[G7. Approve and confirm the appointment of Zachary D. Miller as a regular full-time Deputy Constable in the Hays County Constable Precinct 4 Office. SMITH/SHELL/HOOD]

APPROVALLING THE APPOINTMENT OF ZACHARY MILLER AS REGULAR FULL-TIME DEPUTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 OFFICE.

>> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

AND WE HAVE SOMEONE SIGNED UP FOR COMMENTS. I SEE YOU IN THE AUDIENCE. I LIKE TO WAIT IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE YOU ARE WAITING FOR. IT LIKES LIKE WE HAVE SOMEONE TO SPEAK ON G-7. PLEASE

GO TO THE PODIUM. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. POSSIBLY, JUDGE, IN THE FUTURE, IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO LET THEM TALK. MY CONCERN IS THE JUST INDICATION JUST JUSTIFICATION OF MUST

EMPLOYEES. >> LET ME GIVE ME A QUICK

ANSWER ON THAT. >> YOUR TIME IS ALMOST UP.

>> WE HAVE TRAFFIC ISSUES AND WE HAVE FATALITIES. THEY'RE BRINGING IN 600 NEW TROOPERS ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE ARTICLES THAT I READ. I GOT 25 OF THEM, YOU GOT 25 UNITS. SO IT HAS BECOME CLUSTERED. MY CONCERN IS WHEN THIS IS GOING TO STOP. STICKING IN MORE BODIES. SOME OF THESE GUYS, ARE THEY PRESENTED WITH THE QUALIFICATIONS AND THEY COME UP HERE AND SOME OF THE OFFICERS SEEM TO WALK ON WATER. WHY IT IS IT NOT ONE SUPER COP ABLE TO HANDLE THE NEEDS OF THE PRECINCT WHEN YOU HAVE A FORMER 20-YEAR SHERIFF? WHERE ARE THE SKILLS? I HAVE NOT SEEN MAKING IT COULD BRING AN IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY AND WASTE AND MORE AND MORE MANPOWER.

>> I WILL TRY TO ADDRESS THAT. I APPRECIATE YOU WILLINGNESS TO SPEAK. TO FILL POSITIONS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR THE TREASURER'S OFFICE OR ANY OTHER OFFICE, THEY'RE BUDGETED. AND AS A COURT, HAVE BUDGETED FIVE SLOTS AND THEY HAVE THREE

[00:20:03]

OCCUPIED AND THEY HAVE TWO OPENINGS, WHATEVER TIME OF THE YEAR THEY'RE ABLE TO FIND A QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL TO FILL ONE OF THOSE OPEN BUDGETED SLOTS, WHENEVER THAT BECOMES AVAILABLE, THEN THEY BRING TO COURT. BOUNCE THEY VETTED IT.

BUT I WILL ASSUME NOTHING. BECAUSE IT WAS BROUGHT UP IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR. HERE IS THE COLD HARD FACTS AND TRUTH. EACH ELECTED OFFICIAL IS CHARGED WITH THEIR OFFICE. THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBLE TO RUN THE OFFICE AS BEST AS THEY CAN. SO WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGETARY ANGLE THAT WE RESPOND WITH AND SUPPORTED IN EVERY DAY POSSIBLE. WHEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IS DOING SOMETHING RIGHT OR DOING SOMETHING THAT YOU MIGHT FEEL IS NOT RIGHT, THEN THAT IS WHEN YOU WOULD APPROACH THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE OFFICES BECAUSE THERE ARE AUTONOMOUS IN THAT WAY AND ULTIMATELY, ALTHOUGH IS IT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP NOW, BUT WHEN FOLKS DON'T LIKE WHAT SOMEONE IS DOING -- I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE TAKEN NEGATIVELY THAT IS WHEN FOLKS WILL RUN AGAINST THEM. SO GENERALLY SPEAKING, I FEEL BAD SAYING IT THIS WAY BECAUSE IT IS NOT SUGAR COATED AND I DON'T WANT TO SOUND RUDE. INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS, JUDGES WITH AND EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN, WHATEVER THEY HAVE A BUDGETED OFFICE SPOT AND CONCERNING THE YEAR CYCLE, A SPOT GETS FILLED, WE'VE BUDGETED FOR IT AND THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN HAD. THAT IS HOW IT GOES. WHEN I MENTION THE PRECINCT ONE AND THEY TOOK OVER SECURITY. WITH THAT TRANSITION, THERE WAS A HUGE UPTICK IN PRECINCT 1 DEPUTIES TO SATISFY THAT NEW NEED THAT THE COURT AUTHORIZED. BUT THEY'RE NOT JUST BUDGET AMENDED EVERY TIME POSITIONS COME UP.

AM I LEAVING SOMETHING OUT THAT IS MEANINGFUL?

>> THIS IS MY PRECINCT AND I'M HAPPY TO ADDRESS HIS QUESTION.

>> WAS I ACCURATE WITH MY DEPICTION?

>> YES. ONE OTHER THING I WOULD ADD WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS WE TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHERE OUR FINANCES LIE TO THE EQUIPMENT SIDE AND THE PERSONNEL SIDE. SO WE'LL PROBABLY SEE, I'M NOT SURE, VICKY MIGHT BE ABLE TO TELL ME.

BUT WE'LL PROBABLY SEE A COUPLE OF THESE AT THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE BUDGETED, IF WE STARTED THE POSITIONS LATER, WE COULD GET THE CONSTABLE AND THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE SAME PRICE AS AN ACTUAL CONSTABLE, HIRING THE CONSTABLE HIRING HIM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN. THAT THE FINANCES THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO SALARY IS USED FOR THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE OFFICERS BY STARTING THEM LATER IN THE PHYSICAL YEAR. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS EVERY WEEK. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE BACKGROUND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT I WILL TELL THAT YOU I THINK I WORKED FOR A MEMBER OF CONVERSATION THAT REPRESENTED MAVERICK COUNTY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THEY'RE IN A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN THEY WERE FIVE YEARS AGO. AND HAYES COUNTY IS IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PLACE AND THAT TEN YEARS AGO AND POLICING PRESENCE THAT IS NEEDED IN CONJUNCTION TO THE POPULATION GROWTH THAT WE'VE SEEN AND THE AMOUNT AND TYPE OF INFRACTIONS THAT WE SAW. WE DON'T SEE THE TYPE OF INFRACTIONS THAT WE SAW TEN YEARS AGO. WE HAVE A LOT MORE VIOLENT CRIME. WE HAVE A LOT MORE FELONY CRIME THAT QUALIFIED AT A HIGHER LEVEL. I WOULD SAY THAT I KNOW THAT GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU MAY SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY. I ENCOURAGE YOU, IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO FILE AND RUN AGAINST THEM. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY EVERY FOUR YEARS, IF WE DON'T LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN ANY OFFICE HERE TO REPLACE THAT INDIVIDUAL AND THE PUBLIC MAKES THAT DECISION. AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ONE THAT HAS THOSE ISSUES TO GO AHEAD AND ATTEMPT TO DO THAT. I THINK THAT THERE IS PROBABLY BEEN A LOT CHANGING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE LAST TEN OR 12 YEARS, SPECIFICALLY IN THIS COUNTY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO HAS AN ISSUE WITH THAT TO STEP FORWARD AND TALK TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT INDIVIDUALS. I THINK IT IS TELLING THAT WE HAVE FIVE CONSTABLES UP FOR ELECTION THIS YEAR AND ONE HAS AN OPPONENT. THAT TELLS ME NO

[00:25:07]

MATTER THE PARTY, IT IS TELLING THAT OUR COMMUNITY FEELS LIKE THEY'RE BEING WELL REPRESENTED BY THOSE INDIVIDUALS. WITH THAT, I KNOW WE'RE FAR AFIELD ON THIS ISSUE OR TOPIC. BUT I WOULD LIKE FORWARD TO THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. MILLER.

>> THE REASON THAT I ALLOWED THE LITTLE FLEXIBILITY ON THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU AND I WERE HAVING WAS TO PROVIDE THE GENERAL UNDERSTANDING. I FEEL US SPENDING AN EXTRA FIVE MINUTES HERE WILL SAVE A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT AT THREE MINUTE INCREMENTS. THE BUDGET CYCLES THAT PASSED. AND THAT IS THE TIME TO DO IT. AND ONCE WE HAVE DONE IT AND VOTED ON IT, THE SHIP SAILED T WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEFUND OFFICE, WHOEVER'S OFFICE IT IS. ONCE IT IS DONE THAT IS DONE. ONCE THEY COME TO TUESDAY AND THE DEPARTMENT HEAD HAS THE UNDERSTANDING AND THE BEST QUALIFIED PERSON TO SERVE OUR TAXPAYERS, IT IS OVER. WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE DUTY BEFORE WE MOVE ON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING, INTRODUCTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> GOOD MORNING. HAPPY NEW YEAR. JUST TO BE CLEAR ON THE SELECTION WITH ZACK MILLER. HE IS A REPLACEMENT DEPUTY FOR ONE THAT LEFT MY OFFICE IN NOVEMBER. THIS IS A POSITION THAT HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO MY OFFICE. I WILL BE BACK HOPEFULLY AROUND MARCH INTRODUCING TO YOU A NEW OFFICER THAT WILL BE COMING TO MY OFFICE. BUT THAT WILL BE IN MARCH. RIGHT NOW, IS IT MY PLEASURE TO SUBMIT TO YOU, COMMISSIONERS ZACHARY DAVID MILLER, FOR YOUR APPROVAL AS APPROVED FOR DEPUTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 OFFICE. ZACK MILLER HAS OVER 13 YEARS IN EXPERIENCE SERVING 2009 TO LAST YEAR, DECEMBER 31ST. WHILE WITH THE SHERIFF OFFICE, A DEPUTY, A MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER, A PAROLE SUPERVISOR AND CID CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DETECTIVE. ZACHARY MILLER HOLDS A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE FROM TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY. HE OBTAINED 2812 HOURS WITH THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND HE HOLDS THE FOLLOW CERTIFICATIONS. A JAILER'S LICENSE, A PEACE OFFICERS LICENSE, A PEACE OFFICER'S LICENSE, A FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR, INTERMEDIATE PEACE OFFICER, ADVANCED PEACE OFFICER AND MASTER PEACE OFFICER. MY PRIVILEGE TO SUBMIT TO YOU ZACK MILLER.

>> WELL DONE. THAT IS SUCH A GIFT AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU NOT ONLY BE A COUNTY EMPLOYEE BUT TO CONTINUE. THAT IS THE KIND OF OF EXPERTISE AND WISDOM THAT OUT ON THE FIELD. MY FAVORITE THING OF ALL THINGS, EXCEPT WHEN IT IS RAINING, I THINK IT IS AWESOME THAT WE DID NOT LOSE YOU TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY AND WE'RE MOST GRATEFUL TO KEEP YOU HERE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? >>> NO, SIR.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. COMMENTS? ROLL CALL.

[G6. Approve and confirm the appointment of Travis Brown and John Zamora as regular full-time Deputy Constables in the Hays County Constable Precinct 3 Office. SHELL/MONTAGUE]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET'S GO G6. AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO

GO STRAIGHT CONSENSUS. >> APPROVE AND CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF -- IN THE PRY IN PRECINCT 3 OFFICE.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPEAT OR DO YOU HAVE THE ANSWER?

>> NO. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE COURT. I APPRECIATE ALL THE FEEDBACK FROM THE JUDGE. IT CLEARLY CONTRADICTS YOUR STATEMENTS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TAX

INTEREST FOR -- >> YOU'LL HAVE TO STAY TO THIS AGENDA ON THE WAY YOU SIGNED UP FOR THIS AGENDA ITEM. KEEP THAT

[00:30:02]

>> WE'VE MADE COMMENTS THAT THE BEST OFFICERS ARE BEING SELECTED FOR THESE POSITIONS. A COUPLE YEARS BACK, 2008, I FILED FOR A POSITION AND I WAS OVERLOOKED. AND THE REASON IS THAT THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL WAS MORE QUALIFIED. A GUY THAT CAME OUT OF THE ACADEMY AND THE PRICE TAG ON HIS HOLSTER. HERE WE HAVE MORE APPOINTMENTS. I THINK THIS ONE IS OUT OF

WIMBERLY. >> I DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

>> THAT IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

>> ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT THAT IS THE HEAD CONSTABLE'S ROLE OVER THERE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE GUY WAS A REAL ESTATE AGENT. IS THAT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WHEN YOU'RE THE ONE THAT IS FORECLOSING ON HOMES AND SELLING THEM AND STUFF? YOU MIGHT BE TEMPED TO PICK UP THE FRYING ROOST EGGS AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH THEM.

THE REASON THAT I BRING ALL OF THIS STUFF, FOLKS, YOU HAVE ALL THE OFFICERS, VOLUNTEERING, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. YOU GOT THE LION'S CLUB PRESIDENT. ALL OF THIS STUFF. BUT YET, YOU GOT CITIZENS TALKING ABOUT ACCIDENTS AND WHERE IS THE POLICE PRESENCE? HOW CAN YOU BE OUT DOING PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHILE YOU'RE COMMUNITY IS OUT THERE GETTING IN ACCIDENT AND ALL OF THAT STUFF? YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WERE HIRED TO DO. YOU TOOK AN OATH TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC WHETHER THAT IS THROUGH PAROLES OR PREVENTION

PROGRAMS. I HAVE 5,000 HOURS. >> CAN YOU STAY ON THE AGENDA ITEM. THAT IS WHAT QUALIFIES ME TO COME UP HERE AND MAKE THOSE TYPES OF COMMENTS. I NEED THIS COURT TO DO A BETTER JOB. LOOK AT THE TURNOVER IN SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS. THAT SHOULD BE AN INDICATION OF SOMETHING THAT IS WRONG. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND?

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS?

>> YES, PLEASE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO JOHN -- HE COME IS FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION AND TRAVIS BROWN WHO HAS BEEN WITH PRECINCT 3 BEFORE AND PRECINCT 1 AND HE COMES TO US FROM THE COUNTY AND I APPRECIATE YOUR APPROVAL OF THESE DEPUTIES AND WE'LL MOVE

FORWARD FROM THERE. >> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING?

>> YOU LOOK SHARP. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT. I JUST DO.

>> COMMISSIONER? >> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF THE COMMENTS. I THINK IT IS UNCONSCIOUSABLE TO THINK THAT NONPARTICIPATION IN OUR COMMUNITY TO BE A REQUIREMENT.

BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT OR REPRESENTING A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR ELECTED OFFICIALS, I ENCOURAGE EVERY EMPLOYEE OF OUR COUNTY TO BE A PARTICIPANT IN OUR COMMUNITY, IF THAT IS IN THE LION'S CLUB OR ANYTHING. THAT IS HOW THIS HAD HE BECOME TRUE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COACH THEIR LOCAL LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS OR MEMBERS OF THE LIONS CLUB AND THE ROTARY. THAT IS HOW THEY UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE THE REAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE. THAT IS PART OF COMMUNITY POLICING ARE. I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS OF THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER TO A POINT. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT THE OFFICERS THAT, NOT ONLY KNOW OUR COMMUNITY BUT THEY'RE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT THAT IS HOW YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEY RAISE THEIR KIDS HERE AND THEIR FAMILY HERE AND THEY PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY. THAT IS A BIG POSITIVE FOR OUR FOLKS. AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE EXPERIENCE THAT THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER HAD. I THINK A LOT MAY HAVE CHANGED SINCE HE GAVE UP HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT LICENSES. THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE. BUT I THINK IN MY PRECINCT, I WOULD PARTICIPATE PEOPLE THAT ARE MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND NOT JUST STANDERS-BY.

