[1. Call to Order.]
[00:00:10]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. TODAY IS THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND, 2026, AND THE TIME IS NOW 1:00 P.M. I CALLED TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING OF FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.
THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMING TO THE COURTROOM AND THOSE JOINING US VIA LIVE STREAM. PLEASE BE ADVISED WE DO HAVE A QUORUM, AND PLEASE STAND, AS COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE WILL LEAD US IN PRAYER
AND FOLLOWED BY INVOCATION. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I DIDN'T PREPARE A SERMON, SO I WILL WING IT. EVERYONE, PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS FOR PRAYER. LORD, ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY, WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THIS BODY, THE PEOPLE ASSEMBLED HERE, AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY. WE ASK THAT ON THE AGENDA ITEMS TODAY, YOU GIVE US THE COURAGE, THE WISDOM, TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE RIGHT, JUST, IN YOUR SITE AND JUST FOR ALL. HELP US CONTINUE TO LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE AND HARMONY AND DO YOUR WILL. IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
>> AMEN. PLEASE JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE TO OUR FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ALL RIGHT, TAKE TWO. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
[3. Approve minutes of regular meeting held on January 8, 2026.]
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ITEM NUMBER THREE, APPROVE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JANUARY
8TH, 2026. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
[4. Public Comments regarding the Agenda and Announcements.]
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER FOUR, PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE AGENDA AND ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND WE HAVE A FEW UPDATES, AND I WILL ASK -- I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU HEARD, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PRIESTS COMING OUR WAY. SO, GREG, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE US AN UPDATE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS COURT, JUDGE, COUNTY, AND OUR CITIZENS OF FORT BEND COUNTY. WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER SOME WINTER ADVISORIES RIGHT NOW. YOU WILL SEE, IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ACTIVE FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS WITH THE SUPPORT OF ALL OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, THE JURISDICTIONS THROUGHOUT FORT BEND COUNTY. THANK YOU TWO, AGAIN, THE LEADERSHIP HERE IN THE COUNTY, AND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR PUSHING A LOT OF THIS STUFF, SO WE COULD DO THIS STUFF TO START PREPARING AHEAD OF TIME. ADVISORY WATCHES ARE CURRENTLY WINTER STORM WATCH, YAKIMA WINTER STORM WATCH IN TEXAS, IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 24TH AT 6:00 A.M. TO SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH, 6:00 P.M.
EXTREME COLD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24TH, THROUGH MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 26TH. KEY RISKS, DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE COMING. AND THIS IS A FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE IN THE TEENS, THAT WILL BE SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY, ALL DAY SUNDAY WE WILL NOT GET ABOVE FREEZING WITH A FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE FOR FORT BEND COUNTY AND ALL THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES. THEY ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY PUTTING A HARD FREEZE FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, WARNING THAT WILL BE COMING OUT ON SATURDAY, ALL THE WAY THROUGH SUNDAY AND INTO MONDAY. WITH POTENTIAL OF ICE ACCUMULATION, THAT IS THE KEY.
THERE WILL BE RAIN AND PRECIPITATION ALL THROUGH SATURDAY INTO A FREEZE, A HARD FREEZE, AND THEN MORE PRECIPITATION AND RAIN ON SUNDAY, WITH POSSIBILITY OF SOME SNOW OR SLUSH, AND HAIL ON SUNDAY. SO, AGAIN, SATURDAY, SHARP, ARCTIC COLD FREEZE MOVES THROUGH. SUNDAY, VERY COLD, WINDY, WILL NOT GET ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURES.
CURRENTLY, SITUATION OVERVIEW FOR FORT BEND COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER IS ACTIVE AT AN LEVEL THREE, IN RESPONSE TO THE PRIMARY RISK OF PROLONGED SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES WITH POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY, VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. PLEASE, STAY OFF THE ROAD IF YOU CAN, SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, AND PREPARE NOW. AT THIS TIME, PREPARE IS A READY POSTURE, ACTIVATION OF THE EEOC, FULL ACTIVATION OF THE EOC WITH
[00:05:09]
STAFFING SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY WITH ONLY THOSE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE CONTROLLING RESOURCING AND MANAGING SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AS DIRECTED BY THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR. PRIORITY CONCERNS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENTS, VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, SENIORS, MEDICAL FRAGILE INDIVIDUALS, UNHOUSED POPULATIONS, RESIDENCE WITHOUT RELIABLE HEAT OR SHEET RISK, INFRASTRUCTURE, UTILITIES, HARD FREEZE CONDITIONS -- THAT MEANS PIPES BURSTING -- PLEASE, PROTECT YOUR PIPES. PROTECT EACH OTHER, PROTECT YOUR PETS, AND PROTECT YOUR PLANTS.TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY -- STAY OFF THE ROAD A SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY, IF YOU CAN. MORNING FREEZE CONDITIONS MAY CREATE LOCAL HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS, IMPACTING ROADS, BRIDGES, IN THOSE KNOWN FREEZING AREAS. OUR ROAD AND BRIDGE CREWS HAVE BEEN PREPPING FACILITIES, BEEN PREPPING THE ROADS, AND ARE GOING OUT STARTING FRIDAY TO PREPARE THOSE BRIDGES IN NORMAL FREEZE CONDITION AREAS. COUNTYWIDE COORDINATION, AGAIN, WE HAVE HELD DEPARTMENT HEAD CALLS, MUNICIPALITY CALLS, JURISDICTIONAL CALLS, UTILITY CALLS WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS SURROUNDING. WE WILL CONTINUE WATCHING THOSE DAILY WEATHER BRIEFS, PREPARING THOSE ACTIONS FOR LIFE SAFETY MEASURES AND SHELTERING, WE WILL BE POSTING WARMINGS SHELTERS 24 HOURS THROUGH THIS TIME, AND WE WILL BE PUSHING OUT TONS OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND RISK AVOIDANCE AND PREPAREDNESS THROUGHOUT THIS EVENT. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, OUR APP, FORT BEND COUNTY EM, FOLLOW US ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.FBCOM.ORG. AGAIN, WE HAVE THOSE TRANSLATIONS NOT ONLY FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED, THE SEEING AND PAIRED, BUT ALSO TRANSLATION SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR YOU. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. IN TERMS OF THE WARMING CENTERS, I KNOW THIS IS A QUESTION WE HAVE ASKED, BUT ARE WARMING CENTERS AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS TO ALSO BRING THEIR PETS, SHOULD THEY LOSE POWER?
