Aug 05, 2025 Regular

[A. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:01:03]

>>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> HERE.

[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> HERE.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> HER.

>> WE HAVE ONE ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENT AND ONE IN PERSON. AND WE HAVE OUR INDIVIDUAL SET UP TO SPEAK. IF YOU PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM, WE WILL GIVE YOU A FREE -- THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT. I AM A TEXAS STATE STUDENT, I AM A RISING SENIOR. I LIVE RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD, I AM IN PRECINCT 1, SO HELLO, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, NICE TO MEET YOU. I AM ALSO AN INTERNET PROVINCIAL SCIENCE CORPORATION, A NONPROFIT THAT AIMS TO MINIMIZE CRIME, DISEASE, AND POVERTY IN EVERY COMMUNITY AND UNIVERSITY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. AS A STUDENT, TAXPAYER, AND VOTER, I AM DEEPLY INVESTED IN THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND EMPLOYMENT OF THIS COUNTY. WE FACE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAT STEM FROM CRIME, DISEASE, AND POVERTY. ACCORDING TO HAYS PROJECTS STRATEGIC INTO MENTATION PLAN, THE ANNUAL COST OF CRIME, DISEASE, AND POVERTY IN OUR COUNTY IS BETWEEN $473 MILLION AND $947 MILLION PER YEAR. THIS IS A STAGGERING AMOUNT OF MONEY AND IT TELLS US OUR CURRENT APPROACH IS NOT ONLY FAILING TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, BUT IS ALSO COSTING TAXPAYERS AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF MONEY. I REVIEWED THE FY25 BUDGET ALLOCATIONS, AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT IMBALANCE.

THE BUDGET IS HEAVILY WEIGHTED TOWARD MANAGING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE PROBLEMS, NOT PREVENTING THEM FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS LIKELY -- THIS IS LIKE CONSTANTLY PATCHING A LEAKY ROOF WITH DUCT TAPE, WHILE A NEW, WATERPROOF LUKE -- ROOF IS AVAILABLE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, AFFORDABLE. LET'S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS -- THE FY25 BUDGET ALLOCATES NEARLY $78 MILLION TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND $30 MILLION TOWARD THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THIS IS ABOUT $100 MILLION TO REACT TO CRIME AFTER IT HAS OCCURRED. I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE DEFUND THESE VITAL SERVICES, BUT RATHER I AM HIGHLIGHTING THE FACT THAT THESE ARE COSTS WE ARE FORCED TO INCUR BECAUSE WE ARE NOT INVESTING ENOUGH IN PREVENTION. WE'RE SPENDING OVER 10 TIMES MORE ON REACTIVE MEASURES THEN ON COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT CAN PREVENT THE NEED FOR THEM. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT SAVING MONEY. THIS IS A CHANCE TO MOVE FROM A CYCLE OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT TO A SUSTAINABLE MODEL THAT ATTACKS PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY OCCUR. THE PSP'S PLAN OUTLINES A PLAN TO ACHIEVE THESE SAVINGS FOR A PAID FOR SUCCESS MODEL USING THESE PROJECTED SAVINGS TO EXPAND THE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. THIS MEANS WE CAN INVEST IN THESE PROGRAMS WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. AS A TEXAS STATE STUDENT, I KNOW THAT OUR UNIVERSITY IS A POWERFUL, UNDERUTILIZED RESOURCE. THE PSP PLAN HIGHLIGHTS THE POTENTIAL TO LEVERAGE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY'S FACULTY AND STUDENTS AND ITS EXISTING DATA SOURCES TO BECOME PARTNERS IN THIS EFFORT. BY FORGING A STRONGER ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND UNIVERSITY, WE CAN BUILD A LASTING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE. THE CURRENT BUDGET FORMULATION PERIOD IS A TIME FOR MAKING STRATEGIC CHOICES. I URGE YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT, TO NOT JUST MANAGE OUR CURRENT CRISIS, BUT TO INVEST IN STOPPING THE PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY OCCUR. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH EACH OF YOU, INDIVIDUALLY, TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER. AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE BEYOND A BUDGET THAT SIMPLY RESPONSE TO CRISIS, AND ONE THAT PREVENTS IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. AND ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT A SPACE FOR BACK AND FORTH, I WILL SAY THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE HOW YOU FRAMED YOUR NARRATIVE OF SAFETY, HEALTH, AND EMPLOYMENT, BECAUSE PEOPLE NEVER KNOW WHAT A COUNTY JUDGE DOES. HECK, I AM GOING TO CONFESS, I

[00:05:01]

PLEASE START A TIMER. >> COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS FROM DEBBIE ADAMS. SHE IS IN WIMBERLEY, TEXAS.

"COMMISSIONERS, I'M WRITING TO THE COURT AS A CITIZEN OF HAYS COUNTY WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR EVER ESCALATING DEBT WITH THE PROPOSED EXPENDITURE ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS THAT WOULD NOT ONLY ADD HALF $1 BILLION TO IT, BUT VIOLATE OUR RIGHTS TO PRIVACY, AS CITIZENS. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THE NEVER ENDING LIST OF WANTS, NEEDS, BUT THAT HAS TO BE TEMPERED WITH THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR THOSE WANTS AND NEEDS. THE LAST BALANCED-BUDGET WAS BACK IN 2018. SINCE THEN, THIS COURT HAS BEEN SPENDING OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY LIKE DRUNKEN SAILORS ON SHORT LEAVE. YOU HAVE TO SAY NO AT SOME POINT. IT IS CALLED FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

BEYOND THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OF SPENDING BEYOND OUR MEANS IS THE INTRUSION INTO OUR PRIVACY. WE LOST A LOT, FOLLOWING 9/11, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PATRIOT ACT. WE GOT A BIG TASTE OF THE GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND A VIOLATION OF PERSONAL RIGHTS WITH COVID. THIS IS PATRIOT ACT TWO -- A SLIPPERY SLOPE INTO THE SURVEILLANCE NANNY STATE. THIS IS NOT WHO WE ARE, AS AMERICANS OR TEXANS. WE ARE NOT CHINA, AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS SURVEILLANCE UNDER THE GUISE OF SAFETY AND SECURITY, TO QUOTE THOMAS JEFFERSON, I PREFER DANGEROUS FREEDOM OVER PEACEFUL SLAVERY. HOLD YOUR GROUND AND VOTE NO ON FLOCK CAMERAS. DEBBIE ADAMS, RANCH."

>> VERY NICE. DO YOU MIND GIVING THAT TO ME?

>> NOT AT ALL. >> OR, A COPY OF IT?

[F.1. Presentation by Kitchell CEM and HDR, Inc. regarding the Hays County Eastside Campus Project. IN GA LS B E /C OH E N]

>> YES, SIR. >> OR, YOU CAN EMAIL IT TO ME.

WHATEVER WORKS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. OKAY, PUBLIC COMMENTS. AND AT THIS PORTION IN TIME, PLEASE OPEN F1.

WE GET TO HEAR THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE. IT IS OUR

PRESENTATION. >> SORRY?

>> NO, IT'S ALL GOOD. >> PRESENTATION -- PRESENTATION BY KITCHELL CEM AND HDR INC. REGARDING HAYS COUNTY CAMPUS

PROJECT. >> THIS IS A PROJECT THAT COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND COMMISSIONER COHEN HAVE BEEN SPEARHEADING AND I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING. I THINK THIS IS LONG OVERDUE. I THANK YOU FOR THIS LEADERSHIP IN THIS SPACE AND IN THE CHOOSING OF THE LOCATION.

MANY PEOPLE WOULD SAY, "WELL, WHY NOT THE COUNTY SEAT?" BECAUSE WE FOLLOW THE COUNTY NEEDS, NOT JUST THE GEOGRAPHICAL MAP. SO, THANK YOU FOR LEADING THIS CONVERSATION. YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS -- BLESS YOU -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS IN OUR COURT CONVERSATIONS TO -- WELL, I FEEL KIND OF BAD SAYING IT -- BUT, ADDING MORE OFFICES THAN ORIGINALLY PLANNED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO ADD MORE APARTMENTS, AND HARMONIZING, AND CENTRALIZING MORE AND MORE BECAUSE I ALSO AGREE THAT IS THE MOST USEFUL FOR US. SO, I AM EXCITED TO HEAR WHAT THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO SAY. YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?

>> OH, IS MY TIME UP? >> DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING

BEFORE WE BRING HIM UP? >> YES, IT IS AN EXCITING DAY JUST TO SEE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE AND -- YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT. APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND

TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY STAFF. SETH ACKLIN, PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITH KITCHELL. WE'VE GOT A TEAM TODAY THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM. DO WE WANT TO START THE POWERPOINT?

>> NOW IS THE TIME, YES. ARE YOU ABLE TO DO IT, ROXANNE? AWESOME.

PERFECT. >> WHILE THAT IS GETTING STARTED, JUST INTRODUCE A FEW OTHER FOLKS ON OUR TEAM THAT ARE HERE, WE HAVE NICK SANTOS, WITH KITCHELL. MILES, WAS HDR. AND WE WILL HEAR FROM HOLLY TODAY, AND WE WILL HEAR FROM STEVE, AS WELL. SO, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED. AS YOU SAID, THIS IS A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING. I THINK WE STARTED HEARING ABOUT THIS PROJECT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WITH THE NEEDS ON THE EAST SIDE, AND THE GROWTH. AND AS IT BECAME MORE REALITY, AS THE JUSTICE CENTER WAS BEING PROGRAMMED AND OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS HAD TO MOVE, THAT IS REALLY WHAT THIS TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST THREE, FOUR MONTHS, IN GETTING THIS IMPLEMENTATION READY TO GO. AND SO, TODAY, YOU WILL HEAR --

[00:10:01]

>> THAT IS A GOOD-LOOKING PICTURE, BY THE WAY. GOOD START.

>> WELL, IT IS ONE OF -- YOU WILL HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT. SO, TODAY, YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROGRAM, YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THE SITE PLAN, THE ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER, SOME OF THE MATERIAL, AND LOOK AND FEEL THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED. THIS IS ALL IN ORDER TO COME UP WITH WHAT WE FEEL IS A RECOMMENDED BUDGET ON A RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE. SO, WE WILL REVIEW THOSE WITH YOU, AS WELL. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH TAMMY, STEPHANIE, AND OTHER STAFF, AS WE HAVE PREPARED FOR THIS. AND THEN, WE WILL CLOSE WITH SOME Q&A, BUT I GUESS IF SOMETHING COMES UP DURING THE CONVERSATION, FEEL FREE TO ASK WHILE IT IS ON THE SCREEN. SO, WITH THAT, I WILL INTRODUCE -- I WILL LET HOLLAND INTRODUCE HIMSELF.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, SETH. ON THE SUBJECT OF PROGRAM --

>> I'M SORRY TO DO THIS TO YOU, HE INTRODUCED YOU, ALL.

>> WE HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN? >> HOLD ON A SECOND. YOU HAVE TO SEE IT THROUGH MY EYES, I AM THINKING 25 YEARS, 50 YEARS FROM NOW, SOME OF GOING TO CLICK THIS AGENDA ITEM, WE ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHO IS TALKING AT THIS MOMENT -- AND ALTHOUGH HE DID A GENERIC, NOT GENERIC IN A NEGATIVE WAY -- BUT, THE SCREEN WAS NOT ON THE INDIVIDUALS. AS YOU ALL SPEAK, PLEASE JUST TELL THE FUTURE VIEWER WHO IS SPEAKING.

>> I CAN DO THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> I'M HOLDEN TALLEY, A JUSTICE PRINCIPAL WITH HDR.