[00:35:02]

>> I APPRECIATE THAT. I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH. I KNEW SO LITTLE AND I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH AND I'M SO WHERE NEAR AN EXPERT

ON THE MENTAL HEALTH FRONT. >> CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING

BEFORE YOU VOTE? >> OH, YES.

>> MY OFFICE IS OPEN. IF SOMEBODY HAS A CONCERN ABOUT ME OR OUR OFFICERS, PLEASE COME AND TALK TO ME. I HEARD SOME COMMENTS MADE THIS MORNING THAT SOMEBODY IS CONCERNED ABOUT. I WELCOME TO COME TO MY OFFICE AND TALK ABOUT IT WE ARE DEDICATED TO WHAT WE DO. MY JOB, NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT OUR OFFICE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. I'M RUNNING FOR OFFICE. BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE RUNS THAT I'M NOT OPPOSED. I FEEL LIKE THAT IS AN AFFIRMATION OF WHAT WE DO UP THERE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COME SEE ME, PERSONALLY.

>> BEAUTIFUL, CONSTABLE. >> SO TWO PRECINCTS, TWO CONSTABLES HAVE BROUGHT UP APPOINTMENT REQUESTS. AND THEY'RE BOTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH BACKGROUND. I KNOW VERY LITTLE.

BUT I KNOW ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE THAT BACKGROUND, I'M MOST GRATEFUL FOR IT ALL TOO OFTEN, THINGS CAN GO VERY WRONG OUT THERE IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT. AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE AS A COUNTY, AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, YOU'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE THAT USUALLY ARE AT THE WORST IN THEIR LIVES. MOST LIKELY NEVER SEEN IN THAT SETTING AGAIN, WHETHER IT BE TRAUMATIC OR HORRIBLE IN ANY OTHER WAY THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE.

TO HAVE THAT BACKGROUND IN MENTAL HEALTH IS SO VALUABLE, ALL TOO OFTEN, I HEAR ABOUT IT AND READ ABOUT OPPORTUNITS MISSED IN OTHER SPACES WHERE YOU GUYS, AS THE FRONT LINE HAVE THE GIFT OF THE EDUCATION AND APPLYING TO DEFUSE THINGS, TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH A TOUGH MOMENT IN THEIR LIFE, A LOSS, ANY KIND OF TRAUMA. YOU ARE THE FACE. YOU ARE THE FRONT OF THIS GOVERNMENT. SO THAT IS NOT LOST ON ME. I'M SO GRATEFUL.

WHATEVER I CAN DO AND I KNOW THE COURT IS ON THE SAME PAGE WITH ME. WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO FURTHER REINFORCE AND SUPPORT ALL OF THAT MENTAL HEALTH RAINING THAT YOU'RE PROMOTING TODAY, LET US KNOW, BECAUSE THE MORE YOU'RE EQUIPPED WITH MORE TRAINING AND CREDENTIALS AND THE COMMUNITY THAT IS HELPING TO PROTECT AND SERVE, THE BETTER WE ALL WILL BE. I THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. IT IS SAY TOUGH JOB AND A BIG DEAL

AND I THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[G. CONSENT ITEMS]

>> HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. >> PLEASE OPEN THE REST OF THE

CONSENSUS. >> G1 APPROVE PAYMENT OF COUNTY VOICES. APPROVE CHECKS, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTH CARE CLAIMS, 4, APPROVAL COMMISSIONER'S CORE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19TH, 2023. G5, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE JANUARY 15TH, 2024 PAY DISBURSEMENTS AND WITHHOLDINGS AND DEDUCTIONS OF THE BENEFITS ON THE HAYES COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED. 8, APPROVE THE JUDGE TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN PLATEAU LAND AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN HAYES COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,089 FOR THE ANNUAL WILDLIFE ÚMANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE NATURE PRESERVE. 9, APPROVE THE REAPPOINTMENT FOR THE REINVESTMENT ZONE. 5, A TWO-YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON DECEMBER 21ST, 2025. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENTS OF TWO EMERGENCY DISTRICT NUMBER 3 FOR TWO YEAR TERMS ENDINGS DECEMBER 21ST, 2025. APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT ARE SERGIO -- TO THE BOARD OF EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT ENDING DECEMBER 21ST, 2025. AND APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE DIANE HARDBOLD. ENDING DECEMBER 21ST, 2025. AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITH WD BROWN FINANCIAL SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY.

G15, APPROVE THE SPECIFICATIONS OF RFP2024 AND THE PAYING FOR

[00:40:09]

THE ADVERTISE. >> THAT IS A LONG READ AND IT IS A LOT HARDER THAN IT SEEMS. SO WELL DONE AND THANK YOU.

>> I APPROVE. >> ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO

TALK ABOUT? >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[I1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Court to execute Contract Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $43,000.00 to the Professional Services Agreement for utility coordination services between Hays County and Cobb, Fendley & Associates, Inc. for the Hillside Terrace Safety Improvements (IH-35 to FM 2001) project in Precinct 2 and amend the budget accordingly. COHEN/BORCHERDING]

CALL ] >> PLEASE OPEN I1.

>> TO TALK ABOUT CONTRACT AMENDMENT $43,000 TO THE PROVISIONAL SERVICES OF UTILITY COORDINATION BETWEEN HAYES COUNTY AND COBB FINLEY AND ASSOCIATIONS FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO 2001 PROJECT TO A BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SO MOVE. >> AND WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. MR. DAN LION.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THE SUMMARY SO EVERYBODY WILL KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. BUT I STILL DON'T KNOW EVEN AFTER HEADING THE SUMMARY ANYWAY. THE REQUEST AMENDMENT INCREASES THE CONTRACT COMPENSATION CAP BY 42,000 FROM 300,000 TO $343,000. THAT AUTHORIZED CONTINUED UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES WITH AN OCTOBER 2024 TARGET UTILITY CLEARANCE DAY.

THIS CONTRACT FOR HILL SAID TERRACE UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES WAS FUNDED BY THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT BUDGET. CONSTRUCTION FUNDING HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. SO YOU MAY GET A CONTRACT WITH THIS GROUP. IT WASN'T ANTICIPATED THAT YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THIS COORDINATION WITH THE UTILITIES, WHATEVER THAT IS, THAT IS QUESTION NUMBER ONE.

WHAT IS IT? AND WHY DO WE NEED TO COORDINATE WITH THEM? QUESTION NUMBER 2. WHY DO WE NEED TO PAY THEM $43,000, WHICH APPARENTLY WAS NOT FORESEEN WHEN THE CONTRACT WAS DRAWN UP.

IF I GO FURTHER DOWN THE BUDGET OFFICE HERE, IT SAYS 43,000 INCREASE UTILITY RELOCATION. ANYWAY. THEN IT SAYS DECREASE ROAD MATERIALS. SO YOU'RE TAKING $43,000 FROM THE ROAD MATERIALS, THAT ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED. IF YOU'VE SEEN THE COUNTY ROADS LATELY, I DON'T KNOW . I NEED TO DRIVE ON THE ROADS. THEY'RE VERY BAD. GETTING BACK TO THE SUBJECT. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU ALL DIDN'T ANTICIPATE THIS AND THIS KEEPS COMING UP TIME AFTER TIME AND WE NEED THE CHANGE ORDERS AND

IT IS COSTING US MONEY. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS IS A $43,000 AMENDMENT IN COORDINATION. DUE TO THE COMPLEXITIES WITH THE PROPERTY CHANGING HANDS AND THEN THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS ON THE PARCELS, THE UTILITY COORDINATION ON THE PROJECT HAS BEEN HEAVIER THAN ORIGINALLY PLANNED. AGAIN, WE DON'T -- WE TRY TO ANTICIPATE ANY KIND OF POSSIBLE SCENARIOS THAT COULD COME UP WITH THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION, ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST SIDE. A LOT OF THE ROADS HAVE NOT BEEN TOUCHED IN OVER 40 YEARS. SO IS IT PROBABLY NOT UNCOMMON FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. ADDITIONAL COORDINATION WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND VARIOUS UTILITY COMPANIES WAS NEEDED FOR THE UTILITY EASEMENT LANGUAGE AND THE REPLACEMENT EASEMENTS. THIS INCLUDES A YEAR TIME EXTENSION.

I WISH WE COULD CATCH EVERYTHING. BUT UNFORTUNATELY,

NO. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[I2. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Court to execute Change Order No. 4 in the amount of ($310,977.78) to the Construction Contract with Aaron Concrete Contractors, LP for the Darden Hill Roundabout (IFB2023-B11) project as part the Hays County Road Bond Program Precinct 4. SMITH/BORCHERDING]

CALL ] >> I2, PLEASE.

>> DISCUSSION OF THE COURT TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 4 IN THE AMOUNT OF THIS $410,000 TO THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH AARON CONCRETE CONTRACTORS FOR THE DARIAN HILLS

[00:45:01]

ROUNDABOUT, PROJECT OF THE HAZE COUNTY ROAD PROGRAM.

>> SO MOVED. >> WELL READ. ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> NO. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE -- ONE LITTLE THING. ONE OF THOSE CHANGE ORDER THAT'S MR. LION WOULD SAY IS A LITTLE OVER $155,000 AND SPECIFICALLY ON UTILITY COORDINATION AS WE LOOK AT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT. THERE IS A MAJOR WATER LINE THAT RUNS DIRECTLY UNDER THE PROJECT THAT WE'RE DOING.

AND WEST ABLE TO COORDINATE AND NEGOTIATE WITH WEST TRAVIS COUNTY. THEY DID A WATER MANAGEMENT THERE AND WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE FOR THEM TO PAY FOR A LARGER PORTION OF IT.

AND IT REDUCED THE OVERALL CONTRACT OF THE CONTRACT.

>> THANK YOU. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[J1. PLN-2364-PC; Hold a Public Hearing; followed by discussion and possible action regarding Studio Estates Subdivision, Sec 2B, Blk C, Lot 11, Replat. INGALSBE/MACHACEK]

CALL ] >> THIS IS SECTION 2BC.

>> WITH THAT I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M WITH THE HAYES COUNTY INVESTMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT. FOR THIS ITEM, THE STUDIO STATES LOT 11 THAT IS BEING REPLOTTED IS LOCATED OFF NEW LAND BOULEVARD WITHIN THE STUDIO STATE SUBDIVISION. THIS IS IN KYLE AND WITHIN COMMISSIONER PRECINCT ONE. THE STAFF IS REVIEW TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT 232 AND THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AN HAYES COUNTY AS SET FORTH. AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE NO VARIANCES REQUESTED, BUT STAFF IS RECOMMENDING A DISAPPROVAL BASED ON THE DEFICIENCIES THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE BACKUP AS THE DISAPPROVAL/COMMENT LETTER. ONCE THESE DEFICIENCIES HAVE BEEN REMEDIED, WE'LL SEEK TO BRING THE ITEM BACK TO COURT TO

RATIFY IN THE COURT MINUTES. >> THERE WERE QUITE A FEW ITEMS, JUDGE, IN THE BACKDROP. SO I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO DISAPPROVE THIS AND BRING IT BACK AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K1. Discussion and possible action to amend the Development Services Department's Fee Schedule. BECERRA/PACHECO]

CALL ] >>

>> K1 TO ATTEMPT THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FEE

SCHEDULE. >> I SECOND.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BACK AND HAVING MORE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS. WE PRESSURE IT. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO AD?

>> NO. IF ANYTHING, I WILL SIMPLIFY THIS. IF YOU WEB IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THE COURT PASSED A RESOLUTION ON THE PLANS AND PLOTTING AND DISTINGUISHING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THOSE TWO. AND WE'RE TRYING TO CAPTURE WITH THAT AMENDMENT, AS A RESULT OF THOSE DIFFERENT PROCESSES, CAPTURING THE FEES THAT WILL GO WITH EACH APPLICATION. BESIDES THAT, THAT IS OUR INTENT WITH THIS UPDATE FOR OUR FEES AND THE SERVICES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOROUGHNESS AND COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES. I DO APPRECIATE THAT.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K2. Discussion and possible action to extend the temporary Communications Manager in the Human Resources Department up to 8 hours per week, to end on or before 2/29/2024 for the completion of the updated Hays County website. SHELL/INGALSBE/MILLER]

>> DISCUSSION POSSIBLE TOOK DISCUSS THE MANAGER AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT UP TO 8 HOURS PER WEEK TO END ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 29TH, 2024 TO THE COMPLETION OF THE

UPDATED HAYES COUNTY WEBSITE. >> MOTION AND SECOND.

>> SHERRY MILLER, HAYES COUNTY HR DIRECTOR. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU. SO CLOSE WITH OUR WEBSITE REVAMP. BUT WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE. WE'RE ABOUT 95%. SO A LOT OF LINKS ARE STILL

[00:50:01]

BEING VERIFIED IN THE TRANSITION. I'M STILL WAITING ON A SMALL NUMBER OF INPUT FROM THE DEPARTMENTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS. SO MUCH BEFORE WE ROLL OUT THE NEW SITE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THAT INPUT AND ALL THE LINKS HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY CHECKED. SO IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING THE FORMER COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, IT DOESN'T -- IT FEELS BAD TO JUST DUMP ALL OF THAT HISTORY THAT SHE'S WORKED ON OVER THE LAST YEAR OR HOWEVER LONG IT HAS TAKEN. HE'S WILLING TO STAY ON FOR EIGHT HOURS A WEEK AND HAS REALLY PICKED UP THE INTENSITY TO BE ABLE TO FINISH. SO WHAT I ASK FOR IS ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 28TH, I THINK WE'LL BE DONE, WAY BEFORE FEBRUARY 28TH. I WANTED TO PUT THAT BUFFER IN. PART OF THIS TIME WILL BE SPENT TRANSITIONING SOME OF THE TRAINING AND BACK END KNOWLEDGE TO NATALIE, OUR CURRENT COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER. WE HAVE AN INTERNA HAND THAT WILL HELP WITH THAT TRANSITION AS WELL. WE'VE HAD ONE TRAINING SESSION FROM THE WEBSITE PROVIDER. SO I HOPE ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THAT TRAINING. IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO MAINTAIN YOUR PAGE, IF NOT, THE TRAINING HAS BEEN RECORDED AND E-MAILED TO ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS. REACH OUT IF YOU NEED HELP WITH THAT TO US, PLEASE. WE DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY ADDITIONAL TRAINING AS THE TRAINING WAS RECORDED. WE'LL HAVE THE STAFF, NATALIE, KIM AND OUR INTERN TO HELP WITH ANY

TRANSITION QUESTIONS. >> SCIENCE I'M NOT A FAN OF MIDDLE MANAGEMENT WITHOUT CLEAR CONCISE GOALS, I HAD SOME QUESTIONS THAT YOU ANSWERED. I WANT TO PRESS A LITTLE FURTHER ON THIS PIECE, THOUGH. HOW MANY DEPARTMENT HEADS OR ELECTED OFFICIALS WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO, PERCENTAGE, BALLPARK, KEEP

UP WITH THEIR PAGE PART? >> EVERY DEPARTMENT.

