F.1. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing September 22-26, 2025 as Falls Prevention Awareness Week. IN GA LS B E /S MIT H

[K.8. Discussion and possible action to approve the following Joint Election Agreements for entities wishing to run jointly with Hays County in the Constitutional Amendment Election: City of Austin, City of Buda, City of Kyle, City of Mountain City, City of San Marcos, City of Uhland, City of Woodcreek, Blanco Independent School District, Hays Consolidated Independent School District, Crystal Clear SUD, Hays County MUD #12, Mason MUD, North Hays County ESD #1, Overlook MUD. B E C E R R A /D OIN OF F]

LIKE? JENNIFER, ARE YOU READY FOR YOURS? LET'S GO WITH YOURS.

LET'S GO STRAIGHT TO K8. >> K8, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE JOINT AGREEMENTS FOR ENTITIES WISHING

[00:45:03]

TO RUN JOINTLY WITH HAYS COUNTY IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION. CITY OF AUSTIN, CITY OF KYLE, CITY OF MOUNTAIN CITY, CITY OF SAN MARCUS. CITY OF WOOD CREEK, BLANCO SCHOOL DISTRICT.

HAYS COUNTY MUD NUMBER 12, MASON MUD. NORTH HAYS COUNTY NUMBER

ONE, AND OVERLOOK. SECOND. >> AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S GOING TO BE A BUSY ELECTION FOR WHAT WE CALL AN OFF YEAR ELECTION. WE HAVE 17 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO VOTE ON, PLUS ALL OF THESE ENTITIES AND SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF FOR THIS ELECTION, PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE IN PRECINCT 1 OR PRECINCT 2 THAT INCLUDES KYLE. THAT'S OUR LONGEST BALLOT THIS YEAR, EVER.

THAT HAS 17 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, AND HAYS CSID, AND A THROUGH Q, SO THERE IS A VERY FULL BALLOT THAT WILL COME OUT THAT WHAT WE CALL THE PRINTED VOTE RECORD IS EVERY BIT OF LEGAL DOCUMENT. SO, THAT WILL LOOK DIFFERENT TO VOTERS AND ALTS YOU MIGHT WANT TO MAKE VOTERS AWARE IN ALL YOUR PRECINCTS, EVEN WITH JUST 17 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, THAT THEY ARE GOING TO WANT TO UTILIZE SAMPLE BALLOTS BEFORE THEY COME IN, THERE'S A LOT OF READING ON THIS BALLOT. AND SO IT WILL CAUSE LONGER LINES. THOSE ARE THINGS I WANTED TO MENTION. ALSO, ON THE JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT THAT IS IN THE BACKUP, FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION OFFICER, SECTION TWO, IT SAYS JANUARY 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 2024. THIS IS THE FORM DOCUMENT THAT OUR LOCAL POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS UTILIZE AND EDIT FOR THEIR PURPOSES. THIS COURT DID EXTEND THAT APPOINTMENT OF OFFICER DATE THIS YEAR IN AUGUST 19TH, YOU APPROVED THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2026. SO, WHAT THEY HAVE DOES REFLECT 2026 AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE NOTE OF THAT HERE.

>> COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> ONE QUESTION. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME OF THOSE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS WHERE FOLKS ARE RUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE CONTEMPLATED YET, TO RUN.

WE MAY WANT TO REACH OUT TO THEM HAVE TO HAVE AN ELECTION ON A SPECIAL ELECTION PRIOR TO NEXT YEAR? AND I KNOW AT LEAST THREE OF THOSE MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE DOING THAT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN BY THAT? I KNOW IT'S NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. IF IT HAPPENS, WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKED ABOUT IT.

>> SO IF YOU WANT TO REACH OUT TO ME, I CAN REACH OUT TO THOSE OFFICES. A LOT OF THESE ENTITIES WERE LATE TO THE TABLE AND WE TEST NEXT WEEK. SO OUR BALLOT IS ALREADY PROGRAMMED. I WOULD NEED

TO GET WITH THEM PRETTY QUICKLY. >> OKAY. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY, IT ISN'T DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS, BUT I THINK THERE'S AT LEAST TWO OF THOSE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ITEMS WHICH DIRECTLY IMPACT TAX RATE AND SO JUST FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IF THEY ARE LISTENING, OUR TAX STATEMENTS PROBABLY WILL BE LATER THIS YEAR THAN USUAL, BECAUSE WE WON'T HAVE A WAY TO CALCULATE THOSE UNTIL AFTER WE GET THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION. SO, I KNOW THIS WAS AN ISSUE TWO YEARS AGO WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BALLOT. SO I JUST WANT FULL, YOU KNOW, FULL TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC OUT THERE. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET THEIR TAX BILL FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER. LIKE THEY WOULD EXPECT. IT WILL PROBABLY BE NEAR THE END OF NOVEMBER, POSSIBLY FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER, IT WILL BE DELAYED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CALCULATE, OR NOT US, BUT THE TAX ASSESSOR WILL HAVE TO CALCULATE THAT PURSUANT TO THE CHANGES IN THE LAW SHOULD THEY

OCCUR WITH THESE VOTES. >> JUST REALLY QUICK. THEY HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 31 TO GET THEM PAID. THAT'S A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. THEY HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 31. IF THEY GO AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, EARLY DECEMBER, THEY HAVE UNTIL THEN. I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU. YOU ARE DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THROWN AT YOU LEGISLATIVELY, AND YOU ARE TACKLING IT, HANDLING IT, WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. SHE'S ON TOP OF IT AND INVOLVED IN EVERY ORGANIZATION THAT SHE CAN BE. SO, I

APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> YEAH, I JUST WANT TO SAY THE SAME, JENNIFER. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU AND SHE WAS A PRESENTER AT THE TECH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND DID A FANTASTIC JOB. SO THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

>> THANK YOU. >> FOR REPRESENTING US.

>> WELL, THAT'S THE END OF IT THEN, PLEASE CALL ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YES.

[00:50:03]

>> JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES.

[G.15. Authorize the Hays County Constable, Pct.1 office to accept a $400.00 dollar donation from Mr. Carter Morris of San Marcos and amend the budget accordingly. IN GA LS B E /P E T E R S ON]

>> G15. >> G15.

>> G15, AUTHORIZE THE HAYS COUNTY -- TO ACCEPT A DONATION OF SAN MARCUS AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> SORRY, UNLESS YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.

>> I WANT TO GIVE YOU THAT OPTION.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. SINCE WE HAVE A LARGE OFFICE, WE WORK WITH CPS, SOME OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, THESE SEATS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND OF COURSE, EVERY YEAR, ALL THE KIDS AND THE LEGISLATURE UPDATES THE SEATS FOR OUR KIDS FOR SAFETY. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WITH THE TRAFFIC GOING ON, WE DEFINITELY NEED UPDATE SEATS FOR OUR KIDS TO RIDE IN THEIR VEHICLES WITH THEIR MOMS AND DADS AND GRANDMOTHERS AND GRANDFATHERS. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THIS EXCEPTION AND

LETTING IT GO THROUGH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, CONSTABLE.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER HAMER.

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA.

[K.9. Discussion and possible action to approve the 2026 Sheriff & Constable Fees. B E C E R R A /C A R D E N A S]

>> YES. >> CAN WE OPEN K9?

>> YES, LET'S GO TO K9. WHAT'S YOUR AGENDA ITEM? AS SOON AS YOU HAVE IT, LET ME KNOW. K9. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE THE 2026 SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE FEES.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY. COMMISSIONER.

>> JUDGE, YES I DO HAVE A COMMENT AND JORDAN, I'M SORRY, I WASN'T ABLE TO GET TO YOU PRIOR TO THE START OF OUR MEETING. BUT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, THEY HAVE PASSED A BILL REGARDING SQUATTERS.AND SO --

>> THOSE AREN'T EXERCISE MOVES. >> SO THEY ARE UNDER, OR BESIDE THE RID OF POSITION REENTRY RESTORATION. I'M SORRY, I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES ON. CAN WE ADD SQUATTERS OR SQUATTERS TO THAT LINE? IT WOULD BE A $250 FEE FOR THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU SAID THAT'S UNDER THE RID OF EXECUTION LINE? RID OF POSSESSION.

>> I'M HAPPY I DO NOT KNOW THAT STATUTORY PIECE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I'M HAPPY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT REAL QUICK IF THAT

WOULD BE HELPFUL. >> AND CHIEF, OR CONSTABLE. WE JUST HAD A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND THEY MENTIONED THIS SECTION.

>> YES. THE COMMISSIONER WAS MENTIONING IT. I HAVEN'T GONE TO THE SCHOOL YET. A LOT OF OUR DEPUTY CONSTABLES, HAVE GONE TO THE LEGISLATOR UP TO DATE. THIS IS SOMETHING NEW EVERY YEAR BASICALLY, CONSTABLES, DEPUTY CONSTABLES, HAVE TO GO THROUGH NEW TRAINING. THE SQUATTERS IS SOMETHING NEW THAT IS ON OUR TRAINING LIST. FOR CONTINUOUS EDUCATION. I GET TALKED TO TWO OF OUR CONSTABLES ALREADY, I'M PRETTY SURE OUR OTHER TWO CONSTABLES WILL BE CONSIDERATE TO THE FEES THAT NEEDS TO GO UP ON IT AND WE'RE ASKING FOR THE $250 FEE FOR TWO HOURS. AFTER TWO HOURS, IT WOULD BE $50 AN HOUR. SOMETIMES THIS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH. OUR JUDGES, I KNOW IN PRECINCT 1 MET ON IT YESTERDAY AND TALKED ABOUT IT. SO, IT'S LIKE ANYTHING ELSE WE HAVE TO WORK OUT WHEN WE GET THESE NEW INDIVISIBLE POP UP. IT IS SOMETHING GOOD. SQUATTERS IS A LITTLE BIT TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM EVICTIONS. WHEN YOU GO INTO DEALING WITH YOUR LANDLORDS, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE THE ONES THAT WILL BE FOLLOWING YOU. IT CAN BE FILED IN ANY PRECINCT. THE COMPLAINT CAN COME FROM PRECINCT ONE. THE LANDLORD CAN FILE IT IN PRECINCT TWO, THREE, OR FOUR. SO, I THINK THE BIGGEST THING ON THIS IS THAT SQUATTERS CAN SETTLE THEMSELVES ON ANYBODY'S PROPERTY, OR ABANDONED BUILDING, OR ABANDONED HOUSE, AND IT IS LEFT UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROCEED AND MAKE THE ARREST. THERE IS AN

[00:55:05]

AUTOMATICALLY ARREST ON THIS SITUATION IF IT IS CONSIDERED A SQUATTER. IT IS LEFT UP TO THE DEPUTY OR THE POLICE OFFICER OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR WHATEVER OFFICER THAT MIGHT MAKE THAT CALL AND GET THE COMPLAINT TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> ANYTHING ELSE? >> NO, WE ARE WAITING ON JORDAN.

>> OH, OKAY. >> SORRY, I WAS RUNNING A REAL QUICK SEARCH. BASED ON MY THREE MINUTES WORTH OF RESEARCH, I DON'T OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD SEE AN ISSUE WITH PLUGGING IN THE REMOVAL OF SQUATTERS OR SQUATTERS, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO LABEL IT, IN THAT ITEM FOR 250. FOR SOME REASON, YOU KNOW, FIND SOMETHING DIFFERENT, I KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE FEES APPROVED BEFORE OCTOBER 14 OR OCTOBER 15TH OF THE FISCAL YEAR. I AM HAPPY TO NOTIFY YOU AND WE CAN BRING IT BACK TO AMEND THAT IF

THAT SOUNDS OKAY TO THE COURT. >> YES.

>> I DON'T KNOW, JORDAN, IF THERE'S A DEADLINE ON THAT.

TALKING TO THE CHIEF ABOUT IT. I KNOW THE LEGISLATURE IN THE SCHOOLS THEY HAVE GONE TO, THERE IS PROBABLY A DEADLINE ON IT. IF IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BRING BACK, I'M PRETTY SURE THAT MYSELF AND THE OTHER CONSTABLES ARE WILLING TO DO THAT, BUT AND THE JUDGES, TOO. ALL OF OUR JPS, I'M PRETTY SURE ARE GOING TO BE LEANING ON US TO THE CONSTABLES AND THE CONSTABLE'S DEPUTIES TO PROCEED WITH ANYTHING WE ACTUALLY NEED TO DO TO UPHOLD THE LAW WITHIN OUR CITIES AND OUR COUNTIES.

>> AND COMMISSIONER, THE STANDARD IS THAT THE FEES CANNOT BE HIGHER THAN IS NECESSARY TO PAY THE EXPENSES PROVIDING THE SERVICE. IT SOUNDS LIKE CONSTABLE PETERSON HAS BEEN ANALYZING THAT, WHAT THEY THINK THEIR ROLE WILL BE. THE FEES HAVE TO BE SET BEFORE OCTOBER 1 TO BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1 OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR. IF I FIND SOMETHING DIFFERENT, I'LL LET YOU KNOW. BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN SO FAR, I DON'T SEE AN

ISSUE WITH IT. >> WE'LL ADD SQUATTERS.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. I AGREE WITH IT. THE ONE THING THAT JORDAN, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT MORE AT, IS THE FACT IT REMOVES IT AS THE CHANGES IN LAW REMOVED IT IS A CIVIL PENALTY AND CORRECT DIRECT CRIMINAL PENALTIES WITH IT NOW.

AND IN DOING SO, ALLOWS FOR THE IMMEDIATE REMOVAL. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE $250 IS ENOUGH, BECAUSE THERE MAY BE SOME ADDITIONAL IF I THINKS THAT OUR OFFICERS ARE HAVING TO DO SINCE IT'S A CRIMINAL MATTER, NOT JUST A CIVIL MATTER. SO I WOULD ASK FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT IT AND SAY WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN PROCESS FROM A REGULAR EVICTION AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING ON SQUATTING. BECAUSE ON SQUATTING, IT MAY COST YOU MORE, YOU MAY HAVE TO HAVE MORE OFFICERS THERE. YOU MAY HAVE TO DO ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK, ADDITIONAL THINGS, BECAUSE IT CIRCUMVENTS PART OF THE JUDICIAL

PROCESS WITH THE NEW LAW. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH, THAT'S TRUE. ANY TIME YOUR OFFICERS GET A CALL TO GO TO A RESIDENCE OR HOUSE OR A BUILDING, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE EXTRA COSTS, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS THE LANDLORD THAT OWNS THE PROPERTY.

ABANDONED BUILDINGS AND ABANDONED RESIDENCE, BARNS, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, IT IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THAT OFFICER.

ONCE HE GETS ON THE SCENE, SEES EXACTLY WHAT HE HAS, IT COULD BE AN APARTMENT TO WHERE THAT THERE'S A GIRLFRIEND, BOYFRIEND, THEY ARE BREAKING UP, THE GIRLFRIEND HAS A LEASE. THE BOYFRIEND DOESN'T, THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED AS A SQUATTER. HE IS LIVING THERE. HE'S NOT ON THE LEASE OR SOME FAMILY VIOLENCE INVOLVED IN IT, TOO. THE FEES, THEY CAN'T BE ABOVE THE $250.

IS THAT WHAT I HEARD? >> NO, IT CAN'T BE ABOVE WHAT THE ACTUAL COST IS. WHAT I'M ASKING IS, TAKE A MINUTE AND REVIEW WHAT THE ACTUAL COST PER CALL ON THOSE WOULD BE. GIVEN THE CHANGES IN LAW. AND IF IT IS GOING TO BE MORE, I WOULD MUCH RATHER PAY FOR IT NOW THAN HAVE TO COME BACK AND TAKE IT OUT OF OUR BUDGET LATER.

>> HE'S ASKING IF YOU NEED MORE TIME TO TALK TO OTHER CONSTABLES

TO A THAT IS SUFFICIENT. >> SURE, I DO KNOW THAT THE $2'

[01:00:02]

ANYTHING AFTER THE TWO HOURS WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $50 AN

HOUR. TO THAT. PER DEPUTY. >> SO, THE SQUATTERS, THE NEW LAW ON THE SQUATTERS IS, IS TO BE TREATED AS A WRIT OF POSSESSION. IT FOLLOWS THOSE SAME FEES. 250 UP FRONT, PLUS THE ADDITIONAL $50 PER DEPUTY. THAT IT TAKES.

>> AND CHIEF AND CONSTABLE, I LIKE THE IDEA OF, HERE'S THE BASE AMOUNT, AND HERE IS AN ADDITIONAL PER HOUR WINDOW TO ALLOW YOU THAT FLEXIBILITY TO BILL ACCORDINGLY BASED ON THE SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH. IT GIVES YOU THAT DISCRETION TO INVOICE. WELL DONE AND THANK YOU. I THINK WE'RE GOOD FOR NOW.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD FOR NOW IF THE COURT FEELS COMFORTABLE, IF I FIND SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY WE CAN AMEND THOSE ON OUR SEPTEMBER 30TH AGENDA. IF WE NEED TO, TO BEAT THE DEADLINE.

BUT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I'M NOT SEEING AN ISSUE WITH THAT, BUT I'M HAPPY TO LOOK AT IT MORE AND UPDATE THE COURT IF I

SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. >> I THINK THAT GIVES US THE COVER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ROXANNE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

[K.12. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation of the Hays County Salary Grievance Committee related to FY 2026 salary grievances filed by elected officials. B E C E R R A]

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA? >> YES. NOW, PLEASE OPEN K 12.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HAYES COUNTY SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, RELATED TO FY 2026 SALARY GRIEVANCES, FILED BY

ELECTED OFFICIALS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> I PRESIDED OVER THIS HEARING, AND IT'S AN ANNUAL PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH IF THERE IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT WOULD LIKE TO REEVE, BUT THAT'S THE WORD THEY USE, GRIEVE THEIR PAY, PROPOSED PAY, THAT'S THE PROCESS. AND WE HAD A FULL HEARING WITH THE LEGAL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY, PULLED FROM OUR GRAND JURY POOL, THE BODY MET, AND THE BODY HAS MADE A RECOMMENDATION, AND JORDAN, DO YOU HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION THERE THAT YOU CAN READ?

>> YES, JUDGE. WE ALSO INCLUDED THE COPIES OF THE BALLOTS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE. JUST TO HAVE THAT AS BACKUP. IN ORDER FOR THE AGREEMENTS COMMITTEES ANALYSIS OR DETERMINATION TO COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, AS A RECOMMENDATION, IT TAKES ANYWHERE BETWEEN SIX AND EIGHT MEMBERS OF THAT COMMITTEE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, OF THE INCREASE TO THAT SALARY IF ALL NINE OF THE MEMBERS AGREED ON THE INCREASE IT WOULD BE MANDATORY UPON THE COURT. WE HAVE LESS THAN NINE, SO, IT COMES AS A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT AND THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT WAS AN INCREASE IN THE SHERIFF'S SALARY RESULTING IN A SALARY OF $175,000.

>> THAT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BODY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FILLING IT IN SO PERFECTLY. AGAIN, IT'S NOT A COMMANDMENT FOR US TO DO IT, IT IS A RECOMMENDATION FROM THIS BODY.

BUT I SAT IN THIS BODY, I CHAIRED THIS HEARING, AND IT WAS METHODICALLY DONE, IT WAS CONSCIENTIOUSLY HIT THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT ANGLES, AND I FULLY BELIEVE IN AND SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION, AND I WANTED TO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS IF THEY HAD QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BEFORE WE VOTE, AND ALSO THE SHERIFF IS HERE ON THE ITEM IF YOU HAD QUESTIONS FOR HIM. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START ON YOUR END?

>> I MEAN, I READ THROUGH THE BALLOTS THAT WERE SUBMITTED, JUDGE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE EVERY PERSON EXCEPT FOR ONE RECOMMENDED THE 175, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> ONE DIDN'T VOTE AT ALL. >> EVERY PERSON BUT ONE.

>> I WAS TRYING TO SEE WHERE I COULD MOVE THE NEEDLE RUNNING THE MEETING TO SAY, WHERE DO I NEED TO GO TO GET UNANIMOUS? WHERE DO I GO TO GET THE DIFFERENT THRESHOLDS OF WHAT JORDAN DESCRIBED FOR A HEADCOUNT? FOR DIRECTION FOR THIS COURT? AND WE WEREN'T GOING TO GET UNANIMOUS, SO,

>> OKAY, SO, AT NO AMOUNT? >> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO LOW FOR UNANIMOUS AND IT WASN'T REASONABLE. TO THE BODY. TO

[01:05:02]

REACH FOR THAT UNANIMOUS BECAUSE AUTOMATICALLY YOU LOSE THE UNANIMOUS BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T AGREEING WITH BEING SO LOW. THAT WAS THE OUTCOME. IT'S HONESTLY, THE SHERIFF FELT GOOD ABOUT IT AS WELL, IT WAS A CONSCIENTIOUS PROCESS WITH GREAT LEVEL OF DETAIL AND DIALOGUE AND PRESENTATION FROM WHAT THE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES ARE DOING, NOT ONLY LOCALLY WITHIN OUR FOOTPRINT OF THE COUNTY, BUT ALSO NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, IT

WAS VERY WELL DONE. >> AND I GUESS A QUESTION, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE VICKI, I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT ELECTED OFFICIALS, SALARY AND GETTING A NEW MARKET FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS. DOES THAT, BECAUSE THIS RECOMMENDATION, I'M WONDERING HOW THAT AFFECTS , DOES IT AFFECT THE NEW MARKET? WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS?

>> IF YOUR PRE- PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER, IT COULD, I'M GOING TO BE PRESENTING MARKET SOURCES, BUT I DON'T THINK IT WOULD CHANGE THE FACT THAT THERE'S COMPRESSION BETWEEN HIS SUBORDINATE, JUST

BECAUSE. >> IS A GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER, BUT WHAT ERIC SAID IN FANCY HR WORDS IS, THAT HIS CHIEF IS MAKING SO CLOSE TO HIM, AND THAT'S CONSIDERED COMPRESSION, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD LOOK OPERATIONALLY, AND THAT'S WHAT ERIC AS A PROFESSIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR IS RECOMMENDING TO SUPPORT THE DECOMPRESSION OF TOP LAYERS OF

MANAGEMENT. >> AND THE CHIEF IS NOW UNDER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING , SHERIFF, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> BRAND NEW NOVEMBER 5TH. NOVEMBER 5TH.

>> I CAN SEE, OKAY. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. THE MOTION IS TO MOVE IT TO GO, YOU DIDN'T MOVE.

>> SORRY. I JUST, I'VE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF ON THIS. WHEN I RAN FOR OFFICE, BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, WE USED TO HAVE TO CONSIDER ELECTED OFFICIALS PAY EVERY YEAR, AND BY LAW WE STILL HAVE TO. WHENEVER WE FINISH THE SALARY SURVEY IN 2023, WE MADE A DECISION TO GO TO A SALARY BASED OFF TERM OF SERVICE. FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE BEST WAY TO PUT THAT IS, WHEN YOU RUN FOR OFFICE, YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR PAY I. IF YOU'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO ELECT YOU IN HAYES COUNTY, THE NEXT FOUR YEARS YOU GET A SALARY INCREASE. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 3% OR 2%, SHOULD WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT OVER TIME. IF YOU RUN FOR A THIRD TERM AND WIN, THEN YOU KNOW THAT THAT WILL BE YOUR SALARY IN PERPETUITY. AND THAT WAS THE CONCEPT BEHIND IT. I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED AT EVERY TURN OUR CONSTABLES, AND IT FRUSTRATED ME TO NO END THAT OUR CONSTABLES FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN A ROW , THE ONE THING I COULD NOT SUPPORT FOR THEM WAS THEM RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, ASKING FOR A PAY RAISE.

SO I STOOD BY THAT, AND I HAD MY COLLEAGUES UP HERE, WANT TO THROW ME OFF THE DAIS WHEN WE GOT THE FIRST PAYRAISE WE'D GOTTEN SINCE BEFORE I WAS ELECTED. BUT I FELT VERY STRONG BUT I COMMITTED TO TAKE THAT JOB FOR THOSE FOUR YEARS. I DO BELIEVE THAT THE SHERIFF IS PROBABLY UNDERPAID, AND I TRIED TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT DURING OUR BUDGET PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CONSTABLES AND SHERIFF WOULD MAKE 3% ABOVE WHATEVER THEIR HIGHEST DEPUTY WOULD PAY. AND THAT ISN'T REFLECTED IN THE CBA, THEY'RE NOT PART OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS AND A LOT OF US ON THE DAIS, WE HAVE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES THAT MAKE MORE THAN WE DO, AS THEY SHOULD. IT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS, AND I'M SORRY TO SAY IT, I PROBABLY CAN'T SUPPORT THIS TODAY JUST BECAUSE OF THAT. I'VE HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE SHERIFF. I THINK HE WELL DESERVES IT BUT, I HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT.

>> VERY GOOD, THANK YOU. >> SORRY.

>> I WAS LIKE WHERE IS THAT COMING FROM? WHO IS THE GHOST IN

THE CEILING? SORRY. >> I WAS DEALING WITH SOME ALLERGIES. THIS ITEM IS REQUIRED FOR WILL COME ON THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 1:00. IT IS INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET PACKET THAT I HAVE

FOR YOU TO VOTE ON AT 1:00. >> SO WE SHOULDN'T VOTE ON IT

[01:10:03]

RIGHT NOW, THEN. >> CORRECT.

>> YOU'RE AWESOME FOR SAYING THAT, THANK YOU, VICKI. BUT YOU

[G. CONSENT ITEMS]

GOT TO HEAR THE CONVERSATION, THANK YOU. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, PLEASE OPEN THE SLATE REMAINDERS OF CONSENT.

>> G1, APPROVED PAYMENTS OF COUNTY INVOICES. G2, APPROVE PAYMENT OF JUROR DISBURSEMENTS. G3, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF UNITED HEALTHCARE AND THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HEALTHCARE CLAIMS AND AUTHORIZE AN ADDITIONAL DISBURSEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 TO THE HEALTHCARE CLAIMS ACCOUNT. G FOR, APPROVE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MINUTES OF JULY 29TH, 2025, AUGUST 5TH, 2025, AND AUGUST 12, 2025. G5, APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE NUMBER 30, 2045 PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,700,000 EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025, AND POST TOTALS OF WAGES, WITHHOLDINGS, DEDUCTIONS, AND BENEFITS ON THE HAYES COUNTY WEBSITE ONCE FINALIZED. G6, IMPROVED AN INCREASE OF $20 IN THE TEXT OF ESTRANGEMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 130.902 G. G7, ACCEPT THE DELIVERY OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S MONTHLY REPORT FOR JULY 2025 PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 114.023 AND 114.025. G8, AMEND VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL OPERATING, SPECIAL REVENUE, AND CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGETS IN PREPARATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTING. G9, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO A SCO EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $633.24 FOR REPAIR PARTS FOR A LOADER AT THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT WHERE NO PURCHSE ORDER WAS ISSUED AS REQUIRED PER THE HAYES COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY. G 10, AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO CARD SERVICE CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $525.87 FOR THE VETERAN SERVICE OFFICE RELATED TO A FOOD VOUCHER PROGRAM PURCHASE FOR A LOCAL VETERAN IN WHICH NO PURCHASE ORDER WAS ISSUED AS REQUIRED PER THE HAYES COUNTY PURCHASING POLICY. G 11, AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT FOR OFFICE TO SUPPORT HILL COUNTRY RALLY FOR KIDS IN AN AMOUNT OF $1200 IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL CHILDREN'S CHARITIES. G 12, AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4 OFFICE TO SUPPORT FOSTER VILLAGE IN AN AMOUNT OF $1200 FOR THE PURCHASE OF WELCOME PACKS FOR CHILDREN NAVIGATING THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. G 13, AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4 OFFICE TO SUPPORT PATRIOTS HALL OF DRIPPING SPRINGS IN AN AMOUNT OF $1200 FOR EXPANDED VETERAN SERVICES. G 14, AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4 OFFICE TO SUPPORT THE DRIPPING SPRINGS EDUCATION FOUNDATION IN AN AMOUNT OF $1200 TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS. G 16, APPROVE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER MANAGER MEGAN JONES TO ATTEND THE TYLER NEW WORLD ADVISORY BOARD MEETING ON OCTOBER 14 THROUGH 15, 2025, IN TROY, MICHIGAN. G 17, AUTHORIZE THE CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO UTILIZE EXISTING FUNDS TOTALING $2000 FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES RELATED TO THIRD-PARTY TESTING ASSESSMENT FEES FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PROMOTIONAL PROCESS. G 18, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GRANT AWARD FROM THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION, FY '25 FORMULA GRANT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $214,738 . G 19, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE FY 25 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT GRANT PROGRAM AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G 20, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO THE FY 26 DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT. G 21, AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A CONTINUATION GRANT AWARD FROM THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION, FY 26 IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,696. G 22, APPROVE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL FOR CEC C DIRECTOR STEPHANIE ROBINSON TO ATTEND THE TYLER NEW WORLD ADVISORY BOARD MEETING ON OCTOBER 14 THROUGH 25TH , 2025, IN TROY, MICHIGAN. G 23, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH MOBILE MODULAR PORTABLE STORAGE IN THE AMOUNT OF 1004 4860 FOR THE TEMPORARY RENTAL OF A PORTABLE OFFICE TO BE USED AT THE DRIFTWOOD RECYCLING FACILITY, AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G 24, AUTHORIZE COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS BUILDING MAINTENANCE TO PURCHASE ONE D.C. REFRIGERANT RECOVERY MACHINE IN THE AMOUNT OF $652.98

[01:15:01]

IN AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. G 25 AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYES COUNTY AND HAYES CALDWELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP, FORMERLY GREATER SAN MARCOS PARTNERSHIP. G 26, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS CONSOLE AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT , AND HAYS COUNTY RELATED TO SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST, 2025. G 27, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DRIPPING SPRINGS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HAYS COUNTY RELATED TO SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST, 2025 . G 28, APPROVE UTILITY PERMITS. G 29, APPROVE THE POWER THAT OUR EVENT ON THE COURTHOUSE GROUNDS SPONSORED BY KZSM TO BE HELD ON THE 16TH, 2025, THAT SHALL INCLUDE COMMERCIAL VENDORS. G 30, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE WASTE CONNECTIONS LONE STAR INC. CONTRACT, PURSUANT TO ISP 2021-B12 COUNTYWIDE DUMPSTERS IN RELATION TO THE REMOVAL OF THE FIVE-MILE LOCATION. G 31, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT TWO BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND UNITED SERVICE OF TEXAS INC. RELATED TO IFB 2020 2B05, COUNTYWIDE PORTABLE TOILETSAND HANDWASHING STATIONS RENTAL SERVICES, ADDING SERVICES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION YARD IN PRECINCT 1, AND REMOVING SERVICES LOCATED AT FIVE-MILE DAM. G 32 AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AMENDMENT ONE BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND BALKAN CONSTRUCTION INC. PURSUANT TO IFB 2022-BE 06 ROADBUILDING MATERIAL, LIMESTONE ROCK ASPHALT COLD MIX, ADDING THE ADDITION OF ITEM LR A TY1 GRD PLUS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2025. EXCUSE ME. G 33 AUTHORIZE THE ELECTIONS OFFICE TO PURCHASE A ONE YEAR SERVICE AGREEMENT FROM CRIMINAL INC. FOR THE CANON SCANNER IN THE AMOUNT OF $2350.89, AND AUTHORIZE A WAIVER TO THE PURCHASING POLICY OF OBTAINING THREE QUOTES. G 34, AUTHORIZE FIRE TROLL PROTECTION SYSTEM TO CONDUCT ANNUAL BACKFLOW INSPECTIONS ARE THEREBY BOARD CONTRACT 751-24 AND AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 262.024 A7D FOR THE PERMIT REQUIRED BY THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 28, 2025. G 35, AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH WATER AND EARTH TECHNOLOGIES FOR FY 25 RELATED TO THE MAINTENANCE AND SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR THE HAYS COUNTY EARLY FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM. OPERATING A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 262.024 A7D, AND G 36, APPROVE SPECIFICATIONS FOR RFP 2025-P09 WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND ADMINISTERING OF SERVICES AND AUTHORIZE PURCHASING TO

SOLICIT PROPOSALS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> SHE READ THROUGH ALL THOSE 36 ITEMS LIKE IT WAS NOTHING. ROXANNE, YOU'RE A STRONG READER, I AM SO PROUD OF THE WORK YOU DO FOR US. AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T DO THAT, WELL

DONE, WELL DONE. COMMISSIONERS? >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I KNOW THEY WORKED VERY, VERY HARD WITH HIS CONSOLIDATED TO UPDATE FOR OUR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS FOR OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. WE GREATLY EXPANDED THE PROGRAM WHENEVER WE HAD ADDITIONAL MONEY, AND THIS IS THE YEAR THAT THAT MONEY RUNS OUT. THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE HAD TO RENEGOTIATE THOSE CONTRACTS WITH US, IT'S BEEN A LONG PROCESS.

