K.2. Discussion and possible action to approve an order calling a bond election for November 5, 2024 to be held within Hays County, Texas; designating voter polling places; providing for early voting and election day voting; providing for performance of required administrative duties; providing for conduct of the election and for the conduct of a joint election with various political subdivisions; and providing for other matters related to such election. INGALSBE/SHELL

[K.2. Discussion and possible action to approve an order calling a bond election for November 5, 2024 to be held within Hays County, Texas; designating voter polling places; providing for early voting and election day voting; providing for performance of required administrative duties; providing for conduct of the election and for the conduct of a joint election with various political subdivisions; and providing for other matters related to such election. INGALSBE/SHELL]

IT'LL BE A K2 ITEM. ALL RIGHT, PLEASE OPEN K2.

>> DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE AN ORDER CALLING A BOND ELECTIO FOR NOVEMBER 5TH 2024 TO BE HELD WITHIN HAYES COUNTY TEXAS DESIGNATED VOTER POLLING PLACES PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY VOTING PROVIDING FOR PERFORMANCE REQUIRED ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES PROVIDING FOR CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION AND FOR THE CONDUCT OF A JOINT ELECTION WITH VARIOUS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO SUCH ELECTION.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR ME TO HAVE THE COMMENTS READ FIRST AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE LISTENED TO FIRST AND THEN THE PROFESSIONALS. THIS IS YOUR COURTHOUSE. WOULD YOU GUYS RATHER HEAR FROM PROFESSIONALS FIRST AND THEN COMMENT OR I WILL STAY THE COURSE? THE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH HELPING US MANAGE ROADWORKS , ROAD PROJECTS , THE BOND COUNSEL, PEOPLE THAT WILL TALK SPECIFICALLY TO IF THIS GOES UNMODIFIED TO THE VOTERS OF A $450 MILLION ROAD BOND PROGRAM IF IT GOES TO THE VOTERS WHAT THAT IMPLICATION WOULD BE IF THE VOTERS APPROVED IT AS TO DOLLARS PER AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD, GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS OF EXPENSES. THOSE PROFESSIONALS ALL KNOW MORE THAN I DO. I COULD USUALLY LET THEM GO AFTER COMMENTS. WE WILL JUST GO AFTER COMMENTS. FIRST, FOR IN PERSON COMMENTS THEN WE WILL GO TO THE RED COMMENTS.

>> JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE PLENTY OF COMMENTS IF IT IS A

[00:30:03]

POSSIBILITY THAT YOU WANT TO CLAP OR MAKE A MOTION I WOULD RATHER YOU DON'T SO WE CAN KEEP MOVING PLEASE. FIRST UP FOR K2. THIS IS K2 SPECIFIC. MR. DAN LYON.

>> THANK YOU. LET ME CONTINUE ON THAT INTERVIEW . I WILL REMIND THE AUDIENCE HAYES COUNTY ROAD BONDS 2024 IF YOU GOOGLE THAT IT WILL ALL,. BECERRA SAID IF THE BOND IS APPROVED ONE OF THE PROJECTS WILL REDIRECT SOME TRAFFIC GOING THROUGH KYLE'S DOWNTOWN TO RANCH TO MARKET 150. QUOTE IT WILL HELP THE USE OF DOWNTOWN IN MORE MEANINGFUL WAYS BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE A STOREFRONT YOU THINK YOU WANT A LOT OF TRAFFIC BUT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH TRAFFIC". BECERRA SAID THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SHOULD FINALIZE WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE ON THE BALLOT BY THE END OF AUGUST. IF IN NOVEMBER VOTERS APPROVE THE BOND PROGRAM IT WILL INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES BY AROUND TWO CENTS PER HUNDRED DOLLARS OF HOME VALUATION. THAT WOULD BREAK DOWN TO ABOUT $80 A YEAR FOR A HOME VALUE AT $400,000 , JUST UNDER SEVEN DOLLARS MONTHLY BUT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT PER MONTH MAY EVEN BE LESS DEPENDING ON HOW THE COUNTY DECIDES TO ROLL OUT THE PROGRAM. QUOTE THE THING I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS IT WILL BE SUPPORTING OUR MUNICIPALITIES UNQUOTE. I DON'T GET THAT. MUNICIPALITIES SHOULD BE IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN ROADS. ANYWAY. LET ME GO TO SOME THINGS. ON ACCOUNT OF GROWTH WE NEED TO DO THIS WORK BUT WE ARE TOLD THAT GROWTH PAYS FOR ITSELF. WE NEED TO PUT AN END TO THIS MYTH RIGHT HERE.

GROWTH DOES NOT PAY FOR ITSELF. WE PAY FOR GROWTH. IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH ALSO. THAT'S JUST NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. THAT IS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. I UNDERSTAND THE CONSTRUCTION FIRM THAT IS GOING TO DO THE WORK IS GOING TO DO THE PRESENTATION. ISN'T THIS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST? IT SEEMS LIKE IT TO ME. THEY ARE GOING TO SAY WE NEED THIS, WE NEED THAT . WE HAVE NO IDEA. IT'S LIKE SOME OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE SAID, LET'S DELAY THIS DECISION UNTIL WE GET ALL THE INFORMATION. TANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> NEXT UP, MR. JIM CAMP. PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JIM CAMP I LIVE IN NORTHERN HAYES COUNTY IN PRECINCT NUMBER FOUR. I LIVED IN HAYES COUNTY FOR 44 YEARS. MOST OF YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH PROTECTION OF THE TRINITY AND EDWARDS AQUIFERS WITH HELP IN THE CREATION OF THE BARTON SPRINGS DISTRICT , TECHNICAL COMMITTEES AND ON THE BOARD REPRESENTING HAYES COUNTY. SINCE 2001, I'VE ALSO SERVED ON THE HAYES COUNTY PARKS AND OPEN SPACE BOARD SO WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE BOND PACKAGE I THOUGHT I WONDER WHAT THE CITIZENS HAVE SAID . THERE MUST BE AN APPOINTED ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND ROADS. I GUESS THERE HASN'T BEEN AND I'M CURIOUS AS TO KNOW WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN $450 MILLION SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY. I KNOW IN CERTAIN PRECINCTS , ONE AND TWO ESPECIALLY, THE GROWTH CORRIDOR BETWEEN KYLE, AND SAN MARCOS REALLY NEEDS ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION OF TRADES FOR SAFETY, MOBILITY AND SUCH. I WAS WONDERING IF WE COULD DELAY THIS BOND PACKAGE FOR MAY AND APPOINT BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TRANSPORTATION AND ROADS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ALSO PARKS AND OPEN SPACE. IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE IN THE 2020 ELECTION VOTED 72% FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE BONDS. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR DOING THAT. ONE THING THAT CONCERNS ME IS THE 7.1 MILLION FOR THE SOUTHWEST EXTENSION OF 45. IT

[00:35:09]

SEEMS TO ME WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT REGIONAL COOPERATION IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN PERHAPS, I KNOW HAYES COUNTY ARE TRAVIS COUNTY FIRMLY OPPOSE IT. I WAS WONDERING IF THE COUNTY REACHED OUT TO TRAVIS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES ON THIS STATE HIGHWAY 45. OTHER THAN THAT I WILL LISTEN. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. IN QUEUE.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT UP WE HAVE MR. LES CARNES.

>> I WILL KEEP THIS SHORT. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT THIS PACKAGE. I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH MOST THAT IS ON THEIR BECAUSE DEPUTY, YOU WERE THERE. I HEARD YOU SPEAK. THE SAFETY ISSUES ON 150 THAT YOU ALL GOT DONE AND THAT WAS VERY GOOD. HOWEVER AS I'VE TRAVELED THE ROADS EAST OF THE FREEWAY, I WILL CALL IT A FREEWAY, 35, THE ROADS OVER THERE NEVER WORKED GOOD. Y'ALL ARE GOING TO IMPROVE THINGS. THANK YOU. HOWEVER. THERE IS SO MUCH ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE OVER THERE. THAT SIDE OF THE COUNTY HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN IGNORED WITH FUNDING AND OTHER THINGS.

GETS BACK TO 100 YEARS OF RACISM. I KNOW THAT'S AN UGLY WORD BUT SO IS THE REALITY. THE REASON WHY THE ROADS OVER THERE ARE LIKE THAT IS THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS COURTS IN THE PAST, IN THE FAR DISTANT PAST LIKE 20 YEARS AGO THOUGHT THEY COULD IGNORE IT. THIS IS KIND OF A WEIRD THING TO ASK BUT THE MONEY THAT'S BEING SPENT WEST OF THE FREEWAY DOES NOTHING FOR THE PEOPLE EAST OF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE Y'ALL DON'T TRAVEL OVER THERE. THE WATER IS THE REAL ISSUE. YOU HAVE WATER OVER THERE ON THE EAST. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH WATER ON THE WEST SIDE IN PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR TO EVER SERVICE THOSE DEVELOPMENTS YOU ARE GOING TO ENABLE BY PUTTING THOSE NEW ROADS IN.

IT'S JUST NOT. L CRA IS BONE DRY AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE TOLD YOU THAT. 25 YEARS AGO I WAS PART OF THE HAYES COUNTY WATER PLANT OWNERSHIP. THE WATER WASN'T THERE THEN, IT'S NOT THERE NOW. WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH THOSE ROADS IS PULL AT THE AQUIFERS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

JUST A SHOW OF HANDS BEHIND ME , HOW MANY OF Y'ALL ARE ON WELLS? ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT BROTHERS AND SISTERS. IT IS TIME TO DO A COME TO JESUS. DO WE WANT THAT RESOURCE MESSED OVER FOREVER? ONCE YOU POLLUTE AN AQUIFER IT'S GONE. IT'S AS DEAD AS MAHATMA GANDHI. YOU CAN'T GET IT BACK. IN ALL FAIRNESS, THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE THAN JUST 49.46 OF THIS BOND GOING TO PRECINCTS ONE AND TWO. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT YOU HAVE THE FASTEST GROWING POPULATION ON THE EAST SIDE GETTING HANDED CRUMBS BASICALLY, $222 MILLION OUT OF THIS PACKAGE WHEN IT IS BLOWING UP OVER THERE. IN CONCLUSION, PLEASE CONSIDER DIRECTING MORE FUNDS OVER THERE WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY NEEDED RATHER THAN TO THE FUNDS FOR SPECULATION AND DO SOMETHING FAIR FOR THE CITIZENS OF HAYES COUNTY THAT DON'T LIVE WEST OF THE FREEWAY. OKAY? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME I'VE GOT 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THE SAME ROAD ISSUES AND IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO WAKE UP THIS MORNING AND CONSIDER I HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH .

>> NEXT WE HAVE BOBBY LUBINSKI. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THANK YOU. I AM SPEAKING BOTH AS A REPRESENTATIVE AND AS A RESIDENT AND TAXPAYER OF HAYES COUNTY. I WANT TO ECHO CONCERNS ABOUT A ROAD BOND IN 2024. AS A TAXPAYER I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO TRY TO WORK WITH IN ITS CURRENT TAX

[00:40:02]

BASE. MANY ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW WITH INFLATION. TWO BAGS OF GROCERIES IS $150 COUPLING THAT WITH INSURANCE HIKES WE GOT LAST YEAR . MY OWN HOUSE WAS $1000 INCREASE. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT $80 INCREASES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT COUPLING THAT WITH ALL THE OTHER INFLATION EXPENSES WE HAVE HAD . OUR FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING. $80 DOES GO A LONG WAY WHEN OUR WAGES ARE FLAT. AS A COMMUTER I COMMUTE TO AUSTIN THREE, FOUR DAYS A WEEK. I SEE THE TRAFFIC. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN WE HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IT IS ACCIDENT INDUCED AND THERE ARE OTHER ROUTES WE CAN TAKE. EXISTING NEED TO BE IMPROVED, MANY JUST MENTIONED BY THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER LIKE 150 ON EAST OF 35 HAS A SAFETY CONCERN AND I UNDERSTAND WHY THAT'S INCLUDED.

NOT ALL OF THESE LISTED IN THE BOND AS DRAFTED IS ABOUT SAFETY. A LOT ARE ABOUT EXPANDING ROADS AND ACCESSING NEW LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT. I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE PRIORITY. WHEN WE HAVE THE TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE TELLING US PATTERNS HAVEN'T CHANGED SINCE COVID WE HAVE FIVE YEARS OF DATA NOW SHOWING COMMUTER PATTERNS HAVE CHANGED.

PEOPLE HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY SO PEAK HOUR CONDITIONS ARE NOT AS IMPORTANT. WE ALSO HAVE INDICATIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE MORE OF A HYBRID WORK MODEL SO IF WE CAN FOCUS MORE ON THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS I THINK THAT WOULD IMPROVE OUR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS MORE THAN ANYTHING. IT'S NOT JUST ROAD CAPACITY, IT'S IMPROVING THE COMMUTE FOR HAYES COUNTY COMMUTERS. IF WE WERE TO SPEND $450 MILLION ON A TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE WHY CAN'T WE SPEND IT ON A COMMUTER RAIL? THAT'S ME AS A RESIDENT . I'M NOT SPEAKING ON AN ORGANIZATION. THAT WOULD HAVE SUCH A TREMENDOUS IMPACT FOR COMMUTERS THEN JUST MORE ROAD , TAXES, NEW LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. YOU GET A FRESH THREE MINUTES.

>> I HAVE TWO HANDOUTS. THANK YOU. AGAIN , SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE. I JUST WANT TO START BY NOTING WE HAVE A FANTASTIC OWNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY AND WE HOLD A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OVER PART NEAR JACOBS WELL PRESERVED. WE HAVE REALLY HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WORKING WITH YOUR STAFF IN MANAGING THAT CONSERVATION EASEMENT THAT PROTECTS THE CROWN JEWEL OF THIS COUNTY. WE KNOW YOU HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS. YOU'VE DONE EXCELLENT WORK FOR THE COUNTY BUT THIS PROCESS IS BROKEN AND OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST REQUEST TO YOU IS TO PLEASE STEP BACK FROM THE BRINK, POINT A CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE JUST AS YOU DID ON THE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE BOND, GATHER THE INFORMATION , GET THE PUBLIC INPUT AHEAD OF TIME SO THAT WHAT GOES ON THE BALLOT , IT CAN BE NEXT YEAR FAIRLY SOON IS A CONSENSUS FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THE COMMUNITY KNOWS HAS BEEN VETTED AND IS PRIORITIZING PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT THE GROWTH IN THE I 35 CORRIDOR WHERE THE GROWTH IS HAPPENING RAPIDLY AND WHERE WE WANT IT AND MINIMIZES DEVELOPMENT AND FOCUSES OUR MONEY ON SAFETY AND A CONSERVATION ROAD PLAN THAT FITS WITH OUR PRESERVATION, PROTECTS OUR WATER . AS YOU KNOW, THE EDWARDS AQUIFER IS THE MOST VULNERABLE AQUIFER TO POLLUTION IN THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS THE PRIMARY DRINKING WATER SOURCE, IT CAN'T BE REPLACED ONCE MESSED UP. YOU HAVE A BROKEN PROCESS. FOR THE RECORD HERE, YOU ARE LIMITING ME TO THREE MINUTES CORRECT RUSTY MARK I'M NOT GOING TO FILIBUSTER BUT I HAVE A LOT MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO SAY THEN I CAN PUT INTO THREE MINUTES.

>> YOU WILL BE LIMITED. >> A LIMIT THAT APPLIES TO EVERYBODY ELSE? OKAY. YOU FIRST TALKED ABOUT THIS AS I UNDERSTAND ON JULY 2ND. NOBODY SPOKE BECAUSE NOBODY KNEW ABOUT IT. IF YOU READ YOUR AGENDA YOU HAVE A STANDARD, A RED SECTION.

THIS WAS LISTED BELOW IT IN MISCELLANEOUS WITH SOME VERY VAGUE LANGUAGE. THAT MISLEADING POSTING AND VAGUE LANGUAGE VIOLATES THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION

[00:45:03]

TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT TO SPEAK ISSUES I RAISED EARLIER. THE POSTING THEN YOU HAD LAST WEEK WAS ALSO IN THE MISCELLANEOUS, NOT IN THE ROAD SECTION. WHAT IS THIS? THIS IS A ROADS ON STEROIDS. YOU ARE MISLEADING AND THAT'S WHY YOU DIDN'T HEAR A SINGLE WORD FROM ANYBODY IN THIS COUNTY UNTIL TODAY.

THERE HAS BEEN ZERO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. I DON'T THINK YOU INTENDED IT BUT THE TRANSPARENCY IS NONE. YOU REALLY NEED TO STEP BACK AND HAVE AN HONEST PROCESS BECAUSE THE PROCESS YOU HAVE IS BROKEN AND I CAN GO THROUGH AND LIST THE KEY PROJECTS AND TALK ABOUT THE ONES THAT REALLY SHOULD BE REMOVED THAT HAVE NO BASIS WHATSOEVER IN COMMUNITY SUPPORT , FINANCE OR CERTAINLY IN PROTECTING THE WATER SUPPLY FOR THIS WHOLE COUNTY. I HOPE I GET TO SPEAK MORE. THANK YOU.

>> THERE IS A LOOPHOLE IN THE PROCESS AND THAT IS IF A COURT MEMBER CALLS YOU BACK UP AND ASKS YOU MORE. THAT IS TIMER FREE, JUST SO YOU KNOW. WE DO ALSO UTILIZED THAT OPPORTUNITY PERIODICALLY. NEXT WE HAVE MISS VIRGINIA PARKER.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE BECERRA. I'M WITH THE SAN MARCOS RIVER FOUNDATION. I'VE COME TO YOU THIS MORNING WITH MANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL 440 MILLION DOLLAR ROAD ON ELECTION . MOST OF THE ORGANIZATIONS HERE TODAY LOOK CLOSELY AT THE COUNTY'S AGENDAS SO FOR US TO HAVE ALL MISSED THIS ITEM IS MY FIRST CONCERN. IF WE WHO ARE LOOKING AT STUFF LIKE THIS FOR OUR JOBS MISSED IT I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS NOT AWARE OF THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION. SECONDLY, WE ALL KNOW HOW THE COUNTY IS GROWING.

WE KNOW ONE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES IS INFRASTRUCTURE. SEVERAL OF THE ROAD PROJECTS LISTED IN WHAT YOU ARE VOTING ON TODAY SERIOUSLY THREATEN THE VERY THINGS THAT DRAW PEOPLE TO OUR COUNTY. THIS IS WHY MANY OF US LIVE HERE TODAY. YOU WILL NOTICE IN THE LIST EMAILED TO YOU ABOUT THE PROJECTS WITH WHICH WE HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS THAT SOME ARE ONLY CALLING FOR DESIGN. WHILE THAT MAY SOUND LIKE A BENIGN TYPE OF PROJECT COMMISSIONER SHALL REFERENCED THE 2016 BOND AND THAT THE FUNDING USED ON DESIGN FOR 3237 WAS ABLE TO BE LEVERAGED AND NOW TXDOT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION. IT'S ALSO MENTIONED MOST OF THESE PROJECTS COME OUT OF THE HAYES COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN BUT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE A LOT OF OBJECTIONS FROM RESIDENTS WHEN THAT PLAN WAS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM. SEVERAL ROADS WOULD OPEN MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AND CROSS VERY SENSITIVE RECHARGE LAND THAT FEEDS OUR AQUIFERS, SPRINGS AND RIVERS. THINK ABOUT HOW ADVERSELY THAT COULD IMPACT OUR COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR WAY OF LIFE BUT ALSO OUR TOURISM DOLLARS. IS THAT WORTH THE RISK? MANY PROJECTS LISTED ON THE PROPOSED BOND ELECTION ARE NECESSARY AND OVERDUE. IF YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST GO THROUGH WITH THE ROAD BOND ELECTION PLEASE REMOVE THE SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE EMAILED YOU ABOUT. I BELIEVE YOU HAVE UNTIL NEXT MONDAY THE 19TH TO FINALIZE THE VERBIAGE AND STILL GET THIS ON THE BOND ELECTION FOR THE BALLOT. FOR POSTERITY, I WILL READ THE MOST CONCERNING PROJECTS ALLOWED. 39 MILLION , 1 MILLION FOR DAIRY ROAD, 60 MILLION FOR THE WESTERN SEGMENT ONE AND TWO EXTENSION OF YERINGTON ROAD , 60 MILLION FOR THE DRIPPING SPRINGS SOUTHWEST CONNECTION SEGMENTS BOTH ONE AND TWO. 59.8 MILLION FOR DARTING HILL ROAD. CR 162 PHASE TWO AND DARDEN HILL ROAD EXTENSION , 8.5 MILLION FOR RM 150, RM 12 ROUNDABOUT , 6.15 MILLION FOR FTSE ROAD /CR 101 , 7.1 MILLION FOR THE SH 45 SOUTHWEST EXTENSION AND 13.9 MILLION FOR SAWYER RANCH ROAD WHICH WOULD BE A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY NEXT TO WHAT Y'ALL ARE PROPOSING FOR A PEDESTRIAN PATH SINCE THERE IS A SCHOOL ALONG THAT ROAD. HIGH SPEEDS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. THIS LIST TAKES 211 MILLION OUT OF THIS PACKAGE WHICH WOULD STILL LEAVE 229 MILLION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HAYES COUNTY TO VOTE ON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ITEM . IT IS A CAPITAL LETTER ISSUE FOR US SO I HOPE YOU TAKE

THE CONCERNS INTO ACCOUNT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT WE HAVE MR. ROBERT AYRES.

