Aug 22, 2023 Commissioners Court

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

WE WILL NOW TAKE UP THOSE ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.

[21. Approval of a Lease Agreement between Bexar County, Texas and Alamo Area Council of Governments for an initial term of seven years, plus up to five one-year optional extensions for 7,769 square feet of rentable office space located at 8200 Perrin Beitel Rd. Suites 124 and 128, at a rate of $19,893.61 per month, effective upon completion of the remodeling work, believed to be December 1, 2023, for use by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department. Precinct Number 4. (Part 1 of 2)]

THE FIRST ONE IS ITEM 21, APPROVAL OF A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS ALAMO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR INITIAL TERM OF SEVEN YEARS, PLUS UP TO FIVE ONE-YEAR OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS FOR 7,769 SQUARE FEET OF RENTAL SPACE LOCATED AT 8200 PAIR AND BOTTLE ROAD, SUITE 124 AND 128 AT THE RATE OF $19, IS THAT 19 OR $19,893 AND 61 CENTS PER MONTH, EFFECTIVE UPON COMPLETION OF THE REMODELING WORK, BELIEVED TO BE DECEMBER 1, 2023, FOR THE USE BY THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT.

PRE-SEAT NUMBER 4, MR. DAVE WEGMAN?

>> YES, THANK YOU. DAVID WEGMAN WITH PUBLIC WORKS.

YES, THAT WAS A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR ON THE AMOUNT IS 19,000.

THAT PERIOD SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COMMA.

THIS IS ONE THAT OUR ASSET MANAGER, JOE NEWTON, HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR SOME TIME NOW TO GET THAT LEASE AGREEMENT AND THE REMODELING WORK DONE FOR USE OF OUR SUNBEAT APARTMENT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HEARD ME.

IF SOMEONE CAN CHECK WITH RENE WATSON.

I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR HER TOO.

BUT WITH RESPECT TO THE LEASE, DO YOU KNOW IF THEY'RE TENANT IMPROVEMENTS FOR THAT LEASE?

>> ARE THERE ANY TENANT IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED IN THAT RENT LEASE?

>> I JUST KNOW THEY'RE DOING A REMODEL.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS, BUT I CAN FIND OUT FOR YOU.

>> THE REASON I'M ASKING IS, BECAUSE LOOKING AT THE COMPARABLES AND THE MARKET, THE RATE WAS A LITTLE HIGH, AND SO IT MAY INCLUDE TENANT IMPROVEMENTS, AND I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE LEASE.

>> YEAH. I CAN CERTAINLY GET WITH YOUR OFFICE ON THE EXACT SPECIFICS OF THAT.

>> OKAY.

>> WELL, I KNOW THE BUILDING IS OWNED BY ECOG, AND AT THE ECOG BOARD MEETINGS, THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE REMODELING GOING ON, SO I'M ASSUMING IT'S PART OF IT.

>> YEAH. THE REQUESTED REMODELING IS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE LANDLORD, ECOG, AND THEN THAT GETS FOLDED INTO OUR MONTHLY RATE INCLUDING ALL UTILITIES, REPAIRS, JANITORIAL, ALL OF THAT GOES INTO THAT PER MONTH NUMBER.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW BECAUSE I JUST WAS LOOKING AT COMPARABLE IT SEEMS A LITTLE HIGH.

IT'S ABOUT 1.6 MILLION OVER THE TERM OF THE SEVEN YEARS OF THE LEASE.

IT'S A SEVEN YEAR, RIGHT? IS THAT THE TERM?

>> SEVEN YEARS WITH FIVE ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS. SEVEN-YEAR TERM.

SO ABOUT 238,000 PER YEAR FOR THE LEASE.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S TEXTED RENE WATSON FROM SMALL BUSINESS? NO.

IN ANY EVENT, LET ME JUST MAKE SOME COMMENTS GENERALLY, THE EIGHTH PROGRAM, MANY OF YOU MAY KNOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SUSPENDING ITS EIGHTH SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM BECAUSE OF FEDERAL COURT RULING OUT OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE.

THAT RULING IS IN LIGHT OF ALSO THE OTHER THINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE SUPREME COURT THAT ARE HAPPENING AND SO THE QUESTION I REALLY HAVE FOR SMWBE IS, WHAT WAS THE INTENT OF THE OF THE PROGRAMS WITHIN? DO THESE LEGAL CHALLENGES AT THE SUPREME COURT AND THE FEDERAL COURTS HAVE ANY BEARING UPON THE SPACE NEEDS? BECAUSE THOSE SPACE NEEDS MAY HAVE BEEN DEPENDENT UPON PROGRAMS THAT LOOK TO BE STRUCK DOWN OR AT LEAST ON HOLD FOR SOME TIME.

A LITTLE CLARITY BECAUSE THIS IS PRETTY NEW INFORMATION THAT WE'RE GETTING AND THE COURT HASN'T REALLY EVALUATED, HOW DO WE NAVIGATE THIS SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM WORLD BECAUSE IT'S CHANGING VERY QUICKLY? WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING, FOR EXAMPLE,

[00:20:02]

WITH ANY OF THESE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS IS DEMANDING THAT EACH APPLICANT DENOTATE THE WAY IN WHICH THAT THEY ARE DISADVANTAGED, MUCH LIKE WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID, WHEN THE FERN OF ACTION RULING CAME ACROSS FROM THE SUPREME COURT ABOUT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, THAT THAT WOULD BE A WAY THAT THEY WOULD BE DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE, AND ARE WE DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR AT BEXAR COUNTY? I DON'T KNOW, DAVID, HAVE YOU HEARD ANY RECOMMENDATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS?

>> NO, WE'RE CAUGHT IN LIMBO COMMISSIONER BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING WASN'T DIRECTLY ON POINT ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS, BUT THE FEDERAL COURTS ARE OBVIOUSLY TAKING THAT AS MORE GENERAL GUIDANCE, SO IN THE MEANTIME, ACCORDING TO GRIFFIN AMSTRONG, IT REMAINS LEGAL TO PURSUE A PROGRAM LIKE WE'VE BEEN STUDYING IN THE DISPARITY STUDY, BUT HOW MUCH LONGER REMAINS ILLEGAL? I DON'T KNOW.

>> WELL, RIGHT. AGAIN, THIS IS A NEW RULING, EASTERN FEDERAL DISTRICT.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NATIONWIDE SAID, HOLD ON, NO MORE.

LET'S HOLD EVERYTHING HERE ARE A COUPLE OF GUIDANCE POINTS THAT WILL BE RE-ESTABLISHED, AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE OUR SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM GET INTO ANY QUAGMIRES RELATED TO THINGS THAT WE KNOW TO BE HAPPENING.

LARRY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE FOLLOWED THE EASTERN DISTRICT RULING THAT CAME OUT OF TENNESSEE?

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT RULING, THERE WAS ONE IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE APPLICABLE AS YOU KNOW, THE LANDSCAPE FOR THIS AREA OF THE LAW IS CHANGING.

AS REALLY NOTED WITH THE SUPREME COURT'S OPINION IN THE HARVARD CASE, AND THOSE CASES ARE REALLY A GUIDE TO HOW THE COURTS ARE GOING TO HANDLE IT BECAUSE THE ANALYSIS SUPPORTING THOSE OPINIONS ARE THE VERY SAME THAT THEY WOULD USE IN RACE AND GENDER CONSCIOUS PROGRAMS FOR CONTRACTING AND OTHERWISE SO YES, COMMISSIONER, I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

IT IS OF CONCERN, BUT IT IS A POLICY DECISION, AS DAVID NOTED,.

THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE IS NOT THAT IS NOT PRECEDENT FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT, WHICH WE ARE IN.

THE NORTHERN DISTRICT IS NOT PRECEDENT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT WHICH WE ARE IN, BUT IT IS TO YOUR POINT, GOOD GUIDE TO PERHAPS THE FUTURE OF THIS AREA, THE LAW WHICH IS CHANGING VERY RAPIDLY AS WE SPEAK.

MAYBE SOME OF THE BEXAR COUNTY PROGRAMS ARE UNDER CHALLENGE.

>> I THINK THAT THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTY HAS TO LOOK.

THANK YOU. RENEE CAME IN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE GOT TO HERE, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AND YOU PROBABLY JUST RAN UP.

>>YOU WANT ME TO START OVER?

>> NO, I HEARD EVERYTHING. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO THE CHORD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE BUILD-OUT PROGRAMS WILL BE.

THE REASON I'M ASKING THIS IS IN LIGHT OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT IN NORTHERN DISTRICTS FEDERAL RULINGS WITH RESPECT TO, FOR EXAMPLE, A DAY AND SOME OTHER THINGS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SAYING, HEY, YOU NEED TO HAVE A DESCRIPTION OF HOW YOU WERE DISADVANTAGED UNLESS YOU WERE HAWAIIAN OR ESCUCHEMOS, VERY FEW INDIGENOUS GROUPS ARE VERY FEW MINORITY GROUPS.

DOES THIS CHANGE THE PROGRAMMATIC USE OF SMWBE IN ANY WAY?

>> BETCAMP, GOOD MORNING.

FIRST OF ALL, MY NAME IS RENEE WATSON.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTY.

BEXAR COUNTY HAS HAD A RACE NEUTRAL PROGRAM FOR 23 YEARS.

WHAT THE COURTS ARE NOW SAYING IS REALLY TRYING TO BRING EVERYBODY IN LINE TO WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING.

THE ADA PROGRAM, THE VETERANS PROGRAM, ONLY THINGS THAT'S REQUIRED FROM THE COURT CASES AND WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING ALL OF THEM, IS THAT A NARRATIVE HAS TO BE SUBMITTED ON WHY YOU SAY YOU ARE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED.

RACE COUNTS AS SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A NARRATIVE IN THAT PROCESS.

THIS FACILITY, WE ARE SAYING IS GOING TO BE A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY CENTER, WHICH IT WILL TAKE THE SYNERGY FROM OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH ACOG AND ALL OF THE MUNICIPALITIES WE HAVE, AND MAKE IT MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LARGE AND SMALL BUSINESS AND HAVE EQUAL ACCESS BECAUSE OF THIS FACILITY.

>> ALL BUSINESSES WILL BE TREATED WITHOUT REGARD?

>> JUST LIKE WE DO NOW BECAUSE WE KNOW AND WE HAD A PHONE CALL THE OTHER DAY FROM A PRIME WHOSE BIDDING ON THE CITY'S AIRPORT.

THEY WANTED TO DO AN OUTREACH EVENT.

OUR TRAINING ROOM WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT BECAUSE

[00:25:01]

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE FACILITY WITH PARKING, WITH THE CONTINUED PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE, TO SERVE ALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE WE KNOW WHEN WE BRING INTO LARGE BUSINESS, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS, NOT NECESSARILY BASED ON RACE OR GENDER, BUT THE ABILITY TO DO THE WORK.

>> I GUESS THE ONLY OTHER CONCERN I HAD WAS THE TENURE OF THE LEASE BEING SEVEN YEARS.

IT'S A LONG LEASE IN LIGHT OF ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE IN FLUX.

JUST HOW SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS WILL, WHETHER THERE'LL BE STRUCK DOWN, WHETHER THERE'LL BE IN EXISTENCE GOING FORWARD.

I KNOW THE COUNTY HAS ALWAYS HAD A NEED FOR SMALL BUSINESS INCLUSION.

BUT HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE THESE COURT RULINGS AFFECTING THE SIZE OF THE STAFF, THE PROGRAMS IN TERMS OF THE OFFERINGS, YOU ANTICIPATE IT'S NOTHING BECAUSE IT'S RACE-NEUTRAL OR IS THERE ANY OTHER THREAT TO THE DEPARTMENT THAT YOU SEE?

>> WELL, WE APPRECIATE COMMISSIONERS COURTS SUPPORT LAST YEAR WITH THE COMPLIANCE OFFICERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVEN'T IMPLEMENTED THE MANDATORY DATA COLLECTION.

WE HOPE THAT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHO'S DOING BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY.

THERE ARE ISSUES OF SOME WHO ARE DOING BUSINESS, AND THEN SOME WHO ATTEMPT TO DO BUSINESS, THEY CAN'T DO BUSINESS.

THAT'S ALL, SMWBES, AND NON-SMWBES.

IN OUR DBE AND FEDERAL PROGRAM, WE ANTICIPATE THE COUNTY GETTING MORE OF THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS, WHICH YOU SEE FROM PUBLIC WORKS ON THE AGENDA ALMOST EVERY MONTH, WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE PARTNER WITH OTHER SUB-RECIPIENTS WITH TECH STACK TO DO THOSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

WE FEEL THAT CURRENTLY IT'S ADEQUATELY STAFF BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID LAST YEAR, AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT.

WE'RE NOW ASKING TO MOVE INTO THIS FACILITY.

JOE NEWTON HAS BEEN THE ADVISOR FROM PUBLIC WORKS, WALKING ME THROUGH ALL OF THESE STEPS.

THERE IS OUT CLAUSE FROM ACOG.

IF THE COUNTY DECIDES TO BUILD THEIR OWN BUILDING, OR MOVE US INTO ANOTHER BUILDING THERE IS SOME ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION WITH THAT.

>> THERE'S TENANT IMPROVEMENTS AS PART OF THE LEASE.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT TENANT IMPROVEMENTS BECAUSE IT WAS AT HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION THAT OCCUPIED THE BUILDING.

THERE HAS TO BE INSIGNIFICANT UPGRADE TO THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

ELECTRICAL VCIT HAS GONE AND DONE A WALK THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL COMPANY WITH ELECTRIC POWER LINES AND ALL OF THE CONNECTIONS.

SUDDENLY THE LEASE IS APPROVED, THE GENERAL CONTRACT, AND WE EXPECT THE ARCHITECTS TO GIVE US THE FINAL DRAWINGS THIS WEEK AND THEN WE MOVE INTO CONSTRUCTION.

I DO THINK THAT IN A WORK SESSION MAYBE AFTER THE BUDGET, IT WOULD BE WORTH AN UPDATE ON BOTH FROM OUR DISPARITIES AND OUR LEGAL COUNSELS AND MAYBE SOME NEW ONES THAT WE'RE HAVING TO GET BECAUSE OF THE COURT CASE AGAINST THE COUNTY RELATED TO THE LIFTFUND ISSUES.

IT WOULD BE SMART FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO HAVE A BRIEFING ON THIS CHANGING LANDSCAPE AND THE COURSE, THE CASES THAT ARE WORKING THEIR WAY UP INTO PROBABLY A SUPREME COURT RULING OR HIGHER APPELLATE RULINGS SO THAT WE CAN JUST BE MINDFUL.

EVEN THOUGH THERE'S RACE-NEUTRAL, I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT EVERY PROGRAM BEING SCRUTINIZED AND IT'S A TIME FOR A GOOD REVIEW JUST TO LOOK AT IS ANYBODY ELSE SCRUTINIZING BECAUSE I CERTAINLY THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE LIFTFUND WAS A TARGETED EFFORT BY FORCES THAT WANTED TO GO AFTER BEXAR COUNTY THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING AROUND THE NATION.

WE WERE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE, I THINK WITH RESPECT TO OUR PROGRAMS. I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO JUST HAVE A RE-UP TO UNDERSTAND.

DO WE NEED TO MODIFY ANYTHING AT ALL? WITH THAT, I WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE APPROVAL.

I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION FOR THE COURT. THANK YOU.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> I'M SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER MARIALYN.

>> IS THERE A CORRECTION TO THE AMOUNT IN THE [OVERLAPPING].

>> WE CHANGED THE PERIOD TO A COMA?

>> I WAS ON MY WAY. I DIDN'T KNOW. JOE NEWTON MADE SURE I MAKE IT. [OVERLAPPING].

>> HOLD ON, COMMISSIONER MOODY HAS GOT SOME QUESTION?

>> WE WERE USING THE EUROPEAN SYSTEM.

[LAUGHTER]

>> I DON'T LIKE THE EUROPEAN SYSTEM, SO LET'S KEEP COMMAS, COMMAS AND PERIODS, PERIODS.

>> COMMISSONER MOODY.

>> THANK YOU, RENEE. I JUST WAS READING THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION HERE AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD IT.

WHEN IT COMES TO YOU, THIS LEASE DOES CONTAIN AN OUT CLAUSES IF THIS OFFICE MOVES TO A GOVERNMENTALLY OWN BUILDING AT ANYTIME WITH A 90-DAY WRITTEN NOTICE, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS IN THE CONTRACT.

>> BUT THE NEXT SENTENCE SAYS ANY REMAINING COST WOULD

[00:30:01]

HAVE TO BE REPAID IF TERMINATED EARLY, CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY ON THAT?

>> [BACKGROUND].

>> NO.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO GET BACK WITH YOU ON THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS NEGOTIATED BY PUBLIC WORKS AND GO.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE THOSE TWO SEEM TO BE IN CONFLICT OR I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE REMAINING COSTS WOULD BE.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE AMORTIZATION OF THE BUILD-OUT COSTS.

>> THE BUILD-OUT COSTS.

>> NOT THE LEASE IN REMAINING.

>> I'LL HAVE TO CHECK WITH JOE BECAUSE [OVERLAPPING]

>> MR. WAKE, CAN YOU ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS OR NOT? NO.

>> I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION BECAUSE OF THE EXIT CLAUSE.

I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

I WOULD JUST SAY TO TABLE IT UNTIL WE CAN GET JOE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.

HE MAY BE AVAILABLE LATER ON IN THE MEETING, BUT IF YOU CAN HAVE JOE COME BUT LET'S JUST TABLE IT FOR NOW.

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT HAS ASKED TO PULL HIS MOTION. DO YOU AGREE?

>> CAN I MAKE ONE FURTHER COMMENT?

>> HOLD ON. LET'S DEAL WITH THE MOTION ON HAND.

>> I WOULDN'T MOVE TO TABLE, BUT I DO HAVE A COMMENT RELATED TO THAT.

>> SO THERE'S A SECOND TO MOTION THE TABLE?

>> CORRECT. SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY TO TABLE.

LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON THE MOTION TO TABLE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. [OVERLAPPING]

>> I HAVE A QUESTION.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> DOES THIS AFFECT YOU GUYS AT ALL? DOES THIS NEED TO GET DONE TODAY OR IS THIS GOING TO DELAY THINGS FOR YOU ALL? BECAUSE THEY'VE BROUGHT THIS UP AT THE BOARD MEETING AND I DIDN'T HEAR THESE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, SO I'M JUST SURPRISED THAT THERE'S SO MANY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.

HOW'S THIS GOING TO AFFECT YOU ALL?

>> IT'S GOING TO DELAY OUR MOVE.

WE KNOW THERE ARE OTHER OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS TRYING TO MOVE INTO THE ANNEX.

THE NOTICE WILL GO OUT TO THE ARCHITECT TOMORROW.

ACOG WAS WORKING TO BRING THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO START THE WORK, TO MAKE THE FACILITY READY.

>> YOU AS A DEPARTMENT LEAD, I ASSUME, HAVE GONE OVER ALL THESE CONTRACTS AND YOU'RE OKAY WITH THIS?

>> BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MY OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH YOU FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF.

INITIALLY, WE WANTED TO FIND A SPACE ON THE SOUTH SIDE THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR WHATEVER REASON.

I SUCCUMBED, I WAS LIKE, [OVERLAPPING] IT'S A GOOD PLACE, IT'S A GOOD BUILDING.

IT'S CENTRAL FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.

CENTRAL AND IN THEIR TERMS OR WHATEVER.

I WOULD SUPPORT WHATEVER OUR DIRECTOR DOES, BUT I DIDN'T MAKE THE MOTION, SO I'LL GO ALONG WITH THE COURT, WHATEVER YOU ALL DECIDE.

>> COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> I THINK THE MOTION, AS I'VE HEARD IT TO TABLE, IS BUILT ON TRYING TO JUST GET JOE HERE TO CLARIFY.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PUSHING THIS OUT MONTH, TWO MONTHS, THREE MONTHS.

WE JUST WANT TO GET CLARITY ON THE OUT CLAUSE.

>> [OVERLAPPING] THERE'S THIS SUGGESTION.

>> GET JOE HERE. IS THERE AN AGREEMENT JUST TO HOLD THIS AGENDA ITEM AND WE'LL TAKE IT UP WHEN WE TAKE IT UP? RENEE DAVE, BRIEF JOE AS TO WHAT THE QUESTION IS.

>> WE DO HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE IT TECHNICALLY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT UP TODAY.

>> IT'S THE SAME THING. YOU TABLE WHETHER IT'S TODAY OR NEXT MEETING.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AS THE CHAIR, I AM HOLDING THIS AGENDA ITEM, WE'LL TAKE IT UP AND THEN WE MAY REVISIT THE TABLE OR THE MOTION TO APPROVE.

LET'S TAKE UP THE LAST ITEM POOL AND THEN I'M ALERTING THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

YOU ALL ARE NEXT AFTER THIS.

ITEM 52 APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF YEAR 2,

[52. Approval and execution of Year Two Partnership Program Agreement between Bexar County and Westcare Texas Inc., for services to two nationally designated priority areas, the Eastside Promise Zone (EPZ) and Opportunity Zones (OZ) in the dollar amount of $1,037,759.31 ($878,937.31 + $158,822 carryover from year 1). Utilizing grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the "FY 2021 Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma" for the Bexar County ReCAST Program Grant#lH79SM085119-02. The term of this agreement is September 30, 2022, to September 29, 2023.]

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND WEST CARE TEXAS INC. FOR SERVICES TO TWO NATIONALLY DESIGNATED PRIORITY AREAS.

THE EAST SIDE PROMISE ZONE, EPZ, AND OPPORTUNITY ZONES, OZ, IN THE AMOUNT OF 1,037,759.31 DOLLARS, WHICH IS THE AGGREGATE OF 878,937.31 DOLLARS AND 158,822 DOLLARS.

CARRYOVER FROM YEAR 1, UTILIZING GRANT FUNDING FROM THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SAMHSA FOR THE FY 2021, RESILIENCY IN COMMUNITIES AFTER STRESS AND TRAUMA FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY RECAST PROGRAM GRANT NUMBER.

THE TERM OR THIS AGREEMENT IS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 29, 2023.

DR. GUADO, GOOD MORNING?

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

>> JUDGE. I PULLED THAT ITEM IF I COULD JUST BE MORE DIRECT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T SPEND A WHOLE LOT OF TIME ON THIS.

I KNOW WE'VE GOT SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE TIME CERTAIN, BUT DR. OHADO, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

I KNOW THIS IS JUST A RATIFICATION OF THIS YEAR'S FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM.

[00:35:05]

THIS MAY BE SOMETHING THAT I MAY ASK YOU TO FOLLOW UP WITH LATER, BUT I THINK PART OF THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION I GUESS REFERRED TO A NEEDS AND RESOURCE ASSESSMENT FOR THESE SPECIFIC AREAS, EAST SIDE PROMISE ZONE AND OPPORTUNITY ZONE.

I'M ASSUMING IT WAS THE STAFF AT SAMHSA THAT DID THAT ASSESSMENT.

IF YOU COULD JUST GET THAT TO US, I JUST HAD A CURIOSITY, WANT TO SEE SOME OF THE FINDINGS IN PROPOSED OUTCOMES SPECIFICALLY IN THE EAST AND WEST SIDE AS IT RELATES TO MENTAL HEALTH.

IS THAT ACCURATE THAT THEY'VE DONE THAT ASSESSMENT SEPARATELY OR IS THAT SOMETHING YOUR OFFICE DO?

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WE DID THROUGH MY OFFICE AND THIS IS A GRANT THAT HAS MIGRATED OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT.

FOR THE RECORD, DR. ANDRE, I'M GUADO OHADO, DIRECTOR OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

IT WAS ONE THAT WAS MIGRATED FROM OCJ, FROM THE OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OVER TO PREVENTATIVE HEALTH IN MAY.

WE'RE CONDUCTING A FULL REVIEW OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE CITING RIGHT NOW INCLUDING ALL THE INVOICES AND GETTING CAUGHT UP ON THESE CONTRACTS, BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT IS THE ASSESSMENT THAT SAMHSA HAS DONE, BUT WE'LL REVIEW THAT AND SEND IT OVER TO YOU.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SEE. I THINK IT WAS DONE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AS IT RELATES TO THE AGENDA ITEM, RESILIENCY AND COMMUNITIES AFTER STRESS AND TRAUMA.

I THINK IT'D BE INSTRUCTIVE TO SEE WHAT SOME OF THOSE ASSESSMENTS CAME OUT AND PARTICULARLY GOING THROUGH COVID AND HOW WE MAY NEED A PIVOT OR DOUBLE DOWN WITH RESPECT TO SOME OF OUR PROGRAMMING.

THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT AND I'D ASK THAT YOU FOLLOW UP WITH US.

>> THIS IS A GRANT THAT WAS CREATED AS A RESULT OF THE KILLING OF MICHAEL BROWN IN FERGUSON, MISSOURI.

THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SEVENTH YEAR, THE SECOND RENEWAL, THE FIVE-YEAR GRANTS.

THIS IS APPROVING YEAR 2 CONTRACT.

WE'RE MOVING INTO YEAR 3., SO A FULL REVIEW IS UNDERWAY, NOT JUST WITH THE ASSESSMENTS, BUT WITH THE OPERATIONS OF THE GRANT ITSELF.

>> GREAT. MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE, JUDGE.

>> JUDGE, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, IS BEVERLY WATTS DAVIS IN THE AUDIENCE? SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE. I THINK SHE WAS ON HER WAY, BUT SHE'S NOT HERE YET.

>> LET ME JUST MAKE A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT THE RECAST GRANT.

DR. OHADO IS CORRECT.

THIS GRANT IS A GRANT THAT I PARTNERED WITH THE WEST CARE FOUNDATION IN SAN ANTONIO, FIGHTING BACK TO BRING TO THE COUNTY THIS IS A NET PLUS POSITIVE IN TERMS OF MONEY TO THE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY ACTUALLY EARN SOME MONEY FROM THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH ADMINISTRATING OVERSIGHT AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

POINT FOR THE RECORD THERE'S ANOTHER ONE WHERE I'M BRINGING IN MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP OUR COUNTY ACCOMPLISH GOALS ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATIONS.

PART OF WHAT IS DONE WITH THIS GRANT IS ENLIGHT OF THE DEATH IN FERGUSON THAT CAUSE MAJOR TENSIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIPS.

THIS IS A GRANT TO HELP IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND MANY OTHER FACTORS THAT LEAD TO SOCIAL UNREST.

IN TERMS OF OUR COMMUNITIES, THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE.

FIRST PRESIDENT OBAMA AND IT'S BEEN CONTINUED THROUGH ADMINISTRATIONS TO THE PRESENT.

I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION.

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ON THAT.

>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER PLATE FLOORS, COMMISSIONER MOODY. ALL RIGHT.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SIR.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO A TIME CERTAIN.

FOR THE RECORD WE'VE FINISHED THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. AT THIS TIME, I WILL TAKE UP.

[3. b. 9:30 a.m.: Consideration and approval of a Resolution of Commissioners Court of Bexar County, Texas authorizing the defeasance of certain outstanding Bexar County Hospital District certificates of obligation for the benefit of the district in accordance with specified parameters; approving and authorizing the execution of an escrow agreement; authorizing all other required actions on behalf of the district; and resolving other matters relating thereto. (Presentation Time: 10 minutes)]

CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT OF BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THAT THE DEFICITS OF CERTAIN OUTSTANDING BEXAR COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DISTRICT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPECIFIED PARAMETERS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ESCROW AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZED AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERE TOO.

THEN I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A SECOND ITEM, THIS IS A BUDGET DISCUSSION, BUT I PRESUME, DAVID, WE'RE GOING TO JUST TAKE UP EACH SEPARATELY. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> MR. HERNANDEZ, GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. MORNING, MEMBERS, COMMISSIONERS COURT, JUDGE.

MY NAME IS GEORGE HERNANDEZ, I'M CEO UNIVERSITY HEALTH.

WITH ME THIS MORNING WE HAVE OUR CHAIR, JAMES ADAMS, OUR VICE-CHAIR, JIMMY HASSLOCHER, AND BOARD MEMBERS, ANITA FERNANDEZ AND PAT HUSTLE.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE TEAM,

[00:40:01]

WE HAVE OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALBANAS, OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, READ HURLEY, OUR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER DR. BRIAN ALSIP, OUR CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER LENI KIRKMAN, CHIEF CIO BILL PHILLIPS, CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER SAVINA REVELA AND TED DAY OUR CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER.

ALSO WITH US ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, JUDGE AND COURT MEMBERS WE HAVE DON GONZALEZ OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR WITH ESTRADA NAJOSA, WHICH WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE RECORD, DON GONZALEZ FOR THE ESTRADA NAJOSA.

I'VE GOT A PRESENTATION THAT I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH VERY BRIEFLY.

IF WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START ON SLIDE 3.

IF YOU DON'T MIND. ON SLIDE 3, WE RECENTLY COMPLETED A TRANSACTION FOR BEXAR COUNTY HOSPITAL ON JULY THE 18TH.

ON JULY THE 18TH AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE COLUMNS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TABLE.

THE MIDDLE COLUMN IS WHERE WE STARTED OUT IN THE MARKET THAT MORNING.

THE FAR-RIGHT COLUMN IS THE FINAL PRICING WIRE ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTEREST RATES FOR EACH MATURITY WHERE WE FINISHED UP THE DAY.

THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT YOU SEE AS NEGATIVES ARE ALL IN FAVOR.

THAT MEANS LOWER YIELDS, LOWER INTEREST RATE TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT ON THE DAY OF PRICING.

BY THAT BEING ABLE TO OCCUR, WE WERE ABLE TO POSITION THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN INVERTED YIELD CURVE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY SEEING IN THE MARKETPLACE, WHERE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES ARE ACTUALLY HIGHER THAN MIDTERM AND SOME LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES.

IF YOU LOOK TO THE FOLLOWING SLIDE, WHAT WE DID WAS ELIMINATE THE PRINCIPLE THAT WAS GOING TO BE PAID IN 2024, THAT WAS AT A 3.26% INTEREST RATE.

ELIMINATE THAT AND PUSH MORE DEBT INTO 2029 AND 2030, WHICH WERE AT ABOUT 2.89 AND 2.92% RESPECTIVELY.

IN ELIMINATING THAT FIRST MATURITY, WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE SOME MONEY.

WE PUT MORE DEBT AT A LOWER INTEREST RATE AND AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO, IS WHAT WE HAVE TODAY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS TO DEFEASE SOME BONDS EARLY AND NEXT YEAR IN JANUARY OF 2024.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE 2029 AND 2030 MATURITIES THAT CAN BE PAID OFF EARLY WITH, AND THOSE ARE CURRENTLY AT 5% INTEREST RATE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ARE BASICALLY TAKING HIGHER INTEREST RATE DEBT, PAYING IT OFF EARLY AND REPLACING IT WITH LOWER INTEREST RATE DEBT IN 2029 AND 2030.

THE SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS IS ON SLIDE 5 AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WHAT WE ORIGINALLY PRICED THAT MORNING WE WOULD HAVE HAD TOTAL DEBT SERVICE, WHICH IS PRINCIPAL AND INTERESTS OF APPROXIMATELY 350 MILLION.

THE DEBT SERVICE ON THE FINAL PRICING WIRE WITH THOSE CHANGES IN MOVING MORE PRINCIPLE INTO 2029 AND 2030 ENDED UP WITH 345 MILLION IN DEBT SERVICE, THAT'S PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST FOR A TOTAL SAVINGS OF JUST UNDER $4.7 MILLION.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE'S INTEREST SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH PAYING OFF THOSE 2029 AND 2030 MATURITIES FROM THE 2018 BONDS THAT WERE ISSUED IN 2018, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY REQUESTING YOUR AUTHORIZATION TO DO TODAY.

THAT WOULD SAVE JUST OVER $2.4 MILLION.

THE COMBINATION OF THESE TWO MOVES SAVES THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT APPROXIMATELY $7.1 MILLION.

THE REQUEST AND THE BOARD OF MANAGERS ACTED LAST WEEK TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RATIFICATION AND WANTED TO BRING THIS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, WHICH IS TO BE ABLE TO DEFEASE THE 2029 AND 2030 MATURITIES FROM DEBT THAT WAS ISSUED IN 2018.

JUST AS IN THE SLIDE, I BELIEVE IN 2017, COMMISSIONERS COURT ACTED THEN TO DEFEASE SOME DEBT EARLY, AND PAY THAT OFF EARLY WITH CASH THAT WAS ON HAND.

WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> ANY QUESTION? COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> DON, FIRST OF ALL, GREAT STRATEGY AND GREAT MOVES AND REALLY WANT TO APPLAUD THE SMART WORK THAT WAS DONE IN COUNSELING US ON THIS.

IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET THAT IS COMING FORWARD TO FINANCE SOME OF THE EARLY REPAYMENT.

JUST HELPED ME WITH LOGISTICS.

IS IT COMING OUT OF THE UHS?

[00:45:03]

OR ARE YOU ASKING US FOR, I UNDERSTAND THIS IS JUST MAINLY AUTHORIZING THIS MOVE, BUT IT'S JUST COMING OUT OF UHS OR? YEAH. OKAY.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER?

>> I JUST WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK.

>> YES, SIR. IN FACT, I BELIEVE THE DEBT SERVICE, PORTION OF THE TOTAL TAX RATE FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT CONTEMPLATES THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD ACT IN A FAVORABLE MANNER SO THAT THE TAX RATE ACTUALLY WILL NOT BE INCREASING BY PAYING THIS OFF EARLY AND WE WERE ABLE TO REPOSITION.

THEY SAID DEBT WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE TAX RATE.

>> IS A WONDERFUL NEWS.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER MOODY HAS HIS HAND UP, BUT I WILL JUST MOVE TO MAKE THE MOTION IN A MOMENT.

>> NOW, I JUST WANTED TO ECHO COMMISSIONER CALVERT, I APPLAUD UHS FOR IDENTIFYING THESE COST-SAVINGS.

THIS IS WONDERFUL TO SEE AND AGAIN, WILL BE SUPPORTED.

>> I THINK BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF HOW DETAIL THESE ARE, PROBABLY HAVE TO READ THE FULL MOTION SO I'M JUST GOING TO READ AS IT RECORDED.

I MOVE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIFFERENCE OF CERTAIN OUTSTANDING BEXAR COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DISTRICT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPECIFIED PARAMETERS, APPROVING AN AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ESCROW AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZING ALL OTHER REQUIRED ACTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERE TOO.

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

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> YES. JUST BRIEFLY, JUDGE.

DON, THANK YOU FOR THE OVERVIEW.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION THAT MAY BE MORE FOR GEORGE OR READ MORE BIG PICTURE.

BUT DON, THANK YOU, YOUR TEAM, THE FOLKS AT HILLTOP ROLE AND EVERYBODY FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS DIFFERENCE WAS PART OF THE BIGGER TRANSACTION WHICH WAS TO GO OUT.

I THINK LAST YEAR, THIS COURT AUTHORIZED SOMEWHERE AROUND 500 MILLION FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO START THE CONSTRUCTION CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR THE TWO NEW HOSPITALS, I THINK YOU SOLD 300 MILLION LAST YEAR.

THIS IS THE BALANCE OF THAT AUTHORIZATION. IS THAT CORRECT, GEORGE?

>> THAT IS CORRECTLY, THEY'LL TOTAL PRICE TAG FOR THOSE TWO HOSPITALS AND ABOUT 1.2 BILLION AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE REST OUT OF OPERATIONS.

THE FUNDING WE DID NOT WANT, WE'VE NEVER HAD A POLICY THERE WHERE GET EVERYTHING FROM DEBT AND SO THIS IS ABOUT AS LESS THAN 50% OF THESE HOSPITALS COME FROM DEBT.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY WITH RESPECT TO YOU AND YOUR FINANCE TEAM, GEORGE AND YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS A 4.15 TOTAL TIC.

INTEREST RATE COSTS IS PARTICULARLY IN A RISING INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT, PRETTY REMARKABLE SO KUDOS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, YOUR BUDGET TEAM, YOUR FINANCE TEAM.

I THINK IT'S HARD TO GO OUT FOR ANYTHING THESE DAYS AT FOR A LITTLE OVER 4%.

SO SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS, I THINK TO THE TAXPAYER, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO TALK LATER ABOUT THE BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE, BUT I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT BECAUSE IT IS A SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE BORROWING MONEY, WE GET IT.

THAT'S THE WAY OF DOING BUSINESS IN A LOT OF WAYS.

BUT IT'S A VERY, VERY LOW INTEREST RATE COST TO TAXPAYERS AND USING THAT MONEY PRUDENTLY SO WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT AND TAKE NOTE OF THAT, GEORGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU AND WE THANK ESTRADA NAJOSA AND HILLTOP SECURITIES OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS.

WE TAKE THEIR ADVISORY SERIOUSLY.

THE BOARD OF MANAGERS FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON THESE ISSUES AND SO WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.

I THINK WE DID GET A VERY, VERY GOOD INTEREST RATE BACK IN JULY.