BUT I APPRECIATE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US AND I APPRECIATE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NEW

INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT. >> PERFECT, COMMISSIONERS, ANYTHING ELSE? PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> JUDGE, MY APOLOGIES. IS IT POSSIBLE TO PULL G 20? THAT IS THE AMENDMENT TO THE GRANT FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS REWARD. WE RECEIVED NOTICE ON FRIDAY THAT WE WERE RECEIVING FULL FUNDING, SO THERE'S NO NEED TO DECREASE THE

GRANT AWARD AMOUNT,. >> OKAY. WHAT ELSE ? I KNOW HOW TO PULL THAT ONE OFF, WHAT ELSE ON YOUR END? YOU HAVE AN EMAIL

[01:20:01]

PUBLIC COMMENT? LET'S READ EMAIL PUBLIC COMMENT 426 AND AFTER YOU READ THE EMAIL PUBLIC, 326 I WILL ASK YOU TO CALL THE ROLE FOR THE REMAINDER, EXCLUDING NUMBER 20.

>> THIS IS FOR G 26, IN FAVOR OF. PLEASE CONSIDER AMENDING THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET TO INCLUDE THE FULL FUNDING FOR SROS AS REQUESTED BY HAYS C ISD. IT IS A PORT TOME BECAUSE I'M AN EDUCATOR IN HAYS C ISD AND AS A PARENT AND A CITIZEN IN HAYS C ISD. MY STUDENTS AND I DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED AND FEEL SAFE.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY KEY SINCE I TEACH SPECIAL EDUCATION. WE OFTEN HAVE TO CALL SROS FOR SUPPORT. AS A PARENT IT WOULD HELP MY PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT MY CHILD CAMPUS WOULD HAVE A DEDICATED SRO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION, SAVANNA. SECOND IS FROM SARAH MILLER , MY COMMENT IS ONLY THIS, LEASE INCLUDE IN THE BUDGET ENOUGH FUNDS TO FULLY FUND HAVING AN SRO AT EACH OF OUR DISTRICT CAMPUSES. THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS PARAMOUNT. THANK YOU. THIRD, FROM ASHLEY MURPHY IN BUTTE, PLEASE KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

FOURTH, G 26, FROM KRISTIN CORDOVA. HELLO, I AM GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF FUNDING BEING ALLOCATED TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY RESOURCE OFFICER AT EACH HAYS CISD CAMPUS. AS DIRECTED IN HB THREE, TEXAS IS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE UNITED STATES IN MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING PER PERSON. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE MORE MENTAL ILLNESSES, BEING UNTREATED AND UNDIAGNOSED. THIS ALONG WITH THE INCREASE OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE MEANS CHILDREN ARE BEING SUGGESTED TO DANGEROUS SITES, WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN BULLYING TO INCREASE IN FENTANYL THAT'S IN OUR OWN DISTRICT. INCREASING THREATS OF HARM OF SELF-HARM TO OTHERS IN THEMSELVES, AND AN INCREASE TO CHILDREN, TO KIDS AND ADULTS ACCESSING WEAPONS. SOMETIMES ON CAMPUSES. ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES, WE DESPERATELY NEED AN SRO ON EACH CAMPUS TO MINIMIZE THE RESPONSE TIME WHEN THERE IS A CRY FOR HELP OF THE WORST NIGHTMARE OF AN ACTUAL INCIDENT. WE NEED TO ROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OUR STAFF IN DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES AS THEY CANNOT SAFELY MANAGE THESE ISSUES WHILE ALSO BEING EXPECTED TO TEACH AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR LARGE CLASSES. PLEASE CONSIDER ALLOCATING THE 25% NECESSARY FOR HAYS CISD IS AND PROVIDE AN SRO AT EACH CAMPUS. FOR HAYS CISD. THE DISTRICT HAS SAID WITH A 75% OF THE COST, THE COUNTY'S PORTION DOESN'T MEET THE FULL 35% IT'S NEEDED. THAT MEANS A DISTRICT OF OUR SIZE WILL BE LEFT WITHOUT ENOUGH OFFICERS TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WITHOUT THE PROTECTION OUR KIDS DESERVE. AS A PARENT OF HAROLD AND ALINA MARTINEZ I CAN ACCEPT THE IDEA THAT SOME CAMPUSES GO WITHOUT COVERAGE. EVERY CHILD EVERY STAFF MEMBER DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL. SAFETY SHOULD NEVER BE NEGOTIABLE. HAYS CISD HAS DONE THEIR PART, NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE COUNTY TO DO THEIR SAME AND ADJUST THEIR BUDGET TO COVER YOUR FULL SHARE. PLEASE MAKE PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN YOUR TOP PRIORITY. NEXT ONE FROM LEAH HART IN BUTTE, TEXAS. AS A PARENT IN HAYS CISD, I'M CONCERNED THAT THE COUNTY HAS NOT COMMITTED TO SHARE ITS FUNDING TO ENSURE EVERY CAMPUS HAS AN SRO. THE DISTRICT HAS ALREADY COMMITTED AT 75% , WHY IS THE COUNTY HOLDING BACK THE REMAINING 25%. OUR CHILDREN SAFETY SHOULD NEVER BE NEGOTIABLE A SET ESPECIALLY NOW WITH THE NEW CELL PHONE RESEARCH IS UNKEPT. STUDENTS ARE BEING STRIPPED OF ONE OF THE FEW TOOLS THEY HAVE TO CALL FOR HELP IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU ARE GOING TO LIMI THEIR ACCESS TO HEALTH AND YOU HAVE A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE SOMEONE IS THERE TO PROTECT THEM. HOW CAN WE ENFORCE POLICIES THAT REDUCE STUDENT ABILITY TO REACH OUT IN CRISIS AND FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PROTECTION THEY NOW RELY ON ADULTS TO GUARANTEE? THIS ISN'T A FUNDING ISSUE, IT'S A VALUES ISSUE. WHAT DOES IT SAY IF WE ALLOW CAMPUSES TO GO UNPROTECTED BECAUSE OF BUDGET CAPS? EVERY STUDENT EVERY TEACHER EVERY STAFF MEMBER DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL, NO MATTER WHAT CAMPUS THEY'RE ON. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING, FULLY FUND THE SRO POSITIONS, DON'T LEAVE OUR SCHOOLS, OUR STAFF, OUR CHILDREN, EXPOSED.

THANK YOU. SEVENTH IS FROM SANCHEZ IN BUTTE, I'M WRITING TO YOU IN SUPPORT OF CONSENT ITEM NUMBER 26. AS A PARENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBER, I SEE FIRSTHAND THE IMPORTANCE OF STRONG PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN OUR SCHOOLS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SROS PROVIDE MORE THAN SECURITY, THEY BUILD TRUST WITH STUDENTS, DE-ESCALATE CONFLICTS, BEFORE THEY BECOME CRISES, AND SERVE AS POSITIVE ROLE MODELS ON CAMPUS. THIS AMENDMENT ENSURES THAT ARE GROWING DISTRICT CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS SAFE IN WELCOMING PLACES FOR LEARNING.

WE ARE INVESTING IN PREVENTION RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND THE

[01:25:02]

PEACE OF MIND OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS ALIKE. I URGE YOU TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AND STRENGTHEN THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN HAYS CISD AND THE COUNTY FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. STEPHANIE IN JUST IN FAVOR OF NUMBER 26. FROM JOANNE GARCIA, PLEASE FUND SAFETY IN HAYS CISD SCHOOLS, OUR CHILDREN STUDENTS AND STAFF DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AND PROTECTED BY AN SRO IN EVERY CAMPUS. MARY NEAL AND KYLE WRITES, WE NEED THE FUNDING TO HELP KEEP OFFICERS AT THE SCHOOLS. CATHERINE HEATH WRITES, MY NAME IS CATHERINE HEATH, I'M THE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN IN HAYS CISD, EVERY MORNING WHEN I SEND THEM OFF TO SCHOOL, I FIND MYSELF THINKING, MAKING MENTAL NOTES, WHAT WERE THEY WEARING, WHAT SHOES DID THEY HAVE ON HIM AND THEY SAY I LOVE YOU? THAT IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A PARENT RIGHT NOW.

WE CARRY THAT QUIET FEAR EVERYTHING ALL DAY. I COULDN'T SIT WITH MY BACK TO THE SCHOOL ANYMORE, I MOVED MY DESK TO A ROOM IN MY HOUSE WITH THE EAST FACING WINDOW, SO I COULD SEE THEIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM THE WINDOW WHILE I WORKED. JUST TO FEEL A LITTLE CLOSER AND WHEN MY SON MOVED TO MIDDLE SCHOOL, MY ANXIETY GREW BECAUSE I KNEW THAT MEANT HE'D BE IN A DIFFERENT CAMPUS AWAY FROM HIS SISTERS THAT WAS OUT OF VIEW FROM MY OFFICE WINDOW. I CAN'T PROTECT THEM BUT I HAVE TO TRUST THEIR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY WELL. JUST LAST WEEK ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, MY FIRST GRADER CAME HOME FROM HER SRP DRILL, SHE TOLD ME ABOUT PRACTICING QUIET AND STAYING IN HIDING FROM THE BAD GUY. SHE IS SIX YEARS OLD. THAT'S HER REALITY, AND MINE AS HER MOTHER.

THIS IS WHY I'M BEGGING YOU, ADJUST THE BUDGET TO FULLY FUND SROS FOR EVERY HAYS CISD CAMPUS. DISTRICT HAS ALREADY COMMITTED 75% OF THE COST BUT THE COUNTY'S PORTION AS WRITTEN DOES NOT MEET THE 25% NEEDED FOR DISTRICT OF OUR SIZE. WITHOUT IT SOME CAMPUSES WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTIONS STATE LAW REQUIRES, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN DESERVE. OUR KIDS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WONDER IF SOMEONE WILL COME TO KEEP THEM SAFE, PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WONDER IF THEIR CHILDREN FOR THEIR CHILD'S CAMPUS WILL BE LEFT WITHOUT AN OFFICER. HAYS CISD HAS TO STEP UP, IT'S TIME FOR THE COUNTY TO DO THE SAME, PLEASE FUND YOUR FULL SHARE FOR THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS REQUESTED. MAKE THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN YOUR TOP PRIORITY, DON'T MAKE US WAIT UNTIL TRAGEDY FORCES THE ACTION. THANK YOU. THE LAST ONE IS IN THE KYLE, SHE WRITES, AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER, IN HAYS COUNTY, TO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY, BY ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS FOR HAYS CISD. UNDER HOUSE BILL THREE SECTION 10, EACH DISTRICT BOARD AND TRUSTEES IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT AT LEAST ONE ARM SECURITY IS PRESENT AT EVERY CAMPUS DURING REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS. DESPITE THE STATE MANDATE, HAYS CISD HAS BEEN FORCED TO REQUEST A WAIVER DUE TO AN INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE OFFICERS. CURRENTLY PROPOSED BUDGET REFLECTS ONLY TWO SRO POSITIONS WHICH DOES NOT ADEQUATELY MEET THE DISTRICT NEEDS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT HAYS CISD HAS ALREADY FUNDED 75% OF EACH SROS SALARY, DEVASTATING THE DISTRICTS WERE ON COMMITMENT TO CAMPUS SAFETY. EVEN WITH THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THE DISTRICT CANNOT MEET STATE REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT THE COUNTY'S STEPPING UP TO PROVIDE ITS SHARE OF SUPPORT. I URGE THE COURT TO MAKE THIS ISSUE A TOP PRIORITY BY ALLOCATING THE RESOURCE NECESSARY , THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO RECRUIT AND DEPLOY ADDITIONAL OFFICERS, PROTECTING OUR STUDENTS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND HAYS CISD HAS SHOWN IT IS WILLING TO CARRY THE MAJORITY OF THE COST.

WE ASKED THE COUNTY TO DO ITS PART. DECISION REFLECTS THE VALUES , THIS IS THE TIME TO DEMONSTRATE TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS VALUED ABOVE ALL ELSE BY ENTERING EVERY CAMPUS HAS SECURITY PRESENCE REQUIRED BY

LAW. >> ALL RIGHT. THAT'S THE END OF THOSE. WE'VE GONE THROUGH AND OPEN THE AGENDA ITEMS. WE'VE

[G.20. Authorize the acceptance of a contract amendment to the FY26 Department of State Health Services, Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant. IN GA LS B E /T .C R U MLE Y /GON Z A LE S]

GONE THROUGH AND HEARD THE COMMENTS, AND IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR ME NOW, NOT A REBUTTAL TO SOMEONE'S COMMENTS, IT IS FLOW.

COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> THIS IS MY AGENDA ITEM. I'M EXCITED THAT THE PUBLIC SUPPORTS IT BUT I'M OFFENDED BY THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT ARE MADE IN SOME OF THOSE COMMENTS. WHENEVER WE GOT FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER ARPA I BROUGHT A PROVISION TO THIS COURT AND WE BROUGHT IN EVERY SUPERINTENDENT IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY THAT HAS HAYS COUNTY SROS, AND WE ASKED THEM, IF THEY WANTED AN OFFICER FOR EVERY SINGLE CAMPUS, AND NOT ONLY DID THEY OFFER THAN 25% FOR THOSE OFFICERS, BUT WHILE WE HAD ARPA FUNDING WE OFFERED TO PAY FOR 50% OF THOSE OFFICERS AS LONG AS THEY WOULD GO OUT AND HELP US RECRUIT THEM. WE OFFERED TO PUT AN OFFICER AT EVERY SCHOOL. AND WE WERE TURNED DOWN BY EVERY ONE OF THOSE SUPERINTENDENCE FOR AN OFFICER

[01:30:01]

IN EVERY SCHOOL. FAST FORWARD A YEAR, PARDON ME, I'M OVERCOMING SOME STUFF. FAST FORWARD A YEAR, THAT WAS IN 2022, FAST FORWARD A YEAR AND THE STATE MANDATES IT. THAT MONEY WAS GONE. THEY CHOSE NOT TO TAKE IT FROM US. TO HEAR, TODAY, THAT THEY'VE MADE A COMMITMENT TO DO THIS, NOW THAT THE STATE TOLD THEM TO WHEN WE ASKED THEM TO AND OFFERED THEM MONEY TO PAY FOR IT, THAT'S OFFENSIVE TO ME. THAT IS TRYING TO PUSH A MORAL , A PHYSICAL CONSTRAINT THAT WAS ON THEM INTO A MORAL DILEMMA FOR US. I'M FRANKLY, I'M OFFENDED BY IT. BECAUSE WE SAW THIS COMING A YEAR BEFORE THE STATE TOLD HIM THAT THEY HAD TO DO IT, AND WE OFFERED THEM A SOLUTION, AND NOW WE'RE HERE TODAY TRYING TO DO EVEN MORE. AND, IT'S JUST VERY UPSETTING. I FULLY SUPPORT OUR AGENDA ITEM, BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS RELATIVE TO THIS, AND VERY PUBLIC ONCE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THESE OFFICERS TWO YEARS AGO AND

THEY CHOSE NOT TO TAKE IT. >> THIS COURT HISTORICALLY SUPPORTS ALL ISPS ON ALL REQUESTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ON CAMPUS. FULL STOP. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ON THAT ITEM?

>> NO. >> I JUST WANTED TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF ATTENTION TO 25, G 25, WITH WITH THE HAYS, THE GREATER SAN MARCOS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. IN THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS. I KNOW THAT WE'RE MAKING AN AMENDMENT TO IT, YOU AND I HAVE SPONSORS ON IT, WE DO HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM THAT ORGANIZATION IF WE NEED HELP. OR

IF WE WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS. >> ROXANNE, WE DIDN'T CALL THE

BOAT, RIGHT? >> NO VOTE HAS BEEN CALLED.

>> I WAS ASKED TO LEAVE G 20 IN, NOW. I DO, ALWAYS STAY RECEPTIVE TO ELECTED OFFICIALS WHILE I'M SITTING UP HERE. BECAUSE THINGS TURN ON A DIME AND I GOT TO BE ABLE , SO WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE G 20 AND, IT IS ALL GOOD. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN VERIFIED, SO

NOW, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> FOR CLARIFICATION, NOW THAT WE'RE LEAVING 20 AND, DOES THAT MEAN THAT IT WAS

>> PLEASE EXPAND. >> I APOLOGIZE FOR THE CONFUSION. BACK WHENEVER WE LOST YES, SIR. TO GONZALES, LOCAL HEALTH DIRECTOR FOR HAYS COUNTY. WHENEVER HE RECEIVED THE NOTICE OF FUNDING AWARDS FOR THE FEDERAL GRANT, WE KNEW THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE A REDUCED FUNDING. WHEN THE STATE REISSUED A NOTICE OF FUNDING AWARD, AMOUNTS, THEY HAD TOLD US THE STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT TO NOT SUBMIT AN AMENDMENT, TO GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT. WE HAD ASSUMED THAT WE NEEDED TO DO.

THAT'S WHEN I ASKED JUDGE TO PULL IT, THEY NOTIFIED US THAT THERE'S DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS THAT WERE HERE TODAY THAT AREN'T ATTACHED TO JUST FUNDING. WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THIS AMENDMENT WITH THE REDUCED FUNDING, AND THERE WILL BE A FOLLOW-UP AMENDMENT WITHIN THE MONTH THAT WILL COME BACK TO THE COURT, TO BRING TO FULL FUNDING. THIS ONE HAS BOTH NEW REQUIREMENTS OF US, AND REDUCTION IN FUNDING. A FOLLOW-UP AMENDMENT WILL COME WITH MORE FUNDING , WITHIN THE

NEXT MONTH. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE'RE LEAVING IT IN, PLEASE CALL THE

ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

>> YES. >> WE'RE GOING TO GO NOW THAT

[K.1. Hold a public hearing in accordance with section 293.101 of the Texas Health & Safety Code, to discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on the proposed mandatory payments to be assessed on institutional healthcare providers in fiscal year (FY) 2026 pursuant to the County Health Care Provider Participation Program. H A MME R /T .C R U MLE Y]

MORE PEOPLE ARE HERE, AND A 10 MINUTE RECESS IN THAT ORDER,

PLEASE OPEN K1. >> K ONE, HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 293.101 OF THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE TO DISCUSS, CONSIDER, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE PROPOSED MANDATORY PAYMENTS TO BE ASSESSED ON INSTITUTIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 PURSUANT TO THE COUNTY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

PARTICIPATION PROGRAM. >> I'M OPENING THIS AGENDA ITEM FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM , PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE

VIEWING PUBLIC. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE MY NAME IS ROBIN OLDHAM, I AM THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR POLICY. AT HEALTHCARE VENTURES, AND I ALSO REPRESENT SEVERAL OF THE HOSPITALS IN YOUR COUNTY. AND HELPING THEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE

[01:35:04]

PATIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, THOSE WHO ARE ON MEDICAID OR DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE, WE WORK WITH THESE HOSPITALS TO HELP AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO COVER THE COST OF TREATING THESE PATIENTS. SO EVERY TIME THESE PATIENTS PRESENT TO THE HOSPITALS, THOSE HOSPITALS LOSE MONEY. AND THEY TREAT THESE PATIENTS ANYWAY, AS THEY WOULD ANYBODY ELSE. AND TO RECOVER SOME OF THOSE COSTS, THERE ARE DOLLARS AVAILABLE, FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT THE STATE HAS TO PUT MATCHING FUNDS TO DRAW THOSE DOWN. WHAT THIS PROGRAM DOES IS IT ALLOWS THE HOSPITALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO PULL TOGETHER FUNDS TO HELP MAKE UP SOME OF THAT STATE SHARE, TO DRAW DOWN THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS. THIS IS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FY 26. THIS IS THE 11TH YEAR THAT WE'RE COMING BEFORE YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN JUST INCREDIBLY IMPACTFUL. AND TO DATE, HAS BROUGHT DOWN MORE THAN $336 MILLION INTO THE HOSPITALS IN THIS COMMUNITY. SO, I WANT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. AND IF NOT, I CAN TURN IT OVER TO A REPRESENTATIVE FROM

ONE OF THE HOSPITALS. >> GREAT, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? NO, MY BAD. I WAS FOLLOWING YOUR ASKING I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO.

BEADED IF YOU'RE DONE. I'M PLAYING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM?

>> MY NAME IS JULIE HOLLY, I'M A SENIOR DIRECTOR OF NET REVENUE AND I'M REPRESENTING ASCENSION. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS FOR THE LOCAL PROVIDER PARTICIPATION FUND. IT DOES REALLY SUPPORT OUR HOSPITALS IN PROVIDING SERVICES , AND WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE 6% RATE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS AGENDA ITEM? I SEE NO MOVEMENT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. NOW I WILL GO TO THAT, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> JUDGE, I'M HAPPY TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS BUT, IT IS,

>> I WAS GOING TO GO DOWN THIS LATE.

>> I WAS GOING TO HAVE TAMMY IS CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO TALK.

>> I USUALLY GO COMMISSIONERS AND THEN. I HAVE A FLOW BUT GO

AHEAD. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER IS NEW TO THE PROCESS, SO WE'LL TAKE OVER, HERE. DIRECTOR OF COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS, MATTHEW IS GOING TO BE TAKING THIS NEXT YEAR. BUT, OUR ROLE IN THIS IS TO FACILITATE BETWEEN THE HOSPITALS AND HHS, SO, WE ARE THE MIDDLEMAN IN SENDING INVOICES AND COLLECTING THOSE FUNDS, AND DOING THE IGT THROUGH THE TREASURER'S OFFICE. WE PLAY THAT PART. IN SUPPORTING THEM, THEY DO THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR US. BUT, IT'S A VERY VALUABLE PROGRAM FOR THE HOSPITALS, AND FOR US AS WELL.

>> MOST DEFINITELY. I THINK THE WORLD OF THAT PROGRAM AND I WANT TO DIAL UP, I HAVE PLANS ON HOW TO DIAL UP THE REIMBURSEMENT

CAPACITY AS WELL. >> FOR THAT, PARTICIPATION PROGRAM RESOLUTION THAT WE HAVE, THERE IS A BLANK WHERE THE 6% PARTICIPATION RATE IS. IS THAT 6%?

>> YES, I HAD ATTACHED THAT BEFORE THEY HAD THE RATE, I CAN

REDO THAT AND SUBMIT TO YOU. >> PERFECT. THAT WAS MY

COMMENTS. >> BEAUTIFUL.

>> WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LOCAL HOSPITALS, AND Y'ALL ARE PROVIDING A LOT OF GREAT CARE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE THAT CARE, SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERSHIP IN THIS PROGRAM, SO

THANK YOU. >> NO QUESTIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP, WE'VE GONE THROUGH QUITE A FEW CHANGES. BUT, IT SEEMS TO WORK FOR OUR COUNTY AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> OKAY. SO, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, ITEM IS FOR 6%, ON THE RESOLUTION, WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THAT? DO YOU HAVE IT

AVAILABLE? >> ONE MOMENT, JUDGE.

>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO LET THE LISTENING AND VIEWING PUBLIC UNDERSTAND AND KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> RESOLUTIONS AT THE FY 26 RATE FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PARTICIPATION PROGRAM. WHERE IS THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE AND THE 84TH REGULAR SESSION AND ACTED HOUSE BILL 3175 WHICH ADDED CHAPTER 293 TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE ENABLING THE COUNTY TO AUTHORIZE A LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PARTICIPATION PROGRAM.

AND WHEREAS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 293 OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY CODE,

[01:40:02]

THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS AUTHORIZED THE COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN A COUNTY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PARTICIPATION PROGRAM AND ESTABLISH A LOCAL PROVIDER PARTICIPATION FUND, AND WHEREAS , PURSUANT TO SECTION 293.101 OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY CODE , EACH YEAR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AMOUNTS OF ANY MANDATORY PAYMENTS THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT INTENDS TO REQUIRE DURING THE YEAR AND HOW THE REVENUE DERIVED FROM THOSE PAYMENTS IS TO BE SPENT, NOW, THEREFORE BE IN ORDER THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF HAYS COUNTY SETS THE AMOUNT OF THE MANDATORY PAYMENTS UNDER THE COUNTY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PARTICIPATION PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, TO 6% ON THE NET PATIENT REVENUE OF EACH INSTITUTIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER LOCATED IN THE COUNTY, AND DIRECTS THAT THE MANDATORY PAYMENT REVENUE BE USED FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN SECTION 293.103 OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY CODE. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT AT A REGULAR MEETING ON THE 16TH DAY OF

SEPTEMBER, 2025. >> BEAUTIFULLY DONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S GREAT HELP, IT'S GREAT MONEY, IT CAN BE MORE, AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

[I.4. Discussion and possible action to authorize staff and HNTB to proceed with the attached road projects as recommended by the Transportation Task Force. Totaling approximately $200M to be funded with Certificates of Obligation (COs). B E C E R R A]

PLEASE OPEN I4. >> I4, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADVISE STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE ATTACHED ROAD PROJECTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE.

TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $200 MILLION TO BE FUNDED WITH

CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. >> MOTION AND A SECOND? SO, WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE SET UP TO SPEAK. BOBBY LUBINSKI. THAT'S OKAY, BOBBY. NO PROBLEM, BUDDY. YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON

THIS ITEM. >> BOBBY LUBINSKI, DR. HYDE WITH THE NEIGHBOR SUBMITTED FOR COMMENT LATE I'M GOING TO DEDICATE PART OF MY TIME TO HER LETTER BUT, I WANT TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO THE JUDGE FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE TASK FORCE AND CARING FOR THE RECOMMENDATION. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE USE OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION BUT APPRECIATE THAT AS AGE 45, AND WESTWARD ROAD EXTENSIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT CURRENT PACKAGE. THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMENTS ARE GOING TO BE FROM DR. HYDE. THESE ARE HER COMMENTS, NOT MINE. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT AN EFFORT IS BEING PRESENTED THIS MORNING IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PUSH ROAD DEVELOPMENT WHEN THE PUBLIC HAS NOT HAD ITS CHANCE TO FULLY WEIGH IN. THIS IS BEING CONSIDERED BEFORE THE WIMBERLEY OPEN HOUSES ARE HELD, THIS IS THE VERY REASON THE ROAD BOND WAS CHALLENGED IN COURT AND STOPPED, THE PUBLIC MUST BE INVOLVED IN THEIR TAX EXPENDITURE DECISIONS, PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, DON'T MAKE RULINGS ON ROADS THAT WHEN WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN. SOUTHEAST HAYS NEEDS NEW ROADS, MOST OF NORTH HAYS VOTED AGAINST THE ROAD BOND AND STILL FEEL THAT WAY. WE DON'T WANT NEW ROADS IN AREAS THAT ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE. WE NEED EXISTING ROADS REPAIRED, WE NEED TO MAINTAIN ITS RURAL FIELD, DO NOT WANT OUR TAX MONEY SPENT TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL AID IN THE SUCCESS OF ROCKY RIDGE RANCH OPEN AIR AMPHITHEATER, WE CAN WAIT. WE DO NOT WANT THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT TO INVADE OUR QUIET NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE TO BE BUILT ON ENVIRONMENTAL LAND THAT WILL EMPTY OUR WELLS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO POLLUTE BARTON CREEK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CAROL PENNINGON, I'M A RESIDENT IN HAYS COUNTY. I AM AGAINST THE TIMING OF THIS AGENDA ITEM, SINCE IT IS BEFORE THE PUBLIC HAS HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE THEIR OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS KNOWN. WE NEED THE PUBLIC INPUT INTO ALL THE ROADS BEING CONSIDERED BEING BUILT, NOT JUST SOME OF THEM. SOME ROADS ARE EXTREMELY NEEDED, BUT THE PROCESS YOU PROMISED SHOULD BE FOLLOWED. I DROVE DARDEN HILL ROAD YESTERDAY, AND WAS DISILLUSIONED TO FIND A LARGE INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL FACILITY BEING BUILT CLOSE TO FM 1826. IF THIS SECTION IS WIDENED TO A FOUR LANE DIVIDED ROAD IT WILL ENCOURAGE ADDITIONAL COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN A RURAL, FAMILY FARM AREA, THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE. WE MUST PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS HILL COUNTRY FROM THIS TYPE OF GROWTH. IT DOES NOT BELONG ON THE BACK ROADS. ON THE

[01:45:10]

BACK ROADS, PERIOD. I LOVE DRIVING TO DRIPPING ON THESE BACK ROADS, AND I'M ABLE TO RELAX AND TUNEUP THE TROUBLES OF THE WORLD. THERE MAY BE A GOOD REASON FOR THIS EXPANSION FROM TWO LANES TO FOUR THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF, BUT, TO ME, ALL IT WILL DO IS BRING MORE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE OF PAVING OVER HAYS COUNTY PARADISE AND PUTTING UP PARKING LOTS. PLEASE TABLE THIS AGENDA ITEM UNTIL THE PUBLIC HAS HAD A CHANCE TO GIVE THEIR INPUT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR DISCUSSION ESPECIALLY. THE INTENT BEHIND THIS AGENDA ITEM IS, THERE IS A HUGE, NORTH OF 75% OF THE PROJECTS, 100% GREENLIGHTED FROM EVERY ANGLE THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THIS FRONT, THE IDEA IS, LET'S GET GOING ON THAT AS A MINIMUM SO WE CAN KEEP THINGS MOVING IN A MEANINGFUL MANNER. WITHOUT FURTHER DELAYS.

