F.1. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing April 27 - May 4, 2025 as Soil & Water Stewardship Week. INGALSBE

[J.1. Discussion and possible action related to the Capital Improvement Plan Agreement with Broaddus & Associates, to provide guidance and identify priority projects to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. BECERRA]

>> J1. DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO THE CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AGREEMENT WITH BROTUX ASSOCIATES TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND IDENTITY PRIORITY PRODUCTS.

>> IN THE CIP MEETING THURSDAY MORNING. THANK YOU STEPHANIE HUNT.

WE REALIZES THAT JONATHAN IS REALLY PRESSED FOR TIME AND THIS THING ISN'T MOVING AS FAST AS WE WOULD LIKE.

IT'S SUPPORT THAT EVERYBODY GETS TO SHARE THEIR GOALS, DREAMS AND INTERESTS IN THAT SPACE. SO WHAT I DID WAS I ASKED STEPHANIE AND SHE DID IT EFFICIENTLY AND I THANK YOU TO CREATE ANNA AGAINA ITEM TO BRING IT TO THE COURT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION LIKE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ALL TOGETHER IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC. I HAVE ASKED JAMES TO JUST GIVE US A SWIPE SO FAR OF WHERE WE ARE AS FAR AS YOU UNDERSTAND IT.

IF YOU WANT TO STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE.

>> GOOD MORNING.

JUST TO KIND OF SET THE TABLE FOR THIS DISCUSSION. I KNOW THAT I DON'T WANT TO WORK BACKWARDS BUT JUST A REAL QUICK CIP IS A CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. IT'S A PROCESS THAT AIMED TO DEVELOP AND ORGANIZE STRATEGY FOR COUNTY WISH SERVICES EFFICIENTLY. THIS EFFORT IS FOCUSED ON CREATING AN ORGANIZED PLAN THAT ADDRESSES CURRENT AND FUTURE NEED INS IN THE COUNTY. MAXIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY AND IMPROVES CITIZEN ACCESS. SINGLE PLANNING TEAM WILL ENSURE A HOLISTIC APPROACH. THE PLANNING PROCESS INCLUDES DATA GATHERING, ANALYSIS, VISIONING -- DEVELOPMENT AND DEFINING DOCUMENTATION. THE FINAL DOCUMENT WILL OUTLINE, PRIORITIZE -- IMPLEMENTATION PLANS AND SITE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVELY SERVE ITS CITIZENS. THIS CIP WAS INITIALLY SUPPORTED BY THE JUDGE -- AND ITS BEEN AN ONGOING COUNTY WIDE EFFORT. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ABOUT TWO MONTHS. IT WAS APPROVED FEBRUARY 11TH AND IT'S APPROXIMATELY A TEN MONTH EFFORT. TYPICALLY GOVERNMENT THAT DO A LONG RANGE PLAN LIKE THIS ARE BETTER FOR IT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT TYPICAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COUNTIES AND CITIES ALL PLAN FOR AND PUT TOGETHER LONG TERM PLAN. SO, WITH THAT BEING SAID THE COUPLE PROJECTS WE HAVE ON THE LIST ARE INCLUDING ALL THESE ITEM THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED UP TO DATE BUT NOT LIMITED TO AND I JUST WANTED TO SET THE TABLE A LITTLE BIT FOR YOU ALL WITH SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AND WITH THE DIFFERENT FOLKS IN THE COUNTY, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, THAT TYPE OF THING AND I JUST RATTLE THIS OFF. THE GOVERNMENT CENTER, SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL WORK THAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT.

THERE'S A COUPLE EFFORTS THERE. THERE IS THE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN THE EXISTING JAIL FOOT PRINT. THAT'S -- BEEN IDENTIFIED. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT A PET RESOURCE CENTER THAT IS -- A ONE OR A COUNTY NEED THAT'S -- IDENTIFIED. IT'S WORTH MENTIONING THESE FIRST FOUR, FIVE ARE COUNTY WIDE FACILITIES AND NOT -- ANY ONE PRECINCT. THAT'S KIND OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT I HAVE HERE LISTED AS THE JAIL, THE PET RESOURCE CENTER AND ANOTHER ONE THAT'S BEEN IDENTITY IS THE THE HAYS COUNTY

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CIVIC CENTER. THAT'S BEEN KIND OF ONGOING AND THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING PRIVATE, PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP. PRECINCT 1, 2 OFFICE BUILDING. THAT'S BEEN MOVING ON FAR ALONG. THAT'S IN A CONCEPTIONAL DESIGN STATE. PRECINCT 4 CONSTABLES OFFICE HAS BEEN ONGOING AND -- AGAIN THERE'S BEEN SO DISCUSSION ON THAT ONE BUT IT'S -- LOOKING TO MOVE FORWARD. PRECINCT FOUR SUBSTATION THAT'S -- KIND OF THAT -- THAT -- WELL IT'S -- IT'S A LAND LOCKED FACILITY THAT NEEDS A LOT OF HELP. THE OLD JAIL FACILITY ON THE JL CAMPUS AND A POTENTIAL TRANSPORTATION OFFICE EXPANSION. POSSIBLY ON THE EXISTING CAMPUS.

IN DISCUSSION WITH THE JUDGE THERE'S SEVERAL ITEMS OR FACILITIES FOR INSTANCE THE MENTAL HEALTH BEDDING EXPANSION ON THE JAIL FOOT PRINT HAS BEEN KIND OF LISTED AS A PRIORITY.

WE TALKED THAT THE PET RESOURCE CENTER DOESN'T MATTER WHERE IT GOES AS LONG AS WE MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY AND EVERYBODY IN IT. HAVING STATED WHAT IS PRELIMINARY AND BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH ITS ONGOING EFFORT TO DATE I'M -- YOU KNOW MY EFFORT HERE IS KIND OF THE OPEN UP TO AND JUST KIND OF TALK TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND THEN FIND OUT THIS LIST INCLUDES BUT NOT LIMITED TO AND WANTED TO KIND OF OPEN TO YOU AND FIND OUT WHAT -- WHAT -- IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE HAVEN'T CONCLUDED ALREADY WE WANTED TO ADD TO THE LIST.

>> COMMISSIONER I WILL START WITH YOU. THE IDEA AND INSTENT BEHIND THIS IS FOR US TO ENVIRONMENT I WHY OUR POCKETS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED IN THIS MASTER PLANNING.

ANYTHING THAT -- YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT OR WANTING TO SEE

HAPPEN. >> START WITH YOU. IS THAT OKAY?

>> SURE. I WAS LOOKING AT THE LIST, JUDGE.

I CAN'T -- AT THIS TIME THINK OF ANY OTHER FACILITY IN TALKING ABOUT. I GUESS THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT I WOULD MENTION IS THAT IF WE MOVE THE MAJOR OPERATIONS OF THE TEXAS SR COLLECTOR'S OFFICE TO PRECINCT 20, TO FACILITY AND MAYBE IT'S CALLED SIDE CAMPUS NOW. WEIGH DON'T HAVE A FORMAL NAME FOR IT. WE MAY NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH LEAVING SOME OPERATIONS HERE IN SAN MARCUS AND I KNOW THERE'S -- I DID RECEIVE A CALL AND A FOLLOW UP EMAIL FROM RAN DOLL HARRIS.

THEY HAVE A PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET ON WONDER WORLD FROM THE GOVERNMENT CENTER THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND TAMMY IS LOOKING INTO IT. I ASKED HER TO JUST TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND SEE THERE'S SOME AVAILABILITY TO DO SOMETHING WITH THAT FACILITY AND SO BUT OTHER THAN THAT THAT'S -- ALL RIGHT. THANK

YOU. >> THAT'S WHAT THESE AGENDA ITEMS ARE GOOD FOR. THEY GET OUT THESE DETAILS. SO THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT COMMISSIONER. WHEN YOU SAY ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR GOVERNMENT CENTER. IT CAN BE -- IN DIFFERENT MINDS.

IT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WONDER WORLD. IF ENFRONT OF THE

GOVERNMENT CENTER. >> ACROSS THE STREET FROM WONDER WORLD.

AND DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH LAND IS AVAILABLE THERE?

>> I WANT TO SAY AT IT IS THREE ACTIONER THERE MAY BE A POSSIBILITY OF A LITTLE MORE. HE HAS ANOTHER FIVE ACRE TRACK THERE I BELIEVE.

I CAN LOOK THAT UP. >> WE WILL GO THROUGH EACH COMMISSIONER.

>> WITH THE FUTURE -- WE ARE CALLING PRECINCT 1 AND 2 CAMPUS BUT IT'S A NEW GOVERNMENT CAMPUS IS WHAT IT'S TURNING IN TO. I KNOW ONCE IT'S UP AND RUNNING. ALL THE OFFICES WILL MOVE OUT.

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MAKING SUSPICION AVAILABLE FOR THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS. THAT -- THAT TO ME MAKES SENSE THAT KIND OF CONNECTS. I KNOW THAT -- ITS FASTEST AS -- COUNTY IS GROWING. I FOE THIS BUILDING, THIS HISTORIC BUILDING ISN'T GOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE THE WAY IT IS. I THINK THE FUTURE OF OUR GOVERNMENT BUILDING IS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD ANOTHER COURTHOUSE THAT IS -- HAS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN IT AND MORE SPACE FOR -- FOR OUR LEGAL -- FOR THE DEPARTMENT THAT RESIDE HERE AND FOR THE FUTURE EXPANSION OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE COMING. SO, THAT -- FOR ME THAT'S LIKE A -- 15, 20 YEAR PLAN THAT WE SHOULD BE MAYBE THINKING ABOUT IS THIS PROBABLY WILL NO LONGER BE THE COURTHOUSE WHERE WE HAVE COURT EVERY DAY OR THE FUTURE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. WE NEED TO START THINKING WILL HAVE TO BE BIGGER. WE NEED TO THINK BIGGER AND THAT I THINK THAT IS COMING. OTHER THAN WHAT IS ALREADY BEEN LISTED HERE. I MEAN, I THINK YOU ALL HAVE.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> I WOULD REPEAT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER IN MY PRECINCT JUST EXPANSION AND RENOVATIONS OVER THERE. THAT WILL BE NEEDED AND MORE COURT SPACE. THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AS FAR AS PRECINCT THREE GOES SPECIFIC WILL TO BESIDES THE GOVERNMENT CENTER THERE'S NOT A LOT. WE HAVE THE PRECINCT THREE BUILDING THAT'S FAIRLY NEW. I HAVE THE CAVE

UPSTAIRS. >> YOU ARE IN GREAT SHAPE.

>> I THINK WE ARE -- PRECINCT 3. PRETTY GREAT. JUST THE

GOVERNMENT CENTER. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> I WISH I HAD THE BLESSINGS OF PRECINCT THREE. I SAY JOKINGLY.

I THINK THAT YOU TOUCHED ON ALL OF THEM. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IF -- IF THIS AGENDA ITEM WAS SPECIFICALLY TO HELP THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT LOOK AT THE BUDGET FOR THIS NEXT YEAR. I THINK WE AS A COURT STEPPED UP LAST YEAR AND MADE A COMMITMENT WHEN IT CAME DO TRANSPORTATION KNOWING WE HAD A BOND COMING AND HAD TO FUND FUND IT. KNOWING HE HAD NEEDS ON MAINTENANCE AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS RELATED TO ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND. WE STEPPED UP LAST YEAR AND DOUBLED IT. I THINK THAT -- THERE IS -- I THINK I FEEL COMFORTABLE SAYING THERE IS A COMMITMENT ON BEHALF OF THE COURT SPECIFICALLY THIS YEAR WE HAVE TO LOOK AT VERTICAL AND I WILL BE THE FIRST TO SAY THAT I ANTICIPATE THAT LOOKING AT THE RATE THIS YEAR WE HAVE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE NEEDS.

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL NOAH WE GET NUMBERS OUT OF THE CAD AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID. PROBABLY WITH IN THE NEXT MONTH.

WHEN WE GET THOSE I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A REAL HARD LOOK AT WHERE THE FUNDING FOR THAT WILL COME FROM AND TO GIVE DIRECTION TO THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT I THINK THAT INITIALLY HOWEVER MUCH WE CAN GET INTO THAT CAPITOL FUND WE FUND EVERY YEAR WOULD BE GREAT. I DO ANTICIPATE WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO DO -- WE ARE LOOKING AT CO'S IN THE NEXT MONTH AND A HALF, TWO MONTHS AND A PORTION OF THE CO'S IS THE FINANCIAL ADVISER TALK TO US LAST SESSION OF COURT, NEED TO BE DEDICATED TO VERTICAL AND WHEN HE DO THAT WE WILL HAVE A MUCH BETTER IDEA OF WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR. I CAN TELL YOU ON THE PROJECTS YOU MENTIONED JUST HAD A COUPLE OF COMMENTS I THINK THE PRECINCT 1, 2, CAMPUS AND THE PRECINCT 4 BUILD REGISTER PROBABLY FAR DOWN THE ROAD AND WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION THAN ANYTHING ELSE THAT'S OUT THERE. JUST BECAUSE OF THE INITIAL LEG WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I -- AND I WOULD HAVE A CONSTABLE AND A YP WHO WOULD SHOOT ME IF I DIDN'T SAY WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE PRECINCT 5 BUILDING. THERE'S PHYSICALY NOT ENOUGH ROOM THERE FOR THEM TO HAVE A JURY TRIAL BECAUSE THERE'S NO PARKING AND JUST -- EVEN IF WE WANTED TO EXPAND IN THAT SPACE THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH SPACE AND I HAVE GIVEN A COMMITMENT TO THEM ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER COHEN THAT WE WILL TRY TO WORK TO HELP THAT AND I HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO POSSIBLY GETTING PROPERTY DONATED TO HOUSE THAT OVERTIME. I WILL SAY THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE OVERALL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALL ENDORSED AND WE HAVE ALL TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FORAMEN TALL HEALTH FACILITY WITH BEDS. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE HAD IN COURT THAT WHILE WE ALL WANT THAT FACILITY WE ALSO ALL KNOW OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT WE ALREADY WORK WITH THAT ARE PUTTING NEW FACILITIES HERE AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THEM FOR ONE FLOOR ON A BUILDING THAT THEY HAVE WHERE THERE IS ALREADY PROFESSIONAL STAFF THERE THAT WE COULD PAY AND WE DON'T HAVE TO RECREATE THE WHEEL I THINK THAT -- SOME TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE OF THE NONPROFIT HOSPITAL OPTIONS OR FOUNDATIONS HERE I THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY. IT IS COST EFFECTIVE FOR THE COUNTY

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AND IT'S NOT US HAVING TO RENOVATE OR BUILD A FACILITY AND THEY HAVE THE PROFESSIONALS THERE THAT KNOW -- HAVE FORGOTTEN MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES AND HOW TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE WILL EVER KNOW. I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT -- NOT TO PIGEON HOLE INTO US BUILDING A FACILITY BUT JUST LOOKING AT WHAT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOR US TO PARTNER WITH SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS OUT THERE.

>> COMMISSIONER THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT -- NO.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY OVERALL I ENDORSE THE FUTURE OF A JUDICIAL CENTER INSTEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT CENTER AND MOVING THOSE FACILITIES, THOSE -- THOSE -- OTHER FUNCTIONS WITH IN THE BUILDING TO ANOTHER FACILITY. I DON'T -- THIS IS A FIRST I HAVE HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER COHEN RELATIVE TO A NEW GOVERNMENTAL BUILDING BUT I DO THINK THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS POSSIBLY IN A DIFFERENT FOOT PRINT THAN THE GOVERNMENT CENTER. YOU KNOW, CLOSELY BY -- I THINK IT WOULD BE AMAZE FIGURE WE COULD GET THAT PROPERTY NEXT DOOR. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE FUNCTION JUST BY STATUTE. WE HAVE TO KEEP THE MAIN OFFICE FOR SOME OF THOSE FUNCTIONS HERE IN SAN MARCUS EVEN THOUGH THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY BEFORE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION

BROUGHT IS. >> COMMISSIONER YOU MENTIONED CFO AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY I ALWAYS SAY THIS EVERY TIME I K I REMEMBER. I TRY WHEN PEOPLE USE LETTERS I ALWAYS TRY TO TELL FOLKS THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS WATCHING ON THE TV OR ON THE PHONE OR WHATEVER THAT HAVE NO IDEA WHAT LETTERS ARE. CIP, ET CETERA AND SO CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THAT?

>> THE WHAT? >> CO'S.

>> CO'S. CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. THOSE ARE -- ITS SHORT TURN THAT THE COUNTY WOULD ISSUE THAT IS GENERALLY FOUR TO SEVEN YEARS. IT'S NOT LIKE A BOND. IT'S -- SHORT TERM DEBT THAT WE AS A COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO PAY OFF ON A ROTATING BASIS, GENERALLY LIKE I SAID THOSE NOTES ARE FOUR TO SEVEN YEARS.