[00:50:08]

>> GOOD MORNING . THANK YOU FOR MOVING THIS ITEM UP TO THE AGENDA. I APPRECIATE THE COURTESY. I'VE SUBMITTED WRITTEN CONDOMS WHICH I'VE HANDED TO THE CLERK. I AM HERE REPRESENTING MYSELF AND THE OTHER OWNERS OF SHIELD RANCH OF 6400 ACRE NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT AND PROTECTED WILDLIFE WITH ACCESS TO THE ROAD AND HAYES COUNTY. I'VE SHARED THE CONCERNS . I REALIZE SOMEONE HAS DECIDED WHAT PROJECTS TO ADVANCE CURRENTLY AND TO THE COST AND IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS IN A CRITICAL MOMENT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC INPUT AS OTHERS HAVE SAID. I WON'T DWELL ON IT BUT I WILL ASK YOU TO CONSIDER A DELAY AS WELL. SPECIFICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE FTSE ROAD PROJECT I WILL SAY I'M AWARE OF THE NEEDS FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR SAFETY AND OUR FAMILY SUPPORTS THAT PROCESS. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND STRONGLY OPPOSE SPENDING MONEY FOR THE DESIGN FOR A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WHICH WOULD HAVE MASSIVE IMPACTS TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, THAT COMMUNITY AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT PARTICULARLY TO WATER QUALITY. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS PLENTY INVOLVED FOR THE COMMISSIONERS FOR NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRECINCT ON FTSE ROAD AND I WONDER IF THIS REFERENCE -- THIS PACKAGE -- THIS COULD BE WITHDRAWN. THOSE IMPROVEMENTS STILL CONTINUE UNDER THE MAINTENANCE BUDGET OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE LANGUAGE BE REWORDED TO SPECIFY SPECIFICALLY THE NATURE OF THOSE NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS NOW AS OPPOSED TO THE DESIGN OF MASSIVE ROADWAY WHICH I THINK THERE IS REALLY NOT A STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO WONDERFUL AND CREATING THIS FOR THE LISTENING PUBLIC. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO RUN THIS IN A TIMELY AND EFFICIENT MANNER.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THE SPEAKERS TO SPEAK. NEXT WE HAVE LENNY MYERS. LENNY MYERS HERE? I'M IN THE EMAIL SECTION. IS THAT ALL FOR THE PUBLIC? DO WE HAVE ANOTHER? IS MY STACK OUT OF ORDER?

>> IT IS THE AFTER NINE STACK. GOT IT. OKAY. I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS HERE FIRST. CARRIE, YOU CAN GO FIRST.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM A RESIDENT OF HAYES COUNTY. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF NOT ONLY MY HUSBAND AND I BUT SO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS THAT LIVE ON FTSE ROAD AND ON THE COURT ORDER. AS A NEIGHBOR OF THE ORGANIZATION WE HAVE GREAT CONCERNS OVER THE PROPOSAL OF THIS ROAD BOND PARTICULARLY HOW IT RELATES .

THERE HAS BEEN ZERO COMMUNITY INTERACTION FROM COMMISSIONER SMITH REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS ROAD. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED IF WE COULD HAVE A CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD TO ASK IF WE COULD BE PARTICIPATING IN THE CHANGES FOR OUR ROAD BECAUSE WE KNOW WE NEED THEM AND WE HAVE BEEN SINGING THAT FOR OVER TWO YEARS . I WAS DENIED, I'VE GOT THIS ALL BY EMAIL. COMMISSIONER SMITH SAID THAT'S NOT ALLOWED.

FINE. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER WE FIND OUT, FINLEY AND ASSOCIATES IS GOING TO DO THE ROAD SAFETY STUDY AND I ALSO REACHED OUT TO

[00:55:02]

COMMISSIONER SMITH AND SAID THEY ARE NOT PARTICULARLY A BIPARTISAN GROUP THAT SPECIALIZES IN ROAD SAFETY AUDIT. WE HAVE FOUND COMPANIES THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH CONSTRUCTION THAT IS ALL THEY DO AND ANALYZE RATE SAFETY NOT ONLY IN ITS CURRENT TERM BUT WHAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IS.

THERE IS ALSO A DENIED REQUEST. COMMISSIONER SMITH TOLD ME WHEN I ASKED FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HE IS ASKING TO PRODUCE FOR HIM FOR THE ROADS TO BE CHANGED THAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH HAYES COUNTY OPEN RECORDS REQUEST. I DID THAT. I'M ASKING FOR ALL INFORMATION THAT COULD BE PROVIDING ABOUT THE PROVEMENT ON FITZHUGH ROAD AND WHEN I RECEIVED FROM THE COUNTY IS MY REQUEST WAS DENIED UNDER SECTION 552.16 THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. I'VE REQUESTED THAT INFORMATION TWICE. WHAT I'M SAYING IS AS A CONSTITUENT AND TAXPAYER I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO MINCE WORDS, IS A BOND ON FITZHUGH ROAD APPEARS TO BE PUT THROUGH TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MUSIC VENUE THAT THERE ARE OVER 1000 PEOPLE OPPOSED TO IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD . OVER 8000. THAT IS WHAT THIS IS FOR. TRAVIS COUNTY IS NOT ON BOARD WITH THIS. IF YOU KNOW FITZHUGH ROAD IT GOES TRAVIS COUNTY, HAYES COUNTY AND THEN ANOTHER PART TRAVIS COUNTY AND THEN HAYES COUNTY AGAIN. UNLESS TRAVIS COUNTY WAS ON BOARD WITH THIS THIS IS A FUTILE MOVEMENT. ANOTHER THING WORTH NOTING IS COMMISSIONER SMITH TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE FITZHUGH ROAD SAFE IS IF WE MADE IT STRAIGHT BECAUSE FITZHUGH ROAD IS FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHED PROPERTY LINES THAT WERE MADE IN THE LATE 1800S AND EARLY 1900S WHEN FITZHUGH WAS ITS OWN COMMUNITY. I ASK YOU TO POSTPONE FITZHUGH ROAD IN PARTICULAR ON THAT BOND UNTIL THERE COULD BE MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LAST IN THE IN PERSON COMMENTS IS HOLLY

JENSEN. MS. JENSEN. >> GOOD MORNING. I JUST WANT TO APPEAR TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THESE FOLKS THAT DO A GREAT JOB AS WELL. I HAVE NOTHING NEW TO ADD OTHER THAN I DID DRIVE THAT OUR BECAUSE THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I LIVE OFF OF FITZHUGH AND I'M THE PROOF THAT GETTING AN EMAIL THAT I READ AT 10:30 LAST NIGHT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR ME TO SACRIFICE MY TIME, WHICH WE ALL HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME IN A GIVEN DAY, TO SAY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE WERE MAKING THE BEST STRATEGIC AND WISE DECISIONS WE CAN AND MAKING THEM QUICKLY CAN OFTEN BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE RESOURCES AND THE CORE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY AND I APPRECIATE BEING A CITIZEN OF THE COUNTY AND I

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE THAT'S SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS AGENDA ITEM THAT MAY HAVE THE RISK OF BEING LOST IN SOME SHUFFLE? WE ARE GOING TO GO RIGHT NOW ONTO THE EMAIL COMMENTS. THIS IS SOMETHING WITH A LOT OF RESISTANCE FROM SOME INDIVIDUALS I'VE KEPT IN THE COURT AS A PROCESS TO PROVIDE EFFORT FOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT AND THEIR PUBLIC. SOME DON'T LIKE THIS BUT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE IT IS A GOOD THING TO KEEP. IF YOU WILL START THE LIST AND START THE

TIMER. >> FROM LENNY MYERS. I AM A HAYES COUNTY LANDOWNER AND THIS COMMENT RELATES TO ITEM K2 ON THE AUGUST 13TH COMMISSIONERS AGENDA THE $450 MILLION ROAD BOND. I WOULD LIKE TO OBJECT TO THE LACK OF PUBLIC INPUT FOR MANY OF THESE PROPOSED ROAD BONDS IN GENERAL AND THE STATE HIGHWAY 45 GAP IN FITZHUGH ROAD WIDENING PROJECT SPECIFICALLY.

IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE COMMISSIONER SCHELL AND SMITH ARE TRYING TO PUSH HER THIS ROAD BOND THIS YEAR SINCE SCHELL WILL BE RETIRING SOON AND WILL LIKELY BE REPLACED BY A PROENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER. SMITH WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO FORCE THIS ROAD BAND THROUGH ONCE SCHELL IS OUT OF THE PICTURE SO THAT PRODEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS ARE GOING FOR

[01:00:01]

MASSIVE MONEY GRAB FROM HAYES COUNTY TAXPAYERS TO FUND THEIR ROAD PROJECTS. THE BIG PROBLEM IS BOTH STATE HIGHWAY 45 AND FITZHUGH REQUIRE COOPERATION FROM TRAVIS COUNTY SINCE BOTH THE ROADS WOULD CONNECT TO TRAVIS COUNTY ROAD SEGMENTS.

TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE DEAD SET AGAINST BOTH PROJECTS AND CERTAINLY HAVE NO PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THEM AND NO FUNDING SET ASIDE AS SUCH LEADING TO TWO USELESS ROADS TO NOWHERE , BOTH PAID FOR ON THE HAYES COUNTY TAXPAYERS DIME . I URGE THE COMMISSIONERS TOO, AS A BARE MINIMUM, REMOVE BOTH STATE HIGHWAY 45 GAP AND FITZHUGH ROAD WIDENING FROM THE PROPOSED ROAD BOND LIST OF PROJECTS. PREFERABLY THE ENTIRE BOND WOULD BE TABLED UNTIL 2025 ONCE THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN MADE PROPERLY AWARE OF THESE PROJECTS AND HAS HAD A CHANCE TO PROVIDE INPUT . SIMPLY STICKING ON A BALLOT IN MASS AND CALLING IT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IS A COMPLETE WHITEWASHING OF THE MANY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE PROJECTS.

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE PLEASE DON'T TRY TO HIDE SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT TO TAXPAYERS AS A $450 MILLION ROAD BOND AND THE VERY LAST AGENDA ITEM UNDER MISCELLANEOUS. THIS ITEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED AS THE FIRST ITEM UNDER SECTION B OF THE AGENDA ROADS. THIS ENTIRE PROCESS SMACKS OF HAYES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TRYING TO HIDE FROM THE PUBLIC. FROM CATHERINE EVERSON OF DRIPPING SPRINGS. THIS $450 MILLION ROAD BOND AND PROJECT LIST WAS ONLY MADE PUBLIC THIS WEEK WITH NO PRIOR PUBLIC INPUT. MANY PROPOSED PROJECTS LET CRUCIAL INFORMATION ON COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND ALTERNATIVES. SEVERAL PROJECTS THREATEN OUR AQUIFERS CREEKS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITATS . THE BOND IS NOT REFLECT POST-COVID CHANGES AND COMMUTING PATTERNS. I'M URGING COMMISSIONERS TO PROPOSE THE BOND VOTE, CREATE A CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP A BETTER PROPOSAL THAT CONSIDERS BOTH PARTS AND OPEN SPACE AND ROADS AND REMOVE CONTROVERSIAL PROJECTS THAT HARM SENSITIVE AREAS. WE NEED MORE TIME AND INFORMATION TO PROTECT OUR WATER AND ENVIRONMENT, FOCUS ON SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, NOT JUST ROAD EXPANSION, CONSIDER PARKS AND OPEN SPACES ALONGSIDE ROAD PROJECTS. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER FOR SMART SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND LAND-USE SOLUTIONS THAT SERVE ALL HAYES COUNTY RESIDENTS. TUESDAY , AUGUST 13TH IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. MANY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS AND CANNOT ATTEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING TUESDAY. WE NEED TO BE CONSIDERED, INFORMED AND AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A VOICE.

FROM NEIL WOODS. THIS 450 MILLION ROAD BOND AND PROJECT LIST K2 WAS ONLY PUBLICLY DISCLOSED A FEW DAYS AGO AND HAS NOT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, BEEN VETTED WITH AFFECTED CITIZENS AND HOMEOWNERS. THE INFO I HAVE SEEN LACKS CRUCIAL INFORMATION ON COST , ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO OUR AQUIFERS, CREEKS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITATS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE BOND DOES NOT REFLECT POST-COVID CHANGES AND COMMUTING PATTERNS. I URGE COMMISSIONERS TO POSTPONE THE BOND VOTE, CREATE A CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP A BETTER PROPOSAL THAT CONSIDERS PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND ROADS, CONDUCT A COST VERSUS BENEFIT ANALYSIS ON PROJECTS THAT WILL AFFECT SENSITIVE AREAS. DUE DILIGENCE DEMANDS THAT MORE TIME BE TAKEN TOGETHER PUBLIC INPUT AND ANALYTICS TO PROTECT OUR WATER AND ENVIRONMENT, FOCUS ON SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, NOT JUST ROAD EXPANSION , CONSIDER PARKS AND OPEN SPACES ALONGSIDE ROAD PROJECTS. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER FOR SMART, SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND LAND-USE SOLUTIONS THAT SERVE ALL HAYES COUNTY RESIDENTS AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PRESERVE THE AESTHETICS AND DESIRABILITY OF THE GATEWAY TO THE HILL COUNTRY. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THIS MEETING WAS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY AUGUST 13TH, THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. THIS WILL DETAIN MANY AFFECTED PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WHO WILL CONSEQUENTIALLY BE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING. THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS MUST BE CONSIDERED AND FORMED AND AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A VOICE. FROM EMILY FORSYTH. PLEASE CONSIDER EXPANDING AND IMPROVING ROADS SURROUNDING THIS ON-FIELD SUBDIVISION. URGENT ROAD EXPANSION IS NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ROAD EXPANSION FROM SOME FIELD TRAFFIC IS NEEDED ON TURNERSVILLE ROAD, AND A FULLY COMPLETED MAIN STREET IS CRITICAL TO KEEP TRAFFIC FLOWING IN AND OUT OF

[01:05:01]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PLEASE CREATE A PROACTIVE APPROACH IN ADDRESSING THE TRAFFIC NEEDS OF THIS GROWING PART OF BUDA. FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS PLEASE CONSIDER DAN BUTLER DETAILED MAP ANALYSIS OF THE AREA WHICH WAS EMAILED TO RUBEN BECERRA ON AUGUST 9TH 2024. IN QUEUE. FROM MIKE CLIFFORD. THE GREATER EDWARDS AQUIFER ALLIANCE GE AA IS PROVIDING THESE COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO ITEM K2 ON THE AGENDA. THE PROPOSED $450 MILLION ROAD BOND. AS A RESULT OF THE RUSHED NATURE OF THIS PACKAGE THE MAJORITY OF HAYES COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO WOULD BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED BOND PACKAGE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROPOSAL. THESE INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO WILL END UP WITH A NEW OR EXPANDED ROAD GOING THROUGH THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OR ACROSS THEIR FENCE LINE AND OTHERS WHOSE LAND WILL BE FORCIBLY TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN FOR BOTH PROJECTS DESIGNED TO SERVE NEW DEVELOPMENT AND NOT CURRENT RESIDENCE. AS A MINIMUM, THE TWO MOST EGREGIOUS PROJECTS IN THE BOND PACKAGE SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT. THE FITZHUGH ROAD EXPANSION AND STATE HIGHWAY 45 SOUTHWEST EXTENSION PROJECT.

BOTH OF THESE WOULD REQUIRE CLOSE COOPERATION WITH TRAVIS COUNTY SINCE BOTH ROADS WOULD HAVE SUBSTANTIAL TRAVIS COUNTY SEGMENTS AND YET THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE RAISED NUMEROUS OBJECTIONS AND ARE CERTAINLY NOT ON BOARD WITH THESE TWO PROJECTS. TRAVIS COUNTY'S OBJECTIONS WHICH ECHO GEAA HAVE NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY -- SORRY, NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC REGARDING THE EFFECTS ON BARTON CREEK, BEAR CREEK AND ONION CREEK. THREE STREAMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO AND RECHARGE THE EDWARDS AQUIFER WHERE MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS GET THEIR DRINKING WATER VIA WELLS.

THE FITZHUGH EXPANSION WOULD SERVE THE PROPOSED FITZHUGH CONCERT VENUE, A 5000 SEAT AMPHITHEATER WITH 1800+ VEHICLE PAVED PARKING LOT. NUMEROUS OBJECTIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED BY AREA RESIDENTS REGARDING THE HIGH IMPERVIOUS COVER AND STORMWATER RUNOFF. THE WIDER ROAD WOULD PRIMARILY SERVICE THE FLOOD OF VEHICLES GOING TO AND FROM REGULAR CONCERTS AT THE VENUE. CONSTRUCTION OF THIS VENUE IS FAR FROM CERTAIN AS THE DEVELOPER HAS YET TO RECEIVE THE NECESSARY PERMIT APPROVALS TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AND ARE LIKELY HEADED TO COURT ON THESE. REGARDING STATE HIGHWAY 45 SOUTHWEST EXTENSION HAYES COUNTY COMMISSION A FEASIBILITY STUDY EVEN THOUGH THIS ROAD CAN'T BE BUILT WITHOUT THE COOPERATION OF TRAVIS COUNTY WHICH HAS FIRMLY OPPOSED IT . WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM TRAVIS COUNTY HAYES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE WASTING THEIR CONSTITUENTS TAX DOLLARS ON A PROJECT THAT MAY NEVER HAPPEN.

IN ADDITION THE 45 EXTENSION WOULD HAVE SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE LARGEST REMAINING AREA OF OPEN SPACE IN NORTHEASTERN HAYES COUNTY. WE URGE THE COMMISSIONERS TO TABLE THE ENTIRE ROAD BOND UNTIL THE PUBLIC HAS HAD AN ADEQUATE CHANCE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK. FROM ROBERT M. GILLESPIE. I'VE JUST BEEN INFORMED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS CONSIDERING THE PLACING OF A CONTROVERSIAL ROAD BOND ISSUE ON THIS NOVEMBER'S BALLOT. I BELIEVE IT IS PREMATURE TO PLACE THESE ROAD ISSUES ON THE BALLOT WHEN THE PROJECTS HAVE NOT HAD ADEQUATE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND INPUT. I AGREE WITH THE AUGUST 9TH JOINT LETTER YOU RECEIVED FROM THE SAN MARCOS RIVER FOUNDATION SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE, FITZHUGH NEIGHBORS , SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, GREATER EDWARDS AQUIFER ALLIANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DRIPPING SPRINGS THAT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS CHANGED TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND OTHER FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AFTER PARTICIPATION BY AFFECTED CITIZENS. I ALSO SUPPORT THEIR SUGGESTION THE ROAD PROPOSALS BE REFERRED TO A CITIZEN BOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE PROPOSAL I AM MOST FAMILIAR WITH IS MY FREQUENTLY TRAVELED FITZHUGH ROAD. FROM ITS INTERSECTION WITH HIGHWAY 290 TWO ABOUT CHESTER KING BREWERY FITZHUGH IS IN TRAVIS COUNTY. FROM THERE IT IS MOSTLY IN HAYES COUNTY EXCEPT FOR A BRIEF PORTION THAT IS IN TRAVIS COUNTY NEAR BARTON CREEK. THE PORTION FROM THERE TO RANCH ROAD 12 IS IN HAYES COUNTY BUT NEEDS TO BE COORDINATED WITH THE SOUTHERLY IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED BY TRAVIS COUNTY. I CONSIDER THE EXISTING FITZHUGH ROAD TO BE TOO NARROW BUT BY NO MEANS NEEDING TO BE A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. IT WOULD BENEFIT FROM SOME WIDENING FROM THE BENEFIT OF LARGE TRUCKS DASHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF LARGE TRUCKS USING IT AS WELL AS CYCLISTS IN DANGER OF BEING RUN OFF THE ROAD. FITZHUGH ROAD IS

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ANOTHE ROAD PROJECT THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM A STUDY BY A CITIZEN BOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS SUGGESTED BY THE AUGUST 9TH JOINT LETTER. IN CONCLUSION I OPPOSE ASKING THE CITIZENS OF HAYES COUNTY TO CAST VOTES IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION REGARDING ROAD BONDS WITH WHICH THEY ARE UNFAMILIAR AND WHICH HAVE NOT RECEIVED ADEQUATE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND CITIZEN INPUT. THE ROADS OF HAYES COUNTY AND THE MONEY TO IMPROVE THEM ARE TWO IMPORTANT TO BE PUT TO A HASTY AND UNINFORMED

ABOUT. >> FROM HUGH DANIEL BUTLER.

I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THE 2024 TRANSPORTATION PLAN TO BE FUNDED BY THE PROPOSED ROADWAY BOND PLAN IN NO WAY ADDRESSED THE POPULATION GROWTH AND DRAMATICALLY INCREASED TRAFFIC IN AND AROUND SOME FIELD. ALSO THE 2016 PLANS ADDRESSED ONLY THEREMOVAL OF DEAD MAN'S CURVE AND THE PARTIAL REROUTING OF FM 2001. UNLESS I MISSED SOMETHING NEITHER THE 2016 OR PROPOSED 2024 BOND PROGRAMS IN ANY WAY ADDRESSED THE OTHER ROADWAYS SURROUNDING SOME FIELD. PAGES TWO THROUGH SEVEN OF SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION. THIS IS VERY DISCOURAGING AS BOTH TURNERSVILLE ROAD AND MAIN STREET HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN BOTH HAYES COUNTY AND BETA TRANSPORTATION PLANS FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES PAGES NINE THROUGH 17. DURING THAT PERIOD THIS ON-FIELD COMMUNITY POPULATION EXPLODED. AT THE COMMISSIONERS MEETING TUESDAY AUGUST 6TH IT WAS MENTIONED HAYES COUNTY AS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY AND IT CERTAINLY IS. HOWEVER IT WOULD APPEAR THERE MAY NOT BE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT A LARGE CONTRIBUTOR TO THAT DISTINCTION IS QUOTE THE FASTEST-GROWING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AUSTIN METRO AREA". THIS ON-FIELD COMMUNITY ADJACENT TO BUDA CITY LIMITS.

