL END WITH A QUOTE FROM JASON SNEED. FORMER SENIOR POLICY -- EXCUSE ME.
FORMERLY SENIOR POLICY ANALYST, CURRENTLY IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONEST ELECTIONS PROJECT.
HE SAID DEFENDING ELECTION INTEGRITY STARTS BY ACCEPTING THE FACT VOTER FRAUD HAPPENS, IT DOESN'T TAKE MILLIONS OF ILLEGAL VOTES. IN CLOSE ELECTIONS EVEN A SMALL HANDFUL WILL DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AND NEXT MR. DAVID LEMKE. >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTY, TO MUCH MORE THAN THE COUNTY. I DON'T KNOW HOW INTERACTIVE WE CAN BE, RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WERE BORN IN THE UNITED STATES? YOU DON'T HAVE TO RAISE YOUR HAND BUT I APPRECIATE --
>> ONE WAY COMMUNICATION, SORRY.
3 YEARS AGO I BECAME A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY.
I WAS ADOPTED AS A CITIZEN. THAT'S A TERM THEY LIKE TO USE. I WAS IN A CEREMONY WITH 50 OTHER NEW AMERICAN CITIZENS THAT DAY IN SAN ANTONIO AND WE ALL SWORE AND OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION WITH OUR LIVES SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY, NOT A LOT OF NATURAL BORN UNITED STATES CITIZENS HAVE HAD TO SWEAR THAT OATH BUT I BELIEVE Y'ALL HAVE.
ALL I'M HERE TO DO TODAY IS TO APPEAL TO YOU TO, TO REPRESENT ME AS A LONE SINGLE VOTER WHO VOTED IN ONE SINGLE FEDERAL ELECTION TO GIVE ME THE ASSURANCE SOMEHOW THAT MY VOTE MATTERS. AND THAT THE VOTES OF THOSE PEOPLE FROM 26 OTHER COUNTRIES THAT DAY IN SAN ANTONIO MATTER. THE GENTLEMAN NEXT TO ME WAS FROM HONDURAS AND HAD HE BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY 26 YEARS PRIORING TO GETTING HIS CITIZENSHIP AND SWEARING HIS OATH. HI BEEN HERE 23 YEARS FROM CANADA. I'VE FAMILY IN CANADA WHO HAVE HAVING THEIR RIGHTS STRIPPED AWAY AS WE SPEAK. MY MOTHER JUST BELIEVES TO GO ALONG IS TO GET ALONG AND TO GET ALONG IS TO GO ALONG. SHE IS NOT FREE LIKE I AM FREE IN THIS WONDERFUL STATE OF TEXAS AND THIS PRECIOUS COUNTY OF HAYS COUNTY. I JUST, AGAIN WANT TO APPEAL TO YOU TO UPHOLD THE OATH THAT YOU SWORE TO UPHOLD.
THE ONLY WAY I CAN DO IT, I'M TOO OLD TO GO IN THE MILITARY. THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS SAY I'M COUNTING ON YOU. I HEARD ALL THE STATEMENTS TODAY. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY. NOT AT ALL. ATTACKS, WITHOUT DRESS, WITHOUT LACK OF SLEEP AS AM I SOMETIMES. I WANT TO SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM AND HOW OMINOUS AND SUCH A BURDEN IT WOULD BE TO BE ELECTED TO A POSITION WHERE YOU REPRESENT
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THE PEOPLE. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND APPEAL TO YOU FOR YOUR, THAT YOUR SERVICE CONTINUES AND IS HONEST AND TRUE TO THIS INCREDIBLE COUNTRY. AND TO THIS STATE AND TO THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT UP MR. DAN LYON. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE PRESENT AND EVERYONE IN CYBERLAND TO GOOGLE HAYS COUNTY FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY. A YEAR AGO THE OFFICIAL DEBT ON THIS WEBSITE STOOD AT OVER $502 MILLION, YESTERDAY IRGOOGLED THE SAME WEBSITE AND THE COUNTY IS NOW $542,550,000 IN DEBT. A DIFFERENCE OF $40 MILLION. DURING THAT TIME I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER SHELL AND SMITH SAID THAT, QUOTE, GROWTH PAYS FOR ITSELF, UNQUOTE. TELL ME, COMMISSIONERS, WHEN DOES THAT START TO KICK IN? OUR DEBT IS UP TO $2,147 FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN THE COUNTY. THAT IS $252, 646 TIMES 2147. FACT IS THAT GROWTH IS NOT PAYING FOR ITSELF. WE'RE PAYING FOR IT MORE AND MORE EVERY YEAR WHILE WE SINK EVERY DEEPER IN DEBT.
IT HAS BECOME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THE COURT IS EITHER UNWILLING, UNABLE OR BOTH TO BALANCE A BUDGET.
IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO STEP DOWN AND GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE. LET'S GO OVER SOME OF THIS YEAR'S EXPENSES IN THE BUDGET OFFICE'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET. NUMBER ONE, COMPLETE REMODEL OF COUNTY CLERK'S DEPARTMENT AREA. $58,330. CONSTRUCT NEW OFFICED A JACOBS WELL $60,000.
EXPAND/REMODEL COUNTY CLERK AVENUE AT PRECINCT 3, $8,000. STRIP,/WAX FLOOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES $2560.
STRIP,/WAX FLOOR OF GOVERNMENT CENTER $8,000.
STRIP,/WAX FLOOR OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT, $1440. STRIP SLASH WAX FLOOR OF PRECINCT 2, $1600. SAME THING PRECINCT 5, $320. TEXAS OFFICE QUAD LUBEY COUNTY WE NEED TO BUILD TWO NEW OFFICE SPACES AND FULLY FURNISH $5200. HERE IS MY FAVORITE. GENERAL SERVICES NOT R. H.
C. SPECIFIC. $60,000. ALL ARE GOING TO CHARGE US $60,000 AND NOT EVEN TELL US WHAT IT'S FOR. THAT'S VERY TYPICAL OF WHAT IS BEING DONE IN THIS COUNTY.
IT HAS TO STOP. WE'RE IN TROUBLE. WE'RE SINKING FAST. RECESSION IS HITTING.
INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP. THINGS ARE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE FROM HERE ON OUT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR. DAN LYON. OUR LAST SPEAKER IN THIS PORTION OF COURT TODAY IS MS. AMY CAMP.
>> GOOD MORNING. >> LAST NAME.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: K-A-M-P. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE BECERRA, I'M HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MONOAMIGGA, CRIMINAL JUSTICE EMIGRATION REFORM NONPROFIT HERE IN SAN MARCOS. I'M HERE TO TALK TOALL ABOUT SOME COMPLAINTS WE RECEIVED ABOUT MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE HAYS COUNTY JAIL.
I'VE BEEN AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR WITH MONOAMIGO SINCE MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN THE HAYS COUNTY JAIL HAVE MADE ABOUT CONDITIONS THERE. I'M VERY CONCERNED SOME OF THE PEOPLE INCARCERATED PRE-TRIAL WHICH MEANS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN CONVICTED OF CRIMES THEY'VE BEEN CHARGED WITH. THEY SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD THEIR BOND WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ILL ARE NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE THE SERVICES THEY NEED FOR THEIR MEDICAL CONDITIONS INSIDE THE JAIL, THIS IS NOT TO MALLINE ANYBODY WHO WORKS AT THE JAIL OR OFFERS MEDICAL SERVICES AT THE JAIL BUT MOST OF US KNOW WHEN WE HAVE A CHRONIC OR SEVERE ILLNESS IT CAN BE VERY HARD TO GET THE CARE WE NEED. EVEN OUTSIDE. AND I THINK THAT OR I WOULD ASK Y'ALL TO FIRST INVESTIGATE THESE CLAIMS. WE'VE INSTRUCTED THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MAKING THESE CLAIMS TO HAVE THEIR LOVED ONES REACH OUT TO Y'ALL DIRECTLY AND I BELIEVE THAT Y'ALL HAVE RECEIVED SOME E-MAILS ABOUT THIS, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED THOSE E-MAILS Y'ALL ARE FREE TO CONTACT ME ABOUT IT. BUT I WOULD LIKE Y'ALL TO FIRST OF
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ALL INVESTIGATE THESE CLAIMS IF POSSIBLE, DETERMINE THEIR VERACITY AND THEN WORK WITH THE REST OF THE HOW MANY TIMESY GOVERNMENT TO SEE IF THERE IS A -- HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY THAT WE CAN OFFER LOWER BONDS OR. R. BONDS TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEVERE OR CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHO MAY NOT BE GETTING THE CARE THEY NEED IN THE HAYS COUNTY JAIL.THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT CONCLUSION OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS PORTION.
[F1. Update by Charlie Campise on the Hill Country Mental Health Development DisabilitiesBoard Meeting. BECERRA]
NEXT IS PRESENTATION. WILL YOU PLEASE OPEN F. 1.>> F. 1 UPDATE BY CHARLIE CAMPISE ON THE HILL COUNTRY MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES BOARD MEETING.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY. I'M CHARLIE CAMPISE. I'VE BEEN IN HAYS COUNTY FOR 55 YEARS, FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS I'VE BEEN A WORKER, AN ELECTION JUDGE AT% ALL OF THE ELECTIONS THAT TOOK PLACE IN HAYS COUNTY.
WHEN I STARTED THERE WERE ONLY PAPER BALLOTS. BACK IN THOSE DAYS IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR AN ELECTION WORKER TO COMMIT FRAUD. THERE IS NO LONGER A POSSIBILITY THAT ANY ELECTION WORKER WILL COMMIT FRAUD.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: LOVE YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO STAY ON POINT WITH PRESENTATION ITEM.
>> OKAY. THE REPORT TODAY IS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ON AUGUST 23, 2022. REGARDING THE RECENT MEETING OF THE HILL COUNTRY MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AGENCY. MOST RECENT MEETING OF HILL COUNTRY WAS ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, MEETING WAS AT THE FIRST STATE BANK IN UVALUEDE, TEXAS.
THE MEETING BEGAN AT 10:08 AND A QUORUM WAS PRESENT OPINION THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING WERE ACCEPTED AS READ AND THERE WERE NO CITIZEN COMMENTS OFFERED THERE WAS A DISCUSSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN SET OUT FOR THIS COMING YEAR. THE PLAN IS 24 PAGES IN LENGTH AND I WILL LEAVE A COPY OF THE PLAN IN JUDGE ARE A -- JUDGE'S OFFICE. I LIKE -- [INAUDIBLE] ALL SERVICES IN ADOPTIVE PROGRAMS WILL BE CLIENT CENTERED. A SATISFACTION SURVEY SHOWS THAT MORE THAN 85% OF CLIENTS ARE TOTALLY PLEASED WITH THE OFFERINGS OF THE AGENCY. THIS AGENCY BEGAN IN 1997 WHEN THE STATE LEGISLATURE TERMINATED TEXAS M. H. M. R.
THE AGENCY SERVES 19 COUNTIES. THE POPULATION OF OUR CATCHMENT AREA IS GREATER THAN 766,000. OF THESE, APPROXIMATELY 272,000 CITIZENS ARE FROM HAYS
COUNTY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: CHARLIE, I WAS WAITING FOR YOUR SENTENCE TO END. WHEN YOU USE LETTERS MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW WHOA M. H. M. R.
>> TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH AND MENDAL RETARDATION, THE POPULATION OF THE CATCHMENT AREA IS GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS EVERYDAY. OUR AGENCY OPERATES 45 LOCATIONS OF SERVICE IN THE 19 COUNTIES.
THE AREA OF THE SERVICE IS 22,593 SQUARE MILES.
OUR AGENCY IS NOW A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER. THE AGENCY RECEIVED A SCORE OF 97% ON THE COMPLIANCE SCALE. OF THE 35 MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, OUR AGENCY IS NUMBER TWO ON THE LIST.
THIS ENTITLES US, THIS RANKING AND CERTIFICATION TO ANY AND ALL FORMS OF GOVERNMENT GRANTS.
A SURVEY IDENTIFIED OUR GREATEST NEEDS AND THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS IN RANK ORDER NUMBER ONE, COUNSELING, NUMBER 2, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES AND TRANSPORTATION, 3, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AND MEDICATION, AND FOUR, COMMUNICATION EDUCATION, 5 AND FINALLY FAMILY PARTNERING.
A TARGETED GEM FOR THE AGENCY IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF OUR OPERATIONS. RESPONDENTS TO THE SURVEY REPLIED TO THE QUESTION, HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH OUR HOURS OF? THE SCORE WAS 3.94 OUT OF 5.
RESPONDENTS TO THE SURVEY REPLIED ALSO TO THE QUESTION, OVERALL HOW WOULD YOU RATE HILL COUNTRY MENTAL
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HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES? THE SCORE WAS 3.70 OUT OF 5. NEXT THERE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE GOVERNOR AND STATE LEGISLATURES HAVE APPROVED $5 MILLION FOR A STATEWIDE AGENCY ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.IN OUR AREA, THE MEADOWS INSTITUTE WITH WHOM HAYS COUNTY IS ALREADY CONTRACTED FOR AN ASSESSMENT WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $590 -- $595,000 TO CONDUCT THE ASSESSMENT IN 32 COUNT EASE FROM MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY CENTERS INCLUDING HILL COUNTRY, CAMINO REAL AND BORDER REGION.
THIS MEANS ALL OF THE COUNTIES FROM ABOUT 200 MILES SOUTH OF EL PASO ALL THE WAY TO BROWNSVILLE.
THIS IS THE COMPANY OF COURSE WHICH IS DOING AN ASSESSMENT OF HAYS COUNTY. I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT HAYS COUNTY MIGHT REQUEST A REFUND OF THE DOLLARS THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY SPENT WITH THE MEADOWS INSTITUTE.
IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE GETTING PAID TWICE BECAUSE HUNTY IS INCLUDED IN THE FUNDS FOR THE NEW ASSESSMENT. THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE AT THE AGENCY IS LOSS OF PERSONNEL AT ALL LEVELS.
IT'S PROPOSED BY THE EXECUTIVES OF OUR AGENCY THAT THERE BE AN EXPENDITURE OF $3 MILLION WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN THE BUDGET FOR USE CURRENTLY FOR AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO AID EMPLOYEES AT ALL LEVELS WITH FINANCIAL PACKAGES. IT'S OF NOTE THAT WE'RE ABOUT 30% SHORT OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT WE NEED.
BUDGET HIGH LIGHTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE AGENCY NEEDS AN ADDED $3 MILLION TO PAY FOR AN ADDED CAPACITY OF SERVICES. I MENTIONED THAT THE AREAS GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS. EVERY CLINIC WE HAVE IS TAXED, EVERYDAY.
SOUL RESUME INCREASE TO A MINIMUM OF $15 AN HOUR FOR HOURLY WORKERS. THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE COST OF THE NEW LEVEL WILL BE FOR $425 EMPLOYEES AND COSTS FROM $1,300,000 TO $2,800,000. THE PLAN IS $1,900,000 WILL BE DIVERTED FROM WHAT WE CALL THE UNASSIGNED CATEGORY TO COVER THE COST JUST MENTIONED. THE GOOD NEWS, THERE IS A SAVINGS. THE AGENCY IS SAVING $200,000 BY NOT EMPLOYING AN IN HOUSE COUNCIL AND ANOTHER $70,000 BY NOT EMPLOYING A COMPLIANCE OFFICER.
NEXT THE BOARD APPROVED A FINANCIAL PACKAGE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE WHO IS AT THE DIRECTOR LEVEL.
THIS IS SO THAT WE DON'T LOSE THE DIRECTORS WHO CURRENTLY ARE EMPLOYED. THIS IS AT A RETIREMENT PLAN. IT WILL AFFECT 16 PEOPLE. THE PLAN GOES INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. IT'LL COST $155,000 PER YEAR. THE PLAN IS CALLED A 4, 5, 7 F. PLAN. EACH QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE IS VESTED AT 5 YEARS.
THEY MAY NOT ACCESS THE FUNDS BEFORE REACHING 10 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT UNLESS THEIR RETIREMENT DATE OCCURS FIRST. THOSE WHO LEAVE THE AGENCY BEFORE 10 YEARS HAVE PASSED, WILL FORFEIT THIS BENEFIT.
THE UVALUEDE RESPONSE WAS NEXT ON THE DISCUSSION IN OUR MEETINGS. THE SCUTTIVES SET A PLAN OF RESPONSE INTO MOTION WITHIN ONE HOUR OF HEARING OF THE MASSACRE AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN UVADLE. A TEAM OF LEADERS AND 12 THERAPISTS COUNSELORS WERE IN UVALDE BY THE CLOSE OF THE FOLLOWING DAY.
>> A COMMAND SETTER WAS -- CENTER WAS SET UP TWO BLOCKS FROM WHERE THE MASSACRE OCCURRED. THAT WAS IN THE ONLY FUNERAL HOME IN THE AREA.
AN 800 TELEPHONE HOTLINE% WAS SET UP FOR CITIZENS OF UVALDE AND FOR POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS.
THE STAFF WERE AVAILABLE AROUND THE CLOCK. THEY WERE THERE TO ANSWER NEEDS, ANY TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT FROM
[00:35:01]
ANYONE WHO CALLED. THE STAFF OBSERVED UNFORTUNATELY THAT THE LOCAL POLITICIANS AND OTHER POLITICIANS WERE CONDUCTING FIGHTS TO GET THEIR SHARE OF FUNDS COMING AVAILABLE IN RESPONSE TO THIS CRISIS.AND THE HOPE WILL BE THAT THIS WILL RECEIVE SOME NOTORIETY AND NOT OCCUR AGAIN IN THE EVENT OF ANOTHER MASSACRE. THERE WERE TOO MANY DEMANDS HAPPENING FOR STAFF TO RESPOND TO ALL OF THEM.
SO WE COULDN'T GET ALL THE WORK DONE THAT WAS NEEDED BY THE 12 COUNSELOR THERAPISTS AND THOSE AVAILABLE TO DO OTHER TASKS. IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE LATEST FORM OF HELP IS A LEGISLATIVE DECISION STATEWIDE WHICH GIVES A $5 MILLION GRANT TO THE PEOPLE OF UVALDE. IT IS ALSO OF NOTE THAT NONE OF THIS MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS OF UVALDE TO RECOVER FROM THEIR LOSS OF PERSONAL INCOME WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THEIR SITUATIONS OF BEING IN EXTREME TRAUMA AFTER LOSING A FAMILY MEMBER IN THE ROBB ELEMENTARY SHOOTINGS. THE GRANT MONEY HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR LONG RANGE ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF UVALDE BUT NOT COMMITTED TO THEIR CURRENT PERSONNEL RECOVERY FROM TRAUMA. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE LEADERS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS ARE STILL SOMEWHAT OPPOSED TO HELPING THE UNFORTUNATE WHO ARE UNABLE TO GO TO WORK.
IT FEELS LIKE THE RESPONSE CONTAINS A DIRECTIVE TO EACH PERSON IN TRAUMA WHY DON'T YOU GET A JOB? THERE IS A BIG TENT ERECTED IN THE CENTER OF RAW ACREAGE IN THE CITY LIMITS. THAT HOUSES THE NEW FUNDED CERTAINLY -- CENTER. THEY'LL EVENTUALLY MOVE INTO A BUILDING AND INCUR LEASE FEES. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ADJOURN AT 11:52 AM. I WISH TO MAKE NOTE THAT AFTER THE MEETING, I VISITED THE SITE OF THE MASSACRE AT ROBB ELEMENTARY AFTER I LEFT THE MEETING. I SAW AT THE SITE NUMEROUS FLOWERS, PHOTOS, TEDDY BEARS AND OTHER TOYS.
CROSSES WITH THE NAMES OF VICTIMS AND OTHER PEOPLE VISITING, TAKING PHOTOS. IT WAS A VISIT FILLED WITH SADNESS FOR ME. NEXT I WENT AROUND THE CORNER TO VISIT OUR CLINIC. THE CLINIC RUN BY HILL COUNTRY.
LESS THAN 250 YARDS FROM THE SITE OF THE MASSACRE. I SPOKE WITH BLANCA WHO IS THE DIRECTOR AND WHO HAS WORKED AT THE CENTER FOR THE PAST 19 YEARS.
SHE SHARED A FEW THINGS WITH ME. SHE SHARED SHE AND HER EMPLOYEES HEARD EVERY ONE OF THE SHOTS FIRED IN THE SCHOOL. SHE OFFERED ALSO THAT THE MONTHLY CASE LOAD AT THE CLINIC HAS INCREASED FROM 40 O PEOPLE TO OVER 600 PEOPLE. THAT IS IN THE SMALL TOWN OF UVALDE, FOR HER THIS YEAR HAS BEEN THE MOST TAXING.
SHE SHARED AS WELL THAT THE LITTLE TOWN OF HONDO, 15 MILES AWAY HAS BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF RUNNING A RAFFLE OF AN A.R.15. THAT WAS THE WEAPON OF CHOICE OF THE PERPETRATOR OF THE UVALDE MASSACRE. AS MENTIONED BEFORE, SOME MEANT -- MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS, PARTICULARLY SUICIDE ARE AT EPIDEMIC LEVEL. I KNOW JESS ARE A -- JUST ARE A -- JUDGE BESS REMARKS YOU ARE SETTING UP A PLAN WHEREBY THE COUNT LE USE $10 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDS TO CREATE A MENTAL HOSPITAL HERE IN THE COUNTY.
I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THAT. THE SITUATION IS NOT IMPROVING.
THE SITUATION IS BECOMING MORE TAXING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, MR. CAMPISE FOR THE VERY THOROUGH REPORT THAT YOU GAVE US EVERY MONTH AND IT IS VERY USEFUL.
I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU REMINDING US ALL THAT FROM EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT HERE IN OUR STATE, FROM THE GOVERNOR ON DOWN, EVERYONE SAYS MENTAL HEALTH IS ABSOLUTELY FRONT AND CENTER AS TO A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY. COVID BROUGHT THE SUICIDE NUMBERS TO LIGHT. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE IN HUGE NEED IN OUR COUNTY, AND I KNOW THAT OF THE
[00:40:02]
FOOTPRINT THAT WE'RE A PART OF THE MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY ORGANIZATION, WE CAPTURE, WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE THAT HAYS COUNTY CAPTURES OFTHEIR EFFORT? >> HAYS COUNTY SUCKS UP ABOUT 60 TO 65% OF THE MONTHLY EXPENDITURES OF HILL COUNTRY MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE CAPTURE MORE THAN 60% OF THAT .
>> $44 MILLION BUDGET. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IT'S LONG OVERDUE THAT HAYS COUNTY HELP PULL OUR OWN WEIGHT. I KNOW THE GOVERNOR ON DOWN EVERYONE SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND KNOW WE RECEIVED ALMOST $45 MILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDS. THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING COURT MEMBERS TO HELP ME TO SEE BECAUSE IT WON'T BE ALL THE MONEY WE NEED TO SEED THE BUILDING OF A MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL FOR HAYS COUNTY. THE $10 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDS WOULD BE TO HELP SEED IT THEN WE MOVE FORWARD WITH CAPTURING THE REST OF IT AFTER ALL THE ASSESSMENTS ARE COMPLETED.
COMMISSIONER INS GALLONSBY. >> I APPRECIATE THE THOROUGH REPORT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.
>> NO, APPRECIATE. I HAD A NEPHEW THAT'S IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT HE IS A COUNSELOR AND HE SPENT OVER A MONTH IN UVALDAE, HE SAID IT WAS REALLY TOUGH.
>> YEAH, I WANT TO SAY, CHARLIE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I KNOW THAT WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE ROTARY YEARS AGO BEFORE I EVER HAD THIS JOB OR THOUGHT I WOULD WANT IT AND YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT.
AGENDA TO DISCUSS IT UNDER THIS ITEM. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A DIRECT COMMITMENT BY COMMISSIONER JONES AND MYSELF OF REACHING OUT TO EACH INDIVIDUAL AGENCY THAT TRY TO REMOVE THE STOVE PIPES THEY HAVE. WE'VE INDIVIDUAL PARTS OF OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT DO GREAT WORK THAT DON'T KNOW AND ARE UNAWARE OF THE WORK THAT OTHER FOLKS WITHIN OUR COUNTRY DOING AND CREATING MORE OF A NETWORK FOR THEM TO WORK UNDER IS A PRIORITY THAT I KNOW WE'VE ADDRESSED AND WE'VE ACTUALLY HOSTED A MEETING OF THOSE FOLKS HERE. AGAIN THERE'S A STANDING AGENDA ITEM ON COVID AND OTHER FUNDING. I WOULD JUST HOPE, JUDGE, IF YOU WANTED TO PROPOSE SOMETHING LIKE THAT YOU WOULD DO IT IN THAT. THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU FOR THE RECAP, MR. CAMPISE, ALL VERY THOROUGH AND WE VALUE YOUR
[F2. Presentation by Doucet and Associates, Inc. and Langford Community ManagementServices regarding the Vision Zero Program. JONES]
TIME REPRESENTING HUNTY IN THIS WAY.>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE
OPEN AGENDA ITEM F. 2. >> F. 2 PRESENTATION BY DOUCETTE AND ASSOCIATES INC. AND LANGFORD COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES REGARDING THE VISION ZERO
PROGRAM. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I'M JOHN DOUCETTE. I'M WITH DOUCETTE AND ASSOCIATES AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF PRESENTATION ABOUT THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS PROGRAM.
SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL IS FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT IS, HAS CREATED A FUND AND I'LL LET JUDY TELL YOU MORE ABOUT THAT BUT THE FUNDING SUPPORTS LOCAL INITIATIVES TO PREVENT DEATH AND SERVICE INJURY ON ROADS AND STREETS.
COMMONLY WHEN THEY'RE REARING TO IS TOWARDS ZERO DEATHS AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY ENTITIES LIKE HAYS COUNTY ARE ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND A PLAN THAT WOULD FUND IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADWAYS, STREETS, PEDESTRIAN NETWORKS, BIKE LANES, ANYTHING THAT IS TRANSPORTATION ORIENTED THAT WOULD HELP PREVENT DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES ON THE HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. DO YOU WANT TO TELL THEM MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AS FAR AS FUNDING GOES?
>> THANK YOU, JOHN, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US COME AND SPEAK TO YOU THIS MORNING.
THE SAFE ROUTES FOR ALL IS A NEW INITIATIVE THAT CAME THROUGH THE BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT IS ALLOWING FOR $5 BILLION AT A NATIONWIDE LEVEL TO HELP WITH MAKING STREETS AND ROADS SAFE FOR EVERYONE.
THE WAY THE PROM IS GOING TO WORK IS THAT THE, IT'S OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD. THERE IS $1 BILLION PER YEAR. THE THIRST BILLION DOLLAR IS DUE SEPTEMBER 15.