FOR THOSE THAT MAY REMEMBER THE LAST -- I THINK THE LAST TIME WE ISSUED A CO IS WHEN WE BUILT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER. AS WE LOOK AT THESE ONE OF THE EXIT COMMITMENTS WE MADE WAS THAT THERE WERE $150 MILLION THAT WE WENT OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND SAID WITH THE PASSING OF THIS BOND WE EXPECT WE WILL ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION OF UP TO $150 MILLION FOR THOSE HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS AND SO WE ANTICIPATE THAT WE WOULD DO THAT BUT AGAIN WE WANT TO BE JUDICIOUS USERS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS SO WE WON'T MAKE THOSE COMMITMENTS UNTIL WE GET THE

NUMBER OUT OF THE CAT THIS YEAR. >> CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.

WHERE DO WE GO WITH THESE AS A FINAL PIECE? WE GO TO THE DRAWER AND TURN IT IN FOR CASH OR WHAT IS THAT. > IT'S FOR BORROWING FROM OURSELVES. WE GO TO THE MARKET. IT'S A BONDING -- IT'S A BONDING FINANCIAL MECHANISM JUST LIKE A GENERAL BOND BUT AGAIN IT'S MORE SHORT TERM DEBT. IT'S JUST LIKE ORDERING A MEAL AT A RUNT. WHEN YOU ORDER IT YOU MAKE THE COMMITMENT WHEN YOU ORDER IT THAT YOU WILL PAY THAT TAB WHEN IT COMES. SO, IT'S A WAY FOR COUNTIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS TO GO OUT AND TRY TO COMPLETE SOME OF THESE WHAT I WOULD CALL CAPITOL INTENSIVE PROJECTS IN A WAY THAT CAN GET THEM ON THE GROUND SOONER. AND OVERALL IT'LL INCUR LESS DEBT OVERTIME BECAUSE

HAVE YOU TO PAY IT OFF SOONER. >> YOU MAY IT OFF SOONER WE DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS FOR IT.

>> CORRECTION. >> JUST FOR THE COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY. WE ALSO JUST PASSED AND WE THANK THE SUPPORTERS OF THIS HALF A BILLION DOLLARS, ROADBLOCKED WHICH YOU MENTIONED ALSO WHICH IS A VERY BIG DISEASE. WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT. WE WILL GO OUT AND SELL THESE COMMITMENTS AND THEN PAY INTEREST ON IT AND SO THERE'S A STRATEGY BEHIND US. A HALF BILLION DOLLARS OUT FOR THE ROAD BONDS AND TRYING TO BE CONSERVATIVE WHILE DOING WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO

DO. >> THE ONE THING I -- WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BONDING CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION ONE THING THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND IS -- WHEN WE PASS A BOND OR -- WHEN THE COUNTY CITIZENS PASS A BOND OF $450 MILLION LIKE WE DID THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE COUNTY IS GOING OUT AND GOING TO THE BANK AND GOING TO -- THE MARKET AND BORROWING $450 MILLION. THE CITIZENS HAVE GIVEN US PERMISSION TO GO OUT AND BORROW UP TO $450 MILLION. WE -- I WOULD -- I WANT TO SAY I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE COURT.

AS SOON AS AUBURN OUR THE MONEY. WE START TO PAY -- A DEBT ON IT.

WE START TO PAY INTEREST. TO BE JUDICIAL STEWARDS OF THOSE

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FINANCES I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT -- I WILL NEVER SUPPORT GOING OUT AND BONDING $450 MILLION AT ONCE W HE WILL LOOK AT THE PROJECT THAT ARE -- REAL AND MOVING FORWARD AND WE WILL BORROW ENOUGH MONEY AT A TIME TOO MAKE THE -- MAKE SURE THOSE PROJECTS ARE SUCCESSFUL. THAT FIRST -- MAY BE 1, $300 MILLION BUT NOT 450 MILLION BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO PAY THE INTEREST ON THAT IF WE AREN'T GOING TO USE IT. AGAIN IT'S A PERMISSION SLIP TO GO TO THE BANK AND -- GO TO THE MARKET AND BORROW. IT'S

NOT A BLANK CHECK. >> AND ANOTHER THING YOU SAID WHICH I FULLY AGREE WITH, COMMISSIONER SHELL, TAUGHT ME THIS BECAUSE I WASN'T IN GOVERNMENT UNTIL I GOT ELECTED.

COMMISSIONER SHELL TAUGHT ME THE IDEA OF WE ARE GOOD AT BUILDING THINGS BUT CAN'T RUN THEM. THAT WAS -- THAT WAS JUST A GENERAL TERM. THERE'S PLACES WHERE WE CAN AND HE CAN -- THAT MAKES SENSE. LEAVE IT TO THE PROS. LEAVE IT TO THE PROS. YOU TALK ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH PIECE ON THAT FRONT THAT'S WHY -- FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE AS I CAN APPROACH IT THAT'S WHY I LOOKED BACK AT OUR PLANS AT HOK. IT'S STILL ON THE GROUND WORKING TO SEE WHAT CAN WE DO, WHO -- TO SOLVE OUR EVER SHRINKING FEDERAL AND STATE SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHY I WAS LEANING INTO ASKING HOK TO FIND A WAY TO GO VERTICAL AT THE JAIL SO WE COULD HAVE THE EXPANDED JUNK CAPACITY ON THAT FRONT. EVERYBODY UP TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AGREES THAT THAT'S A HIGH PRIORITY. IF WE -- AND WHEN I PROPOSSESSIONED THINGS IT'S NEVER BEEN EITHER OR. IT'S ALWAYS YES AND. SO I WAS HAPPY THAT YOU SAID PARTNERSHIPS WITH TAKING A FLOOR FROM A HOSPITAL SYSTEM OR -- AND -- I HAVE ALWAYS PROMOTED PARTNERSHIPS ON EVERY FRONT. IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST, GO ALONE.

IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO TOGETHER. SO, THE HOSPITAL THING. WE CAN -- GO TWO FLOORS IN A VERY NARROW FOOT PRINT AND HAVE ITS OWN ENTRANCE. WE CAN DIVERT FOLKS IF THAT SETTING FROM -- GOING INTO THINK THEY ARE GOING TO BOOKING AND THEY CAN GET THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THEY DESERVE IN A FACILITY THAT'S TOGETHER BUT SEPARATE. THAT'S WHAT THAT ITEM WAS ABOUT AND IS -- WHAT I BELIEVE A SHORT PRIORITY LIST BECAUSE WE OWN THE DIRT. WE HAVE THE PLANS, GENERALLY SPEAKING ANY WAY. AND TO THAT POINT -- I TONIGHT KNOW WHERE THERE'S BEEN -- MAYBE I'M OVER STATING IT BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE THERE'S BEEN MORE CONVERSATION OF THIS OTHER THAN THE BAT. WE HAVE THREE MEMBERS OF THE BAT RIGHT HERE. ACTUALLY FOUR. I THINK FIVE WE ARE HERE AND JUST THE -- THE SOLUTIONS OR THE OPTIONS THAT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED IN THERE. I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO REACH OUT TO OUR BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS TEAM AND LOOK AT WHAT -- THOSE IDENTIFIED NEEDS ARE AND WHAT THOSE PARTNERS ON THE BAT, WHO THEY ARE AND HOW THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO

THAT PROCESS. >> MY THINKING IS TO HAVE THAT ROAD MAP FOR THE BEDS, LONG TERM WE AREN'T BUILDING ANYTHING TOMORROW. STILL BE ON THE SHORTER LIST BECAUSE WE HAVE THE NEED AND HERE IS WHERE I WAS GOING. AND PARTNER WITH THE PROFESSIONALS, THE CHAIN I CANS AND HOT SYSTEMS AND EVERYBODY.

TO ME IT'S ALL OF THE ABOVE. WE NEED THAT FRONT AND THEN ON THE PET PIECE I SAY BECAUSE OF THE CONDITIONS AND THIS -- THIS IS WHAT'S ON MY MIND. I ASKED -- THIS IS WHAT'S ON MY MIND. WE YETED THIS AGENDA ITEM. THURSDAY MORNING I HAD NO IDEA. I HAD NO IDEA THAT -- I WAS NOT AWARE THE STOCK MARKET WAS TANKING. I -- I SHAKED THE ETCH A SKETCH AND I WAS LIKE WHAT ARE WE DOING? IF THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF TARIFFS WE HAVE LOST 6.6 TRILLION DOLLARS AND MONDAY ISN'T ANY BETTER. GOING TO THE MARKET AND BORROW MONEY AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES AND ON THE SHORTEST LIST BECAUSE ON THE PET RESOURCE FRONT I AM FULLY CLEAR AND SUPPORT THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. AGAIN, BASED ON THESE NUMBERS AND HERE I'M SPEAKING FROM -- YEARS, YOU AND I GOT ON AT THE SAME TIME. SO THIS REPRESENTS US ALL. HERE IS THE TAX RATE THAT RED LINE REPRESENTS WHAT I GOT ON WHEN COMMISSIONER AND, COMMISSIONER SMITH ANDIST GOT ON THE COURT. THIS REPRESENTS THE TAX RATE AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE AS GOOD FISCAL CONSERVATIVES. WHEN I LOOK AT

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THIS OVER THE WEEKEND I HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO THINK ABOUT IT AND I THINK WE HAVE TAXES AGENCIES, SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING JOB FREEZES, SERIOUSLY IN MILLIONS AND DEFICITS FOR THEIR BUDGETS, AND SERIOUSLY STRUGGLING ALL THESE APPRAISALS COMING IN AS THEY UNFOLD. THAT IS WHY -- IT WASN'T -- WHEN I CREATED THIS AGENDA ITEM IT WASN'T ABOUT SO MUCH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE STOCK MARKET BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA AT THE TIME. NOW IT'S BECOME EVER SO PRESENT FRONT AND CENTER. NOW I'M SAYING NOW WE -- I FEEL BAD SAYING THIS WAY. NOW I DON'T PERSONALLY SUPPORT BUILDING A PET RESOURCE CENTER. I CAN'T. THAT IS -- MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GOING TO WASTE AND SO I ENCOURAGE US MOST WHOLE HEART EDLY TO DOUBLE DOWN COMMISSIONER LIKE YOU WERE MENTIONING.

VISITING KYLE. SEEING HOW WE COULD PARTNER WITH SOMEONE. THAT PARTNERSHIP PIECE. HIRING EVERYBODY THAT WE CAN HIRE AROUND JUST TO WORK WITH US SO WE DON'T HAVE TO BUILD OUR OWN FACILITY BECAUSE I AM HONESTLY ALL THE YEARS I HAVE SERVED AS OUR CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER I AM NERVOUS ABOUT US GOING TO THE MARKET AND BORROWING ALL THIS MONEY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE STATS THAT ARE COMING OUT ITS LIKE $3,800 OR THE INITIAL ESTIMATES OF WHAT PEOPLE WILL BE ADDING TO THEIR HOUSEHOLD BILLS BECAUSE OF THINGS UNFOLDING AND I CAN'T SEE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE AND GOOD FAITH.

I CAN'T ADD ALL THE FEDERAL BURDENS AND THEN US AT THE SAME TIME HITTING AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING LET'S NOT BUILD OUR OWN RESOURCE CENTER. LIEUTENANTS PARTNER WITH EVERYBODY. EVEN AS DESPERATE AS IT MAY SOUND REVISIT WITH THE CITY AND SAY IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO HERE TO INVEST IN AND START, EXPAND FIGURE THEY HAVE THE FOOT PRINT YOUR CURRENT FACILITY SO WE CAN BE HERE LONGER BECAUSE THEY HAVE GIVEN US FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW. THEY ARE HAVE GIVEN US A TWO YEAR WINDOW BUT IT ISN'T. TO LAUGH. CITY'S SHELTER. WRITE HAS BEEN THE MUNI -- THE -- THE COUNTY SHELTER. REGIONAL AND ANIMAL AND SO THERE'S MAYBE A WAY TO REVISIT THAT PIECE. TO SAY IS THERE THE EXPANSION WE COULD FUND BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T COST AS MUCH AS BUILDING OUR HUNDRED. I KNOW THEY DON'T WANT US THERE ANY MORE. WE HAVE TO REVISIT BECAUSE I AM -- I AM BESIDES PICKING -- TWO TO THREE KEY CRITICAL ITEMS I WANTON ITEM 0 STOP ON -- AND EVERYBODY BEING

PURCHASED BURDENED THESE. >>

>> AS WE LOOK AT THE WAY FUNDING WORKS, WHEN WE GO TO THE MARKET WE ARE THE BEST BET THERE IS. WE HAVE A GREAT, GREAT CREDIT

RATING. >> I KNOW.

>> AND THE FACT OF THE MAT CERTIFY THAT -- WHEN WE ISSUE DEBT AS A FACILITY AND AS A COUNTY FOLKS FIGHT OVER THAT.

THEY KNOW ITS FOOD AND WILL -- IT'LL GET PAID OFF AND WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN OVER HISTORY WHEN YOU HAVE THESE ECONOMIC DOWN TURNS, IF IT WAS 2008 OR PRIOR TO THAT IS WE GET REALLY POPULAR. THE DEBT THAT'S ISSUED FROM US WE GET THE BEST RATES. WE WILL HAVE THE BEST RATES. THERE ARE OUT THERE AND WE CAN DO IT IN A WAY THAT -- IS JUDICIOUS WITH FINANCES AND I THINK THAT WE -- THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR IS TO DO THAT. I THINK THE SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED FROM OUR CITIZENS AND THE EXPECTATION OF SERVICE THEY HAVE IF WE DON'T HAVE SOME OF THESE NEW FACILITIES WE WILL IF HE FAILING THEM.

>> AND COMMISSIONER. >> WELL AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT -- WE ALREADY -- I MEAN WHEN WE GO TO -- WHEN I TALK TO CITIZENS AND THEY SAY THAT -- WITH EVERY WINDOW OPEN THERE'S A TWO HOUR WAIT AT THE TAX OFFICE IN KYLE OR I WALK -- OUT OF MY OFFICE DOOR AND I HAVE 87 PEOPLE WAITING ON THE TWO WINDOWS THAT WE ARE FAILING OUR CUSTOMERS AND -- WE HAVE TO MAKE

IMPROVE MEMBERS THERE. >> I AGREE. WE HAVE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS. I'M ALWAYS ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR CO WORKERS, I'M ALWAYS AND WE ALWAYS HAVE SUPPORTED THEM FOR THE MOST PART. I ALSO FEEL THAT WE WILL SERVE OUR RESIDENTS, LIVING

[01:50:01]

PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND NOT BE SO -- NOT THAT YOU ARE SAYING THAT WAY BUT JUST THE WORD COMING TO MIND, WILLY NILLY ABOUT GETTING DEBT AND THEN SAYING IS YOUR NEW BILL. I'M JUST GOING TO TELL YOU PERSONALLY -- I WILL PER SUE THIS WITH A DIFFERENT LENS JUST -- THIS IS MY LAST MESSAGE. LY PURSUE THIS WITH A DIFFERENT LENS AFTER SEEING THESE TWO THINGS. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT PATH AND THIS IS WHAT MADE ME TAKE ANOTHER LOOK. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF WE SELL OFF ALL THE STUFF WE ARE PLANNING ON SELLING, THE HALF A BILLION DOLLAR ROAD BOND. WE WON'T BUILD EVERYTHING. HOW MUCH IS THE TOTAL YOU CAME UP WITH ON THE BUILDINGS IN.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE TALKING AND -- ROUGH AND TOTAL WE ARE TALKING PROBABLY 320 TO $340 MILLION.

>> NOT INCLUDING DIRT. I KNOW WE AREN'T GOING TO BUILD EVERYTHING ONCE I SUPPORTED THE ROAD BOND. I'M FULLY IN SUPPORT. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BECOME GOOD FISCAL STEWARDS AS WE UNROLL THIS STUFF AS THIS STUFF JUST GOT THROWN ON OUR LAPS AND WE ARE LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING IN ADDITION. WE ARE ALREADY LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING THAT WE HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR WITH IN OUR CURRENT BUDGET TO FIND OUTREACH COMMUNICATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. THAT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING AND SO I'M JUST GOING TO URGE CAUTION AND SLOW, SLOW, SLOW UNTIL THIS DUST SETTLES.

>> YEAH. SORRY. I'M A FINANCIAL ADVISER. I WANTED TO BE CLEAR THAT THE STOCK MARKET AND THE FIXING INCOM MARKET ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. THAT'S COMING THE FIXED INCOME MARKET. NOT THE STOCK MARKET. I KNOW EVERYBODY HAS A 401K.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

>> WE ARE WANTING TO FOCUS ON CIP. LY STAY WITH THE -- THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN THE SUGGESTIONS.

WAIT.

>> WITH THREE TO FOUR ACRES WHAT DO YOU SEE POSSIBLY IF THAT HAPPENED TO SUPPORT ON THAT DIRT?

