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[A. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:12]

STORM INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY OUR NON-THEATRICAL, MOST

GRATEFUL. IF YOU WILL ALL RISE. >> LET US BOW. HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER DAY THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE, YOUR MERCY AND YOUR STRENGTH, TO COME INTO THIS PLACE AND TO HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY.

FATHER, YU ALREADY KNOW ALL THINGS, THEREFORE, WE CAN TRUST TO YOU ALL THINGS. WE PRAY FOR THOSE WITH COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHO ARE MOURNING IN NEIGHBORING COUNTIES. WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO STILL NEED HELP IN ANY WAY. WE PRAY FOR THOSE AND ALL WHO HAVE A NEED. LORD, WE HAVE COME TO THIS PLACE TO ALLOW YOU TO DIRECT US AND HELP US TO HELP ALL WHO ARE STRUGGLING. WE THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO DO SO AND ASK FOR YOUR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE, IN JESUS' NAME I PRAY, AMEN.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

>> LET'S CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>>

FOR A MOMENT? >> THANK YOU, SIR. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE RESIDENTS HERE IN HAYS COUNTY WHO HAVE GONE TO KERRVILLE TO LEND A HELPING HAND. THOSE RESIDENTS OF WIMBERLY WHO ARE RETURNING THE GRATITUDE THAT WAS SHOWN TO THEM IN 2015 AND THE FACT IS, WE HAVE A LARGE, LARGE PORTION OF OUR POPULATION HERE IN HAYS COUNTY WHO IS DIRECTLY IMPACTED, HAVE FAMILIES IN DRIPPING AND IN THAT AREA WHO HAVE COUSINS, PERSONAL FRIENDS WHO ARE STILL MISSING, SOME OF THEM LOST JUST WITHIN THE LAST WEEK. I WANT TO REACH OUT TO THE FAMILY AND OFFER ANY AND ALL CONDOLENCES ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, THE DRIPPING SPRINGS RESIDENT SEND ALSO SAY AS A MEMBER OF THE BROTHER, IT IS HARD TO LOSE ONE OF YOUR OWN AND SHE TOUCHED THOUSANDS OF LIVES AT CAMP MYSTIC -- PARKED -- PARDON ME, HEART OF THE HILLS. MY GRANDPARENTS BOTH WORKED AT CAMP MYSTIC IN THE 50S AND IT IS A BIG FAMILY AND I JUST WISH THEM ALL THE BEST AND JUST CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEM. I KNOW OTHERS ON THE COURT FEEL THE SAME WAY.

>> CAN I SAY ONE THING? >> ABSOLUTELY. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND US WHO ARE SUFFERING RIGHT NOW AND I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH. I HOPE WE CAN PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE AS WE CONDUCT COUNTY BUSINESS TODAY AND WE ACT WITH CIVILITY AND I JUST REALLY HOPE THAT THAT IS HOW WE PROCEED TODAY, KNOWING WHAT COULD BE AT STAKE.

>> ANYTHING ELSE? >> OUR CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR THE

FAMILIES. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WILL ADD A COMMENT AS WELL. IS A DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN HAYS COUNTY, I HAVE A CLOSE CONNECTION TO WHAT TOOK PLACE AND I KNOW THE FEELING THAT CAN OVERWHELM PEOPLE WHEN DEALING INTERFACING WITH THESE THINGS AND THESE HORRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES. MY WIFE IS CRYING ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME WE PUT THE NEWS ON RIGHT NOW AND IT IS TERRIBLE. WE ARE NORTH OF 100 FATALITIES JUST NEXT DOOR TO US. WHAT I DID WAS MOST DELIBERATELY IS TO STAY MOBILE IN OUR COUNTY AND I WAS GOING TO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR COUNTY, MAKING SURE EVERYONE WAS GOOD. WITH BOARD MESSAGE ME -- I KNOW THERE WAS A

[00:05:03]

LOT OF NERVOUS ENERGY SO I WOULD GO OUT AND CHECK JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE FOOTPRINT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, GOING UNCHECKED. I WAS IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH ALL LEVERS OF GOVERNMENT REGARDING OUR SPACE, OUR COUNTY END I HAD EVERYONE REACHING OUT TO ME AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT FROM CONGRESSMAN DOWN AND IT WAS -- HOW ARE YOU GUYS? WHAT DO YOU NEED? HOW CAN I HELP? I HAD OUR DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES KEEPING ME UPDATED WITH ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON .

VERY REGULARLY, VERY ROUTINELY. I WANT TO THANK OUR EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT . WE HAD EXTRA STAFF AT EVERY EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT ON THE READY IN CASE WE NEEDED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE IN THE SPACE NOT ONLY FROM OURSELVES BUT FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, IF CALLED. THERE IS A HUGE DESIRE TO ACTIVATE AND ENGAGE AS A COMMUNITY AND FOR THE SEVEN YEARS I HAVE BEEN THE EMERGENCY DIRECTOR, I WILL TELL YOU THAT % THAT IS A SILVER LINING TO ALL OF THE TRAUMA THAT WE DEALT WITH, WHETHER IT WAS COVID, WHETHER IT WAS THE FREEZE, WHETHER IT WAS THE FIRE, WHATEVER YOU NAME IT OR CALL IT, THE THING THAT IS MOST REWARDING TO ME THAT I FIND IS A REAL TREAT IS TO BE AT THE VERY FRONT LINE WATCHING COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER, AS IT DOES. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND -- I HAVE THE STATE TELLING US, WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE WANT TO VOLUNTEER AND DONATE AND DO THESE THINGS BUT SOMETIMES, IN THESE SETTINGS, THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO SEND TO THE SIDE AND NOT SHOW UP BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY ARE NOT READY TO RECEIVE THE OVER OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT, HOWEVER THAT MAY LOOK, WHETHER IT BE IN PRODUCT, WATER, PEOPLE.

OUR DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR THE STATE SAID IT MOST PERFECTLY WHEN HE SAID, IF PEOPLE COME OUT HERE AND WE DON'T KNOW YOU ARE HERE AND YOU ARE IN A LOW WATER CROSSING BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA, WE WILL BE RESCUING YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT FROM THE AREA. I KNOW IT IS OUR TEXAN WAY OF BEING, LET'S GO, LET'S PUNCH, LET'S GO BE HELPFUL BUT SOMETIMES THAT IS A MISTAKE. SOMETIMES WE ARE IN THE WAY. WE HAVE A MAGNIFICENT -- THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN SAY ARE WRONG WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT BUT WE HAVE A MAGNIFIENT DIVISION OF MANAGEMENT. ON A MOMENTS NOTICE, THEY REACH OUT, THEY ARE THERE, AND THEY NEVER TAKE OVER. THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE TO SAY WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON, HOW CAN I HELP? I WAS REINFORCED WITH MY LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT IS SO PERFECTLY ELEGANT. I JUST NEED TO REMIND PEOPLE, THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED AND STEPPED UP BUT JUST BE SURE YOU ARE COORDINATING WITH OTHER PEOPLE AT THE DESTINATION BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE PEOPLE NERVOUS WHEN THERE IS AN AVALANCHE OF SUPPORT AND LOVE BECAUSE IT IS ONE MORE THING THEY'VE GOT TO WORK ON AND ONE MORE THING THEY'VE GOT TO PROCESS. WE JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T WORK IN THE SILO.

[E.PUBLIC COMMENTS]

DID I LEAVE ANYTHING OUT? >> THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WITNESS FORM WILL NOW HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN BY THE COURT. ANY QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN -- PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS ON LANGUAGE CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE REMAINDER OF YOUR TIME. IN THE RESPECT, PLEASE SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES. FIRST UP TO SPEAK IS HELEN. DID

I SAY THAT RIGHT? >> THANK YOU. YOU WILL HAVE

THREE MINUTES. >> THANK YOU. I AM HELEN FROM SINGER, TEXAS AND THEY WORK IN TARRANT COUNTY AND I WAS ONE OF -- I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE MADE A VERY GOOD CHOICE -- I WAS NOT GOING TO GET EMOTIONAL. I DID GET EMOTIONAL WHEN SHE LEFT. I WILL GET IT TOGETHER BECAUSE I AM A TALKER.

SHE WAS MY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN BUDGET AND RISK MANAGEMENT AND PART OF THAT, SHE PLAYED A ROLE THAT WE WORKED TOGETHER. WE SOMETIMES BUTTED HEADS. SHE GAVE ME HER OPINION EVERY SINGLE TIME IT WAS ASKED AND I APPRECIATED IT AND RESPECTED IT AND WHEN SHE

[00:10:07]

BECAME MY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN BUDGET AND RISK MANAGEMENT. IT WAS MY FIRST HIGHER -- HIGH. SHE HELPED ME ADJUST INTO MY NEW ROLE. I HAD BEEN THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND AS THE DIRECTOR, IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR HER, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL AS I HAVE BEEN BECAUSE SHE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME. YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL PERSON THAT YOU HAVE HIRED. WE GREATLY REGRET LOSING HER. BUT, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THAT DOES SAY A LOT THAT YOU CAME DOWN TO BE HERE FOR HER FIRST OFFICIAL DAY IN COURT. THAT IS POWERFUL. NEXT

UP, WE HAVE CHANDLER. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM ALSO FROM TARRANT COUNTY. HOW DARE YOU STEAL MY CHIEF OF STAFF. I AM CHANDLER AND I AM THE TARRANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THERE IS NO WAY I WAS LETTING HELEN COME DOWN HERE ALONE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW ME -- THERE ARE ALL THE WORDS IN THE WORLD TO SAY AND THERE ARE NO WORDS TO SAY IN THREE MINUTES. SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY MY FIRST HIGHER AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I TOOK ON THE ROLE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AGO.

I NEEDED SOMEONE I COULD RELY ON, SOMEONE I COULD DEPEND ON, SOMEONE WHO COULD TAKE ANY AND EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT I HAD, KEEP IT TO THEMSELVES OR EXECUTE THE POLICY IN TARRANT COUNTY.

SHE IS DEDICATED AND LOYAL. SHE IS THE MOST POSITIVE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET IN MY LIFE AND IF YOU ALL HAVEN'T SEEN THAT YET IN THE INTERVIEWS, YOU WILL SEE IT SOON THROUGH PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ADVERSITY. SHE ALWAYS CAME TO WORK WITH A SMILE AND SHE WAS READY TO WORK ON WHATEVER SHE HAD TO DO THAT DAY.

SHE SETS THE HIGHEST STANDARD AS A MODEL LEADER IN TARRANT COUNTY AND SHE ALSO ADHERES TO THE CODE OF ETHICS WHICH IS SOMETHING VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART AND SHE SHOWED THOSE ETHICAL TENDONS EVERY DAY IN TARRANT COUNTY. CANDACE IS THE ONE TO GIVE THE MOST COMPLEX AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES TO ON OUR COURT. SHE HANDLED THE MOST SENSITIVE AND DELICATE MATTERS THAT CAME THROUGH THE COUNTY. YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION IN TARRANT COUNTY AND CIVIL SERVICE. I PROMISE, I WILL NOT LOSE IT LIKE HELEN JUST DID.

I AM DOING MY BEST HERE. SHE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM TELLING TRUTH TO POWER AND IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT SHE THINKS ABOUT SOMETHING, JUST ASK HER. SHE WILL TELL YOU. IF YOU DON'T ASK HER, SHE WILL TELL YOU ANYWAY. SHE STEERED ME STRAIGHT INTO SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAKE ME A BETTER LEADER THAN I AM TODAY BECAUSE OF IT. WHILE I AM GOING TO MISS HER SO MUCH, Y'ALL COULD NOT HAVE MADE A BETTER CHOICE AND I AM HAPPY THAT YOU ALL CHOSE HER. I AM HAPPY FOR YOU AND YOUR SISTER AND YOUR FAMILY AND HER DOG SASHA WHICH IS HER DOG AND I REALLY HER SISTER'S DOG, WHICH SHE MIGHT TELL YOU DIFFERENT. WHILE I AM VERY PROFESSIONALLY SADDENED TO SEE HER GO, PERSONALLY I AM BEAMING WITH PRIDE WITH WHAT SHE HAS ACCOMPLISHED. CONGRATULATIONS.

>> WONDERFUL, CHANDLER. THANK YOU.

>>

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, JUDGE.

ON MANY OF TODAY'S ITEMS , I THINK THERE IS AN OVERARCHING QUESTION. WHAT INVESTMENTS MAKE SENSE IN AREAS THAT LACK SUFFICIENT WATER AND ARE VULNERABLE TO EXTREME PERIODS -- I'M SORRY, EXTENDED PERIODS OF EXTREME DROUGHT. A FEW MEETINGS AGO, YOU HAD A DIRECTIVE FROM THE DRIPPING SPRINGS WATER CORPORATION EXPRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT EXTENDING NEW ROAD OUT IN THAT AREA BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT WATER TO SERVE THAT AREA. ON YOUR ITEM TODAY, YOU'VE GOT ITEM K 16 ON YOUR AGENDA TODAY FROM THE FISCAL UTILITY, THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY. THAT IS AN AREA THAT PREDICT ABLY LACKS SUFFICIENT WATER. IN 2015, THE MEADOW CENTER DID A STUDY OF THE

[00:15:04]

290 PIPELINE THAT EXTENDED WATER TO THE AREA AND THE PREMISE OF THE PIPELINE WAS THAT WE WOULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF GROUNDWATER THAT WAS BEING PUMPED BY PROVIDING SURFACEWATER TO THE WATER LINE. THAT STUDY PRESENTED THAT THE PREMISE WAS NOT TRUE AND IT INCREASED THE SURFACE WATER USE AND THE GROUNDWATER USE BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT SPURRING THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE AREA, SUPPORTING UNSUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN THE AREA THAT LACKS SUFFICIENT WATER . WE ARE CREATING THE PROBLEMS BY CONTINUING TO SERVE THIS AREA WITHOUT THE PROPER DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN PLACE AND THE WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES IN PLACE. THE PREMISE OF HAVING ONE COMMUNITY THAT HAS INVESTED IN WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES TO BAIL OUT ANOTHER COMMUNITY THAT HAS NOT ACTED AS QUICKLY AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IS A CONCERN. IT HAPPEN HERE IN SAN MARCUS AS WELL. WE NEED TO DO BETTER AND THAT RESOLUTION NEEDS TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON WHAT IS THE DOING TO RESPOND TO THE DROUGHT SITUATION? WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN THEIR PLANNING? WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN THEIR WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGY TO REQUIRE A CONTINUOUS CURTAILMENT OF WATER USE NOT JUST FOR PERIODS OF DROUGHT? WE NEED TO BE MAKING BETTER DECISIONS WITH OUR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AND WE NEED TO BE FOCUSING OUR GROWTH FORWARD SUSTAINABLE. THE I-35 CORRIDOR IS ONE EXAMPLE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE

MYLES MARTIN. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MYLES MARTIN . I WAS INCARCERATED THREE YEARS IN HAYS COUNTY. IN THAT TIME, I WAS SHIPPED OFF NINE DIFFERENT TIMES. TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, I WAS BOOKED IN NINE DIFFERENT TIMES ON THE SAME CHARGE. THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO CONTACT MY FAMILY, EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SPEAK TO MY ATTORNEYS. MY INCARCERATION, I ONLY SPENT 22% OF THAT TIME IN THE ACTUAL HAYS COUNTY JAIL . GOING TO OTHER COUNTIES IS DANGEROUS IN SOME CASES. THERE WERE TIMES WHERE I WAS BEATEN FOR BEING FROM HAYS COUNTY. OTHER TIMES I WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF MY RACE, AND TREATED UNFAIRLY. I WAS PUT IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR 33 DAYS. THE ONLY TIME I WOULD ALLOW THEM TO USE A PHONE WAS AT 3:00 A.M. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE MANY PEOPLE WHO WAS PART OF THE SUPPORT SYSTEM. MY MOTHER WAS STRUGGLING TO STAY AWAKE AT WORK BECAUSE SHE WOULD STAY UP JUST TO TALK TO ME. NOT TO MENTION, ALL THE NEW SYSTEMS SHE HAD TO MANAGE THE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS MY 56-YEAR-OLD MOTHER EXPERIENCED NOT HEARING FROM ME DURING ROUTINE CALLS. I CALLED HER DAILY. INSTEAD, CALLING THE HAYS COUNTY JAIL, ASKING THEM WHERE I WAS JUST TO SAY WE DON'T KNOW. THAT WAS TRASH. IMAGINE GETTING SETTLED IN A COMMUNITY WHERE YOU ARE, HAVING PEOPLE TO LAUGH WITH AND PRAY WITH AND THEN AT 3:00 A.M., WILL COME IN WITH WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE ASSAULT RIFLES AND TASERS, TELLING YOU TO GET YOUR STUFF, YOU'VE GOT FIVE MINUTES TO COLLECT YOUR THINGS. ANYTHING YOU DON'T GET GETS THROWN AWAY. YOU ARE RESTRICTED FROM PHONE CALLS FOR DAYS, EVEN WEEKS. I THINK THE PASCO COUNTY CONTRACT IS NOT ONLY DETRIMENTAL TO JUSTICE BUT ALSO A BURDEN ON THE FAMILIES AT HOME WHO GO THROUGH YOUR EMOTIONAL TURMOIL. IT HAS SETTLED IN. SOME MAY THINK, THESE PEOPLE ARE CRIMINALS. WHY SHOULD IT MATTER? I AM HERE TO INFORM YOU, I AM HERE TO INFORM THE COURT THAT NOT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE CRIMINALS AND I AM LIVING PROOF OF THAT. AND 2022 AFTER THREE YEARS OF BLOOD, FEAR, TEARS, I WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY BY A JURY AFTER A FOUR DAY TRIAL. PLEASE MOVE TO CANCEL THIS CONTRACT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE ERIC

MARTINEZ. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CORRECTIONS CONTRACT. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD SEND SEVERAL HUNDRED RESIDENTS TO A PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT FACILITY FAR FROM THEIR FAMILIES, ATTORNEYS AND CRUCIALLY LOCAL OVERSIGHT . THE CONTRACTS DOESN'T JUST

[00:20:04]

OUTSOURCE INCARCERATION, IT OUTSOURCES ACCOUNTABILITY. THE COUNTY WOULD BE LOCKED INTO PAYING LASALLE $10,250 A DAY FOR 100 BEDS, WHETHER THEY ARE FILLED OR NOT. THAT IS A BULK RATE SUBSCRIPTION TO INCARCERATION THAT DISCOURAGES D INCARCERATION AND DRAINS PUBLIC RESOURCES. EVEN WORSE, THIS CONTRACT LIMITS TRANSPARENCY. THE COUNTY IS BLOCKED FROM INSPECTING LASALLE 'S INTERNAL RECORDS. INSPECTIONS REQUIRE ADVANCE NOTICE SO THEY WILL ALWAYS PASS THE INSPECTION.

LASALLE CAN OBJECT TO PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS AND ANY LEGAL CLAIMS MUST BE FILLED IN PASCO COUNTY, NOT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY. THAT IS JUST NOT INCONVENIENT, IT IS DELIBERATELY ISOLATING. AND, IF THE COUNTY WON'T END THE CONTRACT EARLY UNLESS NARROW EXCEPTIONS ARE MET, YOU ARE ON THE HOOK FOR MILLIONS THROUGH 2027. LET ME BE CLEAR. THIS IS NOT A CHOICE BETWEEN APPROVING THE CONTRACT OR DOING NOTHING . THIS IS A CALL TO PAUSE AND NEGOTIATE A BETTER DEAL, ONE THAT PROTECTS PUBLIC OVERSIGHT, IMPROVES TRANSPARENCY AND BUILDS IN REAL ACCOUNTABILITY AGAINST AN ENTITY THAT HAS BEEN SUED MANY TIMES OVER. WE SHOULD NOT ACCEPT A CONTRACT THAT TIES OUR HANDS AND HIDES INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC. WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING MORE TRANSPARENCY WITH AN INSTITUTION THAT WE ARE HANDING OVER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT TRADING CONVENIENCE FOR LONG-TERM HARM. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT, WE HAVE CYRUS. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE . THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING A SAFE, THRIVING, AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY HERE IN HAYS COUNTY. MY NAME IS CYRUS GRAY. I AM A REENTRY ADVISER AND A SURVIVOR OF FIVE YEARS OF WRONGFUL INCARCERATION PRETRIAL.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK OUT STRONGLY AGAINST THE CONTINUED TRANSFER OF HAYS COUNTY PRETRIAL DETAINEES, PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL LEGALLY PRESUMED INNOCENT TO OUT OF COUNTY FACILITIES. THESE TRANSFERS ARE NOT ONLY DANGEROUS AND DISRUPTIVE BUT ALSO EXTREMELY COSTLY AND UNNECESSARY. THIS WILL OUTSOURCE OUR PRETRIAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THIS ISSUE IS PERSONAL. I LIVE THROUGH IT. THIS IS TAKING A TOLL ON THOSE BEING MOVED AND THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR LEGAL DEFENSE ON THE OFFICERS TASKED WITH CARRYING OUT THESE TRANSPORTS. EACH TRANSFER TYPICALLY REQUIRES TWO OR MORE OFFICERS PER VEHICLE AND REMOVES THEM FROM LOCAL DUTIES FOR HOURS, SOMETIMES THE ENTIRE DAY.

INSTEAD OF USING BUSES, LITERAL DOGCATCHER VANS OR PATROL VEHICLES, THE MANPOWER REQUIRED IS EXCESSIVE AND EXPENSIVE. WHAT IS WORSE, MANY OF THESE TRANSFERS ACTIVELY HARM A DETAINEES ACCESS TO PHYSICAL REPRESENTATION. BEING REBOOKED IN ANOTHER COUNTY CAN MAKE IT APPEAR AS THOUGH THEY HAVE CAUGHT NEW CHARGES, HURTING THEIR FUTURE LONG AFTER THEIR CASE HAS BEEN RESOLVED HERE. LET'S BE HONEST , THE 10 MILLION OUTSOURCED CONTRACT IS NOT ABOUT SAFETY OR EFFICIENCY, IT IS A COSTLY BAND-AID ON A DEEPER ISSUE OF COURTROOM BACKLOG AND STAFF SHORTAGES. WE CAN AND MUST INVEST SMARTER BY PRIORITIZING LOCAL SOLUTIONS. PLEASE DO NOT RENEW THIS CONTRACT. STOP THE TRANSFERS AND BRING YOUR COMMUNITY HOME. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. OUR FINAL SPEAKER UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT IS COLIN MARTIN.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM NOT SPEAKING TODAY, I AM SPEAKING OF A BROTHER OR SOMEONE WHO WAS HELD IN HAYS COUNTY AND SHIPPED ON NINE DIFFERENT TIMES AND ON BEHALF OF MY MOTHER BACK HOME WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE FRONT ENTRANCE. EACH TIME HE WAS MOVED, HE LOST EVERYTHING WE HAD TO SET UP.

FOOD, PHONE TIME, MONEY WE HAD ALREADY PAIRED. MY MOM WOULD GET A CALL AND I REALLY THINK SOMETHING WAS STABLE AND THAT HE

[00:25:03]

WOULD BE GONE AGAIN. THERE ARE WEEKS WHEN WE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE WAS DEAD OR ALIVE. EVERY TRANSFER STARTED HIM OVER. HE HAD A BAD TOOTH AND COULDN'T EAT . INSTEAD OF SEEING A DOCTOR, THEY JUST MOVED HIM AGAIN. HE ÚWAS SENT TO ANOTHER COUNTY WHEE THEY WOULD COMPLETELY DISREGARD THE HEALTH AND SAFETY. SOMETIMES HE WOULD SHOW UP ON THE VIDEO CALLS WITH INJURIES HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TALK TO US ABOUT. THIS WAS BACK IN 2020 DURING THE HEIGHT OF COVID. IMAGINE BEING TRANSFERRED WHILE KNOWING THAT THE DAILY AIRBORNE VIRUS WAS SPREADING EVERYWHERE. HE WAS BARELY ALLOWED TO TALK TO US. SOMETIMES IT WAS JUST 30 MINUTES A DAY. HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE PHONE UNTIL 3:00 A.M. MY MOM WOULD WAKE UP JUST TO HEAR HIS VOICE, JUST TO MAKE SURE HE WAS OKAY. WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO VISIT HIM IN PRISON BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS TOO FAR AWAY. SOMETIMES HE WAS TOO FAR AWAY. I WAS AROUND 10 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME AND I HAD TO WATCH MY MOM NAVIGATE ALL OF THIS. SHE HAD TO LEARN THESE COMPLICATED SYSTEMS, SET UP ACCOUNTS. FOOD COSTS MONEY, CALLS COST MONEY AND IT ALL DISAPPEARED. THEY WERE WEARING -- MY NIECE AND NEPHEW WOULD ASK ABOUT HIM AND ALL WE COULD SAY WAS WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WE LOST SO MUCH TIME AS A FAMILY AND EVEN AFTER ALL THAT HE WAS PROVEN INNOCENT. EVERYTHING WE WENT THROUGH DID NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN. IT WAS MADE WORSE EVERY TIME THEY CHOSE TO SEND HIM AWAY AGAIN. THAT IS WHY I AM SPEAKING UP BECAUSE MY MOM SHOULD'VE NEVER HAD TO CARRY THAT WEIGHT.

IT IS DANGEROUS FOR HIM AND IT IS NOT ONLY HURT HIM, IT HURTS THE FAMILY. HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> WHENEVER I SEE A LOT OF UNFAMILIAR FACES, I LIKE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES. SOMETIMES BUT WILL SIGN UP IN THE WRONG WAY AND AS OUR LAST SPEAKER JUST POINTED OUT, YOU HAVE TO LEARN COMPLICATED SYSTEMS THAT YOU WEREN'T TAUGHT TO LEARN AND THEN YOU HAVE TO WALK IN AND LEARN HOW THEY WORK TO ACCOMPLISH THESE TASKS. LUCKY FOR US, I UNDERSTAND THAT SO I MAKE THOSE STATEMENTS AS I AM PULLING UP NOW AMY CAMP TO PULL HER OUT OF AN AGENDA ITEM INTO THIS PORTION AND GIVE HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK NOW BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW. THEY ARE HERE, THEY DEDICATE THE TIME, THEY GET OUT OF WORK OR THEY GET OUT OF SCHOOL OR THEY GET OUT OF TAKING CARE OF HER LOVED ONE TO BE HERE. THE WORST THING THAT WE CAN DO IS NOT GIVE THEM THE SPACE OR TIME. IN THE SPACE AND SETTING, I AM ALWAYS READING THE ROOM. THAT IS PART OF MY JOB AS A CHAIR. IF I SEE A FAMILIAR FACES AND I SEE THINGS LIKE -- I WAS SUPPOSED TO SPEAK LIKE YOU JUST SAID, I WILL DOUBLE DOWN AND TRY TO GIVE YOU THE SPACE AS LONG AS IT REMAINS RESPECTFUL AND ORDERLY. WE CAN PULL THIS OFF. YOU TOOK THE TIME TO BE HERE. THIS IS YORK COUNTY.

THIS IS YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT AND I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO KEEP YOUR ACCESS AVAILABLE. AMY CAMP, WE ARE GOING TO PULL YOU FROM K 10 AND PUT YOU IN THIS CATEGORY.

>> THANK YOU JUDGE, THANK YOU COURT . I APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING. OBVIOUSLY I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE AND I APOLOGIZE FOR STILL MAKING THE MISTAKE. FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO ECHO EVERYTHING THAT MILES, ERIC AND EVERYONE HAS SAID ABOUT THE HASKELL COUNTY CONTRACT. I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANYTHING ORIGINAL TO ADD, HONESTLY BUT I DO FEEL LIKE SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COURT -- I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE VERY COMMUNITY MINDED AND ALWAYS SEEKING TO FIND SOLUTIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE AND LIFT PEOPLE UP AND SPENDING MORE MONEY ON A PRIVATE JAIL THAT WILL NOT BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO SERVE IS NOT WHAT WE NEED. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE CENTRAL BUDGET PRIORITIES THAT WE ONLY HAVE LIMITED FUNDS FOR THAT WILL PREVENT THESE KINDS OF THINGS HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOBODY -- I THINK -- EVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE GUILTY OF CRIMES ARE DESTINED TO BE ON A PATH WHERE THEY ARE IN JAIL. THAT IS THE FIRST THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY.

THE SECOND THING IS, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ITEM 13. ABOUT THE RULES OF DECORUM. I WOULD REALLY URGE YOU ALL TO ALSO VOTE AGAINST THIS. I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A PLACE WHERE CIVILITY IS IMPORTANT AND THAT WORDS HAVE

[00:30:07]

MEANING BUT I DON'T THINK THE ITEM AS IT IS WRITTEN ACCOMPLISHES THAT GOAL. I AM ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE ITEM BANS WRITTEN COMMENT. I DID MAKE THE TIME TO COME OUT HERE TODAY BUT IT WAS AT A PRETTY BIG PERSONAL COST. I HAD TO GET MY DAUGHTER TO DAYCARE EARLY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SIGN UP. I AM LUCKY TO HAVE A VERY UNDERSTANDING BOSS WHO KNOWS I MIGHT BE LATE FOR MY NEXT MEETING BUT NOT EVERYBODY HAS THAT PRIVILEGE. CERTAINLY, THAT WOULD REALLY LIMIT NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO WORK DURING THIS TIME, WHICH IS A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT ALSO PEOPLE WHO ARE DISABLED. ACCESSIBILITY IN THIS COURTROOM, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE IS NOT AMAZING. I REALLY URGE YOU ALL TO DEFINITELY NOT BAN THE WRITTEN COMMENTS. THEY ARE HELPFUL AND THEY ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE COURT. I ALSO THINK THAT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS ON THIS ITEM THAT ARE CONCERNING. WHILE I DO FEEL THAT WORDS HAVE MEANING, WE NEED TO TAKE WHAT WE SAY SERIOUSLY AND SEEK TO REPAIR WHEN WE HAVE HURT PEOPLE WITH WORDS. WORDS ARE NOT ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE'S PASSION, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO MAY BE COMING HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THAT IS NOT A GOOD SOLUTION. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GUYS NEED SOME SORT OF RULES SO I WOULD URGE YOU TO TAKE THIS TO COMMITTEE AND GIVE THE ITEM A LITTLE MORE THOUGHT. THANK YOU.

>> YOU TIMED THAT LIKE A PRO. THEN, TO CONTINUE THE

CONVERSATION, ARE YOU OLIVIA? >> YES.

>> I HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR WHEN WE OPEN THAT AGENDA ITEM. YOU HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK WHEN WE OPEN THAT AGENDA ITEM. HOW WE DO THAT IS WHENEVER I ASK THE COUNTY CLERK TO READ THE AGENDA ITEM, WE OPEN IT AND THEN CITIZEN COMMENTS ARE DEDICATED IN THE VEIN. OR, YOU SAY HERE AND THEN WE OPEN THE ITEM, YOU WILL NOT SPEAK AGAIN. IT IS EITHER/OR BUT NOT BOTH. I WILL GIVE YOU THE CHOICE. YOU'VE GOT IT. I HAVE YOU CHALKED UP FOR K 10. IF I SCREW UP, AND THAT COULD HAPPEN. IF I SCREW UP AND DON'T SIGN YOU UP, DON'T CALL YOUR NAME WHEN I OPEN K 10, THEN I CAN RAISE YOUR HAND AND I WILL ADDRESS YOU. ONE MORE ISSUE

HERE. >> I ALSO HAD A COMMENT TODAY.

>> WHAT IS YOUR NAME? DID YOU SIGN UP UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT OR UNDER AN ITEM? I AM GOING TO ASK WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE OF THESE GUIDELINES TO BE A LITTLE MORE CLEAR ON THE PROCESS BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS A LOT. DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT IT. THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN -- YOU ARE ALL SMART ENOUGH. IF WE GIVE YOU THE RIGHT DIRECTION, I WILL FIND A WAY TO REWORD THIS BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE OPTIONS ARE. TELL ME YOUR NAME AGAIN.

>> JOSEPH. >> LET ME LOOK IT UP. INSTEAD OF SHUFFLING FOR 10 MORE MINUTES, LET'S START A TIMER FOR JOSEPH.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE, IF YOU COULD FILL OUT THE FORM, WE CAN HAVE A DOCUMENTED THAT YOU WERE HERE AND YOU SPOKE FOR THE RECORD

FOREVER MORE. >> YES, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. START A TIMER FOR HIM.

>> READINGS, COMMISSIONER. MY NAME IS JOSEPH AND I AM SPEAKING AS A FORMER CORRECTIONS OFFICER FOR THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. ALSO, I AM A VETERAN OF THE U.S. ARMY RESERVES AND CURRENTLY I AM WORKING IN MY COMMUNITY AND A BIBLE CHURCH AS A FACILITY MAINTENANCE ENGINEER. TO START, I KNOW THAT BEING IN THE POSITION, OVERPOPULATION IS ONE OF THE MORE PROMINENT ISSUES JAIL TRANSFERS WITHIN THE SYSTEM. LIMITED RESOURCES LIKE HYGIENE PRODUCTS, UNIFORMS, SHOWER SHOES -- MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WE WOULD RECEIVE PATRONS AND THEY WOULD BE GIVEN UNIFORMS THAT DID NOT FIT, SHOES THAT DID NOT FIT. IT WAS ROUGH TO WITNESS. LIMITED REAL ESTATE, AS FAR AS AVAILABLE MATS AND

[00:35:06]

BEDDING FOR PATRONS WHO ARE BEING RECEIVED -- I DID NOT WORK IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, PER SE, BUT RATHER CLOSELY. I WOULD SAY BEHAVIOR ISSUES, SUCH AS MULTIPLE OFFENSES OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS, SPREADING GANG LIKE INFLUENCES WERE DISCOURAGED. INSURRECTIONIST'S INFLUENCING RIOTING IS THE REASON WHY PEOPLE WERE TRANSFERRED. IF A PATRON DID REFUSE TO BE TRANSFERRED, USUALLY THREE OR MORE OFFICERS WERE BROUGHT IN WITH PAINTBALL, DISPENSING DEVICES WERE USED ALONG WITH TASERS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE OPERATION OF TRANSPORTATION MORE OR LESS TOOK AWAY FROM THE ACTUAL SAFEGUARDING OF THE FACILITIES. THERE WERE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT LIMITED OUR RESOURCES AVAILABLE. AS MY PUBLIC COMMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I HAVE WORKED AS A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER FOR ROUGHLY 2 1/2 YEARS. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION DURING THIS TIME THAT OUR MAIN FOCUS AND RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT ONLY TO SAFEGUARD OURSELVES, THE PATRONS, THE STAFF, AND THE FACILITY BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY. TRANSPORTATION AND DISPLACEMENT NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE INDIVIDUAL BEING TRANSFERRED BUT EVERYONE INVOLVED AS THEY MOVE FORWARD INCLUDING FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES THAT THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY. AT THE VERY LEAST, WE NEED TO THE OVERSIGHT TRANSPARENCY AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT BOTH FOR PEOPLE BEING MOVED TO STAFF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> DON'T FORGET TO FILL OUT A FORM AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND ALL OF THOSE SPACES THROUGH YOUR

INTRODUCTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> EVERYONE ELSE IS SIGNED UP UNDER ACTUAL AGENDA ITEMS THAT WHEN YOU OPEN YOU WILL HAVE THE TIME TO SPEAK. ARE WE GOOD ON THAT? HERE IS WHAT I WILL DO. ANOTHER THING I WILL DO IS I AM VERY SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE'S TIME. I COME FROM A WORKING FAMILY. I HAVE ALSO -- I CONSIDER THIS A GIFT OF A JOB. I WILL ALWAYS REVOLVE AROUND WHO IS HERE AND WHY AND I WILL MOVE THE AGENDA. IF SOMEONE SAYS IT IS LAST ON THE AGENDA, GO AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING. IF I HAVE A COURT ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE, I WANT TO LET YOU KEEP MOVING ON WITH YOUR DAY. THIS IS NOT YOUR LIFE AS MUCH AS SOMEONE MAY WANT TO BELIEVE IT IS. YOU GOT OTHER THINGS TO DO. WHAT I DO IS, IF I SEE A NUMBER SIGNED UP FOR AN AGENDA ITEM, A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THE HIGHER THE NUMBER, THE MORE I WILL MOVE IT UP BUT I WILL ALWAYS PUT EXECUTIVE SESSION LAST AND I WILL ALWAYS DO PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS FIRST. AFTER THAT , THE HIGHEST SEQUENCE OF ATTENDANCE IS WHAT I WILL GO TO AND THEN AFTER I AM DONE WITH THAT, I WILL ASK THE COMMISSIONERS. ANYTHING YOU WANT ME TO GO TO SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE AM BEING RESPECTFUL OF THEIR TIME AND THE PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO BEING HERE. THEY ARE MY COWORKERS AND I WANT TO EVERYTHING I CAN TO BE MINDFUL TO THEM. AFTER THAT, THEN WE JUST HIT THE SLATE. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AND FOR

[F.1. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing July 21-27, 2025, as Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week. INGALSBE/FACUNDO]

EVERYONE ELSE, JUST AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

>> THANK YOU. >> YOU BET. PLEASE OPEN F 1.

>> ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 21 THROUGH JULY 27, 2025 AS PRETRIAL, PROBATION, AND PAROLE SUPERVISION WEEK.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE READ IT. >> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 21 THROUGH JULY 27, 2025 AS PRETRIAL PROBATION AND PAROLE SUPERVISION WEEK. WHEREAS, PRETRIAL, PROBATION, AND PAROLE SERVICES PLAY AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO PUBLIC SAFETY, COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, AND THE FAIR ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE; AND WHEREAS, PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN PRETRIAL, PROBATION, AND PAROLE SERVICES DILIGENTLY JUSTICE, ENSURING INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE FAIR TREATMENT, SUPPORT, AND THE NECESSARY SUPERVISION TO REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY SUCCESSFULLY; AND WHEREAS, THESE DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS OFTEN WORK UNDER CHALLENGING CONDITIONS, DISPLAYING EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT, INTEGRITY, AND RESILIENCE WHILE MANAGING CASELOADS, PROVIDING GUIDANCE, AND FOSTERING POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION; AND WHEREAS, THE EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF PRETRIAL, PROBATION, AND PAROLE

[00:40:01]

SERVICES RELIES ON THE COLLABORATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, THE JUDICIARY, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO CREATE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO JUSTICE AND REHABILITATION; AND WHEREAS, RECOGNIZING THE CRITICAL ROLE THESE SERVICES PLAY IN REDUCING RECIDIVISM, SUPPORTING REHABILITATION, AND ENHANCING COMMUNITY SAFETY IS VITAL TO FOSTERING A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY; AND WHEREAS, PRETRIAL, PROBATION, AND PAROLE WEEK IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR AND EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR THESE PROFESSIONALS' INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THEREFORE, WE, THE COMMISSIONERS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF JULY 21 - 27, 2025, AS PRETRIAL, PROBATION, AND PAROLE SUPERVISION WEEK. WE ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO HONOR THESE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROFESSIONALS AND RECOGNIZE THEIR CRUCIAL ROLES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS TOWARD SAFER COMMUNITIES. ADOPTED 8 JULY,

2025. >> THIS WAS COMMISSIONER

INGALSBE. >> JUDGE, I BELIEVE JASON IS HERE AND ALSO ALBERT WHO MAY WANT TO COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS BUT AS THEY ARE COMING UP, I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DO TO HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS. A LOT OF TIMES THEY AVOID JAIL TIME AND THE PROGRAMS AS WE HAVE INITIATED. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A STAFF TO PLEASE STAND. THIS PROCLAMATION IS FOR YOU AND THESE COMMENTS AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR PROFESSIONALISM, THEIR DEDICATION, THEIR COMPASSION, THEIR INTEGRITY AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE JOB. BECAUSE OF THEM, WE ARE ABLE TO COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AND PROVIDE YOU WITH THE YEARLY REPORT TO HIGHLIGHT OUR STAFF AND SUCCESSES BUT IT GOES BEYOND THAT AS WELL. THEY HAVE THOSE FINE JOBS, THEY HELP THEM REFER FOR THE JOB SKILLS AND THE TRAINING. ALBERT AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR ALL THE WORK THEY DO. IT GOES BEYOND PROVIDING THE STATS ON PUBLIC

SAFETY. >> GOOD MORNING. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES. I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT JASON SAID. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL TEAM WHO WOULD IT BE WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW WITHOUT THEM. THEY DO EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY INSTILLS AND IS BEING DONE DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND THAT IS ALSO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE. WITHOUT THEM, WE ARE NOTHING, TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU. I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM AGAIN FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING WHAT WE NEED TO TO MAKE THIS A BETTER COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> DON'T WALK AWAY. >> WE ALSO HAVE JESSICA FROM

ADULT COUNTY PROBATION. >> THANK YOU. DON'T WALK AWAY.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO EVERY DAY. I KNOW THAT THIS APARTMENT IS GROWING AND HAVING WONDERFUL THINGS. YOU

ALL DESERVE THIS RECOGNITION. >> ECHOING MY COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO TO MOVE PEOPLE THROUGH THIS PROCESS. EVERYBODY IN HAYS COUNTY AND ALSO IN THIS GREAT NATION IS DUE TO FAIR AND SPEEDY DUE PROCESS AND SPEEDY TRIAL. I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU GUYS DO AND YOU DEFINITELY DESERVE TO HAVE A WEEK RECOGNIZED FOR YOU ALL.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, HAVEN'T WE? WE'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.

WHAT YOU ALL DO IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED AT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE RECIDIVISM PREVENTION AND REINTRODUCTION BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITY IS REALLY HARD FOR A BIG SEGMENT AND YOU ALL ARE THE KEYS TO THAT. YOU ALL ARE THE FORBEARERS OF THE BURDENS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE VICTIMS REMAIN PROTECTED AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND I DON'T KNOW EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DON'T UNDERSTAND -- RECOGNIZE THE REST OF OUR EMPLOYEES. WOULD YOU ALL MIND STANDING UP?

>> WE ARE REALLY APPRECIATED FROM ALL YOU GUYS DO. JUST KNOW

[00:45:01]

THAT IT DOESNOT GO UNNOTICED. >> THE NAME OF YOUR DEPARTMENT?

>> HAYS COUNTY JUDICIAL SERVICES.

>> HAYS COUNTY JUDICIAL SERVICES, JUST SO YOU KNOW -- WE ARE GOING TO CALL YOU UP. HAYS COUNTY JUDICIAL SERVICES WAS CREATED THROUGH THIS EFFORT AND IT IS A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW IN THE SPACE WE OCCUPY BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO SURROUNDED IN THE SPACE OF THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND HOW YOU ARE IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE MATTER WHERE YOU ARE LITERALLY THREE FEET AWAY FROM SOMEONE WHO SPENT YEARS IN OUR JAIL AND WAS FOUND INNOCENT. THAT IS NOT LOST ON ME. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THIS COURT AND THE WORK WE HAVE DONE TO PUT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM ON THE RAIL BECAUSE -- I AM NOT INTERESTED IN BLAMING PEOPLE FOR HOW IT WAS IN THE PAST BUT I AM GRATEFUL TO HOW IT WAS TODAY. THE NEXT CHALLENGE WE FACE IS PUTTING OUR BUDGET WHERE OUR MOUTH AND OUR HEARTS ARE IT SHOULD BE LIKE PAY PARITY. WHATEVER WE GIVE TO THE SCALES OF JUSTICE TO COME AFTER SOMEONE, WE SHOULD BALANCE TO DEFEND THEM. THAT IS FAIR AND IN OUR PROCLAMATION, FAIR TREATMENT WAS THE PIECE THAT WENT PING AND STOOD OUT TO ME. I HAD TO WRITE IT DOWN TO MAKE SURE I DID NOT FORGET IT. FAIR TREATMENT ABOVE THIS BUILDING IS LADY JUSTICE AND WE ALL KNOW THESE SCALES ALL TOO WELL. WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB, AND I CAN STAND BEHIND THE GEORGE BUSH BANNER -- IN FRONT OF THE GEORGE BUSH BANNER MISSION ACCOMPLISHED WHENEVER WE HAVE THAT BUDGETED PARITY. WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY DEFENDING YOU AS WE DO GOING AFTER YOU. I THINK THAT IS A GOOD ROADMAP AND I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THIS COURT IS IN PERFECT HARMONY HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION AND I CAN SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT KNOWING THAT YOU GUYS, ALL OF YOU STANDING ARE PART OF THE ROADMAP. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE TAKEN THIS JOB SO SERIOUSLY AND SO PASSIONATELY AND THANK YOU BECAUSE GOD 'S WILL BE DONE. IT IS HARD TO SAY WHEN I'M LOOKING IN THE EYES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SPENT YEARS IN OUR SYSTEM BUT IT IS THROUGH YOUR EXPERIENCES AND YOUR TESTIMONY THAT WE LIVE HERE TODAY WITH CONVICTION. WE ARE BORROWING YOUR EXPERIENCES, ADOPTING THEM INTO OUR CONVICTION TO MOVE THE NEEDLE FORWARD. NOTHING IS WASTED.