>> GEORGE, LET ME JUST SAY, I APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP OF NOT ONLY YOU, YOUR EXECUTIVE TEAM, YOUR FINANCIAL TEAM, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT ARE HERE TODAY.

I THINK I'LL ASK YOU TO RECOGNIZE THEM AT THE BUDGET ITEM, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE PART OF THE TEAM THAT WENT TO THE SALE OF BONDS AND OF COURSE, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME I DID IT.

EVERYBODY ASKED ME, HOW COME WE WERE SO SUCCESSFUL AND MY RESPONSES, I WORE MY LUCKY TIE AND SO GEORGE, BUT NONETHELESS, WHETHER IT'S A LUCKY TIE OR THE HARD WORK AND DILIGENCE AND EXPERTISE OF YOUR TEAM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

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

[00:50:01]

>> AYE. [OVERLAPPING]

>> ANY OPPOSED?

>> MOTION CARRIES.

GEORGE, STAY UP THERE.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP THE PRESENTATION DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING

[3. c. Immediately following item 3b: Presentation, discussion and appropriate action regarding the 2023 ad valorem property tax rate recommendation for the Bexar County Hospital District d/b/a University Health in support of its Operating, Debt Service and Capital Outlook for FY 2024. (Presentation Time: 15 minutes)]

THE 2023 AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX RATE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DBA UNIVERSITY HEALTH, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATING DEBT SERVICE AND CAPITAL OUTLOOK FOR FY2024.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. BEFORE I START THE SLIDE PRESENTATION, I WANTED TO COMMENT ON ATTACHMENT A WAS IT'S PART OF YOUR BOARD PACKET FROM YOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT PACKET FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

ATTACHMENT A HAS SOME VERY MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT TO THE COURT, BECAUSE THE STAFF IS VERY, VERY PROUD OF IT.

THERE ARE TWO RATING AGENCIES THAT RATE PERFORMANCE OF HEALTH SYSTEMS AGAINST OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS IN TERMS OF IT, MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION MANAGEMENT.

ONE IS CHIME, AND THEY HAVE 10 LEVELS AND WE'RE LEVEL 10.

WE ACHIEVED THAT THIS PAST YEAR.

LEVEL 10 TO CHIME AND THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL OF HOSPITALS THAT HAVE DONE THAT AND SO INSTEAD OF TEXAS, AND SO WE'RE MOST WIRED AND THAT MOST WIRED TRANSLATES INTO REAL ACTION BECAUSE WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE WONDERLAND WITHOUT HAVING THAT INVESTMENT IN IT AND HAVING OVER 500,000 VACCINATIONS THERE, WE COULD NOT HAVE THOSE FLU DRIVES AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SHORTLY FOR YOU IN A VERY EFFICIENT MANNER WITHOUT HAVING THAT INVESTMENT IN IT.

THERE'S ANOTHER ORGANIZATION CALLED HIMS AND THEY RATE DIFFERENTLY FROM, INSTEAD OF GOING 1-10, THEY GO 0-7.

THE WERE LEVEL 7 ON THAT ORGANIZATION AS WELL FOR BOTH AMBULATORY AND HOSPITAL AND THEN ON THE SOCIAL SIDE BECAUSE, SOMETIMES THEY WELL, THAT'S IT.

THAT'S HOW DOES IT IMPACT PEOPLE? ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE? WE THINK WE DO, BUT IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE ALSO RANK US SO IF YOU LOOK ON PAGE 3, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH RANKS 11TH IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THERE'S OVER 400 HOSPITALS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, OR 400 RANKING 11TH IN THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INDEX THAT THE ALLOW AN INSTITUTE RATES AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE DIDN'T SUBMIT.

THEY ACTUALLY LOOK AT OUR DATA AND SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING AND RATE US, AND NATIONWIDE WERE 133RD ON OUR SOCIAL INDEX AND THERE ARE OVER 3,000 HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE.

I WANTED TO POINT OUT A BALANCED APPROACH AND I'VE ALWAYS SAID WE HAVE TO BE COUNT.

WE HAVE TO BE DOING MENTIONED EXCEPTIONALLY WELL.

WE ALSO HAVE TO BE STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYERS, SO I THINK WE DO BOTH WELL, I WANTED TO POINT THOSE OUT BEFORE I STARTED THE PRESENTATION WITH SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS THERE AT THAT POINT YOUR ATTENTION TO, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT THE GREAT WORK THAT'S DONE THERE.

WITH THAT, I'LL GO AHEAD AND START WITH A SLIDE PRESENTATION.

BEFORE WE LOOK AT THE TAX RATE OR A MATTER OF FACT, ANY PROJECT WITH THE HEALTH SYSTEM, WE ALWAYS START WITH FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY IN A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT THAT WE EXIST IN THAT WE ALWAYS START OUT WITH PRINCIPALS.

OUR FOUR PRINCIPLES HAVE BEEN, FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, IMPROVING QUALITY AND SAFETY.

WE'RE A HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION.

PEOPLE WANT US TO BE SAFE.

WE WANT US TO HAVE GREAT OUTCOMES.

WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE.

WHEN YOU CHOOSE A COMPANY THAT DOES WORK FOR YOU, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE FROM THAT COMPANY.

YOU JUST WANT YOU TO DO GREAT WORK.

IF THEY TREAT YOU BADLY, YOU'RE DEFINITELY DON'T GO BACK.

WE'RE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE.

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY IS PART OF OUR STEWARDSHIP.

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND THEN IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY AS PART OF OUR MISSION.

WE ALWAYS TRY TO FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE ACCESS. NEXT SLIDE BILL.

A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN 2024, THAT ALREADY HAD STARTED IN 2023.

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUED WHAT IS CALLED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND THAT'S VERY SIMILAR TO A EMERGENCY YOU HAVE WHEN A HURRICANE HITS THE GULF COAST THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECLARES AD DISASTER AREA.

WHEN THEY DECLARED DISASTER AREA, THEY PROVIDE ALL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE IMPACTED BY THAT DISASTER.

BECAUSE IT WAS A NATIONWIDE EVENT.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID THAT HAD A COUPLE OF REALLY GOOD BENEFITS FOR THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY.

NUMBER 1, PEOPLE WHO ARE ON MEDICAID WERE KEPT ON MEDICAID EVEN AFTER THEIR MEDICAID TERM HAD EXPIRED, SO THEY HAD CONTINUOUS MEDICAID ENROLLMENT.

AFTER THE ENDING OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, THOSE THINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL AND SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENDED THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THE SPRING AND SO STARTING THIS SPRING, THEY STARTED THIS ENROLL MEDICAID MEMBERS AND NO LONGER QUALIFIED FOR BEING ON MEDICAID TO DATE,

[00:55:03]

9% OF MEDICAID MEMBERS AND BEXAR COUNTY, YOU EVER TAKE A PERCENTAGE POINT HAVE BEEN DISENROLLED FROM MEDICAID, THE REQUIRED ENROLLED, THAT MEANS NOW THERE ARE UNINSURED.

MEDICAID IS NOT THE GREATEST PAYER IN THE WORLD.

IT'S NOT LIKE A PRIVATE INSURANCE, BUT IT PAYS.

SO WE HAVE SEEN A GROWTH IN THE UNINSURED RATE, ABOUT A 9% FROM MEDICAID MEMBERS.

THAT PROJECTION IS GOING TO GROW FROM 9%-20% AND THAT IS THE ESTIMATE THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS AND OTHER AGENCIES HAVE PUT ON THE NUMBER OF CURRENT MEDICAID MEMBERS THAT ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE.

IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF CONTINUOUS MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR MEDICAID MEMBERS, THERE HAS BEEN A LOSS OF THE FMAP.

THE FMAP IS THE MATCH RATE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, YOU PUT UP A DOLLAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PRESENTS, SINCE I'VE DOLLAR BACK PLUS $1.50, THAT'S THE MATCH RATE.

THE MATCH RATE WAS MADE MORE FAVORABLE DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND NOW IT'S GOING BACK TO THE OLD MATCH RATE AND THAT OLD MATCH RATE IT'S ABOUT A $20 MILLION LOSS FOR US BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT YEAR AND THAT'S JUST BECAUSE THERE'S NO MORE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE WITH COVID.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP, I'M GETTING QUESTIONS DAILY NOW ABOUT BOOSTERS.

BEFORE YOU ASK, I THINK THERE'S A NEW BOOSTER COMING OUT THIS FALL.

THAT'S WHEN I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU GET A BOOSTER IS THIS FALL, AND IT'S MORE TUNED TO THE NEW VARIANT THAT'S OUT THERE NOW.

>> GEORGE, JUST A QUESTION ABOUT, I KNOW WE HAVE A CARELINK PROGRAM, BUT ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT PUTTING MORE MONEY OUT OF UHS FOR ENROLLMENT, MARKETING OR ACTUAL GROUND TEAMS, AND HIGH CENSUS TRACKS OF AN ENROLLMENT, MAYBE FROM SOME OF THE SAVINGS WE JUST DID?

>> WHAT DO WE DO IS WHEN PEOPLE DO COME INTO OUR SYSTEM, WE'RE VERY AGGRESSIVE IN GETTING THEM ENROLLED WITH CARELINK IF THEY DON'T HAVE SOMETHING.

BUT FIRST WE GO THROUGH A PROCESS.

FIRST WE SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID OR ANYTHING ELSE.

IF THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR THOSE, THEN WE ENROLL THEM IN CARELINK.

>> I HEAR YOU. I'M JUST SAYING THAT THIS IS A LONG CHRONIC ISSUE THAT I THINK THE HEALTH SYSTEM BUDGET COULD POTENTIALLY PUT SOME MARKETING DOLLARS AND IT CAN LEVERAGE REALLY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THIS REGARD.

THERE ARE SO MANY PRIVATE SECTOR, BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE GET ON THEIR FEDERAL PROGRAM OR OBAMACARE OR WHATEVER, AND MAYBE WE CAN LEVERAGE THOSE.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THE MARKETING THAT WAS REALLY HEAVY IN BUDGET DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN CUT, MAY GO BACK UP.

I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS ADDRESSED TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, BUT I KNOW WE WON'T ADDRESS IT IN THIS BUDGET, BUT IT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PRIVATE SECTOR THAT COULD BE MAGNIFIED POTENTIALLY BY JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MARKETING MONEY. JUST A THOUGHT.

>> NO, I THINK YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I THINK, NOW THAT I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING WITH YOUR QUESTION.

COMMUNITY FIRST, WHICH IS OUR HEALTH PLAN, HAS STARTED A PROGRAM THAT TARGETS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

IT TARGETS CARELINK MEMBERS, AND PUTS THEM IN AN INSURANCE PROGRAM, BUT IT ALSO MARKETS OUT TO PRIVATE SECTOR INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK THAT I CAN GET YOU MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NEW FOR THIS YEAR, AND THE MEMBERSHIP IS GOING UP, AND THAT'S REALLY A BETTER WAY TO DEAL WITH IT, BECAUSE WE THEN, INSTEAD OF USING THE LOCAL TAXPAYER MONEY, WE'RE USING FEDERAL TAXPAYER MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS.

NEXT SLIDE, BILL, THANK YOU.

>> I'M SORRY, GEORGE, I HAVE A QUESTION.

CAN WE GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE? THE 9% THAT HAD BEEN DISENROLLED, CAN I HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ON THE BACKGROUND OF THAT, WHY THERE ARE DISQUALIFIED DEMOGRAPHICS ON THAT GROUP?

>> SURE. THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN BECAUSE IN TEXAS YOU DON T HAVE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT REALLY QUALIFY, AND I THINK COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, BEING A FORMER LEGISLATOR, KNOWS THAT ANSWER.

THE MOST ENROLLEES IN TEXAS MEDICAID, IF THEY'RE NOT AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED, ARE GOING TO BE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

SO THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE BEING DISENROLLED.

>> SO THEY AGED OUT, THEIR CHILDREN AGED OUT? OR HOW DID THEY GET [OVERLAPPING]

>> WELL, LET'S CONCENTRATE THAT PROBABLY THE GREATER PORTION OF THAT IS WOMEN, BECAUSE WOMEN HAVE ONLY COVERAGE FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MONTHS AFTER THE PREGNANCY.

WHEN THAT MONTH PERIOD, I THINK IT IS NOW MOVING TO A YEAR, BUT IT WAS A LOT SHORTER, SO WHEN THAT TERMS OUT, THEN THEIR COVERAGE TERMS OUT.

>> YOU MIGHT'VE MENTIONED THIS, IS THERE ANY TARGETED WORK BEING DONE ON THAT PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN TO TRY AND GET THEM TO GET SOME COVERAGE?

>> YES. AS MATTER OF FACT, BECAUSE OF THAT, WE STARTED A PROGRAM WITH CARELINK, GOING BACK TO COMMISSIONER CALVERT'S EARLIER QUESTION, TO TARGET WOMEN THAT HAD BEEN ON MEDICAID AND THEIR TERMING OUT,

[01:00:02]

AND ENROLL THEM WITH CARELINK AND MAKE SURE THAT THEIR COVERAGE, AND THEIR PROVIDERS STAY THE SAME.

>> OUT OF THE 9%, DO WE HAVE A PERCENTAGE OF THE 9% WHO NOW HAVE PARTIAL COVERAGE?

>> I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME, BUT IT'S AVAILABLE THERE. BUT WE CAN GET SOME [OVERLAPPING].

>> CAN YOU GET THAT TO MY OFFICE? THANK YOU.

>> FOUR OF THE CHALLENGES WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IN 2024 IS A HIGHER DEMAND FOR CLINICAL SERVICES, AND I'LL SHOW YOU A SLIDE IN A MINUTE ABOUT OUR GROWTH IN CLINICAL SERVICES.

WORKFORCE SHORTAGES, AND THAT'S PROBABLY NOTHING THAT'S NEW TO YOU ALL.

YOU'RE PROBABLY HAVING THE SAME WORKFORCE SHORTAGES HERE WITH COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

BUT IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE ACUTE, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE WORKERS, YOU CAN'T PROVIDE THE CARE NO MATTER HOW NICE THE FACILITIES ARE.

THEN PRICE INFLATION FOR SUPPLIES AND PURCHASE SERVICES.

THEN NEW EXPENSES THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. NEXT SLIDE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

WE ESTIMATE THE DEPRECIATION EXPENSE FOR THE NEW FACILITY, AND PART OF THE DEPRECIATION WILL START THIS YEAR, BUT THE TOTAL DEPRECIATION EXPENSE FOR NEXT YEAR FOR THE WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WILL BE $32 MILLION OF EXPENSE.

WE ESTIMATE ABOUT 157 NEW POSITIONS TO HELP RUN THE HOSPITAL.

WE'RE MOVING INTO THE HOSPITAL IN A GRADUAL PHASED-IN APPROACH.

THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMODEL FLOOR BY FLOOR OF THE SKY TOWER, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY ACTIVATED IN 2014.

WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE OUR STAFF SOMEWHAT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE FULLY STAFFED THE WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S, BUT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE SOME OF THE STAFF FROM THE OTHER PARTS OF THE HOSPITAL TO BE ABLE TO COVER THAT.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT GOING UP IN THE FUTURE YEARS, BUT RIGHT NOW, WE THINK WE CAN HOLD AT 157 POSITIONS.

THE INCREMENTAL LABOR EXPENSE FOR THAT IT'S ABOUT $12 MILLION.

DEMAND FOR SERVICES, PATIENT VOLUME DRIVE STAFFING.

THE MORE PEOPLE TO COME, THE MORE STAFF YOU NEED, BOTTOM LINE.

WE PUT IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, SO YOU SEE THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IN 2020, 2019, THE PANDEMIC WAS JUST STARTING HERE.

I THINK OUR FIRST BIG WAVE WAS IN JULY OF 2019, BUT 2020 WAS ENTIRELY A YEAR UNDER THE PANDEMIC.

THEN 2021 WE STARTED TO CLIMB OUT OF IT, THAT'S THE YEAR WE DID THE VACCINATIONS.

YOU CAN SEE THAT ACTIVITY DROPPED IN PATIENT DAYS, ER VISITS, AND SURGERY CASES.

IT WENT UP IN OTHER AREAS, FOR EXAMPLE, GOING BACK TO OUR EHR, WE INCREASED OUR ELECTRONIC HEALTH CARE VISITS ELECTRONICALLY BY TELEPHONE AND BY FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATIONS LIKE FACETIME.

BUT IN THESE THREE AREAS THAT WENT DOWN.

THEN IN 2021, AS WE GOT CONTROL OF THE PANDEMIC, WE STARTED TO CLIMB OUR WAY UP.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH WE'VE HAD SINCE 2019.

I USE 2019 BECAUSE IT'S THE YEAR BEFORE THAT HUGE DIP.

YOU CAN SEE THAT WE'VE HAD IN PATIENT DAYS, 9%, IN ER VISITS, 13%, AND A HUGE GROWTH IN SURGERY CASES OF 21% IF YOU GO BACK TO 2019.

WE'RE DOING MORE WITH LESS.

ONE OF THE DILEMMAS, AND I THINK I TALKED ABOUT BACK IN 2020, IS IT'S VERY HARD TO OPERATE A SYSTEM WITH JUST ONE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF ACUITY, WE HAVE LEVEL 1 TRAUMA FOR BOTH PEDIATRIC AND ADULT, WE HAVE LEVEL 4 MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE, WHICH IS MOMS WITH COMPLICATIONS.

WE HAVE LEVEL 4 NICU, WHICH IS FOR SMALL PREMATURE BABIES.

WE HAVE A HIGH LEVEL STROKE CENTER.

ALL THAT EFFORT IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE YOU TAKE CARE OF REALLY LOW ACUITY CASES LIKE MAYBE APPENDICITIS OR GALLBLADDER, BUT YOU DON'T WANT IT TO GET WORSE, OR MEDICINE CASES, SOMEBODY WITH DIABETES.

WE'RE SEEING A TREMENDOUS GROWTH AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND STAFF IS WORKING VERY EFFICIENTLY TO TRY TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT WITH JUST ONE HOSPITAL IN THE SYSTEM.

HOLD ON A SECOND BILL.

WE PROJECT A GROWTH OF ABOUT FOUR-AND-A-HALF PERCENT FOR NEXT YEAR, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S SERVICE LINE GROWING.

THIS PAST WEEK, WE HAD A PROJECTED AN AVERAGE OF 50-55 BABIES IN THE NICU, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS PAST WEEKEND WE WERE AT 71. THE GROWTH IS THERE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE NURSES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE DOCTORS, YOU JUST CAN'T SAY, WE'RE GOING TO SHORT-STAFF THIS.

WE NEED SOMEBODY TO TAKE CARE OF THE PATIENTS. NEXT SLIDE, BILL.

[01:05:01]

LABOR SHORTAGES DRIVING SALARY INFLATION.

I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT MOST OF THE SALARY GROWTH HAS BEEN BECAUSE WE'VE HAD GROWTH IN PATIENT VOLUME, LIKE I SHOWED YOU IN THE PRIOR SLIDE.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IT'S RIGHT NOW, IT'S INVERTED.

THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS REALLY CAN CHOOSE TO GO WORK ANYWHERE.

WHEN A CERTAIN HOSPITAL ON THE SOUTH SIDE CLOSED ALL THE OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS, EXCEPT OURSELVES, WERE ABLE TO OFFER $20,000 SIGN-ON BONUSES TO PEOPLE TO GET THEM OVER.

THERE IS A DEMAND FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

THERE IS A SHORTAGE, AND PART OF THAT SHORTAGE IS PEOPLE, BABY BOOMERS IN PARTICULAR, WHO ARE RETIRING AND CHOOSING TO RETIRE.

THAT'S NUMBER 1, AND NUMBER 2 IS THE FACT THAT HEALTH CARE IS A COMPLEX INDUSTRY.

YOU JUST CAN'T DECIDE TO GO INTO IT, YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR IT, YOU HAVE TO GET TRAINING FOR IT, AND SO IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT TO BECOME A HEALTHCARE WORKER.

WE NEED TO DO BETTER JOB IN OUR SCHOOLS, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

WE'RE IMPORTING A LOT OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE OF THAT IN THIS COUNTRY.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO GROW OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE FUTURE IS POSITIVE FOR US.

WE'RE PROJECTING FOR NEXT YEAR A 6.5% INCREASE IN LABOR COSTS, WE THINK THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BEND THE CURVE.

IN THE NEXT SLIDE, I'LL SHOW YOU WHERE WE THINK WE CAN HAVE THE MOST IMPACT. FLIP SLIDE, BILL.

ONE OF THE WAYS THAT HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE MADE UP FOR THE LACK OF MEDICAL STAFF AND NURSING STAFF IS TO HIRE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES.

THE TROUBLE WITH HIRING CONTRACT EMPLOYEES, BESIDES THE FACT THAT THEY ARE TRANSIENT.

THEY MAY NOT BUY INTO YOUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY THE AD OR THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, TWO OR THREE TIMES WHAT A REGULAR SALARY WOULD BE.

I THINK I MENTIONED THAT LAST YEAR, COMMISSIONER MOODY, BEFORE YOU CAME ON THE COURT, THAT IN 2019 WE HAD FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OF COSTS FOR AGENCY NURSES AND AGENCY STAFF, AND IN 2022, IT WENT FIVE MILLION TO 65 MILLION.

THAT'S A BIG JUMP. THAT'S AN AREA OF THAT WE DECIDED TO TARGET, AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AS A TOP MANAGEMENT PRIORITY TO REDUCE THE AGENCY STAFF.

THAT'S WHERE YOU HAVE THE MOST OPPORTUNITY.

RIGHT NOW THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE OUT OF THE 10,000 THAT WE HAVE IS 141 FOR THE YEAR, WE THINK THAT BY NEXT YEAR WE GET DOWN TO 81 OR LESS.

BUT EVERYONE WE HIRE HELPS US NOT PAY AGENCIES AND GET IT DOWN TO A MANAGEABLE AMOUNT.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AREA FOR US TO TARGET.

I WOULD SAY THAT KUDOS TO OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

IF YOU TAKE THE NUMBER OF DAYS, WORK DAYS IN THE YEAR SINCE THE SINCE JANUARY 1, THAT'S PROBABLY BEEN ABOUT 170-175 WORKING DAYS.

YOU TAKE OUT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS.

WE'VE HAD OVER 125 HEALTH AFFAIRS FOR HIRING EMPLOYEES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

ALMOST A FAIR EVERY OTHER DAY OR FAIR EVERY DAY SOMETIMES, BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE STAFF.

OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS IN ANY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, NOT JUST OURS, IS LABOR.

WE'RE VERY AGGRESSIVE TO TRY TO HIRE OWN LABOR AND SO THAT WE CAN GET OUT OF THIS CONTRACT LABOR PROBLEM. NEXT SLIDE.

THESE ARE THE MAIN AREAS OF INCREASE NEXT YEAR FOR PROJECTED BUDGET, INCREASE OF 51 MILLION IN SALARY EXPENSE PURCHASE SERVICES, 41 MILLION MEDICAL SERVICES AND THIS RELATES TO THE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER.

FOR HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER IS HAVING THE SAME PRESSURES THAT WE'RE HAVING.

THE PHYSICIAN'S SALARIES ARE NOT COMPETITIVE.

THEY'RE LOSING PHYSICIANS TO OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS THEY'RE LOSING PHYSICIANS TO GO OUT OF STATE.

IF WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE OUR TRAUMA DOCTORS CAN AFFORD TO LOSE OUR HEART DOCTORS CAN AFFORD TO LOSE OUR NEUROSURGEONS.

WE HAVE BEEN SUPPLEMENTING AND WITH THEIR ABILITY TO PAY THEIR DOCTORS WITH OUR DOCTORS.

WE HAVE PUT METRICS IN TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE SUPPLEMENT THOSE SALARIES.

I THINK MR. BANOS HERE, WHO'S OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, WILL ATTEST OF ALL THE THINGS WE'VE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHILE WE RAISE THOSE SALARIES, WE ALSO GET BANG FOR THE BUCK FOR THE DOLLAR WE'RE SPENDING FOR IT.

BUT THAT'S A BIT, A BIG INCREASE IN HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER REALLY IS IN A TIGHT BIND RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY HAVE A STATE BUDGET WHICH IS PRETTY RIGID, AND WERE THE PRIMARY PARTNER,

[01:10:01]

SO WE WORK WITH THEM VERY CLOSELY.

THEN THE LAST EXPENSE, SUPPLY EXPENSE IS PROJECTED TO GROW BY $37 MILLION IS INFLATION, AN INCREASE IN VOLUME.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT THE SUPPLY EXPENSE IS THAT AS WE DO MORE BUSINESS, THAT SUPPLY EXPENSE IT'S PART OF THE REVENUE STREAMS, SO IT'S OFFSET BY THE REVENUE THAT WE DO THAT, A LOT OF THESE THINGS PURCHASED SERVICES AND SUPPLY EXPENSE, AND IT'S OFFSET BY THE REVENUE.

NEXT SLIDE. THE 2024 OUTLOOK, WE'RE LOOKING AT A GAIN FROM OPERATIONS ABOUT 85 MILLION.

BUT WHEN YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION, IT GOES NEGATIVE AND THEN IT GOES BACK POSITIVE, SINCE INTEREST RATES ARE HIGHER, WE EXPECT TO MAKE ABOUT $53 MILLION OR SO IN INTEREST INCOME SO WE END UP WITH A PROJECTED BOTTOM LINE OF $13.5 MILLION.

NOW, COMMISSIONER MOODY'S, SINCE THIS IS YOUR FIRST PRESENTATION ON TAXES, I WILL SAY THAT WE'LL BE BACK HERE IN EARLY DECEMBER TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.

THIS IS JUST THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET TO SEE WHERE WE SIT ON THE TAX RATE.

BUT A MORE REFINED BUDGET WILL COME TO YOU IN NOVEMBER AND EARLY DECEMBER. NEXT SLIDE.

REPORT ON PROPERTY VALUES.

PROPERTY VALUES GREW IN BEXAR COUNTY BY 22 BILLION OR 10%, 29% OF THAT INCREASE OR 6.5 BILLION RELATED TO NEW PROPERTY.

THE BALANCE WAS EXISTING PROPERTY HAS BEEN ESCALATING.

YOU'LL SEE ON THE NEXT SLIDE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ESCALATING HOME VALUES AND THE ESCALATING, WHICH THEN TRIGGERS A HIGHER TAXES FOR THE HOMEOWNER.

BUT THERE IS A CERTAIN PORTION OF A 29% THAT'S BASICALLY ON NEW PROPERTY.

ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX RATE ON THE AVERAGE, HOMESTEAD FOR UNIVERSITY HEALTH IS ABOUT $786 A YEAR, OR $65 A MONTH.

NEXT SLIDE. I TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF STEWARDSHIP, NOT JUST MISSION.

TWO AREAS THAT WE WORKED ON WITH THE COURT AND THE COURT APPROVED BOTH OF THESE, SO BUT I WANTED TO JUST LAY IT OUT THIS YEAR.

THE COURT OF FOOD A 5% HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS AT HOME.

THAT IS ABOUT A $17 MILLION TAX REDUCTION OR REVENUE REDUCTION, I SHOULD SAY AT THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH.

THE AVERAGE HOME AT THAT $286,000 IS BASICALLY $41 BENEFIT.

THE OVER 65 EXEMPTION WE PASSED THE YEAR BEFORE THAT'S A FLAT $30,000.

THAT'S ABOUT $11 MILLION TAX REDUCTION OR EXPENSE THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH AND LOST REVENUE AND THAT'S ABOUT $83 PER YEAR FOR TAXPAYERS OVER 65.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT FOR NEXT YEAR AND WE'LL COME BACK IN THE SPRING WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT ABOUT EITHER THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OR THE OVER 65 EXEMPTION OR BOTH.

NEXT SLIDE. THE PROPOSAL FROM THE BOARD OF MANAGERS TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS TO KEEP THE EXISTING TAX RATE OF 27.624 PER $100 VALUATION.

3.99 GOES TO DEBT SERVICE, 23.634 GOES TO OPERATIONS.

THAT IS ABOUT 15 OR 14% GOING TO TECH DEBT SERVICE AND 86% GOING OPERATIONS. NEXT SLIDE.

THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BURKE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DOING BUSINESS AS UNIVERSITY HEALTH, AS PRESENTED BY THE BOARD OF MANAGERS TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, IS IT REQUESTS A COMMISSIONERS COURT THE SET THE 2023 TOTAL TAX RATE AND SUPPORTIVE UNIVERSITY HEALTH OPERATING DEBT SERVICE AND CAPITAL OUTLOOK FOR 2024 AT THE EXISTING TOTAL TAX RATE OF 0.276235 PER $100 EVALUATION.

I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT.

>> MR. RODRIGUEZ.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU, JUDGE. GEORGE, THANK YOU FOR THE OVERVIEW.

I KNOW AS YOU MENTIONED, YOU GUYS COME BACK IN DECEMBER FOR THAT BUDGET APPROVAL THAT STARTS IN THE CALENDAR YEAR.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS RELATED TO, YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE BIG CHALLENGES.

OBVIOUSLY INFLATION, BUT AS IT RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO LABOR AND THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS NURSING EMERGENCY CARE TYPE POSITIONS.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT,

[01:15:03]

I GUESS YOUR STRATEGY? YOU TOUCHED ON IT, BUT YOUR STRATEGY FOR HOW YOU'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH NOT JUST THOSE OTHER CARES FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY, BUT YOU'RE NOW COMPETING NOT JUST LOCALLY BUT ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR THOSE POSITIONS.

ONE OF THE THOUGHTS THAT I HAD, I THINK WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS PREVIOUSLY, IS WITH DAVID MARQUEZ AT HIS SHOP IN TERMS OF WHAT WE FOCUS ON FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I KNOW OURS ON THE COUNTY SIDE IS HEAVY ON THE MANUFACTURING, BUT HOW WE CAN MAYBE COMPLIMENT YOUR RECRUITMENT RETENTION FOR THOSE POSITIONS IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD.

AT LEAST HOW WE CAN ALIGN OURSELVES FROM THE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE.

THIS IS A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO IS PUBLIC HEALTH.

I WONDERED IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE FOCUSING ON, MAYBE WHAT YOU'RE DOING DIFFERENTLY TO ATTRACT SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS.

>> I THINK THE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE DO IS WE TRY TO RUN A HEALTH SYSTEM THAT PEOPLE WANT TO WORK AT.

WHEN WE ASK NEW EMPLOYEES WHY THEY'RE APPLYING A UNIVERSITY HEALTH IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A VERY GOOD REPUTATION IN THE COMMUNITY.

I DON'T WANT TO DISCOUNT THAT EFFORT OF HAVING THAT GREAT REPUTATION.

THAT GREAT REPUTATION I THINK STARTED YEARS AGO WITH OUR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT WAS HURRICANE KATRINA BACK IN 2005 OR THE PANDEMIC IN 2019.

THE FIRST THING IS TO HAVE THAT REPUTATION WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK AT YOUR PLACE.

BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T WANT TO WORK AT YOUR PLACE AND YOU CAN THROW LOTS OF MONEY AND THEY WILL WANT TO WORK THERE.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST, NAME, ONE OF THE BEST WORKPLACES IN SAN ANTONIO, ONE OF THE BEST HEALTH CARE WORKPLACES IN THE COUNTRY SO THAT'S NOT MY METRIC THAT SOMEBODY ELSE MEASURING US.

IT'S THAT TOP WORKPLACES IS COMING OUT SOON.

WE HOPE TO BE ON THAT LIST AND FOR 2023 AS WELL.

THAT'S NUMBER 1, NUMBER 2, IS AS I MENTIONED EARLIER IS THAT WE HAVE A VERY PROACTIVE APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS HIRING 125 EMPLOYMENT FAIRS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AT 170 DAYS OR SO THAT'S PRETTY PROACTIVE.

NUMBER 3, WE ALSO VISIT THE COLLEGES WE WERE VERY INVOLVED IN CAREER DEVELOPMENT WITH THEM AND GROWING WORKERS THERE.

WE WORK WITH NOT ONLY ALAMO COLLEGES, BUT WE ALSO WORK WITH UT HEALTH AND IN TEXAS A&M AND ALIKE TO BE ABLE TO GET HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

ONE EXAMPLE THAT'S A MORE RECENT AND THIS RELATED TO THE CLOSING OF TEXAS VISTA ON THE SOUTH SIDE THIS PAST YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL KNOW THAT, BUT 45 RESIDENTS, INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENTS WERE LEFT WITHOUT A HOME.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GRADUATED FROM MEDICAL SCHOOL, THEIR DOCTORS ALREADY, BUT THEY'RE IN THAT LEARNING MODE AND THE RESIDENT MODE.

>> DOCTOR HOW MANY DID YOU SAY?

>> 45 RESIDENTS.

THOSE ARE DOCTORS AND WE PICKED UP ALL 45 DOCTORS TO BE TRAINED AND I COMPLEMENT DEAN OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AT DR. AROMAS FOR HELPING MAKE THAT SMOOTH TRANSITION.

WE BROUGHT IN THOSE DOCTORS INTO THAT SO WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERY POSSIBLE WAY TO GET HEALTH CARE WORKERS. LET'S SEE IF I REMEMBER.

THERE IS A PREFERENCE BY US AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT READ AN AD RUN A LABOR COMMITTEE.

WE ARE VERY PROACTIVE IN THE HIRING OF CLINICAL FOLKS WERE NOT SO PROACTIVE IN HIRING ADMINISTRATIVE FOLKS.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE NEED CLINICAL FOLKS WHO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.

ADMINISTRATIVE FOLKS, WE THINK THAT'S A PLACE WHERE WE CAN TIGHTEN THE BELT A LITTLE BIT AND HAVE MORE PEOPLE DO MORE THINGS.

THERE IS A EFFORT ON OUR PART TO GIVE PRIORITY TO POSITIONS WHERE THERE'S CLINICAL POSITIONS ARE NEEDED, BUT NOT TO ADMINISTRATIVE FOLKS THAT WILL MAKE US BIGGER.

ALMOST ALL OUR POSITIONS ARE CLINICAL IN NATURE AND THEY'RE BASED ON EITHER PROJECTIONS OF GROWTH OR THE ACTUAL GROWTH.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS, COMMISSION.

>> I KNOW, WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET LATER.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU'RE FACING, THE GROWTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF DELIVERY OF SERVICES FROM THE COUNTY AND IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT TAX RATE.

[01:20:02]

I KNOW THAT WE DID APPROVE AND YOUR BOARD APPROVED THE 5% HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I THINK YOU ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT MAYBE SOMETIME IN THE SPRING YOU'D COME BACK AFTER AN EVALUATION AND MAYBE TAKE TO YOUR BOARD A RECOMMENDATION TO MAYBE INCREASE THAT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION NEXT YEAR IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HEARD THAT CORRECTLY.

JUDGE, I KNOW THERE'S SOME SPECIFIC LANGUAGE STATUTORILY FOR A MOTION, AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES PROBABLY HAVE QUESTIONS, BUT I WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND LAY ON THE TABLE THE MOTION JUST SO WE'VE GOT IT ON THE RECORD AND THEN WE CAN CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.

MY MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL TO SET THE 2023 TOTAL TAX RATE AND SUPPORTIVE BEXAR COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DOING BUSINESSES, UNIVERSITY HEALTH OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AND DEBT SERVICE OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AT THE EXISTING TOTAL TAX RATE OF $0.276235 PER $100 PROPERTY VALUATION.

RECORD SUCH A VOTE AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING AT A BOAT AS FOLLOWS, PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023, AT 09:30 A.M. AND VOTE ON THE TAX RATE ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING.

THE PUBLIC HEARING AND A VOTE ON THE TAX RATE WILL BE HELD AT THE DOUBLE HEIGHT COURTROOMS, SECOND FLOOR, BEXAR COUNTY COURTHOUSE, $100 ROWS, SUIT 2.01 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

>> JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

MR. CHEMIST, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR GREAT STEWARDSHIP OF THE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND YOUR STAFF.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR BOARD MEMBERS OUR BORED APPOINTEES.

JIM ADAMS, WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR MANY YEARS. THEY DON'T GET PAID.

YOU ALL GET PAID ON STAFF, BUT THEY DON'T GET PAID.

JIMMY HASSLOCHER HAS VOLUNTEERED HIS TIME FOR THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM BOARD.

PLEASE SEND OUR THANKS TO ALL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD FOR YOUR COUNTLESS HOURS THAT YOU'VE DEVOTED DELVING INTO THESE ISSUES WITH OUR STAFF.

IT'S MUCH APPRECIATED ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE AT BEXAR COUNTY AND BEYOND.

>> [BACKGROUND].

>> IT'S PAT HERE. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. PAT, THERE YOU ARE.

HELLO, PATRICK, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN MANY FACETS OF BEXAR COUNTY LIFE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> COMMISSIONER, AS IS MY POINT TO YOU.

>> I'M SORRY. [LAUGHTER].

>> YOU GUYS ARE MAKING ME LOOK BAD.

>> SORRY.

>> I GUESS THE PROBLEM WE'D CALL OUT PEOPLE IF YOU FORGET PEOPLE, THEY GET A LITTLE UPSET.