>> I DON'T KNOW. THAT'S WHY I HAVE TAMMY LOOKING INTO IT TO SEE THE SET UP OF THAT BUILDING. TO SEE WHAT MIGHT FIT THERE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT JUVENILE PROBATION, POSSIBLY RELOCATING, YOU KNOW TO MAKE MORE SPACE FOR THE FUNCTIONS. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SET -- WE ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATING WHAT WE CAN DO THERE AND SEE IF IF WE CAN AFFORD TO PAY WHAT THEY WANT FOR IT. I WILL SAY JUDGE, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID. I UNDERSTAND WHAT RU SAYING BUT I ALSO WANT TO ENSURE OUR RESIDENTS THAT THOSE CHARTS WE JUST BORROWED MONEY BUT WE HAVE BEEN CAUTION ABOUT WHEN WE DO IT. YOU KNOW WE TALK TO OUR FINANCIAL ADVISER, BUDGET OFFICERS TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE ISSUE DEBT WE ARE -- YOU KNOW DOING THE BEST WE CAN FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND I KNOW WE WILL LOOK AT ALL THE P ARAM ETERS ONCE THE TIME COMES.

>> I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT -- I HAVE BEEN TOGETHER ON THIS COURT REPRESENTING BODY, THIS GOVERNMENT FOR JUST A DECADE.

SEVEN YEARS AND WHATEVER. ABSOLUTELY THIS IS PART OF OUR SOUP. THAT'S WHY I HELD UP THAT GRAPH ITS BEEN SINCE 1988 TO NOW. WE ARE GOOD FISCAL SEASON CONSERVATIVES. AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHIME IN. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY?

>> I WOULD ADD TO THE PINT YOU THAT JUST MADE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHART THAT YOU HELD UP THE FACT IS THAT -- AS WE LOOK AT THE DEBT WE ARE THINKING OF IN THE NEAR FUTURE, IF AT ANY POINT IN THAT TIME WE WOULD HAVE -- DROPPED A TAX RATE NOT EIGHT SENTS IN ONE YEAR BUT SIX CENTS IN ONE YEAR. WE WOULDN'T BE LOOKING AT THAT AT ALL. OR NOT THE KIND OF DEBT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BUT OVER THAT TIME WE HAVE TRIED TO DROP THE RATE AS LOW AS

POSSIBLE. AS LOW AS WE COULD. >> I'M PROUD OF IT.

>> THIS IS OUR WORK COURT. THIS IS NOT ME. I AGREE. I LOOK AT IT AND THINK IF WE HAD JUST -- IF WE CAN DROPPED A QUARTER PERCENT

[01:55:05]

LESS THREE YEARS IN A ROW, STILL DROPPED THE TAX RATE BUT A QUARTER PERCENT WE WOULD BE IN BETTER SITUATION THAN NOW. WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE AGAIN OUR CHECK CAME. WE NEED TO PAY A

BILL. WE HAVE TO DO SO. >> IF YOU WILL TURN YOUR MIC ON.

DON'T FORGET. >> I THINK THAT -- EVERYBODY HAS NAILED IT ON THE HEAD. CONSERVATIVE AND CONSTRAINING ON THE FUNDING THAT WE ARE -- ESSENTIALLY LOOKING FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 AND NOT INCREASING THE TAX RATE IF NOT NEEDED.

WE WANT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PLAN AND THE PROGRAM. THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. POTENTIALLY FUNDING PROJECTS BUT WE NEED TO BUILD KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATIONS TO TIE IN TO THE PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PROJECT THAT ARE CAUSING, COSTING THE COUNTY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. SO, WHATEVER DIRECTION THAT THE BOARD PROVIDES I WILL, YOU KNOW, GIVE MY RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF THE RESIDENTS TAXPAYERS DOLLARS.

>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU. AND JAMES ANY PARTING IDEAS OR TAKE

AWAYS? OTHERWISE WE ARE DONE. >> JUST CONCLUDE, IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO ANSWER AND JUST TO SAY THAT CIP AND CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS AN ONGOING EFFORT WE CAN CONTINUING TO DO.

THERE ARE ROUGH, IN DIFFERENT STATES BUT FAIRLY PRELIMINARY.

>> BEAUTIFUL. JAMES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AS REQUIRED WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING. I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NOW YOU HAVE THE

UPDATED LIST. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE WILL NOW GO TO J14. PLAN.

[J.14. Discussion and possible action to adopt a resolution authorizing the establishment of a DWI & Drug Court Program. BECERRA/INGALSBE/KEY/HALL]

>> DISCUSS POSSIBLE TO -- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DWI AND DRUG

COURT PROGRAM. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. SO. J14. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK JUDGE HALL WOULD YOU LIKE TO START THE CONVERSATION?

>> GOOD MORNING. THIS ITEM IS -- A -- LESS DOES FROM THE COMMISSIONER AS COURT THAT'S REQUIRED UNDER THE STATUTE THAT CREATES SPENT COURTS. ITS BE I HAVE -- ALWAYS TRY TO FIND A THREAD TO TIE THINGS THROUGH.

THEY REDUCE REPEAT OFFENSES, AND SPEAKING OF -- FISCAL BEING CONSERVATIVE THEY SAVE THE COUNTY MONEY.

AND A COURT FACILITATOR.

AS WELL AS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE KEY.

ITS PART A DRUG COURT SOY REACHED OUT TO THE DISTRICT JUDGES AND I GOT A GREAT VOLUNTEER.

THOSE ARE DRUG OFFENSES. SOME ARE FELONIES.

AS PART OF THE PROCESS TO GET A -- THESE COURTS IN PLACE WE HAVE TO HAVE A -- A -- RESOLUTION FROM THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HIM APPROVING THE COURTS. JUDGE AND -- I MET WITH THE DA'S OFFICE.

USED TO BE WITH THE CALDWELL CONSIDER DEWITH HAVE HIS EXPERIENCE THERE. WE MET WITH GREG COX AND IT WAS A VERY, VERY POSITIVE MEETING. WE HAVE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HERE TODAY WHO IS -- THEIR OFFICE IS SUPPORT OF IT BECAUSE DEWILL PROVIDE RESOURCES TO IT.

[02:00:06]

I WILL CALL THEM UP BUT IT'S A -- THESE ARE GREAT PEOPLE. YOU HAVE GREAT PEOPLE SUPPORTING YOU AND I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE FOR SUPPORTING IT.

>> GOOD MORNING. THIS IS JUDGE ON THE PARALEGAL. IN THE COUNTY COURTS OF LAW. BASICALLY I'M TASKED WITH CREATING ESTABLISHING THE PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTY.

THE CURRENT ESTIMATED POPULATION IN THE COUNTY IS 290,000 PEOPLE.

PLUS THE PREDICTED POPULATION INCREASE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS WAS 25.6%. I DON'T SEE THAT NUMBER GOING DOWN AT ALL.

FROM THE COUNTY COURT AND DISTRICT COURT LEVEL THE ACTIVE CASES THAT ARE POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE 260 OR MORE.

THERE'S A MANDATE THAT ESTABLISHES A DRUG PROGRAM. THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES, THE COUNTIES DO NOT HAVE THOSE DRUG COURT PROGRAMS. THEY WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE -- FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR GRANTS FOR OTHER SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS. WE HAVE A POTENTIAL START DATE OF DECEMBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR. WE WOULD HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM RUNNING AT THAT TIME.

JUDGE HALL ALSO TOUCHED ABOUT THE APPROVAL PROJECT OF THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION BASICALLY WE WOULD NEED A WRITTEN NOTICE TO THEM. THE STRATEGIC PLAN WHICH WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON AS WELL AS THE RESOLUTION WE ARE DISCUSSING

TODAY. >> THE STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING THAT WOULD COME THROUGH AFTER THE APPROVAL FROM THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION SERVES AS A GATE KEEPING. THE OCA BASICALLY HAS TO APPROVE US BEFORE WE CAN ACHIEVE ANY STATE OFFER -- WITHOUT THAT WE WOULD LOOSE AT LEAST ACCESS TO FIVE PROVIDERS. SOME OF THAT BEING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SAFETY.

IT'S DESIGNED TO -- PROVIDE THIBLE INCENTIVES AND ENGAGES THE PARTICIPATES IN POSITIVE BEHAVIORS.

IS AIR PATH WAY TO AVOID JAIL AND FOCUS ON REBUILDING ONE'S LIFE AND REINFORCES THE BELIEF THAT CLAY IS POSSIBLE AND WE WANT THE COMMUNITY TO -- IS MORE THAN COURT. IT'S A COME BACK

FOR THEIR LIVES. >> AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT WAS BEAUTIFULLY SAID. DIDN'T YOU HELP ANOTHER COUNTY DO THIS

SUCCESSFULLY? >> NO. THIS IS MY FIRST ONE.

>> OKAY. VERY GOOD. WHO DID THE OTHER ONE?

>> VICTOR JACKSON. >> OKAY. OKAY. GOT IT. THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO THE ROTEO UNTHIS FIRST ONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'M DISTRICT JUDGE KEY. I I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN THE COURT. ONE OF MY FOALS WAS TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT. I'M SO DELIGHTED TO WE A PART OF IT. ER KNEW AT WORKING STATEWIDE AND COUNTY WIDE -- HOW MANY OF OUR CRIMINAL CASES RELATED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. AND HOW MANY ARE IN JILL JAILS BECAUSE OF ADDICTION PROGRAMS. IT'S BAD FOR THEM AND FOR THE COUNTY W REPAYING FOR JAIL SPACE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ADDICTION ISSUES. IN THE -- THREE MONTH THAT I HAVE BEEN ON THE BENCH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT I HAVE SEEN, YOUNG PEOPLE, 18 YEARS OLD THAT HAVE HAD MULTIPLE OFFENSE THAT ARE JUST RELATED TO THEIR ADDICTION. THEY ARE NOT SELLING DRUGS, THIS RENOT COMMITTING VIOLENT OFFENSES, JUST -- THEY ARE -- DRUGS ARE RULING THEIR LIVES OR ALCOHOL AND I JUST HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE OTHER PROGRAMS IN CALDWELL AND THEY HAVE GREAT DRUG AND -- DWI COURTS AND THEY HELP GET THE PEOPLE OUT OF -- NOT ONLY OUT OF OUR JAILS BUT ON THE TRACK TO BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY RATHER THAN A DRAIN ON THE SOCIETY AND A DANGER TO SOCIETY. I AM FULLY COMMITTED IN WORKING ON THIS PROGRAM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK TO TELL YOU HOW

SUCCESSFUL ITS BEEN. >> BEAUTIFUL. I WANT TO SEE IF -- TUCKER ARE YOU GOOD WITH THEM READING FIRST OR DID YOU WANT TO

[02:05:01]

SAY SOMETHING? >> ONE MINOR THING WAS CHANGED FROM THE BACK UP ON FRIDAY WHEN THE AGENDA APOSTLED AND THAT WAS THE ADDITION OF ONE OF THE CHAPTERS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE BUT THE CLERK WAS GIVEN THE NEW COPY THAT WILL BE READ AND THE COURT HAS A COPY ON THE DIAS AND I KNOW THAT -- I BELIEVE THAT DISTRICT ATTORNEY IF YOU WANT TO MAKE COMMENTS.

>> OKAY. SURE.

>> MY NAME IS KELLY HIGGINS. I'M THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY HERE. I WANT TO SPEAK VERY BRIEFLY IN SUPPORT OF -- THE COURT APPROVING THE DOCKETS. WHAT IT'LL LOOK LIKE IS AS CASES COME INTO THE OFFICE MY OFFICE WILL REVIEW THEM FOR WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE RIGHT FOR THESE TYPES OF TREATMENTS AND THE GOAL HERE WILL ALWAYS BE TO BE SOBER. I REALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY OTHER THAN OUR OFFICE IS VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING WITH THESE.

SO WE CAN BE MORE FISHEN WITH OUR JAILS AND -- THE PEOPLE -- MEANINGFUL.

IT'S THESE AREN'T PEOPLE WHO -- DESERVE THE PUNITIVE MEASURE THAT A GOVERNMENT CAN BRING AGAINST THEM. THEY DESERVE THERAPY. THEY DESERVE TREATMENT. SO RATHER THAN TREAT EVERY -- DRUG POSSESSION AS A VIOLENT CRIME OR RATHER TREAT THAT DEFENDANT AS SOMEONE THAT'S COMMITTED A VIOLENT CRIME THESE ARE GOING TO BE MORE HUMANE. THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE RESOURCES OF MY OFFICE AND THE COURTS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING.

>> AS ALWAYS. OUR VISION ALIGNS ON MANY FRONTS AND YOU JUST REPEATED ANOTHER ONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> BEFORE WE READ OR AFTER WE READ THE RESOLUTION.

>> THEY CAN READ IT FIRST. >> I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOUR TIMING WAS TIED TO THAT. IF YOU READ THE RESOLUTION.

>> SPECIALITY COURT RESOLUTION WHEREAS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT OF HAYS COUNTY FINDS IN -- IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE HAYS COUNTY THAT THE DWI AND DRUG COURT PROGRAM BE ESTABLISHED AS SPECIALITY COURTS TO CODE 121 AND 123 UNDER FORMER LAW AND WHEREAS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES THAT THOSE COURTS HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE OPERATIONL AS OF THE 1ST OF DECEMBER, 2025 NOW BE IT RESOLVED THAT -- THE COURT DOES AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE D WI AND DRUG COURT PROGRAM AS SPENT COURTS TO ENABLE IT TO PROVIDE SERVICES NEEDED BY THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY. ADOPTED THIS THE 8TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.

>> BEAUTIFULLY DONE. AND IF YOU DON'T MIND TUCKER. THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT THING. CAN YOU HELP ME GET -- SOMEONE TO PRINT A BETTER VERSION LIKE A PROCLAMATION SO WE CAN SIGNED

SOMEONE MORE PRESENTABLE? >> CAN DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE. AND SO I -- I WILL PROBABLY REPEAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE MENTIONED. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT SHALL THESE COURTS ARE DESIGNED TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CRIMINAL BEHAVE WITH A FOCUS ON REHAB OTHER THAN JUST PUNISHMENT. YOU KNOW JUDGE HALL TALKED ABOUT REDUCE REPEAT OFFENSES. SINCE THEY ARE LOOSE LIKE LIE TO REOFFEND COMPARED TO THOSE WHO GO THROUGH EXTRADITIONAL COURT SYSTEM THERE IS COST SAVING SINCE THE COURTS NORMALLY COST LESS THAN PRISON AND -- BETTER TREATMENT OUTCOMES PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ACCESS TO TREATMENTS THAT THEY NEED SUCH AS MENTALITY HEALTH SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT AND IT'S ALSO SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. IT HELPS STABILIZE PARTICIPANTS, MANY OF WHOM ARE PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS, AND REDUCES FINANCIAL BURDEN ON FAMILIES AND ONE THAT'S VERY FORTE THAT I THINK WAS TOUCHED ON IS THE RESTORATION OF LIVES. MANY PARTICIPANTS REGAIN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING AND HOUSE FAMILY CONNECTIONS. I THINK IT'S -- EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT THIS ANYMORIVE

AND I'M SUPPORTIVE. THANK YOU. >> BEAUTIFUL. ANYONE ELSE?

>> ALL RIGHT. WONDERFUL. IF NOTHING ELSE PLEASE CALL THE

ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBEE.

>> HAMMER. COMMIT. WE WON'T CIRCULATE ANYTHING TO SIGN UNTIL

[02:10:01]

WE GET A PRETTY ONE. >> I'M WORKING WITH THE OFFICE.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE NOW THAT NEEDS FIXING?

>> IT'S JUST AN UGLY BLACK AND WHITE. I'M PROUD OF THIS TRANSACTION. I'M PROUDER THE JUDGES AND THE DA AND THE COURT TO HAVE DONE THIS AND I WANT TO SHOW IT OFF AND I WANT TO PUT A GOLD SEAL ON IT. I WANT IT TO LOOK PRETTY.

>> THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT. THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.

TAKENNING CARE OF PEOPLE AND PETS. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS. I LOVE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NOW LET'S GO TO J -- THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. WE HAVE CREATED SOMETHING IMPORTANT. THANK YOU.

>> NOW LET'S GO TO J -- G7 AND G8.

[G.7. Approve and confirm the appointment of Roland Vazquez as a Deputy Reserve in the Hays County Constable Precinct 1 Office, effective date April 8, 2025. INGALSBE/PETERSON]

>> APPROVE AND CONFIRM THE -- OF DEPUTY RESERVE IN THE HAYS COUNTY PRECINCT ONE OFFICE DATE APRIL 8TH 2025.