>> THEY WILL ALL HAVE THE ABILITY AND THEY'VE ALWAYS

AGREED TO? >> YES. IF THEY WILL OR NOT, OUR STAFF IS WILLING TO HELP WITH THAT. SOME PEOPLE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE IN GOING INTO A WEBSITE. IT IS A PROGRAMMING FOUNDATION. SO SOME PEOPLE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE OR TIME CONSTRAINTS. SO NATALIE AND OUR STAFF WILL HELP WITH THAT, IF NECESSARY. WHEN THE WEBSITE REPUBLISHES, IN TERMS OF FONTS, STYLES AND COLOR, THAT WILL BE SET AND WILL NOT BE CHANGEABLE.

SO I CANNOT CHANGE MY COLOR TO A PURPLE SCHEME. IT WILL BE FLUID IN TERMS OF WHAT THE PAGES LOOK LIKE AND CONTENT. AS NEW CONTENT, MARCUS HAS NEW DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FEES TODAY. HE'LL BE ABLE TO GO IN AND UPDATE THE FEES. AT CONTENT AS PEOPLE CHANGE, A LOT OF PAGES HAVE STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION AS THOUGH EMPLOYEES CHANGE. WE'LL BE ABLE TO UPDATE

THAT ON OUR OWN. >> GREAT. THANK YOU FOR THAT I APPRECIATE THAT. I GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT IT AND I SAID, I'M NOT GOING ON THE WEBSITE. BUT PEOPLE BRING IT UP TO ME AND I SAID I'LL ASK. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THANK YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL TIME IN TRANSITIONING WITH KIM.

>> THANK YOU FOR HELPING US BRING THIS TO THE CALL. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL, DYLAN.

[K3. Discussion and possible action to accept a Proposal from Water & Earth Technologies (WET) related to the replacement of the pressure transducer on Little Arkansas Road; authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024 (a)(7)(D), and amend the budget accordingly. SHELL/MIKE JONES]

>> I THINK WE'RE ON TO K3. >> K3 DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT A PROPOSAL FROM WATER AND EARTH TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO THE PRESSURE ON LITTLE ARKANSAS ROAD. AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY TO LOCAL CODE 261.024 AND AMENDMENT THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MR. DAN LION? >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

LET ME READ THE SUMMARY HEAR. THE PRESSURE ON LITTLE ARKANSAS STOPPED WORKING ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 2023. WET WATER EARTH TECHNOLOGIES VISITED THE STATION AND DETERMINED THAT THE PRESSURE TRANCE DEUCER FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WET WILL REMOVE THE BROKEN PRESSURE AND INSTALL A NEW ONE AND FIELD TEST TO CONFIRM IT IS WORKING CORRECTLY. THIS QUOTE ASSUMES

[00:55:04]

THAT THE OLD CONDUIT IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND ALLOWS THE NEW PRESSURE TRANCE DEUCER TO BE PULLED THROUGHOUT WITHOUT PROBLEMS. QUICKLY, THE PRESSURE, IT IS THE AMOUNT OF WATER PUTS PRESSURE ON THE DEVICE AND THAT SENDS PROBABLY VARIATIONS WILL SENT AN ELECTRONIC SIGNAL TO A COMPUTER HOW MUCH WATER IS FLOWING AND PROBABLY HOW HIGH TOO. I'M NOT SURE, EXACTLY HOW THE THING WORKS. MY QUESTION IS, BACK HERE ON THE LABOR DESCRIPTION, YOU GOT ENGINEER ONE WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE FOR FOUR HOURS AND HE'S GOING TO MAKE $540. AND YOU HAVE THE FIELD TECH 2, WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE FOR FOUR HOURS. HE'S GOING TO MAKE $540. WHY DO THEY NEED AN ENGINEER ONE THERE WHEN THE TECHS ARE THE ONES THAT DO ALL THE WORK? MAYBE THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, DURING TESTING, WE NEED AN ENGINEER THERE. THEY DON'T NEED HIM THE WHOLE TIME.

THAT IS FOR SURE. I HAVE SEEN THESE THINGS FAIL FAR TOO MANY TIMES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND THEN ANOTHER ONE. SOMETHING NUMBER WRONG WITH THE DESIGN BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY FAILURE OF THESE THINGS. WE CANNOT AFFORD

IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, AND THIS AGENDA ITEM WAS THE REPEATED, AMENDED THE LAST SPEAKER'S COMMENTS, THIS THING WENT OUT 11/23/23. WHY DO WE RISK PEOPLE'S LIVES. SHOULDN'T THIS BE WORK SOMETHING WHERE IS THE EMERGENCY SERVICERS DIRECTOR TO RESPOND TO THESE THINGS? I REPEATEDLY HEAR PRAISES TOWARDS THE GUY. I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S QUALIFIED FOR THIS KIND OF STUFF. YOU HAVE AN ENGINEER AND TECH GOING UP THERE. THEY SAY THAT THEY ASSUME IT IS NOT WORKING. WE REPEATEDLY HAVE TO PAY SOMETHING OUT BECAUSE IT WAS OVERLOOKED. WHY DON'T THEY DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND THEN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PROJECT? WHEN IS THIS GOING TO STOP, THE ASSUMPTIONS? WE THOUGHT THEY WERE WORKING. WE ASSUME THE OLD ONE IS IN GOOD SHAPE. I BET YOU MY BOOTS IT WILL BE WORKING THE NEXT TIME WE COME UP HERE BECAUSE THE OLD ONE WAS NOT WORKING LIKE YOU

ALL ASSUMED. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> COMMISSIONER? >> OUR DIRECTOR IS NOT HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF FAMILY ISSUES. BUT I DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE HIS PRESENCE WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THIS ITEM. THE SYSTEMS ARE WHAT COME AND WE USE TO IDENTIFY FLOODING AND HIGH WATER LEVELS AND CROSSINGS. THEY'RE INTEGRATED INTO WHAT THE SYSTEM SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GO ON AND SEE THE CONDITION OF OUR CROSSINGS AT ANY TIME, IF IT IS IN A FLOOD CONDITIONS OR NOT. SOMETIMES PIECES OF EQUIPMENT ARE DAMAGED BY VEHICLES OR BY NATURE. WE DEFINITELY APPROVALLED APPROVING THE REPLACEMENT OF THOSE. AND THEY IDENTIFIED IT IS THE PRESSURE TRANCEDEUCER. AND WE NEED COURT APPROVAL FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE AND IT COMES TO COURT. SO A MONTH

[01:00:04]

LATER WE'RE APPROVING THIS. I'M ASSUMING IF WE JUST APPROVED THIS WITHOUT COMING TO COURT, THERE WILL BE PEOPLE SAY, MY GOD, THEY JUST SPENT $2,500 TO REPAIR THE WATER CROSSING INSTRUMENTATION. SO I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO DO THIS IN THE NORMAL WAY THAT WE DO THINGS AND ALSO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE LOT WATER CROSSINGS. I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE WE WOULD DO IT. I ASSUME WE COULD HIRE OUR OWN TECHNICIANS, MAYBE, AND HAVE THEM TRAINED IN THESE SYSTEMS. MAYBE THEY COULD DO SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING OR MAYBE WE COULD NOT HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COMPANY BE THERE.

MAYBE WE COULD HAVE ONE. I THINK YOU CAN TELL I'M LOSING MY PATIENCE WITH THIS A LITTLE BIT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY THAT I THINK WE'RE DOING THIS THE BEST WAY THAT WE CAN.

WE'RE PREPARING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT WORKING ANYMORE TO MAKE SURE TO OUR SYSTEM IS OPERATING COMPLETELY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLETE RESPONSE, MORE THAN I WOULD HAVE GIVEN. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K8. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a contract with Evoke Wellness related to substance-use treatment for the County Court at Law Mental Health Specialty Court. INGALSBE/BROWN]

>> K8. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO COUNTY JUDGE TO GET A CONTRACT WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH

SPECIALTY COURT. I SAY YES. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MECHANISM. WOULD YOU

LIKE TO GIVE US SOME DIALOGUE? >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS WE'RE EXCITED TO BRING THIS. I'M KATIE -- THE

MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUST IN THE KNICK OF TIME. SO WE'RE EXCITED TO ENTER THE CONTRACT WITH THE WELLNESS THAT WILL ENSURE ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT THAT NEED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT CAN ACCESS IN A TIMELY MANNER. WE'LL MAKE A REFERRAL. THOSE THAT CANNOT AFFORD THE COPAY, THIS CONTRACT WILL ENABLE US TO COVER THAT COPAY FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN ACCESS THE TREATMENT. FOR THOSE THAT DO NOT HAVE INSURANCEAND CANNOT AFFORD OUT OF POCKET TREATMENT, WE CAN DO THAT WITH THIS MONEY.

AND THAT WILL ENABLE US TO PAY FOR THEIR TREATMENT. IN ANY SITUATION, IF SOMEONE IS IN NEED OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, WE'RE ABLE TO GET THEM IN BASICALLY IMMEDIATELY.

I'M WORKING CLOSELY WITH EVOKE. AND THEY'RE CLOSE TO THE GOVERNMENT CENTER AND THEY'RE CLOSE TO THE JAIL. ALL OF THOSE THINGS. IT IS VERY HELPFUL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTED THEY HAVE GRACIOUSLY OFFERED TO PROVIDE A DISCOUNT FOR THE COUNTY FOR.

DAILY TREATMENT AND THEY ARE PROVIDING FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT PLAY. THIS IS BEFORE WE DIP INTO THE FUNDING.

SO THAT IS FIVE INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO BE SCHOLARSHIPPED IN AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY. AND BEYOND THOSE FIVE, IF THERE ARE STILL ADDITIONAL PEOPLE THAT ARE NEEDING TREATMENT THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY, THEN THAT IS WHEN WE'LL BE DIPPING INTO THE FUNDING TO COVER THE COPAY OR THE FULL COST OF TREATMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT. OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUTSIDE PROVIDERS AND SUPPORTING ACCESS TO NECESSARY TREATMENT FOR OUR POOR PARTICIPANTS.

>> IT IS MONEY WELL SPENT. I KNOW THE COURT DEGREES. I WOULD RATHER SEE THE MONEY GO TO EVOKE THAN OUTSOURCING OF OUR NEIGHBORS BECAUSE VERY OFTEN, I'M NOT QUALIFIED TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT THERE, A HIGH POSSIBILITY THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM AND END UP IN THE JAIL AND YOU CAN PREVENT THAT WHOLE THING. JUST THE THOUGHT OF THAT IS VERY AWESOME. THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE DEALING, MENTAL, MEDICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE IT, TO ADDRESS IN A WAY THAT IS PROBLEM-SOLVING RESULTS IS SO, SO WONDERFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY

AS A WHOLE. >> LET ME SAY BEFORE WE HAVE

[01:05:01]

THE GENTLEMAN SPEAK, I AM ALSO EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM. IT IS NOT JUST TO HAVE THE INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT. IT IS ALSO TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED. WE TALK ABOUT THE CONTINUUM OF CARE. AND THIS WILL PROVIDE THAT WE CAN HAVE THE REPRESENTATION AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED. BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE PROGRAMS TO HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS REALLY GET THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED, THEN A LOT OF TIMES WE JUST MISS THE BALL ON THAT. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU'RE IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT YOU'RE OFFERING THE DISCOUNTS AN FIVE BEDS FOR US. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU AND OTHER PROGRAMS WITH YOU ALL. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHAT YOU CAN OFFER IN A MUCH

MORE DETAILED WAY. THANK YOU. >> FOR SURE. I PRESSURE THAT.

>> CAN YOU STAND CLOSER TO THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND

TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> SHAWN FLYNN, DO I OUTREACH FOR WELLNESS AND DO A LOT OF WORK WITH VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND WITH EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE VA WITH THIS. I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS BEING HERE.

WE'RE HERE AS A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY. WE DO EVERYTHING FROM DETOX TO RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTHY GO HAND IN HAND, IF NOT ALL THE TIME, MAYBE 99.9% OF THE TIME. THERE IS OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH. AND WE JUST STARTED THE IOP. BETWEEN WE HAVE DETOX, RESIDENTIAL. IT CAN SERVICE A LOT OF PEOPLE. IF YOU HAVE A DUI AND YOU HAVE SOME CHALLENGES TO GET TO A BRICK AND MORTAR, YOU CAN DO IT VIRTUALLY. THE YES, I DID IN 2024 IS TO HAVE A BRICK AND MORTAR IOP THAT WE FEEL WILL BE A BIG PART OF THE GROWTH OF THIS PROGRAM HERE AND OUR PROGRAM. I THINK IT WILL BE AS THE INVENTORY GOES OUT, MOE VOLUME AND CASES THAT WE'RE WORKING WILL HAVE A TOP IN IOP, IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICES THAT I OFFER. SO WE'RE 24 BED FACILITY CURRENTLY. THIS YEAR, WE'LL DOUBLE IN SIZE AT 50 BEDS. IF YOU'VE SEEN TUESDAY WEEK, RIGHT OFF 35 AND THERE SAY LOT OF SQUARE FOOTAGE AND I WELCOME ANYONE IF THEY WANT TO CONNECT AND DO A TOUR. THAT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE WHAT IS IN OUR BACKYARD FOR TREATMENT. BUT WE HAD A LOT OF WASTED SQUARE FOOTAGE AND WE'RE GOING TO TURN THESE INTO NEW BEDS. WE TOOK OVER THE FACILITY, THERE WAS THIS MANY PEOPLE IN THE FACILITY. AND WE'RE CHIP AGO WAY AND CHIPPING AWAY OUT THERE WITH PEOPLE AND HOSPITALS. PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE WORD OUT AND WE'RE DOING THE BEST TO TREAT THOSE PEOPLE. WE WILL NOT BE TOO SMALL TOO SOON. WE WANT TO MANAGE. WE HAVE 24 RIGHT NOW.

>> IOP, WHAT DOES THAT STAND FOR?

>> INSENSITIVE OUTPATIENT. THAT IS TYPICALLY THREE HOURS SESSIONS, THREE TIMES A WEEK AND EIGHT WEEKS AND 32 WEEKS WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PROGRAMMING WITH INSURANCE. IF YOU HAVE A BASIC INSURANCE PLAN, IOP IS COVERED RIGHT AWAY. YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO BE DENIED THAT. IT IS PROBABLY THE BEST BANK FOR YOUR BUCKS BECAUSE YOU'RE GETTING NINE HOURS A WEEK OF CLINICAL CARE AND YOU CAN DO YOUR HOME LIFE AND WORK LIFE. WE LOVE FOR EVERYONE IN RESIDENTIAL, BUT IT IS NOT THE CASE FOR EVERYBODY. BUT IOP SEEMS TO FIT WITH A LOT

OF PEOPLE'S LIVES. >> OKAY. COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THE COURT IS DOING AND JUDGE BROWN AND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO EXPAND SERVICES AND WORKING

[01:10:03]

PARTNERS. I THINK THAT IS GREAT. AND A AND A APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS TO MAKE ACCESS BETTER AND EASIER FOR PEOPLE.