THAT'S NO WHAT WE'RE HERE TO TALK TO THE COURT ABOUT TODAY BECAUSE IT'S A SHORT TIMELINE BUT MUCH OF THE FUNDING WILL GO TO ACTION PLANS THAT WILL TAKE 12 MONTHS TO 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE WHICH WILL NOT OCCUR PRIOR TO THE NEXT ROUND OF FUNDING WRITE WILL BE SIMILARLY TIMED IN ABOUT SEPTEMBER OF NEXT YEAR. SO POTENTIALLY THE COURT WOULD LOOK AT FUNDING OR DEGREING TO DO AN ACTION PLAN, A ZERO DEATHS ACTION PLAN THAT
[00:45:05]
WOULD PUT THE COUNTY INTO A BETTER POSITION FOR FUNDING AN IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT NEXT YEAR OR PUTTING IN AN APPLICATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT.A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT IS THE IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS WILL HAVE A MINIMUM AWARD OF $5 MILLION AND AND A MAXIMUM OF $30 MILLION PER APPLICATION. AND THAT WITH A MULTIJURISDICTIONAL IF THE COUNTY WORKED WITH ANY OF THE CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY IT'S POTENTIALLY UP TO A $50 MILLION GRANT APPLICATION, IT'S A 20, 80, 20% MATCH TO AN 80% GRANT. WHAT IS BEFORE COURT TODAY WOULD BE TO START WITH THE ACTION PLAN, SAFETY PLAN. MOST CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS DON'T HAVE ONE. A ZERO VISION PLAN, AUSTIN DOES BUT THEY ARE ONE OF THE FEW THAT DOES. THAT'S A REQUIREMENT TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION GRANT. AND LET'S SEE. ALL WORK WILL BE PROPOSED WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 5 YEARS OF A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION IF FUNDED WITH A GRANT AND THE, THIS IS A STRATEGIC PROCESS FOR THE COUNTY TO GO FORWARD WITH THE ACTION PLAN NOW SO YOU ARE READY AND, READY TO SUBMIT A PROJECT FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE GRANT CYCLE FOR SEPTEMBER OF 2023.
I WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA:FUL' TELL YOU I'VE BEEN ON EVERY BOARD AND COMMISSION IN THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS EXPECT THE CEMETERY OF COURSE AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY GREAT STRIDES IN PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEDESTRIANS. WITH THE RAILROADS, THE WAY, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS BUT THEY'VE GONE THROUGH -- IT WAS ELABORATE BUT IT'S USEFUL WALKING TOWARDS THE TRACKS, WALKING BACK SO YOU WITH BE FORCED IN THE MAZE WALK TO SEE THE TRACKS, THERE IS IS GREAT VALUE IN PROTECTING OUR CITIZENRY WHETHER THEY'RE STROLLING, CYCLING, SCOOTERRING, WHATEVER. SO I'M GRATEFUL THAT OUR COMMISSIONER PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA BECAUS IT'S ABSOLUTELY MOST UNIVERSALLY BENEFICIAL FOR ALL OF US AND OF COURSE WE'LL FIND SOMEONE TO POLITIZE IT.
>> APPRECIATE THAT. THIS IS -- IN IS ABOUT $5 TO $6 BILLION THEY ALLOCATED TO THE BUMP INFRASTRUCTURE BILL. I REPRESENT THE COUNTY ON, I THINK 3 OR 4 TRANSPORTATION REGIONAL BOARDS BUT ONE EVER THEM WAS THE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST MONTH. THIS WAS BETWEEN US SO WE, BESIDES CITY PARTNERS TO ENHANCE OUR CHANCES, WORKING WITH CALDWELL COUNTY OR ANY EVER THE OTHER COUNTIES ENHANCES OUR CHANCES, BY HAVING THE PLAN IN IS EQUIVALENT TO HAVING A SHOVEL READY PROGRAMMING ARE PROJECT WHEN THE FEDERAL FUNDS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING TO DO -- LIKE I SAID, OTHER THAN AULTIN I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE IN THE REGION HAS A PLAN YET.
AFTER WE DO THIS THEY MAY TRY TO CATCH UP. WE HAVE USUALLY BEEN THE LEADERS IN THIS AREA ANYWAY. SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD WAY FOR THE COUNTY BEFORE THE FUNDS ARE OUT THERE. THEY'RE GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE.
THIS GIVES US THE BEST CHANCE. WE'VE SEVERAL PROJECTS THAT WOULD QUALIFY, 1826, 21,YOU KNOW, 150, THE WINDY HILL, ANY -- [INAUDIBLE]
>> YES, THERE IS JUST SO MANY PLACES THIS WOULD BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT ON. SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE BRINGING
THIS FORWARD. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I SAY BRAVO, COMMISSIONERS, IT'S A BONOIFIED, I DON'T WANT TO SOUND RUDE BUT A BONA FIDA LEVEL SO I'M GRATEFUL THIS IS BEFORE US. I'LL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO SUPPORT THE COMMISSIONER ON THIS FRONT --
>> AGAIN, WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE CONGRESS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE MEANT.
COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONERS INGALLS.
>> ARE THE FUND GOING TO BE GIVEN TO --
>> THEY CAN BE GIVEN TO THE CITY, CAMPO, ANY COUNTY.
CAMPO WILL BE GOING AFTER THESE ALSO. THROUGH CAMPO WE'LL BE WORKING TO GET FUNDING FROM HAYS COUNTY --
>> AN ENTITY LIKE HAYS COUNTY CAN SUBMIT BUT IF THEY CAN ALSO GO TOGETHER AS A GROUP --
>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE HAD A LONG DISCUSSION WITH CAMPO A FEW WEEKS AGO. CAMPO IS MOVING FORWARD WITH AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE REGION BUT THAT PROBABLY WILL NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND A HALF, MAYBE 2. SO BY THE COUNTY TAKING ON DOING THE ACTION PLAN ITSELF NOW OR IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, YOU PUT YOURSELF STRATICALLY AHEAD OF EVEN THE FOLKS IN CENTRAL
[00:50:03]
TEXAS. >> I KNOW WE HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM TO ADDRESS THIS BUT I KNOW THERE IS NOT -- DO WE
KNOW THE AMOUNT? >> GOING TO BE NEGOTIATED.
>> OKAY. >> THE TWO STEP PROCESS, COMMISSIONER FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, THIS IS ITEM J. 3 FOR SELECTION AND THEN THERE WILL BE A
CONTRACT THAT COMES BACK. >> OTHER ENGINEERS FIRMS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> THANK YOU, I WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR COMMISSIONER JONES BRINGING THIS FORWARD. WHENEVER ARPA PASS AND WE SAW SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WAS OUT THERE THAT CAME LATER, THERE IS POTS WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY IMMEDIATELY, BUT AS THEY BECOME PRESENT, I JUST KNOW SOME OF THESE ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE AVAILABLE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH CAMPO.
AND APPRECIATE YOU USING YOUR POSITION ON CAMPO TO TRY TO HELP HAYS COUNTY. WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET. BUT THAT BEING THE CASE, THERE'S A UP COULDLE OF ROADWAYS THAT I KNOW I'VE DISCUSSED WITH CAMPO THAT I BELIEVE WOULD QUALIFY UNDER THIS AS WELL. I KNOW I MENTIONED THEM TO JOHN BUT DARDEN HILL ROAD, SAWYER RANCH ROAD, SOME THOSE WE HAVE HAD' HAD REAL ISSUES WITH FATALITIES ON BECAUSE WE'RE OUTPACING, OUR GROWTH IS JOUST PACING THE OVER-- OUTPACING THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE ROADWAYS AND THE WHOLE PURPOSE THEY WERE DEVELOPED FOR. IT WAS NEVER ANTICIPATED THEY WOULD SUSTAIN THE TRAFFIC THEY DO.
IT'S CATCHING UP WITH US, I'M GLAD TO SEE WE'RE DOING
IT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: EXACTLY REQUIREMENT YOU CAN TAKE HIGH ROAD, ANY ROAD WITH MASS POPULATION OF PEOPLE AND THERE ARE SUCH TWO NARROW TWO LANE WOODS, IT'S A GREAT MUCH NEEDED THING WE'RE DOING, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY. IF THERE IS
>> PLEASE -- WAIT. >> CAN WE -- JAY, DO YOU
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I GOT GESTURES OVER HERE BY MR. LYON, DID YOU SIGN UP FOR -- NOT YOU. THANK YOU.
DID YOU SIGN UP FOR F. 2? >> I SIGNED UP FOR THIS --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I HAVE YOU FOR J. 2 PLEASE OPEN G. 1
[CONSENT ITEMS]
THROUGH 6. >> G. 1, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. G. 2, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF JURY CHECKS. G. 3, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTHCARE CLAIMS. G. 4. APPROVE COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES OF JULY 5, 2022, AND JULY 19, 2022. G.
5. AUTHORIZE BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO REPLACEMENT CIRCUIT NUMBER 1 ON R. T. U.-12 AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER IN THE CLAMONT OF $10,520 .74 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. . G. 6 AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1 OFFICE TO SUPPORT RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARY IN THE SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR S. M.C. I. S.
D. STUDENTS AND STAFF. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SHELL G. 5 CIRCUIT ONE R. T. U. 12, THAT'S AN AIR-CONDITIONER CIRCUIT FOR THE VIEWING
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THROUGH 123 PLEASE. >> G-7 AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL FOR ISSUANCE OF TAX EXEMPT MULTIFAMILY HOUSING REVENUE BONDS FOR 1800 APARTMENTS LIMITED LOCATED IN SAN MARCOS, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS. 8 AMEND THE ELECTION CONTRACT FEE FUND OPERATING BUDGET FOR SHIPPING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE OF 40 ELECT VOTE CENTER CARTS FUNDED THROUGH THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT SECURITY GRANT. G. 9, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO CARD SERVICE CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $880 FOR PIZZA THAT WAS PURCHASED TO FEED FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AT THE STORM RIDER FIRE IN WHICH NO PURCHASE ORDER WAS ISSUED AS REQUIRED PER HAYS COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY. G. 10, AMEND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OPERATING BUDGET FOR NEEDED VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS IN WHICH INSURANCE PROCEEDS WERE RECEIVED.
G. 11, AUTHORIZE THE JAIL TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL 3 VESDA UNITS FOR THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM VALUED AT $27,7,000 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
G. 12, AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASING WAIVER TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY LICENSE AND WEIGHTS DIVISION TO PURCHASE 4 PATROL TOOL KIT BAGS FROM
[00:55:06]
BREACHING TECHNOLOGIES INNING.>> JUDGE BECERRA: I KNOW THAT G-8, G. 9 WAS TWO OPERATE PURCHASES OF PIZZA AND IT TURNED OUT THE WAY THE CYCLE WORKS THAT IT NEEDED TO COME TO COURT BECAUSE ANYTHING $500 OR MORE NEEDS TO COME TO COURT BUT THEY WERE ACTUALLY TWO SEPARATE TRANSACTIONS SO
THAT IS WHY IT'S HERE. >> TO CLARIFY WHENEVER THE STORM RIDER FIRE HIT I CALLED MIKE AND SAID, WE HAD, I DON'T KNOW I THINK 36 UNITS OUT THERE WHO HADN'T ATEN SO I APPRECIATED THE EMERGENCY SERVICES STEPPING UP. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS NO PLACE IN DRIPPING SPRINGS THAT YOU CAN BUY ENOUGH PIZZAS AT ONE LOCATION TO PROVIDE FOR THAT ENTIRE THING SO DIRECTOR JONES WENT TO ONE LOCATION. I WENT TO ANOTHER. WE HAD TWO SEPARATE PURCHASES, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[J1. Discussion and possible action to create the Hays County Salary Grievance Committeefor the remainder of the fiscal year Pursuant to Chapter 152 of the Local GovernmentCode. BECERRA]
1. J. 1. >> HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING POSSIBLE ACTION TO ESTABLISH STOP AND YIELD LOCATIONS --
>> I'M SORRY. >> I'M NOT READING ALONG VERY WELL.
>> J. 1, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CREATE THE HAYS COUNTY SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 152 OF
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. >> SO MOVED.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU WANT TO PICK NAMES ALREADY?
>> GENTLEMEN, I THINK -- >> IF THIS IS ONE WE CAN DO TWO WAYS, PICK NAMES OR PUT ELECTED -- [INAUDIBLE]
>> THE SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE CAN BE FORMED WITH 6 ELECTED OFFICIALS PLUS THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NECESSARY TO FILL IT OUT, UP TO 9 ACTING.
>> RIGHT. >> THE OTHER WAY TO DO IT WOULD BE ALL PUBLIC MEMBERS, THE COURT HAS IN THE PAST DONE IT BOTH WAYS. FROM YEAR TO YEAR. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY ONE ANSWER. SOME OF THAT MIGHT BE BASED ON YOUR ASSESSMENTS OF THE AVAILABLE OF PUBLIC MEMBERS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I REMEMBER VERY CLEARLY THAT ASSESSMENT AVAILABILITY WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US.
>> VERY DIFFICULT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SO I
ENCOURAGE US TO -- >> WE ELEMENT DIDN'T MAKE IT EVEN WITH 2, 3 PULLING NAMES ADDING TO IT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I THINK WE --
>> WAS IT HARDER TO GET 9 CITIZENS OR SIX ELECTED?
>> THE ELECTED I'LL NAME THEM SO YOU CAN KNOW THE CONSTITUENCY IF YOU WENT THAT ROUTE WOULD BE THE SHERIFF, THE COUNTY OF TEXAS ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, COUNTY TREASURER, CLERK, DISTRICT CLERK AND THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY. THOSE ARE SIX MEMBERS. THEN YOU WOULD HAVE 3 OR MORE, MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE YOU DRAW NAMES FROM A HAT ESSENTIALLY OR --
>> SOMETHING ALONG THAT EQUIVALENT THEN REALLY I WOULD SUGGEST DRAWING PROBABLY A FEW DOZEN. A COUPLE OF DOZEN OR MORE NAMES BECAUSE YOU'LL GET SOME FOLKS WHO HAVE REGRETS AND CAN'T SERVE. YOU REALLY NEED MORE THAN 3 BECAUSE YOU NEED ALTERNATES TO SHOW UP EVEN IN THE EVENT THOSE FIRST MEMBERS DON'T SHOW UP OR IN THE EVENT THAT ONE OF THE ELECTED OFFICES MUST RECUSE BECAUSE OF A CONFLICT. MAYBE THEY COULD THEORETICALLY BE THE ONE GRIEVING THE SALARY IN WHICH
CASE THEY WOULD RECUSE. >> HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANYBODY THAT IS COMMITTED A GRIEVANCE.
>> NO, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SENT NOTICE YET. I BELIEVE -- SO THIS IS A VERY TIGHT WINDOW. WE MUST SEND, PUBLISH NOTICE OF THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS 10 OR MORE DAYS IN ADVANCE OF SETTING IT. THAT OPENS A WINDOW IN WHICH A GRIEVANCE COULD BE FILED. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE COMMITTEE FORMED IN ADVANCE OF THAT WE'RE USUALLY SCRAMBLING. WE'VE DONE IT BUT IT'S PAINFUL TO TRY TO SCRAMBLE AND GET PEOPLE TOGETHER THAT QUICKLY. SO TO GET IN FRONT OF IT A LITTLE BIT WE THOUGHT WE'D TRY TO ESTABLISH THE SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE THEN IF WE DON'T NEED THEM, GREAT.
IF WE DO NEED THEM GREAT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I SUGGEST
WE MAKE THEM ELECTED. >> THEN DRAW HOW MANY PUBLIC
[01:00:05]
-- >> EVEN WITH ONLY 3 NEEDED, ASSUMING ALL 6 OF THE ELECTED COULD SERVE I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO MAYBE 20, 24, I WOULD DO A COUPLE
OF DOZEN. >> THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, BASED ON LAST YEAR IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT.
>> IF WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT DRAWING, I MEAN THE
CLERK CAN DRAW THOSE. >> THAT'S CORRECT, WELL, THE
>> YEAH, THE, UNFORTUNATELY THE STATUTE SETS OUT VERY SPECIFICALLY HOW IT'S DONE AND IT HAS TO BE DONE HERE
IN COURT. SO WE HAVE TO -- >> ARE WE PREPARED TO DO
THAT TODAY? >> I BELIEVE SO. YES.
>> OKAY. >> PLUS AT LEAST 3 MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WE HAVE NAMES READY TO GO. I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO MOVE TO CREATING IT. BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE NAMES IN THE HOPPER AND THAT IS
GREAT. LET'S GO FOR IT. >> FOR THE RECORD THAT IS UNDER CHAPTER 152 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE FOR ANYONE WHO CARES TO HAVE SOME GOOD BED TIME READING.
SO. >> ONE NIGHT WHEN YOU CAN'T
SLEEP. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT WILL LULL YOU RIGHT TO SLEEP. [INAUDIBLE]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: CODE SAYS THE COUNTY JUDGE PULLED NAME. THIS HAS A SHARP EDGE. LET ME PICK THEM.
NO, I'LL PULL THEM ALL THEN READ THEM ALL FOR THE SAKE OF EFFICIENCY. HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT ME TO PULL?
>> DO YOU HAVE 24 IN THERE. 2, 3. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT -- [INAUDIBLE] TELL ME WHEN TO STOP.
>> FIRST NAME IS SERGE YEAH MA'AM DONATO, CRAIG LONG, MILL INKEMIC, KEMI, CLAYTON DESTEFANO, MITCHELL TUCK.
DORIS WAGNER. KIMBERLY SHELLY. BEVERLY FLOYD. DON ESCAV JUNIOR, OSCAR, RALPH RODRIGUEZ. SHARYLIAN MORELAND. DEBRA LANIKAS.
JERRY BUCHANAN. JASON PRESOSKA. JAMES SWALLOW.
VICTORIA GARCIA. [INAUDIBLE] GEORGE PETERSON. MONICA SWAN. [INAUDIBLE] TAYLOR SOLE. DENISE GADSON. JOSE GARZA. AND ERIN ROSS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: HANG ON TO THOSE, WE'LL KEEP THIS SEPARATE. SO IF YOUR NAME HAS BEEN CALLED YOU WILL BE RECEIVING FREE PIZZA. YOU WILL BE RECEIVING A BOTTLE OF WATER -- JUST KIDDING. OKAY. MR. KENNEDY, NEXT
STEPS? >> THE CLERK WILL CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WELL, I PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA TO ALSO GIVE A HEADS UP TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS BUT TO SEEK AVAILABLE OF THE OTHERS THE CLERK WILL REACH OUT TO THEM IN THAT ORDER AND ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE PLUS ALTERNATES, AND IF THE CLERK NEEDS MORE NAMES DRAWN BECAUSE WE CAN'T ESTABLISH IT, WE'LL BRING IT BACK NEXT
WEEK. >> WHAT DATES SHOULD WE BE PLANNING FOR? I KNOW THERE IS A TIGHT RANGE.
>> I THINK YOU COULD TELL THEM THAT IT WILL HAPPEN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, IF IT HAPPENS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: SO WE ALREADY HAVE A MOTION TO CREATE A SECOND. WITH THESE NAMES AS READ, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[J2. Discussion and possible action to award RFQ 2022-Q03 Engineering Services - RM 2325Sidewalk to Burgess & Niple, Inc. and authorize staff and General Counsel to negotiate acontract. SHELL/T.CRUMLEY]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. PLEASE OPEN J. 2.
>> J. 2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD R.
F. Q. 2022-Q. 03 ENGINEERING SERVICES R. M. 2325 SIDEWALK TO BURGESS AND NIPLE INC. AND AUTHORIZE STAFF AND
[01:05:04]
GENERAL COUNSEL TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT.>> JUDGE BECERRA: MR. DAN LYON HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
>> MY APOLOGIES TO THE COURT, JUDGE, I DID NOT MEAN
TO SIGN UP FOR THAT. >> JUDGE BECERRA:
COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, THIS PROJECT WE RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING FOR SO THIS IS THE OLD SAFE ROUTE SCHOOL PROGRAM SO THIS FIRM IF WE SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WOULD PERFORM ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THAT PROJECT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[J3. Discussion and possible action to approve the selection of Doucet & Associates, Incpursuant to RFQ 2021-Q01 Professional Engineering Services, regarding theimplementation of the Vision Zero Program, a national roadway program to create saferhighways, roads and streets; and authorize staff and counsel to negotiate acontract. JONES]
J. 3. >> J. 3 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF DOUCETTE AND ASSOCIATES INC. PURSUANT TO R. F. Q. 2021-Q. 01 PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES, REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VISION ZERO PROGRAM, A NATIONAL ROADWAY PROGRAM TO CREATE SAVER HIGHWAYS, ROADS, AND STREETS; AND AUTHORIZE STAFF AND COUNSEL TO NEGOTIATE A
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE MR. DAN LYON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE BESS ARE A -- I'M SURE THIS IS AN OVERSIGHT ON COMMISSIONER JONES PART BUT COMMISSIONER JONES RECEIVED A $1,000 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION FROM
AMY AND JONES -- >> I'LL MOVE -- THIS, ITEM WE TALKED ABOUT WE HAD THE PRESENTATION.
I THINK DOUCETTE AND LANGFORD HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH THE COUNTY. THEY KNOW IT WELL AND THEY DO THE ROADS WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE BEST SELECTION FOR THIS PROJECT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT WAS A MOTION?
>> YES. >> WE ALREADY HAD A MOTION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND I'M GOING THROUGH THE THOUGHT PROCESS OF ROADS PICKING HOW ARE WE GOING TO PICK ROADS?
>> THAT WILL COME TO THE COURT. THEY'LL MAKE SELECTION, GO THROUGH, MAKE PRESENTATIONS ON EACH ONE I GUESS LIKE THE ROAD DEPARTMENT DOES THEY'LL RANK THE ROAD DEPARTMENT RANKS OUR ROAD AND THEY'LL GO THROUGH AND SEE ONES BEST QUALIFY FOR THE GRANTS.
>> WE'LL ALSO-- >> JUDGE BECERRA: COULD WE GET MR. DOUCETTE TO APPROACH THE PODIUM? THIS IS A MAGNIFICENT PROJECT. WE ALL LOVE IT.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA:
COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> IS YOUR INTENT TO GET
WITH EACH COMMISSIONER -- >> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
>> TO TALK THROUGH. >> THAT'S RIGHT. THE PROCESS REQUIRES, AND THE VISION ZERO PLAN REQUIRES THAT WE HAVE A PUBLIC OUTREACH. THERE'S A ITEM WHERE WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY ANALYSIS.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE DEATHS, TRAFFIC REPORTS, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT AREAS WITHIN THE COUNTY WHERE THERE HAS BEEN ACCIDENTS AND THEN THERE'S AN EQUITY ELEMENT TO THE PLAN AS WELL SO WE'LL BE TALKING TO ALL COMMISSIONERS HAVING PUBLIC FORUMS, PUBLIC MEETINGS AND THEN THE PLAN WILL BE GENERATED FROM THAT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. SO I DON'T WANT TO POINT TO A SPECIFIC FOOTPRINT, BUT WE HAVE SOME REAL OPPORTUNITIES. SO I JUST HOPE YOUR PROCESS WILL
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. >> ALSO, JUDGE, JOHN, YOU WILL BE WORKING NOT ONLY WITH THE COMMISSIONERS WITHIN HAYS COUNTY BUT ALSO IF WE, YOU AND COMMISSIONER TERRY MAY WANT THE PROJECTS THAT YOU NEED TO BRING FORWARD ALSO -- ALL ALL BE WORKING WITH THOSE.
>> HAPPY TO DO THAT. >> THE OTHER THING THAT I FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THE PLAN.
I MENTIONED IN A CONVERSATION WE HAD EARLIER, SPECIFICALLY WAS THE FACT THAT THERE'S, THERE ARE SOME PRETTY DANGEROUS ROADS WITHIN MY PRECINCT THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY COUNTY ROADS.
THE ONES MENTIONED EARLIER BUT BUT WE'VE HAD SEVERAL DEATHS ON 1826. 967 INTERCHANGE AND IN FRONT OF RIM ROCK. THE ROADWAYS EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE ON THE STATE SYSTEM THE PLAN WOULD ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE AND REALLY WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AND USE 1826 AS AN EXAMPLE. I'M WORK BEING DIRECTLY WITH COMMISSIONER HORDE IN TRAVIS COUNTY.
THIS IS A WAY TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THE ISSUES AND GET
CROSS BORDER FUNDING FOR IT. >> I BELIEVE WE'LL BE LOOKING AT COUNT, CITY, STATE, ANY ROAD WE'LL BE
LOOKING AT. >> CORRECT. WE'LL START BY DOING AN ANALYSIS WHERE ALL THE TRAFFIC DEATHS OCCUR.
SO WE'LL RANK PROBABLY THOSE INTERSECTIONS, THOSE AREAS WHERE WE'VE HAD THE PROBLEMS. THEY'LL COME TO
[01:10:03]
THE TOP AND YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY REALLY FAMILIAR WITH WHERE THOSE ARE ALREADY SO WE'LL BE HAVINGCONVERSATIONS. >> THIS IS PART OF THE VISION 0. THIS IS,ED MAIN CRITERIA IS PREVENTION OF DISEASE ON THE HIGHWAYS SO THAT'S WHAT IS GOING TO -- THAT'S HOW THEY RANK THE PROJECT, WE'VE OTHER FUNDING FOR THE OTHER PROJECTS WE MENTIONED ALSO THAT MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS, BUT HOPEFULLY SOON CAMPO IS FICK ARE FIXES -- THEIR FIRST CALL SINCE WE FUNDED THE I-35 IMPROVEMENTS. SO THERE IS OTHER FUNDING AND WE'LL BE PURSUING THAT ALSO. BUT THIS IS ONE AVENUE TO GET
FUNDING INTO HAYS COUNTY. >> THE ON OR ABOUT THING I WOULD ASK IS WHETHER YOU DO THE PUBLIC OUTREACH, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE IF YOU WOULD MEET WITH US, BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHERE I FIND THE BIGGEST ISSUES ON ROADWAYS EVEN IF I DON'T FIND OUT ABOUT IT UNTIL AFTER IS BY HAVING JUST SIT-DOWN REAL HONEST CONVERSATION WITH OUR J. P.'S. OUR J. P.'S CAN EL IT YOU RIGHT NOW -- TELL YOU RIGHT NOW IF YOU SIT DOWN WITH J. P. BURNS FROM PRECINCT 4 HE WILL TELL YOU WHERE EVERY SINGLE DEATH HE HAD TO GO TO IS. THE SAME THING WITH, WITH MR. JUDGE CABLE DOWN IN WEMBLEY. JUDGE SMITH IN KILE, THEY ARE ON THE ROADS ALL THE TIME IN THE UNIVERSITY ROLE OF HAVING TO -- UNFORTUNATE ROLE OF HAVING TO PRONOUNCE DEATH. I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> THANK YOU, GREAT IDEA. >> JUDGE BECERRA: AS YOU FORMULATE MAPS AND START PUTTING THINGS OUT, I KNOW YOU'LL SEND MY OFFICE A VERSION OF IT. EVEN IF IT'S
-- STAY ABREAST OF IT ALL. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[J4. Discussion and possible action to authorize the purchase of computer equipment andmiscellaneous equipment utilizing state or local procurement; mobile radios utilizing adiscretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024(a)(7)(D)and amend the budget accordingly. SHELL/INGALSBE/DORSETT]
>> J. 4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND MOUSE EQUIPMENT UTILIZING STATE OR LOCAL PROCUREMENT, MOBILE RADIOS UTILIZING A INVESTIGATION ERR EXECS ELIMINATION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262.024 A. 7 D. AND AMENDMENT THE BUDGET
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ALL WRITTEN, ALL COVERED, ANYTHING MISSING THAT YOU
WANT TO ADD? >> I THINK WE TRY TO DO AT THE END THE BUDGET YEAR AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT
FISCAL -- >> THEY LOCKED DOWN THE PRICES FOR THIS YEAR SO THERE IS NOT A PRICE INCREASE SO IT'S SAVING US MONEY, ALSO.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[J5. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a MasterCooperative Purchasing Agreement between Hays County and the City of Austin for contracts procured through the Texas Interlocal Purchasing Cooperative. SHELL/VILLARREAL-ALONZO]
>> . >> 5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A MASTER COOPERATIVE PERFORMING AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR CONTRACTS PROCURED THROUGH THE TEXAS INTERLOCAL PURCHASING
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. M. 1, PLEASE.
