Aug 19, 2025 Regular

[00:00:06]

>>> I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

DO WE HAVE PASTOR TODD HERE? NO, OKAY? WE'RE MOVING ON.

IF YOU'LL PLEASE ALL RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

>>> 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.

ON THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE, TEXAS, ONE STATE, URND GOD.

IN JUST A MINUTE, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?

>> REAL SLOW.

[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN?

>> HERE.

>> HAMMER?

>> SMITH?

>> HERE.

SO THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO SUBMITTED A PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WITNESS FORM WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

UNFORTUNATELY, NO ACTION MAYBE TAKEN, AND WE ARE EXPECTED NOT TO RESPOND.

YOUREN COMMENTS OF THE SPEAKER AND ARE NOT MEANT NECESSARILY TO BE CONSTRUED AS TRUE. PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS AND LANGUAGE CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL, OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE REMAINDER OF YOUR TIME. THERE ARE PROBABLY 50 CELL PHONES IN HERE. WHY DON'T OWE ALL TAKE TWO SECONDS AND MAKE SURE YOURS IS ON SILENT BECAUSE THE FULLER THE COURTROOM GETS, THE LOWER THE TOLERANCE BECOMES ON PEOPLE CREATING DISRUPTIVE ENERGIES. SO CHATTERING IN THE FRONT ROW, PHONES GOING OFF, THERE'S A LOWER TOLERANCE FOR IT.

WE WILL START WITH THOSE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP. I HAVE QUITE THE STACK. FIRST ONE IS IT LOOKS LIKE SHANNON FITZPATRICK. IT WAS REALLY NICELY DONE. PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE TIME HERE.

I DO NOT IDENTIFY AS LIBERTARIAN, BUT I DO RESPECT MY LIBERTARIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS FOR ANY DISCUSSION OF MAINTAINING OR INCREASING CAMERAS.

THIS IS A COMPANY THAT SELLS INFORMATION IT COLLECTS TO OVER 700 DIFFERENT ENTITIES. THOSE ENTITIES CAN SHARE WITH WHOMEVER THEY PLEASE.

NO WARRANTS, NO LEGITIMATE PROTECTIONS, JUST THOUSANDS OF EYES ON YOUR EVERY MOVE AND MORE. PLEASE, REREAD IT.

SOME SAY WHAT THE NEW CAMERAS ARE RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE AT AROUND $30,000.

WHY IS THAT? IT'S INSTALLING CAMERAS ON THE CHEAP AND CAN SELL THAT DATA TO ANYONE WHO HAS THE MONEY. WHY ISN'T ANYONE ELSE'S CONCERN THAT YOU GO TO A PARTICULAR DOCTOR OR SPEND TIME AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE OR GIVEN HOUSE OF WORSHIP OR PERHAPS YOU'RE A VETERAN THAT SHOPS A THE A STORE THAT SELLS PERFECTLY LEGAL GUMMIES TO TREAT YOUR PTSD. THIS COULD BE FAIR GAME TO THE THOUSANDS THAT CAN LOOK AT UNDER THE FLOCK CONTRACT.

THEY APPEAR TO HAVE NO LEGITIMATE AUDITS TO MAKE SURE ALL CONDITIONS ARE BEING MET.

THEY EVEN VIOLATED THEIR OWN RULES IN THEIR AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN. WHY WILL HAYES COUNTY BE ANY DIFFERENT? THE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU STATES, QUOTE, WITH THE VAST FLOCK SAFETY SHARING NETWORK, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY JUST ON THEIR DEVICES ALONE. AGENCIES CAN LEVERAGE A NATIONWIDE SYSTEM BOASTING 10 BILLION ADDITIONAL PLATE READS PER MONTH TO AMPLIFY THE POTENTIAL TO COLLECT VITAL EVIDENCE IN OTHERWISE DEAD INVESTIGATIONS.

BUT IT ISN'T JUST LICENSE PLATE.

THIS CONTRACT FURTHER DISCUSSES SEARCH FOOTAGE USING VEHICLE FINGERPRINT TECHNOLOGY, ACCESS VEHICLE TYPE, LICENSE PLATE, STATE, MISSING FEEKS LIKE BUMPER STICKERS, DECALS AND ROOF RACKS. ARE YOU SERIOUS? THEY DON'T EVEN MENTION THAT THEY CAN INCLUDE DATA LIKE YOUR CREDIT RATING, AVAILABLE HEALTH ISSUESES AND OTHER INFORMATION IN THEIR SEARCHES. WHAT THE FLOCK? DOES THIS COURT PROPOSE TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERY HAYES COUNTY

[00:05:06]

IT APPLIES TO THE WILL. RESIDENTS VALUE THEIR PRIVACY.

IF IT'S A TRUE EMERGENCY, SUBPOENA SOMEBODY'S RING CAMERA FOOTAGE, BUT DON'T GIVE AWAY OUR RIGHTS SO OUTSIDE ENTITIES CAN MONITOR AND MAKE MONEY ON OUR EVERY MOVE.

AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR, I CAN TELL YOU THIS IS OPPRESSIVE AND UNNECESSARY SURVEILLANCE. IT'S UN-TEXAN.

I URGE YOU STRONGLY TO VOTE NO ON THIS CONTRACT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. FITZPATRICK.

VERY AWESOME. NEXT, ANITA INK. ENG.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANITA ENGEL.

I'M A VOLUNTEER FOR THE CALL CENTER. ON BEHALF OF HOME CENTER, I WOULD LIKE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE COUNTY. THE PROCESS IS CURRENTLY USE D BY THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS TO ENSURE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS.

THIS SAME SYSTEM WOULD BENEFIT THE COUNTY BECAUSE IT WOULD CREATE A NONBIAS SYSTEM FOR ALLOCATING FUNDS TO SUCCESS. THIS SYSTEM PROVIDES ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENSURES EACH AGENCY IS PROPERLY VETTED BY THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE AREA WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS, HOW THEY OPERATE, AND ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE GAPS.

AND ENSURES A SYSTEM OF AWARDING THOSE FUNDS BASED ON MERIT AND COMMUNITY IMPACT. CURRENTLY, MANY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING COUNTY FUNDING AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWING COST, THE GROWING NEED FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF HIGH INFLATION AND INCREASED HOUSING COSTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO DO MORE TO HELP THE STRUGGLING ORGANIZATIONS DOING SO MUCH GOOD IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE BELIEVE THE INCREASED FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY AND AN ACCESSIBLE WAY TO DISTRIBUTE THESE FUNDS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED -- WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE THAT WOULD FOCUS ON ENSURING EACH ORGANIZATION HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE FUNDING.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> WELL DONE.

>> HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT FLOCK SAFETY.

AND I WANT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL CONTEXT ABOUT WHAT FLOCK IS AND WHAT FLOCK ISN'T.

WHAT FLOCK IS NOT. FLOCK IS NOT FACIAL RECOGNITION OR BIOMETRIC TRACKING. IT IS NOT USING PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

THE SYSTEM IS NOT CONNECTED TO ANY OTHER DATA. FLOCK DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

FLOCK IS A TOOL THAT EMPOWERS YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH OBJECTIVE REALTIME EVIDENCE CENTERED ON TRANSPARENCY AND DATA SECURITY. THE LPR PROGRAM IS NOT MASSEUR SURVEILLANCE. IT'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

IT ALLOWS FOR PRECISION POLICING.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ARGUMENTS THAT THE NUMBER OF SCANS TO THE NUMBER OF PLATES RUN AND USED IN INVESTIGATIONS MAKES THIS INVESTMENT NOT WORTH IT, BUT WHAT IT PROVES IS THE OPPOSITE. IT SHOWS YOUR AGENCIES ARE FOCUSED SOLELY ON THE SELECT FEW VEHICLES ASSOCIATED WITH CRIMES. NOT EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

WHAT THIS ALSO SHOWS IS THESE ARE PLACEED IN PARTICULAR PLACES THAT DO NOT ALLOW FOR CONTINUAL TRACKING OF INDIVIDUALS. IT ALLOWS FOR KEY OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE FOR YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. SO YOU'RE REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR NEGATIVE POLICE INTERACTIONS WITH SWAPTS PAUSE YOU'RE NO LONGER HAVING PEOPLE PULLED OVER BASED ON SUBJECTIVE JUDGMENT BUT ON ACTIONABLE EVIDENCE.

FLOCK LPR PROVIDES STILL IMAGES OF THE BACKS OF VEHICLES PROVIDING POINT IN TIME INFORMATION TO DETECTIVES AND REALTIME ALERTS WHEN VEHICLES PASS A CAMERA. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING CHILDREN HAS FULLY EP ENDORSED THE USAGE OF FLOCK BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN CREDITED WITH THE FINDING AND REUNITING OF OVER

[00:10:01]

THIS IS CODIFIED IN YOUR CONTRACT. FLOCK DOES NOT RESELL YOUR DATA.

IT DOES NOT ACT GAIT AND SELL IT TO THIRD PARTIES.

YOU GET TO DECIDE WHO YOU SHARE WITH. THEY WILL NEVER MAKE A DECISION FOR THE COUNTY ON WHO YOU SHARE YOUR DATA WITH.

YOU'RE ABLE TO CHOOSE TO A NATIONAL SHARING, IF YOU SO CHOOSE, OR KEEPKEEP LOCAL. THAT'S 100% YOUR DECISION.

FLOCK WILL NEVER SHARE YOUR DATA WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.

ADDITIONALLY, TO UNDERSCORE THE ACCOUNTABILITY, WE HAVE BUILT THE SYSTEM TO BE FULLY AUDIBLE WITH EVERY SINGLE SEARCH MADE ON THE SYSTEM IS PERMANENTLY AUDITABLE.

IN ADDITION, WE ARE CERTIFIED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SERVICE, WHICH IS MANAGED BY THE FBI. SO FEEL FREE TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> WELL DONE.

THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE MARK.

>> THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS MARK. I'M AN ASSISTANT CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY HERE IN HAYES COUNTY.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME. I HAVE BEEN A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER AND A PROSECUTOR FOR THE LAST 30 SOME ODD YEARS. SO I CLEARLY HEAR BOTH SIDES OF THESE ISSUES. I SPENT TIME REPRESENTING PEOPLE WHO WERE PUT IN SITUATIONS SITUATIONS ARE THE CONCERNS OF ONE SIDE, AND I HAVE ALSO PUT PEOPLE IN PRISON BASED ON THESE CAMERAS.

I STARTED OUT AS A PROSECUTOR AND I'M FINISHING MY CAREER AS A PROSECUTOR.

I WORKED FOR YOUR ELECTED DA. I JUST WANT TO SAY I HANDLE MOST OF THE INTAKE IN OUR OFFICE.

THAT'S PROPERTY AND DRUG RELATED. I DO NOT HANDLE THE VOICE LENT CASES. I GOT TIRED OF THAT. SO I SEE A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR CASES THAT LAND ON MY DESK. THE INVESTIGATION STARTS WITH THAT FLOCK CAMERA. IT'S HELPFUL.

I UNDERSTAND AND I HEAR THE CONCERNS OF THE OTHER. I HOPE THAT WHEN THOSE CONCERNS PRESENT THEMSELVES IN COURT, WHEN I'M PREPARING A CASE, I CAN ADDRESS THOSE WITH THE BAD ACT TORTS. THERE ARE ALWAYS BAD ACTORS. I LIKE TO SAY I'M A LITTLE POLLY ANNISH.

I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE GOOD.

I THINK THESYSTEMS WORK. BUT I DO HEAR THE OTHER SIDE. I HAVE BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE. I ENJOY WHAT I DO, AND I ENJOY BEING A LAWYER.

I WANT TO TELL THIS COURT THAT THESE FLOCK CAMERAS HELP.

I HAVE A COLLEAGUE WHO WILL SPEAK HERE TODAY ON YOUR AGENDA ITEM WHO HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT IT AND WHO IS A CAREER PROSECUTOR AND AN EXCELLENT PROSECUTOR.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. AND I REALLY DO ENJOY COMING HERE AND HEARING ALL THE DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT, SHANE SMITH.

>> JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME UP HERE.

I DON'T GET TO TALK OFTEN WITHOUT QUESTIONS OR PEOPLE DIRECTING ME HOW TO TALK, BUT I'M A CITIZEN HERE. I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 19S .

THIS COMMUNITY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I HAVE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE SERVING IT IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I WOULDN'T BE UP HERE TODAY IF IT WASN'T IMPORTANT TO ME, THIS TOPIC WASN'T IMPORTANT. YOU HEARD FROM A FLOCK REP.

YOU HAVE ALSO HEARD OTHER THINGS AND YOU'LL HEAR OTHER THINGS TODAY. WE HAD A FORUM LAST NIGHT THAT DIDN'T GO GREAT.

BUT I'M UP HERE BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT I HEARD LAST NIGHT WAS THE NEED FOR QUANTIFY INDICATION. I THINK WE WILL WORK TOWARDS QUANTIFYING THINGS IN THE FUTURE, BUT WHAT WAS NOT TALKED ABOUT WAS QUALITY. IF IT WAS APPROPRIATE, WE WOULD HAVE VICTIMS OF CRIMES THAT HAVE FLOCK HAVE HELPED SOLVE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S VERY APPROPRIATE. BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU QUANTIFY SOLVED CASES TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING IS WORTH IT OR NOT. THEY ARE NOT SELLING YOUR DATA.

IS IT SUBJECT TO A BREACH, SURE, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, BUT THE QUALITY OF WORK AND LEADS THAT FLOCK GENERATES FAR OUTWEIGHS ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL BE TALKED ABOUT TODAY.

MOST OF WHAT YOU'LL HEAR TODAY WILL NOT BE TRUTHFUL. THERE WILL BE ACCUSATIONS. YOU

[00:15:01]

THAT'S NOT TRACKING ANYBODY. SO PLEASE CONSIDER THAT TODAY WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS.

THE QUALITY OF LEADS THAT WE GENERATE FROM FLOCK HELPS A TON TO EXPEDITE INVESTIGATIONS. BRING PEOPLE HOME, GET CLOSURE FOR VICTIMS, RECOVER VEHICLES, NO ONE IS USING IT MALICIOSLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

NEXT, WE HAVE JOSEPH RONALD HEFT.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

SO I'D LIKE TO START WITH WHAT WE DO TODAY IS GOING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE.

I FULLY BELIEVE WE NEED TRANSPARENCY, WE NEED REGULATIONS. 10, 20, 30 YEARS FROM NOW, THIS TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO BE UNAVOIDABLE.

BUT THE SAFEGUARD TO PUT IN PLACE TODAY ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES, BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN GOING FORWARD.

SO WHETHER WE GO FOR FLOK OR NOT, SOMEBODY IS GOING TO FILL THAT VOIDS. ASIDE FROM THAT, I'M GOING TO SHIFT THE TONE A BIT. THERE'S A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN'T BE HERE TODAY. SOME THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY, I LIKE TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICE A LITTLE BIT.

THE ROADS AND SAFETY, SO FOREMOST CHOKE POINTS, THERE'S A LOT OF SINGLE- LANE ROADS THAT SHOULD BE MULTIPLE LANE ROADS. THIS AREA IS BOOMING.

THE POPULATION IS GROWING HEAVILY.

WE NEED TO START WORKING ON THOSE ROADS. WATER, I HAVE HEARD WATER ISSUES AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

I SPOKE WITH SOME MAYORS. THEY DON'T WANT ME TO NAME INDIVIDUALS. THEY LIKE TO BE ANONYMOUS FOR THE MINUTE, BUT RELIABILITY, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY BEFORE THE TAP RUNS DRY, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT.

I THINK WE HAVE GOOD WATER FOR QUITE AWHILE, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS TO GET RELIABILITY ON THAT WATER. SO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY IS GOOD, BUT FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL, JUSTICE AND ACCESSIBILITY.

WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THAT. THE NEXT ONE I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT IS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, ACCESSIBILITY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THERE'S A LOT OF BUSINESSES AND AREAS I HAVE ELDERLY PARENTS. THEY HAVE TROUBLE GETTING AROUND THESE AREAS. IF WE CAN BEGIN TO NAVIGATE ACCESSIBLETIES THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

I ALREADY SPOKE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THE LAST ONE, QUICK, TRANSPARENCY.

BELIEVE I BELIEVE WE DO GOING FORWARD THAT AFFECTS THE PUBLIC, WE NEED A LITTLE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND SAFEGUARDS GOING FORWARD.

THAT'S WHY I LOVE WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY WHERE THE INDIVIDUALS CAN COME OUT AND WE CAN HEAR FROM THE OFFICIALS. I'D LOVE TO SEE MORE OF THIS. I'M A MARINE CORP.

VETERAN. I HAVE BEEN IN HAYES COUNTY FOR QUITE AWHILE.

I'M GOING TO BE HERE AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

NEXT WE HAVE KARMIN.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. SO MY NAME IS CARMEN.

I'M A RESIDENT OF SAN MARCOS. I LIVE IN SENIOR APARTMENTS HERE. BUT WHEN I BECAME A CITIZEN AS A TEENAGER, I SHORTENED MY NAME. I ATTENDED UT AUSTIN FOR MY MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK, WHERE I WORKED WITH SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN FOR TEN YEARS.

THEN I RETURNED TO UT FOR A LAW DEGREE AND RACTICED FOR 25 YEARS. MOSTLY IN FAMILY LAW TO HELP PEOPLE GET DIVORCES WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THEIR CHILDREN. DESPITE MY HIGH LEVEL OF EDUCATION, MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY, I FEEL FEAR STANDING HERE ADMITTING MY NATURALIZED CITIZEN STATUS. I FEAR LACK OF PROTECTION FROM MY FAMILY, MY TOWN, MY COUNTY. I HAVE STUDIED THE ISSUE OF THE USE AND EXPANSION OF FLOCK CAMERAS AND ASK THAT YOU NOT PAY FLOCK THE $30,000 AND INSTEAD USE THAT MONEY FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE. THE GREAT MAJORITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE GOOD.

I HAVE WORKED WITH THEM FOR MANY TIMES DURING MY LIFE WITHIN MY

[00:20:02]

THERE ARE ALWAYS DATA LEAKS AND MISUSES.

THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE, PARTICULARLY TO IMMIGRANTS AND WOMEN IS NOT WORTH THE SLIGHT ASSISTANCE YOU MAY RECEIVE FROM MORE CAMERA DATA. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WELL SAID.

NEXT WE HAVE NATALIE. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS NATALIE.

AND I'M THE IMMIGRANT EQUITY DIRECTOR. MY WORK IS CENTERED AN ODD VA INDICATING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS, BUILDING TRUST BETWEEN IMMIGRANTS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND FOSTERING A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY PERSON FEELS SAFE, RESPECTED, AND INCLUDED, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY WERE BORN.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST FLOCK CAMERAS IN OUR COUNTY. WHILE PROPONENTS OF THESE CAMERAS CLAIM THEY MAKE US SAFER, IN REALITY THEY CREATE A CLIMATE OF FEAR.

COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THOSE DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGETED BID LAW ENFORCEMENT. THESE SYSTEMS COLLECT AND STORE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF DATA ON PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING NOTHING WRONG. AND IN PRACTICE, THE DATA HAS OFTEN BEEN USED TO TARGET AND SURVEIL, NOT TO PROTECT.

WE CANNOT IGNORE THAT LICENSE PLATE READERS HAVE BEEN USED TO FEED INFORMATION INTO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT DATABASES.

THAT MEANS A TRIP TO WORK, DROPPING KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, OR VISITING A CLINIC COULD LEAD TO LIFE-ALTERING CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS.

EVEN IF OFFICIALS HERE SAY THAT IT IS NOT THE INTENT, THE TECHNOLOGY MAKES IT POSSIBLE, AND HISTORY TELLS US WHAT IS POSSIBLE OFTEN BECOMES REALITY.

BEYOND IMGRANT COMMUNITIES, THESE CAMERAS ERODE TRUST FOR EVERYONE. THEY GIVE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY, BUT STUDIES SHOW THEY DON'T PREVENT CRIME, ONLY COLLECT INFORMATION AFTER HARM HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. THE MONEY PROPOSED FOR THIS SURVEILLANCE CAN BE INVESTED IN IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND LOCAL RESOURCES THAT DON'T DIVIDE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AS AN IMMIGRANT DIRECTOR, MY JOB IS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN OUR RESIDENTS AND THE INSTITUTIONS THAT SERVE THEM. FLOCK CAMERAS WOULD DO THE OPPOSITE. THEY WOULD WIDEN THE GAP, FUEL MISTRUST AND MAKE PEOPLE LESS LIKELY TO REPORT CRIMES.

OUR COMMUNITY THRIVES WHEN WE SEE OECH OH AS NEIGHBORS. SAFETY SHOULD COME FROM HUMAN CONNECTION. TRUST AND CARE, NOT CONSTANT MONITORING. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE FLOCK CAMERA PROPOSAL AND END ALL ALTOGETHER.

LET'S CHOOSE INVESTMENTS THAT UNITE AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, NOT TECHNOLOGIES THAT DIVIDE AND IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SILAS GREY, IF YOU WANT TO START MAKING YOUR WAY.

>> HOWDY, COMMISSIONERS. WHEN WE SPEAK OF JUSTICE, WE OFTEN PICTURE THE SCALES OF BALANCE. BUT IN TRUTH, THERE ARE THREE SCALES AT WORK IN OUR SYSTEM. THE SWORD REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION, THE GAVEL, REPRESENTING THE JUDICIARY, AND THE SHIELD, REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE, THE PROTECTOR OF PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. WE HAVE LONG INVESTED HEAVILY IN THE SWORD AND WITH INVESTMENTS IN JUDICIAL SERVICES THE GAVEL.

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS GROWN YEAR AFTER YEAR WITH TENS OF MILLIONS ALLOCATED. OUR COURTS FUNDED TO KEEP CASES MOVING, BUT WITH EQUAL INVESTMENT IN THE SHIELD, WITHOUT EQUAL INVESTMENT IN THE SHIELD, THE BALANCE OF JUSTICE IS BROKEN.

THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS IN PRACTICAL TERMS. THE SWORD OF PROSECUTION COMES DOWN SWIFTLY, BACKED BY DEEP RESOURCES. THE GAVEL IS READY TO BE IMPARTIAL JUDGMENT, BUT TOO OFTEN, THE SHIELD IS THIN AND UNDERFUNDED.

OUR NEIGHBORS ARE FORCED TO WALK INTO COURT ALONE OR WAIT WEEKS IN JAIL BEFORE EVEREVER AN ATTORNEY. THIS IS NOT JUSTICE.

FUNDING THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE IS NOT A LUXURY. IT'S THE VERY FOUNDATION OF EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. IT ENSURES THAT JUSTICE IS NOT

[00:25:01]

>> LET'S KEEP THIS MOVING.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS CYRUS. I'M HERE TODAY ABOUT THE PROPOSED FLOCK CAMERA EXPANSION AND BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF HAYES COUNTY DESERVE REAL ANSWERS. WE STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEM.

WE ASKED CLEAR AND DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. HOW MANY CRIMES HAVE THE CAMERAS HELPED TO SOLVE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS? WHERE'S THE INDEPENDENT EVIDENCE THIS THEY HELPED TO REDUCE CRIME INSTEAD OF JUST MOVING THEM AROUND? WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE DATA AND FOR HOW LONG? NOT ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED. INSTEAD WE HEARD VAGUE REFERENCES TO STUDIES AND MANAGEABLE COSTS. THAT'S NOT ACCOUNTABILITY. THAT'S A SHRUG IN THE FACE OF REAL CONCERNS. AND WE KNOW THE DANGERS AREN'T HYPOTHETICAL.

ILLINOIS'S POLICE USED FLOCK TO SEEK A LEGAL WORGS.

A POLICE CHIEF STOPPED HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND MORE THAN 200 TIMES USING FLOCK CAMERAS. NATIONWIDE THESE TOOLS HAVE BEEN ABUSED TO MONITOR IMMIGRANTS, JOURNALISTS AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

SO I WILL SAY IT PLAIN. IF WE CAN'T GET STRAIGHT ANSWERS NOW, WHY SHOULD WE TRUST THAT THIS SYSTEM WOULD BE USED RESPONSIBLY LATER? MEANWHILE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CITIZENS ARE PROVING YOU DON'T NEED SURVEILLANCE TO REDUCE CRIME. THEY CUT HOMICIDE 22% BY INVESTING IN VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION AND COMMUNITY HEALTH. THEY SAW CRIMES DROP BY 26% WITHOUT MILITARIZED POLICING.

CHICAGO AND OAKLAND ARE REDUCED SHOOTINGS BY FUNDING YOUTH PROGRAMS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

NOT CAMERAS. WHAT'S THAT REAL SAFETY LOOKS LIKE. CRIME DOESN'T GO DOWN WHEN YOU BUILD MORE WATCH TOWERS. IT GOES DOWN WHEN YOU BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

SO THE QUESTION ISN'T WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD FLOCK OR NEED FLOCK.

IT'S WHY WOULD WE EVEN WANT IT. WHY SINK MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO TECHNOLOGY THAT GIVES US NO ANSWERS, NO PROOF, NO ACCOUNTABILITY, WHILE OUR PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ARE BEGGING FOR MORE RESOURCES.

WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN THE CARE AND STABILITY OF OUR PEOPLE, NOT TOOLS THAT MAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT FEEL COMFORTABLE WHILE DOING LESS ACTUAL WORK. I URGE YOU.

DON'T APPROVE ANOTHER DOLLAR FOR FLOCK SURVEILLANCE.

CHOOSE CARE OVER CAMERAS. CHOOSE A COUNTY THAT INVESTS IN SOLUTIONS THAT KEEP US SAFE.

A GENTLEMAN MADE A REFERENCE ABOUT EMPOWERING THE POLICE. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT UP, WE HAVE MILES MARTINMARTIN BY ALISA.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

AFTER SPEAKING YESTERDAY ABOUT THESE FLOCK CAMERAS, I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE DON'T KNOW. A LOT LIKE CYRUS SAID. THAT'S THE BIGGEST ISSUE FOR ME.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SUPPORT SOMETHING WHETHER THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTION MARKS. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DATA? THE DA A THAT WE DO HAVE, HOW IS IT ORGANIZED? HOW CAN WE PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ABUSING IT? WE'REMENTING TO INSTALL MORE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH FLOCK, IF I'M BEING HONEST. AND THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL SAFE AT ALL. I'M PRETTY SURE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FEEL THE SAME WAY. SO I WANT TO URGE YOUYOU TO VOTE AGAINST THE EXPANSION OF FLOCK CAMERAS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. SO FOLLOWED BY TONYA HARPER.

>> I URGED THE COURT TO POLITICAL SIDE SHOWS. THIS ISN'T LEFT VERSUS RIGHT. THERE'S NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PEOPLE HERE. FLOCK LIKES TO CLAIM THEY CAN AUDIT THEIR SYSTEM, BUT WE HEARD COUNTY STAFF WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY TRACK WHETHER THE DATA LED TO AN ARREST OR PROSECUTION. THAT DOESN'T REALLY SOUND LIKE

[00:30:04]

COLLECT AND STORE DATA AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THEY PROFIT WHILE THE REST OF US DEBATE. MANY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT DON'T RAELTZ THE SCOPE OF WHAT FLOCK DOES. CREATES A RECORD OF WHERE YOU DRIVE AND HOW OFTEN. THAT'S VALUABLE INFORMATION IN THE WRONG HANDS. IF THE COMPANY THE WON'T SUPPORT COMMON SENSE THEY BE CONSIDERED PARTNER IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

COMMISSIONERS ASKED WHETHER IT'S POSSIBLE TO REQUIRE AGENCIES TO STATE A REASON BEFORE SEARCHING THE DATA WITHIN OUR OWN CAMERAS.

CAPTAIN SMITH HIMSELF DOUBTED FLOCK WOULD BE RECEPTIVE TO THAT. ADD THAT TO FLOCK'S PARTNERSHIP WITH A CORPORATION INFAMOUS FOR MASSIVE DATABASES CAN BE CROSS REFERENCED TO BUILD A PROFILE OF YOUR HABITS AND PROTEINS.

YOU MAY TRUST WHO HAS ACCESS TODAY, BUT LEADERSHIP CHANGES, POLICY CHANGE, AND HISTORY SHOWS SYSTEMS LIKE THIS ARE INEVITABLY KWLUZED IN WAYS NEVER DISCLOSED INITIALLY. THIS ISN'T ABOUT FOR OR AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS IS ABOUT RECOGNIZING FLOCK IS NOT A GOOD COMMUNITY A PARTNER, IN MY OPINION.

I SAT WITH A GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS MEETING WITH THE SHERIFFS OFFICE. IT WAS CLEAR EVERYONE SHARED A COMMUNITY TO SAFETY, EVEN IF OUR APPROACHES VARY. FLOCK, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAS IGNORED CONCERNS ABOUT SAFEGUARD, AND THIS CONVERSATION HAS BEEN HAPPENING ACROSS THE NATION. THIS ISN'T UNIQUE TO HAYES COUNTY. THEY DON'T ALLOW FOR SIMPLE MEASURES AND SAFEGUARDS. THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THEIR INTENT AND RESPECT FOR LOCAL POWER AND THE VERY COMMUNITIES THAT THEY CLAIM TO WANT TO KEEP SAFE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE EXPANSION AND TO VOTE TO CANCEL ALL CONTRACTS WITH FLOCK.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT WE HAVE TONYA HARPER.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR CREATING A SAFE SPACE WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE ME CAN SPEAK÷÷SPEAK HOW TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING USED.

I AM NO LONGER A RESIDENT OF HAYES COUNTY, BUT I HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE FAILURES OF THE HAYES JUDICIAL SYSTEM. MY HUSBAND WAS WRONGFULLY CONVICTED IN 1998. HE WAS DENIED A FAIR TRIAL. HE WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON.

HE'S BEEN THERE FOR 26 YEARS. HE HAS ENDURED INHUMANE CONDITIONS INSIDE OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. 26 YEARS HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM HIM, FROM ME, AND FROM OUR FAMILY. NOT EVEN A SINGLE PENNY OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS, GRANTS, RESOURCES, NONE OF THAT HAS EVER BEEN INVESTED. I'M CORRECTING THIS INJUSTICE.

MEANWHILE, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR MORE POLICING, MORE CAMERAS, AND OTHER THINGS THAT SO- CALLED SOLUTIONS THAT ARE NEVER PROVEN TO BE ANY SAFER FOR THE COMMUNITY. WHAT ABOUT THE CRIMES THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT HERE INSIDE OF THESE COURTROOMS? INSIDE OF THE JUDGE'S CHAMBERS AND THE POLICE STATIONS. HOW CAN YOU CLAIM TO FIGHT CRIME WHEN CORRUPTION AND INJUSTICE GO UNADDRESSED? UNTIL THE HEART OF THE SYSTEM IS FIXED, THE COMMUNITY, THE BODY THAT Y'ALL SWORE TO PROTECT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN SICK. THIS IS WHY THE CHOICE BEFORE YOU TODAY MATTERS. INTO PROGRAMS THAT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND ENSURE FAIRNESS IN THE COURTROOM. THIS IS WHERE SAFETY AND JUSTICE BEGINS. NOT WITH CAMERAS OR POLICING, BUT WITH TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

MY HUSBAND DESERVES A FAIR TRIAL. THIS COUNTY OWES THAT TO HIM, TO MY FAMILY, AND TO OTHER FAMILIES THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION LIKE US.

I FEEL THAT THIS COUNTY OWES IT TO HIM AS A COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE. YOU CAN NEVER REPAIR 26 YEARS OF THE LIFE THAT WAS STOLEN FROM HIM. SO YOU CAN'T STOP FUNDING THE SYSTEM THAT PERPETUATES THISS HARM. POLICE CHOOSE TO FAIRNESS AND

[00:35:03]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND AMY, I THINK YOU'RE THE LAST OF THIS PORTION.

THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE AGENDA ITEM AND SOME THAT ARE E-MAILED IN.

>> GORNG GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS AMY. I'M A RESIDENT OF SAN MARCOS.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE COUNTY CONTRACTING WITH FLOCK SAFETY. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COHEN FOR HOLDING THE FORUM YESTERDAY EVENING BECAUSE IT WAS VERY REVEALING.

ALTHOUGH PERHAPS THOSE ORGANIZING IT ATTEND.

WHAT MYSELF AND OTHERS WITNESSED LAST NIGHT WAS A HAYES COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE THAT DOES NOT APPEAR TO APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY ATTEMPTING TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND IS NOT WILLING TO HOLD OTHER AGENCIES IT WORKS WITH SUCH AS I.C.E. ACCOUNTABLE.

I SAW A SHERIFF ARROGANTLY DISMISSIVE OF REAL CONCERNS ABOUT PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY.

AND HIS OFFICE DOES NOT EVEN COLLECT THAT KIND OF DATA.

THE SHERIFF SAID, IF IT GETS A CRIMINAL A DAY OFF THE STREETS FASTER, I DON'T CARE WHAT THE CRIME IS. IT'S WORTH IT. THAT'S A WILD STATEMENT TO ME. IT SHOULD BE TO YOU AS WELL.

THAT ANY SACRIFICE OF PRIVACY OR DATA SECURITY IS WORTH IT FOR ANY SO- CALLED CRIME. WHILE I WOULDN'T AGREE WE SHOULD TAKE ANYONE'S WORD FOR IT, THAT'S NOT A REMOTELY PROFESSIONAL STANDARD FOR EVALUATION.

WE ESPECIALLY CANNOT TAKE THE WORD OF A MAN WHO RECENTLY JUSTIFIED THE KIDNAPPING BY OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF 49 IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING 9 CHILDREN, IN APRIL BY BASELESSLY ACCUSING THEM OF BEING GANG MEMBERS. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY EXTREME FRUSTRATION AND EVEN ANGER ABOUT THE A ALTERCATION THAT OCCURRED AT THE END OF THE FORUM. IF WE CAN'T TRUST OUR SHERIFFS OFFICE NOT TO ESCALATE A SIMPLE DISAGREEMENT INTO A PRETTY HEATED ARGUMENT, HOW CAN WE TRUST TO BE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY? AND LET'S RETURN TO THE POINT THAT THE PERSON CYRUS GRAY AT THE CENTER OF THAT ALTERCATION WAS TRYING TO MAKE DURING THE FORUM.

HE IS SOMEONE WHO WAS WRONGFULLY ACCUSED OF MURDER ALONG WITH HIS FRIEND FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. DAVANTE FOR OVER SIX YEARS. SINCE HIS RELEASE, I HAVE SEEN NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE AGENCIES WHO MISUSED A DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY TO WRONGFULLY JAIL THESE YOUNG MEN. I HAVE SEEN NO ATTEMPT FOR REPARATIONS FOR THESE YOUNG MEN.

THE SHERIFFS OFFICE SAID I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU QUANTIFY SOLVED CASES. I'D LIKE TO ASK, HOW DO WE QUANTIFY UNSOLVED CASES. THE MURDER OF JUSTIN GAUGE, THE CRIME CYRUS WAS ACCUSED OF GOES UNSOLVED. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF PAUSE, BUT DO A SERIOUS AUDIT OF HOW THIS COUNTRY DECIDES TO INDICT PEOPLE ACCUSED OF FELONIES AND HAVE A SERIOUS THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DOING TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE IN IN THIS COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THOSE OFFOUS WHO COME UNDER SUSPICION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT WORK WITH THE HAYES COUNTY D.A. IF ANYONE ELSE WRONGFULLY IMPRISONED FOR OVER FIVE YEARS IN THIS COUNTY, THEY WOULD BE IN PRISON. BUT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN DONE BY THE COUNTY, THERE'S NO ACCOUNTABILITY AND NO JUSTICE.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT NOT ONLY FOR THEM, BUT FOR ALL OF US. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I GOT A TEXT.

I'LL HAVE A COMMENT.

>> IT MAYBE OVER THE WIRE OF THE USUAL CUT OFF, BUT WHEN THERE ARE THIS MANY PEOPLE IN THESE SETTINGS, I ALLOW FOR A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY JUST BECAUSE YOU WERE SO CLOSE.

I'M GOING TO PLUG THAT IN.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. MY NAME IS TJ.

I LIVE HERE IN SAN MARCOS. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.

THAT WAS WRITTEN IN 1984. TODAY IN HAYES COUNTY IT FEELS MRE RELEVANT THAN EVER.

THE CONTINUATION OF FLOCK CAMERAS IN HAYES COUNTY IS VERY BE EASILY MISUSED.

FOR EXAMPLE, A CATCHY KANSAS POLICE OFFICER WAS ARRESTED FOR USING FLOCK TO STALK HIS FORMER WIFE. THIS INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE POTENTIAL FOR MISUSE BY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE AUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM'S ABILITY TO TRACK VEHICLE MOVEMENTS RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT PRIVACY AND FOR

[00:40:02]

THIS REALLY BRINGS CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THE TECHNOLOGY TO USE TO SUPPRESS SPEECH. LATELY, THERE'S BEEN NUMEROUS PROTESTS UP THE ROAD IN AUSTIN. WHAT IF SOMEBODY TRAVELING IS APPREHENDED FOR USING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS? THIS COULD BE THE SET NAER YOU THAT MANY PROTESTERS AND THOSE OF COLOR WHO ARE BEING TARGETED. TO THE COMMISSIONERS TO MY LEFT, SPEAKING AS A FELLOW LATINO, THESE CAMERAS ARE GOING TO TARGET OUR COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS. TO THE COMMISSIONERS TO MY RIGHT, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE IDEA OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES? FLOCK CAMERAS ARE OUR SHERIFF ADMITTED THAT FLOCK DOES NOT STOP CRIME AND DOES NOT LEAD TO ANY ARRESTS. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A WASTE OF AN INVESTMENT. I ENCOURAGE THEM TO CANCEL ANY AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS AND USE THE FUNDS TO GO TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. AND UNDER THE TIMER.

AND THE LAST SPEAKER IN THE PUBLIC FORUM UNDER THIS SETTING, BUT NOT UNDER THE ACTUAL AGENDA.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

MY NAME IS CLAUDIA, A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. I'M HERE TO CANCEL ALL FLOCK CONTRACTS. YESTERDAY I ATTENDED THE COMMUNITY FORUM HOSTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS.

WHAT I HEARD THERE WAS FAR WORSE THAN EXPECTED.

DESPITE WHAT THE PAID FLOCK REPRESENTATIVE STATED, OUR SHERIFFS OFFICE CONTRADICTED THEIR STATEMENTS. HE STATED THEMSELVES, AND I QUOTE, THIS DOES NOT PREVENT CRIME. THIS DOESN'T LEAD TO ARRESTS.

AND WE CANNOT CREDIT ANY CASE BEING SOLVED DUE TO FLOCK. WHEN ASKED FOR PROOF OF EFFICACY, THEY STATED THEY COULD PROVIDE NONE.

SO I'M ON CONFUSED WHY THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS SPEAKING TODAY WHO CLAIM TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THIS SYSTEM THAN THE VERY OFFICE THAT UTILIZES THEM.

THE SHERIFFS OFF OFFERED ANECDOTES, STORIES BASED ON BELIEF NOT TRUTH. YESTERDAY WE LEARNED THAT AROUND 1 MILLION SCANS OF OUR VEHICLES ARE TAKEN PER MONTH, AND ONLY AROUND 150 OF THOSE IMAGES ARE USED TO GENERATE POSSIBLE LEADS.

OUT OF THOSE 150 IMAGES, ONLY A HANDFUL ARE USEFUL. THAT MEANS OVER 99.9% OF THE SCANS TAKEN DO NOT SERVE A PURPOSE AND ARE STORED IN A DATABASE USED BY HARMFUL ACTORS OUTSIDE OF THIS COUNTY.