>> THANK YOU. >> FOR THIS SECTION OF THE PRESENTATION, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE PROGRAM IS, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THIS PROJECT. WHAT WE MEAN BY "THE PROGRAM," IS WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY TO DETERMINE, WHAT ARE THE NEEDS, AND WHAT ARE THE COUNTY FUNCTIONS THAT NEED TO BE IN THIS BUILDING? THAT HAS TAKEN A LOT OF CONSIDERATION, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, HERE. ONCE WE -- AS WE GET INTO THAT, WE WILL WORK WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS, FIRST OF ALL, TO UNDERSTAND THE STAFF REQUIREMENTS, THE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE IN THE BUILDING, WHAT KIND OF SQUARE FOOTAGE IT NEEDS TO DO THEIR FUNCTIONS, AND THEN WE WORK WITH THEM ON THE SUPPORT AREAS THAT THEY MAY NEED, SUCH AS YOU KNOW, STORAGE REQUIREMENTS. OR MAYBE, A WORK AREA. OR, EVEN THE RECEPTION AREA AT A PUBLIC COUNTER, IF THOSE KINDS OF FUNCTIONS ARE NEEDED. SO, WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM TO DETERMINE, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE RIGHT SIZE THE SPACE NEEDS FOR THAT? AND NOT JUST NOW, BUT TO TRY TO LOOK INTO THE FUTURE TO SEE WHAT THIS SPACE NEEDS, SO THE COUNTY HAS ROOM TO GROW AS THEY MOVE IN. SO, AND THE NEXT LEVEL IS, AS WE WORK ON THIS, YOU KNOW, THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A WHILE, AS SOME OF THESE DEPARTMENTS CHANGE LEADERSHIP, WE GO BACK AND DO A BACK CHECK. ONCE WE DO THAT, AS WE MOVE INTO START CONSIDERING THE CONCEPT DESIGN AND COME UP WITH COST ESTIMATE, WE LOOK AT HOW THESE DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE ALLOCATED IN THE BUILDING. AND SO, IN THIS CASE, WE'VE GOT THREE LEVELS. THE LOWER LEVELS, WE FOCUS ON DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS, AND THINGS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO COME IN AND PARKED, AND MEET WITH SOMEBODY TO GET THEIR WORK DONE, AS IN THE UPPER LEVELS, THOSE ARE MORE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS, OR COUNTY TO COUNTY TYPE DISCUSSIONS AND NEEDS. ALONG WITH, THEN, ALL OF THOSE NEEDS, THAT TRANSLATES INTO PARKING PERMITS. WE DO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THAT AND STEPHEN IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT AS WE GET INTO THE DESIGN.

>> JUDGES, COMMISSIONERS, HAYS COUNTY TEAM HERE, MY NAME IS STEPHEN KNOWLES, I AM A DESIGN PRINCIPLE WITH HDR, AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT SHARING THE VISION THAT HAS BEEN BUILT WITH THIS GROUP, TODAY. WE STARTED OUT, REALLY, AS UNDERSTANDING THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY WAS GOING TO BE PART OF A BIGGER KIND OF PLAN FOR THIS KIND OF EASE CAMPUS. OUR GOAL WAS TO KIND OF LOOK AT WHAT THE CONCEPT WOULD BE FOR THAT, AND THEN, HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO THAT? WE KNOW THIS IS THE FIRST PIECE OF A BIGGER VISION FOR THIS BIG EASTSIDE COMMUNITY. SO, THIS WAS SOME MAPPING THAT WAS DONE, THAT THE TEAM STARTED OUT WITH. IN THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE STARTED TO LOOK AT HOW PARKING AND HOW THE BUILDING WOULD REALLY BECOME KIND OF A SUBSTANTIAL ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY. ESPECIALLY IN THE CITY OF KYLE. THERE IS EXISTING RESIDENTIAL AROUND THERE. WE KNOW THERE IS A SCHOOL THAT HAS BEEN BUILT AND WE KNOW THE ROADS AND OTHER THINGS ARE GOING TO START TO BE MODIFIED. THIS NEW

[00:15:04]

IN THE NEXT SLIDE, WE REALLY STARTED TO LOOK AT WHAT HAYS COUNTY, THE CHARACTER OF THE ARCHITECTURE SO WE HAVE THE HISTORICAL IN HERE TODAY WHICH IS WONDERFUL. WE ALSO KNOW THE JUSTICE CENTER THAT THIS TEAM HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH, AND NOW THERE WILL BE SOME EXPANSION ON THAT. AND OF COURSE, THE HAYS COUNTY ISD. SO, SERVING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THESE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS, THE IDENTITY TO THE COMMUNITY WE KNOW IS VERY IMPORTANT, SO WE WANTED TO BRING THAT FORWARD AS WE START TO DEVELOP IDEAS. WHEN WE STARTED TO TALK ABOUT OTHER KINDS OF BUILDINGS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP WAS, YOU KNOW, REALLY, WE KNOW THAT THE TEXAS SON HAS A TENDENCY TO WARM THINGS UP. SO, SHADING AND HOW THAT WOULD WORK. THE FRONT PORCH COULD BE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT ELEMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AS SOMETHING ELSE. WE WERE THINKING ABOUT, ALSO, BRINGING DAYLIGHT IN. ALSO, THE OTHER PART OF IT, AS WE START TO LOOK AT HOW THE THING IS BUILT. ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THE QUALITY OF THE INTERIORS, WORKING WITH TENDER VERSUS A STEEL AND CONCRETE BUILDING, WAS ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH WE WANTED TO BRING WARMTH AND ENERGY TO THE INSIDE OF THIS BUILDING, TO HELP FACILITATE THE PROGRAM. SOME EXAMPLES OF WORK THAT HDR HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH AROUND AMERICA IS WE KNOW THE WARMTH OF THESE SPACES, AND WE ARE ALSO UNDERSTANDING TO MAKE SURE THESE COSTS ARE NOT -- ARE OF HIGH VALUE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, NOT ONLY IN THE QUALITY ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO IN THE CONCURRENT STANDARDS AND WHAT IS DONE FOR CONSTRUCTION. BUT, MAINLY, WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THOSE SPACES AND HOW WE CAN BRING THAT TO HAYS COUNTY. SO, AS WE THINK THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY GOALS, WE KNOW THE APPROACH USING A TENDER FACILITY, WE KIND OF HAVE A LONG LIST OF ITEMS THAT WE THINK ABOUT AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THOSE THINGS ARE BEING BROUGHT TO THIS, NOT JUST ANOTHER BUILDING

IN A FACILITY PROGRAM. >> SINCE YOU LOOK LIKE YOU MIGHT BE WRAPPING UP YOUR PART, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T WALK AWAY WITH ME NOT UNDERSTANDING. WHEN YOU SAY "TIMBER," YOU ARE

TALKING ABOUT -- >> A WOOD BUILDING.

>> THAT IS THE COOLEST THING THAT IS MAKING A COMEBACK, AND I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU GUYS ARE LEANING IN ON THAT. THAT IS

AWESOME. >> WELL, AND WE ARE LEANING IN PRETTY HARD BECAUSE WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE NATURAL RESOURCES HERE, ESPECIALLY IN TEXAS AND IN THE REGION THAT COULD BE UTILIZED FOR THESE BUILDINGS. SO, NOT ONLY THE WOOD THAT WE SEE WONDERFUL DETAILS IN HERE, BUT HOW DO WE USE IT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAKE IT A GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU?

>> WELL DONE. >> THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE THINKING ABOUT IN THE PROGRAM. YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE A COMMON SPACE, WE LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS A "LIVING ROOM TO THE COMMUNITY." SO, AS PEOPLE COME TO VISIT THIS FACILITY, WE DO HAVE A LOBBY FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE HERE, BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS THE COMMUNITY COMES IN, IT BECOMES A WONDERFUL RESOURCE FOR THEM. AND THEN, ALSO, FOR THE STAFF THAT IS GOING TO BE THERE FOR, YOU KNOW, 8 TO 10 HOURS PER DAY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A

REJUVENATING SPACE. >> ARE YOU SHORTENING THREE DAYS? I JUST KIDDING.

>> I THINK WE ARE GOOD WITH THAT -- NO, I THINK WE ARE GOOD.

YEAH, LOBBY -- AND THEN, SOME OF THE MATERIALS WE ARE LOOKING AT BECAUSE OF THE REGION, WE KNOW THAT THE QUARRY, THE STONE HERE IS QUITE WONDERFUL. WE SEE THAT IN A LOT OF FACILITIES. BRINGING IN WOOD, AND WE STILL HAVE THE STEEL, WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE THAT WORKFORCE MATERIAL AND THEN WE WILL LOOK AT OTHERS THAT WORK HARMONIOUSLY TOGETHER TO KIND OF CREATE A UNIFIED LOOK. AND THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE ARE STARTING TO -- THESE REALLY ARE INITIAL CONCEPTS PALMA BUT WITH THE PROGRAM HOW DO WE START TO BRING DAYLIGHT, WINDOWS, FLOOR-TO-CEILING GLASS, THE FRONT PORCH -- WE ALSO KNOW SHADING DEVICES ON THE BUILDINGS, THINGS THAT WILL BE THOUGHT THROUGH. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT OUTDOOR SPACES SO THAT AS THE STAFF TAKES THEIR BRAKES, THEY CAN GO AND LOOK AT OTHER AMENITIES THAT WILL BE USED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR THIS USE CAMPUS. AND SO, WITH THAT, WE KIND OF ENDED THIS LAST IMAGE WITH KIND OF AN OVERALL FEEL. WE FEEL LIKE THIS NEW COMMUNITY COULD BE A GREAT RESOURCE IN THE CITY OF KYLE AND WE WILL EXTEND THE COUNTY CAMPUS THAT YOU GUYS

[00:20:04]

>> YES? >> ON THE DESIGN PIECE, I WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN WAIT IN A LITTLE BIT.

>> I WANT TO MAKE THE COURT AWARE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST WEEK, ALSO, THE WATER WISE CONCEPT. SO, WE TALKED BRIEFLY ABOUT THAT AND HOW WE INCORPORATE, YOU KNOW, THOSE THINGS AND SUSTAINABLE ASPECTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING. SO, I KNEW THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING YOU WERE PROBABLY GOING TO ASK.

TEAM AWARE THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR COUNTY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. I'M SO GRATEFUL. EXACTLY. I WANTED TO HIT ON SOME OF THESE SLIDE POINTS. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME SEEING IT, SO I AM EXCITED. I AM EXCITED, BECAUSE THE COMMISSIONERS -- AGAIN, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME, NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS GOING TO BE PRESENTED, I WAS JUST AN ETERNAL OPTIMIST, HOPING THESE IDEAS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT WOULD PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THE IDEA OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT. AND WHAT I AM GRATEFUL FOR IS THAT EVEN IN THAT LAST -- WELL, THIS IS THE LAST SLIDE -- THE SECOND TO LAST SLIDE WITH THE CACTUS, EVEN THAT, ON POINT. BECAUSE I BELIEVE -- I LOVE OUR COUNTY TEAM, OUR COWORKERS, THEY ARE ALL WORKING SO HARD, ALL THE TIME. BUT, DOGGONE IT, I ALSO TELL THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR TXDOT THE SAME THING, I SAY, WE CAN DESIGN OUR WAY INTO DESIGNING SOMETHING NICE, LOOKING CRISP AND SHARP, AND ENJOYABLE TO BE AROUND, WITH LITTLE TO NO MAINTENANCE, AND LITTLE TO NO RESOURCE. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS DESIGN IT, HAVE THE DELIBERATENESS, AND THAT IS WHAT YOU SHOWED HERE AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT, BECAUSE AS THE COMMISSIONER JUST SAID, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY BY SAYING WATER WISE. WATER USE WAS ONE OF MY PIECES. YOU GUYS, ON THIS ILLUSTRATION ALONE, HAVE SHOWN WHAT COULD BE INTERPRETED AS DECOMPOSED GRANITE WITH CACTUS -- I MEAN, COME ON, FOLKS. BESIDES A BLOWER, YOU ARE DONE, RIGHT? YOU PUT A BUBBLER IN THERE, ONE WATER, LIKE COMMISSIONER HAMMER BROUGHT IN FOR A RESOLUTION LAST WEEK, AND YOU ARE VIRTUALLY USING A GALLON OF WATER FOR THAT WHOLE PICTURE RIGHT THERE, AND THAT PLACE LOOKS VIBRANT, IT LOOKS AWESOME, AND OUR LABOR TO DO IT IS ULTRALOW. THAT IS MAGNIFICENT. I LIKE HOW YOU HAVE USED -- I AM IMPRESSED, I AM GENUINELY GRATEFUL THAT YOU GUYS HAVE USED TIMBER. LIKE, WHAT? I DID NOT EXPECT THAT. THAT IS ON POINT. AND THEN, THE SMOOTH SURFACES -- BECAUSE THE SMOOTHER YOU MAKE THE SURFACES -- I'M PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, I AM TALKING TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT NOW -- BUT, THE SMOOTHER YOU LIKE THE SERVICES, LIKE THAT LAST STUCCO, WHATEVER THE MATERIAL MAY BE, THE BETTER IT WILL HOLD UP BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING TO TRAP DIRT, DUST, AND DEBRIS, AND I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE TO CALL TAMMY AND SAY, "CAN YOU PLEASE PRESSURE WASH THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING?" AGAIN, YOU ARE TRANSFORMING THE HORIZONTAL SPACE ONTO THE VERTICAL, AND YOU ARE SAYING, "WE ARE DESIGNING THIS THING TO BE MAINTENANCE-FREE AND LOOK CRISP AND SHARP." AND THEN, YOU ARE DOING THE TIMELESS DESIGN WHICH I THINK IS ON POINT MORE, THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, MODERN, TIMELESS, MINIMALISTIC APPROACH. I MEAN, IT IS TIMELESS AND IT IS A CLASSIC FOR A REASON. BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT A BRAND-NEW BUILDING TO LOOK LIKE JUNK! IN THREE YEARS, BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF STYLE, OR WHATEVER. IT IS TO "CUTTING EDGE." BUT, YOU GUYS HAVE TAPPED INTO THE STUFF THAT IS -- HONESTLY, I CAN'T SAY IT ENOUGH -- TIMELESS, WHICH IS PRICELESS.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS?

>> ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONERS?

>> NOT AT THIS POINT. >> WELL, THANK YOU. I WILL PASS

IT ON TO SETH. >> GREAT JOB, STEPHEN AND TEAM.

THERE HAS BEEN A WHOLE TEAM WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE TIMBER DESIGN AND APPROACH BECAUSE IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> I WILL SAY ONE MORE LITTLE TIDBIT, ONCE WE BUILT THIS CURRENT GOVERNMENT CENTER -- YOU WILL REMEMBER THIS, COMMISSIONER, BECAUSE THIS IS OUR HOMETOWN, SO THAT IS WHERE IT CIRCULATED MOST -- BUT, WE GOT SUCH A RIBBING AS A COMMUNITY -- AND I IMAGINE IN COMMISSIONERS COURT, AS WELL -- ABOUT HOW WE CREATED A TAJ MAHAL AND WE CREATED THIS BIG, OLD, WASTED LOBBY WITH NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, SO I AM REALLY GLAD THAT THAT IS BEING MAXIMIZED, HERE, IN THE ENTRANCE. YOU HAVE SEATING SPACE, YOU HAVE UTILIZATION, ULTIMATELY. BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO INTO OUR CURRENT GOVERNMENT CENTER, IT IS A BIG BLOCK OF NOTHING. SO, THAT IS REALLY, REALLY, UNFORTUNATELY, A VALID ARGUMENT AND YOU HAVE TAKEN THIS NEXT STEP TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T BECOME OUR REALITY, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

[00:25:03]

>> YEAH, SEVERAL OF OUR PROJECT GOALS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS OUR SUSTAINABILITY, THE QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE FOR THE CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND HAVING THAT SERVICE READILY AVAILABLE. AND THEN, THE QUALITY OF THE WORKING SPACE FOR THE STAFF AND THAT. SO, THAT IS TOP OF MIND WITH THE DESIGN TEAM, SEVERAL INDEPENDENT ESTIMATES ON THIS PROGRAM, AND THEY FELT COMFORTABLE RECOMMENDING TO THE COUNTY A TOTAL PROJECT COST SHOWN ON THE SCREEN. AND WE CAN SEE, THIS IS A PLANNING IMPLEMENTATION PHASE, LAND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS COST, THAT IS IN NEGOTIATION AND WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO THAT. SOFT COSTS -- SO, THAT IS DESIGN, P.M., TESTING, OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT -- OFF-SITE UTILITY SERVICES -- SO, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE POWER, THE WATER, THE SEWER, THE COMMUNICATION, THE GAS TO THE SITE. SO, WE HAVE STARTED DIGGING INTO THAT AND WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT BUDGET.

AND THEN, REALLY, OUR ESTIMATES REFLECTED THE BUILDING AND THE SITE WORK INSIDE OF THE PROPERTY. WE WENT, WE SPENT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS GOING THROUGH DIFFERENT ESTIMATES EVALUATIONS, AND WE DID AN ESTIMATE WITH STEEL AND AN ESTIMATE WITH MASS TIMBER. AND, YOU KNOW, IT, AMAZINGLY, TO ME, IT WAS COST NEUTRAL. I MEAN, IT WAS SO CLOSE AT THIS LEVEL THAT IT WAS COST NEUTRAL, AND THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THE BENEFITS THAT YOU GET FROM THE TIMBER BEYOND THE AESTHETICS, YOU GET SOME SCHEDULED BENEFITS, AND YOU GET SOME MAINTENANCE BENEFITS, AS WELL, LESS MAINTENANCE WITH LESS CEILING TILES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> IN THAT SPACE ABOUT USING TIMBER, DOES THAT DIMINISH, IN ANY WAY, OUR CAPACITY FOR INCREASING DENSITY ON THE VERTICAL SPACES? BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE THOSE LIMITATIONS IN OUR CURRENT GOVERNMENT CENTER. SO, CAN WE, IN THE FUTURE, ADD ANOTHER FLOOR, WITH THE WAY YOU ARE DESIGNING IT?

>> WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT. I MEAN, WE HAVEN'T DESIGNED IT, YET. SO, WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THAT --

>> HOW ABOUT I SAY IT THIS WAY, THE WAY YOU ARE COOKING IT IN

YOUR HEADS? >> THE WAY WE WERE COOKING IT, IS THAT IT WOULD NOT GO HIGHER THAN THE THREE FLOORS. SO, IF WE DID WANT TO BEEF IT UP, WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT AND LOOK AT THE BUDGET ON THAT, AS WELL.

>> YEAH. I TRIED TO SQUEEZE IN "OH, YES" IN THERE, IF THE COMMISSIONERS WERE WILLING, BUT THEN I LOOKED AT THE FOOTPRINT AND WAS LIKE, HANG ON, BACK UP, YOU CAN'T GO THERE. BUT, THE CAPACITY FOR US TO GO UP HERE WAS DIMINISHED BECAUSE OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS FEEL ABOUT IT, TO HAVE THE CAPACITY, POTENTIALLY, TO BE ABLE TO GO HIGHER DENSITY IN THE FUTURE, WITHOUT HAVING TO TEAR THE BUILDING DOWN, IN ITS CURRENT USE.

>> WE CAN EVALUATE THAT IN SCHEMATIC DESIGN, IN THE BEGINNING OF SCHEMATIC DESIGN, AND JUST SEE WHAT THE OPTIONS

ARE WITH THE MASS TIMBER. >> I JUST THINK YOU FAST FORWARD 10 YEARS -- WHICH IS AROUND THE CORNER -- AND YOU ARE GOING TO WANT HIGHER DENSITY, POTENTIALLY COME OUT OF THAT SPACE. YOU GO VERTICAL PARKING, AND YOU ADDRESS IT ALL.

>> WELL, WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, JUDGE, IS BECAUSE OF THE MASS TIMBER AND THE LAYOUT OF THE GRIDS, IT IS EASIER TO STAND

HORIZONTALLY. >> AND YOU WERE LOOKING AT

EXPANSION -- >> RIGHT.

>> AND IF YOU DO GO PARKING GARAGE AND PICK UP SOME OF THE PARKING GARAGE SPACE, YOU CAN GO HORIZONTALLY.

>> GOOD. I JUST -- >> SO, MAYBE WE DON'T LOOK AT THE VERTICAL, BECAUSE THAT IS, FROM A CONSTRUCTIBILITY STANDPOINT, GOING VERTICAL IN AN OCCUPIED BUILDING IS VERY

EXPENSIVE. >> YEAH. OKAY.

>> SO, WE HAVE ALSO WORKED A LITTLE BIT -- WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTOALL OF THE DETAILS WITH VICKI, BUT WE STARTED TO, TO SHARE WITH HER WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, FOR FORECASTS FOR FISCAL YEAR CASH FLOWS. AND THESE WILL CHANGE OVER TIME, AS THINGS GET FIRMED UP, BUT THIS IS OUR BEST GUESS ON CASH FLOWS RIGHT NOW, BASED ON OUR CURRENT SCHEDULE. SO, I WILL CLICK OVER.

>> AND WOULD THAT BE -- I KNOW IT IS ON THE NEXT SLIDE -- BUT, WITH ABBY WITH MAJORITY OF CONSTRUCTION IN 2027?

>> YES. WE START CONSTRUCTION -- ALL RIGHT, IT WENT TO SLEEP FOR A MINUTE, I THINK. SO, WE ARE HERE MIDWAY THROUGH Q3 AND WE

[00:30:02]

CALENDAR YEAR QUARTERS. >> CLARIFICATION.

>> YEAH. SO, END OF '27 -- AND THEN, WE DID ALLOCATE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT FOR THE MOVE. WE JUST KNOW, FROM EXPERIENCE, AND Y'ALL DO, TOO, MOVING THESE DEPARTMENTS AND MAKING SURE ALL OF THE I.T. IS WORKING, MAKING SURE ALL OF THE BUILDING IS WORKING, FUNCTIONING, EVERYTHING IS RIGHT BEFORE YOU START OPERATIONS THERE, IN THE FRONT DOOR. SO, THIS WILL KIND OF GET MORE SPECIFIC AS WE GO INTO IT.

AND WE'VE GOT BACKUP ON HOW WE KIND OF CAME UP WITH THESE DATES, BUT THIS IS WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW, AND A HIGH LEVEL

SCHEDULE. >> OKAY.

>> SO, WITH THAT, I CAN PROBABLY PULL THE SCREEN OFF, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? >> YEAH, COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> THANK YOU. JUST LOOKING AT THE SITE PLAN AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, I KNOW WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT -- SPECIFICALLY, WE MADE A COMMITMENT WITH RAINWATER CAPTURE ON THOSE FACILITIES, WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST WEEK. I KNOW, JUST AS YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE SITE PLAN IT, THAT IS A BIG FOOTPRINT. I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU, AS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH DESIGN -- AND I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY THINKING ABOUT THIS -- BUT, IT IS SUCH A LARGE FOOTPRINT FOR A BUILDING, YOU WILL HAVE A LOT OF RAINWATER CAPTURE OFF OF THAT. AND TO THE JUDGES POINT ABOUT REUSE, I JUST THINK THE STORAGE FOR THAT WILL BE A HEFTY PENNY, BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE. BUT, I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE SURE WHENEVER YOU ARE LOOKING AT YOUR OVERALL BUDGET, THAT WILL BE A PRETTY HEFTY EXPENSE, I JUST DIDN'T SEE IT ON THE SITE PLAN SO I KNOW IT IS THERE SOMEWHERE, OR IT WILL BE.

>> YEAH. AS YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER, THEY ARE DOING SOME COOL THINGS WHERE IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO GO BELOW GROUND ANYMORE. THE FIRST ONE I DID WAS BELOW GROUND AND IT WAS A NIGHTMARE. AND VERY EXPENSIVE. BUT, THERE IS SOME COOL RAINWATER TANKS NOW THAT ARE VERY DESIGN FRIENDLY, BUT I

THINK WE COULD LOOK AT. >> I LIKE HOW YOU CONFIRMED, "DESIGN FRIENDLY." YES. GOOD JOB.

