May 11, 2026 BUDGET WORKSHOP

[1. Call to Order.]

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>> I CALL TO ORDER THE SPECIAL MEETING AND BUDGET MEETING FOR IT FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WELCOME. WE HAVE DONUTS.

THANK YOU TO THOSE JOINING US. WE DO HAVE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. DO YOU WANT ME TO DO IT AGAIN? BUT I WILL REPEAT WE HAVE DO DONUTS.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO TAKE ONE. >> JUDGE WONG: WE DO HAVE THE

[4. Meet in Closed Session to deliberate the following matters as authorized by the Texas Government Code:]

BEFORE WE BEGIN TODAY'S PRESENTATIONS I WOULD LIKE TO DO A MOTION TO TAKE UP EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM NUMBER FOUR AT THIS TIME AND RECESSED INTO CLOSED SESSION.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> UPON CONCLUSION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE COURT WILL CONVENE AN OPEN SESSION AND PROCEED WITH THE SCHEDULED DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATION. SO I GUESS WE HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THE PRESENTATION AFTER CONCLUSION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ORDER? LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

DRIVER SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.

THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM NUMBER

FOUR. >> WERE MEETING CLOSE SESSION TO DELIVER THE FOLLOWING MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE A SECTION 551 DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES OR SECURITY AUDITS. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO SUPPORT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL STAND IN RECESS FOR CLOSE SESSION.

THE TIME IS 9:02 A.M. THANK YOU

[5. Reconvene Open Session and consider taking action on the following matters:]

>> JUDGE WONG: THE COURT WILL NOT BE CONVENED.

THE TIME IS 9:32 A.M. PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM NUMBER

FIVE. >> RECONVENE OPEN SESSION AND CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS.

SECTION 551.089 DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES OR SECURITY AUDITS. PROVISION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO SUPPORT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES.

[3. Conduct Budget Workshops.]

>> NO ACTION. >> COLLECTION.

>> JUDGE WONG: GOOD. THANK YOU.

NOW WE RETURN TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE.

CONDUCTED BUDGET WORKSHOPS. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN OPENING STATEMENT TO KICK US OFF. FIRST.

GOOD MORNING AGAIN ON THE COMMISSIONERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN PUTTING THIS HEARING TOGETHER.

TODAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND TRUSTED TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THE OPENING OF THE BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THE PRIORITIES, VALUES AND FINANCIAL REALITIES OF FORT BEND COUNTY.

IT IS MORE THAN NUMBERS ON THE SPREADSHEET IT IS A STATEMENT OF PRIORITIES. AS WE BEGIN THE HEARINGS WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE TWO GUIDELINES WE MUST NOT SPEND MORE THAN WE TAKE IN AND WE MUST NOT ASK TAXPAYERS TO CARRY THE BURDENS OF INEFFICIENCIES AND WASTE THAT'S WHY THE BUDGET POLICIES IS BE GROUNDED IN RESPONSIBILITY TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WE ARE TASKED WITH BUILDING THE BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. A GUIDING PRINCIPLE THAT SHOULD SHAPE EVERY DISCUSSION IN THIS HEARING.

FIRST COMMON SENSE SPENDING WE MUST LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS TO ENSURE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE SPENT WISELY AND RESPONSIBLY SECOND, COMPASSIONATE ACCOUNTABILITY AND FREE PROGRAM SHOULD REFLECT BOTH STEWARDSHIP AND CARE FOR THE RESIDENTS WE SERVE. THIRD, RESPONSIBLE EFFICIENCY WE MUST IDENTIFY WASTE IMPROVE OPERATIONS AND ENSURE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO BE IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAY

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OPEN GOVERNMENT AND LEADERSHIP TO PUT PEOPLE FIRST.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH EACH MEMBER OF THIS COURT. OUR DEPARTMENT LEADERS AND COMMUNITY AS WE UNDERTAKE THIS IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY TOGETHER. THANK YOU AGAIN AND LET US BEGIN. TODAY WE WILL OPEN THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET WORKSHOPS WITH OUR BUDGET OFFICER WHO WILL PROVIDE THE COURT A SUMMARY OF WHAT IS TO EXPECT IN THE NEXT

FEW DAYS. >> YES THANK YOU JUDGE WONG THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I WILL BE GIVING A PRESENTATION ON A MICRO LEVEL FOR FORT BEND COUNTY BUT FIRST I LIKE TO CALL OF JORDAN WISE FROM THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THE 2026 MARKET TR

TRENDS. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM JORDAN WISE IN YOUR CHIEF APPRAISER IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AGAIN IN FRONT OF YOU AND JUDGE WONG IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU UNOFFICIALLY AND WORK WITH YOU.

TALKING ABOUT MARKET TREND IT IS IMPORTANT AS IT RELATES TO THE BUDGET PROCESS AND THAT ULTIMATELY WHATEVER THE COUNTY WANTS TO DO WITH THEIR BUDGET IS IN SOME WAYS BASED OFF OF THE APPRAISED VALUES AND TAXABLE VALUES IN THE LEVEE THEY GENERATE. IT'S A GOOD PLACE FOR US TO TALK ABOUT START WAS HAPPENING IN FORT BEND COUNTY IN THE MARKET IN 2026. I WILL JUMP TO THE PUNCH LINE.

THINGS ARE RELATIVELY FLAT. SO BEFORE WE HAVE TOO MANY WHAT HAPPENING WITH THE TEA LEAVES, THINGS ARE RELATIVELY FLAT. I WILL EXPLAIN WHY THAT IS HAPPENING. SOME THINGS THAT ARE A KEY DRIVERS ARE KEY POPULATION GROWTH AT FORT BEND COUNTY WE WILL LOOK AT THAT 1 MILLION POPULATION TARGET AND JOB GROWTH SEEING A RELATIVELY DIVERSE ECONOMY, WE SEE RISING HOUSING SUPPLY WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS GOING ON.

THIS COURT HAS MADE A LOT OF INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE, SOMETHING AS THE COUNTY GROWS IS NECESSARY.

WE ARE SEEING THE MARKET IT IS REALLY A RETURN TO BALANCE.

THE COVID YEARS AND POST COVID YEAR SAW THE MARKET RIP AND IT SEEMS LIKE LAST YEAR IT WAS TAKING A BREATH TO FIGURE OUT WHAT STABILIZE LOOK LIKE AND NOW THIS YEAR WE ARE SEEING MUCH MORE IN -- -- ABILITY IN THE MARKET ALL AROUND.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT POPULATION GROWTH, DIVERSITY, EMPLOYMENT AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS THIS COURT HAS MADE. LOOKING AT POPULATION GROWTH, OUR NEXT SLIDE WE ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES THAT ONLY IN TEXAS BUT ALSO THE NATION.

TEXAS IS A PLACE WE CONTINUE TO SEE ON THE U-HAUL INDEX IS VERY HIGH. AND AT LEAST AS A LAST NUMBERS I SAW JULY OF LAST YEAR RAPID THE CREEPING UP AGAINST OF THE 1 MILLION POPULATION. SO WITH THE NEW PEOPLE MOVING IN THAT NEEDS TO BE REFLECTED IN THE HOUSING SUPPLY THAT INVOLVES INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS T EIGHT IS A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE AND WORK.

SO WITH THE INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION, NO SURPRISE IF YOU HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND UP THE 59 CORRIDOR YOU SEE DEVELOPMENT, CRANES, BUSINESS SETTING UP ROOTS.

IT HAS BEEN FASCINATING DRIVING UP AND DOWN EACH DAY TO SEE THE NEW COMMERCIAL GOING IN AND HOSPITALS AND ALL THE CONSTRUCTION. SO WE SEE A MIX OF HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, WE ARE SEEING RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, A LITTLE LESS ON OFFICE SPACE BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE ON HOSPITALITY AND MULTIFAMILY CONTINUES TO BE POPULAR AS WELL.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE A LOT OF ARROWS IN THE QUIVER.

I KNOW WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE TO HELP THE HIGHER VALUE PROPERTIES WITH HIGH-RISE TOWERS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS. BUT THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND OUR NEIGHBORS.

HIGH LEVEL UNEMPLOYMENT TRENDS WE SEE RELATIVELY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WHICH MEANS A LABOR MARKET REMAINS RELATIVELY

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AND HERE WE LOOK AT THE FACT FORT BEND COUNTY HAS SHOWN CONSISTENT GDP GROWTH AND MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOMES ARE STAYING A BOTH ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGES IN THE COUNTY IS OFFERING A FAVORABLE CLIMATE FOR BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS OR THOSE LIVING IN MULTIFAMILY HOMES. INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT WE ARE SEEING RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WHETHER POINTS OR INDIGO AND ADDITIONAL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH A FEW DIFFERENT PROPERTIES. THEN WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE WORK THAT THIS COURT ENDED UP PASSING WITH THE MOBILITY BONDS AND LOOKING AT INCREASING THE EASE JUST TO GET AROUND FORT BEND COUNTY AND OPENING UP NEW PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

LOCAL NEWS AND I WILL CAVEAT THIS IS FROM HAR DATA THE HOUSTON AREA DATA. THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF MIXING WITH HOUSTON. THAT BEING SAID, HAR WAS SAYING HOUSTON HAS A MARKET 2025 GOING INTO 2026 WITH A MORE BALANCED PACE. A SOLID YEAR-OVER-YEAR OVER YOUR FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS BUT IS STARTING TO LEVEL OUT AFTER SOME VOLATILITY. YOU WILL HEAR THAT THEME THROUGHOUT THE DAY. MORE DATA FROM HAR LOOKING AT PROPERTY SALES VOLUME, LISTINGS, SALES AND CHANGES IN SALES PRICE SALES ARE UP ONE.2 PERCENT DOLLAR VOLUME UP 2.1 SO OVERALL, SALES PRICES HAVE GONE UP.

LISTINGS HAVE GONE UP CONSIDERABLY.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE AVERAGE SALES PRICE AND MEDIAN SALES PRICE IT IS A SUB 1 PERCENT CHANGE IN SALES PRICE.

THIS IS THE SAME DATA ARE PRESENTED IN A DIFFERENT WAY LOOKING AT TOTAL PROPERTY SALES TOTAL DOLLAR VOLUME AND LOOKING AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR LOCAL HOUSING MARKET.

THAT TAKES US TO RESIDENTIAL VALUATION OVERWHELMINGLY THE BULK OF WHAT WE HAVE IN FORT BEND COUNTY IS RESIDENTIAL.

SO AGAIN AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF SIGNIFICANT INCREASES THE VALUE STARTS TO STABILIZE LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR.

WHAT WE SEE BECAUSE OF THAT STABILIZATION IS PEOPLE'S APPRAISED VALUES IN MARKET VALUE STARTING TO CATCH UP.

THIS IS THE PROVERBIAL HOMESTEAD CAP WAS SOMEBODY OVER A FEW YEARS HAS A 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN VALUE, THE HOMESTEAD CAP HELP TO LIMIT THE EFFECTIVE TAXES THEY WERE PAYING BY SLOWING DOWN THE GROWTH. BUT THOSE ARE STARTING TO LEVEL OUT AND CATCH UP. AND AS A PART OF THAT OVERALL THE IMPACT REPORT WHICH IS THE HOMESTEAD CAP LOSS REPORT TAKES A LOOK AT EFFECTIVELY THE TAXABLE VAULT THE IS LOST BUT THAT NUMBER IS DIMINISHED OVER TIME AS THE MARKET STARTS TO STABILIZE. SO OVERALL WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL VALUES FROM AT NOTICE SO THIS TIME LAST YEAR THROUGH THE SHEER 125.5 BILLION THROUGH 133 BILLION A DIFFERENCE OF 188 PERCENT INCREASE YEAR-OVER-YEAR. THOSE WHO ARE TRACKING URBAN AVERAGE SALES PRICE IS 468,000 AND IN RURAL AREAS WHICH ARE ALSO GROWING WE SEE AN AVERAGE SALES PRICE OF 412,000.

WE ALWAYS LOOK AT DATA BY SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE STATE STUDIES US. BREAKING OUT THE YEAR OVER YEAR CHANGE VALUE BY SCHOOL DISTRICT SO YOU WILL SEE EFFECTIVELY MODEST GROWTH ACROSS THE COUNTY. A FEW AREAS IT IS MORE CONCENTRATED. AND THE SAME DATA IS PRESENTED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY ON THE NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS NEW CONSTRUCTION. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE FORMATTING.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IS DOWN 15 PERCENT YEAR-OVER-YEAR BUT YOU ARE SEEING SOME INTERESTING CONCENTRATION AREAS IT SHOWS 18 PERCENT BUT YOU ARE STILL AT 4300 NEW HOMES WE SEE NEEDLE HAS BECOME MORE POPULAR SO MORE FOLKS ARE MOVING OUT THERE AND FORT BEND HAD A DECLINE SUFFERED HAD AN INCREASE AND THEN KATIE HAD A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE. WE ARE SEEING WITH THESE NUMBERS IS THE RETURN TO PRE- COVID ERA EVEN AS WE HAVE SEEN GROSS IN THE NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES YEAR-OVER-YEAR WE HAD THE COVID SPIKE NOW IT IS BACK TO THE

HIGHER LEVELS OF PRE- COVID. >> JUDGE WONG: CITY 46 THAT'S

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>> LAST YEAR WE HAD 7691 AND THIS YEAR'S 6486.

>> JUDGE WONG: WHAT WAS 64? >> SOMEWHERE IN THAT AREA.

I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME.

I CAN GET THAT IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

DURING 2021 / 22 WE STARTED TO HIT AROUND 10000.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE? IN SUMMARY ON RESIDENTIAL OVERALL INCREASES THREE.8 PERCENT.

THE GROWTH IS STEADY BUT STABILIZING.

WE ARE SEEING SOME INVENTORY INCREASING INDEFINITELY WATCHING SALES PRICES LOOKING AT NEW CONSTRUCTION SEEING WHEN THOSE HOMES WILL COME ONLINE. THAT TAKES US TO LAND WHICH IS AN INTERESTING TOPIC AND A HIGH-GROWTH COUNTY.

WE ARE SEEING SOME STABILIZATION IN THE LAND MARKET SO WE SEE A MODEST 2 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE SALES PRICE PER ACRE AND THAT IS STATEWIDE BUT WE DO SEE MORE ACRES SOLD AND MORE PROPERTIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY HAVE SPECIAL VALUATION PROPERTIES CONVERTED INTO DEVELOPMENT WHETHER RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL. THIS SLIDE TALKS ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS WE HAVE BEEN SEEING. LAST YEAR WE HAD 7831 PARCELS THAT HAD ACTIVE AG VALUATION. CURRENTLY WE HAVE 500 LESS THAN THAT AT 7329. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PROPERTY OWNERS ENSURING THAT OWNERS ARE SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS WHETHER DO TO CHANGE OF VIEW OR CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP AND WHEN YOU ADD THOSE UP IS STILL LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A DELTA OF 100 PARCELS THAT MAY NO LONGER BE IN AGRICULTURE SO THOSE ARE THE PROPERTIES RECEIVING THE BENEFIT OF THE LEGISLATURES SPECIAL VALUATION BUT THEN WOULD BE COMING BACK

ONTO THE MARKET AT FULL VALUE. >> AND YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A SENSE OF HOW MANY ACRES OF LAND THAT REPRESENTS?

>> I DO NOT HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME BUT I CAN SELECT YOUR

OFFICE IF YOU WOULD LIKE. >> THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT THE ACREAGE LOOKS LIKE AND ANY SENSE OF THAT

VALUE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> MARKET VALUE, YES. >> THE MARKET VALUE IF IT'S NO

LONGER IN AD? >> YES.

>> UNDERSTOOD. IN SUMMARY ON LAND INCREASE 4 PERCENT SO THAT BEATS THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE OF ABOUT 2 PERCENT AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE ARGUES DECLINE MEANING THE PROPERTIES ARE COMING OUT OF AG USE AND PRIMARILY BEING WE DEVELOPED INTO OTHER PROPERTY TYPES.

COMMERCIAL VALUATION ALWAYS A MIXED BAG.

WE ARE SEEING A TWO.99 PERCENT INCREASE YEAR-OVER-YEAR OF NOTICE VALUE AND TALK ABOUT MIXED BAG IT REALLY DOES START WITH RETAIL. IT HAS BEEN RELATIVELY STEADY.

THAT BEING SAID VALUES ARE FLAT YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

WAREHOUSES. WE HAD AN EXPLOSION OF GROWTH IN WAREHOUSES AND LAST YEAR WE SAW THEM COME DOWN THIS YEAR WE SEE THEY HAVE FLATTENED SO THE GOOD NEWS IS THEY HAVEN'T GONE DOWN ANY FURTHER. THEY ALSO HAVE NOT GONE UP.

BUT I THINK BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF DEVELOPMENT WE SAW AND HOW RAPIDLY THOSE CAME ON THE MARKET THE MARKET STARTED TO STABILIZE. OFFICES IS TRICKY PROPERTY TYPE FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. OFFICES ARE DECREASING IN VALUE LARGELY BASED ON A FEW MARKETS. SUGAR LAND OFFICE MARKET IN PARTICULAR HAS HAD A NUMBER OF FORECLOSURES.

WE HAVE PROPERTIES THAT HAVE HIGH VACANCY RATES.

AND IT HAS BEEN A PART OF THE POST COVID RETURN TO WORK PUSH BUT APPARENTLY WORKERS ARE RELUCTANT TO RETURN TO WORK AND THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE OFFICE MARKET.

MULTIFAMILY WE HAVE 10 NEW COMPLEXES COME UP IN 2025.

THAT BEING SAID WE DID HAVE RAPID GROWTH IN THE NUMBER AND VOLUME OF APARTMENT UNITS THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME STABILIZATION AND THAT IS WHY YEAR-OVER-YEAR WE SEE A DECREASE OF 1 PERCENT.

HOTELS NOT OUR STRONGEST PROPERTY TYPE EITHER BUT WE ARE UP 2 PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR. NEW CONSTRUCTION WE SEE 200 NEW

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AGAIN, MIXED BAG, SOME STUDIES SOME DECLINING SOME WITH MODEST GROWTH BUOYED BY THE NEW CONSTRUCTION YOU SEE THE INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR OF TWO.99 PERCENT.

WE DON'T USUALLY SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY BUT THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THIS YEAR IT WAS A LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR POWER PASSED HOUSE BILL NINE AS PART OF A NEW PUSH FOR EXEMPTIONS AND APPROVED BY VOTERS BUT IT USE TO BE IF YOU HAD PERSONAL PROPERTY WITH A VALUE UNDER 2500 IT WAS CONSIDERED EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAXES.

WITH THE LEGISLATURE THEY APPROVED EFFECTIVELY AN EXEMPTION OF $125,000 BUT IS THE FIRST OF THE PP SO IF YOU HAVE A SMALL REAL ESTATE AGENTS WITH THE HOME OFFICE MAY BE YOUR VEHICLE IS USED FOR WORK AND THE AGGREGATE VALUE WAS UNDER $125,000 THEN YOU WOULD NOT PAY PROPERTY TAXES.

BUT THE SAME BENEFIT IS ALSO BEING DISTRIBUTED TO LARGER PROPERTY OWNERS. IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE A LARGE WAREHOUSE THEN THE FIRST $125,000 OF YOUR 50 MILLION-DOLLAR ACCOUNT WILL ALSO BE EXEMPT.

IT'S A BIT OF A CLASSIC 8020 PRINCIPLE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF ACCOUNTS AFFECTED IT DOES IMPACT 80 PERCENT OF ALL BPP ACCOUNTS AND FORT BEND COUNTY BUT 80 PERCENT OF THOSE REPRESENT LESS THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE BPP VALUE IN THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR LAWYERS AND OUR TEAM TO FIGURE OUT WE ARE ADMINISTERING THIS CORRECTLY BUT ALSO TRYING TO PROJECT AND PREDICT WHAT SORT OF IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE ON TAXABLE VALUES THAT IT WAS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS BUT WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON ACTUAL DOLLARS AND CENTS CRACKS BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY HAS A LATER DEADLINE THEY AND ANYTHING ELSE IN THE CODE. SO THE RENDITION DEADLINE IS APRIL 15 IT CAN BE EXTENDED BIT THEN THERE IS ADDITIONAL EXTENSION SO THERE'S ALWAYS A LAGGING FACTOR IN BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY. BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH PROJECTIONS AND WE WILL BE SURE TO SEND THAT INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE AS SOON AS WE HAVE MORE ACCURATE PROJECTIONS ON THAT.

PRE- LIMB VALUES, THIS IS MARKET ASSESS TAXABLE LOOKING AT ALL SORTS OF THINGS. THIS IS 2025 THROUGH 2026.

WE SEE THE NOTICE OF THREE.8 PERCENT ASSESSED NET TAXABLE THREE.SEVEN. BUT I WILL SAY THIS IS THE NUMBERS WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTING FOR WHAT MAY BE LOST DUE TO THE APPEALS PROCESS AND THE HEARING PROCESS OR MAY BE LOST IF ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES GO UNDER SPECIAL VALUATION OR OTHER EXEMPTIONS. MY BIG QUALIFIER OF WHEN WE DO THE CERTIFIED ESTIMATES IN APRIL OF EACH YEAR, WE SEND THOSE TO THE FINANCE OFFICE. WE DO ALWAYS PROVIDE SOME SORT OF ESTIMATE OF REDUCTION AND WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE OVERLY CONSERVATIVE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T PUT YOU IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU ARE EXPECTING MORE TAXABLE VALUE THAN IS REASONABLE. SO I BELIEVE WE BAKED IN 8 PERCENT ADJUSTMENT DUE TO HEARING LOSS AND EXEMPTIONS.

THAT BEING SAID AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S REALLY WHATEVER NUMBER THE COURT IS COMFORTABLE WITH MOVING FORWARD FOR YOUR PROJECTIONS. AS THE NUMBER SHIFT, YOU MAY SEE THAT. WE.75 PERCENT DECREASE CLOSER AT 0 PERCENT OR SOMETHING UNDER THAT IS A COMES DOWN TO THE COURTS COMFORT LOOKING AT THOSE PROJECTIONS.

>> HERE IS THE DATA SHOWN IN THE GRAPH.

PRE- LIMB VALUES. THE NEXT IS CERTIFIED VALUES SHOWING WHAT IS HAPPENING BETWEEN MARKET ASSESSED AND NET TAXABLE WITH THE SETUP. SO IN SUMMARY MODEST INCREASE

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I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> JUDGE WONG: SEEING THE ALARMING TREND OF OFFICE MARKET EXPLAIN ABOUT COVID AND I JUST WANT TO SEE WITH ALL OF THE OFFICE MARKET BROKERS IS FORT BEND COUNTY NOT A COUNTY THAT ATTRACTS OFFICE BUILDING LIKE IN THE PAST? WHAT IS THE REASON GREG'S IS THERE AN INCENTIVE CRACKS I SUPPOSE MOST OF THOSE ARE IN THE CITY MAY BE IN THE COUNTY BUT MOST OF THEM IN THE CITY SO IS IT WITHIN REASON THAT REALLY WE ARE NOT ATTRACTIVE TO THE OFFICE MARKET?

ANYTHING POP IN YOUR MIND? >> IT ALL FELT IS SO MUCH BEING AN ACTIVE MARKET FOR LOOKING AT THE INDUSTRY WITH US BEING SO CLOSE TO THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF TEXAS, WHAT YOU SEE IS OIL AND GAS AND EXPLORATION FIRMS. THEY ARE CONCENTRATING THEIR STAFF IN OFFICE COMPLEXES WE'VE SEEN SOME TENANTS AND OWNERS FROM THE SUGAR LAND AREA HAVE DECIDED TO RELOCATE TO HOUSTON ENERGY CORRIDOR BECAUSE THEY ARE OPERATING MULTIPLE OFFICES AND WANT TO CONSOLIDATE INTO ONE OFFICE SPACE.

THAT'S BEEN A BIG PART OF IT SO IT HAS BEEN OUR OFFICE SPACE GENERALLY SPEAKING IS STARTING TO AGE.

AND PEOPLE ARE WANTING DIFFERENT BUILDINGS AS NEWER AMENITIES.

SO THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RETROFIT AND RENOVATE BUILDINGS BUT IT TAKES SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO ENSURE THE RISK TO SPEND THE MONEY AND THEN ATTRACT A TENANT THAT WILL PAY RENT THAT WOULD MAKE THAT INVESTMENT PROFITABLE FOR THEM.

SO WHAT WE SEE RIGHT NOW IS THERE JUST SEEMS TO BE MORE RISK AVERSION AND PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IS THE MARKET GOING TO STABILIZE FROM THE RENT STANDPOINT AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT LEVEL OF INVESTMENT MAKE SENSE.

>> JUDGE WONG: SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY KEY OR IDENTIFIABLE INDUSTRY? LIKE WOODLANDS LIKE LOSING IT TO THE ENERGY CORRIDOR. SO NOBODY WANTS TO MOVE THE HEADQUARTERS OR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS TO FORT BEND COUNTY AND WE ARE LOSING THE BIG OFFICE COMPANY COMING INTO FORT BEND COUNTY. I KNOW YOU ARE IN THE FRONT WORKING WITH ALL THE BROKERS. MAYBE YOU KNOW MORE THAN US AND MAY BE RECOMMENDING SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY TO

ATTRACT MORE OF THAT MARKET. >> ABSOLUTELY.

ANYTHING THIS COURT IN PARTICULAR HAS MADE A LOT OF DECISIONS TO KEEP FORT BEND COUNTY A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE AND WORK WITH INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS SEXY ARE CRITICAL ARE TO THE GROWTH OF THIS COUNTY.

SO I THINK WHATEVER THE COURT CAN DO TO ATTRACT THE BUSINESSES THAT IT WANTS TO ULTIMATELY IS YOUR DECISION TO DECIDE WHAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTY.

>> JUDGE WONG: DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF THE OFFICE MARKET IN THE CITY AND COUNTY? 6040?

OR 70 / 30? >> MEANING SUGAR LAND?

>> WE HAVE CLASS A LOW CLASS A AND A LOT OF CLASS B.

CLASS A IS GENERALLY SPEAKING AGING, SO AS NEW CLASS A COMES TO MARKET WE SEE SOME OF THAT CLASS A IS RECLASSIFIED DOWN AT

CLASS B. >> JUDGE WONG: BUT WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE ROUGHLY FROM CITY TO COUNTY?

>> I CAN DOUBLE CHECK. I DO NOT RECALL.

>> JUDGE WONG: I HAVE SOME ARE TRYING TO CONFIRM.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> CAN YOU SEND US THIS

PRESENTATION? >> I HAVE AND I WILL APOLOGIZE TO JORDAN AGAIN. I THINK WHEN I E-MAILED IT THIS MORNING THERE WAS A GLITCH BECAUSE THE FORMATTING CHANGED IT. IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

UNFORTUNATELY IT DID NOT SHOW UP.

I AM SORRY, JORDAN SPANK IF THAT'S THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENS TODAY I AM IN GOOD SH SHAPE.

>> BUT I DO HAVE AND I WILL SEND IT.

>> IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE WE DO HAVE A ROBUST PAGE

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YOU ARE NOT SHY ABOUT SENDING CONSTITUENT ISSUES MY WAY.

I MEAN THAT SINCERELY BECAUSE SOMETIMES ISSUES POP UP AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS THOSE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE WE COULD HELP A LOT OF PROPERTY OWNERS THIS YEAR AND THAT IS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT OF SERVICE BUT ALSO PART OF YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU. >> WE ARE LOOKING AT

THREE.8 PERCENT INCREASE. >> THREE.8 PERCENT INCREASE IS BEFORE THE PROTEST. SO WHAT I HAVE IS NEGATIVE

1 PERCENT. >> NEGATIVE 1 PERCENT?

>> YES OR. HAD YOU GET THREE.EIGHT AT

NEGATIVE ONE? >> WHAT JORDAN PRESENTS TO ME IS A THREE.8 PERCENT BUT THAT ALSO RECOMMENDS 8 PERCENT REDUCTION AFTER ALL OF THE PROTEST, EXEMPTIONS AND SO FORTH. SO I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN OUT THAT 8 PERCENT BASED ON THE PRELIMINARY LETTER HE SENT TO

ME. >> SO WHAT WE ARE WORKING WITH REGARD TO REVENUE IS A DECREASE.

>> NEGATIVE 1 PERCENT. YES.

