[1. Call to Order.] [00:00:09] GOOD AFTERNOON THEY ARE GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL HERE TODAY IS THURSDAY AUGUST 27TH 2026. IT IS NOW 1:00 P.M. I CALL TO ORDER THIS MEETING OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WELCOME TO OUR COURTROOM AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE LIVE STREAM PLEASE BE ADVISED WE HAVE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME IN PRAYER. WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER TODAY IN THE SERVICE OF PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY. AS WE CONSIDER THE MATTERS BEFORE US GOD GIVE US PATIENCE TO LISTEN TO CLARITY TO UNDERSTAND AND COURAGE TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT IS EASIEST BUT ON WHAT IS RIGHT HERE HELP US REMEMBER THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS A RESPONSIBILITY HERE HERE. PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE THEIR EMPLOYEES WHO CARRY OUT THIS WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THE TAXPAYERS WHO TRUST US WITH THEIR RESOURCES. WHEN WE DISAGREE GIVE US RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER. WHEN DECISIONS ARE DIFFICULT GIVE US GOOD JUDGEMENT AND ALL WE DO TODAY HELP US PUT SERVICE ABOVE SELF AND THE INTEREST OF FORT BEND COUNTY ABOVE OUR OWN PROTECTION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND ALL THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY HERE BLESS FORT BEND COUNTY AND ALL WHO CALL THIS HOME H. AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> PLEASE BE SEATED. [3. Approve minutes of special meeting held on August 4, 2026, and regular meeting held on August 13, 2026.] WE NOW PROCEED TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR [4. Public Comments regarding the Agenda and Announcements.] HAND. MOTION PASSES THREE TO ZERO. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4, LET ME READ MY OPENING STATEMENT. GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A FULL AGENDA BEFORE US TODAY AND WE HAVE SEVERAL IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO MAKE ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY. OUR JOB IS TO KEEP THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKING TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES OUR RESIDENTS DEPEND ON COLLECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE IN TAXPAYERS MONEY AND TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT IS BEST FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. THE RESPONSIBILITY REQUIRES CAREFUL -- WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES, STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY AND MAKE SURE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING USED WISELY. ALSO MEANS MAKING DECISIONS COMMISSIONERS COURT EXISTED FROM THE THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY AND PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY EXPECT US TO SHOW UP TO CONSIDER THE ISSUES BEFORE US, I HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AND VOTE. THEN THERE MAY BE DISAGREEMENTS TODAY. REASONABLE PEOPLE CAN DISAGREE ABOUT POLICY BUT DISAGREEMENT SHOULD NEVER PREVENT US FROM DOING THE WORK WE WERE ENTRUSTED TO DO. THE COURT SHOULD BE A PLACE WHERE WE SOLVE PROBLEMS, NOT A STAGE FOR POLITICAL THEATER OR GRANDSTANDING THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME AND PLACES FOR POLITICS HERE WE SIT IN THIS CHAIR WE SEE PEOPLE FOR THE WORK THEY SENT US HERE TO DO. LEADERSHIP MEANS SHOWING UP, MEANS BEING WILLING TO HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS LISTENING TO DIFFICULT -- DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW IN MAKING DECISIONS THEN BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE DECISIONS. WHEN THE ISSUE IS DIFFICULT OR CONTROVERSIAL WE SERVE THEM BY GETTING TO WORK AND DOING OUR JOB. FORT BEND COUNTY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN TEXAS WITH THAT GROWTH COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY COUNTY SERVICES AND EVEN THE OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE COUNTY GOVERNMENT [00:05:01] IS OPERATING EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. I WANT TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYERS GIVE THE SERVICE RESIDENTS EXPECT AND FOLLOW THE LAW AND MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT IS BEST FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. I HOPE WE HAVE A PRODUCTIVE MEETING TODAY I FOCUS ON THE FACTS AND CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD BENTON COUNTY FORWARD. LET US GET TO WORK. FIRST THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION TO SEND UNIVERSITY ON 150TH ANNIVERSARY CAN I PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS PURVIEW A&M UNIVERSITY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1876 AND WELCOMED ITS FIRST STUDENTS IN 1878 HAD GROWN FROM A TEACHING COLLEGE INTO TEXAS'S SECOND OLDEST PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND LEADING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY, AS A LAND GRANT INSTITUTION AND MEMBER OF THE TEXAS UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, CAREER VIEW UNIVERSITY SERVES MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS AND 85,000 GRADUATES WITH A STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO TEACHING RESEARCH DEBT SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WE ARE AWARE OF 150 YEAR HISTORY THEY HAVE EXPANDED ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES ADVANCE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AND TRANSFORMED ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES WHILE FOSTERING LEADERSHIP THAT ACHIEVEMENTS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND WHEREAS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT KIRK THE TURNING ELEMENTS INITIATIVE SEEKS TO RESEARCH EXCELLENCE, STUDENT SUCCESS GRADUATION RATES AND POSTGRADUATE OUTCOMES FURTHER ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY AS A PREMIER PUBLIC HBCU AND NATIONAL MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE AND WHEREAS THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH ITS RESEARCH CENTERS STUDENT LIFE AT MORE THAN 170 STUDENT ORGANISATIONS AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ITS STUDENTS FACULTY STAFF ALUMNI AND PARTNERS EMBODYING ITS MOTTO FOR REVIEW PRODUCES PRODUCTIVE PEOPLE AND WHEREAS THE UNIVERSITY NUMBER 3 CELEBRATION 150 YEARS OF SERVICE WHILE ENDURING LEGACY OF PRODUCTIVE PERSON REAFFIRMING COLLECTIVE SUPPORT OF PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY'S CONTINUED GROWTH EXCELLENCE AND IMPACT IN TEXAS AND THE NATION IN THE WORLD. [CHEERING] THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM RECOGNISING HONOR A&M UNIVERSITY FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING RESEARCH AND SERVICE IF SENDING BEST WISHES TO ITS STUDENTS FACULTY STAFF ADMINISTRATORS AND ALUMNI AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY. >> AMAZING 150TH ANNIVERSARY. [APPLAUSE] MEMBERS OF THE BOARD PL. [APPLAUSE] >> RT. HON. MARK CARNEY: FANTASTIC! MEMBERS OF COURSE DO WE HAVE ANY [00:10:03] ANNOUNCEMENTS OR COMMENTS? HEARING NONE THE. ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS DEBT THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE THE FIRST SPEAKER JUDGE MONICA HERE ON AGENDA ITEM 30 A C OF A C-GOOD AFTERNOON GOOD AFTERNOON. >> JUST ABOUT THE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY UP AT ONE TIME IN AN EFFORT TO -- THANK YOU HE MADE PLENTY APPEARED WITH MY COLLEAGUES THE JUDGE PROVIDING TO YOU ALL MR. DOCTOR JUST A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT A VARIETY OF DOCKETS FROM DIFFERENT DAYS I THINK -- AND MAYBE A LITTLE FRIDAY HERE I AM THE PRESIDING JUDGE DISTRICT COURT HEARING IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND THIS IS A FAMILY COURT WHERE POSITION IS COMPARED TO THAT OF THE OTHER DISTRICT COURT THAT NIGHT TO ME RESPONSIBILITY IS FIRMLY INVOLVED IN MUCH THINGS FAMILY MATTERS AND I ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE AND FAMILY COURTS FOR ALL CASES INVOLVING FAMILY MATTERS AND THAT WOULD CONSIST OF DIVORCE AND CUSTODY SPECIAL IMMIGRATION CASES TERMINATIONS TECH ADOPTIONS TENMAC NAME CHANGES TECH CHILD SUPPORT TECH PROTECTIVE ORDER CONTEMPT ACTIONS AFFECT INTERSTATE MATTERS THERE'S MANY CASES WE TAKE CARE THE FAMILY COURT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE COURT BE CLEAR ABOUT IS THAT WE HERE STATUTORILY IN TERMS OF PRIORITY BASED ON STATUTE HERE WHAT IT MEANS HAVE A HEFTY HEAR PROTECTIVE ORDERS FIRST IF THEY COME TO MY COURT AND THEN SECONDLY I WOULD HAVE TO HEAR THE EXAMINATION ADOPTIONS, GETTING RID OF ATTACHMENTS AND THE COMPARE RESTRAINING ORDERS AS WELL HERE SO WHAT HAPPENS IS IF I AM IN A PROTECTIVE ORDER HEARING THAT MAY TAKE ME THREE HOURS OR THREE DAYS TO HEAR PROTECTIVE ORDER HEARING HERE THAT IS HAPPENING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DOCTOR THAT I PROVIDED THAT WE MAY HAVE A TRIAL THAT MAY HAVE A VARIETY OF MOTION SUCH AS A MOTION TO COMPEL MEDIATION THAT MAY HAVE MOTIONS TO COMPEL DISCOVERY HERE WE MAY HAVE OTHER TRIALS THAT MIGHT BE NECESSARY IF SO MY ASSOCIATE JUDGE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THOSE MATTERS AS I TAKE CARE OF THE PROTECTIVE ORDER AND SO FORTH WITHOUT MY ASSOCIATE JUDGE THAT MEANS IF THERE IS A DIVORCE AND ABUSE THEY HAVE TO WAIT AND THEY MAY HAVE TO WAIT FOR A MONTH BEFORE THEY GET TO ME HERE BECAUSE MY JOB DOESN'T STOP HERE AFTER I GET OFF THE BENCH SHE SIGNED ORDERS THAT HERE JUST IN 2425 BUT HERE WE'RE ARE THIS CLOSE TO MY COURT OF 3109 CASES HERE I COULD NOT DO THAT OR IT JUST ME HERE WE WOULD HAVE PROVIDED MORE DETAILS BUT WERE NOT PROVIDED PROPER NOTICE OF THIS TO THE EFFECT OF U.S. BUDGET I RECEIVED INCLUDED MY ASSOCIATE JUDGE HERE SO I AM HERE BEFORE YOU WITHOUT THE REVISED BUDGET. >> AFTERNOON, I'M THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT HERE I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT ONE PORTLAND COUNTY SHOULD NOT ELIMINATE ASSOCIATE JUDGES I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE IT'S AN ISSUE ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN THREE POSITIONS IN THE COUNTY BUDGET IT'S ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE THAT SEPARATION OF POWERS AND THE COURT OF FORT BEND COUNTY HAVE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS THE LAW REQUIRES THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS AN IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY TO ADOPT AND MANAGE THE COUNTY BUDGET IF THAT AUTHORITY IS NOT UNLIMITED IF THE JUDICIAL BRANCH HAS ITS OWN CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RESPONSIBILITY AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS SPECIFICALLY ESTABLISHED A STATUTORY FRAMEWORK GOVERNING ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE CAN THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 54 A THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE PART OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM PREFERENCES JUDGES SECTION 54.102 GIVES THE DISTRICT JUDGE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO AUTHORISE THE POSITION HERE IN SECTION 548.104, PROVIDES ASSOCIATE JUDGES SALARY IS PAID FROM COUNTY FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR OFFICER SALARIES HERE THAT DISTINCTION MATTERS TO [00:15:03] COMMISSIONERS COURTS HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION AND TO APPROVE FUNDING BUT THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN ASSOCIATE AUTHORITY TO ABOLISH THE POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN LAWFULLY AUTHORISED AND APPOINTED HERE PARTICULARLY DIRECTLY THE DISTRICT COURTS MUST PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS AND MANAGE THEIR DOCKETS HERE REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE CREDITS TO THE BUDGET PROCESS LIKE STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND COULD ALSO IMPLICATE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 151.004 HERE THAT CONCERN SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES HERE FORT BEND COUNTY AS I STATED EARLIER IS ONE OF THE COUNTIES IN TEXAS HERE ITS DISTRICT COURTS ARE HANDLING AN ENORMOUS AND INCREASING VOLUME OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS CHARACTERS THAT ARE NO COMPLETE ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES THAT THEY PERFORM CONTROL FUNCTIONS THAT ARE LED TO DISTRICT COURTS IN MOST CASES THAT CONDUCT TERRITORIAL STATE THEORY TO MANAGE DOCKETS AND PROVIDE TIMELY ACCESS TO JUSTICE HERE WE'RE MOVING TO ASSOCIATE JUDGES DOESN'T MAKE THOSE CASES DISAPPEAR THAT SIMPLY TRANSFER THE WORKLOAD HERE THE REMAINING DISTRICT JUDGES WERE SET TO ABSORB HEARINGS ON MATTERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HANDLED BY ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE CONTAINS LONGER GETTING DELAYED HEARINGS THAT LOWER RESOLUTION OF CASES THAT INCREASE INCARCERATION TIMES IN DEFENSE ATTORNEYS MEANS INCREASING ALONG WITH INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE JUDGES AND COURT STAFF TO ULTIMATELY DO WHAT THEY'RE DOING AT BETTER COST AGAINST ATTORNEYS TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE COUNTY ITSELF ALSO THERE'S AN IMPORTANT CONSTITUTIONAL. >> SPEAKER-08: LEGISLATIVE POWER CANNOT BECOME TRADITIONAL POWER THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH INDIRECTLY THROUGH BUDGET REDUCTION WHAT IT CANNOT LOCALLY COMMAND DISTRICT COURTS TO DO DIRECTLY AND THAT TO DETERMINE HOW THE WORKLOAD SHOULD BE ALLOCATED HERE CARBON COUNTY THE FISCAL 20? >> SPEAKER-06: BUDGETED FOR 29 SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE ASSOCIATED WITH ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND COURT OPERATIONS INCLUDING ASSISTED PERSONNEL COSTS HERE THIS IS THEREFORE NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER THE COUNTY CAN FIND MONEY BACK IT'S A QUESTION OF THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE THIS DECISION AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE WHEN THAT DECISION IS MADE ADEQUATELY -- WITHOUT ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION OF THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES THE OF COURSE HERE WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THE DISTRICT JUDGES TO MANAGE THEIR DOCKETS AND MAKE SURE ENOUGH ELIMINATED ASSOCIATE JUDGES MERELY TO DEMONSTRATE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT REDUCED SPENDING WHEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF OF THAT WORKLOAD ONTO AN ALREADY BURDENED JUDICIAL SYSTEM HERE THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY DESERT COURTS THAT ARE ADEQUATELY STAFFED ACCESSIBLE EFFICIENT AND INDEPENDENT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IS IMPORTANT BUT JUSTICE IS AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION AND CANNOT BE BALANCED AWAY AND YOU SAW JUDGE WONG -- YOU WERE NOT HERE LAST YEAR WHETHER IT HAD BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU THIS IS NOT PART OF THE ISSUE THAT IS COMPLETELY NON-PARTISAN HERE EVERY JUDGE SIGNED THAT LETTER AGREEING TO THE RETENTION OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE THANK YOU APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE JUDY PATEL HERE I KNOW BOTH OF OUR COMMISSIONERS VERY WELL IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME JUDGE WE MET BRIEFLY I DON'T JUDY GRADUATION DIRECTED ME TO HERE I WANTED TO FILL YOU IN A BIT CAREFULLY WENT THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS LAST YEAR BUT THIS WHOLE TOPIC I CALL AGENDA ITEM WAS DISCUSSED LAST YEAR HERE I WANTED TO BRIEFLY SHARE WITH YOU WHAT I WOULD DO AS AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE PROGRAM CURRENTLY IN THE DISTRICT COURT THAT IS ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR THE TAX COURT HERE WE DO TAX CIVIL AND FEDERAL FELONY CRIMINAL CASES HERE FOR A BRIEF SIMPLE PRACTICE IS ONE WE OF MY CASES THAT NO WITH MY PRESIDING JUDGE HERE WE READ THE NUMBER OF CIRCUITS WAS ABOUT 250 CASES SET FOR ONE WEEK WITH ME I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THAT TO YOU ALL I ALSO WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ONE OF THE DUTIES THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES DO THANK YOU GENERAL COURT HIS PROPERTY TAX OFFICE HERE REQUESTS THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS TO RUN THE NUMBERS OF JUDGEMENTS THAT I SIGNED IN 2025 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ME HERE THIS IS NOT ALL THE COURTS HERE THOSE TOTALED OVER $6.5 MILLION OF JUDGEMENTS BROUGHT INTO THIS COUNTY THAT FIGURE DOES NOT INCLUDE PEOPLE WE ARE SUPERVISING ON