>> THEY HAVE TO GO WITH THAT, THAT IS A GREAT POINT, YEAH. AND THERE IS A LOT OF WATER, I THINK, COMING OFF OF THIS ROOF AND WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT. WE WILL ALSO BE LOOKING AT THE STORM WATER AND THE DETENTION POND AND THAT. SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. THIS IS JUST A PROGRAM AND INITIAL DESIGN AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN THE COMMISSIONERS ARE READY, WE CAN DO ANOTHER UPDATE AT SOME POINT, BEFORE WE ARE ON

THE DESIGN. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD START, FOR SURE. I MEAN, IT IS EXPENSIVE, BUT BUILDING ANYTHING NOW IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE. AS LONG AS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND, THAT IS WHERE MY HEART LIES ON THIS PROJECT. AND INCORPORATING AS MUCH WATER WAS SOLUTIONS AS WE CAN, SO --

>> LET IT BE THE MODEL, WHY NOT? IF NOT NOW, THEN -- COMMISSIONER

COHEN? >> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE PRESENTATION, IT HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT TO WORK WITH Y'ALL ON THIS PROJECT. I AM GLAD TO HEAR THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE COURT. JUST GIVEN SOME HISTORICAL DATA, WHEN COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND I STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS, IT WAS ABOUT TRYING TO BRING THOSE RESOURCES THAT ARE OFFERED, AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER TO THE EAST SIDE, WHICH DOESN'T HAVE ANY OF THIS KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE ON THAT SIDE OF TOWN, OR ON THAT SIDE OF THE COUNTY. AND SO, I AM GLAD IT HAS EVOLVED INTO BRINGING IN OUR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED THERE AND IT ADDRESSES THE NEED OF THE JUDICIAL CENTER, MAKING THAT STRICTLY A JUDICIAL GOVERNMENT CENTER, RIGHT? SO, IT DEFINITELY TOUCHES EVERY AREA, DIFFERENT

[00:35:01]

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND SETH AND YOUR TEAM, THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK YOU HAVE DONE. IT IS BOTH EXCITING AND REWARDING TO BE AT THIS JUNCTURE, TO MOVE THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT FORWARD. YOU KNOW, WE ARE ONE STEP CLOSER -- AS COMMISSIONER COHEN MENTIONED -- TO BRINGING MUCH-NEEDED COUNTY SERVICES TO THE EAST SIDE COMMUNITIES, PROVIDING BETTER ACCESSIBILITY AND EQUITY TO OUR RESIDENTS. SO, YOU KNOW, OUR NEXT STEP IS FOR THE JUDGE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS, WHICH WE HAVE ON A LATER AGENDA. BUT, I DON'T KNOW, WE JUST NEED TO ENSURE THAT IT TRULY MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS, AND I KNOW IT WILL, AND I AM VERY PROUD AND HAPPY TO BE WORKING ON THIS

PROJECT. >> WONDERFUL. AND COMMISSIONER COHEN TOUCHED ON THIS, AND IT IS TRUE, FOR YEARS, COMMISSIONER SCHELL AND COMMISSIONER INGALSBE TOLD ME, WE ARE REALLY LOVE WORKING TOWARD MAKING THE GOVERNMENT CENTER JUDICIAL ONLY, AND THAT HELPS MAKE THAT A REALITY. SO, THAT EFFORT, LONGTIME COOKING, HAS, LIKE YOU SAID, MOVED ALL THE CLOSER THINGS COME IN PART, TO YOUR WORK, HERE. I DID WANT TO MENTION MY COMMISSIONER SMITH, HE NOTICED A LITTLE DETAIL, I WANT TO NOTICE A LITTLE DETAIL, WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE -- AND COMMISSIONER COHEN MENTIONED PEOPLE STAYING, NOT ABLE TO RUN OUT TO LUNCH, AND EATING ON LOCATION, I WOULD LIKE TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS -- ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL, BUT I THINK THAT IS SOMETIMES TIED TO DESIGN -- SOME TYPE OF DINING ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR. A SMALL DINING AREA, SMALL CAFE, SMALL SOMETHING, WHERE SOMEONE CAN GET A -- I DON'T KNOW -- A SANDWICH, OF SOME SORT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD CONTRIBUTION.

>> I THINK WE HAD MENTIONED THAT, YOU KNOW, BEING SURE THAT THE DINING AREA FOR OUR STAFF WAS MORE THAN JUST A VENDING

MACHINE. >> EXACTLY! WITH THIS MUCH CONCENTRATION, NOT ONLY COMMUNITY, BUT COWORKERS, TO INCORPORATE NOT JUST A MICROWAVE AND A VENDING MACHINE, BUT A HOOD, A -- YOU KNOW, YOU CAN MAKE A 20 FOOT HOOD, A 10 FOOT HOOD, YOU KNOW THIS. SO, I WOULD SUGGEST A SMALL, SMALL, SMALL, BUT STILL FUNCTIONING COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FOOTPRINT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD IDEA, AND THEY COULD USE AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS IS REQUIRED OF A MENU, BUT TO HAVE THAT AVAILABILITY IN THE DESIGN WILL BE A MAGNIFICENT CONTRIBUTION TO ROUND THIS OUT.

[K.3. Discussion and possible action to approve the selection of HDR Architecture, Inc. to provide design and construction documents for the Kyle Campus project; and authorize staff and the Criminal District Attorney's Civil Division to negotiate a contract. IN GA LS B E /C OH E N]

>> GREAT. >> WELL DONE. THANK YOU, GUYS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> HEY, JUDGE, CAN WE GO AHEAD AND TAKE K.3 SO WE CAN --

>> WRAP IT UP? >> REVISIT K.3.

>> YOU GOT IT. LET'S GO TO K.3. >> K.3 -- DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF HDR ARCHITECTURE INC. TO PROVIDE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR THE KYLE CAMPUS PROJECT AND AUTHORIZED STAFF AND CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY DIVISION TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

[00:40:01]

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YEAH, SO, JUDGE, THIS IS WHAT WE SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER. IF WE ARE READY FOR THIS PHASE FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. SO, HDR HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB FOR US AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THEM.

>> PERFECT. PERFECT. AND SO, THE MOTION WILL BE TO GRANT HDR THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE THE WORK. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. NOW, YOU CAN GO TO WORK.

>> AND I JUST ASK ONE THING? AS WE GO TO WORK ON THIS, CAN WE JUST DECIDE AS A GROUP TO CALL IT EASTSIDE CAMPUS?

>> I SAW IT ON THERE, YES. >> JUST THE ONLY REASON I SAY THAT IS THAT I REALLY DO THINK IT MAKES AN IMPACT FOR Y'ALL, SEEING "EASTSIDE" INSTEAD OF "KYLE."

>> THAT IS WHY WE DETERMINED THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE CALLED

NOW SO, YES. >> FOR THE SAME REASON I, OF

COURSE -- >> IT CAN BE CONFUSING.

>> "EASTSIDE CAMPUS" IT IS. OF COURSE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A WHOLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS FOR THE WHOLE NAMING OF THE BUILDING, WHY NOT? BUT, TODAY, DURING WORKLOAD, WE CAN CONTINUE TO CALL IT A SIDE CAMPUS FOR CONFORMITY AND CONTINUITY. WELL DONE, AND CONGRATULATIONS. AND WHILE WE

[K.6. Discussion and possible action regarding possible funding options and potential partnerships for the purchase of the remaining property adjacent to the Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, located at 211 Lee Street, San Marcos, Texas, part of the historic block, in Precinct 1. B E C E R R A /IN GA LS B E]

IS THE LAST K? NUMBER SIX? >> K.6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING POSSIBLE FUNDING OPTIONS AND POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE REMAINING PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE CENTER OF EAST SAN MARCOS LOCATED AT 211 LEE STREET SEND MARCUS, TEXAS, PART OF THE HISTORIC BLOCK IN PRECINCT 1.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND -- AND JUST FOR A LITTLE BACK STORY, THE INTENT IS TO SUPPORT THE CITY OF SAN MARCO'S AND BUY THIS PROPERTY FROM THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO THAT IT CAN BECOME A CULTURAL CENTER OPERATED THROUGH A GRANT PROGRAM THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A ROUTINE BURDEN ON ANY AGENCY AND NOT TO BE DONATED TO A NONPROFIT OR TO BE OPERATED BY ANY SAID NONPROFIT, SPECIFICALLY CENTRAL. SOME PEOPLE HAVE HEARTBURN ABOUT THE IDEA THAT THIS WILL BE DONATED TO CENTRAL. NO, IT WILL NOT. THAT IS NOT THE INTENT. OR, OPERATED BY CENTRAL. NO, IT IS NOT, THAT IS NOT THE INTENT. SO, I WANT TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO CLARIFY BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER, WE OFTEN PLAY WHACK A MOLE WITH ALL OF THE HEARSAY GOING AROUND. SO, THIS IS PURELY AN INTENT TO CREATE A ONE TIME EXPENSE TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT THIS CULTURALLY MEANINGFUL SPACE DOESN'T TURN INTO A THREE-STORY APARTMENT COMPLEX. ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

>> YEAH, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME, JUDGE, BECAUSE THIS PROPERTY IS LOATED IN A HISTORIC HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU KNOW, MY FEAR IS THAT IT CAN POTENTIALLY DISPLACE LONG-TERM RESIDENTS, AND ALTERING THE COMMUNITY'S CHARACTER. SO, IN ANY DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, IT CERTAINLY WOULD DO THAT AND THAT IS THE REASON IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME TO HELP DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO PRESERVE THIS PROPERTY, TO ENSURE THAT IT DOESN'T TURN INTO A DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS APARTMENT COMPLEX. I KNOW THAT THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS IS DISCUSSING THAT TODAY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, I BELIEVE.

AND THERE SEEMS TO BE INTEREST. SO, I HAVE SPOKEN WITH GORE SET.

OF COURSE, THIS IS ALL CONTINGENT ON THE CITY, ALSO, PARTNERING US AND MOVING FORWARD WITH A PARTNERSHIP TO TAKE DOWN

THE PROPERTY. >> EXACTLY. VICKI, IF YOU WILL

STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE? >> VICKI DORSETT, BUDGET OFFICER. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENT TO BE AROUND HALF $1 MILLION FOR THE HAYS COUNTY PORTION OF THE PROJECT. WE COULD FUND THAT OUT OF YOUR UNDESIGNATED MISCELLANEOUS COUNTY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR BUDGET FY '25 IF THIS WILL BE A PROJECT THAT WE WILL SECURE THE AGREEMENT THIS FISCAL YEAR. IF NOT, IT WOULD COME OUT OF YOUR $3.5 MILLION FOR UNDESIGNATED

PROJECTS IN FY '26. >> GREAT. I THINK THE INTENT IS -- I AM ALL TALKING ABOUT VISUALS. SO, BECAUSE OF THE SHORT FUSE THAT WAS SHARED WITH ME, I THINK IT SHOULD BE A '25 TRANSACTION. SO, THANK YOU FOR IDENTIFYING THAT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, FOR SPEAKING TO VICKI ABOUT

[00:45:05]

>> SO, JUST A CLARIFYING POINT, WILL WE BE BRINGING AN ACTUAL AGREEMENT BACK TO COURT, AND IDENTIFYING THAT ENDING AT THAT TIME? OR, IS THIS THE ACTUAL --

>> I KNOW I SEE SOME CONCERNED FACES OVER THERE, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DAIS. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES, WE DO SPEAK ABOUT THIS AND THEN BRING IT BACK TO THE NEXT COURT MEETING. I'M READY TO TAKE ACTION TODAY BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE WILL BE SOME QUESTIONSFROM OUR COURT MEMBERS. AND SO, IF WE COULD

HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, JUDGE? >> SURE. YOU BET. HAPPILY. IF WE COULD JUST SWING BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT SWING,

COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE AND IDENTITY AND I KNOW THERE NEEDS TO BE A TANGIBLE CONNECTION TO THE PAST, I BELIEVE. YOU KNOW, AN EXAMPLE I JUST HEARD, RECENTLY, WAS IN THE CITY OF KYLE WHERE THERE WAS A MEXICAN SCHOOL, WHERE I-35 IS, NOW. AND NO ONE EVER KNEW THAT. THERE WAS A TEACHER WHO GRADUATED FROM SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE AND WENT BACK TO TEACH AT THAT SCHOOL AND THERE IS NO HISTORY OF HER, NO DEDICATION TO HER. YOU KNOW? AND SO, I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT WHATEVER THE COURT DECIDES ON MOVING FORWARD WITH, YOU KNOW, SUPPORTING THE PROPERTY.

>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> SO, WHO CURRENTLY OWNS? >> THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

DISTRICT. >> SO, ISD OWNS IT? AND ARE THEY WILLING TO WORK FOR, LIKE, A DEAL?

>> I THINK THE MARKET VALUE, OR THE PRAISE VALUE, RIGHT NOW, IS

LIKE $1.2 MILLION. >> OKAY.

>> YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT THE COUNTY COULD PARTICIPATE, YOU KNOW, INITIALLY, WITH THE $500,000, IS WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR. I THINK THERE IS -- PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO ADVOCATE AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL, SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVEL, TO PRESERVE THAT, ALSO, AND WORK WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY TO TAKE THAT DOWN. THEY DO CURRENTLY HAVE AN OFFER. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, BUT IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS A DEVELOPER WHO WANTS TO BUILD APARTMENT COMPLEXES OR AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, SO THAT IS VERY CONCERNING TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY ARE ENCROACHING, YOU KNOW, AS I MENTIONED, ON A HISPANIC -- A

HISTORIC HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOOD. >> AND I WOULD HOPE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD REALIZE THE BENEFIT OF COUNTY AND CITY TRYING TO BUY IT AND MAYBE COME TO TERMS WITH US RATHER THAN A

DEVELOPER. >> FOR SURE.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THEM TO DO. AND THEN, AFTER IT HAS BEEN PURCHASED, JUST TO DETERMINE, IF THIS MOVES FORWARD, WHO IS GOING TO MAINTAIN THE BUILDING?

>> YEAH, IT IS STILL, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK THAT OUT. BUT, THE CITY OF KYLE -- SAN MARCOS, PARDON ME -- I BELIEVE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, OPERATING WHATEVER IS DETERMINED, THERE. BUT, THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO TAKE PLACE REGARDING THIS.