THIS ON-FIELD COMMUNITY IS GROWING AT ROUGHLY 500 HOMES PER YEAR AND BELOW ARE THE ROUGH TOTAL NUMBER OF HOMES AND APARTMENTS EXPECTED IN THE NEXT 24 MONTHS BASED ON EXISTING PROJECT PLANS AND POTENTIAL COMPLETION DATES. THERE WILL BE 5300 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES PLUS 2200 MULTIFAMILY LIVING UNITS FOR A TOTAL OF 7500 RESIDENCES RESULTING IN OVER 15,000 VEHICLES. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE GROWTH HAS BEEN EXTREME AND IS TAXING ALL EXISTING ROADWAYS. THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL EGRESS FROM SOME FIELD VIA TURNERSVILLE ROAD AND A FULLY COMPLETED MAIN STREET. THE OVERALL SOME FIELD COMMUNITY WITH RESIDENCE NUMBERS AND ROADWAYS IS SUMMED UP IN THE COMMUNITY MAP PAGE 22. WHEN COMPLETED, PHASE FIVE WILL HAVE EGRESS AND FACE SIX WILL PROVIDE TURNERSVILLE ROAD EGRESS TO THIS ON-FIELD COMMUNITY. WHILE WE PUSH THIS ON-FIELD DEVELOPER AND TRAVIS COUNTY FOR THE COMPLETION OF MAIN STREET. I'M DISMAYED HAYES COUNTY STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS HAVE NOT HEEDED SUGGESTIONS OF DECADES OF STUDIES AND PLANING AS IT RELATES TO THIS NORTHWEST AREA OF HAYES COUNTY. I ALSO FIND THE RATINGS FOR TURNERSVILLE ROAD IN THE 2024 COMMISSIONERS ROAD REPORT PUZZLING ALTHOUGH I AM NO ENGINEER HAVING DRIVEN THESE ROADS I FAILED TO -- FROM DAVID PATTERSON. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE BECERRA. MY COMMENT IS ABOUT AGENDA ITEM K2. I LIVE IN BUDA SO MY FOCUS IS ON STATE HIGHWAY 45. I DON'T KNOW HOW HAYES COUNTY CAN ASK FOR $7.1 MILLION IN A BOND ELECTION TO PAY FOR GAP OF 45 A ROAD THAT MAY NEVER BE BUILT. TWO MILES IS IN TRAVIS COUNTY. THE TRAVIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE DEAD SET AGAINST GET 45. MY GRANDFATHER WOULD HAVE CALLED 45 A PIG IN A POKE. I URGE HAYES COUNTY TO CONSIDER A STUDY TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES TO BUILDING THE 45 EXTENSION.

WHY NOT WORK THE TRAVIS COUNTY TO BUILD A FULL INTERSECTION FOR RM 1626 WITH I 35? THAT WOULD PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC RELIEF FOR EXISTING HAYS COUNTY RESIDENC. BY CONTRAST, BUILDING THE 45 EXTENSION WOULD BRING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE TRAFFIC INTO THIS AREA SINCE IT WOULD CREATE A WESTERN BYPASS TO I 35. RESIDENCE OF NORTHEASTERN HAYES WOULD RECEIVE MORE TRAFFIC RELIEF FROM AN EXTENDED -- EXPANDED RM 1626 THEN FROM THE EXTENDED STATE HIGHWAY 45

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SOUTHWEST. PLEASE DELETE THE 7.1 MILLION FROM THE BOND PACKAGE EARMARKED FOR THE STATE HIGHWAY 45 SOUTHWEST EXTENSION . HAYES COUNTY CONTINUES TO SPEND MONEY ON A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR AN EXTENSION OF STATE HIGHWAY 45 SOUTHWEST FROM RM 1626 TO I-35 EVEN THOUGH THIS CAN'T BE BUILT WITHOUT THE COOPERATION OF TRAVIS COUNTY WHICH HAS FIRMLY OPPOSED IT.

WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM TRAVIS COUNTY HAYES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE WASTING THEIR CONSTITUENTS TAX DOLLARS ON A PROJECT THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. IN QUEUE.

>> ARE DOING A GREAT JOB BY THE WAY. DO YOU WANT TO TAKE A DRINK OF WATER? WHATEVER YOU WANT.

>> FROM BOB MASON. HERE COMES COMMISSIONER WALT SMITH SLITHERING THROUGH THE GRASS WITH AN ASSIST FROM COMMISSIONER SCHELL TO OFFER AN EVIL APPLE OF ROAD PROJECTS TO THE OTHER THREE COMMISSIONERS. DON'T BITE THE APPLE COMMISSIONERS. IT CONTAINS NOTHING BUT WORMS FOR YOU AND THE RESIDENTS OF HAYES AND TRAVIS COUNTIES. SMITH AND SCHELL HAVE LEFT OFF MOST OF THE ACTUAL COST FOR CONSTRUCTING THESE ROADS AND HAVE INSTEAD FLOATED A RIDICULOUS LAUGHABLE NUMBER. ACCORDING TO THEM THE $440 MILLION ROAD BOND WOULD COST HAYES COUNTY TAXPAYERS A MERE TWO CENTS FOR EVERY $100 OF PROPERTY VALUE THEY OWN. THE PROBLEM IS THOSE NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP. SMITH AND SCHELL CLAIM A PERSON OWNING A $400,000 HOUSE WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $80 PER YEAR. THESE MAGIC NUMBERS DON'T GET YOU ANYWHERE CLOSE TO 440 MILLION. ASSUMING THERE ARE 100,000 HOMES IN HAYES COUNTY, 440 MILLION DIVIDED BY 100,000 EQUALS 400-4400 FOR HOME ON AVERAGE, NOT $80. EVEN IF YOU ASSUME THE COST CAN BE SPREAD OUT OVER FIVE YEARS THAT IS 880 PER HOUSE PER YEAR. EVEN IF HALF THE MONEY CAME FROM HAYES COUNTY BUSINESSES EACH HOMEOWNER BUT OH $440 MORE PER YEAR ON AVERAGE, NOT 80. BY SMITH'S OWN ADMISSION THE $440 MILLION BOND WOULDN'T EVEN COVER THE COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THESE ROADS. IT'S NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT IT WOULD COVER. WALT SMITH IS ONLY GOOD AT MATH WHEN CALCULATING THE CAMPAIGN DONATIONS HE DEMANDS FROM DEVELOPERS. FOR TAXPAYERS HE USES THE OLD FUZZY MATH. GET A TON OF TAXPAYER MONEY IN THE BANK FIRST AND ASK QUESTIONS LATER. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE MANTRA OF SMITH AND SCHELL. WE ALL KNOW THE REAL REASON WHY THIS IS SO URGENT RIGHT NOW. NOT BECAUSE THESE ARE ACTUALLY NEEDED BUT BECAUSE LON SHELL IS OUT OF HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR.

THEY REALIZE PROENVIRONMENT CANDIDATE WILL LIKELY BE SITTING IN HIS SCHELL SEAT AFTER THIS YEAR . THERE'S NO WAY HE WOULD SIGN ONTO THIS FOR THE APPLE OF UNDERESTIMATED AND ROAD PROJECTS THAT IS WHY THIS AGENDA ITEM IS SO URGENT TO THEM. TO CONNECT STATE HIGHWAY OR PUT IN THIS ROUNDABOUT OR EXTENSION BUT BECAUSE NEXT YEAR THEY KNOW THIS RIDICULOUS ROAD BOND WILL NEVER FLY. THIS IS FROM CRYSTAL TAO TREE. I HAVE LIVED IN THE BIG COUNTRY SUBDIVISION WITH MY FAMILY FOR OVER 12 YEARS. I WRITE TO ASK YOU PLEASE RECONSIDER MOVING FORWARD WITH A TRANSPORTATION ROAD BOND FOR THE NOVEMBER 5TH 2024 BALLOT. I'M SURPRISED AND DISMAYED THAT THIS POTENTIAL ROAD BOND WITH ENORMOUS REPERCUSSIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY WAS ONLY MADE PUBLIC LAST WEEK. THIS ACTION SOWS A DISTRESSED IN THE HAYES COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT REPRESENTING THE INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE VAST COMMUNITY WHO WILL BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THIS PROPOSED BOND PACKAGE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROPOSAL. AS A RESIDENT I HAVE WITNESSED A DRAMATIC CHANGE ALONG THE FITZHUGH CORRIDOR, PARTICULARLY ON THE HAYES COUNTY STRETCH. OUR NATIVE AQUIFER READ -- IS RAPIDLY BEING CLEAR-CUT BY OUTSIDE DEVELOPERS AND MISGUIDED REALTORS TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK ON SHORTSIGHTED FAILED PROJECTS THAT DO NOT BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS THE IMPACT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS BE ABLE TO LIVE AND INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS THE LOCAL COMMERCE OF OUR COMMUNITY. I

[01:20:01]

BELIEVE THE FITZHUGH ROAD/COUNTRY ROAD 101 PROJECT DOES NOT SERVE THE NEEDS OF OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS BUT OUTSIDE DEVELOPER INTERESTS INCLUDING THE PROPOSED FITZHUGH CONCERT VENUE , A PROJECT OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED BY OUR COMMUNITY. THE FITZHUGH ROAD PROJECT IS ONE OF A LONG LIST OF PROPOSED PROJECTS WITH POTENTIALLY ENORMOUS REPERCUSSIONS ON HAYES COUNTY RESIDENCE. MANY OF THE PROPOSED PROJECTS LACK CRUCIAL INFORMATION ON COST, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND ALTERNATIVES. THESE BE ON MY PRECINCT BORDERS STILL IMPACT ME AND OUR COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

LOCALLY PRACTICING BIOLOGIST, SEVERAL PROJECTS THREATENED ARE AQUIFERS, CREEKS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITATS. I REQUEST THE HAYES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT NOT PLACE A ROAD BOND ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT AND A FUTURE ELECTION WITH THE PUBLIC PROCESS BE CONSIDERED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> ALMOST DONE. HANG IN THERE.

>> FROM BRIAN SPCA ADVOCACY DIRECTOR. JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS, SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION SUBMITS THESE COMMENTS ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS IN HAYES COUNTY. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CRUDE IN WHICH WE STATED OUR CONCERNS ABOUT SEVERAL PROJECTS IN THE WORD BOND. WE REQUESTED POSTPONE THIS BOND FOR A LATER ELECTION IN ORDER TO GIVE YOUR CONSTITUENTS MORE TIME TO STUDY AND COMMENT ON THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PACKAGE. SPCA SUBMITS THESE COMMENTS TO EMPHASIZE OUR CONCERNS WITH ONE SPECIFIC PROJECT, THE DESIGN STUDY FOR FITZHUGH ROAD. IF THE COURT DECIDES TO PLACE THE ROAD BOND ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT WE ASK THE FITZHUGH PROJECT BE REMOVED FROM IT. ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY PRESENTATION THE FITZHUGH PROJECT WOULD EXPAND THE CURRENT TWO LANE ROAD INTO A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. SPCA AGREES THEY ARE NEEDED FOR FITZHUGH ROAD. WE WOULD SUPPORT A STUDY THAT WOULD EVALUATE WHAT IS NEEDED FIRST BEFORE RECOMMENDING A DESIGN. WE DO NOT SUPPORT BEGINNING THE STUDY WITH THE ASSUMPTION IT WILL BE A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THE FITZHUGH PROJECT IS MISLEADINGLY DESCRIBED AS BEING NEEDED TO INCREASE MOBILITY TO RM 12. LEFT UNSTATED IS THIS ROAD WOULD SERVE THE PROPOSED FITZHUGH CONCERT VENUE. THIS IS A MUSIC AMPHITHEATER THAT DEVELOPER BILL HIRSCHMAN WANTS TO BUILD ON FITZHUGH ROAD ABOVE BARTON CREEK. HIRSCHMAN'S PLANS INCLUDE A 5000 SEAT VENUE AND AN 1800 VEHICLE PARKING LOT. FITZHUGH DOES NOT NEED TO BE TURNED INTO A FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN ORDER TO EASE EXISTING TRAFFIC. THE ONLY REASON WE CAN SEE EXPANDING FITZHUGH TO THIS SIZE WOULD BE TO ACCOMMODATE TRAFFIC CAUSED BY HIRSCHMAN'S VENUE. HOWEVER, THE VENUE FOR CHAIR IS FAR FROM CERTAIN. HIRSCHMAN HAS NOT RECEIVED TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING AN ON-SITE WASTEWATER PERMIT. IT SEEMS UNWISE FOR HAYES COUNTY TO SPEND 6 MILLION TO DESIGN A HIGHWAY THAT WOULD FIT A DEVELOPMENT WHICH MAY NEVER BE BUILT. FINALLY SBCA ALSO WANTS TO POINT OUT FITZHUGH ROAD RUNS THROUGH BOTH HAYES AND TRAVIS COUNTIES. IF HAYES EXPENSIVE FITZHUGH TO FOUR LANES BUT TRAVIS DOES NOT THE BOTTLENECK WOULD BE AT BARTON CREEK. HAYES IS ALREADY PURSUING ONE PROJECT SPANNING BOTH COUNTIES NOT SUPPORTED BY TRAVIS, THE STATE HIGHWAY 45 EXTENSION. SBCA BELIEVES IT WOULD BE UNWISE FOR HAYES COUNTY TO ACT UNILATERALLY ON A SECOND HIGHWAY PROJECT WHEN FOR SECURING PARTICIPATION OF TRAVIS COUNTY. FOR THESE REASONS SBCA ASKS THE FITZHUGH ROAD PROJECT BE DELETED FROM THE ROAD BOND. FROM CHUCK AND DIANA MCCAFFERTY. HONORABLE JUDGE BECERRA AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WE ARE WRITING TODAY TO ASK IF YOU WOULD PLEASE CONSIDER POSTPONING THIS LAST-MINUTE ROAD BOND PACKAGE AND NOT PUT IT ON THE NOVEMBER 5TH 2024 BALLOT. THIS ROAD BOND COVERS TOO MANY PROJECTS. IT INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 22 SMALL IMPROVEMENTS AND ABOUT FOUR HUGE HIGHWAYS. IT IS TOO MUCH. THE COST IS EXTREMELY UNDERESTIMATED. THERE'S NO WAY ALL OF THESE ROADS CAN BE BUILT FOR 450 MILLION. WHERE DID THIS COME FROM? FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE COST OF THE TWO SMALL BRIDGES BUILT SEVEN YEARS AGO AND CALLA TARA WAS ABOUT 30 MILLION. WHEN YOU DO COME UP WITH A ROAD BOND OUR SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO START WITH IMPROVING EXISTING ROADWAYS. MEET WITH THE INDIVIDUAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES TO COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT

[01:25:01]

WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE. PLEASE HOLD OFF ON CONSTRUCTING NEW ROADS. THE TXDOT IMPROVEMENTS ON HIGHWAY 290 WEST WILL MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN AND AROUND DRIPPING SPRINGS. AFTER IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE CURRENT TRAFFIC STUDIES WILL NEED TO BE DONE TO EVALUATE IF NEW ROADS ARE NEEDED. AT THIS TIME ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ARE NECESSARY. WE NEED TO PRESERVE AS MUCH OF THE HILL COUNTRY AND CLEAN WATER AS POSSIBLE. ONCE DESTROYED WE CAN'T GET IT BACK. IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS PLEASE COMPLETELY REMOVE THE SOUTHWEST EXTENSION FROM THE BOND. IT WOULD DESTROY TOO MANY RANCHES , ONION CREEK AND HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. TEST REGARDS. FROM SUSAN COOK OF DRIFTWOOD. DEAR JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS I REALIZE MANY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS MAY LOVE A NEW WHITE AND ROADWAY IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES BUT I AM PRETTY SURE THAT NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE LIVE ALONG BURRELL WINDING QUIET LOVELY FITZHUGH ROAD IN THE DRIPPING SPRINGS AREA. I ALSO REALIZE THAT IN THE MORE URBAN AREAS OF THE COUNTY WIDER ROADS ARE BOTH NEEDED AND DESIRED BY RESIDENTS. IN OUR RURAL AREAS PEOPLE LIKE ME LIVE WHERE WE LIVE PARTICULARLY TO ENJOY A QUIETER SLOWER LIFESTYLE AND WE ARE NOT CLAMORING FOR NEW ROADS. WHEN OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WORK AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE BUT INSTEAD WORK HAND IN GLOVE WITH ROAD ENGINEERING AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES WHO GIVE THEM CAMPAIGN DONATIONS.

NEW ROADS PLOWED RURAL LANDS SERVE ONLY TO ENCOURAGE URBAN STYLE DEVELOPMENT SPLITTING UP RANCH LANDS AND OPEN SPACES WHILE POLLUTING OUR STREAMS AND AQUIFERS. WALT SMITH DOES NOT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT FOR BUT FOR THE VARIOUS ROAD AND DEVELOPMENT INTERESTS WHO FUND HIS EXISTENCE AS A POLITICIAN. WALT IS A LOBBYIST . THAT IS HIS REAL JOB, NOT SERVING ON THE HAYES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WHOEVER THOUGHT GIVING THAT MAN DECISION-MAKING POWER OVER OUR TAX MONEY WAS NOT THINKING THIS THROUGH VERY WELL. LOBBYIST IS LIKE WALT SMITH ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ACQUIRING PUBLIC MONEY FOR PRIVATE INTERESTS WHO PAY THEM TO DO THIS. HE IS DOING THIS WHILE DOUBLE DIPPING FROM THEM AND FROM US. NOTE TO WHITENING FITZHUGH INTO A HIGHWAY, NO TO ALLOWING A LOUD NOISY MUSIC VENUE INTO THE FITZHUGH AREA AND NO TO LETTING WALT SMITH TAKE MONEY FROM THE SAME ROAD COMPANIES HE TURNS AROUND AND GIVES COUNTY CONTRACTS TO. NO TO THIS ROAD BOND. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. FROM MARY BETH ALL STORES. DEAR HONORABLE JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS I'M WRITING TO REQUEST THE PROPOSED ROAD BOND POSTPONED DUE TO LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSION OF PUBLIC INPUT. I ENCOURAGE THE REMOVAL OF THESE ROADS PROPOSED AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS WHERE HABITAT FREAKS AND AQUIFERS WILL BE IRREPARABLY AFFECTED. RESPONSIBLE ACTIONS TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION LASTING CONSEQUENCES. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW THE DRIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT OVERRIDE THOSE CONSEQUENCES.

ACT RESPONSIBLY AND TRANSPARENTLY WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITIZENS, ENVIRONMENT, HABITAT, AQUIFERS AND LASTING QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE. THINK YOU FOR YOUR

CONSIDERATION. THAT IS IT. >> HONESTLY. SHE IS A WONDERFUL COUNTY COWORKER ALTHOUGH MOST MAY NOT REALIZE SHE DOES A HARD JOB READING ALL THESE AND SO DOES DYLAN NEXT TO HER. IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

OKAY. NEXT SINCE MY INTERPRETATION IS A PRECINCT FOR CONCERNS AND FITZHUGH SPECIFICALLY I WANT TO GIVE COMMISSIONER SMITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT.

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO START WITH A COUPLE THINGS. I THINK THERE IS A MISS CONCEPT OF WHERE OUR BUDGET LIES WHEN IT COMES TO THE AVAILABILITY TO DO THE STUDY AND WORK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT THE ACTUAL FUNDING IN THIS BOND WOULD PROPOSE. WHENEVER WE LOOK AT THE MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN DEVELOPED IN 2021 IT WAS AN EXTENSION OF THE MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN DEVELOPED IN 2016. THEY BOTH CONCLUDED FITZHUGH ROAD AS A FOUR-LANE ROADWAY. I DIDN'T COME UP WITH THAT CONCEPT. IT'S BEEN THERE BEFORE I WAS EVER ELECTED. THE REASON WAS LOOKING WITHIN THE PLAN ON HOW MUCH GROWTH IT WOULD BE IN THAT AREA. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED LOOKING AT THE

[01:30:04]

DEVELOPMENT OF A BOND THE ONE THING I MADE SURE OF AND REQUESTED WAS THE FACT I WANTED EVEN PRIOR TO A BOND DEVELOPMENT A TRUE EVALUATION OF WHAT THE FITZHUGH QUARTER LOOK LIKE. I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT A TRUE TRAFFIC AUDIT, WHAT A SAFETY AUDIT LOOKED LIKE BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A CONCERN.

WITHIN OUR REGULAR BUDGET PROCESS LAST YEAR I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY FUNDING TO GO OUT AND HIRE A FIRM OFF OF OUR APPROVED ENGINEERING LIST WHICH WE HAVE TO DO BY LAW. I'M SORRY THERE ARE CITIZENS THAT BROUGHT THEIR OWN ENGINEERING FIRM HERE AND ASKED ME TO HIRE THEM AND I SAID NO BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ON THE APPROVED AND PRECLEARED LIST FOR OUR COUNTY. I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT FOR A SINGLE CITIZEN OR FOR A GROUP OR FOR A DEVELOPER WHO ASKS THAT. IT IS NOT LEGAL AND I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT. WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS THE FIRST REQUEST FROM OUR NEIGHBORS OUT THERE WAS THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE DO ON A COURT OR STUDY IN MY COLLEAGUES WILL TELL YOU HOW TOUGH IT IS TO FIND FUNDING WITHIN OUR REGULAR BUDGET TO DO THAT, THE FIRST THING I REQUESTED WAS A TRUE SAFETY AUDIT OF FITZHUGH ROAD.