PAYMENT PLANS OR HELPING WITH DEFERMENTS SUCH AS DISABILITY OR AGE HERE THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER AMOUNT OF TAXES THAT ARE COMING IN YOU MIGHT HAVE KIDS THIS WILL BE VERY DELAYED IF ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE CUT [00:20:01] THERE SO WE TALKED ABOUT TAXES AND TAXPAYERS THAT'S AN EFFICIENT PART OF OUR SYSTEM CORRECT WE ARE THE ONES SUPERVISING PROPERTY TAX SHELTERS FOR THIS COUNTY WE HANDLE WARRANTS AT 24 OVER 7365 DAYS HERE ON CHRISTMAS DAY HERE WE ARE HERE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ONE DAY CALL US IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I NEED A BLOOD WARRANT FOR DWI OR NEED A WARRANT TO GO ARREST SOMEBODY THAT IS COMMITTED A VIOLENT OFFENSE WE ARE HERE TO SIGN THOSE WARRANTS AND KEEP OUR STREETS SAFE HERE IN CIVIL WE HELP SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS CAN THE INTEREST OF TIME -- HAS ALREADY RUN OUT I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT I'M GOING TO ASK FOR SLIGHTLY EXTRA TIME BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT HERE THE REASONS FOR THIS CUT WERE GIVEN IS THAT THERE'S SOME AGREEMENT WITH THE LEGISLATURE HERE WE HAVE VERIFIED THAT THE JUDICIARY AND TEDDY SKIES THERE'S NO AGREEMENT THE LEGISLATURE TOLD US THAT SINCE THE ALLEGED AGREEMENT OCCURRED 30 DAYS FORT BEND COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS WITHOUT ANY SUCH AGREEMENT OF CUTTING ASSOCIATES THERE CONNECTS THE REASON WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE COURTS BECAUSE. >> HAD REQUESTED 30 MORE SECONDS HERE I APPRECIATE THAT THE SECOND REASON WE WERE GIVEN FOR THIS ELIMINATION OF CUTS WAS OCA REPORTS THE REPORT THAT'S BEEN TOSSED AROUND OR DISCUSSED THIS OVER TWO YEARS OLD I PERSONALLY HAD A MEETING WITH THE OCA TELLING THEM THE REPORTS WERE INACCURATE THEY SENT ME AN EMAIL SAYING THIS EMAIL IS FROM THE OCA IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT IT'S NOT FROM ME HERE I READ THE REFERRING TO MY MEETING WITH THEM FROM FORT BEND COUNTY THEY GO INTO ACCORDING TO OCA DOESN'T SHOW THESE CASES AND MAY NOT REPRESENT ACCURATE OR TRANSPARENT NUMBERS IN REPORTING ON BEHALF OF THE LOCAL COURT ACTIVITY HERE THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF TYPE OF CASES WHICH I WON'T READ THAT LIST IN THE INTEREST OF TIME HERE TO THIS REPORT WAS DONE BEFORE AGAIN. WE WERE GIVEN TWO MORE THOUGHTS HERE THE REPORT DOES NOT STATE ANYWHERE IN THAT REPORT THAT WE SHOULD START TOWARDS. OUR COUNTY IS A GROWING TIER TWO NEED EVERY SINGLE TALK WE HAVE HERE I PRIDE MYSELF AS DID ANY OF MY PEERS THAT WHEN A LAWYER CALLS AND SAYS I HAVE AN EMERGENCY HEARING ON A PENDING FORECLOSURE THAT I HAVE A BOND VIOLATION ALLEGING A WEAPON OR DRUG USE IF I GET A HEARING THAT WE BECAUSE I CAN AND I MAKE THINGS MOVE BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE THE OTHER COUNTIES AND CITIES IN THIS NATION THAT ARE HEADING CRIMINAL RATES AND ORGANISATIONAL SYSTEMS HERE WE ALSO GOT BACK AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOU THIS AND I'LL WRAP UP I PROMISE THAT THIS IS THE CURRENT REPORT THAT WAS RUN THIS WEEK AND PRINTED BY THE OCA HERE WE HAVE AN A+ CHARACTER PUBLIC RECORD GRADED CAN I SUPPORT GET IT A PLUS IN COUNTY OR STATE? APPEARANCE RATES HERE I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE IN THE INTEREST OF TIME FOR 100 DISTRICT COURT FROM JANUARY FIRST TO JULY 26 WHICH IS WHAT IS POSTED ON THE REPORTS FOR THE YEAR, DISPOSED OF THE 1344 CASES HERE NEW FILINGS SUCH AS FOR MY COURT COUNTY AS A WHOLE 1348 HERE LET'S LOOK AT THE MAP FOUR CASES HERE THE OPTIMAL CLEARANCE RATE FOR COURTS THAT YOU ARE DISCLOSING AND MOVING CASES TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEW FILINGS HERE THAT'S A PLUS HERE THERE'S NO WAY THE 400 DISTRICT COURT OR ANY OTHER COURTS WOULD GET THIS GRADE HERE THIS WAS PRINTED THIS WEEK BY THE OCA IF WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF AND JUDGES WE DO NOW HERE WE WOULD NOT HAVE AN A+, NOT HAVE THAT CLEARANCE RATE HERE AS FAR AS THE BUDGET CONCERNS THAT I TALKED TO AND STAFF HERE THEY SAID ELIMINATING POSITIONS IS NOT NEEDED TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGETS IF, IN FACT, WHERE THEY ALL GOT OUR BUDGETS IN WRITING CORRECT INCLUDING THESE POSITIONS AND LATER WE WERE TOLD IT WAS ON THE AGENDA HERE WE'VE BEEN GIVEN OUR BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR AND CITY STAFF TOLD ME THAT ELIMINATION OF THESE JOBS HAD THIS IMPORTANT TRADITIONAL FUNCTION DOESN'T BALANCE THE BUDGET HERE WE ARE GOOD HERE FOR SO LONG I ALSO WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EMAIL I'M GOING TO END WITH THIS HERE EMAIL YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE COUNTY ON AUGUST 25TH THIS WEEK HERE AT TEN WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THAT EMAIL CHARACTER YOU CAN SEE THIS IS MY COPY I PRINTED THINGS IN THERE BUT I ALSO BELIEVE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO WORK THESE DECISIONS AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY FIRST RESPONDERS FAMILIES AND I WON'T READ THE WHOLE THING CHECK YOUR EMAIL CHECK BUT I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT TO YOU THAT I AGREE WITH THAT THAT'S WHY I PUT IT IN HERE TODAY I'VE [00:25:01] ACTUALLY NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE HERE I WORK FOR THIS COUNTY UNDER TOWN COUNCIL WE HIRED DA IN THE YEAR 2001 MY SON WAS NINE MONTHS OLD HERE HE IS NOW 26. I'M A PRODUCT OF FORT BEND SCHOOLS I SERVED THIS COUNTY WITH EVERY OUNCE OF MY BRAIN AND MY HEART AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE SYSTEM HERE ONE DAY I'M GOING TO TAKE MY RETIREMENT AND GO AWAY BUT I EARNED -- THAT I EARNED AND BELIEVE IN THE SYSTEM WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE PRECINCT 2-2? GOOD AFTERNOON. MD ASSOCIATE JUDGE IN THE 320TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT THE OCA REPORTS AND I'M GOING TO HAVE THE JUDGE GIVE YOU ALL THE REPORTS 15 TO 23 THERE WAS A WORKLOAD SET IN 2024 THE REPORT WAS MADE HERE I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THE FACT THAT THE REPORT IS OLD AND REPORT THEM TO THE CONTINUING DURING THE COUNTY SAID THE PURPOSE FOR THAT STUDY WAS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS TO IDENTIFY THE COUNTIES OR UNDER SPORTS JUDICIARY RESOURCES, THE PURPOSE OF IT WAS NEVER TO BE WEAPONIZED TO SAY THEY WERE TOO MANY JUDGES HERE THE PARTICULAR COMMITTEE WHICH WAS THE JUDICIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE DMC IT WAS THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR 2023 JUDICIAL WORKLOAD HERE'S WHAT THEY SAID IN THE REPORT WHICH YOU ALL HAVE ON PAGE 13 THAT THEY SAY PARTICULARLY THEY WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED WITH HOW THE WAY OF CASELOAD WILL HELP IDENTIFY COUNTY THAT RELATIVELY IN THEIR STORES AND PROVIDED A RELIABLE ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS NEEDED HERE J. MC MEMBERS WERE ALSO COMMITTED TO PRESERVING JUDICIAL STAFFING LEVELS IN COUNTIES THAT WERE ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME PER CASE WITH THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE HERE THERE WAS A CONSENSUS AMONG THE MC MEMBERS ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ABOVE THE AVERAGE LEVEL BY EMPLOYING ASSOCIATE JUDGES TECH MASTERS, MAGISTRATES AND REFEREES TO ASSIST WITH THE WORKLOAD OF THE DISTRICT COURTS SHOULD BE WELCOME HERE THE RATIONALE WAS THAT THE CALCULATED OPPORTUNITY FOR LIBERTY CASELOAD MODEL REPRESENTED A REASONABLE LEVEL OF STAFFING THAT COULD BE PRESENT IN ALL COUNTIES BUT NOT OPTIMAL LEVEL BECAUSE HIGHER STAFFING LEVELS LIKELY INCREASE THE LEVEL AND QUALITY OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC IT WAS AGREED THAT JURISDICTIONS WHERE THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS EXCEEDED THE NEED WOULD BE HELD HARMLESS HERE THAT LIST OF PURPOSE OF THE WORKLOAD STUDY WAS TO FIND PENNIES WHERE THEY NEEDED MORE IT WAS NOT WEAPONIZE THE CASELOAD STUDY AND SAY THERE WERE TOO MANY JUDGES HERE THEY WANTED IT TO BE HARMLESS PURE CHEMISTRY NEEDED TO DO THE SAME. ADDITIONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO POINT YOU OUT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND THE 328 DISTRICT COURT WAS THE FOR FIRST COURT IN THIS COUNTY TO HAVE AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND THAT WAS IN 1994 HERE 42 YEARS THERE HAS BEEN AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE IN THE 320TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT IN 1999 THE DISTRICT COURT WAS CREATED AND THAT HAS BEEN 27 YEARS HERE WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THAT WAS IN 2003 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL -- I. WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK FOR A BIT MORE TIME HERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE TIME -- THE ISSUES THAT WERE PRESENTED TO HIM WITH REGARDS TO THE CREATION OF THE 387 DISTRICT COURTS WHICH IS REALLY LOCATED IN FORT BEND COUNTY. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WAS THE CREATION OF A COURT THAT AFFECT THE NEED FOR AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE HERE I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL OF IT HERE I PROVIDED THAT OPINION TO YOU ALL BUT THE SHORT ANSWER WAS NO HERE'S THE OTHER QUESTION THAT WAS PRESENTED WAS WHEN THE 387TH DISTRICT COURT WAS CREATED THAT DIDN'T EMPLOY THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR THE 328 DISTRICT COURT DID IT NEED TO BE SHARED? THE SHORT ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION WAS ALSO NO BECAUSE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DID AT THAT TIME WAS CREATE A POSITION OF AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR THE 387 HERE IN 2015 TOOK THE 505 WAS CREATED 11 YEARS AGO AND THE OLD DAYS [00:30:01] WAS AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR THAT COURT HERE SO WE SERVE NOT ONLY OUR DISTRICT COURT JUDGES BUT WE SERVE THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND THE FAMILIES OF THIS COMMUNITY AND WE DO TERRIBLY AND WORK HARD AND WE EARN THE RESPECT OF THE JUDICIARY AND WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU DON'T DEFUND THE PROGRAM HERE WHAT I WOULD ALSO SAY IS THAT LAST YEAR WHEN THIS CAME UP I ASKED WHAT PERCENTAGE IS THE JUDICIARY OF THE WHOLE BUDGET? I WAS TOLD 2% DEXTER MCCOY ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE WAY LESS THAN 2% ADDITIONALLY I REQUESTED TO KNOW WHEN IN FORT BEND JUDICIARY POSITION EVER BEEN DEFUNDED? I WAS TOLD NEVER HERE I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANY PRECEDENT THAT EVER SAID OR DEFUNDED A POSITION THAT WASN'T VACANT THAT PARTICULARLY WITH THE JUDICIARY CORRECT WE HEARD MY COLLEAGUES TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT MY POSITION IS AND IT IS VESTED INTEREST BECAUSE IT'S MY JOB BUT I ALSO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST BECAUSE I'M A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY AND I BELIEVE IN THE WORK YOU AND THE SAFETY WE PROVIDE AND SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THIS COMMUNITY IF I WERE TO ASK AN SET A PRECEDENT, IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE SAFETY OF THIS COMMUNITY AND BELIEVE THAT THE CITIZENS DESERVE THE BEST THAT I WOULD ASK THAT THE LIKE THE OCA REPORT SAID THAT HOLD THE FACT THAT WE ARE THE GOLD STANDARD IN TEXAS TECH THAT YOU HOLD THE FACT THAT WE ARE DOING YOUR JOB HERE THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER-03: HERE I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE FAMILY DISTRICT COURT I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS BODY THIS AFTERNOON I'VE BEEN THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT COURT HERE THIS IS YEAR SIX FOR ME NOW BUT ALSO IN ADDITION TO THAT I'M A RESIDENT OF FORT BEND COUNTY AND A TAXPAYER IN FORT BEND COUNTY FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS HERE SO MY PURPOSE IN BEING HERE OVER 20 YEARS THAT MY PROFESSION BEING HERE TODAY IS TO PART ONE AS A PRESIDING JUDGE OF A COURT THAT WILL BE AFFECTED WITH ITEM IS PASSED THIS AFTERNOON AND TWO AS A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTY WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE HERE I THINK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM HAS AN INTEREST IN PUBLIC SAFETY. MANY OF YOU CAMPAIGNED ON THE PREMISE OF KEEPING FORT BEND COUNTY SAFE HERE I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WOULDN'T TAKE ACTION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE SAFETY OF FORT BEND COUNTY CITIZENS HERE MY COLLEAGUES PROVIDED YOU WITH DATA, CHRISTMAS I WAS HERE SPEAKING TO THIS BODY ABOUT THE VERY SAME ISSUE. I NEVER IMAGINED THAT JUST OVER A YEAR LATER WE WOULD BE BACK HERE ENTERTAINING THE THOUGHT OF MAKING A JUDGES ONCE AGAIN HERE LAST YEAR YOU HEARD FROM MYSELF AND 16 OTHER PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP TO SPEAK AGAINST THIS VERY SAME AGENDA ITEM HE OR SHE HEARD FROM JUDGES LAWYERS WHO PRACTICE IN FORT BEND COUNTY WHO ARE CONCERNED CITIZENS FROM FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND ALL SEVEN OF US WERE UNITED IN EXPRESSING TO THIS BODY THAT THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA I'M NOT GOING TO USE THE TIME THAT I'M ALLOTTED TO PROVIDE MORE DATA WHEN I WAS HERE LAST YEAR BUT I GAVE YOU ALL THAT INFORMATION HERE I GAVE YOU INFORMATION ON HOW MANY CASES WE HAVE PENDING ON OUR FAMILY COURTS HOW MANY CASES WERE DISCLOSING EACH MONTH INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY HERE HOW MANY NEW CASES ARE FILED IN OUR COURTS EVERY MONTH HERE HOW MANY OLD CASES ARE REOPENED THAT ARE NOT UNDER THE NEW TAX FILINGS EVERY MONTH HERE YOU CAN SEE HOW OUR CASES WORK I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT AGAIN HERE I FEEL LIKE I'VE ALREADY PROVIDED THAT INFORMATION TO YOU HERE TODAY WHAT I WANT TO DO IS TO JUST ADDRESS THE CITIZENS AND THE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN OF FORT BEND COUNTY THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT YOUR ELECTED AND APPOINTED JUDGES GENERALLY DON'T AGREE WITH THIS HERE WE ARE AGAINST THIS. [CHEERING] ALSO WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT AT NO POINT DOES ANYONE COME DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE LIKE WHOEVER PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA HAS NOT COME DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE TO OBSERVE A DOCKET HOWEVER CASES ARE RUN HERE THERE'S BEEN NO PHONE CALLS NO EMAIL TEXT NO COMMUNICATION WHATSOEVER TO EVEN SO MUCH AS ASK US OUR OPINIONS HERE WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS MOMENT BEFORE THE PUBLIC FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AND IT'S JUST SIMPLY NOT RIGHT HERE IF I COULD HAVE A FEW MORE SECONDS HERE WHAT I WOULD ASK OF THIS BODY TO COME DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ANY OF YOU ARE ATTORNEYS HERE TO COME DOWN TO [00:35:01] THE COURTHOUSE TO OBSERVER DOCKETS TO SEE WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO EVERY DAY HERE COME DOWN AND MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO HERE TODAY AND MAYBE ENGAGE IN SOME INFORMATION GATHERING BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION THAT WILL BE TO THE DETRIMENT OF FORT BEND COUNTY CITIZENS HERE THIS IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY HERE MATTER OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE HERE IT WILL BE CREATING UNREASONABLE DELAYS THAT AS A JUDGE I SIMPLY CANNOT GET AROUND YOU'VE HEARD THE NUMBERS OF HOW MANY CASES THEY HAVE PENDING HERE BECAUSE OF JULY 31ST 2026 AND FAMILY COURTS ARE RANKED UNDER 7000 CASES PENDING HERE WE GET ON AVERAGE 200 AROUND 200 NEW CASES IN EACH COURT FILED EVERY MONTH HERE THAT'S A LOT OF WORK FOR ONE PERSON 50 ARE GOING TO BE PRESENT AND DELAY FOR FAMILIES THEIR CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO MORE RESEARCH HERE COME DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE TRACK DEEPER YOURSELF WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO BEFORE YOU MAKE THIS TYPE OF DECISION THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. C-THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> WE HAD ONE MORE JUDGE I MEAN I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S STILL HERE IS THAT PLEASE COME FORWARD TO MAKE A JUDGE WONG COMMISSIONERS HERE I REMEMBER LAST YEAR I CAME HERE AND GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND HERE DURING THAT ARGUED THAT AVERAGE EVERY MONTH EVERY COURT IS GETTING 150 CASES A MONTH AND YESTERDAY WE GOT A NEW REPORT FOR JULY LIKE EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT COURT NOW GETTING TO 140 CASES IN A MONTH HERE THAT