>> I ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE VERY GOOD VISION FROM A DISTANCE.

BUT IN ANY EVENT, ONE OF THE THINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE CHALLENGES SLIDE, NUMBER 4, THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT IN THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AND I MIGHT'VE BEEN SOMETHING COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ ADDRESSED AND SO I APOLOGIZE, COMMISSIONER MOODY AND I WERE HAVING A DISCUSSION ABOUT SOME AGENDA ITEMS. BUT CHILDCARE. CHILDCARE, IT'S COSTING AMERICANS ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH.

THERE MAY BE WAYS THAT WE CAN INTEGRATE CHILDCARE ON OUR CAMPUSES TO BE AN INCENTIVE EITHER AT NO COST OR LOW COST AS AN INCENTIVE.

EVEN PARTNERING WITH OUR UNIVERSITIES TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT COULD BE A CONSIDERATION.

ANY THOUGHTS GOING THROUGH THE BOARD OR THROUGH THE STAFF ABOUT HOW CHILDCARE COULD BE A RECRUITMENT?

>> SURE. I SAT ON THE TEXAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION BOARD FOR MANY YEARS AND I WAS ALSO CHAIR OF THE TEXAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

THERE IS A VERY INNOVATIVE CHILDCARE PLAN.

I CAME OUT OF A SMALL TOWN, I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER, I DON'T THINK IT'S SANT'ANGELO, BUT IT MAY BE BIG SPRINGS ARE IN THAT AREA.

THEY TOOK A SCHOOL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT HAD CLOSED, IT WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE HEALTH CARE CENTER IN THAT TOWN OR THE HOSPITAL, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO HIRE A NON-PROFIT TO RUN THAT BECAUSE HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE NOT TRAINED TO BE CHILDCARE EMPLOYEES, AND TO RUN IT INSIDE A HOSPITAL IS VERY EXPENSIVE, THE SPACE AND YOU REALLY DON'T WANT DISEASES AND EXPOSE THOSE KIDS HAVE DISEASES AND THE LIKE, THERE ARE ALREADY A LITTLE SPONGES FOR DISEASE ALREADY WITH IF WE'VE HAD CHILDREN IN DAYCARE, WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE.

BUT THAT'S A VERY INNOVATIVE WAY, I THINK THAT WE WERE ALWAYS IN THE MARKET FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE A CHILDCARE CENTER NEAR OUR FACILITIES, AND WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THEM.

DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY SERVICE ON THE SOUTH SIDE, LA MISION.

THEY RUN LA MISION CLINIC AND THEY WERE AN ADULT CLINIC OFF OF SOUTH OF MILITARY DRIVE, I FORGET THE NAME OF THE STREET RIGHT OFF THE BUT I THINK IT'S PALO ALTO HIGHWAY, BUT THE THEY RUN A DAYCARE CENTER AND VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR DAYCARE CENTER.

[01:25:04]

BUT WE'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF DAYCARE CENTERS BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES TODAY WENT BACK TO THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND BABY BOOMERS RETIRING HAVE KIDS.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET THEM INTO YOUR ORGANIZATION THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE SOME BENEFIT LIKE THAT, IT'S VERY HELPFUL.

>> YEAH, I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO ACTUALLY SHARE COSTS.

LET ME BRIEFLY OUTLINE THE DIVISION.

YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE BEGUN SOME PRE-K PROGRAMS AND THEY COULD ACTUALLY BE PARTNERED WITH IN TERMS OF THE FACILITIES NEAR PARTICULAR HOSPITAL OR COUNTY OPERATION, AND IT COULD BE COMBINED WITH THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM ALLOCATION, EITHER CAPITAL OR WITH THE STIPEND FOR THE COST OF THE CARE PER MONTH, ALONG WITH THE DONATION OF LAND THAT ANY OF US MAY HAVE FOR A FACILITY SO THAT THE CAPITAL AND THE OPERATIONAL COSTS THAT COULD BE SHARED ACROSS THE COUNTY UNIVERSITY HEALTH BECAUSE IT COULD ALSO BE SHARED BY OUR OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS WE WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PERHAPS OR JUST WE WORK TO CREATE OUR OWN.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOUR SMART STAFF MAY START TO LOOK AT BECAUSE I THINK IN THE FUTURE, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE AS HIS BABY BOOMER SILVER TSUNAMI OF RETIREMENTS HAPPENS, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY COMPETITIVE FOR GETTING THOSE EMPLOYEES YOU ALREADY KNOW BETTER THAN ANYBODY HERE.

THE OTHER THING THAT YOU MAY CONSIDER FOR YOUR CHALLENGES, WORKFORCE SHORTAGES, IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HERE AT THE COUNTY, WHICH IS MAYBE YOU'VE DONE IT, I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS.

THE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PLAN THAT THE COUNTY HAS IS GEARED TOWARDS A UTSA TUITION RATE, WHICH IS PRETTY LOW OBVIOUSLY AS A STATE INSTITUTION.

BUT TECHNOLOGY HAS OPENED UP PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO GO TO YOU PIN WHERE COMMISSIONER MOODY WENT TO UNIVERSITY CHICAGO OR UCLA OR HARVARD OR WHEREVER.

ALL OF THOSE ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES, BOTH WHERE YOU DO THEM ONLINE AND SOMETIMES YOU COMMUTE TO SCHOOLS ARE OPEN, AND I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT IN A NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR TALENT WHERE YOU ARE AS A SYSTEM IS AT A HIGH CORPORATE LEVEL, I THINK YOU CAST YOURSELF JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CORPORATION AND SO CORPORATIONS ACTUALLY HAD BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.

I WANT TO SUBMIT THAT. THE OTHER THING IN TERMS OF YOUR SLIDE 6, I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT WHETHER ON DEMAND FOR SERVICES, ARE YOU ABLE TO TRACK THESE OTHER SYSTEMS AS WE INCREASE? ARE YOU SEEING OTHER SYSTEMS DECREASE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS THEY COULD GET?

>> NOT REALLY. THEIR COUNTY IS GROWING, AND WE'RE SEEING ALL THE SYSTEMS GROW.

>> FINAL QUESTION IS RESPECT TO OUR OPERATING EXPENSES AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.

FOR SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO GET A PIECE OF THE PIE IN TERMS OF THESE HOSPITALS WERE BUILDING, CLINICS WERE BUILDING.

I THINK THE COUNTY HAS FALLEN SHORT IN DEBUNDLING AT TIMES, GETTING THOSE LARGE CONTRACTS THAT WE SEND OUT FOR EFFICIENCY, WE WANT TO GET IT BUILT FIRST, WE MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLUG OUT THE LANDSCAPING OR THE PAINTING OR THE OTHER SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

CAN YOU HAVE YOUR TEAM IN THE SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT? IDENTIFY HOW THEY'RE DEBUNDLING.

WHAT ARE THEY BE BUNDLING? WHAT IS THE FORECAST? WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE? SO THAT WE CAN REALLY LOOK IN A MICROSCOPE, THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE TRULY REPLETE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, I BELIEVE ECONOMIC GARDENING, THAT IS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY BUYING FROM WHERE WE ARE, GOING LOCAL IS REALLY CRITICAL, AND MAKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE A TON OF OUT-OF-TOWN ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION FIRMS THAT ARE LOCATED HERE.

THEY HAVE AN OFFICE THAT IS OFTEN JUST A REAL FRONT OFFICE AS OPPOSED TO REAL PEOPLE LIVING AND CIRCULATING THE DOLLAR IN BEXAR COUNTY.

BUT WE TEND TO KNOW THE FOLKS IN SMALL BUSINESS WHO ARE ROUTED AND EMPLOYING PEOPLE AND CIRCULATING THEIR DOLLARS IN BEXAR COUNTY.

IF YOU COULD HAVE YOUR STAFF REALLY GIVE US SOME DETAILS ABOUT, WHAT ARE THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU SEE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND HOW YOU'VE DEBUNDLE THOSE?

>> YES. YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN AT THE ANNUAL BEXAR COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS FORUM AT THE COLISEUM.

THAT IS AN AREA THAT WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN AND STILL BUNDLING, AND WE'RE NOT PERFECT.

BUT ALL OUR MAJOR PROJECTS, WHETHER THEY STARTED BACK IN THE BUILDING OF THE SKY TOWER AND THE BUILDING OF RBG,

[01:30:05]

WE TRY TO DEBUNDLE AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND PASS IT OUT THE WORK.

NOW WHERE I THINK WE COULD DO BETTER JOB, AD IS THE DAILY OPERATIONS SUPPORT, THE REGULAR PURCHASING.

THIS PAST WEEK, I DEBUNDLED SOMETHING THAT CAME ACROSS MY DESK, AND I SAID, WHY ARE WE HAVING ONE CONTRACTOR DO BOTH OF THESE JOBS WHERE THEY'RE BOTH DISTINCT AT THE HOSPITAL, WE CAN HAVE TWO SMALL BUSINESSES DO THAT.

IT WAS BID OUT BY A SMALL BUSINESS, BUT SOMETIMES DEBUNDLING ALSO HELPS SPREAD THE WEALTH.

WE'RE LOOKING AT IT VERY CAREFULLY, GLAD TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

LET ME JUST SAY THAT THIS IS JUST AN ANECDOTAL SURVEY, BUT I DO A LOT OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS.

I HAVEN'T REALLY GOTTEN TO A POINT EITHER REALLY WITH THE COUNTY OR THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM WHERE WHEN I'M WALKING TO A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESS GROUPS THAT THEY'RE TELLING ME WITH JOY JUMPING UP AND DOWN, THE COUNTY IS GIVING THEM A SHOT.

THEY'RE GENERALLY TELLING ME, I NEED SOME HELP, WHAT DO WE DO IN THE BACKGROUND? WE ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THEM.

THAT'S REALLY WHERE I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY IS, PARTICULARLY IN A PRECINCT LIKE MINE THAT IS SO DIVERSE.

I THINK WE'D BE REMISS WITH THE DIVERSITY AND FOR CERTAINLY IN SELMA AND CERTAINLY INCREASING ONE AS WELL AT A&M.

IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT ENERGY, I KNOW WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT 60% WHEN WE BUILT UHS SYSTEM, BUT I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO WALK ABOUT AND REALLY HEAR A PLAUDITS FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY FELT LIKE THEY GOT A REAL SHOT AT IT AND AND THAT THEY WEREN'T FIGHTING AS HARD.

YOU'VE GOT YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU, IT'S A BIG IT'S A BIG CHARGE AND I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN GET TO THAT COMMUNITY HAPPINESS, IF YOU WILL.

>> I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE ABSOLUTELY, I THINK ONE OF THE AREAS AND WE CAN HELP SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE WHEN I DO SOME OF THE RESEARCH AND TALK TO SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES, THERE'S A LEVEL OF BUREAUCRACY IN APPLYING FOR A GOVERNMENTAL JOB WHETHER YOU'RE AN EMPLOYEE OR A CONTRACTOR, THERE'S PAPERWORK TO FILL OUT.

THESE SMALL BUSINESSES MAY KNOW HOW TO LAYING SAND AND BUILD A FENCE OR WHATEVER IT NEEDS TO GET DONE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A STAFF THERE TO JUST SIT THERE AND FILL OUT PAPERWORK AND DO APPLICATIONS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I THINK PART OF WHAT ALL GOVERNMENTS NEED TO DO IN SAN ANTONIO IS WE'RE GOING TO REDUCE THE PAPER THAT'S REQUIRED, TRY TO GET DOWN TO THE ESSENCE OF WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE BUSINESSES AND THEN LEAVE IT AT THAT.

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, THE BIGGEST AREA THAT I THINK THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM CAN TAKE THE LEAD ON THE PAPER PUSHING IS IN THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS AND RECIPROCITY OF THE DATABASES, BECAUSE WHEN WE STARTED THOSE AGENCIES, 21, 22, 23, 24 YEARS AGO, THE MESSAGE TO THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY BECAUSE I WAS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AT THE TIME WHO WAS WATCHING AND HAVING TO APPLY FOR THOSE PROGRAMS, WAS WE'RE GOING TO BUILD YOU A ONE-STOP SHOP THAT NEVER CAME, AND IT'S STILL NOT HERE.

WE'VE GOT EVERY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY REQUIRING THEIR OWN DATABASE, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECIPROCITY OF DATABASE JUST AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALL THE FEDERAL AGENCIES, BASICALLY, YOU CAN LINK INTO ONE.

WE NEED TO GET THERE IN BEXAR COUNTY, AND I THINK THE FEDERAL COURT RULINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED EARLIER, WE HAD A DISCUSSION.

>> [OVERLAPPING] NO, I WAS HERE.

>> ADA SUSPENDED, THE WHOLE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING AND THOSE IMPEDIMENTS, THOSE PAPER IMPEDIMENTS, WE MAY JUST BEGIN TO MODIFY IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SAY DO AWAY WITH THE MODIFIED BECAUSE IF THE LANDSCAPE IS GOING TO CHANGE IN THE NEXT.

I AM CERTAIN BY THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, THERE'LL BE A SUPREME COURT RULING RELATED TO THE BUSINESS ASPECT OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND RACE CONSCIOUS POLICY.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE LOSS FOR MY COMMUNITY ON THE SOUTH SIDE WITH THE CLOSING OF THAT HOSPITAL, AND SO THE URGENCY FOR THE NEW UHS HOSPITAL TO GET UP AND GOING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE LIKE THE RESIDENTS CAN CONTINUE THEIR RESIDENCY AND FINISH THEIR RESIDENCY HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOUR TEAM AND THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR BEING HERE, INCLUDING MY APPOINTEE PAT HUSTLE.

BUT ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE, I CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AND ASK THEM QUESTIONS ABOUT WHATEVER'S GOING ON.

I JUST APPRECIATE THAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE.

WITH THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING GOING UP AND THE COSTS AND HEALTH CARE, YOU GUYS COULD EASILY LOOK FOR WAYS TO INCREASE TAXES, BUT INSTEAD,

[01:35:02]

WITH THE CUTTING OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OF 5%, THE OVER 65 TAX EXEMPTION, I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT KEEPING THE TAX RATE THE SAME SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE GET THE SOUTHSIDE UHS HOSPITAL BUILT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING MORE MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

SO I JUST REALLY THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I THANK YOU FOR THE BOARD AND THE WAY THAT YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A GREAT BOARD, THEY WORKED SMOOTHLY, THEY'RE HARD WORKERS AND THEY SHOW UP AT EVENTS.

I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY OUTLOOK THAT THEY HAVE AND THAT THEY ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND ENGAGED AND, UHS IS JUST SO SUPPORTIVE OF SO MANY COMMUNITY THING.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. REGARDING THE SOUTHSIDE PROJECTS, THERE'S TWO PROJECTS, OF COURSE, THE HOSPITAL BEING THE MAJOR ONE.

THERE'S ALSO A LARGE RPA PROJECT ON THE CAMPUS THERE OF PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITY.

WE'RE ALMOST FINISHED WITH CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS ON THOSE.

BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE RPA DOLLARS ARE STRUCTURED, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO IT THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY FINISH THE DOCUMENTS, PUT IT OUT TO BID, THEN GET BIDS ON THAT.

BUT WE THINK WE'LL BE READY LATE THIS YEAR TO PUT IT OUT TO BID. SO THAT'LL GET GOING.

>> I'M ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> ON THE HOSPITAL SIDE, WHICH I KNOW YOU'RE VERY INTERESTED IN, I THINK WE STARTED MOVING SOME GROUND IN SEPTEMBER TO GET SOME OF OUR PRELIMINARY PROJECTS IN.

IF YOU KNOW THAT AREA, THERE'S A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT RIGHT NORTH OF IT AND THOSE STREETS DRAIN INTO OUR PROPERTIES.

THE FIRST STEP IS TO PUT IN DRAINAGE IN THAT 68 ACRES AND THEN CUT IT ACROSS JAGUAR PARKWAY ALONG THE NATURAL FALL OF THE OF THE LAND.

THAT'LL START THIS SEPTEMBER, SO WE'RE GETTING READY TO USE THAT LAND.

YOU'LL SEE SOME TREES COME DOWN OR SHRUB, I'VE NEVER SAY TREES, I LOVE TREES.

>> SHRUBS.

>> NOT SO SURE.

>> WEEDS. [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF BEXAR COUNTY HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

THEN WHEN WE FINALLY ARE ABLE TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW HOSPITAL, THEN WE HAVE TO OVER-INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE BECAUSE OF THE LACK THEREOF.

I ALSO SPOKE TO, WHO IS YOUR DIRECTOR OVER THIS WIMPY PROGRAM OR YOUR TEST IS IT LIKE THE.

>> [OVERLAPPING] LETICIA LANCON.

>> I SPOKE TO LETICIA YESTERDAY AND I'M GOING TO BE PARTNERING WITH HER TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE WORD OUT TO THE SMWBES FOR THE NEW WORK THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE IN PRECINCT 1 TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SMWBES ARE AWARE AND THEY CAN GET INTO THEIR BIDS AND EVERYTHING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> THANKS, JUDGE. GEORGE, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECOGNIZED.

I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO YOUR EFFORTS WITH UHS AND IT DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED.

YOU'VE CREATED A REALLY IMPRESSIVE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WITH TOP-NOTCH TRAUMA CARE.

YOUR EFFORTS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WERE CRITICAL IN GETTING THIS COUNTY THROUGH, SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

I'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS OVER THE PAST NINE MONTHS, TO BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH UHS, AND IT'S A COMPLEX BUSINESS.

ASSUME ANY $2 BILLION BUSINESS IS A COMPLEX BUSINESS.

BUT, I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING AS YOU, YOUR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM, OR THE BOARD.

BUT I DO WANT TO CONTINUE TO LEARN AND CONTINUE TO ASK QUESTIONS.

I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS HERE, NOT TO PUT ANYBODY ON THE SPOT, BUT JUST TO LEARN AND TO CONTINUE TO BRING SOME FRESH PERSPECTIVE POTENTIALLY TO THE WHOLE AUDIENCE HERE.

THE FIRST QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK WAS AROUND STAFFING, AND I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT DATA FORWARD.

THAT DEFINITELY HELPS SEE THE IMPACT THAT STAFFING HAS HAD ON YOUR BOTTOM LINE AND ON YOUR TOTAL EXPENSE.

AS WE GO FORWARD, IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S ON ITS WAY DOWN, BUT HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO BRING THOSE CONTRACT LABOR COSTS DOWN AND ALSO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE OVER-COMPETITION AND THE SHORTAGE IN THE MARKET? BECAUSE THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF COMPETITION THERE, HOW CAN WE TRY TO DE-ESCALATE AND REMOVE THAT ARMS RACE, AS IT WERE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND POTENTIALLY BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE COSTS DOWN FURTHER?

>> I MENTIONED SOME OF THE WAYS TO REDUCE THAT COST IS PRIMARILY GOING AFTER THAT CONTRACT LABOR.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY.

YOU ADDRESSED THAT IN TWO WAYS.

WAY NUMBER 1 IS ALL THOSE FARES WERE HAVING TO RECRUIT EMPLOYEES TO WORK AT THE HEALTH SYSTEM.

OUR WAY NUMBER 2, WHICH IS ALMOST AS IMPORTANT IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT, IS RETENTION.

IF YOU CAN RETAIN YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES,

[01:40:02]

AND THAT'S WHY I MADE A COMMENT ABOUT IT, IF PEOPLE WANT TO WORK THERE, THEY'RE GOING TO STAY.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO BE PART OF A GREAT ORGANIZATION, THEY'LL STAY.

IF YOU'RE A MEDIOCRE OR POOR ORGANIZATION, THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THAT'S JUST HUMAN NATURE. WE WANT TO BE PART OF A WINNING TEAM.

WE'VE DONE A LOT IN THE LAST YEAR ON RETENTION.

WE HAVE RETENTION PAY, THAT'S HOLDING NURSES FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, THAT GIVES US THE TIME TO RECRUIT NEW NURSES.

BECAUSE ONCE WE HIRE A NURSE, COMMISSIONER, IT STILL TAKES ABOUT SIX WEEKS OF DIRECT TRAINING WHERE WE'RE PAYING THEM TO COME TO TRAINING BEFORE WE LET THEM ON THE FLOOR.

WE JUST DON'T HIRE THEM AND THEN START ON THE NEXT MONDAY. WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO TRAIN THEM.

THEY'RE TRAINED ON ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD, WE HAVE TO TEACH THEM OUR POLICIES, HOW WE DO THINGS.

I THINK BOTH OF THOSE WAYS, BOTH RETENTION ARE VERY PROACTIVE APPROACH TO NEW HIRES AS WELL.

>> NOW, I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE DEALT WITH THAT ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE WHEN IT COMES TO RETENTION.

IT'S CRITICAL COMPONENT OF MAKING SURE WE CAN HIRE AND REDUCE THOSE OVERALL TRAINING COSTS AND LABOR COSTS.

THE SECOND QUESTION I WANTED TO BRING INTO FOCUS IS AROUND OUR STRATEGY.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE TALKING RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE TAX RATE, WHICH IS A SUBSET OF THE BROADER BUDGET CONVERSATION.

BUT THAT SHOULD ALL BE TIED TO OUR PLANS AND OUR LONG-TERM STRATEGY.

IN LOOKING AND JUST WHAT I'M SEEING, YOU MENTIONED GOING FROM ONE HOSPITAL ULTIMATELY TO ONCE WE GET THE TWO REGIONAL COMMUNITY HOSPITALS ON BOARD, THAT'LL BE FOUR HOSPITALS, CORRECT?

>> THREE.

>> WELL, IT WAS ABOUT THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. [OVERLAPPING]

>> WOMEN AND CHILDREN, SO IF YOU BREAK THAT OUT.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AS WE THINK ABOUT THAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY MUCH A GROWTH STRATEGY VERSUS A MORE NARROWLY TAILORED FILL THE GAP STRATEGY IN TERMS OF INDIGENT CARE.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY BOTH AND THE REASON I SAY IT'S BOTH ABSOLUTELY THAT WHEN THE COMMUNITY IS GROWING, SO IT'S DEFINITELY A GROWTH STRATEGY.

I AGREE WITH YOU 100% THERE.

BUT IN MY PRESENTATION, I MENTIONED THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF PATIENTS WITH LOWER ACUITY AND FOR EXAMPLE, THE SOUTH SIDE HOSPITAL.

WE KNOW FROM THE DATA OF A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM THE SOUTH SIDE HOSPITAL.

HAVING A HOSPITAL THERE FOR THEM IS FOR LOWER ACUITY CASES OF DIABETES MEDICAL CARE IS GOING TO BE TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL TO THAT COMMUNITY.

IT'S ALSO HELPFUL TO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BECAUSE THEN YOU CAN HAVE THOSE LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CASES COME IN AND EVERY BED IS NOT TAKEN UP.

YOU CAN HAVE THOSE STROKE CASES COMING IN AND NOT EVERYBODY HAS TAKEN UP.

THE STRATEGIES WAS REALLY DOABLE.

IT'S A DECANTING OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BUT IT'S ALSO MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THE CARE THAT COMMUNITY NEEDS IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA.

>> THAT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE AS LONG AS YOU ARE GROWING, IF YOU ARE SERVING MORE PATIENTS YOU ARE ALSO GOING TO SERVE MORE INDIGENT CARE PATIENTS AS WELL.

BUT I GUESS IT'S JUST AGAIN, WHAT THE FOCUS IS ON OR WHAT THE PRIORITY IS.

DO WE KNOW WHAT THE PERCENTAGE OF THE COUNTIES INDIGENT CARE UHS PROVIDES?

>> WE PROBABLY PROVIDE THE MOST.

WE PROBABLY CAN ADD ALL THE OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS TOGETHER AND THEY WON'T REACH WHAT WE PROVIDE.

AS A COUNTY HAS LIMITED TO START OFF WITH BECAUSE I GET THIS QUESTION A LOT OF ALL THE STATES IN THE COUNTRY, TEXAS HAS THE HIGHEST UNINSURED RATE AND PART OF THAT IS WE HAVE NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID LIKE 40 OTHER STATES.

THERE'S 10 STATES THAT HAVE NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IN TEXAS IS ONE OF THEM.

BEFORE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, ONE WITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF UNINSURED WERE STILL THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF UNINSURED.

IT USED TO BE ABOUT 25%.

WE ARE DOWN TO ABOUT 19% UNINSURED IN THIS COMMUNITY.

NOW, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN BECAUSE CHILDREN CAN GET MEDICAID BUT WE ARE TALKING BASICALLY ABOUT ADULTS, WORKING ADULTS.

IF A WORKING DAD, WORKING MOM GETS SICK, THERE'S NO INSURANCE.

THERE'S NO COVERAGE FOR THEM.

THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT INDIGENT CARE TAKES CARE OF.

THERE IS A DISPARITY AND IT'S PROBABLY TOO LONG FOR THIS CONVERSATION, BUT I'LL JUST GIVE YOU A HIGH LEVEL VIEW.

THERE IS A DISPARITY BETWEEN THE URBAN COUNTIES AND THE COUNTIES AROUND THE URBAN COUNTIES.

THE STATE LAW ONLY REQUIRES THAT YOU PROVIDE INDIGENT CARE TO PEOPLE BELOW 21% OF FEDERAL POVERTY.

TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, IF YOU MAKE MORE THAN $5,000 A YEAR YOU DON'T QUALIFY FOR INDIGENT CARE UNDER THE STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.

IT'S A VERY LOW THRESHOLD.

MOST OF THE 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS USE THAT VERY LOW THRESHOLD.

[01:45:01]

THE URBAN COUNTIES, I HAVE TO TELL YOU, STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND THEY COVER THE WORKING POOR.

THEY COVER PEOPLE UP TO 200% OF FEDERAL POVERTY, WHICH IS UP TO ABOUT $60,000 A YEAR FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

$60,000 A YEAR, IT'S NOT A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT OF MONEY AND THAT'S WHAT WE PROVIDE IN CAROLINGIAN, THAT'S WHAT MOST OF THE URBAN COUNTIES DO.

BUT IF YOU GO TO MEDINA COUNTY NEXT DOOR OR ATASCOSA OR SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES THEY ARE GOING TO BE AT 21% OF FEDERAL POVERTY, WHICH IS ABOUT $5,000 A YEAR.

IF YOU PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE AND I LOOKED THIS UP FOR AN INTERVIEW I GAVE RECENTLY, IF YOU WORK AT MCDONALD'S AND I THINK MCDONALD'S IS RIGHT NOW IS $12 AN HOUR, EVEN THOUGH THE MINIMUM WAGE IS 725.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PAYING $12 AN HOUR TO WORK IN MCDONALD'S, YOU CAN ONLY WORK HALF A DOZEN HOURS PER WEEK OUT OF THE 40 HOUR BEFORE YOU EXCEED YOUR QUALIFICATION TO GET INDIGENT CARE.

THERE'S THIS DISPARITY OF INDIGENT CARE NOW, WHERE IT BECOMES PROBLEMATIC IS THAT YOU ARE AN INDIGENT PATIENT IN ONE OF THESE COUNTIES IN SOUTH TEXAS ARE AROUND BEXAR COUNTY AND YOU NEED CARE AND YOU ARE SICK, YOU CAN'T BLAME THEM FOR TRYING TO GET IN THE DOOR AT UNIVERSITY HEALTH.

BUT THAT'S A PROBLEM THAT WE CAN'T FIX BECAUSE ONCE THEY COME WITH AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITION, FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES US TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. THAT'S FEDERAL LAW.

THAT'S APPLIES NOT ONLY TO US BUT TO EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT IT'S A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM AND THE OTHER WAY YOU CAN REALLY FIX THAT PROBLEM IS TO PROVIDE A UNIVERSAL CARE IN TEXAS AND THAT'S TO ME WHY I FIGHT FOR THE MEDICAID EXPANSION BECAUSE MEDICAID EXPANSION WILL ALLOW DOCTORS TO MOVE IN THAT COMMUNITY, WILL ALLOW HOSPITALS NOT TO CLOSE.

I THINK TEXAS HAS THE HIGHEST RATE OF RURAL HOSPITALS CLOSING IN THE COUNTRY OF ALL THE STATES.

BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY OPEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOO MUCH OF AN INDIGENT CARE BURDEN.

BUT THAT INDIGENT CARE BURDEN RIGHT NOW AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP.

I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD FOR 2022 BUT FOR 2021 IT WAS $31 MILLION OF COSTS THAT THIS COUNTY IS BEARING OF INDIGENT CARE FROM TEXANS COMING HERE TO GET CARE.

PRIMARILY FROM THE COUNTIES AROUND US, BUT FROM ALL OVER TEXAS.

>> I GUESS JUST TO CLARIFY, THE 19% IS THE PERCENTAGE OF THE COUNTY INDIGENT CARE THAT UHS PROVIDES?

>> NO, THAT'S THE ESTIMATE OF UNINSURED IN BEXAR COUNTY.

OUR PERCENTAGE OF UNINSURED THAT WE TAKE CARE OF 25.

WE PROVIDE MORE UNINSURED CARE THAN THE AVERAGE.

>> WHAT'S THE PERCENTAGE OF INDIGENT CARE OF UHS IS TOTAL CARE.

>> 25%.

>> WELL, I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THIS TOO MUCH.

I GUESS JUST AGAIN MY PERSPECTIVE FROM MY BACKGROUND ECONOMICALLY AND WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION LEGALLY AROUND STRICT SCRUTINY.

MY PERSPECTIVE WOULD BE STRICT SCRUTINY AND A NARROWLY TAILORED APPROACH AROUND BEING INVOLVED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TRYING TO MINIMIZE OUR IMPACTS ON OTHER PLAYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THINKING ABOUT AND BEING MINDFUL OF THOSE IMPACTS AS WE GO FORWARD.

I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT UP AND MENTION IT TODAY.

THE OTHER THING I'LL JUST CLOSE WITH IS MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

YOU'VE HEARD IT FROM MOST OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE ON THE COURT TODAY BUT THAT IS ANOTHER GAP.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INDIGENT CARE, WHICH I THINK IS A PRIMARY FOCUS OF UHS BUT AS WE GO FORWARD, WE TALK MORE AND MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

HOW CAN YOU HHS FILL THAT GAP IN THE FUTURE AND HELP US PARTNER IN FILLING THAT GAP?

>> AGREE. PERSONALLY, I'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM SINCE 1999.

IN 1999, WE REVAMPED THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND MADE IT TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE TO TWO ENTITIES, BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND TO OUR ORGANIZATION UNIVERSITY HEALTH.

BEFORE THAT IT WAS RESPONSIBLE TO IT HAD APPOINTEE FROM THE CITY AND APPOINTEE FROM CASTLE HILLS AND APPOINTEE FROM MERCY ISD AND APPOINTEE FROM A VARIETY OF OTHER ENTITIES AND IT WAS REALLY NOT THE ORGANIZATION IT IS TODAY.

WE PROVIDE ABOUT $7 MILLION A YEAR IN AN AID TO THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

WE APPOINT FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS THERE, YOU ALL APPOINT FIVE, WE APPOINT FOUR.

THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES FOR US TO COLLABORATE THERE BECAUSE WE BOTH APPOINT MEMBERS TO WORK ON MENTAL HEALTH.

I'LL TELL YOU THE OTHER AREA THAT I THINK THERE'S THIS RIPE FOR COLLABORATION IS THE JAIL.

I THINK EVERY JAIL IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S THE BIGGEST MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTION IN THAT COUNTY.

[01:50:01]

THAT'S JUST THE WAY JAILS HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN JAIL HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND STAFF ASKED ME THIS DATA RIGHT BEFORE THIS MEETING.

WE HAVE 20,000 MENTAL HEALTH VISITS AT THE JAIL ANNUALLY AND ANOTHER 21,000 POST MENTAL HEALTH VISITS OF JAIL, 41,000 VISITS EITHER WAY, THE JAIL MEDICAL PERSON OR JAIL SOCIAL WORKER ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

OVER 41,000. I THINK I'M GETTING THIS RIGHT, 1.8 MILLION JAIL DISPENSING OF PHARMACEUTICALS.

THAT IS AN AWFUL LOT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, 1.8.

WHAT'S A PARTICULAR NAME WE CALL THAT ED, FOR THE JAIL DISPENSING OF MEDICINE?

>> MED PASSES.

>> MED PASSES. YEAH, SO 1.8 MILLION MED PASSES.

THE INMATE COULD GET ONE MED OR TWO MEDS OR THREE MEDS DEPENDING ON WHAT THE PRESCRIPTION IS.

BUT WE ARE PRETTY ACTIVE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH ARENA AND HAVE BEEN.

>> NOW, I APPRECIATE THAT.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE ANY OF THESE ITEMS TODAY, BUT JUST WANTED TO BRING THEM FORWARD AS WE GO FORWARD, THINKING ABOUT, UHS'S STRATEGY.

AGAIN, HOW WE CAN PARTNER ON MENTAL HEALTH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, APPRECIATE GEORGE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> GEORGE, I'M GOING TO ASK OF YOUR INDULGENCE AND OTHER COURT'S INDULGENT.

I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO INVITE UP TO THE PODIUM TO STAND WITH YOU, YOUR TEAM, YOUR BOARD, AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT IS INVOLVED IN YOUR SYSTEM TO PLEASE COME FORWARD AND YOU WOULD JUST INDIVIDUALLY RECOGNIZE THEM.

BECAUSE AS YOU SEE SOMETIMES WHEN WE CALL PEOPLE'S NAMES OUT WE FORGET PEOPLE.

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY LEAVING HERE SAYING, HEY, JUDGE SAKAI WE'RE VERY MUCH PART OF IT, BUT WE DIDN'T GET RECOGNIZED.

WHAT I'M DOING IS PUTTING IT ON YOU, GEORGE HERNANDEZ.

>> I HAVE A CHEAT SHEET.

>> THEN AFTER YOU INTRODUCE AND I'LL HAVE SOME FINAL COMMENTS AND ALSO I'LL INVITE YOUR BOARD CHAIR.

NOW, I WANT TO IMPOSE MY PROTOCOL, ALICE INVITE YOUR BOARD CHAIR TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS.

>> THANK YOU. MAY I APPROACH?

>> YES. [BACKGROUND] I'D LIKE SOME MORE COPIES FOR THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS UNLESS THESE COMMISSIONERS WANTED TO SHARE THEIR COPYIST AND OKC.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU BROTHER ADAMS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> MR. ADAMS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. WELL, I WOULD JUST SAY THIS.

I'VE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME EARLIER.

THE REASON I HAVE IS I COME FROM THE COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY OR WE WATCH EVERY PITY.

I'M SEEING THAT TRANSFER IN THE UNIVERSITY HELD AND IT'S FUN TO WATCH BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SOME OF THE SMARTEST, MOST INTELLIGENT AND MOST CARING STAFF LITERS YOU EVER SAW.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A TEAM, AND I'VE BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THREE FAIRLY LARGE COMPANIES THAT THIS ORGANIZATION COMES FORWARD BECAUSE FOR WHAT GEORGIA'S DONE AND FOR WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE SUPPORTING THIS ORGANIZATION AND WE ARE VERY POPULAR, POSITIVE IN MY MIND OF HAVING SOMETHING LIKE UNIVERSITY HELP HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND TALK TO ANYBODY, WHETHER RICH OR POOR THAT'S BEEN IN OUR HOSPITAL OR SOMETHING AND YOU HEAR STORIES ABOUT HOW THE NURSES HELP PEOPLE CARE, HOW THEY APPEAR FOR ME.

GOING THROUGH THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THE OTHER DAY TALKING TO A NURSE AND SHE SAID, "YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS IS GOOD FOR PEOPLE, BUT IT'S GOOD FOR US TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO WORK." I HADN'T THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AND CLARA, SHE HAD THAT SHE HAD THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

BUT WE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE.

I THANK YOU FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STANDING BEHIND ME BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME TALENT HERE THAT IS NOT REAL COMMON AND WE, INCLUDING MYSELF, PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR.

>> THANK YOU, MR. ADAMS. GEORGE, COME BACK AND INTRODUCE EVERYBODY.

I ALSO SEE WE HAVE OUR FINANCIAL TEAM, BUT MAYBE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED, BUT I JUST [LAUGHTER] WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED MAKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS SYSTEM ARE ALSO RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EXPERTISE IN GREAT WORK.

>> BEFORE I INTRODUCE EVERYONE THAT I PASSED OUT TWO COPIES OF JULY ISSUE IN MODERN HEALTH CARE, WHICH IS A NATIONAL MAGAZINE AND YOU SEE THAT

[01:55:02]

JIM ADAMS IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF 12 PEOPLE NATIONWIDE FOR HIS GOVERNANCE.

I REALLY WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ALL APPOINT JIM ADAMS AND THIS IS A REAL STAR.

>> HE SAYS OUTSIDER.

>> HE'S A. A FATHER IN YOUR CAP BECAUSE YOU ALL APPOINTED HIM AND SO I JUST WANTED YOU ALL TO SEE THAT AND WE'RE VERY PROUD TO HAVE HAD HIM AS OUR CHAIR SINCE, I GUESS 2006 AND SO HE'S BEEN AN OUTSTANDING BOARD LEADER AND MY MENTOR AND A LOT OF WAYS AND SO I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE JIM.