IT GETS WORSE. THE SHERIFFS OFFICE CONFIRMED THAT THEY CURRENTLY SHARE OUR ALPR NETWORK WITH 747 OTHER AGENCIES, INCLUDING BORDER PATROL, DPS AND BY EXPANSIONS I.C.E. THEY OPENLY ADMITTED THEY INDIRECTLY PROVIDE DATA TO I.C.E.

THIS MEANS THAT THE DATA SCANNED FROM A FLOCKMENT CAMERA COULD WIND UP IN THE HANDS OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WITHOUT ANY LOCAL OVERSIGHT OR NOTIFICATION. LET ME BE CLEAR. THIS IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL.

SENATE BILL 8 PASSED THIS YEAR REQUIRES OUR SHERIFF TO ENTER AA FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGREEMENT STARTING JANUARY 9TH WITH FEDERAL OVERREACH, IT DOES NOT MATTER.

FLOCK DATA IS FEDERAL DATA. USABLE I BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TARGET THOSE WHO THEY DO NOT LIKE OR DO NOT AGREE WITH. HAYES COUNTY CANNOT CLAIM TO SUPPORT THE RIGHTS FOR IMMIGRANTS WHILE FUNDING THE TOOLS THAT WILL MAKE THAT PROCESS IMPOSSIBLE.

WE NEED REAL SAFETY, A PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE, NOT SURVEILLANCE. AND I'LL END WITH THIS.

SOSM OF YOU WILL BE ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR. AND UNDER A SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, MANY OF US ARE KEEPING CLOSE TRACK OF THOSE WHO STOOD UP TO PROTECT THE MOST MARGINALIZED AND WHO ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT THAT WANTS THEM GONE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND BEFORE YOU GO INTO WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO READ, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I RECEIVED EASILY 50 E- MAILS DIRECTLY TO MY OFFICE AND I AM GOING TO TELL YOU

[00:45:04]

ANY CHANCE THE CAMERAMAN CAN ZOOM IN.

THIS WILL GO ON AND ON AND IT WAS ON LAST NIGHT, AND WE CAN GO ON UNTIL MIDNIGHT. YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR MORE OF THE SAME. I HAVE STACKS AND STACKS OF MORE OF THE SAME.

SO WE HEAR THE MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR. SO THOSE -- THEY ARE MAYBE HAVING A WATER SIP OR SOMETHING.

SO THOSE PEOPLE THAT WROTE TO MY E-MAIL. I WANT TO APOLOGIZE AND ASK THAT IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THAT'S THE OFFICIAL CHANNEL.

THERE WE GO. THAT'S THE OFFICIAL CHANNEL.

I WANT YOU TO USE. I APPRECIATE YOU REACHING OUT TO ME.

WHILE I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MESSAGES ON MESSENGER. IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY I CAN RESPOND TO THEM. AND MOST LIKELY, NOT EVEN GET A CHANCE TO SEE THEM.

YOUR COMMENTS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR COMMENTS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.

SO PLEASE IN THE FUTURE, USE THIS E-MAIL.

I DID GIVE YOUR E-MAIL TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, BUT I MUST FOLLOW PROTOCOL.

WE WILL NOT READ IT. THE ONES THAT WERE SENT TO PUBLIC COMMENT, ROXANNE PLEASE READ THOSE AND THE DISCLAIMER ON THAT.

IF THERE ARE COPY PASTE VERSIONS, WE APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE TIME, SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY OR WHATEVER, TO CREATE THEIR OWN MESSAGE, BUT THEY AGREE WITH SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S FOR OR AGAINST, JUST STATE THE NAMES, IF THERE IS A COPY PASTE AND DON'T READ THE SAME MESSAGE OVER AND OVER.

>> FIRST E- MAIL PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM SHERRI.

SHE WRITES, DEAR COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE CITY HAS ANNOUNCED THEY WILL STOP SERVICES TO HAYES COUNTY AFTER SEPTEMBER 2026. HAYES COUNTY NEEDS AN ANIMAL SHELTER SYSTEM WITH ACCESSIBLE SATELLITE LOCATIONS AND PET RESOURCE CENTER. NEEDED ARE ANIMAL SHELTER SATELLITE FACILITIES FOR THE ENTIRE HAYES COUNTY REGION. WHEN AND WHERE WILL YOU PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR THESE NEEDED ANIMAL SERVICES? PLEASE TAKE ACTIONS NOW DURING THE CURRENT BUDGET PROCESS PLANNING PSYCH TOLL CONSTRUCT A HAYES COUNTY PET RESOURCE CENTER WITH ALL THE PROGRAMS BASED ON LIFE-SAVING BEST PRACTICES.

THE CITY HAS OFFERED A PLAN FOR ONLY THE CITY OF KYLE AND ITS OUTSKIRTS AREA. PLEASE COMMIT TO THE PROPOSED CITY. AS PART OF THEIR PLANNED PARK.

PLEASE MOVE FORWARD TO THE NEGOTIATION AND FUNDING FOR THE LAND LEASE AND FACILITIES OF THE MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING AGREEMENT PROPOSED BY THE CITY OF KYLE AT THEIR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 5, 2025.

A CENTRALIZED ANIMAL SHELTER FOR THE COUNTY.

TEAM SHELTER USA CONDUCTED A STUDY OF CREATING A CENTRALIZED ANIMAL SHELTER FOR HAYES COUNTY. IN MARCH 2023, HAYES COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH AUSTIN PETS ALIVE AS PROJECT COORDINATOR FOR THE PET RESOURCE CENTER AND VETERINARY CLINIC. PLANS ASK RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE. IN DECEMBER 2024, YET ANOTHER PET RESOURCE CENTER STUDY, HAYES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SOESHLTS. STOP DELAYS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH AN ANIMAL SHELTER SYSTEM. THIS IS WHAT THE CONSTITUENTS, YOUR VOTERS COMMUNITY WANTS AND HAVE REPEATEDLY REQUESTED.

TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS NOW FOR A HAYES COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER FOR NEW REGIONAL ANIMAL SERVICES FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

RESPECTFULLY, SHERRI BOYER YET.

>> I THINK THIS WILL BE A GUARANTEE IT GETS READ.

FOR THOSE THAT WEREN'T HERE LAST TIME, THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION SO THIS GUARANTEES IT'S READ AND WE'RE DONE, IF YOU

DON'T MIND. >> SURE.

>> NEXT E-MAIL TO PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM MELISSAHILL. I AM WRITING TO EXPLES MY

[00:50:02]

THEY DO NOT TRACK INDIVIDUALS. THEY ONLY CAPTURE LICENSE PLATE DATA, CONNECTED TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE SEEN MISLEADING INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CAMERAS. I URGE YOU BASEBASE DECISION ON FACTS AND THE SAFETY NEEDS RATHER THAN THE POLITICAL NARRATIVES.

STAND WITH THE CITIZENS WHO VALUE EFFECTIVE TOOLS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO HAYES COUNTY.

SINNER IS LIE MELISSA HILL. NEXT MESSAGE FROM TONYA HUNT.

I SUPPORT USING FLOCK SYSTEM CAMERAS IN HAYES COUNTY.

THEY HELP SOLVE CRIMES, RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLES AND RESPOND TO AMBER ALERTS. THIS IS A CUT AND PASTE.

NEXT MESSAGE IS FROM RHONDA YUNG.

KEEP THE CAMERAS. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FORM REGARDING THE FLOCK CAMERAS. I DON'T SEE A FORM.

SHE IS IN FAVOR. NEXT MESSAGE IS FROM SAM YOUNG.

I AM IN FAVOR OF KEEPING FLOCK CAMERAS. ALL OPPOSED APPEAR TO BE ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT.

NEXT MESSAGE IS FROM TRACY.

AND SHE IS AGAINST FLOCK CAMERAS.

SAFETY OVER LIBERTY WILL DENY A COMMUNITY OF BOTH.

THE USE OF FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS FOR AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION OR ALPR BY COUNTIES% HAVE SPARKED SIGNIFICANT DEBATE DUE TO THEIR POTENTIAL BENEFITS IN CRIME PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION.

BUT ALSO THEIR NOTABLE DOWN SIDES. THE KEY DRAWBACKS ASSOCIATED WITH UTILIZING FLOCK CAMERAS FOR LICENSE PLATE READING, FOCUSING ON PRIVATE I S MISYUFS AND OTHER CONCERNS WHILE ENSURING I WANT PLEMTATION.

MASSEUR SURVEILLANCE AND PRIVACY VIOLATIONS. DATA SHARING, FLOCK SYSTEMS ALLOW DATA TO BE SHARED WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, POTENTIALLY ACROSS STATE LINES. THIS MEANS THE DATA COULD BE ACCESSED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT FEDERAL OVERREACH IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES. PUBLIC RECORDS SHOW FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE ACCESSED FLOCK DATA VIA LOOKUPS WITHOUT A DIRECT CONTRACT. THIS COULD ERODE TRUST.

POTENTIAL FOR MISUSE AND ABUSE. PRIVATE CITIZEN ACCESS.

FLOCK MARKETS, ITS CAMERAS TO HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS OR HOAS AND PRIVATE ENTITIES ALLOWING NONLAW ENFORCEMENT USERS TO ACCESS AND SHARE DATA. IN A COUNTY WITH ACTIVE HOAS IT COULD LEAD TO MONITORING ROUTINES, FOSTERING A CULTURE OF SUSPICION. A NEIGHBOR COULD INFER JOB LOSS OR RELATIONSHIP ISSUES FROM VEHICLE PATTERNS AS NOTED. THIS LACK OF OVERSIGHT FOR PRIVATE USERS EXACERBATES PRIVACY RISKS. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT, PRIVATE COMPANY CONTROL.

FLOCK OWNS THE CAMERAS AND MANAGES THE DATA RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY. IF FLOCK GOES BANKRUPT OR CHANGES POLICIES, COUNTIES COULD LOSE ACCESS TO DATA.

IT MAY INCENTIIZE EXPANDING SURVEILLANCE, AS SEEN IN THE GOAL TO COVER EVERY CITY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE HIGH VOLUME OF SCANS, FLOCK PROCESSES OVER $20 BILLION MONTHLY, GENERATES MANY FALSE POSITIVES. MOST ALERTS ARE IRRELEVANT STRINGING SHERIFFS DEPARTMENTS.

IN CALIFORNIA, 2015 LAW REGULATES PUBLIC AGENCY USE, BUT PRIVATE ENTITIES FACE LESS OVERSIGHT CREATING A PATCHWORK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

TEXAS HAS FEWER ALPR REGULATIONS, WHICH COULD ALLOW UNCHECKED EXPANSION UNLESS POLICIES ARE STRINGENT.

WHILE THEY OFFER INVESTIGATIVE BENEFITS, THEIR DOWN SIDES ARE ACCURACY ISSUES, LACK OF OVERSIGHT, QUESTIONABLE EFFICACY AND COMMUNITY IMPACTS POSE RISK FOR TEXAS COUNTIES. THESE CONCERNS OUTWEIGH THE BENEFITS UNLESS SAFEGUARDS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

>> NEXT COMMENT IS FROM DEBBI ADAMS. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE LAST TIME THIS COUNTY HAD A BALANCED BUDGET WAS 2018. SINCE THEN OUR DEBT HAS EXPOED PLOED TO BEYOND HALF A BILLION, AND THEY

[00:55:01]

BECAUSE THE SHERIFF WANTS FANCY NEW CAMERAS FOR $7,000 DOESN'T MEAN HE GETS THEM WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. NEVER MIND PRIVACY CONCERNS.

WE ARE REASSURED REGULARLY THAT ALL THESE LITTLE THINGS WILL NOT RECORD. THE INFORMATION IS SAFE.

IT'S IN OUR BEST INTEREST AND WE ARE SHOCKED WHEN IT TURNS OUT NOT TO BE TRUE.

THE CLERKS OFFICE WANTS $16,000 PAID TO TOOILER TECHNOLOGIES RETROACTIVELY SUNS THEY DID NOT FOLLOW THE RULES AND GET THE APPEAL BEFORE ATTENDING A CONFERENCE.

THIS IS A CONTINUING EDUCATION EXPENSE, BUT DUE TO TURNOVER IN COVERAGE, THEY NEGLECTED TO SUBMIT THE REQUEST.

IF THEY HAVE SUCH A TURNOVER RATE, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ATTENDING.

WHY DOES THE ENTIRE OFFICE NEED TO ATTEND? PRIVACY, WHO IS TYLER TECHNOLOGIES? IT'S A COMPANY THAT OFFERS A PUBLIC SAFETY ANALYTICS PACKAGE THAT MAKE IT IS EASY FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO SHARE DATA WITH EACH ORE ON A SINGLE PLATFORM. WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU IS THEY ARE A PART OWNED BY BLACK ROCK AND THEY ARE BEING SUED FOR ENABLING CITIZENS TO BE FALSELY ARRESTED. WHEN YOU DUG YOURSELF INTO A HOLE, THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS STOP DIG.

YOU NEED TO QUIT GIVING UP OUR RIGHTS TO PRIVACY ONE INCH AT A TIME. THE NEXT COMMENT IS FROM PEGGY.

THESE CAMERAS HAVE PROOUMPB TO BE AN ESSENTIAL TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT HELPING SOLVE CRIMES, RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLES, LOCATE MISSING PERSONS AND DETER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. I'M DISAPPOINTED THIS DECISION MAYBE SWAYED BY EXTREME VIEWS THAT LACK FACT YUBL BACKING.

IT'S EVEN MORE CONCERNING THEY ARE BEING FUELLED BIS MISLEADING NARRATIVES. COMMISSIONERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THROUGH THESE AGENDAS AND MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THE TRUTH. PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS IN THE SHERIFF BECAUSE THEY TRUST HIM TO PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY.

BAILED ON PRESSURE FROM A SMALL BUT LOUD GROUP, MANY WHO DID NOT SUPPORT MIM HAD IN THE FIRST PLACE, IS NOT ONLY A DISSERVICE, BUT THE VOTERS THAT PUT HIM IN OFFICE. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE HAYES SAFE TIFF HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO POLITICAL GAMES AND DECISIONS THAT PRIORITIZED IDEOLOGY OVER COMMUNITY SAFETY. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE DIFFERENT.

TO SHOW LEADERS WILL RISE ABOVE PARTISANSHIP, TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS THEY HAVE ENTRUSTED WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, AND RESIST EXTREME AGENDAS THAT DO NOT REFLECT VALUES. THE SHERIFF HAS GIVEN THIS COURT NO REASON NOT TO TRUST HIM.

I URGE YOU TO STAND WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, STAND WITH THE CITIZENS WHO VALUE LAW AND ORDER, AND VOTE TO KEEP THE FLOCK SAFETY CAMERA PROGRAM IN PLACE. PUBLIC SAFETY ISN'T POLITICAL UNTIL YOU MAKE IT THAT WAY.

PLEASE KEEP HAYES COUNTY SAFE.

YOU CAN FOLLOW AUSTIN'S MUSCLE TAKES OR PROTECT HAYES COUNTY.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS. RESPECTFULLY PEGGY.

THE NEXT COMMENT E-MAILED IN IS FROM CLAUDIA, BUT I BELIEVE SHE APPEARED IN PERSON. I'M GOING TO SKIP THAT ONE. THE NEXT E- MAIL IS FROM COURTNEY RUNG.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I'M REEMPING OUT TO SUPPORT APPROVING THE FLOCK SAFETY TECHNOLOGY FOR HAYES COUNTY. AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE. THIS TECHNOLOGY NOT ONLY BOOSTS SAFETY BUT ALSO HELPS ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERYONE, WHETHER LAWFUL OR NOT. IT'S PUZZLING WHY ANYONE WHO OPPOSE EFFORTS, SUCH RESISTANCE IS UN-AMERICAN. I WANT TO REMIND THIS COURT THEY VOTED 5- 0 JUST A FEW SHORT YEARS AGO ON THIS TECHNOLOGY AND JUST RECENTLY IN FEBRUARY 2025, ANOTHER 5- 0 VOTE TO ADD MORE CAMERAS.

WHAT HAS CHANGED? THE RECENT POLITICAL DISAGREEMENTS HAVE BECOME LESS ABOUT PROGRESS AND MORE ABOUT UNNECESSARY CONFLICT, WHICH IS UNBECOMING OF HAYES COUNTY. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE TO SAY. A LACK OF MEANINGFUL COMMUNICATION ISN'T JUST DISAPPOINTING.

IT RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE MAJORITY ELECTED SHERIFF TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND WE MUST SUPPORT HIM IN CARRYING OUT THESE CRUCIAL DUTIES. LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THOSE WHO CALLS THEM HOME.

IT'S FROM JENNIFER. SHE SUBMITTED A LETTER ON

[01:00:04]

CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING ]

>> THE USE OF FLOCK CAMERAS GREATLY ENHANCES A LAWSUIT'S AGENCY ABILITY TO COLLABORATE WITH SURROUNDING AGENCIES AND IN MANY CASES IS USED TO IDENTIFY CRIME RINGS AND PERPETUATORS WHO MOVE FROM JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION TO EVADE DETECTION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. FOURTH AMENDMENT SHOWS LICENSE PLATE READERS LPR'S, DO NOT CONSTITUTE A WARRANT LIST SEARCH AS THEY TAKE PHOTOS OF LICENSE PLATE IN PUBLIC AND DON'T TRACK MOVEMENTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR VEHICLE. RECENT MEDIA COMMENTS SAYING THERE'S A GROWING LIST OF COMMUNITIES MOVING AROUND FROM LPR'S IS FALSE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY OF DALLAS, LPR'S HAVE BEEN UTILIZED SINCE 2013 WITH GREAT SUCCESS. SO MUCH SO THAT JUST THIS YEAR, THEY INCREASED THE NUMBER OF CAMERAS BY 363. MANY OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND HERE IN CENTRAL TEXAS HAVE ALSO ADDED LPR'S TO THEIR COMMUNITIES IN AN EFFORT TO COMBAT CRIME AND ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY. LPR'S HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO AS A FORCE MULTIPLIER BY CHIEFS AND SHERIFFS AS THEY POINT TO REALTIME INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THEIR OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES ENHANCING RESPONSE TIMES AS WELL AS OFFICER AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THE USE OF LPR'S ACROSS THE STATE IS GROWING RAPIDLY AS RESULTS ARE PROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS. UNFORTUNATELY MISINFORMATION HAS BEEN EXPLOITED BY ANTIPOLICE GROUP THIS IS AUSTIN AND HAYS COUNTY.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SPEAK ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REGARD IT CAN DATA AND PUBLIC SAFETY SUCCESSES. ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS IN HAYS COUNTY, WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY BY ALLOWING THE CONTINUED USE OF THE TECHNOLOGY. WHEN DEPUTIES ARE UNABLE TO DO THE JOBS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOLS, THERE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE A DECLINE IN MORALE AND A LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE TO THE PUBLIC. KEEP HAYS COUNTY SAFE AND WORK WITH THE SHERIFF AND YOUR DEPUTIES TO THAT END. ROBERT LEONARD. NEXT MESSAGE IS FROM SHANNON MCCONVILLE. DEAR COMMISSIONERS' COURT. I WRITE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUED INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS IN HAYS COUNTY. IN A TIME OF ESCALATING CHALLENGES, THESE CAMERAS REPRESENT A CRITICAL TOOL FOR THE WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES. FLOCK CAMERAS ARE AN POTENTIAL EVIDENCE BASED INSTRUMENT THAT AIDS LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SOLVING CRIMES, RECOVERING STOLEN VEHICLES, RESPONDING PROMPTLY TO AMBER ALERTS AND DETERRING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THIS IS ALSO THE FIRST FEW LINES.

>> I DON'T CARE IF IT'S FOR OR AGAINST. IF IT'S COPY PAST, SAY

THEIR NAME. >> THAT WAS FOR CAMERAS. NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM ELIZABETH BOUNDS. SHE IS ALSO FOR FLOCK

CAMERAS. >> CAN YOU SAY THE LAST NAME

AGAIN? >> SURE. THE ONE I'M READING NOW IS ELIZABETH BOUNDS. TO HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THE ATTACHMENT I URGE ROW TO APPROVE FLOCK CAMERAS AND ADDITIONAL FLOCK CAMERA INSTALLATIONS AS AN AID TO FIGHT CRIME IN THE CITY. I RESEARCED THE CAMERAS AND WHAT THE INTENT AND ABSOLUTELY AGREE THAT SAN MARCUS SHOULD HAVE THEM AND THE POLICE SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THEM AS AN AID TO FIGHT CRIME. PLEASE APPROVE THE CAMERAS. ANY TIME I'M IN PUBLIC, I HAVE NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY AND I AM KEENLY AWARE THAT I'M BEING PHOTOGRAPHED SOMEWHERE. IT SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT THAN OUR LICENSE PLATES. THESE LICENSE PLATE READERS ARE CRUCIAL TO HELP OUR POLICE FIGHT CRIME.

RESPECTFULLY, ELIZABETH BOUNDS.

OKAY. THE NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM PAIGE DIODORNO. GOOD MORNING COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M WRITING YOU TO VOTE NO ON ITEM 13 AND THE CONSENT ITEM AGENDA AND YES ON THE ITEM 3 MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA AT THE AUGUST 12TH MEETING. I HOPE TO SEE THE END OF FLOCK EXPANSION IN THE CITY OF KYLE AND THE REST OF THE COUNTY. THERE'S A GROWING MOVEMENT SCRUTINIZING FLOCK AND THE SECURITY ISSUES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THERE ARE MOVEMENTS IN ILLINOIS AND OKLAHOMA TO BLOCK THE EXPANSION OF THIS SAME TECHNOLOGY. SO I ASK THAT THE COURT BELIEVE ME THAT I DO NOT FEAR THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S

[01:05:02]

FLOCK IS BAD FOR THIS COUNTRY AND FOR OUR DEMOCRACY. PLEASE HELP US FIGHT TO KEEP OUR DEMOCRACY. THANK YOU. THIS IS FROM PAIGE GEORDONO. NEXT E-MAIL COMMENT IS FROM JEFFREY THOMPSON. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS. WE ALL LIKE TO BE SECURE ON OUR STREETS, IN OUR HOMES AND OUR COMMUNITIES. WHEN SECURITY COST US OUR FREEDOM, THEN THAT SECURITY BECOMES A PRISON. A WAY THAT WE ARE CONTROLLED BY AUTHORITARIAN INTERESTS. THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF FREEDOM IN THE USE OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER THIS IS HAYS COUNTY. WHEN I WATCH LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS ON TV LIKE FBI AND SPECIAL VICTIM UNIT, I MARVEL AT THE CRIMES SOLVED BY USING SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT. AS MY POLICEMAN SON REMINDS ME, REAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT LIKE WHAT WE SEE ON TV. I BELIEVE THAT HAYS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT MAY BE WELL INTENDED IN THEIR USE OF SURVEILLANCE INFORMATION FROM THE LICENSE PLATE READERS BUT THE REAL DANGER COMES IN THE FACT THAT THIS INFORMATION IS SHARED WITH SO MANY ENTITIES, INCLUDING ICE. I BELIEVE IN SECURITY. BUT SECURITY THAT RESPECTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF ALL THE PEOPLE RESIDING IN HAYS COUNTY. THEREFORE, I OPPOSE THE USE OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER THIS IS HAYS COUNTY. THEIR POTENTIAL FOR HARM FAR EXCEEDS THEIR VALUE AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOL. THANK YOU. PASTOR JEFF THOMPSON. NEXT E-MAIL PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM GREG COX. THE FLOCK CAMERA SYSTEM IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN SOLVING AND PROSECUTING CRIME IN HAYS COUNTY. OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS USE THIS INFORMATION TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND TAKING IT AWAY WILL LEAVE CASES UNSOLVE AND HAD VIOLENT CRIMINALS ON THE STREET. I HAVE HEARD THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT ICE USING THE DATA TO ROUND PEOPLE UP BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE SHED OF EVIDENCE IT'S HAPPENING. INSTEAD, IT'S BEING USED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS TO SOLVE CASES WITH A DEEP IMPACT ON PUBLIC SAFETY. WE OBTAINED A GUILTY VERDICT IN A CAPITAL MURDER CASE THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SOLVED WITHOUT EVIDENCE FROM A FLOCK CAMERA. WE USED THE DATA TO CHARGE A DEALER THAT DELIVERED A FAILED DOSE OF FENTANYL TO SOMEONE. IT'S BEEN USED IN MULTIPLE MURDER CASES AND APPREHEND A SEX OFFENDER. THESE ARE CASES THAT WOULD HAVE GONE UNSOLVED WITHOUT THE SYSTEM. IF YOU TAKE THAT AWAY, OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE LESS SAFE AND VIOLENT CRIMINALS WILL NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RHETORIC BEING USED BY THE GROUP OF PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THIS SYSTEM IS HARMING MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS WORK DILIGENTLY TO PROTECT ALL VICTIMS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE HERE IN THIS COUNTRY LEGALLY. THE FEAR MONOGONING AND WRECKLESS CLAIMS ABOUT ICE USING THIS DATA ARE SCARING WITNESSES AND VICTIMS AWAY. WE ALREADY HAVE TROUBLE GETTING SOME OF THE WITNESSES AND VICTIMS TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND COME TO COURT AND THESE COMMENTS ONLY MAKE IT WORSE.

CRIMES, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE WILL GO UNREPORTED IN SOME COMMUNITIES BECAUSE OF THE DISTRUST THAT THESE COMMENTS ARE CAUSING. THAT'S THE END OF THE COMMENT.

NEXT E-MAIL PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM CHASE STAP. ABSENTEE COMMENTS AND THIS IS REGARDING THE FLOCK LICENSE PLATE SYSTEM.

GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE JUDGE BECERRA. I AM WRITING IN FAVOR OF ITEM 14 AND OPPOSITION OF ITEM 4 IN THE MISCELLANEOUS SECTION OF THE AGENDA. I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF CONTINUING AND IN FACT, EXPANDING THE USE OF LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HAYS COUNTY IN THE INTEREST OF THE SAFETY OF HAYS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. IT IS DISAPPOINTING AND DISTURBING TO ME THAT A SEGMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY HAS CHOSEN TO PAINT THIS ISSUE AS A MATTER OF FREEDOM AND PRIVACY. I HAVE LIVED MY ENTIRE LIFE IN HAYS COUNTY, AND THE INSTALLATION OF THE CAMERAS HAS NEITHER RESTRICTED OR IMPAIRED MY FREEDOMS OR MY PRIVACY. I FEEL COMPLETELY FREE TO MOVE ABOUT THE COUNTY UNBOTHERED BY THE UNDERSTANDNG THAT MY LICENSE PLATE IS LIKELY TO BE CAPTURED BY ONE OF THESE SYSTEMS AND STORED FOR A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IF THE CAMERAS WERE TO BE REMOVED COMPLETELY TOMORROW, THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF HAYS COUNTY WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY NO

[01:10:03]

CAMERA ITEM. >> SO IF THEY WERE CLEAR AND THEY WROTE ON THE ITEM, I WANT THE VIEWING PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT I AM GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO THAT ITEM AFTER PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS. SO YOU CAN STICK AROUND. YOU CAN STAY TUNED IN. HOWEVER YOU WANT TO HANDLE IT. BUT WE'LL OPEN THOSE ITEMS WHEN WE OPEN THAT ITEM. AND SO AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THAT

[F.1. Presentation of August 2025 Service and Retirement Awards. B E C E R R A /GR A N JE N O]

>> E-MAILED PUBLIC COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO PLEASE ASK THAT YOU OPEN F-1.

>> F-1. PRESENTATION OF AUGUST 2025 SERVICE AND RETIREMENT

AWARDS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. HR DIRECTOR. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE REACHING MILESTONE YEARS OF SERVICE AND OUR RETIREES. IF I CALL YOUR NAME, COME UP SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE YOU. STARTING WITH ONE YEAR OF SERVICE. COREY FENNEL IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMNT.

AND DREW BEAR IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

MITCHELL WRIGHT IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

HANNAH IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. TIFFANY SHELL IN THE EXTENSION OFFICE. JESSICA MILLS IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

CHELSEA CHOPPA IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. JOEL SAMOROA IN THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. ALEXANDER PINELL IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. GRACE PADIA IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. KYLE COOL IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. KRYSTAL CHELS IN THE COUNTY WIDE OPERATIONS. LOGAN CLARK IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. CHARLES WILLIAMS IN PRECINCT 4 OFFICE. DANIEL LUDMAR IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. ANDREA KING IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. KYLIE EDWARDS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND THAT IS ALL FOR OUR ONE YEAR OF SERVICE.

ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO OUR FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE. FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE, PATRICIA HADEN IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. RUDY SIERRA IN THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT. MADISON GISH IN THE

[01:15:03]

CAITLIN LOSONO IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. BRADLEY MCDONALD IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. PORTER DOER IN THE PRECINCT ONE OFFICE. DON MONTAGU IN THE PRECINCT THREE OFFICE.

BENO LAYTON IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AARON MCCOY IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND THAT IS ALL FOR FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE.

MOVING ON TO TEN YEARS OF SERVICE. ASHLEY GREENFEATHER IN PRETRIAL SERVICES. KIM JETER IN HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE.

ALL RIGHT. THAT IS ALL FOR TEN YEARS OF SERVICE.

MOVING ON TO 15 YEARS OF SERVICE. TRAVIS BROWN IN PRECINCT THREE OFFICE.

THAT IS ALL FOR 15 YEARS OF SERVICE. MOVING ON TO 25 YEARS OF SERVICE. IVY SAUNDERS IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

THAT IS ALL FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

LASTLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO HONOR OUR ONE RETIREE FOR THIS MONTH.

THAT IS OUR VERY OWN, KIM JETER.

[01:20:28]

. >> HER CO-WORKERS, WILL YOU PLEASE COME UP FOR ONE BRIEF PHOTO?

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SEE IF ANY OF OUR OTHER STAFF WANTED TO MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT KIM AND HER RETIREMENT BEFORE THEY WENT ON AT OUR STAFF TABLE? ANYONE WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? IF NOT, I WOULD LIKE TO. I JUST WANT TO SAY KIM WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE I MET ON MY VERY FIRST DAY GETTING HERE. AND THERE IS NOT BEEN A MORE PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE THAT I'VE WORKED WITH. I DON'T SAY THAT LIGHTLY. WHETHER, NO MATTER WHAT THE QUESTION IS, SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE AND BEEN HELPFUL AND BEEN A ROCK IN THAT OFFICE IN A LOT OF CHANGE AND PERSONNEL AND CHANGE IN POLICY.

SHE'S HELPED SHEPHERD A LOT OF IT. I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW APPRECIATIVE I AM AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT ARE.

>> YES, THANK YOU. WE ALL AGREE. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU, KIM.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THANK YOU, KIM. IT WAS SO GREAT TO KNOW YOU OVER THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS. YOU WERE THE FIRST PERSON I MET ON MY FIRST DAY. I APPRECIATE THE WELCOME YOU GAVE

[F.2. Recognition of Tom Green Elementary as a Healthy School Recognized Campus. C OH E N]

ME. >> THANK YOU.

>> PLEASE OPEN F2. >> F2. RECOGNITION OF TOM GREEN ELEMENTARY AS A HEALTHY SCHOOL RECOGNIZED CAMPUS.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> HI. HELLO. >> STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR

THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> MY NAME IS KATE BLANKENSHIP.

I AM HERE TODAY TO HELP RECOGNIZE TOM GREEN ELEMENTARY A HEALTHY SCHOOL RECOGNIZED CAMPUS FOR THEIR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR, AND LOTS OF DEDICATION FROM STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF IN PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION AND TO EARN THIS RECOGNITION, THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TOOK PART IN A VARIETY OF WELLNESS INITIATIVES. A HIGHLIGHT WAS AN EIGHT WEEK WALK ACROSS TEXAS CHALLENGE WHERE 619 STUDENTS AND 30 ADULTS WORKED TOGETHER TO REACH THE GOAL OF 832 MILES. BUT THEY FAR EXCEEDED THESE EXPECTATIONS. THE TEACHERS LOGGED 1555 MILES AND THE STUDENTS WALKED AN IMPRESSIVE 2777 MILES. THE SCHOOL NOT ONLY HELD A WALKING CHALLENGE BUT WE ALSO HELPED HOST AN AG DAY WHERE STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT CORN, PIGS, GOATS AND THEIR BY-PRODUCTS. AND THE KIDS ALL ENJOYED TOUCHING THE BABY GOATS WE BROUGHT THERE. ALSO, FAMILIES AND STAFF PARTICIPATED IN A WELLNESS FAIR, WHICH HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE AND INCLUDED SAMPLES OF HEALTHY RECIPES. LIKE MY TWO INGREDIENT BROWNIES THEY GOT TO TRY.

THROUGH THESE COMBINED EFFORTS,A STRONG COMMITMENT TO BUILDING LIFELONG HEALTHY HABITS. CREATING A CULTURE OF WELLNESS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND STAFF. SO TODAY I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THEM WITH A 2025 STICKER TO ADD TO THEIR BANNER THAT'S HANGING UP IN THE GYM. AND AS WELL AS A CERTIFICATE. WE WOULD LIKE TO GET A PICTUREAS WELL.

[F.3. Recognition of 4-H Star Award recipients for community service, 4-H projects and leadership. H A MME R HAMMER]

[01:26:14]

>> F3, REGULAR IN ADDITION OF 4-H STAR AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE, 4-H PROJECTS AND LEADERSHIP.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS. ONCE AGAIN, MY NAME IS TIFFANY SHELL. I'M THE 4-H YOUTH AND COORDINATOR FOR THE TEXAS A&M EXTENSION OFFICE HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.

TODAY I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR AMAZING 4-H MEMBERS.

THESE YOUNG LEADERS HAVE RECEIVED TEXAS 4-H STAR AWARDS WITH THE GOLD STAR AWARD BEING THE HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT. THIS AWARD IS GIVEN TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL, PARTICIPANT IN DEED LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES AND HAVE MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THEM UP TO SAY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR 4-H PROJECT AND HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN 4-H.

AFTER THAT, WE WOULD LIKE A PICTURE IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THE BRONZE STAR WINNER. HIS NAME IS MR. WINCETON RAINS.

. >> HELLO, YOUR HONOR AND FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS WINSTON RAINS AND I'M NINE YEARS OLD FROM THE DRIPPING SPRINGS 4-H CLUB. I GOT THIS AWARD, I HAVE BEEN IN 4-H FOR THREE YEARS. I GOT THIS AWARD BECAUSE ME AND MY SIBLINGS PARTICIPATED IN CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, OUR LOCAL 4-H CLUB, EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, PUBLIC SPEAKING, FOOD AND NUTRITION. THANK YOU.

>> NOW TO OUR SILVER STAR AWARDS. WE HAVE TWO. WE'RE GOING TO START WITH MR. JONATHAN MOODY.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JONATHAN MOODY. I HAVE BEEN IN 4-H FOR FIVE YEARS TOTAL. I'M 11 YEARS OLD AND I DO HOME SCHOOL. I GOT THIS AWARD BECAUSE I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, HORTICULTURE, RABBITS, CHICKENS AND SOME OTHER PROJECTS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY

SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP. >> GOOD JOB.

>> AND OUR LAST SILVER STAR AWARD WINNER, MR. BENJAMIN SOTO.

>> HELLO JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS BENJAMIN SOTO.

I'M CURRENTLY 13 YEARS OLD AND ATTENDING MILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL AS AN EIGHTH GRADER. MY INSIDE OF SCHOOL SPORTS ARE CROSS COUNTRY, FOOTBALL AND SOCCER. MY PROJECTS THAT I PARTICIPATE IN IS MY MAIN IS CATTLE. I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MANY OTHER PROJECTS AND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL I WORK ON MANY OTHER THINGS, SUCH AS AG MECHANICS. AND THIS AWARD HELPED ME DO A LOT. TOOK ME A LOT, IT TOOK ME TO FIND A SPEECH AND GO THROUGH TO GET THIS

AWARD. >> AND HERE ARE OUR TWO GOLD STAR WINNERS. WE ARE GOING TO START WITH MISS CAITLIN BURDEN.

[01:30:02]

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A FINAL TEST. RIGHT? YOU GUYS ARE

ALL DOING A GREAT JOB. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CAITLIN BURDEN, AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN 4-H FOR EIGHT YEARS AND THIS UPCOMING YEAR WILL BE BY NINTH AND FINAL YEAR. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOT OF PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS. THE ONES I WAS INVOLVED IN THIS YEAR WAS PHOTOGRAPHY AND FASHION AND INTERIOR DESIGN. AND IT MEANS A1 LOT TO ME FOR ME TO BE HERE SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, OUR FINAL GOLD STAR WINNER, MISS

PENELOPE SOTO. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND GOOD MORNING HAYS COUNTY. MY NAME IS PENELOPE SOTO. I'M A 10TH GRADER AT SAN MARCUS HIGH SCHOOL AND ALSO YOUR PRINCESS FOR THE 2024/2025 QUEENS COURT FOR HAYS COUNTY. IN SCHOOL, I PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY, STUDENT COUNSEL, BEST BUDDIES AND FFA, WHICH IS KNOWN AS FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA. OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL I AM A VERY ACTIVE MEMBER IN 4-H, HOLDING A PRESIDENT POSITION AT THE WEST SAN MARCUS 4-H CLUB, A VICE PRESIDENT POSITION AT THE SHOOTING SPORTS OFFICER CLUB AND A VICE PRESIDENT POSITION FOR THE HAYS COUNTY COUNSEL CLUB. ON AUGUST 9TH, AUGUST 10TH, EXCUSE ME, I WAS HONORED TO BE AWARDED THE GOLD STAR AWARD FOR THE 2025 YEAR. THE GOLD STAR AWARD IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT A PARTICIPANT IN 4-H MAY RECEIVE THROUGHOUT THEIR 4-H CAREER. THE PROCESS OF RECEIVE IT CAN AWARD INVOLVED AN ONLINE APPLICATION AND AN INTERVIEW WITH THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER. IN JUNE OF 2025, I WAS SO HONORED TO HAVE RECEIVED THIRD PLACE AT THE TEXAS STATE 4-H ROUNDUP IN THE DANCE ROUTINE DEDICATED TO MY WALK IN FAITH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR TIME AND I HOPE YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH 4-H BENEFITS THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND IS SHAPING THEM TO THIS DAY.

