Apr 04, 2023 Commissioners Court

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? HEARING NONE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? THANK YOU.

>> ITEM NUMBER 6,

[6. Filing for record the following legal and administrative documents and directing the Criminal District Attorney's Office to take action, if necessary: a. Tort Claims Notice submitted by Davis Law Firm, Re: Gabrielle Dimando and Jovani Dimando. b. Summons in a Civil Action and Plaintiff's Original Petition directed to County Judge The Honorable Nelson Wolfe, Re: Allen Castro, Ph.D. v. Bexar County, Texas, Civil Action No. 5:23-CV-00008-DAE.]

FILING FOR RECORD THE FOLLOWING LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS AND DIRECTING THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY, FOR ITEMS A AND B.

ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? SO NOTED.

>> POINT OF ORDER, JUDGE, THERE IS ONE ITEM ON CONSENT TO BE DISCUSSED, THAT'S 35.

>> LET'S GO BACK. WE'LL RETURN BACK TO ITEM 5 AND NOW TAKE UP THE MATTER.

COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, ITEM 35 YOU HAVE A FLOOR.

[35. Authorizing the County Auditor to pay Fiscal Year 23 invoice(s) for Bexar County Sheriff Office for services for NEC Corporation (repair maintenance computer) in the amount of $25,479.97and Global Training (contracted services) in the amount of $360.]

>> IF PATRICIA AND SOMEBODY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAN COME FORWARD TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.

[NOISE] GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING [OVERLAPPING].

>> IS SOMEONE COMING FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

WE HAVE A LONG DAY, LET'S GO AND GET STARTED.

I'M BUILDING TO HEAR ABOUT IT. HI, SHERRIF.

I HAD MY CHIEF OF STAFF TRIED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS AND I BELIEVE SHE SPOKE TO BOTH DEPARTMENTS AND CAN'T REALLY GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

THIS HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDA LIKE EVERY OTHER COMMISSIONER'S COURT, I GUESS IT'S FOR STORAGE OR SOMETHING.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT'S FOR, BUT IT'S $25,000 LIKE EVERY OTHER MONTH.

I GUESS YOU'RE IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, SO I'M JUST WONDERING WHY IT'S TAKING SO LONG AND IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO SO THAT WE'RE NOT SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY.

[00:50:06]

>> THAT IS CORRECT. THEY ARE IN A MONTH-TO-MONTH.

WE ARE DEVELOPING THE SCOPE OF WORK TO ISSUE A NEW SOLICITATION.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH WITH A MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR.

>> BUT WHY IT'S BEEN A MONTH TO MONTH? I SEE THIS ON THE AGENDA EVERY OTHER MONTH, SO WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG? WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE SHERIFF, BUT OUR DEPARTMENT IS WAITING FOR THE SCOPE OF WORK TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO WE CAN ISSUE THE EVENT WITH A SOLICITATION.

>> SHERIFF, CAN WE PUSH THIS FROWARD?

>> I'M DIRECTOR HUTCHINSON, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION.

>> SIR, I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> I'M DIRECTOR HUTCHINSON, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION FOR BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THE REASON WHY THIS ONE IS CONTINUALLY SHOWING UP EACH MONTH IS THAT THIS CONTRACT AT FIRST WAS LOOKING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO HAVE TO GET A NEW VENDOR.

ISSUES WERE RESOLVED THAT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH IT SO THAT NOW WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THE SAME VENDOR, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO BECAUSE THE FACT WE CAN HAVE OUR SERVICES TAKEN CARE OF WITH ONE VENDOR VERSUS HAVING TWO VENDOR PROVIDING THE SAME SERVICE.

JUST GOING THROUGH THE CONTRACT PROCESS AND EVERYTHING THAT PURCHASING IS DOING, THAT'S THE REASON WHY IT'S [OVERLAPPING].

>> IF YOU GUYS COULD JUST PRIORITIZE THIS BECAUSE IT'S BEEN ON HERE FOR, I FEEL LIKE A YEAR NOW. I DON'T I DON'T KNOW.

I JUST FEEL LIKE I KEEP SAYING IT AND, SO I JUST HOPE YOU GUYS DO WHAT YOU GUYS NEED TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF IT, MOVE IT FORWARD AND LET US KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP.

>> ONE ANOTHER POINT I THINK YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THAT WE ARE NOT PAYING ANYTHING EXTRA BECAUSE IT IS ON A MONTHLY CHARGE.

IT'S THE WHOLE CONTRACT COSTS DIVIDED BY 12, WE'RE PAYING THAT MONTHLY.

WE ARE NOT PAYING EXTRA BECAUSE OF THE DELAY OF GETTING A FULL CONTRACT.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? THREE MINUTES SHORTER TIME CERTAIN.

[7. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday, March 21, 2023.]

LET'S DO THAT.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 21, '23.

ARE THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

WE GET TO 10 O'CLOCK. [LAUGHTER] WE'RE STILL TWO MINUTES AWAY FROM 10 O'CLOCK.

WELL, THE NEXT ONE IS CITIZENS TO BE HEARD, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO JUST KILL A COUPLE OF MINUTES HERE AND TAKE UP THE TIME CERTAIN.

CAN I JUST GO AHEAD.

ANYBODY HAVE A PROBLEM, WE CALL IT AND THEN [OVERLAPPING].

>> YOU CALL IT IF THERE ARE ANY CITIZENS TO BE HEARD AFTER IT'S PRESENTED.

>> AT THIS TIME, WE'LL TAKE UP THE TIME CERTAIN ITEMS,

[4A. 10:00 a.m.: Discussion and Approval to authorize Bexar County Department of Preventative Health and Environmental Services to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Bexar County Department of Behavioral Health, and Bexar County Board of Trustees for Mental Health Mental Retardation Services D/B/A The Center for Health Care Services to provide Jail-Based Competency Restoration Services in the Bexar County Adult Detention Center.]

DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE BEXAR COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE IS TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, MOU, WITH BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BEXAR COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND BEXAR COUNTY BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICES, DBA, THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PROVIDE JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION SERVICES IN THE BEXAR COUNTY ADULT CENTER.

GOOD MORNING, DR. GUAJARDO.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAKAI, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

I'M DR. ANDREA GUERRERO-GUAJARDO, DIRECTOR OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

>> I WANT YOU TO SLOW DOWN JUST TODAY, OKAY?

>> YES, SIR. IT'S MY NORMAL SPEAKING VOICE, I'M SORRY.

I'M HERE TODAY TO PRESENT THIS AGENDA ITEM WITH MY COLLEAGUE EDWARD BENAVIDES IS FROM THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PRESENT THE JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM.

THE ITEM IS TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN OUR DEPARTMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES, IN THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THIS GRANT IN THE JAIL.

YOU'LL SEE ON THE BACKGROUND SLIDE IN JUST A MOMENT.

CURRENTLY IN TEXAS WE HAVE 2,545 PERSONS WAITING TRANSFER TO A STATE HOSPITAL BED FOR INPATIENT COMPETENCY RESTORATION.

RESTORATION MEANS THAT THESE ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL AND MUST BE RESTORED TO COMPETENCY BEFORE THEY CAN DO THAT SO THEY CAN KNOW THE OUTCOME OF THE CHARGES AGAINST THEM.

IN THE BEXAR COUNTY ADULT DETENTION CENTER, THERE ARE 288 FOLKS WHO ARE HAVING DECLARED IN NEED OF COMPETENCY RESTORATION.

WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS ITEM OR THIS ISSUE AT LENGTH BEFORE IN THIS COURT.

[00:55:02]

WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE ASK THAT IS CURRENTLY ON A WISHLIST.

WE ARE HOPEFUL, BUT I'M NOT CERTAIN THAT THAT WILL COME TO FRUITION, AND THEREFORE, THIS GRANT IS AN EFFORT TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THIS OURSELVES IN HOUSE AND WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

THOSE 288 FOLKS EQUATE TO ABOUT 85,273 JAIL BED DAYS, IT IS THAT THEY SPEND IN THE JAIL, THE COST PER DAY IS ABOUT $250 PER DAY, SO THAT'S AN TOTAL ESTIMATED COST IN JAIL BED DAYS OF OVER $21 MILLION IN COST TO THE COUNTY.

OUR EFFORT IN IMPLEMENTING THIS RESTORATION PROGRAM IS TO AVOID THOSE COSTS OR AT LEAST TO DECREASE THE BURDEN OF THOSE COSTS ON THE JAIL AND ALSO TO FREE UP HUMAN RESOURCES THAT IT TAKES TO MANAGE THOSE FOLKS IN THE JAIL.

CHCS HAS SECURED THIS GRANT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO IMPLEMENT THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS HERE AT THE COUNTY.

I'LL TURN IT OVER TO EDWARD BENAVIDES.

>> JUDGE, REAL QUICK.

>> DR. GUAJARDO, JUST REAL QUICK ON THE 288 THAT ARE IN THE DETENTION CENTER, DO WE KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENSES?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFIC NUMBER, BUT I CAN GET THAT FOR YOU.

>> YOU COULD HAVE FOR US TO KNOW?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M EDWARD BENAVIDES WITH THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

WE'RE EXCITED THIS MORNING TO SHARE WITH YOU OUR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COUNTY REGARDING OUR JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM.

THE CENTER IS IN RECEIPT OF A $1.6 MILLION GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO IMPLEMENT A JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM HERE WITHIN BEXAR COUNTY.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE AWARD IS 1.6 MILLION AND THE PROJECT IS THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2024.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE CENTER, ALONG WITH THE BEXAR COUNTY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH HAD VARIOUS DISCUSSIONS TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT WHAT WILL BE A FIRST HERE FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

THIS PROGRAM WILL HAVE EVIDENCE-BASED CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR OFFENDERS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR CO-OCCURRING MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

NONVIOLENT OFFENSES OR WHOSE CRIMINOGENIC RISK ASSESSMENT HAS ROLLED OUT RISK OF HARM TO OTHERS.

PERSONS SERVED WILL BE QUALIFIED BY THE JUDGE PRESIDING OVER THE CASE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THEIR DEFENSE ATTORNEY, AND THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

THE CENTER WILL ALSO TRAIN OUR LICENSED STAFF ON EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL AND CRIMINOGENIC RISK ASSESSMENT IN CONNECTION TO TREATMENT AND COMPETENCY RESTORATION.

OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, THE STAFF ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS IDENTIFIED WHAT THE GOALS WILL BE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

FOR THIS YEAR, UPON APPROVAL, LATER THE SPRING THE CENTER WILL IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM, AND WE EFFORT TO SERVE UP TO 40 INDIVIDUALS IN 2023 AND DOUBLE THAT TO 80 IN 2024.

FURTHER GOALS IS TO PROVIDE PROMPT ACCESS TO CLINICALLY APPROPRIATE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION SERVICES, PROVIDE A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO REDUCE AND END THE DEMAND FOR INPATIENT COMPETENCY RESTORATION IN A STATE HOSPITAL, AND ADVANCE DUE PROCESS AND PRESERVE THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE OFFENDER.

AS DR. RICARDO SHOWED, WE HAVE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THE JAIL JUST AWAITING TO GO THROUGH THE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND MINIMIZE OR AMELIORATE THE STRESS OF INCARCERATION WITHIN THE JAIL.

IN COORDINATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND BEXAR COUNTY STAFF, THE PROGRAM WILL BE ADMINISTERED WITHIN THE JAIL FACILITY LOCATED IN THE SOUTH TOWER ON THE FOURTH FLOOR.

WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WE IDENTIFIED THREE OFFICES FOR STAFF, AS WELL AS TWO MULTIPURPOSE GROUP ROOMS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SESSION THERAPIES.

THE STAFF FROM THE CENTER IS SMALL BUT MIGHTY, WHICH INCLUDES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPERVISOR, A COURT LIAISON, TWO SENIOR CARE MANAGERS, AND A MEDICAL TEAM CONSISTING OF A REGISTERED NURSE, A PSYCHIATRIST, AND A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO WILL PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE VIA TELEMEDICINE.

AS I MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PRESENTATION, THIS GRANT ITS RECIPIENT IS THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES, BUT WE HAVE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS WITH UH, WHO WILL PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES WITHIN THE JAIL, THE SHERIFF, OF COURSE, THE COUNTY, AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WHO IS THE GIVER OF THE AWARD.

[01:00:02]

HERE'S A LITTLE SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE WITHIN THE JAIL.

SO THE TWO PICTURES ARE SOME STOCK PHOTOS, BUT YOU CAN SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN THE JAIL SETTING AND THEN THE TWO PHOTOS BELOW ARE ACTUALLY THE ROOMS THAT WE WILL USE THAT STAFF IS ALREADY PREPARING FOR TO BEGIN THE CLINICAL CARE WITHIN THE JAIL.

WITH THAT, WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BEGIN THIS PROGRAM.

IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION, NOT ONLY WITH LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, BUT WE'VE ALSO REACHED OUT TO OTHER LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY FOR BEST PRACTICES AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROGRAM AND WILL PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES TO THIS COURT AS WELL AS TO OUR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

AND WITH THAT, I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> ANY DISCUSSIONS? COMMISSIONER MOODY?

>> I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING.

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT? COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES?

>> NO DISCUSSION. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR WORKING TOGETHER, GETTING THIS DONE.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S SOMETHING OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS AND WE NEED TO SEE MORE OF IT, SO THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND NO QUESTIONS EITHER.

EDWARD, THANK YOU FOR THE OVERVIEW.

AND I THINK LATER ON THE AGENDA WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

I'M NOT SURE IF MELISSA IS BACK, I KNOW SHE'S BEEN SICK BUT I THINK DR. RICARDO REFER TO THAT I GUESS THE COST.

I MEAN, WE'RE PUTTING OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD, THE REALITY IS WE'RE BEARING COST THAT THE STATE SHOULD BE PROVIDING.

AND I WAS IN AUSTIN LAST WEEK WITH SOME OF THE CONFERENCE OF URBAN COUNTIES, EVERYBODY HAS SIMILAR ISSUES.

THEY'VE GOT CROWDED JAILS AND THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLS THAT MAY HAVE SOME LIFE THAT WOULD REIMBURSE THE COUNTIES FOR I THINK IT'S AFTER 45 DAYS, THOSE THAT WE'RE HOLDING THAT SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED IN TERMS OF INCOMPETENCIES.

I APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATION BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE'S LIVES TURNED AROUND AND WE CAN'T WAIT ON THE STATE, WE'LL BE WAITING FOREVER SO I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE BEING PROACTIVE AND LOOK FORWARD TO, AGAIN, IMPACTING A LOT OF LIVES. THANK YOU.

>> JUST ONE COMMENT I'D LIKE TO ADD AND I DID SPEAK ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY BUT JUST FOR THE RECORD, I THINK THAT THIS IS PART OF A HOLISTIC SOLUTION WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH AND THE INTERACTIONS WITH OUR JAIL.

ON ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM, YOU HAVE FORENSIC BEDS AND CRIMINALS THAT DON'T NEED TO BE IN THE JAIL BUT NEED TO HAVE THAT HIGHER-LEVEL CARE AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE CIVIL BEDS BUT THEN ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM IS POTENTIALLY THIS PROGRAM, WHERE MAYBE WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SOME OF THAT RESTORATION ACTUALLY IN THE JAIL AT THE LOWEST COST TO TAXPAYERS.

AND SO I SEE US FILLING OUT THIS HOLISTIC SOLUTION HERE AND I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. THANK YOU.

>> I GOT SOME QUESTIONS.

>> LET ME TALK TO SHERIFF.

SHERIFF, WHY DON'T YOU COME UP HERE? SHERIFF, THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THIS COLLABORATION.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE THE FOCAL POINT BECAUSE IT'S YOUR JAIL.

>> AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HOUSE AND TAKE CARE OF AND HOPEFULLY GET THEM READY WHEREVER THEY GOT TO GO. CORRECT?

>> ALL RIGHT. I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THE BURDEN AND COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ HAS ALREADY ALLUDED TO IT.

WE GOT NEARLY 300 PEOPLE SITTING IN THE BEXAR COUNTY JAIL BECAUSE OF EITHER INCOMPETENCY OR COMPETENCY OR BECAUSE OF SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. A SIZABLE PORTION OF OUR POPULATION FITS THAT BILL EXACTLY.

THEY SHOULD BE ELSEWHERE, BUT THERE IS NO ELSEWHERE.

BEXAR COUNTY TAXPAYERS ARE STUCK FOOTING THE BILL FOR THAT.

>> AND MOST OF THOSE ARE UNDER THE CUSTODY OR JURISDICTION TO STATE OF TEXAS, WE'RE HOUSING THEM FOR THE STATE. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> ABSOLUTELY, SIR. THE ELSEWHERE THAT I'M REFERRING TO IS USUALLY STATE FACILITIES BE IT THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM OR IN THIS CASE STATE HOSPITALS THAT JUST DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY OR THE MANPOWER I GUESS, TO PICK UP THESE FOLKS.

AND AGAIN, SOME OF THEM ARE STUCK IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF COMPETENCY THAT NEEDS TO BE EITHER RESTORED OR WE NEED TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT MAYBE COMPETENCY WILL NEVER BE RESTORED, BUT AT LEAST GET THE CASE MOVING AND DISPOSED OF SOMEHOW.

>> AND SOME, AND I'M NOT WANTING TO PAINT A BROAD PICTURE, BUT SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH WHICH PUTS A BIG STRAIN ON YOUR STAFF AND IN TRYING TO SUPERVISE AND KEEP ORDER AT THE JAIL. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. TYPICALLY, THE RATIO THAT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN FOR INMATES BY TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS IS 1 TO 48 RATIO.

SOME OF THESE INMATES THAT HAVE, SOME OF THEM PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT ARE IN THE JAIL,

[01:05:03]

SOME OF THEM ARE EVEN DOWN ALMOST TO A ONE-ON-ONE RATIO.

IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S A LIVING UNIT WHERE WE CANNOT PUT THEM WITH OTHER INMATES AND THERE'S ALMOST SOME SITUATIONS ON SOME THAT ONE DEPUTY IS TIED UP WATCHING ONE INMATE TIMES THREE BECAUSE IT'S AN AROUND-THE-CLOCK THING FOR US.

AND SO AGAIN, LATER THIS MORNING I'LL BE HERE TALKING ABOUT OVERTIME, THESE ARE THE SORTS OF THINGS THAT ADD TO THAT OVERTIME BILL.

>> AND THERE'S ANOTHER SEGMENT OF THE JAIL POPULATION THAT ALSO IS PROBLEMATIC AND THAT'S ALL THE PRISONERS, AND I'LL USE THAT WORD BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED, THEY'VE BEEN CONVICTED, AND THEY'VE BEEN SENTENCED AND THEY ARE WHAT'S CALLED PAPER READY TO GO TO THE STATE INSTITUTIONS. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, WE'VE GOT ABOUT 200 OR SO, MAYBE A COUPLE OF HUNDRED STATE INMATES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY OFFENSE AND ARE WAITING TO BE SHIPPED OFF.

WE'VE OFFERED TO THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE WILL BRING THEM TO YOU IF WE NEED TO.

I CERTAINLY DON'T MIND DOING THAT.

BUT YES, THAT'S A SIZABLE PORTION OF OUR JAIL POPULATION AS WELL THAT WE WISH THE STATE WOULD STEP UP AND DO IT QUICKER.

WE'LL TAKE WHAT WE CAN GET AT THIS POINT BUT YES, THAT IS ADDING TO OUR WALLS AS WELL.

>> HAS THE PROBLEM BECOME WORSE OR BETTER, OR IS IT STILL THE SAME FROM THE FIRST OF THE YEAR?

>> WELL, IT DOES SEEM LIKE THE CHAINS, IN OTHER WORD, THE GROUP WE CALL IT THE CHAINS, THE GROUPS THAT THEY TAKE ARE GETTING BIGGER IN SIZE.

FOR A WHILE THERE FOR PROBABLY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE CHAINS HAD SHRUNK DOWN TO 50 OR 60.

WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE, THEY WERE UP ALMOST 200 A WEEK, THEY SHRUNK DOWN ABOUT 50 OR 60.

I THINK THIS PAST WEEK WE SHIPPED OUT ABOUT 150 SO IT'S GETTING BETTER.

>> BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS IS I DO PAY ATTENTION TO THE JAIL POPULATION SHERIFF AND LET YOUR STAFF KNOW I'M WATCHING THAT NUMBER.

>> IT APPEARS IT IS SLOWLY NOT AS MUCH AS WE WANT, BUT IT'S GOING DOWN ALTHOUGH PROJECTIONS WERE IT WAS GOING TO GO BACK UP, CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. IT HAS GONE DOWN.

AND ABSOLUTELY, WE KNOW YOU WATCH EVERYTHING.

WE LOVE YOU FOR THAT BY THE WAY.

OUR JAIL POPULATION HAD GONE UP TO OVER 4,600, RIGHT NOW IT'S HOVERING AROUND 4,300.

>> AND ARE YOU AWARE THAT I'VE ASKED THE JUDGES, BOTH THE DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS OF LAW, WHO HEAR CRIMINAL CASES, ESPECIALLY ON A JURY DOCKET THAT WE GO ON FULLY BACKUP TO STAFFING, FULLY? AND IF YOU'VE SEEN THE HALLWAYS WE'RE NOW CROWDED WITH JURORS AND SO I'M ANTICIPATING, AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY GONZALEZ, I KNOW THAT THAT PUTS SOME BURDEN AND PRESSURES ON YOUR STAFF BUT I AM ASKING EVERYBODY TO WORK AS HARD AS THEY CAN TO MOVE THE DOCKET BECAUSE IF WE KNOW WE MOVE THE DOCKET, WE CAN HAVE THOSE PEOPLE EITHER GET RELEASED OR GET READY FOR WHEREVER THEIR NEXT PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

>> YES, SIR. WELL, THERE WERE MANY REASONS WHY I HAD A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE WHEN YOU TOOK OFFICE, BUT ONE OF WHICH BEING [LAUGHTER] THAT YOU SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE AS THE JUDGES FOR OBVIOUS REASONS AND WE KNEW THAT THE JAIL POPULATION WAS GOING TO GET MOVING ONCE YOU GOT IN AND STARTED MAKING THOSE MOVEMENTS AVAILABLE.

ABSOLUTELY, WE'RE ECSTATIC ABOUT THAT.

IT HAS HAD A MEASURABLE EFFECT ON THE POPULATION.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER PRISONERS THAT ARE BEING HELD EITHER THROUGH FEDERAL OR STATE PAROLE THAT ARE NOT UNDER THE CUSTODY OF THE COUNTY OR AWAITING COUNTY ADJUDICATION BUT THEY'RE SITTING THERE BECAUSE WE'RE REQUIRED TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY?

>> WE DON'T REALLY HOUSE FEDERAL INMATES.

THE PEOPLE THAT MAY BE THERE ON A FEDERAL DETAINER THEY MAY BE UNDOCUMENTED.

ARE THERE ON ANOTHER CHARGE? TYPICALLY, THEY'RE THERE BECAUSE THERE'S A STATE CHARGE AND THE DETAINER IS SECONDARY TO WHAT THEY'RE ALREADY THERE FOR.

>> WE GOT IMMIGRATION HOLDS ON PEOPLE THAT HAVE STATE OR COUNTY CASES, CORRECT?

>> YES, SIR. THEY'RE ALREADY THERE FOR SOMETHING ELSE AND THEN THE DETAINER IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THAT.

>> CAN I ASK MR. GONZALEZ, OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR TO MOVE THESE CASES AND HOPEFULLY LOWER THE JAIL POPULATION?

>> WELL, JUDGE, WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MOVE THESE CASES AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

BUT AS EVERYONE KNOWS, ANYONE ACCUSED OF A CRIME HAS HIS RIGHT TO HIS DAY IN COURT.

THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN CONTROL SO WE CAN BE READY AND ANNOUNCE READY IN COURT, BUT IT'S UP TO THE ACCUSED AND HIS LAWYER TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT A PLEA OFFER THAT WE MAKE OR TO GO TO TRIAL.

[01:10:04]

THAT WAS THE BIG CHALLENGE THAT WE HAD DURING COVID, JUDGE, IS IT FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, ALMOST TWO YEARS WE WERE NOT MOVING ANYTHING BECAUSE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WERE DIGGING THEIR HEELS AND SAYING, WHY SHOULD I PLEAD TO WHAT YOU'RE OFFERING WE'LL JUST WAIT TO GO TO TRIAL.

WE FIND OURSELVES NOW WITH A HUGE BACKLOG THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DIG OURSELVES OUT OF AND I DON'T WANT TO DETRACT FROM THIS DISCUSSION, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE'S A MOVEMENT AFOOT IN AUSTIN WHERE THERE'S QUITE A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT IF THEY PASS, IS GOING TO SEVERELY LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND IT'S GOING TO POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE JAIL POPULATION.

SOME OTHER REFORM PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE NOW WILL BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED IF ANY OF THESE BILLS PASS.

>> THANK YOU. I SEEK JUDGE GONZALEZ, I'M GOING TO PULL YOU IN HERE.

I WANT TO ASK THAT OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE HERE FOR YOURSELF AND NOT ON BEHALF OF THE JUDICIARY.

BUT WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL I'M PLEASED WITH THE JUDGES WHO ARE BASICALLY STEPPED IT UP AND ALSO THE SYSTEMS THAT HAVE CREATED IMPACT COURTS, ROCKET DOCKETS, ANYTHING THAT MOVES OUR CASES.

GIVE US A PERSPECTIVE FROM YOUR WORK AS A JUDGE.

>> DEFINITELY THE IMPACT COURTS HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON HOW QUICKLY WE CAN MOVE THE CASES.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT DISTRICT ATTORNEY GONZALEZ HAS HIS PROSECUTORS AS WELL AS MS. POWERS THAT'S WHAT THIS, HAVE THEIR PROSECUTORS READY.

ANY GIVEN WEEK, WE HAVE 10-20 CASES READY TO GO TO TRIAL OUT OF JUST ONE COURT, THAT'S 13.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SIGNIFICANTLY DROP THE NUMBER OF BACKLOG IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.

I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER SCOTT, WILL BE DISCUSSING EXACTLY WHERE THOSE IMPACT DOLLARS NEED TO GO NEXT.

IT MAYBE DWI, IT MAY BE THE JAIL POPULATION, BUT THOSE IMPACT COURTS ARE HELPING.

I WOULD ASK THE COMMISSIONER SCOTT TO CONTINUE TO USE THAT WHERE IT'S NEEDED.

JUDGE LEADER, MYSELF, JUDGE ROMAN AND JUDGE TOHANSKI WORKED HARD TO GET THOSE NUMBERS DOWN AND AS OF YESTERDAY, I CAN TELL YOU IN 13, WE HAD 780 CASES BACKLOG.

FIVE YEARS AGO THAT WAS OVER 2,000 CASES JUST IN 13 ALONE.

WE'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB WITH IT.

WE CONTINUE TO DO IT.

I WANT TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AND THANK ALL OF YOU FOR APPROVING ITEM NUMBER 49, WHICH IS OUR NEW POSITION FOR ASSISTANT TO OUR CASE MANAGER AND BEXAR COURT BUT THOSE IMPACT COURTS DO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. JUDGE SKI.

>> I DIDN'T WANT TO IGNORE. DO I HAVE ANY OTHER JUDGES IN THE ROOM? BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HEAR AFTER THE MEETING, JUDGE, YOU FORGOT ABOUT ME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ?

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING? NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LET'S MAKE THIS PROGRAM WORK.

I WANT THAT JAIL UNDER CONTROL, GUYS.

>> I THINK WE'RE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

[8. Communications from citizens who signed the register to speak.]

THOSE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP BE PREPARED.

OUR FIRST CITIZEN TO BE HEARD WILL BE MS. DANETTE GUERRERO.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> I WANT TO SAY THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS KNOW ME.

NICE TO MEET YOU, COMMISSIONER MOODY AND JUDGE SKI. THE JAIL ISSUES.

I'M SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN SPEAKING HERE SINCE DECEMBER OF 2020.

I WAS LOCKED UP AND THE DA'S OFFICE I WANT TO ADDRESS IS LYING BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT READY WHEN THE DEFENDANT, THE INMATE, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL US, IS READY TO GO TO COURT.

THEN WE'RE SITTING IN A JAIL.

I SAT IN A JAIL FOR FIVE MONTHS, 30 DAYS AFTER MY [OVERLAPPING]

>> COULD YOU PLEASE ADDRESS THE COURT.

>> WELL, HERE'S THE DEAL.

THANK YOU FOR GOING TO THE JAIL AND SEEING THE JAIL.

BUT SO FAR NOW WE HAVE THREE DEATHS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

WHEN I THINK IN 2019 ON THE HEATHER FORESTER CASE THAT'S IN WESTERN DISTRICT 521CV 00765.

THAT ATTORNEY THAT REPRESENTS HER SAID IN 2019 WE HAD NINE DEATHS, 2022 WE HAVE 10 INMATE DEATHS.

AGAIN, AS I'LL SAY IN 2023 NOW WE HAVE THREE.

WE JUST HAD ONE FRIDAY.

THESE SO-CALLED MEDICAL EPISODES FROM EXPERIENCE I KNOW THEY'RE NOT MEDICAL EPISODES.

IT'D BE NICE THAT WHEN WE GET THESE PROGRAMS GOING THAT THESE FOLKS WITH MENTAL HEALTH WOULD GET THEIR MEDICATIONS AND NOT BE

[01:15:03]

DENIED THEIR MEDICATIONS, WHICH I WITNESSED.

LET ME JUST LET YOU KNOW.

I'M A FORMER EMPLOYEE 15 YEARS WITH SAN ANTONIO STATE HOSPITAL.

I WAS ON A MENTAL HEALTH UNIT AND I WAS THERE FOR FIVE MONTHS, REMANDED WITHOUT BOND FOR NO REASON AT ALL.

ONCE THEY GOT THE PSYCH EVAL, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF STILL KEEPING SOMEONE THERE.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE THAT WENT THROUGH TWO YEARS TO HAVE ALL CHARGES DISMISSED.

BUT YET I HAD TO SIT IN JAIL FIVE MONTHS AND I'M INNOCENT.

I WAS INNOCENT, I'M STILL INNOCENT AND I WANT MY NAME CLEARED.

HOW MANY OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE IN THERE? ANOTHER THING WE'RE NOT BROUGHT TO COURT EITHER.

WHEN YOU POLITICIANS GRANITE OVERWHELMED, OVERSTOCKED OR WHATEVER. IT'S YOUR JOB.

YOU CHOSE THAT WHEN YOU RAN FOR THAT POSITION SO CONSTITUTIONALLY, THE SHERIFF IS REQUIRED AND FOLKS IN THAT JAIL, HE IS OBLIGATED TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE AND ASSURE THEM SAFETY, DUE PROCESS, AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS.

JUST LIKE YOU, THE DA AND YOU AS A FORMER JUDGE AND THE COURT.

>> JUDGE, THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> WE HAVE A RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS, SPEEDY TRIAL.

>> THANK YOU, MS. KEDUL. THE NEXT ONE IS JARED WOODWARD.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS.

I DID WANT TO START BY SAYING, JUDGE, I DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOU, BUT I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH HOW YOU'VE BEEN REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR PUSH FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT BEING SAID, I KNOW THAT YOU AND COMMISSIONER MOODY ARE NEW, SO THE OTHER THREE MAYBE FAMILIAR WITH MY NAME AS FAR AS SOME LITIGATION THAT HAS COME UP IN REGARDS TO THE VOTING SYSTEMS, AND CASE WAS DISMISSED AS FAR AS STANDING GOES, SO COURTS ACROSS TEXAS HAVE BEEN RULING VERY CONSISTENTLY THAT AS A VOTER, WE DO NOT HAVE STANDING OR AN INDIVIDUAL INJURY IF A ELECTION LAW IS BROKEN, SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY REMEDY TO BRING THAT INTO COURT, AND THERE HAS BEEN QUITE AN EFFORT ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS TO GET THE INFORMATION ABOUT FRAUDULENT CERTIFICATIONS FROM THE ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION, FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AND HOW THAT RELATES TO THIS COURT IS BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE THE ADOPTING AUTHORITY UNDER ELECTION CODE 123, AND SO AS THE ADOPTION AUTHORITY, THE WORD MUST IS IN THERE, WHICH CREATES A CONDITION PRECEDENT, SO THAT MEANS THAT IT IS THIS COURT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IN CHAPTER 122 AS FAR AS 1 THROUGH 10 IS FOLLOWED AND IF YOU GO TO A3, PART OF THAT SECTION SAYS THAT THE VOTING SYSTEM, IT HAS TO COMPLY WITH THE VOTING SYSTEM CERTIFICATION STANDARDS ADOPTED BY THE ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

IF YOU GO TO THE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM MANUAL FOR THE EAC, THE VERY FIRST LINE SAYS THAT IT'S REQUIRED TO BE TESTED BY A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED VOTING SYSTEM TESTING LABORATORY.