>> JORDAN, THANKS. I HAVE SENT A COUPLE OF FOLKS YOUR WAY AND THANK YOU TO YOUR RESPONSIVENESS FOR HELPING THEM NAVIGATE THE QUESTIONS THEY HAVE HAD.

I JUST GOT BACK FROM A CONFERENCE OF URBAN COUNTIES ANNUAL EDUCATION POLICY CONFERENCE THIS PAST WEEK.

THIS WAS A MAJOR TOPIC OF THE CONFERENCE APPRAISED VALUES HOW THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICTS WORK ACROSS THE STATE.

A LOT OF COMMISSIONERS HAVE A LOT OF CONCERN WHAT ARE THE MARCHING ORDERS THAT MANY CHIEF APPRAISERS RECEIVED FROM THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. TALK A LITTLE BIT WHAT IS THE OVERSIGHT FROM THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE? WHAT IS THAT RELATIONSHIP LIKE AND WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES THAT ARE SET FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM IN TERMS OF ASSESSING VALUES AND WHAT FORMULAS YOU USE IS PROBABLY A BIGGER ANSWER THAT YOU WANT BUT WE ARE GUIDED BY THE POLICIES OF THE TAX CODE IN THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION FIRST AND FOREMOST.

WE NEED TO ENSURE VALUES ARE FAIR AND EQUITABLE AND THEN PER THE TAX CODE WE NEED TO ENSURE PROPERTIES ARE PRAISED AS OF JAT EACH YEAR AT 100 PERCENT OF MARKET VALUE.

YOU WILL HAVE OTHER STATES WE DO NOT HAVE THAT EVERYBODY'S AT 100 PERCENT. THEN WE ARE REQUIRED TO USE GENERALLY ACCEPTED APPRAISAL PRACTICES, THE UNIFORM STANDARDS AND THEN OTHER GUIDELINES. WE ARE STUDIED BY THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. EVERY YEAR THERE IS ALTERNATING STUDIES. ONE YEAR THEY LOOK AT METHODS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT IS ABOUT 400 ITEMS THAT THEY LOOK AT IN THE OFFICE TO ENSURE THAT ONLY DO WE HAVE THINGS LIKE THE REAPPRAISAL PLAN THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING THE REAPPRAISAL PLAN AND ACTUALLY INSPECTING PROPERTIES THAT WE ARE POSTING.

THE REQUIRED NOTICE IS THAT WE HAVE ALL PUBLICATIONS THAT THEY ALSO DO WHAT IS CALLED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY VALUE STUDY YOU YOUR THAT THE PVS AND TECHNICALLY IT IS USED TO ENSURE THERE IS EQUITABLE SCHOOL FUNDING.

THAT BEING SAID APPRAISAL DISTRICTS FOUR YEARS HAVE LOOKED AT THAT STUDY AS A BENCHMARK FOR APPRAISAL PERFORMANCE SO LOOKING AT COUNTYWIDE VALUES AND THEN BY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE MONKS THAT YOU CAN EVEN SEE IT BY PROPERTY TYPE.

SO FOR US WE HAVE BEEN AT IN THE LAST TWO STUDIES 90 PERCENT OF MARKET VALUE. THE TAX CODE SETS A THRESHOLD PLUS OR MINUS 5 PERCENT 105 PERCENT AT 95 PERCENT WE HAVE BEEN AS ACCURATE AS YOU CAN BE WHILE WE ARE SURE WE ARE NOT OVER PRAISING. AND THEN WE LOOK AT IT BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE FUNDING USING THE NUMBERS.

THERE IS A NEWER STUDY THAT IS PERFORMED BY THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE PROBABLY MORE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES BUT IT'S CALLED THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT RATIO STUDY IT IS A DEEP DIVE INTO APPRAISED VALUES ON APPRAISAL DISTRICTS AND LOOKS AT IT BY PROPERTY IT -- -- PROPERTY TYPE BUT NOT BY DISTRICT IT IS A GOOD PLACE TO SEE IF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ARE AT 99 PERCENT

[00:35:03]

WE DO LOOK AT THOSE AS DATA POINTS THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE CAN TELL AS THEY THINK OUR VALUES ARE TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW THAT BEING SAID WHATEVER WE DO WITH THOSE VALUES IS STILL A LOCAL DECISION. I CAN TELL YOU MY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE STATE HAS NEVER TOLD ME YOU NEED TO REDUCE VALUES OR INCREASE VALUES. THEY JUST SAID WE WANT YOU TO BE AT MARKET VALUE. DOES THAT HELP ANSWER? ESPECIALLY FOR THE PUBLIC AS WE GO THROUGH RIGHT NOW, EVERYONE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TAXES WILL BE NEXT YEAR GOING THROUGH THE PROTESTS. BUT I THINK IT'S HELPFUL FOR THOSE FOLKS TO KNOW THE WHOLE SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE AND HOW YOU ARRIVE AT THE VALUES YOU HAVE SET.

THANK YOU. >> AS A COMMENT IF YOU LIKE I SAY THIS EVERY YEAR BUT IT'S WORTH REPEATING EVERY YEAR.

THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT IS NOT A PART OF FORT BEND COUNTY. AND OTHER FOLKS IN FRONT OF ME UNDERSTAND THAT BUT IT'S ALWAYS HEARD BY OUR POPULACE AND THAT WE ARE A SEPARATE ORGANIZATION. AND I AM VERY PLEASED THAT NOBODY ON THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE COUNTY AT LARGE HAVE SAID WE NEED YOU TO INCREASE OR DECREASE VALUES.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GO RUN YOUR OPERATION, DO APPLY THE LAW, ETHICALLY, FAIRLY, THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN THAT DEGREE OR THAT MEDDLING. AND I APPRECIATE THAT

INDEPENDENCE. >>

[INDISCERNABLE] >> THAT'S OKAY.

IT IS A PART OF OUR ROLE IN THE SYSTEM.

I HAVE BEEN THROWN IN FRONT OF MORE BUSES THAN I CARE TO HAVE.

BUT IF THAT'S A PART OF THE DEAL, THAT'S A PART OF THE

DEAL. >> THANK YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE THE LENGTHY AMOUNT OF TIME YOU GAVE ME.

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AFTER PRESENTATION YOU THINK OF YOUR QUESTIONS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT.

I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAMS HOWEVER

YOU NEED. >> JUDGE WONG: THANK YOU.

>> A PLEASURE MEETING YOU. >> THANK YOU JORDAN.

I WILL GO AHEAD NOW THAT HE HAS GIVEN US A MACRO VIEW OF WHERE WE ARE AT I WILL DO IT AGAIN GIVE A MICRO VIEW FOR FORT BEND COUNTY AND 2027 BUDGET PROCESS. AS JORDAN HAD PRESENTED, OUR PRELIMINARY TAXABLE VALUES THIS YEAR 2026 ARE AT 127.9 BILLION.

AND THAT IS INCLUDING THE 8 PERCENT DECREASE ON ALL THE PROTESTS AFTER THE ARB REVIEW. AND AS MORE VETERANS ON THE COURT UNDERSTAND, IT DOESN'T USUALLY COME ALL THE WAY DOWN AT 8 PERCENT. THERE IS WIGGLE ROOM.

HOWEVER EACH YEAR I DO BUDGET AT THAT AMOUNT THAT IS GIVEN TO ME BY THE CAD SO WE ARE NOT HAVING TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS DOWN AT THE END OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. SO WHAT WE WILL SEE HERE IS THE 2026 VALUES FOR FORT BEND COUNTY IS 127.9 BILLION.

FORT BEND COUNTY NEGATIVE 1 PERCENT.

DRAINAGE DISTRICT IT IS 0.4 PERCENT.

SO JUST TO LOOK AT THE NET ASSESSED VALUE ANALYSIS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. WE CAN SEE, THE 127.9 BILLION WHICH IS A NEGATIVE 1 PERCENT INCREASE OR ONE.$3 BILLION DECREASE. THE VALUE OF THE EXISTING PROPERTY IS 125 BILLION WITH THE NEW IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO.7 BILLION. SO COMPARED TO LAST YEAR WE SAW NEW IMPROVEMENTS AT THREE.1 BILLION AND THE SHEER LOOKING AT TWO.SEVEN. SO WE HAD TO SLOWER GROWTH JUST AS JORDAN EXPLAINED TO US A FEW MINUTES AGO THAT IT IS STABILIZING NOW WITH THE NEW IMPROVEMENTS AND PROPERTIES.

OUR REVENUES IS ALMOST 11.$5 MILLION WHICH IS 2.1 8 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL NET ASSESSED VALUES.

THAT IS FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. WE HAVE SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR.

[00:40:07]

>> A DECREASE OF $6 MILLION? >> A DECREASE OF $6 MILLION.

YES. FOR THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT 127.NINE WHICH IS 0.4 PERCENT. THIS IS THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT.

I'M ON THE WRONG ONE. SORRY.

OUR EXISTING VALUE AT 125 BILLION WHICH IS TWO.5 PERCENT DECREASE FROM LAST YEAR.

OUR NEW IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW PROPERTIES, TWO.7 BILLION WHICH IS 11 PERCENT DECREASE FROM LAST YEAR.

OUR TOTAL REVENUE IN DRAINAGE DISTRICT IS 12.$4 MILLION WITH THE ONE CENT TAX RATE. SO JUST TO GIVE YOU A BROAD VIEW OF OUR TAX RATE WE ARE STEADILY DECREASED OUR TAX RATE EACH Y YEAR. SO LAST YEAR WE DID NOT DECREASE THE TAX RATE WE KEPT AT THE SAME AND THIS YEAR AS WE ARE GOING AND WE WILL BE PROPOSING A FAT -- -- A FLAT TAX RATE AGAIN TO LEAVE IT UP FOR 2.2 CENTS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER MCCOY WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT THE TAX RATE COMPARISONS. IF WE ARE LOOKING AT AN AVERAGE HOME VALUE OF $374,000 DURING 2025, LOOKING AT THE PROPERTY TAXES FOR EACH, WE JUST PULLED A HOUSE OUT OF EACH PRECINCT, 1234 JUST TO GIVE WHERE FORT BEND COUNTY STANDS FROM THE WHOLE RESIDENCE ENTIRE TAX RATE. WE ARE LOOKING AT INCREASING ONE THAN THE GENERAL FUND AND THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT WE ARE LOOKING AT 16 OR 17 PERCENT IN ALL FOUR PRECINCTS.

THAT IS GOING TO FORT BEND COUNTY AND DRAINAGE DISTRICT AS COMPARED TO WHAT THEY ARE PAYING THE CITIES AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WE DO HAVE THE 42-CENT TAX RATE BUT COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE TAXING ENTITIES, FORT BEND COUNTY IS NOT THE BIGGEST PORTION OF THE TAX BILL THAT A

RESIDENT IS PAYING. >> YOU NOTED MISSOURI CITY AND PRECINCT NUMBER FOUR. IT IS NOT.

>> NONE OF MISSOURI CITY? I THINK WE PULLED UP THE HOUSE AND WE USED THE TRUTH IN TAXATION AND PUT IN THE ADDRESS

>> NO. NOT EVEN A LITTLE.IT GIVES THE OVERINFLATED PROPERTY TAX BILL PRECINCT FOR THAT'S

UNNECESSARILY ACCURATE. >> MISSOURI IS SPELLED WRONG.

[LAUGHTER] >> YES.

SO THE 2027 BUDGET REQUEST. WE HAVE THE TOTAL 2027 BUDGET REQUEST 854.$1 MILLION. THAT IS A 12 PERCENT INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR $760 MILLION ADOPTED BUDGET.

THE LARGEST AS FAR AS PERCENTAGE INCREASE AT 28 PERCENT IS IN CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE. AND PARKS AND RECREATION BASED ON A PERCENTAGE INCREASE OF THOSE BUDGETS.

SO WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT IS HOW WE GET THAT 854 MILLION CLOSER AT THE 760 WHERE WE NEED TO BE, ESPECIALLY WITH A DECREASE IN REVENUES THIS YEAR. SO THE HUNDRED 54 MILLION-DOLLAR INCLUDES 25.$4 MILLION OF NEW POSITION REQUESTS.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 226 POSITIONS THAT ARE BEING

[00:45:02]

WE HAVE 178 VEHICLES REQUESTED RIGHT NOW.

THAT $18 MILLION IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE $854 MILLION.

THIS IS OFF TO THE SIDE BECAUSE WE WILL FINANCING THOSE WITH CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR THOSE THAT ARE APPROVED.

BUT THAT WILL INCREASE OUR DEBT SERVICE BY THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT. $18MILLION FOR NEW POSITION REQUEST. IT LOOKS LIKE 6 PERCENT OF THAT FLEET IS IN REPLACEMENT. I'M SORRY YES.

6 PERCENT AND THEN A LITTLE LESS THAN THAT IS ADDITION TO FLEET.

A LOT OF THOSE ADDITIONS COME ALONG WITH THE NEW POSITION REQUEST. OF THE POSITIONS ARE NOT APPROVED THAN THE VEHICLES ALSO NOT BE APPROVED.

THE CURRENT FLEET IS 1532 VEHICLES WITH THE MAJORITY OF THEM IN FORT BEND COUNTY. 94 IN THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE 2026? / YEAR WE HAD 164 VEHICLES REQUESTED COMPARED 178. IT IS SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR.

IF WE WANT TO REPLACE THESE VEHICLES WE ARE IN A GOOD REPLACEMENT, MAYBE A LITTLE BEHIND IF WE ONLY REPLACE 6 PERCENT OF THE FLEET NEXT YEAR.

THIS IS WHERE I LOOK TO SEE HER BALANCE BUDGET.

AS YOU RECALL WE NEED TO HAVE AN ENDING BALANCE OF 30 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET. SO IF WE LOOK AT THE GENERAL FUND, OUR ENDING BALANCE IS NINE.5 PERCENT WHICH IS MUCH LOWER THAN WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE.

WE NEEDED TO BE AT LEAST AT 30 PERCENT.

THE BRIDGE IS HIGHER. DEBT SERVICE TWO.4 PERCENT DRAINAGE DISTRICT 73 PERCENT AND SERVICE AT ALMOST NEGATIVE 6 PERCENT. AND THAT IS KEEPING THE SAME TAX RATE AS LAST YEAR. SO WHAT I HAVE DONE ON THE NEXT SLIDE IF WE MOVE THE TAX RATE AROUND, STILL KEEPING THE OVERALL SAME TAX RATE, WE CAN GET WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

SO HERE IF I SHIFT SEVEN TENTHS OF A CENT FROM THE ROAD AND BRIDGE INTO THE GENERAL FUND AND REDUCE THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET BY 80 MILLION, THEN WE WILL BRING THE ENDING FUND BALANCE AT 30 PERCENT. IF I DO THE SAME ON THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT SIDE IF I SHIFT ONE TENTH OF A CENT FROM DRAINAGE DISTRICT INTO THAT SERVICE, DEBT SERVICE I'M SORRY DRAINAGE DISTRICT DEBT SERVICE WILL THEN GO UP TO THE 47 PERCENT OF THE NEGATIVE PERCENT ON THE LAST SLIDE WILL BE A 24 PERCENT.

SO RIGHT NOW BASED ON THIS AT THE SAME OVERALL TAX RATE FOR 2.2 CENTS AND THEN CUTTING THE BUDGET BY $80 MILLION.

HOW WILL WE GET THERE? THIS IS BUDGET REQUEST.

YES SIR. IF WE DO CUT THE $80 MILLION OF THE GENERAL FUND, THE OVERALL BUDGET IS 2 PERCENT OVER LAST YEAR'S BUDGET. STILL GREATER THAN LAST YEAR.

BECAUSE WE ARE JUST CUTTING THE BUDGET REQUEST.

SO OUR GOAL IS TO CUT $80 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND. HOW DO WE DO THAT? THESE ARE VERY GENERAL WITH EVER GOAL IN THE BUDGET OFFICE IS HOW DO WE GET THAT $80 MILLION? WE LOOK AT PERSONNEL AND WORKFORCE OPTIMIZATION. AND GOING WITH NO NEW NONESSENTIAL FTE. SOME POSITIONS WE HAVE ALREADY ADDED AND WE HAVE TO ADD THE PERSONAL TO GO WITH IT.

[00:50:05]

RIGHT NOW IN THAT $854 MILLION, A PLACEHOLDER FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. THAT WILL STAY THERE BUT IF WE CAN GET TO THE 80 MILLION THEN MAYBE THAT WILL HAVE TO GO OR BE SMALLER THAN WHAT WE INITIALLY PUT IN THERE.

ANOTHER AREA TO LOOK AT IS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

50 PERCENT REDUCTION OF NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL AND TRA TRAINING. THAT IS $1 MILLION WE HAD A LITTLE OVER $2 MILLION. IS NOT HUGE BUT SOMETHING THAT IS NONESSENTIAL. EVERY MILLION COUNTS TO THE 80 MILLION. THEN JUST THE TARGET FOR THIS YEAR WAS 0 PERCENT INCREASE OVER 2026 BUDGET.

IF WE JUST LOOK AT THAT, THE REQUEST SUBMITTED WAS $95 MILLION OVER TARGET. SO IF WE WERE JUST TO BRING EVERYBODY BACK DOWN AT 2026 WOULD GET US PRETTY MUCH THERE.

WE COULD GET THERE. UNDERSTANDING A LOT OF THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE CHANGES AND NOT NECESSARILY EVERYONE COULD COME BACK DOWN AT THE 2026 ADOPTED. BUT THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL DEFINITELY LOOK AT. LOOKING AT THE DEFICIENCIES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS AS THEY COME UP.

IT IS $80 MILLION WE HAVE TO CUT OUT OF THE BUDGET.

ANOTHER THING WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT IS VACANCIES.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE 52 POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR LONGER THAN NINE MONTHS OR 270 DAYS. IF WE LOOK AT THOSE 52 POSITIONS THAT WOULD SAVE 4 MILLION IF WE ELIMINATE THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

ALSO POSSIBLY PHASING OR DELAYING NEW PROGRAMS. FOR NEW PROGRAM WE INTENDED TO START IN OCTOBER, IF POSSIBLE WE MIGHT DELAY STARTING THE NEW PROGRAMS TO SAVE A LITTLE MONEY. OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL OF THESE THINGS BUT DEFINITELY WE NEED TO GET THE 80 MILLION.

THESE THREE AREAS ARE AREAS WE WOULD LOOK AT TO GET THE

$80 MILLION. >> THE 52 VACANT POSITIONS?

>> THAT'S REAL. >> JUDGE WONG: DOES THAT INCLUDE

THE SHERIFF? >> NO NO NO.

IT DOES NOT BECAUSE THOSE HAVE BEEN DEACTIVATED.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SHERIFF'S.

>> HOW MANY OF THOSE 50 TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> I WILL HAVE TO LOOK THAT UP. I DID A QUICK FILTER I DIDN'T

SEE WHICH DEPARTMENTS. >> THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING.

>> I CAN GET THAT FOR YOU DURING LUNCH.

IT'S RIGHT ON MY COMPUTER. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO NOW THIS MORNING AND A HALF AFTER WE STARTED, WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD, THESE ARE THE DEPARTMENTS WE HAVE ON THE DOCKET FOR THIS MORNING. I HAVE, I HAVE SENT YOU ALL AN E-MAIL WITH THE EXCEL SPREADSHEET AND ALSO ACCESS TO YOUR BUDGET SOFTWARE YOU CAN GET INTO IF YOU WISH.

WE WILL GO IN THE LIST ORDERED HERE.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> HOLD ON. ONE POINT.

BECAUSE SOMEHOW THIS HAS BECOME A BIG TOPIC OF CONVERSATION ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS IT WITH THE PAST YEAR.

THE WHOLE CONVERSATION AN IDEA WE ARE OPERATING AT A DEFICIT BUDGET. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> I THINK MAY BE WHAT THAT IS ENTAILING IS THE ISSUE THAT OUR

[00:55:01]

THAT IS TRUE. HOWEVER, WE ARE USING THE FUND BALANCE AS WE NEED TO BECAUSE THAT FUND BALANCE GROWS WE ARE GENERATING MORE REVENUES THAN WHAT WE BUDGETED.

WE ALSO NOT USING 100 PERCENT OF OUR EXPENDITURE BUDGET.

SO THEREFORE THE FUND BALANCE IS INCREASING.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE USE THAT BUT WE DO KEEP A 30 PERCENT ENDING BALANCE. SO IF THERE ARE ANY EMERGENCIES THAT ARISE, WE HAVE FUNDING. AND THAT HELPS THE BOND RATINGS AS WELL THAT 30 PERCENT ENDING BALANCE.

SO IF SOMEONE WERE TO LOOK AT JUST CURRENT REVENUES VERSUS CURRENT ADOPTED BUDGET, THEN THERE WOULD BE A DIFFERENCE.

HOWEVER, THAT'S NOT THAT IS ALL THAT IS USED IN THIS BUDGET REQUEST. WE ALSO USING THE FUND BALANCE.

>> AND WE HAVE OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE AS WELL.

>> THAT IS TRUE. OUTSIDE OF FUND BALANCE.

>> THAT IS ALSO USED TO COVER EXPENDITURES AS WELL.

SALES TAX REVENUE, GRANTS, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET THAT IS ACTUALLY IT IS NOT LEGAL FOR US TO HAVE A DEFICIT BUDGET. WE CANNOT BE IN THE RED ENDING

OUR YEAR OVER YEAR. >> WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT IN THE RED. IN FACT WE HAVE AN ENDING BALANCE THAT IS OVER $100 MILLION AT THE END OF THE YEAR. EACH YEAR.

THAT IS BUDGETED. WE ARE NOT IN THE RED.

>> THANK YOU. >> I KNOW THIS IS SUPER COMPLEX STUFF. THIS IS WHY WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO COME SIT IN THE SESSIONS AND HIS EYES WERE OPENED BECAUSE HIS PERSPECTIVE BEFORE IS ALL THIS WASTEFUL SPENDING WITH ANY HERE DEPARTMENT HAS TALK ABOUT HOW THEY JUST TRY TO SCRAPE THINGS TOGETHER TO MAKE IT WORK FOR RESIDENTS IT IS EYE-OPENING. YOUR JOB IS TREMENDOUSLY COMPLEX AS WELL AND HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO PUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS TOGETHER TO CONSIDER. BUT UNFORTUNATELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT FUNDING IT IS NOT AS CLEAR AND CLEAN-CUT GOING FROM POINT A TO POINT B. BUT IT IS NOT TRUE THAT WE ARE OPERATING WITH A DEFICIT BUDGET.

>> IT IS NOT TRUE. >> THANK YOU.

>> ESSENTIALLY EACH YEAR WE ARE GENERATING MORE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE THEN WE PROJECT. CORRECT?

IT IS CLOSE. >> IT'S NOT THE PROPERTY TAX NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE PERFORMANCE UNDER REVENUE.

IT IS THE OTHER REVENUES. >> SO THE AUDITOR IS LOWBALLING THE DEAL? [LAUGHTER]

I'M SORRY. >> IT IS REALLY CLOSE.

>> OVERALL GOVERNMENTAL REVENUES FOR GENERAL FUND OUTPERFORMED BUDGET BY 3 PERCENT. I'M USING 2025 ACTUALS.

>> IS THAT TYPICAL EACH YEAR. >> IT IS.

>> ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE ACTUALLY MAY BE LOOKING AT, ASSUMING THE TREND CONTINUES THIS YEAR A SET OF MINUS 1 PERCENT WEEK TO BE UP A LITTLE BIT. CORRECT?

>> YES. BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE WE CANNOT BUDGET ON THAT BECAUSE HE'S TALKING FINES AND FEES.

>> I'M NOT SUGGESTING WE DO THAT BUT I AM POINTING OUT THAT IS A LIKELY REALITY OR REVENUES OUTPERFORMED BUDGET AND

EXPENDITURES FALL SHORT. >> IS NORMALLY ABOUT 97 PERCENT. WE USE 97 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET. THERE IS BUDGET LEFT OVER AT THE END OF THE YEAR THAT ROLLS BACK INTO THE FUND BALANCE.

>> 2025 OR $60 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND.

>> A SMALL AMOUNT OF CHANGE THE COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICT MONEY, YOU CANNOT COUNT ON THAT.

AND ANY POTENTIAL GRANTS, ALL OF THAT ADDS TO THE ADDITIONAL

[01:00:09]

REVENUE. >> YES.

THAT IS CORRECT. >> THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND. THERE IS ADDITIONAL REVENUE THAT YOU CANNOT COUNT ON THAT TO WORK WITH WORK WITH YOUR BUDGET, BECAUSE IT IS VERY VULNERABLE.

>> YOU WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THOSE OTHER REVENUES ARE REALIZED, AND THEN YOU COUNT THEM. THAT'S WHY AS PANELIST TEAM PRESENTS THE BUDGET EACH YEAR, SHE AND HER TEAM INCLUDE AS A RESOURCE THOSE EXCESS RESOURCES FROM THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR WHEN THEY ARE REALIZED. WHICH IS WHEN YOU SHOULD ACCOUNT

FOR THEM. >> AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHIFT SOME EXPENSES FROM THE GENERAL FUND THAT COMES FROM TAXES AND FINANCING FEES TO C.A.D. OR GRANTS.

AND YES. IT SOUNDS LIKE A PEP RALLY.

I THINK WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. I'M SURE WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW

TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. >> WE ARE LOOKING AT THE TEAM LOOKING AT $80 MILLION, WHERE CAN WE CUT $80 MILLION?

THAT IS THE GOAL. >> THAT'S THE MONEY YOU HAVE, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH? YOU HAVE 80 MILLION.

>> YES. YES.

>> IF THERE AREN'T ANY MORE QUESTIONS WE WILL CALL UP OUR FIRST DEPARTMENT, JUDGE SMITH IS IN A HEARING RIGHT NOW, SO SHE MAY HAVE TO POSTPONE AND COME LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

SO WE WILL GO TO ELECTION SERVICES.

>> I ALSO HAVE TO REMARK A GOOD JOB TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM ON THIS NEW PLATFORM. I'M LOOKING AROUND, USUALLY COMMISSIONER MYERS HAS A STACK OF PAPERS HERE, AND HE HAS A LAPTOP, SO THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE THIS A BIT MORE

ACCESSIBLE. >> WITH ALL MY INFORMATION.

>> YES, THERE ARE MIXED REVIEWS ON IT.

BUT THANK YOU. >> WE ARE COMING UP IN THE WORLD. I AM WITH IT.

>> GOOD MORNING, Y'ALL. >> NICE TO MEET YOU, JUDGE.

MY NAME IS CHASE WILSON, BY THE WAY.

I AM THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. SO THIS IS MY FIRST RODEO FOR ONE OF THE USE, SO I GOT TO BE IN THE HOT SEAT FIRST I GUESS, BUT THAT'S OKAY. SO THE INCREASE THAT YOU SEE HERE, I WILL POINT OUT NUMBER ONE, I DID MOVE OVER SOME OF THE SERVICE ITEMS FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION FUND.

WE HAD THREE DIFFERENT FUNDS AND ELECTIONS, SO FUND 100 AND MOVE SOME ITEMS OVER THAT ARE GENERALLY MAKING MORE SENSE ACTUALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING THE ELECTIONS.

SO WE HAVE INCREASES IN THE SALARIES FOR POLL WORKERS, THAT IS BECAUSE INCREASING THE VOTING PRECINCTS FROM THE LAST REDISTRICTING PROCESS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE 50 PERCENT OF THOSE VOTING PRECINCTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE POLLING LOCATIONS. SO WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS TO 100 IN THE FUTURE TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW. SO THAT'S OBVIOUSLY GOING TO INCREASE THE COST OF POLL WORKERS.

THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THIS ACCOUNT ARE -- EXCUSE ME, OUR PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, 64,000. THERE IS VOTING EQUIPMENT BATTERIES THAT HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FOR $374,000.

JOHN ACTUALLY REQUESTED THIS I THINK IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, AND WE PURCHASED OUR VOTING EQUIPMENT BACK IN 2018, THE EQUIPMENT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2018 WHICH MEANS ALL OF OUR EXPRESS VOTING MARKETING DEVICES AND THE DEVICE YOU USE TO CAST VOTES ON YOUR BALLOT ARE NOW ROUGHLY ABOUT EIGHT YEARS OLD, THE LITHIUM BATTERIES AND THOSE DEVICES ARE BEGINNING TO WEAR OUT, AND IT IS ACTUALLY AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE VENDOR THAT YOU REPLACE THOSE BATTERIES EVERY 5-7 YEARS.