>> OKAY, SO, WE WOULD POTENTIALLY COME TO THE TABLE WITH $500,000? OKAY. ALL CONTINGENT UPON THE CITY? AND THEN, DO WE HAVE ANY PLANS FOR WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THE BUILDING AFTER IT HAS BEEN PURCHASED?

>> I -- >> WE ARE NOT PURCHASING THE

BUILDING. >> IT IS JUST RAW DIRT AND

GRASS. >> THE DISTRICT ALREADY GAVE THE

BUILDING TO CENTRAL. >> YEAH, THIS IS A PIECE OF LAND THAT THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OWNS, THAT HAS NOTHING

ON IT. >> OKAY.

>> AND SO, THE INTENT IS TO GO BEYOND A PARK, LIKE A CULTURAL CENTER, BUT NOT A CREATION OF A BUILDING, BUT MORE -- MY HEARING OF THE DESCRIPTIONS KIND OF GAVE ME THE IMPRESSION -- BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE JUST IMPRESSIONS TO BE FARED OUT BY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT -- IS ALMOST LIKE AN OPEN ROOF PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE RICARDO AND OTHER TYPES OF SETTINGS. I AM REFERRING TO AN IDENTIFIED SPACE THAT STILL REMAINS ULTRA-LOW MAINTENANCE.

SO, NOT AN ENCLOSURE, NECESSARILY, BUT A PLACE WHERE COMMUNITY CAN COME AND BE A PART OF, AND RELATE TO, AND COME TOGETHER IN. BUT, NOT A BUILDING, IF YOU WILL.

>> OKAY. >> BUT, MORE THAN A PARK.

>> OKAY. >> COMMISSONER SMITH?

>> JUST FROM A BASIC LEVEL, LIKE, HOW BIG IS THE PROPERTY?

>> IT IS A LITTLE OVER TWO ACRES, I WANT TO SAY? SOMEBODY

-- I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF -- >> IT IS A LITTLE OVER HALF A

CITY BLOCK. >> OKAY.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A UNIFORMITY TO THAT. BUT, IT IS THE ENTIRE FOOTPRINT THAT THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT CENTRAL OFFICE WAS ON, THE ENTIRE FOOTPRINT. WHICH IS ALMOST, I WOULD JUST VISUALLY GUESS, ALMOST TWO THIRDS OF THE

ENTIRE CITY BLOCK. >> AND THEN, KIND OF TOOK

[00:50:05]

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY. >> DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> YEAH. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT BUYING A -- I KNOW WE KNOW WHERE THE PROPERTY IS, BUT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT BUYING A HEADACHE INSTEAD OF BEING A SAVIOR IN THIS SITUATION. I UNDERSTAND THE CHIEF USE IS VERY SHORT, AS WELL. MY OTHER CONCERN, THOUGH, IS IF WE DO -- I MEAN, TO COMMISSIONER HAMMER'S POINT, HOPEFULLY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD ENTERTAIN AN OFFER AT -- WHAT YOU CALL IT? AT MARKET RATE. OR, AT FACE VALUE. BUT, DO WE HAVE ANY PLANS, IF THEY DON'T, OR IF THEY WANT US TO MATCH AN OFFER, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? HOW WOULD WE ADDRESS THAT? I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE MY OTHER

CONCERN. >> WE WERE TOLD THAT -- AND OF COURSE, NO ONE SPEAKS FOR AN ENTIRE BODY -- BUT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE IDEA WAS SUPPORTIVE IN SPIRIT, THAT LIKE COMMISSIONER INGALSBE SAID, IF WE GAVE THE DISTRICT APPRAISED VALUE -- WHICH, IN REALITY IT IS A GOOD PRICE FOR US TO BUY IT AT AS A COMMUNITY -- BECAUSE THE ISD NEEDS FINANCIAL SUPPORT, THIS WILL TO -- KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, ALTHOUGH I HEARD THAT IS NOT POPULAR TO SAY ANYMORE. I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR KILLING

BIRDS. >> THAT SEASON IS ALMOST HERE.

>> POINT IS, THIS EFFORT IS EXCLUSIVELY TO TAKE THE DIRT OFF THE MARKET, SECURE IT FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND THEN ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THE CITY -- I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THIS -- THE CITY DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB AT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, LIKE NO OTHER. CITY OF SAN MARCOS, HATS OFF TO YOU. YOU ALWAYS, ALWAYS SHOW UP, ALMOST COMPLETELY ON THIS FRONT. SO, I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS GOING TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE, WHICH IS CREATE A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PIECE TO SAY, "OKAY, HOW DO YOU ENVISION THIS COMMUNITY CENTER? HOW DO YOU SEE THIS UNFOLDING?" AND SO, WE ALREADY KNOW THIS CITY HAS A GRANTS DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE A GRANTS DEPARTMENT, AND SO THERE IS A STRONG SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL MONEY COMING STRAIGHT FROM GRANTS, EVEN. AND SO, THE IDEA IS, WE DO THE SHORT FUSED APPROACH OF GETTING IT OFF THE MARKET, AND THEN PUTTING IN THE PLANNING STAGES WITH THE CITY TO ENGAGE DETAILS, FINER GRANULATED, THROUGH THE CITY.

>> I WOULD JUST -- AGAIN, I AM FINE WITH US MOVING FORWARD AND DOING SOMETHING WITH IT, IF WE CAN GET AN APPRAISED VALUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT, EVEN IF IT IS A DEVELOPER STEPPING IN, THEY MAY CHOOSE TO PAY WELL OVER MARKET, AND APPRAISED VALUE.

>> RIGHT. >> I HAVE BEEN TOLD --

>> WELL, MY CONCERN IS, AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TAX RATE, IF IT IS MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE, I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY COULD FORGO THAT BECAUSE WE WILL NOT BE PUTTING IT ON THE TAX ROLLS THAT WE BUY, AND WHATEVER THEIR MARKET LOSS WOULD BE, I AM JUST CONCERNED, AND WANT TO LOOK AT THAT. BUT, DEFINITELY, I CAN SEE THE PURPOSE IN IT. JUST WANT IT A

LITTLE BIT MORE FLESHED OUT. >> I UNDERSTAND. YOU KNOW, I HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH A TRUSTEE, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY REALIZED THAT THEY REALLY DO WANT TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND CITY. THE OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITY IS THE TOURS. THERE

IS A -- >> WE CAN SUPPORT THE

DIFFERENCE? >> I THINK THERE IS SOME FUNDING

OPTIONS. >> IS A POSSIBLE FOUR, IN TERMS OF ACTION ON THIS ITEM, WE JUST LET OUR, YOU KNOW, CIVIL DIVISION MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATIONS?

>> I THINK BECAUSE COMMISSIONER INGALSBE TOUCHED ON A PERFECT POINT, WHICH I WAS SO GRATEFUL, WHEN I TALKED TO STEPHANIE, I

[00:55:01]

MAKE IT WORK. >> AND THEN, I THINK OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WILL BE INVOLVED, I THINK IT ISN'T -- IT IS IMPORTANT IF WE MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TODAY, WE CAN SAY UP TO $500,000, WE HAVE THE MONEY AVAILABLE. AND THEN, WE CAN HAVE JORDAN AND HER STAFF WORK WITH THE CITY TO SEE WHAT THAT

AGREEMENT LOOKS LIKE. >> CITY AND TERS, AS WE BOTH

BROUGHT UP. >> NOT $500,000 FOR POTENTIAL OF

NOT HAVING A DEVELOPER -- >> HOW ABOUT I RESTATE IT FOR EVERYBODY FOLLOWING THE CONVERSATION. I MOVE THAT WE GRANT AUTHORITY TO OUR CIVIL DIVISION TO GET INTO THE PURCHASE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS AND TERS TOO. SO, SAN MARCOS, DOWNTOWN TERS, REINVESTMENT ZONE. AND TO WORK WITH BUYING THAT PROPERTY -- BUYING THE PROPERTY WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING USED TO BE, OFF OF LEE STREET.

EXCLUSIVELY, TO PURCHASE UP TO $500,000.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT. THE TERS MONEY, THOUGH, I THINK WOULD COME LATER. I THINK THE TAKING DOWN OF THE PROPERTY IS REALLY WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH, I THINK I CAN FUND OTHER THINGS DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU BUILD AND OPERATE.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. EXACTLY RIGHT. SO, WE HAVE A SECOND, ANY ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION?

>> I WOULD SAY, JUST MAKE SURE, IN THE MOTION, TO CLARIFY IT IS COMING OUT OF THIS YEAR'S FY25 BUDGET.

>> AND JUST TO CLARIFY, IT IS COMING FROM THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, AND IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER CLARIFYING QUESTIONS, JORDAN, OR COMMENTS ON THAT LOOSELY WORDED MOTION?

>> I THINK I UNDERSTAND MY MARCHING ORDERS, AND IF IT IS OKAY WITH THE COURT, I MIGHT UTILIZE CANDACE TO HELP WITH

THIS ENDEAVOR, AS WELL. >> OF COURSE, ALWAYS.

>> AND I THINK WHAT THAT WILL LIKELY LOOK LIKE IS THERE MIGHT POTENTIALLY BE SOMETHING THAT IS COMING BACK TO Y'ALL NEXT WEEK TO APPROVE. THAT IS THE WAY I AM ENVISIONING, ANYWAY, IF THAT IS THE WAY Y'ALL ARE ENVISIONING IT.

>> SURE. WE ARE GIVING YOU THE GREEN LIGHT TO WRITE THE CHECK AND NEGOTIATE ACCORDINGLY, AND A FORMALIZED DOCUMENT TO BE VOTED ON, FIRMED UP, BY EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, EVERYONE WHO IS WATCHING, EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE, ÚWILL KNOW OUR SINCEREST, MOST DIRECT ACTIONABLE EFFORTS ARE IN MOTION AND IN PLACE.

>> AND IT WOULD BE A CO-OWNERSHIP WITH THE CITY.

>> CO-OWNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS.

>> AND WE WOULDN'T JUST BE WRITING A CHECK RIGHT NOW,

RIGHT? >> NOT YET.

>> OKAY. >> THAT IS WHAT THE BUDGET --

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE. >> THAT IS WHAT THE "BRING IT BACK TO COURT" THING IS ABOUT. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

[G. CONSENT ITEMS]

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. HALFWAY THERE. SO, I WILL OPEN THE SLATE OF CONSENT, IF WE ARE OKAY WITH THAT. PLEASE

OPEN THE SLATE OF CONSENT. >> G.1, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. , APPROVED PAYMENT OF JUROR DISBARMENT G.3, TEXAS COUNTY ASSOCIATION CLAIMS, AND OFFER AN ADDITIONAL DISBURSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 TO HEALTHCARE CLAIMS ACCOUNT. G.4, APPROVE UTILITY. TDOT FIVE, APPROVE COUNTY UTILITY MAINTENANCE TO POOR PURCHASE FOUR CORE KEYPAD LOCKS FOR THE GOVERNMENT CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $2800 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G. AUTHORIZE COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO HAVE SECURITY ONE UPDATE THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM LOCATED AT 401 BROADWAY, SUITE A, WITH A WIRELESS COMMUNICATOR AND AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE MONITORING AGREEMENT, AND AUTHORIZE A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASING POLICY. G.7 APPROVE ONE ADDITIONAL NIGHT OF OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM CERT PROGRAM MANAGER TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL CERT CONFERENCE IN PLAINFIELD, INDIANA, ON AUGUST 9TH, 2025. G.8 AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL FUNDS RELATED TO TOWING COSTS AND GENERAL OPERATIONAL SUPPLIES FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND AMEND THE BUDGET

[01:00:03]

TDOT 11 -- AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMEANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND GATEWAY, TEXAS LLC FOR SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOP MEANT OF A PARCEL LOCATED OFF OF HAYS COUNTY ACRES WROTE IN PRECINCT 4. TDOT 12 AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND DOUCETTE AND ASSOCIATES FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE RE-PLAT OF THE HAYS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER PROPERTY. TDOT 13 APPROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR RFP 2025 -'00 EIGHT COUNTYWIDE PRINTING AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO ADVERTISE AND

SOLICIT FOR PROPOSALS. >> SECONDED.