YOU CAN GO TO THE EAC WEBSITE, PULL UP SLI COMPLIANCE, THAT TWO TESTS ARE VOTING SYSTEMS, AND YOU CAN PULL UP THEIR CERTIFICATES AND THERE IS NOT A VALID CERTIFICATE.

SO IF YOU GO TO THE VOTING SYSTEM TEST LABORATORY PROGRAM MANUAL, GO TO SECTION 6.3.1, AND IT LAYS OUT THE FIVE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION.

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THAT TIME HAS EXPIRED, WRAP IT UP, MR. WARD.

>> SURE. THE IMPORTANT THING TO PAY ATTENTION TO IS THAT IT IS A REQUIREMENT THAT THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION SIGNED THE CERTIFICATE, NONE OF THE CERTIFICATES ARE SIGNED BY THE CHAIR, WHICH AUTOMATICALLY MAKES THEM INVALID,

[01:20:01]

THAT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2018 AND I CAN ACTUALLY PROVE EVEN FURTHER THAN THAT.

SO BECAUSE THE COURTS HAVE RULED THAT WE DON'T HAVE STANDING, THE ONLY REMEDY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THE CITIZENS IS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 87, WHICH IS REMOVING COUNTY OFFICIALS FROM OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU MR. WARD.

>> THEN JUST REALLY QUICK, REFERENCE, ATTORNEY GENERAL REQUESTS FOR OPINION 0503.

THERE WAS A REMOVAL PETITION FILED IN NUECES COUNTY, AND THAT COUNTY IS ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION IF THEY HAVE TO COVER THE ATTORNEYS COSTS FOR THE DEFENDANT.

>> JUDGE, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

>> MIKE DOUG HARTLEY.

MY NAME IS DOUG HARTLEY, I'M ADDRESSING THE COURT AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN.

HI TOO, JUDGE DID NOT VOTE FOR YOU, BUT I WAS IMPRESSED WITH A DEBATE THAT I ATTENDED AND ESPECIALLY YOUR PROCESS, YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE PROCESS IN ORDER TO MAKE A DECISION, SO MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE READY FIRE AIM SITUATION.

THEY REACT WITHOUT HAVING THE FACTS.

ON THE 23RD, I SENT AN EMAIL TO EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND TO YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF.

IT CONCERNS CAST VOTE RECORDS.

I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE CORRECT CASH BOND RECORDS FOR TWO DIFFERENT TIMES.

THE FIRST TIME THEY GAVE ME A SUMMARY BY PRECINCT, THE SECOND TIME THEY GAVE ME A LINK TO THE WEBSITE, BUT ON THE WEBSITE, THEY HAD TAKEN AND ASSIGN SEQUENTIAL NUMBERS, TWO TRANSACTIONS, BUT THE FIRST ONE WAS 12,254, SO WHERE'S THE OTHER 12,253? ALSO, JUDGE, WHEN I WENT TO LOOK AT VOTES IN DIFFERENT COLUMNS, YOU ARE IN A MINIMUM OF THREE COLUMNS, SO I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT REPORT, BUT IT OBVIOUSLY WASN'T INTENTIONAL, I DON T THINK BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T KNOW, BUT WHAT I NEED IS CAST VOTE RECORD BY J8 IN TIME, AND I AM ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO INSTRUCT THEIR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT TO GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION. ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THANK YOU, MR HARTLEY?

>> HAVE A GOOD DAY. DA'S OFFICE, MR JOE GONZALEZ, AND THERE ARE THREE, ARE YOU GOING TO COME UP TOGETHER ALL SEPARATE.

I HAVE EDM AND THE LARRY ROBERTSON [APPLAUSE]

>> FOR LARRY ROBERTSON [LAUGHING].

>> I THINK IT WAS, I'LL HAVE TO WRITE THEM A CHECK LATER.

>> YEAH I DON'T NEED PEOPLE TO SAY WHO THEY VOTED FOR AND THAT'S OKAY [LAUGHING], IT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE SAKAI AND COMMISSIONERS, LET ME FIRST ANSWER THAT BY SAYING THAT SEVERAL OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, THEY HAVE ALL INDICATED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO YIELD THEIR TIME TO ME IF I RUN OUT OF TIME ON MY PRESENTATION.

SO LET ME JUST SAY I HAVE 1, 2, 3, THREE MORE, SO YOU HAVE UP TO12 MINUTES, GO AHEAD.

>> I WILL START MY TIMER IF I MAY.

AGAIN. GOOD MORNING JUDGE SAKAI AND COMMISSIONERS.

I WANTED TO START WITH THANKING YOU FOR YOUR PREVIOUS SUPPORT OF OUR OFFICE.

THE SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE SHOWN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS COURT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, AND I KNOW THAT IT WILL CONTINUE.

I KNOW JUDGE WOLF WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR OFFICE AND JUDGE, YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SUPPORT THAT HE CERTAINLY EXHIBITED WHILE HE WAS ON THE COURT.

[01:25:04]

BUT LET ME JUST SAY THAT AT THE OUTSET, WHO YOU SEE IN THE COURT TODAY ARE MEMBERS OF OUR OFFICE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM COURT, A LOT OF THEM I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE OVER 500 EMPLOYEES.

THEY COULD NOT ALL BE HERE.

A LOT OF THEM ARE IN COURT AND WE DON'T WANT TO DISRUPT THE FLOW OF COURT, SO THEY COULDN'T BE HERE, BUT THOSE THAT COULD BE HERE ARE HERE, AND I WILL SAY THAT FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK EACH AND EVERY DISTRICT ATTORNEY EMPLOYEE WHO WAKES UP EVERY MORNING TO COME TO WORK DEALS WITH A SIDE OF LIFE THAT FORTUNATELY, A LOT OF US DON'T HAVE TO EVER WITNESS.

THEY DEAL WITH HAVING TO REVIEW CASES INVOLVING MURDERS.

THEY SEE SHOOTINGS, THEY SEE STABBING, THEY SEE CASES INVOLVING SEXUAL ASSAULT WITH CHILDREN, THAT JUDGE, YOU CERTAINLY BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT.

THEY SEE CASES INVOLVING INJURY TO KIDS AND THEY TAKE THAT HOME WITH THEM.

THEY DON'T LEAVE IT AT THE DOOR AT FIVE O'CLOCK.

THERE'S A VERY STRESSFUL JOB, BUT THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO.

THAT'S WHY THEY DO IT [APPLAUSE] LOT OF PEOPLE THAT YOU SEE HERE ARE PROSECUTORS, ADVOCATES, PARALEGALS AND INVESTIGATORS, AND OTHER SUPPORT STAFF.

I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE THE BALCONY FULL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE HERE, WOULD YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND? I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE ARE TURNING.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK BECAUSE WE'RE HERE THAT WE'RE NOT MOVING CASES, WE ARE MOVING CASES.

[LAUGHTER] BUT I WANT TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE ALL THESE PEOPLE FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR EVERYBODY HERE [APPLAUSE].

WE CERTAINLY HAD A VERY FESTIVE MORNING WITH PRE-FIESTA ACTIVITIES, AND WE CERTAINLY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

WE OURSELVES PARTAKE IN FIESTA, BUT WE'RE HERE ON A VERY SERIOUS NOTE.

WE'RE HERE ON SOMETHING VERY SOMBER, AND THAT IS THE CRISIS THAT WE CONTINUE TO FIND OURSELVES IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

I AM HERE FOR THAT REASON.

I'M HERE AS AN ADVOCATE AND A SPOKESMAN FOR EVERYBODY THAT YOU SEE BEHIND ME AND THOSE THAT ARE IN COURT AND BACK IN THE OFFICE.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY IS THERE HAS BEEN AN UNFAIR NEWS ACCOUNT THAT HAPPENED ABOUT A WEEK AGO THAT I NEED TO ADDRESS BECAUSE IT IS NEITHER FAIR OR ACCURATE TO REDUCE EVERYONE'S HARD WORK TO JUST A FEW MOMENTS OF SENSATIONAL JOURNALISM.

MANY OF WHO YOU SEE HERE TODAY AND THOSE BACK IN THE OFFICE HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME AND HAVE SAID, I LOVE WHAT I DO.

I LOVE WORKING IN THE DA'S OFFICE.

I LOVE WHAT I DO BECAUSE I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT IT.

BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY HAVE TO ACCEPT WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY WORK FOR LESS PAY COMPARED TO OTHER DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICERS IN THE STATE [APPLAUSE].

AS YOU KNOW, LAST WEEK, AS I MENTIONED, A LOCAL MEDIA OUTLET RAN A STORY WHICH CREATED AN INCORRECT IMPRESSION THAT THERE ARE MAJOR MANAGEMENT ISSUES CAUSING A LARGE NUMBER OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO RESIGN.

ANY ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND OURS IS NO EXCEPTION WITH OVER 500 EMPLOYEES WITH A HIGH-STRESS SITUATION IS GOING TO HAVE SOME ISSUES.

I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY REVIEWED EXIT INTERVIEW FORMS THAT WERE USED.

THERE WERE ABOUT 47, TWO OF THOSE 47 IDENTIFIED THAT TOPIC, THAT THEME OF TOXIC AND HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.

I TAKE THOSE ISSUES SERIOUSLY AND WE ARE ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES.

I'M NOT HERE ABOUT A NEW STORY.

I'M HERE BECAUSE I REFUSE TO ALLOW ONE MISLEADING STORY TO DETRACT AND DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM WHAT IS A VERY CRITICAL PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE THAT WE'RE STRUGGLING BECAUSE WE ARE LOSING OUR PEOPLE IN OUR OFFICE.

NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE A HOSTILE OR TOXIC ENVIRONMENT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF COMPETITIVE SALARIES, PAIRED WITH AN EVER-INCREASING CASELOADS [APPLAUSE].

JUST LAST WEEK, JUDGE RON RANGEL A RESPECTED BEXAR COUNTY

[01:30:03]

JURIST PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE TREND OF INCREASING VIOLENT CRIME, NOT ONLY IN BEXAR COUNTY BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF WHO'S HERE ALSO HAS ECHOED THIS TREND AND IS ASKING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND DEPUTIES.

AS A RESULT OF THIS INCREASE IN CRIME, OUR STAFF MUST DO MORE WITH LESS.

THEY'RE NOT MAKING ANY MORE MONEY EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE DOING MORE WORK, THEY'RE HAVING TO DO THE WORK FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LEFT FOR WHATEVER REASON [APPLAUSE].

WE ALL ACKNOWLEDGE THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CRIME AND THE RESULTING CASELOAD.

BUT WHY RESIST INCREASING COMPENSATION TO AT LEAST BE COMPETITIVE WITH SURROUNDING COUNTIES WHICH HAVE LOWERCASE LOADS? WE NEED TO LOOK AND SEE WHO'S IN HERE.

THIS IS A FAMILY.

IT CAUGHT MY EYE THAT NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE DA'S OFFICE HERE, BUT THERE'S ONE MEMBER OF OUR OFFICE THAT IS HERE WITH HIS WIFE AND HIS CHILDREN.

CHRIS, LAURA, AND FLORA, THEY'VE STEPPED OUTSIDE.

THEY'VE GOT LITTLE ONES. THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT THE ISSUE IS FOR HIM.

THEY TOOK THE TIME TO COME DOWN HERE TO DEMONSTRATE TO YOU HOW IMPORTANT THEIR LIVELIHOOD IS AND THAT THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK HERE, BUT THEY STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THEY STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR DAYCARE.

THEY STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR THEIR RENT, THEIR CAR PAYMENTS.

AS ELECTED DA, I TOOK AN OATH, NOT ONLY TO PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO HELP CREATE A BETTER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

ONE THAT IS BASED ON FAIR AND JUST PROSECUTION.

I ALSO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO RUN THE 500-MEMBER OFFICE IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY POSSIBLE.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN STEPS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT THAN WE HAD IN THE PAST.

I ELIMINATED TWO CHIEF POSITIONS AND I'M ASKING THAT THEY BE CONVERTED TO DEPUTY CHIEF POSITIONS IN ORDER TO HELP WITH OUR CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE HAD TO REASSIGN SOME OF OUR CORE PROSECUTORS TO HANDLE THE 9,000 CASE BACKLOG THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN THAT WE INHERITED DURING COVID, BUT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

NO OFFICE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THIS KIND OF WORK WITHOUT ADEQUATE RESOURCES.

WHAT WE'RE ASKING IS THAT WE HAVE OUR STAFF BE COMPENSATED ADEQUATELY FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

NOT JUST LAWYERS.

YOU SEE OTHER STAFF MEMBERS HERE, YOU SEE ADVOCATES, YOU SEE PARALEGALS, YOU SEE INVESTIGATORS.

OUR PROSECUTORS ARE OVERWORKED, THEY ARE OVER-STRESSED AND THEY ARE UNDERPAID.

[APPLAUSE] I HAVE SOUNDED THE ALARM AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SOUND THE ALARM BECAUSE THIS IS REAL FOLKS.

WE ARE IN A CRISIS SITUATION.

PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY PROSECUTORS, ARE LEAVING FOR HIGHER PAY.

THEY'RE LEAVING FOR CASELOADS.

IT USED TO BE THAT I WOULD SAY, WELL, THEY'RE LEAVING TO GO INTO THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY.

THEY'RE GETTING TWICE WHAT THEY'RE GETTING PAID HERE. THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

THEY ARE LEAVING TO GO TO OTHER DA'S OFFICES BECAUSE THEY CAN GET HIGHER PAY FOR LESS STRESS, LOWER CASELOADS.

WE HAVE A PROSECUTOR RIGHT NOW WHO IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MURDER TRIAL WHO IS LEAVING AT THE END OF THAT CASE TO GO WORK IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION, IS TAKING A DEMOTION IN ORDER TO GET A $17,000 INCREASE IN PAY.

THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

[APPLAUSE] MAKE NO MISTAKE.

THIS IS NOT AN OVERSTATEMENT TO SAY THAT THIS REPRESENTS A CRITICAL THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

WITHOUT PROSECUTORS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF, IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY DEPUTIES YOU HIRE, HOW MANY BEDS YOU CREATE AT THE JAIL BOTH WILL BE ULTIMATELY INEFFECTIVE IF WE CANNOT MOVE THESE CASES, AS YOU MENTION THE JUDGE.

WE CAN'T SIT BACK AND ALLOW PROSECUTORS TO LEAVE THE OFFICE OVER SALARIES THAT ARE NOT COMPARABLE TO OTHER SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

IT WOULD BE UNCONSCIONABLE AND IT UNDERMINES OUR SHARED GOAL OF KEEPING BEXAR COUNTY RESIDENTS SAFE AND SEEKING JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME.

I KNOW THAT EACH OF YOU TAKE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY SERIOUSLY, AND IT IS IN THAT SPIRIT THAT I ASK THAT YOU JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THIS URGENCY OF THIS ISSUE.

PLEASE PROVIDE OUR OFFICE WITH CRITICAL RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO PAY OUR PEOPLE AT LEAST WHAT IS EQUAL TO SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

[APPLAUSE].

WITH THAT, I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU THIS MORNING, AND IN THE COMING WEEKS,

[01:35:01]

I WILL BE REACHING OUT TO YOUR OFFICES FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS TOPIC.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AM HERE TO ANSWER.

>> THANK YOU, MR. GONZALES.

[APPLAUSE].

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> [APPLAUSE] JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, MR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR STATEMENT, THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO CAME.

LAST FRIDAY I HAD A PRODUCTIVE MEETING WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER AND ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER ON OUR WAY TO STUDY AND PLEDGED MY SUPPORT TO BRING IT FORWARD.

I'M READY IF THE CORD IS READY TO BRING IT FORWARD IN THE NEXT MEETING TO RAISE THE WAGES ACCORDING TO THE STUDY [APPLAUSE].

YOU ALL REALLY DESERVE THE STANDING OVATION FOR BEING WHERE YOU ARE AND TAKING UP SO MUCH OF THE CASELOAD THAT HAS HAPPENED AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD.

AS I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE THE COURTS STARTED, I HAD REQUESTED FOR MY STAFF TO LOOK INTO YOUR REQUESTS.

I THINK IN SOME WAYS WE GOT HERE.

I REMEMBER THE CONVERSATION WHERE YOU BROUGHT TO THE BUDGET PROCESS REQUESTS FOR WAGES.

AT THAT TIME, I THINK THE CONVERSATION WAS REALLY LOOKING AT THE ADDITION OF PERSONNEL AROUND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SOME OTHER THINGS.

BUT WE'VE MADE AN ERROR IN NOT GETTING THOSE WAGES INCREASED AND SO WE NEED TO RIGHT THAT WRONG AND I'M READY TO VOTE ON IT, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING TODAY.

[APPLAUSE]

>> JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES, FIRST OF ALL, JOE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I THINK THE JUDGE AND I SAT IN THOSE SEATS AT SOME POINT, EVEN THOUGH MY TENURE AT THE DA'S OFFICE WAS VERY SHORT.

BUT IN PART BECAUSE AS I SEE SOME OF THE FOLKS HERE IN THE YOUNG FAMILIES, THAT WAS PART OF THE CALCULUS YOU HAD TO MAKE, IS OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE COMMITTED TO THE JOB, BUT YOU ALSO, WE DIDN'T MAKE VERY MUCH BACK THEN.

THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO.

YOU KNOW, JOE, THAT WE'D BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR OFFICE.

THIS COURT HAS BEEN WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PACE STUDY FOR SOME TIME AND I THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'VE GOT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS NOT JUST FOR THE DA'S OFFICE PERSONNEL, BUT FOR ALL OF OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO BRING THEM TO COMPETITIVE NUMBERS AND WE HAD TO RELY ON THAT PROFESSIONAL STUDY TO INFORM OUR DECISIONS.

YOU ALREADY KNOW, AND WE KNEW THERE WAS A DISPARITY IN TERMS OF SURROUNDING COUNTIES, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH NOT JUST SURROUNDING COUNTIES, BUT STATEWIDE AND I THINK WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO DO THAT.

I KNOW THAT AS YOUR EMPLOYEES SIT AND STAND BEHIND YOU, YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS COURT HAS COMMITTED TO THAT.

WE'VE SHOWN THAT COMMITMENT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE AT LEAST.

I KNOW WE'RE WORKING OVERTIME TO TRY AND MAKE SURE WE IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, STANDING UP FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES AND JUST KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE COMMITMENT ON MY BEHALF AS WELL. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LET ME GO AHEAD AND SAY THIS, JOE, I KNOW THE JOB OF A DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS VERY HARD.

HALF THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LIKE YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND HALF THE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

IT'S JUST THE NATURE OF THE BEAST OF BEING A DA AND AS A FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND WORK IN THE OFFICE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN JUVENILE AND THE CHILD ABUSE DOCKET.

I KNOW WHAT THOSE ATTORNEYS GO THROUGH AND THEY TRULY I KNOW THEY'RE BUSTING THEIR BUTTS FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY AND TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN'S FAMILIES FOR WHICH THEY SERVE.

THERE'S NOTHING LOST ON ME AS TO WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES DO.

I WILL SAY THIS THOUGH, SO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND I WANT ALL THE EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND.

THAT IS THE NEW COUNTY JUDGE.

I'VE COME IN AND I'M TRYING TO STUDY AND I THINK YOU HEARD IT IN CITIZENS BE HEARD.

I'M TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT, TRY TO DETERMINE THE PROCESS AND ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH IS THAT COMPENSATION STUDY AND FOR I THINK DAVID, FOR THE LAST 30, 45 DAYS WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH WEEKLY CONVERSATIONS AND I'VE GIVEN MY THOUGHTS ON IT AND COMMISSIONERS, I HOPE THAT YOU-ALL HAVE BEEN BRIEFED AND YOU-ALL HAVE GIVEN YOUR THOUGHTS

[01:40:03]

ON IT AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE A UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT TO PROPOSE.

BUT I WANT EVERYONE IN THE ROOM TO UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.

I'VE GOT THE ENTIRE COUNTY TO TAKE CARE OF.

I UNDERSTAND AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE THAT THIS STUDY DOES RECOGNIZE THE PAY DISCREPANCIES AND PAY DIFFERENTIALS WITHIN YOUR OFFICE.

THIS PACE STUDY IS NOT NECESSARILY A PAY RATES, CORRECT, MR. SMITH? THIS IS GOING TO BE ADJUSTING ACCORDING TO WHAT THE SET AND WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE SURROUNDING AND METROPOLITAN COUNTIES, CORRECT, MR. SMITH?

>> WE HAVE TRIED TO BE FULL, OPEN, AND TRANSPARENT AS TO WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE REASON WHY I'M BRINGING THIS UP, SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PROBABLY BE HAPPY AND SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT BECAUSE IT'S NEVER ENOUGH.

I WANT TO TELL OUR EMPLOYEES, IT'S NEVER ENOUGH.

YOU GUYS BUST YOUR BUTT IN PUBLIC SERVICE, YOU ALL DO THIS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SERVE, AND ESPECIALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THERE'S MUCH EASIER THINGS TO DO IN ORDER TO HAVE A LIVING.

BUT WE DO THIS TO SERVE.

THAT'S WHAT'S CALLED A PUBLIC SERVANT.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I AM HOPEFUL THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT MATTER BROUGHT TO THE COURT AT THE RIGHT TIME.

I WILL ENSURE THAT IT'LL PROBABLY BE VERY SOON WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS, MR. SMITH? YES.

RIGHT. WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON IT, BUT ALSO WANT EMPLOYEES.

I SAID IT EARLIER. I GOT OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT.

I HOPE THAT YOU-ALL WILL BE PATIENT.

I HOPE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE DID, YOU'LL UNDERSTAND THAT WE DID IT IN FULL FAITH, GOOD FAITH, AND THAT WE TRIED TO DO AS I SAID, THE VERY LEAST, SHOW YOU THAT WE CARE AND APPRECIATE YOU.

TODAY I APPLAUD THE EMPLOYEES OF THE BEXAR COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

[APPLAUSE].

>> THANK YOU, MR. GONZALEZ.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

>> MS. AREVALOS, STEP FORWARD.

[BACKGROUND].

>> YOU'RE TO SIGN HERE.

>> YEAH, MINE AS WELL. THESE PEOPLE WANT TO TALK [BACKGROUND].

>> COMMISSIONERS, WE GOT TO ACQUIRE A FEW MORE CITIZENS BE HEARD.

LET ME ALERT YOU ALL.

WE'RE NOT WORKING THROUGH THE LUNCH HOUR LIKE LAST TIME FOR SIX HOURS.

I WILL BE TAKING A BREAK AT NOON.

I CAN GO SHORTEST 30 OR 45 MINUTES, WANTING TO ALERT YOUR STAFFS THAT YOU ALL WOULD LIKE LUNCH IF YOU DON'T EAT LUNCH.

WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT LET'S TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND SITTING ON A DIET FOR 6 HOURS, SO LET'S TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.

YOU ALL ARE FOREWARNED THAT I WILL BE TAKING A BREAK UNLESS FOR SOME REASON WE'RE MOVING THIS DOCKET AND WE'RE ALMOST DONE BY LUNCHTIME, SO LET US CONTINUE.

MISS IRENE VALDEZ WANTED TO JUST WAIT UNTIL WE GET EVERYBODY OUT AND CLOSE THE DOORS SO THAT WE CAN HEAR YOU.

>> THEY ALL LAUGHED. I HAD SO MUCH GOOD THINGS TO SAY.

IRENE VALDEZ CONCERNED CITIZEN, ELECTION INTEGRITY.

THERE WAS TWO GENTLEMEN.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS REMEMBER BECAUSE IT WAS SO LONG AGO, BUT TWO GENTLEMEN SPOKE EARLIER IN REFERENCE TO ELECTION INTEGRITY.

I WAS SO GLAD TO SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT'S CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SORT OF STUFF.

ELECTION INTEGRITY.

THE ELECTION CODE, CHAPTER 123 THAT I READ TO YOU TWO WEEKS AGO, TALKS ABOUT HOW THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADOPTING THE VOTING SYSTEM.

THEN IN SECTION 123.02, IT SAYS, "MODIFICATION OF THE ADOPTION ACTION".

JUST IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW.

IT DOES SAY THAT A VOTING SYSTEM FOR USE IN ELECTIONS MAY BE MODIFIED OR RESCINDED AT ANY TIME BY THE ADOPTING AUTHORITY.

I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN RESEND THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AT ANY TIME.

ELECTIONS INTEGRITY.

RATHER THAN TALKING ABOUT THE SYSTEM THAT I USUALLY TALK ABOUT, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT PROPOSITION A THAT'S COMING UP BEFORE THE ELECTIONS, MAY 5TH.

[01:45:05]

I AM VERY CONCERNED AND I HAVE NOT HEARD A PEEP OUT OF ANYBODY HERE AT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT REGARDING WHAT YOUR OPINION WELL, OTHER THAN YOU, MR. GRANT, YOU'RE RIGHT.

I DID SEE SOME WRITE-UP FROM YOU, BUT THE OTHERS, I'VE NOT HEARD ANYTHING.

I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT WE ARE ALLOWING A PROPOSITION TO COME UP THAT BASICALLY WILL CAUSE HAVOC, CAUSE CHAOS, CAUSE STUFF SO THAT THE DA ENDS UP HAVING TO GET MORE PEOPLE, THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO END UP HAVING TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO STAND BY AND JUST LOOK.

THEY'RE JUST GOING TO STAND BY AND LOOK, THAT'S ALL THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO.

BECAUSE IF THIS PROPOSITION A GOES INTO EFFECT, CRIMES UNDER 750 DOLLARS WILL NOT BE PROSECUTED.

I CAN GO AND MY FRIENDS CAN GO OUT AND LEAVE, WALK OUT, AND NOT PAY THE ESTABLISHMENT.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PROSECUTE.

IT'S JUST THE CRAZINESS THAT WILL HAPPEN.

THAT 202,000 DOLLARS FOR GRAFFITI, THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING IF IT'S LESS THAN THAT AMOUNT, THAT'S CRAZY.

WE'RE ASKING FOR MORE LAWLESSNESS.

WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE JAIL SYSTEMS, WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING UP, IT FILLED UP.

THAT'S CRAZY. WHY ARE WE ALLOWING THIS? WE CANNOT ALLOW PROPOSITION A TO PASS IN SAN ANTONIO.

WE DO NOT WANT TO BECOME ANOTHER PORTLAND.

>> JUDGE, THE TIME HASN'T EXPIRED.

>> WALMART HAS PULLED OUT OF PORTLAND COMPLETELY.

DO WE WANT THAT? DO WE WANT WALMART TO PULL OUT A SAN ANTONIO? WE DON'T NEED THAT FOR BUSINESS, DOESN'T NEED THAT, OUR TOURIST PEOPLE DON'T NEED IT.

WE, AS CITIZENS, DON'T NEED LAWLESSNESS IN SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MS. VALDEZ.

THE NEXT CITIZEN TO BE HEARD IS JACKIE RITA.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> I AM THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF BUILDING BROADER COMMUNITY IS NON-PROFIT.

MY CEO, BRANDON JOHNSON, WHO YOU ALL KNOW, WOULD LOVE TO BE HERE, BUT HE'S WORKING SEVERAL JOBS TO KEEP US AFLOAT SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE HELPING THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY.

OUR TEAM, WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, AND MORE.

BUT THEY SWITCH OUT AND THEY ACTUALLY VOLUNTEER.

THEY DO WORK PROCESSING APPLICATIONS, GOING IN ASSISTING PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, TAKING THEM TO WHEREVER THEY NEED TO BE IN ORDER TO GET THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO BE IN A PLACE THAT THEY CAN CALL HOME.

OUR NICE STEPS, WE HAVE RELOCATED 30 FAMILIES INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

321 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVE RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE.

NINE TONS OF FOOD HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUT, WHICH IS OVER 2000 FAMILIES FED.

207 INDIVIDUALS HELPED IN SECURING THEIR BENEFITS.

FAR AS SOCIAL SECURITY.

THE FOOD STAMPS IS A SNAP BENEFITS, AS WELL AS MEDICAID AND OTHERS.

72 INDIVIDUALS HELPED BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE IN DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS.

RIGHT NOW, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 14 PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING HELPED WITH DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF ASSISTANCE THAT IS NEEDED.

I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HEAR THESE SHORT STORIES OF WHY BUILDING BROADER COMMUNITIES IS NEEDED IN THE COMMUNITIES.

WE SERVE AS PEOPLE, NOT BECAUSE OF ONE DISTRICT.

WE SERVE BECAUSE THEY ARE IN NEED OF HELP, NOT BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY LIVE.

IT MATTERS BECAUSE THEY ARE IN NEED.

THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT NEVER NOT ONE TIME, ASK FOR CONSTANT ASSISTANCE.

THEY JUST NEEDED A HAND UP.

THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE TO SHOW YOU TODAY WHY WE NEED FUNDING,

[01:50:05]

WHY WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT SAN ANTONIO IS THE COMPASSIONATE CITY, THAT WE SAY WE ARE. GEORGE, YOU WANT TO GO UP?

>> YOU'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME. IF YOU HAVE A QUICK STATEMENT.

I WILL ALLOW EACH OF YOU ALL TO MAKE JUST ONE STATEMENT.

>> SHE HELPED ME OUT A WHOLE LOT. I'M TRYING TO.

SHE HELPED ME GET MY PLACE AND EVERYTHING.

I'M JUST WAITING ON MY OWN PAST AND MY VOUCHER WHENEVER.

BUT I WAS SLEEPING IN THE CAR AND STUFF LIKE THAT AND THE CEMETERY WHERE I WORKED AT AND HE'S VIEW CEMETERY.

NOW SHE HELPED ME GIVE ME A SPOT SO I SHOULD BE MOVING IN SOMETIME TODAY OR SOMETIME THIS WEEK. THANK YOU.

>> HI. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER AND SHE HELPED ME WITH MY SON.

SHE'S BEEN A MENTOR WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE.

SHE'S JUST BEEN GREAT. IT'S BEEN AMAZING.

>> THANK YOU. JULIA.

>> MY NAME IS JULIA BANIA.

MRS. JACKIE, SHE HAS BEEN THERE FOR ME AND MY KIDS.

I HAVE AN 18-YEAR-OLD.

HE HAS BEEN FIGHTING CANCER FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.

I WAS NOT IN A POSITION WHERE I CAN HELP MYSELF AND MY KIDS.

SHE HELPED ME PAY MY APARTMENT AND SHE GET ME INTO AN APARTMENT BECAUSE I WAS LIVING IN A PLACE THAT WAS FULL OF ROACHES.

THERE ROACHES WERE ALL OVER OUR BEDS, SOME WERE CRAVED WITH THE BABY.

I HAD CPS AND ME THAT THEY WANTED TO TAKE MY KIDS BECAUSE OF THE WAY I WAS LIVING. SHE HELPED ME OUT.

>> SO THAT THE CPS WILL TAKE US.

>> YES. SHE'S STILL THERE FOR US.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MRS. JACKIE, IS THERE ANYTHING I'LL LET YOU CLOSE?

>> WELL, BASICALLY, I JUST WANTED TO GET IN QUICKLY, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU GUYS IF YOU CAN HELP US TO CONTINUE THE WORK WE'RE DOING.

BY GIVING US FUNDING.

WE WERE APPROVED FOR FUNDING, BUT IT WAS TAKEN BACK.

BECAUSE OF SOMETHING ABOUT THE TIMEFRAME, WE DIDN'T HAVE IT LONG ENOUGH OR SOMETHING, BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT BEING TAKEN BACK BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE JUST SO MUCH TO HELP MORE FAMILIES.

BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YES. I'M SORRY GO AHEAD.

>> CAN WE JUST MAY BE ASKED MAYBE DAVID MARQUEZ SOMEONE FROM HIS TEAM TO VISIT WITH THEM? THANK YOU.

>> DOES ANYBODY HERE FROM THE COUNTY THEY CAN TALK TO THIS GROUP? I JUST ASK THAT YOU JUST MAKE CONTACT WITH THEM. SAMANTHA COLLINS.

[BACKGROUND] OH, WELL, TECHNICALLY THEY HAVE MORE TIME.

JULIA BANIA.

IT'S PROBABLY IN THIS GROUP.

OTIS NOBLE, I THINK IS IN THIS GROUP.

JAMES BROWN LOW.

STEPHANIE REEVES.

IS THERE ANY OTHER CITIZENS TO BE HEARD THAT WE FAILED TO CALL YOUR NAME? LET'S MOVE ON AND WE GET INTO THE INDIVIDUAL AGENDA ITEMS.

