[00:00:01]
HELP PEOPLE KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AND SO, JUST FOR A SMALL MOMENT
[A. CALL TO ORDER]
IN TIME, WE GET TO ENJOY WITHOUT THEM, SO ENJOY. AND WHEN WE COME BACK, WE SHARE IT. ANYWAY, THERE'S THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER THIS MORNING'S INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY OUR VERY OWN PASTOR DARIUS TODD , AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW BEFORE WE GO ON, IT IS SPRING BREAK AND SO, WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER SMITH IS JOINING US REMOTELY, BUT HE IS PRESENT, JUST SO YOU KNOW. IF YOU WILL PLEASE, ALLRISE. >> LET'S BOW. GOOD MORNING, FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS NEW DAY THAT YOU'VE CREATED.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE YOU AS TO HONOR YOU AND TO REFERENCE THIS MOMENT. WE THANK YOU, LORD HIM OF THAT IN A WORLD OF POLITICS AND OPINIONS, DIVISIVENESS AND EVEN DISASTERS AROUND THE WORLD, THAT YOU ARE SETTING US FREE BY YOUR TRUTH YOUR HEALING, YOUR HOPE, AND YOUR STRENGTH. HELP IS NOW TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY, HELP IS NOW TO LEAD IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT IS DIFFICULT. I WOULD PRAY THAT YOU BRING US YOUR PEACE AS WE LEARN TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES AND EVEN AS WE LEARN TO LOVE YOU MORE.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE YOUR PEOPLE TODAY. LEAD US IN OUR DECISIONS. HELP US IN OUR WAY SO THIS COMMUNITY MAY BE BETTER. FOR YOUR GLORY, IT IS IN JESUS NAME THAT I PRAY, AMEN.
>> AMEN, THANK YOU, SIR. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG , I PLEDGE A LIST -- ALLEGIANCE TO THE. ONE STATE, UNDER GOD, ONE
INDIVISIBLE. >> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
>> I HAVE ASKED THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE NOT TO BLAST YOUR FACE ON THE SCREEN JUST TO DO THE AUDIO AND THAT MAKES IT MORE EFFICIENT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE UNNECESSARY DELAYS WHILE CHIMING U.N., JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON AND
THE PURPOSE. >> JUDGE, MAY I, REAL QUICK, THE VIDEO MAY BE LIVE STREAMED IF THE --
>> THE VIDEO IS LIVE STREAM. >> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE CAN SEE HIM. THANK YOU. >> OH, YOU BET.
>> APPRECIATE IT. >> YOU BET. OKAY, SO SINCE WE HAVE A FEW COMMENTS. BUT THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT KNOW THE RULES
[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS]
, WE WILL FORGO THE EXPLANATION OF THE RULES. FIRST UP, UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT, MR. DAN LYON, FOLLOWED BY -->> THANK YOU, JUDGE BECERRA. ONE THING ABOUT TEXAS STATE, THEY ARE TAX-EXEMPT. EVERY PROPERTY THEY GOBBLE UP BECOMES TAX-EXEMPT ALSO. GOOD MORNING, COURT. TWO WEEKS AGO, I STOOD IN FRONT OF THIS COURT AND I ASK YOU AND THE VIEWERS TO GOOGLE HAYS COUNTY TRANSPARENCY OR EVEN MORE PRECISELY, HAYS COUNTY FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY. I TOLD YOU THAT IF YOU DID, YOU WOULD SEE THAT THE TOTAL DEBT WAS $522,790,000. IF THIS DEBT IS HELD IN MATURITY, IT IS CLOSER TO THREE QUARTERS OF $1 BILLION. IF YOU TAKE A DETAILED LOOK THROUGH THE FILES, YOU WILL FIND AROUND 100 PAGES OF DEBT. I TOLD YOU THAT WE HAD RECENTLY MADE A PAYMENT OF OVER $20 MILLION TO SERVICE THAT DEBT TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK FOR INTEREST. WELL, IF YOU GOOGLE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND CLICK ON THIS FIRST INSTANCE, YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS WEEK, WE MADE A PAYMENT TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FOR $34,412,148.42 . I ALMOST RUN OUT OF BREATH SAYING IT. FOR INTEREST ALONE. FOLKS, THAT MONEY DOES NOT PAY FOR A SINGLE ROAD OR A SINGLE ROUNDABOUT.
YOU ARE HAVING A FOOLISH SQUANDERING OF COUNTY FUNDS, WHICH SUCKS MONEY DIRECTLY FROM THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING HAYES COUNTY CITIZENS AND PUTS IT DIRECTLY IN THE POCKETS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BANKERS. IS THIS WHAT YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY GROWTH PAYS FOR ITSELF? LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT GROWTH IN HAYS
[00:05:02]
COUNTY. DEADBEAT CORPORATIONS ARE LEEWARD TO HAYS COUNTY, ASKING FOR TAX ABATEMENTS AND REBATES, AND YOU GIVE IT TO THEM. THEY BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE COUNTY, THEREBY PUTTING A TREMENDOUS STRAIN ON IT FOR STRUCTURE. SO WHO HAS TO MAKE UP FOR THE REBATES AND TAX ABATEMENTS AND CORPORATIONS? THE ANSWER IS THE HARD-WORKING HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS OF HAYS COUNTY. THAT'S RIGHT WE, THE PEOPLE, ARE INDIRECTLY SUBSIDIZING CORPORATIONS AS OUR COUNTY STEADILY RUNS OUT OF WATER. NOW, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PARTNERING UP WITH TEXAS STATE AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, SO-CALLED GREEN ORGANIZATIONS AND Y'ALL ARE ALL OF A SUDDEN CONCERNED ABOUT WATER. REALLY? Y'ALL DIDN'T THINK OF THIS YEARS AGO AND YEARS AND YEARS AGO ? I DON'T BELIEVE IT. WRINKLY, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF THE AQUIFER AND CONTROL IT. BUT, THEN AGAIN, ONLY TIME WILL TELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> THANK YOU, SIR. WITH A FRESH HAIRCUT , LOOKING SHARP.
WEEKS AGO, I CAME UP HERE AND I ASKED THE COURT TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THESE FOLKS THAT ARE DIRECTORS AND THAT ARE BEING APPOINTED TO POSITIONS. THE QUESTION IS, ARE THEY QUALIFIED? BECAUSE A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT IS BEING PRESENTED IN THIS COURT CLEARLY SHOWS YOU THAT THERE'S A LOT OF UNDER JOB TRAINING AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AS FAR AS THAT LAST MEETING, TOO, THAT PRESENTATION BY THE 35 YEAR EMPLOYEE, IT WAS TOO LONG, TOO MUCH TIME, JUDGE. SHOULD BEEN CUT DOWN SHORT. THAT ACTUALLY THAT EMPLOYEE WENT BACK THERE WHEN I WAS SITTING OVER THERE AND HE STEPPED ON MY FOOT ON PURPOSE. JUST SO YOU KNOW. YOU KNOW? I KNOW YOU GUYS SET UP HERE AND PRAISE THIS GUY ABOUT ALL THE THINGS HE'S DONE AND WONDERFUL AND HE WALKS ON WATER, YOU KNOW, THE ELECTION RESULTS CLEARLY TELL YOU OTHERWISE. HE'S NOT ALL THAT GREAT IN THE BAG OF CHIPS. BUT ANYWAYS. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO BRING UP IS THIS INTEGRITY ELECTIONS OPERATIONS THAT Y'ALL TALK ABOUT, THE ELECTIONS AND THE D.A. IN EVERYBODY. I FILED TWO COMPLAINTS FOR THEM. NOTHING'S BEEN DONE. IN ADDICTION -- ADDITION, ELECTION DAY, JUMPING WITH A 100 FOOT LINE REPEATEDLY. OKAY? I WANTED HIM TO BE HERE TODAY SO I COULD LOOK HIM IN THE FACE AND TELL HIM THAT THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I'M GOING TO FOLLOW ON THAT. I WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE. FOR YOU GUYS TO COME UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT ALL THESE COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF AND THERE'S NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. YOU KNOW? SO, AGAIN, PLEASE , LET'S START WORKING ON ASSIGNING FOLKS THAT REALLY DO HAVE THE TRAINING, THE PASSION, THE DESIRE, THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO HAVE AND HOLD THESE POSITIONS WHERE THEY ARE DIRECTORS. I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THIS COUNSELOR HERE, LEGAL COUNSELOR. I'VE SEEN HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN HE PULLS UP. IT SHOULD BE DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, SO WE COULD SEE IT. THAT WOULD KIND OF SMOOTH THINGS OUT AND MAKE IT LOOK A WHOLE LOT BETTER. TO SOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM,
COURT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE REASON THAT ELECTIONS INTEGRITY UNIT WAS CREATED WAS TO PROCESS COMPLAINTS, AND SO, MY WHOLE BID THAT YOU ACTUALLY FILED A COMPLAINT THAT WITH JENNIFER ANDERSON SO THAT SHE COULD RUN IT THROUGH THE SYSTEM THAT THEY'VE CREATED AND WE CAN SEE THE OUTCOME. IT'S NOT INSTANT, IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD DROP A COIN INTO AND SOMETHING SPITS BACK OUT , SO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO SEE YOUR COMPLAINT, MEET, COME TOGETHER, BECAUSE IF THE COMPLAINT IS VALID MY HOPE AND EXPECTATION IS THAT THEY WILL PURSUE IT AND THE REASON THE D.A.S OFFICE IS IN THERE, FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE IT REQUIRES, IF IT REQUIRES ADDITIONAL LEANING IN, WELL, WE HAVE THE SYSTEM IN PLACE TO LEAN IN. AS FAR AS ELECTIVE OFFICIALS CROSSING UNDER THE LINE, THE REASON AND WAY, JUST FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THAT WOULD BE A WRONG IDEA WOULD BE IF THE INDIVIDUAL WAS WEARING CAMPAIGN MATERIALS OR HOLDING SIGNS OR SOMETHING FROM FOR A CANDIDATE, THAT IT WOULD BE THE WRONG THING TO BE DOING BECAUSE ME, AS THE CHAIR OF THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION, I ACTUALLY WALK IN BUT I MAKE SURE I HAVE NO BRANDING. I DON'T WANT TO SAY I'M AUDITING BUT I AM. I'M AUDITING THE PROCESS AND THE FLOW IN THE SETUP TO MAKE SURE I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS . I HAVE FAITH IN THE SETUP, I BUT I WANT TO BUILD ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS AND I'M ONE OF THOSE GUYS THAT NEEDS TO SEE IT AND
[00:10:01]
TOUCH IT TO BEST EXPLAIN IT. SO I GO PAST THE 100 FOOT MARK ALL THE TIME, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY BRANDING FOR CANDIDATES ON ME.EVER. SO IF THAT DID HAPPEN AND YOU HAVE SOME KIND OF PROOF, I AM ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE TEST THE SYSTEM AND LET'S GIVE IT A
[F.1. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing Hays County as a StormReady county. BECERRA/MIKE JONES]
CHANCE TO SEE IF IT WORKS BECAUSE I REALLY DO BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS AND I WANT US TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE AND BUILD AS MUCH COMPETENCE COMING INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AS POSSIBLE. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. OKAY, WILL YOU PLEASEOPEN F1? >> F1. ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING HAYS COUNTY AS A STORM COUNTY.
>> FIRST, WE HAVE -- DID YOU SIGN UP TO THE WRONG ONE? F1? HE SIGNED UP FOR F1 . YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEAK ON IT?
PERFECT, THANK YOU. >> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING HAYS COUNTY AS A -- AND WHEREAS HAYS COUNTY HAS PRACTICALLY TAKEN STEPS TO RECOVER FROM FUTURE -- AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, UNDER ITS WEATHER READY NATION PROGRAM, HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THESE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF HAYS, AND IT NOW QUALIFIES AS A STORMREADY COUNTY. IT ACCEPTS THE DESIGNATION OF STORMREADY, W DEMONSTRATING A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM AND THAT HAYS COUNTY RECOMMENDS -- AND ORGANIZATIONS OF HAYS COUNTY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PREPAREDNESS PLANNING THROUGH INFORMATION AVAILABLE THROUGH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO INCLUDE
HAYSINFORMED.COM. >> SO MOVED? THANK YOU. PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL?
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE ? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES .
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA ? >> YES. AND I FIND IT A HIGH PRIVILEGE, A HIGH HONOR TO HOLD THAT POSITION AND I DON'T TAKE IT LIGHTLY AND I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, SONY TITLES. THAT'S WHY I'M GOING INTO THIS. IS A POSITION THAT I STATUTORILY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DESIGNATE ANYONE I WANT TO BE THAT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR. IN THE SPIRIT OF CONTINUITY, I HAVE DESIGNATED OUR MAGNIFICENT EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR , MIKE JONES, TO ALSO BE MY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, AND THAT IS YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND YOUR TEAM FOR US AND ALL OF THESE TIMES, SO MIKE, THE PODIUM IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU, MIKE JONES, I WANT TO APPRECIATE THOSE COMMENTS, SIR, AND MY STAFF. BUT THE CORE COMMISSION, I'D LIKE TO BRING UP OUR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I WORK WITH THE -- I'M THE WARNING WERE NEEDED METEOROLOGIST THERE. WELL OVER 20 YEARS AGO, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CREATED A'S -- STORMREADY PROGRAM. IT WAS DESIGNED TO RECOMMEND CITIES AND COUNTIES AND ENTITIES THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND IN WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. SO I AM PROUD THAT WORKING WITH MIKE AND BRADEN AND THE TEAM THAT HE HAS WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY, WE ARE NOW DESIGNATED AS STORMREADY.
IT'S A FOR YOUR RECOGNITION. IT GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS TIME OF 2028. THAT TIME WE WILL RE-EVALUATE EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STORMREADY IS THE RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH MIKE AND WITH THE TEAM OF MERCY SERVICES AND THE TEXTING BACK AND FORTH DURING WEATHER EVENTS AND THAT CALLS AND OUTREACHES WE TAKE PART IN TOGETHER IT IS KIND OF WHAT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN, ESPECIALLY BEING PREPARED FOR THOSE WEATHER EVENTS. WE KNOW WE HAVE SOME REALLY BAD WEATHER EVENTS, PARTICULARLY WITH THE LONG RIVERS AND THE FLOODING. THIS RELATIONSHIP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR EVERYTHING TO WORK PROPERLY WITH PREPAREDNESS, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. AGAIN. THANK YOU, MIKE, THANK YOU, TEAM, FOR WORKING WITH ME THROUGH THIS. CONGRATULATIONS ON HAYS COUNTY TO BECOME STORMREADY.
>> BEAUTIFUL, AND THANK YOU, SIR. MIKE, ANY WORDS, AND LET'S BRING UP THE TEAM FOR A PICTURE ONCE WE ARE DONE.
>> THANK YOU, PAUL, BEING RIGHT THERE FOR US BECAUSE WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO GIVE US THE PICTURE, WE WOULD BE ALE TO RESPOND LIKE WE DO, SO THANK
YOU, SIR. >> BEAUTIFUL, THANK YOU.
EVERYONE IN EMERGENCY SERVICES, PLEASE COME ON UP.
[00:15:30]
TWO, THREE . ONE, TWO, THREE. >> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. WELL DONE, AND
[F.2. Recognition of the Hays County Auditor's Office and County Auditor Marisol Villarreal-Alonzo for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). INGALSBE/VILLARREALALONZO]
>> F2, RECOGNITION OF THE HAYS COUNTY AUDITORS OFFICE AND COMMUNITY -- SORRY, COUNTY AUDITOR MARISOL VILLAREAO-ALONZO FOR RECEIVING THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING AND THE AWARD OF FINANCIAL REPORTING ACHIEVEMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE
OFFICERS ASSOCIATION. >> ALL YOU, YES, MA'AM.
>> GOOD MORNING. MARISOL VILLAREAO-ALONZO, COUNTY AUDITOR. I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE -- THE GF AWAY HAS AWARDED THE HAYS COUNTY THE -- FOR THE COUNTY'S ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022. THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND STAFF HAVE ALSO RECEIVED THE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN FINANCIAL REPORTING. THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION AND GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING. THE GFOA ESTABLISH THE CERTIFICATE TO ENCOURAGE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO GO BEYOND ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES WHEN PREPARING THEIR ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORTS. WITH FULL TRANSPARENCY AND FULL DISCLOSURE. THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE REPORT THAT WAS REVIEWED INCLUDE 209 PAGES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING THAT ADHERES TO THE GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, STATEMENTS WHICH ARE THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES FOR A GOVERNMENT. THE REPORT WAS REVIEWED BY INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE GFOA COMMITTEE. IN PREPARATION OF THIS FINANCIAL STATEMENT REQUIRES MANY HOURS OF ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, AND FINANCIAL REPORTING. MANY DEPARTMENTS SEE ON TURNER -- INTERNAL AUDITORS GOING INTO THEIR OFFICES, REQUESTING FINANCIAL INFORMATION, AND IT ALL SERVES A PURPOSE TO PREPARE THESE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS, WHICH ARE REQUIRED STATUTORILY, BUT ALSO, SO THAT WE CAN PRESENT THAT FULL DISCLOSURE, THAT 10 YEARS OF HISTORY AND I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MEMBERS OF MY TEAM WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE FINANCIAL REPORT MEETS THAT FULL REQUIREMENT OF FULL DISCLOSURE. SCOTT WOODLAND IS OUR FIRST ASSISTANT AUDITOR. LEWIS IS OUR COUNTY MANAGER.
CARMEN IS THE SENIOR -- DOUG OLSON, FINANCIAL ANALYST.
CARRIE SPARKS, FINANCIAL ANALYST, MARISSA CURRY,, AND OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE MANAGER WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND TODAY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE COMMISSIONERS AND MANAGERS IN THE COUNTY WHO WORK TOGETHER WITH US AND ESPECIALLY RECOGNIZE THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES FOR THE CONTINUED
SUPPORT OF THE AUDITORS. >> MARISOL, WHY DON'T YOU BRING UP YOUR TEAM FOR A PICTURE?