[M1. Discussion and possible action related to the burn ban. BECERRA]
>> M. S. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO THE BURN BAN.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I KNOW WE'VE HAD SPOTTY RAIN AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR T. I KNOW THAT JUST NORTH OF US THEY HAD MUCH MORE RAIN. WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THAT BECAUSE IT HELPS WITH OUR AQUIFER RECHARGING BUT WASN'T DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RAIN, PLEASE EXPLAIN AND SHARE WHY THE
BURN BAN IS STILL IN PLACE. >> GOOD MORNING, MARK, HAYS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL. CURRENTLY HAYS COUNTY IS UNDER A BURN BAN. TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF RAIN AMOUNTS ACROSS THE COUNTY WHILE WE'RE FORTUNATE NAT TO RECEIVE THE RAIN NOT ALL THE COUNTY RECEIVED AN ABUNDANT AMOUNT OF ABE RAIN SO THE WINNER IS THE HEYS COUNTY FROM THE TRAVIS COUNTY LINE AT 2.48 INCHES, FROM THERE WE GO TO DRIFTWOOD AT 1.65. WEMBLEY RECEIVED 1. 26.
KYLE AT 1.18 INCHES THEN OUTSIDE SAN MARCOS AT THE AIRPORT JUST UNDER A QUARTER OF AN INCH. SO WHILE, YES, WE SAW MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RAIN FALL ON THE NEWS FROM THE METROPLEX RECEIVING OVER AND ABOVE 15 INCHES OF RAIN TO THE AUSTIN AREA RECEIVING CLOSE TO 10 INCHES OF RAIN WE'VE NOT RECEIVED AN AMOUNT THAT I FEEL COMFORTABLE LIFTING THE BURN BAN. I DID SPEAK WITH OTHER OFFICIALS.
CALDWELL COUNTY WAS CONSIDERING THEIR BURN BAN.
THEY RECEIVED LESS RAIN THAN WE DID YESTERDAY IN THE RAINFALL. AS A MATTER OF FACT THEIR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT'S WERE FIGHTING A FIRE AS THE FRONT WAS PUSHING THROUGH THE AREA.
BASTROP WAS FIGHTING LIGHTNING STRIKE WILD FIRES
[01:15:02]
IN THE PINE FOREST AS THE RAIN WAS FALLING UPON THEM.WE ARE FORECASTED FOR ADDITIONAL RAIN AMOUNTS THIS WEEK. WE HOPE THAT COMES THROUGH TO ADD TO THE NUMBERS WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED. SPEAKING WITH THE COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS THEY'D PREFER THAT THE BURN BAN REMAIN IN EFFECT TO BE REVISITED NEXT WEEK TO ALLOW AT LEAST FOR SOME GREENUP TO TAKE AFFECT. WITH THAT WE WE FIND MOTOR VEHICLES IF THE COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE CHOOSE WE REMAIN IN THE BURN BAN AT LEAST ONE MORE WEEK
TO ALLOW FOR GREEN UP AND -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'LL REMIND FOLKS NEVER KNOW IF IT'S 2 PEOPLE OR 2,000, NEVERTHELESS, THESE LOW WATER CROSSINGS ARE A UNIQUE PLACE WHERE ALL THIS ONE INCH, TWO INCH, FOUR INCHES OF RAIN WILL COME AND FUNNEL IN AND CAUSE SERIOUS TROUBLE. TWO INCHES WILL SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET AND VERY LITTLE MORE WILL SWEEP YOUR CAR OFF THE ROAD.
THESE ARE THE MOMENTS WHERE WE MUST REMEMBER THAT WE DON'T NEED TO RISK OUR LIVES FOR -- OR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS BECAUSE OF SOME SILLY INTEREST IN CROSSING A PATH AND IT'S BECAUSE IT'S INCONVENIENT.
THESE ARE THE MOMENTS WE OUR VIEWERS THAT BE SAFE.
WE'RE FLASH FLOOD ALLEY. IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH IN THE BLANCO TO KNOCK US OFF OUR FEET.
>> YES, SIR, JUDGE, WE MENTIONED THIS LAST WEEK BUT I'LL JUST SAY IT AGAIN. AS A REMINDER THE CURRENT BURN BAN IS DUE TO EXPIRE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER BUT WE DO NOT HAVE COMMISSIONERS' COURT THIS WEEK. SO IF WE DO TAKE ACTION, IF THE COURT DOES TAKE ACTION ON THIS IT WILL BE NEXT WEEK CONTINGENT UPON THE EXPIRATION AND NOT GETTING ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL OR WE DON'T NEED IT. WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORD THAT BUT WE'LL GET IT DONE FOR NEXT
WEEKS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY OF LETTING IT EXPIRE. IF WE NEED TO TURN IT ON WE CAN DO THAT ON AN EMERGENCY MODE.
>> YES, SIR. >> WE'RE VERY WELL LAYERED AS A GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENRI. THANK YOU, MARK AND THANK YOU, MARK PLEASE OPEN I., NO, YES,
[I1. Hold a public hearing with possible action to establish stop & yield locations in the RiverOaks of Wimberley subdivision as shown on map provided and described in the agendaitem summary. SHELL/BORCHERDING]
IT'S I. 1. >> I. 1 HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING WITH POSSIBLE ACTION TO ESTABLISH STOP AND YIELD LOCATIONS IN THE RIVER OAKS OF WEMBLEY SUBDIVISION AS SHOWN ON MAP PROVIDED AND DESCRIBED IN THE AGENDA ITEM
SUMMARY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M OPENING THIS AGENDA ITEM FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM? PUBLIC SAFETY. I LOVE T. I SEE NO MOVEMENT. I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF RIVER OAKS FOR SOMETIME NOW. I BELIEVE WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD LIST OF YIELD SIGNS. IF THERE IS NO FURTHER QUESTIONS I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE AS PROVIDED IN BACKUP.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I2. Discussion and possible action to accept the maintenance bond rider extension fromLockhart Excavation, LLC until January 14, 2023 for Heaton Hollowsubdivision: Maintenance bond #61BSBID3153 in the amount of$80,548.01. SHELL/BORCHERDING]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES, PLEASE OPEN I. 2.
>> I. 2 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE MAINTENANCE BOND RIDER EXTENSION FROM LOCKHART EXCAVATION L. L. C. UNTIL JANUARY 14, 2023 FOR HEATAN HOLLOW SUBDIVISION MAIN TEN AND BOND 61 B. S. B. I.D.
3153 IN THE AMOUNT OF 80,54801.
[I3. Discussion and possible action to consider the release of the maintenance bond#064819K in the amount of $130,086.89, and acceptance of the roads into the CountyRoad Maintenance System, with the exception of the areas specified in the attachedExtended Warranty exhibit and covered by a new 1-year maintenance bond #237702H inthe amount of $20,249.33 for Trails at Windy Hill subd., Phase1. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: ROTE ROTE. >> INTERPRETER: I. 3.
>> DISCUSSION AND IMPORTANTLY ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF THE MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER 064819 K. IN THE AMOUNT OF $130,086 PENALTY 89 AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROADS INTO THE COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEM, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AREAS SPECIFIED IN THE ATTACHED EXTENDED WARRANTEE EXHIBIT AND COVERED BY A NEW 1 YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER 237 7702 H. IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,249.33 PORTRAYALS AT WINDY HILL SUBDIVISION PHASE 1.
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE STAFF RECOMMENDS FOR THIS ITEM.
>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I4. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Fiscal Year WorkAuthorizations between Hays County and HNTB Corporation in the total amount of$2,500,238.00 to continue providing General Engineering Consultant (GEC)/ProgramManagement services for the Hays County 2016 Road Bond Program projects. JONES/BORCHERDING]
[01:20:05]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES, I. 4. >> I. 4. DISCUSSION AND IMPORTANTLY ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF FISCAL YEAR WORK AUTHORIZATIONS BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND HNTB CORPORATION IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF 2,500,238 TO CONTINUE PROVIDING GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE HAYS COUNTY 2016 ROAD BOND PROGRAM PROJECTS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE MR. DAN LYON SIGNED UP TO
SPEAK, YOU GOT 3 MINUTES. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE BECERRA.
FOR FULL DISCLOSURE HERE, MARK JONES AND SMITH HAVE BOTH RECEIVED $1700 APPEASE FROM HNTB HOLDINGS. ALL RIGHT. I'VE GOT THE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 11 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT I BELIEVE.
THAT IS ANOTHER WORD FOR CHANGE ORDERS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT. ANYWAY, WHEREAS THE NOT TO EXCEED FEE IN EXHIBIT 2 SECTION 1 AYE TEM 1, 1 IN THE AGREEMENT IS SET AT $250,000 AND WAS AMENDED TO $2,474,000 THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER ONE AND WAS AMENDED TO $2,509,000 THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 2 AND WAS AMENDED TO $3 MILLION,696,500 THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 3 AND WAS AMENDED TO $4,896,500 THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 4 RAND WAS AMENDED TO 5973,500 THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 5 AND WAS AMENDED TO 6 MILLION, NUMBER 6 AND WAS AMENDED --L- AND WAS AMENDED TO 7 MILLION,199,500. THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 8 AND WAS AMENDED TO 7,205491.30 THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 9 AND WAS AMENDED TO 7,542,292 AND 30 CURRENTS THROUGH SUPPLEMENTAL 10. QUICKLY HERE, WE'VE GOT THE EXHIBIT D. 2 FEE SCHEDULE HNTB RATES, PROGRAM MANAGER 412, THIS IS PER HOUR. PROJECT PRINCIPLE 412.
SENIOR PROJECT ADVISOR, $359, CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ADVISOR $347, PROJECT ADVISOR, $340. SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER $315, PROJECT MANAGER $270, DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER $235, SENIOR ENGINEER, 214, ENGINEER FIVE 187, ENGINEER 4, 166, ENGINEER 3, 1351,ENGINEER 2, 129, ENGINEER 1, 110. ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT MANAGER, 22. ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT MANAGER, $189.
PRINCIPLE PLANNER $277. SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER $168. ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST THERE ARE A 151.
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER 2, $1357. ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER $123. SENIOR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT REPRESENTATIVE, $125. SENIOR CAD TECHNICIAN $173. CAD TECHNICIAN $103.
SENIOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER $334 AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, INTERN, $7 71 AN HOUR. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. DAN LYON, COMMISSIONERS JONES, ANY
COMMENTS 1234. >> JUDGE, THERE WAS A LOT IN THERE. MARK, DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN HOW CONTRACTS WORK OR I'VE ALSO GOT WITH HNTB KARLOS LOACHEZ IS HERE AND IN THEY'VE -- LOPEZ IS HERE IF THEY'VE QUESTIONS FROM
THE COURT. >> THE COURT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO AMEND CONTRACTS. OBVIOUSLY, IF IT SEES FIT TO DO SO. THE COMMISSIONERS AS EX-OFFICIO ROAD COMMISSIONERS DO SOMETIMES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE CHANGE OR WORK AUTHORIZATIONS WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF RETURNING TO COURT. IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT EX-OFFICIO RESOLUTION READS WE DETERMINED TO PUT IT THROUGH COURT AND HAVE IT VOTED
UPON. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M SORRY.
>> AND AGAIN A LOT OF THE WORK AUTHORIZATION NOT ONLY ARE THEY LOOKING AT THE 2016 BOND WE USE THEM TO HELP
[01:25:01]
WITH SOME OF THE COUNTY PROJECTS AS G. 3.THEY'RE WORKING WITH T. X DOT ON SOME OF THE TX DOT PROJECTS WE HAVE GOING AND THEY HELP US WITH CAMPO WHEN PROJECT CALLS COME, ALSO, THIS IS IS WHAT MOST OF THESE WORK AUTHORIZATIONS FOR. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO
ADD? [INAUDIBLE] >> REALLY SINCE 2015, IF WE
HAD HAD STAFF -- >> WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF
TO DO THIS. >> IF WE HAD STAFF TO DO THE WORK OUR SELVES, WE, SALARIES, AND FRINGE WOULD RUN MAYBE $6.5 MILLION OVER THOSE 7 OR 8 YEARS.
>> THANK YOU. >> YOU'VE GOT MY SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONERS ALL GOOD? THIS ONE IS FOR $2.5 MILLION.
>> UP UP TO. >> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALLED ROLL.
[I5. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a ProfessionalServices Agreement between Hays County and LJA Engineering, Inc. to provide right of way acquisition services for the FM 2001 Gap Safety Improvements project in Precinct 1and Precinct 2 and amend the budget accordingly. JONES /INGALSBE/BORCHERDING]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: NO. >> PLEASE OPEN I. 5.
>> I. 5, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE TO COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMNT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND L. J. A.
ENGINEERING, INC. TO PROVIDE RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION SERVICES FOR THE F.M. 2001 GAP SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 2 AND AMEND THE
BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.
COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE, THIS IS THERE OUR 2001 REALIGNMENT AS YOU KNOW. TEXAS COT IS CURRENTLY IS CONSTRUCTING THE 35 TO AROUND TURNERSVILLE SECTION OF THIS. WE ALREADY REQUIRED THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THE 2001 SIDE OF THIS AND THIS IS TO GIVE. I BELIEVE THERE IS PROBABLY 18 PARCELS WE'LL NEED TO ACQUIRE TO FINISH THE GAP. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ON 2001, IT TAKES AWAY I GUESS 3 TO 4 DANGEROUS 90 DEGREE CURVES WE'VE HAD SEVERAL OVER THE YEARS SEVERAL FATALITIES ON. THIS IS A GOOD PROJECT AND THIS WILL CONNECT 35 TO 21 IN A UP SAVER WAY.
>> JUDGE, I WOULD ALSO SAY AS WE ALL DRIVE THESE COUNTY ROADS AND STATE ROADS, 2001 WHICH I ACQUIRED DURING RESTRICTING IS -- RESTRICTING IS ONE THAT REALLY NEEDS THE WORK DONE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WITH MANY OF OUR ROADS. I'LL SAY AS FAR AS L. J. A.
IS CONCERNED, I THINK I THOUGHT I SAW DAVID BAYLOR HERE. HE HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.
HAS KEPT ME UP TO DATE ON MANY ISSUES THAT OCCURRED AND I REALLY APPRECIATED, YOU KNOW DAVID, YOU DOING THAT, YOU KNOW MANY TIMES WE GET PHONE CALLS AS COMMISSIONERS AND WE, A LOT OF TIMES DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. BUT DAVID HAS BEEN ONE THAT HAS BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE AND HAS KEPT US UPDATE AND ME UPDATED ON WHAT IS GOING ON OUT. THERE I APPRECIATE THEIR
WORK. >> JUDGE, THIS IS ANOTHER STATE ROAD THAT IS GETTING IMPROVED. THE COUNTY HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE STATE WOULD THE NO BE IMPROVING IT SO IT'S A GOOD PROJECT FOR HAYS COUNTY.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[I6. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute SupplementalNo. 11 to the Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and HNTBCorporation and Fiscal Year Work Authorization for the Hays County/TxDOT PartnershipProgram General Engineering Consultant (GEC)/Program Management services in HaysCounty, increasing the Compensation Cap by $240,404.00 from $7,542,291.30 to$7,782,695.30 and extending the termination date of the contract to September 30, 2023;authorizing a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Chpt.262.024 (a)(4). JONES/BORCHERDING]
6. >> I. 6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 11 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND HNTB CORPORATION AND FISCAL YEAR WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR THE HAYS COUNTY TEXAS DOT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN HAYS COUNTY INCREASING THE COMPENSATION CAP BY $240,404 FROM $7,542,291.30 TO $7,782,695 .30 AND EXTENDING THE TERMINATION DATE OF THE CONTRACT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, AUTHORIZING A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MR. DAN
LYON. YOU GET 3 MINUTES. >> YOU, JUDGE. I PROBABLY TALK ABOUT THIS ON I. 4 AND INSTEAD OF I. 6.
[01:30:03]
BUT NONE OF Y'ALL STOPPED ME SO I WAS HAPPY TO GO ON.ANYWAY, LET ME JUST GO AHEAD AND COMPLETE THE FEE SCHEDULE HERE. I MIGHT HAVE STOPPED MAYBE AT
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER $288. >> INTERN I THINK.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: JUST KNOW THIS --
>> DAN. >> FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC IF YOU'LL USE PER HOUR SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS
ARE. >> ALL RIGHT. YEAH, THIS IS ALL PER HOUR. I MEAN, I HAVE I STARTED AT 412 PER HOUR. AND I KNOW I WENT, I SKIPPED DOWN TO INTERN AT LAST BUT I HAD SOME OTHER THINGS HERE, TOO.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER $288 AN HOUR, SENIOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR I $189. CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR $141, CONSTRUCTION TECHNICIAN $94. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, $138, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 2, $115, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 1, $100.
G. I. S. ANALYST $1070. SENIOR DOCUMENT CONTROL SPECIALIST $169. DOCUMENT CONTROL SPECIALIST 2, $130.
DOCUMENT CONTROL SPECIALIST $94. BUSINESS MANAGER $215.
SENIOR PROJECT ANALYST, $146. PROJECT ANALYST $131.
ADMIN./CLERICAL $87 AN HOUR. SENIOR SCHEDULER $208.
SCHEDULER, $165. QUALITY MANAGER $274. I ALREADY MENTIONED INTERN AT $71. WHEN I INTERNED AT T. X. I.
I MADE $5.91 AN HOUR. SO, EH. IT DOESN'T COMPARE VERY FAVORABLY WITH THESE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONER
JONES. >> AGAIN AS THE COURT KNOWS WITH ENGINEERING SERVICES E WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO HIRE THESE BASED ON SALARY THAT WE HAVE TO NEGOTIATE AS WE PICK A FIRM THEN IT IS AUP TO OUR LEGAL TEAM AND OUR, MR. BOARD CHARGERRING TO NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT.
THIS IS ABOUT $240,000 INCREASE TO CARRY THEM OVER FOR ANOTHER 4 YEARS, IS THAT CORRECT, JERRY? THIS GETS US FROM THIS CONTRACT SCHEDULE TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND THIS WILL GET US TO 2023. IF WE HAD TO DO THE SERVICES IN HOUSE IT WOULD BE A LOT MORE. I BELIEVE THAN WHAT WE'RE HAVING TO PAY OUR FIRM TO DO THIS. AND WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT AS WELL EITHER. I DON'T BELIEVE. IS THAT CORRECT, JERRY?
>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M SURE
THEY DO A WONDERFUL JOB. >> THEY DO.
>> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO SAY WE HAD A DIFFERENT G. E. C.
THAT WAS NOT TOO LONG AGO. I WILL TELL YOU WHEN HNTB TOOK OVER THAT MANAGEMENT, AND YOU KNOW, I KNOW ALL THESE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT AND I APPRECIATE MR. LYONS BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION AND I WILL NOT NOT JUST A BECAUSE HE IS IN THE ROOM, ARMOS LOPEZ HAS REALLY BEEN FANTASTIC TO WORK WITH. HE -- I DIDN'T HAVE THE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION BEFORE AND I DO NOW. I APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE AS I SAID PREVIOUSLY THERE WERE MANY TIMES WHEN I WOULD GET CALLS AND I DIDN'T KNOW OR AN AGENDA ITEM WOULD COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE I WASN'T KEPT UP TO DATE. KARLOS HAS DONE THAT FOR ME AND I WOULD IMAGINE THE OTHER CASUALTY MEMBERS.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT AND YOU KNOW, AT ONE TIME I DIDN'T EVEN V WANT TO HAVE THESE MONTHLY OR BIMONTHLY MEETINGS OR WHATEVER WE'RE DOING NOW AND I WOULD THINK, THAT IS JUST MORE MONEY. WE DON'T NEED TO DO IT BUT IT'S REALLY BECOME IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP UPDATED AND TO BE INFORMED ABOUT OUR PROJECTS.
SO JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT BECAUSE IT IS, IT HAS BEEN A REAL BIG DIFFERENCE FROM BEFORE.
>> THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS WE HAVE IN HAYS COUNTY THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS NOW, THERE IS NO WAY WE COULD DO THAT IN HOUSE. BUT IT'S NOT REALLY
KARLOS, IT'S REALLY MARIA. >> I DIDN'T MEAN TO FOCUS JUST ON KARLOS BUT HE HAS REALLY BEEN THE ONE THAT HAS MADE MANY, MANY PHONE CALLS TO ME AFTER HOURS AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, THANK YOU, MARCH RIA ALSO.
>> JUST GOING TO REITERATE WHAT MY COLLEAGUE JUST SAID AND SOME THESE, FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WHICH IS THE
[01:35:02]
INCREASE BY $240,000 TO CLOSE OUT KIND OF THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AND SOME OTHERS WHICH HAVE BEEN ONGOING SINCE BEFORE I EVEN GOT TO THE COUNTY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROJECTS AND MR. LYON MENTIONED THE DEBT OF THE COUNTY, MUCH OF THE DEBT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND MUCH OF IT ON THE STATE SYSTEM AS WELL. SO HUNDREDS MUCH MEMBERS OF DOLLARS OF PROJECTS OVER THE LAST DECADE. WE DID GO AND RESOLICIT FOR THIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, I GUESS THAT WAS LAST YEAR. AND I AGREE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER INGALSBE SAID. I THINK HNTB HAS PROVIDED A LOT OF VALUE. WHEN YOU IMAGINE HAVING HUNDREDS MUCH MILLIONS MUCH DOLLARS OF PROJECTS AND SAY ONE $10 MILLION PROJECT THAT COULD INCLUDE DESIGN WORK, RIGHT OF WAY ACK WHICH ISATION, UTILITY RELOCATION, CONSTRUCTION, ON A STATE SYSTEM SO WE'RE WORKING WITH TEXAS DOT ALL SPECIFICATIONS HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY TEXAS DOT AND WE SEE THE PROJECT I IDENTIFIED AS AN EXAMPLE WOULD PROBABLY TAKE, AT LEAST 5 YEARS FROM SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD CALL PRELIMINARY TO SOMETHING BEING CONSTRUCTED. ONE EXAMPLE NOT EVEN A PROJECT OF THAT SIZE IN WIMBERLY WHICH WAS RANCH ROAD 12 AND WINTERS MILL INTERSECTION, THAT PROJECT WAS IDENTIFIED IN, FROM A PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING STANDPOINT BEFORE I BECAME A COMMISSIONER WILD HAVE BEEN PLIER TO 2017. WE JUST FINISHED CONSTRUCTION ON THAT PROJECT THIS SPRING. SO ACTUALLY IT WAS IN THE SUMMER. SO THAT IS FIVE YEARS AT LEAST FROM AN ENGINEER TAKING A LOOK THE A THE INTERSECTION, PROVIDING SOME PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING WORK, THE COUNTY CHOOSING TO MOVE FORWARD. CONSULTATION CAN TEXAS DOLT THROUGH THE PROCESS, PLANS AND DESIGNS APPROVED BY TEXAS DOT.RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION, UTILITY RELOCATION WHICH CAN TAKE A LOT OF COORDINATION, YEARS AND LOTS OF MONEY FOR PEOPLES' UTILITIES FOR OTHER ENTITY'S UTILITIES TO GET MOVED OUT OF WHAT IS GOING TO BECOME A NEW RIGHT OF WAY. THAT TAKES SOMEBODY TO ORGANIZE ALL OF THAT. IT TAKES PROFESSIONALS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE THINGS ARE BEING DONE PROPERLY, THAT WE'RE MEETING ALL OF THE RULES THAT WE FOLLOW WHETHER IT'S FROM TEXAS DOT OR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS, IT'S A LOT TO DO. JUST ON ONE PROJECT. WHICH I USE THIS EXAMPL AS THE $10 MILLION PROJECT AND TO THINK OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROJECTS IN P DIFFERENT WAYS, SOME THROUGH WHAT IS MENTIONED HERE THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WHICH WAS A WAY THAT THE STATE REIMBURSED THE COUNTY OVER YEARS ON TRAFFIC COUNTS TO HELP US OFFSET THE COSTS THAT LOCAL TAXPAYERS WERE FOOTING THE BILL FOR IMPROVEMENTS ON THE STATE SYSTEM TO OUR LAST BOND PROGRAM AND TO OTHER BOND PROGRAMS BEFORE THAT. OR THE PAST IS THE ONE WE'RE GETTING PAID BACK. THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM SHARING DIFFERENT FUNDING RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS SO IT DOES TAKE SOMEONE, A TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS TO MANAGE ALL OF THE MOVING PARTS OF THAT TO MAKE SURE OUR TAXPAYER IS GETTING WHAT THEY'RE PAYING FOR AND THAT, THAT PROJECT IS GOING TO SATISFY SAFETY, MOBILITY, FOR THE COUNTY IN THE FUTURE. SO I WANT TO POINT OUT THE WORK THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE THINGS AND ALL OF THE OTHER CONTRACTORS THAT ARE NEEDED TO MAKE THESE PROJECTS BECOME A REALITY, AND YOU KNOW, COULD THE COUNTY EMPLOY TEAMS OF ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS AND EXPERTS TO MANAGE KIND OF THAT ORGANIZATION OF ALL THESE PROJECTS, YES, THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE. I DON'T THINK IN THE SIZE OF HAYS COUNTY, THAT THAT IS SOMETHING WE WOULD DO TO TAKE ON THAT TYPE OF A LIABILITY FROM STAFFING STANDPOINT AND THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HAVING ALL OF THOSE EXPERTS ON STAFF. I THINK WOULD BE MUCH GREATER, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT HNTB HAS BEEN OFFERING THE SERVICE. WHAT WE'RE WAYING FOR THAT TO HNTB SO A QUICK EXAMPLE. I WOULD ALSO SAY I LIKELY RECEIVED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HNTB AND MANY OTHERS ENTITIES THAT DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY.