THAT'S WHAT THE INTENT WAS. HOWEVER YOU GUYS WANT TO PROCEED WITH THAT CONVERSATION, I'M ALL EARS. WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, WE'LL START ON THIS SIDE. HE WAS LOOKING UNSURE, WE'LL WAIT.

>> I'M HAPPY TO START. OKAY. THERE'S NOT MUCH MORE I CAN SAY VERSUS WHAT I SAID THE LAST TIME. ON THE PRESENTATION. BUT, I WILL NOT TAKE AWAY PROJECTS FROM THE VOTERS THAT DID VOTE FOR THESE PROJECTS, OR MY COLLEAGUES. I STILL BELIEVE THAT THE TASK FORCE IS COMPROMISED, AND HAS BEEN MISLED AND MISINFORMED. AND THE CITY OF UTICA AND THE CITY OF KYLE BOTH DID RESOLUTIONS FOR US AS A COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE PROJECTS.

THAT IMPACT THEM DIRECTLY. IN THE FUTURE I PROMISE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ADVISORY BOARD FOR TRANSPORTATION. WE WILL DO THAT. I BELIEVE IN THAT. I JUST DON'T BELIEVE IN A WAY THAT THIS WAS IMPLEMENTED. AND I THOUGHT IT'S VERY UNFAIR FOR US ON THE COURT TO GO THIS DIRECTION.

>> OKAY, SO I WAS THE GUY THAT CREATED THIS I WILL REPLY TO YOUR COMMENT BEFORE WE MOVE ON. NO ONE TOOK ANYTHING AWAY YOU ARE MISCHARACTERIZING AND MISS FRAMING THINGS, AND I THINK THAT IS UNFORTUNATE FOR YOU TO SPREAD INFORMATION THAT IS INACCURATE.

THIS ITEM, AND THE PRESENTATION, WAS PURELY TO TRIAGE THOSE THAT PEOPLE HAVE NO CONCERNS WITH, THAT HAVE EVERYTHING CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF, ONE MORE PASS AT IT. AND BEING COMPROMISED, YOU ARE GIVEN NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO LITERALLY APPOINT SOMEONE TO JOIN THE BODY, AND YOU REFUSED REPEATEDLY. SO, I THINK IN COMMISSIONER SMITH'S WORDS I WOULD SAY, THAT IS DISINGENUOUS. IT IS DISINGENUOUS FOR YOU TO MISCHARACTERIZE AND FRAME THIS TASK FORCE THAT DIDN'T TAKE AWAY A SINGLE PROJECT, NO PROJECTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY.

NONE. IT IS LITERALLY SAYING MORE THAN 75% OF THEM ALL GOOD, ALL CLEAR, GO FOR IT, IN YOUR PRECINCTS, NO PROBLEM, EVERYTHING IS GREAT, WE SEE THE ENVIRONMENTAL'S HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED ON THESE FRONTS. THERE WAS A FEW PROJECTS, ASKING FOR MORE COMMUNICATION, MORE UNDERSTANDING, MORE CLARIFICATION. BUT, NOTHING WAS TAKEN AWAY. AND THE COMPROMISING IS HOLY, COMPLETELY, WHOLE, IT WAS AN OPEN INVITATION, COUNTYWIDE TO EVERYONE. AND FOR COMMISSIONERS TO ACTUALLY LITERALLY APPOINT YOUR CHOOSING AND YOU REFUSED ON MANY FRONTS.

IF YOU FEEL IT'S COMPROMISED, THAT'S ON YOU.

>> THAT'S OKAY. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, DO YOU WANT TO --

>> SO, JUDGE, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING BUT, I DIDN'T REALIZE WE WERE ABLE TO APPOINT MEMBERS ON THAT TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO THE MEMBERS ARE. I KNOW THERE ARE A FEW THAT I KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THE ENTIRETY OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THAT TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE. I WILL SAY THAT, I TRULY , RESPECT AND APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE DID. HAVING THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS IMPORTANT, AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER COHEN THAT WE NEED

[01:50:03]

TO DO A BETTER JOB AND I, TOO, AND VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. AND ALTHOUGH THE BIGGEST CONCERNS REGARDING THE ROAD PROJECTS ARE TARGETED IN CERTAIN PRECINCTS, THIS WAS A COUNTYWIDE ELECTION.

IT WASN'T PRECINCTS SPECIFIC. AND I JUST, THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS SUPPORT IT AND ASKED US TO MOVE FORWARD ON THESE ROADS.

AND I WANT TO UPHOLD THAT, I KNOW THE JUDGE VOIDED THAT ELECTION, I BELIEVE IT WAS AN ELECTION THAT WE HELD, IT WAS, I BELIEVE THAT WE DID EVERYTHING RIGHT, AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD ARE WE GOING TO MAKE CHANGES TO MARK ABSOLUTELY, I DON'T THINK WE DID ANYTHING WRONG. WE WILL DO BETTER MOVING FORWARD. I FEEL THAT I WANT TO UPHOLD THE VOTERS DECISION AND MOVE FORWARD, JUDGE. I KNOW THAT YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE'RE NOT , NOT MOVING FORWARD BUT, I STILL, I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SOME PROJECTS THAT SAID DELAY, SOME SAID DEFER, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS. WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF A DELAY OR DEFER? THAT COULD BE YEARS. GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ON THOSE CATEGORIES, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE MORE TO SHARE ON THAT. AT THIS POINT I FEEL THAT

WE NEED TO UPHOLD THE VOTERS. >> FOR SURE. MY INTENT IS THE SAME THAT THIS CONVERSATION IS TAKING PLACE. FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. SO, THE IDEA OF COUNTYWIDE REPRESENTATION FOR THE TASK FORCE, FOR THE ELECTIONS EFFORT, THERE WAS COUNTYWIDE REPRESENTATION ON THE TASK FORCE. AND ONE OF THE PRODUCT THAT WAS MENTIONED IN THE PRESENTATION, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN IT COMES TO MIND IS A MULTIMODAL SIDE LOG TO BE BUILT.

I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS 1 MILLION OR $2 MILLION. A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE SAYING YES, GET CARS OFF THE ROAD, IT'S A GREAT PROJECT. SO AS AN EXAMPLE, TO KEEP THE SAME EXAMPLE GOING, THE IDEA WAS TO EXPLAIN HOW THE PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BUT ENCOURAGE A DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCE , IN THEIR WORDS, THESE WERE THEIR WORDS, BUT PEOPLE FROM THE EAST SIDE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A GOLF COURSE, A GOLF CART TRAIL IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE WEST SIDE, THAT'S WHAT THE GENERAL SUMMARY ASSESSMENT WAS. SO THE PROJECT WAS A GOOD PROJECT BUT, THEY WERE JUST ASKING FOR CONSIDERATION OF A DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCE. SO THERE'S AN EASY EXAMPLE OF IF A DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCE WAS AGREED UPON BY THE COURT, FOR EXAMPLE. IT WOULD GO BACK INTO THE GREEN LIGHT JOB. SO MY REASON FOR BRINGING THIS TO COURT IS ALSO TO HONOR THE VOTERS AND EVERYBODY WHO NEEDS AND WANTS THESE ROADS AND SCHOOLS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, SO, THIS IS MY WAY TO KEEP US MOVING AND START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION AND GETTING THESE PRODUCTS IN MOTION. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE NOT ABLE TO, AND I WILL SUMMARIZE IT THIS WAY, ON MANY PASSES, NO OPPOSITION ON THESE PROJECTS, AND SYNTHESIS ADVOCATES OF OBLIGATION WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SELL ENOUGH CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION THAT WE CAN PROCESS IN THREE YEARS AS A GOVERNMENT, I ASKED HIM TO CONFIRM WITH ME THAT, I THINK ON THE IMMEDIATE GREEN LIGHT GO NOW, THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS WORTH OF WORK, AND HE SAID THAT HE DID. SO MY HOPE IS, AND I'M NOT TRYING TO SAVE FIRST IN THAT LIST OF PROJECTS, WHAT I'M SAYING IS, GO TO WORK. GET STARTED. START MOVING, START GETTING THE VOTERS WHAT THEY VOTED FOR. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, GET GOING, WHILE THEY'RE DOING THAT, WE GET TO TALK ABOUT THE OTHER ONES, WHO'S GOING TO FIND THAT OR HOW BEST DO WE AND SHAKE OUT THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY TO GET IT MOVED OUT LIKE A LION'S SHARE OF THIS BLOCK WAS MOVED OUT. DOES THAT

HELP? >> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT WE NEED TO DO SURVEYS, AND

[01:55:02]

DO MORE PUBLIC OUTREACH, AND THE THING THAT I FIND VERY INTERESTING IS THAT, DURING THIS WHOLE SITUATION AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED, THE ELECTION WAS NOT PUT INTO QUESTION, THOUGH IT WAS PRESENTED IN THE ELECTION. THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED WHEN YOU WENT TO GO VOTE. THERE WAS NO QUESTION THAT THAT WAS DONE RIGHT. SO, TO TAKE AWAY THAT ELECTION, AND THEIR ABILITY TO SAY THAT THEY VOTED FOR THESE PROJECTS, I MEAN, WE TAKE THE HIGH GROUND WHEN WE SAY THAT THAT'S WE'RE BACKING THAT WITHOO THE VOTERS, THEY DID DO A SURVEY IT WAS CALLED AN ELECTION. YOU CAN START PICKING APART WHAT THEY VOTED ON, THEN YOUR HIGH GROUND OF THE ELECTION, DOESN'T COME IN TO PLAY ANYMORE. I DO THINK THAT THE TASK FORCE LOST A LOT OF CREDIBILITY WHEN LITIGANTS WERE PUT ONTO THAT TASK FORCE. YOU JUST WELCOMED , I TOTALLY GET THAT. BUT I THINK THAT ONCE WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN AN ACTIVE LAWSUIT WITH AND WE START TELLING THEM WHAT ROADS WE PUT IN AND DON'T PUT IN, THAT GETS MESSY, YOU TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, FIRST PERSON THAT CAME UP, THAT GENTLEMAN, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN IS A LAWYER ON THE OTHER SIDE, THAT DOESN'T LIVE IN HAYS COUNTY.

>> I LIVE IN HAYS COUNTY. >> OKAY. ARE YOU A LAWYER? ARE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE? OF THIS LAWSUIT? OKAY. THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. WE CAN START PICKING APART AND WE'VE ALL MOVED FORWARD WITH THE CONTRACT THAT SAYS WE CAN WORK ON THESE PROJECTS.

WE'RE GOING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD WITH WHERE WE WERE. AND THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN SUPPORTING IN THE LAST COUPLE

COURTS. >> THAT THAT YOU POINTED OUT LAST IS EXACTLY THE SUPPORT AS TO WHY WHAT I'M DOING IS WHOLE AND SOUND, AND IT'S ABOUT A PARADIGM SHIFT, IT'S ABOUT PERSPECTIVES. AND I FULLY AND WHOLLY SUPPORT THAT VOTE.

BECAUSE, AS WE SAID EARLIER, TAKE AWAY PROJECTS, NO. NEVER THE INTENT. AND JUST NOW YOU SAID I WROTE IT FAST, DON'T PUT IN PROJECTS, THAT WAS NOT THE GOAL EITHER. THE GOAL IS TO MOVE THROUGH A SEQUENCE THAT MAKES SENSE, THERE ARE NO REDLINES TO KILL PROJECTS. THERE ARE MORE CONVERSATIONS TO BE HAD, AND I WAS CLEAR THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO EVEN KILL PROJECTS BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE INTENT. THAT'S WHY THE H NTB THING THAT WE APPROVED, TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON EVERYTHING, I VOTED FOR IT AND BECAUSE THE EXAMPLE I JUST GAVE COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, WHEN A PROJECT GETS CLARIFICATION , AND THERE'S MORE SUPPORT, UNDERSTANDING, EASE OF MIND OR CONCERNS, THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO WORK ON IT. GO WORK ON IT. THAT'S FURTHER SUPPORT TO SAY, IT'S NOT DON'T DO ANYTHING, IT'S LET'S DO MORE ON THESE PARTICULAR ONES, WHATEVER THEY

MAY BE. >> WHAT IS THE PROOF THAT YOU NEED, FOR THE PROJECTS YOU ARE SAYING TO DELAY TO GO FORWARD?

>> I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION. THAT'S A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THOSE FOOTPRINTS, WITH THE PROFESSIONALS LIKE CARLOS FROM H NTB, I'VE NEVER PRETENDED TO, IN THE TASK FORCE, TO KNOW WHAT'S A+ AND WHAT'S A-, WHAT'S A GOOD AND WHAT A BAD, WHAT'S ENVIRONMENTAL, I'VE NEVER FRAMED IT, NEVER CHARACTERIZED IT THAT WAY. I WAS SIMPLY LOOKING TO SHARE MORE INFORMATION, GET MORE FEEDBACK, LISTEN MORE AS THE COUNTYWIDE REPRESENTATIVE, LISTEN MORE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR, AND I'VE LEARNED THIS , IN MY LIFE GROWING UP THIS PROCESS, IT'S NOT A SNUB ON ANYBODY BUT, THE OLDER I GOT AND THE MORE I REALIZED, IF SOMEONE DOESN'T FEEL LIKE YOU'VE SAID IT OR DONE IT OR SOMETHING ENOUGH, THEN I GUESS AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT'S WHAT MATTERS, WHETHER YOU KNOW YOU DID , I REMEMBER MAKING VIDEOS AT SPRING LAKE ABOUT THE THINGS WE WERE DOING. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, I'VE DONE 1 MILLION THINGS TO REACH OUT BUT, IF SOMEONE SAYS I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS, OKAY, LET'S TALK. THERE'S A POINT WHERE YOU CUT IT OFF BUT, I MADE THAT ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE TO LISTEN. WHEN YOU MENTIONED LOSING CREDIBILITY, FOR A FACT, IT IS NOT A LEGAL CONCERN, NUMBER ONE, SPECIFICALLY, THAT SOMEONE THAT WAS IN THE LAWSUIT WAS IN THE TASK FORCE. THERE IS NO LEGAL CONCERN WITH THAT. THAT PART OF IT IS UNNECESSARY TO ADDRESS, BUT I WILL SAY, SINCE

[02:00:04]

THE FACTS ARE THAT THERE'S A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT REPRESENT CLEARLY A LARGER GROUP, THAT MANAGED TO HAVE OUR $439 MILLION ROAD BOND THROWN OUT, FROZEN, FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE SEMANTICS. AND THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY AGAIN TO RAISE SIGNATURES TO STOP FROM SELLING CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. MY THINKING AND I TOLD THIS TO CARLOS, I SAID MY THINKING IS SIMPLY TO SAY, THESE INDIVIDUALS , IF THEY HAVE A CONCERN WITH THE PROJECT, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT SO WE CAN ADDRESS IT.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE A CONCERN WITH THE PROJECT I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT SO WE CAN GET STARTED ON THAT STUFF. SO, I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT WAS A NEGOTIATION BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A NEGOTIATION IT WAS JUST SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT PROJECTS WERE ZERO CONCERN TO THEM. AND TO SEE IF IT WAS WORTHWHILE FOR CARLOS TO GET TO WORK ON SO WE CAN, AS COMMISSIONER INGALSBE SAID, ARE VOTERS SUPPORTED THIS, AND SO TO SEE HOW MUCH OF THIS WE CAN GET STARTED ON, WE ALL WANT TO GET STARTED. CARLOS TOLD ME THAT THE PROJECTS THAT WERE IMMEDIATELY , START TOMORROW, WAS MORE THAN THREE YEARS WORTH OF WORK, ALL I'M SAYING IS, LET'S GET STARTED, AND THEY HAVE THE COMMISSION TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION CLARIFYING AS YOU UNDERSTAND, TO GET WHATEVER QUESTIONS CLEARED UP, SO WE DON'T HAVE SOMEONE STOPPING US FROM THE CAPACITY TO SELL CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. JUST SO WE CAN KEEP MOVING TO BUILD ROADS IS WHAT MY GOAL IS.

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THESE PROJECTS MORE.

IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THE MEMBER OF THE TASK FORCE THAT CAME AND SPOKE LAST TIME, DAVID PETERSON, I THINK HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROJECT HE SAID, TO DELAY. HE KNEW

NOTHING ABOUT . >> LET ME EXPLAIN FOR HIS BENEFIT ON THAT COMMENT. HE WAS SELECTED AS A SPOKESMAN. TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE. BUT, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SPEAK ON PEOPLE'S BEHALF, WHENEVER WE SAY THINGS AS COURT MEMBERS, I UNDERSTAND ONE OF OUR OFFICIALS , ONE OF US, WAS A LITTLE HARSH ABOUT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. AND THEY ACTUALLY FELT HURT THAT I DIDN'T STOP THE COMMISSIONER FROM TALKING. ABOUT, OR IN THAT TONE OR THE WAY IT WAS SAID. AND I REALIZED, FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW MY AIM IS NEVER TO SHUT YOU UP, YOU TALK AND WE DON'T INTERRUPT, AND THEN IT'S OUR TURN. BUT I REALIZE IF WE DON'T SAY SOMETHING, CLARIFYING WHEN IT'S OUR TURN, THEN IT ALMOST GOES DOUBLE HURTFUL. SO, I WANT TO CLARIFY ON MR. PATTERSON'S COMMENT, HE WAS ASKED TO SPEAK AS THE BODY'S REPRESENTATIVE TO CONVEY A MESSAGE, AND THAT WAS IT. MORE THAN ONE TIME DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS WITH ALL SINCERITY AND HONESTY THEY WOULD SAY, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT PRECINCT. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THOSE PROJECTS, I'M NOT GOING TO WEIGH IN ON THOSE PROJECTS, THIS IS WHAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH, THIS IS WHAT I WILL DO, THIS IS HOW I WILL WEIGH IN. SO MANY PEOPLE SAID THAT ON SO MANY FRONTS, AND THEY WERE GIVING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE THINGS THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH. THEIR JOB WASN'T TO BECOME MASTERS OF EACH TASK, THAT WAS NEVER THE CHARGE. IT WAS TONY MOORE, ABOUT WHAT HER CONCERNS ARE, TELL ME MORE HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU. TELL ME MORE HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AS A COUNTY, SO THAT WE DON'T GET THE SIGNATURES, I CAN DO IT IN A WEEKEND, AND STOP US FROM SELLING TO DO BECAUSE OF OBLIGATION. I WANTED TO MOVE ON WHAT WE CAN MOVE ON WITH ZERO

PROBLEMS. THAT WAS MY AIM. >> I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO THE SILLINESS OF HAVING THESE PEOPLE TELL US WHAT TO DO IF THEY'RE NOT MASTERS OF THESE THINGS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? I GET YOUR COMMUNITY INPUT, WHAT YOU START EXPLAINING, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE 30 PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW THESE PROJECTS TELL US HOW TO PUT PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY? DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> 100%. BUT THOSE THAT ARE FAMILIAR, THOSE THAT KNEW

INTIMATELY PROFESSIONALS, >> WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA.

>> NO PROBLEM. THEY WOULD WEIGH ON THE THINGS THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH, IF THEY WEREN'T TUNED IN THEN THEY WEREN'T BLABBING AWAY TO KILL THINGS, JUST SO YOU KNOW.

>> YOU JUST DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT KNOWLEDGE OR INFORMATION, EITHER. BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE, I THINK

[02:05:04]

IT SO THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH THE DRIPPING SPRINGS, WE STILL NEED TO HAVE THOSE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS, SO, TO MOVE ON WITH THIS AND TALK ABOUT IT AT A DIFFERENT TIME UNTIL THOSE ARE DONE IN THE PUBLIC OUTREACH HAS BEEN MADE.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> JUST, I JUST FIND A LOT OF IRONY IN SOME OF THESE STATEMENTS. I DO FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION LAST WEEK AND IT BECAME OBVIOUS WHENEVER THERE WAS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS, I THINK THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU WANT A CLEAR CROSS-SECTION OF OF THE OVER 65 PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR THIS, THAT'S WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. NONE OF US KNOW WHO THE MEMBERS OF THAT COMMISSION WERE. I THINK HOW MANY MEMBERS DID YOU HAVE, JUDGE? 20, 30? SOMETHING LIKE THAT? I WOULD SAY FROM MY PRECINCT I KNOW OF FOUR. TWO OF WHICH RAN THE ANTI-BOND BACK IN 2016, ONE OF WHICH WAS INSTRUMENT IN THE ANTI-BOND PACKED THIS TIME. TWO HAVE FILED AGAINST ME FOR PUBLIC OFFICE AD RAN AGAINST ME ON A NEW ROADWAY, DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM. MULTIPLE LITIGANTS AGAINST THE COUNTY WERE IN THERE. TO COMMISSIONER HAMMER'S POINT. I SEE MR. LIPINSKI HERE, HEARD HIS COMMENTS, WE'VE MET A NUMBER OF TIME, SOS, SAVE OUR SPRINGS, WHO LED THE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COUNTY. TO SAY THAT THIS WAS A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OR A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, WHO WANTED TO SEE THESE PRODUCTS GO FORWARD, I THINK THAT'S JUST DISINGENUOUS.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, WITH 65,000 VOTERS OUT THERE, WHO SUPPORTED THIS, I THINK THE KINDEST THING I CAN SAY IS, IF WE WANT TRUE, HONEST, OPEN TRANSPARENCY, THIS WAS NOT THAT PROCESS. THESE

WEREN'T PUBLIC MEETINGS. >> YOU SAID THIS IS DISINGENUOUS? I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAID WAS DISINGENUOUS.

>> I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU. IN AN OPEN AND PUBLIC PROCESS THESE WEREN'T PUBLIC MEETINGS, THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE INVITED TO THEM, THERE WAS NO ABILITY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BE PART OF THEM. THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THEM. AND, TO ME, LOOKING AT WHAT THE WILL OF 65,000 VOTERS WAS, IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT , AND THE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT WE'VE HAD, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN TAKING THE VIEW OF THE SELECT 20 TO 30 PEOPLE WHICH YOU KNOW WHERE THEY'RE AT, AND YOU CAME UP WITH THIS CONCEPT IN THE BACKGROUND, THIS REEKS OF CIGAR SMOKE AND GOOD OLD BOY ATTITUDE.

THE GENERAL POPULATION DOES NOT SUPPORT I KNOW THEY DON'T SUPPORT THAT. IN ORDER TO SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT IS A COMPLETE 180 FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.

IT, AND MAYBE I'M LOOKING AT IT IN THE WRONG WAY. I'LL JUST US ONE EXAMPLE ON THE DRIPPING SPRINGS SOUTHWEST CONNECTOR.

THERE HAVE BEEN LITERALLY DOZENS OF MEETINGS ON IT. EVERY SINGLE IMPACTED LANDOWNER HAS BEEN MET WITH. 181 PEOPLE. EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO HAS WANTED TO COME INTO MY OFFICE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS I'VE MET WITH THEM. MULTIPLE TIMES. WE'VE DONE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AFTER PUBLIC MEETINGS ON IT, I PUT TOGETHER A CITIZENS ADVISORY PANEL MADE UP OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREA , THE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS, THE LOCAL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION WHICH MIGHT HAVE IMPACTED, RESIDENTS FROM ALL SECTORS OF WHERE IT WOULD BE. AND AS FOR PUBLIC INPUT, WE ADVERTISE IT ON THE COUNTY FACEBOOK PAGE, ON TWITTER, THROUGH PRESS RELEASES, MY COMMISSIONERS FACEBOOK PAGE. THERE'S INDIVIDUALS WHO SAY YOU'VE NEVER HAD A PUBLIC MEETING ON IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO OTHER THAN ACTUALLY GO OUT AND TALK TO PEOPLE AND SIT DOWN WITH THEM. I MADE A PLEDGE, I DID THIS ON THE ROAD PROJECT, TWO WEEKS AGO, WE WILL NOT HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING UNLESS WE TALK WITH EVERY SINGLE PROPERTY OWNER. ANY IMPACTED PROPERTY OWNER. WE HAD A PUBLIC MEETING TWO WEEKS AGO, IT WAS VERY WELL ATTENDED. GREAT PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE WAS ONE PROPERTY OWNER THAT WE DID NOT, WE WERE ABLE TO TALK TO BEFORE HAND. WE SEND THEM SIX NOTICES. WE MISSED OUT, WENT BY HIS HOUSE, KNOCKED ON THE DOOR, NEVER GOT AN ANSWER, WE DO THE PUBLIC MEETING, GOT AN EMAIL NEXT DAY. AND WE GO OUT OF OUR WAY TO ENSURE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS THE ABILITY TO REACH, I FEEL

[02:10:05]

VERY CONFIDENT SAYING THIS ABOUT MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. WE ALL HAVE AN OPEN DOOR. I'VE NEVER TURN DOWN A MEETING SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE. AND, I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THIS PROCESS, AND THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, ARE NOWHERE FOUNDED IN FACT. THE EXAMPLE YOU GIVE A MINUTE AGO, THAT'S ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IN THE PUBLIC MEETING, IN THE PROCESS, BUT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE DEVELOPMENT, WE'LL MAKE THE DEVELOPERS PAY FOR IT ON THAT ROADWAY. BY LAW, WE CAN'T DO THAT, THE STATE OF TEXAS CAN DO THAT BUT WE'RE PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE ROADWAY THAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT, THE MULTIMODAL PATH, IT'S CONNECTING , WE ALREADY HAVE A MULTIMODAL PATH THERE THAT DEAD ENDS , IT'S CONNECTING TO TWO MORE SCHOOLS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 5000 KIDS IN TWO YEARS. AND TO SAY THAT THE EAST SHOULDN'T PAY FOR THE WEST OR THE WEST SHOULDN'T PAY FOR THE EAST, LOOK. IF Y'ALL WANT TO DO THAT, STATUTORILY THE STATE SAYS WE CAN'T DO IT. IF YOU LET ME KEEP MY TAX BASE, AND MY ROAD AND BRIDGE, OUT OF MY PRECINCT, AND I JUST GET TO SPEND IN MY PRECINCT, I'D BE HAPPY FOR IT. BUT I PROMISE YOU IT WILL BE A DETRIMENT TO THE ENTIRE EAST SIDE. BECAUSE I GENERATE SO MUCH IN MY PRECINCT, THAT'S NOT THE WAY THE STATE SET US UP, THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE CAN OPERATE. THE RURAL AREAS OF OUR COUNTY, THEY TEND TO HAVE MUCH HIGHER PROPERTY VALUES. AND THEY NEED LESSON FOR STRUCTURE. WHERE DO YOU THINK THAT GOES? THERE'S SO MANY OTHER FACTORS IN HERE THAT I CAN PROMISE YOU WERE NEVER DISCUSSED. IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS. AND IT DISHEARTENED ME THAT AT THE LAST MINUTE WE WOULD LOOK TO CHANGE THESE THINGS THAT I KNOW ALL OF US, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US ON THIS COURT HAS VOTED FOR AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. BUT, IT'S A REAL CONCERN TO ME, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS TODAY.

>> OKAY. I'M GOING TO CLARIFY A FEW PIECES AND WE CAN DO HOWEVER THE COURT DECIDES. SO, IT WASN'T A CLEAR CROSS-SECTION.

THESE ARE RESPONSIVE TO THINGS THAT I WROTE DOWN, I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CLARIFY, OR ADD MORE INFORMATION IF IT WAS WHAT I THOUGHT MAYBE WAS A QUESTION OF THE TIME. THAT WASN'T A CLEAR CROSS-SECTION. I WILL TELL YOU THAT WHEN I MADE A PUBLIC BROADCAST INVITING THE PUBLIC THAT I'M GRATEFUL THAT LUCKILY I HAD A GOOD LEVEL OF PEOPLE THAT WERE INTERESTED, AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT EVERY PRECINCT WAS REPRESENTED. THAT IS GOOD, CAN YOU GET A CLEAR CROSS-SECTION OF, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ALWAYS DO MORE. AS WE KNOW, WE CAN ALWAYS DO MORE BUT I OPENED IT UP, IT WAS NOT A, LIKE YOU SAID, REEKS OF CIGAR SMOKE SET UP. I MADE A PUBLIC POST, ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK, THAT, OUR PRESIDENT USES SOCIAL MEDIA TO COMMUNICATE, I USE THE SAME MECHANISM. I USE SOCIAL MEDIA, VERY PUBLIC TO COMMUNICATE , REEKS OF CIGAR SMOKE IS A MISCHARACTERIZATION THAT IS DAMAGING. TO THOSE THAT STEPPED UP AND HELPED, TO THOSE THAT DONATED, VOLUNTEERED OF THEIR TIME, THOSE THAT VOLUNTEERED WISDOM, EXPERTISE AND PASSION. THE ONLY DISINGENUOUS THING, THAT I SEE AT THIS MOMENT IS, HOW YOU DIDN'T KNOW, YOU HAD NO ABILITY TO WEIGH IN, AND BE PART OF IT. I CAN ROLL THE TAPE OF HOW MANY TIMES I ASKED FOR THIS BODY TO INCLUDE THE PUBLIC LIKE WE DID SO WELL , WE KEPT HEARING FROM THE COURT , NO ONE KNOWS MY PRECINCT BETTER THAN I DO. I'M GOING TO DO IT MYSELF. WE EVEN HAD ROBERT RIZZO COME OVER HERE AND SAY, NOBODY SHOULD DO IT, LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS. YOU CAN LEAVE THE WORK OF BRIBING A BOBCAT OR IS SKID STEER ENGINEERING AND DESIGNING TO PROFESSIONALS. WHEN YOU WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS, YOU SHOULD HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY. SO THAT'S A PIECE I

[02:15:02]

DIDN'T AGREE WITH. >> CAN ADDRESS THAT FOR ONE

SECOND? >> LET ME FINISH MY LIST, THANKS. I FEEL THAT WE HAVE IT ON RECORD, TOO MANY TIMES, WHERE THE OPPORTUNITIES, I KEPT ASKING FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. GOOD, BAD, OR UGLY I'M THE GUY THAT SAYS LET'S GET IN FRONT OF IT, LET'S FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND YOU HEARD A COMPLETE 180, THAT'S ANOTHER THING YOU SAID, FROM WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING. I WOULD SAY, GOOD. I'M GLAD.

BECAUSE ORIGINALLY WE WERE TOLD, NO, NOTHING, GO AWAY, ON THE HALF BILLION DOLLAR ROAD BOND. THE COMPLETE 180 IS THERE IS MORE THAN 75% OF THE PROJECT, GO AHEAD, LET'S KEEP WORKING ON THESE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE, LET'S DO MORE RESEARCH. BUT YOU'VE SAID, THE NARRATIVE KEEPS GETTING SPRINKLED IN, THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT SOMEONE IS PICKING TO PULL OUT, TO NOT DO, AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE. IT IS REQUIRING, ELICITING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, FOR DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT. I BELIEVE THAT IS OUR JOB, AND WHEN YOU SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WE COULD DO, I DID IT. I DID ANOTHER STEP, AND YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. WE WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND, WE HIRED STRATEGIES, THEY WERE IN EVERY PRECINCT AND I WAS THERE FOR MOST OF THEM. I MADE VIDEOS ON THAT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET INFORMED, I WAS AT SPRING LAKE, WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING THAT WE BELIEVED WAS RIGHT AND NECESSARY, BUT THERE ARE THOSE THAT THOUGHT, JUST LIKE YOU POINTED OUT, I'M SIMPLY SAYING I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO, I REACH FOR ONE MORE THING. BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND ALL TOO WELL THE CAPACITY FOR THEM TO GENERATE SIGNATURES AND PAUSE MORE THAN 75% OF OUR PROJECTS IN A HURRY, SO, I'M ALMOST DONE.