>> SHOW AND TELL. >> ONE, TWO, THREE. ONE, TWO,
[00:20:11]
THREE. >> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS, TEAM. CONGRATULATIONS. WELL DONE. WELL DONE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WELL DONE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ALE TO TELL THEM I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DO, BUT I HAVE NO CLUE, JUDGE. I JUST APPRECIATE THAT THEY DO WHAT THEY DO. THEY ARE VERY COMPETENT AND I KNOW A LOT OF TIME GOES INTO THAT. A LOT OF
WORK. >> AND WHAT A GOOD-LOOKING TEAM. FOCUSED. ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
MARISOL, OF COURSE. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW THIS. OKAY, SO WE HAVE COVERED PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO NOW IS I GUESS WE CAN GO INTO A LITTLE CHERRY PICKING, BASED ON ATTENDANCE, NOW THAT SOME THINGS HAVE SHIFTED AND THEN WE WILL DO THE SLATE. SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE OPEN --
[G. CONSENT ITEMS]
WELL, HOW ABOUT THIS? JUST OPEN ALL CONSENT. I CAN PULL IT OFFTHAT WAY. >> APPROVED PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. APPROVE THE PAYMENTS OF JUROR CHECKS. APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTHCARE CLAIMS AND AUTHORIZED AN ADDITIONAL DISBURSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $550,000 TO THE HEALTHCARE CLAIMS ACCOUNT. APPROVE COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES OF EVERY 27, 2024. APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE MARCH 15TH , 24 PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,300,000 EFFECTIVE MARCH 15TH, 2024 AND POST TOTALS FOR WAGES, WITHHOLDINGS, DEDUCTIONS, AND BENEFITS ON THE HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED. EXCEPT THE 23 RACIAL PROFILING REPORT AND THE 2023 ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT FROM THE HAYS COUNTY CONSTABLES OFFICE, PRECINCT 1 . EXCEPT THE 2023 RACIAL PROFILING REPORT . IN THE AMOUNT OF $669.77 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO HILL COUNTRY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION FOR FIVE REGISTRATIONS ON THE SAME DATE TO AN EMPLOYMENT LAW CONFERENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $139 EACH WHERE NO PURCHASE ORDER WAS ISSUED AS REQUIRED PER THE HAYS -- TO SUPPORT RODRIGUEZ ELEMENTARY IN THE SAN MARCO'S CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, WITH ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF. AUTHORIZE THE ENROLLMENT AND REQUIREMENT OF ALL HAYS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO A LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM OR DATABASE TO COMPLETE A CYBERSECURITY TRAINING PROGRAM CERTIFIED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES AT LEAST ANNUALLY . OTHER IS THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE THE 2024 ANNUAL RENEWAL AGREEMENT TO -- AND JOHNSON CONTROLS INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,772 FOR THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF THE HAYS COUNTY REMOTE SYSTEM. APPROVE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR WILLIAM BOWMAN GIS SPECIALIST WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ATTEND THE TYLER CONNECT CONFERENCE AND ADVISORY BOARD MEETING ON MY -- MAY 19TH OR THE 24TH, 22 AND FOUR IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. APPROVE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR LEANNE CANTALUPO, GIS ANALYST, AND KILLIAN STERLING, GIS SPECIALIST, AND THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ATTEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC. USER CONFERENCE ON JULY 15 THROUGH 19TH 2024 IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. ACCEPT DELIVERY OF THE AUDITORS OFFICE QUARTERLY INTERNAL EXAMINATION REPORTS. AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE FIRE MARSHAL FEE CODE FUND AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FIRE MARSHALS DIVISION TO ACCEPT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS AND EDUCATION FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1437.18 DISTRIBUTED FROM THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. AUTHORIZE THE HAYS COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER TO PURCHASE A SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE DOXY.ME
[00:25:03]
SECURE TELEMEDICINE SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. ACCEPTED THE COMPANY MERGER AND NAME CHANGE OF JONES AND CARTER INCORPORATED TO QUIDDITY ENGINEERING , LLC. AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A SIX AMENDMENT TO THE WAYS CONNECTIONS LONE STAR, INC. NET COUNTYWIDE DUMPSTER CONTRACT PURSUANT TO ISP 2021-B12 IN $18.05 PER HALL. APPROVE CONTRACT EXTENSION OF CONTRACT DELINQUENT FINANCIALLY COLLECTION SERVICES, JUSTICE COURT, DISTRICT COURT, AND COUNTY COURT -- ATTORNEYS ATLAW FOR A VERY >> NOT TO EXCEED 120 DAYS , JULY 31ST, 2024. APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDER NUMBER FOUR IN THE AMOUNT OF $3795.20 FOR TRIM BUILT CONSTRUCTION INC., PURSUANT TO IFP 2023-B 13 . AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE BUCKMASTER FOR PEST CONTROL SERVICES . AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A SOFTWARE SUPPORT SUBSCRIPTION WITH SOUTHWEST SELECTIONS -- SOLUTIONS GROUP VALUED AT $695 ANNUALLY USED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR EVIDENCE LOCKERS AND AUTHORIZE A PURCHASING WAIVER FOR THE PURCHASING POLICY. AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO USE WORKPLACE RESOURCES, LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS ALFORD WILLIAMS AND COMPANY, TO ASSESS OFFICE CHAIRS VALUED AT $498.75, AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION UNDER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262.024 870 -- A 7D . AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, IMMUNIZATION LOCALS GRANT CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $190 VERSUS $192,000 300 AND $.41. APPROVED SPECIFICATIONS FOR 2024-Q02 , PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS AND ADVERTISE. APPROVE UTILITY
PERMITS. >> THANK YOU. SO I'M GOING TO GO IN THIS ORDER. G LETTER THREE -- G3 , AND THEN I WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THE COMMISSIONERS WILL RESPOND. SO
YOU ARE UP. >> COUNTY TREASURER. G3 IS AN ISSUE FOR ME BECAUSE CURRENTLY, YOU MAY GET THE NOTICING UNDER DISBURSEMENTS, YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF RATIFICATIONS FOR THE UNITED HEALTHCARE PLAN. SO WHEN WE HAVE AN OFF CYCLE , WITH THERE'S NO COMMISSIONERS COURT, I AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENTS FOR THE UNITED HEALTHCARE INVOICES, AS WELL AS UTILITY INVOICES, CONTRACTUAL INVOICES. THAT IS ON ME , UNDER MY BOND AND I USUALLY WILL NOT ALLOW ANYTHING OVER HALF $1 MILLION BECAUSE THAT IS THE MAX OF MY BOND. OUR UNITED HEALTHCARE PAYMENTS ARE EXCEEDING THAT AMOUNT NOW . I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY, BUT WE HAVE HIT SEVERAL TIMES WHERE WE HAVE BEEN HALF $1 MILLION OVER ITED AM UNCOMFORTABLE HOLDING ANYTHING OVER HALF $1 MILLION BECAUSE THAT IS ABOVE MY BOND AMOUNT AND THIS ALLOWS ME TO PAY ANY UHC PAYMENTS THAT ARE OVER THAT AMOUNT AND MAINTAIN A CURRENT STATUS WITH OUR HEALTHCARE SERVICES. JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE HISTORY
ON THAT. ANY QUESTIONS? >> I THINK COMMISSIONER , I THINK IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, AS A CHIEF OF STAFF FOR ALL THOSE YEARS, SORRY I -- FREE THAT'S THE REASON, I WOULD MAKE SENSE TO RAISE THE BOND, AND I WRITE?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S AN OPTION?
>> IT'S NOT. IT'S BY THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
>> IS SET IN LAW. LIKE WITH ASK TUCKER WHAT YOU SUGGEST WE DO ABOUT THIS? BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO EXPOSE OUR TREASURE
NEEDLESSLY. >> WHAT I WILL DO IS I WILL LOOK INTO IT STATUTORILY AND GET BACK WITH YOU ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU. >> YOU ARE WELCOME.
>> AND YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AT THIS TIME, MARISOL?
>> YES. I DID SPEAK WITH JORDAN ABOUT THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THE UNITED HEALTHCARE WILL PLACE A HOLD ON OUR ACCOUNT UNTIL WE MAKE THE NEXT PAYMENT, WHICH WHEN WE DON'T HAVE COMMISSIONER SUPPORT LIKE THEY SAID, THEY ARE REQUESTING
[00:30:01]
PAYMENTS OF SO ON AND SO FORTH. THIS WAS KIND OF WHAT WE CAME UP WITH. THE COURT IS APPROVING A DISBURSEMENT OF UP TO $550,000 INTO THE HEALTHCARE ACCOUNT. THAT HEALTHCARE ACCOUNT IS OUR ESCROW ACCOUNT AND SO, UNITED HEALTHCARE EXTRACTS FROM THE ESCROW ACCOUNT WHEN THE CLAIMS COME IN. SO THIS ITEM WILL ALLOW THE TREASURER TO SEND OFF MONEY INTO OUR HEALTHCARE ACCOUNT IN THAT OFF WEEK SO THE COURT IS APPROVING THE DISBURSEMENT ONLY AND THEN WE WILL BRING BACK, AFTER WE REVIEW THE CLAIMS, THE ACTUAL HEALTHCARE CLAIMS AND RATIFY THEM IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK.>> AND SINCE HER BOND IS THAT HALF 1 MILLION, WHY DON'T WE JUST MAKE IT TO THAT AMOUNT AND , KNOWING IT'S GOING, I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, AS WELL, KNOWING IT IS GOING INTO A SECURE ACCOUNT, THAT UNITED PULLS OUT OF. I FEEL LESS CONCERNED FOR YOU AND I'M LOOKING OUT FOR YOU AS TREASURER, BUT WHAT WOULD BE THE HARM IN MAKING IT TO HAPPEN
MILLION MARK? >> THERE IS NONE.
>> THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M ASKING FOR.
>> I ASKED WHAT SHE WAS COMFORTABLE WITH.
>> COMMISSIONERS, COMETS? >> ADDITIONALLY, I WILL BE BRINGING BACK SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND UTILITY PAYMENTS. I DO AUTHORIZE THOSE PAYMENTS ON THE OFF PAYMENT WEEKS AND WE COME BACK FOR RATIFICATION. BUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW THAT ANYTHING THAT HITS HALF 1 MILLION, I WILL NOT AUTHORIZE WITHOUT YOUR APPROVAL.
>> BEAUTIFUL, AND THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR JOB. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. NEXT, WE WILL HAVE JOSIE FOR THE MINISTRY PROGRAM. THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM, WHILE SHE REACHES THE PROGRAM IS A MAGNIFICENT CITY EXTENSION. IT'S A DESIGNATION FROM AN ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORT TO CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN OUR DOWNTOWNS. OUR HOPE AND GOAL AS A MAIN STREET CITY IS NOT TO BECOME ANY -- ANYTOWN, USA. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT MAIN STREET DOES. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE RECOGNITION YOU GAVE US. WE DID NOT MISS IT, AND WE ARE ALL IN THIS COMMUNITY TOGETHER. THANK YOU
FOR ALL YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. JOSIE, DOWNTOWN MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF SAN MARCUS. PLEASE EXCUSE MY VOICE, I HAVE CEDAR FEVER RIGHT NOW. I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO REQUEST FOR THE EVENT SEASON FOR 2024 THAT YOU ALLOW US TO HAVE VENDORS ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, A VERY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP OVER THE YEARS, AS YOU ALLOW US TO HOST OUR DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY EVENTS ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN.
IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND TO HOST THOSE EVENTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE REASON I'M HERE THIS MORNING IS TO JUST ASK FOR YOUR ONGOING PERMISSION TO ALLOW OUR LOCAL CRAFT VENDORS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES TO VEND ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN DURING OUR EVENTS AND TO DISPLAY THEIR SIGNAGE SO PEOPLE CAN FIND THEM.
>> I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL, AND I THINK WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS HEART OF OUR DOWNTOWN, TO BE A CONSTANTLY IN MOTION AND INTERACTED WITH AND UTILIZED PART OF OUR CRITICAL SPACE DOWNTOWN AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT, BUT AS YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT US, IT'S OTHERS. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE TYPES OF VENDORS AND BRANDING, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WE ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF CALLS SAYING OH, YOU GUYS ARE SELLING MARIJUANA AND BEER ON THE COURTHOUSE GROUNDS, HOW DO YOU PROVE IT? I KNOW. IF YOU COULD JUST SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DETAILS OF WHO WILL ACTUALLY BE IN YOUR HISTORIC LOOK BACK ON THE
EVENTS THAT YOU'VE RAN. >> YES, OF COURSE. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO BE SUCCESSFUL. I WOULD SAY 95% OF THE VENDORS ARE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE BASED HERE IN SAN MARCUS. A LOT OF THEM ARE SMALL BUSINESSES. THEY ARE CREATORS AND MAKERS THAT ARE MAKING THEIR OWN SOAPS, EVERYTHING FROM SOAPS TO SNOW CONES TO, YOU KNOW, YOU NAME IT, THEY MAKE IT. YET.
THEY ARE ALL HANDMADE GOODS FOR THINGS THAT ARE LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE SELLING. SO, AGAIN, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR PROGRAM IS TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF OUR DOWNTOWN AND SO, YEAH. WE WOULD NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THE ONES THAT YOU JUST
MENTIONED NOW. >> OF COURSE. BUT I HAVE TO SPEAK ON IT BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN IT AND I'VE HEARD IT AND IT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AND IT'S LIKE, WELL, I KNOW THE ANSWERS, BUT I HAVE TO SPEAK THEM IN COURT, COURT OF RECORD OVER THE CAMERAS, ET CETERA. BUT SOME FOLKS ALSO DON'T REALIZE THAT THIS SQUARE ALSO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS AN INCUBATOR BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HAVE FULL-TIME JOBS AND IT IS THEIR DREAM TO HAVE I DON'T KNOW, YOU JUST SET A SOAP SHOP FOR EXAMPLE. WE COULD USE THAT TO MAKE SOAPS AND COME TO THE MARKET, COME TO THE SQUARE AND SELL THEM AT THEIR BOOTH. IF WE SUPPORT THESE THINGS GOING ON ON OUR SQUARE,
[00:35:03]
ON THESE COURTHOUSE GROUNDS THAT ARE EVERYONE'S GROUNDS , THEN THEY CAN GET SOME FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND THEN CREATE A BRICK-AND-MORTAR, WHICH MEANS A STOREFRONT, WHERE THEY HIRE EMPLOYEES AND THEY ARE PAYING PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX AND ALL THE OTHER PIECES INSTEAD OF HAVING AN EMPTY STOREFRONT. SO, THESE ARE NECESSARY STEPS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PROSPERITY AND AGAIN, A SENSE OF PLACE. SO I APPLAUD IT AND I ENCOURAGE YOU AND I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE HERE, BECAUSE IT'S A NECESSITY, BUT I JUST WANT TO OPEN UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND CONCERNS. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE HE?>> JOSIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO HERE.
>> THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT .
>> HOW MANY EVENTS IS IT? >> AT THE MOMENT, WE HAVE FIVE CATEGORIES OF EVENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, MUSIC ON THE SQUARE, WE COUNTED AS ONE EVENT. THAT ONE IS HAPPENING IN MAY, SO WE WILL DO IT FOR WEEKENDS IN A ROW, BUT WE HAVE FIVE TOTAL EVENTS PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR IN THE COURTHOUSE LAWN.
>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER?
>> JOSIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO.
>> I WANT TO OPEN IT FOR COMMISSIONER SMITH. ANY COMMENTS ON THIS ONE? NO, HE SAID NO. SO THIS BRINGS PEOPLE, THE LAST LEG OF THIS JOURNEY, THIS BRINGS PEOPLE DOWNTOWN THAT WOULD'VE OTHERWISE NOT COME DOWNTOWN AND THEY GET TO SAY OH, I DIDN'T KNOW WE HAVE SHOES HERE. I DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD, YOU FILL IN THE BLANK. SO BRINGING PEOPLE DOWNTOWN TO YOUR EVENTS FROM NEIGHBORING CITIES, AS WELL, IS AN ADDITIONAL PLUG-IN. I MEAN THE RIPPLES KEEP ON GOING. I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR THE PROJECTS AND THE WORK IN SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS. AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AGAIN. I APPRECIATE
IT. >> RIGHT ON. OKAY, NEXT, 28, WE
HAVE COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I JUST WANT TO THINK INGALSBE AND EVERYONE ON THE BAT FOR THE ANALYSIS TEAM AND PULLING TOGETHER SOME REAL WORK RELATED TO TRYING TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE HERE . I WANT TO FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS. I KNOW THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO IT AND THE IMPACT THAT THIS WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE IN THE D.A.S CONFIDENCE --
>> RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. I'M EXCITED TO SEE
THAT PROJECT, AS WELL. >> NOW I'M GOING TO GO TO THE CITIZEN COMMENTS ON G 20. WE HAVE MR. DAN LYON. IF YOU WILL
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WE RECENTLY SPENT OVER $2000 ON A SO-CALLED FACELIFT FOR THE COURTHOUSE AND THAT INCLUDED TAKING UP ALL THE GRASS THAT WAS THERE , PROBABLY A COUPLE HUNDRED YEARS OF ARTIFACTS , AND IT WAS DUMPED WHO KNOWS WHERE. THEN WE PUT IN ALL --
>> ITEMS TIED TO THE EVENT, SIR, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT A LITTLE TIDIER, I'D APPRECIATE IT.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE PUT IN ALL NEW GRASS. MY QUESTION IS ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE, IF THEY DAMAGE THE GRASS , IF THERE IS TRASH THROWN ALL OVER THE PLACE, WHICH WE WILL HAVE TO PAY THE JANITOR TO GO OUT AND PICK IT ALL UP. I DON'T UNDERSTAND EXACTLY HOW WE SPEND TO IMPROVE THE LOOKS OF THIS COURTHOUSE AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO TRASH IT OUT AGAIN. THAT MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER AND ONE ADDITIONAL THING IS IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING FOR ANYONE. THAT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY. ROADS, BRIDGES, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT'S GOOD. MUSEUMS, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT IS FOR THE PRIVATE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH. >> THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT UP, WE
HAVE -- ON G 22 >> JUDGE, COURT. BACK IN 2008, WHEN I WAS WORKING IN THE CITY AS A MARSHAL, I WAS FIRST TIME I CAME ACROSS THE COLLECTION AND SUZANNE REPEATEDLY, OVER AND OVER HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE. I'VE COME UP HERE BEFORE VERBALLY INFORM Y'ALL
[00:40:03]
THAT MEMBERS OF THIS COLLECTION AGENCY GO OUT , TAKE ALL THE STAFF AND ITS EMPLOYEES TO GO OUT AND THEY PAY FOR IT. THAT'S FORBIDDEN BUT IT'S HAPPENING. NOW , I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED BEFORE THAT I COME UP HERE AND MAKE THESE ALLEGATIONS, NOW THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THIS. IF I WERE TO PRESENT A CASE WITH ALL THE ELEMENTS REQUIRED , WHO IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? IT'S TIME-CONSUMING TO DO THAT KIND OF INVESTIGATION. I HAVE THE MEANS. I HAVE THE PASSION, I HAVE THE TRAINING. BUT FOR ME TO BRING ALL SUMMING LIKE THAT, UP HERE , AND FOR Y'ALL TO JUST BLOW IT OFF, THAT'S NOT ANYTHING I'M PROUD OF. SO, AGAIN, I STRONGLY DISCOURAGE ALL, IN THEIR QUESTION I HAVE IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHEN THEY WROTE THIS LETTER IN THE BACKUP, -- WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 102 DAYS? YOU KNOW? AGAIN, THEY ARE OUT RUNNING AROUND. THEY NEVER CAME WHEN I WAS IN THE MARSHALL'S OFFICE. I SHAVED OFF THOSE FEES. I'M NOT HERE TO PROMOTE ANY COMPANY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. YOU KNOW? I KNOW THROUGH CREDIBLE SOURCES THAT THEY WERE ALSO TRYING TO TAP INTO THE WARRANT AND ALL THAT STUFF. THEY ARE NOT CONSTABLES. AGAIN, THIS TYPE OF ENTERPRISE AND AGENCY, TO DO STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU HAVE TO BE CONCERNED BECAUSE THE TAXPAYERS ARE THE ONES ARE THE ONES WHO GO OUT WHO BY THINGS AND FEED ME.THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU.
>> DON'T WALK AWAY BECAUSE YOU ALSO HAVE G 28.
>> ALL RIGHT, SIR. THIS ONE RIGHT HERE , IF YOU LOOK AT THE BACKUP, IT TALKS ABOUT ALL MEMBERS IDENTIFY WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. VERY CONCERNING FOR ME. OKAY? FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO SELECT AND IDENTIFY THE PEOPLE ON THIS COMMITTEE , YOU WILL NEED TO MIX IT UP A LITTLE BIT. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME DIVERSION IN THERE. OKAY? IN ADDITION , I NOTICED THAT THEY SIT ON THEIR CIVIL DIVISION MEMBER APPOINTED BY JORDAN POWELL , WHAT IS THE IDENTITY OF THIS INDIVIDUAL? WHAT'S THE TRANSPARENCY? WE TALK AND WE PUSH TRANSPARENCY. I WAS TOLD BY A FORMER TEAM MEMBER, EMPLOYEE OF THE COUNTY, THAT THE DEFINITION OF TRANSPARENCY IN HAYS COUNTY IS WE ARE GOING TO RELEASE TO YOU WHAT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW , NOT WHAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN. SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION. I WANT, IT WOULD BE NICE, WHO IS THE CIVIL DIVISION MEMBER APPOINTED BY JORDAN POWELL, AND WHY WAS HE DESIGNATED TO MAKE THAT TYPE OF APPOINTMENT? I KNOW SHE WORKS FOR THE GENERAL COUNSEL OFFICE ON STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY, WE NEED TO DO BETTER THAN THIS. SO, AGAIN, AND IT NEEDS TO BE MIXED UP.