>> I APPRECIATE THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT AS WELL. THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS TO GET THIS GOING. THIS ISSUE, SPECIFICALLY IS CLOSE TO ME BECAUSE OF SOME FAMILY MEMBERS THAT I'VE HAD THAT SUFFERED FROM ALCOHOL ABUSE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT, THERE SAY HIGH PREVALENCE OF THAT IN OUR JAIL AND SOME OF THEM SUFFER FROM SORT OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE AND UNDERSTAND THAT MANY TIMES IS THE REASON THAT THEY'RE THERE. IT IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ISSUE. I'M ONE THAT BELIEVES MORE SHOULD BE DONE WITHIN OUR CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, IF IT IS STATE, COUNTY OR FEDERAL ON THE TREATMENT OF THIS DISEASE. I COULD BELIEVE IS IT THE ROOT CAUSE FOR MANY OF DECLINES THAT WE SEE. BUT I'M CAUTIOUS OF THE HOW THAT WORKS AND THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS -- I'M TRYING TO MAKE A STEP FORWARD, WHICH I APPRECIATE IT.

I LOOK AT IT AS A PILOT IN MY VIEW. I DON'T SEE HOW IT WOULD BE SUSTAINABLE. I WOULD LOVE, IF I WAS BILL GATES, I WOULD GRANT THE COUNTY FUNDS NECESSARY TO SEND ANYONE THAT IS IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HOPEFULLY PROVIDE THEM WITH A WAY TO CONTINUALLY TREAT THEMSELVES SO THEY'RE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. I KNOW IS IT INSENSITIVE. I'VE HAD FAMILY MEMBERS IT IS A LONG, LONG ROAD. AND IT TAKES A GREAT DEAL OF COMMITMENT CONCERNING AND AFTER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. SO KNOWING THAT FUNDS ARE ALL GOING TO BE LIMITED, I'M INTERESTED IN THOSE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT THAT ARE PUT THROUGH THIS TYPE OF A PROGRAM HOW SUCCESSFUL IT IS.

ARE THEY ABLE TO COMPLETE IT AND THEN HAVE A WAY TO LOOK BACK AT THEM IN THE FUTURE AND SEE, ARE THEY STILL BEING SUCCESSFUL? I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST.

THING THAT COULD LEAD US AND OTHERS WITH THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON HOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND TRY TO FIND OUT HOW THAT WOULD BE FAIRLY FUNDED. I DON'T THINK WE WANT A SYSTEM KNOWING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE AS WE SPEAK DEALING WITH THIS. I DON'T WANT TO BE WHERE SOMEONE COMMIT A MISDEMEANOR TO GET THE TREATMENT FOR IT EITHER. I THINK IT HAS TO BE FAIR. WE'RE USING TAX DOLLARS AND FUNDS. BUT IF IT WAS GOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE, IT WOULD LIKELY BE FUNDED BY TAX DOLLARS. THERE ARE MONEY IN OUR COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW SUFFERING THAT DON'T HAVE INSURANCE OR DON'T HAVE A WAY TO FUND SOMETHING LIKE THIS BECAUSE IS IT EXPENSIVE AS WE CAN TELL, THAT WE KEEP THAT IN OUR MINDS AS WE DO AND USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW IT WORKS. CAN IT BE SUCCESSFUL? ESPECIALLY WITH THE IOP AS MENTIONED? NOT QUITE AS COSTLY BUT STILL INTENSIVE. IT REQUIRES A DECENT COMMITMENT. AND GOOD TIME FOR TREATMENT.

AND THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO SEE IF IT WORKS. DOES IT WORTH IN THE SHORT-TERM? DOES IT WORK IN THE LONG TERM? AND THEN THEY CAN REPORT BACK TO US AND OTHERS AND SEE HOW CAN WE DEVELOP A PROGRAM THAT WOULD NOT JUST WORK FOR THOSE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT BUT MAYBE THOSE IN CUSTODY OR THOSE OUT AWAITING TRIAL THAT COULD BE A CONDITION OF THEIR RELEASE TO COMPLETE SOME TYPES OF TREATMENT. THAT BE MONEY BETTER SPENT THAN HOLDING THEM IN OUR FACILITIES THINKING THAT WILL SOLVE THEIR DISEASE BY JUST INCOME OUR CUSTODY, WHICH WE KNOW THAT IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. MY SHORT COMMENT I APPRECIATE IT. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. BUT I LOOK AT THIS AS A PILOT AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET INFORMATION BACK ON ITS SUCCESS, HOW MANY PEOPLE GO THROUGH? DO THEY GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROGRAM? WERE THEY SUCCESSFUL?

>> WHAT DID THEY LEARN FROM THAT? HOW CAN IT BE TAILORED IN

[01:15:04]

OTHER WAYS AND FUNDED IN THE FUTURE? OTHERWISE, THANK YOU

ALL. >> THANK YOU.

>> I HAD A COUPLE OF COMMENTS, THE FIRST COMMISSION SHE WILL TOUCHED ON THEM. MINE WERE BASED ON THE CONTRACT. I KNOW FROM OUR MEETING, THEY HAVE BEEN ADAMANT THAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT, I DON'T THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THAT. MY BY BIGGER QUESTION IS COMMUNITY-WIDE, HOW ARE WE ADDRESSING IT? MY CONCERN MUCH TO THE SAME AS COMMISSIONER SHELL, WE HAVE SO MANY FOLKS OUT THERE THAT NEED IT. CAN WE NOT OFFER THEM THE SERVICES THROUGHOUT EXISTING COMFORT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING WITH THE JUDGES THAT ARE OVERSEEING THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT, IF THE SERVICES ARE NEEDED, WE CAN HAVE THE INDIVIDUALS WORK THROUGH THE SERVICES. IT IS CAPPED UNDER $45,000. I WOULD ANTICIPATE IF IT HIT THE $50,000, I WOULD HOPE THAT WOULD HE DO AN RFP AND RFQ TO LOOK AT WHAT SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDE AND WHAT SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED. IF SOMEONE HAS INSURANCE, THE COUNTY WILL BE REIMBURSED BY THE INSURANCE IT LOOKS LIKE UNDER THE CONTRACT. MY REAL QUESTION, THE INSURANCE THAT YOU ALL ACCEPT OR THAT INVOKE ACCEPTS.

OTHERWISE THE COUNTY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF IT. IF AN INDIVIDUAL HAS AN INSURANCE BUT THEN CAN'T PAY THEIR OWN COPAY, THEN WE WOULD PAY THE COPAY. MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THERE AT ALL. MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IS NOT ADDRESSED. HOW WOULD THAT BE VIEWED UNDER THE CONTRACT, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID INDIVIDUALS? THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN INSURANCE. WILL THAT BE TREATED LIKE COMMERCIAL

INSURANCE? >> FOR FOLKS WITH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, WE ARE NOT IN CONTRACT WITH THEM. THERE ARE FACILITIES OUT THERE THAT ARE STATE FUNDED AND SUBSIDIZED.

AND TYPICALLY, THEY COME TO MIND. THE SITUATION LIKE THAT WE MAY TALK ABOUT WORKING WITH ANOTHER FACILITY TO GET THEM CARE FOR THAT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID TO KICK IN. THE ONLY 30,000 FOLKS, THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS A NEED. TO A FACILITIES OFTEN HAVE A LONG WAIT OR THEY MAY GO TO AMARILLO OR EAST TEXAS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DEAL WITH ALL THE TIME. THIS IS PUTTING IN THE FRAME OF MENTAL HEALTH COURT. IF THEY COME TO US AND NOT IN MENTAL HEALTH COURT, WE DON'T TAKE THEIR INSURANCE AND SAY SEE YOU LATER. WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING WITH ANOTHER GROUP OR FACILITY TO GET THEM CARE. THAT IS TYPICALLY IS HOW IT WORKS. VERY RARELY WILL WE SAY, SORRY WE DON'T TAKE, GO TO ANOTHER RESTAURANT. BECAUSE US, WE CAN FIND PLACEMENT FOR SURE WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS MEDICARE MEDICAID. IF THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, THEN WE COULD LOOK AT SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS. RIGHT NOW, I CAN LOOK YOU IN THE EYE AND I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF YOU SAID IF THEY ASKED FOR SIX, THEY WOULD SAY NO. I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THIS WAS HEFTY FOR A FEW MONTHS AND A LOT OF VOLUME, THEY WOULD SAY, WITHOUT ASKING, WE CAN GIVE YOU FIVE MORE. THAT IS HOW WE'VE DONE THING ACROSS THE BOARD. WE HAVE A GUY THAT WORKS IN OUR COMPANY. THEY WOULD RATHER GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS THAN PERHAPS OPEN THEMSELVES UP TO MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. ONCE YOU TO THAT, YOU'LL NEVER GOING HAVE OPEN BEDS AND YOU'LL ALL WOULD BE CONSTANTLY WAIT

[01:20:03]

LISTED. >> I GET THAT. I JUST WANTED SOME CLARIFICATION ON THAT AND ASKING TO YOU COORDINATE WITH OUR INDIGENT CARE FOLKS HOWEVER WE MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. I DO KNOW, AGAIN, WE HAVE A LARGE NEED IN THE COMMUNITY. I DON'T WANT TO JUST FOCUS, FOR OUR PURPOSES -- THAT IS GREAT TO HAVE THE INDIVIDUALS FACING CHARGES, GETTING THE SERVICES BECAUSE IT TAKES, TO THE JUDGE'S POINTS, IT TAKES DOLLARS OFF OUR BOOKS. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IS IT ABOUT SERVING THE COMMUNITY. AND AS I READ THE CONTRACT AND MAYBE I'M WRONG, IF THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR INSURANCE, WE PAY FOR EVERYTHING. I UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE BEHIND THAT. BUT TRYING TO ENGAGE OTHER FACILITIES OR OTHER WAYS TO TAKE THAT BURDEN OFF OUR FOLKS WOULD BE HELPFUL AND WE COULD PROBABLY HELP MORE PEOPLE THAN THE INITIAL 24 THAT WE'RE TALKING BOX THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS WE'RE UNDER THAT $45,000 LIMIT.

THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC ON THE CONTRACT. IS THERE SOME UNDERSTANDING, WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, ONCE WE GET THE DATA FROM THE FIRST YEAR THAT COMMISSIONER SHELL MENTIONED, HAVING A REVIEW PERIOD AT SOME POINT WHETHER SIX MONTHS LATER OR EIGHT MONTHS LATER TO LOOK AT THAT DATA AND SEE IF WE NEED TO GO OUT AND IF IT IS WORKING OR NOT WORKING. WE HAVE HAD THE CONVERSATION AS OF LATE ON AUTO RENEWALS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS UNDER THE LIMIT FOR A COMPETITIVE BID. I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT A LITTLE BIT. I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF CONTRACT TODAY. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE SOME PARAMETERS IN THE FUTURE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT ALL THE NUTS AND BOLTS AND THAT THE SERVICES THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED AND YOU'RE HAPPY WITH IT AND WE'RE HAPPY WITH IT AS WELL.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT EVERGREEN CONTRACTS, AUTO RENEW CONTRACTS. WE HAVE FROWNED UPON THE PRACTICE OF AUTO RENEW REVIEW, IF YOU SEE IT, PULL IT. I DON'T WANT IT TO HAVE AN AUTO REVIEW. WE WANT A 90 DAY TRIGGER WHERE WE REVIEW YOUR WORK. AUTO RENEW IS NOT A GOOD WORD ON THIS COURT.

>> WHAT I COULD SAY IS THERE ARE CERTAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNTY AND THIS MAY BE ONE OF THEM WHERE THE AUTO RENEW IS NEEDED. WE NEED TO HAVE THAT EXPRESSLY WRITTEN OUT. I KNOW IF WE GOT 24 PEOPLE IN YOUR FACILITY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SAY THE CONTRACT ENDS IN 30 DAYS, WE NEED TO THROW PEOPLE OUT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IS NOT THE CASE. BUT SOME TIME -- I SAW THERE WAS THE AVAILABILITY FOR 30 DAY EXTENSIONS. WHILE WE DO THE REVIEW, SOME TYPE TV EXTENSION SITUATION. WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU OUT IN THE COLD HAVING YOU WONDER WHAT HAPPENED IN 60 DAYS. THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE WE NEED TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THESE THINGS EVERY SO OFTEN.

>> A HUNDRED PERCENT. WE'RE WITH YOU. THANK YOU FOR ARTICULATING THAT FURTHER. WELCOME TO HAYES COUNTY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE GO TO BE GOOD FISCAL STEWARD S THAT IS ALL

WE'RE SAYING. >> AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE JUDGE, THE PROCEDURE FOR INDIGENTS, THEY'LL FOLLOW THAT PROCEDURE. AND WE KNOW THAT WE'RE MOST LIKELY GOING TO REDEFINE SOME OF THESE THINGS LIKE A BRAND NEW PROGRAM. AND WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T AND SEE HOW HOW WE MAKE IT BEST FOR HAYES COUNTY. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO DIVERT INDIVIDUALS FROM GOING TO OUR JAIL AND THEN GOING TO RECEIVE TREATMENT HERE. WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE OPTIONS AND WE'LL CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSIONS REGARDING THAT. BUT THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT AND MANY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE OUR RELATIONSHIP AND HAVE MORE SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PHYSICAL IMPACT AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT ALSO.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> IF NOTHING ELSE, I WANT TO

CALL THE ROLL. >> TO CLARIFY SOME OF THE PURCHASING STUFF. UNDER THE CONTRACT, GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 2254, WE'RE DEALING WITH LICENSED INDIVIDUALS. SO

[01:25:03]

THAT DOES FALL UNDER THAT GOVERNMENT CODE. AND THEN ALSO, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN AUTO RENEW. MY OFFICE WILL BE MONITORING ALL THE CONTRACTS THAT WE GO INTO, IDENTIFY NOT WANT TOP HAVE AUTO RENEW. BUT WE DEFINITELY HAVE A PROCESS SET UP SIX MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO ANY CONTRACT. WE REACH OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT IS RESPONSIBLE OR OVERSEES THE CONTRACT IF THEY ARE HAPPY WITH THE SERVICES OR IF WE TO GO BACK OUT FOR A BID OR PROCEED WITH THE RENEWAL. SO WE'LL MONITOR THAT AND REACH OUT AND CLARIFY IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE HAPPYING WITH THE IS WASES. AND WE CAN ALSO DECIDE IF WE WANT TO GO OUT, WE CAN GO OUT FOR AN RF2 ON THAT IF WE WANTED TO SEE WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE OUT THERE AND MAYBE BRING MORE COMPANIES ON TO TAKE MORE PATIENTS?

>> . FUND THAT ARE BEING USED ARE SOME OF THE FUNDS SET ASIDE

FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT? >> YES.

>> I HAVE TO THINK OF ALL ANGLES. TUCKER?

>> FOR CLARITY PURPOSES, I WOULD LIKE THE COURT TO MAKE SURE, DO YOU WANT THAT TAKEN OUT, THE AUTO RENEW CONTRACT.

>> THIS ONE AND ALL. WE YOU THIS BRING TO COURT AS YOU JUST SAID HALFTIME, TALK TO THE COURT MEMBERS AND HAVE A CONVERSATION. AUTO RENEW IS WHAT HAS US KEEPING PEOPLE MORE COMFORTABLE THAN THEY SHOULD BE. WE WANT PEOPLE TO REPORT TO THE OFFICIALS AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CONTRACTS. SO I BELIEVE THE AUTO RENEW

PIECE SHOULD BE PULLED. >> THIS ONE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE CALL THE ROLL?