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN PUT THAT PAGE OF THAT MAGAZINE AND YOUR BOARD MINUTES AND YOUR COMMISSIONS BOARD MINUTES, AS FOR RECORD-KEEPING, FOR POSTERITY.

>> INTRODUCE HER BUDDY.

>> IN ADDITION TO JIM ADAMS, WE HAVE JIMMY HASSLOCHER AS VICE CHAIR.

MARGARET KELLY IS NOT HERE TODAY, BUT SHE'S A VERY ACTIVE BOARD MEMBER OF SOUTHSIDE PHYSICIAN.

DR. DIANA BURNS IS A VERY ACTIVE BOARD MEMBER.

SHE'S NOT HERE TODAY EITHER, BUT A VERY ACTIVE PHYSICIAN AS WELL, PEDIATRICIAN AND EDITH FERNANDEZ.

>> RECEIPT TOO.

>> I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT ANITA AND I HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE SHE WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND PAT HUSTLE, WHICH YESTERDAY WAS PART OF A REALLY GOOD PROGRAM DOWN ON THE SOUTH SIDE AT THE EMBASSY SUITES ON A LATINA EMPOWERMENT SO VERY HAPPY TO HAVE PAT ON THE TEAM AS WELL.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, WHICH HAS REALLY I BEEN WITH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM FOR 33 YEARS.

I'VE NEVER WORKED WITH AN OPERATING OFFICER AS TALENTED AS ADVENTISTS AND SO ED IS HERE.

HE'S FROM PITTSBURGH. HE LOVES THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS.

DOESN'T LIKE NOISE [OVERLAPPING] BUT HE'S AN OUTSTANDING CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.

READ HURLEY OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, DR. BRIAN OFFSET, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO LURE FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND IT'S BEEN OUTSTANDING BIG PICTURE GUY AND HELPS US ON PREVENTION AND GETTING THE BIG PICTURE AND HEALTH CARE.

LENI KIRKMAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY SINGLE COMMERCIAL AND AD AND USE REPORT THAT WE GET.

SHE AND HER TEAM HAVE JUST DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB IN THAT.

BILL PHILLIPS NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION ON THE BILLS DOWN HERE.

BILL RAN WONDERLAND MALL.

IT'S AN INTERESTING THING TO HAVE YOUR CIO RUN A CLINICAL OPERATION, BUT HIS MIND WORKS LIKE A COMPUTER AND HE HAS BEEN JUST AN OUTSTANDING CIO AND THOSE TWO AWARDS THAT I MENTIONED, THE CHYME LEVEL 10 AND THE HYMNS LEVEL 7, BILLS EFFORTS ARE DEFINITELY THERE AND HE AND HIS TEAM HAS JUST BEEN PHENOMENAL.

HE'S NOT A SOUTH SIDE BOY, BUT HE GREW UP IN SAN ANTONIO SO HE'S BEEN REALLY A PHENOMENAL CIO.

TSARINA RUBELLA IS OUR ATTORNEY.

ARENAS I ALSO WORKED IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

ANOTHER PERSON WE BROUGHT OVER FROM THE CITY.

TRAVIS SMITH IS NOT HERE, BUT HE'S READS RIGHT-HAND PERSON AND HAS DONE A LOT OF THE WORK ON THIS TAX INFORMATION FOR THAT.

DONNY GONZALEZ AND JANE MACON ARE NOT PART OF OUR TEAM, BUT THEY THEY ARE INDIRECTLY ADVISED US ON A LOT OF THINGS.

THAT'S THE FOLKS.

>> WELL, GEORGE, LET ME THANK YOU.

YOU AND I KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN A LONG TIME FRIENDS, ABOUT 40 YEARS, SO I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT THAT ONE TIME.

MR. ADAMS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP.

ACTUALLY, YOU AND MY WIFE RACHEL, GO BACK A LONG TIME ON A FOUNDATION.

LITTLE TO MAKE THAT REAL CLEAR.

I HAVE TREMENDOUS ADMIRATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND INDIVIDUALS ON THERE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM HAS DEMONSTRATED IT AS A TOP PERFORMING HOSPITAL AND BEXAR AND IN FACT, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU PROVIDE EXCELLENT CARE TO YOUR PATIENTS, AND THAT'S JUST THE BOTTOM LINE.

OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE THE NEW WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL GOING ONLINE.

MAJOR PROJECTS AND PRECEDE 1 AND PRECEDE 4 ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGES AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY I ASK THAT YOUR INTRODUCTION.

THE UHS LEADERSHIP HAS CHARTED A PATH TO SUCCESS WITHOUT ADDING TO THE TAX RATE.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF A HIGHER SERVICE DEMAND, WORKER SHORTAGES AND INCREASED COSTS OF LABOR AND GOODS THAT JAR YOU'VE POINTED OUT THIS MORNING.

ON TOP OF THAT, COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED A 5% HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION BACK IN JUNE WITH THE PREDECESSOR COURT, WHICH WILL SAVE THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER ROUGHLY $40 ON HER TAX BILL.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, GEORGE, LET ME THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN A HOSPITAL AND REGARDS.

WE KNOW IN REGARDS TO THE COVID AND GOING ONLINE WITH THE VACCINATION WAS A RESOUNDINGLY SUCCESS AND ATTRIBUTED TO THE LEADERSHIP OF YOUR EXECUTIVE TEAM.

BUT ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND COMMITMENT ON THE CCDV,

[02:00:06]

WHICH IS A COLLABRATIVE COMMISSION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE STEPPED UP AND GOTTEN INVOLVED IN ARE PROVIDING SERVICES REGARDS TO THE ISSUE OF DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE.

I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE THAT COLLABORATION WITH OUR PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE ENTITY THAT DR. ANDRE GET OUT OF OUR HOPWA HEART IS RUNNING AND I THINK WE'VE STARTED THOSE CONVERSATIONS AS HOW THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM CAN HELP PARTNER WITH OUR HEALTH ENTITY, SPECIFICALLY ON MENTAL HEALTH.

I ECHO THE COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN REGARDS TO THE JAIL AND SERVICING THE NEEDS AND WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO THINK OUT OF THE BOX TO PROVIDE RELIEF, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE HAVE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH OR MENTAL ILLNESS ISSUES AT THE JAIL.

BUT I'M ALSO GOING TO ASK THAT YOU ALSO CONSIDER THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY HIGH ACUITY, HIGH NEEDS CHILDREN, MORE SPECIFICALLY, WHICH IS WHERE I'VE BEEN ALL THESE 26 YEARS AS A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, THE FOSTER KIDS.

I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU ALSO HAVE THAT STRATEGY IN YOUR STRATEGIC PLANNING OF HOW YOU CAN HELP AS MANY PEOPLE WE CAN WHO ARE IN NEED OF YOUR SERVICES.

GEORGE, BOARD TEAM, EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM THAT IS HELPED SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY ELSE'S, I SAY THANK YOU.

[FOREIGN] WE GOT THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, THE SECOND BIKE, COMMERCIAL, CLAY-FLORES. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED MOTION? CARRIES. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, GEORGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE [APPLAUSE]

>> MR. ADAMS?

>> YES, SIR. [NOISE]

>> I BELIEVE MR. ALBERT URESTI,

[3. d. Immediately following item 3c: Submission of 2023 calculated No-New Revenue, Voter-Approval, Unused Increment and De-Minimis Tax Rates for Bexar County as calculated by the Office of the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector per Section 26.04 of the Texas Property Tax Code. (Estimated Presentation Time: 15 minutes)]

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP THE SUBMISSION OF 2023 CALCULATED NO NEW REVENUE, VOTER APPROVAL, UNUSED INCREMENTS, DE MINIMIS TAX RATES FOR BEXAR COUNTY AS CALCULATED BY THE OFFICE OF THE BEXAR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR PER SECTION 26/04 THE TEXAS PROPERTY TAX CODE.

GOOD MORNING, MR. URESTI.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TODAY.

I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP REAL QUICK ON WHAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT SAID.

I KNOW THAT THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS OFFICE WITH A 90% FEMALE WORKFORCE WOULD LOVE FOR THE COUNTY TO ASSIST WITH DAY CARE.

FOR THE MEN AS WELL, AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA, SO WE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR MANY YEARS.

OUR MISSION ALSO, BEFORE I START, I WANT TO THANK THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR THEIR HELP IN CONFIRMING THE NUMBERS THAT WE PUT TOGETHER.

OUR MISSION IS WORKING TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HELPING OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, OUR DISABLED, OUR VETERANS, AND ULTIMATELY OUR CHILDREN.

THIS IS WHAT WE WORK AT EVERY SINGLE DAY IN OUR OFFICE.

ANYTHING WE DO AND EVERYTHING WE DO WORKS TOWARD THAT MISSION.

WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO THE TAX RATE ON THE NEXT SLIDE, YOU HAVE LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE ONE THAT'S BEING PROPOSED, BUT ADOPTING THE SAME COMBINED TAX RATE IN 2023 AS LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE FOR BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND THE ROAD AND FLOOD FUND TOGETHER WOULD BE 29 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUE AND WOULD INCREASE TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR BY $44 MILLION.

IN BREAKDOWN IS TO ADOPT THE SAME GENERAL FUND TAX RATE IN 2023 AS LAST YEAR'S, WOULD BE 27 CENTS PER $100 VALUE AND WOULD INCREASE TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR IN THE GENERAL FUND BY 40 MILLION.

NOW ADOPTING THE SAME ROAD AND FLOOD FUND TAX RATE IN 2023 IS LAST YEAR'S OF 2.3 CENTS PER $100 VALUE WOULD INCREASE TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR BY $4.2 MILLION.

BEFORE I FORGET TOO, I WANT TO THANK CARLOS GUTIERREZ WHO'S MY TAX DIRECTOR, AND LISA ANDERSON FOR ALL THEIR WORK AND FOR MAKING ME LOOK VERY SMART.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT.

[02:05:01]

>> THEY SURE DO. [LAUGHTER]

>> THE 2023, NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.

THIS FORMALLY WAS THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE FOR THOSE OF YOU ALL THERE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

FOR BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND THE ROAD AND FLOOD FUND IS 28 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUE.

IT WOULD INCREASE COMBINED TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR BY $8.5 MILLION.

EVEN THOUGH THE IDEA BEHIND THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE IS TO ADJUST THE TAX RATE WITH THIS YEAR'S VALUES SO THAT THE TAXES ARE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH YOU SEE AN INCREASE HERE OF 8.5 MILLION, THAT IS MOSTLY FOR NEW IMPROVEMENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TAXABLE, HOWEVER, THEY'RE BACKED OUT WHEN WE DO THE CALCULATIONS.

THE IDEA BEHIND THAT IS TO ALLOW FOR NEW EXPANSION FOR NEW SERVICES SUCH AS POLICE AND FIRE.

THE 2023, NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE FOR THE GENERAL FUND IS 25 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUE AND WOULD INCREASE GENERAL FUND TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR BY 7.2 MILLION.

THE 2023, NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE FOR THE ROAD AND FLOOD FUND IS 2.2 CENTS PER $100 VALUE AND IT WILL INCREASE ROAD AND FLOOD FUND BY 1.3 MILLION.

ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE HAVE THE 2023 VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE. IT'S 3.5%.

YOU MAY REMEMBER IT USED TO BE 8% AND USED TO BE KNOWN AS THE ROLLBACK TAX RATE.

FOR BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND ROAD AND FLOOD FUND, IT WOULD BE 30 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUE.

IF YOU WERE TO ADOPT THIS ONE WOULD INCREASE TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR BY $51 MILLION.

THE BREAKDOWN FOR THE GENERAL FUND WILL BE 28 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUE WOULD INCREASE TAX REVENUE BY 56 MILLION.

ADOPTING THE 2023 ROAD AND FLOOD FUND VOTER APPROVAL RATE WOULD DECREASE TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR IN THE ROAD AND FLOOD FUND BY FIVE MILLION.

THE NEXT ONE IS THE 2023 VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE AND THAT'S ADJUSTED FOR THE UNUSED INCREMENT RATE.

THE ADJUSTED VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE IS A CALCULATOR MAXIMUM TAX RATE ALLOWED BY LAW WITHOUT TRIGGERING AN AUTOMATIC ROLLBACK ELECTION.

IF YOU EXCEED THIS RATE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ELECTION MANDATED BY STATE LAW.

BEXAR COUNTY AND ROAD AND FLOOD HAVE A COMBINED UNUSED INCREMENT RATE OF 5.9 CENTS, WHICH IS INCLUDING THE ADJUSTED VOTER APPROVAL RATE.

BASICALLY WHAT THIS IS, THE UNUSED INCREMENT RATE CAN BE USED TO INCREASE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE DEPENDING UPON THE TAX RATE.

EVERY YEAR YOU ARE ALLOWED 3.5 CENTS.

THE COUNTY IS NOT USED AT, I'M SORRY, 2.5% INCREASE, SO BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU HAVE 5.9 CENTS.

TECHNICALLY, YOU COULD RAISE IT UP THAT HIGH AND THAT WOULD CREATE A 2023 VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE OF 36 CENTS PER $100 VALUE AND WOULD INCREASE TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR BY 165 MILLION.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, NOW, IF YOU BREAK THAT DOWN, IT'S GOING TO BE 34 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUE IN THE GENERAL FUND AND WOULD INCREASE IT BY 172 MILLION.

THE ROAD AND FLOOD FUND WOULD DECREASE THE TAX REVENUE OVER LAST YEAR BY 7.3 MILLION.

AGAIN, THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE ALLOWED TO, YOU CAN BANK THIS MONEY FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THE THIRD YEAR, THAT PREVIOUS YEAR WOULD DROP OFF.

LOOKING AT THE NEXT SLIDE IS A RECAP, THE 2022 TAX RATE USING 2022 VALUES GENERATED 543 MILLION.

THAT WAS LAST YEAR'S CURRENT YEAR THAT WE'RE IN.

THE 2023, NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE WOULD GENERATE 552 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 8.52 MILLION.

THE 2023 DE MINIMIS TAX RATE OF 29 CENTS FOR $100 WILL GENERATE 578 MILLION AN INCREASE OF 35 MILLION.

AGAIN, THE 2022 TAX RATE OF 29 CENTS, WHICH IS WHAT YOU ALL ARE LOOKING AT.

I'M I RIGHT IN THAT, DAVID? WHAT YOU ALL ARE LOOKING AT IS 29.99 CENTS, WHICH IS IF YOU ADOPT THAT RATE, THAT'S GOING TO GENERATE 587 MILLION, WHICH WILL GIVE YOU AN INCREASE OF $44 MILLION IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE UNADJUSTED IS 595 MILLION, WHICH WOULD GIVE YOU AN INCREASE OF 51 MILLION, AND THE 2023 VOTER APPROVAL RATE,

[02:10:01]

WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THAT PERCENTAGE THAT YOU HAVE NOT INCREASED IN THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS WOULD BE 36 CENTS AND WOULD GIVE YOU 708 MILLION OF AN INCREASE OF A 165 MILLION.

ON THE LAST SLIDE, IT'S A RECAP.

I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL THAT, BUT YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT STARTS AND LAST YEAR'S 29, AND IN PARTICULAR, THIS YEAR'S WOULD BE 29.

AGAIN, YOU'RE LOOKING AT IF YOU ADOPTED A $44 MILLION INCREASE.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. COMMISSIONER MOODY?

>> I HAD A QUESTION.

CAN YOU HELP US WITH THE DE MINIMIS TAX RATE?

>> WE NEVER USE IT BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS.

BUT CARLOS, WHY DON'T YOU COME UP HERE CARLOS, [LAUGHTER] IT'S ONE OF THOSE WEIRD TAX RATES THAT I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, BUT I'M GOING TO LET MY TAX EXPERT EXPLAIN IT.

>> GOOD MORNING. THE DE MINIMIS RATE WILL ACTUALLY GENERATE $500,000 ON THE M&O PORTION ABOVE THE UNADJUSTED VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE AND THAT'S ALL THAT THAT DOES.

IT GIVES ME AN ADDITIONAL $500,000 ABOVE THE UNADJUSTED, THE UNADJUSTED IS AT 3.03.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THAT DOES.

>> IT'S LIKE A RANDOM STATUTORY THING THAT THE LEGISLATURE THREW IN THERE.

>> CORRECT. IT'S MOSTLY USED BY SMALLER TAXING JURISDICTIONS WHO AREN'T GENERATING ENOUGH REVENUE.

IT WILL ALLOW THEM TO GO AT LEAST $500,000 TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FUNDS AND SERVICES.

MAKES SENSE. THANK YOU.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS THE RATE WHICH WOULD GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE ON THE 2022 TAX BASE AND THE $8 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE IS NEW CONSTRUCTION? CORRECT.

>> IF YOU DID THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE, WHICH IS THE OLD EFFECTIVE TAX RATE.

THAT IS THE NUMBERS THAT ARE USED TO GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAXES AS LAST YEAR FOR BASICALLY WOULD NOT BE A TAX INCREASE.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT IS BACKED OUT, THAT IT'S STILL AN INCREASE OF $8.5 MILLION.

>> UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU.

>> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> DO WE NEED TO TAKE A MOTION ON THIS? [OVERLAPPING].

>> NO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JUDGE URESTI.

>> THANKS ALBERT.

>> LET US CONTINUE ON.

[3. e. 10:15 a.m.: Discussion and appropriate action regarding the Bexar County FY 2023-24 Proposed Tax Rate and Operating and Capital Budget, and placement of the proposed tax rate of $0.299999 on the agenda for the Commissioners Court meeting on September 12, 2023 meeting as an action item. (Presentation Time: 1 hour)]

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP SUBSECTION E, UNDER TIME CERTAIN DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE BEXAR COUNTY FY2023/24, PROPOSED TAX RATE AND OPERATING CAPITAL BUDGET AND PLACEMENT OF THE PROPOSED TAX RATE OF 29999.

HOPE I SAID ALL THE NINES.

THE AGENDA FOR THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING, OF SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023 MEETING AS AN ACTION ITEM.

MS. GAITAN.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

TANYA GAITAN, BUDGET AND FINANCE DIRECTOR.

TODAY I'LL BE PRESENTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 PROPOSED BUDGET.

YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET BOOK, THE POWERPOINT, AS WELL AS OUR BUDGET MESSAGE WHICH PROVIDES HIGHLIGHTS TO THE BUDGET.

AD VALOREM TAXES ARE THE MAJOR REVENUE SOURCE FOR THE COUNTY.

AT THE END OF JULY, THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT PROVIDED THE CERTIFIED VALUES FOR THE COUNTY.

THE NET TAXABLE BASE IS AT $229.7 BILLION, WHICH IS A 12% INCREASE.

IT'S EQUIVALENT TO $24.4 BILLION.

OF THIS INCREASE, ABOUT A THIRD IS DUE TO NEW CONSTRUCTION AND THE REST, WHICH INCLUDES 5.5 BILLION IN RESIDENTIAL, 1.5 BILLION IN COMMERCIAL, AND ABOUT 1.5 BILLION FOR OTHER TYPES OF PROPERTIES.

THE BEXAR APPRAISAL DISTRICT DID RECEIVE A RECORD NUMBER OF PROTESTS AND THEY'RE STILL PENDING $21.2 BILLION THAT ARE STILL UNDER REVIEW WITH THE APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD.

THE TAX ASSESSOR CALCULATED THE NEW REVENUE TAX RATE JUST ABOUT $0.28 FOR THE VOTER APPROVED TAX RATE, IT WAS ABOUT $0.30.

WE'RE PROPOSING TO KEEP THE TAX RATE FLAT AT 0.299999.

STATUTORILY, WE'RE REQUIRED TO POST A PUBLIC NOTICE SINCE WE ARE ABOVE THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE,

[02:15:01]

WHICH WILL BE ASKING PERMISSION TO POST AFTER THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE BREAKOUT OF THE PROPOSED TAX RATES SINCE 1995.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE HAVE CUT THE TAX RATE.

THE COMMISSIONERS RATHER HAVE CUT THE TAX RATE ABOUT $0.09 SINCE 1995.

THE IMPACT OF THOSE TAX RATE REDUCTIONS, AS WELL AS A SENIOR TAX FREEZE AND THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS THAT WERE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL SAVE HOMEOWNERS ABOUT $234 MILLION THIS UPCOMING YEAR AND $2.3 BILLION SINCE 1995.

TODAY WE ARE RECOMMENDING A BUDGET OF JUST UNDER $3 BILLION.

THE TABLE SHOWS THE BREAKOUT OF EACH APPROPRIATION ACROSS ALL OF THE FUNDS.

THIS IS AN UPDATED LONG-RANGE FINANCIAL FORECAST FOR THE GENERAL FUND AS PRESENTED TODAY.

THE PROJECTED WILL BE VERY CLOSE TO OUR TARGET MINIMUM BALANCE, WHICH IS 15% OF OUR EXPENDITURES, BY FISCAL YEAR 2028.

NEXT, I WILL DISCUSS THE PROGRAM CHANGES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET.

FOR FISCAL YEAR 23/24 WE ARE RECOMMENDING ADDING A NET NUMBER OF 134.5 POSITIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY TOTALING $14.6 MILLION.

THE MAJORITY OF THESE PROGRAM CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND.

THE NEXT FEW TABLES THAT YOU'LL SEE WILL PROVIDE A LIST OF EACH OFFICE IN DEPARTMENT AND WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE ARE INCLUDING 50 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT ARE BUDGETED WITHIN CONTINGENCIES AND IT IS INCLUDED IN THIS TABLE.

THESE ARE OTHER FUNDS OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL FUND.

AS I MENTIONED, THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES 50 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CONTINGENCIES, AND THE AMOUNT OF $3 MILLION AS DIRECTED BY COMMISSIONERS COURTS.

THE BUDGET AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT WILL BE MEETING WITH OR HAS MET WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING THROUGH THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSIGNMENTS RIGHT NOW.

THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES THE THIRD YEAR OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH DSAABC, UNIFORM STAFFS, WE RECEIVING ABOUT 9% INCREASE IN THEIR SALARIES.

ALSO INCLUDED AS RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE FOUR ADDITIONAL DEPUTY CONSTABLE AS PER PRECINCT.

TWO OF THOSE DEPUTY COMPARABLES WILL BE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR TRAFFIC AND SCHOOL ZONE VIOLATIONS, AND TWO OF THEM WILL BE FOR PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

THE CONSTABLES ARE CURRENTLY SERVING MOST OF THE PROTECTIVE ORDERS, AND WHAT THESE POSITIONS WILL DO WILL ALLOW THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER THE REST OF THOSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS TO THE CONSTABLES, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED HIGH-RISK AND ALLOW THEM TO SERVE ALL OF THEM.

ALSO AN ADDITION IN PRECINCT 4 WE ARE FUNDING TO DEPUTY CONSTABLE FOR THE JUVENILE JUSTICE ACADEMY TO ASSIST THE JUVENILE OFFICE.

THIS WILL BE REPLACING TWO PART-TIME TEMPORARY POSITIONS.

WE ARE ADDING $5.8 MILLION TO FUND THE INCREASES IN COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES.

THIS TABLE SHOWS THE COST OF INDIGENT DEFENSE ACROSS THE COUNTY FROM FISCAL YEAR 2019 TO NEXT YEAR.

THIS INCLUDES COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS, THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE, AS WELL AS THE MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNCIL.

SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2018, WE USE THIS AS A BENCHMARK TO SHOW THE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS OF THESE COSTS.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS A NUMBER OF DISPOSITIONS FOR THAT SAME TIMEFRAME, ALTHOUGH THE COSTS HAVE BEEN INCREASING, DISPOSITIONS ARE LOWER THAN FISCAL YEAR 2019, WHICH IS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT THE COST CONTINUE TO GO UP.

THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION FOR THE DEFENDANT SHOULD GET BETTER.

BASED ON THAT INFORMATION I JUST PROVIDED SHOWING THE COST INCREASING AND THESE POSITIONS DECREASING, WE'RE RECOMMENDING TO PLACE SIX MONTHS OF THE MAC AND PDO IN CONTINGENCIES.

OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, THE MAC AND PDO WILL BE ASKED TO REPORT BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR PROGRAM.

COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS INVESTED IN EMPLOYEE'S COMPENSATION OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO INCLUDE TO 5% ADJUSTMENTS SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2022, AS WELL AS A MARKET TABLES STUDY THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED THIS CURRENT YEAR.

EMPLOYEES RECEIVED AN AVERAGE OF 13.5% IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO CONTINUE EVALUATING OUR EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION.

THE NEXT STEP IS TO ADDRESS COMPRESSION,

[02:20:01]

THEN IMPLEMENTED PERFORMANCE PAY PLAN AS WELL AS THE STEP PAY PLAN FOR THE NEXT COMING YEARS.

FOR THE NEXT YEAR, WE ARE PROPOSING TO ADDRESS COMPRESSION.

EACH EMPLOYEE WILL RECEIVE A HALF PERCENT EACH YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN IN THEIR CURRENT POSITION.

ABOUT 2,300 EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE ABOUT 2.3% INCREASE TO THEIR SALARY, WHICH WILL RANGE BETWEEN 0-18.5%.

ABOUT 1,500 EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN IN POSITIONED LESS THAN A YEAR WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY SALARY INCREASES.

THE COST OF THIS PLAN IS $3.9 MILLION, AND THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE EMPLOYEES ON THE EXECUTIVE PAY TABLE.

IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, WE'RE PLANNING TO IMPLEMENT A STEP PAY PAN FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES NOT COVERED UNDER THE CBA.

EACH YEAR THE EMPLOYEE WILL MOVE UP EACH STEP AND THE COST OF THIS PROGRAM WILL BE $3.5 MILLION.

ALSO IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, WE'RE RECOMMENDING TO IMPLEMENT A PERFORMANCE PAY PROGRAM FOR EXEMPT EMPLOYEES.

THIS WILL BE A 5% MAXIMUM BASED ON A PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL BY THEIR MANAGER.

AND THIS WILL COST $3.2 MILLION, ASSUMING EACH EMPLOYEE GETS 3%.

WE'RE ALSO FUNDING 500,000 IN TUITION REIMBURSEMENT.

WE'RE NOT PROPOSING INCREASES OR CHANGES TO HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PREMIUMS OR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR EMPLOYEES.

ALSO PART OF THE BUDGET, WE'RE RECOMMENDING $78.4 MILLION IN CAPITAL PROJECTS TO INCLUDE THREE CATEGORIES, HEALTH AND SAFETY, ASSET PRESERVATION AND ANY ADDITIONAL OR EXPANSIONS TO PROJECTS.

THESE NEXT FEW TABLES PROVIDE A DETAILED LIST OF THOSE PROJECTS BY CATEGORY.

THE FIRST SLIDE WILL BE FOR SAFETY, THE SECOND FOR ASSET PRESERVATION AND THE NEXT FEW SLIDES ARE FOR SERVICE EXPANSION AND ADDITIONAL.

THE PROPOSED BUDGET ALSO CONTINUE SPENDING FOR ARPA IN THE AMOUNT OF $389 MILLION.

THIS TABLE SHOWS THE CATEGORIES WHICH INCLUDES PROJECTS OUTSIDE AGENCIES AND PERSONNEL.

THE NEXT SCHEDULED COURT WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 11TH TO PRESENT THE CHANGE MEMO AND THE ADOPTION WILL OCCUR ON SEPTEMBER 12TH.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE TENTATIVE WORK SESSION SCHEDULED ON THE 29TH, THE 31ST, AND THE 6TH OF SEPTEMBER AS NEEDED.

THIS SLIDE RIGHT HERE IS A REQUIRED MOTION TO ALLOW STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSED TAX RATE.

THIS MOTION ASKS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTION TO PLACE THE PROPOSED TAX RATE AS REQUIRED BY THE PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE NEWSPAPER FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 12TH.

THAT'S THE END OF MY PRESENTATION.

IF YOU-ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> NO QUESTIONS. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES?

>> I'M NOT THERE YET.

>> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ. WE'LL CIRCLE BACK.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> DAVID, WE HAD A MEETING LAST WEEK AND YOU INDICATED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WAS GOING TO PROPOSE A BUDGET WHERE EACH COMMISSIONER WAS GOING TO GET $10 MILLION TO PROGRAM AND $400,000 IN DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.

WE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM YOU YESTERDAY THAT INDICATED WHAT COULD FIT INTO THE $10 MILLION AND WHAT YOUR RECOMMENDATION WAS WITHIN THAT $10 MILLION.

DAVID, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT STATE STATUTE IS IT IN THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT CAN ONLY OPERATE WITH $10 MILLION?

>> THERE'S NO STATUTE THERE.

THAT WAS IN DISCUSSING WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES ABOUT YOUR ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES PRIMARILY AROUND CAPITAL.

ONE THING BECAME CLEAR TO ME THAT EACH OFFICE WANTS TO BE TREATED THE SAME AS THE OTHERS.

THEY DON'T WANT ONE OFFICE TO GET WAY MORE DISCRETION THAN ANOTHER, AND THE AMOUNT THAT WE SEEM TO BE SETTLING IN WAS ABOUT $10.5 MILLION.

>> WELL, AGAIN, I'M GLAD YOU SAID IT.

IT'S NOT SUPPORTED BY STATUTE.

IT'S ILLEGAL FOR US TO HAVE THAT.

IF THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COURT WHO WANT TO BRING THAT FORWARD, THEY'VE GOT TO BRING THAT TO A VOTE OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR US TO APPROVE.

[OVERLAPPING] THEY'VE GOT TO MAKE THAT ARGUMENT PRIOR TO IT BEING GIVEN TO US IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

THAT WASN'T BROUGHT TO THE COURT FOR A VOTE.

IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA TODAY AND IT'S NOT AGENDIZED AS SUCH FOR ANY POLICY.

I JUST BELIEVE THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A MOMENT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT 101 FOR THE NEW COURT.

[02:25:02]

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE COURT MAY BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE ACTUAL STATUTES IN THE LAW WHICH TELL THE STAFF THAT THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ANY ADVICE OR COUNSEL THAT IS ILLEGAL.

THERE'S ACTUALLY STATUTES THAT ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO STAFF MEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS FOR THAT MATTER, THAT IF THEY'RE NOT BORN IN STATUTE, WE CANNOT GIVE THAT.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I THINK THAT THE COUNTY IS OPENING ITSELF UP TO LIABILITY IN A COURT TO BE SUED BY A COMMISSIONER, BY COMMISSIONERS CONSTITUENTS, CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS OR CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUPS FOR THE RIGHT OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO REPRESENT THEIR CONSTITUENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE BUDGET.

WHAT I SAW TODAY IS A STAFF PROPOSING $50 MILLION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT GETTING EACH ABOUT $10 MILLION AND COLLECTIVELY $40 MILLION.

THAT SEEMS TO ME AN IMBALANCE THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD.

EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN THAT, THAT THIS JUST IS NOT THE WAY WE'VE OPERATED.

WE'VE GOT ALL THE TAPE TO INDICATE IT.

IF THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE COURT WHO WANT TO BRING THAT FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION, THAT'S FINE.

I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT IT'S LEGAL AND I ACTUALLY THINK THAT IN SOME WAYS WE HAVE TO THROW THAT OUT RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO START OVER.

LET ME JUST BE CLEAR IN TERMS OF THE DETAIL OF WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT.

THERE ARE THINGS RELATED TO JOB GROWTH THAT WERE THROWN OUT.

WELL, LET ME JUST START WITH A COUPLE OF EXPENDITURES THAT FRANKLY ALSO THEY ARE NOT TO BE I DON'T BELIEVE, TAKEN FROM EACH COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT BUDGET.

FOR EXAMPLE, COUNTYWIDE TRASH CLEANUPS.

IN THE TITLE, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME OUT OF PRECINCT 1.

IT IS COUNTYWIDE, YES, PRECINCT 1 MAY WANT TO DO MORE ALLOCATED TOWARDS THEIR DISTRICT.

I RESPECT THAT. I WOULDN'T TOUCH IT.

BUT IT'S A COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVE THAT SHOULD BE PUT INTO ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

WE KNOW BETTER THAN THAT. WE'VE NEVER DONE A BUDGET THAT WAY.

THE ISSUE OF CONSTABLES PROTECTION, THE CONSTABLES BALLISTIC SHIELDS FOR ALL CONSTABLES, THAT SHOULDN'T BE COMING OUT OF THE PRECINCT 3 BUDGET.

THAT IS A COUNTYWIDE NECESSITY THAT SHOULD BE IN THE COUNTY BUDGET FOR ALL THE CONSTABLES, THAT SHOULD NOT BE COMING OUT OF PRECINCT 3.

THERE ARE THINGS OUT OF MINE THAT BENEFIT THE PARKS.

THE PROPOSAL WAS NOT FOR PRECINCT 4 TO GET SOLELY ON ITS OWN POOLS.

SWIMMING POOLS, WE HAVE NO SWIMMING POOLS IN COUNTY PARKS.

IT'S GETTING HOTTER. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A NECESSITY FOR HELPING PEOPLE COOL DOWN IN THE FUTURE.

THE PROPOSAL WAS THAT EVERY COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT HAVE TWO PARKS THAT HAVE POOLS AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET TO HELP EVERY PRECINCT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT'S COMING OUT OF MINE AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT RELATE TO THE COUNTY.

FOR MY CONSTITUENTS AND THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, THERE WAS A MILLION DOLLARS FOR HOMELESSNESS HOMELESS PREVENTION.

WE HAVE HOMELESS ALL OVER DOWNTOWN FOR THE TOWN TWIN VILLAGE, THAT MILLION DOLLARS IS NOT SUBMITTED TODAY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS COMPLAINING, THIS DOWNTOWN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT IS COMPLAINING.

I'VE HAD ONE OF A LONDON-BASED COMPANY SAY THEY'RE NOT GOING TO INVEST IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO ANYMORE BECAUSE IT'S BECOME DIRTY.

THEIR HOMELESSNESS THING HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND AND TRYING TO ADDRESS IT, WE DON'T HAVE IT PRESENTED.

WE HAVE GENERAL MCDERMOTT'S ORGANIZATION, THE TEXAS RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION.

WE'RE ON THE VERGE OF GETTING A MAJOR FEDERAL, I DON'T WANT TO SAY WHO, BUT A MAJOR FEDERAL VENDOR THAT WILL CREATE LOTS OF JOBS.

THERE WAS THREE MILLION TO HELP WITH THAT.

THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CHALLENGED US THAT THEY WANTED THE COUNTY TO MATCH.

NOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH ALL THOSE JOBS.

I MEAN, WHO DO I BLAME THAT ON? CERTAINLY, WON'T BE ME. [OVERLAPPING]

>> COMMISSIONER, WHAT I'VE TOLD THE CITY IS AS SOON AS WE HAVE THAT PROJECT AND AGREEMENT IN PLACE, WE WILL IDENTIFY THE FUNDING AND RECOMMEND IT TO YOU.

[02:30:03]

>> WELL, WE'RE BURNING UP IN AUGUST WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

THERE WAS MONEY FOR PLANTING TREES WITH THE BEXAR BRANCHES ORGANIZATION.

THAT IS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT IMPORTANT PRIORITIES.

BUT WE KNOW BETTER THAN THIS.

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

IT IS NOT LEGAL.

I MYSELF, AM WILLING TO GO TO COURT.

I'VE ALREADY GOT THE FIRM IN AUSTIN WHO'S WILLING TO DO IT TO CLARIFY HOW BUDGETING IS SUPPOSED TO GO.

LET ALONE MY CONSTITUENTS OR CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS, BUT IT IS THE ULTIMATE AND DISRESPECT TO THIS COURT THAT WE DID NOT BRING SUCH AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET PROCESS, TO THE COURT MEMBERS IN AN OPEN MEETING.

WE'RE ALL EQUAL ON THIS COURT.

THOSE KINDS OF MOTIONS AND CONSTRICTIONS, THEY'RE NOT IN STATUTE.

THEY ARE THEREFORE ILLEGAL.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CHANGE ORDER THAT'S COMING UP IN A COUPLE OF DAYS TO ENSURE THAT IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH CARE, ENVIRONMENTAL, CIVIL RIGHTS, OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED BEFORE US FOR BUDGET, BE PART OF OUR REGULAR OPERATING ORDER. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

JUST WANT TO THANK THE BUDGET TEAM AND DAVID AND TINA AND TANYA AND JUST ALL THE WORK.

>> YEAH, I AM.

I KNOW IT'S A HECTIC TIME FOR ALL OF YOU GUYS.

YOU'RE VERY SMALL ARMY.

I THINK WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY FOR A LARGER BUDGET STAFF.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS DO ALL THIS WITH SUCH A SMALL TEAM.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING, AND FOR MEETING WITH ALL OF US AND OUR PRIORITIES.

I SAW THAT AS A WAY TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE COMMISSIONER IS CONTROLLING THE BUDGET.

I THOUGHT IT WAS ACTUALLY A GOOD IDEA.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ON THAT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING TO DO BOTH PICKUPS IN MY PRECINCT BECAUSE I HAVE THE LARGEST UNINCORPORATED AREA AND A LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS DON'T HAVE THAT.