SO NOW WE ARE AT EIGHT YEARS, SO WE ARE OVER THE RECOMMENDATION TIMELINE TO REPLACE THOSE BATTERIES.

THERE WERE SOME EXPRESSED VOTE CARTS FOR CURBSIDE THAT HAVE REQUESTED 100,004 I BELIEVE, THIS IS BECAUSE THE EXPRESS VOTE, THE EXPRESS TOUCHES CURBSIDE VOTING UNITS, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'VE SEEN HIS OTHER POLLING LOCATIONS, BUT THEY ARE LARGE TABLET DEVICES BROUGHT OUT TO THE VEHICLES FOR VOTERS THAT CAN'T MAKE IT INSIDE. WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE THOSE CURBSIDE VOTING DEVICES, THEY ARE DRE, SO DIRECT ELECTRONIC VOTING AND ARE THE LAST OF THEIR KIND IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, BECAUSE DIRECT TO ELECTRONIC VOTING I BELIEVE IT WAS PART OF SP 1 A FEW YEARS AGO, THEY ACTUALLY MADE IT A

[01:05:05]

THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALLOWED US TO CONTINUE TO USE THOSE EXPRESS TOUCH CURBSIDE DEVICES ONLY FOR CURBSIDE VOTING.

SO THAT'S THE ONLY LEGAL WAY THAT YOU CAN USE DRE UNITS FOR VOTING IN TEXAS. WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT THE MANUFACTURER THAT PRODUCES ALL OF THE VOTING EQUIPMENT HAVE DISCONTINUED AND ARE NO LONGER SUPPORTING THE DEVICES FOR THE LAST THREE HAVE BEEN FOUR YEARS, THEY ARE NOT MANUFACTURING THEM ANYMORE AND BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET MAINTENANCE ON THEM, OUR STOCK OF THOSE DEVICES HAVE BEEN DECORATED, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE ABOUT 250 OF THOSE UNITS.

RIGHT NOW WE CURRENTLY HAVE COMING INTO THE YEAR HAD LESS THAN 50 PERCENT OF THOSE UNITS WERE WORKING, RIGHT? SO IN ITS A VARIETY OF TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, THE LITHIUM BATTERIES GOING OUT, THE SCREENS ARE STARTING TO FREEZE, IT'S JUST THOSE DEVICES ARE EIGHT YEARS OLD AS WELL AND ARE NOT SUPPORTING IT AND MAINTAINING IT ANYMORE.

AS OF THE PRIMARY OF THIS YEAR WE WERE THE LAST COUNTY IN TEXAS THAT USED THOSE EXPRESS TOUCH CURBSIDE UNITS.

SO COMING INTO THE PRIMARY RUNOFF, I MADE THE DECISION TO DISCONTINUE THEIR USE. WE HAD PROBABLY ABOUT 40-45% OF THE STOCK LEFT AND WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH, WE HAD THE RUN OFF STARTING NEXT MONDAY, WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FOR EACH OF THE POLLING LOCATIONS IF WE WERE STILL USING THOSE DEVICES.

SO I PROCURED SOME CARTS. THEY HAVE A SINGLE EXPRESS VOTE MACHINE ON THERE FOR VOTING IN THE POLL WORKERS WILL WHEELED OUT TO THE VEHICLE WHERE THE PERSON IN THE VEHICLE WILL VOTE JUST LIKE THE PERSON IN THE POLLING LOCATION, SO WE PROVIDED THAT SOLUTION. AND REQUIRED BY STATE LAW THAT WE GIVE THESE CURBSIDE VOTERS AND OPTION TO VOTE IN THEIR VEHICLE. SO THERE IS $100,000 FOR THOSE CARDS THEY ARE. THERE'S $281,000 REQUEST FOR THE TABULATOR'S, WE ARE USING DS 2, GETTING THOSE UNITS ARE AGING.

AND THIS WILL ALLOW US, JUST REALLY HELPS OUT WITH EFFICIENCY. IT HELPS OUT WITH GETTING THE RESULTS BACK FOR EARLY VOTING A LOT MORE QUICKLY.

THE EARLY VOTING PROCESS OF COURSE MOST OF THE TIME FOR MOST LARGE ELECTIONS OCCURS OVER THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS.

IN CLOSING DOWN THOSE MACHINES ARE ALL IMAGES AS THEY TAKE IMAGES OF THE FRONT AND BACK IT, SO WHEN WE CLOSE THOSE DOWN AT THE END OF THE BOATING PERIOD IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET THOSE MACHINES BACK IN TO GET THE RESULTS BACK AND WE HAVE SEEN MORE INSTANCES OF THE DS 200S FREEZING OR JUST NOT BEING ABLE TO COLLECT THE VOTES WHICH REQUIRES US TO MANUALLY SCAN THOSE PAPER BALLOTS WHEN THEY RETURN BACK FROM THE LOCATION.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT WE WILL NEED DS 300S FOR THE ENTIRE STOCK FOR ELECTION DAY AS WELL, BECAUSE AS A SINGLE DAY VOTING, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF EARLY VOTING, BECAUSE IT'S OVER THE COURSE OF A TEN OR 12-DAY PERIOD, SO THAT'S KIND OF THE JUSTIFICATION. SO THAT QUOTE IS ONLY FOR EARLY VOTING TABULATOR'S AND IT'S ONLY ABOUT 35, BUT THAT WILL REQUIRE FIRMWARE UPGRADE TO THE EMS SYSTEM WHICH I BELIEVE WE HAVE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY WITH I.T. THE C.A.P. MEETING WE WILL HAVE AND DISCUSS THAT IN FURTHER DETAIL, AND WILL BE REQUIRED FOR US TO OPERATE THE DS 300'S, AND ONCE AGAIN, LIKE THE REST OF THIS EQUIPMENT IT HAS BEEN EIGHT YEARS.

WE ARE SEEING SOME OF THE SYSTEM START TO GET OLD, YOU TYPICALLY REPLACE OR UPGRADE COMPUTERS EVERY 4-5 YEARS AND I MEAN IT'S JUST TIME TO UPGRADE SOME OF THE STUFF.

$37,600 FOR UPGRADES TO MEMORY CARDS IN THE CURRENT DS TO HUNDREDS WE HAVE AND THEN THERE IS A LITTLE MONEY HERE AND THEREFORE THE ROUTER, AN INCREASE IN SOME OF THE VOTER CERTIFICATES OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, WE GET NEW REGISTRATIONS EACH YEAR, SO WE HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THAT.

THE COST FOR ALL OF THIS STUFF IS GOING UP AND THERE IS SOME INCREASES IN DELIVERY FOR EQUIPMENT FOR THE INCREASE OF POLLING LOCATIONS AND I THINK I HAVE COVERED ABOUT EVERYTHING.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> THERE IS NO FUNDING FROM THE

STATE FOR THESE MANDATES? >> NO, SIR.

THEY ARE ALL UNFUNDED MANDATES. >> DO WE HAVE A TRACKER SOMEWHERE? I GUESS AN AUDITOR, A TRACKER FOR ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE REQUIREMENTS BY THE STATE FOR

WHICH THEY PROVIDE ZERO FUNDING? >> WE HAVE TAKEN SHOTS AT THIS IN THE PAST. WE CAN UPDATE IT.

IT'S NORMALLY BASED ON THE ITEMS THAT ARE DISCRETIONARY BY THIS

[01:10:05]

WE CAN BRING THAT UP TO DATE FOR VALIDATION.

IT'S MATERIAL. MATERIAL AGAINST THE COUNTY.

>> NOW THESE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS, OF COURSE ACCESSIBILITY IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND PROVIDING THAT.

BUT THE STATE REQUIRES, AND I'M JUST -- THIS IS CONJECTURE COME THE STATE REQUIRES EVERY TIME WE HAVE A BOND ELECTION EVEN THOUGH WE MAINTAIN THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO INCREASE PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE HAVE TO SAY THIS REPRESENTS PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WHEN THEY PASSED THESE MANDATES, THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SAY THAT THIS REPRESENTS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE ON YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MUNICIPALITY OR OTHERWISE, SORRY, THAT'S JUST A VERY BIG POINT.

WITH THIS, I AM ASSUMING ON THE NEW VOTING SOFTWARE AND LOOKS LIKE THAT'S $1.1 MILLION THAT'S GOING TO BE IN CIP? AND THEN WITH THE -- THE REQUEST FOR PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT IS AT $804,000 TO UPGRADE CURRENT EQUIPMENT, ARE WE NOT PUTTING THAT IN CIP AS WELL?

>> IT IS CUMULATIVE OVER SEVERAL DIFFERENT ITEMS, BUT NO, WE ARE NOT. WE ARE KEEPING IT IN THE PROPERTY PERMANENT, BECAUSE IT IS SMALLER ITEMS THAT TOTAL UP

TO THAT. >> OKAY, UNDERSTOOD.

AND THOSE ITEMS DON'T MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR CIP?

>> RIGHT TO. GOT IT.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WE

APPRECIATE IT. >> VEHICLE MAINTENANCE.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT OF INCREASE TO IT, BUT LIKE PAMELA HAS ALREADY SET ON THE VEHICLES THAT WE HAVE, HOW MANY NEW VEHICLES WE ARE TAKING IN EVERYTHING AND EVERY YEAR, SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S GOING -- THAT IN ITSELF SAYS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT TRYING TO COVER THE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES COMING IN AND LIKE SHE SAID IT WAS A LOT OF NEW VEHICLES AND 77 OF THOSE VEHICLES ARE GOING TO BE REQUESTED, BUT THEY ARE NOT APPROVED YET.

BUT LAST YEAR WAS 37 VEHICLES AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT WAS 75 VEHICLES ADDED AND ADDITIONS TO THE FLEET.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE ASKING FOR A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT IS IN THERE. ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE ARE ASKING FOR IS FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, AS WE HAVE FIVE MECHANICS NOW AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY ON THE ROAD AT THE VEHICLE IS WORKING ON THEIR 25 SPOTS. AND EVERY SPOT IS FILLED EVERY MORNING AND THEY ARE PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR SPOTS TO PARK THEIR VEHICLES, SO THAT'S HOW MANY HAVE WORKED ON EVERY SINGLE DAY AND TO GET IN AND OUT.

SO IT'S KIND OF TOUGH WHEN WE HAVE ASKED FOR THAT ADDITIONAL SEVERAL TIMES AND IT'S NEVER BEEN APPROVED.

AND THAT WOULD HELP OUT A WHOLE LOT IF WE COULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. BUT THE PRICE OF FUEL, WHERE WE JUST HAD A SMALL INCREASE IN FUEL, BUT IT'S THE BATTERIES, THE BRAKES, EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING DOING ON THE TIRES.

AND WE HOPE THAT THERE IS AN APPROVAL OF WHAT WE HAVE REQUESTED. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> ARE THEY BOTH MECHANIC SUMP THESE POSITIONS?

>> YES, I BELIEVE SO. >> YES, THEY ARE.

>> TWO MASTER MECHANICS AT 90,000 EACH.

>> YES, CORRECT. >> AND I KNOW WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT IT'S WORTH NOTING AGAIN, ON SOME OF -- WE FEEL THAT IT IS MORE EFFICIENT OR COST-EFFECTIVE TO THE COUNTY FOR US TO WORK ON EVERYTHING IN HOUSE AS OPPOSED TO ALLOWING FOR THERE TO BE SOME -- YOU KNOW, IF IT IS AN OIL CHANGE OR SOMETHING SIMPLER TO BE DONE ON THE CAR TO BE A CONTRACT WITH A JIFFY LUBE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT. WE HAVE TRIED TO DO THAT BEFORE.

AND IF IT IT'S ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO WORK THAT GOES BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE THING WE WORKED ON BEFORE GETTING TO ONE OF THE QUICK PLACES TO DO THE OIL CHANGE, WHEN THE CAR OR A VEHICLE COMES IN, IT'S A PURSUIT VEHICLE, SO WHEN WE DO THAT THAT'S A MULTI-INSPECTION. HE CHECKED THE BATTERY, THE TIRES, THEY DO A LOT MORE STUFF OTHER THAN JUST CHANGING THE OIL. THE OTHER FACTOR IS WHO DO YOU HAVE WORKING ON THAT PURSUANT VEHICLE, CAN YOU TRUST HIM TO MAKE SURE THEY WILL DO IT THE CORRECT JOB, THE RIGHT WAY.

WE HAVE LOOKED INTO IT AND IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DO THAT.

REALLY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT. WHO IS GOING TO MONITOR IF THEY ARE DOING AT THE RIGHT WAY, IF THEY ARE BUILDING CORRECTLY, THAT WOULD BE A WHOLE NOTHER ADDITIONAL STAFFING TO KEEP UP

[01:15:02]

>> AND THEN HAVE YOU -- SOME OF THE INCREASES IN PARTS THAT YOU ALL HAD TO BUY, DO YOU KNOW IF ANY OF THOSE HAVE BEEN

IMPACTED BY TARIFFS? >> I DON'T, BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PRICES WE HAVE ARE IN OUR CALL SET BECAUSE THEY WERE PRICES AS

WE HAVE THE CURRENT BED. >> NONE OF THOSE ARE UP FOR

RENEWAL ANYTIME SOON? >> I MEAN, IT WILL COME UP, THAT

COULD BE AN INCREASE THERE ALSO. >> THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO

TRACK. >> YES, SIR.

>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH, WE

APPRECIATE IT. >> COMMISSIONER AT PRECINCT 3.

>> YES, I HAVE THREE AREAS THAT HAVE INCREASES, ONE, YOU CALL IT A RECLASS REQUEST A SALARY ADJUSTMENT REQUEST, SO THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE PAID THE SAME FOR THE SAME POSITIONS AS THE OTHER COMMISSION PERSONNEL ARE, THE SECOND ONE HAS TO DO WITH MY TRAVEL THAT IS -- I GUESS IT IS TARGETED.

AND THE INCREASE -- OR THIS YEAR COMING UP, ANTICIPATE WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE WILL SPEND ALL OF THAT -- ALL OF THOSE FUNDS OBVIOUSLY IN A DIFFERENT ELECTION, I DON'T TRAVEL TO AUSTIN NEARLY AS MUCH AND THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CHALLENGE IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE INTERIM STUDIES INDICATE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ADDRESSING PROPERTY TAXES REDUCTION ONE MORE TIME, WHICH WILL INCLUDE LIKELY A CAP ON DEBT AND LIMITATION ON UTILIZED USING OF COMPLICATION AND TAX PARTICIPATION NOTES AND A FOCUS ON LIMITATION ON THOSE, THAT LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LAST SESSION THAT DID NOT GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PUSHED. WE ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WILL BE THE SAME HERE AND THEN I HAVE A REQUEST FOR SOME OUTSIDE LEGAL FEES RELATING TO -- AND THIS IS A DEAL WHERE I AM WORKING WITH PAM TO BASICALLY MAKE THAT A NET INCREASE MOVING SOME FUNDING AROUND THAT WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT.

SO THAT PARTICULAR CATEGORY WILL NOT END UP BEING AN INCREASE.

SO THAT'S A BUDGET. >> QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU. >> FIRE MARSHAL.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, HOW ARE YOU ALL? YES, THAT IS A LARGE NUMBER. THE REQUEST ON MY BUDGET.

ANY HEARING THAT DISCUSSION TODAY FROM PAMELA AND EVERYONE ELSE, I CAN HELP A LITTLE BIT HERE.

JUST RECEIVED WORD FROM OUR PARTNER WE ARE WORKING WITH FOR OPENING UP THE SECOND HAZMAT STATION THAT IS BEEN PUSHED BACK A LITTLE BIT, SO ONE OF THE REQUESTS I HAVE IS FOR NINE TECHNICIANS AND I CAN REDUCE NOW DOWN TO JUST THREE REQUESTED.

>> PART OF THE 11? >> YES, THAT WAS A PART OF THE 11, BUT I WILL ONLY NOW ASK FOR THREE TECHNICIANS TO ASSESS THE

CURRENT STAFFING NEEDS. >> YOU HAVE GONE FROM 11 TO

THREE. >> 11 DOWN TO FIVE REQUEST FOR PERSONNEL. OVER THAT REALLY QUICK.

THREE WEEK CLASSIFICATION, ONE IS THE ASSISTANT CHIEFS INTO GENERAL PAYGRADE TO ALIGN THE REGULATORY ALIGNMENT OF THE OFFICE. AND THEN RECLASSIFYING THREE TECHNICIANS TO PROVIDE A FRONTLINE SUPERVISOR.

FOR THOSE INCIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE RESPONDING TO.

AFTER THREE TECHNICIANS TO ADD TO THE STAFFING, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME MEANING STAFFING WITH A CRUISE FOR THE RESPONSES TO CERTAIN INCIDENTS, THE TRAIN INCIDENT IN MARCH WAS A GREAT INSTANCE WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE ALL CRUISE ON SCENE AND STAFFING FOR THAT, BUT AFTER DOING THE AFTER ACTION REVIEW, THE NECESSITY OF THE STAFFING IS ESSENTIAL FOR RESPONSES WITHOUT. AN ADDITIONAL INSPECTOR AS WELL

[01:20:03]

AS WELL AS THE INSPECTOR INVESTIGATOR WOULD HELP WITH OUR BOARDING HOME REGULATIONS AND OTHER LICENSED FACILITIES WHICH IS ALSO A REVENUE GENERATOR. THOSE TWO POSITIONS I WOULD LIKE TO UTILIZE I HAVE TWO PART TIME POSITIONS ALSO ON THOSE COSTS.

OTHER INCREASES THAT ARE LARGE THAT ARE THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE BUDGET AND I AM NOT SURE THE EXACT NUMBER BY REMOVING THOSE STAFFING AND HOW MUCH IS REDUCING THAT NUMBER BY, BUT SOME OTHER LARGE NUMBERS INCLUDE ITEMS THAT WERE SEEN AS A REDUCTION FROM GRANT FUNDS THROUGH WHAT IS FUNDED FOR HAZMAT. ON OUR FEES, ONE OF THE LARGEST ITEMS WAS $75,000, THE PART OF THE GRANTS IS NOW NO LONGER FUNDING THE MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT AND SO $70,000 IS TO OUR ANNUAL CONTRACT TO HAVE ALL OF OUR GAS MONITORS RECALIBRATED. THOSE WERE USED ALMOST EVERY INCIDENT THAT HAZMAT GOES TO TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF INDIVIDUALS OF THE PUBLIC AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

TRAVEL IS A MASS PRODUCTION AND THAT NUMBER TOO FROM WHAT IS PROVIDED, BUT EVEN WITHOUT REDUCTION I AM LOOKING AT THERE IS ABOUT 24,000 THAT WAS COVERED BY PREVIOUS REACTIONS, LOOKING TO COVER FOR THE TRAINING OF SOME OF THE HAZMAT TEXT THAT WE HAVE THROUGH OTHER GRANTS. SUPPLIES AND MAINTENANCE.

A REDUCTION AS WELL LOOKING AT PROBABLY ABOUT 60% INCREASE THERE, LOOKING AT ITEMS SUCH AS OUR BUNKER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM AND THE COST OF THAT HAS GONE UP DRASTICALLY.

THOSE ARE REQUIRED TO A CERTAIN LIFE ON OUR BUNKER GEAR, AS WELL AS OUR VESTS FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY USED SOME GRANTS TO PURCHASE THAT, BUT THEY DID NOT FIND EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR THOSE, SO WE WILL LOOK AT THE COST OF THOSE ARE THE LAST ITEM IS THE ANNUAL PROPERTY EQUIPMENT WE HAVE SOME LARGE ITEMS THERE THAT ARE NEEDED JUST FOR SIMPLE REPLACEMENTS SUCH AS OUR DRONES AND STUFF.

INTERNET FOR THE NEW HAZMAT TRUCK AND CHARGERS FOR VEHICLES AND STUFF. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> DO YOU HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE INCREASE IN YOUR --

BASED ON 11 TO FIVE. >> I DO NOT RIGHT NOW.

I TALKED TO HER BUDGET ANALYSIS AND WE WOULD GET THAT FOR YOU.

>> EACH HAZMAT POSITION AS 105,721.

>> WE TAKE EVERYTHING AND MULTIPLY IT BY 40%.

>> HOW MANY DID YOU TAKE OUT? >> SIX.

YES, 634, 645. TO BE EXACT, BUT --

>> SO ESSENTIALLY 60%. REDUCTION.

WOULD THAT BE REASONABLE. >> YES.

>> OKAY. GOT IT.

>> AND I KNOW THAT WE ARE STILL REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INSPECTORS, LOOKS LIKE ONE INSPECTOR AND ONE INVESTIGATOR INSPECTOR, WHAT -- WITH THE 4 OR REALLY THE 3 INSPECTOR VACANCIES IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S UP TO DATE, DO WE HAVE A PLAN FOR

FILLING THOSE FIRST? >> THEY ARE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH, WE HAVE COMPLETED INTERVIEWS AND THEY ARE

CURRENTLY IN BACKGROUND. >> GOOD.

AND I KNOW WE ARE DEFERRING THE HAZMAT UNIT WORK AND ALL OF THAT STUFF BASED ON WHAT YOU JUST SHARED, BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY JUST FOR -- IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS, DID NOT ASK YOU THIS AHEAD OF TIME, BUT HOW MANY HAZMAT INCIDENTS HE RESPONDED TO MS LAST FISCAL YEAR?

>> LAST FISCAL YEAR, 183 INCIDENTS.

>> AND RBC AND THAT TREND GO UP? >> YES, SIR.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE SEEING THAT TREND UP BY ABOUT 8%.

>> AND THEN FOR INSTANCE THE INCIDENT WE HAD WITH A TRAIN DERAILMENT HERE IN RICHMOND, HOW MUCH DID THAT REQUIRE YOUR TEAM

AND YOUR TIME? >> THAT REQUIRED MY TEAM AND MY TIME THE ENTIRE INCIDENT AIR. WE HAD CREWS THEREFORE PRETTY MUCH ABOUT 25 HOURS. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT AN INCIDENT YOU TAKE 183, AND MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT, WHEN YOU PUT THE MAN HOURS, THAT'S THERE WHERE THE CREWS HAVE TO STAY THERE, SO THOSE HOURS ACTUALLY IT'S A LOT AND DEDICATION TO THAT, WHEN THEY ARE THERE THEY CANNOT BREAK AWAY AND RESPOND TO OTHER CALLS

[01:25:03]

AND SERVICES. >> NONE OF THIS IS FUNDED BY ANY

OTHER FEDERAL GRANTS? >> WE DO USE UFC GRANTS FOR SOME OF THE FUNDING AND HAS BEEN A PRIMARY SOURCE FOR THE EQUIPMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND TRAINING OF THE HAZMAT TECHNICIANS, BUT WITH SOME REDUCTIONS COMING AND OTHER LIMITATIONS, WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING SOME OF THIS ON TO OUR HOME BUDGET BECAUSE THEY ARE NO LONGER FUNDING THAT.

WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR OTHER GRANTS AND THINGS WE CAN APPLY FOR, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF LIMITATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR OFFICE, BECAUSE WE ARE VERY UNIQUE AND WE COVER LAW-ENFORCEMENT FIRE AND JUST A GENERAL RESPONSE AND SO THERE IS SOME GRANTS THAT ARE ALLOWED FOR POLICE, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE OF OUR RETIRED FIRE MARSHAL AND SOME GRANTS FOR A FIRE WE CAN'T DO BECAUSE WE CARRY POLICE. SO WE HAVE TO FINAGLE THROUGH DIFFERENT GRANTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT

GRANTS. >> AND THERE'S NO WAY TO DISAGGREGATE THOSE AND DO THE FIRE PART SEPARATE THAN THE

POLICE. >> WE ARE GETTING VERY CREATIVE AND WORKING THROUGH WAYS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND STAY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THOSE.

>> GOT IT. BECAUSE I KNOW THIS DEPARTMENT HAS CHANGED A BIT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SO IF THERE IS ANYWAY STRUCTURE CAN MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE, BUT THIS IS WHERE I WILL INSERT MY RANTS ABOUT FEDERAL GRANTS, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE WILL HEAR THE EXACT SAME THING FROM HS AND EM AS WELL, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF POSITIONS FUNDED BY THE GRANT PROGRAM THAT ARE COMING TO AN END BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETELY ENDED THOSE PROGRAMS. THIS COMES AT A COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYERS AND REALLY AGAIN, THESE ARE THE INCOME TAX DOLLARS GOING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE EXPECT TO COME BACK HOME TO BE ABLE TO HELP US THAT NOW WE ARE LOSING, SO IT'S A BIG IMPACT.

I KNOW THAT YOUR TEAM WORKS TIRELESSLY AND YOU KEEP ME UPDATED ACROSS EACH UNIT. SO I APPRECIATE THAT AND I KNOW YOU DO THAT FOR ALL OF US, BUT THIS WILL BE A MAJOR HURDLE FOR US WHETHER WE TAKE IT ON THIS YEAR OR A YEAR AND IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU.

>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? >> AND IF YOU WERE TO RANK WHICH OF YOUR REQUESTS DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> RECLASSIFICATION IS NUMBER ONE AS FAR AS POSITIONS, AND HAZMAT AS 2, INSPECTOR THREE, INSPECTOR INVESTIGATOR 4, AND ON THE REST OF THAT AS FAR AS ALL OF THE OTHER REQUESTS WE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK IN REALLY LOOK AT THE OVERALL BUDGET AND TRY TO HAVE A MEETING. WE ALWAYS HAVE WONDERFUL

MEANINGS. >> INVESTIGATOR AND

INVESTIGATOR? >> THAT WOULD BE THREE, AND INVESTOR IN SPEC TO GET HER WOULD BE 4.

>> AND JUST FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T AWARE, THE HAZMAT'S HAVE

TO COME IN 3. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> FANTASTIC. YES, PLEASE.

>> THE HAZMAT BECAUSE IT IS FAIRLY NEW AND NOT ONLY THE RESPONSE YOU ARE DOING LOCALLY, BUT THE RESPONSE THAT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO DO OUTSIDE TO HELP NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, THERE IS NO WAY THAT, SHOULD OUR LEGISLATORS BE ADVOCATING FOR A DIFFERENT FORM OF THE LAW SO THAT YOU CAN GET GRANT MONEY?

>> YES. YES.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR LEGISLATORS NEED TO BE DOING.

>> YES, SIR. AND FOR THAT, THE HAZMAT TEAM IS A REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAM, SO OUR SELF, THEY OF THE HARRIS COUNTY TEAM, CITY OF HOUSTON, BEAUMONT, AND CONROE ARE THE REGIONAL TEAMS WE RESPOND TO WITH OUR REGION HERE.

THE COUNTY TEAM RESPONSE TO THE WEST SIDE AND SOUTHWEST SIDE OF HOUSTON, MOST RECENTLY WENT TO MATAGORDA COUNTY FOR RESPONSE WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND RESPONDING THEY ARE, BUT WE RESPOND WITHIN THE COUNTY, AUSTIN COUNTY, AND WHARTON COUNTIES AS PART OF A RESOURCE TEAM AS WELL AS COVERING THE AREA HERE AND WE DO GET STRETCHED PRETTY THIN AND THE OTHER DAY AND MATAGORDA COUNTY WE DID HAVE ONE COME WITH US FOR STAFFING, BUT IT IS A REGIONAL RESPONSE TEAM WE ARE RESPONSIBLE

FOR THAT. >> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVING RIGHT ALONG.

>> FACILITIES. AND FACILITY IS HAS SEVERAL

DIFFERENT DIVISIONS. >> GOOD MORNING, GUYS.

>> GOOD MORNING. WE ARE HERE THIS MORNING TO TALK TO ABOUT FOUR OF OUR SIX -- I GUESS I CALLED HIM SUB

[01:30:04]

I TOTAL 1.3 MILLION OVER OF PAMELA'S MAGIC 80 MILLION.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT.

BEFORE I START I ALWAYS DO THIS, JUST KIND OF SET THE BACKDROP OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST YEAR AND WHAT WE HAVE COMING UP IN THE COMING YEAR, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT DRIVES ALL OF THIS STUFF. SO WE HAVE NEW BUILDINGS THAT I WILL REMIND YOU OF, ELECTION ADMINISTRATION BUILDING LAST YEAR FINISHING THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB FOR FRESNO AND ABOUT TO OPEN A NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CAMPUS AND A NEW I.T.

BUILDING AND WE HAVE RECENTLY BROKEN GROUND ON THE SENIOR CENTER AS THERE IS ABOUT THREE OR FOUR THAT ARE SMALLER PROJECTS OUT THERE THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO GET TO.