ONCE AGAIN, MY NAME IS PENELOE SOTO, YOUR HAYS COUNTY PRINCESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING. THIS IS MY FAVORITE AND YOU ALL KNOW THIS. THIS IS MY FAVORITE PRESENTATION OF THE YEAR. I SAY THAT. I GREW UP IN 4-H AND WHEN I SAY I GREW UP IN 4-H, BACK THEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE A BRONZE STAR BUT WE HAVE THE I DARE YOU AWARD AND I WON IT, I WON A SILVER STAR AND A GOLD STAR AND I ENDED UP WORKING AT THE STATE 4-H CENTER IN COLLEGE AND PRESIDENT OF THE 4-H CLUB AT A&M. I LOVE 4-H AND WORK THERE HAD FOR A LONG TIME AND IN THE PROGRAM. I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS CONTINUING AND JUST AS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS, I KNOW I'M GOING TO PUT THIS YOUNG MAN ON THE SPOT. HIS MOTHER AND I WERE IN 4-H TOGETHER AND SHE'S SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE. I WAS A DISTRICT OFFICER IN DISTRICT EIGHT 4-H FROM HILL COUNTY. AND WE MET EACH OTHER AND I MET HER AND HER SIBLINGS THROUGH 4-H WHENEVER I WAS PROBABLY JUST OLDER THAN HIM. THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND JUST THE MORALS AND VALUES THAT ARE TAUGHT THROUGH THE 4-H PROGRAM ARE TRULY SPECIAL. IT'S GREAT TO SEE WE'RE CONTINUING IT HERE IN HAYS COUNTY. I KNOW HOW MUCH HARD WORK IT TAKES TO GET THAT, AND IT'S NOT EASY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, THERE'S ONLY ONE, WHEN I GREW UP, THERE WAS ONLY ONE GOLD STAR OR TWO GOLD STARS GIVEN IN A COUNTY AT ALL. AND SO, OF ALL THE STUDENTS OUT THERE WHO CAN QUALIFY, IT IS A HIGH HONOR AND I HAVE SOME VERY GOOD FRIENDS WHO DID A LOT OF GOOD WORK WHO NEVER GOT A GOLD STAR. I REALLY DO, IT'S

IMPRESSIVE. IT REALLY IS. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY, SO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF INTERVIEWING YOU AND ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES AND GETTING TO KNOW EACH OF YOU BETTER. I MEAN, THE RESILIENCE, THE LEADERSHIP, AND JUST THE INVESTMENT WE AS A COUNTY ARE MAKING INTO OUR 4-H AND OUR KIDS. YOU CAN SEE IT.

THEY CAN GET UP HERE AND TALK. THEY'RE JUST ADVANCING BEYOND THEIR YEARS. I'M JUST SO PROUD OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU ALL AND BLESSED I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAND YOU YOUR AWARD AT YOUR AWARDS CEREMONY THIS PAST WEEKEND. AND I MEAN, JUST HEARING EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DO AND ALL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES AS WELL. IT'S TRULY INCREDIBLE AND A GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> WELL DONE. COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> JUST CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE. I KNOW YOU ALL PROBABLY

[01:35:01]

OF YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU ALL DID. >> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EACH ONE OF YOU. I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOU ALL. YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND YOU GOT A REALLY BRIGHT FUTURE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO IN REPRESENTING HAYS COUNTY.

>> WELL DONE. WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE COUNTY. IT'S TRUE.

WE'RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE VARIETY AND ALTHOUGH I WASN'T IN 4-H, I GOT TO VISIT MY FAMILY'S FARMS AND RANCHES. SO I HAD THE EXPOSURE AND LOVE OF HORSE BACK RIDING AND CATTLE AND ALL THE OTHER PIECES. BUT I'M ALSO PRIVILEGE TODAY HAVE BEEN THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR HECK, ALMOST AS LONG AS YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ALIVE. I KNOW IT SOUNDS WEIRD. I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING MISS SOTO GROWING UP. SPECIFICALLY SO. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO HAND YOU MR. GOOD BARS AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS I'VE DONE. I'M HONORED TO BE HONORING YOU GUYS AND YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR 4-H BECAUSE WITHOUT 4-H, WE GO HUNGRY. SO THANK YOU ALL. COME ON UP.

THANK YOU AND THANK YOU ALL.

[F.4. Presentation on the Bobcat RISE Partnership by Daphne Tenorio, Hays County Treasurer. B E C E R R A /T E N OR IO]

>> PLEASE OPEN F4. >> F4. PRESENTATION ON THE BOB CAT RISE PARTNERSHIP BY DAPHNE TENORIO, HAYS COUNTY TREASURER.

>> IT IS A WONDERFUL DAY TO BE A TEXAS STATE BOBCAT TODAY. AND I AM SO EXCITED TO BRING FORTH THIS PARTNERSHIP. MY NAME IS DAPHNE AND I AM YOUR HAYS COUNTY TREASURER AND I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MATTHEW, WHO IS A STUDENT OF THE BOBCAT RISE PROGRAM. SO LET'S GET INTO WHAT BOBCAT RISE IS. BOBCAT RISE IS TEACHING STUDENTS WITH HIGH FUNCTIONING INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES OR OTHER DISABILITIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE. SO THIS NEW PROGRAM WAS INSTITUTED THE YEAR THAT I BECAME TREASURER. AND IT WAS INTRODUCED TO ME, AND I WAS SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT. WE'RE NOW ABLE TO BRING IT TO FRUITION. WHAT IS BOBCAT RISE? BOBCAT RISE IS TO TEACH RESILIENCE AND DEPENDENCE, SELF-DETERMINATION AND EMPOWERMENT TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. SO, IT IS A FOUR YEAR RESIDENTIAL POST SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OR IDD'S. THEY'RE

[01:40:01]

IDD BY THE NUMBERS. 6.5MILLION PEOPLE HAVE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. OF THAT, ONLY 19% ARE EMPLOYED. 28% HAVE NEVER HAD A JOB. AND THE MEDIAN EARNING WAGE IS ABOUT $11,000. SO, THIS IS OUR PARTNERSHIP MENU THAT'S BEEN CREATED FOR BOBCATS. IT IS A SITE VISIT, WHICH IS A 30 TO 60 MINUTE IN PERSON GROUP WHERE THEY COME IN AND LEARN ABOUT THE OFFICES AND THEY LEARN WHAT SKILLS YOU NEED TO WORK IN AN OUTSIDE OFFICE. IT'S A QUESTION AND ANSWER OPPORTUNITY. CLASS VISITS, WHICH WE BRING PROFESSIONALS INTO THE RISE PROGRAM TO GET IDEAS OF WHAT IS OUT THERE AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP. FOR ME, IT'LL BE THE FINANCIAL LITERACY PORTION. JOB SHADOWING. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME WATCH US AS WE DO OUR JOBS TO LEARN WHAT IS OUT THERE AND WHAT THEY CAN EXPERIENCE. AND WE SHARE OUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES WITH THEM. THIS IS WHERE WE'RE STARTING NOW IS THE MICROINTERNSHIPS. THE MICROINTERNSHIPS ARE FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS. THE STUDENTS WILL BE IN OUR OFFICE FOR EIGHT TO TEN HOURS A WEEK. THEY'RE IN PERSON. THEY WORK WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND COMPLETELY SUPPORTED BY THE RISE STAFF. IF THE STUDENT NEEDS ASSISTANCE, TEXAS STATE PROVIDES A STAFFER TO COME WITH THEM TO HELP THEM GET THROUGH PROCESSES. AND AT THE END OF THE INTERNSHIP EVALUATION, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

IS THAT IT? SO OUR PARTNERSHIP GOALS, WE TALKED ABOUT THE SIGHT VISITS, THE SHADOWING AND THE FINAL GOAL WAS THE INTERNSHIP.

THE BOBCAT RISE COORDINATOR WAS UNABLE TO JOIN US TODAY AS SHE IS WELCOMING NEW STUDENTS INTO THE PROGRAM RIGHT NOW. I AM SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SAID THIS AT ANY MEETING. I'M SO STOKED TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS FOR HAYS COUNTY AND THE WONDERFUL STUDENTS A PART OF IT. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT MY PERSONAL STORY IS WITH MATTHEW MATTHEW I MET WHEN HE WAS PROBABLY IN FIRST GRADE. AND BEING ABLE TO WATCH HIM GROW AND BEING ABLE TO WATCH HIM ACHIEVE MORE THAN, WE PUT LIMITS ON CHILDREN SOMETIMES AND WE THINK THERE'S A DISABILITY AND WE DON'T GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY. HERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE ARE OFFERING ALL STUDENTS TO DEVELOP WHO THEY ARE AND TO ACHIEVE WHAT WE KNOW THEY CAN DO. SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THIS NEW PROGRAM. IF ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT IS INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH TEXAS STATE BOBCAT RISE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM, AND WE ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY THRILLED. SO THANK YOU.

>> I AM SO PROUD OF THIS ENDEAVOR THAT WE, IT'S WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BUT WE AS HAYS COUNTY CAN ALL HANG OUR HAT ON AS

[01:45:05]

>> THERE'S A VERY SIMILAR PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AUBURN THAT ONE OF MY FRIENDS' SONS WENT THROUGH. AND THE INCLUSIVE ON CAMPUS, HIS SON HAS SEVERE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES X HE JOINED A FRATERNITY. HE HAS A BROTHERHOOD, AND HE HAS A SET OF FRIENDS THAT HE WOULD NEVER HAD IF HE WASN'T OFFER THAD OPPORTUNITY. I FULLY SUPPORT.

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM BUT IT SEEMS TO OPERATE IN A SIMILAR WAY AND I FULLY SUPPORT IT.

>> SO, BOBCAT ALUM. NOT TO SAY, BUT EAT 'EM UP CATS. I GOT TO EXPLORE MOVE IN DAY WITH THE PRESIDENT THIS WEEKEND. IT WAS SUCH AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. GOODNESS GRACIOUS DO WE LOVE OUR ÚUNIVERSITY AND ALL THINGS ABOU IT. I'M SO HAPPY YOU GOT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS PROGRAM AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT CONTINUE TO GROW. I KNOW THAT MY DEPARTMENT OR MY PRECINCT OFFICE FROM A COMMISSIONER SIDE OF THINGS WOULD LOVE TO HELP AND WORK WITH YOU ALL. I'VE TALKED TO A COUPLE PEOPLE FOR SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO SUPPORT.

>> JUST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PROGRAM. I'VE WATCHED MATTHEW GROW OVER THE MANY YEARS, AND I'M ALWAYS JUST REMARKABLE. I KNOW THE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY BEHIND HIM THAT SUPPORT HIM. HE ALWAYS AMAZES ME EVERY DAY. SO CONGRATULATIONS MATTHEW AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> DEFINITELY. IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME WHEN YOU COME UP AND SPEAK AND THE MANY PROGRAMS YOU'RE INVOLVED IN. THIS IS A GREAT ONE. I JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS AND LEADERSHIP AND MATTHEW, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU HERE AND BEING IN THE PROGRAM. WE KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL. WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS.

>> I WANT TO SAY ONE MORE THING. >> HOW MUCH MONEY IS THIS GOING

TO COST US? >> NOTHING.

>> THE BUDGET SEASON IS UPON US. >> SO I WILL SAY THERE ARE ONLY FOUR UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS OFFERING THIS. ONE OF THEM IS TEXAS STATE AND I AM SUPER PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT. AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE.

I'M GOING TO JUST TELL YOU THAT MATTHEW HAS A NICKNAME SINCE HE WAS IN SECOND GRADE? FIRST GRADE? I'M LOOKING AT HIS MOM.

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN IT GOT PUT ON HIM. HIS NICKNAME HAS ALWAYS BEEN MIGHTY MATTHEW. SO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR ALL THE MIGHTY MATTHEWS OUT THERE. I HOPE THEY ALL GET THE SUPPORT

THEY NEED. >> EAT 'EM UP! ITEM UP! GO CATS, GO! GOOD JOB. THANK YOU.

LET'S DO A QUICK PIC. I WANT YOU TO KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT RECESS. AND WE'RE GOING TO

>> WE ARE BACK FROM A SHORT RECESS. THANK YOU, CAMERAMAN FOR

[J.4. Discussion and possible action on the termination of all contracts with Flock Safety. B E C E R R A]

PLEASE OPEN J4. >> J4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE TERMINATION OF ALL CONTRACTS WITH FLOCK SAFETY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

>> SINCE WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP ON BOTH THAT ONE AND G14, CAN WE OPEN BOTH OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME?

>> NO. I'M GOING TO DO ONE AT A TIME. DO WE HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED

UP TO SPEAK? >> YES. A FEW OF THESE FORMS ARE FROM THE LAST COURT SESSION, AND THEY REFERENCE BOTH ITEM G13 AND I3. SO I CAN READ THEM ALL NOW OR LATER.

>> IS THERE SOMEONE THAT SIGNED UP FOR THIS PERSON IN PERSON. I WOULD LIKE TO GO WITH THE IN PERSON FIRST. NOPE? ALL YOURS,

ROXANNE. >> SOMEONE RAISED THEIR HAND.

>> SOMEONE RAISED THEIR HAND? WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IN PERSON ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? SPECIFICALLY. TELL ME YOUR NAME.

>> I'M ALLISON BOOST. >> THERE IT IS. RIGHT ON TOP.

AND THIS IS J4. THAT'S RIGHT? IT'S NOT G14. YOU'LL HAVE TO

SPEAK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT J4. >> THAT'S FINE.

>> YOU'LL HAVE A THREE MINUTE TIMER. STATE YOUR NAME.

[01:50:03]

>> MY NAME IS ALLISON BOOST. I'M A SENIOR FELONY PROSECUTOR WITH THE HAYS COUNTY DISTRICT'S ATTORNEY. I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE IN MY REGULAR COURT THIS MORNING HANDLING CASE IS, I'M HERE TODAY IN PART BECAUSE I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED BY THE MISINFORMATION THAT'S BEING PUSHED ABOUT FLOCK CAMERAS. I CAN TELL YOU FLOCK CAMERAS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS ARE THINGS I DEAL WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY. LEGALLY, THEY'RE NOT A PRESSING ISSUE. THERE IS NO LEGAL DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE OR WHETHER IT REQUIRES A SEARCH WARRANT OR IS AN INVASION OF PRIVACY. THIS IS OPEN PUBLIC INFORMATION. THIS IS NOT AN INVASIVE SEARCH AND THIS IS NOT PERSONAL INFORMATION. LICENSE PLATE READERS ARE JUST THAT.

THEY READ LICENSE PLATES, AND THEY KEEP A RECORD OF WHEN A LICENSE PLATE WAS SEEN AT A PARTICULAR DATE AND TIME. AND EVERYBODY HAS BEEN ASKING ABOUT WHY WE CAN'T PROVIDE NUMBERS FOR THE CASES THAT HAVE BEEN SOLVED BY FLOCK CAMERAS AND THE ANSWER IS THAT IS SIMPLE. FLOCK DOESN'T SOLVE CRIMES.

DETECTIVES AND POLICE WORK THAT RELIES ON PART ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FLOCK IS WHAT SOLVES CRIME. I CAN TELL YOU CASE AFTER CASE I HAVE DEALT WITH, WHETHER IT'S MURDER, SEXUAL ASSAULT, SERIAL AGGRAVATED ROBBERY CASES, BURGLARY CASES THAT HAVE BEEN SOLVED, IN PART, BECAUSE OF FLOCK. NOT ENTIRELY BASED ON FLOCK, BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL THAT PROVIDES THAT FIRST STEP FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE CASES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS ON BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FLOCK.

IT'S ABOUT THINGS LIKE BEING ABLE TO VERIFY SOMEONE'S ALIBI AND ELIMINATE THEM AS A POTENTIAL SUBJECT IT'S ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PUT A SCHOOL ON LOCKDOWN WHEN A LICENSE PLATE WITH A PERSON WHO HAS MADE THREATS IS IN THE AREA OF THE SCHOOL. IT PROVIDES AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. IT HELPS US LOCATE MISSING CHILDREN. THERE ARE SO MANY THING THAT IS FLOCK DOES EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT SOMEHOW HAS GOTTEN LOST IN THIS CONVERSATION. AND INSTEAD, WHAT I'VE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IS FLOCK BEING USED FOR MASS DEPORTATION AND INFORMATION BEING PASSED ALONG TO ICE. IF YOU SPEND THE TIME AND ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THIS SYSTEM, YOU WILL FIND OUT THAT WHILE ICE CAN UNDER CERTAIN SITUATIONS ACCESS VERY LIMITED INFORMATION FROM FLOCK, THIS IS NOT A TOOL THAT IS GOING TO BE USED FOR MASS DEPORTATION. THERE'S NO WAY IT CAN EFFECTIVELY BE USED FOR THAT. BECAUSE IT DOES NOT TRACK PEOPLE. IT ONLY TRACKS LICENSE PLATES. AND UNTIL YOU HAVE A DETECTIVE WHO HAS ACCESS TO THAT REGISTRATION INFORMATION TO CONNECT A PERSON TO A VEHICLE, IT'S MEANINGLESS.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW ROXANNE, PLEASE READ.

SAME RULES APPLY. WHETHER FOR OR AGAINST, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. IF THEY'RE COPY AND PASTE, USE THEIR NAMES.

>> WE ALSO HAVE A FEW E-MAILED COMMENTS FOR THE ITEM G14. I CAN

READ THOSE SEPARATELY. >> SEPARATELY.

>> GOT IT. OKAY. FIRST E-MAILED PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM SHARON WHITE. KAREN WRITES DEAR COMMISSIONERS' COURT, I'M WRITING TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED INSTALLATION AND USE OF FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS IN HAYS COUNTY.

I'M A RESIDENT OF KYLE TEXAS AND THE CAMERAS ARE ALREADY IN USE IN OUR CITY IN HAYS COUNTY. FLOCK CAMERAS ARE A PROVEN TOOL TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT SOLVE CRIMES, RESPOND TO AMBER ALERTS AND DETER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES. THEY DON'T TRACK INDIVIDUALS, IMMIGRATION -- CONNECTED TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE SEEN FALSE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION CIRCULATING ABOUT THE CAMERAS. I URGE YOU TO BASE YOUR DECISION ON FACTS, PROVEN RESULTS AND THE SAFETY NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY RATHER THAN POLITICAL NARRATIVES. STAND WITH THE CITIZENS WHO VALUE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND EFFECTIVENESS LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO HAYS COUNTY.

SINCERELY, KAREN WHITE. NEXT PUBLIC COMMENT IS FOR. MELISSA DIKEMAN. DEAR COMMISSIONERS' COURT, AGENDA ITEM G13 AND I3 OF LAST SESSION. I AM WRITING TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED INSTALLATION AND USE OF FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS IN HAYS COUNTY. THIS IS A COPY PASTE LINE REGARDING A PROVEN TOOL TO SOLVE CRIMES, RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLES AND RESPOND TO

[01:55:05]

THESE SYSTEMS HAVE PROVEN TO EMPOWER LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ACT QUICKLY, OFTEN RECOVERING STOLEN VEHICLES AND PROPERTY WITHIN HOURS. THE COST OF AN ACTION IS FAR GREATER THAN THE INVESTMENT REQUIRED FOR THESE CAMERAS IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT WHERE MOBILITY ALLOWS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TO CROSS JURISDICTIONAL LINES WITH EASE, HAVING ACCESS TO ACCURATE REALTIME INFORMATION IS NOT A LUXURY, IT'S A NECESSITY. REMOVING THE CAMERAS FROM OUR JURISDICTION BECAUSE OF CONCERNS OVER DATA SHARING WOULD NOT MAKE HAYS COUNTY SCHIEFFER. IN FACT, THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THE OPPOSITE. THE AUSTIN COUNTY COUNCIL VOTED TO END IT OVER UNFOUNDED DATA SHARING CONCERNS THAT IT RESULT IN DEED 165 ARRESTS AND ABOUT 134 PROSECUTIONS AND ONE MISSING ENGAGED PERSON FOUND. A SIMILAR DECISION BY THIS BODY WILL NOT MAKE HAYS COUNTY, DRIPPING SPRINGS OR OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ANY SAFER. I URGE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO APPROVE CONTINUED FUNDING AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE CAMERAS. THIS IS A PROACTIVE, DATA DRIVEN AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE DECISION THAT PRIORITIZES THE SAFETY AND PEACE OF THOSE WE SERVE. AS OUR SHERIFF OFTEN SAYS AND I FULLY AGREE, PEOPLE OVER POLITICS.

RESPECTFULLY, ROB MCCLELLAN. THE NEXT E-MAILED COMMENT IS FROM TOM BOMB. DEAR COMMISSIONER'S COURT, I'M WRITING TO URGE YOUR VOTE AGAINST CONTINUED INSTALLATION ANDFLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS IN HAYS COUNTY. THEY'RE CLAIMED AS A PROVEN TOOL TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT SOLVE CRIMES, RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLES, RESPOND TO AMBER ALERTS AND DETER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THIS IS ANOTHER COPY AND PASTE. THE NEXT E-MAILED COMMENT IS FROM ALYSSA GARZA. SHE APPEARED IN PERSON. DO YOU WANT ME TO READ THIS? DEAR COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I'M WRITING TO INVEST IN SOCIAL WELL BEING, NOT AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS.

PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY SAFETY BY APPROVING $9 MILLION FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, INCLUDING REPRESENTATION FOR IMMIGRANTS AND EVICTION DEFENSE AND FUNDING CAPITOL IDEA AT $100,000 TO EXPAND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT AND HELP RESIDENTS EARN LIVING WAGES. THESE INVESTMENTS WILL DO FAR FAR MORE TO STRENGTHEN OUR COUNTY. I OPPOSE THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH FLOCK SAFETY OR OTHER ALPR'S. RESEARCH REGARDING THE CAMERAS INDICATES MANY AREAS OF CONCERN, INCLUDING THEIR USE IN MASS SURVEILLANCE, POTENTIAL FOR VIOLATING THE RIGHTS TO PRIVACY, USE OF THE DATA BY PRIVATE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS AND USE BY ICE AGAINST IMMIGRANTS. THE SAN MARCUS CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY VOTED 5-2 TO EXPOSE THE EXPANSION OF FLOCK CAMERA AND AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO END THE CONTRACT WERE LICENSE PLATE READERS. THEY'VE BEEN USED TO STOCK OR HARASS INDIVIDUALS AND RESEARCH SHOWS THEY DON'T REDUCE CRIME. PLEASE VOTE FOR PDO AND CAPITOL IDEA, NOT ALPR'S AND USE THE COUNTY'S LIMITED FUNDS TO INVEST IN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND OTHER STRATEGIES SHOWN TO REDUCE CRIME. THANK YOU, ANNA WATAZ. THE NEXT E-MAILED COMMENT IS FROM DARREN MCCON VILLE. DEAR COMMISSIONERS COURT, I WRITE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE FLOCK CAMERAS. IN AN ERA OF PUBLIC SAFETY CHALLENGES, THEY'RE A CRITICAL TOOL FOR INVESTIGATORS, RESPONDERS AND THE BROADER WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES. FLOCK CAMERAS ARE AN ESSENTIAL EVIDENCE BASED INSTRUMENT THAT AIDS LAW ENFORCEMENT IN SOLVING CRIMES, RECOVERING STOLEN VEHICLES, EXPEDITING AMBER ALERTS AND DETERRING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. ANOTHER CUT AND PASTE. NEXT MESSAGE IS FROM AMY MULLIGAN FOR IN SUPPORT OF FLOCK CAMERAS. DEAR COMMISSIONERS' COURT, ITEM G3 FROM LAST SESSION. I'M WRITING TO EXSTRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT OF FLOCK CAMERAS. THEY'RE A PROVEN TOOL TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENTS SOLVE CRIMES, RESPOND TO AMBER

[02:00:04]

NEXT E-MAILED COMMENT IS FROM KINESON BRIAN. DEAR COMMISSIONERS COURT, I'M WRITING TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED INSTALLATION OF FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS. THEY'RE A PROVEN TOOL TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT SOLVE CRIMES, RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLES, RESPOND TO AMBER ALERTS AND DETER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. ANOTHER CUT AND PASTE. NEXT FROM MARCY CLARK. I'M A RESIDENT OF HAYS COUNTY. I BELIEVE THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC WITHOUT ERODING THE PRIVACY OF THE CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTY. THE ARGUMENT IN THE NAME OF SAFETY AND OLD AND TIRED. THEY TRACK AND SURVEY CITIZENS WITHOUT A WARRANT.

FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS, WHICH USE AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY, REPRESENT A FORM OF MASS SURVEILLANCE THAT BLINDLY COLLECTS DATA ON MILLIONS OF INNOCENT DRIVERS, LOGGING THEIR ACTIONS, TRAVEL PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITHOUT ANY SUSPICION OF WRONG DOING. IT'S A DRAGNET THAT CAPTURES EVERYONE, TRADING A DATABASE OF PERSONAL MOVEMENTS THAT CAN REVEAL SENSITIVE DETAILS ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE WORK, WORSHIP, SEEK MEDICAL CARE OR VISIT FRIENDS AND FAMILY. AS A VOTING CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTY, I ASK YOU U TO DENY THIS REQUEST FOR THESE CAMERAS FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE. SINCERELY MARCY CLARK. NEXT E-MAILED PUBLIC COMMENT IS FROM JACOB MOLINA. DEAR COMMISSIONERS, I AM WRITING TO STRONGLY OPPOSE THE PROPOSED CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH FLOCK SAFETY. THESE CAMERAS CONTRIBUTE TO MASS SURVEILLANCE, VIOLATE COMMUNITY TRUST AND PUT IMMIGRANT WORKING CLASS AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AT RISK. I FIND IT TRULY FRIGHTENING THAT THERE ARE SOME IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT SEEK TO SURVEIL. IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM OF ANY VALID DEMOCRACY.

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE DESIRE TO EXPAND ON CAMERAS THAT VIOLATE THIS PRIVACY ARE A DETRIMENT TO ALL IN THE COMMUNITY AND DON'T REALLY DO MUCH TO HELP WITH CRIME. PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS CONTRACT AND INSTEAD INVEST IN REAL PUBLIC AND HEALTH SAFETY SOLUTIONS THAT ARE COMMUNITY INFORM AND HAD TRANSPARENT. THIS NEXT OR THE FINALLED E-MAIL COMMENT IS FROM SHIRLEY OGLETREE. PUBLIC COMMENT OPPOSING AUTOMATED LICENSE READERS. PLEASE VOTE AGAINST ITEM 13 FROM THE PREVIOUS. I STRONGLY OPPOSE LICENSE PLATE READERS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS. WE DO NOT KNOW HOW FEDERAL OFFICIALS OR OFFICERS WHO BUY ACCESS TO THIS DATABASE WILL USE THIS INFORMATION.

LAW-ABIDING RESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTY CONTRIBUTING TAXPAYERS COULD BE HARMED. AND NUMBER TWO, A CRIMINAL COULD STEAL OR USE THE CAR OF A LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN TO COMMIT A CRIME AND THE OWNER OF THE CAR COULD THEN BE CHARGE AND HAD CONSEQUENTIALLY FACE A LEGAL BATTLE. THANKS FOR CONSIDERING THESE COMMENTS.

SHIRLEY OGLE TREE. >> THAT'S THE END OF THAT? OKAY. SO, I AM SO GRATEFUL. WE HAD THIS AGENDA ITEM MAYBE COMMISSIONER INGALSBE THREE WEEKS AGO AND YOU ASKED FOR MORE TIME TO DISCUSS WITH THE COMMUNITY. I'M GRATEFUL YOU TOOK THAT EFFORT. YOU MADE THE ATTEMPT AND HAD THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THE COURT HOW THAT WENT AND MAYBE IF THAT CHANGES ANYTHING IN YOUR MIND?

>> WELL, WE HAD TWO MEETINGS, JUDGE. THE VERY FIRST ONE WAS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THERE WAS TWO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THERE.

AND I THOUGHT THE MEETING WENT WELL. THERE WERE SOME ITEMS THAT THE SHERIFF AGREED TO DO. AND TO IMPLEMENT. BUT I KNOW THAT THERE WAS STILL A LOT OF CONCERN. AND SO LAST NIGHT, WE HAD THE PUBLIC FORUM, WHICH I WAS GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF. THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SHOWED UP AND VOICED THEIR CONCERNS AND ASKED THEIR QUESTIONS. AND EVEN THOUGH IT GOT HEATED, I THINK THAT IT WAS VERY BENEFICIAL TO HEAR EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID LAST NIGHT. AND, YOU KNOW, A FEW PEOPLE ASKED WHY WASN'T A MEMBER FROM FLOCK INVITED TO THE FORUM. AND WE WEREN'T SURE, YOU KNOW, WHAT EXACTLY THE COMMUNITY WANTED AT THIS FORUM. BUT I THINK THAT IT COULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL, JUDGE, TO HAVE ANOTHER MEETING WITH FLOCK REPRESENTATIVES, MAYBE IN THIS

[02:05:06]

POINT. >> OKAY. I'M GLAD FLOCK REPRESENTATIVES SPOKE HERE IN COURT JUST A LITTLE WHILE AGO.

IS THAT FLOCK REPRESENTATIVE STILL HERE? YES? NO? MAYBE SO? EITHER WAY. I'M GLAD FLOCK IS PAYING ATTENTION AND THEIR COMMENTS WERE CLARIFYING. I'M GLAD FOR THAT. YOU MENTIONED YOU MET WITH THE SHERIFF AND A COUPLE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THE SHERIFF SUGGESTED SOME THINGS, BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH. WILL YOU

TELL US WHAT THAT WAS. >> THERE WAS A PUBLIC PORTAL THAT HE WAS WILLING TO INITIATE. TO REQUIRE ANY OFFICER THAT UTILIZED THE FLOCK SYSTEM TO PROVIDE A REASON WHY THEY WERE ON THE SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY A CASE NUMBER. TO ALSO ASK THE FLOCK REPRESENTATIVES WHETHER THOSE ENTITIES UTILIZING OUR INFORMATION WOULD ALSO, CAN ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A CASE NUMBER AND OR REASON WHY THEY'RE UTILIZING THAT INFORMATION. AND THE AUDITS ARE CURRENTLY DONE EVERY QUARTER. AND THE SHERIFF IS WILLING TO IMPLEMENT A REQUIREMENT THAT BE DONE EVERY MONTH. SO THOSE WERE THE FOUR AT THIS TIME. BUT I WANT TO LOOK TO SEE IF THERE'S OTHER SAFEGUARDS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT. THAT'S WHY I FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT TO SPEAK WITH THESE FLOCK

REPRESENTATIVES. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU SAID THAT. BECAUSE IN HEARING ALL THESE COMMENTS, SOME INDIVIDUALS, MAYBE ACCIDENTALLY, MAYBE ON PURPOSE, HAVE MUDDIED THE WATERS IN SAYING THAT SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY EQUALS SUPPORT OF THESE CAMERAS. AND I CONSIDER THAT A FALSE FRAMING. SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND THERE'S NOT, FRONT ROW CONSTABLE, THERE ISN'T ONE LAW ENFORCEMENT ITEM THEY CAN POINT TO THAT I'VE SAID NO TO. WE SEE THEM, WE KNOW THEM. THE PROBLEM I KEEP HEARING IS ABOUT FEDERAL MILITARIZATION AND OVERREACH.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE GUY THIS IS THIS COURTROOM. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE SHERIFF. IT'S NOT ABOUT SUPPORTING ANYONE IN OUR FOOTPRINT. THE COMMENT YOU JUST MADE ABOUT THE SHERIFF OFFERING A LOG, IF YOU WILL, I'M JUST GOING TO PARAPHRASE IT DOWN, I THINK DOESN'T SOLVE THE REAL ACHE OF THE MILITARIZATION THAT IS ACTUALLY, LITERALLY. NOT FIGURATIVELY, TAKING PLACE IN OUR NATION. AND IT IS THAT UNLAWFULNESS IN MANY SPACES THAT IS SUPPORTED SO MUCH AS TO WHY AT THE BEGINNING ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS SAID YOU GUYS UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND NOW YOU DON'T. WHAT'S CHANGED? THE MILITARIZATION OF OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS WHAT'S CHANGED. SO I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE SHERIFF HAS HISTORICALLY IN EVERYTHING I TOUCH BEEN VERY ACCOMMODATING.

HIM AND SHERIFF BAILEY. THEY'VE CONTINUED TO BE SUPPORT I HAVE OF THE EVOLUTION OF THAT DEPARTMENT AS THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN THAT SPACE. BUT I BELIEVE THIS IS NOWHERE NEAR ADDRESSING THE REAL CONCERN, AND IT'S NOT ABOUT LOGGING OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMING IN AND OUT OF IT OR HOW OFTEN WE CHECK HOW OFTEN THEY COME IN AND OUT OF IT. IT'S ABOUT THE FEDERAL ACCESS. THAT'S THE REAL ACHE. THAT'S THE ACHE OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE DON'T TREAD ON ME ENERGY. YOU CAN START CREATING

[02:10:02]

YEAH. >> I WAS JUST SHARING.

>> I APPRECIATE IT. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAD THE MEETING. I REALLY AM. I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THE RESPONSE

ABOUT IT. COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> I'VE NEVER FELT A MORE DIVIDED ISSUE IN MY TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF LISTENING AT ALL THE ISSUES. THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE EQUALLY DIVIDED ON BOTH SIDES. I APPRECIATE THE MEETING AND SHERIFF HIPOLITO ATTENDING THE MEETING. IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE TWO GROUPS TO COME TOGETHER AND LISTEN TO EACH OTHER. I DEFINITELY LEARNED A LOT SITTING IN THAT MEETING. I LEARNED QUITE A BIT LAST NIGHT AT THE FORUM. THERE WAS DEFINITELY A TONE. AND I REALLY WAS HOPING THAT WE COULD BUILD BRIDGES INSTEAD OF WALLS WITH EACH OTHER. AND I FEEL LIKE THAT FAILED LAST NIGHT. BUT IT ALSO SHOWED ME THAT MORE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO BE HAD. I DON'T FEEL.

WELL, LET ME BACK UP. JORDAN, WHAT LEGAL IMPLICATIONS ARE THERE WITH CANCELING THE CONTRACT? IF ANY. THAT'S NOT

PRESENTED. >> WHEN I SAW THIS AGENDA ITEM, I PULLED THE CONTRACT I WAS AWARE OF WITH FLOCK. THE TERMINATION PROVISIONS AROUND THAT WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE TERMINATION AND COST $3,000. AND THAT WOULD TERMINATE ANY SORT OF CAMERAS OR HARDWARE WE HAVE WITH FLOCK AND THEY WOULD COME PICK

UPTHEIR EQUIPMENT. >> SO, I AM ALSO KIND OF IN THE SAME REALM AS COMMISSIONER INGELSBE. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE JUST CANCELING THE CONTRACT COMPLETELY, BUT I'M ALSO NOT COMFORTABLE WITH EXPANDING IT. I FEEL THAT I NEED TO HEAR MORE INFORMATION FROM THE FLOCK REPRESENTATIVE. I WOULD HAVE LIKED THEM TO BE THERE LAST NIGHT. THEY OFFER TODAY COME TO THE FORUM, BUT I FELT IT ALREADY MAY BE A CONTENTIOUS FORUM AND ADDING HIM TO THE CONVERSATION MAY HAVE GONE EVEN WORSE. I THINK WE, AS A COURT, DEFINITELY NEED TO HEAR FROM FLOCK. AND HEAR OUR CONCERNS AND SEE HOW WE CAN BRIDGE THE GAP THERE AND FIND COMMON GROUND. AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO PUSH AT THAT NATIONAL LEVEL. FLOCK IS A NATIONAL COMPANY. WE HAVE TO PUSH AGAINST THEM THAT WAY. I GET THAT. IT'S NOTHING AGAINST OUR OWN LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY'RE DOING THEIR BEST TO SOLVE CRIME, AND THIS IS JUST A TOOL THEY USE TO DO THAT. THAT IS KIND OF

WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW. >> VERY GOOD. COMMISSIONER.

>> SO, OKAY. I'M JUST GOING TO HAVE AN OPEN CONVERSATION. I THINK IT'S BETTER WHEN WE COLLABORATE AND ANSWER THEM.

THIS WAS PUT ON THE AGENDA AND APPROVED MISSING A PAGE.

CORRECT? THAT WAS DONE FEBRUARY? >> CORRECT. IN FEBRUARY.

>> SO, WE HEARD. WE DIDN'T HEAR A WHOLE LOT OF CONTENTION THEN.

SO, WHAT HAS, BECAUSE YOU HEAR THESE REBUTTALS, AS YOU WILL. OF IT'S BECAUSE OF PRIVACY AND IT'S BECAUSE OF BIG BROTHER.

BUT WHERE WERE THOSE CONCERNS IN FEBRUARY? OR IS IT REALLY BECAUSE OF SB-8? IS THAT THE TRUE REASON? I WANT TO KNOW AND WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? I WANT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS. WHY DO YOU THINK NOW WE'RE SEEING CONSTANT DISCUSSION AND CONSTANT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE COURT IN FEBRUARY. WE APPROVED IT. A PAGE WAS MISSING AND NOW IT HAD TO BE BROUGHT

BACK TO COURT. >> I WILL START AS SIMPLY AS THE LEADER OF THIS KILL IT ENERGY, I WILL TELL YOU THAT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT THAT WE AS A COURT GAVE IT ORIGINALLY GOES FURTHER TO SPEAK ON OUR CONSTANT SUPPORT AND SHORT OF BLIND FAITH AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. HOWEVER. HOWEVER. NOW THAT WE'VE SEEN WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE POST THAT VOTE, NOW I DON'T TRUST THEM. I DON'T TRUST THEM AT ALL. I DON'T TRUST THEM AS FAR AS I CAN THROW THEM. I DON'T TRUST THEM FOR NOTHING. I DON'T TRUST THEM WITH MY OWN PERSONAL SAFETY.

MUCH LESS ANYONE ELSE'S THAT HAS ANY KIND OF PIGMENT IN THEIR SKIN OR ANY INTEREST IN BEING PRIVATE BECAUSE THEY LIVE ON A

[02:15:03]

>> SO WE DO THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF SB-8.

>> IT'S ABOUT THE FEDERAL MILITARIZATION AND THE WAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TREATING PEOPLE ON ALL FRONTS AT THIS MOMENT. NO MATTER WHAT. IF YOU WANT TO SINGLE IT OUT TO ONE ITEM, THAT'S UP TO YOU. BUT I'VE SAID NUMEROUS TIMES IT'S

A BUNCH OF ITEMS. >> OKAY. SO IT'S FROM A FEDERAL STANDPOINT IS WHY WE'RE PRETTY MUCH, FOR A GENERALIZATION.

>> AND THE CONSTITUTION. YEAH. LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> OKAY. I WANTED TO GET A GOOD LAY OF THE LAND, TOO. I THINK THAT WE'VE ALSO BEEN TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LET'S FUND THE PDO. I THINK THE PDO DOES GREAT THINGS AND WE DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT. BUT IT'S NOT A PLUG AND PLAY FROM THIS FUNDING. WHERE IS THIS FUNDING COMING FROM?

>> IT'S RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT FUNDING THAT CAN ONLY BE

USED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. >> CORRECT. SO IT'S NOT A PLUG AND PLAY IN THAT REGARD. THAT REBUTTAL IS OFF THE TABLE. I'M NOT SAYING WE SHOULDN'T HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS. I 100% THINK WE CAN ALWAYS HAVE MORE CONVERSATION. I'M JUST SAYING WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE REASON WHY IN FEBRUARY WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS MUCH DISCUSSION AROUND IT AND WHY NOW WE HAVE SO MUCH DISCUSSION AROUND IT. AND UNDERSTAND THE AGENDA OF OTHER PEOPLE AND GROUPS AND OTHER THINGS AND GET A GREAT. BECAUSE WE REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF HAYS COUNTY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO THEM AND ALSO TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SHERIFF HIPOLITO HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO MAKE US DISTRUST HIM. NOT ONCE. HE'S IN SUPPORT OF THIS. I'VE SAID THIS FROM THE START. I SUPPORT OUR SHERIFF. SO, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR US TO COME TO CONCESSIONS ON THESE CAMERAS? IS IT GOING TO BE, I MEAN, I KNOW THEY'VE MET WITH DIFFERENT GROUPS. THEY'VE HAD POINTS OF OKAY, YEAH, WE CAN DO BETTER HERE AND THERE AND ASK FOR A CASE NUMBER. I MEAN, WHAT POINT ARE WE OKAY WITH THEM FROM A STANDPOINT OF A COMPROMISE?

