Feb 20, 2024 Commissioners Court

LET'S HAVE A SUCCESSFUL GOLF TOURNAMENT AND BRING THE MONEY IN FOR THE CHARITIES.

GOOD LUCK. CARRY ON.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO VALERO AS AS A VERY SUPPORTIVE CORPORATE PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY.

THINK WE'LL RUN A LITTLE EARLY, OKAY.

[00:50:08]

IS THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? WE HAVE A TIME CERTAIN FOR TEN WITH THE DA'S OFFICE, BUT I SEE MR. GONZALES. HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S READY TO GO.

IS THERE. IS THERE ANYBODY SIGNED UP ON THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM? ELIZABETH. ELIZABETH.

NO, SHE'S LOOKING ALL RIGHT.

THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS, MR. GONZALES. WE'LL TAKE UP PRESENTATION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROCESS OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HIGH RISK INTAKE TEAM, WHICH WAS CREATED TO IDENTIFY HIGH

[4.c. 10:00 a.m.: Presentation and discussion regarding the progress of the District Attorney's High Risk Intake Team which was created to identify high risk criminal cases and reduce the Intake Division's backlog.]

RISK CRIMINAL CASES AND REDUCE THE INTAKE DIVISION'S BACKLOG.

MR. GONZALES.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAKAI, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

AND AS WE SAY IN MY OFFICE, THE STATE IS READY AND WE ARE READY TO PROCEED THIS MORNING.

JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TO ADDRESS THIS COURT ON THE HIGH RISK REDUCTION PLAN.

I WILL TELL THE COURT THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN 20 MINUTES ALLOTTED FOR THIS, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I'LL NEED THE ENTIRE 20 MINUTES, SO HOPEFULLY I'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU SOME OF THAT TIME BACK.

BUT, WHAT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO IS TO REFER TO THE POWERPOINT THAT'S UP ON THE, THE, THE WALL.

BUT BEFORE I BEGIN, LET ME JUST REMIND THE COURT THAT AS A RESULT OF THE THE SHOOTINGS THAT WE SAW IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, WERE SEVERAL OFFICERS WERE INJURED.

THERE WAS A CONCERN AMONG MANY OF US ABOUT, AREAS WHERE WE COULD IMPROVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

AND, A COUPLE OF OF POSITIVE INITIATIVES CAME OUT OF THAT.

ONE IS THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, LED BY JUDGE SAKAI ON THE COUNTY SIDE, WHO'S BEEN DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

JUDGE. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ IS ALSO A PART OF THE, THE CITY COUNTY COLLABORATIVE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, AND BY THE WAY, MUCH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.

WE HAVE NOW, FORMULATED A PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THIS YEAR.

ANOTHER AREA THAT WE WERE FOCUSING ON OR WE HAD FOCUSED ON IS OUR INTAKE BACKLOG THAT WAS PRESENT IN THE DA'S OFFICE.

WE CAME TO YOU IN NOVEMBER ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO MOVE, TO MOVE AROUND SOME SOME BUDGET FUNDS THAT WE'RE ALREADY ALLOCATED TO THE OFFICE IN ORDER TO, TO CREATE WHAT WE HAVE CALLED THE HIGH RISK FELONY BACKLOG REDUCTION PLAN. I'M GOING TO TRY AND SEE GOOD WORKS.

ALL RIGHT. SO, I'M HERE.

I PROMISED THAT I WAS AS SOON AS I, RECEIVED SOME CONCRETE METRICS THAT I WAS GOING TO COME BACK AND REPORT TO YOU.

AND SO AFTER TWO AND A HALF MONTHS, WE NOW HAVE SOME METRICS THAT WE CAN, PRESENT TO YOU.

AND THAT'S WHY I AM HERE.

AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION THAT OCCURRED IN LATE SUMMER.

WE ASKED AND APPROVED FUNDING OR WAS APPROVED FUNDING BY THIS COURT FOR THE CREATION OF THE HIGH RISK INTAKE TEAM.

THE PLANNING FOR THAT INITIATIVE BEGAN IMMEDIATELY, AND WE BEGAN IMPLEMENTATION LATE NOVEMBER AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS. AND I REFERENCED HOLIDAYS BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT IN A MINUTE.

AFTER THANKSGIVING AND IN THE EARLY PART OF DECEMBER, WE MET WITH PROSECUTORS THAT WERE ELIGIBLE TO REVIEW CASES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.

THAT MEANS, IN ORDER TO HELP REDUCE THE BACKLOG, PROSECUTORS WOULD BE, WILLING TO WORK, BESIDES THEIR THEIR OWN CASELOAD, THAT THEY DEALT WITH IN COURT AFTER HOURS AND ON WEEKENDS.

SO 45 PROSECUTORS STEPPED FORWARD.

THEY PICKED UP YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE 1311 FILES AND BEGAN REVIEWING THEM.

THOSE 45 PROSECUTORS HAVE NOW SPENT IN ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS, CLOSE TO 900 HOURS, 895 HOURS, REDUCING THE BACKLOG. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS COURT HAD APPROVED FUNDING OF 298,428.