>> FYI, ALL THE CARDS IN MY CELL PHONE, CALL US AND YOU CAN COME AND TAKE A TOUR. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU GUYS AT THE FACILITY. IT IS RIGHT HERE IN THE BACKYARD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[K5. Discussion and possible action to execute a contract with Tenex Software Solutions, Inc., effective September 1, 2023, utilizing their Buyboard contract 710-23. SHELL/DOINOFF]

>> THANK YOU AGAIN AND WELCOME. PLEASE OPEN K5. SOFTWARE

CONTRACT. >> SO MOVED.

>> SAME. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> WE GOT TO HAPPEN. >> THIS SAY SYSTEM THAT WE CURRENTLY USE AND UTILIZING BY THE BOARD FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K6. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Tyler Technologies related to the build out of a new testing/training realm for the Enterprise Courts and Justice (Ocdyssey) systems and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/McGILL]

>> 6. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP OF TYLER TECHNOLOGIES FOR A NEW TESTING AND TRAINING REALM FOR THE ENTERPRISE COURT AND JUSTICE

SYSTEMS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER?

>> WELL, I'M GOING TO OBJECT. >> LET THE PRO SPEAK ON THE PRO

ITEMS. >> WE'RE GETTING READY TO START ROLLING OUT OUR NEW RELEASE OF THE ENTERPRISE COURT AND JUSTICE. THAT WILL GIVE THE DEPARTMENTS AND STAFF TO TEST THE FUNCTIONALITIES, THE BUSINESS PRACTICES AND THE WORK FLOW WITH THE NEW VERSION AND GIVE US FEEDBACK IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES SO WE HAVE TIME TO CORRECT IT BEFORE WE ROLL IT OUT IN PRODUCTION. AND IT GIVES THEM A SANDBOX TO PLAY AROUND SO IT DOESN'T AFFECT OUR LIVE DATA. WE ALSO ARE WORKING ON SOME CUSTOMER CUSTOMS WITH OUR AGENTS AND PARTNERS TO DO THE

TEST. >> YOU JUST CONTINUE TO DO IT A MAGNIFICENT JOB AT EVERY TURN. I THANK YOU. AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T TURN AROUND AN BITE US LATER BECAUSE WE HAVE -- NOBODY KNOWS THIS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN SO WELL PROTECTED THROUGH

[01:30:04]

YOUR LEADERSHIP AT IT. I WANT TO THANK PERSONALLY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K7. Discussion and possible action to update compensation related sections of the current HR Personnel Policy and set guidelines for the February 1st Step Plan Implementation. BECERRA/MILLER/DORSETT]

CALL ] >> 7.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE TOOK UPDATE COMPENSATION RELATED SECTIONS TO THE CURRENT HR PERSONNEL POLICY AND SET GUIDELINES FOR THE FEBRUARY 1ST STEP PLAN IMPLEMENTATION.

>> I DO. >> WEEKEND IS.

>> YOU WOULD LIKE TO START THE CONVERSATION.

>> SHERRY MILLER, HAYES COUNTY RR DIRECTOR. I THINK WE COMBINED THIS ITEM TO FLUSH OUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STEP PLAN THAT IS PLANNED FOR FEBRUARY 1ST. WE NEED TO WITH YOU ALL TODAY, GO OVER OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STEP PLAN. AND THEN THE POLICY CHANGES THAT YOU HAVE ON THE BOARD WOULD THEN REFLECT HOW WE WOULD ADMINISTER GOING FORWARD OUR PAY PLANS. SO IT BE BETTER TO TALK ABOUT THE STEP PLAN IMPLEMENTATION FIRST AND ALIGNED AND THEN I CAN REVIEW THE POLICY CHANGES?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE BEST TO GO OVER THE POLICY CHANGES, DEPENDING ON HOW THE COURT WANTS TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE WAY WE ADMINISTER THE PLAN AND IT WILL AFFECT THE GUIDELINES

FOR THE PROCESSING. >> OKAY. POLICY FIRST.

>> THAT IS YOU DON'T HOUR TWO BRAINS WORK DELIVERY.

>> IS IT TEAM WORK. THE WAY AS I'VE LEARNED FOR FIVE YEARS NOW, I'M ONE OF FIVE. I HAVE A PREFERENCE. BUT HEY, MAN, WE GO WITH IT. HOWEVER WE ENDS UP, THAT IS WHAT WE MOVE WITH.

>> WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A STEP PLAN, CHANGING OUR CURRENT SALARY PLAN STRUCTURE FROM A MINIMUM, MAXIMUM WITH NO SPECIFIC POINTS IN BETWEEN, TO A STRUCTURE OF 15 POINTS IN BETWEEN THAT MINIMUM AN MAXIMUM. WE NEED TO ADJUST SEVERAL THINGS AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS WE ADMINISTER SALARY WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS PROMOTED AND IT MOVES TO A HIGHER GRADED JOB, DEMOTED AND THEN THE CONDITIONS ON THAT DEMOTION AND IF IT IS DISCIPLINARY OR VOLUNTARY. AND THEN HOW WE ADMINISTER SALARY EXCEPTIONS. SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE LONGEVITY PAY IS RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVAL WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STEP PLAN. AND IT GOES BACK TO THE FACT THAT THE STEP PLAN IS BUT ON LONGEVITY AND HOW LONG AN EMPLOYEE BEEN IN THEIR CURRENT POSITION WITH ADDITIONAL LONGEST FUNDING THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION BY THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, BASED ON YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COUNTY. SO IN THAT LIGHT, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST, THAT WE WOULD ADMINISTER A SALARY PLAN BASED ON LONGEVITY AN ELIMINATE THE ANNUAL LONGEVITY PAY. SO THAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR REMOVAL. ANOTHER CHANGE THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IS OUR SALARY EXCEPTIONS. IN THE POSSIBLE, WE HAVE PROCESSED AND REVIEWED SALARY EXCEPTIONS IN THE HR AND BUDGET OFFICE AND IN SOME CASES THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT. WE REVIEW THE SALARY EXCEPTIONS AND TIE SPECIFICALLY THE APPLICANT THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED, TIE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION AND COMBINATION THEREOF TO A PARTICULAR STEP. SO WE KNOW THAT OUR PAY PLAN IS BUT AT MARKET. THE MINIMUM WAS MARKET WHEN WE ESTABLISHED THIS PARTICULAR PAY PLAN. SO IF WE ARE HIRING SOMEBODY THAT MEETS

[01:35:06]

THE MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, THEN IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT THAT THEY BE HIRED AT STEP ONE. IF THEY'RE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE EXCEED THE MINIMUM -- THIS IS SPECIFIC, SO THAT WE'RE NOT HERE IN COURT ASKING FOR COURT'S APPROVAL AND WE CAN ASSESS AN APPLICANT EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION FROM THEIR APPLICATION, RESUME, ANY CREDENTIALS THEY PRESENT TO US AND IS ANY INFORMATION GAINED IN AN INTERVIEW. IF THEY EXCEED THE MINIMUM BY THREE TO FIVE YEARS AND THE REQUEST COMES OUR WAY, THEN THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO BE HIRED AT STEP TWO. SO THEY COULD BE HIRED AT STEP ONE. THEY COULD BE HIRED AT STEP TWO.

>> WHEN YOU SAID THAT RECOMMENDATIONS OR REQUESTS COME OUR WAY. WE WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THE OUR WAY WAS

THAT COMMITTEE, IS THAT RIGHT? >> IT CAN BE THE COMMITTEE, IF THE COMMITTEE CAN BE RESPONSIVE QUICKLY. OFTEN TIMES WE HAVE THIS APPLICANT ON THE HOOK AND WE NEED A PRETTY QUICK ANSWER BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OR ELECTED OFFICIAL. SO THEY CAN MAKE AN OFFER. IF THE COMMITTEE IS INTERESTED IN REVIEWING THIS, IT WILL BE PRETTY BLACK AND WHITE IN TERMS OF EXPERIENCE THAT THE CANDIDATE HAS VERSUS THE EXPERIENCE THAT THE JOB IS REQUIRING.

>> I THINK WE TALKED ONE TIME THAT THOSE WOULD GO TO YOU, SHERRY AND MAYBE THE BUDGET OFFICER STORE THAT REVIEW.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE SPECIFIC. SO I GUESS THAT IS ONE THING

THAT WE NEED TO CLARIFY. >> THERE IS REALLY NOT GOING GOING TO BE IC UNLESS THERE IS AN INTERPRETATION FLAW IN UNDERSTANDING AN PERSON'S EXPERIENCE. WHAT WILL NEED TO HAPPEN IS OUR JOB DESCRIPTIONS, OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR DESCRIPTIONS ACCURATELY PORTRAY SOME SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE. FOR INSTANCE, IN A JP COURT, YOU'RE HIRING FOR A JUSTICE CLERK, IF YOU WANT THAT EXPERIENCE TO BE PARTICULAR TO JUSTICE COURTS OR OTHER SIMILAR COURTS, OR IF YOU WOULD EVEN ALLOWED GENERAL CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE, A LOT OF OUR DESCRIPTIONS ARE PRETTY GENERAL IN THAT MANNER AND THAT THE EXPERIENCE IS NOT

REAL SPECIFIC. >> COMMISSIONER, THE REASON I BROUGHT THAT ROAD MAP UP IS BECAUSE I WANT IT REAL CLEAR TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS WHAT THE PROCESS SHOULD BE. WE HAVE HAD TONS OF CONVERSATION AROUND ALL OF THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO IRON OUT THIS ROAD MAP SO FOLKS WILL

KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO. >> IF THERE IS A DISAGREEMENT, IT COULD COME TO COMMISSIONER COURT IF YOU COULD NOT COME TO

A CONCLUSION. >> ABSOLUTELY. THAT COULD BE AN ALTERNATIVE. AND WE CAN FLUSH OUT ANYTHING THAT WE DIDN'T UNDERSTANDLY UNDERSTAND WITH THE DEPARTMENT AHEAD WITH THE

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. >> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT WHENEVER YOU SAY IT WOULD COME TO YOU ALL. IT IS PRETTY CLEAR CUT LOOKING AT THE POLICY. AS A DEPARTMENT HEAD, IT WOULD GIVE ME A LOT OF CLARIFICATION LOOKING THE JUST THESE THREE LINES, IF THEY NEED THIS STANDARD, I CAN OFFER UP TO STEP TWO AND FOUR. IS IT VERY CLEAR. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE BEEN LACKING. I KNOW I'VE TALKED TO A COUPLE OF THEM THAT ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.

>> THE CLARITY IS GOOD, SHERRY. WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS VERY GOOD

AND USEFUL. >> IS IT SUBJECTIVE IN THE PAST IN INTERPRETING WHAT APPLICANTS SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT GET A SALARY EXCEPTION BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCE, NOT THAT WE HAVE

[01:40:03]

REQUESTS THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE. BUT THIS WILL FINE TUNE WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE, WHAT THEY CAN ASK FOR, AND THEY CAN EVEN COMMUNICATE THIS TO THEIR APPLICANT, IF THEY'RE WISHING TO ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION.

>> I WOULD LIKE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN IN COMMITTEE AND NOT AT COURT. LET THE COMMITTEE TALK ABOUT IT.

LET THEM TALK ABOUT IT. AND THEN THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION CAN BE PRESENTED IF IT DOESN'T FOLLOW WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THIS BLACK AND WHITE BACKGROUND.

>> YES. >> IF THERE IS STILL A QUESTION, THEN IT CAN GO TO THE COMMITTEE. I AGREE, JUDGE, I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO COME HERE FIRST.

>> I CAN ADD LANGUAGE TO THE POLICY THAT IDENTIFIES THAT SHOULD THERE BE ASSISTANCE NEEDED OR FURTHER CLARIFICATION OR GUIDANCE THE COMMITTEE CAN THEN REVIEW.

>> AND THE FINAL WILL STILL BE THE COURT.

>> YES. >> YOU GUYS HASH IT OUT.

>> THAT IS NOT THE INTENT, ACTUALLY. THE INTENT IS THAT THE COURT WILL GIVE US AUTHORITY TO AS WE HAVE NOW IN CERTAIN PARAMETERS TO AUTHORIZE THE SALARY EXCEPTION. WE WOULD NOT WANT TO COME TO COURT FOR EVERY SALARY EXCEPTION.

>> IF THERE IS A GRAY, IT GOES INTO COMMITTEE. I WOULD STILL LIKE FOR ALL OF OUR BENEFITS, THAT ROAD MAP, IN THE EVENT OF, IF SOMEONE APPEALS A JP A DECISION, IT COMES TO ME. I KNOW. SO NOBODY KNOWS THAT. BUT IT IS IN PLACE. IS IT NEVER USED. BUT IS IN PLACE. MY HOPE IS THAT HR, SHERRY AND VICKY CAN DEAL WITH IT WITH THE CLEAR BLACK AND WHITE OUTLINE. IF THERE IS A DISCUSSION EFFORTS TAKE IT TO THE COMMITTEE. BUT IF IT CAN GET RESOLVED BY ALL OF THAT EFFORT, FINE.

>> IF THE REST OF US CANNOT AGREE --

>> THAT'S IT. TO GIVE US A FINAL FINISH LINE, CHECKERED

FLAG IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. >>> NEXT SECTION THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS ARE DEMOTIONS. RIGHT NOW IN OUR PAY PLAN, IF YOU ARE VOLUNTARILY DEMOTED AND A DECISION IS INCUMBENT ON THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OR ELECTED OFFICIAL, CONTACTING THE DEMOTION, THEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SALARY REDUCTION OF AT LEAST 3% BUT NOT MORE THAN 6%. IN A SET PLAN WITH 3% BETWEEN EACH STEP, 5% BETWEEN EACH GRADE, THAT HAS TO BE ADJUSTED. SO THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT IF YOU ARE VOLUNTARILY DEMOTING AT YOUR OWN REQUEST, THEN YOU GO TO WHATEVER STEP YOU'RE AT IN THE NEW GRADE. YOU'LL EARN A LESSER SALARY. OBVIOUSLY YOU SHOULD EARN A LESSER SALARY FOR ASSUMING A POSITION OF A LOWER LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY. IF YOU'RE DEMOTION IS DISCIPLINARY, YOU ARE PLACED AT 1 STEP BELOW YOUR CURRENT STEP

IN THE LOWER GRADE. >> ABOUT WHAT IF, FOR THE HECK OF IT, FOR POLICY, WHAT IF THEY'RE AT THE LOWEST GRADE AT THE DEPARTMENT, WHAT IF THEY'RE AT THE LOWEST GRADE AT THE

DEPARTMENT. >> IF THEY'RE AT STEP ONE?

>> THEY HAVE TO STAY AT STEP ONE. WE CANNOT PAY BELOW STEP

ONE. >> ONE OTHER QUESTION RELATE THE TO THAT, I'VE ONLY SEEN IT ONCE, BUT YOU ONE INTO A SITUATION WHERE GO THROUGH THE DEMOTION PROCESS, THERE IS AN EMPLOYEE IMPROVEMENT PLAN OR A PROCESS BY THE DIRECTOR OR DEPARTMENT SAID SAYS THIS IS WHAT WE ANTICIPATE YOU'RE GOING TO DO. HERE ARE THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE. THEY DON'T MAKE THE IMPROVEMENTS, AFTER THAT DEMOTION, IS THERE A CAP ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT THEY CAN DO THE DEMOTION? DO THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT TERMINATION AT THAT

[01:45:05]

POINT? >> WE DON'T HAVE A PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINARY POLICY, WHICH SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD FALL INTO. THAT IS UP TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OR ELECTED OFFICIAL AS TO FUTURE ACTION IF THERE IS NO IMPROVEMENT.