SOMETIMES THAT IS POINTED OUT BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IS NOTED FOR ME ME AS WELL.
>> THE ONE THING THAT NONE OF MY COLLEAGUES MENTION THAT HAD I WANT TO MENTION SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WORKING WITH HNTB IS THAT WHENEVER I CAME INTO OFFICE, YOU KNOW OF COURSE THE SAME TIME AS YOU WHILE THE COUNTY HAD PASSED THE 2016 ROAD BOND, I WAS TASKED WITH COMPLETING
[01:40:01]
THOSE PROJECTS THAT I HAD NO INPUT ON THE FRONT END ON AND MOST OF THE ENGINEERING COMPANIES WELL ALL THE ENGINEERING COMPANIES HAD ALREADY BEEN ENGAGED AT THAT POINT. I CAN TELL YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH HNTB AND SPECIFICALLY THE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE IN TRYING TO IDENTIFY STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING THIS CAN GO TO THE PROJECTS WE ALREADY IDENTIFIED HERE IN COUNT ARE HAYS COUNTY. I SAY THAT BECAUSE I'LL USE THE EXAMPLE OF ONE INTERSECTION IN MY PRECINCT THAT INITIALLY WAS SET TO HAVE A SIGNAL PLACED AT IT. BECAUSE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF OTHER FUNDS WITHIN THE BOND BY, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH TEXAS DOT TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS AT HOLDER LANE THE NEED FOR A SIGNALLATION AT HOLDER LANE WAS NO LONGER THERE BECAUSE TEXAS DOT DID COME OF THE WORK THAT WAS IN PART FACILITATED BY THIS CONTRACT. BY REMOVING THAT PROJECT AND HAVING TEXAS DOT DO THE WORK THOSE FUNDS WERE ABLE TO GO TO THE TRAUTWEIN INTERSECTION HOPEFULLY WILL GO TO BID BEFORE THE THE END OF THE YEAR AND THAT INTERSECTION INSTEAD OF HAVING A SIGNAL IS GOING TO HAVE ACK CELLARAGE AND DECELERATION LANES. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS THERE AT ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS IN MY PRECINCT. WE'VE HAD WRECKS ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS. THEY WORKED THROUGH PROCESSES WHERE THIS MIGHT SOUND SMALL BUT IT'S NOT EASY TO GET TEXAS DOT TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THEIR STATUTORY DIRECTION IS AND THAT INTERSECTION SPECIFICALLY THE WAY THAT IT'S BUILD. THERE IS NO LINE OF SIGHT IN THE INTERSECTION BECAUSE OF THE HILL IN FRONT OF IT. SO IN ORDER TO PUT A TEMPORARY SIGNAL THERE WHICH WE DID FOR SAFETY, WE HAD TO GET CLEARANCE FROM TEXAS DOT TO ACTUALLY PLACE THE LIGHTS SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THEY WOULD BE UNDER CODE AND THESE GUYS WORKED AGAIN TO INSURE THAT IT HAPPENED.AND ALL THE WHILE, THEY ALSO WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH TEXAS BOT TO BRING STATE FUNDS TO HELP FUND THE COMPLETION OF THAT PROJECT AND HAVE MOVED IT UP IN THE PRIORITY PROCESS FOR TEXT DOT. ALLES THIS -- IT BEING DOT. -- TEXAS DOT. I HONESTLY BELIEVE WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT AS A COUNTY. THAT'S WHY I ENDORSE THIS. YOU SAID $1700. THAT IS PROBABLY JUST THIS YEAR. I PROBABLY RECEIVED MORE IN
THE PAST. >> I WANT TO -- A LOT OF THE PUBLIC MAY NOT KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS. JERRY, WHAT YEAR DID WE MAKE, DID WE START THE PARTNERSHIP? WE TOOK $35 MILLION SAVINGS FROM A BOND. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, WE TOOK $35 MILLION 6 THAT AND GOT WITH TEXT DOT AND TEXT, WE GOT 240 MILLION I BELIEVE FROM TEXAS DOT OFF THE EIGHT PROJECTS, IT WAS FROM THE
>> WE TOOK THE SAVINGS SO IT HAS TAKEN US 7 YEARS TO GET HERE BUT THOSE ARE 8 STATE PROJECTS THAT WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN DONE WITHOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP. WE WOULD HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE $240 MILLION FROM THE STATE IMPROVEMENTS.
[PAUSE] >> ANYONE ELSE? THIS IS
$240,000 TO SUPPLEMENT -- >> TO GET US ANOTHER YEAR.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: 240 IS PRICE TAG FOR ANOTHER YEAR,
IS THAT A WAY TO RECAP IT? >> I'LL LET MARK ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR THE NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT.
>> YES. UNLESS THE COURT AMENDS AGAIN. WHICH IT HAS
THE PREROGATIVE TO DO. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YES, SIR.
>> WITHOUT THIS AMENDMENT, THEIR CONTRACT ENDED END OF SEPTEMBER. WITH THE THIS AMENDMENT IT END A YEAR FROM
SEPTEMBER. >> JUDGE BECERRA: HOW MANY, MR. KENNEDY SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE THE ONE THAT MOIST KNOW BEST. COUNTY WIDE HOW MANY PROJECTS ARE THEY WORKING ON AT THIS TIME? WHO WOULD KNOW?
>> WE'VE PROBABLY 3 MAJOR CATEGORIES OF PROJECTS, AND MANY PROJECTS WITHIN THOSE CATEGORIES. I DON'T HAVE
THAT NUMBER OFFHAND. >> WITH THAT NUMBER I THINK THAT'S WHAT JERRY WAS ALLUDING TO WERE THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IF IT WAS IN
HOUSE -- HOW MANY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: APPROACH THE PODIUM. THEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER -- I NEVER TRY TO CORNER PEOPLE BUT SHED LIGHT ON INFORMATION, EVEN IF IT'S NOT EXACT -- IS IT.
>> IF YOU CAN'T BE EXACT ASK MARIA.
>> I'M KARLOS LOPEZ, YEAH, IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT PROJECTS, THE ROAD BOND PROJECTS, PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS, CURRENTLY MANAGING SOMEWHERE AROUND 40 DIFFERENT PROJECTS. RANGING FROM BIG MOBILITY PROJECTS TO LOW WATER CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS.
>> KARLOS, THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE YOUR WORK WITH CAMPO
[01:45:02]
THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET THROUGH?>> IT'S OVER AND ABOVE. AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS IS A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT. WE'RE TRADITIONALLY BELOW AS
YOU KNOW. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WHEN YOU SAY THE PARTNERSHIP, CAN YOU BE MORE COMPLETE IN THAT
THOUGHT? >> THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM THAT THE COMMISSIONER WAS TALKING ABOUT FOR THIS PARTICULAR WORK AUTHORIZATION INCLUDES FINISHING OUT ALL OF THE F.M. 110 JOBS, SOUTH, MIDDLE AND THE NORTH AND THE ROBERT S. LIGHT PROJECT UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW AND A PORTION OF ROBERT S. LIGHT THAT WILL BE IMPROVED BETWEEN 967 AND --
>> AND 2001. >> THAT ONE THERE AS WELL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE BECERRA: DOCTOR CARD CARD PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
[M2. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current populationcounts and costs. BECERRA]
YOU PLEASE OPEN ITEM M. 2. >> M. 2, DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION, TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION COUNTS AND COSTS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: EACH WEEK THE SHERIFF SENDS MY OFFICE A REPORT OF OUR INMATE POPULATION.
CURRENTLY OUR JAIL CAPACITY ONSITE IS 410 INMATES. JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS HOLDING THAT CAPACITY, 10% MUCH THE CAPACITY OPEN WHICH LOWERS OUR CAPACITY TO 368. JAIL'S DAILY AVERAGE WAS 647 AND PEAK WAS 653 ON AUGUST 14. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES THIS WEEK IS $79,739.
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTMASSACHUSETTSEVER SOURCED IS 173 AND FEMALES 30. THIS WEEK'S INHOUSE -- LEE, MAVERICK AND RED RIVER. PAPER READY INMATES HAVE PAID AN ALL TIME LOW SINCE I'VE BEEN ASKING THEM TO BE TRACKED BY THE SHERIFF FOR REPORT AND WE'RE AT 17, THESE ARE INMATES THAT HAVE% THEIR DAY IN COURT. BEEN FOUND GUILTY AND THEY HAVE BEEN TURNED TO STATE INMATES. NO LONGER COUNTY INMATES. THAT NUMBER IS 17.
SO WE'RE HOLDING 17 STATE INMATES. SO THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN MUCH HIGHER IN THE PAST SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT BECAUSE THAT DIMINISHES OUR TAX BURDEN ON THE FRONT.
SO WE HAVE 3 THINGS TO DO NEXT, THE FIRST ONE IS A K.
1 WORKSHOP AT NOON. THEN A J. 6 PUBLIC HEARING AT 1:00.
AND AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. SO JUST TO KEEP THINGS MOVING, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WILL BE MUCH NOTE TAKES ON THE WORKSHOP PIECE I'M GOING TO ASK US TO TAKE ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM SO WE CAN KEEP
[EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]
MOVING EFFICIENTLY IF? OKAY -- IF THAT IS OKAY WITH THE COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE OPEN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM>> EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL, AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PROJECTS BEING CONSIDERED BY COUNTY. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: IF YOU ARE NOT DIRECTLY TIED TO THIS
AGENDA ITEM PLEASE CLEAR THE >> JUDGE BECERRA: I DID NOT EXPECT FOR THE CAM ARE TO TURN ON SO QUICKLY BUT HERE WE ARE. I FEEL BAD BECAUSE, WELL IT'S A FEW SECONDS AWAY. COMING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION. I THINK COMMISSIONER INGALSBE HAS A MOTION.
>> YES, THANK YOU JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS RELATED TO THE ACQUISITIONITION OF 175.5 PACKERS OF LAND IN PRECINCT 1 FOR THE PARKLAND PURPOSES FOR PARKLAND PURPOSES AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MOTION AND A SECOND. JUDGE, THIS IS IS THE FORMER QUAIL CREEK COUNTRY CLUB AT RISK OF DEVELOPMENT IN AN AREA THAT'S PRONE TO INTERMITTENT FLOODING AND IT'S AN ANCHOR PROJECT THAT HELPS TO DEVELOP NEEDED PARK AND OPEN SPACE OPPORTUNITIES EAST OF I-35.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WHICH IS MUCH NEEDED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER, FOR
SPEARHEADING THAT EFFORT. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION, WE HAVE A SECOND.
[01:50:11]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: TRYING TO DELAY JUST IN CASE BUT YEAH.
>> I HEAR SOMEBODY UP THE -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S WHAT I'M WAITING FOR, YEAH, IT STILL PASSES.
[K1. 12:00 p.m. - Budget Workshop regarding the FY 2023 Hays County Budget. Possibleaction may follow. BECERRA/DORSETT]
OKAY. NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO -- WHERE IS THAT AGENDA? HANDY DANDY AGENDA. WE'RE GOING TO GO IN OUR WORKSHOP. SO PLEASE OPEN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER LETTER K.1. >> K. 1, 12:00 P.M.BUDGET WORKSHOP REGARDING THE F. Y. 2023 HAYS COUNTY BUDGET.
POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. SO WE ARE SLATED FOR A WORKSHOP AT NOON. AND THE BUDGET WORKSHOP, BUDGET OFFICE PUT THIS FORWARD. IT IS GOING TO BE THE TREASURER SPEAKING FIRST AND THEN HUMAN RESOURCES AND THEN BACK TO THE BUDGET OFFICE AND AT 1:00 WE'LL ALSO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. SO. I GUESS I WOULD BE FINE IF WE GIVE THE PODIUM TO THE TREASURER. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, YOU ARE I GOING TO KICK OFF THE WORK
SHOP. >> OKAY. I'M BRITTANY, THE HAYS COUNTY TREASURER, I'M GOING TO PASS THESE OUGHT.
>> I WANT TO WISH BRITTANY A ONE-DAY LATE BIRTHDAY.
>> HAPPY BELATED. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I TOLD HER THAT BEFORE WE GOT ON THE CAMERA. SEE. ANOTHER GOOD CO-WORKER. I TOLD THEM, IF YOU WERE GOOD CO-WORKERS YOU WOULD KNOW HER BIRTHDAY WAS
YESTERDAY. >> I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE ANNUAL RETIREMENT REVIEW AND WE ARE IN OUR LAST YEAR OF OUR 5-YEAR WAITING PERIOD. WE GENERALLY DON'T GIVE COST OF LIVING INCREASE TO OUR RETIREES BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BE DESIGNATED AS A REPEATING COLA COUNTY WHICH WOULD BE, IT WOULD BE OBLIGE GRADED. THIS WOULD BE OUR LAST YEAR OF THIS IS. THE RECOMMENDS IS TO KEEP EVERYTHING THE SAME FOR THIS PARTICULAR PERIOD HOWEVER IN 2023 WE'D LIKE TO DO A STEADY THROUGH T. C. D. R. S. IT'S OUR RETIREMENT SYSTEM. THEY'LL DO THAT FOR FREE FOR US BUT WHAT THAT WOULD BE IS TO DO AN INDEXING STUDY WHICH MEANS THAT WHEN A RETIREE RETIRED, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY RECEIVED AT THAT TIME, WHAT THAT WAS WORTH WHERE THEY ARE TODAY AND HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO GET THEM BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE THE DAY THEY RETIRED.
SO WE'LL TRY TO COMPLETE THAT STUDY IN 2023. AND BRING FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION NEXT YEAR TO BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY OF 2024. SO THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS WHEN WE LOOK AT RAISING RETIREES, WE CAN DO AN ACROSS THE BOARD FLAT AMOUNT. WE CAN DO WHAT THEY CALL THE INDEXING SO WE WOULD SEE WHAT MIGHT BE THE BEST BENEFICIAL. WE'LL BE REVIEWING THAT OVER THE NEXT YEAR IN 2023. AT THIS POINT, WE'RE GOING WITH THE JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET WHICH WOULD BE THE 13.59% TOWARDS THE END OF THE PACKET THAT YOU PROVIDED, YOU WILL SEE THE STEADY -- STUDY FROM T. C. D. R. S. OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 13.9% SO WE'RE ACTUALLY REDUCING THIS RATE FOR THIS YEAR.
WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OUR RETIREMENT SYSTEM IS A HEALTHY RETIREMENT SYSTEM SO WE'RE GIVING THAT BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS. 13.59% IS THE REQUESTED RATE. I BELIEVE THAT IS THE JUDGE'S
RECOMMENDED. >> NEED TO -- YOU NEED TO CHANGE IT TO THE BUDGET OFFICER'S RECOMMENDED --
>> OH, YEAH, I APOLOGIZE, YEAH, I'M SO SORRY.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT WAS IN LINE OF THE IT WAS CONSISTENT IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE SO YOU ARE RIGHT ON POINT.
>> I'M SO SORRY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IT'S GOOD.
>> CHAIRMAN BUDGET OFFICER WHO WORKED VERY HARD ON THIS. THANK YOU. YES, SO WE'RE GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH EVERYTHING THE SEAM.
THE SAME INSURANCE RECOMMENDATIONS WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST WITH THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS.
THE SAME POLICIES WE'VE HAD AND THE SAME STRUCTURE OF OUR RETIREMENT. BASICALLY WHAT I'M SAYING IS THERE'S NO CHANGES BUT I PROVIDED ALL OF THIS IN THE PACKET FOR YOUR REVIEW SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT OUR CURRENT PLANS ARE. WHAT THE T.C.D.R.S.RECOMMENDATIONS ARE. WHERE THE PLAN IS STANDING AND WHERE WE ARE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS -- >> THANK YOU, BRITTANY.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
[01:55:01]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: EFFICIENT. BEAUTIFUL.
YOU ARE GOING TO HELP US GET AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULE.
NEXT WE'LL HAVE OUR H. R. DEPARTMENT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COURT. SHERRY MILLER, HAYS COUNTY H. R. DEPARTMENT. SO HERE AGAIN TO TALK ABOUT ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO AFTER LAST WEEK AND FURTHER ANALYSIS OF MARKET SOURCES, THINKING ABOUT LOOKING AT COUNTIES THAT WE ARE MOST SIMILAR TO, TAKING EVERY COUNTY THAT IS TO BE USED IN THE EMPLOYEE MARKET STUDY DOESN'T SEEM APPROPRIATE FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. WE'RE NOT IN NECESSARY COMPETITION WITH A LOT OF THOSE COUNTIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS SO TRYING TO THINK ABOUT THE TRUE FISCAL NEEDS OF THE COUNTY AND WHAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS. I'VE GIVEN YOU A, PAGES OF A BUNCH OF NUMBERS. THINKING ABOUT THE I-35 CORRIDOR AND THE COUNTIES THAT ARE, THAT WE ARE IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH FOR OUR EMPLOYEES OR THAT WE'RE MOST SIMILAR TO AND CRUNCHING THOSE NUMBERS, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE OF SOME OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPARED TO THOSE MIX OF MARKETS INCLUDING TRAVIS AND NOT INCLUDING TRAVIS, SOME ARE ALREADY PAID ABOVE THAT MIX. SO THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS EST FOR HAYS COUNTY FISCALLY, I WOULD, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT THE COURT CONSIDER A SET AMOUNT FOR EACH ELECTED OFFICIAL WHICH IS HISTORICALLY WHAT HAYS COUNTY HAS DONE, APPROVED AND BUDGETED FOR SPECIFIC PERCENTAGES. ONE WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT IS MAYBE TO THINK ABOUT A FLAT DOLLAR AMOUNT. I'M NOT SURE THAT REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO CONSIDER OR THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO CONSIDER LOOKING AT DOLLAR AMOUNT. SO AS I, I GUESS A FINANCIALLY SAFE RECOMMENDATION AND WHAT IS ALREADY BUILT INTO THE COUNTY BUDGET, THE BALANCED BUDGET THUS FAR IS ABOUT 6%. SO LOOKING AT NUMBERS, WHEN YOU LOOK WITH AND WITHOUT TRAVIS, SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE DOWN A LITTLE MORE THAN 6%. SOME ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES ARE ABOVE. SO HOW TO EQUALIZE THAT, IT MAYBE BEST TO CONSIDER A SET PERCENTAGE AMOUNT. OTHER MARKET COUNTIES, ONE OTHER PIECE OF JUST QUICK INFORMATION, OTHER MARKET COUNTIES THAT I COULD GET DATA FROM OR THAT ARE ALREADY AS FAR ALONG AS WE ARE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS ARE ADJUSTING THEIR ELECTS OFFICIALS ANYWHERE FROM 2.7% TO 9%. SO THAT'S 6% KEEPS
US KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE -- >> YOU RECOMMENDING 6% ON
THE BASE SALARIES? >> ON THE BASE SALARY, YEAH, WHEN YOU ADD IN THE SUPPLEMENTS AND THEN YOU ADD PERCENTAGE ON TOP THOSE SUPPLEMENTS YOU DON'T GET A TRUE SALARY AMOUNT. THE SUPPLEMENTS ARE OFTEN TIED TO TRAVEL AND OTHER EXPENDITURES. SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT ADJUSTMENTS BE MADE ON BASE SALARY.
[PAUSE] >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONERS? START WITH COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROMLINE HOW THIS COMPARES WITH WHAT HE DID WITH THE LAST STUDY.
>> KIND OF A, I FORGET THE DATES ALREADY BUT I THINK IT WAS IN 2016, 2015 -- YEAH 2016 WAS THE LAST TIME THE COURT ADOPTED A, NEW SALARIES SORT OF ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS. SO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE LAST TIME COURT MEMBERS RECEIVED PAY CHANGES WAS IN
[02:00:03]
2016. THAT WAS USING FOR THE MOST PART WHAT WE IDENTIFY AS THE RAY STUDY WHICH WAS COMMISSIONED BYTHE COURT. >> IS IT 2014 STUDY THAT WE
USED. >> I THINK THE STUDY WAS
>> 2014 SALARIES WERE PLUGGED INTO THE 2010 STUDY TO DEVELOP THE 2016 PAY PLAN. I BELIEVE WE FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATIONS ALMOST TO A T. EXPECT FOR 2 OR 3
THINGS. FROM WHAT TO DA -- >> THE 2008, 2009 --
>> YEAH. SOME OF THEM WHERE WE TOOK THE TACK BOOK PRODUCED EVERY YEAR THAT HAS ELECTED OFFICIAL PAY FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND PULLED OUT THE COUNTIES THAT THE STUDY RECOMMENDED BE A THE RAY STUDY SAID TAKE THE AVERAGE OF THOSE PAYS, THEN MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY CLERK AND DISTRICT CLERK ARE PAID THE SAME. MAKE SURE THAT THE TAX ASSESSOR DOESN'T MAKE MORE THAN THE COURT MEMBER I BELIEVE WERE THE TWO THINGS THAT THE STUDY, THE CITIZEN GROUP HAD COME OUT TO SAY THEY BELIEVE WERE TO USE IN CONSIDERATION. IN 2016, TOOK THOSE SALARIES, PLUGGED THEM IN. TOOK THE AVERAGES, AND THAT WAS THE PAY SET FOR EACH ELECTED OFFICIAL AT THE
AVERAGE OF THE MARKET. >> NOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THE TAX ASSESSOR'S BASE SALARY IS ACTUALLY HIGHER THAN THE COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN YEARS THAT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS NOT INCLUDING THE COMMISSIONERS, WERE RAISED MORE THAN THE COMMISSIONERS.
>> AND THEN ELECTED OFFICIALS BESIDES COURT MEMBERS RECEIVED INCREASES BETWEEN 2016 AND NOW VIA COMMISSIONERS COURT BUDGETS. I BELIEVE TWICES.
>> TWICE -- >> AND VIA GRIEVANCE PROCESSES 2 OR 3 TIMES, DIFFERENT ELECTED OFFICIALS DURING THAT SPAN WHICH SOME OF THOSE THEN MEANT THE NEXT BUDGET HAD TO BE CHANGED REGARDING CONSTABLES, FOR INSTANCE. NOT EVERY CONSTABLE GRIEVED AND A CONSTABLE WAS AWARDED THE GRIEVANCE THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT PULLED ALL OF THE SALARIES UP TO THE SALARY OF THE CONSTABLE THAT RECEIVED THE INCREASED VIA GRIEVANCE, GRIEVANCE PROCESS ALSO INVOLVED THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR. THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND THAT'S HOW WE GOT THERE. LOOKING AT THAT MARKET IN 2016, THERE WASN'T A LOT OF DEBATE LIKE THIS ON WHAT THE MARKET SHOULD BE FOR THE FUTURE. IT WAS JUST WELL, THERE HAD BEEN WORK DONE IN PRIOR, USE THE WORK DONE PRIOR. WHETHER THAT IS SOMETHING THIS COURT WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD. I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK WAS MAYBE NOT. FOR INSTANCE SOME OF THOSE, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO USE TRAVIS COUNTY TO COMPARE? I DON'T KNOW THERE'S REAL' LOT OF VALUE. WE'D USE IT FOR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE WE'RE COMPETING AND IT'S PART OF OUR, YOU KNOW REGION FOR WORK FORCE BUT, YOU KNOW WE'RE NOT, COMPETING FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS. I DON'T KNOW THERE IS ANY VALUE TO THAT.
ALSO SOME OF THE COUNTIES THAT ARE MORE OUTLIERS I CALL THEM DON'T KNOW THEIR SITUATION, I'M NOT TRYING TO DO, SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE TOWARDS THE COUNTY BUT SOME PAY TRADITIONALLY WELL ABOVE WHAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER TO BE SOMEWHERE NORMAL AND SOME PAY SOMEWHAT CONSIDERABLY LESS. I THINK I POINTED OUT LAST WEEK MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHERE A COMMISSIONERS MAKES $186,000 A YEAR, PROBABLY NOT COMFORTABLE COMPARING ELECTED OFFICIAL PAY TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOR THAT REASON. NOT TO COMMENT ON THEIR SITUATION. THAT'S THEIR OWN BUSINESS. THE, YOU KNOW, I WILL SAY THAT, I WILL SAY THAT IT'S HARD TO COMPARE ELECTED OFFICIAL PAY WITHIN A COUNTY MUCH LESS TO OTHER COUNTIES BECAUSE EVERYBODY DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT PLACES AND HAS DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING THEM SO THERE REALLY IS NOT GOING TO BE A FORMULA THAT EVERYBODY GOES, OH, THAT IS FAIR BECAUSE IT JUST DEPENDS. EVERYBODY DOES SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I WOULD ARGUE THERE'S PROBABLY COMMISSIONERS, FOR INSTANCE, IN SMALLER COUNTIES THAT PROBABLY HAVE A REALLY GOOD ARGUMENT THEY SHOULD GET PAID MORE THAN ME BASED UPON THE RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE ON A DAILY BASIS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: BACK HOES. >> OPERATING EQUIPMENT, EVEN. WHEREAS THERE MIGHT BE COUNTY THAT ARE REALLY LARGE THAT HAVE HUGE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS WHERE THE COURT MEMBERS COMPARED TO MY JOB MAY NOT SPEND AS MUCH TIME ON THE ACTUAL JOB AS OTHERS. SO
[02:05:03]
THAT VARIES, IT DEPENDS WHERE IT IS, I'M SURE THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR OTHER POSITIONS IN THE COUNTY TOO.WE HAVE A LOT OF HAND ON ELECTED OFFICE THAT IS TRULY TAKE RESPONSE FOR THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND TAKE MANAGEMENT ROLES, YOU KNOW. SO THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE AND OTHERS THAT, SOME OF THE DUTIES MAYBE DELEGATED MORE OFTEN THAN NOT SO IT'S HARD TO COMPARE. BUT IN THE END, I THINK COMMISSIONER SMITH, YOU KNOW LOOKED AT A PERCENTAGE CHANGE AND COMMENTED LAST WEEK, THAT IS JUST REALLY -- I'M NOT GOING TO APPROVE A 40% INCREASE IN PAY OR SOMETHING WHICH I THINK IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY NORMAL COMMENT TO MAKE. BUT LOOKING FORWARD, SINCE THE COURT HASN'T ADDRESSED THEM AS A WHOLE, WHETHER IT'S APPLIED THIS YEAR OR NOT, OR I THINK IT'S A DISCUSSION THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO BE HAD BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS IT, THEN YOU ARE ENDING UP WERE A TIME WHERE YOU ARE INCREASING BY LARGE PERCENTAGES.