SO WITH ALL THAT SAID AND ALL THIS NEW SQUARE FOOTAGE, WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND PAY FOR IT.

SO FACILITIES OPERATIONS FIRST, RIGHT, PAM?

>> RESET, PLEASE. >> YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

SORRY. SO WE ARE ASKING FOR THE THREE NEW BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORKERS WILL COUNTY CATCH UP, WHERE WE HAVE ONLY HAD TWO APPROVED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS AND WE HAVE ADDED A WHOLE LOT OF BUILDINGS IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS, SO WE ARE IN CATCH-UP MODE ON THAT AND THAT'S WHAT OUR APPROACH IS ADDING ONE TO THE GENERAL COUNTYWIDE FACILITIES, THE MAINTENANCE TEAM AND FOCUSING TWO OUT IN A GROWING AREA BY THE FAIRGROUNDS THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF, WE NOW HAVE A MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, AND ELECTIONS BUILDING, LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING ACADEMY AND A TRANSIT CENTER ALL IN WALKING DISTANCE OF EACH OTHER WHICH IS LIKE TEN BUILDINGS.

YES, IT'S LIKE EIGHT BUILDINGS ALL IN ONE SPOT.

SO MAINTENANCE GUYS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING BACK AND FORTH OUT THERE. AND THE APPROACH IS JUST TO ASSIGN A COUPLE OF GUYS TO THAT AREA.

SO SAVES TIME AND RESOURCES IN ALL OF THAT STUFF.

BUT ALSO IN THAT CATEGORY OF FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, WE HAVE HAD SOME SERVICE FEES INCREASES FOR GENERAL NATE NANCE, BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THE NEW BUILDINGS THAT WE ARE ADDING AFTER WE BOUGHT ONLINE FOR MAINTENANCE SO THAT'S THE MAINTENANCE CATEGORY. QUESTIONS?

>> QUESTION. HOLD ON, SORRY COMING AT US.

JUST TRYING TO GET THROUGH HERE. >> GOOD?

>> CUSTODIAL. >> OPERATIONS.

>> I'M SORRY. >> OPERATIONS.

>> THIS IS MAINLY UTILITY COST INCREASES FROM THE NEW BUILDINGS WHICH IS JUST MATH THE UTILITY COSTS --

>> SO WE WILL INCUR THESE REGARDLESS?

>> YES, UNLESS YOU JUST TURN OFF THE WATER.

>> YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. >> IT IS WHAT IT IS, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY ALONE IS $217,000 A YEAR IN UTILITY COSTS COSTS. JUST THAT ONE CAMPUS GOOD SO THAT'S COMING ONLINE. AND ALSO WHEN NEW BUILDINGS GET NEW LANDSCAPING AND TRASH PICKUP COSTS FOR THE NEW BUILDINGS.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE OPERATIONS OVERAGE.

QUESTIONS? >> THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO SIGN THESE ENTERPRISE FUNDS OR JUST LIKE THE TRAINING FACILITY. THAT A LOT OF THE REVENUES THAT A BEEN THROUGH THEIR GO FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT COMPLEX.

>> YES, MOST OF THOSE BUILDINGS WE DON'T PROFIT.

MOST OF THOSE BUILDINGS WE DON'T GET THE CHARGE FOR.

>> I UNDERSTAND, BUT THE ONES WE CAN.

SURE. OKAY, OFF TO CUSTODIAL, CORRECT? OKAY. A NEW POSITION REQUEST THAT YOU SEE ON THERE IS AN EFFORT TO DO A SWAP OUT, WE ARE NOT HAVING SUCCESS WITH OUTSIDE VENDORS DOING THE CUSTODIAL WORK AT THE JUSTICE CENTER. IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. AND WE HAVE TRIED TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES AND IT'S JUST, THEY DON'T DO AS WELL OVER THERE AS COUNTY STAFF WOULD DO. SO IF WE ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE SAME PRICE, THE COST OF THE COUNTY, WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING AWAY WITH THE OUTSIDE VENDORS AND HIRING FORTMAN COUNTY CUSTODIAL STAFF TO TAKE ON THE JUSTICE CENTER.

>> SO BASICALLY IT'S A WARRANT. >> YES, SIR.

[01:35:04]

BUT I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE APPROACH FOR THE JUSTICE

CENTER WHILE I WAS UP HERE. >> YOU ARE THE GUY THAT RIDES ON

THE FLOOR SCRUBBER? >> ARE YOU THE GUY THAT RIDES ON

THE FLOOR SCRUBBER? >> YES, NOT ME, BUT SOMEBODY

DOES. >> WHERE'S THE CUSTODIAL

CONTRACT BUDGETED? >> AND SUPPLIES, OKAY.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IN FEES SUPPLIED, AND I GUESS IT IS

SUPPLIES. >> OKAY, ANY QUESTIONS IN THAT CATEGORY? GO IN MOVING FROM THE CONTRACT SET UP TO IN-HOUSE STAFF, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL SPACE OR ANYTHING? IT STILL JUST THESE CLOSETS IN THE BUILDINGS AND THEY ARE ROTATING BETWEEN COMING YOU ARE

JUST TALKING THERE? >> YES, THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THE

JUSTICE CENTER. >> IN THE JUSTICE CENTER IS ANYTHING LIKE THAT JUSTICE CENTER THAT CAN BE COUPLED WITH IT? PERHAPS THE ACADEMY, OR MAYBE

EVEN THE I.T. BUILDING? >> IF YOU HAVE -- I MEAN IS THERE SOMETHING PARTICULAR TO THE JUSTICE

DEPARTMENT? >> JUSTICE CENTER THAT MAKES IT

MORE PRACTICAL IN YOUR MIND? >> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, YES. IT IS REALLY -- IT IS THE CUSTODIAN VERSUS THE SQUARE FOOTAGE FORMULA.

I MEAN COMING UP SO MUCH AREA TO CLEAN AND VACUUM, EMPTY TRASH CANS, MOB, DO ALL THAT STUFF JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE CLOSE TO OTHER BUILDINGS DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE MORE TIME TO POP AROUND TO DIFFERENT BUILDINGS. I MEAN, IT'S -- YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GET IN THE WEEDS, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.

THE JUSTICE CENTER, RIGHT NOW, THE JUSTICE CENTER, YOU HAVE A CONTRACT, AND I CAMPUS, IT IS THE TAX OFFICE COMING HAVE THE PRECINCT, AND YOU HAVE THE BEST ACADEMY.

THE SAME COMPANY HANDLES ALL OF THOSE?

>> NO, JUST THE JUSTICE CENTER AND THE EXPANSION.

>> CURRENTLY? IS THERE THE SAME JANITORIAL SERVICE THAT HANDLES ALL OF THOSE BUILDINGS?

RIGHT NOW? >> IS IT THE SAME ONE? I THOUGHT MANDY MOORE DID THE OTHER ONES?

>> OKAY, BUT THE OTHER ONES DON'T HAVE THE PECULIARITIES OF

THE JUSTICE CENTER? >> NOW.

IT'S A DIFFERENT CROP AVAILABLE. >> YOU ARE AN ARCHITECT, I KNOW.

ANYWAYS, JUST JOKING, ANY QUESTIONS.

>> I WILL SAY, I SIT ON THE COURTHOUSE SECURITY TEAM AND I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION ABOUT CUSTODIANS PARTICULARLY IN THE SECURE AREAS AND CHANGERS AND ALL OF THAT, SO I KNOW THIS WILL HELP TO ALLEVIATE THEIR STRESS OF HAVING RANDOM PEOPLE IN THEIR CHAMBERS WHERE NOW WE WILL HAVE -- IF MOVING TO THE MODEL, IT WILL BE CONSISTENT, THEY WILL KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE WHO ARE COMING BACK AND NOT A NEW FACE EVERY TIME SOMEONE IS RUNNING LATE.

>> THAT IS A PART OF IT. IN ADDITION TO THE PERFORMANCE.

READY? >> JAIL MAINTENANCE IS THE LAST ONE. AND GOING FORWARD THE ADDITION OF MAINTENANCE MANAGER FOR THE JAIL, WHERE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE MANAGER FOR BOTH COUNTYWIDE AND THE JAIL PROPERTY AND IT'S JUST GOTTEN TO BE A BIT MUCH. AND WE CONSIDER THIS LAST YEAR, AND WE HELD OFF AND DID NOT ASK FOR THIS YEAR TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT. THE ADDITIONAL AND THE JAIL MAINTENANCE OVERAGE IS ALSO AS I MENTIONED EARLIER SERVICE FEES INCREASES TAKEN CARE OF THE GENERATORS, BOILERS, AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THERE'S A STRONG INCREASE IN SUPPLIES.

SO THAT'S ABOUT IT. YOU GUYS.

>> QUESTIONS? IF NOT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[01:40:02]

OKAY, MOVING ALONG. >> COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

>> JUST A LITTLE BIT SHORTER THAN -- GOOD MORNING, I AM THE PRINTER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE POSITIONS AND CLARIFY WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE THAT WE ARE NOT ADDING THREE NEW POSITIONS, WE ARE GOING TO MOVING THE STAFF AROUND.

SO THAT PEOPLE ARE FALLING UNDER THE CORRECT RAMP, SO NOT TO THREE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS, YOU WILL SEE THAT OUR LONGEVITY, PAYROLL, RETIREMENT, SOME OF THESE FRINGES HAVE GONE UP AS A RESULT OF THE OVERALL STAFF GROWTH.

THE OTHER -- >> JUST A LITTLE BIT.

IS THAT BETTER? >> PETITE.

>> YES, THANK YOU. ALSO WE HAVE PRESSED AN INCREASE IN TRAINING SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE TRAINING FOR STAFF IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS I HAVE BEEN AT THE DEPARTMENT MAKING SURE THAT THE STAFF IS PROPERLY TRAINED ESPECIALLY WITH REGARDS TO GRANT FUNDING AS IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US. THE LARGEST ITEM YOU WILL SEE THE INCREASE OF FOUR IS THE $74,000 ASK THAT IS FOR SPECIFICALLY OUR HOME AND INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GAP THAT IS A 25% MATCH OF NONFEDERAL FUNDING IS WHAT THIS IS FOR.

WE HAVE ABOUT $3 MILLION IN PALM INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP BONDS, THE APARTMENT HAS BEEN DORMANT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS WE ARE LOOKING AT THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM, IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE THE NONFEDERAL MATCH SO WE CAN LAUNCH THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> IS THERE A REASON IT WAS DORMANT?

>> NOT ONE THAT I KNOW. I KNOW THAT IT SEEMED TO ME LIKE THE DISASTER RECOVERY HOME REPAIR GRANTS KIND OF TO THE FOREFRONT. SO WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REDEVELOPING THE GUIDELINES AS WELL AS WORKING WITH OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT ON THE CONTRACTS FOR THE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE GOING TO DO THE WORK.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A JUNE OR JULY LAUNCH.

THAT WAS THE BIGGEST INCREASE WE HAVE.

THE OTHERS ARE JUST SMALL INCREASES LIKE I MENTIONED THE TEAM HAS GROWN, SO THINGS LIKE OUR WATER ALL OF THOSE FEES HAVE GONE UP JUST A BIT. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE EXPANDING THE ADMIN ROLE TO BOTH PROJECT COORDINATOR AND SOME OF THE SENIOR ASSISTANT -- IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE RIGHT NOW FOR AN OFFICE ASSISTANT. IS THAT STILL NEEDED WITH THESE

EXPANDED ROLES? >> WE WILL BE REPURPOSED IN THAT. WE ARE EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF TURNING THAT INTO A COMPLIANCE MONITOR POSITION THAT IS GOING TO WORK WITH OUR COMPLIANCE MANAGER.

>> AND THEN ALSO THE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS AND SOME UNCERTAINTY AROUND FUNDING IN THE FUTURE AND I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN HUGE DELAYS AND THAT MONEY MOVING, DO WE ANTICIPATE ANY IMPACT TO THE PORTION OF YOUR FUNDING ON

STAFFING? >> I DON'T ANTICIPATE CHANGES ONLY BECAUSE THESE GRANTS ARE FORMULA BASED, SO UNLESS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WERE TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THESE PROGRAMS, THAT WOULD BE ONE WAY WOULD OBVIOUSLY SEE THAT.

OTHERWISE IT IS BASED ON THE POPULATION AND THE NUMBER OF MODERATE INCOME AS THE PERSONS LIVE IN THE COUNTY.

THE SELF SO. >> ALL RIGHT.

SO I HAVE A QUESTION. THIS SHIFTING FROM GRANT TO PHYSICIANS TO COUNTY COUNTY TO GRANT IS STILL A NET ONE, RIGHT? PER COUNTY. AS WE CAN HAVE 2 I OKAY.

>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ANYONE? WONDERFUL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.

NEXT. >> NEXT IS A PART DEPARTMENT -- PARKS DEPARTMENT AND SENIOR CENTER.

WE WILL DO PARKS FIRST. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

I APOLOGIZE, MY VOICE IS A LITTLE SCRATCHY, TRYING TO GET THROUGH A GOLD RIM AT 100% TODAY, BUT I HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS, PARKS IS ALWAYS HAPPY, SO I WILL GIVE YOU SOME GOOD NEWS.

I DON'T NEED 13 STAFF, AND FACT WE CAN DROP THAT NEVER TO 33 STAFF TOTAL, AND I ALSO DO NOT NEED ANY PART-TIME STAFF REQUESTED IN THE PARK'S BUDGET. AT THAT WERE REQUESTED AS NEW POSITIONS. AND THE REASON THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT IS I HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY, VERY HARD WITH

[01:45:06]

GOING TO WORK WITH THE C.A.D. FUNDS TO HIRE TWO FULL-TIME POSITIONS TO HELP WITH THOSE BALL FIELDS.

>> YOU STILL NEED THE POSITION RUSSIAN MARK.

>> IT WILL BE COMING OUT OF CAT. I STILL NEED THE POSITION --

>> SO IN REALITY YOU NEED THE STAFF.

>> I ABSOLUTELY NEED THE STAFF, BUT WE WILL NOT BE FUNDING IT

THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND. >> WE NEED TO CLARIFY THE C.A.D.'S YOU ARE SPEAKING OF AS THE COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICTS.

AND THAT IS SALES TAX THAT IS COLLECTED NOT ONLY FROM THE LOCAL PEOPLE, BUT FROM OTHERS THAT COME INTO JUST LIKE LOSS AND TERROR, THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME FROM OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY TO SHOP. SO THOSE ARE SALES TAX FUNDS, SO WE CAN UTILIZE THAT, WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE LAW AND WE CAN UTILIZE THOSE FOR PARKS EXPENDITURES.

>> CORRECT. >> CORRECT.

>> AND I WOULD LIKE THE KIND OF GO OFF OF WHAT COMMISSIONER MEYER SAID, WE STILL HAVE TO LOOK AT THEM AS YOU DO NEED POSITIONS, REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY ARE FUNDED, THESE POSITION REQUESTS DO NEED TO GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE INCLUDED HERE. OH, YES, IT IS STILL HOWEVER MUCH MONEY, $2.9 MILLION IN SALARIES YOU ARE REQUESTING.

IT IS JUST A DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCE.

>> CORRECT. >> $711,000 LAST MONTH.

>> THE ONLY QUALIFICATION I WOULD MAKE IS THAT THE PARKS NEED TO BE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE C.A.D.

>> CORRECT, AND THEY ARE IN THE BOUNDARIES.

YES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT WITHIN THE DISTRICT, YOU ARE CORRECT, AND WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN QUITE A FEW OF THE C.A.D.ES ALREADY, SOME ARE WERE DOING NOT MUCH AT ALL ARE STARTING TO INCREASE. BUT THERE AGAIN, THAT IS MONEY THAT TOMORROW PEOPLE WILL STOP SHOPPING, SO YOU CAN'T JUST

DEPEND ON THAT. >> AND SO I WILL BE WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO DETERMINE THAT CASH FLOW, THE REVENUES TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT AND FOR HOW LONG, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY ONCE YOU START ADDING POSITIONS C.A.D., THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THOSE POSITIONS TO MAKE THEIR WAY BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND AT SOME POINT.

SO I JUST CAUTIONED. >> THE LAST TIME THIS WAS INTENTIONAL, I KNOW THAT WHEN WE DID THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT NECESSARILY ANTICIPATED ON THE GENERAL FUND, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT PICKED UP 100% ON THE FIRST YEAR.

>> AND THAT'S WHY I AM JUST CAUTIONING COURT, IT IS NOT JUST OH, I'M NOT REQUESTING THESE POSITIONS ANYMORE, IT STILL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. YES.

>> SO DOING THE SAME THING WITH THE NEW MUSTANG COMMUNITY CENTER, WE WILL BE USING THOSE FUNDS FOR THOSE POSITIONS, THOSE WILL NOT BE COMING OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

WILL NOT BE REQUESTING LIFEGUARDS EITHER THAT WILL BE DONE THROUGH THE C.A.D. FUNDS THROUGH A MAINTENANCE CONTRACT.

SO THE ACTUAL REQUEST THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND WOULD BE FOR FIVE RECLASSIFICATIONS IN THREE FULL-TIME POSITIONS.

FOR THE OTHER INCREASES, ONCE THOSE POSITIONS ARE REMOVED FROM THE GENERAL PONDS AND PAID FOR BY C.A.D., WE HAVE AN INCREASE OF FEES. THAT POWER TO THE 5% INCREASE IN THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB CONTRACT AN INCREASE IN FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSPECTIONS. CONTRACTS WITH THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS, FLASH PADS, WASTE SERVICES AND LAWN MONITORING.

AN INCREASE OR TRAVEL AND TRAINING THIS YEAR ACTUALLY GOING INTO NEXT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, THE NRP A CONVENTION IS IN HOUSTON, SO WE ARE HOPING TO TAKE MORE STAFF TO HOUSTON IN ORDER TO ATTEND A NATIONAL CONFERENCE.

SUPPLIES AND MAINTENANCE WENT UP.

AGAIN, THERE IS AN INCREASE IN JANITORIAL, PEST CONTROL SUPPLIES FOR NEW PARKS AND FACILITIES.

AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT FOR THE INCREASES IN POWER WON PARKS, HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

[01:50:02]

>> I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD ALSO INCLUDE SOME DATA ON HOW THEY

ARE DOING. >> SO PARKS VISITATION YEAR OVER YEAR WE ARE .1 MILLION. WE ARE STARTING TO SEE PEOPLE COME IN FROM A RADIUS OF GREATER THAN 50 MILES.

JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE WERE CONTACTED BY THE HOUSTON TEXANS SO THEY COULD DO THEIR FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT AT SOUTH POST OAKS SPORTS COMPLEX, SO TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE AREA COME INTO FORTMAN COUNTY TO COMPETE IN THAT.

>> THAT IS REALLY GOOD. REALLY GOOD NUMBERS AND I THINK HER PARKS ARE DOING QUITE WELL AND THE TEAM IS KEEPING UP.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE REQUESTED A LOT OF YOUR TEAM AS WE OPEN UP NEW AMENITIES AT HER PARKS. ALSO WORTH NOTING AGAIN THAT OUR PERKS ARE BEING USED AND WE ARE SEEING A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE USE, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THAT IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT CAUGHT MY EAR WHEN I HEARD THAT ALONG THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT OUR PARKS ARE DORMANT. SO TO SEE OUR RESERVATION, BECAUSE IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE.

>> PEOPLE ARE USING THE PART THAT DID NOT OPENING AT?

>> THERE IS A 1000% INCREASE IN A PARK NOT OPEN YET.

>> SO WE WILL HAVE IT UP HERE SHORTLY.

>> VERY SOON, LOOKING INTO DOING THE RIBBON-CUTTING WITH YOU, SIR. THEY WERE WORKING ON THAT FRIDAY

IN THE RAIN. >> THEY HAVE A POST-OP, THEY WERE WORKING FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, RIGHT?

>> YES. WE WILL GET BACK TO THAT.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ONE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RIBBON-CUTTING WITH COMMISSIONER MCCOY ON THE NEW SPLASH PAD ON SATURDAY AS WELL. SO A LOT OF THINGS ARE HAPPENING

IN PARKS. >> SO THE NUMBER YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT INCLUDED ONLY THE PARKS -- NOT THE SUGARLAND OR OTHER

ENTITIES? >> NO, I WISH I HAD SUGAR LANDS PARKS BUDGET, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

SAME WITH MISSOURI CITIES. >> THEY HAVE OTHER ENTITY, THAT ARE DOING PARKS ALSO, SO FOR THAT COUNTY, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR OF THE PARKS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT DEPENDS ON HOW WE ALLOCATE OUR RESOURCES, I AM ALL FOR PARKS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, ALL OF THE ENTITIES THEY ARE DOING AS WELL, SO TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE IT WORK TOGETHER. APPRECIATE IT.

>> I WILL JUST SAY, IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF IT IS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, AND IT'S NOT ALLOCATED TO THOSE PARKS, SO THAT IS WHY THESE INVESTMENTS ARE REASONABLE AND RESPONSIBLE. BUT YES.

>> WELL, THEY HAVE OTHER ENTITIES WHERE THEY ARE ALSO NOT SERVING THOSE PEOPLE IN THE CITY, BUT ARE DOING PARKS AS WELL, BUT THAT'S WAY UP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ENTITIES TOGETHER. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SENIOR CENTER. AND I NEED THAT NEED THAT.

>> I GET TO STAY. IT JUST BACK ON PARKS REALLY QUICK, ASKING WHAT IS THE TOP THING YOU WANT FUNDED IN YOUR BUDGET? THOSE WOULD BE THE RECLASSIFICATION REQUESTS, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE THREE OF THE EMPLOYEES I HAVE REQUESTED FIVE, BUT TWO CAN BE HELD BECAUSE WE ARE NOT READY YET TO OPEN THOSE NEW CENTERS, THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND NEW EVENTS CENTER, THAT WOULD BE NEXT TO THE ANNEX, BUT THREE OF THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE DOING A LOT MORE WORK BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF PARKS VISITATIONS AND NEW RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN ON, BUS PROGRAM FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES IS RUNNING THAT ENTIRELY.

SO WE DO NEED A COMMON STATE OUR STAFF FOR THAT ADDITIONAL WORK.

OKAY, SO SENIOR CENTER. SO IT IS NOT -- STILL HAS TO BE IN THE BUDGET, BUT I AM NOT REQUESTING THE FULL AMOUNT FIRST SALARIES AND LABOR, WORKING SPECIFICALLY WITH COMMISSIONER MCCOY'S STAFF AND WE ARE GOING TO FUND THE NEW POSITIONS FOR THE NEW MISSION BANK COMMUNITY CENTER THROUGH THE C.A.D. FUNDS, SO WITH THE SALARIES AND LABORERS, THE ONLY ADDITIONAL REQUEST IS FROM ONE POSITION, SHE IS LOOKING TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL CERTIFIED LIFEGUARD TO BE OVER THERE.

WE DO HAVE ONE CERTIFIED LIFEGUARD RIGHT NOW, BUT WHEN HE IS OFF, WE DON'T HAVE ANY LIFEGUARDS ON STAFF, WE DO HAVE THE FULL FACILITY POSTED TO BE HIS SWIMMING AT YOUR OWN RISK, NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY, BUT IT'S JUST A COMFORT FACTOR, A SAFETY FACTOR TO POTENTIALLY HAVE ANOTHER CERTIFIED LIFEGUARD ON THERE. SO WHEN THAT PARTICULAR STAFF PERSON IS OFF, WE STILL HAVE SOMEONE THERE.

[01:55:03]

>> I WANT TO ASK THAT YOU SERIOUSLY CONSIDER, SO THERE'S NO OTHER SOURCE TO GET IT AT THAT LOCATION.

IT'S IN HOUSTON AND YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO OTHER FUNDING SOURCE I CAN THINK OF RIGHT NOW TO GET THAT.

WHEN THAT POOL IS CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE OR FOR ANY REASON, MY PHONE BLOWS UP AND YOU KNOW, IF YOU PUT IT IN THERE RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A POOL FULL OF PEOPLE.

>> VERY HAPPY SENIORS. >> 60 AND 70-YEAR-OLD PEOPLE ARE IN THE POOL AND DOING WATER AEROBICS AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS AND IT'S A HAPPY PLACE, WHEN THAT POOL IS CLOSED BECAUSE THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD THEY AND SO HAPPY.

SO. IF I CAN FIND ANOTHER SOURCE I WILL. BUT THIS ONE NEEDS -- THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE RIGHT HERE THAT NEEDS TO BE ALTERED.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT ARE ABOVE A TARGET, WE ARE ANTICIPATING A LARGE INCREASE IN THE NEW POOL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT OF $49,000.

WE ARE LOOKING TO DO SOME REPAIRS TO AQUATIC EQUIPMENT AND INCREASING MILEAGE AND SHE PUT IN HERE TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE ON THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING SO THAT WOULD BE THE REGISTRATION FEE FOR THAT AND ANTICIPATING AN INCREASE CONTRACT WITH REPUBLIC WASTE SERVICES.

AND LET'S SEE, JANITORIAL SUPPLIES, JANITORIAL SERVICE CONTRACT AND SERVICE SUPPLIES ARE ANTICIPATING INCREASES.

AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> WHEN YOU ANTICIPATE THE NEW SENIOR CENTER TO OPEN?

>> THAT LIKELY WON'T BE UNTIL THE LATTER PART OF NEXT YEAR.

>> FISCAL? >> FISCAL YEAR.

NO, CALENDAR YEAR. SORRY.

SO THAT WILL BE 2027 LATTER PART OF FISCAL YEAR 2027, CALENDAR

YEAR IS ABOUT THE SAME. >> NOT REALLY, WHAT MONTH.

>> THEY ARE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

OF AUGUST/SEPTEMBER. >> THERE WILL BE AN ITEM ON THE RECENT AGENDA TO DEDICATE THOSE C.A.D. FUNDS FOR THAT STAFFING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THAT FACILITY.

AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS TO GO THROUGH ALL THE WAY FY28.

>> DO WE HAVE THOSE PERSONNEL FOR THE WHOLE YEAR?

>> I BELIEVE WE DO, SO THAT'S WHY I WAS ASKING.

AND THOSE ARE THE POSITIONS THAT ARE PROPOSED TO BE FUNDED FROM C.A.D., BUT STILL -- I MEAN, MAY BE FEWER RATHER THAN

A FULL YEAR. >> AND SOME, AT LEAST ONE OR TWO OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE HIRED BEFORE THE CENTER OPENS JUST LIKE OPENING A NEW SCHOOL, YOU HIRE THE ADMIN STAFF BEFORE IT OPENS TO PREPARE THE PROGRAMMING, BUT THE LIFEGUARDS AND ALL THAT STUFF IS AFTER THE FACILITIES.

>> AND I WANT TO ECHO THAT. THAT WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN OPENING THE CENTER IT WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND THAT WE HAD WHERE WE WORKED ON A LOT OF THINGS I HAVE TIME, PARTICIPATING IN A LOT OF THINGS THINGS, EXTERNAL RESOURCES OF ALL KINDS, THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT -- IF YOU JUST HAND SOMEBODY THE KEYS AND IT'S OPEN DAY ONE, THEN YOU HAVE CHAOS. SO I SUPPORT THAT EFFORT.

>> SO WHAT WE FIGURED AND WAS SIX MONTHS STARTING FOR THE REGULAR POSITIONS AND THEN NINE MONTHS STARTING FOR THE FACILITIES SUPERVISOR IS WHAT IS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET.

>> THANKS. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> HS CM.

>> SORRY. I THINK THAT WAS MEAN.

>> YES, PLEASE. WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME ALLOWING HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT TO BRIEF ON OUR BUDGET YEAR PROPOSAL 2027

[02:00:03]

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT, HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT IS A CRITICAL OPERATIONAL THRESHOLD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THE OFFICE HAS ABSORBED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES. REGIONAL COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS, TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS, RESPONSIBILITY ASSETS, ALL CONTINUING TO OPERATE WITH LIMITED STAFFING, INCREASING DEPENDENCY ON UNSTABLE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FUNDING.