>> I THINK A GOOD COMPROMISE, SINCE YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT THE DIALOGUE ANGLE HERE. WE USUALLY LET EACH COURT MEMBER SPEAK ININTERRUPTED. THAT'S THE INTENT BUT YOU'RE ASKING FOR THE BACK AND FORTH SO I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU. IN THE VERY KNEE JERK REACTION RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT A COMPROMISE, I WOULD SIMPLY SAY, AGAIN, THE FALSE NARRATIVE OF YOU'RE ANTILAW ENFORCEMENT AND YOU DON'T WANT PUBLIC SAFETY IS ABSORBED, RIDICULOUS AND NARROW MINDED. TO PROVE IT, A POTENTIAL COMPROMISE IN MY HEART WOULD BE KEEP THE CAMERA SYSTEM LOCAL.

PUT UP OUR OWN CAMERA SYSTEM FOR OUR OWN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NOT HAVE THESE NATIONAL COMPANIES WITH TERRIBLE REPUTATIONS TRACKING PEOPLE, WHETHER IT BE A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. WHETHER IT BE A PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUE OR A PRIVACY ISSUE.

WHATEVER THE ISSUES MAY BE, IF WE CREATE A CAMERA SYSTEM, EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, TO DO ALL THESE WONDERFUL IDEAS, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD COMPROMISE. THE PROBLEM HERE IS WHEN IT LEAVES OUR JURISDICTION.

>> I GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, TOO. I DO THINK, I'VE SAID THIS LAST TIME. YOU SAID THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMERAS ARE NOT IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE. I THINK EVERYONE WANTS OUR COMMUNITY TO

BE SAFE. >> EXACTLY.

>> NO MATTER WHAT SIDE THEY'RE ON, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF

GOING ABOUT DOING IT. >> EXACTLY.

>> I WILL SAY FROM THE JURISDICTION OF JUST KEEPING THE CAMERAS HERE AND LOCALLY, I DO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF REASONS WHY THAT CANNOT HAPPEN FROM A HEY, IF THEY LEAVE THE COUNTY THEN OR IF WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER COUNTY COME INTO OUR COUNTY, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH OUR LOCAL COUNTIES. SO MAYBE IT'S A TEXAS THING. MAYBE IT'S A KEEPING IT WITHIN THE STATE.

>> SO WHAT HAPPENS IS ONE OF OUR EARLIER SPEAKERS. I WON'T CALL THEM OUT. SAID THE CAMERA SYSTEM CAPTURES ONLY A MICROSECOND.

IT'S NOT THAT MUCH OF A TIME OR THAT MUCH OF A PRODUCT, THE PLATE. WELL, IT'S ONLY PLATES. IT'S NOT PEOPLE. I'M SORRY, BUT IN MY LIFE, YOU RUN MY PLATES, THEY COME BACK TO THIS PERSON. EFFORTLESSLY. WE'RE INFINITELY CONNECTED. AND SO THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE CAPTURING A MICROSECOND, REALIZE THAT MICROSECOND IS A BREAD CRUMB TRAIL ALONG 35 FROM BROWNSVILLE ALL THE WAY TO DALLAS OR FROM LAREDO TO HOUSTON. THEY GET DOTTED UP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE SAW AND THERE'S FACTUAL PROOF OF AND I KNOW IT'S NOT OUR GUYS, BUT EVEN CHIEFS OF POLICE USING THIS IN PERSONAL MATTERS THAT ARE UNDESIRABLE, UNPROFESSIONAL

[02:20:04]

FLOCK JUST HAPPENS TO FALL EFFORTLESSLY IN LINE WITH IT.

>> THERE'S ALSO BEEN CLAIMS, TOO, IF MY DAUGHTER WAS CAPTURED, IF SHE WAS KIDNAP AND HAD WE NEEDED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE SHE WAS, I 100% WOULD SAY I WANT EVERY SINGLE FLOCK CAMERA TO TRACK DOWN MY CAMERA. I HAD SOMEONE SAY FLOCK DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER. AS RUDE AS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN, I GET WHERE THEY'RE COMING FROM. I UNDERSTAND FLOCK DOESN'T CARE ABOUT MY FAMILY. I UNDERSTAND THEY'RE A FOR PROFIT CORPORATION AND MAKING THEIR MONEY. WE CAN'T SIT THERE AND DISMISS ALL FOR PROFIT CORPORATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? THAT ARGUMENT IS ALSO OUT.

WHENEVER SOMEONE IS SPEAKING AND SAYING THE INDIVIDUAL IS NOT TRACKING INDIVIDUALS BUT NOT LICENSE PLATE, THE BIGGEST PART OF THAT IS SAYING IT'S NOT TRACKING THE LICENSE PLATE READERS DON'T TRACK COLOR. I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE CAN AND WE ARE FLAWED INDIVIDUALS, AS PEOPLE ARE. AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ALSO ALWAYS GOING TO BE BAD APPLES IN EVERY SINGLE PLACE. EVERY SINGLE INDUSTRY THAT WE LOOK INTO. I JUST WANTED THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. I WANTED TO HAVE BACK AND FORTH.

IT'S IMPORTANT. WE CAN'T TALK OUTSIDE OF THIS COURTROOM.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. THIS COURT, JUST SO YOU KNOW, OPERATES TWO MEMBERS CAN GO AND TALK AMONGST THEMSELVES BUT THAT'S IT. EVERY OTHER CONVERSATION NEEDS TO HAPPEN HERE WHERE THE FIVE OF US ARE TOGETHER AND WE'RE DOING YOUR BIDDING IN FRONT OF YOU AS IT SHOULD BE. AND COMMISSIONERS, I TOTALLY SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. I SUPPORTED IT EVERY TURN. I'M THE GUY THAT STANDS UP IN FRONT AND SAY I KNOW I'LL GET TROLLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING I'M THE DEVIL AND EVERYTHING ELSE BECAUSE I GO OUT FRONT. YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT'S PART OF THE JOB. I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS FOR WANTING TO BE OUT THERE WITH THIS INFORMATION. I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNICATION. I APPRECIATE A FULL COURTROOM.

BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT GOOD, LOCAL GOVERNANCE LOOKS LIKE. ENGAGE. SEE US. JUDGE US. THAT'S THE JOB. WE WORK FOR YOU. SO, I'M NOT AFRAID OF THIS. I'M NOT SHRUGGING AWAY WITH A FULL COURTROOM. WHETHER YOU SUPPORT ME OR NOT, YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. THAT'S THE WAY TO BE. COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> I THINK I BROUGHT THE OTHER AGENDA ITEM. ORIGINALLY I DID IN FEBRUARY. I BROUGHT THE OTHER AGENDA ITEM TODAY AND THREE WEEKS AGO. I WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO GIVE MY COLLEAGUES ADDITIONAL TIME. I WANT TO SAY IF YOU ALL FEEL YOU NEED ADDITIONAL TIME ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO NOT PUSH FOR A VOTE TODAY. WHAT I'LL TELL YOU IS THE RHETORIC AROUND THIS HAS TURNED TO A POINT OF NOT ENGAGEMENT. I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS WE LOOK AT THOSE WHO TESTIFIED TODAY, WE'VE HEARD FROM SOME OF THE SAME PEOPLE FOUR AND FIVE TIMES REPRESENTING THE SAME ORGANIZATION. IT'S VERY CLEAR WHERE THEY'RE AT. I DON'T NEED TO HEAR FROM THE SAME EIGHT INDIVIDUALS AGAIN THAT THEY'RE IN OPPOSITION OR THAT THEY ARE IN SUPPORT. I'M PAST THAT POINT. WHAT I WILL SAY IS SOME OF THE RHETORIC THAT WAS PASSED OR SPOKEN ABOUT TODAY KIND OF BAFFLES ME. I SAY THAT.

I LIVED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR ALMOST 15, RIGHT AT 15 YEARS.

AND BEING FROM TEXAS, ONE OF THE THINGS IF YOU WORK IN CONGRESS, YOU CAN MAINTAIN YOUR TEXAS DRIVER'S LICENSE AND YOUR TEXAS LICENSE PLATE AND REGISTRATION. IF AND WHEN. JUDGE, I'M SORRY, DO YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE PICTURES.

>> I TOOK TO YOU. I CAN DO BOTH. >> MY POINT IS THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN OUR LICENSE PLATE. THE FAVORITE THING OF D.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AT THAT TIME, IN THE EARLY 2000S, THEY HAD LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF LICENSE PLATE READERS. I WOULD HAVE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE EVERY THREE HOURS BECAUSE MY LICENSE PLATE WAS TAGGED. AND IF I DIDN'T MOVE MY VEHICLE, GUESS WHAT? 20 MINUTES LATER I GOT A PARKING TICKET. LITERALLY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF TAGS A WEEK. IN THAT ONE MUNICIPALITY. AND IT WAS

[02:25:04]

THOUSANDS OF HOMES ARE BEING BUILT. I WAS THANKFUL THAT OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BUSTED A NUMBER OF RINGS THAT ARE ALL OPERATED OUT OF TRAVIS COUNTY.

THEY COME TO OUR COUNTY TO F1 COMMIT CRIME, AND THEN THEY GO HOME. BY TAKING, AND WE USED IN SOME OF THOSE CASES WE USED CAMERAS. I KNOW VERY SPECIFICALLY OF MURDER CASES HERE IN HAYS COUNTY THAT WERE, THE PROSECUTION WAS HELPED BY ÚTHE USE OF THESE CAMERAS. SEXUL ASSAULT, VIOLENT CRIME. I HAVE A PERSONALLY, I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE VEHICLE WAS STOLEN IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY. AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCESSED OUR CAMERAS AND FOUND THAT VEHICLE. AND SO, WHERE DO WE DRAW THAT LINE WITH SHARING? DO WE SHARE IT WITH OUR LOCAL PD'S? DO WE SHARE IT WITH DPS? WELL, WHAT IF DPS OPERATES STATEWIDE BUT THEY'RE NOT THE FEDS, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY DO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. DO WE SAY OKAY, WELL, THE FBI IS INVESTIGATING A SERIES OF MURDERS BUT WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT TO ICE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE DRAW THAT LINE. WE'VE NEVER DRAWN THAT LINE IN THE PAST WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY AND HONORING ALL SECTORS OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AND HAVING THEM WORK AS A TEAM. WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TAKING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY AND OUR LOCAL OFFICIALS, OUR LOCAL OFFICERS IN UNIFORM WHO EVERY DAY DO THEIR BEST TO NOT ONLY PROTECT US, BUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT COIN, AND I'VE SAID THIS DOZENS OF TIMES IN THIS COURTROOM. EVERY DAY THEY WORK ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS OF THOSE CRIMES. NOT TO PREVENT CRIME. ONCE IT HAPPENS, THEY WORK TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR THOSE VICTIMS. AND THIS IS A TOOL THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR TOOL BOX THAT HELPS PROVIDE THAT. AND TO REMOVE THAT FROM THEM, I JUST DON'T, I CANNOT SUPPORT REMOVING THAT FROM THEM.

AND YOU ALL KNOW WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE. MY VIEW HASN'T CHANGED. I CAN TELL YOU IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE AT THIS POINT. I'VE HEARD FROM LITERALLY, THE SAME AS YOU JUDGE, DOZENS OF CONSTITUENTS. DOZENS AND DOZENS OF THOSE WHO ARE COUNTY RESIDENT WHO IS ARE NOT MY CONSTITUENTS. I CAN TELL YOU THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY CONSTITUENTS THINK THIS IS A GOOD TECHNOLOGY AND THEY SUPPORT IT. I'M GOING TO REPRESENT MY CONSTITUENTS ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS TODAY.

>> GOOD JOBAND THANK YOU, SIR. SO, IT IS MY BELIEF, AS THE CHAIR OF THE COURT TO READ WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS ARE LEANING TOWARDS, AND I BELIEVE THE COMMISSIONERS WANT MORE TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT FURTHER. AM I RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS? IS THAT WHAT YOUR INTENT IS OR YOU HOPE YOUR ITEM IS? IT'S MY ITEM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR GOAL IS.

>> FOR ME, JUDGE, YES. >> I'M OKAY WITH THAT BECAUSE THIS ISN'T GOING AWAY. AND LIKE COMMISSIONER SMITH SAID, MY OPINION ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE EITHER. YOU GOT TO STAY VIGILANT. YOU GOT TO STAY ENGAGED. THIS IS YOUR COMMUNITY.

IF IT DOESN'T REPRESENT YOU, YOU SHOULD SPEAK UP. AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER SMITH, I WROTE DOWN ONE OF THE THINGS YOU JUST SAID.

WE'VE NEVER DRAWN THAT LINE IN THE PAST. THIS COURT HAS A MAGNIFICENT RECORD OF SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT. I CAN SAY THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE AND NO CONCERNS. WE'VE NEVER DRAWN THAT LINE IN THE PAST, UNTIL NOW. BECAUSE WE'VE NEVER HAD THE FEDERAL ABUSE OF POWER UNTIL NOW.

>> I THINK SOME WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT, JUDGE.

>> THAT'S OKAY. IT'S MY TURN TO TALK. I WASN'T ASKING FOR THE BACK AND FORTH LIKE COMMISSIONER HAMMER WAS. RESPECT THAT SPACE FOR A SECOND. IT IS THE FEDERAL OVERREACH THAT CONTINUES TO BE THE CONSTANT IN THE BEATING OF MY DRUM. AND ALL THE CONSTITUENTS REACHING OUT TO ME AND THE PLUS MORE THAN 50

[02:30:02]

THESE SYSTEMS CAN COST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS ANNUALLY. THAT MONEY COULD INSTEAD GO TOWARDS OTHER COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS AND MEASURES. FOR EXAMPLE, MENTAL HEALTH, ET CETERA. ONCE THIS PROGRAM IS UNLEASHED, I HAVE SEEN NO EVIDENCE OF TRUE OVERSIGHT IN WHAT OR WHO HAS ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. WE'VE EVEN HEARD OF THE OPEN NINE TARGET GETTING HACKED. BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS OF PIECES OF INFORMATION ON THE REGULAR ARE ON THE NEWS, 5:00 TELLING US OH, THIS JUST GOT HACKED. WILL WE EVER KNOW IF IT WAS REAL OR SOLD OR SHARED FOR CONVENIENCE? WE'LL NEVER KNOW. AND WE'RE ALL IN THIS SAME POOL TOGETHER. THIS ISN'T ABOUT LEFT VERSUS RIGHT. ANOTHER FALSE NARRATIVE. THIS IS ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR LOCAL PEOPLE. KEEP THE BIG GOVERNMENT. KEEP THE STATE GOVERNMENT, EVEN. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE STATE OVERREACH. KEEP THAT OUT OF THE AREA. LOCAL CONTROL AS IT SHOULD BE. WE'LL TABLE THIS AND BRING IT BACK. PLEASE DON'T LET THIS GO.

SO NOW WE WILL ALSO NOT OPEN YOURS, COMMISSIONER. IS THAT

FINE? >> I'M GOOD WITH THAT.

>> OKAY. SO HOW OLD YOU LIKE TO PURSUE NEXT? IT'S BUDGET TIME.

THAT'S WHAT WE GOT TO DO. THAT CONCLUDES THAT. JUST TO BE FAIR, AND WE ALWAYS DO THIS, WE'LL TAKE A 5 MINUTE RECESS AND COME

[K.1. 11:00 a.m. - Budget Workshop regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Possible action may follow. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]

AGENDA ITEM K1. >> K1. 11:00 A.M. BUDGET WORKSHOP REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET. POSSIBLE

>> ALL RIGHT. SO, DID WE HAVE SOMEONE SIGN UP TO SPEAK ON THE WORKSHOP? OKAY, GOOD DEAL. WELL, OKAY. GOOD. THAT PART IS DONE.

AND OF COURSE, I'M 45 MINUTES BEHIND SCHEDULE. BUT WE'VE HAD GOOD DIALOGUE, AND THE COMMUNITY'S ENGAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT TO WHAT WE DO. SO, VICKY, IF IT'S FINE WITH YOU THEN, WE ARE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES. >> I THINK HE JUST HANDED SOME

PUBLIC COMMENT. >> OKAY. SINCE I HEARD YOU HAD A TIME LINE, MY AIM IS TO BE MOST SUPPORTIVE.

>> THANK YOU, KINDLY. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GINA ROGERS AND A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY. IT'S GREAT HONOR AND PRIDE I'M HERE TODAY TO SEEK FUNDING FOR THE 2026 YEAR. WE'VE MADE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE THE INCEPTION IN 2021 AND BEFORE THEN AS ACTIVE MEMBERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE HERE TODAY SEEKING $35,000. AND HERE'S WHY. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A VIDEO. IT'S ALREADY BEEN CUED.

OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF SINCE WE OPENED THE MUSEUM. LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THIS WONDERFUL HISTORIC COURTHOUSE. THIS MUSEUM IS A

[02:35:03]

SO, WE ARE BEYOND PROUD TO SHARE THIS HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY.

OUR VISION FOR THE MOVIE YUM WAS A SEED THAT WAS PLANTED WHEN WE REALIZED THERE EXISTED IN NO OTHER PLACE IN CENTRAL TEXAS THAT RECOGNIZED THE ORIGINAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THAT EXISTED LONG BEFORE TEXAS COUNTY WAS CREATED. WALLS ONE AND TWO RECOGNIZE THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THE SERIES OF ORIGINAL INDIGENOUS FOOT TRAILS. THAT FOLLOW EACH SIDE OF THE COURTHOUSE AND FOUND ON THE EAST SIDE OF IH-35. THE LANDOWNER SHIP IN EARLY 1800 OF JUAN MARTIN OF SAN ANTONIO. WALL THREE IS HISTORY DATING TO THE ORIGINS OF THE FALL OF THE ALAMO AND DEDICATED TO THE UPCOMING, UNDERTOLD MARKER OF THE VERA CRUZ INSTALLED LATER THIS YEAR. A MUTUAL AID SOCIETY, WHICH IS ANOTHER UNDERTOLD HISTORICAL MARKER RECOGNIZING THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE EARLY 1900 COMMUNITY ADVOCATES WHO WORK TO UNITE UNDERPRIVILEGED MEXICAN AND AMERICAN COMMUNITY. AT THE HEART OF THE MUSEUM ARE SEVEN OUT OF EIGHT PANELS DEDICATED TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE LIVED IN HAYS COUNTY FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OR LONGER. TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUM PANELS, IT REQUIRED WE INTERVIEW FAMILIES NOT ONCE BUT TWICE TO OBTAIN THEIR ORAL AND VISUAL HISTORIES. I WANT TO INTRODUCE ANITA COLLINS WHO CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT, WHICH SHE'S DEFINITELY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

>> HI. ANITA COLLINS. I JUST, WE'VE HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH OUR VISUAL HISTORIES. WE HAVE SCREENED TWO THIS YEAR. ONE FOR THE TOBIAS FAMILY OF KYLE AND THEY, WE HAD TWO SHOWINGS OF THAT VIDEO. BOTH TO CAPACITY OF THE SCREENINGS. AND THAT WAS A VERY INTERESTING STORY AND VERY HEARTFELT. WE ALSO SCREENED THE GARZA FAMILY AS WELL. WE ARE NOW GOING TO BE SCREENING THE CRUZ, RICHARD CRUZ'S FAMILY AND EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ONE OF THESE FLYERS. AND I JUST WANTED TO, ALSO ONE THING WE DID DIFFERENTLY WITH THIS ONE IS WE INVITED ONE OF HIS CHILDHOOD FRIENDS, WHICH IS ALSO A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF SAN MARCOS AND THAT'S FRANK. THEY WILL SHARE STORIES THAT THEY HAVE FROM THEIR CHILDHOOD AND THEIR YOUTH. BUT I'D LIKE TO READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THIS RICHARD CRUZ VIDEO IS ABOUT. IT IS THE FOURTH IN THE SERIES OF A CENTURY. IT'LL FEATURE AN INTERVIEW WITH LONG TIME RESIDENT RICHARD CRUZ, A KEY FIGURE IN OUR LOCAL HISTORY. YOU'LL LEARN HOW HIS GRANDPARENTS IMMIGRATED TO HAYS COUNTY AND WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE WHEN THEY CAME HERE. A STORY THAT MIRRORS THE EXPERIENCES OF MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY. YOU'LL BE DRAWN INTO RICHARD'S RESURRECTION OF HIS YOUTH AS HE RECOUNTS HIS CHILDHOOD WITH HIS FRIEND, FRANK. YOU'LL FEEL THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES IN VIETNAM THAT EARNED HIM THE PURPLE HEART AND THE STRUGGLES HE WENT THROUGH TO BRING THE VETERANS' MEMORIAL TO SAN MARCOS. JOIN US FOR THIS FREE SCREENING ON SEPTEMBER 7TH. WE JUST ASK, IT'S FREE. BUT WE ASK THAT YOU

[02:40:07]

>> SO, THIS YEAR WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM IN PARTNERSHIP TO INSTALL INTERPRETIVE PANELS, INCLUDING TWO ALONGSIDE THIS COURTHOUSE. CURRENTLY RECOGNIZED WITH THE CHISM TRAIL MARKER AND ALSO AT THE SACRED SPRINGS. WE'VE WORKED ON TWO UNDERTOLD MARKERS. THE FAMILY OF KYLE IS CURRENTLY ON ITS WAY TO BE CAST.

THE SECOND MARKER INSCRIPTION IS FOR THE EAST GUADALUPE NEIGHBORHOOD PLATTED IN 1895 AS THE FIRST MEXICAN AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD CALLED THE CADY EDITION. THIS WAS MADE UP OF SHARECROPPERS AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN THE EARLY 1900 WHO OVER DECADES BOUGHT THE LOTS AND BUILT HOMES. A COMMUNITY WITH SHOPS AND A SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILDREN. EVENTUALLY, UNDER A 1962 COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATEELED FOR THE ELIMINATION AND PREVENTION OF SLUMS AND BLIGHT, THE VAST MAJORITY OF HISPANIC FAMILIES, INCLUDING 300 FAMILIES, WERE EITHER BOUGHT OUT OR FORCED TO MOVE. THOSE FORCED TO MOVE WERE ORDERED BY A COURT ORDER. WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING WITH THE SAN PEDRO CEMETERY BOARD AND DR. ANNA JUAREZ. IT'S TRULY INSPIRING. THEIR PLAN IS TO PROTECT, RESTORE AND DEFINE PROPERTY LINES AND REINSTALL FOUR HISTORIC PILLARS THAT MARK THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CEMETERY.

SOME OF THE HEADSTONES AND FENCE WERE SCATTERED YEARS AGO AFTER AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK PLOWED INTO THE CEMETERY. THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE CAREFUL RESTORATION OF THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HONOR THEIR ANCESTORS. I WANT TO INTRODUCE ANNA JUAREZ SO SHE

CAN SPEAK FOR A MINUTE. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ANNA JUAREZ, AND FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH US ON SO MANY PROJECTS AND PROVIDING $5,000 OF THEIR FUNDS LAST YEAR FOR THE RESTORATION OF OUR HISTORIC PILLARS. SAN PEDRO HAS BEEN QUITE BUSY THIS YEAR. AS A NEW MEMBER OF THE HAYS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND A WORKSHOP ON PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF CONCRETE GRAVE MARKERS. LIKE SO MANY OF THE ONES FOUND IN SAN PEDRO. BECAUSE VOLUNTEERS AND BOARD MEMBERS REALLY WANTED TO DO HANDS ON WORK AND LEARN HOW TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE THE HISTORIC PILLARS AND GRAVE MARKERS THEMSELVES, WE DECIDED TO ASK THE EXPERTS TO TRAIN AND SUPERVISOR THE VOLUNTEERS RATHER THAN SIMPLY PAY THEM TO DO THE WORK THEMSELVES. BOTH DON HUDSON, WHO RESTORED OUR EIGHT FOOT MOSAIC TILE CROSS AND RYAN DEES WHO CONDUCTED THE WORKSHOP AGREED TO THE ARRANGEMENT AND ARE EAGER TO START WORKING.

BEFORE WE CAN POSITION OUR HISTORIC PILLARS, WE NEEDED A SURVEY. THANKS TO THE EARLY LAND SURVEYING COMPANY, SAN PEDRO WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN A PRO BONO SURVEY OF THE PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, INCLUDING DIGITAL CAD FILES WORTH ABOUT $5,000. THE SURVEY AND CAD FILES CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE GIS WORK THAT I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT IN JUST A MINUTE. AND HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY USEFUL FOR REDUCING THE COST OF CONDUCTING A CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF OUR PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.

UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE THE PROPERTY BOUNDARIES AROUND SAN PEDRO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING EROSION CAUSING THE FENCE TO FALL OVER AND BECAUSE THE CULVERT ON THE HIGHWAY 21 SIDE OF THE CEMETERY FLOODS AND MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED, WE HAD TO DO A CONDITION ASSESSMENT. USING THE FUNDS FROM CITCE, WE'LL PAY UP TO $4,000 CONDITION ASSESSMENT. IT'LL BE COMPLETED BY RJ ENGINEERING. THEY ARE PROVIDING THEIR SERVICES AT ABOUT A 75% DISCOUNT AND HOPE TO FINISH THAT SOON. ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, A CULL WHICH USED THEM IN A COURSE. STUDENTS WORKED WITH HER TO CONDUCT ORAL HISTORIES AND WITH TWO

[02:45:04]

AGAIN, CONTRIBUTED BY THE ARCHAEOLOGIES FOR THEIR CONDITION ASSESSMENT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMPLETING THE WORK SOON. THE LAST THING THAT WE'RE DOING, I THINK SOME OF YOU KNOW ABOUT AND SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN AT ARE THE COMMEMORATION. AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THAT AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. SO. COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M GRATEFUL. WE'VE BEEN INVITED. I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT A COMMUNITY. WE'VE BEEN INVITED BY THE SAN MARCUS RECORD TO SHARE MONTHLY ARTICLES THAT RECOUNT EARLY SPOTLIGHTING, EARLY MEXICAN FAMILIES AND THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS. WE'VE BEEN CONTRIBUTING MONTHLY. WE ALSO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE ANNUAL INDIGENOUS CULTURALS BACK TO SCHOOL BASH. THIS YEAR WE RECEIVED NOMINATIONS TO RECOGNIZE TWO GRADE SCHOOLTEACHERS WITH THE SMALL GRANT IN THEIR REQUEST. IN THEIR QUEST TO TEACH EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM. BOTH YULAND AND BUTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLTEACHERS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED. WE RECEIVED AN INVITATION TO SPEAK AT A CONFERENCE. THE ALLIANCE FOR TEXAS HISTORY RECENTLY. AT THEIR ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT TEXAS STATE. WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO HISTORIANS FROM ACROSS TEXAS. WE RECEIVED E-MAILS, ACTUALLY JUST YESTERDAY. WE PARTNERED WITH OTHER COUNTIES. OUR MUSEUM HAS BECOME ONE THAT HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON. THEY ARE REACHING OUT TO US NOW TO ASK ABOUT OUR SOURCES. SO, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WE ARE NOT, OUR MAIN FOCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN HAYS COUNTY. WE DO HAVE PARTNERS THAT MAKE US SUCCESSFUL. AND HELP US TO SUCCEED. WE'VE ALSO CREATED, AND I'LL JUST SAY CREATED A WONDERFUL CHILDREN'S COLORING BOOK THAT MIRRORS THE MUSEUM EXHIBIT. SO THAT'S BEEN WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH CHILDREN. THERE ARE MANY, MANY WORTHY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE COMMUNITY AND YET, IT IS POSSIBLE SOME ARE NOT AS EFFECTIVE IN SERVICE TO COMMUNITY. WE DO ASK THAT IF THERE ARE FUNDS BEING RETURNED ANNUALLY FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, THAT THEY BE CONSIDERED TO BE REDISTRIBUTED TO GROUPS LIKE OURS THAT HAVE SHOWN THE WILLINGNESS TO DO THE HARD WORK. TO TALK MORE ABOUT A UNITED COME PRESENCIVE HISTORY OF HAYS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND PARTNERSHIP OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR FOUNDING MEMBERS.

>> GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR

COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK

YOU ALL DO. APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, GUYS, VERY MUCH. DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING. THAT WAS A GREAT VIDEO. YOU ALL DID, OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S WHY YOU'RE VERY GOOD AT THAT.

>> IT HAS A LOT OF INFORMATION. >> IT WAS VERY WELL DONE.

>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> THE SAN PEDRO CEMETERY RENOVATION, WHAT ADDITIONAL WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE CEMETERY?

>> SO, UNFORTUNATELY, WE WANT TO RESTORE THE PILLARS AND PUT IN A FENCE. IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAD TO DO THE SURVEY. AND THEN ACTUALLY WE FOUND OUT THAT WE HAVE OUR FENCE IS CURRENTLY.

WELL, WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE TO SIX MORE FEET BEYOND WHERE THE CURRENT FENCE IS. WE JUST DISCOVERED THAT. SO, AND THAT'S ONLY ON ONE SIDE. THE OTHER SIDE HAS LIKE TWO FEET. BUT THE, WE FOUND OUT THAT OUR FENCE WAS FALLING. WE REALIZED HA IT WAS THE PROPERTY WAS ERODING. AND SO WE WILL PROBABLY NEED TO HAVE SOME KIND OF STABILIZATION OF THE ROADWAY ON HIGHWAY 21. AND I KNOW THAT WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE PROJECT, BUT THAT'S WHY WE DID

[02:50:04]

>> SO, ANNA, WHAT CULVERT ARE YOU SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT? I KNOW THAT, I DON'T KNOW, A FEW YEARS AGO, OUR ROAD DEPARTMENT PUT IN SEVERAL BOX CULVERTS UNDER THE OLD BASS DROP HIGHWAY. ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THOSE OR ARE WE TALKING ANOTHER

LOCATION? >> BASS DROP HIGHWAY ONES. WHERE THE GATE, THE ENTRANCE ON THE BASS DROP HIGHWAY SIDE, THAT'S THE ONE THAT FLOODS. WE PROVIDE IT HAD ENGINEERS WITH PICTURES AND ALL OF THAT TO LET THEM KNOW. THEY DID A FIELD SITE VISIT WITH US AND WERE ABLE TO USE ALL THE GREAT WORK THE ARCHAEOLOGISTS DID AND THE SURVEYOR CONTRIBUTED ALL FOR FREE. WE'VE REALLY GOTTEN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DONATED

THIS PAST YEAR. >> SO MAYBE WE CAN TAKE A SITE VISIT OUT WITH OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND SEE WHERE THAT AREA IS SO WE CAN TRY TO ADDRESS IT IN HOUSE.

>> YES. THA WOULD BE FABULOUS. DO WE WANT TO WAIT UNTIL WE GET

THE CONDITION ASSESSMENT FROM? >> SURE.

>> THEY WILL BE PROVIDING A FULL REPORT.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU. THE ONE QUESTION THAT I HAD, AND I KNOW I BRING THIS UP EVERY YEAR, GINA. I FULLY SUPPORT WHAT YOU ALL DO, AND I'VE ALWAYS VOTED FOR THE INCREASES YOU HAVE GOTTEN ON THE BASE FUNDING. IF WE LOOK THROUGH OUR SOCIAL SERVICES, YOU ARE REALLY THE ONLY ORGANIZATION THAT WE HAVE THAT IN THE PAST WE FULLY FUNDED THE ORGANIZATION.

AND ALL OF THEM, I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU, AND I KNOW THE HOUSING. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER COHEN FOR THE HOUSING CONTRIBUTION AS WELL. I WOULD REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU.

WE'RE NOT, WE HAVE SO MANY GROUPS OUT THERE THAT DEPEND ON EVEN JUST THE SMALL BIT THEY GET FROM US. IT MAKES SUCH A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I JUST REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO OUT AND TRY TO SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING. WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES IN THE

TAB. >> I HEAR YOU. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. I MAY REACH OUT TO YOU JUST TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A LIST. IF THERE ARE SOME SOURCES THAT YOU MIGHT PROVIDE, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL. I'M GRATEFUL.

>> THANK YOU AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. VICKY, MOVING FORWARD, WE HAVE A LONG LIST OF PRESENTATIONS. I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE. THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF MEANINGFUL, USEFUL, WONDERFUL PRESENTATION. BUT WE'VE GOT TO TRY TO KEEP IT TO THE ALLOCATED 10 MINUTES YOU GAVE THEM. PLEASE MOVING FORWARD, START A TIMING SO WE GET A BALLPARK OF THEIR TIME USED. NEXT, WE WILL HAVE OUR FINANCIAL ADVISER. COME ON UP, DAN. THAT'S WHAT YOU ASKED

ME TO DO NEXT. >> YEAH.

>> IN YOUR BUDGET PACKET ON PAGE TWO, I'VE CREATED A LIST OF POTENTIAL PROJECTS FOR VERTICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS. SO THIS IS BASED ON SOME OF THE MEETINGS THAT WE'VE HELD WITH OUR CIP MEETINGS. WE'VE ACTUALLY MOVED INTO DESIGN PHASE ON THE KYLE EAST SIDE CAMPUS. SO THERE IS FUNDING SET ASIDE. THIS FY-26 ' FOR THE BEGINNING STAGES OF THAT PROJECT. WITH SOME OF THE OTHER PROJECTS COMING ON BOARD THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED ARE ANIMAL SERVICES BUILDING. THAT COULD POTENTIALLY GO INTO DESIGN IF THERE'S STILL SOME THINGS BEING WORKED OUT AND PARTNERSHIPS. BUT WE'VE GOT SOME DEFINITE NEEDS WE NEED TO ADDRESS WITH THE

[02:55:04]

'27,/'28. >> GOOD AND THANK YOU. OKAY,

DAN. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. DAN WHITE MILLER WITH SPECIALIZED FINANCE. THE TIMELINE TO ISSUE CO'S FOR ADDITIONAL PROJECTS AND THAT CAN BE DEVELOPED THROUGH THIS BUDGET CYCLE YOU'RE WORKING WITH VICKY ON. THE TIMELINE IS LET'S SAY YOU MAKE THAT DECISION BY SEPTEMBER 2ND. WE DO A NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE. WE GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS, BOND RATING, SECURING THAT. I WILL SAY BASED ON THE OTHER CO THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT SAME RATING WILL APPLY OVER IN THE COST OF THAT WILL BE REDUCED. THERE IS SOME EFFICIENCY, EVEN THOUGH THEY'LL BE SEPARATE TO MOVE CLOSELY TOGETHER. ULTIMATELY WE WOULD COME BACK AND HAVE A SALE NOVEMBER 4TH. THEN YOU WOULD HAVE PROCEEDS NOVEMBER 25TH. SO THAT'S REALLY THE EFFICIENT TIMELINE YOU ALL HEARD THIS BEFORE ON THE ROAD STUFF. SO, SAME TIME FRAME. SAME NOTICE REQUIREMENTS. KICKING OFF SEPTEMBER 2ND, HAVE FUNDS BY NOVEMBER 25TH. AND WE CAN JUST PUSH THAT OUT OR STICK WITH THAT SCHEDULE, BASED ON YOUR BUDGET

DECISIONS. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER

INGELSBE, ANY QUESTIONS FOR HIM? >> I THINK WE'RE GOOD.

>> COMMISSIONERS ON THIS SIDE? >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT THE PRECINCT FOUR BUILDING, I THINK THAT BUILDING, IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CURRENT FACILITY, WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS IN HERE THAT IT WOULD TAKE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOME MAJOR RENOVATIONS IN THERE. I THINK THIS SIMPLY INCLUDES THE PURCHASE PRICE AND NONE OF THE RENOVATION COST. I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WOULD ALL PROBABLY FALL IN FY-26. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> RIGHT. SO THESE WERE JUST A FEW SCENARIOS. HOWEVER, YOU WILL, DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING TODAY, YOU'LL BE VOTING ON A TAX RATE. WE'LL NEED TO DETERMINE WHAT THESE PRIORITIES.

WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE ISSUING IN FY26 TO GET THAT BUILT INTO

THE TAX RATE. >> HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT AND WHEN IS THE FINAL DATE TO DO THAT AGAIN? ON THE BUDGET

CALENDAR? >> TODAY.

>> TODAY. >> YES.

>> MY CONCERN IS THAT I KNOW WE'VE GOT, I'M TRYING TO GET AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR FOLKS IN THERE TO GET A BALLPARK ESTIMATE ON WHAT THOSE RENOVATION COSTS WILL BE. AND I'VE GOT A GENERAL ONE FROM THE GROUPS WORKING WITH THE COUNTY BUT NOT A HARD ONE.

>> ANYTHING TO ADD? >> HAYS COUNTY AUDITOR. I WOULD JUST LIKE VICKY AND DAN HAVE SAID, IT'LL DEPEND ON WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS VOTE ON AS FAR AS WHAT WE'LL BE ISSUING. WE LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE FINANCIALLY. WHERE WE ARE WITH OUR FUND BALANCE. WE WANT TO MAINTAIN A GOOD FUND BALANCE WHEN WE GO OUT

FOR THE BOND RATING AGENCY. >> IF WE HAVE TO SQUEEZE DOWN TO TWO OR WHATEVER YOU WERE SAYING, VICKY, EARLIER, MY SUPPORT CONTINUES TO BE STRONG FOR THE COMMISSIONERS' WORK ONGOING FOR THE EAST CAMPUS AND THE PET RESOURCE CENTER, WHICH IS GROSSLY URGENTLY NEEDED. AND IF WE'VE GOT TO PUSH THE OTHERS TO '27, SO BE IT. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO OVERBURDEN OUR

RESIDENTS. >> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING YOU ALL CAN TALK ABOUT LATER. WE DEFINITELY NEED TO DETERMINE HOW YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE PUBLIC HEARING THIS AFTERNOON. BUT YOU CAN ISSUE MORE NOW BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THIS WITHIN THREE YEARS. SO WE KNOW WE HAVE A TIMELINE FOR THE EAST SIDE CAMPUS THAT THAT SHOULD BE

[03:00:01]

RIGHT DAN? >> THAT'S RIGHT. THERE'S ONE OTHER PIECE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AND YOU'VE USED IN THE PAST BUT THE REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTIONS FOR CERTAIN COSTS THAT YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND START MOVING FORWARD ON AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A DESIGNATION OF WHERE THOSE FUNDS ARE COMING FROM. IT'LL ALSO ALLOW YOU TO AVOID ANY SORT OF OVER ISSUE WANS WHERE WE ESTIMATE A PROJECT TOO HIGH AND HAVE PROCEEDS LEFT OVER.

THERE'S A BALANCE THERE AS YOU WORK THROUGH THIS, THERE MAY BE SOME ELEMENTS YOU CAN IDENTIFY THAT FIT UNDER A REIMBURSEMENT

TYPESET-UP. >> OKAY. IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, DAN, YOU'RE LUCKY FOR THE CUTS. VICKY ASKED ME TO GIVE YOU CUTS AND YOU GOT THEM. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE DOWN THE LIST AS STATED. THOSE PRESENTING, JUST KNOW THE TIMER IS JUST AN INDICATOR. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A HARD STOP. IT'S TO GIVE YOU A BALLPARK OF HOW MUCH YOU'VE TALKED. MAKE IT MEANINGFUL. WE HAVE A LIST OF FOLKS. NEXT WE HAVE COMMUNITY ACTION. IF YOU CAN PLEASE ALWAYS STATE YOUR TIME AND TITLE FOR

THE VIEWING PUBLIC. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. MY NAME IS DAVID WILEY. I HAVE FOUR WORK COLLEAGUES WITH ME. THEY'RE HERE. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIME TO HAVE OUR, I'LL JUST DO A PRESENTATION. I HAD A POWER POINT. THERE WE GO. THIS IS ABOUT OUR HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC. WE HAVE, IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. GO ALL THE WAY UP TO THE FULL SLIDE.