[50. Discussion and appropriate action regarding: a. Approval of 54,000 hours of paid overtime for uniformed officers who worked mandatory overtime hours (MOT) in the Adult Detention Center between March 11, 2023 and June 2, 2023 for the total amount of $2,499,579 (including salary and benefits). b. Update on the implementation status of the jail audit of the Bexar County Adult Detention Center conducted by Detain, Inc. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Javier Salazar)]

NUMBER 50, SHARE SALAZAR, DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING OVERTIME HOURS AND THE ADULT ADVENTURE SET IN DETENTION CENTER BETWEEN MARCH 11, 2023 AND JUNE 2ND, 2023, FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF 2,499,579 DOLLARS, INCLUDING SALES AND BENEFITS.

B, UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF THE JAIL AUDIT OF THE MAYOR COUNTY ADULT DETENTION CENTER CONDUCTED BY DETAIN INK.

SHERIFF, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THE SOLDIERS.

WELL, ABOUT THIS ITEM IS WE'RE HERE MAKING OUR PRESENTATION REGARDING NOT JUST MOT, BUT I BELIEVE WE'RE ALSO HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE FINDINGS OF THE GEL CONSULTANTS, WERE WE GOING TO HAVE TWO SEPARATE ITEMS FOR THOSE?

>> LET'S TAKE UP A AND THEN WE CAN TAKE UP B JUST SO.

THIS A IS THE APPROVAL OF 54,000 HOURS OF PAID OVERTIME FOR THE UNIFORMED OFFICERS.

[01:55:01]

>> YES, SIR. WELL, WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY THAT.

I THINK THERE WAS A QUESTION FROM ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS COUPLE OF SESSIONS AGO.

I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ OR COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, FORGIVE ME.

BUT THEY WERE, WE WERE ASKED IS THERE EVER A TIME WHEN WE COME IN UNDER BUDGET? IF OUR CALCULATIONS ARE CORRECT, WE ARE AT THIS POINT AHEAD OF WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE DO FIND OURSELVES IN THE UNFORTUNATE POSITION OF COMING IN AND ASKING FOR THE REALLOCATION OF MONEYS TO PAY OUR OUR OVERTIME BILL THAT WE HAVE FOR HOURS WORKED ON THE PART OF THE DEPUTIES.

>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE APPROVAL OF THE OVERTIME SINCE 4,000 HOURS OF PAID OVERTIME FOR UNIFORMED OFFICERS.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVIN, IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING I, ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES.

SHERIFF, LET'S TAKE ON UPDATE ON THE INFLAMMATION STATUS OF THE JAIL AUDIT CONDUCTED BY DETAIN INK?

>> YES, SIR. ABSOLUTELY. I'M GOING TO ASK ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY JOEL JENSEN TO COME UP.

HE HAS PREPARED A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE SPREADSHEET THAT HE'LL BE ABLE TO PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF THE GEL CONSULTANTS, DIFFERENCES, SIMILARITIES, AND WHERE WE ARE WITH OUR PROGRESS. CHIEF JENSEN.

>> ASSISTANT CHIEF JEOPARDY JOEL JENSEN.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME UP AND GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THIS CONSULTANT REPORT.

INITIALLY, WHAT I DID WAS I TOOK BOTH CONSULTANT REPORTS AND I HAVE THEM SIDE-BY-SIDE AND THEN BASICALLY WHERE WE'RE AT AS FAR AS PROGRESS.

BUT WHAT I LIKE TO DO IS HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE AREAS THAT WE'VE MOVED FORWARD WITH.

THE FIRST AREA IS THE RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT WE HAVE A WEEKLY MEETING WITH ACTUAL DSABC, WHICH IS NOW OCCURRING.

WITH THAT SAID, I THINK THAT WITH A WEEKLY MEETING, IT'S BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL AS FAR AS BEING PROACTIVE TO RESOLVE LABOR ISSUES, HAVE YOU NOTICED THE GRIEVANCES HAVE GONE DOWN CONSIDERABLY.

SECOND, RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REQUIRE STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS TO PERIODICALLY TAKE ON OVERTIME SHIFTS.

WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WITH OUR SPORTS SECTIONS, WE'RE NOW HAVING THEM DO ROTATIONS THROUGHOUT THE JAIL AND TO ASSIST WITH OVERTIME TO ALLEVIATE THE ACTUAL STAFF THAT'S WORKING OVERTIME.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DOES PUT THOSE IN VISUALS BACK AS FAR AS A LITTLE BIT OF THE WORKLOAD, BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SPREAD OUT THE WORK WITH EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S PARTICIPATING AND WE'RE NOT.

SECONDLY, CONSIDER A FINANCIAL WELLNESS BENEFIT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED WITH THE CADETS, AND OUR HR IS ACTUALLY LOOKING TO EXPAND THAT WITH ACTUAL STAFF AND TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM, BECAUSE SIMPLY FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT WITH FINANCIAL WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER WITH RACISM AND WHAT NOT, TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT IN A WAY THAT THEY COULD BE ABLE TO BE SAVE AND WHATNOT.

REVAMP EMPLOYEE BREAK ROOMS. THE COURT'S BEEN VERY GENEROUS WITH THAT.

WHERE WE ARE THAT WE JUST FINISHED WITH ARCHITECTS AND ACTUALLY THEY ALREADY STARTED DEMOING SOME OF THE WORK.

DAN CRAIG PROBABLY EXPANDED A LITTLE BIT ON THAT, BUT I MEAN, SIMPLY PUT, IT'S MOVING AND WE'RE REAL HAPPY ABOUT THEM.

CONSIDER PERFORMANCE AWARDS.

THAT'S ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE 2017.

BUT THE SHERIFF SALAZAR HAS ACTUALLY MADE THAT MORE OF A PRIORITY AND MAKE SURE WE'RE RECOGNIZING THE JAIL STAFF WHERE THERE LIFE-SAVING AWARDS AND WHATNOT.

IMPLEMENT A ANNUAL TOWN HALL MEETING.

THAT'S SOMETHING NEW, AND I THINK THAT DEFINITELY GAIN FEEDBACK FROM OUR STAFF, YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO BE STARTING IN OUR MEETINGS.

CHIEF SHOEMAKES GOING TO BE TAKING THE LEAD ON THAT AND THERE'LL BE A MEETING IN MAY AND ALSO IN NOVEMBER.

REVIEW DETENTION POLICIES.

ALL POLICIES ARE BEING REVIEWED CURRENTLY AND WE'RE REORGANIZING AND ENSURE THAT WE'RE BE ABLE TO STREAMLINE A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE BEEN GOING ON.

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY.

THAT'S BASICALLY GONE FOLLOW WITH AEGIS.

ONCE AEGIS GETS COMPLETED, WE'RE LOOKING AT PLACING WRISTBANDS ON INMATES AND BE ABLE TO TRACK THEM THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY.

LASTLY, WE GOT TWO PROGRAM CHANGES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, WE SUBMIT IT.

BASICALLY THAT ONE IS GOING TO BE WHAT THE YEOMAN.

TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY PUT CIVILIAN STAFF IN THOSE YEOMAN POSITIONS,

[02:00:01]

THAT'S THE ASSISTANT SHIP COMMANDERS, AND ALSO TO OFFSET WITH THE RECOMMENDATION WAS OUR CLASSIFICATION SECTION.

CLASSIFICATION BASICALLY HOUSES THE INMATES WERE LOOKING AT PUTTING AN ADDITIONAL TEN CIVILIANS IN THAT SPOT.

FINALLY, RECOGNIZING CERTAIN GENERATIONS WERE LOOKING FOR MORE UPFRONT BENEFITS.

THE SHERIFF HAS STARTED TWO PROGRAMS THAT I'M VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT STRAIGHT TO THE STREETS AND SELECTION OF SUPPORT STAFF.

I'LL LET THE SHERIFF ELABORATE ON THE STRAIGHT TO THE STREETS PROGRAM.

>> SURE. THE STREET TO THE STREETS PROGRAM IS SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE YOU ALL HAVE AN MOU THAT MOUS ALREADY BEEN SIGNED BY US AND BY THE DSABC.

BUT IN ESSENCE, WHAT IT WOULD DO IS ALLOW US TO HIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT I CAN FIND AN INDUSTRY, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, HIRE PEOPLE, LET PEOPLE TEST IN AND HIRE STRAIGHT TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE OF THE HOUSE, BYPASSING THE JAIL.

NOW THERE IS STILL A PATHWAY FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME WORK AT THE JAIL FIRST AND THEN MOVE OVER.

THERE IS AN INCENTIVE POINTS THAT ARE BUILT-IN, SO IT DOES BENEFIT YOU TO COME WORK AT THE JAIL FIRST.

HOWEVER, IF YOU DO CHOOSE TO TEST STRAIGHT OVER TO LE, WHAT WE'RE HOPING THAT THAT WILL DO IS CUT BACK ON THE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE TO FILL IT CADET CLASS.

BUT WE'RE HOLDING BACK BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE 30 CADETS OUT OF THE JAIL.

THIS WILL ALLOW FOR A BETTER, A MORE COMPETITIVE SYSTEM, A CERTAIN MORE COMPETITIVE SETUP.

WE'RE HOPING THAT ONCE YOU ALL SIGN OFF ON THAT MOU, I THINK LOWELL DENTIN HAS THAT MOU AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS RIGHT NOW.

BUT ONCE THAT IS ABLE TO BE APPROVED, WE CAN CERTAINLY START STAFFING UP ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY VACANCIES AS WE DO ON THE JAIL SIDE, BUT THERE ARE STILL VACANCIES THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED. THIS SHOULD HELP.

>> ANY QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER MOODY?

>> WELL, THE SHERIFF AND STAFF, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE COME UP TO OUR OFFICES AND GIVEN US AN UPDATE HERE, SO I'M GLAD TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS IT FURTHER WITH YOU.

I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS JUST AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH SOME OF THESE LINE ITEMS, AM I REQUIRE DAN TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE.

BUT WITH REGARD TO THE REC ROOM, THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING WHEN WE DID THE TOUR THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PURCHASE SOME OF THOSE CHAIRS, GET THEM IN THERE, LET THE DEPUTIES START TO USE THEM IS NOT THE CASE? WHERE ARE THEY WITH THAT?

>> YES, SIR. WITH REGARD TO THE RECHARGE ROOMS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE DEPUTIES A SPOT TO GO, TAKE A BREAK, BE ABLE TO EAT THEIR FOOD IN A MORE CALM SETTING, CALL HOME AND CHECK ON THE KIDS IF NEED BE BECAUSE CELL PHONES ARE PROHIBITED.

TAKE A NAP IF NEED BE BETWEEN SHIFTS OR BEFORE YOU HIT HOME IF YOU KNOW THAT YOUR DOG TIRED, TAKE A QUICK NAP AND SO YES, DAN WOULD PROBABLY BE THE BEST OR CHIEF JENSEN WOULD BE BEST THAT ARE ABLE TO GIVE YOU PROGRESS ON THAT.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER, WE'RE DOING A STRATEGY, WE'RE BUYING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF RECLINERS AND HAVING THE DEPUTIES TRY THEM OUT TO SEE WHICH ONES THEY PREFER THE BEST.

TWO THOSE RECLINERS YOU'RE GETTING DELIVERED THURSDAY AND I HOPE TO HAVE THE OTHERS BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

>> GREAT TO HEAR THAT UPDATE.

THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS WITH REGARDS TO THE YEOMAN POSITIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE OR PROPOSED TO MOVE TO CIVILIANS, AND THIS WAS RECOMMENDATION, MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

REMOVE THE STRAIN ON THOSE DETENTION OFFICERS AND INSTEAD HIRE CIVILIANS INTO THOSE ROLES.

I SEE THE PROGRAM CHANGE REQUESTS IN THIS PACKET.

I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS STANDS, HAS THE ASPEN MADE.

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE NEW BUDGET CYCLE? ARE WE TALKING ABOUT AN FY CHANGE OR?

>> THE ASK HAS BEEN MADE OUT OF CYCLE SO IT'S BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE BUDGET OFFICE AND WE'RE JUST WAITING ON A REPLY.

>> IS THAT SOMETHING DAVID THAT WILL BE PUSHED FORWARD AND A FUTURE MEETING OR WILL HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON TIMELINE FOR THAT.

>> WE'LL ANALYZE THE REQUEST.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO UNDERSTAND IS THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE CIVILIANIZED THE YEOMAN AND SOMEHOW THEY BECAME UNIFORMS AGAIN.

WASN'T YOUR ADMINISTRATION BUT IT WAS PRIOR TO YOU WHEN THE COURT PROVIDED NEW CIVILIANS TO REPLACE YEOMAN AND SOMEHOW THEY BECAME UNIFORM OFFICER.

>> THEY KILLED THE POSITIONS.

>> THEY KILLED THE POSITIONS BUT PROVIDED CIVILIAN ALWAYS INSTEAD, AND SOMEHOW THEY BECAME REPLACED WITH UNIFORMS AGAIN, SO WE'LL WANT TO UNDERSTAND IF THE COURT FUNDS AND AGAIN, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT STAYS CIVILIANIZED.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. YEAH. OBVIOUSLY, AS WE WORK THROUGH THESE SOLUTIONS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING, UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE AND COME FROM A POSITION OF TRUST AND COLLABORATION AS WE MOVE FORWARD HERE.

I DO JUST WANT TO SAY AND WE'VE TOUCHED ON THIS EARLIER,

[02:05:05]

JUDGE, THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES IN PLAY WITH THE JAIL.

OVER THE LAST FOUR MONTHS I'VE GOTTEN MORE INFORMED AND I APPRECIATE YOUR STAFF AND TEAM FOR SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

BUT I REALLY THINK WE'RE STARTING TO IDENTIFY ALL THE FACTORS IN PLAY AND ATTACKING THEM AND DEALING WITH THEM.

WHETHER IT'S PROGRAMMED CHANGE REQUESTS, WHETHER IT'S GOING UP TO AUSTIN AND ADVOCATING FOR MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.

CLEARLY, YOU HAVE THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH STAFFING AND SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS AT THE JAIL.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE COMPENSATION INCENTIVES, RETENTION ISSUES, THINGS THAT WE CAN ADDRESS AS WELL AND SO I THINK WE HAVE ALL THE RIGHT THINGS SO THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING AND STARTING TO WORK ON.

I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO FINISH THESE THINGS OUT.

I MEAN, WE'VE IDENTIFIED THEM. WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

WE'RE TAKING THE RIGHT STEPS, BUT WE GOT TO CLOSE THESE THINGS OUT AND ACTUALLY GET TO THE FINISH LINE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO THAT. THANK YOU.

>> SURE. LET ME ASK, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH FUNDING HAS GONE TO OVERTIME?

>> YES, SIR. TO DATE, AS I MENTIONED, WE'RE AHEAD OF THE GAME, BUT I BELIEVE WE SPENT $5.4 MILLION TO DATE.

>> DOES THE BUDGET OFFICE KNOW THAT NUMBER TWO, AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE REASON WHY I'M RAISING ISSUES AS FAR AS THE COURT IS CONCERNED AND HAVEN'T TALKED TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS, I THINK THAT FORENSIC BED IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD PROBABLY MAKE HAPPEN AND SO I NEED THE SPECIFIC NUMBER, INACCURATE NUMBER OF WHAT'S THAT FIGURE COSTING.

THAT'S REASON WHY THE EARLIER CONVERSATION NOW TIES TO THIS.

I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW WE SPENT MONEY IN BE IN BEHALF OF THE STATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AS THE STATE IS TRYING TO MANDATE CERTAIN THINGS, I ALSO WANT TO SAY THEY'RE MANDATED TO DO CERTAIN THINGS TOO.

LET ME ASK THIS. WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR ALL THESE? IS IT GOING TO BE THE REST OF YOUR TERM OF OFFICE? I MEAN, GIVE ME A SENSE OF SO THAT WE CAN START PUTTING SOME BENCHMARKS.

AND THEN MY SECOND QUESTION TO THAT IS, HOW ARE WE MENTIONED OTHER THAN SAYING, WELL, JUDGE, WE'VE GOT THE WELLNESS ROOM DONE.

GIVE ME OVERALL ARCHING PERSPECTIVE OF YOUR STRATEGIES AND ULTIMATELY, I WANT THE MESSAGE TO YOUR EMPLOYEES THAT DEPUTIES.

>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOUR ADMINISTRATION ARE DOING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER?

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ACHIEVING THESE SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE YES, ABSOLUTELY SO AMONG MY COMMAND STAFF, QUITE FRANKLY, I'M NOT KNOWN FOR MY PATIENTS WHEN IT COMES TO ACHIEVING GOALS AND CLOSING LOOP, FINISHING UP SOME OF THESE HALF-EATEN SANDWICHES THAT WE HAVE LAYING AROUND.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE THESE ASAP CERTAINLY NOT THE WHOLE REST OF MY TERM.

WE NEED TO GET THESE THINGS DONE.

NOW, SOME OF THEM DO HINGE ON BUDGETING SO THEY'RE GOING BE PART OF OUR BUDGET AS SOME OF THEM HINGE ON PERSONNEL.

WE CAN'T MAKE CERTAIN CHANGES UNTIL OUR PERSONNEL LEVELS REACH A CERTAIN POINT.

A LOT OF THEM THERE'S TERMINALS THAT NEED TO FALL BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO GET THEM DONE.

HOWEVER, WE ARE MINDFUL OF THEM ALL AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET THEM DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> DO WE HAVE A MEASURE OR METRICS ON SUCCESS, ARE Y'ALL WATCHING THE TURNOVER RATE TO SEE IF THAT'S STABILIZE OR JUDGE, OR WE'RE STILL IN THAT SAME BOAT OF MORE PEOPLE LEAVING THAN COMING IN.

>> WELL, WE ARE. WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING THAT THAT NUMBER OF VACANCIES ON WHERE ARE WE AT WITH REGARD TO THOSE AND WHEN WE MOVE THIS, WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE NEEDLE? DOES IT MOVE IT UP OR DOWN.

CERTAINLY, EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING WITH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COLLEGE IS GETTING THEM TO COME TEACH CLASSES IN OUR BUILDING THAT'S BEEN ACHIEVED AND HOPEFULLY THAT'LL ACHIEVE THERE'LL BE ABLE TO SAY, WELL, NOW I DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN MY EDUCATION AND MY CAREER, THEY ARE ALL RIGHT HERE IN ONE LITTLE PACKAGE, THANKS TO THE SHERIFF'S ADMINISTRATION.

WE'RE RIGHT NOW DOING A PILOT PROJECT WITH WE CARE.

IT'S A NATIONAL DAYCARE ORGANIZATION THAT WE'RE LAUNCHING IT WITH A COUPLE OF DEPUTIES TO SEE HOW THEY LIKE THAT SERVICE BEFORE WE SIGN ON WITH WE CARE TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE PROVIDE DAYCARE SERVICES TO OUR DEPUTIES AS AN INCENTIVE.

THINGS LIKE STRAIGHT TO THE STREETS, THINGS LIKE PROVIDING A FREE PEACE OFFICERS ARE LICENSED TO DEPUTIES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE AND ARE ABLE TO TEST IN.

THERE'S CERTAINLY NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK LIFE,

[02:10:02]

TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THAT WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND HANG ONTO PEOPLE.

YES, ABSOLUTELY, WE DO WATCH THAT NEEDLE CONSTANTLY.

>> I'M INTRIGUED. WHAT'S THE REASON OR WHAT'S HAPPENING? I HEARD GRIEVANCES ARE GOING DOWN.

IS THAT BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE GETTING ALONG BETTER [LAUGHTER] WHAT'S GOING ON THERE? BECAUSE I WANT TO APPLAUD ALL OF THAT.

IF WE'RE MOVING TO STABILITY AND THE EMPLOYEES FEEL APPRECIATED THEN I THINK WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER AND COME UP BECAUSE WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS OF WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THE DEPUTIES STAYING WITHIN THE CONTRACT THAT THE UNION MADE WITH THE COUNTY AND ALSO BEING FIDUCIARY TO THE COUNTY.

AS YOU HEARD, DA'S OFFICE WANTS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF TOO.

>> SURE.

>> WE'VE GOT TO FACTOR ALL THOSE THINGS IN.

GIVE ME A SENSE OF HOW WE CAN GET THERE.

>> WELL, THE GOOD THING IS ABOUT THE GRIEVANCES IS WERE ENJOYING PROBABLY THE BEST, NOT PROBABLY THE BEST RELATIONSHIP WE'VE HAD WITH THE DSABC SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

THEY'RE VERY COOPERATIVE WITH US.

THEY MEET WITH US, AND IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, THEY'LL TYPICALLY EITHER CALL ME OR ONE OF THE CHIEFS DIRECTLY AND SAY, HEY, HOW CAN WE STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT AND THEN WE JUST DO THE RIGHT THING.

WHY PUT SOMEBODY THROUGH HAVING TO FILE A GRIEVANCE WHEN WE KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS, LET'S JUST FIX IT THEN THAT'S HOW WE AVOID THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS.

JUST DO THE RIGHT THING AND STAND BY OUR EMPLOYEES THE WAY THEY NEED TO BE.

>> BECAUSE AS WE LOOK FOR INCENTIVES AND I THINK COMMISSIONER CALVIN, YOU'VE BEEN TAKING THE LEAD ON WHAT INCENTIVIZATION WE CAN HELP AS OPPOSED JUST TO A STRAIGHT MONETARY PAY RACE.

>> WELL JUDGE, I WOULD SAY THAT THE COUNTY MANAGER MADE A WISE OBSERVATION, COMMISSIONER MOODY HAD A GOOD POINT IN OUR CONVERSATIONS ON THE PHONE, WE'LL SURVEY TO SEE IF THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO EMPLOYEES.

BUT I APPRECIATE YOU MOVING FORWARD ALREADY ON THE WEEK HERE, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING FROM CHILDCARE NEAR WHERE THE SUBSTATIONS ARE NEAR THE JAIL AND THE HUBS OF THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, AS WELL AS THINGS LIKE THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR RETENTION FOR A DEPUTY.

WE WANT TO KNOW, ARE WE ON THE RIGHT PATH THROUGH A SURVEY OR ARE THERE OTHER THINGS THAT THE DEPUTIES WOULD PREFER? WE'RE OPEN TO ALL THE OPTIONS.

>> SURE. WELL, AND I CERTAINLY COULDN'T SPEAK FOR ALL OF MY EMPLOYEES, BUT I THINK A SURVEY WOULD NOT HURT.

I KNOW I'VE SPOKEN TO JUDGE SAKAI ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STIPENDS, GIVING THEM SOME STIPEND OR A VOUCHER OR SOMETHING THAT CAN BE USED, EITHER YOU CAN USE IT FOR YOUR DAYCARE, YOU CAN USE IT FOR YOUR EDUCATION OR YOU CAN USE IT FOR DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE, WHATEVER IT IS.

BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY BE OPEN TO ANY OF THE ABOVE.

THE REASON WE CHOSE WE CARE IS BECAUSE WE DID THE RESEARCH ON WHAT IT WOULD COST TO EITHER CONVERT SPACE THERE ON OUR CAMPUS OR TO BUILD FROM THE GROUND UP A DAYCARE CENTER, AND WE JUST SEEMED VERY COST-PROHIBITIVE, AND THEN THE LIABILITY IS ALWAYS THE LICENSING ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

FOR NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE WE CARE MAY BE THE WAY TO GO.

IT'S A NETWORK OF APPROVED IN-HOME DAYCARE PROVIDERS THAT THE DEPUTIES WOULD PAY SEPARATELY.

ONCE WE'RE THROUGH THAT THAT PILOT WILL BE ABLE TO COME FORTH AND SAY, HEY, WE WANT TO DO THIS ON A YEARLY BASIS.

>> LET ME JUST SAY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL CHILDCARE ENTITIES FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH HAVE AFTER-SCHOOL CARE PRE-K, AND OF COURSE, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SUBSTATION ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE, THERE IS ROOM FOR FACILITIES TO BE BUILT, AND SO THE COURT CAN WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE'S A BUILDING THAT COULD BE A CHILDCARE CENTER ON THE NEARBY NORTHEAST AND HOPEFULLY ON CABINET AND THEY HAVE SOME EXTRA SPACE AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO VET THE OPTIONS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THE RESULTS FROM THE WE CARE PILOT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. AS A SIDE NOTE, CHIEF RICHARD SKETHER WHO'S BEHIND ME, I THINK HE'S BEHIND ME, HE'S BACK THERE JUST FOUND OUT THAT ALAMO COLLEGES, WHO'S A GREAT PARTNER OF OURS, AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THEY ALSO OPERATE A DAYCARE CENTER.

HE'S MEETING WITH THEM TO PICK THEIR BRAIN TO FIGURE OUT, WELL, HOW DO WE GET YOU ALL OVER HERE?

>> WE ALSO I THINK TALKED ABOUT THE NEW PARKING GARAGE WAS POTENTIALLY HAVING SOME SPACE, SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ALL TAKEN ALREADY, BUT THAT WAS AN INTENTION WHEN WE BUILT A NEW PARKING GARAGE CLOSE TO THE COURTHOUSE COMPLEX TO HAVE SOME CHILDCARE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NEED AND AGE RANGE IN THE SURVEY, IN TERMS OF SOME FAMILIES MAY NEED IT FOR THEIR OLDER AGE GROUPS, BUT ALL THAT WILL BE SURVEYED.

>> SURE. YES, SIR.

>> WELL, AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF A SURVEY.

[02:15:03]

I DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY JUST THROW A BUNCH OF STUFF AT THE WALL AND OBVIOUSLY, FOLKS WILL USE IT.

BUT WHAT'S GOING TO GET THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT IN TERMS OF RETENTION AND INCENTIVIZING THOSE DEPUTIES? I'M IN AGREEMENT THERE THAT I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE VALUABLE IN DETERMINING WHAT THOSE NEEDS AND PREFERENCES ARE.

TWO QUICK POINTS I WANTED TO MAKE AS WE'RE TALKING THROUGH THIS, AND BASED ON THINGS I'VE HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES BEFORE, THERE MAY BE SOME KEY METRICS.

I COME FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD AND SO I'LL MAKE A CONNECTION AGAIN.

LOTS OF TIMES THE BUSINESS UNITS HAVE SCORECARDS.

THINK ABOUT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INMATES IN THE JAIL.

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS OF OVERTIME.

RETENTION RATES.

BUT THERE'S PROBABLY 6-10 KEY METRICS AND YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE THIS, BUT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO GET VISIBILITY INTO SOME OF THOSE THINGS AND SEE SOME OF THOSE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OVER TIME, AND JUST SEE HOW THEY'RE IMPROVING BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE MAKING POSITIVE PROGRESS.

BUT BEING ABLE TO SEE THAT IN THE DATA WOULD BE HELPFUL.

I JUST WANTED TO CIRCLE BACK.

WE TALKED ABOUT IMPACT COURTS EARLIER AND I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY STATE FOR THE COURT AND MY COLLEAGUES THAT I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

I THINK THAT WE'VE MADE SOME PROGRESS ON THIS FRONT, BUT I THINK THERE'S MORE PROGRESS TO BE MADE.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO USE RPA DOLLARS AND REPROGRAM THAT INCIDENT IMPACT COURTS WHICH ARE GOING TO MAKE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE JAIL POPULATION, WHICH ARE GOING TO DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR OVERTIME COSTS HERE AT THE COUNTY.

I THINK IT'S A SIMPLE DECISION FOR ME.

I THINK THAT IT MAKES A TON OF SENSE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COUNTY STAFF TO BRING IT FORWARD AS SOON AS WE CAN.

>> WELL, LET ME CLOSE SHARE IF I CAN.

JUST I'M REALLY TALKING TO YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM HERE.

I WANT THEM TO MEET WITH MY TEAM, MY CHIEF OF STAFF, AND TEAM AS WE GO INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS HAVE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING.

I WANT THE TEAM TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ME THE METRICS THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED.

ALSO BELIEVED THAT SURVEY SHOULD BE [NOISE] DONE SOONER OR LATER BECAUSE I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DEPUTIES THINK BECAUSE WHEN THEY GO EITHER PARTICIPATE IN ALL [NOISE] SURVEYS OR DON'T COMPLAIN TO ME.

>> I HAVE OUTREACH TO YOUR DEPUTIES AND I SAID I WILL LISTEN TO YOU, BUT I'M GOING TO ALSO LISTEN TO YOU SHERIFF, I'M GOING TO LISTEN TO YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND I'M GOING TO LISTEN TO ANYBODY ELSE.

ULTIMATELY, THE UNION, THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION.

I NEED EVERYBODY TO BE IN ALIGNMENT.

NOT THAT YOU ALL HAVE TO COME TO SOME UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT, BUT YOU ALL UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER, BECAUSE I CAN'T HAVE YOU ALL IN DISAGREEMENT AND YOU GOT TO LISTEN TO ME.

NO, YOU GOT TO LISTEN TO THEM.

IF YOU ALL DON'T SPEAK AS ONE VOICE.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOUR SHERIFF.

HELP YOUR ADMINISTRATION, HELP YOUR DEPUTIES UNDERSTAND.

I THINK YOU'VE BEEN AT THOSE ROLL CALLS THAT I'VE COME TO.

>> I'VE MADE THAT VERY CLEAR.

>> YES, SIR. ABSOLUTELY. WELL, WE ENJOY A GREAT DIALOGUE WITH THEM AND ABSOLUTELY WE STRIVE TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THEM.

JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU WANT US TO REACH OUT TO YOUR OFFICE TO SET UP A MEETING?

>> ABSOLUTELY. I'M ON IT.

>> AT LEAST GET IT ON A SCHEDULE.

>> SURE.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE KEY.

I'M COMING BACK IN SOONER THAN LATER, BUT OBVIOUSLY, LET'S GET PAST FIESTA [LAUGHTER] WE'VE GOT TOO MANY THINGS.

I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO BE TIRED TOO.

>> WE'LL BE A LITTLE BUSY DURING FIESTA. YES, SIR.

>> BUT YES, SIR WE'RE ON IT. THANK YOU.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY MOTION OR DID WE ALREADY DO? IS THERE A MOTION?

>> ONLY THE APPROVALS.

>> IS THERE A MOTION? WHAT DID WE DO? WE'RE GOOD. DID YOU ALL GET A MOTION APPROVAL? [LAUGHTER]

>> WE ALREADY APPROVE OVERTIME.

>> DO WE NEED ANY MOTION ON B?

>> THIS IS JUST A PRESENTATION.

>> THANK YOU, SHERIFF.

>> YES. THANK YOU.

[51. Discussion and appropriate action authorizing the use of the power of eminent domain and approval of an Order declaring a necessity for the fee simple title acquisition of a 0.026 acre tract of land and a 1.190 acre Temporary Construction Easement, both tracts being out of a 120-foot wide private right-of-way known as Woodland Green, as recorded in a plat of Village Green Subdivision, Unit 1, recorded in Volume 9539, Page 27 of the Deed and Plat Records of Bexar County, Texas, said fee simple taking and Temporary Construction Easement being more particularly described by metes and bounds and shown in Exhibits "A" and "B", attached hereto and incorporated herein for all purposes, for the purposes of roadway reconstruction including the addition of paved shoulders, necessary drainage, low water crossing improvements, sidewalks, increase roadway capacity to allow for projected growth and increase public safety and enhance regional mobility to advance and achieve the public use of Old Fredericksburg Road Project and authorizing the institution of condemnation proceedings to acquire these rights. Precinct Number 3. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Renee Green)]

>> FIFTY-ONE DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION AUTHORIZED AND USE OF THE POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN, AND APPROVAL OF AN ORDER DECLARING A NECESSITY FOR THE FEE SIMPLE TITLE, ACQUISITION OF 0.026 ACRE OF LAND AND AT 1.190-ACRE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT.

BOTH TRACKS BEING OUT OF A 120 FLOOD RIDE, PRIVATE RIGHT AWAY KNOWN AS WOODLAND GREEN AS RECORDED IN THE PLOT, A VILLAGE GREEN SUBDIVISION UNIT 1, RECORDED IN VOLUME 9539, PAGE 27 OF DEED AND PLANT RECORDS OR BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS, AND FEE SIMPLE TAKING AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS BEING

[02:20:04]

MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED [NOISE] BY MEETS AND BOUNDS AND SHOWN IN EXHIBITS IN A ATTACHED HERE TOO AND INCORPORATED HERE AND FOR ALL PURPOSES FOR THE PURPOSES OF ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING OF PAVE SHOULDERS, NECESSARY DRAINAGE, LOW-WATER CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS, SIDEWALKS, INCREASED ROADWAY CAPACITY TO ALLOW FOR PROJECTIVE GROWTH AND INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ENHANCE REGIONAL MOBILITY TO ADVANCE AND ACHIEVE THE PUBLIC USE OF ALL FREDERICKSBURG ROAD PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE INSTITUTION OF CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS TO ACQUIRE THESE RIGHTS.