YOU ALSO SAID IT'S NOT THE WAY THE STATE IS SET UP. TO HAVE YOUR PRECINCT RUNNING INDEPENDENTLY, LIKE IF I WAS TO FINANCIALLY SECEDE FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTY, ALTHOUGH THAT'S NOT THE WAY THE PRECINCT IS SET UP, WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CREATE A BOND A AND A BOND B, WE COULD SAY PRECINCT 1, HERE'S A BOND PROPOSITION FOR THESE PROJECTS, PRECINCT 4, WE CAN DO THAT, AS WELL. WE DO HAVE THAT CAPACITY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE VIEWING PUBLIC, THERE ARE SOME THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING, I DON'T WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE WE CAN SEPARATE THINGS OUT MOVING FORWARD. WE CAN. WE CAN PLAY THAT GAME, WE CAN SAY, LET'S DO, GEOGRAPHICAL, PRECINCT, WHATEVER ELSE, AND DETERMINE WHAT THE VOTERS ACTUALLY WANT. AND YOU'LL HAVE A SURPRISINGLY DIFFERENT OUTCOME, I'M SURE, AND THE LAST THING I WROTE DOWN, SO MANY PROJECTS WERE NOT DISCUSSED. THAT'S THE WHOLE GOAL IS, FOR MORE DISCUSSION, THAT'S WHY THE CONTRACT WAS EXTENDED ON THAT WITH THESE PROJECTS. SPECIFICALLY THAT PURPOSE. FOR

MORE DISCUSSION, NEVER TO KILL. >> THE ONLY POINT I WOULD MAKE , I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR POINTS, I CAN CHOOSE TO DISAGREE WITH THEM. THE THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS THIS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PROJECTS THAT WERE BROUGHT FORTH FROM YOUR TASK FORCE, THERE WERE LITIGANTS AGAINST THE COUNTY, ON THAT TASK FORCE. THE SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT SAVE OUR SPRINGS WANTED TO PULL OUT OF THAT BOND.

IT'S IRONIC THAT THE DIFFER AND DELAY LIST ARE THE SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT SAVE OUR SPRINGS WANTED TO TAKE OUT OF THE BOND.

I THINK THAT IS VERY TELLING, TO ME. IT'S VERY TELLING, TO ME.

IT TELLS ME THAT NO MATTER WHAT, GOING IN, THOSE PARTICIPANTS KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED TO PULL, OR WHAT THEY WANTED TO DELAY OR DEFER. I THINK THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS, ONE OF THE ISSUES, AND THIS IS NOT A JAB, THIS IS JUST, A FACTUAL STATEMENT FROM WHAT WE HAVE TO DO EVERY DAY, AND I FULLY AM AWARE OF THAT. BUT, HAD THERE BEEN THE ABILITY , WE SEE THESE PROJECTS FROM THE ONSET. AGAIN I'LL USE THE SOUTHWEST CONNECTOR, THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE 2010 TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

THE COUNTY 2012 TRANSPORTATION PLAN. THE 2016 TRANSPORTATION PLAN FROM THE COUNTY, THE UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF DRIPPING SPRINGS, DRIPPING SPRINGS AND COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

[02:20:01]

LITERALLY, DOZENS OF PUBLIC MEETINGS. AND HEARINGS ON EACH ONE OF THOSE PLANS, PUBLIC COMMENTS ON EACH ONE OF THOSE PLANS. ONCE THAT STARTED A CITIZEN ADVISORY PANEL, AND WE INSTITUTED A COLLECTION STUDY, THAT WAS IN 2020, 2021, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE END OF 2022. THERE'S BEEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THAT. AND THEN, WE DO THE BOND OUTREACH. NONE OF THESE PROJECTS WERE OUT OF THE SKY. THAT FELL OUT OF THIS BOND. ON AVERAGE THOSE THAT I'VE DONE, THEY ARE ANYWHERE FROM 15, 10, 15 YEARS.

WAS WHEN THEY WERE STARTED PLANNING, AND WE RAMPED UP PUBLIC INPUT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. BECAUSE I KNEW THAT WE WOULD HAVE A ROAD BOND, AND I WANTED TO BE VERY PREPARED FOR THIS. I THINK IT LESSENS , WHENEVER I'VE HAD THE SAME FOLKS COME AND SAY, WE FINISHED OUR THIRD MEETING LAST YEAR, 18 MONTHS AGO. THE COMMENTS WERE WHY ISN'T THIS DONE YET? THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR 10 YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 5000 STUDENTS ON THIS ROAD NEXT YEAR, WHY ISN'T IT DONE YET? THOSE ARE THE COMMENTS THAT I GET ON SOME OF THOSE. MY ANSWER IS OF THINGS LIKE THIS. WE'VE HAD OUR PUBLIC PROCESS, WE HAVE NEVER REACHED EVERYONE. AND IN THAT PROCESS, WE WILL NEVER REACH EVERYONE. AND WE WON'T AGREE WITH EVERYONE EITHER, AND I THINK THAT HAS TO DO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION, WE KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WE DO NOT HAVE A SINGLE OTHER PERSON, HOW DO WE MANAGE THAT? HOW DO WE ADDRESS IT? WE HAVE TO DO IT IN A FORTHRIGHT WAY AND I DON'T SEE THAT THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED IN A POSITIVE WAY, AT LEAST TO OUR

PROCESS. >> OKAY, THAT'S FAIR, I GET IT.

AS A LAST PASS I WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK, BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE COUNTY, I'M GOOD WITH WHATEVER THIS BODY DECIDES. MY AIM IS TO BUILD PROJECTS THAT ARE READY ON EVERY FRONT, AND MOVE THE NEEDLE ALONG. MORE THAN 75% OF THESE ARE GREENLIGHTED THIS MINUTE AND OTHERS MORE CONVERSATION. MY INTENT IN CLOSING IS TO PUSH OFF ON THIS, GO GET THE FUNDING TO SO THESE THINGS CAN GET STARTED.

SHOULD I NOT DO THAT RIGHT NOW? MORE THAN 75% OF THEM, PUSH OFF RIGHT NOW, AND SORT THROUGH THE REST.

>> I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST A TABLING.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING O FEEL OUT. YOU WANT ME TO TABLE IT? I'LL DO WHAT YOU GUYS WANT, AT THE END OF THE DAY I'M HERE

FOR YOU. >> YEAH.

>> LET'S VOTE ON IT. >> WHAT YOU WANT TO DO?

>> I'M FINE EITHER WAY, WE CAN TAKE A VOTE.

>> TABLE? >> VOTE ON IT.

>> TWO VOTES, TWO TABLES? SO REMEMBER, IN CLOSING, I'M TRYING TO KEEP THE PROJECT MOVING. LAST THOUGHTS?

>> LET'S VOTE ON IT. >> THERE YOU GO. CALL THE ROLE.

>> MOTION AND SECOND WERE BY WHO?

>> MOTION, SECOND. >>

>> ONE MORE TIME, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY HAS PASSED ON BY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. NOW WE'RE GOING TO TA

[K.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership. H A MME R /B E C E R R A]

>> ALL RIGHT, THE MICS ARE ON, WE'RE BACK FROM A SHORT RECESS,

PLEASE OPEN K7. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND HAYS CALDWELL ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP . >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> SORRY, MY BINDER. ALL RIGHT. BASICALLY, THE SUMMARY, THE COUNTY'S CURRENT AGREEMENT WITH HAYS CALDWELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP IS GOING TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 30TH, THIS AGREEMENT IS GOING TO BE FOR A NEW PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS BEGINS

OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR. >> ANYTHING ELSE TO CONTRIBUTE?

>> NO. WHAT ABOUT YOU? >> ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONERS? QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS? COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

[02:25:01]

>> JUST, OUR CONTRIBUTION , IS A STAYING THE SAME? WHAT ARE WE

DOING? >> SORRY, MY BINDER. SO, IT IS THE AMOUNT REQUESTED IS 1.525, FISCAL YEAR '26 IS GOING TO BE 400,000, AND 375 FOR THE THREE PRECEDING YEARS. WE ALSO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HCE , EDP.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IT'S BEEN BUDGETED, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. IT IS ALL

ON THE RAILS. >> IS SO, CAN WE ASK TO JUST

SPEAK BRIEFLY TO THAT? >> YES. RICKY DORSETT, HAYS COUNTY OFFICER, WE DID A BUDGET, WE INCLUDED THE 400,000, AND ANTICIPATION OF THE FY 26 INCREASE, AND THEN, THE FUTURE YEARS DROPPING DOWN TO $375,000 COMMITMENT.

>> SO EVERY YEAR WE CONTRIBUTE 375,000. IS THAT CORRECT? WE HAD

IN THE PAST, AND NOW, >> WE HAD IN THE PAST, SUBMITTED 350,000. IN THE GENERAL FUND. THEY DID HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 50,000 ALLOCATED FROM ARPA IN THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE. THEY DID 400,000 FROM THE COUNTY IN THE LAST BUDGET SESSION.

>> THANK YOU. THAT'S GOOD. COMMISSIONER SMITH, ANYTHING

ELSE TO ADD? >> DON'T FORGET WESTERN HAYS

COUNTY. >> THEY WOULD NEVER.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >>

>> THANK YOU, HAVE A GREAT DAY. I HAVE AUDIENCE MEMBERS HERE, IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR ME TO ASK WHICH ONE UNLESS YOU'RE GOING FORWARD WITH THE WORKSHOP, WHICH ITEM YOU MIGHT BE HERE FOR YOU SO I CAN OPEN IT FOR YOU. WHAT LETTER AND NUMBER? J4, LET'S OPEN J4.

[J.4. PLN-2749-PC; Ratify approval of Indian Hills Ranch, Lot 1, Replat. C OH E N /S MIT H /P A C H E C O]

>> PEEL AND S2 7.PC RATIFY APPROVAL OF INDIAN HILLS RANCH ,

LOT 1, REPLIED. >> THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT. WHY MAKE YOU SIT THROUGH THE WHOLE DARN THING, IT COULD BE 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE HERE. SO.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, MARCUS PACHECO, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. ITEM J FOR IS FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPROVAL OF THE INDIAN HILLS RANCH LOT 1 REPLANT. THIS REPLANT CONSISTS OF TWO LOTS ACROSS 21.13 ACRES. WATER FOR THE SUBDIVISION WILL BE PUBLISHED BY INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS AND WASTEWATER WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ON-SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES. AS BRIEFLY STATED, THE ONLY ACTION REMAINING FOR THIS ITEM IS RATIFICATION OF THE ALREADY ADMINISTRATIVELY

APPROVED PLAT. >> ALL RIGHT, RATIFICATION. WE

HAVE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. MAKE SURE THE RATIFICATION WORDS ARE INCLUDED.

CALL THE ROLL. >>

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, SO MUCH HAPPENED IN THESE SPACES AND SO MANY , I NEVER SAID HERE THEY DON'T HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE AUCTIONING STOP OFF SOMETIMES. 25, 25, 30, DO I HEAR 35? I LIKE TO REPEAT AND SLOW DOWN, SO YOU'RE FREE TO GO, HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. THEY'LL BE BACK, I'M SURE, AGENDA ITEMS, ANYONE IN THERE, STEPHANIE? K 11. LET'S SEE.

WHAT DOES K 11 LOOK LIKE? PERFECT, PLEASE OPEN K 11.

[K.11. Discussion and possible action to update the Commissioners Court on the Combined Emergency Communications Center (CECC) partnership funding for Fiscal Year 2026. B E C E R R A /IN GA LS B E /D OR S E T T /R OB IN S ON]

>> K 11, POSSIBLE ACTION TO UPDATE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ON THE COMBINED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER.

PARTNERSHIP FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. THANK YOU. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, PLEASE.

>> STEPHANIE ROBINSON, DIRECTOR , THANK YOU, CANDACE, FOR PASSING OUT MATERIAL. WE, JUST FOR CONTEXT, JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONER INGLESBY SIT ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, AND JUDGE BECERRA IS THE CHAIR OF THAT BOARD. THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING RIGHT NOW IS THE ESTIMATED BUDGET COST FOR F

[02:30:02]

RYAN 26, AS WELL AS OUR TOTAL COST AND PARTNER , WHAT THE PARTNERS WOULD BE PAYING, AND IN CONVERSATION WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR, FELT LIKE THIS NEEDED TO COME TO THIS BODY, BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME MODIFICATIONS TO HOW WE CURRENTLY ALLOCATE COST SHARES WITH OUR PARTNERS. AND WE WANTED TO BE SURE THAT EACH OF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR OR ASK QUESTIONS IN RELATION TO THAT. SO, TYPICALLY, IN OUR BUDGET FOR THE ALL OF THE COSTS ARE IN YOUR BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REVIEWING FOR FY 26. AND ALL OF THE PARTNERS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING, THEIR COSTS ARE ALSO IN THE REVENUE PORTION OF THE BUDGET. THAT'S BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR. THIS IS JUST HOW WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, SO, TYPICALLY, WE HAVE PARTNERS WITH THE CITY OF BEAUTY, CITY OF KYLE, CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS STATE, AND WE JUST ON BOARDED CITY OF YOU AND IN THAT, THE OPERA PAID IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT, FROM THE CONVERSATION TODAY I WANT TO FOCUS ON WHO IS USING THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR 911 AND DISPATCHING , AND THAT WILL BE THE CITY OF BEAUTY, FIRE AND EMS AND ALL OF OUR HAYS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT WOULD BE CONSTABLES, FIRE MARSHAL, AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WHEN WE COME UP WITH THESE TOTALS OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO ALLOCATE WE'RE LOOKING AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT FACTORS. 911 CALLS RECEIVED INTO OUR CENTER, AS WELL AS TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR EACH ENTITY. DO WE BREAK THOSE ALLOCATIONS OUT BASED ON WHO'S USING THAT SERVICE. IT COULD BE ANYTHING FROM , WHO'S PAYING MY SALARY, OR THE SALARY OF I.T. STAFF, OR WHO IS PAYING THE SALARIES OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS, LEAD E CEOS, AS WELL AS MANAGERS? EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT ALLOCATION, SO, JUST SOME POINTS THAT ARE IN A LETTER AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT REAL QUICK. THE CITY OF YOU TO SIGN AN INCREASE OF 30% IN TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE AND THE NUMBERS WE WERE USING FOR THIS YEAR. HAYS COUNTY SAW A DECREASE OF 7% IN CALLS FOR SERVICE, AND ARTICLE 911 CALLS ARE DOWN 24%, AND THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS THAT PLAY INTO WHY THAT IS. THINGS THAT CAUSE OUR NUMBERS TO BE VERY HIGH, WE SAW A REDUCTION IN FY 25, WE ALSO ENTERED INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT , THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, THE E CEOS BECAME PART OF THAT CONTRACT AND SAW A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THEIR SALARIES AS WELL AS THEIR SOFT PAYS, CTO PAY, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT CAUSED A RELATIVELY DRASTIC INCREASE IN THE TOTAL COST OF SALARIES, SO, WHEN WE STARTED TO LOOK AT FY 26, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FOR THE CITY OF BEAUTY. AND WE WERE BRINGING ON THE CITY OF YOU AND AS WELL, AND I WANT TO BE , I WANT TO GO OVER WHERE OUR ORIGINAL NUMBERS WERE AT, SO, WHEN WE ORIGINALLY LOOKED AT SALARIES, AND THIS OF COURSE IS BASED ON ALL OF OUR REQUEST, SOME OF THOSE REQUESTS WERE CUT FROM BUDGET DURING BUDGET TALKS AS WELL AS DELAYED HIRING FOR CERTAIN POSITIONS, WE ROUGHLY WERE LOOKING TO A $50,000 DIFFERENCE. SO WHEN WE STARTED LOOKING AT ALL OF THE NUMBERS, AND TALKING TO VICKI ABOUT WHAT WAS MOST EQUITABLE FOR OUR PARTNERS THAT ARE PAYING, WE DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE AREAS THAT WE WERE SUBSIDIZING, OUR ESD PARTNERS DO NOT PAY FOR THE SERVICES, BUT, WE NEVER INCLUDED THEM IN THE TOTAL COST SHARE OF THE PORTIONS THAT THEY ARE CONSUMING. WE LOOKED AT ADDING THEM TO THE NUMBERS, AND MODIFYING OUR ALLOCATIONS WHICH PUT ALL OF OUR PARTNERS IN A MORE EQUITABLE PLACE AT THE END , UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT THAT MEANS FOR HAYS COUNTY IS WE GET TO PICK UP THE DIFFERENCE FOR THAT BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE ESD NUMBERS, WHICH WERE NOT ASKING ANY ESD'S TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CECC. AT LEAST NOT FOR FY 26. I WANTED EVERYONE TO BE AWARE OF THAT, DID I MISS ANYTHING MISS PIGGY? OR LET THE COMMISSIONER AND THE JUDGE IS BECAUSE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> GREAT RECAP, HONESTLY, I LIVED IT, I WATCHED EVERY WORD COME OUT OF THOSE MEETINGS. AND YOU WERE EXCELLENT ON THE RECAP, COMMISSIONER INGLESBY, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

[02:35:02]

>> I AGREE, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND UPDATING THE ENTIRE COURT, THE COUNTY HAS PICKED UP A LOT OF THESE COSTS IN THE PAST, AND WE JUST FELT THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. ONE MORE YEAR, WE'RE HOPING THAT NEXT YEAR THEY ARE MORE PREPARED TO NOW START , THE ESD IS NOW START PARTICIPATING AT SOME PERCENTAGE, I KNOW IT'S DIFFICULT, WE'VE GOTTEN SOME FEEDBACK FROM SOME, AND THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM, AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS TREATED EQUITABLY. YEAH. JUST APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU

DO. >> PERFECT, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE RECAP. YES, AS COMMISSIONER INGALSBE WAS SAYING, I'VE BEEN GETTING FEEDBACK MYSELF ABOUT THE CONCERNS. AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND A COMPROMISE THAT EVERYONE CAN LIVE WITH. GROWTH IS HARD AND EXPENSIVE. BUT, WE ALL NEED TO PARTICIPATE, IN THESE INITIATIVES. TO TAKE CARE OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I APPRECIATE THE REPORT.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> I DO, IF WE'RE GOING TO HIRE INDIVIDUAL DISPATCH TO BE WORKING ON CERTAIN AREAS, THEN THOSE CERTAIN AREAS SHOULD PAY, AND WE CAN ALSO INCREASE OUR BUDGET FOR THOSE AS WELL. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS IF ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT AREAS ARE PAYING, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON OUR BOARD

CURRENTLY? >> I BELIEVE IT'S , LET ME THINK REAL QUICK. AND HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE COUNTY

REPRESENTATION? >> JUDGE BECERRA AND COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, AND THEN ONE ESD REP. REPRESENTATIVES FROM CITY OF KYLE, CITY OF BEAUTY, ONE FROM THE CITY OF SAN

MARCOS, ONE FROM TEXAS STATE. >> CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, JUDGE,

>> HE'S THE ESD REPRESENTATIVE? >> MAYOR'S OFFICE, CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, VERY WELL REPRESENTED, AND TEXAS STATE

UNIVERSITY ALSO. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT I'VE HEARD, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF FEEDBACK OF, THEY DON'T HAVE REPRESENTATION OR EQUAL REPRESENTATION TO HOW MUCH THEY'LL BE SPENDING GOING FORWARD. AND I HEAR THOSE CONCERNS, I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE EQUAL REPRESENTATION. I WOULD SAY KEEP IN MIND, ANY AREAS OF SHIFTING OR DECISION-MAKING, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT, NOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE, NOW THERE'S A SKIN IN THE

GAME, APPRECIATE THAT. >> I WOULD SEE IF THERE WERE TO BE A CHANGE IN THE MAKEUP OF THAT BOARD, I THINK HAVING AT LEAST ON THE ESD LEVELS, HAVING SOMEONE FROM FIRE AND SOMEONE FROM EMS THERE MIGHT BE HELPFUL. JUST BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE SUCH, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT CALL VOLUMES AND A DIFFERENT EVERYTHING.

DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS. WHEN YOU HANDED THIS OUT, I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT YOU LITERALLY, THE FIRST THING I DID WAS HIGHLIGHT WHERE IS THAT ZERO COMING FROM, IT'S COMING FROM US. I THINK IT'S, I THINK PERSONALLY IT'S GENEROUS OF THE COUNTY TO PICK IT UP, BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT TO GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO FORWARD PLAN, I KNOW ONE OF THESE IS GOING THROUGH A TAX RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR. HITTING THEM WITH A BILL FOR THESE SERVICES, IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR BUDGET SEASON, IT'S UNTENABLE FOR THEM. THEY REALLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT SOME TIME, AND HOW TO DO IT. I WOULD PROPOSE IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, AND COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, JUDGE BECERRA, IF THERE IS A FLAT RATE, IF THERE IS A KNOWN RATE, KNOWN ENTITY, I THINK SETTING UP SOME TYPE OF CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM, ONCE WE FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PAY, EVEN IF WE DID IT IN A WAY THAT IT GAVE THEM A RUNWAY FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS, TO SAY, OKAY, WE'LL PICK UP 50% NEXT YEAR, WE'LL PICK UP 25, AND THEN YOU'VE GOT THE WHOLE TAB. SOME TYPE OF MECHANISM LIKE THAT, BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY , THEY OPERATE UNDER A VERY DIFFERENT TAXING STRUCTURE THAN WE DO. WE COULD VERY EASILY FORCE THEM INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAX ABOVE THAT RATE, THAT THROWS THEM INTO A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES. THAT MAY GIVE THEM THE ABILITY WITH THE GROWTH THEY ARE SEEING TO GO PAST THAT.

>> I GOT TWO SPOTS PIECES FOR YOU. THE FIRST ONE IS, SO THAT

[02:40:08]

WE CAN GET JORDAN'S ENGAGEMENT TO CREATE A UNIFIED CONTRACT, NOT ONLY FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ESD SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CONSTABLES, SO THAT WE CAN CREATE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FIRE CONTRACT THAT'S, I SAID A ONE PAGER, IT CAN BE SIX POINT FONT. JUST KIDDING. BUT MY POINT IS, TO CREATE A SIMPLE, CLEAN, UNIVERSAL BASIC GENERAL CONTRACT FOR EVERYONE TO BE UNDER, SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, SEE THAT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED ARE ALL RECEIVING NOT ONLY THE TRANSPARENCY, BUT A FAIR SHAKE AT THE CONTRIBUTIONS, AND FOR THAT REASON INGLESBY SAID PERFECTLY, IT WAS IMPORTANT AND IT SOUNDS TERRIBLE, BECAUSE I'M A BIG CHEAPSKATE, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT. WE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THAT FUNDING CONTRIBUTION NOW, WITH THE EXPECTATION HOPE AND ANTICIPATION THAT MOVING FORWARD, THOSE CONTRACTS ARE COMPLETED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND WE CAN GIVE THEM TIME TO BUDGET ACCORDINGLY EXACTLY RIGHT. RIGHT ON. DID I MISS ANYTHING, STEPHANIE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO. OUR CURRENT CECC AGREEMENT IS UP THIS FISCAL YEAR, SO WE ARE GOING TO FULL AHEAD, GO INTO CONVERSATIONS. COMMISSIONER SMITH'S POINT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M BEING AWARE OF WHAT THEIR TIMELINES LOOK LIKE,

AND THEIR LIMITATIONS. >> THAT'S RIGHT, BECAUSE EVERYONE'S GOT THEIR BUDGETARY WORKSHOPS AND WHEN THEY START.

STEPHANIE IS VERY WELL-EQUIPPED, PREPARED AND HISTORICALLY ON THE READY TO ENSURE THAT WE SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, >> I DON'T KNOW, DO WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS ITEM? IT WAS JUST AN UPDATE.

>> IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

[J.2. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Development Agreement between Hays County and GBRK Edgewood LLC, for the Ellington Subdivision. C OH E N /P A C H E C O]

STEPHANIE? HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. MOVING ON THE AGENDA, HERE,

ANYONE ELSE? >> J2.

>> J2? >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND GBRK EDGEWOOD LLC OR THE ELLINGTON

SUBDIVISION. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> EMOTION AND A SECOND.

COMMISSIONER? >> MARCUS?

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER COHEN, THE ELLINGTON SUBDIVISION IS APPROXIMATELY 1100 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. WITH ONE PROPOSED SITE FOR HAYS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SITE. THIS PROPERTY CONSISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 216.94 ACRES, DOMINANTLY ALONG SATELLITE ROAD AND WILLIAMSON ROAD. DEVELOPERS ARE SEEKING TO ENTER INTO A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH HAYS COUNTY, IN THIS AGREEMENT THE DEVELOPER IS SEEKING A FEW VARIANCES IN OUR ROADWAY STANDARDS, AND THE DEFERRAL IN THE PAYMENT OF OUR SUBDIVISION FEES, AND ULTIMATELY THE PHASING OF THE DEVELOPMENT WITH A PROPOSED FIVE PHASES OVER 10 YEARS. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THOSE REQUESTS, THE DEVELOPER IS MAKING CONSIDERATIONS TO THE COUNTY. A FEW OF THOSE CONSIDERATIONS IS THE APPROPRIATION OF OPEN SPACE, APPROXIMATELY 15 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE FOR PARKS AND TRAILS. DONATION OF THE SCHOOL SITE TO HAYS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, CONFIRMING WITH DARK SKY COMMITTEE STANDARDS, INSTALLATION OF MULTIPLE POINTS OF INGRESS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS AND EMERGENCY SAFETY, AND THE OTHER THING THE KEY CONSIDERATION IS THE RIGHT TO USE AND APPROXIMATELY $630,178 ALLOCATED FOR THE PRO RATA COST FOR THE SERVICING AND IMPROVEMENT OF PORTIONS OF SETTLE RIGHT ROAD THAT ARE ADJACENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT. OPEN TO QUESTIONS THE COURT MAY HAVE, WE DO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE FROM THE DEVELOPER THAT CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. >> I'D LIKE TO ADD, THE KEY NEGOTIATION PIECE OF THIS THAT I WAS REALLY PUSHING FOR WAS, THE ROAD WORK. I DID EXPRESS MY CONCERNS EARLY ON THE CONVERSATIONS THAT RIGHT NOW, THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE ANY PLANS ON TURNERSVILLE ROAD, THE FACT THAT WE ARE PUTTING A SCHOOL THERE IN THE SUBDIVISION WAS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN, SO, I'M GLAD THAT THE DEVELOPER WAS OPEN TO WIDENING SATELLITE, IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOLS. WHERE IT WOULD BE DESPERATELY NEEDED.

CLOSE BY, THE HIGH SCHOOL THAT WAS APPROVED IN THE BOND, IS ALSO GOING TO BE UP THE STREET FROM THAT. RIGHT NOW WE'RE FIGHTING FOR ROADWORK AND I THINK THIS IS A GREAT, SOLUTION,

[02:45:04]

THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WITHIN THAT AREA, TO ADDRESS ROAD CONDITIONS IN THAT AREA, SPECIFICALLY.

>> I LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF AT THE PODIUM AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT. THIS IS FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC AND FOR HISTORICAL VALUE. THIS WILL BE RECORDED 50 YEARS FROM NOW SOMEONE CAN HIT REWIND AND CHECK

IT OUT. >> GOOD MORNING, BARELY, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I'M WITH GREENRIDGE PARTNERS, THE DEVELOPER ON THIS DEAL. WE ARE A DALLAS OR PLANO BASED COMPANY, THAT IS OUR PRIMARY BUSINESS IS DEVELOPING MASTERPLAN COMMITTEES RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE IN-HOUSE BUILDERS, LIKE A LOT OF THE BUILDERS THAT YOU SEE AROUND TOWN, THAT WILL DO OUR HOME BUILDING FOR US, SO IT'S A FULL TURNKEY OPERATION. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY IN HAYS COUNTY, MARCUS DID A GOOD JOB OF GIVING THE HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW, BETWEEN 1000 AND 1100 TOTAL PROPOSED SINGLE-FAMILY UNITS.

THE SCHOOL SITE, THAT WE ARE DONATING TO THE ISD IS 11 ACRES, IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE OVER THE LAST EIGHT OR NINE MONTHS WORKING WITH COMMISSIONER COHEN AND STAFF AND MARCUS LEADING THE WAY, ON THESE COMPROMISES THAT WE TALKED ABOUT. LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING BUSINESS IN HAYS COUNTY. OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS

Y'ALL MIGHT HAVE. >> DO YOU HAVE VISUALS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND HERE THAT THE VIEWING PUBLIC CAN REFERENCE AS A POTENTIAL FIELD TO WHAT YOU'RE BUILDING?

>> WE STARTED IN AUSTIN IN LATE 2022, EARLY 23. THERE IS, OUR WEBSITE, HAS A LOT OF THOSE TYPE OF EXAMPLES IN THE AREA, AND IN AUSTIN, WE DEVELOP COMMUNITIES, ON THE WHOLE SPECTRUMOF PRICE POINT, SO, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A COMMUNITY CALLED TRINITY RANCH IN ELGIN, 1800 LOTS THAT WE'RE SPLITTING DOWN THE MIDDLE, 50-50 WITH CENTURY COMMUNITIES, WHICH I THINK Y'ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH. THAT'S AN EXAMPLE, THAT'S A SOMEWHAT ENTRY-LEVEL TYPE OF PRODUCT THAT WE'RE BUILDING, THERE, SO IT WON'T BE QUITE THE SAME AS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IN THIS LOCATION. I COULD SEE MORE ELEVATED HOME, TYPES HERE, AND THEN WE JUST DELIVERED THE FIRST 200+ LOTS IN HUTTO, A COMMUNITY CALLED PRAIRIE WINDS. THAT ONE IS PROBABLY MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT WE'RE THINKING HERE. SIMILAR SIZE, WE'RE WORKING ON THE INITIAL PHASES, THE MODEL HOMES, AND THE PERIMETER LANDSCAPING, BEAUTIFICATION STUFF NOW, SO THAT WAS A GOOD ONE, I BELIEVE OUR WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING FOR THAT ONE.

>> PERIMETER LANDSCAPING, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT, MIDWAY UP THE DEAL, WITH NICE LANDSCAPING AND ALL OF THAT.

>> THAT'S THE PIECE I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT, THE NICE LANDSCAPING, THAT'S SUBJECTIVE. THE STUFF THAT LOOKS UNTENDED? UNATTENDED? PERFECT FOR SOMEONE AND THEY CAN LOOK LIKE AN ABANDONED FIELD TO SOMEONE ELSE.

>> I'LL BE HONEST, WE HAVEN'T KICKED OFF THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT YET TO HAVE ANY PRETTY PICTURES, OTHERWISE I'D SHOW YOU. BUT MY VISION IS NICE, MANICURED COMBINATION OF SOD, PLANTING BEDS, AND ALSO SOME THEIR ESCAPING IN THERE, BUT, WE TAKE PRIDE IN THAT PIECE OF THE COMMUNITY, SO, WE WANT TO PROVIDE AN ELEVATED LOOK ALONG THOSE MAIN ROADS.

>> ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, ALL THESE DIFFERENT PLACES HAVE NO WATER, NEW MEXICO, ALL OUR SOUTHERN STATES HAVE A WAY OF MAKING, EVEN ON I-10 THEY HAVE A WAY OF MAKING CRUSHED GRANITE AND CACTUS, SUCCULENTS LOOK SUPERCLEAN AND CRISP, AND NOT DEPLETING OUR WATER RESOURCES, ET CETERA. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER, AS YOU'RE MOVING THROUGH THIS, FOR THE MOST FRIENDLY TIPTOEING INTO HAYS COUNTY, TO KNOW THAT WE ARE KEENLY AWARE OF DESIGN AND WATER USAGE, ESPECIALLY IN THESE SPACES OF THE COMMUNITY SEES AND HOW YOU DESIGN THEM IS GOING TO DETERMINE HOW WE ALL SEE THEM AND WHAT WE DRIVE PAST. YOU CAN DESIGN IT WHERE YOU NEVER TOUCH IT AND IT'S GREAT BECAUSE

[02:50:03]

YOU'RE SAVING WATER AS WELL. THE MORE THAT YOU DO, I PERSONALLY AM GOING TO SAY, THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, DULY NOTED. I AGREE WITH YOU, IT LOOKS GOOD. IF DONE RIGHT. IT SEEMS TO BE A GROWING TREND FOR GOOD REASON IN THIS

AREA. >> AND YOU ALSO SAVE MONEY ON THE LABOR AND THE UPKEEP AND THE REPLACEMENT. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? YOU, BUT CERTAINLY, IT PLAYS INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, I SIT ON THE SAN MARCOS COUNTY EMS BOARD, AND LAST NIGHT WE WERE HOLDING A MEETING, AND, AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, I ASKED, WOULD IT BE HELPFUL BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES, ESPECIALLY ON THE EAST SIDE BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH, I'M SURE THE WESTSIDE NEEDS LOCATIONS ALSO. THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT , I ASKED, WHEN WE ARE WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOUD WANT US TO ASK IF THEY WOULD BE% WILLING TO DONATE SOME LAND FOR ESD LOCATIONS? THEY SAID ABSOLUTELY, BECAUSE OF THE RESPONSE TIMES, AND THEY FEEL THAT THREE ACRES IS WHAT IS NEEDED, USUALLY IN A LOCATION, TO ACCOMMODATE PARKING, AND A LOT OF TIMES IN EAST OF I-35 THEY'RE HAVING TO PUT IN THEIR OWN SEPTIC TANKS AND DRAINAGE, AND PARKING TO ACCOMMODATE WELL-ESTABLISHED ESD STATIONS THEY WOULD NEED AT LEAST THREE ACRES. I JUST WANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND BECAUSE, THAT IS A NEED, SO, WHENEVER DEVELOPERS ARE WILLING TO DONATE, IT HAS TO HAVE GOOD INGRESS AND EGRESS BECAUSE OF THE TRUCKS THAT THEY HAVE, SO, IF WE CAN KEEP THAT IN

MIND. >> SORRY, JUDGE.

>> THAT IS A SELLING POINT, TO YOUR COMMUNITY IF YOU SAY, OH, YES, NOT ONLY WILL YOU HAVE A SCHOOL, YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE FIRST RESPONDERS RIGHT HERE. YOU KNOW THAT'S A PLUS.

THE COMMISSIONER IS HAPPY TO HELP FILL OUT YOUR FLYER ABOUT THE PROMOTIONAL PIECE BECAUSE SHE JUST GAVE YOU A HUGE GOLD

STAR ON THAT ONE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE QUICK COMMENT, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, A LOT OF FEEDBACK AND VARIOUS AGREEMENTS WE'VE BROUGHT FORTH TO YOU ALL ESPECIALLY IN THE PAST YEAR, MYSELF AND OUR STAFF AND DEVELOP SERVICES HAVE TAKEN EVERY KEY CONSIDERATION, THE ZERO SCAPE AND NATURAL VEGETATION, WE HAVE A STANDING TEMPLATE THAT HAS THAT ALREADY AS A STANDARD TEXTBOOK BLACK AND WHITE LANGUAGE, GIVEN TO DEVELOPERS SAYING THESE ARE THE KEY CONSIDERATIONS AMONGST CONVERSATIONS WITH EVERY COMMISSIONER THAT WE WOULD WANT TO HAVE A NEGOTIATION CONVERSATION UP-FRONT ABOUT INCORPORATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT IF WE ARE ENTERED INTO ANDY AGREEMENT. THAT'S SOMETHING WE CURRENTLY HAVE. CURRENTLY

OFFERING. >> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, I THINK IN THIS CASE, THEY ARE ALREADY DONATING THE SCHOOL SITE FOR THAT. BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF , FOR ME, IT WAS DEVELOPING THE ROAD . IN THOSE AREAS. THE SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE IN THE CORNER, AGAINST SATELLITE INSTEAD OF, MOST I'VE LEARNED THAT I AM NO LONGER A FAN OF SCHOOLS IN THE MIDDLE OF NEIGHBORHOODS ANYMORE. SO THE FACT THAT IT'S IN THE CORNER, AND THAT THEY ARE WIDENING THAT AREA,

>> YOU CAN EASILY SAY, DOES THE SCHOOL NEED NINE ACRES? GIVE THREE TO COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? YOU GET THE POINT.

>> I DO. WE ARE SO KEEN AND INTERESTED IN MAKING YOUR PRODUCT, SO SUCCESSFUL THAT OUR COMMUNITY FEELS EDUCATED, PROTECTED, AND CARED FOR. ANYTHING ELSE OVER HERE?

>> I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS. YOU READ OFF MY NOTES, BY THE WAY, WHEN MARCUS AND I PUT TOGETHER, WHEN MARCUS AND I PUT TOGETHER THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT PACKET, A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, IS ONLY FINALIZED IT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT I MAJOR WAS IN THERE. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SECURE I THINK TWO SO FAR. THAT IS A HUGE ASSET FOR US, I SAY THAT BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THEY ESD'S, BUT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THOSE COMMUNITIES, THEY ARE A PLACE WHERE WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR POLLING LOCATIONS ESPECIALLY ON THE EAST SIDE. THOSE SERVE AS POLLING LOCATIONS FOR ALL OF OUR ELECTIONS. THEY GENERALLY HAVE A COMMITTEE SERVICE LIMIT AND PLENTY OF PARKING, THAT'S A BIG INCENTIVE AS WELL. WE GENERALLY CAN'T HOLD ELECTIONS IN SCHOOLS

[02:55:01]

ANYMORE. THAT WAS OUR GO TO. POST-COVID AND SCHOOL VIOLENCE, WE CAN'T DO THAT, WE'RE BUILDING OUR OWN, HELPING TO INCENTIVIZE WHEREVER WE CAN. I DID NOTICE, IS IT, WHO HANDLES IS IT ANY UNINCORPORATED AREA OR COVERED BY AN ESD FOR FIRE CODE? IT SAYS IN HERE THE ESD, BUT IT COULD BE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE

THAT >> WHICHEVER ONE IS MOST

RESTRICTIVE IS, >> THEY ALL HAVE A UNIFIED CODE.

BUT , I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTRACT IS RIGHT IF WE'RE REFERENCING, IT SHOULD BE THE FIRE MARSHAL ORIFICE. DOES

THAT MAKE SENSE? >> THAT DOES MAKE SENSE. I'M FAIRLY POSITIVE THIS DOES FALL TO AN EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT. WHICH ONE SPECIFICALLY, I CAN --

>> AS LONG AS IT'S IN THE ESD, OTHERWISE, YEAH. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S RIGHT. THE 15 ACRES IT SAYS IT CAN BE IN THE FLOODPLAIN. I ASSUME IT WOULD BE IN THE FLOODPLAIN IF IT'S PARKLAND ANYWAY. MY QUESTION IS, ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW FOR STRUCTURES IN THE FLOODPLAIN? IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC STRUCTURES

THAT ARE LISTED HERE. >> WE WOULD WORK THROUGH THE PERMITTING OF THOSE STRUCTURES. WHETHER IT'S FOR THE FACILITIES OR ANY OTHER FACILITIES ALONG THE TRAIL. OPEN SPACE FACILITIES. OUR FLOOD HAZARD PERMIT SYSTEM STILL HAS. ESD

ONE. >> I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT RIGHT NOW IN FRONT OF ME AS FAR AS PARKLAND INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE FLOODPLAIN, BUT, WE WERE SERVED PLENTY OF LAND OUTSIDE THE FLOODPLAIN, FOR ALL OF THE MAIN AMENITIES THAT YOU'RE SEEING THE LIST OF, THE CLUBHOUSE, ALL OF THAT. YES. THE ONLY THING THAT MIGHT GO IN THE FLOODPLAIN WOULD BE TRAILS, ALONG THE LINEAR CREEK AREA, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> AND THEN THE LAST THING, MARCUS, DID YOU SAY SOME FEES?

WERE WAIVED, OR NO? >> THE REQUEST IN THE AGREEMENT IS A TYPICAL FEE STRUCTURE THAT WE SEE WHERE, AT THE TIME OF THE PULMONARY PLAN, A DEFERRAL OF FEES IS BEING REQUESTED TO SUBMIT FEES AT THE TIME OF EACH PHASE.

>> I WANT TO CLARIFY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IT'S A DEFERRAL.

WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISCOUNT FEES, BUT WE CAN DO FOR

THEM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE. >> I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE HEARD

ME, BEAUTIFY MARSHAL. >> TO REITERATE WHAT COMMISSIONER SMITH SAID, WHICH I FULLY SUPPORT, THE CAPACITY FOR THAT ESD NOT ONLY TO DROP OFF FIRST RESPONDERS, BUT ALSO, ELECTION SITE. THAT HELPS US ALL, AGAIN, BECAUSE 1100 ROOFTOPS CAN NOW VOTE IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE GOLD STARS COMING YOUR WAY. IT WAS POSTED HOW HE SHAKES

THIS OUT. >> DEFINITELY, THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN HAYS COUNTY, THAT IS A BIG DEAL TO US ALL.

>> THANKS FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS ONE.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >>

>> AGENDA ITEMS TO HIT? OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE REST. STEADILY WE GO. AFTER CONSENT WE WILL KEEP

[I.1. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of Engagement Letters with S&P Global and Fitch Ratings for services related to the credit rating of Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2025, authorizing a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024(a) (4). H A MME R /IN GA LS B E /V ILLA R R E A L-A LON Z O]

MOVING, ON TO RHODES. YES, LET'S MOVE ON TO RHODES, PAGE ONE, KEEP GOING ONE AFTER ANOTHER.

>> I1. >> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF ENGAGEMENT LETTERS WITH SNP GLOBAL AND FITCH RATINGS FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE CREDIT RATING OF COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, SERIES 2025, AUTHORIZING A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262.024 A4.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC AND SUMMARIZE AND EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THIS CREDIT

PEAK IS ABOUT. >> CERTAINLY. HAYS COUNTY AUDITOR. AS PART OF THE CERTIFICATE OBLIGATION TO BE ISSUED, THE DELEGATION ORDER ARE GOING TO COME OUT OF DENVER 30TH, IN ORDER TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION OR BONDS, THE COUNTY INVESTORS REQUIRE A CREDIT RATING. SO, USUALLY REFERRED TO IT AS A BOND RATING, IT'S A CREDIT RATING, THAT, IS PERFORMED BY S&P AND FITCH AND WE HAVE TWO COMPANIES BECAUSE WHEN WE ISSUE MORE THAN 100 MILLION, YOU USUALLY REQUIRE TWO CREDIT RATINGS. SO THESE TWO COMPANIES WILL REVIEW THE

[03:00:01]

COUNTY'S FINANCES, FUND BALANCES, AND THEY WILL PROVIDE THE COUNTY WITH A CREDIT RATING. THE COUNTY IS SITTING AT AA PLUS CREDIT RATINGS BY BOTH SMP AND FITCH, BECAUSE WE WILL BE ISSUING CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, WE NEED UPDATED CREDIT RATINGS, THESE ENGAGEMENT LETTERS, ARE THE AUTHORIZATION

TO ORDER THOSE CREDIT RATINGS. >> PERFECT, WELL SAID, SO PERFECTLY, EASY TO FOLLOW. SO SIMPLE A BIGGER CAN FOLLOW.

THAT'S ME, BY THE WAY. COMMISSIONER SMITH, ANYTHING TO

ADD? >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, SOMEONE THAT SELLS BONDS, PEOPLE DO LOOK AT THE RATINGS INTENSELY WHEN THEY BUY A BOND, THEY USUALLY HAVE THESE BONDS FOR FIVE, 10,

15 YEARS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. >> TRIED TO BUY A CAR WITH A 500 CREDIT SCORE AND THEN TRY TO BUY A CAR WITH A 700 CREDIT SCORE.

ANYTHING ELSE? >> I WANTED TO ADD, THIS CAN BE

USED FOR VERTICAL. >> YES, SO, IF WE ISSUE VERTICAL WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, AFTER THE OBSERVATION, THEN THE CREDIT RATING WILL BE REFRESHED, WITH AN UPDATE, AND A DISCOUNTED FEE. IF THIS IS THE ONLY CREDIT RATING THAT IS ISSUED FOR EITHER OF THOSE PROJECTS, THEN THIS FEE WILL APPLY FOR WHICHEVER

OBLIGATIONS GO OUT. >> GOOD, GREAT, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? OKAY. VERY SIMPLE, NO MIKE TURNING ON REQUIRED, PLEASE CALL

THE ROLE. >>

[I.2. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Professional Services Agreement between Hays County and Cobb, Fendley & Associates, Inc. to provide Utility Coordination services for the RM 12 at Jacobs Well Road, Precinct 3, 2016 Road Bond Program project and amend the budget accordingly. H A MME R]

>> I2, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND COBB FAMILY AND ASSOCIATES INC., TO PROVIDE UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE RM 12 AT JACOBS WELL ROAD, PRECINCT 3, 2016 ROAD BOND PROGRAM PROJECT, AND AMEND THE

BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER

HAMMER? ANYTHING ELSE? >> NOT REALLY. PRETTY

STRAIGHTFORWARD. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

[I.3. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an Interlocal Agreement between Hays County and the City of Buda related to the design, review, and maintenance responsibility related to the future 1626 connector at FM 967 in Precinct Four. SMITH]

>> I3, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BUTTE ARE RELATED TO THE DESIGN, REVIEW, AND MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY RELATED TO THE FUTURE 1626 CONNECTOR AT FM 967 IN PRECINCT 4.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BUDA AND OURSELVES AND OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION HAS WORKED ON FOR SOME TIME, THE CITY IS CURRENTLY CONSTRUCTING, ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPER, A CONNECTION BETWEEN LINE 67 IN BUETOW, TWO EVENTUALLY, 1626, IN BUETOW, AS A BYPASS AROUND THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. WE REVIEWED THIS PROJECT A COUPLE OF TIMES IN HERE. THIS AGREEMENT IF YOU READ IT, MORE OR LESS OUTLINES WHO RESPONSIBILITY THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT ROADWAY IS. THE CURRENT CONFIGURATION PART OF THAT LIES WITHIN THE COUNTY, PART OF IT LIES WITHIN THE CITY, THIS CLARIFIES WHO IS GOING TO BE CARING FOR WHAT AND WHAT PORTIONS.

>> THERE YOU GO, I LOVE IT, WELL SAID, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> I5. >> I CAN'T READ WHAT I WROTE,

[I.5. Discussion and possible action to consider the acceptance of road construction & surface drainage improvements, acceptance of the 2-year maintenance bond #CNB-25-0005648-00 in the amount of $26,782.01 and acceptance of the 1-year revegetation bond #CNB-25-0005639-00 in the amount of $14,581.00 for the Skylight Hills subdivision. S MIT H]

SORRY. THERE'S SOMETHING NEXT TO IT. OH, THAT THERE WERE, I

CAN FIVE. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER THE ACCEPANCE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, ACCEPTANCE OF THE TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND NUMBER CMD-25-000-5648 -00. IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,780.01 AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ONE YEAR REVEGETATION BOND, NUMBER CMD-25-000-5639-00 IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,581 FOR THE SCARLET HILLS SUBDIVISION.

>> SO MOVED. >> OKAY. PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD,

JUDGE. >> THANK YOU, PLEASE CALL THE

[J.1. PLN-1889-PC; Hold a Public Hearing regarding the Douglas Estates, Lot D4, Replat. S MIT H /P A C H E C O]

ROLE. >> PLN-1189-PC HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE DOUGLAS

ESTATES, LOT B FOR, REPLANT. >> I AM OPENING THIS AGENDA ITEM FOR A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST

[03:05:03]

THIS ITEM , PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM. I SEE NO MOVEMENT, I

CLOSE. MR. GO. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE DOUGLAS

[J.3. PLN-2707-NP; Ratify Approval for the Spoke Pile Subdivision. H A MME R /P A C H E C O]

ESTATES REPLANT, THIS IS A TWO LOT SUBDIVISION ACROSS 11.29 ACRES ALONG PRECINCT 4, FOR THE SUBDIVISION, WATER UTILITY WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS, WASTEWATER UTILITY WILL BE ENCOMPASSED BY INDIVIDUAL ON-SITE FACILITIES.

TODAY THERE IS NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED, JUST HOLDING THE

PUBLIC HEARING. >> PERFECT AND THANK YOU, PLEASE

OPEN J3. >> J3, PLN-2707-NP RATIFY

APPROVAL FOR THE SUBDIVISION. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND? >> GRATIFICATION?

>> YES, SIR, RATIFICATION OF THIS SUBDIVISION.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >>

[K.2. Discussion and possible action to approve unused vacation time to be rolled to FY26 to be used by March 31, 2026. S MIT H SMITH /T .C R U MLE Y]

>> REPORTED ON J4, WE'RE GOING TO JUMP DOWN TO K2.

>> J2, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE UNUSED VACATION TIME TO BE ROLLED TO FY 26 TO BE USED BY MARCH 31ST,

2026. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> I MIGHT HAVE YOU SPEAK ON

THIS. >> TAMMY, DIRECTOR OF COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS, OUR MANAGER AT THE RECYCLING CENTER HAS 66 HOURS OF VACATION THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THIS FISCAL YEAR. AND JUST ASKING THAT THAT BE ROLLED OVER, AND HE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO

TAKE THAT BEFORE MARCH 31ST. >> BEAUTIFULLY STATED, THANK YOU SO MUCH, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. OH, YOU GOT SOMETHING ELSE?

>> SO SORRY, I DON'T WANT OVERCOMPLICATED, JORDAN POWELL, THE WAY THE WORD, THE ITEM IS WORDED IS MORE BROAD THAN JUST , IF WE COULD JUST CLARIFY, PERHAPS ON A MOTION THAT IS SPECIFIC TO THE ONE, THAT WOULD BE --

>> WILL YOU RESTATE THE MOTION ACCORDING TO TAMMY'S SINGULAR

REQUEST? >> HOLD ON ONE SECOND.

>> THE AGENDA ITEMS IS DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE UNUSED VACATION TIME TO BE ROLLED, I WAS AFRAID, I DIDN'T WANT THERE TO BE A MISUNDERSTANDING THAT IT WOULD APPLY COUNTYWIDE UNLESS THAT'S YOUR INTENT.

>> NO, NO. >> CAN YOU GIVE ME THE EXACT

TITLE? >> IT'S THE SOLID WASTE , RECYCLING SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT MANAGER.

>> RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT MANAGER.

>> IS PERFECT, THANK YOU, JORDAN.

>> I MOVED TO THE RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT MANAGER MAY BE ABLE TO MOVE HIS ACCRUED VACATION TIME TO FY 26, BUT IT

MUST BE USED BY MARCH 31ST. >> SECOND, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES.

[K.3. Discussion and possible action to adopt the Portal to Portal Pay Policy in the Personnel Policies effective September 19, 2025. B E C E R R A /GR A N JE N O]

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA. >> WE'RE ON TO K3? YEAH.

>> K3, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT THE PORTAL TO PORTAL PAY POLICY AND THE PERSONNEL POLICIES EFFECTIVE

SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2025. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> MR. ERIC? WILL YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND TELL US, I WAS READING WHILE I WAS LOOKING UP. TELL US A STORY ABOUT THIS ITEM.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, I'M RECOMMENDING THE ADOPTION OF A NEW POLICY , THE PORTAL TO PORTAL PAY POLICY, THIS POLICY WOULD ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR COMPENSATING EMPLOYEES DEPLOYED TO EMERGENCIES INCLUDING PORTAL TO PORTAL PAY IS AUTHORIZED OVER TIME , PER DIEM REIMBURSEMENTS, DOCUMENT VISION REQUIREMENTS, ALL ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT AND STATING FEDERAL EMERGENCY PROGRAM STANDARDS.

>> WHY IS THIS GOOD, IT KEEPS IT TIDY, KEEPS IT EFFICIENT, KEEPS

IT TIMELY. >> YES. YOU WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERING THE POLICY REVISED VERSION THAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU, THAT HAS MINOR CHANGES WHEN WE GOT BACK FEEDBACK, WHICH IS A TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WHICH WE AGREE WITH.

THERE WERE SOME MINOR CHANGES ON PAGE ONE, PAGE THREE, AND PAGE

FOUR. >> DO YOU NEED A REVISED MOTION,

TO SAY AS REVISED IN COURT? >> AS PRESENTED? AS PRESENTED IN COURT. MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED IN COURT.

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

[K.4. Discussion and possible action to adopt new market sources for employee compensation benchmarking, Effective October 1, 2025. B E C E R R A /GR A N JE N O]

[03:10:05]

>> DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT NEW MARKET RESOURCES, NEW MARKET SOURCES FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION BENCHMARKING

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST, 2045. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ONE MORE TIME.

>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, HR DIRECTOR. I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION THAT WE WILL BE

DISPLAYING HERE SHORTLY. >> I PRESSED THE BUTTON, IT'S

NOT DOING ANYTHING. >> WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME TO PRESENT THE HAYS COUNTY COMPENSATION MARKET SOURCES PROPOSAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 26. SO, THE PURPOSE OF THIS WAS TO UPDATE ENTITIES FOR COMPENSATION BENCHMARKING, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1ST, 2025. USING A MORE LOCALLY FOCUSED APPROACH, I THINK THAT'S WHAT I GOT FROM THE COURT LAST TIME, LOOKING AT MORE LOCALLY MARKET SOURCES, RATHER THAN SOURCES THAT WERE ACROSS THE STATES IN THE PREVIOUS BENCHMARK SOURCES, THAT WERE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND SUPPORT WITH MAX RECOMMENDATION.

SO THE METHODOLOGY AND LOOKING AT THE NEW SOURCES WAS GUIDED BY BEST PRACTICES ACCORDING TO WORLD AT WORK, THE SOCIETY FOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL CITY COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION. I CMA. WE SELECTED ENTITIES WITHIN AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTE DRIVE OF SAINT MARCOS, WE HAD A BALANCED REPRESENTATION OF AUSTEN AND METRO AREAS, AND WE CONSIDERED POPULATION OPERATING BUDGET AND REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS. SO, THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW WE STARTED WITH 25 POTENTIAL MARKET SOURCES, AND NARROWED IT DOWN TO 13 RECOMMENDED COMPETITORS. WE LOOKED AT OFFERING BUDGET RANGE FROM 250 MILLION TO 460 MILLION, WHICH IS ABOUT 30 TO 40% ABOVE BELOW HAYS COUNTY'S BUDGET, FOR RECOMMENDATION FROM WORLD AT WORK, WE LOOK TO THE POPULATION RANGE FROM 210,000 TO 350,000, WHICH IS WITHIN 25 TO 50%. AS RECOMMENDED BY SHERMAN I CMA GUIDELINES. AND WE FOCUSED ON ENTITIES WITHIN 75 MINUTES, AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTES FROM SAN MARCOS REGIONAL RELEVANCE. SO, FROM THOSE 25 POTENTIAL MARKET SOURCES, FIVE I CMA WORLD AT WORK FOR SIMILARITY AND BUDGET, AND/OR POPULATION, SO THOSE FIVE MARKET SOURCES WERE THE CITY OF CEDAR PARK, CITY OF SAN MARCOS, AND GUADALUPE COUNTY. AND THEN WE LOOKED AT ADDITIONAL MARKET SOURCES, OTHER KEY MARKET SOURCES, ABLEISM COUNTY, IN THE AUSTIN METRO AREA, TRAVIS COUNTY, LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE METRO WITH A VERY LARGE BUDGET, THERE COUNTY, MAJOR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO METRO, LARGE WORKFORCE. YEAH. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING ME.

BUTLER COUNTY , KENDALL COUNTY, MAKES A RURAL AND URBAN MIDSIZE BUDGET, CALDWELL COUNTY IS A NEIGHBORING COUNTIES SMALLER BUDGET FOR COMPARISON, BLANCO COUNTY, SMALL COUNTY AND PROVIDES A FISCAL BALANCE POINT, AND DENA COUNTY, MIDSIZE COUNTY

AND A MORE CONSERVATIVE BUDGET. >> GOOD SAMPLES.

>> IN OVERVIEW WE HAVE THREE CITIES RECOMMENDING THE NEW MARKET SOURCES, 10 COUNTIES FOR A TOTAL OF 13 MARKET SOURCES, AND THE RATIONALE WAS A LOCAL 13 AND TO BE PEER GROUP THAT BALANCES LOCAL MARKETS WITH SMALLER CONSERVATIVE COUNTIES.

THE FOUNDATION REMAINS ARE FORECLOSED. BY POPULATION AND BUDGET WHICH IS A CITY OF CEDAR PARK, CITY OF SAINT MARCOS, ONE BAY COUNTY. TO CAPTURE REGIONAL WAGE COMPETITION, AT WILLIAMSON TRAVIS AND BEAR COUNTIES, TO ENSURE BALANCE WE INCLUDE KENDALL, CALDWELL, BLANCO AND MEDINA COUNTIES. THIS GIVES US AN EVEN SPLIT OF LARGER AND SMALLER ENTITIES, MORE COUNTIES AND CITIES AND A BASKET ALIGNED WITH GUIDANCE FOR BENCHMARK

INTEGRITY. >> COULD I ASK ONE QUESTION? WHERE I'VE SEEN US LOSE EMPLOYEES, WHERE I'VE SEEN SP NONCOMPETITIVE AND ACQUIRING GOOD TALENT, WITHIN OUR COUNTY, IT'S WITH OUR CITIES. AND OUR CITIES, CITY OF KYLE, CITY OF UTAH, THOSE FAST-GROWING COMMUNITIES, I WOULD, HONESTLY, IT'S PAY. IT'S PAY AND BENEFITS, WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE. WE CANNOT MATCH THEIR PAY. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD START, A VERY GOOD START, WE ALSO NEED TO POSSIBLY LOOK MORE INTERNALLY. WITHIN OUR FOOTPRINT, NOT NECESSARILY

[03:15:07]

OUTSIDE IT BUT WITHIN OUR FOOTPRINT, AT THOSE CITIES.

>> A GREAT POINT. WHEN WE TELL YOU WHAT ELSE, COMMISSIONER SMITH, IT WAS MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO ME WHEN I WAS PROVIDING OVER THAT SHERIFF'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, YOU SAW THE SAME THING I DID. WE'VE GOT CHIEFS OF POLICE MAKING NORTH OF 200,000 AND WE GOT OUR SHERIFF NOWHERE NEAR IT. SO, I GET IT.

YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT, WITHIN OUR FOOTPRINT IS A KEY COMPONENT THAT YOU WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE TO MOVE. YOU LITERALLY GO ONE OF HER DOOR AND YOU'RE MAKING MORE MONEY IF THE SITUATION PRESENTS

ITSELF. GREAT POINT. >> ABSOLUTELY. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> IS THIS THE FINAL LIST? >> YES. THIS IS MY

RECOMMENDATION. >> LET'S INCLUDE COMMISSIONER

SMITH. INCLUDE THE CITY. >> AT LEAST THOSE . I DON'T THINK WE GOT TO DO THAT. PLEASE ADD TO THE LIST , ARE YOU OKAY

WITH THAT? DONE. >> PERFECT. THIS LIST IS COMPLETE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

[K.5. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Health Department to convert the vacant Animal Welfare Services Division Manager, grade 123 to an Intake Coordinator, grade 116 effective September 16, 2025. IN GA LS B E /C OH E N /GON Z A LE S]

ACTION FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO CONVERT THE VACANT ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES DIVISION MANAGER GRADE 123 TO AN INTAKE COORDINATOR GRADE 116 EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16TH, 25.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> COMMISSIONERS, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

>> YEAH. I'LL JUST SAY REAL QUICK THAT THIS INTAKE SERVICES , IS NEEDED AT THE IS REGIONAL SHELTER, AND THE POSITION I THINK WILL STRENGTHEN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS. I APPRECIATE BEING OPEN TO CONVERTING THAT AND SAVING US

SOME MONEY. >> I WANT TO CAUTION, IN THE SPIRIT OF FORMER COMMISSIONER SHAL, I LEARNED A LOT FROM HIM.

AND, HE CAUTIONED AGAINST US RUNNING THINGS. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T ACCIDENTALLY SLIP INTO RUNNING

THINGS, THAT'S ALL . >> YEAH. MATTHEW GONZALES, LOCAL HEALTH DIRECTOR. FOR THIS POSITION SPECIFICALLY, THE SAN MARCO IS REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER, HAS SEEN A LOT OF INTAKE IN OUR COUNTY ANIMALS AND SPECIFICALLY DOGS AND CATS, AND, IT HAS BECOME AN INCREASING BURDEN, NOT ONLY ON THE SHOULDER BUT ALSO OUR SHERIFF DEPUTIES, WHERE THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO FULFILL THEIR RESPONSE TIMES, WHEN IT COMES TO DROPPING OFF THE ANIMAL, DOING THE INTAKE TO PROPERLY HELP THE SHELTER MANAGE THEIR EVERYDAY BUSINESS GOING ON, AND ALLOWING THEM TO RESPOND TO CALLS THAT THEY'RE GETTING ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTY. WE HAVE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS NOT ONLY WITH THE SHOULDER BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND WHAT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT COULD ASSIST NOT ONLY THE COUNTY, A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT ANIMAL SERVICES GOING ON BUT ALSO HELP THEM. MAKE THESE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR PARTNERS, AND WE DECIDED THAT HAVING A POSITION DEDICATED TO INTAKE COORDINATION WOULD BE THE BEST SOLUTION TO HELPING OUR DEPUTIES FULFILL THE SERVICES THEY'RE REQUIRED TO GET OUT IN THE FIELD, RESPOND TO OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS, THAT THEY'RE NEEDING ASSISTANCE WITH WELL THE INTAKE COORDINATOR HELPS THE SHELTER PROCESS IT, GET IT VACCINATED, GET IT READY FOR ITS PROPER KENNEL SET UP, AND OUR FOCUS IS HELPING THESE ANIMALS GET OUT OF THE SHELTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS POSITION WOULD BE HELPING WITH THE COORDINATING ADOPTION EVENTS OR SHELTER AWARENESS SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS SAYING, THIS ANIMAL IS IN THE SHELTER, THIS, LET'S TRY TO GET IT OUT. AS NOTED IN THE SUMMARY, WE'RE CONVERTING THIS FROM THE MANAGER POSITION SO THERE IS GOING TO BE A COST SAVINGS THERE

THAT WE WOULD UTILIZE. >> WE CALL THAT IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SALARY SAVINGS.