I'M SORRY. WE'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1968. AND WE HAVE SEVEN FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. FIVE OF WHOM WORK DIRECTLY WITH PATIENTS. AROUND WE SEE ABOUT 14 TO 1500 NEW PATIENTS EVERY YEAR AND ONLY ABOUT 12.5% OF THEM ARE FUNDED. BASICALLY WE ARE THE SOURCE FOR WELL WOMAN'S CARE IN HAYS COUNTY FOR UNINSURED RESIDENTS. YOU CAN SEE WE DO EXAMS, PREGNANCY TESTING AND I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE BIRTH CONTROL DEVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAMILIAR YOU ARE WITH THE COST OF THOSE. BUT THE LONG ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRATIVES ARE $1000 PER DEVICE. WE'RE CONSTANTLY IN SEARCH FOR FUNDS. THAT'S THE REASON FOR COMING TO VISIT WITH YOU TODAY. WE HAVE A VERY INCONSISTENT FUNDING STRING. SO, AS COMMISSIONER SMITH MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS AMOUNT, THE $70,000 WE'RE COMING TO YOU FOR IS ONE OF THREE OR FOUR FUNDING SOURCES THAT WE HAVE. WE SPREAD OUR NET PRETTY WIDE. THE FEDERAL TITLE 10 FUNDS WE'VE BEEN GETTING FOR YEARS. IT REQUIRES US TO SEE EVERYBODY WHO WALKS IN THE DOOR. OKAY? THEY WERE FROZEN FROM FEBRUARY TO APRIL OF THIS YEAR. FROZEN MEANING WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THAT LED TO US BEING WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF HAVING TO SHUT OUR DOORS IN APRIL. WE HAD AN ALL HANDS ON DECK MEETING. DR.

RICHARDSON AND MATTHEW FROM THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WERE A PART OF THAT MEETING. BECAUSE WE WERE THAT CLOSE TO SHUTTING OUR DOOR BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH OUR FUNDING WAS FROZEN, THE PATIENTS KEEP COMING. THEY'RE STILL IN THE LOBBY. YOU CAN SEE HERE WE WERE CUT 57% FROM WHAT WE NORMALLY GET FROM TITLE 10.

THESE ARE LUMP SUM PAYMENTS. WE GET THE MONEY UP FRONT. THOSE FUNDS HAVE BEEN EXPENDED. WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE STATE THAT OUR TITLE 10 FUNDS FROM THE FEDS ARE GOING TO BE FULLY RESTORED. WE HAVE NOT SEEN IT YET. BUT THE PATIENTS KEEP COMING. WE ALSO GET FUND ING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES. IT'S AROUND $181,000. THIS IS A FEE FOR SERVICE. WE SEE THE PATIENT AND THEN WE BILL TO DSHS. THE FUNDS WE'VE RECEIVED ALREADY HAVE BEEN DEPLETED. WE'VE MADE A REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL $17,000 TO GET US THROUGH THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND THAT HAS TECHNICALLY BEEN APPROVED BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN A CONTRACT FROM THEM. IT'S BEEN SEVERAL WEEKS SINCE WE GOT THE APPROVAL NOTICE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. YOU JUST SEE HERE THE TITLE TEN FUNDING DECLINE FOR OUR CLINIC OVER THE YEARS. AGAIN, WITH THE UNCERTAINTY COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C., WE CONTINUE TO

[03:05:02]

WE'VE SUBMITTED, OUR CLINIC SUBMITTED 188 APPLICATIONS AND A GRAND TOTAL OF 18 CLIENTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. US AND THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ARE THE ONLY TITLE 10, THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WILL ACCEPT HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN PATIENT. A POLITICIAN OR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS WELL, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO GET FUNDED BY HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN, IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO QUALIFY FOR. ALSO, WE HAVE TO BILL $330,000 JUST TO RECEIVE $104,000 IN REIMBURSEMENT. AS YOU CAN SEE, YEAR TO DATE, WE'VE BUILT AROUND 33,000.

WE'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT FROM HAYS COUNTY FOR SEEING ALL THESE UNINSURED PATIENTS. WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK FOR THE COUNTY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WITH NO REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS A POLITICALLY VULNERABLE FUNDING STRING. IT INVOLVES REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND THOSE ISSUES.

ONE BIG CONCERN IS STAFF MORALE AND JOB STABILITY. WHEN YOU GET WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF CLOSING, YOUR STAFF STARTS LOOKING FOR OTHER JOBS. IF YOU EVER CLOSE THE DOORS, IT'LL TAKE FOREVER, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, TO RESTART THE CLINIC. SO, THIS $70,000 THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR BASICALLY WOULD ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO MAYBE BREAK EVEN. THE LARGER ISSUE AND I'VE TALKED WITH MATTHEW ABOUT THIS. WE NEED TO HAVE A LONGER TERM CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NEED FOR WOMEN'S CARE IN HAYS COUNTY. AS YOU ALL KNOW, A FAST GROWING COUNTY MEANS FAST GROWING NEEDS. THIS IS TO GET US THROUGH THIS YEAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A BROADER ISSUE ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH IN GENERAL AND CERTAINLY WITH WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE NEEDS IN THE COUNTY. WE'RE A BIG PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. AND THE COUNTY HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH WORK. WE JUST NEED A LITTLE HELP FROM THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO PROVIDE THE CARE. DR.

RICHARDSON TOLD ME STRAIGHT UP THAT IF WE WERE TO CLOSE, HE LITERALLY HAS NO PLACE TO SEND PEOPLE. WE FIND THAT

UNACCEPTABLE. SO THANK YOU. >> VERY WELL DONE. YOU MADE IT WITHIN YOUR WINDOW OF TIME. COMMISSIONERS, QUESTIONS OR

COMMENTS? >> NO. JUST THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO. IT'S TOUGH.

>> A COUPLE THINGS. ARE YOU ALL STILL WORKING WITH ADDRESSING

CANCER TOGETHER? >> YES AND NO. THAT'S ON THE BREAST CANCER SIDE. SO OUR WOMEN'S CLINIC, THEY DO REFERRALS FOR MAMMOGRAMS OUT OF THAT. MOST OF THEM, THE MAMMOGRAM SERVICES ARE FOR AGES 40 AND OVER. MOST OF OUR CLIENTS ARE CHILDBEARING AGE. THE REMAINING FUNDS OF ADDRESSING CANCER TOGETHER. THAT'S IN THE BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SIDE OF THIS. THOSE FUNDS DON'T GO TO THE CLINIC.

>> ONE OTHER QUESTION. IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU ALL. AS GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS.

>> GOOD NEWS IS BETTER. >> IT'S MUCH BETTER. WHEN, I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE REPRESENTATIVES. IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE SOMEBODY ON FROM OUR COURT WHO ADDRESSES OUR COURT THAT LETS US KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. A MORE GENERAL BASIS THAN THE ONE TIME YOU COME IN ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

RIGHT? MY QUESTION IS WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME, WHEN DID WE APPOINT AS A COMMISSIONER'S COURT MR. THOMPSON TO YOU ALL?

>> I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND. >> WAYNE THOMPSON. IT SAYS HE'S

[03:10:05]

OUR REPRESENTATIVE. >> IT WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.

>> THAT'S WHAT MY QUESTION WAS. HAVING UPDATES FROM OUR REPRESENTATIVE WOULD PROBABLY BE HELPFUL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

KNOWING THAT YOU WERE TWO WEEKS FROM SHUTTING YOUR DOORS AND NOT KNOWING THAT UNTIL WE COME AROUND TO OUR BUDGET PROCESS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE WHENEVER WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE INITIAL

BUDGET PROCESS. YOU KNOW? >> YEAH. I DON'T DISAGREE. BUT I WILL MAKE THE POINT. WE WERE NOT PLANNING ON BEING SHUT DOWN IN FEBRUARY. THIS IS LITERALLY NEWS OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE. SO, I THINK, WHEN THE BUDGET CYCLE IS AS IT IS, IF YOU CAN ANTICIPATE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DO A SHUTDOWN, AN UNANNOUNCED SHUTDOWN FIVE MONTHS IN ADVANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL.

>> WE HAD, FOR EXAMPLE, BY DECEMBER 31ST , WE HAD TO HAVE THE FINAL COMMITMENT OF ALL THE ARPA FUNDS AND DID AN EVALUATION OF THEM. IF WE HAD THE UPDATES OR KNEW THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT, YOU'VE RUN AT A $70,000 DEFICIT FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN HAPPY TO PUT SOME OF MY ARPA FUNDS THAT I CLOSED OUT IN DECEMBER TOWARDS YOUR BOTTOM LINE TO HELP DO THAT. THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARISE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHERE WE MAY IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT IT OR HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO PUT IT IN THERE. IF WE'RE NOT CONSTANTLY UPDATED BUT U FREQUENTLY UPDATED TO YOUR STATUS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> ABSOLUTELY. THE FACT THAT THE ARPA MONEY WAS GOING TO THE BEST CANCER SIDE PROBABLY LED US TO, WE WEREN'T GETTING FUNDING FOR THE CLINIC SIDE, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD REPORT TO. WE'RE LEARNING AS WE GO ALONG HERE. I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS WITH MATTHEW. HE'S MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE TO ME TO HELP US LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BUDGETING PROCESS. WE WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD AS WELL. BECAUSE WE KEPT HEARING FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE RELEASED. AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T BEEN RELEASED. WE'RE LEARNING WE CAN'T COUNT ON WHAT WE'RE BEING TOLD AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. THE $70,000 WE LOSE EVERY YEAR, WE GET FUNDS TO RUN COMMUNITY ACTION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND WE TAKE THOSE FUNDS AND USE THAT TO COVER THE SHORTFALL. BUT THAT'S, WE GET ABOUT $300,000. THAT'S A HUGE CHUNK OF THE MONEY. JUST LIKE YOU ASKED THE PREVIOUS GROUP, WE'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND OUR FUNDING PLATFORM. WE CURRENTLY WITH TITLE 10 AND THE HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN AND DSHS FUNDS BUT ALSO ON THE BREAST CANCER SIDE. WE HAVE A GRANT WITH THE BERDINE FOUNDATION USING THE ARPA FUNDS. WE COMPLETLY GET WE DON'T NEED TO COME TO A SOLE SOURCE. WE'LL BE A CONSTANT PRESENCE IN FRONT OF YOU OVER THE YEARS AS THIS CONTINUES TO GROW. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. WE GOT CAUGHT OFF GUARD WITH THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO TITLE 10 FUNDS. THANK

YOU. >> COMMISSIONER INGELSBE.

>> YEAH. SO DAVID, YOU MENTIONED YOU WERE CARRYING FOR A LOT OF PATIENT IFS THE COUNTY AND NOT GETTING ANY KIND OF REIMBURSEMENT. I'M NOT SURE A QUESTION FOR YOU OR MATTHEW. CAN WE EXPAND ON THAT? IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

>> YEAH. MATTHEW GONZALEZ, HAYS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR. I BELIEVE THE REIMBURSEMENT IS SOMETHING DAVE AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT. WITH OUR HEALTH CARE PATIENTS THAT'S FOR INDIVIDUL WHO IS DON'T HAVE THE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL MEANES TO HAVE OTHER COVERAGE. SO, OUR CONTRACT IS WITH THE THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. I ADVISED DAVID IF HE WANTED TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT, HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THE THIRD PARTY'S CLAIM MANAGER AND BE ABLE TO GET THE REIMBURSEMENT. PART OF THE PROBLEM IS OFTEN TIMES THERE'S GOING TO BE A GAP BETWEEN OUR PATIENTS AND THOSE ON MEDICAID FOR THE FINANCIAL MEANS. OUR FPL, OUR FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL IS AT 21%. OFTEN TIMES DAVID MAY SEE INDIVIDUALS THAT FALL BETWEEN THE 21% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL AND 100% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL. THERE'S A GAP THERE ON THE PATIENTS HE CAN SEE REIMBURSED.

>> ONE OTHER THING, TOO, WE DON'T REALLY SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT OF CHILDBEARING AGE. THAT'S GREAT BUT WHAT WE GET ARE PEOPLE WALKING IN THE DOOR THAT SAY PEOPLE AT THE TRINITY HEALTH CLINIC SENT ME OVER HERE.

[03:15:03]

CAN'T TURN ANYONE AWAY. >> TO CLARIFY, OUR PATIENTS WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE OF THE FACT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SEEING PATIENTS. THAT'S WHY THERE'S THE LACK OF REIMBURSEMENT TO THEM.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHY THERE'S A LINE IN THE LAW AS TO WHAT WE WILL REIMBURSE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. THEY TECHNICALLY ARE NOT OUR PATIENTS. THEY ARE OUR RESIDENTS BUT THEY'RE NOT ED TO SUPPORT.

>> NEXT, WE HAVE KYLE. COME ON DOWN.

>> MY NAME IS CYNTHIA BENTLEY. I'M REPRESENT ING.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE HERE FOR CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE PAST 10 TO 15 YEARS GIVING US $12,000 EACH YEAR TO FUND OUR SENIOR PROGRAM. IT SUPPORTS COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON AGING RELATED TOPICS. WE ARE CELEBRATING 20 YEARS THIS FEBRUARY, 2026, IN SUPPORTING OUR SENIORS IN OUR AREA WITH THE HELP OF THE COUNTY, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPLY THEIR MISSION IN SUPPORTING ADULTS 50 AND OLDER , DISABLED ADULTS IN THE CAREGIVING COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE BEGUN TO BRIDGE GENERATION TO GENERATION WITH INTEGRAL PROGRAMS HELPING FOSTER HEALTHY INTERACTION BETWEEN AGES ALLOWING FOR SHARING OF IES AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH.

A PROJECTION ESTIMATED THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE COUNTY IS 304,214 PEOPLE, SUGGESTING SENIORS ARE ON THE RISE. 2025, WE ESTIMATE THE COUNTY WILL HAVE ABOUT 40,000 SENIORS. THAT $12,000 THAT YOU ALL HAVE GIVEN US FOR THE PAST 10 TO 15 YEARS HAS BEEN STRETCHED. WHEN I SAY STRETCHED, I MEAN REALLY STRETCHED.

THE INTEREST RATE OF THAT $12,000 HAVE DIMINISHED SO MUCH.

IN 2021, THE PERCENTAGE WAS 4. 7 AS FAR AS THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WAS GIVEN TO US HAS DIMINISHED.

WE ESTIMATE RIGHT NOW IN 2024, THE INTEREST RATE -- I'M SAYING INTEREST RATE. I MEAN THE AMOUNT OF THE $12,000 HAS DECREASED WAS 2.9%. WE ARE ONLY ASKING FOR 12,000 -- WE HAVE ONLY BEEN GIVEN $12,000. THIS YEAR WE'RE ASKING FOR $20,000 BASED ON THE RATE THAT THE $12,000 HAVE DIMINISHED, WE SHOULD BE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY.

WE SHOULD BE ASKING FOR LIKE $38,000. BUT WE ARE ONLY ASKING FOR 20.

THAT $20,000 IS BEING USED IN SO MANY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. WE ARE FEEDING THE SENIORS EVERY TUESDAY. WE ARE CHARGING THE SENIORS $6 FOR THEIR MEALS. IT'S A HOT MEAL BEING CATERED, THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT IN.

IT'S COSTING BETWEEN $9 AND $10 IN ORDER FOR US TO PROVIDE THE SENIORS WITH THESE MEALS. MANY OF THE SENIORS, THAT IS THE ONLY HOT MEAL THEY GET. OUR POPULATION IS GROWING.

WE ARE GETTING BETWEEN 5 TO 10 NEW MEMBERS EVERY WEEK.

[03:20:01]

MANY OF OUR SENIORS ARE MOVING INTO THIS AREA.

IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. I MOVED HERE A WHILE AGO IN ORDER TO HELP TAKE CARE OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN SO OUR CHILDREN CAN WORK.

THE CHILDCARE IS VERY EXPENSIVE. SO WE ARE MOVING HERE.

ONCE THE CHILDREN GO -- GET OLD ENOUGH TO GO TO SCHOOL, THEN WHAT ARE THE SENIORS DOING? WE NEED THE SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING IN ORDER TO KEEP US ACTIVE. WE HAVE PROGRAMS SUCH AS FINANCIAL PLANNING, WILLS, NUTRITION.

WE PARTNER WITH THE LIBRARY ON THE INDICATION.

WE ALSO HAVE PROGRAMS WHERE WE WANT GO INTO THE SCHOOLS TO HELP THE TEACHERS TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THEIR -- YOU KNOW, DUTIES AS FAR AS TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED. THAT $12,000 THAT YOU ARE GIVING US IS DEFINITELY BEING USED ONLY FOR THE SENIORS. WE ARE ASKING THIS YEAR FOR $20,000. HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE HAVE USED THAT $12,000 FOR THE SENIORS.

IF YOU ALL HAVE THE FLYERS WE GAVE OUT, OUR NEWSLETTER, YOU CAN SEE THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE.

EVERY DAY IN THAT BUILDING WE ARE HAVING SOMETHING FOR THE SENIORS.

WE WANT TO KEEP THE SENIORS ACTIVE.

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR 50 AND OLDER WITH DISABILITIES ACTIVE.

SO THEY CAN FEEL THAT THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO OUR SOCIETY. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> LET'S FIND OUT. COMMISSIONERS ON THIS

SIDE. >> I'M NOT SEEING -- I SEE HERE IT SAYS FISCAL YEARS '23/'24 AND '24/'25. I DON'T SEE -- AM I CRAZY?

>> I CAN GIVE YOU STATISTICS. IN THE KITCHEN --

>> WHAT WERE YOU LOOKING FOR?

>> THEIR BUDGET. THEIR OVERALL BUDGET.

>> I SEE MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS. I DON'T SEE THE DETAILED BUDGET.

>> ON PAGE 41, THERE'S THE NEED FOR FUNDING.

IT BREAKS DOWN WHAT THEY ARE USING THE FUNDING FOR.

>> THERE'S NO DETAILED BUDGET?

>> THERE'S NOT A DETAILED BUDGET.

>> I CAN GIVE YOU SOME FIGURES HERE. JUST FOR KITCHEN SUPPLIES, WE ARE SPENDING $1,200 FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. FOR SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE, WE HAVE -- WE ARE SPENDING $1,299. IF YOU THINK, IF WE ARE CHARGING SENIORS $6 FOR A MEAL AND WE ARE PAYING BETWEEN $9 AND $10 PER MEAL, AND WE ARE FEEDING THE SENIORS EVERY WEEK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR, IF YOU WOULD TAKE AN ADD THAT UP, YOU GET A FIGURE. YOU WILL SEE, WE ARE IN THE NEGATIVE ALMOST $4,000. WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE ARE HAVING FUND- RAISERS IN ORDER FOR US TO SUPPLEMENT.

THE FUND- RAISERS ARE GETTING OLD.

YOU CAN ONLY HAVE SO MANY BRISKET MEALS, YOU CAN ONLY HAVE SO MANY FISH FRIES ON A FRIDAY DURING LENT. YOU CAN HAVE SO MANY RAFFLES.

THIS IS HOW WE ARE TRYING TO SUPPLEMENT.

>> IS THERE -- YOU GUYS ARE -- DOES THE CITY GIVE FUNDING FOR THIS? DO YOU HAVE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES?

>> THEY ARE NOT GIVING US MONEY. THEY GIVE US THE BUILDING AND PAYING FOR THE EXPENSES TO KEEP THE BUILDING UP. WHERE WE ARE SUPPLEMENTING, IT'S BY US DOING FUND-RAISERS. WE HAVE A FUND- RAISER CALLED CHRISTMAS IN JULY. THAT MIGHT BRING IN ANOTHER $2,000. WE MIGHT HAVE ANOTHER $2,000 OR $3,000. WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING, TRYING TO MAKE THIS WORK.

IN ORDER FOR US TO KEEP -- KEEP US ACTIVE WITH OUR SENIORS.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 10 OR 15 YEARS.

$12,000 15 YEARS AGO PROBABL WOULD HAVE MADE IT.

BUT $12,000 NOW WITH THE DEFICIT ON THE COST OF LIVING, IT'S STRETCHING THAT $12,000. WE CAN ONLY DO SO MANY FUND- RAISERS IN ORDER FOR US TO TAKE IN -- SUPPLEMENT THE

DIFFERENCE. >> TO HELP THE COMMISSIONER ALONG WITH THE THOUGHT PROCESS, CITY OF KYLE IS DONATING THE BUILDING AND WE'RE DONATING $12,000. ARE

[03:25:01]

>> BESIDES FUND-RAISING?

>> WE DID HAVE --

>> FROM THE COUNTY?

>> YEAH. BESIDES THAT.

THAT'S ALL YOU GOT? I THINK THAT'S WHAT SHE'S TRYING TO GET TO.

>> I WAS TRYING TO SEE. THERE'S A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SEVEN, FIVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNDING SOURCES, WHETHER THAT'S THE CITY OF KYLE --

>> NO. WE DO A LOT OF COLLABORATION WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS.

THAT'S HELPING US. UNFORGETTABLE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. WE DO COLLABORATION.

WE ARE NOT FOOTING THE ENTIRE BILL.

OTHER NON- PROFITS OR THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> LET ME SEE IF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

>> NO.

I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS IN THE AREA THAT WOULD NOT HAVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES TODAY WITHOUT THE HELP.

>> RIGHT. WE HAD THREE SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL DISTRICT -- SCHOOL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTIONS THIS PAST FEW WEEKS.

SOMETHING ELSE WE HAVE COMING UP THAT WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH A NON-PROFIT, UNFORGETTABLE FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WE'RE GOING TO STUFF THE BUS WITH COATS. THAT'S ON SEPTEMBER 27 AT WALMART IN KYLE. THOSE COATS THAT WE ARE GOING TO COLLECT WILL BENEFIT THE STUDENTS OR ANYBODY ELSE THAT CALL AND SAY MY KID NEED A COAT, A PAIR OF SHOES. IT'S ON THE FOREFRONT TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN AND OUR SENIORS, GET

WHAT THEY NEED. >> BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU.

>> I DON'T, JUDGE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

VERY INSIGHTFUL. THANK

YOU. >> I DID HAVE ONE QUESTION IN THE MATERIALS YOU GAVE US. HOW MUCH DO Y'ALL MAKE OFF OF THE ADVERTISING REVENUE FOR YOUR

NEWSLETTER? >> WE DON'T MAKE ANYTHING OFF THE ADVERTISING. THE ADVERTISING THAT WE HAVE IN HERE PAYS FOR THE ACTUAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEWSLETTER.

>> THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THERE. I SAW THAT, TOO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS.

>> NEXT WE HAVE THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE.

COME ON DOWN. TRYING TO CHANNEL "THE PRICE IS RIGHT. " BOB BARKER.

DON'T FORGET TO SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS.

START THE TIMER. I HATE TO SAY THAT.

>> CALVER. IF I DIE UP HERE, SOMEONE READ MY PROPOSAL. I'M FEELING UNWELL.

>> THAT'S HILARIOUS.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY POWERPOINT? THANKS.

ALL RIGHT.

LIKE I SAID --

>> I HAVE IT.

>> IF I DIE UP, SOMEONE READ MY PROPOSAL.

>>AMANDA, WE HAVE THIS.

>> HE WOULD GOT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT. I'M HERE JUST TO REQUEST A COUPLE ADJUSTMENTS TO OUR RECOMMENDED BUDGET.

WHEN I SUBMITTED OUR BUDGET AND OUR PRIORITY, GOALS AND INITIATIVED FOR 2026, A FEW OF THE THINGS I OUTLINED WAS NEEDING SUFFICIENT STAFF, PROPER COMPENSATION FOR RETENTION OF STAFF AND TRAINING. OUR OFFICE REQUESTED THREE ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS IN MY OPINION TO GIVE US UP TO HAVING A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF STAFF. I THINK IN REVIEWING THE BUDGET, THERE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING. THE TREASURER'S OFFICE WILL SOON BE EXITING OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT CENTER.

TWO OF THEIR STAFF MEMBERS WHO CURRENTLY RESIDE IN THAT OFFICE WHO WILL BE TRANSFERRING INTO MY OFFICE, THE TREASURER AND I SPOKE AND AGREED THAT IN ORDER TO BEST SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, THOSE POSITIONS SHOULD REMAIN IN THE GOVERNMENT CENTER BECAUSE THEY TIE TO THE COURTS.

THE LAST THING WE WANT IS PEOPLE GOING TO COURT, LEAVING THE BUILDING TO SET UP A PAYMENT PLAN AND THEN HAVING TO COME BACK TO COURT TO PAY.

WE AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE BEST FOR THEM TO RESIDE IN THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE. ALTHOUGH TWO ADDITIONAL PEOPLE ARE COMING INTO THE OFFICE, THEY ARE SIMPLY A TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND JOB POSITIONS THAT EXIST. THEIR PRESENCE WILL NOT ALLEVIATE THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF.

IF ANYTHING, THEY WILL CREATE A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SUPERVISORS IN OUR OFFICE OR SUPERVISOR, WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT POINT, IF YOU CAN LOOK AT OUR CURRENT STAFF ORGANIZATION CHART.

THE POSITIONS WERE TO REORGANIZE IT TO HAVE -- WE HAD

[03:30:03]

SPECIFICALLY, THE CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK POSITION.

I HAVE REVIEWED AND LOOKED AT THE MARKET AVERAGE PAY FOR THAT POSITION.

OUR CURRENT PAY IS $48,697. THE MARKET AVERAGE IS $79,166.

WHEN I SAY THAT MARKET AVERAGE, THAT'S BASED ON THE MARKET SOURCES WE USE TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONERS COURT BACK IN 2022 WHEN WE PAID FOR THE BENCHMARK STUDY. THAT'S IN REFERENCE TO THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SLIDE ONE MORE DOWN, YOU CAN SEE THE COUNTY, THE LOWEST PAID IN OUR MARKET IS STILL $20,000 ALMOST THAN WHAT WE ARE PAYING.

THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY ERIC IN THE HR OFFICE AFTER I REQUESTED A REGRADE FOR THESE POSITIOS TO KIND OF EXPLAIN SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE POSITIONS DO.

I WILL GIVE INSIGHT. I WILL SAY, WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE OUT OF ALL THE POSITIONS IN THE OFFICE, THIS WAS A POSITION I WAS MOST SHOCKED AT THE LEVEL OF COMPENSATION. THESE PEOPLE EACH OF THEM SUPERVISE A MINIMUM OF FIVE PEOPLE AND THEY TRAIN THEM.

THEY SUBMIT RECORDS TO THE COURT OF APPEALS.

THEY FACILITATE AND OVERSEE ALL JURIES AND JURORS TO GIVE YOU SOME PERSPECTIVE, WHEN I SAY JURORS, JUST FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS, WE SUMMON ON AVERAGE FROM 900 TO 1,350 JURORS WEEKLY. SOMETIMES MORE.

THESE ARE THE TWO PEOPLE AT THIS TIME WHO OVERSEE THE DEPARTMENTS THAT OVERSEE THAT. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A YIELD OF 22%. WHICH MEANS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COME IN EVERY MONDAY AND EVERY TUESDAY. THIS IS THE STAFF THAT IS HELPING THEM. THEY ALSO MANAGE THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURT CALENDARS. THEY OVERSEE THE RETENTION AND COMPLIANCE OF RECORDS, SEALING RECORDS, PROCESSING PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND GETTING THEM TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, REPORTING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE BACKGROUND SYSTEM SO PEOPLE WHO CANNOT HAVE FIREARMS ARE UNABLE TO HAVE THEM. CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY PROTECTED. THEY TRACK LEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT AFFECT OUR OFFICE AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES TO FOLLOW THAT NEW LEGISLATION. AS WE KNOW, A LEGISLATIVE SESSION JUST ENDED, WELL, A COUPLE. MOST OF THOSE CHANGES ARE SET TO TAKE AFFECT SEPTEMBER 1ST. IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

THEY PROCESS CASE NUMBERS, WARRANTS, BONDS AND WORK AND COMMUNICATE WITH MULT MRE OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE D.A. 'S OFFICE, JAIL, COMPLIANCE, PROBATION, PRETRIAL, DISTRICT COURTS AND TREASURER'S OFFICE AND MORE. I WISH I COULD BRING ONE OF THEM HERE TO GIVE YOU FURTHER EXPLANATION OF HOW INTENSE THEIR JOB IS.

I CANNOT AFFORD FOR THEM TO LEAVE THE OFFICE, BECAUSE THEY ARE PROCESSING APPEALS, DEALING WITH JURIES TODAY. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES.

LIKE I SAY, I COME ASKING FOR THIS NOT AS A DESIRE BUT AS A NECESSITY TO RETAIN EXCELLENT AND EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF.

WE COULD NOT BRING SOMEONE IN TO TRAIN THEM AND DO THIS JOB AT THE CURRENT SALARY. HOWEVER, WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THEY ARE HERE.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THEM HERE.

THERE HAS TO BE AN ADJUSTMENT. YES, EACH OF THEM HAS DISCLOSED THEY HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY OTHER OFFICES IN NEARBY COUNTIES, INCLUDING TRAVIS AND FEDERAL COURTS. TRAVIS PAYS $85,000 TO START THE POSITION, WHICH WOULD BE A 77% INCREASE FROM THEIR CURRENT SALARY. I BELIEVE WE CAN OFFER THEM A MORE COMPETITIVE SALARY WITHOUT EVEN NECESSARILY BEING THE MARKET AVERAGE. I MEAN, LET'S FACE

[03:35:01]

THESE PEOPLE TRULY LOVE THEIR JOBS. THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO. I THINK WE JUST NEED TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE COMPETITIVE AND SHOW THEM THEY ARE VALUED.

IF WE DON'T, SOMEONE ELSE WILL. ON TO MY NEXT POINT, TRAINING.

TRAINING -- I WILL KEEP IT SHORT AND SIMPLE.

WE REQUESTED MONEY FOR TRAINING BASED ON PRE- PLANNED TRAININGS. WE HAD SET UP MULTIPLE TRAININGS WE KNEW THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST AND THE AVERAGE FOR A HOTEL. WE HAVE 22 PEOPLE IN OUR OFFICE SOON TO BE 25. WE ARE OFFERED $7,500 FOR TRAINING FOR THE YEAR. WE TRY TO MAKE IT WORK AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. DURING OUR SELF- ASSESSMENT OF OUR STAFF FOR EVALUATIONS, THEY OVERWHELMINGLY STATED THEY WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND MORE TRAINING.

WITH CONTINUOUS CHANGES IN LEGISLATION, TRAINING IS NECESSARY. MY REQUIREMENTS CUT INTO A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE BUDGET.

THERE ARE TIMES WHERE I'M LIKE, IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN HOTEL, I WILL.

THAT HAS COME UP. I HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO DO VIRTUAL TRAINING BECAUSE WE CANNOT AFFORD TO SEND THEM IN PERSON. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

WE WORK WITH WHAT WE CAN. WE ALSO UTILIZE FREE TRAINING, LOCAL TRAINING TO AVOID HOTELS.

ONE OF WHICH WE PRE- PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR, THE COUNTY AND DISTRICT CLERK ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS, WINTER CONFERENCE. WE ARE ASKING FOR A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL $1,500 FOR THE YEAR TO BE CLOSER TO OUR BUDGET TRAINING NEEDS.

I ALSO WANT TO PUT A SIDE NOTE, NOT A REQUEST.

BUT I HAVE BEEN IN EXTENSIVE TALKS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGY ABOUT OUR NEED OF AN ATTORNEY PORTAL, WHICH I RECEIVED SO MUCH REQUEST FOR AROUND THE COUNTY FROM TONS OF PEOPLE. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WAS A PRIORITY. ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES HAVE IT.

WE CURRENTLY DID NOT. I'M HAPPY TO HAVE WORKED WITH TYLER AND OUR I.T. DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF TO BE ONE OF FOUR COUNTIES TO BE GRANTED THE OPTION TO BE EARLY ADOPTERS.

THAT WILL HELP HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROGRAM BEFORE IT GOES LIVE. WE WOULD BE ABLE TO START USING IT -- SETTING IT UP AS SOON AS OCTOBER 1. WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THAT PROGRAM IS IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET.

WE ENCOURAGE IT TO STAY THAT WAY.

THE EARLY ACCESS WILL BE OF NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE COUNTY. IN CONCLUSION, MY REQUEST IS THAT THE SENIOR CLERK POSITION THAT WAS RECOMMENDED -- THERE'S A TYPO IN MY POWERPOINT.

IT SHOULD SAY THAT POSITION BE CHANGED TO A CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK.

I'M ALSO VERY MUCH REQUESTING THAT THE CHIEF DEPUTY CLERKS ARE REGRADED CLOSER TO MARKET AVERAGE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN HIRING AND RETENTION OF TALENT. ALSO REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL $1,500 ALLOCATED TO CONTINUING EDUCATION TO TRAIN MY EMPLOYEES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU DID A MAGNIFICENT JOB.

AND YOU DIDN'T FALL OFF. WELL DONE AND THANK YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I APPRECIATE YOU SPEAKING FOR -- ADVOCATING FOR FAIR PAY. BECAUSE YOU ARE RIGHT, WE ARE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK. WE HAVE MAGNIFICENT CO-WORKERS. THEY SHOULDN'T BE PENALIZED BECAUSE WE ARE. SINCE WE ARE, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR -- THIS IS THE BODY TO DO IT -- FAIR PAY WITHIN THE REGIONAL FOOTPRINT AND NOT NECESSARILY HISTORICALLY MANY YEARS PAST WE WERE ALWAYS REFERENCING POPULATION COMPARISONS WITH COUNTIES. I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE IDEA OF, WE NEED TO DO A GET IN THE CAR, DRIVE 30 TO 40 MINUTES COMPARISON, BECAUSE THAT'S WHO YOUR REAL COMPETITION IS.

NOT SOME COUNTY IN EAST TEXAS THAT HAS THE SAME POPULATION.

I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE ADVOCATING THE WAY YOU ARE. I KNOW THIS, BECAUSE I GET ALL THE COMMENTS IN TEXTS AND OTHER WAYS.

YOUR CO- WORKERS WITH WATCHING. THAT CARRIES A LOT IN THEIR HEARTS WHEN THEY SEE THEIR LEADER ADVOCATING FOR THEM. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER?

>> AMANDA, I APPRECIATE THE THOROUGH PRESENTATION.

I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB IN OUTLINING YOUR REQUESTS. THEY SEEM REASONABLE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, ERIC, DID YOU LOOK AT THIS PRIOR? DO YOU AGREE WITH THE ASSESSMENT OF THE MARKET?

>> I AGREE WITH THE CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK ONE, BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST POSITIONS --

INAUDIBLE ] >> THANK YOU.

>> I DO THINK IT MEANS A LOT, ESPECIALLY FEELING SO BAD.

I'M SORRY YOU ARE NOT DOING TOO HOT.

[03:40:01]

>> WELL DONE.

>> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY WITH ERIC. YOU AGREE WITH THE CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK PAY GRADE. YOU DIDN'T ADDRESS --

>> THAT IS THE ONLY PAY GRADE I'M TRYING TO CHANGE.

>> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE. I'M GOOD THEN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TAKE A LOAD OFF. REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

MIKE JONES. PLEASE.

>> MIKE JONES, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES DIRECTOR.

SHORT AND SWEET. I CAN TALK FASTER THAN THAT.

OPEN UP YOUR PACKET, YOU WILL SEE THAT WHAT I HAVE OUTLINED FOR YOU IS THE FIRE MARSHAL SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE COMP HOURS. WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES. THIS IS THE REASON BEHIND THIS BACKUP. YEAR TO DATE COMPS.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S LISTED THERE. THEY USED 77.50.

THAT'S FROM JANUARY 1 UNTIL AUGUST 18.

AS OF THE BALANCE RIGHT NOW, YOU SEE STEVE HAS 560 AND ERIN HAS 512. THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT STEVE CAME INTO JANUARY WITH 161 HOURS ALREADY.

THAT'S WHY THE MATH DOESN'T ADD UP LIKE ERIN.

THE LAST INVESTIGATION, BOTH THESE INDIVIDUALS ALMOST 500 HOURS OF COMP HOURS. JUST IN THAT INVESTIGATION.

THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE INVESTIGATORS OUT THERE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT'S OVER 1,000 HOURS FORREN IT DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION JUST RECENTLY. THESE GUYS HAVEHAVE MORE ARSON INVESTIGATIONS THAN ANY OTHER FIRE MARSHAL WE HAVE HAD TO DATE. WE HAVE SIX THAT ARE PENDING.

ONE CONVICTION. WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE SIX CONVICTIONS. THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB. BUT THEIR BANDWIDTH IS VERY SMALL WITH TWO INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE A --

>> IF YOU LOOK, YOU SEE 1A -- THEY WILL GIVE A FIGURE TO BRING ON ONE DEPUTY. IF WE CAN GET TWO, THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC. I'M COMPETING WITH OTHER FOLKS IN THIS ROOM AND THIS COUNTY THAT HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS AS WELL.

WE HAVE HAD VEHICLE QUESTIONS, TOO.

ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE ITEM FOR THE F150 REPLACEMENT FOR THE TAHOE. WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN MONEY FOR THIS. $10,000.

IN ORDER TO OUTFIT IT CORRECTLY WITH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM, WE NEED AN ADDITIONAL $13,000.

THAT'S A TOTAL OF $23,000. THAT'S FOR THE F150.

THIS WILL GET STEVE OUT OF THE TAHOE, AWAY FROM THE NASTY FROM THE CARCINOGENS THEY PICK UP WHEN IT COMES TO EVIDENCE COLLECTION AND KEEP IT IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK WHERE IT BELONGS. WE ALSO HAVE A HAZMAT TRUCK. THAT'S ITEM FOUR.

YOU WILL SEE THE ENTIRE ASSESSMENT THERE, WHAT IT TAKES TO OUTFIT THAT FOR SAFETY AND LIGHTING.

I KNOW IT'S NOT CHEAP. THEY DO LAST LONG.

PEOPLE DO TAKE CARE OF OUR APPARATUSES.

I CAN SAY TO DATE, KNOCK ON WOOD, WE HAVEN'T HAD A SINGLE PERSON HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THEY WATCH THEMSELVES.

THEY DRIVE SAFELY.

>> I GET IN THOSE CARS. SOME OF THE THINGS ARE REALLY OLD BUT IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE.

>> THEY ARE. IN OUR BUDGET WE ASKED FOR -- DO I NEED TO GET INTO THE TECHNOLOGY? YES? LINE ITEMS, I BROUGHT THIS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, THE FREE SERVICE FOR US FOR THE PREPAREDNESS FAIR.

IT'S A DYNAMIC ONLINE AND WEB APP APPLICATION THAT TRACKS EVERYTHING. CURRENTLY, AS YOU KNOW,

[03:45:02]

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES THROUGH TO MAINTAINING THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE CALLOUTS AND REPORTS WITH THAT.

IN THAT PROCESS, WE HAVE BEEN USING TEXAS DISASTER VOLUNTEER REGISTRY, WE HAVE BEEN USING SIGNUP, EXHE CELEXCEL, GROUP ME, AND ASSET TIGER. AND CELLPHONES AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. THIS WILL BRING IN MAPPING LOCATIONS WHERE FOLKS ARE IN THE FIELD, IF THEY'RE DOING A SEARCH AND RESCUE OR REHAB. YOU NAME A DISASTER WHERE OUR MEMBERS ARE OUT THERE IN THE FIELD, IT MAPS AND TRACKS WHERE THEY ARE AT AT ALL TIMES.