DON'T EVER THINK OF IT THAT WAY. THANK YOU ALL. COME ON UP

FOR PICTURE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A CHANCE

TO COMMENT AS WELL. >> ONE MORE COMMENT AND THEN WE

WILL CALL THE ROLE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JESSICA AND I AM WITH THE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT, ALSO KNOWN AS ADULT PROBATION. ALSO, REITERATE WHAT WAS SAID ON BEHALF OF ADULT PROBATION. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING THIS PROCLAMATION AND ALSO MY STAFF THAT ARE HERE TODAY. WE APPRECIATE IT AND

THANK YOU. >> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >>

>> COME ON UP. REMEMBER, THIS IS THE MIDDLE. I STAND UNDER GOD AND EVERYONE ELSE. JUST FILL IN LEFT AND RIGHT.

[00:51:06]

>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING.

>> THANK YOU. >> PLEASE OPEN F 2.

[F.2. Presentation by the Christus Santa Rosa - San Marcos Hospital regarding the Indigent Health Care Contract Services. COHEN/HAMMER/GONZALES]

>> PRESENTATION BY THE CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA SAN MARCUS HOSPITAL

-- SAN MARCOS HOSPITAL. >> SORRY, JUDGE. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS MATTHEW GONZALES AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. FOR MANY YEARS, WE HAVE HAD A PARTNERSHIP WITH CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA AND AT THE TIME , INDIGENT HEALTH CARE CONTRACT. I KNOW PART OF OUR DUTY IS TO REVIEW THE CONTRACT AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ASKING US TO DO. PART OF THAT IS GETTING A FULL, THOROUGH EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS DONE FOR OUR INDIGENT HEALTH CARE CONTRACT WITH CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA SO I HAVE INVITED THEM HERE TO GIVE US A PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE THE LAST THREE YEARS INCLUDING SOME OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTS.

HERE WITH US TODAY IS THE CLINIC DIRECTOR AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCES. I WILL LET THEM INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND GIVE A

QUICK STATEMENT. >> THANK YOU. SO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IF YOU WILL PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLES FOR

THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> STAFF, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. KATHLEEN, DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL OPERATIONS FOR CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA .

>> I AM DAVID, THE VICE PRESIDENT .

>> THANK YOU. >> DO WE WANT TO SET THE TIMER? YOU KNOW HOW PASSIONATE I GET ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

>> LET'S NOT GO TOO FAR. WE HAVE A LOT TO DO.

>> I WILL BE MINDFUL. I COULD TALK ALL DAY.

>> ARE WE GOING TO PUT IT UP, MATTHEW?

>> YES. >> VERY GOOD. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE. MATTHEW GAVE A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM ENTERED INTO IN 2012 BETWEEN WHAT WAS THEN ADVENT HEALTH CENTRAL TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER AND OUR CLINIC. 13 YEARS INTO THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WE HAVE GROWN THE PROGRAM LEAPS AND BOUNDS. YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND ADVANCE. AS MATTHEW STATED, IT STARTED WITH CT MC.

IT WAS ACQUIRED APRIL 1, 2020. WE LOOKED THROUGH AN ACQUISITION AND COVID ALL AT THE SAME TIME. COMMUNITY CLINIC IS LOCATED AT 401 BROADWAY WHICH IS THE OLD HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SO WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THE BUILDING. YOU CAN ADVANCE. JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE PATIENTS THAT ARE ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM. AS OF YESTERDAY, 113 CURRENT PATIENTS ON THE PROGRAM -- IT FLUCTUATES. THEY ARE QUALIFIED FOR A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE NUMBERS GO UP AND DOWN DEPENDING ON WHO GETS APPROVED, WHO DROPS OFF, ET CETERA. THE AVERAGE AGE IS

[00:55:01]

AROUND 15 YEARS OLD. YOU CAN SEE THE ENROLLED MEMBERS ARE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THEN, YOU CAN SEE THE AGE, THE GENDER, 74 MALES AND 34 FEMALES. JUST TO GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT THE

PATIENT POPULATION LOOKS LIKE. >> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, EVERYONE IN THE INDIGENT PROGRAM, FOR CLARIFICATION FOR THE PUBLIC, THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR MEDICARE OR MEDICAID, THEY

ARE DECLARED INDIGENT? >> CORRECT.

>> THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE ROTATING BASIS?

>> CORRECT. THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO CONTINUE TO BE QUALIFIED ON THE PROGRAM. OTHER PEOPLE SEEN AT THE CLINIC ARE NOT NECESSARILY JUST PATIENTS ENROLLED IN THE HAYS COUNTY INDIGENT PROGRAM BUT THE BEST MAJORITY THAT ARE NOT QUITE QUALIFYING FOR INDIGENT BUT ALSO THEY WILL HAVE MEDICAID OR ANY TYPE OF SERVICES. JUST A QUICK RECAP FOR ALL OF THE THINGS, THE MAJORITY OF THINGS SERVED OUT OF THIS CLINIC, WE PROVIDE PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE SERVICES. ONCE PATIENTS ARE ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM, THIS CLINIC, DR. STEPHEN RICHARDSON WHO HAS NOW BEEN WITH US 10 YEARS, BECOMES THE PRIMARY CARE HOME FOR THESE PATIENTS. ONCE SEEN BY DR. RICHARDSON OR ONE OF OUR NURSE PRACTITIONERS, ANY SPECIALTY SERVICES THAT ARE DEEMED NECESSARY HELP LINE UP THE SPECIALTY SERVICES. WE DO ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS WHERE THE IMMUNIZATION HUB -- WE DO ANY AND ALL -- WE CARRY A LARGE PLETHORA OF THINGS. WE DO DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, RADIOLOGY, SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAMS WHICH WE WILL TOUCH ON MORE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES BUT THE PATIENTS NEED HOSPITAL SERVICES TO INCLUDE BEING ADMITTED TO INPATIENT OR THINGS ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS, SURGERY, EMERGENCY CARE, THEN CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA HOSPITAL IS UTILIZED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. WE ALSO SUPPLY HUGE DIABETIC SUPPLIES TO THOSE PATIENTS , PHYSICAL OCCUPATION OR SPEECH THERAPY AS NECESSARY. YOU CAN ADVANCE.

UNDER THE PRIMARY CARE SERVICES, LIKE I SAID , THIS CLINIC, DR.

RICHARDSON BECOMES THE PRIMARY CARE HOME FOR THESE PATIENTS.

THEY ALSO RECEIVE A THRESHOLD OF 30,000 A YEAR TOWARD SPECIALTY SERVICES. OF SOMEBODY COMES IN AND HAS CARDIOLOGY ISSUES, DR.

RICHARDSON WILL SEND A REFERRAL TO A CARDIOLOGIST AND THE PATIENT HAS UP TO 30,000 PER FISCAL YEAR TO UTILIZE THOSE SERVICES. IN FISCAL YEAR 23, WE DID 1209 VISITS. THE ENROLLMENT THAT YEAR WAS ABOUT 136 AND IN FISCAL YEAR 24 WE DID 1019 AND THE ENROLLMENT WAS AS HIGH AS 150. OUR TOP DIAGNOSES THAT WE SEE FOR HAYS COUNTY INDIGENT PATIENTS ARE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HYPERLIPIDEMIA OR HIGH CHOLESTEROL. WE ALSO PROVIDE SPECIALTY SERVICES AND A LOT OF THE ONES THAT ARE LISTED ARE PART OF THE CHRISTUS HEALTH SYSTEM. WE WORK HARD TO BRING IN NEW SERVICE LINES THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT FOR PATIENTS TO GET INTO. WE HAVE CARDIOLOGY, GENERAL SERVICES, COLORECTAL SURGERY, OBSTETRICS, OB/GYN, EAR, NOSE, THROAT, ORTHOPEDIC, OPHTHALMOLOGY AND OTHERS. THE TOP SERVICE LNES THAT WE USE FOR THE PATIENT INCLUDE GASTROENTEROLOGY, CARDIOLOGY AND APOLOGY. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS , WE HAVE DONE 1000 SPECIALTY CARE VISITS. THE PHARMACY BENEFIT, SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE RENEGOTIATED THIS TO TRY TO HELP KEEP THE COST DOWN BUT MORE SO TO HELP AS A CONVENIENCE TO THESE PATIENTS. WE WERE CONTRACTED WITH ONE LOCAL PHARMACY AND PATIENTS EXPRESSED TO US THAT THEY HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING TO THIS PHARMACY DUE TO LACK OF TRANSPORTATION OR WHATEVER. WE WENT BACK AND RENEGOTIATED AND OPENED UP THE PHARMACY CONTRACT TO ALL OF THE LOCAL PHARMACIES IN THE HAYS COUNTY. ANYWHERE THESE PATIENTS NOW CAN GET THEIR MEDS AND WE REMOVED THE THREE LIMIT. NOW PATIENTS HAVE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTIONS AS WELL AS DIABETIC SUPPLIES. INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, ANY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, SURGERY, ANYTHING WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT. YOU CAN ADVANCE. WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO GROW OUR PRIMARY CARE BASE, CONTINUE TO ADD PHYSICIANS AS WE

[01:00:02]

CAN. WE ARE -- WE HAVE ADDED TWO NEW CLINICS HERE IN THE SAN MARCO'S AREA IN THE STONECREEK AS WELL AS A NEW URGENT CARE.

ONE OF THE NICE THINGS ABOUT THE URGENT CARE WAS THAT WE HAVE WORKED OUT IF ANY OF THE PATIENTS ENROLLED HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING TO THE CLINIC ON BROADWAY OR DR. RICHARDSON'S SCHEDULE IS BOOKED, THESE PATIENTS ARE NOW ABLE TO GO TO URGENT CARE. THEY CAN GO TO URGENT CARE AND IT IS CONSIDERED AN EXTENSION OF DR. RICHARDSON. I WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THAT CLINIC AS WELL AS LOOKING AT EXPANDING. WE HAVE LOOKED NEAR THE 150 ACCESS POINT AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT SEVERAL PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS AND ROTATING SPECIALISTS THROUGH THAT CLINIC SOON. WE ALSO, OUT OF THE BROADWAY CLINIC CONTINUE TO USE THE FULL-TIME PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANT ASSOCIATE. SHE WAS WITH 10 PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND AVERAGES 60 PATIENTS A MONTH. YOU CAN GO AHEAD ONE MORE.

>> THIS IS A PLACE OF SERVICE BREAKDOWN. THE FIRST COLUMN, YOU CAN SEE THE ENROLLMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR, THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS ENROLLED AND THEN HOW MANY VISITS IN OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, THOSE THAT WERE ACTUALLY ADMITTED INTO OUR HOSPITAL AND INPATIENT AND THEN ANYTHING OUTPATIENT WOULD BE LOWER, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, OUTPATIENT SURGERY, ANYTHING LIKE THAT. YOU CAN SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF NUMBERS BY THE YEAR AND IN THE DARKER BLUE COLUMN, PRIMARY CARE, THOSE ARE THE NUMBER OF VISITS THAT HAYS COUNTY INDIGENT PATIENTS HAD AT OUR PRIMARY CARE CLINIC OR OUR SPECIALTY CLINIC OR ANY SPECIALTY. IF WE, AS A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE THE SPECIALTY, WE CONTRACT WITH OTHER LOCAL SPECIALISTS. YOU CAN SEE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VISITS THERE AND THE AVERAGE VISIT FOR ENROLLED

PATIENTS AT THE VERY END. >> DO THOSE URGENT CARE VISITS FALL UNDER THE EMERGENCY CARE OR THE OUTPATIENT?

>> IT IS OUTPATIENT. THAT IS WRITTEN OFF, ADJUSTED OFF AT ZERO WITH NO COST TO THE PATIENT BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE PROGRAM.

IT IS UNDER THE CLINIC. IT IS AN EXTENSION OF PRIMARY CARE SO IT IS JUST AS IF YOU WERE GOING TO GO SEE DR. RICHARDSON BUT HE WASN'T THERE FOR SOME REASON OR THE CLINIC WAS BOOKED. WE COULD SEND THEM BECAUSE WE WANT THEM SEEN SAME DAY.

>> SO WHAT WOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE PRIMARY CARE NUMBERS?

>> YES. KEEP IN MIND THAT WE JUST OPEN THAT CLINIC LATE DECEMBER 2024 SO WE ARE ONLY IN OUR SEVENTH FULL MONTH. THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE REFLECTED WHEN WE RUN FISCAL YEAR 2025 NUMBERS.

>> THANK YOU. >> IT JUST ADDS ANOTHER ACCESS POINT FOR THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THE PATIENTS SEEN THE SAME DAY WHENEVER POSSIBLE. OKAY?

>> THIS IS WHERE I COME IN. JUST TO MAKE SOME CLARIFICATION.

FISCAL YEAR 22 REPRESENTS JULY 21 THROUGH JUNE 22 AND THEN FISCAL YEAR 23 IS JULY 22 TO JUNE 23 AND THEN FISCAL YEAR 24 IS JULY 24 -- JULY 23 TO JUNE 24 AND THAT IS JUST FOR THE CLINIC OPERATIONS. WE ARE ON A DIFFERENT FISCAL YEAR IN THE COUNTY IS. THE NUMBERS REPRESENTED IN THE HELP FIRST PAYOUT AND THE ZERO PAY SERVICES ARE ALL IN THAT AREA OF WHAT THE COUNTY IS WITH THEIR YEAR AND THE FISCAL YEAR IS SIMPLY FOR THE CLINICAL OBSERVATION. IT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN FISCAL YEAR 22.

THAT IS THERE BECAUSE IT IS IN THE CROSSOVER PERIOD OF WHERE CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA BOUGHT ADVENT HELP AND THERE WERE WAYS THAT WERE BEING DONE WITH THE CLINIC THAT WERE ALL COMBINED OUT ONE TIME AND NOT SEPARATED OUT. IT WAS NOT UNTIL NINE MONTHS IS AVAILABLE ON THAT. WE WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH PRESENTING ANY NUMBERS ON THE YEAR ALONE. THE AMOUNTS EACH YEAR, WHAT WE HAVE ARE THE CLINIC OPERATIONS, THE ZERO PAY SERVICES IS AT COST FOR THE NON-CLINIC AREA. THAT WOULD

[01:05:05]

PRIMARILY BE IN THE HOSPITAL SERVICES THAT ARE OFFERED AND WHAT WE DID WAS TO TRY TO COME UP WITH A REASONABLE ESTIMATE ON THIS. WE LOOKED AT THE CASES THAT CAME THROUGH THE HOSPITAL AND WE WORK WITH A GROUP THAT HELPED ASSESS THE CASE OF THOSE CAUSES. THESE ARE NOT CHARGES. THESE ARE NOT WHAT WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN PAID. IT IS WHAT WE CAN ESTIMATE BEST ON THE COST OF THE SERVICES COMING THROUGH. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, WE SEE 1.704.

WITHIN THAT, WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE NUMBERS, THERE WERE PREVIOUS YEARS THAT HIT FOR $147 AND WE CALL THIS NORMALIZED.

OPERATING LOSS WOULD HAVE BEEN A 753,000 INSTEAD OF THE 613 AND THAT WOULD HAVE PUT THAT AT 1.843 649 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COST OF THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM, EXCLUDING WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE BELOW THE SERVICES NOT MONETIZED. AS YOU SEE, WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO THAT $2 MILLION THAT WE DID NOT INCLUDING THE SERVICES THAT WE DON'T MONETIZE. WE DON'T CHARGE OUT THE ACCOUNTING SERVICES, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ALL OF THE OVERHEAD COSTS THAT WOULD GO INTO A PROGRAM LIKE THIS. THAT IS NOT IN THESE NUMBERS. AS YOU DO SEE IN FISCAL YEAR 24, COSTS HAVE STARTED RISING WITH THE CLINICAL OPERATIONS. WE WERE LOOKING INTO THAT AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE BULK OF THAT WAS RELATED TO PHARMACY. WE NEGOTIATED WITH ALL OF THE PHARMACIES IN 2023, I BELIEVE. THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BROUGHT THE COST DOWN OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE PHARMACY ONLY. WE CONTINUE TO SEE MORE AND MORE SERVICES, THE COST IS ESCALATING AS OF MAY 2025 WHICH IS 11 MONTHS INTO OUR FISCAL YEAR. OUR CLINICAL OPERATIONS WERE $964,972. IF WE ANNUALIZE THAT, HAD ONE MORE MONTH ONTO THAT, WE WOULD BE RIGHT AT THE MILLION 152 151.

COMBINED WITH -- THAT IS SAYING THAT THE HEALTHCARE PAYMENTS STAY FLAT. WE WILL BE RIGHT AT $1.976 MILLION. NOT INCLUDING THOSE NON-MONETIZED ALLOCATION OVERHEAD COSTS, WE WERE RIGHT AT THAT $2 MILLION AND THAT CAN FLIP AT ANY GIVEN TIME. YOU

WANTED TO MENTION AS WELL. >> JUST A NOTE, WE ARE ALLOWED TO RESIDE IN THE CLINIC BUT WE HAVE ALSO INVESTED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN INNOVATIONS TO THE CLINIC.

ANYTIME WE NEEDED SOMETHING, IF WE COME IN THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN'T BE TAKEN CARE OF AT THE TIME OF THE COUNTY OR SOMETHING THAT WE WANT FOR OUR PATIENTS, WE HAVE INVESTED A LOT

OF MONEY ON INNOVATIONS. >> THE NEXT SLIDE MOVING FORWARD IS A BREAKDOWN. THIS IS THE CLAIMS THAT ARE PAID OUT TOWARD THE PATIENT'S BROKEN DOWN BY MONTHS. ANYTHING PAID , WHETHER THEY WERE SEEN IN OUR CLINIC OR HOSPITAL AND THEN THE PHARMACY BENEFITS IN THE SECOND COLUMN AND THEN THE TOTAL IN THE DISTRIBUTION PAID OUT TO HELP FIRST, BEING OUR THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THEN THE TOTAL SPENT, THE 646 NUMBERS ARE BROKEN DOWN BY MONTHS AND THEN MATCH THE TOTALS ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE. YOU CAN ADVANCE. THIS WAS FISCAL YEAR 22.

>> YOU SAID THE COST -- >> SORRY, PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY CARE. 23, 24. YOU CAN KEEP GOING. THAT'S IT. ANY

QUESTIONS? >> LET ME FIND OUT.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> I APPRECIATE THE UPDATE.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT IS BEING DONE . WHEN WE ENTERED

[01:10:01]

INTO THIS CONTRACT 13 YEARS AGO, I KNOW THE SPECIALTY DOCTORS WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT WE WERE STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE NOW DOING A GOOD JOB. WE ALSO WANTED EXPANDED HOURS BECAUSE PEOPLE WORK UNTIL 5:00. I AM NOT SURE IF THE BROADWAY OFFICE IS STILL DOING THAT. CAN YOU PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION? ARE WE STILL SEEING PATIENTS AFTER HOURS?

>> NOT DR. 5:00. WE HAVE SEEN PATIENTS OVER THE LUNCH HOUR AS

WELL. >> WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER CLINIC

THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GO TO? >> IT IS OPEN SATURDAYS AND

SUNDAYS. >> THEY ARE ABLE TO GO THERE.

OKAY. I GUESS WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THIS ON OUR COURT BUT I APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE AND GIVING US THE DATE. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING.

>> THAT WAS A GREAT QUESTION. THERE IS NO GOOD IF YOU CLOSE THAT 5:00 AND PEOPLE CAN GET TO YOU. CAN YOU REPEAT WHERE THE URGENT CARE IS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC?

>> 1430 AT THE NEW COMPLEX ON THE NORTHBOUND SIDE.

>> OKAY. FIRST WATCH, AAA, STARBUCKS.

>> HOW IS THAT FOR YOU, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? I AM LEANING IN IN DELIBERATENESS BECAUSE FOR MANY YEARS, YOU HAVE LED, HELD THE MANTLE OF THIS ENDEAVOR AND IT HAS BEEN -- YOU ARE INFINITELY CLOSER THAN ANY OF US TO THIS AND THAT IS WHY I AM ASKING YOU FOR YOUR OPINION AND HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT WAS SHE

JUST SAID. >> I APPRECIATE THAT THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION BUT THE BROADWAY LOCATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE HUB FOR THOSE KINDS OF SERVICES. IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE THOSE EXTENDED HOURS BECAUSE IT IS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE LOCATION. A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD GO THERE.

>> WE DID IT UNTIL RECENTLY. I WILL SAY MAYBE A YEAR AGO AND WE WERE OPEN ON WEDNESDAYS UNTIL 7:00 AND THEN WE CUT IT DOWN TO EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY AND THEN WE EVEN WENT MONTHLY AND THE

DEMAND WAS NOT THERE. >> OKAY.

>> THERE YOU GO. >> IT IS HARD TO PAY THE STAFF AND DOCTORS TO STAY UNTIL 7:00. A LOT OF OUR CLINICS ARE OPEN UNTIL 7:00. WE GET IT. THE NEED IS THERE BUT THAT DEMOGRAPHIC WAS NOT. I DO THINK THAT URGENT CARE OFFERS A GREAT OPTION. AS WE SPREAD THE WORD TO THE HAYS COUNTY INDUSTRY PATIENTS THAT THAT IS AN OPTION FOR THEM, WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO TRYING IT AGAIN BUT THE DEMAND HAS TO BE THERE.

>> OKAY. WHAT I DO APPRECIATE IS THAT THAT LOCATION IS FURTHER NORTH AND IT CAN ACCOMMODATE RESIDENTS AND BE A LITTLE MORE CENTRALIZED FOR THE POPULATION. THANK YOU.

>> BEAUTIFUL. COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS, YOU HAVE BEEN RECEIVING 2 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY. HOW, OVER THESE 13 YEARS -- I IMAGINE IN 13 YEARS THAT THE MEDICAL COSTS WOULD HAVE BEEN INCREASING QUITE A BIT IN 13 YEARS. I AM CURIOUS HOW CLOSE YOU ALL COULD COME TO

THE 2 MILLION EVERY YEAR? >> BASED ON THE SLIDE THAT WE WERE SHOWING, WE ARE VERY, VERY CLOSE NOW. ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE NOT CHARGING FOR ANY OF THESE SERVICES. IN 5% OF THAT, YOU ADD ON ANOTHER 7% WHICH -- I AM ESTIMATING IS WHAT AN ALLOCATION MIGHT BE . IT WOULD BE 140,000 AND THAT WOULD TAKE US OVER THE 2 MILLION NUMBER. BECAUSE OF THE CLINIC OPERATIONS AND THE WAY THAT THEY ARE BEING DONE -- WE TRY TO GET WHAT WE GET, ALL OF THE INDIGENT PATIENT SIN BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE RUNNING IT AS A CLINIC SO WE WANT TO MINIMIZE THE COST OF THE PROGRAM IN HAVING PATIENTS COME THROUGH AS WELL. WE DO TAKE INSURANCES

AND MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. >> MEDICAID.

>> MEDICARE? >> MEDICAID.

>> I MISSPOKE. WE DO TAKE THE INSURANCE TO HELP OFFSET THOSE COSTS BUT AS NOTED HERE, EVEN IN OUR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR THAT WE

[01:15:06]

ARE IN , WE ARE PUSHING OVER 1 MILLION NOW FOR THE CLINIC ITSELF, NOT INCLUDING THE COST OF THE OTHER PROGRAMS OF WHAT IS GOING TO THE HOSPITAL AND WHAT IS COMING THROUGH THE PAYOUT. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE RIGHT AT THE 2 MILLION IF NOT ABOVE IT TO TAKE

ON THE NON-MONETIZED EFFORTS. >> ALSO, DO YOU HAVE ANY FUTURE INITIATIVES TO EXPAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

>> WE ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO, AS THEY HAVE PATIENTS THAT GET REFERRED INTO THEM, OUT OF THE COMMUNITY CLINIC, WE WILL ENTER THEM IN. WE ARE TRYING TO GROW THAT. WE HAVE LOOKED INTO SOME TELEHEALTH SERVICES. THAT IS AT THE TOP OF OUR RADAR. IT IS JUST A TYPICAL SERVICE LINE TO PROVIDE AS WE ALL KNOW THERE IS NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO GO AROUND. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ALWAYS ON OUR RADAR AND WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR COUNSELING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. IT WAS VERY

HELPFUL FOR US. >> DO YOU GUYS HAVE AN AVERAGE DAY OF SCHEDULE TO SEE THE INDIGENOUS -- INDIGENT PATIENTS?

>> SEVEN A MONTH. I CAN GO BACK AND REPORT BACK.

>> HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THEM TO GET SEEN FROM THE TIME

THEY ARE SCHEDULED? >> WE PRIORITIZE THE INDIGENT PATIENTS. WE TRY TO DO IS SAME DAY AND THAT IS WHY WE OPEN UP

THE URGENT CARE. >> IS THERE A CAP PER PERSON FOR

THEM TO SPEND? >> 30,000 BUT WE WAIVED THE PRIMARY CARE SINCE WE ARE THE PRIMARY CARE HOME. WE ALLOW THAT 30,000 TO BE SPENT SPECIFICALLY ON SPECIALTY CARE SERVICES SO WE DON'T EAT INTO THE COST JUST BY THEM COMING TO PRIMARY CARE

SERVICES. >> UTILIZING ALL OF THE COSTS, THE SYSTEMS THAT YOU ALL HAVE, IT MAKES SENSE TO ME. I APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND DOING THE PRESENTATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING AS WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND YOU LOOK AT THE OVERALL ENROLLMENT RATE SINCE YOU ALL TOOK OVER THE PROGRAM, MORE OR LESS MIDYEAR IN 2022 IS , ON A LOT OF THE FUNDING MECHANISMS THAT WE LOOK AT, ESPECIALLY IN HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER THINGS -- I AM NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY SAY SEASONAL BUT THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THEM ARE. YOU SEE MUCH MORE COSTS IN ONE MONTH OVER ANOTHER, THINGS LIKE THAT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS YOU JUST GAVE US FOR THOSE THREE YEARS, THEY ARE ALL OVER THE CHARTS. YOU MAY HAVE ONE YEAR THAT IT IS BY FAR THREE TIMES OR TWICE AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER MONTH IN THE NEXT YEAR IT IS THE LOWEST MONTH. I WAS JUST WONDERING. IS THERE A REASON THAT YOU WOULD SEE THAT? THERE IS NO FALLIBLE TREND, IF THAT MAKES SENSE. I AM JUST WONDERING IF THAT IS A LACK OF -- NOT ON YOUR PART BUT ON OUR PART TO MAINTAIN THOSE SPECIFIC ENROLLMENTS OR ROTATING ENROLLMENTS? IT LOOKS LIKE IN THE LAST YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN PRETTY EVEN ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THEY HAVE SOME PRETTY BIG SPIKES. WERE THOSE JUST TIMES THAT WE DID A BETTER JOB OF ENSURING THAT THOSE PEOPLE WERE ENROLLED OR DID WE MISS PEOPLE OR WERE WE NOT BEING CONSISTENT? DO YOU SEE WHAT MY QUESTION IS?

>> I DO. UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ENROLLMENT OF THE PATIENT'S.

THAT IS A COUNTY RESPONSIBILITY AND ONCE THE COUNTY DEEMS THEY ARE ENROLLED, THEY ARE PASSED OVER TO US. I CAN'T REALLY

COMMENT ON THE ENROLLMENT. >> I'M JUST ASKING, DO YOU THINK THAT IS A PORTION OF IT? I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS. I'M

TRYING TO FIND THAT OUT. >> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

SOME OF THE SPENDING DIFFERENCES FROM YEAR TO YEAR CAN DEPEND ON THE MEMBERSHIP THAT IS ENROLLED WITHIN THE PROGRAM. OFTEN TIMES, INDIGENT CARE IS KNOWN AS THE SAFETY NET FOR LAST RESORT. WHAT CAN HAPPEN IS AN INDIVIDUAL CAN GO TO OUR COUNTY AND THEY HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY CRISIS AND THEY HAVE NO OTHER FINANCIAL INCOME WITHIN THE PERIOD OF TIME. WE CAN ENROLL THEM IN THE PROGRAM AND THEY WOULD BE COVERED FOR THE SIX-MONTH PORTION BUT THEN DROP OFF THE FOLLOWING SIX MONTHS. WE MAY NEVER SEE THEIR MEDICAL BILLS AGAIN BECAUSE THEY JUST NEEDED

[01:20:01]

THE ONE INSTANCE OF COVERAGE PAID FOR. THAT IS WHY SOME MONTHS MAY SPIKE COMPARED TO OTHER MONTHS , DUE TO THE COST OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SOLELY APPLYING DUE TO THEIR MEDICAL EMERGENCY THEY ARE FACING AT THAT TIME.

>> THE POINT I'M TRYING TO GET TO END THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS WE ESTABLISH A TRUE HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FOR THE TWO PREVIOUS YEARS, THERE ARE ALL OF THESE EBBS AND FLOWS AND SPIKES . IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST YEAR, IT IS PRETTY CONSISTENT. MY QUESTION IS, HAS OUR HELP DEPARTMENT MADE AN IMPACT IN ASSURING THAT WE HAVE THOSE ENROLLMENTS ON A MORE REGULAR BASIS AND YOU ALL ARE DOING A BETTER JOB OF WHAT WE WERE DOING IN THE PAST?

>> YES. NOW WE HAVE A DEDICATED STAFF MEMBER. WE DID HAVE PREVIOUS DEDICATED STAFF BUT THEIR TIME WAS SPLIT OFF FOR OTHER TASKS. NOW WE HAVE A PERSON SOLELY DEDICATED TO THE MANAGEMENT. THEY HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL TRAININGS NOW AND WORKED CLOSELY WITH OTHER COUNTIES. ALSO, OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH CHRISTUS HAS BEEN MORE CONNECTED. ANYTIME THAT THEY NOTICE SOMEONE IS ABOUT TO DROP OFF, THEY GIVE US A WARNING IF WE HAVE NOT ALREADY CAUGHT IT IF WE DON'T ALREADY KNOW.

DEFINITELY, THAT INDEPENDENCE HAS HELPED US MAINTAIN THE

PROGRAM. >> THAT IS GREAT.

>> REGARDLESS, EVEN IF THEY HAPPEN TO BE IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD WHERE THEY ARE RE-UPPING, THOSE ARE STILL TAKEN CARE OF WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR THEM TO REENROLL. THERE IS NOT A DROP IN

SERVICE. >> MY QUESTION IS, TIED TO THE MONEY YOU MENTIONED, INVESTING IN THE FACILITY -- CAN YOU EXPAND ON THAT AND THEN I WILL CUT YOU LOOSE.

>> WE PUT DOWN SOME HARDWARE -- HARDWOOD FLOORS TO ENHANCE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE CLINIC. WE PURCHASED FURNITURE AS WE NEEDED IT, THINGS LIKE THAT, PAINT. WHEN WE FIRST TOOK OVER THE CLINIC IN 2012, THE PHYSICAL BACK PART OF THE CLINIC WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO OPEN EXAM ROOMS AND THE WORKFLOW IN THE FLOW OF THE PATIENT BEING CORRECT SO WE GOT IT ALL THAT AND WE BUILT THAT AND JUST YOUR DAY TO DAY PAINT AND KEEP UP. THE COUNTY DOES THE MAJORITY OF IT BUT I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT WE HAVE INVESTED AS WELL TO MAKE IT LOOK AND FEEL LIKE A GOOD, SOLID CLINIC.

>> THINK YOU GUYS. APPRECIATED. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I SEE THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE. >> IT IS IMPORTANT -- AMAZING

RELATIONSHIP. >> THIS IS A COURT OF RECORD AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE INTERPRETING, INFERRING, LEANING IN ON YOUR COMMENT TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY IS LAYING DOWN ON THE JOB. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CLARIFY.

>> JUST ONE MORE CLARIFICATION. THAT $30,000 CAP FOR INDIGENT PATIENTS IS ESTABLISHED BY STATE STATUTE AS A PART OF THE INDIGENT HEALTH AND TREATMENT ACT . IT IS NOT ANYTHING WE

[I.5. Discussion and possible action to establish a Citizen Transportation Task Force for Road Improvements and Prioritization. BECERRA]

SENT. IT IS A STATE STATUTE. >> THANK YOU AGAIN AND HAVE A

WONDERFUL DAY. >> NOW WE ARE GOING TO START MOVING THROUGH THE AGENDA. LET'S START WITH I-5.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ESTABLISH A CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND

PRIORITIZATION. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> I BROUGHT THIS AGENDA ITEM BECAUSE NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY BUT THE ENTIRE REGION KNOWS THAT WE, AS A COUNTY, HAVE BEEN DEEMED ON THE WAY AN AGENDA ITEM WAS WRITTEN AND IT HAS BEEN USED THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND IT LANDED ON US IN A WAY THAT WAS UNFAVORABLE. I HAVE HEARD ALL THE ANGLES AND ALL THE ARGUMENTS. I BROUGHT THIS AGENDA ITEM TO HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES AND CONCERNS AND THAT IS THE ASK, FOR US TO CREATE AS WE MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE WE AS A COURT ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING THE ROADS, SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED INTO PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND I KNOW THAT EACH COMMITTED -- COMMISSIONER IS DEDICATED IN THAT LANE AND THE VEIN TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD SO I CREATED THIS AGENDA ITEM, ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS TO PLEASE DESIGNATE A PERSON FOR A TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE THAT OUR TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR WILL BE A PART OF, EVEN OUR CONSULTANT TO HELP NAVIGATE THE CONVERSATION AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT WILL BE MEANINGFUL. THAT IS WHAT THIS IS

[01:25:03]

ABOUT. I DON'T WANT TO SKIP OVER THE PUBLIC COMMENT. FIRST, WE HAVE PAUL. WILL YOU PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM?

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS PAUL HILL. I GREW UP IN SAN MARCOS AND I LIVE ON THE EAST SIDE NOW. FIRST, I WANT TO TAKE A SECOND TO THANK YOU FOR THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION. IT WILLIE WAS MEANINGFUL TO ME AND IT WAS NOT A SCHEME OF THE DEVIL AS SOMEBODYSAID AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING BUT RATHER A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND RESILIENCE. I AM HERE WITH TWO SIMPLE MESSAGES.

THE FIRST, FIX THE ROADS. THE SECOND, OVERTURNING ELECTIONS IS BAD. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE OUTCOME OF THE LAWSUIT AS A RESIDENT OF THE EAST SIDE AND AS A LOVER OF THE LAW AND DEMOCRACY. I BELIEVE THE DECISION WAS LEGALLY INCORRECT AND WHAT NEGATIVE REPERCUSSIONS FOR YEARS TO COME. I AM ASKING THE COURT TO PLEASE APPEAL THIS DECISION. AN IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT THE 2020 PARKS BOND USED THE SAME LANGUAGE UNDER THE SAME HEADING AS DID THE 2016 ROAD BOND AND YET THE PEOPLE WHO SUED TO HAVE THE SELECTION OVERTURNED DID NOT SUE TO HAVE EITHER OF THOSE BONDS OVERTURNED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ABOUT THE AGENDA LANGUAGE, IT WAS ABOUT OPPOSITION TO THE ROADS THAT WERE IN THE BOND, PURE AND SIMPLE. I WOULD ARGUE THAT THERE WAS COMMUNITY INPUT. THERE WERE COMMUNITY COMMENTS. THERE WERE LOTS OF EMAILS TO COMMISSIONER SMITH AND THERE WAS A VERY PUBLIC CAMPAIGN BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THE BOND. NEARLY 118,000 PEOPLE VOTED IN THE BOND ELECTION AND NEARLY 65,000, ABOUT 55% VOTED YES. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN GET MUCH MORE COMMUNITY INPUT AND THEN 118,000 VOTES. I AM WORRIED ABOUT A CITIZEN COMMISSION BECAUSE THAT FAVORS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE TIME AND ENERGY TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THESE ROADS DO NOT HAVE THAT PRIVILEGE. WE ELECTED YOU ALL TO BUILD AND FIX THE ROADS AND YOU ARE EMPOWERED TO DO SO. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS WILL ALSO DELAY THE ROADS AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE ROADS THAT WE VOTED FOR, ESPECIALLY ON THE EAST SIDE WHICH WAS A HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN THE EAST SIDE, WILL MAKE IT INTO THE NEW BOND. THE EAST SIDE ROADS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR TOO LONG AND CUTTING DOWN FROM THOSE PROJECTS FAILS TO ADDRESS THE DECADES OF NEGLECT THAT HAPPENS ON THE EAST SIDE. IN FACT, SEVEN OUT OF THE 20 PROJECTS FROM THE 2016 BOND THAT WERE IN PRECINCS ONE AND TWO WERE EITHER CANCELED OR PUSHED TO THE 2024 BOND. I ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO FULLY INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY AND THAT MEANS KEEPING THE PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE MOBILITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THAT ALSO MAY MAY NOT SPLITTING THE MONEY EVENLY BETWEEN THE PRECINCTS BECAUSE THOSE LINES CHANGE EVERY 10 YEARS BUT THE ROADS ON THE EAST SIDE STAY PUT . THERE HAS NOT BEEN EVEN WORK ON THE EAST SIDE AND TO REMEDY THAT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE EXTRA INVESTMENT IN THE EAST SIDE. WE ARE ONE COUNTY, PLEASE TREAT US LIKE THIS. DO THE RIGHT THING. WE CAN WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME. YOU CAN APPEAL THE DECISION, FIX THE ROAD, WORK ON A NEW BOND AND EVEN POSSIBLY PUT THE SAME BOND ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT IF YOU PUT THE WORD ROAD IN IT AND PUT HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE MR. JEFF KAUFMAN.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY. I LIVE IN BUTTE, TEXAS AND I HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE 1984. I HAVE SEEN THE ROADS AND HOW THEY HAVE DEVOLVED IN OUR COUNTIES. I OFFER THESE COMMENTS AND APPLAUD THE JUDGE FOR AGENDA ITEM I-5 TO ESTABLISH A CITIZEN'S TASK FORCE ON THE ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION. I ESPECIALLY SUPPORT THE CHARGE AS I HAVE READ IT TO REVIEW, EVALUATE, AND RECOMMEND PRIORITIES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN COLLABORATION WITH COUNTY STAFF, THE GOAL TO BRING GREATER TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC TRUST TO HOW ROAD PROJECTS ARE PLANNED AND EXECUTED. SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THAT I HAVE SERVED ON A COUPLE OF SIMILAR PROJECTS. SOME YEARS AGO I WAS APPOINTED BY TWO DIFFERENT COMMISSIONERS INCLUDING JEFF BARTON AND ALSO MARK JONES TO THE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. I ALSO SERVED ON ONE OF THE HAYS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND COMMITTEES. BOTH OF THESE RESULTED IN VERY SUCCESSFUL LOPSIDED BOND ELECTIONS. I HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE THIS TASK FORCE SUCCESSFUL. NUMBER ONE, THIS IS A TOTAL AD LIB.. I

[01:30:02]

APPRECIATE PAUL'S COMMENTS EARLIER BUT I DON'T SUPPORT MOST OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY. LET'S NOT RELITIGATE THIS.

LET'S MOVE FORWARD. THE SUGGESTIONS THAT I HAVE ARE TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE TASK FORCE TO GET BROADER COMMUNITY IMPORT. EACH COMMISSIONER SHOULD NAME THREE MEMBERS FROM THEIR PRECINCT AND THE JUDGE COULD NAME SEVERAL AT-LARGE MEMBERS.

INCLUDE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL THE JURISDICTIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE ROADS. MAYBE AV MUNICIPALITIES WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING CORRESPONDS WITH AND ARE IN SYNC WITH THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY PROPOSES. GET PLENTY OF PUBLIC INPUT THROUGH PUBLIC MEETINGS.

THAT DID NOT OCCUR IN THIS LAST ATTEMPT. THIS INPUT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED. THIS ONE MAY BE HARDER TO SWALLOW BUT THE TASK FORCE SHOULD PRIORITIZE THE ROADS THEY RECOMMEND NOT SO THAT EACH PRECINCT GETS THE SAME NUMBER OF DOLLARS BUT SO THE ESTABLISH NEED OF THE ROAD REGARDLESS OF PRECINCT. AT THE COUNTY FINDS EXISTING FUNDS TO BEGIN WORKING ON THE ROADS AS AGENDA ITEM L 8 REFERS TO, THIS TASK FORCE COULD BE CONSULTED TO HELP GUIDE THOSE DECISIONS. GIVE THIS TASK FORCE TIME TO DO THE JOB RIGHT AND GIVE YOURSELVES TIME TO GET THE TARGET OF GETTING THIS ROAD BOND ON THE NOVEMBER 26 BALLOT. THANK YOU

VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.

AND, I WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THE WRONG ITEM. WAS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM?

>> OKAY. >> GO FOR IT. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> COUNCILMEMBER ROBERT RIZZO FROM THE CITY OF KYLE.

THREE-TIME MAYOR PRO TEM. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS ITEM AND TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH OUR ROADS THE CITY OF KYLE THINKS THIS BOND WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US. WE FULLY SUPPORTED IT.

