Apr 14, 2026 Regular

[A. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:17]

>> I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE INVENTOR OF THIS IDEA.

I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

THIS MORNING IN VACATION LED BY OUR VERY OWN PASTOR DARIUS TODD.

IF YOU WILL ALL PLEASE RISE. >> LET US BOW.

HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE.

THANK YOU FOR THE SATURATION OF THE RAIN THAT GIVES US PRODUCE AND GIVES US GRACE TO BE ABLE TO GO FORWARD.

THOUGH SOMETIMES WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE RAIN.

WE THANK YOU THAT EVEN IN DARK TIMES LIGHT CAN COME AND GET THINGS CAN FLOW. I PRAY NOW ASKING YOU FOR WISDOM. WISDOM LORD, LIKE WE NEVER NEEDED BEFORE ON HOW TO LEAD, HOW TO WORK TOGETHER, HOW TO DIRECT THE ACTIVITIES OF OUR LOCAL AREAS AND EVEN OUR NATIONAL AND WORLD STAGE. WE ASK FOR YOUR WISDOM, YOUR GRACE, YOUR STRENGTH TO DO IT. IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I PRAY.

AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH I STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE >> WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE R

ROLE? >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Part 1 of 2)]

>> HERE. >> PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THOSE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK WILL NOW HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK. OUR COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE WILL START A TIMER FOR YOU. HOW MANY DO WE HAVE?

>> FIVE. >> WHEN THE TIMER GOES OFF, PLEASE CONCLUDE YOUR THOUGHTS AND WE WILL BE RESPECTFUL THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. WE HAVE A BAILIFF AND WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANY HEART ACHE BUT BE RESPECTFUL.

WHETHER YOU LIKE WAS SOMEONE IS SAYING OR NOT.

BE RESPECTFUL. >> RODERIGO.

>> 3 MINUTES PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I WANTED TO OPENLY STATE THAT I WAS HEAVILY OPPOSED AGAINST THE CANCELATION OF THE COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS.

ESPECIALLY AS I SAID THE LAST TIME THAT I WAS HERE, THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AND IT WASN'T A QUESTION BEING TOLD.

ESPECIALLY AFTER IT WAS SHARED WITH ME THAT AS A RESULT OF POLITICAL AMBITIONS, THAT WAS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE CANCELATION SO THERE IS A LOT OF SERIOUS BUSINESS THAT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED AND FOR THESE COURT DATES TO CANCELED.

IT REALLY DISRUPTS MY FLOW. I HAVE A LOT OF RITUALS THAT I DO BUT TODAY, I WANTED TO SHARE THAT AT THE SAME TIME ABOUT THE SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER. AFTER YOU ALL APPROVED THE 100,000 PLUS OR WHATEVER, I HAVE A BUNCH OF FIGURES, THEY WENT TO THE CITY AND THEY DIDN'T SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION AT THE REQUIRED TIMELINE. THEY HAD TO HAVE A MEETING UP THERE AND TAKE A VOTE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD ACCEPT THEIR APPLICATIONS. IT IS VERY CONCERNING, OFFENSIVE TO ME, YOU HAVE AN AGENCY THAT'S BEEN AROUND ALMOST 100 YEARS AND THEY STILL CAN'T GET THEIR PAPERWORK IN ORDER.

SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. I WANT TO GO NOW TO OPEN RECORDS. I CAME OUT TO THE SECOND FLOOR TO FIND OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS. LOTS OF PROBLEMS, COURT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BUT INFORMATION IS BEING WITHHELD FROM ME. LUCKILY FOR ME, I DON'T TAKE NO, AND WALK AWAY. I CONTACTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO SEEK DIRECTION AND THERE WILL BE COMPLAINTS FILED. SOME HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED.

IT WILL BE SERIOUS NOW BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO TELL THAT OFFICE DOWN THERE THAT THE LAW IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

WE COME IN, WE SUBMITTED. I HAVE ALL KINDS OF CONFLICTING RESPONSES DOWN THERE. AS FAR AS THE TECHNOLOGY, LOTS OF ISSUES WITH THE TECHNOLOGY AND STUFF.

THE GIRL DOWN THERE SHARED WITH ME THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR STUFF.

MY QUESTION IS, WHAT IS BEING DONE? TWO OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU OR A COUPLE THINGS I WANT TO SHARE WITH THIS COURT.

AGAIN, VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY THINGS HAVE BEEN

[00:05:02]

SOME OF THE AGENDA ITEMS THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT I WILL SHARE MY OPINION ON IT AS SOON AS I GET MY CHANCE.

I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

NEXT, WE HAVE... >> LAURA.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE CRITICAL NEED FOR STEWARDING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES BY HOLDING THE CLEARWATER SUMMIT.

HAYS COUNTY IS IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION OF RUNNING OUT OF WATER. REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES, THIS SITUATION IS BOTH UNTENABLE AND DANGEROUS.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CLOSED-DOOR CLEARWATER SUMMIT PRODUCED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CREATING A QUOTE, HIGH-INTENSITY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DIVISION WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THAT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A VERY EXPENSIVE COMMITMENT FOR SOMETHING YOU ALL HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DOING WITHOUT CREATING YET ANOTHER BUREAUCRACY. LET ME GIVE YOU A CASE IN POINT.

CUT COUNTY TEXAS IS USING THE GOVERNMENT CODE TO BUILD GUARDRAILS FOR DEVELOPERS. NOT CREATING A DEPARTMENT JUST TO REVIEW DEVELOPMENT. THAT IS YOUR JOB, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PLACE GUARDRAILS AROUND DEVELOPERS WHO ARE BUILDING BRAND-NEW HOMES WHERE SEWAGE IS LEAKING UNDERGROUND AND MOLD DRIVES HOMEOWNERS OUT OF THEIR HOMES WITH NO REMEDY. YOU CAN USE THOSE SAME CONSTITUTIONAL GUARDRAILS TO ENSURE PROPER WATER USE AND STEWARDSHIP IN HAYS COUNTY IN MY SUBDIVISION, WATER HAS TO BE BROUGHT IN BY TRUCK TO FILL THE WELL THAT SERVICES MY AREA.

THIS YEAR, WE WERE WITHOUT WATER BECAUSE THE TANKERS COULD NOT GET THROUGH OR SO WERE TOLD. WE ARE WITHOUT WATER FREQUENTLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IT IS YOUR JOB TO ASSESS DEVELOPERS PLANS AND REQUIRE COMMON SENSE REGULATION FOR WATER PRESERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP.

AGAIN, THE SUMMIT WAS A GOOD START.

BUT YOU MUST INCLUDE PUBLIC TESTIMONY BEFORE SUGGESTING THAT WE SPEND A DIME ON A NEW DEPARTMENT.

SKIRTING PUBLIC SCRUTINY BY HOLDING CLOSED-DOOR SUMMITS IS NEITHER ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE NOR COMPLIANT WITH TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS. YOU ALL NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, THE PEOPLE, HAVE ACCESS TO THESE DELIBERATIONS IN UPCOMING SUMMITS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE OPEN-DOOR MEETINGS AND NOT CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS. LET'S NOT MAKE THIS A WE HAVE TO PASS IT TO KNOW WHAT'S IN IT MOMENT.

I HEAR Y'ALL ARE USING THE WORD TRANSPARENCY BUT HOW MANY OF YOU ARE PRACTICING IT AS PUBLIC SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE? CLOSED-DOOR SUMMITS DO NOT QUALIFY AS TRANSPARENCY.

NO MATTER HOW MANY NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ARE PURCHASED.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

WHO IS NEXT? >> DID NATE DELANEY.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM FROM CANYON LAKE AND I COME ABOUT THE WATER ISSUE.

I HAVE COME TO TALK ABOUT THAT. I DO KNOW THAT WE ARE SITTING ON OVER ONE OF THE MOST SENSITIVE AREAS.

THE TRINITY AND EDWARDS AQUAPHOR AND WE ARE WATCHING INCREASING PRESSURE AND RAPID DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING.

IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE AND I AM GLAD THAT YOU HAD THE CLEARWATER SUMMIT. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST IN THE FUTURE IF THERE COULD BE A GROUP OF COMMUNITY CITIZENS THAT ARE WELL-RESEARCHED. IF THEY COULD ATTEND THAT SUMMIT AND PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT. I RECEIVE COMMENTS ALL THE TIME FROM PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK. I FEEL LIKE THE PEOPLE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE A VOICE AND TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AND ALSO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE REPRESENT THEM.

I AM ALSO ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTEER CITIZEN LOBBY TO COUNTER THE BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT LOBBY IN TEXAS BECAUSE I KNOW THAT LOBBY IS REALLY STRONG AND CITIZENS DON'T FIND OUT ABOUT THINGS UNTIL WELL AFTER THINGS HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS SO I COME ALSO HAVING SPENT -- A TEXAS GIRL HAVING SPENT 30 YEARS IN CALIFORNIA.

AND I SEE CALIFORNIA'S POLICIES AND IMPLEMENTATION THINGS HAPPENING IN SOME WAYS HERE, NOT IN ALWAYS.

FOR THIS COMMISSION AND FOR EVERY COMMISSION, I WOULD URGE ALL COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYONE TO DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH BECAUSE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS OFTEN RELY ON RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEY DON'T -- THERE ARE SOLUTIONS OUTSIDE OF THOSE AND IF EVERYONE DID THEIR OWN RESEARCH AND EVEN THE PUBLIC, THERE COULD BE MANY MORE SOLUTIONS THAT COULD BE HAD AND

[00:10:04]

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. I WOULD ALSO LIKE FOR YOU TO LOOK OVER MY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BECAUSE CANYON LAKE IS FACING SOME REALLY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTAL PRESSURE AND WHAT I CALL THE TCE QUEUE OF APPROVALS WHICH ARE PENDING BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO APPROVE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, THEY WILL HAVE CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON THE WATER SUPPLY AND ALSO ON THE WATER QUALITY BECAUSE IF WE ARE NOT DOING REUSE, WE ARE USING TAP WATER TO WATER THE LAWNS AND PLANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND THEN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARTERIAL ONE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE STANDARDS, THAT IS THE BOTTOM OF THE TOTAL POLL.

THEN YOU GO UP TO TIER 2. ALSO IN CALIFORNIA BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD SO MANY IMPACTS ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, THEY ARE NOW USING THE MOST ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS TO INJECT WATER INTO THE AQUAPHOR'S HEAD AND I THINK TEXAS COULD AVOID THAT, THOSE FUTURE IMPACTS IF THEY REALLY DO THE WORK RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. WHO ELSE DO WE HAVE?

>> FREDDIE ROLAND. >> MORNING, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS FREDDIE ROLAND.

I AM REPRESENTING ON BEHALF OF THE NUMBER 5 CALIFORNIA FIRE DEPARTMENT BUT I AM ALSO REPRESENTING THE FIRE CHIEF ASSOCIATION. I CAME TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW FEES COMBINING IMM COMMUNICATION CENTER AFFECTING ALL OUR ESD'S IN THE COUNTY. I CANNOT SPEAK SPECIFICALLY FOR EVERY PARTNER BUDGET AGENDA BUT I CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE AT CAL FIRE AND TALKING ABOUT A TWO-STEP PAYROLL INCREASE. I CAN TALK ABOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE. I CAN TALK ABOUT OUR FIREFIGHTERS PENSION. I CAN TALK ABOUT WORKER'S COMPENSATION. FOR FIREFIGHTERS WHENEVER THEY GET HURT GOING UP AS WELL. I CAN TALK ABOUT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT OF COURSE IS GOING UP.

MORE PRICEY AND WE NEED TO KEEP UP REPLACING SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE AS A ONE-TIME BY AND THAT'S IT.

OPERATIONS, HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO KEEP OUR FLEET ON THE GROUND RESPONDING TO CALLS FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

LAST YEAR, WE RESPONDED TO ABOUT 7200 CALLS AND THIS YEAR WE ARE EXPECTING TO BE CLOSE TO 8000. WE ALL KNOW HERE THAT THE GROWTH OF OUR AREA HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE ON US AND HOW WE CAN KEEP UP WITH THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. ADDING THAT EXTRA LAYER OF COST TO OUR BUDGET HEAVILY IMPACTS HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND HOW WE CAN KEEP UP WITH THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT I CAME HERE TO ASK IS FOR A MEETING WITH YOU, JUDGE, AND THE COMMISSIONERS. ALL THE PARTNERS TO DISCUSS THIS BECAUSE IT'S REALLY AFFECTING US.

IT'S A NUMBER, RIGHT. BUT WHEN IT PUSHES BACK OUR COMMUNITY RESPONSE, OUR EFFECTIVENESS AND GROWTH, IT'S AFFECTING EVERYBODY AND IT'S NO LONGER ABOUT ONE ORGANIZATION BUT ALL OF US TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND TO COME WITH SOME SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. ABSOLUTELY.

WHO ELSE DO WE HAVE? >> SUSAN.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS SUSAN, I AM ALSO REPRESENTING TRYING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER 5 REGARDING THE FEES AND ESD'S.

I JUST WANTED TO EXPLAIN AND PIGGYBACK A LITTLE BIT ON CHIEF ROWLANDS COMMENTS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT KNOW, EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICTS ARE CAPPED.

WE ARE ASSESSED AND LEVY TAXES BUT ONLY UP TO $0.10 PER $100 EVALUATION SO WE ARE VERY LIMITED ON WHAT WE CAN BUDGET AND BRING IN. WE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE 3.5% ANNUAL INCREASE PER THE LEGISLATURE AND WE ARE ALREADY

[00:15:02]

WE CAN'T EVEN GO THERE BECAUSE WE ARE CAPPED AT $0.10.

WHEN WE ARE BEING ASKED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL FEE, THAT CAME UP PRETTY QUICKLY HONESTLY, WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO RAISE ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS SO WHAT I SEE -- WE TRY TO BE VERY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. WE HAVE REPURPOSED 2 HOMES IN 2 SUBSTATIONS WHICH HAVE SAVED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR OUR TAXPAYERS. WE ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED NEW AUDITING AND EXPENSE PROGRAMMING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PINCHING EVERY PENNY THAT WE CAN BUT WHAT WE ARE SEEING FROM THE INITIAL DISCUSSIONS, I BELIEVE THERE WAS ONE MEETING AND THEN THIS FEE WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT WE WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR THIS CALL CENTER. THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS THERE HAS BEEN THE COUNTY BUDGET HAS COVERED THE DISPATCHERS EXPENSES AND FROM DISCUSSIONS OF OUR CHIEF WITH THE COUNTY COMPTROLLER. BASICALLY ONE SENT FROM THE COUNTY WOULD COVER THE 1.5 MILLION THAT IS BEING REQUESTED FOR ALL OF THE ESD'S. AS OPPOSED TO ASKING ALL OF THE ESD'S TO PONY UP A PERCENTAGE WHICH WILL IMPACT OUR BUDGET FOR OPERATIONS THAT WE FRANKLY DON'T HAVE.

SO THE 2 SOLUTIONS THAT I'M SEEING AT PRESENT ARE PERHAPS THE COUNTY COULD CONTINUE TO COVER THAT ONE SENT FROM YOUR BUDGET WHICH IS MUCH BIGGER THAN OURS AND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEVY A HIGHER TAX RATE THAN WE DO.

THEN WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT BUDGETING FOR ANTICIPATED UPGRADES TO EITHER THE SOFTWARE SERVERS OR THINGS LIKE THAT THAT DISPATCH NEEDS AND THAT WOULD BE MORE FEASIBLE FOR US.

OR WE HAVE TO AS CHIEF ROLAND SAID, WE WILL HAVE TO DELAY A HIRING PROCESS FOR FIREFIGHTERS THAT PLAN TO GO INTO SERVICE AT OUR LATEST SUBSTATION OFF HIGHWAY 150 WHICH IS A VERY HIGH SERVICE AREA. AND THAT WOULD IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO RESPOND DURING AN EMERGENCY WHEN PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING US TO SHOW UP TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY.

THE OTHER ASK THAT I WOULD HAVE SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS, MAYBE THERE ARE SOME OTHER SOLUTIONS WOULD BE TO HAVE A MEETING WITH ESD COMMISSIONERS, OUR JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SO THAT WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT EACH OTHER'S NEEDS ARE AND HOW WE CAN WORK TOWARD SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

>> MOST DEFINITELY AND THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY. NOW WE HAVE ONE EMAILED.

IF YOU WOULD START A TIMER AND READ THAT.

>> THIS COMES FROM SHIRLEY WHITEHURST.

TO THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSION. I AM WRITING TODAY BECAUSE I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OTHER AVENUES I CAN THINK OF REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AFFECTING ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.

ATTACHED IS A PHOTO OF THE HANDICAP PARKING AREA LOCATED CLOSEST TO THE MAIN DOOR OF WALMART ON HIGHWAY 80 IN SAN MARCUS. EVERY TIME IT RAINS EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT, THIS AREA OF THE PARKING LOT BECOMES A LAKE.

A FILTHY, SLIPPERY LAKE FILLED WITH DEBRIS, LEAVES, BIRD DROPPINGS THAT LAST FOR DAYS. ASKING AN ABLE-BODIED PERSON TO NAVIGATE THIS PARKING PLACE SAFELY WOULD BE DIFFICULT ENOUGH BUT ASKING SOMEONE WHO IS IN A CANE, WALKER OR WHEELCHAIR IS UNCONSCIONABLE. EVERY MEMBER OF MANAGEMENT AT THIS WALMART WALKS PASS THIS ISSUE EVERY DAY DURING THE RAINY SEASON. I AM SURE IF THEY WERE AT ALL MOTIVATED THEY COULD FIND A REASONABLE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. WON'T YOU PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK INTO THIS AND SEE IF THERE IS IN SOME WAY YOUR OFFICE MIGHT WORK TOWARDS A SOLUTION. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE. AND CEARLEY, SHIRLEY WHITEHURST.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, DOES THAT SOUND LIKE THIS CITY?

>> WHAT WAS THE LOCATION AGAIN? >> YES, THIS IS THE PARKING LOT LOCATED CLOSEST TO THE MAIN DOOR OF WALMART ON HIGHWAY --

>> GOT IT. I HAVE SEEN THE FOOTAGE.

100%. THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.

WE ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS,

[F.1. Presentation of the Texas Association of Counties Service Award to Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe for her service on the Board of Directors. COHEN]

>> PRESENTATION OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIE SERVICE AWARD TO DEBBIE INGALLS BE FOR HER SERVICE ON THE BOARD OF

[00:20:02]

DIRECTORS. >> SO MOVED.

SOME PEOPLE WANT A MOTION OR NOT.

>> SECOND. >> ALL YOUR.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS FOR GIVING ME THE TIME ON THE AGENDA TODAY. BEFORE I GET INTO THE PRESENTATION, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK HAYS COUNTY FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. PROUD TO REPRESENT ALL 254 COUNTIES IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND YOUR LEADERSHIP IN ALL AREAS OF OUR ASSOCIATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED FROM OUR RISK MANAGEMENT, HEALTH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS POOL ALL THE WAY TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. I DID BRING A COUPLE PIECES OF LITERATURE AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH AND HOWEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THESE.

>> HANDED TO OUR GREEN SHIRT RIGHT HERE AND WE CAN PASS IT

OVER. >> ARE COUNTY STORYTELLERS INITIATIVE. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO SUBMIT STORIES ABOUT THE GREAT THINGS THAT HAYS COUNTY IS DOING FOR DEFINITELY A TRENDSETTER AND THE SECOND IS WHO TO CONTACT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SOMETIMES FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH OUR ASSOCIATION IS DIFFICULT SO WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE.

>> THANK YOU, CANDACE. I DID NOT USERNAME AT THAT MOMENT. [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. NOW FOR THE REASON I AM HERE OTHER THAN THANKING YOU. TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT WE ARE HERE FOR MEMBERS AND LED BY MEMBERS. OUR LEADERSHIP IS COMPOSED OF COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSISTS OF 14 VOTING MEMBERS AND SIX NONVOTING MEMBERS.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE HAD A MEMBER ON THIS BOARD FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS. COMMISSIONER HAS SERVED REPRESENTING THE COMMISSIONERS ASSOCIATION FROM 2019 TO 2025.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK HER FOR HER SERVICE BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT SHE HAS BEEN A CHERISHED A LEADER ON OUR BOARD AND IN OUR ASSOCIATION LEADING WITH A CALM, STEADY EVENHANDED MIND-SET MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE HERE TO SERVE NOT ONLY HAYS COUNTY BUT WE HAVE ALL OF OUR MEMBERS ALIGNS.

I HAVE A SMALL TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION FOR COMMISSIONER

INGALSBE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

[APPLAUSE] >> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR ALL 250 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WE APPRECIATE YOU. YOU ALONG WITH ALL OF THE HAYS COUNTY. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR TIME AND

EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. >> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME.

COMMISSIONER INGALSBE? >> SUSAN, THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

IT IS CERTAINLY AN AWESOME ORGANIZATION WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP AND IT HAS COME A LONG WAY AND I WANTED TO ALSO THANK YOU AND YOUR EXECUTIVE STAFF AND WHAT YOU ALL DO FOR THE COUNTY PROVIDING VITAL SERVICES TO US.

THANK YOU. >> I WAS JUST ALERTED ABOUT A

[E. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Part 2 of 2)]

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS OUR ERROR OR YOURS BUT WE WILL GIVE IT TO YOU BECAUSE WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. IF YOU WILL SPEAK YOUR NAME AT THE MICROPHONE AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THREE MINUTE.

>> I FEEL LIKE THE PUBLIC COMMENT FORM IS REDUNDANT% BECAUSE IT SAYS AGENDA ITEM OR PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN ASKS THE AGENDA ITEM SO EVEN THOUGH YOU MARK PUBLIC COMMENT AND ASKS THE

AGENDA ITEM. >> WE WILL FIX IT.

THANK YOU. >> I THINK THAT HAPPENS QUITE

OFTEN. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SAM AND I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM K12 WHICH PROPOSES THE CREATION OF A HIGH-INTENSITY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DIVISION WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT. I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL. I THINK IT IS A VERY SMALL BUT PRAGMATIC AND REALLY SIGNIFICANT STEP THAT THE COUNTY CAN TAKE TO

[00:25:02]

WELL I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONCERNS RUN THE LAST ATTEMPT -- AND WHILE I PERSONALLY BELIEVE IT WAS A CAUSE WORTH FIGHTING IN COURT FOR, THIS PROPOSAL IS A CREATIVE WAY TO CONTINUE TO CARRY THAT SAME SPIRIT. I APPRECIATE THE JUDGE ATTENDING LAST NIGHT'S MEETING WITH DATA CENTRE ORGANIZERS AND ALERTING US ABOUT THIS AGENDA ITEM.

BASED OFF ON THE FEEDBACK I OBSERVED FROM FOLKS IN THE ROOM, IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE EXCITED AND SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PROPOSAL. I DO THINK THAT WITH MORE NOTICE AND COORDINATE EFFORTS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WITH A LARGER TURNOUT BUT REGARDLESS OF TODAY'S TURNOUT I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP AND FIGHTING THESE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE LAST YEAR ARE OVERALL REALLY SUPPORTIVE. WENT ONTO AND TIME ARE STACKED AGAINST US, IT'S INCUMBENT ON OUR LEADERS TO GET CREATIVE ABOUT THE WAYS THAT WE ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AND I THINK THE PROPOSAL OUTLINED IN AGENDA ITEM K2 IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF CREATIVITY WE NEED IN THIS MOMENT.

I ASK THAT EACH OF THE U-BOAT YES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

BECAUSE I HAVE HAD COMMENTS ON THAT AGENDA ITEM OF THAT DIVISION, I WANT TO SHED LIGHT ON THE INTENT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO -- I AM NOT INTERESTED IN CREATING A BUNCH OF POSITIONS AND BEING BUREAUCRATICALLY WASTEFUL SO I

[F.2. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing Harper Claes as the 2026 Hays Youth Poet Laureate. BECERRA]

PLEASE OPEN TO -- >> F TOO MUCH, RECOGNIZING HARPER CLAES AS THE 2026 HAYS YOUTH POET LAUREATE.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECONDED.

>> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 2026 POET LAUREATE HARPER CLAES, WHEREAS POETRY AS AN UNDERVALUED FORM OF EXPRESSION, YOU THEIR WAKING UP TO ITS POWER BECAUSE WHERE THERE IS DEATH, ILLNESS, WAR, CLIMATE CHANGE, MASS SHOOTINGS, WHERE THERE IS UNCERTAINTY, THE NEED TO DEFINE OURSELVES, THE NEED TO PLACE OUR PAIN WITHIN THE LARGER CONTEXT OF THE WORLD GROWS AND WHERE AS DESPITE THE MESSAGE THAT YOUTH ARE TRAPPED BY TECHNOLOGY AGAINST ALL ODDS IN 2026, THE EDITORS AT THE LITERARY NONPROFIT RECEIVED MANUSCRIPTS FROM ALL OVER HAYS COUNTY WRITTEN BY TEENAGERS. THE HAYS COUNTY YOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM AND CHECKBOOK PUBLICATION PRIZE LAUNCHED BY THE NONPROFIT WITH VITAL SUPPORT FROM THE JOHNSON FOUNDATION HAS BROUGHT US OUR THIRD HAYS YOUTH POET LAUREATE EVER, HARPER CLAES. WHEREAS SERVING AS JUDGE OF THE 22026 BOOK PUBLICATION PRIZE. MOMENTS MADE INTO MONUMENTS AS THIS YEAR'S WINNER CITING THE POETRY AS HUMAN AND HUMANE.

BURSTING WITH IMAGES SPECIFICITY FEELING AND PURPOSE AND WHERE AS WE ARE CERTAIN THIS RECOGNITION WILL OPEN DOORS FOR HAYS COUNTY YOUNG POETS. WE ALSO KNOW WHEN WE APPEARANCE I OURSELVES AS POETRY REQUIRES US TO, WE EMERGE TRANSFORMED READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD AS HARPER CLAES IS ALREADY DOING.

A SIMPLE SMALL VOICE CAN SPEAK FOR A WHOLE COMMUNITY.

THE HAYS COUNTY COURT DOES HERE PROCLAIM HARPER CLAES, THE ESTEEM 2026 HAYS YOUTH POET ADOPTED THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL,

2026. >> WONDERFUL.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> YES.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> DO WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THERE YOU ARE.

THANK YOU. IF YOU WILL PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND THEN COME ON UP FOR A PICTURE.

>> HELLO. I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD READ

ONE OF MY POEMS. >> AS LONG AS IT'S NOT TOO LONG,

JUST TO BE HONEST. >> LET ME FIND THE PAGE.

THIS POEM IS CALLED GOD FUNDED ME.

AN ENDLESS LIST OF NAMES AND GOALS.

SOME REACH, MOST STATUS ARE UNKNOWN.

A SINGLE MOTHER NEEDING $5000 FOR HER SON'S FUNERAL FOREVER 14 YEARS OLD. THIS REPLACS HER EARLIER ASKED, $41,600 FOR SURGERY. HE DOESN'T NEED THAT ANYMORE.

SHE PRAYS FOR FORGIVENESS AND REST.

SHE USED TO PRAY THAT HE WOULD GET BETTER.

A FAMILY WHOSE CORNERSTONE IS OUT OF COMMISSION.

A FATHER INJURED ON THE JOB. HE CANNOT WORK FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AND NEED $71,000 FOR LIVING EXPENSES.

MEDICAL FOR 4. HIS DAUGHTER 11, PRAYS THAT HER DAD WILL GET BETTER. HIS SON 4, PRAYS THAT HIS DAD WILL BE HOME MORE. HIS WIFE 34, PRAYS THAT THEY CAN

[00:30:02]

SHE IS ON THE EUTHANASIA LIST. THE STAFF ASK FOR $200 OR ADOPTION. THESE ARE THE DOGS ONLY OPTIONS.

DEATH OR LIFE. THE STAFF PRAYS THAT THEY CAN RAISE THE MONEY FOR THIS ONE DOG BUT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO THE 1E PATH. TWO NEW PARENTS PRAY FOR THEIR BUNDLE OF JOY IN THE NICU TUCKED INTO BED BY TUBES AND TAPE AND AN OXYGEN MASK OR PREPARING FOR THE ENSUING LIFE OF SPECIALISTS AND SURGERIES FOR THE LITTLE BABY BOY.

$128,000. A WOMAN PRAYING FOR A LAWYER, 2200. A19-YEAR-OLD PRAYS TO RAISE MONEY FOR A PLANE RIDE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, $452.

A FIREFIGHTER PRAYING HIS LUNGS DON'T GET WORSE, $4000.

A FAMILY PRAYING THAT THE CELEBRATION OF THEIR SON'S LIFE WOULD BE AS JOYOUS AS HE WAS COMPLETE WITH SHIRTS AND MOMENTO'S FROM HIS MUCH TOO SHORT CAREER ON STAGE.

$10,133 OF $10,000 RAISED. 156 DONORS, A BABY BOY LEFT BEHIND. EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE.

EVERY LIFE HAS A COST. EVERY PAYMENT CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE WITH THREE EASY STEPS. LET'S PRAY WE CAN SUPPORT EACH OTHER. GOD FUNDED US, PLEASE.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY TEACHERS IN HAYS COUNTY AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH ME TO GET ME TO THIS MOMENT.

THANK YOU. >> SO BEAUTIFULLY DONE.

THANK YOU. A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THIS IS A REALLY COOL MOMENT. I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE

THIS. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME. >> PLEASE OPEN F3.

[F.3. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. BECERRA]

>> ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 2026 AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH.

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH WHEREAS 6.3 MILLION TEXANS HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THEIR LIFETIME AND WHEREAS TWO IN FIVE WOMEN AND ONE IN FIVE MEN IN TEXAS HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THEIR LIFETIME AFFECTING ALL RACES, AGES, GENDERS AND ECONOMIC SITUATIONS AND WHEREAS THE HAYS CALDWELL WOMEN'S CENTER PROVIDE SERVICES TO 7100 ADULT VICTIMS IN HAYS AND CALDWELL COUNTIES LAST YEAR AND WHEREAS HAYS COUNTY IS INTOLERANT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN ANY FORM AND RECOGNIZING THAT EDUCATION AND AWARENESS MAY PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND WHEREAS, EFFORTS TO REDUCE SEXUAL ASSAULT CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL THROUGH CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND THE SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY DEPENDS ON OUR ACTIONS TO END SEXUAL ASSAULT. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026 AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH ADOPTED THIS THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL 2026.

>> PERFECT. IF YOU WILL PLEASE CALL THE R

ROLE. >> YES.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS AGENDA. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE.

>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS MELISSA.

I'M THE CEO OF HCW CNN PRIVILEGE TO STAND IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.

>> WE DON'T SPEAK LETTERS WITHOUT FOLLOWING IT UP WITH

WHAT THAT STANDS FOR. >> I WILL TELL YOU WHY.

>> I KNOW WHY. >> INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, JUDGE, WE HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN IN PLACE WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO REBRAND WHICH IS WHY I AM SAYING THAT MORE INTENTIONALLY TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE. WE OFTEN DEBATE WHETHER THE NAME ENCOMPASSES THE WORD THE WE ARE DOING AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR FOUNDERS AND DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE SPIRIT OF WHAT CREATED US BUT WE ALSO WANT TO BE INCLUSIVE.

>> GOOD JOB. I'M SORRY I HAVE TO DO THAT.

[00:35:03]

>> ABSOLUTELY FINE. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH AS ONE THAT WE TYPICALLY DON'T TALK ABOUT. ROOT CAUSES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ARE OFTEN MISPERCEIVED AS BEING JUST ABOUT THAT AND IT'S ABOUT POWER AND CONTROL AND IT EXCEEDS AND TOUCHES EVERY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND IN A FEW MINUTES WE WILL HEAR ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH AND THERE IS AN INTERSECTION BETWEEN THE TWO SO WHEN YOU HEAR THE STATISTIC OF ONE IN FIVE AND ONE IN FOUR, A LOT OF THOSE ARE CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS WHICH IS A -- THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION THAT WE SERVE IN OUR CHILD AND ADVOCACY CENTER AS WELL AS I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT. I ALSO WANT TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE AN EVENT GOING ON TONIGHT CALLED TAKE BAK THE NIGHT. IT IS AT TEXAS STATE BUT IT IS FOR THE COMMUNITY. IT IS AN EVENT WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME UP AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, TELL THE STORY, DO A POEM. BUT IS ALSO A VERY IMPACTFUL NIGHT TO BREAK THE SILENCE AND STOP THE MYTH OF HIDING BEHIND VICTIMIZATION AND REALLY EMBRACING THAT WE ARE HERE AS A COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THOSE SURVIVORS.

THAT IS TONIGHT. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THEM FROM 6:30 TO 8:30 OUT AT THE PLAZA OUTSIDE OF THE LBJ STUDENT CENTER. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT.

Y'ALL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GREAT. GLAD TO SEE YOU MADE IT, FINALLY. [LAUGHTER]

>> LOSING ONE DRESS SHIRT TO BATTERY ACID.

>> I AM GLAD YOU MADE IN TIME. THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I LOVE IT AND I APPRECIATE IT. COMMISSIONER, DID YOU WANT TO

ADD ANYTHING? >> YOU CAN'T SHOW UP WITHOUT ME COMMENTING ON THE SEXUAL ASSAULT MOCK TRIAL.

I'M HAPPY IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN THIS YEAR.

[F.4. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. BECERRA]

WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE IT BACK. >> PLEASE OPEN F4.

>> ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 2026 AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH.

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH, MORE THAN 51,985 VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT WERE CONFIRMED IN TEXAS IN 2025 RESULTING IN 4287 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE IN TEXAS AND THE DEATH OF 125 CHILDREN IN TEXAS IN 2025. AND WHEREAS, 388 CHILDREN WERE CONFIRMED VICTIMS OF ABUSE IN HAYS COUNTY IN 2025 AND CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION IS A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY AND FINDING SOLUTIONS DEPENDS ON INVOLVEMENT AMONG ALL PEOPLE THROUGH THE PERSEVERANCE OF OUR MANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING DAILY TO AND CHILD ABUSE.

WE CONTINUALLY SERVE CHILDREN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND WHEREAS LOCALLY REPRESENTATIVES FROM HAYS COUNTY, CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD, HAYS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HAYS COLDWELL WOMEN'S CENTER AND ROXANNE'S, MARQUEZ YOU COUNCIL, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES, SEND MARCUS, BEAUT AND KOW POLICE DEPARTMENTS. BLUEBIRDS HOPE, SEND MARCUS, HVE JOINED HORSES TO PROVIDE PREVENTIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND WHEREAS EVERY CHILD IN HAYS COUNTY DESERVES TO BE SAVED, NURTURED AND SUPPORTED IN CARING RELATIONSHIPS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF 2026 APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH. AND DO HEREBY CALL UPON THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY TO WORK TOGETHER TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND, ADOPTED

THIS THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. >> BEAUTIFUL DONE.

PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> YES.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> IS THERE SOMEONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT? THERE YOU ARE.

THANK YOU. STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC AND IF YOU WILL USE INITIALS, FOLD THEM UP

WITH WHAT THEY STAND FOR. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE, MY NAME IS NICK SANCHEZ AND I'M THE COUNCIL.

ON BEHALF OF MY AGENCY, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO JUDGE BECERRA AND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES WITH OUR COMMUNITY. OVER THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE PROVIDED 136 CHILDREN IN HAYS COUNTY WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

[00:40:03]

CHILDREN THRIVE WHEN THEY GROW WITH PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM AND CARE FOR THEM AND WHEN THEY MAINTAIN STRONG CONNECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. TO HELP THEM FLOURISH AND PREVENT ISSUES SUCH AS CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT AND FAMILY IN SEPARATION TO IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY.

LOCAL RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH A SAFE AND HAPPY ENVIRONMENT.

WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT AND OUR MISSION AND FOR THE IMPORTANCE THAT YOU PLACED ON THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HERE WITH US TODAY THAT DO THE SAME WORK THAT WE DO TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH SAFE AND HAPPY LIVES.

THANK YOU. >> BEAUTIFUL.

YES? >> HI, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS HAILEY BROOKS. I AM THE FORMER OUTREACH COORDINATE HER, CURRENT EVENTS MANAGER AND I ALSO HAVE OUR CEO AND OUR OTHER COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER HERE WITH US.

IT STANDS FOR COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES AN ORGANIZATION PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY BEST INTEREST ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THE WELFARE SYSTEM.

WE TRAIN AND EMPOWER DEDICATED COST OF VOLUNTEERS TO ENSURE CHILDREN'S NEEDS ARE MET AND THEIR VOICES ARE LIFTED.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES TO STEP UP AND EDUCATE OUR FRIENDS, FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND HOW WE INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY CAN HELP PREVENT IT.

IN HAYS COUNTY, 388 CHILDREN WERE CONFIRMED VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT. SERVING 85% OF THOSE CHILDREN.

OVERALL 505 CHILDREN WERE IN OUR STATE CARE SYSTEM ACROSS OUR FOUR COUNTIES. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025.

SERVING 379 OF THOSE CHILDREN WHICH IS 75% OF THE CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE IN OUR AREA WHICH MEANS WE STILL NEED TO GET 126 CHILDREN WHO NEED SOMEONE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

THANK YOU TO HAYS COUNTY FOR HELPING US WILL RAISE AWARENESS FOR THIS CAUSE AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

WE ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR PARTNERS FOR JOINING US TODAY.

WE WORKED DOING THIS MISSION IN TANDEM.

AND EVERYBODY ELSE INVOLVED. EVERY CHILD HAS A CHANCE AND IT'S YOU. I DID ALSO WANT TO PLUG ONE THING. OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER EVENT IS THIS FRIDAY. WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE COULD NOT DO WHAT WE DO.

MORE INFORMATION IS ON OUR WEBSITE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO

LOOK INTO THAT. >> PERFECT.

THANK YOU. OPENING UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS STARTING WITH COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> FOR THOSE OF Y'ALL WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE HERE AND I WAS SO PROUD WHENEVER WE HAD THE ABILITY TO GET FUNDS BACK IN 2021 THAT I INITIALLY PUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND THAT AND IN DOING SO EACH ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, EACH ONE OF MY INDIVIDUAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STEPPED UP AND MATCHED THOSE FUNDS FOR ME. WE WERE ACTUALLY THE FIRST IN CENTRAL TEXAS THAT RECEIVED AND I HAVE TO COMPLEMENT OUR LOCAL GROUP BECAUSE THEY WERE VERY PROACTIVE AND ACTUALLY SET UP LISTENING SESSIONS AND BRIEFINGS VIRTUALLY BECAUSE AGAIN IT WAS DURING COVID, FOR ALL IN THE STATE TO LEARN HOW THEY COULD ACCESS THE FUNDS THAT WERE PROVIDED TO LOCAL MEANNESS APOLOGIES AND COUNTIES. THROUGH THAT PROCESS I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT HAYS COUNTY WAS REALLY THE MODEL FOR THAT.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO EDUCATE OTHER AREAS ARE OF THE STATE ON HOW THEY CAN STEP UP AND HELP THAT IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION IN THEIR AREA. GREAT WORK.

IF YOU HAVE FREE TIME, IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO VOLUNTEER AND I WOULD SINCERELY ASK THAT YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OR AT LEAST LOOK AT IT. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS AND GREAT FAMILIES AND GREAT HOMES FOR GREAT PLACES

FOR THESE GREAT KIDS. >> WILL SAID.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE COUNCIL FOR SHOWING UP IN CARING ABOUT OUR KIDS. BABIES ARE SUCH A GIFT FROM GOD SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO POUR INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR KIDS AND IT'S REALLY APPRECIATED THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO EVERY DAY. IT SECOND-TO-NONE.

THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH. >> I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS HERE TODAY. THE WORK THAT YOU DO IS AMAZING AND I'M GLAD THAT Y'ALL ARE HERE SUPPORTING THOSE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH A VERY TOUGH TIME. I DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT

[00:45:03]

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID. I ALWAYS SAY THAT IT TAKES A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO DO THIS KIND OF WORK.

THERE ARE SO MANY KIDS THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM THE ABUSE OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH AND IT TAKES SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS LIKE Y'ALL TO CARE ABOUT THEM, LOVE THEM AND SHOW COMPASSION AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WONDERFUL.

I AM REMINDED OF WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP BREAK AND YOU ARE WAY MORE IMPACTFUL THAN MOST ME KNOW.

BUT THE PHRASE THAT COMES TO MIND IS, HE WHO SEEKS WISDOM IS WISE. WORDS FROM THE PAST THAT TRANSCEND TIME AND THE PHRASE THAT COMES TO MIND IS, HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE. AND THAT IS LITERALLY WHAT YOU GUYS ARE TRYING TO BREAK HERE. A CYCLE OF HURT PEOPLE HURTING PEOPLE SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, IT'S MOST MAGNIFICENT.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP FOR A GROUP PICTURE?

>> JUDGE, CAN WE INVITE OUR PARTNERS.

WE DO THIS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION OFFICE. ANYONE CONNECTED.

LISA, YOU TOO. COME ON UP.

THE FOOD BANK.

[APPLAUSE] >> F5.

[F.5. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing April 12-18, 2026, as National Telecommunicators Week. INGALSBE/HIPOLITO]

>> ADOPT A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 12TH THROUGH 18TH AS NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK.

>> PLEASE READ THE PROCLAMATION. >> THE PROCLAMATION OF TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK WHEREAS EMERGENCIES CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME THAT REQUIRE POLICE, FIRE OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND WHEREAS WHEN AN EMERGENCY OCCURS, THE PROMPT RESPONSE OF POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS IS CRITICAL TO THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY AND WHEREAS THE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS ARE THE FIRST CONTACT OUR RESIDENTS HAVE WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDING STEADY GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT IN OUR CALLER'S MOST FRANTIC MOMENTS AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS ARE THE LINK FOR DISPATCHERS AND FIREFIGHTERS BY MONITORING THEIR ACTIVITY PROVIDING THEM INFORMATION AND ENSURING THEIR SAFETY AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS ARE MORE THAN A CALM AND REASSURING VOICE AT THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE.

THEY ARE THE UNSEEN FIRST RESPONDERS, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND HIGHLY TRAINED INDIVIDUALS THAT WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER POLICE, FIRE AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND WHEREAS PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS OF HAYS COUNTY HAVE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO SUPPRESSION OF FIRES AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS AND WHEREAS EACH DISPATCHER HAS EXHIBITED COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING, DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR JOB IN THE PAST YEAR AND WHEREAS PUBLIC

[00:50:03]

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 12TH THROUGH 18TH, 2026 AS NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK ADOPTED

THIS THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> YES.

>> JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES.

>> THERE WE ARE. THANK YOU, SHERIFF.

ALL OF THE THINGS WE ARE SAYING WITHOUT EVER OPENING THAT OUT.

TITLE. >> I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE COMBINED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR HOSTING THIS PROCLAMATION.

I ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT THE COURT PROVIDES TO THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE RENDERING TO THE PUBLIC.

GOING DOWN THE LIST OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO MAKE COMMENT ON SO I DON'T MISS ANYBODY BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I DO THIS.

I WANT TO THANK THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, ARE ESD'S, OTHER CITY PARTNERS, THOSE WORKING WITH ME% MAKING SURE WE ARE PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. ONE THING THAT I REALLY WANT TO HONE IN ON THIS YEAR IS OUR TRAINERS.

WE HAVE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION TRAINERS THAT PUT IN THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR TRAINING UP ADDITIONAL STAFF TO SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS AS WELL AS OPENING A SECOND CHANNEL FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

A LOT OF WORK THAT IS GOING IN THERE AND IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB ON YOUR OWN BUT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO COACH SOMEONE INTO DOING THE JOB, IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR MANAGERS, WE HAVE THREE MANAGERS, MEGAN JONES, DELIVERANCE STACY JOHNSTON.

THEY ARE AMAZING AND LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THEY ARE DOING. THEY COULD NOT BE HERE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL WORKING REALLY HARD TO TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

WE ALWAYS WANT TO BE ON THE LEADING EDGE WITH THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING AND SO WE ARE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW WITH TECHNOLOGY, IMPLEMENTING NEW NATIONAL STANDARDS AND SO THEY ARE WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY RIGHT NOW.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY RIGHT HAND PERSON, LIEUTENANT RIFE.

WITHOUT HIM -- HE BRINGS THE CALM TO OUR SITUATION.

HE IS AN AMAZING LEADER AND I'M SO THANKFUL TO HAVE HIM AS OUR PARTNER. THANK YOU AND WE APPRECIATE YOU

VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS WE APPRECIATE THE PROCLAMATION.

I LOOK FORWARD TO APRIL EACH MONTH OR EACH YEAR BECAUSE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CHIEF AND I TO BRAG ON THE FOLKS THAT WE GET TO WORK WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AS FAR AS THE EASY OWES, THEY ARE THE HEROES BEHIND THE HEADSET. THE CALM IN THE STORM.

I AM HONORED TO BE ABLE TO WALK INTO DISPATCH EVERY SI SINGLE DY AND WATCH EACH ONE OF THEM WORK WITH THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE INTEGRITY AND THE PASSION THAT THEY SHOW UP TO WORK WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF HAYS COUNTY.

THAT WHEN THEY CALL 911, THAT POLICE, FIRE, EMS GETS THERE WITHIN MINUTES. I AM HONORED TO BE THE SHERIFF HERE OF HAYS COUNTY BECAUSE I GET TO SEE THE WORK, THE FIVE THAT ARE HERE AND THE OTHER 39 THAT WORK IN OUR OFFICE EVERY SINGLE DAY. THEY TRULY CARE ABOUT THEIR JOB AND THERE'S A REASON REASON WHY THE STATE OF TEXAS DEEMED OUR DISPATCHERS AND CALL TAKERS FIRST RESPONDERS.

THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF CALLS THAT THEY TAKE EACH MONTH AND THEY DO IT WITH PRIDE AND THEY DO IT WITH -- AS IF THEIR FAMILY MEMBER IS CALLING 911. I'M SUPER PROUD OF THEM AND I'M HONORED TO RECOGNIZE THEM THIS WEEK BUT I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I APPRECIATE THEM EVERY SINGLE WEEK OF THE YEAR.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF.

COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> THE BEST WAY TO PUT IT IS YOU ARE THE LAST PERSON WE EVER WANT TO TALK TO BUT MAN, THEY ARE THANKFUL WHEN THEY DO. I KNOW THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE HAD A REALLY HARD TIME NOT ONLY FILLING THOSE POSITIONS BUT MAINTAINING THOSE EMPLOYEES. AND I AM VERY PROUD OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COURT WHO HAVE STEPPED UP AND REEVALUATED IN BETWEEN A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT WE NEEDED TO DO

[00:55:02]

CRITICAL MOMENTS AND THANK YOU. >> ECHOING WHAT COMMISSIONER SMITH SAID. BEING ON THE OTHER END OF A CALL AND SUCH A HIGH STRESS POINT IN THEIR LIVES, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. I DON'T THINK THAT PEOPLE BRAG ON YOU ENOUGH WITH THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE AND I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN GENERAL.

SINCE HIPOLITO HAS STEPPED IN AND OBVIOUSLY CHIEF BAILEY, IT'S BEEN SUCH A NIGHT AND DAY. NOT SAYING ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE PREVIOUS BUT YOU ARE REALLY GREAT AND WORKING WITH EVERYBODY AND YOU SEE THINGS THROUGH DIFFERENT LENSES AND

IT'S AWESOME TO WATCH. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE DISPATCHES FROM THE WORK THAT THEY DO.

THAT IS ANOTHER POSITION THAT TAKES A VERY SPECIAL SKILLS THAT THEY'RE NOT EVERYONE CAN DO THOSE POSITIONS.

I HAVE HAD TO CALL THAT NUMBER A COUPLE TIMES.

IT IS ALWAYS MY EXPERIENCE THAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY CALMING AND IN A TIME WHERE I FEEL VERY CHAOTIC.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO EVERY DAY.

IT DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. YES, I WANT TO THANK EACH ONE OF YOU. YOU ARE THE CRITICAL FIRST POINT OF CONTACT IN EMERGENCIES. YOU PROVIDE COMMON COMPASSION TO THOSE IN NEED AND SO WE ARE HERE TO HONOR YOU TODAY AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS PROFESSION.