WE CAN HAVE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY. THAT INCLUDES ANY PARTNERS THAT COME IN FROM MUTUAL AID, ANY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS THROUGHOUT, WE'RE ABLE TO TRACK WITH THIS PARTICULAR APP.

WE CAN PUT MULTIPLE GROUPS ON THERE. WE CAN INCLUDE UP TO -- EVERYTHING YOU WOULD HAVE IN AN INSTANT ACTION PLAN THAT'S PRODUCED AND SENT OUT TO -- FOR OPERATIONAL WHEN WE OPEN UP THE EOC. THAT'S PRETTY BIG.

IF YOU HAVE SEEN AN ACTION PLAN, IT TAKES TIME. THIS MAKES IT TURNKEY WHERE WE PLUG IN AND THAT IS PUBLISHED.

WE CAN BRIEF EVERYBODY ON SCENE AND OFF THEY GO.

COME BACK IN AND WE HAVE ANOTHER OPERATIONAL PERIOD AND WE DO IT AGAIN.

CONTINUE TO REPEAT. ALONG WITH THAT, WE HAVE THE REGISTERED FOR CLASSES. USE IT FOR SRP.

IN THE SCHOOLS, AS YOU KNOW, WE EXERCISE EVERYBODY ONE OF THE SCHOOLS EVERY YEAR.

LOCKDOWN AND SUCH. THEN WE CREATE ASSIGNMENTS, CHECKOUTS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS. IT'S ONE STOP SHOP APP CUSTOM BUILT. I KNOW IT'S A BIG ASK ON THE FRONT END. I BELIEVE IT'S $44,000.

$41,000. HOWEVER, BEYOND THAT IT'S JUST A MAINTENANCE FEE, ANNUAL COST OF $14,000 A YEAR. IT DOES SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT IT COULD ASK FOR. THOSE ARE MY ASKS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> CAN I ASK A QUICK QUESTION? >> YES.

>> ON THE FUNDING FOR THE HAZMAT TRUCK, WHAT WAS THAT AMOUNT?

>> WE RECEIVED 22. WE NEED $29,927.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> I KNOW WE HAD THE FIRE MARSHAL IN HERE LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE.

LAST WEEK. THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE AND THE REASON I WOULD SUPPORT THE NEW POSITION SPECIFICALLY IS TWOFOLD. NUMBER ONE, AS YOU STATED, WE ARE SEEING A LOT MORE INVESTIGATIONS . I KNOW THE TWO DEATHS IN MY PRECINCT CHRISTMAS EVE WERE HARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH TIME OUR FOLKS SPENT OUT THERE. THE OTHER CONCERN THAT I REALLY HAVE -- I WILL SAY THE SAME THING IF AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES -- IS THAT THE PLAN REVIEW SIDE AND THE FINAL INSPECTION SIDE, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR TO ME WHAT THE CHANGES IN STATUTE OVER THE LAST TWO SESSIONS, THAT WE'RE OPERATING UNDER THAT SHOT CLOCK FOR FIRE MARSHAL AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

THAT 30- DAY -- IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT THOSE -- THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PROCESSES ARE, THAT 30- DAY SHOT CLOCK, THE ONE PLACE I SEE IT DRAGGING MORE THAN ANYWHERE IS IN THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE.

THE REASON BEHIND THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PERSONNEL AND THE FACT THAT THOSE WHO ARE THERE ARE HAVING TO CONDUCT THESE INVESTIGATIONS. ESPECIALLY IF THESE ARE GOING TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON THE PLAN REVIEW SIDE, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE PERSONNEL THERE.

NOT BECAUSE WE NECESSARILY WANT IT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE VOLUME IS THERE AND THE FACT IS, THE STATE IS GOING TO FORCE IT DOWN OUR THROAT OR HAS ALREADY. MY OTHER QUESTION IS THIS.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE FIRE MARSHAL ABOUT THIS TO TRY TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY IN THAT PROCESS. WE HAVE FOUR ENGINEERING SERVICES. WE HAVE PREQUALIFICATION LISTS. WE ACCEPT IN CERTAIN SCENARIOS THE INFORMATION FROM THOSE ENGINEERING FIRMS OR FROM THOSE VENDORS THAT ARE ON THAT LIST.

WHAT I DISCUSSED WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL AND THE PREVIOUS

[03:50:01]

THEY HAVE SEEN VERY -- VERY SUPPORTIVE OF GOING THROUGH SOME TYPE OF PREQUALIFICATION -- OR THE FIRE MARSHALS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE IN LOOKING AT SOME TYPE OF PREQUALIFICATION FOR FIRMS. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S 20 OR 200 THAT THEY WOULD PRECERTIFY TO SAY, YES, THIS IS A CERTIFIED PLAN. I HAVE A FIRE MANAGEMENT EXPERT OR FIRE CERTIFIED EXPERT WHO CAN STAMP THAT PLAN, VERIFY THAT IT MEETS THE CODE, AND IF NOT, HERE ARE THE VARIANCES OR THE NEEDS THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED BY OUR STAFF AND ALLOW OUR FOLKS TO ACCEPT THOSE, DO A CURSORY REVIEW, SINCE IT'S STAMPED BY A CERTIFIED FIRE PROFESSIONAL, AND MOVE FORWARD IN THE PROCESS. I KNOW THAT FOLKS WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL FEEFEE OUR FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TO DO THAT.

IT WOULD SAVE US MONEY AND INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY.

I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE -- I SUPPORT THE EXTRA POSITIONS, BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THEM BY STATE LAW. BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO BE DOING IN THAT OFFICE, I THINK, THAT COULD HELP FACILITATE A LESSENING OF THE WORKLOAD THAT I KNOW IS COMING AT THEM.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE 100% RIGHT ON THE FACT THAT THE STATE IS SQUEEZING ON THE WAY WE MANAGE LOCAL INSPECTIONS, ET CETERA.

I HAVE THE ADVANTAGE -- DISADVANTAGE OF SEEING WHERE THE STATE IS COMING FROM. THERE ARE MUNICIPALITIES THAT WILL COMMITTEE SOMETHING TO THAT'S NOT FAIR. E OR KILL IT. - IF YOU DON'T WANT IT, COME OUT WITH IT.

THE EXPEDITED APPROACH IS SOMETHING COMING DOWN THE WAY. I WILL SUPPORT ALL DAY LONG A ROBUST SUPPORT OF THESE DEPARTMENTS VERSUS CREATING MORE DEPARTMENTS. BECAUSE I FEEL THAT WE HAVE MORE EFFICIENCIES IN THIS WAY, AT THIS TIME. I KNOW YOU ARE ADVOCATING FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

YOU ARE UP AGAINST US ON THAT FRONT, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW AND I KNOW THE COURT FEELS THIS WAY, WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU. WHAT COMMISSIONER SAID ISIS RIGHT. WE ARE HERE TO SEE THE GOOD BUT THE BAD THAT HAPPENS WITH BEING THE FASTEST GROWING.

THE FATALITIES IN FIRES. YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

BUT YOU GOTTA PUT THE TIME IN TO INVESTIGATE. THE ADDED INSPECTIONS, YOU DBLT DO ANYTHING, BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT THE TIME IN TO INVESTIGATE. THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE CONSEQUENTIAL AND OUR DUTY TO SUPPORT.

NOT STAFFING IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I AGREE.

>> THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY THOUGH AND ONE POINT YOU MADE IS JUST AS WE LOOKED AT SOME OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS UNDER -- LIKE OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT, OUR UPCOMING PARKS DEPARTMENT IN THAT BUDGET THAT'S INCLUDED IN THAT BUDGET, I DO FEEL LIKE IT'S AN EVENTUALITY AT SOME POINT. IT'S GOING TO -- THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IS GOING TO NEED TO BE A STANDALONE OFFICE.

>> EVENTUALLY, YES.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S NOW OR NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

BUT WE ARE AT A POINT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE FIRE CODE, AN ENFORCEABLE FIRE CODE IN 2020.

WE HAVE HAD IT FIVE YEARS NOW. THERE'S AN EXPECTATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE -- IT SHOULD BE ITS OWN DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T KNOW FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT.

I HAVE NOT DONE THE RESEARCH. I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU.

ON WHAT THAT WOULD ENTAIL OTHER THAN SPLITTING THEM OFF AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE ORGANIZE OFFICE SPACE.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT I DO FORESEE IT IN THE FUTURE, IF NOT NOW, IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> I AGREE WITH YOU THERE. I WILL SAY, I'M LOOKING AT THE TIME SHEETS, WHICH THEY HAVE INCREWED A TON OF COMP TIME.

THEY WORKED ON FRIDAY, WE ARE LOOKING AT 23. 25 HOURS WORKED IN

ONE DAY. >> A LONG DAY, YES, MA'AM.

>> THEN TWO DAYS LATER, 20. 25 HOURS.

THAT'S A WHOLE -- 19.5. THAT LEAVES THEM WITH THREE HOURS A DAY, LESS THAN, AVERAGE. THAT'S CRAZY TO ME.

>> DEDICATED GUYS. 110%.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK WE HAD TO TELL AARON TO GO HOME.

>> I CAN SEE THAT.

>> WE ARE A SMALL DEPARTMENT. I HAVE SEEN THIS NOT JUST

[03:55:04]

THE JUDGE HAD TO TELL THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, IT'S TIME TO LEAVE.

WE SAW THAT IN 2015. WHEN YOU ARE DEDICATED TO THIS COUNTY -- THAT'S WHY I THINK WE ARE BLESSED. WE HAVE A FANTASTIC DEPARTMENT.

I SEE THAT THROUGH MANY OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

PEOPLE ARE DOING WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, EVEN FOR CHEAP PAY EXPRESSED A LITTLE BIT AGO.

>> WHENEVER WE HAD THE HORRIBLE WILDFIRE SEASON TWO YEARS AGO, GOING OUT TO OUR EOC AND WATCHING OUR FIRE MARSHAL AND ALL OF OUR FIRE MARSHALS GRABBING COUCHES AND MOBILE UNITS TO SLEEP FOR TWO HOURS IN BETWEEN GOING OUT.

>> KEEP MOVING.

>> QUESTION. YOU SAID YOU HAD A POSITION THAT STARTED NOT TOO LONG AGO. WAS IT A DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL?

>> RIGHT. WE BROUGHT IN, HE IS DOING PLAN

REVIEWS. >> HOW LONG WAS THAT -- HOW LONG AGO?

>> TWO MONTHS AGO. >> OKAY.

DO YOU THINK THAT YOU SEE EFFICIENCIES MOVING FORWARD? FROM THOSE TWO MONTHS, DO YOU SEE THAT THE NEEDLE IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING THESE THINGS

PROCESSED MORE EFFICIENTLY? >> I DO.

MATTER OF FACT, HE HAS BEEN TRAINING WITH JEREMY AND GOING OVER AND MAKING SURE THEY COVER.

WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF -- A NEW GUY COME IN, YOU GET A PHONE CALL, THINGS AREN'T MOVING FAST ENOUGH. WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS. I LIKE THE WAY HE WORKS.

HE HAS A FANTASTIC DEMEANOR WHEN

IT COMES TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. >> THAT'S GREAT.

I'M TRYING TO THINK IF WE NEED TO LET HIM COOK FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I DO SUPPORT THE POSITION. I WILL SAY

THAT. >> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT, LETTING HIM COOK.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

>> HE WANT WORK/LIFE BALANCE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

THAT'S TOO MUCH. I SUPPORT YOUR REQUEST, MIKE.

>> IT'S NICE THAT YOU ARE COMING IN AND ADVOCATING AND REINFORCING THE PRESENTATION THAT STEVE GAVE US.

I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES. THAT CAN WEAR ON AN EMPLOYEE PRETTY QUICKLY.

AFFECT THE JOB PERFORMANCE. THEY NEED TO GET THE REST THAT THEY NEED. YEAH.

>> MIKE, THANK YOU. THEY REALIZE THAT THESE ARE MOMENTS IN TIME.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT HELPS GET THEM THROUGH IT.

BUT I HAVE BEEN HONORED TO BE A SPEAKER AT NATIONA FIRE MARSHAL TRAINING THAT WE HAVE HAD HERE IN HAYES COUNTY. I SEE IT. I SEE THE DEDICATION, THE PASSION. I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THOSE SOULS HAVE FOUND WHAT MOVES THEM THROUGH THIS WORLD IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS SUPPORT THEM.

THANK YOU.

>> ONE OTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY.

IN THE PAST, PROBABLY THE LAST FOUR YEARS -- I KNOW, JUDGE, YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER THIS.

YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY COME IN AND NOT ADVOCATED NECESSARILY FOR NEW POSITIONS BUT FOR ADDITIONAL HOURS ON THAT POOL OF FIRE MARSHALS PART- TIMERS THAT WE HAD. WE HAVE ALWAYS ADVOCATED FOR THAT. WE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO SUPPORT THAT. WHAT I WILL TELL YOU, LOOKING AT INSTEAD OF ADDING HOURS TO THAT SERVICE POOL WHERE YOU CAN PULL FROM TEN PEOPLE OR WHATEVER, ADDING DEDICATED STAFF TO IT, I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY CONSTITUENTS' STANDPOINT, THERE'S A VALUE TO THAT. WHEN WE USE THE SERVICE POOL, THEY NEVER KNOW WHO THEY ARE GOING TO GET.

YOU MAY HAVE ONE PERSON REVIEWING THE PLAN TODAY, AND FIVE DAYS FROM NOW, THE NEXT PERSON IS LOOKING AT IT AND THEY SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. HAVING UNIFIED STAFF WHERE THERE'S ONE INDIVIDUAL THAT'S GOING TO WORK THAT PLAN REVIEW AND DO THE ON- SITE INSPECTION, THOSE THINGS FOR EACH ONE OF THE PROJECTS, AND IT'S A CONSISTENT PERSON, THERE IS DEFINITELY A VALUE TO THAT. I WOULD JUST SAY AS YOU LOOK AT YOUR BUDGET, I APPRECIATE HOW YOU DID THIS, BECAUSE THE ADDED HOURS, THEY WERE GREAT FOR WHAT THEY WERE THERE FOR. BUT THEY JUST DIDN'T GET THE JOB DONE IN THE RIGHT WAY, I DON'T THINK.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT. IT WAS A BAND-AID.

>> THANK YOU. TAMMY, YOU ARE UP.

>> THANK Y'ALL. >> THANK YOU, MIKE.

AFTER TAMMY IS JP.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, DIRECTOR OF COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS.

[04:00:01]

NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE RECYCLING DEPARTMENT.

I HAD ORIGINALLY REQUESTED TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS FOR RECYCLING. I'M JUST HERE TO ASK YOU TO CONSIDER ONE OF THOSE. THE JUSTIFICATION THAT I SUBMITTED -- I'M HOPING YOU HAVE THAT, BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING AN EXTRA -- OUTLINED THE OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES THAT ARE CAUSED BY THE STAFFING SHORTFALLS.

WE EXPERIENCED ONE OF THOSE JUST LAST WEEK.

THAT'S ACTUALLY WHY I'M HERE TODAY.

I LEARNED ABOUT THAT WHEN CAME BACK FROM VACATION.

OUR TEAM WAS REDUCED TO THREE EMPLOYEES TO COVER OUR TWO SITES. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TWO MEMBERS BEING ON A SCHEDULED LEAVE AND ONE UNEXPECTED ILLNESS. THE SITUATION FORCED OUR MANAGER, WHO IS OUT ON VACATION, TO CUT SHORT A PLANNED VACATION TO PREVENT A LONE EMPLOYEE FROM WORKING THE SITE.

WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE AND UNSAFE.

OUR CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS LEAVE NO ROOM FOR FLEXIBILITY AND ANY ABSENCES PLANNED, OR UNPLANNED, CAN QUICKLY COMPROMISE OUR ABILITY TO OPERATE SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY.

ADDING JUST ONE FULL- TIME POSITION IN FY26 WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE A FLOATING TEAM MEMBER TO HELP. ENSURING EACH SITE IS CONSISTENTLY STAFFED WITH A MINIMUM OF THREE EMPLOYEES REQUIRED FOR OUR SAFE OPERATIONS.

PROVIDING COVERAGE DURING VACATIONS, ILLNESS OR TURNOVER, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN MANY TIMES IN OUR RECYCLING DEPARTMENT, WITHOUT PLANNING -- PLACING, EXCUSE ME, UNDUE STRAIN ON STAFF.

WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES I LOVE THE BRANDING.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE AS A COUNTY LOOK GOOD. YOU ARE DOING IT.

>> THANK YOU. WE ARE WORKING ON STAFF TO GET SOME OF THESE AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING ALL THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND HAVE EACH OF THEIR SUPPORT AND BACKING.

WHILE WE COULDN'T GET EVERYBODY HERE, AGAIN, THEY ALL SUPPORT OUR CONCERNS FOR SALARY FOR OUR STAFF.

WE ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING -- I'M SORRY. I HAVE A POWERPOINT THAT I JUST WANTED TO

-- >> GO FOR IT.

>> JAY ARMENDOZA. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR PRECINCT 2.

>> LUCKILY, THEY HAVE FAST FINGERS.

I SAY THAT. THERE IT IS.

>> A LITTLE BACKGROUND. FOR YEARS AND INCLUDING THIS BUDGET CYCLE, JUDGES, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE MADE MULTIPLE STAFF SALARY INCREASE REQUESTS.

THEY HAVE BEEN MADE IN OUR YEARLY BUDGET SUBMISSIONS OR SEPARATE REQUESTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE BUDGET OFFICE, HUMAN RESOURCES OR THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. AFTER PROVIDING -- BACK, PLEASE.

[04:05:05]

AFTER PROVIDING A REQUEST, WE WERE MET WITH THE MOST COMMON QUESTION, WHAT ADDITIONAL DUTIES ARE YOUR STAFF DOING TO WARRANT AN INCREASE? I MADE NOTE THAT A SALARY INCREASE SHOULD NOT ONLY BE ABOUT PERFORMING EXTRA DUTIES. TO COUNTY STAFF I RESPONDED THE AMOUNT OF DUTY THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM JUSTIFIES A PAY INCREASE.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN SOME OF THE CASES, THE BUDGET OFFICE, HUMAN RESOURCES AND THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CONTINUED TO FOCUS ON THE NEW AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES TO SUPPORT THE PAY INCREASE.

NOW IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW AND DISTRICT COURT STAFF RECEIVE HIGHER COMPENSATION THAN THOSE WHO WORK IN THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS. HOWEVER, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS ARE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES JUST LIKE THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW AND DISTRICT COURTS DO.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, JUSTICE COURTS HAVE JURISDICTION OVER MANY MORE TYPES OF CASES THAN THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW AND DISTRICT COURTS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS INCLUDES SMALL CLAIMS, DEBT CLAIMS, CRIMINAL CITATIONS, TRAFFIC CITATIONS, EVICTIONS, REPAIR AND REMEDY CASES, CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, DANGEROUS DOGS, HANDGUN LICENSES, OCCUPATIONAL DRIVER LICENSE HEARINGS, PROPERTY HEARINGS, PUBLIC NUISANCE HEARINGS.

WE ALSO HANDLE A LOT OF TRUANCY CASES. WE PERFORM INQUESTS ANDED ED ADMINISTER THE JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM.

OUR STAFF PERFORM ALMOST ALL THE DUTIES THAT COURT STAFF IN THE COUNTY COURT OF LAW AND DISTRICT COURT PERFORM.

JUST AS THE DISTRICT COURT EXPLAINED A LOT OF THE DUTIES, OUR JUSTICE CLERKS AND COURT ADMINISTRATORS PERFORM MANY OF THOSE AS WELL. INCLUDING ACCEPTING FILINGS, ENTERING THE FILINGS, MAINTAINING COURT DOCKETS, SETTING COURT DATES, HEARINGS AND JURY TRIALS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

I SPENT TIME LOOKING AT THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR OUR JUSTICE CLERKS AND COURT ADMINISTRATORS.

MONTHS AGO I CAME TO THE UNDERSTANDING -- I CAME TO UNDERSTAND OUR STAFF PERFORM MORE DUTIES AND ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE EXCEPTIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN MORE AREAS THAN MANY OTHER AREAS WITHIN THE COUNTY.

BECAUSE OF THOSE EXTRA CASES THAT ARE COURT HAS JURISDICTION OVER, JUSTICE CLERKS AND COURT ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS REQUIRE THAT ADDITIONAL SUBJECT MATTER KNOWLEDGE AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN REVIEWING THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS, I MADE NOTE OF THE NUMBER OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE JUSTICE CLERK AND COURT ADMINISTRATOR POSITIONS.

NEXT SLIDE. EACH JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE JUSTICE CLERK AND COURT ADMINISTRATOR HAS AT LEAST 22 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. WITHIN THOSE 22 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES ARE APPROXIMATELY 77 REQUIREMENTS THAT EACH POSITION MUST PERFORM.

AGAIN, MANY OF THESE DUTIES ARE THE SAME DISCUSSED EARLIER WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK.

HERE IS WHAT OUR JUSTICE CLERK AND COURT ADMINISTRATIVE JOB DESCRIPTIONS LOOK LIKE.

THIS ONE IS FOR OUR COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

THIS IS THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION. THE ONE BEFORE THAT WAS FOR THE JUSTICE CLERK. THAT IS A LOT OF REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR STAFF.

IT IS A NECESSITY AND REQUIRED. I HAVE COMPARED THE AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS TO A COMPARABLE POSITION WITHIN THE COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

FOR THE JUSTICE CLERK POSITION, OUR STAFF ARE AT 114 PAY GRADE. I HAVE COMPARED THAT TO A DEPUTY CLERK 2 POSITION, A COURT POSITION WHICH IS ALSO AT THE 114 PAY GRADE. HOWEVER, THE AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT. THERE'S A LOT LESS FOR DEPUTY CLERKS POSITION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THERE WERE LIMITED POSITIONS TO COMPARE THE JUSTICE CLERK POSITION. I HAVE INCLUDED A FEW POSITIONS THAT ARE IN THE NEIGHBORING PAY GRADES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COURT KNOWLEDGE OR RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS. HOWEVER, THESE OTHER POSITIONS START AT A HIGHER PAY GRADE.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I'M NOT DISCOUNTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE OTHER POSITIONS.

I'M SHOWING A COMPARISON OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PAY GRADE.

NEXT SLIDE. WHEN LOOKING AT THE JUSTICE COURT ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION THERE ARE TWO POSITIONS HERE THAT I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED COMPARABLE IN DUTIES.

I DID INCLUDE THE CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK, WHICH IS NOT OVER A DEPARTMENT LIKE THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR IS.

BUT THEY ARE AT A HIGHER GRADE THAN THE JUSTICE COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

THE ASSISTANT COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

WE NOTICE THAT THE DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR JOB DESCRIPTION HAS FAR MORE

[04:10:01]

FURTHERMORE, JUSTICE COURT ADMINISTRATOR PAY GRADE IS THREE LEVELS BELOW THE ASSISTANT COURT ADMINISTRATOR. I HAVE RESERVED AN ENTRY- LEVEL ACCOUNTANT 1 AT THE SAME PAY GRADE AT OUR JUSTICE COURT ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION AND OTHER HIGHSER ON A PAY GRADE THAT MAY NOT HAVE AS MANY REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES. I'M NOT DISCOUNTING THE NEED OR IMPORTANCE OF THESE OTHER POSITIONS. THERE CAN BE A QUESTION WHEN COMPARING THE JUSTICE COURT ADMINISTRATOR POSITION PAY TO OTHER ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT A SALARY STUDY WAS PERFORMED A FEW YEARS AGO AND WE CAN COMPARE PAY TO THOSE OTHER COUNTIES. HOWEVER, NOT ALL COUNTIES PERFORM THE SAME DUTIES WE DO.

MANY COUNTIES HAVE THEIR JUSTICE CLERKS WORK WITH CIVIL OR ONLY CRIMINAL, NOT BOTH.

HERE OUR STAFF ARE TRAINED IN CIVIL FILINGS, CRIMINAL FILINGS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

THE LAST TWO SLIDES I ATTEMPTED TO COMPARE JUSTICE CLERK PAY GRADES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO COMPARABLE POSITIONS WITH OUR COUNTY.

I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LITTLE OF COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES WHEN LOOKING AT SOME OF THE OTHER NON- JUDICIAL POSITIONS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PAY HISTORY OF JUSTICE CLERK AND JUSTICE COURT ADMINISTRATOR IN RELATION TO THE OTHER POSITIONS, WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT APPLES TO ORANGES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR STAFF ALMOST GETTING PAID PEANUTS FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THEY DO.

NEXT POWERPOINT. IT'S MY HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO LOOK BEYOND PROOF OF NEW JOB DUTIES AND/OR REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT SALARY INCREASE.

IF THE COMPARISONS I PROVIDED EARLIER DO NOT HELP, WE ASK YOU LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WE OBTAINED FROM ODYSSEY.

NEXT SLIDE. IN EACH OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS, JP COURTS HAVE HANDLED TWICE AS MANY CASES THAN THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW AND DISTRICT COURTS COMBINED. I'M GOING TO REPEAT THAT.

TWICE AS MANY CASES THAT THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW AND DISTRICT COURT COMBINED. WHO WORKS ON THOSE CASES? THE JP CLERKS AND THE COURT ADMINISTRATORS.

NEXT SLIDE. FOUR 2025, WE ARE ON TRACK TO HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE CASES WITHIN OUR COURTS. NEXT SLIDE.

COMBINED COURT CASELOAD FOR 2021 TO 2024 SHOW THE JUSTICE COURT ADDRESSING 53% OF THE CASES THAT ARE FILED WITHIN THE COUNTY.

YET OUR STAFF ARE ONE OF THE LOWEST PAID FOR THE AMOUNT OF CASES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

TO HELP OUR STAFF WITH THE PAY AND PAY GRADE, THE COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE -- JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ASK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO IMPLEMENT A JUSTICE CLERK TIER SYSTEM TO SUPPORT ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP ROLES. THE JUSTICE CLERK POSITIONS WILL BE CROSS TRAINED. HOWEVER, THERE'S NOW THE ABILITY -- THERE WILL BE AN ABILITY FOR CERTAIN CLERKS TO PERFORM MORE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL- RELATED DUTIES.

ADDITIONALLY, WE ASK FOR AN INCREASE IN THE PAY AND PAY GRADE FOR JUSTICE CLERK WITH A MINIMAL PAID ADE OF 117. WITH THE DUTIES AND AMOUNT OF WORK, WE BELIEVE THIS IS WARRANTED.

IF APPROVED, WE WILL WORK WITH HR AND THE BUDGET OFFICE TO DEVELOP A TIER SYSTEM, JOB TITLES, PAY LEVEL AND PAY STEP FOR THE EXISTING EMPLOYEES. NEXT SLIDE.

FOR THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR POSITION, A SALARY INCREASE AND PAY GRADE INCREASE TO A MINIMUM OF 123.

IF THE PAY GRADE IS APPROVED, THE JUDGES WILL WORK WITH HR AND THE BUDGET OFFICE TO DETERMINE THE PAY STEP FOR EXISTING STAFF.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE MANY REQUESTS THAT ARE COMING BEFORE YOU. HOWEVER, COMING SINCERELY ASK FOR THE APPROVAL SO OUR COURT STAFF KNOW THE COUNTY RECOGNIZES AND APPRECIATES THE WORK THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. WELL DONE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION.

IT WAS VERY THOROUGH AND COMPLETE. YOU MAY HAVE SHOWN IT. WHAT ARE THE JUSTICE CLERKS GRADES?

>> 114.

>> AND THEN THE JUSTICE COURT

ADMINISTRATOR? >> 117.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR THE PRESENTATION.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN SUPPORT THE WORK THAT Y'ALL ARE -- I UNDERSTAND THE NEED AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> NO COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> TWO THINGS.

I APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION. IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, I SUPPORTED --

[04:15:02]

I THINK YOU HAVE LOOKED AT THE PROCESS A LITTLE BACKWARDS. I SAY THAT -- IN YOUR PRESENTATION, IF WE APPROVE THE PAY INCREASES, THEN WE WILL FIGURE OUT WHO -- IF WE APPROVE THE CHANGES, WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW DO IT. THE WAY WE LOOK AT POSITIONS, WE GET THAT PACKET ON THE FRONT END AND GET THAT OUT OF HR AND THE BUDGET OFFICE AND THEN WE ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT KIND -- WHAT THE ACTUAL FUNDING WILL BE. THEN WE VOTE ON THE FUNDING.

>> IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE DIFFERENT PAY STEPS AND SO FORTH. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE.

>> WAS THIS REQUEST INCLUDED IN EACH OF Y'ALL'S INDIVIDUAL BUDGET REQUEST THIS YEAR?

>> YES.

>> IT WAS? >> YES.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. MY OTHER QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF EACH POSITION THAT IS IN EXISTENCE RIGHT NOW?

>> DO YOU HAVE THE NUMBER?

>> FOR THOSE TWO POSITIONS, IF WETHE REGRADE, HOW MANY TOTAL POSITIONS ARE THERE?

>> THERE ARE SEVEN COURT ADMINISTRATORS AND A TOTAL OF CLERKS? THERE'S ABOUT 15 CLERKS, I BELIEVE.

>> OKAY.

>> GOOD BALLPARK.

>> I WANTED A BALLPARK. HOPEFULLY, IF WE CAN GET A RUN OF WHAT THOSE ARE AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> YES.

>> GOOD DEAL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, IN YOUR COMPARISON, IT WAS AWESOME, BEAUTIFULLY DONE. I SEE THE DOUBLE COUNTY COURT, DISTRICT COURT CASELOAD. GOOD JOB.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY -- THERE WAS ONE PIECE MISSING IN MY MIND. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE AVERAGE TIME A JP TAKES ON A CASE COMPARED TO THE OTHERS? JUST BALLPARKING, OF COURSE.

>> IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE CASE ITSELF.

FOR MY TRUANCY CASES, WE TAKE TYPICALLY 30, 40 MINUTES A CASE.

SOME OTHERS MAY TAKE 15 MINUTES. IT DEPENDS.

EVICTIONS RANGE FROM 15 TO 45 MINUTES WITHOUT A

JURY. >> WHAT ABOUT THE COUNTY COURTS AND DISTRICT COURTS, WITH A DO YOU ESTIMATE THEY MIGHT BE TAKING PER CASE, FOR YOUR HEAD COUNT PIE CHART?

>> THEY MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE BIT LONGER ON THEIR CASES.

>> I THINK SO. I WILL SAY IT THIS WAY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR INFORMATION SHARING.

I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVES. I FULLY SUPPORT OU GUYS ALWAYS.

I JUST WANT TO HAVE SOME CLARITY IN THOSE PLACES WHERE WE AS A COUNTY CAN GET POKED ININ EYE POTENTIALLY WITH COMPARISONS, JUST TO MAKE THEM AS HOLISTICALLY FEASIBLE AS POSSIBLE. THAT'S MY ONLY RECOMMENDATION.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WELL DONE.

I SEE WHY YOU BROUGHT HIM UP. HE HIT A HOME RUN.

NEXT WE HAVE PURCHASING.

>> HI. STEPHANIE HUNT, PURCHASING AGENT. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS COMMISSIONERS. I ASKED FOR A FLEET COORDINATOR POSITION DUE TO ON JANUARY 6, COMMISSIONERS COURT AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASING AGENT TO HAVE -- TO HAVE THE AUTHORIZED AGENT ON ALL COUNTY- OWNED VEHICLES. THEY AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASING AGENT TO BE THE AGENT ON ALL LEASE VEHICLES.

THE CURRENT -- WE MANAGE ALL THE FUEL CARD PROGRAMS AND THE INVENTORY OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE DEPARTMENTS AND MAKING SURE MAINTENANCE AND WHATNOT IS KEPT UP ON THOSE.

WHAT THIS POSITION WOULD DO IS KIND OF TAKE OVER CURRENTLY THE SENIOR PURCHASING AGENT -- THE SENIOR PURCHASING SPECIALIST HAS PART OF THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES AS FAR AS WHEN WE GET NEW VEHICLES OR WE GET LEASED VEHICLES, MAKING SURE THE LICENSE PLATES COME IN, FUEL CARDS ARE ORDERED AND WORKING WITH ME TO MAKE SURE ALL THE PAPERWORK GETS SIGNED.

[04:20:02]

HAVING A FLEET COORDINATOR POSITION IN THE OFFICE TO TAKE ON ALL OF THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ALSO ENSURING THAT THE DEPARTMENTS ACTUALLY GET THE VEHICLES THAT THEY ARE AWARDED IN THEIR BUDGET OR APPROVED IN THEIR BUDGET, MAKING SURE THOSE DEPARTMENTS GET THOSE ORDERED IN A TIMELY FASHION SO THAT THEY GET THEM WITHIN KIND OF THEIR FISCAL YEAR. THERE'S A LIST OF DUTIES THAT WOULD -- THIS POSITION WOULD DO, WHICH I KIND OF JUST -- JUST WENT THROUGH IN A QUICK MANNER. PART OF THIS WOULD ALSO -- I DID, WHEN I CREATED THIS POSITION, I DID WORK WITH HR INITIALLY TO REQUEST IT IN MY BUDGET. I ASKED IT TO BE A FLEET COORDINATOR POSITION. HR SAID IT SHOULD BE A SPECIALIST POSITION DUE TO THAT WAS WHAT THE OTHER POSITIONS IN MY DEPARTMENT WERE TITLED. I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE BROUGHT OTHER ITEMS TO COURT TO MOVE A SPECIALIST TO A COORDINATOR POSITION. THOSE WERE APPROVED IN COURT.

THOSE WERE GRADED AT A 118. THIS POSITION WAS PROPOSED AT A 118 AND SIGNED OFF ON AS A 118. I DO FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A COORDINATOR AND NOT A SPECIALIST. THAT'S KIND OF IT.

>> UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING -- AWESOME, WELL DONE.

UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING, IS THAT THE RIGHT PLACE IN CREATING THINGS, I LIKE TO DOUBLE- CHECK, WHAT ARE -- I KNOW THE SAYING, FOR AS NUMBER OF COUNTIES, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF WAYS TO DO THINGS. IS THAT TYPICALLY WHERE THAT SITS?

>> YES. WE DID RESEARCH WITH THE STATE AND OTHER COUNTIES OF OUR SIZE.

WE BOTH AGREED THAT 118 WAS WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

I JUST DON'T AGREE WITH IT BEING CALLED A SPECIALIST VERSUS A COORDINATOR, BECAUSE WE JUST MOVED THE ANIMAL WELFARE SPECIALIST TO A 118 AND MOVED THEM TO A COORDINATOR TITLE. IN STAYING CONSISTENT AND EQUITABLE IN THE COUNTY AND WHAT WE HAVE APPROVED, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE IT WOULD BE CALLED A COORDINATOR AND NOT A SPECIALIST. TYPICALLY, THE SPECIALISTS ARE GRADED LOWER.

>> THAT'S PERFECTLY SAID. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HOW ABOUT PLACEMENT WITHIN DEPARTMENTS? IS THAT THE HIGHEST AND BEST LOCATION, THE WAY YOU

SEE IT? >> SORRY.

>> IN OWE WORDS, UNDER YOUR DEPARTMENT VERSUS BUDGET OFFICE OR AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

IS THAT THE BEST UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD LOCATION?

>> PER STATUTE 262011,WHICH IS THE PURCHASING LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE RELATED TO PURCHASING, THE PURCHASING AT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PURCHASES WITHIN THE COUNTY. SINCE YOU GUYS ESSENTIALLY WHEN YOU GAVE ME THE DESIGNATED AGENT, THAT JUST TOOK OUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HAVING TO BRING FORTH ALL OF THE CONTRACTS AND WHATNOT TO COURT TO HAVE YOU SIGN THEM, THAT I COULD SIGN THEM ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY. IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE ALREADY MANAGE THE FLEET CARD PROGRAM AND MANAGE GETTING THE LICENSES AND THEN WHEN WE DO AUCTION, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HOST THE AUCTIONS AND MAINTAIN THAT INVENTORY.

SO IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE A PERSON IN THE MIDDLE WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE WHILE WE OWN THE VEHICLES OR WHILE WE ARE LEASING THE VEHICLES THAT THE MAINTENANCE IS MAINTAINED ON THOSE AND ANY OTHER ITEMS PERTAINING TO THAT VEHICLE ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> OKAY.

>> COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. WHILE I DO AGREE WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT THAT THE PURCHASING FUNCTION SHOULD STAY IN OTHER OFFICE, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A BIGGER CONVERSATION AT THE STAFF LEVEL ABOUT FLEET MANAGEMENT AND WHAT IS APPROPRIATE, SOME OF THOSE DUTIES BE PLACED. I'M GOING TO SAY RIGHT NOW COUNTYWIDE, MAYBE WE NEED TO WELCOME AT SOMEWHERE ELSE IT NEEDS TO GO. THAT'S MY ONLY COMMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION.

>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

>> I KNOW SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE CREATED A FLEET MANAGER -- IS IT FLEET MANAGER?

>> COORDINATOR. >> A FLEET COORDINATOR.

SINCE WE MOVED ALL OF THAT TO PURCHASING -- NOT ALL OF IT, BUT I KNOW THAT PERSON SCHEDULING THE COUNTY POOL CARS OR WHAT IS THAT POSITION?

>> THE POSITION SCHEDULES AND MAINTAINS THE COUNTY POOL CARS AND ALL CARS -- VEHICLES WITHIN COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS.

[04:25:05]

>> WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT -- SO DOES THEIR OWN?

>> THEY DO THEIR OWN.

>> TRANSPORTATION? >> THEY DON'T LEASE.

THEY OWN THEIR VEHICLES. MOST OF THEIR MAINTENANCE IS DONE IN-HOUSE. PART OF THE DNM LEASING IS WE HAVE A -- WE PAY FOR A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM THAT WE'RE NOT EVEN UTILIZING BECAUSE NOBODY IS MANAGING THAT WITH THE DEPARTMENTS.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING ELSE THAT THIS PERSON WOULD TAKE ON IN MAKING SURE THOSE SCHEDULED MAIN TENANCES ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND ING THE PROGRAM WE ARE PAYING FOR.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS, BUT WE DO HAVE A PROGRAM WHERE WE PAY FOR MAINTENANCE ON THOSE LEASED VEHICLES. I HAVE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT SAID, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I COULD TAKE THAT IN TO THIS LOCATION OR THAT LOCATION, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE A MEMBER OF THE SERVICE PLAN.

>> CORRECT.

>> WE HAVE TO COMMUNICATE TO THEM. THANK YOU. GOOD POINT.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'M JUST TRYING TO WRAP MY HEAD AROUND EVERYTHING. YOU HAVE A FLEET COORDINATOR?

>> CORRECT.

>> THIS WOULD BE FOR A FLEET

COORDINATOR? >> MM-HMM.

>> COUNTYWIDE. TAMMY IS SPECIFIC TO HER DEPARTMENT. THIS WOULD MANAGE ALL OF THE LEASED VEHICLES AND COUNTY- OWNED VEHICLES FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY. NOT JUST ONE

DEPARTMENT. >> TAKE OVER FOR S.O. AND FOR --

>> WE WOULD WORK WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THEY HAVE THEIR INTERNAL MAINTENANCE SHOP. A LOT OF THEIR INTERNAL MAINTENANCE -- A LOT OF THEIR MAINTENANCE GETS DONE INTERNALLY VERSUS BEING OUTSOURCED.