PROCEED NUMBER 3.

>> MS. GREEN.

>> LET ME JUST START UP BY SAYING I HAVE ASKED JOE NEWTON OR ASKED THE MANAGER SEVERAL TIMES IF IT'S NECESSARY TO PUT ALL THIS MUCH VERBIAGE IN THERE.

>> THAT'S A LONG AGENDA.

HE EXPLAINS THE CONDEMNATION.

ATTORNEYS SAY YES, IT IS, AND IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE THIS ON INDIVIDUAL? AGAIN, THE RESPONSE WAS YES, IT IS.

BUT I'LL KEEP ASKING THE QUESTIONS.

>> YOU KEEP ASKING AND I'LL JUST KEEP READING WHATEVER YOU ALL PUT IN FRONT OF ME.

THIS IS WHAT WE CALL A FRIENDLY CONDEMNATION, [BACKGROUND] IT IS PROPERTY FROM THE HOA, THEY DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THE TAKING, NOR DO THEY DISAGREE WITH THE PRICE.

WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO HAVE 50% OF THE MEMBERSHIP VOTE AND THEY CAN'T GET 50% IN ONE ROOM.

THIS IS CONSIDERED A FRIENDLY CONDEMNATION, SO WE CAN GET A CLEAR TITLE.

>> I'LL MOVE THE APPROVAL.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? HEARING NONE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTION?

>> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, MS. GREEN.

I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THAT QUICKER THAN READING THAT AGENDA.

I'VE ASKED FOR PERMISSION, COMMISSIONERS,

[53. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Approval of a submission of an electronic grant application to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the FY 2023 Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals in the amount of $2,690,758 which includes $2,500,000 in Federal funds and $190,758 in local matching requirement, and acceptance of funds if awarded. The term of the grant is from September 30, 2023 through September 29, 2028. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Norma Greenfield-Laborde)]

TO ADVANCE TO ITEM 53.

I BELIEVE JUDGE VARA'S HERE, IN REGARDS TO THAT, I'LL ASSUME MS. NORMA, DR. GREENFIELD, THE BOARD IS ALSO HERE, DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF A SUBMISSION OF ELECTRONIC GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, SAMHSA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023, GRANTS FOR THE BENEFITS OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,690,758, WHICH INCLUDES 2,500,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDS AND $190,758 IN LOCAL MATCHING REQUIREMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS IF AWARDED.

THE TERM OF THE GRANT IS FROM SEPTEMBER 20TH 2023 AND THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29TH 2028. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAKAI.

I HOPE YOU ALL BEAR WITH ME, MY VOICE IS LEAVING ME.

ANYWAY, LIKE YOU SAID TODAY, I AM DOING THE PRESENTATION TO GET THE COURT'S APPROVAL TO SUBMIT ON A SAMHSA GRANT TO BENEFIT THE HOMELESS COURT.

PRESENTLY, BEXAR COUNTY HAS SEVERAL SPECIALTY COURTS AND MOST OF THEM ARE FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS.

OH, YES. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GO THROUGH THE DIFFERENT GRANTS OR UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO READ THEM.

>> NO [OVERLAPPING]

>> THAT'S FINE.

>> JUST GO THROUGH YOUR PRESENTATION.

>> THE TOTAL GRANTS THAT THE SPECIALTY COURTS RECEIVE IS IN ABOUT 5,505,625.

A GROWING CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND PROBABLY ACROSS THE NATION IS THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

SOUTH ALAMO REGIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE HOMELESS, WHICH IS SARAH,.

IN 2022, THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT FOUND THAT NEARLY 3,000 INDIVIDUALS WERE EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS.

THE DEMOGRAPHICS INCLUDE ABOUT 99% WERE SINGLE INDIVIDUALS, 59.6 WERE MEN, 26.1 WERE AFRICAN-AMERICANS, NON-HISPANIC WHITE WERE 26.6, AND HISPANIC 47% AND 7% OF THE LBGTQ COMMUNITY.

MOST INDIVIDUALS CITED THEIR HOMELESSNESS RELATED TO MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, OR CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT.

IN 2019-20, THERE WAS ABOUT 3,493 PEOPLE THAT WERE BOOKED, THAT WERE CONSIDERED HOMELESS OR UNHOUSED, WHICH GAVE US A TOTAL LENGTH OF STAY OF 172,676, WITH AT THAT TIME A DAILY RATE 63.47.

TOTAL HOUSING COSTS 10,959,745.

[02:25:03]

IN 2021, IT WAS 1,732 THAT WERE BOOKED, THAT WERE ALSO IDENTIFIED AS HOMELESS OR UNHOUSED.

LENGTH OF STAY AT THAT TIME WAS 77,714.

THAT TIME, THE DAILY RATE OF 52.69, TOTAL HOUSING COSTS WAS 4,094, 750.

IN 2021, WE SEE THAT IT DROPPED A LITTLE, 1,239 WERE BOOKED AND CONSIDERED HOMELESS OR UNHOUSED WITH THE LENGTH OF STAY OF 4,605.

THAT TIME THE DAILY RATE 66.68, THE TOTAL COST OF THREE MILLION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE FINAL TOTAL COST FOR THOSE YEARS IS 18 MILLION.

WE BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS GROWING PROBLEM WOULD BE TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY COURT TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS ISSUES FOR THOSE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THIS COLLABORATION IS WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PRETRIAL SERVICES, AND JUDGE VARA'S COURT.

WE WILL ALSO COLLABORATE WITH SOME OF THE OTHER RESOURCES SUCH AS HAVEN FOR HOPE, THE CENTER OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SARAH.

THIS PROGRAM WILL IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS AT THE JUSTICE INTAKE AND ASSESSMENT ANNEX, WHICH WE CALL JIAA, BY THE DA'S OFFICE ALONG WITH PRETRIAL, AND IF APPROPRIATE, WE'LL REFER THAT INDIVIDUAL TO COMMUNITY COURT.

THE COMMUNITY COURT WILL FOCUS ON INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HOMELESS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO A CHARGE OF A MISDEMEANOR A OR B OFFENSE.

THE PROGRAM WILL BE CONSIDERED A PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM SUCH THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATE FROM THE PROGRAM WILL NOT HAVE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION.

THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE AN ARRAY OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, HOUSING, VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, WORKFORCE, PEER RECOVERY, AND IT'S VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES.

DID I SKIP A PAGE.

I THINK I DID. WENT AHEAD OF MYSELF.

THE GRANT ISSUED BY THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, WHICH IS CONSIDERED SAMHSA, IS A FIVE-YEAR GRANT FOR 2,500,000 TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

THE GRANT WILL PROVIDE A LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER FOR THE COMMUNITY COURT, MANAGING ABOUT 40 PARTICIPANTS.

IT WILL PROVIDE CONTRACT SERVICES FOR ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT, AND HOUSING NEEDS OF THE PARTICIPANTS.

THE GRANT WILL TRACK THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS, SERVICES PROVIDED, EMPLOYMENT RECEIVED, RETURN TO HOMELESSNESS OR PERMANENT HOUSING AND RECIDIVISM OUTCOMES.

THE APPROVAL OF THE SUBMISSION OF THIS ELECTRONIC GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FOR THE FY 2023 GRANTS FOR THE BENEFITS OF A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL IN THE AMOUNT OF 2,690,758, WHICH INCLUDES 2,500,000 IN FEDERAL GRANTS AND 190 IN LOCAL MATCHING REQUIREMENTS AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GRANTS IF AWARDED.

THE TERM OF THE GRANT IS SEPTEMBER 30TH 2023, TO SEPTEMBER 29TH 2028.

I DO HAVE JUDGE VARA HERE.

I KNOW SHE'S VERY BUSY. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US PUSH IT UP BECAUSE SHE HAS DOCUMENTED A LITTLE BIT, AND ALSO MATT FROM THE DA'S OFFICE WHO WE WILL BE WORKING AND COLLABORATING WITH, AND OF COURSE, OUR WONDERFUL GRANT WRITER, DR. CASTRO.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ? [OVERLAPPING]

>> I JUST HAVE A COMMENT, NO QUESTIONS.

BECAUSE WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND NEED FOR HOUSING, WHICH IS TRUE, BUT I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THIS BECAUSE THIS GETS TO THE CORE OF THE ISSUES AND WE TAKE CARE OF BEHAVIOR, HEALTH ISSUES, AND JUSTICE ISSUES.

HOPEFULLY, THEY THEMSELVES CAN THEN TAKE CARE OF HOUSING ISSUES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

>> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> JUDGE, THANK YOU. DOC I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM, JUST TO COMMENT.

FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND JUDGE VARA, THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP.

I KNOW WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO I GUESS, ADDRESS IS, IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO INTERFACE WITH THE PUBLIC OR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I'M ASSUMING THESE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE ARRESTED OR INTERFACED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> CORRECT.

>> I ALSO AM INTERESTED IN, AND I DON'T NEED THE ANSWERS TODAY,

[02:30:03]

BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING ON THE EARLY INTERVENTION SIDE, THOSE WHO ARE HOUSE LESS WHO MAY NOT NECESSARILY INTERFACE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOW ARE WE COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY AND OUR PARTNERS TO SEE HOW THOSE FOLKS GET HELP, HOW THEY GET SHELTER? THIS IS GREAT AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR, AGAIN, STEPPING UP.

BUT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK ABOUT OFTEN.

I KNOW OUR COMMUNITY IS INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT IS PEOPLE, EVEN WHEN I'VE TALK TO SOME OF THE LEADERS AT HAVEN FOR HOPE, THEY SAY, LOOK, WE CAN'T FORCE ANYBODY TO GO SEEK HELP, BUT THAT REALLY EARLY INTERVENTION IS SOMETHING I THINK WE NEED TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION ON IT, THE COUNTY, AND I HOPE, DOCTOR, WE CAN WORK ON THAT WITH YOU AND MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT SOMETIMES.

>> HI THERE, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS MATT HOWARD.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE CONVICTION INTEGRITY UNIT AT THE DA'S OFFICE.

GUYS, TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT PART OF THE CONVERSATION IS, THIS COURT CAME ABOUT THROUGH A COLLABORATION WITH A BUNCH OF LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

WE WORKED WITH HAVEN FOR HOPE, WE WORKED WITH THE SOUTH ALAMO REGIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE HOMELESS.

A BIG PARTNER FOR US THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND THEIR DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, THEIR HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION.

WE'VE BEEN VERY MUCH PLUGGED IN WITH THEM TO TALK ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THAT COMMUNITY AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO TAKE THE STEPS TOWARDS HOUSING, TAKE THE STEPS TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT.

THIS IS ONE PIECE OF A LARGER PUZZLE THAT WE GOT GOING ON.

MY INITIAL INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS CAME FROM POST-CONVICTION PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.

WE'D BECOME MORE ACTIVE WITH THOSE GROUPS.

THIS PROGRAM WILL CONNECT WITH THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE AND WITH OTHER SERVICES THAT THE CITY AND THAT DHS HAS TO HELP FORWARD THOSE GOALS AND TO GET PEOPLE PLUGGED INTO HOUSING AND GET PEOPLE PLUGGED INTO JOBS AND HOPEFULLY TAKE THOSE NEXT STEPS.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT. I GET THAT THIS IS PART OF A BIGGER PICTURE.

I JUST HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, WHETHER IT BE WITH THE CITY OR PARTNERS AT HAVEN FOR HOPE, CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES THAT REALLY ADDRESSES THE ROOT CAUSE OF A LOT OF THE CONCERNS FOR PEOPLE WHO END UP NOT HAVING SHELTER AND OUT ON THE STREET.

WE APPRECIATE THIS. THANK YOU.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO ALSO HEARING BACK PROGRESS ON WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE COMING MONTHS. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, PRESENTING ON THIS.

I LIKE SEEING THE ABILITY OF OUR COUNTY TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL DOLLARS AND STATE DOLLARS.

AND SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A LOW COST SHARE FOR US.

AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

I DID HAVE A QUESTION AND MAYBE IT'S TO YOU, MATT, REGARDING THE PRETRIAL JAIL DIVERSION AND I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT COURTS.

SOME OF THEM ARE LISTED HERE.

BUT HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE OPPORTUNITY THAT'S PRESENTED FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT GO THROUGH THIS VERSUS ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL ACCUSED OF CLASS A OR B MISDEMEANOR.

>> THE GOAL HERE IS TO CREATE A SERIES OF INTERVENTION POINTS ALONG THE WAY AND OUR EARLIEST INTERVENTION POINT COMES AT THE TIME OF MAGISTRATES OR REALLY RIGHT BEFORE A MAGISTRATE.

AN INDIVIDUAL HAS JUST BEEN ARRESTED.

THEY'RE TAKEN OVER TO THE JAIL FACILITY.

THEY ARE SPEAKING WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE BECAUSE THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE USUALLY HELPS INDIVIDUALS GOING THROUGH THAT AND REGISTRATION PROCESS.

IF THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE AT THAT POINT IN TIME TALKS TO THAT PERSON, THEY REALIZE THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WHO'S ABOUT TO GO THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT IS OUR FIRST INTERVENTION POINT.

THAT'S THE OPPORTUNITY TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION FOR THE COMMUNITY COURT TO START THAT PROCESS GOING.

WE THINK WE'VE GOT THIS DOWN TO A SCIENCE WHERE WE CAN MOVE THROUGH THE SYSTEM QUICKLY.

WHAT WE'D LIKE IS AS CLOSE TO THE TIME OF ADMINISTRATION AS POSSIBLE WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THIS PERSON IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE COMMUNITY COURT PROGRAM.

WE ALREADY KNOW THAT THEY CAN BE CONNECTED WITH A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION SO LIKE A HAVEN FOR HOPE OR ENDEAVORS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THAT INDIVIDUAL ARE.

THERE ALREADY PLUGGED IN BY THE TIME THAT THEY'RE ENTERING INTO THE SYSTEM AND WE'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT THAT PRETRIAL DIVERSION.

WE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT, OKAY.

HERE'S THE CONTRACT FOR PTD.

HERE ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT CONTRACT, THE SERVICES THAT NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO.

HERE'S A CASEWORKER WITH ONE OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT'S ALREADY GOING TO BE HELPING THIS PERSON IN SPONSORING THEM THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM SO THE IDEA IS INTERVENTION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY END UP IN THE RIGHT COURT TO YOU ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE SERVICES CONNECTION PART AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE CONNECTING THE SERVICES WITH THE INDIVIDUAL WHO NEEDS THEM.

MY QUESTIONS AROUND THE EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW AND MAKING SURE THAT JUST BECAUSE I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH HOMELESSNESS,

[02:35:04]

IS THAT PROVIDING A DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES THAN ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL?

>> I'M SORRY THAT I MISUNDERSTOOD JUST A MOMENT AGO.

THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

YES, THEY HAVE TO MEET THE HIGH DEFINITION OF HOMELESSNESS.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER TREATMENT COURTS AND SO WE WOULD LIKE TO, IF WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO'S APPLYING FOR THIS, WE REALIZE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD FIT FOR THE COMMUNITY COURT.

WE CAN REFER THEM TO ANY OF THE OTHER TREATMENT COURTS THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S A VETERAN.

THEY MAY THINK THAT THEY ARE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THE COMMUNITY COURT PROGRAM.

BUT THROUGH THE SCREENING PROCESS, WE MAY REALIZE THIS IS A PERSON THAT SHOULD BE OVER IN THE VETERANS TREATMENT COURT, OR THIS IS A PERSON THAT WOULD BE BETTER SUITED IN A DRUG TREATMENT COURT.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET OR ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET ROUTED TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

WE HAVE PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM.

>> YES. I WAS GOING TO SAY, WE DO HAVE A PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM OUT OF THE DA'S OFFICE, AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THEY'RE NEITHER HOMELESS OR ANYTHING ELSE IT'S JUST I'M A PROGRAM THAT THEY CAN ENTER IN THE SAME TYPE OF BENEFITS IF THEY COMPLETE THE PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM AND THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN.

THEY WILL NOT A CONVICTION IF THAT WAS YOUR QUESTION.

>> COMMISSIONER MOODY, I THINK TO ADDRESS YOUR POINT THAT THE TRADITIONAL PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM DOESN'T REALLY HAVE THE COURTS INVOLVED.

IT'S REALLY JUST THE DEFENDANT AND THE DA'S OFFICE.

IT DOESN'T COME BEFORE ANY OF THE COURTS.

HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENCE WITH THIS PARTICULAR PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM IS THAT THE COURT WILL BE INVOLVED.

OUR VERY FIRST STAFFING IS TODAY, AND WE HAVE THREE PARTICIPANTS WE'RE HOPING TO CONTINUE TO GROW THAT, BUT THERE WILL BE AN ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THESE PARTICIPANTS WHO WANT TO VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATE.

AGAIN, WE'RE NOT FORCING ANYONE TO DO THIS.

THEY HAVE TO MEET US AT THE TABLE AND WANT THE ASSISTANCE.

THE DIFFERENCE IS ALSO GOING TO COME IN WHERE IN YOUR NORMAL PRETRIAL DIVERSION, TRADITIONAL PRETRIAL DIVERSION, THERE'S FEES ASSOCIATED WITH IT, THERE'S COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, AND THIS PRETRIAL DIVERSION THROUGH THE COMMUNITY COURT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS PROBABLY DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROBABLY MAKE IT IN-PERSON TO COURTS, SO WE CAN OFFER A ZOOM ALTERNATIVE.

THAT BEING SAID, ALSO, THEY MAY STRUGGLE WITH COMMUNICATION.

THEY MIGHT HAVE A PHONE OR SOMEWHERE THAT THEY CAN GO TO USE A COMPUTER TO LOG ON, TO ZOOM, AND OBVIOUSLY, INCOME THAT COMES INTO PLACE WITH FEES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, WAIVING THOSE FEES SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THERE WILL BE CERTAIN ACCOMMODATIONS THAT ARE MADE WITH THIS PRETRIAL DIVERSION AS IT PERTAINS TO HOMELESSNESS, BUT AS IT PERTAINS TO THE LAW, THEY'RE STILL GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY'VE DONE AND OBVIOUSLY TO RIGHT A WRONG RIGHT AND PARTICIPATE.

MAYBE IF THEY CAN AFFORD TO DO A CLASS, THEY CAN DO COMMUNITY SERVICE IN LIEU OF THAT SO THAT THEY'RE STILL WORKING ON SATISFYING THEIR SENTENCE IN A MORE CONVENTIONAL WAY.

>> THANK YOU. AND JUST A FINAL COMMENT.

YOUR PAGE SLIDE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFYING AS HOMELESS OR ON HOUSE, IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S COME DOWN CONSIDERABLY AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S OTHER DATA OUT THERE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT.

BUT I JUST GO ACROSS THE TOTAL HOUSING COST AND WANT TO THINK AT SOME POINT MAYBE WITH COUNTING STAFF THINKING ABOUT BOTH FROM THE COUNTY AND THE CITY PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ARE THE TOTAL INVESTMENTS THAT WE'RE MAKING IN ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM, AND ARE WE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY? ARE THOSE DOLLARS BEING USED EFFECTIVELY? BECAUSE IF IT WOULD BE THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO PUT UP IN A HOTEL, EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO'S IDENTIFIED AS HOMELESS IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THEN HOW MUCH MORE ARE WE SPENDING THROUGH ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND HOW CAN WE DO THAT MORE EFFECTIVELY? JUST A THOUGHT AS WE GO FORWARD THINKING ABOUT HOW WE UTILIZE OUR DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM.

>> I DO WANT TO SAY I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE DID SEE A DROP THAT YEAR IS BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSION PROGRAMS THAT WE DO HAVE NOW THAT THE COURT HAS APPROVED.

WE DO HAVE SEVERAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS WITH FUNDING, WITH LIFETIME AND CROSS POINT AND HAVEN.

AND I THINK BECAUSE WE STARTED ADDRESSING THAT AGAIN AT GIA BECAUSE WE HAVE THOSE PROGRAMS. I BELIEVE THAT THAT'S WHY IT'S BEEN REDUCED.

BUT I THINK SOMETHING ELSE AT THIS COURT WILL HELP IS THAT WE DON'T WANT THEM TO COME BACK.

THE MORE THAT WE CAN GIVE THOSE WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO THAT THIS COMMUNITY COURT WILL HELP PROVIDE WILL HELP KEEP THEM TO NOT COME BACK BECAUSE THEN THEY WILL HAVE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TRACK AS WELL.

LIKE WE SAID, WE WILL BE TRACKING IF THEY RECEIVED A JOB, IF THEY ARE NOW RECEIVING OTHER RESOURCES, AND THEN ALSO THE RECIDIVISM RATE.

WE WILL COME BACK WITH THOSE NUMBERS AND WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A GOOD COURT IF YOU ALL APPROVE TO SUBMIT FOR THAT GRANT.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. DAVID. DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION AS WELL.

>> GO AHEAD AND THEN I'LL ASK MY QUESTION.

>> I DEFER TO THE DIET.

>> COMMISSIONER CLAY FORCE. YOU'VE GOT THE FLOOR.

[02:40:02]

THIS IS JUST A GRANT RESUBMITTING, CORRECT?

WHEN WILL WE KNOW IF WE RECEIVED IT OR NOT?

>> ALLAN CASTRO, DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH.

THE GRANT IS IN EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1ST AND SO NORMALLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL LET US KNOW A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THAT SO SEPTEMBER 15TH.

>> YOU'LL LET US KNOW, OBVIOUSLY.

THANK YOU, DAVID.

>> I THINK COMMISSIONER MOODY POINTS A GOOD ONE BECAUSE ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS I HAD AND LISTENING TO THIS WAS HOW DOES THIS INTERFACE WITH THE DIVERSION PROGRAM AND CONTRACT WE ALREADY HAVE DIRECTLY WITH A HAVEN FOR HOPE OR THIS IS SUPPLANTING THAT? I THINK IT'S A BIGGER CONVERSATION ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT COMMISSIONER MOODY IS SAYING, WE'RE MAKING THESE INVESTMENTS, THESE INVESTMENTS, THESE INVESTMENTS.

LET'S LOOK AT THOSE 3,000 DOWN TO 1,200 AND SEE HOW MANY THAT WERE RESERVED.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE TOTAL COMMUNITY CENSUS AND YOU CAN ARGUE WHETHER IT'S ACCURATE OR NOT, THE TOTAL HEADCOUNT TYPICALLY COMES UP WITH ABOUT THREE TO 4,000 A YEAR.

IF THOSE ARE ALL UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS COMING THROUGH THE JAIL AND WE'VE ARRESTED EVERY ONE OF THEM, WHICH I DON'T THINK IS THE CASE.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A DEEPER DIVE TO BE HAD HERE.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> I ALWAYS GOT QUESTIONS FOR THIS.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS ISSUE IS MY WHEELHOUSE HAVING BEEN PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE FAMILY DRUG COURT, EARLY CHILDHOOD COURT.

I'M A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE STATE TEXAS ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIALTY COURTS SO I WANT TO TALK TO EACH OF YOU BASED ON MY EXPERTISE, MY EXPERIENCE, AND MY POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE.

FIRST, LET ME TALK TO JUDGE VADA.

JUDGE, SO HOPEFULLY I CAN GET YOU OUT OF HERE.

YOU'RE A FORMER ATTORNEY, WORKING IN CHILDREN'S CORD AND FAMILY DRUG COURT, I THINK EVEN HAD A LOT OF CASES, AND MY COURT IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YOU'RE FAMILIAR THE WAY THESE COURTS RUN, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

>> DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO WORK HARD AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR STAKEHOLDERS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I SEE, AND I'M JUST GOING TO MENTION IT AND YOU ALL CAN DECIDE.

WE'RE CREATING SO MANY OF THESE COURTS.

I REALLY NEED COORDINATION BETWEEN THE JUDGES.

I NEED YOU ALL TO BE MEETING AND TO COORDINATE SO THAT PEOPLE GET TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

ULTIMATELY, BECAUSE IF YOU FAIL TO DO THAT AND THAT'S GOING TO BE BACK ON STAFF, DR. GREENFIELD ABODY.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING A DEEPER QUESTION IS, WHERE DOES IT COME IN PRETRIAL DIVERSION AND SO LET ME SAY THIS IS A TOUCHY, TOUCHY ISSUE.

BUT THAT'S THE REASON WHY THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME DISCUSSION OF SIDED RELEASE AS TO POST-ARREST BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY WE GET THE PROCESS UNDER YOUR PROGRAM IS THEY HAVE TO HIT THE JAIL. CORRECT? OR IS THERE A MECHANISM, AND THAT REALLY GOES BACK TO COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, CAN WE GET FURTHER UPSTREAM AND IDENTIFY THIS? THIS MAKES EVERYBODY THINK OF HOW OUR SYSTEM WORKS AND HOW PEOPLE GET DIVERTED.

ONE IS I GOT TO GET THE JUDGES ALL ALIGNED, SO I'LL BE REAL BLUNT.

Y'ALL ARE GOING TO BE, EXCUSE THE WORD, BUT FIGHTING OVER THE SAME PEOPLE.

BECAUSE THE SAME ISSUES FOR HAVING THIS HOMELINESS, THEY'RE PROBABLY VETERAN, THEY PROBABLY GOT DRUG AND ALCOHOL, THEY PROBABLY HAVE FAMILY VIOLENCE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, EVERY ONE OF THESE PEOPLE COMING THROUGH COULD GET DIVERTED.

THE THING IS WHERE CAN THEY GO TO GET THE BEST HELP? BECAUSE LET ME SAY THIS, I REALLY BELIEVE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS DOCTOR GREENFIELD-LABORDE, THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE CHRONIC HOMELESS.

WHERE IS THAT PERCENTAGE? NINETY-NINE PERCENT IS INDIVIDUALS, WE KNOW THAT HAVEN FOR HOPE IS NOT INDIVIDUAL'S, IT'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

THAT'S WHAT WE CALL THE WORKING POOR.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST A JOB, PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOT EVICTED, PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THEIR CAR, PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN AND GOT NO PLACE TO GO AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO WHEREVER HELP THEY CAN GET TO AND HOPEFULLY THE HAVEN FOR HOPE IS DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, OF INTERVENE IN THESE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

WE ARE DEALING WITH THE PEOPLE THAT SLEEP AND THE CULVERT, SLEEP UNDER TREES, AND DO NOT WANT ANY SERVICES.

THEY'RE THE ONES WE GET CALLS ON.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAYING, "HEY, JUDGE, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? " THAT'S THE REASON WHY FOR ME TO SUPPORT THIS, I WANT INTERVENTION,

[02:45:01]

I WANT TO FIGURE IT OUT, AND THAT MEANS HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE THAT WE MIGHT, AS REASON WHY I MENTIONED SITE AND RELEASE, UNLESS THEY ALL HAVE A STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH THOSE POPULATION.

I'LL START WITH YOU, JUDGE, AND THEN I'LL GO TO MR. HOWARD.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU SAID THAT, JUDGE MATT, AND I LITERALLY JUST HAD THIS CONVERSATION THIS MORNING.

VETERANS ESPECIALLY, THAT MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR JUDGE DOMINGUEZ'S COURT CAN COME AND GET ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY COURT OR VICE VERSA.

IF THEY COME IN THROUGH THE COMMUNITY COURT, WE FIND OUT THEY'RE A VETERAN, WE'LL ROUTE THEM THAT WAY TO GET SCREENED TO SEE MAYBE THAT'S A BETTER FIT FOR YOU.

MAYBE YOU CAN GET MORE SERVICES THAT ARE NARROWLY TAILORED TO YOUR PARTICULAR NEEDS IN THAT COURT.

THE SAME CAN BE SAID.

TRADITIONALLY IN THESE TYPES OF CASES, WE SEE CRIMINAL TRESPASS, BUT THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

THERE ARE SOME TIMES WHERE MAYBE IT'S A DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED CASE BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THEIR CAR, OR RECENTLY IT WAS AN ASSAULT CASE, A FAMILY VIOLENCE CASE, AND SO THERE'S GOING TO DEFINITELY BE COMMUNICATION NEEDED WITH THE SPECIALTY COURTS, WHETHER THAT'S AT LEVEL COURT, MENTAL HEALTH COURT, VETERANS COURT.

I DON'T FORESEE THAT BEING AN ISSUE AT ALL.

I THINK WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER TO SEE WHO IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF THIS PARTICULAR PERSON.

>> CAN I GET AT LEAST YOU AND PERHAPS HOPEFULLY THE OTHER JUDGES TO COMMIT TO MEET AT LEAST QUARTERLY OR BIANNUALLY SO THAT YOU-ALL CAN THEN DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WITH STAFF, DR. GREENFIELD-LABORDE? I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU REALLY SHARE THAT MEETING AND HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO HAVE EVERYBODY DISCUSS THE PROCESS.

>> YES. THAT'S A COMMITMENT I CAN MAKE, JUDGE.

MR. HOWARD, DEAL WITH THE ISSUE, DO YOU UNDERSTAND MY CONCERN ABOUT DEALING WITH THIS CHRONIC HOMELESS, HOW TOUGH IT IS IN ORDER TO TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND BECAUSE SOME OF THEM CHOOSE AT UNDER THEIR CIRCUMSTANCE.

THEY'VE BEEN ASKED TO GO TO HAVEN FOR HOPE.

SOMETIMES, I'LL BE HONEST, HAVEN FOR HOPE CANNOT MEET THEIR NEEDS BECAUSE THEIR NEEDS ARE FAR SEVERE AND THEY CAN'T FOLLOW THE RULES.

HOW ARE YOU IDENTIFYING THESE PEOPLE? IS IT GOING TO BE AT THE MAGISTRATES OFFICE OR DO WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL THEY COME TO THE COURT ON ARRAIGNMENT?

>> THIS IS PROBABLY A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO TIE TO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WERE SAYING JUST A MOMENT AGO.

AT MAGISTRATION, AT THE GI FACILITY, THAT IS ONE WAY.

WE MAY ALSO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE SITE AND RELEASE PROGRAM THAT ARE IDENTIFIED AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

WE ALSO MAY HAVE SOMEBODY THAT MISSED SCREENING AT THE JAIL ENTIRELY AND IT JUST WAS NOT KNOWN TO US THAT THIS IS SOMEBODY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, BUT THEIR COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL KNOWS THAT THEY ARE SOMEBODY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE APPLICATION IS OPEN TO ANYONE WHO MEETS ONE OF THE FOUR HUD DEFINITIONS FOR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THAT CAN COME AT ANY POINT IN TIME IN THE PROCESS.

WE HAD PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THAT ARE ENTERING INTO THE COURT OR THAT HAVE APPLIED TO THE COURT THAT ARE ALREADY SET ON DOCKETS IN OTHER COURTS, BUT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSFERRING THEM OVER INTO COUNTY COURT 15.

>> BUT IS IT GOING TO BE UP TO THE JUDGE, IS IT GOING TO BE UP TO PROSECUTORS, IS IT GOING TO BE UP TO THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY? THIS POPULATION IS NOT COMING IN OUR COURTS GOING, "WOULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME? " THAT VERY SERIOUSLY, THEY'RE GOING TO BE TELLING, "LEAVE ME ALONE.

I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, STABILIZE AND GET OUT." WHO'S GOING TO REFER THIS POPULATION TO THIS PROGRAM?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE AN OPEN APPLICATION FOR IF THE INDIVIDUAL WANTS TO BE A PART OF IT, AND IF THEIR ATTORNEY HAS COUNSELED THEM TO BE PART OF THIS PROGRAM, THEY CAN FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.

THE APPLICATION HAS A CONSENT TO SHARING OF DATA WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WITH THE CITY AND WITH THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES THAT CAN BEGIN THE SCREENING PROCESS.

FROM THERE, THERE ARE ASPECTS OF IT THAT LOOK A LOT LIKE THE STANDARD PRETRIAL DIVERSION AS FAR AS WILL THEY AGREE TO BE INVOLVED FOR THIS LENGTH OF TIME? WILL THEY AGREE TO COMPLETE THESE CONDITIONS? BUT THERE'S THE ADDED ASPECT OF CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, CONNECTION WITH A GOAL TOWARDS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUSTAINED PERMANENT HOUSING EVENTUALLY.

THERE'S ASPECTS OF IT THAT ARE MODIFICATIONS ON THE TRADITIONAL PTD MODEL TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS.

>> BUT I'LL GIVE YOU A SPECIFIC SUGGESTION THAT WE GET THE PUBLIC DEFENDER INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY'RE AT THE MAGISTRATE COURT.