I'VE DONE A FEW ALREADY THIS YEAR THAT HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

I'VE HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STAFF HAVE COME OUT WITH ANIMAL CONTROL AND IT'S JUST BEEN SUCH A SUCCESS.

I ADVOCATE IT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD MORE MONEY TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

I'M HAPPY FOR IT TO COME UNDER PRECINCT 1 AND THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT I'VE ADVOCATED FOR.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ON THAT.

I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

ON SLIDE NUMBER 33, CONSTABLES PRECINCTS 1-4, VEHICLES, $880,000.

AM I CORRECT IN ASSUMING THAT 220 IS GOING TO EACH PRECINCT FOR NEW VEHICLES?

>> YES, THAT'S FOR THE NEW POSITION.

>> GREAT. THEN THE NEXT PAGE, PAGE 34, MSO WORKSPACE [INAUDIBLE].

CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THAT IS, $135,000?

>> THE MSO, IT WANTS TO CREATE SATELLITE OFFICES OUTSIDE OF THE CENTRAL AREA, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE LOCATIONS.

THEY'RE GOING TO PUT A WORKSPACE AT THAT CURRENT LOCATION.

I THINK IT'S A PRETTY SMALL WORKSPACE, BUT KEITH WILSON PROBABLY HAS MORE DETAILS ON WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> WHO DOES?

>> KEITH. I BELIEVE HE'S IN THE BACK, I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S AVAILABLE.

>> I'M HAPPY ABOUT THAT, BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN BRIEFED ON IT.

IF I CAN GET THE SPECIFICS ON THAT SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT MY COMMUNITY KNOWS ABOUT IT. KEITH.

>> I ASSUME HE'S.

NANCY, YOU HEARD THE MESSAGE.

YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN BRIEFED ON THAT.

THEN PUBLIC ART AND INTERPRETATION FOR HALF-A-MILLION.

WHAT IS THAT SPECIFICALLY?

>> FOR WHICH ONE COMMISSIONER?

>> I'M SORRY. IT'S ON PAGE 34, HALFWAY DOWN RIGHT UNDER PRECINCT THREE, OFFICE.

>> THE PUBLIC ART. IS THAT THE ONE YOU'RE REFERRING TO? I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE DETAILS ON THAT ONE.

WHAT DEPARTMENT IS, WHAT ORGANIZATION ARE.

>> LET ME FIND OUT, COMMISSIONER. I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

>> I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF PUBLIC ART.

I THINK WE NEED MORE MURALS AND PUBLIC ART.

I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW THE SPECIFICS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. JUST TO CLARIFY, ALL WE'RE DOING BEING ASKED TO DO TODAY IS TO VOTE ON THE TAX RATE.

THIS IS A PROPOSED BUDGET.

IF THE CALENDAR THAT I SAW YOU LAYOUT SHOWS FOR OPPORTUNITY AT LEAST TWO OR THREE TIMES.

TO GIVE FEEDBACK, LIKE WE'VE DONE IN EVERY YEAR SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, STAFF PROPOSES A BUDGET.

BY THE WAY I THINK LEAST I DID.

[02:35:01]

I THINK MOST OF US HAD MEETINGS WITH YOU GUYS LEADING UP TO THIS.

IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS. IT'S NOT A FINAL BUDGET.

WE'RE NOT VOTING ON A FINAL BUDGET TODAY.

THERE'S NOTHING I SEE IN HERE IN TERMS OF A PROPOSAL.

THAT WOULD PREVENT US FROM HAVING A DISCUSSION EITHER TODAY OR IN THOSE WORK SESSIONS TO CHANGE THOSE THINGS.

IT'S CHANGED AT LEAST AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER.

I THINK THIS IS MY FIFTH COUNTY BUDGET.

IT'S ALWAYS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT FROM WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO THE END ON SEPTEMBER 12TH.

I THINK WE'VE GOT OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE.

AND I THINK WITH RESPECT TO SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL PRIORITIES.

I THINK THOSE COME UP EVERY YEAR.

I THINK THE FEEDBACK THAT AT LEAST I GAVE THE STAFF WAS LET'S TRY AND KEEP SOME EQUITY IN TERMS OF EACH OF THE OFFICES.

WE DON'T HAVE OUR INDIVIDUAL BUDGETS.

THOSE WERE JUST, I GUESS, ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES THAT EACH ONE OF US HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THE STAFF.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CALVERT IS RIGHT.

THERE'S NOTHING IN STATUTE THAT SAYS IT HAS TO BE 10.5.

IT COULD BE 50 MILLION EACH, BUT WE HAVE TO WORK WITHIN CONFINES OF THE REVENUES.

IT COULD BE 10 MILLION, IT COULD BE 2 MILLION.

I THINK THESE ARE ALL PROPOSALS.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP THAT IN MIND.

BECAUSE AGAIN, WE HAVE WORK SESSIONS COMING UP.

WE'LL GIVE FEEDBACK AND THINGS WILL CERTAINLY CHANGE.

I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THE BUDGET STAFF FROM I KNOW WE'VE ONLY BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

BUT THE BUDGET PROCESS IN FACT STARTED MONTHS AGO.

YOU'VE WORKED WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

NOT EVERYBODY I KNOW IS HAPPY ABOUT PROPOSALS.

BUT AGAIN, THAT'S OUR OPPORTUNITY TO MASSAGE IT AND GET FEEDBACK.

I KNOW DEPARTMENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD IF THEY WISH ON SOMETHING THAT THEY DID NOT GET THAT THEY REQUESTED.

AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THIS IS ANY DIFFERENT THAN WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I THINK WHAT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IS THE FEEDBACK THAT WE GAVE INDIVIDUALLY.

YOU HAVE TO SOMEHOW PRIORITIZE THAT.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF ONE OFFICE HAS $50 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REQUESTS, ANOTHER OFFICE HAS 2 MILLION.

THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME EQUITY THERE.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE THAT 10.5 MILLION DOLLAR FIGURE CAME FROM.

AGAIN, TANYA, THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR THIS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

BUT FOR PURPOSES OF TODAY, I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE IN TERMS OF WHERE I THINK PROJECTED REVENUES LIE.

I KNOW IT'S A TIGHTER BUDGET THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST.

I THINK LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE. I CAN'T REMEMBER.

WE DID ADJUST THE TAX RATE A LITTLE BIT.

I'M GOING TO PROPOSE THAT WE SUGGEST THAT WE KEEP THE TAX RATE THE SAME.

FOR PURPOSES OF MOVING FORWARD, JUDGE.

I'D MAKE THE MOTION THAT IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.

THAT MOTION IS TO PLACE THE PROPOSED TAX RATE OF 0.29 9999 TO FUND THE FISCAL YEAR 23, 24 PROPOSED OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET.

ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AGENDA OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2023.

MEETING AS AN ACTION ITEM, APPROVAL TO PUBLISH A NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON 2023 TAX YEAR, PROPOSED TAX RATE, AND THE SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS NEWS AND LA QUINTA AND APPROVAL TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2023.

>>MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND BY MR. CLAY-FLORES. COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> WE'RE BACK TO DISCUSSIONS.

>> I JUST HAD A FEW COMMENTS.

I'M NOT SURE IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.

BUT FIRST OF ALL, I JUST RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE WHEN IT COMES TO MURALS AND PUBLIC ART.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S A PRIORITY FOR TAXPAYERS.

>> ISN'T THIS AWESOME. [LAUGHTER]

>> HOLD ON. COMMISSIONER MOODY HAS THE FLOOR. THANK YOU.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY TO THE MOTION.

MY UNDERSTANDING FROM COUNTY STAFF IS THIS IS NO GREATER THAN.

WE ARE NOT SETTING THE TAX RATE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. WHAT THE EFFECT OF THIS IS, IS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE MAXIMUM TAX RATE THIS COURT WOULD CONSIDER SETTING.

YOU CAN SET IT LOWER THAN 29.9.

BUT ONCE THIS IS PUBLISHED, YOU CANNOT GO HIGHER.

>> YOU WOULD HAVE TO START THE WHOLE PROCESS OVER.

THAT WOULDN'T DELIVER A TAX RATE TO THE TAX ASSESSORS OFFICE IN TIME FOR THEM TO TIMELY MAIL BILLS.

>> UNDERSTOOD. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR FOR THE RECORD.

FOR THE RECORD, I WOULD LIKE TO STILL FIND WAYS TO TRY TO REDUCE THE TAX RATE BETWEEN NOW AND THE OFFICIAL APPROVAL.

THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION IN THE PRESENTATION THAT WAS PRESENTED.

THIS IS MY FIRST BUDGETARY PROCESS.

[02:40:03]

I'M WORKING MY WAY THROUGH IT WITH MY STAFF.

HOWEVER, I OBVIOUSLY EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE MORE INFORMATION THAT FLOWS ON ALL THE OTHER CATEGORIES OF THE BUDGET OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND MENTION RIGHT NOW.

SEE THE GRAPH IN YOUR HANDOUT HERE.

I'M NOT SURE WHICH PAGE IT IS.

MAYBE THE FIFTH PAGE, THE TENURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.

I THINK WE DO NEED TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THIS.

BECAUSE I'M LOOKING AT 40% OF OUR TENURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM IS IN CREEKS AND TRAILS, AND ONLY 18% IS FLOOD CONTROL, 30% IS ROADS.

WE'RE SPENDING AS PROPOSED HERE, $60 MILLION MORE ON CREEKS AND TRAILS THAN WE ARE ROADS.

I FIND THAT BACKWARDS.

I JUST WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT FOR THE RECORD.

I HOPE WE CAN HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON THOSE SPINNING CATEGORIES.

WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE HEARING BEXAR COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER CALVIN.

>> I'LL BE VOTING. NO. I'M RESERVING THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE STATUTORY RIGHTS OF MY CONSTITUENTS STAFF.

I GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT BECAUSE IT WAS OBVIOUS.

LEE ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS SEVERAL MEMBERS WHO WERE TALKING ABOUT HAVING THIS SO-CALLED EQUALIZATION.

BUT I THINK DISCOVERY IN A LAWSUIT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING.

BUT I THINK THERE ARE SEVERAL VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS OF BEXAR COUNTY THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IF THIS BUDGET DOES NOT WORK IN REGULAR STATUTORY ORDER.

I HOPE COMMON SENSE WILL PREVAIL BECAUSE I AM VERY SERIOUS.

THIS IS NOT A UNADVISED THREAT.

THIS IS A VERY REAL LEGAL THREAT TO THE COUNTY.

WHICH WE WILL WIN IN A COURT OF LAW.

BUT IN ANY EVENT, I'VE SAID ENOUGH.

>> I HAVE MY SAY. IS ANYBODY ELSE SAYING ANYTHING ELSE? WELL, OBVIOUSLY I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES AS WE START THIS BUDGET PROCESS.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S REQUIRED THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WHETHER WE AGREE WITH IT OR NOT.

WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE AND THEN WE'LL GET TO THAT SHORTLY.

BUT LET ME MAKE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS BECAUSE IT IS MY FIRST BUDGET AS COUNTY JUDGE.

NOW, FOR THE RECORD, FOR 26 YEARS, I WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

ACTUALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOU, TANYA.

[LAUGHTER] YOU WERE IN THE MIDDLE.

I WAS OUT THERE SITTING AND TO SEE WHAT YOUR BUDGET OFFICE WAS GOING TO DO TO THE JUDICIARY.

SOMETIMES I LIKED IT AND SOMETIMES I DIDN'T AND THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.

OBVIOUSLY TODAY AND I THINK IT'S BEEN CORRECTLY STATED, I GOT TO WATCH MY ANALOGIES HERE FOR THE RECORD, BUT A BUNCH OF PROCESS IS MUCH LIKE SAUSAGE MAKING.

IT JUST STAY PRETTY AND SOME PEOPLE WILL LIKE IT AND SOME PEOPLE WON'T.

WE WILL HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT TODAY WE GOT TO DO WHAT STATUTORILY REQUIRE.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SOME POINTS AS WE FIGHT.

OBVIOUSLY TODAY'S BEEN A LESSON THAT WE BETTER BE COMMUNICATING AS A COURT, WE BETTER BE COMMUNICATING AS STAFF, AND WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OR DEPARTMENTS OUT THERE AND HEAR WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE IN ORDER TO REALLY COME UP WITH A BUDGET THAT'S FAIR AND EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TAXPAYERS.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

HAVING SAID THAT, LET ME TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT I CONSIDER THE MAJOR WINS FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN THE PROPOSED 2023-'24 BUDGET.

I COMMITTED TO FOCUS ON THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT GOVERNANCE.

I CALLED IT IN MY CAMPAIGN BEXAR NECESSITIES.

BEXAR BEING B-E-X-A-R.

THIS BUDGET AT LEAST PROPOSE WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST YEAR AS COUNTY JUDGE.

WE APPROVED THE BAKER TILLY SALARY JUSTICE RECOMMENDATIONS.

THIS HAS HELPED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION CLOSER TO MARKET RATE, IMPROVING OUR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF THE VERY BEST.

OBVIOUSLY, MS. GAETAN, YOU'VE HIGHLIGHTED THAT WE NEED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IN REGARDS TO THAT PACE STUDY THAT IS ONGOING IN OUR COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

ALSO TOO, I COMMITTED A PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC SAFETY BEING FOLLOWING THE RULE OF LAW.

WHAT WE'VE DONE IN REGARDS TO PUBLIC SAFETY HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING.

[02:45:04]

WE'VE BUILT CONSENSUS ON THIS COURT TO HELP SUPPORT THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND HAVE HELP THEM MEET THEIR NEEDS WITH THE RECENT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY OVERWHELMINGLY MAJORITY SUPPORT OF THE DSABC MEMBERSHIP, THE DEPUTY SHERIFF'S UNION.

WE'VE CALLED AND ASKED FOR AN ALLOTTED 50 ADDITIONAL SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET.

WE WILL AS A SHERIFF TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE POSITIONS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE ALSO APPROVED OUT-OF-THE-BOX STRAIGHT TO THE STREETS IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO APPLY TO BE A DEPUTY SHERIFF SO THAT IF THEY WISH, THEY CAN GO STRAIGHT TO THE STREETS IF THEY QUALIFY.

I'VE ALSO CALLED FOR COMMISSIONER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT STUDY TO HELP FORECAST THE FUTURE NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE USING DATA THAT WILL DRIVE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DECISION-MAKING.

WE ESTABLISHED A NEW AND UNIQUE PACE STABLE IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO IMPROVE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION SO OUR PROSECUTORS AND LEGAL SUPPORT STAFF HAVE THE TOOLS NEEDED TO DELIVER JUSTICE.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO OUR CONSTABLES AND WE'RE ADDING SOME ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES HERE TO INCREASE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL PRECINCTS, SUPPORT THE DELIVERY OF PROTECTIVE ORDERS, AND WE WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONSTABLES HAVE NECESSARY STAFFING TO GET THE JOB RIGHT AND TO KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES SAFE.

I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF COMMISSIONER MOODY, BUT WE HAVE ALSO COMMITTED AND I'M COMMITTED TO INVEST AND TO CONTINUE TO INVEST INTO ROADWAY DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE PARKS AND TRAILS TO KEEP OUR ROADS SAFE, PREVENT FLOOD RISK, AND PROVIDE GREEN SPACES THAT WILL PROVIDE WELLNESS AND GOOD HEALTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ALSO COMMITTED THIS YEAR TO THE DIGITAL INCLUSION AND ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPECTRUM TO INVEST MORE THAN $25 MILLION IN BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN THE MOST UNDERSERVED AREAS OF BEXAR COUNTY.

FINALLY, WE'RE USING EVERY TOOL AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE OUR COURT SYSTEM, AND SUPPORT OUR JUDICIARY, AND ADDRESSED THE ISSUES AT THE JAIL.

WE'VE BEEN ADVOCATING AND WE'VE SECURED $50 MILLION IN FORENSIC BED FUNDING FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

I HAVE ALSO, IN THE LAST MEETING, ESTABLISHED A JAIL POPULATION TASK FORCE FOR WHICH I'LL CHAIR TO IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION AND CUT DOWN ON THE EXORBITANT OVERTIME COST.

AS YOUR COUNTY JUDGE, IT'S MY AIM TO KEEP THE COUNTY TAX RATE IN A STEADY OR PERHAPS A DOWNWARD TREND, BUT NOT RIGHT NOW.

BEXAR COUNTY FAMILIES HAVE STRUGGLED FOLLOWING THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SHOCKS OF THE PANDEMIC.

MANY ARE STILL RECOVERING.

WE OWE IT TO OUR RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORS TO CONTINUE DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL COUNTY SERVICES WITHOUT INCREASING THEIR TAX BURDEN.

I APPROVE THE PROPOSED TAX RATE.

I BELIEVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

WE WILL PROVIDE ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY THROUGH OUR BUDGET HEARINGS, AND I ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE HEARINGS.

ALSO WE'LL BE HOLDING TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND TAKING IT TO THE STREETS, SO TO SPEAK, SO THAT THE COMMUNITY IS AWARE OF THE PRIORITIES AND THE FUNDING REQUESTS AND THE PRESSURES WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT EXCELLENT SERVICE THAT THE TAXPAYERS EXPECT OF THE COUNTY.

AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> JUST ONE LAST COMMENT, PLEASE JUDGE.

>> DID YOU HAVE THE FIRST COMMENT?

>> JUST ONE LINE.

>> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> WITH RESPECT TO PROPORTIONALITY, PRECINCT 4, IF YOU AUDIT THE REVENUE OF THE COUNTY PROVIDES DISPROPORTIONATELY MORE REVENUE TO THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE HOTELS, THE SKYSCRAPERS, AND THE INDUSTRY AND THEIR ASSETS WITHIN THEIR BUILDINGS.

IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROPORTIONALITY, THEN PRECINCT 4 SHOULD BE GETTING MORE AND IT BRINGS UP A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRECINCT VERSUS THE UNIT SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT TAXPAYERS IN PRECINCT 4 ARE GETTING THEIR FAIR SHARE.

NOT ONLY THAT, PRECINCT 4 HAS ALMOST ALL OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN TOWN BECAUSE I REPRESENT 85% OF DISTRICT 1 IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

THOSE INTERESTS COME TO OUR OFFICE BECAUSE WE REPRESENT THOSE PARTICULAR ENTITIES AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THERE IS NOT A PARITY.

[02:50:07]

IF THE COURT WANTS TO BE FAIR TO THE NON-PROFITS THAT IT WILL HURT, FOR EXAMPLE, I ASKED FOR A DOUBLING OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

WE HEARD TALKED TODAY ABOUT PEOPLE NOT RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

WELL, THE COUNTY RAN OUT OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP FAMILIES IN MAY, APRIL, AND I REQUESTED NOT FOR PRECINCT 4, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY THAT WE INCREASE THOSE REVENUES.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK IF THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT PROCEEDS AS IT IS.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT PROPORTIONALITY AND ALL THAT IS DISCOVERABLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CALVERT.

I THINK YOUR COMMENTS HAVE BEEN VERY VALUABLE TO ASSIST US TODAY. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

>> JUST TO ADD, COMMISSIONER, I BELIEVE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SAME CONCERN ABOUT THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

WE DID APPROVE TODAY SOME REPROGRAMMING OF RPA THAT IS STILL A POOL OF MONEY FOR POTENTIALLY TO USE FOR THAT, SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AND MOVE THAT FORWARD AS WELL.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT $12 MILLION.

>> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW.

IS ROBERT RINA HERE? OR DAVID, CAN YOU ANSWER THIS? DIDN'T WE GET MORE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE?

>> HOLD ON. COME ON UP.

>>WE DID NOT?

>> COME ON UP AND SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.

>> BECAUSE WE HAD APPROVED A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY TO HELP ON THAT.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> THEN THEY CAME BACK AGAIN AND WE GOT MORE MONEY AND WE EXTENDED THAT CONTRACT, CORRECT?

>> WE GOT THE SECOND TRANCHE OF THE ERA-2.

WE HAVE THE ERA-2 AND THE THIRD TRANCHE BEING DRAWN DOWN, BUT NOTHING BEYOND ERA-2.

>> BUT WE DID GET A SECOND TO SUPPORT.

>> RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. THAT'S MY THOUGHT.

>> OUR ESG MONIES RAN OUT. WE RAN OUT OF OUR ESG.

>> WE HAVE A VERY SMALL ESG GRANT, COMMISSIONER.

IT'S IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

>> IT'S ABOUT 250,000.

>> IT'S LITTLE MORE THAN THAT, I BELIEVE, BUT IT'S MOSTLY SPENT ON HOMELESS SERVICES AND OUTREACH, NOT RENT SUPPORT.

>> ANYWAY, WE RAN OUT.

>> I HAVE ONE MORE COMMENT FROM MS. GAETAN.

COMMENT IN REGARDS TO THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, PAGE 8.

GENERAL FUND LONG-RANGE FINANCIAL FORECASTS APPEARS TO BE A BIG GAP BETWEEN FUNDS AVAILABLE AND FUNDS REQUEST, WHICH OBVIOUSLY THE POLLOCK OR OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO SAY, THERE'S A BUNCH OF MONEY, BUT PART OF THAT OR MOST OF IT IS BECAUSE OF RPA AND THE SUPPORT RPA GIVES US.

AS RPA RUNS OUT BY THE YEAR 2026, THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE'RE FORECASTING WHEN WE MIGHT AS WELL START TIGHTENING UP OUR BUDGET RIGHT NOW.

IS THAT CORRECT, MS. GAETAN?

>> I UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY WANTS SOMETHING.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY I MADE MY STATEMENT ABOUT THE PRIORITIES.

THOSE ARE MY PRIORITIES.

I HOPE THE COURT WILL ADOPT THEM.

WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

I'M GOING TO ASK FOR A VOICE VOTE.

I WILL CALL IT, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

>> MR. RODRIGUEZ.

>> COMMISSIONER MOODY.

MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> NEY.

>> JESSICA SAYS AYE.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU'VE ASKED FOR RECONSIDERATION ON ITEM 66, AND THERE WE'RE GOING TO QUICKLY GET THROUGH THE REST OF THE DOCKET.

AND JUDGES, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET TO YOU PRETTY QUICKLY, DON'T FREAK OUT ON ME.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH?

[66. Approval of a Resolution of Support creating the Regional Military Value Commission (formerly known as the Military Transformation Task Force) and establishing a County Commissioner as co-chair.]

>> I'M NOT SURE IF I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER FIRST OR JUST WE'LL GO AHEAD AND RECONSIDER WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

>> DOES COMMISSIONER MOODY HAVE UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO RECONSIDER ITEM 66? HE WANTS TO RECONSIDER ITEM 66 ON THE CONSENT.

IS THERE A UNANIMOUS CONSENT?

>> COMMISSIONER MOODY, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S A NAME CHANGE TO THE MILITARY TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE THAT HASN'T BEEN AGREED UPON BY THE COMMUNITY.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS SOME CONCERNS.

BEFORE BEXAR COUNTY, MOVE FORWARD, YOU WANT IT TO GET THE CONSENSUS WITH THE CHAMBERS AND CONTINUE TO TALK IT THROUGH.

I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU'RE RECONSIDERING?

>> CORRECT. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AFTER RECONSIDERING HERE.

I NEEDN'T MAKE ANOTHER MOTION TO TABLE, BUT ULTIMATELY, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM 66 AND PULL IT HEAR IT ON THE SEPTEMBER 12TH AGENDA.

THE ISSUE AS COMMISSIONER CALVERT HIGHLIGHTED, THERE'S JUST STILL SOME QUESTIONS AND JUST GETTING KEY STAKEHOLDERS ALIGNED ON WHAT THIS IS GOING FORWARD.

I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR BEXAR COUNTY ON THE MILITARY TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE.

THIS IS A RENAMING, BUT ALSO THERE'S SOME OTHER ITEMS WITHIN THAT STRUCTURE THAT WILL CHANGE THAT BODY.

[02:55:03]

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN TRY TO GET TO FULL ALIGNMENT BEFORE APPROVING.

>> [OVERLAPPING] HOLD ON. THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY? IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONS COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN COMMISSIONER MOODY TO SOME OF THE ENTITIES THAT HAD CONCERNS?

>> WELL I WOULD MENTION THE GREATER CHAMBER.

ULTIMATELY HOPE THAT WE COULD JUST HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS OFFLINE.

BUT THERE'S A LONG HISTORY IN TRYING TO SUPPORT OUR MILITARY COMMUNITY HERE.

DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS MAY HAVE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO HOW BEST TO DO THAT AND WHO SHOULD HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE? AND WHO CHAIRS SHOULD BE IN STRUCTURING A BODY LIKE THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF DETAILS.

I DON'T KNOW ALL THE SPECIFIC ISSUES AT THIS POINT.

I JUST WANT TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO FLUSH THOSE OUT.

>> I WOULD BE FINE WITH THAT, BUT IF I CAN GET A BRIEFING ON THE SPECIFICS AND THE NAMES BEFORE IT COMES TO THE NEXT COURT.

>> THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT IN ORDER TO PULL BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND PULL AND TABLE TO THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING, APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT CREATING THE REGIONAL MILITARY VALUE COMMISSION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE MILITARY TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE, AND ESTABLISHING A COUNTY COMMISSIONER AS CO-CHAIR.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

COMMISSIONERS, WHERE DO WE WORK? I THINK YOU TOOK IT UP. WE TOOK OFF.

>> I BELIEVE THAT JOE NEWTON HAS RETURNED.

>> JOE NEWTON'S HERE. THE ONE AND ONLY.

>> JOE THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M SORRY, JUDGE.

>> I BELIEVE FOR THE RECORD, WE ARE DISCUSSING THE ITEM 21, WHICH WE PULLED AT YOUR REQUEST,

COMMISSIONER CALVERT, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JOE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAD DISCUSSED IS A CLAUSE IN THE EXIT CLAUSES THAT COULD PROVIDE FOR THE COUNTY TO TERMINATE THE LEASE.

IF THERE IS ANY LEGAL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL LEGAL.

WOULD YOU FORGOT COMMISSIONER MOODY HELPED ME OUT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY YOUR GOOD IDEA.

>> I JUST SAID ADDING A CONTINGENCY, AN OUT CLAUSE FOR ANY FEDERAL OR STATE LEGAL CHALLENGES THAT WOULD IMPACT THE CURRENT STRUCTURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS IT WILL BE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE DISCUSSED.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN WRITE INTO THE CONTRACT JUST GIVEN THE CONCERNS AROUND SOME OF THE FEDERAL COURT CASES BEING HANDLED TODAY.

>> I APOLOGIZE. MY NAME IS JOE NEWTON.

I'M THE ASSET MANAGER FOR THE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY HAS A STANDARD OUT CLAUSE THAT WE'VE USED FOR MANY YEARS.

IT BASICALLY GIVES US TWO OUTS FOR A LEASE.

ONE IS IF COMMISSIONER'S COURT DECREASES THE FUNDING TO AN AMOUNT FOR THAT PROGRAM THAT'S GOING TO BE HOUSED AT THE LOCATION SO THAT IT CAN'T OPERATE ANYMORE.

OTHERWISE IF YOU DEFUND THAT OPERATION.

THE SECOND IS IF WE DECIDE TO MOVE THAT FUNCTION INTO A GOVERNMENTALLY OWNED BUILDING, THOSE ARE OUR TWO OUTS.

IF THE COURT DECIDES TO ADD SOMETHING TO THAT, WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.

I WILL HAVE TO SAY THAT WE'RE PRETTY FAR ALONG IN THIS PROCESS.

I KNOW THAT A COG BOARD HAS ALREADY VOTED ON THIS.

I'LL DO WHATEVER THE COURTS WISHES.

BUT THAT'S OUR STANDARD OUT CLAUSE.

IT HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS.

>> WE'VE GOT A WORK SESSION ON THE 29TH, BUT THIS COULD BE PUT ON CONSENT AS WELL.

THE BUDGET PROBABLY COVERS THE LEGAL THINGS. I THINK WE'RE OKAY.

>> I WILL SAY IN THAT 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN DOING THIS.

IT HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE IN THE PAST. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY

>> OKAY. WE'LL MOVE APPROVAL.

>> OKAY.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

THIS IS ITEM 21 OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

LET ME READ INTO THE RECORD APPROVAL OF LEASING AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS AND ALAMO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR INITIAL TERM IS SEVEN YEARS PLUS UP TO FIVE ONE-YEAR OPTIONS.

EXTENSION OF 7,769 SQUARE FEET OF RENTAL OFFICE SPACE LOCATED 8200 PRAYER AND BOTTLE ROAD, SUITE 124, AND 125, AT A RATE OF $19,893.61 PER MONTH EFFECT UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE REMODELING WORK, BELIEVED TO BE DECEMBER 1, 2023,

[03:00:02]

FOR USE BY THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEPARTMENT PRECINCT 4.

ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> JUST WANT A QUICK ONE, JUDGE.

JUST TO CLARIFY FOR EVERYONE'S AWARENESS HERE.

IF THERE WAS A DECISION THAT WE THOUGHT THREATENED OUR CURRENT OPERATIONS OF SWIM V THIS COURT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE THE BUDGET FOR SWIM V. IN ORDER TO ALLOW THEM AN OUT OF THIS CONTRACT.

>> UNDER THAT FUNCTION OF THE LEASE. UNDER THE WORDING THERE? YES. NOW THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS TO APPROVE THE DEFUNDING TO A POINT THAT WE CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT PAYING OF THE LEASE.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> I BELIEVE THERE'S A MOTION TO SECOND ON THE FLOOR.

IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION HEARING NONE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

>>THANK YOU.

>> I BELIEVE THAT COMPLETES THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE'RE NOW BACK TO ITEM 5, FILING FOR THE RECORD OF THE FOLLOWING LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS

[5. Filing for record the following legal and administrative documents and directing the Criminal District Attorney's Office to take action, if necessary: a. Order for appointment of temporary Justice of the Peace, signed July 26, 2023. b. FY 2024-2025 Initial Budgets for Bexar Community Supervision and Correction Department. c. Citation directed to Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, Re: Vivian Kee-Persha vs. Robert W. Knappage ET AL, Case Number 2023CI15018. d. Letter of Representation submitted by Desouza Injury Lawyers, Re: Ashley Marie Salas e. Notice of Motion Demand Dismissal Case, Re: Robert Gilbert Coleman vs. Michael Mery, et al., Case No. 2022CI04416 f. Citation directed to Honorable Peter Sakai, County Judge of Bexar County, Texas, Re: Yvette Arellano vs. Bexar County, Case Number 2023CI14623 g. Summons in a Civil Action directed to Honorable County Judge Peter Sakai, Re: Robin Smith, et al vs. Bexar County, Texas Civil Action No. 5:23-cv-00948 h. Chapter 381 Grant Agreements with two (6) non-profit organizations, approved May 2, 2023: i. Say Si; ii. Conjunto Heritage Taller; iii. San Antonio Choral Society; iv. Opera San Antonio; v. San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum; vi. Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.]

DIRECTING CRIMINAL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY, FOR X SECTIONS A THROUGH H. THIS TIME, WE'LL TAKE UP THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY,

[6. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday, August 8, 2023.]

AUGUST 8, 2023.

>> MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

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

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

>> ANY OPPOSE MOTION CARRIES.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

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

SORRY FOR MY LATENESS, BUT THAT'S THE WAY SOMETIMES THESE MEETINGS GO.

THE FIRST CITIZEN TO BE HARD OR SHE IS HERE.

IS MOLLY.

JUST MOLLY.

GOOD MORNING. I THINK IT'S STILL MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> NO, IT ISN'T. IT'S AFTERNOON.

[LAUGHTER] GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, YOUR HONOR.

REAL JUDGE SECANT AND COMMISSIONERS COURT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ATTENDANCE, JUDGE, FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL ADVOCATES HOUSES MARCH.

I'M EXCITED TO MEET THE LOVELY RACHEL SAKAI.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT, IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND, WE DO WELCOME THE WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM YOU.

WE WELCOME YOUR RANKIN STATEMENT FROM YOU.

YOUR WRITTEN WORD IS JUST AS HONORABLE AS YOUR SPOKEN WORD.

COMMISSIONER REBECCA CLAY-FLORES.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR OFFICE IS STILL DECIDING IF YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT AS WELL.

WE ALSO HONOR YOUR WORD, AS WELL AS YOUR SPOKEN WORD.

>> I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS WHICH WILL AFFECT THE COUNTY AT LARGE, YOUR HONORABLE JUDGE, I UNDERSTAND YOU LEND ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE LIKE THE PANDEMIC COVID HAPPENED OR THE TEXAS FLOODS AND THINGS LIKE THAT OF NATURE.

WE NEED YOUR HELP AGAIN, BECAUSE THE CITY MANAGEMENT IS PROPOSING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AMP UP HOUSING AND CABINET CLEANUPS UP TO 700 IN CABINETS.

WE'RE EXPERIENCING COUNTYWIDE RECYCLING OF HOMELESSNESS.

WITH TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT WAVES OR WINTER SEASONS WHEN WE HAVE THEM, PEOPLE ARE DYING IN MASSIVE NUMBERS.

THE CITY REFUSES TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO HAVEN FOR HOPE, WHICH IS OVERWHELMED AND NOT AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE.

WE NEED HELP WITH A COUNTY RUN ENHANCED ENCAMPMENT WITH REGULAR WEEKLY TRASH SERVICE LIKE THAT OF APARTMENT COMPLEXES OR ACCESS TO SHOWERS OR EVEN TOILETS BECAUSE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, THE CITY COUNCIL, LOCKS UP THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS AT NIGHT, SO PEOPLE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO TO THE RESTROOM.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

YOU'RE ON YOUR HONOR, PLEASE.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO INTERVENE.

WHAT WILL RESULT FROM THE 700 INCREASED IN CABINET THAT THE CITY COUNCIL'S PROPOSING.

OR HUMAN SWEEPS WILL BE ADDED COSTLY CRISIS WHICH WILL RESULT WHEN MORE PEOPLE DIE ON OUR STREETS.

PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM THE TEXAS HEAT AND CITY COUNCIL CONTINUES TO JUST MOWED DOWN TREES LIKE BRECKENRIDGE PARK AND OTHER NEEDED TREE CANOPIES.

THE COUNCIL DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR ADDED NEEDED MONEY TO COVER COSTS FOR HOUSES, PEOPLE'S DEATHS OF MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE NUMBERS.

PLEASE, DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE MYTH THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS TELLING YOU OR THE PIT COUNT THAT THERE'S 874 REPORTED HOUSES NUMBERS.

HOUSESNESS HAS NOT REDUCED AT ALL.

AS YOU WELL KNOW THAT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS PASSES JUDGMENTS ON AN AVERAGE OF 500 EVICTIONS ON A WEEKLY BASIS FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT AND OTHER ISSUES.

WE DO NOT HAVE 874 HOMELESS PEOPLE.

WE HAVE 874 TIMES, 500 A WEEK TIMES.

WHAT IS THAT? IT'S ONLY FOUR TIMES 10.

>> JUDGE COMMISSIONERS AT THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

[03:05:01]

>> MS. MARLA, WOULD YOU PLEASE WRAP IT UP? I'LL GIVE YOU A FEW MINUTES.

>> THAT'S SO MANY. SO THANK YOU.

>> FOR CLARIFICATION, MS. MARLA I KNOW WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ENGAGE WITH YOU MAKING AN ASK OR JUST BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.

>> WERE YOU ASKING FOR SOMETHING IN THIS PRESENTATION OR ARE YOU JUST MAKING US AWARE OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT?

>> YES. WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE INTERVENE BECAUSE THIS COUNT THIS COUNCIL BUDGET THAT THE CITY CENTER NAILS PROVIDING.

>> I'M JUST GOING TO ASK, I DON'T WANT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, BUT I'M ASKED ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES TO PLEASE CONNECT AND HAVE YOUR STAFF OR I'LL ASK COUNTY STAFF TO DIRECTOR TO THE APPROPRIATE STAFF.

IF YOU WOULD PLEASE WAIT AND I'M ASKING SOMEBODY TO PLEASE STEP FORWARD, ONE OF YOUR CHIEFS OR ONE OF THE COUNTY STAFF TO TELL HER WHERE SHE NEEDS TO GO.

>> ALL RIGHT. MISS MOLLY. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> [OVERLAPPING] IN THE BUDGET. HAPPY TO HELP.

>> MR. DOUG HAPPILY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS DOUG HAPPILY.

I'M ADDRESSING THE COURT AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN.

I WILL BE DISCUSSING WHETHER ELECTIONS EQUIPMENT CAN ACCESS THE INTERNET OR CELL PHONE TOWERS.

I BELIEVE BEXAR COUNTY YES.

OR NATIONAL ELECTION MACHINES ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET, BUT I CANNOT PROVE IT.

THEIR ELECTIONS CLAIMS ELECTION EQUIPMENT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET, BUT THEY CAN NOT PROVE IT EITHER.

HOWEVER, DURING THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, I BELIEVE INTERNET ACCESS WILL BE RESOLVED.