IT WOULD TAKE OVER -- WE WOULD WORK WITH THEM MAKING SURE THAT THEY WERE GETTING THE MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLES THAT NEED TO BE DONE. SORRY, I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. WE ALSO GET RECALLS AS WELL IN THE MAIN REGARDING THE VEHICLES. THEY WOULD ALSO MANAGE AND WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENTS. THEY DO THAT NOW.

SO WHEN WE GET A RECALL, WE FIGURE OUT WHAT DEPARTMENT IT BELONGS TO AND MAKE SURE THEY GET THOSE.

SAME WITH THE TOLLS. WE GET A LOT OF TOLL BILLS.

FIRST RESPONDER VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE GETTING TOLLS.

THEN I KNOW MICHELLE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THAT. WE ARE CREATING ACCOUNTS WITH ALL OF THE VEHICLES THAT SHOULD BE ON IT TO WHERE WE DON'T GET THOSE TOLL BILLS ANYMORE.

JUST MANAGING STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> OKAY. I DON'T KNOW IF WE SHOULD CALL IT -- I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

>> I ORIGINALLY SAID ADMINISTRATOR.

THEN WE KIND OF WHITTLED IT DOWN TO A COUPLE DIFFERENT OPTIONS. I WAS TRYING TO STAY WITH WHAT WAS ALREADY IN THAT 118 PAY GRADE AND JUST STICK WITH COORDINATOR. I ORIGINALLY PROPOSED IT AS ADMINISTRATOR. IT IS MORE COUNTYWIDE VERSUS A SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT.

>> IF I COULD ADD. I THINK IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE INTERNAL CONVERSATIONS, WE MAY BE ABLE TO AVOID SOME OF THE DUPLICATION.

>> HARMONIZE.

>> ERASE WHAT THE SEPARATION OF DUTIES.

THERE'S A LOT OF PURCHASING ASPECTS TO WHAT STEPHANIE IS SAYING.

BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I THINK ARE BEING DUPLICATED BETWEEN WHAT THE FLEET COORDINATOR IN MY OFFICE IS DOING AND WHAT STEPHANIE'S KIND OF TAKEN OVER AND THAT THERE'S CROSSING OVER BETWEEN MY COORDINATOR AND STEPHANIE'S OFFICE. MAYBE WE COULD ALLEVIATE THAT.

>> YEAH. I DEFINITELY THINK HAVING A DISCUSSION AND HAVING CANDICE CHAT WITH YOU AND SEE WHAT WE CAN -- SERVICES YOU CAN UTILIZE FROM EACH OTHER AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY STAND ONE DEPARTMENT OR TWO DEPARTMENTS, CONVERSATIONS SHOULD BE

HAD. >>

AGREED. >> THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT THE ONE CONCERN THAT HAVE I IS WE STEPPED OUT AND CREATING THIS POSITION A COUPLE YEARS AGO BECAUSE WE SAW A NEED THERE. THREE YEARS AGO?

FOUR? >> FOUR.

>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ILY, WHATEVER RESPONSIBILITIES FALL ON STEPHANIE, WE HAVE SOMEBODY IN STEPHANIE'S OFFICE THAT HAS TO ANSWER TO HER THAT IS ENSURING THOSE THINGS ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> WE DON'T LOAD YOU UP WITH THINGS THAT AREN'T STATUTORY AND BOG DOWN THE PURCHASING ROE

SAYS. >> I HAVE BEEN IN PURCHASING 30 YEARS. I THINK EVERY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT THAT I HAVE EVER WORKED IN HAD A FLEET COORDINATOR.

SOMEONE THAT WAS THERE TO MANAGE THE CONTRACT, MANAGE THE RELATIONSHIP, DO THE EVALUATIONS, ALL OF THOSE CONTRACTUAL PURCHASING THINGS. THERE WAS SOMEONE ELSE WHO

[04:30:04]

>> COMMISSIONER?

>> YEAH. I WAS JUST KIND OF THINKING THE SAME THING. WHEN IT WAS SAID THAT WE HAVE ONE ALREADY OVER HERE. IS THERE A WAY TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATION OF SERVICES? I GUESS THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT THAT PERSON CAN BE DOING.

I THINK WE JUST NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

>> LET CANDICE COME IN AND SEE WE CAN ARTICULATE 100%. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT, NDS. NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICES.

WE ARE TERRIBLY BEHIND. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME FOR US. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY, VERY LONG DAY FOR YOU ALL.

I'M THE INTERIM DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR NDS.

>> I'M MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NDS TEXAS.

>> THANK YOU FOR MAKING MORE TIME FOR US.

THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION LAST WEEK.

ABOUT FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT. I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY ADDRESS THAT AND TRY TO BRING CLARITY TO IT BUT THEN ALSO TALK ABOUT SPECIFICALLY OUR IMMEDIATE REQUESTS. SINCE WE OPENED TWO YEARS AGO, ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY ASKED TO DO IS IDENTIFY GAPS IN SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITION AM COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING TOGETHE WERE WHAT NEW PROGRAMS WOULD LOOK LIKE TO ENHANCE AND ENRICH HOLISTIC PUBLIC DEFENSE OVERALL, IF AND WHEN THE COUNTY WAS READY. THOSE WERE INCLUDING THINGS LIKE THE CIVIL DEFENSE SERVICES, THINGS THAT DON'T EXIST RIGHT NOW.

THEY WERE NOT THINGS THAT WERE NEEDED TO DO THE WORK THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING IN THE PUBLIC DEFENSE REPRESENTATION AS IT EXISTS.

I THINK THAT'S MAYBE WHERE THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF MISUNDERSTANDING AROUND, THESE ARE OPPORTUNITIES IF AND WHEN THE COUNTY IS READY AND LET'S CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION.

UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS CAUSED CONFUSION, WE BROKE OUT WHAT OUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS REQUESTS ARE TO SUPPORT THE CURRENT DEFENSE WORK. WE DID PROVIDE LAST NIGHT AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A PHASED- IN CIVIL PRACTICE COULD LOOK LIKE.

AS YOU ALL ARE EXPLORING AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT SERVICES YOU NEED FOR WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT AROUND SOME OF THESE CIVIL SERVICES AROUND EITHER EVICTION DEFENSE AND COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES, REVOCATION HEARINGS OF THE SORT, THAT HELP TO MAKE SURE CLIENTS ARE SERVED OVERALL WHEN THEY ARE IN ANY OF THESE LEGAL SYSTEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS REQUEST THAT IS FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION.

WE ARE REQUESTING TWO ATTORNEYS AND A SUPERVISING INVESTIGATOR TO COVER THEIR SALARY, THE FRINGE AND THEN THE OTHER PERSONNEL SERVICE -- OTHER PERSONAL SERVICE COSTS THAT GO INTO HOUSING A TEAM. I'M GOING TO HAVE MINU TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT WILL PROVIDE AND WHY.

>> THANK YOU. WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS THE TWO ADDITIONAL STAFF ATTORNEYS AND ONE ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATOR. THAT INVESTIGATOR WOULD BECOME THE SUPERVISOR. THE REASON FOR THAT, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SEVERAL REASONS THAT WE ARE HAVING A STAFFING SHORTAGE AND A POSITION SHORTAGE. SOME OF THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE CASES. LARGER PERCENTAGE OF OUR CASES ARE MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS WHO NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND TAKE THOSE CASE -- THOSE CASES CAN TAKE LONGER TO RESOLVE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCES WITH COURTS IDENTIFYING COMPLEX CASES TO ASSIGN TO OUR OFFICE BECAUSE WE HAVE A MULTIDISCIPLINED TEAM.

WE ARE GETTING CASES WHERE WE ARE SOMETIMES THE FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH ATTORNEY ON THE CASE.

IT'S A RE-TRIAL. WE HAVE EXTENSIVE TRANSCRIPTS THAT WE HAVE TO ORDER AND REVIEW. WE ARE GETTING MANY CASES WHERE WE ARE HAVING TO HIRE EXPERT WITNESSES BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF THOSE CASES.

ANOTHER DISTINCTION IN WHY WE WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS IS BECAUSE WE BASED OUR ORIGINAL STAFFING ON THE TIDC

[04:35:04]

SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD THE MICHAEL MORTON ACT THAT REFORMED THE DISCOVERY LAWS AND WE HAVE BODYCAMS IN EVERY CASE, AS YOU ARE AWARE, BECAUSE YOU FUND THOSE THINGS. WE HAVE RULES AT OUR OFFICE THAT ALL OF THE BODYCAMS, ALL OF THE DISCOVERY HAS TO BE REVIEWED. WE DON'T PHONE THAT IN.

WE REVIEW OUR DISCOVERY WITH OUR CLIENTS. WHERE DISCOVERY MIGHT HAVE TAKEN A COUPLE HOURS, IT'S ROUTINE FOR IT TO TAKE 10, 20, 30 HOURS IN A CASE AT THIS POINT.

SO I THINK THAT IS PART OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.

OUR CASES ARE ALSO AT THIS POINT -- WE HAVE BEEN AROUND A COUPLE OF YEARS.

OUR CASES ARE IN TRIAL. OUR ATTORNEYS ARE IN TRIAL ALMOST WEEKLY THESE DAYS.

WE HAVE TWO SUPERVISING ATTORNEYS WHO BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM ARE PRESENT AT AND DOING CONTESTED HEARINGS WITH OUR STAFF ATTORNEYS. SO WE DO THAT TO ENSURE EXCELLENCE AND PROVIDE ONGOING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. ANOTHER THING THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT'S FACTORING IN IS THAT THERE ARE LONG WAITS AT THE JAIL FOR OUR ATTORNEYS TO MEET WITH CLIENTS AND ALSO FOR JUST THE DEFENSE BAR.

I KNOW I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MANY OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT THAT. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST YEAR WHEN SHANNON AND I PRESENTED TO YOU AS A GROUP AS WELL. THE JAIL STAFFING ISSUES AND LACK OF ACCESS CONTINUE TO CREATE LOGISTIC CHALLENGES FOR THE DEFENSE BAR AS WELL. WE HAVE ATTORNEYS THAT SOMETIMES ARE AT THE JAIL FOR TWO HOURS WAITING FOR THEIR TURN TO MEET WITH A CLIENT.

NO INTERNET ACCESS AT THE JAIL. THEREFORE, THEY CAN'T GET AS MUCH WORK DONE. THEY ARE TRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.

THAT'S CREATING SOME ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE OPEN 800 CASES.

THAT IS FOR FIVE STAFF ATTORNEYS AND TWO SUPERVISORS.

IDEALLY, WE WOULD WANT TO SEE OPEN PENDING CASELOADS BE ABOUT HALF OF THAT. IT IS TOO MUCH FOR AN ATTORNEY TO HAVE PENDING AT ANY ONE TIME.

WE ALSO HAVE RULES IN OUR OFFICE ABOUT HOW OFTEN ATTORNEYS HAVE TO BE IN CONTACT WITH EVERY CLIENT, INCLUDING THOSE IN CUSTODY AND OUT OF CUSTODY.

FOR THOSE 800 OPEN CASES, WE CURRENTLY HAVE ONE INVESTIGATOR. THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE NEED FOR THIS -- FOR THESE THREE EXTRA POSITIONS THAT WE ARE REQUESTING.

AFTER LAST WEEK'S COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE DID TAKE OUT ONE OF THE POSITIONS. WE WERE ASKING FOR A SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER AS WELL.

I MENTIONED THAT THERE'S NO INTERNET ACCESS AT THE JAIL.

WE ARE HAVING SOME LANGUAGE ACCESS PROBLEMS WHEN WE HAVE SPANISH SPEAKING CLIENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO TAKE AN INTERPRETER IN PHYSICALLY TO THE JAIL. BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM VICKIE AND YOU, WE DID TAKE THAT POSITION OUT OF OUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS BUDGET.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT THAT NEED AND POSSIBLY BRINGING THAT BACK TO YOU LATER.

>> ALSO, LAST WEEK, WE HEARD THAT THERE IS MORE INTEREST IN HAVING MORE REGULAR UPDATES.

WE'RE HAPPENTY TO DO THAT. WE LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THE WORK AND WHAT'S GOING ON.

WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO FIND WHAT THE RIGHT CADENCE IS CONSIDERING OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THE DOCKETS FOR ALL OF YOU ALL THE TIME.

AS A FOLLOW- UP FROM LAST YEAR, WE CAN SHARE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE HAD 2,381 TOTAL ASSIGNED CASES SINCE MARCH OF 2023. WE HAVE CLOSED 1,574.

WE PRACTICE IN EVERY COURT AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER, PROVIDING FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR REPRESENTATION. 83% OF OUR CLIENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM COMMUNITY- BASED OUTCOMES WHICH SUPPORT STABILITY WITHOUT COMPROMISING COMMUNITY OR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THESE HOW WE WORK WITH THAT INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH. WE SUPPORT THE MOST COMPLEX CASES. THAT ALSO FEEDS INTO EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE DOING AND HOW IT'S A LARGER APPROACH ABOUT THE CLIENT, NOT JUST WHAT IS BRINGING THEM INTO OUR OFFICE, BUT WHO THEY ARE AS A PERSON AND HELP LINK THEM WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT. THIS IS A BUDGET DISCUSSION.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT VALUES. OUR VALUES ARE WOVEN INTO EVERYTHING WE DO AND INFORM HOW WE DO THE WORK.

ANOTHER THING THAT I WAS HEARING.

HOW IS THIS DONE? HOW ARE WE GOING ABOUT IT?

[04:40:01]

THE WORK GOES BEYOND JUST THE COURTROOM WITH A CLIENT.

PART OF OUSH COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND REPRESENTATION IS THAT WE HAVE A CONSISTENT AND OPEN LINE WITH THE JUDICIARY AND OTHER LOCAL ATTORNEYS.

GO FOR ACTIVE FEEDBACK BUT THEN ALSO RECEIVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THEM ABOUT OUR TEAM'S PROFESSIONALISM, PREPARATION AND TIMELINESS.

IN ADDITION TO JUST THEIR GENERAL CARE OF CLIENTS. THAT VERY SPECIFIC KEEPING EVERYTHING MOVING, OUR FOLKS ARE COMING REALLY READY TO DO THE WORK. THAT'S NOTICED AND BROUGHT BACK TO US. IN ADDITION TO THE CLIENT CENTER COMMITMENT FOR OUR CLIENTS, WE HAVE ALSO SHOWN A COMMITMENT AND MADE A COMMITMENT TO YOU ALL OF ENHANCING THAT FOR THE ENTIRE DEFENSE ECOSYSTEM AND TO THAT END WE HAVE COORDINATED TRAININGS THAT INCLUDE PRIVATE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND WE ARE FREQUENTLY SOUGHT OUT BY OTHER ATTORNEYS FOR COLLABORATION AND BRAINSTORMING AT THE COURTHOUSE.

WE HAPPILY SERVE AS A RESOURCE AT ANY TIME WHEN THERE IS OUTREACH.

WE ALSO RECENTLY WORKED WITH THE COUNTY TO GET DEDICATED COURTHOUSE WI- FI FOR THEN TIRE BAR. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS AROUND CLIENT- CENTERED EXCELLENCE AND THE QUALITY OF OUR DEFENSE AND ALSO WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH CHANGING THE SYSTEM IN IMPROVEMENT.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE HEARD WHEN WE STARTED WAS -- STORIES OF INDIVIDUALS HELD IN PRETRIAL DETENTION AND TRAUMA AND DESTABILIZATION THAT CREATED. OUR COMMITTED PRESENCE HAS KEPT THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTS WORKING WITH US TO ENSURE PEOPLE AREN'T LANGUISHING IN JAIL. THIS IS THE RESULT OF COMMUNITY- BASED COLLABORATION AND ADVOCACY TO ACHIEVE SYSTEM-WISE SYSTEM- SYSTEM- WIDE CHANGE. THERE'S NOTHING IN AND FOR A COMMUNITY THAT IS DONE IN ISOLATION.

THAT'S WITH US, THE DCHL A., MAGISTRATE JUDGES, JUDICIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY ADVOCACY GROUPS WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THIS CHANGE OCCURS. THAT PATTERN THAT BROUGHT US TO YOU AND BROUGHT YOU TO US IS NOT HAPPENING THE WAY IT WAS. SO THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE AND THAT WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE EXCITED TO KEEP DOING THAT.

ALSO IF AND WHEN ANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES START TO ARISE ABOUT BUILDING OUT HOLISTIC DEFENSE, INCLUDING CIVIL AS THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO TAKE SHAPE IN ITS GROWTH.

>> WELL DONE. THANK YOU.

I LOVE THE MESSAGING.

>> JUDGE, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE COURT TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY AT THE COURTHOUSE WHO IS WORKING WITH US REGULARLY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING WE CAN

ANSWER? >> I WILL SAY A FEW THINGS.

OUR D.A. 'S OFFICE JUST GOT THE COURT -- OUR COURT SUPPORT, BECAUSE WE DEAL WITH A LOT OF COURTS. SUPPORT FOR SOFTWARE THAT'S GOING TO EXPEDITE THE REVIEW ROE SAYS AND REDACTING PROCESS AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THE CAMERA SYSTEMS, ET CETERA, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SAVE TONS OF TIME, WHICH YOU WILL ALSO BE THE BENEFICIARY OF. NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO.

I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS A LONG PRESENTATION BECAUSE WE ARE WAY BEHIND.

LONG RANGE DIMINISHED ACCESS IS ALSO BEING ADDRESSED.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT OUR SHERIFF IS WORKING WITH US.

HE KNOWS HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THE CONTRACT.

11 HOURS AWAY WITH THREE SPEED TRAPS AND HOW WE DON'T SUPPORT THAT.

HE HAS TAKEN AN ACTIVE EFFORT IN CUTTING THAT, NOT ONLY IN HALF BUT THEN COMMITTING TO FURTHER ON DOWN THE ROAD AND EXPANDING INTO RETURNING PEOPLE TO THE REGION INSTEAD OF A FAR EXTREME FLUNG- OUT PRIVATE FOR PROFIT PRISON ON THE EDGE OF THE STATE.

THAT'S BEING ADDRESSED. THE NO INTERNET PIECE, THERE'S NO EXCUSE TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE GOING TO THE JAIL WITH NO INTERNET, WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION, THAT'S ABSURD.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

I WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT.

WAITING TWO HOURS TO GET ATTORNEY TIME WITH INMATES, WE ARE ADDRESSING THAT BY REMODELING AND EXPANDING THAT FOOTPRINT. ALL OF YOUR ISSUES ARE BEING ADDRESSED. I'M SURE THE INTERTHET ONE SK ADDRESSED. I'M GOING TO PERSONALLY LEAN IN BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THAT ANSWER.

>> I'M NOT CERTAIN THAT I RECALL YOU MENTIONING THAT ISSUE. I KNOW THERE WAS THE OTHER ISSUE OF THE INTERNET. JUDGE, I FELT THE SAME WAY.

I'M HAPPY TO LOOK INTO IT. THE VISITATION AREA, I THOUGHT IT WAS COMPLETE ALREADY. MAYBE NOT.

IT SHOULD BE WINDING UP PRETTY QUICKLY IF IT'S NOT.

>> IS THAT HOK DOING IT?

[04:45:01]

>> YES. AND OTHERS.

ANYWAY, THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION.

YOUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMMING NEEDS THAT -- MAYBE DESIRES THAT WE WOULD HAVE AND THAT YOU ARE READY TO STEP UP AND DO THOSE ALSO.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH. THERE'S THE NEW SCHOOL WHITE PAPER THAT WAS PUBLISHED THAT WAS LOOKING AT THE SUCCESS OF DEPLOYING RPA FUNDS AND WE WERE A MODEL FOR THAT. ESPECIALLY AROUND HOW WE WORKED IN WITH PUBLIC DEFENSE.

IT WAS VERY MUCH THIS COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROCESS.

IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THAT KIND OF COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP GOING.

>> COMMISSIONER, SOME OF THAT FUNDS, 83% OF YOUR POPULATION BENEFITTING, IT'S OUR POPULATION, BUT THE ONE YOU ARE SERVING, BENEFITTING FROM THESE PROGRAMS. THAT'S MAGNIFICENT. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> JUST SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS.

VICKY, IN YOUR WRITE- UP, $1. 8 MILLION TO SUPPORT PUBLIC DEFENDER IN THE GENERAL FUND. IS IT NO LONGER 1.8? IS IT POTENTIALLY 2.7?

>> THE 1. 8 WAS A SPLIT FUNDING FOR FY26.

THEY WERE FULLY FUNDED IN ARPA FUND PRIOR TO THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE. THEY ARE STILL FUNDED A LITTLE OVER $2. 2 MILLION WITH THE CURRENT CONTRACT RATE.

IT'S SPLIT BETWEEN THE ARPA FUND AND GENERAL FUND.

IF WE INCREASE ANY FUNDING FOR THIS IMMEDIATE NEEDS, IT WOULD NEED TO BE GENERAL FUNDS.

>> 474 IS --

>> THAT'S THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS. RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A LITTLE OVER 2.2 MILLION.

1. 8 IN GENERAL AND A LITTLE OVER 400,000 IN ARPA.

THE REQUEST IS AN ADDITIONAL 474 TO BRING THEM UP TO JUST UNDER 2.8.

>> SOME OF MY CONCERNS FROM THE LAST ONE WAS -- I FEEL LIKE Y'ALL WORK IN A SILO A LITTLE BIT. I KNOW WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS BEFORE ABOUT THE WORK Y'ALL DO.

I FEEL THERE'S A DISCONNECT STILL BETWEEN THE WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING, KWAN FYING AND THE COUNTY A LITTLE BIT.

THAT'S NOT Y'ALL'S FAULT. IT'S THE WAY THE DYNAMICS ARE OF THE INTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT COMING INTO THIS NEXT FISCAL. I DO CARE ABOUT TRYING TO WORK ON THAT PROGRAM AND TRYING TO BUILD A CRIMINAL JUSTICE STRATEGIC PLAN AROUND THE WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING.

PRETRIAL, POSSIBLE RE- ENTRY PROGRAMS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS ALL THE ISSUES THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL HERE ARE -- CARE ABOUT. HOW DO WE GET THERE? I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE IMMEDIATE NEED THAT YOU NEED.

WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. AS WE DO THAT, I DO WANT TO IDENTIFY MORE -- A MORE STRATEGIC PLAN AROUND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> YOU BET. GOOD

JOB. >> I WANTED TO ASK -- DO YOU HAVE A LIST OF THESE SERVICES OUTSIDE OF THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT YOU FEEL -- DO YOU HAVE A PRIORITIZED LIST OF WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE? I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE IT TODAY.

AT SOME POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT --

>> A MENU? >> YES.

>> OUTSIDE OF THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS?

>> YES.

>> I DO. THE EMAIL SHANNON SENT OUT LAST NIGHT THAT HAS -- THE FIRST PART OF A PHASED-IN APPROACH IDENTIFIES WHAT THAT WOULD BE.

IT'S PART OF WHAT CAN BE ADDRESSED.

WHAT WE HAVE SUBMITTED TO YOU FOR CONSIDERATION -- IF AND WHEN YOU WOULD BE READY FOR WHAT THAT PHASED- IN APPROACH WOULD LOOK LIKE, WOULD INCLUDE HOUSING DEFENSE, EVICTION DEFENSE, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AROUND THAT SORT OF THING, EXPUNGE, NON-DISCLOSER, FOR SPECIALTY COURTS.

THEN ALSO THINGS LIKE REPRESENTATION AT DRIVER'S LICENSE HEARINGS, PROFESSIONAL LICENSE HEARINGS, VIOLATIONS OF PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND PROTECTIVE ORDER HEARINGS.

[04:50:03]

>> CIVIL?

>> RIGHT. THE COLLATERAL CONSEQENCES THAT KEEP FOLKS CONTINUALLY INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM.

YOU START TO GET TO THOSE, THEN YOU

DISENTANGLE. >> THE WAY SHANNON DESCRIBED IT IS THAT WE ARE DOING CRIMINAL HOLISTIC.

THIS WOULD TAKE US THEN INTO MULTI-FORUMS. ADDITIONAL COURTS TO ADDRESS CIVIL NEEDS PEOPLE HAVE AS WELL.

>> PERFECT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR.

>> I THINK -- ISN'T THIS THE PHASED- IN PROPOSAL?

>> YES.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> I GET IT. SUPERVISING ATTORNEY AND STAFF ATTORNEYS, FOR WHAT? THEN IT SAYS IT ON

HERE. >> PREVIOUSLY, EARLIER IN THERE, PROBABLY ON PAGE 4, IT BREAKS OUT THE ATTORNEYS AND THE SERVICES AROUND EVICTION DEFENSE AND THE REVOCATION HEARINGS AND THAT THING.

>> I SAW IT.

THE BULLET POINTS, THOSE ARE GREAT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY, I BELIEVE IN WHAT Y'ALL DO.

THE SUPPORT THAT YOU GUY GIVE, I THINK IT HELPS ACROSS THE BOARD EVERYONE.

I THINK IT'S ALSO FINANCIALLY BENEFICIAL TO HAVE SPEEDY TRIALS AND GET PEOPLE OUT OF ANY SYSTEM. I APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL DO. I DO HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

I JUST HAVE TO DO MY DIGGING IN FROM A BUDGET PERSPECTIVE. Y'ALL HAVE A HIGH FRINGE.

CAN Y'ALL TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> SURE. I THINK IT'S COMPARABLE TO THE COUNTY'S FRINGE RATE. YES, WE DO.

FROM THE HEALTH BENEFITS AND THEN RETIREMENT BENEFITS, WHICH WE ARE CONTINUALLY EVALUATING TO SEE WHAT IS REASONABLE, WHAT WE CAN DO.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE IT'S COMPETITIVE TO ATTRACT TALENTED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ABLE TO BE COMMITTED TO AND DO THE WORK? WE UNDERSTAND THAT'S -- THE FRINGE RATE IS HIGH.

>> FOR AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $90,000, WHAT IS OUR FRINGE PERCENTAGE?

>> THE FRINGE RATE CHANGES BECAUSE OF OUR INSURANCE BENEFITS. IT'S

NOT A PERCENTAGE. >> AVERAGE.

AROUND? I THINK IT'S

20%. >> THAT'S OUR FICA/MED RETIREMENT. IF YOU ADD IN ALL OF THE MEDICAL INSURANCE, IT WOULD BE ON -- I WOULD SAY ON A $40,000, $50,000 SALARY, PROBABLY IN THE 40%. ON THE HIGHER SALARIES, IT WILL GO --

>> IT WILL GO DOWN ?

>> YES.

>> $90,000 IS YOUR AVERAGE SALARY. I WAS WONDERING. I WAS LOOKING AT THAT.

I KNOW YOUR TOTAL FRINGE IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE IS ALMOST $830,000 OF THE COST OF THE ENTIRE BUDGET. I JUST WANT TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY -- ANY BETTER INSURANCE PLANS OUT THERE MAYBE.

>> WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO SEE WITH A DIFFERENT OPTIONS F1 ARE. AS YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING TIME IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. THERE'S ALSO A LITTLE BIT OF MAKING SURE WE ARE PREPARED FOR GOING AHEAD. VICKY MIGHT KNOW THIS WITH GETTING BIDS. IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING YEAR TO SEE WHAT THE CHANGES ARE AND HOW THAT'S COMING BACK. WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT WHERE WE CAN MAKE SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT.

>> THAT WAS MY GOAL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE MONEY SPENT ON DEFENDING OUR RESIDENTS RATHER THAN GOING TO INSURANCE THAT IS NOT NECESSARY.

THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

>> NOW, WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT -- IF YOU COMPARE THEIR OVERALL BUDGET --

>> THE $2,772,000?

>> YES, 2.7. THE ENTIRE BUDGET, IT'S 25. 4 -- RIGHT AT OUR FRINGE RATE FOR THE ENTIRE BUDGET.

WE'RE NOT DOING ENTIRE BUDGET. YOUR FRINGE RATE IS ON YOUR SALARY. THAT WOULD BE 32.3%.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE OTHER SALARIES ON THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS SIDE, IT'S BECAUSE THOSE SALARIES ARE A LITTLE LOWER THAN ALL THE COMBINATION OF SALARIES THAT IS IN THE FULL BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> THE 1. 4 IS THE 704,000 FOR THE FRINGE ON THE -- AND THEN THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS IS 820 WITH THE 123? SO THE 123 PUTS 704 EQUALS TOTE AT FRINGE?

[04:55:01]

>> THE 704 INCLUDES THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

THEY COMBINED THAT. THEY

HAVE BROKEN IT OUT. >> GOT YOU.

OKAY. 704 IS TOTAL.

OKAY. IT'S NOT 123 PLUS 704. OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION THAT WE AS A COUNTY AND US INDIVIDUALLY AS MEMBERS OF THE COURT SUPPORT A VIBRANT -- WHAT I WOULD SAY A VIBRANT PDO. I DO WANT TO CLARIFY -- YOU AREN'T GOING TO WANT TO HEAR THIS. I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT A PDO DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN NDS.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD A CONSISTENT BEAT. THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO Y'ALL ABOUT AT A CERTAIN POINT.

A CONSISTENT BEAT FROM OTHER XHIM NAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND FROM THE D.A. 'S OFFICE AND JUDGES HERE THAT THOSE -- OUR D.A. S ARE HAVING TO PULL PUNCHES. THEY ARE PULLING PUNCHES BECAUSE ATTORNEYS ARE EITHER ILL- PREPARED OR UNDERPREPARED WHEN THEY COME TO COURT TO REPRESENT THOSE DEFENDANTS THAT ARE BEING REPRESENTED BY CERTAIN ATTORNEYS IN THE PDO OFFICE.

THAT'S A CONCERN FOR ME. THERE HAS BEEN A SUGGESTION FROM A COUPLE OF JUDGES I HAVE SPOKEN TO AS WELL AS IN SPEAKING TO SOME OF THE D.A. -- SOME OF OUR PROSECUTORS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A REVIEW OR AT LEAST A -- IF NOTHING ELSE, A POLL OF THOSE ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE BEEN IN THERE WHO HAVE BEEN IN COURT AND JUDGES WHO HAVE BEEN IN COURT AND LISTENED TO Y'ALL'S CASES AND THEY ARE VERY COMPLIMENTARY ON SOME OF Y'ALL'S STAFF. THEY DO A GREAT JOB.

BUT THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THE REPRESENTATION -- THAT THERE'S A FEEL THAT SOME OF THE ATTORNEYS ON THE WHEEL ARE DOING A MUCH BETTER JOB BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY ARE MUCH BETTER PREPARED. WHENEVER WE FIRST LOOKED AT A PDO, ONE OF THE THINGS I MADE VERY CLEAR WAS I DIDN'T WANT A CASE FACTORY.

I DIDN'T WANT A SETTLEMENT FACTORY.

I WANTED ATTORNEYS THAT WERE GOING TO DO THE JOB AND DO IT WELL AND REPRESENT THEIR CLIENTS WELL. I KNOW THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL WANT.

BUT I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR TRAINING PROCESS, YOUR REVIEW PROCESS AND HOW YOU ENSURE THAT THEY ARE DOING THE JOB THAT IS NEEDED. I THINK THAT -- LAST WEEK WE WERE DISCUSSING, EITHER WAY WE DO IT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A NEW CONTRACT AND GO OUT WITH AN RFQ OR RFP. WHICH ONE?

>> RFQ.

>> RFQ. IN DOING THAT, I THINK THOSE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE, I'M GOING TO WANT TO SEE IN THE SCOPE OF WHATEVER IS IN THAT RFQ OR

RFP. >> Q.

>> RFQ. I WANT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU ABOUT THAT. I LIKE THE EXISTING PROGRAM.

I WOULD ADVOCATE OVER TIME FOR EXPANSION.

LOOKING AT THE CIVIL SIDE. BUT I DON'T WANT TO SPEND ADDITIONAL FUNDS UNTIL I KNOW THOSE WE HAVE NOW ARE BEING SPENT WELL AND FOR THE PURPOSE THEY ARE NEEDED FOR.

>> MAKES SENSE.

>> WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ANY TIME THAT WORKS. THE QUALITY OF OUR REPRESENTATION IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO US.

IT IS ALWAYS KIND OF THIS INTERESTING POINT WHENEVER WE ARE COMING IN AS AN ORGANIZATION LIKE OURS, AS AN INDEPENDENT NON-PROFIT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE TENANTS OF WHAT WE DO BUT ALSO PUBLIC DEFENSE IN YEN IS INDEPENDENCE.

WE ARE ASKED TO COME IN AND TO DISRUPT AND AGITATE A SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE NEEDS TO BE CHANGES.

WHENEVER YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE DISRUPTION ANDAGE AGE TAGS, IT'S GOING TO CREATE A LOT OF -- IT'S GOING TO BRING UP CONVERSATIONS IN HOW THINGS WORK AND CHANGES FOR EVERYBODY IN HOW WE WORK TOGETHER.

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND SAY, OKAY, THIS IS A DIFFERENT WAY FOR ALL OF THESE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SYSTEM, EVERYBODY TO BE WORKING TOGETHER IN A NEW WAY THAT WAS UNFAMILIAR UNTIL WE CAME IN AND DID THE WORK THE WAY THAT WE'RE DOING IT.

WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ACHIEVING THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT'S EXPECTED AND THAT WE EXPECT ALSO OF OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITY EXPECTS.

>> WE WILL GO TO COMMISSIONER HAMMER AND THEN HR.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY ONE THING BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU SAID WITH RFQ. WHENEVER WE DO -- WE DO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAFA, COUNSEL AT FIRST

[05:00:04]

>> I LOVE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. I HEARD THE SAME THING.

>> I WASN'T PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT Y'ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, I THINK IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> WE PROCURE IT UNDER --

>> VICKY WILL ANSWER THAT --

>> WE DID A FORMAL PROCUREMENT UNDER 262.

2254 IS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, WHICH IT COULD BE ATTORNEY SERVICES. WE DID IT UNDER 262, WHICH IS A FORMAL PROCUREMENT. THE CURRENT CONTRACT IS UNDER THAT WHICH IS GOVERNED BY THE 25% INCREASE. WE CANNOT EXCEED THIS CONTRACT MORE THAN THE 25%. IF Y'ALL WANT TO CHANGE IT, WE WOULD HAVE TO GET RID OF THE CONTRACT AND DO A NEW FORMAL PROCUREMENT.

>> EVEN IF YOU CANCEL THE CONTRACT AND YOU GO IN UNDER THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES STATUTE?

>> I LIKE THAT PROBLEM SOLVING, CAN- DO

SPIRIT. >> I DON'T REMEMBER WHY WE WENT THROUGH THE FORMAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS VERSUS 2254.

I THINK MOST WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS A NEW -- IT WAS ARPA FUNDED. I WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULD WANT TO PUT IT OUT TO ANY POTENTIAL VENDOR TO COME IN AND OFFER THESE SERVICES AND NOT JUST GO -- WITH 2254, YOU DON'T GET TO SEE WHO ALL IS QUALIFIED TO DO THE JOB. YOU REACH OUT TO THAT PERSON DIRECTLY AND SAY, WE WANT TO CONTRACT WITH YOU.

I WOULD THINK THAT IF WE'RE HAVING CONCERNS WITH SERVICES AND WHATNOT, THAT WE WOULD WANT TO PUT IT OUT AND SEE WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE WE GET. REVIEW THOSE AND SELECT THE BEST FIRM TO DO WHAT WE NEED THEM TO

DO. >> I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM. I WANTED TO PROBLEM SOLVE.

I THINK EVERYONE ON THIS COURT CAN FULLY SUPPORT US ROLLING OUT ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND CREATING A MORE EXTENSIVE PDO DEPARTMENT.

I JUST -- I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ROUTE WE CAN DO THAT IN.

IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS OVER HERE WITH OUR CURRENT CONTRACT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THEM. THAT WOULD BE REALLY RUDE OF THEM TO BUILD OUT THIS PROGRAM AND SAY, SORRY.

>> POTENTIALLY, GOOD POINT. GREAT POINT.

>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT COMMISSIONER SMITH SAID. IF THERE ARE CONCERNS, IT WOULD BE NICE -- THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

IT WOULD BE NICE FOR THE ENTIRE COURT TO KNOW THOSE

CONCERNS. >> AGREED.

>> IF WE DON'T KNOW, HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THEM? I KNOW THERE'S A PROCESS TO DO THAT. WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THAT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE CONCERNS ARE.

>> I AGREE COMPLETELY. THERE'S NOT A FORMAL EVALUATION PROCESS IN THIS CONTRACT FOR US TO GO BACK AND SAY -- WHAT MATRIX DO WE USE? WE CAN'T USE SUCCESS IN THE COURTROOM.

>> NO.

>> THAT'S NOT A MATRIX WE CAN USE.

>> WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS FOREVER. I WANT TO KEEP GOING. PLEASE.

SORRY. THANK YOU.

WE ARE SO BEHIND. IF THERE'S NOTHING PRESSING, I WOULD RATHER LET IT GO.

HR. LET'S GO.

>> I AM PUSHING ON A 1:00 PUBLIC MEETING I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE.

>> I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR QUESTION FROM LAST WEEK, SINCE WE'RE IN THIS VEIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I PROVIDED A COUPLE OF CHARTS AND SOME DATA.

WITH YOUR WORKSHOP PACKET. IT'S BASICALLY COMPARING THE 2023 ACTUALS TO THE 2026 BUDGET. THE FIRST CHART IS SHOWING THAT THE JUDICIAL SERVICES BUDGET WENT UP 87.9%.

THIS IS A MORE GRANULAR LOOK. I JUST PULLED JUDICIAL SERVICES THAT WERE RELATED TO THE SPECIALTY COURTS, PRETRIAL SERVICES. I DIDN'T BRING IN ALL OF THE CLERKS AND THE COURTS -- I DIDN'T BRING IN THE D.A. 'S OFFICE. I JUST LOOKED AT

[05:05:01]

>> THIS WAS BROAD STROKE BECAUSE THERE'S MORE MONEY BEING SPENT?

>> THIS WAS MORE DIALED INTO OFFERING SERVICES.

>> RIGHT ON.

>> THIS IS A LOOK TO SHOW THE COURT'S ATTEMPT TO INCREASE IN THIS AREA WITHIN THE PAST YEARS -- THREE YEARS WE HAVE GONE UP 27.04%. THE SHERIFF LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE, NOT JAIL SIDE. THE COMPARATIVE IS 27% INCREASE AND 87% INCREASE IN JUDICIAL.

THE SECOND CHART IS -- HAS ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS.

I KNOW ONE OF THE OTHER CONCERNS WAS COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC OUTREACH. I HAD MENTIONED I THINK IN OUR FIRST BUDGET WORKSHOP THE COURT ALLOCATED QUITE A BIT OF MONEY TO OUR SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

THIS CHART REPRESENTS THAT AS WELL.

WITH THE 240% INCREASE, JUST IN THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE BUDGETS. THEN THE NEXT HIGHWAY AND ROADS.

I DID CARVE OUT THE CAPITAL ROADS.

IT'S JUST LOOKING AT TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.

THE THIRD HIGHEST WAS JUDICIAL. THE LOWEST IN THIS OVERALL FUNCTION WITH ADMINISTRATION, MAINTENANCE, OVERALL WAS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE LOWEST INCREASE. I FEEL LIKE THE COURT AND ALL OF THE FUNDING WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR ARPA MONEY, ERA MONEY, TO REALLY PUT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. THIS COURT HAS TAKEN A LOT OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. THANK YOU FOR NOT ONLY REMEMBERING THAT WE COULD BENEFIT FROM SEEING IT, BUT ALSO STOPPING NOW AS I TRY TO MOVE US

TO A 1:00 MEETING. >> I KNOW.