THAT SAFETY AUDIT IS ALL BUT COMPLETE. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE GOTTEN RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THAT ENGINEERING FIRM AS TO WHAT INTERIM SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS WE CAN HAVE A LONG FITZHUGH ROAD TO TRY TO MAKE AN IMPACT AND WITHIN OUR CURRENT BUDGET PROCESS I'M TRYING TO IDENTIFY JUST THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WILL COST THE COUNTY OVER $3 MILLION FOR THOSE INTERIM IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD NOTHING EVER HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. I'VE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD IN OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD WITH ME TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE FUNDING OVER THE NEXT TWO FISCAL YEARS TO TRY TO MAKE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN. THE COMMITMENT I HAVE MADE TO EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN WHEN WE HAVE LOOKED AT A PROJECT LIKE THIS IS IF IT IMPACTS AN INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER I'M GOING TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION OR MY OFFICE WILL HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER FOR ITS EVER MADE PUBLIC. OUT OF DUE DILIGENCE AND RESPECT THAT IS THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO. WHENEVER THE FIRM BROUGHT THOSE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO FITZHUGH TO ME ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE QUESTION WAS WHEN DO YOU WANT TO GO PUBLIC WITH WHAT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS ARE. SOME ARE STRAIGHTENING CURVES. KERRY WAS RIGHT ABOUT THAT. MOST OF THEM ARE NOT. I WANT TO MAINTAIN THE CHARACTER OF THAT ROADWAY. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS I'M NEVER GOING TO GO TO THE PUBLIC WITH A PLAN UNTIL I TALKED TO THOSE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE IMPACTED BY THAT PLAN. WE KNOW A PLAN IS GOING FORWARD. THERE'S BEEN REQUESTS OVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AND PUBLIC OUTREACH. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS ACTUALLY FUNDED IN THE BOND THAT IS WHAT IS FUNDED. PUBLIC OUTREACH IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN REQUESTED HERE TODAY AND AT THE END OF THAT PROCESS WILL IT BE A FOUR-LANE ROAD? WE DON'T KNOW. WE DON'TKNOW WHAT IT'LL LOOK LIKE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T TAKEN THOSE STEPS YET. AS INCLUDED IN OUR MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN THAT IS WHAT IS IN THE ULTIMATE CONFIGURATION. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SPECIFIC ON THE FITZHUGH ROAD PROJECT IS ONE THAT , BEST CASE SCENARIO, I WILL PROBABLY BE DEAD AND GONE BEFORE IT HAPPENS. I DON'T SAY THAT -- THERE MIGHT BE SOME IN THIS ROOM THAT SAY IS IT GETTING BUILT NEXT WEEK? I'M TELLING YOU IT WON'T BE. WHAT I'M TELLING YOU IS WHAT I FEEL IS RIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT IS MORE UPSETTING THAN ANYTHING IS TO SIT IN A PUBLIC MEETING WITH 400 OF MY NEIGHBORS AND TO TELL THEM EXACTLY HOW WE CAN AND CAN'T IMPACT DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COUNTY. OUR HANDS ARE TIED. THE ONE THING MY NEIGHBORS ASKED ME TO DO IS IF THIS DEVELOPMENT IS INEVITABLE AND I HAVE BEEN VERY PUBLIC AND IN THAT MEETING I WAS VERY PUBLIC AND SAYING I DO NOT WANT THE DEVELOPMENT REFERENCED AND SPOKEN ABOUT HERE TODAY. I DON'T WANT THAT ON FITZHUGH ROAD. I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT IN A DIFFERENT PART OF THE COUNTY WITH MORE ACCESS. I THINK THE LOCATION IS HORRENDOUS. IT'S ON A ROADWAY NOT WIDE ENOUGH FOR ME TO LEGALLY PUT A CENTER STRIPE IN.

TO SIT HERE AND SAY DON'T DO THE PLANNING TO ADDRESS IF IT DOES HAPPEN DON'T DO THE PLANNING TO HELP US. DON'T DO THE PLANNING. THAT IS HARD TO STOMACH BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU IF IN THAT MEETING I SAID IN OUR NEXT ROAD BOND WE ARE GOING

[01:35:04]

TO PUT X MILLION DOLLARS TO DO GENERAL PLANNING TO ADDRESS CONCERNS YOU HAVE I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I THINK THE RESPONSE AND THAT MEETING WOULD'VE BEEN. IS IT A CRISIS OF WORDS WHEN WE SAY WHEN IT WAS LISTED IN HERE AS A FOUR-LANE ROADWAY? PROBABLY. THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S THAT WAY IN OUR MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH RIGHT OF WAY IN THERE TO DO DRAINAGE SPECIFICALLY WHEN ASKED IS THE ROADWAY GOING TO BE COMPLETELY STRAIGHTENED MY RESPONSE IS I WANT TO KEEP AS MUCH HILL COUNTRY CHARACTER IN THEIR AS POSSIBLE. CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THAT ROADWAY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE STRAINED. THERE IS A HAIRPIN TURN THAT IS A DEATH TRAP. THERE'S OTHER PLACES THAT ARE DEATH TRAPS AND THERE'S BEEN MULTIPLE WRECKS IN THOSE AREAS. THAT'S WHAT OUR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AUDIT HAS FOUND. TO SAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO TRY TO MAKE NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THOSE CURVES IS UNTRUE AND WOULDN'T BE FAIR TO TELL YOU THAT BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT TRUE. CONVERSELY, THE LAST THING IF YOU TALK TO ANYONE ON MOUNT GAYNOR ROAD THE FIRST ROADWAY IMPROVED -- PLEASE PUT DOWN YOUR SIGN. COURT ETIQUETTE. COURT ETIQUETTE. DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, YOU'VE HAD YOUR TIME TO SPEAK. I WOULD LOVE TO EVER SPEAK TO YOU IF YOU ACTUALLY CALLED MY OFFICE AND ASKED FOR A MEETING BUT YOU'VE NEVER

DONE IT ONCE. I'M HAPPY TO. >> LET ME INTERRUPT. MY JOB IS TO RUN THIS MEETING. AS THE CHAIR OF THIS COURT I HAVE A BAILIFF I RELUCTANT TO USE. IF YOU ARE DISRUPTIVE I'M GOING TO ASK HIM TO HELP US KEEP THE PEACE . I HATE TO SAY IT BUT I DON'T FIND THAT SIGN DISRUPTIVE, COMMISSIONER.

>> THERE'S BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN YOU ASK PEOPLE TO PUT THOSE DOWN IN THE PAST AND THAT'S WHY I SAID THAT.

>> HAVE I DONE THAT? I WANT TO BE CONSISTENT.

>> YOU HAVE. >> YOU CAN RUN YOUR COURT THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE BUT I'M TELLING YOU YOU HAVE.

>> I WANT TO INTERRUPT FURTHER.

>> TO FINISH MY POINT WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IS IF YOU LOOK AT MOUNT DINNER ROAD IN WESTERN HAYES COUNTY THE FIRST ROADWAY IMPROVED WHEN I WAS ELECTED BACK IN 2019 HAD MULTIPLE RESIDENTS COMING IN AND ASKING FOR IMPROVED ROADWAYS. I WAS HAPPY TO DO IT. THE NEXT QUESTION THAT COMES WHEN YOU IMPROVE A ROADWAY LIKE THAT IS YOU HAVE INCREASED SPEEDS. THE LAST THING ANY OF US WANT ON FITZHUGH ROAD'S INCREASED SPEED. TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ON STRAIGHTENING THE ROADWAY ONLY WHERE NECESSARY AND WHERE OUR OVERALL DIAGRAM OR SCHEMATIC WOULD REQUEST IT. WE OPERATE IN A SYSTEM AND THERE ARE SEVERAL PROJECTS IN THIS BOND THAT ARE AN EXTENSIVE THAT ARE IN THE 2016 ROAD BOND. WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE PLANNING EXERCISES MANY OF THESE PROJECTS WERE CONCEPTUALIZED AND THE DESIGN WAS PAID FOR PRIOR TO 2016. THE DESIGN WAS PAID FOR IN THE 2016 ROAD BOND AND NOW WE ARE AT A POINT BECAUSE WE HAVE DROPPED OUR TAX RATES SO LOW IN HAYES COUNTY IN COMPARISON TO OTHER COUNTIES THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PHYSICALLY FUND THOSE ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS. TWO YEARS AGO HAYES COUNTY WAS TIED FOR THE LOWEST TAX RATE IN THE STATE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL. I CAN'T TALK ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS BECAUSE OF THAT WE HAVE TO DO TRANSPORTATION BONDS EVERY SO OFTEN TO COME BACK AND GET THOSE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR AND HAVE GONE THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE AND HAD THAT PUBLIC PROCESS. TO HAVE ANY CONCEPT THAT THE PLANNING FOR THESE PROJECTS MEAN THEY WILL GET FUNDED TOMORROW IS NOT TRUE . OUR TRACK RECORD SHOWS THAT ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2016 ROAD BONDS. THERE'S COMMENTS VERY SPECIFIC I WANT TO ADDRESS AS WELL. COMMENTS SPECIFIC TO THE OVERALL POPULATION GROWTH IN HAYES COUNTY. WHILE THERE ARE SOME ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE CORE DOOR I WOULD ASK THOSE CITIZENS TO LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHIC DATA IN DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS. THE FACT IS DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS IS MY PRECINCT WHEN REDISTRICTING WAS DONE IN 2021. I HAVE THE FASTEST-GROWING PRECINCT IN THE COUNTY. I HAVE WESTERN BUDA ALL

[01:40:01]

THE WAY TO BILL SPRINGS ROAD ON THE WEST SIDE OF HAYES COUNTY.

IF OUR AVERAGE GROWTH RATE IN THE COUNTY IS JUST OVER 5%, LIKE 5.6% IN THE COUNTY , MY PRECINCT IS PROBABLY 14. I WOULD REITERATE THOSE ASSUMPTIONS DON'T HOLD WATER AND ARE NOT TRUE. ANOTHER EXAMPLE WOULD BE MORE COMMENTS ON THE DARDEN HILL ROAD PROJECT. IT WAS COMPLETELY ENGINEERED AS PART OF THE 2016 ROAD BOND. TO STATE A PROJECT LIKE THAT HAS NEVER HAD PUBLIC ACCESS OR PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOT ONLY UNTRUE BUT IT IS ALMOST LAUGHABLE. THREE MAJOR PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, TWO OF WHICH WERE HELD AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT THE LOCATION OF THE PROJECT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE QUESTION IS WHEN CAN IT BE BUILT? AS OF THIS MORNING I WALKED IN A COUPLE MINUTES LATE AS WE WERE STARTING THE PLEDGES BECAUSE I TOOK MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE PROJECTS SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED IN THE LETTER FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE SENT THEY SPECIFICALLY ASK FOR THE REMOVAL OF PROJECTS ON SAWYER RANCH ROAD AND DARDEN HILL ROAD. YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TODAY ON DARDEN HILL ROAD? WE HAVE 850 STUDENTS AT CYPRESS SPRINGS ELEMENTARY. JUST OF THE SAME ROAD WE HAVE 850 STUDENTS IN SYCAMORE SPRINGS ELEMENTARY. 1250 STUDENTS AT SYCAMORE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND WITHIN TWO YEARS, ACCORDING TO RISD, WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER 2500 STUDENTS AT THE CORNER OF DARDEN HILL AND SAWYER RANCH ROAD. AND THAT ONE SECTION OF ROADWAY WHERE THREE PROJECTS IN THIS BOND ARE LOCATED YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE 5500 DAILY COMMUTERS, TWICE DAILY, BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY , THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO GET TO SCHOOL. WE TRY TO ADDRESS THAT BY ADDING THE EXTENSION OF A PEDESTRIAN AND MIXED-USE PATH TO CONNECT AT LEAST FOUR CAMPUSES TOGETHER , YET EVEN WITH THAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS AREN'T PHYSICALLY LOCATED ON THAT ROADWAY. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE FOLKS ARE OFF 1826, DOWN DARDEN HILL ROAD. HOW DO WE GET THEM TO SCHOOL? JUST THIS MORNING ONE OF THE OTHER PROJECTS MENTIONED EARLIER, THAT PROJECT WAS CONCEPTUALIZED AS PART OF OUR DRIFTWOOD CHARACTER PLAN. THE 150 CHARACTER PLAN DONE BY THE COUNTY AND 2013 TO 2017 COMPLETED AT THAT POINT. IT ENVISIONED CREATING A MORE RURAL LANDSCAPE WITHOUT SIGNALIZED PERCEPTIONS IN THE DRIFTWOOD VALLEY. THAT PROJECT ITSELF WAS DESIGNED AND PAID FOR IN PART UNDER THE 2016 ROAD BOND. ESCALATION AND PROJECT COST MADE IT UNTENABLE FOR US TO GET THAT FINISH SO THAT PROJECT IS IN HERE. THIS MORNING AS I PASSED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON THE WAY HERE THERE WAS OVER 2 1/2 MILES FROM THE INTERSECTION . 2 1/2 MILES F CARS BACKED UP AT THAT INTERSECTION. TXDOT TELLS US THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS IF OPENED AS A SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION IT WOULD BE FAILING AT ITS INCEPTION, THE DAY IT OPENED. I TAKE WHAT I DO VERY SERIOUSLY. I CAN TELL YOU TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE ARE THREE INDIVIDUALS I HAVE TURNED DOWN A MEETING TO MEET WITH IN MY OFFICE SINCE 2019 WHEN I WAS ELECTED. NONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THESE PROJECTS. I CAN TELL YOU THAT SOME ASSUMPTIONS MADE HERE TODAY I CAN GET UPSET ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD BUT I KNOW THE TRUTH BEHIND IT AND I ALSO KNOW THE VISCERAL NATURE -- I WILL SAY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENTS. FACTS AND THE TRUTH WILL GET YOU SO FAR. SOMETIMES IT'S A LOT EASIER TO SIT BEHIND A KEYBOARD AND MAKE COMMENTS WITHOUT HAVING TO APPROVE ANY OF THEM.

EVENTUALLY, THOSE TYPE OF COMMENTS CATCH UP TO PEOPLE.

[01:45:01]

YOU KNOW, I CERTAINLY HOPE IT WON'T BE FOR ME OR ANYBODY I KNOW, BUT I CERTAINLY HOPE THE GENERAL PUBLIC DUTCH I BELIEVE OUR CONSTITUENCY IS SMART ENOUGH TO SEE THROUGH SOME OF THE COMMENTS. I WOULD NOT SAY UNEDUCATED. I THINK WHAT SCARES ME IS THERE INDIVIDUALS WHO MADE COMMENTS TODAY AND WHO ARE PROMOTING THINGS NOT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPACTFUL ÚPROJECTS THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED IN HAYES COUNTY. NOT BECAUSE THERE'S NO COMMENT TO THE FACT WE DID VAST NEED FOR TRANSPORTATION IN 2020, WE WERE SUPPORTED BY EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COURT. BECAUSE THOSE PROJECTS ARE ONES THAT THEIR ORGANIZATIONS CAN FUND RAISE OFF OF THOSE RISE TO THE TOP.

THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. I WILL TAKE THIS MOMENT FROM THE THINGS I WILL LISTEN TO, I WON'T GO INTO IT DEEPLY BUT I WILL SAY THAT ON THE FITZHUGH PROJECT SPECIFICALLY COMMISSIONER SMITH JUST SAID WE DON'T HAVE RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR DRAINAGE. I WILL SPEAK ON THIS AND THEN PASS IT TO COMMISSIONER SCHELL. DON'T USE THAT AS A FALSE COMFORTING BLANKET IN ANY KIND OF MISDIRECTED POTENTIALLY ACCIDENTALLY WAY BECAUSE IF WE DON'T HAVE RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR DRAINAGE AND DECIDE TO BUILD A ROAD WE WILL BY THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OR TAKE IT. JUST KNOW THAT. DON'T USE THAT CONVERSATION POINT AS WE DON'T HAVE DRAINAGE SO WE ARE FREE. I HEAR YOU ALL LOUD AND CLEAR. I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLARIFICATION

IN CASE IT WAS MISSPOKEN. >> WE HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT TEAM IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS ON PROJECTS THEY OBVIOUSLY ORIGINATE WITH ANY PRECINCT IN MANY CASES FROM PAST WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE. PRECINCT 3 PROJECTS , ALL HAVE GENERATED FROM EITHER WORK INITIATED FROM THE 2016 ROAD BOND OR SOME GO OVER 20 YEARS AND SOME INVOLVING A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT COMMUNICATION AND ESPECIALLY CONTACT WITH LAND OWNERS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED. SPEAKING WITH PRECINCT 3 THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE THEY ORIGINATE FROM. I BELIEVE ALL OF THE PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 3 WILL BE IMPORTANT , DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF CITIZENS WITH RESPECT TO THE ENVIRONMENT .

WATER ESPECIALLY IN WESTERN HAYES COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT IF NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE I THINK NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AS GROWTH CONTINUES , ESPECIALLY IN THE WESTERN PART OF THIS COUNTY AND ALONG THE 290 COURT ORDER. WE ARE STILL THE PREDOMINANT AMOUNT OF WATER AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY FROM EVERYONE WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO WORK WITH THOSE THAT HAVE THE ABILITY FOR US ALL TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK WE CAN SAY THAT KEEPS US FROM BEING ABLE TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION FACED WITH THE GROWTH WE ALREADY HAVE. THIS PROPOSED BOND EAST OR WEST OF THE COUNTY MOST OF THEM I WOULD SAY ARE PROBABLY BEHIND THE GROWTH . IT'S HARD SOMETIMES TO GET AHEAD OF THINGS WHEN YOU ARE GROWING THIS FAST AND REACTING OFTEN TIMES. MOST ARE PROBABLY AT THE POINT OF NEEDING IMPROVEMENT WITH HER SAFETY WHERE INCAPACITY . I LIKE TO USE THE EXAMPLE OF SAN MARCUS THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA THERE JUST WEST OF 35 IN SAN MARCUS. FLOOD PLANE, FLOOD PROTECTION, ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY IS VERY IMPORTANT. LOOKING BACK AT THAT PROJECT AND THINKING THAT IS TOUGH I'M SURE THERE'S A LOT OF THOUGHT BY LEADERS IN THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS AND OTHERS AT THAT TIME TO TRY TO SAY GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS WE HAVE THIS

[01:50:02]

CONGESTION AND IMPACT ON OUR LIVES HAD A YOU PROVIDE SOME RELIEF IN A RESPONSIBLE RESPECTFUL WAY? SOMETIMES IT'S HARD. I THINK IT WAS DONE WELL. IT'S NOT PERFECT BUT LIKE ANYTHING ELSE I THINK IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF DOING SOMETHING AT THAT TIME STILL IN A REACTIONARY MODE. IMAGINE CLOSING DOWN AN EXTENSION AND EVERY VEHICLE HEADED WEST OR EAST IS GOING THROUGH THE CORNER OF HOPKINS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SOMETIMES THEY WILL BE HERE AND MOVE IN TIME IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR THE UNIVERSITY. I THINK OF THAT AS AN EXAMPLE AND IN THAT CASE THAT PROJECT CAME ALONG WITH A LOT OF PRESERVATION CONSERVATION. GOOD CHUNK WITH ALL 12 HAS BEEN CONSERVED. I THINK IT IS TO TRY A COUPLE CONSERVATION WITH TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT IF POSSIBLE. IT CAN HAVE MULTIMODAL COMPONENTS.

MANY OF THOSE PROJECTS HAVE THAT. ONCE YOU'VE GOTTEN TO A CERTAIN POINT IT CAN BE DEVELOPED LIKE COMMISSIONER SMITH MENTIONED. YOU DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK YET WE THINK THIS IS NEEDED AND OBVIOUSLY TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE SOLUTION. GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS THAT EXIST YOU DO SURVEYS , YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THINGS, FIND PLACES YOU WANT TO AVOID, TALK TO LANDOWNERS. THAT IS MULTIPLE PROJECTS ON THIS LIST. OTHER PROJECTS HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTION. THOSE TAKE A LONG TIME TO DEVELOP USING THE 2016 ROAD BOND AS AN EXAMPLE. A LOT OF WORK IN THE WEMBLEY AREA AND MAINLY STATE INTERSECTIONS OR 3237 WERE FISHER STORE ALL OF THIS INTERSECTION WITH STATE ROADS AND THINGS ON THOSE PROBABLY STARTED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 2010, 2015, 2016 ROAD BOND WAS WHAT WAS ABLE TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP AND THEN THROUGH SOMETIMES PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE STATE CONSTRUCT THOSE PROJECTS. MOST OF THOSE LIKE AT THE INTERSECTION OF 3237 OPENED EARLIER THIS SUMMER , LATE SPRING. YOU ARE THINKING FROM SOMETIME BETWEEN 2010 AND 2015 YOU START THE PROCESS IN AN INTERSECTION COMPLETED IN 2024. THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE TIME IT TAKES TO GO THROUGH ALL THE STEPS TO MAKE SURE WHAT THE END RESULT IS WHAT IT'S INTENDED TO BE A SOLUTION AND TO FIT IN THE AREA IT'S GOING TO BE BUILT BUT STILL PROVIDE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THOSE TIMES OF SAFETY OUT WEST. I KNOW THAT IS A CONSIDERATION THAT GOES INTO DEVELOPMENT OF THESE PROJECTS IF IT THEY ARE DESIGN PHASE PROJECTS WHICH MANY ARE TO FIND WHAT THE SOLUTIONS CAN BE, WHAT THE CONSTRAINTS ARE AND ULTIMATELY WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND WILL WORK FOR THE FUTURE. I KNOW WE ALSO HAVE OUR FINANCIAL ADVISER HERE. IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COURT FOR HIM BESIDES OUR BUDGET TEAM I

WILL TURN IT OVER. >> I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE PATTERN AND TAKING HERE. EACH COMMISSIONER HAS PRESENTED THEIR PROJECTS TO GET ONE OF THE THREE I WILL GIVE THAT PODIUM TIME WITH WHICH IS CARLOS WHICH HELP MANAGE ALL OF THESE PROJECTS WITH EACH COMMISSIONER FOR THEIR PRECINCT . THAT'S WHY I'M GOING ONE BY ONE SO THEY CAN SPEAK TO THOSE ITEMS WITH MORE DEPTH. WE ALSO HAVE OUR BOND COUNSEL HERE. WE WILL GO TO COMMISSIONER COHEN THEN COMMISSIONER INGLESBY AND

THEN PROFESSIONALS. >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT CAME TODAY TO VOICE YOUR OPINION. SO FOR ME

[01:55:30]

TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT ARE AT FULL CONSTRUCTION OR EVEN AT DESIGN IT MAKES ME HAPPY AS A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF HAYS COUNTY TO FINALLY SEE REAL WORK BEING DONE TO AN AREA THAT HAS BEEN SEVERELY DISREGARDED AND UNDERSERVED. SO, I AM PROUD AS A COMMISSIONER NOW TODAY TO BE PART OF THESE DISCUSSIONS.

IT'S DEFINITELY DIFFERENT FROM THE WESTSIDE TO THE EAST SIDE .

WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN MY AREA IS THIS IMMENSE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING NOW . MY CONSTITUENCY WANTS SAFE ROADS AND THE ABILITY TO GET TO WORK AND GET TO SCHOOL AND GET HOME AND A DECENT TIME FRAME. THESE PROJECTS FROM MY PRECINCT I FEEL WILL HELP ACHIEVE THAT BECAUSE I WANT THEM TO GET HOME SOONER TO THEIR KIDS, I WANT THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE THEM TO BE THERE AT 5:00. MANY STILL HAVE TO TRAVEL TO TRAVIS COUNTY FOR WORK AND THAT IS SHOWN EVERY DAY WHEN WE SEE THE NEWS OF HOW LONG IT GETS FROM KYLE TO BETA . I AM JUST REALLY HONORED TO BE PART OF THIS PROJECT FOR MY PRECINCT. I WILL LOOK AFTER THEM. MY VOTE TODAY IS GOING TO BE FOR PRECINCT 2 AND OUR NEEDS THERE. THAT'S

ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> THANK YOU. WELL SAID.

COMMISSIONER INGLESBY. WHAT SAY YOU?

>> I WILL BE SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT PRECINCT 1. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT AND ALL THE OTHER CORRESPONDENCE I GOT . IT IS IMPORTANT WE HAVE AN OPEN PROCESS SO I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE. I REPRESENT MAINLY THE EAST SIDE OF I-35. THERE IS SUCH A GREAT NEED IN THAT AREA . ON A DAILY BASIS, MY OFFICE RECEIVES PHONE CALLS FROM RESIDENTS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF SAFETY AND OTHER FACTORS. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER COHEN, THOSE ROADS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR SUCH A LONG TIME. WE NEED IMPROVEMENTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF I-35. I'VE MET WITH CITY STAFF AND MAYORS FROM THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, KYLE, NEIDERWALD, UNIT ONE , CALDWELL COUNTY AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS. THE SAME ROADS ARE THE ONES ON THIS BOND PACKAGE THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WE LOOK AT THOSE NEEDS OF CITIES IN CALDWELL COUNTY WHO HAVE THESE EXACT SAME CONCERNS. I JUST FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE STRONGLY CONSIDER THE PASSAGE OF ALLOWING OUR VOTERS TO DECIDE ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO APPROVE BECAUSE OF THE GREAT NEED ON

THE EAST SIDE OF I-35. >> THANK YOU. ALL FOUR OF YOU HAVE RESPONDED WELL. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO NEXT IS ASK CARLOS FROM HN TB WHO IS OUR CONTRACTOR THAT HELPS NOT ONLY EXECUTE OUR PROJECTS BUT DID THE LEAD WORK . NOT HIM SPECIFICALLY BUT HIS TEAM DID THE LEGWORK TO COME UP WITH THIS LIST WITH EACH COMMISSIONER BEFORE US ALL TODAY. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GIVE YOU A FEW MINUTES TO SAY WHAT YOU THINK IS MOST BROAD STROKE USEFUL AT THIS TIME AND THEN I WILL GO TO WHOEVER THINKS IS BEST AND LET YOU GUYS DECIDE WHO IS THE BEST NEXT.

>> IN MORNING. I'M WITH THE HNTB CORPORATION AND I'M YOUR ENGINEERING CONSULTANT PROGRAM MANAGER. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF WITH IS THAT THIS PROCESS BEGAN WITH PROJECTS

[02:00:02]

DOCUMENTED IN SOME PLAN, SOMEWHERE THAT HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE. WE STARTED THERE AND ALSO PICKED UP ON PROJECTS THAT HAVE GOTTEN DONE ON THE 2016 BOND THAT WERE AT A POINT WHERE THEY CAN BE A SET OF PLANS ON THE SHELF AND MANY ARE IN THIS BOND THAT WILL GO TO CONSTRUCTION RIGHT AWAY OR SOME EARLY PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING THAT STARTED. BY USING THAT APPROACH WE KNEW WE WERE STARTING A PROJECT THE PUBLIC HAD SUPPORT FOR. IT INVOLVED EXTENSIVE COORDINATION WITH EACH COMMISSIONER. WHAT WE FOUND WAS THE COMMISSIONERS UNDERSTAND THEIR CONSTITUENTS VERY WELL AND THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE. I BELIEVE THIS LIST BEFORE YOU TODAY REFLECTS ALL OF THOSE VALUES. A COUPLE STATISTICS. THERE ARE 14 PROJECTS WITHIN THE BOND THAT WOULD BE GOING ALL THE WAY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. THERE ARE 13 PROJECTS THAT WILL HAVE A PLANNING PROCESS. IT SAYS DESIGN BUT IT BEGINS WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS, A PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT THAT PROJECT OUGHT TO LOOK LIKE. THERE ARE 13 THAT INVOLVED THE ACQUISITION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE A FUTURE ROAD, WHATEVER THAT MAY LOOK LIKE.

THERE ARE THREE PROJECTS HERE THAT ARE STRICTLY STUDIES THAT WILL SAY WHAT TO DO WITH A PARTICULAR ROAD MAYBE LIKE OLD SAN ANTONIO ROAD. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT KIND OF PROJECTS WITHIN THE BOND THAT EITHER HAVE BEEN TEED UP . THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT IS THAT IN THE CURRENT BOND, ABOUT $131 MILLION TAKING THIS APPROACH OF SOME CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, PLANNING ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO BRING IN MORE DOLLARS. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEVERAGE THE 2016 BOND FROM 131 MILLION TO ABOUT $210 MILLION SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE PROJECTS IN A POSITION THAT CAN BE CHOSEN OR PICKED UP BY TXDOT AND BROUGHT TO CONSTRUCTION WHICH MAKES AN INVESTMENT IN A BOND THAT MUCH BETTER. THERE ARE FEWER STATE ROADS WITHIN THIS PROPOSED BOND BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE LEVERAGING CAN'T BE THE SAME IN THE FUTURE. WE WILL WORK WITH TXDOT BUT THE ONES NOT IN THE SYSTEM IF WE GET THEM TO A POINT OF READINESS THEY WILL BE STRONGER ON THE NEXT PROGRAM CALL WHICH WE WILL HIT VERY HARD WHEN THAT DAY COMES EITHER 2027 OR 2028. I'LL LIKE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> I'LL TAKE A SECOND TO CLARIFY WHAT YOU SAID. CAMPO IS A CAPITAL AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. THAT IS A REGIONAL PARTNER THAT HELPS MAKE SURE THE MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES THROUGH A WHOLE REGION ARE COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY SO WE DON'T BUILD BRIDGES TO NOWHERE. THE LEVERAGING HE WAS REFERRING TO, 131 MILLION TO 210 MILLION, WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE IF WE, AS A COUNTY, I UNDERSTAND I'VE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR THERE ARE SOME PROJECTS YOU WANT TO SEE TAKEN OUT OF THIS. THE REASON THAT LEVERAGING AND PREPARATION PLANNING, DESIGNING IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS LOW. WHEN WE TAKE CERTAIN PROJECTS TO A CERTAIN SPOT THEN OTHER FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CAMPO, TXDOT OR THE FEDERAL SEE THESE PROJECTS AND EXECUTE AND FULLY FUND. WHEN THAT COMES TO MIND IS COMMISSIONER SHALL. YOU ARE CREATING THE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AND THEN CAMPO PICKED UP HOW MANY DOLLARS?

>> TXDOT. HOW MUCH DID THEY BASICALLY GIVE US?

>> THE INTERSECTION . >> THE CONSTRUCTION COST.

>> JUST THOSE ALONE I THINK WAS LEVERAGING AROUND 12 TO 13

MILLION. >> COMMISSIONER SHALL HELP CREATE THESE IMPROVEMENTS IN THESE INTERSECTIONS, TEED UP THE OTHER PART SO NOW 3237, VERY USEFUL, IMPORTANT. HIGHLY USED. NOW, STATE DOLLARS, NOT COUNTY DOLLARS TO THE TUNE OF

HOW MANY MILLION? >> I KNOW IT'S AROUND 12 TO 13 MILLION. THE OTHER THAT WAS MENTIONED WHICH WAS IN BETWEEN

[02:05:02]

THOSE INTERSECTIONS , THAT IS SHOVEL READY AND READY FOR FUNDING SHOULD IT BE SELECTED AROUND $30 MILLION.

>> I HATE TO USE IT THIS WAY BUT THAT IS PART OF THE APPEAL FOR GETTING SOME OF THIS PLANNING DONE AND WORKING ON IT IN THIS WAY. THAT IS THE IMPLICATION OF THE DESIGN AND PLANNING IN THIS STAGE. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I REITERATED THAT SO FOLKS WOULDN'T ACCIDENTALLY GLOSS OVER WHAT YOU SAID BECAUSE IT WAS SO CONCISELY PRESENTED.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT? STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR

THE PUBLIC. >> THANK YOU. SPECIALIZED PUBLIC FINANCIAL ADVISER TO THE COUNTY. A COUPLE COMMENTS ON SOME TAX IMPACTS AND PRODUCTIONS AND HOW WE GO INTO THAT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE EACH BOND ISSUE, THAT ISSUE THROUGH THE YEARS AS A CONTRACT WITH THE VOTERS.

THERE HAVE BEEN BOND ISSUES IN THE PAST THAT HAVE PROJECTED TO HAVE NO IMPACT. EACH TIME WE GO TO SELL BONDS WE HAVE TO MEET THAT REQUIREMENT AND CANNOT RAISE THE TAX RATE IF WE HAVE STATED A BOND REFERENDUM IT WAS GOING TO STAY AT A CERTAIN LEVEL. I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS BACK IN 2010 YOUR TAX RATES HAVE BEEN RIGHT AROUND 12.6 OR LOWER TO THE CURRENT LEVEL . THE VARIOUS BOND PROGRAMS IN 2020, 2008, 2016 THE VOTERS APPROVED BONDS YOU, AS A COUNTY, HAVE ISSUED BONDS EACH TIME DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE AND WORK WITH AUDITOR AND BUDGET OFFICE AS WELL AS YOU ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTRACT WITH THE VOTERS IS MET. IN THIS CASE , THIS IS PROBABLY AROUND TWO CENTS. THAT WORST CASE IS ALSO BECAUSE OF A CONTRACT WITH THE VOTERS WHO WERE NOT ISSUED ANY ADDITIONAL DEBT REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH PROPERTY VALUES AND SUCH AND THE BEST CASE WOULD BE TO COME IN LOWER . WE HAVE HAD SUCCESS ON THAT FRONT AS WELL. YOU DON'T CONTROL PROPERTY VALUES. YOU ONLY CONTROL THE TAX RATE YOU SET EACH BUDGET CYCLE SO THAT'S WHAT WE WORK WITHIN ON THAT FRAMEWORK. WE ARE NOT ASSUMING WE GO SELL THE WHOLE BOND ISSUE ONE TIME. IT WOULD BE ISSUED IN PHASES THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS AND MAKE SURE YOU CAN MEET YOUR GOALS. IT DOESN'T DO US ANY GOOD TO NOT MEET THE TARGET AND NOT BE ABLE TO ISSUE THE THAT . THAT IS REALLY THE GUIDING FORCE

THROUGH THIS PROCESS . >> CAN I STOP YOU THERE? IT TAKES A WHILE TO UNDERSTAND. WHAT HE IS SAYING AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, I'M PARAPHRASING THE HECK OUT OF IT FROM A LAYMAN'S PERSPECTIVE. HE'S THE GUY THAT'S GOING TO GO TO SELL A DEBT FOR US TO BUILD THESE ROADS. IF WE DID EVERYTHING PROPOSED, HALF $1 BILLION , AROUND IT. THAT WOULD BE A MAXIMUM OF TWO CENTS WHICH IS AN APPROXIMATE $80 PER YEAR FOR AN AVERAGE $400,000 HOUSE. THE LIKELIHOOD WE WOULD SEND EVERYTHING OUT AT ONCE AND BUILD EVERYTHING AT ONCE AND CAUSED TERRIBLE GRIDLOCK LIKE SOMETIMES PARTS OF 35 HAVE IS NOT ONLY UNLIKELY BUT SURE NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. THE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH THE VOTERS IF APPROVED IS WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO AS WE WILL NOT BURDEN THE VOTERS APPROVED WITH MORE THAN BUT THE HIGHLY LIKELIHOOD IS IT WILL KEEP TEARING DOWN LOWER AND LOWER DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH OF THE BOND WE SEEK TO SELL UP TO AND POTENTIALLY IF IT IS A SLOW ENOUGH PACE , CAN YOU EXPAND ON THE POTENTIAL OF RAISING IF IT WAS TO BE A PACE WE CHOSE? WAS I RIGHT ON THE RECAP?

>> VERY ACCURATE. THE ISSUANCE PROCESS IS YOU SELL THE BOND WHEN YOU NEED THE MONEY TO GO FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.

PROJECTS NEED TO BE READY. IF YOU RUN INTO A HURDLE AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST ALL OVER THE COUNTRY YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT BOND MONEY SITTING THERE. WE ANTICIPATE SELLING A PIECE OF THIS EVERY YEAR OVER THE NEXT 3 TO 5 YEARS IF VALUES ARE ROBUST BECAUSE OF WHATEVER IS CONTRIBUTING TO HIGHER VALUES WE CAN STILL ISSUE THE DEBT THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO RAISE THE RATE TO A LEVEL WE PROJECT YEAR-OVER-YEAR. THAT IS

[02:10:05]

PART OF THE PROCESS TO ALLOW YOU. NOBODY IN THIS ROOM WANTS TO RAISE THE RATE ANY MORE THAN IS NECESSARY TO SERVICE THE DEBT THAT YOU ARE TAKING ON. THE OTHER THING I WILL MENTION IS JUST A MONTH OR SO AGO YOUR BONDS, WHEN YOU SELL YOUR BONDS YOU ARE RATED BY TWO DIFFERENT ENTITIES . THOSE TWO ENTITIES ARE PROVIDING AN RATING NOT FOR YOUR BENEFIT BUT FOR PEOPLE BUYING THE DEBT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ALL OVER THAT MAY HOLD HAYS COUNTY TO UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, DEBT LEVELS AND MANAGEMENT, YOUR DECISION-MAKING STAFF DECISION-MAKING. IT RAISE YOU TO AA PLUS. IT MATCHES . THAT LOOKS AT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, HOW YOU MANAGE THESE ISSUES AND THEY TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION A PROPOSED BOND TO YOUR DEBT LEVELS BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVEN'T BEEN SELLING DEBT EVERY YEAR, YOU HAVEN'T GONE OUT AND ENCUMBERED FUNDS EVERY YEAR. THIS IS A PLAN CYCLE THEY SAW COMING , A THREE-YEAR MASTER PLAN AND POTENTIAL FOR AN AREA TO GO DOWN THAT PATH. YOU ARE STRONG FROM A CREDIT MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND THIS WOULD BE ISSUED IN A VERY PRUDENT WAY TO KEEP THE TAX RATE AT THE CENTER FOCUS.

>> I WILL RUN BY EACH COMMISSIONER FOR QUESTIONS.

>> NO. I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE ANY. THANK YOU FOR THE THOROUGH

EXPLANATION. >> NO QUESTION, THANK YOU.

>> THE ONLY THING I WOULD POINT OUT IS DAN MENTIONED THE RATE WHICH WAS A LITTLE OVER $.12 A FEW YEARS AGO IS NOW PROJECTED TO BE 8.29 IN OUR CURRENT BUDGET PLANNING BUT THAT IS THE RATE TIMES ALL OF THE TAXABLE VALUE OF THE COUNTY THAT GENERATES THE FUNDS WE USE TO SERVICE THAT DEBT. THAT'S THE RATE HE WAS MENTIONING THAT USED TO BE $.12 THAT IS NOW IN THE MID-EIGHTS. THE MAC ONE COMMENT TO ADD COLOR. HE ASKED THIS QUESTION LAST WEEK. WHAT WAS THE COUNTY TAX RATE FOR 49?

>> BACK IN 2010 THE HIGHEST TAX RATE WAS 4692.

>> EVERYTHING ALL IN -- SO IN THE LAST 14 YEARS THAT TAX RATE IS DROPPED BY A THIRD. IF AT ANY POINT DURING THAT PROCESS LOOKING AT THE OVERALL REQUEST IS IF WE HAD FROZEN INSTEAD OF FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO CENTS WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT THE ADDITIONAL TWO CENTS NOW. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME. MY COLLEAGUES WILL PROBABLY TELL YOU I PROBABLY COMPLAIN ABOUT SPENDING MONEY MORE THAN MOST ON HERE. IF WE LOOK AT OUR OVERALL RATE THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW. HAYS COUNTY HAS SOMETHING NOT ALL COUNTIES HAVE. THERE'S FUNDING UNDER STATE LAW THAT SET ASIDE SPECIFICALLY . THE COURT JUDGE IN ORDER TO MEET OUR NO NEW REVENUE RATE WE ROBBED A PENNY OUT OF OUR FIRST YEAR . TO THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION WE HAD GOING ON THERE IN MAINTENANCE. WE HAVE TO PLAY CATCH-UP EVERY SO OFTEN WE HAD PLANNED AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH. AS WE LOOK AT THIS BOND AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY NO OTHER ENTITY IN HAYS COUNTY HAS DROPPED THEIR TAX RATE AS LARGE AS THE COUNTY ITSELF HAS. NO MUNICIPALITY , NO MUD , NO ESD.

[02:15:05]

NO MUNICIPAL UTILITY, NO EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT, NO CITY , NO SCHOOL BOARD. WE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HAVING TO HAVE FUNDS TO DO THESE THINGS.

>> JUST TO RECAP , YOUR FORTE IS THE MOVEMENT AND SELLING OF THE BONDS TO DO THE WORK. ANYTHING ELSE TO HIGHLIGHT GET

OFF THE PODIUM. >> TO RADIATE WHAT YOU ALL HAVE SAID BECAUSE OF THE MAGNITUDE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE TAX RATE DOWN LOOKS TO BE A TWO CENT INCREASE WITH CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATIONS . THAT SAID WE LOOK AT EACH PARCEL RESELL EACH YEAR

BEFORE INCURRING THE DEBT. >> MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THE WORK AND NOT JUST LEAVING IT ON THE SHELF.

>> TO PUT A POINT CAN YOU CLARIFY FOR EXAMPLE THE 2020 BOND WE DID ? THAT WAS A $75 MILLION BOND. WE WENT TO THE MARKET WITH THAT BOND IN APRIL OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR, 2021.

>> WE SOLD IT INTO PARCELS . >> THE FIRST WAS ABOUT 40, 50

MILLION? >> 40 AND THE OTHER ABOUT 30.

>> THE REASON IS BECAUSE IF WE GO TO THE MARKET THEN WE PAY INTEREST ON THAT. IT BEHOOVES US TO GO WITH THE PROJECTS WE KNOW ARE READY TO GO BECAUSE THAT OUR AVERAGE TAXPAYER IS

NOT PAYING THAT INTEREST AT. >> I WILL SAY ONE THING QUICKLY. WE ALL KNOW THE 2008 MORTGAGE CRISIS PRESENTING AND TALKING ABOUT IF THE BONDS PASS AND SOME WERE CONCERNED THROUGH THE ROOF. I DON'T PREDICT INTEREST RATES. WE SEE WHAT THE MARKET IS. WE SAW AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF LOWER INTEREST RATES THAT WAS BENEFICIAL , BUT THAT'LL BE THE SAME PROCESS

HERE AND RATES GO UP . >> WE DON'T SEEK THE BOND.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING . I AM JULIE HOUSTON WITH THE LAW FIRM AND I AM THE COUNTY'S BOND COUNSEL.

WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TODAY IS THE PROPOSED ORDER CALLING THE BOND ELECTION. IF YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD. LAST WEEK I WAS HERE AS WELL AND WAS GIVEN SOME DIRECTION BY YOU ON WHAT YOU WANTED THE PROPOSITION TO LOOK LIKE AND THE BALLOT LANGUAGE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS POINT OUT THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT HAS BEEN ADJUSTED WITH THE LATEST FIGURES FROM HNTB TO BE THE $439,634,000 . THE REQUEST WAS ALSO TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE PROJECTS. I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH HNTB. THE REQUEST WAS TO ARRAIGN THESE BY AREAS . THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE HERE. THEY ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY, NOT IN ANY SPECIAL PRIORITY ORDER BUT JUST ALPHABETICALLY . I DID ADD LANGUAGE AS DISCUSSIONS HAVE REVEALED TODAY SOME PROJECTS WILL BE GOING TO CONSTRUCTION, SOME WILL GO TO VARIOUS STAGES. THERE WAS LANGUAGE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT. COST RELATED TO SOME OR ALL OF THE FOREGOING AND IT DOES INCLUDE MOBILITY, SAFETY, RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION, DESIGN, ENGINEERING. IT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THESE PROJECTS WILL INVOLVE SOME OR MAYBE ALL OF THOSE COSTS . LANGUAGE WAS ADDED AFTER THE LIST OF PROJECTS THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL HAVE THE DISCRETION TO PRIORITIZE SUCH PROJECTS AND TO APPLY BOND AUTHORIZATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH PRIORITY. THESE PROJECTS WERE JUST LISTED ALPHABETICALLY AND AS THE COMMISSIONER COURT SEES MORE

[02:20:01]

PRESSING PROJECTS CAN BE TAKEN BASED ON COMMISSIONER COURT

DECISIONS. >> FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC SAKE IF WE WANTED TO, BECAUSE OF THE MAKEUP OF THE AUDIENCE I WILL USE THIS AS THE EXAMPLE , IF WE WANTED TO PULL THE FITZHUGH PROJECT ROAD OFF THE BOND WITH THIS BE ABILITY TO DO AT THIS TIME OR ARE WE LOCKED IN WITH THE LIST? WHAT CAN YOU SAY?

>> AT THIS POINT YOU HAVEN'T LOCKED INTO THE LIST. YOU WOULD HAVE FLEXIBILITY . I GUESS I WOULD NEED TO TALK WITH JORDAN AND SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING WE HAD TO COME BACK WITH OR IF WE HAVE THE CONSULTANTS HERE IF THE COST COULD BE PULLED OUT AND THE PROJECT COULD BE PULLED OUT AND MADE HERE IN COURT .

