[1. Call to Order.]
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>> GOOD AFTERNOON. TODAY IS THURSDAY MAY 14TH, 2026, IT IS NOW 1PM. I CALL TO ORDER THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, WELCOME EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THROUGH THIS LIVE STREAM AS WELL. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE DO HAVE A FORUM HERE MAY COMMISSIONER ANDY MEYERS LEAD US
IN PRAYER. >> PLEASE STAND AND PRAY WITH ME. MOST GRACIOUS HEAVENLY FATHER GOD THANK YOU FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS YOU HAVE BESTOWED ON US ALL GOD WE ARE GRATEFUL WE LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY AND FREE STATE AND COMMUNITY FATHER WE CONSIDER THE FORT BEND COMMISSION, WE ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE YOUR COURAGE THAT WE DO THOSE THINGS THAT IS MOST BENEFICIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY PERIOD WE ASK ALL THESE THINGS FROM OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
WE WILL DO THE PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG FOLLOWING THE PLEDGE TO THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO MY FLAG AND THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
NOW THE TEXAS FLAG. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD
INDIVISIBLE. >> THANK YOU YOU MAY BE SEATED GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. BEFORE WE BEGIN WELCOME TO TODAY'S AGENDA, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT WORK AND EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN FORT BEND COUNTY.
FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR DEPARTMENT LEADERS, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, STAFF AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE TIME AND EFFORT INVESTED IN THIS YEAR, FIRST ROUND OF BUDGET HEARINGS. IT WAS QUITE AN EXPERIENCE, LASTED FOUR DAYS. THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE NEVER EASY BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE US TO BALANCE GROWING NEEDS WITH RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, ESSENTIAL, A STRONG BUDGET PROCESS CLEARS THE WAY AND DEMONSTRATES ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY. THIS WEEK ALSO REMINDS US OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN ALL FORMS, THIS IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK. A TIME SET ASIDE ACROSS OUR NATION TO HONOR THE COURAGE SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION OF THE MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
TO MORROW MAY 15TH AS PEACE OFFICER MEMORIAL DAY, A SOLEMN REMINDER OF THE BRAVE OFFICERS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN SERVICE TO THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND OUR NATION. WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SERVING OUR FORT BEND COUNTY.
WORKING EVERY DAY TO PROTECT OUR FAMILIES, NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES. THIS SERVICE OFTEN COMES WITH GREAT SACRIFICE AND THIS WEEK, GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIMPLY SAY THANK YOU. MAY 16TH WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED ARMED FORCES DAY, AND HONORED THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE SERVED AND CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY WITH COURAGE, HONOR AND DEDICATION.
WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THOSE, WHO DEFEND THE FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES THAT WE ENJOY AS AMERICANS HERE AS OUR NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER MEMORIAL DAY, I ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER THE BRAVE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIFE IN DEFENSE OF THIS NATION. MEMORIAL DAY IS MORE THAN THE START OF SUMMER, IT IS A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE, GRATITUDE, AND REFLECTION ON THE COST OF FREEDOM.
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE RIGHT HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE, ONE ON FRIDAY MAY 22ND, AND THE OTHER ON MEMORIAL DAY MAY 23RD, PLEASE CHECK THE COUNTY WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MORE DETAILS. AND FINALLY THIS COMING WEDNESDAY AT NOON IS OUR PROCLAMATION DAY CELEBRATION HERE RIGHT AT THE COURTHOUSE, WE WILL BE HONORING A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING A CHAPTER OF NATIONAL FORUM OF ADMINISTRATORS AND
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AMAZING NURSES OF FORT BEND COUNTY.HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THE EFFORT OF THESE TREMENDOUS PEOPLE WHO HELPED MAKE FORT BEND COUNTY GREAT PARK WITH THAT, THERE IS NO OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE WILL MOVE TO TODAY'S AGENDA. >> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY.
JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS, ONE I INVITED THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN US THIS SATURDAY MAY 16TH AT NOON AT THE FOUR CORNERS PARK, WE WILL BE CUTTING THE RIBBON ON THE NEW SPLASH PAD AT FOUR CORNERS, MAJOR IMPROVEMENT TO THE COMMUNITY, GREAT EFFICIENCY, SAVINGS, THE SPLASH PAD WAS ROUTINELY BROKEN AND RUNNING WATER ALL THE TIME. VERY HAPPY AND THANKFUL FOR THE TEAM THAT HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE, AND WHAT YOU WILL SEE OUT THERE IS WHAT STUDENTS FROM THE YMCA PROGRAM FROM THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IN THAT AREA TOLD US ARE THE FEATURES THEY WANTED IN THE SPLASH PAD, BRING YOUR KIDS AND YOUR SWIMMING SUITS AND SWIMMING TRUNKS AND LET'S HAVE SOME FUN AT NOON.
WE WILL ALSO HAVE POPSICLES FOR YOU THAT WON'T BE PARTAKING IN THE WATER FESTIVITIES. WE ASK THAT YOU JOIN US ON TUESDAY MAY 19TH AT 6PM AT OAKLAND ELEMENTARY AS WE HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE MASON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE COMING RIGHT THERE AT MASON AND 99, IF YOU LIVE IN LONGMEADOW FARMS, FIELDSTONE, WATERSIDE ESTATES OR EVEN PECAN GROVE YOU WILL BE IMPACTED BY THIS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SET TO START AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT MONTH, WE ARE GIVING THE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES A HEADS-UP ON WHAT TO EXPECT AND ASK QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OF THE PROJECT TEAM.
THAT IS TUESDAY MAY 19TH AT 6PM AT OAKLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
[3. Approve minutes of regular meeting held on April 23, 2026.]
THAT IS ALL I HAVE, THANK YOU. >> ANYBODY ELSE? WE WILL NOW GO TO ITEM NUMBER 3, APPROVAL OF MINUTES AS PRESENTED, DO I HAVE A MOTION? ANY SECOND?
[4. Public Comments regarding the Agenda and Announcements.]
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.NOW WE PROCEED TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4, PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE AGENDA AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE ONE PROCLAMATION FOR JOURNEY APPRECIATION WEEK PERIOD CAN YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD AND LEAD THE PROCLAMATION? NINEMAC MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION RECORD WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IS CORNERSTONE OF THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM AND GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS WHEREAS CITIZENS WHO SERVE AS JURORS PERFORM AN INVALUABLE PUBLIC SERVICE BY ENSURING THAT JUSTICE IS ADMINISTERED FAIRLY IMPARTIALLY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULE OF LAW WHILE ALSO SAFEGUARDING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS WHEREAS JURY SERVICE EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY IN OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNANCE AND UPHOLD THE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED REFLECTING THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY, WHEREAS JURORS DEVOTED THEIR TIME, ATTENTION, PATIENCE AND THOUGHTFUL DELIBERATION TO RESOLVING DISPUTES AND STRENGTHENING PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, OFTEN MAKING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SACRIFICES IN FULFILLMENT OF THEIR CIVIC DUTY, WHEREAS THE COURTS LEGAL COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTS OF FORT BEND COUNTY PROUDLY RECOGNIZING DEEPLY APPRECIATED THE DEDICATION, INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT DEMONSTRATED BY THOSE WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO JURY SERVICE WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS HELPED PRESERVE THE FAIRNESS, ACCESSIBILITY AND INTEGRITY OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT I. DANIEL WONG, FORT BEND COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT PROCLAIM MAY 11 THROUGH MAY 15TH 2026 AS JUROR APPRECIATION WEEK AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE VITAL ROLE JURORS PLAY IN PRESERVING JUSTICE, PROTECTING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING KRISTEN TO COME FORWARD BY ORDER OF THE COURT.
>> JUDGE ASKED ME TO TELL YOU THAT HE IS IN COURT THIS AFTERNOON AT 1:00 AND WON'T BE ABLE TO BE HERE, BUT MY JURY STAFF IS HERE AND THEY DESERVE RECOGNITION.
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[APPLAUSE] >> PUBLIC COMMENTS, ANY MEMBERS
HAVE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMENTS? >> YES, I WANT TO SAY I KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE SAT IN TO SPEAK ON ITEM 32 A, THERE WAS IN A PREVIOUS MEETING FUNDING MECHANISM ESTABLISHED FOR SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE CONSIDERED TODAY, THE SUMMER PROGRAM STARTS IN JUNE AS PLANNED.
THANK YOU. >> ANYBODY ELSE? AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS, I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE SEVERAL PUBLIC SPEAKERS?
>> THE FIRST ONE IS ON AGENDA ITEM 13B.
>> I DID NOT KNOW I WAS GOING TO BE CALLED THIS EARLY FORGIVE MY NERVES. HOWDY, I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST AGENDA ITEM 13B, I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE WAY THAT THE COUNTY JUDGES CAME TO THE APPOINTMENT.
THERE IS NO JUSTIFIABLE REASON FOR HIM TO BE BROUGHT ON AS A CONSULTANT. I SAY WHY NOT HIRE HIM IN THE OFFICIAL CAPACITY? DO WE NOT HAVE THE MONEY? THIS CREATES A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.
WHEN I LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM I SEE THAT I AM THE YOUNGEST PERSON BY EASILY TEN YEARS I FEEL LIKE IT IS MY DUTY TO REPRESENT THE INTEREST OF FORT BEND COUNTY'S YOUNG RESIDENTS.
WHEN I TRIED TO GET MY FRIENDS INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY IN POLITICS, ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST COMPLAINTS, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I HEAR IS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND THAT'S NOT FROM A LACK OF TRYING, IT IS BECAUSE THERE'S A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL.
IF WE TRULY BELIEVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC IDEALS THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON WHERE EVERYBODY HAS A VOICE, EVERYBODY HAS A VOTE, IF WE TRULY BELIEVE IN WHAT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED IN, WE CANNOT HAVE THE SHENANIGANS TO WHERE WE ARE HIRING SOMEBODY AS A CONSULTANT BECAUSE THAT OPENS A DOOR TO WHERE YOU CAN HIRE SOMEBODY WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER FOR ANYTHING THEY HAVE DONE. WE NEED TRANSPARENCY, IF WE WANT MORE PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED. I UNDERSTAND WANTING TO GIVE THEM A JOB AND UNDERSTAND THEY MAY HAVE A FUTURE AMBITION THAT MAY NOT JUST BE WITHIN THIS COUNTY, BUT AT LEAST CAN WE HAVE THE COMMON COURTESY OF DOING IT THE OFFICIAL WAY? TO ME, THIS SEEMS LIKE WE ARE TRYING TO HIDE CORRUPTION.
I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT LEGACY.
THIS MORNING I JUST LOST A FRIEND, HE WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE LEGACY HE LEFT BEHIND. HE LEFT BEHIND STUDENTS WHO LOVED TO LEARN AND WERE INTERESTED BEFORE WHEN THEY WOULD NOT EVEN PICK A PUBLIC, HE LEFT BEHIND FRIENDS THAT DEEPLY CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY COULD PICK UP A BOOK.
I KNOW THAT MY STATEMENTS MIGHT GO UNHEARD.
BUT I ASK WHAT LEGACY YOU WILL LEAVE.
WILL YOU LEAVE A LEGACY -- NINEMAC 20S REMAINING.