SOMETHING HAPPENED ON AUGUST 17TH AROUND 01:00 PM, THE GLENDALE ELECTION CRIME BUREAU CONFERENCE HAD A LIVE DEMONSTRATION OF A WMD WIRELESS MODERATE PAIN DEVICE.

THIS DEVICE CAN PASSIVELY CAPTURE ELECTRONICS SIGNALS WITHIN ITS RANGE.

IF I HAD THIS DEVICE HERE, IT WOULD PASSIVELY PICK UP ALL THE LAPTOPS, ALL CELL PHONES, PRINTERS, AND ETC.

THERE WOULD BE QUITE A BUNCH, BUT YOU CAN DE-SELECT, SAY, THE CELL PHONES.

EVENTUALLY YOU CAN GET DOWN TO SAY SHE WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE COMPUTER WAS.

I'M SORRY, A PRINTER.

IT WILL TELL YOU THE IP ADDRESS, LOCATION, THE MANUFACTURER, AND I'M NOT PRIVY TO KNOW WHAT IT WOULD SHOW.

MY INTENT IS TO INFORM THE COURT THAT THIS NOVEMBER ELECTION, THIS DEVICE PROBABLY WILL BE DEPLOYED IN THE AREA AND WE WILL KNOW ONE WAY OR ANOTHER THEN IF THE ELECTION MACHINES ARE CONNECTED OR NOT CONNECTED TO THE CELL PHONE TOWERS OR THE INTERNET.

AT&T FIRST NET WAS ON THE NEWS YESTERDAY.

IMPLEMENTATION OF AT&T FIRST NET RESTARTED AFTER 9:11.

I BELIEVE THE INTENTION WAS TO GUARANTEE FIRST RESPONDERS HAD CELL PHONE SERVICE AND IN EMERGENCIES.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS MANY ORGANIZATIONS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO ELECTION SYSTEMS AND MAY BE ABLE TO MANIPULATE ELECTION RESULTS THROUGH A&T FIRST NET.

I WILL BE SENDING AN EMAIL TO EACH ONE OF YOU THAT WILL HAVE SOME LINKS TO SUPPORT THE INFORMATION I'VE JUST BEEN DISCUSSING.

>> JUDGE COMMISSIONERS YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.

>> GO AHEAD AND WRAP IT UP, MR. HAPPILY.

>> NO. I'M WRAPPED UP. THANKS A LOT.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

MR. ARTHUR RACKWAD.

[NOISE] GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. RACKWAD LONG TIME NO SEE.

>> YES. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE SAKAI AND THE COMMISSIONERS.

THIS IS A PRIVILEGE BECAUSE THIS IS THREE TIMES THAT I GET TO STAND BEFORE YOU.

BEFORE I GET STARTED.

IHS, MY NAME IS ARTHUR RACKWAD HEREIN HAVING AN ADA DISABILITY DUE TO AN INJURY WITH A SPEECH IMPAIRMENT AT TIMES MAY HAVE SLUR OR ABNORMAL SPEECH AND FURTHERMORE, MY DEMEANOR IS NOT ATTEMPTING TO BE DIFFICULTY ONLY TO CLEARLY EXPRESS ONESELF.

[03:10:05]

THAT AS A RECIPIENT THOSE MAY UNDERSTAND OR COMPREHEND AND PERHAPS DURING SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OR PERSONAL CONCERN SHOULD NOT ARISE DAILY.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, ONE MORE THING.

DID YOU ALL GET PICTURES FROM THE MODERATOR OUTSIDE? THERE WAS A FAMOUS MAN, SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND AS I LOOK AROUND THE COURT, SOME OF Y'ALL ARE TOO YOUNG TO KNOW WHO THIS PERSON IS, BUT I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HEARING HIM, ASK NOT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

THESE PICTURES ARE NOT A DECLARATION AGAINST OUR PRECINCT COUNCIL MEMBER.

AND I PRESENT THAT TO THE TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT EACH ONE OF YOUR PRECINCTS HAVE ABNORMALITIES.

I'VE WALKED THROUGH H1 OF THOSE MANY TIMES SO PERHAPS IT'S AFFECTING IN EUROPE PRECINCT TOO.

BUT RECENTLY, THREE MONTHS AGO, THE COUNTY WENT THEY PERFORMED A SERVICE BY REPAINTING THE PAVEMENT AND IT'S NOT EVEN THREE MONTHS AND YOU CAN READ, YOU CAN SEE GREEN BERMUDA GRASS GROWING THROUGH THE ASPHALT.

ALTHOUGH IT'S THE BLESSING OF IT IS WHEN YOU WALK DURING THIS HOT TIMES, IT'S A LOT COOLER THAN THE BLACK ASPHALT, BELIEVE ME.

BUT IT'S MAINLY TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT AS A TAXPAYER, THE DOLLARS ARE WASTED BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONLY HAPPENED DURING THIS TIME, IT WAS DONE DURING THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION OF OUR PRECINCT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MR. RACKWAD. I BELIEVE THAT COMPLETES THE CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

HAVE I OVERLOOKED ANYONE?

>> JUDGE JUST A QUICK POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

>> SURE.

>> MR. RACKWAD, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE IN SEARCH OF IS A NEW COUNTY ENGINEER AND THE CHIP SEAL THAT WE USE IS THE PROCESS FOR THAT ROAD.

I'VE ALWAYS HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT CHIP SEAL BEING THE BEST USE.

I DON'T LIKE IT PERSONALLY, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO HAVE OUR PUBLIC WORKS LOOK AT THIS GRASS GROWTH AFTER JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND WITH EXTREME HEAT THROUGH THE RESURFACING THAT HAPPENED AND SEE HOW, I'M SURE THERE'S A BETTER PROCESS FOR THAT, SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE PHOTOS. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> I'M SORRY. MAY I ASK WHAT PRECINCT, SIR?

>> I THINK HE'S MINE. YOU'RE AN ATKINS.

>> SHE IS ASKING WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

>> I LIVE IN ATKINS.

>> DO YOU WANT THESE BACK? I'M SURE IT DOES COST MONEY TO PRINT OUT THESE PICTURES, WOULD YOU LIKE THEM?

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU NEEDED TO SEE PROOF, BUT IRREGARDLESS, JUST PRIOR TO THE THREE MONTHS THEY HAD BECAUSE THE BEXAR COUNTY IS BEING AFFECTED GEOGRAPHICALLY BY THE TERRAIN BECAUSE OF THE SHIFTING AND CUSTOMER NOT GETTING ENOUGH RAIN AND EPA'S SHOULD BE A MAJOR AGENDA ON YOUR AGENDA.

BUT THEY ACTUALLY FILLED ALL THE CRACKS AND IT WASN'T ENOUGH AND TO COSMETICALLY, BECAUSE THERE IS GROWTH COMING THERE TO SHOW WE HAVE GOOD ROADS.

THEY POSSIBLY DID THIS TO GO AHEAD AND COVER UP BUT MY GROUND IT USED TO BE I NEVER HAD NO CRACKS.

NOW I GOT CRACKS THAT ARE IN NICHE THAT THE BLACK DIRT IS UP TO THREE INCHES WIDE AND BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GETTING THE RAINS.

BUT MY PERSONAL OPINION ON THAT IS DUE TO THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE WIRELESS IS NOT THE ANSWER.

FIBER OPTICS IS, ANYWAY. THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL NOW TAKE UP THE INDIVIDUAL AGENDA ITEMS.

[68. Discussion and appropriate action regarding approval of the following budget transfers: a. Budget transfer in the amount of $412,619 to replenish the Court Appointed Attorney's budget through August for the Civil District Courts; b. Budget transfer in the amount of $1,319,309 to replenish the Court Appointed Attorney's budget through August for the Criminal District Courts; c. Budget transfer in the amount of $139,486 to replenish the Court Appointed Attorney's budget through August for the Juvenile District Courts; d. Budget transfer in the amount of $117,462 to replenish the Court Appointed Attorney's budget through August for the County Courts at Law. (Estimated Presentation Time: 5 minutes)]

I APOLOGIZE.

I ASKED YOU ALL TO BE HERE 11:30 SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR STAYING FOR ALL THOSE ON AGENDA ITEM 68, DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF FALLING BUDGET TRANSFERRED, BUT TO TRANSFER THE AMOUNT OF $412,619 TO REPLENISH.

THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS BUDGET THROUGH AUGUST FOR THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS BE BUDGET TRANSFER AND AMOUNT OF 1,319,309 TO REPLENISH THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS BUDGET THROUGH AUGUST.

FOR THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS BUDGET TRANSFER AND THE AMOUNT OF 39,486 TO REPLENISH THE COURT

[03:15:03]

APPOINTED ATTORNEYS BUDGET THROUGH AUGUST FOR THE JUVENILE DISTRICT COURTS, AND FINALLY BUDGET TRANSFER AND THE MATTERHORN 17,462 TO REPLENISH THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS BUDGET THROUGH AUGUST FOR THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW.

MS. TINA SMITH, DEAN, I BELIEVE WE GAVE STAFF SOME INSTRUCTIONS, AND I THINK THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS THAT THE COURT HAD OF THESE BUDGET.

I'M GOING TO LET YOU MAKE A SHORT PRESENTATION AND THEN I BELIEVE I'M GOING TO ASK FOR THE JUDGES AND I THINK JUDGE RANGEL, JUDGE ALVARADO, WHO ELSE? JUDGE VALDES. THERE YOU ARE, JUDGE, WHY ARE YOU HIDING BEHIND THAT POLE THERE? I'LL GO WITH RANGEL, ALVARADO, VALDES IN THAT ORDER.

JUVENILE WAS EXCUSED BECAUSE JUDGE SOSA WAS HERE AND WE HAD GOTTEN THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

I BELIEVE EVERYBODY'S BEEN BRIEFED.

I WANT TO MAKE IT REAL CLEAR.

ALL THE JUDGES OF BEXAR COUNTY ARE WORKING HARD.

THE REASON WHY I CAN SEE THAT IS BECAUSE I SEE THE CASE DISPOSITIONS.

I SEE THE DOCKETS GOING DOWN.

I GET FEEDBACK FROM THE PRIVATE BAR.

I SEE OUR JAIL POPULATIONS SLOWLY GOING DOWN.

I KNOW THAT'S ONLY BECAUSE THE JUDGES ARE MOVING TO DOCKETS AND SO I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK YOU DID.

NOW, HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS AND I'M HOPING THAT THIS DISCUSSION WILL INCREASE THE COMMUNICATION AND THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY AND COMMISSIONERS COURT, AS I'VE ALREADY STATED EARLIER, I WAS ON THAT SIDE.

I WAS STANDING JUDGES WHERE YOU WERE AND HAVE TO EXPLAIN THINGS AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PURPOSES OF TRANSPARENCY AND OPENNESS THAT WE BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE BUDGETARY NEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO COURT APPOINTED COUNSELS, WHETHER IT'S WORKLOAD, WHETHER IT'S INCREASED FEES, WHATEVER.

PLUS, I NEED TO HAVE FISCALNOTE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE MY BOTTOM LINE WITH THE JUDICIARY IN FUTURE.

I AM WILLING TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ATTORNEYS ARE GIVEN PROPER AND REASONABLE FEES.

BUT YOU GUYS GOT TO TELL ME WHAT IT COST AND THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE BECAUSE AS YOU'VE HEARD, ESPECIALLY WITH RPA FUNDING COMING TO AN END ON '26, WE ARE STARTING TO TIGHTEN UP NOW SO THAT WE CAN PERHAPS PUT THAT HARD ISSUE OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO INCREASE TAXES OR ARE WE GOING TO START DECREASING ACCESS AND DECREASE THE BUDGET ON CRITICAL SERVICES.

MS. SMITH DEAN, WANT YOU JUST GIVE ME A QUICK REPORT.

I ASKED YOU TO THE COURT HAS ANY QUESTIONS.

I'LL ALLOW THEM TO DO SO.

AND THEN WE'LL GO WITH JUDGE RANGEL, JUDGE ALVARADO, JUDGE VALDES?

>> YES, SIR. TINA SMITH DEAN WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE ASKING COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL FOR BUDGETARY TRANSFERS TO TRANSFER FUNDS FROM CONTINGENCIES INTO THE JUVENILE DISTRICT COURTS, COUNTY COURTS AT LAW, CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS, AND CIVIL DISTRICT COURT BUDGETS.

SINCE WE LAST DISCUSSED THIS ITEM, WE WENT BACK AND LISTENED TO THE TAPE AND DID OUR BEST TO TRY TO ANSWER SOME OF MR. MOODY'S QUESTIONS.

THOMAS SHOULD HAVE HANDED OUT A ONE-PAGER THAT PROVIDES FOUR MEASURES THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY GET OUR HANDS ON.

THE FIRST WAS THE HISTORY OF THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY COSTS AND TANYA SPOKE TO THIS EARLIER AS PART OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATION.

IN 2018, '19, WHICH IS OUR BENCHMARK YEAR.

THAT'S WAS THE LAST FULL PRE-PANDEMIC FISCAL YEAR.

COSTS ARE ESTIMATED TO GO UP BY ABOUT SIX MILLION DOLLARS SINCE THEN.

THE NEXT IS TOTAL CASES FILED.

SINCE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, WE'RE ESTIMATING THAT NEW CASES FILED ARE GOING DOWN BY ABOUT 6,000.

CASES DISPOSED, WE'RE ESTIMATING THAT CASE IS DISPOSABLE GO DOWN BY ABOUT 5,000 SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2018, 19, SO COSTS ARE GOING UP, BUT CASE-SPECIFIC DISPOSITIONS AND FILINGS ARE GOING DOWN.

ON THE SECOND PAGE OF THIS, WE HAD A REALLY GOOD MEETING WITH JACQUELINE LAMERSON AND JIM BECKY TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY CAN HELP US GET THROUGH THIS BUDGET PROCESS AND COME BACK TO THE COURT AND PROVIDE SOME EFFECTIVENESS MEASURES.

WE PROVIDED THEM A LIST OF THINGS THAT WE COULD COME UP WITH OFF THE TOP OF OUR HEAD THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE COURT THAT THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION IS THERE AND WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

JUST TURN IT OVER TO THE JUDGES.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? WHAT'S THAT COMMISSIONER MODIGLIANI QUESTION SUBMIT?

[03:20:01]

>> YOU ARE READY FOR THE JUDGES COME FORWARD?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> JUDGES ALL COME FORWARD.

YOU ALL ARE ALTOGETHER.

ARE YOU ALL GOING TO JUST TALK ABOUT YOUR DOCKETS?

>> WE'RE GOING TO GO INDIVIDUALLY, BUT I'M GOING TO GO RAPID.

>> WELL JUDGE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

IT'S REALLY A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU, JUDGE SAKAI, THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS REGARDING TO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I'M BASICALLY GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGES AND I'M GOING TO PREPARE TO POWERPOINT.

I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH IT VERY QUICKLY.

I'M NOT GOING TO REGURGITATE WHAT IS ON THE POWERPOINT BUT THERE IS INFORMATION SO IF WE COULD PUT THAT UP AND WE DID PASS OUT TO YOU THE POWERPOINT WHICH I'M PRESENTING TODAY.

[BACKGROUND] I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND START. ON THE VERY FIRST SLIDE, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS PRE-PANDEMIC.

THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS SPENT $8.5 MILLION AN INDIGENT DEFENSE FEES, CURRENTLY WE'RE AT $7.09 MILLION.

THAT'S ABOUT SIX WEEKS AWAY FROM THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

WE ANTICIPATE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND EXACTLY WHAT WE SPENT PRE-PANDEMIC AT $8.5 MILLION.

TO ACTUALLY SAY THAT WE'RE OVER BUDGET, I DON'T THINK IS AN ACCURATE STATEMENT.

IT'S ACTUALLY AN ALLOCATION OF FUNDS BUDGET.

WE'RE SPENDING EXACTLY WHAT WE DID BEFORE. IT DID NOT GO UP.

I THINK THAT BUDGET DIDN'T NECESSARILY ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT THAT WE'RE NOW POST-PANDEMIC TRYING TO SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CASES COMPARED TO WHAT WE DID BEFORE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE GRAPH, THE THREE CENTER GRAPHS ARE COVID YEARS.

WE STARTED JURY TRIALS IN MARCH OF 2020, IN-PERSON JURY TRIALS.

THE NEXT SLIDE REFERENCES A DISPOSITION OF THE BACKLOG OF FELONY CASES.

JUST TO NOTE, PRE-PANDEMIC, THERE WERE 6,500 FELONY CASES PENDING AMONGST THE 10 CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS.

THAT WAS ALREADY A VERY LOW FIGURE.

THAT WAS HISTORICALLY LOW AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME.

AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE GOT UP TO APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PENDING CASES.

IT'S ABOUT 3,000 PENDING CASES MORE, REPRESENTED ALMOST A 1/3 OF AN INCREASE IN BACKLOGS.

TODAY, WE HAVE ABOUT 4,500 CASES THAT ARE PENDING.

THAT IS OVER A 1,000 CASES LESS THAN WHEN WE STARTED, ACTUALLY 2,000 CASES LESS THAN WHEN WE STARTED THE PANDEMIC.

BUT AS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE, THERE'S ABOUT 150 FELONY INDICTMENTS FOLLOWED PER WEEK.

THE PERCENTAGE OF CASES THAT HAVE GONE TO TRIAL SINCE PRE-PANDEMIC HAVE MORE THAN GONE TWICE AS MUCH, SO THEY'RE DOUBLED. NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OF LAST WEEK'S NUMBERS.

IF YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE PROVIDING LAST WEEK'S NUMBERS, AUGUST 13TH AT 20:23, GOING BACK THREE YEARS HISTORICALLY FOR THE EXACT SAME DATE TO JUST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC OF AUGUST THE 11TH OF 2019.

AGAIN, IF YOU NOTE 2019, WE HAVE 5,500 CASES.

CURRENTLY, WE'VE GOT 4,500 CASES.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, OR IN THE MID PORTION OF THE PANDEMIC OF AUGUST 15TH, WE HAVE 9,366 FELONY CASES.

WE HAVE CUT THAT AND OVER 1/2 WITHIN A TWO-YEAR PERIOD.

THAT'S THE ACTIVE CASELOAD.

THE NEXT SLIDE, BASICALLY WE JUST WANT TO COMMEND.

IT'S NOT JUST ON BEHALF OF THE JUDICIARY. THIS IS EVERYBODY.

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, AND PROSECUTORS, COURT CLERKS, THE COORDINATORS, COURT REPORTERS, INTERPRETERS, SHERIFF, EVERYBODY HAS BEEN WORKING VERY, VERY HARD AT MAKING SURE THAT THESE NUMBERS LOOK THE WAY THEY DID.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM POINT THERE, THIS IS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TYLER ODYSSEY WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN JANUARY 2022.

WE'RE STILL ABLE TO DO THESE THINGS.

WE HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF LAWYERS AND OTHER COURT PERSONNEL AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE OF THE WORKLOAD.

SPECIFICALLY, COURT REPORTERS AND COURT INTERPRETERS WERE HAVING A HARD TIME MAKING SURE THAT WE GET THOSE POSITIONS FILLED.

THE NEXT SLIDE REFERENCES A SNAPSHOT FROM THE TEXAS CENTER FOR THE JUDICIARY.

NOW THIS TALKS ABOUT THE CLEARANCE RATE.

THE CLEARANCE RATE IS BASICALLY CASES IN VERSUS CASES OUT, A 100% CLEARANCE RATE MEANS THAT EXACTLY THE SAME NUMBER OF CASES THAT ARE COMING IN IS WHAT WE ARE DISPOSING OF IN THE COURTS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, THE STATEWIDE CLEARANCE RATE IS 105% POST PANDEMIC AS OF MAY OF 2023.

THIS DOCUMENT BASICALLY STATES AT 40%, LESS CASES ARE PENDING NOW THAN AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

BEXAR COUNTY HAS OVER 50%.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEXT SLIDE, WHAT WE WANT TO COMPARE IS THE STATE CLEARANCE RATES AT 105, AND BEXAR COUNTY, WE HAVE ALMOST 180% CLEARANCE RATES, 179.38.

THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN COMMENDED PUBLICLY FOR WORKING THESE CASE LOADS AS FAST AS WE HAVE.

[03:25:04]

THE NEXT SLIDE REGARDING JOEL POPULATION COMPARISON OF FELONY CASES ONLY.

THIS IS THE END RESULT OF ALL THE WORK THAT IS BEING REPRESENTED.

THIS IS JUST A SNAPSHOT OF THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND THE MONEY THAT WE'VE SAVED IN JAIL COST ALONE.

JAIL POPULATION DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED BECAUSE WE IMPLEMENTED A SERIES OF JAIL REFORMS AND BELL REFORMS. WE ACCELERATED THOSE.

GA 13, A GOVERNOR'S ORDER THAN POLITICAL BOSS TO THAT.

I FOUND IN A CASE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD OVERSTEPPED HIS AUTHORITY, THAT CASE WAS NEVER TAKEN BEYOND THE FILING THAT I MADE.

THE ORDER THAT I WROTE IS ONE THAT WAS USED THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO FIGHT AGAINST GA 13 SUCCESSFULLY, AS YOU NOTE RECENTLY WITHIN THIS LAST CYCLE AND THE LEGISLATURE, THEY BASICALLY CODIFIED GA 13.

THAT'S AFFECTING US.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THIS GRAPH, THIS IS AN AVERAGE OF 414 BED JAIL DAY SAVED PER DAY AVERAGE.

THAT'S A COST SAVINGS OF $5.96 MILLION THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE JAIL AS A RESULT OF THE LAST SIX MONTHS.

THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT QUITE AS ACCURATE BECAUSE WE CURRENTLY AS OF THE LAST WEEK'S NUMBERS HAD 644 JAIL BEDS LESS IN THE FELONY DISTRICT COURTS.

THE NUMBER IS ACTUALLY MUCH HIGHER PER SIX-WEEK PERIOD.

GO INTO THE NEXT GRAFT.

IF YOU NOTE, CONSIDERING THE SIGNIFICANT CLEARANCE RATE THAT WE'VE HAD, WE'RE STILL SPENDING THE SAME AS PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

AS OF MID AUGUST, OUR COURT APPOINTED FEES BUDGET REACHED JUST OVER SEVEN MILLION.

AGAIN, BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE END OF THE YEAR IN SIX WEEKS, THE FISCAL YEAR, IT'LL BE JUST EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS PRE-PANDEMIC.

NEXT SLIDE. THESE ARE 2022 FIGURES.

THESE ARE THE LAST FIGURES THAT WE HAVE.

IF YOU COMPARE US WITH A FIVE MAJOR URBAN IN TEXAS, BEXAR COUNTY IS AT THE VERY BOTTOM, SEVEN DOLLARS PER CASE DISPOSITION.

YOU CAN SEE THE OTHERS THE NEXT HIGHER UP IS TARRANT, AND TARRANT JUST TO NOTE, HAS A VERY DIFFERENT POPULATION AS IT RELATES TO THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND HOW MUCH THEY HAVE IN THAT PARTICULAR COUNTY.

WE'RE STILL SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN ALL FIVE MAJORS.

LET'S GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS REPRESENTING THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

REMEMBER THAT BEXAR IS REALLY THE URBAN CORE OF THE REGION THAT WE'RE AT.

THESE COUNTIES HERE ARE THE COUNTIES THAT SURROUND BEXAR, LARGELY RURAL AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SPENDING BEXAR IS RIGHT AT WILSON.

>> I JUST NEED A TECHNICAL QUESTION ANSWERED HERE ON THE FELONY FEES.

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT COURT APPOINTED LAWYER FEES? ARE WE TALKING ABOUT FEES TO OUR FOLKS GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM THAT THEY PAY TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM? WHICH FEES ARE YOU REFERRING TO?

>> CURRENTLY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COST PER CASE, WHICH INCLUDE COST TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, COSTS THAT WE PAY COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS, [OVERLAPPING] THE OVERALL COST PER CASE.

>> ALL-INCLUSIVE?

>> IF WE GO BACK TO THE AGRICULTURAL, YOU CAN SEE WORKER SPENDS AT $62 PER CASE, PER CAPITA.

BEXAR WAS AT SEVEN DOLLARS. JUST A LITTLE NOTE THERE.

GILLESPIE COUNTY WAS SUED IN 2008 FOR THE DENIAL OF RIGHT TO COUNSEL RELATED TO ATTORNEY'S FEES.

THEY HAVE NOW MOVED UP TO FIVE DOLLARS.

WILSON IS THE ONLY AGRICULTURAL RURAL COUNTY THAT IS LESS THAN BEXAR.

NEXT SLIDE. VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE.

THESE ARE THE RECENT LAWSUITS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED IN TEXAS.

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE HARRIS COUNTY, THE DALLAS COUNTY, AND THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE BEEN SUED AS IT RELATES TO ISSUES FOR SIXTH AMENDMENT PROBLEMS. BEXAR COUNTY HAS SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED IN A WAY TO BALANCE AVOIDING LAWSUITS THAT HAVE PLAGUED OTHER COUNTIES, AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH WITH THE MANDATED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BEING MINDFUL OF THE COUNTY EXPENDITURES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST NOTE IN NEW YORK, THOUGHT THIS WAS IMPORTANT TO NOTE.

NEW YORK RULED THAT RETROACTIVELY THE CITY HAD THE PAYBACK ATTORNEYS FOR THEIR LACK OF ATTORNEY'S FEES, ORDERED AN $83 PER HOUR RATE HEIGHT. NEXT SLIDE.

WE'RE GOING TO PIVOT VERY QUICKLY TO THE AD LITEM FEES BECAUSE OF CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS ARE SPECIFICALLY SET FOR THAT, RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

IN 2020, THOSE TASK FORCE THAT WAS CREATED.

THE COMMITTEE REVIEWED THE AD LITEM FEES, COMPARE THEM, NOTED THAT OUT OF COUNTY TIME AT $20 AN HOUR HAD NOT BEEN INCREASED SINCE 1984.

THAT IS A 36 YEAR PERIOD, BASICALLY MANDATED THAT A FEE ADJUSTMENT WAS IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY.

AT THAT TIME, RECOMMENDED INCREASE OUT-OF-COURT TIME TO GO TO $100 AN HOUR.

LOCALLY, WHAT WE DID IS WE ACTUALLY DID HALF OF THAT.

WE DID NOT GO UP TO WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED.

WE DID HALF OF WHAT THE PAY WAS RECOMMENDED CENTERED AT $50 PER HOUR AND $75 FOR IN-COURT TIME.

GOING TO 2023, THE SECOND PART OF THAT SLIDE AT THE BOTTOM, IF YOU'LL NOTE THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED AN ADDITIONAL INCREASE.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE ACTUALLY ADJUST IT TO, WE'RE STILL WELL BELOW.

YES, COMMISSIONER MARIE.

>> JUDGE, QUESTION, WHO MAKES THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> THAT IS THE AD LITEM TASKFORCE COMMITTEE THAT WAS

[03:30:04]

ORDERED BY THE HONOURABLE PETER SAKAI TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE FOLLOWING IN 2020.

>> OH, IT'S MY FAULT. [LAUGHTER]

>> WE PRAISE YOU FOR THAT, JUDGE, SAKAI.

THAT COMMITTEE IS STILL IN OPERATION TODAY.

NEXT SLIDE LOOKING AT THE AD LITEM FEES, IT'S JUST TO HIGHLIGHT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BEXAR COUNTY HOURLY RATES STILL BELOW THE OTHER COUNTIES ACROSS THE BOARD THAT HAD BEEN STUDIED. NEXT SLIDE.

THIS IS WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ASK FOR.

FOR MY UNDERSTANDING AT THE LAST MEETING, THESE ARE THE DATA POINTS OR PROJECTIONS.

NOW AGAIN, IT'S DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE TYLER ODYSSEY ISSUES OR UNABLE TO PULL ISSUES LIKE RESET DATA OR COST PER CASE SINCE THEN.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT 79% OF THOSE THAT ARE CHARGED IN THIS SNAPSHOT IN BEXAR COUNTY OF A FELONY OFFENSE GET COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL.

WE'VE ALWAYS ESTIMATED THAT TO BE AT 80%.

FRANKLY, SOMETIMES THAT NUMBER IS AS HIGH AS 85%.

THERE'S A VARIANCE OF A GOOD 5% BASED ON WHEN IT IS THAT WE TAKE THAT SNAPSHOT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SECOND PART OF THIS, 93 CASES TO VERDICT IN FELONY COURTS FROM JANUARY OF THIS YEAR THROUGH MID-AUGUST.

THAT IS TWICE THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MOTIONS ARE REVOKED, HEARINGS, OTHER PRETRIAL MOTIONS.

MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, THERE WERE 25 OTHER JURIES THAT WERE SWORN IN ACROSS THE COURTS.

IT DID NOT GO TO VERDICT THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THESE NUMBERS.

I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK ANTIDOTE.

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I HAD A TWO-WEEK MURDERED JURY TRIAL WHICH RESULTED IN A MISTRIAL.

EVERY COURT HAS THOSE TYPES OF ANECDOTES.

AGAIN, THAT'S STILL ON OUR NUMBERS.

THAT WAS NOT DISPOSED OF.

NEXT SLIDE REGARDING ACT OF PENDING CASES.

I JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU EVERY SINGLE WEEK OR ACTIVE PENDING CASES IS GOING DOWN.

WE'RE STILL CLEARING RATES AT A SIGNIFICANT RATE.

FINALLY, THE KEY POINTS, THIS IS THE VERY LAST SLIDE.

REMEMBERING THAT THE MICHAEL MORTON ACT REQUIRED MORE CONSTITUTIONAL RULES FROM US.

BECAUSE OF THE ADVENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES, THERE ARE MORE CAMERAS THAT OUT THERE, THERE'S MORE CELL PHONE USE, WHICH REQUIRES A USE OF A LOT OF EXPERTS.

MORE BODY CAMS CAN IMAGINE.

NOW WITH AN ARREST, INSTEAD OF HAVING ONE OFFICER REPORT, THERE ARE EVERY OFFICER THAT SHOWS UP, HAS A BODY CAM VIDEO THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE TO REVIEW AND SPEND TIME ON.

WE'VE HAD TO DOUBLING OF JURY TRIALS.

CONSIDERING ALL THE WORK PERFORMED, WE REALLY SHOULD HAVE HAD A LOT MORE COSTS THAN WHAT WE'VE HAD.

TO STAY REWARD OUT PRE-PANDEMIC, I THINK IS MIRACULOUS.

I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AS IT RELATES TO THE FELONY COURTS.

>> MR. MOODY?

>> WELL, THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS DATA.

I'M DIVING IN HERE, BUT I'M LOOKING AT WHAT STAFF HANDED OUT AND THE AMOUNT REQUESTED VERSUS THE AMOUNT BUDGETED, BUT IT DIDN'T SHOW A REQUEST FOR THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS.

I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE WAS A GAP BETWEEN WHAT WAS BUDGETED VERSUS WHAT WAS REQUESTED.

>> THEY DIDN'T MAKE A REQUEST.

>> WELL, WE'VE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO MAKE A REQUEST TO BE ACCURATE, AND IN THE PAST, WE'VE ACTUALLY TRIED TO PROJECT AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE PRIOR BUDGET ANALYSTS, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT.

THE NUMBERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CONSISTENT.

THE COURT HAS TO PAY IT BECAUSE RECORD ORDERS AND WE DO HAVE CONTINGENCIES TO COVER THOSE.

IT'S NOT THAT WE DIDN'T MAKE ONE.

WE WEREN'T ASKED TO MAKE ONE.

>> I'LL JUST POINT OUT THAT BASED ON LAST FY IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WERE AT 7.1 MILLION, BUT WHAT WAS BUDGETED WAS SIX MILLION, SO I'M NOT SURE WHY WE HAD THE DECREASE IN WHAT WAS BUDGETED.

>> THAT'S A COVID YEAR, AND SO LET ME GO BACK TO THAT PARTICULAR SLIDE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME NUMBERS.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 2021/2022?

>> YEAH. THE ACTUALS FROM 2021/'22 VERSUS THE BUDGETED NUMBER FOR '22/23.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT RELATES TO THE ALLOCATION.

THAT 7.1 MILLION IS WHAT WE SPENT.

THAT WAS PARTIALLY COVID BECAUSE IN MARCH OF 2022, WE STARTED IN-PERSON JURY TRIALS, BUT THE ALLOCATION WAS 5.7.

WE HAD NO IDEA WHY THE ALLOCATION, AND IT'S ONLY A GUESS ON OUR PART.

WE BELIEVED THAT THE ALLOCATION WAS SET SO LOW BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PRIOR YEAR WHICH WERE FULLY IN COVID WHERE WE SPENT 5.1 MILLION.

DURING COVID, WE WERE UNABLE TO HAVE IN-PERSON JURY TRIALS.

AS A RESULT OF THAT IT ALSO SUPPRESSED.

>> I UNDERSTAND YOUR LOGIC THERE.

MY POINT JUST GOING FROM 21/22-22/23, IF YOU SPENT 7.1 IN 21/22, BUT WE BUDGETED $1.1 MILLION LESS, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY YOU SHOT THROUGH THAT.

SO I'M JUST POINTING OUT THAT PART OF THE GAP IS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS OR AM I LOOKING AT THAT WRONG?

>> A YEAR AGO THIS TIME WE REALLY WEREN'T SURE EXACTLY WHEN JURY TRIALS WOULD START AGAIN, AND SO WE TRIED TO DO OUR BEST SPITBALL.

WELL, IT STARTED IN APRIL.

[03:35:03]

THAT'S HALF A YEAR.

WE NEED TO BUDGET A HIGHER RATE FOR HALF A YEAR.

BUT IT WAS JUST A GUESS AT THAT POINT.

>> IT WAS TRULY LIKE WE HAD NO CLUE.

IT WAS BASICALLY MONTH-TO-MONTH IN TERMS OF WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO START.

>> I WANT TO JUST ASSUME THAT IF AT SOME POINT WE STARTED THAT WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED MORE THAN WHAT WE HAD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND IF YOU SPEND SOME POINT ONE LAST YEAR, THAT'S JUST THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE.

>> I WOULD ASSUME WITH YOU/. I WOULD ASSUME THE SAME WITH YOUR COMMISSIONER.

>> IF YOU GO TO SLIDE 4 JUST A QUESTION, I MEAN, THE NUMBERS THAT YOU HAVE ACROSS ALL THE COURTS LOOK REALLY POSITIVE AS AN AVERAGE.

BUT ARE THERE BEST PRACTICES ACROSS SPECIFIC COURTS WITHOUT HIGHLIGHTING [NOISE] ANYBODY BECAUSE JUST LOOKING AT THESE NUMBERS, YOU'LL SEE SOME COURTS THAT LOOK VERY CONSISTENT AND YOU'LL SEE OTHERS THAT HAVE WORKED THEIR WAY THROUGH 1,000 CASES, SO HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THAT AND THINKING ABOUT THE AVERAGE AS A WHOLE VERSUS THE INDIVIDUAL COURTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SHARING BEST PRACTICES AND EVERYONE'S PULLING THEIR OWN WEIGHT.

>> NOW IT'S ALWAYS A BALANCE AND YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE ALL SNAPSHOTS.

IF A COURT IS HAVING A DEATH PENALTY JURY TRIAL, OBVIOUSLY THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE NUMBERS AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME.

IT'S ALWAYS A BALANCE BETWEEN JURY TRIALS.

WE DON'T WANT TO ALWAYS HAVE A JURY TRIAL BECAUSE IF YOU DO THE DOCKET IT'S NOT GOING TO MOVE.

BY THE SAME TOKEN, THERE'S A LOT OF CASES THAT HAVE TO BE TRIED BEFORE A JURY, SO IF SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO TWO-WEEK MURDER TRIAL VERSUS A THREE-DAY STATE JAIL FELONY OR A THIRD-DEGREE FELONY, THE NUMBERS IN THAT PARTICULAR SNAPSHOT IS GOING TO CHANGE.

BUT AS IT RELATES TO BEST PRACTICES, WE REGULARLY HAVE SCHEDULED JUDGES MEETINGS, GO OVER DOCKETS, TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THEM, AND THEN SET FORTH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WHICH WE PROVIDE TO THE LOCAL BAR AS A GROUP.

>> I WOULD JUST ONE OF THE TAKEAWAYS FOR THIS CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS WOULD JUST BE, I THINK IN THE FUTURE, PUTTING FORWARD A REQUEST FOR BUDGET BASED ON YOUR ESTIMATES, SO WE INCLUDE IT IN THAT, AND SINCE YOU GUYS ARE CLOSEST TO IT, HAVING THE MOST INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU EXPECT IN THE COMING YEAR THAT WE COULD INCLUDE THAT IN OUR BUDGETARY PROCESS.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE VERY LAST POINT THERE UNDER KEY POINTS, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING WE'RE GOING TO BE NEXT YEAR AS IT RELATES TO ALL THE JURY TRIALS THAT WE'VE HAD.

>> THAT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT JUMP OVER THIS YEAR.

IS THAT BASED ON THE FACT THAT YOU ONLY STARTED JURY TRIALS AND WAS IT APRIL?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. MARCH. A LOT OF IT IS BASED ON THAT.