I MENTIONED LAST WEEK I'M NOT A FAN OF DOING IT EVERY YEAR. AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE, THAT WOULD BE THE SMALLEST INCREASE IF DID YOU IT THAT WAY BUT I WON'T BE COMFORTABLE THIS THIS POSITION ACCEPTING WHAT ANYONE WOULD CALL A PAY RAISE EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE 15 YEARS LATER DOING A 40% INCREASE AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE DOING INCREASES EVER YEAR, HOW DO YOU THAT THAT THAT IS FAIR? WE ALL WANT FAIR COMPENSATION AND WE WANT PEOPLE THAT RUN FOR ALL OF THESE OFFICES TO KNOW THEY WILL BE FAIRLY COMPENSATED. BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US BELIEVE YOU SHOULD BE COMPENSATED TO THE POINT OF COMPARING IT TO OTHER PROFESSIONS OR ANYTHING ELSE. BECAUSE THIS IS A JOB YOU ARE WORKING FOR THE CITIZENS THAT ARE PAYING YOU, IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN SOMEBODY THAT IS APPLYING TO BE A MANAGER OR ADMINISTRATOR AT AN ORGANIZATION. SO I DON'T AGREE WITH COMPARING OURSELVES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THAT WAY BECAUSE THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE SERVICE AS WELL. BUT FAIR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE EXPECTED BY ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTY. SO ALONG STORY SHORT, I THINK WHAT OUR H. R. DEPARTMENT HAS COME UP WITH IS SOMETHING THAT IS PROBABLY A LITTLE MORE REASONABLE ALMOST THAN WHAT THAT STUDY AND THAT RAY STUDY REALLY PRODUCED WHAT SALARIES WOULD LOOK LIKE IF IT WERE TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
THIS IS A MORE REASONABLE APPROACH AND IS TAKING A LOOK MORE AT A BETTER COMPARISON THAN INCLUDING, FOR INSTANCE, TRAVIS COUNTY AS A COMPARISON TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. I DON'T KNOW THAT IS A GOOD COMPARISON. SO HOW WE GET THERE IS BY A PERCENTAGE WHICH HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE MINUS THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT, A SETTING OF THE SALARIES ALL THAT ARE WITHIN A PERCENTAGE OF WHAT H. R. HAS DETERMINED AS THE MARKET RATE FOR EACH SALARY. SO IF THAT WAS THE CASE, IF SOMEONE IS A+ PERCENTAGE, THEY WOULD NOT SEE AN INCREASE. IF SOMEONE THERE WAS A MINUS THEY WOULD SEE AN INCREASE UP TO WHARF THE PERCENTAGE WE BELIEVED. IF WE WANTED EVERYBODY TO BE WITHIN MINUS 5%, IF THEY'RE BET IRTHAN -5% THEY WOULD SEE NO INCREASE THAT WOULD BE ONE STRATEGY IS TO PICK, TO PICK 0%, PICK PLUS IF WE'RE GOING TO SET EVERYBODY WITHIN A PERCENT OF THAT RAINING AND THIS IS THE MARKET WE PICKED TO DETERMINE THAT POINT. OR AGAIN WE COULD JUST SAY APPLY A PERCENTAGE ACROSS THE BOARD TO EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL OR WE COULD SAY APPLY A PERCENTAGE TO EVERYBODY THAT'S MINUS A PERCENT AND NOT TRY TO GET EVERYBODY WITHIN A RANGE WITHIN A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE
OF WHAT WE CALL THE MARKET. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER, HE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION?
>> I NEED TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES WITH THE NUMBERS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: SAME NUMBERS AS LAST TIME PRETTY
MUCH. >> NEW PERCENTAGE SHE HAS
GIVEN US ON THE STUDY. >> NEW ROWS ARE ADDED IN EACH ELECTED OFFICIAL POSITION WITH DIFFERENT
MIXTURES OF -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: HIGHS AND
LOWS. >> I THINK WHAT SHERRY HAS PRESENTED IS THE AVERAGE OF THOSE SOURCES IN REMOVING THE HIGH AND LOW AVERAGE THEN USING A GROUP OF COUNTIES WHICH INCLUDES TRAVIS THEN USING A GROUP OF
[02:10:02]
COUNTIES THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE TRAVIS WHICH IS MCCLELLAN, GUADELOUPEY BILL AND BASTROP THOSE ARE ALL COUNTIES JUST LARGER OR JUST SMALLER FOR THE MOSTPART OF HAYS COUNTY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IT WAS A GOOD TRIAPPEARING LAKES OF THAT ADDITION.
>> AND PRETTY, -- TRIANGULATION --
>> PRETTY FEDERAL TEXAS GROWTH CORRIDOR RELATED.
NOT COUNTIES FAR AWAY BUT PRETTY MUCH WITHIN THE I-35
YOU NEED FROM US? >> I WANT CLARIFICATION ON WHAT WE AGREED TO THEN WE NEED TO NUMBER CRUNCH AGAIN.
WHAT I HEARD COMMISSIONER SHELL SAY IS A RECOMMENDED SALARY BASED ON, BASE SALARY, IF YOU ALL AGREE ON THE CALCULATIONS AFTER OF BASE SALARY.
THE CALCULATIONS ON YOUR DOCUMENTS ARE OFF OF GROSS SALARY. SO THAT SALARY ININCLUDES -- CALCULATIONS OFF OF BASE SALARY FOR WHAT THE MARKET AVERAGE WILL BE FOR MEXICAN LEN, WILLIAMSON, CAMEL, BELL AND BASTROP. WE SEE WHAT THAT, THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE.
>> WHAT IS THE PREFERENCE REGARDLESS OF HOW THE COURT TREATS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE COUNTY JUDGE BUT ACROSS ALL ELECTED OFFICIAL, WHAT IS THE FEELING OF THE COURT JOS JUST AN INCREASE TO SAY WE'RE JUST GOING TO INCREASE ACROSS THE BOARD OR TO REACHING A PERCENTAGE OF THE MARKET WHICH THAT WOULD MEAN DIFFERENT PERCENTAGES FOR DIFFERENT POSITIONS DEPENDING WHERE THEY CURRENTLY ARE. FLAT PERCENTAGE PLUS AN EXAM AMOUNT TO TRY TO GET THOSE CLOSER TO THE MARKET AVERAGE OF THAT MARKET THAT SHERRY JUST MENTIONED. I THINK SHIELD LIKE TO HAVE THAT GUIDANCE TO, BEFORE SHE PLUGS THE NUMBERS IN.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I THINK THE NUMBERS YOU PROVIDED AS HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE WAS USEFUL TO SAY IF YOU ARE BEING PAID X. DOLLARS FROM TARGET AND IT'S ABOVE THEN YOU WOULD BE LEFT ALONE AND IF YOU ARE PAID UNDER THEN PERCENTAGE WISE STRIDES TO GET YOU TOWARDS THAT TARGET THAT YOU HAVE CREATED. I LIKE THAT HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND WITHOUT LOOKING AT WHO WHAT YOU ARE HELPING TO EQUALIZE WHICH IS WHAT THE GOAL IS. THAT'S WHAT YOU DESCRIBE YOU DID IN 16.
>> YEAH, IN 16 WE PLACED EVERYBODY AT THE MARKET AVERAGE. IN THIS CASE EVERYBODY WAS AT LEAST BELOW BY PROBABLY 6 OR 7%, I'M GOING TO GUESS. SOMEWHERE BELOW BY MORE. THEY WERE JUST RESET, EVERYBODY WAS SET AT THE MARKED AVERAGE FROM THE YEAR BEFORE FOR THE MARKET. THE MARKET INCLUDED LARGER COUNTIES AND LARGER NUMBER OF COUNTIES WHICH SOME ARE APPROPRIATE, SOME I FEEL MORE INAPPROPRIATE. THE COUNTIES IDENTIFIED BY SHERRY ARE APPROPRIATE, ALL BEING IN OUR REGION SIMILAR CHALLENGES, GROWTH, YOU KNOW, VERY SIMILAR TO US.
SOME A LITTLE LARGER, SOME A LITTLE SMALLER.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER JONES.
>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM GOING WITH THE COMMISSIONER SHELL'S RECOMMENDATION OF -- WE'RE GOOD, WE'RE BUDGETED FOR 6% ACROSS THE BOARD ON BASE SALARY.
>> IF A POSITION IS DOWN 3%, AGAINST THAT 6 COUNTY COMPARISON, WOULD IT BE YOUR RELIGIOUS THEIR BASE SALARY INCREASE BY JUST THE 3% OR UP TO 6%?
>> I THINK IF EVERYBODY WAS LESS THAN 6%, WE WOULD EITHER DECIDE TO SAY OKAY PUT 6% ON EVERYTHING OR IF SOMEONE WAS AT 7% AND THE OTHER WAS WATT AT 20% WOULD WE SAY TRY TO GET EVERYBODY TO AT LEAST WITHIN 6% DIFFERENCE. THAT WOULD MEAN SOMEBODY THAT IS A -6% GETS NOTHING AND SOMEBODY THAT IS OR I MEAN THAT IS A -12 WOULD GET 6 AND THEN EVERYBODY WOULD SAY WE'RE AT -6. THE REALITY IS THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS NOT RECEIVING INCREASE AND INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING INCREASES BASED UPON THE AVERAGE OF A HANDFUL OF
COUNTIES. >> MOST OF THE BASE SALARY COMPARISONS TO THAT GROUP, THEIR SALARIES ARE CURRENTLY
ABOVE. >> THEN THAT WOULD RESULT --
>> MARKET AVERAGE. >> NOTHING.
[02:15:02]
>> WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS IS BLOW 6.46% AND THE COUNTY JUDGE'S BASE SALARY IS DOWN 26%.
>> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE AS WE LOOK AT THESE, IS THE AVAILABILITY, THIS IS A STATUTORY QUESTION I GUESS, TO PUBLISH THE SALARIES YOU WOULD HAVE THE OVERALL SALARY NUMBER FOR THE YEAR, BUT INSTEAD OF DIVIDING IT AMONGST THE 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, PRODUCE ANY INCREASE AFTER JANUARY 1 OF THIS YEAR THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR. DO YOU WANT WHAT I'M SAYING?
>> I, I THINK SO. YOU HAVE TO SET THE SALARY ALLOWANCES FOR THE UPCOMING BUDGET YEAR AND YOU CAN'T, YOU CANNOT EXCEED THAT AND THEY HAVE TO BE ANNUAL ALIZED. -- ANNUALALLIZED. THOSE BASE SALARIES --
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT, I'M SAYING ONCE WE MAKE THAT ALLOWANCE NO MATTER WHAT THAT IS, RIGHT NOW THE COMMISSIONERS ARE AT OVERALL 97151, RIGHT?
>> MM-HMM. >> SAY THERE'S AN INCREASE TO THAT EITHER ON THE BASE PAY SIDE OR OVERALL COMPENSATION, IS THERE A WAY TO NOT HAVE THAT KICK IN UNTIL Q. WHICH WOULD BE JANUARY 1 OF 2023?
>> YOU COULD KICK THAT IN JANUARY BUT WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO ANNUALALLIZE THAT AMOUNT.
>> YES. I'M SAYING A FUNCTION OF HOW WE DO IT, WE'D NOT ALLOW FOR PAY INIES OR A TRUE PAY INCREASE UNTIL THE FIRST OF NEXT YEAR, I KNOW IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ANNUALALLIZED BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. --
>> I WOULD SAY THE BEST WAY --
>> IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL BECAUSE YOU WOULD STILL HAVE
TO BUDGET THE ANNUAL AMOUNT. >> THE TOTAL COST. YOU.
>> YOU WOULD DIVIDE IT UP AMONGST ALL PAY PERIODS. IF YOU ARE SAYING, WELL, LET'S NOT DO IT UNTIL QUARTER 2.
>> YOU ARE PROVING A SALARY, A TOTAL COMPENSATION FOR NEXT YEAR REGARDLESS OF HOW IT'S PAID OUT.
IF IT'S PAID OUT 1,000 A MONTH FOR 11 MONTHS AND THE REMAINDER ON THE 12TH MONTH IT'S THE SAME COST.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. I'M SAYING AT THE END OF THE DAY IF THERE WAS SOME WAY TO DO THAT, I THINK IT WOULD BE INTERESTING BECAUSE THERE IS AT LEAST 3 OF US UP FOR ELECTION RIGHT NOW AND I'M FINE WITH LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION WHILE I'M IN OFFICE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS COMING AFTER ME. I DON'T KNOW HOW COMFORTABLE I AM LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR ME. WHO KNOWS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER BUT THE FACT IS IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT THREE MONTHS ON THE TERM. I KNEW WHAT I WAS MAKING WHEN I TOOK THIS JOB OR I KNEW WHAT I WAS GOING TO GET WHEN I TOOK THIS JOB. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> IF WE, IF WE HAD IT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1 WE'RE STILL HAVING TO PUBLISH THE ENTIRE AMOUNT --
>> YEAH. >> THAT'S -- THE QUESTION OF THAT HAS BEEN CONSIDERED. I'M SURE IT'S CONSIDERED EVERY WHERE. AS YOU ARE ADOPTING PAY FOR OFFICIALS YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS FER' GOING TO BE IN OFFICE.
PART OF THAT, I'VE SEEN WHERE SOME COUNTIES I THINK DO HAVE DIFFERENT PAY. THEY USED TO. THEY MAY NOT ANY MORE. SOME COUNTIES HAD DIFFERENT PAY BASED UPON
TERMS OF SERVICE. >> THERE ARE A FEW THAT STILL DO THAT IN THE CONSTABLE AND J. P.
>> THERE IS PROBABLY NOT THAT MANY THAT DO THAT ANYMORE BUT I'M SURE THAT WAS THE REASON. HERE IS SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR 15 YEARS. HERE IS SOMEBODY THAT IS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW COMMISSIONER BECAUSE IT'S AN EMPTY SEAT. WHY WOULD YOU PAY SOMEONE WITH 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THE SAME --
>> THEY WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAY TO DO THAT.
AGAIN IT'S SO, SINCE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL YOU SET IT AND THERE'S ALSO ELECTIONS GOING ON FROM WHEN YOU COMPARE A BODY OF J. P.'S, CONSTABLES OR COMMISSIONERS OR ANYTHING ELSE, THERE IS ALWAYS OVERLAP. SO YOU NEVER HAVE A FRESH -- YOU RARELY WOULD EVER HAVE A FRESH START ACROSS THE BOARD WHERE YOU COULD SAY NOW IT'S FAIR, EVERYBODY IS THE SAME AND THEN, TAKES ON -- I DON'T THINK -- I THINK YOU HAVE TO PICK WHAT THE POSITION, THE VALUE FOR THAT POSITION BASED UPON SOME CALCULATION, SOME MARKET AND A CALCULTION AND YOU HAVE TO STICK WITH IT BECAUSE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE, WELL, YEAH, WE HAVE THE SAME POSITION BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH, A LARGER OFFICE OR LARGER AREA OR --
[02:20:05]
>> WE HEAR IT EVERYDAY. >> THERE'S NO WAY TO MAKE JUST HAVE TO SAY THE POSITION, THIS ELECTED POSITION IN THE COUNTY THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO STRIFE TO PAY DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME AND FUTURE COURTS CAN CHANGE THAT JUST LIKE THIS ONE IS LIKELY TO CHANGE WHAT HAPPENED IN 2008 OR 9 OR 2016 --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: RESTATING YOUR EARLIER COMMENT, SHERRY, YOU SAID MOST EXCLUDING THE COURT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE PAID ABOVE THE AVERAGE ALREADY.
>> THE COMMISSIONERS, THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE TREASURE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE A BELOW AVERAGE
CALCULATION. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ALL ARE PRESENT. [LAUGHTER]
>> SOMETHING ELSE, JUDGE, THAT YOU KNOW WE JUST APPROVED THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE AND I WOULD -- IT'S EVERYBODY'S RIGHT, YOU KNOW, AND I DON'T SALT THAT AT ALL BUT WE MAY HAVE GRIEVANCES ALSO IF WE DO JUST THAT. BUT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DEBATE.
>> WE'VE HAD SEVERAL THE LAST FEW YEARS. I'M ON THE RECORD OF THAT PROCESS. S IN' NOT ANYTHING PERSONAL.
I THINK THAT STATUTE WAS CREATED BECAUSE THERE WAS PROBABLY COURTS AT TIMES THAT WERE HAVING DISAGREEMENTS. EITHER AMONGST THEMSELVES OR OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND WHO WERE DOING EXTREME, YOU KNOW, PETTY THINGS BY SAYING, WE DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DOING SHERIFF WE'RE GOING TO SET YOUR SALARY TO $12. GOOD LUCK, WE DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING. THAT IS PROBABLY THE BACKSTOP FOR THAT SO THAT IS OBVIOUS IT'S JUST A PETTY FIGHT THEY WOULD HAVE A WAY TO COME IN WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES AND THE PUBLIC AND EXPLAIN THIS IS RIDICULOUS. YOU KNOW, I DON'T REALLY AGREE WITH THAT BUT I UNDERSTAND WHEN PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY ARE UNDERPAID, THAT THAT RIGHT EXISTS. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE'S WAY OUT OF WHACK WHERE SOMEONE COULD SAY AT THIS POINT OR SOMEONE COULD SAY, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT THIS COUNTY AND I'M GETTING PAID HALF OF THAT AND IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO I THINK THE AVERAGE CITIZEN, SO, I WOULD BE HOPING WE WON'T HAVE A GRIEVANCE REGARDLESS. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE AND IT HANKED A FEW TIMES AND IN THEIR
MIND I KNOW VERY WARRANTED. >> JUDGE BECERRA: TO SCHOOF OFF FROM THIS WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST, SHERRY, SINCE YOU'VE HEARD THE LATEST ITERATION OF INFORMATION.
>> I THINK THE LATEST ITERATION IS USE THE MARKET CALCULATIONS EXCLUDING TRAVIS WITH THE 6 ENTITIES AND IF THE WAGE AMOUNT IS LESS THAN WHAT THE CURRENT WAGE IS, THEN INCREASE THE WAGE TO THAT AMOUNT NO MORE THAN 6%. SO FOR THE TREASURER, THAT CALCULATION IS BELOW 3% SO THE TREASURER'S SALARY WOULD INCREASE 3%. THE COMMISSIONERS IF YOU INCLUDE SALARY IS DOWN 6.46%. SO THE AMENDMENT WOULD BE A 6% INCREASE AND THE SAME FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE DOWN 26%.
INCREASE WOULD BE 6%. >> ONLY ON BASE SALARY.
>> ONLY ON BASE SALARY. NOW THE COUNTY CLERK SALVI ABOVE 1.4%, SO IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT DOES IT NEED TO BE ABOVE BY A CERTAIN PERCENT OR NOT LEAVE IT FLAT TO ABOVE EQUAL NO SALARY ADJUSTMENT. THAT IS -- WE HAVE CONDISABLES ABOVE 20% AND J.P.'S ABOVE 12%.
THE OTHER THING TO REMEMBER IS ELECTED OFFICIALS DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE SAL -- THE RECOMMENDED SALARY. THERE'S A PROVISION FOR ELECTED
OFFICIALS TO DECLINE. >> YOU CAN DONATE IT BACK.
>> THEY CAN DONATE -- >> IT GOES BACK TO COUNTY
BUDGET. >> HOW ABOUT A COMMISSIONER RETURN HIS INCREASES EVERY YEAR?
>> I THINK HE DID AT LEAST ONE YEAR.
>> A COUPLE OF TIMES. >> WAITED UNTIL AFTER THE
[02:25:02]
ELECTION, COMMISSIONER, THERE WAS A COUPLE OF US>> I BELIEVE WHEN THE STUDY WAS DONE IN 08, 09, TOED A LEAST TWO OF THE COURT MEMBERS DECLINED TO TAKE IT UNTIL IT WAS SUPPORTED BY THE STUDY. AN THEN AFTERWARD TOOK IT SO THAT WAS', THAT IS SOMETHING THAT ALSO HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST.
>> >> JUDGE BECERRA: IS THERE A
MOTION, COMMISSIONERS? >> WITH THAT CALCULATION YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A VERY MINIMAL IMPACT TO THE BUDGET, WHAT IS BUDGETED TO BE THERE TO MAYBE UTILIZED FOR EMPLOYEES ONCE THAT IS WRAPPED UP.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: IS THERE A MOTION? OR DO WE MOVE ON?
>> WHAT IS THE DROP DEAD DATE? TODAY?
>> TODAY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MY ONLY AIM IS NOT TO PUT PRESSURE ON TO EVERYONE BUT TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING, THAT IS MY AIM. WHEN I ASK I NEVER WANT ANYONE TO FEEL PRESSURED.
I JUST AS THE CHAIR I'M KEEPING THE CONVERSATION MOVING. WE COULD HAVE LOTS OF RADIO SILENCE BUT I THINK IT'S GOOD TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY'RE THINKING.
[PAUSE] COME BACK TO THAT, JUDGE, CAN WE MOVE ON AND -- SOME OF US THINK ABOUT IT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: ANY OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO BE SAID BEFORE YOU GET OFF THE PODIUM?
>> KNOWS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY.
THANK YOU, MISS MILLER, WHAT WE'LL DO AT THIS TIME, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. NEXT WE'LL HEAR FROM THE BUDGET
OFFICE. >> VICKY DORSET, HAYS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE. SO TODAY IS OUR FINAL BUDGET WORKSHOP.
I WANTED TO MENTION FOR THE PUBLIC THE COUNTY TAX RATE IS MADE UP OF 3 COMPONENTS. OUR GENERAL FUND MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, ROAD AND BRIDGE MAINTENANCE AND BREAKS AND THE DEBT SERVICE FUND.
ALSO FOR REFERENCE THEN WHEN REVIEWING THE BULLETED EXPENDITURES, THE GENERAL FUND IS FUND 001, AROUND BRIDGES IS FUND 020 AND THE DEBT SERVICE FUND IS FUND 190. EXPENDITURES BUDGETED IN THREES 3 FUNDS ARE FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF TAX REVENUE, GRANT FUNDS, DEPOSITORY INTEREST AND OTHER MOUSE REVENUE -- MISCELLANEOUS REFUSE KNEW. WE HAVE OVER 25 SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS. PROJECTS, EQUIPMENT AND OR OPERATIONS THAT ARE BUDGETED IN THESE FUNDS ARE BUDGETED USING THE REVENUE RECEIVED FROM FEES THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO THAT FUND AND ARE NOT BUILT INTO THE TAX RATE.
SO ON -- I HANDED OUT A DOCUMENT TO YOU. THIS IS A RECAP OF ALL OF THE REQUESTS THAT YOU'VE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET WORKSHOPS. WE HAD A FIRST BUDGET WORKSHOP ON AUGUST THE 9TH. THERE WERE NO REQUESTS. LAST WEEK ON AUGUST THE 16TH, WE HAD 4 SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES ATTEND. TWO WERE IN PUBLIC COMMENT AND TWO MADE PRESENTATIONS TO THE COURT. AND OUR COUNTY CLERK ALSO MADE A REQUEST TO THE COURT. THESE REQUESTS ARE PART OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. THE FIRST REQUEST WAS MADE BY CAPITAL IDEA. THEY ARE CURRENTLY RECEIVING $50,000, ONE OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.
THEY MADE A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL $50,000.
PALLS, ALSO MADE AN ADDITIONAL REQUEST. THEY'RE CURRENTLY RECEIVING $25,000 IN OUR CURRENT BUDGET AND THEY MADE A QUESTION FOR AN ADDITIONAL $40,000.
>> I'M SORRY, ADDITIONAL 15 UP TO 40. I APOLOGIZE.
THE TIPSY WAS HERE. THEY MADE A PRESENTATION, THIS IS A NEW FUNDING AGENCY REQUEST FOR DOLLAR 14,654 AND THE GREATER SAN MARCOS AREA SENIORS AT THE PRIZE CENTER MADE A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL $21,000 AND $40,000 TO REPLACE FOUR H. V. A. C. UNITS. IN YOUR PACKET ON THE SECOND AND THIRD PAGE THERE IS A RECAP OF ALL THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND A HISTORY OF
[02:30:02]
THE PAST THREE YEARS OF FUNDING. WHAT THEY REQUESTED IN THE F. Y. 2023 BUDGET AND WHAT THE RECOMMENDATION IS CURRENTLY. IF YOU WANTED TO MAKE JUST COMMENTS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO APPROVE IN THE COURT PROPOSED BUDGET, THEN I CAN KEEP TRACK OF THESE ITEMS AND THEN WE CAN, UM' ACTUALLY BE VOTING ON THESE CHANGES IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.>> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY. >> DO YOU WANT ME TO GO
FIRST? >> JUDGE BECERRA: HAPPILY.
>> JUDGE, AS A CONTINUATION OF LAST WEEK, I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND -- DO YOU WANT MOTIONS OR ARE -- NOT
YET. >> NO MOTIONS, IF YOU WANT TO ALL AGREE WHAT IS GOING TO BE ADDED, YOU ARE WELCOME TO MAKE A MOTION BUT WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE INDIVIDUAL MOTIONS. YOU CAN DO THAT AT ALL ONCE.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WE FUND 60 AT 14,654.
>> I AGREE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: SHE WAS
SAYING NO MOTIONS. >> CONSENSUS.
>> I DON'T KNOW -- THAT FUND THE COMMISSION? HERE IS THE ONE ISSUE THAT I HAVE. I SPOKE TO MISS ROGERS ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK. THERE'S NOT -- I MAY BE WRONG ON HERE, BUT PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I AM -- BUT AS FAR AS THE INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY THAT WE FUND ON HERE IS THERE A SINGLE AGENCY THAT WE FULLY FUND? THAT WE PAY 100% OF THE BUDGET ON?
>> NO, SIR. I'M HAPPY TO GET ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS SO THEY PRESENT THEIR, WHERE THEIR FUNDING SOURCES ARE FROM. BUT TYPICALLY ALL OF THE AGENCIES THAT HAYS COUNTY FUNDS, THEY HAVE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES AS
WELL. >> THAT WAS MY CONCERN THAT I BROUGHT UP TO HER, WHATEVER SHE GAVE HER PRESENTATION WHICH WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST PRESENTED PRESENTATIONS THAT WE HAD, I REMEMBER THIS CONVERSATION THAT WE HAD LAST WEEK. I HAVE A CONCERN WITH FULLY FUNDING ALL OF THE OPERATIONS FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NONPROFIT ENTITY. WHAT WE'VE DONE ON A NUMBER OF THESE -- I KNOW WE HAD SET ASIDE $25,000 THIS YEAR OR IN THE BUDGET, IN THE BUDGET OFFICE'S BUDGET.