DEMOTIONS CAN BE TEMPORARILY. YOU CAN TEMPORARILY REDUCE A SALARY IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN THE IMPROVEMENT. AND THEN ONCE IT HAPPENS, THE WAGES COULD BE PUT UP. WE RARELY SEE THAT.

DEMOTIONS ARE USUALLY REALLY -- THEY TAKE ON A NEW JOB. THEY TAKE ON A NEW POSITION. IT IS RARE THAT WE SEE A DEMOTION AND THEY STAY IN THE SAME JOB. JUST A CLARITY TRANSFERS, A CLARITY FOR THE USE OF TRANSFERS WHEN WE DEAL WITH POSITION CHANGES, IF WE'RE CHANGING JOBS THAT IS OF THE SAME GRADE. THAT IS TO CLAIR IF CLARIFYING TRANSFER IN BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS. BUT A LATTER TRANSFER IS TRANSFERRING FROM ONE JOB TO ANOTHER AT THE

SAME LEVEL. >> OKAY. IF I'M WORK TREASURE'S OFFICE AND I WANT TO GO TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE, IT NEEDS TO BE

-- THAT IS NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE. >> IF THE JOBS ARE THE SAME LEVEL THAT IS A LATERAL TRANSFER. IF I WANT TO PULL SOMEONE FROM. TREASURE'S OFFICE TO COME TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE, IN SOME ENTICING WAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THAT TOO, COMMISSIONER, CAN I PULL FROM THERE WITH A HIGHER PAY GRADE?

>> IF THAT JOB IS GRADED HIGHER, AND THAT THAT IS

CONSIDERED A PROMOTION. >> BUT THERE ARE NO BARRIERS WITH THIS TO DO DEPARTMENT TRANSFERS?

>> NO. IF YOU ARE TRANSFERRED FROM A LOWER JOB TO A JOB IN A HIGHER GRADE, WE CALL THAT PROMOTION, EVEN IF IT IS IN THE DEPARTMENT THAT YOU'RE IN OR ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT IN THAT CASE, YOU WOULD CHANGE GRADES BUT REMAIN AT THE SAME STEP. IF YOU'RE STEP FIVE IN GRADE 114 AND YOU'VE BEEN SELECTED FOR A PROMOTION AT A 117, YOU WILL CHANGE GRADES TO A 117. BUT YOU'LL REMAIN AT STEP FIVE. THERE ARE 5% BETWEEN EACH STEP NOW. AND -- OR BETWEEN EACH GRADE, RATHER. AND WE HAVE MORE GRADES THAN WE DID PREVIOUSLY. THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED TO CLARIFY, WHEN EMPLOYEES COME OR CHANGE JOBS FROM A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING POSITION TO A POSITION IN THIS NEW PAY PLAN THAT ARE NOT COLLECTIVE BARGAINS, THERE IS NO SPECIFIC ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE TWO PAY PLANS IN TERMS OF THE GRADES, THE MINIMUMS AND THE MAXIMUMS. BUT WE WOULD WANT TO HONOR THE STEP THAT THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEE HAS REACHED IN THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PLAN. AND WE WOULD MOVE THEM TO THE NONCOLLECTED BARGAINING POSITION AT THE SAME STEP.

>> SO THE EQUIVALENT, A LAST MATERIAL RECALL FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?

>> DEPENDING ON WHAT JOB THEY DO TO OR WHAT JOB THEY'RE COMING FROM. IT COULD BE A HIGHER WAGE OR A LOWER WAGE.

BUT WE WANT TO HONOR THE STEP THAT THEY WERE IN FOR THE

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. >> FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

THERE ARE OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE, NOT TO MENTION SPOUSES AND LOVED ONES THAT ARE SIDE TO THIS CONVERSATION INTIMATELY.

TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, THERE IS REFERRING TO, AS AN EXAMPLE, A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY MOVING TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE COURT SYSTEM OR A CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

[01:50:04]

>> NOT THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE. >> SAY A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY IS MAKING $50,000 A YEAR FOR EASY FOLLOWING NUMBERS. AND THEY WANT TO GO TO BE A BAILIFF, CAN YOU RUN THAT EXAMPLE THAT WAY

SO PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW YOU? >> IF THEY ARE AT STEP ONE EARNING $50,000, IF THAT WAS STEP ONE'S WAGES, THEY WOULD MOVE TO THE NONCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING POSITION AT STEP NUMBER ONE. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THEY ARE A DEPUTY AT STEP 7 AND NOW THEY WANT TO BE A COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER 911 COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER. THEY WOULD TRANSFER TO THAT PLAN AT

STEP 7. >> I HOPE THAT CLARIFY A LITTLE. THOSE ARE SOME VARIABLES WHEN YOU HAVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING THAT ARE NOT EASY TO FOLLOW

INSTINCTIVELY. >> IF THE PAY IS HIGHER OR

LOWER -- >> REGARDLESS OF THAT WHAT THE PAY IS, THEY WOULD REMAIN AT THAT STEP.

>> I WANT TO ADD ANOTHER PIECE OF THE MOVEMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE WE SAW THIS TERMINATION, WHAT IF I HAVE THE REVERSE, I TERMINATE SOMEONE FROM MY DEPARTMENT AND HOW ABOUT THE TREASURR TAKING THAT PERSON, HOW WOULD THAT WORK? IS THERE ANYTHING IN THERE TO ARCTIC LAY IT ON THAT FRONT?

>> IT DEPEND ON THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN NO LONGER EMPLOYED OR REEMPLOYED. IF IT IS CONSECUTIVE DAY. IT DEPENDS ON THE JOB THEY'RE COMING FROM AND GOING TO. SO THAT WOULD BE A DEMOTION OR PROMOTION. IF THERE IS A GAP IN EMPLOYMENT, SO TIME HAS PASSED AND THEY ARE COMING BACK TO WORK FOR THE COUNTY, THEN THAT IS CONSIDERED A NEW HIRE. AND WE WOULD HIRE THEM AT STEP 1, UNLESS AN EXCEPTION WERE REQUESTED.

>> I WANT TO WRAP THAT POINT UP. MY REAL POINT IS ARTICULATION. ARTICULATION IN THE POLICY, SO THAT WHATEVER IT IS IT IS FAIR AND CONSISTENT, BECAUSE WE HAVE MANY ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS POINT TO ONE AND IT WILL MAKE SOMEBODY MAD AND THEY'LL START BOUNCING AROUND. MY HOPE IS THAT WE HAVE A CLEAR, CONCISE PREDICTABLE ROAD MAP IF SOMEONE LEAVES MY OFFICE AND WANTS TO GO TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE BECAUSE I TERMINATED BECAUSE BECAUSE OF WHATEVER. I WANT AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE BARRIERS ARE. IS THAT BAKED

INTO THE NEW MECHANISM. >> THAT THIS NUDE AND RETIRED EMPLOYS ARE HIRED AT THE PAY GRADE TO WHAT THE POSITION IS SIGNED. AND THE NEXT PART OF THAT PARAGRAPH IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SALARY EXCEPTIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> THAT IS THE QUESTION I HAD ON SPECIFIC ON GAPS OF SERVICE. I KNOW WHEN WE HAD OUR BUDGET DISCUSSION THAT TALKED ABOUT THIS FROM THE ONSET, AS HARD IS IT FOR US TO REHIRE EMPLOYS -- WE GOT GOOD EMPLOYEES OUT THERE. I'LL USE OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AS AN EXAMPLE. WE HAD 46% OPENING. AND WE DID A ONE TIME SALARY BONUS FOR THEM. AND WE WENT THROUGH THE SALARY SURVEY. SOME OF THE FOLKS WOULD COME BACK. WE HAVE ONE REHIRE RIGHT NOW THAT THE TRANSPORTATION IS LOOKING AT. I WAS HOPING AND WE DISCUSSED IN OUR BUDGET CONVERSATIONS THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME TYPE OF PROCESS IF THAT EMPLOYEE WOULD BE CONSIDERED VESTED AFTER A YEAR OR TWO YEARS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, TO NOT LOSE THOSE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GAP. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT RIGHT NUMBER IS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A GAP OF SERVICE FOR 30 DAYS THAT IS ONE THING. -- FOR THREE DAYS. IF IS IT A GAP OF SERVICE FOR FIVE YEARS, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS A REHIRE. IF THEY WORKED FOR THE COUNT FOR TEN YEARS AND THEY ARE A GOOD EMPLOYEE AND WE WANT TO BRING THEM BACK, I WOULD WANT TO ADDRESS THAT. I WOULD LOOK AT OUR GAPS OF SERVICE. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT STARTED OFFER BECAUSE THEY HAD MAYBE A YEAR GAP IN SERVICE BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR 15, 20 YEARS. SO I THINK THAT --

[01:55:07]

>> IT CREATES A LIABILITY TO THE COUNTY. I THINK THAT IS A DISCUSSION FOR ANOTHER TIME. THAT MUCH IS COMPLICATED AND YOU'RE GOING TO REQUIRE A LOT OF THOUGHT TO START TALK ABOUT THAT ISSUE AND WE OPEN UP THAT ANY CAN OF WORMS. IF THEY EVER RETURN, THAT WE HAVE A LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN RETIREMENT BENEFITS. THAT IS A VERY -- I'VE BEEN A PRO PRO OPPONENT MANY TIMES. BUT I DON'T THINK WE CAN GET INTO

THAT. >> THAT IS COMPLICATED. AND THAT INVOLVES MANY FACETS OF WAGE ADMINISTRATION AND BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION. IN TERMS OF YEARS OF SERVICE, WHEN AN EMPLOYEE RETURNS, INTERNALLY, I COUNT THE PREVIOUS YEARS OF SERVICE TO DETERMINE WHEN THEY GET A SERVICES AWARD. SO I TAKE OUT THAT GAP AND COUNTED THAT TIME BECAUSE THAT WAS PRECIOUS TIME THEY SPENT WITH US. IN TERMS OFF OUR RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM DOES THE SAME, IRRELEVANT IR-REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY DOES WITH THEIR MONEY. EVERY MONTH THEY ARE CREDITED WITH ONE MONTH OF SERVICE IN THE TCRDS RETIREMENT SYSTEM. THERE IS NO PENALTY THERE BEING VESTED WITH THE EIGHT YEARS OF SERVICE OR BEING ELIGIBLE TO WITHDRAWL THEIR LIFETIME IMMUNITY ANNUITY.

>> AND THE GAB OF SERVICE AND THEY ARE REHIRED -- WE HAVE A GENEROUS WAITING PERIOD. THE FIRST OF THE DAY MONTH AND THEN A 55-DAY WAITING PERIOD. YOU MAY GO PAST 60 DAYS IF YOU'RE HIRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH.

>> I'M TALKING ABOUT AT RETIREMENT.

>> HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE 20 YEAR CONSECUTIVE TERM.

>> THAT IS A HUGE BENEFIT. >> WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT ANOTHER

TIME. >> A MILLION OF US WAITING FOR

THAT 20 YEARS. >> WHEN WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION AND WE DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO IN DEPTH. I ASK IF WE CAN GET A CLARIFICATION AND WHAT THE LIABILITY WOULD LIKE.

AND WHAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR 15 YEARS. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN FOR THE COUNTY FOR 20, BUT THEY HAD THAT SIX MONTHS OR EIGHT MONTHS GAP OF SERVICE THAT THEY HAD TO REDUE OR START OVER FOR THAT CONSIDERATION. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS IN OUR COUNTY THAT ARE EMPLOYEES IN THE NEXT 12 TO 48 MONTHS, WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS LEVEL OF UPPER LEVEL STAFF WHO EITHER WOULD QUALIFY OR WILL QUALIFY FOR RETIREMENT. THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT EMPLOYEES FOR US FOR YEARS. I WANT TO BE ENSURE THAT WE CAN BE GREAT EMPLOYERS TO

THEM. >> THE BENEFIT THAT THE COUNTY OFFERS IS A LIFETIME HEALTH CARE BENEFIT. WE DON'T KICK YOU OFF WHEN YOU'RE 65 AND YOU BECOME MEDICARE ELIGIBLE. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN STAY ON THAT PLAN FOR A LIFETIME. THERE ARE MANY EMPLOYERS THAT BUMP YOU OFF, I THINK EVEN THE STATE BUMPS YOU OFF TO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN AT 65. THAT IS A LIABILITY. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO AN ANALYSIS ON THE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN REHIRES AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND HAVE AN ANALYSIS FOR THAT WE NEED TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE HR POLICY.

AFTER TODAY, THAT WILL BE ONE OF MY MAIN FOCUSES TO GET GOING ON THE EDITS THAT HAVE COME ABOUT IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SO THAT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD PUT IN AN ANALYSIS

[02:00:03]

TOGETHER AND IT WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR US. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROMOTION AND DEMOTIONS?

>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU.

>> IF YOU WOULD TALK IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EMPLOYEES' PLAN AND THE EXTRA MONEY THAT WAS NOT INITIALLY IDENTIFIED AND HOW IT WILL BE ALLOCATED. THIS IS WHERE THE DETAIL COMES AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT IN THE TIME FRAME THAT IT HAS TAKEN TO GET TO THIS POINT. BUT WE'RE CLOSE NOW. THANK YOU. FOR THE MOST PART, THE STEP PLACEMENT WILL BE AS OF 9:30, YOUR DATE OF POSITION THAT YOU WERE IN ON SEPTEMBER 30TH. THAT IS HOW WE BUDGETED THE FUNDS. HOWEVER, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MOVEMENT FOR SOME EMPLOYEES, SOME PROMOTIONS OR DEMOTIONS THAT HAPPENED, TRANSFERRING THE DEPARTMENTS. SO THERE ARE SOME CLARIFICATIONS THAT I WANTED TO GO OVER THE WITH COURT. FOR EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE CHANGED JOBS SINCE SEPTEMBER 30TH, PLACEMENT WILL BE AT STEP ONE IN THEIR NEW GRADE. OR MOVE TO THE CLOSEST STEP THAT MATCHES THEIR CURRENT SALARY UP. SO IN OTHER WORDS, NO ONE WILL TAKE A PAY DECREASE. THE LONGEVITY FUNDS THAT WERE CALCULATED BASED ON THAT EMPLOYEE WILL MOVE TO THAT DEPARTMENT IF THE EMPLOYEE CHANGED DEPARTMENTS DURING THAT TIME. IN OTHER WORDS, -- THAT IS WHY I COULD NOT DO SPREADSHEETS TILL NOW.