I WANT THE JUDGES TO CONSIDER USING PUBLIC DEFENDER AS PART OF YOUR TEAM AS OPPOSED TO USING THE PRIVATE.

NOT TRYING TO TAKE ANY BUSINESS AWAY.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET UPSET ABOUT THIS ONE.

BUT I REALLY THINK I NEED A DEFENSE ATTORNEY SUCH AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER THAT HAS SPECIFIC TRAINING THAT CAN GET INVOLVED EVEN AT THE MAGISTRATE AS THEY'RE BEING BOOKED, THAT THEY GET TO THIS PROGRAM.

THERE'S A WHOLE FORUM.

THAT'S A CRITICISM I HAVE.

[02:50:02]

WE HAVE TO HOPE THAT THE JUDGES OR THE PROSECUTOR OR DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN EACH PARTICULAR CASE CARES ENOUGH OR IS AWARE ENOUGH TO GET THIS POPULATION.

UNFORTUNATELY, I'VE BEEN TO THE DRUG COURT CEREMONIES WHERE, IT'S GREAT, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? ONLY ONE OR TWO TO JUDGES SEND UPON THEIR POPULATION, AND SO I NEED BUY-IN BY THE JUDGES BECAUSE AS WE EXPAND THIS, AND I THINK THIS IS WHERE MR. SMITH, HEY, AT SOME POINT, THIS SYSTEM IS GOING TO BE BIGGER THAN OUR REGULAR DOCKET, SO I HAVE TO SEE THE METRICS.

I GOT TO SEE THAT YOU ARE TAKING PEOPLE OFF THE STREET, SO TO SPEAK, AND BASICALLY PUT DOWN A PATH OF RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION.

BOTTOM LINE, TODAY'S DISCUSSION JUST TELLS YOU THERE'S A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF THOUGHT.

LET ME TOUCH DOCTOR CASTRO.

>> ONE LAST THING, JUDGE, I WILL TELL YOU THE THREE PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TRANSFERRED TO COUNTY COURT 15, THEY ARE ALL REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND I THINK WE SHARE THAT SAME THOUGHT PROCESS, THAT SAME VISION ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THAT UNIFORMITY.

I THINK WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS WOULD BE THE BEST OPTION FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS COURT.

>> I'D ASK THAT YOU MEET WITH OUR INTERIM DIRECTOR AND GET THAT LOCKED DOWN ON MOU.

DR. CASTRO, ANOTHER GRANT THAT HOPEFULLY YOU'RE GOING TO GET?

>> YES, SIR HOPEFULLY.

>> HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU RAISED FOR THE COUNTY OVER ALL THESE YEARS?

>> LORD. WELL, SOME OF THE GRANTS HAVE BEEN REALLY BIG, LIKE 10 MILLION, FIVE MILLION, THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THEM.

BUT PROBABLY 30 MILLION IN 20 YEARS.

>> WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOU'D GET THOSE GRANTS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT SEPARATES OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR MANY OTHER JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, CORRECT? WE'RE ON CUTTING EDGE.

>> I WOULD SAY SO, YES, SIR.

>> ALSO TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, CJD, CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION, AS PRESIDENT OF SPECIALTY COURTS I GOT THE LEGISLATOR TO AMEND THE FUNDING MECHANISM, AND SO THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT MORE MONEY COMING INTO THE CJD FOR SPECIALTY COURTS, AND SO THEY MAY NOT NECESSARILY ADVERTISE BUT FIGURE OUT WHAT SUPPORT SERVICES DO THIS COURT AND ANY OTHER SPECIALIST COURTS NEED AND LET'S PUT YOU GOT MORE WORK TO DO.

>> ABSOLUTELY, SIR. ONE ISSUE, IF I CAN I CAN DISCUSS IT AND GETTING TO THE COUNTY MANAGER'S POINT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE ARRESTED EVERY SINGLE HOMELESS PERSON.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, IT'S THE RECIDIVISM THAT IS REAL BIG ISSUE HERE.

WITHIN SIX MONTHS, 30% OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE RE-ARRESTED.

IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE ARRESTING EVERY SINGLE ONE, IT'S THAT WE'RE ARRESTING THE SAME ONES OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> THAT'S A FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM, ISN'T IT, DR. CASTRO?

>> YES, SIR. WELL, WE'RE ABOUT TO FIX IT.

>> WE ARREST THEM AND WE LET THEM GO AND THEY COME BACK.

>> BUT THEY ARE ABOUT TO FIX IT.

>> DR. GREENFIELD-LABORDE, DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONVERSATIONS OF WHAT I NEED FROM YOU AS THE DIRECTOR TO BRING IT ALL TOGETHER?

>> ALL RIGHT. WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE? WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST OF GETTING THINGS DONE?

>> FOR THIS PARTICULAR COMMUNITY, COURT? WELL, I DO BELIEVE COMMUNICATION LIKE YOU SAID, AND JUDGE VARA, LIKE THEY SAID, THEY'RE GOING TO BE STAFFY AND EVERYONE WILL BE INVOLVED IN THAT STAFFING, AND WE WILL BE GETTING UPDATES FROM THEM.

SINCE PRETRIAL, WE'LL BE SUPERVISING THEM, WE'LL HAVE INFORMATION ON THEM, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PULL DATA AS FAR AS HOW MANY WE HAVE ON THE CASELOAD, AND HOW WELL THEY'RE DOING, AND WHAT OTHER RESOURCES THEY HAVE RECEIVED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM OR THROUGH THIS COURT.

>> OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIMPLY REPLY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE ANY OPPOSED. ANY ABSTENTIONS? THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THIS CONVERSATION.

>> LET ME ASK MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, AND I THINK MY MY STAFF AND EVEN MY WIFE'S GOING TO HAVE A COW.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THOUGHT OF THIS TAKING A REAL QUICK BREAK? I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE AWAY THE BREAK BUT MAKING IT SHORTER.

THE OLDEST DO WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO DO AND LET'S COME RIGHT BACK BECAUSE WE ARE COMING TOWARD THE END OF THE AGENDA.

>> I'D SAY THE SHORTER, THE BETTER,.

>> THE SHORTER, THE BETTER. LET'S TAKE A QUICK BREAK.

>> I'LL SAY YOU GIVE AN AMOUNT, NO?

>> LET'S DO IT 15 MINUTES.

>> TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 52.

[52. Discussion and appropriate action regarding approval of submission of three (3) electronic grant applications to the Office of the Governor - Homeland Security Grants Division (HSGD) for FY2023 Urban Areas Security Initiative - LETPA Projects (UASI-L) and FY2023 Urban Areas Security Initiative - Regular Projects (UASI-R) by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office (BCSO), Bexar County Information Technology (BCIT) and the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management (BCOEM) totaling $494,748; approval of a resolution; and acceptance of grant funding upon award. The grant term would begin September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2025. There is no cash match requirement. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Chris Lopez)]

[02:55:04]

DISCUSS AN APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF SUBMISSION OF THREE ELECTRONIC GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR, HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS SUFFICIENT FOR FY 2023 URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE, LETPA PROJECTS AND FISCAL YEAR 2023 URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE, REGULAR PROJECTS BY THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BEXAR COUNTY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND THE BEXAR COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TOTALING $494,748.

APPROVAL OVER RESOLUTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDED UPON AWARD.

GRANT ITEM WOULD BEGIN SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 TO AUGUST 31, 2025.

THERE IS NO CASH MAGIC REQUIREMENTS.

MS. LOPEZ, GOOD AFTERNOON?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

THE UASI GRANT IS ONE THAT ANNUALLY WE GET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT IS DISPERSED THROUGH THE STATE.

WE ARE BOUND WITH THESE FUNDS ON WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE THEM FOR.

BASICALLY, THIS IS FOR COUNTER-TERRORISM FOR THE URBAN AREAS AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO ACTS AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THESE FUNDS.

WE BASICALLY GET 20% OF THE OVERALL ALLOTMENT FOR BEXAR COUNTY.

SO FOR THE REGION, I SHOULD SAY.

BUT AS BEXAR COUNTY, WE GET 20% OF THAT.

THIS YEAR, THE 20% WAS ABOUT $700,000.

WE DID GO THROUGH AND MEET WITH OUR PARTNERS WITH STRIKE, WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, FIRE DEPARTMENT PD, EMERGENCY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

WE'VE MET WITH OUR FOLKS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO ARE ALSO PART OF IT.

THE ESD HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE OF IT'S OWN HERE.

AFTER THE MEETING AND DECIDING WHAT THE NEEDS WERE, WE CAME UP WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS A NEED FOR A VEHICLE WHICH IS BASICALLY AN ARMORED VEHICLE.

THE ONE THAT THEY HAVE IS 13, 14 YEARS OLD, AND WE AS THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, BASICALLY, WE WANTED A POD WHICH IS FOR CELL PHONES SO WHEN WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY, YOU HAVE HEARD OF PROBABLY THE COW OR CELL ON WHEELS.

THIS IS JUST A VERY MINIATURIZED VERSION OF THAT SO THAT IF WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY OR AN EVENT WHERE YOUR CELL PHONES ARE JUST REALLY INUNDATING THE SYSTEM, WE CAN BRING THIS POD AND BE ABLE TO USE IT AT COMMANDS SO THAT OUR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WILL HAVE COMMUNICATIONS AT THAT EMERGENCY.

ESD 7.

WE'RE ABLE TO GET SOME OF THE FUNDS AS WELL.

THEY GOT A UTV AND SOME OTHER EQUIPMENT SO I BELIEVE, STRIKE, WAS ABLE TO GET SOME FUNDING AS WELL FOR THEIR TRAINING AND FOR POSSIBLY I THINK MED-COM, THEY'VE GOT SOME MONEY FOR THAT.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT ON THE UASI FUNDS FOR THIS YEAR.

>> QUESTIONS.

>> [BACKGROUND].

>> I SECOND.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE ALL THOSE VARIOUS SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, MS. LOPEZ. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

LET ME GO TO ITEM 54, PRESENTATIONS,

[54. Presentation and discussion regarding the Organizational Review of Bexar County policies, procedures and processes to include: a. Agenda Policy b. Worksessions c. Budget process (Estimated Presentation Time: 30 minutes) (David Smith)]

DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW OF BEXAR COUNTY POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PROCESSES TO INCLUDE A, AGENDA POLICY, B, WORK SESSIONS, C, BUDGET PROCESS.

WITH PERMISSION OF THE COURT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE OPENING STATEMENT HERE.

AS WE BEGIN OUR FIRST TASK FOLLOWING MY CALL FOR IT AN ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW OF THE PROCESSES, PROCEDURES, AND PROTOCOLS ARE BEXAR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, ONE THING IS CLEAR, THIS ITEM COMES OUT OF NECESSITY.

WE OWE IT TO THE NEIGHBORS.

WE SERVE TO CLEARLY DEFINE OUR WORKFLOWS, OUR PROCEDURES, IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT SO THAT OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND THE OFFICIALS THAT'S OUR RESIDENTS, ELECTED ALL HAVE THE TOOLS NEEDED TO ENSURE THE BEST LEVEL OF SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS KEY TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND STEWARDING TAXPAYER RESOURCES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DIALOGUE TODAY AS WE REVIEWED THREE OF THE ITEMS BY MY MEMO, HIGHLIGHTED THE AGENDA SETTING POLICY FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WORK SESSION, SUPPORT THE WORK THAT WE DO IN BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WHICH IS IN NEED OF SOME FINE TUNING.

MR. SMITH, I'M SORRY, LET ME ASK YOU TO MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION THEN WE'LL HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE TWO POWERPOINTS FOR YOU,

[03:00:06]

ONE WILL BE ON THE AGENDA PROCESS AND WORK SESSIONS IN A SINGLE POWERPOINT, AND THE SECOND WILL BE ON THE BUDGET PROCESS.

THE REASON WE HAVE PROPOSED TO PUT THESE THREE ITEMS FIRST IS BECAUSE DEPENDING ON THE CHANGES THIS COURT WANTS TO MAKE, IT COULD HAVE CALENDAR IMPACTS FOR COUNTY OFFICES, AND DEPARTMENTS, AND OTHERS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

THIS IS INTENDED TO KICK OFF YOUR DELIBERATION AND DISCUSSION.

IT'S NOT INTENDED TO BE THE SUM TOTAL OF ALL THE CHANGES TO THIS COURT WILL CONSIDER, AND HOPEFULLY, THIS WILL FACILITATE THAT PROCESS.

WITH THAT, I PROPOSE WE START WITH THE AGENDA PROCESS AND WORK SESSION.

JUST SOME BACKGROUND, AND THESE PRESENTATIONS WILL BOTH BE THE SAME WAY.

THEY'LL DESCRIBE THE AS IS STATE AND THEN TALK ABOUT SOME AREAS WE THINK ARE OBVIOUS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR CHANGES OR POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND YOU'LL, OF COURSE, ADD TO OR GIVE US FURTHER DIRECTION BASED ON THAT.

THE AGENDA PROCESS IS OBVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED TO DO SEVERAL THINGS.

NUMBER 1, IS DESIGNED TO MEET COMPLIANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, AS WELL AS THE TEXAS OPEN RECORDS ACT, AND TO TRY AND ENSURE THAT EACH COURT MEMBER AND OTHER COURT MEETING PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE NECESSARY BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

ANNUALLY, THE COURT ADOPTS WHAT WE CALL THE AGENDA PLANNER, WHICH BASICALLY JUST SETS OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

IT DETERMINES WHAT YOUR REGULAR COURT DATE, MEETING DAY OF THE WEEK WILL BE, WHETHER THAT'S MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY.

IT HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN TUESDAYS AND THAT'S BECAUSE CERTAIN STATUTORY ITEMS ARE REQUIRED TO BE DELIBERATED ON AND ADOPTED IN A REGULAR COURT DATE.

THE SECOND THING IT DOES IS OBVIOUSLY PROVIDE A CALENDAR FOR PLANNING PURPOSES FOR THE COMMUNITY OFFICES, DEPARTMENTS, AND YOURSELVES.

>> I'M SORRY. THERE BEHIND, I THINK THE SLIDE ARE A HEAD OR SOMETHING.

>> OH, I'M SORRY. THERE WE GO.

GIVE ME A SECOND TO CATCH UP.

THE FIRST BULLET IS WHAT I PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED, AND THEN THE SECOND BULLET ON SLIDE 4, IS IT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS.

WE'RE PREPARING FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND FUTURE MEETINGS AND GETTING READY TO ACTUALLY STAGE AND HAVE THE ACTUAL COURT MEETING ITSELF.

COMMISSIONERS COURT HOLDS THE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH THAT PROCESS AND YOU THAT IS YOUR AUTHORITY.

YOU RUN COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETINGS.

YOU SET THE POLICIES, PROCEDURES, MY STAFF AND OTHERS SUCH AS PURCHASING THE DEA, THE AUDITOR, TRY AND ASSIST AND PREPARING FOR UNDER THE POLICY GUIDANCE FROM THE COURT, AND WE DO HAVE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.

IF OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS WISH TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA, THEY SHOULD PROVIDE A COMPLETED ITEM, ASSIGNED AGENDA COORDINATION FORMED BY THE ELECTED OFFICIAL OR THE DEPARTMENT HEAD AND PREPARE THE BACKUP FOR THAT ITEM, AND THEY SHOULD BE DONE BY THE DEADLINES THAT ALREADY EXIST.

CURRENTLY, THAT DEADLINE IS 05:00 P.M. ON THE DEADLINE DATE WHICH IS SIX BUSINESS DAYS, NOT ACCOUNTING FOR HOLIDAY.

THAT'S WHY WE SAY SIX BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE POSTING DATE OF THE UPCOMING MEETING.

ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POTENTIAL CHANGES I'D LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE IS CHANGING THAT TO BE 10 DAYS, BUT I WILL EXPLAIN WHY WHEN I GET THERE.

WE THEN REVIEW ALL THE SUBMITTED ITEMS TO ENSURE ALL THE NECESSARY OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT AND STAFF REVIEWS HAVE TAKEN PLACE TO INCLUDE WHERE REQUIRED BUDGET, THE AUDITOR PURCHASING IN SOME CASES, AS WELL AS THE DA'S OFFICE, AND IN SOME CASES OTHERS.

OUR OFFICE THEN PREPARES THE ACTUAL DRAFTED AGENDA.

WE REVIEW THAT WITH YOUR OFFICES AND PRIMARILY IN ORDER TO GAUGE IF THERE ARE FURTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED AND OR IF THERE ARE BIGGER QUESTIONS ABOUT

[03:05:01]

AN ITEM OR IT'S YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION THEN HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED.

ITEMS CAN ALSO BE REQUESTED TO BE DEFERRED.

IF AN ITEM IS SPONSORED BY A COURT MEMBER IS REQUESTED TO BE DEFERRED.

WHAT WE HAVE TYPICALLY DONE IN THE PAST IS REQUESTED THAT THAT'S SPONSORING COURT MEMBER OBTAIN THE SUPPORT OF A SECOND COURT MEMBER.

I'LL MAKE UP AN EXAMPLE.

MAYBE A COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

MAYBE ANOTHER COMMISSIONER WOULD PREFER THAT THAT ITEM BE DEFERRED.

WE'RE AT A STANDSTILL THERE.

THE SECOND FOR CONSIDERATION INDICATES TO STAFF THAT IF WE WERE STRICTLY FOLLOWING ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDERS IN AN OPEN MEETING, THAT ITEM WOULD RECEIVE BOTH A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES.

WE THEN ALSO MEET AND COORDINATE THE WORDING OF EACH CAPTION AND THE AGENDA AS A WHOLE.

ALSO RECEIVE WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THEN PLACES ITEMS AS NECESSARY ON EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE HE'S YOUR ATTORNEY.

THAT'S WHAT EXECUTIVE SESSION IS GENERALLY FOR DISCUSSION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR ATTORNEY.

FINALLY, WHEN IT'S POSTED, WE FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND POST TO THE REQUIRED PUBLIC PLACES.

MOVING AHEAD TO THE WORK SESSION PROCESS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PLACE.

WE TYPICALLY HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF WORK SESSIONS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

TRADITIONALLY, THEY TEND TO HAPPEN AROUND BUDGET TIME.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT BOTH UNDER THIS ITEM, AS WELL AS THE BUDGET ITEM.

BUT TYPICALLY A WORK SESSION AS DISTINGUISHED FROM A REGULAR COURT MEETING DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE ON A TUESDAY.

IT COULD BE A VERY LIMITED THEMATIC DISCUSSION OF A PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PARTICULAR ISSUES, BUT IT TYPICALLY WON'T LOOK LIKE A REGULAR COURT MEETING AGENDA.

ALSO, THERE'S THE CASE OF IF YOU'VE EVER HAD TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING WITH ANOTHER GOVERNING BODY AS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

OR IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY MEETING AS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, THAT WOULD BE WHAT WE WOULD CLASSIFY AS A WORK SESSION AS OPPOSED TO A REGULAR MEETING.

TYPICALLY, WE'VE TRIED TO HOLD THEM THE DAY AFTER YOUR FIRST TUESDAY MEETING OF THE MONTH.

TYPICALLY, WE TRIED TO KEEP THOSE WORK SESSION AGENDAS SHORT SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE MORE LENGTHY DISCUSSION OF THE TOPICS ON THEM.

WHEN THE COURT EXPRESSES A DESIRE TO HAVE ONE, WE OBVIOUSLY TRY AND COORDINATE WITH YOUR OFFICES TO MAKE SURE IF POSSIBLE ALL FIVE OF YOU ARE PRESENT, OR AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME.

WE'VE GOT A COURTROOM, WHICH IS TYPICALLY EASILY DONE.

NOW, WITH THE COURT'S PERMISSION, I JUST LIST SOME THINGS TO BEGIN YOUR DISCUSSION OF CHANGES THAT YOU ALL MIGHT WISH TO MAKE RECONSIDER.

ONE OF THEM IS TO ADJUST THE TIMEFRAME FOR COMPLETED AGENDA ITEMS FROM SIX BUSINESS DAYS TO 10.

WHAT WE HOPE THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO DO.

FIRST OF ALL, IF WE STRICTLY ENFORCE THE SIX BUSINESS DAYS, THAT WOULD BE A GREAT HELP.

THAT WOULD ALLOW US.

BUT A REAL GOAL HERE IS TO TRY AND MAKE SURE ALL YOUR OFFICES HAVE ACCESS TO NOT ONLY THE AGENDA, BUT THE BACKGROUND MATERIALS AS WELL, SIMULTANEOUSLY.

IF WE COULD ADJUST AND ENFORCE 10 BUSINESS DAYS, WE BELIEVE THAT COULD BE DONE.

I'M NOT SAYING YOU DON'T LIKE TALKING TO ME EVERY TWO WEEKS, BUT YOU WOULDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO.

YOU COULD PERHAPS JUST CALL AND SAY I'VE GOT A QUESTION ON ITEM 54 AND THEN I DON'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY BRIEF YOU ON THE WHOLE THING BECAUSE YOU COULD HAVE READ THE BACKGROUND FOR YOURSELF.

I'M HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU ANYWAY.

BUT THE IDEA IS TO GET YOU IN YOUR OFFICES THAT COMPLETED COURT PACKET AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE SO YOU CAN HAVE THE TIME WITH YOUR STABS TO SPEND WITH IT.

THAT'S ONE IDEA. ANOTHER IDEA IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING ALREADY IS GIVING YOU A FAIRLY USEFUL AGENDA FORECAST.

NOW, OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN'T FORECAST EVERYTHING.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE DO, BUT I'M SUGGESTING,

[03:10:01]

PARTICULARLY FOR SOME OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE A LONG PLANNING HORIZON, CAPITAL PROJECTS, BOTH IN FACILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS.

ALSO REGULARLY OCCURRING MOUS OR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COMPETE THIS FOR AN RFP AND WE KNOW IT AS STAFF, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A PLANNER TO BOTH THOMAS AND HIS TEAM, AS WELL AS YOUR OFFICES.

YOU GET A SENSE OF IN THE SPRING, I GOT THESE ITEMS COMING UP FOR CONSIDERATION.

BUDGET WOULD BE ANOTHER ONE THAT WOULD HAVE SOME CALENDAR DATES ASSOCIATED WITH IT, AND THOSE DATES WILL CHANGE DEPENDING ON WHAT THIS COURT DECIDES TO DO WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS ITSELF.

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER HAVING OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS DO THAT.

FINALLY, ONE SUGGESTION, BUT ALSO A COMPLAINT ABOUT IS, WHY ARE WE SO PAPER INTENSIVE? WHY CAN'T WE USE TECHNOLOGY TO BAIT TO A GREATER EXTENT? I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME IS SPENT WITH OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEIR CONTRACT IS.

IS IT IN PURCHASING, IS IT STUCK IN BUDGET? IS IT IN LEGAL? IF WE HAD A FULLY AUTOMATED, PAPERLESS AGENDA SYSTEM AND CONTRACT SYSTEM AS WELL, THEN THEIR OFFICE COULD JUST PLUG IN AND SAY, "OKAY, IT'S WITH LEGAL LARRY, WHAT'S GOING ON? IT'S BEEN THERE TWO WEEKS."

>> OR BUDGET.

>> OR BUDGET, ANY OF THE OFFICERS.

WE BELIEVE THAT TECHNOLOGY IS OUT THERE.

THE OTHER THING THAT I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT TO THOMAS FOR BRINGING THIS TO MY ATTENTION IS, AND THERE IS PROBABLY TECHNOLOGY THAT IT COULD ALLOW FOR THE TRANSLATION OF AGENDAS AND COURT BACKGROUND INTO SPANISH OR OTHER LANGUAGES.

NOW, THERE'S SOME REALLY STRANGE WORDING THAT GOES ON, ON GOVERNMENT ITEMS, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE SOMEONE'S FIGURED THIS OUT.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE'D PROPOSE IF WITH THE COURT'S DIRECTION, WE WOULD PROPOSE LOOKING AT AS WELL.

SHOULD THE COURT DECIDE TO HAVE PERIODIC SCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS, AND THIS WILL BE A DISCUSSION FOR YOU TO HAVE, THESE ARE SOME OF THE POTENTIAL THEMATIC TOPICS THAT MIGHT BE WORTHY OF A WORK SESSION LEVEL DISCUSSION AS OPPOSED TO TAKING AN HOUR OR MORE OUT OF YOUR REGULAR TUESDAY COURT MEETINGS.

WITH THAT, I'LL PAUSE IT THERE AND WE'LL GET IT.

>> LET ME START ON THE SECOND COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY QUESTION OR COMMENT?

>> REGARDING THE AGENDA I AGREE.

AS YOU GUYS KNOW, I'M SOMEONE WHO'S DONE AWAY WITH SOME OF THE PAPER STUFF AND I'M NOT TECHIE AT ALL, BUT I AGREE WE NEED TO UTILIZE MORE OF OUR TECHNOLOGY AND HAVE MORE AN ONLINE SYSTEM.

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MORE DISCUSSION DEPENDING ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO OR NOT.

>> JUDGE.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID.

THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE RELATED TO THE AGENDA THE TIMELINE IS, AND I'M ALL FOR GIVING STAFF MORE TIME TO GET THESE THINGS SQUARED AWAY.

IF WE WENT TO A 10 BUSINESS DAY TIMELINE, THEN ESSENTIALLY IF WE WANTED TODAY TO GET SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IT BUMPS IT UP PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY SQUEEZES THAT TIMELINE.

THE ONLY THING THAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT THAT IS SOMETIMES THINGS COME UP IN A COURT MEETING LIKE TODAY AND WE WANT TO GET SOMETHING ON FOR THE NEXT COURT MEETING, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THINK THAT THROUGH.

AGAIN, I THINK IT SOUNDED LIKE YOUR POINT WAS, IF WE WERE MORE STRICT ABOUT ADHERING TO THE SIX DAY, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL AS WELL.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PREFERENCE THOUGH IS GIVING MORE NOTICE THAN THE SIX DAYS.

>> AGAIN, TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS FOR COMPLETED AGENDA ITEMS, NOT A PLACEHOLDER, NOT A CAPTION, BUT THE COMPLETE BACKGROUND, THAT MEANS IF IT'S A CONTRACT, IT'S GONE THROUGH ALL THE APPROPRIATE REVIEWS.

IT HAS THE BUDGET ANALYSIS OR WHATEVER OTHER DEPARTMENT, AND YOU CAN READ THE AGENDA ITEM IN ITS ENTIRETY EXACTLY AS IT WOULD APPEAR AT YOUR TUESDAY MEETING.

IF IT HAPPENED 10 DAYS, WE AS STAFF BELIEVE YOUR OFFICES COULD GET ACCESS TO IT ALL OF YOU MORE THAN A WEEK PRIOR TO TUESDAY.

[03:15:04]

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT WILL CAUSE PEOPLE TO HAVE TO THINK AHEAD AS MUCH AS TWO MONTHS BECAUSE THE REVIEW PROCESS TAKES ITS OWN TIME.

>> OKAY. THEN THE OTHER FEEDBACK I WOULD GIVE YOU IS, I LIKE THE IDEA OF PERIODIC ASSESSMENTS, WORK SESSIONS, WHEREVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE NEED TO NECESSARILY CHANGE THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE OF HAVING STANDING MEETINGS, BUT I THINK AS NEEDED TYPE PROPOSAL, WE COULD MEET ON SPECIFIC TOPICS, WHATEVER WE DECIDE AS A COURT TO GET UPDATES ON SOME OF THESE THINGS.

THE ALTERNATIVE IS, I DON'T MIND FRANKLY IF, BECAUSE WE HAVE APPROVE THIS CALENDAR DURING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, WE ALREADY KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT TO BE HERE THE TWO TUESDAYS A MONTH.

IF ON AN OCCASIONAL BASIS, AGAIN, NOT STANDING BUT AS NEEDED, WE WANTED TO DO ONE OF THOSE UPDATES AT A REGULAR WORK SESSION THEN MAYBE WE DO, JUDGE, DO SOMETHING LIKE WE DID TODAY.

MAYBE WE'D TAKE A LONGER BREAK FOR LUNCH AND THEN WE'RE JUST HERE ALL DAY.

I JUST THINK I WOULD PREFER WE MAXIMIZE THE TIME WE SPEND TOGETHER ON THESE TUESDAYS AS OPPOSED TO SETTING UP SEPARATE DATES FOR THOSE THINGS.

THAT'S JUST MY PREFERENCE.

BUT I DO THINK THAT AS THE BUDGET NEARS, AND I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BUDGET IN A SECOND, MAYBE WE DO HAVE NEW COURT MEMBERS, I DO THINK MAYBE SOMETIME IN EARLY SUMMER WHEN YOU HAVE REVENUE ESTIMATES THAT ARE, I KNOW IT'S NOT PROBABLY SOLID INTO AUGUST REALLY, BUT AT LEAST BY JUNE OR SO, MAYBE SOME REVENUE ESTIMATES, MAYBE A BUDGET WORK SESSION IS IN ORDER JUST TO HAVE A DISCUSSION PRELIMINARILY ABOUT WHERE WE MIGHT LAND.

[OVERLAPPING]

>> WE'LL GET INTO THIS IN BUDGET, BUT IN TERMS OF THAT TIMING ON BUDGET, THE REAL REASON I WOULD SUGGEST THAT TIMING LIKE EARLY MAY IS BECAUSE WE WILL NOT RECEIVE OUR FIRST ESTIMATE OF APPRAISALS FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT UNTIL THE FINAL WEEK OF THIS MONTH AND SO REALLY I'M JUST SWAGGING IT TILL THAT POINT.

AT THAT POINT, REALLY BUDGET STAFF HAS LONG HISTORY OF, OKAY, IT STARTS HERE.

TRADITIONALLY WE LOSE 105 TO THIS.

I'LL JUST THROW OUT THERE FOR THIS YEAR AND NEXT, WE HAVE A WILD CARD, AND THAT IS THE 20% HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION YOU GUYS APPROVED, AND I'M NOT SURE HOW IT KICKS IN, WHEN IT KICKS IN BECAUSE IT'S NOT AVAILABLE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS AN INVESTMENT HOUSE.

IT'S ONLY AVAILABLE ON HOMESTEAD AND ANECDOTALLY, THERE'S A LOT OF HOMES BEING PURCHASED BY INVESTMENT FIRMS, PARTICULARLY OUT OF CALIFORNIA WHO WON'T BE ELIGIBLE, SO I DON'T KNOW.

>> OKAY. BUT THIS IS A GOOD OVERVIEW.

AGAIN, I THINK IT'S A GOOD DISCUSSION, JUDGE, AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.

DAVID, IF YOU DON'T MIND, I DON'T MIND BUGGING YOU EVERY DAY OR EVERY OTHER DAY, GO INTO YOUR OFFICE TO STAY IN COMMUNICATION.

BECAUSE I KNOW PART OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS JUST KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT IN A LOT OF WHAT WE DO AS WE DID TODAY ARE ROUTINE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE TO APPROVE EITHER STATUTORILY OR GRANT APPLICATIONS.

WE HAVE OR AT LEAST OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, UTILIZE THIS TIME TO GET A REPORT BACK FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS ON THOSE TOPICAL TYPE ITEMS.

>> IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO THAT WAY, COMMISSIONER, I.E, MAKE TUESDAYS LONGER PERIODICALLY, THEN THE ONLY THING I WOULD SUGGEST IS MAKING THAT EITHER HAVING TWO AGENDAS ON TUESDAY, I.E, A COURT MEETING AND THEN A WORK SESSION TO START.

[OVERLAPPING] THAT WAS SO EVERYONE ELSE WITH ROUTINE BUSINESS CAN GET THEIR JOB DONE.

>> YEAH. I THINK WE'RE ALL GOING TO CHIME IN ON THIS.

THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHT, JUST BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY BLOCKED OUT THESE DAYS.

AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THEY NEED TO BE STANDING EVERY TUESDAY OR EVEN ONCE A MONTH, BUT I WOULD JUST PREFER WE MAXIMIZE THESE DAYS WHEN WE CAN.

>> I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT, BECAUSE BEFORE COMMISSIONER MOODY AND JUDGE SAKAI HERE AND WE USED TO TALK ABOUT THIS DURING THE ARPA WORK SESSIONS THAT WE HAD.

THAT WAS ALSO MY SUGGESTION THAT I WOULD RATHER JUST STAY HERE LONGER DAY, LIKE YOU SAID, IN COMMISSIONERS COURT, THEN WE CAN ENTER IN A WORK SESSION FOR PEOPLE'S TIMING AND STUFF.

BECAUSE ALL OF OUR CALENDARS ARE VERY HECTIC.

WE ALL TRAVEL FOR WORK REASONS, POLITICAL REASONS, PERSONAL REASONS.