WE ADDED A LOT OF RESOURCES WHEN WE WERE WORKING WITH THE TWO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. YOU GUYS TOOK TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULES TO MEET WITH US TO ALLOW US TO COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE THESE ROAD PROJECTS THAT WOULD COINCIDE WITH OUR BOND AS WELL. IT DEFINITELY MADE AN IMPACT. THE CITY OF KYLE REALLY BELIEVES IN WHAT BOND WAS PASSED BY THE CITIZENS AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOWN THE PATH. THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER THROWN AROUND ABOUT NOT CONTESTING THIS BECAUSE IT COULD COST US $100,000. THE NUMBER IS MINUTE COMPARED TO WHAT IT WOULD COST US IF -- LABOR GOES UP EVERY YEAR. THESE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PUSHED DOWN THE YEARS AND ARE NOW IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AS A CITY, WE DECIDED TO PASS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING YOU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE PROJECTS AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE RESOLUTION RIGHT NOW. THE RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF KYLE COUNCIL , CITY OF TEXAS , SUPPORTING HAYS COUNTY IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADWAYS THAT IMPROVE SAFETY, MOBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF KYLE. WHERE IS THE CITY OF KYLE VOTERS APPROVED THE 2022 ROAD PROGRAM TO MAKE $294 MILLION OF NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS, SEVERAL ROADWAYS WITHIN THE CITY OF KYLE FOR PURPOSES OF ACHIEVING IMPROVED SAFETY, MOBILITY, AND CONNECTIVITY. WHEREAS HAYS COUNTY VOTERS APPROVED THE 2024 ROAD BOND TO MAKE $440 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS FOR SEVERAL MAJOR CORRIDORS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO KYLE CONNECTIVITY, SAFETY, AND MOBILITY INCLUDING WINDY HILL ROAD, 150, BUTTON LANE, GOFORTH ROAD, FM 110 CONNECTIVITY. WHEREAS THE CITY OF KYLE HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN SEEING THE PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS IN HAYS COUNTY'S 2024 BOND PROGRAM BE IMPLEMENT IT TO SUPPORT THE INVESTMENT KYLE VOTERS HAVE ALREADY MADE IN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS THROUGH 2022 ROAD BOND PROGRAMS WHEREAS THE CITY OF KYLE HAS ISSUED COORDINATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT ON THE AGENCY'S RESPECTIVE PROJECTS TO DETERMINE SHARED MOBILITY AND SAFETY OF HAYS COUNTY. PROJECTS CAN SUPPORT MORE EFFECTIVE MOBILITY AROUND THE CITY AND REGION. NOW, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, SECTION 1, THE CITY COUNCIL THROUGH THE RESOLUTION INDICATES A STRONG SUPPORT FOR HAYS COUNTY TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT AND LIMITATION OF PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2024 ROAD BOND TO IMPROVE MOBILITY, SAFETY, AND CONNECTIVITY FOR ITS RESIDENTS THROUGH ANY MEANS NECESSARY AS THESE PROJECTS ARE CONSIDERED CRUCIAL AT IMPROVING TRANSPORTATION. THE CITY OF KYLE ALSO PLEDGES AND INTRODUCES SUPPORT TO HAYS COUNTY FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLANTATION AND COMPLETION OF THESE PROJECTS AND THE CITY OF KYLE STAFF IS URGE

[01:35:06]

TO CONTINUE EFFECTIVE COORDINATION IN HAYS COUNTY IN THIS REGARD. I'M SORRY, THREE MINUTES, I KNOW. I DID SEND THIS TO ALL COMMISSIONERS AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND PLEASE CONSIDER MOVING FORWARD ON THESE ROADS.

>> NEXT, WE HAVE MICHAEL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY NAME IS MICHAEL TOBIAS. I AM A LIFETIME RESIDENT HERE IN THE CITY OF KYLE. I ALSO SERVE ON CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR PRO TEM FOR DISTRICT 6 FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. IN 2021, TO GIVE A BRIEF HISTORY, THE CITY OF KYLE ADMINISTRATION ALONG WITH CITY COUNCILMEMBERS BEGAN TO PROCESS FORMULATING A STRATEGIC PLAN TO DEVELOP LANGUAGE CONCEPT DESIGN AND ROADMAPS FOR A CITYWIDE ROAD PACKAGE BOND. MONTHS OF HARD WORK INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION, CONDUCTING OPEN HOUSES, TOWN HALLS ON THE SPECIAL MEETINGS TO INFORM RESIDENTS ON A MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN WITH THE FINANCIAL IMPACT. WHEN THE BOND PASSED IN 2022 , WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE VOTERS AND THEIR TRUST IN US TO BRING MUCH-NEEDED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THEM. LAST YEAR, WHEN WORD CAME UP THAT HAYS COUNTY WAS PROPOSING A ROAD BOND PACKAGE, I FELT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT WIN FOR THE CITY AND ITS COUNTY. SINCE OUR ROAD BOND PASSED, I FELT IT WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH COUNTY OFFICIALS ON A NEW ROADMAP DESIGN, INFRASTRUCTURE LAYOUT. IT WAS A WAY FOR US TO PASS THE TORCH TO THE COUNTY AS A WAY TO CONTINUE TO MAKE DECADES LONG ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN THESE AREAS EAST OF KYLE INCLUDING PRECINCT 2. AREAS CURRENTLY HAVE MAJOR POTHOLES, FLOODING ISSUES, WINDY HILL , DETERIORATING CONCRETE, LACK OF SIDEWALK NEAR SCHOOLS. IF WE HAVE NEW SCHOOLS BEING BUILT IN THE COUNTY JURISDICTION -- THIS LAST YEAR, THE ROAD BOND HAD PASSED. TO THIS DAY, I HAD BEEN LURKING DASH WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO YOU, COMMISSIONERS, TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING CONCEPT PLANS AS WE IN THE CITY OF KYLE WILL BE GOING INTO CONSTRUCTION ON THESE ROADS THAT WE HAVE PASSED. THINGS HAVE CHANGED NOW AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THAT THE COUNTY BOND HAS BEEN CONSIDERED VOID UNDER CERTAIN TECHNICALITIES. HOW I FOUND I WAS LISTENING TO THE RADIO IN THE MORNING AND HEARING THE COMMENTS AND FINDING OUT LATER THAT A CASE WAS REVIEWED AND WAS CONSIDERED FINAL. I WAS CONFUSED AND AT THE SAME TIME IT DISHEARTENED ME. YOUR HONOR, COMMISSIONERS, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO WHAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE SAYING. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP. THESE ROADS NEEDED ATTENTION 36 YEARS AGO , MUCH LESS 36 MONTHS AGO. WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO GET ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS GOING IN THESE AREAS. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW FRUSTRATED THE PEOPLE EAST OF KYLE FEEL DRIVING ON THESE DETERIORATING ROADS. YOUR VOTERS SPOKE OUT ON THAT NOVEMBER DAY. AS A FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIAL, MORE IMPORTANT, A RESIDENT OF HAYS COUNTY, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO REVISIT THIS ROAD BOND PACKAGE, MAKE WHATEVER IMPROVEMENTS YOU CAN BUT ALSO FULFILL THE OBLIGATIONS , REST ASSURED THE CITY OF KYLE CITY COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT YOU NO MATTER WHAT. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. IT IS A COLLABORATION IN SOLIDARITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THAT CONCLUDES EVERYONE SPEAKING FOR I-5. AM I

RIGHT? >> I AM SIGNED UP FOR K 17 BUT I

THINK IT IS I-5. >> WE WILL PULL IT AND WE WILL USE YOUR TIME IN THE. I WANT LET YOU USE THAT SPACE FOR K 17.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> IN MORNING, EVERYONE.I AM KATHY RAMSEY. I AM A RESIDENT OF DRIPPING SPRINGS AND I AM ALSO A COPLAINTIFF ON THE RECENT COURT CASE THAT NEGATED LAST YEAR'S ROAD BOND AND I AM ASKING YOU TO FIND WAYS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NEEDED ROAD PROCESS WITHOUT A LENGTHY APPEAL PROCESS TO DROP UNNECESSARY PROPOSALS FOR UNWANTED ROADS IN THIS PROCESS.

THIS COULD BE FACILITATED BY A TRULY INCLUSIVE TASK FORCE DETERMINING WHICH ROADS AND REPAIRS ARE NECESSARY AND WEEDING OUT THE SUPERFLUOUS AND ILLEGAL ONES. BY SUPERFLUOUS, I AM REFERRING TO THE EXTENSION OF FM 150 IN DRIPPING SPRINGS OF WHICH OVER 86% OF RECORDED INPUT IS AGAINST. BY A LEGAL, I MEAN

[01:40:08]

THE HIGHWAY 45 EXTENSION IN TRAVIS COUNTY WHICH LIES OUTSIDE HAYS COUNTY JURISDICTION. THE TEXAS MEETINGS ACT VIOLATIONS WERE NOT THE ONLY PROBLEMS WITH THIS BOND PACKAGE BUT WHERE THE CLEAREST WAY OF NEGATING A RUT AND POSSIBLY ACCIDENTAL OVERREACH OF AUTHORITY. AN APPEAL WOULD WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND PRECIOUS TIME ON A PROPOSAL THAT WAS FRAUGHT WITH PROBLEMS AND LIKELY TO FAIL AGAIN BECAUSE THE BOND WAS A CONTRACT WITH THE VOTERS AND INCLUDED PROMISES THAT THE COUNTY HAD NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT. I ATTENDED THE TRIAL AND AS I DON'T THINK ANY OF YOU WERE ABLE TO BE THERE, I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY A FEW POINTS ABOUT THE CASE. FIRST, THIS WAS NOT TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGES IMPOSING THEIR WILL ON HAYS COUNTY. THIS WAS LED BY HAYS RESIDENTS, ASKING FOR HELP AS A LAST RESORT BECAUSE WE WERE DISSATISFIED BY HOW THE PROCESS WAS CARRIED OUT. WE FILED THE SUIT IN HAYS COUNTY AND THE COUNTY LAWYER CHOSE TO FILE A SEPARATE BOND IN TRAVIS COUNTY WHICH LED TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE TWO LAWSUITS TO BE HELD IN DISTRICT COURT IN TRAVIS. HAYS COUNTY'S ACTIONSLED TO THE SUIT BEING HEARD IN TRAVIS COUNTY. REGARDING THE DETAILS OF THE ARGUMENT, THE WORDING OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AGENDA GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED THE RELEVANCE OF THE PROPOSALS TO THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY BY LUMPING 31 ROAD PROJECTS INTO ONE AGENDA ITEM. PUBLIC COMMENT WAS RESTRICTED TO LESS THAN SIX SECONDS PER PROPOSAL WHEN IT FINALLY BECAME APPARENT WHAT WAS PUT FORWARD. THIS IS NOT AT ALL IN COMPLIANCE AND IS LIKELY TO FAIL AGAIN. BEYOND THAT, THERE WAS THE INCLUSION OF A ROAD THAT HAYS HAD NO AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT, CREATING WHAT AMOUNTED TO AN ILLEGAL CONTRACT. WE CONTINUE TO LOSE OUT AS THIS CASE IS APPEALED. PLEASE LET IT GO AND APPEAL AGAIN. WHILE DETERMINING THE WORKS OF VARIOUS PROJECTS, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO RECONSIDER -- EXCUSE ME, TO CONSIDER THAT ANOTHER PORTION OF DRIPPING SPRINGS WHERE FAMILIES HAVE OPTED TO -- THEY HAVE PAID FOR THE ROADS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO TURN THOSE RANCHES INTO HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS. TO PUT THAT PROCESS ON ITS HEAD AND BUILD ROADS WITH FIVE BRIDGE CROSSINGS THROUGH UNDEVELOPED LAND WHICH FUNCTIONS AS CRITICAL WATER QUALITY LAND FOR ALL OF HAYS COUNTY AT THE TAXPAYER'S EXTEND AND AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS POOR PRACTICE. IT INVITES MORE TRAFFIC WOES AND WILL LEAD TO DECLINING WATER QUALITY.

>> PLEASE CONCLUDE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BUTTONING IT UP. I APPRECIATE IT. LAST CALL ON THAT BEFORE WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AS A COURT. OKAY. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? I CAN EXPAND A LITTLE FURTHER IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO.

>> SURE. >> MY INTENT, EVERY TIME THIS ITEM CAME UP, I TRIED TO PUBLICIZE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITHOUT GETTING TOO IN THE WEEDS ABOUT STUFF BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND IT, EVERY SINGLE PIECE WE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND EVERY OTHER PIECE THAT TOOK PLACE PRIOR TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY BUT TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT IS LIKE, FOLKS WILL SOMETIMES HEAR THINGS IN NO WAY THAT THEY ARE READY TO PROCESS IT AND YOU DON'T ALWAYS GET THE FULL PICTURE. I THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD BE A REAL GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CORRECT -- I FEEL, THE CORRECTION OF SOME SETTINGS THAT I FEEL AS THE COUNTY JUDGE. WE HAVE SHORTCOMINGS OF OURS AS A COURT AND INCLUDE THE PUBLIC IN A WAY THAT IS MEANINGFUL AND I KNOW THAT SOMEONE SAID DON'T PUT NONPROFESSIONALS IN THIS SPACE BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IT WORKS. I DISAGREE WITH THAT APPROACH AND PUTTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN A SPACE TO UNDERSTAND, TO BE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED, TO HELP PRIORITIZE AND TRIAGE -- WE KNOW FULL WELL THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE ON A TRAJECTORY TO BE TOUCHED WITHOUT DELAY AND TO COME UP WITH A 2026 ROAD BOND THEME THAT I BELIEVE NONE OF US ARE ASKERS. THE IDEA THAT THE COMMUNITY GET ENGAGED IN THIS ITEM IN A WAY THAT IS MEANINGFUL, REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH PRECINCT SO THAT JUST LIKE THE BOND, WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, THE UNDERSTANDING AND BE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED. CLEARLY WE NEED IT AND IT IS WHAT PROMPTED THE LAWSUIT. ALL OF THESE ARGUMENTS ARE MOSTLY

[01:45:07]

TRUE. SOME PROJECTS YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A PART OF. OUR PLANS WERE NEVER TO BUILD IN TRAVIS COUNTY AND I KNOW THAT AND I KNOW YOU KNOW THAT BUT THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING IN THAT PIECE IS MISSING AND WE PROBABLY WON'T GO TO A 2026 ROAD BOND.

CLEALY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT EITHER. WE ARE READY TO MOVE NOW. THEY ARE SO BEHIND. ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE ALSO TRUE.

BREAKING THIS BOND UP INTO A NEW BOND FOR 2025 OR THREE DIFFERENT BONDS, NOT SOMETHING WE LIKELY DO EITHER. ONE OF THE FEW PIECES IN MY MIND THAT WAS MISSING, THAT BROUGHT US TO WHERE WE WERE TODAY IS A DESIRE FOR ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. I WANT TO DO THAT. WE ARE GOING TO DO THESE PROJECTS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MOVING FORWARD, WE WALK -- LIKE THE PROVERB SAYS, IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST, GO ALONE. IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO TOGETHER. MY AIM IS TO GIVE YOU GUYS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN WITH ONE BUT WE CAN EASILY MAKE IT THREE, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE BUT TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY AS I KNOW WE CAN.

>> AM I STARTING? >> YES, PLEASE.

>> JUDGE, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I DISAGREE THAT WE DID NOT HAVE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT. WE HAD FOUR COMMISSIONER COURT MEETINGS PERTAINING TO THE BOND. WE HAD FIVE OPEN HOUSES, ONE IN EACH OF OUR LARGEST CITIES. WE HAD A WEBSITE, A VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE. WE HAD 3730 PEOPLE ATTEND THE COMBINED OPEN HOUSES. WE HAD 345 FORMAL COMMENT. IT WAS ON OUR WEBSITE. MOST IMPORTANTLY , WE HAD 64% OF THE VOTERS THAT VOTED FOR THE BOND. AND PRECINCT 2, WE HAD 61%. THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS. I BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THE DISSATISFACTION WAS WITH THE WEST SIDE OF OUR COUNTY. IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THERE ARE NEEDED PROJECTS BUT I REPRESENT THE EAST SIDE AND I WANT TO DO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. WE FOLLOWED A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND THE VOTERS MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD BY PASSING THIS ROAD BOND. THEY ASKED US TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THESE ROADS AND I WANT TO HONOR THAT. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO UPHOLD THEIR DECISION. THE CITY OF KYLE IS HERE. I HAD MEETINGS WITH THE CITIES OF KYLE AND THE WALL, ALL REPRESENTING WITH THE RESIDENTS TRAVELING ON THE ROADWAYS THAT ARE IN SUCH POOR CONDITION AND HAVE NOT BEEN WORKED ON. I AM NOT OPPOSED TO FORMING A COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT FUTURE BONDS, ELECTIONS, ROAD PROJECTS BUT AS FAR AS THIS ONE THAT PASSED, I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO DO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH UPHOLDING THEIR DECISION . WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM OUR FINANCIAL ADVISER WITH SOME OPTIONS THAT WE CAN CONSIDER. I WAS HOPING THAT WE COULD TAKE THESE ITEMS THAT PERTAINED TO THE ROAD BOND PROGRAM AFTER EACH -- AFTER WE WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION SO THAT WE COULD GET MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT OUR CONSULTANTS AND OUR TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR CAME UP WITH AS FAR AS PRIORITIZATION OF CERTAIN ROADS IN OUR PRECINCTS. I HATE TO DO THAT BECAUSE I BELIEVE ALL OF THE ROADS AND PRECINCTS ARE VITAL AND NEED TO BE DONE BUT I AM WILLING TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AND THEN WE CAN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS

[01:50:01]

REGARDING THAT. >> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, COMMISSIONER. MY IDEA OF BRINGING IN COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS FOR EDUCATION, INFORMATION DISSEMINATION AND DISCUSSION BUT I HAVE ZERO INTENTION OF DELAYING ANY OF YOUR PROJECTS AND CREATING A TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE CALLED ULTIMATELY HAS NO INTENTIONS OF DOING THAT EXCEPT BRINGING PEOPLE ALONG ON THE PATH THAT WE ARE ON, NOT TO SLOW ANYTHING DOWN. EDUCATE, THESE PROJECTS ARE ALREADY GOING OUT FOR BID BUT HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS AS A DESIGNATED GROUP OF PEOPLE TO HELP GET DISSEMINATED BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING GOING ON BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T INFORMED AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE. DON'T FORGET, I HAVE PROMOTED AND SUPPORTED THIS BOND UNTIL WE CALL FOR IT AND I HAVE TO STAY MUTUAL. I BELIEVE IN IT 100% AS WELL AND I BELIEVE THAT WE HAD MEETINGS AND I BELIEVE WE DID ALL OF THE THINGS RIGHT BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS THE CASE, IN PART. NEVER THE INTENTION -- NEVER IS THE INTENTION TO SLOW DOWN THIS PROJECT, JUST TO LOOP IN A DESIGNATED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS TO MOVE ALONG WITH US WHILE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON YOUR VARIOUS PROJECTS. JUST TO CLARIFY.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> THANK YOU JUDGE . THAT WAS SPOT ON, HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS. I AM ALSO FOR A MEETING ENGAGEMENT. I AM ALWAYS ABOUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THAT IS MY PASSION. OUR CITIZENS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WHAT WE DO BUT WITH THIS AGENDA ITEM, EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID THAT I DON'T WANT IT TO HINDER THE POTENTIAL RESOLUTIONS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, THAT WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED YET. I AM ALL FOR WORKING WITH, KEEPING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED, MAYBE CALL IT TRANSPORTATION MOBILITY SAFETY TASK FORCE THAT SAYS NO MATTER WHAT WE DO GOING FURTHER THAT WE STILL HAVE THIS TASK FORCE THERE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING AND KEEP NEIGHBORS INFORMED BUT THAT WAS MY ONLY CONCERN WAS THAT IT WOULD HINDER WHAT WE ARE TRYING

TO WORK ON RIGHT NOW. >> GOOD. I AM GLAD I CLARIFIED BECAUSE DELAYS ARE THE LAST THING I WANT. I AGREE.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> I THINK I MIGHT BE THE PERFECT PERSON TO DISPLAY HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS ROAD BOND. I WASN'T ELECTED AT THE TIME . AS A REGULAR CITIZEN, I PARTOOK IN THE PUBLIC MEETINGS. YOU WERE THERE WITH ME AND WIMBERLY AT THE PUBLIC MEETING. TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST, NO ONE WAS THERE. PUBLIC MEETINGS WERE HAD. I BELIEVE THAT THE OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY WAS THERE AND WAS THE ELECTION ITSELF SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OVERTURNED? NO. THE VOTERS VOTED ON THESE PROJECTS. I AM SORRY TO THE PEOPLE THAT DID NOT WANT THOSE PROJECTS BUT YOU WERE THE MINORITY AND THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT GOES. YOU VOTE ON SOMETHING AND IF YOU ARE THE MINORITY, IT STINKS. WE LIVE WITH IT AND WE MOVE ON. AS FAR AS A TASK FORCE , WE HAVE HAD TASKFORCES SINCE 2000. IF YOU GO AND LOOK AT THE HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE AND THE MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN, YOU WILL SEE ALL OF THE PUBLIC INPUT THAT HAS BEEN OUT THERE. THE TWO MAILERS THAT WERE SENT OUT FOR THIS ROAD BOND, ONE IN SPANISH, ONE IN ENGLISH, OVER 65,000 PEOPLE VOTED FOR THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE WANT, WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR IT OR NOT. WE HAVE TO STAND TO WHAT WAS THE MAJORITY THE PEOPLE VOTED ON AND STAND TO OUR DEMOCRACY THAT WE HAVE HERE IN AMERICA. I ALSO WANT TO SAY, FOR THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT VIOLATION THAT, IF YOU WANT TO USE THE SAME LOGIC

-- >> LET'S TRY TO STAY TRUE TO

THE AGENDA ITEM. >> AS FAR AS THE TASK FORCE, WHO LIKES TRAVELING IN AUSTIN? NOBODY. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST CONGESTIVE CITIES OUTDOOR. I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF THE THINGS THE TASK FORCE DOES ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION IS KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND NOT DEVELOPING GREAT WORK AND GREAT PROJECTS THAT WILL MAKE PEOPLE ON TIME FOR THEIR JOB, TAKE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL. LOOK AT CENTERPOINT. THAT IS VERY MUCH NEEDED TO GET PEOPLE TO A HOSPITAL WITHOUT HAVING TRAIN STOPS ON MCCARTY AND POSEY. A LOT OF THESE WERE NEEDED. YERINGTON WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN KYLE'S TRANSPORTATION PLAN IN 2005. THAT IS HOW LONG SOME OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE. FOR ANYTHING TO SLOW THEM DOWN

[01:55:02]

AND WASTE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THAT IS JUST SOMETHING WE CAN'T SLOW DOWN WITH THE TASK FORCE.

>> JUST TO REITERATE, THE TASK FORCE IS FOR INFORMATION SHARING AND WE ARE THE DECISION-MAKERS . WE ARE THE POLICYMAKERS. WE ARE THE ONES WHO DETERMINE WHAT, WHEN, WHERE AND WHY. IT IS JUST TO INCLUDE COMMUNITY AND INFORMATION SHARING AND HELPING

TO SEE THE PRIORITIES. >> WHY WOULDN'T WE JUST DO A

PUBLIC MEETING? >> BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE -- IT IS VERY SUCCESSFUL. IF I SEE SOMETHING SUCCESSFUL, I WANT TO EMULATE IT BECAUSE PART OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS , ALTHOUGH WE DID DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS, I VOTED FOR THOSE ITEMS, WE ARE LOCKSTEP IN THE OUTREACH, I EVEN MADE A VIDEO ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA TELLING PEOPLE HERE IS WHAT WE ARE DOING. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND IT AND TOTALLY AGREE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT SLOW US DOWN. IT DOES NOT COST US ANYTHING. THAT IS WHY I WANT TO INCLUDE THE PUBLIC A LITTLE MORE

THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST. >> I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT THE PARKS BOND IN THIS BOND. PARKS ARE NOT TO BASIC COUNTY FUNCTION. THE REASON WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE -- NO COUNTY HAS A PARKS PLAN THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 2000.

THE TASK FORCE MADE ALL OF THE SENSE BECAUSE WE DO IT BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WANTS IT. WE HAVE THEM FIGURE OUT. THERE IS NO PLAN THAT DETERMINES WHERE WE NEED PARKS. ROADS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. IT IS LIKE APPLES AND ORANGES COMPARING THE TWO.

TRANSPORTATION -- I AM NOT GOING TO RELY ON SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO TELL ME WHERE TO PUT A ROAD.

>> THAT IS NOT THE INTENT OF THE TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE AND THE APPLES AND ORANGES PIECE, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY WANTING THE ROADWAYS, SUPPORTING WHAT WE HAVE PUT FORTH HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED. IT IS ABOUT EDUCATING ON THE ITEMS AND THE REASONS SO THAT THERE WILL BE A MORE HARMONIZED COMMUNICATION METHOD GOING ON OUT THERE. I FULLY SUPPORT KEEPING IT ALL IN A TIMELY MANNER. YOU KNOW ME. I HAVE NO PATIENCE AND I HATE WAITING. I AM ALSO ABOUT INCLUDING THE PUBLIC WHERE COSTS A LITTLE YET GIVES SO MUCH MORE

BACK. COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. LET ME JUST START OFF BY SAYING I CAN BE VERY CONFIDENT IN SAYING THAT NOBODY WENT TO MORE MEETINGS THAN MYSELF OTHER THAN COMMISSIONER SHALL. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE IN THE ROOM ON THE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION, I CAN TELL YOU -- I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE THAT IS TRUE. THE REASON WHY IT WORKS SPECIFICALLY IS BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BOND TWO YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. THOSE WERE NOT PROJECT THAT HAD NECESSARILY BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT BY THE COUNTY. THOSE WERE PROJECTS THAT WERE ALL BROUGHT TO US, NOT DEVELOPED IN-HOUSE BUT BROUGHT TO US BY PARTNERS WHO WERE BRINGING SOMETHING ELSE TO THE TABLE. THERE WERE NOT HARD TIMELINES ON -- PERHAPS TWO OR THREE BUT NOT A SINGLE PROJECT WHERE IT HAD TO BE DELIVERED TO PUBLIC SAFETY. IT HAD TO BE DELIVERED FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY. THOSE ARE ALL FEEL-GOOD PROJECTS AND THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE. WE ALL AGREE, WE ALL SUPPORTED IT. WHENEVER WE FIRST LOOKED AT THE DEVELOPMENT, JUDGE, YOU COME UP WITH A CONCEPT OF HAVING AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND AS I STATED AT THAT TIME, I WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BOND HAD A BEEN DONE NOR PROPOSED PRIOR TO US VOTING TO GO TO BOND BUT THE PROPOSAL CAME TO THE COURT LITERALLY -- I THINK IT WAS A MONTH AFTER WE VOTED TO GO TO BOND AND AT THAT TIME, HAVING AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE BOND SEEMED ALMOST POINTLESS SINCE WE HAD ALREADY CALLED THE ELECTION AND ASKED VOTERS TO VOTE ON IT. I DID NOT SUPPORTED AT THAT TIME. WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS OR MAY STATUTORY STANDPOINT, I HAVE CONCERNS WITH THIS AND THE REASON I SAY THAT -- LET ME TALK FROM A FUNCTIONAL STANDPOINT.

FROM A FUNCTIONAL STANDPOINT, I HAVE A REAL CONCERN BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHETHER WE AS A COURT -- IF WE ARE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS HAVE ONE VOTE OR THREE VOTES OR FIVE BOATS, THE QUICKEST WAY TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING HAPPENS IS TO MAKE THE COMMISSION LARGER IN THE QUICKEST WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DISENFRANCHISE ONE AREA OR THE OTHER OF THE COUNTY IS TO

[02:00:02]

ENSURE WE MAKE IT SMALLER. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GET AROUND THAT. THE AGENDA ITEM POSTING -- I SAY THAT BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU FOR YEARS, OUR PORTION OF THE COUNTY -- I SAY OUR PORTION.

THE NORTHWESTERN PORTION OF THE COUNTY, THEY HAD A COMMISSIONER THATDID NOT WANT ANY PROJECT THERE. HE TOLD ME IN THE 2016 ROADS BOND, THEY FORCE PROJECTS ON ME. I WOULD SUPPORT IT. NOW, WE ARE PAYING FOR THAT. THERE IS A LACK OF VISION OF WHAT WOULD BE NEEDED NOW AND IF WE HAD DEPENDED ON ONE INDIVIDUAL IN THE PROCESS, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR MY AREA OF THE COUNTY. WHEN IT COMES TO THE PUBLIC OUTREACH PORTION, I CAN TELL YOU ON A GENERAL BASIS, I DID OVER 26 MEETINGS, WHETHER IT WAS THE ROTARY CLUB OR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OR THE KYLE CITY COUNCIL WHERE I MADE SURE THAT I TRY TO GET AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE OUT THERE. IN DOING THAT, WHAT I FOUND WAS IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE MEETINGS, YOU WOULD HAVE A MEETING AND IF THERE WAS ANYONE IN THE AREA WHO HAD EVER BEEN ENGAGED, THEY GO, I REMEMBER HAVING A MEETING ON THAT FIVE YEARS AGO. ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAVE IS WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE PROJECTS AND A LARGE PORTION OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE PRECINCT -- DARDEN HILL ROAD IS GOING IN FRONT OF A SCHOOL AND ON A ROADWAY THAT IN 2028 -- I WILL HAVE 5000 STUDENTS ON THE ROADWAY. THOUSAND KIDS ON A DAILY BASIS, A TWO LANE ROADWAY WITH VERY LITTLE, IF ANY DRAINAGE. THAT PROJECT HAS TO MOVE FORWARD IMMEDIATELY. IN KNOWING THAT, THAT PROJECT WAS FIRST CONCEIVED PRIOR TO 2015 AND WAS INCLUDED IN OUR MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN. IT WAS THEN THE DESIGN -- THE MAJORITY OF THE DESIGN WORK WAS PASSED IN THE 2016 ROAD BOND AND PAID FOR AND NOW FIVE YEARS LATER -- PARDON ME, FROM 2016 TO 2024, WE ARE NOW AT A POINT TO BUILD THAT PROJECT. THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH IS THE VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MOVING INTO THIS AREA WHO, WHENEVER WE PLAN THESE PROJECTS, THE DEVELOPMENT SOMETIMES TAKE EIGHT, 10, 12, 15 YEARS. THERE IS ONE PROJECT I KNOW OF THAT WE HAVE HAD -- I KNOW I HAVE CONDUCTED, OR I WENT, RATHER TO THREE YEARS WORTH OF PUBLIC MEETINGS DURING THE 150 CHARACTER STUDY THAT WAS DONE BY THE COUNTY FROM 2013 TO 2017. THAT ONE PROJECT WAS PAID FOR -- IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE 2016 ROAD BOND FOR DESIGN. IT IS INCLUDED IN THIS BOND FOR CONSTRUCTION. THAT IS HOW LONG IT HAS TAKEN TO DEVELOP THE PROJECT. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW IMPACTED BY IT DID NOT LIVE HERE. THERE WAS NO CONTINUITY FROM THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT UNTIL TODAY. AS A PART OF THAT, WHENEVER WE DID THIS, THE GENERAL ENGINEERING PROJECT FOR THE ROAD BOND OR IN GENERAL FOR THE COUNTY, WE ENSURE THAT THERE WAS A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC OUTREACH PORTION OF THE CONTRACT SPECIFICALLY TO HAVE THAT CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT ON EACH ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS FROM ITS INCEPTION THROUGH ITS DELIVERY. THE LAST THING I WILL SAY, ALL OF THOSE ARE FROM A FUNCTIONALITY STANDPOINT. THE OTHER STANDPOINT I WOULD REALLYS AS ROAD COMMISSIONERS. READING THE AGENDA ITEM AS WRITTEN AND READING HOW YOU HAVE CATEGORIZED IT NOW, JUDGE, IS VERY DIFFERENT AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE YOU CATEGORIZED IT OR YOU PARLAYED THIS INTO THIS IS JUST AN OUTREACH EFFORT. THE WAY THAT IT IS WRITTEN HERE, IT SAYS THE TASK FORCE WILL BE CHARTED WITH EVALUATING, REVIEWING AND RECOGNIZING PRIORITIES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS IN COLLABORATION WITH COUNTY STAFF. UNDER OUR CURRENT ROAD SYSTEM -- UNDER TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE, THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS A COUNTY CAN BE RUN AND IN HAYS COUNTY, YEARS AGO, WE ADOPTED THE ROAD COMMISSIONERS STATUS AS OUR SELECTION AND IT IS VERY CLEAR. IF YOU LOOK AT THE

[02:05:03]

TRANSPORTATION CODE, IT SAYS THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF YOUR EX OFFICIO ROAD COMMISSIONERS, THEY SHALL DIRECT THE LAYING OUT OF NEW ROADS, CONSTRUCTION OR CHANGING OF ROADS AND BUILDING OF BRIDGES. THE COMMISSIONER HAS A DUTY TO THE SUPERVISOR PUBLIC ROADS AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS SECTION AND THE COMMISSIONER SHALL DETERMINE THE ROADS IN THE PRECINCT, DETERMINE THE CHARACTER OF WORK TO BE DONE ON THE ROADS AND TO DIRECT THE MANNER OF DRAINING, GRADING, OR OTHERWISE IMPROVING THOSE ROADWAYS. IT IS PRETTY CLEAR TO ME THAT WHENEVER THE VOTERS ARE COUNTING AND CHOSE TO GIVE US THE POWER -- PARDON ME, CHOSE TO GIVE US THE DIRECTION AND ELECT US EVERY FOUR YEARS, THEY ARE MAKING A DETERMINATION ON WHO THEY WANT TO DO THAT. THERE WAS ALWAYS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL US HIS INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS THAT THEY DON'T WANT US TO DO THAT ANYMORE. I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, AS LONG AS I SIT HERE, I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP THAT AUTHORITY THAT MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE ENTRUSTED ME WITH. WITH THAT, I WILL LISTEN IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMMENTS.

>> SO, CREATING TASK FORCE IS NOT GIVING US AUTHORITY. IF THE COURT DOESN'T WANT TO DO THIS, AT LEAST MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR.

I AM SINGULAR HERE. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THIS, I AM GOOD . I AM GOING TO FIND A WAY TO ENGAGE IN WAYS THAT DON'T INTIMIDATE MY POSITION AND IF YOU GUYS WANT TO COME ALONG, WE MOVED TOGETHER AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THIS, THAT IS THIS AGENDA ITEM AND I AM FINE. DO WE WANT TO CALL A VOTE? DO WE WANT TO DESIGNATE SOMEONE OR DO WE WANT TO MOVE ON?

>> I -- >> DO YOU SUPPORT THE CREATION

OF THE IDEA? >> I AM NOT OPPOSED TO DOING THAT, JUDGE. YOUR CLARIFICATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I FELT THE SAME WAY. I THOUGHT IT WAS MEANT DIFFERENTLY.

>> LET HER FINISH. >> I AM NOT PREPARED AT THIS TIME -- DO YOU WANT ME TO TABLE IT?

>> IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO MAKE A DECISION FROM WHERE WE HAVE THE REST OF THE AGENDA AND THEN COME BACK TO THIS?

>> YOU BET. WE WILL TABLE THIS FOR NOW AND THEN WE WILL OPEN IT BACK UP. NO PROBLEM. NO PROBLEM HERE. WE WILL TABLE THIS.

>> NEXT, WE ARE GOING TO GO TO -- DO WE HAVE SOME WRITTEN COMMENTS? THREE EMAILS. PLEASE START A TIMER.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSION -- THIS IS DAVID PATTERSON . JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS, ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I BELIEVE MORE THAN ONE PERSON FROM EACH PRECINCT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE AND HERE IS WHY. PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR COVER A LOT OF TERRITORY IN HAYS COUNTY. FOR EXAMPLE, IF WALT SMITH WERE TO PICK SOMEONE FROM DRIPPING, THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE VERY DIFFERENT ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS THAN SOMEONE FROM THE 1626 OR 967 CORRIDOR. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE SAME APPLIES TO PRECINCT 3. ONE PERSON FROM EACH PRECINCT DOESN'T GIVE A CONSENSUS VOICE TO EACH PRECINCT. MY SECOND CONCERN IS THE POWER THAT THIS WILL HAND TO ONE COMMISSIONER AND ONE RESIDENT. IT IS CALLED THE CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE AND I DON'T BELIEVE FOUR CITIZENS ARE ENOUGH CITIZENS AND THEY CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS BEING THE ONE TO SUPPORT THE SINGLE PERSON FROM EACH PRECINCT. THAT GIVES TOO MUCH POWER. I WANT THE NEEDED ROADS AS MUCH AS THE NEXT DRIVER. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BETTER SYSTEM THAT INVOLVES MORE VOICES FROM VARIOUS AREAS AND I WILL BE GLAD TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN TO

MAKE THAT HAPPEN. >> THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS FROM VIRGINIA PARKER. DEAR JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER. I AM MAKING COMMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE SAN MARCOS RIVER FOUNDATION AND WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE IDEA OF A CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE FOR HAYS COUNTY. THIS IS IN LINE WITH HOW THE COUNTY HANDLED THE PARKS AND OPEN SPACES BOND, IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEEDS AND THE DESIRES OF THE CONSTITUENTS. A PAST IN THE POLLS AND AN A ROAMING FASHION. THE VOTERS ARE SMART AND A TASK FORCE COULD RATE ALL OF THE PROJECTS BY NEED, TRAFFIC, AND SAFETY AND THEN A NEW ROAD BOND COULD BE PUT UP IN A SPECIAL ELECTION NEXT SPRING WHICH WOULD SURELY HAPPEN FASTER THAN A LENGTHY APPEALS PROCESS. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST YEAR'S ROAD BOND BARELY PASSED WITH A COUPLE OF

[02:10:02]

DISTRICTS BOATING -- VOTED AGAINST IT AND IT WOULD INCREASE THE PUBLIC'S BUY-IN AND GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ALL THE FACTORS INCLUDING WATER QUALITY CONCERN WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN. ONE THING TO NOTE. WE REALLY DON'T THINK ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH DISTRICT IS ENOUGH. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE EACH COMMISSIONER .2 RESIDENCE TO THE TASK OR SEND THE JUDGE TO APPOINT THREE, MAKING A NICE SIZE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS TO DISCUSS WHICH TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS SHOULD BE LISTED IN THE BOND. PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE TASK FORCE IMMEDIATELY. TO NOT APPEAL THE DECISION . IF YOU APPEAL, NOT ONLY COULD THE PROCESS TAKE SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER THAN STARTING FRESH BUT IT WOULD NOT ENSURE DECISION IN YOUR FAVOR AND WOULD NOT LEAD TO A ROAD BOND OR INCLUDE VITAL INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC. A REPRESENTATIVE TASK FORCE WOULD FACILITATE AND EXPEDITE THE ROAD BOND PROCESS AND SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY BY FORGOING A COSTLY BATTLE. THE FASTEST MOST THOROUGH WAY TO GET THE ROADS THAT ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED ESPECIALLY ON THE EAST SIDE OF HAYS COUNTY IS THROUGH THIS TASK FORCE, NOT THROUGH AN APPEAL. VIRGINIA PARKER. AND, THIS IS FROM JIM CAMP, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL PROVIDED.

THANKS, JUDGES FOR ALLOWING MY EMAIL LETTER TO BE READ IN OPEN COURT. I WAS A PLAINTIFF IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR VIOLATING THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT. IN LATE JUNE, THE TRAVIS COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE RULED AGAINST HAYS COUNTY.

SEVERAL COMMISSIONERS HAVE ADMITTED PUBLICLY SINCE THAT THE PROCESS WASN'T OPEN AS THE STATE LAW CONFIRMED. I DID SPEAK FOR THREE MINUTES ON AUGUST 13 FOR A CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY TASK FORCE. I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER THIS BUT ONLY ALLOWING ONE PERSON APPOINTED BY EACH PRECINCT WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS. SOME BELIEVE IT WOULD RUBBERSTAMP THE VOIDED BOND ELECTION. PAST TASK FORCES HAVE HAD TWO MEMBERS APPOINTED . THESE TASK FORCES TOOK 11 MONTHS OF THOROUGH REVIEW BEFORE ADVISING THE COURT. A LARGER BODY WOULD ENSURE BROAD GEOGRAPHICAL AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION. WE NEED A THOROUGH AND OPEN PROCESS TO HELP ELIMINATE THE PERCEPTION OF PAY TO PLAY INFLUENCES ON ROAD BONDS. OVER 40 CONSULTANTS, 12 FROM OUT-OF-STATE GAVE $225,000 FOR PROP A PASSAGE. WE HOPE YOU ARE GUIDED BY AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS WITH A TRULY REPRESENTATIVE TASK FORCE THAT ADVISES THE COURT ON A

[K.10. Discussion and possible action authorizing the execution of a new Intergovernmental Inmate Housing Agreement between Hays County, Haskell County, and LaSalle Corrections West, LLC. related to reducing the number of Hays County inmates housed in Haskell County, effective October 1, 2025. INGLASBE/HIPOLITO]

FUTURE ROAD BOND ELECTION. >> THANK YOU. THAT IS IT?

>> THAT IS. >> WE ARE GOING TO TABLE THIS ITEM. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS ASK THAT YOU OPEN K 10 FOLLOWED BY G 18 SO THAT WE CAN GET SOME FOLKS OUT OF HERE.

>> K 10, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A NEW INTERGOVERNMENTAL INMATE HOUSING AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY, HASKELL COUNTY AND LASALLE CORRECTIONS WEST, LLC, RELATED TO REDUCING THE NUMBER OF HAYS COUNTY INMATES HOUSED IN HASKELL COUNTY, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025.

>> I MAKE A MOTION FOR ACCEPTING, JUDGE.

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

SECOND. >> OKAY. WE HAVE OLIVIA.

FOLLOWED BY AMY KAMP IF SHE IS STILL HERE, SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

>> HELLO, COURT. MY NAME IS OLIVIA AND I AM A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND I LIVE IN TEXAS. BASICALLY, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, HAYS COUNTY AGREED TO SPEND -- SEND 100 INMATES TO THE FACILITY OF LASALLE OR HASKELL COUNTY. FOR THE COST OF $100 PER DAY PER INMATE DUE TO THE UNDERSTAFFING AT OUR JAIL, WHICH HAS -- BY PERSONAL ACCOUNTS, TURNED INTO A DISASTER. THE PROBLEM WITH PRISON FACILITIES AND USING THEM IS THAT THEY RELY ON A PERPETUAL INCREASE. DOMINOES WANTS TO SELL MORE PIZZAS, THE PRISON WANTS TO INCARCERATE MORE PEOPLE. THEY DON'T SAY THAT BUT THAT IS HOW THEIR NUMBERS GO. THEY HAVE MORE BODIES. THEY GET MORE BODIES.

[02:15:20]

I'M SORRY. IN GENERAL, I KNOW THE WEBSITE FOR THIS PRISON IS VERY SUNNY AND HAPPY AND THEY HAVE PRISONERS RIGHTS AND A HANDBOOK BUT THEY HAVE OFTEN TIMES POOR MEDICAL OUTCOMES BECAUSE THEIR TREATMENT IS USUALLY DELAYED AND INEFFECTIVE.

NUMEROUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND THEY SOMETIMES HAVE POOR STAFFING AS OUR JAIL DOES. I THINK IF YOU HAVE EVER USED -- THERE IS A PRISON COMPANY WITH THE PHONES AND THE GOODIES YOU CAN GET THEM AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT THE PRESENTATION OF ANYTHING IS, YOU COULD CALL A RANDOM INMATE UP AND TALK TO THEM ON THE ORDERS OF THINGS. IT IS BASICALLY THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE THINGS THAT THE COUNTY JAIL. IT IS USUALLY BASED ON THE LOWER INCOME SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO COME OUT WITH MONEY TO TALK TO THEIR LOVED ONES. I HAD TO TAKE OUT A THIRD JOB ONE TIME BECAUSE SOMEBODY WAS IN PRISON AND THAT IS HOW MUCH IT COSTS. WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATIZATION, THE REVENUE OF 2020 INCREASED TO 767.5 MILLION PEOPLE -- MILLION DOLLARS.

BASICALLY LET'S KEEP THE POOR PEOPLE OUT OF THE PRISON. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUST TO MAKE SURE, WAS THERE ANYONE ELSE SIGNED UP FOR THIS AGENDA ITEM THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE SIGNED UP FOR ANOTHER? NO?

>> WRITTEN? >> TWO.

>> LET'S READ THOSE. STARTED TIMER.