AND YES, I AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR EACH ONE OF YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I WILL SAY THAT -- I SAID THIS PUBLICLY SO NO ONE WILL GET THEIR FEELINGS HURT OR EVEN CARE BUT I SAID NUMEROUS TIMES, THEY ARE MY FAVORITE COMMISSIONER AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THEIR WAY OF THINKING.

I TIE THAT MESSAGE AND BECAUSE HE WAS THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COMBINED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER.

I TOOK HIS PLACE IN THAT SPOT WHEN HE CAME OFF THE COURT.

I WATCHED THE TRANSITION THAT COMMISSIONER HAMMER JUST REFERENCED AND IT'S NO SNUB ON PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS OR EFFORTS. I WAS TALKING TO OUR FORMER SHERIFF JUST A WEEK AGO BUT IT IS VERY DIFFERENT, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, I WATCHED IT FIRST-HAND AND I CAN'T BE MORE THANKFUL FOR BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN A ROOM FULL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTER LEADERSHIP, WE WERE HAVING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AND YOU HEARD SNIPPETS OF IT IN THIS MORNING'S CONVERSATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS. TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.

LOTS OF THINGS NEED TO HAPPEN. AND THE STATE AND THE FEDS REQUIRE EVOLUTION OF OUR 911 SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU CALL, BY GOLLY WE BETTER GET IT AND WE BETTER GET IT RIGHT. THERE IS NO VARIATION ALOUD.

SO THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE FIGHTING EVERY SECOND TO GIVE YOU A TIMELY INTELLIGENT RESPONSE THAT IS MOST MEAN MEANINGFUL. AND WHEN I SAW CHIEF BAILEY AND HIS WILLINGNESS, THANKS TO SHERIFF HIPOLITO.

WHAT I WAS PUSHING FOR, THANK YOU TO STEPHANIE FOR LEADING THAT CHARGE, I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT IT'S REASONABLE AND WE SHOULD DO IT. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

IT'S MY OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE FIREFIGHTERS LEADERSHIP, THANK YOU TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR COOPERATING AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE FIRST RESPONDER ENERGY AS A WHOLE AND THANK YOU STEPHANIE FOR LEADING SUCH A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION. WHEN YOU WERE IN MY OFFICE AND YOU SAID WELL, NOW YOU ARE THE CHAIR OF THE 911.

I JUST TOLD YOU MOST SIMPLY, LET'S MAKE A SINGLE ONE-PAGE DOCUMENT THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

WHO KNEW THAT THAT ONE CONVERSATION, THAT ONE ASK FOR ME TO YOU WAS GOING TO BE SO MUCH WORK.

BUT I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL BECAUSE YOUR HEART IS IN IT.

MOST INCREDIBLY EMILY DON'T ALWAYS GET THE CHANCE, WE DON'T, WE JUST DON'T, TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND PRAISE THOSE PEOPLE THAT YOU NEVER SEE. I BEGU 90% OF THE PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE YET YOU HOLD SUCH A CRITICAL SPACE IN OUR GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS. LITERALLY, FOUNDATIONAL, BACKBONE LEVEL OF OPERATIONS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

I SEE IT ALSO CLEAR AND I AM SO GRATEFUL AND THOSE CHANGES CAME IN MY OPINION BECAUSE I SERVED FOR SEVEN YEARS AS A DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. BECAUSE I WAS OUT THERE ON THE

[01:00:03]

ALL OF YOU, ANYBODY INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF THIS PICTURE, PLEASE COME ON UP. ♪ ♪

[F.6. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing April 12-18, 2026, as National Animal Control Appreciation Week. INGALSBE/HIPOLITO]

CONTROL APPRECIATION WEEK. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> THANK YOU.

>> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL APPRECIATION WEEK. WHEREAS ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS AND ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL PERSONNEL WORK TIRELESSLY TO PROTECT ANIMALS AND PEOPLE AND FORCED LAWS, RESCUE ANIMALS IN NEED AND PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP AND WHEREAS THESE PROFESSIONALS RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES, AS HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SAFEGUARD PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH DISEASE PREVENTION AND HUMANE ENFORCEMENT AND WHEREAS THERE DEDICATION ENSURES THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES ANIMALS AND RESIDENTS OFTEN WORKING IN CHALLENGING AND UNPREDICTABLE CONDITIONS AND WHEREAS ANIMAL CONTROL APPRECIATION WEEK IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DURING THE SECOND FULL WEEK OF APRIL HONORING THE VITAL WORK OF THESE PROFESSIONALS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HAYS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PROCLAIMS APRIL 12 THROUGH 18TH, 2026, IS NATIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL APPRECIATION WEEK ADOPTED THIS THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL 2026.

>> PERFECT. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> JUDGE BECERRA. >> WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON

THIS AGENDA ITEM? >> GOOD MORNING, CHIEF BAILEY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING ON THIS PROCLAMATION.

I HAVE 1000 THINGS RUNNING THROUGH MY MIND SO I WILL TRY HARD TO BE CLEAR AND CONCISE WHILE I TALK ABOUT THIS BUT IT IS A TREMENDOUS HONOR TO STAND HERE TODAY.

I HAVE A FEW THINGS I NEED TO GIVE BEFORE I START TALKING ABOUT THE ACO. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. LITERALLY RUNNING CIRCLES AROUND ME AND THE RELATIONSHIPS HE'S BUILDING AND THE AGENCY.

WHEN HE SAID HE WALKS INTO DISPATCH EVERY DAY, HE WASN'T EXAGGERATING. EVERY SINGLE DAY HE MAKES AN EFFORT TO TOUCH AND SPEAK TO EVERYONE THAT WORKS AT THE PSV.

THANK YOU FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SAN MARCUS ANIMAL SHELTER AND ALL OTHERS IN THE COUNTY AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE WORK WITH. THIS IS EXTREMELY POLARIZING AND TODAY WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST SAY THANK YOU AND RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO ARE DOING THE HARD WORK.

I WILL GIVE SOME REAL TALK HERE. I KNOW THAT I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THAT DAYS LIKE THIS WHEN THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF THANK YOU SO YOUR ROUND, THAT IT'S JUST DEPARTMENT HEADS AND

[01:05:01]

I AM FORTUNATE TO STAND HERE IN FRONT OF OUR ENTIRE ACO STOCK.

WE HAVE 2 TENURED ACO'S AND TWO RELATIVELY NEW ONES ALONG WITH THEIR FEARLESS LEADER JOHN TRINIDAD, THEIR CORPORAL.

THANK YOU JOHN FOR ALL OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH THE SHERIFF AND I IN THIS REGARD.

I WILL WRAP UP BY SAYING, IT TRULY IS AN HONOR TO WORK WITH THESE FOLKS. THEY ARE NOT THANKED ENOUGH AND THE SHERIFF AND I ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. ANYONE ELSE?

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> THIS IS ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT DIVISION THAT PROVIDES VITAL SERVICES AND I WOULD IMAGINE SOMETIMES DANGEROUS SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS VERY MUCH NEEDED AND WE DO APPRECIATE YOU.

YOU ARE IMPORTANT AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE PROBABLY BEEN OVERWORKED IN YOUR CAPACITIES AND WE ARE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO. THANK YOU SHERIFF HIPOLITO AND CHIEF BAILEY FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT TEAM AS WELL.

ON OUR PUBLIC HEALTH, TRYING TO WORK WITH ACO'S AND BUILDING OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, REALLY IMPORTANT TOO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER. >> FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, IT'S BEEN AMAZING TO SEE. I PICKED UP A PIT BULL LAST YEAR AND WAS ABLE TO SEE OUR ACO'S WORK IN ACTION.

AND THE FACT THAT THEY TRULY DO CARE ABOUT THE ANIMALS AND THAT THEY DO EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN TO LOVE ON THEM AND GET THEM IN THE PROPER PLACES, YOU DON'T SEE THAT VERY OFTEN SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR HAVING SUCH KIND HEARTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT JOB AND DO IT EFFECTIVELY.

WE ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF Y'ALL AND YOUR LEADERS WITHIN THE DIVISION. THANK YOU.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF OUR S OWES, THREE WEEKS AGO AND THE TOPIC OF OUR ACO'S CAME UP AND HE SAID MAN, I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE ON PATROL AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN THAT HAVE TO DO THAT JOB.

I DON'T ENVY THEM IN THE LEAST. IT'S A TOUGH JOB AND IT'S REALLY APPRECIATED WHAT YOU'LL DO. AT TIMES, THEY ARE NOT THE MOST CRITICAL CALLS THAT I GET BUT SOME OF THE HEART IS THAT I GET ARE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH ANIMAL INTERACTIONS AND Y'ALL ARE ALWAYS RESPONSIVE AND HAVE ALWAYS DONE A GREAT JOB.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU.

WE HEARD A FEW LETTERS AND I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE STAY WITH US THAT DON'T KNOW. ACO'S ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.

I HEARD ALSO PSP, PUBLIC SAFETY I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE SEE THIS AND WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME.

IT'S MY HOPE THAT I NEVER FORGET, BEING IN THE AUDIENCE AND HEARING THINGS AND NOT REALIZING WHAT WAS JUST SAID SOMETIMES SO I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE, IT'S ABOUT ME REMEMBERING WHEN I SAT THERE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU SEE AND FEEL THE FULL CONVERSATION TAKING PLACE, BUT, YES,, THIS EFFORT TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE AND PETS IS A VERY BIG DEAL.

WE HAVE DONE A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS WITHIN AND I DON'T APPRECIATE THE PACE AT WHICH GOVERNMENT MOVES, STILL HOLDS TRUE. WE HAVE KYLE, ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS HERE TOO. IT IS A UNIFIED EFFORT.

IT IS ALL OF THE ABOVE THAT ARE WORKING IN THIS SPACE AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP, THANK YOU FOR THE COLLABORATION. EVEN OUR CIVIL DIVISION HAS THE UPDATE ORDINANCES SO THAT WE HAVE A UNIFIED FOOTPRINT IN WHAT WE ARE DOING AND THERE IS A LOT TO IT JUST SO THAT YOU CAN DO THE VERY TOUGH JOB AS EVERYONE HAS HEARD.

I WOULD SIMPLY LIKE TO ECHO, FOR SURE, AND SIMPLY SAY THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO. THAT'S COME ON UP FOR A PICTURE.

[F.7. Adopt a Proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. BECERRA]

[01:11:34]

>> ADOPT THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 2026 AS PREVENTION OF ANIMAL CRUELTY MONTH.

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 2026 AS PREVENTION OF ANIMAL CRUELTY MONTH. WHEREAS APRIL, MARKS PREVENTION OF ANIMAL CRUELTY TO ANIMALS MONTH, A NATIONWIDE OBSERVANCE DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS AND FINDING WAYS TO COMBAT ANIMAL NEGLECT AND CRUELTY AND WHEREAS ANIMALS PLAN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR LIVES FOR MANY FIND COMFORT AND SECURITY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF ANIMALS. AND WHEREAS ALL THOSE ANIMALS PLAY SUCH A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN OUR LIVES, THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE ANIMALS ARE NEGLECTED AND ABUSED.

AND WHEREAS THE MONTH OF APRIL IS DEDICATED TO SPREAD AWARENESS OF THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT THAT ANIMALS MAY ENDURE.

A TIME FOR US TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO ANIMALS AND HERE IN HAYS COUNTY WE CARE ABOUT THE LIVES OF ANIMALS AGAINST THOSE WHO'VE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEGLECT AND INTENTIONAL ABUSE OF DOMESTIC AND COMPANION ANIMALS. RECOGNIZE AND BE AWARE THAT THIS IN TURN CAN HELP PROTECT THOSE VULNERABLE TO SUCH VIOLENCE, THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF HAYS COUNTY DOES PROCLAIM APRIL AS PREVENTION OF ANIMAL CRUELTY MONTH IN HAYS COUNTY AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM ENDING COLLABORATION OF PREVENTING ANIMAL CRUELTY TO PROTECT ALL ANIMALS FROM NEGLECT AND ABUSE ADOPTED THIS THE 14TH DAY OF APRIL 2026.

>> BEAUTIFULLY DONE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH COMMISSIONER HAMMER COMMISSIONER COHEN COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, JUDGE BECERRA.

>> ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS? >> THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION FOR BOTH THIS AS WELL AS THE ANIMAL CONTROL AND PROTECTION OFFICERS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THOSE THINGS ARE VERY INTERRELATED.

ALSO AS WE HAVE BEEN HEARING THE PROCLAMATION AS IT'S BEEN RIGHT, THE LINK TO WHAT HAPPENS IN ANIMAL CRUELTY TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, WE SEE A LINK IN ANIMAL ABUSE TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CHILD ABUSE, VICTIMS OF ALL TYPES OF HIDEOUS CRIMES. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT POINT OUT THE REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER, THEY ARE OVERCAPACITY AND THERE ARE REQUESTS WITH INCREASED PROMOTION FOR ADOPTION AND FOSTERING RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE EIGHT DOGS ON A CRITICAL LIST SO ALL OF THESE THINGS MATTER FOR HUMAN FAMILIES BECAUSE WE DO CONSIDER OUR PETS FAMILIES.

I THANK YOU FOR THIS COURT'S CONTINUED RECOGNITION FOR IMPORTANT MATTERS TO BUILD SHELTERS AND PROGRAMS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

I AM SKIPPING SOMETHING. COMMISSIONERS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO

SAY SOMETHING? >> YOU AND SHERRY I KNOW HAS A

[01:15:03]

YEARS, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> THANK YOU TO ALL THE ANIMAL ADVOCATES OUT THERE WORKING TO PREVENT ANIMAL CRUELTY AND FOR YOUR WORK AS WELL, THANK YOU.

>> SOME OF WHAT Y'ALL DO ESPECIALLY IN THE ANIMAL ADVOCATES WITHIN HAYS COUNTY, IT IS A FULL-TIME JOB.

SOME OF YOU ARE RETIRED AND THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOREVER AND YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH CREDIT AS YOU DESERVE SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ADVOCATING FOR OUR ANIMALS.

THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO GET THEM ADOPTED AND FOSTERING AND PUSHING THAT MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR LITTLE FOR BABIES. I APPRECIATE THAT AND I

APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO. >> I KNOW ALL MY COLLEAGUES MENTIONED ANIMAL ADVOCATES HERE IN HAYS COUNTY.

TWO I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY POINT OUT OUR PAWS AND PALS.

WHILE THOSE TWO ORGANIZATIONS ARE THE MORE RECOGNIZABLE OUT THERE, I DON'T THINK A LOT OF OUR PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THAT THERE'S PROBABLY -- AND YOU CAN PROBABLY CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I WOULD VENTURE A GUESS THAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY WORKING ON ANIMAL ADVOCATES SEE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WHETHER THAT'S THE REGIONAL ORGANIZATION OR THOSE WHO CAME INTO MY OFFICE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, HE DOES 50 DOGS PER YEAR, THAT'S WHAT HE DOES EVERY YEAR.

WE HAVE SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY WHO CARES SO MUCH ABOUT OUR ANIMALS AND TRYING TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AND I WOULD

APPRECIATE ALL OF THEM. >> BEAUTIFUL AND THANK YOU.

COME UP FOR A PICTURE. >> THAT PUSHES US OUT.

[F.8. Presentation by the Hays County Homeless Coalition on the 2026 Point-in-Time Count (PIT Count). INGALSBE/COHEN/GONZALES]

>> ALSO KNOWN AS THE PITS COUNT. >> ALL YOURS.

>> MY NAME IS NANCY, I AM WITH THE HOMELESS COALITION FOR HAYS COUNTY AND I SERVE ON THE BOARD. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE COALITION, WE ARE THE LOCAL HOMELESS COALITION THAT REPRESENTS HAYS COUNTY AND OUR MEMBERS IN THE BALANCE OF STATE CONTINUED OF CARE WHICH IS LED BY THE HOMELESS COALITION, TEXAS HOMELESS NETWORK. SO WE ARE PART OF A GREATER GROUP AND WHAT WE ARE REPORTING ON TODAY IS THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT OR THE LETTERS THAT WE LOVE TO THROW AROUND IS PIT.

IF YOU SEE THE PIT ACCOUNT, THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE ANNUAL COUNT TAKEN. I WANT TO THANK YOU FIRST OF ALL ISABELLA, WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ERICA WITH BREAKING BREAD WHO TOOK THE LEAD THIS YEAR AS THE COORDINATORS FOR THIS BECAUSE IT'S A BIG JOB HAVING DONE IT FOR A FEW YEARS AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR NEW LEADERSHIP, ALWAYS SEEING THAT.

A GOOD SIGN THAT THAT SHOWS THE COALITION'S DOING PART OF THE ROLE. AGAIN THE COALITION FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE WORK, WE DON'T DO THE WORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS, WE BRING SERVICE PROVIDERS TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN COORDINATE EFFORTS AND SEE HOW WE CAN ADVOCATE TOGETHER TO

[01:20:05]

JUST AGAIN SO THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT WE DID ON THE POINT IN TIME COUNT THIS YEAR AND THE DATE IS SELECTED BY THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THAT ORGANIZATION IN WASHINGTON DOES THIS, THIS IS THE NATIONAL COUNT AND SO THEY PICK THE THIRD WEEK OF JANUARY USUALLY AND THEN THE TEXAS HOMELESS NETWORK HOPES TO SELECT THE DAY. WE HAVE DONE THIS ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH IN JANUARY AND SO THIS YEAR IT FELL ON JANUARY THE 22ND AND THE GOAL IS THIS TAKES A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS.

WE HAD ABOUT 70 VOLUNTEERS WHO PARTICIPATED.

IT'S A 24 HOURS CENSUS BASICALLY.

AND WHAT WE GET FROM THAT DETERMINES WHAT GOES ON THE ROLES FOR WHAT IS RECOGNIZED AS HOMELESSNESS IN HAYS COUNTY.

THIS IS A MERE SNAPSHOT. WE CAN'T FEEL TOO GOOD ABOUT THE NUMBERS IF THEY GO LOWER OR EVEN HIGHER, THAT IS STILL NOT REFLECTING THE ACTUAL SERVICES THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED AND THE NEED THAT IS THERE SO THIS IS WHAT THIS PARTICULAR DATA THAT COMES FROM THIS ACCOUNT NATIONALLY DIRECTS FUNDING NATIONALLY FOR ALL THE SUSTAINABLE FUNDING THAT PROVIDES SUPPORTING HOUSING, AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS RELATING TO HOUSING AND SERVICES. THE TWO CATEGORIES THAT WE ADDRESS WHEN OUR SURVEYORS ARE TRAINED TO GO OUT, WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE IN UNSHELTERED LOCATIONS.

WHERE IT'S A PLACE NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.

THEY CAN BE IN THEIR CAR. WE SEE MORE PEOPLE SLEEPING IN THEIR CAR AND STILL GOING TO WORK.

THEY GOT TO KEEP THEIR CAR BUT IT CAN BE UNDER A BRIDGE, IN THE WOODS, WHEREVER THEY CAN VOLK EIGHT THEMSELVES AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP. THE SHELTERED LOCATIONS FOR HAYS COUNTY, OUR POINT IN TIME IS THE NIGHT OF THE COUNT DATE.

OUR POINT IN TIME WAS WHO WAS SLEEPING IN SHELTER, EMERGENCY SHELTER, ONLY THE WOMEN'S SHELTER IS THE EMERGENCY SHELTER BUT FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING WE HAD SO SIDE DOING THEIR ACCOUNT, THEIR SURVEYS THERE AND SO THESE ARE THE TWO CATEGORIES, EMERGENCY SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL IS WHAT YOU CAN SEE ON YOUR SCREENS, PROVIDING SHORT-TERM HOUSING, IT'S NOT THE PERMANENT SOLUTION, IT'S THE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE GET OUT OF HOMELESSNESS WHILE THEY ARE WORKING ON WHATEVER ISSUES THAT STABILIZE THEM AND THEN THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO TAKE OVER. WHAT THEY COUNT TELLS US, LIKE I SAID, THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OR AN ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON THE NIGHT OF JANUARY THE 22ND, IT ALSO SHOWS TRENDS, WE CAN SEE ON THE DATA REPORT AND WE WILL SEE THIS IN JUST A MOMENT WHAT THE TREND HAS BEEN, WE HAVE DROPPED OFF A COUPLE YEARS, WE HAVE DONE THE POINT IN TIME COUNT FOR FIVE YEARS, SIX YEARS.

THIS WAS OUR SIXTH YEAR. WE DROPPED OFF HALF ONLY DOING A THREE YEAR COMPARISON OF THE DATA, AND ALSO ABOUT THE INSIGHTS, THIS IS CRITICAL TO A SOLUTION, THE INSIGHTS INTO HOUSING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE IN HAYS COUNTY.

WE ARE NOT UNIQUE. WE FIT INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING NATIONALLY. WE LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO ON THE LEVEL OF THE COUNTY THAT WE ARE IN.

SO YOU CAN SEE THE CURRENT 2026 NUMBERS, WE HAD UNSHELTERED,

[01:25:01]

AND THE SHELTERED WAS 57. WHEN YOU SEE THE BLUE, THE BRIGHT BLUE BAND, IT MEANS THEY WERE ONLY OBSERVATIONS AND SURVEYORS ARE TRAINED TO HOPEFULLY MAKE THAT THERE ARE LEAST WAY OF ENGAGING WITH PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

THE OBSERVATIONS ARE CRITICAL WHEN YOU CAN APPROACH SOMEONE OR THEY DON'T WANT TO BE TALKED TO. YOU CAN APPROACH THEM BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GET PERMISSION TO SPEAK WITH THEM BUT IF THEY DON'T GIVE YOU PERMISSION, YOU CAN'T TALK TO THEM SO ALL YOU CAN DO IS DO AN OBSERVATION, YOU CAN STEP BACK AND OBSERVE AND IT'S WITH A FEW DATA POINTS WITH GENDER, RACE AND AGE, YOU ESTIMATE THEIR AGE SO YOU CAN SEE IF YOU GO BACK ONE MORE THEN YOU CAN SEE HOW IT LOOKS LIKE WE KIND OF FLIPPED NUMBERS IN 2025, WE HAD LESS UNSHELTERED AND MORE SHELTERED.

WE HAVE TO REMIND YOU THAT THAT WAS A COLD-WEATHER NINTH LAST YEAR AND WHEN THERE IS A COLD-WEATHER NIGHT AND THE SOUTH SIDE OPENS, THEY FALL INTO THE CATEGORY OF EMERGENCY SHELTER SO WE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE MORE PEOPLE AT SOUTHSIDE BECAUSE THEY WERE BEING SHELTERED. AND THEY WERE GOING TO SLEEP THERE THAT NIGHT. THAT IS THE SIGNIFICANT PART OF HOW THE NUMBERS LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

OBSERVATIONS, WE FELT LIKE WE WERE DOING MORE OBSERVATIONS THIS YEAR FOR -- ALSO THE PRESENCE OF ICE IN HAYS COMMUNITY IN THAT TIME FRAME. WE FELT LIKE PEOPLE WERE LAYING LOW FOR WHATEVER REASON. IT WAS HARDER TO FIND PEOPLE.

SOME PEOPLE TO FIND THEM AND LOCATE THEM BUT SOME OF IT WAS GETTING THEM TO TALK TO YOU SO WE FEEL LIKE THEY WERE A LITTLE RELUCTANT TO SPEAK JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE A AREA. AGE SUMMARY, YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE DEMOGRAPHIC SHOWED. THIS IS THE VALUE OF DATA.

THIS IS WHY THE SURVEYORS ARE SO CRITICAL BECAUSE THAT MEANS THEY'VE GONE THROUGH UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND EVERYONE HAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTION. THEY ARE TAKING THE ANSWERS AND AND THOSE NUMBERS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE TEXAS HOMELESS NETWORK WHO THEN SENDS US BACK THE REPORT THAT YOU ARE SEEING TO TODAY. MOST OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE AGE GROUPS GOING FROM 25 ON UP TO 64 ARE IN THE UNSHELTERED GROUP. THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

WHEN WE HAVE THAT MANY FOLKS AND THAT AGE RANGE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE UNABLE TO BE SHELTERED FOR WHATEVER REASON WHETHER THAT BARRIERS THAT PREVENT THEM OR JUST THE AFFORDABILITY OR THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE BEING STABLY HOUSED OR THE VOLUME OF HOUSING THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. THAT IS ONE OF THOSE RESPONSES THAT WE RECOGNIZE AS A NEED FOR MORE INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SOLUTIONS. >> WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THE CHART THAT YOU JUST SHOWED, IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO IT, IT REALLY IS IN URBANIZED AREAS WHERE YOU SEE A LARGE NUMBER IN THE 18 TO 24 CATEGORY. WE ARE EXACTLY OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU WOULD ANTICIPATE THERE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LARGE AREAS LIKE PORTLAND OR CHICAGO, NEW YORK, THAT CATEGORY MOSTLY HAVE DECIDED TO LEAVE WHATEVER FAMILY ENVIRONMENT THEY ARE IN, THAT IS A MAJOR CATEGORY TO HAVE THAT MUCH LOWER THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN THE OTHER CATEGORIES HAS SPRUNG.