IS MORE THAN 70 CASES PER MONTH IN EVERY SINGLE COURT HERE SO OUR POPULATION IS GROWING HERE THIS TO MENTION ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DURING THE FRESHMAN SIGNED BY THE JUDGES THAT MANY% OF THIS TAX PROFITS ARE HANDLED BY THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE THERE ARE SEVERAL SPECIALITY DOCKETS CHECK ALL THOSE SPECIALITY COURTS ARE RUN BY THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE NOW BECAUSE OF THE NEW LEGISLATION CHECK SOME OF THE CRIMINAL CASES CANNOT BE HANDLED BY THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE SO WE ARE DOING THE REGISTRATION EVEN THE PRESIDING JUDGES SO WE CAN RECOMMEND WHERE WE CAN GET THE WORK DONE LIKE GETTING THE HELP -- FROM THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CIVIL CASES THERE THE ONES MOVING THE DOCKET ON THE CIVIL SIDE HERE THEY CAN DO EVERYTHING EXCEPT DO THE PARTIES ARE OBJECTING TO WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE TRIAL AND THEY'RE HELPING US TO MOVE THE DOCKETS HERE IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT TOPIC WE WON'T BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ANY OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE ARE DOING NOW HERE AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE NEW LEGISLATURE MANDATES LIKE EVERY SINGLE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE SHOULD CLEAR AT LEAST 90% OF THE CASELOAD SO THE NEW FILINGS ARE 240 THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO APPEAR AT LEAST 200 A MONTH OTHERWISE WE IN THE NEGATIVE HERE RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN A PLUS BECAUSE OF THE JUDGES SOME OF THE SMALLER COUNTY THEY ONLY GET 50 CASES PER MONTH AND THEN THEY DISPOSE OF APPLICATIONS THEY ARE GETTING A PLUS EVEN AFTER DISPOSING 240 CASES A MONTH THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET ONLY A- AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR TO MANAGE THE DOCKET HERE SO IT'S NOT EASY AND ALSO RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT THAT THE DEMOCRACY FUNCTIONS FOR THE BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT RESPECT EACH OTHER RESPECTING THE JUDICIAL BRANCH RESPECT THE JUDICIARY AND VICE VERSA WE NEVER GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD ABOUT THE ELIMINATION OF THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES HERE BUT THAT INCLUDES THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND TENMAC CARLEIGH SUSAN DEVUYST WE'RE NOT EVEN ASKING A JUSTIFICATION OF GETTING THOSE JUDGES HERE SO SIMPLY I'M ASKING YOU DON'T DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S NOT EFFICIENT FOR OUR COUNTY AND IT'S UNFAIR AND IMPROPER AND PERHAPS ILLEGAL. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT HERE WE APPRECIATE THAT C-THANK YOU SO MUCH HERE. >> NEXT SPEAKER IS FRANK ON AGENDA ITEM 38 AND 30D HERE THERE ARE SOME SPEAKERS IN THE OVERFLOW ROOM SO WE CAN JUST GIVE THEM A FEW MINUTES. >> PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMING HERE I RETIRED BEEN IMPORTANT TO THE -- ONE PERSON [00:40:02] IS DEAD I PROVIDED LANDMARK CENTER AND PLAYED THREE GAMES OF PICKLEBALL HERE AS YOU MAY RECALL SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW CONNECT TO SERVE THE COUNTY'S DISTRICT JUDGE FROM 2019 TO 2022 THE MYSELF AND GEORGE WILLIAMS CAME TO THIS COURT AND COMMISSIONER MORALES HIS PRESENCE HERE THESE POSITIONS WERE APPROVED ALSO SPEAK ON ITEM D I CAN SEE IT ON THE SCREEN HERE ALSO SERVE ON A BOARD WHERE ONE OF THE ORIGINAL TRAININGS HAPPEN TO BE REPUBLICAN AND WE DISCUSSED THE MATTER OF THE POSITION WAS CREATED AND EVERYTHING WENT WELL AS LONG AS THERE'S A REPUBLICAN OFFICE HERE AND NOW WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC ELECTED ATTORNEY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE WANT TO DISPLACE THAT OFFICE. [CHEERING] SO IN MY OPINION TAKE THIS ITEM 30A AND B AND STRICTLY POLITICAL AND IT'S NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN FOR THE COUNTY CRICKET 39 YEAR RESIDENTS OF FORT BEND COUNTY WHEN YOU HAVE HEARD ALL APPROVED THE GOOD WORK THAT THESE ASSISTANT JUDGES DO KICK SOME DO YOU TO TRUST THE PEOPLE HERE AT HORDALAND COUNTY THIS TABLE THIS ITEM FOR DISCUSSION BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION HERE THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] IS THE NEXT SPEAKER AGENDA ITEM 30B HERE. >> SPEAKER-09: GOOD AFTERNOON HERE I RESIDE IN SEASON 3167 HERE FOR MY SUPPORT AND OPINION FOR AGENDA ITEM 30 BRAVO WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED A NEW LEGAL DEPARTMENT CIVIL DIVISION HERE AT FORT BEND COUNTY EMPLOYEES OVER 1400 PEOPLE AND MANAGES THE BUDGET OF ROUGHLY $750 MILLION HERE THAT'S YOUR JOB HERE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TEST THE FUNCTION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A LARGE CORPORATION HERE SUCH A BOARD HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS SOME OF WHICH INCLUDE LEGAL RISKS. THE BOARD TO OBTAIN LEGAL COUNSEL TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND RISKS OF LITIGATION OF THEIR ACTIONS HERE THAT LEGAL COUNSEL MUST BE BOTH COMPETENT AND COMMITTED TO THE COMPANY'S BEST INTERESTS IN THIS CASE COUNTY'S BUSINESS HERE THE FORT BEND COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS A SINGLE PRIMARY STATUTORY ROLE WHICH IS TO REPRESENT THE COUNTY IN CIVIL LITIGATION HERE AT WESTMINSTER COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD FUNCTION AS A DEFENSE COUNSEL IN A CIVIL COURT AS THE COUNTY IS BEING SUED THAT POTENTIALLY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OF THE UNITED STATES THEY HAVE TO SUE SOME ENTITY HERE FOR DECADES THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ALSO HAD AN COUNTY -- ALSO PROVIDED SERVICES BASIC GOVERNANCE TECHNICAL ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HERE I UNDERSTAND SUCH AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO DO THINGS HERE THAT SERVICE IS ABOVE AND BEYOND THE STATUTORY REQUIRED FUNCTION OF THE ROLE OF COUNTY TURNING HERE SO IT'S A SUPERINTENDENT ROLE HERE THE LAST EAR WE'VE ALL SEEN GROWING POLITICAL DIVISION BETWEEN CONSERVATIVE AND LIBERAL POLITICAL PARTIES HERE MANY SITUATIONS HAVE GONE BEYOND REASONABLE POLITICAL DEBATE THAT RATIONAL DEBATE AND UNFORTUNATELY TRANSLATED INTO THE ANGER AND DISTRUST, ON A PERSONAL LEVEL HERE I WITNESSED ELECTED COUNTY ATTORNEY EXHIBIT IN MY OPINION CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS HYPER PARTISAN BEHAVIOR HERE SHE HAS IGNORED PRESIDING OFFICER'S ORDERS AND OPEN MEETINGS LIKE THIS AND CONTINUES TO DISRUPT MEETINGS EVEN AFTER BEING TOLD TO STOP HERE I DON'T WISH TO BE DISRESPECTFUL BUT I BELIEVE MANY OF THEIR RECENT DECISIONS AND ACTIONS AND LEGAL ACTIVITIES BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS PROVEN TO BE INACCURATE? 10S C-AND PARTISAN. THIS BOARD SAYS TO ME THIS ISN'T ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU DO YES, YOU NEED GOOD LEGAL ADVICE TO DO THAT BUT YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE YOUR OWN LEGAL COUNSEL HERE TO LIVE WITH HER DIRECTLY TO ESTABLISH THIS DIVISION KICKS INTO. >> THANK YOU. NEXT C-NEXT SPEAKER ITEM 30 A [00:45:06] AND B HERE HELLO HERE PROMISE I WON'T TAKE TOO LONG HERE EVERYTHING TO 2050 AND I AM ALSO A GRADUATE OF FORT BEND COUNTY AND I'VE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 27 OF MY 34 YEARS HERE I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS AND I'M SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION IF THIS IS RETALIATION AND YOU NEED TO STOP IT IF YOU JUST SAT HERE THAT WHICH PEOPLE WHAT LOOK LIKE ME SAID REPRESENT A COLLEGE THAT MY FRIENDS WENT TO ANY GIVEN PROCLAMATION AND NOW YOU'RE HERE ATTACKING A BLACK WOMAN DOING HER JOB HERE IF THIS IS WHAT YOUR LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO BE SO LONG AS WE ARE IN TROUBLE HERE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT DEPEND ON THESE ASSOCIATE JUDGES TO DO THEIR JOBS AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THE WAY OF CARE DELAY OF SERVICES BECAUSE OF RETALIATION HERE YOU ARE HERE ESPECIALLY AS A MINORITY BECAUSE WE ARE MINORITIES HERE TO REPRESENT PEOPLE LIKE ME YOU DO NOT DO THIS HERE MY SON DEPEND ON THE FAMILY SERVICES HERE HE HAS AUTISM. DO NOT AFFECT MY 8-YEAR-OLD BOY THE KINGDOM THAT CAN BE STOPPED HERE THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE. >> NEXT SPEAKER IS TONY AND HE'S HERE FOR AGENDA ITEM 30 A AND MYGOOD AFTERNOON I AM TONY AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2-2 HERE I WANT TO SPEAK ON UNDER THE ITEMS 30 A AND B BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2-2 IS NOT PRESENT TO SPEAK FOR US CONSTITUENTS. SHERI LYNN MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS THERE ARE CONSTITUENTS IN PRECINCT 2-2 THAT DO OR DO NOT BUT YET AGAIN WE DON'T HAVE REPRESENTATION HERE WHAT HAPPENS AND COMMISSIONERS DON'T SHOW UP THAT ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEY DISAGREE WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THEIR STATUS. [CHEERING] INTERPRETATION] DECISION TO BELIEVE THEY'RE IN MUSCLE BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISAGREEING WITH GOVERNMENT AND REFUSING TO PARTICIPATE IN IT. WHEN THE COMMISSIONER DOESN'T SHOW UP, THEY'RE IN THERE TO ASK THE QUESTIONS. [CHEERING] THEY'RE NOT THERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND DEBATING ISSUES OR CAST A VOTE HERE COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAN'T CONDUCT BUSINESS TAXPAYERS WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO DO OR TO CONDUCT ROADS DRAINAGE FLOOD MITIGATION PACKAGE FOR TO CONTACT ANOTHER COUNTY BUSINESSES CAN BE DELAYED AND COST TAXPAYERS MONEY HERE THERE'S ANOTHER CONSEQUENCE I BELIEVE IN EVEN MORE AND THAT'S REPRESENTATION TO THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 2-2 COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE TO REPRESENT THEM AT THE TABLE HERE TO BE DESERVED TO HAVE THEIR COMMISSIONER THEY'RE ASKING DIFFERENT QUESTIONS MAKING ARGUMENTS PROTECTING THEIR INTERESTS IN VOTING ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES AND PARENTS DOLLARS HERE THIS IS WHERE I THINK OF THOMAS PAINE AND COMMON SENSE THAT PEOPLE ARE THE IDEA THAT GOVERNMENT EXISTS FOR THOSE WHO HOLD POWER HERE KIDS ARGUMENT WAS THAT GOVERNMENT EXISTS BECAUSE IT'S SUPPOSED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE THE PRINCIPLE HAS NOW CHANGED YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH ANY JUDGE OR COMMISSIONERS BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUPPORT EVERY ITEM THAT COMES DOWN BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT IF YOU BELIEVE SOMETHING IS WRONG SAY SO BUT THE COMMISSIONERS KNOW SAFE TO SAY SO CONTROL DID THEY'RE NOT HERE TO CHALLENGE IT YOU CAN SAY IT'S WRONG BUT YOU'RE NOT HERE TO SAY SO YOU CAN DEBATE IT BUT YOU'RE NOT HERE TO DEBATE IT HERE TO PUT YOUR OBJECTION ON THE PUBLIC RECORD IF YOU FEEL SO BUT IF YOU DON'T FEEL UP LIKE YOU'RE NOT TAKING IN THE PROCESS AND THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED YOU TO REPRESENT LOSE THEIR VOICE AT THE TABLE AND THIS ISN'T ABOUT PERSONALITIES IT'S ABOUT POLITICAL -- NOT POLITICAL PARTIES WHETHER YOU LIKE OR DISLIKE THE COUNTY JUDGE. IT'S ABOUT A BASIC PRINCIPLE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND REPRESENTATION REQUIRES PARTICIPATION HERE THE RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT 2-2 STILL HAVE ROADS THAT NEED TO BE BUILT AND DRAINAGE PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED EXPENSES THAT NEED TO BE MANAGED AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT NEEDS TO FUNCTION HERE THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES DON'T STOP BECAUSE ELECTED OFFICIALS DISAGREE HERE GOVERNMENTS HAVE TO KEEP WORKING AND THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOW UP AND DO THE JOB THEY WERE ENTRUSTED TO DO HERE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THANK YOU FOR COMING NEXT SEE YOU NEXT SPEAKER UNDER THE ITEM [00:50:09] 30B. JESSIAH MASSARO-GILL AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS HERE I AM GREG AT TUCKER RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT FOUR I'M GOING TO SPEAK A BIT DIFFERENTLY ABOUT 30 BE HERE TODAY IF I COULD HEAR MY RETIRED BUSINESSMAN IN CASE ANYONE HASN'T NOTICED THAT FORT BEND COUNTY HAS GOTTEN HUGE HERE'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO DO THIS TO RUN THIS COUNTY MORE EFFICIENTLY AND FRANKLY MORE LIKE A BUSINESS RATHER THAN A PIGGY BANK. ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THINGS ALIGNED AND ORGANISED PROPERLY TO WHERE THEY RUN EFFICIENTLY AND WITH FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HERE I'M GOING TO USE A TERM HERE WE USED TO USE IN INDUSTRY IT'S CALLED SCOPE CREEP HERE'S COTE SCOPE CREEP CREEP IS THAT AN INDUSTRY ALL THE TIME HERE'S WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE DEFINED ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN YOUR BUSINESS AND YOU MUST FOCUS THERE MUST GET HYPER FOCUS THERE TO WHERE YOUR DEPARTMENT CAN BE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAID NO FAULT OF HERS IS THAT THE OFFICE HAS BEEN ALLOWED OVER MANY YEARS AND MANY ADMINISTRATIONS TO DEVOLVE INTO A TERRIBLE PROBLEM WITH SCOPE CREEP AND YOU BASICALLY FORCED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DO THINGS THAT IS NOT A STATUTORY ROLE. [CHEERING] TO FIX THAT NOW BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER HERE TO LET HER FOCUS HER EFFORTS AND WORK ON WHAT SHE'S STATUTORILY REQUIRED TO DO BY LAW AND TO BRING IN ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER MATTERS IF WE DON'T DO THAT THAT DON'T FIX IT NOW THAT IT'S GOING TO END UP COSTING THIS COUNTY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT FOR YEARS TO COME IF WE DON'T FIX IT NOW I ASK YOU TO PLEASE PASS 30 D. C-THIS YEAR ON 30 A AND B. [CHEERING] AFTERNOON MR. WONG AND COMMISSIONER I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING HERE BECAUSE WHEN I COME THAT'S BECAUSE I FEEL THAT SOMETHING THAT DECISION OR PROPOSAL IS IMMORAL AND VERY EGREGIOUS I HAVE THREE COMPACT MIRRORS IN MY HAND HERE I COME BEARING TO THE OFFICER'S THIS COMPACT MIRRORS BECAUSE I WANT YOU ALL TO TAKE THEM OUT OF YOUR DESK AND LOOKED AT THEM FROM TIME TO TIME THEY ARE NICE I USE ONE OF THEM AT HOME HERE I AM NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH 30 A AND 30B THAT YOU DON'T DISAPPOINT ME BECAUSE THE FIRST MEASURE YOU TOOK UNDER THIS REGIME WAS TO ELIMINATE THE SUMMER JOBS FOR THE KIDS HERE COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE HAD TO COME TO THE RESCUE AND HEAVEN KNOWS IT'S GONE DOWNHILL SINCE THEN HERE LET ME REMIND YOU ABOUT ADDRESS AT 301 JACKSON STREET IT'S NOT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE HERE OKAY WE'RE HERE TO SERVE THE COUNTY AND ITS CITIZENS AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE'RE DOING THAT HERE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE COURTS THAT WE ALL KNOW THE COURTS CHECK AND FORTH IN ANY COUNTY THAT PROCESS THAT IT'S LABORED AND WE'RE GOING TO REDUCE IT BY SOME PEOPLE SAY EIGHT BUT FIVE ON THE AGENDA AND OUR ASSOCIATE JUDGES HAVE THEIR OWN DOCKETS THEY DON'T JUST ASSIST THE JUDGES THAT THEY RUN THE COURT HEARD SO BY SETTING YOU KNOW WE'RE GOING DILUTION DOWN WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE TO COME BEFORE THEM WE'RE GREAT BACK OF COURSE WE TALKED ABOUT THE JUDGE BUSINESS A YEAR AGO AND IT DIDN'T GO AND THEN YOU'LL COME IN AND THEN HERE WE GO ON THE AGENDA I BROUGHT UP THE PROBLEM COURTS I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT IN COURT AND WE NEED ONE HERE REMEMBER WE ARE A GROWING COUNTY HERE AND THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS THE NEW DEPARTMENT IS SUPPOSED TO HANDLE CIVIL HERE I'M NOT A LEGAL SCHOLAR I'M NOT LEGAL AT ALL BUT I THOUGHT THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DID WAS CIVIL CRIMINAL GOALS TO THE DA'S [00:55:03] OFFICE AM I WRONG TO AMERICAN SHERIFF HELPED ME OUT HEAR HERE. I WENT TO AN HBCU ANALYSIS MY GOALS WENT TO PRAIRIE VIEW SO I APPRECIATE YOU RECOGNISING PRAIRIE VIEW AND STAFF MEMBERS ON THIS ANNIVERSARY 150 YEARS BUT DON'T THROW ME A BONE HERE DON'T THROW ME A BONE HERE LET'S DO PROCLAMATION AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL COVER WHAT WE'RE REALLY DOING HERE DON'T DO THAT TO ME. TWO THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE NEXT. >> AGENDA ITEM 30A AND B YOU MIGHT CONSIDER YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HERE I AM VICKI WISH YOU ALTMAN HAVE MADE ME COME BACK HERE I CHANGED A BONE SCAN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS YEAR THANKS A LOT HERE THIS MORNING I HAPPEN