>> WILL YOU LEAVE A LEGACY OF A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUR COMMUNITY OR WILL YOU LEAVE A LEGACY OF SHAME WHERE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU STAND? THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. I'M TRULY SORRY ABOUT YOUR
FRIEND. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS COLBY
ALSO ON AGENDA ITEM 13B. >> HELLO MY NAME IS COLBY, I AM
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A RESIDENT OF SUGARLAND, MY ENTIRE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LIVES HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED IN THE FACT THAT WE ARE HIRING A CONSULTANT TO BE THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE COUNTY JUDGE, RATHER THAN USING THAT MONEY TO HIRE THAT PERSON THROUGH THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF HIRING STAFF HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS AND EVERYTHING WE DO IN FORT BEND COUNTY, AND BY HIRING A CONSULTANT FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF SERVICES, WE DON'T HAVE THAT SAME LEVEL OF VISIBILITY INTO THE PROCESS. WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE ARE HIRING THIS PERSON FOR AND EXACTLY WHAT THEIR ROLE IS GOING TO BE. AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING, JUDGE DANIEL WONG STARTED WITH WANTING TO START THE MEETING WITH TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, FOR FORT BEND COUNTY, I THINK THAT IS SUPER IMPORTANT.I THINK THE WAY WE ARE DOING THINGS, MOVING AROUND MONEY TO HIRE CONSULTANTS FOR OUR CHIEFS OF STAFF, IS NOT THE WAY TO GO ABOUT THINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE TRANSPARENCY WITH ALL OF THE PROCESSES OF STAFFING IN THIS
COUNTY AND HIRING. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
NEXT? >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN ALSO
ON 13B. >> COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS JOHN FROM FORT BEND COUNTY I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 13B.
IT DESCRIBES AS A TRANSFER OF $100,000 TO FUND "CONSULTANT SERVICES." I FIND THAT DESCRIPTION INCOMPLETE. THE BACKUP DOCUMENT TELLS A DIFFERENT STORY. THE TRANSFER FORM DATA TODAY STATES THE EXPLICIT PURPOSE OF CONSULTING FOR CHIEF OF STAFF.
THE $100,000 IS DRAWN FROM SALARY ACCOUNTS IN THE JUDGE'S COUNTY AND DEPARTMENTS, SALARIES, PAYROLL TAXES AND RETIREMENT, IN PLAIN TERMS THIS COURT IS BEING ASKED TO TAKE MONEY BUDGETED FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND REDIRECTED TO PAY A PRIVATE CONTRACT FOR THE SAME ROLE PERIOD THAT CONTRACTOR IS TREVOR, THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 22, HE'S ON THE NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT AND SO IS THE MAN WHO HIRED HIM, U, THE INTERIM COUNTY JUDGE, DANIEL WONG ALSO ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT FOR YOUR SEAT. I WANT TO BE PRECISE ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS. A JUDGE APPOINTED TO OFFICE BY A PARTIZAN MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY NOT ELECTED, HAS HIRED AN ACTIVE FEDERAL CANDIDATE AS A NO BID CONSULTANT PAID WITH COUNTY TAX DOLLARS USING A BUDGET MANEUVER THAT BYPASSES THE COUNTY'S STANDARD HIRING PROCESSES PERIOD THE PUBLIC FACING AGENDA CONCEALED THOSE FACTS BEHIND THE PHRASE CONSULTANT SERVICES.
FORT BEND COUNTY TAXPAYERS DESERVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO IS RECEIVING PUBLIC FUNDS, UNDER WHAT TERMS AND WHY THAT PERSON WAS SELECTED, NONE OF THAT INFORMATION IS IN THE AGENDA AND ALL OF IT IS RELEVANT. I WOULD SAY BEFORE THIS COURT EVEN CONSIDERS AGENDA ITEM 13BI URGE YOU TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ON THE RECORD, WAS A COMPETITIVE PROCESS CONDUCTED BEFORE HE WAS SELECTED? WHAT WERE THE SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE METRICS ATTACHED TO THIS CONTRACT AND WHO AUTHORIZED THE DECISION TO STRUCTURE THIS AS A CONSULTING FEE RATHER THAN A COUNTY EMPLOYMENT POSITION? IF YOU CANNOT ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS TODAY I URGE YOU TO TABLE THIS ITEM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER ALSO ON 13B.
>> HELLO EVERYBODY GOOD AFTERNOON, THANK YOU MY NAME IS ANNA, I'M A FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENT, DISTRICT FOUR, I WAS NOT PLANNING TO COME HERE TODAY BUT MR. WONG I. WILL TELL YOU THIS 13B ITEM, RESPECTFULLY TO ALL OF YOU, IS OUTRAGEOUS.
FIRST OF ALL, LET'S RECAP, KATIE GEORGE WAS PAYING
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CONSULTING FEES TO CHARLES A. LONG TIME AGO TO CONNECT TO HIS LLC. WE DID NOT LIKE THAT THEN, PEOPLE COMPLAINED. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS DIFFERENT. WHAT IS BEING SUGGESTED IN ITEM 13B IS $100,000 IN CONSULTING FEES FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS OF WORK? FROM AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON TO ACT AS A CHIEF OF STAFF, WHO WILL NOT GO THROUGH HR VETTING, WHO WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE RULES AND DISCIPLINARY CUSTOMS AND PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES OF ALL FORT BEND COUNTY EMPLOYEES ACCORDING TO HR. THIS PERSON WHO HAPPENS TO BE A MAGA CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 22 IS GOING TO BE COLLECTING OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE TAXPAYERS. BECAUSE HE IS A "CONSULTANT TENMAC CONSULTANT." THIS IS TREATY THIS IS CORRUPT THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF TRANSPARENCY, THE OPPOSITE OF DEMOCRATIC, LET'S TAKE A FEW STEPS BACKWARDS, THE COUNTY REPUBLICAN JUDGE APPOINTED YOU AS THE INTERIM COUNTY JUDGE, IN A VERY HIGHLY UNUSUAL SITUATION AND YES, WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED A HIGHLY UNUSUAL WHEN IT COMES TO FORT BEND COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE HAVE ALL BEEN A VICTIM OF THIS. HOWEVER, YOU ARE ALSO A CANDIDATE! YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ON OUR NOVEMBER BALLOT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE PERSONALLY CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR CURRENT REPUBLICAN FORT BEND COUNTY PARTY TO SUPPORT THEM BUT I HEARD YOU ARE A VERY BIG DONOR. THIS LOOKS TO ME LIKE A WAY OF FUNNELING MONEY TO ANOTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN FORT BEND OR WHO IS RUNNING FEDERALLY, FEDERALLY, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE FORT BEND COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES RULE ALLOWS FOR A FEDERAL CANDIDATE ON THE BALLOT TO BE ON OUR TAXPAYER DIME. AND COLLECTING MONEY FROM OUR TAXPAYERS FOR THE JOB QUOTE, UNQUOTE, OF CHIEF OF STAFF.THIS IS A MOCKERY, THIS IS REALLY SAD.
WE NEED TO TURN A PAGE FROM THE CORRUPTION AND THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.
THIS IS WHY ELECTIONS MATTER. WE HAVE TO PUT PEOPLE IN OFFICE THAT HAVE INTEGRITY, THAT WILL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND, NOT THEIR POLITICAL FRIENDS.
WITH OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS. IT'S ENOUGH.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> NO OTHER SPEAKERS.
[5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1:00 p.m.: Conduct Public Hearings and take all appropriate action on the following matters:]
>> ALL RIGHT. ITEM NUMBER 5, PUBLIC HEARINGS AND TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE FORMATTERS, I OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR AGENDA ITEM FIVE A, 5B, SUBSECTIONS A THROUGH OH,, 5C SUBSECTION A AND B, AND 5B, AS POSTED IN DETAIL UNDER THE AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS TODAY? I WILL ASK AGAIN IS THERE ANYBODY HERE TODAY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS? HEARING NONE I CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE ACTION ON ITEM FIVE A WILL BE LATER IN THE AGENDA PERIOD DO I HAVE A MOTION ON AGENDA ITEM 5B, SUBSECTIONS A THROUGH OH,, 5C SUBSECTIONS A AND B, AND 5D? TO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM?
>> ANY DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
>> NO, SIR, THAT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN LATER THROUGH A DISCUSSION
[ CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: (6-31)]
NOW I PRESENTED THE REPORT CONSENT AGENDA ITEM SIX THROUGH 31, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM SIX THROUGH 31? AS PRESENTED?
>> I THINK WE NEED TO PULL 13B INTO DISCUSSION.
>> 13B INTO DISCUSSION. ANY SECOND ON THAT? DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM ITEM SIX THROUGH 31 EXCEPT 13B AS PRESENTED?
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS COMMENTS?
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ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND?>> SORRY, ITEM 14, WE DID APPROVE THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA DURING THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT, THIS IS FOR PRECINCT COURTS CONSTABLE'S OFFICE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, I BELIEVE IT IS INTENT TO HELP SUPPORT SOME OF THE INCREASED CALLS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARKING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
JUST FOR GENERAL AWARENESS. >> THANK YOU.
[13. BUDGET TRANSFER(s):]
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 13B.ANY QUESTIONS? >> YES, IF YOU CAN HELP SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? WHY ARE WE GOING THROUGH A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT AS OPPOSED TO A REGULAR PROCESS OF HIRING A STAFFER?
>> I WAS ASKED THE CONSULTING AGREEMENT WAS UNAUTHORIZED USE OF COUNTY FUNDS, THERE IS NO POLICIES THAT PROHIBIT THIS PICK THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS $100,000 OR LESS, FOR FORMAL PROCUREMENT, HOWEVER THIS IS ON THE AGENDA FOR AWARENESS.
>> THE ITEM TODAY IS A TRANSFER FROM SALARY TO CONSULTING.
I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS THE ROUTE BEING TAKEN AS OPPOSED TO HIRING A STAFFER FOR POSITION, OF THIS
FUNDS ALREADY ALLOCATED FOR? >> IT'S A TEMPORARY INTERIM POSITION, WITHOUT KNOWING THAT MAYBE AFTER NOVEMBER OR MAYBE -- THE COURT WOULD HAVE A LOT OF OTHER DECISIONS COMING UP THAT WE DON'T KNOW. NOBODY WAS WILLING TO TAKE A FULL TIME POSITION FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF POSITION.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE USING THE CONSULTANT.
>> YOU HIRED A COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR UNDER THE SAME IDEA.
>> HE IS WILLING TO DO IT. WE ARE TAKING A RISK KNOWING HE
WON'T HAVE A JOB VERY SOON. >> SO THAT WARRANTS -- SO THAT PROCESS WARRANTS PAYING SOMEBODY MORE THAN WE HAD ALLOTTED FOR
THAT PARTICULAR POSITION? >> IT'S ALREADY IN THE BUDGET.
THAT'S WHY WE MADE A DECISION USING A CONSULTANT CONTRACT OR FULL TIME EMPLOYEE STATUS, WHATEVER WAY I CAN HAVE --
>> THERE WAS A CHIEF OF STAFF HERE PRIOR TO YOUR STARTING, BUT I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING -- I. TRIED TO GET EDUCATED DURING THE BREAK ON THIS PARTICULAR AGREEMENT, I DON'T SEE PARAMETERS FOR WHAT THIS CALLS FOR, NUMBER OF HOURS, WHAT IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY HERE? IT IS JUST A FLAT $13,300 A MONTH AND IT DOESN'T REALLY SPECIFY DUTIES, WHY NOT JUST -- AGAIN, TO ME YOU CAN JUST HIRE WHOMEVER YOU WANT THAT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE, NO ARGUMENT THERE. BUT IT IS GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS TO DO THAT AS OPPOSED TO WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR TO HIRE A FULL TIME STAFFER, THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT
UNDERSTANDING. >> IT'S THE SAME NUMBERS --
>> I KNOW MY CHIEF OF STAFF WOULD LOVE TO TAKE HOME $13,000 A MONTH -- NONE OF OUR STAFFERS --
>> THAT WAS THE PREVIOUS CHIEF OF STAFF.