SO FAR, WE HAVE USED 38,134.

OR ABOUT 12% OF THE MONEY THAT'S ALLOCATED.

AND AGAIN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMIND THIS COURT THAT THIS WAS MONEY THAT WAS ALREADY BUDGETED TO THE DA'S OFFICE.

[00:55:03]

SO WE DIDN'T COME HERE ASKING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

THOSE ARE MONEY THAT WAS ALREADY ALLOCATED OF THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE BY OUR PROSECUTORS.

774 CASES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY OUR ATTORNEYS.

OF THAT, 774, 589 CASES HAVE EITHER BEEN INDICTED, REJECTED OR PLED.

AND THE QUESTION MAY BE, WELL, WHAT WHAT WHAT IS THE STATUS WITH THE WITH THE DIFFERENCE? SOME CASES ARE WAITING, EVIDENCE.

THEY'RE AWAITING LAB RESULTS.

THEY'RE WAITING. OTHER INFORMATION THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO TO PROCEED.

THE LAST BULLET POINT THERE TALKS ABOUT THE MOST COMMON OFFENSES.

AND THEY ARE FELON IN POSSESSION.

THESE ARE FELONY ASSAULTS.

WHEN YOU SEE THE WORD ASSAULTS OUT THERE AND DRUG OFFENSES, KEEP IN MIND THIS WAS A FOCUS ON HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS.

AND SO THESE CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES IDENTIFY PERPETRATORS THAT HAVE A CRIMINAL HISTORY.

AND IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE PAST.

IF WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, BY THE WAY, I HAVE DIFFERENT SLIDES HERE THAT EXPRESS, OUR PROGRESS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

HERE YOU CAN SEE THE THE PROGRESS, IN TERMS OF THE, THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT WE HAVE, REVIEWED AND THEREBY ELIMINATED THE BACKLOG.

WHEN WE FIRST STARTED IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR, WE HAD A BACKLOG OF 6630 CASES AS OF FEBRUARY 11TH.

THAT IS, EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE BACKLOG HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 11% TO 5647 CASES, OR A DIFFERENCE OF 683 CASES.

AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS EXTRA WORK THAT OUR PROSECUTORS ARE DOING BEYOND THEIR NORMAL, RESPONSIBILITY IN THE OFFICE.

THIS SLIDE DEMONSTRATES THE FELONY CASES THAT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY OUR OFFICE.

IF YOU WERE TO TAKE A SNAPSHOT IN TIME OF ABOUT A SIX WEEK PERIOD, YOU CAN SEE THE PROGRESS THAT THAT WE MADE IN THIS YEAR VERSUS LAST YEAR.

THAT IS TO SAY, IF YOU LOOKED AT JANUARY 1ST TO FEBRUARY 9TH OF OF 2023, WE REVIEWED 2223.

THAT SAME SNAPSHOT THIS YEAR SAW AN INCREASE OF 50% TO 3334.

ALL THAT TO SAY THAT THIS HIGH RISK INITIATIVE HAS MADE A BIG, BIG DIFFERENCE BECAUSE WE HAVE NOW INCREASED THE NUMBER OF FELONY ACCUSED, I'M SORRY, FELONY CASES THAT HAVE WE'VE REVIEWED BY THAT 50%.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE NOW HAD AN INCREASE IN INDICTMENTS.

REMEMBER THAT I MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.

THERE WAS A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE GRAND JURIES, BECAUSE OF THE CHRISTMAS BREAK AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO, PRESENT ANY CASES TO, TO THE GRAND JURY, FOR THEM TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO TRUE BILL OR NO BILL, A FELONY.

SO THIS WORK BEGAN IN EARNEST JANUARY 1ST.

SO WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT FROM JANUARY 1ST UNTIL FEBRUARY 15TH, BUT AGAIN DURING THAT SAME TIME PERIOD, IF YOU COMPARE THE WORK THAT WE DID LAST YEAR VERSUS THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME SIX WEEK PERIOD.

IT HAS RESULTED IN A 74% INCREASE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF CASES THAT AS A RESULT OF THE HARD WORK OF OUR STAFF WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK, WE HAVE NOW HAD THE GRAND JURY INDICT 950 MORE, DEFENDANTS AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.

SOME OF YOU MAY BE THINKING, WELL, DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU NOW HAVE, MORE OF AN OVERLOAD FOR THE COURTS? AND IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE COURTS CAN HANDLE? THIS, SLIDE SHOWS THAT WHILE THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE, IT'S BEEN MINIMAL.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF CASES FROM SEPTEMBER 23RD, IT SAYS.

4465. THEN YOU LOOK AT DECEMBER 23RD, 4548 AND AGAIN THIS MONTH, 4802.

SO THE INCREASE HAS ONLY RISEN BY 5%.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE TOTAL OVERALL PICTURE.

WE CERTAINLY HAVE, IMPROVED THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES AWAITING TRIAL.

THIS GRAPH DEMONSTRATES THE CASES THAT HAD BEEN HAVE BEEN WAITING TRIAL, TRIAL SINCE JANUARY 22ND.