>> I WANTED THE PUBLIC TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION. COMMISSIONER, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN CHANGE

OR LEAVE IT ALONE AS >> I THINK THERE IS A GOOD REPRESENTATION FROM THE FITZHUGH CORRIDOR HERE. WHILE I APPRECIATE THAT I ALSO KNOW IF WE PULL THAT PROJECT COMPLETELY OUT OF THIS BOND IF AND WHEN MAJOR DEVELOPMENT DOES HAPPEN THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND YOU'VE GOT 850 CARS A NIGHT ON THAT ROADWAY AND Y'ALL COME BACK HERE OR THOSE NEIGHBORS COME BACK IN TWO YEARS AND SAY WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP US THE ANSWER IS NOTHING. I HOPE THAT RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND THAT CONUNDRUM. I'M STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR INTERIM SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT $3 MILLION THROUGH OUR REGULAR BUDGET PROCESS TO TRY TO FUND OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND I'VE CUT PROJECTS THROUGHOUT MY PRECINCT TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT THAT ARE JUST OF HIGH-PRIORITY. IF THERE IS A WAY, IF WE CAN SIT DOWN FOR A MINUTE . I DON'T KNOW IF I NEED TO TALK TO HER GENERAL COUNSEL, IF THERE IS A WAY TO SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT WHAT THE COST --

>> PARING IT DOWN MAYBE? >> OF THE LAST THING I WANT QUITE LITERALLY THE LAST THING I WANT IS FOR THAT ROADWAY WHERE, AGAIN, I CAN'T EVEN PUT A CENTER STRIPE , IF I CAN'T DO DESIGN FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AND I CAN'T DO DESIGN FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS THERE TO ENSURE THAT IS A SAFE ROADWAY I'M NOT DOING MY JOB . WHAT DOES THE MIDDLEGROUND LOOK LIKE? I DON'T KNOW. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE DON'T HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES . MY COLLEAGUES KNOW WE DON'T HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES. THERE HASN'T BEEN A BOND SINCE 2016 FOR TRANSPORTATION. GIVEN OUR CURRENT TAX RATE AND WHAT PRIORITIZATION IS THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN CASH FLOW THE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED THERE. IF THERE COULD BE A PARING DOWN, IF WE WANT TO TAKE TWO MINUTES OR THREE MINUTES PRIOR TO ADOPTING IT AND GIVE A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH OUR CONSULTANT TO SEE WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WHAT THE COST WOULD BE I WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT AND I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE I HAVE THE HONOR, THE PRIVILEGE , I WON'T SAY BURDEN BECAUSE I HAVE THE BEST JOB BUT I REPRESENT 'S COMMISSIONERS DEPENDING ON THE PRECINCT WE LIVE IN REPRESENT YOU. SO TO WHY. I'M THE COUNTYWIDE LENS.

I TIPPED IT OVER TO YOU BECAUSE THIS IS THE SPACE YOU ARE REPRESENTING. I WANTED TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY. THEY'RE BOTH OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING IN THIS MOMENT.

WHAT I WILL DO IF YOU DON'T MIND IS WE WILL NOT IN A 10 MINUTE RECESS REAL QUICK AND THEN GO AND COME BACK TO THIS AND SEE IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS WITH THEIR CONCERNS.

[02:27:20]

>> WE DON'T HAVE THAT, WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAY IS IN LOOKING AT THIS THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED WOULD SPECIFICALLY BE DRAINAGE , LANE WIDENING OF THE CURRENT ROADWAYS, SHOULDERS AND OTHER SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT THE ADDITION OF ADDITIONAL LANES OF TRAVEL.

>> I LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT. THAT'S WHERE THE OF AND

APPLAUSE. GO FOR IT. >> I WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE ONLY TAKE A BITE AT THESE APPLES EVERY 2018 WAS THE LAST TIME OR 2016 WAS THE LAST TIME ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED.

YOU TRY TO DO AS MUCH FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS AS YOU CAN WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. IF THOSE TYPE OF IMPROVEMENTS WILL GET US FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD I MAY NOT BE AROUND BUT THE ONE THING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO AND BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IMPACTED BY PERSONALLY IS THE RANCH I GREW UP ON HAS THE MAIN SUPPLY LINE FOR JET FUEL TO DALLAS-FORT WORTH IMPORT. THEY CAME TO MY PARENTS AT ONE POINT AND SAID YOU ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET A JET FUEL LINE RIGHT ACROSS THE RANCH. THEN IT WAS PROBABLY THE WORST SITUATION MY DAD EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH RELATIVE TO OUR RANCH. UNTIL 15 TO 20 YEARS LATER THEY CAME BACK AND SAID YOU GET A SECOND FUEL LINE GOING ACROSS THE RANCH. AS WE LOOK AT THESE PROJECTS I'VE BEEN VERY ADAMANT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO RIGHT-OF-WAY AND WORKING WITH THOSE CONSTITUENTS WITHIN THOSE COURT ORDERS TO SAY IF YOU HAVE TO SEE SOMEBODY FROM THE STATE OR FROM THE COUNTY OR FROM THE CITY I CERTAINLY PRAY TO THE GOOD LORD HIMSELF YOU ONLY HAVE TO SEE HIM ONE TIME EVER. AT TIMES WE MAY ERR ON THE SIDE OF JUDGMENT TO SAY LET'S LOOK AT WHAT THE ULTIMATE CONFIGURATION OF SOMETHING IS FOR THE SIMPLE FACT WE NEVER WANT TO DARKEN THE DOOR OF A PROPERTY OWNER ONCE IT'S BEEN DONE. THAT MAY HAVE BEEN SOME CONCEPT BEHIND WHY THAT WAS DRAFTED THE WAY IT WAS. I HOPE AND BELIEVE IT ADDRESSES THE ISSUES BROUGHT TODAY AND I HOPE WE CAN GET TO

SOME COMPLETION. >> THANK YOU. I AM ALSO GIVE REPRESENTATIVE AND COVER SOME OF IT BUT IT'S A LONG ROAD.

>> IF I'M HEARING CORRECTLY , THE AMOUNT OF BONDS TO BE

[02:30:07]

PROPOSED TO THE AUTHORIZED STAYS THE SAME BUT WHAT I NEED TO REVISE IS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE TWO PROJECTS? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THAT TO READ? WE ARE TALKING UNDER WESTERN COUNTY

PROJECTS. >> IS CURRENTLY SIX AT 6.148 MILLION IT WOULD BE REDUCED TO 5 MILLION. THE ADDITIONAL 1.148 MILLION WOULD BE PLACED IN THE POT FOR DISCRETIONARY AND THAT

WOULD BE ADDED TO THE TOTAL. >> IS FAR THE DESCRIPTION CURRENTLY IS IT SAYS MOBILITY PROJECT? SHOULD THAT BE CHANGED

TO SAFETY? >> SAFETY AUDIT AND CORRIDOR

STUDY IMPROVEMENTS. >> SAFETY AUDIT AND CORRIDOR

STUDY. >> THE FOCUS WILL NOT BE TO MOVE CARS THROUGH, IT WILL BE TO MAKE SURE IT IS SAFE AS THE

PRIMARY FOCUS . >> THE TEAM WOULD NEED TO UPDATE THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION . THAT WILL BE USED IN THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL AND BECOME PART OF THE CONTRACT.

>> AS COURT MEMBERS BEGIN TO TALK OF WHAT'S GOING ON IT IS IMPORTANT , I'M NOT KNOCKING ANYBODY BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS A LIFE AND THINGS TO DO. I WILL DO MY PART TO EDUCATE AS MUCH AS I CAN. I'VE MADE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ABOUT THIS MAYBE FIVE VIDEOS ABOUT IT. WE HAD A FULL PRESENTATION JULY 2ND SOME POINTED OUT. THIS HAS GONE ON IN A FEW DIFFERENT SPACES. AS SOON AS THIS GETS FINALIZED THE COURT MEMBERS WILL NOT BE OUT THERE PEDDLING PRO BOND. WE WILL BE PEDDLING IF ANYTHING AT ALL INFORMATION SHARING. THAT'S IT. WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT OUR THUMBS ON ANY SCALE. WE WILL SHARE UNIVERSAL EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION SO THAT IS THE INTENT . IF THAT'S HOW YOU SEE IT GREAT, IF NOT BRING IT TO OUR ATTENTION.

>> IF I MAY , CIVIL FIRST ASSISTANT I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT DURING THE RECESS CONSULTANTS, BOND COUNSEL WERE ABLE TO RUN NUMBERS AND COMMUNICATE THOSE WITH COMMISSIONER SMITH BUT RECESS DOESN'T PROVIDE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE COURT TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF THE REMAINDER OF THE COURT HAD ISSUES THEY WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH LEGAL COUNSEL THAT WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE CONVERSATION WE

HAVE RESOLVED THOSE ISSUES. >> I WAS OKAY WITH WHAT WE RECEIVED WITH THE PRECINCT FOR PROJECT EDIT THAT COMMISSIONER

SMITH MADE . >> JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR IF

IT WAS NEEDED. >> CLARITY AND COMMUNICATION IS

THE KEY. ANYTHING ELSE? >> IT SOUNDS LIKE WE GOT IT COVERED. THE NEXT STEP IF THERE'S ANY MORE QUESTIONS BUT THEN YOU WOULD NEED TO VOTE ON THIS.

>> THIS IS A CLARIFICATION IF COMMISSIONER SHALL IS OKAY UNDER THE SAN MARCUS AREA PROJECTS CENTERPOINT ROAD I THOUGHT BECAUSE I HAVE A LARGE PORTION OF CENTERPOINT ROAD IN MY PRECINCT DO YOU MIND IF WE PUT CENTERPOINT ROAD WEST FOR CLARIFICATION? CENTERPOINT IS IN GREAT NEED ON THE EAST SIDE BUT THIS IS NOT ADDRESSING THAT.

>> BETWEEN I-35. >> I LIKE THAT . GOOD JOB.

THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THIS OR BEEN A PART OF IT THE DIRECTION RECEIVED FROM THIS COURT LAST TUESDAY WAS UP ON THE BALLOT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND THIS IS WHY I SUPPORTED THE IDEA. I KNOW SOME FEEL IT IS RUSHED. I SUPPORTED THE IDEA ABOUT A NOVEMBER BALLOT BECAUSE IT IS PRESIDENTIAL. THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE MOST HANDS, MOST EYES IN FRONT. SOME WOULD SAY IF WE DID A MAY BALLOT OR SOME OTHER TIME YOU ARE RUNNING IT WHEN NO ONE WILL GO TO THE BALLOT. THAT'S NOT RIGHT. I WAS SOLD ON DOING THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO VOTE WILL VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT. I KNOW NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO ONE OF MY FAVORITE CITIES IN PROCESS IS SAN MARCOS. I FIND IT ROBUSTLY COMPLETE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND STILL PEOPLE SAY IT'S NOT ENOUGH. WE ARE WITHIN OUR SCOPE AND CAPACITY DOING EVERYTHING

[02:35:05]

WE CAN TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION AND ACCESS BUT IN THE LAST COURT MEETING THERE WAS DIRECTION THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE BALLOT BECAUSE IT IS A PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT THAT THE ACTUAL BALLOT WHEN YOU GET IN FRONT TO VOTE IS LIMITED IN DESCRIPTION. IT WON'T BE 45 PAGES OF THIS INFORMATION. OUT HERE FOR EVERYONE TO LEARN ABOUT IT AND UNDERSTAND IT WILL BE DELINEATED A CONTRACT WITH YOU, THE VOTERS. HERE IS THE ITEM . CAN YOU PLEASE ADD THE WORD WEST TO CENTERPOINT? DOWN TO THOSE DETAILS THOSE WILL ALL BE CLEARLY DEPICTED AND ALL INFORMATION THAT IS GOING TO BE EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIVE BUT IN THE BALLOT DON'T GO IN EXPECTING BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE THERE BY DESIGN. I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL DECEIVED THROUGH THAT PROCESS. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> YOU SUMMED IT VERY WELL. >> ANYTHING ELSE FROM CIVIL

DIVISION? CALL THE BOAT? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AN ORDER AND UPDATED IN COURT CALLING A BOND ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 5TH 2024 TO BE ABLE THE TESTATE DESIGNATED PROVIDING VARMINTS ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES PROVIDING CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION OF VARIOUS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO SUCH ELECTION.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. BEAUTIFULLY DONE BY THE SPONSORS OF THIS ITEM. IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS -- OKAY.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >>

>> NOW IT GOES TO THE VOTERS TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE AND WE ARE GOING TO -- THANK YOU . THERE YOU ARE. WE ARE 45 MINUTES BEHIND ON OUR 11:00 WORKSHOP. YOU BEING HERE TODAY IS SO

[L.1. 11:00 a.m. - Budget Workshop regarding the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Possible action may follow. BECERRA/DORSETT]

IMPORTANT AND I WAS NOT GOING TO DISRUPT THAT. THANK YOU. WE WILL GO STRAIGHT INTO OUR 11 A.M. WORKSHOP. PLEASE OPEN L1.

>> BUDGET WORKSHOP REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET

POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW. >> ALL RIGHT. SORRY WE ARE BEHIND. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO SLIDE OVER. I YIELD TO YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. WE HAVE TWO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENTS AND ONE IN THE DEPARTMENT HERE TO PRESENT ADDITIONAL REQUESTS ON THE SCHEDULE WE HAVE PRESENTING FIRST . MISS GINA HAS ASKED IF SHE COULD MOVE UP BECAUSE SHE HAS AN ENGAGEMENT SHE NEEDS TO GET TO SO WE WILL HEAR FROM TINA FIRST AND THEN GO.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHAT WE HAVE DONE LAST TIME TO BE CONSISTENT AND START A TIMER. LET'S DO WHAT WE DID LAST TIME. 10 MINUTES. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. WE WILL START A 10 MINUTE TIMER JUST AS

A TIMEKEEPER NOT TO RUSH YOU. >> THANK YOU. I AM SO IMPRESSED AT ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WENT BACK AND FORTH AND YOU WALKED OUT WITH AN AGREEMENT. CONGRATULATIONS. MY NAME IS GINA AND TODAY WE ARE PLEASED TO PROVIDE AN UP DATE AND GIVE THIS SHORT PRESENTATION AND I WILL TRY TO MAKE IT VERY SHORT SEEKING FUNDS FOR THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT IN THE PAST AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE PROJECTS WE ARE WORKING ON AND THOSE WE HAVE COMPLETED. I AM GOING TO START OFF IF YOU CAN LEAVE THAT THERE. WE HAVE A SHORT POWERPOINT RECITATION, A FEW SLIDES. SINCE THE CHALLENGING PROJECT TO INSTALL A NEW MUSEUM EXHIBIT FOR THIS COURTHOUSE WE RETURNED RETAINED RESUME CONSULTANTS RECOMMENDED BY TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

ALTHOUGH HE WANTED THE MUSEUM TO REOPEN WE LEARNED THAT BY INVITING THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE INPUT REQUIRES SHARING HISTORY NOT OFTEN TOLD. TWO EXCELLENT WE ARE PATIENT TO SEE THIS VISION TO THE END. IN APRIL THE RANCH AND DRIPPING SPRINGS WAS HONORED AND MEMORIALIZED WITH A HISTORICAL MARKING . WE BROUGHT TOGETHER FAMILY MEMBERS , HISTORIANS AND FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER TEXAS INCLUDING COMMUNITIES FROM DRIPPING

[02:40:02]

SPRINGS AND SEND MARCUS. THEY'VE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO SHARPEN AND APPROVE UNDER TOLD HISTORICAL MARKERS FOR RANCH HANDS AND STOCK RAZORS IN KYLE AND THE GUARDS ARE FAMILY AND URBAN RENEWAL MARKER FOR SEND MARCUS RIO VISTA PARK. COMPLETED THE ORAL HISTORY PROJECT A CENTURY OF HAYS COUNTY TEJANO HISTORY STARTED IN 2023. A COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED TWICE FOR ONE HOUR FOR A COMPLETE STORY. THESE TRANSCRIPTS HAVE BEEN FINALIZED AND WE HAVE HIRED A FILM EDITOR TO ASSIST WITH SHORT VIDEOS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE AN UNPAID VIDEOGRAPHER WHO IS VOLUNTEERED HUNDREDS OF HOURS CREATING COHESIVE VIDEOS OF INTERVIEWEES. ONCE THIS IS COMPLETED THE AUDIO AND VIDEO INTERVIEWS AND TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE ARCHIVED WITH TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY. MEMBERS ATTENDED THE ANNUAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION CONFERENCE EARLIER THIS YEAR WHERE ORAL HISTORY PROJECT WE COMPLETED IN 2023 WAS SHARED DURING AN HOUR-LONG WORKSHOP AND PANEL DISCUSSION. AS WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THE COMMUNITY INTO 2025 WE ARE ASKING FOR FUNDING OF $30,000.

THIS ADDITIONAL MONEY WILL ALLOW TO CONTINUE TO FORGE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY. WITH ME TODAY IS A FORMER PROFESSOR OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY. SHE HAS WORKED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR DECADES AND MOST NOTABLY IN HER WORK WITH THE CEMETERY IN PRECINCT 1. IN OUR REQUEST FOR FUNDING WE WOULD PROPOSE $11,000 FOR THE RESTORATION PROJECT FOR HISTORICAL PILLARS AT THE CEMETERY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF POSEY ROAD AND EL CAMINO ROYALE . THESE WILL INCLUDE A SURVEY TO CONFIRM THE CEMETERY BOUNDARIES AND RESTORATION READ RESTORATION OF THE FOUR PILLARS. AFTER THIS WORK IS DONE WE WANT TO PURSUE A FENCE TO BE INSTALLED. IF YOU LOOK UP AT THIS PRESENTATION YOU WILL SEE THE PILLARS AT THE VERY CORNER OF EACH OF THE BOUNDARIES HAVE BEEN MOVED AND TOPPLED OVER. I WILL ALLOW DR.

JUAREZ TO GIVE A LOOK AT SOME INFORMATION.

>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, ESPECIALLY TO INGLESBY. WE ARE IN COMMISSIONER INGLESBY PRECINCT AND SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF OUR PROJECTS . THE MOSAIC CROSS YOU SEE WAS PRESERVED THANKS TO THE HAYS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND THE WORK OF COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU . THEY HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY NOT ONLY WITH THIS PROJECT BUT WITH SO MANY OTHER PROJECTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE ARE FACING A SITUATION AND YOU CAN KIND OF SEE OUR CHAIN-LINK FENCE THERE.

IT IS FALLING DOWN. OTHER FENCES IN THE ARE ARE IN EVEN WORSE CONDITION. THIS AREA IS GROWING SO MUCH. THE DEVELOP IS LOCATED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET NOW. WE HAVE HAD A SEMI-CRASH INTO THE CEMETERY . THESE PRICELESS TREASURES, THESE MARKERS ARE BASICALLY FELL APART. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MOVE , A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN OUR VOLUNTEER AND EVENTS COMMITTEE HERE AS WELL. BASICALLY WE WANTED TO DO THE FENCE AND BEFORE WE CAN DO THE FENCE WE REALIZED WE NEEDED TO BE SURE AND PRESERVE THE MARKERS BECAUSE WE WANT TO PUT THEM BACK IN THE CORNERS WHERE THEY BELONG. THE FENCE WAS ORIGINALLY CONNECTED TO THAT. THERE IS A NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE TO THE WEST AND THE ENGINEERS THEY ARE DISCOVERED OUR FENCE LINE IS ACTUALLY 2.1 FEET BEYOND OUR CURRENT FENCE . BEFORE WE CAN PUT UP A FENCE , BEFORE WE CAN RESTORE THE PILLARS WE NEED A SURVEY. SO, WE INCURRED THESE COSTS . IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO US AND THE WORLD TO THE

[02:45:06]

COMMUNITY AND MANY FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CEMETERY .

SAN PEDRO IS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING NEUTRAL AID ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONTINUES TO BE ACTIVE INTO THIS CENTURY. I HOPE YOU CONSIDER THE REQUEST AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR

WORKING ON OUR BEHALF. PINKY. >> THAT LEADS US TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. OUR SUBSEQUENT GOALS ARE TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS HISTORIC RELEVANT HISTORY AND TO KEEP THEIR MEMORIES ALIVE. HERE ARE THE PROJECTS I WOULD LIKE TO DESCRIBE WE ARE WORKING ON WHERE WE WILL NEED MORE MONEY AND I WANT TO ESTABLISH WE REPRESENT ALL OF US. WE WOULD LIKE TO RESET THE FOR HISTORICAL STONE PILLARS WITH YOUR ASSISTANCE AND ESTABLISH THE CEMETERY BOUNDARIES FROM INFRINGEMENT. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE INDIGENOUS CULTURES INSTITUTE , THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND AND GONZALES -- DYLAN? OH.