YOU CAN'T JUST PUT FOLKS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT. Y'ALL NEED TO MIX IT UP WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE BEST INTERES AND THE KNOWLEDGE IN DEALING WITH THIS TYPE OF SITUATION, THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS AND STUFF.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I GET THE PRIVILEGE OF TAKING THE FIRST ONE, WHICH IS NUMBER 20, WHICH IS THE WAY WE ANSWER THESE IS BASED ON THE SPONSOR THE AGENDA ITEM, SO I'M THE SPONSOR OF THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM. SO MR. LYONS QUESTIONS WERE ABOUT BEAUTIFYING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE AND I WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO COMMISSIONER INGALSBE FOR HELPING TO SUPPORT ALL THE THINGS THAT WE DID TO MODERNIZE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO OUR DOWNTOWN HEART. I SEE IT AS THE DOWNTOWN HEART, THE COURTHOUSE GROUNDS. WE USE A TAXING INCREMENTAL REINVESTMENT ZONE 10 INDICATION -- DEDICATION THAT REIMBURSES TAX DOLLARS COLLECTED TO GO BACK INTO THAT SAME FOOTPRINT SO THAT IT WILL REINFORCE AND CREATE A REINVIGORATION OF SPACES, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THAT DATA, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS FOR. THAT, IN MY EXPLANATION OF SUPPORTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THEIR DREAMS , MOST OFTEN THAN NOT, IS ABSOLUTELY PART OF MY DUTY. I CONSIDER IT AN ABSOLUTE PART AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO ME IS ONE OF THE PINNACLES OF MY WORK. I LIKE TO SUMMARIZE MY RESPONSIBILITY AS COUNTY JUDGE IN THE ACRONYM PIE. I CONSIDER THOSE THE CORNERSTONES OF MY WORK AND SO WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING BUSINESSES, HELPING YOUR NEIGHBORS, TO HAVE A BUSINESS AND A STOREFRONT AND
[00:45:06]
INCREASE OUR TAX BASE, BUDDY, I'M ALL ABOUT IT AND I'M NOT GOING TO SHY AWAY FROM THAT EVER. TO CREATE THESE SPACES WITH BENCHES AND EASE OF ACCESS AND -- WHERE THERE WAS NONE, BECAUSE IT WAS SO ERODED OVER TIME, IT'S EXACTLY WHY WE DID IT. AND WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH IT IS EXACTLY WHAT OUR HOPE WAS WHICH IS YOU EAT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE FED AND YOU EAT AGAIN BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE FED AGAIN AND SO IT'S THE SAME THING . WHEN YOU GET HUNGRY, YOU EAT. WHEN THE SOIL NEEDS GRASS, WE GIVE IT AND WE ARE GOING TO ENCOURAGE, I AM GOING TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED USE OF THESE GROUNDS WITH GREAT FERVOR BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT HELPS ALL OF US TO BE MORE CONNECTED TO SEE ONE ANOTHER, TO BE MORE UNDERSTANDING OF THINGS AND SITUATIONS AND SO I APPLAUD ALL USES OF OUR COUNTY FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT PAY FOR. SO I THINK I HAVE CAPTURED ALL OF THE COMMENTS ON 20. NEXT ONE IS 22. MS. HUNT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THAT ONE ON?>> STEPHANIE HUNT, FIRST AND FOREMOST ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE PURCHASING PROCESS, LIKE , I WILL ALWAYS UPHOLD THAT TO BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF THE PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL VENDOR IS BEING REVIEWED AND ON EQUAL AND FAIR BASIS SO I'M NOT ATTENDING LUNCHES WERE BEING TAKEN OUT TO LUNCH FOR ANYBODY SO THE REASON FOR THE 102 DAYS IS BECAUSE OUR CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRES ON APRIL 20TH AND WE ARE DOING ESSENTIALLY A THREE MONTH EXTENSION, BUT WE INCLUDED THE REMAINDER 10 DAYS SO I JUST COUNT CALENDAR DAYS OUT AND SO, THAT IS WHERE THE 102 DAYS CAME TO GET US TO THE END OF JULY 31ST. WE HAVE TWO OPEN SOLICITATIONS RIGHT NOW.
ONE FOR THE JUSTICE COURTS AND ONE FOR THE DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS IN THE REVIEW PROCESS CURRENTLY AND SO WE ARE EXTENDING IT TO ALLOW THAT PROCESS TO WORK FOR THE EVALUATION COMMITTEES TO DO THEIR REVIEW, GET A SPECTER
SCORES AND FOLLOW THE PROCESS. >> PERFECT. AND THEN ON 28,
COMMISSIONER INGALSBE FIRST? >> OKAY JUDGE, LET'S SEE. SO I RECALL ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WHY JORDAN POWELL, SHE'S THE FIRST ASSISTANT TO THE CIVIL DIVISION WHO MEETS THAT DEPARTMENT AND SO I'M NOT SURE WHO HER APPOINTEE IS GOING TO BE, BUT I'M SURE SHE WILL LET US KNOW VERY SOON. OF COURSE, JUDGE, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO AGREE THAT THIS IS A BENEFIT TO OUR COUNTY. I BELIEVE IT IS. SO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL MAKE THAT ULTIMATE AND FINAL DECISION. IT WILL COME BACK TO COURT FOR THAT FOR THAT VOTE AND APPROVAL AND I DON'T RECALL IF THERE WAS WHAT OTHER
QUESTIONS -- >> I THINK THE COMMENT WAS, IT WAS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OF THE GROUP?
>> SO THERE ARE TWO MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I
THOUGHT I SAW -- >> STEPHANIE HUNT. SO THERE'S TWO COMMISSIONERS FROM THIS COURT , COMMISSIONER INGALSBE EN COMMISSIONER SMITH WHO WILL BE ON THE COMMITTEE. CHIEF DAVENPORT AND THEN CAPTAIN BILL . AND THEN ONE PERSON FROM LEGAL, THE REASON WHY IT WAS JORDAN, IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE CASELOAD, WHICH WE DISCUSSED PLENTY OF TIMES IN COURT, DEPENDING ON THE CASELOAD AND WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE WORKING ON, ONCE WE GET THE PROPOSALS BACK AND THEN JORDAN WILL ASSESS WHO HAS THE TIME IN THE OFFICE TO REVIEW THOSE. WE HAVE THEM ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT SOLICITATIONS ON TOP OF THEIR NORMAL DAILY JOBS. THAT IS WHY IT WAS WRITTEN IN THAT WAY SO SHE WOULD JUST APPOINT, DEPENDING ON THE CASELOAD.
IT'S NOT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HEAVY IN THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE. THERE'S ONLY TWO MEMBERS ON THERE. THEY WERE SELECTED TO BE ON THERE BECAUSE THIS PROGRAM IS FOR THEIR FACILITY. THAT IS WHY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ON
THERE. >> PERFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE. I KNOW YOU SAID IT, BUT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT, ITALICIZE IT, UNDERLINE IT, THE REASON THAT JORDAN IS PICKED BECAUSE SHE IS THE HEAD OF CIVIL DIVISION.
>> I WOULD JUST SAY AS FAR AS COMMISSIONER SMITH AND I, WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE BEHAVIORAL ADVISORY TEAM AND HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS TOPIC FOR QUITE SOME TIME . I HOPE THAT, I BELIEVE WE CAN BRING VALUE TO THAT.
>> I AGREE. AND COMMISSIONER SMITH ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK ON THIS NUMBER SO COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> THANK YOU. I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT, PROBABLY TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION, AND ANYTIME WE DO
[00:50:06]
A SOLICITATION, WE SPECIFICALLY GO WITH AND -- DIRECTOR OF OUR JAIL OPERATIONS WHERE THIS CONTRACT WILL BE LOCATED . APPLAUSE ] CHIEF AT THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT BUT I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE REASON THAT THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS -- THE FACT THAT AS WE LOOK AT THE BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS TEAM , WE WANT TO LICK , I HAVE A REAL CONCERN OVER HAVING ANY OF , ANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS -- THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY PART OF THE COUNTY THAT ARE KNOWN FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO MAY OR MAY NOT -- AS WELL AS GIVING BENEFIT TO THE DOUBT OF WHAT THE D.A. OFFICE DOES, ROOTING -- REMOVING ANY TYPE OF IMPROPRIETY OR NOT NECESSARILY IMPROPRIETY BUT ANY TYPE OF VIEW OF ANYTHING THAT COULD BE VIEWED AS ETHICALLY PERVERSE GIVEN THE FACT THAT OUR -- OR NOT OUR CIVIL -- OUR CIVIL DIVISION BUT OUR I THINK ON MANY , IGNORANCE ON THE PROCESS OR IGNORANCE OF THE ACTUAL CONTRACT AND I'M NOT SAYING A PURPOSEFUL OR MALICIOUS VIEW OF WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I THINK SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO HAVE FOLKS UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SOLICITATION IS ASK JULIE -- ACTUALLY. THEY JUMP TO SOME CONCLUSIONS, IT'S QUITE EASY, MOST OF WHICH SEEM TO BE WRONG, ESPECIALLY -- WITHOUT ACTUALLY THE STATUTORY NATURE THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW AND THE PROCESSTHAT HAS TO BE ATTEMPTED. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONERS?
>> I , I THINK ONE OF THE POINTS THAT COMMISSIONER SMITH WAS TRYING TO MAKE IS THAT JULIE AND MIKE DAVENPORT ALSO SIT ON THE ADVISORY TEAM SO I THINK THEY CAN BRING VALUE AND IT IS THEIR FACILITY , AS MENTIONED BEFORE. AND I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE CUTTING OUT QUITE A BIT SO IT WAS HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.
>> AND COMMISSIONER COHEN, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? PLEASE CALL THE ROLE -- CALL THE ROLL.
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?? >> COMMISSIONER COHEN??
>> COMMISSIONER SHELL?? >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?
[K.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute a Participation Agreement and Resolution with TexPool Investment Pools designating the District Clerk as an Authorized Representative for related trust accounts as authorized pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, Section 117.053. BECERRA/ANDERSON]
>> YES. PLEASE GO TO K7. >> PARTICIPATION OF AGREEMENT INVESTMENT POOLS DESIGNATION OF THE DISTRICT CLERK AS AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR RELATED TRUST ACCOUNTS AS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT 117.053.
>> SECOND. >> AND OF COURSE, OUR DISTRICT CLERK ASKED ME TO BRING THIS TO COURT AND I FOLLOW THAT QUICKLY WITH PLEASE BE THERE TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC THE DETAILS OF YOUR ASK. THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO IT. IF YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.
>> AVERY ANDERSON, DISTRICT CLERK.
>> OKAY. GOOD MORNING, GEORGE, GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM TRYING TO GET AN AGREEMENT GOING WITH -- SO I AM ABLE TO INVEST THE FUNDS FOR, SAY, MINOR TRUST ACCOUNTS WITH TEXT POOL IN THE EVENT THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR TO BE ABLE TO HAVE EASIER ACCESS TO INVESTING IN THEM WHEN TERMS ARE LESS SPECIFIED. IN COURT ORDERS.
>> IS THAT USUALLY HOW THE PROCESS WORKS? I -- OKAY. YOU
HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO -- >> SO YES. GENERALLY, I HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO INVEST THESE FUNDS UNDER THE STATUTE SPECIFICALLY . TEXPOOL IS A LOCAL INVESTMENT POOL . FOR GOVERNMENTS AND SO WHEN WE INVEST FUNDS FOR MINORS , SOMETIMES WE DON'T GET SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, BUT
[00:55:15]
THE ORDERS OF THE COURT WILL STILL SAY THAT WE HAVE TO INVEST THE FUNDS. IF WE GO WITH A TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION, WE CAN'T INVEST THOSE FUNDS BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER COME UP BUT THE COURT ALSO REQUIRES US TO INVEST THE FUNDS. SO, IN THOSE CASES, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO INVEST THEM BECAUSE MINORS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY HAVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR NOT, THEY NEED TO BE MAKING AN INTEREST ON THEIR JUDGMENTS FOR WHEN THEY TURN 18 AND RECEIVE THEIR FUNDS.>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? ANY QUESTIONS?
>> YES, THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. EVERY YEAR, AS PART OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF REPORT. WE REVIEW ALL OF THE INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS FROM BOTH CLERKS AND WE AUDIT THEM TO THE COURT ORDERS TO ENSURE THAT ANY INS AND OUTS ARE SUPPORTED BY COURT ORDER. ALL DISBURSEMENTS ARE MADE -- NO DISBURSEMENTS ARE MADE WITHOUT THE COURT BORDER . CURRENTLY, MR. ANDERSON HAS SOME ACCOUNTS OF THE BANK TO SUPPOSITORY AND THEY DO REQUIRE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, SO OUR PREVIOUS DISTRICT CLERK HAD SOME INVESTMENTS IN THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS. SHE PULLED HIM OVER TO TEXPOOL WHEN THE PRIOR TREASURE WAS HERE BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE THE MONEY BETWEEN FUNDS BUT WHENEVER THE CORNER JUST CAME UP THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE UP THE DISBURSEMENTS WHENEVER THE COURT ORDER CAME UP. THIS WILL ALLOW THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE MOVED WHENEVER A COURT ORDER DOES ARISE. AND BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER FOR THIS SPECIFIC ACCOUNT BECAUSE IT WAS A NEWER IT IS OLDER ACCOUNT.
BUT YES, WE DO REVIEW ALL THE TRUST ACCOUNTS EVERY FISCAL YEAR TO ENSURE THAT THE INS AND OUTS ARE SUPPORTED BY COURT
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH, ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE DISTRICT
CLERK? >> I WILL JUST SAY THAT AT THIS POINT, GIVEN THE EXPLANATION FROM THE AUDITOR, I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THIS, BUT GIVEN THE PREVIOUS OR WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINANCIAL ACCURACY OF THE OFFICE, I HAVE MY CONCERNS.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. AND THANK YOU, MR. ANDERSON, AND OUR TREASURE ASKED TO HAVE A MOMENT AT THE PODIUM SO I'M GOING TO GIVE HER A MOMENT TO SAY WHATEVER SHE NEEDS TO SAY.
THANK YOU. >> COUNTY TREASURER. WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS WELL WITHIN HIS CAPACITY UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH HIS OFFICE TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN TEXPOOL ACCOUNT AND SETTING UP HIS OWN TEXPOOL ACCOUNT. CURRENTLY, THE ACCOUNT IS NOT ABOUT A LITTLE UNDER $70,000 THAT WILL TRANSFER OVER, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE JUVENILE ACCOUNTS REMAIN IN ABOUT $15-$30,000 ACCOUNTS. I HAVE NO ISSUES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE, CALL THE ROLL.
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN?? >> YES .
>> COMMISSIONER SHELL? >> YES.
[K.8. Discussion and possible action regarding supporting a resolution establishing an exemption from Hays County Ad Valorem taxation, for all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a qualifying and licensed Child-Care Facility, pursuant to Texas Senate Bill1145. INGALSBE]
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.
>> HAVE A GOOD DAY. K8 NOW. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SUPPORTING A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN EXEMPTION FROM HAYS COUNTY AD VALOREM TAXATION , FOR ALL OR PART OF THE APPRAISED VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY USE TO OPERATE A QUALIFYING AND LICENSED CHILDCARE FACILITY.
>> WE HAVE MR. DAN LYON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE BECERRA. IF THE COURT WILL INDULGE ME, JUST FOR 15 SECONDS OR SO . EXCUSE ME. I HAVE A QUOTE HERE. WE CANNOT EXPECT AMERICANS TO JUMP FROM CAPITALISM TO COMMUNISM, BUT WE CAN ASSIST THEIR ELECTED LEADERS IN GIVING AMERICANS SMALL DOSES OF SOCIALISM UNTIL THEY SUDDENLY AWAKE TO FIND THEY HAVE COMMUNISM. THAT WAS 1960 AT THE U.N. ALL RIGHT.
THIS IS SOCIALISM. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. I UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. THEY NEED CHILDREN TO BE TAKE CARE OF WHILE THEY ARE WORKING. HERE'S THE PROBLEM. HERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. 60% OF ALL INCOME GOES DIRECTLY TO TAXES TO DIRECT TAXES OR INDIRECT TAXES. WE NEED TO LOWER THE TAX RATE SO THAT AND I DON'T WANT TO BE SEXIST, SO THAT WOMEN CAN STAY HOME, TAKE
[01:00:03]
YOUR CHILDREN UP TO AGE 5 AT LEAST. BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS IF YOU PUT CHILDREN IN A DAY CARE CENTER BEFORE THEY ARE FIVE, THEY HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED THEIR IDENTITY AND THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT INFLUENCES, WHICH WOULD NOT NECESSARILY WANT THE PARENTS TO HAVE. SO ALSO, I OBJECT TO THIS ON ANOTHER BASIS . THESE DAY CARE CENTERS, THEY ARE FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES. THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD PAY THEIR SHARE OF PROPERTY TAXES, BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING PROFITS. ONCE AGAIN, WE PUT ALL THE TAXES ON THE HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND WE TAKE THEM OFF OF THE BUSINESSES . WE ARE SELECTING BUSINESSES THAT WILL SUCCEED AND NOT HELPING THOSE THAT WE WANT TO FAIL. THAT IS CENTRAL PLANNING COMMUNISM , WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.IT'S NOT RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT UP, MR. EDWARD -- EDWARD
BRADLEY. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. I SPOKE TO COUPLE WEEKS AGO ON THE SUBJECT AND I'M GOING TO TAKE THE POSITIVE, OPTIMISTIC APPROACH AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROPOSAL. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR THE CHILDREN OF HAYS COUNTY, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR FAMILIES OF HAYS COUNTY, AND IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR BUSINESSES OF HAYS COUNTY. I SPOKE RECENTLY ABOUT THE CHILDCARE REALLY FUNDS. IT WAS FUNDS THAT CERTAINLY -- OPEN IN OUR STATE, BUT HE WAS A BAND-AID. IT WENT AWAY. SO WHEN WE RECEIVE THE CHILDCARE FUND, WE HAD A DECISION TO MAKE. -- WE DID INCREASE PAYROLLS WITH THE FUNDS. WE DID PROVIDE SOME FAMILIES RELIEF FROM TUITION.
WE DID PROVIDE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES THROUGH AN ASSOCIATION WITH THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN. SO WE MADE THOSE DECISIONS, KNOWING THAT THE FUNDING THAT IS GOING TO SUPPORT THOSE DECISIONS AT SOME POINT WAS GOING TO GO AWAY. A RISKY DECISION FOR ANY BUSINESS TO MAKE, BUT AGAIN, WHAT YO'RE CONTEMPLATING TODAY, WAS THE RIGHT, LONG-TERM DECISION FOR THE CHILDREN THAT WE SUPPORT IN THE FAMILIES THAT WE SUPPORT. SO WE WENT AHEAD AND DID THAT. THIS PROPOSITION WILL PROVIDE TAX RELIEF ON A PERMANENT BASIS . AGAIN, ALLOW US TO MAKE MORE THOSE DECISIONS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR FAMILIES AND OUR TEACHERS AND CHILDREN THAT WILL BE ONGOING AND WE CAN PLAN AROUND. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU AGAIN TO SUPPORT THIS. IT WOULD BE REMISS OF ME TO STAND IN FRONT OF HIS BODY AND NOT ASK FOR SOMETHING ADDITIONAL BUT I WILL DO THAT AND WHAT I WOULD ASK IS AS YOU INTERACT WITH YOUR PEERS AT THE STATE LEVEL, PLEASE ASK THEM TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CHILDCARE, AS WELL IN THE CHILDCARE RELIEF FUNDS THAT I PREVIOUSLY REFERENCE, THE STATE ONLY PROVIDED ENOUGH MONEY TO DRAW DOWN THE FEDERAL FUNDS AND NOT A PENNY MORE. THEY JUST -- FEDERAL FUNDS. YOU KNOW? CHILDCARE, STRONG, THE GOALS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AS WELL AS HAYS COUNTY ARE HANDLED. WE WANT STRONGER FAMILIES, WE WANT A STRONGER SOCIETY, WE WANT STRONGER ECONOMY AND TO DO THAT, WE NEED STRONG EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE STATE OF TEXAS TO PLEASE FINANCIALLY GET INVOLVED IN THE FUNDING OF STRONG, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS SO THAT WE CAN ALL HAVE THE BRIGHTER FUTURE WE WANT. AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE YOUR
CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER
INGALSBE HE. >> JUDGE, IS JACOB WEST JOHN PRESENT? DID HE NOT FILL OUT A FORM?