>> WE HAVE SOME THINGS THAT ARE UNIQUE BECAUSE OF HOW WE ARE IDENTIFIED AS THE RURAL COUNTY AND A LOT OF TIMES WHERE WE ARE BEING LOOKED AT FOR FUNDING AND THINGS,WE ARE A REAL MIX OF -- WHEN YOU SEE THE MAP, YOU WILL SEE WHERE MOST OF OUR PEOPLE WERE LOCATED. STILL IN SAN MARCUS.

GENDER, WE STILL SEE THAT THERE ARE MORE MEN THAT ARE -- WE ARE ENGAGING WITH AND LOCATING. SPEAKING WITH.

WE DID HAVE SOME DATA ISSUE BUT THE TEXAS HOMELESS NETWORK IS STILL WORKING ON THAT WITH THE COMPANY.

THERE WAS SOME GLITCH SO WHEN WE FIRST SAW THE REPORT, THERE WAS

[01:30:04]

WE KNOW THEY ALL HAD GENDER SO WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET THAT TO COME UP ON OUR REPORT. ETHNICITY AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE THAT MOST RESPONDENTS WERE HISPANIC AND WHITE.

THOSE ARE THE TWO PROMINENT GROUPS THAT SHOW UP IN OUR.

THE ADDITIONAL POPULATIONS ARE CRITICAL BECAUSE THESE ARE THE GROUPS THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO WORK WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE THAT HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THEY ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT HIV AND AIDS AND BE REMINDED THAT THIS IS SELF DECLARATION. HOW THEY ANSWER THE QUESTION IS THE WAY THE ANSWER GOES IN AND THEY DON'T SHOW ANY VERIFICATION OF ANYTHING. THERE IS NOTHING THAT SHOWS DOCUMENTATION BUT WE RELY ON THEM TO ANSWER TO THEIR BEST KNOWLEDGE. ADULTS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, YOU CAN SEE THAT NU NUMBER.

ADULTS WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE. AGAIN REMEMBER, I KNOW THE COURT REMEMBERS THIS BUT FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THIS, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT OUR SURVEYORS ARE TRAINED TO ASK IS WOULD YOU RATHER NOT ANSWER THIS QUESTION OR DO YOU NOT KNOW? THERE ARE TWO THINGS.

THE DEMOGRAPHICS DON'T NECESSARILY MATCH UP TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE TALKED TO. IF THEY DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION AND THEN THE ANSWER IS JUST NO.

NO INFORMATION COLLECTED. CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SLEEPING OVER A LONGER LENGTH OF TIME. THEY ARE PROBABLY WHAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE IN THEIR VISUAL IMAGE OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE.

PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING ON THE STREETS WITH THEIR HEALTH ISSUES, THEIR MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR WHATEVER AND SO WE DID LOCATE 17 PEOPLE BUT THOSE ARE THE HARDEST TO HOUSE.

THAT IS NOT A SURPRISING NUMBER 4 THAT MANY FOLKS IN THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS. VETERANS, AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE WHAT WE ARE SEEING. WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE, VETERAN ASSISTED SUPPORTED HOUSING WHICH ARE MANAGED BY OUR HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE VA WHO COLLABORATE ON MANAGING THOSE. THAT IS ONGOING WORK TO LOCATE VETERANS THAT ARE READY. IT'S WHEN THEY ARE READY THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER HOUSING. SOME OF THAT IS THE CHALLENGE.

THIS IS THE MAP OR YOU CAN SEE WHERE -- THIS MOBILE APP DROPS POINTS EVERY TIME SOMEONE SIMMONS A SURVEY SO THAT IS WHERE THIS MAP COMES FROM. THE DATA THAT IS CREATED AND YOU CAN SEE WE DIDN'T LOCATE ANYONE IN DRIPPING SPRINGS AND ANYONE TO TALK TO IN WIMBERLEY. THEY DID A COUPLE OF OBSERVATIONS BUT MOST WERE OF THE CORRIDOR, THE 35 CORRIDOR WITH THE MOST CONCENTRATED AREA STILL BEING SAN MARCUS.

YOU CAN SEE THE TRENDS OVER T TIME.

HOMELESSNESS, THE INCREASE IS UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS.

IS SUGGESTS TERRAIN AND BARRIERS TO ACCESSING SHELTER.

INDICATING A SHIFT TO MORE ACUTE AND VISIBLE FORMS OF HOMELESSNESS. THAT ALSO HELPS OUR ORGANIZATIONS IF THEY ARE GOING AFTER NEW PROGRAMMING.

ONCE THEY SEE WHAT THEY ARE FOCUSING THEIR DOLLARS ON AND WE KNOW THAT AFTER THEY RELEASE THE REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, THAT GUIDES A LOT OF THAT FEDERAL FUNDING AND SOME OF OUR STATE FUNDING ALSO BUT OUR ROLE AS THE COALITION IS TO TRY TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE IN FRONT OF YOU AND ALL OF EVERY CITY COUNCIL AND EVERY MUNICIPALITY AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER TO MAKE SOME SUSTAINABLE CHANGES. HOUSING WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST. AGAIN WHEN YOU HEAR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THERE IS A GREAT GAP BETWEEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LOW-INCOME HOUSING. LOW-INCOME HOUSING IS NOT BAD NEWS. IT IS NOT.

SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT IS PUBLIC HOUSING WHICH AGAIN GETS THAT

[01:35:04]

ARE IN A BIND. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

YOU CAN GO BACK TO THAT. WHY IN 2024, DID THEY COUNT THE OBSERVED BUT IF YOU LOOK AT TWAIN 25 AND TOO SIX NUMBERS IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THEY DID NOT PUT IN THE 18 AND THE 31

OBSERVED INTO THOSE COUNTS. >> THE OBSERVED ARE ALWAYS IN THE ACCOUNT BUT THEY ARE REFLECTED IN THE UNSHELTERED

COUNT. >> I KNOW.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT HAYS COUNTY POINT IN TIME COUNTS ON THE FIRST PAGE, 2024, THE TOTAL OF UNSHELTERED UNSHELTERED WAS 210 ADDING IN THE OBSERVED WOULD HAVE BEEN 246 BUT THEN YOU LOOK AT 2025 AND 2026, THE TOTAL WAS 187, 151 WITHOUT ADDING IN THE

OBSERVED. >> THAT IS A TYPO THAN BECAUSE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN. YOU DON'T GET TO SPEAK TO THEM.

COUNTING THOSE IS JUST UNSHELTERED SO THAT WAS A MISTAKE THAT WE NEED TO CORRECT. THANK YOU FOR CATCHING THAT.

>> BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE. >> HI, I'M LISA YOUNG, BUT COCHAIR OF THE HAYS COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOOD BANK.

YOU HAVE SEEN ME BEFORE BUT FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD.

LET ME TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE MCKINNEY REPORT.

WHEN WE FIRST SEE THE NUMBERS FROM THE PIT COUNT, IT IS ONE NUMBER. 150, 151, 246.

BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT -- WE DID NOT GO SHAKE DOWN EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE COUNTY AND ASK THEM THESE QUESTIONS SO WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME UNCOUNTED PEOPLE AND WE CAN TAKE FROM THE PIT COUNT WHAT WE WILL BUT IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, YOU MAY REMEMBER BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN MY KIDS WERE LITTLE, A BIG OLD STACK OF PAPERS AND NOW IT'S ONLINE BUT THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL YOU GET A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT ABOUT YOUR KIDS AND ONE OF THEM IS YOU MAY RECALL, A QUESTION THAT WILL ASK ARE YOU LIVING IN A HOME THAT YOU OWN OR YOU ARE THE LEASEHOLDER OF? ARE YOU LIVING WITH FAMILY? ARE YOU LIVING IN A SHELTER? WHAT THEY ARE GATHERING THERE IS THE MCKINNEY VENTO REPORT. EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS FEDERALLY MANDATED TO DO THIS AND ALL THE ONES IN THE COUNTY HAVE SHARED THEIR DATA WITH US. THIS DATA WAS NOT TAKEN ON THE PIT COUNT NIGHT BUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

ONE THING I SAY AT THE FOOD BANK IS THAT ALL ROCKY ROADS LEAD TO THE FOOD BANK AND THAT'S WHY I DO ALL THIS WORK WITH THE HOMELESS COALITION AND OTHER GROUPS IN TOWN.

EVERY PROCLAMATION THAT WE CELEBRATED TODAY LEADS INTO THESE NUMBERS. THESE NUMBERS ARE THE CHILDREN REGISTERED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. IF YOU LOOK AT THESE TOTALS, IF YOU LOOK AT DRIPPING SPRINGS WHERE WE COUNTED NO ONE FOR PIT COUNT, 35 CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN HOMELESSNESS.

WIMBERLEY, 11. AND THEN SAN MARCUS 105 AND THEN IT'S SAYS HAYS TOTAL, IT MEANS HAYS SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND NOT THE TOWNS. ALL OF THESE CHILDREN, 238 ARE HOMELESS IN OUR COUNTY THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THEIR PARENTS, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY SIBLINGS THAT HAVE AGED OUT AND ARE NO LONGER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL OR HAVE DROPPED OUT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE INFANTS. IT ONLY INCLUDES SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, REGISTERED WHOSE PARENTS FILLED OUT THE REPORT.

WE KNOW IT'S NOT OVER REPORTED AND THAT IT REFLECTS NONE OF THESE CHILDREN THAT ARE FILLING THIS OUT THEMSELVES.

THEY DO NOT LIVE ALONE IN HOMELESSNESS, THEY LIVE IN A HOUSEHOLD BUT WE CAN ONLY COUNT THE CHILD IN THOSE NUMBERS.

THESE NUMBERS TO ME ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BOTH SPOUSE OR DATING VIOLENCE BUT ALSO VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN.

THAT LEADS INTO THESE NUMBERS. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EMERGENCY SERVICES. AND EVEN ONE THING THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND THIS IS PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS DEALING WITH PETS, IT

[01:40:02]

AND YES, THIS IS THE MINORITY OF OUR POPULATION BUT ABSOLUTELY THE MOST WILL NORMAL PART OF OUR POPULATION.

PEOPLE WHO IN A FRIEZE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE.

PEOPLE WHO CANNOT GET WHAT THEY NEED AND DEFINITELY PEOPLE THAT WE SEE AT THE FOOD BANK EVERY SINGLE DAY.

BESIDES BEING HERE IN COUNTY COURT TODAY, I AM VERY BOOTS ON THE GROUND. IT'S SKETCHERS ON THE GROUND BUT I AM OUT THERE AND I HAVE SEEN THE CHILDREN IN THESE ENCAMPMENTS. IT IS HEART-WRENCHING, EYE-OPENING AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY SHOULD BE ON OUR MIND WITH EVERY DECISION THAT WE MAKE.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ON BEHALF OF THE HOMELESS COALITION WHICH REPRESENTS I THINK 35 AT THIS POINT. HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND FOR THE FUNDING THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE FOOD BANK OVER THE YEARS AND THE ONES THAT ARE DEALING EVEN MORE DIRECTLY WITH HOMELESS SERVICES.

WE ARE ONLY PROVIDING FOOD RELIEF.

LAST YEAR, WHEN WE CAME HERE TO MAKE THIS PRESENTATION TO YOU, THE BIG ASK THAT WE HAVE WAS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR COOPERATION, WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP IN INCLUDING OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS IN EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLANNING MORE INTENTIONALLY AS A COUNTY BE BEFORE.

WE HAVE BEEN MEETING FOR NINE MONTHS I WANT TO SAY ON THAT WHEN DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES AND WITH THE COUNTY AND I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS. THE OFFICE HAS BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN BEEN THERE WITH THEIR LISTENING EARS TO MOVE FORWARD. WE DON'T LIKE TO MAKE HUGE CHANGES SUPER QUICKLY AND CHANGE BACK AND FORTH ON PEOPLE, OF COURSE BUT MOVING FORWARD TO INCLUDE THOSE PEOPLE HAS BEEN REALLY GRATIFYING AND HAS REALLY FELT LIKE A BIG WIN FOR OUR ORGANIZATION HAND-IN-HAND WALKING SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH THE COUNTY. THIS YEAR WE HAVE ANOTHER ASK FOR YOU BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T JUST COME UP WITHOUT ASKING YOU FOR SOMETHING WITHOUT OUR HAT IN OUR HAND.

THAT IS THAT ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WITHIN THE COALITION, MANY OF THEM ARE FUNDED BY YOU OR MUNICIPALITIES OR BOTH. SOME EVEN BY STATE OR FEDERAL MONEY. AND WE ARE SEEKING TO MEET WITH YOU AND MOVE TOWARD A MORE CONSISTENT AND CONSOLIDATED FUNDING EFFORT FOR THE AREA OF HOMELESS SERVICES.

THERE IS MONEY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MONEY THERETHROUGH THERE ARE EMERGENCIES SOLUTIONS GRANTS THAT GOVERNENT UNITS CAN APPLY FOR AND WE ASK THAT YOU DO SO.

WE CAN PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU'D WANT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT ORGANIZATIONS.

SOME BIG AND SOME SMALL WORKING ON THIS BUT WE HAVE GROWN SO MUCH AS A COUNTY AND A LOT OF OUR SYSTEMS HAVE NOT GROWN WITH US. SOME OF THE THINGS WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO FIND TWO OR THREE PEOPLE AND HELP THEM OUT AND MOVE THEM FORWARD WORKED WHEN WE WERE JUST A LITTLE PRAIRIE.

BUT NOW WE ARE A BUSTLING -- THIS IS A BIG CITY.

MUNICIPALITIES, YOU ALL KNOW IN YOUR DISTRICTS, EVERYTHING HAS GROWN AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE KEPT NECESSARILY ON PACE WITH THAT GROWTH. I THINK THE COUNTY NEEDS TO LOOK AND ANALYSE HOW MUCH IT SPENDS PER CAPITA ON HUMAN SERVICES COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS AND TO CARVE THIS OUT SO THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS PREDICTABLE AND SUSTAINABLE SO THAT WE ARE NOT AS ORGANIZATIONS COMING UP SAYING WE RUN OUT OF MONEY AGAIN BECAUSE WE ARE FIGHTING POVERTY WITH POVERTY, WE ALWAYS SAY. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MORE CONSISTENT PLAN TO APPLY FOR THESE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WE WOULD NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE TO APPLY FOR.

THOSE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION, FOR RAPID REHOUSING, FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER AND FORESTRY OUTREACH AND ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER WILL GO TO LOWER THESE NUMBERS INTO THE FUTURE.

MY PARTICULAR HEART NUMBERS, LOOKING AT THE REPORT AND I KNOW HOW MANY CHILDREN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY AND SOME ARE LIVING WITHOUT A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

[01:45:01]

NOW. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS, ANY COMMENTS OR CONCERNS?

>> JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU BOTH TO LISA AND NANCY FOR ALL THE WORK. I KNOW IT TOOK A GROUP EFFORT BUT Y'ALL ARE A LOT OF TIMES THE FACES OF HOMELESSNESS AND FOOD BANK AND I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING AND BRINGING THIS INFORMATION TO US EVERY YEAR AND JUDGE, TO STEP UP IN SOME AREAS. CANDACE, MAY BE LOOKING AT YOU IN OUR GRANT DEPARTMENT THAT WE CAN HOPEFULLY HELP AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL GRANTS THAT CAN ALSO ASSIST IN THIS EFFORT. I REALLY APPRECIATE AND I WANT

TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN. >> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PRESENTATION. I ALWAYS FIND IT FASCINATING TO SEE HOW WE'VE EVOLVED OVER THE GROWTH OF THE COUNTY.

IT'S ALWAYS DISHEARTENING TO SEE THE CHILDREN THAT ARE DISPLACED OR HOMELESS AND IT'S AN AREA WHERE I THINK US AS A COUNTY AND FIND AVENUES OF FUNDING LIKE THE GRANTS THAT YOU MENTION FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT AND SEE IF WE CAN HELP APPLY FOR THOSE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THAT YOU ALL DO AS COUNTY, WE DON'T HAVE THOSE INTERNAL PROCESSES OR SYSTEMS TO HELP BUT Y'ALL DO.

I THINK US FINDING THAT FUNDING ON Y'ALL'S BEHALF IS THE LEAST THAT WE COULD DO AS A COUNTY. I DO APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION

ON THE PRESENTATION. >> I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INFORMATION. I'M A BIG DATA PERSON SO ANY TYPE OF DATA, NUMBERS, EXCEL SPREADSHEETS, THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO REVIEW. I WILL SAY THAT THE GRANTS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT COMES UP, WE WOULD LOVE TO APPLY FOR THINGS AND I SAW CANDACE, ARE COUNTY DOWN AND TAKING NOTE OF THAT SO WE WILL DEFINITELY MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE EFFORTS. A BIG BELIEVER IN BIG COMMUNITY AND BIG CHURCH SO HOBART COMMUNITY CAN ALSO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR NEIGHBORS. THE POET PROCLAMATION THAT WE HAD THIS MORNING FOR THAT ONE WAS A REALLY GOOD POEM TO GIVE IT A BACKGROUND OF I DO THINK THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO STEP UP FOR ONE ANOTHER'S SO I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU WILL HAVE DONE AND WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> A COUPLE OBSERVATIONS.

>> IT IS SO HARD TO DO THE POINT IN TIME COUNT AND I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO IN JANUARY BUT AGAIN THAT ONE DAY IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PREPLANNING AND HOPING THEY ARE THERE THE ONE DAY YOU GET TO COUNT AND SHOW UP. I KNOW THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT THAT GOES INTO IDENTIFYING THOSE INDIVIDUALS BEFORE THE DATA COUNT. JUST TO LITERALLY KNOW WHERE THEIR PHYSICAL LOCATION IS TO TRY TO BRING THOSE TOGETHER.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

FOR THEIR BROAD PARTICIPATION IN THIS EFFORT IT IS NOT ONE EMPLOYEE AND A LOT OF EMPLOYEES WHO MADE A PERSONAL EFFORT TO BE INVOLVED AT THE POINT IN TIME COUNT AND I SINCERELY APPRECIATE OUR EMPLOYEES AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM.

A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO SAY THAT I FIND SHOCKING, MAYBE NOT SHOCKING BUT SURPRISING. LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS ARE THE SHEER SIZE OF HAYS ISD VERSUS THE OTHERS IN THE COUNTY.

EXPONENTIALLY LARGER, FIVE, SIX TIMES AS LARGE AS SAND MARCUS AND THAT IS THE SECOND LARGEST. DRIPPING HIS THIRD AND WIMBERLEY AFTER THAT. IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE THOSE NUMBERS FALL BECAUSE IT'S NOT SEEN IN THE NUMBERS.

GO AHEAD. >> TWO THINGS ON THE COMMONS YOU'VE ALREADY MADE. I'M SORRY TO COME IN THE MIDDLE.

FOR ONE THING, IN THE SAND THE N MARCUS, ALL OF THOSE ARE BEING COUNTED IN THAT DISTRICT UNLESS THEY ARE COMMUTING OUTSIDE.

>> YOU BEAT ME IN MY NEXT TALKING POINT.

>> THE OTHER THING, JUST TO CLARIFY, ABOUT THE METHODOLOGY ITSELF IS THAT WE DO HAVE WAR AGENCIES CAN COUNT BUT THEY DO HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION LOOKING BACK WHEN SOMEONE COMES TO GET A

[01:50:05]

MORE LIKE SIX OR SEVEN FROM THE FOOD BANK USUALLY.

>> IT'S THE SERVICE PROVIDER COUNT.

THAT IS HOW IT'S LABELED. THEY DID SHORTEN THE TIME.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS THAT THIS IS WHERE FAMILIES WILL IDENTIFY THAT THAT IS A NEED AND THAT IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHEN FAMILIES DON'T DECLARE THAT WHEN THEY ENROLLED, SOMETIMES IT WILL COME TO LIGHT LATER IN THE SCHOOL YEAR JUST BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION BUT A LOT OF IT MEANS THEY ARE MISSED BECAUSE THESE NUMBERS, ONCE THEY ARE TURNED IN, THEY HAVE TO TURN THEIR OFFICIAL REPORT IN LATER IN THAT FALL, IN OCTOBER. THOSE NUMBERS STAND SO THE NUMBERS THEY GIVE US OUR FROM THE ENROLLMENT BACK IN AUGUST AND THINGS COULD HAVE CHANGED A LOT OF IT IS JUST SOLD DESPERATION. THEY WILL ACTUALLY ASK.

>> I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH INDIVIDUAL OUTREACH TO SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SAY IF I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHERS BUT I KNOW IN DRIPPING THERE'S A SERVICE ORGANIZATION WHERE ON FRIDAY THEY LITERALLY SEND KIDS HOME WITH BACKPACKS FULL OF FOOD. THEY WILL HAVE FOOD OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT AVAILABILITY AT HOME.

ACCESSING THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, DOING A GREAT JOB.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO MORE OF IT.

THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY, I COMPLETELY GROUP MY COLLEAGUES WHEN IT COMES TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF GRANTS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS. I WOULD JUST FOR NEW, AND I SAY THIS WITH A FULL HEART, WE CAN'T BE EVERYTHING TO EVERYBODY.

WE WANT TO TRY TO HELP AS MUCH AS WE CAN BUT IN THE SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, ONLY 2 ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE COME IN MID-BUDGET AND ASKED FOR INCREASED FUNDING AND BOTH OF THEM ARE IMPACTING EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE FOOD BANK LAST YEAR AND SOUTH SIDES TWO WEEKS AGO.

KNOWING WHAT THAT MONEY IS ACTUALLY BEING USED FOR AND GETTING A REAL SET OF DATA FOR WHAT SOUTHSIDE WAS MENTIONING TODAY TALKING ABOUT THE SHELTERING THAT THEY'VE DONE AND THAT WAS THE BIG CELL THAT THEY HAD WHEN THEY CAME IN TWO WEEKS AGO. HAVING REAL NUMBERS AND REAL DATA AROUND THAT WOULD BE EXCEEDINGLY HELPFUL BECAUSE WHAT WE HEARD DURING THAT CONVERSATION AND I KNOW Y'ALL ARE WITH THAT ORGANIZATION BUT WHAT WE HEARD WAS THERE IS A NEED AND WHENEVER THERE'S A PROBLEM, THE COUNTY COMES TO US AND WE ARE THE ONES WHO STEP UP AND HELP.

THAT IS PROBABLY 100% ACCURATE DOES THAT MEAN THAT TO PEOPLE OR 50 PEOPLE? SIMILARLY WITH THE FOOD BANK, I KNOW WE STEPPED UP LAST YEAR WHENEVER THE NEED WAS THERE.

KNOWING WHAT THAT WENT TO A KNOWING HOW THOSE FUNDS WERE USED MAKES THE DECISION IN AUGUST WHEN WE ARE ACTUALLY IN OUR BUDGET PROCESS, I WON'T SAY IT MAKES IT EASIER BUT IT MAKES IT A LOT MORE SUSTAINABLE TO TRY TO SET UP SOMETHING FOR INTO THE FUTURE INSTEAD OF ONE TIME FUNDING.

I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE, GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW FOR ALL OF THESE PRIOR TO OUR BUDGET PROCESS AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER COHEN, LOS TAKE A REALLY HARD LOOK AT HOW WE CAN SET UP SOMETHING THAT IS SUSTAINABLE SET THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT BASELINE FUNDING WHERE IF WE DO APPLY FOR GRANTS AND WHEN WE DO MOVE FORWARD TO LOOKING AT OTHER FUNDING SOURCES, WE HAVE A UNIFIED BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE DATA TO SUPPORT IT.