IT'S ALSO BASED ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE TYPES OF CASES THAT ARE PENDING.

BECAUSE OF COVID LOT OF TRIALS COULDN'T HAPPEN, SO AS A RESULT OF THAT, THOSE THAT ARE IN CUSTODY TEND TO HAVE HIGHER-LEVEL FELONY CASES PENDING.

THOSE REQUIRE MORE JURY TRIALS.

JURY TRIALS ARE EXPONENTIALLY MORE COSTLY TO THE COUNTY THAN OTHER TYPES OF CASES.

>> BUT DO WE THINK THAT WILL BALANCE OUT WITH HAVING WORKED THROUGH A LOT OF THE BACKLOG, THAT THERE'LL BE LESS CASES DISPOSED OF IN THE NEXT FY VERSUS THIS FY?

>> I THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD THOUGHT PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE.

I AGREE WITH THAT. I THINK OVER TIME IT WILL BE A GOOD BALANCE.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE.

WE ARE BEING CONSERVATIVE IN THIS PARTICULAR FIGURE HERE KNOWING NOW THAT WE'RE COMING BEFORE YOU AND PROVIDING YOU THIS INFORMATION.

THAT'S MAYBE A LITTLE HIGH, BUT I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO COMMIT TO THAT.

>> UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER MOODY. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ?

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. JUDGE RANGEL GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I HAVE A QUESTION THAT MAY BE FIRST FOR TINA OR DAVID, AND THEN MAYBE I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, JUDGE.

TINA, THE SHEET THAT YOU PASSED OUT ON THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS, YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT 8.4 MILLION. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S BASED ON THE NEW FEE SCHEDULE. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> FOR PART OF THE YEAR?

>> PART OF IT. THEN I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO DEEP INTO THE BUDGET HERE.

BUT WHEN WE GO TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 23/24, IT'S ABOUT 9.5 IS THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR CRIMINAL DISTRICT.

>> LET US CHECK THAT NUMBER, PLEASE.

>> I'M TAKING THAT FROM YOUR CAR.

>> THEN THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I GUESS, JUDGE, BACK TO YOU, I KNOW THAT YOUR PROJECTIONS ARE ABOUT TWO MILLION MORE THAN THAT.

>> YOU MAY HAVE COVERED THIS, BUT IF YOU CAN TELL ME AGAIN, THAT'S BASED ON THE BEING BACK IN PERSON TRIALS FOR ONE, RIGHT?

>> IN COMBINATION WITH THE INCREASED COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES, RIGHT?

[03:40:08]

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE SQUARE THAT.

>> AGAIN I THINK IT'S A I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THE FELONY COURTS BEING A LITTLE MORE CONSERVATIVE AS IT RELATES TO WHAT IT IS, WHERE WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE.

AGAIN, AN ALLOCATION OF A GUESSTIMATE THAT THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT IS MAKING.

WHICH IS WHERE WE WERE AT BEFORE.

>> BUT I GUESS IN YOUR LAST SLIDE THERE YOU HAVE YOUR REQUEST AT 10.4?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. YES, SIR.

>> THEN THE OTHER MILLION IN CONTINGENCY.

I GET THAT PART OF THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A GUESSING GAME.

WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT BASED ON PRE-COVID NUMBERS WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO LAND, IN ADDITION TO THE INCREASED FEES, WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT AND I THINK WARRANTED I THINK PART OF THE ISSUE THAT SOME OF THE COURT HAD WAS JUST I THINK THE WAY IT WAS COMMUNICATED OR LACK COMMUNICATION.

I HAD A GOOD VISIT, BY THE WAY, WITH JUDGE BARBARA AND JUDGE KEY RECENTLY, SO THANKS FOR COMING BY THE OFFICE.

I THINK MY MAIN CONCERN, JUDGES, FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN GET THIS SQUARE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS SO THAT WE LAND ON A NUMBER WITH THE BUDGET THAT IS BOTH ADEQUATE IN TERMS OF COVERING YOUR COSTS, BUT ALSO REALISTIC IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE TO YOUR POINT, JUDGE, WE ARE USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS MOST EFFICIENTLY.

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION JUDGES THIS IS HELPFUL.

I MAY HAVE SOME OTHER QUESTIONS LATER FOR YOU AS WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. THANKS, JUDGE.

>> COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE AND ALL THE JUDGES FOR THE TIME YOU PUT INTO THIS EFFORT.

YOU KNOW ME FOR A LONG TIME, JUDGE, I HAVE A SAYING, I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT YOU.

YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.

YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB, AND I WANT TO THANK ALL THE JUDGES FOR DOING A GREAT JOB.

SORRY. YOU HAD TO TAKE SO MUCH TIME TO DEFEND SOME OF THESE THINGS, BUT IT IS PART OF THE PROCESS.

BUT IN ANY EVENT, THANK YOU ALL FOR REALLY SHOWCASING BEXAR COUNTY'S JUDICIARY AS THE TOP IN THE STATE IN TERMS OF TAKING CARE.

I WAS THINKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STORY AND THE CONTEXT OF HOW A STORY LEAKED OUT AND GOT TWISTED IN A WAY THAT I THINK IS UNFAIR TO THE INTENT OF GETTING INDIGENT DEFENSE WHERE IT LEGALLY, CONSTITUTIONALLY I THINK SHOULD BE, AND I THOUGHT ABOUT THE GOOD OLD BOY FORCES THAT REIGNED OVER THIS COURTHOUSE FOR SO LONG AND KEPT THOSE FEES SO LOW FOR SO LONG.

THEY WOULD BE UNHAPPY THAT THE FEES WERE COMMENSURATE WITH WHAT CITIZENS DESERVE IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS THAT WE HAVE.

BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS IMPROVEMENTS TO JUSTICE WHEN PEOPLE AREN'T SHORT-CUTTING BECAUSE OF THE SHORT FEES.

ANY EVENT, I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY. YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.

>> COMMISSIONER. ANY OTHER FURTHER COMMENTS? AND THEN I HAVE SOME COMMENTS.

JUDGE RANGEL THANK YOU FOR THIS REPORT.

>> I GOT SOME COMMENTS AND PERHAPS SOME QUESTIONS.

>> YES, JUDGE.

>> THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED, AT LEAST FOR ME I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COURT WOULD APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT THE JUDGES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATORS HAVE DONE.

BUT FIRST, LET ME MAKE A FIRST COMMENT.

ONE IS ALWAYS A LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE.

JUST AS YOU JUDGE ALVARADO AND JUDGE VADA ARE YOUR LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES.

I HAD TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE.

IN FACT, I THINK IF MS. BUD IS HERE, SHE'LL SAY THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF LAWYERS THAT DIDN'T LIKE ME, AUDIT TEAM, THE AD LIEDUM BILLS BECAUSE I USUALLY TOOK A QUICK PEN TO THE REQUEST, BUT I WANT EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS SOME CASE LAW THAT APPLIES TO THIS, AND I WANT EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S THAT PACKS AND VERSUS NOW SHOULD BE MENTIONED AND THE PACKS VERSUS COLLIN COUNTY, WHICH I BELIEVE THERE'S A LAWSUIT BETWEEN THE COLLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE JUDGE WHO WAS APPROVING THE FEES FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTORS.

THAT LAW SAYS BASICALLY, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THAT THE JUDGES HAVE NO AUTHORITY OR OUTSIDE THE AUTHORITY TO GO OUTSIDE THEIR FEE SCHEDULE.

I WANT YOU ALL TO BE VERY, VERY AWARE WITH THAT AND LET YOUR INDIVIDUAL JUDGES KNOW.

[03:45:02]

I'M GOING TO INSTRUCT THE AUDITOR THAT THAT'S ALSO HIS JOB, THAT IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED, THAT WE TAKE THEM UP ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND PERHAPS THEY CAN BE DISCUSSED INTERNALLY AND WE CAN GET THROUGH IT AND NOT DEAL WITH IT.

I WANTED TO MAKE THAT FIRST POINT.

SECOND POINT IS REALLY MORE A TOPIC OF FRUSTRATION, AND YOU MENTIONED THE ODYSSEY SYSTEM.

WHEN IS THAT THING GOING TO GET FIXED? WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO? THAT'S RHETORICAL, BECAUSE IT MAY TAKE, BUT I AM GOING TO CALL PEOPLE IN WHETHER IT'S THE JUDGES, THE DAS, THE BUDGET OFFICE, I WANT THAT THING FIXED AND I WANT IT UP AND RUNNING, AND I WANT IT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE DATA DEEDS.

I'M ASKING YOU AS ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE, YOUR SIDE ALONG WITH YOUR ADMINISTRATOR, LET HER KNOW JESSICA IS FED UP WITH WAITING FOR ODYSSEY TO GET UP AND RUNNING.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO DATA COLLECTION, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS PROBABLY A LOT OF WORK THAT WAS PUT UPON INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE, WHICH MEANS IN PUBLIC WILL UNDERSTAND, YOU HAVE PROBABLY STICK FIGURED THESE STATS OUT.

YOU HAD TO GO AND MANUALLY COUNT AND THAT'S JUST TOO MUCH WORK.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT BECAUSE YOUR JOB IS TO ADMINISTER JUSTICE, WHICH MEANS SIT ON THE BENCH AND MOVE THOSE CASES.

JUDGE, ITS RHETORICAL, BUT I WANT ODYSSEY FIXED AND I'M LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP, WHETHER I HAVE TO JUMP IN THERE AND DO IT MYSELF, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH THE JUDICIARY AND MOVE THAT SYSTEM.

FINALLY, I WANT TO DO IT NOT FILING, FILING GOT SOME OTHERS.

THE ISSUE THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT UP IS PROLONGED DETENTION.

THERE'S ANOTHER GROUP IN THAT JAIL THAT I WANT MOOD AND THOSE ARE THOSE PAROLE VIOLATORS.

AND I REALIZED THAT'S A THAT'S A STATE FUNCTION.

BUT I'M ALSO BRINGING IT TO LIGHT THAT THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALLEGED PAROLE VIOLATIONS, BUT NO PENDING CASES WHICH FALLS UPON A PAROLE SYSTEM.

THERE'S ABOUT 200, 300 PRISONERS OVER THERE.

I WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT.

IF I'VE GOT TO WRITE LETTERS TO WHOMEVER OR WE NEED TO LET THE LEGISLATORS KNOW, YOU CAN'T LEAVE THESE INMATES, THESE PEOPLE THAT STILL ARE ENTITLED TO DUE PROCESS AND RIGHTS AND WE NEED TO MOVE THEM OUT AND AGAIN THAT THERE'S PROBABLY IMMIGRATION HOLES.

VIOLATION PROBATION HOLES THE BLUE WARRANT HOLES.

WE'VE GOT TO MOVE THAT POPULATION OUT ALONG WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION.

JUDGE, WOULD YOU AND YOUR FELLOW JUDGES THAT HAVE DIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE JAIL, PLEASE CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT POPULATION ISSUE NOT FILING.

I KEEP SAYING FILING, LET ME WITHDRAW THAT.

ON THIS PROJECTED BUDGET.

I AM ALSO MAKING THIS TO OUR STAFF.

LET'S TRULY COMMUNICATE AND COME UP WITH FIGURES.

I WANT YOUR BUDGET AND ANALYSTS TO BE ABLE TO SAY, WE JUST PICKED A NUMBER AND THAT'S THE NUMBER WE USE.

NO MORE. LET'S TAKE TRUE BUT I WANT YOUR BUDGET ANALYSTS ON THEIR OWN TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO ME IN THESE PROJECTIONS AND IN THE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS HOW THEY CAME TO THAT FIGURE.

WHICH MEANS THE BUDGET OFFICE BETTER COMMUNICATE WITH THE JUDICIARY AND COME UP WITH SOME TRUE FINGERS SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS EVERY YEAR.

IT SHOULD JUST BE AS A MATTER OF FORM, THAT THE JUDGES PROVIDE DETAILED REPORTS LIKE THIS, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO BRING IN HEAVYWEIGHT AS YOU'VE DONE TODAY.

THEN I WILL NOW SAY FINALLY, JUDGE ASKED A QUESTION AND I DIDN'T GET CLEAR ANSWERS.

WHO IS AUDITING YOUR COURT APPOINTED VOUCHERS? BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND WE'RE STILL UNDER THE PAPER SYSTEM AND AM ASKING ODYSSEY, WHOEVER'S IN CHARGE BE CIT, WE'VE GOT TO GO TO E INVOICE SYSTEM THAT CHILDREN'S COURT HAS AND HAS HAD FOR MANY YEARS AND SO THAT'S ANOTHER.

LET'S GET IT DONE. BUT MY QUESTION IS AUDIT, I WANT TO KNOW WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE IN CASE THERE IS A FEE THAT GOES THROUGH, AND THE MEDIA OR A PERSON WANTS TO BRING IT TO MY ATTENTION AND SAY, LOOK HOW MUCH THIS PARTICULAR ATTORNEY GOT PAID, AND WE KNOW IN HISTORY AND I THINK YOU'VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH, WE'VE HAD ISSUES WHERE IT'S A VERY MINUTE NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS HAVE FRAUDULENTLY SUBMITTED FALSE BILLINGS.

OBVIOUSLY, KNOWING THE SYSTEM, YOU ALWAYS HAVE ATTORNEYS WHO MAKE INADVERTENT ERRORS OF DOUBLE BILLINGS OR MISTAKE IN BILLINGS.

TELL ME HOW THE CRIMINAL LOGISTIC JUDGES ARE AUDITING AND MAKING SURE THOSE BILLS ARE IN IMPROPER FORM.

YES, JUDGE. FIRST, I DO AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE DO NEED THAT E INVOICE SYSTEM IN PLACE

[03:50:03]

BECAUSE AS A RESULT OF THE PAPER FILINGS, THINGS ARE DELAYED.

THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO GETTING PAID FROM ATTORNEYS.

NOW THERE'S ACTUALLY A THREEFOLD REVIEW OF EVERY DOCUMENT THAT IS FILED AS IT RELATES TO GETTING PAID.

FIRST, YOU HAVE THE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT IS THE JUDGE.

THE JUDGE IS RESPONSIBLE TO REVIEW THOSE PARTICULAR DOCUMENTS.

IN OUR CONVERSATIONS, EACH OF THE JUDGES, INCLUDING MYSELF, DOES DO THAT.

SECOND THEN IT GOES TO THE VOUCHER COMMITTEE, WHICH WE CREATED ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ARE REVIEWED BY A SECOND SET OF EYES.

FINALLY, AND A LOT OF THEM DO GET CUT AT BOTH OF THOSE STAGES.

A LOT OF VOUCHERS DO GET CUT AND MISTAKES OR ERRORS FOUND WHAT THE JUDGES THAN WHAT THE VOUCHER COMMITTEE ULTIMATELY THEN IT GOES THROUGH OUR AUDITOR, AND OUR AUDITOR, LEO CALDERAS HERE, AND THEY DO A TRUE EXAMINATION AND EVALUATION OF WHAT IT IS THAT HAS BEEN TURNED IN.

THAT'S A THREEFOLD AUDIT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

JUDGE ALVARADO, THIS GETS YOU UP HERE, AND CONTINUE ON, JUDGE [INAUDIBLE] YOU'LL BE AFTER THAT.

I SEEK JUDGE SAUCES HERE, BUT IF YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS JUDGE THANK YOU FOR COMING, JUDGE ALVARADO, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE.

MINE IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A LEANER PRESENTATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST AND FOREMOST, HAVE YOU TURNED TO THE HANDOUTS THAT WE'VE PROVIDED TO YOU, AND TO YOUR POINT, JUDGE SAKAI, ABOUT STICK FIGURES.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT MUCH OF THE DATA THAT WE DO COLLECT HAS BEEN MANUALLY COLLECTED BY HARD WORKING STAFF IN THE COURTHOUSE.

IT IS A VERY TIME CONSUMING TASK AND OFTENTIMES, THEY HAVE TO DO THAT IN ADDITION TO THEIR OTHER FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES AT THE COURT.

THE FIRST THREE SLIDES THAT YOU'LL BE LOOKING AT ACTUALLY ARE A PRODUCT OF MANUALLY COLLECTED DATA THAT EACH ONE OF OUR COURT MANAGERS AND OUR DATA ANALYSTS HAD BEEN COLLECTING IN THE CHILDREN'S COURT.

THE FOURTH SLIDE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IS THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS PRESIDING FILINGS.

THAT THANKFULLY, IS ONE REPORT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF ODYSSEY.

THAT IS AN ODYSSEY GENERATED REPORT THERE FOR YOU AS FAR AS FILINGS IS CONCERNED.

I'D LIKE TO START WITH THESE FIRST FOUR SLIDES TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE THIS IS JUST THE NUMBERS THAT ARE IN THE COURTS SPECIFICALLY, AND WE TRIED TO ADDRESS SPECIFICALLY THE REQUESTS THAT WERE MADE OF US AS FAR AS THE NUMBERS OF CASE FILES, THE TOTAL HEARINGS RESETS.

WE ALSO WENT BACK AND LISTENED TO THE HEARING, I THINK FROM AUGUST 8TH, TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND YOU JUDGE SAKAI WITH RESPECT TO OUR DOCKET.

THE FIRST SLIDE REPRESENTS THE CHILDREN'S COURT NUMBER OF CASES THAT ARE FILED IN CHILDREN'S COURT ANNUALLY.

YOU WILL NOTICE THAT BETWEEN FISCAL YEAR 2018/19 THROUGH OUR CURRENT 2022/23 YEAR TO DATE, YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE IS A DROP-OFF IN ACTUAL FILINGS OF CASES.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ACTIVITY LEGISLATIVELY IN 2020/2021 FISCAL CYCLE.

SPECIFICALLY, THERE WAS A NEW STATUTE THAT HINDERED THE ABILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO REMOVE CHILDREN.

THEY MADE IT A MUCH STRICTER STANDARD FOR REMOVAL.

THAT LAW WENT INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021 FOLLOWING THAT FISCAL CYCLE.

AS YOU MOVE INTO THE 2021\2022 FISCAL CYCLE, YOU START TO SEE THE FILING START TO DROP OFF.

BUT WHAT'S ALSO INTERESTING IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET, IS THAT THE NUMBERS WENT UP IN ATTORNEY'S FEES.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ACTIVITY IN THE 2021/2022 FISCAL CYCLE.

NOT ONLY WERE WE STARTING TO SEE THE CASE DECLINES WITH THE REMOVAL STATUE, BUT ALSO IN DECEMBER OF 2021, WE HAD THE FEE INCREASE THAT TOOK PLACE THE MOST RECENT ARE THE THE BIG JUMP FROM THE FEE SCHEDULE THAT JUDGE RON HILL HAD REFERENCED BACK FROM, I THINK IT WAS 1984 AND 1984 IS WHAT HE HAD REFERENCED WITH THE $20 AN HOUR OUT OF COURT TIME, THAT WAS ALMOST A 55% INCREASE BETWEEN WHAT WAS THEN AND THEN WHAT TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER OF 2021 WITH THE NEW FEE SCHEDULE. OKAY.

YOU HAD THOSE CHANGES THAT WERE TAKING PLACE.

YOU HAD E-INVOICING IN THAT FISCAL CYCLE GO ONLINE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, SO I THINK THAT THAT MAY HAVE ALSO CAUSED AN INFLUX AS WELL.

WE ALSO DURING THAT TIME, HAD ORDERED A REQUIREMENT THAT THE ATTORNEYS SUBMIT THEIR FEES WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME.

YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT LIT THE FIRE UNDER SOME FOLKS ABOUT GETTING THEIR FEE BATCHES SUBMITTED TO THE COURT BECAUSE WE DID HAVE A GRACE PERIOD WHERE IF THERE WAS ANY OUTSTANDING ONES FOR A PERIOD OF TIME,

[03:55:02]

THEY COULD GET THOSE SUBMITTED, AND THEN BEYOND A SPECIFIC DEADLINE, THEN THEY ONLY HAVE 60 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF SERVICE TO GET THOSE SUBMITTED.

DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME ALSO, I THINK THAT AFFECTED OUR NUMBERS AS WELL, AND A LOT OF THIS WAS HAPPENING AFTER THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED.

THEN YOU MOVE INTO 2022/2023 AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUR ARMS WRAPPED AROUND, AN INCREASE IN FEE SCHEDULE, A E-INVOICE, AND GOING ONLINE, GETTING PEOPLE TO SUBMIT THEIR INVOICES IN A TIMELY FASHION, IT DEFINITELY AFFECTED THE WAY THAT THE NUMBERS LOOK FOR OUR BUDGET.

ONE THING I ALSO FAILED TO MENTION IS IN 2021/2022, THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS IMPLEMENTED BASICALLY WHAT WE CALL THE SEA WARP DOCKET, AND THAT IS THE CHILDREN WITHOUT PLACEMENT.

THESE ARE THE CHILDREN THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT IN THE MEDIA THAT ARE LIVING IN HOTEL ROOMS OR IN CHURCHES OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THESE ARE ALSO THE HIGHEST-RISK CHILDREN.

WE TAKE OUR ROLE VERY SERIOUSLY ABOUT BEING CARETAKERS FOR OUR CHILDREN IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BEING THAT THOSE CHILDREN ARE THE HIGHEST RISK, THERE IS NO PLACEMENT FOR THEM, THEY NEED TO HAVE MORE MONITORING.

SO BY STATUTE, WE HAVE WHAT ARE CALLED PLACEMENT HEARINGS AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE PLACE EVERY SIX MONTHS.

FRANKLY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT A CHILD WHO'S LIVING IN A HOTEL ROOM BEING TOUCHED ONE TIME BY A JUDGE WITH SOME OVERSIGHT EVERY SIX MONTHS.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THESE CHILDREN HAVE CONTINUOUS MONITORING.

DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME AS WELL, WE HAD AN UPTICK IN THOSE CASES.

SOMETIMES THOSE CASES ARE BROUGHT BACK EVERY TWO WEEKS DEPENDING ON THE RISK ASSESSMENT WITH RESPECT TO THOSE CHILDREN.

SO THAT ALSO HAS AN INCREASE IN ATTORNEY'S FEES AS WELL BECAUSE THERE'S ATTORNEYS THAT ARE COMING IN ON THOSE MATTERS TOO.

I THINK ALL OF THAT CAUSE A LITTLE BIT OF FLUX WITH RESPECT TO OUR CALCULATIONS IN 2021 AND 2022 FISCAL YEAR.

FOR THIS FISCAL CYCLE, TRYING TO RUBBER ARMS, LIKE I SAID AROUND, WHAT IT WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFICULT TASK.

NOW, WE HAD ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR 3.1 MILLION, AND OUR CALCULATIONS ON OUR BEST ESTIMATES TO GET US THROUGH THE END OF THE FISCAL CYCLE IS 3.9 MILLION.

I UNDERSTAND THAT BUDGET IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.

I THINK WE'RE STILL TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE PREMISE BEHIND THAT, AND I KNOW THAT MY ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR ANALYSTS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THAT AS WELL.

SO THAT IS TO GIVE YOU SOME INDICATION AS TO WHY WE ARE SEEING THESE INCREASES EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SEEING A DECREASE IN THE REMOVALS.

ANOTHER THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT IS EVEN THOUGH WE'RE SEEING A DECREASE IN THE REMOVAL FILINGS, BECAUSE THE WAY THE STATUTE IS WRITTEN, THESE ARE THE CASES THAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS CASES, AND SO AS SUCH, WE ARE SEEING AND TALKING TO OUR ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND OUR STAFF THAT WORK WITH OUR ASSOCIATE JUDGES, THAT SOME OF THESE CASES ARE SOME OF THE WORST CASES THAT WE'VE SEEN IN QUITE SOME TIME.

AS SUCH, IT'S MORE OF A QUALITY OF JUDICIAL ATTENTION AS OPPOSED TO MOVING THE CASES IN A QUANTITATIVE BASIS.

THE NEXT SLIDE IS THE TOTAL HEARINGS.

I THINK THAT WAS ONE THAT WAS REQUESTED.

THIS IS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY GIVE OUR TAKE, FISCAL YEAR TO DATE WE HAVE ABOUT 645 CASES THAT ARE FILED IN THE CPS COURTS.

ON THE NEXT PAGE, YOU CAN ACTUALLY THERE'LL SEE THE NUMBER OF HEARINGS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT VERSUS, LET'S JUST LOOK AT SLIDE NUMBER 1, 2022-2023, AND THEN YOU GO TO SLIDE NUMBER 2 AND LOOK AT FISCAL CYCLE FOR 2022-2023, YOU CAN SEE THE TOTAL HEARINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HEARD.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE, SO GOING FROM 600 CASES BUT TO ALMOST 6,000 HEARINGS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE ON THESE SPECIFIC CASES.

THERE'S A LOT OF STATUTORY HEARINGS THAT TAKE PLACE ON THESE CASES, AND SO THAT'S WHY IT'S REQUIRED THAT THERE ARE SO MANY HEARINGS.

ANOTHER THING THAT I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT IS THAT OFTENTIMES THESE CASES ARE FINALLY CLOSED OUT IN OUR SYSTEM, AND JUDGE SAKAI THIS IS GOING TO GO TO YOUR POINT ABOUT GETTING ODYSSEY FIXED, BECAUSE IF I PULL A DISPOSITION REPORT, THERE ARE CASES THAT ARE CURRENTLY OPEN, BUT HAVE A FINAL ORDER ON FILE BECAUSE THERE WAS A PARENTAL TERMINATION OF RIGHTS WITH A FINAL ORDER HEARING.

IN ODYSSEY IT SHOWS THAT THAT IS A CLOSED CASE, THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE CONTINUOUS CARE OF THESE CHILDREN BEYOND WITH PERMANENCY HEARINGS AND STATUS HEARINGS AND SO ON.

TYPICALLY, THESE ARE THE CHILDREN THAT ARE THE TRUE WARDS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

BECAUSE OF THAT, THE CASE IS STILL MOVING ON AND GOING FORWARD, BUT IF I PULL A DISPOSITION REPORT IN ODDITY, IT'S SHOWING THAT THAT CASE IS CLOSED.

SO THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE DO NEED TO CORRECT AND WE'RE FINDING THESE ALONG THE WAY.

THERE'S QUITE A FEW ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO RECTIFY WITHIN ODYSSEY.

GOING TO THE NEXT PAGE.

VERY CLEAR. THIS ONE JUST TALKS ABOUT CASE RESETS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW DEEP DO YOU WANT ME TO GET INTO CASE. YES, SIR.

[04:00:04]

>> GO AHEAD.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE I'M ON THE SAME PAGE, BUT I'M LOOKING AT THE NEW CASES FOR CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS.

>> SLIDE 4.

>> THAT'S SHOWING 15,000, 15,000, AND 30,000.

BUT THEN I'M ALSO LOOKING AT THE SHEET THAT STAFF HANDED OUT THAT HAD CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS AND TOTAL CASES FILED.

THERE WAS AROUND 1,000.

AM I CONFUSING DIFFERENT COURTS HERE?

>> IS IT THE ONE THAT SAYS MONITORING DOCKETS, IS THAT THE ONE YOU'RE LOOKING AT? I DO APOLOGIZE.

>> NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ONE COUNTY STAFF JUST SHARED WITH US.

>> MY APOLOGIES THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT ONE OF MY SLIDES.

WHAT WAS THE REFERENCE TO THE COUNTY STATS?

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE TOTAL CASES BECAUSE ONE SHEET HERE SAYS NEW CASE IS 30,000 IN FY22/23.

>> IT'S PAGE 4 ON YOUR POWERPOINT.

>> BUT THEN THIS COULD BE A SUBSET OF THOSE CASES, BUT IF WE GO FURTHER ALONG TO THE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT PAGE THIS NUMBER IS, BUT IT HAS ABOUT 6,000 CASES.

>> PAGE 11. JUST NUMBER YOUR PAGE.

>> I AM SO SORRY ABOUT IT.

IS IT THE ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS COMMISSIONER? I DO APOLOGIZE.

>> I'M JUST COMPARING BOTH THOSE NUMBERS TO WHAT COUNTY STAFF SHARED IN TERMS OF CIVIL DISTRICT COURT.

>> THAT ONE. I NEED TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION FOR YOU THEN.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A STEP BACK JUST FOR A SECOND, UNDER THE HEADING OF THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS, WE HAVE THE CHILDREN'S COURT, AND EACH ONE OF THOSE ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE STANDALONE COURTS AND THEY OPERATE THEIR OWN DOCKETS.

THEN WE HAVE THE PRESIDING COURT AND THE MONITORING COURT.

THE PRESIDING COURT IS THE NON-JURY CASES THAT ARE LESS THAN TWO DAYS, AND TYPICALLY THERE'S 14 OF US JUDGES.

WE SPLIT IN HALF, SEVEN OF US ARE ASSIGNED MONITORING, SEVEN OF US ARE ASSIGNED PRESIDING, AND WE'RE WORKING THOSE DOCKETS.

THE MONITORING DOCKET IS THE TRIAL DOCKET OR THE LENGTHY NON-JURY BENCH TRIALS.

I THINK WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT, THAT SLIDE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT THERE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE MONITORING DOCKET, SO I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO MONITORING DOCKET YET EITHER.

>> [BACKGROUND].

>> MR. ANDERSON HAS INDICATED THAT THE DOCUMENT YOU RECEIVED FROM BUDGET IS STATS FROM CHILDREN'S COURT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> THOSE ARE THE CASES WHERE THERE ARE ATTORNEY AD LITEMS APPOINTED.

WE ONLY INCLUDED THE CHILDREN'S COURT CASES, BUT I BELIEVE WHAT JUDGE ALVARADO IS TALKING ABOUT IS ALL CIVIL DISTRICT COURT CASES.

>> RIGHT. YOUR SLIDE NUMBER 4 THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, THAT ONE REPRESENTS ALL THE FILINGS THAT ARE IN THE PRESIDING DOCKET BEING WORKED AND HAVING HEARING SET ON THEM.

THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO CATEGORIES, YOU HAVE THE 15,000 CIVIL CASES THAT WAS FILED FISCAL YEAR TO DATE, YOU HAVE THE 15,000 FAMILY CASES THAT HAVE BEEN FILED 15 FISCAL YEAR TO DATE, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE 30,000, WHICH IS THE CUMULATIVE AMOUNT OF ALL OF THEM.

THEN IN THE FAMILY CASES, I'VE MADE A SPECIAL NOTATION THERE THAT INDICATES THAT OF THOSE 15,000, 645 RELATE TO NEW FILINGS AND CPS SCORE.

I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.

MOVING ON BEYOND THAT, SINCE WE TALKED ABOUT THAT SLIDE, I'D LIKE TO GET TO THE MONITORING SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE MONITORING DOCKET.

THAT WOULD BE THE SLIDE THAT SAYS CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS CASE STATISTICS MONITORING DOCKETS.

THOSE ARE OUR JURY TRIALS.

THAT'S THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE HAD.

YOU CAN USE THAT PAGE TOO. THAT'S FINE. THE ONE BEFORE IT.

YOU DON'T HAVE THIS ONE? I'M SO SORRY I DON'T HAVE THEM NUMBERED.

>> NO, I HAVE IT.

>> THAT ONE HAS THE ACTUAL STATISTICS AS FAR AS THE NUMBER OF JURY TRIALS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE, THOSE THAT ARE SET.

I REALIZE IN LOOKING AT THAT BAR GRAPH, THE NUMBERS ARE VERY BIG ON THE NEXT PAGE; THE 5,917 THAT YOU'RE REFERENCING VERSUS THE ACTUAL DISPOSITION OF 191.

>> THESE 5,000 ARE SPLIT BETWEEN CIVIL AND FAMILY?

>> BUT I WOULD TELL YOU THAT PREDOMINANTLY, THE BULK OF THEM ARE PROBABLY IN THE CIVIL.

>> OKAY.

I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT MAJORITY OF PERSONAL INJURY CASES THAT GO THROUGH THE MONITORING COURT DOCKETS.

EVEN THOUGH YOU SEE THAT NUMBER THERE OF CASES THAT ARE SET, WHICH IS 5,900 AND THEN YOU SHOW THAT THE CASES THAT HAVE BEEN TRIED 191, AND THAT'S FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR PROJECTED THROUGH THE END OF THE CYCLE.

THE REASON FOR THAT NUMBER IS BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE CASES DON'T ACTUALLY GO TO TRIAL.

THEY GET SET, AND THE WAY THAT A CASE FLOWS IS IT'S

[04:05:03]

LIKE IN THE CRIMINAL COURTS WHERE A CASE GETS SET FOR TRIAL, AND THEN THEY GET TO TRIAL AND THEN THEY START REALLY WORKING ON THOSE PLEA NEGOTIATIONS.

IF YOU FLIP TO THE PAGE BEFORE, YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR SETTLEMENT NUMBER IS A LOT HIGHER.

THE SETTLEMENT NUMBER THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, THERE ARE THOSE SETTLEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE COURT.

THERE'S OFTENTIMES CASES THAT DON'T GET REPORTED TO THE COURT AS SETTLED.

AGAIN, THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH RESPECT TO HOW THINGS ARE CODED IN ODYSSEY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH A ATTORNEY MAY SETTLE A CASE AND A NOTICE OF DISMISSAL HAS BEEN FILED, THERE STILL HAS TO BE A CORRESPONDING ORDER OF DISMISSAL THAT'S FILED AS WELL TO CLOSE THE CASE OUT FORMALLY IN ODYSSEY.

SO YOU MAY HAVE A CASE THAT'S SETTLED, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY CLOSED OUT BECAUSE THERE IS NO CORRESPONDING ORDER THAT WAS PRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEYS.

>> CAN I GIVE YOU A FEEDBACK, BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER MOODY REALLY UNDERSTANDS.

PERHAPS THESE STATS, THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURT CASE STATISTICS AND AMANDA COURT DOCKET REALLY SHOULDN'T BE PART OF THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE INCLUDING THE ENTIRE CIVIL DISTRICT COURT, WHICH MEANS JUDGES ARE WORKING HARD MOVING THE ENTIRE DOCKET.

MOST OF THOSE CASES ARE NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE COURT APPOINTED FEES THAT GOES TO YOUR CASELOAD. DID I HIT IT?

>> IN ORDER TO, COMMISSIONER MOODY, YEAH, BECAUSE IF YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT AND YOU SEE 6,000 HEARINGS, YOU'RE GOING, MY GOSH, THE BUDGET IS GOING TO GO FLYING OFF THE HANDLE, AND IT'S THE FACT THAT MOST OF THOSE CASES ARE NOT THE CPS CHILDREN'S COURT OR THOSE FAMILY LAW CASES THAT REQUIRE COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL.

DID I EXPLAIN IT WELL?

>> YOU DID. ALSO, JUDGE, TO YOUR POINT ON THAT, WITH RESPECT TO THE COURT APPOINTED ON THE CIVIL SIDE, THIS IS NOT CHILDREN'S COURT THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, ON THE CIVIL SIDE, IT IS A FRACTIONAL PORTION OF THE DOCKET.

IT'S LESS THAN 1% OF THE CASES THAT ARE ON THE CIVIL CASES THAT ACTUALLY GET A COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY.

THEY'RE NOT AD LITEMS, THEY'RE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS BECAUSE, FOR INSTANCE, THERE MAY BE AN ENFORCEMENT CASE THAT DEALS WITH CHILD SUPPORT.

IT'S QUASI CRIMINAL IN NATURE BECAUSE SOMEONE CAN BE FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF COURT AND JAILED.

THEREFORE THEY HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO COUNSEL BECAUSE OF THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A CIVIL CASE.

IT'S A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE CASES THAT HAVE APPOINTED ATTORNEYS ON THE CIVIL SIDE.

ON THE CHILDREN'S COURT SIDE, I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT PERCENTAGE FOR YOU, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT BY STATUTE, IF THEY ARE INDIGENT, THEY GET A COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY, AND ON EACH CASE, WE HAVE AT LEAST THREE AD LITEM ATTORNEYS THAT ARE POINTED.

ONE FOR THE CHILD, ONE FOR THE MOTHER, AND THEN ONE FOR THE FATHER.

IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL FATHERS, THEN WE HAVE ADDITIONAL COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL.

I HAVE SEEN CASES WITH UP TO SIX COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL ON ONE CASE.

I HOPE THAT GIVES YOU SOME CONTEXT.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> ANY COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER CALVERT?

>> I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR COMING ON YOUR LUNCH HOUR.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A BUSY MORNING AND AFTERNOON EVERY DAY.

CLEARLY, BY THE DISPOSITION OF CASES, YOU-ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AND I JUST VERY PROUD THAT YOU REPRESENT US IN THE CIVIL SIDE AND SUCH A WONDERFUL WAY AND HAVE EDUCATED US ABOUT THAT.

I'VE GOT SOME OF THESE PLANTERS, FRUITS AND NUTS AND THINGS I CAN GET TO YOU.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR GOOD EFFORT. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER MOODY, YOU STILL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> WELL, I DON T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE THIS TODAY, IN TERMS OF AT LEAST MY UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYTHING.

I'M NOT SURE IF EVERYONE ELSE IS THERE OR NOT, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF DATA HERE.