THERE WAS APPEAR ADDITIONAL $25,000 SET ASIDE FOR ALL REQUESTS. THOSE ARE EXISTING AND NEW REQUESTS.
AND TO USE, YOU KNOW, 3/5'S OF THAT ON ONE INDIVIDUAL GROUP TO FULLY FUND THEIR ENTIRE BUDGET FOR A YEAR, THOSE ARE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE. I WOULD BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF STARTUP MONEY. I MEAN LAST YEAR THE BUDGET WAS 1500 I BELIEVE. IF LOOKING AT THEIR INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION, LOOKING AT 1,000% INCREASE AT THE COUNTY'S EXPENSE: I DON'T THINK -- I DON'T KNOW WE'VE EVER HAD ONE THAT WE UPPED THAT MUCH FROM NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO OR LOOKING AT THEIR BUDGET CHANGE FROM 1500 TO $15,000. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE WITH, AGAIN, US BEING THE WHOLE FREIGHT FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU BE COMFORTABLE BE?
>> I'M ALL FOR STARTUP MONEY, $5,000, $6,000. YOU TELL ME BUT WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT IF WE DO $5,000, THAT LEAVES $20,000 LEFT FOR ANOTHER 20 OR 25 ENTITIES, WELL, MORE THAN THAT THAT WE WANT TO TRY TO EITHER TAKE CARE OF OR EXPAND WHAT THE OPERATIONS THEY HAVE ARE.
THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. I MEAN, I, I FEEL BAD IF I DIDN'T EXPRESS THEM BECAUSE I EXPRESSED THE SAME CONCERNS TO MISS ROGERS LAST WEEK.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. SO I MEAN I'M PROPOSING THE 14,654 AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR A CONSENSUS SO WE CAN MOVE
ON. SO -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: HOW DO US FEEL ABOUT COMMISSIONER INGALSBE EFFORT?
>> I MEAN ONE THING THAT I DID HEAR WAS THAT I THINK THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION HAS MAYBE SOME COMPUTERS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT THAT COULD BE USED AS WELL. MAYBE THAT COULD OFFSET IF WE WERE TO REDUCE THE TOTAL COST.
ANOTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AS WELL. IF THERE WERE SOMETHING THAT IS PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ALREADY, COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS, THINGS LIKE THAT THAT COULD BE USED TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE IF THE ENTIRE 14 ISN'T BUT I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH 10, 10,000 PLUS SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN COME UP WITH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: IS -- >> IS THE 25,000 WHAT WE
HAVE TO WORK WITH? >> THE 25,000, I INCLUDED 25,000 DISCRETIONARY FUNDING TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONGST
ANY OF THE -- >> BETWEEN THESE 6 --
[02:35:02]
>> YEAH. >> SO DO WE, I MEAN IT COMES SO LATE. YOU KNOW. THAT THERE MAYBE EQUIPMENT OR OTHER THINGS THAT KEY CAN PROVIDE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOWER THAT REQUEST OF -- CAN WE --
>> YOU CAN ALSO LEAVE SOME OF THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING IN. YOU DON'T HAVE TO ALLOCATE IT NULL IN ANY -- IT ALL AND ANY OF THE AGENCIES COULD COME BACK AT A LATER DATE OR A PRESENTATION OR TO REQUEST
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE CAN SAY 10,000 FOR THE ORGANIZATION WITH COMMISSIONER SHELL'S GOOD IDEA TO PROVIDE SOME SUPPORT ON THE EQUIPMENT AND I THINK THAT WILL HELP CARRY THEM. BECAUSE I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK THEY'VE DONE IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
I THINK THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IT.
>> I'M OKAY WITH TEN FOR NOW AND IF WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE, THAT FUNDING LEFT AND THERE IS EQUIPMENT THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH FOR THEM THEN MAYBE WE CAN COME BACK.
>> CAN WE START AT 10 NOW AND SAY? WE COULD COME BACK
AND GO EITHER WAY. >> I'M OKAY WITH GOING WITH THE TEN IF WE HAVE CONSENSUS ON THAT.
>> I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE MUCH THAT. THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS WE ALSO HAVE OUR INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH FUND. IF THERE ARE CERTAIN ONES OF --
>> NOT FOR EVERYBODY. >> NOT EVERYBODY?
>> PARDON. OKAY. THANK YOU. YOU ARE
RIGHT. >> NOT COMMISSIONER SHELL.
>> EVERYBODY BUT COMMISSIONER SHELL HAS INDIVIDUAL OUTREACH FUND. IF THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS THAT ARISE EACH ONE OF US HAVE A DESIGNATED INDIVIDUAL OUTREACH FUND THAT I WOULD APPROACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND SEE IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THAT. THAT'S, I WOULD --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: GOOD SUGGESTION, JUST TO KEEP
THIS MOVING WE'VE -- >> 10,000 FOR --
>> 10,000 AND THE ELDER -- I FORGOT --
>> FOR THE GREATER SAN MARCOS AREA SENIORS I WOULD PROPOSE WE INCREASE THAT BY 6,000 TO 10,000. I GUESS RIGHT NOW THEY GET ABOUT 4,000.
IS THAT CORRECT? >> THEY DO GET 4,000
ANNUALLY. >> IF WE'D INCREASE THAT BY
6,000 TO -- >> THAT BRINGS IT UP TO
16,000. >> IS THERE A CONSENSUS FOR
THAT? IS THAT OKAY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU BET.
>> AND THEN THE DOLLAR 40,000 FOR THE FOUR H. V. A.
C. UNIFRITZ RESERVES. >> OKAY.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT IS VERY EFFICIENT. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF A. C. WORK COMING THROUGH THE COUNTY. THAT'S A VERY EFFICIENT USE OF THAT MONEY FOR THAT PURPOSE.
>> AND THEN I'M GOING TO SKIP DOWN. I CAN SUGGEST SOME MORE ON THE TOP BUT I WANTED TO SKIP DOWN. WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM THE CENTRAL TEXAS DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER. THERE IS A LETTER IN THE BACKUP THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED REGARDING THAT.
AND MARTHA JOYCE AND PATTY THINK MAYBE SPOKE TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT. AND THEY ARE REALLY HAVING A TOUGH TIME IN THEIR CURRENT LOCATION. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING, THE RENT IS JUST TOO HIGH AS WE'VE SEEN IN THE SAN MARCOS AREA. SO IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A PRESENCE HERE, THEY ARE HOPING THAT WE CAN FUND THEM $50,000 AND THAT WOULD BE OUT OF RESERVES ALSO. IT APPEARS THAT SOMEONE HAS GIVEN THEM A VERY GOOD PRICE ON A BUILDING IN NEW BRUNLES, BUT THIS IS WHERE DISPUTE RESOLUTION STARTED. THEY WANT TO AS I MENTIONED, SAY HERE AND HAVE A PRESENCE HERE. AND SO THEY HAVE FOUND A PLACE AT THE OLD MILL AT A REASONABLE PRICE.
AND THIS WILL HELP THEM WITH THAT. SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE TAKE THE REQUEST OUT OF RESERVES OF $50,000 FOR
THEM. >> WE'RE NOT FUNDING THEM ONLY THIS ANY MORE, THEY'RE 10% ON THEIR OWN --
>> THE B.'S THEY COLLECT WOULD HELP FUND --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: CONSENSUS ON SUPPORTING THAT EFFORT.
>> AS LONG AS THEY KNOW THAT IS ONE-TIME.
>> I DID TELL THEM THAT. THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY FINE AND THEY REALLY FELT THAT WOULD JUST GET THEM OVER THE HUMP AND THEY COULD START SAVING SO IN RETURN THEY CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT RENT THEY NEED.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL. WHAT ELSE, COMMISSIONER?
>> WELL, IF WE GO BACK UP TO THE TOP, I, YEAH, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF INCREASING THEM BY 10,000.
[02:40:01]
>> FOR SPAY, NEUTERED. >> I THINK IN OUR CURRENT SITUATION, OVERCROWDING WE GOT AT THE --
>> THEY'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND WE INCREASED THEIR FUNDING FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND I BELIEVE THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THEY'RE PUTTING IT TO GOOD USE AN IT'S MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY DO A GREAT
JOB. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU ARE SEEING A CONSENSUS ON THAT ONE, TOO. GOOD KEEP. KEEP GOING.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, THAT IS $25,000 RIGHT THERE, RIGHT?
>> NO, 6,000 LEFT I BELIEVE. >> 6,000?
>> WE DID 5+ 6+ 10, THAT IS 21 WE'VE -- FOUR.
>> 10,000 FOR -- 10,000 FOR PAULS AND 6,000 FOR --
>> WE'RE ONE OVER. >> YOU ARE ONE OVER.
>> GO DOWN TO 9,000 FOR PAULS.
>> I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SAVINGS ON THE ELECTED
>> LEAVE IT AT TEN. >> I THINK WE'LL BE FINE.
>> YOU HAVE A FULL 6% ELECTED OFFICIAL INCLUDED?
>> I HAVE AN AVERAGE OF 6% FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES SET ASIDE FOR THE MARKET STUDY.
>> OF THE 6% FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WOULD
DEFINITELY COVER -- >> WE CAN PULL 1,000 OUT OF
THERE IN THE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER AN ADDITIONAL, I THINK CAPITAL IDEAS CONTINUE TO DO GOOD WORK. WE'VE HAD GREAT PARTICIPATION FROM OUR COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US TRY TO PUT A LITTLE EXTRA IN THERE. THEY'VE GOOD SUCCESS STORIES AND FOR EVERY FEW ,000 THEY GET% ANOTHER PERSON THROUGH THEIR PROGRAM AND EMPLOYED SO IF WE COULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL
>> I WOULD BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.
>> YEAH, ME TOO. THAT WAS THE OTHER ONE.
THAT WAS THINKING A LITTLE MORE BUT I'M SUPPORTIVE OF
FIVE. >> OKAY. ON AUGUST 16TH, THE LAST REQUEST TO COVER IS THE COUNTY CLERK. HER REQUEST IS THE ACTUALLY SPLIT ON YOUR SHEET INTO TWO. THE FIRST IS THE GENERAL FUND IMPACT WHICH IS $56,147 FOR A NEW DEPUTY CLERK THREE POSITION.
SHE ALSO REQUESTED A SECOND DEPUTY CLERK THREE POSITION OUT OF HER RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUND AS WELL AS 4 CUBICLES OUT OF HER MANAGEMENT FUND.
>> I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUND POSITION AND THE CUBICLES TO START WITH. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A CONSENSUS -- [PAUSE]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: MAYBE YOU CAN STATE THAT AGAIN?
>> I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUND, THE NEW DEPUTY CLERK POSITION AND THE FOUR CUBICLES COMING
OUT OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: CONSENSUS
>> GOING TO REMIND YOU THAT THE OTHER ONE IS FOR THE THIRD COURT. MENTAL HEALTH COURT.
>> MENTAL HEALTH COURT. >> IS THERE NOT ALREADY A
CLERK FOR THE COURT 3? >> NO, WE'RE NOT --
ADDITIONAL STAFF -- >> SO YOU USE THE RECORDS MANAGED FUNDED POSITION FOR THAT?
>> WELL, I MEAN IT'S RECORDS MANAGEMENT. I THINK WHAT I COULD DO, IT WOULD MESS UP THE REALIGNMENT WITH ALL OF OUR PEOPLE. BUT WE COULD PROBABLY -- [INAUDIBLE]
>> UP TO THE COURT. >> I'M GOOD WITH THAT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: MENTAL HEALTH COURT NEEDS TO BE STAFFED SO I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH
COURT. >> FORGIVE ME, THOUGH, WHEN WE CREATED THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT THERE WERE 2 POSITIONS THAT WERE DESIGNATED FOR THE COURT.
LET ME FINISH BEFORE YOU CORRECT ME. PLEASE, MA'AM.
FOR, FOR -- WE'VE -- >> SHE SAID, NO.
>> THERE IS TWO POSITIONS THAT I THINK, JUDGE, JUDGE O'BRIEN HAS FILT THOSE POSITIONS. IS THAT RIGHT,
>> IT'S ONE POSITION. THAT IS DESIGNATED.
THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT IS DESIGNATED AS A COURT UNDER COUNTY COURT LAW NUMBER 3 JUST LIKE ANY OTHER COURTROOM. DO WEAVER A SEPARATE CLERK, MY QUESTION IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE VETERANS COURT? WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO HAVE TEAMS OF COURTS, TEAMS ASSIGNED TO EACH OF THE
[02:45:02]
COURTS. WE'VE NEVER REALLY HAVE FULLY ACHIEVED THAT AND THE DEMAND IS INCREASING. NOW WE HAVE THE VETERANS COURT IS ESPECIALLY -- SO WE'VE PEOPLE WHO WILL HAVE TO DO EXTRA DUTY. WE HAVE STAFF WHO ARE TRY G TO DO IT BUT WE NEED BACKUP.THEY WANT THE SAME PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO EACH COURT FOR
VARIOUS REASONS RIGHT NOW.% >> THE REASON I ASK ABOUT THE TEAM CONCEPT, IF WE LOOK AT BOTH THE DISTRICT COURTS AND THE D. A.'S OFFICE WHENEVER THEY CAME IN AND ASKED FOR PERSONLE IN THE PAST, THEY A, THEIR JUSTIFICATION WAS WE ARE ASSIGNING THESE INDIVIDUALS TO THIS COURT. SO MY QUESTION -- I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A CLERK ASSIGNED TO JUDGE O'BRIEN'S COURT WHICH
YOU DO, YOU DO HAVE A CLERK. >> WE'VE CLERKS WHO WORK IN THERE BUT WE DON'T HAVE TEAMS FULLY ASSIGNED.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO DO IT BUT THEY'RE SEPARATE FROM THE OTHER CLERKS. JUDGES HAVE THEIR OWN
CLERKS. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT. MY QUESTION IS WE DON'T HAVE A TEAM SPECIFICALLY FOR THE
VETERANS COURT RIGHT NOW? >> WE'RE PROVIDING IT BUT, YEAH, WE PROVIDE STAFFING FOR IT BUT AS I SAID WE'RE NOT AT A POINT YET WHERE WE CAN FULLY MAKE IT BE -- MEET THE REQUEST FROM THE COURT SIDE THAT WE HAVE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO EACH COURT. THEY WANT TO DO SO SO THEY HAVE CONNEWT ON ALL -- CONTINUITY ON ALL CASES.
>> THE JUDGES ARE REQUESTING THAT OF YOUR OFFICE?
>> THIS QUESTION IS FOR A MENTAL HEALTH --
>> WELL, IT WOULD BE THE THIRD COURTROOM. MAYBE THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE ASKING, IT WOULD BE SOMEBODY'S -- [INAUDIBLE] WHICH ALSO --
>> THAT IS MY QUESTION. ARE WE NOT STAFFING --
>> IT'S NOT FULLY STAFFED. NO, WE'RE NOT.
>> BUT POSITIONWISE NOT NECESSARILY FILLED POSITION BUT POSITIONWISE DID WE ADD COUNTY CLERK POSITIONS OVER
>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE UTILIZED THEM BUT WE'VE ADDED POSITIONS EVERY YEAR AND SINCE I BELIEVE 2017, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 2021. THERE WERE TWO ADDED IN 2022. ONE OCTOBER AND ONE APRIL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WHEN JUDGE O'BRIAN CALLS ME ASKING FOR SUPPORT TO RUN THE COURT COURT I GIVE HIM ALL THE SUPPORT I CAN AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE WHEN YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS ASKING FOR SUPPORT TO RUN A COURT EFFICIENTLY. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IT BECAUSE I KNOW I'M HARPING ON SPEEDING UP OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM. AND YOU GUYS ARE THE ONES RUNNING THOSE OFFICES. JUDGES ARE CALLING ME ASKING FOR SUPPORT. I GIVE THEM SUPPORT.
YOU ARE ASKING FOR SUPPORT I'M NOT GOING TO POKE IT ON ANYBODY HERE BUT I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU AS WELL SO
THAT YOU CAN DO -- >> I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE
PROCESS -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M STILL TALKING, A FEW MORE SECONDS. THE JOB THAT IS BEING ASKED OF YOU IS WHAT I WANT TO SUPPORT YOU WITH AND NOW IF THERE IS, IF THERE IS OVERSPILL, IF THERE IS WAYS -- IF I GO UP TO YOUR OFFICE AND I SEE PEOPLE EATING M.
AND M.'S OR AROUND THE WATER COOLER NOT DOING ANYTHING ELSE THEN WE HAVE A PROBLEM BUT I KNOW YOU ARE FAR FROM THAT. WHATEVER I CAN DO TO SUPPORT YOU I'M GOING TO TRY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE TRYING TO SUPPORT JUDGE
O'BRIEN IN THAT COURT. >> I AM. SO THE --
>> MY QUESTION IS THIS: ON THE STRUCTURALWISE, WHEN WAS THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NUMBER 3. WHEN DID IT COME
ON LINE? >> THAT WAS' ADDED AROUND
>> YES. >> SO MY QUESTION WAS AT THAT TIME, I REMEMBER US VERY CLEARLY Y'ALL ASKING
FOR CLERKS FOR THAT COURT. >> WE DID. WE GOT A COUPLE
OF CLERKS. >> AND WE PROVIDED THOSE.
WE DID. >> YEAH. THE REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED EVEN SO. BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL THERE'S INCREASES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND CATCHING UP AND THEY'RE HAVING MORE DOCKETS AND THINGS LIKES THAT BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ASKED US TO CHANGE THE PROCESS BECAUSE WE USED TO SEND THE SAME TEAMS INTO THE SAME COURTS.
NOW THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO BE RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY BUT THEY'VE ALSO ASKED IF WE GO TO THE RANDOM ASSIGNMENT OF COURTROOMS AND THEY HAVE THE CASES FOLLOWED BY THE SAME JUDGE THROUGHOUT THEY'VE ASKED OBJECT THE COURT SIDE -- ON ITSELF COURT SIDE WE HAVE THE SAME TEAM WORKING WITH THE JUDGES.
>> THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE, MY QUESTION IS I, AGAIN, THIS WAS, WE DISCUSSED THIS LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET
>> AND AT THAT TIME THE ASOUPS WAS YOU HAD CLERK POSITION THAT IS COULD COVER EACH ONE OF THE THREE COURTROOMS, THATCHES THE QUESTION LAST YEAR -- THAT WAS THE QUESTION LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR YOU ARE SAYING WE DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE TO COVER COURT 3 WHENEVER I
[02:50:02]
THOUGHT WE HAVE ALREADY TRIED TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS. I'M SUPPORTIVE IF WE NEED ANOTHER ONE FOR THE COURT. FUNCTIONALLY IF IT CHANGED I WANT TO KNOW WHY IT CHANGED OR HOW IT CHANGED.DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> YES, TO DOES. THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN. THE PROCESS IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE'RE SENDING THE SAME TEAMS TO THE DIFFERENT COURTROOMS TO MEET THE NEED. WE CAN'T REALLY FULFILL THEIR REQUESTS THIS WAY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PLANS FOR HAVING THEM TO SEE CASE AND HAVE SIMULTANEOUS DOCKETS BECAUSE WE DO NEED THE TEAMS AND WE NEED A GOOD BACKUP FOR EACH ONE BECAUSE PEOPLE GET SICK AND THEY'RE ON LEAVE, THINGS LIKE THAT. AND WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE TEAM BACK IN THE OFFICE TO RECEIVE THE FILES THAT ARE BROUGHT IN AND DEAL WITH THE ATTORNEYS THAT COME INTO THE OFFICE. AND THERE ARE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH A MENTAL HEALTH COURT ABOUT SEALING DOCUMENTS AND SOME OTHER SPECIAL DUTIES.
THERE -- >> I'M FINE, I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF A NEW POSITION.
>> YEAH. >> BUT I WANT, I WANT TO HEAR YOU SAY THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MENTAL
HEALTH COURT. >> THIS ONE IS FOR THE
MENTAL HEALTH COURT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I HAVE TO KEEP MOVING, GET A CONSENSUS ON THE --
(ALL TALKING AT ONCE.) >> I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST IF YOU WANTED TO SET ASIDE FUNDS FOR TWO POSITIONS IF THE COUNTY CLERK WAS WILLING TO FUND BOTH POSITIONS FROM THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT. BUT ESTABLISH THEM AT A LATER DATE AND GIVE YOU MORE TIME TO WORK THROUGH THIS
QUESTIONS. >> WHAT IS THE BALANCE IN
RECORDS MANAGEMENT? >> PROBABLY WELL OVER A
MILLION DOLLARS. >> WE PROBABLY GET 2 FOR
THAT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE NEED TO KEEP MOVING. I THINK WE GOT --
>> THERE IS PLENTY IN THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUN.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: CONSENSUS TO SUPPORT IT.
>> I THINK WE CAN CREATE ONE NEW POSITION USING RECORDS MANAGEMENT AND COME BACK AND CREATE MORE IN THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT NEEDED. I KNOW THE COURT IS JUST GETTING STARTED THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND MAYBE --
>> WOE COULD START IT LATER IN THE YEAR.
>> PROBABLY GOT ABOUT 2.6 MILLION.
>> DID YOU HEAR THE GENERAL CONSENSUS?
>> IF YOU WANT TO GIVE FOR THE ABILITY TO ESTABLISH ANOTHER POSITION, WE'D JUST NEED TO BUDGET SOME OF THAT
FUND BALANCE FOR THAT. >> BUDGET --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: NOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE I'M GOING TO SHUT THIS DOWN AND OPEN UP
PUBLIC HEARING. >> ACTUALLY DO I HAVE ONE, A COUPLE OF THINGS. FROM -- OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I BROUGHT TOGETHER OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, WELL THE SPECIFIC OFFICES ARE DEVELOPMENT SER SELVES, TRANSPORTATION, FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND I.T.DEPARTMENT TO LOOK AT CREATING TRULY A CONSTITUENT PORTAL FOR US. AT A COUNTY LEVEL THAT IS MORE OR LESS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR THE COUNTY. ON THE FORWARD FACING SIDE, IT WOULD BE A PRODUCT WHERE IF YOU ARE FROM HAYS COUNTY AND YOU WANT TO EITHER REQUEST A PERMIT OR FIND OUT ABOUT THE BURN BAN, SEE IF YOU ARE IN THE E. T. J. OF THE CITY OR NOT, IF YOU GOT A POT HOLE THAT NEEDS FILLED, IT CAN, IT WOULD CREATE A SYSTEM BY WHICH YOU COULD DO ALL OF THAT AT ONE SPOT.
ON THE BACKEND IT WOULD BE A WORK FLOW MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR US AS A COUNTY. IN OTHER WORDS WHENEVER THAT POT HOLE QUESTION COMES IN INSTEAD OF IT GOING TO A SPREAD SHEET IN A SYSTEM? JERRY'S OFFICE IT WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE A WORK FLOE WHERE WE KNOW WHO IT WAS ASSIGNED TO. HOW MUCH TIME IT TOOK TO FILL IT. WHAT IT KOST TO FILL IT.
AND WE CAN BUDGET OFF OF THAT IN THE FUTURE. IF IT'S A DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, WHENEVER THEY TURN IN THEIR PLAT OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAYBE, IT STARTS THE STATUTORY TIME CLOCK THAT WE HAVE A 30-DAY SHOT CLOCK ON THE PLATTING, THIS WOULD IDENTIFY WHO IT WAS ASSIGNED TO. IT WOULD GIVE THEM PERIODIC OKAY YOU'VE FIVE DAYS LEFT. YOU HAVE TEN DAYS LEFT. STILL HAS TO GO THROUGH THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, FIRE MALSHALE HASN'T SIGNED OFF BUT IT CREATES THE WORK FLOE MANAGEMENT WHERE WE CAN GET AN END PRODUCT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE AND IT ALSO ALLOWS US AS MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND AS THE JUDGE TOE LOOK AND SAY, WHENEVER WE ARE THE 7TH PERSON TO GET A PHONE CALL FROM, WITHIN, YOU KNOW A CONSTITUENT MAKES 6 OR 7 PHONE CALLS TO FOLKS HERE IN THE COUNTY, IT ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THAT AND SAY I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH, THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH. I CAN GET ON THE HORN AND TUBING THIS INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT -- TALK TO THIS INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT HEAD AND WE CAN GET A RESPONSE TO YOU ON THIS ISSUE. SO THAT WE CAN
[02:55:03]
BE RESPONSIVE TO THE -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT IS REALLY GOOD, COMMISSIONER. I WAS GO TO GO THERE.
THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE?
>> I'VE TWO THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT. I WANT TO -- I'VE SPOKEN TO I.T.AND THEY FEEL LIKE THERE IS NOT ONE SYSTEM THAT DOES THIS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE SYSTEMS THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SET ABOUT HALF A MILLION DOLLAR OUT OF RESERVES AND ONE TIME EXPENSE SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM TO GO OUT AND LOOK AND TRY TO FIND THE RIGHT PRODUCT TO DO THIS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
>> IT IS, IT WOULD BE A ONE-TIME EXPENSE TO GO OUT AND ACTUALLY IDENTIFY THE WAY TO GO ABOUT IT. AND THEN MOST OF THESE PRODUCT HAVE A LICENSING AGREEMENT THAT IS LESS THAN $100,000 A YEAR THAT WOULD BE EATEN BY THE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT THAT IS USING IT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: UNTIL YOU GIVE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT I WAS BEHIND YOU. I ALMOST GOT A HEADACHE HERE.
>> IT'S NOT CHEAP. >> IS THAT WHAT JEFF IS RECOMMENDING THAT WE SET ASIDE?
>> I'VE ASKED JEFF ABOUT IT. HE LOOKED AT 2 OR 3 DIFFERENT PRODUCTS. EVERY ONE THESE COMPANIES THAT DOES THIS STUFF HAVE A SECRET SAUCE TO IT AND DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE EVEN REMOTELY TRYING TO PICK ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR I.T.DEPARTMENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ENOUGH FUNDING IN THERE WHEN THE I.T.DEPARTMENT DOES MAKE A SELECTION, WHETHER IT'S $50,000 OR $50,000 -- $500,000 THAT IT CAN COVER WHATEVER EXPENSES ARE RELATED TO THAT. IF THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN HOLD OFF ON IT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: SO TRUE. IT'S SO IMPORTANT.
>> THE OTHER THING THAT I REALLY LOOKED AT IS EVEN TODAY WE LOOKED AT OUR OVERALL G. E. C. CONTRACT AND THAT G. E. C. CONTRACT, THEY DO A GREAT JOB ON WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. WE, THEY DO A PHENOMENAL JOB ON HOW OUR INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS ARE RUN AND OVERSIGHT TO THAT.