>> I WILL SAY THIS, THAT THE WAY THAT WORKS A LOT OF TIME WITH HOMELESSNESS IS WHEN YOU PROJECT A PROJECT, SAY IT'S A PILOT PROJECT THAT SOMEONE IS DOING. WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA TO SHOW THEM. YOU HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEM COMING BACK TO YOU AND SHOWING YOU THE OUTCOME BUT IT'S BASED ON -- IT WOULD BE BASED ON MAY BE NUMBERS FROM THE ACCOUNT OR OTHER PIECES OF INFORMATION, NOT SPECIFIC TO THAT PROGRAM SO YOU NEED THAT UNDESIGNATED FUNDING IN SOME CASES TO RESPOND. THERE IS SOME RESPONSE FUNDING THAT YOU LEARN ABOUT HOW THE RESPONSE IS.

WHEN WASHINGTON PULLS BACK FUNDS THAT YOU DON'T SPEND, I THINK

[01:55:01]

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH.

OUR ORGANIZATIONS TO GO AND USE THE DATA COLLECTION, USE THOSE THAT ARE RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY SO THAT WHEN THEY COME TO YOU FOR AN ASK OR WE COME AS A GROUP FOR AN ASK, WE CAN SHOW YOU THE NUMBERS THAT SUPPORT WHY WE THINK WE NEED THAT PIECE.

A POT OF SUSTAINABLE FUNDING THAT IS HARDER TO GET WHEN YOU ARE DOING A PILOT PROJECT BUT BECAUSE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR COUNTY AND WHAT YOU SEE WITHIN YOUR DISTRICT, YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS NEED TO, YOU JUST CAN'T PUT NUMERATION YET TO IT.

>> I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SAY IS FOR EXAMPLE WITH THE FUNDING THAT WE DID TWO WEEKS AGO OR SOUTHSIDE, I THINK THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS -- MAYBE I'M MISCHARACTERIZING. THERE IS A TREMENDOUS LEAP OF FAITH AT LEAST ON MY PART THAT THAT WILL BE USED IN A POSITIVE WAY AND THE RIGHT WAY AND I AM GOING TO NEED SOME DATA TO SHOW EXACTLY THAT LEAP OF FAITH WAS WELL PUT AND PUT IN THE RIGHT.

IT WAS DONE CORRECTLY. IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT TYPE OR ANY TYPE OF SUSTAINED FUNDING. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU TO OUR EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR WORK AND AS ALWAYS IT'S

ALWAYS GOOD DATA. >> I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE WITH THIS LITTLE IDEA THAT FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC, YOUR PRESENTATION WAS WONDERFUL. I HAVE ASKED THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE TO SEND THEM TO ME. THE PEACE THAT WE DON'T HAVE WITH WIMBERLEY OR DRIPPING SPRINGS REGISTERING IS TWOFOLD MINIMUM OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

ONE, WE ARE THE HUB OF SERVICES ALONG THE CORRIDORS SO PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT. AND NOT FEEL ANY KIND OF WAY ABOUT THAT PRESENTATION SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT YOU DO, BUT LITTLE MOMENT, THAT PIECE IS NOT QUITE ACCURATE SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE.

I KNOW YOU ARE NOT SAY 100% BUT I WANTED TO SPEAK TO IT BECAUSE I CAN ALREADY HEAR PEOPLE THINKING THESE THOUGHTS.

THE OTHER PART IS COMPLEXITY, THE DIFFICULTY, THE RULE PART OF THE WESTERN COUNTY IS HARDER. IT WOULD BE HARDER TO TELL.

AMONG OTHER THINGS. WHEN PEOPLE SEE THE CONCENTRATION OF PEOPLE ALONG 35 CORRIDOR, THERE IS MORE THAN ONE REASON THAT IS HAPPENING AND I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT.

A MAGNIFICENT JOB AND VERY THOROUGH AND WE THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> THE ONE LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS LOCATIONS LIKE IN WIMBERLEY, OUR SURVEYING TEAMS FOUND SPOTS THAT LOOK LIKE THERE WAS ACTIVITY BUT YOU CAN'T BASE IT ON THE SIOUX HAVE DEFINED THE PEOPLE.

IT'S ALL THOSE THINGS AS WELL. >> SOME AREAS THAT HAVE MORE CAR SLEEPERS THAN THEY DO OUTDOORS. THOSE PEOPLE WILL MOVE VERY

EARLY IN THE MORNING. >> BEING AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT

THE RIGHT TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WE ARE BACK FROM A SHORT RECESS THAT WAS REQUESTED.

[K.2. Discussion and possible action to direct the Hays County Budget Officer and County Administrator to include funding in the proposed FY2027 Budget for a High-Intensity Development Review Division within the Development Services Department; and to direct the Director of Development Services and Human Resources Director to develop job descriptions, salary data, and a proposed divisional structure as needed. BECERRA]

TO DIRECT THE HAYS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO INCLUDE FUNDING IN THE PROPOSED 2027 BUDGET FOR HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DIVISION WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND TO DIRECT -- DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR TO DEVELOP JOB DESCRIPTIONS, SALARY DATA AND A PROPOSED DIVISIONAL

STRUCTURE AS NEEDED. >> SO MOVED.

>> I APPRECIATE IT COMMISSIONERS.

I WANT TO TALK A BIT ABOUT THE CREATION OF THIS EFFORT.

NOW I CAN ADDRESS IT BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE VERY PUBLIC COMMENTS, OUR JOB IS TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN AND NOT INTERACT IN THAT MOMENT WITH WHATEVER'S BEING SAID.

I MADE A BEELINE TO THIS AGENDA SO WE CAN MOST QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY GET ADDRESSED TO THE COMMENTS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP AND THIS AGENDA ITEM IS INTENDED TO BE THE SPIRIT OF THIS EFFORT IS TO GRAB A CURRENT EMPLOYEE WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT OF

[02:00:06]

WE HAVE LARGE INDUSTRIAL USERS COMING, WE HAVE A MYRIAD OF CONVERSATIONS TAKING PLACE NOT ONLY THROUGH OUR COUNTY AND NEIGHBORING COUNTIES BUT EVEN AT THE CAPITOL THERE ARE HEARINGS TAKING PLACE AND SO I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THERE'S A STRONG LIKELIHOOD THAT WE WILL GET SOME TYPE OF ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FROM THE STATE, GOD KNOWS WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE.

WHO KNOWS HOW IT WILL BE BUT THERE'S LOTS OF SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS TAKING PLACE BY A LOT OF SERIOUS PEOPLE AT THE CAPITOL ABOUT HOW WE'RE SO HAMSTRUNG ON SO MANY FRONTS AND WITH THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE THAT'S GONE FORWARD AGAINST THESE OUT OF PLACE -- A. LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORT SOME OF THESE INDUSTRIAL MODELS BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE LOCATION OF THEM AND SO THE IDEA IS, A STRAIGHTFORWARD ONE TO SET THE TABLE WITHOUT PULLING FUNDS AND SETTING OURSELVES UP TO PREPARE FOR PROGRAMS LIKE SOMEONE APPLYING WITH A NUCLEAR POWER SOURCE OVER MILLIONS OF PEOPLE'S DRINKING WATER WITH HUGE INDUSTRIAL WATER CONSUMPTION THAT WE DON'T KNOW IF WE ACTUALLY HAVE, WE NEED TO WEAVE IN WATER AVAILABILITY STUDIES IN ADDITION TO PROPER OVERSIGHT OF THOSE AVAILABILITY STUDIES.

AND THE POWER THAT IS GOING TO BE USED WHATEVER IT LOOKS LIKE WHETHER ONE FACILITY SINGLE USE OR IT'S GOING TO USE ENOUGH POWER TO MATCH WHAT THE CURRENT ENTIRE CITY USES.

ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS -- THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION, LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY, EVERYONE FROM EVERY LEVEL OF OUR GOVERNMENT IS ADDRESSING THIS ALREADY.

IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AND SO THIS IS MY HOPE TO GET COMMISSIONER SUPPORT TO CREATE THIS JUST SO THAT WE CAN SET THE TABLE BUT NOT HAVE ADDITIONAL COST TO IT PURE COMMISSIONER HAMMER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO ANY COMMENTS AT THIS POINT?

>> I WOULD JUST SAY AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SERVICES THAT COULD GIVE US SOME INSIGHT AS WELL ON WHAT THEY THINK WOULD BE BEST FOR THEIR DEPARTMENT BUT MY MAIN TOPIC OF INTEREST IS THAT WE PASS A RESOLUTION LAST YEAR STATING THAT THE WATER AVAILABILITY STUDIES WOULD BE GOING TO THE GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION TO HAVE THEIR HYDROLOGIST REVIEW AND APPROVE AND SEND BACK TO US. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DOING THAT TO MY NECESSARY BELIEF AS FREQUENTLY AS MAYBE WE SHOULD.

THAT WAS MY BIG CONCERN, IF WE WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD IN A WAY THAT'S PRODUCTIVE WITHIN THIS ITEM, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE SHOULD ADDRESS AND MAYBE A COUPLE OTHER CHECKPOINTS BUT I AGREE, I DON'T THINK THIS WOULD BE AN ENTIRE POSITION BUT I DO THINK THERE'S A PIECE IN THE PUZZLE WHERE IT CAN EXIST WITHIN

OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WAS TOLD BY THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE THAT WE HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS. WE WILL HEAR THOSE AND CONTINUE WITH THE CONVERSATION. LET'S HEAR THE EMAIL AND THANKS

FOR THE REMINDER. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS COMES FROM.

I'M SUBMITTING A COMMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSAL TO CREATE A HIGH INTENSITY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DIVISION WHILE THE TITLE SUGGESTS A FOCUS ON TECHNICAL RESOURCES, THE STRUCTURE CLOSELY RESEMBLES THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.

PLAYBOOK USED IN THAT AGGREGATE VENUE SPECIFICALLY IN COUNTIES LIKE CARMEL AND VERNON. IN THOSE CASES WHEN COUNTIES LACK LEGAL AUTHORITY TO ZONE INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS, THEY CREATED TECHNICAL REVIEW DIVISIONS TO IMPLEMENT ZONING THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE ATTRITION.

BY ADDING SPECIALIZED TO THE M AND O BUDGET TO DEMAND EXHAUSTIVE, NON-STANDARDIZED DATA, THE GOAL WASN'T JUST REVIEW, IT WAS TO CREATE A REGULATORY GANTLET THAT MIMICS ZONING THAT THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO.

THIS OBVIOUSLY RAISES CRITICAL CONCERNS FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

OVERALL, LEGAL LIABILITY AND UNNECESSARY PHYSICAL EXPANSION.

THE QUESTION THE COURT MUST ANSWER TODAY IS SIMPLE.

IS THIS NEW DIVISION ACTUALLY ABOUT PROTECTING OUR WATER LAND AND ELECTRICAL RESOURCES OR IS IT ABOUT EXPANDING GOVERNMENT CONTROL THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCUMVENTING.

IF THIS INITIATIVE IS JUST ABOUT DATA, THEN WHY CAN EXISTING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, ENGINEERS/STAFF HANDLE THE DATA

[02:05:02]

I ALSO RECALL IN THE FY 2026 BUDGET REVIEW THAT YOU ALREADY ADDED 53 NEW FTES AT A COST OF $4.3 MILLION AND WE ARE ALREADY USING $7.6 MILLION IN ONE TIME RESERVES JUST TO KEEP THE GENERAL FUND AFLOAT. SINCE THIS NEW DIVISION IS DESIGNED TO REVIEW PROJECTS THAT MAY NEVER REACH THE PERMITTING STAGE, IF REJECTED, WE'RE ESSENTIALLY VOTING TO ADD PERMANENT HIGH SALARY POSITIONS TO AN M AND O BUDGET THAT'S ALREADY 63% PAYROLL. ADDING PERMANENT REVIEW EFT'S, NOW EFFECTIVELY CREATES A PERMANENT STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.

THAT MUST BE FULFILLED BY PROPERTY TAX INCREASES.

THE INTENT IS CLEAR, ARE NOT CREATING A RESOURCE WERE CREATING YET ANOTHER LEGAL TARGET THAT IS FURTHER AWAY FROM WHAT OUR MONEY TIME AND EFFORT SHOULD BE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE.

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE. >> I APPRECIATE THE EXPLANATION THAT YOU'VE GIVEN. I WASN'T SURE EITHER OF THEM SAID DIVISION, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK.

IT SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE CREATING A WHOLE NEW DIVISION OF MULTIPLE EMPLOYEES AND SO I LIKE THE IDEA OF LOOKING AT OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND ASKING THEM AND WORKING WITH THEM TO SEE WHAT'S BEST, WHAT'S THE BEST FIT AND WHO WE MAY HAVE ON STAFF THAT MAY HAVE THAT EXPERTISE OR JUST GAIN THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.

WE ARE DOING A REWRITE OF OUR SUBDIVISION RULES AND REGULATIONS AND OUR WATER STUDY. I THINK THOSE ARE ITEMS THAT WE CAN REALLY DRILL DOWN ON AND ALSO THE WATER AVAILABILITY, I KNOW I SPOKE TO OUR FOLKS THAT ARE HELPING US WITH THAT AND THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE USED THAT AS WE SHOULD. I DON'T THINK -- I THINK WE NEED TO DO BETTER IN THAT AREA AND SO I THINK WE COULD GET DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SPEAK WITH THEM AND DETERMINE HOW BEST TO MOVE

FORWARD AND LOOK AT OUR BUDGET. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN.

>> I THINK I NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED FINANCIAL IMPACT. LIKE COMMISSIONER INGALSBE SAID WE'RE DOING THE WATER STUDY, WORKING ON REGULATIONS RIGHT NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TO SEE HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THE CONCERN THAT THE JUDGE IS TRYING TO ADDRESS AND ALSO WE ARE CURRENTLY WITHOUT A DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR.

MY HOPE IS THAT INDIVIDUAL WOULD COME IN AND BE ABLE TO ASSESS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP ADDRESS THESE ISSUES WITH THE STAFF THAT WE HAVE INTERNALLY. I THINK THE INITIATIVE NEEDS TO BE LED WITHIN THAT OFFICE. I ALWAYS THOUGHT WE NEEDED SOMEBODY FOCUSED ON THE WATER ISSUES LIKE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, JUDGE BECERRA. AND SOMEONE JUST KEEPING THEIR EYE ON THE BALL BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW JUST FOR ME, I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACT AND HOW THE DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES CAN BETTER ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND WHAT WE'RE MAYBE NOT DOING IN THAT DEPARTMENT IN REGARDS TO WATER SO THERE'S JUST A LOT OF

DIFFERENT CONTENT. >> I'M PROBABLY GOING TO ECHO A LOT OF WHAT COMMISSIONER COHEN SAID BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I SPECIFICALLY WHENEVER I SAW THIS AGENDA ITEM LAST WEEK I SPECIFICALLY STARTED GOING THROUGH STATUTE AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT A LOT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOESN'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE TO IS THAT WE ONLY HAVE AUTHORITY THAT'S SPECIFICALLY GIVEN TO US BY THE STATE.

WE'RE NOT LIKE CITIES AND WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION RECENTLY IN THE PAST THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO CODES AND ORDINANCES AND UNDER STATE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS THERE IS NOT A CLEAR DEFINITION OF WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED HIGH INTENSITY DEVELOPMENT. WE'RE MANDATED BY THE STATE TO TREAT EVERY DEVELOPMENT IN A SIMILAR FASHION, WHETHER IT'S MOM AND POP WHO WANTS TO PUT A GARAGE OR AN AUTO SHOP IN THEIR GARAGE OR A DATA CENTER. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL OF THEM THE EXACT SAME WAY. WE CAN'T EVEN DICTATE A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND THIS IS A FIGHT I HAD WHENEVER I

[02:10:01]

I THINK IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT WE CAN'T.

FURTHERMORE WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT, THAT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMET, I THINK DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF A STANDARDIZED REVIEW OF EVERY SINGLE APPLICATION THAT COMES IN INTO THE COUNTY. THEY ENSURE BELIEVE ME, I MEET WITH THEM AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND THEY'RE PROBABLY TIRED OF MEETING WITH ME BUT I HAVE NUMEROUS QUESTIONS EVERY WEEK BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH DEVELOPMENT COMING OUT OF MY PRECINCT AND DOES HIGH INTENSITY MEAN A DATA CENTER OR DOES THAT MEAN A SUBDIVISION THAT'S 100 HOMES ON 200 ACRES? MY PORTION OF THE COUNTY, THAT'S HIGH DENSITY HOUSE EVERY 2 A 2 ACRES. IN EASTERN, 45-FOOT LOT IS STANDARD AND THAT DATA CENTER, YES, IT MAY USE HALF AS MUCH WATER AS THAT COMMUNITY BUT I WOULD SAY AS FAR AS DENSITY AND IMPACT, INTENSE DEVELOPMENT COUNTY, I WOULD PROBABLY MUCH RATHER HAVE SOME INDUSTRIAL USE THAN ANOTHER 5000 HOMES THAT'S GOING TO USE THE SAME AMOUNT OF WATER.

BECAUSE THE OTHER STRAIN WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS THOSE 10,000 TRIPS A DAY AND THOSE 5000 HOMES. NOT ONLY WATER DEMAND BUT THE SEWAGE DEMAND AND THE TRANSPORTATION DEMAND AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S A CLEAR WAY EVEN IF WE TRY TO ESTABLISH THIS, I WILL SAY, I'M 100% IN AGREEMENT WITH MY COLLEAGUE COMMISSIONER HAMMER THAT WE MADE VERY ADAMANT THAT THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THOSE WATER AVAILABILITY STUDIES. WE MADE IT VERY CLEAR AND IT'S DISAPPOINTING IF THAT'S NOT HAPPENING BECAUSE I'VE MADE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO AT LEAST THAT WE WOULD DO THAT AND SO FOR NOT DOING THAT I FEEL LIKE I FAILED AND SO JUST GIVING STAFF DIRECTION THAT THAT HAS TO HAPPEN, I THINK WE CAN DO THAT AND ENSURE THAT HAPPENS. I SEE NODDING HEADS UP THERE.

THAT'S A GIVEN. WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT ANYWAY.

REVIEWING AFTER WE GET A NEW DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AS TO WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND ALLOWING THEM TO STRUCTURE THE DEPARTMENT AS THEY SEE FIT AND COMING TO US AND TRYING TO OUTLINE WHY AND WHERE THEY NEED THOSE POSITIONS, I THINK THAT'S A BETTER COURSE OF ACTION HERE. BUT AGAIN, AT A BASE LEVEL, TO ESTABLISH THE VISION TO GIVE ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY TO CERTAIN PROJECTS, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORTY TO DO IT, I'M 99.99% SURE WE DON'T AND I THINK IT WOULD JUST BE OPENING OURSELVES UP FOR LIABILITY. GIVING STAFF DIRECTION AT THIS POINT WITHOUT TAKING ACTION TO SAY PLEASE REVIEW THIS AND ONCE WE HIRE A DIRECTOR, AND YOU DO YOUR BUDGET SUBMISSION, KEEP THIS IN MIND, I THINK THAT'S A BETTER COURSE OF ACTION.

>> THANK YOU. AND I WILL REITERATE BECAUSE I HEARD A FEW COMMENTS LIKE I NEED MORE INFORMATION FOR THE FISCAL IMPACT ET CETERA AND I OPEN WITH THIS REALITY THAT IT'S OF NO COST, MY AGENDA ITEM IS OF NO COST STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GATE TO THE BUDGET, ANYONE'S IMPLICATIONS, IT'S MERELY THE SETUP FOR THE INEVITBILITY THAT WE'RE ALREADY SEEING ALL AROUND US. PROPOSING THE CREATION OF A NEW DIVISION WITHIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING THIS HIGH INTENSITY DEVELOPMENT TO BE DEFINED BY US, HOW THAT MAKES MOST SENSE BASED ON OUR UNIQUE SITUATION FOOTPRINT AND WATER UTILITY ABILITIES.

THIS ISSUE IS ONE THAT VIRTUALLY ALL RESIDENTS AND AROUND THE STATE CAN AGREE WITH. WE HAVE NEW CHALLENGES AND WE NEED NEW OVERSIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO EXTREME WATER USAGE.

ENERGY GRID STABILITY AND YES, NUCLEAR POWER CONCERNS.

WE MUST TAKE MEASURES NOW TO ENSURE WE HAVE RESOURCE STABILITY IN THE FUTURE. NO ONE WANTS TO HAVE THEIR WATER OR ELECTRIC BILL TRIPLED BECAUSE OF A HEAVY INDUSTRIAL SINGLE USER WHO MAKES THE UTILITIES SCARCE.

THIS DIVISION WILL NOT REQUIRE THE HIRING OF ANY FULL TIME EMPLOYEES OR ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

INSTEAD WE WILL TRAIN EXISTING STAFF TO ENGAGE IN NECESSARY PROFESSIONALS TO EXAMINE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PASS THE COST TO

[02:15:01]

THIS IS TO PROVIDE DIRECTION, NO MONETARY OR LEGAL REQUIREMENT ASSESSMENTS REQUIRED, IT'S MERELY THE SET THE TABLE FOR THIS CONVERSATION TO TAKE PLACE SO THAT AS MENTIONED, WE NEED TO BE LOOKING INTO GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, HOW THEY'RE NOT BEING LOOPED IN AND YET THAT'S WHAT WE WANT SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IF WE HAVE A CENTRALIZED ASSESSMENT OF LARGE SINGLE INDUSTRIAL USERS COMING IN THAT WE HAVE A HONED IN APPROACH BECAUSE THIS IS THE MACK TRUCK COMING OUR WAY AND IF WE DON'T PREPARE OURSELVES, WE ARE NOT SET UP.

THERE'S NO MORE CLEAR WAY THAN WHAT'S BEFORE US NOW TO DEFINE THE REALITY THAT WE AS A COUNTY ARE NOT SET UP TO PROCESS THE APPLICATIONS OR TO COORDINATE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED TO PROPERLY REVIEW ALONG WITH ANY STATE AGENCY TO GUIDE THE NAVIGATION OF THE CONVERSATION.

AS THE COUNTY AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE THESE DEVELOPMENT INCREASES, OUR NEW DIVISION WILL BE PREPARED TO ADDRESS THESE NEW CHALLENGES. IF NOTHING IS NEEDED AND THERE IS NO LEGAL CAPACITY, THERE IS NO HARM.

>> A COUPLE THINGS IN YOUR STATEMENT THERE.

QUITE LITERALLY, THE ONLY BACKGROUND WE HAD ON THIS ITEM IS THE TWO SENTENCES OR ACTUALLY ONE SENTENCE, NOT EVEN TWO SENTENCES. ONE SENTENCE THAT WAS IN THE

BACKGROUND. >> WHAT'S LEFT UNKNOWN?

>> LET ME CLARIFY HERE. YOU REITERATED IN YOUR STATEMENT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO BUDGET IMPACT WHATSOEVER.

THE ENTIRE SENATE -- SENTENCE FOR BACKGROUND UNTIL WE CAME INTO COURT TODAY DOES NOTHING BUT DIRECT OUR STAFF RELATIVE TO THE 2027 BUDGET. YOU SPECIFICALLY SAID IN YOUR STATEMENT A MOMENT AGO, THAT ALL OF THIS WOULD BE PAID FOR THROUGH FEES ON UPCOMING PROJECTS AS WE DEFINE THEM.

WE HAVE NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DEFINE HIGH INTENSITY.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY AS AN ATTORNEY I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO SAY WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY WHEN YOU'RE NOT THE ATTORNEY OF THE COURT. SORRY.

I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT PIECE.

>> AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN TEXAS SITTING ON A COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE NO AUTHORITY.

IS THAT CLEAR? I'M GOING TO FINISH NOW BECAUSE I DIDN'T INTERRUPT YOU. I WOULD APPRECIATE THE SAME.

THANK YOU. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS YOUR PROPOSING ADDITIONAL FEES AND SERVICES, TO REVIEW THESE WHEN WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS OUT THERE.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE ARE PREPARING TO GO INTO THE STATE CAPITOL AND FIGHT FOR THESE THINGS.

AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, NOT ONLY HERE IN HAYS COUNTY BUT STATEWIDE, I'VE TALKED TO COMMISSIONERS FROM MULTIPLE OTHER COUNTIES WHO HAVE ISSUES WITH PROJECTS SIMILAR TO THIS AND THE REASON THEY'RE TALKING TO ME AND I'VE REACHED OUT TO HAYS COUNTY IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A WATER FIGHT ESPECIALLY IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE COUNTY FOR YEARS. WE'VE BEEN PRESENT IN THE CAPITAL FOR YEARS ON THESE ISSUES.