2027 BUDGET REQUEST ON FIVE CRITICAL FACTORS.

IT SUSTAINED OPERATIONS CAPABILITY DESPITE UNCERTAINTY OF HOMELAND FUNDING, MAINTAINING SECURITY RAPIDLY RESPONSE ASPECTS AND SECURITY SYSTEMS, ADDRESSING CRITICAL STAFFING SHORTAGES AND RECLASSIFICATIONS, DEVELOP A COUNTY-WIDE LOGISTICS WAREHOUSE STAGING CAPABILITY. AND PREPARING FOR A NEW STATE MANDATE THAT IS COMING HERE SHORTLY FOR ALL OF OUR ANNEX, THOSE 22 ANNEXES THAT GO ALONG WITH OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS TO ALIGN WITH FEDERAL AND STATE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE STATE IS GOING TO REQUIRE US TO DO A FULL AUDIT OF OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FUN, SO NO LONGER WILL WE BE ABLE TO OPERATE UNDERNEATH THE 22 ANNEXES, WE HAVE TO ALIGN WITH THE STATES AND FEDERALS OF EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION. WE HAVE TO TRANSITION THOSE ANNEXES TO THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS WHICH MEANS THE OPERATION WITH THE 18 OTHER JURISDICTIONS UNDERNEATH IT THAT ELP AND ALIGN THEM TO FIT THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS SO THAT WE CAN RESPOND WITH THE STATE AND THE FEDS.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY.

>> A LOT OF MONEY, A LOT OF TIMES AND PLANNERS, AND EFFORT INTO, AND THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE A FIVE YEAR TRANSITION, THEY MOVED IT TO A ONE-YEAR TRANSITION.

CURRENT OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT LIKE MCCOY ASKED, PARKS FROM THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE OPERATING IN OPENING UP THE EEOC ABOUT 2-5 TIMES A YEAR FOR OPERATIONS. CURRENTLY THIS YEAR I HAVE 27 ACTIVATIONS WE HAVE RESPONDED TO OR BEEN IN SUPPORT OF.

NOT ONLY IS STUFF HAPPENING MORE, WE HAVE MORE INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE STUFF AND POSSIBILITIES TO HAPPEN TOO, BUT A LOT MORE RESOURCES THAT PEOPLE ARE REQUESTING FOR THOSE EMERGENCY DISASTERS AND PREPAREDNESS MEASURES.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE ACTIVATED A LOT MORE.

SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY, CRITICAL INPUTS ARE CHARMING MONITORING.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND OPERABILITY, JOINT OPERATIONS, RESCUE DEVELOPMENT, OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS, COMMAND VEHICLE DEPLOYMENT, COMMUNICATION SUPPORT AND COUNTYWIDE EMERGENCY PLANNING. THIS YEAR FOR BUDGET YEAR OVERVIEW, 26, WE ASKED FOR $1.452 MILLION.

AND AGAIN FOR 27 WE ARE ASKING FOR $1.284 MILLION.

MOST OF THOSE INCREASES ARE COMING FOR A FEAST OPERATIONAL CONTRACTS, PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY.

AND SOME POSITIONS. THE CORNERSTONE AND ALL OF THIS IS EQUIPMENT, SUSTAINING MAINTENANCE CONCERNS.

IF YOU REMEMBER LAST YEAR WE WENT OUT AND GOT ALMOST $6.2 MILLION OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT TO GENERATORS, DATA TRAILERS, SHELTERING EQUIPMENT, WELL, AGREEING $6.2 MILLION WORTH OF EQUIPMENT AND TAKES A HEAP OF AMOUNT OF MONEY TO KEEP THAT STAFF MAINTAINED. SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR THAT AGAIN TO INCREASE OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS AND WHAT NOT TO BRING INTO THE COUNTY FOR COVERING UP ALL OF THOSE GENERATORS, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS, RADIO AND OPERABILITY, SHELTER SUPPORT, DRONE SYNDROME SYSTEMS, SHORT UNITS, STORAGE UNITS AND DEPLOYABLE CACHET OF PORTABLE EMERGENCY KITS.

THE EXPERIENCE OVER 130% INCREASE OF OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT ASSETS OVER THE RECENT YEARS WHILE STAFFING LEVELS HAVE

REMAINED LARGELY UNCHANGED. >> THE UNITS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM SHAREPOINT, DO WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THOSE, OR DO THEY

MAINTAIN THEM? >> WE MAINTAIN THEM, NOW THEY ARE ON AGAIN, WE HAVE HAD THIS LUXURY OF THE YEAR WARRANTY, BUT THAT WILL BE COMING UP AT THIS NEXT YEAR.

AND THOSE ARE AT PEAK, GROWTH AND LANDMARK, THE GENERATORS,

[02:05:02]

>> AND THE HUD FUNDING THAT WE USE TO --

>> THAT IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

>> TO ACQUIRE THAT, NONE OF THAT CAN BE USED FOR MAINTENANCE?

ONLY CAPITAL EXPENSES? >> YES, SIR.

>> AGAIN, WHEN I TALK ABOUT STAFFING AND WHAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR IS RECLASSIFICATION OF TWO POSITIONS HAD MY GRANT MANAGER AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WE HAVE UPLOADED HER REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE WE ARE BRINGING IN A TIME OR CONTRACTS AND GRANT OVERSIGHT, NOT JUST UNDER -- BUT THAT H MGP, AND THEN ALSO A LOT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS WHERE SHE HAS HELP ME AT COORDINATE WITH AND THEN A LOT OF JAGGED GRANTS THAT SHE HAS BEEN REACHING OUT FOR AND GOING THROUGH BECAUSE HOMELAND SECURITY IS NOT DOING WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO WHEN IT COMES TO URBAN AREA SECURITY GRANTS, SO THE RECLASSIFICATION TO MEET THE NEED OF ALL OF THE IN ADDITION SHE IS HAVING WITH CONTRACTS AND GRANTS AND MULTIPLE GRANTS SHE IS OVERSEEING FOR THE COUNTY WHICH AGAIN I WILL SAY IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO THIS COUNTY HAVING A GRANT MANAGER TO GRAB ALL THIS MONEY THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN I MANAGE THAT IN THIS SPECIFIC AS A LOT OF THESE ARE GETTING AGAIN TO BRING THE MONEY FOR US THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO USE THIS MONEY FOR OTHER THINGS. THE GRANTS ARE CRUCIAL IN THAT REQUEST NEGATION IS HUGE THAT PHYSICIAN.

THE NEXT TRAINING IN OUR EXERCISE SPECIALIST RECLASSIFICATION. DUE TO HOUSE BILL 33 THAT JUST CAME OUT, THEY ARE ASKING FOR A TON OF REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS IN A MUCH LOWER LEVEL OF PERSONNEL FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDER THE TORAH. A LOT OF THAT COMES FROM HER OFFICE, THE OVERSIGHT OF THAT. AND ALSO IN THE OFFICE THERE WAS ROUGHLY ABOUT 1000 DELIVER ON ESSENTIAL.

I NOW HAVE 2477 PEOPLE THAT ARE ON ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL PLACE THAT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEIR CERTIFICATION FOR OPERATIONS UNDERNEATH TITLE 14 DECLARATION. THOSE VERSES THAT ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO MAINTAIN TO OVERSEE THAT, THE TRAINING MANAGER AND SPECIALIST OVERSEAS THAT.

SO THAT'S ALMOST A 80% INCREASE IN THAT PERSON'S OVERSIGHT AND CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING THAT WE HAVE TO BRING IN AND IN COORDINATION WITH ALL OF THOSE AGENCIES AND FIRST RESPONDERS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE MEETING ALL OF THE HOUSE BILL 33.

ALSO PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS THAT JUST WENT OUT THIS MONTH AND IS NOW A REQUIREMENT THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HOST AND BRING IN TO ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ANYONE WHO GOES ON CAMERA THEY HAVE TO DO THAT WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

SO THAT PERSON HAS TO OVERSEE ALL OF THAT FOR THE COUNTY.

I USED TO BE IN THAT POSITION WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, AND I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IT WAS A LOT EASIER BACK THEN THAN WHAT THAT PERSON HAS TO DO NOW, AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR THAT RECLASSIFICATION. LITTLE BIT OF A HARD TOPIC.

THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND INITIATIVE AGAIN, I WOULD SAY IT IS UNSTABLE. AND I WILL SAY THAT BECAUSE IT'S NEVER BEEN LIKE THIS I WOULD SAY SINCE THE ITERATION OF THAT GRANT SINCE 2003. SPECIFICALLY THE 25 FISCAL YEAR, 26 CALENDAR YEAR, RIGHT NOW THAT GRANT IS STILL AN APPEAL IN COURTS AND HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RELEASED JANUARY 1ST.

I WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO BUY ON THAT GRANT STARTING JANUARY 1ST, NOW WE HAVE SOME VERBIAGE FROM THE REGION PASSED OVER THEM WERE ABLE TO OPEN UP AND KEEP PEOPLE ON SALARY ON THAT RIGHT NOW. AND WE WERE PROMISED BECAUSE IT WENT OUT AND WAS TO PROVE THAT WE WOULD GET THIS FUNDING.

IT IS STILL AN APPEAL, IT IS STILL WITH HOLD, WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN PAID FOR ANY OF THOSE FINDINGS STARTING JANUARY 1ST.

THAT SEVEN EMPLOYEES THAT ARE IN THE OFFICE AND THAT'S OVER 13 DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FUNDED TO INCLUDE A SATELLITE THAT SHOULD BE ON THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER AND TONS OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS EQUIPMENT FOR STABILIZATION STANDARDIZATION WITH ELECTRONICS INSIDE THE EEOC AND THEN OUR S.W.A.T. EQUIPMENT, EMS EQUIPMENT, HAZMAT EQUIPMENT HAS NOT STARTED. SINCE JANUARY 1ST 2026.

WE STARTED THE APPLICATIONS ARE READY FOR 2027 BECAUSE WE HAD TO PROCEED, BUT THOSE ARE STILL ON HOLD AND WE HAVE JUST APPLIED

[02:10:02]

SO THOSE ARE CRUCIAL AND THOSE POSITIONS AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE ON THE BUDGET FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR TO TRANSFER OVER, BUT I WANTED TO TAKE THE TIME AND NOTE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT AND IS A CONCERN, BECAUSE IT IS NOT WHAT IT WAS AND IF YOU GUYS, I'M SURE YOU ARE NOT FOLLOWING, BECAUSE WHO WOULD, THREE YEARS AGO IT WAS $34 MILLION TO THIS REGION THIS YEAR IT WAS 26.

THAT'S HALF, AND WE ARE SUBJECT TO THIS YEAR NOT EVEN BEING FUNDED FOR IT. SO IT'S BEEN A HUGE DECLINE WHERE WE ALMOST HAD TO FIGHT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO BUY? AND IT WAS LIKE A LITTLE BIT LIKE CHRISTMAS EVERY SINGLE DAY WHEN IT CAME TO JANUARY 1ST, IT'S NO LONGER THAT. WE ARE FIGHTING FOR RESOURCES AND WE ARE FIGHTING FOR STUFF INSIDE THE GRANT AND JUST LIKE JUSTIN MENTIONED IN THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, THEY ARE NOT EVEN MAKING STUFF ANYMORE, IT'S BARELY FUNDING STUFF, IT'S ONLY FOR NEW PROJECTS TO CONTINUE SALARIES AND THAT'S IT.

AND THOSE ARE SUBJECT TO ELIMINATION TOO THIS YEAR.

THERE'S ALSO A TALK OF A COST MATCH.

NOW I WILL SAY THIS, BUT THEY ARE TALKING AND IT IS ON THE TABLE, THAT WOULD MEAN AGAIN IT WOULD BE LIKE EVERY OTHER GRANT, BECAUSE THERE IS NO COST MATCH, WHAT YOU ASK FOR AND RECEIVED, THERE IS NO COST MATCH TO THE COUNTY, NOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT A COST MATCH WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? SO ARE PERSONAL RECLASSIFICATION ARE MY HIGHEST LISTS, THE GRANT POSITIONS WOULD BE ANOTHER TALKING POINT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO. AND I DID ASK FOR AGAIN WHEN THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE SPLITS, I LOST A LEAD PLANNING SECTION CHIEF IN THAT POSITION AS WE WERE RANKING PEOPLE UP IN THE OFFICE TO MAKE OVER SALARIES ASKING FOR THAT SENIOR PLANNING SECTION CHIEF WOULD BE MY NEXT POSITION AND THEN AGAIN WITH ALL THE EQUIPMENT AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE ACCRUED OVER THE PAST 2-3 YEARS AND GRANTS IS A LOGISTIC OPERATOR POSITION FOR THAT OFFICE TO OVERSEE A LOT OF THESE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT UNDERNEATH THESE CONTRACTS. LAST LEVEL OF CONCERN IS STAGING AND WAREHOUSING, WE HAVE EQUIPMENT.

WE HAVE RESOURCES. WE HAVE EVERYTHING NOW, BUT IT IS FINDING A PLACE TO PUT THEM. THANKS TO PARKS AND THE BRIDGE, I AM FINDING PLACES TO PUT UNDER COVER, BECAUSE IT REQUIRES US TO DO CERTAIN THINGS WITHOUT EQUIPMENT AS IT HAS TO HAVE THOSE CAPABILITIES. WE FOUND AND SHOVE THEM IN PLACES TO MAKE THEM HAPPY AND ALSO WITH THE SUPPORT OF BUDGETS OFFICES WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME STORAGE UNITS AND PUT THOSE OUT AT JONES CREEK AND I HAVE SOME STORAGE CAPABILITY, BUT IT'S A BAND-AID AND IT'S PUTTING STUFF AND STUFF JUST TO MAINTAIN IT FOR NOW. EVENTUALLY WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME WAREHOUSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN THE FUTURE TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP THINGS PROGRESSING AT THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. IN WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS DO A NEED AND PUSH WITH THE ROAD AND BRIDGE PARKS, HHS AND DO ONE BIG WAREHOUSE SO IT'S USE NONBLUE SKY DAYS AND GRAY SKY DAYS DURING THAT. LAST I WILL STATE IS STATE MANDATES AND PLANNING REQUIREMENTS AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE ESF TRANSITION COMING OUT THIS NEXT YEAR FROM THE ANNEX, BUT THE ONE YEAR TIMELINE, AS WE HAVE OUR HOUSING MITIGATION PLAN THAT WILL BE RENEWING AND THAT WILL BE A CONTRACT ALSO.

THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES FOR 2027 THAT SUPPORT OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT FUNDING, CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT AND HOME BUDGET FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS, APPROVE RECLASSIFICATION NECESSARY FOR CONTINUITY, SUPPORT CREATION OF A SENIOR PLANNING SECTION CHIEF, SUPPORT A LOGISTICS SECTION CHIEF, PLAN THE COORDINATION FOR EMERGENCY LOGISTICS WAREHOUSE AND SUPPORT CONTRACT PLANNING SYSTEMS FOR THE TRANSITION AS A MEDIC MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE.

>> THE THREE POSITIONS YOU HAVE ARE NOT TO THE UWASE POSITIONS?

>> I CAN MOVE THOSE OVER AND EAT THAT RATHER THAN CREATE THE NEW POSITIONS IF THAT MAKES SENSE, I WILL SACRIFICE THE NEW POSITIONS TO KEEP MY CURRENT STAFF, BECAUSE --

YES, MA'AM. >> BETWEEN YOU AND FIRE MARSHAL,

[02:15:05]

>> I WILL SAY THEY ARE PUSHING STUFF IN THE REGION AND WE ARE SUPPLYING THAT INFORMATION TO THE REGION ON BEHALF OF OF THE LEGISLATION THERE, SIR. I CAN GIVE YOU ALL OF THAT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION SO YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> YES, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER, I SUGGEST ALSO AT SOME POINT LATER IN THE YEAR, THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR WE WILL BE MAKING LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND THAT SHOULD DEFINITELY BE SOMETHING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN EVENING IN SOME INTERIM CHARGES, WE SHOULD BE ASKING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO CONSIDER THIS AS AN AREA OF FOCUS, BECAUSE IT HAS GREAT IMPACT ON OUR PREPAREDNESS AND ABILITY TO RESPOND AND SO WE DEFINITELY -- I MEAN, IT'S A BIG DEAL. AND I MEAN, TO STATE THE OBVIOUS, WE HAVE A NOMINEE FOR CONGRESS SITTING IN THE ROOM RIGHT NOW AND THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE NEED OUR FEDERAL LEGISLATORS FOCUSING ON, BECAUSE IT HAS TREMENDOUS IMPACT HERE LOCALLY AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE -- I AM GLAD THAT HE GETS TO HEAR THIS IN THIS ROOM, BECAUSE OFTEN THAT'S NOT THE MAIN FOCUS OF CONVERSATION, GOD FORBID SOMETHING MAJOR HAPPENS AND WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFFING POSITIONS OR THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED.

I MEAN, MAINTAINING STUFF THAT IS EXPENSIVE.

THEY ARE STARTING A GENERATOR OVER IN OUR BUILDING AND THINK LIKE TWICE A MONTH AT THIS POINT IT SEEMS LIKE.

BUT I UNDERSTAND HOW COSTLY THAT IS.

AND I DON'T THINK MOST OF OUR RESIDENTS RECOGNIZE A HUGE RISK

WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW. >> ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR BASICALLY THE WHOLE TIME I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE IS WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS OF EACH OF OUR STAFFS THAT WHENEVER WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY ASSIST WITH THOSE EMERGENCIES.

I KNOW AND I HAD SEVERAL OF MY STAFF MEMBERS TO THE EXTENT WE CAN, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT WE GET THIS PEOPLE TRAINED TO AND

HOPEFULLY BETTER USING THEM. >> THAT IS PART OF THAT, LIKE I SAID, AND AGAIN, THERE IS MORE MANDATES FOR YOUR PERSONNEL, AND SO THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING IS WE HELP YOUR PERSONNEL, EVERYBODY YOU HAVE GIVEN ME, THAT TRAINING AND EXERCISE PERSON OVERSEES THOSE CERTIFICATIONS, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FOLLOW THROUGH AND MAINTAIN THE CERTIFICATION SO WE DO USE OF STATS, SIR.

>> I JUST POINTED OUT TO SAY I THINK WE CAN UTILIZE OUR CURRENT STAFF IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WARRANT IT, OBVIOUSLY.

>> AND AGAIN, STRATEGICALLY, RIGHT? AND ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WORLD, AS THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, I'VE STATED THIS AM I GUESS MY PLAYGROUND THE COUNTY TO ALL OF MY EMERGENCY PLANNERS IS THAT WE ARE NO LONGER THE -- IN THAT COUNTY THAT CAN SAY WE ARE GOING TO STAND UP AND THEN EEOC OF ONE IS GOING TO SUPPORT THE ENTIRE COUNTY FOR RESPONSIVE RESOURCING AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, THAT PICTURE HAS GROWN OUT OF SCOPE FOR ONE, SO NOW WHEN I AM TALKING TO MY JURISDICTIONS AND GETTING THEM TO UNDERSTAND, WE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO FOLLOW THE ICS CONCEPT, WHICH IS IN COMMAND SUPPORT, AND THOSE FUNCTIONS THAT WEREN'T STABILIZED BEFORE, ICPS, INSIDE YOUR PRECINCTS, THAT'S WHERE YOUR PEOPLE CAN HELP AND AID THOSE ICPS AND ONE COMMUNICATION FROM AN ICP TWO AND EEOC, EEOC TO STATE, STATE TO FED, THAT'S A CLEAR LINE OF COMMUNICATION AND HOW RESOURCES GET THERE SOONER, QUICKER, MORE EFFICIENTLY. AND USUALLY, I GET AN ACTIVATION AND I HAVE 18 JURISDICTIONS FLOODING ME ALONG WITH 27 DISCIPLINES OF FLOODING ME WITH REQUESTS, IF WE DON'T COME TO A STANDARDIZATION FOR EACH PRECINCT TO TALK AND COMMUNICATE UNDER THOSE PRECINCTS. AND BE A THREAT.

AND IN TALKING WITH ALL OF MY EMC'S AND MY MAYORS, THEY UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT. AND WE HAVE A GOOD FOOTHOLD ON HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK IN OUR NEXT ACTIVATION.

IT WOULD BE A LOT SOONER BEFORE THAT, AND THAT'S WHEN THOSE PEOPLE IN YOUR OFFICE WOULD BE THERE TO SUPPORT YOUR PRECINCT IN YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN YOUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND

COORDINATION WITH THE EEOC. >> THINKING.

>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? >> I JUST WANT TO LOOK AT THE NOTES THAT I TOOK, YOU USE A LOT OF JARGON, SO IT COULD BE

[02:20:05]

CONFUSING. >> YES, SIR, I DO.

I AM A NERD. >> IT'S OUR JOB TO TRANSLATE SOME OF THAT. BUT PART OF WHAT YOU SAID WAS THIS GRANT FUNDING, URBAN SECURITY INITIATIVE GRANT, AND THAT WAS STARTED AFTER 9/11. BUT THAT FUNDING, AS OF JANUARY OF JANUARY 1ST HAS NOW BEEN RELEASED.

AND IT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. >> --

>> AND THOSE THAT WERE NOT SUPPORTING THE I.C.E.

RECOGNITION. >> SAY MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> WHENEVER THOSE REGIONS WAS NOT SUPPORTING THE I.C.E., THE IMMIGRATION RULES THAT D.C. PUT INTO PLACE, WHAT HAPPENED WAS HOMELAND SECURITY DID A NEW DIVIDE, AND THOSE REGIONS CAME TOGETHER, AND HAS GONE BACK AND FORTH THREE TIMES NOW ON APPEALS TO RELEASE THOSE FUNDS AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNATED, WITHOUT THE REMOVAL OF THE I.C.E. IMMIGRATION PER POLICY.

>> YES, SO ESSENTIALLY ALL FUNDING ACROSS THE NATION WAS

HELD -- >> HAS BEEN HELD BECAUSE OF THE

I.C.E. SITUATION. >> OVER A BILLION DOLLARS, YES.

>> WHICH AGAIN, WE CANNOT INSTALL EQUIPMENT AS THE OPERATIONS CENTER, WHICH IS REALLY JUST PREPAREDNESS AND

FUNDING. >> WE HAVE ONE MORE.

>> I KNOW. >> FIRST IS THE GRANTS COORDINATOR POSITION, AND THE GRANT SUPERVISOR POSITION PROVIDED TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TWO YEARS AGO.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE GRANTS ACCOUNTANTS AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, THE GRANT SUPERVISOR AND NOT THE COORDINATOR WE ARE ASKING FOR, WITH THE GRANT SUPERVISOR DOES IS MANAGE PRE AND POST-COMPLIANCE. CURRENTLY WE HAVE USING 2025 NUMBERS WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 200 FEDERAL GRANTS, APPROXIMATELY 50 STATE GRANTS, FEDERAL, AND A LOT OF MOVING ACTIVITY. THANKFULLY A HANDFUL OF GRANT COORDINATORS AND DEPARTMENTS. AND ADHERING TO COMPLIANCE, THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTY DON'T HAVE THAT POSITION IN THEIR OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT.

SO WHAT THIS GRANTS COORDINATOR WOULD DO IS TO ALLOW THAT PERSON TO BETTER MANAGE WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE TO A CENTRALIZED APPROACH BRINGING THOSE TEAM MEMBERS TOGETHER, AND AT SOME POINT THIS COURT MAY DECIDE THAT THE GRANT ADMINISTRATION.

AND UNTIL WE PROVE THE CONCEPT OF THAT, THIS IS WHAT I AM PROPOSING AS THE NEXT STEP TO MOVE US INTO THAT FULL MANAGEMENT OF THE BENEFICIAL RESOURCE TO THE COUNTY.

>> SO ESSENTIALLY THIS WILL HOLD CERTAIN WE ARE COMPLIANT WITH THE PROVISIONS TO THE GRANT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE MONEY

BACK? >> AS WELL AS, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT AS WELL, THE SOFTWARE WE USE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES, A COUPLE OF PEOPLE REFER TO, AND PLUGGED INTO THE AGENCY'S, AND ABLE TO SELF SERVE THEMSELVES, AS LONG AS HER TEAM MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN THE DEPARTMENT EMPHASIZE WHERE TO LOOK AND HOW TO LOOK. SO ALSO BETTER MANAGING ON EXPLOITING OPPORTUNITIES AND BRINGING THEM FORWARD AT THE POINT THAT WE CAN BE COMPETITIVE WITH THOSE NOTICES OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND SUCCEED. SO INCREASING OUR FOOTPRINT OF BETTER ABILITIES. SECOND, ANY QUESTIONS THERE?

>> I THINK WE HAVE A NEED THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS AS IT

[02:25:02]

>> HOPING A FOCUS ON THOSE THAT ARE A BEST CHANCE OF SUCCESS.

AND WE STRUGGLE, YOU ARE AWARE OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAME ABOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC.

AND WE HAVE BEEN HITTING THEM HARD, AND TO DATE WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH NONE OF THOSE. WE ARE NOT COMPETITIVE WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE ACROSS THE NATION.

AND THESE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY HAVE PUT IN SIGNIFICANT DATA AND INFORMATION INCLUDING DRAINAGE AND WE JUST HAVE NOT CROSSED THE FINISH LINE SUCCESSFULLY.

WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO DO IS HELP TO FOCUS THOSE RESOURCES AND EFFORTS ON THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THAT TRULY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

THOSE THAT WE WILL BE COMPETITIVE WITH RATHER THAN JUST THROWING DARTS. I MEAN, IT SOUNDS GREAT, BRINGING AND FUNDING TO HELP WITH FLOOD MITIGATION AND ENHANCING LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT WHEN YOU DRILL DOWN INTO A CRITERIA, IF IT REQUIRES US TO BE CERTAIN ECONOMIC FACTORS AND CHOOSE SECTIONS OF THE COUNTY THAT MIGHT MEET THAT CRITERIA, BUT IF THAT'S NOT WHERE THE BENEFIT OF THE RESOURCE IS GOING, THEN WE FAIL. AND AGAIN, FOCUSING THE EFFORTS ON THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THAT TRULY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> SO AGAIN, I WILL GO BACK TO LAST WEEK'S CONFERENCE OF URBAN COUNTIES CONVERSATIONS THAT JUST CAME BACK FROM THE TOPIC AND SOME OF OUR OTHER NEIGHBORING COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE, BRINGING BACK UP THAT GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SORT OF DEPARTMENT A LOT OF THIS LIVES WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT.

THEY HAVE A POLICY SIDE AND HAVE GRANTS SIDE OF IT, AND THEN THEY JUST HAVE A GENERAL RELATIONS WITH THEIR JURISDICTION, THEIR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS WHERE THERE WAS A WHOLE SESSION ON TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU MANAGE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND WORK THOSE, BECAUSE LIKE WITH THE FUNDING FOR INSTANCE, I KNOW OUR NEIGHBORS HERE AS COUNTY HAVE THOSE THAT JUST WORK RELATIONSHIPS WITH HUD AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS TO GET THESE PROJECTS MOVING. I KNOW THAT'S BEEN A STICKING POINT AND IF WE ARE GOING TO ACTUALLY SECURE FUNDING AND MAKE SURE IT'S MOVING, RELATIONSHIPS MATTER, AND JUST SPEAKING TO MY COLLEAGUES HERE AND TO YOU ALL AS WELL.

AGAIN, I'M GOING TO SAY THIS IS WHERE I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT, THIS DOES NEED TO BE ITS OWN DEPARTMENT.

BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE -- WE ARE CONTINUING TO SIDESTEP AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET US UP TO BE MORE URBAN COUNTY THAT WE ARE AND HAVING A ROBUST OPERATION THAT WORKS ON THIS AS A PART OF OUR ENTIRE LEGISLATIVE PORTFOLIO, WHICH THIS IS.

SO JUST POINTING THAT OUT. >> ALL RIGHT, NEXT, I HAVE ONE OF MY TENURE AT ACCOUNTANTS THAT HAS ACHIEVED EXPERTISE THAT QUALIFIES HER IN MY ESTIMATION TO A SENIOR POSITION.

IT IS AN ADVANCEMENT IN OUR OFFICE AND I AM ASKING THE COURT TO CONSIDER THAT POSITION TO BE MOVED UP TO THAT NEXT LEVEL.

AND THE POSITION BEFORE 75,000 PLUS BENEFITS, ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? AND WE VIEW THIS SUCCESSFULLY TODAY. IT'S EVALUATING OUR MOBILE CELLULAR AND NETWORK SERVICES TO FIND WASTE AND ROBBINS TEAM HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL WITH THE HEAVY LIFTING WORKING WITH THE CONSULTANT. TODAY, THE SAVINGS ARE APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER MILLION A YEAR.