>> THIS IS FROM HAMPTONS CART IN THE SAN MARCOS PEER COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS CONTRACT. IT IS A WASTE OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND IS INSUFFICIENT . THE CONTRACT REQUIRES $10,250 PER DAY MINIMUM PAYMENTS, EVEN FOR EMPTY BEDS. IT ONLY PROVIDES FOR ONE TRANSPORT PER WEEK WHICH WILL DELAY RELEASES AND HEARINGS. IT WILL REMOVE OUR ABILITY TO SURPRISE INSPECTIONS AND ACCESS FINANCIAL RECORDS. IT WILL DECREASE THE RIGHTS OF OUR CITIZENS. PLEASE INVEST IN HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH AND LEGAL DEFENSE, HAMPTONS. THE SECOND IS FROM SHERRY SCOTT, ALSO FROM SAN MARCOS. PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS CONTRACT. THIS IS A WASTE OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND IS INSUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES WE ARE FACING. THE CONTRACT REQUIRES $10,250 PER DAY MINIMUM PAYMENT, EVEN FOR EMPTY BEDS. IT ONLY PROVIDES FOR ONE TRANSPORT PER WEEK WHICH WILL DELAY RELEASES AND HEARINGS. IT WILL REMOVE OUR ABILITY TO SURPRISE INSPECTIONS AND ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RECORDS.

THIS WILL DECREASE THE RIGHTS OF OUR CITIZENS. PLEASE INVEST IN HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH AND LEGAL DEFENSE. SHERRY SCOTT. THAT IS

IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> WELL, I SPONSORED THIS AGENDA ITEM BECAUSE I FELT THAT WE WERE MOVING FORWARD WITH A PLAN TO FULFILL OUR GOAL AND COMMITMENT TO BRINGING OUR INMATES BACK TO HAYS COUNTY. SO, AS MANY STATED, COULD BE CLOSER TO THEIR FAMILIES, LOVED ONES AND EVEN TO THEIR LEGAL SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT THEY NEED. I SPOKE WITH CHIEF BAILEY AND I KNOW THAT HE WILL COME UP IN A LITTLE BIT TO EXPLAIN THE CONTRACT TERMS BUT CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 200 INMATES OUTSOURCED IN HASKELL COUNTY. BEGINNING OCTOBER, 2025, I BELIEVE WE ARE BRINGING 100 OF THOSE BACK SO IT IS A PLAN IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO BRING OUR INMATES BACK INTO THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE ARE DOING WELL WITH OUR HIRING PROCESS. WE HAVE RENOVATED OUR COUNTY JAIL . ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE TO WORK

[02:20:04]

TOGETHER IN ORDER FOR THE PLAN TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND WE HAVE BEEN SO FAR. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD START TO BRING OUR INMATES BACK INTO THE COUNTY AS WE HAVE COMMITTED . I WILL LET THEM TALK ABOUT THE SPECIFICS. I KNOW THAT THEY DID MENTION TO ME THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE TRANSPORT A WEEK BUT I BELIEVE THERE ARE ACCOMMODATIONS THAT CAN BE MADE. BASICALLY, JUDGE, I THOUGHT A RELATIVELY SHORT TERM PERIOD OF TIME TO BRING OUR COMMITMENT INTO FULFILLMENT, TO BRING OUR HAYS COUNTY INMATES BACK -- WELL, BRING OUR INMATES BACK TO OUR HAYS COUNTY JAIL. IF THERE ARE ANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT TO WANT TO SPEAK

BEFORE -- >> CHEAP?

>> JUDGE BECERRA AND THE COURT, I APPRECIATE THE TIME. I AM THE CHIEF DEPUTY OF THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND BEFORE I SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO THIS PROPOSAL, I DO HAVE A FEW THANK YOU'S I WOULD LIKE TO ISSUE. ONE, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE THIS MORNING WHO HAVE SPOKEN IN OPPOSITION. IT TRULY IS BENEFICIAL TO HEAR THE PERSPECTIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE JAIL STAFF THAT MAKE THESE TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS ALL THE WAY FROM THE CAPTAINS DOWN TO THE CLASSIFICATION OFFICERS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY EVERY WEEK TO MAKE THIS A POSSIBILITY. I NEED TO SAY THANK YOU TO LASALLE AND TO HASKELL COUNTY FOR AGREEING TO ENTER INTO A NEW ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS RATHER THAN EXTENDING THE CURRENT CONTRACT WHICH WOULD REQUIRE TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT NUMBERS OF 200.

THREE YEARS AGO, HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS IN A BIND.

WE HAD INMATES OUTSOURCED -- I MAY BE JUST UP ON THESE NUMBERS BUT AS MANY AS SEVEN OR EIGHT DIFFERENT JAILS AROUND TEXAS SPREAD ALL THE WAY FROM THE NORTH ORDER JUST SOUTH OF OKLAHOMA ALL THE WAY TO THE SOUTH BORDER JUST NORTH OF MEXICO AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN AND LASALLE STEPPED UP, THEY GAVE US THE CONTRACT AND REALLY SAVED US AT A TIME WHERE NOT ONLY THE PERSON WHO WAS MY PREDECESSOR WAS STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET BUT ALL OF THE PERSONNEL WHO WERE REQUIRED TO MAKE DAILY TRANSPORTS TO GO GET INMATES AND SO FORTH ALL OVER THE STATE. LASALLE REALLY HELPED US OUT. POSSIBLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SPEAKS LOUDEST TO MY SUPPORT OF LASALLE IS THE LACK OF REGULAR GRIEVANCES THAT I RECEIVED FROM OUTSOURCED INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS. I DON'T HAVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME OF THE OTHER FACILITIES WE HAVE USED IN THE PAST CAME WITH A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND WE DON'T GET MANY FROM LASALLE. IT IS A RARE OCCASION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOWLEDGE THAT OUTSOURCING IS POLARIZING AND NOT A POPULAR TOPIC. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE SHERIFF AND I AGREE WITH THAT SENTIMENT AND WHEN THE SHERIFF TOOK OVER IN JANUARY AND ANNOUNCED ME AS HIS CHIEF DEPUTY, HE GAVE ME A DIRECTIVE TO GET THOSE INMATES BACK TO HAYS COUNTY. WHILE I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A RATHER AGGRESSIVE PLAN AND THE CAPTAINS HAVE EXPRESSED A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN -- THEY HAVE AGREED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE THIS PLAN WORK. WE ARE BOUND BY JAIL STANDARDS AND WE HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH BEDS TO PUT THE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THE RATIOS AND THE PERSONNEL, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

THINGS TO THE DIRECTION WE ARE MOVING, WE ARE MAKING HEADWAY ON ALL OF THOSE AREAS. WE ARE ON TRACK TO FINISH OUR RENOVATION PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1. WE ARE ON TRACK TO GET THAT 100 BACK. I BELIEVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT WE ARE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT AND I HAVE REVIEWED THIS CONTRACT THE RELIEF FROM FRONT TO START AND I SUPPORT IT 100% . I HAVE WORKED WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO EXPRESS A SCHEDULE THAT I THINK WE COULD MAINTAIN. WHILE I AM AT IT, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO HER AS WELL FOR HANDLING NEGOTIATIONS. IN CLOSING, I WILL JUST SAY THAT WHILE THIS IS A

[02:25:02]

VERY DIFFICULT THING TO TALK ABOUT, WE ARE COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BUT IN CLOSING, I DO SUPPORT THIS CONTRACT.

>> I WILL SAY THAT WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF AND YOUR SELF AND HEARING THE DETAILS OF THIS , I CONSIDERED A WHOLESOME UNDERSTANDING OF MY POSITION AS STILL REACHING IN AND DOING YOUR PART BECAUSE I WAS A NO VOTE ON THIS AGENDA ITEM . IS A HORRIBLE LOOK ON US AS A COUNTY TO BE DOING THIS. I NEVER LIKED IT. I NEVER LIKED IT. WHEN I DROVE OUT TO SEE WHAT WE WERE PUTTING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH, WE ARE BREATHING THE SAME AIR RIGHT NOW IS PEOPLE SITTING IN OUR JAIL FOR YEARS AND THEN LEAVE BECAUSE THEY WERE INNOCENT. ALL OF THE TREATMENT THAT WE CAN JUSTIFY IN OUR HEADS AND IN OUR HEARTS ABOUT HOW, DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THE TIME AND ALL OF THIS THEATRICAL CARD SHOP TALK, KIND OF GOES OUT THE WINDOW. THEY DON'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON WHEN THEY ARE INNOCENT. I WILL CONTINUE TO BE RECEPTIVE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT REACH OUT TO ME. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR THESE CONVERSATIONS. THEY ARE COMING TO ME AND I WILL NOT SHUT THE DOOR. I REMAIN WRIST SET TO BE CAUSE MY DUTY, MY JOB -- I SAY THIS EVERY OPPORTUNITY IT IS APPROPRIATE. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY BEATING HEART AND HAYS COUNTY, WHEREVER THEY ARE, WHETHER THEY ARE IN OUR JAIL, IT DOESN'T MATTER. I HAVE A DUTY TO THEM AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE APPROACH SINCE THE BEGINNING THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH OUR NEW SHERIFF S OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION. I MAY NOT AGREE 100% ON EVERYTHING AND THAT IS OKAY. I HAVE BEEN MARRIED 32 YEARS. I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE NOT TO AGREE AND KEEP MOVING AS A TEAM WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE. HAYS COUNTY EMPLOYEES WORKING FOR OUR COMMUNITY BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TURNING OF A LEAF THAT I HAVE SEEN IN OUR SHERIFF S OFFICE. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING HOW YOU ARE TALKING TO ME, WHAT YOU ARE SHARING TO ME, YOUR DEDICATED COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE. WE ALL SEE AND FEEL THE NONVERBAL'S. WE CAN'T HIDE IT.

SHERIFF, YOU ARE OFF THE SCREEN BUT I AM TELLING YOU IN PUBLIC, I AM STILL LOOKING AT THE SHERIFF. YOU BOTH HAVE CONVEYED TO ME A SINCERE INTEREST IN RESOLVING THIS -- I CALL IT, ALTHOUGH IT WAS A MINORITY, I CALL IT A BLACK EYE ON OUR COUNTY THE WAY WE ARE DEALING WITH IT. WHEN WE WENT TO SEE WHAT WE WERE DOING TO OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT WE WERE ASKING OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I TOOK A DRIVE OUT THERE AND IT WAS A TERRIBLE LONG DRIVE. FIVE HOURS ONE WAY, FIVE HOURS BACK AND THEN BECAUSE I HAD SOMEONE THAT COMMISSIONER SMITH DIDN'T AGREE WITH -- I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE GONE WITH THESE PEOPLE AND I DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT THE REIMBURSMENT, THOSE KINDS OF THEATRICS ARE NOT USEFUL. YOUR ENERGY IS VERY HELPFUL AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL AND ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT WHERE I WANT TO BE, I UNDERSTAND THAT 100%. I ALSO SEE THE GOOD FAITH EFFORT ON YOUR PART ON MANY FRONTS, WHETHER IT BE THE CONTRACT WE ARE WORKING ON -- I SEE THE CONSISTENCY IN YOUR EFFORTS TO DO RIGHT BY THOSE YOU ARE CHARGED WITH REPRESENTING AND DEFENDING. I WANT TO END IT. I WANT TO ZERO IT OUT. I NEVER WANTED IT BUT I DO SEE THE OTHER TRIANGULATION'S THAT OTHERS DON'T GET A CHANCE TO SEE AND I AM REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE STRIDES YOU HAVE MADE THAT YOU ARE OFFERING. I JUST WANTED TO

SAY THAT. >> CHIEF, OCTOBER 1 IS WHEN YOU SAID THAT YOU ALL WOULD BRING BACK 100 INMATES. FROM THAT POINT, WHAT IS THE NEXT MILESTONE?

>> THE CONTRACT IS BROKEN INTO SIX MONTH INCREMENTS WHERE OCTOBER 1 WE WOULD BRING BACK 100. 50% OF THE OUTSOURCED POPULATION AND THEN APRIL 1, SIX MONTHS LATER, WE WOULD BRING BACK AN ADDITIONAL 25. WE WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER 275. SIX MONTHS LATER, OCTOBER 1 OF NEXT YEAR, 2026, WE WOULD BRING BACK AN ADDITIONAL 25, LEAVING 50. THAT 50 WOULD THEN COME TO AN

[02:30:03]

END IN APRIL 2027. IT WOULD GO ONE FINAL SIX MONTH PERIOD. WE HAVE BUILT IN AN OPT OUT OPTION AT THE END OF THE FIRST YEAR .

OCTOBER 1 OF NEXT YEAR. IF WE HAVE THE BEDS, IF WE HAVE THE PERSONNEL AND THE MEANS TO DO SO, WE CAN GET HASKELL COUNTY AND LASALLE A 30 DAY NOTICE AND BRING BACK ALL OF THE INMATES.

IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT WE COULD MEET MY ORIGINAL DEADLINE

OF OCTOBER 1, 2026. >> SO, YOU WILL HAVE THE STAFF

-- >> I BELIEVE THAT IN MY HEART. I HAVE TO BELIEVE IT IS A LITTLE BIT SCARY STEPPING OUT ON A LIMB BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN BUT I JUST WENT OVER THE NUMBERS YESTERDAY WITH THE FOUR POSITIONS THAT WERE ADDED JULY 1. WE ARE THREE SHORT OF BEING FULL AND WE HAVE THE REST OF THE MONTH TO TRY TO GET THOSE HIGHER. WE WILL GET FOUR MORE AUGUST 1 AND THAT WILL GIVE US A FULL TWO MONTHS TO GET THOSE FILLED IN ALL OF OUR NEW PERSONNEL TRAINED AND I BELIEVE WE ARE ON TRACK TO DO THAT. IT IS NOT ANY OF MY DOING, IT IS THE DOING OF EVERYBODY IN THE SHERIFF S OFFICE WHO IS SPENDING EXTRA HOURS DOING BACKGROUNDS AND INTERVIEWS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF. I BELIEVE THAT WE ABSOLUTELY ARE ON TRACK AS OF OCTOBER 1 TO BRING BACK 100 INMATES.

>> WITH THE 100 ADDITIONAL %-Ú IMPACT THE OPERATIONS PART? ALL OF THOSE THAT WILL COME WITH THE ADDITIONAL 100? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE SUPPORTED.

>> YES. AGAIN, I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE. WE HAVE AN AMAZING BUDGET OPERATIONS MANAGER AT THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SHE FORESAW ALL OF THOSE NEEDS AND GUIDED THE SHERIFF AND I THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR 2026. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY ALLOTTED THROUGH OUR MEDICAL PROVIDER TO ADD PERSONNEL. WE ARE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL CORRECTIONS OFFICERS WHICH YOU ALL PROVIDED TO US. WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL INTAKE STAFF. WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL MEDICAL STAFF, KITCHEN STAFF, LAUNDRY STAFF . ALL OF THOSE THINGS WILL HAVE TO GO UP WHEN WE GET THESE PEOPLE BACK BUT I DO BELIEVE WE ARE ON TRACK TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND THEY ALL HAVE BEEN

CONSIDERED. >> OKAY. WHEN I FIRST READ THIS, I WAS THINKING, GREAT. THIS IS A PATH FORWARD. WE CAN BRING OUR INMATES HOME TO BE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THEM. HEARING THE CONCERNS OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT TRANSPARENCY IN THE TRANSPORT, THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS. I KNOW THAT A COUPLE OF US IN THE COURT HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR ALIGNS WITH THE COMMUNITY PIECE. WE WANT TO HAVE A MORE ROBUST TERMINAL JUSTICE REFORM SUPPORT SYSTEM IN OUR COUNTY AND MY HOPE IS THAT ALL OF US WILL WORK PARALLEL TOGETHER. WE WANT THEM TO COME HOME, RIGHT? WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND THIS IS A STEP TO DO THAT. I WOULD THINK THAT THE COURT HAS A COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE THIS OVERSIGHT AND I THINK WE COMMIT TO THAT. I AM SENSITIVE TO THE CONCERNS. I AM. BUT I DO WANT TO BRING OUR INMATES HOME. COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> CHIEF AND SHERIFF, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND TALKING ABOUT THE CONTRACT. I VERY MUCH DO AGREE WITH ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE FACT THAT WE WANT EVERYONE HOME BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC ON HOW WE CAN GET THEM HOME AND HOW WE CAN SET THAT DOWN CONSISTETLY THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. I AM CONFIDENT WITH YOUR STAFF AND YOUR DEPARTMENT THAT YOU WILL GET THE JOB DONE AND IN 2027 ALL OF OUR PEOPLE WILL BE HOME WITH US.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> I JUST WANT TO PUT PERSPECTIVE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS CONTRACT. WHENEVER WE LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL PROCESS FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES TO A SOLE

[02:35:05]

PROVIDER , CHIEF BAILEY, YOU WERE A LITTLE BIT OFF. AT ONE POINT, WE HAD INMATES IN 15 DIFFERENT COUNTIES. EVERYPLACE FROM RED RIVER ALL THE WAY TO WEBB COUNTY. IN DOING THAT, WE HAD NUMBERS THAT ARE ALL OVER THE BOARD. WE HAD $80 A DAY.

WHILE EACH ONE OF THOSE JAILS HAD TO REACH COUNTY JAILS, YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I THAT THERE WERE REAL ISSUES WITH ALL OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS. THOSE INDIVIDUAL JAILS GOT TO DICTATE EXACTLY WHICH PRISONERS THEY TOOK. IT MADE IT NOT A HOSPITABLE PLACE BUT A MORE HOSPITABLE PLACE. ALL OF THOSE WERE LESSER OFFENSES. THE OUTSOURCED COUNTY JAILS WOULD LIKE TO TAKE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE GENERAL CONTRACT, IF THIS WAS PURELY A FINANCIAL DECISION, IF YOU LOOK AT IT JUST FROM THE POCKETBOOK, IT IS CHEAPER FOR US TO HAVE $95 A DAY ALL IN TRANSPORT WITH MEDICAL FOOD, COMMISSARY , EVERYTHING. FOR US TO BRING SOMEBODY BACK HERE, THE LAST TESTAMENT I SAW WAS $135 A DAY AND THAT MAY BE LOW. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OR TWO BUT THAT IS THE RIGHT DECISION AND I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT AND AS A COURT IT IS WHAT WE TRY TO STRIVE TOWARD. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS AS WE LOOK AT THE OVERALL USAGE OF THE JAIL AFTER OCTOBER 1, I KNOW YOU WILL WORK WITH OUR OVERALL BUDGET OFFICE BUT I JUST WANT TO ENSURE, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD. IF WE HAVE THE CAPACITY AND THE PERSONNEL, I ALSO THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT THOSE OTHER COSTS ARE IN THE JAIL. JUST MAKE SURE YOU WALK THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS THIS YEAR, THAT WE TRULY DO UNDERSTAND THAT WE MIGHT NEED X NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL COOKS, X NUMBER OF -- WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF JANITORIAL STAFF. THOSE ONES THAT ARE THE BASIC FUNCTIONALITY THAT ALL GO INTO THAT $135. RIGHT NOW, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SATISFIED SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE AS TO WHAT ALL OF THOSE COSTS ARE ON THE JAIL, THE MAINTENANCE FOR THE FACILITIES.

I THINK GETTING A MUCH BETTER IDEA OF THAT -- ALREADY.

>> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT . I JUST WANT TO TELL THE MEMBERS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT HAVE COME TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS ITEM, WE HEAR YOU WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT AND WE WANT TO BRING OUR INMATES BACK AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO EXPEDITE THAT. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO DO THAT AND I HOPE WE WORK TOWARD THAT. THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US KNOW YOUR CONCERNS OR HEARING YOUR

CONCERNS. THANK YOU. >> THE FIRST TIME YOU BROUGHT THIS TO US, I ASKED YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION AND I AM GOING TO ASK IT AGAIN. IF WE ARE FORTUNATE, AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE COUNTY OR SOMETHING ELSE IN ADDITION TO SUPPORT AND NEIGHBORING SETTINGS ARE USEFUL AND ACCESSIBLE AND JUST OVERALL BETTER THAN DRIVING 10 HOURS AND THREE SPEED TRAPS LATER, OR WE KNOW PEOPLE WON'T GO THROUGH THE REPRESENTATION WITH THE FAMILY. STEPPING DOWN MORE AGGRESSIVELY THAN WHAT THE CHIEF HAS SUGGESTED, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WEAVE INTO THE CONTRACT WHERE YOU HAVE THAT ABILITY WITHOUT BEING FORCED TO

PAY FOR A. >> TO EXPAND A LITTLE BIT ON WHAT THE CHIEF SAID ABOUT THE SCHEDULE AND THE TERM. THIS IS WHAT WE DID OCTOBER 1, 2025. WE WOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO

[02:40:02]

DECREASE BACK TO 75 AND THEN OCTOBER 1, 2026 WE WOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO REDUCE TO 50 OR IF WE ARE SUPER AGGRESSIVE AND ABLE TO BRING EVERYONE BACK, WE HAVE THE OPTION AFTER A YEAR TO DECREASE THAT DOWN TO ZERO. IF WE DECREASED DOWN TO ZERO, THERE IS A TERMINATION OPTION BUILT IN THAT ALLOWS THE CONTRACT TO

TERMINATE AT THAT POINT. >> I AM A CHEAPSKATE. I WANT TO

TIE DOLLARS TO IT. >> SURE.

>> A COUPLE OF HIGH POINTS FOR YOU . I HAVE HEARD IT MENTIONED BUT TWO TRIPS CHANGING TO ONE TRIP AND THAT IS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF INMATES. WE ARE CUTTING THE NUMBER OF INMATES IN HALF, THEREFORE THE TRIPS ARE CUT IN HALF. ONE OF THE MEMBERS MENTIONED 95 CHANGING TO $102.50. I WANT TO MAKE NOTE OF THAT AS WELL. AND, THE THIRD -- THE DOTTED LINE WITH THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT, THAT IS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025 AND ENDS ON APRIL FIRST, 2027 UNLESS WE ARE AGGRESSIVE AND ARE ABLE TO BRING BACK ALL OF THE INMATES AND AND THAT WOULD TERMINATE UPON THE NUMBER REACHING ZERO WHICH IS ANYTIME AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2026.

>> BUT ANYTHING IN BETWEEN THERE, WILL THERE BE A FEE IF WE SAY, YOU GUYS ARE KILLING IT. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME AND -- IS

THAT SOONER? >> IT IS $102.50 PER BED. FROM OCTOBER 1, 25 TO APRIL 1, 2026, THE NUMBER IS 100. I THINK THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE ASKING. THE NUMBER IS 100 BEDS, $102.50 PER BED, PERIOD AND THEN OCTOBER 1, 26 WE HAVE THE OPTION TO BRING THAT DOWN TO 75 SO IT $100.50 PER BED, PERIOD. THEN, OCTOBER 1, 2026 WE CAN EITHER DECREASE THAT TO 50 PER INMATE PER BED OR IF WE ARE ABLE TO BRING EVERYONE ELSE BACK THAT DROPS TO ZERO.

AND I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? >> NO.

>> DON'T WORRY. >> THIS IS PROOF. CLEARLY YOU ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED. CLEARLY YOU ARE COLLEGE-EDUCATED.

CLEARLY THIS IS YOUR WHEELHOUSE AND THIS IS A CONTRACT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON OFF AND ON FOR YEARS AND PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THINGS SOMETIMES IN DIFFERENT WAYS. IT IS OKAY. IF SHE IS NEEDING CLARIFICATION, SO ARE YOU AND THAT IS OKAY. SORRY.

JUST TELL ME, WE ARE ON THE HOOK FOR $102.50, 100 BEDS EVERY

SINGLE DAY? >> CORRECT. IF THE SHERIFF SAYS WE ARE DONE, WE ARE SEVEN MONTHS IN, WE ARE DONE, WE DON'T NEED THEM ANYMORE, WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR EARLY TERMINATION?

>> I GET WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE 100 BEDS ARE FILLED BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 2025 AND APRIL 1, 2026 WE ARE PAYING FOR 100 BEDS., HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD NOW?

>> YOU ARE GETTING CLOSER. >> WE ARE COMMITTING TO THOSE NUMBERS THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER. MY QUESTION TO YOU REMAINS, IF WE WANT TO END BEFORE --

>> WE'VE GOT TO PAY FOR THEM. >> IT DEPENDS ON WHEN YOU END IT. IF YOU ENDED IT BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 2020 --

>> THERE WAS NO OUT CLAUSE? >> THERE IS BUT IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU END IT. IF YOU ENDED UP BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 25 AND APRIL 2026, YOU ARE PAYING FOR 100. IF YOU ARE ENDING IT SOMETIME BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2026 AND OCTOBER 1, 2026, YOU ARE

PAYING FOR 75 BEDS, PERIOD. >> YOU ARE GETTING CLOSER. MY QUESTION IS -- THIS IS A NEGOTIATION. CAN YOU MAKE IT WHERE WE STOP PAYING IF WE FIND OUR WAY OUT OF IT AND NOT BE

BOUND TO THAT NUMBER? >> YOU CAN UPON OCTOBER 1, 2026.

FOR ONE YEAR, YOU ARE PAYING. >> SO THEN NO OUT IS WHAT YOU

ARE SAYING. >> UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH INSPECTION WHERE THEY ARE NOT MEETING QUALIFICATIONS, UNLESS THERE IS A -- HOLD ON ONE SECOND.

>> IF THERE IS AN INSPECTION MATTER UNDER SECTION 6 B, THAT IS GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION. IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR A FISCAL YEAR, THAT IS GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION. IF WE REDUCE TO ZERO BEDS ANYTIME AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2026, THAT IS

[02:45:03]

AN OPTION FOR TERMINATION. THOSE ARE YOUR THREE TERMINATION

OPTIONS. >> I HEAR YOU WANT TO DO SOME

MATH CALCULATIONS? >> I DID.

>> I AM NOT QUITE READY FOR THAT.

>> EARLY TERMINATION CLAUSE, NOT QUITE AVAILABLE. THEN WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING. FUNDING IS A VERY SLIPPERY SLOPE FOR ALL OF THOSE LISTENING. IT IS WHETHER WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY OR WHETHER

WE DON'T ALLOCATE THE MONEY. >> THAT RUNS FOR FISCAL YEAR. IN THIS CONTEXT, OCTOBER 2025, OCTOBER 2026, THAT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR. IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT FUNDING TO FUND THIS CONTRACT, THAT IS GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION. THAT IS WHAT WE CALL THE BUDGET OUT CLAUSE.

>> JUST TO PUT IT IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, IF WE AS A COURT SAY WE ARE GOING TO ZERO OUT THIS CONTRACT, WILL THAT QUALIFY FOR

THAT? >> YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT FUNDING COMING INTO THE COUNTY AND CHOOSE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO ALLOCATE YOUR FUNDING EVERY YEAR.

>> SO YOU ARE BASICALLY SAYING THERE WAS NO OUT HOW YOU ARE IN

THE CONTRACT. >> FOR THE FIRST YEAR, YOU

CAN'T. >> I WANT TO MAKE IT EXPLICITLY SUPER CLEAR THAT THE CONTRACT WE ARE DISCUSSING HAS NO OUT AND INSTEAD HAS COUNTY TAX DOLLAR GUARANTEES TO BUYING THIS MANY BEDS IN OUR $102.50 PRICE POINT AND THERE IS NO OUT BECAUSE THIS OUT CLAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT FUNDING DOESN'T EXIST BECAUSE THE COUNTY ISN'T GOING TO HAVE A MOMENT IN TIME WHERE WE HAVE NO FUNDING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THAT RIGHT. AM

I RECAPPING WHAT YOU SAID? >> FOR THE TERMINATION OPTIONS, YES. FOR THE FIRST YEAR ASIDE FROM AN INCEPTION -- INSPECTION

MATTER. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> SO THAT MEANS IF WE HAD THE 75 BEDS PER MONTH AND WE DID NOT HAVE ANYONE IN THOSE BEDS, IT WOULD BE $230,000 OF FUNDING TO HASKELL COUNTY OR TO LASALLE AND IF WE WERE AT 50 BEDS AND WE HAD NO ONE IN THERE IT WOULD BE $153,750 PER MONTH.

>> BUT WE DO HAVE AN OUT CLAUSE, A 30 DAY OUT CLAUSE. FOR ONE YEAR, WE ARE COMMITTED. AFTER THAT ONE YEAR WE HAVE 30 DAYS TO SAY WE'VE GOT THE PERSONNEL. WE'VE GOT THE JAIL READY. WE HAVE GIVEN A 30 DAY NOTICE SO BRING THEM ALL BACK.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> BUT BEFORE THAT THERE IS

NOTHING. >> CORRECT.

>> BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY AT THE JAIL NOW WITH

PERSONNEL -- >> CURRENT CONDITIONS, I GET IT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE CURRENT VIEWING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WE ARE DISCUSSING SOMETHING WITH NO OUT.

>> WHENEVER WE FIRST GOT THIS CONTRACT AND WHEN WE HAVE GONE THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT -- I KNOW THAT WE WERE PRETTY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GET BEDS AT THE FACILITY AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE AT THE TIME, TARRANT COUNTY HAD SO MANY ADDITIONAL PRISONERS THAT THEY WERE SENDING PRISONERS TO OKLAHOMA AND HARRIS COUNTY WAS SENDING PRISONERS TO LOUISIANA. AGAIN, THIS WAS FOUR YEARS AGO, THREE YEARS AGO . AT THE TIME, WE WERE THE ONLY ADDITIONAL COUNTY THAT THEY CARVED OUT FOR SPACE IN THE FACILITY BECAUSE EITHER ONE OF THOSE COUNTIES WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE ENTIRE FACILITY AND I DON'T THINK THAT EITHER OF THOSE COUNTIES WHO WERE THERE -- I AM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COUNTIES THERE NOW BUT I KNOW THAT THERE OVERALL CAPACITY HAS NOT EXPANDED. I WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED IF AT SOME POINT WE COULDN'T SIT DOWN AND TALK TO THESE GUYS AND SAY -- THIS IS NOT IN THE CONTRACT WHATSOEVER . I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THEY COULDN'T FILL THOSE BEDS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PULLING

OUT OF THE FACILITY. >> NOT IN THE CONTRACT WHATSOEVER IS A GOOD PART TO HIGHLIGHT.

>> IT IS JUST TALK. YOU ARE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. I HAVE TO ASK ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT WAYS BECAUSE IT IS WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH AND IT IS HOW WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT BECAUSE THERE ARE 45 DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A PARTICULAR ITEM. I JUST HAVE TO CLARIFY SO PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW ALONG WITH WHAT IS GOING ON BECAUSE YOU KNOW TALKING TO THE PUBLIC THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY VARIABLES THAT WE GOT TO CLARIFY.

>> IN THE END, WE HAVE ALL STATED THAT IT IS OUR COMMITMENT TO BRING AS MANY INMATES BACK AS WE CAN PEER -- CAN.

[02:50:02]

>> CAN YOU SPEAK ON COMPLAINTS FROM HAYS COUNTY RESIDENTS REGARDING HASKELL COUNTY WHILE WE HAVE HAD A CONTRACT? ARE THERE ANY? IF SO, WHAT ARE THEY, GENERALLY SPEAKING?

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. I WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.

I WOULD HAVE TO DO THE RESEARCH. I CAN'T THINK OF ONE OF THE TOP MY HEAD BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY. THERE CERTAINLY PROBABLY HAS BEEN CONCERNS ABOUT FAMILY MEMBERS --

>> BESIDES THE PROXIMITY PIECE, WHICH I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE WITH WHOLEHEARTEDLY, SIFTING THROUGH THE LENS OF THE INSPECTION, THE QUALITY OF CARE , THAT IS WHAT I'M REFERRING TO. ANYTHING IN THE SPACE YOU COULD THINK OF AS A COMPLAINT ON

HASKELL COUNTY? >> NOT THAT I COULD THINK OF BUT I DO NEED TO DOUBLE CHECK. I JUST CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT TODAY.

>> OKAY. >> I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE CHANCES OF US -- WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF US BEING ABLE TO BRING ALL OF OUR PEOPLE HOME BY OCTOBER 2026? WHAT ARE

THE CHANCES OF THAT? >> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. IF THE HIRING -- AGAIN, I AM VERY CONFIDENT WE WILL BE DONE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH BUT CERTAINLY BY THE END OF AUGUST. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SPACE. THE PERSONNEL IS THE OUTLIER THAT WE JUST CAN'T PREDICT. IF WE STAY ON TRACK WITH THE HIRING WE HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE WILL HAVE THE PERSONNEL TO BRING EVERYBODY BACK. THERE IS A CAVEAT AND THAT IS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 603 OR 604 BEDS AT THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FACILITY. THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES AND SO FORTH THAT SUGGEST THAT WE KEEP 10% OF THAT OPEN FOR MAJOR EVENTS FOR ALL JAIL STANDARDS. SOMEWHERE AROUND 545 INMATES IS WHERE WE NEED TO STAY BELOW. WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 562. THAT INCLUDES THE 200 AND HASKELL COUNTY. WE HAVE 262 IN OUR FACILITY AS OF YESTERDAY.

THE FACTORS THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IS THE POPULATION OF THE JAIL AND THE PERSONNEL. I AM VERY HOPEFUL WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH BRINGING THEM BACK BUT I COULDN'T GIVE YOU A NUMBER. I WOULD LEAN MORE ON THE 70% SIDE BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING TO DO IT.

>> I APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWER TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.

>> HERE IS THE LAST QUESTION. THE GRIEVING PROCESS -- GRIEVANCE. IF SOMEONE HAS GOT A COMPLAINT ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE AND THE LAST TIME THEY WERE

INSPECTED? >> SURE. I WON'T BE ABLE TO ANSWER THE INSPECTION QUESTION. I DO KNOW THEY ARE IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT. THEY ARE BOUND BY THE STANDARDS AND ALL OF THAT. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE PROCESS FOR A GRIEVANCE IS IF AN INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL GRIEVANCE -- HASKELL COUNTY -- THEY FORWARD THAT GRIEVANCE TO US FOR A NOTHING MORE THAN AN INFORMATIONAL PROCESS AND THEN THEY GO THROUGH THEIR INVESTIGATION AND LET US KNOW WHAT THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION WERE. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT IMPACT IN ALL OF THAT BUT WE ARE NOTIFIED OF THE GRIEVANCES FILED BY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> JUST ONE REAL QUICK. YOU MENTIONED THE NUMBERS OF THE JAIL . IF EVERYTHING WERE IN PLACE TODAY, WE COULD BRING ALL OF OUR INMATES BACK, WE WOULD STILL BE INCAPACITY WITH THE -10% THAT THE STATE ASKED US TO KEEP OPEN. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, WE STILL HAVE CONTRACTS OPEN WITH OTHER NEARBY ADJACENT COUNTIES AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER IF AND WHEN THAT TIME COMES THAT INSTEAD OF SENDING BACK TO HASKELL COUNTY THAT WE USE THE ADJACENT COUNTIES TO KEEP THOSE

AND NOT SEND THEM BACK? >> IT IS MY FULL INTENT TO MAINTAIN THOSE CONTRACTS WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTIES THAT WE

[02:55:02]

HAVE HAD SUCCESS WITH IN THE PAST SO THAT IF SOMETHING FALLS APART NEAR THE END OF THIS NEW CONTRACT, WE DON'T HAVE TO GO

BACK. >> I KNOW WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS ALL THE WAY DOWN, FROM EVERY COUNTY. THE PROXIMITY IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THIS WHOLE THING. I AM SURE HASKELL COUNTY IS A FINE OPERATION ACCORDING TO JAIL STANDARDS BUT I AM SURE THEY ARE CLEAN. I HAVE INSPECTED THE PLACE BUT THE PROXIMITY -- YOU ADDRESSING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

JUST TO BE FAIR, ERIC, DID WE LEAVE ANYTHING OUT? DO YOU WANT TO APPROACH THE PODIUM? I'M SORRY, CHIEF. THIS IS THE VOICE OF THE OPPRESSED THAT I NEED TO LEAN ON TO ASK IF THERE WAS SOMETHING I LEFT OUT THAT I SHOULD HAVE ASKED.

>> ONE THING, IN TERMS OF THE VENUE, IF SOMETHING DOES GO AWRY, IT IS CURRENTLY SET TO BE IN HASKELL COUNTY SO IF YOU WILL FILE A SUIT, IT WILL BE IN HASKELL COUNTY. THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE A LOT OF OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES WITH LEGAL COUNCIL AND HAVING TO MAKE TRIPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT , UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS THIS NEED FOR THESE BEDS, RIGHT? AND WE ARE TRYING TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOME. I THINK IT MAKES SENSE, GIVEN THAT YOU WERE GIVEN THE COUNTY'S SEVERAL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE IN ALIGNMENT WITH HAYS COUNTY, ACCESS TO DIFFERENT LEGAL SERVICES AND THINGS OF THE SORT. THE OTHER THING I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS ADVANCED NOTICE FOR INSPECTIONS. THAT IS A PRETTY COMMON THING BUT KNOWING WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THEY HAD AN INSPECTION, WHAT CAN YOU DO IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH IS ADVANCED NOTICE IN PARTICULAR. CAN YOU JUST SAY, I AM SHOWING UP TOMORROW? DO YOU HAVE TO GIVE A WEEKS NOTICE IN ADVANCE? I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT IF I RECEIVE ADVANCE NOTICE FOR ANY TYPE OF INSPECTION, I'M GOING TO PASS IT. THAT IS MY CONCERN REGARDING SOME OF THOSE THINGS. SOME OF THE THINGS RELATED TO THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS CAN BE STUBBED OUT MORE CLEARLY. HAVING OUR PEOPLE ELECTED HERE, KNOWING FULL WELL WHAT THAT PROCESS LOOKS LIKE IN TERMS OF RECORDS RETENTION. YOU ARE FILING A GRIEVANCE, WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL PROCESS? ARE YOU DOING IT IN A TABLET IN HASKELL COUNTY? ARE YOU BRINGING IT TO JAIL STAFF? WHAT IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH THAT INFORMATION IS INDICATED? WE TALK A LOT ABOUT SYSTEMS AND HOW CONFUSING THE SYSTEMS ARE . IF WE DID NOT FILL OUT THE FORM PROPERLY IN A DIFFERENT COURTROOM, THEN THERE WOULD BE NO RECORD OF US TRYING TO PUT A REQUEST IN. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS, THAT THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED IN THE INCARCERATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE LOVED ONES IS NOT FULLY WELL KNOWN AS WELL AS THE ISSUES RELATED TO WHEN PEOPLE MOVE BACK AND FORTH.

WE HAVE HEARD CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT, HEY, YOU ARE HERE IN HAYS COUNTY AND THEN YOU GO TO HASKELL COUNTY AND ONCE YOU COME BACK TO HAYS COUNTY, YOU STILL HAVE MONEY ON YOUR BOOKS BY NOW THE MONEY IS NOT THERE. I THINK THERE ARE SOME THINGS RELATED TO THE TRANSPORTATION PROCESS AND A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION, IN THE STRONGEST POSITION TO VERIFY BECAUSE THESE ARE ANECDOTAL EXPERIENCES WHO ARE QUITE FEARFUL A LOT OF TIMES OF SPEAKING OUT. IF WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE TO US FROM INSIDE THE JAIL OR FROM HASKELL COUNTY OR OUR COMMUNITY LINES, I WOULD WANT THEM TO SPEAK HERE AND SPEAK OF THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE CAN'T DO THAT FOR THE STATED REASONS. THE VENUE, ADVANCED NOTICE FOR INSPECTION, POTENTIALLY MOVING TO TERMINATION CLAUSE EARLIER. IF YOU CAN GET SOMETHING INSTEAD OF A YEAR FROM NOW, YOU CAN GET IT NINE MONTHS FROM NOW. THAT WOULD HOPEFULLY PUT A LITTLE MORE WIND BENEATH THE SHERIFF SWINGS TO

MAKE THAT A POSSIBILITY. >> JUST BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY, THERE IS CLARIFICATION REQUIRED IN MY MIND WHICH MEANS 40 MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT IT. ADVANCED NOTICE?

>> ADVANCED NOTICE FOR INSPECTION. IN TERMS OF WHO IS INSPECTING THE JAIL -- TEXAS COMMISSION OF JAIL STANDARDS. IS IT OUR OWN SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT? WITH REGARDS TO ADVANCE NOTICE, YOU ARE TELLING ME, I AM GOING TO COME AND INSPECT YOUR JAIL AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TIDY UP THINGS, BE ON

[03:00:02]

THEIR BEST BEHAVIOR AND THEN THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE BEST VERSION OF THE TOUR. VERSUS IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING TO HEAR ABOUT THINGS, YOU DON'T WANT TO CATCH PEOPLE ON THEIR BEST DAY, YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM ON THEIR NORMAL DAY? WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY LOOK LIKE? WE HAVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT ADVANCED NOTICES. PEOPLE OF LASALLE CAN ALSO -- IF IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE SUBMITTING AN INFORMATION REQUEST ON BEHALF OF SUBMITTING IT TO HAYS COUNTY WE CAN'T DISCLOSE THIS INFORMATION FOR X, Y, AND Z REASONS . IF LASALLE HAS BEEN SUED MANY TIMES IN MANY JURISDICTIONS AGAINST THIS COUNTY, I THINK IT IS A LIABILITY CONCERN IN TERMS OF NOT ONLY -- YOU ALL HAVE ACCESS FROM YOUR GENERAL COUNCIL SIDE . ALL OF THE STATED INJURIES IN TERMS OF GETTING ADVANCE NOTICE FOR INSPECTION, THE VENUE, BEING IN HASKELL COUNTY IF THE LAWSUIT DOES OCCUR, THE ABILITY TO COMBAT OR SWAP INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS AND THEN ALSO ALL OF THE OTHER STATED THINGS RELATED TO THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS IN TERMS OF IS NOT CLEARLY COMMUNICATED ON OUR WEBSITE, ON THE SHERIFF'S SIDE OF THINGS OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF VENUE ON HOW YOU COULD ACCESS THE BOOKS, HOW YOU COULD ACCESS YOUR LOVED ONES, WHAT THE RATES ARE. YOU COULD GET SMASHED IN THE HEAD BUT YOU DID NOT FILE A PIECE OF PAPERWORK WITH THE RIGHT GUARD AT THE RIGHT TIME. DOES NOT MEAN THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND THAT IS NOT A CONCERN OF OURS? THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE COMMUNICATION.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SPEAKING ELOQUENTLY AND PRECISELY. I HAND IT OVER TO JORDAN TO ASK THAT YOU INCORPORATE THESE IDEAS INTO WHAT WE ARE DOING. TRANSFER THAT INFORMATION OVER TO HASKELL SO WE CAN SAY PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST, HOW TO HANDLE THEM . IF ANYTHING, BE ON A PAY GRADE IF THERE IS AN ISSUE. ALSO, REALLY IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS THE LOW LEVEL THINGS LIKE IF SOMEONE GETS BASHED IN THE HEAD, WHAT IS THE PROCESS? IF YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT SOME OF THAT INFORMATION IS WOVEN INTO ALL OF THOSE CONCERNS, TO WHAT WE ARE DOING, I THINK IT WOULD HELP CALM PEOPLE'S NERVES.

>> TO CLARIFY, I AM A LITTLE UNCLEAR ON WHAT THE COURT IS

ASKING ME TO DO. >> TO INCORPORATE CONVERSATION THAT YOU JUST HEARD FROM ERIC? WE CAN ALWAYS ROLL THE TAPE BACK AND REFERENCE THESE CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS IF THEY ARE HELD ACCORDING TO OUR PROCESS SO THAT PEOPLE SEEKING INFORMATION GET IT IN A TIMELY MANNER.

>> THERE IS AN EXCEPTION. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY NOT BE

GETTING FOLLOWED. >> IT IS ON THERE.