>> THAT WAS NOT WHAT THEY TOOK HOME.
AT ALL. BOTTOM LINE, I DEFINITELY WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK THIS IS THE FISCALLY PRUDENT THING TO DO. MAKES NO SENSE.
TRULY DOESN'T. WE HAVE A ROUTE TO GO TO HIRE WHOMEVER YOU WANT WITH THE MONEY WE HAVE ALREADY ALLOCATED, INSTEAD WE ARE PAYING MORE FOR A JOB WE HAVE ALREADY ALLOCATED FUNDS TO DO AND I'M STILL NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY WE ARE GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND PAYING FOR A ROLE THAT IS OUTSIDE OF WHAT WE ALREADY PAID. AND I REMEMBER BACK IN 2021 WE HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE AFTER THE SAME PERSON WE TALKED ABOUT LOST THEIR ELECTION, TO WORK FOR ANOTHER AGENCY, I MIGHT NEED SOME HELP FILLING IN THE BLANKS HERE BUT THE SAME SORT OF ISSUE WHERE HE AND HIS STAFF WENT TO WORK FOR ANOTHER AGENCY, INCREASED THE SALARIES FOR THOSE POSITIONS AND HAD TO COME BACK TO THE PREVIOUS COURT TO GET MORE MONEY TO FINISH OUT THE YEAR BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS COURT HAD BUDGETED FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR ENDS IN SEPTEMBER END OF SEPTEMBER.
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ARE WE GOING TO EXPECT NOW WE HAVE TO BUDGET MORE MONEY? THIS IS PAYING MORE THAN THIS POSITION PAYS IN TERMS OF TAKEHOME -- >> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS BUT I DID THIS LEGALLY AND WITH TRANSPARENCY, I'M OPERATE MY STAFF AND YOU OPERATE YOUR
STAFF. >> THIS IS NOT TRANSPARENT
TRANSPARENT AS HIRING -- >> WE CAN SAY THAT ALL DAY LONG.
>> WE HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE NUMBER OF HOURS REQUIRED, WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES CARRIED OUT, NONE OF THAT IS SPELLED OUT. IF YOU HAVE IT BY ALL MEANS --
>> HOW DID THE STAFF, HOW OFTEN THEY PERFORM I DON'T GET INTO
THAT -- >> I HAVE A JOB DESCRIPTION.
>> I HAVE A JOB DESCRIPTION, CHIEF OF STAFF.
>> THAT'S NOT IN THE CONTRACT. >> IT'S DOING THE SAME THING --
>> THAT IS NOT IN THE CONTRACT AND THAT'S NOT WHAT IS SPELLED
OUT. >> LEGALLY I CAN CONTRACT ANY
CONSULTANT I WANT. >> BY ALL MEANS I'M NOT ARGUING WITH THAT. BUT WE HAVE A POSITION ALREADY BUDGETED FOR, WHY NOT FILL THAT INSTEAD OF USING MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PAY SOMEBODY MORE THAN THAT POSITION CALLS FOR?
>> THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY HOW I OPERATE MY STAFF IS DIFFERENT
THAN HOW YOU OPERATE YOUR STAFF. >> I DON'T THINK THIS IS AT ALL FISCALLY PRUDENT HERE I THINK THIS IS A MISUSE OF OUR TAXPAYER
FUNDS. >> I'M ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS JUST AS YOU HAVE IN THE PAST ON EVERY NITPICKY EVERY THING.
I'M NOT CHALLENGING STAFF, I'M CHALLENGING THE ROUTE BEING USED TO PAY MORE THAN WE HAVE BUDGETED, FOR SOMEBODY TAKE HOME PAY! FOR THIS POSITION! THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. AS MUCH AS WE HAVE BEEN SCRUTINIZING EVERYBODY ELSE'S BUDGET THIS WEEK DURING BUDGET HEARINGS, I DON'T SEE WHAT IS THE -- YOU'RE SAYING I'M OPENING THE DOOR? WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS, IT'S A LOGICAL CONVERSATION.
PEOPLE HAVE CALLED ME TODAY PRIOR TO THIS MEETING ASKING QUESTIONS AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE AN ANSWER.
PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE AND WHY WAS THIS BEING NOW, THIS PARTICULAR ROLE, SOMETHING THAT THE TAKE HOME PAY
AFTER THIS MEETING -- THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY EVERYBODY -- ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> SIMPLE, THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT IS FOUR MONTHS.
IS IT A GUARANTEED COMPENSATION FOR FOUR MONTHS? WHAT IF YOUR APPOINTMENT ENDS JUNE 16TH?
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT? >> I CAN TERMINATE ANY TIME I
WANT. >> WHAT I'M SAYING IS IF THE COUNTY IS CONTRACTED, NOT YOU, AND YOUR INTERIM APPOINTMENT ENDS JUNE 16TH, YOU CANNOT TERMINATE IT BECAUSE YOU WON'T BE THE COUNTY JUDGE. SIMPLE QUESTION.
IS IT A GUARANTEED CONTRACT FOR FOUR MONTHS OF PAY, OR DOES IT TERMINATE CAN BE TERMINATED EARLY?
>> I CAN TERMINATE ANY TIME I WANT JUST LIKE ANY CONSULTANT.
>> I'M NOT TRYING TO BE ARGUMENTATIVE.
>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING I CAN TERMINATE ANY TIME I WANT.
>> JUNE 16TH, LET'S SAY NOTHING ELSE CRAZY HAPPENS, AND HE IS REMOVED FROM OFFICE, AND IT COMES TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO APPOINT A JUDGE. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE AGREEMENT?
>> I WILL LOSE MY JOB AND HE WILL LOSE HIS JOB.
>> IT WOULD STOP -- >> IF YOU WANT HIM TO CONTINUE
HIRE HIM [LAUGHS] >> WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE AGREEMENT, IS THERE AN AGREEMENT?
>> MY UNDERSTANDING I LOSE MY JOB HE LOSES HIS JOB.
>> IS THERE A AGREEMENT? IS THERE AN AGREEMENT?
>> I WILL TERMINATE -- >> IS THERE AN AGREEMENT?
THAT WE CAN SEE? >> WE HAVE A CONSULTANT JUST
[00:35:01]
LIKE ANY OTHER CONSULTANT. >> IT'S MORE MONEY IS THERE AN
AGREEMENT? >> IT'S AN AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE PERSON SUBJECT TO THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS.
I NEED TO CLARIFY THAT THIS CALCULATION OF THE FUNDS WAS BASED ON -- IT'S ACTUALLY LESS THAN THE TOTAL COST OF FULL TIME
>> THE CONSULTING FEE IS 13,000 AND CHANGE PER MONTH.
IT IS NOT TOTAL UP TO $100,000 PERIOD I WANT TO BE CLEAR TO THE COURT I WAS ASKED TO MAKE SURE IT STAYED WITHIN THE AMOUNT AND WAS BUDGETED FOR THE POSITION, IT IS ACTUALLY LESS.
>> SO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDS SEPTEMBER 30TH, WE ARE
TRANSFERRING $100,000. >> CORRECT.
>> IT WOULD MOVE TO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, IF THE FUNDS ARE NOT USED UP, 13,000 AND CHANGE A MONTH.
>> SO THIS IS DIFFERENT THEN? WHAT WE ARE SAYING NOW IS WE ARE TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO EXTEND ACROSS MULTIPLE FISCAL YEARS? I KNOW IN OUR BUDGET ENDS, ALL OF THIS GETS INTO THE BALANCE WE ARE SAYING WE ARE NOT SWEEPING THIS?
>> IT WOULD GO INTO THE FUND BALANCE THROUGH THE STANDARD BUDGET PROCESS TO FUND PURCHASE HOLDERS CONTINGENCY FOR ALL THE PURCHASE HOLDERS THAT ENCUMBER FUNDS AND WE HAVE TO HAVE A BUDGET TO ENCUMBER THOSE FUNDS, THE AGREEMENT IS FOR 100,000, THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER, AND WITH THE FUNDING AMOUNT APPROVED THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER, WE HAVE TO HAVE A BUDGET, THEREFORE THIS IS NECESSARY. WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, ON THAT PURCHASE ORDER, PURCHASE ORDER CONTINGENCY ON A LEVEL ACCOMPLISHED TRANSFERRING THOSE FUNDS TO THE AGREEMENT, CONTINUE INTO FISCAL 27.
>> I DO WANT TO CLARIFY, YOUR POINT WAS WRONG IN THAT TAKE
HOME IS NOT $13,300 -- >> I DID NOT SAY TAKE HOME, THE
COST OF THE POSITION. >> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I SAID, NONE OF OUR STAFF TAKES HOME $13,000 A MONTH.
THAT'S MY POINT. >> QUESTION, UNDER THE PURCHASE ORDER GIVES A CONTRACT. YES.
AND RIGHT NOW THE ACTION IS JUST TO MOVE MONEY TO FUND THE
>> ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THIS AGREEMENT SPELLED OUT.
>> IN THE AGREEMENT THAT SUPPORTS THIS.
>> I HAVEN'T SEEN THE AGREEMENT. >> JURORS DON'T USUALLY COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BECAUSE. [INAUDIBLE] PREVIOUSLY, 50,000 BELOW, NOW IT'S 100,000 BELOW, WE NEED TO FUND IT BEFORE THIS CAN BE ISSUED.
>> WE HAVE A PURCHASE ORDER UNDER $100,000 PER I CAN AT LEAST SEE THE PURCHASE ORDER AND WHAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE.
I THINK PEOPLE ASKING QUESTIONS WANT TO KNOW THAT.
I WILL AGREE THAT JUDGE WONG SHOULD BE ABLE TO HIRE WHO HE WANTS TO HIRE. I WON'T ARGUE THAT.
I THINK MORE THAN QUALIFIED TO DO WHAT HE IS DOING I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DETAILS ARE. IF THE DETAILS WERE SPELLED OUT WOULD ANSWER QUESTIONS HERE. AT WHAT POINT IN TIME WILL THERE BE A PURCHASE ORDER WITH THE DETAILS SO WE CAN ALL SEE?
IT WILL BE A PURCHASE ORDER SUPPORTED BY AN AGREEMENT THAT HAS THE DETAILS YOU ARE DESCRIBING.
THE DETAILS OUGHT TO BE PUBLIC INFORMATION CORRECT?
>> THEY ARE. ALL OPEN RECORDS, INFORMATION.
>> CAN YOU TELL ME WHEN WE CAN SEE THE AGREEMENT?
>> ANY TIME. >> DOES IT EXIST?
>> A DRAFT EXISTS THAT'S SUBJECT TO THE FUNDING APPROVED TODAY IF APPROVED ONCE THAT OCCURS THEN THE WORK FLOW ON THE AGREEMENT AND THE INCUMBENTS OF THE FUNDS CAN PROCEED, THAT CANNOT HAPPEN UNTIL OR UNLESS HE APPROVED THE FUND.
>> MAY I SEE THE DRAFT? >> IT'S IN OUR WORKFLOW Q.
>> I WOULD NOT KNOW WORKFLOW IF IT WAS KEPT ON MY FOOT.