NOW THE FIRST YEAR WE HAVE TO GIVE HALF OF THAT ACTUALLY, CORRECTION. HALF A MILLION A YEAR.

THE FIRST YEAR WE NEED TO -- WE WERE REQUIRED TO GIVE A QUARTER

[02:30:03]

WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THOSE SAVINGS AND PLAYS.

SO SORRY FOR THE MISSPEAK. HALF A MILLION IN SAVINGS, A QUARTER MILL WENT TO THE CONSULTANT.

AND EVERYTHING IS TO THE COUNTY, TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.

AS WE ARE GOING FOR IT. >> AND ALSO I THINK THAT YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON THIS ONE. WE MEANT PAMELA, TO TRACK OUR FEAST WITH OUR CELL PHONES AND THE USE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE ANY PURVIEW OF WHAT THAT SPENDING LOOKS LIKE UNTIL WE GET THE BILL BILL, AND THINKING ABOUT HOW THAT LOOKS OR NOT. IS THERE SOME SORT OF WAY WE CAN

ACTUALLY MAKE SURE -- >> THERE IS.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION OR MAXIMIZE THE USE OF AN EXISTING RESOURCE, TECHNICAL RESOURCE TO CONVEY THAT INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES DOWN TO THE ACTUAL MOBILE DEVICE USERS. WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THAT.

WE HAVE KEPT IT CENTRALIZED AND AS YOU STATED, COMMISSIONER, WE FIND OUT ABOUT IT WHEN YOU GET NOTICE OF IT BEING CHARGED TO YOUR BUDGET AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET BETTER CONTROL OF DAD'S, BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING RID OF THE CLUTTER, SO IT ALLOWS US TO FOCUS ON THE TRUE ACTIVITY AND THAT'S WHAT IS BENEFITING THE DEPARTMENTS OFFICES AND THE OTHER FUNCTIONS AND CAN CONVEY THAT INFORMATION ON A TIMELY BASIS.

>> ESSENTIALLY IT'S A BIGGER CHANGE IF WE ARE AWARE OF IT AHEAD OF TIME WE CAN START CHANGING BEHAVIORS WITH HOW PEOPLE ARE USING THE DEVICE AND GETTING ROAMING CHARGES AND REALIZING THEY NEED TO TURN THEIR AIR AIRPLANE MODE ON AND SETTING POLICIES FOR EACH DEPARTMENT, WE CAN DO THAT IF WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA, SO THOSE SORTS OF THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

OR IF WE NEED TO REMOVE CELL PHONES FROM PEOPLE, I THINK I.T. HAS DEVELOPED AN APP OR THROUGH CISCO OR WEBEX OR SOMETHING WHERE YOU CAN NOW TRANSFER YOUR PHONE TO YOUR CELL PHONE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? GOOD. GOOD.

AND SO, IMPORTANT IF THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS THAT CAN BE ENCOURAGED AND I GUESS WE WILL GET INTO THIS WHEN WE GET INTO THE I.T. BUDGET UP EVENTUALLY. BUT IF DEPARTMENTS CAN BE ENCOURAGED FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT DON'T NEED A'S PHYSICAL CELL PHONE AND CAN INSTEAD HAVE A SEPARATE LINE THAT GOES TO THEIR EXISTING CELL PHONE AND PERHAPS WE PAY A SLIGHT BEAVER THAT FOR THE DATA INCURRED, I THINK THAT MIGHT BE MORE

COST-EFFECTIVE FOR US. >> GREAT POINT.

>> FANTASTIC, ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?

IF NOT, WE CAN BREAK FOR LUNCH. >> YES.

>> LET'S BREAK FOR LUNCH AND COME BACK AT 1:00.

>> WE ARE HAVING KOLACHES AND DOUGHNUTS OF HER LUNCH?

>> NO, WE

>> NOW WE CONVENE. THE TIME IS 1 P.M.

CAN WE MOVE FORWARD? >> SURE.

LET'S DO THAT. >> FIRST DEPARTMENT FOR THIS

AFTERNOON IS RISK MANAGEMENT. >> YES, WE CAN GO WITH JUDGE,

FIRST. >> DO YOU MIND?

>> OH, I'M SORRY. >> YOU POINTEDTHERE.

>> GO AHEAD. YOU LOOK WAY DIFFERENT, BUT

OKAY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. SO LET'S SEE HERE.

WE'RE OVER ON SOME OF OUR ITEMS AS FAR AS SAFETY PROGRAMS GO, AEDS, PPE, HEALTH STRESS INITIATIVES AND GENERAL SAFETY ITEMS FOR THE WORKPLACE. A LOT OF OUR AEDS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR A LOT OF THE BUILDINGS, THE JUSTICE CENTER, STUFF LIKE THAT.

WE FOUND THAT SOME OF OUR EQUIPMENT IS EITHER OUTDATED OR IT'S NOT ABLE TO BE REFURBISHED BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN CONTINUED.

THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THAT FUNDS COME UP.

WE ARE ASKING FOR A NEW SENIOR BENEFITS ANALYST JUST TO KIND OF

[02:35:05]

THIS IS GOING TO HELP US WITH EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW, GETTING PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF OUR BUILDINGS SAFELY, TRAINING OUR DECKS, DOING OCEA TRAINING FOR BRIDGES AND PARKS, GETTING THE INFORMATION TO OUR EMPLOYEES TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

AND THEN ONE OF THEM IS ALSO A RECLASS FOR OUR PART-TIMER WHO'S BEEN WITH US FOR YEARS. WE'RE TRYING TO GET HIM A LITTLE BIT MORE IN HIS POCKET FOR THE JOB THAT HE DOES FOR US.

>> QUESTION? ANY QUESTIONS?

>> YEAH, WITH THE -- I THINK LAST YEAR YOU REQUESTED A POSITION. IS THIS THE SAME ONE?

>> NO, SIR. THIS IS SPECIFICALLY JUST A TRAINER POSITION. LAST YEAR WE REQUESTED A SAFETY FIELD POSITION. BRIAN, HE'S ACTUALLY BEEN IN FRONT OF ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, ROAD AND BRIDGE, DRAINAGE.

NOW THE REQUEST FOR DIFFERENT TRAININGS ARE COMING IN.

WE HAVE BEEN HOSTING SOME FORKLIFT TRAINING, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT SO THAT IT DOESN'T TIE HIM UP FROM DOING HIS OTHER INSPECTIONS ON WHEN THEY'RE BUILDING STUFF, BRIDGES.

IT'S PHYSICALLY HAPPEN. THIS IS JUST A PERSON TO TRAIN THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES KNOW HOW TO DO THE JOB

SAFELY. >> THAT ISN'T CURRENTLY A PART OF SELECT ROAD AND BRIDGE, DRAINAGE.

THEY DON'T HAVE SOMEONE DOING THAT.

>> THEY DO IT WHEN REQUESTED. SPECIFICALLY NO, SIR.

WE BRING ON THE MUTCD FOR THE SIGNS DEPARTMENT, THE ROADS.

WE BRING THOSE IN WHENEVER THEY'RE OFFERED AT A MINIMAL COST TO GOVERNMENT ENTITIES. AUSTIN COLLEGE, TEACH DOES IT SOMETIMES. A LOT OF THE FUNDS HAVE FALLEN THROUGH, GRANT FUNDS THROUGH DIFFERENT AGENCIES.

THEY CAN COME DO THAT TRAINING FOR US.

IT'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS. WE WANT TO DO IT OURSELVES FOR

OUR EMPLOYEES TO KEEP THEM SAFE. >> AND THEN ON THE 1,500 NEW AEDS, THAT'S A BIG LINE ITEM. IT'S AN IMPORTANT ONE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I DISCOVERED IS A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T KNOW WE HAVE AEDS IN ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS OR EVEN HOW TO USE THEM. I WOULD ASSUME THAT PERHAPS THIS PERSON IS GOING TO TRAIN ON THAT.

>> WE DO THAT ALREADY. FIRST AID, CPR AND AED TRAINING THAT WE HOST CURRENTLY TWICE A MONTH.

THIS WILL BE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AS THAT ASPECT AS WELL.

>> HOW ARE YOU GETTING MORE EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THESE

TRAININGS? >> THE FIRST AID, WE ACTUALLY HAVE FULL CLASSES ON THOSE EVERY MONTH.

AND WE DO OUR ADVERTISING IN THE NEWSLETTER, AND A LOT OF TIMES RIGHT NOW, IT'S COMING BY REQUEST WITH YVETTE BEING IN FRONT OF FOLKS AND BRIAN BEING IN FRONT OF FOLKS.

WHAT ABOUT GENERAL OFFICE SAFETY.

LAST WEEK YVETTE WAS AT THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE AT THE STAFF MEETING AND GAVE A BOMB THREAT, 9-1-1 AND DECK INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE FACILITY.

RIGHT NOW IT'S ON REQUEST. WE WANT TO MAKE IT READILY ACCESSIBLE ON A CALENDAR BASIS WHERE EMPLOYEES CAN SIGN UP.

WE WOULD DEFINITELY WORK ON ADVERTISING.

WE HAVE THOSE THE JC PENNEY SIGNS THAT HAVE THE SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE HAVE INFORMATION THAT WE TRY TO ROLL THEM AND CHANGE THEM TO BENEFIT THE EMPLOYEES.

>> OKAY. I WAS AT -- IT WAS LAST YEAR SOMETIME I WAS AT SOME MEETING, HGAC OR SOMEWHERE, THERE WAS A PRESENTATION ON AEDS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING TO STABILIZE PEOPLE BEFORE AN AMBULANCE GETS THERE.

THAT TOPIC CAME UP. AND I KNOW WE NEVER THINK ABOUT NEEDING TO KNOW HOW TO USE THOSE DEVICES UNTIL IT'S TIME.

BUT I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE REFURBISHING THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ALL WORK. BUT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE JUST MAKE SURE THAT EVERY POSSIBLE EMPLOYEE IN THIS COUNTY IS TRAINED ON HOW TO USE THOSE.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE. WITH UPDATES ON E-CONNECT AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WE HAD ONE-MINUTE OR TWO-MINUTE VIDEOS THAT GUIDED FOLKS THROUGH THAT. QUESTION AND ANSWER VIDEOS ON THE SAFETY SIDE. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE UPDATED

ANY OF THAT STUFF OR NOT. >> I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST THAT TOO. I KNOW THAT THE AEDS ARE FAIRLY SIMPLE TO USE. IT WALKS YOU THROUGH THE WHOLE

THING. >> RIGHT, YEAH.

>> IF YOU MADE A SHORT VIDEO EXPLAINING SO THAT THE EMPLOYEE WOULDN'T BE SCARED TO GO I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THAT.

[02:40:03]

>> IT DOES. AS SOON AS YOU HIT THE POWER BUTTON, IT EXPLAINS EXACTLY WHAT YOU USED TO DO.

SOME OF THE ONES SHE'S GETTING NOW MIGHT BE IN DIFFERENT

LANGUAGES AS WELL. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. APPRECIATE IT.

>> JUST LOOKING AT MY -- WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU.

I'M GOING TO ASSUME THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINER OVER THE BENEFITS ANALYST.

>> I'M GOING TO SAY BOTH. >> IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE?

>> THE SAFETY ONE, YES, SIR. I'M GOING TO SAY BOTH.

BENEFITS, EMPLOYEES GET FRUSTRATED ON HOW TO MANAGE THOSE PROCESSES. THIS EMPLOYEE WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE KEY HUBS THAT ASSISTS WITH THAT.

>> FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> HUMAN RESOURCES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, WE HAVE TWO TARGET AREAS IN OUR BUDGET THAT WE NEED TO SPEAK TO THIS AFTERNOON. FIRST BEING IN OUR FEES AREA WHERE WE HAVE ALLOCATED FUNDING FOR ANOTHER COMPREHENSIVE COMPENSATION STUDY FOR THE COUNTY.

AS THE COURT IS AWARE, THE LAST TIME WE DID THE COMPENSATION STUDY A COMPREHENSIVE ONE RATHER LET ME JUST BE CLEAR WAS IN -- WE STARTED IT NOVEMBER 9TH, 2021, AND WE CONCLUDED THAT STUDY IN AUGUST, I BELIEVE, OF 2022 EARMARKING THE FUNDS FOR 2023 FISCAL YEAR. AND SO NOW WE ARE FOUR YEARS POST THAT, THAT LAST STUDY. AND SO I'M ASKING THE COURT TO CONSIDER ANOTHER COMPREHENSIVE COMPENSATION STUDY THAT ENSURES THAT THE COUNTY'S PAY STRUCTURE IS COMPETITIVE, FAIR, AND LEGALLY COMPLIANT. OF COURSE, A COMPENSATION STUDY ALIGNS PAY WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS.

IT IMPROVES THE INTERNAL EQUITY FOR OUR ROLES.

IT OPTIMIZES OUR SALARY BUDGETS, AND IT ATTRACTS AND RETAINS TALENT. AND SO AT THIS COURSE IN TIME, WHILE HR YEAR OVER YEAR SINCE WE DID THE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY HAS IDENTIFIED PARTICULAR GROUPS IN OUR SALARY STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT TO BUDGET FOR RECOMMENDATIONS, IN ADDITION THE COURT HAS BEEN GENEROUS AND ALLOWED -- APPROVED COLA, COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS FOR OUR PERSONNEL, WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T GET TOO FAR OFF THE MARK WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS. OF OUR PAY.

AND SO THAT IS WHY I HAVE ASKED THE COURT TO CONSIDER THIS.

IT WAS EARMARKED IN THE BUDGET. AND SO IF THE COURT FEELS THAT THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THAT, THEN I HUMBLY ASK THE COURT TO DO SO. THE SECOND ITEM IN -- WELL, I'M GOING TO STOP THERE AND ASK ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE COMPENSATION STUDY? AND IF THERE'S NOT, THEN I CAN

MOVE FORWARD. >> QUESTIONS.

>> YEAH. I KNOW THIS HAS COME UP A LOT FOR US ESPECIALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT SALARIES AND I THINK THE ASSUMPTION OF THE COURT WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD BE DOING THIS ON AN ONGOING BASIS. I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO MAKE SURE WE DO THIS SORT OF CHECK.

WE HAD A CONVERSATION WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO HAVE IN-HOUSE RESOURCES TO DO THIS VERSUS CONTINUING TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR EVERY FEW YEARS.

I THINK YOU ANSWERED THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE TOO MANY RESOURCES INTERNALLY TO DO WHAT A CONSULTANT DOES FOR US ON A PER PERIODIC BASIS.

JUST MY THOUGHTS THERE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> OKAY. >> WE SHOULD ALSO KNOW WITH DOING THE COMP STUDY WILL COME SOME SORT OF COMMITMENT AFTERWARDS FOR MAKING ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON THAT.

IF WE'RE IN THE SORT OF FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT WE'RE IN WHERE GROWTH ISN'T AS HIGH AS IT USED TO BE IN THE PAST, HOW MUCH OF THAT WILL WE BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY HANDLE MOVING FORWARD.

>> RIGHT. AND THE GOAL IS HERE IF WE -- IF THE COURT WERE TO APPROVE THIS AND WE GOT STARTED IN FY27, THEN WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT BRINGING THAT PROJECT IN FOR THE FY28 FISCAL YEAR. SO THAT IS WHERE WE WOULD BE WITH THAT. THE SECOND REQUEST THAT HR PUT

[02:45:04]

HR CURRENTLY SUPPORTS 3,500 PLUS EMPLOYEES OVER A SPAN OF 80 PLUS DEPARTMENTS. AND SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THAT STATISTICALLY, THAT'S 0.43 STAFF -- RIGHT? -- FOR EACH HUNDRED EMPLOYEES THAT WE HAVE. INDUSTRY STANDARDS ACCORDING TO THE SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT SAYS THAT FOR AN ORGANIZATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONALLY, 1.7 STAFF, HR STAFF PER 100 EMPLOYEES. ADP SAYS 1.4 HR STAFF PER HUNDRED EMPLOYEES. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE BEHIND THE MARK. COLIN COUNTY HAS -- WELL, LET ME START WITH WILLIAMSON COUNTY. 747,000 ESTIMATED POPULATION AND THEY HAVE AN HR STAFF OF 20 TO 30.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAS 18 TO 25. DENTON 20 TO 25 AND COLIN COUNTY 25 TO 30. AND WE ARE SITTING AT 15.

WHAT I HAVE ASKED THE COURT TO CONSIDER ARE THREE CRITICAL POSITIONS AS WE GROW OR CONTINUE TO GROW.

ONE IS IN THE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AREA BECAUSE WE HAVE ONE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GENERALIST ON TEAM, AND WE HAVE HANDLED OVER 123 CASES YEAR TO DATE. AND WHEN I SAY HANDLE CASES, THAT'S IN THE AREAS OF UNEMPLOYMENT, TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION WHICH INVOLVES DAILY -- I'M SORRY, WEEKLY HEARINGS THAT WE HAVE TO ATTEND. ALSO TAKING ON CASES THAT COME THROUGH OUR FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE HOTLINE AS WELL AS EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GRIEVANCES AND INVESTIGATIONS THAT MIGHT OCCUR. THAT NUMBER MIGHT NOT SOUND LARGE, IT IS CRITICAL. THAT TAKES ON A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK WHEN IT COMES TO MANAGING THOSE CASES AS WELL AS THE DAILY INTERACTIONS THAT OUR TEAM HAS TO MANAGE WITH RESPECT TO CONSULTATIONS WITH DEPARTMENTS REGARDING PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT ON THE COMP SIDE OF THE HOUSE, NOT ONLY DO WE HELP TO SUPPORT THESE 80 PLUS DEPARTMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SALARY RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH IN 2024, WE DID 589. IN 2025, WE DID 492.

AND AS OF APRIL 30TH OF THIS YEAR, WE ALREADY PROCESSED 2024 SALARY RECOMMENDATIONS. SO WE ARE ON TARGET TO DO THAT.

THE COMPENSATION TEAM ALSO HANDLES ALL OF THE TRANSACTIONAL PIECES IN HR. SO THOSE EAFS THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT EVERY SINGLE DAY, WE PROCESS THOSE.

AND SO LAST YEAR ALONE, WE PROCESSED OVER 15,000EAFS JUST ON OUR COMPENSATION TEAM, JUST THOSE TWO PEOPLE.

IN ADDITION TO HELPING TO SUPPORT OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS OUR BUDGET OFFICE, SUCH AS OUR I.T. OFFICE WHEN WE LOOK AT OPTIMIZING SOLUTIONS.

OUR COMP TEAM IS WOVEN INTO ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AND SO THE WORK EFFORT THAT WE DO ON THE COMPENSATION SIDE OF THE HOUSE RUNS FAR BEYOND WHAT PEOPLE SEE EVERY DAY.

NOT ONLY DO WE CREATE SALARIES. NOT ONLY DO WE DO TRANSACTIONS.

NOT ONLY DO WE CREATE NEW POSITIONS, ET CETERA, BUT WE DO A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS IN THAT SPACE THAT REQUIRE -- AND HELP TO SUPPORT WHEN WE DO COMPENSATION STUDIES, ET CETERA, WE'RE IN THE BACKGROUND DOING THE WORK.

AND SO I JUST HOPE THAT THE PORT WOULD CONSIDER WHAT WE DO BECAUSE WE DO WORK THAT'S SILENT THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WE DO. BUT THE WORK THAT WE DO ENABLES THIS ORGANIZATION TO FUNCTION. AND SO I HOPE THAT THE COURT WOULD CONSIDER THAT AS WELL. LASTLY, ON THE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SIDE OF THE HOUSE, WE HAVE ONE RESOURCE IN THAT SPACE, AND SO I'VE ASKED THE COURT TO CONSIDER AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FOR THAT SPACE AS WELL BECAUSE WE HAVE FOR THE MOST PART SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, WE HAVE BEEN LEVERAGING OR AUGMENTING OUR WORK IN THAT SPACE WITH EXTERNAL RESOURCES.

[02:50:04]

SEXUAL HARASSMENT, WORKPLACE HARASSMENT, ADA TRAINING, ET CETERA. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO. AND SO AS WE GROW, I JUST HOPE THAT -- THOSE ARE MY ASKS. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE. SO I'M VERY FLEXIBLE WITH RESPECT TO WHAT THE COURT WOULD RECOMMEND.

AND LASTLY, I DO HAVE A VACANCY, AND I KNOW I HAVE BEEN WORKING TO FILL THAT VACANCY. SO I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT RIGHT AWAY. AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> SO THESE ARE THREE POSITION REQUESTS IF YOU WERE TO RANK THEM IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE OR PRIORITY FOR YOU?

>> IF I WERE TO RANK THEM WITH ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, IT WOULD BE THE COMPOSITION FIRST AND THE ER POSITION SECOND.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE OUR VOLUME IS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO

HAVE ANOTHER ONE. >> YEAH.

>> OH, AM I TALKING ABOUT THAT? >> YES.

>> OH, OKAY. WELL, I HAVE PUT INTO THE BUDGET FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE YUP PROGRAM FOR NEXT YEAR.

AND SO AS THE COURT IS AWARE, THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS A FUNDAMENTALLY CRITICAL PROGRAM WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A TALENT PIPELINE FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO OUR COUNTY.

THIS YEAR ALONE, WE TOOK IN OVER 900 APPLICATIONS FOR THE Y.E.P.

PROGRAM. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE YEAR OVER YEAR AT LEAST 250 STUDENTS RANGING FROM 16 TO 21 WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE COUNTY. NOT ONLY DOES THAT PROVIDE A CIVIC SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS, BUT IT ALSO ALLOWS THEM TO IDENTIFY THE COUNTY AS AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE.

NOT EVERY STUDENT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE.

AND SO THE COUNTY AS A GREAT AND TREMENDOUS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE STUDENTS THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE THAT IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON TO FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY.

AND SO WE HAVE SEEN THAT. WE HAVE SEEN THAT MATRICULATION OF THAT TALENT IN SPACES SUCH AS OUR TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, OUR DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE, OUR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE SEEN STUDENTS MATRICULATE AND SO THAT TALENT PIPELINE IS REAL.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONCE STUDENTS GO OFF, TO FORT BEND C EMPLOYER OF CHOICE. THAT IS WHY I AGAIN THIS YEAR HAVE INTRODUCED THAT PROGRAM INTO THE BUDGET.

>> QUESTION? >> DO WE HAVE THAT FUNDED?

>> IT'S FUNDED FOR THIS YEAR, AND IT'S FUNDED FOR NEXT YEAR FROM THE SALE OF THE CHURCH AND THE OTHER ONE FROM THE SETTLEMENT WITH THE REPUBLIC WASTE.

SO IT'S NOT COMING FROM AVALON TAXES.

>> FOR 2027 TOO? >> YES.

THERE ARE TWO SOURCES OF MONEY. ONE IS FUNDING THIS YEAR'S

PROGRAM; CORRECT? >> NOT YET.

[02:55:03]

>> THE COURT HASN'T ACTUALLY ACTED ON THAT YET.

IT'S ON FOR THIS THURSDAY FOR YOU TO ACT ON.

>> OKAY. >> FOR 2026.

>> BUT THE MONEY -- FUNDS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND PER THE

DIRECTIONS YOU ALL GAVE ME SO... >> WE TALKED ABOUT PRIVATE

FUNDING. >> THAT'S A HARD JOB.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOT FROM AVALON TAXES AND NOT FROM COUNTY ASSISTANCE.

THAT'S WHAT I WENT AND FOUND. FROM 2026 AND 2027, THE MONEY IS IDENTIFIED. '28 AND BEYOND, NO.

IT WILL TAKE THAT LONG TO WRAP UP A PRIVATE -- YOU'RE TALKING A MILLION DOLLARS IN PRIVATE FUNDS.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE SAID. >> I'M A BAD DUDE.

I AIN'T THAT BAD. >> THAT'S WHAT WE SAID LAST

YEAR. >> WE DID NOT SAY THAT.

WE SAID YOU WOULD GET IT NOT FROM AVALON TAXES AND NOT FROM C.A.D. RICK'S ON THE RECORD.

>> MONEY IS IDENTIFIED FOR '26 AND '27 ALREADY.

>> YEAH. >> I DON'T --

>> I JUST KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE MAKING $40,000 OR LESS, AND WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S NOT DISAGREED, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT -- HOW MANY PEOPLE -- HOW MANY OF THE STUDENTS HAVE WE EMPLOYED SINCE

THAT PROGRAM STARTED? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER WITH ME TODAY BUT I CAN GET YOU THAT NUMBER.

>> WE CAN DO THE MATH HERE. IT'S BEEN AT LEAST 250 FOR FIVE

YEARS. >> YOU MEAN EMPLOYED WITH THE COUNTY THAT'S COME ON WITH THE COUNTY?

>> FULL-TIME. >> FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME.

>> I CAN GET YOU THAT NUMBER. THAT'S NO PROBLEM, SIR.

>> SO MY QUESTION IS THIS PROBLEM BASICALLY IS TO TRAIN SOMEBODY TO WORK FOR THE COUNTY; RIGHT? FOR THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT? THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS

PROGRAM? >> THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE THE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO COME INTO DIFFERENT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. WE TRIED TO ALIGN THE STUDENTS WITH THE CAREER -- THEIR CAREERS OF CHOICE.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH HEALTHCARE, ONE OF AN INTEREST, FOR EXAMPLE, IN BEING AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST, WE WILL PAIR YOU UP HOPEFULLY WITH THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST DEPARTMENT IN HHS. THAT ALLOWS THAT PARTICULAR STUDENT TO GET REAL HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THAT CAREER FIELD.

NOW HOPEFULLY THAT STUDENT WILL CONSIDER FORT BEND COUNTY AS AN EMPLOYER ONCE THEY GRADUATE IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, I'M USING THAT EPIDEMIOLOGY IN THAT SPACE.

THAT IS WHAT THE THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS FOR?

>> YOU ARE FOCUSED ON TRAINING SOMEBODY WHO HAS A CAREER.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES HERE IN TOWN IN THE COUNTY THAT ARE DOING EXACTLY THE SAME THING WITH A LOT OF FUNDING FROM THE STATE. OBVIOUSLY AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY WHO REALLY KNOWS HOW TO WORK IN THE COUNTY TO PAIR THEM UP IN THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT TO LEARN HOW THE COUNTY OPERATES. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE NOT -- THEY'RE FREE TO GO ANYWHERE; RIGHT?

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THESE ARE KIDS.

THESE ARE CHILDREN. >> THEY'RE 16.

THE AGE RANGE IS 16 THROUGH 21 SO HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH YOUR, YOU

KNOW, FIRST YEAR COLLEGE. >> HOW DO YOU RECRUIT THEM ACTUALLY? YOU JUST POST IT, AND THEY WILL JUST APPLY TO YOUR DEPARTMENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, OUR RECRUITMENT STRATEGY IS ACTUALLY PRETTY WIDE-BASED. WE ACTUALLY GO INTO MANY DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE COUNTY, ALL FOUR QUADRANTS OF THE COUNTY.

WE ENGAGE WITH THE CAREER COUNSELING OFFICES WITHIN THOSE SCHOOLS. AND WE BRING THE PROGRAM TO THE STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOLS IN ADDITION TO, YES, YOUR TRADITIONAL METHOD OF POSTING AND RECRUITING FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES BUT WE GO OUT INTO COMMUNITY AND SPEAK TO THE PROGRAM WITH OUR STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> MM-HMM. IS IT THE FOCUS IS FOR CAREER PATH? IS IT?

>> IT'S A SUMMER JOB. IT'S A SUMMER JOB.

907 PEOPLE APPLYING FOR 250 SLOTS.

IT'S LIKE THAT EVERY YEAR. IT'S HOW IT'S DESCRIBED.

IT KEEPS KIDS OFF THE STREETS. GIVES THEM SELF-ESTEEM AND WORK EXPERIENCE IN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS -- THIS WAS STARTING OFF DURING COVID AND FUNDED FOR THE FIRST FOUR YEARS.

NOW IT'S BEEN SUSTAINED THROUGH THE COUNTY BUT NOT AVALON TAXES.

OKAY? THAT WAS THE UNDERSTANDING I HAD HERE, AND I WAS CHALLENGED BY MY COLLEAGUES TO FIND SOME FUNDING

[03:00:01]

AND THAT'S IDENTIFIED FOR THE SUMMER OF '26, THE ONE WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE 250 STUDENTS WHO WILL BE STARTING IN A FEW WEEKS. AND THEN FOR SUMMER '27, THE

SAME THING. >> WELL, MY THINKING IS FOR CAREER PATH TRAINING, IS IT BETTER TO HAVE A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OR ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES, LOCAL

COLLEGES. >> IT'S NOT EDUCATION.