THERE'S A REASON THE COUNCIL OF URBAN COUNTIES AND TAG WOULD CALL COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSIONER INGALSBE TO GO UP THERE AND SPEAK ON THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY KNEW WE WERE INVOLVED AND THEY KNOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND THOSE ISSUES.

WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS THAT WHAT THOSE YEARS OF DOING THAT TELLS ME IS THAT NUMBER ONE, WE ARE PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT RIGHT NOW. IF THERE ARE ANY BILLS FILED THAT WOULD GIVE US ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO DO THESE KINDS OF THINGS, WE WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD BE PREFILED IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. AFTER OUR FISCAL YEAR STARTS, IF AND WHEN THE STATE DOES ANYTHING RELATIVE TO ANY OF THESE ITEMS TRACKIT WILL PASS IN THE SPRING AND THAT 180 DAYS THAT OUR LEGISLATURE DECIDES TO SHOW UP EVERY OTHER YEAR AND THE IMPLEMENTATION, HISTORICALLY, 99% OF THE TIME, IT WILL BE SEPTEMBER FIRST OF NEXT YEAR. SEPTEMBER FIRST OF 2027 AND SO IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN WHY ARE WE SETTING UP AGAIN, THE BACKGROUND ON THIS WAS TO SET UP A DIVISION.

I UNDERSTAND IF WE CAN REASSIGN AN EMPLOYEE TO LOOK AT THIS, WITH NO AUTHORITY TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN TELL S.GARCIA I LOOKED AT IT. OR DO WE WAIT UNTIL -- WHAT THE

[02:20:01]

TO COMMISSIONER HAMMER'S POINT, I AM 100% IN AGREEMENT.

WHENEVER WE TALKED ABOUT THE DATA CENTER ITEM THE OTHER DAY, I SAID LET'S GIVE THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS A WIN AND GIVE OUR CITIZENS A WIN AND TRY TO REVIEW THESE THINGS BY SAYING, INSTEAD OF US SAYING, WE WILL PUT A MORATORIUM ON THESE, GIVE THE ABILITY -- CONTRACT WITH OUR GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS AND SAY, TO REVIEW THESE IT'LL COST X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS AND WHEN WE ACCEPT THAT KHALEELA IMMEDIATELY TURN IT OVER TO THE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, OUR GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS AND -- IS THIS ENGINEERING GOOD? IS THIS A VIABLE THING TO DO AND IT WOULD PROVIDE NOT ONLY A TRUE REVIEW OF THESE PROJECTS, MUCH BETTER THAN WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO BUT IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THOSE GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS.

THAT'S A WIN THE COUNTY COULD DO THAT ACTUALLY DOES SOMETHING OTHER THAN JUST SITTING HERE AND SAYING, SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, LET'S START SOMETHING IN CASE IT HAPPENS.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BE REACTIONARY.

WE NEED TO BE VERY PROACTIVE. THIS ISN'T IT.

MAYBE I'M WRONG IN THAT BUT THIS IS A FEEL GOOD THING THAT DOES NOTHING BECAUSE WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO DO ANYTHING.

LET'S LOOK AT ACTUALLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE AND TRYING TO GET TO THE ROOT OF IT AND FIGURE OUT A WAY WE CAN HELP THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS AND WE CAN GET TO THE END GOAL OF HAVING A BETTER REVIEW OF ALL OF THESE PROJECTS WHETHER IT'S A DATA CENTER OR WHETHER IT'S 600 HOUSES THAT DECIDE TO USE WELLS, THAT'S WHAT MY CONCERN IS BECAUSE WE CAN TALK ABOUT ONE% TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT OVER ANOTHER AND WHETHER WE LIKE THEM OR NOT, WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO LIKE ONE OVER THE OTHER, I WAS ONE OF THE OUTSPOKEN MEMBERS OF THIS COURT WHENEVER WE HAD THE ONE DATA CENTER THAT CAME IN HERE, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD DEAL FOR THE COUNTY. I STILL THINK IT WAS A BAD DEAL FOR THE COUNTY. WE GOT NOTHING FROM THAT.

THAT SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT DID NOTHING FOR MY PRECINCT AND I COULDN'T TELL IT COULD DO ANYTHING FOR THE COUNTY.

I WASN'T REALLY KEEN ON THE PRESENTATION AND HOW THEY SPOKE TO OUR CITIZENS. BUT THAT BEING THE CASE, WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAY NO IF THEY DECIDE TO BUILD THERE. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT IT AND EVEN IF WE'RE JUST ASSIGNING SOMEONE TO DO THAT, WHAT ARE WE ASSIGNING THEM TO DO? THEY SHOULD BE DOING THIS JOB ALREADY.

OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY REVIEWING THEM EVERY APPLICATION WE GET TO THE LETTER OF STATE LAW, PROBABLY I KNOW MORE SO THAN SOME OF OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES. AS A MATTER OF FACT, EDWARDS AQUIFER ALLIANCE PRODUCED A STUDY LAST YEAR OF ALL THE COUNTIES IN THE HILL COUNTRY AND THEY RATED THEM ON HOW THEY'RE USING THEIR DEVELOPMENT TOOLS AS FAR AS OVERALL DEVELOPMENT TOOLS THAT WERE STATUTORILY GIVEN TO US BY THE STATE AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HAYS COUNTY RANKED THE HIGHEST OUT OF EVERY SINGLE COUNTY ON TRYING TO PRESERVE OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND WE WERE CREDITED WITH DOING A BETTER JOB THAN ANY COUNTY IN THE HILL COUNTRY. I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT AND THAT'S A THIRD PARTY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, THEIR WHOLE JOB IS TRYING TO PROTECT OUR RESOURCES SO I WOULD COMPLIMENT OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT THAT I THINK THEY DO A GREAT JOB. I THINK OUR EMPLOYEES DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF THAT AND TO THROW THIS ON THEM AND SAY, GO OUT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THIS WHILE WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A COMPLETE REWRITE OF OUR REGS AND IF YOU HAVE IT -- IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THEM, I'VE SPENT HOURS -- THIS IS OUR NEW PROPOSED REGS. I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING TELLS ME NO OFFENSE TO MY COLLEAGUES, I'M PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE WHO'S READ THIS WHOLE DOCUMENT WHO'S SITTING UP HERE.

BUT I THINK -- I. DON'T THINK THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT WILL YIELD ANYTHING BECAUSE NUMBER ONE, WE'RE USING EVERY BIT OF AUTHORITY WE HAVE -- ARE THERE SOME CHANGES AS FAR AS THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICT ENSURING THEY GET THAT DATA? ABSOLUTELY, WE NEED TO BE DOING THAT AND BOTH COMMISSIONER HAMER AND I HAVE BEEN ADAMANT AND I'VE MADE PERSONAL COMMITMENTS TO GET THAT DONE SO THAT WILL BE DONE THIS WEEK.

BUT RESTRUCTURING THE DEPARTMENT OR TELLING HIM TO RESTRUCTURE

[02:25:02]

THAT. >> THAT'S GOOD AND I'M GLAD WE'LL START WITH THE END IN MIND HERE AND HOW YOU CLOSED WITH WAS IN PART HOW A THIRD PARTY HAS EVALUATED OUR HANDLING AND WE'RE AMONG THE TOP IN THE STATE AS A COUNTY.

WE ALSO USE THAT ARGUMENT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS INCARCERATED IN REFERENCE TO PERCENTAGES AND POPULATION NUMBERS AS A SOUNDING BOARD TO SAY WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. NO MATTER HOW GOOD A JOB WE'RE DOING, IF WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB, IF WE CAN DO MORE, I WILL ALWAYS REACH FOR IT AND ALTHOUGH YOU CONTINUE TO SAY WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY, WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS GROUNDWATER DISTRICT EFFORT THAT WE PASSED A YEAR AGO, YOUR LOOKING IN THE COURTROOM, LOOKING FOR HEADS NODDING TO CONFIRM IF IT'S BEEN DONE OR NOT AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S SO IMPORTANT AND COMMISSIONER HAMMER WAS ACTUALLY HAPPY TO SEE AND SUPPORT AND MOVE FORWARD THROUGH BUT YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT MAKING PERSONAL COMMITMENTS TO PEOPLE AND YET IT'S BEEN MOSTLY NOT DONE OR FOLLOWED THROUGH ON AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW. THE CREATION OF THIS DIVISION,

AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO. >> JUST ONE QUESTION.

>> NO, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I LET YOU, I'M DOING THE SAME.

THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE CALLING THIS A FEEL GOOD KIND OF EFFORT THAT'S RESTRUCTURING AN ENTIRE DEPARTMENT, YOUR MISCHARACTERIZATION IS EITHER SO FAR REMOVED FROM THE EXPLANATION JUST GIVEN OR DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO DECEIVE AND FEARMONGER AND PARALYZING AND DOING NOTHING.

DOING NOTHING IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR SYMBOLIC, I FEEL AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND THAT WE HEAR THEM LOUD AND CLEAR.

AND SO IF NOT RESTRUCTURING AN ENTIRE DEPARTMENT, NEVER DID I EVER SAY THAT, BUT IF WE HAVE A DESIGNATED POSITION, START TO UNRAVEL SOME OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF -- LET'S USE ONE EXAMPLE, DATA CENTERS. COMING IN HERE, WANTING TO GO THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS, MAKING SURE WE GET OUR DUCKS IN A ROW BECAUSE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT TCEQ IS DOING AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE SEES IT EVERYWHERE IN ONE UNIFIED PLACE SO THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND MORE SUCCINCTLY AS THINGS MOVE THROUGH BECAUSE SIMPLY TO SAY I HOPE GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS KNOW MY COMMITMENT IS REAL, I MAKE THAT PERSONAL COMMITMENT AND YET HERE WE ARE LOOKING OUT OF THE AUDIENCE MORE THAN A YEAR LATER AND THE COMMITMENT HAS FALLEN FLAT ON ITS FACE. I THINK IT GOES TO SHOW THAT THIS CAN BE OF VALUE TO US, SIMPLY JUST TO HELP KEEP OUR EYE ON THE PRECIOUS RESOURCES THAT WE ALL LIVE OFF OF AND DEPEND ON AND SO THE FEES CONVERSATION, IT WAS SIMPLY -- MY AIM IS A NO COST PROJECT ADDING A DIRECTION OF A JOB DESCRIPTION UPDATE AND IF YOU SAID NO ONE'S COMING IN ONE BREATH BUT IN ANOTHER, WE'RE NOT AUTHORIZED TO GIVE FEES SO LET'S STICK WITH THE FIRST PART, NO ONE'S COMING. SO IF NO ONE'S COMING, THE FEES THAT CAN BE PROPOSED COULD SUPPORT THE RESEARCH AND WORK AND SERVICES CONTRACT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO GO OUT AND GET TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES BUT IF NO ONE COMES, WHAT FEES? AS YOU SAID, THERE'S NO ONE COMING BUT IN CASE SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN AT LEAST WE'RE PREPARED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION. IT'S PURELY CREATING THE CONVERSATION, SPACE AND AS LEGISLATION UNFOLDS BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT WILL, AS LEGISLATION UNFOLDS WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME DESIGNATED WITH THE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT TAKES TO GET A LARGE SINGLE INDUSTRIAL USER MOVING THROUGH A PROCESS AND I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WANT TO INVEST IN OUR COUNTY HAVE A CLEAR CONCISE ROAD MAP BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT A

[02:30:02]

I UNDERSTAND THE VARIABLES THAT COULD EXIST.

THAT'S NOT MY INTENT. IT'S JUST TO SAY, WE WANT YOU AND TO INVEST IN HAYS COUNTY, WE WANT YOU TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY BUT IF IT'S A DEAD END, WE SHOULD TELL PEOPLE AHEAD OF TIME AND THAT'S ALL I'M TRYING TO GET TO OR WHAT THE HURDLES ARE TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU, NUMBER ONE, I NEVER SAID NO ONE'S COMING. EVERYONE IS COMING TO HAYS COUNTY. I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GOT THAT BUT PLEASE GO BACK AND LISTEN TO WHAT I SAID A MOMENT AGO AND I NEVER SAID NO ONE'S COMING. EVERYONE IS COMING HERE.

THE QUESTION I HAVE IS, JUST FROM A BASIC LEVEL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS ONLY BACKGROUND WE HAD ON THIS TODAY WAS ONE SENTENCE AND A PRESS RELEASE YOU PUT OUT YESTERDAY.

IN THAT PRESS RELEASE IT CALLS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMPLETE NEW DIVISION. I CAN READ YOUR WORDS BACK TO YOU FROM YOUR PRESS RELEASE IF YOU WOULD LIKE BUT I'M SURE YOU KNOW THAT YOU CALLED FOR A NEW DIVISION AND WHATEVER WE GOT HERE TODAY, WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO PROPOSE IS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. AS FAR AS A RESTRUCTURE OF ONE POSITION IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU PUT OUT.

PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT.

>> EASY CORRECTION THE DIVISION WITHIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES HAS ALWAYS BEEN COUPLED -- THE DIVISION WITHIN DEVELOPMENT

SERVICES THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN. >> CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHICH DIVISION WITHIN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES?

I WANT TO HEAR IT FROM YOU. >> I ASK YOU,.

>> IF YOU WANT TO PLAY GOTCHA THAT'S ANOTHER SETTING.

IF YOU WANT TO GET THE BALL ROLLING IN A MEANINGFUL MANNER AND ANSWER THE QUESTION ALLOW ME TO ASK.

>> THE POINT I'M MAKING IS THAT YOU HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING -- YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE A WORKING UNDERSTANDING OF HOW OUR

DIVISION. >> CAN I INTERJECT? ALL I'M SAYING IS IF WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WATER I WOULD LOVE TO BECAUSE I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

I THINK WE COULD ALWAYS MAKE STRIDES TO MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WHAT I DO THINK IS YOU CAN ADD THIS AS JUST A PIECE AND WE CAN REVIEW -- CHASE YOUNG ONE OF OUR ATTORNEYS IN OUR CIVIL DIVISION, THIS IS HIS BREAD AND BUTTER.

REVIEWS EVERYTHING THAT HE COULD POSSIBLY DO TO SAVE OUR WATER AND I'M SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR HIM AND HE'S GOT SOME REALLY GREAT IDEAS SO I THINK US CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT THIS IS MOVING FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I AGREE THERE'S BITS AND PIECES ON BOTH OF EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING AND BEING SAID. WHAT WE COULD DO IS I THINK THIS HAS TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR WATERSHED COORDINATOR, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, CIVIL DIVISION, ALL THESE DIFFERENT AREAS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN.

I DO THINK WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB SO FAR.

BUT DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO WORK WITH OUR GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND WORK WITH THESE VARIOUS ENTITIES TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT.

THE SUBDIVISION RULES AND REGULATIONS, IT'S JUST PART ONE THAT'S BEEN COMPLETED FROM A DRAFT PERSPECTIVE SO I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT. WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE FLOODING AND DRAINAGE PORTION OF IT YET BUT I DO THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND I HAVE READ THAT SO I'M GONNA CALL YOU ON THAT FOR A SECOND BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID,.

>> I SAID REDLINE. >> WITH THAT SAID, I THINK I DO BELIEVE EVERYONE CAN EVOLVE IN THOUGHT AND I THINK THIS MAY BE THE INTENTIONS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT AND NOW WE'RE HERE AT A PLACE WHERE LET'S JUST ADD THIS INTO THE MIX FROM OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND SEE -- HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEAD WHENEVER THEY COME IN WITH MICHAEL WHO'S OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MANAGER WITH A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND SEE WHERE WE CAN POTENTIALLY ADD SOMETHING IN THAT WOULD COVER SOME TYPE OF AREA OF HIGH DENSITY WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DEFINE THAT AS AND MAYBE WE CREATE OUR OWN DEFINITION FROM A TECHNICAL REVIEW PERSPECTIVE. I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVE TO CONTINUE -- IT'S NOT LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE BUT I AM SAYING MAYBE WE CREATE OUR OWN, WHAT'S THE COUNTY VIEW FROM A HIGH

DENSITY PERSPECTIVE? >> WHEN YOU HELP CRAFT THIS AGENDA ITEM, I ALWAYS WISH WE WERE IN MY OFFICE AND I ALWAYS REMEMBER ASKING IT TO BE WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AS YOU WERE WALKING OUT OF THE OFFICE. IS THAT RIGHT? WAS THAT THE INTENT? BECAUSE I WAS ASKING TO HAVE IT WORDED IN THAT WAY FOR THAT PURPOSE.

I FEEL BECAUSE I WANT TO CLARIFY CACTUS HAS BEEN SENSATIONALIZED, EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN CLARIFIED IN A WAY THAT'S NOT USEFUL SO I WANT TO SEE AS A PERSON WHO WROTE THE ITEM FOR ME, IF THE

[02:35:01]

FROM ME? >> WHEN WE HAD THE CONVERSATION, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS YOUR INTENTION WAS FOR YOU TO BRING YOUR VISION TO THE COURT WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE AND THE COURT DECIDE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WOULD LIKE FOR STAFF TO PURSUE, RELATED TO THE FY27 BUDGET BUT WE DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WE DISCUSSED, WHERE WOULD BE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THAT DIVISION AND WE ALL AGREED THAT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WOULD

BE THE PLACE. >> I'VE ALWAYS HAD THE INTENT OF, THERE'S ALWAYS A POTENTIAL TO MISUNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER SMITH, I'LL GIVE YOU THAT. THERE'S A POTENTIAL TO MISUNDERSTAND AND THAT'S WHY THESE CONVERSATIONS TAKE PLACE JUST SAID SOME TRANSPARENCY AND CLARIFICATION GOALS OF THE AGENDA ITEM AND SO THERE IS NO BACKUP BECAUSE IT'S ALL WRITTEN IN THE ITEM TO SIMPLY SAY WE WANT TO CREATE A DIVISION WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO HELP OVERSEE AND THE REASON I ASK COMMISSIONER HAMMER ABOUT WHAT POSITIONS SHE SUGGESTED WOULD BE AN EASY NATURAL EVOLUTION OF IT WAS BECAUSE MOST NATURALLY, THEY SAID IT BEST AND IT STUCK WITH ME, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT CREDIT, YOU'D BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH YOU GET DONE.

I DON'T CARE WHAT POSITION WE SUGGEST CREATE A CHECKBOX PAGE ON A CLIPBOARD EVEN AND WHEN AN APPLICATION THAT FITS THE DESCRIPTION, THIS PERSON WOULD CHECK THE BOX TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A PREDICTABLE ROAD MAP FOR AN APPLICANT TO FOLLOW.

IT'S SIMPLY, WHO DID YOU SAY COMMISSIONER HAMMER? AND THAT'S ALL I WAS ASKING. IT DOES NOT MATTER TO ME.

>> CAN WE JUST DIRECT CANDICE TO WORK WITH SERVICES AND TAKE A LOOK TO SEE HOW WE MOVE FORWARD REGARDING THIS EFFORT? I THINK WATER IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO EVERY MEMBER ON THIS COURT AND WE -- -- RIGHT NO WE DON'T HAVE A DIRECTOR, YOU'VE BEEN PUTTING YOUR NAME ON DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AGENDA ITEMS AND I'M HOPING WE CAN JUST GIVE A DIRECTION TO MOVE

FORWARD. >> DO YOU NEED A VOTE ON THAT SO

YOU CAN HAVE CLEAR DIRECTION? >> WE CAN JUST GIVE THAT

DIRECTION. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, LET ME ASK HER. CANDICE WHAT MAKES YOU COMFORTABLE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CLEAR DIRECTION?

>> NO I HEAR THE COURT LOUD AND CLEAR AND I WILL WORK WITH OUR BUDGET OFFICE AS LONG AS LEGAL AND HR TO COME UP WITH SOME

RECOMMENDATIONS. >> BEFORE WE MOVE ON AND I KNOW YOU ARE DONE WITH THIS CONVERSATION BUT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO SAY, SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD BE A WIN FOR OUR COUNTY IF

DONE RIGHT WAY. >> IT'S NEVER THE RIGHT WAY.

>> I'M GOING TO FINISH MY STATEMENT.

MY POINT IS, WE COULD HAVE COME IN HERE AND HAD A WELL THOUGHT OUT CONVERSATION ABOUT -- AND WORKED THROUGH WHAT WE SAW AS WHAT WAS NEEDING TO HAPPEN IN THIS SITUATION, WORKED THROUGH SOME OF THE ISSUES WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY AND WE COULD HAVE HAD THAT CONVERSATION. WHENEVER YOU SAY THAT WE ARE SENSATIONALIZING THIS CONVERSATION TO DAY, THERE IS ONE PERSON ON THIS DAIS WHO PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE SAYING WHAT THEY WANTED ON THIS ISSUE AND IT WASN'T ME.

WE ALL WANT SOLUTIONS HERE. WE ALL WANT GOOD POLICY, AND WHEN IT COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF A PRESS RELEASE AND THEN THE STATEMENT, THE REASON THAT YOU REACHED OUT TO COMMISSIONER HAMMER IS YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE CREDIT WELL THEN WHY DID YOU PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE BEFORE EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE ITEM? AND I'M VERY -- I'M PERSONALLY OFFENDED WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT OUR COURT DOING NOTHING, WE CAN DO NOTHING.

I'VE SAT HERE EIGHT YEARS AND LOOKED AT POLICY CHANGES AND HOW WE IMPLEMENT THINGS AND HOW MEMBERS OF THIS COURT HAVE TRIED TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON OUR COUNTY AND MAYBE I'M SEEING THIS BECAUSE I'M NOT RUNNING AGAIN AND I'M JUST GONNA BE BRUTALLY HONEST, I ASPIRE TO BE SOMEONE WHO CAN SPEAK ON POLICY AT A

LEVEL AND STILL DO NOTHING. >> ANYTHING ELSE? YOUR GOOD? OKAY.

[G. CONSENT ITEMS]

[INAUDIBLE] WE WILL PULL G16 AND OPEN THE REST OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

[02:40:01]

>> FOR CLARIFICATION, WE'RE PUTTING G16 TOTALLY OFF THE AGENDA OR PULLING IT TO DISCUSS SEPARATELY?

>> IT'S A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR IT SO JUST FOR THE ITEM FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT TO BE READ. I'M SAYING THEY NEED TO BE

PULLED FROM -- >> THAT WAS A MISCHARACTERIZATION OF MY INTENT.

I MOVE THAT WE WILL APPROVE ALL AGENDA ITEMS IN THE G SECTION.

>> MY APOLOGIES FOR THE CONFUSION.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR ALL PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS THIS WOULD JUST WORD IT AWKWARDLY.

AND SO NOW WE WILL GET THE ONE INDIVIDUAL SIGNED UP FOR G16.

IT WAS A GOOD IDEA. IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO PUT THIS I JUST DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN BEING THE FIRST TIME BUT WE CAN WORK ON THAT. I REALLY LIKE IT.

>> ON G16, I KNOW LAST TIME I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE, TWO MEMBERS GOING AND WHAT I GOT WAS LOGISTICS.

I WAS LOOKING AT THE TECH AVERAGE PER DIEM IT'S 178 PER DAY. I NOTICE THE BACKGROUND FOR THIS TO BE KEPT UNDER $6500 FOR THE TRAVEL.

I NOTICED THEY PUT ON THEIR WITH THE FOOD PER DIEM, 756, ONE EVENING MEAL -- ONE MORNING M MEAL...

FIRST OFF THE HOTEL CAUSE, WE LOOK AT TAX RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE AVERAGE LODGING, IT'S 110. I WAS DOING THE MATH AND $2492 FOR WHOLESALE COST. I KNOW THE REGISTRATION, IT CAN BE DEALT WITH BUT AS FAR AS THE FLIGHT TO SEVEN HOUR DRIVE, 511 MILES, IS A FLIGHT NECESSARY? YOU'VE GOT TSA AND STUFF LIKE THAT, I DON'T WANT THESE GUYS.

CLARIFICATION UNDER PER DIEM, 756, 378 EACH, MY MATH IS -- I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAME UP WITH ALL THAT STUFF SO ON THAT PER DIEM AND THE LODGING, THEY RECOMMEND 178 A DAY, 110 FOR LODGING AND 68 FOR MEALS.