BUT RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNCTION AMOUNT TO GO OUT AND -- FUNCTIONALITY TO SAY ON 110 FOR TO YOU OPEN UP A DASH BOARD AND SAY. OKAY. WELL, THIS 2016 ROAD BOND PROJECT THE A. F. A. IT HAS BEEN 112 DAYS ON A.
F. A. RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION IS GOING TO COST $112,000. WE'VE SPENT ON ENGINEERING $213,000. UP TO DATE ON DAILY. AND THERE IS SOME TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE AS WELL THAT DOES THAT. I KNOW TRAVIS COUNTY USES IT. SOME OTHER SURROUNDING COUNTIES, KYLE USES SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPANIES THAT DO THESE THINGS. I HOPE TO BE -- I WANT TO BE ABLE TO BEING LOOK AT THAT AS WELL.
THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T EVEN PAY FOR RIGHT NOW, BUT OF THAT, OF THAT, THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WE MAY HAVE, OUT OF ONE TIME USE IT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF EACH ONE OF OUR OFFICES INDIVIDUALLY BUT FOR THE COUNTY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR THAT ON A MORE CLOSELY BASIS.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I KNOW THAT YOU SHOWED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS WORKSHOP, MA'AM. SO I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK, I'M ABOUT TO CLOSE THE BUDGET WORKSHOP AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON OUR, FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR PROPOSED BUDGET. DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING BEFORE WE CLOSE THIS? I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE CHANCE IF CASE YOU WANT IT. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE
THE CONVERSATION. >> I THOUGHT IT WAS --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU ARE HERE FOR THE 1:00 WHICH IS
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I'M GOING TO EP COO US MOVING, GOING TO CLOSE THIS PIECE AND THEN I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE
[J6. 1:00 p.m. - Hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023 Hays County Proposed Budget. BECERRA/DORSETT]
>> 6, 1 PECULIAR M.. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 HAYS COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: AND NOW I'M GOING TO OPEN THIS BABY FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE, YOU COULD BE THE FIRST ONE UP TO BAT.
>> OKAY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU
SO MUCH. I LOVE THAT SHIRT. >> OH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SO HAPPY WITH IT, TOO. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IT'S ON.
WE SHOULD LIKE TO KEEP THAT. IF YOU DON'T MIND HANDING IT TO THE CLERK. THANK YOU, WE HAVE IT ON PAPER RECORD GNAT
IN ADDITION TO VIDEO. >> NO PROBLEM. SO MY NAME IS MICHELE DONNELLY. I AM A CURRENT BOARD MEMBER OF PALS, PREVENT A LITTER HERE IN SAN MARCOS. AND I KNOW THAT ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SPOKE LAST WEEK AND TALKED A LOT ABOUT SOME OF OUR COSTS THEY WERE GOING UP BUT I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE QUICKLY ABOUT WHY AND THE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT BECAUSE I THINK
[03:00:03]
THEY'RE REALLY TELLING. I LOOKED THEM UP THIS MORNING. I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THE NUMBER OF APPLICATION THAT IS WE'RE GETTING THIS YEAR COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS. AT THIS DATE LAST YEAR WE HAD RECEIVED 1,713 APPLICATIONS FOR HELP. TO DATE THIS YEAR IT STANDS AT 2070. THAT IS A 21% INCREASE IN FAMILIES ASKING FOR HELP. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF PETS, THESE ARE THE FAMILIES THEY HAVE MULTIPLE PETS PER APPLICATION. NOT ONLY IS THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES IN NEED INCREASING BUT DUE TO THE CURRENT ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE GLOBE ALL OTHER COSTS ARE INCREASING OBVIOUSLY.AGAIN AS THE ONLY PRETTY MUCH LOW-COST OPTION IN THE COUNTY FOR PEOPLE TO FIX THEIR ANIMALS, KEEP PETS SURRENDERS AND UNWANTED LITTERS OUT OF THE SHELTER IT'S ESSENTIAL PALS HAS AVAILABLE FUNDS TO KEEP GOING. I HEARD YOU TALKING ABOUT THAT. I KNOW YOU AGREE. IN ORDER TO MEET THIS OVERWHELMING INCREASE IN CITIZEN NEEDS OUR BUDGET HAS TO INCREASE. TURNING PEOPLE IN NEED AWAY IS JUST NOT A VIABLE OPTION FOR US. NOR I DON'T THINK THE COUNT I.
THIS IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF HAYS COUNTY.
THE GROWING POPULATION. THE INCREASING POVERTY LEVELS. I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT OUR OWN SOURCE OF INCOME. SO PLEASE DON'T FEEL LIKE WE JUST KEEP COMING AND SAYING YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT US COMPLETELY. BECAUSE WE DO HAVE -- WE HAVE OUR LOCAL PETFEST. WE'RE GO HAVING A GALA THIS YEAR AND WE DO APPLY FOR MANY OTHER GRANTS. AS MANY AS WE CAN FIND.
OKAY BUT THE NEED JUST KEEPS GROWING AND I DON'T SEE IT GETTING SMALLER. OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW THAT IT'S TIME FOR A DESIGNATED COMMUNITY COUNTY SPAY NEUTER FACILITY.
IT'S OVERDUE AND PALS IS IN A POSITION TO POSSIBLY BE THAT IF WE CAN GET THE FUNDING.
SO I JUST WANTED TO, I KNOW THAT WE HAD ASKED FOR $40,000 AND 25,000 WAS SCALE KATEED SO I KNOW -- ALLOCATED SO I KNOW IT'S HARD TO INCREASE THAT EVERY YEAR, BUT I WANTED YOU TO HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN OUR PAPERWORK AND OUR WEBSITE AND THE NEED THAT THE COMMUNITY IS SENDING OUR WAY. IT'S CRAZY. WE'VE GONE FROM ONE CLINIC A MONTH TO FOUR CLINICS A MONTH TO TEN CLINICS IN SEPTEMBER. SO WE DON'T WANT TO RUN DOWN A FUNDING, WE DON'T WANT TO TELL PEOPLE, SORRY, WE CAN'T FIX YOUR ANIMAL RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE OUT OF MONEY. SO WE WANT TO KEEP HEALTHY WITH
OUR BUDGET. >> I GUESS YOU MAY NOT HAVE BEEN HERE FOR THE DISCUSSION BUT WE HAVE RECOMMENDED AN
ADDITIONAL $10,000. >> I WALKED IN ON THAT AND I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS WAS MY TIME TO TALK BUT I DID HEAR THAT. AND THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE'RE IN A SETTING IN THE COURT WHERE WE HAVE THAT BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATION SPACE. SO IT DIDN'T REALLY MAKE TOO MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE. WHEN YOU SPOKE BUT I WANTED TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU SOUGHT. SO THE COMMISSIONERS EXACTLY RIGHT.
EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD GIVEN BEFORE IS BEING RECOMMENDED AT THIS TIME. WE'LL TAKE A VOTE BUT BEING RECOMMENDED
AND AN ADDITIONAL. SO -- >> WONDERFUL, WELL THANK YOU, NOW YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE BEHIND THAT. I
APPRECIATE IT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE TRULY LOVE PALS AND EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE KNOW YOU ARE JUST ONE OF THE RAYS MUCH HOPE IN OUR KALEIDOSCOPE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE OUR COUNTY IN THE HIGHEST AND BEST WAY POSSIBLE. FOR THAT
WE THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, THANKS FOR
LISTENING. >> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU BET.
ANYONE ELSE IN THIS SPACE INTERESTED IN SPEAKING? OTHERWISE I'M GOING TO COME TO THE COURT AND TALK ABOUT SALARIES, SETTING THE SALARY AND ALLOWANCE FOR ELECTED
OFFCIALS. >> WE STILL NEED TO CONTINUE
TO GO THROUGH THE LIST. >> JUDGE BECERRA: OKAY WE'LL
CONTINUE THAT. >> SO WE'VE GONE OVER ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE DEPARTMENT THAT SPOKE DURING THE BUDGET WORKSHOPS. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF REQUESTS THAT CAME IN DIRECTLY TO ME. NOT NECESSARILY HERE IN THE BUDGET WORKSHOP BUT LISTED UNDER AUGUST THE 23 INFORMATION. THE FIRST THING IS THE J. P. 4 SALARY INCREASE, WE HAVE TO BUDGET THAT DOLLAR 9,100 THATCHES APPROVED.
THE JUVENILE LEFT OUT THEIR PRINTING BUDGET --
[INAUDIBLE] >> THEY'RE ASKING THAT $750 TO BE ADDED BACK IN. D. P. S. LICENSE AND WEIGHT REQUESTED A WATER COOLER RENTAL FOR THE WAY STATION AREA. APPROXIMATELY $675 ANNUALLY.
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>> JUDGE BECERRA: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T FORGET OR LOSE SIGHT OF THIS.
THE A. AND. AG EXTENSION FOLKS CAME TO MY OFFICE ASKING FOR A POSITION TO SPECIFICALLY FOCUS ON 4 H. I WANT TO SUPPORT THAT.
>> DISPEAK WITH THE -- I DID SPEAK WITH BOTH EXTENSION AGENTS. THERE MAY BE A REQUEST THAT COMES ON SEPTEMBER 20TH ON THE DAY WE ADOPT SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT MAYBE CONVERTING A POSITION. THEY HAVE HAD A RETIREMENT SO THEY'RE LOOKING AT MAYBE CONVERTING
A POSITION. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IT'S SO USEFUL IN SO MANY WAYS AND THE DIVERSITY AND THE, YOU KNOW, FOOD INSECURITIES. THINGS THAT HAPPEN THROUGH PANDEMICS, I THINK IT'S VALUABLE TO HEAR THEY'RE REACHING THAT THIS SPACE AND TRYING TO SUPPORT AND HARMONIZE THE H. 4 PROGRAM. IT'S AWESOME.
>> CONTINUING DOWN THE LIST OF ITEMS TO CONSIDER, THE COURT DID VOTE ON A CONTRACT FOR HAS CAL COUNTY LAST WEEK. WE HAVE TO BUDGET FOR THAT NOW BECAUSE THAT IS A GUARANTEED CONTRACT. WE HAVE, WE ENDED SHERIFF'S REQUEST AND IN THEIR F. Y. BUDGET THEY ASKED $3 MILLION FOR CONTRACT ATTENTION, THE CONTRACT IS GUARANTEED $3,467,000. WITH THAT KNOWLEDGE KNOWING THAT THE 1 O 0 COUNT BED MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH WITH THE UNLESS RIGHT NOW, I DID SPEAK WITH THE SHERIFF REGARDING THE VACANT POSITIONS THEY HAD. A WAY TO HELP FUND THAT IS WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT 11 MORE OFFICERS, THEY CURRENTLY HAD 67 OR 66 OR 67 VACANCIES. THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET WE REMOVED 25 CORRECTIONS OFFICES TO BALANCE. THIS WOULD REMOVE AN ADDITIONAL -- AND THAT WOULD FUND 700,000 ADDITIONAL FOR CONTRACT ATTENTION WITH ANOTHER 800,000 BEING RECOMMENDED FROM THE ARPA FUNDING. THIS WOULD, WOULD FUND 4.5 MILLION IN TOTAL FOR CONTRACT RETENTION FOR F. Y. 2023, 23, SO A LITTLE OVER A MILLION FOR OTHER COUNTY CONTRACT ATTENTION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THERE ARE NO JOSH JUST TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, THERE IS NO CANCELATION OF OTHER CONTRACT BUT ADDING THIS THAT WE APPROVED LAST
WEEK, CORRECT? >> THEY'RE NOT GUARANTEED CONTRACTS. THEY ARE PER DAY RATES AS NEEDED SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SHERIFF IS GOING TO BEGIN BRINGING ALL OF THOSE INMATES IN FROM THOSE FAR REACHING COUNTIES.
BUT THERE MAY BE A NEED TO UTILIZE SOME OF THE CLOSER COUNTIES SUCH AS CARMEL. THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP THOSE FOR ANY OVERRUNS OVER THE 100.
>> THE WAY THOSE CONTRACTS ARE WRITTEN IS PEGGY SAID THERE IS NO NEED TO CANCEL THEM. WE WON'T FILL THEM WITH THE DAILY INDIVIDUALS SO THEREFORE WE WON'T BE -- THE COUNTY WILL BE SAVING MONEY ON THOSE CONTRACTS BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY'RE BEING ASKED FOR.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I APPRECIATE IT, I REALLY DO.
I SIGNED THOSE. I'M VERY WELL AWARE BUT THERE IS CONFUSION IN THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO USE THE WORDS BEING USED OUT THERE AND NOT CREATE CONFUSION BUT TO SHOW A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION.
THE GOAL IS TO DIMINISH BUT THERE'S NO TERMINATION OF
CONTRACTS HAPPENING. >> CORRECT.
>> VICKY ONE QUESTION. AND THE SHERIFF THOUGHT THAT WAS OKAY WITH THOSE ADDITIONAL REMOVALS.
>> HE DID. >> HE FELT COMFORTABLE THAT HE COULD STILL HIRE ENOUGH PEOPLE --
>> THAT WOULD LEAVE THEM 30 VACANT POSITIONS WITH THE
REMOVAL OF THE 11 POSITIONS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THE CHIEF DEPUTY WAGS HERE LAST WEEK TO REITERATE FOR THOSE FOLKS MAYBE NOT TUNED IN TO LAST WEEK BUT TUNED IN TODAY THE CHIEF DEPUTY AND THE SHERIFF HAVE SAID TO REITERATE WHEN YOU SAID THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME STAFFING THE POSITIONS. THAT WAS A GOOD MOVE ON THE SHERIFF AND YOUR PART, VICKY. TO WORK THROUGH THAT
BECAUSE THAT'S USEFUL. >> THANK YOU. SO THE SHERIFF ALSO THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT THAT THE COURT APPROVED FOR THE S. R. A. POSITIONS.
THE WIMBERLY S. R. O., THERE WERE 2 ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES ADDED. THAT CONTRACT CAME TO COURT AND WAS APPROVED UNDER SORT OF OUR STANDARD TEMPLATE FOR S. R. O.
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AGREEMENTS NOT UTILIZING THE ARPA FUNDS. THE HAYS C. I.S. C. AND THE DRIPPING SPRINGS HAVE THE ARPA LANGUAGE IN THERE SO WE DID NEED TO COVER THE TWO OFFICERS, THE 50% COUNTY PORTION THAT WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE FUNDED BY ARPA. ADDITIONALLY THERE WERE 3 POSITIONS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGETS FOR THE CONSTAGES.
CONSTABLE 1, 4, AND 5, THAT ALSO ASKED FOR MOTORCYCLES.
THE MOTOR UNITS WERE NOT APPROVED. THEREFORE NONE OF THE EQUIPMENT WAS APPROVED. THE COURT DID APPROVE PURCHASING THE MOTOR UNITS. I BELIEVE ON AUGUST THE 9TH. SO WITH THAT, THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT THEY NEED THAT IS LISTED.
CONSTABLE 1 NEEDS THE RADAR AND THE COMMUNICATION AND HELMET. THERE IS ALSO A HAND HELD RADIO FOR THE BAILIFF POSITION THAT HE COULDN'T GET THIS YEAR DUE TO DELAYS. CONSTABLE 4 ALSO NEEDS A HELMET AND COMMUNICATION KIT BUT HE IS REMOVING THE LIDAR TO HELP FUND THAT. CONSTABLE 5 IS REMOVING REPLACEMENT RADAR TO HELP FUND HIS MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND HELMET EQUIPMENT.
THE TOTAL OF THE CONSTABLES IS $14,043. WE ALREADY DISCUSSED THE 50,000 FOR CENTRAL TEXAS DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER. THERE ARE I ADDITIONAL PAGES IN THE BACKUP. FIRST OF ALL WE APPROVED THE EQUIPMENT PURCHASES TID FOR -- TODAY FOR F. Y. 22 TO PURCHASE SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT. MARLA WAS ABLE TO GET THE COMPUTER PRICES REDUCED AND LOCKED IN AND DELIVERY DATES CONFIRMED BY 9:30. SO THE MAJORITY OF THAT WAS FOR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET THIS YEAR.
THERE WERE' ALSO SOME MOBILE RADIOS TO REMOVE 170,700 FROM THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. MARA ALSO GAVE ME A VARIOUS PRICE INCREASES AND DECREASES WHICH IS INCLUDED IN YOUR BACKUP WHICH IS THIS, BASICALLY A SAVINGS OF $18,493 TO THE TOTAL BUDGET. THERE'S ALSO SOME VEHICLE LEASE THAT ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
I HAD INITIALLY HOPED TO GET THE -- THERE WAS FIVE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES NEEDED. THREE FOR THE COURT, ONE FOR THE SHERIFF AND TWO FOR THE D.A.INVESTIGATORS, TRYING TO WORK WITH ENTERPRISE TO GET THAT THROUGH OUR EQUITY ANALYSIS. BUT WE OUT OF QUITE A BIT OF THE EK WIDE AND -- EQUITY TO GET THE VEHICLES SO WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WORK THE NUMBERS. I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE SOME DELIVERY DATES. THERE WAS ALSO SOME PRICE ININCREASES THERE THERE IS IT A SCHEDULE INCLUDED IN THE DIFFERENCE THAT HAS THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE VEHICLE LEASE THAT IS IS ADDING FIVE ADDITIONAL AND CHANGING SOME DELIVERY DATES FOR A COST OF $25,412. I PRESENTED THE $25,000 REDUCTION ON THE SOCIAL SERVICES IN MY RECAP HERE SO YOU COULD AL DATE THAT TODAY. FOR A TOTAL GENERAL FUND TOTAL OF 208,178. SO THE THAT IS THE RECAP OF ALL OF THE GENERAL FUND REQUESTS THAT HAVE COME
IN. >> VICKY, THE 28078 IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND, THAT IS ABOVE --
>> THAT'S ABOVE, THAT IS A BALANCED BUDGET CURRENTLY.
THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET IS BALLED AT THE 3125, NO NEW
RECOMMENDED RATE. >> 208 IS AN ADDITIONAL. IF THE COURT WERE TO ADOPT EVERYTHING IT WOULD BE A
PLUS 208 TO -- >> WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT
208,000 FROM SOMEWHERE. >> OKAY.
>> OR TWEAK THE TAX RATE TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL REACH
KNEW. >> IF YOU THEN TAKE OUT THE RESERVE ALLOCATION FROM THAT, HAVE THERE INCLUDED
>> IF YOU SUBTRACT 90 YOU ARE DOWN TO 118. SUBTRACT 56 AND CHANGE. SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS.
>> MM-HMM. >> YOU ARE DOWN TO 60+.
>> YEAH, IF YOU ADOPTED EVERYTHING IN THE GENERAL FUND REMOVING THE COUNTY CLERK'S POSITION, MOVED THAT TO THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUND THEN THE 3, I'M SORRY
TWO ITEMS FOR RESERVES. >> THEN THE CHANGING THE
[03:15:01]
REQUESTED AMOUNTS OR THE OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES TO WHAT THEY WOULD END UP BEING, WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US TOTAL. WHAT WE'VE ALREADY DECIDED AND WHAT -->> WHAT YOU DECIDED ON AUGUST THE 16TH INFORMATION AND THEN EVERYTHING THAT I JUST WENT THROUGH, YOU WOULD HAVE A SAVINGS OF $7,623.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE GENERAL FUND AS STATED BY VICKY.
>> SECOND. >> THE 7623 WE CAN ADD TO
CONTINGENCIES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SHELL, WHERE IS THE PIECE ON THE WEMBLEY
ACTIVITY TO YOUR -- >> THAT WOULD BE IN
RESERVES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: I DON'T WANT TO MISS THE WINDOW. WHEN SHOULD WE TALK ABOUT
IT. >> I BELIEVER AT THIS POINT WE HAVE A LUMP SUM BUGSED $11 MILLION.
>> AT THE POINT IN TIME THAT WE WANT TO SPECIFY OR ALLOCATE COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME DURING THE YEAR.
>> SO YOU COULD ALLOCATE THE $11 MILLION TODAY TO PROJECTS SUCH AS COMMISSIONER SMITH MENTIONED AND COMMISSIONER SHELL WANTED OR YOU COULD, MOST OF THE PROJECTS WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK FOR SOME SORT OF
CONTRACT ANYWAY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: MIGHT AS WELL COME BACK FOR CONTRACT. THEY ARE A GOOD SIGN POST FOR THE COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONER, I THINK SINCE THIS IS A GOOD TIME HOW ABOUT YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR TWO YEAR ALLOCATION? IS THAT OKAY?
>> IN THE CONFECTION OF OUR PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLANNING -- CONTEXT, WORKING WITH THE BUDGET WE'VE THERE ALSO ARPA FUND AND RESERVE FUNDS. I WAS WILLING TO REMOVE A PROJECT THAT WAS ON THE POST-ACK LIST AND USE RESERVES TO PAY FOR THAT OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME AND THE COURT, WE COULD TALK ABOUT THOSE SPECIFICALLY NOW AND ALLOCATE OR WE COULD WAIT FOR THE PARKS, MORE OF THE PARKS DISCUSSION BEFORE WE DO DO THAT, THAT COULD BE NEXT WE ARE OR WHATEVER.
JUST WHATEVER THE COURT WANTS TO DO. THERE IS PROBABLY SOME MORE COMING FROM THAT. I'M FINE WITH, YOU KNOW, WAITING TILL WE GET THAT THE PARKS FURTHER
NEXT WEEK OR TWO. >> I MEAN THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION, BUT WE KNOW WE HAVE THE BLOCK OF THAT FUNDING SET ASIDE RIGHT NOW. IT WOULD GIVE US ANOTHER WEEK TO TRY TO GET THE ACTUAL DOCUMENTATION THAT WE WOULD LIKE ON THESE, GIVE US ANOTHER WEEK TO LOOK AT WHAT WE DID ON POSAC TODAY. I PROPOSE WE COME BACK NEXT
WEEK AND LOOK AT IT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ALTHOUGH I SUPPORT THAT IDEA WHAT I DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN AND I'M EXCEPTIONALLY, EXCEPTIONALLY FLEXIBLE ON ALL THESE FRONTS. I KNOW THE COURT SUPPORTS THIS IDEA IN GENERAL, SO I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE COURT'S SUPPORT TO EAR MARK -- MY ORIGINAL INTENT WAS 10 MILLION BUT EVEN 5 MILLION TO EAR MARK OUT OF RESERVES OVER TWO AND A HALF ONE YEAR, TWO AND A HALF THE NEXT YEAR FOR SEED MONEY FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL.
I DON'T WANT IT, I KNOW WE ALL CARE.
I DON'T WANT IT TO ON ACCIDENT FALL OFF THE RADAR.
>> SO AFTER TODAY'S PUBLIC HEARING, ONCE THE COURT VOTES ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET WE WASN'T HAVE ANY MORE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE F. Y. 2023 BUDGET UNTIL THE DAY THAT YOU ADOPT THE BUDGET ON THE SEPTEMBER 20TH SO THE 11 MILLION CAN BE EAR MARKED TODAY OR IT COULD BE EAR MARKED ON SEPTEMBER 20 OR SPECIFIC PROJECTS OR IT CAN JUST BE GENERIC FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE YEAR.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I KNOW COMMISSIONERS ARE WORKING HARD IN EACH PRECINCT TO EAR MARK WITHIN THEIR EFFORTS.
THERE IS A LOT GOING ON. SO WHAT I WANT TO DO IS JUST MAKE SURE THAT MOVING FORWARD THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT THAT DOESN'T BECOME A TUG OF WAR IF YOU WILL FOR THAT EFFORT THROUGH THAT REVENUE SOURCE OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME. I WANT TO BE AS OPEN WITH COURT MEMBERS SO THAT WE'RE NOT IN A CORNER LATER.
>> I I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T EAR MARK THAT TODAY WE COULDN'T HAVE ANY DISCUSSIONS UNTIL
SEPTEMBER 20. >> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SHELL, WOULD YOU BE OKAY SUPPORTING OR COMMISSIONER INGALSBE SUPPORTING MY EFFORT TO EAR MARK OVER TWO YEARS OUT OUT OF RESERVES 2.5 MILLION FOR TWO YEARS TO HELP AS SEED MONEY FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH
HOSPITAL? >> I MEAN, I CAN SEE WHERE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A STUDY GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
JUDGE. SHOULD BE RESULTS COMING IN SOMETIME THIS
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YEAR, LIKE, FALL, EARLY WINTER I'M GOING TO GUESS.I'VE PARALLELLED IT TO ANIMAL SHELTER DISCUSSIONS WHERE WE FUNDED STUDY. COMPLETED RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE AND NEXT STEPS WHICH WE'RE STARTING TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON THE NEXT STENS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WHICH WOULD BE TRYING TO DETERMINE COSTS OF ACTUALLY PROVIDING SERVICES FOR NEW ANIMAL SHELTER. WE WOULD STILL YET FINE TUNE WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE, HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST WHICH AGAIN A LONG-TERM PROJECT, IF WE LOOK AT MENTAL HEALTH AS A SIMILAR TRACK KNOWING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A RECOMMENDATION COMING UP IN OCTOBER, OR NOVEMBER. WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE WOULD BE DETERMINED AT THAT POINT. I COULD SEE US ALLOCATING SOME FUNDS TO TRY TO GET TO THE NEXT, ANOTHER STEP OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN MENTAL HEALTH WORK ACROSS THE COUNTY. THE QUESTION IS COULD WE, DO WE BELIEVE WE'D SPEND 2.5 IN FISCAL YEAR 23 ON THAT?
>> JUDGE BECERRA: COULD BE SOFT COSTS. IT COULD BE A MYRIAD OF THINGS BUT I'M LOOKING AT IT AS SEED MONEY TO SIGNAL THE COMMUNITY WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR COUNTY AND MANAGING, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT. OUT OF RESERVES IT'S NOT SAYING UP ANY OTHER PROJECT EFFORTS IS HOW I VIEW IT.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY WHO WOULD SAY WE'VE NOT TAKING MEANT HAL HEALTH. WE SUPPORTED THE I. S. D.'S FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH. I ASSUME I CAN TELL YOU AT LEAST 3 OF THEM I'M PLANNING TO DO ALLOCATION OUT OF ARPA TO
SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: IS THIS A
QUESTION? >> I DON'T THINK THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THAT. MY CONCERN IS THAT WE'VE MULTIPLE HOSPITAL ENTITIES CURRENTLY LOOKING AT NEW FACILITIES HERE IN HAYS COUNTY AND THERE IS A VERY DISTINCT REASON THAT AT ONE POINT THERE WERE LITERALLY DOZENS OF COUNTY HOSPITALS IN TEXAS AND NOW THERE IS ONLY 6 OF THEM. I'M, I WOULD BE REMISS AT BEST TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO PUT MONEY ASIDE TO START A HOSPITAL OR BE PART EVER A -- OF A HOSPITAL. THIS IS THE -- THAT IS THE REASON I WAS SO SUPPORTIVE ABOUT DO BEING A SURVEY BECAUSE IT'LL IDENTIFY THE NEEDS.