>> I DON'T SEE ONE HERE. >> COULD HE SPEAK?
>> OF COURSE, YOU BET. ABSOLUTELY.
>> HE ABSOLUTELY -- >> COMMISSIONER, IT'S FINE. WE DON'T NEED A FOREIGN IN THIS SETTING AND I'M FINE WITH IT.
BUT WE WILL STILL START A TIMER.
>> YES, OF COURSE. >> I LET ME ASK YOU QUESTIONS,
BUT SURE. >> YES, SIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MORNING , MEMBERS OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS JACOB HAYS JOHN -- WESTJOHN . I'VE ALSO BEEN ONE OF THE LEADING ADVOCATES FOR PROPERTY OR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS. AS A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION, THE PRIVILEGE OF SPEAKING TO PROVIDERS ALL OVER THE STATE AND ONE THING IS -- ALL CHILDCARE PROGRAMS ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY IN BUSINESS. SINCE MORE 2020, WE ALSO KNOW
[01:05:10]
ACCORDING TO A SURVEY DONE BY THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN THAT OVER 44% OF CHILDCARE PROGRAMS ARE LIKELY OR MAYBE LIKELY TO CLOSE IN THE NEXTYEAR. >> SOMETHING OFTEN FORGOTTEN IS THAT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE PROPERTY TAXES ARE PART OF DOING BUSINESS --
>> MANY PROVIDERS STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. THESE COSTS ARE OFTEN PASSED DIRECTLY ONTO WORKING PARENTS AND IN TURN, INCREASE THE COST OF CHILDCARE AND REDUCE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION AS A RESULT. LIKE MANY OTHER TAXING, -- DRAMATIC INCREASES IN PROPERTY TAX VALUES AND THE PROFIT MARGINS FOR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS WERE ALREADY THIN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. WE SEE THESE EFFECTS IN REAL TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY, TOO, AS THE COST OF FULL-TIME CHILDCARE AVERAGES OUT TO $680 A MONTH. OR JUST OVER 8000 A YEAR. FURTHERMORE, THERE ARE JUST EIGHT, 6.8 QUALITY -- RATED SEATS PER 100 CHILDREN OF LOW INCOME WORKING PARENTS BACK IN 2022, WHICH WAS 45% BELOW THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE. THAT IS WHY WE ARE REQUESTING THE COURT TO ENACT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AT 100% OF -- THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE RELIEF. A PROVIDER MUST BE SERVING AT LEAST 20% OF CHILDREN ON CCS, WHICH IS THE CHILDCARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES. ENACTING THIS IN HAYS COUNTY CAN PROVIDE SOME FINANCIAL RELIEF FROM PROGRAMS ALREADY SERVING LOW INCOME CHILDREN INCENTIVIZE OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO DO SO, AS WELL. AND LAMENTING THE TAX RELIEF CAN ALSO HAVE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC -- FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR EARLY EDUCATION IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN FOUR AND $16. ACCORDING TO THE ECONOMIST JAMES HECKMAN.
PARENTS CAN WORK WITHOUT THE WORRY OF EXORBITANT -- THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO PURSUE A CAREER OPPORTUNITY, CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND ULTIMATELY IMPROVE THE FAMILY FINANCIAL STABILITY. FURTHERMORE, SUPPORTING THE CHILDCARE SECTOR THROUGH PROPERTY TAX RELIEF CAN SPURS CREATION AND STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH. WE EMPOWER THEM TO EXPAND THEIR SERVICES, SUPPORT THE STAFF, AND INVEST IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. AL WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO A LOCAL THRIVING ECONOMY.
OUR MOST RECENT DATA SHOWS THAT ROUGHLY EIGHT PROGRAMS WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS RELIEF WHICH SHOULD HAVE A MINOR IMPACT ON THE BUDGET. HUNDRED AND 71,000 HAYS COUNTY RESIDENCE PAST PROP TO LAST NOVEMBER WITH -- NOW WE ARE TO COURT TO PROVE APPROVE THIS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF IN HAYS COUNTY AT 100%.
TOGETHER, LET'S MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A PLACE WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN GROW, LEARN, AND SUCCEED, REGARDLESS OF THE FAMILY FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> LOOK AT THAT. DID YOU PRACTICE THAT?
>> A COUPLE OF TIMES. >> TWO THINGS.
>> YES, SIR. >> GOING FOR THREE. AS A BOBCAT, BOBCAT DAD, AND LOVER OF ALL THINGS TEXAS DAY, BECAUSE IT'S A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR STATE , OUR, BEYOND OUR REGION. LITERALLY, A MAGNIFICENT THING.
I THANK YOU. I'M GLAD YOU ARE A BOBCAT. GOOD JOB ON THE READ.
WELL DONE AND, WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS SO PERFECTLY TIMED BECAUSE YOU JUST HIT IT RIGHT UNDER THE BUZZER. GOOD JOB. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, HE'S AWESOME.
>> NO, JACOB, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND MR. BRADLEY, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR COMING IN , MAKING YOUR COMMENTS. WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS, JUDGE, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE CORE. I DID WANT TO REMIND US, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A RESOLUTION THAT WE ARE ADOPTING, BUT WITHIN THAT RESOLUTION, IT TALKS ABOUT, THERE WERE EIGHT QUALIFYING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. I MENTIONED LAST TIME THE APPROXIMATE EXEMPTION . IN 2023, IT WOULD'VE BEEN ABOUT $20,000, 20,006 71. I'M NOT SURE IF , DID WE ADD ROAD AND BRIDGE , TUCKER? OKAY. SO, IT WOULD BE ABOUT THAT MUCH, AND OF COURSE, THE VALUE WOULD LIKELY BE DIFFERENT IN 2020 -- 2024. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FOR THE EIGHT QUALIFYING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS. ALSO , THIS IS NOT AN ANNUAL APPLICATION I MENTIONED THAT LAST TIME. ONLY WOULD HAVE TO BE RESUBMITTED IF THE OWNERSHIP CHANGES, QUALIFICATIONS CHANGES, OR IF THE CHIEF APPRAISER REQUIRES A NEW APPLICATION TO CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY, SO THERE IS THAT OVERSIGHT WITH THE CHIEF APPRAISER'S OFFICE. JUDGE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE ONE. I'M A SUPPORTER OF THIS IDEA AND I'M APPLAUDING YOU FOR BRINGING IT. BUT HOW WILL THIS, IF YOU KNOW, IF NOT, WE HAVE -- EDWARD HERE . HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT THE PARENT
DROPPING OFF THE CHILD. >> I THINK, AND I'M SURE THE
[01:10:04]
PROVIDER CAN ANSWER THAT, BUT I BELIEVE HE MENTIONED THAT THEY CAN OFFER SOME KIND OF REDUCTION IN THE TUITION , THAT'S AN OPTION THAT THEY HAVE, BUT MR. BRADLEY, IF YOULIKE TO SPEAK TO THAT. >> IF YOU APPROACHED THE
PODIUM. >> THANK YOU. AS I SAID, THE TRACK EARLY FUNDS, BECAUSE THOSE WEREN'T PERMANENT FUNDS. WE HAD TO BE CAREFUL WITH WHAT WE DID WITH THEM.
THESE ARE PERMANENT, AND IT WOULD ALLOW US TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS. WE ARE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT TUITION INCREASES. WE ONLY DO IT WHEN WE ABSENTLY HAVE TO. SO WE WOULD PROBABLY STAVE OFF TUITION, ANY TUITION INCREASES. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO IS WE LEARNED EARLY WHEN MY WIFE AND I GOT INTO THIS BUSINESS, THAT BEING A CHILDCARE TEACHER CANNOT BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO WORKING AT TARGET. YOU HAVE TO LOVE AND CARE ABOUT THESE KIDS ARE BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN. WHAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN IS OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR TEACHERS, THESE YOUNG WOMEN, PRIMARILY, THAT ARE TAKEN CARE OF THESE KIDS ALL DAY. THE AVERAGE PAY ACROSS THE STATE IS PROBABLY SOMEWHERE AROUND $12 AN HOUR. WE HAVE MANAGED TO PAY A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THAT. WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER BENEFITS TO OURS, BUT THAT'S RARE. WE WOULD SPEND THE INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF THESE FUNDS , HIRING GOOD, CARING TEACHERS, TRAINING THEM PROPERLY SO THAT WHEN THEY DROP THEIR CHILD OFF OF THE DOOR, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD TO THEM, THEY DROP OFF AT OUR PLACE EVERY MORNING. THEY REST ASSURED THAT THOSE KIDS ARE LOVED AND THAT THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF AND TAUGHT BY COMPETENT, CARING PEOPLE, JUST AS MUCH FOR THAT CHILD AS PARENTS DO.
>> IN SUMMARY, I'M HEARING CONTINUITY OF OPERATION. OKAY.
COMMISSIONER: ? >> NO, I'M GOOD.
>> OKAY. >> OF THOSE IDENTIFY, --
>> YEAH, I HAD A LIST OF THOSE. DO YOU HAVE THAT LIST PROVIDED? HAVE ALREADY WHICH IS JUST NORTH OF US AND I PLAN TO APPROACH THE CITY OF SAN MARCO'S IN THE CITY OF KYLE
AFTER -- >> THAT'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE LARGER ATTACK RATES WOULD HAVE GREATER IMPACT. I APPRECIATE PEOPLE IN THIS BUSINESS, OBVIOUSLY MY FAMILY RELIED ON CHILDCARE. MY WIFE AND I WORKED ON A FULL-TIME BEFORE MY CHILD STARTED SCHOOL. SO I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF HAVING GOOD CHILDCARE SERVICES FOR CITIZENS. I WOULD SAY I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT, AS FAR AS MY COMMENTS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS, TO USE PROPERTY TAXES FOR RELIEF IS RIDICULOUS. PROPERTY TAXES ARE SET THERE FOR TO PAY FOR ROADS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO AND IF THIS IS THE WAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO GO, IF WE'RE JUST GOING TO SAY EVERY TIME WE NEED TO SUPPORT SOMETHING BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE SUPPORTED AND IT'S IMPORTANT, WE ARE JUST GOING TO OFFER A TAX-EXEMPT REPORT FROM PROPERTY TAXES, THEN YOU ARE JUST GOING LARGER BURDEN ON THE REST OF OUR CITIZENS. IT WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS AN AMOUNT THAT'S GOING TO -- IT PROBABLY NOT GOING TO CAUSE THAT MUCH RELIEF EITHER, UNFORTUNATELY. IS JUST A COMMENT OF MINE ON PROPERTY TAXES. I THINK IT'S THE WRONG WAY TO GO. I COULD SEE THAT THERE IS A NEED OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY AFTER COVID AND WHAT WAS DONE THERE. I'M NOT ARGUING THAT. WHAT I WOULD HOPE FOR IS FOR THE POWERS THAT BE TO GET TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND IF THERE'S A THING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, JUST REALLY LOOK AT SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HOW SHOULD THAT BE FUNDED IN THE GREATER SCHEME OF THINGS AND I DON'T THINK PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS IS RIGHT WAY TO GO. WHERE DOES IT STOP? WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING, AT WHATEVER LEVEL, TEXAS IS A PROPERTY TAX STATE.
ALL OF OUR LIVES IS MR. LYONS TAXES COMMENTS, ALL OF THAT BURDEN IS PLACED ON THE LOCALS OF TEXAS. SO IF WE HAVE A PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT, WILL EXAM PEOPLE FROM THEIR TAXES . WELL, EVENTUALLY, YOU ARE PUTTING, YOU PUSHING THAT ONTO SOMEONE ELSE AND IT'S GOING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS. THAT'S NOT FOR Y'ALL TO WORRY ABOUT. I UNDERSTAND IT. THIS IS JUST ME VENTING BUT I DO APPRECIATE WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE. UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR IT. QUALITY CARE, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT ANYTHING ANY OF US SHOULD EVER FACE. APPRECIATE ALL TIME INTO PUTTING THIS UP. I WISH YOU LUCK WITH THE CITY AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL FIND SOME OTHER TO PARTICIPATE IN I'M JUST ENCOURAGE ALL TO CONTINUE TO WORK AT THIS AT HIGHER LEVELS BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, I DON'T KNOW THAT THE RELIEF
[01:15:05]
THAT THIS IS GOING TO PROVIDE IS GOING TO BE SUBSTANTIAL AND IS JUST THE WRONG PATH, I THINK, BUT OTHERWISE, IAPPRECIATE EVERYTHING. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER
SHELL. >> I WOULD AGREE, JUDGE, YOU KNOW, THE STATE, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS NOT A MANDATE, OF COURSE, THE STATE CONTINUES TO PUSH THOSE TYPES OF RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUT WHEN I BELIEVE THE OUGHT TO TAKE -- THEY ARE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A LOT OF THIS, BUT I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THIS. JUST RECALLING THAT LIST OF THOSE QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE IN
THE SAN MARCOS AREAS . >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> I THINK COMMISSIONER SHELL ACTUALLY -- COMMISSIONER -- ANNUALLY -- I OFTEN FEEL LIKE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILDCARE, I OFTEN FEEL LIKE THE STATE -- BUT THEN THEY GO AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, -- LOSERS WHEN IT COMES TO -- NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A LOSER WHEN WE DECIDE TO CHOOSE ONE GROUP OVER ANOTHER. I SEE THE BENEFIT IN THIS, SPECIFIC RELATED TO CHILDCARE, THAT WE ARE SELVES AS A COUNTY, AND YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ANYBODY, JUDGE, WE HAD SOME REAL PROBLEMS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, ALLOWING THEM OR HAVING THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO GET CHILDCARE -- AND -- SOME OF THOSE -- TAKING A FULL-SCALE REVIEW AND LOOKING AT WHAT CHILDCARE NEEDS ARE IN THE COUNTY AND HOW WE KIND OF FALL FOLKS IN THE COUNTY AND -- JUST THESE FACILITIES AND SOME TYPE OF TUITION PROGRAM OR SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT. IF THE COUNTY THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS THE PRIORITY FOR US -- OUR TAX DOLLARS ON . FOR -- WINNERS AND LOSERS. THOSE PROVIDING ON-SITE HEALTHCARE, THOSE PROVIDIG, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MANY FACTORS OF MEDICAL DEVICES IN THE COUNTY THAT WE KNOW STATEWIDE. I DON'T THINK IF WE GET INTO AN ETHICAL DISCUSSION OF WHAT WE SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T EXEMPT WHEN IT COMES TO PROPERTY TAXES --
>> THANK YOU. >> SUPPORT IN CONCEPT. I THINK THE MECHANISM IS DOES NOT THE CORRECT , I WOULD EVEN BE WILLING TO LOOK AT SOME TYPE OF PERCENTAGE , MAY BE FOR BACKGROUND AND REDEFINED AT THE STATE OUT THERE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. DYLAN? >> COMMISSIONER SHELL.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> YES. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. IT'S A
[K.5. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Treasurer's Office to re-grade the Treasury Specialist (0078- 001) Grade 115 to Financial Analyst I Grade 120 step 2, effective 03/12/24. BECERRA/TENORIO]
TOUGH DECISION, BUT YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING. LET'SOPEN K5 PLEASE. >> REGRADING THE TREASURY SPECIALIST 007-001 GREAT 1152 FINANCIAL ANALYST ONE GRADE 120 STEP TWO, EFFECTIVE MARCH 12TH, 2024.
>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. AND NOW FOR THAT, MIKE JONES, WE ARE GOING TO YOUR AGENDA ITEM RIGHT AFTER
THAT. YOU GO, COMMISSIONER. >> COUNTY TREASURER. MY APOLOGIES TO COMMISSIONER SMITH, I WAS NOT AWARE YOU WERE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE IN THE OFFICE HERE OR I WOULD HAVE EMAILED IT TO YOU. WHAT I BRING FOR TODAY IS A REQUEST. WE HIRED AN EMPLOYEE TO , IN THE OFFICE AND SHE'S GREAT. SHE WAS WONDERFUL, AS YOU KNOW, WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE, WE WERE SIX MONTHS BEHIND IN FINANCIAL REPORTING. WE OBVIOUSLY HAD 14 PAGES OF ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE FIXED
[01:20:04]
AND WE WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAD AN EXTENSIVE CAREER , AS WELL AS COUNTY EXPERIENCE AND SHE JUMPED IN TO ASSIST US. WHAT I'M ASKING IS TO REGRADE HER POSITION SO THAT SHE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE PROJECTS THAT SHE'S WORKING ON WITH HER EXPERIENCE . WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DELEGATE, REPORTING TO HER FOR DIFFERENT COURTS. WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT AN OFFICIAL PART OF HER JOB. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, LET ME SEE. I'M SORRY. SHE'S CREATING, SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO DO A LOT MORE COMPLEX FINANCIAL REPORTING. SHE WAS BROUGHT IN AS A CLERK AND LIKE YOU SAID, BECAUSE OF HER EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE, WE ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE A LOT MORE POSITIONS.SHE CAME INTO THE COUNTY AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE DOING OUR STUDY AND AT THAT TIME, I WAS TOLD, WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ASK FOR THE 25% VARIANCE BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STUDY. HAD I NOT BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STUDY, I WOULD'VE PUSHED FOR THAT VARIANCE WHEN THE STUDY WAS OVER, I ASKED TO GO BACK AND ASSUME WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW HER AND ANYONE ELSE WHO NEEDED TO BE REVIEWED AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. DURING THE STIPEND ISSUES, WE WERE, THE STEP PLANS, WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE $12,193, BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ADJUST FOR THIS PLAN STEP. ICE DOCKED WITH -- I TALKED WITH VICKI AND PAYROLL AND SHE SAID THIS WAS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT. THIS CHANGE WILL NOT IMPACT THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE SAVINGS THAT I UTILIZED FROM THE, LET ME SEE, FROM THE STEPS. SO WHEN WE WERE GIVEN THAT MONEY TO GIVE ADDITIONAL BONUSES OR ADDITIONAL INCOME, I SAVED A PORTION OF THAT MONEY TO HOPE, IN HOPES TO BE ABLE TO RESTRUCTURE THIS POSITION ITSELF. I AM OPEN FOR ANY
>> I GUESS I WILL START WITH WHAT WE USUALLY ASK IS FOR HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR . I GUESS SHERRY, YOU TOOK A LITTLE
-- >> STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE.
HAYS COUNTY HR DIRECTOR. SO MR. NORIO HAS MET WITH THE -- AND PRESENTED HER REQUEST AND HAS PRESENTED INFORMATION THAT INDICATES THAT THE NEED IN HER OFFICE IS TO HAVE A HIGHER LEVEL POSITION . THERE APPEARS TO BE WORK OF THAT LEVEL , SO THE POSITION IS, RIGHT NOW, CLASSIFIED AS A FINANCIAL SPECIALIST, WHICH IS AN ENTRY-LEVEL , MAYBE WHAT WE USED TO CALL A BOOKKEEPER, BUT IN ADDITION TO THIS PARTICULAR EMPLOYEE'S SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE, SHE'S INDICATED THAT THERE IS HIGHER-LEVEL ANALYSTS IS THE REQUEST WORK .
GOING FORWARD, NOT ONLY HAS THE EMPLOYEE APPARENTLY BEEN ABLE TO CATCH THE DEPARTMENT UP WITH A LOT OF THE REPORTING, WHERE
DID YOU GO? >> THE OTHER SIDE.
>> BUT SHE DOES INDICATE THAT THERE IS ONGOING WORK TO BE PERFORMED AT THE HIGHER LEVEL. SO THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, I THINK, JUDGE BECERRA, YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK ON HALF OF THE COMMITTEE, IF YOU DON'T MIND. IT WAS A MAJORITY OF THE COMMITTEE THAT VOTED. THOSE THAT VOTED . THEY WERE IN AGREEMENT FOR THE RECLASSIFICATION .