>> YEAH, THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE AND WE WILL BE POSTING WHICH ONES WILL BE AVAILABLE WITH THAT FOR YOU, SIR.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU, JUDGE PAIRED
>> NEXT IS, I UNDERSTAND, A COMMISSIONER HAD A PROCLAMATION?
>> YES, JUST A QUICK UPDATE FOLLOWING ON THE HEELS OF THIS.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE KICKING OFF OUR PEOPLE'S BUDGET TOWN HALL SERIES. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO KICK THAT OFF THIS SATURDAY AT THE NEW TERRITORY CLUBHOUSE, BUT THAT IS BEING RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER. SO, PLEASE DON'T COME OUT TO THE NEW TERRITORY CLUBHOUSE ON SATURDAY. WE WILL HAVE OUR NEXT ONE ON WEDNESDAY OF THIS COMING WEEK, THE 28TH, AT THE MISSION BEND LIBRARY AT 6:00 P.M., THEN THE ONE AFTER THAT WILL BE SATURDAY, THE 31ST, AT LAKES OF BELLA TERRA CLUBHOUSE AT 11:00 A.M. SO, PLEASE COME ENGAGE WITH US, LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR PRIORITIES ARE, BEFORE WE KICK OFF OUR NEXT BUDGET PLANNING SEASON. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU HERE. IT IS MY HONOR TO RECOGNIZE MUSLIM AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, AND WE HAVE SOME GUESTS WITH US FOR THAT. WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS HOUSTON OFFICE, PREMIER MUSLIM CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY. HE IS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WITH A DEGREE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT WITH A LONG CAREER IN COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE. HE IS ALSO A FARMER, RIGHT HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR BEING HERE, AND I INVITE HIM TO COME SAY A FEW WORDS BEFORE WE READ THE RESOLUTION, AND COMMEMORATE
MUSLIM AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU, DEXTER MCCOY, FOR THIS PROCLAMATION. THIS PROCLAMATION IS RELEVANT FOR A COUPLE OF HEARINGS -- REASONS. THE FIRST IS MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN A PART OF AMERICAN CULTURE SINCE THE BEGINNING. THE COUNTRY OF MOROCCO WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY, MUSLIM COUNTRY, TO RECOGNIZE THE UNITED STATES. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ONE IN EVERY THREE AFRICAN SLAVES THAT WERE BROUGHT HERE, WERE MUSLIM. AND IN THE 1950S, THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAD SEEN AN IMMIGRATION WAVE OF MUSLIMS TO BENEFIT THE ECONOMY WITH OUR ENGINEERS, LAWYERS, DOCTORS, AND ENTREPRENEURS, AND ON OCCASION, THERE IS A LOAN FARMER. SO, AFTER THIS FREEZE, I AM HOPING TO PLANT MY CUCUMBERS AND PEPPERS FOR THIS SEASON. THIS RESOLUTION IS SIGNIFICANT. ALSO, IN LIGHT OF THE RISE OF ISLAMOPHOBIA IN OUR STATE, WHILE THERE ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS GOING AFTER AND FOMENTING ANTI-MUSLIM HATE AND FEAR, ESPECIALLY IN THIS ELECTION
[00:10:01]
CYCLE, WE COMMEND FORT BEND COUNTY FOR RECOGNIZING THE INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTION THAT MUSLIMS HAVE MADE TO THE SOCIETY, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO SO. LASTLY, WITH THE MONTH OF RAMADAN COMING UP IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH, THIS RESOLUTION WILL EXCITE THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY TO INVITE OUR BROADER FORT BEND COMMUNITY TO COME JOIN US FOR A FAR EXPERIENCE, FASTING, THIS WONDERFUL MONTH OF RAMADAN, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, THE PROPHET MOHAMMED, PEACE BE UPON HIM.LANGUAGE ] THAT THE PERSON WHO DOESN'T THINK MANKIND HAS BEEN THANKFUL TO GOD. SO, WE THANK GOD, BY THANKING THE PEOPLE FOR THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND READ THE RESOLUTION? >> WHEREAS MUSLIM AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATES THE RICH HISTORY AND ENDURING CONTRIBUTIONS OF MUSLIM AMERICANS, WHOSE VALUES OF SERVICE AND COMMUNITY HAVE SHAPED THE SOCIAL AND CIVIC FABRIC OF THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEREAS, THE JANUARY OBSERVANCE HONORS THE LEGACY OF YARRO MAMOUD, A FORMER ENSLAVED CANADIAN, WHO BECAME A BUSINESSMAN, SHOWING THE RESILIENCE AND EARLY IMPACT OF MUSLIMS IN AMERICAN AND WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY, MUSLIM AMERICANS HAVE DRIVEN NATIONAL PROGRESS AS EDUCATORS, NATIONAL MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, ENGINEERS, AND PUBLIC SERVANTS, STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH FAITH DRIVEN ENGAGEMENT, AND WHEREAS FORT BEND COUNTY IS PROUD TO BE HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT AND DIVERSE MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN THE NATION, WHICH CONTRIBUTES SIGNIFICANTLY TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND CULTURAL VITALITY. AND WHEREAS, THIS RECOGNITION AFFIRMS OUR COMMITMENT TO HONORING THE HISTORY AND ONGOING ACHIEVEMENTS OF MUSLIM AMERICANS, WHILE FOSTERING A SPIRIT OF COMPASSION AND BELONGING. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DEXTER L. MCCOY, COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF FORT BEND COUNTY PRECINCT 4, TO RECOGNIZE JANUARY 2026 AS MUSLIM AMERICAN HERITAGE
MONTH. THANK YOU. >> AND IF YOU COULD TAKE A
PHOTO? >> AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY, SUMINA IS ONE OF MY FORMER STUDENTS.