>> COMMISSIONERS, ANY COMMENTS? >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE STATEMENT ON GEODON 11 -- THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT WAS IN THE MID-90S AND THE AMENDMENT WE ARE DOING TO IT DOESN'T APPROVE ANY ADDITIONAL LOTS, HOWEVER WHENEVER THE DEVELOPMENT WAS APPROVED BACK THEN, THEY HAD TRADITIONAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS ON IT, AND THIS AMENDMENT ALLOWS FOR THEM TO USE ADVANCED SEPTIC SYSTEMS INSTEAD OF TRADITIONAL, THAT IS

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE. SO -- >> PERFECT AND THANK YOU, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

[I.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Contract Amendment No. 4 for the Right of Way Acquisition Services Contract between Hays County and LJA Engineering, Inc. for the Hillside Terrace Project in Precinct 2. This amendment increases the compensation cap by $22,500.00 for the purpose of funding Supplemental Work Authorization No. 6 to Work Authorization No. 1 for ROW service. C OH E N /MOC Z Y GE MB A]

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. LET'S CONTINUE TO MOVE

IN ORDER. >> I.1, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF NUMBER FOUR FOR THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND LJA ENGINEERING FOR THE HILLSIDE PROJECT IN DISTRICT 2. THIS RAISES THE CAT BY $22,500 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING SUPPLEMENTAL WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 62 WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER ONE FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY SERVICE.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

>> THIS IS JUST BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY SERVICES NEEDED, WE JUST NEED TO INCREASE

[I.2. Discussion and possible action to consider the acceptance of road construction & surface drainage improvements, release of the subdivision bond #K40280753 in the amount of $694,608.94, acceptance of the 2- year maintenance bond #4410480 in the amount of $82,624.68, and acceptance of the 1-year revegetation bond #4409180 in the amount of $30,937.50 for Crosswinds subd., Phase 3B. IN GA LS B E /MOC Z Y GE MB A]

THE CAP ON THAT >>.A, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE -- CONSIDER THE ACCEPTANCE OF ROAD IN CONSTRUCTION NUMBER IN THE AMOUNT OF $694,608.94 ACCEPTANCE OF THE TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER 441-0480 IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,624.68. AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ONE YEAR REVEGETATION BOND NUMBER 440-9180 IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 937.50. FOR CROSS RINGS SUBDIVISION PHASE 3B.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> DO WE HAVE STAFF RECOMMENDATION?

>> PERFECT. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE?

[J.1. PLN-2793-PC; Call for a Public Hearing on August 19th 2025, regarding Rolling Oaks Section 4 Lot 54 Replat. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. WE ARE GOING TO GO J.1.

>> CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 19TH, 2025, REGARDING ROLLING OAKS SECTION 4, LOT 54 RE-PLAT.

>> SO MOVED. >> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

>> JUDGES -- YOU CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.

>> IS THAT USUALLY WORD IT OTHERWISE?

>> HOLD. >> "HOLD" AND "CALL." MY MIND DID NOT REGISTER THAT TODAY. I AM NOT HOLDING A PUBLIC MEETING RIGHT NOW. THAT IS FOR THE RECORD.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS EMOTION AND A

SECOND. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA?

[K.1. Discussion and possible action to approve the Assessment and Collection Agreements with Anderson Park Public Improvement District. IN GA LS B E /E S C OB A R]

>> YES. >> YOU'VE GOT TO STOP THAT WITCHCRAFT TRICKERY.

[01:05:02]

>> K.1 -- DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION AGREEMENTS WITH ANDERSON PART

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. >> SO MOVED.

[K.2. Discussion and possible action to approve the Assessment and Collection Agreements with Mason MUD. IN GA LS B E /E S C OB A R]

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA?

>> YES. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION AGREEMENTS WITH

[K.4. Discussion and possible action to authorize reimbursements for lodging, mileage, overtime and meal per diems for Office of Emergency Services employees who deployed under the Texas Division of Emergency Management's Incident Support Task Force related to the July 4th flooding and amend the budget accordingly. B E C E R R A /MIK E JON E S]

MASON MILLER. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA?

>> YES. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE SELECTION OF SERVICE EMPLOYEES WHO DEPLOYED UNDER THE TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT'S INCIDENT SUPPORT TASK FORCE RELATED TO THE JULY

[K.5. Discussion and possible action to order the County Auditor to perform an audit and issue a report of the fiscal accounts and records for Emergency Services District # 7 in accordance with Section 775.082 (e) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. H A MME R /V ILLA R R E A L-A LON Z O]

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MIKE, ANYTHING TO ADD? NO PROBLEM. CALL THE ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ORDER THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO PERFORM AN AUDIT AND ISSUE A REPORT TO THE FISCAL ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 775.02 EIGHT OF THE

[N.1. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. B E C E R R A]

TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA?

>> YES. I AM PROUD OF THIS COURT. WE ARE MOVING BEAUTIFULLY. WE ARE GOING TO SKIP OUR WORKSHOP, IT STARTS AT 11:00 AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO NDOT ONE.

>> RELATED TO THE HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION COUNTS AND COSTS.

>> OUR MAXIMUM JAIL CAPACITY IS 410 INMATES. JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMEND HOLDING APPROXIMATELY 1% OF THAT OPEN, WHICH LOWERS OUR CAPACITY TO 368. THE JAIL DAILY AVERAGE WAS, HOWEVER, 566, AND PEAK WAS 578 ON AUGUST THE SECOND. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES THIS WEEK IS $134,045. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES CONTINUES TO BE 201 AND FEMALES ARE ZERO, AND ALL OF OUR INMATES ARE CURRENTLY HOUSED IN HASKELL COUNTY. AND WE HAVE 60 PAPER READY INMATES, WHICH ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM OUR COUNTY JAIL, GONE THROUGH, HAD THEIR DAY IN COURT, AND NOW OUR STATE INMATES, 60 OF THOSE. OUR HOPE IS THAT WE GET

[M. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]

SESSION. ALL OF IT? >> JUDGE, I DON'T BELIEVE WE NEED TO OPEN M.1, BUT THE REST, YES, PLEASE.

>> OKAY, PLEASE OPEN TWO, THREE, AND FOUR.

>> YES, SIR. >> HOLD ON, ONE SECOND.

>>

LET'S GO M.2 AND M.4. >> THANK YOU, TAMMY.

>> M.4, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE AND/OR VALUE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED NEAR RM 12 AND JACOB'S WELL ROAD PARCEL TWO IN PRECINCT 3. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY OCCUR IN OPEN COURT. M.4 EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 5.1 .071 AND 551.087 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT CAT TREE. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

>> SO, IN THE MEANTIME, WE WILL TAKE OUT NUMBER TWO, IF YOU ARE

NOT >> ALL RIGHT, WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE HAVE TWO MOTIONS THAT WE WILL TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 11:00 A.M., WHERE WE HAVE OUR SCHEDULED WORKSHOP. AND

COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A COUNTER OFFER FROM LANDOWNERS REGARDING PARCEL TWO RELATING TO RM 12 ON JACOBS WELLS ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY,

[01:10:02]

SESSION. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA?

>> YES. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> I WOULD LIKE TO AUTHORIZE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPER AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND MIDWAY DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC OTHERWISE KNOWN AS PROJECT CAT TREE.

>> SECOND. >> AND JUDGE, ALSO, THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 429 NORTH GUDALUPE STREET, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY OWNS THE LAND WHERE THE PROJECT IS TO BE LOCATED.

THE CITY OF SAN MARCUS IS ALSO PROVIDING ECONOMIC INCENTIVES RELATED TO THIS PROJECT AND A DEVELOPER WILL CONSTRUCT A HOTEL, ALONG WITH A CONVENTION AND -- OR, ALONG WITH CONVENTION AND CONFERENCE SPACE, PARKING, BUILDING, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. THE HOTEL WILL HAVE A MINIMUM OF 130 ROOMS, KEYS, AND INVOLVE A MINIMUM CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF $40 MILLION. INCENTIVE WILL CONSIST OF A SALES TAX REBATE, BASED ON A REV PAR CALCULATION RANGING FROM 95%, DOWN TO 25% OF SALES

TAX EACH YEAR FOR 10 YEARS. >> YOU SAID THE NUMBER OF KEYS -- ROOM KEYS, I THOUGHT, THEY COULD STILL JUST BE 20 DOORS, THEY JUST MADE A LOT OF COPIES.

BEING SILLY. WONDERFUL, MAGNIFICENT PROJECT. WE ARE SO LUCKY THIS IS TAKING PLACE HERE, IN OUR OWN BACKYARD. PLEASE CALL

THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YES. >> JUST A SECOND, JUST TO CLARIFY, WE HAD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER INGALSBE AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COHEN. OO THANK YOU FOR THAT. KEEP GOING.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT, WE ARE READY TO OPEN L.1.

[L. WORKSHOP]

>> L.1, 11:00 A.M. BUDGET WORKSHOP REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET, POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW.

>> WONDERFUL. I AM GOING TO OPEN THIS WORKSHOP. I WILL DO THAT GATLING FOR THE FORMALITY, KIND OF LIKE A --

>> HEARING? >> PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU.

THOSE WORDS JUST WON'T COME TODAY. THAT WAS TWICE TODAY, "PUBLIC HEARING" DIDN'T MAKE ITS WAY OUT. LIKE PUBLIC HEARING, WE WILL HAVE THIS WORKSHOP, ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE TAKEN, IT IS NOT LIKELY TO BE TAKEN, JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND FORMATTING. WE HAVE SOME FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. WE WILL BEGIN WITH -- PLEASE START A TIMER -- A THREE-MINUTE TIMER

FOR PASTOR JEFF THOMPSON. >> THANK YOU, AND GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE WORDS COMING, WELCOME TO MY WORLD.

HERE, IN COURT, TO TALK ABOUT CAPITAL IDEA OR CORRIDOR INTERFAITH ALLIANCE FOR FAMILIES, BUT THIS MORNING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET, IN GENERAL. SO, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THAT HAYS COUNTY IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. IT IS EXCITING TO SEE ALL OF THE GROWTH AND PROGRESS TAKING PLACE. BUT, I HAVE ALSO BECOME INCREASINGLY AWARE THAT GROWTH AND PROGRESS HAVE A PRICE. I SEE THAT MORE AND MORE RESIDENTS OF HAYS COUNTY ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND. THEY ARE NOT BENEFITING FROM THE GROSS AND PROGRESS, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY BUDGET FOR 2026 REFLECTS THAT FACT, THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING INCLUDED. I BELIEVE THAT MUCH MORE SHOULD BE BUDGETED FOR THINGS LIKE A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE, OR INCREASING THAT FUNDING. COMMUNITY RE-ENTERING SERVICES, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING CAPITAL IDEA, AND SOCIAL SERVICES. NOW, I REALIZE THAT IT IS A TOUGH JOB, TO PROVIDE FOR THINGS LIKE ROADS AND EXPANDING COUNTY PERSONNEL NEEDS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND ALSO MUCH MORE. BUT, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF OVER HALF A PERCENT OF THE BUDGET FOR SOCIAL SERVICES -- REALLY? ALL THE THINGS I MENTIONED ARE NOT JUST A BLACK HOLE INTO WHICH WE ARE POURING MONEY, THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE

[01:15:07]

YOU. >> AND THE TIMING WAS MAGNIFICENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GENUINELY APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. NEXT UP, WE HAVE MR. ERIC MARTINEZ.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ERIC MARTINEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH MONAMIGA. I URGE THIS COURT TO FULLY FUND SEVERAL AREAS IN THE 26 BUDGET, MAINLY THE 12 PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE AND CAPITAL IDEA. OUR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS WERE DOING THE HEAVY LIFTING TO KEEP FAMILIES HOUSED. I WANT TO START BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS BUDGET. WE KNOW THIS COMPLEX IS COMPLEX. THE DEPARTMENT HEADS PUT IN MANY LONG HOURS, AND MAKING HARD CHOICES COME WITH THE JOB. THAT EFFORT MATTERS, AND WE THANK YOU. THAT'S IT. WE ALSO NEED TO NAME WHAT IS NOT WORKING. THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET WAS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC LATE ON FRIDAY EVENING, JUST DAYS BEFORE TODAY'S WORKSHOP. THAT TIMELINE DOESN'T ALLOW FOR MEANINGFUL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY FOR WORKING-CLASS RESIDENTS, WHO DESERVE THE CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND AND WEIGH IN ON HOW THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT. AND THAT MATTERS BECAUSE WHAT IS IN THIS BUDGET -- OR, WHAT IS MISSING -- HAS REAL CONSEQUENCES. WHEN THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE ISN'T FULLY RESOURCED, PEOPLE SPEND MORE TIME IN JAIL SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO BOND OUT OR NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM. DRIVES UP COSTS FOR THE COUNTY AND TEARS FAMILY APART FOR NO PUBLIC BENEFIT. WHEN WE SHORTCHANGE CAPITAL IDEA IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WE MISSED THE IDEA AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT PEOPLE IN HIGH WAGE JOBS AND SKILLED TRADES, SECTORS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY. WHEN WE WE MAKE IT HARDER TO RESPOND TO THE NEXT CRISIS. WHETHER THAT IS AN OVERDOSE, A DISEASE OUTBREAKS, OR A GAP IN BASIC PREVENTATIVE CARE LIKE VACCINES OR SCREENINGS AND WHEN WE FAIL TO FUND PARTNERS LIKE BRT3, WE BELIEVE PEOPLE ONE RENT PAYMENT AWAY FROM EVICTION. EVEN THOUGH THESE NONPROFITS ALREADY HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO MEET THAT NEED EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. THESE ARE NOT CHARITY REQUESTS. THESE ARE STRATEGIC, COST-SAVING INVESTMENTS THAT INVEST IN THE WELL-BEING AND STABILITY OF OUR COUNTY. WE ASK THAT YOU MEET THIS MOMENT WITH COURAGE AND CARE, AND FULLY FUND THOSE SERVICES OUR COMMUNITIES RELY

ON. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT UP, WE

HAVE MS. ALISA GARCON. >> LET ME GET MY CHEAT SHEET.