>> THERE, I SPOKE. THANK YOU. I'M FINE. I DON'T HAVE A WORD COUNT , A GOAL OR A LIMIT TO HIT, BUT YOU SAID IT JUST MOST PERFECTLY AND EFFICIENLY AND THANK YOU, MISS MILLER. YES, I
SUPPORT THIS. >> ONE OF THE BEST REASONINGS FOR THIS HAS BEEN AN EXCEPTIONAL ADVANTAGE FOR OUR OFFICE IS THAT SHE CAME IN ALREADY KNOWING NO WORLD -- NEW WORLD, THE LEGAL SYSTEM. SORRY, CAN'T THINK OF THE NAME OF IT. BUT SHE CAME FROM ANOTHER COUNTY ALREADY TRAINED IN THESE. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT KNOWLEDGE BASE TO CREATE SOME NEW PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES THAT ALLOWED US TO STREAMLINE THE COURT REPORTING SIDES. IT'S BEEN AN ADVANTAGE
[01:25:03]
TO US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE MORE OF HER KNOWLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES THAT MAKE COUNTY WORK WITH THE STATE REPORTINGMORE EFFICIENT. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?
>> OKAY, SO, AND THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT INFORMATION.
SHERRY, I UNDERSTAND WERE MISS MILLER, I'M SORRY. YOU KNOW, THE RECOMMENDATION OF A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, BUT IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, I MEAN, DO YOU FEEL THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT GRADE OF THIS PARTICULAR POSITION?
>> SO THIS DEPARTMENT HAS ANOTHER, THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND FINANCIAL ANALYST ONE AND ACCORDING TO HER, THERE IS WORK TO BE PERFORMED AT THAT LEVEL. SO IF THERE IS WORK TO BE PERFORMED AND THAT'S IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OR ELECTED OFFICIAL, THEN IT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE
CLASSIFICATION. >> OKAY. SO I GUESS, YOU FEEL
THAT YOU NEED A SECOND -- >> CORRECT. I'M NOT ASKING NOT ASKING FOR ANOTHER PERSON. I'M JUST ASKING TO RECLASSIFY HER TO COMPENSATE THAT POSITION AT THE LEVEL OF WORK THAT I'M EXPECTING. I WILL TELL YOU THAT WHEN WE HAD, WHEN I CAME IN, WHAT I SAW WAS BASICALLY A TREASURERS OFFICE THAT HANDLED A GREAT DEAL OF PAYROLL, BUT WAS LACKING IN THE REPORTING AND ACCOUNTING AND THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT WAS ALL BEING HANDLED BASICALLY BY TWO PEOPLE. THE WORKLOAD WAS I HAVE ONE EMPLOYEE WHO PUTS IN ABOUT ROUGHLY 70 HOURS A WEEK RIGHT NOW AND ANOTHER ONE WHO DOES ROUGHLY ABOUT 60 HOURS A WEEK. WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE BASE, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING THEM BACK INTO A LEVEL WHERE THEY ARE ACTUALLY HAVING A LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE TREASURERS OFFICE SO , THIS PERSON, KNOWLEDGE SKILL, HAS BEEN A HUGE ASSET TO US. AND AGAIN, I DID USE THE SAVINGS, SO THERE'S NO FINANCIAL IMPACT TO
THE COUNTY AT THIS POINT. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
>> SO WHEN SHE WAS HIRED AS A TREASURY SPECIALIST , WHEN SHE STARTED DOING THAT WORK, YOU REALIZED THAT SHE NEEDED TO DO
OTHER THINGS? >> WHAT HAPPENED WAS WE HAD A LOT OF REPORTING, AND WHAT I NOTICED IS THAT I HAD EMPLOYEES, THE TWO HIGHER-LEVEL ACCOUNTING EMPLOYEES THAT WERE DOING MOST OF THE REPORTING WERE WORKING SO MUCH THAT THEY WERE NOT AT THE OFFICE IS MUCH AS I WAS AND THAT, TO ME, IS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE HAS TO BE A WORK-LIFE BALANCE. WHEN I KNEW WHAT SHE WAS CAPABLE OF DOING, I KNEW WHEN I HIRED HER THAT SHE WAS CAPABLE OF DOING THIS WORK. I DID NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL ANALYST POSITION AT THAT TIME. WHEN I HAD THAT OTHER EMPLOYEE WE HAD MOVED HER INTO THE FINANCIAL ANALYST POSITION TO HELP WITH THE PAYROLL AND SHE WAS CAPABLE OF DOING IT. SHE WAS DOING AND SHE IS DOING A GREAT JOB. BUT WE NOTICED THAT THINGS WERE NEEDING TO BE REMOVED AND WE WERE TRYING TO GET CAUGHT UP IN TIME TO, I REALLY JUST WANTED TO GET CAUGHT UP, SHE HAD THE BASIS TO KNOW , NEW WORLD. SHE HAD THE BASICS OF THE RECORDING SYSTEM. SHE WAS ABLE TO COME IN AND HELP US STREAMLINE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAD BEEN TAKING QUITE SOME TIME TO GET DONE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER MINISTRATION, YOU BEEN THERE A LONG TIME, THIS IS THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT AND WE DON'T LOOK OUTSIDE OF THAT BOX, BUT SHE CAME IN FROM ANOTHER BOX. SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING IN SOME NEW IDEAS. SHE WAS ABLE TO HELP WITH RECONCILIATIONS. SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO HELP WITH THE ACTUAL COURT REPORTING TO THE STATE FROM THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WITH HER HELP, WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO TAKE, UNDER ONE POSITION, WE HAD THE PERSON TO THE REPORTING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE COURT. NOW, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO ANALYSTS WHO ARE ABLE TO DO THE REPORTING AND IT'S STREAMLINED. NOBODY IS THERE ANYMORE , HAVING TO WORK THE LONG HOURS. THAT IS WHAT'S BEEN THE BENEFIT. I CAN HAVE MY EMPLOYEES MY OFFICE 70 HOURS A WEEK. THAT IS NOT --
>> WHICH IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HERE.
>> ISSUES CURRENTLY A TREASURY SPECIALIST AND NOW SHE IS GOING TO BE A FINANCIAL ANALYST, ARE WE COMBINING TWO JOBS TOGETHER
BY DOING THAT? >> BASICALLY, YES. WE'VE HAD TO DO THAT. I'M NOT, I CAN SEEK A NEW POSITION RIGHT NOW, I JUST, I THINK THAT I WANT TO GET CAUGHT UP AND SET THE PROCEDURES IN PLACE. EVENTUALLY, THE TREASURERS OFFICE DOES NEED MORE STAFF. EVERY OFFICE NEEDS MORE STAFF.
WE ARE WORKING WITH IN WHAT WE HAVE. SHE'S GOING TO SWITCH OVER TO FINANCIAL ANALYST. SHE STILL HAS THE BACK OF THE CLERKS AND IT WILL STILL BE A LITTLE BIT OF THE OLD STUFF, BUT SHE ALSO KNOWS THAT SHE IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
[01:30:01]
MORE OF THE REPORTING. >> AND WE ARE NOT JUST BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANY EMPLOYEE TO FEEL BURNED OUT. HAVING TO DO
TWO JOBS. >> WELL, AND, I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I WILL NOT , I KNOW IN MY DEPARTMENT, AND I KNOW IN THE AUDITING DEPARTMENT AND THE HR DEPARTMENT AND THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENTS, EVERYONE IS DOING TWO JOBS. IT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GET IT DONE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT , WHEN WE ARE DOING THAT, THAT WE ARE COMPENSATING OUR EMPLOYEES. TO BE HONEST, THE LEVEL THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR FOR THE PERSON OF 30 YEARS OF BOOKKEEPING EXPERIENCE AND EXPERIENCE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, THIS DOESN'T EVEN GET THERE BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE IS COMPENSATED AT A BASIS THAT SHE KNOWS THAT SHE IS APPRECIATED AND WE ARE WORKING HARD TO GET HER TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A LIFE.
>> SO, MISS MILLER, DOES SHE MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR BEING A FINANCIAL ANALYST? BECAUSE IT WOULD'VE BEEN HELPFUL TO SEE -- THE CURRENT JOB DESCRIPTION WAS FOR THAT.
BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THAT TO LOOK AT OR HER INFORMATION
ABOUT HER, AS WELL SO >> I BELIEVE SHE DOES.
INAUDIBLE ] >> HERE IS HER RESUME.
DIFFERENCES, IT'S ABOUT $16,000. I SAVED ABOUT 12,000
IN MY PAYROLL >> SHE'S BEEN HERE --
>> SHE GOT HIRED RIGHT AFTER APRIL. SHE WAS NOT ABLE -- I WAS NOT ABLE TO UTILIZE THE FUNDING AND, HAD SHE BEEN HIRED RAY BEFORE, I WOULD'VE BEEN ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT FUNDING TO
INCREASE HER SALARY. >> THE FINANCIAL ANALYSTS REQUIRES AND ASSOCIATES IN ACCOUNTING OR EQUIVALENT. SO I'M NOT RECALLING WHETHER -- SO DAPHNE IS SAYING SHE HAS THAT. THEN TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN OFFICE CLERICAL, AND BOOKKEEPING ARE RELATED. SHE HAS RIGHT AT OR CLOSE TO 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. SPECIFICALLY WITH OTHER
COUNTIES. >> OKAY. SO EVEN IF SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE DEGREE WORK, THE EXPERIENCED SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE EDUCATION.
>> THANK YOU. QUICK QUESTION. COMMISSIONER SHELL?
>> I THINK IT'S GOOD TO KIND OF SEPARATE, THERE'S TWO ISSUES GOING ON AT ONCE. ONE IS THE REGRADE, THE NEED FOR THAT FUNCTION IN THE DEPARTMENT AND I WOULD SAY THAT YOU KNOW, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND ESPECIALLY KNOWING THE TREASURER IS USING THE FUNDS THAT WERE ALLOCATED FOR PLACEMENT OF EMPLOYEES COMBINING THOSE TWO AT THIS TIME, I THINK IS OKAY, NOT THAT THE TREASURER HAS THE ABILITY TO ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO HER STAFF AND PLACE THEM IN STEPS.
IF SHE SEES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REGRADE THIS POSITION SEPARATE OF THE ACTUAL EMPLOYEE FOR THE CASE OF JUST ARGUMENT OF WHAT SHE NEEDS IN A POSITION, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A FINE TIME TO DO THAT BECAUSE SHE IS USING THOSE FUNDS. I WOULD SAY THAT MOVING FORWARD, NOW THAT WE ARE STARTING THE BUDGET PROCESS PROBABLY GOING TO LEAN MORE TOWARDS USING THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR REGRADE'S OF POSITIONS , YOU KNOW, WE ARE GETTING ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR, SO I THINK THAT'S TIME. UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU DID SET ASIDE THOSE DOLLARS THAT YOU COULD'VE USED TO MOVE THAT INDIVIDUAL UP, I THINK IT'S FINE TO BRING THAT TO US IN THIS KIND OF COMBINED PACKAGE. IT'S JUST GOOD, I THINK, TO SEPARATE WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO WITH A JOB AND THEN YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO
SOMETHING A GREAT EMPLOYEE. >> I AGREE.
>> HAPPENS TO FIT THAT NEED. WE PUT THAT TOGETHER, THAT'S OKAY, I'M JUST LOOKING FOR, AS WE GET, WE ARE ABOUT TO ADOPT A BUDGET CALENDAR, WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THE BUDGET PROCESS COMING WITH THE REGRADE. HOWEVER, I THINK COMBINING IT AT THIS TIME IS OKAY ESPECIALLY SINCE THOSE
FUNDS HAVE BEEN SUBSIDIZED. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS ONE. I JUST, AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, I KNOW THAT WE'VE ADDED POSITIONS TO THE OFFICE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, SPECIFICALLY AT THE TREASURER'S REQUEST AND AT THE TIME, WE THOUGHT THAT THAT -- ADDED BECAUSE OF SOME ADDITIONAL WORK THAT THE TREASURER -- COME TO FIND OUT THEY DON'T REALLY NEED THAT AND SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE , YOU KNOW, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE CHANGE IN THIS POSITION. I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE ASKING FOR IT. I SUPPORT OUR EMPLOYEES AND DON'T WORK LIFE BALANCE IS HARD. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I
[01:35:09]
WOULD JUST ASK BEFORE WE GET ANY ADDITIONAL, YOU KNOW, REGRADE'S OR POSITION REQUEST, THERE IS A REAL FUNCTIONAL LOOK, TREASURER, AT YOUR OFFICE AND HOW THOSE POSITIONS WORK WITHIN THE OFFICE, AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE AS WE GO INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS , I HAVE A REAL CONCERN WITH THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF YOUR OFFICE, LOOKING WITH WHAT YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO ENSURING THAT WE CONTINUE TO FUNCTION IN A WAY THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO THAT THEY FIT WITH A NEED TO BE AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT , I KNOW YOU BEEN WORKING THROUGH IT, YOU GOT INTO OFFICE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO NOW, YOU'RE IN A HALF GO NOW, I WOULD JUST HOPE THAT AS WE START THIS BUDGET PROCESS, THAT THERE IS A GOOD -- STANDING OF WHAT THE, YOU KNOW, BEFORE ENTERTAIN A REQUEST FOR ANY ADDITIONAL STAFF AT THIS POINT. I WOULD REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHATFUNCTIONALITY IN THOSE ARE. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THANK YOU. IF THERE IS NOTHING MORE, DYLAN? ALL
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?
[K.6. Discussion and possible action to ratify the execution of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Texas Emergency Management Assistance Team; authorize expenditures related to the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Amarillo, Texas and amend the budget accordingly. BECERRA/MIKE JONES]
>> YES. THANK YOU. K-6. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO RATIFY THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING WITH TEXAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM, AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURES RELATED TO THE SMOKEHOUSE CREEK FIRE IN AMARILLO, TEXAS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
>> MIKE JONES , JUST GIVE US A LITTLE --
>> THIS IS DESIGNED FOR US TO GO OUT AND HELP JURISDICTIONS THAT ARE IN NEED WHEN THE -- EXTENDED THEIR CAPABILITIES.
-- OR LIKE FOR THE CREEK HOUSE FIRE. TO GO AND GET THE SPECIAL SKILL SETS, WHICH IS GIS. THE ONLY GIS REPRESENTATIVE THAT HAS THE SKILL THAT ARE DEPLOYABLE.
>> DID YOU HEAR THAT? THAT'S A HIGH HONOR. WE HAVE THAT IN OUR OFFICE OR EMERGENCY SERVICES. WHAT A WONDERFUL SKILL SET.
>> AND MORE THAN 1 MILLION ACRES HAVE BURNED AND WE COME TOGETHER AS A STATE, THE STATE HAS, AND HELPED US ON MANY FRONTS AND THIS IS JUST HELPING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALSO PAY IT FORWARD AND PAY IT BACK.
>> IF YOU WANT TO PAY FOR, WE HAVE TO PAY BACK TO US, OKAY?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT. IF THERE'S NOTHING
ÚELSE. PLEASE, CALL THE ROLL >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?
[K.10. Discussion and possible action on establishing Hays County branding standards and guidelines. SMITH/MILLER]
>> YES. OKAY. I'M GOING TO K 10. IS THAT FINE?
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ESTABLISHING HAYS COUNTY BRANDING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.
>> AND I HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, COURT. THIS ONE RIGHT HERE, I'M JUST CONCERNED WITH THE STATUTORY'S AND ALL THAT. HERE WE ARE CREATING ANOTHER COMMITTEE FOR LETTERHEADS AND BUSINESS CARDS AND ALL THAT STUFF. I JUST THINK , IN MY OPINION, THERE'S REALLY NO NEED FOR SOME COMMITTEE TO COME UP WITH THAT
TYPE OF EVENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND I DON'T THINK THE AGENDA IS WRITTEN -- BUT COMMISSIONER SMITH, THIS IS
YOUR ITEM. ALL YOURS. >> SURE. THIS IS -- HR AND PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT AND OUR CIO, AND THE REASON FOR THIS IS, IN THE PAST, REAL REALLY DON'T HAVE A STANDARD, AS MOST COUNTIES IN THE STATE OR -- THE BRANDING . THIS IS TO CREATE, UNIFORMITY ON OUR WEBSITE, ALL OF THE WEBSITE AND GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO TRY AND MAKE US LOOK AS UNIFORM AS POSSIBLE.
WHENEVER I SAY THAT, IS NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE BUSINESS CARD OR, YOU KNOW, LETTERHEADS, NECESSARILY ON A LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER. WHAT THE PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THAT WHEN A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC -- IT'S ACTUALLY COMING FROM -- SORT. NEVER IS THIS REALLY, I MEAN -- WE SAW ISSUES WITH THIS IN COVID AS FAR AS -- LOOKING TO SEE -- CORRECT
[01:40:05]
DIRECTION FROM -- AND QUITE HONESTLY, WITHIN THE LAST MONTH WHEN I HAD MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF INDIVIDUALS REACH OUT TO MEET WITH MISSING JURORS, WITH THE DISTRICT COURT SYSTEM AND A LEVER -- LETTER PRINTED OUT WITH HUNDREDS OF JURORS DELIVERED BY , DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A COUNTY LOGO ON IT AND NOTHING OFFICIAL. SO NOT KNOWING, NOT HAVING CONFIDENCE IN OUR SYSTEM HAD NOT HAVING A UNIFORM STANDARD FOR THAT, I THINK IT REALLY HAD AN IMPACT, A DIRECT IMPACT IN THAT INSTANCE. SO WHENEVER THAT DEPARTMENT BROUGHT THIS, I WASHAVING HELP SUPPORT IT. >> SO DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION OR WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE THIS CONVERSATION TO GO TO NEXT?
>> WELL, THE HR DEPARTMENT THEMSELVES BROUGHT THIS UP AND SHERRY, WOULD YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS?
>> SHE IS APPROACHING THE PODIUM.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER SMITH , JUDGE, AND COURT MEMBERS. I WILL TURN THIS OVER QUICKLY TO NATALIE, THE COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS INTERNALLY FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND JUST HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FOCUS AND GET STANDARDS TOGETHER. NATALIE DOES HAVE IDEAS AND DOES, INDEED, WANT TO PUT A GROUP OF OTHER EMPLOYEES TOGETHER TO HELP ALIGN AND WORK STANDARDS . SO IT IS MORE THAN JUST BUSINESS CARDS AND LETTERHEAD. IT'S TONE , IT'S, EXCUSE ME, HOW WE RESPOND IN HOW WE COMMUNICATE, AND JUST SOME GUIDELINES AND THAT AREA SO WITH THAT, IF THE COURT ALLOWS , NATALIE WILL SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT HER IDEAS AND GOING FORWARD, WHAT HER PLANS ARE FOR COMING UP WITH SOME OF
THESE GUIDELINES. >> OKAY . IF YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS NATALIE, I'M THE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR HAYS COUNTY. VERY BRIEFLY, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ON WHY BRANDING IS SO IMPORTANT TODAY, BRANDING IS EVERYWHERE. IT'S EVERYTHING. A STRONG GOVERNMENT BRAND STRATEGY SETS THE TONE FOR CONSTITUENTS TO EFFECTIVELY KNOW WHO WE ARE, WHAT SERVICES WE PROVIDE, AND HOW WE ARE TRUSTWORTHY SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND SUPPORT. AS YOU LIKE TO SAY, WE ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES, AND I BELIEVE WE ARE LONG OVERDUE AND PROACTIVELY DETERMINING HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO BE PERCEIVED IN THE COMMUNITY AS AN ENTITY AND A BRAND. I AM HERE FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF WHAT I THINK IS A VITAL START TO A MUCH LARGER AND INTENSIVE PROCESS TO NOT ONLY CREATE, BUT MANAGE THE BRAND FOR HAYS COUNTY, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MISSION STATEMENT, VALUES, AND BRANDING GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC FACING DOCUMENTS. I AM ALSO ASKING THE COURT TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO I BELIEVE ARE OUR BEST AMBASSADORS TO ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH GUIDELINES ACROSS
COUNTY OFFICES. >> AND WHAT ARE THOSE LIST OF EMPLOYEES THAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT?