IF AN EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING IN MY OFFICE AND TRANSFERRED TO THE AUDITORS OFFICE, IT WOULD NOT WORK. SO THE LONGEVITY FUNDS AND -- I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO TRACK THOSE THIS MONTH. SO IN OTHER WORDS, IF SOMEONE MOVES WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS, YOUR SPREADSHEET MAY CHANGE. YOU WILL NOT GET THE BENEFIT OF YOUR LONGEST PIECE IF THAT PERSON LEAVES AND GO TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. YOU WILL NOT GET THE LONGEST CALCULATION IF THAT POSITION BECOMES VACANT. YOU MAY HAVE HAD AN ALLOCATION THAT WE HAD BUDGETED FOR A POSITION, IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN IN YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR 10 OR 15 YEARS, THEN THAT PERSON HAS TERMINATED OR RETIRED. SO THERE WILL NOT BE AN ALLOCATION IF THE POSITION IS VACANT OR A NEW

HIRE IS THERE. >> MOST PERFECTLY RIGHT.

>> WE WOULD ALSO ASK THAT LONGEVITITY LONGEVITY FUND BE ALLOCATED TO ANYONE ON A PIP, PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

YOU COULD SAVE YOUR LONGEVITY ALLOCATION. THEY WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE TILL THEY CAME OFF OF THAT IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR THAT IMPROVEMENT PLAN. IF THAT WOULD BE HAPPEN, ALL THE LONGEVITY FUND WILL BE ALOE ALLOCATED TO WHICH YOU CHOOSE TO DO THAT FOR THAT EMPLOYEE.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO SAVE YOUR LONGEVITY ALLOCATIONS, IT WILL STILL BE ANNUALIZED FOR THAT EMPLOYEE.

>> ANOTHER AREA THAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT, IS ALL EMPLOYEES WILL GET A 10% PAY INCREASE IN FEBRUARY OR APRIL OF LAST YEAR.

AND THEY COULD HAVE RECEIVED MORE APRIL 1ST, WHEN WE

[02:05:09]

IMPLEMENTED THE NEW SALARY CHART. THE HIRE DATE THAT WE WOULD RECOMMEND IS EITHER APRIL 1ST OR A 9/30 DATE SO TYPICALLY, INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A MERIT TILL AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT. SO THIS IS FIVE MONTHS, IF YOU GO WITH THE 9/30 DATE. WE COULD BACK IT UP TO 9/31 OR USE THE APRIL DATE. AT THAT TIME, ALL EMPLOYEES WILL BE RECEIVING A SIGNIFICANT PAY INCREASE. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT EMPLOYEES ON PAID LEAVE WOULD WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LONGEVITY PAYMENTS TILL RETURNING TO THEIR REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE. LONGEVITY ALLOCATIONS -- ACTUALLY THESE ARE JUST FOR PROCESSING. BUT WE WOULD THEM IN OUR OFFICE BY FEBRUARY 5TH. IF YOU WERE TO TURN THEM IN OFF FEBRUARY 5TH, THEY WILL BE PROCESSED ON THE 2/28 PAYROLL BUT CALCULATED A 2/1 DATE UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. FOR CLARIFICATION, WE WOULD WANT TO KNOW THE HIRE DATE OF THE EMPLOYEE THAT BE CONSIDERED FOR THE LONGEVITY PIECE.

>> LET'S STOP RIGHT THERE. >> YOU'RE PROPOSING 8/31 OR

APRIL 1ST. >> AND APRIL 1ST WILL GIVE THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE SEEING THE PAY INCREASE AS THE WINDOW TO

START AT THAT POINT? >> THE APRIL 1ST -- SO INDIVIDUALS HIRED APRIL 1ST WERE HIRED IN OUR NEW PLAN, BUT THEY WERE NOT MOVED TO THEIR SALARY TILL JULY, TO THE NEW SALARY BECAUSE WE WERE IN THAT WINDOW WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FUND TO START THAT. ALL OF OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES WERE PLACED ON APRIL 1ST. BUT NEW HIRES WERE NOT PLACED TILL JULY.

EVERYONE WAS HIRED AT THAT MARKET MINIMUM. SO THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE THE 3% ON OCTOBER 1. SO THAT IS THE WAY IT IS BUT. AND THAT IS HOWEVER WE ADOPT IT TODAY, EVERYONE WILL AUTOMATICALLY MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP OCTOBER 1ST. IF YOUR DEPARTMENT SAID DECIDES TO GIVE A PART OF THAT LONGEVITY, THEY'LL MOVE UP A STEP FOR THAT PIECE AND THEN THEY'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP OCTOBER 1ST. THAT IS WHERE WE WERE RECOMMENDING

MAYBE AN APRIL DATE. >> I THINK APRIL.

>> WE'LL GO FOR APRIL. THANK YOU.

>> I THINK THE LAST PIECE TO TALK ABOUT IS THE PAY PROGRESSION PLANS THAT WE HAVE MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS THAT UTILIZE THE PAY PROGRESSION PLANS. THE EMPLOYEES ADVANCE THROUGH THEIR GRADE WHILE OTHERS ADVANCE THROUGH DIFFERENT LEVELS. WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND IS PAID PROGRESSION PLANS FOR POSSESSIONS THAT HAVE MULTIPLE LEVELS REMAIN THE SAME. SO THEY WILL MEET THEIR CRITERIA AND MOVE UP TO THE NEXT LEVEL. PAID PROGRESSION PLANS THAT ADVANCE THROUGH A GRADE WILL NO LONGER IMPLEMENT THAT. NOW THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY MOVE THROUGH THEIR GRADE WITH THE STAFF.

>> GREAT. >> CHECK, CHECK.

>> I THINK THAT IS IT. THE DEPARTMENT'S SPREADSHEETS WILL GO OUT BY THE END OF THIS WEEK. AND AGAIN, IF THERE IS ANY MOVEMENT IN YOUR DEPARTMENT BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THIS MONTH, THEY'LL BE UPDATED AN RESENT.

[02:10:05]

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. >> MISS CRUMBLY? WE'RE ASKING, IF YOU'RE GOING TO ALLOCATE THE LONGEVITY PIECE, DO YOU DO THAT AT 3% INCREMENTS SO IT WILL ALIGN WITH OUR STEP PLAN.

>> THAT MAKES GOOD SENSE. THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

>> I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE OPERATIONS. THANK YOU, SHERRY AN VICKY FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND ALL OF YOUR WORK. I WANT SOME CLARIFICATION FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE SALARY EXEMPTIONS. WE CAN ONLY HIRE AT THE MINIMUM AND HAVE TO SUBMIT A SALARY EXCEPTION FOR ANYTHING ABOVE THAT. I THINK WE WERE HOPING THAT WE WOULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE LEEWAY BEING ABLE TO HIRE A LITTLE BIT ABOVE THE MINIMUM. I KNOW IN MY DEPARTMENT, A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE INTERVIEWS THAT THEY JUST WANT $500 OR A THOUSAND DOLLARS ABOVE THE MINIMUM I FEEL LIKE THAT MAY WORK INTO -- I THINK SHERRY SAID UP TO THE SECOND STEP. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MONETARILY THAT EQUALS. BUT HAVING THAT LEEWAY TO HIRE AT LEAST UP TO A CERTAIN STEP WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US. I DON'T KNOW HOW -- I THINK THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS FEEL THAT

WAY. BUT THAT IS ME. >> TO ECHO YOU, I HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS THEY WANTED TO THE FLEXIBILITY TO HIRE IN THE RANGE T IS HARD TO BUDGET FOR THAT BUT THE FLEXIBILITY THAT YOU'VE BEEN ASKING FOR HAS BEEN ECHOED TO ME BY A LOT OF PEOPLE. I PERSONALLY SHE YOU SHOULD. AND IF YOUR BUDGET IS. AND YOU CAN PULL IT OFF, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY. IF YOU FIND AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WILL HELP YOU RUN YOUR DEPARTMENT THAT YOU'RE TIDE TO AND RESPONSIBLE FOR, YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE IT HOLDS THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS MORE ACCOUNTABLE. I PERSONALLY LIKE THAT I THINK IT IS A GOOD ASK THAT YOU'RE MAKING.

>> IS IT HARD WHEN THEY'RE ADVERTISED AT MINIMUM TO THE MAXIMUM RANGE. PEOPLE COME IN EXPECTING THEY CAN NEGOTIATE.

AND WE KNOW THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO HIRE AT THE MAXIMUM. THEY EXPECT TO COME IN AND THINK THEY CAN NEGOTIATE.

>> BASED ON MY QUALIFICATIONS DID, WE MAKE THESE ADJUSTMENT JUSTIFICATIONS. IT IS WHAT MAKES PEOPLE APPLY.

>> NOT EVERYONE DOESN'T GET CONSIDERATION FOR MORE THAN A MINIMUM. I DO CONSIDER EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE. SO I DON'T JUST WILLY NILLY HIRE ABOVE THE HIRE.

>> SO I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK, THE REQUIREMENTS THAT WERE PRESENTED WOULD NOT ADDRESS THAT, IF YOU'RE HIRING --

>> AS I UNDERSTOOD IT, WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR A SALARY EXEMPTION ABOVE THE MINIMUM. WE HAVE TO DO THAT NOW. I WAS HOPING THAT ON OUR OWN TO DO UP TO A CERTAIN -- WHATEVER THE STEP IS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT BEING LOOSES LIKE RIGHT NOW. SAY UP TO -- I THINK SHERRY SAID STEP 2.

MONETARILY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS.

>> 3%. >> SO WITHIN.

>> SOMETIMES THAT IS ENOUGH. SOMETIMES THAT 3% BUMP IS

ENOUGH TO GET THEM IN. >> YES.

>> BUT I WAS EXPECTING SOME KIND OF LEEWAY?

>> I DON'T KNOW, JUDGE. I CAN UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES. WE'RE TRYING TO IT BE CONSISTENT. I GUESS WE COULD PUT SOMETHING IN OUR POLICY THAT WOULD BE CONSISTENT. BUT ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE LOOKING AT THOSE EXPERIENCES AND REQUIREMENTS. AND WE KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO QUALIFY. BUT IS IT AN EXTRA STEP TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

[02:15:02]

>> A LOT OF TIMES I DON'T HAVE THE TIME. WE HAVE FEW APPLICANTS. AND THEY ARE APPLYING FOR NUMEROUS JOBS AND

THEY'RE TAKING IT. >> THAT WOULD -- I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD NOT TAKE LONG TO LOOK AT THEIR EXPERIENCE.

>> THEY'VE HAD OTHER INTERVIEWS AND THEY'RE TAKING THE FIRST ONE THAT CALLED THEM BACK. BY THE TIME WE INTERVIEW SOMEONE

ELSE AND -- THAT IS MY ROLE. >> COULDN'T WE DO THAT ALSO, WHEN YOU GET YOUR APPLICANT, APPLICATION, YOU SEE THAT THEY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO QUALIFY FOR THE NEXT STEP BEFORE YOU CALLED THEM IN, YOU CAN HAVE THAT ALREADY APPROVED? I DON'T

KNOW. >> THAT IS SOMETHING TO CONSIDER. AGAIN IF THEY GET HERE AND DON'T INTERVIEW WELL, WE HAVE THAT PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS WE COULD.

>> I SEE. >> I'M NOT GOING TO GO ALONG FOR THIS BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT I THIS ABOUT THE STEPS ANYWAY. IF YOU ADOPT A STEP, YOU ADOPT A STEP. AND YOU HAVE RULES ABOUT WHERE YOU PLACE PEOPLE IN STEPS. OTHERWISE, YOU'VE CREATED A RIGID SYSTEM. TO ME, IF YOU HAVE STEPS, YOU FOLLOW THE STEPS. IF THERE IS AN EXEMPTION BASED ON EXPERIENCE THAT IS CLEARLILY DEFINED THAT IS A DIFFERENT STEP. IF THERE IS A DEBATE, THERE IS A DEBATE ON INTERPRETATION AND THERE IS AN EVENTUAL ARBITRATION IS DONE HERE IN PUBLIC TO SEE IF IT MEETS OR NOT. IF WE'RE GOING TO LET DEPARTMENTS TO HIRE REGARDLESS OF THE STEP, WE SHOULD MAKE THAT IN THE MINIMUM.

>> IF IT AFFECTED THE MINIMUM. >> YES. WE HAVE TO SET IT SOME ARE. I'M MORE THAN OPEN TO HEARING ABOUT THE ISSUES AS THEY COME UP, IF IT NEEDS TO BE DONE THAT WE CONSIDER IT BASED ON SOME REAL EXAMPLES. SO WE'RE TRYING THIS NEW THING OUT.

WE'LL BE HIRING PEOPLE IN THIS STEP PROGRAM WITH THIS FAIRLY RIGID SYSTEM. IF IT IS CAUSING PROBLEMS, I THINK WE SHOULD GO PACK AND LOOK. BUT YOU NEED TO CHANGE THIS THE GREATER EXPERIENCE FROM A STEP 2 TO SOMETHING ELSE IF YOU'RE GOING ALLOW SOMEONE TO HIRE STEP 2 CAN ZERO EXPERIENCE. THEN THE EXPERIENCE HAS FIVE YEAR EXPERIENCE. I'M GOING TO HIRE THIS PERSON WHO HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING. IT WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE COMPARISON PROBLEMS, EQUITY PROBLEMS. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THE THREE TO FIVE YEARS WOULD NOT BE A STEP TWO. IT

WILL BE A STEP THREE. >> IF I HAVE A POOL APPLICANTS, I'M NOT PULLING ONES THAT HAVE NO EXPERIENCE, I'M PULLING ONES THAT HAVE AT LEAST A FEW YEARS EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION.

>> I'VE ALWAYS -- WHEN I FIRST STARTED HERE AND I KNEW THAT WAS THE PRACTICE, THAT WE DIDN'T HIRE ABOVE THE MINIMUM, I THOUGHT WAS -- WE DIDN'T GIVE THE DEPARTMENT HEADS THE FLEXIBILITY TO HIRE. AND NOW WE'VE COME TO THIS FAR IN THE STEP PLAN, MY HOPE IS WHATEVER THE AXIS OF SHERRY AND NIKIE, FOR AN EXEMPTION MOVES QUICKLY, I GUESS. YOU'RE ADOPTING THIS PROCESS AND YOU WANT TO SEE IT THROUGH AND WE START TWEAKING IT AND UNRAVEL ALL THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE. MY HOPE IS IF SHE GETS AN APPLICANT THAT IS ABOVE THE MINIMUM AND THAT EXEMPTION PROCESS THROUGH THE BUDGET AND HR MOVES QUICKLY SO SHE'S ABLE TO OFFER -- I KNOW IS IT MISLEADING TO THE APPLICANT ON THE RANGE. I TOTALLY GET THAT.

>> IT HAS ALWAYS MOVED QUICKLY. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A DELAY IN

A SALARY EXEMPTION. >> WE SPENT A YEAR AND A HALF ON THIS TO SEE BEFORE IT HAS WORKED AND WHERE IT HASN'T.

>> SO WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM IN POSTING THE FULL RANGE. IT IS MISLEADING TO APPLICANTS. IT'S CONFUSING SOMETIMES FOR OUR MANAGERS TO STEP THROUGH THAT WITH THE APPLICANTS. MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE POST MINIMUM TO STEP FOUR, THAT WOULD BE THE MAXIMUM STEP THAT ANYONE COULD BE HIRED AT FOR A

[02:20:04]

NEW HIRE. AND THAT MAY HELP TIE DOWN, TIGHTEN TO THE APPLICANT'S PERCEPTION WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PAY IS.