>> THE OTHER THING I WOULD MENTION IS, UNDER THE INSPECTION , AND THEY TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW WHAT ERIC MENTIONED ON THE INSPECTION SIDE, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THE INSPECTIONS REFERENCED IN HERE ARE THE SPECIFIC SECTIONS REFERENCED BY HAYS COUNTY, NOT BY JAIL STANDARDS. I KNOW, JUDGE, THESE ARE SURPRISE INSPECTIONS GIVEN THAT THERE IS A THREE MONTH PERIOD WHERE THEY MIGHT SHOW UP. AM I WRONG? IS IT THREE MONTHS? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM STATING THIS CORRECTLY. 60 DAYS

OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? >> LET'S BE HONEST. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF INSPECTION. THEY HAVE A SCHEDULE FOR HOW OFTEN A JAIL HAS TO BE INSPECTED BY RECORDS INSPECTION, THAT A MONTH OR TWO I WAS NOTIFIED ROUGHLY AT 8:30 IN THE

[03:05:03]

MORNING. JAIL STANDARDS HAD TO DO A FULL COMPREHENSIVE -- WE HAD NO NOTICE. WE CERTAINLY HAD NO NOTICE THAT THAT WAS COMING.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT. I DON'T KNOW THE LAST TIME HASKELL WAS INSPECTED AND WHAT THE RESULTS

WERE . >> I WAS JUST GOING TO FOLLOW UP WITH THAT AND SAY THAT AS PART OF THE GENERAL SCOPE OF SERVICES, IT SAYS THAT THE SHERIFF S OFFICE WILL DESIGNATE IT IN BEHALF OF THE COUNTY. I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WHOMEVER YOU DESIGNATE, SETTING UP A STANDARDIZED PROCESS SIMILAR TO WHAT JAIL STANDARDS HAS TO DO, GIVING THEM 60 DAY PERIODS WHERE EACH ONE OF THOSE ITEMS MIGHT BE ADDRESSED AND THEN TELLING THEM THAT WE WILL GIVE PRIOR NOTICE, JUST ASK FOR A SCHEDULE OF WHO THE REPRESENTATIVE IS AND WHO THEY WILL BE THERE FOR A TWO MONTH PERIOD AND SHOW UP. THAT IS THE ONLY REQUIREMENT UNDER THE CONTRACT. IT DOESN'T SAY HOW MUCH PRIOR NOTICE . I WOULD SAY WE ARE COMING TODAY BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE, YOU WILL BE THERE AND THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> THE OTHER AND YOU MENTIONED WAS ON THEIR WEBSITE TO CREATE SOME CLEAR ROAD MAPPING AS TO HOW TO COMMUNICATE, HOW TO HAVE A GRIEVANCE . THE LOW LEVEL ASKS AS FAR AS COMMUNICATING. I WAS HOPING YOU COULD WEAVE THAT INTO THE CONTRACT.

>> I WANT TO MENTION COMMENTS ABOUT SEEING -- THAT IS INCLUDED IN HERE. WE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A COPY. I WANTED TO TAKE THAT POINT UP. THE PROCESS IS TO SUBMIT -- LET ME BACKTRACK. IN REGARDS TO THE RECORD THAT HAYS COUNTY HAS ACCESS TO, BY CONTRACT WE HAVE ACCESS TO DISCIPLINARY RECORDS, COMPLAINTS, HEARINGS, ALL OF THE. WE HAVE ACCESS TO THAT. THE ONLY THING WE WOULDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO HIS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION WERE VERY IN-DEPTH FINANCIAL RECORDS. THAT MAKES SENSE. ON THE NOTE OF GRIEVOUS -- GRIEVANCE PROCESSES OR WHERE TO SUBMIT THINGS, I KNOW I CAN ONLY SPEAK -- WE HAVE AN INMATE HANDBOOK. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK TOO MUCH OUT OF TURN BECAUSE THIS IS NOT MY FORTE. WE DON'T HAVE FACILITY WE HAVE NOTICED WITH ALL OF THE PROCEDURES ON HOW SOMEONE CAN SUBMIT

SOMETHING. >> THIS IS PRIVATE FOR PRIVATE

PRISON. IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. >> IS OWNED BY HASKELL COUNTY AND RUN BY LASALLE AND IT IS NOT ANYTHING WE HAVE EVER INCLUDED BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW IF I AM GETTING A COPY OF WHAT THEIR INTERNAL PROCESSES ARE. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE COURT WANTS YOU TO NAVIGATE THAT PIECE OF IT ON HOW SOMEONE GOES ABOUT FILING

CERTAIN DOCUMENTS. >> ARE YOU REFERRING TO FILING

COMPLAINTS? >> LIKE IF SOMEONE GOT HIT IN

THE HEAD? >> TRYING TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE

HERE. >> I FIND IT REASONABLE AND I HOPE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE OF SOMEONE WHO BELONGS IN HAYS COUNTY HAS BEEN SHIPPED AWAY TO HASKELL AND GETS HIT IN THE HEAD -- I KNOW IT IS HYPOTHETICAL. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IF A PARENT REACHES OUT TO ME YOUR LOVED ONE WITH A SPOUSE OR CHILD OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO GOT BUMPED IN THE HEAD THAT WE HAVE A CLEAR ROADMAP ASKING WHAT IS IN PLACE AND HOW THEY DOCUMENTED IT.

>> JUDGE, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT LOOKS LIKE -- WE WOULD OBVIOUSLY REFER THEM TO HASKELL COUNTY IF A FAMILY MEMBER CALLED HERE .

THEN, WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH IT ON OUR END HOWEVER WE NEED TO FOLLOW-UP ON IT BUT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- DOES THE COURT WANT

[03:10:02]

US TO ASK HASKELL COUNTY FOR THEIR PROCEDURE ON HOW AN INMATE CAN FILE COMPLAINT AGREEMENTS, ET CETERA? OR, DO YOU WANT

SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY. ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINTS THAT WERE JUST BROUGHT UP , WE WANT TO KNOW

THAT IT IS ADDRESSED. >> YOU MENTIONED ME WANTING TO MAKE A VIDEO INFORMING THOSE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS NOT HAVE FOUND GUILTY HOW THEY CAN FILE A COMPLAINT IF THEIR FINGERS ARE ACCIDENTALLY BROKEN. WHAT WOULD BE THE PROGRAM?

>> THAT IS ALL I'M ASKING FOR.

>> WOULD NOT BE PART OF THAT HANDBOOK THAT WE COULD GET A

COPY OF? >> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK ON

BEHALF OF -- >> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK ON

THIS. >> WE CAN MAKE IT AVAILABLE AND

CHECK THE BOX. >> WE HAVE SAID THIS IN THE PAST, THAT WE WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE FINALIZED INVESTIGATION.

>> JUST AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY BE INCARCERATED WHO MAY VERY WELL BE INNOCENT, YOU ALSO HAVE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE FREQUENT FLYERS WHO TAKE COMPLAINTS VERY OFTEN THAT ARE SOMETIMES UNFOUNDED. THAT IS THE REASONING THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS IS THERE AND THEY

CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. >> SURE. EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE

MEASURED. >> PROVIDING ACCESS TO

COMPLAINTS ARE VERY REASONABLE. >> WE ARE ASKING ABOUT THE SHERIFF S OFFICE. WE WILL DO OUR PART TO COMMUNICATE IT.

>> ANYTHING ELSE TO ADDRESS ON THIS ITEM?

>> I JUST WANT TO CIRCLE BACK ON THE FINANCIAL IMPACT.

>> IN MAY, THE COURTS THIS IS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILLION AND THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE FY25 BUDGET. THE ANNUALIZED COST IS BRINGING HUNDREDS OF INMATES BACK. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL 16 OFFICERS . HOWEVER, THEY ARE PHASING THOSE IN AT A COST OF AROUND 150,000. THEY ARE PHASING THEM IN JANUARY, APRIL, JULY. IF THOSE NUMBERS WERE TO CHANGE, THEY WOULD BE SUBSTITUTING CONTRACTED DOLLARS FOR PERSONNEL.

>> WHICH I WOULD DO ALL DAY. >> THIS BUDGET THAT IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE AUXILIARY STAFF THAT WAS MENTIONED THAT WILL NEED TO BE ADDED.

>> GOOD TO KNOW. HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY, CANDACE.

>> ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO ASK TO CONTRIBUTE.

>> AT THIS POINT, I AM LISTENING AND I WILL BE SPEAKING WITH VICKI OFF-LINE. IN ANY WAY, NOT NECESSARILY RECOMMENDATION

MOVING FORWARD. >> YOU HEARD THE GOALS OF THE COURT. ANY LAST IDEAS OR WE WILL CALL THE VOTE FOR THIS. JORDAN, IS THIS READY TO VOTE ON OR DO WE NEED ADDITIONAL WORK TO BE

BROUGHT BACK? >> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE? I FEEL LIKE IT IS COVERED BUT I WILL DEFER TO YOU GUYS.

>> IF YOU FEEL IT IS COVERED AND IT IS READY TO VOTE ON, WE WILL

MOVE ON. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY BIG QUESTIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE COURT DOES.

>> IN THE CASE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?

>> YOU. WE ARE GOING TO DO THREE THINGS. WE ARE GOING TO GO BASED ON PEOPLE SIGNING UP FOR COMMENTS AND OTHER

TRIANGULATION'S TAKING PLACE. >> WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK IN AND OUT AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A RECESS. WE WILL FIRST TAKE -- K 13 FOLLOWED BY G 18 FOLLOWED BY A SHORT RECESS AND THEN WE SEE ALL THE ROAD PEOPLE HERE. WE ARE GOING TO YOU AFTER

[K.13. Discussion and possible action to adopt updated Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum for meetings of the Hays County Commissioners Court. SMITH (Part 1 of 2)]

THE RECESS. WE HAVE G 18 BUT FIRST WE ARE GOING TO DO, JUST

[03:15:06]

TO GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE SIGNED

UP FOR IT, K 13. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO DISCUSS UPDATED RULES AND PROCEDURE, CONDUCT AND CONFORM FOR THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

>> SO MOVED. >> WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR IT. THE FIRST ONE IS SHANNON FITZPATRICK.

>> THANK YOU, HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONS COURT. I KNOW THESE ARE CHALLENGING TIMES AND I CERTAINLY RESPECT THOSE OF YOU THAT PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE TO RUN FOR OFFICE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALL OF THE CONSTITUENTS IN YOUR DISTRICT. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE GROWN FRUSTRATED WITH THEIR GOVERNMENT, WHETHER IT BE ACTIONS OR INACTIONS, REAL OR MAKE-BELIEVE AND IN THEIR PASSION HAD THE TIMES REDUCED PUBLIC DISCOURSE. THE WORK THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT WHEN YOU GET CRITICIZED IN THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDABLY IS FRUSTRATED BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS PART OF THE JOB YOU NOW HOLD, HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC, WHETHER THEY ARE IGNORANT OR EDUCATED. THAT IS HOW DEMOCRACY WORKS. WHEN I LEARNED OF ITEM NUMBER 13 NOW BEFORE THE COURT, I WAS DISHEARTENED. IT SENT OUT A PATH TO EXCLUDE FROM THE PUBLIC FORUM ALL THOSE WHO CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN SUCH DISCUSSIONS SUCH AS BEING HELD HERE TODAY. UNDER PROPOSED ITEM 4 A," THAT WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THE PUBLIC ARE NOT PERMITTED. IF YOU HAVE TO BE AT WORK ON 9:00 A.M. ON A TUESDAY MORNING AND ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE DRIVE FROM DRIPPING SPRINGS OR WHEREVER, YOUR VOICE WILL BE RENDERED MEANINGLESS UNDER THIS PROPOSAL. PRIVILEGED PEOPLE, AS MYSELF, WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR VOICES BEING HEARD AND THAT IS SIMPLY WRONG. IF SOMEONE SUBMITS A WRITTEN COMMENT FOR THE RECORD THAT YOU NEITHER DISAGREE WITH OR EVEN FEEL IS MISLEADING, THEN TREAT THEM AS YOU MIGHT ANY PERSON COMING BEFORE THIS COURT, BRUSH THEM OFF AND MOVE ON. PLEASE, DO NOT STIFLE THE PUBLIC'S VOICE. I AM ALSO GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT SECTIONS FOR E3 AND SECTIONS 5 WHICH THREATEN INDIVIDUALS WHO DISRUPT THE BUSINESS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH CRIMINAL CHARGESUNDER SECTION 4205 WHICH IS ABOUT DISRUPTING A PUBLIC MEETING. AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR, I KNOW THAT MISDEMEANORS CAN RESULT IN FINES OF UP TO $2000 AND SIX MONTHS IN JAIL. IF SOMEONE HAD A MELTDOWN IN THIS COURT AND HAD TO BE FORCIBLY REMOVED, I AM GOING TO TAKE A GANDER THAT SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL -- IF YOU CAN SHOW THAT SOMEONE IS BEING DISRUPTIVE, SIMPLY HAVE THEM REMOVED. THESE ARE SOME VERY CAPABLE FOLKS HERE. HAVE THEM REMOVED, ISSUE A TRESPASS WARNING FOR X NUMBER OF MONTHS AND PERHAPS A REFERRAL.

THREATENING TO PUT THEM IN THE ALREADY OVERCROWDED JAIL MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. PLEASE REFER TO THE SOMETIMES MESSINESS OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR DISPLAYS OF PROFESSIONALISM. PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS ITEM. IT DOES NOT SERVE YOUR CONSTITUENTS OR THE OATH OF OFFICE YOU SWORE TO

UPHOLD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT, AMY CAMP. IS SHE STILL HERE? YOU'RE GOOD? NO PROBLEM.

NEXT WE HAVE JEFF KAUFMAN. THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND. I AM MOVING THROUGH THIS AS FAST AS I CAN.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN. COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE FOR HEARING MY PROPOSAL. I OFFER THESE COMMENTS ON K 13. THE PROPOSED REVISION TO RULES AND PROCEDURES, CONDUCT AND DECORUM.

WHILE IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO UPDATE EXISTING RULES WHICH WERE ADOPTED IN 1998, CHANGES SHOULD BE DONE AFTER THE DELIBERATION.

THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PREVIOUS TALKING ABOUT AS WELL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE COURT TO ONLY JUSTIFY PEOPLE IN PERSON AND NOT ALLOWING WRITTEN COMMENT TO BE READ IN COURT.

THIS NEW RESTRICTION WOULD UNDULY LIMIT YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN PROVIDING POTENTIALLY VITAL INFORMATION TO

[03:20:01]

THE COURT. I AM LUCKY. I AM RETIRED. I HAVE A CAR. I CAN GET HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T. I CAN DRIVE DOWN EVEN THOUGH IT IS A HASSLE. I WOULD RATHER BE WATCHING THE MORNING NEWS OR WORKING OUT BUT HERE I AM TODAY. MANY PEOPLE CAN'T AND DON'T HAVE THE OPTION TO DO THAT. THEY HAVE TO WORK. THEY MAY HAVE A DISABILITY WHICH COULD PREVENT THEM FROM DRIVING OR ARRIVING HERE. I SUBMIT THAT THOSE PEOPLE NEED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A COMMENT ANOTHER WAY AND WRITTEN SEEMS TO BE THE WAY TO DO IT. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A NEW HARSHLY PUNITIVE LANGUAGE THAT SEEMS TO BE ADDED WHICH WOULD ADDRESS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ADJUST THE COURT. THIS EMPHASIS ON MOM AND DAN PUNISHMENT FOR LOOSELY DEFINED LACK OF RESPECT AND DECORUM TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF FEAR TO ANYONE WHO IS TRYING TO ADJUST THE COURT. I HAVE READ THE EXISTING RULES, PAINFULLY, I MIGHT SAY AND THEY ARE CLEARLY BUT SUFFICIENTLY -- I'M SORRY. THEY CLEARLY AND SUFFICIENTLY STATE THE RULES ARE DISALLOWING INSULTS AND PROFANITY AND ENFORCING PROPER DECORUM. YOU COULD JUST ENFORCE THOSE RULES. THEY ALSO MAKE A REFERENCE TO THE AUTHORITIES TO DO SO, NOT UNDULY THREATENING IN THE LANGUAGE. I AGREE -- I THINK YOU WILL HEAR SOME TESTIMONY FROM THE HAYS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY LATER AND THEY HAVE PROPOSED OPTIONS TO CONSIDER. YOU COULD VOTE DOWN THE PROPOSED RULES AND JUST ENFORCE THE CURRENT PROCEDURES AND RULES. OR, YOU COULD TABLE THIS ITEM AND ASSIGN IT TO A COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW AND COME UP WITH CHANGES THAT ARE NEEDED SINCE 1998 BUT YOU NEED TIME TO DO THIS NOT JUST IN THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS PROPOSED ON WEDNESDAY OF LAST WEEK. YOU SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT FOUR DAYS TO HAVE AN ITEM PROPOSED ON THE AGENDA IS NOT SUFFICIENT AND IT MAY TAKE MORE TIME THAN THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING WRITTEN?

>> WE DO. WE HAVE SEVERAL. >> HOW MANY?

>> SEVEN. >> IF THERE SEEMS TO BE A STRONG SIMILARITY OR A COPY PASTE, JUST READ THE NAMES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE DONE THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT THAT IS ALL THEY GOT AND THAT IS OKAY. WE JUST DON'T NEED A WHOLE THING READ IN A COPY/PASTE MANNER.

>> THERE ARE TWO OF THOSE, JUDGE FROM SHERRY SCOTT AND HAMPTON

SCOTT. >> PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS PLAN. THIS WILL INHIBIT THE PUBLIC FROM ENGAGING THE COMMISSIONS MEETINGS AND WILL RESULT IN A BACKLASH AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER. THIS WILL RESTRICT WRITTEN COMMENTS BEING READ ALOUD AND TIME SHARING. PUTS THE PUBLIC AT RISK OF THEIR SPEECH BEING ANALYZED BE A CONTEMPT CHARGES . THIS POLICY WILL MOSTLY AFFECT OUR VULNERABLE CITIZENS THAT ARE IMPACTED THE MOST, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE DISABLED, GRIEVING AND

WORKING-CLASS RESIDENTS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS FROM KAREN MUNOZ. GOOD MORNING, JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS KAREN MUNOZ AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND HAVE LIVED IN HAYS COUNTY SINCE 2012. I AM WRITING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT TO URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST K 13, THE PROPOSED 2025 RULES OF DECORUM. I AM SENDING THIS COMMENT VIA WRITTEN COMMENT BECAUSE I AM NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THIS MORNING'S MEETING, GIVEN MY SCHEDULE. SHOULD THESE RULES OF DECORUM PAST, THERE WILL BE NO OPTION TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY THESE COMMENTS SHOULD SAY BECAUSE THEY ARE SO COMMON SENSE THAT WE SHOULD KEEP DEMOCRACY AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE THAT YOU SHOULD VOTE AGAINST RULES THAT AIM TO LIMIT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. AS IT STANDS, THERE ARE MANY BARRIERS THAT DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM ADDRESSING THEIR GOVERNMENT. AGENDAS ARE RELEASED ONLY THREE DAYS BEFORE ANY MEETING, MEETINGS ARE HELD DURING WORK HOURS FOR MANY PEOPLE, TRANSLATION ISSUES, CHILD CARE, LACK OF PARKING OPTIONS DOWNTOWN ALL CREATE BARRIERS. NEVERMIND THE REALITY THAT PEOPLE FEEL THEY ARE QUALIFIED TO ADDRESS THE GOVERNMENT. PEOPLE OFTEN FEEL IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO TAKE THE TIME TO ADDRESS THEIR GOVERNMENT AS THEY WATCH THEIR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SENATORS CONTINUOUSLY IGNORE THEM. IT MAY SEEM LIKE AN EASY TASK TO COME AND ADDRESS YOUR GOVERNMENT. I ASSURED IT IS NOT AN EASY TASK. THESE RULES OF DECORUM WILL ONLY STIFLE DEBATE AND DEMOCRACY. PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THEM. KAREN

[03:25:01]

MUNOZ. >> THIS IS CLAUDIA. FROM KYLE. I AM SUBMITTING WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT AND DISRESPECTFUL AND FROM OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED RULES OF DECORUM ON ITEM 13.

THIS PROPOSAL IS DEEPLY TROUBLING NOT ONLY FOR WHAT IT TRIES TO REGULATE BUT FOR WHAT IT REPRESENTS. IN RECENT WEEKS, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY EXERCISE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE HARMFUL RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY COMMISSIONER SMITH, A RESOLUTION THAT DREW A FALSE AND INFLAMMATORY COMPARISON BETWEEN THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION IS'S AND IMMIGRANTS BEING DEPORTED WITHOUT DUE PROCESS. THE COMMUNITY SPOKE WITH CLARITY, CONVICTION, COURAGE. THIS PROPOSAL APPEARS TO BE RETALIATION TO THAT MOMENT, A REACTION NOT TO DISRUPTION BUT TO DISSENT AND THAT IS A DANGEROUS PATH. SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF THESE PROPOSED RULES RAISE SERIOUS AND ETHICAL CONCERN. FIRST, PROHIBITION ON WRITTEN COMMENTS IS EXCLUSIONARY AND LIKELY IN VIOLATION OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. WRITTEN COMMENTS IS THE ONLY SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE FORM OF PARTICIPATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. SURVIVORS OF TRAUMA AND THOSE WHO DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY. A GOVERNMENT THAT LIMITS INPUT ONLY TO THOSE WHO CAN PHYSICALLY SPEAK IN REAL TIME IS NOT ONE COMMITTED TO EQUITY. SECOND, THE RULES THE SPEAKERS WHO NEED TRANSLATORS MUST FILL OUT A FORM IN ADVANCE TO RECEIVE EQUAL TIME AS A BARRIER NOT AN ACCOMMODATION. LANGUAGE ACCESS SHOULD NEVER BE CONDITIONAL OR PUNITIVE. THIRD, THE BAN ON SO-CALLED INSULTING SPEECH DIRECTLY CONFLICTS WITH FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTION. CRITICISM OF ELECTED OFFICIALS INCLUDING CRITICISM OF THEIR INTEGRITY OR DECISIONS IS NOT ONLY LEGAL BUT IT IS NECESSARY IN A FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY . TO LUMP INSULTING AND WITH THREATENING IS NOT CONSTITUTIONALLY SOUND, IT IS INTELLECTUALLY DISHONEST. FINALLY, GRANTING THE COURT POWER TO ISSUE CONTEMPT CITATION FOR VAGUE VIOLATIONS OF DECORUM OPENS THE DOORS TO SILENCING RESIDENCE BASED ON SUBJECTIVE DISCOMFORT RATHER THAN OBJECTIVE DISRUPTION. THAT IS A MISUSE OF AUTHORITY AND A CLEAR THREAT TO OPEN GOVERNMENT. THIS PROPOSAL SENDS A CLEAR AND CHILLING MESSAGE IF YOU SPEAK UP TOO STRONGLY MAY BE PUNISHED. THAT MESSAGE IS NOT WORTHY OF THIS COUNTY END IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH OUR DEMOCRATIC VALUES. I ASK THIS COURT TO REJECT THIS PROPOSAL NOT SIMPLY TO AVOID LITIGATION BUT THE CAUSE GOVERNMENTS DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIRES THAT THE PUBLIC BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK FREELY, PASSIONATELY WITHOUT FEAR AND AS MY DAD USED TO TELL ME, IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT, STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN. THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS FROM DAVID PATTERSON. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I DON'T WANT THE COURT TO TAKE AWAY THE RIGHT OF THE COMMENT BY EMAIL FOR ANYONE.

I WOULD THINK THAT ALL COMMISSIONERS WOULD WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEIR COMMISSIONERS HAVE TO SAY. IS NOT A BIG PART OF THE JOB? PLEASE VOTE NO ON ANY PROPOSAL THAT WOULD STOP OR LIMIT READING EMAILS, COMMENTS INTO THE RECORD AND ANY PROPOSAL THAT LIMITS ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS WHETHER IN PERSON OR VIA EMAIL.

THANK YOU. >> MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO MAKE -- SORRY. ROBIN BLACKBURN ON ITEM 13. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS THE COURT IN PERSON. WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED. THIS IS ASININE. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN HAYS COUNTY WHO HAVE DAY JOBS OR CHILDREN TO TAKE CARE OF WHO ARE NOT TYPICALLY ABLE TO ATTEND COMMISSIONER COURT MEETINGS. THIS PROHIBITION ON WRITTEN COMMENT MAKES IT SOUND LIKE YOU ONLY WANT THE OPINIONS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FINANCIALLY RICH ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE JOBS OR WANT FOR CHILD CARE. YOU WORK FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HAYS COUNTY AND YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO ACT LIKE IT.

>> IS THAT IT? >> THAT IS IT.

>> BEAUTIFUL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNCIL SINCE APRIL TO REVIEW THIS AND THE REASON FOR IT IS THERE IS ALSO CHANGES THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS SESSION SPECIFIC TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT THAT OUR CURRENT RULES AND QUORUM WOULD HAVE BEEN A VIOLATION OF, SPECIFICALLY OUR OVERALL POSTING OF RULES AND OTHER THINGS . YOU HAVE OFTEN STATED THIS IS A COURT OF RECORD AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BOTHERED ME WAS UNDER THE WRITTEN RULES -- UNDER THE WRITTEN COMMENT PORTION, WE BEGAN TO SEE COMMENTS -- WE HAVE TO SUBMIT -- WE HAVE RULES ON OUR WEBSITE THAT HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED. THEY ARE VERY CLEAR. THEY STATE THAT IF YOU WANT TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN COMMENT YOU DO IT BY 8:00 A.M.. IF IT IS NOT RECEIVED BY THEN, IT WON'T BE A PART. THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN PERSON, IF YOU WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED IN COURT, YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT YOUR FORM AND IT HAS TO BE POSTED AND WE HAVE TO TREAT EACH AND EVERY PERSON FAIRLY UNDER THAT AND EQUAL IN EVERY

[03:30:05]

ASPECT. ONE OF THE CONCERNS I HAVE IS IN LOOKING AT EVERY SINGLE MUNICIPALITY IN HAYS COUNTY END EVERY SINGLE COUNTY THAT ACTED -- THAT I COULD FIND IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THEY DON'T HAVE A PROCESS SUCH AS THIS. YOU MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THE READING ALOUD OF THESE COMMENTS IS A HOLDOVER.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE ORDER FROM THE OF COMMITTEE KIDDING RULES LIFTED AND PUT BACK INTO PLACE SEPTEMBER 1, 2021. WHEN THOSE RULES WERE PUT BACK INTO PLACE, WE NEVER FOLLOWED, TO MY BELIEVE, WE DIDN'T FOLLOW THAT DIRECTION. AND SO, IN LOOKING AT , AND I WILL JUST GIVE EXAMPLE OF SOME MUNICIPALITIES, CITY OF SAN MARCUS, CITY OF KYLE, CITY OF BEAUTY, CITY OF WOODCREEK, EACH OF THEM HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUBMISSION. WHENEVER FOLKS SAY THE PUBLIC COMMENT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE GOVERNING BODY. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC COMMENT. HOW THOSE MUNICIPALITIES AND OTHER COUNTIES ADDRESS THAT IS, THEY HAVE EITHER DONE ONE OF TWO THINGS. THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND. NUMBER ONE, FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS THEY LIST ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSION OR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND SAY, IF YOU HAVE A WRITTEN COMMENT, HERE IS THE EMAIL FOR EVERY ONE OF THOSE AND YOU MAY DISTRIBUTE. OR, THEY HAVE SAID, OKAY, YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT ALL COMMENTS WITH THE PERTINENT COVER FORM TO THE COUNTY X AMOUNT OF TIME PRIOR TO THE MEETING, JUST AS WE DO, 8:00 AM BEFORE THE MEETING, AND WHOMEVER IS IN CHARGE OF THAT, COUNTY CLERK OR CITY CLERK OR WHOMEVER, DISTRIBUTES THOSE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT. BECAUSE IT IS PURPOSELY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WANTING TO HAVE ACCESS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THOSE MEMBERS OF THE COURT IN ADDRESSING THEM. I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO AMEND THESE RULES OF DECORUM TO REACH THAT. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS IF YOU LOOK AT EVERY OTHER PROVISION IN THIS, IT WAS LIFTED DIRECTLY FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS PROCEDURES AND RULES OF THE CORM FOR THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I DREAMT UP, IT'S NOT SOMETHING I LOOKED AT. THE REASON IT WAS HELD OFF UNTIL NOW WAS BECAUSE THERE WERE CHANGES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE RELATED TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT THIS SESSION. AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BRING THIS TO THE COURT WITHOUT , IN THE MIDDLE OF APRIL OR EARLY MAY, AND THEN TURN AROUND AND THEN HAVE TO AMEND IT ONE MONTH LATER BECAUSE THERE WERE ADDITIONAL CHANGES. THAT IS THE REASON IT WAS HELD OFF. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH HOW IT WAS WRITTEN. BUT I ALSO WANTED TO BE ABLE TO DO THE RESEARCH TO LOOK AT THOSE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES, COUNTIES, AND CITIES WITHIN OUR COUNTY INCLUDED, TO TRY TO FIND THE BEST MEASURE FOR THIS. THIS IS A WORKING DOCUMENT I WANTED US TO BRING HERE AND I'M IN TODAY TO TRY TO HAVE SOME INPUT RELATED. AGAIN, IF THE BIGGEST CONCERN, AND I CAN FULLY SEE IT, IS THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ADDRESSING IN THOSE COMMENTS, THEN WE SHOULD CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE THEY CAN SUBMIT THOSE COMMENTS AND THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED TO US AND THAT IS DONE. HOWEVER, AT LEAST THOSE TWO SECTIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT DIRECTLY SPEAK TO HAVING TO APPEAR IN PERSON. SO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THINGS UNDER THE OPEN ACT CORRECTLY, AND I WILL SAY A COUPLE OF CONCERNS RAISED, IT IS DIRECT LANGUAGE OUT OF DIRECT OPENS MEETING ACT REFERENCED IT'S DIRECT, AND IF YOU LIKE I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISTRIBUTE TO ANYONE AND LEAVE HERE FOR ANYONE TO SEE, OR EVEN EMAIL TO ANYONE WHO ASKED FOR IT, THE COPY OF RULES OF DECORUM THAT THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HAS ADOPTED AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS, IT IS TO STANDARDIZE THE RULES THROUGHOUT THE STATES OF PEOPLE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THOSE RULES ARE.

>> JORDAN, I WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. OPEN MEETINGS ACT UPDATE, WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING THAT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED?

>> IT HASN'T BEEN IMPLEMENTED YET. SEPTEMBER 1.

>> ON SEPTEMBER 1, WHAT RULES IN THE LEDGE HAVE BEEN PASSED THAT

[03:35:09]

NEED TO BE UPDATED? >> SURE. SO I THINK THE SPECIFIC ONE BEING REFERENCED HERE IS THE 72 HOUR NOTICE COMPONENT FOR OPEN MEETINGS ACT. CURRENTLY , CURRENTLY THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT RULES STATE THAT , AND THIS IS BEEN GOSCH, WHO KNOWS HOW LONG, YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH NO LESS THAN 72 HOURS OF NOTICE. RIGHT? THAT HAS BEEN ON ALERT AGENDAS. WE KNOW WHEN WE HAVE TO POST, ET CETERA. AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, THAT IS CHANGING.

INSTEAD OF 72 HOURS NOTICE, IT IS THREE BUSINESS DAYS. NO WEEKENDS OR HOLIDAYS, ET CETERA. SO I THINK THAT IS THE MAIN RULE AS FAR AS POSTING GOES. THAT 72 HOURS AS OF SEPTEMBER ONE IS

THREE BUSINESS DAYS. >> SO THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT, WITH THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY LAST WEEK, WHEN WE HAVE HAD TO OPPOSED OUR AGENDA FOR THIS WEEK?

>> WEDNESDAY. TUESDAY. SURE. THREE BUSINESS DAYS. WHAT ELSE, JORDAN? YOU MENTIONED THE POSTING, BUT WHAT ELSE?

>> AS FAR AS POSTING TIMELINES, THAT IS THE MAIN ONE. I DON'T

HAVE ANY SPECIFIC ONES. JUDGE. >> TO UPDATE OUR POSTING TIMES, WE WANT TO CREATE WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS I HEARD AND SAW, GREAT EXAMPLES OF A BOARD RUNNING ON THESE TYPES OF MODELS, A LOT OF FEAR, ANTICIPATION AND ANXIETY AND SILENCING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS PART. OVER AN UPDATE ON THAT IT IS OF SIGNIFICANCE. COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> I'M GOING TO STOP YOU RIGHT THERE.

>> THAT WAS YOUR CHARACTERIZATION -- THAT IS WHAT

YOU SAID. >> THAT IS NOTHING.

>> LET'S LET THE OTHERS TALK AND THEN YOU CAN CLARIFY MORE.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> AS OF 1998, WE HAVEN'T HAD OUR RULES, I DEFINITELY THINK THERE IS ROOM TO IMPROVE AND TO CHANGE OUR RULES. I DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULDN'T ALLOW WRITTEN COMMENTS. I DO THINK IT IS A WAY FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING TO BE ABLE TO REACH US. SO I DO BELIEVE IN THAT. I THINK COMMISSIONER SMITH SAID HE WAS WILLING TO AMEND THOSE AS WELL . BUT, AS FAR AS THE OTHER PROCEEDINGS WITHIN THE DOCUMENT, I FEEL LIKE WE NEED JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME TO REVIEW AND TO COME UP WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE WANTED TO SAY BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISIONS.

>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. >> I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER HAMMER, WE NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME TO GO THROUGH THIS. I DO BELIEVE THAT HAVING THE OPTION OF WRITTEN COMMENT SHOULD BE THERE FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T MAKE IT TO COURT. MY ONLY CONSIDERATION IS , YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE TO COURT, AND, YOU KNOW, WE DO ASK THEM TO BE RESPECTFUL AND NO PROFANITY, WHATEVER, I FEEL LIKE THOSE RULES ARE APPLIED TO THE WRITTEN COMMENTS. ARE COURT CLERK JUST READS WHAT IS THERE NO MATTER WHAT. AND IT SOMETIMES MIGHT NOT BE TRUE. AND WHEN THEY ARE DIRECTED AT A FAMILY MEMBER OF SOMEONE ON THE COURT, I DON'T THINK THAT IS RIGHT. BECAUSE, IT HAPPENED TO ME RECENTLY, AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS FAIR TO ME TO ATTACK A FAMILY MEMBER AND NOT BEING ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT. I WOULD LIKE, AS WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THIS POLICY, TO THINK ABOUT THAT . AND CONSIDER THAT AS WELL. THE SAME RULES APPLY.

>> KIND OF BASICALLY THE SAME THING, JUDGE. I AGREE THE WRITTEN COMMENT FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD CONTINUE. I FEEL WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE -- I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY THAT SAID THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING, MOTHERS STAYING AT HOME YOU KNOW, ALL THAT, I THINK WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO SEND IN THEIR COMMENTS AND HAVE THEM READ . AND I TOO WOULD LIKE A LITTLE MORE TIME. IT WAS KIND OF DIFFICULT BECAUSE THERE IS NO REDLINE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CHANGES ARE. AND SO I WOULD JUST ASK WHATEVER CHANGES WE ARE MAKING FROM THE CURRENT RULES,

THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THEM -- >> EXACTLY.

>> IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT. >> CAN WE TABLE THIS?

>> WHAT IS GOING TO SAY IS WHAT I BRING BACK A COPY, I WILL PUT TOGETHER A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF WHAT ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HAS IN IT, WHAT OUR CURRENT RULES HAS IN IT AND WHAT THIS HAS IN IT. I WILL BRING THAT BACK FOR CONSIDERATION. BUT AGAIN, THE

[03:40:04]

PURPOSE OF THIS WAS NOT TO ADOPT THESE TODAY, BUT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT AND HAVE SOME INPUT ON IT AND TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT Y'ALL AS MEMBERS OF THE COURT WANTED.

AGAIN, I WANT TO REITERATE THIS, THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC COMMENT IS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS WHOMEVER THE GOVERNING BODY IS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. SO WHENEVER WE TALK ABOUT PUBLIC COMMENT AND EMAILED IN PUBLIC COMMENTS, THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO MEET THAT CHALLENGE, THEN WE NEED TO ENSURE THERE IS A PROCESS BY WHICH, WHEN YOU EMAIL THAT IN, YOU ARE MEETING THE SAME STANDARDS AS EVERYONE ELSE. I THINK THAT GETS TO THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER COHEN HAD. BUT ALSO DIRECTS THOSE COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO US. THIS ISN'T A FORUM -- WHENEVER WE SAY IT'S A PUBLIC FORUM, IT IS A PUBLIC FORUM FOR THE ABILITY TO

[G.18. Authorize the Constable Precinct 3 Office to lease two pickup trucks upfitted with law enforcement equipment and amend the budget accordingly. BECERRA/MONTAGUE]

COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. AND THAT IS WHAT IT SHOULD BE. IT SHOULDN'T BE A PUBLIC FORM FOR THEATRICS.

>> THANK YOU. PLEASE OPEN G 18. >> AUTHORIZE THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 OFFICE TWO LEASE TWO PICKUP TRUCKS UPLIFTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT AND AMEND THE BUDGET QUARTERLY.

>> JUST UPDATE US ON THE URGENCIES AND TIMING OF THIS .

>> CAN I HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AS FAR AS OUTSOURCING?

>> NO. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I HAVE TWO VEHICLES THAT HAVE GONE DOWN. ONE IS A 2020 FORD IN A FIVE-YEAR LEASE IN AUGUST. IT IS MARGINAL RIGHT NOW. WE ARE STILL WORKING OUT OF IT. I HAD A 2017 THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN REPAIRED THAT WAS IN THE SHOP QUITE A BIT. I TOOK MY PERSONAL, NOT MY PERSONAL, BUT MY COUNTY UNIT AND PUT MARKINGS ON IT AND ASSIGNED IT ITS OWN , I'M DRIVING MY TRUCK. THAT'S COOL. BUT IT'S JUST REACHED A POINT , I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE SHOULD THE COURT APPROVE THAT THIS MORNING FOR DELIVERY. THIS WOULD GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEM OUTFITTED AND HOPEFULLY BE ON THE ROAD NO LATER THAN MAYBE OCTOBER AS OPPOSED TO LATE SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER. SO, I FELT LIKE IT WAS EXCELLENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND I APPRECIATE

YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER

HAMMER, ANYTHING ELSE? >> NO. I DEFINITELY WANT TO SUPPORT OR CONSTABLES AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH UNITS TO GET ON THE ROAD. I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK AND

ENCLOSED COURT. >> BEAUTIFUL. ANY QUESTIONS OR

COMMENTS? >> I GUESS VICKI, --

>> VICKI WOULD BE A GREAT PICK. >> VICKI BUDGET OFFICER, CURRENTLY AT MY OFFICE IS REVIEWING ALL THE COUNTY FLEETS, ALTHOUGH LEASED VEHICLES, PLANNING FOR THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE AND WHAT THE COUNTY CAN REPLACE FOR COUNTY OWNED VEHICLES PLUS SOME OF THE LEASES THAT ARE GOING MONTH TO MONTH THAT WE CAN TURN OVER. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND REPLACING VEHICLES AT THIS TIME . IN THE PAST WE HAVE DEVELOPED A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH EMM, THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND VEHICLES ON THE GROUND FOR US WHEN NEEDED. IT IS A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE.

WE PAY PREMIUM AS YOU ARE PAYING FOR WHAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS ORDERED VERSUS IF WE CAN PURCHASE FROM THE MANUFACTURER OURSELVES. BUT, IF WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE NEED SOMETHING ON THE GROUND SOONER, WE CAN GO THAT ROUTE. WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST IS BROUGHT AN ITEM TO COURT AFTER WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET THAT IDENTIFIES ALL THE DEPARTMENTS VEHICLE NEEDS FOR THE UPCOMING BUDGET YEAR. WE BRING THAT ITEM MAYBE EARLY AUGUST , MID AUGUST, SO THAT THE COURT CAN AUTHORIZE THOSE VEHICLES TO BE ORDERED AHEAD OF THE BUDGET BEING ADOPTED. SO WE CAN AT LEAST GET THEM ON ORDER SO THEY WILL BE IN FIRST QUARTER IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE . THEN WE CAN PLAN FOR BUDGETING FOR THE EQUIPMENT AS WELL. I WOULD JUST BE CONCERNED IF WE START REPLACING VEHICLES IN ONE DEPARTMENT THAT WE WOULD GET MORE REQUESTS COME IN BEFORE WE CAN ACTUALLY IDENTIFY HOW MANY VEHICLES WE CAN REPLACE COUNTYWIDE.

>> COMMISSIONER? >> IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ARE READY FOR DELIVERY . IF I AM WRONG ON THAT, CORRECT ME. AND, IF WE DON'T DELIVER THEM THEY WON'T BE HELD FOR US ANYMORE, SO THEY

[03:45:01]

HAVE TO BE FOUND AGAIN . AND MY UNDERSTANDING THAT CORRECTLY?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. HOWEVER, THE COST, SO IT WOULD BE REPLACING ONE COUNTY OWNED VEHICLE, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO IDENTIFY MONEY FOR THE LEASE FOR ONE OF THE VEHICLES. ONE OF THEM IS A REPLACEMENT LEASED VEHICLE SO THAT IS PRETTY MUCH A WASH. BUT THEN THE OUTFITS FOR ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT, THOSE ARE APPROXIMATELY $25,000 EACH DEPENDING ON THE EQUIPMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDED. SO, IT'S NOT AS MUCH AS THE LEASE COST, AS IT IS THE OUTFIT COST AND TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL $60,000 RIGHT NOW SINCE WE ARE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, IN THREE WEEKS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IDENTIFIED ALL OF THE VEHICLES COUNTYWIDE.

>> THE REASON I TOOK THIS UP AND TOOK THE MEETINGAND HAD THIS CONVERSATION WAS BECAUSE THE CONSTABLE DID A GOOD JOB ARE TO GETTING TO ME HOW IT WAS OUT OF THE CYCLE THAT WE ALL KNOW AND RESPECT AND SUPPORT AND HE HAS ALSO, FOR YEARS, DONE THE SAME.

BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT, LIKE SALARY MODIFICATIONS, IT FELL OUT OF CYCLE AND AS HE DESCRIBED IT AT THE BEGINNING, IS OUT OF THE ROUTINE AND IT IS A UNIQUE DIRE STRAITS TYPE SITUATION . ON SOMETHING WE HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO DO ANYWAY. AND SO I WANTED TO SUPPORT THAT BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE SO MUCH TIME TO EVEN , ALL GOVERNMENT THINGS TO, PROCESS, OUTFIT, AND GET BACK OUT THERE. HE IS USING HIS PERSONAL VEHICLE. I WANT TO SUPPORT THIS UNIQUE ONE OFF. WE ARE NOT BEING AT LAST WITH THESE TYPE OF REQUESTS. NINE TIMES OUT OF 10 EVERYONE IS FOLLOWING WHAT

VICKI SAID. >> THERE ARE POOL VEHICLES IN THE FLEET AVAILABLE. I THINK YOU HAVE TWO. THEY ARE OLDER

VEHICLES AS WELL. >> WE HAVE A 2014 AND 2015. AND THEY'RE BOTH SITTING READY TO BE AUCTIONED. THE 2017 IS IN USE. THAT'S WHY I'M DRIVING MY PERSONAL CAR. AND NOT MANY ADMINISTRATORS DRIVE MARKED UNITS.

>> I GET IT AND I UNDERSTAND AND THAT'S WHY IT'S HERE.

COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> I WAS GOING TO ASK, I KNOW THE MAJORITY, AS VICKI STATED, THE MAJORITY OF THE COST IS OUTFITTING THE VEHICLE. I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE AN OUTFITTED VEHICLE . BUT IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, COULD THAT BE DELAY JUST A LITTLE BIT UNTIL WE IDENTIFY THE FUNDS, YOU KNOW,

-- >> SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT WE HAVE WILL BE USED. I KNOW THE RADIOS ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO BE NEW.

>> TRANSFERRING OF STUFF FROM ONE CAR TO THE OTHER.