[5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1:00 p.m.: Conduct Public Hearings and take all appropriate action on the following matters:]
ITEM NUMBER FIVE, PUBLIC HEARING. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS. A, ENGINEERING -- HOLD PUBLIC HEARING FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC CONTROL PLANS -- FIVE A.A, TAMARRON CROSSING STREET DEDICATION SECTION 1B IN TAMARRON WEST, PRECINCT 1; B, TAMARRON RICE HARVEST ROAD PHASE 1 STREET DEDICATION, PRECINCT 1; C, SIENNA LAKES DRIVE STREET DEDICATION, PRECINCT 2; AND AND D, MONARCH LANDING SECTION 2, PRECINCT 3 IF ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS, PLEASE STEP FORWARD. SEEING NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD AND ALSO WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY REQUESTS DIGITALLY -- EMAIL, SO ON SO FORTH -- SO, AT THIS TIME, I WILL CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. OKAY, CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING, AND I WILL CONTINUE WITH SECTION B.ENGINEERING -- HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING PLATS -- A, PECAN HOLLOW, PRECINCT 1; AND B, PROVINCIAL RETREAT SECTION 1, PRECINCT 3. ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? OKAY, SEEING NO ONE. AND ALSO, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE,
[00:15:03]
WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY REQUEST VIA DIGITAL COMMUNICATION, SO I WILL CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING ITEM, ALSO. IF THERE IS A MOTION ON ITEM 5A, A THROUGH D, AND 5B, A AND B.[ CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: (6-24) ]
>> YES, JUDGE, I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT 5A, A THROUGH D AND 5B,
A AND B. >> MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY.
NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO SECTION 2. I PRESENT TO THE COURT, CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS SIX THROUGH 24, NOT WITHOUT ANY CHANGES.
>> JUDGE, THERE IS AN EXCEPTION TO AGENDA ITEM 14A.
>> SO, CAN YOU READ THAT EXCEPTION ITEM?
>> YES. >> IT IS NOT A CORRECTION. I BELIEVE THERE IS A REQUEST TO POSTPONE THE ITEM UNTIL AFTER
CLOSED SESSION. >> OKAY. OKAY, SO, THEN, I WILL ASK -- I WILL PRESENT TO THE COURT, CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS SIX THROUGH 24, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 14 WHAT?
>> I MOTION TO ACCEPT SIX THROUGH 14 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A -- >> SORRY. THAT SHOULD BE SIX THROUGH 24, I THINK YOU SAID SIX THROUGH 14 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 14A.
>> WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 14A, OKAY.
>> GOOD CATCH. >> OKAY. SO, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING ON. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO DISCUSSION ITEMS
OF OUR AGENDA. >> JUDGE, I THINK IT IS 32
DEGREES IN HERE RIGHT NOW. >> SO, WHERE IS JAMIE?
>> ARE YOU COLD? IT IS COLD. >> WRAP YOURSELF IN A BLANKET.
>> IT IS VERY COLD. >> MY NOSE IS COLD.
>> LET ME -- >> GETTING US READY AS MUCH AS
WE CAN. >> JUDGE, BEFORE WE CONTINUE WITH DISCUSSION -- WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PREVIOUS MOTION ON YOUR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS REGARDING THE ITEM THAT IS GOING TO BE TAKEN INTO CLOSED SESSION HAS THE PROPER EXCEPTION. SO, I AM GOING TO DEFER TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SO THEY CAN ADVISE YOU, JUST SO WE MAKE SURE THE RECORD IS CLEAN.
>> YEAH, YEAH, ON THE RECORD, IT IS RIGHT. YEAH, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> I'M SORRY. MY MIC IS A LITTLE STICKY ON THE KEY. BUT, THIS WILL FALL UNDER THE PERSONNEL EXCEPTION. AND LET ME PULL UP THE EXACT ONE, SIR. READING AN EMAIL REGARDING THIS DISASTER, IN PREPARATIONS FOR THAT. LET'S SEE. 551 -- HOLD ON, I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES. IT'S -- 55174, PERSONNEL MATTERS, THAT WOULD BE THE ITEM WE WOULD PULL, I BELIEVE IT WAS
>> 14A, EXCUSE ME, INTO CLOSED SESSION.
>> OKAY, SO NOW THAT PART IS CLEARED, IT HAS BEEN PART OF THE
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO SECTION 3. NOW, I PRESENT TO THE COURT TO SECTION 3, DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEMS, AND I HAVE BEEN FORMED --
DID WE VOTE? >> YES, WE VOTED.
>> OKAY. OKAY. SO, NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 25, I HAVE BEEN
[26. AUDITOR:]
INFORMED THAT ITEM HAS BEEN PULLED AND MOVING ON TO AGENDA ITEM 26, PRESENTED BY COUNTY AUDITOR, 20 6A THROUGH E, FORTHE COUNTY AUDITOR. >> MOVER APPROVAL OF 26 A
THROUGH E AS PRESENTED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM 26, A THROUGH E, ANY DISCUSSION?
>> JUST ONE QUESTION FOR THE AUDITOR ON B, JUST MAKING SURE THE ONLINE FORM IS -- IS IT ALREADY UPDATED, SO FOLKS CAN
USE IT IMMEDIATELY ON MILEAGE? >> IT WILL BE UPDATED AS SOON AS
YOU APPROVE THIS TODAY. >> AWESOME, JUST WANTED TO MAKE
>> AWESOME. >> THAT IS ACTUALLY RIGHT HERE.
AND SO, WE WILL MOVE ON TO -- YEAH, GET THAT QUESTION
[27. BUDGET & FINANCE:]
[00:20:06]
ANSWERED. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING ON. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 20 7A, B, C, PRESENTED BY BUDGET AND FINANCE.[28. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:]
>> MOVE APPROVAL OF 20 7A, B, AND C IS PRESENTED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL ON 20 7A, B, C, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING ON. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 28, PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE TWO SECTIONS TO IT.
[29. DISTRICT ATTORNEY:]
>> MOVER APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM 28, AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING ON. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 29, PRESENTED BY FORT BEND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
[30. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:]
>> MOVED TO APPROVE 29 IS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 30, PRESENTED BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. AND BEFORE WE MOVE ON, CARLOS, YOU WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT? NO? OKAY. AND SO, OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, DO I HAVE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 30 AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND., ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM?