>> I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.

>> THE DETAILED CHART IS JUST -- IT'S EVERY DEPARTMENT. IF YOU WANTED TO GET REAL GRANULAR, LOOK AT EVERY DEPARTMENT TO SEE WHAT THEIR INCREASE IS.

>> I'M SAYING THAT IN TELLING YOU, IT'S PERFECT.

IT SHOWS HOW THE COURT IS DOING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT THAT WE JUST WANT TO -- YOU CAN'T ALWAYS BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE OR WHAT YOU HEAR. SO WHEN YOU PUT IT LIKE THIS, IT'S REALLY USEFUL.

IS IT COMPLETE? IS IT 100% WHERE IT SHOULD BE? NO. LOOK AT THE TRAJECTORY. THAT'S WONDERFUL. WHEN YOU LABEL SHERIFF, IT'S SHERIFF OR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> IT'S JUST SHERIFF. IT'S JUST HIS L.E. SIDE, NOT THE JAIL SIDE.

>> NOT CONSTABLES?

>> NOT CONSTABLES. SHERIFFS VERSUS -- I CAN DICE THIS ANY WAY YOU WANT ME TO.

>> BEAUTIFUL. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS SO MUCH.

>> I DO ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT WE -- THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE COMMENTS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS IN THE BUDGET WORKSHOPS. WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET. WE ARE REQUIRED STATUTOR ILY TO ADOPT A BALANCED BUDGET. SOME STATE IES DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. COUNTIES DO.

OUR BUDGET HAS ALWAYS BEEN ADOPTED

BALANCED. >> RUN OF THE SPEAKERS SAID -- IT WAS 2012 WHEN WE LAST HAD A BALANCED BUDGET. WE HAVE, WE BALANCE IT EVERY YEAR.

>> EVERY YEAR. >> EVERY YEAR.

EVERY YEAR.

>> ANY COMMENTS ON THE LAST TIDBIT? I'M GOING TO LEAN IN ON THIS. IT'S YOU'LLFUL.

USEFUL. CAN YOU PUT A THREE-MINUTE TIMER? I'M KIDDING.

>> I WILL TRY. >> YOU ARE GOOD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT A BENCHMARK ADJUSTMENT PROPOSAL FOR '26 BASED ON A STUDY WE DID.

STARTED IN FEBRUARY AND FINISHED IN MAY.

I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR YOU ALL.

>> AFTER HE IS DONE, WHILE THAT'S LOADING, A FIVE- MINUTE RECESS TO GIVE EVERYBODY A CHANCE TO PRINT, TO GO TO THE RESTROOM, GRAB A SNACK OR WHATEVER.

THEN WE WILL GO INTO J6. MY NUMBERS ARE SCREWED UP.

J4. >> IS THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING?

>> J5, OUR PUBLIC HEARING. WE WILL DO A TEN-MINUTE RECESS FOR THAT RIGHT AFTER HIM. YOU GOT IT.

TEN MINUTES.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THIS WAS TO EVALUATE CURRENT

[05:10:01]

TO ADVANCE PROGRESS TOWARDS BECOMING AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE BY ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TOP TALENT THOROUGHFARE ROUGH FAIR AND COMPETITIVE WAGES. WE INCLUDED AT LEAST ONE POSITION FROM EACH PAY GRADE. WE UTILIZED 17 MARKET SOURCES, COUNTIES AND CITIES APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN COURT FROM THE STUDY.

A REMINDER OF THOSE CURRENT APPROVED MARKET SOURCES FROM THE STUDY.

OUR KEY FINDINGS OUT OF THE 112 POSITIONS WE BENCHMARKED, 22 POSITIONS OR 20% WERE OVER MARKET.

RANGING FROM 5% TO 15% OVER MARKET.

53 POSITIONS OR 47% WERE UNDERMARKET AVERAGE RANGING FROM 5% TO 45% BELOW MARKET. 37 POSITIONS, OR 33%, WERE AT MARKET AVERAGE OR CORRECTLY GRADED. THE NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE THE AVERAGE MARKET POSITION BY FIELD. ON THE LEFT SIDE, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF POSITIONS OVER MARKET.

LEADING THAT FIELD IS JUDICIAL SERVICES WITH TEN POSITIONS OVER MARKET FOLLOWED BY COUNTY AND FINANCE. THIS IS NOT JUST AUDITORS OR TREASURER'S OFFICE. ANY POSITION IN THE COUNTY THAT'S RELATED TO ACCOUNTING FINANCE, PAYROLL, OF THAT NATURE.

FIVE POSITIONS, LEGAL WITH THREE POSITIONS OVER MARKET, COMMUNICATIONS WITH TWO, LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH TWO, I.T. WITH TWO, HEALTH AND FACILITIES WITH TWO, FOLLOWED BY CONSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE FIELDS WITH ONE POSITION OVER MARKET. ON THE RIGHT SIDE, POSITIONS UNDER MARKET. LEADING THAT IS ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE WITH 15 POSITIONS BELOW MARKET.

FOLLOWED BY JUDICIAL SERVICES WITH NINE POSITIONS UNDER MARKET.

EIGHT POSITIONS IN LEGAL.

SEVEN POSITIONS IN FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE.

SIX POSITIONS IN HEALTH. FIVE POSITIONS IN CONSTRUCTION.

FIVE IN HR. FOUR ADMINISTRATIVE.

THREE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. THREE IN FOOD SERVICE.

THREE IN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. TWO IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. ONE IN S.O. MARKETING.

ONE IN PROCUREMENT. THERE ARE ADDITIONAL SLIDES.

TRYING TO KEEP THIS HIGH LEVEL FOR THE PUBLIC. WE DIVE DEEPER IN YOUR PACKETS.

WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

JUMPS RIGHT INTO THE RECOMMENDATION.

>> GOOD.

>> RECOMMENDATION A TO INCREAS SALARY GRADE 110.

THAT'S OUR LOWEST SALARY GRADE. BY 6%.

WE CAME UP WITH 6% BASED ON WHAT THE MARKET AVERAGE IS FOR THAT FIRST GRADE, WHICH IS CUSTODIANS AND RAINBOW ROOM MARKET ASSISTANTS. INCREASE THAT BY 6%.

THEN EVERY GRADE BY 5% FROM A NEW BASE MINIMUM.

THE NEW HOURLY RATE IN THE COUNTY WOULD RAISE FROM $15.

80 TO $16. 80 PER HOUR.

MOVE CIVILIAN POSITIONS THAT WERE BENCHMARKED BASED ON MARKET RESULTS. MOVE THEM TO THEIR RESPECTIVE PAY GRADE. BASED ON THE MARKET RESULTS.

MOVE CIVILIAN POSITIONS THAT WILL FACE COMPRESSION OR INTERNAL EQUITY CONCERNS AS A RESULT OF THE MOVED BENCHMARK POSITION.

IF WE DID NOT BENCHMRASHG A SUPERVISOR BUT THEIR SUBORDINATE AND THAT SUBORDINATE MOVED UP, WE WOULD WANT TO ADJUST THAT FOR INTERNAL EQUITY. BENCHMARK THE REMAINING 60% OF CIVILIAN POSITIONS IN FISCAL YEAR '26 WITH MARKET SOURCES. IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND NEW MARKET SOURCES TO USE FOR FISCAL YEAR '27 BASED ON A MORE REALISTIC APPROACH, WHERE EMPLOYEES ARE LEAVING US.

WE NEED TO RE-VISIT OUR MARKET SOURCES.

WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE LEAVING US ACROSS STATES.

WE NEED TO LOOK MORE LOCAL. SOMETHING THAT'S MORE REALISTIC. THIS RECOMMENDATION WOULD AIM TO DO THAT IN FISCAL YEAR '27 TO ENSURE THE OTHER 60% THAT WEREN'T CAPTURED, WE'RE COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES. LEVELING THE PLAYING ING FIELD.

COST OF RECOMMENDATION A WOULD BE TO MOVE CIVILIAN POSITIONS THAT WERE BENCHMARKED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE PAY GRADES OVER AND UNDER MARKET.

POSITIONS THAT WILL RECEIVE COMPRESSION OR EQUITY

[05:15:02]

PLUS ALL EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE A BENCHMARK ADJUSTMENT BASE OPENED THE MOVEMENT OF THE CIVIL CHART EFFECTIVE 10/1, $5,030,350. NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS B, THE SAME AS A, BUT WITH A PHASED- IN APPROACH ON 4/1/2026.

A LITTLE OVER HALF TO $2.5 MILLION.

THEN RECOMMENDATION C WOULD BE TO NOT MOVE ANY POSITIONS AS A RESULT OF THE BENCHMARK STUDY, INCREASE SALARY GRADE BY 3% AND EVERY BY 5% FROM THE NEW BASE MINIMUM.

LOWEST HOURLY RATE WOULD MAKE THE COUNTY RISE FROM $15.

80 TO $16. 27 VERSUS $16. 80 IN RECOMMENDATION A. 3% BENCHMARK ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE 10/1.

CIVILIAN POSITIONS WOULD MOVE TO THE REGULAR 3% EFFECTIVE ON THEN LASTLY, IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND NEW MARKET FOR FI THAT SHOULD SAY '26.

BASED ON A MORE LOCAL APPROACH. THAT SPEAKS TO REALISTIC COMPETITION. BENCHMARK 100% OF THOSE CIVILIAN POSITION POSITIONS BY FISCAL YEAR '27.

THAT WAY WE CAN REALLY SEE WHERE EVERYONE IS FALLING BASED ON MARKETING -- BENCHMARKING ALL 100% POSITIONS VERSUS RECOMMENDATION A WHERE WE BENCHMARK 40%.

>> OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR BIGGEST ASSET. I KNOW AS A PRIVATE BUSINESSOWNER ALL MY LIFE, PRETTY MUCH, MOST OF MY LIFE, I KNOW THE COST OF TURNOVER. THAT'S A HORRIBLE EXPENSE AND A HORRIBLE BURDEN ON THE ONES THAT ARE LEFT BEHIND. I WILL SAY IT THIS WAY.

IF YOU ARE PLAYING BASEBALL, THAT OPTION A, WHEN IT MADE A SOUND HITTING THE BAT, IT WENT CRACK. IT WENT OVER THE FENCE. GOOD JOB.

>> THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. WOW.

I GUESS I WANT TO ASK YOU, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE -- WHAT DO WE HAVE BUDGETED FOR ANY KIND OF SALARY ADJUSTMENTS? 5 MILLION IS OVER -- WELL OVER A PENNY.

>> DO WE NEED THAT EXTRA BUILDING? NAH.

>> WE NEED TO DECIDE ON A FEW THINGS.

THERE'S 2. 2 MILLION IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR CIVILIAN. THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF A 6% PAY INCREASE FOR EVERY CIVILIAN STAFF POSITION. THAT WAS BUDGETED BASED ON THE ENTRY LEVEL POSITION THAT WAS BENCHMARKED, CUSTODIAN POSITION. WITH THAT THOUGHT, I FELT MORE COMFORTABLE PROPOSING A PLAN THAT EVERYONE GETS TREATED EQUALLY.

SINCE WE ONLY WERE ABLE TO -- HR ONLY ABLE TO BENCHMARK 40% OF THE CIVILIAN SALARIES, I FELT IT WOULD BE MORE EQUITABLE TO GIVE EVERYONE A 6%, WHICH IS THE EQUIVALENT OF WHAT THE CHART SHOULD MOVE. SINCE WE ARE ON A 3% STEP PLAN, IT COULD BE -- THE 6% WOULD BE BASED ON ANNIVERSARY DATE. IF WE WERE TO CHANGE THAT AND DO A 3% ON 10/1, WHICH IS BEST PRACTICE, IT'S A MARKET MOVEMENT, THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $675,000.

IN THE CONCERN WITH ONLY ADDRESSING -- SOME OF THE POSITIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED AS BEING OVER ARE SOME OF THE POSITIONS THAT IN THE STUDY TWO YEARS AGO, THE COURT SPECIFICALLY PLACED THOSE POSITIONS.

THE JP JUSTICE CLERKS, THE CONSTABLES, JUSTICE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, JUSTICE CLERK ADMINISTRATORS.

>> IT'S CATCHING THOSE.

>> THEY WERE PLACED BECAUSE OF INTERNAL EQUITY. WE HAD SOME OF OUR I.T.

PEOPLE THAT WERE BENCHMARKED DIRECTLY TO CITY OF SAN MARCOS BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY WERE LOSING FOLKS TO. WE HAVE OUR BAILIFF POSITIONS THAT WERE BENCH MARKING AGAINST OUR COLLECTIVE

[05:20:01]

TO ADOPT IT AND MOVE THOSE POSITIONS UNDER -- PUT THOSE POSITIONS BACK UNDER -- OR DOWNGRADE THOSE, I FELT WE NEEDED MAYBE TO LOOK AT A DIFFERENT MARKET STRUCTURE AND SEE IF WE NEEDED TO HOLISTICALLY JUST BRING ALL OF THE POSITIONS BACK IN. JUST LIKE WITH THE CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK, WHICH HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF TIMES, THAT IS -- THOSE DUTIES ARE BEING DONE. THOSE ARE ILY REQUIRED. THEY ARE JUST NOT CALLED CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK.

THAT'S THE STUFF WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT.

IF WE -- OUR -- MAYBE OUR MAXES ARE TOO HIGH.

DO WE NED TO LOOK AT THAT? CHANGE POLICY IN MAY OR JUNE.

WHAT'S GOING TO BE EVEN MORE COSTLY IS PLACING THOSE PEOPLE ALL THE WAY UP TO THEIR STEP.

I THINK IT'S -- IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT HOLISTICALLY.

>> YOU ARE SAYING IN SUMMARY, 6% EVERYONE AND THEN CAPTURE THE NEW MARKET ANALYSIS WITH A MORE REGIONAL FOOTPRINT INSTEAD OF A GEOGRAPHICAL EQUIVALENT THAT DOESN'T RELATE?

>> I WOULD AGREE.

>> I ENCAPSULATED IT FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> I LIKE THAT, JUDGE, FOR EVERY ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO HAVE

SOMETHING. >> SURE.

>> 6%, I THINK, IS A START. I DO AGREE THAT WE NEED TO IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND A NEW MARKET.

ALSO BENCHMARK 100% OF THAT IN THE FY2027.

I KNOW IT WASN'T ONE OF YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT I LIKE RECOMMENDATION A BECAUSE IT STARTS MOVING PEOPLE TO THE CORRECT PAY GRADE.

AT THE SAME TIME, THAT DOESN'T GIVE US A TRUE REVEAL OF WHERE POSITIONS SHOULD BE FOR ALL THE 248 CIVILIAN POSITIONS. IF WE WANTED TO APPROACH IT STRATEGICALLY, THEN DOING ALL 1 100 POSITIONS MIGHT COME WITH A BETTER PLAN OF WHAT ALL POSITIONS NEED TO MOVE AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO MANAGE COSTS, IF THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF STEPS TO FUND IT. IT COULD GIVE US A BETTER POSITION IF WE DID ALL 100% POSITIONS VERSUS 40%.

>> JUDGE, I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT. OUR EMPLOYEES ARE THE BACKBONE TO OUR ORGANIZATION. I KNOW IN PAST YEARS, WE DELAYED A LOT OF THESE STUDIES OR IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. IT CERTAINLY IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO DO. I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANTIMPORTANT IF -- EVEN IF WE WENT WITH THIS PROPOSED 6% ACROSS THE BOARD AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHETHER IT'S DONE ON THE ANNIVERSARY DATE OR WHETHER IT'S DONE OCTOBER 1ST.

>> THE 6% THE WAY IT'S INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET IS A 3% CHART MOVEMENT AND THEN YOUR 3% STEP.

IT'S GETTING IT ALL ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY DATE.

YOU WILL MOVE UP YOUR STEP. THE IDEA WAS THE CHART NEEDS TO MOVE 6%. AT LEAST MOVE ALL THE EMPLOYEES 6% AND MOVE YOUR CHART AGAIN 3% NEXT YEAR ALONG WITH THE REGRADES THAT ERIC'S GROUP WILL BE WORKING ON.

>> VICKY, WE STARTED OCTOBER 1ST.

THAT WAS AN ADDITIONAL $675,000 WHICH IS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR?

>> IT'S NOT ACCOUNTED FOR.

>> I DO RECOMMEND THAT 10/1 FOR THE BENCHMARK ADJUSTMENT.

IT WILL GIVE EVERYONE THAT BENCHMARK ADJUSTMENT ON THE SAME TIME. VERSUS IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS AN ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR AND SOMEONE HAS ONE THIS YEAR, SOMEONE WILL BENEFIT MORE FROM THE BENCHMARK ADJUSTMENT THAN OTHERS.

>> I REALLY AGREE IF WE CAN FIND THE MONEY SOMEWHERE, VICKY --

>> WE CAN FIND IT IN THE TAX RATE.

>> I THINK MY PREFERENCE IS OCTOBER 1ST.

WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO IT.

[05:25:02]

>> I THINK IF YOU GO BACK TO THE VERTICAL STRUCTURE PRESENTATION THAT I HAD IN THERE, IT HAS -- WE NEEDED ABOUT AN EXTRA 716. SO YOU ARE LOOKING ABOUT .

0017 ON YOUR TAX RATE, WHICH WAS GOING TO BRING IT -- THE GENERAL FUND UP FROM 247 TO 2487 AND OVERALL FROM 3925 TO 3942. THEN WE ALSO STILL NEED TO ADDRESS YOUR VERTICAL AS WELL.

>> OKAY. THAT'S ANOTHER DISCUSSION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. SOME HARD DECISIONS.

>> IN A MILLION AND A HALF WORTH

OF REQUESTS THAT HAVE COME IN. >> OF COURSE.

THIS IS A CAKEWALK.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY, LOOKING --

>> ONE AT A TIME.

>> I'M ORY. I APOLOGIZE.

>> I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE EIGHT MONTHS.

DOES THIS STEP PLAN AND MARKET STUDIES AND EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING, DOES IT NOT SEEM LIKE THE MOST INEFFICIENT THING EVER?

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT WAS ACTUALLY A BIG STEP -- I'M GLAD ERIC IS LEADING THIS CONVERSATION.

HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS HELPING US TO HARMONIZE INCONSISTENCIES WE DEVELOPED AS A COUNTY. IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I'M PARAPHRASING THE HECK OUT OF IT, HOMOGENIZE POSITIONS KNOWING IT WASN'T GOING TO BE IDEAL, KNOWING WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS, BUT CREATING A FORMAT THAT WAS TIED TO THE SIMILARITIES OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL ASSESSMENTS THAT PEOPLE CAN PREDICTABLY ANTICIPATE.

>> RIGHT. WE REMOVE ALL THE AUTONOMY FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO GIVE MERIT- BASED PROMOTIONS.

>> THAT'S IN THE BUDGET. YOU WILL SEE IT.

>> NO. NO.

COLA IS COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

>> WE HAVE COST OF LIVING INCLUDED IN OUR CONVERSATIONS ALL THE TIME. WE CAN ALWAYS STILL INCLUDE MERIT WITH AT THE DISCRETION OF DEPARTMENT HEADS. THAT'S A CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE AS A CHOICE AS A COURT.

>> IS ANYONE AWARE OF THIS?

>> WE HAVEN'T DONE A MERIT ALLOCATION SINCE WE HAVE ADOPTED THE STEP PLAN. YOU COULD.

>> YOU CERTAINLY CAN.

>> WHEN WAS THE STEP PLAN ADOPTED?

>> 2023. YOU WOULD HAVE TO GIVE SOME SPECIFIC GUIDELINES. THE WHOLE IDEA OF A STEP PLAN STO IS TO BE ON A STEP.

IF YOU GIVE MERIT AND THEY DON'T GIVE IT ON THE STEP INCREMENTS, THEN YOU ARE STILL TO GIVE THEM SOME GUIDANCE ON HOW TO ALLOCATE.

THE WAY THAT YOU ARE SEEING IT WHAT WE CAME OUT OF, WHICH WAS AN OPEN MARKET.

SO WE HAD MINIMUM/MAXIMUM.

>> IT GETS MESSY.

>> ONE THING THAT I'M WORKING WITH CANDICE AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS IS LOOKING AT PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND SEE CAN TIE THAT TO MERIT AND GIVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THAT.

>> IT JUST MAKES -- THIS IS THE REASON WHY I FEEL YOU SAY GOVERNMENT IS SLOW TO MOVE. TWO EMPLOYEES GRADED AND PAID THE SAME BUT ONE CAN DO SO WELL AND THE OTHER ONE COULD BE SITTING BACK AND LETTING THE OTHER ONE WORK FOR THEM. IT DOESN'T GIVE THE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY WORK HARD, I FEEL LIKE.

>> THAT'S WHERE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE SUPPOSED TO STEP IN.

>> JUDGE, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE MEAN.

I'M TRYING TO STATE MY POINT. I FEEL LIKE YOU CONSISTENTLY KEEP ON SHUTTING ME DOWN.

IT'S THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING.

>> I WASN'T TRYING TO SHUT YOU DOWN. I WAS CONTRIBUTING.

>> OKAY. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND WHAT I HAVE HEARD AND WHEN I'VE BEEN TALKING TO DEPARTMENT HEADS, THERE'S A STEP PLAN INVOLVED. THERE'S NO MERIT- BASED PROMOTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. THERE IS SOME TYPE OF INEFFICIENCY THAT I FEEL LIKE WE CAN WORK ON.

IS ALL I'M SAYING.

>> THERE WAS A REALLY BIG PUSH TO GO TO A STEP PLAN. WE WENT BACK AND FORTH WONDERING IF THAT WAS THE BEST WAY TO HAVE OUR PAY PLAN. IT HAPPENED THAT WAY.

YEAH, YOU ARE RIGHT. IT DOES TAKE SOME OF THAT ABILITY FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO REWARD THOSE THAT ARE ING OR DOING THE WORK. THAT'S WHAT THE COURT DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND GO WITH, THE STEP

PLAN. >> THAT WAS MY ONLY THING.

I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GETTING INTO BUDGETS AND IT'S HARD WHEN WE HAVE TO REGRADE THE ENTIRE

[05:30:03]

SINCE I'VE ENTERED THIS BUDGET. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE LAST YEAR. THAT'S

HOW I FEEL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH?

>> YOU KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR ME TO AGREE WITH THE JUDGE.

BUT THIS IS A BETTER SYSTEM THAN WE USED TO HAVE.

I SAY THAT JOKINGLY, JUDGE.

>> IF WE DON'T RIB EACH OTHER, WHO WILL?

>> I'M BEING SERIOUS IN THE FACT THAT IF Y'ALL REMEMBER WHEN WE LOOKED AT PAY EQUITY, WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE STEP -- WHEN WE ADOPTED THE STEP PLAN, I REALLY PUT A HIGH VALUE ON MERIT PAY AFTER TALKING TO OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS. OUR OLD WAY OF 3% -- JUST THROWING NUMBERS OUT HERE. 3% 2% MERIT.

THAT WORKS ON. I'M NOT GOING TO PICK ON THE TAX OFFICE OR THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

THOSE -- ESPECIALLY THOSE FORWARD- FACING OFFICES WHERE YOU HAVE POSITIONS WHERE SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SIT IN THAT POSITION FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS.

YOU HAVE ONE EMPLOYEE WHO MAYBE HAS TWO YEARS TO RETIREMENT.

THEY ARE DOING THE SAME JOB AS SOMEBODY WHO STARTED SIX MONTHS AGO.

THE PERCH WHO HAS SON WORKING ON SIX MONTHS IS WAITING ON 60 PEOPLE A DAY.

THE PERSON BIDING THEIR TIME IS WAIT ON 20.

THEY ARE BOTH GOOD EMPLOYEES. BUT SOMEBODY IS REALLY OUTDOING THEMSELVES.

I STRUGGLED. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT COMMISSIONER COHEN AND I -- IF YOU REMEMBER, WE TALKED ABOUT, HOW DO WE BUILD IN SUCCESS PLANS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES? THERE'S MORE THAN JUST PAY.

HOW CAN WE CREATE SITUATIONS WHERE THOSE EMPLOYEES CAN EXCEL IN THEIR JOB AND EXCEL IN OTHER MEANS TO TRY TO REWARD THEM? I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN. I HAD IT DURING -- WHEN WE ADOPTED THE PLAN AS WELL.

THIS AT LEAST PROVIDES SOME CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE BOARD. WHEN WE HIRE AN EMPLOYEE, THEY HAVE A LEVEL OF XPECTATION OF WHERE THEY MIGHT BE IN FIVE YEARS OR TEN YEARS. WHICH WASN'T THERE BEFORE.

IT JUST WASN'T. WE DIDN'T DO INCREASES UNLESS WE DID IT IN BUDGET CYCLE.

WE DIDN'T -- THEY WEREN'T CONSISTENT.

THE ONE THING IT HAS CUT DOWN ON A LOT IS I WELL REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE -- SAT THROUGH COURT, BEFORE WE HAD A PLAN LIKE THIS, AND WE WOULD NOT GO ONE MONTH WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE OR TWO DEPARTMENT HEADS COMING IN AND ASKING FOR REGRADES. OR A RE- EVALUATION OR A NEW JOB DESCRIPTION TO JUSTIFY A DIFFERENT SALARY RANGE. IT HAS CUT DOWN ON THAT.

I WOULDN'T SAY SIGNIFICANTLY, BUT IT HAS CUT DOWN ON IT. IT'S DONE A DECENT JOB.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I REMEMBER WHEN WE ADOPTED THIS PLAN, OUR CURRENT PLAN.

WE HAD A MAJOR DEBATE ON DOING IT ALL AT ONCE OR DOING IT ON THE ANNIVERSARY. I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED DOING IT ON THE WORK ANNIVERSARY, AT LEAST A PORTION OF IT. I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR TEN YEARS OR 15 YEARS, FIVE YEARS. THEN WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO STARTED WHO IS IN THE SAME, SIMILAR POSITION, WHO IS SITTING NEXT TO THEM WHO STARTED SIX MONTHS AGO.

>> BUT WE HAVE SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THAT. DON'T WE? OR NOT? I THOUGHT WE DID.

>> ADDRESS TIME ON THE JOB.

>> WHAT IS THAT POLICY? HOW DOES THAT WORK RIGHT NOW?

>> NEW EMPLOYEES OR EMPLOYEES MOVING INTO A NEW POSITION GET TO BE PLACED AT A STEP BASED ON RELATED EXPERIENCE.

THAT'S DETERMINED BY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND THE DEPARTMENT HEAD WHERE THEY WANT TO PLACE THEM.

THEY LOOK AT INTERNAL EQUITY.

LOOKING AT IF THERE'S OTHER POSITIONS THAT ARE MAYBE NOT AS HIGH. THEY WOULD LOOK AT THAT FACTOR.

THEN ALSO BUDGET AVAILABILITY IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE BUDGET, THEN THEY COULDN'T SUPPORT THAT.

IT GOES TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD FOR INITIATING TO SEE IF THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO PLACE SOMEONE AT A HIGHER STEP. THEN TO HR'S REVIEW FOR CALCULATING THE RELATED EXPERIENCE AND BUDGET FOR BUDGET AVAILABILITY.

>> THAT'S HOW NEW HIRES WORK. MY QUESTION IS, WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN ON BOARD FOR THREE MONTHS.

THEY ARE GOING TO GET A 6% PAY INCREASE? AFTER BEING HERE FOR THREE MONTHS?

>> NO. THEY GET 3% ON THEIR STEP ANNIVERSARY AND THEN 3% WOULD BE A BENCHMARK ADJUSTMENT.

>> YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M ASKING?

>> INCREASES NEED TO BE FAIR. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> THAT'S ALL.

>> WE WILL TAKE A TEN-MINUTE RECESS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I SEE ALL THOSE EYES.

[05:35:04]

>>> SORRY, I WAS CHEWING. BUDGET OFFICE IS NOT QUITE

[G. CONSENT ITEMS]

I WILL NEVER COMPLAIN ABOUTABOUT BECAUSE SHE'S A FEARLESS WORKHORSE. THERE'S ONE WE WILL NOT OPEN, 14. OTHERWISE, OPEN THE REST.

>> G1, APPROVE PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES.

G2, APPROVE PAYMENT OF JUROR DISBURSEMENTS.

G3, PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTHCARE AND TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HEALTH CARE CLAIMS AND DISBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 TO THE HEALTH CARE CLAIMS ACCOUNT. G4, APPROVE COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES OF JULY 8, 2025. G5, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE AUGUST 31, 2025 PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,700,000 EFFECTIVE AUGUST 31, 2025 AND POST TOTAL OF WAGES, WITHHOLDINGS, DEDUCTIONS AND BENEFITS ON THE WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED.

G6, ACCEPT DELIVERY OF AUDITOR'S MOVELY REPORT FOR JUNE 2025, PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 114.023.

G7, ACCEPT DELIVERY OF AUDITOR'S OFFICE QUARTERLY INTERNAL EXAMINATION REPORTS.

G8, AMEND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL OPERATING SPECIAL REVENUE AND CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGETS IN PREPARATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTING. G9, APPROVE THE JUNE 2025 PRESSURE TREASURER'S REPORT, AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT EXTENSION WITH COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT FOR GRANT FUNDED SERVICES. PROVIDED UNDER THE VETERANS TREATMENT COURT. G11, AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT TO THE MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING AND SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND HILL COUNTRY MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY CENTER IN RELATION TO THE ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM. G12, A BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,667 FOR ELECTRICAL WORK NEEDED AT THE DRIFTWOOD RECYCLE AND SOLID WASTE.

G13, COUNTYWIDE OPERATION BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE A BROKEN DRINKING FOUNTAIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,501.41.

AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G15, AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A RENEWAL OF THE INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT FOR INMATE HOUSING BETWEEN COUNTIES EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025.

G16, AUTHORIZE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO USE FEDERAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO PURCHASE SOFTWARE VALUED AT $10,538.65. G17, AUTHORIZE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO UTILIZE FUNDS TO PERFECT VEHICLE EQUIPMENT VALUED AT $51,321.05.

G18, AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT, PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND EXECUTIVE ARMORING FOR INSTALLATION FEES TOTALING $8,250 AND AUTHORIZE A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASING POLICY OF OBTAINING THREE QUOTES. G19, AUTHORIZE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO UTILIZE PREVENT A LITTER OF CENTRAL TEXAS FOR MICROCHIP AND VACCINE CLINICS AND A PET FOOD PANTRY AUTHORIZE A WAIVER OF THE PURCHASING POLICY TO OBTAIN THREE QUOTES AND AMEND THE BUDGET. G20, AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT EXTENSION OF IFB 2020- B06 ROADWAY STRIPING WITH DIJ CONSTRUCTION INK FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 153 DAYS.

OCTOBER 31, 2025 EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2025.

G GUILT 21, APPROVE PAYMENT TO PAN ARAMMIC SOFTWARE CORPORATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,080 FOR THE VET PRONATIONAL USER LICENSE UTILIZED BY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICE IN WHICH A PURCHASE ORDER WAS NOT OBTAINED AS REQUIRED BY THE PURCHASING POLICY. G22, A PROVE PAYMENT TO CARD SERVICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,330. 55 FOR ROOMS UTILIZED TO SEQUESTER A JURY FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS IN WHICH NO PURCHASE ORDER WAS OBTAINED PER THE PURCHASING POLICY.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> ANYTHING MEANINGFUL TO CONTRIBUTE? CALL ROLL.

[Item J1 - J3]

>> ONE, TWO, THREE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> J1, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CALL AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF

[05:40:04]

J2, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE POLLING LOCATIONS AND SCHEDULE FOR THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025 ELECTION AS PRESENTED IN THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS AND AUTHORIZE A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASING POLICY OF OBTAINING THREE QUOTES FOR THE J3, APPOINT JUDGES AND ALTERNATE JUDGES FOR THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025 GENERAL ELECTION.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> A MOTION AND A MOTION.

>> JENNIFER, STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC. WHATEVER YOU GOTTA DO STAT TORELY.

>> I PROVIDED THE ORDER TO YOU. THIS IS TO ORDER ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS OR VOTING ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. WITH THAT, WE ALSO HAVE -- ALL

THREE? >>

YES. >> THE POLLING LOCATIONS AND SCHEDULE IN A SEPARATE DOCUMENT AND THEN I ALSO LAID ON YOUR DIAS THE PRECINCT BALLOTS SO YOU CAN SEE HOW THAT BALANCES OUT. WE'RE STILL PRETTY CONSISTENTLY EQUAL IN EACH PRECINCT. THE ONLY CHANGE IS SIMON MIDDLE SCHOOL COULD NOT BE USED FOR THIS ELECTION. WE REPLACED THAT WITH GEMSTONE PALACE. THAT'S ONLY FOR THIS ELECTION. ONLY ON ELECTION DAY.

I DON'T THINK THEY ARE IN IT FOR THE LOCK-TERM.

THEY USUALLY MAKE MONEY ON THAT PLACE.

WE APPRECIATE THEM LETTING US USE THAT FOR THIS LOCATION TO FULFILL THAT AREA. THEN, THE JUDGES AND ALTERNATE JUDGES AS WELL AS THE CENTRAL COUNTING STATION MANAGER AND TABULATION SUPERVISOR ARE IN HERE TO ADOPT AS WELL.

WE DID HAVE AN ELECTION BOARD MEETING ON AUGUST 14TH WHERE THE LISTS WERE PROVIDED.

THESE RECOMMENDATIONS CAME FROM THE PARTIES.

>> I WAS THERE AS A MEMBER. I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE.

I APPRECIATE THE PROCESS. THE YEARS I'VE BEEN INVOLVED.

IT CONTINUES TO GET EASIER AND EASIER TO FOLLOW BECAUSE OF YOUR EFFORTS.

IT GETS HARDER AND HARDER TO VOTE BECAUSE OF THE STATE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

NEVERTHELESS, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

COMMISSIONERS ON THIS SIDE, ANYTHING TO CONTRIBUTE? ON THIS SIDE?

>> YES. I WAS TALKING TO MICHELLE LOPEZ.

I SAID, WE'RE ABOUT TO FINALIZE THIS.

GIVE ME YOUR LAST HURRAH IF YOU NEED ANYTHING CHANGED.

THERE WAS A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT SHE WANTED TO CHANGE, WHICH LINE 16, SHE SAID IT'S BLANK, TO ADD --

SHOULD I TELL YOU THESE? >> YES.

>> SHE HAD GIVEN ME SOME EXTRA ONES.

THE ONLY REASON IT'S BLANK IS BECAUSE WE HAD NOT ASSIGNED POLLING LOCATIONS BECAUSE WE'RE APPROVING THOSE TODAY. SHE HAD GIVEN ME KELLY -- I'M NOT SURE HOW TO SAY THE NAME -- AND ADRIAN, WHICH YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR LIST, THERE'S TWO RED, WHICH ARE REPUBLICANS.

SOME OF THOSE --

>> I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT THE CORRECTIONS SHE TOLD ME. YOU TELL ME WHAT NEEDS TO -- LINE 16, ADD TRACY AS ALTERNATE JUDGMENT LINE 19, ADD UCY TO JUDGE.

>> SHE'S RED ON MINE. I GUESS SHE'S NOT ON

Y'ALL'S. >> THESE ARE -- LINE 48, REMOVE ADRIAN, KELLY IS THE JUDGE THERE.

>> OKAY. ADRIAN IS ON THERE TWICE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR LIST, SHE'S THERE, TOO. I NEED TO TAKE THAT ONE OFF.

>> ADD THE KELLY -- YOU GOT THE

LAST NAME. >> GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS.

THANK YOU.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

>> WE WILL VOTE ON ALL THREE. CALL THE ROLL.

[I.1. PLN-2793-PC; Hold a Public Hearing regarding Rolling Oaks Section 4 Lot 54 Replat. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]

>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. OPEN I1.

>> I1, PLN 2793, HOLD AWE PUB BEING HEARING ROLLING ROLLING OAK SECTION 4 REPLATT.

>> BY OPENING THIS ITEM FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM APPROACH THE PODIUM. I SEE NO MOVEMEN.

I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. GOOD AFTERNOON.

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.

NONETHELESS, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

THE ROLLING OCCASION SECTION 4, THIS IS A TWO LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS 4. 28 ACRES. THIS IS ALONG LONESOME TRAIL.

[05:45:02]

NO FURTHER ACTION AT THIS TIME. STAFF WILL REVIEW THE REPLATT ITSELF AND WILL BRING IT BACK FOR RATIFICATION AT A FUTURE

DATE. >> THANK YOU.

THE WRITTEN 2 AND 3, HOLD PUBLIC HEARING AT THE END.

>> YES, SIR. >> MAKE SURE THEY ARE WRITTEN THE SAME WITHHOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO START SO IT KEEPS THE PUBLIC ENGAGED WITH CONTINUITY OF OUR AGENDA.

>> YES. WE IDENTIFIED IT.

STAFF IS ENSURING THAT MOVING FORWARD.

>> IT'S SO RARE THESE THINGS

[I.2. PLN-2781-PC; Cancellation of the Polo Business Park West, Plat; Hold a Public Hearing. S MIT H /P A C H E C O]

>> I2, PLN 2781 PC, CANCELLATION OF THE POLO BUSINESS PARK WEST PLATT, HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING.

>> I'M OPENING THIS AGENDA ITEM FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

I SAW NO MOVEMENT. I CLOSE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE CANCELLATION OF POLO BUSINESS PARK WEST PLATT, THIS IS A RECORDED ONE LOT PLATT OFF OF WEST HIGHWAY 290 IN PRECINCT 4. THIS CANCELLATION WILL REVERT THE RECORDED LOT ONE OF THE SUBDIVISION INTO RAW ACREAGE TRACK CONSISTING OF 13. 66 ACRES.

THE CANCELLATION REQUEST MEETS ALL PROVISIONS UNDER THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 232. 008 AS WELL AS OUR COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.

STAFF DOES RECOMMEND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CANCELLATION OF THE POLO BUSINESS PARK WEST PLATT.

>> MOTION?

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

CALL THE ROLL.

[I.3. PLN-2782-PC; Cancellation of the Polo Business Park East, Plat; Hold a Public Hearing. S MIT H /P A C H E C O]

>> 3 THREE. >> I3.

PLN 2782 PC. CANCELLATION OF THE POLO BUSINESS PARK EAST PLATT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING.

>> OPENING THIS AGENDA ITEM FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM.

I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COPY, PASTE?

>> YES, JUDGE. COPY PASTE FROM PREVIOUS ITEM.

IT IS KNOWN PLATT IS POLO BUSINESS PARK EAST.

ONE LOT PLATT OFF OF 290 IN PRECINCT 4.

WITH THIS REQUEST, IT WILL REVERT THE RECORDED LOT ONE TO A LAW ACREAGE TRACK OF 14. 396 ACRES. SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ITEM, MEETS ALL PROVISIONS. STAFF RECOMMENDS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CANCELLATION.

>> PERFECT.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THE CANCELLATION OF THESE TWO PLATTS REVERTS THE TWO PROPERTIES THAT ARE RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER INTO ONE LARGE PROPERTY OF RAW

ACREAGE. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[I.4. PLN-2788-PC; Call for a Public Hearing on September 2, 2025 regarding Pecos Landing, Lot 1 Re-plat. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]

>> LET'S GO TO I4.

>> I4, PLN 2788 PC, CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2025, REGARDING PEA KOES LANDING.