>> I HAVE THEM IN MIND. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I HAD MENTIONED THEM BECAUSE I HAVE NOT APPROACHED THEM OF THE
EMPLOYEES YET. >> ALTHOUGH MAYBE NOT A NAME,
MAYBE A POSITION. >> SOMEONE IN GENERAL COUNSEL, SOMEONE IN ELECTIONS, SOMEONE IN , TRYING TO THINK OF THE LIST RIGHT NOW. MYSELF , AND -- IN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THANK YOU. AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, YES. OH, AND HEALTH
DEPARTMENT, YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?
>> I THINK IT'S GREAT IDEA. I'M SUPPORTIVE.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF ALL PUBLIC
FACING. I AGREE, IT'S TIME. >> GREAT. WE HAVE THIS FOR THE
[Items K.13 & K.14]
COOK TO LONG. BRING IT BACK AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> K 13 AND K 14.
>> HAYS COUNTY AND HIS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH DEPUTY REGARDING ADDITIONAL CANINE SERVICES TO THE -- MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES AND ADDITIONAL RELATED THERAPY OPTIONS. K 14, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LICENSE AND SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH 2009 CORPORATION -- FROM
[01:45:04]
THE SHERIFF'S DRUG FUNDS AUTHORIZED A WAIVER TO THE POLICY AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.>> WE OPEN BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HERE AND WE THOUGHT WE WOULD JUST MOVE THROUGH IT AND KEEP IT MOVING.
SO, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE OR CHIEF DAVENPORT SPEAK ON THAT
ITEM? K 13? >> GOOD MORNING. SO WE WERE WANTING TO UTILIZE A CANINE TO HELP AND MENTAL HEALTH AND I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT DOGS CAN BE GREAT AT CALMING A SITUATION AND SPECIFIC SITUATIONS WE HAVE A DEPUTY WHO HAS TRAINED HIS PERSONAL DOG TO DO THAT . HE'S GOT ALL THE CERTIFICATIONS TO DO THAT AND WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE IT. I'VE WORKED WITH TUCKER AND VICKI TO COME UP WITH THE CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT THAT SPECIFIES WHAT WE WILL PAY FOR, AS FAR AS BILLS LIKE THAT. AS FAR AS CANINES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO WE ARE HERE TO ASK TO GET THAT DONE.
>> JUDGE, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, AS I WAS READING SOME OF THE BACKUP, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING TO HELP INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND VETERANS THAT DEAL WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES, AND SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN PROVEN THAT ANIMALS IN THAT HELP IN THAT AREA. SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP AND A THANK YOU FOR THIS OFFICER WHO IS WILLING TO UTILIZE HIS K-9 FOR THAT PURPOSE .
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? I THINK IT'S GREAT. I DO THERAPY DOGS AT CLINICS BEFORE AND THEY DO SOOTH, YOU KNOW, ANXIETY AND DISTRACT AND IT'S A GOOD SERVICE TO HAVE. I COMPLETELY
SUPPORT IT. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL?
>> I'M GOOD, THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.
>> OUT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MOHAMMED AND, IF YOU MET HIM OR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY MEET HIM, AN OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THIS JUST PROVES HOW HE'S WILLING TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SERVICE OUR COMMUNITY AND I'M
HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT. >> THANK YOU. I LOVE TRYING THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN SOMEWHERE ELSE AND WE CAN BRING IT HERE AND MAKE OUR COUNTY BETTER. I AGREE, COMMISSIONERS.
AND ON 14, SINCE YOU THERE, TALK ABOUT 14.
>> 14 IS SOFTWARE THAT WE HAVE USED IN THE PAST. AT ONE TIME, I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, STEPHANIE, BUT WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS. IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE SOLE-SOURCE.
STEPHANIE BROUGHT UP A VERY VALID POINT IN THAT, YES, THE SOFTWARE IS THE ONE SOFTWARE THAT DOES EVERYTHING. THERE'S OTHER SOFTWARES , IF WE GOT MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SOFTWARES, WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SOLE-SOURCE BECAUSE YOU CAN BUILD IT THROUGH OTHER SOFTWARES TO DO IT, BUT THIS CERTAINLY CREATES THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO DO IT. WE DON'T GET INTO THE REALM OF, IT DOESN'T WORK RIGHT FOR US , WE GET INTO A FINGER-POINTING CONTEST WITH OTHER COMPANIES. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO
TALK ABOUT SOLE-SOURCE. >> STEPHANIE, PRODUCING AGENT.
YES, IN THE PAST, WHEN WE LOOKED AT THIS SOFTWARE, THEY WERE THE ONLY ONE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES OR TYPES OF INVESTIGATION SOFTWARE AND JUST DOING RESEARCH, THERE ARE OTHER COMPANIES OUT THERE OVER THE YEARS THAT HAVE ADDED MORE SERVICES TO WHAT THEY OFFER BUT LIKE, LIKE CHIEF DAVENPORT SAID, WE WOULD HAVE TO PIECEMEAL IT TOGETHER AND GET DIFFERENT CONTRACTS WITH DIFFERENT VENDORS AND HOPE THAT THE SOFTWARE ALL WORKED TOGETHER. OR THEY WOULD JUST HAVE TO LOG INTO DIFFERENT SOFTWARE ENTITIES AND SO, I DO FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE BEST COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM THAT OFFERS WHAT THEY NEED AND WOULD BE BEST . VERSUS GETTING
MULTIPLES. >> OKAY, COMMISSIONER SHELL, ANY COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WHENEVER CHIEF DAVENPORT BROUGHT THIS TO ME, ACTUALLY CUT THE AMOUNT OF DUE DILIGENCE TO LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF SERVICES THAT ARE OUT THERE,
[01:50:08]
AND YOU KNOW, STEPHANIE MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW, BUT IN LOOKING AT THE SERVICES THAT ARE ACTUALLY PROVIDED BY THIS THAT WE'VE USED FOR YEARS, I REALLY LOOKED AT TO FACTOR. THE FIRST WOULD BE -- HOW HARD WOULD IT BE FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO CONVERT TO A NEW TYPE OF SOFTWARE, NUMBER TWO, WHAT OTHER SERVICES OUT THERE COULD FULFILL A NEED. IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST 2 TO 3 FROM MY ESTIMATION. OTHER SERVICES , I CAN COBBLE TOGETHER, TO TRY TO PROVIDE THE SAME SOFTWARE SERVICE THAT WE'VE HAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND MY BIGGEST CONCERN, HONESTLY, AT THE END OF THE DAY , IT WAS THEN, YOU KNOW, THE FINANCIAL OR THE NUMBERS MAY BE CLOSE, BUT THE CONVERSION TO A NEW SYSTEM AND THE TIME AND EMPLOYEE WORKLOAD IT WOULD TAKE TO DO THAT IS PROBLEMATIC FOR ME, AS WELL.THAT'S THE REASON I WAS HAPPY TO -- THE SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT. >> THANK YOU. DYLAN? THIS IS FOR BOTH. I WANT YOU TO KNOW. THIS IS FOR BOTH 13 AND 14.
CALL THE ROLL . >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
[K.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of the Hays County American Rescue Plan Recovery Donation Agreement between Hays County and Dripping Springs Independent School District and amend the budget accordingly. SMITH]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> YES. AND THANK YOU. K-1 PLEASE.
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF HAYS COUNTY AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN RECOVERY DONATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND DRIPPING SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> HAPPY TO DISCUSS. INAUDIBLE ] THIS IS A PROJECT I THINK ALL OF Y'ALL WILL BE VERY IMPRESSED WITH. IN LOOKING AND SPEAKING WITH OUR RECORDS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL SYSTEM, IT ACTUALLY MOVES FORWARD WITH WHAT WE CALL A REUNIFICATION PROGRAM. THE KINDS OF EMERGENCY, WHEN YOU HAVE SCHOOL EVACUATION, WHEN YOU HAVE INCIDENTS OCCUR, THERE IS A REAL CONCERN OVER HAVING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TRAINED WITHIN THE SYSTEM THEMSELVES , EMPLOYEES OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OUR SROS, WHO CAN REUNIFY FAMILIES, WHO COULD BRING PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER? THE SAN MARCO'S ACTUALLY DID THIS TRAINING ALONG WITH THE -- I BELIEVE IT WAS LAST YEAR AND SEEING THE OUTCOMES OF THAT TRAINING, I WAS APPROACHED BY THE DRIPPING SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT DOING A UNIFIED TRAINING FOR THE OTHER THREE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTY. IN DOING SO, I ALSO ASK THAT THEY BRING IN ALL OF THE SROS, AS WELL AS -- WHERE WE HAVE SROS AND HAVE THE TRAINING, AS WELL. SO THE INITIAL TRAINING, THE ACTUAL TRAINING ITSELF IS ABOUT 17 1/2 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THEY WILL END UP TRAINING UP TO JUST OVER 100 PEOPLE IS THE OVERALL NUMBER . FROM ALL THREE OF THOSE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING OUR SROS, FROM THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, AND AT THE END OF THE TRAINING, THERE WILL ACTUALLY BE , THEY CALL THEM PACKAGES OR LEAVE BEHIND . ONE FOR EACH DISTRICT, WHICH WILL HAVE THE BEST TO INDICATE THAT THESE ARE RE-INDICATION OR REUNIFICATION EMPLOYEES TO HELP ANYTIME THEY NEED, BUT THE COST ACTUALLY WENT UP FROM 17 1/2 THOUSAND 219 A HALF THOUSAND IN ORDER TO HAVE A PACKET SUCH AS THAT FOR EACH ONE OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING, AS WELL.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONERS?
>> SOUNDS GREAT, THANK YOU. >> ALL THE ROLE.
>> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
[K.2. Discussion and possible action to authorize addition of general and law enforcement liability coverage on two newly purchased unmanned aircraft. Additional premium through November 15, 2024 of $1,817.00. BECERRA/MILLER]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> YES. K2. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE ADDITION OF GENERAL AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT LIABILITY COVERAGE ON TWO NEWLY PURCHASED UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.
ADDITIONAL PREMIUM THROUGH NOVEMBER 15TH, 2024 OF $1817.
>> SO MOVED, SECONDED. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[K.3. Discussion and possible action to authorize Celco Surveying to perform a follow-up boundary survey of the Sentinel Preserve for the amount of $3,600.00 pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 2254, Professional and Consulting Services. SHELL/T.CRUMLEY]
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SHELL? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. K3, PLEASE .
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE AUTHORIZATION TO AUTHORIZE CELKO SURVEYING TO PERFORM A FOLLOW-UP BOUNDARY SURVEY OF
[01:55:01]
THE SENSIBLE PRESERVE FOR THE AMOUNT OF $3600 PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 2254, PROFESSIONAL ANDCONSULTING SERVICES. >> THIS IS -- THE PROPERTY AS WE MOVE ALONG WITH THAT PROJECT, WE NEED TO UPDATE
THIS. >> BEAUTIFUL, THANK YOU. PLEASE
[K.4. Discussion and possible action to accept an updated 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. INGALSBE/MIKE JONES]
>> COMMISSIONER SHELL? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. K FOR, PLEASE.
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT AN UPDATED PROPOSAL FROM WATER AND TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PRESSURE TRANSDUCER AT OLD BASTROP HIGHWAY AND COTTONWOOD CREEK, AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOAT -- GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 26 -- 262.02 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
>> CALL THE ROLL >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SHELL?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> YES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO EXPAND, BUT IT
[K.9. Discussion and possible action to review and approve a preliminary Hays County budget calendar for Fiscal Year 2025. BECERRA/DORSETT]
WAS SO WELL WRITTEN. K-9, PLEASE .>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO REVIEW AND APPROVE A PRELIMINARY HAYS COUNTY BUDGET CALENDAR FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 .
>> GOOD MORNING. VICKI DORSETT, AS USUAL, THIS IS TO GUIDE US THROUGH THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, I DID WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THERE WAS PREVIOUSLY A CANCELLATION THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR JULY THE 30TH AND I AM BUILDING THAT COURT DATE BACK INTO THIS BUDGET CALENDAR IN AN EFFORT TO MEET OUR BUDGET WORKSHOPS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS. I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED ANY OTHER OFFICIAL NOTICE TO ADD THAT DATE BACK TO OUR
-- >> I THINK AS LONG AS WE POST WITHIN THE LEGAL TIMEFRAME OF 72 HOURS, I THINK WE ARE COVERED. BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP. COMMISSIONERS, IF WE HAVE PLAN ON THAT CANCEL, JULY 30TH, IF WE CAN CHANGE IT, WE CAN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY REMOTE. BUT IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE , THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THIS. IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, PLEASE, CALL THE ROLL.
[K.11. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute an agreement between Hays County and NFP Corporate Services (TX), LLC for Employee Benefits Financial Consulting Services pursuant to RFP 2024-P07. BECERRA/MILLER]
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SHELL? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. K 11.
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND AT NFP CORPORATE SERVICES LLC FOR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES PURSUANT TO OUR FEE 2024-P07.
>> SECOND. DO WE NEED TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE? PLEASE CALL THE
[K.12. Discussion and possible action to establish one new Community Outreach Specialist grade 116 for Commissioner Precinct 1 and Commissioner Precinct 2 utilizing ARPA Funding effective 3/12/24 and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/COHEN]
>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SHELL? >> YES.
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.
>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. K 12.
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ESTABLISH ONE NEW COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST GRADE 116 FOR COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1 COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2 UTILIZING ARPA FUNDING EFFECTIVE MARCH 12TH, 24, AND AMEND THE BUDGET
ACCORDINGLY. >> JUDGE, I KNOW THAT THIS WAS A POSITION ESTABLISHED , COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4, YES , AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH COMMISSIONER COHEN , WE THOUGHT WE COULD SHARE AND SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT TO DO SOME OF THIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH. I WOULD SAY THAT IN MY 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, I HAVE TRIED TO BE FRUGAL , WITH THE BUDGET, AND TO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO TWO PERSON OFFICE , BUT I THINK THIS WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL FOR OUR OFFICES TO HAVE A PERSON IN AND LET'S SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT TO BEING A SHARED
WE GET TO DOUBLE DOWN >> MAYBE YOU CAN CLARIFY THIS, BUT WHENEVER WE ADD POSITIONS DURING THE BUDGET, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE ENOUGH ALLOCATION TO DO THIS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STANDARDIZE , SO IN THE FUTURE
[02:00:02]
THERE ARE FUTURE POSITIONS LIKE THIS AND AM CURRENTLY INTERVIEWING FOR THE POSITION, THEN I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STANDARD BENEFIT PACKAGES ARE THE SAME AS ESTABLISHED . I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE POSITION I'M INTERVIEWING IS STILL IS THE EXACT SAME POSITION . THAT IS WITH ALL OF THE OTHER EXPENSES AND ANYTHING ELSE IN THERE.>> RECAP WHAT HE SAID, BECAUSE IT WAS VERY BROKEN UP. IF I'M WRONG, LET ME KNOW. IS LOOKING FOR CONTINUITY IN THOSE POSITIONS IN THE AGENDA ITEM ON ALL FRONTS. CONTINUITY , DESCRIPTIONS AND ALL OF THOSE PIECES. THAT IS WHAT HIS
GENERAL ASK IS. AND? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> DO YOU HAVE THAT DIRECTION?
>> YES, SIR. THE POSITION THAT WAS ESTABLISHED DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR PRECINCT IS A TEMPORARY POSITION TO END ON 9:30. THERE WAS A DISCUSSION THAT THERE WAS FUNDING ISSUES POTENTIALLY WITH COMMISSIONER SMITH ALLOCATING THE REMAINDER OF HIS FRIENDS FOR SOME OTHER PROJECTS , SO WE WERE GOING TO REVISIT HIS POSITION DURING THE BUDGET
PROCESS TO EXTEND THE DATE. >> I REMEMBER THAT.
>> THAT IS SET UP AS A TEMPORARY POSITION THAT DOESN'T HAVE INSURANCE BENEFITS. THIS BEING REQUESTED TODAY IS SET UP AS A PERMANENT FULL-TIME POSITION THAT WILL
HAVE BENEFITS. >> I UNDERSTAND THE COMMENT.
WITH THIS , I ASK COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND COHEN , ARE YOU IN COMMISSIONER SMITH'S REQUEST OF CONTINUITY AND INFIRMITY, ARE YOU GOOD WITH STICKING WITH THE AGENDA ITEM THE WAY IT'S
>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE AGENDA ITEM , BUT I WOULD LIKE TO AMENDED TO UPDATE THE POSITION I'M HIRING FOR TO MAKE IT A SIMILAR POSITION.
>> WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR IS TO BRING YOURS UP TO THE LEVEL OF THIS REQUEST TODAY WHEN THE TIME COMES ON A FUTURE ISSUE?
>> CORRECT. I WILL BRING IN ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM BACK THAT MUCH IS THIS ONE IN THE NEXT SESSION TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
POSITIONS ARE THE EXACT SAME. >> IT MAKES SENSE. I'M GLAD YOU SUPPORTED THE WAY YOU WERE SAYING AND PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING MAGNIFICENT COUNTY WORK SHOULD BE COMPENSATED IN THE BEST AND MOST COMPLETE PACKAGE AVAILABLE AND WE DO HAVE A MAGNIFICENT COMPENSATION PROGRAM . FOLKS THAT ARE DOING COUNTY WORK SHOULD HAVE ACCESS. THANK YOU, ALL, FOR THOSE COMMENTS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? PLEASE CALL THE
[K.15. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute Contract Amendment No. 2 with Deblin Health Concepts & Associates, LLC increasing the compensation cap from $25,000 to $45,000 related to mental health services for the County Court at Law Mental Health Speciality Court. INGALSBE/COHEN/BROWN]
>> YES, K 15. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE CONTRACT AGREEMENT -- AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO WITH DUBLIN HEALTH CONCEPTS AND ASSOCIATES LLC INCREASING THE COMPENSATION CAP FROM $25,000-$45,000 RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALTY COURT.
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND COHEN, THIS IS A GREAT AGENDA ITEM AND I'M GLAD TO SEE IT. THE MORE WE DO, THE BETTER.
DID YOU WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO CONTRIBUTE? I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU FIRST AND INFORMATION SHARING. STATE
YOUR NAME AND TITLE. >> I AM THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT ADMINISTRATOR. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. I WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE OF UPDATES ON MENTAL HEALTH COURT, SO THAT WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE FELONIES. BEFORE, IT WAS MISDEMEANORS. NOW, WE HAVE A DISTRICT JUDGE WHO HAS OFFERED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH JUDGE BROWN AND WE ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF MENTAL HEALTH COURT THE MANY PROSECUTORS, AS WELL. WE HAVE NOW LOOPED THOSE INDIVIDUALS INTO STAFFING . THAT BEING SAID AND WITH THAT EXPANSION OF CRITERIA AND POPULATION WE ARE SERVING , WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE OF REFERRALS AND PEOPLE ADMITTING INTO THE COURT . RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 24 PEOPLE IN THE COURT.
[02:05:01]
WE ALREADY HAD FOUR GRADUATES AND JUST HAD TWO MORE THAT HAVE -- ONE YESTERDAY AND ONE NEXT WEEK WHO WILL TYPICALLY BE GRADUATING, BUT WE HAVE OUR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY LATER TO CELEBRATE EVERYONE THAT IS GRADUATING IN THE SPRING. THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE UTILIZING DUBLIN HEALTH CONCEPTS, SO THAT IT PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING AND STATUS FOR ALMOST ALL OF THE PARTICIPANTS, BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF CARE THREE AND FOUR, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE. THEY ARE COMING TO THEM AND MEETING THEM IN THE COMMUNITY TWO, THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK DEPENDING ON THEIR NEED. RIGHT NOW, THE DEBLIN CONTRACT IS KEPT AT A $25,000 PER YEAR . THE REQUEST FOR THE COURT IS TO INCREASE THAT AMOUNT TO PUT IT THOUSAND DOLLARS ANNUALLY. OBVIOUSLY, THAT IS TO ACCOMMODATE FOR INDIVIDUALS COMING IN THAT NEED THE HIGH-INTENSITY SERVICES. THIS INCREASE IS NECESSARY TO MATCH SERVICE PACKAGES NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE INCOMING AND ACTIVE MENTAL HEALTH COURT PARTICIPANTS. ALMOST ALL OF WHOM ARE RECEIVING HIGH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND PSYCHIATRY. I MENTIONED THAT WE HAVE 24 COURT PARTICIPANTS AND MORE ARE SCHEDULED . OUR CASELOAD WILL GET PROBABLY TO 30 SOMETIME SOON . THAT IS EXCITING, BUT IT ALSO MEANS THAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO UTILIZE MORE SERVICES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM. THE EXTENSION OF THIS CONTRACT WILL ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY THE INVOICES TO THE COURT IN A TIMELY MANNER AND ENSURE THAT THERE IS NOT SERVICE INTERRUPTION FOR THE CURRENTAND FUTURE PARTICIPANTS. >> BEAUTIFULLY DONE.