>> WE WILL HAVE OUR PURCHASING AGENT COME AND SPEAK TO THIS
WITH HER EXPERTISE. >> COMMISSIONER YOU ASKED A
[00:40:05]
QUESTION ABOUT THE TERMINATION PIECE, WE CAN TELL YOU HOW THAT READS IN THE AGREEMENT. IT SAYS THIS AGREEMENT SHALL TERMINATE UPON THE EARLIEST OCCURRENCE OF THE FOLLOWING, THE EXHAUSTION OF FUNDS CERTIFIED BELOW BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR, OR THE CONCLUSION OF JUDGE WONG CURRENT TERM OF OFFICE, SO ITWILL END -- >> I DON'T LIKE ASKING QUESTIONS TO BE HEARD AND SEEN, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE ASK THESE QUESTIONS. WITH THAT BEING SAID, CAN YOU EMAIL ME THE AGREEMENT RIGHT NOW?
>> YES, I HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.
I CAN DO THAT. >> AND I WANT TO ASK, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO READ THE AGREEMENT BEFORE WE MOVE ON PERIOD I JUST
WANT TO SEE THE AGREEMENT. >> BY ALL MEANS.
WE CAN MOVE THIS LATER AND WE CAN ADD ON THIS LATER.
>> I JUST NEED TIME TO READ OKAY THAT'S ALL.
>> IF YOU HAD ASKED ME THIS I WOULD HAVE SENT IT TO YOU.
IT'S ALL OPEN, EVERYBODY CAN -- >> JUST TO CLARIFY THE REASON IT'S NOT PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA IS THAT'S FOR BUDGET TRANSFER, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AGREEMENTS THAT'S EXECUTED BY ME AND IS NOT
PRESENTED TO COURT. >> I JUST WANT TO READ IT.
OKAY. >> WE WILL GO TO THIS ITEM AFTER THE COMMISSIONER READS THE AGREEMENT THOROUGHLY AND IS SATISFIED. SEND IT TO ALL OF THEM! ANYBODY WANTS ONE? JUST ASK ME.
NOW WE GO -- >> WE NEED A LEGAL OPINION, YOU WILL TAKE THIS TO CLOSED SESSION?
>> NO LATER IN THE AGENDA. >> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.
I MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU SAID. NINEMAC WE WILL GO BACK TO 13B.
>> I THOUGHT YOU NEEDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT.
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT LONG. >> I DON'T THINK THE ITEM WOULD
BE QUALIFIED TO BRING TO COURT. >> I JUST WANT TO READ IT RIGHT
NOW. >> IS THERE A QUESTION TO
POSTPONE LATER IN THE AGENDA? >> JUST RAISE YOUR HAND SO I CAN
SECTION THREE, WE NOW MOVE TO THE DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEMS UNDER SECTION THREE OF THE AGENDA BEGINNING WITH AGENDA
ITEM 32 A AND B. -- >> JUDGE, I'M PULLING ITEM 32 A AND B, WE DISCUSSED THOROUGHLY IN A AND IN B, THE CITIZEN CHOSE
TO WITHDRAW HIS REQUEST. >> WHICH TWO ITEMS?
DO I NEED A MOTION ON THIS? >> NO.
NOW IS THERE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A REQUEST ON AGENDA
[33. AUDITOR:]
ITEM -- LET'S MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 33 A THROUGH L AS PRESENTD BY THE AUDITOR. A THROUGH L.>> YOU HAVE TO PULL EIGHT. >> THERE'S GOING TO BE A
WORKSHOP ON IT H. >> IS OMAR HERE?
>> I THOUGHT I SAW KRISTINA. >> COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, BEFORE YOU PROCEED WITH YOUR MOTION FOR THE REST OF THOSE ITEMS, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THAT NOTE ON A COUPLE MORE ITEMS.
>> YES -- >> SO WE DON'T FORGET ABOUT
THOSE. >> THERE'S A QUESTION ABOUT ITEM
H. >> I'M ASKING TO BE PULLED FOR ACTION, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE TO BASICALLY GIVE US AN UPDATE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE INFORMATION FROM HIM, AT THIS POINT IN TIME I DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, I WAS IN BUDGET HEARINGS I DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS PARTICULAR DATA HERE I'M LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT. I WILL ASK WE DELAY TAKING
ACTION. >> COMMISSIONER LET ME READ THROUGH THAT I'M SO SORRY. [LAUGHS] I'M STILL READING. LET ME READ THROUGH THAT AND WE
[00:45:01]
WILL HAVE COMMENTS. NEXT WE MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 33A THROUGH L AS PRESENTED BY THE AUDITOR, A COUPLE REQUESTS REGARDING THIS ITEM. FIRST, REQUEST TO TAKE ACTION ITEM -- AGENDA ITEM 33F, 33G, 33 I, 33J AND 33K INTO CLOSED SESSION. SECOND, AS A REQUEST AGENDA ITEM 33H BE CONSIDERED AS PRESENTED FROM THE PRESENT AND WISH TO ADDRESS THE COURT REGARDING THIS ITEM.SO WITH THAT, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEMS 33 A 33B, 33C, 30 3D, 33E AND 33L AS PRESENTED?
>> I HAVE THE MOTION AND A SECOND ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION
AND COMMENTS? >> I WILL JUST ADD A CLARIFICATION FOR THE OFFICE, YOU ARE MOVING IT INTO CLOSED
SESSION, UNDER SECTION 551.007. >> YES.
THANK YOU. NOW THAT I HAVE THE MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? PASSED UNANIMOUSLY THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGENDA ITEM 34, PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT. >> JUDGE ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE
UP 33H FIRST? >> LET'S DO THAT.
LET'S TAKE UP 33H. CAN YOU READ 33H?
>> YES, SIR. TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON REQUEST TO THE HOUSTON-GALVESTO AREA COUNCIL HGAC TO TRANSFER THE CURRENT CASH BALANCE OF 465,732 AND $0.33 FROM THE RRRS SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM FOR THE FORT BEND COUNTY FOR DEPOSIT IN THE ARPA REVENUE REPLACEMENT FOR PUBLIC ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS TO BE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT.
>> PLEASE COME FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US,
ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE. >> PICK UP THE MIC SO WE CAN
>> I WILL SCREAM A LITTLE BIT. AS I MENTIONED, IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE AT COURT WITH THE ESTEEMED JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS OMAR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS AT THE HOUSTON-GALVESTO AREA COUNCIL WITH MY COLLEAGUE CHRISTINE CORNELIUS, WE ARE PRESENTING FORT BEND COUNTY'S SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM WHICH IS PUBLICLY KNOWN AS THE TRIPLE R PROGRAM.
I'M WAITING FOR THE SLIDES TO COME UP HERE WHILE WE DO THAT A REMINDER THAT TRIPLE R BEGAN DURING COVID, IT WAS A RESPONSE TO SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WERE IN NEED AND IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC, AND FORT BEND COUNTY HAD THE FORESIGHT TO STAND UP IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES.
ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN OUR REGION, IN OUR STATE, FORT BEND COUNTY LED THE WAY WITH THAT.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO TODAY WE HAVE A QUESTION BEFORE THE COURT, THE AGENDA ITEM WAS READ.
THIS IS A REVOLVING LOAN WHICH MEANS THAT AS BUSINESSES REPAY THAT PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST GOES INTO THE POT AND THAT PART IS AVAILABLE FOR RELENDING TO ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES.
IT GOES ON IN PERPETUITY. WE HAVE ACCUMULATED A BALANCE OF NEARLY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN THAT POT WHICH IS READY TO BE DISBURSED TO NEW BUSINESSES. BUT THE QUESTION BEFORE THE COURT IS WHETHER OR NOT TO BE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES WHICH LEADS TO MORE JOBS, TAXES, SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, OR DO WE TAKE THOSE FUNDS AND SUPPORT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN THE FORM OF RENT PAYMENTS, GROCERIES OR UTILITIES. BOTH NECESSARY, BOTH IMPORTANT, BUT WE WANTED TO PRESENT WHY AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SUCH AS TRIPLE R MAKES SENSE IN THIS CONTEXT AND IN THIS ECO ECONOMY. SOME FAST STATS REGARDING THE CURRENT TRIPLE R PROGRAM THE FIRST DEPLOYMENT DURING COVID
[00:50:04]
WAS ABOUT $1.3 MILLION WAS THE ORIGINAL CAPITALIZATION, FULLY DEPLOYED, SERVING ABOUT 29 BUSINESSES, CREATING OR RETAINING 148 JOBS, 150 JOBS. THE COST PER JOB ABOUT 8700.WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT $1.298 MILLION, IF YOU BREAK THAT DOWN TO THE NUMBER OF JOBS CREATED OR RETAINED, THAT FUND WAS ONLY ABOUT $9000 PER JOB PER WHEN YOU COMPARE THAT TO THE BENCHMARK OF $45,000 PER JOB, TRIPLE R PRODUCED THAT FOUR TIMES MORE EFFICIENT RATE. I MENTIONED WE HAVE 500000 AVAILABLE FOR RELENDING, WHICH HAS A POTENTIAL TO ADD 54 JOBS PLUS. NEXT SLIDE.
THERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF PUBLIC REVOLVING FUNDS THAT MULTIPLY IMPACT OVER TIME. THEY HAVE A FEW EXAMPLES THERE FOR YOU, THE TEXAS LONE STAR PROGRAM WHICH INVOLVES FIVE TIMES OVER SFAS, OUR PROGRAM, REVOLVING FIVE TIMES OVER TEN YEARS. THIS IS COMPRISED OF A NATIONAL NETWORK OF 824 MILLION IN TOTAL CAPITAL, 45,000 NATIONWIDE PROJECT, AND FORT BEND AS PART OF THAT CONTEXT AND LEGACY.
WE DON'T HAVE TO GO REALLY FAR TO HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW IMPACTFUL THESE FUNDS ARE, WE CAN SAY RIGHT HERE IN OUR RE REGION. RECEIVING THIS FIRST REVOLVING LOAN FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION IN 2008, THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL $1 MILLION CAPITALIZATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN 2008, A LITTLE HURRICANE CAME THROUGH AND DEVASTATED A LOT OF BUSINESSES. WE RECEIVED $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT THOSE BUSINESSES, ANOTHER MAJOR DISASTER AGAIN, 18 YEARS LATER, WE HAVE REVIVED THAT $1,000,000.04 TIMES.
WE WERE ABLE TO RECYCLE THAT MONEY TO HELP DOZENS OF BUSINESSES OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS.
CURRENTLY WITH THAT MONEY FULLY DEPLOYED, WE HAVE NINE LOANS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY SERVICING, 1 MILLION THAT IS OUT AND DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE LOANS, EIGHT OF THEM ACTIVE, PAYING ON TIME, ONE IS DEFAULTED BUT THEY HAVE REPAID ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THAT LOAN BALANCE BEFORE THEY FAILED.
AND THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH A LACK OF DISASTER RELATED LENDING IN REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS. THE DEFAULT RATE.
WE CAN COMPARE THAT TO OTHER COVID ERA PROGRAMS LIKE THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S, ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN.
MAJOR PROGRAM DURING COVID THAT HELPED MOST SMALL BUSINESSES.
YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY VERY FAMILIAR WITH PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM, BUT EIDL IS THE FLAGSHIP DISASTER LENDING PROGRAM PERIOD YOU WILL NOTICE IS THE SDA CHARGE NEARLY 370,000 LOANS TO $1.47 BILLION DURING THIS PERIOD CURRENTLY, AS OF SUMMER 2024, THERE'S ALMOST 100000 DELINQUENT LOANS THROUGH THAT PROGRAM, THAT IS NOT BECAUSE BUSINESSES DON'T WANT TO PAY, THESE BUSINESSES WERE IN DIRE NEED, NEEDED SUPPORT, NEEDED RESOURCES, SBA STEPPED UP PROVIDED RESOURCES FOR THESE BUSINESSES BUT THEY COULD NOT MAKE IT BIG THE TRIPLE R PROGRAM PERFORMED MUCH BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL PROGRAM, WITH 15 CURRENT LOANS CURRENTLY, FOR DELINQUENT LOANS, TEN DEFAULTED.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RIGHTS, THE CAPITAL BEING RETURNED TO THE PROGRAM, TRIPLE R PERFORMANCES ARE BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL COUNTERPART. NEXT SLIDE.
SO I AM JUST GOING TO SPEAK FOR THE REST OF THESE, WE TALKED ABOUT 1.3 MILLION DEPLOYED, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE YEAR OVER YEAR, PROJECT OUT, CURRENTLY WE GET 150,000 IN ANNUAL REPAYMENTS, AS WE DEPLOY THAT NEXT ALMOST $500,000 WE ARE LOOKING AT AN ADDITIONAL MAYBE FIVE TO TEN BUSINESSES WE SUPPORT THROUGH THOSE RESOURCES, WE DO THAT YEAR OVER YEAR THAT'S ABOUT 250,000 IN ANNUAL RESOURCES THAT WE ARE DEPLOYING OUT TO BUSINESSES.
[00:55:05]
NEXT SLIDE. WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, DIRECT JOBS AND PAYROLL, 148 JOBS ALREADY CREATED, 54 TO COME IF WE MAKE ANY WAGE ASSUMPTIONS, $60,000 IN FORT BEND COUNTY AS AVERAGE WAGES. WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IN TEN YEARS, YOU SEE AT THE TOP ABOUT 450 JOBS.24 -- 240 MILLION PAYROLL IMPACT, 1.6 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES, 4 MILLION IN SCHOOL TAXES.
IT IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT CONTINUES TO GET BACK TO THE COUNTY OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IN PERPETUITY.
NEXT SLIDE. SO WHAT WE PROPOSE IS SOMETHING THAT THE HOUSTON-GALVESTO AREA COUNCIL DOES VERY WELL ALREADY, YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE ALREADY OPERATING WITH A TRIPLE R PROGRAM AS YOU SEE HERE IN PILLAR ONE, WE ARE CONVENER, WE ARE A CONNECTOR, RESOURCE PROVIDER.
THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALREADY DO COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WORK, IT'S ABOUT LEVERAGING RESOURCES THAT ARE ALREADY THERE, LEVERAGING PARTNERS ALREADY THERE TO PROVIDE THAT ASSISTANCE WHILE FORT BEND CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC RESILIENCE, THEN TO PARTNERED WITH OUR BANKING INSTITUTIONS AND OTHERS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT WE CAN PUT INTO THE TRIPLE R FUND, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THAT'S WHAT WE DO NATURALLY.
NEXT SLIDE. WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING IS TO PRESENT TRIPLE R LONG TERM, RETAINING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CONTINUING TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES AND SUPPORT FAMILIES, SUPPORT JOBS, SUPPORT THE OVERALL ECONOMY IN FORT BEND, AND THE WAY THAT THAT LOOKS IS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ASSISTANCE, FOUNDATION, PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT, AND BANKING PARTNERSHIPS, UTILITY SUPPORTS AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AS OMAR STATED IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, THAT IS SOMETHING WE ALREADY DO NATURALLY.
WE DID IT ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS, SOMETHING THAT WE WORKED ON YESTERDAY. IT'S IN OUR BLOOD.
SO HOW DO WE GROW? A LIST TO BUILD THE PIPELINE PERIOD ONE THING IS THAT THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP HERE FORT BEND IS PROMOTING LONG TERM WILL BE THE FIRST INITIATOR TO, ANY ALL DID A POST TELLING THE COMMUNITY THIS MONEY WAS AVAILABLE.
WE HAD OVER 400 APPLICATIONS, WE WERE OVERLOADED WITH ALL THIS OPPORTUNITY AND BUSINESSES. WE HAVE A FULL STAFF THAT IS READY TO DEPLOY THESE ROLES AND MEET WITH BUSINESSES AND SUPPORT THEM NOT ONLY THROUGH LENDING BUT CONSULTING AND ADVISING AND WORKSHOPS. WHAT WE WOULD DO IS CHAMBER AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIPS, RIGHT HERE IN FORT BEND, MAKING SURE WE ARE PRESENT AND THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT WE DO AND WHAT SUPPORT WE CAN PROVIDE.
BANK AND LEND A REFERRAL NETWORKS, WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO BUILD, DIGITAL AND COMMUNICATIONS.
PROMOTING FROM OUR END, WHAT OUR PERSONAL PLATFORMS ARE, AND VIRAL AMBASSADORS. ONE THING IN THE HANDOUT YOU RECEIVED WAS TESTIMONIALS FROM SOME OF THE BORROWERS, LAST TIME WE WERE HERE WE ALL VIEWED THE VIDEO, RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY MAKING JOBS LOOKING TO EXPAND.
WE TALKED TO THEM THIS MONTH ABOUT EXPANDING AND POSSIBLY DOING ANOTHER LOAN FOR THEM. AND ALSO THE EVENTS PICK IN THE HANDOUTS, YOU SEE THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL EVENTS THAT WE HAVE RESEARCHED THAT WE ARE WRITING ON THE CALENDAR, READY TO PROMOTE THIS PROGRAM SO THAT IS HER PRESENTATION.
WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> QUESTION, COMMENTS. >> OMAR, I DO HAVE ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS -- AND HAS BEEN EXPLAINED IS THE LEVEL OF DEFAULTS. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE DEALING WITH SOME FIRMS THAT BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, BUSINESS IS
[01:00:02]
SHUT FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, OBVIOUSLY THAT DOES NOT HELP YOUR BUSINESS VERY MUCH AND A LOT OF THESE, SOME OF THESE OBVIOUSLY HAVE FOUND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY.ONE OF THE THINGS OF THE PROGRAM WAS INTENDED TO DO WAS TO TRY TO HELP THEM OUT. BUT THE LEVEL OF DEFAULTS I HAVE TO BE REALLY FRANK IS A LITTLE BIT CONCERNING TO ME AND SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE DOING TO TRY TO TAKE OVER THAT
ISSUE. >> GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER.
AS I MENTIONED IN THE SLIDES, WHEN YOU HAVE A DISASTER AND YOU HAVE THESE FEDERAL STATE/COUNTY LEAD PROGRAMS, OFTEN TIMES THEY ARE GOING TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES THAT MAY NOT BE IN THE BEST SITUATION, BUT YOU ALSO ARE GOING TO HAVE RELAXED UNDERWRITING CRITERIA, WHICH WE FIND ACROSS THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. TRIPLE R IS NO DIFFERENT, BECAUSE MOST OF THE BUSINESSES IMPACTED HEAVILY, IF THEY COULD NOT RECEIVE A LOAN THROUGH PPP WHICH IS THE BANK SOURCES OR THE SPA WHICH HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF UNDERWRITING CRITERIA, THEY GO TO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS WHERE THE LAST SAVING GRACE, SO WE DID SEE DEFAULTS, BUT THE RATE OF DEFAULT COMPARED TO THOSE OTHER PROGRAMS WERE A LOT LOWER. SO THERE IS A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT THE STAFF DATED TO UNDERWRITE AND MAKE SURE THAT ALTHOUGH WE DID HAVE OUR LAST UNDERWRITING CRITERIA, WE WERE NOT JUST ACCEPTING ANY BUSINESS. THE BUSINESSES THEY DID GET IN TROUBLE AND DID FAIL, THEY WERE ALREADY MAY BE A LITTLE SHAKIER, AND IF YOU ARE A RESTAURANT FOR AN EXAMPLE AND A RESTAURANT OPENS ACROSS THE STREET, THAT'S KIND OF DISRUPTION MAY NOT BE SOMETHING YOU CAN RECOVER FROM, RIGHT? EAT ADDITIONALLY WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY, WHAT WE HAVE DONE ACTUALLY IS UPDATE OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF COVID AND SO WE ARE RETURNING TO TRADITIONAL UNDERWRITING STANDARDS AND THAT IS GOING TO PREVENT A LOT OF THE DEFAULTS YOU SEE. THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM THAT I MENTIONED WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, WE ALSO SAW IT EARLY DEFAULTS, RIGHT? THAT HAPPENS. THAT'S A RESULT OF THOSE TYPES OF PROGRAMS. BUT OVER TIME IT STABILIZES THE SAME WAY THAT TRIPLE R WILL AND YOU ARE ABLE TO RESOLVE THOSE FUNDS FIVE, TEN, SIX TIMES OVER, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO TO HELP THE BUSINESSES WITHIN FORT BEND.
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO THAT IS TO KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING.
>> SO YOU PROCEED THE MORE STRINGENT WRITING THAT YOU ARE NOW EMPLOYING WOULD REDUCE THE LEVEL OF DEFAULTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING? THEY ARE PRETTY HIGH.
>> YES, SO WE HAVE ONE DEFAULT ON THE CURRENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.
ON ANOTHER PROGRAM WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WE OPERATE THE 504 PROGRAM, WE HAVE NO DEFAULTS ON THAT PROGRAM.
AND THAT IS A TESTAMENT AGAIN TO THE UNDERWRITING CRITERIA.
>> THE UNDERWRITING CRITERIA, THE SAME THING.
>> YOU GOT IT. >> YOU ANTICIPATE GOING FORWARD THAT YOUR DEFAULT EXPERIENCE WOULD BE MORE IN LINE WITH THE TWO THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, A VERY LOW DEFAULT RATE?
>> YES, SIR,. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.
THE QUESTION I HAVE IS THAT YOU ORIGINALLY SERVED 29 BUSINESSES?
>> YES. AND TEN OF THOSE ARE IN DEFAULT, FOUR OF THOSE ARE DELINQUENT, AND WE CURRENTLY ARE --
WE HAVE 15 LOANS OUT, CORRECT? >> CORRECT.
>> OUT OF 1.3 MILLION. >> CORRECT.
BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT THE FUND HAS ALREADY RETURNED 500,000 --
>> THAT IS WHAT IS LEFT? >> THE ACTUAL STATISTICS.
CURRENTLY AT THE END OF MARCH, 832,000 CURRENTLY LENT OUT.
THERE IS 437 OF THE 832 IS TIED TO DELINQUENT OR DEFAULTED LOANS, AND THE BALANCE OF WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY CONTRIBUTED THAT IS ON THE AGENDA TODAY IS 455,732 TO POTENTIALLY BE REWOUND OR RETURNED TO THE THE COUNTY.
THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THIS BEING HERE TODAY IS TO NOT WAIT TOO LATE AND LET THE FUNDS DWINDLE, BECAUSE ORIGINALLY FUNDED $2 MILLION. OF THE 2 MILLION, 420,000 WAS ISSUED IN GRANTS AND THEN THE BALANCE WAS MOVED INTO THE LOAN,
[01:05:01]
MICRO LOAN PROGRAM AND THE STATISTICS I GAVE YOU NOW ARE WHAT IS CURRENT. THE CONCERN I HAD IS WHAT YOU WOULD TAKE ISSUE WITH ME IS THAT IF WE CONTINUE TO SHRINK THE AMOUNT TO RELOAN, SO IF YOUR TEAM, OMAR IS ABLE TO TURN THIS AROUND QUICKLY, OBVIOUSLY I WOULD NOT BE CONCERNED IN BRINGING THIS BACK BEFORE THE COURT, ACTUALLY I WOULD COME BACK TO YOU WITH A SUCCESS STORY THAT THE LOAN PERFORMANCE HAS TURNED AROUND. BUT IF ON THE DELINQUENT AND THE DEFAULTED LOANS, MORE THAN HALF OF THE CURRENT AMOUNT OUTSTANDING, IF WE DON'T SUCCEED WITH THOSE, THEN OUR BALANCE TORELOAN WOULD TO SHRINK. >> TWO POINTS TO MAKE, AND YOU ARE CORRECT, COMMISSIONER, THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE 15 ACTIVE LOANS THAT ARE REPAYING, AND HAVE BEEN REPAYING CONSISTENTLY FOR THE PAST TWO, THREE YEARS SINCE WE ORIGINALLY MADE THE LOAN. THOSE CONSISTENT PAYMENTS IS WHAT MADE THAT 470,000 BALANCE THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY THAT WE CAN RECOMMEND. THAT 470,000 THAT THEY HAVE PAID BACK WASHES AWAY THE DEFAULTS OF THE OTHER LOANS THAT DEFAULTED.
WE ARE STILL HOLDING WHEN YOU LOOK AT CURRENTLY DEPLOYED PLUS ANY THAT WE HAVE READY TO RELENT.
NOW THAT WE APPLIED THE UPDATED UNDERWRITING CRITERIA, YOU WERE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE BETTER REPAYING BORROWERS, FASTER BALANCE BUILDING, MORE BUSINESSES SERVED, MORE JOBS CREATED. IT'S MATH ON THE ONE HAND, BUT ON THE OTHER, BECAUSE IT IS A SOCIAL SUPPORT PANDEMIC-ERA PROGRAM, WE HAVE SOME EARLY DEFAULTS, WHICH IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER INCLUDING THE ONE THAT IS VERY SUCCESSFUL FOR US RIGHT NOW, THE ORIGINAL REVOLVING LOAN THAT IS SHARED WITH YOU. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT, IN FACT, I THINK IT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER BECAUSE WE HAVE MICROLOANS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW. SO THOSE ARE 30-$50,000 LOANS THAT WE CAN HELP MORE BUSINESSES.
ON THE ORIGINAL REVOLVING LOAN FUND I TALKED ABOUT, THAT SIZE IS ABOUT $150,000. SO IT'S ONLY A FEW BUSINESSES AT A TIME THAT WE CAN HELP AND SUPPORT, BUT WITH THE RRR PROGRAM, WITH THE MICRO LENDING, YOU CAN SUPPORT SEVERAL BUSINESSES FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF ACTUAL LOAN FUND THAT WE HAVE WHICH IS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS.
-- >> BUT WHAT IS A FAIR PERFORMANCE TIMELINE THAT YOU CAN COME BACK AND GIVE US A
REPORT? >> SO FOR THE DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS, I WANT TO NOTE THAT THEY ARE BEHIND, BUT WE ARE CONSTANTLY IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEM AND HELPING THEM TO CATCH UP. WORKING WITH THEM TO TRY TO RECOVER THAT. AS WE DID WITH THOSE TEN LOANS UNDER A DIFFERENT STAFF IF YOU WILL, SO AND WITH THE NEW UNDERWRITING THAT WE HAVE, NOT ONLY IS IT MORE -- OUR POLICY IS NOT ONLY MORE I GUESS STRICT, BUT IT IS A HIGHER INTEREST RATE THAT WE ARE GETTING, I BELIEVE IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS LIKE 1-2%, NOW WE ARE AT A MINIMUM OF 4%, SO THAT WILL INCREASE THE LOAN FUND WHICH IS STILL A 4% INTEREST RATE IS GREAT AND THAT IS OUR BOTTOM.
AS FAR AS A TIMELINE FOR SHOWING SUCCESS, AS FAR AS THE DEFAULTED LOANS, THAT NUMBER IS LIKELY NOT GOING TO CHANGE.
DELINQUENCIES, IT MIGHT CHANGE. WE ARE FIGHTING TO GET THOSE DONE. WITH THE MARKETING FAN THAT I SHARED WITH YOU ALL AND THE PARTNERSHIP, I BELIEVE THAT AS SOON AS THAT IS DEPLOYED, PROBABLY IN ABOUT 4-6 MONTHS, WE COULD SEE A DIFFERENCE. MY GOAL, GO AHEAD.
>> SO IN SIX MONTHS, WE WILL HAVE IT BACK -- WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK IF THE BOARD APPROVES IT.
>> IF THE BOARD APPROVES IT. >> WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A
SUCCESS, BUT WE KNOW BETTER. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> I KNOW WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM YOU I GUESS IT WAS SOME TIME LAST YEAR ABOUT THE SUCCESSES, THE ONE THAT ASKED IN MY MIND IS THE VIDEO OF THE DRONES, SO I THINK THIS IS EXCITING WORK. AND WE DEFINITELY NEED TO BE DOING MORE TO TRY TO SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHAT INFUSION OF CAPITAL WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE MAKER TO THEIR SUCCESS IN CREATING MORE JOBS IN THE
[01:10:02]
COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT MY COLLEAGUE'S QUESTIONS VERY VALID ONES. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALSO BEING GOOD STEWARDS TO THE DOLLARS AND IF THOSE MONIES CAN BE USED ELSEWHERE AND TO GIVE A GREATER RETURN, WE NEED TO CONSIDER IT. MY QUESTION, ED, ARE THEY ARE -- IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU WERE ALLUDING TO A TIMELINE FOR SPENDING DOWN THESE FUNDS OR REALLOCATING THEM FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE. IS THERE A DEADLINE?>> NO, YOU GOT TO SMARTLY MOVE TO THESE INTO REVENUE REPLACEMENT, AND THEREFORE THERE IS NO TIMELINE, IT IS JUST THE DECISION THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE IS BASED ON THIS NEW INFORMATION FROM THE H GAC TEAM PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT.
I MEAN IT STILL GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RECYCLE THESE WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE RESULT OF A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IF YOU ALL MANAGED RATHER THAN WHERE IT APPEARED TO BE GOING JUST FROM WHERE I SAID THE FUNDS
WILL CONTINUE TO DWINDLE. >> THAT MAKE SENSE.
FAIR ENOUGH, AND I THINK THAT THE COMMISSIONER SUCCESSION WAS
A FAIR ONE. >> ONE OTHER POINT, PER OUR CONTRACT, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY TEETH TO RECOVER THOSE DEFAULTED LOANS. SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING A CREDIT REPORTING SERVICE.
WE CAN'T REPORT TO CREDIT. WE HAVE REACHED OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES TO ASK WHAT YOU ALL -- HOW YOU WANT US TO HANDLE THAT AND WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A CLEAR DIRECTIVE.
IT WAS WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU. >> SO NEWS FLASH, SO IF FOLKS DEFAULTS, IT HAS NO MATERIAL IMPACT TO THEIR --
TO ANYTHING. >> NO, IN OUR CONTRACT, WE CANNOT DO THAT. ON YOUR BEHALF.
>> WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO AMEND THE CONTRACT TO GIVE YOU THAT
>> ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS, EDIT, OR I DON'T KNOW --
>> NO, I DID NOT KNOW WE HAD THE REVISION IN THE AIR.
>> I WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT EITHER.
>> IT IS NEWS TO ME. IF YOU DEFAULT ON A LOAN, THAT'S
NOT GOING AGAINST YOUR CREDIT. >> YOU NEED TO HAVE THAT
AMENDED. >> I THINK THAT WOULD'VE HELPED A LONG TIME AGO, WE ARE HERE NOW AND WE CAN ALWAYS FIX AND COURSE CORRECT. ANYTHING TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER IN SIX MONTHS, HOPEFULLY WE SEE MUCH BETTER
RESULTS. >> WE APPRECIATE OUR RELATIONSHIP AND, WE WANT TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES, BUT WHAT I ALSO AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID, WE WANT TO USE THIS MONEY TO THE
BEST BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY. >> AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THE MODIFICATION TO ALLOW YOU TO AT LEAST REPORT IT TO THE CREDIT WHICH DEFAULTS TO THE CREDIT RATING IS GOING TO HELP A LOT WITH YOUR ENCOURAGING THE PEOPLE TO PAY THEIR LOANS BACK.
MY HEARING THAT WE JUST TAKE THIS OFF TOTALLY AND WAIT SIX
MONTHS? >> AND I KNOW YOU INITIATE THIS PROGRAM, SO -- I BELIEVE.
>> I DID. >> I AM WILLING TO DO ANOTHER SIX MONTHS AND JUST SEE HOW THE PERFORMANCE WORKS.
>> IS THAT TO FIX INTO THE COURT?
>> I AM FINE WITH THAT. >> I THINK THAT IS JUST --
>> WE WILL GIVE YOU A SIX MONTH BREATHING ROOM.
AND WE WILL BE VISITING WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THIS.
THERE ARE SOME IDEAS THAT WE HAVE COME TO MY STAFF AND I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA. BECAUSE I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE HERE THAT WE NEED TO TRY TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT GOT HURT TO NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN WITH THE GOVERNMENT SHUTTING DOWN FOR SUCH A LONG
PERIOD OF TIME. >> AND WOULD BE BETTER TO
IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT. >> IN A WAY, YES.
>> IS THIS MONEY SITTING IN AN INTEREST-BEARING ACCOUNT?
>> YES. >> AND OBVIOUSLY WITH INFLATION AND ALL OF THE ENVIRONMENT TODAY, I THINK HOPEFULLY YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP SOME BUSINESSES.
>> YES, WE HAVE A COUPLE IN THE PIPELINE RIGHT NOW, ONE IN PARTICULAR IS A REALLY BIG BUSINESS THAT HAS BEEN ON "SHARK TANK" THAT IS VERY FOUNDED IN COMMUNITY.
>> ALL RIGHT, QUESTION, COMMENTS, NO ACTION NEEDS TO BE DONE TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. WE APPRECIATE IT.
[01:15:01]
LET'S GO BACK TO PICK UP ITEM NUMBER 13B, ANY FURTHERDISCUSSION ON 13B? >> YES, JUDGE, I DO CHANCE TO READ THE AGREEMENT. AND IF I GOT AN EARLY I WOULD NOT HAVE ASKED ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS, IT IS A VERY THOROUGH AGREEMENT. IT SPELLS OUT EVERYTHING AND EVEN THE CAUSE IS ABOUT NO ACCOUNT OF FIREARMS, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, IT IS VERY THOROUGH, SO I HAVE TO GIVE IT TO YOU ON THAT, AND YOU KNOW, THE RATE IS SPELLED OUT IN THERE IN TERMS AND RECOGNITIONS, ALL OF THE QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED,
SO I SEE THAT THEY ARE. >> AND I THINK THERE IS AN EXHIBIT, THAT ACTUALLY SPELLS OUT THE DELIVERABLES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE. AND I HAVE ASKED HER TO EMAIL THAT TO ME. AGAIN, I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS, BECAUSE I THINK JUST BECAUSE WE CAN DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THE MOST PRUDENT. I THINK THAT THERE IS A ROUTE TO GET TO WHAT HE WANTS WITHOUT ALL OF THIS ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY T PER OUR NORMAL ORDER, BUT THAT IS YOUR DECISION, NOT MINE.