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL RIGHT. CONSTABLE. SORRY FOR THE DELAY. WE ARE GOING AS FAST AS WE CAN. I KNOW YOU KNOW IT. I YOU GET LONG WINDED OR SHORT BUT IT'S OKAY. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND. THIS WON'T BE THE FIRST TIME THAT WE ARE IN THE BACK ROW BUT COME UP FRONT. WE ARE LEAVING SAFELY. THANK YOU.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I APPRECIATE IT. TODAY WE ARE -- WE ARE SWEARING IN ANOTHER OFFICER. FOR THE CITIZENS HERE FOR BASICALLY SAFETY AND PROTECTION. HOPEFULLY -- ROLAND WILL JOIN US HERE LATER ON. AS WE WORK ON MORE OFFICER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND WITH THE -- WITH YOUR BLESSING AND THE COMMISSIONERS BLESSINGS AND THE SAFETY AS I SAID FOR OUR CITIZENS WILL MAKE THINGS A LOT BETTER WITH IN OUR PRECINCT AND WITH IN THE COUNTY. ROLAND IS REALLY NO STRANGER TO HAYS COUNTY. READ A LITTLE ABOUT HIM. HE WORKED IN THE DA'S OFFICE FOR A WHILE AND LEFT BUT CAME BACK. IS HE A LONG TIME RESIDENT HERE WITH HIS WIFE ANDREA AND TWO DAUGHTERS CATALINA AND ANGELINA. ROLAND IS FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. HE HAS LIVED HERE FOR 23 YEARS WITH HAD US WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS. HE ATTENDED SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE AND OBTAINED HIS ASSISTANT DEGREE AND -- USTA WHERE HE ABHIJIT TAKED -- ROLAND WORKED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT. IN 20 IT 2* 1 WITH A MASTERS PEACE OFFICER DURING HIS CAREER HE WORKED AS A RESERVE OFFICERWITH THE CITY OF LEON VALLEY. I POLICE OFFICER WITH THE NORTH SIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS. A SERGEANT INVESTIGATOR WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN AUSTIN TEXAS ALSO A SERGEANT WITH THE HAYS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS A CHIEF INVESTIGATOR FOR HAYS COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES AND UNIT. COMMISSIONER BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AS A SERGEANT INVESTIGATOR WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, FRAUD, UNIT, AUSTIN WHERE HE WAS SWORN IN IS A SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR FOR THE TRAVIS COUNTY DA. SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT. ROLAND HAS OVER 3,000 HOURS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH A TEXAS COMMISSIONER. SHE'S -- AS I HAVE SAID FOR OUR COMMUNITY OR OUR COUNTY HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME HIM HERE. LET ME SEE IF ROLAND WAS A COUPLE OF WORDS HE WANTS TO SAY AND IF YOU WOULD -- WOULD BLESS HIM WITH A SWEARING

IN I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU. WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. -- INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

>> MY NAME IS ROLAND. I WORKED IN THE COUNTY TEN YEARS WITH DA'S OFFICE. I WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE SHERIFF TO DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES. I WAS THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR BEFORE I WENT BACK TO THE STATE TO RETIRE. I'M -- I'M GLAD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT CONSTABLE PETERSON AND THE CHIEF HAVE GIVEN ME TO COME BACK AFTER BEING RETIRED AND I LOOK FORWARD

[02:15:05]

TO SERVING MY COMMUNITY AND WORK HERE. DON'T PLAN ONGOING ANYWHERE ELSE AND I REALLY ENJOY. I LIVE IN COUNTRY ESTATES, JUST -- REAL CLOSE TO -- IN SAN MARCUS. THIS IS MY HOME. THIS IS MY COMMUNITY. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY.

WHATEVER, WHATEVER PATH THAT MAY BE TO WORK WITHING YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH BOTH OF YOU. COMMISSIONER ANYTHING ELSE?

>> NO. THANK YOU AND WELCOME AND JUST A LITTLE BIT OF OFFICIALLY

TO HAYS COUNTY. >> EXACTLY. IF NOTHING LOOSE WE

WILL CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> JUDGE.

>> YES. NOW YOU ARE WELCOME. ALL RIGHT. SO. JUDGE WE HAVE -- COMMISSIONER WE HAVE A BADGE THAT -- I WOULD LIKE FOR COMMISSIONER COHEN AND COMMISSIONER HAMMER AND INGALSBE. YOU CAN SIT BACK AND LET THESE GRLS PIN THIS BADGE. O

>> LOVE IT. HOW ABOUT YOU COME UP HERE. I THIS I THAT WILL BE EASIER.

[G.8. Approve and confirm the appointment of Gilbert A. Verastegui as a regular full-time Deputy Constable in the Hays County Constable Precinct 2 Office, effective date April 16, 2025. COHEN/TORRES]

>>> G8 APPROVA AND CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF GILBERT AS A REGULAR ACTUAL TIME CONSTABLE IN THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT TWO OFFICE EFFECTIVE DAY APRIL 16TH, 2025.

⌞> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. CONSTABLE TORRES ALSO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. WHAT HE GRATEFUL IF YOU WILL PLEASE APPROACH, INTRODUCE YOUR YOURSELF AND YOUR CANDIDATE.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER AND -- COUNTY JUDGE. CONSTABLE MIKE TORRES. BEFORE WE I HAVE GILBERT, ANTHONY V. I'M NOT GOING TO MISS PRONOUNCE HIS LAST NAME. I WILL LET HIM SAY IT FOR

ME. >> NOT ITALIAN I DON'T THINK.

THIS IS A POSITION THAT WAS CREATED BACK A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WHEN JP22 WAS CREATED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT -- FUNDED AND STAFFED SO IT'S -- PETITION WE HAVE KIND OF AWARDED TO US.

LET ME INTRODUCE GILBERT. WE ATTENDED AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO ATTEND HIS ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE. HE ATTENDED THE POLICE ACADEMY AT A -- AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND WORKED FOR THE CITY OF LOCKHART FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. HE LOOKED LIKE HE TOLD ME HE WAS PURSUING HIS NOW WIFE TO PUERTO RICO SEW WENT THERE AND -- EVENTUALLY MOVED BACK TO TEXAS BECAUSE IN THIS IS WHERE HE FELT

[02:20:02]

SAFE IN HIS HOME. HE GOT HIRED ON WITH TEXAS STATE AND SPENT MOST OF FIVE YEAR WAS TEXAS STATE WHERE HE MOVED UP THE RANKS AND HE IS A SERGEANT AND I THINK THAT -- HE WILL -- I DON'T THINK THAT -- I'M CERTAIN THAT HE WILL BE A GREAT FIT FOR THE OFFICE AND FOR THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 2 AND HAYS COUNTY AND GILBERT IS ACTUALLY OUR OFFICE -- HIRE AS HIS FATHER USED TO WORK FOR PRECINCT 2.

I WANT TO INTRODUCE GILBERT. >> THAT'S A WONDERFUL DETAIL.

GILBERT INTRODUCE OURSELVES TO THE COURT.

>> I LOVE THEM. CONSTABLE SAYING THAT -- BEEN IN THIS AREA. HAYS COUNTY, CALDWELL ALL MY LIFE. RIGHT NOW CURRENTLY SERVING MY STUDENT POPULATION OF HAYS COUNTY AND I LIKE IT. I LOVE IT.

HOPEFULLY I CAN MOVE TOWARD THE -- I GUESS THE CIVIL SIDE OF THINGS AND KEEP SERVING HAYS COUNTY. THIS -- POSITION IS -- HONOR TO BE -- I GUESS A CANDIDATE FOR -- AND -- I THINK IT'LL BE WELL SUITED FOR IT. COME FROM A FAMILY OF PUBLIC SERVICE LIKE I SAID MY FATHER WAS ALMOST 30 YEARS OF SERVICE APPROXIMATE MY MOTHER OVER 30 YEARS AND MY WIFE WORKS FOR THE ISD SO PUBLIC SERVICE RUNS IN THE FAMILY. I HOPE TO KEEP DOING

THAT. >> WHAT A GIFT SERVING OTHERS. I UNDERSTAND IS THE HIGHEST CALLING. SERVING OTHERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> WELCOME TO THE FAMILY. PRESENT 2 IS THE FUNNEST PRECINCT THERE IS. WE HAVE A GOOD TIME THERE BUT WELCOME TO, WELCOME TO HAYS COUNTY IN THIS CAPACITY AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT

YOU DO. >> THANK YOU. WONDERFUL. WELL,

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> JUDGE.

>> YES.

>> THIS -- THIS WILL BE -- IT'LL CONFIRMATION TODAY IT'LL

APPOINTED ON APRIL 16TH. >> BEAUTIFUL AND THANK YOU SO

MUCH. CONGRATULATIONS. >> HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

>> THANK YOU SIR. ALL RIGHT. SO, ABOUT.

>> I WILL TAKE -- MOVING FORWARD. PLEASE OPEN J6.

[J.6. Discussion and possible action to provide support to the Dunbar Heritage Association for the Juneteenth celebration to be held on June 19, 2025. INGALSBE]

>> J6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE DUNBAR HERITAGE ASSOCIATION FOR THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION TO BE

HELD ON JUNE 19TH, 2025. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A -- SECOND. I'M LOOKING FOR JAY. NOT GETTING TO IT. I HAVE TO ENSURE THE COMMENTS. THERE YOU ARE.

THERE IT IS. NO PUBLIC COMMENTS. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE? ALEX I KNOW IS HERE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AGENDA ITEM? THANK YOU. IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUCK

PUBLIC WE WILL BE MOST GRATEFUL. >> HELLO JUDGE. MY NAME IS ALEX.

I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE DUNBAR HERITAGE ASSOCIATION. I COME BEFORE YOU ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR THE 2025 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION THAT WILL BENEFIT THE HAYS COUNTY RESIDENTS. EVERY YEAR WE -- ALONG WITH THE JUNETEENTH FOUNDATION WE PUT ON A CELEBRATION. WE WANT TO STEP UP THINGS. OUR ORGANIZATION IS NOT JUST A SAN -- ONE OF THE MAIN THING THAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO DO A DRONE LIGHT SHOW AND HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH THE DRONE LIGHT SHOW. I DO NOT -- IT'S TEXAS STATE JUST DID ONE FOR THEIR 125TH ANNIVERSARY. THE STADIUM AND THE LIGHTS AND THE DRONES. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS -- WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR WITH JUNETEENTH WITH HAVING A DRONE SHOW. WE WANTED TO DO FIREWORKS BUT 15 DAYS LATER AFTERNOON JUNETEENTH IS THE 4TH OF JULY SO WHY DO FIREWORKS AND FIREWORKS AGAIN. WE WANTED TO SET -- DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND -- DO A DRONE LIGHT SHOW THIS YEAR. IT'S AN EDUCATIONAL THING. I DOES BRING AWARENESS TO JUNETEENTH. ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER EVENTS THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT HAYS COUNTY. WE WILL BE THE ONLY PEOPLE DOING THIS IN HAYS COUNTY. OUR PLAN IS TO DRAW ALL OF HAYS COUNTY DOWN TO SAN MARCUS TO WITNESS THIS

[02:25:02]

LIGHT SHOW AND WE CAN MOVE IT AROUND HAYS COUNTY. ONE THING WITH DRONES YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FIRE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE PERMITS HAVE YOU TO GET WHEN YOU DO FIREWORKS. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE ASKING FOR SPONSOR SHIP OR DONATIONS OR -- FUNDING TO HELP PU ON THE DRONE SHOW BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE. SO, VERY WELL DONE. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE. THANK YOU. I DIDN'T WANT TO ASSUME THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THIS TO COURT TO ASK -- I THINK THAT -- OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO OUR COURT MEMBERS. BEFORE -- WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHERE FUNDS MAY COME FROM. WE HAVE OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAM OR LINE ITEMS IN EACH COURT MEMBERS BUT FOR COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

IF THE COURT IS WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE 1,250 FROM THE FOUR OF US THAT WILL HELP THE EVENT TAKE PLACE.

>> RU ASKING FOR -- MY PART -- MY OFFICE?

>> YES. FROM EACH OF US. ALEX YOU KNOW I LOVE AND YOU SUPPORT YOU 100%. THIS WAS NOT DISCUSSED WITH ME. I ALREADY COMMITTED THE MONEY FROM THE LITTLE BIT THAT'S LEFT IN MY OFFICE. I WOULD FIND ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT YOU. I'M NOT ABLE TO WITH THAT BUDGET ITEM. IF THERE'S ANOTHER WAY I WILL

SUPPORT IT. >> IF I DON'T -- I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN MY BUDGET. THERE'S NO -- IS THERE -- HELP ME.

>> JONATHAN HOW ELSE CAN BE SUPPORT WITHOUT COMING FROM THE

LINE ITEM FROM OUR OFFICE? >> I HAVE NOT -- I DON'T HAVE A

LOT OF LINE ITEMS. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER I BOTH WANT TO SUPPORT IT BUT THE LINE ITEM DOESN'T SET ASIDE FOR

THAT. >> THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IF YOU AREN'T WANTING TO MAKE THAT LINE ITEM DUE TO A SHORT FALL IN FUNDING WE WOULD LOOK AT THE ENTIRE BUDGET IN OUR DEPARTMENT, WE CAN TAKE THE SHORT TALL FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE -- AT THE COUNTY WIDE. IT'S DIRECTED BY THE.

>> THE CONTRIBUTION. >> THAT'S PERFECT FOR ME.

>> DO WE WANT TO TAKE THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OR STILL SAYING THAT AT THREAT THREE OF US WILL CONTRIBUTE -- LET'S TAKE THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OUT OF COUNTY WIDE. THAT WAY -- YOU GOT IT 100%. JUST ON A DIFFERENT WAY. THAT'S THE EDIT. DO WE NEED TO

MAKE A MOTION? >> I THINK WE CAN MAKE A MENTION. THERE'S A MOTION BUT WE CAN TAKE THE AMOUNT FROM

COUNTY WIDE. >> THAT'S WHERE WE CAN SUPPORT

IT LIKE WE FEEL. >> OKAY. IS THAT ENOUGH TUCKER OR DO WE NEED TO BE MORE SPECIFIC.

>> IF YOU REVISE THE MOTION AND STATE IT'S DUMB COMING THERE.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> HAMMER.

>> JUDGE. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. NEXT

ONE GUYS. MORGAN. >> ANY OTHER ITEMS? I WILL START

THE SLATE. YES. >> COULD WE LOOK AT J9, 10 AND

11. >> OKAY. I DO HAVE -- I WILL DOUBLE CHECK BECAUSE I THINK I HAVE ONE PUBLIC COMMENT LEFT.

SOMEONE HERE FOR 9:00? DID SOMEONE SIGN UP THAT'S HERE FOR 9:00? ARE THEY STILL HERE? YU. LET'S GO TO THAT ONE WHICH IS -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE I RESPECT PEOPLE'S TIME. IF YOU ARE HERE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO RIGHT TO YOU. THAT WILL BE JAY 9.

[J.9. Discussion and possible action to create the Animal Welfare Services Division within the Hays County Health Department and approve the creation of staff positions. COHEN/SMITH/GONZALES]

PLEASE OPEN JAY 9. >> DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION TO CREATE THE ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES DIVISION WITH IN THE HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND AMEND THE BUDGET

ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND INDICATE SHAW IF YOU WILL APPROACH THE PODIUM. YOU

HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONER'S COURT. MY NAME IS INDICATE SHAW. I'M A LOCAL SAN MARCUS RESIDENT SINCE 2000 AND HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE ANIMAL WELFARE GROUPS. I HAVE A SEAT ON THE ANIMAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW AND JUST WANTED TO COME HERE TODAY AND JUST THROW IN A WORD OF SUPPORT FOR JAY 9, 10 AND 11. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE CREATION OF AN ANIMAL SERVICES WELFARE DIVISION WITH STAFF MEMBERS. I WOULD LOVE TO

[02:30:03]

SEE IT FOLLOW THE BEST PRACTICES WITH THE PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY MINDED APPROACH. I THINK THAT -- WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW WE HAVE TO MOVE FAST AND -- SO NO NEED TO RECREATE THE WHEEL. I THINK WE CAN CARRY FORWARD THE MODEL, THE AP WAS WORKING WITH. THAT'S -- COMMUNITY MINDED, PROGRESSIVE BEST PRACTICES. PAIRED WITH PET RESOURCE CENTER. TO BEST SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND -- THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS SO, YEAH, JUST WANTED TO THROW MY SUPPORT BEHIND THAT AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR YOUR CONCERNS, JUDGE ABOUT FUNDING OF PET RESOURCE CENTER BUT I DO HOPE WE CAN FIND A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT WHETHER IT'S INDEPENDENTLY OR A COLLABORATION WITH SOME SORT OF COUNTY. THANK TO THE MATTER APPRECIATE THE

WORK THAT I DO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NOW ON THIS AGENDA ITEM MY CONCERN ABSOLUTELY A FISCAL ONE.

I'M IN FULL SUPPORT IF IT'S FULL FOCUS. FULL SUPPORT. JUST NOT GO IT ALONE. JUST UNDERSTAND IT. THAT WAS MY COMMENT.

COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> AFTER THE CONVERSATION OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS I FELT IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT WE NEED SOMEONE IN THE COUNTY WHO IS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND MINE MOVING FORWARD AND LOOKING AT HOW THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT THIS WAS. I HAD A CONVERSATION SEVERAL WEEKS AGO WITH MATTHEW AND OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND LOOKING AT WHAT THAT HUMAN HEALTH AND ANIMAL HEALTH INTERACTION LOOKS LIKE. THIS FELT LIKE THE BEST POSSIBLE PLACE -- TO HAVE THAT FUNCTION WITH IN THE COUNTY WAS IN -- OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I KNOW THAT -- THE COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE EXPANSION OF OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND LOOKING AT WHAT THOSE ASPECTS ARE AND SO WITH THAT I KNOW THAT MATTHEW I THINK YOU HAVE SLIDES YOU WANT TO SHOW. WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR THE REST OF THE COURT TO LAY OUT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AND ONCE THE FUNCTION OF THOSE POSITIONS WOULD BE.

>> YOU WANT TO LET ME -- LET THE COURT MEMBERS FINISH SPEAK.

>> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE THE CHAIR OF THE COURT.

>> ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GOOO THE SPEAKER?

>> I -- I -- DESPITE -- WHAT I HAVE HEARD SO FAR ABOUT WHAT OUR FUTURE LOOKS LIKE AS A COUNTY THERE IS SOME AREAS WHERE I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN AS A COUNTY. I THINK THAT -- THIS DIVISION -- HOUSED IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT GIVES US ROOTS. IT GIVES US OVERSIGHT. IT'LL HAVE PEOPLE THERE THAT WILL BE EXPERT THAT WILL BE ABLE TO GUIDE US IN THE FUTURE ABOUT WHAT OUR ANIMAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT LOOKS LIKE AND IT'LL -- BRING THE ONE HEALTH APPROACH IN OUR COUNTY WITH ANIMALS AND HUMAN SERVICES. TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S THE MOST LOGICAL PLACE TO BE BECAUSE THIS PROGRAM WILL GROW, WAY PAST ALL OF OUR TIME YEAR. IT'LL CONTINUE TO GROW AND I THINK THAT HAVING THIS DIVISION HERE IS GOING TO HELP US MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS. I THINK THAT HAVING A STAFF THAT IS FOCUSED ON THESE FUTURE INITIATIVES IS WHAT IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW. BEFORE THE APA VOTE AND THAT -- HAPPENED I WAS JUST TALKING TO OTHER ANIMAL SERVICES DIRECTORS IN DIFFERENT CITIES AND COUNTIES AND LEARNING HOW THEY -- OPERATED JUST BECAUSE I WANTED TO KNOW MORE.

THIS TO ME JUST KIND OF SEEMED TO CAME AT A PERFECT TIME. IT'S A WAY FOR US TO RESET SUPPORT AND ESTABLISH THIS LIKE I SAID CREATE SOME ROOTS WITH IN OUR COUNTY ABOUT ANIMAL SERVICES AND I AM COMPLETELY CONFIDENT THAT MATTHEW IS GOING TO LEAD US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF GETTING THAT DONE.

>> COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, I -- I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER SMITH AND COHEN BRINGING ITEM FROM -- TO DISCUSS. WE -- I HAD A FEW CONVERSATIONS WITH MATTHEW. HE EXPLAINED WHAT THIS POSITION WOULD DO AND -- I THINK THAT IT IS A -- A GOOD POSITION TO HAVE

[02:35:01]

MANY PLACE TO HELP US HAVE THOSE DELIVERIES OF SERVICES THAT WE NEED AND COORDINATE AND SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS POSITION AND IT BEING HOUSED IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I JUST WANT TO THANK MATTHEW FOR ALL THE WORK HE HAS DONE SO FAR AS A DIRECTOR AND THE INITIATIVES THAT HE IS PUTTING FORWARD FOR US TO CONSIDER. I LIKE THE DIRECTIONS. AND TO YOUR STAFF. NOT ONE PERSON CAN DO IT ALL SO THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> SO, COMING IN TO OFFICE THREE MONTHS AGO I FEEL I WAS THROWN IN THE TRENCHES. I'M SITTING BACK, LISTENING -- TRYING TO BE A VOICE OF REASON ON CERTAIN ISSUES AND LOOKING AT BOTH INSTITUTION SITUATIONS AND BOTH SIDES AND ALL SIDES OF THINGS. I WILL SAY THAT -- I -- WILL TRY TO -- I CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT THERE'S A -- A PROBLEM IN THE COUNTY. WE NEED TO GET IT INVOLVED. WE HAVE A GREAT PLAN AND GETTING IT DONE. PRIORITY SO I THINK THAT'S -- THIS IS THE WAY THAT I'M NOT ON THE COMMITTEE. THIS IS THE WAY THAT -- SHOULD BE GOING AND -- I MEAN I SUPPORT -- I KNOW THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT SITS ON THE COMMITTEE FROM THE COURT. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I WILL SUPPORT THEM.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD EVER SINCE WE PUSHED OUT -- THE INITIAL STUDY TO I CAN'T -- ITS BEEN SO -- I CAN'T REMEMBER THE

NAME OF THE STUDY. >> TEAM, SHELTER USA. I WANT TO THANK TEAM SHELTER USA. THANK YOU. EVER SINCE WE PUSHED THAT OUT AND STARTED DOING A HOLISTIC -- A HOLISTIC LENS ON THE THINGS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO PETS. THERE IS WHEN I STARTED LEARNING MORE BECAUSE I KNEW NOTHING. I STARTED LEARNING MORE AND MORE AND MORE BECAUSE I KEPT MEETING WITH THEM AND MEETING WITH THEM AND -- AND -- SINCE THAT EARLY MOMENT I WAS -- IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. I'M SUCH A CHEAP STATE AND THE PARALLELS WERE SO CLEAR WITH PEOPLE AND PETS THAT I STARTED SAYING WE NEED TO DO THESE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE AND PETS TOGETHER AT SAME TIME. THEN THE WISDOM CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID YEAH. YOU ARE DESCRIBING THE HOSS MODEL. I SAID GREAT I HAD NO IDEA BUT I COME INTO IT WITH A THIRD GRADE MIND AND PUTTING PEOPLE AND PETS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WHEN WE DID THE FOOD DRIVES FOR PEOPLE AND PETS, TO BUILD AND SUPPORT THE PET RESOURCE CENTER I HAVE LEARNED IT AND SO THE IDEA THAT WE ARE HAVING FOOD DRIVES FOR PET FOOD IS CRITICAL. I DIDN'T KNOW. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT PEOPLE WOULD STOP EATING TO GIVE THEIR PETS THEIR FEED. THAT BREAKS MY HEART. PEOPLE AND PETS AT EVERY TERM AND THE LONG RANGE VISION FOR THE PET ROW SOURCE CENTER.

HOWEVER, WHEN EVER. THE CONSISTENT PLAN AND THE VISION HAS BEEN -- A FACILITY THAT SERVES PEOPLE AND PETS TOGETHER.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT AND SO, THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE NO BRAINER TO HAVE IT IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BEFORE YOU GO TO THE PRESENTATION AND I KNOW RU READY. I KNOW -- THAT IT IS CONSISTENT IN MY BIGGEST STRONG SUIT IS TO STRIVE TO BE CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE. SO, IT IS CONSISTENT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT BRINGING IN HOUSE WHAT WE HAVE PROFESSIONALS TO DO. SO, I'M OF OF THE SUPPORT AND BELIEF OF CONTRACTING WITH -- AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT IS A PROFESSIONAL ON EVERY FRONT SO I KNOW THAT I TALKED TO JONATHAN ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID THAT -- WE HAD $150,000. IN THAT SPACE WHERE THIS POSITION WOULD START TO ABSORB THE SAFE MONEY. SO, I'M JUST WONDERING IF AGAIN, FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF EVERYTHING PETS. I'M JUST WONDER FIGURE IN IS THE BEST ROUTE OR TO SUBCONTRACT WITH A PROFESSIONAL.

THE PARTNERSHIP WES STALK ABOUT FOR MENTAL HEALTH. THAT WE TALK ABOUT IN EVERY FRONT AND I JUST DON'T KNOW BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN ALL THE DETAILS. I'M OTT MYSTIC BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IN IS THE BEST PATH BECAUSE IT'S NOT USUALLY THE DIRECTION WE

TAKE. >> MATTHEW GONZALEZ, DIRECTOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I IT JUST WANTS TO STAY WITH ME. JUDGE AND -- COURT COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING ON THE ITEM COMMISSIONER COHEN AND SMITH ESPECIALLY. THE FAST TURN

[02:40:06]

AROUND. DURING THIS PRESENTATION WE WILL DISCUSS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION WE ARE IN AND WHY IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER SUITED STUNT WITH IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. ON THAT NEXT SLIDE WILL BE THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. SO, ESSENTIALLY WE KNOW THAT WE ARE NEEDED TO CREATE THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE A HOLISTIC CREATION -- HUMAN HEALTH CARE AND ANIMAL HEALTH CARE. MANY INDIVIDUALS DON'T KNOW BUT PUBLIC HEALTH IS -- ONE HEALTH, ONE HEALTH IS THE IDEA THAT HUMAN HEALTH ISN'T THE ONLY THING WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED OF WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE IMPACTS THAT CAN AFFECT HUMAN LIFE. OUR ENVIRONMENT IMPACTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND QUALITY OF HEALTH FOR OUR SHINS BUT ALSO THE LIFE AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS ALSO IMPACT HUMANS AND THAT'S WHY THIS -- IDEA ONE HEALTH IS CIRCULATING. THIS PUTS THAT INTO LAYMAN'S TERMS ON HOW THAT CONNECTION WORKS THROUGH DISEASES AND/OR COMMUNITY PREVENTION AND SAFETY FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REASONS. IN THE NEXT SLIDE WHAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT IS SOME OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS SUCH AS THE GAP THAT CURRENTLY EXIST, WE KNOW THAT IN ANIMAL SERVICES WE DO NOT HAVE A DEDICATED ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION. AS A COUNTY WE HAVE TO RELY ON EXTERNAL CONTRACTS AND PARTNERS TO PROVIDE US CLARITY AND STRATEGIC ADVICE ON HOW WE SHOULD PROVIDE ANIMAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. WHEN HE WE DO THAT RECREATE SILOS. IF WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL DAY SAY HOW YOU MANAGE THE HEALTH CARE AND -- OUT EXTERNAL SERVICES LIKE BEHAVIORAL TRAINING, FOSTERING OTHER SORTS OF THAT THOSE SILOS ARE JUST CONNECTED BECAUSE THEY AREN'T TALKING. THERE'S NOT ONE INDIVIDUAL COORDINATING THE WORK WITH IN THE GOVERNMENT. WE ARE CREATING INEFFICIENCIES BUT NOT HAVING THE COORDINATED EFFORT AS WELL AS THE LACK OF STRATEGIC PLANNING. THAT IS HIGHLIGHTING THE SECOND BULLET.

RESPONSIBILITIES ACROSS THE AGENCY WAS IN THE COUNTY. YOU KNOW WHAT WE SEE IS CURRENTLY THE SHE HAVE'S -- THERE'S NO PUBLIC HEALTH INTEGRATION TO -- YOU KNOW THOSE LINES OF WELFARE WE ALSO SEE PEOPLE FOR THEIR ANIMALS. THEN THERE IS NO STRUCTURED ELIGIBILITY BASED -- WITH HAYS COUNTY. WHAT IT MEAN IS FOR INSTANCE THE LOCAL NONPROFIT PALS THEY OFFERING A LOT OF CHARITY FOR THEIR VACCINES, FOR THEIR -- BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S COUNTY HAS ANY INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO DO.

THEY ARE TRYING TO DO ON THE SOCIAL SERVICES GRANT. AND SO, WHAT THIS WOULD LIKE AT HOW CAN WE HELP PROVIDE SOME TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY BASED CONTRACT WORK WITH THEM TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS GET THE SERVICES MAKING SURE THEY HAVE SUSTAINABLE MODELS AS WELL. THERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH WAS THE COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE -- ITS COMMUNITY CENTERED. THINK THE HUMAN, ANIMAL SUPPORT SERVICES. AGAIN YOU KNOW HOW CAN WE PREVENT ANIMALS STAYING WITH IN THE SHELTER OR EVEN GETTING IN TO THE SHELTER. THERE ARE THINGS SUCH AS BEHAVIORAL TRAINING, SUCH AS FOOD RESOURCES, THOSE ELIGIBILITY THINGS LIKE -- TRAP, SPAY, NUETER AND -- WE WANT TO -- TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHERE THEY DON'TO AVE TO PUT THEIR ANIMAL IN A SHELTER. THEN LASTLY STRENGTHENING THE PET RETENTION ACCESS TO VET CARE. WE GO TOWARD THE NEXT SLIDE THERE IT'LL TALK A LITTLE MOVER HABIT HAUSS. I THINK WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENT WE HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF IT. YOU PROVIDE AID GOOD EXPLANATION.

FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I WILL SKIP OVER THIS SLIDE T PROVIDES EXPANDED REACH AND RESOURCES AS MANY OF YOU KNOW. WE HAVE A ROBUST COMMUNITY NETWORK WITH OUR HEALTHY HAYS COALITION THAT SPANS FROM SOCIAL SERVICES TO DIRECT PATIENT CARE.

WHILE LEVERAGING THE PARTNERS FOR THE SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS.

STRENGTHEN THE DATA COLLECTION.

AND ENHANCE PREVENTIVE CARE. WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE HERE.

JUST A LITTLE MORE INTO THAT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. I KNOW OUR OFFICE EMERGENCY DIRECTOR IS NOT HERE. WE HAVE A ROBUST PLAN FOR PET AND EMERGENCY SERVICES SHOULD IT EVER ARRIVE. ALSO LINES WITH THE HEALTH AND LOOKING AT HOW PET BARRIERS

[02:45:04]

EXIST AND HOW IT INTERACTS WITH IN THE HUMAN ECO SYSTEM. WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE AGAIN. THESE ARE REFERENCE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES. THE HEALTH DISTRICT, THEY HAVE THE ANIMAL RESOURCES. IT'S REALLY ROBU ST AND IS INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF THE LOCAL PARTNER AGENCIES. THE CITY OF BOUNCEVILLE HAS -- A -- YOU KNOW ANIMAL REGULATION AND IN HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ALSO MANAGES THEIR COUNTY PETS PROGRAM. WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT ONE. THIS IS AN IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE AS NOTED IN PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY TO ACT FAST AND RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND SERVICES.

THIS TIMELINE REALLY TRIES TO GET US UP AND GOING LEAVING -- TAKING OFF WHERE THE CONTRACT WITH APA ENDED. MAKING SURE THERE'S NO GAPS IN THE FORECASTED DELIVERABLES AND TRYING TO OBTAIN THEM AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. HIRING THE KEY -- WE NEED THAT DIVISION MANAGER WHO WILL -- THE ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE CONTRACTS OR COALITION EFFORTS. THEN HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO REALLY CREATE A STRATEGIC PLAN FROM SOME OF THE RESEARCH AND REPORT THAT WERE DONE. WE WILL GO HEAD AND GO DOWN A LITTLE MORE. AGAIN IT'S GOING TO PICK UP WHERE APA LEFT UP. MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE DIVISION WOULD BE DOING AND THEN FINALIZING ANY CONTRACTS AND OUR SERVICES FOR CASE MANAGE AMERICA AND CALL SERVICES. WE CAN GO HEAD AND GO DOWN AND -- THE IMPACT AND FITS.

REDUCE SHELTER INTACTS. INCREASE THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SO NOT ONLY LEVERAGING THE PARTNERSHIPS AND OPERATIONS WE HAVE -- WITH LOCAL PARTNERS BUT WITH VET SUPPORT SERVICES. COST -- AGAIN WE ALWAYS WANT TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS. HOW DOES IT PRODETECT THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THIS MODEL WILL BE IDENTIFYING KEY STRATEGIC GAPS, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING WHERE WE CAN BUT LEVERAGING THE CURRENT EXISTING SUPPORT THAT IS OUT THERE. AND IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH AND OUTCOMES. STRATEGIC DELIVERIES. THIS IS SOME OF THE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS. WHAT WE LOOKED AS WATT EXISTING BUDGET OF THE APA CONTRACT AND THE MONTH TO MONTH ENSURING THAT -- DOESN'T EXCEED THAT MONTHLY COST THAT WAS APA. THIS COMES OUT I BELIEVE ABOUTA THOUSAND DOLLARS SHORTER A MONTH THAT WOULD LET US REPURPOSE THE $5,000 FOR ADDITIONAL CONTRACT SERVICES IF WE NEEDED TO. THEN WE WILL GO DOWN A LITTLE MORE. SO KEY NEXT STEPS IS OF COURSE WE WANT TO DEVELOP THE BEST PARTNERSHIP THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANIMAL CONTROL. IDENTITY ANY RESOURCE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO NEED WHEN WE HAVE THIS AS THE INTERNAL PROJECT AND MAKE SURE WE SUPPORT THEM. DEVELOP THE -- IFB'S FOR ANY VET SERVICES THAT WE PLAN TO USE FOR THE COUNTY, DEVELOPING AND ADOPTING THE ELIGIBILITY BASED ENROLLMENT SYSTEM SOT EASIEST WAY IS TO -- WE KNOW OUR HEALTH CARE PROGRAM. WE HAVE -- THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE PROGRAM. WE WOULD REPEAT THAT SAME THING. THAT YOU MEET OUR ELIGIBILITY. WE WILL NOW HELP YOU GET COU UNS OR NORTHBOUND TO SEEK OUT THE SERVICES FROM OUR CONTRACTED PARTNERS. THEN FINALLY LAUNCH OF THE COMMUNITY BASED -- THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED WITH IN THE APA PLAN. AND THE PERFORMANCE TRACKING STRATEGIES. WE WILL GO THROUGH THIS NEXT SLIDE. I THINK YOU GET THE MEMO. CONCLUSION. WE WILL GO TO THAT FINAL ONE WHICH

IS A PERIOD OF QUESTIONS. >> I GO GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU.