>> YES. >> ME ASK YOU THIS, I WANTED TO ASK, IS THIS PERSON, THE VIEWING PUBLIC CAN FOLLOW ALONG, GOING TO BE DAILY OPERATIONAL AT OUR SAN MARCO'S FACILITY OFF THE

ROAD? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> SO, THE IDEA IS, I'M A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, I PICK UP A LITTLE KITTEN, I TAKE IT THERE, AND HANDED TO THIS INDIVIDUAL,

[03:20:08]

AND THEY DO THE REST AND I'M BACK ON THE STREET.

>> CORRECT. >> AND THEN THEY WILL DO EVERYTHING DESCRIBED, THE SHOTS, EVERYTHING ELSE. AND THEN WORK

ON THE EXIT. >> YES, SIR.

>> THE GOAL IS THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS IS, LET'S SAY , I'M NOT TRYING TO BE CRITICAL, ON THIS FRONT, THIS WOULD HELP ON THE COUNTIES LOAD THAT WE'RE PUTTING ON THE CURRENT FACILITY.

>> EXACTLY. YES, SIR. >> HOW DO THEY FEEL ABOUT THIS?

>> THE SHELTER THEMSELVES? THEY FEEL ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THIS AFTER I TALKED ABOUT THE DISCHARGE OF THE ANIMAL. AT FIRST THEY WERE LIKE, IF WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE AN INTAKE, WHAT ABOUT GETTING FULL, AND, WE'RE GOING TO HELP YOU TRY TO ALLEVIATE THAT BY SAYING WE'RE GOING TO BE POSTING ABOUT THIS ANIMAL, TRYING TO GET IT OUT TO ADOPTION EVENTS, IT'S GOING TO BE A COORDINATED EFFORT THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO GET GRANULATION. THIS INDIVIDUAL WILL BE FOCUSING, THOUGH, ON COUNTY PICKED UP PETS OR

STRAITS. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> COMING THROUGH THAT LENS. GOOD. COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

WELL DONE. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD JOB, TEAMWORK, WELL DONE, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ANYTHING TO ADD OVER THERE?

>> PURCHASING AGENT, PART OF THE CONTRACT THAT WE SIGNED WITH THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS IS THAT OUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS WOULD DO THE INTAKE PIECE OF IT. SO LIKE MATTHEW SAID, PUTTING THIS INDIVIDUAL IN PLACE WOULD TAKE THAT OFF OF THEM, WHICH IS ALREADY PART OF THE CONTRACT ANYWAY THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO

DO. >> HOW ABOUT OUR COUNTYWIDE CONTRACT, JORDAN? I WANTED TO CHIME YOU IN, HOW ABOUT OUR COUNTYWIDE CONTRACT, NOT A CONTRACT, NO, IT'S, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LONG TIME AGO. ORDINANCE. HOW ABOUT THE COUNTYWIDE ORDINANCE? SO WE CAN HAVE UNIFORMITY AND CONTINUITY

COUNTYWIDE. >> IN REGARDS TO THIS POSITION?

>> IN REGARDS TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE PROCESSING, YES, THANK YOU. HOW IT TIES INTO THE PROCESSING, THANK YOU,

STEPHANIE. >> SO, TYPICALLY THE ORDINANCE IS NOT SPECIFIC AS TO WHAT I WOULD CALL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT INVOLVED WITH THE MANAGERIAL ASPECTS OF ANIMALS. I WAS IN THE ORDINANCE IS MAINLY A FRAMEWORK REGARDING STATUTORY RULES, REGULATIONS, LAWS APPLICABLE TO IT. BUT THEN THE SOP, FOR CONVERSATION PURPOSES.

WHETHER IT'S MATTHEWS OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHICH PIECE IT IS, WE LET THEM WORK ON THE SPECIFIC SOP TO SUPPLEMENT THE ORDINANCE O THAT IF THERE NEEDS TO BE A TWEAK HERE OR THERE, THEY CAN DO THAT BUT IT SUPPLEMENTS THE ORDINANCE.

>> BEAUTIFUL, 100%, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK MATTHEW, CANDACE, STEPHANIE, EVERYBODY HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK ON THIS TO TRY TO GET THIS

POSITION ESTABLISHED. >> AND DON'T FORGET LENGTHEN THE FUSE, GOOD. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. PLEASE CALL

THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

[K.6. Discussion and possible action to accept a Proposal from Water & Earth Technologies (WET) related to the replacement of the Pressure Transducers located at Post Road and Chapparal Road; authorize a discretionary exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Ch. 262.024 (a)(7)(D), and amend the budget accordingly. H A MME R /S MIT H /M.JON E S]

COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? COMMISSIONER SMITH? COMMISSIONER

JOE AND? >> AM I CORRECT TO SAY WE ARE ON

CASE SIX? >> YES.

>> WAS TO IT. >> K6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM WATER & EARTH TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS LOCATED AT POST ROAD AND CHABROL ROAD, AUTHORIZE A DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 262.0 24A7D AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS I'M SO PROUD OF HAYS COUNTY, EMERGENCY SERVICES ET CETERA, ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? WE'RE GOOD?

>> MY ONE QUESTION IS, I KNOW WE DO THESE OFTEN, IS THERE NOT A WAY UNDER THE CONTRACT TO DO HOW MANY OF THESE DO WE REPLACE A

YEAR? A LOT. >> PROBABLY 11. MIKE JONES, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. THEY WERE OUT IN EIGHT, 10 YEARS, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. EIGHT TO 10. SO, I'M FINDING WAYS TO SAVE MONEY, GET SOME LONGEVITY OUT OF THE APPARATUS, AND CURRENTLY.

>> AND THE ONLY REASON I SAY THAT, WE WERE HAVING TO REPLACE THEM WITH EVERY CONSTRUCTION WE DID ON A BRIDGE, WE FIGURE THAT OUT, IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT MAINTENANCE ON THESE THINGS AND REPLACEMENT WHENEVER THE UNITS GO OUT, THAT

ARE LESS TRIVIAL. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE?

[03:25:04]

>> I THINK WE BOARDED ON SEVEN? >> I THINK WE'RE DOWN TO 10.

>> NO, I WAS ASKED TO PULL 10, NOTHING ON TENANT THIS TIME. NOW

[K.15. Discussion and possible action to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 Hays County budget after making final changes as a result of the public hearing. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]

GOING ON , A LOT OF MARKS, HERE, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO 15, I GOT

TWO EMAILED COMMENTS. >> K 15, DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 HAYS COUNTY BUDGET AFTER MAKING FINAL CHANGES AS A RESULT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> I'M FOLLOWING MY NOTES. SORRY, SORRY. I'VE GOT A LOT OF NOTES. GOOD, GOOD, GOOD. WE'RE GOING TO WAIT FOR THE 1:00 HIM A WEEK AND YOU 14? WHAT YOU THINK, NO? NOT YET? THOSE ARE ALL AFTER. 13, 14, 15 ARE ALL AFTER. SO IS 16 AND 17, AM I RIGHT?

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

GOOD, LET'S GO AHEAD AND HIT STANDING AGENDA M1.

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

>> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SENDS MY OFFICE ARE JAIL CAPACITY AND WAS GOING ON, AND OUR CURRENT MAXIMUM JAIL CAPACITY REMAINS 410 INMATES. JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS HOLDING APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THAT CAPACITY OPEN, WHICH LOWERS OUR CAPACITY TO 368. AND PEAK WAS 549 ON SEPTEMBER 12TH. THE ESTIMATED COST WE'RE OUTSOURCING OUR INMATES THIS WEEK IS $132,335. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES WAS 202 AND THEY WERE ALL IN HASKELL COUNTY. PAPER READY INMATES, WE HAVE 38, WHICH MEAN THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH OUR SYSTEM, THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH OUR COURTS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY AND OUR STATE INMATES, AND THAT SHOULD BE FROM STATE COFFERS, NOT COUNTY COFFERS. OTHER AGENDA ITEMS FOR ME TO OPEN? YOU'RE GOOD? AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE GOT NOTHING LEFT EXCEPT THE SHOP AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, THAT'S TOO BIG, AM I RIGHT, JORDAN?

>> YES. IT WOULD TAKE LONGER THAN 19 MINUTES. BUT IT'S UP TO YOU IF YOU WANT TO START OR NOT.

>> LET'S START, DEAL. YOU'VE GOT 20 MINUTES, WHICH ONE DO YOU

WANT? >> IF IT'S OKAY, CAN WE, YEAH.

IF WE WANT TO OPEN , >> ONE, FOR SURE.

>> WE CAN DO ONE, IF WE WANT TO DO ONE, AND MAYBE, I YOUR NUMBERS, WHATEVER Y'ALL WANT TO DO.

>> LET'S DO THIS. >> WE --

>> WE CAN, WE CAN BUT THE ONLY THING LEFT IS THE WORKSHOP, IT'S TIED TO OUR CONTRACT WITH GRANDMA CHRIS, IS THAT IT IS THE CAMERA STUFF? IT'S BECAUSE OF OUR CONTRACT THAT THEY RUN THE RISK OF NOT DOCUMENTING AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> I BET ONE, FOUR, AND FIVE, WE COULD GET ALL THOSE AT 18

[L. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS (Part 1 of 2)]

MINUTES, NOW. >> LET'S DO IT. PLEASE OPEN L1,

FOUR, AND FIVE. >> EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNCIL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT OR NEAR DOTSON DRIVE IN PRECINCT 3. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. L CAPITAL FOR EXECUTIVES IS PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.087 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT MUNCH.

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

L5, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNCIL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PROJECTS BEING CONSIDERED BY HAYS COUNTY, SENTINEL PEAK.

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO OPEN L1 FIRST INSIDE EXECUTIVE SESSION, IN ORDER FOR THOSE TIED TO L4 HAVE A CHANCE TO COME OVER HERE, AND THEN WE WILL WRAP IT UP WITH L5. ALL THE BETTER. WE'RE GOING TO GO IN THAT ORDER, L1, L4, L5.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. COURT IS

[03:30:04]

MOVING, FOLKS, WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND I ASK

[K.13. 1:00p.m.- Hold a final public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026 Hays County Proposed Budget. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]

THAT YOU PLEASE OPEN, IS IT K 13?

>> 1:00 P.M., HOLD A FINAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 HAYS COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET.

>> HELLO, JOE. >> SURE.

>> STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> MY NAME IS JOE, I'M THE RESIDENT OF I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET REQUEST THAT WE HAD SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS AFTERNOON. FOR OVER 25 YEARS THE ORGANIZATION HAS SERVED OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL NEEDS, FUNDS FOR EXPENSES AND FUNDS FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES. OUR ORGANIZATION HAS NO PAID STAFF. DUE TO THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REQUEST WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING DURING FISCAL YEAR 2045 OUR ORGANIZATION IS REQUESTING 8000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 205 CLIENTS AT A COST OF $23,000.

WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING APPROXIMATELY EIGHT REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE PER WEEK FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. WE'VE BEEN USING THE DONATIONS THAT WE'VE RAISED TO THE GRANT BUT Y'ALL GAVE US THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS THAT WE GOT FROM THE CITY RECENTLY. IF YOU SPEAK TO OTHER SOCIAL AGENCIES LIKE THE SOUTHSIDE, ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, SALVATION ARMY, IN HAYS COUNTY THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY'VE SEEN A SPIKE IN REQUESTS. TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS IN OUR COUNTY, WE'VE PARTNERED TOGETHER TO RESOURCES AND THIS ALLOWS US TO SERVE MORE PLANTS. OUR AMOUNT AWARDED HAS BEEN $5000 FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. WITH THAT AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT APPROVED BY THE COUNTY WE WILL BE LIMITED TO THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS WE CAN PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO DURING THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR. WHILE THE ORGANIZATION HAS LOST ITS FOUNDER EARLY THIS YEAR, IT PLANS TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. THE BOARD RECENTLY APPROVED A NAME CHANGE WHICH WILL BE HAPPENING SOON. GOING TO HAYS HELPING HANDS. WE WILL CONTINUE THE SAME MISSION THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THESE LAST 20+ YEARS. BUT, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME FOR LETTING ME SPEAK

TO Y'ALL THIS AFTERNOON. >> THANK YOU, MR. CASTILLE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK, NOW IS YOUR

WINDOW. >> MY NAME IS BECKY HEIGHTS, I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING JAMES CLEMENT, WHO COULDN'T BE HERE. I'M GOING TO READ HIS STATEMENT INTO THE RECORD. I LIVE IN WIMBERLEY TEXAS, HAYS COUNTY, I'M HERE TO ESPECIALLY OPPOSITION TO ANY NEW TAX INCREASE. I'M 79, I'M A VIETNAM VETERAN, I OWN MY HOUSE, I'VE PAID MY TAXES, I'VE FILES FOR ALL POSSIBLE EXEMPTIONS FOR RETIRED OVER 65, HOMESTEAD HANDICAPPED. EVERY YEAR I MAKE CERTAIN THAT I'VE SET ASIDE MY PROPERTY TAXES SO THAT THE COUNTY CANNOT TAKE MY HOME AWAY FROM ME. WHAT MOST OF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IS WHAT MADE AMERICA GREAT. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS THAT LED TO THE SUCCESS OF AMERICA WAS THE FACT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY, EVERYONE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY AND ABILITY TO OWN PERSONAL PROPERTY. THE PIONEERS WOULD GO OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS AND FILE A CLAIM AND PLANT A SEED. FOR THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS AMERICANS HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED FOR THEIR RIGHT TO OWN PERSONAL PROPERTY. UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE ALLOWED OUR GOVERNMENT TO DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO TAKE AWAY OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY. I, FOR ONE, WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO STOP THIS THEFT OF MY PERSONAL PROPERTY. 6.7, SAN MARCO WAS 12,

AND AUSTIN, 20, THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK? ANYONE ELSE? COME ON UP, STATE YOUR NAME, AND IF YOU HAVE A

TITLE OR ASSOCIATION. >> MY NAME IS DIANA BOYD, MY ASSOCIATION IS I'M A CITIZEN AND I'M MARRIED TO A VIETNAM VET WHO IS NOT HERE BECAUSE HE'S TAKING A NAP. THE REASON I

[03:35:01]

CAME TODAY IS I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU ALL TO NOT RAISE TAXES BECAUSE WE ARE RETIRED, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP WITH THE TAXES WHEN YOU'RE ON A FIXED INCOME, AND I KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED FOR A MORATORIUM ON THAT, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO CONSIDER

THAT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? I FORGOT. YOU'RE UP. BEFORE WE CLOSE IT. YOU WANT ME TO CLOSE

IT? >> NO.

NEXT ITEM. GOOD AFTERNOON, VICKI DORSETT, HAYS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER. BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I WANT TO JUST TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO RECOGNIZE MY STAFF, I'VE ASKED THEM TO BE HERE TODAY. WE HAVE TO BUDGET ANALYZE AND THE BUDGET OFFICE, THEY HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ASSISTING WITH THE REVIEW AND CREATION OF BUDGET SCHEDULES THAT ARE UTILIZED IN OUR FINAL BUDGET DOCUMENTS. CASSIE, YOU WANT TO STAND UP? SHE'S BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. SHE'S OUR SENIOR BUDGET ANALYST, SO THIS IS HER FIRST FULL BUDGET CYCLE WITH THE COUNTY. AND VICTORIA VASQUEZ, SHE IS OUR BUDGET ANALYST, TOO.

VICTORIA HAS BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR OVER 12 YEARS. BUT, WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE FOR JUST OVER TWO YEARS, THIS IS THE SECOND FULL BUDGET CYCLE. THEY'VE BOTH BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN NOT JUST THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS, BUT THE ONGOING DAILY OF THE BUDGET OFFICE, AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR HARD

WORK. >> HOLY SMOKES.

>> I APOLOGIZE FOR MY VOICE, DEALING WITH SOME ALLERGIES OR SOMETHING, HERE. I HAVE PROVIDED IN FRONT OF YOU, A BUDGET PACKET THAT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION . AS WELL AS SOME CLEANUP ITEMS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS PERSONNEL CORRECTIONS, GRANT REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE UPDATES. EQUIPMENT AND DATA UPDATES OPERATING EXPENSE UPDATES, DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURES, AND FY 25 PROJECT PURCHASE ORDER. WOULD LIKE TO DO IS START WITH THOSE REQUIRED CHANGES AND GO THROUGH THOSE GENERAL CHANGES AND THEN ALL OF THE OTHER FUND SPECIAL REVENUES CHANGES, AND THEN GO BACK UP TO THE TOP OF YOUR LIST SO YOU CAN GO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE ADDITIONAL REQUEST THAT YOU COME IN SINCE OUR LAST PUBLIC HEARING. I'M GOING TO SIT DOWN AT MY COMPUTER SO I CAN DOCUMENT RESPONSES TO THESE ITEMS.

>> OKAY. SO, ON PAGE FOUR, OF YOUR PACKET, ARE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL CORRECTIONS. THESE CORRECTIONS INCLUDE POSITIONS THAT HAVE EITHER BEEN VACANT AND FILLED AT A HIGHER STEP, OR COULD HAVE BEEN FILLED AT A HIGHER STEP AND HAVE SINCE BECOME VACANT. SO, THE STAFF HAVE GONE THROUGH AND SCRUBBED THE POSITION BUDGETING LIST AND HAVE IDENTIFIED ALL OF THOSE CHANGES. THEY NEED TO BE MADE TO POSITION BUDGETED SALARIES, AS WELL AS BENEFITS. THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL REQUEST THAT I ADDED TO THIS, LIST, WHICH IS FROM OUR COUNTY AUDITOR, AND THAT IS TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY ASSISTANT AUDITOR IN ACCOUNTING. THAT POSITION WOULD BE FOR APPROXIMATELY 344 HOURS AT THE MINIMUM RATE OF 25. THE COST OF THAT IS $9558. THIS IS DUE TO A POSITION SHE HAS CURRENTLY OUT SO SHE IS REQUESTING TO HAVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT DURING THAT 12 WEEK PERIOD. THE TOTAL IMPACT

-- >> VICKI? WHAT PAGE ARE YOU ON? I'M ON PAGE FOUR, IT SAYS THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.

>> IF YOU GET PAST THAT, THEY ARE NUMBERED AT THE BOTTOM OF

THE PAGE. >> THEY ARE PAGE NUMBERED. SO

[03:40:06]

IT'S AT THE TOP OF PAGE FOUR. SO, THESE REQUESTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH ARE IN THE GENERAL FUND, SOME OF YOUR SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS AS YOU SEE, THEY'RE BROKEN OUT BY FUND, THE GENERAL FUND IMPACT IS A SAVINGS OF $71,564. THERE ARE ALSO SOME CORRECTIONS TO THE ROAD AND BRIDGE FUNDS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 27,775. THE JUVENILE CENTER HAS REQUESTS, BUT IT'S NO IMPACT, AND THE DEPARTMENT IS A SAVINGS OF 10,759 , AND THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND HAS AN IMPACT OF $9988. ON PAGE FIVE, THERE IS ADDITIONAL REQUESTS THAT HAVE COME IN SINCE OUR LAST PUBLIC HEARING. THOSE THREE REQUESTS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE HR DEPARTMENT, FOR REVIEW, AND THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR AUDITS, AND HAVE MADE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POSITIONS WITHIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, TAX OFFICE, HUMAN RESOURCES, COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE, COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THE IMPACT FOR THOSE POSITIONS EQUATES 31,003 73 TO THE GENERAL FUND. $12,651 TO THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUND, AND $16,620 TO THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES FUND. PAGE SIX AND SEVEN OUTLINE GRANT REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE UPDATES. THESE ARE DUE TO EITHER REDUCTIONS IN GRANT FUNDING, ADDITIONAL GRANT REVENUE RECEIVED, AND IN SOME CASES, GRANTS THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY. THOSE ALL REFLECTED ON THOSE PAGES, AND THE IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND IS $33,364 . THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUND IS A ZERO IMPACT. BUT THERE ARE CHANGES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE TWO REVENUE EXPENDITURES. THE LOCAL ASSISTANT FUND IS ALSO A ZERO IMPACT. ROAD DEPARTMENT HAS A SAVINGS OF 43,614. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS A SAVINGS OF $7889. CDBG RECOVERY PROGRAM HAS SOME CHANGES IN REVENUE EXPENSE WITH A ZERO IMPACT, AND THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD FUND ALSO HAS CHANGES TO REVENUE AND EXPENSES WITH A ZERO DOLLAR

IMPACT. >> VICKI, I HAVE A QUESTION ON THAT. YOU KNOW THE TOTAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES THAT

WE'VE LOST THIS YEAR? >> THE REVENUE WAS DOWN APPROXIMATELY, JUST A LITTLE OVER 4 MILLION. FROM PRIOR YEAR, SOME OF THAT, THAT'S ALL FUNDS, SOME OF THAT WAS DUE TO THE ARPA FUNDS BEING SPENT DOWN. SO, MOVING ON TO PAGE EIGHT , THROUGH 10, ON OUR EQUIPMENT AND DATA UPDATES. THESE ARE THE EQUIPMENT SCHEDULES, OR COMPUTER AND IT IS SCHEDULES THAT HAVE EITHER PRICING CHANGES, OR CHANGES TO SOFTWARE, THAT WERE ADDED OR REMOVED. THE TOTL IMPACT IS FOUND ON PAGE 10, THE GENERAL FUND WAS A SAVINGS OF 22,000 106. THE JUSTICE COURT TECHNOLOGY FUND IS A COST OF $1450. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FUND SAVINGS OF 5700 AND TOBACCO SETTLEMENT IS A COST OF $45,600.

AND THE TYPE OF SETTLEMENT PLANNED IS ACTUALLY TO ADD THE ONE TIME COST FOR THE SOFTWARE FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY

[03:45:04]

SERVICES. AND TO SHIFT THE 360 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOFTWARE FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO THAT FUND. PAGE 11 OUTLINES THE OPERATING EXPENSE CHANGES. ONE OF THE LARGE CHANGES AND THE OPERATIONS CAME FROM OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER BUDGET. AT THE AUGUST 19TH PUBLIC HEARING, THERE WAS ADDITIONAL FUNDS SET ASIDE FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS. HE'S SINCE LEARNED THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A GRANT THROUGH T IDC INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION. THAT IS FOR 600,000 FOR ADDITIONAL PIECES. AND IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COURTS, THAT GRANT DOES REQUIRE CASH MATCH.

SO, WORKING WITH NDS AND OUR CURRENT CONTRACTOR, THEY HAVE PROVIDED SOME EDITS TO THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS BUDGET. WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 12. BASICALLY,

>> COMMISSIONER HAS A QUICK QUESTION.

>> SO WE'RE INCREASING IT BY 350,000 FOR THE PDO BECAUSE OF

THE GRANT THAT WE HAVE? >> NO. DECREASE IT. AUGUST 19TH, PUBLIC HEARING, THE COURT AUTHORIZED AND ADDITIONAL 474,000 FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS, WE'RE REDUCING THAT AMOUNT TO 350,000, IN ANTICIPATION, FROM T IDC, SO, THAT SHOULD BE ACCOUNTING IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. SO THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CONTRACT FOR NDS FOR THOSE SERVICES. THAT 120,000 WILL BE

MOVED INTO THAT CONTRACT. >> THANK YOU FOR CLARITY,

APPRECIATE IT. >> ON PAGE 11, 13, THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT SUBMITTED A REPLIES PROJECT BUDGET , THESE BUDGETS ARE AND MOVING INTO SOME OF THE ROAD COST CENTERS AT THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TASKED WITH ASSISTING AND FUNDING SOME OF THESE PROJECTS. THERE WAS ALSO AN ADDITIONAL $23,820 NEEDED TO ALLOCATE TOWARD OUR TRAFFIC COUNTER MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. SO, WE STILL HAVE THREE PROJECTS THROUGH OUR PASS-THROUGH WITH TXDOT, THAT THEY MAINTAIN TRAFFIC COUNTERS , SO WE HAVE A CONTRACT FOR THOSE SO THAT WE CAN SUBMIT DATA TO TXDOT TO GET REINFORCEMENT FOR THOSE PROJECT EXPENSES. PAGE 14, THERE ARE SOME DEPARTMENT RESTRUCTURES THAT ARE INCLUDED. ONE IS SHIFTING GRANT WRITERS, THERE ARE TWO CURRENTLY BUDGETED WITH COUNTYWIDE OPERATIONS THAT WILL BE MOVING TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE, OCTOBER 1ST. ANOTHER CHANGE IS A TITLE CHANGE, AND COMBINING OF BUDGETS FOR THE CURRENT CREATIONS DEPARTMENT. INTO THE MAINTENANCE AND RECYCLING BUDGETS, INTO FACILITIES AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. SO THEY WILL HAVE A FUNCTIONAL TITLE CHANGE AS FACILITIES AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, THEY'LL STILL MAINTAIN TWO BUDGETS AND OUR LETTER FOR MAINTENANCE AND RECYCLING BECAUSE OF THE TWO FUNCTIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING. THIS IS ALLOCATING THOSE BUDGETS, INTO THOSE COMBINED DEPARTMENTS. ON PAGE 15 IS A LIST OF ALL PURCHASE ORDER ROLLOVERS, FOR PURCHASING OFFICE, TO DETERMINE

[03:50:01]

PROJECTS OR SUPPLIES OR EQUIPMENT, IT WOULD NOT BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 30TH. SO, THE LIST IS INCLUSIVE OF 2.187 $968, HOWEVER, IT IS THAT AMOUNT OF FUNDING WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR BUDGET BUT IT COMES OFF OF YOUR FUND BALANCE. IT'S NOT AN INCREASE THAT YOU HAVE TO COVER. IT'S AN INCREASE THAT WE COVER WITH THE FUND BALANCE OF NOT SPENDING 25 FUNDS, SO, IT IS THE IMPACT IS SHOWN ON THE DETAILED PAGE BUT IT WON'T BE INCLUDED IN WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE COVERED, OR THE FINAL SAVINGS FOR EACH FUND. ALL OF THOSE CHANGES REFLECT EVERYTHING THAT IS FROM THE REQUESTED TOTAL LINE ITEM BEFORE FOR GENERAL FUND, STARTING WITH VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, OF SAVINGS, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SECOND PAGE. THOSE ARE ALL THE REQUIRED CHANGES FOR THE CLEANUP ITEMS. FOR THE GENERAL FUND, IT SAYS SAVINGS OF $33,345, FOR THE REMAINING OPERATING SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS. IT'S COMING FROM THEIR FUND BALANCE, OR A ZERO DOLLAR NET EFFECT. SO, THE REMAINING ITEMS , TOP OF YOUR SCHEDULE, OR THE ITEMS THAT CAME IN EITHER OUR LAST PUBLIC HEARING OR AS A RESULT OF THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE. THE HEARING THAT WAS HELD FOR THE SHERIFF'S GRIEVANCE. THE FIRST ITEM IS OUTLINED ON PAGE ONE, IMPACT OF 20,000 FOR THE SHERIFF'S GRIEVANCE. WE ALSO HAD THREE APARTMENTS REACH OUT AND ASK FOR RECONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL POSITIONS, THE ELECTIONS OFFICE, MET WITH ERIC AND I, AND ERIC PROVIDED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, THE PURCHASING OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDERATION FOR FLEET COORDINATOR APRIL 1ST, THE PRECINCT 1 WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL EFFECTIVE APRIL 1ST. THOSE COSTS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE TWO.

PRECINCT 1 DID INDICATE THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SHIFT THE DEPUTY POSITION THAT IS CURRENTLY SLATED TO START OCTOBER 1 IN THE BUDGET, TO AN APRIL 1 START DATE, WHICH WOULD BE A SAVINGS OF 47 , OBVIOUSLY THERE WOULD BE A COST AT THAT POSITION. ALSO OUTLINED ON PAGE THREE ARE THE ITEMIZED LIST, FOR PRECINCT 5 , THE DEPUTY WAS ADDED AT THE LAST BUDGET HEARING. IF YOU RECALL, THERE WAS ROUGHLY 13,000, A LITTLE OVER 13,000 LEFT IN THE BUDGET TO COVER EQUIPMENT NEEDS. THEY PROVIDED A LIST OF ITEMS, AND THERE'S ALSO SOME ONGOING ITEMS FOR OFFICER SAFETY PLAN , THE BODY CAMERA , THE CAR CAMERA, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER COMPUTER EQUIPMENT NEEDS. SO, THE ACTUAL COST WAS 33,000, THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL 19,000 NEEDED FOR THAT POSITION. SEVERAL OFFICES REACH OUT REQUESTING AN OVERTIME BUDGET, ESTIMATED AT ROUGHLY 5000 EACH OF THE $25,000 AND LANGUAGE PAPER DEPUTY CONSTABLES WHICH IS $100 PER MONTH. AND I'VE ALSO REFLECTED THE $3000 REQUEST THAT CAME IN TODAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACT FUNDING.

>> BEFORE YOU GET TOO MUCH FURTHER, ARE WE PROPOSING TWO FLEETS? IS THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING? I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING

[03:55:01]

TO STAY WITH ONE. >> THE FLEET COORDINATOR POSITION? IT WAS A REQUEST THAT CAME IN, I SUCCESSFULLY DOCUMENTED THIS SO THAT IT WOULD BE DISCUSSED. THERE IS ALL OF THE REQUESTS THAT CAME IN, WITH COST AND ADDITIONAL $211,788.

RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE $33,000. SO, THERE IS,

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO OVERLAP AND SAVE AND BE MORE EFFICIENT, I WANT TO REACH FOR THAT. STEPHANIE? I WANT TO MAKE SURE

VICKI IS DONE FIRST. >> I'M SORRY. NO RUSH. THAT'S

THE FIRST I THINK OF. >> AND THE TOTAL GENERAL FUND AT LEAST 178, 443. 78 443. PICKED UP THE TOTAL TWICE. OUR BUDGET IS BALANCED, TO COVER ANY OF THESE ADDITIONAL REQUESTS. AT THIS POINT, YOU HAVE $32,000, 33 345 IN SAVINGS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE REQUESTS, TWO DISCUSSION, IF THERE WERE ANY REQUEST WE WANTED TO CONSIDER THAN WE WOULD HAVE TO FIND A PLACE TO CUT IN

ORDER TO MAKE THOSE. >> I WANT TO RESTATE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC WE'VE AGREED ON A TAX RATE. WE'VE ALREADY AGREED ON A BALANCED BUDGET, THAT IS SQUARE, WE STILL HAVE AN OVERFLOWING OF REQUEST, AND IT IS OUR JOB IF WE GRANT THESE REQUESTS, JUST LIKE A HOME CHECKBOOK, WHERE WILL WE PULL IT FROM? THAT'S THE REST OF THIS BUDGETARY CONVERSATION WILL BE.