IT'S A JOB. >> EXACTLY.

>> IT'S A JOB. THEY PAY THEM $15 AN HOUR.

IT'S A JOB. >> RIGHT NOW, WE DO HAVE THOSE

PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES. >> THERE'S NO COMMUNITY COLLEGE THAT'S GOING TO PAY A STUDENT TO WORK.

WHERE IS THAT? >> WELL, PSTC WILL HAVE A PROGRAM WHERE THEY PAY TO TRAIN AS A TESLA TECHNICIAN.

>> HOW MANY KIDS? >> I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A BIGGER POOL. I'M JUST ASKING QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER. I'M NEW TO THIS PROGRAM.

>> OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SORE SPOT WITH ME.

>> I UNDERSTAND. >> I'M SITTING HERE DOING EMAIL.

I'M PERKING UP WHEN THIS COMES UP.

THIS IS IMPORTANT. THIS IS IMPORTANT DEAL.

THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO BENEFITTED A LOT, A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THIS PROGRAM, SO --

>> I KNOW I HAVE SAID THIS IN THE PAST.

YOU KNOW, THESE SORTS OF INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE IMPORTANT TO KIDS' DEVELOPMENT TO PUT THEM ON RÉSUMÉ OPPORTUNITIES WHEN THEY'RE APPLYING TO COLLEGES.

THIS MAKES THEM MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR WORK STUDY JOBS ON CAMPUSES WITH GO TO HIGHER EDUCATION. IT GIVES THEM GOOD PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND COMING FROM FORT BEND ISD, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTICED FOR THINGS LIKE OUR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND OTHERWISE, WE HAD KIDS WHO COME NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, WOULD STOP PARTICIPATING BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BALANCE GOING AND HAVING AN EVENING JOB AND WE WERE PULLING THEM OFF CAMPUSES FOR FULL DAYS ONCE A MONTH. AND THEY HAVE TO BALANCE THEIR WORK. THIS IS AN UNPAID DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY THAT SOUNDS GREAT. YEAH, WE CAN HAVE UNPAID INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. THEN WHAT WE DISCOVERED IS THAT'S REALLY ONLY AVAILABLE TO THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF TIME, COME FROM FAMILIES WHO MIGHT BE A BIT MORE WELL-RESOURCED TO ALLOW THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE UNPAID DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE REASON WHY I AM A VEHEMENT SUPPORTER OF OUR PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS IS BECAUSE IT GIVES -- IT LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD.

IT GIVES EVERYBODY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND GET MONEY IN THEIR POCKET. THEY SPEND MONEY IN OUR C.A.D.S.

THEY'RE NOW SHOPPING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT'S MONEY THAT WE GET IN THE FORM OF OTHER INTANGIBLES BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY PARTICIPATING IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY HERE THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T HAVE IT.

AND BY THE WAY, WE HAVE OPENED UP A PATHWAY.

WE STRUGGLED TO GET SOME STAFF IN OUR ANIMAL SERVICES FOR THE LONGEST TIME. WE HAVE GOT A VET TECH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SOMEONE WHO CAME FROM OUR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM. THEY WERE ABLE TO BE EXPOSED TO IT AS AN INTERN. THEN WE WERE ABLE TO FILL THAT SLOT AFTERWARDS BECAUSE IT'S WAY HARDER TO RECRUIT PEOPLE FROM OUR SCHOOLS TO COME TO DO THAT. WE HAD THAT PIPELINE.

I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT. I THINK THE ECONOMIC POINT IS A BIG ONE. I KNOW WE HAVE ATTEMPTED -- WE HAD A CALL WITH THE GULF COAST WORKFORCE BOARD TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THIS. UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE FUNDING HAS CHANGED BECAUSE OF WHAT WE KEEP BRINGING UP, CHANGES IN FEDERAL FUNDS. WHAT THEY USED TO HELP WITH THE HIGHER HOUSTON YOUTH PROGRAM, THE EXACT PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THOSE FUNDS AREN'T AS READILY AVAILABLE AS BEFORE.

WE HAVE A GREAT CHALLENGE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN DENY THE BENEFIT TO OUR STUDENTS AND TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR HAVING THEM IN OUR HE COUNTY WITH PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS. STILL PUT EFFORT TO FIND OUTSIDE SOURCES AND SEE IF SOME OF THE FOUNDATIONS WANT TO SUPPORT THIS. IT'S A PERFECTLY REASONABLE CONVERSATION TO SAY MAYBE IT'S NOT 250 YOUTH EVERY SINGLE HERE.

THAT'S PARED DOWN TO 150 YOUTH OR SIZE IT DOWN ON WHAT WE THINK IT'S REASONABLE OR COME TO SOME CONSENSUS ON.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE CUTTING IT AS A PROGRAM IF WE HAVE OTHER FUNDING STREAMS AVAILABLE TO US FOR THAT.

>> LET ME JUST SAY THAT I THINK DEFINITELY THE PROGRAM IS WELL WORTH IT IN THE SENSE OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

AT THE SAME TIME, I'M NOT SURE THIS IS ONE OF THE COUNTY

[03:05:03]

JUST TRY AND GO TO MY MIND AND JUSTIFY THIS IS WHAT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE DOING AS A MAIN RESPONSIBILITY.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO TACKLE WITH.

>> THIS ISN'T OUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITY.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ARE SAYING THIS IS OUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITY. I DON'T THINK WE CAN ARGUE THAT THERE IS VALUE THAT'S ADDED TO OUR ORGANIZATION BY HAVING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HERE. BY THE WAY, THEY GET TO GO BACK HOME INTO THE COMMUNITY AND BE AMBASSADORS FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT WHERE A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK COUNTY GOVERNMENT DOES. THEY'RE ABLE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND FAMILIES AND TALK ABOUT IT.

THOSE ARE IMPORTANT, I THINK, YOU KNOW.

YOU SIT ON SOME BOARDS FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

MY ASK, HELP US FIND SOME OTHER FUNDING THEN TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THIS.

BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE -- AND I'M NOT GETTING THE SENSE THAT ANYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT CUTTING THE PROGRAM. I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS, I THINK, WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND AND IN THE PAST, WHEN WE HAD GRANTS, WE ALWAYS HAD A STIPULATION IF THE GRANT MONEY WENT AWAY, THE POSITION WENT AWAY.

SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER WE GOT AWAY FROM THAT.

WE GOT AWAY FROM THAT. WE HAVE GOT AN $80 MILLION HOLE WE HAVE GOT TO FILL. THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF STAFF REQUESTS FOR BASIC SERVICES THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DENY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

THIS IS A MUCH LOWER PRIORITY TO ME COMPARED TO PROVIDING THE BASIC SERVICES THAT COUNTY SHOULD BE PROVIDING.

>> AND I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO WHAT I HAVE LEARNED RECENTLY IS THAT WE HAVE GOT PEOPLE WORKING IN ROAD AND BRIDGE FOR $15 AN HOUR. WE'RE GOING TO PAY THESE

STUDENTS $20 AN HOUR. >> THEY'RE NOT PAID $20 AN HOUR.

>> 15. >> AND THE MATTER OF EMPLOYEES MAKING THIS KIND OF MONEY, IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO FIX THROUGH THIS PROCESS. BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING EITHER-OR. THIS WAS FUNDED WITH FUNDS.

>> IF WE HAVE A WINDFALL, WE NEED TO USE IT WHERE NEEDED.

>> NO. I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EQUAL PAY AND JUST COMPENSATION FOR OUR WORKERS, THAT NEEDS TO BE A COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNTY, NOT FROM A WINDFALL.

>> IT'S REALLY NOT A WINDFALL. I MEAN, IT WAS A WINDFALL.

>> IT'S OUR PROPERTY. WE JUST TURNED IT INTO CASH.

>> IT WAS A WINDFALL. THAT WAS PURCHASED WITH ARPA FUNDS. THE SAME FUNDING THAT FUNDED IT

OTHER YEARS. >> WE HAVE GOT AN $80 MILLION

HOLE. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS COMING?

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CONTINUING TO FRAME THIS RIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE AN $80 MILLION HOLE.

THAT'S THE TALKING POINT PEOPLE WILL TAKE FROM THIS.

WE HAVE AN $80 MILLION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT IS REQUESTED FROM OUR DEPARTMENTS AND WHAT WE'RE SAYING WE SHOULD

BE BUDGETING FOR. >> SAME DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE ASKED FOR THE INCREASES, AND WE'RE GOING TO DENY MOST OF THE REQUESTS. THE ONLY WAY WE MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR PROJECTED REVENUE AND OUR REQUEST FOR EXPENDITURES IS TO DENY THE REQUEST BASICALLY FOR PERSONNEL.

>> RIGHT. AND WE'RE TALKING -- THOSE ARE NEW REQUESTS. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN EXISTING

PROGRAM. >> AN EXISTING PROGRAM THAT

STARTED OUT AS A GRANT PROGRAM. >> I GET YOU.

>> IN THE PAST, WHEN GRANT MONEY WENT AWAY, WE ELIMINATED THE POSITIONS. WE'RE NOT DOING THIS NOW.

>> THAT IS STILL THE CASE. >> IT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> IT IS THE CASE. THIS PROGRAM, THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDING FOR -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 2027 RIGHT NOW IS ARPA FUNDING IN ORIGIN. SAME FUNDING SOURCE THAT FUNDED

IT BEFORE. >> ALL RIGHT.

FURTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? NICOLE ANY FURTHER PRESENTATIONS? HEARING NONE, CAN WE MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NICOLE. >> RECORDS MANAGEMENT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> I'M HERE TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO COVER THE COST OF COUNTYWIDE SHREDDING SERVICES AND DESTROYING OF PHYSICAL RECORDS.

[03:10:01]

UNFORTUNATELY, NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING HAS BEEN ADDED TO THIS ACCOUNT SINCE 2021. SINCE IT HAS BEEN DEPLETED FACILITATING THE NEED FOR THE REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THESE CRITICAL ACTIVITIES. HISTORICALLY, RECORDS MANAGEMENT HAS OVERSEEN BOTH OFFSITE STORAGE SHREDDING, OFFSCYTHE -- OFFSITE SHREDDING FOCUSSING ON THEIR PRIMARY TASKS AND KEEPING THE SERVICES STREAMLINED.

CENTRALIZED ADMINISTRATION AVOIDS UNNECESSARY BURDENS ON INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS MANAGING MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS, ISSUING NUMEROUS CHEQUES AND DEALING WITH SHARING SHREDDING CONTAINERS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. IF THE SERVICE WERE DIVESTED TO INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS, IT WOULD NOT REDUCE COSTS, BUT WOULD INSTEAD CREATE LOGISTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGES MAKING THE PROCESS LESS EFFICIENT FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

I JUST TOUCH A LITTLE BIT MORE HERE ON OFFSITE STORAGE.

WE MANAGE THE OFFSITE STORAGE FOR FIVE DEPARTMENTS, THREE JP COURTS, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICES UNDER A SINGLE ACCOUNT. THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS $5,500.

IF EACH OFFICE MAINTAINED A SEPARATE ACCOUNT THE TOTAL COST WOULD BE 27,500 JUST FOR MEMBERSHIP ALONE.

BY CONSOLIDATING THESE SERVICES UNDER ONE ACCOUNT, THE COUNTY SAVES 22,000 ANNUALLY. THIS HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR AROUND 20 YEARS, AND IT HAS PROVEN TO WORK WELL FOR ALL INVOLVED. I'LL JUST SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SHREDDING. MY DEPARTMENT OVERSEES THE SHREDDING SERVICES FOR ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS ACROSS 62 LOCATIONS AGAIN USING ONE ACCOUNT.

THIS SIMPLIFIES PAYMENT, OVERSIGHT, AND COORDINATION.

FOR EXAMPLE, EACH DEPARTMENT MANAGING THEIR OWN ACCOUNT WOULD MEAN, I THINK, NICOLE SAYS, WHAT, 75 I.T. DEPARTMENTS, 80 CHEQUES BEING ISSUED. SO THIS SAVES TIME FOR ACCOUNTING STAFF U REDUCING THE RISK OF DELAYS.

MANY SHREDDING CONTAINERS ARE SHARED BY MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS IN THE TRAVIS BUILDING, THE JUSTICE CENTER AND THE PRECINCT. CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT AVOIDS CONFUSION AND LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES AND COORDINATING THESE SHARED CONTAINERS. MY DEPARTMENT DEDICATES SIGNIFICANT TIME AND ENERGY TO MANAGE THESE SERVICES BY WORKING WITH THE VENDOR. THIS RELIEVES THE DEPARTMENTS OF THIS BURDEN SO THEY CAN CONCENTRATE ON THEIR CORE FUNCTIONS. SO WITH THAT, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT FOR CONTINUING TO DO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> QUESTIONS. >> THE SERVICES THAT YOU'RE ADDING, ARE THOSE GOING TO BE ONGOING ANNUAL SERVICES?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

>> AND THEY'RE REQUIRED, YOU CAN SAY, BY STATUTE.

>> I'M SORRY, SIR? >> DID YOU SAY THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED BECAUSE OF STATUTE CHANGES AND WE HAVE TO DO THIS?

>> RECORDS HAVE TO BE STORED UNDER A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT,

YES. >> SO THEY'RE NOT NEW SERVICES.

>> NO. >> FUNDING IS JUST BEING MOVED FROM RECORDS MANAGEMENT TO THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE THE RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUNDS ARE BEING DEPLETED; IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

IS THERE ANOTHER RECORDS MANAGEMENT FUND SOME PLACE?

THIS IS RECORD MANAGEMENT. >> SO THERE IS A SPECIAL REVENUE

FUND FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT. >> I'M AWARE OF THAT.

>> RIGHT. >> THIS IS THE GENERAL FUND

[03:15:02]

INTO THE GENERAL FUND. >> DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE

DIFFERENCES ARE BETWEEN THE TWO? >> THE DIFFERENCE OF --

>> BETWEEN THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS AND THE ONE THAT WE HAD IN THE

OTHER RECORDS. >> I DO NOT.

MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT IT'S JUST A WASH.

IT'S TAKING IT OUT OF ONE AND PUTTING IT IN THE OTHER.

IS THERE AN INCREASE IN THE SERVICE?

>> OKAY. SO BASICALLY IT'S A NET-ZERO.

>> YES. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> FURTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> NOW WE CAN DO JP22. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

>> AFTERNOON. >> SORRY.

AFTERNOON. >> I'M HERE REQUESTING THREE NEW POSITIONS FOR MY OFFICE. CURRENTLY, WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED.

I CURRENTLY HAVE A COORDINATOR, MYSELF, AND THREE CASE MANAGERS, ONE IS CIVIL CLERK, AND THE OTHER TWO ARE CRIMINAL CLERKS.

RIGHT NOW, MY COORDINATOR IS PERFORMING 60 PLUS HOURS A WEEK.

SHE'S HAVING TO HELP OUT WITH ALL OF THE FILINGS.

SHE'S HAVING TO HELP OUT WITH ALL OF THE RECEIVING IN THE E-FILE SERVICE. SHE'S ALSO HAVING TO STAY LONG HOURS AND CONTINUE TO HELP AT THE WINDOW, DO ALL OF THE AUDITS, DO ALL -- EVERYTHING IS BASICALLY ON HER.

SHE'S WORKING AND SO AM I DOING THINGS THAT ARE ADMINISTRATIVE IN THE OFFICE. THE ADDITION OF THE TWO-CASE MANAGERS IS NECESSARY TO HELP MEET INCREASING CLERICAL, LEGAL, AND COMPLIANCE DEMANDS. MOREOVER, ADDITIONAL POSITIONS ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE CASE FILING, ADHERING TO STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS AND MAINTAINING ACCURACY AND EFFICIENCY IN OUR OFFICE. EXISTING PERSONNEL ARE OPERATING AT ABOVE MAXIMUM WORKLOADS. I BELIEVE TWO WEEKS AGO, I HAD A YOUNG LADY QUIT. SHE JUST SAID THAT IT WAS TOO MUCH WORK FOR HER. SO NOW I'M DOWN TO ONE CRIMINAL CLERK AND ONE CIVIL CLERK. EXISTING PERSONNEL, AGAIN, THEY'RE OVERWORKED. IT'S CAUSING DELAYS IN MY OFFICE. WE NEED THOSE ADDITIONAL CLERKS.

WE ALSO NEED AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.

RIGHT NOW, A LOT OF THE DUTIES THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT WOULD NORMALLY DO, I'M HAVING TO DO WHICH TAKES TIME FOR ME DOING MY ORDERS. I'M HAVING TO DO MOST OF MY ORDERS BECAUSE I'M LOW ON STAFF. IF I HAD AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO REACH OUT TO I.T. AND ALL OF THESE OTHER DEPARTMENTS. I'M HAVING TO DO ALL OF THAT MYSELF INSTEAD OF THE WORK THAT I NEED TO DO AS A JUDGE.

SO SOME OF THE NUMBERS THAT I COULD GIVE YOU WITH REGARD TO THE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE SEEING, LAST YEAR, FOR THE TOTAL YEAR 2025, WE HAD 1,206 CASES IN J JP22.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE 570 CASES THAT ARE PENDING AND FILED JUST IN -- LET'S SEE. FROM JANUARY 1 TO APRIL 30TH, 570 CASES. THAT MEANS WE'RE ON A TRAJECTORY TO PROBABLY INCREASE ABOUT FOUR TIMES AS MANY CASES AS WE HAD LAST YEAR. SO IF WE HAD 570 LAST YEAR, OUR NUMBERS WOULD PROBABLY LOOK MORE LIKE JP12.

THEY HAVE ABOUT 2,600 CASES IN 2025.

WE NEED THE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.

LET'S SEE. CURRENTLY THE JP12 OFFICE HAS SIX CASE MANAGERS, ONE COORDINATOR, AND ONE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. THE JP22 OFFICE, WHICH IS MY OFFICE HAS THREE CASE MANAGERS AND COORDINATOR, AND THE JP32 OFFICE HAS THREE CASE MANAGERS, ONE COORDINATOR AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. SO WE ARE THE ONLY JP OFFICE THAT IS UNDERSTAFFED. WE DO NEED THE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS. WE ARE SEEING THE EXTRA TRAFFIC IN OUR OFFICE. AND SO WE DO NEED THOSE

POSITIONS. >> IF YOU HAD TO PRIORITIZE THOSE POSITIONS, WHICH WOULD BE ONE, TWO, AND THREE?

[03:20:04]

>> IF I HAD TO PRIORITIZE, I GUESS THAT WOULD LEAVE ME CONTINUING TO DO THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND I'M WILLING TO DO THAT. I DO NEED THE ADDITIONAL CASE

MANAGERS. >> APPRECIATE IT.

>> SO THAT WOULD BE NUMBER ONE? >> I NEED TO --

>> YES, ONE AND TWO, AND THEN THREE WOULD BE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. MY COORDINATOR IS SWAMPED.

SHE IS -- I TAKE MY HATS OFF TO HER.

EVERY JP OFFICE HAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT EXCEPT

FOR MINE. >> THIS IS A -- THIS COURT IS IN SIENNA AND SIENNA ANNEX, AND THE COURTROOM IS BEING BUILT OUT, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO ACCESS JP COURT HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT'S A LOT MORE CONVENIENT IF YOU LIVE IN SHARON OR NACOLO FOR FRESNO OR OTHER CITIES THAT UTILIZE THE COURT.

PRECINCT 261 IS STILL PLENTY BUSY.

PRECINCT TWO IS GOING TO BE BUSIER.

THAT'S MORE OF A GROWTH AREA TOO.

THERE WILL BE MORE PATRONS. THE FUNDING LEVEL THAT SHE HAS RIGHT NOW WAS BASED ON WHEN THIS COURT WAS ELSEWHERE WHICH IT'S NOW IN A HEAVILY POPULATED AREA DEALING WITH MORE CASES.

WE NEED TO ADEQUATELY FUND THIS ONE COMMENSURATE WITH THE OTHER

JP COURTS. >> ALSO, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT FULLY BUILT OUT, WE'RE OPERATING IN A TEMPORARY SPACE.

IN THAT SPACE, WE HAVE SEEN HIGHER NUMBERS.

THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE TICKETS WOULD USUALLY NOT SHOW UP. EVERYONE IS SHOWING UP.

WE HAVE A HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUME AT THE WINDOW, AND WE'RE SWAMPED.

AND WE'RE DOING IT. WE'RE GETTING IT DONE.

WE'RE OVERWORKED. >> OKAY.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

THANK YOU, JUDGE, APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> PAM, NEXT. >> COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS OUR BUDGET REQUESTS.

BUT I WANT TO START OFF WITH A THANK YOU.

LAST YEAR, YOU ALL GRANTED THE MENTAL HEALTH POSITIONS NEEDED FOR OUR OFFICE. THE CHIEF FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION AS WELL AS AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY TO HANDLE THE MENTAL HEALTH CASE FILINGS, AND THAT HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, MENTAL HEALTH IS A PROBLEM IN FORT BEND COUNTY. IT'S A PROBLEM NATIONWIDE.

EVERYONE IS TRYING THEIR BEST TO DIRECT RESOURCES SO THAT WE CAN HELP OUR FELLOW RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE IN NEED, AND THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS HELP TO OUR OFFICE BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THE FILINGS BEING MANAGED APPROPRIATELY, BUT THE CHIEF IS ABLE TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND REALLY DO SOME DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SPACE, WHETHER IT'S CONNECTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS, TAKING A LOOK AT THE PRACTICE IN DEPTH AND MAKING WHATEVER NECESSARY CHANGES ARE NEEDED TO MAKE THE WORKFLOW MORE EFFICIENT AND ADDRESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS OF OUR RESIDENTS.

SO THANK YOU. JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I PUT THAT OUT THERE TO YOU ALL. NOW FOR THE BIG ASK.

OF COURSE, MY OFFICE HAS SUBMITTED ITS PROPOSED BUDGET.

WE INCLUDED IN THAT PROPOSED BUDGET A REQUEST FOR SEVEN TOTAL NEW POSITIONS. JUST GOING TO KIND OF QUICKLY

GIVE YOU THE -- >> TOTAL TO SEVEN?

>> SAY AGAIN, SIR. >> IF YOU GOT THE SEVEN, HOW

MANY WOULD YOU HAVE? >> THAT WOULD BRING US UP TO 46 POSITIONS TOTAL IN THE WHOLE UMBRELLA FOR THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> DOES THAT INCLUDE THE EIGHT

FUNDED BY THE MOBILITY PROGRAM? >> YES.

THAT DOES INCLUDE THOSE POSITIONS.

>> SO YOU HAVE 39 NOW? >> WE HAVE 39 NOW.

>> THANK YOU. >> AS YOU ALL KNOW, THAT PRACTICE HAS MORPHED INTO SOMETHING THAT DEMANDS ALL DAY ATTENTION. IT'S A VERY TIME SENSITIVE PRACTICE. IT'S A HIGH EXPOSURE PRACTICE

[03:25:01]

WE'RE MANAGING THE PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS FROM EVERYONE IN TERMS OF FACILITATING RECORDS PRODUCTION, MAKING SURE THAT OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS ARE COORDINATED FOR THEIR RESPONSE. SO THE FILINGS, MENTAL HEALTH, EXCUSE ME, PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS HAVE ALMOST TRIPLED SINCE 2015. WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING THE DATA ON THAT. SO TWO NEW LAWYERS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THAT. LITIGATION DIVISION.

WE HAVE HAD AN UPTICK IN FEDERAL COURT FILINGS AND THOSE ARE THOSE LAWSUITS THAT REALLY POSED HIGH RISK FOR THE COUNTY IN THAT THERE'S POTENTIAL REQUESTS FOR HIGH DOLLAR AMOUNT DAMAGES AGAINST THE COUNTY FOR VARIOUS REQUESTS, VARIOUS DIFFERENT EXPOSURES. THAT COULD BE ANYTHING FROM INCIDENTS AT THE JAIL. IT COULD BE EMPLOYMENT.

IT COULD BE -- JUST IT RUNS THE GA GAMUT. THE CHIEF OF THE LITIGATION DIVISION WOULD SAY THAT TWO LAWYERS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THAT PRACTICE AND, OF COURSE, TWO INVESTIGATORS.

NOT SURE IF YOU KNOW, I DO WHOLE COMMISSIONS FOR INVESTIGATORS.

WE HAVE TWO. THEY CARRY A LOAD THAT I THINK IS PROBABLY UNIQUE IN ITS SPACE BECAUSE THEY SERVE ALL OF THE PAPERS FOR EVERY LAWSUIT THAT THE COUNTY FILES.

IN ADDITION, THEY DO A LOT OF RESEARCH FOR OUR LITIGATION TEAM IN EVEN FINDING INDIVIDUALS. THEY'RE SUPPORTING THE MOBILITY WORK BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT IMMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDINGS, AND WE'RE TRYING TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR THE COUNTY, THERE ARE UNKNOWN ERRORS AND DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED TO BE PUT ON THOSE. THEY SERVE OUR MENTAL HEALTH CASES. LOOK AT THE SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE FOR EVERY TABC MEASUREMENT THAT'S DONE. IF IT'S OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMIT, MY GUYS ARE OUT THERE DOING THOSE MEASUREMENTS.

WHETHER YOU ALL KNOW IT OR NOT, THERE'S AN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS AND LOCALES IN OUR COUNTY INCLUDING ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS THAT INCLUDE LIQUOR LICENSES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. OUR CLERK NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT IS PROPER DISTANCE. THAT IS THE ASK I HAVE.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW IN RESPONSE TO OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR, OUR AUDITOR, I PROVIDED A SUPPLEMENTAL MEMO ON APRIL 22ND PROVIDING A DETAILED JUSTIFICATION FOR ALL OF THE MOBILITY FUNDED -- BOND-FUNDED POSITIONS IN OUR OFFICE WHICH ARE MOBILITY AND PARKS. I BELIEVE THAT WAS ABOUT A 20-PAGE DOCUMENT. WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT WE COULD THINK OF WITHOUT GOING IN TOO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT WHAT THEY DO TO SUPPORT THE LARGER BOND-FUNDED PROJECTS.

I WILL JUST CLOSE WITH THIS. THE PRIORITY IS THE NEED TO MAINTAIN CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS.

39 OF US ARE UPSTAIRS AND NEXT DOOR AT THE C.A.C.

THE PRIORITY IS FOR OUR OFFICE TO BE MAINTAINED AT THE CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CLIENT.

WE ARE WORKING ANY DAY, ALL DAY, WEEKENDS.

WE ENJOY WORKING WITH EACH OTHER, NUMBER ONE.

BUT WE WILL DO WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE DUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CLIENT -- OF THE COUNTY. I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. THE ASK HAS BEEN PUT FORTH.

THE REAL ASK IS THAT WE AT LEAST MAINTAIN OUR CURRENT STAFFING

LEVELS. >> ALL RIGHT.

QUESTION. NO QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE IT. >> NEXT.

>> I DO HAVE ONE OTHER THING. >> OKAY.

PLEASE. >> WE REQUESTED A NEW VEHICLE.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, WE NEED TO GET A NEW VEHICLE.

I WOULD HATE FOR ONE OF MY INVESTIGATORS TO BE SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE CAN PROVIDE THAT LETTER FOR YOU ALL AS EVIDENCE IN OUR REQUEST FOR A NEW VEHICLE.

THANK YOU. >> AND THAT VEHICLE WAS

SUBMITTED. >> YES.

>> TO KAYLA? >> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT. SORRY.

AND JUST ANY OF THOSE, THE INVESTIGATORS, THEY PARTICIPATE IN ANY ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE ANY SORT OF REIMBURSEMENT ATTACHED TO THEM OR FEES? LIKE, ANY SORT OF REVENUE STREAM

ATTACHED TO THEM? >> NO.

>> SO NO ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY? >> NO.

OF COURSE, WE FILE ACTIONS. WE GET INJUNCTIVE RELEASE.

[03:30:01]

IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY FLOW BACK TO OUR OFFICE.