I WAS SHARING WITH JUDGE MOODY THAN I'M ALREADY HAVING SOME TROUBLE BECAUSE OF THE COMMISSIONER COURT DAYS THAT WE'VE ALREADY PASSED

[03:20:02]

FOR SOME SCHEDULING FOR SOME PERSONAL TRIPS THAT I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO BECAUSE OF THIS.

TO ADD MORE DATES ON OUR FIVE VERY HECTIC SCHEDULES ALREADY IS A BIT TROUBLESOME FOR ME.

IF WE DO HAVE WORK SESSIONS, I'D RATHER THEM BE THAT SAME DAY AS WELL TO GET IT DONE THAT ONE DAY.

>> WELL, I'LL START WITH WORK SESSIONS SINCE THAT WAS JUST BEEN DISCUSSED.

I'M ALSO PERFECTLY OKAY WITH IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THOSE MEETINGS, HAVING THEM ON A LONGER TUESDAY.

JUST ONCE WE'VE ALL COME TOGETHER, THAT MAKES SENSE THAT WE TRY TO DO THAT.

I DO THINK AS WE BRANCH OUT INTO THIS, JUST NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE TEST THE WATERS AND THAT WE SCOPE WHAT THE GOAL OF THOSE WORK SESSIONS ARE.

I'VE HEARD SUGGESTIONS IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME COMMITTED TO EACH COMMISSIONER TO VOICE THEIR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS OR BRING UP NEW ISSUES, AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE USING THAT TIME WISELY AND WE HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED OBJECTIVES FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

SO THIS WOULD BE MY ONLY THOUGHTS THERE, JUST BEING CAUTIOUS IN WHEN AND HOW WE'RE USING THOSE.

TO THE AGENDA POLICY I HAVE A FEW THINGS I WANT TO BRING UP.

[NOISE] I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SIX DAYS VERSUS 10.

I'LL SHARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT GOING TOO FAR BACK AND BEING LIMITING OUR ABILITY TO GET SOMETHING FROM ONE COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETINGS TO THE NEXT MEETING.

TO ME, JUST FROM MY FOUR MONTHS, I THINK THAT IT'S MORE AROUND THE STANDARDIZATION OF THE PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE'RE ALL PLAYING BY THE SAME RULES.

EVERYONE KNOWS WHEN THOSE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SUBMITTED IN THEIR FINAL FORM.

AS LONG AS WE'RE CLEAR ON THAT, I THINK I'M FINE WITH THAT.

TO THE IDEA ABOUT EMERGENCY ITEMS. WE CAN ALSO BUILD IN POTENTIALLY INSTEAD OF TWO SIGNATURES, IF YOU HAVE THREE OR FOUR SIGNATURES ON AN ITEM.

YOU'RE RIGHT. APOLOGIES. I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN OVERCOME THAT ISSUE RELATED TO [OVERLAPPING].

>> I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT BECAUSE JUDGE, I PROMISED TO YOU IN A PRIOR DISCUSSION YOU HAD THAT I WOULDN'T BE THE GET OFF MY LAWN GUY WHEN IT CAME TO NEW IDEAS.

BUT IN THE PAST, ONE OF THE REASONS WORK SESSIONS FADED AWAY WAS BECAUSE EMERGENCY ITEMS STARTED TO BECOME LATE ITEMS, THE COURTS MEETING.

BUT THAT BEING SAID, ORIGINALLY BOTH US AND THE CITY HAD A THREE SIGNATURE AND SIX SIGNATURE PROCESS AT THE CITY, WHICH WAS DEEMED TO VIOLATION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, AND AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE CITY HAD TO GO BACK IN ONE MEETING, RATIFY EVERY ACTION THEY HAD TAKEN UNDER THE SIX SIGNATURE PROCESS.

>> UNDERSTAND.

>> I WOULDN'T ADVISE DOING IT AGAIN, BUT I'LL DEFER TO YOUR LAWYER.

>> I ALSO THINK WHETHER IT'S AT THAT SIX DAY POINT, IF YOU'RE SENDING OUT AN EMAIL UPDATE OR AS THE PROCESS GOES ALONG, WHENEVER AN AGENDA ITEM IS SUBMITTED, THAT IS NON-STANDARD, AN UPDATE GOES OUT TO THE COURT OR WHENEVER SOMEONE'S ASKED TO DEFER AN ITEM AND PULL IT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF TIMES I DON'T HAVE THAT COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT UNDERSTANDING LIKE WHAT ITEMS ARE BEING PUSHED FORWARD, AND SO WE SIT DOWN FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE COURT MEETING.

BEING TRANSPARENT AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT INFORMATION GOES OUT TO THE COURT AS SOON AS COUNTY STAFF ARE AWARE OF IT, AND THEN IF WE NEED TO HAVE OTHER CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR COLLEAGUES OR WITH COUNTY STAFF, THEN WE COULD START PLANNING FOR THAT EARLIER, IF WE'RE AWARE ABOUT WHAT THOSE ITEMS ARE.

ONE THING THAT I HAD SUGGESTED AND WE TALKED ABOUT DAVID IN TERMS OF CONTRACT ITEMS, AS WE HAVE LOTS OF CONTRACTS, CONTRACT RENEWALS THAT COME UP, AND ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT I HAD MADE WAS FOR ALL THOSE CONTRACTS, IDENTIFYING WHEN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT STARTED, HOW IT WAS SOURCED, AND HOW MANY RENEWALS HAS THE CONTRACT BEEN THROUGH.

[03:25:02]

BECAUSE PERSONALLY, FOR ME, THAT'S A SCREENING ITEM FOR ANY RENEWAL.

I MEAN, THERE'S SOME ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN RENEWED A DOZEN TIMES, AND SO TO ME THAT'S A RED FLAG THAT WOULD HELP ME AND MY STAFF UNDERSTAND, WELL, IT'S PROBABLY TIME FOR US TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THERE'S OTHER VENDORS THAT COULD FULFILL THIS GOING FORWARD.

>> YES. WE CAN CERTAINLY ASK THE OFFICES TO PROVIDE THAT.

MAYBE EVEN INCORPORATED INTO THE BODY OF THE AGENDA COORDINATION FORM, BECAUSE THERE'LL BE A STANDARD REQUEST.

ONE AREA IN PARTICULAR, AND I DON'T WANT TO OPEN UP A CAN OF WORMS, JUDGE, BUT IS IN SOME OF THE PROFESSIONAL, LIKE THERAPEUTIC SERVICES THAT ARE ACQUIRED BY THE JUDICIARY, THEY'RE EXEMPT TO STANDARD PROCUREMENT PROCESS, SO IT WOULD BE, I THINK, BENEFICIAL TO THE COURT AND PERHAPS SOME OF THE COURTS EVEN IF THEY SAW AT LEAST PERIODICALLY A REPORT ON THE VENDORS PERFORMANCE AND SOMETHING.

BUT MAYBE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW WE OWE YOU A PROCUREMENT DISCUSSION AS WELL.

BUT THAT CAN BE INCORPORATED.

WHEN WAS THIS AWARDED? HOW OFTEN HAS IT BEEN RENEWED OR RECOMPUTED?

>> JUST THE LAST THING, THIS WAS BROUGHT UP BY MY STAFF, BUT IN TERMS OF SEARCHABLE PDFS, AND MAYBE THAT ALSO INVOLVES ADOBE PRO, BUT BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE A SEARCHABLE PDF WITH AGENDA ITEMS SO WE CAN IMPROVE THE WORKLOAD THERE AS WE'RE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH AGENDAS.

>> I KNOW WE CAN ON BACK, RIGHT?

>> YES. SOME OF THE BACKUP IS SEARCHABLE, BUT IT MIGHT BE THE CONTRACTS PIECE SET WE DON'T OWN, SO WE CAN WORK THROUGH THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER CALVIN?

>> JUDGE, I THINK THAT THE WORK SESSION PROCESS CAN HELP US DEVELOP BETTER POLICY AND CONSENSUS AMONG EACH OTHER.

IT SHOULD PARTICULARLY BE USED WHEN THERE IS AN OBJECTION OR A BLOCK.

ALLOW THE COURT TO TALK IT THROUGH.

I MEAN, SOMETIMES YOU CAN TALK TO YOUR COLLEAGUE AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T.

IF YOU'VE ALREADY TALKED TO A COLLEAGUE ABOUT A PARTICULAR ISSUE AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE OR TWO THAT HAS A CONCERN, IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE NOT TO VIOLATE THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND DISCUSS THAT PARTICULAR ISSUES.

I SAY TO THE COURT THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PART.

IF MEMBERS ARE SAYING WE DON'T WANT THIS THEN, OKAY, LET'S HAVE IT IN A WORK SESSION AND LET'S TALK IT THROUGH.

OF COURSE, WORK SESSIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT OVERALL FOR NOT HAVING SILOED INFORMATION AND MAKING SURE THAT THE BRIEFS OF THE STAFF ARE CONSISTENT AMONGST ALL OF US.

THERE ARE MANY ITEMS THAT CAN BE BRIEFED IN WHOLE AS A COURT FOR US TO HEAR TOGETHER AND THE COURT CAN HEAR EACH OTHER'S QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS AND HOT BUTTONS AND ALL OTHER WAYS THEY LOOK AT IT.

THEN AGAIN, CONSENSUS CAN BE FORMED, BETTER POLICY CAN BE FORMED.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING.

I THINK WE DON'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY REINVENT THAT WHEEL IF WE LOOK TO SOME OF OUR OTHER BIG URBAN COUNTIES AND HOW THEY USE WORK SESSIONS.

THEY HAVE A VERY REGULAR WORK SESSION SO THAT THE MEETINGS ARE NOT ANTAGONISTIC SO THAT THERE'S NO MISUNDERSTANDING, SO THAT THERE'S BETTER POLICY.

I THINK THAT HAPPENS WITH COMMISSIONERS.

THERE'S EXAMPLES AROUND THE STATE AND I THINK THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT TO UTILIZE FOR THE COURT.

I'M OKAY WITH THE SAME DAY.

I JUST THINK SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST MAYBE REALLY WORN OUT BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF STAMINA, BUT THESE MEETINGS CAN WEAR YOU OUT.

I DO WORRY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR SHARPNESS FOR OUR WORK SESSION AFTER FINISHING A SIX HOUR MEETING, BUT I'M FLEXIBLE.

I ALWAYS SAY I HAVE NO BETTER PLACE TO BE THAN HERE TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUE.

>> JUDGE SAKAI AND I WILL REMEMBER WHEN JUDGE CRYER WAS RUNNING THAT. [OVERLAPPING]

>> YOU'RE GOING BACK IN TIME.

>> THE SUN WOULD HAVE SET BEFORE YOU ENDED YOUR DAY MANY TIMES.

>> THE MEETING WITH JUDGE CRYER ARE ALL BORING.

SHE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

>> I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS.

BUT THAT'S WHY I WAS THINKING MAYBE A SEPARATE DAY.

WE CAN PLAY IT. IT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE AGENDA.

HOW MANY WORK SESSION ITEMS ARE ON THAT AGENDA? HOW MEDIA IS THE CONTENT? I THINK WE CAN PLAY IT ON BOTH SIDES AND DO IT WITH DISCRETION.

THAT'S MY THOUGHT ON THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

>> WELL, I WASN'T, BUT SINCE YOU ASKED ME,

[03:30:02]

[LAUGHTER] THESE DAYS ARE VERY DRAINING PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY FOR ME PERSONALLY.

THAT'S WHY I LIKE TO STICK WITH IT JUST ONE DAY, BECAUSE TO ADD ANOTHER DAY IS STRESSFUL FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

I'M THE FIRST ONE TO SAY THAT I LOVE BEING COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER COURT DAYS IS MY LEAST FAVORITE DAY.

>> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER MORNY, COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> I'LL WAIT, JUDGE UNTIL DAVID MAKES HIS SECOND POWERPOINT.

>> LET ME CHIME IN OBVIOUSLY, I HAVE STARTED THIS CONVERSATION.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO DAVID SMITH.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO HIS BUDGET OFFICE FOR EMBRACING THIS DISCUSSION, AND COMING BACK, TWO WEEKS AGO YOU DID THIS IN TWO WEEKS OF PUTTING SOMETHING TOGETHER.

QUITE FRANKLY, I WAS CURIOUS TO SEE HOW IT WAS GOING TO BE PRESENTED.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE START OF A CONVERSATION.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR VOTING FOR IT AND I BELIEVE THIS DISCUSSION IS HEALTHY.

THIS DISCUSSION IS WHAT'S NEEDED TO BE TRANSPARENT AND OPEN.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE MAY NOT ALL AGREE AS TO FORM WHETHER IT'S A MEETING ONE DAY, TWO DAYS, I WILL DEFER AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN HAVE THE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF WHATEVER WE DO.

BUT I'M WILLING TO DO WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THIS COURT.

I AS COUNTY JUDGE, DOES NOT WANT TO DICTATE WHAT TRANSPARENCY, OR WHAT TIMELINESS, OR WHAT OPENNESS LOOKS LIKE.

IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT THE COURT BY MAJORITY APPROVAL WANT THAT TO BE.

I WANT EACH COMMISSIONER TO STANDARD THE GRAVITY OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE INPUT TO THE COUNTY BUDGET TO MR. SMITH.

MR. SMITH, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO SORT THROUGH THAT.

LET ME MAKE SOME COMMENTS ON WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

I APPRECIATE AGAIN, THE FEEDBACK YOU'VE GIVEN US.

I THINK THE KEY THINGS I'VE HEARD IN REGARDS TO THE AGENDA AND WORK SESSION ARE TIMELINESS, TRANSPARENCY, PRETTY MUCH.

MY COMMENTS ON TIMELINESS SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND I'M REALLY TALKING TO THE PUBLIC NOW.

OFTEN WE HAVE GOTTEN THE AGENDA SINCE I'VE STARTED THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AND WE GET THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS AS LATE AS 5:00 PM ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT LEAVING ON THE WEEKEND AND MONDAY TO FULLY DIGEST THIS INFORMATION AND LIMITED TIME TO ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS FOR THE ITEMS BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE RULE WAS SIX DAYS, BUT APPARENTLY OVER TIME THAT PRACTICE AND POLICY, WHICH LEADS TO CHAOTIC, AND OBVIOUSLY, I THINK THE CURRENT COURT HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE LAST-MINUTE FOLLOW-UP.

I UNDERSTAND THAT COMMISSIONERS GET A BRIEFING IN ADVANCE, USUALLY THE TUESDAY BEFORE THE MEETING, BUT WE OFTEN DON'T GET THE BACKUP DOCUMENTS UNTIL THE FRIDAY BEFORE.

MY QUESTION TO YOU IN REGARDS TO TIMELINESS, THIS ALSO NOT IS THE BUDGET OFFICE, THIS REGARDS TO ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, WHICH MEANS THESE POWERPOINTS DON'T BRING THEM TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AND HAVE US READ IT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I DON'T MEAN ANYTHING AND I CAN HEAR IT WITH PUSHBACK ON US WHEN COUNTY BUDGET, I WANT THESE DEPARTMENTS TO GET BETTER TRAINED IN POWERPOINT.

I HATE TO BE READ THE ENTIRE POWERPOINT.

I WANT A BRIEF SUMMARY, I WANT BULLET POINTS, I WANT YOU TO MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.

UNFORTUNATELY OR FORTUNATELY, OCCASIONALLY THESE POWERPOINTS HAS BECOME A REVIEW OF THE LAW OR REVIEW OF THE ISSUE, AND I REALLY WANT TO ASK YOU AS YOU'VE HEARD, I'LL DRILL DOWN, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S ON ISSUES THAT I HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING ON.

THAT'S WHAT I MEAN. NOW, WHATEVER IS CONFIDENTIAL, EVEN POLITICALLY SENSITIVE, I UNDERSTAND, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BECAUSE EASILY THIS INFORMATION COULD BE POSTED AND THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE IT.

I THINK IT WOULD HELP THE PUBLIC TO SAY, "OH, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING ON THE HOMELESS COURT GRANT." IF ANYBODY HAS GOT CRITICISM, WELL, WILL TELL ME WHY IS THAT A WASTE OF MONEY.

I GOT ANOTHER ONE, A JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM.

I'LL FIGHT TO DEFEND THESE PROGRAMS, BUT I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS PASSED IN REGARDS TO THOREAU'S THOUGHTS.

[03:35:01]

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, AND SO THAT THE COUNTY, INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENTS, ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REALIZE EVERYBODY'S GOT TO STEP UP THEIR GAME.

YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS MAY NEED TRAINING AND TO HELP UNDERSTAND THINGS WERE PERHAPS DONE AT THE LAST MINUTE BUT NO MORE.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED THIS SUPPORT.

WE JUST GOT TO PASS IT OFF.

IN OTHER WORDS, EVERYBODY DOESN'T GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT AT THAT TIME.

THEY HAVEN'T DONE THE BACKUP, THEN TELL US WHEN IT'S READY, WE'LL PUT YOU.

THIS MAY ALSO HELP.

THIS MAY MAKE US, AND ESPECIALLY US INDIVIDUALS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ISSUES WE CAN'T AND WE JUST CAN'T PUT IT ON AT THE LAST MINUTE.

I'M REALLY TALKING TO MY COLLEAGUES HERE ON THE DICE.

WE MAY WELL HAVE TO SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'LL TAKE THAT ISSUE UP A MONTH, TWO MONTHS FROM NOW." NOT JUST ALWAYS USE A CRISIS MANAGEMENT TO SAY, "WELL, WE JUST GOT TO GET THESE ISSUES DONE." NOW SOMETIMES THINGS ARE TIME-SENSITIVE, WE GOT GRANTS THAT WE GOT TO GET IN, BUT I'LL BE REAL BLOOD.

WE SHOULD NOT BE GETTING HIT WITH THESE 2.5 MILLION GRANTS OR WHATEVER WE'RE ASKING FOR AT THE LAST MINUTE.

I'M TALKING TO THE CHOIR.

IN REGARDS TO TRANSPARENCY, THE REASON WHY IS THESE BACKUP DOCUMENTS ARE CRUCIAL TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEHIND THE BOILERPLATE FOR SOME OF THE ITEMS. HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC HAS LIMITED IF NO ACCESS TO THESE DOCUMENTS TO THE MEETING AND I'LL BE HONEST, I JUST GOT THIS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE PUBLIC GETS THESE NICE POWERPOINTS THAT WE GOT.

YEAH, WE ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS IN OUR PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION.

I REALLY WANT THESE DOCUMENTS, UNLESS THEY'RE SENSITIVE OR CONFIDENTIAL, TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

IF WE MAKE THEM, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT AVAILABLE IN SPANISH SINCE WE HAVE A MAJORITY HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU NEED, DAVID, IN ORDER TO GET THIS AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS NEED IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THIS TRANSPARENCY.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT, DID YOU HAVE?

>> I JUST WANT TO ECHO AND THANK YOU FOR THE LAST COMMENTS ABOUT THE PAPERWORK COMING IN AT THE LAST MINUTE.

I DO THINK WE NEED THESE PRESENTATIONS EARLIER AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS THESE PRESENTATIONS TO DIGEST EARLIER.

I THINK THAT IS AGAIN, PROBABLY WHY THE COURT NEEDS MORE REGULAR MEETING.

NOW, I DIDN'T INFORM THE COURT THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS THE WORK SESSIONS CAN WORK, INCLUDING REMOTELY.

THERE ARE RULES UNDER TEXAS LAW ABOUT THAT.

WE MAY HAVE TO REGISTER WHERE WE'RE AT WHEN WE DO THESE REMOTELY.

IN THE PAST, WE HEARD THE COMMISSIONER HAVE A TELEVISION SCREEN IN THE CHAIR WHERE THEY WERE SO THAT THEIR COMMENTS COULD BE BROADCAST TO THEIR MEMBERS.

I'VE DONE ONE WHEN I WAS OVERSEAS AND MY VOICE CAME OVER [LAUGHTER] THE SPEAKERS ABOVE.

YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO NECESSARILY BE PRESENT OR ATTEND.

IT'S A WORK SESSION AND YOU'RE NOT PENALIZED FOR SKIPPING THAT WORK SESSION IF YOU FEEL THAT THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT YOU'RE SETTLED ON, THAT YOU DON'T REALLY NEED A BRIEFING ON, YOU CAN WATCH IT LATER BECAUSE IT'S RECORDED.

THAT'S AN OPTION AND THERE'S STILL TIME BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING TO TALK TO YOUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT WHAT YOU SAW IN THE WORK SESSION.

I'M NOT SURE IF THEY EVEN HAD TO HAVE A QUORUM.

IT DEPENDS ON IF YOU'RE VOTING ON SOMETHING AS OPPOSED TO AN UPDATE, AN UPDATE YOU DON'T NEED THE QUORUM.

BUT I THINK LARRY, IS IT BASICALLY RIGHT IF IT'S JUST AN UPDATE OR THE ISSUE BRIEF?

>> YEAH.

>> COMMISSIONER, SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT HAS VERY STRICT REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC MEETINGS.

IN FACT, ONE OF THOSE IS THE COUNTY JUDGE ACTUALLY HAS TO BE HERE.

YOU'RE RIGHT IF A QUORUM ISN'T PRESENT, YOU CAN GET AN UPDATE BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE ANY ACTION ON POSTED ITEMS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS TO WALK THROUGH.

BY THE WAY, IF YOU'LL PERMIT ME A MOMENT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE HAS WORKED WITH MY OFFICE ABOUT IS THE LITIGATION SIDE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF LITIGATION.

IN FACT, THERE'S ONE ON THE AGENDA.

WE GOT A JURY VERDICT ON FRIDAY AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS.

THAT PART OF THE AGENDA, WE TYPICALLY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO IT IN ADVANCE AND THE COUNTY MANAGER HAS WORKED WITH ME ON THAT.

I USUALLY BRIEF HIM ON IT AND HE'S AWARE BUT USUALLY, IT'S RIGHT AT THE TIME THAT WE NEED TO POST.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS OUT.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LEGAL ISSUES THAT IMPACT THIS WHOLE PROCESS, WHICH I'D BE GLAD TO REVIEW ONCE YOU GET IT FIRMED UP.

>> COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

>> YEAH, I JUST WANT TO COMMENT AGAIN ON WORK SESSIONS, SO I THOUGHT THE POINT OF DISCUSSING THIS SO THAT WE CAN BE TOGETHER TO DISCUSS FURTHER.

[03:40:01]

IF WE SAY, "WELL, LOOK, JUST ADD MORE WORK SESSIONS AND IF IT DOESN'T FIT FOR YOUR CALENDAR, YOU DON'T NEED TO BE HERE OR IF YOU'RE REMOTE." IF I'M IN A CERTAIN PART OF MEXICO AND IT'S HARD FOR ME TO HAVE CERTAIN INTERNET SERVICE, I DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT.

AGAIN, I WOULD ENCOURAGE US NOT TO ADD MORE DAYS AND I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR WHAT I SAID EARLIER.

I LOVE BEING A COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN THE FACT THAT I'M WORKING IN PRECINCT 1 WITH MY CONSTITUENTS IN FIGHTING FOR CHANGE IN ADVOCATING FOR A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE NEED IN GETTING THINGS DONE.

WHEN I SAY THESE DAYS, I'M TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT OUR DAYS WHEN WE'RE TOGETHER ON COMMISSIONER COURT DATES.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF POLITICAL GAMING AND IT'S VERY DRAINING EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY FOR ME.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR.

SO NO ONE LATER WILL TRY AND TWIST WHAT I'M SAYING.

>> DAVID, IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE YOUR PRESENTATION.

>> WITH THAT AND JUST TO LEVEL SET, JUDGE, I'LL RECEIVE INPUT FROM THE COURT AT SOME POINT, CIRCLED BACK AROUND, AND SEE WHERE IT APPEARS THERE'S A CONSENSUS FOR PROCESS AND POLICY CHANGE.

BUT IN MY HEAD, THIS EVENTUALLY ENDS UP IN A PROPOSED NEW PROCESS AND POLICY ON MAY 31ST AS YOU ASKED FOR.

IS THAT HOW YOU SEE IT?

>> CAN YOU BE CLEAR WHAT'S THE PROCESS OF POLICY CHANGE EXACTLY?

>> OKAY.

>> IT IS THE AGENDA AND WORK SESSION POLICY.

MY NEXT STEP IS WE'LL START WORKING ON SOME OF THIS, BUT I'M AWAITING INPUT FROM YOUR OFFICES.

JUST LIKE [OVERLAPPING] I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

BUT IF YOU'VE GOT MORE INPUT, WE'RE GOING TO WAIT.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE DON'T HAVE A POWERPOINT IN ADVANCE, WE MIGHT JUST CALL A POINT OF ORDER ON IT AND JUST SAY IT'S OUT OF ORDER BECAUSE IT HASN'T HAD THE OPEN MEETINGS STAMP OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT BUT IN AN EVENT.

>> IT WOULD NOT BE A COMPLETED AGENDA ITEM.

IT DIDN'T MEET THE DEADLINE.

YEAH.

DID YOU WANT TO START?

>> NO.

WE'VE ALREADY DELAYED THE KICKOFF OF THE BUDGET PROCESS WITH OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS MEETING.

IF YOU COULD PRIORITIZE ANYTHING OUT OF WHAT I'M SAYING, IT WOULD BE THIS WHAT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU I'M PROPOSING TO DO BEFORE I GET INTO THIS AS I'M PROPOSING AFTER THIS MEETING.

DEPENDING ON THE INPUT I GET HERE TODAY, IS TO TELL THE BUDGET OFFICE TO GO AHEAD, SEND OUT A NOTIFICATION TO DEPARTMENTS TO BEGIN TO WORK, TO DEVELOP THEIR REQUESTS.

THE COURT MAY WELL WANT TO ADD BRIEFINGS, WORK SESSIONS, BUT AT LEAST THE DEPARTMENTS NEED TO GET STARTED, BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE WILL END UP BEING LATE.

MY SENSE IS THIS COURT WILL WANT MORE INFORMATION EARLIER.

THE EARLIER THEY GET STARTED, THE MORE INFORMATION WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET YOU.

FIRST OF ALL, THIS WILL ALSO, IT TALKS ABOUT FINANCIAL POLICIES.

THERE YOU'VE ADOPTED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT POLICY VIEW.

COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS ADOPTED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT POLICIES OVER THE YEARS.

A STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POLICIES BACK IN 2016, DEBT MANAGEMENT POLICY, A VEHICLE POLICY, AND AN INVESTMENT POLICY.

I'LL TELL YOU MOST OF THESE ARE FAIRLY STANDARD AND ROUTINE.

YOUR DEBT MANAGEMENT FOLLOWS BEST PRACTICES, BUT WE'LL BE HAPPY TO OPEN THAT TO REVIEW.

INVESTMENT POLICY STRICTLY FOLLOWS THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT AND IT GETS UPDATED AFTER EVERY LEGISLATURE TO REFLECT ANY CHANGES.

THE VEHICLE POLICY SEEMS PRETTY WELL STANDARDIZED AND IN PLACE, BUT THE ONE CHAIN, THERE ARE SEVERAL CHANGES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POLICIES THAT I'M GOING TO SUGGEST YOU AT LEAST CONSIDER IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY.

WE'LL GET TO THOSE IN A MINUTE.

WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE KEY DATES.

THE FIRST REAL LOOK AT APPRAISED VALUES THAT WE WILL GET IS JULY 25TH.

WELL, THAT FACT LEADS TO A VERY COMPRESSED NEXT SIX WEEKS FOR BOTH YOU DEPARTMENTS AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET.

THE AUDITOR WILL HAVE THEIR FIRST REAL PICTURE.

AS YOU KNOW, FOR OUR OPERATING FUNDS, 66 PERCENT OR PROPERTY TAX RELATED.

[03:45:04]

HE, IN THIS CASE, WE WILL HAVE HIS FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO START TO FORMULATE REALISTIC REVENUE ESTIMATES, BUT THAT WON'T BE THE LAST ONE.

HE WILL ITERATIVELY UPDATE THOSE ESTIMATES.

SOMETIMES RIGHT UP UNTIL INTO INCLUDING THE WEEKEND BEFORE BUDGET.

IN SOME CASES, THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

THE TAX ASSESSOR THEN HAS TO CALCULATE.

THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO DATE MYSELF WHAT I WOULD CALL THE ROLLBACK RATE AND THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE, THE NEW NOMENCLATURE AS THE NO NEW REVENUE.

THE VOTER APPROVED SALES TAX RATE.

HE HAS TO HE HAS TO HAVE THOSE APPRAISALS TO MAKE THIS CALCULATION.

YOU CAN'T DO MUCH IN TERMS OF SPEEDING UP ADOPTION WITHOUT THOSE.

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE IS AND YOU LAUNCH OFF AND START SPENDING MONEY, YOU MAY HAVE TO CLAW IT BACK OR FACE THE PROSPECT OF A FOREST ELECTION TO THE VOTERS.

I FREELY ADMIT, THIS IS MY FIRST BUDGET WITH THIS COURT.

BUT IN 25 YEARS, I'VE NEVER SEEN A COMMISSIONERS COURT WANT TO GO TO THE VOTERS WITH A ROLLBACK RATE ELECTION, SO WE TRY AS STAFF TO AVOID THAT.

FINALLY, BASED ON THOSE TWO DATES, AS SOON MID TO THIRD WEEK IN AUGUST, WE TRY AND PRESENT TO YOU ALL WHAT I'M STATUTORILY REQUIRED TO PRESENT AS THE COUNTY'S BUDGET OFFICER IS MY RECOMMENDED BUDGET.

IT'S REQUIRED TO BALANCE WITH THE REVENUES AND CERTIFIED BY THE AUDITOR.

BUT THAT'S THE HEART AND GUTS, THE BUDGET PROCESS.

BUT THERE ARE THINGS GOING ON ALL YEAR PRETTY MUCH FOR THE BUDGET TEAM.

AS SOON AS THEY'VE GOT THE ACTUAL DOCUMENT UPLOADED, THEY MIGHT GET TIME TO TAKE THEIR SCHEDULED VACATION, BUT IT'S RIGHT BACK TO THE GRINDSTONE DEALING WITH ISSUES.

BY JANUARY THEY'RE GOING TO BE KNEE DEEP IN IT BECAUSE THERE'LL BE PREPARING FIRST-QUARTER ESTIMATES 33 MONTHS LATER SECOND QUARTER ESTIMATES.

IT'S REALLY THE SECOND QUARTER ESTIMATES THAT START TO REALLY DRIVE OUR LOOK.

BECAUSE AFTER THE SECOND QUARTER ESTIMATES, WE CAN START TO PREPARE A MEANINGFUL LONG-RANGE FORECAST.

FOR INSTANCE, SO WHY DID YOU DO THAT, DAVID? I DO IT, SO I KNOW THAT EVEN IF WE HAVE THE MONEY FOR THIS BUDGET YEAR THAT I'M RECOMMENDING YOU APPROPRIATE IS IT SUSTAINABLE? GIVEN REASONABLE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ASSUMPTIONS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

FOR INSTANCE, WE KNOW THAT BEGINNING FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, IN THE FOURTH YEAR, I THINK YOUR ARPA FUNDING EXPIRES OR WILL BE SPENT IF NOT, BEFORE THEN.

WE BELIEVE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS THE COURT USED ARPA FUNDING TO INITIATE THAT.

IF SUCCESSFUL, YOU WILL WANT TO CONTINUE.

IF I WERE SHOWING YOU A FORECAST IN ANOTHER COUPLE OF MONTHS, I WOULD SAY IN THE OUT HERE AS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT YOU AS A COURT WANT TO SAY WILL HAPPEN TO THESE PROGRAMS IF THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL.

WE NEED TO THINK AHEAD BECAUSE YOU MAY NEED TO LEAVE SOME MONEY ON THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TABLE SO THAT IT CAN COMPOUND OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

THAT'S THE THING WE DO IT FOR.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S THE QUOTIDIAN WORK THAT THE BUDGET OFFICE DOES FOR PHYSICAL NOTES AND OTHER THINGS.

I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE THAT.

IT'S A LARGE BURDEN ON THEM ON A DAILY BASIS, BUT THAT'S JUST THE JOB.

WE EXPECT THEM TO DO IT.

YOU KNOW THAT THEY LOOK AT ALL CONTRACTS.

WE CERTAINLY RECEIVE PLENTY OF OUT OF CYCLE BUDGET REQUEST, PARTICULARLY RELATED TO PERSONNEL HIRING ABOVE MINIMUM.

THIS PERSON, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO BUDGET AND HR, LOOK AT PERSONNEL RELATED REQUEST, PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION.