HOW IS THAT ACCOMPLISHED -- WE CLEARED THAT UP AS TO THE

PER DIEM LODGING. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> CANDICE, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TECH RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE TYPICALLY BASE IT OFF OF THE FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR TRAVEL FOR NEW ORLEANS IN THE PER DIEM AS FOR TWO PEOPLE BUT THERE'S A RATE THAT'S EXPLICIT IN OUR TRAVEL POLICY FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER DEPENDING ON WHAT TIME YOU'RE LEAVING.

THE DAY OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE AND THEN THERE'S A SET AMOUNT FOR EACH STAY BETWEEN. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE DOLLAR AMOUNTS AND SCOTT, OUR BUDGET OFFICER WOULD BE ABLE TO CONFIRM BUT THEY MATCH WHAT'S LISTED IN OUR TRAVEL POLICY AND IN REGARDS TO THE HOTEL, WE ARE GETTING A SPECIALIZED RATE OF BEING MEMBERS OF NICOLE. THIS IS ALSO A HOTEL WHERE THE CONFERENCE WILL ACTUALLY BE HELD SO THAT WILL CUT BACK ON ANY ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION TAXI OR UBER COST.

UP TO 6500 FOR BOTH PARTIES THAT MEANS WE WILL USE THAT FULL AMOUNT BUT WE WILL -- WANT IT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE BEST ESTIMATE WITHOUT HAVING TO COME BACK AND REQUEST ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. WE MAY BE BELOW THAT.

>> DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING OR IS IT ALL COVERED?

>> SCOTT, BUDGET OFFICER CANDICE DID A GREAT JOB AND SHE WAS

CORRECT ON THOSE PER DIEM RATES. >> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ON ANY

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS? >> COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER HAMER, JUDGE BECERRA.

[02:45:05]

>> YES. AND NOW WE WILL MOVE ON FROM CONSENT, I WILL JUST KEEP MOVING THROUGH.

[I.1. Discussion and possible action to accept fiscal surety for street and drainage improvements in the amount of $4,620,654.75 for The Ranch at Caliterra, Final Plat (Bond No.800241665). SMITH/BOUTTE/A.JONES]

FISCAL SURETY AND DRAINS IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,620,000.600 -- $4,620,654.75. FINAL BOND NUMBER 800,241,665.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND WE ARE JUST ACCEPTING A

SURETY BOND. >> COMMISSIONER HAMER,

[I.2. Discussion and possible action to release the performance bond #800192089 in the amount of $452,800.70 and consider the acceptance of road construction & surface drainage improvements for Caliterra Subdivision Phase 3, Section 10. SMITH/A.JONES]

COHEN, JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES I TO.

TO RELEASE THE PERFORMANCE BOND NUMBER 800,192,089 IN THE AMOUNT OF $452,800.75. AND CONSIDER THE ACCEPTANCE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SURFACE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS FOR SUBDIVISION PHASE DEBATES SECTION TEN.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> RELEASING A PERFORMANCE BOND,.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE,

[I.3. Discussion and possible action to approve the selection of Cobb, Fendley & Associates, Inc. to provide utility coordination services for the Hillside Terrace project in Precinct 2; and authorize staff and counsel to negotiate a contract. COHEN/A.JONES]

I3, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO IMPROVE THIS SECTION OF THE SELECTION OF COBB FAMILY AND ASSOCIATES INC. TO PROVIDE UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE HILLSIDE TERRACE PROJECT IN PRECINCT TWO AND AUTHORIZED STAFF AND COUNCIL TO NEGOTIATE A

CONTRACT. >> SO MOVED.

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

[I.4. Discussion and possible action to approve the selection of KCI Technologies, Inc. to provide utility coordination services for the William Pettus project in Precinct 1; and authorize staff and counsel to negotiate a contract. INGALSBE/A.JONES]

HAMMER, JUDGE BECERRA. >> I4 POSSIBLE ACTION TO IMPROVE SELECTION OF KCI TECHNOLOGIES INC.

TO PROVIDE UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE WILLIAM PROJECT IN PRECINCT ONE AND AUTHORIZE STAFF AND COUNCIL TO NEGOTIATE A

CONTRACT. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER, I WAS BEING ASKED ABOUT THE UTILITY COORDINATION, HOW MUCH OF THAT CAN YOU SPEAK ON ON WHAT THEY WILL ACTUALLY DO?

>> LET ME FIRST SAY, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR HAYS COUNTY ON KCI AND THIS IS THEIR FIRST JOB IN HAYS COUNTY AND SO.

>> THAT'S REFRESHING AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

>> SO ALTHOUGH KCI TECHNOLOGIES HAS NOT WORKED DIRECTLY FOR HAYS COUNTY, THEY HAVE TASK FAMILIARITY WORKING WITH MULTIPLE DISTRICTS AND MUNICIPALITIES MOST NOTABLY THE CITY WHICH IS NEGOTIATING -- A. NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY, THEY HAVE SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE, COMPLETING UTILITY COORDINATION AND IT'S AN ACRONYM SO CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THAT?

>> SUBSURFACE UTILITY. >> AND THE PROJECT MANAGER KYLE JONES HAS 23 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND SO THEY WILL BE WORKING WITHIN UTILITIES THAT ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROJECT TO

HELP RELOCATE THEM. >> THEY WILL HELP TO DO -- CAN

YOU REPEAT THE LAST. >> ANY UTILITIES THAT ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROJECT, THEY WILL HELP COORDINATE THE RELOCATION OF THOSE UTILITIES WITH A PROPERTY OWNER.

>> JUDGE AARON JONES TRANSFORMATION DIRECTOR.

THEY WILL RESEARCH ALL THE UTILITIES THAT ARE WITHIN THAT EASEMENT AND THEY WILL ALSO DO THE SURFACES THERE ARE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, THEY WILL FIND ANY CONFLICTS WITH THE ROADWAY WHETHER I CAN IDENTIFY THOSE IF WE NEED TO MOVE THOSE AND ALSO COORDINATE ON THAT.

>> WE SEE THIS ALL THE TIME BUT I'M BEING ASKED TO SPEAK.

>> IT'S ONE PIECE OF A BIG PUZZLE.

>> I'VE SEEN IT THREE YEARS I KNOW.

>> AND IT'S CRITICAL TO GET THESE IN THE BEGINNING BECAUSE TYPICALLY WHAT SLOWS DOWN THE PROJECT ARE UTILITIES ON GETTING THOSE AND COORDINATING WITH THOSE DIFFERENT UTILITY

COMPANIES TO MOVE THESE. >> YOU SAID IT EXACTLY RIGHT.

OKAY PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE,

[I.5. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Professional Services Agreement (2026-PSA- 59) between Hays County and Quiddity Engineering, LLC to provide Utility Coordination services for the Darden Hill Rd Phase 2 project in Precinct 4. SMITH/A.JONES]

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 2020 6-BSA59 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND QUIDDITY ENGINEERING LLC TO PROVIDE UTILITY COORDINATION SERVICES FOR THE HILL ROAD PHASE TWO

PROJECT IN PRECINCT FOUR. >> SO MOVED.

[02:50:02]

>> SECOND. >> ON THIS PROJECT OR THIS SELECTION, ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS THIS -- ARONN IF I MISSTATE ANYTHING, PLEASE CORRECT ME. WE HAVE A TOTAL OF FOUR PROJECTS AT THAT INTERSECTION. WE WILL TALK TODAY ABOUT SAWYER RANCH, DARTON HILL ROAD, SAWYER RANCH, PEDESTRIAN PATH AND ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS CULMINATE AT THE CORNER OF SAWYER RANCH ROAD AND DARTON HILL WHERE WE CONSTRUCTED THE NEW ROUNDABOUT THREE YEARS AGO OR 2.5 YEARS AGO.

SO TO BETTER COORDINATE THOSE AGAIN TO THE POINT ERIN MADE A MOMENT AGO ABOUT UTILITY COORDINATION, WE WILL HAVE FOR ALL THOSE PROJECTS WE WILL HAVE THE SAME UTILITY COORDINATOR AND THE SAME CE AND I COORDINATOR BECAUSE WE'VE GOT FOUR PROJECTS GOING RIGHT ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AND I DON'T WANT OUR POOR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO BE STEPPING OVER THEMSELVES ON MULTIPLE CONTRACTORS. THIS IS JUST THE FIRST AND IT'S MORE OF AN EXPLANATION, NOT JUST FOR ITEM FIVE BUT FOR SEVEN AND

EIGHT AS WELL. >> YOU'RE HAVING WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, YOU'RE HAVING AN EVENT TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT IT

WITH THE PUBLIC. >> NO, THIS IS THE MONTHLY MEETING FOR THE DEERFOOT HISTORIC CONSERVATION SOCIETY IS TONIGHT. AND I ADDRESS THEM ABOUT ONCE A QUARTER ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN TRANSPORTATION AND GENERAL DRIFTWOOD AREA SO THEY HAD ASKED ME TO DO AN UPDATE ON ALL THE PROJECTS AND AREA, NOT JUST ONE PROJECT BUT ALL THE PROJECTS IN AREA WILL BE DOING THAT THIS EVENING.

HOWEVER ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT'S NEWLY FORMED, NEVER EVEN ASKED FOR A MEETING, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WILL BE THERE TO ASK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE GARDEN HILL BUDGETS BUY AND TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS CORRECTLY I WILL RESTATE MY QUESTION. YOU'LL BE TALKING TONIGHT ABOUT DARTON HILL PROJECT AT YOUR MEETING?

>> IT WILL BE ONE OF AMONGST PROBABLY SEVEN MORE AT NOT MY MEETING AGAIN AT THE DRIFTWOOD HISTORICAL CONSERVATION SOCIETY.

>> LET ME TRY IT ONE MORE TIME. THERE'S A MEETING GOING ON TONIGHT THAT YOU WILL ATTEND IN DARTON HILL PROJECT WILL BE THERE. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN THE LOOPS OF IT AGAIN. OKAY, GOOD DEAL.

I PLAN ON ATTENDING THAT SO I CAN BE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED ON WHAT'S GOING ON THERE AS WELL. ON THIS AGENDA ITEM THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN, I WANT TO PLOT OUR -- APPLAUD OUR COUNTY AUDITOR OFFICE. SHE'S NOT HERE SHE HAD THINGS

SHE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT BUT. >> PROCUREMENT OFFICER.

>> NOT WITH WHAT I'M SAYING. PURCHASING HERE, TWO THINGS HAPPENING IN ONE SENTENCE. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER WORK AND APPLAUD OUR COUNTY OFFICER'S OFFICE IN OUR EFFORTS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY FOR THE VERY EXPENSIVE THINGS THAT WE DO LIKE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. THESE PROGRAMS AND PROGRESS WE'RE HAVING MAKE PERSISTENT AND DIRECT IMPACTS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY BY LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF OUR CITIZENS WE CAN TAKE THESE VERY IMPORTANT STRIDES AND REBUILDING TRUST WITH OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.

AT THE TIME, WE HAVE A WRITTEN PART HERE DOWN AT THE BOTTOM.

WHEN THE PUBLIC IS DEMANDING MORE EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY, ADDING ANOTHER LAYER OF CONSULTANTS CREATES MIDDLEMAN BUREAUCRACY AND SO I'M LEANING IN A LITTLE TIGHTER ON THESE TYPES OF TASKS AND SO, I'M GLAD WE HAD A CLARIFICATION OF SYNCHRONIZING OF EFFORTS BUT I'M REALLY MOST GRATEFUL FOR THAT LINE ITEM IN THE BACK TALKING ABOUT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BEING NOW PART OF THE BACKUP, -- IF IT'S PURCHASING, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU BECAUSE THESE THINGS ARE BETTER FOR ALL OF US WHEN WE SHARE OPENLY WHAT'S GOING ON.

ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT?

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER COHEN,.

>> I'M RECUSING MYSELF DUE TO A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WORKS...

[I.6. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Utility Reimbursement Agreement in the amount of $164,950.27 in eligible reimbursement costs with Goforth Special Utility District for water distribution line relocations located along FM 2001 East in Precinct 1, as part of the Hays County 2025 Road Improvements. INGALSBE/A.JONES]

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER, JUDGE BECERRA.

>> PLEASE OPEN I6. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE UTILITY REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $164,950.27 IN ELIGIBLE REIMBURSEMENT COST WITH THE GO FORTH ESPECIALLY UTILITY DISTRICT FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION LINE RELOCATIONS LOCATED ALONG FM 2001 EAST IN PRECINCT ONE AS PART OF THE HAYS COUNTY 2025

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> THESE WATER LINES ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO 2001 EAST PROJECT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT SOME MORE INFORMATION BUT EASEMENT ACQUISITION COST IS 54,614, 93

[02:55:04]

2:30 6.59. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[I.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Contract for Design Services (2026-PSA-63) between Hays County and Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers, LLC to provide design engineering services for the Sawyer Ranch Road project in Precinct 4 and amend the budget accordingly. SMITH/A.JONES]

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER SMITH, JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YES, I7. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXECUTE -- AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF CONTRACT FOR DESIGN SERVICES 2020 6PS863 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND CONSULTING ENGINEERS, LLC TO PROVIDE DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE SAWYER RANCH ROAD PROJECT IN PRECINCT FOUR AND AMEND THE

BUDGET ACCORDINGLY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER PORTION OF THE SAME FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE OVERLAID AND THE 2024 ROAD BOND ALONG WITH THE OBLIGATION, WE SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED SAWYER RANCH ROAD FOR ENGINEERING ONLY.

THIS IS ONLY FOR ENGINEERING. WE'RE JUST MOVING FORWARD.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER,

[I.8. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a Contract for Engineering Design services (2026- PSA-61) between Hays County and Volkert, Inc. to provide design services for the Sawyer Ranch Road Pedestrain Walkway project in Precinct 4. SMITH/A.JONES]

JUDGE BECERRA,. >> YES I8.

>> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES 2026 PSA 61 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND VOLKERT INC. TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE SAWYER RANCH ROAD PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY PROJECT

IN PRECINCT FOUR. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> THIS PROJECT IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE 2016 ROAD BOND WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AND PATH ON SAWYER RANCH ROAD.

IT DIDN'T -- WHENEVER IT WAS CONSTRUCTED, IT ENDED ROUGHLY 2 MILES BEFORE GARDEN HILL IN BOTH 2024 ROAD BOND AND OUR CERTIFICATE -- FOLLOW UP CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION ON TRANSPORTATION. WE PROPOSED AND INCLUDED AN EXTENSION OF THAT WALKWAY TO CONNECT TO THE NEW SITE OR SITE OF THE EXISTING CYPRESS SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHICH IS ALSO THE SITE FOR THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL YET TO BE NAMED HIGH SCHOOL.

VOLKERT DID THE ORIGINAL WALKWAY FROM THE 2016 ROAD BOND AND HAS ACTUALLY WORKED WITH US ON THIS PROJECT AT LEAST THREE TIMES I KNOW OF TO APPLY TO BOTH CAMPO AND TEX DOT FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT AND HOPEFULLY ONCE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN WE CAN APPLY AGAIN AND GET SOME MATCHING FUNDS EITHER STATE OR FEDERAL.

>> PLEASE CALL ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH,

[Items K.3, K.8, K.9 & K.12]

INGALSBE, JUDGE BECERRA. >> PLEASE OPEN.

>> K3 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.

>> TO APPROVE THE EXPENDITURE OF 2016 PUBLIC SAFETY BOND FUNDS ON THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC SAFETY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT THE HAYS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER.

THERMO DUCT HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING HVAC REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR, INTAKE DOOR REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR, INTERIOR DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADE, INSTALLATION OF THE NEW DOOR CONTROL SYSTEM AND AUTHORIZED THE DISCRETIONARY EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 262.024 LETTER A74 RELATED TO THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADE AND INSTALLATION FROM A NEW DOOR CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> THREE, EIGHT, NINE, 12, ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

I CAN DO THAT. >> K EIGHT DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE EXCEPTION OF GRANT AWARD FROM OPS -- OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM, LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION ACT PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF $57,952.22 AND AMEND THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

K9 DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE TO PURCHASE A NIGHTHAWK TEXAS HANDHELD X-RAY BACKSCATTER IMAGING SYSTEM FOR PALADIN DEFENSE SERVICES LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $58,589.80 AND K12, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONVERT A ONE TIME FOOD SERVICE WORKER POSITION SLOT 0655009 INTO A HALFTIME FOOD SERVICE WORKER POSITION AND THREE QUARTER TIME FTE EDUCATOR/GED INSTRUCTOR POSITION

EFFECTIVE MAY FIRST 2026. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE SOMEONE SIGNED UP FOR

[03:00:01]

IS IT? STAY WITH K3 PLEASE, EVEN THOUGH I'VE OPENED THEM ALL, YOU -- ONLY GET K3.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, COURT. ON THIS AGENDA ITEM, NOTICE THE PRICE AND $625,247. THIS IS BONDED 2016 AND THE BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN 2020, HERE WE ARE 2026.

JUST VERY CURIOUS. I KNOW SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS, THEY REQUIRE REPAIRS BUT I'M JUST WONDERING, I'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WHERE THEY MENTIONED THAT OLD JAIL BUILT IN THE 80S AND THESE REPAIRS DON'T COME AS FREQUENT AS THESE NEW BUILDINGS. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT WHOEVER'S BUILDING, DESIGNING THESE BUILDINGS WILL CREATE SOMETHING THAT THE TAXPAYER CAN SAY, I'VE GOT MY MONEY'S WORTH OUT OF THAT DOOR. BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THE SAME TYPES OF REPAIRS COMING UP HERE, A MECHANIC, MAKING MONEY LEFT AND RIGHT BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE -- I. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE DOORS, THE WOOD, THE HINGE, IS IT THE GUY THAT PUT IT UP? WHO IS IT? THAT'S A LARGE -- A. BIG TICKET RIGHT THERE, 600,000 OR MORE. JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START THOSE WHOEVER DESIGNS, BUILDS, MAINTAINS, WHATEVER, ACCOUNTABLE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THESE TYPES OF LARGE TICKET ITEMS POP UP BECAUSE THAT'S NOT BEING FISCALLY

RESPONSIBLE. >> THANK YOU, SIR,, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I BELIEVE A GOOD SOLID COMMISSIONER -- I. WILL GO TO TAMMY ONLY BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T MIND TAMMY, I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT BUT BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE IN THAT SPACE, AT THAT TIME, MY QUESTION TO YOU WILL BE TIED TO THE WARRANTY PERSPECTIVE OF -- IT'S A VALID QUESTION IF WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S SIX YEARS OLD, WHEN DOES THE WARRANTY EXPIRE KIND OF THOUGHT PROCESS IS WHAT I'M WONDERING. IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO IT AND IF

YOU DON'T THAT'S OKAY. >> I'M SORRY I CAN'T SPEAK TO IT. THIS IS SOMETHING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THEMSELVES AND I THINK CHIEF BAILEY HAS THE INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT.

>> JUDGE, WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT I'M REALLY THANKFUL THAT IT'S BEEN DETERMINED THAT THESE EXPENDITURES FALL WITHIN THE AUTHORIZED USE OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOND FUNDS.

CHIEF, YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO COME UP AND GIVE MORE EXPLANATION REGARDING ANY KIND OF WARRANTY OR WHATEVER BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A 24-HOUR A DAY OPERATION AND THINGS WEAR OUT, WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPAIR THESE ITEMS AND

THERE'S MORE TO ADD... >> CHIEF BAILEY IF YOU WILL

APPROACH THE PODIUM. >> I'M SORRY, WE DON'T -- THE FACILITIES AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DOES NOT MAINTAIN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER SO THAT'S WHY THAT'S...

>> WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING, YOU WERE ON THE COMMITTEE AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU HAD ANY INSIGHT AS TO

WARRANTY, GENERALLY SPEAKING,. >> I APOLOGZE, IT'S AT THE TAIL

END OF THE PROJECT. >> TOTALLY FINE, CHIEF BAILEY.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF DEPUTY -- HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

I CAN'T SPEAK TO HIS QUESTION SPECIFICALLY AS FAR AS WHEN WE CAN HOLD THE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE AND WARRANTY AND ALL THAT STUFF. WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THE JAIL STAFF HAVE IDENTIFIED CRITICAL ISSUES THAT NEED REPAIR TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE AND SO THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT COVER UNDER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT STUFF AND WORKING WITH THE TEAM, THIS IS MY FIRST SHOT AT GOING THROUGH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND SO FORTH, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO CIVIL SYSTEM ASSISTANT JORDAN FOR WALKING THROUGH THIS AND WE DID HAVE A MEETING AND THIS IS MONEY THAT HAS TO BE SPENT AND MY GOAL WAS TO TRY TO USE THE REMAINDER OF THE MONEY THAT WAS IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOND TO DO THIS SO THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO ASK FOR IT IN THE 2027 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET. I BELIEVE WE GOT THERE.

I'M. >> MY PART OF FOLLOWING UP WITH THE QUESTION WAS -- I KNOW IT SOUNDS TERRIBLE BUT THROUGH PURCHASING WHICH WAS UNAVAILABLE TODAY AND SHE'S REALLY GOOD AT PULLING UP WARRANTY INFORMATION ET CETERA AND I THINK THAT COULD HAVE ADDRESSED SOME OF THE QUESTION AND YOUR APPROACH AND USE OF MONEY SO IT DOESN'T COME OUT OF -- INSTEAD OF REGULAR GENERAL FUND MONEY, I THINK IT'S A SMALL -- SMART USE OF MONEY DURING THE PROCESS AND ASSESSMENT OF SOMETHING WE DO

HAVE TO MAINTAIN AND REPAIR. >> JORDAN POWELL -- I. HEARD

[03:05:07]

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS COMMISSIONERS?

PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER

[K.1. Discussion and possible action to modify the 2B 107 Sick Leave Pool Policy of the Personnel Policies effective April 14, 2026. BECERRA/GRANJENO]

SMITH, JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES THANK YOU.

K ONE PLEASE. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTIONS

MODIFIED. >> DID WE VOTE ON ALL THE OTHER

ONES? >> OKAY THANK YOU.

>> WE VOTED ON K THREE, EIGHT, NINE AND 12 ALL AT ONCE.

>> TO MODIFY THE 2B107 POOL POLICY OF THE PERSONNEL POLICIES

EFFECTIVE APRIL 14TH 2026. >> GOOD MORNING

JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. >> SO MOVED.

>> THANK YOU GOOD MORNING, HR DIRECTOR.

THIS AGENDA ITEM IS TO HAVE THE COURT CONSIDER REVISIONS TO THE SICK LEAVE POOL POLICY, OUR POLICY ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO REQUEST LEAVE HOURS FROM DONATED LEAVE POOL POLICY IN THE EVENT OF A CATASTROPHIC INJURY OR ILLNESS SO THE REVISIONS TO THIS POLICY WOULD EXPAND ACCESS AND ELIGIBILITY TO OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE REQUESTING LEAVE FROM THIS. THERE ARE FIVE REVISIONS.

THE FIRST REVISION WOULD ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO ALSO APPLY FOR AN ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBER WHO EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC INJURY OR ILLNESS. FAMILY MEMBER DEFINED AS WHAT THE FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE DEFINES FAMILY MEMBERS SO PARENT SPOUSE OR CHILD OR ANOTHER QUALIFYING FAMILY MEMBER.

IT WOULD ALSO REDUCE THE WAITING.

FROM 12 MONTHS TO APPLY TO THREE MONTHS.

IT WOULD CREATE A LEAD TIER FOR FMLA ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES TO REQUEST UP TO 720 HOURS OF SICK LEAVE POOL HOURS AND FOR NONFMLA EMPLOYEES FOR 240 HOURS. IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO REQUEST UP TO TWO TIMES PER FISCAL YEAR SO SOMETIMES WE HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO UNDER BUDGET HOW MUCH TIME THEY FEEL LIKE THEY MAY NEED SO IT ALLOWS THEM TO COME BACK FROM THE SAME CATASTROPHIC EVENTS TO REQUEST MORE TIME IF NEEDED.

>> LASTLY, IT'LL REDUCE THE WAITING.

FROM FOUR WEEKS FOR THE SICK LEAVE POOL HOURS TO BE GRANTED UNTIL -- GRANT THE HOURS ONCE THEIR LEAVE HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED SO THEY HAVE ONE WEEK THAT THEY HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR LEAVE, GRANTED BY THE SICK LEAVE POOL COMMITTEE WOULD BE GIVEN

IMMEDIATELY. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE WILL

START WITH YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS?