COMMISSIONER SHELL? COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> WE ARE GOOD. >> GOOD JOB. KEEP IT GROWING
AND WE ARE SO PROUD. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
[K.16. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute an Interlocal Agreement regarding the City of Kyle Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) #6. INGALSBE/COHEN]
>> DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE KYLE TAX INCREMENT INVESTMENT ZONE.
>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND SHARE SOME INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED?
>> TOOK HER FURLOUGH CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY, KUDOS TO OU, INGALSBE AND COHEN , FOR YOUR HARD WORK. TO MY BOSS, JORDAN POWELL FOR CIVIL ASSISTANT. I WILL TAKE CREDIT FOR HIGH POINTS OF THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, BUT I WANT TO REITERATE. THIS CONSISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 229 ACRES CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN KYLE TO CONSIST OF MIXED-USE RETAIL MULTIFAMILY, SINGLE-FAMILY, OFFICE AND HOTEL SPACE. THE COUNTY WILL BE CONTRIBUTING 50% OF THE TAX INCREMENT A 2 OF THE VALUE OF THE COUNTY OF THE ZONE , EXCLUDING THE PORTION OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES COLLECTED AND RECEIVED ASSOCIATED WITH ROAD ANDBRIDGE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS. THE COUNTY INCREMENT SHALL NOT FIND THE CITY OF KYLE OFFICE BUILDING , WHICH INCLUDES THE DEBT SERVICE ON ANY PUBLIC SECURITIES ISSUED TO FINANCE THE CITY OFFICE BUILDING . THE CITY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MINISTRATION OF THE FUND AND IT SHALL NOT CHARGE AN ADMINISTRATION FEE AGAINST THE COUNTY. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPOINT TO QUALIFIED VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND WE ARE ABOUT TO GET TO THIS ON ITEM 17 . THERE CAN BE NO PROJECT EXPENDITURES OF COUNTY MONIES WITHOUT AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE BOARD WITH BOTH COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT FOR THE VOTE AND WITH COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES UNANIMOUSLY AGREEING WITH THE PROPOSED EXPENDITURE . IN THE EVENT THE REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT AGREE WITH THE PROPOSED EXPENDITURE , THE MONIES CANNOT BE USED FOR THAT EXPENDITURE UNLESS A SUBSEQUENT VOTE TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVES SAID EXPENDITURE. THE TERM OF THIS SHALL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER
31ST , 2053. >> WELL DONE. MAY I HAVE A COMMENT? I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS ALL MEANS. YOU SPEAK SO PERFECTLY AND CLEARLY ON WHAT YOU SAID, BUT I'M SORRY TO SAY THIS WAY, BUT I WANT TO DUMB IT DOWN FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T ATTORNEYS. IN SUMMARY, WHAT INTEREST IS DOING IS CAPTURING THESE COURTHOUSE REINVESTMENTS AND IS A FOOTPRINT DESIGNATED BY THE CITY OF KYLE AND COUNTY OF HAYES TO MARK A PERIMETER , SO THAT WE COULD SAY ALL FUTURE
[02:10:01]
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AS IT GAINS MORE TAXING CAPACITY WILL BE REINVESTED IN THE SPACE. WE AS A COUNTY SAID THAT WE ARE GOING TO INVEST OUR PORTION OF THE MONEY SPECIFICALLY FOR MUNICIPAL ENDEAVORS. THAT MEANS MUNICIPAL FUNCTIONS, LIKE MAINTENANCE OF TRANSACTION OR MUNICIPALLY SPECIFIC BUILDING . I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT TAKES PLACE AND THAT THESE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS TAKE PLACE , IT IS MORE USEFUL WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE HE MIGHT HAVE AN IDEA THAT WE MAY BENEFIT FROM, BECAUSE WE ALL WANT A FAIR SHAKE AT SUPPORTING ENDEAVORS . THE CITY OF KYLE IS DOING MAGNIFICENT THINGS. AT THE SAME TIME , WE DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT THEM IN WAYS THAT CUT US AT THE KNEES. I AM SO HAPPY THAT IT IS OUT OF THERE, BECAUSE THAT IS ONE OF THE KEY COMPONENTS. WE ARE MAINTAINING A JAIL , BRIDGE AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMPONENTS. THIS IS OUR BALANCE AND DANCE THAT WE HAVE IN TAKING STRIDES IN ORDER TO SUPPORT MUNICIPALITY IN DEVELOPMENT AND REINVESTMENT OF THE BENEFITS OF US ALL. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE ANDCOHEN, DID I CAPTURED? >> IS PRETTY
>> SHELL? >> I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS. WE HAVE ALL HAD FEEDBACK ON THIS AND IT'S TAKING A WHILE, BUT I THINK THE WORK WILL PAY OFF AND IT'S A REALLY GOOD AGREEMENT AND IT WILL DO SOME GOOD THINGS. I
APPRECIATE THE WORK . >> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?
COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> THANK YOU. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION. A SYNOPSIS OF WHAT IT DOES IT COMES TO TWO THINGS. WHEN YOU MENTIONED MAINTENANCE AND THOSE THINGS, THAT IS NOT REALLY A FUNCTION OF IT. IT'S JUST THE ESTABLISHMENT. IT IS JUST A PORTION OF OUR TAX MONEY. AS THE PROPERTY VALUE INCREASES, IT IS A PORTION OF THE INCREASE THAT WILL GO TO THAT AREA . IT IS NOT THE OVERALL 100% OF THE BUDGET THAT WE GET WITHIN THE COUNTY . THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE STILL HELPING PAY FOR THE SERVICES THAT THEY USE IN THE COUNTY, SO IT IS ONLY 50% OF WHATEVER THAT INCREASE IN THE PROPERTY VALUE IS AND WE STILL MAINTAIN 50% OF THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO TRY TO BASE THE REST OF THE SERVICES THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR PROPERTIES WILL USE PRETTY
>> EXACTLY RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THE ADDED COMMENTS. YOU ARE ON
[K.17. Discussion and possible action to appoint Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe and Commissioner Michelle Cohen to the Board of Directors for the City of Kyle Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Number 6 for a two-year term. INGALSBE/COHEN]
>> YES. K 17. >> DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPOINT COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND COHEN TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE CITY OF KYLE TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 6 FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM.
>> WHAT WAS UP WITH THAT INVITATION?
>> I WAS HOPING SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD.
>> WE JUST AGREED TO THE PARAMETERS AND RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. NOW, WE HAVE APPOINTED OUR REPRESENTATION
OF THE COURT. >> 1011 NOW WE WILL GO TO. SORRY ABOUT THAT. SORRY, JERRY.
[I.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Interlocal Agreement between Hays County and the City of Buda relating to the RM 967 Maintenance project. SMITH/BORCHERDING]
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT ONE IN THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF VIDA RELATING TO 967 MAINTENANCE PROJECT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? IT WILL BE MORE EFFICIENT , JUST BECAUSE SMITH HAS
BREAKOUTS. >> AS YOU ALL WILL KNOW , THIS IS THE INSTALLATION AND AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
BUDA. >> I AM GRATEFUL FOR THIS PROJECT. IT IS A WONDERFUL THING.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> WE HEARD YOU. PLEASE CALL
[02:15:03]
[I.2. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Contract Amendment No. 3 in the amount of $10,000.00 to the Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Kimley Horn & Associates, Inc. for the FM 2001 (Graef Road to Southeast of SH 21 + West of Graef Road to North of Satterwhite Road) project in precinct 1, as part of the 2016 Road Bond Program. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING]
>> YES. >> DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY FOR THE FM 2001 ROAD TO SOUTHEAST OF SH 21 AND WEST OF TWO NORTH OF SATTERWHITE ROAD PROJECT IN PRECINCT 1 AS PART OF THE 2016 ROAD BOND PROGRAM.
>> THAT IS WRITTEN WEIRDLY. >> THIS IS FOR SUBSURFACE UTILITY ENGINEERING AND UTILITY COORDINATION WORK ON THIS
PROJECT. >> THE HIGHWAY 21 EXPANSION CONVERSATION IS TAKING PLACE AND A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MOVEMENT IN THE REGION AND STATE. IT IS THE ROAD I USED TO GO TO A& M. THE ONLY THING I DON'T LIKE IS THAT IT IS A TWO LANE ROAD AND YOU HAVE SOMEONE GOING 40 MILES AN HOUR. I CONFESS THAT I DON'T LIKE DRIVING 40 MILES AN HOUR. I WANT TO BE SAFE. WE START THE CONVERSATIONS TO GRAB US FROM HIGHWAY 80 ALL THE WAY TO 130 AND WE ARE MEETING WITH ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS . WE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB OF INTERACTING WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EXPANSION WHENEVER THE DAY FINALLY COMES HAS EVERYONE INCLUDED IN THEIR INTEREST AND CONCERNS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER INGALSBE IS IN FRONT OF IT AND I AM IN FRONT OF IT. WE ARE GRATEFUL. I DON'T THINK WE WILL LEAVE ANYBODY OUT IS THE WAY I WANT TO SAY IT. WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH CALDWELL COUNTY ON THAT. THESE ARE JUST CRITICAL PIECES OF THE LONG CAME BUT ALL OF THAT TO TELL YOU THAT 21 IS AN EXPANSION PROGRAM AND BEEN
CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT. >> THAT IS CORRECT. THESE ARE LIMITS FOR THE 2001 ROAD WORK, BUT IT DOES INVOLVE PART OF SH
21. >> I USED THAT TO TALK ABOUT
21. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >>
[I.3. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Contract Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $150,000.00 to the Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Quiddity Engineering, LLC for the Centerpoint Road project in precinct 3, as part of the 2016 Road Bond Program and amend the budget accordingly. SHELL/BORCHERDING]
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT ONE IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND QUIDDITY ENGINEERING LLC FOR THE CENTERPOINT ROAD PROJECT IN PRECINCT AS PART OF THE 2016 ROAD BOND PROGRAM AND
AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> MOVE.
>> THIS IS FOR THE CENTERPOINT PROJECT BETWEEN HUNTER ROAD AS PART OF OUR 2016 ROAD BOND WHERE WE DID PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING DEVELOPS AND SCHEMATICS FOR CONCEPTS FOR AN OVERPASS, WHICH ANYONE THAT LIVES IN THAT PART OF SAN MARCUS COULD UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY OF SAN MARCUS AND PORTIONS OF THIS IS IN THE STATE LIMITS AND I HAVE IDENTIFIED THIS CENTERPOINT PROGRAM AS POTENTIALLY THE NEXT RAILROAD OVERPASS SEPARATING THE CROSSING . THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE AREA AND TRAFFIC ON THOSE ROADS, BALL AND HOSPITAL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE HAVE BECOME CRAZY. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TRYING TO IDENTIFY HOW IT WOULD GET CONSTRUCTED . THERE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR GREAT SEPARATIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN HELPING US WITH. WE HAVE COME UP WITH A STRATEGY WHERE WE THINK IF WE HAVE THE RIGHT SCHEMATIC THAT WE COULD APPLY FOR SOME OF THOSE READ ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT HAS COME UP IS THAT UNION PACIFIC WILL NOT ALLOW ANY IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY WITHOUT THE ELIMINATION OF A CROSSING . IN OUR PRELIMINARY CONCEPT, WE ADD WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER SERVICE ROADS OR ACCESS ROADS TO THE OVERPASS. WHEN YOU THINK OF UNDERWORLD, IT IS THE BEST EXAMPLE. THIS OF BUSINESSES IN EXISTENCE BUT DESELECT AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE BUSINESSES. OUR ORIGINAL CONCEPT INCLUDED CROSSINGS. IT WOULD BE A LOT LESS TRAFFIC AND ONLY THE TRAFFIC THAT IS SERVING A SPECIFIC PIECE OF PROPERTY , WHICH NONE HAVE DEVELOPED EXCEPT FOR ONE , BUT WE WANTED TO MAINTAIN THAT. IN WORKING WITH UNION PACIFIC,
[02:20:02]
THAT IS A NONSTARTER AND THEY DO NOT ALLOW ANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE CROSSING. USED TO HAVE A PROGRAM WE COULD IMPROVE ONE, BUT YOU HAD TO ELIMINATE ANOTHER ONE. IF YOU DID SOMETHING UP ELSE, YOU COULD IMPROVE IT. WE COULD GO AHEAD WITH SOME IMPROVEMENTS, BUT STOP AT THE RAILROAD . WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WAS BEST. WE WOULD LIKE TO UPDATE THE SCHEMATIC TO INCLUDE SERVICE ROADS THAT DO NOT CROSS THE RAILROAD AND DO U-TURNS INSTEAD. IF YOU ARE GOING TO APPROACH A BUSINESS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER, YOU CAN STILL DO IT, BUT YOU CAN'T CROSS THE ROAD TRACK PRETTY CAN GO UNDERNEATH THE ROOT PASS AND COME BACK IF YOU WANT TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE, THEN YOU HAVE TO GET ON THE BRIDGE, GET OFF AND GO ON THE ACCESS ROAD AND DO A U-TURN. WHAT OUR ANALYSIS HAS FOUND IS THAT WE WOULD NOT EVER RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF GRANT SUPPORT IF THEY DID NOT AGREE WITH OUR PLAN. MOST OF THE FUNDS ARE HEAVILY WEIGHTED TOWARDS THE ELIMINATION. THEY ARE NAMED ONE OF THE MAIN ONES NAMED THE CROSSING ELIMINATION FUND AND IT'S NOT NAMED THAT EXACT, BUT SOMETHING SIMILAR. WE COULD SPEND TIME TO APPLY FOR THE FUND, BUT EVERYONE IS SAYING THAT YOU WILL NOT GET THEM, BECAUSE THE PURPOSE IS TO LIMIT THE CROSSING. I WAS HOPING THAT THERE WOULD BE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WERE ELIMINATING 90% OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE CROSSING AND TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND STILL ACCESS BUSINESSES, BUT THAT IS NOT THE WAY THAT THINGS ARE WORKING .LONG STORY SHORT, THE CITY AND OUR TEAM BELIEVE THAT THE CENTERPOINT IS THE BEST WAY TO START THE CROSSING OF THE RAILROAD IN SAN MARCUS . THEY HAVE MENTIONED IN THE PAST AND IN OUR DISCUSSIONS THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH RIGHT-OF-WAY, WHICH WILL BE SOMETHING THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THEIR PLAN . ANYONE THAT LIVES THERE, YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT IF THEY ADD ANOTHER TRACK, THAT WOULD BE EXTREME . I THINK IF YOU GET AHEAD OF THIS, WE CAN FIND A WAY TO FIND THIS AND GET SOME GRANT FUNDING FROM PROGRAMS. I THINK IT'S GOOD AND IT WAS THERE WAS A BETTER SOLUTION, BUT THERE ISN'T IN THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE. THE KISSING TREE DEVELOPMENT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE AS IT HAS DEVELOPED AND YOU SEE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO ACCESS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR HEALTHCARE. I THINK IT PROBABLY IS THE BEST OF THE CROSSINGS TO LOOK AT AND WE ANALYZE AND ALSO ANALYZE POSEY . THAT IS THE MOST CONSTRAINED AND ALMOST GEOMETRICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET UP FAST ENOUGH AT HUNTER AND INTERSTATE 35. MCCARTY ISN'T QUITE AS BAD. THEY ARE VERY CLOSE . THEY ARE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND 110 IS TO THE EAST, THEN TRANSPORTATION PLANS CENTERPOINT WEST IS TO THE WEST , SO THEY DON'T ALIGN AND WON'T. WHICH ONE DO YOU PICK? WE DECIDED WITH TRAFFIC AND CONNECTING TO THAT WESTWARD PEACE WAS PROBABLY BEST. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AND I WOULD LIKE TO IDENTIFY THESE FUNDS TO IDENTIFY , SO THAT WE CAN BETTER COME UP WITH FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT.
>> WHAT OTHER OPTION WOULD TAKE TO ELIMINATE THE CROSSING AND PROVIDE GOES ACCESSES TO THOSE NEIGHBORS? THAT WOULD BE TO TAKE THE NW BRAUNFELS ROUTE OR UNDER THE BRIDGE.
>> IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE LOOKED AT. THEIR FLOODPLAIN ISSUES WERE QUITE CHALLENGING , BUT IT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS . THE THING ABOUT LONG-TERM -- THE TRAIN STOP TO . I'M NOT AN EXPERT, BUT THEY STOP , CHANGE CARS AND DO THINGS.
THEY ARE NOT PASSING THROUGH, BUT THEY STOPPED. SOMETIMES THEY CROSS THE CENTERPOINT AT THE SAME TIME AND JUST STOP.
THERE ARE TIMES WHERE I AM PULLING UP IN THIS WAY THAT THE PERSON DRIVING THE TRAIN JUST GOES A LITTLE BIT FURTHER TO MAKE IT COME DOWN. I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE, BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT. COULD REPLACE THAT? THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN CERTAIN PROJECTS. COULD WE GO AND SAY, CAN WE PARTNER WITH YOU AND PUSH THE FACILITIES THAT YOU ARE USING, SO THEY ARE NOT STOPPING? UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO WAY TO PUSH IT. LET THEM GO WITH IT. I DON'T KNOW HOW NICE THAT WOULD BE, BUT THERE IS NOT A WAY TO MOVE THAT. OTHER SOLUTIONS WOULD BE , WHAT ABOUT LEAVING THE TRAIN TRACKS GOING UNDERNEATH? WHAT ABOUT A COMBINATION? COULD WE RAISE THE TRAIN TRACKS, SO WE
[02:25:06]
DIDN'T HAVE TO GO SO FAR DEEP? ONE THING I FOUND OUT THAT THE GRADE IN WHICH OUR RAIL CAN GO UP OR DOWN IS VERY LOW AND IT TAKES MILES TO GET A COUPLE OF FEET UP . WHAT ABOUT THE RAIL? GO UNDER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. GETTING TO TRAVIS COUNTY WOULD BE AWESOME, BUT SOME OF THOSE CONSTRAINTS ARE THERE AND WE THINK WE COULD MAKE IT WORK WITH THE ACCESS ROADS AND MAYBE EVEN HAVE THEM INCLUDED AND SEE TRANSPORTATION PLANS ULTERIOR ROADS THAT CONNECT INTO THE BACKSIDE OF THE PROPERTIES. ALL OF THAT IS PART OF THIS.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE EXPLANATION. ANY QUESTIONS OR
[I.4. Discussion and possible action to authorize the County Judge to execute an Advance Funding Agreement Amendment #1 between Hays County and the Texas Department of Transportation relating to the Jacobs Well Road (CR 182) Improvement from 0.3 mile east of Mount Sharp Road to 0.61 miles east of Mount Sharp Road. SHELL/BORCHERDING]
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN ADVANCED FUNDING AGREEMENT AMENDMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RELATING TO THE JACOBS WELL ROAD IMPROVEMENT FROM 0.3 MILES EAST OF NOT SHOP ROAD TO 0.61 MILES EAST OF
>> SECOND. >> THIS IS ONE OF THE GOOD ONES WE GET TO DO. NOT ONLY ARE WE APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE , TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, BUT ALSO A MATCH THAT WE AGREED TO IN THE PRIOR DRAFT. TXDOT HAS ALLOCATED SOME FUNDS TO COVER THE MATCH AND THEY ARE CALLED TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT CREDITS. OTHERWISE , THIS WAS A PROJECT WE DID PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING ON AND WE INVESTED OUR CITIZENS TAX DOLLARS AND THE STATE CAME IN AND SAID, WE CAN TAKE IT ON AS A SAFETY PROJECT WHERE YOU GET A DESIGNED AND WE WILL BUILD IT. NOW, THE STATES COME BACK AND SAY, WE WILL COVER THE MATCH. NOT ONLY WILL THEY BUILD THE PROJECT, BUT COVER 100% OF THAT. IT'S ALWAYS EXCITING.