>> MAKE A NOTE ON THE HR SIDE, IT'S NOT THE ONLY THERE'S MANY OUT OF BUDGET CYCLE REQUESTS, BUT ONE OF THE POLICIES WE MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT IN THIS COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT ENVIRONMENT IS IN OUR OFFICES.

WE STILL HAVE THE RANGE AND MIDPOINT, BUT I'M HEARING DEPARTMENT HEADS NEED SOME ABILITY TO BE NIMBLE ABOUT OFFERS.

WE MAY NEED TO LOOK AT HOW DO WE BUDGET IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYBODY IS REALLY SHARP SHOOTING AND POACHING PERSONNEL FROM EACH OTHER AND GIVING OUR DEPARTMENTS THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE WITHIN A RANGE.

>> YES, SIR. WE ACTUALLY PRIOR TO THE FINANCIAL CRASH IN 2008, WHATEVER THEY'RE CALLING THE GREAT RECESSION.

PRIOR TO THAT, WE HAD A POLICY IN PLACE THAT ALLOWED DEPARTMENTS WITH HR APPROVAL TO MAKE

[03:50:04]

AN OFFER UP TO 25 PERCENT OF THE PAY RANGE BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS OF THE APPLICANT.

BUT GET OFF YOUR LAWN GUY AGAIN.

BUT WHAT STARTED TO HAPPEN WAS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO ALSO GET A CERTIFIED THAT IF THEY DID HIGHER ABOVE, IT WOULDN'T CREATE A BUDGET OVERRUN IN FUTURE YEARS.

IN OTHER WORDS, JUST BECAUSE THIS POSITION WAS VACANT SIX MONTHS, THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN GO OUT AND HIRE SOMEONE 25 PERCENT BECAUSE NEXT YEAR IT'LL BE A WHOLE YEAR OF THAT ADDITIONAL COST.

WELL, PRETTY MUCH THAT FOR WHATEVER REASONS STOPPED HAPPENING AND THEN THE FINANCIAL CRASH, ALL THOSE FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY POLICIES WENT AWAY.

BUT YES, IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THE COURT WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT, WORKING WITH OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS.

>> ANY CARDS, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES?

>> COMMENT ON THE BUDGET PROCESS ALREADY?

>> YEAH.

>> SURE. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK DAVID SMITH, TINA, THE BUDGET STUFF BECAUSE.

>> IT'S THEM. I'M JUST STANDING HERE.

[LAUGHTER]

>> BECAUSE WE AS A COUNTY, HAVE A AAA RATING, WHICH SAYS A LOT ABOUT HOW YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN MANAGING OUR FINANCES.

WE CAN SIT UP HERE AS THE COMMISSIONERS AND HAVE THESE VISIONARY IDEAS.

BUT YOU GUYS ARE REALLY THE ONES THAT GET THAT DONE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO.

THIS IS BASICALLY OUR BUDGET TEAM.

LIKE WE DON'T HAVE AN ARMY OF NUMBER PEOPLE CRUNCHING NUMBERS.

WE HAVE A VERY SMALL BUDGET TEAM FOR A REALLY LARGE BUDGET.

I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND AN OBVIOUSLY, I'VE ONLY GONE THROUGH TO BUDGET CYCLES. THIS WILL BE MY THIRD.

JUDGE SAKAI, EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE BEEN HERE AS A JUDGE, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE ON THIS SIDE OF IT.

JUDGE MOODY, I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND BECAUSE DAVID HAS SAID THAT WE ARE READY BEHIND AND I DON T THINK WE NEED TO PUT MORE ADDED STRESS ON OUR BUDGET STAFF TO BE MAKING CHANGES WHEN WE'RE ALREADY BEHIND.

I'D LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT WE SEE HOW THIS FIRST-YEAR GOALS WITH THE NEW COURT.

AS WE SEE DIFFERENT CHANGES, WE START TO IMPLEMENT.

BECAUSE IF WE START MAKING ALL THESE CHANGES RIGHT NOW, IT DOES NOTHING BUT STRESS OUT STAFF AND CREATE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CHAOS.

DEPENDING ON WHAT THE CHANGES ARE, I'D LIKE TO SEE US GO THROUGH THIS CYCLE AS WE SEE CHANGES AND MAKE SURE WE IMPLEMENT THOSE AND WE CAN PASS ALL THOSE RIGHT AFTER WE PASS THE BUDGET.

THE FIRST COURT DATE IN OCTOBER.

I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE CONSIDERATE OF OUR BUDGET STAFF BECAUSE IT IS A SMALL TEAM WHO APPARENTLY ARE ALREADY BEHIND ON HOW, WHERE, WHATEVER THE TIMELINE IS, THE TIME FRAME FOR WHAT WE GET DONE.

I JUST THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> IT IS A SMALL TEAM, THEIR BUDGET PEOPLE AND THEY UNDERSTAND EFFICIENCY, AND THAT'S THEIR JOB AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB.

ANYWAY, COULDN'T BE DONE WITHOUT THEM. THANKS.

>> I KNOW YOU HADN'T FINISHED.

[OVERLAPPING] BUT I'M PARTICULARLY INTERESTED DAVID IN YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT IF YOU WANT TO HIT SOME HIGHLIGHTS.

>> I HEAR YOU. I JUST TALKED ABOUT THE LONG-RANGE FINANCIAL FORECAST AND ITS IMPORTANCE.

WE ALSO DO THAT WITH DEBT SERVICE FUNDS, BY THE WAY.

BUT WE GO OUT 20 YEARS ON THAT FORECAST BECAUSE OF THE LONG LIVED NATURE OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS.

BUDGET KICKOFF AS WHAT WERE LAID ON ALREADY.

THESE ARE THE STANDARDS WE CALL THEM SCHEDULES.

THEY'RE FORMS YOU FILL OUT FOR VARIOUS PARTS OF YOUR BUDGET REQUEST. NOT SHOCKINGLY.

FOR INSTANCE, SCHEDULE C IS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REQUEST.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES ARE A CRITICAL PART BECAUSE YOU'RE EVALUATE AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL BE USEFUL TO YOU AS WELL BECAUSE YOU'RE EVALUATING VASTLY DIFFERENT PROPOSED EXPENDITURES.

DO I HIRE MORE PROSECUTORS IN THE DA'S OFFICE OR DO WE FUND MORE PATROL OFFICERS AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR OTHERS.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS HELP TO TRY AND LEVEL SET OR AT LEAST HELP YOU TRY AND EVALUATE BANG FOR THE BUCK ACROSS VERY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. THE BUDGET STAFF WILL TALK TO OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS, LORD KNOWS HOW MANY TIMES THEY'LL BE IN VERY FREQUENT COMMUNICATION ASKING QUESTIONS, HAVING QUESTIONS ASKED FROM THEM, TRYING TO ANSWER DEPARTMENTS QUESTIONS AND GET ANSWERS FROM THEM.

I WILL MEET WITH OFFICERS IN DEPARTMENTS SO I CAN HEAR.

[03:55:02]

I TRY AND DO IT ONCE BEFORE.

THEIR REQUESTS ARE ACTUALLY SUBMITTED OR SOON THEREAFTER SO THAT I CAN HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE ELECTED OFFICIAL OR DEPARTMENT HEAD WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE AND I FIND FACE-TO-FACE IS A VALUABLE WAY TO DO THAT AND THEN AFTERWARDS, IF THEY REALLY OBJECT TO WHAT I'M PROPOSING TO RECOMMEND, I'LL TRY AND MEET WITH THEM TO SEE IF THERE'S SOME MIDDLE GROUND THAT WERE RESOLVED BOTH THEIR ISSUES OR NOT.

WE GO THROUGH VARIOUS WAY.

THE BUDGET OFFICE WILL WORK EVALUATING THEIR REQUEST.

NUMEROUS OFFICES ARE INVOLVED INCLUDING HRIT AND FACILITIES.

THEN THE BUDGET OFFICE WILL SIT DOWN WITH ME AND GIVE ME THEIR ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND THAT'S WHEN I'LL HAVE TO START WEIGHING IN MY HEAD, THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER AND AT THIS POINT, KEEP IN MIND WE'RE STILL OPERATING WITH OUR PROJECTED REVENUES.

WE'RE NOT YET OPERATING WITH THE AUDITOR CERTIFIED REVENUES BECAUSE I CAN'T WAIT TILL MID AUGUST TO TRY AND PUT A BUDGET TOGETHER OVER A WEEKEND BASED ON CERTIFIED REVENUES AND HE HAS TO WAIT FOR MORE LATER REVENUE INFORMATION OR ELSE HE'S GOING TO BUDGET CONSERVATIVELY AS HE SHOULD.

THIS LAST TWO BULLETS.

NORMALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS SOMETIME IN BETWEEN AUGUST 15 AND AUGUST 25TH DEPENDING ON HOW THE CALENDAR FALLS, WHATEVER THAT TUESDAY IS I WOULD GENERALLY PRESENT WHAT I'M REQUIRED TO PRESENT TO YOU WHAT WE CALL THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

BUT REALLY THAT'S MY RECOMMENDED BUDGET.

AT THAT POINT, ESSENTIALLY, THE BUDGET STAFF AND I HAVE DONE OUR STATUTORY WORK.

AT THAT POINT IT IS NOW YOUR BUDGET TO DELIBERATE ON.

THEN WE SCHEDULE WORK SESSIONS THAT IF AN OFFICE AND IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR, THAT AN OFFICER DEPARTMENT JUST SIMPLY DOESN'T AGREE WITH WHAT I'M RECOMMENDING, THAT IS THEIR APPEAL PROCESS, THE BUDGET WORK SESSION PROCESS.

I WANT TO WORK SESSION AND SOMEONE WANTS ONE EVERY YEAR, SO THEY'LL COME HERE AND IN VERY MUCH A COURT LIKE SETTING, JUDGE.

IT CAN VARY WHETHER YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM BUDGET.

WHY DIDN'T YOU RECOMMEND FOR ME, WHY DIDN'T YOU RECOMMEND IT? WHICH IS AN ODD ARGUMENT BUT I'LL EXPLAIN THAT TO YOU SOMETIME.

BUT WHY DIDN'T YOU RECOMMEND THAT IN THE OFFICE IN DEPARTMENT THEN STANDS AT THE SAME PODIUM AND MAKES THEIR CASE DIRECTLY TO YOU AND THEN THE COURT, MOST OF THE TIME DOESN'T MAKE AN INSTANT DECISION THAT DAY BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HEAR WHAT OTHER PROTESTS AND YOU WANT TO KNOW THE ORDER OF MAGNITUDE.

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT $1 MILLION WORTH OF CHANGES OR 10? BUT YOU WILL HEAR THEIR DELIBERATION.

SOMETIMES YOU DO GIVE DIRECTION RIGHT THEN AND THERE.

BUT AT THAT POINT, I STEPPED BACK AND WE'RE MORE OF A SUPPORT ROLE FOR YOUR DELIBERATIONS.

IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WE PROVIDE IT BUT IT IS YOUR PROCESS FROM THAT POINT FORWARD.

IT IS ALSO THE DEPARTMENT'S OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOU DIRECTLY HEAR THEIR CASE WITH NO MEDIATION.

WE SCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS TO LET YOU HEAR THOSE HEARINGS AND ALSO TO RECEIVE YOUR DIRECTION ON ISSUES AS WELL.

FOR INSTANCE, WE OFTEN SCHEDULE ONE THAT'S NOT A DEPARTMENT RELATED, ONE THAT JUST TALKS MAINLY FOR THE PUBLIC ABOUT HERE ARE THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE CONTAINED WITHIN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

THAT SERVES SOME VALUE TO GET THE WORD OUT TO THE COUNTY INTO CITIZENS THAT THERE'S A THREE PERCENT COLA BEING PROPOSED OR WE'RE NOT PROPOSING TO CHANGE THE DEDUCTIBLE ON HEALTH INSURANCE, THAT THING.

CURRENTLY, WE'RE PLANNING BASED ON THE CALENDAR YOU ADOPTED BACK LAST YEAR FOR FOUR BUDGET WORK SESSIONS PRIOR TO THE TUESDAY ON WHICH YOU ADOPTED.

WE WERE PROPOSING SEPTEMBER 12TH FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE FINAL BUDGET AND AGAIN, THE FINAL BUDGET IS SIMPLY THE PROPOSED BUDGET PLUS OR MINUS THE CHANGES AS DIRECTED BY THIS COURT.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO IT LATER THAN THAT, DAVID? IT IS POSSIBLE, BUT MAY NOT BE PRACTICAL BECAUSE THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR HAS TO KNOW WHAT TAX RATE YOU HAVE SET IN TIME TO PRINT AND SEND OUT SOME 800,000 TAX BILLS BY OCTOBER 1ST.

[04:00:03]

HE NEEDS SOME TIME AND HE WOULD TELL YOU THE EARLIER THE BETTER.

AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGING TIME TO DO IT SIMPLY BECAUSE OF LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

ALTHOUGH NOTHING WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING A MEETING ON LABOR DAY.

IT'S NEVER A TUESDAY.

IT WOULD BE THE DAY BEFORE SO I'M SUGGESTING THE MIDDLE, THAT SECOND WEEK IN SEPTEMBER IS PROBABLY STILL REMAINS THE MOST PRACTICAL DATE.

POSSIBLE CHANGES.

WE COULD MOVE THE PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET UP TO THE WEEK OF AUGUST 15TH, THE WEEK EARLIER IN OTHER WORDS.

THAT WILL DEPEND ON THE POSSIBILITY.

YOU'LL HAVE TO BEAR WITH US AND REALIZE THAT THE AUDITOR MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE, THAT WE PROBABLY MEANS A LOT TO THE AUDITOR IN TERMS OF GETTING A CERTIFIED REVENUE NUMBER THAT IS CLOSER TO WHAT WILL END UP BEING THE FINAL CERTIFIED REVENUE NUMBER.

AGAIN, I'M REQUIRED TO USE HIS CERTIFIED REVENUES.

ANOTHER CHANGE IS NOT TO THE BUDGET BUT TO FINANCIAL POLICIES.

CURRENTLY, ANY TRANSFER UNDER $100,000, I HAVE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY OVER.

MAINLY IT WAS DONE TO KEEP IT OFF OF YOUR AGENDAS BUT THERE ARE TIMES IN THE PAST WHERE THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.

ALL BUDGET TRANSFERS LARGER, OR SMALL CAME TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

AGAIN, JUDGE IN THE SAKAI, IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY THAT MIGHT BE WHAT THE COURT WANTS TO DO AND WE'LL BE HAPPY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.

PROBABLY A BIGGER ISSUE IS HIRING AND PROMOTING ABOVE THE MINIMUM. THE LAST BULLET.

>> LET ME ALSO JUST COMMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS MID-YEAR ADJUSTMENT ROOM WITHIN THESE UPDATES.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES DO MIDYEAR ADJUSTMENTS BASED UPON A PROJECT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT PUTTING THOSE DOLLARS INTO A DIFFERENT THING BECAUSE THE DEAL FELL APART OR WHATEVER.

WE SHOULD DO THAT WITHIN AT LEAST A SIX MONTH.

LOOK AT THOSE SPIN DOWNS AND OTHERS THAT WERE APPROPRIATED THAT HAVEN'T BEEN SPIN DOWN.

SOMETIMES IT'S BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT'S HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE CONTRACT DONE.

IT'S TAKEN THAT LONG BUT I THINK THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT.

>> YES, SIR. FOR ARPA OR CAPITAL PROJECTS, YOU CAN DO THAT.

YOU CAN ADJUST THEM AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT IN FACT.

THE CHALLENGE BECOMES STATUTORILY FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

BY LAW ONCE YOU SET THEIR BUDGET IN SEPTEMBER YOU CANNOT REDUCE IT WITHOUT THEIR APPROVAL.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND IT OR NOT, IT'S IRRELEVANT YOU CANNOT REDUCE THAT THEIR BUDGET.

STATUTORILY IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DO THAT BUT FOR OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS THAT REPORT TO ME IN OFFICE AT CAPITAL AND ARPA, THOSE CAN BE ADJUSTED.

YES, SIR. ON THIS BEFORE I LEAVE.

>> OUTSIDE AGENCY PROBABLY IS ANOTHER ONE TOO.

>> YES, SIR. BECAUSE THAT'S USUALLY NOT WITHIN A AN ELECTED OFFICIALS BUDGET.

THAT'S IN THE NON-DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET THAT IS COMMISSIONERS COURT PURVIEW. YES, SIR.

HIRING, THIS LAST BULLET IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHANGE THAT OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS WOULD NOTE IN THE FINANCIAL POLICIES.

IT ALSO ALLOWS ME TO APPROVE HIRING ABOVE MINIMUM OR SMALL CHANGES TO COMPENSATION AS REQUESTED BY OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT UNTIL 2000, YOU REMEMBER WHEN? IT'S BEEN AWHILE THAT THEY ADOPTED IT BUT UNTIL THEN THOSE ALL WENT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT LARGE OR SMALL.

SO THE HIRING ABOVE MINIMUM WOULD BE THE CHALLENGE FOR THE REASONS THAT I THINK YOU'VE ALREADY OBSERVED BECAUSE BY THE TIME YOU GET ON A COURT AGENDA, THE PERSON'S ALREADY WALKED AWAY BUT THAT COULD BE ADDRESSED BY GIVING DEPARTMENTS MORE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THAT.

BUT AGAIN, IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY AND CERTAINLY IT WILL NOT BE A HEADACHE TO ME IF THE COURT WANTS TO TAKE THIS BECAUSE OF THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT.

>> BUT IT'D BE A HEADACHE TO US.

>> WELL, YES.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW MAYBE YOU'LL ENJOY IT.

>> MY VOTE IS TO LEAVE IT WITH YOU FOR THE RECORD.

>> BUT THE EXACT DOMAIN AMOUNT OF STAFF WORK OTHER THAN ME SIGNING AND DOING WHATEVER I

[04:05:02]

DO TO THINK ABOUT IS THIS REALLY A GOOD IDEA, THAT THING IS.

I SEE A RECOMMENDATION FROM BUDGET.

I SEE A RECOMMENDATION FROM HR BEFORE I CONSIDER APPROVING THEM, YOU WOULD SEE THOSE EXACT SAME RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THEY WERE ON YOUR AGENDA.

I'M JUST TELLING YOU THOSE REQUESTS ARE MORE NUMEROUS THAN TRANSFER REQUESTS.

OBVIOUSLY, WE COULD PROVIDE QUARTERLY EXPENDITURE UPDATES, ALTHOUGH I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU LET US START ON THE SECOND QUARTER BECAUSE THE FIRST-QUARTER IS NOT ALL THAT MEANINGFUL.

WE BARELY GOT THREE MONTHS OF EXPENDITURES AND REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT OF REVENUE INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH YOU.

HERE'S WORK SESSIONS.

DO YOU WANT TO ADD? I'VE HEARD THIS SUGGESTED THAT WE ADD A BUDGET PRIORITY SETTING WORK SESSION EARLY IN THE BUDGET CALENDAR.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU COULD CONSIDER DOING WHERE YOU WOULD DELIBERATE AT A WORK SESSION AND DECIDE THESE ARE OUR PRIORITIES.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO, YOU COULD.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE NORMALLY PRESENTED THE LONG-RANGE FORECAST TO YOU WHEN I GIVE YOU THE PROPOSED BUDGET, BUT WE COULD GIVE IT TO YOU PRIOR TO THAT.

IT WOULD JUST BE LESS ACCURATE AND SUBJECT TO MORE CHANGE.

SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO ANYWAY, AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO START DOING THAT IS OFFERING PERFORMANCE MEASURE TRAINING TO OFFICES OF DEPARTMENTS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WILL TAKE US UP ON IT, BUT WE WILL OFFER IT TO THEM.

WE DO IT ON AN AD HOC BASIS.

IF AN ANALYST GETS A CALL FROM THEIR DEPARTMENT SAYS I'M NOT SURE HOW TO PRESENT A PERFORMANCE INDICATOR FOR A NEW PROSECUTOR, THE ANALYSTS WOULD WORK WITH THEM TO SAY THESE ARE THE THINGS WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.

IF WE MOVE UP THE DATE OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET BY A WEEK, THAT WOULD ALLOW TIME TO ADD MORE BUDGET WORK SESSION IN AUGUST.

WITH THAT, THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF OUR INITIAL THOUGHTS.

I TOOK A LITTLE LONGER THAN I KNOW COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, YOU WANTED ME TO. I'M SORRY.

>> IS ALL RIGHT. JACOB?

>> DAVID, THANK YOU. I'LL KEEP MY REMARKS BRIEF AS WELL BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE SUGGESTIONS, FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN THEM I THINK IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF DELIBERATION EVEN WITHIN MY OFFICE TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST PATH FORWARD.

I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOMETHING THAT MY COLLEAGUE, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES SAID AND SUGGESTED.

WHEN I AGREE WITH AND THAT IS I THINK WE NEED TO PROCEED AND HAVE YOUR STAFF PROCEED WITH THE INPUT YOU GET FROM DEPARTMENTS.

LIKE YOU MENTIONED, WE'RE BEHIND ALREADY.

I THINK THAT YOUR STAFF'S PROBABLY EAGER TO GET TO WORK.

I WOULD CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE WITH THAT PROCESS.

I THINK THERE'S SOME TWEAKS THAT WE CAN MAKE ALONG THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO INPUT.

I GUESS IN THE PAST IT'S BEEN RELATIVELY INFORMAL.

YOU VISITED WITH OUR OFFICES, AND WE GIVE YOU FEEDBACK THAT WE GET FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS IN TERMS OF WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE.

I THINK THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN TWEAK, CERTAINLY MOVING FORWARD LEADING UP TO THE PROCESS AND THEN AFTERWARDS IN TERMS OF SOMETHING COMMISSIONER CALVERT SUGGESTED MAYBE A MID-YEAR.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT A LOT OF THE WORK IS DONE BEHIND THE SCENES, A LOT OF LEG WORK, A LOT OF MEETINGS, A LOT OF BACK-AND-FORTH WITH DEPARTMENTS.

THEN IT'S NOT LIKE WE JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN GET A PROPOSED BUDGET.

WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS ALONG THE WAY.

I THINK THAT'S HEALTHY AND IMPORTANT.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT GOING BACK TO THE BUDGET STAFF, THESE RECENTLY WERE REAFFIRMED AAA BY MOODY'S RATING AGENCY.

I'VE SEEN SOME OF THAT WORK INSIDE.

LET ME TELL YOU IT IS A SIGNIFICANT LIFT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU COMPLY WITH WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.

THAT'S A STAMP OF APPROVAL, NOT JUST FOR THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF THE COUNTY, BUT OF THE WORK OF THE BUDGET STAFF IN OUR FINANCE TEAM.

IN THE CATEGORY, LET'S NOT FIX WHAT'S NOT BROKEN, I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT STAFF KNOWS THAT WE APPRECIATE THAT AND LET'S KEEP IT MOVING.

BUT I THINK THESE ARE GOOD SUGGESTIONS, DAVID.

I'LL GIVE YOU FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE A CHANCE TO DIGEST IT.

I THINK THERE'S A FEW THINGS WE CAN DO.

AGAIN, LEADING UP TO BUDGET, YOU MENTIONED MAYBE A PRIORITY SESSION.

[04:10:01]

MAYBE WE DO THAT AS PART OF THE REVENUE ESTIMATE THAT COMES IN EARLY IN JUNE OR JULY.

BUT I JUST APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE AN ONGOING CONVERSATION ABOUT PRIORITIES BECAUSE WE GET FEEDBACK FROM CONSTITUENTS AND WE ALL HAVE, BY THE WAY EVEN WITH OUR OWN PRECINCTS, DIFFERENT PRIORITIES FOR DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR PRECINCT.

WE'VE GOT GROWING UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

WE'VE GOT INNER CITY AREAS THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS AT THE CITY-LEVEL.

I APPRECIATE GIVING US SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS, BUT I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS DONE TIMELY.

I DEFINITELY CONCUR THAT WE SHOULD GET THE PROCESS STARTED AND GET THAT INPUT FROM DEPARTMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> THANK YOU JUDGE.

>> THANK YOU, DAVID, FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER IN THE PRESENTATION.

I'LL JUST MAKE A FEW COMMENTS HERE BRIEFLY.

BUT IN TERMS OF TAKING ALL THESE MINOR DECISIONS AND TRYING TO TAKE THEM TO THE COURT, I DON'T THINK THAT'S SUFFICIENT OR NECESSARY.

MAYBE YOU REVISIT WHAT THAT LEVEL THRESHOLD IS.

>> CAN I TRY AND CHANGE YOUR MIND? [LAUGHTER]

>> YOU'RE FREE. [LAUGHTER] THE QUESTION AND TO MY COLLEAGUE'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE CURRENT PROCESS TIMELINE AND EVERYTHING, I DON'T WANT TO PUT ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON THE SYSTEM AS WE TRY TO WORK TO IMPROVE IT, OR THINK ABOUT WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE IT.

HOWEVER, I GUESS MY REAL QUESTION ALWAYS CAME BACK TO LOOKING AT THE WORKING SESSIONS THAT ARE PROPOSED OR AFTER THE PROPOSED BUDGET COMES OUT.

>> CORRECT.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THAT PLAYS OUT, AND MY THOUGHT WOULD BE IF YOU HAD ONE OF THOSE SESSIONS EARLIER IN THE PROCESS, WOULD IT NOT HELP YOU AND BEING ABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE COURT STANDS ON SOME OF THESE BIG ITEMS OR TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER THERE NEEDS TO BE AT PIECE IN THE BUDGET FOR THOSE.

>> YES. I WANT TO TRY AND SAY THIS, DEPENDING ON HOW VALUABLE THAT INPUT FROM THE COURT IS, YES.

IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE'S A LIST OF 100 PRIORITIES, AS HAS HAPPENED ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, THEN IT'S REALLY NOT A PRIORITY LIST.

IF IT'S LIKE YES, WE ALL AGREE ON THESE FIVE THINGS, THEN THAT'S CLEAR GUIDANCE TO ME.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IN TERMS OF TIMING OF THAT IS, ONCE WE HAVE THAT TIME TO LOOK AT THAT FIRST SET OF APPRAISED VALUES AND TRY AND TRANSLATE THAT INTO REVENUES, NOW I CAN MATCH THEM UP WITH THE SECOND QUARTER EXPENDITURES.

NOW WE'VE GOT THE BASIS FOR DOING A FORECAST GOING FORWARD.

WHAT'S THE DUE DATE ON SUBMISSIONS? I WAS HOPING THAT WE CAN HAVE DEPARTMENTAL SUBMISSIONS BY THEN SO THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, YOU COULD SAY, OH, AND THIS WOULD NOT BE AN USUAL NUMBER, HERE IS $30 MILLION WORTH OF STAFFING REQUESTS BUMPED UP AGAINST THIS FORECAST.

UNFORTUNATELY, I WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT UNTIL PROBABLY JUNE.

THAT MAY NOT WORK FOR YOU, BUT THAT WOULD BE IDEAL.

>> WELL, THAT'S JUST TOP OF MIND FOR ME IN UNDERSTANDING WHERE THAT OPPORTUNITY IS FOR US TO WEIGH IN AND PROVIDE OUR THOUGHTS AND WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT TO TAKE PLACE.

THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION, THE QUARTERLY UPDATES, CALL IT A WORK SESSION IF YOU WANT, BUT I THINK AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF OR TWO HOURS ONCE A QUARTER FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO WALK US THROUGH WHERE WE STAND ON CURRENT SPEND, ARE WE ABOVE, ARE WE BELOW, AND ARPA AS WELL.

TO ME, THAT WOULD BE FAIRLY LOW IMPACT ON US, BUT IT WOULD BE INFORMATIONAL IN ORDER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND.

IS THERE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE OUT-OF-CYCLE REQUESTS BECAUSE WE HAVE THOSE POP UP AS WELL? WE SEE A NEED WITH THE JP OR THE CONSTABLES OR WHEREVER AND UNDERSTAND,

[04:15:05]

WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS FOR BEING ABLE TO FILL THIS GAP IN THE SHORT-TERM PRIOR TO THE BUDGET PROCESS TAKEN HOLD?

>> THIRD TIME, JUDGE, I'M GET OFF YOUR LAWN GUY.

BUT THE ONLY THING ABOUT THE OUT-OF-CYCLE REQUEST, LET'S JUST SAY THEY'RE ALL LEGITIMATE, BUT SOMETIMES THEY WERE LEGITIMATELY UNANTICIPATED CIRCUMSTANCES AND WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IT.

BUT ONCE DEPARTMENTS BEGIN TO SENSE THAT, YEAH, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'LL LOOK AT, IT COULD BECOME MORE BURDENSOME ON YOU.

THAT'S JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

>> YEAH, I UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU.

>> MR. CARL.

>> WELL, HISTORICALLY, OVER THE DECADES, THE COURT HAS BEEN FAIRLY IVORY TOWER ABOUT OUR BUDGET.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DEMOCRATIC, SMALL D, OPENING UP OF A LOT OF WHAT WE DO HERE AT THE COUNTY.

YOU HAVE JUST BY WAY OF COMPARISON, CITY COUNCIL WITH A LOT OF BUDGET HEARINGS, BUDGET MEETINGS, SURVEY SAMPLES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE INFORMING THE COUNCIL BUDGET.

WE DO HAVE SURVEY TOOLS AT THE COUNTY THROUGH OUR NEWSLETTER THING THAT WE CAN UTILIZE FOR JUST ONLINE.

OF COURSE, I'VE ALWAYS HELD ANNUAL BUDGET UPDATE IN MY PRECINCT.

IT'S USUALLY NOT BEFORE.

IT'S USUALLY ONCE THE BUDGET IS ADOPTED, BUT THE WAY I KEEP UP WITH WHAT COMMUNITY ISSUES ARE, IS JUST THE MEETINGS THAT I HAVE AND WE KEEP A RUNNING BUDGET OF REQUESTS AND THEN WE GO TO WORK AT THE BUDGET TIME TO TRY TO PUT THOSE INTO THE BUDGET THAT WE FEEL ARE MERITORIOUS.

NOW, THIS IS MAYBE AN IMPORTANT THING TO DEMOCRATIZE AS WELL, THE INTERNAL CONVERSATION AMONGST THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.

THERE COULD BE A TIME NOW THAT THE DEPARTMENT SAY, WELL, THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BUDGET FOR AND THEN THE COMMISSIONERS CAN HAVE AN UPDATE THAT YEAH, THESE ARE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO SUBMIT IN THE BUDGET, THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE THINK SHOULD BE IN THE BUDGET.

I DO THAT ANYWAY, THE NEW COMMISSIONERS MAY NOT KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT THAT PROCESS.

BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STEP THAT COULD BE UTILIZED NOW AS THEY'RE SUBMITTING THEIR BUDGETS, THAT THAT COME TO THE COURT AS SOON AS THEY'RE SUBMITTED TO YOUR OFFICE.

THE BIGGEST THING IS TO MAINTAIN THE FLEXIBILITY THAT I THINK WE LIKE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY IN A BUDGET TO IMPACT IT, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE RESPONSIVE.

NOW, THE OTHER THING TO BEAR IN MIND AS WE DEVELOP BUDGETS IS COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS THAT ARE MORE CITY RELIANT, HAVE A DIFFERENT SET OF PRIORITIES USUALLY THAN THOSE THAT HAVE A LARGE UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY.

WE HAVE TO BALANCE AND PRIORITIES.

IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT IT FROM A FINANCE STANDPOINT, A LOT OF OUR PRIORITY HAS BEEN IN THE CITY EVEN THOUGH WE REPRESENT THE COUNTY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT DUMPING IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA AND HOW THAT'S INCREASED, AND RIGHT NOW I'M HEARING, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RUN OUT OF BUDGET FOR THE WASTE BINS AND THINGS LIKE THAT FOR US.

MAKING THOSE ADJUSTMENTS LONG-TERM ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE COURT TO HAVE SOME CONSENSUS AND DATA ABOUT WHAT'S REALLY THE TOP THINGS PEOPLE ARE CALLING US FOR AN UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY.

EVEN THOUGH SOME COMMISSIONERS MAY NOT HAVE AS MUCH UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY.

WE HAVE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OVER THOSE.

THEN THE QUESTION BECOMES, DO YOU MAKE ADJUSTMENTS BASED UPON THE CALL LOAD, AND SAY THAT WE NEED TO REALLY BE MORE ATTUNED TO THE ANNUAL REQUESTS AND WE'RE FALLING SHORT? ANYWAY, THAT'S JUST A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS [OVERLAPPING]

>> I HEAR THAT. WHAT I WOULD WANT TO GET YOUR ASSISTANCE IN IS IF YOUR OFFICES ALL RECEIVED ALL THE BUDGET REQUESTS UPFRONT BEFORE WE'VE WORKED WITH THEM.