I'LL JUST SAY, DATA IS THE FIRST THING.

WE HAVE TO HAVE DATA. BUT WE HAVE TO GET BEYOND THAT TO ANALYSIS AND INSIGHTS.

JUST FOR COUNTY STAFF, WHAT YOU PROVIDED WAS GOOD RAW DATA EXCEPT FOR, AGAIN, THE CLARIFICATION BETWEEN CHILDREN'S CASES VERSUS TOTAL CASES WHICH WE HAD TO WORK THROUGH AND UNDERSTAND.

BUT TO GET AT THE INSIGHTS, I WAS DOING CALCULATIONS ON THE TOTAL COST PER CASE DISPOSED.

IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, YOU CAN LOOK ACROSS THESE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND COURTS AND SEE LIKE HOW MUCH THAT COST HAS INCREASED.

I'LL SAY THE CALCULATION FOR THE TOTAL CASES DISPOSED FOR CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS WAS 130% HIGHER, WHICH IS REALLY SCARY.

BUT THAT WAS ONLY LOOKING AT THE CHILDREN'S CASES.

[04:10:01]

BUT IF I GO BACK TO THIS SLIDE, [OVERLAPPING] I HAVEN'T DONE THE CALCULATION YET, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE 50, 60% INCREASE FROM THE FY 21/22 TO 22/23.

BUT LOOKING AT YOUR FEE SCHEDULE IN THE LAST INCREASE, IT DOESN'T LOOK THAT SIGNIFICANT UNLESS YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE DOING HOURLY, WHICH I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT DATA OR KNOWLEDGE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE AVERAGE COST COULD GO UP THAT MUCH OVER THE LAST FY LOOKING AT THOSE FEES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE TODAY.

>> ON THIS PARTICULAR SLIDE, I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE WERE TRYING OUR BEST TO ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT YOU HAD ASKED AT THE LAST SESSION BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE AVERAGE COST WAS FOR CASE IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT AND MAKING THOSE DETERMINATIONS IS HOW THE INVOICES ARE SUBMITTED, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE SUBMITTED AS HOURLY INVOICES AND SOME OF THEM ARE SUBMITTED AS FLAT FEE INVOICES.

TO GET AN ESTIMATE, TRULY OF WHAT THE EXPENDITURE IS AND IN AN AVERAGE WAY, IT'S VERY HARD FOR US TO WRAP OUR CALCULATIONS AROUND THAT.

WE WOULD HAVE TO REALLY SIT DOWN AND DO A DEEPER DIVE INTO THAT, AND UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T THINK FROM A TIME PERSPECTIVE, WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU. I'D BE HAPPY TO.

>> I MEAN, ULTIMATELY THE QUESTION JUST WOULD BE IF WE'VE SEEN A SMALL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES AND WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT CASE NUMBERS.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE WITHIN THAT PROCESS YOU'RE INCURRING THOSE FEES, BUT IF YOU'VE ONLY SEEN A SMALL INCREASE IN CASES WITHIN THIS SPACE, AND YET YOU SEE A 50% INCREASE IN OVERALL COST PER CASE, THEN WHAT'S DRIVING THAT? THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT.

>> I THINK SOME OF THAT, AND TO GET TO YOUR POINT ON THAT, IS IT LEANS TO THE TYPE OF CASE THAT IT IS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND HOW MANY HEARINGS ARE BEING HELD PER CASE.

SOME CASES, FOR INSTANCE, IN THE CIVIL SIDE, YOU MIGHT SEE THEM COME THROUGH COURT ONCE OR NOT AT ALL.

ON CHILDREN'S COURT SIDE, AT A MINIMUM, YOU HAVE YOUR 262, YOU HAVE YOUR 60 DAY, YOU HAVE A STATUS HEARING AFTER THAT, YOU'VE GOT TERMINATION HEARINGS.

THEN ALONG THE WAY, YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL STATUS HEARINGS.

THE END, YOU MULTIPLY THAT ACROSS THE BOARD BY AS MANY ATTORNEYS AS I HAD INDICATED.

>> I THINK I CAN HELP. THE ANALYSIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A BLANKET AVERAGE PER CIVIL CASE.

YOU HAVE TO BREAK IT DOWN BY TYPE OF CASE.

TO HELP INFORM THE COURT ON ANALYSIS, YOU WOULD HAVE TO SAY THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HEARINGS PER TYPE OF CASE BECAUSE SOME CASES NECESSITATE MANY HEARINGS, OTHER CASES ARE FLAT FEE, ET CETERA.

IN THAT DETAIL, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET SOME CONSIDERATION OF THE THE ANALYSIS WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO BREAK THEM DOWN BY CASE TYPE.

THAT'S MY UNSOLICITED ADVICE.

>> IF YOU'RE SEEING A DIFFERENT MIX OF CASES, THAT COULD OBVIOUSLY BE A DRIVER AS WELL, BUT WE JUST HAVE TO SPEND MORE TIME TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THOSE DRIVERS ARE.

>> TO YOUR POINT ON THAT, THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO ADD DRIVERS FOR US.

>> RIGHT.

>> THERE'S NOW SOME UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING THROUGH.

WE HAD ONE DURING FISCAL CYCLE, I WANT TO SAY IT WAS, 2020/2021.

AT THE END OF THAT CYCLE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE HAD US NOW DO WHAT ARE CALLED MOTIONS TO PARTICIPATE HEARINGS IN THE CHILDREN'S COURT SIDE AND REQUIRE THAT WE APPOINT COUNSEL ON THOSE HEARINGS, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HADN'T HAD TO FACTOR IN BEFORE.

THAT'S NEW, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS LAST LEGISLATIVE CYCLE, WE HAVE ADDITIONAL UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DIGEST AND ANALYZE AND FIGURE OUT HOW THAT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPRINT NEXT YEAR.

>> I DIDN'T MEAN TO TAKE YOUR TIME, BUT I WAS GOING TO SAY THE LEGISLATIVE BURDEN OF HEARINGS MAY BE PART OF YOUR NOTE IN TERMS OF, THIS IS REQUIRED BY STATE STATUTE.

THAT WAY IT'S NOT DEEMED AS A DISCRETIONARY CALL FROM THE JUDGE.

IT'S NON-DISCRETIONARY.

YOU HAVE TO HOLD THOSE HEARINGS UNDER THE STATE LAW.

>> IF YOU COULD QUANTIFY THOSE, THEN I WOULD JUST LEAD WITH THAT.

THAT COULD BE THE ULTIMATE DRIVERS HERE.

THESE ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW NOW, MAYBE THAT'S 90% OF THIS, BUT I DON'T KNOW.

>> WE'LL LOOK INTO THAT FOR SURE.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. WE MET AND TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET AND WE TOUCHED BRIEFLY ON THIS, BUT JUST TO BE MINDFUL OF THE JUDGES TIME, JUDGE FROM JUVENILE COURT, YOU CAME AND MET WITH US LAST TIME, RIGHT?

>> SO SHE DOESN'T NEED TO COME BACK TODAY.

I'M JUST SEEING ALL THE JUDGES SITTING HERE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE STUFF TO DO.

DOES SHE NEED TO BE HERE TODAY?

[04:15:02]

>> ACCORDING TO THAT, IF THERE WILL BE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL BE PRESENT JUST INCASE.

>> WELL, NOT. I MAY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS OF EVERYBODY.

>> SORRY.

>> SORRY GUYS. WE'RE WORKING THROUGH LUNCH AND SO ARE YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

>> JUDGE ALVARADO, LET ME MAKE SOME COMMENTS.

I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT WHAT I SAID TO JUDGE RANGEL, BUT TO REALLY POINT OUT, OBVIOUSLY, I WANT TO POINT OUT THE PACKS IN CASE TO YOU.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE AWARE OF IT.

THAT IS PROBLEMATIC CAUSE, AND I APPRECIATE THIS PRESENTATION.

IT'S VERY DETAILED.

BUT GO TO THE LAST ONE.

YOUR AVERAGE HOURLY RATE IS 267.86.

>> I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO BRING THAT UP AND THAT'S GOOD.

[OVERLAPPING] I WANTED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.

>> ALL I'M GOING TO SAY IS I THINK YOU NEED TO BE MINDFUL AND THAT GOES PART OF WHAT I WANT TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, BECAUSE I WILL JUST POINT OUT, IF THAT'S AN AVERAGE, THERE'S SOME VOUCHERS PAID OVER AND ABOVE ON AN HOURLY RATE.

LITTLE PROBLEMATIC FOR ME.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> I LIKE TO BE AN ACCOUNTABLE TO THE TAXPAYERS.

ALSO TOO, WE SHARE THE AGREEMENT WITH ODYSSEY.

I'M ASKING THAT ALL THE JUDGES IN THE ADMINISTRATION WORK TOGETHER WITH ONE VOICE, AND TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND WHO DO I HAVE TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT? OBVIOUSLY, I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY INDIVIDUAL.

IT'S A SYSTEMIC ISSUE.

BUT I'M GOING TO BRING EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM AND WE'LL FIX THIS.

I WANT THE JUDICIARY SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE.

I BELIEVE THE QUESTION IN REGARDS TO THE PROJECTED BUDGET, I THINK THIS WAS ALSO A GREAT CONVERSATION.

I WANT THE BUDGET ANALYST TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THIS TOO.

THAT WAY I DON'T HAVE TO CALL THE JUDGES AND HAVE THEM SIT FOR A COUPLE HOURS.

ONCE THE BUDGET ANALYST AND THE BUDGET OFFICE CAN TELL ME THIS IS WHAT IT IS JUDGE, WE'RE GOOD. I DON'T NEED THIS.

I JUST THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT START OF A CONVERSATION TODAY.

FINALLY, MY LAST QUESTION IS WHAT I ASKED JUDGE RANGEL, WHO'S AUDITING THE BILLS?

>> I DIDN'T HEAR THAT. I'M SORRY.

>> WHO'S AUDITING YOUR INDIVIDUAL BILLS?

>> WE HAVE TWO PROCESSES, ONE FOR CHILDREN'S COURT, ONE FOR CIVIL.

ON THE CIVIL SIDE, IT IS A THREE-TIER PROCESS.

YOU KNOW MANY OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF FROM HAVING WORKED WITH THEM.

WE START OFF WITH LIZ AND ALBERT AND ELISA.

THEY ARE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF.

THEY GET THE INVOICE, THEY PULL THE ORDER, THEY GET ANY SUPPORTING RECEIPTS, THEY MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS THERE FOR THE REVIEWER TO REVIEW IT.

IT GETS PUNTED OVER TO RYAN, WHO IS OUR ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL, AND HE GOES THROUGH THAT INVOICE AND HE MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE JUDGE THAT'S GOING TO BE SIGNING THAT INVOICE.

HE MAY GO IN THERE AND SAY, THIS IS TOO HIGH OR YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THESE HOURS HERE, I HAVE FOUND THIS ERROR, OR HE MAY EVEN REJECT THE INVOICE AND SEND IT BACK TO THE ATTORNEY AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THERE'S DOUBLE BILLING OR THAT THERE'S AN ERROR.

THAT'S THE PROCESS.

THEN IT GOES TO THE JUDGE.

THE JUDGE REVIEWS IT.

I WILL TELL YOU THERE'S A SMALL FRACTION OF CASES THAT WE ACTUALLY SIGN ON THOSE ORDERS ON THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURT SIDE, AND THEN THE JUDGE WILL SIGN OFF ON THAT INVOICE AND THEN IT WILL GET PAID ONCE IT'S SUBMITTED THROUGH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

>> AGAIN, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE ONE JUDGE REVIEWS ON A ROTATING BASIS, BUT ONE JUDGE BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, IN OUR SYSTEM, EACH JUDGE HAS THEIR OWN PHILOSOPHIES AND PERSONALITIES AND I'D HATE TO SEE ONE JUDGE STRIKE AND CUT FEES DRASTICALLY AND ANOTHER ONE NOT.

I WANT TO SEE CONSISTENCY SO THAT ATTORNEYS FEEL THAT THEY'RE FAIRLY BEING TREATED.

I'LL LET YOU AND YOUR STAFF FIGURE THAT OUT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? LET'S GO TO JUDGE VADA. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE VADA, WHILE I LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE GREAT STAFF, DIDDY GARCIA GAVE US A BRIEF HISTORY.

YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE TO GO OVER UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU WANT TO POINT OUT.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU'VE HEARD A LOT OF THE COMMENTS THAT I BELIEVE I'VE ASKED ALL THE JUDICIARY TO NOW START TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER AND HAVING ONE VOICE.

>> NO, JUDGE. I KNOW I'VE SPOKEN TO THE COURT ALREADY ON THIS ISSUE SO I'M NOT GOING TO REITERATE ANY OF THAT.

THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THE COURT'S ATTENTION IS ON PAGE 3, SIMILAR TO WHAT COMMISSIONER MOODY HAS BEEN ASKING.

WE HAVE A COST PER VOUCHER, NOT NECESSARILY A COST PER CASE, AND WHAT WE HAVE FOR THE MONTH OF JULY IS $140.88 AS AN AVERAGE COST PER VOUCHER.

THAT INCLUDES CASES THAT HAVE GONE TO TRIAL, CASES THAT HAVE PLED, AND CASES THAT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED.

THAT'S AGAIN PAGE 3 OF THE DOCUMENT TITLED COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEE INCREASE REPORT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

[04:20:03]

I'D ALSO LIKE TO LET THE COMMISSIONERS, AND YOU JUDGE SAKAI KNOW THAT WE DID RECENTLY AMEND THE TIME THAT ATTORNEYS CAN SUBMIT A VOUCHER.

I THINK RIGHT NOW IT'S ONE YEAR, WHICH WE FEEL IS REALLY LENGTHY.

WE REDUCED THAT TO 180 DAYS JUST TO MAKE SURE THOSE VOUCHERS ARE GETTING PROCESSED IN A TIMELY MANNER, BUT THAT'S A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF THE VOUCHERS.

THE ATTORNEYS, THEY WANT TO GET PAID.

THEY NORMALLY SUBMIT THE VOUCHERS DAY OF OR VERY SOON THEREAFTER.

THERE ARE SOME THEY DO SUBMIT THEM LATE, BUT LIKE I SAID, WE'VE REDUCED THAT DOWN TO 180 DAYS AND IT WAS PREVIOUSLY A YEAR'S TIME.

ADDITIONALLY, ON THE POINT OF ODYSSEY, COUNTY COURTS HAVE NEVER HAD ACCESS TO ODYSSEY.

THE DATA THAT'S BEEN COMPILED, IT'S BEEN DONE BY ADMIN.

KEVIN COUTURE, DIDDY GARCIA, AMY CASTANO, THEY'RE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPILE ALL OF THIS DATA THAT WE'VE USED FOR FEE ANALYSIS, THAT WE'VE USED FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE HERE THAT WE PRESENTED TODAY.

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THAT.

THE JUDGES ARE WILLING TO ATTEND WHATEVER TRAININGS, WHATEVER OUR STAFF NEEDS TO DO, WHATEVER ADMIN NEEDS TO DO TO GET ONBOARD WITH ODYSSEY.

WE JUST NEED THE DATE CERTAIN WHERE WE NEED TO GO, WHAT WE NEED TO DO, AND GET THAT PROCESS GOING.

>> YOU NEED TO TELL US WHAT YOU NEED, AND THEN NOW FIND THE PERSON [OVERLAPPING]

>> WE HAVE THE SCHEDULE.

THE CURRENT PLAN AND IT HAS BEEN DELAYED, BUT THE CURRENT PLAN IS SOMETIME IN JANUARY TO GO LIVE WITH CRIMINAL.

CRIMINAL IS STILL OPERATING ON THE OLD MAINFRAME SYSTEM.

THERE'S 2,000 PEOPLE TO TRAIN, JUDGE.

I MEAN, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EIGHT-WEEK TASK TO GET EVERYONE TRAINED AND DATA TESTED.

>> ON OUR END, WE JUST NEED TO KNOW WHEN WE NEED TO SHOW UP.

>> THAT'S THE ODYSSEY ISSUE.

LASTLY, COMMISSIONER MOODY, I KNOW YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT WHAT WAS BUDGETED AND WHAT WAS INITIALLY REQUESTED.

I KNOW I'VE MENTIONED THIS TO COMMISSIONERS BEFORE, BUT JUST TO REITERATE, FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE DID ASK FOR THE 2.265 AMOUNT BECAUSE WE SPENT THE 2.265 AMOUNT IN 2022.

THAT WAS NOT GIVEN.

INSTEAD IT WAS A 2.087 AMOUNT.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY WE'RE OVER AT THIS POINT.

>> SORRY, COULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> YES. WE HAD INITIALLY REQUESTED 2.265 DD GARCIA HAD REQUESTED THAT AND HER MEETINGS WITH BUDGET BASED ON OUR PROJECTIONS FROM LAST FISCAL YEAR AND SEEING THAT WE WERE STARTING TO TRACK PRE-PANDEMIC NUMBERS.

THAT WAS THE REQUESTS TO BUDGET.

THAT WAS NOT WHAT WAS GIVEN.

INSTEAD, THE AMOUNT WAS GIVEN OF 2.087 MILLION.

THE ACTUAL AMOUNT IS 2087,755.

THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY WE'RE HERE LAST MONTH.

WE HAD TO ASK FOR THE TRANSFER.

WE'RE HAVING TO DO THAT THIS MONTH AS WELL.

>> YOU'RE SAYING YOU WERE SET UP TO OVERSTEP BASICALLY, [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE, YOU DIDN'T MAKE THAT PROJECTION.

TYPICALLY IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHEN SOMEONE IS DOING BUDGET, THEY EXPENDED, AND THOSE BUDGET PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE OR AT LEAST FOUNDED ON WHAT THEY EXPENDED.

NOW, PEOPLE CAN PLAY IN THAT SYSTEM, BUT IN THIS CASE, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ROOM TO PLAY?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO BE MORE RESPECTFUL OF THE JUDGES AND THEIR STAFF, WHEN THEY'RE MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS SO THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY'RE OVER BUDGET.

WE DON'T WANT TO SET YOU UP FOR FAILURE.

WE SHOULD BE YOUR PARTNER.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

THE LAST THING I KNOW, JUDGE SAKAI, YOU'RE GOING TO ASK ME THIS.

"WHO IS PROCESSING OUR VOUCHERS, THE AUDITING THAT'S GOING DONE WITH THAT"

>> EXACTLY.

>> AT THIS POINT, IT'S THE MAC.

WHEN THE FEE SCHEDULE CHANGE IN MAY,1ST OF THIS YEAR, THAT'S WHEN WE START TO INTRODUCE AN HOURLY BILLING.

HISTORICALLY, IT WAS ALLOWED AND VERY LIMITED CASES, BUT YOU DIDN'T REALLY SEE THAT ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT WAS MAINLY THE FLAT FEE VOUCHERS THAT WERE BEING PRESENTED TO THE JUDGES FOR SIGNATURE.

NOW WE HAVE THE HYBRID OF FLAT FEET AND HOURLY CASES.

HOURLY CASES ARE SOLELY FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE AND DWI CASES, AND THEY DO HAVE A CAP.

THE JUDGES HAVE REQUESTED THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE THE OFFENSE DATE IS TRACKING WHETHER IT'S THE NEW FEE SCHEDULE OR THE OLD FEE SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT'S BEING DONE IN THE APPROPRIATE FEE IS BEING PAID DEPENDENT ON THE OFFENSE DATE, AND OBVIOUSLY THAT THEY'RE REVIEWING THOSE VOUCHERS WITH THE FINE TOOTH COMB, JIM FESCUE WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER TO EXPLAIN TO YOU EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THE MAC IS DOING ON THEIR END, BUT THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO PRESENT TO YOU ALL HERE TODAY.

>> IN MY COMMENT THERE IS, I WANT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABLE.

I THINK THAT'S A FURTHER DISCUSSION OR FURTHER REVIEW.

TECHNICALLY, WE'VE HEARD THE DISTRICT COURTS IN CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS IN JUVENILE.

[04:25:03]

THEY AUDIT, THOSE JUDGES SIT THERE BECAUSE THAT IS A LOAD.

I KNOW IT'S A LOAD, BUT THEY'RE DOING IT.

I'M LOOKING AT COUNTY COURTS.

>> I CAN ASK DIDI, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE EVER HAD ON REVIEW BOARD, HAVE WE FOR THEM? THE HOURLY BILLING IS NOT A NEW THING, IT'S NOT A FOREIGN THING.

I WANT TO SAY THAT ADMIN HAS DONE IT IN THE PAST.

THE JUDGES ARE NOT AGAINST, CREATING A COMMITTEE OR DOING WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE.

BUT JUST SO THAT YOU'RE MINDFUL, JUDGE SAKAI, WHEN THE MAC WAS PRESENTED TO THE JUDGES, INITIALLY, THAT WAS PART OF THE DIALOGUE THAT THEY WOULD TAKE OVER THE VOUCHER PROCESS.

>> WELL.

>> OBVIOUSLY NOW WE'RE WE'RE BACKTRACKING ON THAT AND IF IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS WILL DEFINITELY DO THAT, BUT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THE JUDGES ARE AGAINST.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US INITIALLY.

>> LET ME CLEAR IT UP. IT'S NOT BACKTRACKING.

YOU HAVE A NEW COUNTY JUDGE.

I DON'T KNOW, I'LL LET THE COMMISSIONER COURT TO SPEAK FOR ITSELF, BUT I'M JUST EXPRESSING MY PERSONAL OPINION AND I'LL BE ASKING THESE QUESTIONS AGAIN.

I THINK THE OTHER COURTS, IF THEY SUBMIT THEIR REPORTS AND THERE'S CONVERSATIONS AND THE BUDGET OFFICE AND THE BUDGET ANALYSTS ARE TOTALLY UP TO SPEED.

I DON'T NEED THIS TYPE OF PRESENTATION AGAIN, BUT I'LL BE ASKING WHO'S AUDITING.

I'LL LET YOU ALL. I'LL BE HONEST.

I'M NOT TRYING TO TELL YOU, ESPECIALLY FROM A SEPARATION OF GOVERNMENT, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH DOES UNTIL THE JUDICIAL BRANCH WHAT TO DO.

THAT'S WHY I REALLY DON'T THINK THE QUESTION IS APPROPRIATE.

WELL, TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

YOU DO IT, AND THEN I'LL JUST TELL YOU WHETHER THAT SATISFIES MY QUESTION, AND ULTIMATELY I'M GOING TO ASK BUDGET.

THAT'S THE CONVERSATION THAT I'M GOING TO PUT ON Y'ALL.

>> ANY QUESTIONS?JUDGE MOODY

>> NO, NOT ME.

>> [LAUGHTER] THAT WAS A LITTLE FRAUD IN THERE.

COMMISSIONER MOODY.

>> I'LL BE REALLY BRIEF, LOOKING AT THE AVERAGE PAYMENT PER VOUCHER TO ME THAT SAYS IT'S BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT.

IF THAT DATA IS ACCURATE, I WOULD RULE THAT OUT AS THE DRIVER.

BUT IF I'M LOOKING AT COUNTY STAFF DATA, THAT SAYS DISPOSED OF 31,000 CASES IN 21-22 TO 32,000 22- 23, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ADDITIONAL CASELOAD.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT DATA IS CORRECT AS WELL, THEN OUR THEIR IS MORE CASES WITH VOUCHERS.

I'M JUST TRYING TO USE THE LIMITED DATA THAT I'VE SEEN COMING FROM STAFF AND FROM YOU TODAY, AND AGAIN, TRYING TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND LIKE WHAT'S ACTUALLY DRIVING THE VARIANCES.

>> I DON'T HAVE THAT. I'M NOT SURE COMMISSIONER MOODY DATA YOU'RE REFERENCING FROM [BACKGROUND] THE ONLY THING I CAN ATTRIBUTE THAT TO AS FAR AS THE DISPOSITION GOES, I KNOW WE'VE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED THE FAMILY VIOLENCE CASES THAT WE'VE SEEN A SPIKE AND THE INCREASE IN THOSE DUE TO THE IMPACT COURTS AND THAT HAS CREATED ADDITIONAL DISPOSITIONS THAT WE DON'T FORESEE TRACKING IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE BY SHEER NUMBER, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS CONTINUING.

WE'RE SEEING AS IT STANDS, WHILE THE AVERAGE ACTIVE CASELOAD IS ROUGHLY SIMILAR TO FISCAL YEAR 18, 19, THE NEW CASES BEING FILED OR GOING DOWN.

THAT MIGHT ALSO BE PART OF THE REASON WE'RE SEEING MAYBE LESS DISPOSITIONS IN THAT REGARD.

BASED ON THE DATA I'M LOOKING HERE FROM FISCAL YEAR 18, 19, AND ALL THE WAY UP TO 22- 23.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION, BUT IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT VARIES WITH RESPECT TO OUR DATA, WE CAN DEFINITELY SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS THAT.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, BUT I THINK IT ALSO GOES BACK TO JUDGE SAKAI'S POINT WITH ODYSSEY.

WE WERE COMPILING THIS DATA BASED ON THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE IN HOUSE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO DIFFER.

MAYBE PEOPLE ARE PULLING FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE HOW TO ANSWER THAT FOR YOU.

>> NO. I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'M JUST TRYING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND IT.

I DO THINK IT'S A JUDGE'S POINT AND SOME OF THE POINTS I'VE MADE, I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT IN THE FUTURE THAT WE ENSURE THAT WE'RE ALL SPEAKING FROM THE SAME SHEET OF MUSIC WHEN IT COMES TO COUNTY STAFF AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE COURTS.

WE START THIS PROCESS EARLIER IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE REQUEST IS AND WHAT THE DRIVERS ARE OF IT.

IT'S NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY ONE SET OF COURTS,

[04:30:01]

BUT THROUGHOUT HERE THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD DATA, A LOT FURTHER THAN WE WERE TWO WEEKS AGO.

BUT I CAN'T POINT TO THE COST DRIVERS TODAY STILL FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE COURTS.

THAT'S JUST WHERE WE STAND.

BUT ANYWAY, I APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME AND I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT EXERCISE, BUT WE'LL KEEP WORKING ON IT.

>> THANK YOU. JUDGE SOSA YOU HAVE RETURNED, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO SAY? YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A PRESENTATION, YOU ARE HERE AND YOU GOT TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION SO WE DON'T NEED TO REPEAT IT, BUT IF YOU WANT TO, WE CAN.

>> JUST, MS. ANGELINI DID A REPORT THAT SHOULD BE PASSED OUT TO ALL OF YOU.

CONCERNING THE QUESTION ABOUT BUDGET, EVERY YEAR, MS. ANGELINI, WHO IS OUR COURT ADMINISTRATOR, REQUEST $250,000 FOR OUR BUDGET.

AS YOU CAN SEE HERE.

SOMETIMES WE ARE BUDGETED EVERYTHING THAT WE ASKED FOR AND OTHER TIMES WE HAVE NOT BEEN.

IN PARTICULAR, AS I STATED THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE TWO WEEKS AGO, THE REASON WE ARE OVER BUDGET IS MY COURT.

MY COURT IN PARTICULAR IS FAR OVER BUDGET AND PART OF THAT WAS I WAS PAYING VOUCHERS THAT WERE NOT PAID LAST YEAR.

AS YOU ALL CAN SEE, LAST YEAR, THERE WERE $729,000 BUDGETED AND WE ONLY EXPANDED 212,690.

THERE WAS A LOT OF MONEY THAT WAS GIVEN BACK TO THE COUNTY FROM JUVENILE OR JUST NOT SPENT.

THIS YEAR WE WERE BUDGETED 505,000, JUST UNDER 506,000.

THROUGH MAY, WE HAD SPENT ALMOST $445,000.

PART OF THAT WAS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE VOUCHERS THAT WERE BEING PAID OR BEING PAID FROM LAST YEAR.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I'VE HEARD TODAY AS I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE IS THERE'S SOME STATS I'M UNAWARE OF CONCERNING CASES DISPOSE VERSUS WHAT THE DRIVERS ARE DRIVING UP COSTS.

BECAUSE THE CASE WAS DISPOSED OF IN 2022 DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT WAS PAID FOR.

THE STATUTE WE WILL HAVE FOR JUVENILE, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY CASES DISPOSE OF LAST YEAR, BUT CLEARLY, THEY WEREN'T PAID FOR LAST YEAR BASED ON THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE, SO THEY'RE BEING PAID FOR A LOT THIS YEAR.

THAT COULD BE PART OF THE CAUSE, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE OTHER COURTS, BUT THAT MAY BE SOMETHING JUDGE VAR DID MENTION THAT THE COUNTY COURTS HAVE NOW REDUCED THEIR TIME TO TURN VOUCHERS AND FROM A YEAR TO 180 DAYS.

THAT MIGHT BE SOME OF THE ISSUES CONCERNING THE MONETARY DIFFERENTIATION.

ON THE SECOND PAGE THAT MS. ANGELINI PROVIDED FOR YOU ALL, SHE PROVIDED SOME OF THE PRE PANDEMIC STATS VERSUS OUR CURRENT STATS.

WE ARE ON TRACK ESSENTIALLY TO BE EXACTLY WHERE WE WERE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE COURTS, THE TRIALS THAT ARE LISTED, ALL THREE COURTS HAVE DONE THREE CASES PER COURT.

THOSE ARE CASES THAT HAVE GONE TO VERDICT AS THE OTHER JUDGES HAVE STATED, A LOT OF TIMES CASES ARE SET FOR TRIAL.

THEY WERE EITHER WORKED OUT BEFORE TRIAL AND ACTUALLY DON'T GO TO VERDICT.

THERE IS A ANNOTATION HERE FOR THE AVERAGE VOUCHER.

AS I STATED TWO WEEKS AGO, PROBABLY 90-95% OF THE VOUCHERS THAT COME INTO JUVENILE ARE FLAT FEE VOUCHERS.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF QUESTION ABOUT THE AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR ATTORNEYS.

THE MAJORITY ALMOST ALL OF THE VOUCHERS ARE FLAT FEE VOUCHERS.

HERE, MS. ANGELINI PUT DOWN OUR AVERAGE VOUCHER IS $261.

THE AVERAGE CASE COSTS $309.

SHE GOT THAT STAT FROM THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

THAT JUST SHOWS THAT SOME OF THE CASES ARE HIGHER.

PART OF THE DIFFERENTIATION, MAYBE, AS HAS BEEN STATED, THE NUMBER OF TIMES AN ATTORNEY HAS TO APPEAR.

IN JUVENILE IF A CHILD IS DETAINED, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A DETENTION HEARING EVERY 10 WORKING DAYS, WHICH COMES OUT TO EVERY TWO WEEKS.

EVERY 10 WORKING DAYS, EVERY 14 DAYS ESSENTIALLY, IN ACTUAL TIME, WE HAVE TO HAVE A DETENTION HEARING.

YOU MAY HAVE A CASE THAT'S A FIRST-DEGREE FELONY WHERE THE PERSON IS IN DETENTION FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND ALL THE PARTIES HAVE TO COME BEFORE THE COURT EVERY TWO WEEKS TO HAVE A DETENTION HEARING.

WE HAVE TO PAY THOSE ATTORNEYS FOR THOSE DETENTION HEARINGS.

THAT MAY BE WHERE THE DIFFERENTIATION IS.

THERE'S A FLAT FEE FOR THE CASE ITSELF, BUT IF AN ATTORNEY COMES IN FOR A DETENTION HEARING, THEN THEY ARE ALSO PAID FOR THAT DETENTION HEARING, AND SO THAT MAY BE WHERE THE VARIATION COMES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS YOU ALL MAY HAVE.

IF I'VE MISSED ANYTHING, I KNOW THIS WAS A QUICK ONE, BUT SINCE I SAW YOU TWO WEEKS AGO, YOU PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO SEE ME MUCH LONGER.

>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT. YOU SAID YOUR FEE SCHEDULE IS ALL FLAT FEE OR IS THERE AN HOURLY ON IT?

>> NO. THE MAJORITY OF THE VOUCHERS THAT COME IN, THEY'RE MUCH LIKE THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS, THERE'S A FLAT FEE AMOUNT OR THERE IS AN HOURLY AMOUNT.

IF YOU DO AN HOURLY MOUNT THE ITEMIZATION, THEN YOU DON'T GET THE FLAT FEE AMOUNT.

THERE'S BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE IS CONCERNING AUDITING.

JUDGMENT HELPS, CORRECT.

THERE'S A THREE-STEP PROCESS, REALLY, I WOULD SAY THERE'S PROBABLY A FOUR-STEP PROCESS BECAUSE THE VOUCHERS ARE TURNED IN JUVENILE AND PARTICULAR TO THE COURT COORDINATORS.

OUR COORDINATORS GO OVER THOSE VOUCHERS TO VERIFY CASE NUMBERS, DATES OF DETENTION HEARINGS, DATE OF DISPOSITION, THEN THEY'RE PASSED ON TO THE JUDGES.

[04:35:02]

THE JUDGES EACH REVIEW THEM.

IF IT'S A LARGE VOUCHER THAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ITEMIZED OR THE HOURLY SERVICES, WE CAN SEND THAT TO THE VOUCHER COMMITTEE AND THEN THEY'RE ALSO, AGAIN LOOKED AT BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. IT'S REALLY FOUR STEPS.

>> I'M ASSUMING THAT THE RD RATE FEE IS CONSISTENT AMONG ALL THE COURT SYSTEMS. DO WE HAVE IT NOW CONSISTENCY?

>> THEY ARE CONSISTENT AMONGST ALL THE COURTS AT THIS POINT.

>> I DON'T WANT ANYBODY SAYING THAT JUVENILE COURT PAY SO MUCH LESS.

>> WELL, I WILL SAY THEY WILL BE EFFECTIVE AS OF BUDGET OCTOBER 1ST.

WE DID NOT RAISE OUR MISDEMEANOR RIGHTS UNTIL THE BUDGET STARTS ON OCTOBER 1ST.

THE MISDEMEANOR RATES ARE NOT CURRENTLY EXACTLY HERE BUT. [OVERLAPPING]

>> WE MAY SEE SOMETHING, JUST LET US KNOW AND GIVE US A FISCAL NOTE.

>> YES. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> THE ONLY THING I WANT TO SAY FOR WISDOM OF THE AGES IS WE'VE TAKEN ABOUT HOUR-AND-A-HALF TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS, WHICH YOU CAN NEVER GET AN A NEWS REPORT IN TWO MINUTES AND 20 SECONDS, AS SOMEONE WHO IS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF OUR NEWS ENTITY, I APPRECIATE THE THOROUGHNESS OF THESE MEETINGS AND EXPECT THAT IN THE FUTURE WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AS PARTNERS IN GOVERNMENT AS YOU ARE DOING EVEN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AS LONG OF A SESSION ON THIS.

BUT IT'S ALL HEALTHY, IT'S ALL GOOD, IT'S JUST A LEARNING PROCESS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

ALL THE JUDGES THANK YOU, JUDGE VAR FOR COMING AS WELL.

> YES SIR.

>> WELL, IS THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? I BELIEVE ALL THE COURTS SYSTEMS HAVE ADVISED THE COURT.

LET ME TAKE COMMISSIONER CALVERT, COMMENT ABOUT WHAT THE MEDIA SAYS AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR PRESS RELEASE.

THIS CONVERSATION, THIS PRESENTATION VALIDATES THE HARD WORK OF THE BEXAR COUNTY JUDGES.

I WANT TO APPLAUD THEM AND ASK FOR THE REMAINING PEOPLE HERE, LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE?

>> SO MOVED?

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT?

>> SECOND. BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.

AYE. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIES. THANK YOU, JUDGES.

I BELIEVE WE'RE ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION,

[EXECUTIVE SESSION (DISCUSSION ONLY: CLOSED TO PUBLIC)]

BUT I DON'T BELIEVE WE'RE TAKING ANY ACTION ITEMS, SO I JUST NOTIFIED WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEN WHEN WE COME OUT, WE WILL THEN MOVE TO ADJOURN, CORRECT, MR. ROBERTSON?

>> ONE ITEM AND THEN ADJOURNMENT

>> WE'LL TAKE UP ONE ITEM AFTER THAT AND THAT PRETTY MUCH CONCLUDES OUR MEETING FOR TODAY.

TIME IS 1:39, WE'LL MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> WE'RE BACK? WE'RE READY TO GO.

THE COURT MET AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE

[69. Discussion and appropriate action regarding a settlement offer in the matter of Derina Williams and Larry Horn v. Bexar County and Northside Independent School District. (Estimated Presentation Time: 10 minutes)]

DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION RELATING TO PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR SETTLEMENT OFFERS IN THE MATTERS OF FONSECA V. BEXAR COUNTY, DIGITAL DESK VERSUS R GREG COLEMAN VERSUS BEXAR COUNTY, ET AL, AND DERINA WILLIAMS AND LARRY HORN V. BEXAR COUNTY, ET AL.

MR. ROBINSON I BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ACTION ON WHICH MATTER?

>> ON 69, JUDGE.

DURING EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONERS MET AND CONSIDERED THE MATTER OF DERINA WILLIAMS AND LARRY HORN V. BEXAR COUNTY AND NORTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND AUTHORIZED SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000.

>> MOVED.

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

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?