>> NOT ALL OF IT, SOME OF IT. YOU HAVE A 2014 AND A 2015, AND

MY UNITS ON THE ROAD. >> THAT IS A GOOD POINT COMMISSIONER. WHEREVER YOU CAN TRANSFER OVER.

>> AND UTILIZE THAT. >> THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THE VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING REPLACED , THEY ARE DIFFERENT BODY STYLES NOW. THAT EQUIPMENT WILL NOT TRANSFER OVER. IT WILL BE A

TOTALLY NEW OUTFIT. >> MY QUESTION WOULD BE, GIVEN THAT WE WILL HAVE THOSE NUMBERS IN THREE WEEKS, IF THIS COMES BACK IN THREE WEEKS, WILL YOU BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT FUNDING AND JUST LOSE THREE WEEKS IN THE PROCESS IF WE MOVE FORWARD THEN? AS OPPOSED TO THE FULL BUDGET CYCLE?

>> POTENTIALLY. I GUESS TNM HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER. THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND VEHICLES RATHER QUICKLY WHEN WE NEEDED ONE. I GUESS MY CONCERN IS, I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE TWO REPLACEMENT VEHICLES BUDGETED IN THE CONSTABLE'S BUDGET. THE FLEET HAS BEEN SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS NEED NEW FLEET. SO, I WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT -- WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE COUNTYWIDE FLEET, FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT, TO DETERMINE ALL THE DEPARTMENT'S NEEDS TO ENSURE WE MEET THE HIGHEST NEEDS.

>> ONCE HERE TALKING ABOUT SEEM OLD TO ME. IF ARE GOING TO DO THIS ANYWAY, I THINK WE SHOULD SUPPORT IT BECAUSE THREE WEEKS FROM NOW I THINK ARE GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT. AS FAR AS I'M

CONCERNED. >> LET ME ASK A QUESTION, THE LAST EMAIL I GOT, THEY NEEDED AN ANSWER BY LAST WEDNESDAY HAS SOMETHING CHANGED TO WHERE THEY COULD, I WAS WONDERING, IF WE WAIT, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THERE WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE OR NOT. AND IT IS, I WON'T SAY IT IS A CRISIS, BUT I DROVE MY OWN TRUCK FOR 2 1/2 YEARS WHEN I GOT ELECTED. AND I DIDN'T LIKE THAT. BUT I FINALLY GOT A TRUCK. AND NOW I'M DRIVING MY OWN TRUCK AGAIN. AND THE YEAR BEFORE LAST, LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, I

[03:50:06]

ASKED FOR TWO VEHICLES, I GOT ONE. IF I HAD GOTTEN WHAT I ASKED FOR AND NO I NEEDED WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.

>> STEPHANIE HUNT, PURCHASING AGENT. YES, TNM WAS ABLE TO LOCATE TWO VEHICLES ON THE GROUND, THEY ARE BOTH USED WITH LITTLE MILEAGE ON BOTH OF THEM. AND, PER THE LAST EMAIL, THEY HAD PULLED THEM LAST WEEK, BUT I HAD TOLD HER WE HAD COURT AND THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE TO COME TO COURT. SHE DID SAY THAT THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAD THEM HAD NOT RELEASED THEM YET. SO THEY WERE STILL BEING HELD. BUT SHE DID FOLLOW UP THIS MORNING AND I TOLD HER I WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH HER TODAY REGARDING HOWEVER THE COURT DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> CURRENTLY HOLD. CURRENTLY HELP.

>> IF WE DON'T DO IT TODAY -- >> AND THEY DID SAY THAT WE COULD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEM AND THEN WAIT TO HAVE THEM OUTFITTED. BUT AGAIN, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS BUDGETED IN NEXT FISCAL YEAR. AND IT TAKES 8-10 WEEKS ONCE WE GIVE THEM THE PO TO OUTFIT THEM TO GET THE PARTS ON ORDER AND

GET THEM IN. >> WE COULD DO THE OUTFIT NOW, THAT EIGHT TO 10 WEEKS -- SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER.

>> NO. THE EARLIEST, IF WE WERE TO ORDER THE OUTFIT PARTS NOW, THEY ARE NOT GETTING OUTFITTED UNTIL NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER.

NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER. >> WHEN I GOT LAST YEAR'S BUDGET I DIDN'T GET UNTIL MAY. THIS IS QUICKER. IF I GOT THEM BY OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH, YOU'RE GOING TO ADD SOMETHING?

>> MY QUESTION IS, IF WE WENT AHEAD AND PURCHASED THE VEHICLES AND THEN DID AND ORDERED THE OUTFIT WITH THE NEW PHYSICAL YOUR BUDGET, OR EVEN THREE WEEKS FROM NOW, DO WE HAVE THE BUDGET TO DO THAT? JUST THE VEHICLES THEMSELVES?

>> NO, SIR. WE WOULD HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE BUDGET TO ORDER THE VEHICLES NOW. AND THE OUTFITS WE WOULD NEED TO -- YOU WOULD BE ADDING $50,000 TO THE FY26 BUDGET IF YOU APPROVE THOSE TWO.

>> WHAT WOULD BE -- WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT ON 2025 IF WE DID IT RIGHT NOW? WHAT IS THE VEHICLE COST? I'M SORRY, I'M

NOT LOOKING AT THE SHEET. >> JUST THE LEASE. THEY ARE APPROXIMATELY $1000 PER MONTH FOR EACH LEASE. SO DEPENDING ON WHEN IT DELIVERED, IF WE TOOK DELIVERY WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR

SO, -- >> WE COULD GET TO THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR FOR THOSE TWO VEHICLES FOR $8000?

>> DEFINITELY. PROBABLY LESS THAN $8000.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER HAD A QUESTION.

>> WOULD BE IN THE BUDGET TO DO ONE? COULD WE DO ONE POSSIBLY?

>> POTENTIALLY. WE WOULD DEFINITELY BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE OLDER ONE . AND THEN LOOK AT -- WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR , WE SET ASIDE FUNDS SO WE COULD LOOK AT OUR LEASES THAT WERE COMING UP. FOR RENEWAL. TO DETERMINE IF WE WERE GOING TO RETURN THOSE OR GO MONTH TO MONTH. WE CAN GO MONTH TO MONTH.

>> CONSTABLE, LET'S GIVE YOU ONE AND IN THREE WEEKS WE CAN

VISIT AGAIN. >> I WILL PUT THAT ON THE STREET

AND STILL DRIVE MY TRUCK. >> LET'S GET YOU ONE VERSUS

NONE. >> WE MAY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE

OUTFIT. >> ONE OF THE THINGS WE DISCUSSED WHEN WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT IT, THE 2014 AND 2015 AND 2017, LAST YEAR AND UP TO THIS YEAR WE'VE SPENT $70,000 ON THOSE VEHICLES. IF YOU WANT TO USE THEM AS A ], OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT EVERYDAY WORK, NO.

>> CONSTABLE, I AM WITH YOU 100%. I AM ONE OF FIVE. YOU WANT TO DO THIS WITH THE TWO CARS OR WANT TO DO ONE? WE ARE GOING TO PUSH FOR ONE CAR FOR YOU OUTFITTED. PLEASE CALL ROLE.

COMMISSIONER HAMMER COMMISSIONER INGALSBE , COMMISSIONER SMITH --

>> DO WE HAVE TO DIVIDE THE FUNDS FOR THE MOTION?

>> I WOULD RECOMMEND TAKING THE FUNDS FROM COUNTYWIDE MISCELLANEOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

>> I MOVED TO TAKE THE FUNDS FROM COUNTYWIDE.

>> YES. YOU BET. >> MODIFIED MOTION, YES.

>> KEEP YOUR ROLL CALL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

COMMISSIONER COHEN. JUDGE BECERRA.

[K.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a contract between Hays County and Evoke Wellness related to substance-use treatment for participants in the Judicial Services Department. INGALSBE/FACUNDO]

>> THANK YOU. WE WILL SEE YOU IN THREE WEEKS. GOING TO DO ONE

LAST THING. K7 AND THEN RECESS. >> K7, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXIT -- BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2025 AN UPDATE EQUIPMENT

[03:55:16]

PRICING FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE IN THE

BUDGET COURTLY. >> TO HELP US PUBLISH OUR MISSION WHICH IS TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF THOSE UNDER OUR SUPERVISION. THOSE ARE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, THE MAJORITY OF OUR CLIENTS ARE INDIGENT. THIS IS WHAT WE HOPE TO USE THE FUNDS FOR. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY, JUST HOPING TO USE THE ALREADY CONTRACTED SERVICES BUDGET TO PAY FOR THOSE

ITEMS. >> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW THE WE ARE TRYING TO DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS THE SERVICES THEY NEED THAT MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE THEM. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. REALLY APPRECIATED.

>> WELDON, AGREED. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> ROLL CALL.

>> ARE YOU READY? HERE WE GO. >> EVEN IF I AM READY --

>> THAT FELT SO GOOD. WE'VE GOT TO TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT THAT.

WHAT WAS THAT NUMBER? K6. IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF TIME AND BANDWIDTH, I PROMISE YOU I'M GOING TO GO JUST AS FAST AS I

[K.6. Discussion and possible action to approve the adoption of the Hays County, Texas Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. BECERRA/M.JONES ]

CAN. WE HAVE A LOT OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED REALLY IMPORTANT PEOPLE THAT CAN SHED LIGHT ON HER ISSUES THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED. BUT I'M GOING TO HIT K-6, ONE AND THREE AND THEN THE ROADS THE. WERE GOING TO GO FAST THROUGH THE OTHERS.

>> K-6.DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF THE HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS MULTI-JURISDICTION HAZARD

MITIGATION PLAN. >> SO MOVED. SECOND.

>> APPROACH THE PODIUM AND START THE CONVERSATION.

>> MIKE JONES, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE BETTY SWARTS OUR ASSOCIATE INSTRUMENTAL IN ORCHESTRATING THIS HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN. AS YOU KNOW FROM CONVERSATIONS A COUPLE YEARS BACK RECENTLY PUT THIS INTO PLAY IS WHAT MAKES IS ELIGIBLE FOR GLANCE GRANTS. IN ADDITION IT GIVES US A ROADMAP FOR THE COUNTY TO ENSURE WE STAY ABOVE AND BEYOND PROTECTION IN THIS PROPERTY. WITH YOUR PERMISSION,

>> ONE THING I WANT TO SAY, AND IT'S NOT ANYTHING, BUT A TONE OF GRATITUDE, WE HAVE A ROBUST WILL SUPPORTED , WHAT IS THAT, LOW WATER CROSSING ALARM SYSTEM. COUNTYWIDE. THAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN FOUR YEARS AND THANKS TO OUR RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS AND OUR CONTINUED MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE, WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT IS HELPING US PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS IN WAYS THAT OTHERS DON'T. AND THAT WAS MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR OVER THIS WEEKEND. I AM USING THIS MOMENT TO SAY, I AM SO GRATEFUL AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING WE THE CONVERSATION KEEPING ALL OF OUR SAFETY SYSTEMS CURRENT AND

UPDATED AND SUPPORTED. >> I WOULD ADD TO THAT, AND I WOULD RECOMMEND AND ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO WERE IMPACTED, ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES, NOT JUST KERR COUNTY BUT THE OTHERS DOWNSTREAM, WHEN WE LEARNED THAT LESSON IN 2015 WE PUT THE MONITORS ALL OVER THE COUNTY AS WELL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE.

>> MY NAME IS PATTY SWARTS, A SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER FOR LANGFORD COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND I WANT TO SAY WHAT AN HONOR AND PLEASURE IT HAS BEEN TO WORK WITH MIKE AND HIS TEAM OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS TO REALLY PUT THIS MULTIJURISDICTIO NAL PLAN TOGETHER. ALL OF THE JURISDICTIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WE PUT TOGETHER A GROUP OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS, WE CONDUCTED TWO PUBLIC OUTREACH MEETINGS AND WE HAD SEVERAL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. I FEEL LIKE, WHAT YOU HAVE NOW IS A VERY SOLID PLAN , PURPOSE OF A HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN IS TO REDUCE PRETTY DAMAGES AND PROTECT AGAINST THE LOSS OF LIFE. YOU ARE GOOD TO GO, THANK YOU, MIKE, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND JUDGES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE

NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BECAUSE IT IS EVER, EVER MORE CLEAR AND PRESENT THAN TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S APPROVE THIS. CALL THE ROLL.

[K.1. Discussion and possible action to create a Civil Service Commission Department for expenditures related to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Hays County and the Hays County Law Enforcement Association (HCLEA) and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/HIPOLITO ]

>> ACTION TO CREATE A CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION DEPARTMENT FOR

[04:00:02]

EXPENDITURES RELATED TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (CBA) BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE HAYS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION (HCLEA) AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> AND COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> WHO IS GOING TO GIVE THE HIGHLIGHTS? I KNOW IT IS SEPARATING THAT FUNCTION OUT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO HAVE MORE TRANSPARENCY, IS THAT THE COMMITTEE WHO WILL BE OVERSEEING THE EXPENDITURES OF THOSE

>> VICKI MIGHT BE MORE QUICK TO ANSWER THE QUESTION BUT I CAN

GENERALLY SPEAKING, YEAH, OKAY. >> SAY NO MORE. SPEAK IN YOUR

PART PLEASE. >> SO SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS APPROVED A COUPLE OF CONTRACTS BACK IN APRIL AND MAY I BELIEVE.

THOSE CONTRACTS WERE DIRECTLY RELATED TO SERVICES THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR CIVIL SERVICE. IN ORDER TO KEEP THOSE COSTS TRANSPARENT AND ALLOW FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR TO REVIEW THOSE EXPENDITURES , THEY REQUESTED A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT BE CREATED AND HAVE THOSE FUNDS IDENTIFIED IN THAT DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR REVIEW AND

APPROVAL. >> AND, JUST TO CLARIFY, VICKI, WHEN WE SAY THAT A DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO BE CREATED, IT'S NOT THAT WE ARE HIRING A BUNCH OF PEOPLE?

>> IT IS STRICTLY FOR THE CONTRACTED SERVICES. YES. SO ANYTHING RELATED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE PART OF THE CONTRACT TO ADMINISTER THOSE ITEMS. IT IS SIMPLY FOR THOSE.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR, JUDGE, BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN I READ I KNOW WE ARE NOT DEVELOPING A NEW DEPARTMENT BUT

IT COULD SOUND -- >> IT SOUNDS LIKE IT.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT CREATING A DIVISION WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF EXPENDITURES THEY ARE, THE EXPENSES ARE RELATED TO MAYBE EITHER THE TESTING OR INVESTIGATION OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO HAVE THEM SEPARATED INTO A DIFFERENT

DEPARTMENT. >> THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WE CAN WRITE IT THE BEST WAY WE CAN, CLEAR AS WE CAN, AND STILL, IT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS GOOD FOR.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, SHARE FOR CHIEF, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

[K.3. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Sheriff's Office to double-fill the Executive Assistant position for 1 month, effective September 1 through September 30, 2025 and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/HIPOLITO ]

TO ADD? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >>

>> K3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO DOUBLE-FILL THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT POSITION FOR 1 MONTH, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND

AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

>> I'M GOING TO YIELD YOU ON SEQUENCING. HELP ME WITH THE FIRST WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION. FOR EXAMPLE, I SEE K 12 AND I14 AND THEY LOOK THE SAME TO ME.

>> YOU SAID I-4 AND K-12. IF YOUR QUESTION IS TO OPEN THEM BOTH TOGETHER IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.

>> I THINK THOSE ITEMS TOGETHER FIRST AND THEN A FOLLOW-UP WITH A SPECIFIC ITEM IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WOULD BE THE BEST

[Items I.4 & K.12]

SEQUENCE, I THINK. IF THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO THE COURT.

>> LET'S OPEN I-4 AND K-12. >> POSSIBLE ACTION TO REALLOCATE FUNDS TO CONSULT WITH BOND COUNCIL ON LONG-TERM DEBT SOLUTIONS, AMEND FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND 2026 BUDGETS ACCORDINGLY AND PRIORITIZE PRECINCT LEVEL PUBLIC SAFETY AND

HEALTH NEEDS. >> K 12, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION WITH THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING THE COUNTY'S DEBT FINANCING OPTIONS, TYPES OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS, DEBT CAPACITY AND POTENTIAL DEBT AMOUNTS, AND POTENTIAL INCREASE IN TAX RATE TO REPAY SUCH DEBT OBLIGATIONS, RELATED TO COUNTY ROADS, INCLUDING SOME OR ALL OF THE ROAD PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2024 ROAD BOND PROGRAM, AND COUNTY FACILITIEST TO INCLUDE VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE/BUILDING

S. >> LET'S GO FOR IT. THIS IS AN

[04:05:06]

OPEN HOLISTIC WAY. I THINK WE CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE WE ARE GOOD IN THE COVERAGE OF CONTENT. WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER HAMMER WOULD YOU LIKE TO START THE CONVERSATION? I WANTED TO START WITH PRESENTATIONS WITH NO ONE IN THIS ROOM. THAT IS GREAT.

>> HAS THEN WALKED OUT? >> YOU BEEN HERE ALL DAY.

>> WHAT WE ARE GETTING DAN WHO IS OUR BOND COUNCIL, WE WILL SAY WE HAVE HEARD CONCERNS, I WILL START WITH THIS PIECE WILL WE WAY, WE CAUGHT YOU SLEEPING. I'M JUST LAYING THE LAY OF THE LAND FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. THEN WE WILL CALL YOU TO COME UP AND EXPLAIN. WE HEARD CONCERNS FROM THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE HEARD ALL THE ANGLES, I KNOW WE HAVE HEARD THEM ALL AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES EACH. AND EACH ANGLE AND TRIANGULATION AND KALEIDOSCOPE OF VARIETIES. NEVERTHELESS, WE AS A COURT HAVE, I BELIEVE, FULL INTENTION OF MOVING FORWARD WITH WHATEVER FINANCIAL VEHICLES WE NEED TO AND WE'RE GOING TO GET THE FRAMING RIGHT NOW TO EXPLAINAND SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC SO WE DON'T CREATE UNNECESSARY DELAY BECAUSE WE SENSE, WE FEEL, WE APPRECIATE AND WE RECIPROCATE A SENSE OF URGENCY IN WHICH YOU'RE GOING TO PROCEED WITH THESE ROAD PROJECTS. I WILL SAY THE LION SHARE, JUST TO KEEP IT UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTABLE. AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND NOT ONLY ARE WE GOING TO TOUCH THESE PROJECTS, TOUCH THEM IN A TIMELY MANNER AND KEEP THE BALL ROLLING, BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY AND HOW . DAN, IF YOU DON'T MIND GIVING US A LITTLE THAT, I KNOW YOU TALKED TO ALL OF US AT ONE POINT IN TIME OR ANOTHER, AND NOW IT'S TO LUPUS IN TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO GO ALONG.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. THE DISCUSSION ITEM IS REALLY TO ADDRESS WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS THE COUNTY HAS FOR LONG-TERM DEBT, SPECIFICALLY , IN YOUR SITUATION, WHERE YOU DID NOT HAVE A FAILED ELECTION, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD. BUT, THE CASE IS A NULLIFIED ELECTION. SO IT IN EFFECT DIDN'T TAKE PLACE ACCORDING TO THE COURT. SO WITH THAT IN MIND, YOU HAVE OPTIONS FOR LONG-TERM DEBT CALLED COMBINATION OF TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OBLIGATION. THOSE, FORTUNATELY, CARRY THE SAME INTEREST RATE THAT YOU WOULD SELL YOUR VOTED APPROVED BONDS UNDER. THEY HAVE THE SAME OPTIONS ON TERM OF DEBT , UP TO 40 YEARS, BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE ARE CONSIDERING WITH THE OTHER DEBT. THAT WENT TO THE BALLOT. IT ALSO CARRIES THE SAME BOND RATING. SO INVESTORS LOOK AT IT THE SAME AS A VOTED BOND BECAUSE THEY BOTH CARRY A TAX PLEDGE AND THAT IS REALLY THE EXTENT OF WHAT AN INVESTOR IS LOOKING AT. SO, WHEN I WAS ASKED, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WOULD A NON-VOTED COMBINATION TAX REVENUE CERTIFICATES OBLIGATION BE ABLE TO GENERATE INNATE 2025 ISSUANCE, I LOOK AT IT FROM THE SAME INTEREST RATE, SAME BOND RATING AND THE NUMBERS I CAME UP WITH, AS FAR AS TO SINCE INCREASE WHICH IS WHAT THE BOND ELECTION WAS DISCUSSED UNDER AND CONSIDERED, RAISES FOR ONE ISSUE IN 2025 UP TO AROUND $225 MILLION. IS WHAT WE COULD GO OUT AND SELL AN ISSUE TODAY FOR. THE IDEA WITH THE VOTED AUTHORITY WAS TO BE SOLD OVER A PERIOD OF TIME . BUT WHEN I TOOK IS A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT CAN WE MOVE FORWARD WITH $0.02? THE NEXT SCENARIO IS WHAT IF THERE WAS A $0.03 .5 IMPACTING TOTAL. THAT RAISES APPROXIMATELY 376 -- $376 MILLION IN CAPACITY. IF YOU WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TO THE THAT SIDE OF IT. THE PROCESS YOU MOVE FORWARD IS, YOU HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE PROJECTS AND THE AMOUNT, OBVIOUSLY. AND THEN YOU PUBLISH A NOTICE. WITHIN THAT NOTICE YOU SET A SALE DATE. THE AMOUNT IS NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT. CAN SELL SOMETHING LESS AS WE WORK THROUGH THE 45 DAY NOTICE PERIOD. AT THE END OF THAT WE COME BACK ON THE SALE DATE THAT IS PROVIDED, AND WE BRING TO YOU, THE COURT, A BID, EITHER A BID OR BIDDERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED TO BY THE COUNTY'S BONDS WITH THE TAX PLEDGE TO CLOSE WITHIN TYPICALLY TWO TO THREE WEEKS OF THAT SALE DATE.

SO THAT IS THE PROCESS AS I MENTIONED. PROJECTS AND AMOUNTS HAVE TO BE IDENTIFIED. YOUR BOND COUNSEL IS HERE IF YOU WANT TO

[04:10:03]

GET INTO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NOTICE AND AMOUNTS AND PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY. THE OTHER THING I WOULD MENTION IS, THAT CAPACITY, AS I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE, THAT IS TOTAL CAPACITY. ROADS, FACILITIES, VERTICAL IMPROVEMENTS, THAT CAPACITY APPLIES TO WHATEVER YOU WOULD LOOK TO MOVE FORWARD ON. AND, YOU ALSO HAVE THE OPTION TO DO ONE CEO FOR A VARIETY OF PROJECTS OR SIRI OF CEOS FOR DIFFERENT PROJECTS OR DIFFERENT TIMES. SO THAT IS KIND OF THE GENERAL DISCUSSION BUT I WANT TO START WITH AS FAR AS FRAMEWORK

OF AMOUNTS AVAILABLE IN PROCESS. >> PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL. WILL SUMMARIZED. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, LET'S WENT TO THE COURT AND SEE IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

>> BRIEFLY, DAN, I KNOW WHEN THE BOND SPOKE ABOUT THE TWO, UP TO $0.02 INCREASE, WHICH YOU SAY WOULD BE $225 MILLION, YOU ALSO MENTIONED A 3.5 SENT IMPACT, SO LOOKING AT OUR FINANCIALS AND CAPACITY, I'M NOT SAYING I WANT TO GO THERE, I'M JUST ASKING A QUESTION, THAT WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO RAISE THE TAX RATE 3

1/2 CENTS? >> I THINK IT WOULD BE A CONVERSATION WITH VICKI AND MARISOL AND YOU GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS IS IDENTIFYING WHERE THE PENNIES ARE, EITHER ADDITIONAL PENNIES OR YOU TAKE PENNIES FROM CERTAIN THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN EARMARKED PREVIOUSLY IN BUDGET. SO IT'S REALLY A LOOK, I THINK, A DISCUSSION OVER THE COMING WEEKS, IF YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THREE AND HAVE SINCE OR THREE CENTS ARE SOME AMOUNT ABOVE TWO. WERE TO SUCCUMB TO IN THE TOTAL TAX RATE

PICTURE? >> OKAY. I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION AND I DIDN'T WRITE IT DOWN. AND SO, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> IF YOU THINK OF IT JUST THROW ME IN EMINEM.

>> SO, TALKING TO TRANSPORTATION ABOUT THE PROJECTS, THEY DID MENTION ABOUT A THREE YEAR COMPLETION, SO WHERE DOES THAT

COME FROM? >> SO THE THREE-YEAR IS AN IRS REQUIREMENT, WHEN YOU SELL BONDS, YOU HAVE A REASONABLE EXPECTATION TO SPEND THE PROCEEDS WITHIN THREE YEARS. SO ANY ISSUE YOU EVER SELL IS LOOKING AT IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE. THE IRS PUT THOSE RULES IN PLACE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT , I THINK IT WAS IN 1986, ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA ISSUED DEBT TO SIT AND ARBITRAGE IT AND SELL IT AT 3% AND MAKE 5% AND SIT ON IT AS LONG AS THEY COULD. AND THAT IS WHERE THAT REQUIREMENT COMES FROM. IT'S JUST A REASONABLE EXPECTATION TO SPEND MONEY WHEN YOU SELL TAX-EXEMPT BONDS.

>> THAT IS MANAGED THROUGH AUDITING? RIGHT? TO MAKE SURE --

>>

VIEWING PUBLIC? >> COUNTY AUDITOR.

>> I THINK ALONG THOSE LINES TOO, WHENEVER YOU HAVE BOND PROGRAMS YOU BORROW SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT AND YOU START MOVING IT FORWARD , AND INTEREST RATES MOVE, SO IF YOU BENEFIT FROM SELLING AT 4.5% AND YOU ARE ABLE TO INVEST PROCEEDS THAT ARE GETTING SPENT OVER WHEN YOU'RE TWO YEARS OR MORE, AND YOU HAVE POSITIVE, THE POSITIVE IS GOOD, AS LONG AS YOU'RE TRACKING IT AND YOU ARE AWARE OF IT AND YOU DON'T SPEND IT NOT THINKING YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THE IRS. YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PAYING AND KEEP CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, AND THERE'S A COMPLICATED FORMULA TO THAT.

SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE POINT, GETTING IN THE POSITIVE POSITION IS GOOD, AS LONG AS YOU'RE TRACKING IT AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO WRITE TO THE IRS AND WHAT YOU GET TO KEEP AS

WELL. >> SO JUST TO RECAP SO FAR, SO WE DON'T LOSE THE AUDIENCE, NOT THAT WE WOULD, BUT JUST THERE IS A POSSIBILITY, THE TWO SENT CONVERSATION, $225 MILLION WHICH WOULD BE YIELDED WITH US INVESTING THAT EQUATION IN, THE REASON IT COULD, AS I SAID EARLIER, TOUCH NORTH OF ART 30 PROJECTS ON THE BOND, IS BECAUSE OF THAT THREE-YEAR WINDOW. WE CAN SAY WITHIN THREE YEARS WERE GOING TO BE TOUCHING ALL THESE PROJECTS. BUT THAT IS ONLY $225 MILLION IF WE PAID THAT TO ROADS ALONE AND NO VERTICAL OR ANYTHING ELSE. VERTICAL MEANING BUILDINGS. THEN, YOU SAY, OKAY, BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO ALL THE

[04:15:05]

PROJECTS ALL AT ONCE, WE ALREADY KNOW THAT, THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE.

WE JUST CAN'T, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE IS TEARING UP THE WHOLE COUNTY. ON 31 PROJECTS, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. SO WE DO THEM IN ORDER OF READINESS, AVAILABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND UTILITY MOVEMENTS, AS THEY UNFOLD THEY BECOME AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT SEQUENCES. THE IDEA IS OVER THREE YEARS WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THIS WHOLE FIRST SLATE MOVING AND BY THE TIME WE ARE WRAPPING THESE UP AND CLOSING DOWN THE THREE-YEAR WINDOW, -- BECAUSE AS DAN POINTED OUT, WE DIDN'T LOSE THE ELECTION, WE HAVE MAXIMUM LOOKS ABILITY AND SO WE CAN GO OUT FOR MORE BONDS BECAUSE IT WASN'T SOMETHING WE ARE DOING USURPING THE VOTERS. THIS IS ACTUALLY VOTERS SUPPORTED, ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T REQUIRE THE VOTER TO DO THIS, BUT IT WAS VOTERS SUPPORTED ORIGINALLY, SO THAT ALSO ADDS GOOD COVER FOR CLARIFICATION. AND SO, YOU DO THIS AGAIN, AND YOU HAVE COVERED EVERYTHING DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR THAT THE BOND HAD PROMISED. IN THE GENERAL NUTSHELL, BECAUSE ALL THE PROJECTS AND DOLLAR AMOUNTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY COVERED AND YOU ARE MOVING THROUGH THEM AS FAST AS YOU CAN IN A TIMELY MANNER.

THAT IS THE GENERAL UNDERSTANDING THE WAY I SEE IT.

>> I THINK IT WAS MENTIONED ALSO, JUDGE, IN THE PREVIOUS CONVERSATION THAT, AND I THINK WERE GOING TO GET AN UPDATE LATER, PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THAT WE CAN COMPLETE WITHIN THREE YEARS THAT WERE PART OF THE 2016 BOND. AND SO, IN THAT ASPECT, I THINK WE ARE GOOD. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD, DAN, AND I DID WRITE IT DOWN, THE INTEREST RATE, YOU SAID IT'S THE SAME FOR THE COS AS APPROVED. DID YOU HAVE THAT

INTEREST RATE? >> IT WILL BE IN THE MID-4% RANGE RIGHT NOW. ON 20 TO 25 YEAR DEBT.

>> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> SO, I WASN'T ON THE COURT AT THE TIME, BUT COS COULD'VE BEEN THE PLAN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> BUT WE DECIDED TO GO TO THE PUBLIC AND WE HAD 64,422 VOTERS SAY THEY WERE IN FAVOR OF THIS.

I SAID 65,000 SO I WANT TO CORRECT MYSELF FROM EARLIER. SO WE HAVE AN ELECTION. IT WAS IN FAVOR OF. SO I THINK, I KEEP HEARING THE WORD PRIORITY, WE NEED TO GET PRIORITY OUT OF THE MIX BECAUSE ALL OF THESE PROJECTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND. IT WILL HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT TRANCHES AND TIME, 100%. BUT THE WORD PRIORITY SOMETIMES MAKES IT SEEM LIKE SOME PROJECTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT

THAN OTHERS. >> TIMING.

>> CORRECT, YES. BUT THE TO SENSE, I KNOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VERTICAL AND IF THE STRUCTURE, BUT WE NEED THAT IN OUR MINDS TO BE GOING TOWARDS THESE ROAD PROJECTS. JUST FROM THE VOTERS VOTING ON IT. WE NEED TO STAY TRUE TO HER WORD MINUS SH 45 BECAUSE OF THE MULTI-JURISDICTIONS AN OBVIOUS OUTLIER. WE NEED TO STICK TRUE TO HER WORD WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PROJECTS VOTED ON BY THE VOTERS. I DID WANT TO ASK THOUGH, ARE THE BONDS, WHENEVER THEY ARE SOLD, ARE THEY GOING TO BE SOLD IN A NEGOTIATED OR COMPETITIVE NATURE?

>> WE HAVEN'T QUITE OUT FOR. IF THE COURT DECIDES BOTH OPTIONS. REPETITIVE AND NEGOTIATION SHOULD GET THE SAME RATE. I ALSO TYPICALLY LOOK AT THE TIMING WHEN WE GO AS FAR AS THE CALENDAR , LIKE RIGHT NOW IF WE WERE GOING OUT THERE IS A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT THE JUST GOT AUTHORIZED AT THE SAME TIME.

AND SO WE MIGHT GO NEGOTIATE DURING THAT PERIOD. WE KIND OF LOOK AT THAT AND TRY TO PICK BETWEEN REPETITIVE AND

NEGOTIATED. >> OKAY. THOSE WERE MY

QUESTIONS. >> A COUPLE OF THINGS. THE NUMBERS YOU RAN , 3 1/2, 394 FOR TWO YEARS? THE ONE THING WITH COS, THERE IS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF BURNER YOU HAVE TO HAVE ON THE PROJECTS AND COMPLETION RATE. AM I CORRECT?

IN A THREE-YEAR PERIOD? >> IT GOES BACK TO THE ARBITRAGE SIDE. WHAT THAT TIMING AFFECTS IS WHETHER YOU GET TO KEEP THE MONEY INTEREST EARNINGS, OR IF YOU HAVE TO REBATED BACK. BUT THAT IS ONLY RELATED TO THE INTEREST PART OF IT, THE REST OF IT, AS YOU SPEND OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD IS PRETTY JUST

DRIVEN BY THE PROJECT SITE. >> CORRECT. SO MY THOUGHT PROCESS IS, I THINK EACH OF US HAVE SAT DOWN WITH RGC AND LOOKED AT WHAT PROJECTS ARE READY FOR DELIVERY. EITHER THEY ARE SHOW READY OR THEY HAVE EVERYTHING EXCEPT RIGHT-OF-WAY CONSTRUCTION OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. AND I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD LIST OF THAT. HOWEVER, TO THE JUDGE'S POINT ABOUT OUR VERTICAL NEEDS DURING THAT TIME AS WELL, THE QUESTION IS THIS,

[04:20:08]

BECAUSE WE CAN DO AS MANY TRANCHES AS WE WANT ONCE WE APPROVE THE CO'S, RIGHT? WE CAN DIVIDED UP AS MANY TIMES AS WE WANT. IF WE WERE TO GO TO COS WE COULD GO TO 100 MILLION IN THE FIRST ROUND, DO ANOTHER 100 MILLION DEPENDING ON THE PROJECTS. BECAUSE I DON'T TO BE PAYING INTEREST ON MONEY THAT IS BORROWED WE ARE NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEND YET IF THAT MAKES

SENSE. >> THAT MAKES SENSE. YES, YOU WOULD GO BACK AND START THIS 45 DAY PROCESS EACH TIME, SHE WOULD AUTHORIZE US TO MOVE FORWARD, WE TYPICALLY SEE SELLING WITHIN A YEAR , ABOUT ONE YEAR OF EACH OTHER. SO I THINK YOU CAN SCHEDULE OUT AS MANY SERIES, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU CAME BACK THE END OF JULY AND SAID I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH $100 MILLION IN PROJECTS, THESE ARE THE PROJECTS AND AMOUNTS, JULIE WOULD BRING FORTH A RESOLUTION THAT IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE THAT AMOUNT. THEN IF SIX MONTHS OR ONE YEAR FROM NOW YOU WANT TO TO A SUBSEQUENT PROJECT, WE WOULD JUST DO THE SAME NOTICE AND GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS AT THAT POINT.

>> I REALLY HAVE A TWO-PART QUESTION. ON THAT FIRST -- BECAUSE WE ARE ACTUALLY NOT AUTHORIZING TO FOURTH WITH AN ISSUANCE, WHEN WE TAKE THAT VOTE IT'S FOR ISSUANCE, CORRECT? SO WE CAN'T NECESSARILY DO TRANCHES LIKE I MENTIONED.

>> YOU WOULDN'T DO, JULIE, IF I'M WRONG, YOU WOULD NOT SET UP AUTHORITY TO SELL A TRANCHE, SAY, IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN ANOTHER TRANCHE SIX MONTHS FROM NOW OR WHEN YOU'RE FROM NOW.

>> SO UNLIKE A BOND THAT GIVES YOU , UNLIKE A VOTER APPROVED BOND, WHICH GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO SAY OUR BOND WAS $450 MILLION, AND WE COULD BORROW THAT OVER TIME AS WE WANTED TO, WITH THE COS, EVERY TIME YOU DO IT IT'S A NEW BALLGAME.

>> CORRECT? SO THE REASON I ASK THAT, IS AT 3.5 CENTS, THAT WOULD MORE THAN COVER KEEPING THOSE PROJECTS MOVING, THE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS MOVING. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE US THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD ON SOME OF THE VERTICAL PROJECTS , AT THE SAME TIME, IF WE GOT INTO AN ARBITRAGE ISSUE , IF WE HAD THE ABILITY OUTSIDE OF THOSE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PROJECTS AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WE KNEW OF, AT 3.5 CENTS HE WOULD GIVE US THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT ADDITIONAL , CONTINUING THOSE PROJECTS THAT WERE IN THE BOND, THROUGH THE TWO YEAR PROCESS, BUT IF WE WERE ABOUT TO HIT THE ARBITRAGE, IF WE HAD THE ABILITY TO DO VERTICAL IN THERE AS WELL, THE THEN WE COULD AVOID THE ARBITRAGE WITH THE VERTICAL. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> YOUR SING WITHIN THE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE VERTICAL INCLUDED TO GIVE YOU FLEXIBILITY WITHIN

THAT? >> TO AVOID THE ARBITRAGE.

>> EXACTLY. AND LIKE I SAID, ON THE ARBITRAGE, IT IS A POSITIVE THING, AND IF YOU RUN LONG, THERE ARE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SITUATIONS WHERE YOU LOOK THROUGH THE TASKS, YOU COME UP WITH WHAT IS OWED, BUT AS LONG AS YOU ARE TRACKING AND IT'S ONLY REALLY APPLICABLE TO THE EARNINGS, AND IN EXTREME CASES IF YOU SET ON BOND PROCEEDS WELL BEYOND THREE YEARS THAT IS AN ISSUE. BUT IF YOU ARE MOVING PROJECTS ALONG, I'VE NEVER SEEN A SITUATION

>> THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN PRECINCT -- IN ALL FOUR PRECINCTS THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BOND, THE OTHER THING WE TOLD VOTERS IN HER EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS WAS THAT WE HAD ANTICIPATION OF DOING $160 MILLION IN COS SPECIFICALLY FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISIION. THIS COULD GET AS PART OF THE WAY ON THAT IS WHAT I'M THINKING. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE US, IF WE CHOSE TO DO THAT, BY OCTOBER, WE WILL ALSO HAVE AN UPDATED CIP ON VERTICAL THAT WE COULD LOOK AT TO SEE WHAT PROJECTS WOULD FIT ON THE SECOND ROUND OF THAT.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> ALL OF IT MAKES SENSE, IT'S JUST ABOUT TIMING AND WITH THE COURT SUPPORTS. COMMISSIONER

HAMMER. >> I FEEL LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY AND MAKING SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE ARE DOING, THAT WE MAKE SURE TO DIFFERENTIATE THE ROAD VERSUS THE VERTICAL, BECAUSE I GUARANTEE WE TAKE VERTICAL -- I UNDERSTAND IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THEM ALL WHEN TRYING TO DEVELOP A PLAN. WE TALK ABOUT VERTICAL I GUARANTEE WE TAKE IT TO THE VOTERS TO VOTE ON AND THEY WOULD NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF

[04:25:04]

US HAVING OFFICES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. BUT THE ROADS, WE NEED TO FOCUS TWO CENTS ON THERE AND BE ABLE TO SEPARATE THEM. I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT AND UNDERSTAND

THE DIFFERENCE. >> I AGREE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER, AND THAT IS RIGHT. IN THE SPIRIT OF, HOPE YOU LIKE IT, TOO BAD IF YOU DON'T, I AGREE WITH YOU 100%. ANYTHING

ELSE GOING THIS WAY >> NOT AT THIS TIME.

>> DAN, YOU PROVIDED A WONDERFUL RECAP. I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND HOPE THE PUBLIC, NOT BEING USED TO, THAT'S ALL IT IS, JUST NOT BEING USED TO, WAS ABLE TO

FOLLOW ALONG. >> THE USE OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, IT'S A VERY COMMON PRACTICE THROUGHOUT DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND PLACES TO ADDRESS. THIS IS JUST A UNIQUE SITUATION. BUT WE HAVE NUMEROUS CLIENTS THAT USE IT AS A TOOL EACH AND EVERY YEAR TO FUND PROJECTS

>> AND WE ARE SO FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE THE CAPACITY BECAUSE WE HAVE A MAGNIFICENT CREDIT RATING, WE HAVE GREAT SAVINGS, WE ARE FISCAL STEWARDS. AND JUST BECAUSE WE CAN DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD. JUST BECAUSE WE CAN GO TO 3.5 CENTS DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD. I WILL FOREVER BE THE CHEAPSKATE FISCAL CONSERVATIVE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. I REALLY WANT TO REITERATE WHAT COMMISSIONER HAMMER SAID, BECAUSE COMMISSIONER HAMMER IS VERY SMART, IF SHE THOUGHT OF IT, THEN 25 OTHER PEOPLE DID TOO. WHEN I REFER TO THE WORD PRIORITIZING, IT IS SEQUENCING.

IN MY MIND THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT LAYERS OF PROJECTS, THOSE THAT WILL GO OUT TO BID, WE HAVE ALREADY DONE ALL THE PAPERWORK ON THEM. THOSE THAT ARE BEING WORKED ON RIGHT AWAY ACQUISITION, THAT KIND OF STUFF. AND THOSE THAT ARE BEING DRAWN UP AND PLANNED AND SCHEMATIC. AND SO, MY REFERENCING THE WORD PRIORITY IS OF COURSE, PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT THEN THERE IS ANOTHER LAYER OF THAT WHICH IS ALSO MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CAPTURING THOSE PROJECTS SO WE GET STATE AND FEDERAL MATCHING CONTRIBUTION DOLLARS, WE MAKE SURE THOSE RANK HIGH IN YOUR PRIORITY LIST TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T LEAVE THOSE OFF TO THE SIDE BECAUSE WE'RE HEMMING AND HAWING AND THEN WE LOSE MATCHING CONTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES WHEN WE'RE GOING TO DO IT ALL ALONG. SO TO ME THAT IS JUST LIKE KEEPING OUR EYE ON THE BALL AND THAT IS THE KIND OF PRIORITY I'M REFERRING TOO. BECAUSE I KNOW WE ALL SUPPORT THESE IDEAS AND EFFORTS IN PROJECTS. THAT'S WHY, FOR THE MOST PART, THEY MADE IT TO THE BOND TO BEGIN WITH. PRIORITIZING IS JUST ABOUT WHAT IS MOST INTELLIGENTLY CRAFTED FOR COUNTY SEQUENCING AND AVAILABILITY , TURNING OF THE DIRT, BUT NOT AS IN, NO, WE DON'T WANT THIS, JUST TO CLARIFY, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WHILE WE HAVE THIS MOMENT, BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY, DAN, I WANT TO ASK THE TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR SHE WANT TO ATTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO THE CONVERSATION AT THIS POINT?

>> JENNIFER, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION. I WILL JUST SAY THAT WE HAVE DONE SOME ANALYSIS TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE THESE PROJECTS FORWARD AND WE CAN TALK

AT THOSE AND LINKS. >> PERFECT AND THANK YOU. WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF TRIAGING AND PRIORITIZING , IDENTIFYING I SHOULD SAY, INSTEAD OF PRIORITIZING, IDENTIFYING THE ITEMS THAT ARE CLOSEST TO TURN DIRT, SO THANK YOU. IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE, DAN, WHAT ELSE, JORDAN? SEQUENCING ON THIS ITEM?

>> I KNOW DAN MENTIONED EARLIER JULIUS HERE IN CASE ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS FOR HER. I PERSONALLY DON'T HAVE SOMETHING THAT AT

THIS POINT. >> WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS WE TOUCH BASE WITH OUR LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO MAKE SURE THERE AREN'T ANY GOALS WE DIDN'T CAPTURE IN CONTENT OR CONVERSATION THAT WE WANT TO APPROACH LATER. WOULD YOU MIND APPROACHING THE PODIUM, JULIE, JUST FOR A LITTLE BIT, GIVE US THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS BOND COUNSEL?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM JULIE HOUSTON, I AM YOUR BOND COUNSEL.