I'M NOT GOING TO CREATE A SOLUTION FOR, WHILE I WAIT ON THE PROBLEM TO BE TOLD TO ME FROM THE SURVEY. I WOULD MUCH RATHER HEAR FROM THEM WHAT OUR NEEDS PAUSE IT MAY NEED TO GO TO OUTREACH SERVICES, IT MAY NEED TO GO TO MOBILE UNITS OR ADDITIONAL REFERRAL SERVICES, TO DESIGNATE IT FOR A HOSPITAL I'M NOT
COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: NO PROBLEM, MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, SERVICES I WANT TO EAR MARK IT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IN RESERVES WHERE
THERE IS NO LOSS -- >> I UNDERSTAND WHAT COMMISSIONER IS SAYING, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE SURVEY COMES BACK. YOU KNOW TELLS WHITE HOUSE WE NEED -- TELLS US WHAT WE NEED BUT ALSO WORK WITH -- IT'S NOT JUST A HAYS COUNTY PROBLEM. MENTAL HEALTH DOESN'T HAVE BOUNDARIES AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO WORK WITH OTHER
COUNT IS AROUND US. >> IT WOULD BE A REGIONAL HOSPITAL, JUST NOT A COUNTY HOSPITAL.
>> IS THERE ANY AMOUNT ANYBODY WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH DESIGNATING?
>> IN A IS A GOOD QUESTION BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER. IN WE WANT TO PROVIDE OURSELVES WITH SOME FLEXIBILITY, AGAIN USING ANIMAL SHELTER SORT OF AS AN EXAMPLE IS WHERE WE HAVE RECEIVED RECOMMENDATIONS AND ARE LOOKING TOWARDS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE IS THE COURT CAN ALLOCATE SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS FOR THAT. THE COURT CAN AMEND THE BUDGET SOMETIME DURING FISCAL YEAR
23, CORRECT, VICKY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE DO IT.
>> IF WE WERE TO PUT SOME FUNDS TO BE USED FOR CONTINUATION OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH, STUDY AND PLANNING AND THEN WE, IN OUR SITTING AROUND IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023 AND WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT POINT, THEN THOSE FUNDS ARE EITHER GOING TO ROLL BACK INTO THE RESERVES IF THEY'RE NOT SPENT OR THEY CAN BE REALLOCATED TO ANOTHER CAPITAL TYPE ONE-TIME --
>> JUDGE BECERRA: NO HARM. >> SO THERE'S THE FLEXIBILITY THERE BUT IF THE COURT INTENDS POTENTIALLY TO DO SOMETHING IN FIRST YAL YEAR 23 FOR THE PLANNING OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES OR RESOURCES WE COULD IDENTIFY SOME NOW AND WE'LL COME BACK ON THE 20TH. THEY'LL BE
PLACED IN THE BUDGETS. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT WOULD MAKE MY HEART IF PITTER PAT. WE'RE NOT LOSING ANYTHING IN
DOING THIS. >> I THINK IT'S UP TO THE COURT HOW MUCH THEY BELIEVE IS --
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>> WE DON'T HAVE, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. TO TIE UP, YOU KNOW, THE INITIAL WAS 10 MILLION. WE HAD 11 MILLION, TO TIE UP ALMOST HALF OF THAT AT 5 MILLION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: 2.5. >> IT'S NOT AN AUCTION,
JUDGE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: TO BE ACCURATE WITH YOUR STATEMENTS IT'S A 2.5
MILLION TIE-UP NOT A FIVE. >> INITIALLY WAS TEN THEN
YOU SAID FIVE. >> NOW YOU ARE SAYING 2.5.
>> TYING UP 2.5 TO RESTATE SO YOU CAN SPEAK WITH
ACCURACY. >> OKAY. 5 OVER TWO YEARS,
TWO AND A HALF A YEAR. >> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU.
>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE TYING UP ANYTHING ON A MULTIYEAR BASIS UNTIL WE GET THE STUDY. IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT BUT AT AT A ELF WILL WHERE IT'S GOING TO TAKE -- NOT AT A LEVEL WHERE IT'S GOING TO TAKE, TWO AND A HALF I WOULD PROBABLY BE OKAY WITH BUT AGAIN YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IS FUNDING THAT IS GOING TO ROLL BACK AT THE END OF THE YEAR IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING WITH IT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THAT'S RIGHT.
>> I'M, I WOULD BE REMISS TO THINK THAT AT THIS POINT, I KNOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING FROM THE STUDY UNTIL OCTOBER. RIGHT NOW, WE'RE PART OF A REGIONAL CONSORTIUM LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THEIR HOSPITAL THAT WE'RE A PART OF. WE HEARD ABOUT IT TODAY . I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM ESERVING SOME FUNDING FOR T.
I KNOWING WHAT WE'RE RESERVING THE MONEY FOR WOULD BE NICE OTHER THAN TO SAY WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT
MENTAL HEALTH. >> JUDGE BECERRA: FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE, YOU KNOW WE NEED, MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN SOME TYPE OF WAY OR SERVICES IN SOME TYPE OF WAY, YOU HEARD IN TODAY'S PRESENTATION THAT WE CAPTURE 60% OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES.
WE CAPTURE 60% OF THE EFFORT SO I KNOW FOR ANY FACT THIS SURVEY THAT IS IN MOTION IS GOING TO BENEFIT FROM US SEEDING $2. 5 MILLION TOWARDS THAT EFFORT WHETHER IT BE SOFT COSTS OR ALL THESE OTHER THINGS JUST TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING. IF WE DON'T USE
IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. SO -- >> MY QUESTION IS WOULD IT BE FOR -- YOU SAID FACILITIES AND OR SERVICES, WOULD IT BE FOR FACILITIES OR SERVICES?
>> JUDGE BECERRA: IT WOULD BE TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING TO SERVE THE PROJECT, TO SERVE THE RESULTS THAT WERE PROVIDED. I'M NOT TRYING TO PIGEON HOLE IT, I'M TRYING TO KEEP IT AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF PULLING IT FROM RESERVES WHEN THE
TIME COMES. >> DID YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY -- DID YOU WANT TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE
MENTAL HEALTH -- >> JUDGE BECERRA:
ABSOLUTELY. >> I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF
THAT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: TO MOVE 2.5 MILLION TO EAR MARK 2.5 MILLION FROM RESERVE FUNDS TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED BY THIS ORGANIZATION THAT IS ONGOING AT THIS TIME. THAT'S WHAT I
>> IF WE CAN, IF ON THE 20TH WE CAN COME AND THEN IF WE'RE GOING TO IDENTIFY FUNDS TO BE USED FOR RESERVES OUTSIDE OF JUST THE GENERAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE -- IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE TEND TO IDENTIFY VICKY CAN ADD THAT TO THE LIST AS WOFFORDED. AND THEN WE CAN THEN DISCUSSION THE FURTHER ALLOCATION OR DELETING OF A MORE GENERAL BUCKET ON THE 20TH WHEN WE FINALIZED BUDGET. WE'RE GOING TO SET A TAX RATE TODAY AND GOING
TO BE -- WE'RE SET. >> 11 MILLION IS BUDGET SOD
WE'RE -- BUDGETED SO WE -- >> JUDGE BECERRA: WHAT IS
THE NEXT BEST PIECE -- >> AGAIN, WHAT POINT WITH RESERVES WOULD WE TAKE A LOOK AT EVERYTHING, ONCE WE DECIDED WE DESIGNATED WHAT WE HAVE IN THE OVERAGES, WHAT, WHEN WOULD BE THE TIME TO LOOK AT WHAT WE DO WITH THAT, ANYTHING OVER 5 OR 6 MONTHS WHAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH, WHETHER WE DO THAT AS AN INTEREST PAYMENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WHEN WOULD --
>> THE 11 MILLION IS PUTTING US AT ABOUT 5.5 MONTHS.
WHAT WE DON'T SPEND OF THAT WE COULD LOOK AT THAT TIME USING TO PAY DOWN DEBT OR -- I MEAN --
>> I THINK, AS LONG AS WE BUDGET THAT $11 MILLION, WE PROBABLY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO --
>> WHAT IS NOT BUDGETED IS WHAT I'M GETTING AT. WHAT
WE DON'T BUDGET. >> IF YOU DON'T BUDGET. WE HAVE TO BUDGET IT EITHER AS USE OF RESERVES OR AS A DEBT
PAYMENT. >> OKAY. I THINK WHAT VICKY IS SAYING THE $11 MILLION IS THE MAX.
>> THAT IS THE MAX. >> IN OUR 5-6 MONTH WHICH IS WHAT OUR POLICY STATES. TRY TO KEEP IT FROM GOING OVER 6 AND WE'RE TAKING PEOPLES' TAXES AND PUTTING THEM
[03:30:03]
SOMEWHERE -- WHAT, I MEAN, PUT IT TO GOOD USE OR DON'T COLLECT THEIR TAXES TO BEGIN W. THE, THE IDEA WOULD BE OF THAT 11 MILLION, IT CAN BE BUDGETED AS STATED. THAT WON'T BE FOR DEBT PAYMENTS. WE COULD TAKE SOME OUT AND BUDGET FOR DEB PAYMENTS. WE COULD IDENTIFY SPECIFIC PROJECTS OR CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROJECTS LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIDE NOW OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF BUT THE MAXIMUM WOULD BE $11 MILLION.>> THAT COULD HAPPEN ON THE 20TH.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PERFECT. >> IF THEY WANT TO DO THAT.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PERFECT. MOVING FORWARD, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROCEED WITH NEXT?
>> WE WENT OVER THE GENERAL FUND.
THE OTHER ITEMS ARE JUST RELATED TO THE ROAD DEPARTMENT, COMPUTER CHANGES, THERE IS NO IMPACT.
THE ARPA FUNDS ALREADY SPOKE ABOUT THAT. COUNTY CONTRACT. WE NEED TO BUDGET ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THAT CONTRACT. WE ALSO MOVED THE S. R. O. FOR WEMBLEY TO THE GENERAL FUND AND THERE WAS SOME ALSO SOME PURCHASES, SOME F. Y. 22 PURCHASES AND CORRECTIONS FOR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT. THE SAME WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S FUND. COMPUTER RELATED PRICING CORRECTIONS. I ADDED THE SECOND DEPUTY CLERK 3 POSITION TO RECORDS MANAGEMENT SO THAT WILL NOW REFLECT FUNDING FOR ONE CLERK POSITION WITH THE ABILITY TO ADD THE SECOND USING THESE AS WELL AS THE CUBICLES SHE ASKED. THE PRESERVATION FUND IS ADDING TWO SCANNERS FOR THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND THEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT FEE FUND, THAT FUND IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND. WE COLLECT FEES FROM DEVELOPERS FOR THAT. IT'S CURRENTLY, THERE IS A MILLION 1 BUDGETED. THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC PROJECTS, I'LL PUT THEM IN THE BACKUP. WE CAN TAKE THOSE DOWN AND JUST HAVE ALL OF THE FUNDS BUDGETED. THAT FUND IS NOT BUILT INTO THE TAX RATE. THAT IS JUST SO THAT YOU DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SPEND THAT FUND IF YOU DO HAVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU WANT TO FUND WITH THAT.
RIGHT NOW, THERE WERE QUITE A FEW REQUESTS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET SO THOSE CAN BE ITEMIZED OR JUST LIKE OUR RESERVES, WE CAN TAKE THAT DOWN AND JUST BUDGET THE TOTAL FUND BALANCE AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO COURT AND, ANY DEPARTMENT IF WE'D LIKE TO UTILIZE THAT. I'M FINE WITH WHAT HAS BEEN ITEMIZED IF WE WANT TO USE THAT AS PLACE HOLDER.
MOST THAT HAVE IS GOING TO COME BACK TO THE COURT IN
THE FORM OF -- >> I THINK THE, I DID SPEAK WITH THE COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR. THERE WERE SOME ITEMS ON THE LIST THAT SHE WAS GOING TO
RECOMMEND TO REMOVE. >> I THINK IT'S EASY TO
LEAVE IT ALL AS BUDGETED. >> OKAY.
>> THEN WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK TO COURT FOR ALMOST ANY TYPE OF IMPROVEMENT. IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE AN AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE OF SOMETHING WHICH IS FINE. WE KNOW THAT'S THERE. IT'S PRETTY MUCH ALLOCATED.
THERE IS A LITTLE BIT LEFT. BUT THAT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BUDGET THE FULL AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND COME BACK TO COURT.
>> IF THERE IS SAVINGS AT THE END --
>> I THINK HI A MOTION I WOULD AMEND THAT. MAYBE I COULD RESTATE THE MOTION. TO ADOPT THE CHANGES THAT WE DISCUSS FOR GENERAL FUND THAT VICKY WILL PROVIDE TO THE CLERK SO SHE HAS AN ACCURATE RECORD OF THE
TALLY. >> COMMISSIONER? SORRY. I JUST -- I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY HAVE MOTIONS FOR ADOPTING AND SETTING THE TAX RATE SO IF YOU HAVE, IF YOU WANT TO ACCEPT ALL OF THE CHANGES --
>> MOTION TO ACCEPT ALL OF CHANGES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: DO WE VOTE ON IT? I THINK WE SHOULD.
ONLY IF IT KEEPS YOU MOVING. >> DOES IT NEED TO BE STATED
A CERTAIN WAY? >> AS DISCUSSED WITH THAT, WITH THAT FINAL 7620 GOING INTO CONTINGENCIES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THIS GOES BACK TO COMMISSIONER INGALSBE WITH THE ORGANIZATION.
>> RIGHT. >> JUDGE BECERRA: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
OKAY. >> SO THE FINAL PIECE OF THIS IS IS THE ELECT OFFICIAL SALARY. I HAVE TO HAVE A CONSENSUS WHERE THE SALARIES ARE GOING TO SET AND THEN WE'LL NEED TO TAKE A SHORT RECESS SO I CAN ACTUALLY PRESENT YOU WITH WHAT THOSE SALARIES ARE GOING TO BE. THEN I'LL, WE'LL HAVE THE MOTIONS FOR SETTING THE ALLOWANCE, VOTING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND VOTING ON THE TAX RATE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YOU WILL NEED BEFORE THE RECESS YOU WILL NEED DIRECTION FROM US TO TYPE IT UP.
[03:35:01]
>> AND WE'LL NEED WHAT THE ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES IS
GOING TO BE. >> JUDGE BECERRA: EXACTLY.
NOW IS THE TIME. WE REACHED THE END OF THE LINE AND HAVE TO GIVE DIRECTION AS TO ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARY, FOR THE BUDGET. COMMISSIONER SMITH.
START WITH YOU. OF ALL THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD WHAT ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH, START WITH THAT?
>> I YOU GO STUCK MY CHART IN THE BACK OF THIS. HOLD ON ONE SECOND. GIVE ME TWO MINUTES. COULD OF COME --
COME BACK TO ME. >> JUDGE BECERRA:
COMMISSIONER SHELL. >> I THINK WE'VE HEARD THAT FOR THE MOST PART IF WE RECONCILE OUR MARKET TO MCCLENON, GUADELOUPE, BELL BASSTON MOST LIKELY OFFICIALS IN THE COUNTY ARE RIGHT AROUND THAT MARKET.
BESIDES THE COURT THIS DOESN'T SURPRISE ME BECAUSE THE COURT IS NOTAL ALLOCATED A PAY INCREASE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COURT. DOESN'T SURPRISE ME. UNDERSTANDING THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR STAFFING RIGHT NOW, AND UNDERSTANDING THE HESITANCY FOR THE COURT TO FORMALLY ADOPT ANY TYPE OF PAY INCREASE FOR THEMSELVES WHICH SEEMS TO BE CONTINUING WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE, I'M FINE WITH JUST PUTTING OUR SALARIES AT IS RIGHT NOW.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: NO CHANGE. >> MOVING IT ON FOR ANOTHER YEAR AND WHATEVER HAS BEEN BUDGETED FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS INCREASES INTO A, INTO OUR EMPLOYEE POOL.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: COMMISSIONER SHELL, IS SUGGESTS NO INCREASE FOR ELECTED, CLEAR ACROSS, GRABBING THAT 6% THAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED PUTTING IT INTO THE EMPLOYEE POOL. I'M FINE WITH THAT.
COMMISSIONER INGALSBE GENERATED A CONSENSUS.
THERE YOU GO. >> NO INCREASE FOR SALARIES
FOR ALLOWANCES. >> JUDGE BECERRA: NO INCREASES FOR SALARIES OR OFFICIALS ON ELECTED OFFICIAL, DROP THE 6% ALLOCATED INTO THE EMPLOYEE POOL, THERE IS YOUR CONSENSUS DIRECTION.
>> OKAY. >> JUDGE BECERRA: IS THAT ENOUGH, TAKE A RECESS FOR TEN MINUTES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: WE'RE BACK FROM A RECESS IN OUR BUDGET EFFORT. SO -- THIS IS BEING CIRCULATED. WE'RE ABOUT TO ADOPT OUR PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX RATES. JUST BEFORE THIS BREAK, WE DECIDED AS A COURT NOT TO BUDGET FOR RAISES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TO GIVE THAT ALLOCATED PORTION PERCENT TO THE EMPLOYEE POOL INSTEAD.
LIKE THEY SAY IN THE MOVIES I STRETCHED ALL I
>> I THINK I GO FIRST. OKAY. THANK YOU. JUDGE, I MOVE TO SET THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AS DISCUSSED WITH NO INCREASES AND TO ACCEPT THE CHANGES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 PROPOSED BUDGET AS PRESENTED BY THE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE.
SET A FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND LEVY OF TAXES TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 AT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM IN
>> JUDGE BECERRA: PERFECT WE'RE SLATED FOR THE NO NEW TAX RATE, CORRECT [INAUDIBLE]
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THANK YOU. I LIKE TO JUST HIGHLIGHT FOR FOLKS BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS IS MUM BO JUMBO TO PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHY I TRY TO ARTICULATE THE PIECES WE'RE WORKING AND HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR NO NEW TAX RATE AS A COURT. OKAY. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
COMMISSIONER INGALSBE OR JONES.
>> I MOVE WE SET THE FISCAL-YEAR 2023 TAX RATE AT .3121 CENTS BROKEN DOWN, .0237 CURRENTS FOR GENERAL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION, .0913 CENTS FOR THE DEBT RATE AND .0175% FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE MAINTENANCE.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE BECERRA: BEAUTIFUL, THERE IT IS, FOLKS, ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
>> A QUICK COMMENT BECAUSE I'VE HAD QUESTIONS RECENTLY ON TAX RATES AND APPRAISED VALUES.
I KNOW A FEW LISTENING BUT I'M SURE I'LL GET MORE CALLS
[03:40:02]
AFTER WE DO THIS. WE GET OUR APPRAISAL NOTICES IN THE SPRING FROM THE CAD THAT SHOWS THE INCREASES IN APPRAISAL TO OUR PROPERTY. THERE'S A 10% THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO HOMESTEADS AND IT SHOWS YOU WHAT YOUR APPRAISED VALUE IS MINUS EXEMPTIONS FROM DIFFERENT TAXING AUTHORITIES AND FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, YOU ASK WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? DOES IT MEAN I'M GOING TO PAYED EXACT SAME AMOUNT IN TAXES? NO, THE RATE IS WHAT IN TOTAL THE COUNTY WOULD GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE BASED ON EXISTING PROPERTIES SO THE NEW PROPERTIES THAT COME ON TO THE TAX ROLL THAT WEREN'T ON THE TAX ROLE LAST YEAR THAT IS IN A DIFFERENT POCKET BUT WHAT IS COMING INTO THE COUNTY FROM EXISTING PROPERTIES THE REVENUE BASED UPON THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX FROM ONE YEAR TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR. I USE MINE AS AN EXAMPLE. MY PRAISED VALUE WENT UP SIGNIFICANTLY UP UNTIL THIS YEAR. BY THE COUNTY ADOPTING THE NO NEW TAX REVENUE RATE FOR ME IT WILL END UP IN A REDUCTION IN COUNTY TAXES. PERSONALLY FOR MY FAMILY. THE SAME WAS SET FOR LAST YEAR. THIS YEAR IT'S ABOUT 130 DOLLARS LESS THAT I WILL PAY TO THE COUNTY IN TAXES SO THE COUNTY DROPPED THE TAX RATE TO THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE WHICH FOR ME MEANT ACTUAL REDUCTION IN COUNTY TAXES.SAME THING AS LAST YEAR. THIS DIDN'T RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN OVERALL PROPERTY TAXES FOR ME OR MY FAMILY. IN BOTH YEARS THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE IN EVERY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION THAT I PAY TAXES TO TO WHAT I PAID THEM. SO I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE OF THOSE THINGS, NO NEW RATE DON'T MEAN YOU PAY PAY MORE, YOU MAY PAY THE SAME OR LESS IN COUNTY TAXES THEN THE OVERALL TAXES YOUR COUNTY TAXES ARE A PROPORTION OF THOSE THEN YOU HAVE ALL OF THE OTHER TAXES WHETHER IT'S SCHOOL, E. S. D.'S, WHICH WOULD BE TWO ACROSS THIS COUNTY NOW. A CITY OR ANY OTHER TAXING ENTITIES ON YOUR TAX BILL MAKE UP WHAT THE TOTAL TAXES ARE. THOUGH THE COUNTY IS ADOPTING A NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE FOR YOU THAT COULD BE A REDUCTION IN COUNTY TAXES, INCREASE IN COUNTY TAXES DEPENDING ON YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCE OF YOUR APPRAISED VALUE AND THAT PROBABLY WON'T MATTER BECAUSE MORE THAN LIKELY ALL OF THE OTHER TAXING JURISDICTIONS HAVE GOING TO HAVE INCREASED TAXES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: I LIKE TO ADD ONE PIECE TO THIS. THE REASON WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DO THE GREAT THINGS WE DO AS A COUNTY IS BECAUSE OF THAT NEW TAX BASE COMING INTO THE COUNTY. THAT IS THE PIECE I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT. THE NEW DEVELOPMENT COMING INTO THE COUNTY THAT'S HELPING TO FOOT THE BILL IN ADDITION TO THE NO NEW TAX --
>> TRADITIONALLY THE COUNTY IN THE TIME I'VE BEEN HERE, ANY INCREASES WE MAKE WHEN IT'S INCREASES TO POSITION, SALARIES OR SOCIAL SERVICES FOUNDING HAS BEEN USUALLY BEEN BASED UPON THE NOW IMPROVED PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY'S TOX ROLLS, THAT IS SORT OF HOW WE'VE LIVED. WE HAVE ADOPTED THE NEW NO REVENUE RATE OR ITS PREVIOUSLY CALLED EFFECTIVE TAX RATE MULTIPLE TIMES, A COUPLE OF TIMES IN A ROW AT LEAST AND VERY CLOSE TO IT IN OTHER TIMES. YOU WILL HEAR THE ROLL BACK RATE WHICH IS NOW CALLED THE VOTER APPROVED TAX RATE WHICH REQUIRES VOTER APPROVAL. THAT, THAT PERSPECTIVE WE ARE ADOPTING A NEW NO REVENUE TAX TATE OF 31 PENALTY 2 A 5, THE OTHER IS 36.14 SO THAT IS A, ALMOST A 5 CENT DIFFERENCE SO WE COULD ADOPT THAT, THAT RATE. IF WE ADOPTED A PENNY MORE THAN THE VOTER COULD CALL AN ELECTION TO HAVE TO APPROVE THE RATE. IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THAT RATE, 36 AND CALL IT 5 CENTS. PRETTY CLOSE. VICKY, WHAT IS 1 CENT ON OUR
TAX RATE GENERATING -- >> 3.12 MILLION --
>> 3 DIDN'T 2 TIMES 4. >> THE COUNTY WOULD TAKE IN AN ADDITIONAL $13 MILLION IF THEY WERE TO ADOPT THAT RATE WHICH IS NOW CAPPED AT A 3% INCREASE. USED TO BE 8% WHEN IT WAS CALLED THE ROLL BACKRATE BEFORE.
YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF THE TAXING JURISDICTIONING ADOPTING THE RATE JUST AT THAT VOTER APPROVED TAX RATE. IF WE WERE TO DO THAT WE WOULD HAVE GENERATED $13
MILLION MORE DOLLARS. >> THE OTHER THING THAT AFFECTS THAT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ASKED THIS QUESTION WHEN PEOPLE MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR HOME ALSO THAT AFFECTS THEIR TAX RATE BECAUSE THAT DOES, THAT IS EXTRA THAT REVENUE THAT WILL COME IN BECAUSE THEY'RE TAXED ON THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY'VE MADE TO THEIR HOME.
>> VICKY, I HAD ONE QUESTION, VICKY, I KNOW THAT WITH THE TAX RATE THAT WE ADOPTED LAST YEAR, WE HAD%
[03:45:01]
NOT HAD A TAX RATE THAT LOW SINCE 1991. SO WHAT GIVEN THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO ADOPT A 31.25 RATE AND I WAS TRYING TO FIND THE CHART YOU GAVE US EARLIER -->> 83 OR 84 -- [INAUDIBLE] >> I COULDN'T FIND THE CHART BUT I WOULD, I WOULD WANT TO MAKE THAT KNOWN PUBLICLY TO TRY TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE. WE'RE AT A POINT NOW WHERE -- [INAUDIBLE]
>> 88. >> SO WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE WILL HAVE A TAX RATE THAT IS LOWER THAN THE TAX RATE WHICH WAS ADOPTED IN 1988. SO I'M PRETTY PROUD OF THAT. ONE THING WE CAN CONTROL IF THAT EBATION.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: THE LAST THING I CAN SAY. THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS WE'RE NOT CAD. WE'RE NOT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. THE NAME IS DECEPTIVE.
CONFUSING AND THEY'RE INDEPENDENT AND WE ARE NOT IN TOUCH WITH WHAT THEY DO AND THEY'RE NOT IN TOUCH WITH WHAT WE DO. WE'RE SEPARATE ORGANIZATIONS.
THAT IS THE LAST PIECE I'LL HAVE. IF NO ONE ELSE WE'LL CALL THE ROLE.
>> JUDGE BECERRA: YES. OKAY. IF THERE'S NOTHING
ELSE -- >> THANK YOU, VICKY FOR ALL
YOUR WORK. >> JUDGE BECERRA: ABSOLUTELY, VICKY. NOW YOU CAN HAVE LUNCH.
>> WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.