>> COMMISSIONER IF I COULD JUST OFFER, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE ITEM INTO A CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, YOU ARE WELCOME TO DO THAT.
>> IT IS A PERSONAL ITEM WE CAN GET AN?
>> WE CAN DO THAT IN CONSULTATION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT. AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK.
SO LET'S TAKE IT BACK TO THE EXTENDED SESSION, ALL RIGHT.
[34. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:]
AND MOVING ALONG, LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM 34.DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM 34 AS PRESENTED? AND SECONDED? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[35. CONSTABLE, PCT. 2:]
PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 35, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 35 AS PRESENTED?[36. COURTS ADMINISTRATION:]
>> APPROVE 35 AS PRESENTED? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. IT CLEARS.
AT 36, DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR AGENDA ITEM 36 AS PRESENTED?
>> MOVED TO PROOF 36 AS PRESENTED?
>> SECONDED. >> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
[37. COUNTY ATTORNEY:]
ON GENERAL ITEM 37, DO I HAVE THE MOTION TO APPROVE 37, PLEASE READ 37 A. DO YOU WANT TO READ IT? SORRY ABOUT THAT. ON THE RECORD?>> COUNTY ATTORNEY, TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON RESOLUTION IN ORDER TO CAREEN THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION BY RECORD VOTE FOR ROGERS ROAD SEGMENT 1 PROJECT NUMBER 23113, PRECINCT ONE TREND.
FUND MOBILITY BONDS. >> I VOTED BY RECORD VOTE AUTHORIZE THE USE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN FOR ROGERS ROAD SEGMENT ONE, PROJECT NUMBER 23113 PRECINCT 1 PROPOSED TO BE SITUATED ON LANDS GENERALLY PERTINENT TO ROGERS ROAD BEGINNING FROM WHO HILL ROAD 26,000 FEET WEST IN COUNTY TEXAS. BY ADOPTION AND A CRANE THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION.
FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF LOCATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALIGNMENT, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR ROGERS ROAD INCLUDING THE PERTINENT DRAINAGE AND ATTENTION REQUIRED FOR SAID PROJECT. THIS MOTION APPLIES TO ANY AND ALL PARCELS OF LAND THAT ARE ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS THAT MUST BE CONDEMNED OR EXAMINED FOR POTENTIAL CONDEMNATION ALONG
THE ROGERS ROAD PROJECT 23113. >> COMMISSIONER MORALES HOW DO
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE HOW DO
>> COMMISSIONER MEYER, HOW DO YOU VOTE?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MCCOY HOW DO
>> WONG HOW DO YOU VOTE? >> YES.
>> THE MOTION PASSES. I CAN READ IT, TAKING ALL
[01:20:05]
APPROPRIATE ACTION FOR PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION BY RECORD VOTE FOR ROGERS ROAD SEGMENT 2 PROJECT NUMBER 23104PRECINCT 1 FUND MOBILITY BOND. >> AND MOVED BY RECORD VOTE AUTHORIZE THE USE OF POWER DOMAIN TO PROVIDE ALL NEEDED FOR SEGMENT 2. PROJECT 23114, PRECINCT 1 PROPOSED TO BE SITUATED ON LANDS GENERALLY AND PERTINENT TO ROGERS ROAD BEGINNING FROM 6000 FEET WEST TO FM 359 IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS.
BY ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION AND ORDER TO KOREAN, THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY TO BE A PUBLIC NECESSITY AND AUTHORIZE ANY ACQUISITION AND PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF LOCATION IMPROVEMENT, ALIGNMENT, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE ROGERS ROAD SEGMENT TO TWO, PROJECT 23114. INCLUDING THE DRAINAGE AND POTENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CITY PROJECT.
THIS MOTION APPLIES TO ANY AND ALL PARCELS OF LAND OR ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS THAT MUST BE CONDEMNED OR EXAMINED FOR POTENTIAL CONDEMNATION ALONG THE ROGERS ROAD
SEGMENT 2 PROJECT 23114. >> SECONDED.
>> PLEASE PROCEED WITH THE VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER MORALES HOW DO
>> COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE CUSTOMER.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MEYER?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER MCCOY?
[38. DISTRICT ATTORNEY:]
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 38 A-C AS PRESENTED? MOTION SECONDED, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
[39. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:]
HAND. THE MOTION PASSES AND UNANIMOUSLY. WHAT ABOUT 39 A AND B ASPRESENTED? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF A AND B?
>> SECONDED. >> BUT WHAT IS THE WORLD CUP?
THE MOTION HAS GONE THROUGH, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND?
[40. ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION:]
THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, GENERAL ITEM 40, DO I HAVE A MOVEMENT TO VOTE FOR IT AS PRESENTED? SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR[41. ENGINEERING:]
HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.NOW TO AGENDA ITEM 41A, DO I HAVE A MOVEMENT -- I'M SORRY, AGENDA ITEM 41 A THROUGH GG AS PRESENTED?
>> MOVING AGENDA ITEM 41 A THROUGH GG.
[42. FACILITIES MANAGEMENT & PLANNING:]
>> MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW TO AGENDA ITEM 42 PRESENTED BY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING, DO I HAVE A MOVEMENT
TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED? >> MOVE TO APPROVE 42 AS
[43. FIRE MARSHAL:]
ANY DISCUSSION? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.AGENDA ITEM 43 BY FIRE MARSHAL, GRAHAM MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA
ITEM 43 AS PRESENTED? >> MOVED TO APPROVE 43 AS
PRESENTED. >> SECONDED? IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSES
[44. GRANTS ADMINISTRATION:]
UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 44 A THROUGH JAY, UNDER GRANTS ADMINISTRATION. WE HAVE A CORRECTION TO AGENDA ITEM 44D. PLEASE READ 44D.>> 44D, COUNTY JUDGE HERE TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON RESOLUTIONS IN SUPPORT AS PRESENTED TO THE COUNTY CLERK IN SUPPORT OF PREVIOUSLY APPROVED GRANT APPLICATIONS AND EXISTING GRANT AWARDS SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO INCLUDE THE NAMES OF THE AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL AND
FINANCIAL OFFICER. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 44 A THROUGH JAY AS NOTED EXCEPTION?
>> I JUST ASK THAT WE PULL JAY OUT FOR A SECOND VOTE.
>> OKAY, SO DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE WE WILL PULL J.
[01:25:03]
>> MOVEMENT TO APPROVE A THROUGH I AS PRESENTED WITH THE NOTED
CORRECTION. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S GO TO 44 J COULD ANY
DISCUSSION? >> I THOUGHT WE HAD A MOTION
FIRST. >> MOTION HAS BEEN SECONDED, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
SEPARATELY. >> WE WILL VOTE ON IT SEPARATE.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. SO 4-1.
[45. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:]
MOTION PASSES 4-1. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM 45 PRESENTED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.DO I HAVE A MOVEMENT TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >> SECONDED.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
HAND. >> WHAT IS TRANSIT ROLLING STOCK, WHAT IS THAT? IT IS WEIRDLY NAMED, OKAY.
>> RAILROAD CARS. >> ALL RIGHT, NOW WE ARE CLEAR.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
[46. PURCHASING:]
HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.OKAY, AGENDA ITEM 46 A THROUGH B, APPROVING A THROUGH B WITH NO EXCEPTION, I'M SORRY, LET'S MAKE THE CORRECTION ON AGENDA ITEM 46B. PLEASE READ 46B.
>> TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON CONTINGENT FEE AGREEMENT WITH LINEBARGER, GOGUEN BLAIR AND SAMPSON LLP FOR COLLECTION SERVICES OF DELINQUENT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ACCOUNTS, DELINQUENT FEES AND FUNDS FOR THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS, COUNTY COURTS, DISTRICT COURTS, AND FALSE ALARM PENALTIES OR FEES REFERRED TO BY THE SHERIFF OFFICE, AND AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF EXECUTION WOULD REQUIRE FINDINGS IN SUPPORT OF THE SERVICES EFFECTIVE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2027, FUND VARIOUS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS.
>> FANTASTIC, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE A THROUGH B WITH THE NOTED EXCEPTION? ANY SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> I'M SORRY, TOO FAST.
MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[47. ROAD & BRIDGE:]
THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. AGENDA ITEM 47, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM 47 AS PRESENTED?ANY SECOND? >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED, ALL IN DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
[48. SHERIFF'S OFFICE:]
HAND. IT'S A PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.48 A THROUGH B, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 48 A AND B AS
PRESENTED? >> APPROVAL FOR A 48 A AND B.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED, ANY DISCUSSION?
[49. TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR:]
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. I WILL GO THROUGH AGENDA ITEM 49. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 49AS PRESENTED? >> APPROVE OF 49 AS PRESENTED.
>> THE SECOND MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR
[50. Approve Bills.]
[51. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on April 30, 2026 and May 7, 2026. ]
[52. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on May 21, 2026, to be ratified by Commissioners Court on May 28, 2026. ]
HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.NOW I PRESENT AGENDA ITEM 50, 51, AND 52, APPROVAL OF THE BILLS AND OTHER ITEMS AT OTHER TIME SENSITIVE DISBURSEMENT.
>> ALONG WITH THE TIME SENSITIVE BILLS WITH 34 MILLION, 136,000, 87021, SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL ON 90860 WITH ROUTINE DISBURSEMENTS
OF 5 MILLION, 780,000 -- >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL ITEMS 50,
51, AND 52. >> ANY SECOND? MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION?
[53. Meet in Closed Session to deliberate the following matters as authorized by the Texas Government Code:]
ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.PLEASE MOVE WITH AGENDA ITEMS. >> 5353 MEANING CLOSE ACTION TO
[01:30:03]
DELIBERATE TO THE FOLLOWING MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. THE RIVER EROSION CIVILIZATION TO POLICY 714, FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS VERSUS AMERICAN TOWER LP, MOORE ROAD, PROJECT NUMBER 17218, EASEMENT EIGHT PRECINCT PRECINCT 2. 4.CAUSE NUMBER 26-CCV-078963. FORT BEND, B, THE DELIBERATION REQUIRING REAL PROPERTY. I AM SORRY, PROPERTY ADJACENT TO COUNTY FACILITY, AND TO THE PARK.
SECTION 551.087, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS, ONE GRAND PARKWAY, TOLLWAY PRIMACY, TWO HAS BEEN PULLED, SECTION 551.089 REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES OR SECURITY AUDITS. SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> WONDERFUL, AT THIS TIME, THE FORT BEND COUNTY GENERAL SESSION MEETING WILL STAND IN RECESS FOR A CLOSED SESSION.
WE WILL NOW TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. NOW IT IS 2:30 P.M., AND I CALL TO ORDER THIS MEETING ON THE DRAINAGE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TODAY IS THURSDAY APRIL 23RD, 2026.
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2 CONSIDERS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON APRIL 23RD 2026. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES PAIRED.
>> AND A SECOND ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
NOW I PRESENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBE. >> MOVED TO APPROVE NUMBER THREE
AS PRESENTED? >> PRESENTED AND SECONDED.
ANY DISCUSSION? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
I DON'T 4. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE 4 AS
PRESENTED. >> SECOND? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
NOW ITEM NUMBER 5. ANY MOTION?
>> THE MOTION TO APPROVE 5 AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH YOU.