>> DO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THIS IS?
>> YEAH, BECAUSE CARLOS -- I THINK WE NEED TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT
IS. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND ALSO, WE HAVE THANKFULLY, CITY OF SUGAR LAND AND THEY ARE HERE, SO --
>> THANK YOU, MEMBERS OF THE COURT, TODAY, WE ARE ASKING THE COURT TO HELP US PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND. AS YOU ARE AWARE, HOUSTON WILL BE HOSTING GAMES, AND THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO MAKING SURE MANY OF THOSE TOURISTS, VISITORS COME TO FORT BEND COUNTY. WE ARE EXPECTING -- WELL, I WILL LET THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO REALLY HAVE DONE WORK WITH THIS, ALLISON BROOKS, DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, TO COME EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE CITY IS DOING AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO PARTNER WITH THEM. SO,
PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR HAVING ME. AGAIN, MY NAME IS ALLISON BROOKS, I AM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, I OVERSEE CITY OF SUGAR LAND AND OVERSEE ALL OF THE FIFA EFFORTS THAT THE CITY IS DOING AHEAD OF WORLD CUP. SO, JUST TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW, THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A HOST CITY SUPPORTER, AND THAT REALLY ALLOWS US TO MAXIMIZE OUR BENEFITS IN SUGAR LAND AS BEING JUST OUTSIDE HOUSTON. IT IS REALLY GOING TO ALLOW US TO TAKE PART IN THE BIGGEST SPORTING EVENT IN HISTORY, AND OUR GOAL IS TO MAXIMIZE OUR VISIBILITY TO THOSE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS WE HAVE COMING IN, MAXIMIZE THE VISITOR ENGAGEMENT AND OUR INTERNATIONAL VISIBILITY. SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING, OUR GOAL IS TO PLAN A COORDINATED REGIONAL TOURISM STRATEGY AIMED AT SUPPORTING OUR HOTELS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE PLANNING INCLUDE PUBLIC WATCH PARTIES FOR SELECT MATCHES, YOUTH INITIATIVES SUCH AS A MULTI-DAY SOCCER CLINIC AND MANY SOCCER PITCH POP-UPS AROUND THE CITY. AND THIS PARTNERSHIP WOULD REALLY ALLOW THE COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE CITY'S WORLD CUP INITIATIVES, PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THOSE BENEFITS WE RECEIVED AS A HOST CITY SUPPORTER WHILE ALSO HELPING US OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS THAT GO INTO PLANNING THOSE EVENTS AND ACTIVATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
>> SO, JUST TO GET AN IDEA, I MEAN, HOW MANY MILLION VISITORS ARE COMING TO HOUSTON, APPROXIMATELY?
>> SO, THE THE PROJECTED TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON REGION IS ONE $.5 BILLION. THOSE ARE THE LATEST NUMBERS. THEY ARE EXPECTING TO RECEIVE OVER HALF 1 MILLION VISITORS IN THE CITY IN THE PERIOD OF JUNE AND JULY.
>> OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS?
>> WELL, THANKS SO MUCH AND COMING IN AND MEETING WITH ME TO DISCUSS THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE AND HELPING ME UNDERSTAND. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE MOMENT THAT THIS OFFERS US, TO BE ABLE TO, IN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUSINESS ATTRACTION, REALLY THANKFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, AS WE EXPECT A WHOLE BUNCH OF PRIVATE JETS TO BE SITTING OVER THERE AT THE SUGAR LAND REGIONAL AIRPORT BEING ABLE TO CAPTURE SOME OF THOSE BUSINESS LEADERS TO HELP SELL OUR COMMUNITY FOR WHY THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERING RELOCATING HERE. SO, I DON'T THINK WE WILL GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY QUITE LIKE THIS, ASIDE FROM SUPER BOWL COMING BACK THIS WAY. SO, REALLY THANKFUL FOR THE CITY LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH US IN THIS EFFORT.
>> AND I APPRECIATE THE CITY WORKING WITH MY OFFICE ON THIS ISSUE. MOST OF MY PRECINCT CONSISTS OF SUGAR LAND SO THIS
[00:25:01]
IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOWCASE NOT JUST SUGAR LAND BUT FORT BEND COUNTY, AS A WHOLE. WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITY OUT HERE, A LOT OF AREAS, HISTORIC GEORGE RANCH, WE HAVE SOME HISTORIC PARKS. WE HAVE THE OBSERVATORY AND A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN OR, OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT. AND SO, WE ARE EXCITED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.>> THANK YOU. >> AND ALSO -- GO AHEAD, SORRY.
>> ONE THING, TOO, IS OUR LEGISLATORS WERE ABLE TO, TWO SESSIONS AGO, ALLOW FOR THE COUNTY TO COLLECT THE HOTEL/MOTEL TAX, WHICH IS NOT JUST PEOPLE LIVING HERE, BUT PEOPLE COMING THROUGH OUR COUNTY. AND THAT IS VERY LIMITED TO WHAT YOU CAN USE IT FOR, AND TOURISM IS ONE OF THE THINGS IT IS DEFINITELY ALLOCATED FOR. THIS GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A PARTNERSHIP, AND THAT PARTNERSHIP IS SUCH BECAUSE OF THAT HOTEL/MOTELS TAX THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THROUGH OUR LEGISLATORS. SO, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE ARE USING A RULER ON TAX, WE ARE USING TAXES THAT COME WITH THE HOTEL STAYS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO CREATE
MORE TOURISM. >> ESPECIALLY, LIKE, CONSUMPTION TAX. AND SO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THIS, IT IS A MOMENT, NOT JUST FOR US, FOR OUR NATION, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT, 25 MILLION PEOPLE WATCHED THE SUPER BOWL, OKAY? IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS IN OUR COUNTRY. BUT, SOCCER IS WATCHED ALL OVER THE WORLD. AND WHEN IT COMES TO SOCCER, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WATCHING IN BILLIONS. SO, OBVIOUSLY, 50, 60 YEARS AGO, I DON'T KNOW IF SOCCER WAS POPULAR IN THE UNITED STATES. AND NOW, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY, WE HAVE OUR TEAM AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF HAPPENING. I THINK THIS EVENT, NOT JUST IN SUGAR LAND, NOT JUST IN HOUSTON, THAT FIFA COMING TO THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO BE A BIG, BIG EXPOSITION TO THAT SPORT, AND HOPEFULLY, IT WILL BRING IN A LOT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND ALSO EVEN AS SOCCER MOVES TO ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED SPORTS MOVING FORWARD, IT IS A SPECTATOR SPORT, AS WE ALL KNOW, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THAT. AS THE COMMISSION RIGHTFULLY SAID, WE ARE USING SOME OF THE CONSUMPTION TAXES.
IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE TAXPAYERS. IT IS PEOPLE USING THE HOTEL AND MOTEL FACILITIES, AND ALSO VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP AND I KNOW IT IS GOING TO ADD SOME VALUE TO SUGAR LAND AND FORT BEND COUNTY AND VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. THANK
[31. ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION:]
>> WITH THAT, ASSUMING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO -- ITEMS 31, ITEM 31 PRESENTED BY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION, APPROVE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS.
>> MOVE APPROVAL OF 31. >> SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION?
>> YES, AS I UNDERSTAND FROM TALKING WITH CHASE, THIS LIST IS WHAT WE ARE PASSING TODAY BUT THERE STILL MIGHT BE SOME ADJUSTMENTS AS THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIND MORE LOCATIONS, TO MAKE MORE LOCATIONS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, SO WE MAY HAVE A FUTURE ITEM WITH THAT. JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, SO WE AREN'T GETTING ANY CALLS ABOUT IT.
>> IF ANYONE WANTS TO VOLUNTEER THEIR SPACE FOR AN ELECTION LOCATION, PLEASE LET US KNOW, BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME IN GETTING LOCATIONS.
>> YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. THIS EVENT IS, YOU KNOW, BROADCASTED AND WE ALWAYS, ELECTIONS COMMISSION IN FORT BEND COUNTY, POLLING STATIONS AT FORT BEND COUNTY, YOU ALL KNOW IT, EVERYBODY KNOWS IT, WE ALWAYS LOOK FOR LOCATIONS AND IT IS A CHALLENGE. SO, WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FACILITIES AVAILABLE. SO, IF YOU FIND ANY CONVENIENT FACILITIES OR SOMETHING, COMMUNICATE WITH ELECTIONS COMMISSION, THEY WILL
[32. ENGINEERING:]
EVALUATE IF AND WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE. MOVING FORWARD --DID WE VOTE ON THAT ITEM? >> NO, WE HAVEN'T VOTED, YET.
>> OKAY, WITH THAT, LET'S VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. AND NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 32, A3G,
[00:30:04]
PRESENTED BY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.>> MOVE APPROVAL ON ITEM 32 A3G IS PRESENTED.
[33. FIRE MARSHAL:]
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON 30 2A THROUGH G, ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 33, PRESENTED BY FIRE
MARSHAL. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 33, AS
[35. GRANTS ADMINISTRATION:]
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? DURING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT ITEM 34 IS BEING PULLED, AND NOW WE WILL MOVE ON
TO ITEM 35, 35A THROUGH J. >> THERE IS A CORRECTION TO B.
>> WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THAT CORRECTION FOR THE RECORD?
>> YES, 35B COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON GRANT APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, CRIMINAL DIVISION FOR THE FORT BEND COUNTY VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT -- AND THE AMOUNT SHOULD BE -- $88,059.60, WITH A 20% CASH MATCH REQUIRED BY FORT BEND COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT SHOULD BE $22,014.91 FOR THE GRANT PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2026, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, FUND CSCD BASIC SUPERVISION STATE FUNDS.
>> OKAY, SO, , WITH THE CORRECTION NOTED ON B.
[36. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES:]
>> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 35A THROUGH J WITH THE CORRECTION TO
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 36, A, B, C, AND PRESENTED BY HEALTH
[37. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. 3, PL. 2:]
AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 30 6A, B, C
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 37 PRESENTED BY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,
[38. MEDICAL EXAMINER:]
PRECINCT 3, PLACE TWO. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 37, AS
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES. IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY.
ITEM 38, PRESENTED BY MEDICAL EXAMINER.
>> MOVE APPROVAL OF 38, AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, RIGHT, SO ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN
[39. PARKS & RECREATION:]
FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 39, A, B, C, D, PRESENTED BY PARK ANDRECREATION. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 30 9A, B, C,
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE COMMENT ON A, THAT WHILE I SUPPORT THE INITIAL POLICY, IT MAY HAVE TO EVOLVE AS WE SEE WHAT THE DEMAND IS AND WHAT OUR EXPERIENCES ARE, BUT YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. SO, I AM SUPPORTING, BUT JUST KNOW THAT IT IS GOING TO BE LIKELY TO EVOLVE AS WE HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE IN RUNNING THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM WITH
PARKS. >> OKAY. GOT THAT COMMENT,
[40. PURCHASING:]
ASSUMING NO OTHER COMMENTS, ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 40, A THROUGH R, PRESENTED BY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF AND AGENDA ITEM 40 A THROUGH R, AS
[41. SHERIFF'S OFFICE:]
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 41 PRESENTED BY FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF'S
OFFICE. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 41, AS
[42. Approve Bills.]
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE
[43. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on January 15, 2026.]
[44. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on January 29, 2026, and February 5, 2026, to be ratified by Commissioners Court on February 12, 2026. ]
ON TO AGENDA ITEM 42, 43, AND 44. AND -- GO AHEAD.>> ALONG WITH THE TIME SENSITIVE BILLS, TOTALING $28,924,404.16, SUBMIT FOR COURT APPROVAL TOTALING $480,227,056.25 WHICH
[00:35:01]
RECRUITS ROUTINE DISBURSEMENTS AND OF NOTE, TAX OFFICE DISBURSEMENTS IN THIS AMOUNT TOTAL, THIS IS TO THEJURISDICTIONS, $474,353,000 -- >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF 42, 43,
[45. WORKSHOP:]
>> MOTION AND A SECOND ON 42, 43, 44. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. AT THIS TIME, ITEM 45, AND THIS WORKSHOP, IT'S ON?