I DON'T WANT TO CREATE AN INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO SAY, WELL, I'M NOT GOING TO TALK TO BUDGET, I'M JUST GOING TO TALK TO YOU GUYS.

I STILL HAVE TO, BY LAW,

[04:20:01]

GIVE YOU A PROPOSED BUDGET AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM.

ALSO, I CAN WORK A LOT OF ISSUES OUT BEFORE YOU HAVE TO WADE INTO THEM SO THAT ONLY THE BIGGER ISSUES COME TO YOU.

OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE AN OPEN RECORD, SO THERE'S NO HIDING THEM, BUT IT'S A SHELF FULL OF REQUESTS.

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING I'LL WAIT FOR THE COURT'S FEEDBACK ON.

>> DAVID, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS CONVERSATION AND I FEEL CONFIDENT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TO PUT THINGS INTO WRITING.

AS I EARLIER STATED, I BELIEVE IN REGARDS TO YOUR AGENDA AND WORK SESSIONS ISSUES, I SAID TIMELINESS AND TRANSPARENCY, WHERE SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES THERE, IF WE CAN GET THAT DEFINING AND HAVE THE DISCIPLINE TO STAY THAT WAY, INCLUDING ALL OUR DEPARTMENTS, AND I HOPE WILL PERHAPS HAVE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TEXTS, PUT THAT EXPECTANCY ON THEM, THAT THEY WANT OUR SUPPORT.

THEN I HAD TO SEE TIMELINESS AND TRANSPARENCY.

IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS DISCUSSION, MY TAKEAWAY IS THAT WE NEED CONSISTENCY AND WE NEED CLARITY, AND SO THAT ALSO MEANS A CHAIN OF COMMAND PROCESS.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU WERE IN THE MILITARY, I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY CONSISTENT, AND SO THAT COMMUNICATION GOES UP AND DOESN'T GO, AND THIS IS WHERE I THINK SOME OF OUR COMMISSIONERS THAT HAVE SHARED WITH ME, WE REALLY NEED TO LET THE BUDGET OFFICE TAKE IT, PROCESS IT.

BUT THE TIMELINESS IS THE BUDGET THEN GIVING A FEEDBACK, AND IF PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH IT, THEN IT GETS THE NEXT LAW.

PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THAT, NEXT LAW.

ULTIMATELY, ALL ISSUES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME INTO COMMISSION'S COURT.

I THINK THAT'S PERHAPS SOMETHING WE CAN WORK ON.

THE TIMELINESS, THE TRANSPARENCY, THE CONSISTENCY AND CLARITY.

THE MORE WE DO THAT, I THINK PERHAPS WE CAN LOWER THE FRUSTRATIONS ON EVERYBODY'S PART.

MY HOPE IS, WE MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR OURSELVES, INCLUDING MY COLLEAGUES.

THESE TUESDAYS ARE STRESSFUL, SO THE MORE WE JUST GET INTO CONSISTENCY, THE MORE I DON'T BELIEVE.

THE MORE, I THINK WE USE WORK SESSIONS IN WHATEVER FORM THIS BODY WILL AGREE TOO, I BELIEVE THAT THEN OUR MEETINGS WILL BECOME VERY STREAMLINED.

I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND GET TO THAT END.

>> I'D LIKE TO COMMENT.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I AGREE WE DEFINITELY DON'T WANT, SO I'LL MAKE SURE DEPARTMENTS HEAR THIS, WE DO NOT WANT ALL OF YOUR BUDGET REQUESTS COMING TO US.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE COUNTY MANAGER, THAT'S WHY WE NEED THE COUNTY MANAGER.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE THERE DOING THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND YOUR TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS CRUNCH THROUGH ALL THOSE DETAILS IN ALL THOSE NUMBERS.

COMMISSIONER MOODY MENTIONED PERHAPS MOVING ONE OF THE WORK SESSIONS THAT WE'VE ALREADY APPROVED EARLIER AS I THINK YOU'RE CALLING IT A PRIORITY SETTING ONE.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF SINCE WE ALREADY HAVE APPROVED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WORK SESSIONS FOR THE BUDGET, SO MAYBE MOVING OUT EARLIER.

THEN I JUST HAVE A QUESTION.

CAN WE GO TO PAGE 13? IT SAYS, OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS RECEIVE THEIR BUDGET AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER.

WHEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE YEAR, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

WE TRY AND DO IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT BASICALLY, IF I'M PRESENTING THE PROPOSED BUDGET ON AUGUST 20TH, WHICH I MAY NOT BE THIS YEAR, BUT IF IT WAS AUGUST 20TH, WE WOULD TRY AND DO IT THAT FIRST WEEK IN AUGUST, THE LATEST THE SECOND WEEK BECAUSE I NEED TIME TO GET THEIR REACTION.

THE BIGGER THE OFFICE, THE MORE TIME THAT TAKES.

>> THEN YOU WENT ASKING A QUESTION I DIDN'T HEAR.

WHAT'S THE DEADLINE FOR WHAT? YOU SAID MAY 31ST.

>> WHEN THEIR BUDGET SUBMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> DAVID, I THINK YOU AND I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON SPECIFIC ISSUES EVEN NOW, WHERE I THINK WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK VERY CLEARLY, YOU AS A BUDGET OFFICER AND ME AS COUNTY JUDGE.

IT SEEMS THAT IF PEOPLE GET THAT CLARITY, THINGS GET RESOLVED OR AT LEAST WE DON'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME DEALING WITH ISSUES AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, THE MATTER WE PASS THE DAY TOOK A LONG TIME TO RESOLVE AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU GOT IT ALL RESOLVED.

[04:25:05]

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I WANT STAFF TO REALIZE.

WE CAN MAKE THIS THING EASIER, BUT WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU AND JUST THANKS TO TINA, THOMAS AND YOUR TEAMS. MAN, YOU GUYS NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK THOUGH.

[LAUGHTER] THANK YOU.

>> I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES THAT AGENDA ITEM 55,

[55. Discussion and appropriate action regarding Bexar County's Legislative Program and the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Melissa Shannon)]

DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING BURKE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM AND THE ADA SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.

MS. SHANNON. [BACKGROUND]

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, MELISSA SHANNON, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR.

I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE ON ITEMS THAT HAVE BILLS AND COMMITTEE HEARINGS THAT HAVE COME UP SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, YOU HEAR THAT THERE'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF EFFORTS OUT THERE.

IT'S MOSTLY POINTED TOWARDS SCHOOL TAXES WHERE THE BULK OF OUR PROPERTY TAXES GO.

SENATE BILL 3 BY BETANCOURT THAT WOULD ALLOW THE VOTERS TO, IT WOULD ALSO THERE'S A JOINT RESOLUTION FOR IT TO BE ON THE BALLOT IF THE SENATE BILL IS APPROVED.

THAT WOULD INCREASE THE SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX, HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FROM 40,000 TO 70,000.

THAT HAS MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE SENATE AND IT WAS RECEIVED IN THE HOUSE.

IT HAS NOT BEEN ASSIGNED TO A HOUSE COMMITTEE YET, BUT IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN THE HOUSE.

ALSO, THE HOUSE BILL THAT IS THE PROPERTY TAX BILL ON THE HOUSE SIDE HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

IT HAS JUST NOT MADE ITS WAY BACK TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR FULL DEBATE.

THAT WAS JUST REPORTED OUT OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS ON THE 24TH.

JUST TO REMIND YOU, THIS IS THE ONE THAT WOULD LIMIT.

THERE ARE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ISSUES FOR THE SCHOOL TAX SYSTEM IN THIS ONE, BUT THIS IS ALSO THE ONE THAT WOULD CHANGE THE APPRAISED VALUE FROM A 10% CAP PER YEAR DOWN TO A 5%.

PROPERTY APPRAISALS COULD NOT BE RAISED ABOVE A 5% LEVEL IF THIS BILL WENT FORWARD.

>> JUST ON SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES?

>> NO, SIR. THIS IS ALL.

>> NO EXEMPTIONS FOR HOMESTEADS INCREASING ON THE HOUSE SIDE?

>> NOT IN THIS ONE. NO, SIR.

>> ARE THEY GIVING MORE IN THE GENERAL FUND TOWARDS SCHOOLS TO LOWER TAXES?

>> THAT IS A QUESTION I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE BUDGET AS FAR AS SCHOOLS GO.

>> I'D HEARD SUNDAY THAT THERE WAS NO REAL INCREASED SCHOOLS IN THEIR BUDGET, IT WAS SHOCKING AND JARRING TO ME. HAVE YOU HEARD THAT?

>> I HAVE NOT BECAUSE I HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH THE SCHOOLS AS MUCH.

I HAD BEEN BECAUSE I JUST SAW AN ARTICLE LAST NIGHT OR THIS MORNING ABOUT TEACHER PAY RAISE.

I KNOW THAT WAS ONE ISSUE THAT [OVERLAPPING].

>> WAS THAT WHERE THERE WAS ZERO?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS ZERO.

THERE WASN'T AS MUCH, EITHER IT WAS ZERO OR NOT AS MUCH AS WHAT THEY HAD ANTICIPATED.

BUT YES, I APOLOGIZE.

I HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH THE ISD FUNDING.

SPEAKING OF BUDGET, THE HOUSE BUDGET IS SET TO BE DEBATED ON THURSDAY.

THEY HAD TO PRE FILE AMENDMENTS.

LET ME FIND MY NOTES ON THAT ONE.

THAT WILL BE ON THURSDAY.

THERE ARE ALREADY 389 AMENDMENTS PRE FILED ON THAT, SO IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG DAY.

>> ARE THERE ANY INCREASES FOR PRISON GUARDS? THAT WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE WITH THE STATE NOT TAKING THEIR PRISONERS IS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T HIRE ENOUGH PEOPLE.

IS THERE AN INCREASE THERE? NOT JUST TO THE COUNTY REIMBURSEMENT BUT [OVERLAPPING]

>> YES, I'LL CHECK ON THAT.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW BILLS AND WRITERS OUT THERE FOR RELIEF FOR COUNTIES, BUT I'LL CHECK ON TDCJ TO SEE IF THERE'S MORE FUNDING FOR THEM FOR THEIR JAIL GUARDS.

ALSO TO BE DEBATED THAT DAY IS SENATE BILL 30 THAT WILL BE DEBATED AND THAT'S THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.

THERE ARE ONLY 17 AMENDMENTS FILED FOR THAT.

WHAT I WILL SAY ON THE BUDGET IS THEY APPROVE THEIR RULES LAST WEEK FOR BUDGET DELIBERATION DAY, AND ONE ITEM THAT WAS APPROVED WAS THE PUT AND TAKE.

IF ANY AMENDMENT AS PROPOSED, IF THEY'RE MAKING AN AMENDMENT FOR A MILLION DOLLAR ASK, THEY'VE GOT TO REMOVE A MILLION DOLLAR FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. PARDON ME?

[04:30:05]

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE [LAUGHTER]

>> IT'S EVERYDAY AT THE CAPITAL, SIR.

WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS BECAUSE I DID VISIT WITH REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON YESTERDAY ON OUR FORENSIC BED ASK AND IF YOU'LL REMEMBER THOSE TO ASK WERE PLACED IN ARTICLE 11, WHICH IS WHAT THEY CALL THE WISH LIST.

THAT DOESN'T LOOK VERY HOPEFUL FOR THOSE ITEMS TO MOVE FORWARD AT THIS POINT.

>> ARTICLE 11 IS LIKE THE TRASH CAN, BASICALLY.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY.

>> WISH LIST.

>> WE LIKE TO SAY WISH LIST.

REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON MENTIONED TO ME THAT THEY ARE HEARING THAT THE COMPTROLLER WILL COME OUT WITH ANOTHER TRANCHE OF FUNDS THAT MAYBE AS MUCH AS ANOTHER BILLION DOLLARS IN EXCESS REVENUE, AND THAT'S WHERE HE THOUGHT HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT WE COULD GET THAT FUNDING THERE.

HOWEVER, WE'RE ALREADY AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL SPENDING CAP.

THERE'S NOT MUCH ROOM.

IN MY ESTIMATION AND I'M NOT A BUDGET PERSON BY ANY WAYS MEANS, AND I MAY LOOK AT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ SINCE HE SAT ON APPROPRIATIONS, IF WE'RE ALREADY AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL SPENDING LIMIT, EVEN IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE COMPTROLLER, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH IT.

I MEAN, IT'S THE SAME WITH THE PUT AND TAKE.

SOMETHING'S GOT TO COME OUT FOR THAT TO GO IN.

I'M USUALLY VERY OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL ON THE ITEMS, AND I JUST WANTED TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH THIS COURT THAT THE FORENSIC BED REQUEST IS NOT LOOKING VERY GOOD AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

I WOULD ASK THAT IF YOU ALL HAD ANY SWAY WITH ANYONE TO HELP CONVINCE THEM THAT MAYBE THERE'S ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT NEEDS TO BE DEFERRED FOR ANOTHER BIENNIUM AND THAT MONEY MOVED OVER FOR US.

NOT GOOD NEWS, I DON'T LIKE BRINGING THAT TO YOU ALL.

>> DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS, ARE YOU ASKING US TO CALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE?

>> IF YOU'RE INCLINED TO DO SO, TO CALL, HOWEVER, I WOULDN'T SAY CALL WITHOUT A SOLUTION.

SOMEBODY'S GOT TO LOSE.

WE'RE LOSING NOW, AND SOMEONE'S GOING TO HAVE TO LOSE FOR OUR PROGRAM TO MOVE FORWARD.

IF WE HAVE SOLUTIONS TO REMOVE SOMETHING FROM ANOTHER AREA IN THE BUDGET, THEN YES.

I'D BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU ALL WITH THAT.

>> YES, MA'AM. ADDITIONALLY, OTHER ITEMS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE WE LAST MET YESTERDAY, THERE WAS A COMMITTEE HEARING WITH REPRESENTATIVE LU HAN IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

THERE'S A PUSH BY THE GOVERNOR FOR FENTANYL POISONING TO BE ADDED TO THE DEATH CERTIFICATE.

IT SOUNDS VERY EASILY DONE UNTIL YOU GET TO THE ME, AND IT'S NOT AS EASILY DONE.

WE UNFORTUNATELY, AND I HATE TO DO THIS TO OPPOSE ONE OF OUR OWN MEMBERS BILLS, BUT WE HAD TO OPPOSE THAT BILL IN COMMITTEE YESTERDAY ALONG WITH OTHER ME'S FROM ACROSS THE STATE, MOST OF THE LARGE URBAN COUNTIES, THERE WERE TWO ME.

OUR DEPUTY CHIEF ME WAS THERE YESTERDAY AS WELL AS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER FROM TRAVIS COUNTY, AND THEN I BELIEVE THERE WERE SEVEN OR EIGHT SIGNATURES OF VARIOUS ME'S FROM ACROSS THE STATE WHO WERE OPPOSING THAT BILL.

>> HOW DID WE DO THAT? DO THE COURT VOTE ON THAT?

>> NO, NOT THAT SPECIFIC ITEM.

THAT WAS AN ITEM THAT IT GOES TO A LOCAL CONTROL THAT I TOOK THE GUIDANCE FROM THE MEDICAL EXAMINER THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO, IN THEIR WORDS, IF THEY DON'T COMPLETE THE DEATH CERTIFICATE, THE WAY THAT THEY BY STATUTE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, IT'S A FELONY.

IN THEIR ESTIMATION, WHAT THEY'RE BEING ASKED TO DO IS PUT FALSE INFORMATION ON A DEATH CERTIFICATE AND THEY CAN'T.

THEY WON'T.

WE HAVE TOLD REPRESENTATIVE LU HAN AND THE COMMITTEE, WE'VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM ON THIS LANGUAGE AND I THINK WE CAN GET THERE TO A POINT WHERE EVERYBODY'S COMFORTABLE.

[04:35:01]

IT'S HEARTBREAKING BECAUSE YOU HAVE THESE PARENTS WHO HAVE LOST, OR FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST CHILDREN OR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FENTANYL POISONING.

WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO AFTER THE DRUG DEALERS AND FROM HEARING THE TESTIMONY YESTERDAY, THERE SEEMS TO BE A WAY THAT PROSECUTORS AND POLICE CAN DO THIS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE ABLE TO, BUT THEY WANT IT DICTATED SO IN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE, TO MAKE IT HOLD UP BETTER IN COURT, I GUESS, AND EASIER TO PROSECUTE.

ALSO, REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON'S HB 25 66 IS THE ONE ON THE 1.8 SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.

THAT ITEM WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE ON THE 29TH.

IT HAS BEEN LEFT PENDING, WHICH IS NORMAL ORDER OF BUSINESS SO IT'LL BE LEFT PENDING FOR A MEETING OR TWO AND THEN MAYBE VOTED OUT.

REPRESENTATIVE OLIVERSONS BILL.

THIS IS ONE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST MEETING, I BELIEVE WHERE YOU APPROVED A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS, THE COMMUNITY FIRST.

THAT ONE IS BEING HEARD IN COMMITTEE TODAY.

WE HAD YOUR RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THAT ONE.

I HAD ONE OF THE CONTRACT LOBBYISTS SIGN-IN AND OPPOSITION TO THAT BILL.

ALSO TOMORROW IS HOUSE PENSIONS.

THAT'S WHERE THE CO BILLS WILL COME UP.

I'M AWAITING FEEDBACK FROM BUDGET AS SOON AS I HAVE THAT I WILL SHARE THAT.

I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ AND I HAD TALKED ABOUT IT A DAY OR TWO AGO.

I JUST TALKED TO JANE MACON BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUR BUDGET, OUR BOND ATTORNEYS TO MAKE CALLS TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND OUR STANCE THERE.

I JUST TALKED TO HER EARLIER AND SHE SAID THAT THEY WERE DOING THAT.

THAT WILL BE TOMORROW.

AS I SAID, AS SOON AS I HAVE THAT FEEDBACK, I WILL SHARE WITH YOU ALL.

[NOISE] ONE MORE ITEM.

THERE WAS A MEETING TODAY ON THE ESD $20,000 DEBT LIMIT.

THAT WAS ANOTHER ITEM THAT JOEL HAD VOTED TO SUPPORT THE ESD IN THAT EFFORT.

THERE WAS A MEETING TODAY WITH CITY, COUNTY, ESDS, AND REPRESENTATIVE CORTEZ.

WHAT I HAVE HEARD AND I DON'T KNOW, BUT I ASSUME IS CORRECT IS THAT MAYBE IT DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER MEETING THIS NEXT WEEK.

MONDAY OR TUESDAY IS WHAT I HAVE HEARD.

THAT'S IT IN A NUTSHELL IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

>> QUESTIONS. COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> WELL, THANKS FOR THE UPDATE MELISSA, TO THE QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS THAN IN TRYING TO HELP MOVE FORWARD OUR REQUESTS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH BEDS.

WHAT IS REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON'S RECOMMENDATION THERE TO TRY TO PRESS UP FORWARD, BECAUSE I'M HAPPY TO ENGAGE IN AUSTIN.

[BACKGROUND] JUST NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY IS AND HOW TO BEST PROCEED THERE.

>> YES, SIR. WHEN I SPOKE TO HIM YESTERDAY MORNING, HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT ONCE ADDITIONAL TRANCHE OF FUNDING COMES, ONCE THE COMPTROLLER MAKES THAT KNOWN, THAT THEN WE WOULD WORK IT OUT IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

WHAT HAPPENS IS EACH OF THE HOUSE, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WORK ON THE BILLS AND THEY MAKE CHANGES TO EACH OTHER'S BILLS AND THEN THEY ULTIMATELY WILL END UP IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THE BUDGET ALWAYS ENDS UP IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BECAUSE IT NEVER COMES BACK CLEAN FROM THE OTHER HOUSE.

HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS ONCE WE KNOW WHAT THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS FROM THE COMPTROLLER AND WE'RE IN THERE IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, TRYING TO HAMMER OUT THE FINAL BUDGET LANGUAGE THAT IT WOULD BE ADDED THERE.

THAT'S WHERE I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD BE ADDED THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY AT THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL SPENDING LIMIT THAT THEY HAVE TO STAY UNDER.

SOMEONE HAS TO LOSE.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE REMOVED FOR THIS TO BE PUT IN.

WE'VE GOT RIGHT AT $30 MILLION OF ASSETS, SO THE 25 AND THE FOUR-AND-A-HALF, SO 29.5.

THERE'S GOT TO BE 30 MILLION, 29.5 MILLION OF FUNDING FOUND TO BE REMOVED FOR OURS TO BE INSERTED.

[04:40:01]

>> IF YOU COULD JUST ASK BETWEEN REPRESENTING ALLISON AND THE REST OF OUR DELEGATION OR OUR LOBBYISTS IN AUSTIN UNDERSTAND LIKE WHO ARE THE KEY INDIVIDUALS WE NEED TO CONTACT, AND WE CAN REACH OUT AND TRY TO MAKE OUR CONCERNS KNOWN ABOUT THE LINE ITEM.

BUT A LITTLE MORE DIRECTIONAL AND MORE STRATEGY ON IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENT? MS. SHANNON. [OVERLAPPING] YES SIR.

IN REGARDS TO THOSE LOCAL BILLS 2655 AND 2633, THE ONES THAT YOU JUST REFERRED TO, HAVE WE REACHED OUT? THERE'S THE LOBBY TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES THOSE THAT ARE ALSO ON RETAINER WITH THE COUNTY, ARE THEY INVOLVED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS TOO AND ARE THEY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES AND STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH THIS? [NOISE]

>> AS FAR AS THE LE, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE 1.8.

NO, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE DIRECTION FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT YET.

UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WANTS TO DO AS FAR AS AMENDING A BILL.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY, I KNOW WE HAVEN'T GIVEN DIRECTION ABOUT AMENDMENTS TO MAKE IT LESS WORSE.

BUT I THINK IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR THAT IT WAS GOING TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT US.

>> I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND INCLUDING THE CHAIRWOMAN.

I DID TALK TO MARK RODRIGUEZ, ONE OF OUR OUTSIDE LOBBYISTS, BRIEFLY, INFORMALLY.

THEY'RE AWARE THAT THERE'S A CONCERN, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE HAVE NOT GIVEN YOU SPECIFIC DIRECTION ABOUT LET'S SUGGEST AMENDING IT TO MAKE IT BETTER.

BECAUSE I THINK THE PREFERENCES THAT IT JUST GET WORKED OUT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD BY REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON IS TO WORK IT OUT.

>> HE TOLD ME THAT DIRECTLY AS WELL.

>> HE'S LOOKING TO THE COUNTY AND THE DSABC AND THE SHERIFF.

THOSE WERE HIS WORDS TO ME, WERE, "I WANT YOU ALL TO WORK IT OUT WITH DSABC, AND THE SHERIFF AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE."

>> IN THE MEANTIME, IT'S PENDING IN COMMITTEE BUT THIS IS THE POINT IN THIS SESSION WHERE THEY START MEETING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, THE COMMITTEES AND THEY CAN GET THINGS OUT PRETTY INFORMALLY.

BUT I DID VISIT WITH ROB ALLISON THAT DAY.

HE DID SAY HIS PREFERENCE WAS FOR US TO VISIT WITH DSBC AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES AND JUST TRY AND GET IT WORKED OUT WITH.

>> IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH DSABC THEY'RE SEEKING A MEETING.

>> THAT'S HAPPENING IF YOU KNOW.

>> YEAH. PERFECT. THAT'S WHAT I MEANT.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY JUDGE THAT NOTHING WAS HAPPENING.

THINGS ARE HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES THAT I'D RATHER NOT SAY TOO MUCH IN PUBLIC.

BUT YES, WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

HOWEVER, THE REPS AND THE MOST OF OUR DELEGATION IS SIGNED ON TO THAT.

WE HAVE ONE REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS NOT, REPRESENTATIVE GARCIA.

HER OFFICE DID REACH OUT TO ME TWO OR THREE DAYS AGO AND THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP US WORK THROUGH THIS.

BUT I KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE ALLISON IS GOING TO LOOK FOR BOTH SIDES TO SAY WE'RE GOOD OR WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE SOME CHANGES TO THE BILL.

>> I TALKED TO REPRESENTATIVE JIN WU YESTERDAY AND HE SAID IT'S PROBLEMATIC FOR OTHER MEMBERS TO HELP BECAUSE EIGHT OF THE 10 LOCAL HAVE SIGNED ON.

THIS THING IS BARRELING DOWN OUR THROATS AT THE MOMENT AND IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE COUNTY.

THAT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH, AND WHATEVER DISCUSSIONS WE'VE HAD WITH THE OTHER REPS THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT THE COUNTY'S BEST INTERESTS, IT HASN'T MADE ANY OF THEM GET THEIR NAMES OFF OF COSPONSORS SHIFTS.

>> I HAVE SHARED THE FACTS AS WAS SHARED WITH ME BY BUDGET ON THE COST AND WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS AND THAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH THE FULL DELEGATION.

I HAVE MET WITH SOME OF THE OFFICES AND TOLD THEM OUR SIDE, FACTS.

>> COMMISSIONER, I'VE HAD AT LEAST A ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OF THE DELEGATION MEMBERS THAT HAVE SIGNED ON.

THE FEEDBACK I GOT FROM SOME OF THEM WAS EITHER THEY MISUNDERSTOOD THE INTENT OF THE BILL,

[04:45:01]

WHATEVER IT MAY BE, THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT HESITANT NOW TO TAKE THEIR NAMES OFF COMPLETELY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO OFFEND ANYBODY.

BUT AT ANY RATE, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU IF YOU'VE GOT FRIENDS IN THE DELEGATION THAT HAVE SIGNED ON, MAYBE A PHONE CALL WOULD BE HELPFUL AS WELL.

>> YES. I THINK IT'S BUMPED UP ABOVE MY LEVEL WHERE IF Y'ALL ARE ABLE TO TALK TO SOME OF OUR DELEGATION.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THE UNION HAS SHARED AT LEAST, I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

WHAT I HAVE SAID IN THE BUDGET IS THAT I WOULD BE PREPARED TO VOTE FOR 50 NEW OFFICERS THIS YEAR.

I THINK WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE PAY RAISE IN THE NEXT MEETING AS A SIGN OF GOOD FAITH TOWARDS NOT HAVING, BECAUSE THE SESSION IS OVER IN 45 DAYS BASICALLY FROM THE POINT THAT WE NEXT MEET.

I THINK WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE PAY RAISE SITUATION AND ASK THE DEPUTIES.

COME TO SOME CONSENSUS IN THE NEXT WEEK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE OFFERS FOR PERSONNEL AND PAY RAISES ARE ENOUGH.

THE OTHER THINGS WITH RESPECT TO FRINGE BENEFITS OF CHILDCARE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, WE WILL GET A SURVEY.

BUT WE CAN GET A SURVEY OUT PRETTY QUICKLY, I THINK BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING.

BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE I WAS PREPARED TO ALSO VOTE ON THINGS LIKE CHILDCARE NEAR OUR SUBSTATIONS IN JAIL AND ALSO THE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT WE'VE PROPOSED FOR DOWN PAYMENT FOR RETENTION, JUST LIKE IT WOULD BE A SOLDIER WHO GETS THEIR COLLEGE PAID FOR BY THE MILITARY.

FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS, THERE'S A CERTAIN COMMITMENT THAT WE WOULD WORK THROUGH THE BUDGET HAS TO GET THEIR NUMBERS FLUSHED OUT AND ALL THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS A SUBSTANTIVE OFFER AND IT JUST CAME OUT FRIDAY.

BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S SUPPORT ON THE COURT FOR RAISES AND THEIR SUPPORT FOR PERSONNEL, I THINK WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE UNION ABOUT WHERE THEY'RE AT RIGHT NOW AND ASK THEM IN EXCHANGE FOR OUR SUPPORT FOR RAISES, THAT THEY REMOVE THIS PUSH FOR THE BILL THAT'S MY THOUGHT COLLEAGUES.

>> ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU, MICHELLE?

>> YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

>> ITEM 56 DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE RATIFICATION APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

>> BEFORE WE GO INTO THAT I'M SORRY, JUDGE.

IF WE CAN GO INTO EXECUTIVE BECAUSE THAT IS ON EXECUTIVE.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION (DISCUSSION ONLY: CLOSED TO PUBLIC)]

BUT BEFORE YOU CALL EXECUTIVE, IF YOU COULD ACTUALLY TAKE THE VOTE ON THE REQUIRED WHICH YOU HAVE IT HERE.

>> YES. AS IT RELATES TO ITEM 59 BEFORE CONVENING EXECUTIVE AND UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE COURT MUST VOTE UNANIMOUSLY THAT DELIBERATION IN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE POSITION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO DELIBERATE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPUTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION OF BEXAR COUNTY UNDER CHAPTER 174 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ACTION?

>> MOTION MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> I SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? THEY'LL BE NONE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

WE WILL NOW GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

CONVENIENT AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, MAYBE DISGUSS AND ACT UPON IF APPROPRIATE, AND OPEN SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071 OR THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE HELD FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE COURTS ATTORNEY FOR ADVICE REGARDING FALLING MATTER A IN WHICH A DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH CHAPTER 551 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE, SPECIFICALLY ONE, LEGAL ISSUES REGARDING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, UNRELATED TO THE PROPERTY HELD IN TRUST ON BEHALF OF CERTAIN TAX TAXING JURISDICTIONS WITHIN BEXAR COUNTY FOR THE REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS, CLEANING OF THE PREMISES, AND REMOVAL OF ONE OR MORE DANGEROUS STRUCTURES CONCERNING CURRENTLY LOCATED ON THE PREMISES AT NCBI 10719, BLOCK 38, LOT 22, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 727 MORNING VIEW DRIVE, SAN ANTONIO TEXAS, BE PADDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT OFFER IN THE FOLLOWING MATTER.

ONE, LISA FLANAGAN, ZIONISTS VERSUS JACK FARMER, TWO MIKE MARTINEZ VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY THE COURT WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[04:50:05]

THE COURT WILL GO BACK IN OPEN SESSION, WE WILL TAKE UP ITEM 56,57 AND 58 I BELIEVE THIS IS BEING PRESENTED BY MR. ROBERTSON.

MR. ROBERTSON, I'LL ALLOW YOU TO PRESENT ON WHATEVER ORDER YOU WISH.

>>THANK YOU, JUDGE. I STARTED WITH ITEM 56 DURING

[56. Discussion and appropriate action regarding the ratification and approval of an agreement with the City of San Antonio related to the property held in trust on behalf of certain taxing jurisdictions within Bexar County for the removal of unauthorized persons, cleaning of the premises, and removal of one or more dangerous structures currently located on the premises at NCB: 10719 BLK: 38 LOT: 22, more commonly known as 727 Morningview Drive, San Antonio, Texas. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Larry Roberson)]

EXECUTIVE THE COURT CONSIDERED RATIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RELATED TO A PROPERTY HELD IN TRUST ON BEHALF OF CERTAIN TAXING JURISDICTIONS WITHIN BEXAR COUNTY FOR THE REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS, CLEANING OF THE PREMISES AND REMOVAL OF ONE OR MORE DANGEROUS STRUCTURES THE COURT WILL NEED TO VOTE.

>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO RATIFY AND APPROVE THE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVIN IS SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOONEY.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? BEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED, ANY ABSTENTIONS NEXT.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE NEXT ITEM WAS ACTUALLY NOT AN EXECUTIVE IT'S

[57. Discussion and appropriate action regarding an amendment to the settlement approved in the motor vehicle accident claim of USAA on behalf of its insured v. Bexar County to reduce the approved settlement amount of $40,444.73 to $28,836.77 as a result of a credit of salvage value in the amount of $11,607.96. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Larry Roberson)]

A REQUEST TO AMEND THE MINUTES APPROVED OR THE SETTLEMENT APPROVED LAST COURT MEETING RELATED TO THE NAMED CASE TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT FROM APPROXIMATELY 40,000 TO $28,836.77.

AS A RESULT OF RECEIVING CREDIT OF SALVAGE VALUE AND THE AMOUNT OF $11,607.96.

>> MOTION.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND? WHERE'S THE SECOND.

>> SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOONEY ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? THERE BEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

>> NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 58.

[58. Discussion and appropriate action related to pending or contemplated litigation or a settlement offers in the matters of: i. Lisa Flanagan-Zaiontz v. Jack Farmer (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes) (Larry Roberson)]

DURING EXECUTIVE, THE COURT CONSIDERED A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF $135,000 IN THE MATTER OF LISA FLANAGAN ZIONS VERSUS JACK FARMER THE COURT WILL NEED TO VOTE.

>> ANY MOTION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOONEY.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? THEY'LL BE NONE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTION? MOTION CARRIES.