OF COURSE I LOVE THIS. I SUPPORT IT BUT THERE'S A COUPLE OF PIECES. ONE AND THANK YOU FOR SENDING TO ME NEXT WEEK. I APPRECIATE IT. ONE IS -- WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR A UNIFIED COUNTY WIDE PIECE OF POLICY FOR ALL -- TO OPERATE UNDER FOR ANIMAL CONTROL AND IT'S STUCK IN JORDON'S DESK. I WOULD LOVE FOR THAT TO BE THE FIRST TASK TO PULL IT OUT TO ROLL IT OUT. I BELIEVE THAT -- IT'S REALLY CLOSE TO BEING DONE. JUST HAVING THAT FINE POINT OF -- WOULD REALLY HELP ACCELERATE THAT AND GET OUT WHATEVER IT NEEDS AND IS LACKING. I LOVE THE ROAD MAP AND I LIKE HOW YOU TOOK THE DOLLARS AND TRANSFERRED THEM OVER. THAT WAS GOOD. THERE'S --

[02:50:46]

THINK WERE AWARDED, I DON'T KNOW. EXACTLY THE AMOUNT BUT OVER $2 MILLION TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH FOR FOOD AND ALL OF THESE PIECES. I'M ROUGHING WHAT YOU ARE DOING. THIS IS NOT A BASH. IT IS DIRECT THOUGH. I WANT TO SEE IF IN THE SPIRIT OF EVERYTHING -- THAT WORKING WITH EVERYBODY INCLUDING THE PEOPLE YOU ARE HOPING TO REPLACE.

SO THAT IT DID STAY IN PLACE AND SERVE US IN WAYS THAT AREN'T ON ANY SLIDES OR ANY MOUTHS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I WOULD LOVE -- I WOULD LOVE, I WOULD LOVE TO FIND THE SALVAGE POINT

FOR THAT AND THIS IS FOR YOU. >> AM I -- I COMPLETELY AGREE AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WITH IN PUBLIC HELP WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT WITH IN THE PAST TWO YEARS IS HOW COLLABORATIONS MATTER. I THINK -- RELIES ON THE CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH APA. WITH PALS, WITH OTHER LOCAL PET RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE AGAIN EVERYBODY BRINGS DIFFERENT STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES TO THE TABLE. I THINK PALS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEIR STRENGTH IS IN THE VACCINATION AND -- APA STRENGTH MAY BE THE -- THE STRATEGIC PLANS AND PROGRAMMING AND HOW WE CAN BETTER MANAGE THOSE. WE HOPE THIS POSITION AND PROGRAM WILL REALLY FINALLY HAVE THE ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT VOICE INTO THIS AND THE COORDINATION. STRATEGIC COORDINATION. WHAT WE ARE SEEING WITH IN THE HEALTHY HAYS COALITION BUT REPEATED IN

ANIMAL HEALTH CARE. >> AND -- YOUR PERFECT ANSWER.

YOUR PLANNING IS TO HOUSE THESE POSITIONS WITH IN THE -- AND SO, I'M ALSO WONDERING COULDN'T WE -- COULDN'T WE -- AND I'M LOOKING OVER AT THE CAMERAS ARE ON. I'M LOOKING AT STEPHANIE.

OUR PURCHASING DIRECTOR. COULDN'T WE LOOK AT THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS AND FIND THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO TIGHTEN IT DOWN BECAUSE WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE. WE HAVE ALL OF THESE OTHER PIECES SO, DOING A LATERAL IS ACCOUNTING FOR OVERHEAD POTENTIALLY THEY DIDN'T NEED. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE -- AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND YOU ARE REALLY GOOD OF THIS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT -- THIS DOLLAR AMOUNT WAS SET ASIDE TO -- I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW MUCH FAIR PAY FOR THE PEOPLE BUT HOW MUCH -- TO PAY THIS POSITION AND THEN THAT'S WHAT WE WILL PAY VERSES THAT'S WHAT WAS BUDGETED SO WE CAN REMAIN GOOD FISCAL SERVICE STEWARDS.

>> I HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION BEFORE I BROUGHT THIS AGENDA ITEM BEFORE. WE TALK ABOUT WHAT RESOURCES EXIST BUT -- THROUGH THE APA CONTRACT AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE RESOURCES HERE, HOW CAN WE USE THEM? WE CAN HAVE THE CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS INCLUDED IN THE -- IS THE USE OF OUR DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RESOURCES AND THEN OUR BUDGET OFFICER BUT IF YOU WANT TO INCLUDE STEPHANIE IN THE -- REVIEW OF THE POSITIONS, WE CAN DO THAT TO.

>> I DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT ON HER BUT I HAVE A -- HIGH FAITH IN THE NEW HR DIRECTOR ERIC AND OUR NEW BUDGET OFFICER. I HAVE HIGH FAITH IN IT AND -- I'M IMPRESSED EVERY TIME I INTERACT WITH THEM. I KNOW HEARING WHAT I'M SAYING. THEY ARE ALREADY ON THAT PAGE AND THEY WILL MAKE SURE IT'S -- A FAIR SHAKE FOR THE TAXPAYER. IT IS GOING TO BE A ROAD MAP OF INTERNAL SOMETHING. THERE HAS TO BE THE ASSUMPTION OF EFFICIENCY.

>> AGREED. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT. ERIC WOULD BE REALLY GREAT. RESOURCES. HE HAS A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE FROM AUSTIN THAT HE CAN BRING TO THE TABLE THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM HIM. I HOPE THAT WE WOULD USE

[02:55:04]

HIS KNOWLEDGE. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> SO, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. YOU KNOW I REALLY APPRECIATE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED IT'S ALL GREAT BUT THE COST SAVINGS, THE HOLISTIC APPROACH. WE TALKED ABOUT HOLI STIC APPROACHES TO OTHER THINGS AND IT'S PROVEN TO BE -- A GOOD APPROACH AS WE ARE CONTINUE TO INVEST AND CLOSING THE GAPS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I KNOW THAT IS IMPORTANT AND THE REDUCED SHELTER INTAKE I KNOW THAT -- THERE WERE -- SOME CONCERNED THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO PROCEED FORWARD WITH -- THE PROGRAMMING ASPECT OF THIS AND WE FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT AND -- YEAH. I THINK WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I THINK -- THIS IS A GREAT RESET FOR US. MATTHEW HAS PUT IT OUT IN FRONT OF US THAT THIS IS THE PLAN. I KNOW THAT -- TALKING TO SHERIFF AND CHIEF BAILEY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY ACTUALLY SUPPORT. THEY -- THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESEARCH CAPACITY WITH IN THE OFFICES AND THE ANIMAL SERVICES. THEY WOULD LIFE TO PARTNER WITH THE DIVISION TO HELP THEM WITH THE GAPS. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT THING FOR US TO PUT SOME ROOTS IN TO THE -- INVEST IN IT AND THE COUNTY LEVEL AND MOVE FORWARD FOR

EVERYBODY. >> JUDGE I WILL DISAGREE WU ON THAT ONE THING. THE REASON FOR THAT IS -- AS WE LOOK AT WHAT THIS DIVISION WOULD DO IT'S TRULY TO HELP ORGANIZE AND ORGANIZE THE COMMUNITY PARTNER THAT WE WORK WITH AND LOOK AT WHAT REALLY DO A TRUE EVALUATION AND THEIR ABILITIES AND RESOURCES THEY CAN BRING TO THE TABLE AND ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT -- BY PUTTING IT IN A DIVISION LIKE WE ARE DOING WE DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, LOOK THERE'S -- JUST NO QUESTION THAT I'M ADVOCATE FOR PALS AND SOME OF THESE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BUT THERE'S 20 OTHER ORGANIZES OPERATING THE COUNTY THAT I MAY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THAT MAY DO A MUCH BET EVERY JOB IN ONE IS PICTURES OF THE ANIMAL SERVICE INDUSTRY. A MUCH BETTER THAN ONE OF THE ONES WE KNOW ABOUT. THE REASON I SAY I DISAGREE WITH YOU AND I THINK -- EVERYTHING I JUST SAID IS -- FROM THE TIME THE CONTRACT WAS CANCELED TWO WEEKS AGO -- WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OF THE WORK PRODUCT WE PAID FOR

FROM APA. >> THIS IS NOT THE AGENDA ITEM

FOR THAT. I. >> I WOULD LOVE TO. THAT BEING THE CASE THIS INDIVIDUAL, YOU KNOW, THESE -- POSITIONS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE OVER THAT REALLY WITH -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY START FROM SCRATCH BUT THERE'S A TRUE DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ORGANIZING THE PARTNERS OUT THERE VERSES MANAGING A VENDOR.

WE NEED SOMEONE THAT IS NOT A MEMBER OF THIS COURT SPECIFICALLY WHO IS A TRUE EMPLOYEE OF THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO MANAGE THE NUMBER ONE THOSE AND INPUT AND THE TABLE BUT IF WE HAVE A VENDOR THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THAT VENDOR ON BEHALF OF THE COURT AND THAT'S WHAT THE MANAGER POSITION SPECIFICALLY WOULD BE DOING ON THE ONSET. I WOULD SAY AS WELL THAT, AS WE LOOK -- THE FUNCTION OF THE THREE POSITION WAS HE ARE TALKING ABOUT I THINK THAT MATTHEW DID A REALLY GOOD JOB IN LOOKING NOT ONLY AT THE PLACEMENT LEVELS OF THE POSITIONS BUT WHAT THE FUNCTION OF EACH OF THOSE POSITIONS WOULD BE AND HOW THEY WOULD WORK WITH IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THAT PREVIOUS CONTRACT AND WITH THAT I -- I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY MORE DISCUSSION BY I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO A VOTE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP MORE BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO HOG THINGS. WE HAVE TO WEAVE THROUGH IT. -- FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC HELP US NAVIGATE HOW ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS ARE GOING TO INTERACT AND -- JUST SAY THAT PIECE A LITTLE BIT FU RT HER.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE CURRENT GAPS THAT EXISTS. RESOURCE SERVICES WITH IN HAYS COUNTY SO -- THE IDEA I HAVE FOR THIS POSITION IS SIMILAR SO THE CREATION OF PAYT, ON'S -- AND WORKED OUR PARTNERS AND EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. THE PRACTICE BE IS TO CREATE AN AT HOC -- HEARING THE CONTRACT WITH THE DA'S OFFICE. I HEARD IT FROM THE CITY THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENCES IN THE POLICIES AND EVERYTHING OF HOW EVERYBODY INTERACTS. WE NEED TO IDENTITY THE FOUNDATION ON HOWEVER CITY

[03:00:05]

IS GOING TO ACCEPT AND MAKE SURE THAT EACH GROUP IS MAKING THE SAME TRAINING FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES. I WOULD SAY THAT WOULD BE LEFT TO THE COORDINATOR. WE HAVE DONE THIS WITH THE BACK AND THE MACC WHERE WE NAVIGATE DIFFERENT STAKE HOLDERS. WE START TO IDENTITY WHAT IS THE SAME THING FOR THE FOUNDATION WE CAN AGREE UPON AND NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO BOILED ON IT. ITS WORKING WITH OF COURSE THE DA CIVIL DIVISION AND THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE CURRENT RESPONSIBILITY -- HOW WE CAN HELP THEM AND HOW QUESTION WITH

PEL, OTHER. >>ANNOUNCER: CA THAT.

>> AND WITH IN THE -- WE CREATE A -- YOU ARE GOOD AT THESE ILLUSTRATIONS AND I LOVE ILLUSTRATIONS. TO BE ABLE TO HOLD SOME SOMETHING UP AND SAY IF THERE IS -- ANIMAL CRUELTY HERE IS A NUMBER YOU DIAL. WE NEED TO DEDICATE A SINGLE NUMBER FOR ANIMAL CONTROL THAT WILL GO TO YOU AND WE CAN HAVE A WAY TO RESPOND THAT IS MOST IDEAL AND CREATING A FEW LITTLE SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF. I THINK THAT WILL BE SUPER USEFUL AND I KNOW THAT YOU CAN DO THAT IN

YOUR SLEEP. >> YES. I KNOW WE WILL INTEGRATE ALL THE ANIMAL HEALTH RESOURCES OR WELFARE SERVICES INTO THE RESOURCE GUIDE AND -- NUMBER ONE THING WE CAN DO.

>> BEFORE WE CALL THE ROLL ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER

COHEN. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> JUDGE.

>> YES. >> AND WHAT OTHER AGENDA ITEM

ARE YOU WAITING FOR IN THE BACK? >> THE NEXT TWO I ASKED FOR.

>> I -- I DON'T SEE YOU ASKING FOR THEM. WHICH ONE? US. I DID.

OPEN AT 9, 10 AND 11. >> YOU DID SAY THAT. THIS IS FOR YOU. YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY. WHAT LETTERS?

[J.10. Discussion and possible action to designate Commissioner Cohen and Commissioner Ingalsbe to negotiate with the City of Kyle regarding Animal Services on behalf of Hays County. SMITH]

>> J9, 10 AND 11. >> THANK YOU.

>> J10. >> POSSIBLE -- TO DESIGNATE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE CITY OF KYLE REGARDING ANIMAL SERVICES.

>>> JUDGE I'M CERTAINLY WILLING TO WORK WITH ANYONE ON THE COURT.

[J.11. Discussion and possible action to re-constitute the Pet Resource Center Committee to be comprised of Commissioner Ingalsbe, Commissioner Cohen, and Stephanie Hunt. SMITH]

>> NOW 11. >> J11. DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION TO RE-- RESCONCE FUTURE THE PET RESOURCE CENTER COMMITTEE TO BE MADE OF COMMISSIONER I AND COMMISSIONER

HUNT. >> I ALSO WANT TO -- UPON ESTABLISHMENT AND HIRING OF THE NEW POSITION TO HAVE WHOEVER -- I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT THAT IN THERE UNTIL WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE A MANAGEMENT POSITION UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD WHOEVER THAT MANAGER IS IN AND THE INTO GRIM NOMINATE OR NAME MATTHEW TO THAT.

>> DO I HAVE A SECOND FOR THAT? >> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A

SECOND. WHAT IS THE INTENT? >> TO HAVE THE TWO COMMISSIONER WHO ARE DOING THE NEGOTIATION FOR WHATEVER PET RESOURCE CENTER POSSIBLY WITH THE CITY OF KYLE TO BE IN LEAGUE WITH BOTH OUR ORIGINAL PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS WHOEVER THAT PROFESSIONAL STAFF WILL BE.

>> I DON'T WANT TO PIGEO, N HOLE THIS TO THE CITY OF KYLE. I WANT TO -- CIP. IF WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE REACH OUT. WE CAN'T LEAVE ANY STONE UNTURNED. WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THE CITY AND SEE 23 THERE IS ANY OPPORTUNITY. THAT SPACE EXPANSION. SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO BUILD OUR OWN AND WE CAN PARTNER WITH EITHER EXPANDING THE CURRENT PARTNERSHIP OR HELPING BUILD SOMETHING ELSE.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT JUDGE, BEFORE -- I KNOW THAT -- SOME

[03:05:01]

OTHER COMMENTS. SPEAKING TO STAFF AT THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS.

I MEAN I THINK THEY ARE OPEN TOT -- ULTIMATELY THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CITY OF SAN MARCUS ANIMALS IN THEIR SHELTER. EVERYBODY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS BUT I BELIEVE THAT'S

THEIR GOAL. WE CERTAINLY -- >> STEPHANIE. SO ALSO THEY ARE DOING A -- NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE PET RESOURCE CENTER. I WOULD ASSUME WE WOULD WANT THEM TO CONTINUE THAT -- UNDER THAT CONTRACT PAUSE PART OF THAT IS TO EXPLORE ALL OF THE OPTIONS AND THEN BE ABLE TO COME AND PRESENT THEM TO THE COURT TO DECIDE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD. PARTNERSHIP WITH CITY OF KYLE.

SAN MARCUS AND THE OTHER ORGANIZATION BUILDING OUR OWN BUILDING SO THEY ARE STILL WORKING WITH THAT. I WOULD ASSUME WE WOULD STILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THAT.