>> YOU ARE SO READY. HE IS FASTER THAN I AM.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
NOW ITEM NUMBER 6. >> THE OF 6.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
NOW ITEM NUMBER 7, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER
SEVEN AS PRESENTED? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> ANY SECOND? >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? RAISE YOUR HAND?
MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE EIGHT AS
>> HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, ANY DISCUSSION? RAISE YOUR HAND. YOU DID NOT RAISE YOUR HAND, OKAY. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
PLEASE PROCEED WITH THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> ME IN CLOSED SESSION TO DELIBERATE FOLLOWING MATTERS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
55.071. CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, THE
NOW AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IS IN RECESS.
WE WILL NOW TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE JOINT BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSISTANT DISTRICTS 2, 4, 6 AND 9 MEETING.
I CALLED TO ORDER THIS WENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF ASSISTANT DIRECTION 2, 4, 6TH, AND 9.
IT IS NOW AT 2:33 P.M., TODAY IS THURSDAY MAY 14, 2026.
APPROVAL OF THE MMS HELD AS PRESENTED.
>> APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES? MOTION HAS BEEN APPROVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3? ANY SECOND, IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND. IN THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM NUMBER 4, DO I HAVE A
MOTION TO APPROVE 4? >> MOVEMENT TO APPROVE AGENDA
ITEM NUMBER 4. >> HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED.
YOU ARE TOO SLOW NOW. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
AT THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY UNANIMOUSLY.
[01:35:04]
>> APPROVAL OF 5. >> ANY SECOND?
>> THE MOTION HAS BEEN AMENDED AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW ITEM NUMBER 6, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER SIX.
>> MOVED TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6 AS PRESENTED.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.
THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. DO I HAVE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN
THIS MEETING? >> MOVED TO ADJOURN.
>> I ADJOURN THE DIRECTOR MEETING DISTRICT NUMBER 2, 4, 6, AND 9 IS ADJOURN. THE DIRECT DISTRICT MEETINGS REMAIN IN RECESS. I HEREBY INFORMED THAT THEY ARE
READY FOR SIGNATURE, PLEASE SIGN >> EVERYONE READY?
[54. Reconvene Open Session and consider taking action on the following matters:]
WE WILL RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION IN FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IT IS 4:40 P.M., COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL NOW RECONVENE. LESS TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 13B.PLEASE MAKE YOUR COMMENT. >> JUST TO CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD 13B WAS NOT DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AND DID NOT FALL UNDER THE EXEMPTION SO WE DID NOT DISCUSS IT.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ANYONE CARE TO MAKE A MOTION TO
>> ALL SECOND. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> NO ONE WANTS TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE.
>> ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND MY ONLY POINT IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT UNPRECEDENTED, THE COUNTY OFFICIALS ONCE WE HAVE -- WE CHALLENGE THEM DURING THE BUDGET HEARINGS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN SUPPORT WHAT THEY'RE ASKING BUT IN THE PAST IT'S BEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COURT THAT THE OFFICIALS SEE THE BUDGET AS THEIR BUDGET.
AND WE HAVE NOT CHALLENGED OUR DEBATED -- OR DEBATED WHAT THEY DO WITH THE BUDGET BECAUSE THEY COME BACK AND TELL US THAT IS OUR BUDGET. YOU HAVE GIVEN IT TO US, WE HAVE OUR OWN CONSTITUTIONAL AND THE PAST.
UNFORTUNATELY, COMMISSIONER FOREBACK SAYS OPEN THE DOOR, THAT'S UNFORTUNATE IN MY OPI OPINION.
THAT IS I GUESS NOW GOING TO BE THE NORM WHICH I DON'T THINK IS THAT HELPFUL BUT IN ANY EVENT THAT'S WHAT WE ARE REPLACING.
I WILL VOTE FOR THIS BECAUSE I AGREE WITH THE POLICY BUT IT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE POSSIBLY CHALLENGED FROM THE STANDPOINT OF OTHER ELECTED OFFICERS AND I THINK THEY WILL PUT IT BACK. JUST OBSERVATION ON MY PART.
>> IF I MAY SAY, IF I HEARD COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE AND HE IS NOT HERE BUT HIS REASONING WAS THE LACK OF INFORMATION AND I THINK THAT AS YOU HEARD HIM SAY ONCE IT GOT THE INFORMATION.
BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW HE WOULD HAVE VOTED.
>> IT'S ALSO NOT TRUE, THIS COURT HAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS WHEN TRANSFERS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED OR REQUESTED FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THOSE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH OTHER CONSTABLE OFFICERS AND OTHERWISE. THIS COURT HAS ACTUALLY DONE THAT. THIS IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED NOR IS IT NOT IS IT BEYOND THE SCOPE OF OUR DUTY TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS AGAIN. THE QUESTION I OPPOSE WAS WHY ARE WE DOING THIS GIVEN THAT MONEY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED IN EXISTING BUDGET TO COVER THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.
THAT IS NOT AN UNFAIR QUESTION, I THINK IT AGAIN I REAFFIRM WE ARE ALLOWED TO HIRE WHOMEVER AND SO AS MR. WONG ALLOWED TO HIRE WHOEVER, THE QUESTION IS WHY ARE WE TAKING THIS ROUTE TO DO SO AND IF THE ANSWER IS SIMPLY BECAUSE IT'S LEGAL AND WE CAN VERSUS THIS IS WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS AND SO THIS IS NOT IN SO DOING
[01:40:02]
TRYING TO THROW A LIFELINE. THIS INVITES MORE SCRUTINY IF WE GO IN THIS DIRECTION OF HOW WE FEEL A COUNTY POSITION AS OPPOSED TO OUR NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS.AND I FEEL LIKE I GET WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO PROJECT HERE AND IF YOU WANT TO SCRUTINIZE MY BUDGET HAVE AT IT THAT'S WHY EVERYTHING IS PUBLIC RECORD ANYWAY AND PEOPLE ALREADY DO THAT BUT I DON'T THINK ANYTHING THAT I ASKED WAS UNFAIR AND I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN A COMPLETE ANSWER ON WHAT IS THE INTEREST
OF THE PUBLIC IN SO DOING. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTION, MOTION HAS TO BE MADE AND SECONDED, ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES 3-1.
LET'S GO ON WITH THE AGENDA ITEM, PLEASE PROCEED.
>> WITH CLOSED SESSION? >> WE TAKE UP THE ITEM 33 AUDITOR'S OFFICE. LET'S PICK UP ITEM 33F AND G AND THAT WILL BE NO ACTION ON THESE TWO ITEMS. WE ALL AGREE? AND THEN WE GO TO ACTION ITEM 33
I, J, NK. >> I MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE
>> MOTION IS MADE AND SECOND BUT MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND
SECONDED. >> THAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU
MAKE A MOTION? >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS, MOTION PASSES UNANI UNANIMOUSLY.
LET'S GO ON TO GO AHEAD YOU CAN READ THAT.
>> 54 RECONVENE OPEN SESSION AND CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, ONE MAINTENANCE OF GRASSES RIVER EROSION.
>> THAT WOULD BE NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM, NEXT.
>> POLICY 714. >> NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM.
>> TEXAS VERSUS AMERICAN TOWER L PROJECT NUMBER 17218 PRECINCT
TWO. >> I MOVE THAT IN AGENDA ITEM 53 A-3 TEXAS VERSUS AMERICAN TOWER L.P. MOORE ROAD NUMBER 172-1808 PRECINCT 24 JUDGE SMITH LOSS OF FORT BEND COUNTY BE AUTHORIZED TO SETTLE THE ABOVE POTENTIAL CONDEMNATION SUIT FOR THE APPRAISED VALUE OF 113 AND $79 FOR THE PARCEL AND ALL PERTINENCE IN ACQUISITION IF ANY.
AND THAT MOBILITY BONDS BE DESIGNATED AS THE FUNDING
COULD YOU REPEAT THAT. >> THANK YOU, $113,000.79 -- NO.
THE WRITTEN VERSION OF THE NUMBER IS NOT RIGHT HERE.
DO I NEED TO READ THE WHOLE THING?
>> THANK YOU FOR CATCHING THAT. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR
HAND PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> MAKE SURE THE NUMBER IS RIGHT
>> THAT'S BEEN REMOVED. >> CAUSE NUMBER 422-CV-04210.
>> I MOVE COUNTY ATTORNEY FORT BEND COUNTY BE AUTHORIZED TO SETTLE AND RESOLVE ALL ISSUES IN CASE NUMBER 422-CD-04210 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 AND THAT FUND 855 OTHER SELF-FUNDED INSURANCE BE DESIGNATED AS THE FUNDING
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> SECTION 551.072 DELIBERATION REGARDING PROPERTY, PROPERTY
ADJACENT TO COUNTY FACILITY. >> YES, I MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE FACILITIES DEPARTMENT TO ENGAGE IN APPRAISAL AND EVALUATE THE PURCHASE OF A BUILDING ADJACENT TO THE PRECINCT TO COUNTY FACILITY FUNDING SOURCE AND SERVICES.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND, FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> BARBARA JORDAN PARK. >> I MOVE TO TAKE ALL
[01:45:04]
APPROPRIATE ACTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE PURCHASE OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY BEING APPROXIMATELY 0.689 ACRES EACH.IN TEXAS BARBARA JORDAN PARK AND AUTHORIZE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO ACQUIRE AN UPDATED SURVEY OF BARBARA JORDAN PARK AND FURTHER AUTHORIZE THE FORT BEND COUNTY CLERK OR HER DESIGNEES TO RECORD THE DEED AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS AND NO COST FUNDING SOURCE CAD 20.
>> SECOND OR DO I NEED TO SAY COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICT 20.
>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> SECTION 555.087 DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS, ONE GRAND PARKWAY, CRIME SCENE.
>> YES, I MOVE THAT FORT BEND COUNTY ATTORNEY BE AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS TO TRANSFER PRIVACY OF SEGMENT C ONE AND C TWO AND THE UNBUILT PORTION OF SEGMENT D THE GRAND PARKWAY STATE HIGHWAY 99 AND FORT BEND COUNTY TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND
SECOND ANY DISCUSSION? >> I THINK WE CAN VOTE ON THIS NOW DID WE WANT TO ADD THIS BACK TO THE AGENDA TO VOTE AGAIN ON IT SO THAT THERE IS AFFIRMATION FROM THE FULL COURT?
>> I THINK WE CAN DO IT HERE. >> I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IMPACTS
WHATEVER. >> HE'S NOT HERE SO.
>> I GET THAT, I MEAN IN TERMS OF AFFIRMING WHERE THE COURT AS
A WHOLE BODY STANDS. >> I THINK THERE WILL BE AN AGREEMENT OR A LETTER OF INTENT BUT PROBABLY FULL COURT.
>> IN THE FUTURE. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND FURTHER DISCUSSION BUY ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR
HAND, MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >> SECTION 551.089 DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES FOR SECURITY AUDITS SHERIFF'S
OFFICE. >> NO ACTION ON THIS ONE, DO I
HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? >> THIS GENERAL SESSION IS CLOSED WE RECONVENE THE JOURNEY DISTRICT FOR DIRECTOR MEETING,
PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> RECONVENE OPEN SESSION AND CONSIDER TAKING ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS, SECTION 551.071 CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY MAINTENANCE OF THE
RIVER, EROSIONS AND DEVASTATION. >> NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SECOND? THE DISTRICT BOARD OF DISTRICT MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ATTORNEY DISTRICT, W
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.