I THINK DAN SUMMARIZED THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATIONS VERY WELL. ALSO TALKED IN SOME OF THE IRS TAX LIMITATIONS, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ISSUE YOUR DEBT TAX-EXEMPT. MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY TO GO, AT LEAST THAT HAS TO BE THE INTENT. AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE, GRANTED, SOME FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CHANGE TO CAUSE IT TO LINGER LONGER THAN THREE YEARS. AND THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE. I GUESS , IT'S

[04:30:01]

JUST GOING TO BE A MATTER OF , AT THIS POINT, IF YOU DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE, HOW DO YOU WANT TO WORD THAT PURPOSE LANGUAGE, JUST NEED TO GIVE THAT SOME THOUGHT. AND THEN, GIVING US DIRECTION , IF THAT IS THE WAY YOU DECIDE TO GO TO START

PREPARING DOCUMENTS. >> SO FAR WHAT I'VE HEARD, JULIE IS, BECAUSE I AGREE WITH THAT I CAN SUMMARIZE IT THIS WAY, ARTICULATING ROAD BOND, SORRY ROAD CERTIFICATE CONVERSATION AND A SEPARATE VERTICALS CONVERSATION. SO IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD THING TO CONSIDER, YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ROADMAPS, NOT ROADMAPS, BUT MARCHING ORDERS, IF YOU WILL ON WHAT WE WANT TO PROCEED WITH , ONE SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED TO ROADS AND ONE CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION CONVERSATION AS, FOR EXAMPLE THE EAST CAMPUS, THE RESOURCE

CENTER, ET CETERA. >> CORRECT, LEGALLY YOU CAN COMBINE THEM INTO ONE ISSUANCE. BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY SEPARATE

THEM OUT AS WELL. >> SO SEPARATING THEM OUT, YOUR CONCERN IS VALID, KEEPING THEM TOGETHER, SEPARATING THEM OUT, TO ME AS LONG AS WE ARE HERE TALKING TO THE PUBLIC WE CAN ROLL THE TAPE, WE ARE THE COURT OF RECORD. WE TALK ABOUT, WE ARE GOOD. WE CAN DO IT HOWEVER YOU GUYS WANT TO DO IT. SEPARATE IT

OUT OR ROLL IT AS ONE. >> THE TIMELINES ARE GOING TO PLAY INTO THAT TOO, JUDGE. SEPARATION MIGHT BE THE BETTER

WAY TO TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY . >> I JUST THINK, YOU SAY WE ARE COURT, WE DID THE SAME SONG AND DANCE, YOU ALL DID THE SAME SONG AND DANCE AND PEOPLE SAID YOU WERE TRANSPARENT.

>> BUT YOU CAN DEFEND IT. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. I HAD ONE

QUESTION. >> IS THE LANGUAGE THAT WAS USED FOR THE 2024 BOND , JUST CLARIFICATION BECAUSE YOU ARE LEGAL COUNCIL, IS THAT LANGUAGE GENERALLY ACCEPTED BY MOST TEXAS COUNTIES THAT WE USE IN THE AGENDA TO CALL FOR THE BOND?

>> YES. >> YES, AND I REFERENCE THAT ALL THE TIME, I DON'T WANT TO DIMINISH YOUR SKILL SET, BECAUSE CLEARLY YOU'RE HIGHLY QUALIFIED, CLEARLY, BUT I REFERENCED IT AS, ECONOMY PAYS THE WHAT OTHER COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE HAVE DONE. WE JUST GOT DINGED FOR DIFFERENTLY BUT IT WAS A STRONG SIMILARITY. THAT'S WHAT I MEAN

WHEN I SAY COPY AND PASTE. >> I WOULD SAY, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, OUR CITIZENS ARE VICTIMS OF GEOGRAPHY IN THIS.

AND THIS IS MY PERSONAL VIEW. BY MY ESTIMATE, JULIE, YOU CAN TELL ME IF I'M WRONG, THERE HAS BEEN HUNDREDS OF MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICT AND COUNTIES USE SIMILAR LANGUAGE. AM I INCORRECT

IN THAT? >> I HAVE LOOKED AT THREE DIFFERENT LAW FIRMS AND WE HAVE ALL USED SIMILAR LANGUAGE.

>> SO, I THINK MY CONCERN, AND PEOPLE CAN AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH ME, BUT, UNDER STATE LAW, UNDER STATUTE, ONE OF THE REASONS ALL OF THESE ARE HEARD IN COUNTY , THESE BOND VALIDATIONS, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THE AG OFFICE HAS INPUT ON THEM AND QUITE TECHNICALLY THEY DON'T LIKE TO TRAVEL ALL OVER THE STATE. WHETHER PEOPLE AGREE WITH ME OR NOT, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTERS OF THE ORGANIZATION LIVE AND RESIDE IN TRAVIS COUNTY. THEY DO. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT BECAME QUITE CLEAR THAT ONE JUDGE IN TRAVIS COUNTY IS GOING TO LISTEN TO HER CONSTITUENTS MUCH MORE THAN WE LISTEN TO HOURS IN A VALID ELECTION WITH LITERALLY THE LARGEST TURNOUT IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY. I FIND IT DISHEARTENING, AND AGAIN, OTHERS CAN DISAGREE WITH ME, BUT THAT

IS HOW I VIEW IT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. AND HONESTLY, THE RESPECTFUL WAY TO GET THINGS OFF YOUR CHEST WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAN HEAR YOU IS USEFUL. AS LONG AS WE ARE NOT TEARING EACH OTHER A. I WANT TO ASK AGAIN, JORDAN, JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS COURT WANTS TO PURSUE THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE TIMING AND CADENCE AND WE DON'T A HOLD OF CARLOS OR JENNIFER OR ANYONE ELSE. WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING NOW TO GET THIS, KEEP THIS

THING MOVING IN A TIMELY MANNER? >> I THINK YOU HAVE A FEW OPTIONS, JUDGE. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANY ASSUMPTIONS. THE CAN BE FIVE DIFFERENT PAGES ON CERTAIN THINGS. RIGHT? SHOULD THE COURT FEEL PREPARED TO GIVE SOME DIRECTION, ACTION ON WHAT TYPES OF DEBT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, OR

[04:35:01]

DIRECTION TO CERTAIN PEOPLE TO HELP IDENTIFY PARTICULAR PROJECTS TO BRING BACK ON THOSE, I DON'T KNOW IF THE COURT IS PREPARED FOR THAT. EITHER WAY, I THINK YOU COULD, IF THE COURT IS PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION, RIGHT NOW YOU COULD. IF YOU HAVE SOME MORE LEGAL QUESTIONS, BEFORE BEING PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION, SHOULD YOU FEEL PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION TODAY, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT AS WELL. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANY

ASSUMPTIONS. >> ALSO THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM FOR AN APPEAL WHICH I BELIEVE, THESE ARE AUTONOMOUS. ABSOLUTELY AUTONOMOUS POINTS , WHETHER WE CHOOSE TO APPEAL OR NOT. WE SHOULD KEEP MOVING. I FEEL WE SHOULD, AS A COURT, WE HAVE DONE THE LEG WORK AND HOMEWORK, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD PROVIDE DIRECTION TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING. HOW ABOUT JULIE, I THINK YOU FOR BEING YOU, I ASKED CARLOS WHO HELPS US WITH ROADS AND PROJECTS, YOU'VE DONE TONS OF BANDWIDTH, IF YOU APPROACH THE PODIUM, IDENTIFY YOURSELF, AND TELL US, A BALLPARK DOLLAR AMOUNT OF WHAT PROJECTS, YOU HAVE TALKED TO EVELYN, YOU'VE BEEN IN MY OFFICE WITH JENNIFER MORE THAN ONCE, WHAT IS A DOLLAR ABOUT BALLPARK YOU KNOW WE CAN REASONABLY MOVE THROUGH IN A THREE-YEAR WINDOW SO WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH THE IRS?

>> WE WORK CLOSELY WITH TRANSPORTATION HAYS COUNTY GC PROGRAM MANAGER, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH JENNIFER, WITH OUR CASTING FOLKS HELPING US OUT. WE TOOK A VERY PURE APPROACH, WE LOOKED AT SCHEDULES. BECAUSE WE HAD CASH FLOW , FROM THAT OUTLOOK WE SAW, WHAT COULD BE DOING THREE YEARS AND WE THE COMPLETED OR ILLOGICAL STOPPING POINT. WE CAME UP WITH TWO SCENARIOS. ON THE CAME UP TO $272 MILLION AND WHEN IT CAME UP TO EIGHT SHAVED VERSION, $240 MILLION. INCLUDED THE PRECINCT DISCRETIONARY'S INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL BOND. WE KEPT OR REMOVED AS A COURT AND SOFFIT. IN THE SHORT VERSION, I GUESS THROUGH THE

PLANNING OF EVERY PROJECT, >> JUST ABOUT, LET'S LEAVE THAT

WORD IN THERE. >> THOSE IDENTIFIED IN THE BOND, IT GETS US TO BUILD EIGHT OF THE 14 PROJECTS WE ARE SCHEDULED FOR CONSTRUCTION. SIX WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SECOND TYPE OF

ISSUANCE. >> THE KEY PIECE FOR THE PUBLIC TO TAKE AWAY IS IT ALLOWS US TO TOUCH ALL OF OUR PROJECTS, IT ALLOWS US TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING AS IF THIS COURT ISSUE HAD NOT TAKEN PLACE. AND THAT'S WHY FIND IT USEFUL. I WANT TO SEE IF COMMISSIONERS ARE READY FOR US TO GIVE DIRECTION TO DO THE TIMELINE TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING WITHOUT COMPROMISING AND HAVING SIGNIFICANT INTELLIGENT FRESHLY VETTED PROCESSES TO KEEP

THIS THING MOVING. >> I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE OUR

EXECUTIVE SESSION CONVERSATION. >> I THINK IT WOULD BE FAVORABLE AS WELL FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE TO GET ALL OF OUR DUCKS IN A ROW, MAYBE COME NEXT COURT, AND PUT A BIG BOW ON IT AND FINALIZE IT. I KNOW, YOU ARE FAST TRACKING.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT ON THE DECISION ON ISSUANCE AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS, AND IF WE WERE TO -- I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION IS POSTED IN EXEC SPECIFICALLY TO TALK ABOUT WITH THE SUPPLICATIONS WOULD BE AND TALK ABOUT TIMING. BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS VERY PURSUANT TO THIS DECISION. I THINK ALL OF US WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE PROJECTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

LIKE I MENTIONED TODAY, I HAVE ONE ROADWAY WITH 5000 STUDENTS ON IT BY 2028. BUT I DO THINK THIS CONVERSATION NEEDS TO --

>> YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE PART TO MAKE A COMFORTABLE DECISION? I'M FINE WITH THAT. WE WILL TALK MORE IN

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> THE ONLY THING I WAS GOING TO ADD IS, TO START THE PROCESS, AS WE MENTIONED, LIST PROJECT AND AMOUNTS, I WOULD SAY YOU HAVE THE CONVERSATION TODAY AND WE THEN CAN TAKE THAT FEEDBACK, TILTING NOTICE, BUILD THE RESOLUTION WHEN IT COMES BACK TO THE COURT TO GET APPROVAL I THINK JULY 29 IS YOUR NEXT MEETING. SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS, AS YOU FORM THIS, WE WILL LOOK TO BE AVAILABLE TO KICKSTART THAT JULY 29 AND I WILL BUILD A TIMELINE THAT WILL

TAKE YOU THROUGH ISSUANCE . >> LET'S DO THAT WITH THE ANTICIPATION THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS TRAJECTORY AND

[04:40:10]

THEN WE WILL FINE-TUNE THE DETAILS OF THE ACTUAL DOLLAR AMOUNT BEFORE THEN OF COURSE. BEAUTIFUL AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL. NO ACTION REQUIRED AT THIS TIME. ANYTHING ELSE TIED TO TRANSPORTATION THAT WE SHOULD ADDRESS AT THIS TIME?COMMISSIONE R INGALSBE? OTHERWISE I'M GOING

[G.CONSENT ITEMS ]

TO START HITTING SLATE STUFF. HERE WE GO. OPEN THE REMAINDER

OF G. >> G1. APPROVED PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. G 2, APPROVE PAYMENT OF JUROR DISBURSEMENTS.

G LETTER THREE, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTHCARE IN TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HEALTHCARE CLAIMS AND AUTHORIZE N ADDITIONAL DISBURSEMENT APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE JULY 15, 2025 PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,500,000.00 EFFECTIVE JULY 15, 2025, AND POST TOTALS OF WAGES, AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 TO THE HEALTHCARE CLAIMS ACCOUNT.

G4, AND POST TOTALS OF WAGES AND DEDUCTIONS ON HAYS COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED. G5, ACCEPT THE DELIVERY OF THE AUDITORS OFFICE QUARTERLY INTERNAL EXAMINATION REPORT.

6.÷÷÷ ÷AMEND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL OPERATING, SPECIAL REVENUE AND CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGETS IN PREPARATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTING. 7.÷÷÷ ESTABLISH AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AND UPDATE EQUIPMENT PRICING FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G8.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT RENEWAL FOR WATER RESOURCE INVESTIGATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, AND HAYS COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,000.00. G9.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO PURCHASE HVAC TECHNICIAN EQUIPMENT FROM GRAINGER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,717.60 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G10.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN AXON ENTERPRISES INC. AND HAYS COUNTY, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025, AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G11.÷÷÷ AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT IN SHERIFF DRUG FORFEITURE FUNDS OF $2,908.68 TO PURCHASE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF FIREARMS VALUED AT $2,438.00. G12.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO USE EXISTING FUNDS TO PURCHASE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT VALUED AT $799.00 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G13.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO USE PRYME INFIL TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE LICENSES VALUED AT $3,600.00 AND AUTHORIZE A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASING POLICY OF OBTAINING THREE QUOTES. G14.÷÷÷ ÷APPROVE THE MODIFICATION OF A LETTER OF CREDIT IN FAVOR OF THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REGARDING THE OPERATION OF A WASTE MATERIAL TRANSFER STATION AT 1691 CARNEY LANE, WIMBERLEY, TEXAS; AND AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE LETTER OF CREDIT. G15.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE TO RATIFY THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AIM-AHEAD PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE POPULATION HEALTH USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING, AI/ML, PROGRAM FUNDING SOURCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $612,419.00. OF THIS TOTAL, HAYS COUNTY WOULD AS A SUBRECIPIENT AND RECEIVE AN AWARD OF $35,000.00. G16.÷÷÷ ÷APPROVE UTILITY PERMITS. G17.÷÷÷ APPROVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SURFACE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, RELEASE OF THE SUBDIVISION BOND #PB03010409743 IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,963,610.22, AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE TWO-YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND #602-208614-7 IN THE AMOUNT OF $158,051.20 FOR FREEDOM AT ANTHEM SUBDIVISION PHASE THREE. G19 AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT TERMINATION NOTICE TO HNTB CORPORATION RELATED TO RFQ 2025-Q02 GENERAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT - 2024 ROAD BONDS.

[04:45:01]

G20.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT TERMINATION NOTICE TO COBB, FENDLEY & ASSOCIATES RELATED TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR DESIGN AND UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE FITZHUGH ROAD COORDINATOR PROJECT. G21.÷÷÷ AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT 1 WITH BROADDUS & ASSOCIATES PURSUANT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. G22.÷÷÷ AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A TERMINATION LETTER TO PRIMERO TX, LLC. RELATED TO IFB 2024-B07 CEMETERY MAINTENANCE. G23.÷÷÷ AUTHORIZE THE CONTRACT RENEWAL OF RFP 2022-P08 HVAC - MAINTENANCE & REPAIR SERVICES, JAIL WITH SI MECHANICAL, LLC., WITH THE PROPOSED PRICE CHANGES. G24.÷÷÷ ÷APPROVE RENEWAL OF RFP 2023-P02 BANK DEPOSITORY WITH SAGE CAPITAL BANK FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR WITH NO PRICE INCREASES, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025. G25.÷÷÷ ÷APPROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR IFB 2025-B08 VEHICLE REPAIRS, HAILSTORM MAY 2024 AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO ADVERTISE AND SOLICIT FOR BIDS. G26.÷÷÷ ÷AUTHORIZE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR THE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM, CERT, ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION CHIEF PAUL FREEMAN TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL CERT CONFERENCE IN PLAINFIELD, INDIANA FROM AUGUST

THE 4 TO 9, 2025. >> MOTION AND SECOND.

>> I HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE TO THE BUDGET OFFICE SECTION FOR ITEM G TENDS. THE ITEM FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AGREEMENT TO ADD THE CAMERAS AND OFFICER SAFETY PLAN FOR THE FIVE NEW OFFICERS APPROVED IN THE BUDGET, RULES HAVE CHANGED AND THE AUDITORS OFFICE IS REQUIRED TO RECORD THOSE AS CAPITAL LEASE INSTEAD OF CAPITAL EQUIPMENT OUTLAY. SO I'M GOING TO AMEND THAT TO REFLECT THE ENTIRE VALUE OF THE CONTRACT, $30,871 WILL BE PLACED IN THEIR, 5429 SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE ITEM.

>> THAT IS ADDED TO THE RECORD. MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER

COMMENTS? >> I HAVE ONE. ON NUMBER 22, SINCE WE ARE TERMINATING THE CONTRACT FOR THE CEMETERY MAINTENANCE, ARE WE GOING BACK OUT ?

>> YES, I CAN TALK ABOUT THAT. OR STEPHANIE CAN. IS UP TO YOU,

STEPHANIE. >> STEPHANIE HUNT, PURCHASING AGENT. YES, SO I WILL BRING BACK A SOLICITATION ON THE 29TH TO GO BACK OUT TO SOLICIT FORBIDS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE

CEMETERY'S. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES.

>> I REALIZED HERE, DO WE STILL HAVE KATHY RAMSEY HERE? OKAY,

[K.16. Discussion and possible action to approve a Resolution Ensuring Adequate Water Resources in North Hays County. SMITH]

GOOD. I'M GOING TO GO TO THESE BECAUSE PEOPLE HERE TO SPEAK ON THEM. OPEN K 16 FOLLOWED BY K 17.

>> DISCUSSING AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION ENSURING ADEQUATE FODDER WATER RESOURCES IN NORTH HAYS COUNTY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> K 16. >> THAT WAS K 16.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> I'M GOING TO LET KATHY RAMSEY FIRST. MS. RAMSEY, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THREE MINUTES

TO SPEAK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TIME TO SPEAK AND FOR BEING HERE SERVING

US. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

F1 >> AS A CITIZEN OF ZORBING SPRINGS I'M ASKING YOU TO REJECT THE RESOLUTION. INSTEAD WERE TO DEVELOP TRULY SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ESPECIALLY IN THE HILLS TO THE NORTH AND WEST. THAT AREA FEEDS THE WATER RESOURCES FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

WE HAVE JUST WITNESSED THE DEVASTATION POSSIBLE WHEN CURRENT WEATHER PATTERNS OF ABUNDANT MOISTURE WREAK HAVOC WITH HER RIVERS AND STREAMS. WE LIVE IN FLASH FLOOD ALLIE AND IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. SO WE NEED TO WORK WITH THAT REALITY AND BUILD WISELY. THAT IS WHY WE HAVEN'T CHOSEN TO DIRECT MORE INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT -- EXCUSE ME, THAT IS WHY WE HAVE CHOSEN TO DIRECT MORE INTENSE DEVELOPMENT TO THE EAST FOR MANY YEARS AND WHY WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO. I LIVE ON 10 ACRES ON MARTIN CREEK AND HAVE BEEN FOR 25 YEARS. IN THE CONTRIBUTING ZONE OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER. I HAVE WATCHED AS THE FLOW DIMINISES YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE LOWERED THE WATER TABLE SO DRASTICALLY. IT USED TO FLOW ALL THE TIME. NOW IT REALLY DOES. YOU WILL ALL BE AWARE OF THE SAME SITUATION AT JACOB'S WELL AND OTHER SPRINGS AND CREEKS. THIS IS IN SPITE OF

[04:50:01]

THE EVER INCREASING WATERLINES BECAUSE IT IS AS WAS POINTED OUT EARLIER THEY DO NOT STOP US FROM DRYING MORE WATER FROM THE AQUIFERS AS POPULATION INTENSITY INCREASES. WE ARE LIKE OTHER TEXAS CITIES SITTING OVER DEEP SOILS AND FLAT TERRAIN. AND WE CAN'T DETERMINE BEST PRACTICES BY LOOKING AT TWO DIMENSIONAL MAPS. WE NEED TO INCLUDE OUR UNIQUE AQUIFERS AND TYPOGRAPHY

AND WHAT THAT REQUIRES OF US. >> INCHES OF WATER PER HOUR. AIDED BY TUNNELS AND MAMMAL BURROWS. IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO ALLOW THIS NATURAL PROCESS TO CONTINUE TO FEED OUR AQUIFERS.

WE NEED TO MANAGE IT CAREFULLY. PREVIOUSLY PRACTICES OF OVER GRAZING HAVE LED TO DEGRADING OF WHAT WAS AN ABUNDANT AND CLEAN SOURCE OF WATER.

POTENTIALLY FUTURE PRACTICES OF INTENSE COVER STOP INFILTRATION.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SHIFT DIRECTION AND PRESERVE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF OUR FUNCTIONING ECOSYSTEM. BUT WE DON'T HAVE FOREVER.

CHANGES WILL DETERMINE THE HEALTH OF THE WATER SUPPLY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

CHOOSE WISELY TO STOP INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVE OUR BEAUTIFUL REGIONAL FEATURES OF HEALTHY RIVERS AND ABUNDANT SPRINGS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SPEAK ON K16? THAT COVERS IT? MAKING SURE. COMMISSIONER?

>> IF YOU WANT TO READ THE RESOLUTION.

>> I DON'T HAVE A RESOLUTION.

>> DO YOU HAVE IT THERE?

>> I CAN READ IT. NO WORRIES.

>> I HAVE MY ONE COPY HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO STEAL IT BACK WHEN YOU ARE DONE.

>> RESOLUTION ENSURING ADEQUATE WATER÷÷ RESOURCES IN NORTH HAYES COUNTY.

BOTH WELLS AND SURFACE WATER ARE DEPLETING AS SOURCES FOR BOTH WILDFIRE PROTECTION AND RESIDENTIAL USAGE IN NORTH HAYS COUNTY AND THE CONTINUED GROWTH HAS STRETCHED THE NEED AND DEMAND FOR WATER IN TIMES OF HEAVY USAGE, SPECIFICALLY IN JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY IS THE WHOLESALE WATER PROVIDER TO 14 WATER SYSTEMS, AND THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS, AND THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY HAS IMPLEMENTED STAGE 2 DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS, IMPLEMENTED ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE, SMART METER TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTED EMPLOYEE PATROLS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH WATER USAGE RESTRICTIONS, AND CONTINUES TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES THROUGH CONSERVATION AND ENFORCEMENT AND THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY HAS APPROVED A POLICY OF NO NEW COMMITMENTS OF SERVICE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONSERVE WATER WHILE CONTINUING TO INVEST IN SYSTEM UPGRADES AND WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS, AND THE THREAT OF WILDFIRES CONSTANT IN OUR COUNTY, SUFFERING THE LOSS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES, HAVE OCCURRED IN JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, WHEN FIRE FUELLOADS ARE AT THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL AND WEATHER CONDITIONS FACILITATE THE HIGHEST RISK OF FIRE. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS BY THE PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY INTERCONNECTION WITH AUSTIN WATER FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, TO ENSURE BOTH ADEQUATE CONTINUED SERVICE AND ADEQUATE ABILITY FOR WILDFIRE PROTECTION, FOR THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY AND ASKS BOTH THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY AND AUSTIN WATER TO WORK EXPEDITIOUSLY TOWARD THE EXECUTION OF SUCH AN AGREEMENT, ADOPTED THIS 8TH DAY OF JULY, 2025.

LIKE? T'S THE CONNECTION LOOK -

>> THERE WAS -- USED TO BE AN EXISTING CONNECTION.

[04:55:02]

THE TEMPORARY CONNECTION WOULD BE A PIECE OF PIPE THAT % WOULD BE ABOUT AS LONG AS FROM ME TO THAT WALL.

HOWEVER, IT IS TEMPORARY IN NATURE SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S BEING PUT INTO PLACE RIGHT NOW AND UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUA WOULD BE IN PLACE WITHIN TWO YEARS.

THE ANTICIPATION IS WITHIN 24 MONTHS.

THIS WOULD PROVIDE SERVICE FOR AT THE MOST A THREE- YEAR PERIOD FOR ONLY THOSE THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

IT'S THE HIGHEST USAGE AND WILDFIRE RISK.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> IT MAKES SENSE.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND ENOUGH OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

WAS THIS ITEM IN THE BACKUP ON FRIDAY, THIS THING THAT WAS JUST READ, RESOLUTION?

>> YEAH.

>> IT WAS? OKAY.

>> MISS RAMSEY, WHEN SHE SPOKE, SHE HAD VERY VALID POINTS. THANK YOU FOR RAINWATER COLLECTION, MORE PEOPLE NEED TO GO THAT WAY.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO REQUIRE RAINWATER COLLECTION. IT'S NOT SOMETHING COUNTIES HAVE THE JURISDICTION TO DO. WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT COMMISSIONER SMITH BROUGHT TO THE TABLE, I MEAN, KIND OF LIKE WHAT THE JUDGE WAS SAYING, HE IS THE -- HE SITS ON THE BOARD.

HE DOES KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS ENTAILS.

I'M RELYING ON HIM. I VERY MUCH DO CARE ABOUT OUR WATER. AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED IN ALL THE COMMISSIONER COURT MEETINGS. IF IT'S SOMETHING, I DO BELIEVE YOU SHOULD COINCIDE THIS WITH OBVIOUSLY DROUGHT PLANS AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS. SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF OUR WATER IS NOT SIMPLE. IT REQUIRES --

>> CORRECT. IT'S AMAZING TO ME -- FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW, WHEN YOU PUT IN DROUGHT MITIGATION PLANS OR WHEN YOU MOVE -- I KNOW EVERYBODY HAS SEEN OVER THE LAST TWO TO THREE YEARS, STAGE ONE, STAGE TWO, STAGE THREE DROUGHT.

UNDER STATE GUIDELINES, AS A SUPPLIER, YOU CAN ALWAYS REQUIRE MORE CONSERVATION THAN YOUR ORIGINAL SUPPLIER. IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

FOR EXAMPLE, LCRA, THAT'S WHERE -- PARDON ME, LCRA IS WHERE THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY GETS ITS WATER.

THEY HAVE ALWAYS -- THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY HAS ALWAYS MATCHED OR HAD A HIGHER LEVEL OF CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT THAN THE LCRA. EVEN TO THE POINT THAT THIS WEEK AFTER THE FLOODING THIS WEEK, LCRA HAS GONE BACK TO STAGE ONE, GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF WATER AND WE STILL HAVE NOT.

I DOUBT WE WOULD. THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS, WE MADE A STRONG COMMITMENT IN OUR LAST MEETING, SPECIFICALLY TO PROHIBIT ANIED AOIBAL COMMIT MRNTS FOR CONNECTIONS UNTIL ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ABILITY TO MORE OR LESS PRESSURIZE OR GET ENOUGH WATER INTO THE INFRASTRUCTURE, USABLE WATER IS THERE.

THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS THAT WHILE WE ARE TRYING TO DO ENFORCEMENT IN OUR SYSTEM, WE HAVE GOT 14 WHOLESALE WATER SUPPLIERS WHO ARE DOING ENFORCEMENT, AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID, WE DON'T HAVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AS A COUNTY. WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE BEING CITED WITHIN CITIES, MANY OF WHICH THE WATER IS COMING FROM US.

IF IT'S NOT, IT'S COME DIRECTLY FROM WELL SERVICE. WE TRIED TO WORK VERY HARD TO ENSURE THAT AS WE SEE THOSE COMING IN, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE SURFACE WATER TO THEM TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE AQUIFER.

AT TIMES, IT'S MORE DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY ON THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN SECTIONS OF THE COUNTY. THIS MIGHT SOUND ODD, BUT THOSE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE 100 HOMES OR 200 HOMES, THEY ARE EASIER TO PLAN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A SET AND VALID WAY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THOSE DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE CITY PROCESSES THAT PERMIT THEM. THE REAL ISSUES THAT WE SEE -- IT'S HARDER FOR US TO ADDRESS WITH SURFACE WATER AND GETTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO THEM IS THOSE 10, 20, 30- ACRE RANCHES AND PEOPLE MOVED OUT HERE AND NOW THEY ARE CONVERTING THOSE. IT'S NO LONGER THE FAMILY RANCH THAT WAS 30 ACRES OR 60 ACRES. THEY ARE BECOMING DEVELOPMENTS. IT'S CREATED DEMAND ON OUR SYSTEM THAT WE CAN MEET OUR CURRENT DEMAND.

ONE WILDFIRE WOULD TAKE THAT IN A DAY.

THAT'S THE REASON WE HAVE TARGETED THOSE THREE HIGHEST USAGE MONTHS WHEN WE HAVE THE HIGHEST DEMAND. BUT WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RISK.

>> I WASN'T DONE. I JUST WANTED TO ALSO

[05:00:01]

EMPHASIZE I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, ESPECIALLY MISS RAMSEY CAN START WORKING ON.

IT WOULD HELP WITH -- FROM A WATER SUPPLY STANDPOINT.

ALL OF THESE PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIERS LIKE THE DISTILLERIES, BREWERIES, WINERIES AND YOU KNOW THEY ARE IN OUR PRECINCTS IN ABUNDANCE. THEY HAVE TO TREAT THEIR WATER -- THE RAINWATER COLLECTION DUE TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE, THEY HAVE TO TREAT IT SUCH AS SURFACE WATER. THEY HAVE TO TEST IT DAILY. IT MAKES IT -- IT DOESN'T MAKE IT FEASIBLE TO DO IT THAT WAY.

I VERY STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET WITH YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY POSSIBLE WAY THAT THEY CAN MAKE IT SO PUBLIC -- WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT RAINFALL, THAT'S THE MOST PUREST FORM OF WATER THAT WE HAVE.

IT SHOULD NOT BE TREATED LIKE SURFACE WATER.

IF WE COULD POTENTIALLY DO SOME OF THOSE THINGS FROM A CONSERVATION STANDPOINT, WE REALLY COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND MOVE THE BALL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> COMMISSIONER?

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> OF COURSE, ON THE EAST SIDE, WE'RE NOT HAVING TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THESE ISSUES THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH. WAS THERE A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM PLACED ON --

>> ON SERVICE COMMITMENTS AT OUR LAST MEETING.

THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT OUR VERY NEXT MEETING.

>> IT WAS IMPLEMENTED AND Y'ALL

ARE TAKING STEPS -- >> THAT'S CORRECT.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT -- Y'ALL HAVE DIFFERENT WATER PROBLEMS. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS WEEK, WE HAD ABOUT A FOOT OF WATER IN CERTAIN PARTS OF DOWNTOWN DRIPPING SPRINGS.

IT WAS GREAT WHILE IT LASTED. NOW IT'S GOING TO BE IN SAN MARCOS FOR THREE WEEKS.

>> I UNDERSTAND. WE HAVE DEALT WITH THESE ISSUES FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE CONSERVING AND THE MORATORIUM I THINK IS A GOOD STEP TO TAKE. IT SOUNDS LIKE Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE.

WE JUST NEED TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE DOING THAT.

>> IN THIS MORATORIUM, YOU ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING LETTERS OF ASSURANCE, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> NO NEW LETTERS OF ASSURANCE OR NON- STANDARD SERVICE AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN THOSE COMMITTED FOR THIS SHORT PERIOD. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE -- IF IT'S UP TO ME PERSONALLY, WE WOULDN'T DO THEM UNTIL AFTER THIS THREE- MONTH PERIOD, THE PERIOD OF HIGHEST DEMAND.

AGAIN, HIGHEST RISK OF WILDFIRE. THEN AFTER THAT, WE WOULD DO A REASSESSMENT.

>> MORATORIUM IS A PERFECT WORD.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. I'M GETTING THE SAME COUNTYWIDE LENS, THE SAME PRESSURE ABOUT THIS ITEM ABOUT YOU GUYS JUST RUNNING PIPES WHEREVER THEY NEED TO BE RAN AND THAT MAKES SENSE. BUT YET THIS -- THERE'S A FEW QUESTIONS I WROTE DOWN THAT I WANTED TO ASK TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THEY HAVE HAD. WHAT WILL THE COST BE TO THE CONSUMER THAT'S HOOKED UP TO WATER? THIS AGREEMENT TO TAP INTO THIS WATERLINE, TO AUSTIN? WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST?

>> THERE WAS AN EXISTING CONNECTION THERE.

THE ACTUAL CONNECTION, I THINK THE COST IS MINIMAL.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE. AT THIS POINT WE DON'T HAVE AN AGREEMENT. WE ARE ASKING FOR THE INTERCONNECTION. IT WOULD BE USED ONLY IF NEEDED.

IF WE DON'T USE ANY OF THE WATER, IT WOULDN'T COST ANYTHING. IF WE ENDED UP USING UP TO THE MILLION AND A HALF GALLONS A GAY, THEN THERE WOULD BE A SPECIFIC PROBABLY PER GALLON OR 1,000 GALLON COST.

WE WOULDN'T KNOW THAT UNTIL AFTER A CONTRACT.

WE ARE JUST ASKING TO ENDORSE THE CONNECTION IF POSSIBLE.

>> NOT KNOWING WHAT IT WOULD COST THE CONSUMER, RIGHT?

>> I THINK THERE'S -- YOU MAY HAVE -- A COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE WAY A PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY RUNS VERSUS A WATER AGENCY. PUBLIC UTILITY MUST PROVIDE HIGHEST QUALITY WATER AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE RATE TO THE CONSUMER.

BY STATUTE. IT'S UNLIKE WATER UTILITY FOR CITY OR PRIVATE UTILITY LIKE WE SEE IN SOME PARTS OF WESTERN HAYS COUNTY.

BY STATUTE, WHENEVER WE DO OUR RATES OR ANYTHING ELSE, WE HAVE TO CERTIFY WITH THE STATE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING IT AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE RATE.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. LUCKILY, I'M NOT CONFUSED -- I'VE BEEN IN GOVERNMENT FOR SEVEN YEARS.

I UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE ANGLES THAT SOMETHING CAN BE STATED AND IT'S STILL NOT CLEAR. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LOWEST POSSIBLE

[05:05:03]

RATE DOESN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION AS WHAT WOULD IT BE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SAID, WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT.

I GET THAT. THE CONCERN STILL HOLDS TRUE THAT IT IS A WINDOW ADDING A FEE THAT WE DON'T HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT TIED TO IT.

THAT'S A FAIR CONCERN, EVEN IF IT'S AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE

RATE. >> THERE WOULDN'T BE AN INDIVIDUAL FEE FOR THE RATE PAYER.

THE WAY RATES WORK, WE WOULDN'T RAISE RATES.

IT WOULD COME OUT OF THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE UTILITY ITSELF.

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL INCREASE ON RATE PAYERS, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SET THOSE RATES AND GO THROUGH THE PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY TO SET THOSE RATES. THERE WOULDN'T BE A DIRECT INCREASE ON RATES TO ANY RATE PAYER.

>> THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS THAT YOU TOUCHED ON, WHICH WERE GOOD, WHERE ELSE CAN PEOPLE SEE THAT INFORMATION SO THAT IT COULD BE --

>> IT'S POSTED ON THE WEST TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY WEBSITE.

IT LISTS THE RESTRICTIONS FOR CURRENTLY AND DROUGHT STAGE

TWO. >> BESIDES DROUGHT CONDITIONS LIKE GENERAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS LIKE WHATEVER --

>> THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT IS THE AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGY THAT'S REFERENCED IN THE -- WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? IN THE RESOLUTION ITSELF ALONG WITH THE ADDITIONAL LEAD DETECTION AND USAGE EDUCATION.

>> ANYTHING ELSE? ALL GOOD? JUST SEEMS NOT LIKE MY FAVORITE THING TO SUPPORT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION, UNFORTUNATELY. LET'S CALL THE ROLL.

>> ALL RIGHT. NOW DO WE WANT TO GO TO 17?

>> K17, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING COUNCIL TO PURSUE AN APPEAL FOR THE FINAL JUDGMENT IN RE HAYS COUNTY , FILED IN THE 126TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT IN TRAVIS COUNTY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

[K.17. Discussion and possible action authorizing counsel to pursue an appeal from the final judgment in In Re Hays County, Texas (Cause No. D-1-GN-25-002049 filed in the 126th Judicial District Court in Travis County). HAMMER/INGALSBE]

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER?

>> SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT I MADE EARLIER I THINK JUST STILL RESONATE WITH THIS AGENDA ITEM AS FAR AS -- I'M LOOKING FOR MY NOTES. I APOLOGIZE.

>> THAT'S OKAY.

>> WE WENT THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS, VOTERS TO ME SPOKE CLEARLY, VOICED THEIR OPINION ON US MOVING FORWARD ON THE BOND ELECTION AND IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR ROADS. I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITHIN AN APPEAL. I'M SUPPORTIVE OF DOING THAT IN PARALLEL, WORKING ALSO -- LOOKING AT -- MOVING IN PARALLEL TRACKS TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MOVE THESE PROJECTS FORWARD.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF LOOKING AT COS TO MOVE FORWARD INITIALLY WITH OUR BOND ROAD PROJECTS BUT THEN GOING AHEAD AND MOVING FORWARD WITH AN APPEAL AND SEEING WHERE THAT LEADS US.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YEAH. I BELIEVE -- I THINK I'VE MADE MY POINT PRETTY CLEAR THAT THE VOTERS VOTED ON SOMETHING THAT -- I WAS JUST A CITIZEN AT THE TIME. I WENT IN THERE.

I VOTED ON SOMETHING THAT I WAS CLEARLY SAW WHAT WAS ON THE BOND WHEN I MADE THE DECISION OF YES OR NO. I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE SOME OF THE PROJECTS IN THE BOND.

THAT'S OKAY. YOU COULD HAVE SAID NO.

UNFORTUNATELY, MAJORITY VOTED YES, 64,422 PEOPLE VOTED YES. I WON'T FORGET THAT NUMBER.

THAT'S THE WAY WE HAVE GOT TO MOVE FORWARD.

I'M NOT GOING TO LET TRAVIS COUNTY TELL US HOW WE WILL RUN OUR COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> I'M IN FAVOR OF PURSUING AN APPEAL. FOR ME, THIS IS MORE ABOUT UPHOLDING THE VOICE OF OUR CITIZENS.

CLEARLY, THEY WANTED THESE ROADS.

I WANTED THESE ROADS. WE KNOW THE HISTORICALLY

[05:10:05]

UNDERVALUE OF THE EAST SIDE OVER MANY DECADES.

FOR ME, THIS IS BEYOND JUST A ROAD BOND BEING VOIDED.

THIS IS ABOUT THOUSANDS OF VOTERS' VOICE BEING OVERTURNED.

TO ME, I CAN'T BELIEVE NO ONE IS MAKING A BIGGER ISSUE ABOUT THAT.

WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME ABOUT FREE AND FAIR ELECTION AND EVERYBODY'S VOTE MATTERS.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ENGAGED. WE WANT THEM TO COME OUT AND VOTE. THESE PEOPLE TOOK THE TIME TO COME OUT AND VOTE FOR WHOEVER THE BALLOT AND THIS ROAD BOND. FOR OR AGAINST IT, THEY TOOK THE TIME TO DO THAT. I WANT TO FIGHT.

I WANT TO FIGHT THIS. I THINK OUR CONSTITUENCY WANTS US TO FIGHT THIS.

THE CITIES WANT US TO FIGHT THIS.

I THINK THE APPEAL IS THE WAY TO GO.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> I DON'T THINK I COULD SAY IT BETTER THAN COMMISSIONER COHEN.

THE FACT IS, I'VE GOT -- I MET WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I MET WITH INDIVIDUAL CITY COUNCILS.

I MET WITH -- WHENEVER I SAY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OVER A MULTI- YEAR PERIOD RELATED TO THESE BONDS, THAT'S NOT AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THE THOUGHT THAT ONE JUDGE IN A PROCESS THAT I UNDERSTAND STATUTE AND DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH IT BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT'S THE PROCESS THAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH, CHOOSES TO OVERTURN IN AN ELECTION NOT ONLY AN ELECTION, THE LARGEST -- LET ME REITERATE, THE LARGEST ELECTION IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTY, OVERTURN IT, BUT DO SO RELATIVE TO A LAWSUIT THAT WASN'T EVEN FILED UNTIL A WEEK AFTER A HUGE PORTION OF OUR VOTERS HAD HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

NUMBER TWO, TO THROW OUT AN ELECTION WHERE IT'S VERY CLEAR IN ELECTION LAW THAT A CHALLENGE TO AN ELECTION CAN'T BE FILED UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER THE ELECTION HAS BEEN FINALIZED. I JUST THINK IT'S THE WRONG DECISION. I THINK AN APPEALS PROCESS IS THERE FOR A REASON. I THINK WE NEED TO PURSUE EVERY ALTERNATIVE FOR OUR CITIZENS.

I BELIEVE THERE'S AN EXPECTATION ON BEHALF OF OUR CITIZENS THAT WE DO SO.

GIVEN WHATEVER THE OUTCOME WOULD BE AT A THIRD COURT OF APPEALS, I THINK THE IMPLICATIONS PUT FORTH IN THIS CASE, NOT JUST FOR US, BUT STATEWIDE AND THE WORLD OF MUNICIPAL AND CITY, COUNTY BONDS AND ELECTIONS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT NO MATTER WHAT -- IF WE HAVE TO, WE TAKE IT AS FAR AS THE SUPREME COURT.

>> I FEEL THAT WE HEARD THE VOTERS.

WE ARE ACTING ON WHAT THE VOTERS WANTED.

WE HAVE BEEN TOLD WE'RE GOING TO TOUCH -- PRETTY MUCH EVERY PROJECT ON THAT BOND THAT WAS SUPPORTED. WE HAVE A BONA FIDE ROAD MAP ON HOW TO DO CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION IN EVERY SINGLE PROJECT WITH NO DELAY FROM OUR VERY OWN CARLOS FROM HNTB, OUR GEC. OUR TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR.

THEY HAVE A ROAD MAP TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T MISS A BEAT.

EVERYTHING IS MOVING ALONG AS PLANNED.

IT'S A DIFFERENT TITLE ON THE FUNDING, BUT STILL EXECUTED IN A SIMILAR FASHION. A SENSE OF URGENCY, ET CETERA.

THROWING IS -- IS HOW I SEE IT. THROWING OVER $100,000 TO FIGHT SOMETHING THAT WHEN WE ARE JUST GO FOR IT, VICTORIOUS, DIDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING BECAUSE WE WERE MOVING ON THE PROJECTS THAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO MOVE ON. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A REAL, TANGIBLE WIN IN REFERENCE TO TIME OF THE PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO WORK ON, THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON. THE PROJECTS AREN'T STOPPING.

TO HAVE IN ADDITION TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS. I FIND IT -- THAT WAS YOUR OPINION. WE VOICED IT. WE ARE DISAPPOINTED OR WHATEVER WE WANT TO SAY. VERY GOOD.

LET'S DO THE JOB THAT THE VOTERS SAID.

WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. THAT'S WHAT THEY WILL DO ON THE ROAD MAP WE ARE ON. I SEE IT AS FEEDING A LAWYERLAWYER -- A TEAM OF LAWYERS AND WE'RE

[05:15:02]

NOT GOING TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT.

THAT'S MY PERSPECTIVE.

>> JUDGE, THE OTHER THING THAT I WILL SAY IS THAT THIS IS -- MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T BE CONCERNED ABOUT STATEWIDE IMPLICATIONS. BUT I AM.