>> SHE SNUCK IT OVER THERE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TIMER. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE INDIGENOUS CULTURES INSTITUTE AT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO INSTALL INTERPRETIVE PANELS THAT WILL DOCUMENT THE INDIGENOUS FOOT TRAILS AND HISTORICAL ROUTES USED BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE LEADING TO AND FROM SACRED SPRINGS AND EAST TOWARDS NACOGDOCHES WHERE THE INDIANS WERE DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TEXAS. THESE PANELS HONOR THE INDIGENOUS ROUTES ON SIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE RECOGNIZED TODAY WITH A MARKER. SEVERAL SHORT YEARS AGO OUR HELP TO INSTALL EL CAMINO SIGNS . THESE ARE JUST EXAMPLES. WHAT IS HERE ON THE PICTURE YOU'RE LOOKING AT ARE EXAMPLES OF INTERPRETING PANELS. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE TWO OF THEM HERE TO RECOGNIZE THE INDIGENOUS TRAILS AND THERE WILL BE TWO MORE. THEY WILL RECORD THE FOOT TRAILS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. WE ALSO WILL BE APPLYING TO THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSIO FOR HISTORICAL MARKERS ARE THE ONLY MEXICAN FEMA OWNING LAND IN 1850. ISABELLA GONZALES CRUISE AND HER FAMILY. WE PLAN TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE IN 2025 AND BECAUSE OF THE ORAL HISTORY PROJECT IN HIS COUNTY THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION WILL SHARE OUR PROJECT AS A TEMPLATE FOR OTHER COUNTIES TO TELL UNTOLD HISTORY AT THEIR 2025 CONFERENCE. I HOPE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SHOW YOU TODAY BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT COMMISSIONERS INGALSBE AND CHAIR: AND ALL OF YOU WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT AND STANDING WITH THE COMMUNITY HAS GROWN SINCE OUR INCEPTION IN 2021. THE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT SIGNIFICANTLY FROM YOUR SUPPORT. VOLUNTEER WORK HAS EXCEEDED 2000 HOURS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY TO TELL HIS HISTORY FROM A DIVERSE VIEWPOINT TO ADDRESS HISTORICAL GAPS AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH CULTURALLY RELEVANT

LEARNING . >> JUST A BALLPARK AREA

>> THE BENEFICIARIES OF OUR PARTNERSHIP IS THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THROUGH YOUR EFFORTS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REVEAL ONE'S HIDDEN NARRATIVES ABOUT MEXICAN AMERICA AND DIZZINESS PEOPLE FROM THE PAST AS A BRIDGE AND PRIDE MONTH. THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY FOR EXTRA FUNDING AND YOUR CONFIDENCE IN US HELPED US ALONG THE WAY AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THE

MISSION. >> I WILL ASK RIGHT NOW OR

COMMENTS? >> I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE . I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE AND THE WORK YOU ARE PLANNING TO DO. I KNOW THAT IS AN AREA AND CONCERN SO IT'S WONDERFUL . THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE COMMUNITY WHERE THEIR NEEDS ARE. THAT HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO US. I HEAR SOME PHOTOGRAPHS THAT WERE TAKEN AT SOME MEETINGS WITH ARMIES AND CONSULTANTS HERE IN THIS COURTHOUSE WHILE WE WERE

[02:50:04]

DEVELOPING THE MUSEUM . >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY PROTECTING THESE REALLY IMPORTANT SITES FOR US HERE IN THE COUNTIES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I LET EVERYONE KNOW I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE. THANK YOU.

>> MAY BE A SUGGESTION AS WELL. WHAT WAS THE TOTAL FUNDING PROVIDED THROUGH OUR SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM THIS LAST

YEAR? >> YES, $10,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND $15,000 IN THE FUNDS.

>> THANK YOU. TWO QUESTIONS, DO YOU KNOW IF SAN PEDRO IS PART OF OUR CEMETERY MAINTENANCE PROGRAM?

>> IT IS. IT IS. >>

>> THANK YOU. >> SINCE THEN, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN ASSISTING WITH MAINTENANCE WE ARE DEFINITELY ONE OF THE

HISTORIC'S SERVICE. >> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS. WE HAVE AMENDED THREE TIMES AND ADDED THEM. MY OTHER QUESTION IS YOU ANSWER THAT AS WELL. WHAT TYPE OF ORDINATION WITH THE HISTORIC COMMISSION HAS DONE THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT . I KNOW HE WAS INVOLVED BACK THEN AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS WAS ONE HE WORKED ON AS WELL. IT WAS.

>> HIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN -- >> AS I'M LOOKING AND I THINK IT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON SAN PEDRO AS WELL, BUT THROUGH OUR CURRENT PROGRAM WE DO BASIC MAINTENANCE AT THOSE CEMETERIES. ONE THING I'VE LOOKED AT AND HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT TO PAY FOR THE COUNTY IS GIVEN THE HISTORICAL LOVE FOR THAT PROGRAM AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS HE MADE TO OUR COUNTY AND HISTORICAL COMMISSION AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION I AM GOING TO TELL MY COLLEAGUES NOW THAT OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS I PLAN ON BRINGING BACK A PRESERVATION PROGRAM . I WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND THE HISTORIC COMMISSION AND HOPEFULLY AT SOME POINT PROVIDE NOMINAL FUNDING FOR THAT IF A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR I JUST LOOK AT THE PROJECT Y'ALL ARE WORKING ON AND THINK IF A PROGRAM LIKE THAT HAD BEEN IN PLACE WHAT IF IT COULD'VE HELPED PAY FOR MASONRY OR HELPED WITH THE SURVEY YOU ALL INCURRED? BUT HAVE CLEAR GUIDELINES AROUND IT WHERE WE CAN ADDRESS SOME THINGS. WHETHER IT BE THIS OR SOME OTHER ONES OUT THERE I'VE GOT THREE IN MY PRECINCT OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS THAT ALL HAVE SIMILAR NEEDS. I JUST PUT THAT

BUG IN THE AIR. >> THANK YOU. I REALLY DO LIKE YOU HAVE ALWAYS FRAMED THINGS IN THE MOST BENIGN AND NON-COMBATIVE ACIDIC WAYS. THE ONE THAT STOOD OUT MOST WAS REALLY AWESOME. SHARING HISTORY NOT OFTEN TOLD. THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL. VERY OFTEN WHEN FOLKS HAVE A SENSE OF PLACE AND THEIR HISTORY IS CLEARLY DELINEATED AND SHARED FOLKS DON'T REALIZE -- I KNOW IT SOUNDS WEIRD, CREATE PEACE IN THE COMMUNITY, A SENSE OF HARMONY , BELONGING, UNDERSTANDING . I BELIEVE WE ARE BETTER FOR IT. I AM THANKFUL TO ALL OF THE WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING, ALL OF IT.

>> WE ARE SO CLOSELY INTERTWINED WITH OTHER COUNTIES WE JUST DON'T REALIZE HOW CLOSE WE ARE WITH THE HISTORY SO INTERTWINED. RECENTLY I SENT AN EMAIL THAT SAID I THINK THIS PERSON YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP. IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT PERSON WAS ALSO BURIED AT SAN PEDRO. IT IS RECOGNIZING

[02:55:06]

HISTORY NEEDS TO BE PRESERVED AND WE ARE HOPING WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT WITH YOUR HELP AND CONTINUE TO DO

THAT WORK. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU. SO YOU WANT TO DO PALLETS NEXT? JUDICIAL? SORRY, CHECKING. IF YOU WILL COME ON UP . STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE

FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> IN AFTERNOON. I AM THE CURRENT PRESIDENT FOR CENTRAL TEXAS. I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE ALL OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WERE MADE AND HELPED BY YOU GUYS. I JUST WANTED TO GO AS FAST AS I CAN BECAUSE I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE BEEN HERE SO LONG BUT I HAVE QUITE A BIT OF SLIDES TO SHOW YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE SO MUCH WORK AND I DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON ANY REALLY AMAZING RINGS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH

HERE IN KINGS COUNTY. >> THEY DON'T HAVE THE SLIDES THEY SAY.

>> YOU CAN KEEP GOING. >> YES. BASICALLY HAYS COUNTY PALS IS HELPING THE PETS AND PEOPLE THEY LOVE. ACCORDING TO THE 2023 SURVEY THAT WAS DONE BY THE HAYS COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER THE TOP THREE REQUESTS THAT WERE GIVEN IN THAT SURVEY AFFORDABLE PET CARE AND FREE OR LOW-COST . OKAY. IS THAT WHAT'S GOING ON? OH. OKAY. PALS PROGRAMS AND HOW WE ARE ACTUALLY ADDRESSING THOSE NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN STATED , THAT WE NEED IN HAYS COUNTY BY THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY . WE HAVE APPARENTLY 170 ANIMAL CLINICS WITH ABOUT 425 EVERY MONTH. PET FOOD PANTRIES HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT FOR ONCE A MONTH ON THE SAME DAY BETWEEN 600 POUNDS OF FOOD GIVEN AWAY TO ALL OF THE LOW INCOME AND NEEDY FAMILIES FOR ALL OF HAYS COUNTY. WE HAVE TWO TNR CLINICS THAT ARE CONSISTENTLY -- YES.

THESE MEANS WE ARE VACCINATING ALL THESE ANIMALS AS WELL. THEY ARE ALL GETTING THEIR WELLNESS SHOTS. IT IS A COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE. COLLABORATION WITH OWNERS NEEDS TO HAVE CLEAR COMMUNICATION WITH LOCAL SHELTER IF THEY HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME IN AND DO HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS WE CAN ADDRESS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO KEEP THEIR ANIMAL AT HOME WE HAVE OPEN COMMUNICATION AT ALL TIMES. I REALLY WISH I HAD MY SLIDES BECAUSE I DO HAVE REALLY GOOD GRAPHS. I WILL GO OVER IT VERBALLY. SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE PALS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM COST 88% OF INCOME GOES DIRECTLY TO THE PROGRAMS. ALL OF THE MONEY WE HAD FOR FUNDING DOES NOT GO -- 80% GOES TO THE ACTUAL WORK OF HELPING ANIMALS E CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY. SORRY.

JUST A QUICK SYNOPSIS OF PALS IN 2023 I WILL GO TO QUICKLY , THIS WILL EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT THE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVED HELP ACCOMPLISH LAST YEAR. LAST YEAR WE DID OVER 5000 TOTAL ANIMALS FIXED IN 2023. 1341 FREE VOUCHERS , NO COST TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES, THEY GOT THEIR ANIMALS NO MATTER IF IT WAS AN 80 POUND FEMALE DOG OR ANY CAT WAS COMPLETELY FREE WITH OVER $100,000 COSTS FOR THAT. WE DID 1286 COMMUNITY CATS , WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE ANY FUNDING SO THAT HAS BEEN OUT OF OUR OWN BUDGET. THERE WERE OVER 697 APPLICANTS TOTAL.

[03:00:04]

CONSIDERING WE FIXED OVER 5437 WE ARE NOT THAT FAR OFF FROM ACTUALLY SERVICING EVERY SINGLE REQUEST. A LOT THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE 5000 BECAUSE THE ANIMALS WERE REHOMED, THEY NO LONGER HAVE THEM, THEY ARE DECEASED AND OTHER REASONS. WE ARE KEEPING UP-TO-DATE WITH AS MANY APPLICATIONS COMING IN. WE ARE GETTING THOSE ANIMALS SERVICED. I HAVE A REALLY AWESOME PIE GRAPH. PALS IS PREDICTED TO FIX OVER 6200 85 PETS BY THE END OF 2024. IN 2025 PALS PREDICTS WE DOUBLE THAT NUMBER AGAIN . PETS FIXED IN THE HAYS COUNTY COMMUNITY, IF YOU CAN NOTICE WE HAVE DOUBLED ALMOST EVERY SINGLE YEAR IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS THE ANIMALS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SPAY AND NEUTER. OUR RETURN COMMUNITY CATS WE HAVE ARTIE FIXED 737 THIS YEAR. IN 2024 WE HAVE A BIMONTHLY TNR CLINIC.

IT'S A COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AND WE ARE CURRENTLY TARGETING TNR IN HIGH SHELTER INTAKE SOUNDS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEW THIS YEAR WE HAVE MADE A HUGE EFFORT INTO COLLABORATING WITH THE SHELTER TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THESE ANIMALS ARE AND THE TROUBLE SPOTS AND HITTING THOSE SPECIFICALLY. WE HAVE OVER 80 TRAPS WE LEND OUT TO THE PUBLIC SO THEY CAN ALSO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION OF GETTING THESE ANIMALS BROUGHT IN. STERILIZED AND GET BACK TO WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING. SURE THING. I'M NOT. NO. THIS IS AWESOME. THESE ARE THE STATS FOR 2023 PRETTY AWESOME AND THAT IS WHERE IT SHOWS QUICKLY THE 88% OF HOW MUCH OUR INCOME GOES DIRECTLY STRAIGHT INTO THE PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER. WE HAVE THE JANUARY TO JULY 2024 SO WE HAVE ALREADY GIVEN ALMOST $80,000 WORTH OF FREE VOUCHERS TO HAYS COUNTY CITIZENS. BY THE END OF 2024 PALS IS PREDICTED TO GIVE OVER 1800 FREE SPAY AND NEUTER IS

COSTING ABOUT $153,000. >> THIS IS A QUICK LOOK AT WHERE WE HAVE COME FROM 2021 ALL THE WAY TO OUR PREDICTION IN 2025. WE ARE DOUBLING ALMOST EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THE GROWTH IS NOT EXPECTED TO GO DOWN. THIS IS OUR NEUTER AND RETURN STATS WE HAVE ALREADY -- THIS YEAR IS OUR FIRST YEAR OF DOING TO BIMONTHLY TNR CLINICS AND HAVING A TARGETED ZONE.

LOW-COST VACCINES AND FREE CLINICS IN 2024 , PALS VEXING CLINICS IS CONSIDERED A PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE. WE ARE KEEPING DOWN ON ALL OF OUR CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ESPECIALLY RABIES. WE HAVE EIGHT LOW MONTHLY CLINICS THUS FAR SERVICING OVER 770 ANIMALS. WE HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED OVER 1500 MICROCHIPS. IF YOU RECEIVE A FREE VOUCHER FROM PALS YOU AUTOMATICALLY GET A FREE MICROCHIP SO EVERY SINGLE VOUCHER THAT GOES TO SPAY AND NEUTER IS ALSO GETTING A FREE MICROCHIP. NOT TO MENTION WE HAVE HAD FREE MICROCHIP LENNOX THIS YEAR AND THAT IS MICROCHIPS THE NUMBER ONE REASON ON HOW WE KEEP ANIMALS OUT OF THE SHELTER AND CAN GET THEM RETURNED. WE DO NOT HAVE THE CLIENT TO GET THE MICROCHIPS REGISTER THEM ON THEIR OWN. WE ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT JUST TO MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLIANT AND THEY HAVE INFORMATION ON KNOWING THEY MUST KEEP IT UP DATED IF THEY MOVE, CHANGE THE PHONE NUMBERS, WE GIVE THEM ALL THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO KEEP THE ANIMAL UPDATED AND THE IMPORTANCE TO DO SO. PET OWNERSHIP IS EXPENSIVE AND THIS IS WHY PALS IS NEEDED. THE COST OF OWNING A PET HAS INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. PALS IS THE ONLY CURRENT LOW COST SPAY NEUTER AND VOUCHER SPACE SERVICE IN HAYS COUNTY AND THE ONLY CONSISTENT PET FOOD PANTRY IN HAYS COUNTY. WE HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH

[03:05:01]

DEMAND. A QUICK PRICE COMPARISON, THESE ARE QUOTES FROM LOCAL VETERINARIANS IN HAYS COUNTY . AN AVERAGE CAT SPAY IS BETWEEN 200 AND $350. OURS IS $75 FOR MALES AND FEMALES. DOG NEUTER IS VERY AROUND $444 AND CAN GO ALL THE WAY UP TO 800 HONOR EXTRA-LARGE ANIMALS EVEN UP TO 1000. UNDER 50 POUND ANIMALS ARE $85. ANYTHING BETWEEN 50 AND 75 POUNDS IS -- TO BE CLEAR, IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE. WE DO HAVE LOW COSTS ALL THE WAY TO 100 POUND DOGS . IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT WE FIX THEM REGARDLESS. JUST SO I HAVE HEARD SOMETIMES THERE IS MISINFORMATION WE ARE NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND WE ARE ABSOLUTELY ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND OF THE APPLICATIONS WE ARE GETTING IN. OUR CAT WAITLIST IS TWO WEEKS. MALE DOGS ONE MONTH, FEMALE DOGS ONE MONTH WE ARE WAITING TO GET THEM INTO OUR CLINICS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS BUT TO THE END OF 2025. WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING FROM SAN ANTONIO , SPRING BRANCH, ALL OVER BECAUSE WE ARE REALLY THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN GET THEM IN AS FAST AS THEY CAN. ALSO IF YOU HAVE A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN'T GET INTO YOUR APARTMENT COMPLEX BECAUSE MOST NOW ARE REQUIRING YOU HAVE CURRENT VACCINATIONS AND THEY ARE SPAYED AND NEUTERED THEY GET FAST TRACKED AUTOMATIC. WE HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH PEOPLE IN HAYS COUNTY THAT HAVE HOUSING SITUATIONS TO WHERE THEY NEED THEIR ANIMALS FIXED THEY GET BUMPED UP IMMEDIATELY. THESE ARE WAYS WE REACH OUR VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS. WE PARTICIPATE IN ALL THE SCHOOL FIELD AND TEXAS PREP IMMUNITY BEAT UP. GO TO BLOCK PARTIES IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS, THE FARMERS MARKET, WE HAVE OUR MONTHLY FOOD BANK COMMUNITY OUTREACH, PARTNER WITH SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE NATIONAL CLEAR THE SHELTERS OF SAN MARCUS. SO, WHAT WE DO NOW KNOW IS THERE IS A HUGE HUMAN AND ANIMAL BOND. NEW RESEARCH CONFIRMS PETS OUR FAMILIES. PET OWNERSHIP IS STRONGLY LINKED TO IMPROVE HUMAN HEALTH AND ABOUT 238,000 PEOPLE LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE IN HAYS COUNTY.

PALS HELPS SECURE THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND BY OFFERING THESE LOW-COST AND FREE SERVICES. OUR GOALS FOR 2025. WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED CLINIC HQ WHICH IS A NEW COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO GET US PAPERLESS TO MAKE EVERYTHING FASTER WHERE OUR COMMUNITY CAN ACTUALLY GO ONLINE AND BOOK THEIR OWN APPOINTMENTS. WE WILL STILL HAVE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE INTERNET OR DON'T KNOW HOW TO BOOK THINGS ONLINE, THEY CAN STILL CALL US AND WE CAN DO THAT WITH THEM. WE WANT TO HAVE MORE SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PET FOOD PANTRY. WE WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE MOBILE VACCINE UNITS AS WELL AS WEEKLY WELLNESS CLINICS. CURRENTLY WE ONLY HAVE IT MONTHLY BUT WE ARE HOPING TO EXPAND AND HAVE WEEKLY WELLNESS CLINICS SO WE CAN MAKE SURE ALL OUR ANIMALS ARE GETTING SPAYED AND NEUTERED. WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS TAKE THE PUPPY AND KITTENS ALL THE WAY TO THE POINT OF GETTING SPAYED AND NEUTERED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, YOU GUYS HAVE SHOWN A COMMITMENT TO ANIMAL WELFARE, YOU HAVE BEEN FUNDING THE HAYS COUNTY VIRTUAL RESOURCE CENTER AND PALS REQUIRES MORE FUNDING TO PROPERLY SUPPORT THAT PROJECTS DEMAND. AS THEY ARE GOING TO EXPAND AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE THEM COME TO THEM AND ASK WHERE THEY GET THEIR RESOURCES MET THAT WILL RELY ON US TO ACTUALLY FULFILL THE RESOURCES SO WE ARE EXPECTING A LOT MORE TRAFFIC AS THE HAYS COUNTY RESOURCE EXPENSE GROWS. THAT IS GOING TO THEN PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO ACTUALLY COVER THOSE NEEDS. THAT WILL ALSO REQUIRE MORE FUNDING. IN CONCLUSION, PALS IS FULFILLING THE NEEDS OF THE ANIMALS IN HAYS COUNTY AND IT KEEPS THE ANIMALS IN THEIR HOMES AND WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP PALS.

>> ANY COMMENTS ON THIS? >> IT'S BEEN AWESOME.

APPRECIATE IT. >> ESPECIALLY THE FACILITIES

[03:10:04]

YOU HAVE THERE AT THE COUNTY. IT'S COME A LONG WAY.

>> IT'S IMPRESSIVE. >> THANK YOU FOR THE EFFICIENCY. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST JUDICIAL SERVICES, COME ON UP.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WELL.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. DIRECTOR OF HAYS COUNTY JUDICIAL SERVICES.

WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS OUR REQUEST FOR TWO NEW POSITIONS COMING UP. I WANT TO TAKE TIME TO THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS DURING THIS TIME. THE TWO NEW POSITIONS WE ARE REQUESTING IS A PRETRIAL OFFICER ONE AND TWO. JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PRIOR YEAR THIS COURT ESTABLISHED OUR OFFICE JULY OF 2023. WE HAVE MADE RATE STRIDES SINCE THEN . WE HAVE NEWLY RELEASED INMATES TO US FROM JULY OF THIS YEAR 568 EITHER COMING FROM THE JAIL OR DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY COURT AS WELL. IF THOSE INMATES HAD REMAINED IN JAIL FOR 30 DAYS IT WOULD'VE COST THE COUNTY AN ADDITIONAL $2.2 MILLION. THERE IS A RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT WAS MADE INITIALLY LAST YEAR WHEN THIS OFFICE WAS CREATED ACCORDING TO THE VERA DASHBOARD HAYS COUNTY AVERAGE PRETRIAL WEIGHT IN JAIL IS 61 DAYS. IF YOU TAKE 60 DAYS TIMES 568 IT WOULD'VE COST THE COUNTY AN ADDITIONAL $4.4 MILLION. IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW MANY OF THOSE DEFENDANTS WOULD'VE STAYED IN JAIL FOR 60 DAYS, LOWER RISK GETS OUT TYPICALLY WITHIN ONE OR TWO DAYS. DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. THERE'S ALSO A HUMAN COST. WE ARE ADDRESSING NEEDS OF DEFENDANTS COMING TO US. SOME COME WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH, THEY NEED TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT, THEY NEED HOUSING . OUR OFFICERS DO A GREAT JOB OF MAKING REFERRALS TO THOSE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS WHICH CAN HAVE A RETURN OF REDUCING RECIDIVISM AND ALLOWING PEOPLE NOT TO RETURN TO JAIL. DURING THE YEARS SINCE OUR ESTABLISHMENT OUR OFFICE HAS AN 87% SUCCESS RATE GETTING PEOPLE TO COURT. WE HAVE ONLY HAD 113 CLIENTS FAILED TO APPEAR IN COURT SO WE ARE MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN CUTTING DOWN THE FAILURE RATES FOR DISTRICTING COUNTY COURT.