TO THINK OF IT MEANING THAT IT WAS GOING AROUND MY COMING TO NAVY. WAS PASSED AROUND AS A XEROX COPY. IT WAS A DURING THE OUT TO THE RIVER MOUTH WAS GIVEN THE GESTURE, THAT'S THE WAY I FEEL HERE I SEE YOU APPEAR TO HAVE GROWN TIRED OF TAKING THE TROUBLE TO GO OUT AND FIND AND BUY LEGAL ADVICE THAT WAS YOU CORRECTLY YOU'RE PROPOSING TO MOVE IT IN-HOUSE. I HAVE NO IDEA IF YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT I HAVE NOT HAVING HAD TIME TO LOOK INTO IT MUCH SINCE YOU SPRING IT ON THE COUNTY HERE WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT IT'S JUST ANOTHER POKE IN THE EYE OF OTHERS HERE I'LL REMIND YOU THAT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY IS ELECTED AT THE SAME AS SOME OF YOU I HAVE BEEN SICK OF THIS GARBAGE SINCE YOU DID PUT REDISTRICTING AT THE DIRECT OR INDIRECT ABOUT THE HEART FACT THAT WE KNOW THIS GARBAGE IS COMING FROM AND TO ADD TO IT THAT YOU PUT REMOVING ASSOCIATE JUSTICES ON THE AGENDA FOR THE SAME MEETING. ONE MORE POKE IN THE EYE AND COUNTY PROBABLY HERE I STILL DON'T GIVE OUT DIRECT ADVICE AND I GUESS THIS ISN'T ADVICE WHICH OF COURSE YOU WOULDN'T TAKE ANYWAY AND JUST A RANDOM THOUGHT HERE YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE A LOOK AT THIS CONCEPT THAT IT COMES FROM ANCIENT GREEK THEATER HERE A FEW THINGS ABOUT PRIDE GOING BEFORE THE FALL HERE I LOOKED AT WIKIPEDIA TO REFRESH MY MEMORY ON HUBRIS I FOUND SOMETHING INTERESTING AND I QUOTE HERE HUBRIS IS USUALLY PERCEIVED AS A CHARACTERISTIC OF AN AN INDIVIDUAL RATHER THAN A GROUP CONGRATULATIONS YOU ALL HERE YOU'RE ANOTHER PORTLAND CITY REPUBLICANS DOING A REAL GOOD JOB OF PROVING THAT STATEMENT FROM WIKIPEDIA WRONG PEER GROUP HUBRIS DOES EXIST HERE THANK YOU YET AGAIN FOR LISTENING I CONTINUE TO HOPE NOT TO HAVE TO DO THIS ANYMORE I HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE NEXT. [APPLAUSE] 130 >> GOOD AFTERNOON, SUNITA GAUCH, I LEAVE IT UP TO FOLKS TO SPEAK ON THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES ISSUE. I AM -- WHAT I WANTED TO SPEAK ON TODAY WAS THE INHERENT CRUELTY OF WHAT I CALL THE CORRUPT KA BALL ON THIS DAIS, ARE WE SURPRISED THAT THE RACIST MISOGYNISTS UP THERE HAD TO RESORT TO EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK TO CLAW INTO POWER. REMEMBER, NOT A SINGLE PERSON VOTED FOR YOU, MR. WONG. ARE WE REALLY SURPRISED THAT THE GUARDIANS ANNOINT JUDGES WHO DON'T HAVE TO RECUSE THEMSELVES APPARENTLY WHENEVER THEY SEE FIT THAT THE LAW GIVES THEM THE AUTHORITY -- WHAT GIVES THEM THE [01:00:04] AUTHORITY TO DO THIS? WHAT IS THE COST? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? IT SEEMS TO BE A SURPRISE TO EVERYONE HERE. WHAT IT IS IS MOTIVATED BEYOND A PURE POWER GRAB. HYPOCRITE MEYERS SINCE HE'S NOT THE TAXPAYER'S FRIEND, AND MENTIONED WE'LL SAVE MONEY, HOW IS CREATING A SEPARATE LAW FIRM AND SIPHONING MONEY TO QUESTIONBLING PEOPLE WITH ZERO EXPERIENCE GOING TO SAVE THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY, AND CERTAINLY, YOU FOUND -- THERE ARE THREE WORDS I WANTED TO USE, ORIGINALLY IT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT LOYALTY AND LIABILITY, BUT AFTER HEARING THE JUDGES, YOU'RE A BUNCH OF LIARS, THERE ARE NO FACTS TO SUPPORT YOUR REASONING FOR CREATING AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S POSITION, AND THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO CREATE A SEPARATE LAW FIRM, WHICH IS WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO. AND THE ISSUE OF LIABILITY, PAXTON RAISED THIS THIS WEEK, CRITICIZING HIS OPPONENT FOR HIS LOYALTIES, BECAUSE HE DID SOME LEGISLATION FAVORING CHINA, THE PEDO PROTECTOR PARTY RAISED LOYALTIES ABOUT PEOPLE OF CHINESE ORIGIN IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S RACE, SO I'M GOING TO RAISE IT HERE, I DON'T CARE IF I'M CALLED A RACIST. WHAT ABOUT YOUR ISSUES OF CHINESE LOYALTY. YOU SEEM TO HAVE COME TO AMERICA FROM DIRE POVERTY, WITHOUT -- PRETIANANMEN SQUARE WITH QUOTE, NO RESOURCES, HOW DID YOU COME HERE, AND GET INTO UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AS AN UNDERGRAD, AND YOU CAN PROVE ME WRONG. THE OTHER QUESTION IS LIABILITY. PEOPLE TALK ABOUT, OH, THIS IS NOT ABOUT -- WHATEVER, 33B IS ABOUT YOU SIGNING A CONTRACT, WHERE IS YOUR DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, AND WHERE IS YOUR SIGNATORY AUTHORITY, AND FINALLY, THIS WHOLE THING ABOUT CONTROL, WHY ARE YOU HERE? WHY ARE YOU NOT RECUSING YOURSELF? EVERY TAXPAYER SHOWN THIS WEEK YOU'VE BEEN WILLING TO RECUSE YOURSELF, BECAUSE TESLA ISN'T INVOLVED, AND THIS CORRUPT KA BALL, YOU'RE UP HERE ON THE DAIS DENYING THE RIGHTS IN PRECINCT 2 AND 4 FROM THEIR DULY ELECTED PEOPLE BEING UP THERE. YOU ARE THE SELFISH ONE, YOU ARE THE LIAR, YOU ARE A LIABILITY, AND I QUESTION YOUR LOYALTY. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. NEXT. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS REMINGTON HECKLER ON 30 (A). >> JUST IN TIME. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON 30.A AND B, TO ME, THIS WHOLE THING IS SKETCHY, AS ALL GET-OUT. E FOCUSED SO MUCH ON THES, COUNTY ATTORNEY INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL STUFF THAT'S AFFECTING US, IT SHOWS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TRUST IN YOUR OWN STEM AND YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT. GOVERNMENT IS BUILT ON TRUST YOU TRUST ME I'M NOT GOING TO GO 125 MILES IN MY HONDA ELEMENT DOWN THE ROAD, AND I TRUST THAT YOU GO P MASIATRAC CI CONTRACT.N THAT AND ESPECIALLY IN YOUNG PEOPLE, PEOPLE MY AGE, WE BUILD OUR ENTIRE RELATIONSHIPS BASED ON TRUST. WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST VOTER USTHE GOVERNMENT WL DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR US, AND WE DON'T TRUST THIS YOU GUYS AREOING TO BE ABLE EFFECTIVELY. AND EVERY TIME YOU REFUSE TO RECUSE YOURSELF OR GO PPY ON SITTI, SKETCHY LIKE THIS, YOU AREYOR OI YOU DON'T HAV UR I PLEAD TO YOU, TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS, TO THE PART OF YOU, WHEN YOU FIRST GOT INVOLVED TO WHERE YOU WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO WHERE YOU SAW A PROBLEM IN YOUR COMMUNITY, AND YOU SAID, I WANT TO FIX THAT, I PLEAD TO YOU TO THAT PART OF YOU, TO STOP THIS NONSENSE. PLEASE. BECAUSE THIS IS NOT JUST POLITICS OR SOME HOBBY THAT I LIKE TO BE A PART OF. THIS IS MY ACTUAL LIVELIHOOD. THIS IS MY FUTURE, THIS IS PEOPLE'S DAY-TO-DAY LIVES, THAT YOU ARE MESSING WITH. PLEASE STOP THIS, AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER WONG: THANK YOU FOR COMING. NEXT. [01:05:01] >> KAITLYN THORPE ON AGENDA ITEM 30-A. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT, MY NAME IS KAITLYN THORPE, AND I'M A BOARD CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY THAT'S BEEN PRACTICING OVER THE LAST DECADE. I'VE WATCHED THE YOURS EVOLVE AND THE CREATION OF NEW COURTS AND MOST RECENTLY WATCHED THE CREATION OF A BRAND NEW COURT THAT WAS CREATED BECAUSE THERE'S A NEED IN OUR COUNTY. I AM BORN AND RAISED IN FORT BEND COUNTY, AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO PRACTICE LAW IN FORT BEND COUNTY. WHAT'S NOT GOING TO BE A PLEASURE FOR THE FEMALES OF THIS COMMUNITY IS NOT HAVING ACCESS TO JUDGES WHO CAN RESOLVE EMERGENCY ISSUES. THESE FAMILY COURTS ARE AREN'T HEARING CONTRACT DISPUTES, THEY'RE HEARING FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS WHERE THERE'S SIGNIFICANT BODILY HARM, HEARING ABOUT SEXUAL MOLESTATION ALLEGATIONS AND MAKING DETERMINATIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTY, THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT MY CHILDREN, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE REMOVAL OF THE JUDGES THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES ROLES OR DEFUNDING THEM IS ONLY GOING TO INCREASE THE BACKLOG THAT ALREADY EXISTS, AND IS GOING TO DECREASE OPEN COURTS FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS. I WORK AT A FIRM WITH 19 LAWYERS. MY LAWYERS COULD FILL THE COURTROOMS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, AND THERE WOULDN'T BE TIME TO REACH ALL THE CASES THAT ARE NECESSARY. IF WE REMOVE THREE JUDGES THERE 8 HOURS A DAY IF NOT LONGER HEARING MATTERS, THOSE CAS ARE GOING TO GO LONGER AND LONGER, AND PEOPLE WILL END UP DEAD. I PRACTICES ALSO IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE CAN'T GET HEARINGS DOWN THERE, AND PEOPLE ARE DYING, CHILDREN ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE, AND THAT, IF YOU REMOVE THESE ASSOCIATE JUDGES ROLES HERE, THAT BLOOD IS GOING TO BE ON Y'ALL'S HANDS, BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUR JUDGES IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. JUDGE ROLLINGS GOT UP AND TOLD Y'ALL HOW SHE HEARS POS FIRST, PROTECTIVE ORDERS, THAT MEANS SHE COULD BE BACKLOGGED FOR A DAY HEARING THAT ISSUE. AND MAYBE ANOTHER PROTECTIVE ORDER DOESN'T GET REACHED. SHE CAN'T SEND THAT DOWN THE HALL TO JUDGE YOUNG IF JUDGE YOUNG ISN'T THERE AND SOMEBODY COULD DIE. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING WHERE I'M EXAGGERATING. THESE ARE THINGS I'VE EXPERIENCED IN MY PRACTICE, WITH PEOPLE WHO CANNOT GET IN FRONT OF THE COURTS. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, Y'ALL REALLY NEED TO CONSIDER, YOU STARTED THIS SESSION BYAYING, FORT BENS GROWING, AND WITH CES RESPONBI. WELL, HANTD TO ESPONSLE FOR THE LIVES THOU'R IMPACTING, NOT JUST BT. CHILDREN THA REPRESENT, THE CHILDREN THA O PRACTITIONERS URUDIA SERVE, AND YOU NEED TO PLACE THEM FIRST, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE PLACING POLICY OVER PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO ARE TAXPAYERS, WHO >> COMMISSIONER WONG: THANKYOU YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING T.APPLAUSE. O0- AND B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS ANTHONY LUX, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS AND ON THE FORT BEND VOTERS LEAGUE HERE IN FORT BEND. I WANT TO SALUTE THE JUDGES THAT CAME UP HERE AND SPOKE. THEY OUTLINED THE PROBLEM, AND IT IS AMAZING ME THAT WE'RE REVISITING THIS AGAIN AFTER WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS A YEAR AGO, AND IT WASN'T A GOOD IDEA THEN. I'D LIKE TO SEE A JUDGE COME UP AND TELL US WHY IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO DO IT, OR MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN CONSIDERATION BEFORE IT WAS EVER BROUGHT UP AND PUT ON THE AGENDA. MY DAD USED TO HAVE A SAYING ABOUT NEVER PLAYING CHESS WITH A PIGEON, AND I KNOW, MR. WONG, YOU CAN APPRECIATE THIS, YOU HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR, NEVER PLAY CHESS WIT A PIGEON, BECAUSE ALL THE PIGEON IS GOING PIECESOARD,AND AWAYNDT' RIGHT, L THE TWO THINGS ON THE AGENDA, ONE IS 30-A, WHIALKS CIENT MODE,T VERY INT ANING THAT REASONABLE COST, A THEECD IS FOR NO REASONOER, BEHINDT,HY WE WOULDNANEASONI IS. I FM A VOTER STAPOINT OFIE I THINK YLLOULD G MORE MEAGEYIVING SOMECONSERATIOA ACON IMS A M DISCU PPLE WOULD CE OPTICS A LITTLE BIT BETTER. THE ONEOMMON DOMINATORE HERND TN DENOMINATOR ON BAD DECISIONS, AN I NOT SURE WHO IS MAKING THEM OR PULLING THE STRINGS, BECAUSE I SEE THE AIR CONDITIONING FOR OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY NOT BEING REPAIRED FOR THREE OR FOUR MONTHS AND THEN [01:10:03] THE DAY AFTER IT'S REPAIRED, AMAZINGLY ENOUGH ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IT'S DECLARED AIR CONDITIONING APPRECIATIO D WE CEERE' TALKINGUTNG THAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE COUNTY TORNEY, THAT WOULD TAKE POWER AWAY, AND ROB THE MOST IMPORTANT OF JUDICIAL AND WE'RE SALUTING PRAIRIE VIEW, IT SEEMS SO SUPERFICIAL, THE OPTICS ARE HORRIBLE ON IT, AND PEOPLE SEE THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT Y'ALL RULE WITHOUT -- INSTEAD OF USING SMAS GRA POLITICS, BASICALLY, WHICH I WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE, IS TO RULE WITH SOME CONSIDERATION. HAVE SOME MORAL FIBRE, AND WHEN YOU GET UPERE A SERVE THE COMMUNITY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING, PLEASE, BY ALL MEANS, LET THAT HAPPEN IN YOUR DECISIONS ALSO. YOU'RE NOT HERE TO MAINTAIN POWER FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. YOU'RE HERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY. THANK YOU MR. MEYERS FOR YOUR SERVICE, ALSO IN MY PRECINCT. >> COMMISSIONER WONG: THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> JUDGE, I'M INFORMED THAT THE LAST THREE MINUTES -- IS THAT CORRECT. >> WE HAVE A CONCURRENT -- A PARALLEL YOU TUBE CHANNEL, BECAUSE WE'REINS.>>PL CAN - FROE BEGINNING, TY CAN JOIN THE YOU TUBE CHANNEL AND WATCH IT FROM THE BEGINNING. >> DO THEY NEED TO BE INFORMED OF THAT. >> SWAGIT IS HAVING T. >> DO THEY KW THAT THEY CAN JOIN THIS OTHER YOU TUB CHANNEL. >> YES, IT'S ON THE PAGE, IT'S ON THE SITE. >> OY. THEO YE,O IF ONE,O IS BFE WHICH -- >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN SEE. >> YES, SIR, IT'S THERE. >> NEXT SPEAKER. >> EDUARDO LOPEZ ON AGENDA ITEM 30-B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME THANK THE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT FOR LETTING ME ADDRESS THIS WONDERFUL COURT ON THIS FANTASTIC DAY, WHEN OUR AREA IS WAITING FOR OUR WONDERFUL PRESIDENT TO GRACE US WITH HIS PRESENCE IN THIS AREA AND SHED LIGHT ON OUR PROBLEMS HERE. MY NAME IS EDUARDO LOPEZ DICASIS, AND I'M FOUNDER OF THE CLUB MOVEMENT, AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT OUR MOVEMENT IS IN FAVOR OF A LEGAL DEPARTMENT CIVIL DIVISION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027. OTHER COUNTIES ARE STRUCTURED SIMILARLY, AND ARE DOING THIS VERY WELL. IT IS PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT. AND WE WOULD LIKE FOR OUR COUNTY JUDGE, DANIEL WONG TO HAVE AS MUCH HELP AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE OUR COUNTY ALSO RUN EFFICIENTLY. OUR MOVEMENT DEFINITELY SUPPORTS JUDGE WONG, AND WE ALL AGREE HE'S DOING A WONDERFUL JOB FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE TIME HAS COME FOR OUR COUNTY TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE JUDGE THAT WE HAVE. AS SOMEONE FROM THE CLUB, WE NEED TO DO THINGS MORE EFFICIENTLY, AND WE ARE VERY TIRED OF SEEING WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AT OUR COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'RE MOBILIZING AND THANK GOD THAT THE MOVEMENT IS GROWING, GROWING, AND GROWING STATEWIDE, BECAUSE THE LATINO COMMUNITY HAS COME TO REALIZE THAT WHAT WE'RE SEEING PARTICULARLY HERE IN FORT BEND HAS SOME AWFUL RACIAL OVERTONES, AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID AND WHAT WE ARE COMMUNICATING IS THAT WE ARE NO LONGER THE MINORITY. WE ARE THE MAJORITY. AND WE DO NOT APPRECIATE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE. THE COURT NEEDS TO GET DOWN TO DOING ITS BUSINESS AND RUNNING THE COUNTY. I COME FROM A RACE -- I COME FROM A PEOPLE THAT IS STRUCTURED IN A WAY, THAT IF YOU WANT A PHONE, IF YOU WANT A TELEVISION, IF YOU WANT A NEW TRUCK, WE INSTRUCT OUR CHILDREN, YOU GO OUT AND YOU WORK FOR IT. YOU DO NOT SIT THERE AND EXPECT TO BE HANDED THINGS FOR FREE FROM OUR GOVERNMENT. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR. SO AGAIN, I'M HERE TO SAY THAT THE MINUTO CLUB IS DEFINITELY IN [01:15:05] FAVOR OF 30-B, AND JUDGE, WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE, MY COMMUNITY IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE HERE, ACTUALLY DOING THEIR JOB. >> 10 SECONDS. >> WE DON'T APPRECIATE THOSE WHO DON'T SHOW UP FOR WORK. GRACIAS. >> THE NEXT IS DOUG WIDE ON AGENDA ITEM 30-B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M JUST AN ENGINEER AND NOT AN ELOQUENT SPEAKER, SO BEAR WITH ME. I'M A 32 YEAR RESIDENT OF FORT BEND COUNTY AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 3, SUGAR LAND AND AVALON, AND I'VE SEEN FORT BEND COUNTY GROW THREE TIMES IN SIZE, SUGARLAND ALMOST FOUR TIMES IN SIZE. THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN OUR COUNTY, AND I BELIEVE THAT A CIVIL ATTORNEY UNDER THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL PROVIDE CLARITY ON WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS NEED TO GET ACCOMPLISHED, AND HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THIS IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN COUNTIES AROUND US, EVEN LARGER COUNTIES. DIVIDING CIVIL AND LITIGATION RESPONSIBILITIES WILL ALLOW FOCUS FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND NOT THE FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BUSINESS IN RUNNING THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER LENITRA LARI ON AGENDA ITEM 30-B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. I WAS ACTUALLY COMING UP HERE TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM, BUT I BELIEVE WE NEED TO PAUSE TO GET CLARIFICATION ON THE LIVE STREAM, BECAUSE WE STILL MAY NO- >> IT'S ON THE SAME PAGE -- >> IT'S RIGHT BELOW IT. WE'RE GETTING CONFLICTING TESTIMONY OF PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE IT, SO -- >> IT'S ON YOU TUBE, I'M ON THERE RIGHT NOW. IT'S LIVE. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNTY BUSINESS. GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS LENITRA LARI, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF FORT BEND COUNTY AND HAVE BEEN FOR OVER 15 YEARS, I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 30-B, BECAUSE IT AFFECTS ME PERSONALLY, THE MEMBERS OF MY DIVISION AND MY OFFICE. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE GENERAL COUNSEL TEAM, BECAUSE WE TALK SO MUCH ABOUT THE ITEM THAT WE FORGET THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE WORK, SO, MIKE WINN, RODNEY BROWN, BYRON O'NEILL, JENNIFER FOX, IF Y'ALL STAND -- I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO -- KINDERLAND JASPER, TEMESA GLOVER, DARIUS PORTER WHO IS AWAY AT A LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, SANDRA HINOHOSA AND JASMINE VASQUEZ. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED BY AGENDA ITEM 30-B AND I GUESS WE SHOULD BE HONORED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WANTS US AS YOUR PRIVATE ATTORNEY, BUT THAT PRESENTS A PROBLEM BECAUSE WE TAKE AN OATH TO THE STATE OF INTERSECTION, IT'S OUR ETHICAL DUTY AND REPORTING TO ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT'S NOT A NON-LAWYER PRESENTS A PROBLEM, THAT COULD PUT US IN VIOLATION OF OUR TEXAS RULES OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE. AND IT ALSO LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO GIVE SOUND LEGAL ADVICE TO Y'ALL WITHOUT THE FEAR OF RETALIATION, IF WHAT WE ADVISE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WE'VE GIVEN UNPOPULAR ADVICE TO ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS THE BOARD, BECAUSE OUR ADVICE IS BASED ON THE LAW, AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO LINEUP WITH ANY PARTICULAR POLITICAL PARTY. AND I DON'T NEED MY CLIENT -- AND WE DON'T NEED OUR CLIENTS TO LIKE US, BUT WE NEED THEM TO TRUST US AND TO KNOW THAT THE ADVICE WE'RE GIVING IS THE LAW. AND WE HAVE COMBINED EXPERIENCE. I MEAN THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE IN MY TEAM IS PHENOMENAL. WE HAVE OVER -- AND I KNOW THIS IS ABOUT NON-LITIGATION CIVIL SERVICES. YOU CAN'T GO BY THE TITLE OF CIVIL DIVISION. THE MAJORITY OF MY TEAM, THE MAJORITY OF MY LAWYERS, WE HAVE OVER 120 YEARS OF LITIGATION EXPERIENCE. MOST OF US CAME IN WITH AT LEAST 15 TO 16 IN LITIGATION BEHIND US BEFORE WE EVEN STARTED GENERAL COUNSEL. OUR DIVISION DOES LITIGATION. WE'RE IN ACTIVE LITIGATION RIGHT NOW. WE HANDLE DANGEROUS DOGS AND THE BOND FORFEITURES. WE DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND, WE DON'T JUST DO CONTRACTS, ALTHOUGH THAT'S A BIG PART OF IT. WE HANDLE OPEN RECORDS, OUR DIVISION HANDLES SO MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE COUNTY, SO MOVING IT TO A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WOULD HANDLE THE HODGE [01:20:04] DICKS OF -- LOGISTICS OF THAT. I WORKED UNDER THE PREVIOUS COUNTY ROY, AND WAS KEPT ON AS ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY AS MANY OF US WERE, BY OUR CURRENT COUNTY ATTORNEY, BRIDGET SMITH LAWSON, SHE HAD NO REASON TO TRUST US, BUT SHE WATCHED US WORK, AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY. AND IT WAS BETTER FOR US TO CONTINUE OUR WORK THAN IT WAS FOR HER TO BRING IN HER OWN PRIVATE TEAM, WHICH SHE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO DO. THAT'S LEADERSHIP. THAT'S PUTTING THE COUNTY FIRST. IT'S OVER POLITICS. IT'S OVER ANYBODY'S PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT HOW SOMEONE RUNS THEIR OFFICE. FORT BEND COUNTY IS OUR CLIENT. THAT IS WHO WE REPRESENT. WE DON'T REPRESENT ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL. WE REPRESENT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, WE REPRESENT THE EMPLOYEES, AND WE REPRESENT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. ALL TOGETHER. FORT BEND COUNTY. AND THE LAW REQUIRES CHECKS AND BALANCES. WE SEE THAT GOING ON ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL. WE DON'T WANT THAT HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT FORT BEND COUNTY IS DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS. WHO WANTS TO BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE? FORT BEND COUNTY IS A GREAT COUNTY. WE HAVE DONE GREAT WORK HERE, WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE. WE'RE NOT ASSETS, THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE FAMILIES. WE HAVE BILLS, WE HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. WE COME TO WORK, EVERY DAY. WE DON'T WORK NINE TO FIVE. I WORK -- WE ALL WORK AROUND THE CLOCK. I APOLOGIZE TO SOME OF YOU, BECAUSE YOU'LL GET AN EMAIL FROM ME AT TWO TO THREE IN THE MORNING, THE WORK CAN'T STOP AT 5:00, BECAUSE THE COUNTY DOESN'T STOP AT 5:00. THE LAW SHOULD NOT BE HIGHJACKED BY ANY POLITICAL PARTY, ANY ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE ONCE WE LOSE THAT RULE OF LAW, WE LOSE DEMOCRACY. YOU CREATE LOYALTIES INSTEAD OF IMPARTIAL EXPERTS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE ARE. WHEN WE WRITE A CONTRACT, WE DON'T ASK ANYONE THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION. IT DOESN'T MATTER. IT'S THE COUNTY, WE GET THE WORK DONE. THE EROSION STARTS WITH JUST ONE SIMPLE ACTION, JUST ONE SIMPLE ACTION. THAT HAS THE EFFECT OF DESTROYING LEGAL INDEPENDENCE. I WANT TO THANK YOU Y'ALL. MY GC TEAM, THEY'RE DEDICATED THEY'RE HARD WORKERS, ANY LOSS OF Y'ALL WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THIS COUNTY. REGARDLESS OF HOW THIS COURT VOTES TODAY, OF COURSE, I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU ALL TO GO VOTE AGAINST IT, BUT REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU VOTE, I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL. OKAY. OUR FATE IS NOT DETERMINED BY THE VOTE OF THIS COURT, OKAY. YOU ALL ARE BRILLIANT LAWYERS, ADMIN, STAFF, WONDERFUL. SO WE WILL BE OKAY. I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE THIS IS IT. WE LOVE FORT BEND COUNTY, WE'RE HERE EVERY DAY, WE'VE HAD A ROUGH LAST YEAR AND A HALF. WE STILL DO THE WORK, REGARDLESS. REGARDLESS OF THE POLITICS, WE DO THE WORK FOR THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT 30-B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE WONG AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. MY NAME IS DAVID VERSHEK, AND I LIVE IN DELWIND SWEETGRASS. I'M GOING TO BE BRIEF, IT'S ALMOST 2:30 AND I THINK YOU'VE HAD THIS ALL SEVERAL TIMES OVER, SO I WANT TO DO A CLIFF'S NOTES VERSION. I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA 30-B, FORT BEND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS PROPOSING THE CREATION OF A LEGAL DEPARTMENT WITH A CIVIL DIVISION. THIS IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED IN TEXAS. SEVERAL COUNTIES HAVE CONFIRMATION FROM THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT THEY CAN CREATE LEGAL DEPARTMENTS TO ADVISE ON THE COUNTY'S NON-LITIGATION LEGAL SERVICES. IF ITEM 30-B PASSES, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL HAVE MORE TIME -- PERFORM THE DUTIES SAY ASSIGNED TO THAT OFFICE BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, TEXAS LAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT SPEAKER PHILIP RYAN ON AGENDA ITEM 30-B. [01:25:08] >> THEY'RE CHECKING. >> NEXT. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS FARRAH AHMED, ALSO ON AGENDA ITEM 30-A AND B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, OH, BOY, SO I'M SITTING HERE -- I'M STANDING HERE IN FRONT OF THREE REPUBLICANS ON THIS DAIS, AND THIS IS THE BEST IDEAS THAT YOU CAN COME UP WITH? YOU'RE GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, HOPEFULLY IN THE ELECTIONS FOR YOUR BAD IDEAS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I'M COMING HERE LESS THAN A YEAR AND A HALF AGO TALKING ABOUT PROTECTING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. I'M AN ATTORNEY. I'VE BEEN PRACTICING FOR 20 YEARS, IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND OTHER SURROUNDING COUNTIES, AND I CANNOT TELL YOU THAT THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE THAT WE HAVE HERE IS UNSURPASSED. YOU ARE TRYING TO MEDDLE IN SOMETHING THAT IS NOT BROKEN, AND THAT IS WORKING JUST THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. OUR YOURS MOVE FAST, BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED JUSTICE FAST. I DEAL WITH CASES WHERE PEOPLE'S HOMES ARE BEING FORECLOSED. THEY'RE BEING KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES, THEY NEED THE COURT TO SAVE THEIR FAMILY HOME, THEY NEED RELIEF. I ALSO GO TO COURT WHERE A MINOR CHILD IS INJURED, SEVERELY, AT MANY TIMES, AND THEY NEED RELIEF. THEIR PARENTS ARE VERY WORRIED, THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR THAT CHILD AND THEIR INJURES UNTIL THEY REACH ADULTHOOD. WE NEED SWIFT JUSTICE AND RELIEF AND WE NEED TO BE TAKING CARE OF THESE COURTS. MANY OF THESE CASES ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY ASSOCIATE JUDGES WHILE THE PRESIDING JUDGE IS DEALING WITH COMPLEX ISSUES AND JURY TRIALS. ANY KIND OF MOVE TO ACTUALLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. GETTING RID OF THEM COULD REALLY PRODUCE REAL HARM TO THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND, AND SHAME ON ANYONE THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THIS. WITH ALL THE EDUCATION ON THE DAIS, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU'VE COME TO THE DECISION THAT FEWER JUDGES IMPROVE JUSTICE FOR US CITIZENS. IN REGARDS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HER OFFICE DEALS WITH SO MUCH THAT MAKES OUR QUALITY OF LIFE SO MUCH BETTER AND SAFER. PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES IN HER COUNTY. WE NEED THAT OFFICE FULLY FUNCTIONED, SO THAT IT CAN DO ITS DAY-TO-DAY JOB TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF FORT BEND COUNTY. ONCE AGAIN, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE THINKING OF REDUCING THAT QUALITY OF LIFE FOR FORT BEND COUNTY AND THAT IS GOOD FOR FORT BEND COUNTY. HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DOES IN TERMS OF GETTING INVOLVED IN ENFORCEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS, NUISANCE LAWS, FARM FROM PRODUCTS SOLD TO CONSUMERS, HEALTH CODE VIOLATIONS IN RESTAURANTS AND PLACE OF BUSINESSS, VIOLATING LIQUOR LAWS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT NEEDS TO BASE ITS DECISIONS ON FACTS, NOT ON POLITICAL TANTRUMS, AND RETALIATION. >> THANK YOU. NEXT? >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MARK KITT, GREEN SCOTT, ALSO HERE ON AGENDA ITEM 30-A AND B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M USED TO BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE, SO THIS IS NEW FOR ME, I WROTE EVERYTHING DOWN. I'M HERE ON 30-A AND 30-B. ASSOCIATE JUDGES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE FORT BEND JUDICIAL SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH VOLUME HEARS SUCH AS FAMILY LAW CASES. REMOVING THEM WILL HAVE IMMEDIATE AND MEASURABLE CONSEQUENCES. THIS WILL CAUSE LONGER CASE DELAYS, A STRAIN ON DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, HARM TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND REDUCE ACCESS TO JUSTICE. THIS DECISION DOES NOT STREAMLINE JUSTICE, IT RESTRICTS IT. AS A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY WHO PRACTICES HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY COURTS, I APPRECIATE THE ROLE THAT ASSOCIATE JUDGES PLAY IN MY FAMILY LAW CASES. TO REMOVE THEM WILL CAUSE HARM TO THE RESIDENTS OF FORT BEND COUNTY BY SLOWING OR EVEN DELAYING JUSTICE. I'M ASKING THAT YOU NOT ELIMINATE THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE POSITIONS. THAT ACTION WOULD BE TO THE DETRIMENT OF FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENTS. NOW ON ITEM 30-B. THIS DECISION BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CREATE A [01:30:03] SEPARATE LEGAL DEPARTMENT INDEPENDENT FROM THE LONG-ESTABLISHED COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE MARKS A DRAMATIC SHIFT IN HOW THIS COUNTY HANDLES LEGAL OVERSIGHT, GOVERNANCE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THE VOTERS CHOSE BRIDGETTE SMITH LAWSON TWICE TO SERVE AS THE COUNTY'S CHIEF LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE, TO PROVIDE COUNSEL, ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW AND TO PROTECT TAXPAYER INTERESTS. SHE IS ANSWERABLE TO THE VOTERS. THE ATTORNEYS OF THIS PARALLEL LEGAL OFFICE WOULD BE ANSWERABLE TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT. THIS WILL WEAKEN THE INDEPENDENCE OF LEGAL COUNSEL, AN INDEPENDENCE THAT EXISTS TO PROTECT RESIDENTS, NOT POLITICIANS, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TO USURP THE AUTHORITY, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES IMPOSED BY LAW ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. WE ARE WITNESSING A TREND WHERE IF THE MAJORITY OF THE BODY DOESN'T LIKE THE PERSON, THE VOTERS ELECTED, YOU OVERRIDE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS BY STRIPPING THE ELECTED OFFICIAL OF POWERS BESTOWED ON THEM BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION ON ANOTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENT. AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. ELECTED OFFICIALS MUST UNDERSTAND THEIR DUTY TO RESIDENTS. I'M ASKING THAT YOU NOT VOTE TO CREATE THIS PARALLEL LEGAL OFFICE, TAKING THE IMPARTIALITY FROM THESE ATTORNEYS, WHO WERE JUST STANDING. REMEMBER, JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD. THANK YOU. >> ROCKY PILGRIM ON AGENDA ITEM 30-A. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY, MY NAME IS ROCKY PILGRIM -- LIKE THIS, IS THAT BETTER. EVERYBODY CAN HEAR ME IN STEREO NOW. WE WERE HERE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, MY NAME IS ROCKY PILGRIM, I'M A FAMILY LAWYER HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY, MY OFFICE AND MY HOME IN FORT BEND COUNTY, AND WE TALKED LAST TIME ABOUT THE DEVASTATING IMPACT THAT IT WOULD HAVE ON OUR FAMILIES, AND ON OUR BUSINESSES IF YOU GUYS REMOVED THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, AND YET WE'RE HERE AGAIN WITH NOTHING HAVING CHANGED, EXCEPT THE POPULATION GROWTH, THE EXPLOSION OF OUR CASES, NO ONE HAS DISCUSSED HOW MANY MORE CASES WE HAVE BY PRO SE LITIGANTS, WHICH MEANS A LOT MORE TIME FOR OUR JUDGES IN HAVING TO DEAL WITH THEM, BECAUSE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND PROCEDURE. THIS IS ABOUT FAMILIES, THIS IS NOT ABOUT POSITIONS. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE. PLEASE DON'T MAKE IT A POLITICAL ISSUE. JUDGE WONG, I HAVEN'T HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU YET. YOU HAVE A CHOICE TODAY TO PROVE TO THE RESIDENTS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, WHETHER YOUR LEADING STATEMENTS AND INVOCATION ARE TRUE OR JUST HOLLOW WORDS THAT SOUND NICE. ALL OF YOU COMMISSIONERS HAVE THE SAME CHOICE TO MAKE. IF YOU CHOOSE TO REMOVE THESE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, I AM NOT EXAGGERATING, JUST LIKE KAITLYN SAID, WE ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF THESE FAMILIES, THE PEOPLE WHO VOTE, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, WE'RE ON THE FRONT LINES, YOU WILL CAUSE ACTUAL HARM, IN MANY CASES CATASTROPHIC HARM, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WHERE IT'S JUST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HASSLE, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE JUDGES WORK A LITTLE BIT MORE, AND WHATEVER, YOU WILL CAUSE ACTUAL HARM. I WOULD INVITE YOU ALL, INSTEAD OF THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, TO START CONSIDERING WHAT YOU CAN BRING TO THE RESIDENTS OF FORT BEND COUNTY. I HAVE NOT HEARD YET ANYONE DISCUSSING, EVEN THOUGH WE TALK ABOUT THE HUGE POPULATION GROWTH, WE DON'T HAVE A DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE HERE, WE DON'T HAVE BASIC SERVICES FOR OUR RESIDENTS, THAT ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES HAVE. WE DON'T HAVE SUPERVISING AGENCY FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE TO BE SUPERVISED WITH THEIR KIDS, WE'RE NOT EVEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT, INSTEAD WE'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WAS RESOLVED A YEAR AGO. YOU HEARD ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE OCA, I INVITED YOU LAST YEAR, AND I INVITE YOU AGAIN, HANG OUT WITH ME FOR A DAY, SEE WHAT WE PUT UP WITH, HOW MY CONVERSATIONS WITH MY CLIENT GOES, WHEN I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THEM EVEN NOW THAT IT TAKES WEEKS OR MONTHS TO GET A [01:35:02] HEARING. >> 10 SECONDS. >> I'M GOING TO FINISH BY QUOTING THE MAYE'S APPEALS CASE, THE INHERENT POWER ARISES OUT OF PRINCIPLES AND DOCTRINES SO THOROUGHLY EMBEDDED AS TO FOR THE VERY FOUNDATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. THE JUDICIARY MAY OFTEN BE DENOMINATED AS THE THIRD BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S THIRD IN IMPORTANCE. IT IS IN REALITY ONE OF THE THREE EQUAL BRANCHES, AS SUCH, THE JUDICIARY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND CANNOT BE IMPEDED IN ITS FUNCTION BY LEGISLATIVE AND INTRANSIGENT FUNDING, THESE JUDGE ARE NOT A CONVENIENCE, NOT JUST NICE TO HAVE, THEY'RE ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF OUR JUDICIARY, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF OUR COURTS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, NEXT. >> NEXT SPEAKER, ANNA LACUNIS ON AGENDA ITEM 30-A AND B. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M A FORT BEND RESIDENT, I'VE BEEN HERE MANY TIMES TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT OUT OF CONCERN FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING. MY QUESTION TODAY IS WHAT HAPPENED TO LAW AND ORDER? WHAT HAPPENED TO REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY? WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR VOTES THAT WE CAST? WHAT HAPPENED TO ABIDING BY THE LAW. AS OUTLINED IN THE TEXAS STATUTES. >> WHAT CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR, WE DISCUSSED THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S FUNDING, AND THE COMMISSIONERS THAT WERE PRESENT ALL AGREED THAT THESE POSITIONS WERE NECESSARY. WHAT HAPPENED? DID THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES, RESIDENTS AND BUILDINGS CHANGE? NO? IN FACT THEY GOT MORE, THE ONLY CHANGE I SEE BEFORE ME TODAY, IS THE UNELECTED AND EXPIRED INTERIM APPOINTEE DANIEL WONG WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESIDING OVER COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY DESPITE THE FAKE PRAYERS SESSION ABOUT HUMILITY AND HONESTY. MR. LONG, YOU DON'T -- MR. WONG, YOU DON'T HAVE A LEGAL QUORUM YOU'RE COMPROMISED AND ANY DECISIONS YOU MAKE TODAY ARE SUBJECT TO LEGAL ACTIONS AGAINST ALL THREE OF YOU, AND THAT'S WHY OUR OTHER TWO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE REFUSING TO PARTICIPATE WITH LAWLESSNESS, AND THAT'S WHY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS PREVIOUSLY WARNED YOU. BY TAKING AWAY THE FIVE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, YOU INTENTIONALLY ENDANGER OUR FORT BEND COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING INNOCENT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WATCH THE FIRST TEN MINUTES OF THE NEWS, IT IS REAL. WE'RE NOT HERE TODAY FOR LAW AND ORDER. IT SEEMS YOU'RE HERE TODAY FOR LAWLESSNESS AND CHAOS. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, 30-B, THE HONOURABLE HIGHLY RESPECTED BRIDGETTE SMITH LAWSON, TWICE ELECTED, SECOND TIME RAN UNOPPOSED. SHE'S AUTHORIZED BY TEXAS STATUTE TO PERFORM HER SPECIFIC DUTIES IN PERFORMANCE WITH THE LAW INCLUDING ALL CIVIL MATTERS. THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DEFUND THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, OR INTERFERE WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF HER STATUTORY DUTIES, OR CREATE A CHERRY-PICKED SHADOW LEGAL DEPARTMENT WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS, THAT WILL ANSWER TO THE COMMISSIONERS INSTEAD OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. CREATING WHAT WE'VE HEARD IS IT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. WE ARE WATCHING WHAT WORKPLACE RETALIATION LOOKS LIKE IN REAL TIME. WE'RE WATCHING HOW YOU TRIED TO GIVE PROCLAMATIONS TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES WHILE ACTIVELY DEFUNDING AND ATTACKING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, OUR FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN THE STATE, AN HISTORICAL FIGURE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUED LEGAL OPINIONS THAT SOME OF YOU WITH PARTISAN ISSUES MAY NOT AGREE WITH. THAT IS NOT THE BASIS TO USURP THE VOICES OF THE VOTERS. WITH POLITICAL GAMES, WITH WORKPLACE RETALIATION, AND ABUSE OUR PUBLIC TRUST AND WASTE OUR TAX DOLLARS. SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DISAGREE WITH THE FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF, ARE YOU GOING TO DEFUND HIS OFFICE TOO. THIS IS NOT WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE. THIS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE, AND I'M SORRY TO SAY, THIS IS A SHAME, AND THIS [01:40:04] SHOULD HAVE NEVER EVER BEEN PUT ON THE AGENDA. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING, NEXT. >> PHILIP BRYANT -- I'M SORRY, PHILIP BRYANT DIDN'T SHOW YET. BUT JULIE MCSHANE, ALSO AGENDA ITEM 30-A AND B. >> MY NAME IS JULY MCSHAYE, AND I CAME AS A REPORTER, BUT RIGHT NOW I'M GOING TO BE A PROFESSOR, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MY FULL TIME JOB IS, AND I TEACH GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY FEDERAL AND TEXAS GOVERNMENT, SO I TAKE ISSUE A LOT THAT'S BEEN SAID AS A JD, AND A PROFESSOR AND REPORTER, BECAUSE A LOT HAS BEEN MISGUIDED AND INCORRECT. MR. MORALES, YOU SPENT YEARS AS A MAYOR OF ROSENBURG, COUNTY GOVERNMENT DOES NOT OPERATE AS A CITY GOVERNMENT. YOU CAN APPOINT A CITY ATTORNEY, A COUNTY ATTORNEY IS ELECTED IN TEXAS. FURTHERMORE, WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, TWO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE POWERS, USURP THE POWERS OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND CREATE A CIVIL DIVISION IS MISLEADING TO SAY OTHER COUNTIES DO THIS, THEY DON'T. OTHER COUNTIES HAVE THEIR CIVIL DIVISION UNDER THEIR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, BECAUSE THOSE ATTORNEYS THAT WORK IN THAT DIVISION MUST WORK FOR AN ATTORNEY, NOT FOR THIS BODY OR FOR A COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. THERE ARE 254 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND NONE HAVE THAT OPERATION, THEY MAY HAVE AN OPERATION WHERE THEIR CIVIL DIVISION IS ADJOINED WITH THEIR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE ATTEMPT THAT'S BEING DONE TODAY, THE PERSONS THAT WILL MOST IMPACT HAD YOUR, AND CRUSH ARE THE CITIZENS OF FORT BEND COUNTY, BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF LITIGATION THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, THE AMOUNT OF LITIGATION THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WILL CRUSH THIS COUNTY, ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON AND FOR THROUGH OUT YOUR CAREERS, MR. MEYERS -- MR. MEYERS ON THE WEBSITE, IT SAYS, I'M A STRONG BELIEVER IN FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. LET ME TELL YOU, THIS IS NOT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. I BUILT MY CAREER AS A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, FINISHING MY MASTERS AT TEXAS UNIVERSITY IN 2006, AND I MOVED BACK HOME TO FLORIDA, AND WORKED AS A COUNTY PLANNER FOR THE 29TH LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY. I KNOW COUNTY GOVERNANCE, I'M TELLING YOU, DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR THIS, MR. MEYERS, IT WILL COME BACK AND HUNT YOU AND YOUR LEGACY, SAME THING TO YOU MR. MORALES, YOU DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR THIS. ON YOUR WEBSITE IT SAYS THAT YOUR SON IS A COUNTY COURT JUDGE AT LAW. IT SAYS YOUR PLATFORM, HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF COUNTY SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, TO PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL COUNTY SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS THAT YOU REPRESENT. I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE CRUSHING INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THESE DECISIONS, IF YOU SUPPORT. EITHER ONE OF THESE ITEMS, 30-A OR 30-B. NOW LET ME MOVE TO 30-A, HOW IT WILL IMPACT YOU. IF A FAMILY LOSES THEIR CHILD, BECAUSE YOU CHANGE THE PROGRESS AND THE FLOW OF THESE COURTS BY THIS DECISION, IF THEY SUE YOU FOR THE LOSS OF THEIR CHILD PERSONALLY, THEY WILL BE WITHIN THEIR RIGHTS, I NEED YOU TO BE MINDFUL MR. WONG, THAT YOU RIGHT NOW ARE BREAKING THE LAW, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO BE HERE TODAY, AND I'M NOT TELLING YOU THAT TO READ YOU OR BE DISRESPECTFUL, I'M TELLING YOU THIS AS A NEIGHBOR TO ADVISE YOU TO BE MINDFUL OF WHATEVER ADVICE YOU'VE BEEN GETTING THAT IT'S NOT BEEN IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS, IT MUST BE IN SOMEONE'S BEST INTERESTS, BUT IT'S NOT YOURS, AND IN CLOSING, THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION REQUIRES EXPLICITLY THAT THE ELECTED D.A. OR SEPARATE COUNTY ATTORNEY, LIKE THE FINE COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT'S BEEN TWICE ELECTED HERE TODAY, ACTS AS THE OFFICIAL LEGAL ADVISOR AND REPRESENTATIVE FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT AND COUNTY OFFICIALS. GENTLEMEN, YOU HAVE A DUTY TO THE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THAT RESIDE HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOVING HERE IN DROVES, YOU HAVE A DUTY TO ACT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE THERE IS. THERE WAS A TIME THEY CALLED THIS BODY ROLE COMMISSIONERS, I NEED YOU TO REMEMBER WHAT THE ROLE IS, THE ROLE IS NOT TO USURP PROVIDE WE ARE INTEREST DULY ELECTED PEOPLE, BECAUSE WHAT GOES AROUND MAY COME AROUND AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THROUGH US, BUT I BELIEVE BOTH [01:45:02] OF YOU ARE MEN OF FAITH -- AND HE JUDGES. HE JUDGES. AND IT MIGHT NOT STRIKE YOU, IT MIGHT STRIKE SOMEONE IN A GENERATION BEHIND YOU, CONNECTED TO YOU A FAMILY MEMBER OR A GRAND CHILD, A SON OR DAUGHTER OR A SPOUSE. BE MINDFUL THAT WE SERVE A MIGHTY GOD, AND HE'S A JEALOUS GOD, HE DOESN'T PLAY ABOUT HIS CHILDREN, NONE OF THEM, THIS IS A WOMAN OF FAITH. YOU PRAYED EARLIER MR. WONG, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU RECALLWA YOU SAID IN YOUR PRAYER, BUT I WROTE IT DOWN, AND I'LL BE SHARING IT WITH MY THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA, AS I AM A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER THINGS, I WANT YOU TO BE MINDFUL OF THE DECISIONS YOU'RE MAKING TODAY, MR. WONG, YOU COULD HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE BUT YOU ALSO MAY HAVE A FUTURE WITH A BRIGHT ORANGE JUMPSUIT IF YOU MAKE THE WRONG DECISIONS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, NEXT, PLEASE. >> TERRY WEBSTER ON AGENDA ITEM 30-A AND 30-B. >> NO, NO SIR. >> AS I STAND HERE, I NEED YOU TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SHIRT AS I SPEAK. I HAD A DIFFERENT SENTENCE FOR MY OPENING, UNTIL THAT HORRIFIC, STUPID, IGNORANT DISPLAY OF RECOGNIZING A UNIVERSITY THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNITY. YOU THINK WE ARE STUPID. YOU THINK WE ARE DUMB. YOU THINK WE DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BUT TO MY BLACK FOLKS IN THIS COMMUNITY, PAY ATTENTION. BECAUSE IT'S OPEN SEASON ON US. AND COME NOVEMBER, IT WILL BE OPEN SEASON ON YOU. MR. WONG, YOU SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT COMING WITH FACTS, I HAVE SOME FOR YOU. IN 2020, BRIDGET SMITH LAWSON WAS ELECTED WITH OVER 1777,000 VOTES. THE FIRST -- 177,000 VOTES, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN COUNTY ATTORNEY IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS IN 175 YEARS, AND IN 2024, SHE WAS REELECTED WITH OVER 195,000 VOTES BY THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY, TO SERVE IT UNTIL 2028. IN WHAT WORLD DO YOU THINK IT IS OKAY TO TAKE THE FUNDS, AND THE STAFF AWAY FROM A COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT WE ELECTED TO PROP ONE UP, SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DOING WHAT IT IS WHAT YOU WANT, NOT DOING THE CONSTITUENTS' BUSINESS BUT WHAT YOU WANT. IN WHAT WORLD DO YOU THINK IT'S OKAY. I SWEAR TO GOD THERE'S NOT AN OUNCE OF DIGNITY, HONESTY, HONOR BETWEEN THE THREE OF YOU. I'M TRULY DONE NOT CALLING THIS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, IT'S TIME WE BE HONEST, AND I'M NOT GOING TO KEEP PUSSY FOOTING AROUND IT. THERE'S A SAYING, IF THERE'S ONE THING A WEAK WHITE MAN CAN'T STAND IS A BLACK WOMAN WITH A LAW DEGREE. THE THREE OF YOU SAT UP HERE, AND I'VE WATCHED IN EVERY COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING, THE THREE OF YOU, ESPECIALLY YOU COMMISSIONER MEYERS, DEMONSTRATE THE TRUTH OF THAT EVERY SINGLE TIME. LASTLY, MR. WONG, YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR OPENING THAT THE PEOPLE SENT YOU HERE. I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO THE FACTS THAT I CITED A MINUTE AGO, 195,000 FORT BEND COUNTY CITIZENS SENT BRIDGETTE SMITH LAWSON HERE, NOT ONE PERSON, ZERO, NADA, NOBODY HAS SENT YOU HERE, NOBODY M. MY BLACK PEOPLE, WAKE UP, WAKE UP, IF YOU'RE WATCHING THIS ON YOU TUBE, ON FACEBOOK OR WHEREVER, WAKE UP. THEY NEED TO BE DOWN HERE IN THESE HALLS EVERY TIME THIS COURT IS OPEN. AND ANOTHER THING, IT SHOULD NOT BE LOST ON ANYBODY, ANYBODY, THE MAKE UP OF THESE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO GET RID OF EITHER. BETWEEN COUNTY ATTORNEY LAWSON, AND THOSE MOSTLY WOMEN AND BLACK WOMEN -- >> 10 SECONDS REMAINING -- >> IT'S REAL CLEAR WHAT IS HAPPENING DOWN HERE AND YOU CAN [01:50:03] BET YOUR LAST MONEY, COME NOVEMBER, WE AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT BELIEVES IN RIGHT AND DECENCY WILL SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING, IF THERE'S A GOD IN HEAVEN COME JANUARY 21, 2027, YOU WILL NOT BE SITTING HERE THINKING YOU RUN SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T RUN. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING, NEXT. >> DAN MATTHEWS ON AGENDA ITEM 30-B. >> WE'LL WAIT A LITTLE WHILE, LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE COMING. >> OKAY. >> NO, IF MR. MATTHEWS IS NOT HERE, WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE. >> NEXT ONE, PLEASE. >> SCOTT WEST. >> OKAY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU, JUDGE WONG, AND YOU COMMISSIONER MEYERS, AND COMMISSIONER MORALES, I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR YEARS, AND YOU'VE KNOWN ME. I'M PUSHING 40 YEARS IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND 40 YEARS PRACTICING LAW. I'M TRIPLE BOARD CERTIFIED, AND I TRY CIVIL CASES FROM NEW YORK TO CALIFORNIA CHICAGO DOWN TO SOUTH TEXAS. MY HOME IS FORT BEND COUNTY. MY FAMILY IS IN FORT BEND COUNTY, MY OFFICE IN FORT BEND COUNTY, I PRACTICE ALSO IN FORT BEND COUNTY. AS A PRACTITIONER, TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES IS A CATASTROPHIC MISTAKE. 30-A IS NOT ONLY A BAD IDEA, IT SHOULD BE OPPOSED BY ANYONE WHO ANALYZES IT, IN AN OBJECTIVE, REASONABLE AND APOLITICAL MANNER. JUSTICE IS NOT POLITICAL. I SAID THAT LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS HERE. THE RIGHT DECISION WAS MADE LAST YEAR THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES POSITIONS WERE MAINTAINED. THEY SHOULDN'T REMAIN UNAFFECTED. THEY SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED. I WAS ENCOURAGED DRIVING 90-A TO THE COURTHOUSE TODAY. I SAW MANY CAMPAIGN POSTERS AND SIGNS FOR UNDERTAKINGS. I DIDN'T SEE A POLITICAL PARTY ADDRESSED BY EITHER BY ANY OF THE SIGNS THAT I SAW. JUSTICE IS NOT POLITICAL. DECISIONS AFFECTING JUDGES SHOULD NOT BE POLITICAL. JUSTICE DOESN'T KNOW DS OR RS OR IS OR LS, JUSTICE DOESN'T KNOW BLACK OR WHITE OR STRAIGHT OR GAY, OR RICH OR POOR, JUSTICE IS BLIND, JUSTICE IS SOLID, AND JUSTICE SHOULD BE PREDICTABLE, AND JUSTICE SHOULD BE SWIFT. IF YOU REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES, JUSTICE WILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO THE MANY RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS OF FORT BEND COUNTY. I HAVE TRIED OVER 200 CASES AROUND THE NATION, AND I CAN TELL YOU, AGAIN, AS I TOLD YOU LAST YEAR, FORT BEND COUNTY RUNS EFFICIENTLY AND FAIRLY, AND HE HAVE SEEN THE BACKLOG IN COURTS, IN OTHER STATES, AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY, FORT BEND COUNTY IS THE GOLD STANDARD, IT SHOULD BE -- IT SHOULD REMAIN UNAFFECTED. IT SHOULD NOT BE DISRUPTED, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE TURNED ON ITS HEAD FOR ANY REASON, POLITICAL OTHER OTHERWISE, THERE HAS BEEN NO ONE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF REDUCING THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, THAT I'VE HEARD, NOT ONE. SO WE TALK ABOUT FACTS. WE TALK ABOUT EVIDENCE. WE TALK ABOUT DOING THE RIGHT THING, THE RIGHT THING IS TO EITHER REMOVE 30-A FROM THE AGENDA OR REJECT IT. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS SHARMIA JONES AND I RESIDE IN [01:55:05] PRECINCT 4. I SPEAK ON THE MISSOURICY CITY AND VICINITY BRANCH, AND DEMOCRACY, AND RESPECT FOR FORT BEND COUNTY RESIDENTS AND VOTERS REGARDING 30-A AND B. I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACTIONS THAT APPEAR TO HAVE WEAKENED THE ABILITY OF DULY ELECTED OFFICERS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS TO CARRY OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. THE NAACP SPENT GENERATIONS FIGHTING FOR FAIRNESS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROTECTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. THOSE PRINCIPLES REQUIRE US TO ASK AND ANSWER DIFFICULT QUESTIONS WHEN DECISIONS INVOLVING PUBLIC OFFICES, JUDICIAL RESOURCES, AND TAXPAYER MONEY ARE CONSIDERED. WE BELIEVE THE PUBLIC DESERVES TRANSPARENCY ABOUT WHY THESE CHANGES ARE NECESSARY, PARTICULARLY RIGHT NOW. AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER, AND ULTIMATELY ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC BEFORE TAKING THIS VOTE. YOU'RE INVITED TO TAKE NOTES. >> WHAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM IS SOLVED BY THESE ACTIONS, WHAT EVIDENCE CAN YOU DEMONSTRATE THAT CREATING A SEPARATE LEGAL DEPARTMENT UNDER COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL ENTER DESERVE THE PUBLIC. EXPLAIN WHO BENEFITS FROM THESE CHANGES. WHAT IMPACT WILL THEY HAVE ON FAMILIES WHO DEPEND ON OUR COURTS? >> AND FINALLY, HAS THE PUBLIC BEEN GIVEN A CLEAR FINANCIAL AND LEGAL OPINION ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE ACTIONS. I AM A CHAMPION FOR DEMOCRACY, AND EFFECT AN EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT. THE NAACP IS DEEPLY TROUBLED ABOUT WHETHER THESE ACTION ALSO MOVE US FURTHER FROM THE ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT COMMUNITIES THAT ALREADY FACE BARRIERS NAVIGATING THE COURTS AND OUR GOVERNMENT. >> GOVERNMENT SHOULD NEVER BE ABOUT A LINE ITEM IN A BUDGET, BEHIND EVERY DECISION ARE THESE RESIDENTS, WHO DEPEND ON OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT, TO FUNCTION. FAIRLY, EFFICIENT, AND EQUITABLY. YOU MAY DISAGREE, YOU MAY DISLIKE, YOU MAY EVEN CHALLENGE. BUT DISAGREEMENTS SHOULD NOT BECOME JUSTIFICATION FOR SYSTEMICALLY STRIPPING AWAY RESOURCES OR AUTHORITY TO PERFORM A JOB. OUR DEMOCRACY WORKS BEST WHEN DULY ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES ENTRUSTED TO THEM BY THE VOTERS, US. THE NAACP IS ASKING THIS COURT TO FOLLOW THE PREMISE MENTIONED IN OUR SCRIPT TOURS, WE'VE HEARD THE BIBLE BEING TALKED ABOUT HERE, SPECIFICALLY IN THE BOOK OF JAMES, AND THAT IS TO SLOW DOWN, PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY, CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND REJECT ACTIONS THAT UNDERMINE THE ABILITY THAT DULY ELECTED OFFICERS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, THESE ACTIONS CAN SET A DANGEROUS AND SLIPPERY SLOPE, AND I WILL ALSO REPEAT WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAID BEFORE, BECAUSE WE CAN, POLITICS HAVE NO BUSINESS IN FORT BEND COUNTY, POWER SHOULD NOT BE USED TO PUNISH POLITICAL OPPONENTS. SETTLE DISAGREEMENTS OR CIRCUMVENT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS, AND JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU CAN, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING, NEXT >> JUDGE, THE ONLY SPEAKER LEFT IS MR. DAN MATTHEWS AND I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S REALLY HERE OR JUST DIDN'T HEAR US. >> HE'S HERE OR NO? >> THEN THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS. >> ALL RIGHT -- >> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I'M NOT SURE WHO IS ASKING. >> SO WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE SIGNED UP. NO. >> ALL RIGHT. I WANT TO APPRECIATE ALL THE SPEAKERS TODAY. [5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1:00 p.m.: Conduct Public Hearings and take all appropriate action on the following matters:] THANK YOU SO MUCH, NOW IT'S NOW 2:59 P.M., AND WE NOW MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5, PUBLIC HEARINGS, CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS, I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION FORAGEDA ITEMS 5-A, 5-B, 5-C, 5-D, AND 5-E, SUBSECTIONS (A) THROUGH (I) AS DESCRIBED ON THE AGENDA. DO WE HAVE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING TODAY ON THOSE ITEMS? IS THERE ANYONE HERE TODAY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS? >> SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEMS 5-A, 5-B, 5-C, 5-D, AND 5-E, [02:00:05] SUBSECTION (A) THROUGH (I). >> YOUR HONOUR, I MOVE APPROVAL OF 5-A THROUGH E AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION. [ CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: (6-19) ] ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES 3 TO 0, CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 6 THROUGH 19. I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY CHANGES, DO I HAVE ANY MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS 6 THROUGH 19? 6 THROUGH 19? >> YOUR HONOUR, I MOVE APPROVAL 6 THROUGH 19 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR [30. MISCELLANEOUS:] HAND. MOTION PASSES 3-0. BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE DISCUSSION AGENDA ITEM IN ORDER TO PRESENT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE UP AGENDA ITEMS 30-A AND 30-B, AND -- AT THIS TIME, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING THIS ITEM OUT OF ORDER. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 30-A AND 30-B, A LOT OF AUDIENCE INTERESTED IN THOSE ITEMS -- >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN OBJECTION FOR THE RECORD, I OBJECT TO ANY ACTIONS TAKEN ON ITEM 30-B, AS A DULY ELECTED COUNTY ATTORNEY. I WANT THE RECORD TO REFLECT MY OBJECTION, I DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE UNTIL AFTER THE AGENDA WAS PUBLISHED TO THE PUBLIC. I RECEIVED AWARENESS OF THIS ACTION THAT WOULD MATERIALLY IMPACT MY OFFICE AT THE SAME TIME THE GENERAL PUBLIC RECEIVED THE SAME. I SUBMITTED AN EMAIL TO EACH ONE OF YOU, REGARDING CLARIFICATION REGARDING THIS ACTION, AND I'VE BEEN WHOLLY IGNORED. NO ONE HAS EXPLAINED TO ME THE JUSTIFICATION OF THIS, AND NO ONE HAS GIVEN ME ANY DATA OR ANY RATIONALE FOR MATERIALLY ALTERING AN OFFICE THAT IS 37 YEARS OLD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RECORD REFLECTS THAT, AND I OBJECT TO THE VOTE THAT WOULD POSSIBLY ADOPT THIS ACTION, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH ITEM NUMBER 30A. TAKE ALL ACTION -- APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING FISCAL YEAR 2027 FUNDING FOR FIVE ASSOCIATE JUDGE POSITIONS, AND RELATED BUDGETARY ADJUSTMENT. >> YES, YOUR HONOUR, I MOVE THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVE FUNDING FOR FIVE ASSOCIATE JUDGE POSITIONS FOR PHYSICAL YEAR 2027, AND AUTHORIZE ALL RELATED BUDGETARY ADJUSTMENTS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE COURT'S ACTION. AS PART OF THE TRANSITION, TO FIVE FUNDED POSITIONS, I FURTHER MOVE THAT FUNDING FOR THE THREE ASSOCIATE JUDGE POSITIONS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PHYSICAL YEAR, 2027 FUNDING LEVEL BE CONTINUED THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, WITH SUCH FUNDING TERMINATING THEREAFTER. AND AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICIALS TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY BUDGETARY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS TO THREATENING THE COURT'S ACTION. >> SECOND. -- TO IMPLEMENT THE COURT'S ACTION. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION PASSES 3-0. LET'S GO WITH AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 30B. PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM 30B. >> 30B, TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 TO ESTABLISH A LEGAL DEPARTMENT, CIVIL DIVISION, AS A SEPARATE COUNTY DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PROVIDE NON-LITIGATION, CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO FORT BEND COUNTY, TRANSFER ATTORNEY AND SUPPORT STAFF POSITIONS IN ASSOCIATED FUNDING AND RESOURCES AND AUTHORIZE ALL NECESSARY BUDGETARY PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATIONISTRATIVE, AND OPERATIONAL ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE SAME, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW. >> YES, YOUR HONOUR, I MOVE THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT ESTABLISH A LEGAL DEPARTMENT, CIVIL DIVISION AS A SEPARATE COUNTY DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026, AND FURTHER MOVE THAT THE BUDGET FOR THE ASSOCIATED SALARIES, BENEFITS, FUNDING EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES FOR ATTORNEY AND SUPPORT STAFF POSITIONS BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY BUDGET AND ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE NEW DEPARTMENT WITHOUT INTERRUPT TO COUNTY EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, BENEFITS OR ACCRUED LEAVE. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL OPERATE UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH A LEAD ATTORNEY OR OTHER PERSON DESIGNATED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO OVERSEE THE DEPARTMENT REPORTING [02:05:02] DIRECTLY TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL DIVISION SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW OPERATE SO AS TO NOT TO CONFLICT WITH THE AUTHORITY OF FORT BEND COUNTY ATTORNEY AS DESCRIBED BY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 45.179, AND INTERPRETED -- EXCUSE ME. INTERPRETING 45.79 (A) TO MEAN ACTUAL LITIGATION IN JUDICIAL COURTS AND IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO REPRESENT THE COUNTY OR ITS OFFICIALS IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION. >> YEAH, I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM OUR -- QUESTIONS AS TO WHAT ACTION WE'RE TAKEN, IS IT LEGAL. >> WE CAN DISCUSS IT, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, I THINK WE ARE. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS. >> OKAY, THAT'S FINE. >> I THINK IT'S LEGAL. THAT'S FROM OUR ATTORNEY. >> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAYS IT'S NOT LEGAL. >> LET'S PROCEED. >> ALL RIGHT. THAT'S FINE. >> SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND PLEASE, APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE YOUR COMMENTS, WE DO HAVE A MOTION, AND SECOND, AND ANY DISCUSSION. >> ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES 3-0. >> LIKE I SAID, NO HONOR -- >> SHE'S OUT OF ORDER -- >> IT'S OKAY. >> SHE'S OUT OF ORDER. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. I APPRECIATE IT. [20. COUNTY JUDGE:] >> NOW WE WILL CONTINUE WITH AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 20, PRESENTED UNDER COUNTY JUDGE. THERE'S A CORRECTION TO THIS ITEM, OLGA, PLEASE READ THIS ITEM AS CORRECTED. >> 20, TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION TO HONOR FORMER FORT BEND COUNTY JUDGE ROBERT E HEBERT BY RENAMING THE OFFICE OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BUILDING AS ROBERT E. HEBERT, AND THE CORRECTION AS PRESENTED TO YOU IN RED, IT SHOULD BE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE. >> OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT. >> THAT'S THE ITEM. >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> I'LL SECOND IT, BUT I HAVE A SUGGESTION. ROBERT HEBERT HAS BEEN KNOWN AS BOB HEBERT. IS THERE A PARTICULAR REASON WE LEFT THE BOB OUT. WE HAVE THE BUD O'SHIELDS CENTRE, IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADD BOB TO THE NAIL. >> CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION, WHY DON'T WE ASK THE FAMILY. >> I ASKED SOMEBODY TO ASK THE FAMILY, AND I THOUGHT THEY HAD, BUT APPARENTLY THEY DIDN'T. HOW DO WE WANT TO PROCEED ON THIS, I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO NAME IT AFTER HIM, I'M NOT OPPOSING THAT. BUT TO ME, EVERYTHING KNEW BOB HEBERT AS BOB HEBERT. >> WE PROVE IT -- >> ASK THE FAMILY. >> WE APPROVE IT WITH EITHER ROBERT -- >> ROBERT E. (BOB) HEBERT WOULD BE THE WAY BEST PRESENTED, BECAUSE HE'S ROBERT -- SO ADDING BOB IN THE MIDDLE, SO TO SPEAK, SUBTO THE AGREEMENT OF THE FAMILY. HOW ABOUT THAT? >> I AGREE. >> I AGREE. >> WE GOT A MOTION. >> YOU SECOND. >> HE SECONDED. >> LAURA, YOU GOT THE -- >> I'M SORRY. THE ITEM -- ONE MORE TIME. >> THE MOTION IS TO NAME THE FACILITY THE BOB HEBERT WITH THE AGREEMENT WITH THE FAMILY, THAT BOB WOULD BE ADDED. >> ALL RIGHT. >> AND SECOND. >> SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION. [21. AUDITOR:] >> ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES 3-0. AGENDA ITEM 21A AND B PRESENTED BY AUDITOR. >> APPROVAL OF ITEM 21A AND B AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSIONS 3-0. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 22, PRESENTED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL BE [23. COUNTY CLERK:] PULLED. NUMBER 23, PRESENTED BY THE COUNTY CLERK. >> APPROVAL 23 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS TO BE MADE FOR ITEM NUMBER 23, MAKE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES, 3-0. [24. ENGINEERING:] AGENDA ITEM 24 (A) THROUGH (N) PRESENTED BY ENGINEERING. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 24 (A) THROUGH (N) AS PRESENTED. [02:10:04] >> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES 3-0. NOW I'D LIKE TO GO TO ITEM [25. FIRE MARSHAL:] NUMBER 25. -- WAIT A MINUTE, YES, THAT'S ITEM NUMBER 25. THAT'S RIGHT, FIRE MARSHAL. TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE ACTION TO CONSIDER ORDER PROHIBITING OUTDOOR BURNING IN FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS TO BE EFFECTIVE BEGINNING AT 5 P.M. ON AUGUST 27, 2026 PURSUANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3.52.081. SO WE HAVE -- NEED TO FIGURE OUT ACTION ON THAT LOCAL AGREEMENT. >> 25A OR 25A AND B. >> 25A FIRST. >> I MOVE 25A AS PRESENTED. >> SEND, AND WE MIGHT WANT THE CHIEF TO COME UP -- >> TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MONITORING THE KPBI, THE DROUGHT INDEX, THIS IS A TOOL THAT WE USE TO MEASURE THE INDEX OF THE DROUGHT LEVELS WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THROUGHOUT. WE HAVE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS WITHINHE COUNTY, THAT ACTUALLY HAVE UNITS ACTIVATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY -- THROUGHOUT THE STATE, ASSISTING WITH OTHER WILDFIRES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS, WHICH ARE TAKING GREAT RESOURCES. OUR COUNTY HAS BEEN IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS, WITH MINIMAL RAIN, AND THE ONLY POSSIBLE CHANCE OF RAIN WITH THAT COMING TO NO AVAIL REALLY. SO WITH THAT, OUR KBI LEVEL TODAY IS 634 WHICH PUTS US IN A SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING INCREASE. SO, WITH THAT, THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE GO INTO A BURN BAN FOR ANY OUTDOOR BURNING, AND WE ASK THAT YOU ALL VOTE ON THIS TO PASS, SO WE CAN -- >> THANK YOU CHIEF. >> THANK YOU CHIEF. APPRECIATE THAT. >> WE'RE GOING TO NEED A VOTE. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. WE DO, ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSION 3-0. 25 (B). >> I'LL MOVE APPROVAL OF 25B AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. A MOTION AND SECOND FOR 25B ANY DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. [26. GRANTS ADMINISTRATION:] MOTION PASSES, 3-0. LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM 26A THROUGH H PRESENTED BY THE GRAND ADMINISTRATION. GRAHAM ADMINISTRATION. >> A MOTION. >> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT 26A THROUGH H AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES, 3-0. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 27, A AND B, [27. HOMELAND SECURITY & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:] PRESENTED BY HOMELAND SECURITY, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. >> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE 27HA AND B. SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR [28. HUMAN RESOURCES:] HAND. MOTION PASSES 3-0. AGENDA ITEM 28A AND B PRESENTED BY HUMAN RESOURCES. >> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT 28A AND B. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION, AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR [29. MEDICAL EXAMINER:] HAND. MOTION PASSES 3-0. >> AGENDA ITEM 29, PRESENTED BY MEDICAL EXAMINER. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 29 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES, 3-0. [31. PARKS & RECREATION:] NOW LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM 31. PARKS AND RECREATION. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF A CORRECTION TO THE EFFECTIVE DAY FOR THESE TWO ITEMS, SO OLGA, WILL YOU PLEASE NOTIFY ABOUT IT. >> AGENDA ITEMS 3 AND A PRESENTED IN RED, THAT SHOULD BE THE TRUE EFFECTIVE DATE, WHICH IS SOCIAL MEDIA 1, 2026, AND THAT'S FOR BOTH ITEMS, A AND B. >> CORRECT. >> ALL RIGHT. >> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT 31A AND B WITH THE CORRECTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA 1, 2026. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION, AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION. >> ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. [32. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:] >> MOTION PASSES, 3-0. AGENDA ITEM 32A AND B, PRESENTED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. >> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT 32A AND B AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION, AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES, 3-0. [33. PURCHASING:] AGENDA ITEM 33A THROUGH 8H PREPPINGED BY PURCHASING. [02:15:10] >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF 33A THROUGH 8A AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ANY DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION [34. RISK MANAGEMENT:] PASSES 3-0. AGENDA ITEM 34 PRESENTED BY RISK MANAGEMENT. >> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE 34. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND FOR ITEM 34. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES, 3-0. LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM 35A AND [35. SHERIFF'S OFFICE:] B, PRESENTED BY THE SHERIFF OFFICE. >> JUDGE, IF I MAY INTERRUPT BEFORE YOU DO THAT MOTION, I WAS JUST INFORMED JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO THAT THE SH SHERIFF'S OFFICE WISHES TO WITHDRAW 35A. >> WITHDRAWN. OKAY. SO THAT MEANS I NEED A MOTION FOR 35B ONLY. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL, 35B. >> SECOND. >> SO I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND FOR ITEM 35B. ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES 3-0. [36. TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR:] AGENDA ITEM 36, PRESENTED BY TAX ASSESSOR DIRECTOR. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 36 AS PROTECTED. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES, 3-0. NOW I PRESENT AGENDA ITEM [37. Approve Bills.] [38. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on August 20, 2026.] [39. Ratify the release of time-sensitive disbursements made on September 4, 2026, to be ratified by Commissioners Court on September 10, 2026. ] NUMBER 37, 38, AND 39, APPROVAL OF THE BILLS AND OTHER TIME SENSITIVE DISBURSEMENT. PLEASE PROCEED. >> ALONG WITH THE TIME SENSITIVE BILLS TOTALING $24,871, 510.90, SUBMIT FOR APPROVAL, WHICH INCLUDES ROUTINE DISBURSMENTS 6,144... >> I MOVE WE APPROVE 37, 38 AND 39. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASS, 3-0. [40. WORKSHOP:] AGENDA ITEM WHO IS A WORKSHOP. OLGA. >> 40, CONDUCT WORKSHOP TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM HGHC REGARDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRIPLE R SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM. >> WONDERFUL. >> ANYBODY FROM HGHC. >> WE DO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE. >> WONDERFUL. >> WELCOME, PLEASE COME FORWARD. GOOD AFTERNOON. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M CHRISTINA, AND OUR BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. OUR LAST TIME HERE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRIPLE R FUND, AND YOU ALL GAVE US INSTRUCTIONS TO GO AND SHOW SUCCESS, AND I'M PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE HAVE DONE THAT. IF YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN, YOU SEE A COORDINATED OUTREACH ACROSS FORT BEND COUNTY, SO FROM JUNE 4, TO JULY 30, WE DID AN OUTREACH PROGRAM, WHERE WE SENT TOOL KITS TO EACH OF YOUR OFFICES, WE SENT OVER 22,000 EMAILS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL EMAILS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS, OTHER GOVERNMENT BODIES, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALL WITHIN THE FORT BEND COUNTY IN VARIOUS CITIES AS WELL. AND WE ALSO SENT EMAILS OUT TO APPLICANTS FROM OUR FIRST ROUND BACK IN 2022, I BELIEVE. AND WE GOT SOME REALLY GOOD TRACTION, THANKS TO OUR MARKETING TEAM, WE HAVE -- A MARKETING MANAGER, AND THE PROJECT LEAD FOR THIS PROJECT IN THE BACK. IF YOU GUYS WANT TO WAVE. >> HI GUYS. >> THEY DID TREMENDOUS WORK BUILDING THE BRAND KITS INDIVIDUALLY, NOT ONLY FOR EACH OF YOU, BUT IN ADDITION FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND FROM US, AND WE DID A ROBUST JOB AT [02:20:07] TRACKING WHERE EACH LEAD CAME FROM. FROM THAT, WE HAD 67 APPLICATIONS WITH A REQUEST RIGHT UNDER 3 MILLION IN FUNDING REQUEST. NEXT SLIDE. ON THIS SLIDE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE MARKETING THAT WE SENT OUT, SO THE PARTNER TOOL KITS AS YOU SEE, WE HAD A REQUEST TO HAVE ONE FLYER, WITH ALL THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT ON THIS, SO WE WENT BACK AND DID THAT, AND WE SEE THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE ACTUALLY -- THAT ONE, AND ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OF THE OFFICES AND TRIED TO TAG, AND SHOW THAT IT'S NOT JUST HGAC, BUT A FORT BEND COUNTY EFFORT AND PROGRAM AS WELL. WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. >> OKAY. SO WHO APPLIED? WE HAD AN ARRAY OF INDUSTRIES AND THEY HAD AN ARRAY OF NEEDS. THE LARGEST BEING EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REPAIRS, AND THE SECOND LARGEST BEING FACILITIES, RENT, AND EXPANSION, AND THE LARGEST SECTOR THAT WE HAD WERE ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD SERVICES. ELIGIBILITY, OUT OF ALL PEOPLE WHO APPLIED 85.7% WERE PREELIGIBLE TO GO ON TO UNDERWRITING, AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE WEEDED OUT WAS BECAUSE THEIR NETWORK EXCEEDED THE SBA SIZE STANDARDS OR THEIR BUSINESS OR HOME WAS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF FORT BEND COUNTY. BUSINESS AND HOME, I'M SORRY. AND AS YOU SEE, SUGAR LAND HAD THE MOST APPLICATIONS, AND FUL SHARE HAD THE LEAST, AND THE ITEM TO THE RIGHT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF ELIGIBLE VERSUS CANDIDATES THAT WERE SCREENED OUT. AND ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS REQUESTED ABOUT 2.4 MILLION COMBINED AVERAGING ABOUT 43,000 PER REQUEST. SO CAMPAIGN RESULTS. OUR INTERNAL GOAL WAS TO GET 50 APPLICATIONS, WE EXCEEDED THAT GOAL BY RECEIVING 6, AND LIKE I -- 67, AND LIKE I SAID THE ORIGINAL REQUEST BEFORE WE SCREENED PEOPLE OUT WAS $2.9 MILLION, SO THERE'S DEFINITELY A NEED. KEY TAKE AWAYS, SO WE'RE AT THE MIDWAY POINT. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO COME BACK TO Y'ALL IN NOVEMBER WITH SOME RESULTS, WE'RE PERFORMING AS DESIGNED FOR THE MIDWAY POINT. CURRENTLY APPLICATIONS ARE BEING REVIEWED AND YOUNG WRITTEN. WE ARE TAKING -- UNDERWRITTEN, AND WE'RE TAKING THEM BY GROUPS, THEY WERE RANDOMIZED AND WE TOOK THE FIRST TEN, AND REACHED OUT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PROFIT-LOSS STATEMENTS, TAX RETURNS, EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A FULL LOAN APPLICATION AND WE GAVE THEM A PERIOD OF TIME TO RESPOND, SO FAR WE HAVE TWO WHO HAVE TURNED IN THE INFORMATION, SO OUR NEXT STEP IS TO GO BACK TO THE RANDOMIZED LIST, AND PULL THE NEXT TEN, AND THE PEOPLE FROM THE FIRST TEN, GIVE US THEIR DOCUMENTS, THEN WE WILL PUT THEM BACK IN THE QUEUE TO BE UNDERWRITTEN. THERE IS A NEED FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT IN THE COUNTY. IT'S CRITICAL AS I MENTIONED FROM THE INITIAL FUNDING REQUEST, THERE'S A $2 .4 MILLION GAP, AND AS FAR AS PERFORMANCE OF THE DELINQUENT LOANS, WE HAVE TALKED TO OUR -- ONE OF OUR BOARDS, HGAC IS A BIG ORGANIZATION WITH A LOT OF BOARDS, AS YOU ALL KNOW, SO WE TALKED TO THE LDC BOARD ABOUT SOME COLLECTION EFFORTS, AND WE HAVE TO PRESENT THAT TO OUR GDECC BOARD AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, BUT WE'RE MOVING THE PROCESS ALONG, HOWEVER, WE HAVE A SUCCESS STORY. WE HAD A PERSON WHO RECEIVED A LOAN, AUGUST OF 2023, AND AS OF OCTOBER 2023, THEY ONLY MADE A TOTAL PAYMENT OF $3000. THEIR MONTHLY PAYMENT WAS $887, SO CURRENTLY THEY'RE 19 MONTHS BEHIND. 19 PAYMENTS BEHIND. AS OF JULY 31, THEY HAVE MADE $10,000 IN ADDITION TO THAT INITIAL $3000. THEY MADE $5,000 IN JUNE, AND 5,000 IN JULY. THE AUGUST REPORT IS NOT OUT, OBVIOUSLY, BUT, WHEN WE RECEIVED [02:25:01] THOSE PAYMENT, WE CLEARED UP THEIR LATE FEES, WHICH TOTALLED $1100, AND THEY ARE PLANNING TO BE PAID OFF BY THE END OF THE YEAR. SO EVEN WITHOUT THE TEETH, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO RECOVER SOME OF THOSE FUNDS. >> DO I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY THAT ONE OF THE ENTITIES THAT WERE FUNDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM IS A DRONE AGRICULTURE DEAL THAT TURNS OUT TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS? >> YES, IT IS. SO ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHEN WE CAME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE SHOWED A VIDEO WITH THIS SUCCESS STORY, AND THEY'RE RIGHT HERE IN FORT BEND COUNTY. WE DID FUND THEM AND HELIO IS ON THE NAME OF THE COMPANY, ON OUR YOU TUBE AND SOCIAL MEDIA -- >> NEVER HURTS TO REPEAT A SUCCESS STORY MUCH THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? >> WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION, THANK YOU FOR DOING ALL THIS. APPRECIATE IT. [41. Meet in Closed Session to deliberate the following matters as authorized by the Texas Government Code:] >> WONDERFUL. >> MOVING FORWARD, NEXT AGENDA ITEM 41 (A)-1 THROUGH 41-A-4. I WANT TO ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IF WE CAN HANDLE THIS IN OPEN SESSION. >> WE CAN, WE CAN MOVE QUICKLY. I DO HAVE MY ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY PRESENT, AND WE'LL START WITH ITEM NUMBER 1, FORT BEND COUNTY VERSUS DIAGO, AND THAT WILL BE MARK KING. >> FANTASTIC. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, SIRS. I'M HANDING OLGA THE ORDER AND I'M PRESENTING TO YOU THE MOTION FOR ORDER AUTHORIZING EXPENSES IN THIS NEW CONDEMNATION CASE. >> YOU WANT A MOTION FOR THAT? >> IT'S COMING. >> HE'S GETTING THERE. >> I MOVE IN THE CASE OF THE ACTION REFERENCED IN AGENDA ITEM 42-A-1, FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS, VERSUS DIOGU KALU DIOGUII ET AL, WALLIS STREET PROJECT, 20305, PARCEL 20, PRECINCT 1, BRIDGETTE SMITH LAWSON, COUNTY ATTORNEY, BE AUTHORIZED TO INCUR LITIGATION EXPENSES FOR ANY AND ALL COSTS PRETRIAL, TRIAL, APPEAL, AND INCIDENTAL COSTS INCLUDING POTENTIAL FEES, CITATION BY PUBLICATION FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20,000, AND THAT MOBILITY BONDS BE DESIGNATED AS A FUNDING SOURCE. SORRY GUYS, MY EYES ARE WATERING UP, AND I'M HAVING DIFFICULTY READING THIS. >> YOU DID WELL. >> ALL RIGHT, MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES 3-0. NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THE NEXT THREE CASES GO TO COMMISSIONER MORALES. >> NUMBER 2. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR, I HAVE A MOTION, I'M PRESENTING YOU THROUGH OLGA, AND A MOTION -- SETTLEMENT OF A CONDEMNATION MATTER, AND IN EXCHANGE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A ROSE EASEMENT. -- ROAD EASEMENT. >> I MOVE THE 25-CCV-076614, FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS, VERSUS JEFFREY FORTENBERRY, CAPRICE ARIANA FORTENBERRY ET AL, BOWSER ROAD PROJECT 20306 PARCEL 24, PRECINCT 1, BRIDGETTE SMITH LAWSON, COUNTY ATTORNEY, FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS, BE AUTHORIZED TO COUNTER SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, THE CONDITIONAL RULE 11 DISAGREEMENT NEGOTIATING AND DOCUMENTED BETWEEN LEGAL COUNSEL ON AUGUST 17, 2026, AND TO RESOLVE THE SUIT AND FUND AND CLOSE THE ACQUISITION OF A PERMANENT EASEMENT FOR THE AMOUNT SET FORTH IN SUCH CONDITION, RULE 11 DISAGREEMENT, AND THAT THE MOBILITY FUNDS BE DESIGNATED AS THE FUNDING SO SOURCE. >> DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> MOTION, AND SECOND, ANY [02:30:02] DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES, 3-0. NEXT. >> NEXT MARK KING IS BACK UP. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, AGAIN, SIRS. I HAVE MOTION FOR ORDER AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF A CONDEMNATION SUIT IN CAUSE NUMBER 25-CFL CV-077744, AND I'LL HAND COMMISSIONER -- >> AND HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE HER NAME? >> IDOWU? >> I MOVE THAT IN 25-CCV-077744, FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS, VERSUS GLORIA IDOWU, BENEDICT E.IDOWU ET AL, READING ROAD INTERSECTIONS PROJECT 20109 PARCEL 12, PRECINCT 2, BRIDGETTE SMITH LAWSON, COUNTY ATTORNEY OF FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS, BE AUTHORIZED TO COUNTER SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, THE CONDITIONAL RULE 11 AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED AND DOCUMENTED BY LEGAL COUNSEL ON AUGUST 7, 2026 AND RESOLVE THE SUIT AND FUND AND CLOSE THE ACQUISITION FOR THE AMOUNT SET FORTH IN SUCH CONDITIONAL RULE 11 AGREEMENT AND MOBILITY FUNDS BE DESIGNATED AS THE FUNDING SOURCE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES 3-0. >> NEXT WE HAVE COLUM. >> WONDERFUL. >> I'LL TAKE IT, YOU CAN GIVE IT TO ME. I'LL TAKE HALF OF THEM. >> OKAY. >> THIS IS A MOTION TO SETTLE A CONDEMNATION MATTER -- >> I MOVE THAT IN 25-CCV-077152, FORT BEND COUNTY TEXAS, VERSUS LANELL ZWAHR ET AL, VACEK ROAD PROJECT, NUMBER 20111, PARCEL 14, PRECINCT 2, BE AUTHORIZED TO COUNTER SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, BRIDGETTE LAWSON, NEGOTIATED AND DOCUMENTS BETWEEN LEGAL COUNSEL ON AUGUST 25, 2026 AND RESOLVE THE SUIT, AND OTHERWISE FUND AND CLOSE THE ACQUISITIONS FOR THE AMOUNT SET FORTH IN SUCH CONDITIONAL RULE 11 AGREEMENT, AND MOBILITY FUNDS BE DESIGNATED AS THE FUNDING SOURCE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? >> ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES, 3-0. OLGA, WILL YOU READ ITEM NUMBER 5. >> THANK YOU HILL. >> ITEM NUMBER 5 UNDER SECTION 55 -- READS AS GRANDS PROGRAMS DIRECT YATE INFORMATION BULLETIN NUMBER 580 FISCAL YEAR 2026, ELECTION SECURITY GUIDANCE. >> THE INFORMATION HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED TO THE COURT, NO REQUEST FOR CONSULTATION WAS RECEIVED AND NO FURTHER ACTION NEEDED AT THIS TIME. >> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> 5B-1 PULLED. >> AGENDA ITEM 41B HAS BEEN PULLED. SO THERE'S NO OTHER ITEMS, CORRECT. >> NO OTHER ITEMS IN CLOSED SESSION. >> SO GENERAL SESSION, ACTUALLY WE DON'T HAVE A CLOSED SESSION TODAY. I DO NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE GENERAL SESSION. >> MOVE TO ADJOURN THE GENERAL SESSION. >> LET'S GO TO OUR NEXT MEETING, NOW IT IS 3:34, AND I CALL TO ORDER THIS MEETING OF FORT BEND COUNTY DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TODAY IS THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> I HAVE A MOTION, AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION, ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES 3-0. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 3 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES, 3-0. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. >> APPROVAL OF 4 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> ANY DISCUSSION,. >> ALL IN FAVOR. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> WE WILL ADJOURN. >> LET'S GO TO ANOTHER MEETING, NOW IT IS 3:35, AND I CALL TO ORDER THIS JOINT MEETING OF THE FORT BEND COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICT NUMBERS 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, AND 11, TODAY IS THURSDAY, [02:35:07] AUGUST 27, 2026. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? >> ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES, 3-0. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION, AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? MOTION PASSES, 3-0. LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL FOR ITEM NUMBER 4. >> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, MOTION PASSES 3-0. MOVING ALONG, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. >> MOVE APPROVAL OF 5 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. >> I DO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION PASSES, 3-0. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> MOVE TO ADJOURN. >> LET'S GO HOME, BUT WE HAVE A PLAQUE TO SIGN, SO COMMISSIONERS PLEASE STAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.