>> IT'S ON. >> OKAY, SO, ROBIN, PLEASE COME
FORWARD. >> WOULD YOU LIKE FOR US TO READ
THE ITEM, OR JUST PROCEED? >> JUST -- YOU COULD READ IT.
>> YOU WANT ME TO READ IT? >> YEAH, GO AHEAD AND READ IT.
>> 45, CONDUCT A WORKSHOP TO REVIEW AND RECEIVE A PRESENTATION BY THE FORT BEND COUNTY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE FORT BEND COUNTY ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE POLICY. >> GO AHEAD, ROBIN.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. SO, TODAY, I WANT TO BRIEFLY TALK ABOUT HOW FORT BEND COUNTY CAN RESPONSIBLY APPROACH A.I. WITH A FOCUS ON PROTECTING COUNTY INFORMATION AND MAINTAINING PUBLIC TRUST. WE KNOW A.I. TOOLS ARE PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIFE AND WE ARE SEEING THAT IT IS MORE PREVALENT. OUR EMPLOYEES, LIKE THE PUBLIC, ARE ALREADY ENCOUNTERING AND USING THESE TECHNOLOGIES, SO OUR GOAL IS TO PUT CLEAR GUARDRAILS IN PLACE SO A.I. CAN BE USED APPROPRIATELY AND SAFELY IN COUNTY OPERATIONS. WE ARE SEEING THIS ALREADY, AND MOST APPLICATIONS ALREADY HAVE A.I. IN SOME SENSE OR THERE IS A PLAN FOR IT TO GO FORWARD. YOU NOTICE IT WHEN YOU ARE ON MEETINGS AND THERE IS THE READER A.I., THOSE ARE THOSE A.I. TOOLS THAT WE WANT TO LOOK AT. SO, AT THE CORE OF THIS POLICY, IS THAT A.I. IS A TOOL AND NOT A DECISION-MAKER. IT DOES NOT REPLACE HUMAN JUDGMENT AND EMPLOYEES REMAIN FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING A.I. GENERATED CONTENT AND MAY NOT RELY SOLELY ON A.I. TO MAKE DECISIONS WHEN A.I. IS USED IN OFFICIAL WORK, ESPECIALLY WORK VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. EMPLOYEES MUST DISCLOSE THE USE AND INCLUDE A COUNTY APPROVED LEGAL DISCLAIMER. JUST AS IMPORTANT, ARE OUR DATA PROTECTION RULES. THE A.I. DATA POLICY PROHIBITS ENTERING PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION, HEALTH INFORMATION, OR CONFIDENTIAL COUNTY DATA, INTO A.I. TOOLS. ALL A.I. INPUTS AND OUTPUTS ARE CONSIDERED COUNTY PROPERTY AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS. THIS POLICY ALLOWS INNOVATION WHILE SETTING CLEAR BOUNDARIES. IT REASSURES OUR RESIDENTS THAT FORT BEND COUNTY IS EMBRACING NEW TECHNOLOGY THOUGHTFULLY, RESPONSIBLY, AND WITH THEIR INFORMATION PROTECTED AT EVERY STEP. SO, TODAY'S SESSION IS THE FIRST PART OF THIS PROCESS, TO INCORPORATE A.I. INTO OUR EVERYDAY LIFE. THE FIRST STEP WITH THE WORKSHOP IS TO INTRODUCE IT TO THE COURT, TO YOU GUYS, TO INTRODUCE IT TO THE PUBLIC, AND TO INTRODUCE IT TO EMPLOYEES. OUR NEXT STEP IS TO THEN -- IF NECESSARY, WHAT YOU ARE SEEING -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE IT ON THE SCREEN? DO YOU MIND PULLING UP THE ONE-PAGE SUMMARY, BUT THAT BACKUP? YOU DON'T HAVE IT? OKAY, NO PROBLEM. SORRY, ATTACHED AS BACKUP IS THE ONE-PAGE SUMMARY OF THE A.I. POLICY. WE CAN ALSO SEND THAT OUT TO ALL STAFF SO THAT THEY HAVE THAT AVAILABLE, BUT IF THE PUBLIC WANTS TO VIEW IT, IT IS ALSO ATTACHED TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AGENDA ITEM. NEXT, I WILL BE CONTACTING EACH OF YOU TO GET YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE POLICY, AND INCORPORATE ANY CHANGES INTO IT. AND THEN, WE WILL COME BACK TO COURT TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR THAT. FOLLOWED BY HAVING SESSIONS IN PERSON, LIVE TRAINING SESSIONS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND THEN AFTER THAT, WE WILL HAVE RECORDED SESSIONS FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO REVIEW THE POLICY, AND HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND THOSE CLEAR GUARDRAILS AND POLICIES WE HAVE IN PLACE WHEN USING A.I. NEXT, I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR UP TO ANY TEAM MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THEIR COMMENTS ON THIS, IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD. YOU GOOD? YOU GOOD? I THOUGHT WE -- OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
>> IS THERE AN OFFICIAL A.I. PROGRAM THAT IS TO BE USED? DO YOU INTEND TO HAVE ONE? BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, EACH -- IF YOU ACCESS THE COMPUTER, YOU CAN GO TO GEMINI, YOU CAN GO TO CHATGPT,
>> TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT. >> NO, THERE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL TOOL THAT WE WILL RESTRICT ANYONE TOO. WHAT WE WOULD LIKE,
[00:40:04]
DURING THIS TRAINING, WE WILL EXPLAIN DIFFERENT EXAMPLES OF TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED AND HOW TO SAFELY USE THOSE TOOLS, BUT THEN, WE ALSO ASK IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR THAT SOMEBODY WANTS TO USE IF THEY WANT TO REACH OUT TO OUR I.T.SERVICE DESK FOR OUR I.T. TEAM TO VET THAT.
>> IS THERE ANY POTENTIAL FOR THE COUNTY TO PAY -- BECAUSE YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY UPGRADE, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT, BY PAYING FOR IT. IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT WE MIGHT DO THAT?