THIS IS THE LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE USED FOR AS LONG AS I CAN RECALL.

NOW FOR IT TO BE CHALLENGED, THIS IS GOING TO HAVE STATEWIDE IMPLICATIONS. I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO MOVE FORWARD. DO WHAT THE VOTERS HAVE ASKED US TO DO.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, THE BENEFIT TO IT IS, WE TALKED ABOUT ISSUING THE MONEY THAT WE WOULD EVENTUALLY GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO ISSUE MORE COS OR CALL FOR ANOTHER BOND ELECTION. IF THIS GETS OVERTURNED AND WE HAVE OUR BOND BACK, THEN ALL OF THAT -- IT'S THERE. WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT EXTRA PROCESS. I THINK THAT THIS IS A CASE THAT'S GOING TO SET PRECEDENT.

THE VARIOUS FACTORS THAT YOU CAN OVERTURN ON AN ELECTION ARE VERY, VERY SMALL. THAT'S LIKE SAYING IF SOMEONE -- ONE OF US ON COURT VIOLATED OMA AND, YOU ARE NO LONGER THE COMMISSIONER NOW.

THAT ELECTION WAS OVERTURNED. WE CAN'T HAVE THAT BE.

WE CAN'T STAND FOR IT. WE HAVE TO BE THE BIG PEOPLE -- THE BIGGER PERSON HERE AND SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS.

WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT IT UNTIL THE END.

THAT'S HOW I FEEL.

>> IT'S ABOUT PRINCIPLE HERE. IT'S MORE THAN JUST A BOND.

IT'S ABOUT OVERTURNING AN ELECTION.

THAT'S THE BIGGER ISSUE HERE FOR ME. I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO GET PEOPLE TO TURN OUT TO VOTE.

YOU JUST TOLD THEM, SORRY, YOUR VOTE DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE. BECAUSE OF A

TECHNICALITY. >> THAT SHOULD GET EVERYONE FIRED UP. I'M FIRED UP.

>> I'M FIRED UP.

>> ARE YOU READY TO GO? LET'S CALL THE ROLL.

>> DO WE NEED TO STATE THE MOTION?

>> WASN'T IT WORDED?

>> I THINK IT'S WORDED ADEQUATELY.

MOTION AUTHORIZING COUNCIL TO --

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE.

>> FAIR QUESTION.

>> IF YOU WANT TO BE OVERLY CLEAR, PURSUE AND FILE AN APPEAL.

>> I MOVE WE PURSUE AND FILE AN APPEAL FOR THIS --

>> FROM THE FINAL JUDGMENT.

>> FROM THE FINAL JUDGMENT.

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL ROLL.

>> NEXT ONE.

ANYTHING IN SEQUENCE THAT YOU NEED? START MOVING THROUGH.

[I.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Utility Agreement with Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority for the relocation of existing facilities in conflict with the Hillside Terrace project in Precinct 2 and amend the budget accordingly. COHEN/MOCZYGEMBA]

LET'S GO ON WITH THE ROADS AS WE WERE.

>> I1, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A UTILITY AGREEMENT WITH THE GUADALUPE RIVER FACILITY AND AMEND THE BUDGET.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

>> JENNIFER, ANYTHING ELSE?

>> PLEASE CALL ROLL.

[I.2. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an Interlocal Agreement between Hays County and the City of Uhland for the installation of a sidewalk and crosswalk bars in County right-of-way along Grist Mill Road. INGALSBE/MOCZYGEMBA]

>> I2, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND ULAND FOR A SIDEWALK AND CROSSWALK BARS IN RIGHT-OF- WAY ALONG GRIST MILL

ROAD. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> THIS IS TO ALLOW THE CITY -- I'M SORRY -- ULAND, TO INSTALL AND CONSTRUCT A SIDEWALK.

THEY WILL HAVE MAINTENANCE OVER THAT SIDEWALK.

THE ONLY THING THAT WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CROSS BARS.

ONCE THEY ARE INITIALLY INSTALLED AND WE ACCEPT THEM. SAFETY ISSUE AND ITS CONNECTIVE TO AN EXISTING SIDEWALK THAT IS THERE ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF GRIST MILL, NORTH SIDE ON GRIST MILL. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.

>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD.

CALL THE ROLL.

[I.3. Discussion and possible action to authorize Supplemental Work Authorization No. 5 to Work Authorization No. 1 to the Design Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Binkley & Barfield, Inc. in the amount of $139,260.17 for the Transportation Department Windy Hill Road project; authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, Ch. 262.024(a)(4) and amend the budget accordingly. COHEN/MOCZYGEMBA]

>> 3, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO HAVE WORKWORK 5 TO 1 TO THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BINKLEY AND BARFIELD, FOR THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WINDY HILL PROJECT, AUTHORIZED EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO CODE

[05:20:04]

262. 024A4 AND AMEND THE BUDGET.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> CALL THE ROLL.

[I.6. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Purchase Sale Agreement between Hays County and Seth Green & Jennifer Cochran-Green, adjacent landowners, for the sale of County-owned Right of Way abutting 13820 Paisano Trail in Pct. 4. BECERRA]

>> I6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A PURCHASE SALE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND SETH GREEN AND JENNIFER COCHRAN GREEN, ADJACENT LAND OWNERS E SALE OF COUNTY OWNED RIGHT-OF- WAY ABUTTING 1320 PISANO TRAIL.

>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS. WE JUST NEED TO CALL THE ROLL.

[I.7. Discussion and possible action regarding the closing, abandoning, and vacating of approximately 0.388 acres of County right-of-way abutting 13820 Paisano Trail in Precinct 4. BECERRA]

>> I7.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CLOSING, ABANDONING AND VACATING OF . 388 ACRES OF COUNTY RIGHT-OF- WAY ABUTTING PISANO TRAIL.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> CALL THE ROLL.

[I.8. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2025-B06 Remove and Replace Hot Mix - Post Road to Hunter Industries, LTD for the amount of $883,400.00. HAMMER/MOCZYGEMBA/HUNT]

>> I8, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE CONTRACT FOR IFB 2025- B06, REMOVE AND REPLACE HOT MIX POST ROAD TO HUNTER INDUSTRIES LTD FOR THE AMOUNT OF $883,400.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> CALL THE ROLL.

[I.9. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2025-B10 Remove & Replace Hot Mix - Posey Road to Hunter Industries, LTD. for the amount of $584,360.00. INGALSBE/MOCZYGEMBA/HUNT]

>> I9, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE CONTRACT FOR IFB 2025- B10, THE AMOUNT OF $584,360.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> THIS IS ON THE EAST SIDE OF I35.

>> WELL DONE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[I.10. Discussion and possible action to execute a Professional Services Agreement and Work Authorization #1 between Hays County and Cobb, Fendley and Associates, Inc. to provide design and utility coordination on the Fitzhugh Road Project in Precinct 4. SMITH/MOCZYGEMBA/HUNT ]

>> I10, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 1 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND COBB FENDLEY AND ASSOCIATES TO PROVIDE THE FITZ HUGH ROAD PROJECT.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> NO. REWARDING OF THE CONTRACT THAT WE TERMINATED EARLIERIN COURT.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[I.11. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Professional Services Agreement and Work Authorization #1 between Hays County and HNTB Corporation for General Engineer Consulting Services related to road projects, and authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Chapter 262.024 (a)(4). HAMMER/MOCZYGEMBA/HUNT]

>> I11, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT AND WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 1 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND HNTB CORPORATION FOR GENERAL ENGINEER CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO ROAD PROJECTS AND AUTHORIZE DISCRETIONDISCRETIONAR Y

EXEMPTION. >> SO

MOVED. >>

SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL.

>> HANG ON.

>> STEPHANIE HUNT. WE NEED TO REMOVE THE APPROVE THE WORK AUTHORIZATION 1 AS WE ARE JUST APPROVING PSA.

>> THE ASK IS TO REMOVE -- SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME.

>> REMOVE THE ACTION TO APPROVE WORK AUTHORIZATION 1.

WE ARE JUST APPROVING THE PSA WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO CONTINUE TO WORK.

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

[J.1. PLN-2746-PC; Hold a public hearing in regard to Cliffs at Onion Creek, Lot 1A and Lot 1B Cancellation. HAMMER/MACHACEK]

>> J1, PLN-2746- PC, HOLD PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARD TO CLIFFS CREEK, LOT 1A AND B CANCELLATION.

>> OPENING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM APPROACH THE PODIUM. I SEE ONE MOVEMENT.

COME ON UP.

>> I DIDN'T FILL OUT A FORM.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO. YOU GET TO BYPASS THE THEATRICS.

BUT WE WILL START A TIMER.

>> I'M ANN LIVINGSTON. I HAVE LIVED IN HENLEY SINCE 1993. I'M ONLY HERE BECAUSE JOHN TOLD ME THIS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT UNUSUAL SITUATION.

I HAVE OWNED -- I OWN ABOUT 30 ACRES SINCE 1995 OR SO.

I ALSO GOT -- THAT WAS PLOTTED. I ALSO OWN UNPLOTTED LAND ADJACENT. I SOLD OFF THE UNPLOTTED.

GRANTED AN EASEMENT ACROSS MY SUBDIVIDED LAND.

SHE WANTED TO BUY THE EASEMENT. SO I HAD TO GO THROUGH ALL -- THROUGH ALL THE ROPES TO SUBDIVIDE TO AVOID AN ILLEGAL SUBDIVISION TO SELL HER A STRIP OF LAND.

SHE CHANGED HER MIND. NEVER BOUGHT IT.

[05:25:01]

WE ARE JUST -- WE WANT TO UNDO

THE WHOLE THING. >> OKAY.

SOUNDS PERFECTLY SUMMARIZED. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS? I AM CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONER?

ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? >> NO.

>> I WOULD SAY IT LOOKS GOOD BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING AWAY WITH --

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I'M GOOD WITH IT.

>> FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, WHAT COMMISSIONER SMITH JUST SAID, FLAG LOT, IT'S -- IMAGINE A RECTANGLE WITH A PENCIL COMING TO IT TO REACH A ROADWAY.

THIS WOULD BE UNDOING IT WHICH WE AREN'T FANS OF.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. SENIOR COUNTY PLANNER.

LIKE MISS LIVINGSTON MENTIONED, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS PROJECT IS GEARED TOWARDS.

CANCELLING A PREVIOUS ACTION. TURNING WHAT IS NOW LOT 1B BACK INTO RAW UNPLATTED ACREAGE AND LOT 1A WILL GO BACK TO LOT 1. THIS CANCELLATION PROJECT IS STILL UNDER REVIEW WITH OUR OFFICE.

ONCE IT IS COMPLETE, WE WILL BRING THE PROJECT BACK TO COURT. EITHER TO APPROVE, SHOULD TIME LINES LINE UP. IF NOT, TO RATIFIED ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.

[J.2. Discussion and possible action to grant a variance to Hays County Development Regulations Chapter 721 Subchapter 5.05. (B); followed by discussion and possible action regarding the Werth Subdivision Part of Lot 4 Replat. SMITH/MACHACEK]

>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

>> PLEASE OPEN J2.

>> J2, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO GRANT VARIANCE TO HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 721, SUBCHAPTER 5.05.

B, FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSION AND ACTION REGARDING THE WORTH SUBDIVISION PART OF LOT 4 REPLATT.

>> SO MOVED.

>>÷÷ SECOND.

>> COLBY? >> THANK YOU.

THIS PROJECT KNOWN AS THE WORTH SUBDIVISION IS LOCATED OFF OF MIRELLA ANN ROAD. IT WILL CREATE EIGHT LOTS ACROSS 14.62 ACRES. WATER UTILITY WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH RAINWATER COLLECTION. WASTE WATER TREATMENT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY ONSIDE INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE FACILITIES. THE OWNER AND APPLICANT REQUESTED A VARIANCE WHICH REGARDS ACCESS TO REGULATED ROADWAYS. MORE SPECIFICALLY, STATES THAT FLAG LOTS SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED EXCEPT IF APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN COURT AS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT AND SPIRIT OF THESE REGULATIONS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADVICE THE COURT IF A PROPOSED LOT CONSTITUTES A FLAG LOT AND THE COMMISSIONERS IN COURT SHALL IN REVIEWING ALL CIRCUMSTANCES MAKE THE FINAL DETERMINATION. INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN THE BACKUP.

>> ON THIS ONE, I HAVE BEEN OUT TO THE PROPERTY FOUR TIMES.

IT'S AN EXISTING -- THE BEST WAY IS THERE'S AN EXISTING ROADWAY. YOU CAN SEE IT'S BEEN THERE FOR YEARS. THAT'S BEEN THE ACCESS POINT.

NOW THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY, IF YOU LOOK -- IF YOU HAVE A MINUTE TO LOOK AT THE MAP ITSELF. THE ONLY POSSIBLE WAY -- I HAVE WORKED THROUGH THIS WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES THREE TIMES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO WOULD BE.

FOR THEM TO HAVE ACCESS TO LOT 4G, IF YOU LOOK IN THERE, IS THAT ONE -- IT WOULD BE THE ACCESS THAT'S GRANTED ON THE EASEMENT BETWEEN LOT 4F AND E.

THE FLAG LOT IN QUESTION IS LOT 4H.

IF YOU LOOK, THE CONNECTION THAT IT HAS TO RANCH ROAD 12 RIGHT THERE, AS BEST AS I CAN DETERMINE, IT'S BEEN THERE PROBABLY OVER 20 YEARS. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW LONG IT'S BEEN THER.

IT IS SOLIDIFYING WHAT'S THERE. IT'S BEST CLEANUP THAT I CAN FIGURE OUT ON HOW TO DO IT.

IS THAT A FAIR -- I DON'T KNOW ANOTHER WAY TO

DO IT. >> A MOTION?

>> I WOULD MOVE TO ACCEPT THE VARIANCE. LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

FOR ANYBODY IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC, I DO NOT LIKE FLAG LOTS.

>> WE JUST SAID THAT.

>> THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ME.

>> YOU GOT A SECOND?

>> THERE YOU GO.

CALL THE ROLL.

>> IF I MAY. TO ADD TO THAT, WITH THE GRANTING OF THE VARIANCE, THIS IS THE LAST ITEM THIS PROJECT NEEDS TO BE APPROVED.

GRANTING OF THE VARIANCE WOULD ALSO MOTION FOR STAFF TO GIVE A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE WORTH REPLATT OF PART OF LOT 4 OVERALL.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> CALL THE ROLL.

[K.2. Discussion and possible action to approve and amend the list of Positions Authorized for Overtime Payments to include all specialist and technician positions within the Facilities Maintenance Department as outlined in the Hays County Personnel Policy, Section 2A112 and amend the budget accordingly. INGALSBE/T.CRUMLEY/GRANJENO]

[05:30:04]

>> K2, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE AND AMEND POSITIONS FOR OVERTIME PAYMENTS TO INCLUDE ALL SPECIALISTS AND TECHNICIAN POSITIONS WITHIN THE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AS OUTLINED IN THE PERSONNEL POLICY, SECTION 2A112 AND AMEND THE BUDGET

ACCORDINGLY. >> SO

MOVED. >> ERIC, WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPROACH THE PODIUM? TAMMY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPROACH THE PODIUM?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. DIRECTOR OF COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS. THIS IS TO ADD OUR HVAC TECH TO THE LIST OF AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE OVERTIME.

>> PERFECT.

>> THE MAINTENANCE STAFF IS AUTHORIZED. IT'S JUST ADDING THE NEW POSITION.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU FOR THAT TIDY BUTTON UP. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL

[K.4. Discussion and possible action to regrade the Animal Welfare Specialist, grade 116 to a Coordinator position, grade 118 in the Health Departments Animal Welfare Services Division effective July 16, 2025. COHEN/GONZALES ]

>> K4, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO REGRADE THE ANIMAL WELFARE SPECIALIST GRADE 116 TO ACOORDINATOR POSITION GRADE 118 IN THE ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES DIVISION EFFECTIVE JULY 16,

2025. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY.

IF YOU WILL -- THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE. SAVE US SOME ENERGY. SORRY, TAMMY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. THIS REQUEST IS TO REGRADE THE ANIMAL WELFARE SPECIALIST TO A COORDINATOR POSITION. RECENTLY ISHGS BROUGHT AN ITEM TALKING ABOUT A SALARY EXCEPTION TO A MANAGER POSITION.

THE INDIVIDUAL DIDN'T ACCEPT THAT.

I'M TRYING TO HIRE SOME TALENTED STAFF WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THE SPECIALIST POSITION HAS A LARGE BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC HEALTH, WHICH WILL HELP WITH OUR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMING FOR THE ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES DIVISION. I'M ASKING TO HAVE THIS PERSON REGRADED TO A COORDINATOR TO MATCH DUTIES AND WORK THEY WILL BE DOING.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION I ASKED BEFORE. MEASURABLE, OBTAINABLE GOALS.

>> SHE'S WORKING ON RIGHT NOW ARE WORKING WITH COMMISSIONER COHEN OR HAVE ON DOING MICROCHIP EVENTS. SHE'S COORDINATING ON DATA METRICS WITH THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS THAT SHE IDENTIFIED OF THE WHERE OUR PETS ARE COMING FROM. THEY ARE STRAYS AND THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS ARE SENDING ANIMALS TO THE SAN MARCOS REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER SHE'S WORKING ON STRATEGIES TO WORK WITH THE CONTROL OFFICERS TO MITIGATE. DIFFERENT THAN THE MANAGER POSITION. SHE HAS STARTED DOING A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND CURRENT OFFICE HOLDERS.

>> GREAT.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY --

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK IF -- THIS ANIMAL THING IS FRONT AND CENTER IN OUR LIVES. MAYBE WHATEVER MAKES SENSE, WITHOUT ING UNDO HARM OR -- MAYBE I CAN GET A WEEKLY RECAP, JUST TO KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS SO I CAN SPEAK TO THEM WHEN ASKED. I COULD SPEAK INTELLIGENTLY ABOUT IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, SHE'S WORKING ON A LOT OF EVENTS. THAT OCTOBER ADOPT-A-THON BETTER HAPPEN. I LIKED IT.

>> GOOD.

>> I JUST WANTED TO -- I ASK OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR FOR HIS REVIEW ON THIS. I GUESS --

>> PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER IS ASKING ABOUT, IS IT A FIT? DOES THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND THE NEW TASKS MEET THE UPGRADE SUGGESTION RECOMMENDATION

REQUEST? >> YES.

WE DID REVIEW THE REQUEST. AND APPROVE OF THE RECLASSIFICATION TO A COORDINATOR POSITION.

SINCE IT IS A FAIRLY NEWER DEPARTMENT, IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE POSITION TO BE SPECIALIZED. YES.

>> GOOD.

GOOD CHECK. THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I'M GOOD.

>> ANYTHING FROM VICKY ON IT? AS FAR AS THE CHANGE IN COST?

>> BUDGET OFFICER. THIS REGRADE WILL HAVE AN ANNUALIZED IMPACT OF $5,400 IF APPROVED. HE CAN COVER IT THIS YEAR WITH THE SAVINGS, BECAUSE THE MANAGER POSITION DID NOT ACCEPT AT THE HIGHER STEP.

IT WILL BE ADDING TO THE FY26 BUDGET

IF APPROVED. >> SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

PLEASE CALL ROLL.

[K.5. Discussion and possible action to accept the Terms and Conditions for the award of funding to improve the administration of elections for Federal offices, including enhancing election technology and making security improvements to the systems, equipment, and processes used in federal elections. BECERRA/DOINOFF]

[05:35:09]

>> K5, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE AWARD OF FUNDING TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS FOR FEDERAL OFFICES, INCLUDING ENHANCING ELECTION TECHNOLOGY AND MAKING SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES USED IN FEDERAL

ELECTIONS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> I TOLD HER, IT'S OKAY IF SHE WASN'T HERE BECAUSE SHE WAS DOUBLE BOOKED.

IF YOU HAD A QUESTION, I'M GLAD YOU DON'T. SHE'S NOT HERE. THAT'S MY DOING.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> ROLL

[K.8. Discussion and possible action to consider granting a variance to Table 10-1 of the Hays County Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities, and allow issuance of an On-Site Sewage Facility permit to the owner of the property at 130 Hy Road, Buda, Texas 78610. SMITH/MACHACEK]

>> K8, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER GRANTING A VARIANCE TO 10- C OF THE RULES FOR ON- SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES AND ALLOW ISSUANCE OF AN ON- SITE SEWAGE PERMIT TO THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY 130 HIGH ROAD.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> I'M SORRY, DID WE -- WE MISSED SEVEN OR DID WE DO SEVEN?

>> WE DID SEVEN EARLIER.

>> I APOLOGIZE.

>> COLBY.

>> HELLO. THE PROPERTY AT 130 HIGH ROAD OVER IN THE CITY IS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

THIS PROPERTY CONSISTS OF 0. 998 ACRES, WHICH WAS CREATED IN 2021.

WATER UTILITY IS ACCOMPLISHED BY INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELL. PROPERTY WAS SUBDIVIDED AND A REVISED PLATT WAS SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL FOR THE CREATION OF THE NEW LOT 18B. TABLE 10-1 OF THE ON- SITE SEWAGE FACILITY RULES OF 2014 FOR HAYS COUNTY REQUIRES THREE ACRES IN THE EDWARDS AQUIFER RECHARGE ZONE FOR PROPERTIES SERVED BY PRIVATE WELLS. .

THIS IS FOR ADVANCED OR AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS. IF IT WAS CONVENTIONAL IT WOULD BE FIVE ACRES. THE SEPTIC SYSTEM IS FAILING.

THEY ARE SEEKING A SEPTIC PERMIT FROM OUR OFFICE AND THIS VARIANCE TO VARY FROM THE RULES OF THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE TO GET THAT SEPTIC SYSTEM REPLACED AND MITIGATE A POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD.

>> SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

>> THE GIFT IT WAS APPROVED THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN APPROVED GIVEN OUR STANDARDS.

NOW WITH THE FAILING SYSTEM, THEY CAN'T GO IN AND FIX IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MEET OUR STANDARDS. UNDER OUR CURRENT RULES, WE WON'T ISSUE A PERMIT BECAUSE IT WASN'T PLATTED CORRECTLY.

THIS GETS AROUND THAT.

>> CLEANUP. CALL ROLL.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT CITY LIMITS, THEY HAVE SUBDIVISION AUTHORITY IN THEIR CITY LIMITS.

BUT WE ARE STILL THE HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IS THE SEPTIC PERMITTING AUTHORITY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. WE HAVE SPOKE B WITH THE CITY.

THEY HAVE PROVIDED A LETTER PERTAINING TO THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION AND THE BACKUP.

>> THANK YOU. PLEASE CALL ROLL.

[K.9. Discussion and possible action to approve the Hays County Second Chance Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines. INGALSBE/GRANJENO]

>> K9.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE HAYS COUNTY SECOND CHANCE POLICY PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> I GUESS ERIC IS GOING TO COME UP.

I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. IT'S GIVING SOME OF OUR GRADE EMPLOYEES A SECOND CHANCE OR OPPORTUNITY WHEN MANY TIMES WE ALL DON'T MAKE THE BEST CHOICES FOR OURSELVES. THIS IS JUST ING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAY EMPLOYED.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS POLICY --

>> STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE. BECAUSE CANDICE IS HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME, I ALWAYS THINK OF IT AS SOMEONE 25 YEARS FROM NOW WILL CLICK THIS ENDA ITEM AND NOT KNOW ANYTHING. WHO WAS THIS GUY TALKING? EVERY TIME THEY APPROACH THE PODIUM, THEY JUST INTRODUCE THEMSELVES FOR UNIFORMITY.

>> HR DIRECTOR. THIS WOULD GIVE OUR EMPLOYEES A SECOND CHANCE SHOULD THEY TEST POSITIVE FOR DRUGS OR ALCOHOL WHILE ON THE JOB.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IF WE ENGAGE THEM IN SOME -- GETTING HELP, THAT GOES FARTHER THAN IF THEY WERE TO BE RECOMMENDED HELP BY THEIR FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS.

THIS PROGRAM WOULD RECOMMEND THEM TO OUR EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT WOULD SET THEM UP WITH A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONAL THAT WOULD RECOMMEND A COURSE OF ACTION FOR THEM TO TALK, WHETHER

[05:40:01]

IT'S MENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS, OUTPATIENT PROGRAM.

THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO FULFILL THOSE.

WE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH THE PROFESSIONAL TO ENSURE THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE. THERE'S A COST TO THE PROGRAM, BUT THERE'S COST SHARING BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE EMPLOYEE TO PUT ACCOUNTABILITY ON THEM. AFTER THEY PASS THEIR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM, THEY WOULD RETURN TO WORK, BE SUBJECT TO DRUG TESTING AS WELL AS RANDOM DRUG TESTS TO ENSURE THEY ARE COMPLIANT WITH THE PROGRAM. ALL TESTS HAVE TO COME BACK NEGATIVE TO KEEP THEIR JOB. THIS HELPS THEM WITH DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES THAT THEY MAY BE EXPERIENCING.

ALSO HELPS THE COUNTY IN MAKING SURE WE ARE LOOKING OUT FOR EMPLOYEE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

WE HAVE INVESTED SOME TIME AND RESOURCES AND MONEY ON THESE EMPLOYEES. IT'S GIVING THEM A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THEIR JOB WHILE ALSO ENSURING THE SAFETY OF OUR OTHER EMPLOYEES AND OUR CITIZENS AS WELL.

>> I APPLAUD THE EFFORT. I'M GLAD YOU ARE DOING THIS.

IT'S USEFUL AND NECESSARY AND RIGHT.

I WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO BEYOND SUBSTANCE AND OFFER THAT LENS HOLISTICALLY.

ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. IT COMES BACK TO SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN LITERALLY I WANT TO SAY THE SECOND COURT WE WERE IN. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER THIS. IN 2019, IT HAD TO BE JANUARY OR FEBRUARY, WE HAD A COUPLE OF PERSONNEL IN OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR CDL DRIVERS.

>> I REMEMBER.

>> THEY HAD NEVER USED ANY SUBSTANCE EVER.

THEY POPPED HOT FOR MARIJUANA BECAUSE THEY WERE PRESCRIBED --

>> WHAT IS THAT -- WE DON'T SPEAK GANGSTER

HERE. >> THEY TESTED POSITIVE FOR ELICIT SUBSTANCES BECAUSE THEY WERE USING OVER THE THE COUNTY CBD OIL FOR JOINT PAIN. ONE GUY NEVER SMOKED A CIGARETTE IN HIS LIFE OR ANYTHING ELSE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE ADOPT A POLICY LIKE THIS -- I DON'T KNOW IF -- I'M ALL ON FOR ADOPTING IT TODAY.

WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING -- SOME TYPE OF VERIFICATION IN THERE THAT IF WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS WHERE THEY ARE NOTNOT -- I DON'T WANT TO ENDANGER THEIR EMPLOYMENT HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THOSE POSITIVE TESTS IF IT'S PROVABLE OR IF THEY HAVE -- BOTH OF THESE GUYS HAD A DOCTOR WHO SAID, JUST BUY IT AT THE STORE.

>> FALSE POSITIVE.

>> BUT IT WAS POSITIVE. IT WAS NOT FALSE.

IT WAS REAL. BUT IF YOU COULD RESEARCH AND FIGURE OUT IF THERE'S SOME WAY TO ADDRESS THAT FOR US TO DO A FOLLOW-UP.

I KNOW WE HAVE HAD THOSE -- WE HAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES WHERE WE HAVE HAD THOSE EMPLOYEES.

I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THEM OUT OF SOMETHING. IF THEY ARE BEING PRESCRIBED SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD TEST POSITIVE, WHICH IS LEGAL NOW, I JUST WANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT --

>> THEY'RE NOT POPPED.

>> THEY ARE NOT GETTING HIT FOR IT WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT

THING. >> THANK YOU.

IN THOSE SITUATIONS WE DO LET THEM KNOW THEY HAVE TESTED POSITIVE. IF THEY HAVE A PRESCRIPTION OF SOME SORT, WE REFER THEM TO OUR MEDICAL REVIEW OFFICER WITH THE FACILITY WE USE TO DO THE TESTING. THEY WOULD THEN VERIFY THAT PRESCRIPTION WITH THE SUBSTANCE THAT WAS -- THAT THEY TESTED POSITIVE FOR. LET US KNOW IF IT'S CLEAR BASED ON THAT PRESCRIPTION.

>> WHAT IF IT WAS NON-PRESCRIPTION? THAT'S MY REAL QUESTION.

AT THE TIME, MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS HARD TO DO HERE IN TEXAS.

THE DOCTOR WAS SAYING -- THIS WAS -- THERE IS NOT A STANDARD FOR CBD OIL.

>> WE COULD LOOK AT THAT AND SEE WHAT --

>> AS LONG AS THERE WAS SOME WAY TO REVIEW IT AND ENSURE OUR EMPLOYEES WERE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> WHERE ARE THE FUNDS COMING

>> BUDGET OFFICER. THIS WAS PRESENTED ON A NON-FISCAL TEMPLATE. THE FUNDING IS NOT IDENTIFIED.

ERIC AND I BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THIS A WEEK OR SO AGO. WE ARE LOOKING AT FUNDING OPTIONS.

THIS AGENDA ITEM DIDN'T ROUTE THROUGH MY OFFICE.

WE HAD TALKED ABOUT POTENTIALLY THE MEDICAL/DENTAL FUND.

THAT FUNDING THAT YOU RECEIVED FOR WELLNESS.

>> WE WANTED TO USE OUR WELLNESS FUNDS.

IT WOULDN'T HAVE A BUDGET IMPACT FROM ANY NEW FUNDING BEING REQUESTED SINCE WE HAVE SOME EXCESS FUNDS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN COMPLETELY ALLOCATED.

WE DON'T SEE THIS COME UP OFTEN.

[05:45:03]

WE DON'T FORESEE THE NEED FOR A BIG BUDGET. IF IT DOES BECOME SOMETHING THAT'S MORE OCCURRING, THEN WE WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT MORE PERMANENT FUNDING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> CAN I CLARIFY? YOU WANT TO USE YOUR GENERAL FUND SAFETY OR THE WELLNESS AND SAFETY FUNDS?

>> COULD WE USE BOTH?

>> I WOULD RECOMMEND USING THE WELLNESS PRGRAM.

SO IT'S NOT IN OUR GENERAL FUND.

WE COULD KEEP THAT SEPARATE.

>> COULD I SUGGEST WE USE THE WELLNESS FUND? IF WE RUN INTO AN ISSUE WITH FUNDING, THE ENTIRE PURPOSE BEHIND THE OPIOID FUND IS TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ISSUES SURROUNDING IT. I KNOW WE ARE USING THOSE FUNDS FOR THE B.A.T. BUT IF WE DON'T RUN INTO THIS AND IT'S $500 A POP, I THINK -- WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT AS

WELL. >> WELLNESS TO START WITH.

>> WELL DONE.

TAKE THE WELLNESS ROUTE. SOUNDS GOOD.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> PLEASE OPEN K11. WAIT.

[K.11. Discussion and possible action authorizing the execution of a new Interlocal Agreement between Hays County and the City of San Marcos for the provision of animal shelter services. INGALSBE ]

DID WE ALREADY? WE ALREADY DID 10.

>> K11, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A NEW INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR AN ANIMAL SHELTER SERVICES.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> COMMISSIONER.

>> JUDGE, I WILL LET JORDAN GIVE YOU THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS AGREEMENT FOR SOME TIME. I WANT TO THANK JORDAN FOR ALL HER HARD WORK.

SHE'S BEEN COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS TO BRING THIS ABREEMENT THAT BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY SUPPORT.

I JUST APPRECIATE HER WORK ON THIS.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.

THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

THIS NEW AGREEMENT, THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, THIS IS THEIR WORKING TOWARD THEIR DESIRE TO NOT BE A REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER ANYMORE. WE HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THAT.

THEY HAVE DONE SIMILAR AGREEMENTS WITH KYLE AND BUTTA, WORKING TOWARDS THEIR EFFORTS TO JUST BE A CITY OF SAN MARCOS ONLY FACILITY COME AUGUST OF 2026. I'M SORRY, OCTOBER OF 2026.

THIS AGREEMENT LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT. PRESENTD TO US FROM THE CITY.

THERE ARE SOME AFFECTS WE WISH WOULD BE DIFFERENT, BUT WE REALIZE THIS IS SAN MARCOS' FACILITY.

WE HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

I THINK PROBABLY WHAT ONE OF THE COURT'S MAIN QUESTIONS ARE THE MONETARY IMPLICATIONS.

THE COST MODEL AND THE BASIS FOR WHICH THOSE COSTS ARE ALL LOCATED OR DIVIDED BETWEEN THE PARTICIPATING DIFFERENT AGENCIES, CITY OF SAN OS, BUTTA AND KYLE.

THAT'S THE SAME AS WE HAVE HAD WITH THEM FOR I BELIEVE IT'S THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS, GIVE OR TAKE.

COST MODEL IS THE SAME. NOT CHANGING.

DIVIDED BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES.

IT UPDATES AND INCORPORATES THE SHELTER'S CURRENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

IT DOES -- LET ME GO THROUGH THIS QUICK.

IT DOES REFERENCE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN PRACTICE WITH THE CITY BUT THAT WEREN'T ENCOMPASSED IN AN AGREEMENT. THOSE ARE IN THIS NEW AGREEMENT.

IT DOES -- WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS.

IT DOES TERMINATE SEPTEMBER 30, 2026. THAT'S THE CITY'S INTENT TO BE A CITY OF SAN MARCOS ONLY FACILITY.

THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT IS APPLICABLE TO FY25 AND 26 ONLY. HAPPY TO GO OVER ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

THERE'S SOME BUDGETED FUNDS RELATED TO SPAY/NEUTER EFFORTS.

WE HAVE INCORPORATED MATTHEW GONZALEZ AND THEIR DEPARTMENT INTO ALL OF THESE CONVERSATIONS TO HELP PROVIDE OVERLAP THERE AND WORK TOGETHER WITH EVERYBODY.

HAPPY TO ELABORATE ON ANY MORE QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. LIKE I SAID, THIS IS THEIR EFFORT TOWARDS BEING CITY OF SAN MARCOS ONLY. THEY DID APPROVE THEIR CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THIS AGREEMENT LAST WEEK IN THEIR

[05:50:01]

CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> HOW ARE WE LOOKING FOR A PET RESOURCE CENTER?

>> WE WILL HAVE AN UPDATE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY REGARDING THAT.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. I THINK WE

HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS. >> I LIKE THAT LOOK.

GOOD. GOOD.

ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE? PLEASE CALL ROLL.

>> I THINK WE ARE ON SCRIBBLE -- 14.

NO. WE WILL NOT OPEN 14.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE READY FOR THAT.

AM I RIGHT? >> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

>> LET'S GO ON TO -- WELL, I ASK YOU OPEN M1.

[M.1. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA]

>> M1, DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HA WHY S COUNTY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE POPULATION COUNTS AND COSTS.

>> THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT SAYS -- A JAIL REPORT. I GET TO READ IT TO YOU TODAY.

WE HAVE 410 INMATES. JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS HOELTDING 10% OF THAT OPEN. WHICH LOWERS OUR ACTUAL CAPACITY TO 368. OUR JAIL'S DAILY AVERAGE WAS 548 ON 4TH OF JULY. THAT WAS OUR PEAK.

THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING WAS $133,380.

THAT'S WEEKLY OUTSOURCING COST. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES IS 202 AND FEMALES ARE ZERO. ALL OF OUR INMATES HAVE BEEN HOUSED IN HASKELL COUNTY. WE HAVE 32 PAPER READY INMATES.

THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY, HAD THEIR DAY IN COURT AND ARE NOW SUPPOSED TO BE COMING OUT OF STATE COFFERS, NOT COUNTY.

[K.15. Discussion and possible action to update the Resolution Exempting Food Items approved by the Commissioners Court on March 26, 2019, granting an exemption to the competitive bidding process for the purchase of food items by the Sheriff's Office and the Juvenile Detention Center to solicit informal bids at one (1) month intervals as authorized by Section 262.024(a)(8)(d) of the Texas Local Government Code; and approve the updated form for recording the informal bids. BECERRA/HUNT]

WHICH DID YOU THINK WE NEEDED TO GO OVER?

>> K15.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO UPDATE RESOLUTION EXEMPTION FOOD ITEMS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ON MARCH 26, 2019, GRANTING AN EXEMPTION TO THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOOD ITEMS BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER TO SOLICIT BIDS. APPROVE THE UPDATED FORM FOR RECORDING THE INFORMAL BIDS.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> STEPHANIE, PURCHASING AGENT. THIS WAS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED BY THE COUT IN 2019. THE VERBIAGE WAS JUST FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER UTILIZED THIS PROCESS. WE WENT THROUGH AN AUDIT.

IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITING AGENCY TO UPDATE OUR FORM TO INCLUDE THE BUY AMERICA VERBIAGE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING TO UPDATE THE FORM.

ALSO UPDATE THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER IN THE PROCESS.

>> WHEN YOU SAY BUY AMERICA, CAN YOU EXPAND?

>> YES. IT MEANS TO -- IN EVERY EFFORT, WE WILL TRY TO BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS LIKE WHETHER IT BE THE GRAIN IN FOOD, IF IT'S THE BREAD, THE GRAIN OR JUST ANY TYPE OF AMERICAN- MADE PRODUCTS OVER FOREIGN PRODUCTS.

>> OKAY. GREAT IDEA.

I SUPPORT IT. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T SOME STUPID WORD CHOICE.

IT'S STRAIGHTFORWARD. GOOD. THANK YOU.

ANYTHING ELSE? ALL RIGHT. GREAT.

CALL THE ROLL.

[K.13. Discussion and possible action to adopt updated Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum for meetings of the Hays County Commissioners Court. SMITH (Part 2 of 2)]

>> I WAS HANDED A NOTE THAT AN EMAIL WENT TO JUNK MAIL.

PLEASE OPEN K13 SO WE CAN READ AN EMAIL THAT CAME IN.

I WANT TO STAY TRUE TO THE

EFFORT. >> K13, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION FOR THE COUNTY FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND -- I'M SORRY. THAT WAS TABLED.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT CONDUCT AND DECORUM FOR MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

>> SO MOVED.

>> WE HAVE TO READ IT.

>> SECOND.

>> WE WILL READ IT.

>> JUST READ THAT EMAIL. WE ARE OFF TO EXECUTIVE.

>> I WANT TO START BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE TENSION AROUND THIS ITEM. THIS IS FROM ALYSSA GARCA.

DECORUM CAN STIR UP A LOT OF FEELINGS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN IT.

AS SOME WHO SPENT YEARS PUSHING FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY

[05:55:01]

AND ACCESSIBILITY AND MEANINGFUL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, I LEARNED STRUCTURE DOESN'T HAVE TO MEAN SUPPRESSION. F1 CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND CONSISTENT PROCESSES CAN CREATE MORE ACCESS, NOT LESS WHEN DONE THOUGHTFULLY. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER SMITH FOR BRINGING FORWARD A WRITTEN DRAFT AND ALL MY YEARS ENGAGING WITH THIS COURT I CAN'T RECALL SEEING ANY KIND OF PUBLICLY POSTED DOCUMENT EXPLAINING HOW NEIGHBORS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE.

THAT ALONE IS A STEP TOWARD CLARITY.

THAT SAID, WE SHOULDN'T CONFUSE PERFORMATIVE OUTRAGE WITH CRITIQUE.

I HAVE SEEN WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN PEOPLE INVOKE TRANSPARENCY BUT ONLY WHEN IT SUITS THEIR NARRATIVE. THE REAL TEST OF EQUITY IS WHETHER OR SYSTEMS WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO NEVER SPOKE AT A MEETING, NOT JUST THOSE WHO KNOW HOW TO DOMINATE.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT PERSONALITY. IT SHOULDN'T BE REDUCED TO POLITICAL THEATER. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO CRAFT POLICY THAT MAKES PARTICIPATION EASIER, SAFER AND MORE MEAN GSFUL FOR EVERYONE.

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED. THAT INCLUDES CLEAR LANGUAGE ABOUT WHAT IS AND ISN'T A DISRUPTION, THOUGHTFUL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND DISABLED NEIGHBORS AND TRANSPARENCY AROUND HOW ENFORCEMENT IS APPLIED.

I'M HOPEFUL THIS CONVERSATION LEADS US TO TOWARDS CO- CREATING SOMETHING BETTER.

NOT JUST REACTING TO THE LOUDEST VOICES IN THE ROOM BUT BUILDING SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY INVITES MORE VOICES INTO IT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

REGARDS, ALYSSA GARCA.

>> WE WILL TABLE THIS WITH NO ACTION.

[L. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL MEMBER.

EXECUTIVE SECTION ITEMS. OPEN THEM ALL.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH JULIE.

>> HERE WE GO.

>> L1, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 551. 071 AND 551. 087 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AIL DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT AVSM AND CAT TREE. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

L2, EXECUTIVE SECTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551. 071 AND 551. 072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL IN DELIBERATION REGARDING PURCHASE, EXCHANGE LEASE AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PORLD LOCATED AT OR NEAR THE INTERESTER SECTION OF DACEY LANE AND BEBE ROAD. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. L3, EXECUTIVE SESSION PU SUR ANT TO SECTION 551. 071 AND 551. 072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND/OR VALUE RELATED TO PROPERTY LOCATED NEXT TO THE CARST CANYON PRESERVE AND JACOBS WELL NATURAL AREA. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

L4, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT

TO -- >> TIME IS UP.

>> OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL IN DELIBERATION REGARDING PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY AT OR NEAR DUTTON DRIVE. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW. L5, OECHL HE CANNIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO 551. 071 AND 551.

072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT OR NEAR ROGER HANKS PARKWAY. INCLUDING POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO COUNSEL TO NEGOTIATE AN OPTION AGREEMENT.

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. L6, EXECUTIVE SESSION PR SUE ANT TO 551. 071 OF THE TEXT TEXT GOVERNMENT CODE.

CONSULTATION WITH COUNCIL REGARDING THE STATUS OF LITIGATION IN HAYS, TEXAS. FILED IN THE 126TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT IN TRAVIS COUNTY AND TWO, DEBT FINANCING OPTION IN REGARD TO MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME OR ALL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2024 ROAD BOND PROGRAM AND/OR COUNTY FACILITY PROJECTS TO INCLUDE VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDINGS. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

IF YOU ARE NOT DIRECTLY TIED TO THAT TRANSPORTATION ONE, WHICH IS WHAT

>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE GOOD. >> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEMS 3, 4, AND 5 HAVE MOTIONS BEHIND THEM.

COMMISSIONER HAMMER, IF YOU WILL LEAD THAT CHARGE.

>>, SO MUCH AN AUTHOR BID TO AUTHORIZE A CIVIL DIVISION OF THE HAYS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE TO

[06:00:02]

NEGOTIATE THE PURCHASE OF A SALE CONTRACT FOR LOT 1, SECTION 2 BREAD JACOBS WELLS AKERS TEXAS, LIKE IN THE NEXT TWO KARST

CANYON PRESERVE. >> ONE MORE TIME. I MAKE A MOTION TO HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS NEGOTIATE A LEASE FOR REAL PROPERTY LOCATED NEAR DUTTON DRIVE IN PRECINCT 3.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YES. I-I MOVED THAT THE CIVIL DIVISION OF OUR CRIMINAL DESERT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INITIATE AN OPTION TO PURCHASE AGREEMENT ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT OR NEAR ROGER HANKS PARKWAY HERE PRECINCT FOR WITH ACTION FOLLOWING -- SHOULD THERE BE COURT ACTION.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> YES. I-ONE MORE. >> OH, YES. MOTION TO ADJOURN.

>> MOTION

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.