>> NO I THINK I'M SUPPORTING OF THIS.

>> COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER HAMMER,

COMMISSIONER SMITH. >> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, I KNOW THAT I CAN'T -- EMPLOYEES HAVE USED IT IN THE PAST AND IT'S BEEN EXCEEDINGLY HELPFUL EXPANDING THE ABILITY IS WELL

WORTH IT. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ERIKJ AND THE DIRECTION. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, JUDGE BECERRA.

[J.3. Discussion and possible action to consider granting a variance to Hays County On-Site Sewage Facility Regulations Table 10-1 Minimum Lot Size for the Pioneer Ranches, Section 1, Lot 26A Replat (PLN-2745- PC). HAMMER/BOUTTE]

>> YES. IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN WE ARE ON TO

K FOR. >> QUICK QUESTION CAN WE.

>> ANYTHING YOU GUYS WANT EVERY TIME.

>> OKAY PERFECT. >> J3.

>> J3 PLEASE. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO CONSIDER GRANTING A VARIANCE TO HAYS COUNTY ON SITE SEWAGE FACILITY REGULATIONS TABLE 101 MINIMUM LOT SIZE FOR THE PIONEER RANCHES SECTION ONE LOT 20 6APLN2745PC.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECONDED.

>> ANYTIME COMMISSIONER YOU WANT SOMETHING MOVED UP, JUST ASK.

>> THANK YOU. SO THIS IS INTERESTING AND I KNOW COLBY'S COMING UP HERE. WITH SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST WITH THE RESOLUTION TO NOT WAIVE THE WATER AVAILABILITY STUDY, IT'S CREATED A TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT WHERE SOME ASSUMPTIONS THAT WERE APPLIED WITH OUR PREVIOUS ROLES AND REGS DO NOT APPLY NOW BECAUSE OF THE WAIVER, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DO THE WATER AVAILABILITY STUDY SO IT'S KIND OF CONFUSING AND COMPLICATED I'M GONNA HAVE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND IF CHASE ALSO WANTS TO COME UP AND GIVE HIS TAKE ON IT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS FROM A FURTHER PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE WE CAN'T -- THIS WILL COME UP MORE AND MORE OFTEN AND IF THIS WASN'T IN THE CONTRIBUTING ZONE AND WAS IN THE RECHARGE ZONE, IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT THAN IT IS WHICH DOESN'T REALLY MAKE A LOT OF SENSE BECAUSE THE RECHARGE ZONE IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR OUR AQUIFER THAN THE CONTRIBUTING

[03:10:03]

TO GET SOME CLARITY ON. >> IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER HAMER FOR THE GROUND GAME OF THAT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. COLBY, SENIOR PLANNER WITH ACE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS PROJECT CONCERNING LOT 26 A AND PIONEER RANCH'S SECTION ONE WILL DIVIDE THE PROPERTY INTO TWO LOTS. OVERALL IT'S 6.73 ACRES, ONE LOT WILL BE SERVED BY INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WHILE THE OTHER WILL BE SERVED BY A RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM.

THE PROPERTY DOES FALL WITHIN THE PRIORITY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA. IT DOES LIE OUTSIDE OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER CONTRIBUTING ZONE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT IN THE PRIORITY GROUNDWATER AREA, THERE ARE TWO SUBZONES.

ANY OTHER LYING OUTSIDE THE EDWARDS AQUIFER ZONE AND OF COURSE THE CONTRIBUTING ZONE, THE EDWARDS AQUIFER.

THIS RULE FOR THE 6-ACRE MINIMUM APPLIES TO BOTH OF THOSE AREAS, ESPECIALLY IF A PROPERTY IS USING AN INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELL FOR ITS PRIMARY WATER SOURCE. AND AS STATED, THE APPLICANT FOR THIS PROJECT, US KNOWING THAT THERE IS ONE PROPERTY USING A PRIVATE WELL IS REQUESTING A VARIANCE TO THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE REQUIREMENT THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE 6 ACRES.

AS COMMISSIONER HAMER STATED, THE STATUTE FROM TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 232-0032 REQUIRED THE COUNTY TO ASK FOR EACH APPLICATION THAT IS USING INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE WELLS OR GROUNDWATER UNDER THAT PROPERTY TO SUBMIT A GROUNDWATER CERTIFICATION FROM THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AS WELL AS TESTING FOR EMPIRIC BOTH OF THESE FORMS HAVE BEEN WITH THE APPLICATION SO GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY HAS BEEN DETERMINED HOWEVER THE PRIOR -- MINIMUM LOT SIZE REQUIREMENT, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE FACING THE LOT SIZE ISSUE AT THE

TIME. >> AND BEFOREHAND, IT USED TO BE FIVE LOTS OR MORE FELL INTO THAT 6-ACRE.

>> QUICK CORRECTION. FIVE LOTS OR LESS WOULD HAVE QUALIFIED FOR AN EXEMPTION FROM DEMONSTRATING GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY BUT TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 2:30 20032 TOOK THAT PARAMETER OUT. SO THERE ARE NO EXEMPTIONS FROM

GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY. >> SO BASICALLY, THIS IS CAUSE -- THIS IS NOT A VARIANCE FROM THE GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY VARIANCE FROM THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE REQUIREMENT, THAT WAS TRIGGERED BECAUSE WE REQUIRE GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY

CORRECT? >> ESSENTIALLY CORRECT, YES.

BUT. >> PRIMARY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA, THEY'RE USING A WELL AND THEY'VE SUBMITTED A GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY BUT OUR MINIMUM LOT SIZE IN THIS AREA IS 6 ACRES. AND ONE OF THESE LOTS WILL ONLY BE 3 ACRES AND SOME CHANGE, THE OTHER THE SAME AMOUNT.

>> ONE RAINWATER AND ONE PRIVATE WELL.

>> IT ALREADY HAS A WELL IN IT CORRECT?

>> CORRECT THE WELL IS EXISTING. >> DID THE WATER AVAILABILITY STUDY GO TO THE GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT ON THIS

ONE? >> GOOD QUESTION.

>> IF NOT WHY NOT? AGAIN THE FORM AS REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IS UP ON THEIR WEBSITE. ANY TIME WE GET AN APPLICATION AND WE SEE PRIVATE WELL OR GROUNDWATER UNDERNEATH THAT PROPERTY IF THAT FORM IS NOT RECEIVED, PART OF HER ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF THAT APPLICATION IS TO SEND A COMMENT, REQUESTING THAT FORM BE COMPLETED BY A TEXAS LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER OR GEOSCIENTIST AND WE DO CHECK THAT BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.

>> DID YOU SHARE THAT WITH THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICT?

>> CAN YOU ANSWER HER QUESTION SPECIFICALLY.

>> WE DID NOT SHARE THAT PARTICULAR FORM WITH THE GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

>> WHY NOT? >> GREAT QUESTION.

>> WHAT DO WE NEED TO SUPPORT YOU SO THAT YOU CAN?

>> THAT WOULD BE AN INITIATIVE ON OUR PART TO MAKE SURE WE SEND IT OUT WHEN WE RECEIVE IT WITH EACH APPLICATION.

>> BECAUSE WE HAD A REALLY LONG DISCUSSION AND I'M NOT CRITICIZING, PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT THAT WAY.

I'M JUST SAYING WE HAD THIS LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT AND I KNOW THAT THE JUDGE SAID THEY WERE HEADS NODDING, WE WILL DO THIS FORWARD. IS THAT WHAT OUR PLAN IS TO NOW START SUBMITTING THOSE REPORTS TO THE GROUNDWATER?

>> ALL THE GROUNDWATER DISTRICTS, NOT JUST -- ALL FOR

THAT OPERATE IN THE COUNTY. >> YES THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO

[03:15:08]

BEEN THAT. >> HOLD ON.

I WAS JUST SAYING, SENDING IT TO ALL FOUR FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE AND I WAS JUST GETTING CLARITY ON THAT.

>> WE SHOULD ALL BENEFIT FROM THAT.

>> WHICHEVER GROUNDWATER DISTRICT IT FALLS UNDER WE HAVE

FOR THAT OPERATE IN THE COUNTY >> LET'S MAKE SURE WHICHEVER ONE IT FALLS UNDER THEY GET A COPY OF

IT. >> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFICATION BECAUSE THE REQUEST WAS NOT TO SEND ONE COPY TO ALL FOUR BUT ONLY TO THE CORRESPONDING JURISDICTION.

>> THANK YOU, OKAY CANDICE, I FEEL.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT STAFF HAS REQUESTED THAT TO THE DEVELOPER'S PARTNER -- THIS CONVERSATION TODAY, WE KNOW HOW TO MOVE FORWARD THAT THEY SUBMIT THAT INFORMATION TO THE DISTRICT SO WE WILL UPDATE OUR PROCESS AND MAKE SURE WE SEND IT TO THE RESPONSIBLE DISTRICT MOVING

FORWARD. >> PERFECT, THANK YOU.

SO WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDATION? >> IS IT OKAY IF I CALL CHASE

REALLY QUICK TO SPEAK ON IT? >> STATE YOUR NAME AND TITLE.

NAME AND TITLE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC.

>> ASSISTANT CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY WITH THE DIVISION -- I. WORK WITH SERVICES FAIRLY REGULARLY ON THIS.

DO YOU MIND IF I TRY TO RESTATE THE PROBLEM REAL QUICK?

>> THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH UPDATES AND REGISTRATION WITH INTERACTION BETWEEN SUBDIVISION RULES AND OUR OSF RULES.

>> TELL US WHAT THE LETTERS STAND FOR?

>> ON SITE SUBJECT FACILITY. >> ESSENTIALLY WHAT'S HAPPENING IS PRIOR TO 2019 WITH THE OLDER 232-0032 REQUIREMENT, THE LEGISLATOR MADE IT TO WHERE WE COULD REQUIRE GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STATEMENT BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO AND SO OUR OLD DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS THAT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WE WILL REQUIRE GROUNDWATER CERTIFICATIONS HOWEVER, IN ONE OF THE -- I. BELIEVE IT WAS 23 -- THE CYCLE THAT CAME OUT, THEY STARTED MAKING IT MANDATORY FOR COUNTIES AND DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ACROSS THE STATE TO REQUIRE GROUNDWATER CERTIFICATION UNLESS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOUND CERTAIN PARTICULAR FINDINGS. AND IN RESPONSE TO THIS, ONE OF THE ACTIONS THE COURT TOOK WAS A RESOLUTION THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THERE WILL -- THERE IS AND WILL BE WATER IN PERPETUITY GOING FORWARD. AND SO BECAUSE OF THAT, THAT MEANS ACROSS THE BOARD, ANY SORT OF DEVELOPMENT WE REQUIRE GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY AND SO WHAT HAPPENS THEN IS UNDER OUR OSF RULES, THERE ARE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT ARE OUT THERE BUT INSIDE THE PRIMARY GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA, THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT BROAD CATEGORIES OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES WHEN ATTACHED TO OSF AND THERE'S A PRIVATE WELL. THERE'S INSIDE THE CONTRIBUTING ZONE, THERE'S INSIDE OF THE RECHARGE ZONE AND THERE'S INSIDE THE -- BUT NOT INSIDE EITHER CONTRIBUTING ZONES OR THE RECHARGE ZONE. AND SO, FOR THE INSIDE PIGMA BUT OUTSIDE -- OUTSIDE OF EITHER ONE OR CONTRIBUTING ZONE, THERE IS ONE SET OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES THAT ARE LOWER AND THEN THERE'S A FOOTNOTE, FOOTNOTE EIGHT THAT SAYS IF THE SUBDIVIDER IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY IT PUMPS UP TO A MUCH HIGHER AMOUNT OF GROUNDWATER AREA WHICH LEADS TO AN ODD RESULT THAT THE CONTRIBUTING ZONE, THE RECHARGE ZONE HAS ACTUALLY A LOWER MINIMUM STANDARD THAN THE OTHER TWO ZONES WHEN THAT'S ACTUALLY ARGUABLY THE MORE IMPORTANT OF THE THREE. AND SO IT'S AN ODDITY OF SECRECY OF HOW THE RULES WORK COMBINED WITH THE RULES WE'VE GOTTEN FROM TC AND THE RESOLUTION AND FROM THE UPDATE STATUTE.

IT WOULD BE TO TRY TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE CAN HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE LOWER AMOUNT THAN WHAT IT CURRENTLY ALLOWS US TO REQUIRE.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> 100%.

>> INTRICACIES OF RULES THAT ARE EXTREMELY COMPLEX.

>> AND IT'S NOT COHESIVE AND YOU HAVE CONFLICTING MESSAGING.

>> ONE LAST THING IF YOU DON'T MIND.

THIS DOES MAKE IT TO WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE OUR QUESTION ON THE RESOLUTION, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH CERTAIN FINDINGS AND ASPECTS BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE A VARIANCE FROM THE LOT SIZE NOT THE REQUIREMENT OF THE GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY STUDY WHICH IS SLIGHTLY EASIER. [INAUDIBLE]

>> RIGHT ON. ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

OR COMMENTS? >> I WOULD SAY, I TYPICALLY WOULD ALWAYS SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUE BUT THIS IS A HARD

[03:20:01]

I FIND THAT MUCH EASIER TO DEAL WITH AND IT MAKES IT MUCH MORE

PALATABLE SO THANK YOU. >> THAT WAS.

[INAUDIBLE] >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO GRANT THIS VARIANCE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[INAUDIBLE] >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

[Items J.1. & J.2.]

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH.

>> YES. >> JUDGE BECERRA.

>> YES. WE WILL FINISH J LET'S DO ONE

AND TWO TOGETHER. >> J ONE, PLN2720PC RATIFY APPROVAL FOR THE CYPRESS CREEK ACRES LOT 48 AND 49B RE PLAT J2PLN-2854-NP, RATIFY APPROVAL OF EVERY ESTATE FINAL PLAT.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDED IN THIS CONVERSATION? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSONER

[K.4. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of an engagement letter, effective March 25, 2026, between Hays County and Waterloo Legal Services, PLLC related to the planned development and financing of the Spring Trail Center Project (Hays County Civic Center property). INGALSBE]

>> YES IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN WE ARE ON K FOUR BACK TO K.

>> K FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF AN ENGAGEMENT LETTER EFFECTIVE MARCH 25TH 2026 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND WATERLOO LEGAL SERVICES.

P L. LC RELATED TO THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING OF THE SPRING TRAIL CENTER PROJECT. HAYS COUNTY CIVIC CENTER

PROPERTY. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE.

>> LET ME MAKE SURE I'M ON THE RIGHT ONE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO RETAIN THE ATTORNEY TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT THAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON THIS PROJECT.

HE HAS MOVED TO A DIFFERENT LAW FIRM AND SO WE'RE JUST WANTING

TO RETAIN THAT SAME ATTORNEY. >> IN A NEW LOCATION.

ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K.5. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of the First Amendment to the Ellington Development Agreement executed on or about September 16, 2025 between Hays County ("County") and GBRK Edgewood LLC ("Declarant"). COHEN/BOUTTE]

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER

SMITH, JUDGE BECERRA. >> YES, K5.

>> K5 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE ELLINGTON DEVELOPMENT SEPTEMBER 16TH 2025 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY COUNTY AND

GBR K. EDGEWOOD LLC. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

>> NO JUST JUST THIS IS THE FIRST AGREEMENT THIS AMENDMENT AGREES THE FLEXIBILITY AND REASONABLE DESIGN STANDARD FOR THE CUL DE SAC THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER SMITH,

[K.6. Discussion and possible action to grant a variance to Section 10. W.1 of the Hays County Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities allowing for the use of portable toilets for the Old Settlers Music Festival April 17-19, 2026. SMITH/BOUTTE]

JUDGE BECERRA,. >> YES K SIX.

>> K SIX DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO GRANT VARIANCE TO SECTION 10. W.1 OF THE HAYS COUNTY RULES FOR ON SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES ALLOWING FOR THE USE OF PORTABLE TOILETS FOR THE OLD SETTLERS MUSIC FESTIVAL APRIL 17TH THROUGH 19TH 2026.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> PRETTY SELF-EXPLANATORY, THE OLD SETTLERS MUSIC FESTIVAL IS HAPPENING IN DRIFTWOOD. IT ORIGINALLY WAS THERE, MOVED OUT OF THE COUNTY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THEY'VE COME BACK AT A MUCH SMALLER SCALE AND THEY WANT TO BE DOSED AVAILABILITY TO

USE PORTA TOILETS THERE. >> PLEASE CALL ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER HAMMER,

[K.7. Discussion and possible action to authorize the Director of Development Services or designee to establish protocols and requirements and develop related forms to bring back to the Commissioners Court for purposes of administratively issuing future variances to Section 10.W.1 of the Hays County On-Site Sewage Facility Rules related to the use of portable toilets. SMITH/BOUTTE]

>> YES, K SEVEN. >> K SEVEN, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OR DESIGNEE TO ESTABLISH PROTOCOLS AND REQUIREMENTS AND DEVELOP RELATED FORUMS TO BRING BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR PURPOSES OF ADMINISTRATIVELY ISSUING FUTURE VARIANCES TO SECTION 10. W.1 OF THE HAYS COUNTY ON SITE SEWAGE FACILITY RULES RELATED TO THE USE OF PORTABLE TOILETS.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> THIS IS JUST INSTEAD OF HAVING TO DO THIS EVERY TIME AND APPROVE PORTABLE TOILETS FOR EVENTS, I THOUGHT IT COULD BE BETTER TO SET UP A PROTOCOL AND LET OUR STAFF LOOK AT AND MAKE A

DETERMINATION. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[K.10. Discussion and possible action to authorize the acceptance of Amendment No. 5 to the Department of State Health Services, Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant contract in the amount of $126,723.00. INGALSBE/BOUTTE/GONZALES]

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER SMITH, JUDGE BECERRA.

>> K TEN. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF AMENDMENT NUMBER FIVE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF

$126,723. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[03:25:01]

>> COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, COMMISSIONER HAMMER,

[K.11 . Discussion and possible action to authorize the purchase of furniture for the County Clerk's Office in the amount of $4,409.75 related to the approved office renovations in the fiscal year 2026 approved budget, and amend the budget accordingly. BECERRA/CARDENAS/HUNT]

>> K11, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF FURNITURE FOR THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $4409.75 RELATED TO THE APPROVED OFFICE RENOVATIONS IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 APPROVED BUDGET AND THEN THE BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECONDED.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE,

[K.13. Discussion and possible action to authorize the execution of a contract for RFP 2026-P06 HVAC - Preventative Maintenance and Repair Services, Countywide between Hays County and Jantzen Luke Myer LLC, dba Ductman AC & Heating. BECERRA/CRUMLEY/WARE/HUNT]

JUDGE BECERRA,. >> K13 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR RFP 2026-P06H VAC PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES COUNTY WIDE BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND LLC DBA, AC AND HEATING.

>> SO MOVED. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER HAMMER,

[K.14. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2026-B06 Concrete between Hays County and TRUE Construction, LLC to provide concrete materials countywide on an as-needed basis. BECERRA/A.JONES/HUNT]

>> K14. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR IFB 2020 6-PB06, CONCRETE BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND TRUE CONSTRUCTION LLC TO PROVIDE CONCRETE MATERIALS COUNTYWIDE ON AN AS-NEEDED BASIS.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER SMITH,

[K.15. Discussion and possible action to award and execute a contract for IFB 2026-B04 Health Department Roof Repair - Hail Storm May 2024 between Hays County and Alamo Roofing to repair the Health Department roof due to hail damage, totaling $159,319.00, and amend the budget accordingly. HAMMER/CRUMLEY/HUNT]

JUDGE BECERRA, K15. >> DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR I FB2026-B04 HEALTH DEPARTMENT ROOF REPAIR HAILSTORM MAY 2024 BETWEEN HAYS COUNTY AND ALAMO ROOFING TO REPAIR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ROOF DUE TO HAIL DAMAGE TOTALING $159,319 AND AMEND THE BUDGET.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ONE?

>> DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES. THIS WAS A TECH CLAIM AND ALSO A REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM SO THAT'S WHY IT'S TAKEN.

>> IS THAT MONEY COMING OUT OF US?

>> IT'S AN INSURANCE CLAIM. >> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM OUR BUDGET.

>> IT'S NOT. >> SCOTT WITH BUDGET OFFICER, FOR SOME CLARIFICATION ON THAT. WE DEFER THOSE INSURANCE PROCEEDS WHEN RECEIVED, AS THEY GENERALLY ACCEPT THE COUNTY PRINCIPLE THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THOSE PROCEEDS WHEN THE REPAIRS HAPPEN SO WE DEFER THEM AND THEY PRIOR FISCAL YEAR, WE WOULD BE

RECOGNIZING THEM THIS YEAR. >> IT'S INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT BEAUTIFUL, THANK YOU, CALL THE VOTE.

[M.1. Discussion related to the Hays County inmate population, to include current population counts and costs. BECERRA]

>> COMMISSIONER SMITH, COMMISSIONER COHEN, COMMISSIONER HAMMER, COMMISSIONER INGALSBE, JUDGE BECERR.

>> YES LET'S OPEN EM ONE. >> DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE HAYS COUNTY INMATE POPULATION TO INCLUDE CURRENT POPULATION

COUNTS AND COSTS. >> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SENDS MY OFFICE THE JAIL REPORT, JAIL'S CAPACITY REPORT.

HAYS COUNTY'S CURRENT MAXIMUM JAIL CAPACITY IS 464 INMATES JAIL STANDARDS RECOMMENDS APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THAT OPEN WHICH LOWERS OUR ACTUAL CAPACITY TO 417.

THE JAIL'S DAILY AVERAGE WAS 553 AND PEAK WAS 560 OFF APRIL SEVENTH. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR OUTSOURCING INMATES THIS WEEK IS 79,950.

THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF -- AVERAGE NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED MALES IS 111 AND FEMALES ARE ZERO AND THEY'RE ALL HOUSED IN

[M.2. Discussion and possible action related to the burn ban. BECERRA]

AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, ALL EXECUTIVE SESSIONS WILL BE OPEN, LET'S OPEN THEM ALL. THE BURN BAN EXPIRED, GETS LIFTED AND WITH THIS RAIN THAT CAME UPON US, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

[L. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS]

POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW OPEN COURT.

L2 EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE PURCHASE EXCHANGE LEASE AND/OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS AND OPEN SPACES PROJECTS BEING CONSIDERED BY HAYS COUNTY INCLUDING THE

[03:30:05]

L4 EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH COUNCIL DELIBERATION TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE COUNTY'S POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO REQUIRE FEE SIMPLE INTEREST IN 0.0376 ACRES FROM PROPERTY OWNED BY 2300 WINDY HILL ROAD LLC IN WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED WINDY HILL ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND UTILITY ADJUSTMENTS AND TAKE OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION PARCEL 40, 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 COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE COUNTY'S POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE A FEW SIMPLE INTEREST IN 2.740 ACRES FROM PROPERTY OWNED BY RENAMON OG ONE LLC AND WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED FM 2001 GAP ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND UTILITY ADJUSTMENTS AND OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION, PARCEL 29C, POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW AN OPEN REPORT. L6, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION AND CONSIDER A RESOLUTION DETERMINING NECESSIY AND AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE COUNTY'S POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN TO A PRIOR FEE SIMPLE INTEREST AND 0.8928 ACRES FROM PROPERTY OWNED AND MULTI-FAMILY LLC WHICH IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED FM 2001 GAP ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND UTILITY ADJUSTMENTS AND TAKE OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION PARCEL 29 A, POSSIBLE DISCUSSION INTERACTION MAY FOLLOW AN OPEN COURT. L7 EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 551.071 AND 551.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION REASSIGNMENT, DUTIES, DISCIPLINE OR DISMISSAL OF THE PARKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

ELLAD EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 5510.71 AND 551.074 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH COUNSEL AND DELIBERATION REGARDING THE REASSIGNMENT, DUTIES, DISCIPLINE OR DISMISSAL OF DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SO THIS IS POSSIBLE DISCUSSION INTERACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT.

>> BEAUTIFULLY DONE, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT WHOLE THING WITHOUT A SIP OF WATER. GOOD JOB.

IF YOU'RE NOT DIRECTLY TIED TO

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.