>> PERFECT AND CORRECTION. IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE PLEASE

CALL THE ROLL. >> SMITH.

>> YES. >> HAMMER.

>> YES. >> COHEN.

>> YES. >> BECERRA.

>> YES. >> YOU GOOD? ALL RIGHT. SO, OPEN TRANSPORTATION. LET'S OPEN THE ROADS.

[I.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Contract Amendment No. 4 in the amount of $17,000.00 to the Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to FM 2001 (Graef Road to Southeast of SH 21 + West of Graef Road to North of Satterwhite Road) project in Precinct 1, as part of the 2016 Road Bond Program, and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/MOCZYGEMBA]

EYE 1. POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE -- OF NUMBER 4 AND THE AMOUNT OF $17,000 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND -- FOR ENGLISH FIRING SERVICES RELATED TO FM200. PROJECT AND PRECINCT ONE AS PART OF THE 2016 ROAD

BOND PROGRAM AND AMEND THE BOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

[G. CONSENT ITEMS]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> I WILL OPEN THE SLATE THAT'S

REMAINING OF CONSENT. >> ALL OF THEM. YEP.

>> G1. APPROVE PAYMENT OF COUNTY INVOICES. APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF JURY -- G3 APPROVE UNITED HEALTH CARE AND TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HEALTH CARE CLAIMS AND AUTHORIZE THE DISPERSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000.

DEDUCTIONS AND BENEFIT ON THE HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE. G6, AMEND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL OPERATING SPECIAL REVENUE AND CAPITOL PROJECTS IN PREPARATION FOR FISCAL FEAR 2025. ACCEPT THE DELIVERY OF THE MONTHLY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2025 TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 114.023 AND 114025. G10 ACCEPT THE AUDITOR'S -- EXAMINATION REPORTS. G11, THE EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NUMBER 5. AUDIT REPORT PER TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, G12, ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR HAYS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NUMBER 4. AUDIT REPORT PER TEXAS, PER TEXAS REPORT AND SAFETY CODE -- G13. APPROVE THE 2025 ADDRESS YOU EAR'S REPORT. G14, TO REPAIR A BROKEN WATERLINE LOCATED AT THE RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE CENTER AND THE AMOUNT OF 23,000, 3298 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G15. AUTHORIZE BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO HAVE SECURITY ONE INSTALL, SECURITY SYSTEM LOCATED AT THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD RAINBOW ROOM. THE MONITORING AGREEMENT AND A WAIVER OF THE PURCHASING POLICY FOR OBTAINING THREE QUOTES. G16, A DISCRETIONARY FOR TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.

REPLACEMENT PARTS OR FOR EQUIPMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THE JAIL. G17, AUTHORIZE THE SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS AND ASSOCIATED RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, HOMELAND SECURITY, AUSTIN AREA.

[03:10:02]

INITIATIVE PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $25,596. G18, AUTHORIZE THE SUBMISSION OF THE GRANT APPLICATION AND ASSOCIATED RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, HOMELAND SECURITY, AUSTIN AREA, URBAN SECURITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $600,000. G19, AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF THE INTER LOCK AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SAN MARCUS RELATED TO A GRAND GRANT AWARD. BUREAU OF JUSTIN ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM. G20, AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATION ASSOCIATED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, JUSTICE ASSISTANCE AND EDWARD BURNS GRANT PROGRAM. APPROVE G21.

REMOVE -- OF IFB2024.

WITH TEXAS LLC. DOING BUSINESS AS PROMERO FOR ONE MORE YEAR.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 25TH, 2025. G22. AUTHORIZE REIMBURSEMENTS TO KAYLA DOYLE FOR PROFESSIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES APPLICATION FEE.

PREP CLASS AND TESTS TOTALING $694 AND 50-CENTS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G23, AUTHORIZE BOTH THE TAX OFFICE AND AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO PURCHASE AND -- THE LICENSE THROUGH THE HAYS COUNTY TAX OFFICE QUICK BOOK ACCOUNT AND INCREASING THE YEARLY PAYMENT OF $3,140.80. AUTHORIZE THE WAIVER FOR THE PURCHASING POLICY AND THE EXECUTION OF AUTHORIZATION LETTERS SUBMITTED TO QUICK BOOKS, AUTHORIZING ACCESS TO THE NEWLY ELECTED COLLECTOR. G24, APPROVE PAYMENTS -- GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE INVOICE TOTALING -- FOR THE SUBSCRIPTION TO -- USED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT FOR THE COUNTIES JOB POSTING DAS REQUIRED FOR HAYS COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY AND AMEND THE -- CONTRACT AMENDMENT -- FOR TEXAS PURSUANT20IFB, MIDDLE BEING CARD, MATERIALS, G26, AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A 7TH AMENDMENT FOR THE WASTE CONNECTIONS LONE STAR. CONTRACT TO IFB2021. IN RELATION TO UPDATING A DOCUMENT. APPROVE THE CONSTABLE -- FOR EXTERNAL ARMOR.

TACTICAL FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $630 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G28, RECEIVE AND RATIFY THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF -- FOR THE BLUE HOLE NATURE CENTER. AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO PURCHASE A DIAMOD BACKED BED COVER IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,049. G30, AUTHORIZE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICE TO PURCHASE ONE -- VALUED AT $894 FOR THE IT DATA ANALYST. AND AMEND THE DEPARTMENT, G31 AUTHORIZE THE JUVENILE DETENTION, TO APPROACH 6 ADDITIONAL -- AT 4,146,045 AND RUN NINE ADDITIONAL LINES VALUED AT $3,500. AND AUTHORIZE THE WAIVER FOR BE OBTAINING THREE QUOTES FOR THE DAVID SULLIVAN QUOTE. G33 APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS NICK TO ATTEND THE MOSQUITO ACADEMY, 2025 TO THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. ON MAY 6TH YOU THIS MAY 8TH IN NEW ORLEANS,

LOUISIANA. >> SO MOVED WITH ONE EXCEPTION.

ITEM G22. I WOULD LIKE TO PULL THAT AND HAVE IT DISCUSSED IN TANDEM WITH J5. AND THE -- THERE'S -- BEHIND THAT --

SECOND. >> OKAY, WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PULL 22. JUST -- PULL IT FOR DISCUSSION WITH J5.

>> SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT SOONER. >> GOT IT. GOT IT.

>> AND SO WE WILL VOTE TO APPROVE ALL OF THEM BUT FOR 22.

JUST FOR CLARITY. >> ONE OTHER MINOR THING ON G32 AND THAT'S AMAZES HOW WELL THAT WAS READ OUT. IT WAS SAID APPROVE UTILITY PAYMENTS AND PERMITS AND THAT'S A THING TO

BE -- FOR THE COURT. >> PERFECT. APPROVE UTILITY PERMITS. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. FOR EVERYTHING BUT

22. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

[03:15:03]

COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER SMITH. COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

JUDGE. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU. IF WE COULD OPEN J5 WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

[J.5. Discussion and possible action to approve the County paying for professional certifications for all Non-Collective Bargaining Agreement employees, effective April 8, 2025. COHEN/SMITH/HUNT]

>> PLEASE OPEN JAY 5. >>

>> SECOND. I -- AM TALKING TO OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. ONE OF THE THING THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAVE I HAVE TALK ABOUT IN THE BUDGET PROCESS LAST YEAR AS WELL AS SUBSTANTIAL SINCE YOU GOT ON THE -- SINCE -- COMMISSIONER COHEN GOT ON THE -- COURT. WAS THE FACT THAT WE REALLY NEED TO TRY TO DO A BET EVERY JOB OF EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT AND TRYING TO -- TRYING TO REALLY CREATE INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYEES TO GET THE ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS OR GET OTHER -- OTHER TYPE OF ENHANCEMENTS TO THEIR JOB. IN DOING THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED AS WAS HOW IT WOULD -- WAIT A SECOND.

AND TRAINING TO BETTER THEM AND -- THE SERVICE THEY PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY. WE HAD AN INSTANCE THIS WEEK WHO -- IN ORDER TO GET THE UPPER LEVEL CERTIFICATION THE CERTIFICATION WAS -- OFFERED FOR HALF PRICE.

IT WAS OUTSIDE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT AND ALLOWING THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO LOOK AND TRY TO HELP THEIR EMPLOYEES.

OUR -- OUR COMMUNITY SIDE IS -- IMPORTANT AS WELL.

>> AND YOU KNOW -- I WANT OUR EMPLOYEES TO FELL THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN THEM AND THIS IS ONE WAY FOR US TO DO THAT IS BEING ABLE TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THOSE PROFESSIONAL GOALS BECAUSE SOMETIME THAT MEANS MORE THAN RAISES, YOU KNOW. IF THEY FEEL THEY ARE -- THAT THEY ARE INVESTED IN THEN THEY ARE GOING TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO BE BETTER EMPLOYEES. WE WANT TO ESTABLISH THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN OUR GROWING, YOU KNOW, COUNTY AND WE ARE HIRING MORE PEOPLE THAT WE CARE ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES AND WE ARE -- WE WANT TO INVEST IN YOU.

>> NO ARGUMENT FROM US. I KNOW THAT. WE ARE GOOD IN GREAT CONVERSATION POINT ON BOTH FOR CERTIFICATION TEST. WE PAY FOR THE TEST FOR EMPLOYEE. AFTER THAT IF THEY PASS IT THEN FOR -- THAT CERTIFICATION IS GOOD FOR 12 MONTHS. IF THEY LEAVE THE COUNTY BEFORE THAT 12 MONTHS IS UP THEY CAN BE CALLED TO PAY A PRORATED RATE BACK TO THE COUNTY. WITH WE ARE LOSE THAT INVESTMENT. THAT IS ONE OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS WE HAD DISCUSSED.

>> WELL. >> THAT YOU ALL NEED TO PROBABLY

-- DISCUSS. >> YOU ARE RIGHT.

>> WHAT DOES ERIC SAY ABOUT THAT?

>> GIVE US YOUR OPINION. >> ERIC. I AGREE WITH STEPHANIE IN THAT THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE TAXPAYERS AND SO IF WE ARE PAYING FOR THIS CERTIFICATION OR CONTINUING EDUCATION ON BEHALF OF THE EMPLOYEE THIS SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF VALUE. IF THEY LEFT IN TWO MONTHS THERE GOES THE INVESTMENT.

YOU CAN MOVE THAT TIME WITH US AS WELL.

>> I WILL BE GLAD YOU SAID THE TWO MONTH WINDOW.

>> IT IS A TAXPAYER INCENTIVE.

[J.2. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and WSB, LLC for Traffic Impact Analysis and General Consulting Services for countywide projects, totaling $60,000.00. BECERRA/MOCZYGEMBA]

[J.3. Discussion and possible action to pre-qualify the recommended respondents, pursuant to RFQ 2025-Q03 Bond Underwriting Services - Public Improvement District (PID) Bonds, to establish a new pool of firms to be utilized on an as-needed basis when PID Bond Underwriting Services are required. The pool will be re-opened and reviewed on an annual basis. BECERRA/VILLARREAL-ALONZO]

[J.4. Discussion and possible action to pre-qualify the recommended respondents, pursuant to RFQ 2025-Q04 Bond Underwriting Services - General Obligation Bonds to update the current pool under RFQ 2021-Q05 to be utilized on an as-needed basis. The pool will be re-opened and reviewed on an annual basis. BECERRA/VILLARREAL-ALONZO]

[J.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Management Agreement for the Karst Canyon Preserve between Hays County and the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association. HAMMER]

[J.8. Discussion and possible action to approve the execution of a Resolution regarding House Bill 2812 regarding exemption of public water supply wells from regulation, permitting or metering by the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District filed in the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. HAMMER/SMITH]

[03:24:11]

>> TUCKER FURLOUGH. THIS IS THE FINAL DOCUMENT FOR KARST. AND TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND DO WHAT WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO DO.

>> PERFECT.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

YES. >> DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE EXECUTION OF A RESOLUTION REGARDING HOUSE BILL 22812 REGARD ING EXCEPTION PERMITTING A METERING BY THE HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER 2KRK9 AND 89TH REGULAR SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.

>> SO MOVED.

>> OKAY.

[03:25:03]

>> TELL THE VIEWING PUBLIC, NOW IS YOUR SPACE AND TIME TO CLEAR IT UP.

>> SURE. WHY DON'T WE HAVE YOU READ THE RESOLUTION IF YOU COULD.

>> DO YOU HAVE IT HANDY.

>> PERFECT AND THANK YOU.

CRYSTAL CLEAR OF WHAT WE'RE UP TO.

>> J8 REST OF THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT REGARDING HOUSE BILL 2812, 89TH REGULAR TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEREAS CHAPTER 36 OF THE TEXAS WATER CODE STATES DISTRICTS MAY BE CREATED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, PROTECTION, RECHARGING AND OF GROUNDWATER RESERVOIRS OR THEIR SUBDIVISIONS AND TO CONTROL SUBSTANCE CAUSED BY THOSE GROUNDWATER RESERVOIRS OR THEIR SUBDIVISIONS.

CONSISTENT WITH THE OBJECTIONS OF SECTION 59, ARTICLE, TEXAS CONSTITUTION AND WHEREAS CHAPTER 36 OF THE TEXAS WATER CODE FURTHER STATES GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS CREATED AS PROVIDED BY THIS CHAPTER ARE THE STATE'S PREFERRED MATTER OF GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT IN ORDER TO PROTECT PROPERTY RIGHTS.

BALANCE THE CONSERVATION AND GROUNDWATER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE STATE AND TO USE AVAILABLE SCIENCE IN THE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF GROUNDWATER THROUGH RULES VERY MANIED, ADOPTED AND PROJECT CLA MATED BY THE DISTRICT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER. AND WHEREAS TO PROTECT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS THE TEXAS LEGISLATE TINK AAMGDED IT ON THE WATER CODE IN 2011 BY ADDING LANGUAGE WHICH INCLUDED THE LEGISLATOR RECOGNIZES THE LAND OWNER OWNS THE GROUNDWATER BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE LANDOWNER'S LAND AS REAL PROPERTY.

WHEREAS IF AQUIFERS ARE, IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE COULD BE DONE TO NATURAL RESOURCES AND LAND OWNERS PROPERTY RIGHTS INFRINGED UPON BY THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF GROUNDWATER. THAT RESULTS IN THE MALICIOUS DRAINAGE OF THE PROPERTY AND THE HAYS COUNTY DISTRICT CREATED BY THE ENACTMENT OF TEXAS SPECIAL DISTRICT 8843 HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE THE PUBLIC BY REGULATING CERTAIN WITHDRAWALS OF GROUNDWATER WITHIN THE DISTRICT'S BOUNDARY AND WHEREAS CURRENTLY TEXAS SPECIAL DISTRICT'S LAW CODE SECTION 8843. 0148 DOES ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO REGULATE WELLS FOR AGRICULTURE USE AND DOMESTIC USE BY SINGLE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLDS.

AND THIS EXCEPTION FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC WELLS IS REASONABLY -- REASONABLE AND SUPPORTED AND WHEREAS HOUSE BILL.

>> COULD I INTERRUPT? JUST TO MAKE CRYSTAL CLEAR, YOU DROPPED OUT THE NOT AFTER "A. " IT DIS NOT ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO REGULATE THE

WELLS. >> I

APOLOGIZE. >> WHICH WELLS?

>> AGRICULTURAL AND DOMESTIC USE. THEY CANNOT REGULATE.

>> DOES NOT.

>> I GET TO SCRATCH MY NOTE OFF. GOT IT.

>> DOES NOT. THAT'S A

BIG ONE. >> IT'S HUGE.

I'LL REPERIOD IT. WHEREAS CURRENTLY TEXAS SPECIAL DISTRICT'S LAW CODE SECTION 8843. 1048 DOES NOT ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO REGULATE WELLS FOR AGRICULTURE USE AND DOMESTIC USE BY SINGLE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLDS AND THIS EXCEPTION FOR AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC WELLS IS REASONABLE AND SUPPORTED AND WHEREAS HOUSE BILL 2812 FILED DURING THE 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION PROPOSES TO AMEND 8843. 1048 OF THE DISTRICT'S ENABLING LEGISLATION BY REMOVING THE ABILITY OF THE DISTRICT TO REGULATE, PERMIT OR METER PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY WELLS IN ADDITION TO THE ALREADY EXEMPTED AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC WELLS AND ESTIMATED THAT PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY WELLS CURRENTLY REGULATED BY THE DISTRICT AMOUNT AS FOR MUCH OF HALF OF THE WATER WITHDRAWN FROM THE MIDDLE TRINITY AQUIFER WITHIN THE DISTRICT'S BOUND DI AND WHEREAS BY ADDING AN ADDITIONAL EXCEPTION, AND WE MOVING THE DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO REGULATE PUBLIC WATER AT SUPPLY WELLS, THE PROPERTY RIGHTS AND PROPERTY VALUES OF LAND OWNERS WOULD BE THREATENED, THE ASSETS OF LOCAL WATER SUPPLY COMPANIES THAT PARTICIPATE IN CONSERVATION AND ACTIVELY IMPROVE THEIR SYSTEMS TO BEST SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS WOULD BE JEOPARDIZED.