>> YES, SO, RIGHT NOW -- EXCUSE ME -- I.T., WE DO HAVE A PAID CHATGPT ACCOUNT. SO, THAT IS A CONSIDERATION, WE WILL LOOK AT ADDING MORE INDIVIDUALS TO THAT, WHO MAY HAVE A USE FOR IT.
>> OKAY, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CONFIRM, THEN, A.I. IS NOT
ALWAYS ACCURATE. >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> I WILL LOOK AT ONE -- I HAVE A COUPLE A.I. PROGRAMS I USE, I DO A LOT OF RESEARCH, AND I FIND THAT I WILL ALWAYS RUN THE SAME QUESTION OVER TO TWO OR THREE OF THEM AND WHEN I GET THREE DIFFERENT ANSWERS, I KNOW TO JUST GO DO THE RESEARCH YOURSELF. SO, I CAUTION PEOPLE ON SIMPLY JUST ACCEPTING WHAT YOU GET, THINKING THAT THEY HAVE DONE AND WHAT THEY HAVE IS ALL ACCURATE BECAUSE TYPICALLY, I DO A LOT OF RESEARCH WITH PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT IS IN PLACE, LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, AND I GET DIFFERENT ANSWERS, SO THAT MAKES ME NERVOUS.
>> YEAH, AND THIS POLICY DOES ADDRESS THAT. A.I. IS A TOOL AND STILL NEEDS THAT HUMAN EYE LOOKING AT IT, TO MAKE SURE THAT
IT IS ACCURATE. AND SO -- >> IT HASN'T QUITE REPLACED US,
>> ALTHOUGH, I HAD THE EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY, I WENT TO AUSTIN TO MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SO ANDREW AND I TOOK WAYMO, THE DRIVERLESS -- VERY INTERESTING EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING WHEN WE CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF US STOPPED, THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, THE LITTLE CAR DOESN'T MOVE, AND WAYMO HONKED AT IT.
>> OH, WOW! >> IT DID MOVE AFTER THAT, AFTER IT HONKED. BUT, WE WERE A LITTLE TAKEN ABACK BY THAT. BUT, IT WAS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AND I THINK IT WORKS VERY WELL.
>> OH, YEAH. I DON'T KNOW IF I'M --
>> A ROBOT TELLING A HUMAN WHAT TO DO, THAT WAS INTERESTING.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I AM THERE, YET, AS FAR AS WAYMO, DRIVERLESS VEHICLES, BUT --
>> YEAH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I DON'T WANT IT TO STOP ON
THE RAILROAD TRACK! >> YEAH, AS LONG AS THE DOORS DON'T STAY LOCKED!
>> ROBIN, LET ME ASK YOU THIS, THE POLICY YOU ARE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT -- WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT --
>> YES? >> -- AND I THINK WE MAY BE ONE OF THE FEW COUNTIES TAKING THE LEAD IN THIS ASPECT, WHAT CAN, AND -- I MEAN, HOW CAN WE USE IT SAFELY? SO, DO YOU HAVE ANY PLAN TO HAVE SOME KIND OF TRAINING PROGRAM? BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW THING, AND EVERYBODY -- I USE IT, EVERYBODY USES IT, BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE MUCH EASIER, YOU CAN GET RESEARCH MUCH MORE THAN YOU CAN PERSONALLY DO IT AND ALL THAT STUFF, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF THERE ARE ANY GOOD PROGRAMS, AND A GOOD CONVENIENCE, SO YOU CAN UPLOAD THINGS, DOWNLOAD THINGS, AND IT CAN BE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, BECAUSE COMEDY IS A SENSITIVE PLACE. SO, THIS POLICY IS GEARED TOWARDS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT RESPONSIBLE USE OF A.I. I ASSUME THAT IS THE CASE.
>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. AND IT WILL START OFF WITH THE
DEPARTMENT -- >> ONE MORE THING. I'M SORRY,
DIDN'T MEAN TO -- >> ALL RIGHT.
>> SO, BASICALLY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME A.I. TOOL, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, HEY, IF YOU USE THE A.I. TOOL, THESE ARE THE GUIDELINES YOU HAVE TO PASS, YOU
HAVE TO FOLLOW, CORRECT? >> CORRECT. THAT IS CORRECT,
>> OKAY, SO, AGAIN, WE WILL START WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD AND ELECTED OFFICIAL TRAINING, IN PERSON, JUST TO SHARE INFORMATION ON HOW TO USE THAT RESPONSIBLY, GET THEIR FEEDBACK, HEAR CERTAIN EXAMPLES THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY INCORPORATE INTO THE POLICY, AS WELL, AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO TRAINING FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES. AND SO, IT WILL BE SOMETHING CONTINUOUS. WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DO WITH CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING AND OFFER A.I. POLICY TRAINING, AS WELL.
>> GREAT. >> WHAT ARE YOU BASING IT ON? BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW AREA, RIGHT? NEW WORK. SO, ARE YOU WORKING WITH SOME COUNTIES, OR CITIES? OR, SOME CONSORTIUM THAT IS WORKING WITH THESE AREAS? WHAT ARE WE BASING THIS ON?
>> SO, INITIALLY, WE REACHED OUT, IT STARTED IN I.T., WE
[00:45:09]
REACHED OUT TO PARTNERS WE HAVE WORKED WITH AND GATHERED THAT INFORMATION. WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO OTHER AGENCIES TO SEE HOW THEY ARE WORKING ON IT, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE MEMBERSHIPS IN, WE STARTED THERE, AND THEN WE BROUGHT IT TO HR AND TO LEGAL, COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND OUTSIDE EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND OFFER INSIGHT. SO, IT HAS GROWN, SINCE THEN. AND WE ARE ALL STILL LEARNING ABOUT A.I. IT HAS BEEN HERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME, BUT WE ARE ALL STILL LEARNING AND I DO WANT TO STATE THAT THIS IS JUST BASELINE. IT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW, AS WE SEE THE CAPABILITIES WITH A.I., AND WE START SEEING JUST DIFFERENT NUANCES AND THINGS WE SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CAUTIONING AGAINST.>> QUICK QUESTION, ALSO ON THAT, YOU COULD PUT A POLICY IN PLACE? I MEAN, IT COULD ALWAYS BE OVERLOOKED, OR PEOPLE DO A LOT
>> SO, HOW DO YOU MANAGE? HOW DO YOU MONITOR? HOW DID YOU DO ANYTHING WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING, IN YOUR NETWORK?