>> WHAT A BEAUTY. >> I APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP AND HOW THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND AS YOU KNOW, WILLIE HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB AND OUR TEAM IS FINDING FUNDS WITH TXDOT AND OUR ENGINEERS IS DOING AMAZING. VERY HAPPY
TO BRING SOMETHING LIKE THIS. >> WONDERFUL.
[I.5. Discussion and possible action to approve the selection of LJA Engineering, Inc. to provide right-of-way acquisition services for the Old Stagecoach at Post Road Intersection project in Precinct 3; and authorize staff and counsel to negotiate a contract. SHELL/BORCHERDING]
>> DISCUSSION IMPOSSIBLE ACTION TO IMPROVE THE SELECTION OF LJ A ENGINEERING TO PROVIDE RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION SERVICES FOR THE OLD STAGECOACH AND POST ROAD INTERSECTION PROJECT IN PRECINCT 3 AND AUTHORIZED STAFF AND COUNSEL TO
NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT. >> THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE DISCUSSED BEFORE AND HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT THE INTERSECTION . OLD STAGECOACH IS WHERE THE FIVE-MILE COMPLEX IS OR PARKS. THE SOCCER FIELDS IN THE CITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THOSE, SO A GROWING SUBDIVISION THAT ALSO ACCESSES THAT AND A LOT MORE TRAFFIC ON WHAT WAS JUST AN OLD COUNTY ROAD IN THE DAY . WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE AT THE INTERSECTION. THE COUNTY GIVES A LOT OF CREDIT TO THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.
>> WELL DONE. >> I THINK WE HAVE A QUICK FIX, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION. WE DID ENGAGE TO LOOK AT WHAT THOSE SOLUTIONS HAVE FOUND AND IT DOES INVOLVE WORKING WITH THE REAL WORLD WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RIGHT-OF-WAY'S AND SOME THAT THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY USING, SO IT WILL NOT BE PART OF THE PROJECT . THAT IS THE WORK THEY WOULD DO AND BRING OUR CONTRACT.
[I.6. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution requesting County staff to initiate a process to identify a program of transportation projects for potential funding. INGALSBE/SHELL]
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO PREVENT A RESOLUTION REQUESTING COUNTY STAFF TO INITIATE A PROCESS TO IDENTIFY A PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR POTENTIAL FUNDING.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS IN BACKUP .
>> DO YOU HAVE THE RESOLUTION? WE WILL READ IT FOR YOU OUTLAWED INTO THE COURT OF RECORD. PLEASE READ THE
RESOLUTION. >> A RESOLUTION OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT INITIATION OF A PROCESS TO IDENTIFY A PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR
[02:30:01]
POTENTIAL FUNDING, WHEREAS THE HAYS COUNTY POPULATION HAS GROWN 52% FROM 2010 TO 2020 FROM 157,107 TO 241,067 RESIDENTS , ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU DATA. THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED THE 2021 TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE ON TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021, WHICH IDENTIFY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS REGIONAL CONNECTIONS AND MOBILITY TO HELP GUIDE FOR FUTURE PLANNING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. HAYS COUNTY HAS MADE PROGRESS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2016 BOND PROGRAM PROJECTS AND HAS CONTINUED TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL PRIORITY PROJECTS BASED ON STAFF, TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS AND COMMUNITY FEEDBACK. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT . COUNTY STAFF IS DIRECTED TO INITIATE A PROCESS TO IDENTIFY A PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. THIS PROCESS SHOULD INCLUDE DETERMINATION OF PRIORITY PROJECTS , STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, INPUT AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF FUNDING CAPACITY.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, STAFF IS DIRECTED TO COMPILE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION FOR POTENTIAL FUNDING AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT BY JULY 2, 2024. DECLARED THIS THE 12TH
DAY OF MARCH, 2024. >> WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS ARE IDENTIFIED THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND LOOK AT POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR THESE PARTICULAR PROJECTS, SO I THINK THAT THE COUNTY STAFF WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND THEY HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TO ■ EACH COMMISSIONER COURT MEMBERS WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHETHER THOSE NEED TO BE -- I GUESS PRIORITIZED OR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN AGREEMENT OF WHICH ROADS WE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER . THAT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT, SO WE CAN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING HOW WE MAY WANT TO FINANCE THESE PROJECTS.
>> THAT IS ALL SET COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU . AS YOU STATED, WE HAVE HAD OUR CONTRACTORS REACH OUT TO EACH OF US, ALONG WITH THE TEAM FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND SHARING WITH US -- ACTUALLY, SHARING WITH ME. EACH COMMISSIONER IS LOOKING FOR OUT OF THE PRECINCT MOVING FORWARD AND I'M GRATEFUL TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. WE ARE -- SO PEOPLE DON'T GET A DEER IN HEADLIGHTS LOOK, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE GOOD BOND CONVERSATION . THIS IS THE PART -- FIRST PUBLIC ADORATION. I DON'T WANT SOMEONE TO SAY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ? WE KNOW THAT THE NEED IS REAL AND THIS RESOLUTION HAS ALL CENSUS NUMBERS. I KNOW THAT WE ARE 300,000 AND 241, BUT WE ARE STILL THE FASTEST .
SOMEONE SAID THAT WE ARE THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE NATION WITH POPULATIONS OF 100,000. THIS TYPE OF PLANNING IS EXACTLY WHAT A LIMITED. THIS TYPE OF PLANNING IS WHAT WE MUST DO AS A REGION AND SUPPORT, SO THAT WE DON'T HATE THE DRIVE TO A GROCERY STORE OR TO GRANDMA'S HOUSE. THESE ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS AND I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT THE AGENDA ITEM REALLY MEANS, SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON. IT'S PART OF OUR JOB.
>> THAT IS GREAT. I ALWAYS SAY THAT PEOPLE DRIVE ON ROADS EVERY SINGLE DAY. THEY SEE THE NEED IN OUR COUNTY.
>> THIS IS A NECESSITY AND ANOTHER PIECE THAT FOLKS MAY NOT REALIZE IN THE PRECINCT . THIS IS ALSO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENGINE . IT SOUNDS BAD, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.
CRACK OPEN LAND AND TO CREATE RETAIL STOREFRONT . INSTEAD OF HAVING NOT USEFUL FARMLAND OR ANYTHING ELSE, BUT THERE IS LITERALLY MUCH LAND THAT NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING WITH. IT IS JUST SITTING OUT THERE. THIS IS A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TODAY TO DO THIS WORK . OTHERWISE, WE COULD END UP WITH -- LIKE THE OTHER COUNTIES NORTH OF US THAT ARE SPENDING MILLIONS JUST ON RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN BUILT AND NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT ROADS. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GESTURE AND EFFORT .
[02:35:01]
COMMISSIONERS, DID I LEAVE ANYTHING ELSE?>> WE MENTIONED THAT 2016 WAS OUR LAST PROGRAM . BEING HERE FOR THAT AND NOT NECESSARILY ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, BUT ON STAFF AT THE TIME , I THINK WE ARE SEEING THE FRUITS OF WHAT THAT WAS DONE. I DO BELIEVE THAT A HIGHER LEVEL OF PLANNING IS NEEDED , ESPECIALLY UNDERSTANDING THE COST ESCALATIONS THAT WE SAW DURING THE PROGRAM . THERE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE IT WASN'T AS NECESSARY AND RIGHT-OF-WAY WASN'T CHANGING THAT MUCH. IT WAS OKAY AND WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF PLUS OR MINUS 50%. THEY MAKE DECISIONS ON FUNDING AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE ALL GOTTEN TO A GOOD START AND UNDERSTAND THE PRECINCTS. ONE THING THAT IS GOOD ABOUT THE 2016 BON IS Ú ENGINEERING, SOME DESIGN WORK AND NOT AS MUCH CONSTRUCTION . FOR OUR CITIZENS , THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO IMPROVE CENTERPOINT AND THENCE TO THE TIME . YET, THE PULMONARY ENGINEERING WAS ON THE POND. I TRIED. I DO THINK THAT WE ARE SET UP TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY CONSTRUCT MORE IMPROVEMENTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF WHAT WE SPENT BECAUSE OF THE WORK WE HAD DONE, WHICH WILL PAY OFF AND WE HAVE A HUGE NEED ON THE COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM THAT WE MAYBE DIDN'T QUITE SEE BACK THEN . WE WERE REALLY FOCUSED ON THE MAJOR ARTERIES AND A LOT OF THE THEM ARE STATE ROADS AND INTERSECTIONS. HOUSES ARE BEING PUT ON THE GROUND AND THEY ARE SERVICING THE SUBDIVISIONS VIA THE NETWORK, WHICH WAS NOT DESIGNED , BUILT OR MAINTAINE FOR THAT TYPE OF TRAFFIC . I DO SEE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN THE PLANNING WITH ME BE MORE FOCUS ON OUR COUNTY SYSTEM. ALSO, WE HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH TXDOT, FORMAL AND LESS FORMAL, WHICH I WOULD CALL PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE NOW IS THERE FRONT AND CONSTRUCTION .
AS WE EVOLVE WITH THE STATE , I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT . HOW ARE WE GOING TO DEVELOP PROJECTS? ARE WE GOING TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE OR LOOK AT FUNDS THROUGH THE NPO? ARE WE GOING TO POTENTIALLY PAYBACK THAT? SOME OF THESE ROADS WILL RESULT IN INCREASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT , WHICH WILL RAISE PROPERTY VALUES ON WHERE THINGS ARE BUILT AND OFFSET ANYTHING THAT OUR TAXPAYERS ARE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE. OBVIOUSLY, GRANTS AND OTHER PROGRAMS HAVE STARTED SINCE WE DID THAT LAST BOND. CAN WE UTILIZE THEM ? SOME OF THE IDEAS, THIS PLANNING PROCESS SHOULD INCLUDE NOT JUST LISTS AND REFINING THAT , BUT IDENTIFYING COST TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, WHICH I BELIEVE THAT OUR TEAM HAS DONE A GOOD JOB ON SO FAR. THE ESTIMATES THEY ARE PUTTING TOGETHER IS MUCH MORE REFINED THAN WE HAVE EVER DONE FOR REASONS THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER . YOU MENTIONED RIGHT OF WAY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST BOND PROGRAM. WE HAVE TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT DID TO THE PROGRAM ONE PROPERTY VALUE WENT UP, ESPECIALLY LIQUID 110. HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROPERLY FUNDING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION THAT CAN BE FOOD WITHOUT HURTING OURSELVES FOR PROJECTS DEVELOPED ? THOSE ARE THE STRATEGIES AND LOOKING FOR AS WE DEVELOP PLANS FROM US INTERNALLY , OURSELVES, TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND CONSULTANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT WE CAN SHOW THE CITIZENS. THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DO IF YOU WILL JOIN US IN THE EFFORTS AND AUTHORIZE US . DID SOME IMPORTANT PROJECTS ON THE GROUND . I WON'T BE AROUND FOR THIS, WE DO LONG-RANGE PLANNING WITH THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND IDENTIFY IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN DURING A PERIOD OF TIME , BUT ALSO LOOK TOWARDS THE BEST WAY TO CONTINUE WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN AND LOOKING AT 2016 TO 2024, WHICH IS EIGHT YEARS SINCE WE HAVE DONE ANYTHING. WHEN YOU ARE THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY, EIGHT YEARS IS PROBABLY TOO LONG BETWEEN YOUR PROGRAM DEVELOP IN. WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO FUND IT WITH DEBT OR VOTER SUPPORT, SOMETHING THAT I HAVE LEARNED IS TO SHORTEN THE WINDOW OF ACTUALLY DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING. WHO KNOWS WHAT THAT RESULTS IN, BUT AT LEAST
[02:40:01]
YOU ARE UPDATING AND WE HAD DONE WORK ON THE BOAT. WHAT WOULD IT COST? WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ? WHAT IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT THING? THE COUNTY SHOULD WORK TO SHORTEN THE TIMELINE . WHAT WE HAVE CHANGED IN EIGHT YEARS TO THINK THAT WE HAVEN'T GONE THE STEEP INTO A PROGRAM IS TOO LONG. IF WE WEREN'T GROWING, THEN WE WOULD BE FINE.>> EXACTLY. THE METRIC SPARE TIME.
>> COHEN? >> THE ONLY THING IS THAT I'M NOT SURE IF SHELL MENTIONED THIS OR NOT, BUT WORKING WITH THEM IN A SUPPOSEDLY , I KNOW THAT SOME HAVE APPROVED BONDS , SO THEY WILL BE WORKING ON CERTAIN ROADS IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS . THOSE STOP UNFORTUNATELY AT THE COUNTY LINE . WE NEED TO CONTINUE SOME PROJECTS AND WORK WITH THEM TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING ON THOSE, BECAUSE A PERSON DOESN'T SEE THOSE JURISDICTIONAL LINES . THEY SEE A ROAD THAT HAS BEEN IMPROVED AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY THE REST HASN'T BEEN DONE. I THINK IT WILL BE REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE IDENTIFY SOME OF THOSE MAJOR ARTERIALS THAT CITIES HAVE ALREADY APPROVED AND THE COUNTY NEEDS TO
CONTINUE. >> I AGREE. 150 IS WHAT COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY ALREADY APPROVED.
I'M WITH YOU. COMMISSIONER SMITH?
>> I'M GOOD. >> WONDERFUL. CALL THE ROLL.
[I.7. Hold a public hearing with possible action to establish a 3-way stop at the intersection of Crosswinds Parkway and Backstays Loop. INGALSBE/BORCHERDING]
>> HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING WITH POSSIBLE ACTION TO ESTABLISH A THREE WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF CROSSWINDS PARKWAY AND BACKSTAY'S LOOP.
>> ANYONE INTERESTED IN SPEAKING FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM? PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. STRAIGHT EYE CONTACT BUT YOU WILL NOT SPEAK ON THAT ITEM. I CLOSE THE
AGENDA ITEM. COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS IS TO PROVIDE BETTER SAFETY AND MOBILITY TO THE AREA. WE HAVE HAD SOME CALLS FROM RESIDENTS IN THE AREA THAT BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY A TO A STOP, IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT AND THERE IS A
LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES . >> THE MORE YOU DO COME THE
HAPPIER I FEEL. A MOTION? >> MOVED.
[Items I.8 & I.9]
>> YES. >> HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING WITH POSSIBLE ACTION TO ESTABLISH A FOUR-WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF CROSSWINDS PARKWAY AND BAY BREEZE DRIVE.
HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING WITH POSSIBLE ACTION TO INSTALL TWO NEW STOP SIGNS ON THE CEILING AT THE INTERSECTION WITH
MCCORMICK AVENUE. >> I AM OPENING THESE AGENDA ITEMS , EIGHT AND NINE. IF THERE IS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THESE ITEMS, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. I SEE NO MOVEMENT AND I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[Items I.10 & I.11]
>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF A TWO-YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER PB 03016800689 IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,811 FOR THE GREAT HILLS SUBDIVISION SECTION
7 PAGE. >> LET'S OPEN 11 TO HELP
COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF SUBDIVISION BOND 41420699 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,028,339.75 IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROADS AND COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR TRAILS AT WENDY
HILLS SUBDIVISION PHASE TWO. >> WONDERFUL. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. THIS IS FOR BOTH AGENDA ITEMS.
[M.2. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA ]
[02:45:03]
>> DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HAYS INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT PUBLISHING COUNTS AND COSTS.
>> REPORT OF OUR INMATE NUMBERS ARE MAXIMUM CAPACITY, WHICH IS 410 JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMEND HOLDING THAT CAPACITY OPEN AND 10% OF THAT, WHICH LOWERS ACTUAL CAPACITY TO 368. THE AVERAGE WAS 506 AND PEAK WAS 515 ON MARCH 5TH. THE DAILY AVERAGE , WHICH I JUST READ , AND THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES WAS 160,491 . THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MILLS IS 238 AND FEMALES ARE 10. WE ARE HOUSED IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES,,, AND MAVERICK. I HAVE ASKED TUCKER, CIVIL DIVISION ATTORNEY TO LOOK INTO UPDATING US WITH THE EDITING AND I HAD HEARD AND HAVE BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING. I HAVE NOT HEARD YET AND IT'S NOT TO PUT YOU OUT, BUT IT IS FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR THAT I AM STILL INTERESTED IN BRINGING DOWN THAT NUMBER AND I WANT YOU TO
[L. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]
HELP ME PURSUE IT, SO THAT THE NEXT TIME WE HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, ANYTHING ELSE?>> NOTHING ELSE, BUT SPECIFIC ORDER BASED ON PEOPLE HERE FOR SAID EXECUTIVE ITEMS, WHICH WOULD BE 5, 3, 2 AND 1.
>> OKAY. OPEN ALL EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.
>> EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 5F 1.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PROJECTS BEING CONSIDERED BY HAYS COUNTY WITH POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION . EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.0712 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEYS AND DELIBERATION REGARDING COUNTY ON RIGHT-OF-WAY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND FIVE OF 1.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE DELIBERATION REGARDING EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES OF ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES BUT POSSIBLE DISCUSSION OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE WITH DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, STAND, LEASE , OR VALUE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AT OR NEAR HILLSIDE TERRACE IN PRECINCT BUT POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.087 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE . CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT JOURNEY, PROJECT FORWARD MOTION AND PROJECT PESKY. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTIONE TIME OR ONE?
>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION AND
COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE THREE MOTIONS FOR L 4. FIRST OF ALL, MOTION FOR COUNTEROFFER OF BITING PARCEL 23 AND 20 3E IN RELATION TO THE HILLSIDE TERRACE. MOTION TO SUBMIT A COUNTER OFFER TO LANDOWNERS REGARDING PARTIAL 13, 13 E, 1, AND 13, E , 2. AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED IN THE CAPITAL SESSION, THE MORTGAGE DIFFERENTIAL PLACEMENT HOUSING AND SOMEONE TAPES INTO THE PROPERTY OWNERS OF PARCEL 8 AND 8E. COMMISSIONER?
>> COMMISSIONER INGLESBY? >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.
>> COMMISSIONER SHALL. >> TOUCH COME HAVE GOT TO MOTIONS. THE FIRST IS FOR ITEM L2. TO CONVENE APPROXIMATELY .0569 ACRES OF LAND FROM THE EAST COUNTY TO THE CITY AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO AUTHORIZE THE D.A.'S OFFICE CIVIL DIVISION TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCIDENTAL CLOSING, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE FILING IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC
RECORDS. PLEASE CALL ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER SHALL.
COMMISSIONER COHEN. JUDGE. >> THIS MOTION IS FOR ITEM L5 .
[02:50:01]
EXECUTE A CHAPTER 3 ECONOMIC INCENTIVES AGREEMENT AS RELATED TO THE PROJECT JOURNEY AND EXECUTIVE SESSION.>> SECOND. >> JUDGE, THIS PROJECT ALSO KNOWN AS THE BUCK EAST TRAVEL CENTER HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE CITY OF ST. MARK IS IN A SIMILAR CHAPTER 3380 AGREEMENT WITH THE DEVELOPER A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF 22 ACRES IN PRECINCT 3 FOR CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 74,000 SQUARE FEET. THE DEVELOPER MUST MAINTAIN OR CREATE AT LEAST 175 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT JOBS IN EXCHANGE FOR GRANT PAYMENTS EQUALING 50% OF THE SALES TAX REVENUE DERIVED FROM THE PROJECT. IF THEY WANT TO MEET THESE FTES, THEN THE GRANT PAYMENTS WOULD BE REDUCED AND I WILL REMIND FOLKS THAT THAT IS SALES TAX ONLY. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY REBATES FOR PROPERTY TAXES AND THEY ALSO WANT TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OF $50,000. THE PROJECT TERM IS 15 YEARS.
>>
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.