>> THAT SOUNDS REASONABLE. >> AND THEN WHEN WE WERE HERE ON 19TH FOR COURT REPORTERS, WE DID COME WITH A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE THAT THE COURT REPORTERS BE PLACED IN THE STEP PLAN BASED ON THEIR YEARS OF CERTIFICATION. AND AS SOON AS WE LEFT, THE E-MAILS STARTED

COMING. WHAT ABOUT MY MINE? >> THEY ALL DO.

>> WHAT ABOUT MINE? SO IN THE HINDSIGHT, I PERSONALLY AM NOT COMFORTABLE IN CONTINUING MY PART OF THAT RECOMMENDATION. I DID SEND A MESSAGE TO THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE LAST THURSDAY EVENING AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY FEEDBACK FROM ANYONE ON THE COMMITTEE OTHER THAN VICKY. SO AT THIS TIME, IN TERMS OF PLACING THE COURT REPORTS INTO THE STEP PLAN, IT WOULD NOT BE MY RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE WE HAVE AS WE ALL THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS AFTER WE'VE GO THROUGH THEM, WE HAVE THIS JOB AND THIS JOB AND THAT JOB. THAT ALSO CERTIFICATIONS. IT WOULD NOT BE JUST THE COURT REPORTERS THAT WE HAVE ON STAFF THAT REQUIRE CERTIFICATIONS. AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE COME TO US WITH THE CERTIFICATIONS ALREADY IN HAND, JUST AS THE COURT REPORTERS HAVE TO. NOT THE BEST FEELING TO HAVE TO STAND HERE AND SAY, OH, BUT, I JUST THINK IT BE INEQUITABLE TO OTHER POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE CERTIFICATIONS. IT IS UNFORTUNATE IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE TO MOVE THAT WAY FOR THE COURT REPORTERS BASED ON OUR PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS. I CANNOT LEAVE HERE WITHOUT TELLING YOU THAT.

>> AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER THAT HEARD EVERY DETAIL OF THAT COURT REPORTER POSITION AND AS A COURT MEMBER DISCUSSING IT IN THE PUBLIC. I WOULD SAY YOU AND VICKY ARTICULATED THROUGH THAT PROFESSIONAL LENS OF EXPERIENCE IN THAT SPACE ABOUT TYING YEARS OF CERTIFICATIONS TO A JUSTIFICATION -- AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED TO JUSTIFY OUR ACTIONS. DEFEND YOURSELF. WHY DID YOU? WHY DIDN'T YOU? IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT CHANGE YOUR JOBS.

THAT IS WHAT WEIR -- WHAT YOU'RE DOING. IF THERE ARE OTHER UNIQUE SPACES WHERE THOSE UNIQUE CERTIFICATIONS, HERE IS A ONE THAT WE HAD OVER THE PHONE, WHERE THE UNIQUE CERTIFICATIONS ARE ALSO IN PARALLEL WITH THE SCARETY OF THE JOB. IF NOT, WE HAVE POSITIONS OPEN.

>> THE OTHER POSITIONS, JUST SO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT MIGHT COME OUR WAY IF WE KEEP THE COURT REPORTERS AND ANY OTHER POSITION THAT REQUIRES A CERTIFICATION, JUVENILE PROBATION AND DETENTION OFFICERS, OFTEN COME TO TUESDAY WITH THEIR STATE REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS. FIRE INVESTIGATORS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALTIES, ACCOUNTANTS, PARALLELS THAT CAME TO MINE. THERE ARE PROBLEM OTHERS IN THE POSITION PLAN THAT WE WOULD NEED.

>> I WILL NOT SAYANY NAMES. ABOUT BUT IN THE THAT CONVERSATION, IT WAS BROUGHT UP IN PUBLIC, I'LL SAY IT NOW BECAUSE THE CONVERSATIONS IN THE COMMITTEE WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT THE ARGUMENT TO THAT WAS, AND IT WAS SOUND I BELIEVED IT AND I STILL DO, IF THOSE POSITIONS YOU'VE JUST CALLED OUT HAVE THE SCARCITY AND DIFFICULTY AS THESE OTHERS, ALSO THE ENTIRE SYSTEM, THEY TOO SHOULD BE INCLUDED. BUT IF IT IS NOT HARD TO GET A SANITATION EXPERT, THEY SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETED. IS IT COUPLED WITH THE

[02:25:02]

COMPLEXITY, THAT MADE IT FOR ME A JUSTIFIABLE DEFENDABLE

PERSPECTIVE. >> I THINK THE OTHER THING IS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THESE POSITIONS AND I'LL USE THE SPECIALISTS, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COME TO US WITH THE CERTIFICATIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT HEAD AND PREDECESSORS, THEY TRIED TO DO A GREAT JOB OF CROSS CERTIFICATION REQUEST ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES. THEY MAY COME IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST AND BE ABLE TO INSPECT FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS. BY THE TIME THEY LEAVE THE POSITION, THEY ARE ALSO CERTIFIED TO DO SEPTIC AND OTHER THINGS. IF WE WANT TO EVALUATE THESE ON OVERALL LEVELS, I THINK WE SHOULD DO THAT. UNIVERSITY YOUR REPORTERS CERTIFICATION THAT IS THE CERTIFICATION THAT THEY HAVE. OUR DEFENDANT HEADS SHOULD TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHAT ELSE DO WE WANT OUT OF THESE AS FAR AS AN EMPLOYEE PROGRESSION. IT IS THE INCREASED WORK OUTPUT IS THE INCREASED CERTIFICATION. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT. BUT WE'RE IN A UNIQUE POSITION WITH THE COURT REPORTERS. I DO. I HAVE THE CONCERN THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE COURT REPORTERS AFTER FEBRUARY IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING.

>> I'M WITH YOU. >> I KNOW WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT. ANOTHER ONE THAT POPPED TO ME IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY INVESTIGATORS. THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT THEY'RE ON PROGRESSION

PLAN. >> THEY'LL COME OFF NOW.

>> THEY PROGRESSED THROUGH THEIR PAY GRADE.

>> THERE ARE CERTIFICATIONS THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE. AND OTHER OTHERS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE OUT THERE. THAT IS WHERE I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN THERE. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNIQUENESS OF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> ANY OTHER POINT BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS WEIGH IN?

>> I GUESS YOU'RE NOT COMING WITH THE RECOMMENDATION ON THEM AT THIS POINT? I KNOW THERE WAS A COUPLE MEMBERS THROWN OUT, THE JUDGES' RECOMMENDATION AND YOU ALSO STATED SOMETHING.

>> NOT ON BEHALF OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. THIS IS MY PROFESSIONAL THOUGHT THE IMPACT AND POSSIBLE INEQUITY TO THE OTHER POSITIONS AND HOW THEY WOULD BE PLACED IN THE

STEP PLAN. >> YES.

>> WHEN THE NEXT -- >> THEY COME BACK WITH THE SPECIFIC POSITIONS TO GET COURT APPROVAL IF WE WANTED OR NEEDED TO PLACE THEM IN THE STEP PLAN IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN ALL THE

OTHER EMPLOYEES LIKE WE HAVE. >> WE HAVE AN EXISTING RECOMMENDATION FOR THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE FOR THE COURT REPORTERS. YOU ARE TELLING US THAT YOU PROFESSIONALLY NOT AGREE WITH IT. DO WE HAVE ANY REQUESTS OR ANY REQUEST FOR ANALYSIS TO THE COMMITTEE FROM ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS ON ANY OF THE OTHER POSITIONS?

>> DETENTION. >> THAT'S IT?

>> YES. >> BOTH VERY IMPORTANT. SO A RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THE LAST ASKED OF THAT ONE. SO COMMISSIONERS, LET'S PULL IT FORWARD. DO YOU SUPPORT THE EXCEPTION AND THE WAY TO FRAME IN MY MIND --

>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO IT INDIVIDUAL. WE'RE NOT POSTED

FOR IT. >> THEY'RE ASKING FOR DIRECTION

ON - >> I WOULD RATHER COME BACK.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT. WE'LL LEAVE IT ALONE. DODGED A BULLET.

>> I NEED DIRECTION HOW WE'RE GOING TO PLACE COURT REPORTERS OR OTHER POSITIONS WITH REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS?

>> SO THE WAY TO FRAME THAT QUESTION IS REPORTERS, AS AN EASY TO PINPOINT THAT CONVERSATION IS TO SAY, THE COMMITTEE HAD DISCUSSED TIME, I GUESS WE COULD INCLUDE TIME USING A CERTIFICATION AS PART OF THE PAY PLAN? USE IT AS JUSTIFICATION FOR IT. AND NOT USING THAT.

>> YES. >> I THINK THE CLARIFICATION, FORGIVE ME TRYING TO PUT A FINER POINT ON IT. IN ORDER TO CONSIDER ANY OF THESE, WE NEED A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SALARY COMMITTEE AND WE CAN PROVE OR DISAPPROVE IT. WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THAT SPECIFIC ONE FROM THE SALARY COMMITTEE. I THINK IN ADOPTING THIS PLAN, WE CAN GIVE DIRECTION THAT WE HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SALARY COMMITTEE. DO WE AGREE OR NOT AGREE WITH IT? FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, THE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, THE OTHER POSITIONS THAT YOU JUST LISTED, I HAVE THEM HERE, I THINK THOSE INDIVIDUAL OFFICES NEED TO GO TO THE SALARY COMMISSION AND

[02:30:05]

GET A RECOMMENDATION WHETHER TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT OR NOT AND WE CAN PUT THEM OR NOT PUT THEM IN THE FUTURE.

>> I'M NOT MANY SUPPORT FOR USING CERTIFICATION FOR ANYTHING ON THAT POINT. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY CONSEQUENCES OF ADOPTING A PLAN. NOTHING IS IN FRONT OF ME. MY EXPERIENCE HERE WITH 13 YEARS NOW, AS OF TODAY, I WOULD NOTE BE PREPARED TO MAKE A DECISION ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I KNOW THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES. SEE WHERE IT LANDS. IF THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT, WE'LL KEEP DISCUSSING IT FOR THE REST

OF OUR LIVES. >> BASED ON WHAT THE COMMISSIONSER ARE SAYING, LEAVE IT THE SAME FOR BUDGET PURPOSES. AND IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT WE CAN MAKE IT AN

AGENDA ITEM. >> LEAVE IT THE SAME AS IN ALL POSITIONS, TREATED THE SAME, EVEN THE COURT REPORTERS?

>> THAT IS HOW IT SEEMS. >> SO NO CERTIFICATION PLUG-IN

AT THIS TIME, CORRECT. >> SHERRY, ALL DONE?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> SO NOW WE HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THE POSSIBLE ACTION. DO YOU NEED A MOTION? OR ARE YOU

CLEAR? >> YES. WE NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE POLICY CHANGES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION.

>> PLEASE CALL THE

[K4. Discussion and possible action to accept a Proposal from Water & Earth Technologies (WET) related to the replacement of the pressure transducer at Old Bastrop Hwy and Cottonwood Creek, authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024 (a)(7)(D), and amend the budget accordingly.]

AND AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION TO 20024 AND AMENDMENT THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. >> BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. LET ME GO AHEAD AND REFRESH EVERYBODY'S MEMORY ABOUT WHICH THIS IS ABOUT. IT IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE OLD ONE, JUST A DIFFERENT LOCATION. THE PRESSURE TRANCE DEUCER IN COTTONWOOD WEEK STOPPED WORKING ON DECEMBER 14TH, 2023. WATER TECHNOLOGIES, WAT, VISITED THE STATION AND DETERMINED THAT THE PRESSURE TRANCE DEUCER -- TRANSDUCER IS BROKE. AND THEY ASSUME THAT THE OTHER ONE IS FINE. DURING THE MEANTIME, I FOUND SOMETHING ELSE HERE ON THE BACK. THIS IS A LETTER TO THE COUNTY CLERK. THIS IS FROM MIKE JONES' RECORD OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND ATTENTION COUNTY CLERK, AUTHORIZE A EXEMPTION AND PROTECTS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. THIS IS THE EARLY SYSTEM. MY QUESTION, , I THINK IT IS A TIME FOR A COMPANY TO DO THIS. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN SUPPLY THE PARTS AND WHO NOT. NOT A GOOD SITUATION.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU, I'LL LET

STEPHANIE HUNT TALK. >> THE SO WATER EARTH AND TECHNOLOGIES, THE REASON THAT WE ARE THE SOLE SOURCE ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS THEIR EQUIPMENT -- WE BOUGHT THE EQUIPMENT FROM THEM AND THEY HAVE TO BE THE ONES THAT SERVICE THE EQUIPMENT SO THAT IS WHY THEY ARE THE SOLE SOURCE FOR ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS AND REPAIRS. A LOT OF REPAIRS DO COME FROM BEING HIT AND ACCIDENTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. AND OTHER OTHER REPAIRS THAT COME UP THAT NEED TO BE DONE. BUT THIS IS

[02:35:04]

WHO WE HAVE TO UTILIZE ON THIS THE EQUIPMENT.

>> ANYTHING ELSE? >> NO.

>> WE'VE COVERED THIS. >> I WOULD SAY THAT THE REASON THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE TO USE THEM IS THERE WOULD BE NO WARRANT THE SYSTEM AND THEY WOULD CHARGE US MORE TO COME OUT IF SOMETHING ELSE CAME OUT OR IF WE DID IT OURSELVES OR HAD SOMEONE ELSE. THAT IS PROBABLY THE ISSUE OF THEM BEING THE SOUL SOURCE. A PRESSURE TRANSDUCER AND IT IS A FAULTY PRESSURE TRANSDUCER, FIND ONE ONLINE AND ASK SOMEONE TO FIX IT? YES, WE COULD DO THAT.

>> BUT IF NOT. >> IF THE SYSTEM FAILS AGAIN, THEY'RE GOING TO CHARGE US EVERY TIME TO COME BACK OUT HERE AND LOOK AT AND CLAIM THAT NOTHING ON THE SYSTEM IS UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE BECAUSE WE OPENED UP THE BOX. THAT IS WHERE ALMOST ALL OF TO OUR VENDORS WITH TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT THAT IS SPECIALIZED IS GOING TO DO THAT. IF THE COUNTY WANTS TO INSTALL A NEW SYSTEMS OR REPLACE A FULL ON SYSTEM, COULD THEY FIND IF THERE ARE OTHER VENDORS? OF COURSE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT INTEGRATES WITH THE WEB BASE SYSTEM. IF THE NEXT TIME WE FIND WE WANT TO PUT IT IN THE PLAN AND SOMEONE TELLS US THAT THE PRICES WENT UP A HUNDRED PERCENT, WHO ELSE CAN DO THIS? YES, WE COULD. THE ONLY OTHER THING I WOULD SAY BECAUSE IT WAS BROUGHT UP IS THE CONDUIT.

I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THOSE ARE UNDERGROUND. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE -- WHAT THE WEAR AND TEAR IS FOR THOSE. THEY COULD BE DUG UP SOMETIMES. OR ANIMALS, I'M SURE OUT THERE.

WE'RE HOPING IT IS STILL VIABLE AND IT CAN BE PUSH THE WATER THROUGH. IT IS LIKE ANYTHING ELSE. LIKE OUR HOMES, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PIPES ARE IN WORKING ORDER AND WE'RE HOPING THAT HER. POLICE CALL THE ROLL.

>>> N1 AND POSSIBLE OF INMATE POPULATION AND COSTS.