>> YEAH. WELL, THERE IS SOMEWHAT OF AN ENFORCEMENT, SO IF IT IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED TOOL, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS IT. IT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT, WHEN SOMEBODY UPLOAD SENSITIVE INFORMATION. ANY OTHER SENSITIVE, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, THAT BECOMES A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US. SO, OFTEN TIMES, WE MAY NOT KNOW UNTIL IT IS KIND OF OUT THERE, ON A WEBSITE, SOMEWHERE. SO, THAT IS WHY WE DO CAUTION YOU, WHEN YOU ARE UPLOADING INFORMATION, TO ENSURE THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULDN'T WANT UPLOADED AND EXPOSED, THAT WOULD EXPOSE FORT BEND COUNTY.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
>> THAT IS IT. >> SO, THIS IS JUST A FIRST
STEP? >> JUST A FIRST STEP, YES.
>> JUST GIVING US A HEADS UP? >> YES, NEXT I WILL REACH OUT TO YOU ALL TO GET YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE POLICY, THEN WE WILL MOVE
FORWARD WITH SEEKING APPROVAL. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> NOW -- LET'S GO AHEAD AND READ CLOSED SESSION ITEMS.
>> 46, MEET IN CLOSED SESSION TO DELIBERATE THE FOLLOWING MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, A SECTION 551.071, ONE, CLAIM BY SAHAR SHAHZAD, DATE OF INCIDENT JANUARY 1ST, 2024. TWO, FIRE SERVICE AGREEMENTS. THREE, DEVELOPER AGREEMENTS. B, 551.072 DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY. ONE, COUNTY FACILITY, PRECINCT NUMBER THREE. TWO, BARBARA JORDAN PARK. THREE, MUSTANG PARK. C, 551.087, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS. ONE, DEVELOP INTO REAL PROPERTY LOCATED NEAR OR ADJACENT TO EXISTING COUNTY FACILITIES, EPICENTER. TWO, GRAND PARKWAY
SEGMENTS. >> AT THIS TIME, FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL STAND IN RECESS FOR CLOSED SESSION, AND WE WILL TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE FORT BEND COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, AND NOW THE TIME IS 1:48. I CALL TO ORDER THE FORT BEND COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. TODAY IS THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND, 2026. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER TWO, APPROVE MINUTES.
>> APPROVE MINUTES. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE HAVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM, ITEM NUMBER THREE.
>> ITEM NUMBER THREE, MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING TO SECTION 2, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. MOVING ON TO ITEM
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM NUMBER FIVE, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY PAIRED WITH THAT, DO I HAVE A
MOTION TO ADJOURN? >> MOTION TO A DRUNKARD
>> WITH NO OBJECTION, THE FORT BEND COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED. NOW, WE WILL MOVE OUR ATTENTION TO JOINED BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS OF FORT BEND COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICTS SIX, NINE, AND 11. TODAY IS THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2026, TIME IS 12:49. AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO
[00:50:03]
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO, MINUTES FOR DISTRICTS SIX, NINE, AND 11.>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND ON ITEM TWO, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM
NUMBER THREE. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE, AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FIVE.
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF AGENDA NUMBER FIVE AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> MOVE AND A SECOND ON AGENDA NUMBER FIVE, ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ANY DISCUSSION?
[46. Meet in Closed Session to deliberate the following matters as authorized by the Texas Government Code:]
WITH THAT, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?>> SO MOVED. >> AT THIS TIME, COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICTS NUMBER 6, 9, AND 11 THE MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED. NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT REMAIN ON RECESS, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE ARE -- NO, WE ARE ON
[14. ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION:]
AGENDA ITEM. >> SO IT IS 3:20.
WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION. WE'LL START WITH THE FIRST ITEM 14 A.
>> 14, ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION AS ADMINISTRATOR AND THE GENERAL SALARY STRUCTURE. PURSUANT TO THE ORDER OF APPOINTMENT. 126 FOR ELECTION CODE SECTION 31 PBT 032.
>> YES. I MOVE THAT WE APPOINT TO THE MINUTES AS ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR PURSUANT TO THE ORDER OF APPOINTMENT APPROVED BY THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION FOR ELECTION CODE SECTION 31.032. GRADE 112 OF THE GENERAL SALARY
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION?
[47. Reconvene Open Session and consider taking action on the following matters:]
HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.>> 47. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION AND CONTINUE TAKING SECTION 551, CONSULTATION WITH CLAIMED BY JANUARY 1/24.
>> I MOVE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN FULL AND FINAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS WITH SARAH ON THE TERMS PRESENTED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, INCLUDING A $25,000 SETTLEMENT PAYMENT, ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JAIL POLICY AND TRAINING, AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S DESIGNEE, INCLUDING THE STAPT COUNTY ATTORNEY TO FINALIZE THE SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS APPROVED TODAY.
FURTHER AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE SHERIFF OR SIGNATORY AS APPLICABLE TO EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT THE SETTLEMENT AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND COUNTY TREASURER TO PROCESS AND PAY THE SETTLEMENT AMOUNT FROM FUND ACCOUNT 855 OTHER SELF-FUPDED INSURANCE SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF A W-9 AND STANDARD PAYMENT PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS. THE SETTLEMENT IS A COMPROMISED OF DISPUTED CLAIMS AND IS NOT AN
ADMISSION OF LIABILITY. >> SECOND.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> TO REQUIRE SERVICE AGREEMENTS.
>> NO ACTION FOR THE INFORMATION.
>> SECTION 551. 072, DISTRIBUTION REGARDING RURAL PROPERTY ONE COUNTY FACILITY.
>> C, SECTION 551 PNLT 087, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS LOCATED NEAR OR ADJACENT TO COUNTY FACILITIES.
[00:55:08]
>> NO ACTION. ONLY FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES.
>> IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTION, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT REGULAR MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED AT 3:23.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.