AND STREAM FLOWS OF CREEKS AND RIVERS COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED IF NOT ELIMINATED ALTOGETHER, AND WHEREAS WATER UTILITIES ESPECIALLY THOSE

[03:30:01]

THAT OPERATE FOR PROFIT WOULD BE FURTHER INCENTIVIZED TO OVERPUMP AND DEPLETE OUR RESOURCES SINCE THEY WOULD OPERATE WITH NO OVERSIGHT RELATED TO THE AMOUNT OF GROUNDWATER THEY COULD PUMP.

WASTE OR EVEN EXPORT AND WHEREAS IN 2015 AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES WERE THREATENED BY A FOR PROFIT COMPANY ELECTROPURENY INDICATION THAT INTENDED TO PUMP AND EXPORT UP TO 1 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER PER YEAR SEVERELY THREATENING THE WELLS OF LOCAL PROPERTY OWNERS AND WHEREAS IN RESPONSE TO THIS THREAT THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE LEADER, LEADERSHIP FILED A WITH -- AND WAS -- SUCCESSFUL IN PASSING HOUSE BILL 3405 DURING THE 84 TH REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHICH PLACED AND THREATENED AN AREA WITHIN THE AREA OF THE AQUIFER CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND WITH THE EXPLICIT INTENT OF THE WITHDRAWN OF PUBLIC WATER BY A WELL WAS TO BE REGULATED TO PROTECT LOCAL RESOURCES AND PER AND PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. NOW THEREFORE THE RESULT THAT THE COURT SUBMITS THE CURRENT EXEMPTIONS FOR AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC WELLS PROVIDED IN THE HAYS TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT ENABLING LEGISLATION, TEXAS SPECIAL DISTRICT LAW CODE SEX 884.

103 AND DOES NOT SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 884.

103A FOUND IN HOUSE BILL 2812, WHICH ADDS A THIRD EXCEPTION THAT ELIMINATES THE DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO REGULATE OR PERMIT THE WITHDRAWAL OF GROUNDWATER BY PUBLIC WATER WELL AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS WORKING WITH LOCAL GROUNDWATER DISTRICT COMMITTEES, OUR CITIZENS AND LEGISLATORS TO DETERMINE THE MOST FAIR SOLUTIONS POSSIBLE. A DRAFT VERSION OF HOUSE BILL 2812 IS FILED -- AS FILED IS ATTACHED. ADOPTED THIS THE 8TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW THAT WAS A MOUTHFUL. I APPRECIATE IT. BUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE WHEREASES IS IMPORTANT IN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, HB 2812 INTRODUCED INTO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE WOULD DO ONE THING SPECIFICALLY. IT WOULD EXEMPT ALL -- WHAT ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC WELLS FROM REGULATION BY ANY -- BY THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICT. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN HAYS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY?

>> THEY'LL PUMP UP DRY?

>> PARDON?

>> THEY'LL PUMP UP DRY.

>> WITH ABSOLUTELY NO REGULATION AS TO THE VOLUME THAT THESE WELLS COULD PUMP, RIGHT NOW, I KNOW THAT WHAT JUMPS TO MIND IS THOSE PUBLIC WATER PROVIDERS LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAD A BOARD MEMBER FROM THE DRIPPING SPRINGS WATER SUPPLY COURT APPEAR TODAY.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN VIOLATION IN THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICT FOR OVERPUMPING BY OVER 40 MILLION GALLONS LAST YEAR. IF WE LOOK AT AQUA TEXAS, WHICH IS OPERATING IN ONE AREA --

>> 30% GOES DOWN THE DRAIN.

>> OVER 35%.

>> NEVER MAKES IT TO THE END

POINT. >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, THEIR SELF- REPORTED NUMBERS THEY OPERATE SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF FIVE SYSTEMS. ONE OF THOSE SYSTEMS IS LOSING 45% OF ITS WATER FROM THE TIME IT COMES OUT OF THE GROUND BEFORE IT GOES THROUGH A METER, THEY ARE LOSING THAT WATER. I THINK THE BIGGEST THREAT IS WHENEVER WE THINK ABOUT THOSE -- WHEN WE THINK ABOUT PUBLIC WATER WELLS, THOSE ARE THE SYSTEMS THAT WE THINK OF. BUT WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW IS WE HAVE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOSE SYSTEMS IN OUR COUNTY AND WHEN I SAY HUNDREDS, STOP AND THINK OF EVERY BREWERY, EVERY DISTILLERY, EVERY SINGLE GAS STATION, FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE CORNER OF 2018 AND NUTTY BROWN ROAD IS A GAS STATION ON A WELL.

BY STATE LAW, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY WHICH THEY HAVE TO TURN IN THEIR INFORMATION TO THE STATE EVERY DAY.

I THINK THE LAST NUMBERS I SAW WITHIN HAYS COUNTY WE HAD OVER -- I KNOW IT WAS OVER 300.

IT MAY BE OVER 400 OF THOSE WELLS IN OUR COUNTY.

THAT WOULD BE COMPLETELY UNREGULATED.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT I SEE IS WE AS A COURT AND WE AS A COUNTY AND THIS WAS BEFORE WE WERE ON THE COURT, BUT THERE WAS AN OUTSIDE GROUP CALLED ELECTRIC PURIFICATION THAT TRIED TO INSTALL A WELL FIELD.

AT THE TIME, WE AS A CITIZENRY WORKED VERY HARD TO ENSURE THEY DIDN'T PUMP WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO ESTIMATE WAS 5 MILLION GALLONS A DAY. THE AQUIFER, IN AN UNPERMITTED AREA. WE SPECIFICALLY WORKED TO TRY TO PUT THEM IN A PERMIT AREA, RIGHT? SO, WITH THIS LEGISLATION, IT WOULD GIVE THE ABILITY FOR ANYONE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE STATE AND APPLY FOR A PUBLIC WATER PERMIT AND IF THEY WERE CERTIFIED BY THE STATE TO HAVE A PUBLIC WATER PERMIT, THEY COULD PUMP AS MUCH AS THEY WANTED ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTY AS

[03:35:01]

MUCH AS THEY WANTED EVERY DAY. AND SO I JUST THINK IT'S A BAD -- I MEAN, I THINK FOR OUR CITIZENS I ALREADY HAVE WELLS GOING DRY AND GETTING THESE SYSTEMS ONTO A PUBLIC SYSTEM WITH SURFACE WATER OR PROVIDING AT LEAST SOME

MECHANISM. >> 2012, I DON'T THINK THAT IS CREATED.

>> ONLY THEY WOULD HAVE THIS REGULATION.

97 OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE THIS.

>> MAKING THE PLAYING FIELD FAIR.

GO STOW WIMBERLEY. NUMBER ONE, THEY WILL SAY WATER.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES.

[J.12. Discussion and possible action to authorize the use of Tobacco Settlement funds and LATCF grant to support two (2) Community Outreach Specialists, one (1) Epidemiologist, and two (2) interns within the Hays County Health Department and amend the budget accordingly. COHEN/GONZALES]

>> OKAY. SO J-12.

>> J-12. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUNDS AND GRANT TO SUPPORT TWO COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALISTS, ONE EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND TWO INTERNS WITHIN THE HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY.

PLEASE START WITH OUR DIRECTOR MATTHEW GONZALEZ FOLLOWED BY OUR OTHER DIRECTOR, OFFICER JONATHAN TO ARTICULATE

THE IMPLICATIONS. >> TO PROVIDE CONTEXT INTO WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR THIS, ON MARCH 25TH WE WERE SERVED NOTICES OF CANCELLATION FOR RELATED TO --

>> CAN YOU USE WORDS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DHS PROVIDED US THE FEDERAL CANCELLATION AGREEMENTS OR CANCELLATION AND LABORATORY CAPACITY GRANT WHICH FUNDS THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST PERMISSION AND GRANT WHICH FUNDS THE TWO COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALISTS TO TWO INTERNS.

THAT NOTICE WAS PROVIDED ON MARCH 25TH.

BUT THE CANCELLATION WAS EFFECTIVE MARCH 24TH.

SO WE HAVE A GAP BETWEEN MARCH 24TH AND TODAY, APRIL 8TH IN WHICH WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY FUNDING TO PAY THOSE INDIVIDUALS. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO IDENTIFY A FUNDING SOURCE FROM APRIL 8TH ONWARDS IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THESE POSITIONS, YOU KNOW, HERE WITHIN THE COUNTY. AS NOTED EARLIER DURING PUBLIC -- OR DURING NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, THESE ARE CRUCIAL DUE TO THEIR WORK WITH EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CASE INVESTIGATIONS, BUT ALSO A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THAT COMES DOWN TO MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, THE HEALTHY HAYS COALITION.

THEY'RE REALLY WHAT MAKES OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT -- THE CHANGE IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, SO I'VE WORKED WITH JONATHAN, WHO FOR THE BUDGET, I'LL LET HIM TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS WE HAVE AND WHAT HE WENT THROUGH WITH THE AUDITOR AND THEN WE'LL KIND OF GET DOWN TO THE REQUEST BUT IF THEY NEED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CANCELLATION NOTICES OR --

>> SO, THIS IS A FEDERAL -- JUST ARTICULATE WHAT YOU SAID.

THIS IS A FEDERAL CUT REPORTED TO YOU BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, THAT'S GOING TO BE A LOCAL AFFECTED --

>> CORRECT.

>> -- CUT?

>> I SHOULD DO ONE MORE COMMENT. THERE CURRENTLY IS A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER. I DON'T WANT TO RELY ON THAT BUT THERE IS A RESTRAINING ORDER ORDERED BY A DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE PAUSING OF THESE FUNDS FROM HHS.

BUT ULTIMATELY I WOULD LIKE US TO FIND OUR OWN --

>> HHS.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ULTIMATELY I WOULD LIKE US TO FIND OUR OWN LOCAL SOLUTIONS SINCE WE ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE CERTAINTY OF WHETHER OR NOT THOSE FUNDS WILL BE RELEASED OR NOT.

>> RIGHT. OKAY. JONATHAN, PLEASE, IF YOU SET YOUR FLAME AND TITLE.

>> YES, JONATHAN BLANCO WORKING WITH MATTHEW ON FINDING SALARY SAVINGS WITH HIS OLD POSITION, MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND A NURSE POSITION THAT MIGHT HAVE SALARY SAVINGS THERE TO HELP OFFSET THE SHORTFALL. IF NEEDED WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THE LAPCF, LOCAL ASSISTANCE AND TRI CONSISTENCY FUND AT 80,000 SO WE HAVE CURRENTLY $80,000 EARMARKED, BUT WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO PROJECTS ALLOCATED TO A PROJECT AS OF YET.

[03:40:01]

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, THAT MIGHT BE AN OPTION.

IF WORST CASE SCENARIO, IF WE'RE NEEDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUND WHICH CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW IS UNRESTRICTED AND WE HAVE ABOUT 130,000 AVAILABLE TO TAP TO IF NEEDED.

BUT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MARISOL FROM THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO LOOK AT THE HIERARCHY MAKING SURE WE USE THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING

FIRST. >> WELL DONE.

SO WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER?

>> NO.

>> I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY SOMETHING.

SOMETHING ELSE? >> YES, I DO WANT TO NOTE I REALLY DON'T WANT TO TAP INTO THE SAVINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, WE DID HAVE SOME FORECASTED STRATEGIC MOVEMENTS WITH THE HIRING OF ME AS THE DIRECTOR AND REORGANIZE IT TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE DON'T KNOW WHICH FUTURE BURDENS WE WILL FACE AND WHETHER OR NOT WE NEED TO USE THE SAVINGS SO IF THE LATF FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE I THINK WE SHOULD UTILIZE THEM AS WELL AS THE CONTINGENCY FUNDS OF THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT. I DO WANT TO CLARIFY WE'RE HOPING NOT TO RELY ON THEM UNTIL THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. WE'RE WANTING -- ASKING PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES TO AMEND TWO OF OUR GRANTS TO SHIFT POSITIONS OVER.

TO COVER ALL OF THOSE POSITIONS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT SO WE ARE TRYING EVERY SINGLE SOLUTION, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, JONATHAN, MIR SOL AND THE GRANTS OFFICE BEING SO HELPFUL. THERE ARE A LOT OF ROUTES WE CAN TAKE.

>> BEAUTIFUL, WELL DONE AND THANK YOU AND JONATHAN POINTED OUT THAT THEY'LL USE THE FIRST AND BEST SOURCES UP TO AND INCLUDING SALARY SAVINGS.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS?

>> WELL, GEEZ, YOU KNOW, I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THESE CUTS THAT WE'RE SEEING, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE TO COME. BUT I GUESS, YOU KNOW, WE'LL LOOK AT THAT ONCE WE HEAR MORE FROM THE FEDERAL AND EVEN STATE GOVERNMENTS, BUT ANYWAY, THANKS FOR WORKING TOGETHER AND TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION AND COME UP WITH THE FUNDS TO KEEP THESE IMPORTANT POSITIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YEAH, I JUST -- YOU KNOW, I JUST HATE FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO UNRAVEL THE WORK THAT'S ALREADY BEEN PUT INTO THIS DEPARTMENT, AND THIS GOES BACK TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT I WAS SAYING, YOU KNOW, WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OUR COUNTY.

WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TAKE CARE OF THE COUNTY REGARDLESS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.

I REALLY DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANYONE THAT'S DOING THE WORK EVERY DAY AND MOVING THAT DEPARTMENT FORWARD AND I'M GLAD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FIND SOME SOLUTIONS UNTIL WE HAVE TO MAKE REALLY HARD DECISIONS MAYBE, BUT I THINK THIS IS A GREAT PATH FORWARD FOR US.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE RIGHT, WE CAN BACK OFF SUPPORTING IT. PUBLIC HEALTH IS A BIG DEAL.

COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> I'M EXCITED AND BLESSED TO HAVE A COURT WHERE WE ALL AGREE THAT WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR STAFF AND WE NEED TO KEEP, YOU KNOW, BUILDING UP OUR COUNTY AND I -- EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BUT THAT AFFECTS US, SO, AGAIN, SORRY THAT YOU'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS, A MONTH IN. BUT I KNOW AS A COURT WE'LL SUPPORT AND WE'LL DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT.

>> PERFECT, COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> I THINK OUR EMPLOYEES ARE OUR BIGGEST ASSET AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, R THEY ARE OUR FACE FACE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND MOST IN MY PRECINCT DON'T KNOW WHO I AM BUT THEY KNOW WHO THE PERSON IS AT THE FRONT DESK IN THE TAX OFFICE AND NO MORE SO IS IT APPARENT THAN OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SO I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT FUNDING THESE POSITIONS.

I'LL RESERVE MY VIEW ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN D.C. , BUT I DO SAY THAT IT'S THINGS LIKE THIS ARE IMPORTANT TO US. WE SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY AND THE WANT TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> IT'S NO LONGER JUST HAPPENING IN D.C.

IT IS HAPPENING HERE AT HOME IN HAYS COUNTY, COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY. WE'RE HAVING TO PULL DOLLARS BECAUSE AS A CONSEQUENCE.

SO JONATHAN, MY ONLY REQUEST IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE BUDGET ON OUR LAP, PLEASE CONTINUE, I KNOW WE'VE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS AND IT'S NO RESPONSE REQUIRED, BUT PLEASE CONTINUE TO TAKE THE MOST FISCAL APPROACH POSSIBLE TOWARDS THIS BUDGET, SO THAT WE COULD BE AS LOW BURDENSOME TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHEN WE COME OUT TO ALL THESE HOUSEHOLDS BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS WILL STOP.

WE DON'T KNOW SO I WANT TO CONTINUE THE TRAJECTORY I WAS ABLE TO HOLD UP THAT WE'VE DORN AS A COURT ON OUR TAX RATE AND IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER SO CONTINUE TO LEAD US IN THAT PATH THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT WITH THIS VOLATILITY.

THANK YOU, MATTHEW. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

[J.13. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Hays County Health Department Director to Sign the City of San Marcos Hazard Annex: Pandemic. INGALSBE/GONZALES]

>> YES. J-13? J13. DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR TO

[03:45:03]

SIGN THE CITY OF SAN MARCUS HAZARD ANNEX PANDEMIC.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO MATTHEW, I'M GLAD YOU GOT SOME GOOD COMFORTABLE SHOES ON.

>> YES.

>> I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS TO YOU BUT 20 YEARS FROM NOW SOMEONE WILL CLICK THIS AGENDA ITEM AND IF YOU DON'T INTRODUCE YOURSELF EVERY TIME THEY WON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

>> WHAT THIS AGENDA ITEM IS IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN US, HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF SAN MARK COST SIGNING OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE SHOULD ANOTHER PANDEMIC HAPPEN.