>> AND THEN, LIKE, FOR SOME OF THE SUITS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED, I DON'T KNOW IF WE ENDED UP GOING AFTER THE PFAS SUIT, THE FOREVER CHEMICALS. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TIED TO THAT. YOU HAD ANOTHER SETTLEMENT FROM SOMEBODY ELSE. THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, IS THERE ANY -- I KNOW WE HAVE PASSED ALONG SOME OF THOSE THINGS TO YOUR OFFICE. IS THERE ANY WORLD IN WHICH HAVING SOME OF THESE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE, SOME OF THEM CAN GO AFTER LOOKING FOR THOSE THINGS THAT MIGHT BE OF BENEFIT TO OUR

COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE IN? >> WE HAVE ASKED FOR THE WATER TESTING. I CAN CHECK IN WITH KAYLA FOR THE STATUS OF THAT. SHE WAS WORKING WITH A BUYER IN A PURCHASING DEPARTMENT SO THAT WE COULD GET THAT SERVICE LINED UP TO GET WATER TESTED. WE BROUGHT IN MONEY WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN LITIGATION. I FORGET THE EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNT, BUT IT WAS WELL OVER A MILLION.

WE HAVE GOT OPIOID SETTLES COMING IN.

YOU ALL JUST SIGNED ONE LAST COURT SESSION.

SO WHERE WE CAN BE AFFIRMATIVE IN TERMS OF GOING AFTER WHAT CAN BE RECOVERED ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, WE HAVE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. IT JUST DOESN'T TRICKLE BACK TO OUR DEPARTMENT. IT ADDS TO THE OVERALL.

>> IT DOES TRICKLE BACK TO YOUR DEPARTMENT INDIRECTLY.

>> I WANT TRICKLES BACK TO THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE.

IT ADDS TO THE OVERALL BUDGET AVAILABLE, THE FUNDS AVAILABLE.

NOT DIRECTLY TO THE CAO. >> LET'S THINK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW ANY ADDITIONAL FOLKS YOU MIGHT -- IF THERE'S A WORLD IN WHICH THEY CAN BE HELPFUL IN YOUR TEAM GOING AFTER RESEARCHING SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> WHERE THAT CAN INCREASE.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT, COMMISSIONER.

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY YOU CAN PULL UP AND SOME OF MY TEAM MEMBERS ARE HERE. WHETHER HERE OR OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. ANY ADDITIONAL WARM BODY WE PUT IN, WE WILL PUT THEM TO WORK. IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN MAKE MORE FOCUSED, A MORE FOCUSED PRACTICE AREA, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT. WE NEED SOMEONE TO TRACK LEGISLATION. WE POP IN AND DO WHAT WE CAN.

WE MAKE DUE. I'M FROM THE STATE.

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT MEANS TO MAKE DUE, TAKE OUT YOUR OWN TRASH AND UNJAM THE COPIER AND ALL OF THAT.

I COME FROM THE SAME PHILOSOPHY WITH MY TEAM.

WE'RE HAPPY TO BE IN THE SPACE AND PROVIDE THE WORK.

ANYTHING YOU CAN GIVE US, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE

>> THAT'S GOOD. HERE'S MY LAST POINTS, I I PROMISE. I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN YEARS PAST, BUT WE'RE TRIAL SEEING A RISE IN SCAMS ON OUR RESIDENTS. I MEAN, I I HAD A VERY WELL EDUCATED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY WHO, YOU KNOW, HOLD AS DECENT, PROMINENT POSITION IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CALLED AND SHE HAD BEEN SCAMMED OUT OF I THINK IT WAS, LIKE, $13,000, AND THESE ARE REAL THINGS. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE SENIORS WHO ARE REALLY VULNERABLE TO SCAMS AND LOSING ENTIRE RETIREMENTS. THAT IS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SOMETHING I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU ON.

STANDING UP SOME SORT OF, YOU KNOW, OPERATIONS TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AND THE D.A.'S OFFICE OR WHERE WE ARE, BUT I KNOW JUST AS YOU'VE STOOD UP, THINGS POST DISASTER ROULS TO GO AFTER PRICE GOUGERS, I THINK THIS KIND OF FALLS IN THAT LANE, WHICH MEANS BIG DEAL WHEN YOU ARE OR RESIDENTS LOSE THEIR MONEY THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO PAY THEIR TAXES AND STAY IN THEIR HOME AND ALL THAT STUFF. SO I THINK THERE'S A DIRECT BENEFIT TO OUR GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION BY DOING THIS.

NOT TO MENTION JUST IT'S NOT RIGHT THAT FOLKS ARE GETTING

TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. >> IT'S CALLED FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF THE ELDERLY. IT'S A CRIME.

I STARTED WORKING ON THAT BACK IN I THINK IT WAS 2009 WHEN I WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT. AND I THINK THE D.A.'S OFFICE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAD JUST COME UP WITH THEIR ELDERER ABUSE CRIME UNIT. WE REFERRED SOME OF THE FIRST HIGH PROFILE CRIME CASES OVER THERE.

IN FORT BEND COUNTY THE D.A. OFFICE DOES PROSECUTE.

HOUF, MY OFFICE HAD BEEN INTEGRAL IN SUPPORTING ADULT SERVICES. YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH GROUP HOMES. WE'VE SHUT DOWN FOUR LAST WEEK AND ONE OF THOSE THERE WAS A MISSING PERSON THAT WAS FOUND.

SO WE ARE HAPPY TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES, THE PROTECTIVE SERVICE AREA, THAT'S MY PASSION. SO ANYTHING BECK DO TO HELP

[03:35:04]

BUT WHATEVER WE CAN DO, I EVEN DO PRESENTATIONS ON IT.

SO HAPPY TO HELP. THANK YOU.

>> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> THAT TAHOE WAS IN YOUR REPLACEMENT TOTAL?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> PURCHASING. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, GENTLEMEN.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> I HAVE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EVERY TARGET, AND IT'S PERSONNEL RELATED.

SO I'M REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL SENIOR BUYER POSITION TO ASSIST WITH FORMAL SOLICITATIONS. AS PROCUREMENT VOLUME CONTINUES TO INCREASE, SO DOES THE LEVEL OF COUNTY GROWTH AND WE MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO SURGE TO DEMAND IN A TIMELY MANNER.

WE'VE TRIED TO MAKE THIS WORK WITH THE CURRENT RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, BUT IT HAS BECOME A STRUGGLE, AND MY TWO SENIOR BUYERS ARE STRETCHED THIN. SO I REALLY, REALLY NEED THE POSITION. AND IN ADDITION TO COUNTY GROWTH, WE'RE ALSO SEEING AN INCREASE IN ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES, SUCH AS GRANT FUNDS. AND THOSE ARE MORE COMPLEX.

THEY REQUIRE A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL OF DUE DILIGENCE, DOCUMENTATION, TIME, AND SO WITH THAT, WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT ABILITY TO RESPOND, AND RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SPEND THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME ON EACH PROCUREMENT THAT IT NEEDS.

WHILE ALSO KEEPING PACE WITH WHAT OUR OR DEPARTMENTS NEED.

EVEN WHENEVER A PROJECT IS AWARDED THERE, ARE STILL STEPS THAT MY STAFF ARE INVOLVED IN, EVEN AFTER THAT SOLICITATION.

AS FAR AS THE AUDIT, COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONTRACT, PERFORMANCE WITH THE VENDOR, AND SO IT DOESN'T TECHNICALLY EVER GO AWAY, EVEN AFTER A WARD. THEY'RE STILL SPENDING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME ON IT.

AND SO CURRENTLY, WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING SOLICITATION LIST JUST FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR OF 40 PROJECTS.

THE RISK OF NOT ADDING THIS POSITION IS JUST TIMELINESS.

IT MEANS FROM THE POINTS OF INTAKE TO ACTUAL ADVERTISEMENT, THAT TIME PERIOD IS GOING TO INCREASE ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 3 MONTHS TO PROBABLY 4 TO 6 MONTHS.

AND ANOTHER PIECE THAT'S IN THE BUDGET IS I HAVE REQUESTED FOR TWO REPLACEMENT VEHICLES FOR MY TWO INVENTORY POSITIONS.

SO THOSE ARE THE TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT WORK OUT OF THE INVENTORY WARE HOUSE, AND WE RECEIVED RECOMMENDATION FROM VEHICLE MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE THOSE DUE TO USEFUL LIFE WITH THE EXISTING TWO TRUCKS. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> IS THIS ENOUGH? >> I WANT TO FOCUS ON FINDING A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE. SOMETIMES IT CAN BE HARD TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT, AND WOULD TWO BE NICE? ABSOLUTELY. BUT I ALSO WANT TO BE CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE I I REALIZE WHAT DIFFICULT DECISION YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU WITH THE BUDGET. BUT WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PROCUREMENT VOLUME. AND WE TRY TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, BUT WHERE I'M ■SEEING MOST OF THE DELAY RIGHT NOW WOULD JUST BE GETTING PROJECTS SOLICITED.

DRAINAGE HAS A LOT OF PROJECTS. THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT ARE CDBG FUNDED, EVEN WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

LOTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THROUGH FACILITIES, AND THOSE TWO SENIOR BUYERS, THEY ALSO FOCUS ON DOING ALL OF THE ANNUAL TERM CONTRACTS. SO THOSE ARE SPLIT UP TO WHERE WE DO RENEWALS AND RESOURCE SOLICITATIONS TWICE A YEAR.

THEY'RE DOING THAT ON TOP OF ALL THESE OTHER SPECIAL PROJECTS.

I DO HAVE TWO OTHER SENIOR BUYERS, BUT THEY'RE BOND FUNDED SO THEY ONLY WORK ON MOBILITY AND PARKS BOND.

THEY CAN'TS WORK ON ANY OTHER COUNTY FUNDED PROJECTS.

>> YEAH, AND THE REASON -- SO I OPERATE UNDER A DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHY. I THINK FOLKS SHOULD ASK FOR WHAT THEY REALLY DO NEED AND LET US PAIR IT BACK BASED ON REASONABLENESS OF THE BUDGET. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE WOULDN'T KNOW, AND THEN IN FUTURE YEARS WHEN WE GET A LARGER REQUEST, IT'S MORE OF A SHOCKERER THAN IF WE ARE AWARE OF WHAT THE NEED IS, AND, YOU KNOW, WE GRADUALLY TRY TO ADDRESS THAT.

I THINK THERE ARE GOOD EXAMPLES OF A COUPLE DEPARTMENTS, EMS, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, WHO HAVE DONE THAT, GIVEN US AWE ROAD MAP. PURCHASING IS A BIG STICKING POINT I THINK FOR ALL OF US SITTING ON THIS SIDE OF THE TABLE AND THEN OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS BECAUSE OF COURSE WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THINGS DELAYED BECAUSIAL ARE STRETCHED WAY TOO

[03:40:04]

BECAUSE OF COURSE THE REAL PRACTICAL IMPACT IS IT TAKES LONG TORE BID OUT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT. MEANS THAT INTERSECTION THAT NEEDS A TRAFFIC LIGHT WILL GO LONGER WITH PEOPLE GETTING HIT, T-BONED BY CARS.

I'M THINKING OF A VERY SPECIFIC ONE WITH.

OR A BUILDING THAT NEEDS TO BE PREEPDZ OR A WIDGET THAT NEEDS TO BE BOUGHT. THAT'S MAKING SURE YOU HAVE RESOURCES TO DO IT, NOT NECESSARILY FAULTING YOU BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE CAPACITY. THAT'S WHY I ASK.

I KNOW JAMIE AND I ASKED EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THIS WHEN SHE WAS IN THE ROLE JUST MAKING SURE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED HE AND BUDGET HAS WHAT THEY NEED TO PROCESS THIS AND COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS WHAT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE CONTRACTS ARE GOING.

SO THAT'S WHY I ASK THIS QUESTION.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR ANSWER IS NO, THIS IS NOT ENOUGH, BUT THIS IS ALL YOU'RE GOING TO ASK FOR FOR NOW.

>> IT'S ALL I'M GOING TO ASK FOR FOR NOW.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO PREDICT WHAT WE'LL NEED TOO.

YOU KNOW, I SIT THROUGH LISTENING TO EVERYONE ELSE'S REQUEST, AND IT'S EYE OPENING AS TO WHAT WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME A PROCUREMENT THAT I DON'T ALREADY KNOW ABOUT.

SO IT'S HARD TO PROJECT WHAT THE STAFF COUNT WOULD NEED TO BE EVEN TWO YEARS FROM NOW, WHEN I DON'T HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE BUDGET WILL EVEN BE AT THAT POINT, OR WHAT OTHER ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES WE MAY BE AWARDED.

BUT I DO BELIEVE HAVING ONE ADDITIONAL PERSON WOULD WITH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY HELP. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW A LOT OF THAT I'M PERSONALLY TAKING CARE OF ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE.

JUST TRYING TO KEEP US AFLOAT. >> THAT'S FAIR.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT SORT OF ANALYSIS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT APPLES TO APPLES, BUT HAVE WE LOOKED AT --

>> OUR OTHER COUNTIES? >> YEAH.

WHAT THEY HAVE. THEN IT NOT JUST HOW MANY -- WHAT THEIR POPULATION IS AND THEN HOW BIG THEIR STAFF IS.

BECAUSE SOME DON'T HAVE COMPLEX BOND PROGRAMS LIKE WE DO.

>> I KNOW. >> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WITH WOULD ADDRESS THAT, BUT HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THEM?

>> I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER ONES. I HAVEN'T DONE A COMPLEX ANALYSIS LIKE THAT BECAUSE I I KNOW IT WOULD GET COMPLICATED WHEN LOOKING AT APPLES TO APPLES.

I HAVE A TOTAL STAFF COUNT INCLUDING MYSELF OF 17.

TRAVIS COUNTY HAS OVER 50. BEAR COUNTY HAS 24.

>> YEAH. >> WAY MORE UNINCORPORATED AREAS THAN ALL THOSE OTHER AREAS PROBABLY COMBINED.

>> YEAH, SO WE'RE FEELING IT. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> FANTASTIC.

ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENT WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, GENTLEMEN. OKAY.

I'LL START OFF WITH WE'RE CREATING A -- ASKING FOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR POSITION. THAT POSITION IS TO FILL A POSITION THAT WE CHANGED TO PROVIDE AN ASSISTANT TO WUF OUR NEW FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEERS. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION WAS CREATED AND WE SACRIFICED THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TO THE CREATE THAT POSITION.

SO WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THAT POSITION BACK.

THE NEXT THING IS OUR OPERATING BUDGET.

WE'VE HAD SEVERAL CELLSES IN THERE.

JUST TO GIVE YOU A SUMMARY OF THOSE THINGS, 156,000 WAS FOR CONSULTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS, WHICH IS AN ONGOING EVERY YEAR PROJECT. WE'VE HAD TO GET AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT IN NOW BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE GRANTS THAT WE'RE INVOLVED WITH, AS WELL AS MUST HAVE SOME OF OUR OWN WORK WOULD. THERE'S $150,000 INCREASE THAT WAS APPLIED TO THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT.

THE 63 LINE ITEM WE HAD ABOUT A $150,000 INCREASE IN THAT.

THAT'S THE FERT LIELZER, LUMBER AND HARDWARE, OFFICE SUPPLIES, ASPHALT. AND THEN ON OUR 6400 WE HAD TO GET OFFICE FURNITURE FOR THE TWO NEW STAFFERS, THE FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEERS, AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.

AND THEN WE'RE ALSO ADVANCING OUR RAINFALL FLOOD GAUGE SYSTEM.

AND SO THAT'S THAT PART OF IT. AND THEN THERE WAS ALSO A COPY MACHINE FOR OUR MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS OUR SURVEYING EQUIPMENT. WE NEED A NEW SURVEYING INSTRUMENT IN THERE. GOING BEYOND THAT WITH OUR EQUIPMENT, I THINK WE'RE 175,000 OVER WHAT THE BUDGET THEY WANTED US TO TRY TO KEEP WITH. PART OF THAT WAS WE'RE ASKING FOR AN SUV. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF TRUCKS IN THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT. A FEW OF THEM ARE OVER AT OURER

[03:45:04]

THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH THREE QUARTER TONNE TRUCKS, PRETTY HEAVY DUTY. OUR ENGINEERS GO OUT IN THE FIELD QUITE OFTEN TO LOOK AT PROJECTS, BUT WE ALSO GO OFTEN AT MEETINGS INTO HOUSTON, AS WELL AS TO SOME SIMILAR PROGRAMS, AND THEN WE ALSO GO TO MEETINGS, TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND SOME OF YOU HAVE MEETINGS AT NIGHT THAT WE GO TO AND THERE'S MULTIPLE STAFF THAT GO TO THOSE. WE'D LIKE TO HAVE AN SUV TO TAKE THOSE. IT'S A LITTLE BETTER ON GAS MILEAGE AND A LITTLE BETTER TO RIDE IN THAN A THREE QUARTER TONNE TRUCK. ALSO ASKING FOR A LOW BOY TRAILER. WE HAVE ONE LOW BOY TRAILER.

WHAT WE USE THOSE LOW BOY TRAILERS FOR IS MULTIPLE CREWS OUT IN THE FIELD WITH TRACTORS AND EQUIPMENT.

AND AS THEY BREAK DOWN OR NEED REPAIR, NEED TRANSPORTING, WITH THE ONLY SINGLE TRAILER TRUCK WE'VE BEEN USING IT'S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THAT MANY EMPLOYEES OUT IN THE FIELD SCATTERED ALL OVER THE COUNTY. SO WE'RE ASKING FOR A SECOND TRAILER TO ALLOWTOUS FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF THAT EQUIPMENT BETTER THAN WE HAVE BEEN. AND THE THIRD NEW PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THAT'S ADDITIONAL IS WE HAVE DUMP TRUCKS. WE HAVE SOME OFF ROAD DUMP TRUCKS AND WE ALSO HAVE SOME REGULAR DUMP TRUCKS THAT YOU USE ON THE ROAD. WE'LL PROBABLY DUMP INTO THE RIDE AWAY. WE HAVE A 30-FOOT MAINTENANCE BERM AT THE MOST ON OUR CHANNELS AND IN QUITE A FEW OF OUR CHANNELS LESS THAN 30 FEET. IF YOU TAKE A DUMP TRUCK OUT THERE, A TYPICAL DUMP TRUCK OR EVEN OUR OFF ROAD DUMP TRUCK, RIFFRAFF OR DIRT OR WHATEVER YOU NEED TO HAUL OUT THERE, YOU'RE GOING TO DUMP THE TRUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAINTENANCE BERM.

THERE CAN BE NO OTHER TRUCKS PAST THAT.

SO WHAT WE'VE BEEN INVESTIGATING IS A SIDE DUTCH DUTCH TRUCK.

IT ACTUALLY DUMPS OVER THE SIDE, WHICH WOULD BE WOULD MORE BENEFICIAL TO US AS WE DUTCH RIFFRAFF INTO THE BACK OF THE CREEK. WE CAN PULL THE TRUCK RIGHT UP TO THE AREA OF NEED, DUMP IT OVER THE BACK AND A SUBSEQUENT TRUCK CAN FOLLOW AND MAKE THE STAPLE DUMP AND WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR EQUIPMENT TO SCOOP THE DUMP UP AND PICK IT UP AND DUMP IT IN THE CREEK. IT'S ALL DUMPED OVER THE BACK.

WE THINK THAT WOULD BE BSHL FOR US FOR THAT EQUIPMENT.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> THAT EQUIPMENT, ACTUALLY MOST OF THE EQUIPMENT, IF APPROVED AND RECOMMENDED, THOSE WOULD BE MOVED INTO THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.

BECAUSE THEY ARE OVER $100,000 EACH.

LIKE, THE DUMP TRUCKS AND THE TRAILER, AND THE TRACTORS.

YEAH. >> I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR THAT WAS WITH YOU THE SUV.

>> MARK, IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE SEVERAL VACANT POSITIONS IN YOUR OFFICE, AND I'M NOT LOOKING AT HOW LONG THEY'VE BEEN VAKENTS, BUT FOUR OF THEM ARE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS, AND I I KNOW YOU'RE ASKING FOR ANOTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR.

ONE, WHY ARE THEY VACANT? ARE WE HAVING A HARD TIME HOLDING ON TO PEOPLE? I KNOW ROAD AND BRIDGE HAS HAD SOME CHALLENGES WITH THAT, BUT ARE YOU SEEING THOSE SAME THINGS, AND WHAT SUPPORT DO YOU NEED HE TO FILL THOSE?

>> WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FILLING THOSE POSITIONS.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WHAT WE GET ARE OLDER PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY NEEDING THE HIGH PAY RATES THAT OUTSIDE OW FIRMINGS ARE PAYING THAT ARE GETTING THE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

BUT THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

OF COURSE I REALIZE WE'VE EXTENDED THAT INSURANCE AND STUFF OUT TO 20 YEARS. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO WORK TLES 20 YEARS TO BE ABLE TO RETIRE AND GET THOSE BENEFITS, WHICH TAXES US MORE ON BEING ABLE TO GET ANYBODY TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.

BUT WE HAVE BASICALLY SIX DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM. WE HAVE OUR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE CREW. WE HAVE OUR HEAVY EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE CREW. WE HAVE THREE INDIVIDUAL MAINTENANCE CREWS THAT DIVIDE THE COUNTY OUT IN THREE PARTS WHERE THEY MOW AND SPRAY HERBICIDE AND DO GENERAL MAINTENANCE ON THE CHANNELS. AND THEN WE'VE GOT OUR WELDERS, SHOP MECHANICS, AND THAT STAFF IN HOUSE THERE AT OUR MAINTENANCE FACILITY. SO WITHIN ALL THOSE SIX SECTIONS IS WHERE WE HAVE THOSE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS DISTRIBUTE AMONGST THEM. AND SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT AS A LUMP SUM, YOU KNOW, THERE MIGHT BE FIVE OR SIX POSITIONS OPEN, BUT IT'S PRESENTED THROUGHOUT THOSE AREAS OF THOSE DIFFERENT GROWN UPS, AND THEY FILL AND THEN THEY LIVE, FILL AND THEN THEY LEAVE. IT'S NOT THE SAME POSITION OPEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. IT'S JUST OUR TURN OVER IS STILL ONGOING, JUST LIKE ROAD AND BRIDGE HAS.

>> AND THAT MIGHT BE A MORE SPECIFIC AREA WE MIGHT NEED TO LOOK TO STUDY. I'M LOOKING AT NICOLE, HR DIRECTOR. IT'S CDL DRIVES, ALL OF THAT.

I KNOW THAT'S REALLY HAROLD FOR US TO HOLD ON TO THOSE FOLKS.

WE'VE GOTTA ADDRESS IT BECAUSE THE NEED IS HIGH.

AND ALSO, IF WE'RE NOT COMPETITIVE PAY WILES WISE WITH OUR NEIGHBOURING JURISDICTIONS OR WHOM EVER ELSE THOSE FOLKS CAN GO WORK FOR, WE NEED TO LOOK AT ADDRESSING THAT.

[03:50:01]

>> I APPRECIATE THAT. >> QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.

HEARING NONE, THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> PAM, NEXT.

>> THE LAST ONE FOR THIS AFTERNOON IS CONSTABLE PRECINCT

4. >> FANTASTIC.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

[LAUGHTER] >> IT'S BEEN A DAY.

IT'S BEEN A DAY. I APPRECIATE Y'ALL GIVING US

THIS OPPORTUNITY. >> YOU'VE BEEN WAITING ALL DAY

TO SAY THAT, HAVEN'T YOU. >> I HAVE BEEN.

I HAVE BEEN. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME PRESENT TODAY AND GIVE YOU MY REQUEST.

IT'S PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. WE'RE LOOKING FOR TWO POSITIONS.

THEY'LL BOTH BE UTILIZED IN OUR OR CIVIL DIVISION.

AND I KNOW WE ACTUALLY NEEDED IT LAST YEAR, BUT I KNOW LAST YEAR WE DIDN'T DO ANY NEW POSITIONS FOR THE CONSTABLES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, SO WE'RE TRYING TO CORRECT THAT NOW.

AS WE KNOW, JUST DRIVING AROUND FORT BEND COUNTY WE SEE NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS POPPING UP ALL OVER THE PLACE.

AND WITH COMES MORE WORK FOR OUR OFFICE.

AS FAR AS RENTS, EVICTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, WE NEED POSITIONS.

WE'VE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO DOING MORE WITH LESS, BUT OUR FOLKS ARE OVERWORKED JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO LEVEL THAT OFF. SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR

THE TWO CIVIL POSITIONS. >> THAT'S ALL?

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, PLEASE. >> DO WE HAVE DATA ON MULTI FAMILY OR RENTAL PROPERTIES IN EACH PRECINCT? IS ANYONE TRACKING THAT? MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE ASKED JORDAN

THAT. >> AS FAR AS HOW MANY, NO, BUT I I KNOW HOW MANY -- LIKE, THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CIVIL SERVICE PAPERS THAT EACH OF THE CONSTABLES ARE HANDLING.

I HAVE THAT INFORMATION IF YOU WANT I■T.

IT BREAKS IT DOWN BY, YOU KNOW, THE TYPES.

>> THE TYPES, RIGHT. >> OF PAPERS.

YEAH. >> THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE. AND THEN JUST HOW ARE CONSTABLE OFFICES STACKING UP. AND PART OF IT IS NOT EVEN JUST LOOKING AT IT AS THIS PRECINCT COMPARED TO THIS, BUT WHAT DOES VOLUME LOOK LIKE AND WHAT IS THAT CRITICAL THRESHOLD WHERE YOU'RE NOW -- THERE'S BEEN A CERTAIN INCREASE AND NOW THAT'S GOING TO TRIGGERER A NEED FOR INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DEPUTIES TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THESE PAPERS.

TING THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL WITH THESE REQUESTS.

>> NOT EVEN JUST TO SERVICE. THE EVICTION PROCESS IN ITSELF IS A LENGTHY PROCESS. WE'RE FRET HEY STRETCHED THIN IN

THAT AREA. >> I HAD THE GREAT MISFORTUNE OF SEEING HOW MANY STAFF IT TAKES Y'ALL TO DO AN EVICTION AND HOW INVOLVED THAT PROCESS IS FOR YOU ALL.

YEAH. >> I SEE WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR 15 ADDITIONAL VEHICLES. 10 REPLACEMENTS AND 5 NEW ONES.

YOU HAVE TWO ADDITIONAL PEOPLE. WHAT ARE THE OTHER THREE NEW VEHICLES FOR? OR ADDITIONAL VEHICLES FOR.

>> I KNOW WITH VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WE'VE LOST SOME VEH VEHICLES.

HOW IT WORKS IS SOMETIMES WE TURN A VEHICLE IN FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. IF THEY FIND A DWISHTHSY THEY WON'T FIX THAT VEHICLE. SO WE'VE LOST SOME VEHICLES ALONG THE WAY OF THAT PROCESS. OF NOT GETTING THEM BACK WHEN WE TURNED THEM IN. BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME KIND OF ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE THAT I GUESS DIDN'T WARRANT REPAIRING

BECAUSE OF THE COST. >> SO YOU LOST ONE AND DIDN'T GET IT BACK SO THAT IS ONE OF THE ADDITIONS?

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? >> REPLACEMENT VEHICLES.

>> YOU HAVE 10 OF THOSE. YOU HAVE 5 ADDITIONS, 15 TOTAL, 2 NEW PEOPLE. SO MY QUESTION IS WHO ARE THE OTHER THREE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES GOING TO?

IS THAT CURRENT STAFF? >> I'M READING HERE THAT IT'S

CONTRACT FROM MY STAFF. >> IF IT'S CONTRACT THEN IT'S GOING TO BE THE THREE NEW CAP POSITIONS WE HAVE TO GET VEHICLES FORREM I THINK WHAT'S HAPPEN SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ORDER THEM NOW SO THEY'LL BE HERE IN A TIME MANNER, SO WE'RE

JUST DOING THE REQUESTS NOW. >> ONE OF THEM IS FOR CONTRACT.

I'M READING AS THEY COME IN. GO AHEAD, ALVA.

>> SORRY. [INAUDIBLE]

[03:55:17]

>> NEW DEPUTIES AND ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES?

>> I'M SORRY, I MISSED THAT. >> IT WAS LISTED AS TWO NEW DEPUTIES AND TWO ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES, WHICH WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS.

BUT WE'LL FIGURE THAT OUT. >> I'LL LEAVE TO YOU ALL.

. >> FURTHER COMMENTS, ANYONE? THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. APPRECIATE IT.

ALL RIGHT. PAM, ANY --

>> THAT IS ALL THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS AFTERNOON.

WE'LL START BACK AGAIN AT 9 A.M. >> TOMORROW.

OKAY. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN

FOR TODAY? >> TO ADJOURN.

>> SECOND. MEETING ADJOURNED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.