GOOD MORNING, FRIENDS. MY NAME IS ALISA GARCON. AND I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF MONAMIGA, ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TO BUDGET A PILOT ASSESSMENT, LED BY THE NEW SCHOOL AND SURVEILED HURTS. THIS PROCESS EVALUATED HAYS COUNTY'S FY 25 BUDGET THROUGH THE LENS OF TRANSPARENCY, EQUITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE FINAL SCORE WAS JUST 14 OUT OF 85 POINTS. THE LOWEST OF THE COHORT -- IN NUMBER I KNOW HIM MIGHT STING. THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL CRITIQUE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT PLACING BLAME ON ANYONE PERSON, IT IS ABOUT LONG-STANDING PATTERNS OF MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, BECAUSE HONESTLY, FOR SEVERAL YEARS, MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS, NONPROFIT LEADERS, AND EVEN FOLKS WHO HAVE HELD ELECTED OFFICE, HAVE EXPRESSED THAT HAYS COUNTY'S BUDGET PROCESS FEELS HARD TO ACCESS, HARD TO FOLLOW, AND EVEN HARDER TO IMPLEMENT.

THERE IS A SENSE THAT ONCE THE PRESENTATIONS HIT THE COURT, PUBLIC INPUT TENDS TO FADE INTO THE BACKGROUND. BUT, HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS -- AND I MEAN THIS SINCERELY -- DESPITE THOSE FRUSTRATIONS, SOMETHING HAS SHIFTED. WE HAVE HEARD FROM

[01:20:04]

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU, JUDGE BECERRA, FOR HELPING ME NAVIGATE TODAY'S PUBLIC

COMMENTARY. >> NO PROBLEM. ALWAYS AVAILABLE, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I DON'T SEE, BUT I WILL CALL

CYRUS GRAY. >> YEAH, HE'S OUT THERE,

PARKING. >> WELL, WE WILL DO MILES MARTIN -- WELL, THEY ARE BOTH PARKING. SO, WHAT I CAN DO IS KEEP MOVING, AND THEN WHEN THEY SHOW UP, WE CAN GIVE THEM THEIR

SPACE. >> THANK YOU.

>> VICKI? I WAS DEBATING SOME DIRECTION, HERE, IN MY HEAD.

LAUGHTER ]. THAT WAS THE PAUSE. >> GOOD MORNING. VICKI DORSETT, BUDGET OFFICER. SO, I DID WANT TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS TODAY AND FROM THIS MORNING. I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK. WHILE IF YOU LOOK AT OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET, SOME OF THOSE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE. WE, AS COUNTY, DO YOU HAVE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING 38 OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, SOME OF WHICH INCLUDED THE ARPA FUNDS. THIS COURT, I FEEL, HAS BEEN VERY COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING NOT ONLY THE JUDICIAL SERVICES NEEDS AND MOVING THOSE FORWARD, BUT ALSO SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE NEEDS. OF THE $44 MILLION THAT WERE RECEIVED IN ARPA FUNDS, AT LEAST $34 MILLION WAS PUT BACK INTO EITHER OUR INTERNAL PROGRAMS FOR JUDICIAL SERVICES, OR DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY, PAID OUT TO DIFFERENT SOCIAL SERVICE

AGENCIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. >> IS IT MY $10 MILLION THAT COMMUNICATIONS RADIO FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS YOU ARE

LEAVING OUT? >> YES, SIR.

>> THERE WAS A REASON WE DIDN'T GET A HIGHER PERCENTAGE, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE VALUE OF THE DECISION.

>> CORRECT. SO, IF I'M JUST LOOKING AT A COMPARISON -- I DID SOME QUICK MATH, JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, JUST FY '23 THROUGH FY '26, IF I'M LOOKING AT FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY, AND PULLING IN ALL OF OUR SOURCES OF FUNDS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO UTILIZE. THIS PORT HAS INCREASED THE JUDICIAL SERVICES BUDGET 72% IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. FY '23 THROUGH THE FY '26 RECOMMENDED THE SECOND LARGEST INCREASE. THE FIRST, BEING THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC INPUT BUDGETS, FOR THE HIGHEST INCREASE OVER THAT PERIOD. LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS ACTUALLY 23% INCREASED. AND THEN, JUST LOOKING AT YEAR-OVER-YEAR, FY '25 VERSUS FY '26, THE INCREASE IN JUDICIAL SERVICES,

[01:25:01]

SO, WHILE YES, THE GENERAL FUND IS IMPACTING OUR TAX RATE, WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF UTILIZING OUR OTHER SOURCES TO ASSIST IN

OTHER AREAS, AS WELL. >> SO, ALTHOUGH WE AREN'T WHERE WE WOULD LOVE TO BE, WE ARE DEFINITELY MOVING IN THE RIGHT

DIRECTION, AGGRESSIVELY? >> I FEEL LIKE THIS COURT HAS MADE A VERY GOOD EFFORT IN MOVING THE NEEDLE TOWARD JUDICIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC ACTION.

>> EXPANDING THAT INVESTMENT. >> EXPANDING THE INVESTMENT AND REALIZING -- SO, I DID REACH OUT TO NDS AND ASKED FOR UPDATED BUDGETS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT, YET. SO, THAT IS A CONTRACT WE HAVE BEEN FUNDING OUT OF ARPA FUNDS. AS THOSE FUNDS DWINDLE, WE DID SHIFT A LARGE PORTION OF THE CONTRACT TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR FY '26, AND IN HOPES THAT WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO PHASE IN AND INCREASE FUNDING FOR THAT PROGRAM. BUT, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR FORMAL PROPOSAL, YET.

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, IF YOU COULD SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH THE COURT, YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL, JUST FOR US TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS, ALSO, AND PERCENTAGES.

>> SURE. >> BUT, YEAH. THANK YOU FOR THAT

UPDATE. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> YES. THANKS, VICKI, FOR THE UPDATE. YOU KNOW, THE OFFICE IS ONE AREA THAT I BELIEVE HAS A VISION TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. IN WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND WITHIN THOSE SERVICES.

RIGHT? I REALLY WANT TO EXPLORE THAT PHASED IN APPROACH TO WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO AND I TRULY WANT TO SUPPORT THAT WORK BECAUSE I THINK IT DOES ADDRESS HOUSING, REHABILITATION, WORKFORCE ENTRY, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. MY HOPE IS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP SOME KIND OF STRATEGIC PLAN AROUND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. IN ALL AREAS, RIGHT? JUST, YOU KNOW, MY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF HAYS COUNTY IS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE THAT POINT. I KNOW SOMETIMES, THOSE THINGS TAKE A LITTLE BIT TO DO.

BUT, IF WE ARE LAYING THE FOUNDATION, PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR THAT GROWTH, THAT IS WHAT I REALLY WANT US TO TRY AND WORK TOWARDS. BECAUSE IT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED. I DO KNOW

THAT. >> SO, ON THAT POINT, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT, I DID SET ASIDE FUNDING FOR NEW POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT, AS OF YET, IDENTIFIED OR DEVELOPED.

AND THE THOUGHT BEHIND THAT WAS, ONE, FOR A CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION DIRECTOR, SOMEONE THAT COULD MOVE THESE PARTICULAR

INITIATIVES FORWARD. >> AND THEN, JUDGE, I WOULD MENTION, ALSO, WE DON'T WANT TO FORGET ABOUT THE WORK THAT THE BAT IS DOING, THE BEHAVIORAL ADVISORY TEAM, BECAUSE WE ARE DOING SOME OF THESE SAME ISSUES AND CONCERNS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE HOUSING AND THE CORE SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REALLY SUCCEED, AND NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH REPRESENTATION, ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND THEY NEED THAT, THEY NEED OTHER CORE SERVICES. AND SO, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS IN THE WORK, AND WE NEED TO DO BETTER, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT --

>> YEAH. AND A LOT OF THESE AREAS WORK IN SILOS, RIGHT? AND WE FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO BRING IT ALL TOGETHER, SO WE CAN START, YOU KNOW, PROVIDING BETTER OVERSIGHT, PROVIDING BETTER CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PLAN FOR THE COUNTY, AND START MAKING THESE MOVES THAT MAKE SENSE. WE ARE NOT THERE, RIGHT NOW.

EVERYBODY IS JUST KIND OF HERE OR THERE, RIGHT? SO, I AM HAVING THIS FEELING OF BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER UNDER A CERTAIN HIERARCHY WHERE EVERYONE CAN FOCUS ON, YOU KNOW, PRETRIAL, PDO, SPECIALTY REPORTS, BUILDING RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HOUSING, ALL OF THAT TOGETHER, WORKING WITH THE BACK TO BRING ALL OF THESE RESOURCES TOGETHER AND REALLY HAVE A PLAN FOR US, MOVING FORWARD.

>> WONDERFUL. COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> I THINK NO MATTER WHAT WE DO WITH THE BUDGET, THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER AND IMPROVE ON, WHETHER THAT IS BEING MORE EFFICIENT WITH THE BUDGET, CREATING PROGRAMS THAT

[01:30:01]

IS THAT CORRECT? >> CORRECT.

>> AND THEN, ANOTHER ONE THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY?

>> YES. >> SO, FOR THE PUBLIC, ERIC, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN LET PEOPLE KNOW -- AND I WILL ALSO POST ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA -- BUT IT WILL BE HAVING AT 11:00 A.M.

IN THE COMING WEEKS, AS WELL, TO GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT MORE FEEDBACK. I WAS TALKING TO THE OTHER, BUT I LIKE THAT ERIC.

CERT SIX THERE ARE TWO ERICS IN MY LINE OF VIEW.

>> BUDGET CALENDAR IS ALSO POSTED ON THE WEBSITE AND HAS ALL OF THOSE DATES LISTED AND IT HAS BEEN POSTED SINCE MARCH.