SOME CURRENT OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES WE HAVE THAT WE HAVE GAINED OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE STARTED INTERVIEWING AT THE JAIL WHICH IS A BIG NEED THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE WANTED US TO START SO THEY ARE GETTING UPDATED INFORMATION BEFORE THEY SET BOND ON DEFENDANTS EVERY DAY. WE BOND SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, THE ONLY DAYS WE ARE NOT INTERVIEWING IS ON HOLIDAYS. WE ARE THERE INTERVIEWING AT THE JAIL PROVIDING A SERVICE TO THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE. WE ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO DISTRICT COURTS AND COUNTY COURTS EVERY DAY IF WE ARE NEEDED THE COURTS KNOW THEY CAN CALL UPON US. WE GET DRUG TESTS SENT DOWN EVERY DAY IT COULD BE ONE, TWO, 10 OR 20. IT DEPENDS WHAT THE COURT FEELS LIKE SENDING SO WE PROVIDED THAT SERVICE TO THE COURTS AS WELL. COMPLETING DRUG TESTS , MONITORING DEVICES.

FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIES AS WELL. WE ARE NOW MONITORING GPS DATA 24 SEVEN . COMMISSIONERS APPROVE THE CONTRACT FOR US TO SWITCH PROVIDERS WHICH IN TURN IS SAVING THE COUNTY MONEY AS WELL. PRIOR TO THAT THE VENDOR WAS DOING THE MONITORING FOR US. OVER THE WEEKEND IF A VIOLATION OCCURRED IT WOULD BE ADDRESSED THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY, MONDAY. NOW ANY VIOLATION THAT OCCURS AFTER HOURS IS BEING ADDRESSED AT THAT MOMENT. WITH COMPLETE GPS INSTALLS WE ARE NOW GOING TO THE JAIL AND DOING GPS INSTALLS, GOING UP TO COURT TO DO INSTALLS. IF SOMEONE IS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WE REMOVE THE DEVICE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GO OUT TO THE JAIL TO DO THAT.

THAT'S OCCURRING MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY WE ARE AVAILABLE TO THE JAIL TO DO INSTALLS ON SATURDAY AS WELL.

ADMINISTER COGNITIVE JOURNALING. GETTING BACK INTO ADDRESSING NEEDS OF CLIENTS IF SOMEONE COMES TO US WE HAVE COGNITIVE OFFICERS PROVIDE AND GO OVER WITH THEM ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS TO HELP CUT DOWN ON THE RECIDIVISM AND MAKE REFERRALS TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WANTED HER TREATMENT IF TREATMENT PROVIDERS RECOMMEND THAT PERSON COMPLETE TREATMENT WE ARE MAKING SURE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH AND ATTENDING THE INPATIENT OUT PATIENT OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE THE PROVIDER RECOMMENDS. WANTING TO HIGHLIGHT, AUGUST 5TH WE

[03:15:04]

SWITCHED OVER TO NEW RISK ASSESSMENT SO PRIOR TO THAT THE WAY WE WERE CONDUCTING JAIL INTERVIEWS IS WE HAD A CERTAIN CRITERIA SOMEBODY HAD TO MEET. CRIMINAL HISTORY, THINGS LIKE THAT AND RESIDENCE. NOW WE INTERVIEW AT THE JAIL BASED OFF OF SIMPLY RISK ALONE WHICH IS GOING TO INCREASE HOW MANY WE INTERVIEW WHICH CAN INCREASE HOW MANY ARE POTENTIALLY RELEASED TO US. SOME FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT MAY COME UP IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR AS WE'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY JUDGE BROWN TO STARTING MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION. SHE HAS ASKED OUR OFFICE TO MONITOR THOSE CLIENTS. WERE GPS USE HAS BEEN INCREASED IN DISTRICT COURT AND THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE REQUIRING CERTAIN CLIENTS TO HAVE GPS MORE TOUCH WILL REQUIRE US TO BE AT THE JAIL MORE AND REQUIRE OFFICERS TO BE AVAILABLE AFTER HOURS ON THE WEEKENDS. PRIOR TO OUR OFFICE BEING CREATED THERE WAS A CERTAIN NUMBER OF INTERLOCKS BEING MONITORED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IF THEY WEREN'T ON PRETRIAL SUPERVISION WITH US THE D.A.S OFFICE WOULD MONITOR THE DEVICES WITH THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE. ANY INTERLOCK DEVICES WILL BE MONITORED BY OUR OFFICE. TESTICLE OF CLARIFICATION ON THAT THE D.A.S OFFICE IS MONITORING 100 OF THOSE DEVICES SO WITHIN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR WE ARE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY GETTING ANOTHER HUNDRED CLIENTS DEVICES TO MONITOR . FELONY MENTAL HEALTH COURT IS STARTING TO TAKE FELONIES. ANYBODY IN JAIL AND TAKING A PLEA DEAL THEY ARE RELEASING THEM TO OUR SUPERVISION TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THAT PROCESS TO GET THEM INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH BOARD WHETHER THEY TAKE THEIR MEDICATION OR ATTENDING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. JUST A LITTLE OF TATE , TOTAL INTERVIEWS WE HAVE DONE AS OF THIS YEAR, 642 TOTAL INTERVIEWS COMPLETED SINCE JULY OF 2023 TO JULY OF THIS YEAR THE PEOPLE WE ARE MONITORING , ONLY 74 HAVE PICKED UP AND JUST TO GIVE A HIGHLIGHT ON OUR CASELOAD RIGHT NOW PRETRIAL OFFICER ONE WHICH ONLY MONITOR STANDARD CONDITIONS WITH NO DEVICES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT THE AVERAGE CASELOAD BETWEEN THE FOUR OFFICERS IS 78 . OUR ALCOHOL MONITORING TEAM BETWEEN TWO OFFICERS THEY ARE CURRENTLY AT 86. PRETRIAL OFFICER THAT MONITOR THE GPS AND HIGH RISK TYPE CLIENTS BASED ON THEIR'S IS CURRENTLY AT 86 , 51 BETWEEN THREE OFFICERS AND WE ALSO DO PRETRIAL DIVERSION FOR THE D.A.S OFFICE WHICH, AS OF RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE THREE TYPES OF LEVELS . THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO THE THREES YET. THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR WE SEE THAT AS WELL. WE ONLY HAVE ONE OFFICER FOR THAT AND HER CURRENT CASELOAD IS 86. DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING? THAT CASELOAD, PEOPLE THAT HAVE REPORTED TO US THAT HAVE WARRANTS ARE CURRENTLY IN JAIL THAT CASELOAD IS CURRENTLY AT 200 BETWEEN ONE OFFICER AND SHE MONITORS WHETHER THE PERSON IS ARRESTED SOMEWHERE ELSE OR SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT PICKS THEM UP . WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 200 WITH THAT.

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE I WILL OPEN IT UP TO QUESTIONS.

>> ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> I WAS GOING TO ASK, Y'ALL DID IMPLEMENT THE TEXT MESSAGING IS THAT CORRECT?

>> ALL CLIENTS UNDER OUR SUPERVISION GET THAT TEXT MESSAGE FOR COURT AND FOR BUSINESS WITH US AS WELL.

>> HOW IS THAT WORKING ? >> WELL. 87% SUCCESS RATE. YES.

WE ARE GETTING PEOPLE TO COURT AND THEY ARE GETTING THOSE MESSAGES. THAT IS ONE OF THE ONLY FACTORS THAT HELPS PEOPLE

NOT FORGET ABOUT COURT. >> REMINDERS.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU HELPING HERE AND JUST EXPLAINING THE NEEDS OF YOUR OFFICES. I'M HAPPY FOR THE SUCCESSES Y'ALL

HAVE HAD. GREAT JOB. >> NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO

MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. >> I WANT TO THANK JASON AND ALBERT FOR THE WORK THEY ARE DOING. IT'S COME A LONG WAY IN A QUICK AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE WE'VE HAD GOOD LEADERSHIP AND GREAT FOLKS. I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THEY ARE DOING AND THE WORK ESPECIALLY WITH OUR JUDICIARY TO GET THINGS DONE.

YOU. >> IT'S BEEN IMPRESSIVE TO

[03:20:06]

WATCH WHERE Y'ALL CAME FROM AND WHERE YOU ARE NOW. SOME THINGS I THINK COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND I PROBABLY SEE THAT THE REST OF THE COURT DOESN'T SEE. I SINCERELY APPRECIATE Y'ALL NOT JUST PARTICIPATION BUT ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND ONE COLLEAGUE YOU THEY PROBABLY GET TIRED OF HEARING ME SAY IS WE ARE DOING ALL THIS ON ONE SIDE OF THE JUDICIAL SCALE. WHAT ARE WE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO THE VICTIM SIDE OF THAT SCALE? ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I THINK OUR COUNTY HAS DONE OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS IS IN THE ACTIVE MONITORING IS SO ESSENTIAL. IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD TO YOUR POINT IF THERE IS A VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT AND WE GET NOTIFIED ON MONDAY. IT'S WELL AFTER THE FACT AFTER SOMETHING CAN BE DONE AND I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD RELATIVE TO THAT AND WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING AND THE CHANGES YOU ALL HAVE MADE. I THINK YOU'RE DOING GOOD WORK AND THAT IS ONE

EXAMPLE. IT'S APPRECIATED. >> GIVE ALBERT KUDOS ON THAT BRINGING IT TO OUR ATTENTION AND AS YOU STATED BEING ABLE TO MONITOR PEOPLE 24 SEVEN AND GETTING THOSE VIOLATIONS ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND NOT WAITING UNTIL THE NEXT BUSINESS

DAY. >> I APPRECIATE HOW YOU WORKED WITH WHAT YOU SHARED WITH ME AND WHAT YOU PRESENTED. IT WAS A CLEAN SUCCINCT MESSAGE. I KNEW IT WAS TRICKY AND YOU DID

IT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE TO LEAVE AT 12:40. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER HAD TO BEFORE. IS THERE ANYWAY WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE ITEMS AND

SUBDIVISIONS? >> PERFECT TIMING. I WAS GOING TO DO VETERAN SERVICES AND SUBDIVISIONS PUBLIC HEARING

EXACTLY IN THAT ORDER. >> BEFORE YOU CLOSE THE WORKSHOP I JUST WANT TO GO OVER OUR PROCESS FOR NEXT WEEK SO WE HAVE OUR FINAL BUDGET WORKSHOP AT 11:00. I WILL PRESENT TO THE COURT ALL OF THE REQUESTS THAT HAVE COME IN FOR ALL THREE BUDGET WORKSHOPS. THERE ARE SOME ITEMS DEPARTMENTS HAVE EMAILED ABOUT THAT WILL START CLEANUP ITEMS AND REFRESHING EQUIPMENT COST RIGHT NOW. THERE MAY BE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THERE.

IF THERE'S ANYTHING THE COURT WANTS TO ADD TO THE LIST IF YOU WILL SEND THT TO ME SO WE CAN HAVE THAT THERE WE STARTED OUT WITH ABOUT 62,000 FOR THE COURT TO DISTRIBUTE . THERE'S BEEN A LOT MORE REQUESTS COME IN BUT THERE IS THAT 62,000 WE WILL TALK ABOUT. WE HAVE THE 1:00 PUBLIC HEARING AND THE COURT WILL NEED TO SET THE TAX RATE AT THAT POINT WHEN THE FINAL PUBLIC HEARING AND SAID AMBER CANNOT GO UP CAN ONLY GO DOWN.

IT'S IMPORTANT WE SET THAT TAX RATE AT THE RIGHT LEVEL AND SETTING SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[K.1. Discussion and approval of advancement criteria in the Veterans Service Officer progression plan. BECERRA/MILLER/P RATHER]

>> WE WILL CLOSE THE WORKSHOP AND IN THIS ORDER WE WILL GO K-1 THROUGH VETERAN SERVICES AND AS COMMISSIONER SHALL ASK

FOR WE WILL HIT THE DAYS . >> DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF CRITERIA IN THE VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER PROGRESSION PLAN.

>> ANY COMMENTS? >> AND OVERSIGHT ON THE PRESENTATION GIVEN APRIL OF 2023 ABOUT OUR GREAT AND HOW IT WORKS. ONCE IT BECOMES ACCREDITED THEY GET AT 120 AND THAT LANGUAGE WAS NOT IN THE PRESENTATION.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CONCISE MESSAGING . YOU ARE GOOD WITH

THAT? >> ALL CLEAR WITH YOU, SHERRY?

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

[J.1. PLN-2367-PC; Hold a Public Hearing; followed by discussion regarding the Home Camp Subdivision, Lot 1, Replat. SHELL/MACHACEK]

SMITH. COHEN. SHELL. JUDGE BECERRA.

>> ALL THE PUBLIC HEARING FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE HOME CAMP SUBDIVISION LOT ONE REPLY.

>> OPENING THIS UP FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. THOSE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. I SEE NO MOVEMENT, ARE YOU MOVING TO THAT AGENDA ITEM? PERFECT. COME ON UP. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE PUBLIC AND I

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. >> SALLY FRANCIS, THANK YOU JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM HERE CONCERNING THE HOME CAMP DEVELOPMENT . I DON'T THINK THIS IS A TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT AND I DON'T INC. IT'S BEEN ADEQUATELY RESEARCHED. IT IS ON THE SIDE OF THE VERY STEEP HILL

[03:25:06]

AND THERE IS A DRY CREEK THAT RUNS BESIDE IT THAT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE DRAINAGE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. IT GOES UNDER THE ROAD BETWEEN MY PROPERTY AND THE NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS AROUND AND BACK BEHIND A NUMBER OF PROPERTIES ON THE ROAD.

IT'S A VERY SMALL ROAD. IT'S A VERY SMALL AREA AND THIS IS A HUGE FOOTPRINT ON A TINY PIECE OF LAND THAT IS ALMOST STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN. WE FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE STUDIES DONE TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL ECOLOGICAL IMPACT IN THIS AREA.

IT'S A PRIVATELY MAINTAINED ROAD, A SMALL AREA. THE SEDIMENT RUNNING DOWN WOULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE CREEK. TWO OF THE LOT FRONT ONTO THE ROAD THE ONE BEHIND IT HAS NO ACCESS, THEY ARE PROPOSING A HUGE DRIVEWAY THAT WOULD ACCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES. THERE'S NO PLACE FOR THIS WATER OR SEDIMENT TO IF APPROVED. WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND EITHER PROVIDING MORE STUDIES OR ANY STUDIES OR POSTPONING DEVELOPMENT UNTIL THOSE . THANK

YOU. >> ARE YOU SALLY? PERFECT. HE SIGNED AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE YOU THAT SPACE. THANK

YOU. >> MY NEIGHBOR WAS HERE TO

SPEAK. HE CAN'T BE. >> HE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU MIGHT WANT TO CARRY AS A MESSAGE

MAYBE NOT COVERED? >> IT WOULD IMPACT MY PROPERTY AS WELL AS MY NEIGHBOR BECAUSE WE ARE RIGHT ON THE CREEK. I HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS IN OUR HOUSE. IT WOULD AFFECT

EVERYTHING. THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM? CLOSING THE AGENDA

ITEM. >> I WILL TURN IT OVER IN A SECOND . THIS SUBDIVISION REQUEST IS STILL LACKING INFORMATION FOR STAFF PRIOR OUR SHOT CLOCK RULES WE COME IN AND WILL BE DISAPPROVING OF THIS BECAUSE IT IS LACKING ALL THE INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR A COMPLETE SUBMITTAL AND ANY CITIZENS IF THEY CAN GET A HOLD OF COLBY SINCE I DO HAVE TO LEAVE COLBY CAN UPDATE YOU ALL ON THE PROCESS AND THINGS LIKE

THAT. SORRY. >> NICE AND EFFICIENT. ANYTHING

NEW CAN'T -- TO CONTRIBUTE? >> I JUST WANT TO GO OVER THE BASIC INFORMATION. THERE ARE HUBCAP SUBDIVISION THAT WILL REPLANT LOT ONE INTO FOUR LOTS ACROSS 6.86 ACRES. WATER UTILITY IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH WATER WELLS AND POSSIBLY RAINWATER COLLECTION. WASTEWATER UTILITY THROUGH ON-SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES AS COMMISSIONER SHALL MENTIONED STAFF HAS ADMINISTRATIVELY DISAPPROVED THIS PROJECT BASED ON THE DEFICIENCIES OUTLINED IN THE BACKUP . IF YOU'D LIKE I CAN GO OVER A FEW OF THOSE. AT THIS TIME THERE ARE DEFICIENCIES THAT NEED TO BE WORKED ON THIS PROJECT.

>> TAKEN NOTE OF WHAT WAS BROUGHT UP. YOU CAN ALSO KEEP

IN MIND ON THAT AS WELL. >> MOTION FOR DISAPPROVAL.

>> COMMISSIONER SHALL. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

[J.2. PLN-2543-PC; Hold a Public Hearing; followed by discussion regarding the Green Hills, Lot 25, Replat. SMITH/MACHACEK]

COMMISSIONER SMITH. COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE GREENHILLS LOT 25 REPLANT.

>> OPENING FOR PUBLIC HEARING IF ANYONE IS HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. I

SEE NO MOVEMENT. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, GREENHILLS LOT 25 REPLAT CONSISTS OF TWO LOTS ACROSS 4.3 ACRES . WATER UTILITY THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS OR RAINWATER COLLECTION, WATER TREATMENT SEWAGE FACILITIES.

STAFF HAS DISAPPROVED THIS PROJECT AS WELL BASED ON THE

DEFICIENCIES OUTLINED. >> MOVED FOR DISAPPROVAL.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. COLIN. INGALSBE. SHELL. JUDGE BECERRA.

[J.3. PLN-2087-NP; Ratify Approval of the Pioneer Corner, Final Plat. SHELL/MACHACEK]

J3. PLN-2087 -NP. RATIFY APPROVAL OF THE PIONEER CORNEL FINAL PLAT. COMMISSIONER SHALL. INGALSBE. SMITH. COHEN. JUDGE

[J.4. PLN-2455-PC; Call for a Public Hearing on September 3rd, 2024 in regard to the Stagecoach Ranch Section 1, Lot 14, Replat. SHELL/MACHACEK]

[03:30:01]

BECERRA. J FOR. PALIN-2455- EC CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 3RD 2024 IN REGARD TO THE STAGECOACH RANCH SECTION 1 LOT 14 REPLAT. COMMISSIONER SHALL. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

COMMISSIONER SMITH. JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YOU'VE GOT IT. IT'S A UNIQUE SCENARIO. I KNOW WE HAVE EXECUTIVE ITEMS ON THE HORIZON. WE WILL PLOW THROUGH THIS AS

[CONSENT ITEMS]

EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE AND HIT EXECUTIVE SESSION. PLEASE OPEN

CONSENT. >> A PREPAYMENT OF COUNTY INVOICES. APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF JUROR CHECKS. APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTHCARE CLAIMS AND OPTIMIZE AN ADDITIONAL DISBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 TO THE HEALTHCARE CLAIMS ACCOUNT. APPROVED COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES OF AUGUST 6 2024. ACCEPT THE DELIVERY OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S MONTHLY REPORT FOR JUNE 2024 PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 114.023 AND 114.025.

ACCEPT DELIVERY OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE QUARTERLY INTERNAL EXAMINATION REPORTS. AMEND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET FOR ADDITIONAL TRAVEL FUNDS RELATED TO TOLL CHARGES AND STAFF TRAVEL TO EDUCATIONAL EVENT. AMEND THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM BUDGET FOR ADDITIONAL GENERAL SUPPLIES FOR IN-HOUSE TRAINING PURPOSES. ACCEPT A TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY GIS AND A PSG FOUNDATION FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES GIS/CAD PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIALIST WILL BAUMAN APPROVE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL TO ATTEND THE 2024 INNOVATION SUMMIT FOR PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE HELD IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ON OCTOBER 2ND AND THIRD 2024. AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE FY 2025 CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR 911 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM DATABASE MANAGEMENT WITH A CAPITAL AREA EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY HAYS COUNTY WITH NO COUNTY MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED. AMEND THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 OPERATING BUDGET RELATED TO AN INCREASED COST OF THE PVP WIRELESS COMMUNICATION KIT FOR THE DONATED MOTOR HELMET. AUTHORIZE THE JUDICIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE OR DELL MONITORS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1 AND TWO OFFICES TO INCREASE THE SHRED COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST SLOT 1127 -004 TRAVEL ALLOWANCE EFFECTIVE AUGUST 16TH AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. AUTHORIZE THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT TO OFFICE TO PURCHASE ONE NEW BULLETPROOF VEST AND ONE CRITICAL POINT ROUTER AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

AUTHORIZE THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO REALLOCATE EXISTING FUNDS FOR INTERIOR REMODELING OF THE YERINGTON FACILITY AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE FY 2024 GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR OVERTIME REIMBURSEMENTS RELATED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE AND

AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CALL

IT. >>

[I.1. Discussion and possible action to consider the release of the 2-year maintenance bond #PB03016800689 in the amount of $66,811.47, and the acceptance of roads into the county road maintenance system for Great Hills subdivision, Section 7. INGALSBE/BORCHERING]

>> DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE RELEASE OF THE TWO-YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER PB 03016800689 IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,811.47 AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF ROADS INTO THE COUNTY ROAD MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FOR GREAT HILLS SUBDIVISION,

SECTION 7. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[N.2. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA]

HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION

COUNTS AND COSTS. >> THERE IS AN OUTSOURCING REPORT EVERY WEEK AND THAT MAXIMUM CAPACITY FOR OUR JAIL IS 410 INMATES. STANDARDS RECOMMEND HOLDING APPROXIMATELY

[03:35:04]

10% OF THAT CAPACITY OPEN WHICH LOWERS OUR CAPACITY TO 368. THE DAILY AVERAGE WAS 568 HOWEVER AND 585 ON AUGUST 6TH. THE ESTIMATE COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES THIS WEEK WAS $177,861.

PAPER READY INMATES ARE 43 WHICH ARE INMATES THAT HAVE HAD THEIR DAY IN COURT AND BECAME STATE INMATES. THESE INMATES

[EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]

WERE HOUSED IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES. COME ALL, MAVERICK PLEASE OPEN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> UNLESS THE COURT NEEDS TO DISCUSS M1 FOR THE PARKS ITEM

WE DO NOT NEED TO OPEN IT UP. >> M2 ONLY.