SO THE VIEWING PUBLIC AND FOLLOW ALONG. DO YOU, ARE YOU DONE WITH

YOUR RECAP? >> I'M DONE WITH MY RECAP UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, SO WE CAN TAKE THIS, WE WILL NEED TO VOTE ON THE CHANGES, AND THEN YOU ACCEPT THEM, IN ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM AFTER WE CLOSE OUT THE PUBLIC HEARING. SO WE CAN DO ALL OF THE REQUIRED WHICH GIVES YOU THE SAVINGS IF YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THE GENERAL FUND SAVINGS, ALL OF THE SPECIAL REVENUE, ACCOUNTS, THOSE ARE BALANCED, WHICH IS THE CHANGES THAT ARE NEEDED. THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS THE 211,000.

>> GOT IT. GOT IT. >> STEPHANIE IF YOU GUYS ARE OKAY WITH THAT ON THIS PECKING ORDER OF THINGS, JUST BECAUSE IT CAME TO MIND IS THE LAST PIECE THAT WE WERE LISTENING TO. IF YOU DON'T MIND, STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING

PUBLIC, AND -- >> CAN I ASK YOU ONE QUESTION? THE TRUCK THAT YOU GAVE US, I CANNOT FIND IT, THE CHART THAT YOU GAVE US, RELATIVE TO WHAT PERCENTAGE OF OUR BUDGET IS THAT VERSUS STATE-FUNDED OR STATE-MANDATED, DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER COPY OF THAT? OR COULD YOU EMAIL IT TO ME WHILE WE'RE SITTING HERE? MEET WITH COUNTYWIDE, BECAUSE THERE IS A FLEET COORDINATOR POSITION IN HER OFFICE. WE DID MEET AND WE WENT THROUGH ALL THE JOB DUTIES, AND THE PIECE OF IT THAT WE IDENTIFIED THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE DUPLICATED WAS THE FLEET MAINTENANCE PIECE OF IT, WHICH WE DID AGREE TO SHIFT THAT OVER TO MICHELLE AND COUNTYWIDE TO ALLOW HER TO MANAGE THAT PROCESS, AND ALSO MANAGE JUST THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE TO KIND OF SEE IF IT IS A COST BENEFIT FOR THE COUNTY TO KEEP UTILIZING IT, OR GO A DIFFERENT ROUTE. BUT ALL THE OTHER DUTIES THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THIS POSITION ARE STILL STATUTORILY REQUIRED IN MY OFFICE. SO WHETHER I HAVE THE POSITION OR NOT, THOSE DUTIES STILL HAVE TO BE DONE, AND IT RANGES FROM THE ACQUISITION OF THE VEHICLES GETTING THE QUOTES, WORKING WITH THE LEASING COMPANY, OR JUST IF WE'RE OUTRIGHT BUYING A VEHICLE, DEALING WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ANY OUTFITS NEEDED, AND

[04:00:04]

GETTING THOSE, MAKING SURE THAT THOSE ARE ENTERED ON P.O.S AND ALL OF THAT. THE ACTUAL INVENTORY OF THE VEHICLES IS ALSO STATUTORILY IN MY REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN AN INVENTORY OF ALL ITEMS WITHIN THE COUNTY, AND THEN ALSO THE SALE OF ANY ITEMS THAT WE HAVE, AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT PIECE OF IT IS ALSO REQUIRED IN MY OFFICE. SO THAT IS WHY I WAS ASKING FOR THE POSITION, BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE ARE STILL REQUIRED WITHIN MY OFFICE TO DO. BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET, SO I DID ASK TO POSSIBLY MOVE THAT POSITION UNTIL AN APRIL 1ST START TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT ON THE BUDGET. PART OF WANTING THIS POSITION IS ALSO BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO LOOK AT INSTILLING, OR IMPLEMENTING A P-CARD PROGRAM WITHIN THE COUNTY, WHICH IN TURN WOULD BRING REVENUE BACK TO THE COUNTY. AND THEN ALSO IMPLEMENTING KIND OF A COUNTYWIDE -- SORRY, MY BRAIN'S NOT WORKING -- A COUNTYWIDE OFFICE SUPPLY PURCHASING, WHICH WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE ORDERING OFFICE SUPPLIES ON A MORE BULK LEVEL AND GETTING A DISCOUNTED RATE. SO THAT WOULD IN TURN LOWER WHAT WE'RE SPENDING ON

OFFICE SUPPLIES. >> TELL THE VIEWING PUBLIC WHAT

A P-CARD IS. >> IT'S A PURCHASING CARD. WE HAVE CREDIT CARDS RIGHT NOW, BUT WE DO NOT EARN ANY REBATES OFF OF THEM. SO WITH A PURCHASING CARD PROGRAM, YOU ACTUALLY EARN REBATES OFF WHAT IS SPENT ON THOSE. IT DOES COME WITH A HIGHER LEVEL OF REVIEW BECAUSE WITH THE PURCHASING CARDS WE HAVE TO PAY THE FULL BALANCE NO MATTER IF IT'S IN COMPLIANCE WITH OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. SO WE WOULD NEED SOMEBODY IN THE OFFICE RECONCILING THOSE, MAYOR SALIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO NEED SOMEONE RECONCILING.

>> SO THE P-CARD DOESN'T SOUND VERY GOOD ALL OF A SUDDEN.

>> IT IS. IT WOULD BRING A LOT OF REVENUE. IT WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE THE TRAVEL FOR WHEN WE SEND INDIVIDUALS TO CONTINUING EDUCATION, LIKE GIVING THEM CREDIT CARDS FOR THEIR HOTELS.

ALSO, HOPEFULLY GETTING A CARD FOR A.P.TO PAY ALL OF OUR

SCREENED INVOICES. >> SORRY TO DO THIS FOR YOU, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T FOLLOW. WHAT'S A.P.?

>> ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. THEY PAY ALL OF OUR BILLS. SO THEY WOULD ESSENTIALLY SAY THOSE INVOICES ON THIS LINE OF CREDIT. SO EVEN IF IT WASN'T STUFF THAT WAS GOING ON A PURCHASING CARD, WE WOULD STILL GET INVOICES ON THOSE REBATE CARDS.

>> HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SHAKE THIS OUT?

>> YES. I JUST WANT TO ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE. CANDACE BUTAY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. TO WHAT STEPHANIE HAD ABOUT WHAT WE DECIDED IN THE MEETING. SO ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DISCUSSED IS WE NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD TAKE FY26 TO TRULY EVALUATE IF THE PROCESS IS WORKING AND MAKING SURE THAT THE WORK LOAD WAS SUBSTANTIAL ENOUGH FOR THE INDIVIDUAL THAT IS OVER IN FACILITIES RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. AND WE BELIEVE THAT THAT IS THE CASE. WITH THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS FAR AS HELPING OUT WITH THE MAINTENANCE AND WORKING COUNTYWIDE WITH THE CONSTABLES AS OTHER DEPARTMENTS OUTSIDE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ABLE TO GET THEIR OIL CHANGES, HELP THEM WITH THE SCHEDULING, WE DID NOTE THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THAT WOULD CREATE FOR THE POSITION. SO WE AGREED TO LOOK AT THAT PROCESS, LOOK AT PURCHASING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS WORKING SATISFILY FOR THOSE COUNTIES. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION

OF BUDGET AS WELL. >> YES, THAT IS WHAT WE

DISCUSSED. >> CAPTURE OF VACANT POSITION

AND -- >> THAT COULD HELP OUT WITH THOSE STATUTORY DUTIES ON THE PURCHASING SIDE.

>> SO IT WILL CAPTURE THOSE DUTIES, AND NOT CREATE THAT

POSITION INSTEAD. >> RIGHT. AND OBVIOUSLY WE CAN'T ANSWER ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS. IF WE DO NEED TO MOVE

[04:05:04]

A POSITION. RIGHT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO EVALUATE THAT AND BRING

RECOMMENDATIONS BACK TO STAFF. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES, THE ONE THING THAT SCARES ME, AND I'VE SHARED THIS WITH CANDACE MULTIPLE TIMES IS THEIR OFFICE AND THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THAT. I DON'T WANT TO PUT OUR PURCHASING OFFICER IN A POSITION THAT IS NOT ATTAINABLE. WHAT I WOULD ASK IS INSTEAD OF WAITING A FULL PHYSICAL YEAR, I WOULD ASK THAT WE HAVE THAT EVALUATION, BY I WOULD SAY, APRIL 1ST? THAT'S SIX MONTHS IN. THAT SHOULD BE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH WORK LOAD. IF THERE'S TOO MUCH WORK LOAD.

WHAT THE CASE MAY BE. AND THEN AT THAT TIME, US ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM BACK HERE TO EITHER MOVE THE POSITION OR REGRADE THE POSITION, OR WHATEVER THE RECOMMENDATION COMES BACK. BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET A VERY CLEAR SENSE OF OUR OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNCIL, WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE MEETING THE STATUTE, AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND GET THE

FEEDBACK FROM STAFF AS WELL. >> BUT RESPECTFULLY, I THINK THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES. ON THE STATUTORY SIDE, I THINK IT'S AS EASY AS REGRADING THE POSITION, IF WE NEED TO, AND IT ACTUALLY BEING FILLED. SO THAT'S BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. SO WE WILL ABSOLUTELY DO OUR EVALUATION, AND BRING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT, REGARDING THE EXISTING POSITION.

BUT I THINK THAT THE BIGGER ISSUE THAT THE COURT HAS A QUESTION ABOUT, IT CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF, WITHOUT THEIR BEING ANY FINANCIAL IMPACT BY FILLING THAT POSITION THAT'S CURRENTLY

VACANT. >> AND I AGREE WITH THAT. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS, IS WE PUT THAT POSITION IN THE BUDGETING OFFICE, OR EXCUSE ME, THE OFFICE TO FULFILL AN EXTREMELY DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF DUTIES. IF WE MOVE THIS, WHAT ELSE WON'T BE TAKEN CARE OF IN THE PURCHASING OFFICE. I UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL NEED OF WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TODAY. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT WHAT I ALSO UNDERSTAND IS THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL DUTIES THAT THAT JOB CURRENTLY HAS, JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T HAPPEN TO HAVE ANYBODY IN THE JOB RIGHT NOW DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE NEEDED IN THE FUTURE.

>> HOW LONG HAS THAT JOB POSITION BEEN VACANT?

>> IT'S BEEN OPEN LIKE NINE MONTHS.

>> I WILL TELL YOU, WITH THAT ROLE, I KNOW THAT WAS BROUGHT UP AS FAR AS WHEN YOU GET YOUR CONTRACT SPECIALIST, CAN THEY NOT HELP FULFILL SOME OF THESE ROLES? THAT POSITION, AS Y'ALL KNOW, WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF ALL OF THE COUNTY CONTRACTS, INCLUDING LIKE WORKING WITH ME, WITH OUR FORMAL PROCUREMENTS.

EVERY YEAR, OUR FORMAL PROCUREMENT NUMBER RISES. WE HAVE SEVERAL POOLS NOW THAT WE SHOULD BE OPENING ONCE A YEAR TO ALLOW POTENTIAL NEW VENDERS TO BE ADDED AND AWARDED INTO THERE, AND ALSO JUST THE NUMBER OF CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE. WE BRING CONTRACTS TO COURT EVERY TIME, AND THERE'S AMENDMENTS TO THOSE, AND JUST KEEPING TRACK OF THOSE AND MANAGING THOSE. I'M NOT SAYING DURING THE MEETING I COULD PIECEMEAL OUT THIS POSITION TO THE THREE EMPLOYEES IN MY OFFICE. BUT IS THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE, AND EFFICIENT WAY TO MANAGE FLEET? NO.

DEPENDING ON WHO WAS DEALING WITH WHAT, AND WHAT THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS, THEY'LL BE LIKE, WELL, WHO DO WE GO TO?

>> TEMPORARILY, MOVING FORWARD, WE HAVE THE IDEA TO FILL THE VACANT POSITION, AND REEVALUATE IN THREE TO SIX MONTHS TO SEE IF

IT'S WORKING. >> I DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THE JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT SPECIALIST. IF THE INTENT IS NOT TO GIVE ME THE POSITION, THEN I WILL JUST REALIGN DUTIES WITHIN THE OFFICE TO ADD THOSE TO THE EMPLOYEES.

>> I'LL SAY THIS, AND I PROBABLY HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF THIS, BECAUSE OF THE MEETING THAT COMMISSIONER COHEN AND I SAT IN LAST WEEK. THE WAY THIS POSITION IS -- I WILL TELL YOU THAT STEPHANIE WON'T SAY THIS, BUT SHE'S PROBABLY DOING THE JOB OF TWO PEOPLE NOW AT LEAST IN HER OFFICE. AND I'M VERY RETICENT TO TAKE A POSITION AWAY THAT IS GOING TO FORCE HER TO WORK THREE JOBS. AND THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM FOR ME. I THINK OUR STAFF IS, THEY'RE, AND I'VE SAID THIS A MILLION TIMES. THEY'RE OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET. SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES WE OVERBURDEN THEM AND THEY'RE MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK AND THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING. I THINK THIS IS ONE OF

THOSE TIMES. >> STEPHANIE, IT'S NOT MY INTENT TO OVERWORK, AND OVERBURDEN YOU, AND YOU KNOW THAT. BUT I'M GOING TO STATE IT THIS WAY. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO CHRONICALLY REACH OUR EFFICIENCIES HOWEVER THEY LOOK

[04:10:01]

AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO SHAKE IT AND REARRANGE IT, AND REACH FOR IT. IT'S MY JOB TO. BUT WE'RE READY, IF IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA, TO MODIFY. BUT DEFINITELY, SUPPORTING YOUR DEPARTMENT IS WHAT OUR GOAL IS, WHILE BEING GOOD FISCAL

STEWARDS. >> YEAH, I AGREE. THANK YOU.

>> CAN I JUST ADD ONE THING? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> I'VE WORKED IN SUPPLY MANAGEMENT FOR 25 YEARS, AT THE STATE. SO IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR A PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT TO HAVE A FLEET MANAGER, THE PERSON WHO MANAGES THE CONTRACT AND THE AMENDMENTS, AND THE OVERSIGHT, AND THE EVALUATIONS, AND THEN THERE'S AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S ACTUALLY DOING THE MORE PHYSICAL STUFF OF MANAGING THAT. YOU KNOW, YOUR DEPARTMENT PROBABLY NEEDS AT LEAST TWO MORE CONTRACT MANAGERS. I'VE SEEN THE MODEL WHERE YOU CAN HAVE MULTIPLE CONTRACT MANAGERS, AND EACH OF THEM HAVE RESPONSIBLE FOR A COMMODITY OR A SERVICE. SO I WAS KIND OF LEANING TOWARDS WHAT COMMISSIONER SMITH WAS SAYING.

MAYBE WE POSSIBLY FUND HERS AFTER APRIL IF THE DATA COMES BACK AND SHOWS THAT THIS MAKES THE MOST SENSE. SO JUST FROM THE PROCUREMENT PART OF ME IS LIKE -- I UNDERSTAND THE NEED WITHIN PROCUREMENT OF HAVING THAT, BECAUSE WE DO NEED SOMEONE TO MANAGE THESE CONTRACTS. DO THE OVERSIGHT, DO THE EVASIONS THAT I FEEL A LOT OF TIMES GETS LOST WITHIN A LOT OF OUR CONTRACTS, JUST FRANKLY. SO, I'M KIND OF FEELING MORE ABOUT WHAT COMMISSIONER SMITH IS SUGGESTING IS, OKAY, LET'S WAIT TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION IN APRIL OF NEXT YEAR, AND MAYBE THIS WILL ALL -- BUT I AM REALLY MORE FOR HAVING SOME KIND OF FLEET PERSON IN THE PROCUREMENT OFFICE FOR THE PAPERWORK AND THE

OVERSIGHT OF THOSE CONTRACTS. >> BY APRIL, IF WE HAVE THIS DIRECTION, VICKY DOESN'T LIKE IT WHEN I SAY THIS, BUT I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE SALARY SAVINGS TO COVER THAT POSITION BY APRIL,

RIGHT? LOOK AT HER SIT DOWN. >> LET'S SEE WHAT COMMISSIONER

INGLESBY HAS TO SAY. >> JUDGE, I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I DO WANT TO ALLOW CANDACE TO DO THAT ASSESSMENT, YOU KNOW, AND WORK THROUGH THAT FOR SIX MONTHS, AND THEN WE COME BACK AND MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. SO I'M GOOD WITH

THAT. >> SO CANDACE, THOSE ARE YOUR

MARCHING ORDERS. THANK YOU. >> GOT IT, THANK YOU, ALL.

>> WHICH ONE DO WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT? ONE BY ONE, YES OR NOS.

DO YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND -- >> DO YOU WANT TO FINISH?

>> THE SHERIFF GRIEVANCE. >> WE HAVE A SHERIFF HERE.

WITHIN OUR SHERIFF, WE HAVE OUR BUDGET WORKSHOP OPEN RIGHT NOW, SO THIS IS THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS PIECE. AND BECAUSE WE HAVE A WHOLE NEW AUDIENCE, I WILL RECAP IT, AND THEN SEE IF JORDAN WILL FILL IN WHEREVER I LEAVE IT OUT. SO I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF PRESIDING OVER SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, IF THERE'S EVER AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT SAYS OH, I BELIEVE MY SALARY SHOULD BE HIGHER, THEY GO TO MY OFFICE AND WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. THERE'S A REALLY CRAFTY PROCESS. WE GRAB PEOPLE FROM THE JURY POOL. WE GRAB SELECTED ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEY BECOME PART OF THE PANEL LISTENING TO THE COMPLAINT, LISTEN TO THE CONCERN, AND THEN DRAWING CONCLUSIONS FOR THIS COURT TO ACT, BASED ON THEIR VOTE. AND SO, WHAT THEY WILL DO IS, IF SIX TO EIGHT VOTE FOR THE RAISE, THEN IT'S A RECOMMENDATION OF THE COURT. IF IT'S UNANIMOUS, THEN IT IS MANDATE TO THE COURT. WE WERE NOT IN A PLACE TO MANDATE IN THAT COMMITTEE TO THIS COURT WHAT TO DO FOR THAT RAISE. SO WE GOT THE RECOMMENDATION, WHICH WAS THE SIX TO EIGHT FOR THAT RAISE. AND THE RAISE IS, AM I RIGHT,

SHERIFF? 175? >> YES.

>> SO THE SHERIFF IS RECOMMENDED BY THAT BODY TO AWARD THAT RAISE AND I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THAT. COMMISSIONERS, HOW DO YOU

FEEL? >> CAN I START OFF ON THIS? I MADE SOME COMMENTS EARLIER, AND I JUST WANT TO RECAP THOSE. I HAVE VOTED AGAINST ALL THE GRIEVANCES WE'VE EVER HAD. AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF HOLDING OFFICE, I KNEW WHAT I WAS GOING TO MAKE WHEN I GOT ELECTED, AND I KNEW WHAT I WAS GOING TO MAKE FOR FOUR YEARS. I ASSUMED THERE MIGHT BE A 3% INCREASE EVERY SO OFTEN BUT I FELT LIKE IT WAS NECESSARY. THERE'S ONE AMOUNT FOR CONSTABLE, THAT WAS FOR

[04:15:04]

OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS COUNTYWIDE. THERE'S ONE EXCEPTION THAT I ACTUALLY PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.

AND THAT WAS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. THE REASON I SAID THAT, THAT WOULD BE OUR CONSTABLES AND OUR SHERIFF. AND THE REASON FOR THAT, IS ALL OF THEIR EMPLOYEES OPERATE UNDER A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. SO WE, AS A COURT, INDIVIDUALLY, DON'T SET THOSE INDIVIDUAL SALARIES OF WHAT THEIR EMPLOYEES ARE. WE AS A COURT DON'T SET ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE HEAD HAPPENS IS WHEN WE HAVE SO WHAT- COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND THERE'S AUTOMATIC PAY RAISES IN THERE, VERY QUICKLY, THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE OUTPACED BY THEIR SUBORDINATES.

SO THERE IS, I PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS AND IT WASN'T WELL TAKEN BY MY COLLEAGUE, I DON'T THINK BUT A 3% CAP ABOVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINS. SO WHATEVER THE HIGHEST PAID OFFICIAL, OR THE HIGHEST PAID OFFICER UNDER THEIR PURVIEW, INSTEAD OF US HAVING TO SET EVERY YEAR WHAT THAT WOULD BE, IT WOULD JUST BE AUTOMATIC, THAT IT WOULD BE 3% ABOVE WHATEVER THEIR HIGHEST OFFICER WAS PAID. I FELT LIKE THAT WAS VERY, I FELT LIKE THAT WAS A GOOD COMPROMISE. I SAID EARLIER, I WOULDN'T SUPPORT THIS PAY RAISE. I'LL TELL YOU. I WENT BACK AND RAN THE NUMBERS.

IT'S LESS THAN 3%. IT'S BETWEEN 2 AND 3%. SO I'M WILLING TO SUPPORT IT. BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME PROCESS IN PLACE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS EVERY YEAR. AND I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE I'M GETTING SOFT IN MY SEVENTH YEAR DOING THIS. BUT I'VE NEVER SUPPORTED ONE, AND THIS WILL BE THE FIRST. I EVEN, I UPSET MY COLLEAGUES YEARS AGO, BECAUSE I VOTED AGAINST OURS. BUT THAT'S WHAT I'M AT.

>> COMMISSIONER, LET ME JUST CLARIFY. IT'S A 20.9% INCREASE

IN PAY. >> NO, I MEANT ABOVE THE HIGHEST PAID DEPUTY, IT'S NO MORE THAN A 3%.

>> SO THE CHIEF DEPUTY IS THE DIFFERENCE.

>> SO LET ME JUST REMIND THE COURT HOW WE GOT HERE. SO THE COURT VOTED ON A TERM TIER APPROACH IN 2024. WHEN WE USED THOSE 2023 MARKET SALARY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, SO THAT'S WHY THE RECOMMENDATION WAS SET AT THE 145502. IT WAS JUST BASED ON WHAT THE COURT HAD PUT IN PLACE FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIAL PAY GRADE. SO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS WERE REVIEWED. THEY'RE ALL POTENTIALLY BEHIND MARKET, AND WILL BE RE-REVIEWED IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE, USING THE NEW BENCHMARK SOURCES THAT THE COURT APPROVED TODAY. IT WAS EQUITABLE AS FAR AS WHAT ALL

ELECTED OFFICIALS RECEIVED. >> THERE YOU GO. WHAT OTHER ITEM

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS? >> WELL, WE NEED TO DISCUSS ALL OF THE ITEMS A THE TOP, AND YOU NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS ON IF YOU'RE GOING TO FUND ANY OF THOSE ITEMS SO WE CAN DETERMINE -- SO SO FAR, WE'VE NOT BEEN TO FLEET. ARE WE FUNDING SHERIFF

SALARY INCREASE? >> I PROPOSE WE FUND THE SHERIFF SALARIES. YES. WE'RE FUNDING THE SHERIFF SALARY, RIGHT? STONE

COLD. >> SO I MEAN, --

>> I'M ALL STONE COLD. GIVE ME SOME DIRECTION?

>> CAN WE OPEN IT TO TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND WHERE THIS MONEY IS COMING FROM ANYWAYS. WHAT ARE

YOUR THOUGHTS THERE? >> I MEAN, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE ITEMS, BUT IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING FUNDING ANY OF THE ITEMS, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO FUND ANY OF THESE ITEMS. SO THERE'S JUST A HANDFUL OF THEM AT THE TOP THAT

YOU NEED TO CONSIDER. >> I'M TRYING TO -- MY GOAL.

AND I GUESS I CAN START BY SAYING, THE COURT AS A WHOLE, I RESPECT Y'ALL AS MUCH AS I POSSIBLY CAN, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT GOES INTO THESE BUDGETS. SITTING WITH VICKY, TRYING TO LEARN IT, IT'S MY FIRST YEAR DOING A BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY, AND LEARNING IT WITH VICKY, OH, MY. WE HAVE A BLESSING SITTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US WITH VICKY. AND THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO IT. IF YOU'RE OVER 65, YOUR TAXES ARE FROZEN, SO WE ACTUALLY DON'T GET THOSE FUNDS. IF YOU'RE OVER 65, AND YOU HAVE AN EXEMPTION, AS SOON AS YOU FILE THAT EXEMPTION, YOUR TAXES ARE FROZEN FROM THE COUNTY. SO NONE OF THESE

[04:20:03]

INCREASES WILL TRULY MATTER FOR Y'ALL. IF THERE IS AN INCREASE, WHICH, THERE WILL BE MOST LIKELY BE AN INCREASE. BUT MY GOAL IS, WE HAVE TWO GOALS, AND MY TWO GOALS WERE LET'S BRING OUR INMATES BACK FROM HASKELL COUNTY. I THINK OF THE COURT AGREED WITH THAT. AND I THINK ALL OF THE COURT SUPPORTS THAT.

ALSO, FROM A ADDITIONAL STAND POINT, TO NOT TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM A JUDICIAL STAND POINT, BUT TO ALSO GIVE OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES A HIGHER RATE. SO INSTEAD OF 3%, GIVING THEM 6%, BECAUSE WE DO VALUE WHAT THEY DO, AND WANT TO KEEP THEM HERE.

AND HOPEFULLY HAVE THEM WORK HARDER SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GIVE THEM A POSITION. SO I GAVE ALL MY COLLEAGUES, VICKY WAS PROBABLY EXTREMELY SICK OF ME SAYING EMERGENCY MEETING, EMERGENCY MEETING. AND I WENT THROUGH THE BUDGET. WE ONLY HAD 1.9% GROWTH. SO WE STARTED THINKING, OR I STARTED THINKING, HOW DO WE SUSTAIN? WHAT IF IT'S LESS THAN 1.9 NEXT YEAR. HOW ARE WE GOING TO SUSTAIN? A LOT OF THESE POSITIONS ARE STARTING IN APRIL. SO THEY'RE NOT EVEN FOR THE FULL FISCAL YEAR. THAT'S EVEN MORE MONEY. HOW ARE WE GOING TO SUSTAIN AND BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE WITHIN THE COUNTY? NO MATTER WHAT WE AGREE ON TODAY, I SUPPORT EVERYTHING THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT PASSES IN THAT REGARD. BUT THERE'S A FEW THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT JUST A LITTLE BIT LESS. LIKE I SAID THOSE POSITIONS ARE ONE OF HE THEM. THOSE POSITIONS ARE NEW POSITIONS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN CREATED BEFORE. WENT OUT AND STRATEGICALLY PICKED APART SOME OF THEM, STARTED SOME AT LATER DATES, AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. AND GOT US DOWN TO ABOUT $1 MILLION IN SAVINGS FROM A NEW POSITION STAND POINT. AND THEN ALL ALSO IF WE REDUCED BY OUR BRIDGE BY A QUARTER OF A

PERCENT. >> LET ME BE THE FIRST ONE TO SAY I WOULD HAPPILY ECHO -- I WOULD BE YOUR FIRST SECOND ON THAT FRONT. I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN SAVING. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STRUGGLE, AND LET ME TELL YOU, I WOULD HAPPILY

SUPPORT THAT. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. YEAH, I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I DO MY DUE DILIGENCE, IT MEANT A LOT TO ME, AND I WILL SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT THE MAJORITY OF THIS COURT PASSES TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL.

BUT RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT 105 OPEN POSITIONS. SO I TALKED ABOUT REDUCING 17 POSITIONS, STARTING TWO OF THEM AT LATER DATES. OR STARTING ONE AT A LATER DAY, AND REDUCING ONE OUT OF THE TWO THAT WERE REQUESTED. THIS, I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE $2 MILLION IS A LOT. WE HAVE TO GO UP ON THE BUDGET FROM THE 2% VOTER APPROVED BOND, THAT'S JUST A MUST, RIGHT? AND THEN WE HAVE TO GO UP TO BE ABLE TO COVER ALL OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING

PROGRAMS THAT WE LOST. >> AND STATE.

>> AND STATE. SO WE HAVE TO GO UP, THAT'S ROUGHLY $4 MILLION, THAT'S ABOUT A CENT. SO THERE'S THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO. IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE JUST SATING ALL OF THOSE GRAND THINGS AND POSITIONS, BECAUSE YOU SEE ALL OF THE COUNTIES ACROSS TEXAS. THEY'RE KIND OF IN A PICKLE. COMING UP ON A TAX RATE THAT'S UNHEARD OF FOR THEM, RIGHT? SO DOING THOSE THINGS, IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. IT'S ROUGHLY $200 A MONTH TO DO THESE THINGS.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH? I APPRECIATE ALL OF THIS. MY ONLY CONCERN, WELL, NOT MY ONLY, BUT ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS THE ROVE DEPARTMENT. WE'VE ALREADY LOWERED THEIR TAX RATE OVER THE YEARS, SO MUCH. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SPOKEN TO THEM TO SEE WHAT PROJECTS WOULD BE ELIMINATED IF WE DID THAT. I'M

HAPPY TO SUPPORT THAT. >> IF IT MAKES SENSE.

>> WELL, SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT THEY'E DEFERRING IS IN YOUR PRECINCT. BECAUSE I NEED THE WORK IN PRECINCT ONE. THOSE ROADS ARE IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. I MEAN, AS WELL AS PRECINCT TWO.

IT'S DIFFICULT. BUT LET ME HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY, AND THEN

WE CAN DETERMINE. >> YEAH. DO YOU WANT TO GO OVER OUR -- SO I FEEL LIKE FROM OUR MNO, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, VICKY, BUT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, FROM FISCAL YEAR 25, WE

[04:25:01]

HAD A LOT OF OVERFLOW FROM OUR 2016 BOND. IS THAT CORRECT? THAT TOOK FROM OUR ROAD AND BRIDGE OR TRANSPORTATION BUDGET?

>> ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES ADDED TO THE TRANSPORTATION

DEPARTMENT. YES. >> DO YOU KNOW ROUGHLY HOW MUCH

ALL OF THAT 2016? >> I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I COULD RUN A REPORT AND GET THAT INFORMATION FOR

YOU. >> SO YOU FEEL THOSE MONIES

WON'T COME OUT OF IT. >> I FEEL LIKE WE HAD A HUGE HIT BECAUSE OF THOSE PROJECTS. WE'RE SEEING THEM COME TO AN END. WERE

YOU GOING TO SAY SOMETHING? >> THEY ARE STILL GOING. AND THAT'S PART OF YOUR BUDGET PACKET IS IDENTIFYING THOSE PROJECTS, AND THAT WAS A DIRECT MEETING WITH HNTB ON THE CASH

FLOWS THAT RESULTED. >> JUST, WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING

THAT -- UP. >> ON PAGE 13.

>> WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING THAT UP, JUST ONE PROJECT CAN BE $2

MILLION. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> YEAH. I MEAN, IT IS ABOUT $7 MILLION IN THEIR FY26 BUDGET THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE BOND PROJECTS. THAT BEING SAID, THEY TYPICALLY HAVE ATTRITION THAT THEY -- THAT WE DON'T WANT TO CUT POSITIONS OUT OF THEIR BUDGET. YOU WOULD WANT TO CUT MAINTENANCE, IF YOU WERE GOING TO CUT, OR YOU COULD CUT, INSTEAD OF YOUR CUTTING MAINTENANCE, YOU COULD CUT SOME OF THEIR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT. BUT THOSE ARE CAPITAL PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT THEY USE OUT ON THE FIELD THAT THEY'VE LISTED AS PRIORITIES. SO THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE IF YOU'RE GOING TO CUT A QUARTER OF A CENT, THE MOST FEASIBLE PLACE TO CUT THAT WOULD BE IN THEIR CONTRACTS. SERVICES OR CONTRACT ROADWORK. AND THEN YOU COULD LOOK AT THAT BUDGET LIKE LABOR AND SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER MAINTENANCE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO MOVE FORWARD THAT YOU COULD UTILIZE IF THEY HAVE OTHER SAVINGS WITHIN THEIR OPERATIONS WITHIN ATTRITION WITH SALARY OR BENEFITS, OR WITHIN SOME OTHER OPERATING COST THAT THEY'VE

GENERATED. >> AND WHY THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE, I'M PRAISING COMMISSIONER HAMMER WITH THE CONVERSATION CREATION HERE. BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT HURTING THE ACTUAL SUPPLIES, THE TOOLS, AND THE ACTUAL WORK. SO THERE'S A

GOOD OPTION. >> I HAVE SOME CONCERNS OVER THE PERSONNEL. THE PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU PUT

FORWARD. >> OKAY.

>> AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE -- AND I'LL JUST USE TWO EXAMPLES, AND I'M JUST SEEING THIS LIKE REALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME GOING THROUGH IT. BUT, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAD A FULL DEBATE IN HERE OVER THE -- THE DEPUTIES FOR CONSTABLES AT PRECINCT 5 AND HOW WE CAN FIND THEM AND GET THEM. THEY'RE PROPOSED FOR ELIMINATION IN HERE. YOU AND I BOTH ADVOCATED FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL IN THE ELECTIONS OFFICE. BOTH OF THEM ARE ELIMINATED IN HERE. IT'S JUST --

>> FOR THE CONSTABLES, AFTER WE AGREED ON THE -- FOR PRECINCT 5, THEN PRECINCT 1 WAS LEFT. THEY ACTUALLY SCHEDULED FOR THE BUDGET WORKSHOP AND WE DIDN'T GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANTED.

CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING ] . TO REDUCE THE COSTS TO ABOUT ONE DEPUTY. SO THEY WOULD BOTH STAR SIX MONTHS INTO THE FISCAL YEAR IS WHAT HE IS

WILLING TO DO . >> THAT WOULD STILL BE A COST OF $33,000. I THINK IN COMMISSIONER HAMMER 'S PROPOSAL, IT'S GOING BACK TO THE ONE ORIGINAL DEPUTY .

>> AND THEN OF COURSE YOU JUST GAVE US THIS PACKET AND I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT LIKE COMMISSIONER SMITH IS DOING AND I DON'T WANT TO BACK OFF ON MY PUSH FOR THE DEPUTY I SUPPORTED.

I WANT TO SUPPORT YOUR IDEA 100%, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF

THOSE LITTLE DETAILS . >> THERE IS ONE OF ME AND I WANTED YOU ALL TO LOOK AT IT AND SEE WITH WHAT YOU AGREE ON .

[04:30:03]

>> I AGREE AND WE CAN TWEAK IT FROM A DIFFERENT SPOT .

>> AND WE LOOK AT YOUR TOTAL SHEET ON THE FRONT PAGE. THERE IS SOMETHING HERE WE COULD GET SOME CONSENSUS ON TO UNDERSTAND . AND, SOME OF THESE HAVE SOME SAVINGS TO THEM . SO -- I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE SOMETHING AND THEN YOU ALL CAN WORK ON THE DOLLAR TOTAL, IF THAT WORKS. OKAY? AS WE LOOK AT THE FIRST COLUMN, OR THE FIRST SECTION THAT DESCRIBES ALL OF THEIR OUTSTANDING ITEMS THERE , I PROPOSE ACCEPTING ITEM ONE, SHERIFF GRIEVANCE . ACCEPTING ITEM 2 , ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION. ACCEPTING ITEM TWO , CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1. BOTH OF THOSE , EXCEPTING ITEM 3 FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MOTOR VEHICLES , CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT THE OTHER REQUEST FROM THE CONSTABLES BEST POST OFFICES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN

CVA , AM I CORRECT IN THAT . >> THEY ARE OUTLINED IN THE

AGREEMENT . >> THEY ARE ?

>>> THEY ARE ALLOWED TO BE PAID OVER TIME AND HAVE NOT BEEN BUDGETED WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST .

>> SO THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $25,000?

>> THAT IS A ROUGH ESTIMATE . >> WHAT ABOUT THE CBA .

>> THEY HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE CBA BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN BUDGETED AND THEY ARE REQUESTING FOR THAT SPECIAL BUDGETING .

>> I REQUESTED THAT YEARS AGO FOR THE SPECIAL PAY BUT THEY DID NOT BUDGET FOR THAT. THAT'S ONE WAY TO TAKE CARE OF IT .

>> OKAY, DO YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THAT SECTION 1ST FOR COMMENT.

>> RECAP IT ONE MORE TIME . >> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME CONSIDERATION ON THE FINAL TWO ITEMS , THE REQUEST FOR OVERTIME IN THE REQUEST FOR LANGUAGE PAY . THEN, I PROPOSE ACCEPTING ONE, TWO FOR THE ELECTIONS . SO, THAT'S A 26,600 30 . THE 8602 FOUR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 FOR THE SAVINGS OF $47,590. AND, ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL PAY , OR PARDON ME, THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR MOTOR OFFICER . THEN HAVE CONVERSATION ON THE FINAL TWO

RELATED TO -- >> IS THAT $18,000?

>> SAY THAT AGAIN, I'M SORRY .

>> YOU SAID 19,000 IS IT THE 18,943?

>> CORRECT, I WOULD ACCEPT THAT, BUT THE OTHERS WE NEED TO

DISCUSS. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M READING THAT RIGHT . IS THAT ADDITIONAL TO WHAT WE HAVE AGREED TO WITH GIVING CONSTABLE ALLEN THE DEPUTY ?

>> CORRECT. ABOVE THE ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES AND TOOLS?

>> YES, SIR . >> THE BODY CAMERA AND OUTFITTING AND UNIFORMS AND ALL OF THAT, YES.

>> IT IS OUTLINED HERE, I THINK.

>> YES . JUST OUTLINING THOSE ITEMS THAT WERE MENTIONED , WE HAVE 33 AND SO WE ARE WAY OVER THE 33, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> A LITTLE OVER 100,000 IS WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO COME UP WITH.

>> SO, ALL THE THINGS YOU PROPOSED , IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE

PROPOSING? >> THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 25

AND 12, CORRECT? >> 134 AND 60 .

>> 154? >> 134 AND 60.

>> 134 AND 60? >> YES.

>> YOU ONLY HAVE 33 AND YOU ARE 101 OVER.

>> WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BUDGET?

>> WE CANNOT USE THIS AS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THE MISCELLANEOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET, WE CANNOT

[04:35:07]

USE THAT TO FUND OPERATIONS. >> OKAY.

>> NOW, TO CUT THINGS. >> HOW MUCH IS CURRENTLY IN THE UNUSED SALARY IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT?

>> THE SALARY SAVINGS DOES NOT ROLL AND WE CANNOT USE CURRENT.

WE CAN'T -- WE CAN'T USE CURRENT SALARIES AND WE CAN'T USE THE CURRENT BUDGET TO FUND NEXT YEAR'S EXPENSES. SO, ANY OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE ADDED WILL HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE ITEM THAT IS ALREADY BUDGETED FOR FY 26.

>> NOT A BAD IDEA. >> SO, BESIDE THAT TOP SECTION, IS THERE ANYTHING WE NEED TO ADDRESS OR IS THAT IT?

>> THAT'S IT. AND, JUST ASSUMING THAT THE BELOW 211,000 IS APPROVED AND MOVED OVER, THOSE ARE THE ONLY ITEMS.

>> IF WE COULD AGREE TO SUPPORT THIS, THEN OUR WHERE ARE YOU REALLY ALLOCATING ? WHERE ARE WE COMING UP WITH WHERE WE ARE

SHORT? >> WE HAVE TO SORT IT OUT, SO WHY DON'T WE GO THIS WAY, THEN .

>> YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT YOUR CONTINGENCIES WHICH IS ONLY $200,000. SO, YOU USE THAT FOR ITEMS THAT COME UP . I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND CUTTING THAT . THAT'S ABOUT THE ONLY PLACE YOU COULD

CUT . >> SO, WHAT WERE GOING TO DO , COMMISSIONER SMITH AND HAMMER, WE ARE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT ON MY LIST ALL THE THINGS WE AGREE ON, NO MATTER WHAT . THE SHERIFF IS THE FIRST LINE, DO WE ALL AGREE ON THAT, NO MATTER WHAT?

>> YES. >> SO, ONE QUESTION FOR ERIC .

NEXT YEAR YOU ARE GOING TO DO AN EVALUATION ON SOME OF THE ELECTION DECISIONS THAT WERE NOT UP TO MARKET. WAS THE SHERIFF

GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT? >> YES.

>> THE SHERIFF WAS GOING TO BE INCLUDED ?

>> I'M JUST THINKING THAT SINCE THAT IS A BIG PART OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT MAYBE WE COULD WAIT FOR HIS SALARY TO BE EVALUATED WITH EVERYONE ELSE, BECAUSE THAT MIGHT HELP US KIND OF MOVE THESE NUMBERS. I AM JUST THINKING

>> THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE, WE ARE TALKING . I HAVE JUST GOT TO

FEEL THE ROOM OUT. >> DO YOU SUPPORT WAITING ?

>> I SUPPORT WAITING . >> I'M OF THE BELIEF I SUPPORT

GIVING IT TO THEM . >> I WOULD ASK, AND ERIC, I WANT

YOU TO -- >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHENEVER WE DO THE EVALUATION THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLEAR AND CONSCIOUS EVALUATION OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS BECAUSE THEY ARE SET TO A VERY DIFFERENT STANDARD WHEN IT COMES TO PAY THEM THE REST OF OUR OFFICIALS. THE ONLY OFFICIALS IN OUR COUNTY THAT IF THEY DON'T WORK FOR A COUNTY, THEY ARE HIRED , THOSE POLICE CHIEFS ARE HIRED AND THEY ARE AT A MUCH HIGHER PAY RATE THAN WHAT WE CAN OFFER OR HAVE OFFERED . I BELIEVE THEY DESERVE THE PAY BUT I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE TIED TO SOMETHING MORE THAN WHAT THE COUNTY IS WILLING TO PAY A SHERIFF WHO RETIRED FROM SOMEPLACE ELSE AND WANTS AN EVENING JOB . WE DON'T HAVE

THAT KIND OF SHERIFF . >> I AM NOT GOING TO HIGHLIGHT , ELECTIONS, DO I HIGHLIGHT THAT, YES OR NO?

>> YES. >> HOW DO YOU FEEL, COMMISSIONER HAMMER? I JUST WANT TO SEE HOW YOU FEEL .

>> I AM TRYING TO GET IT DOWN AS MUCH AS WE CAN .

>> SAME. >> SO YOURS IS A NO ?

>> I'M A YES FOR ELECTIONS AND SO WE ARE A NO FOR THE SHERIFF?

>> WE ARE A NO FOR THE SHERIFF .

>> IF WE KEEP THE ELECTIONS -- LET ME SEE, DID SHE GET A

PERSONNEL READY? >> SHE HAS TWO ELECTIONS

POSITIONS . >> SHE HAS TWO ELECTIONS POSITIONS AND THIS IS THE THIRD. CAN WE SKIP THAT ONE? WHAT DO

YOU THINK , SKIP IT? >> I THINK SHE HAS SOME THAT ARE

[04:40:03]

PRIORITIES MORE THAN OTHERS . >> SO, SHE HAS TWO ?

>> SHE HAS AN EQUIPMENT COORDINATOR AND ELECTION

SPECIALIST . >> OKAY, WERE GOING TO SKIP IT .

ALL I'VE GOT TO DO IS GET TO THREE AND THEN WE MOVE ON. KEEP TALKING AND I WILL TRY TO SHUT YOU DOWN.

>> I WAS JUST SAYING THERE IS A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT JUST PASSED TO THAT SHE HAS GOT TO RAMP UP FOR .

>> THAT'S A REAL CONCERN FOR ME .

>> THAT'S A CONCERN. >> I GET IT AND I'M TRYING TO MOVE THROUGH THE MEETING AND NOT SHUT ANYBODY DOWN.

>> WITH THE POSITION SHE WANTS RIGHT HERE , I MEAN, WHICH SHE BE MORE UP TO TAKING OUT ONE OF THE CURRENT ONES THAT SHE HAS ?

>> OR A NEW POSITION OR AN ELECTION SPECIALIST THREE WHICH

WAS DISCUSSD. >> I KNOW, INITIALLY THAT SHE WAS AMENABLE TO CONVERTING ONE OF THE POSITIONS THAT SHE HAS IN THE BUDGET. WE COULD MAKE IT NEUTRAL .

>> SO, WHAT WE WILL HAVE TO DO IS CLOSE THAT ADMIN SHIFT AND MAKE IT REVENUE NEUTRAL AND THEN WE HAVE NO ADDITIONAL .

>> NO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I WILL ADJUST THE START DATE >> ADJUST THE START DATE BECAUSE NOW I'M NOT HIGHLIGHTING THE SHERIFF AND I'M NOT HIGHLIGHTING ELECTIONS. PURCHASING, WE SAID NO ON THAT

ONE, RIGHT ? >> WE WILL REVISIT THAT WE ARE ANYMORE. CONSTABLE ONE, THAT LINE ITEM RECONSIDERING AN ADDITIONAL DEPUTY . SKIP? HOW MANY DEPUTIES DO WE HAVE?

>> I AM NOT CERTAIN . >> I AM CONCERNED.

>> >> I AM NOT CERTAIN HOW MANY DEPUTIES. I WANT TO SAY 15 OR 16 .

>> YEAH, THEY DO A LOT OF WORK.

>> I KNOW THAT HE DOES NEED A BAILIFF, PROBABLY MORE THAN ONE . AND, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY BE GIVEN THE OTHER POSITION O MOVE TO A BAILIFF POSITION. I THINK THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED. AGAIN, HE IS WILLING TO START THEM BOTH ON 411 BUT IT'S

A COST OF 33, YOU SAID ? >> 33 628 .

>> IT IS 3312. >> LIGHT IS DO I SEE 37 ON MINE,

THEN? >> IC 47 .

>> IT IS 80,602 FOR THE POSITION TO START IN APRIL . THEN, TO CONVERT THE POSITION ALREADY THERE TO AN APRIL START DATE IS

A SAVINGS OF 47 590 . >> SO THE CONVERSION

INDISCERNIBLE ] ? >> WHEN IT COMES TO SAVINGS --

>> AT DOES COME TO SAVINGS . >> I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE AWARE

-- I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU. >> IT WOULD BE A COST OF 33+ .

>> NOW I AM 33, HOW MUCH? THAT WASHES OUT THE OVERAGE .

>> CORRECT. >> IT IS 30 30 12.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WANT EVERYONE TO BE WARY OF THESE POSITIONS IS STARTS HALFWAY THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR BECAUSE THAT MEANS THEY HAVE TO BE FULLY FUNDED FOR THE NEXT YEAR. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THEM AND I WANT TO BE VERY WARY.

>> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE YOU TO LEAD IT, WE CAN DO

WHATEVER WE WANT . >> WHAT HIS RECOMMENDATION FOR

PRECINCT 5? >>

>> WE HAVEN'T MADE THAT ONE, YET .

>> I WOULD RECOMMEND BOTH OF THESE . THE REASON I SAY THAT IS ON THE BAILIFF POSITIONS RIGHT NOW , IT WAS WELL EXPLAINED BY THE COUNTY COURT LAW JUDGES THAT THEY NEED THE POSITIONS AND BY THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION THEY REALLY NEED TWO BAILIFFS IN EVERY COURT AND THIS WILL GET THEM THRE .

>> WE ARE RUNNING VERY THIN . >> THAT'S TRUE .

>> FOR CONSTABLES ONE AND FIVE, THEN WE PULL THEM FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE . IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO?

>> WE NEED TO SEE WHAT THAT COST IS GOING TO BE .

>> OKAY, IF YOU CAN TABULATE ONE AND FIVE , GRANTING THOSE. GIVE US A TOTAL TO SEE WHERE WE WILL PULL FROM .

>> $18,811 . >> 18,000 , 18 $11 .

>> ONE -- $18,811. >> THAT IS ONE ADMIN POSITION

[04:45:11]

AND TAKING AWAY AN ELECTION SPECIALIST.

>> YET . >> AND THEN GRANTING POSSIBLE PRECINCT 1 AND CONVERTING HIS 10 ONE TO 41 AND ADDING CONSTABLE

FIVE. SO, JUST THOSE ITEMS . >> WHAT IS THAT NUMBER AGAIN?

>> IT IS 18,811. AND I SAY NO TO THE REST . ARE YOU GOOD WITH

THAT? >> OKAY, LET'S MOVE ON .

>> WITH THAT, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE MONEY FROM?

CONTINGENCIES ? >> DOES CONTINGENCIES SEEM LIKE

THE LEAST PAINFUL ? >> LET'S SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE TO HAVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS LIST .

>> I'VE ALREADY DONE THE MATH .

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING . THAT IS ON THIS TOP SECTION, OR

THE WHOLE PAGE ? >> EVERYTHING ELSE IS A SAVINGS OR WE DON'T HURT DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PULL IT

FROM THE CONTINGENCY? >> YES, SIR .

>> COMMISSIONERS, ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? TO PULL THE MONEY FROM CONTINGENCY INSTEAD OF REACHING INTO AN ELECTED OFFICIAL'S OFFICE OR A DEPARTMENT HEAD'S OFFICE AND PULLING 18 K OUT OF THEIR? IS EVERYBODY FINE? OKAY, WE ARE

BACK TO ZERO. >> I NEED A BREAK TO GET ALL THE

DOCUMENTS FOR THE NEXT ITEM . >> YOU'VE GOT IT . SO WHAT WE WILL DO IS, VICKI NEEDS A SHORT RECESS FOR US TO OPEN 14 AND FIFTH TEEN. ACTUALLY , THE REST OF THEM, 16 AND 17 , THEY ARE TIED TO THE SAME THING. WERE GOING TO TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK

AND PUSH THE REST THROUGH . >> I HAVE ONE QUESTION BEFORE WE LEAVE. GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING, I KNOW THAT WE ROLL CERTAIN POS OVER , ARE THEY FIGURED INTO THE BUDGET?

>> YES . >> YES, AND ONCE WE APPROVE THEM, ARE THEY PAID FOR ? ONCE WE VOTE ON THEM TODAY, ARE THEY

PAID FOR? >>

>> THE POS . >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PAY

OUR POS . >> I THINK IT ROLLS TO FY 26 .

THOSE ARE EXPENSES YOU ALL APPROVED THIS YEAR THAT WE DO NOT BELIEVE WILL BE IN BY SEPTEMBER 30TH AND SO WE HAVE TO ROLL THOSE FUNDS TO THE NEXT BUDGET. THEY WILL BE APPLIED TO

A NEW PO IN FY 26 . >> OKAY, THAT WAS MY QUESTION .

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. WE DON'T WANT TO GO OVER CUTTING ANYTHING

OR GETTING IT DOWN AT ALL? >> IF YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT , I'M WITH YOU. I'M A HUGE SUPPORTER OF SLASHING, SLASHING , SLASHING, BUT I DON'T WANT TO DO IT AT THE RATE OF SCREWING UP PUBLIC SAFETY AND SCREWING UP ROADS , DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M

SAYING? >> I DIDN'T PULL IT OUT .

>> THAT IS GENERALLY SPEAKING AND I'M JUST GENERALIZING .

>> IS THIS A FIFTH BUDGET WORKSHOP OR THE FOURTH?

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR A MONTH . I AM SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE SAYING THAT WE DID NOT SPEND ENOUGH ON MANY THINGS.I KNOW THERE ARE AND I CAN SEE YOUR FACES . WE, OR MANY OF US HAVE BEEN TOLD WE CUT WAY TOO MUCH

OUT OF CERTAIN THINGS. >> THAT'S TRUE .

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE TO EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE TAX RATE AS LOW AS WE POSSIBLY CAN .

>> I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE, I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU

MORE . >> I WANT SAY THIS FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE SAID .

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE STATE HAS DONE ON PROPERTY TAXES AND I THINK IT'S A RED HERRING . THE TAX RATE IN HAYS COUNTY WAS 48.6 CENTS AT ONE POINT . IN THE SEVEN YEARS SINCE MYSELF AND THE JUDGE OF BEEN IN OFFICE, AND I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER INGALSBE HAS BEEN HERE MUCH LONGER. WE GOT THE TAX RATE DOWN TO AS LOW AS $.30. WE WERE THE 25TH LOWEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OUT OF 254 COUNTIES. RIGHT NOW WE ARE SITTING AT THE 40TH LOWEST AND WITH THIS TAX RATE , I THINK WE WILL STILL BE UNDER 43 OR 45, SOMETHING LIKE THAT . WHICH TELLS YOU ARE SHOULD TELL YOU THAT IN A HIGH-GROWTH RATE COUNTY LIKE

[04:50:01]

OURS, GENERALLY THE TAX RATE IS THE HIGHEST OF ANY IN THE STATE, AND WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT. WE HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO THAT TO TRY TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT. THE BIGGEST THING OUR GENERAL PUBLIC DOES NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE, AND I THINK JET EDUCATION IS A HARD PART OF THIS. THROUGHOUT THAT PERIOD, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CUT TAXES HERE AND THE STATE HAS PUSH THE BURDEN OF THEIR PORTION OF THE PAYMENT TO US . SO, NOW, A MUCH, MUCH LARGER PORTION OF OUR TAXES GO TO FUND STATE PROGRAMS. THERE IS 600 AND FUNDED MANDATES THAT THE STATE HAS TO PAY FOR IN THE JAIL IS A HUGE PART OF THAT . IT IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST AND THAT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE . I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW 64% OF OUR BUDGET GOES TO JUDICIAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT BEFORE WE LOOK AT ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN SPEND MONEY ON. SO, BEFORE WE ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS, THE PHYSICAL ADDRESS THE FISCAL NEEDS THE STATE REFUSES TO PAY FOR . THEY ARE VERY ADAMANT COMING IN AND TELLING US NOT TO DO ANYTHING HERE AND THAT THEY ARE QUICK TO SAVE US ALL THIS MONEY, BUT THEY JUST CHANGE TO HAS TO PAY THE BILL FOR IT. WE DO.

>> I WANT TO RESPOND TO HIM AND I DO WANT TO PAY -- PLAY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE . I DO GET WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM THAT WE ARE AT $.48 AND THAT'S WHEN HOME VALUES WERE MUCH LOWER.

HOUSE VALUES OF COME UP SIGNIFICANTLY. RELATIVELY SPEAKING, INTEREST RATES ARE LOW RIGHT NOW, BUT HISTORICALLY

SPEAKING -- >> AS SOMEONE WHO HAS CUT THE BUDGET $.14 SINCE HE HAS BEEN HERE, I WILL TELL YOU THERE ARE HARD CHOICES THAT HAVE TO BE MADE. I WILL USE ROAD AND BRIDGE AS AN EXAMPLE . OUR ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND GOT DOWN TO TWO CENTS AND I COULDN'T FILL POTHOLES IN MY PRECINCT HALF THE TIME BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE MONEY FOR IT . I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO AS A COMMISSIONER, YOU BETTER FILL THE POTHOLES IN FRONT FRONT OF SOMEBODY'S HOUSE BECAUSE THAT'S THE BASIC THING WE GIVE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE CUT SO FAR INTO THE BONE WE COULD NOT PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES . I SEE COMMISSIONER INGALSBE NODDING . WE CUT THE ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND AND WE WERE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL . WE JUST CONTINUED TO CUT ROAD AND BRIDGE TO THE POINT IT WAS NONFUNCTIONAL. IS

>> SO, WE'RE BACK FROM A SHORT RECESS. THE AGENDA ITEM FOR ME

[K.14. Discussion and possible action to set the Fiscal Year 2026 salaries and allowances for Hays County Elected Officials. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]

TO OPEN FIRST WILL BE K-14. LET'S DO THAT ONE.

>> K 14. DISCUSSION TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBLE 2026 SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES FOR THE HAYS COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> OKAY, SO K-14 . >> IT IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA ITEM'S BACKUP . THIS HAS PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED IN THE

REPORT. >> JUST TO CLARIFY, THIS INCLUDES THE INCREASES THAT WERE IN THERE, WHICH WERE SIMPLY THE

3% . >> 3%, YES .

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE. >> ACTUALLY, WHO MADE THE

MOTION? >> I DID . THAT'S ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD, I DON'T LIKE RUNNING THE MEETING AND READING THE MOTIONS

. >> JUST TO CLARIFY, THERE ISN'T NOTHING WE CAN DO TO CHANGE THIS. WE CAN'T LOWER OR RAISE ,

THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO . >> THE ONLY THING IS A GRIEVANCE

PROCESS. >> IT IS JUST A FORMALITY .

>> YES, THEY HAVE TO BE FORMALLY SUBMITTED ON THE DAY OF THE

PUBLIC HEARING . >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE .

>> I HAVE TO MAKE THE MOTION . >> THAT'S RIGHT, YOU HAVE TO

READ IT . >> I MOVED TO SET THE ALLOWANCES FOR THE HAYS COUNTY PUBLIC OFFICIALS FOR THE 2026 BUDGET .

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH? >> YES .

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN ? >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE

QUESTION MARK >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

[K.15. Discussion and possible action to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 Hays County budget after making final changes as a result of the public hearing. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]

>> YES . >> WE ALREADY DID K-14.

[04:55:02]

>> SO, K-FIFTH TEEN . TWO ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 FISCAL BUDGET AFTER MAKING CHANGES AS A RESULT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. THANK YOU THAT -- FOR THAT . AND WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTS?

>> EMAIL . >> PLEASE READ THE EMAIL PUBLIC

COMMENTS . >> THIS IS FROM JACK INDISCERNIBLE ] . I KNOW EVERY DOLLAR SPENT IS A DOLLAR THAT CANNOT BE SPENT IN ANOTHER. THE MANDATE IS IN EVERY SCHOOL IN THE ISD MANDATE , THE HAYS COUNTY ISD HAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE OFFICE AND WE HAVE THE BEST SROS ON OUR CAMPUSES. HOWEVER, WE DON'T HAVE A SRO ON EVERY CAMPUS. THE ISD HAS BUDGETED TO HAVE A SRO IN EVERY CAMPUS FOR THE 2025-2026 BUDGET. DESPITE THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS , HAYS COUNTY COVERS 25% OF THE COSTS WHILE THE ML YOU CONTRIBUTES THE OTHER 35%. WE HAVE HEARD THE COUNTY WILL PICK UP MORE OF THE COSTS. HOW DOES THE COUNTY TO EXPECT THE DOES IT THE DISTRICT TO AFFORD THAT GIVEN THE FACT WE CANNOT RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE . DOES THE COUNTY NOT HOLD HIS OBLIGATION WITH THE ML YOU FOR THE SROS AT CAMPUSES. TO HAVE TRAINED OFFICERS AT LOCAL ENTITIES AND THE SHARE'S OFFICE LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT SHORT STAFFED . PLEASE PRIORITIZE THE CAMPUSES FOR THE SRO S TO BUILD COMMUNITY WITH STAFF AND AN SRO ON EVERY CAMPUS. THE SECOND ONE FROM KATIE ARMSTRONG IN KYLE . PLEASE CONSIDER AMENDING THE 2026 FISCAL BUDGET TO A INCLUDE FULL FUNDING OF SROS. DESPITE THE BUDGET SHORTFALLS THE DISTRICT IS FACING, THEY HAVE MANAGED TO PRIORITIZE THE STUDENTS BY COVERING THE 70% , WHY CAN YOU NOT FUND THE REST. WILL ONE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS FACE AN ARMED INTRUDER ? WILL THAT CAMPUS HAVE AN OFFICER ON SITE WHO WILL HELP SAVE THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND CHILDREN. I RECENTLY READ THE STORY OF A SCHOOL COUNSELOR WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THREE ACTIVE SHOOTERS THAT VARIOUS CAMPUSES AT VARIOUS STATES . THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS PASSED HB 3 . THERE WAS AN EXCEPTION BECAUSE FUNDING WASN'T THERE. IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD TO HAVE ANOTHER SHORTFALL. LET'S NOT CUT PUBLIC SAFETY BUT FIND A WAY TO FUND OUR MUCH-NEEDED AND STATE-MANDATED

SROS . >> THAT'S THE REST OF THE

STORY, RIGHT? VICKI . >> SO, ATTACHED TO K-15 IS AN ITEMIZED LIST OF ALL THAT WERE APPROVED DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF YOU WILL TAKE A MINUTE TO REVIEW THOSE AND THEN

I HAVE A MOTION >> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AS PRESENTED STATUTORY RIGHT. SO -- I WILL DO IT .

>> SORRY. NO PROBLEM. I MOVE THE 2026 HAYS COUNTY BUDGET TO INCLUDE ALL PROJECTS INCLUDED BY THE BUDGET OFFICE. I HAVE A

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

[K.16. Discussion and possible action to ratify the property tax increase reflected in the Fiscal Year 2026 Hays County budget. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]

>> YES . >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER?

>> NO . >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE ?

>> YES. >> JUDGE .

>> AND K-16 TO RATIFY THE BUDGET INCREASE TO RATIFY THE 2026 HAYS

COUNTY BUDGET? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND . >> MOTION AND A SECOND. OKAY,

VICKI . >> SO THIS WILL REQUIRE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE THAT I HAVE IN THE MOTION AND ALL WE NEED IS TO

[05:00:03]

HAVE THAT RED. >> TO HAVE THE MOTION READ, WHO

WANTS TO DO IT? COMMISSIONER? >> OKAY, SO THIS IS FOR K-16 . I MOVED TO RATIFY IN THE HAYS COUNTY BUDGET TO RATIFY THE TAXES FROM THE AMOUNT OF 60,159,126 FOR 57% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR 'S BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAX REVENUE TO BE RAISED FROM NEW PROPERTY THIS YEAR IS

>> IS YOU SAY THAT LAST NUMBER AGAIN ? 6.905 010.

>> 6,000,905 THOUSAND $10. >> I KNOW THAT BECAUSE THIS IS CRITICAL, I WANT TO SAY IT RIGHT AND CLEAR, .

[K.17. Discussion and possible action to approve an order adopting the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2026 and levy the the taxes. B E C E R R A /D OR S E T T]

>> AND K 17 . >> FOR THE FISCAL TAX YEAR LEVY

TAXES. >> OKAY, VICKI ?

>> A MOTION TO ADOPT THE ITEMIZED TAX RATE

>> OKAY, I MOVE >> GO AHEAD .

>> YOU ARE FINE. GO AHEAD AND READ IT .

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 PROPERTY TAX RATE BE SET BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF .399 CENTS . .2455 CENTS IN GENERAL OPERATION. AND 0.0426 CENTS IN

OPERATIONS . >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE .

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> YES .

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN? >> YES.

[L. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS (Part 2 of 2)]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER? >> NO .

>> JUDGE THE SETUP -- BASETTA .