>> OKAY, PERFECT. SO, HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET MORE FEEDBACK, AND WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, BUT AS FAR AS THE BUDGET, I MEAN, I DO AGREE OVER THERE, WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

I ALSO AGREE THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE COULD POTENTIALLY CUT BACK IN CERTAIN AREAS, AND I DO THINK, FROM THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY, THERE ARE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WOVEN INTO THOSE BUDGETS THAT MIGHT NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY "MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES." AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS IN SPECIFIC AREAS THAT DO HELP THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE PUT INTO DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET. SO, FROM A HOLISTIC VIEW, I JUST THINK WE ARE CONSISTENTLY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY FEEDBACK, OR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE CERTAIN SERVICES ARE LISTED IN THE BUDGET, I KNOW I AM HAPPY TO ASK VICKI WHERE

THOSE ARE. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER

SMITH? >> I WOULD JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, FROM THE TIME, JUDGE, THAT WE HAVE BEEN ELECTED, AND EVEN PRIOR TO THAT, WHEN COMMISSIONER INGALSBE WAS SERVING ON THE COURT, I MEAN, WE HAVE HAD A LANDMARK DIFFERENCE, FROM WHERE OUR BUDGETARY STANDPOINT -- OR, FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT AND WHERE OUR DOLLARS GO. I WILL REMEMBER THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE DID CAPITAL IDEAS, IT WAS KIND OF OUR FIRST ENTRÉE INTO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING, FROM -- I JUST LOOK AT OUR SPECIALTY COURTS, AND OUR JUDICIAL SIDE, WHERE WE WENT FROM ONE SMALL VETERANS COURT THAT DIDN'T NECESSARILY DO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT -- I MEAN, THEY HELPED THE PEOPLE THAT THEY COULD. THE VOLUME GOING THROUGH THAT COURT WAS NOTHING, COMPARED TO WHAT IT IS NOW. TO THE VARIOUS SPECIALTY COURTS THAT WE HAVE. AND WE ARE LOOKING, BECAUSE OF POPULATION AND DEMAND, ADD ADDITIONAL SPECIALTY COURTS AS MANDATED BY THE STATE, AS WELL. EVERYTHING, FROM THE PDO, TO OUR TRADITIONAL SERVICES BRANCH, THAT HAVE ALL COME INTO EXISTENCE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. AND I DO YOU KNOW? I TEND TO AGREE, THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER. BUT, I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THAT DOLLARS ARE ALWAYS THE ANSWER. I MEAN, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE -- AND I WILL USE THAT AS AN EXAMPLE -- IN OUR MENTAL HEALTH COURT, WHILE I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT IT IS DOING GOOD WORK, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH OF THOSE PROVIDERS ARE ACTUALLY -- YOU KNOW, HOW ARE WE GETTING THE BENEFIT? OR, ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT, ARE THEY GETTING THE BENEFIT OF THOSE THERAPIES, THOSE TREATMENTS, THE DIFFERENT ONES WE HAVE LOOKED AT? BECAUSE IN THE BEGINNING, I WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT WAS KIND OF A SHOTGUN EFFECT. WE THREW EVERYTHING AT THE WALL TO SEE WHAT WORKED AND WE HAVE EVALUATED A LOT OF THOSE, AT THIS POINT. BUT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT WE DISCUSSED IN HERE, AS I HAVE TALKED ABOUT OVER THE PAST YEAR. AGAIN, DO WE HAVE 30 TREATMENTS, OR START 30 COURSES OF TREATMENT, AND 15 ARE PROVING THAT THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL, AND FIVE ARE REALLY HELPING THE VAST MAJORITY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT FUNDING, SHOULD WE STILL HAVE 30? OR, SHOULD WE CUT IT BACK TO THAT 15 AND REALLY PUT ADDITIONAL DOLLARS INTO THE FIVE THAT WE KNOW ARE PERFORMING FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST? AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE, GOING INTO THIS BUDGET CYCLE, THAT I HAVE REALLY TRIED TO STEP UP AND LOOK AT. BUT, I AGREE. I MEAN, I DO THINK THE COURT HAS DONE A LOT, AND I KNOW THAT IT IS -- WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES, HERE IN THE COURTROOM OVER THE PAST YEAR. IT IS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR EVERYBODY, SO I LOOK FORWARD

TO IT. >> WONDERFUL. ANYTHIN ELSE,

VICKI? >> NO. AGAIN, WE ARE HAVING OUR

[01:35:01]

>> VERY GOOD, AND THANK YOU. AND I HAVE TWO MORE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. WE WILL START WITH --

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT FROM HER.

SO, THEY HAVE TO SIGN UP AT 9:00 A.M. TO SPEAK --

>> NO. NO. >> OKAY.

>> SO, THAT IS WHAT ALISA SAID EARLIER, SHE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT TEXTED ME, ACTUALLY.

AM HERE. JUST THAT WORKSHOP OF HOW TO SIGN UP -- I WILL STATE IT THIS WAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIGN UP AT 9:00. IF YOU WALKED IN -- AND AS YOU CAN TELL AT THIS VERY MOMENT -- IF YOU WALKED IN AFTER 11:00 AND YOU STILL SIGNED UP, WE WOULD TAKE YOUR FORM AND INCLUDE YOU IN THE ORDER THAT IT WAS SUBMITTED, AND WE WILL EVEN CONTINUE TO TAKE WRITTEN COMMENTS, OUR ONLY CONTINUED STIPULATION IS A THREE-MINUTE TIMER. OTHER THAN THAT, WE DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE. COMMISSIONER HAMMER HAS POINTED OUT, AND REITERATED, AND VICKI HAS HIGHLIGHTED AND ITALICIZED, WE HAVE NOT ONLY PUBLICIZED THESE WORKSHOPS, WE ALSO HAVE TWO MORE ALSO AT 11:00. SO, THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE DIALOGUE. SO, THOSE THAT SAY IT ISN'T AVAILABLE, I HOPE THEY WILL RECONSIDER, CONSIDERING WHAT IS ALREADY OUT

THERE. >> AND JUDGE -- WE CAN DO THIS AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENT -- BUT, IT WAS MENTIONED TODAY, AND THEN I WAS ASKED PERSONALLY ABOUT THE WAY WE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS POSTED LATE, NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR REVIEW. AND I KNOW THAT I SPOKE TO VICKI BRIEFLY ABOUT IT. SHE MENTIONED THAT A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE CERTIFIED VALUES THAT SHE DOESN'T RECEIVE UNTIL JULY THE 25TH. I MEAN, IF SHE COULD JUST AT LEAST MENTIONED WHAT THAT PROCESS IS --

>> OKAY, SURE. >> TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND.

>> YOU BET. >> AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE POSTING TIMELINE? I DON'T KNOW.

>> YEAH, RIGHT ON. VICKI, EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT IF YOU

DON'T MIND? >> THANK YOU. I THINK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT PROCESSES. SO, WHEN BALANCING THE BUDGET, I THINK THE QUESTION CAME ABOUT AS TO WHY, ON FRIDAY, WHEN AGENDA POSTS FOR THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET PRESENTATION, WAS THERE NO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED? SO, THE WAY THE BALANCING OF THE BUDGET -- WHICH, WE HAVE TO ADOPT A BALANCED BUDGET. SO, THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET WILL ALWAYS BE PRESENTED AS A BALANCED BUDGET. WE GET OUR CERTIFIED VALUES ON JULY 25TH. WHICH, THIS YEAR, WAS FRIDAY, THE SAME DAY THE AGENDA POSTS. I LITERALLY WORKED 18 HOUR DAYS, FROM THE DAY WE GOT THE CERTIFIED VALUES, UNTIL THAT TUESDAY I PRESENTED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. SO, THERE IS NOT A PRESENTATION THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN THAT AGENDA POSTING, BECAUSE UNTIL YOU GET YOUR CERTIFIED VALUES, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR REVENUE SOURCE WILL BE. AND SO, IT LITERALLY TAKES THE ENTIRE DAYS LEADING UP TO PRESENTING THE BALANCED BUDGET, TO ACTUALLY

BALANCE IT. >> GREAT. GREAT POINT. WHICH PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, IF WE DON'T TELL THEM.

>> RIGHT. SO, POSTING ON THE WEBSITE WAS JUST A MATTER OF ONCE THE BUDGET IS PRESENTED, THE POSTING -- MOST ALL OF THOSE REPORTS ARE READY. THERE WERE SOME ISSUES, INTERNALLY. I WAS HAVING TECHNOLOGY ISSUES WHERE I COULDN'T EVEN GET IT SENT OUT TO DEPARTMENT HEADS UNTIL LATE THE NEXT DAY AND THOSE ARE NOT EVEN OUR REPORTS, THOSE WERE JUST SOME OF OUR SMALLER, INTERNAL, CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT SCHEDULES. SO, TYPICALLY, THOSE REPORTS WOULD BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE, WITHIN 24 HOURS. BUT, BECAUSE OF ISSUES I WAS HAVING -- AND I WAS ATTEMPTING TO UPLOAD ALL OF THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR PERSONNEL REQUESTS, SO AS MUCH INFORMATION THAT CAN BE POSTED AS POSSIBLE ON THE WEBSITE. SO, JUST PUT THE TECHNICAL ISSUES I WAS HAVING WITH MY COMPUTER, AS THE DELAY IN GETTING THE ACTUAL BALANCED

BUDGET. >> BUT, THERE IS STILL OPPORTUNITIES TO DIALOGUE -- SO, THANK YOU, TAMMY. THANK YOU.

>> YES. IT IS POSTED AND HAS BEEN POSTED SINCE LAST FRIDAY.

[01:40:02]

SPEAK ABOUT THAT. >> THANKS FOR THAT CLARIFICATION, BECAUSE YOU ARE RIGHT, THERE WERE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES AND I JUST MIXED THEM UP.

>> AND JUDGE, THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION IS THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE ASKED, ALSO, THAT WE CONSIDER HAVING A LATER BUDGET WORKSHOP, IN THE EVENING. WE HAVE DONE THAT, IN THE PAST.

UNFORTUNATELY, MAYBE ONE, MAYBE TWO? I DON'T EVEN RECALL TWO PEOPLE SHOWING UP DURING THOSE. I AM NOT SAYING THAT I AM OPPOSED TO HAVING THEM. I THINK I WELCOME HAVING THEM. BUT, WE HAVE TRIED THAT IN THE PAST, AND PEOPLE HAVE NOT SHOWN UP.

>> THE PIECE I AM COMFORTABLE WITH, COMMISSIONER, IS THAT IT IS TELEVISED, AND THAT WE ALLOW FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS. SO, I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE WORKING CAN'T GET HERE. BUT, I THINK HAVING THOSE TWO AVENUES, IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE HAVE HERE, IS SUPPORTIVE. AND SO, I THINK WE ARE ACCESSIBLE. ANYTHING ELSE ON

THIS SIDE? >> NO. I JUST -- I DON'T THINK THERE IS A, JUST IN GENERAL, A PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING, EVEN INTERNALLY, WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND OUR GENERAL EMPLOYEES, ABOUT THE TIME AND EFFORT IT TAKES TO ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY PUT A BUDGET TOGETHER. AND I SAY THIS AS SOMEBODY WHO HAD TO -- I MEAN, I PUT TOGETHER AN $86 BILLION BUDGET FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EVERY YEAR AND I KNOW VICKI PUTS IN MORE TIME THAN WE DID. AND I SAY THAT SOMEWHAT JOKINGLY, BUT FROM A TECHNICAL STANDPOINT, I DON'T THINK THERE IS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW EVERY ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS, WHETHER IT BE GRANT RELATED, WHETHER IT BE TAX RELATED, WHETHER IT BE SALES TAX RELATED, HOW THOSE HAVE TO FUNCTION, BECAUSE STATUTORILY, WE HAVE TO PRESENT A BALANCED BUDGET. AND I CAN'T EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW DIFFICULT THAT HAS TO BE. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, IF NOBODY ELSE DOES, THAT I SINCERELY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO, AND I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO DO IT THIS YEAR, WHEN IT WAS COMPLETELY UNANTICIPATED. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. OKAY, CYRUS GRAY.

MR. CYRUS GRAY, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. AND HONESTLY, BECAUSE WE CHANGED OUR ORDER, IT WILL BE MYLES MARTIN, AND THEN WE ARE DONE WITH THE WORKSHOP. YOU ARE AT THE END OF THE

WORKSHOP. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR HAVING ME TODAY. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT IS COMING UP AND JUST TO ASK THAT YOU PLEASE CONSIDER THE VOICES OF YOUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING, PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING. AND I AM SOMEBODY WHO WENT THROUGH THAT, AS WELL. IF THE BUDGET WAS PROPERLY PLACED WITH THE RIGHT RESOURCES, I WOULDN'T HAVE LOST FIVE YEARS OF MY YOUTH. THAT IS ALL I WANT TO SAY.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. POWERFUL. MYLES MARTIN?

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I DO WANT TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN SOCIAL SERVICES.

I KNOW WE INVEST A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE OR A LOT A BIT MORE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. SIMPLY BECAUSE THINGS LIKE A RE-ENTRY PROGRAM CAN BE LIFE-CHANGING TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, AS A WHOLE. NOT JUST FOR A CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC OF PEOPLE. IT OPENS UP JOBS. IT ALLOWS US TO GROW, EXPONENTIALLY. MY BAD. I'M KIND OF NERVOUS. BUT, I JUST FEEL LIKE THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT, TO INVEST IN SOCIAL SERVICES AND INVEST IN A PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. I, TOO, WAS SOMEBODY WHO WENT THROUGH A SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, HAD I HAD PROPER REPRESENTATION. SO, I JUST THINK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD CONSIDER THAT, WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET. THANK

YOU. >> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, ALL, SO MUCH. AND IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, THIS CONCLUDES OUR WORKSHOP. SO, THANK YOU, OH, VERY MUCH. WE WILL CLOSE THE WORKSHOP. AND IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE COUNTY AT THIS TIME? MOTION? MOTION TO

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.