IF YOU GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 22ND, YOU CAN SEE THAT OVER 9000 CASES WERE AWAITING TRIAL.

WE ARE NOW TO THE POINT THAT WE HAVE REDUCED IT SUBSTANTIALLY TO NOW WE ONLY HAVE 4800 OR SO CASES AWAITING TRIAL.

[01:00:11]

SO TO RECAP.

THIS INITIATIVE HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS.

IT HAS REDUCED THE BACKLOG BY 11%, EVEN THOUGH, AS I MENTIONED, WE HAD NO GRAND JURIES DURING THE HOLIDAY BREAK AND WE REALLY DIDN'T START THIS WORK UNTIL JANUARY 1ST.

THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT HAVE WE BEEN ABLE TO REVIEW THESE ARE FELONY CASES HAS AGAIN INCREASED BY 50%.

THE INFLUX OF THESE CASES INTO THE DISTRICT COURTS HAS HAD A MINIMAL IMPACT ON THE COURT'S OVERALL DOCKET SIZES.

AND AGAIN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SOME OF THESE CASES ARE AWAITING LAB REPORTS OR OTHER EVIDENCE THAT ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO GO FORWARD WITH AN INDICTMENT.

I WILL ALSO MENTION THAT ALL THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE, EVEN THOUGH WE STILL SEE STAFFING SHORTAGES, ALTHOUGH EVEN THAT, I WILL SAY HAS IMPROVED FROM LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE THE GRACIOUS, VOTE AND HELP FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVING THE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS.

WE'VE SEEN A REDUCTION IN PEOPLE LEAVING THE OFFICE.

AND SO BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE WORK IN THIS INITIATIVE.

45 OF THESE PROSECUTORS WHO DID SIGN UP FOR THE OVERTIME WORK ARE ALSO WORKING ON CHARGING LANGUAGE, GETTING READY FOR THE ODYSSEY THAT IS SET TO, TO GO LIVE LATER THIS SUMMER.

ALL THAT TO SAY THAT THE BACKLOG REDUCTION HAS BEEN A A HUGE SUCCESS, AND IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HARD WORK OF OUR PROSECUTORS, BUT LIKEWISE, COMMISSIONERS, THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE GRATEFUL, HELP THAT YOU ALL HAVE GIVEN US.

AND AND ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY AND DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE, ENSURING THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS PROJECT.

AND I'M READY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANY OF YOU MAY HAVE.

ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

MR. MOODY. WELL, THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THANK YOU, D.A. GONZALES, FOR PRESENTING THIS.

THE REPORTING AND DATA LOOKS.

LOOKS PROMISING.

LOOKS LIKE WE'VE MADE MADE SOME PROGRESS IN TERMS OF REDUCING THE BACKLOG.

CAN YOU HELP ME WITH.

YOU KNOW WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.

DO YOU CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, SHOULD WE EXPECT LIKE A STRAIGHT LINE KIND OF DECREASE IN THE BACKLOG OR HAVE WE KIND OF WORKED THROUGH THE LOW HANGING FRUIT, EASIER CASES AND IT'S GOING TO BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO WORK THROUGH ADDITIONAL CASES GOING FORWARD.

I THINK WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE THE SAME PROGRESS THAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THOSE CASES THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PREPARE FOR A PRESENTATION TO A GRAND JURY AND INDICT QUICKER.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT CASES WHERE WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT, HEY, CRIMINAL HISTORY, BUT LIKEWISE, WE ARE ALSO, MOVING TOWARD INDICTING CASES WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE CHARGED WITH MURDER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, AGGRAVATED ROBBERY AT A QUICKER PACE BECAUSE OF THIS INITIATIVE.

SO WE CAN EXPECT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME AND PERHAPS, INCREASE SOME AS WE GET CLOSER TO, TO, WORKING OUT THE KINKS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING IN OUR PROGRESS.

OKAY. AND CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE MIX OF INDICTMENTS, REJECTED, PLED CASES WITHIN THE BACKLOG THAT YOU'RE WORKING THROUGH VERSUS YOUR STANDARD OFFICE MIX? OBVIOUSLY THE THE CONCERN WOULD BE THAT THAT WE'RE STILL PUTTING THE SAME AMOUNT OF FOCUS AND MAKING SURE WE'RE WE'RE INDICTING THE SAME TYPE OF CASES WITHIN THE BACKLOG AS WE ARE IN OUR GENERAL DAY TO DAY BUSINESS.

WE HAVE PROSECUTORS THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO THE INTAKE DIVISION.

WE HAVE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS, AS I MENTIONED, AS A RESULT OF OUR, INITIATIVE OR COLLABORATION.

ONE OF THOSE IS, IS WE'VE, ASSIGNED VETERAN PROSECUTORS TO THE MORE SERIOUS CASES, THE ONES INVOLVING VIOLENT CRIME.

WE'VE ALSO PUT MORE HANDS ON THE CASES THAT WE HAVE, ON OUR BACKLOG BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTORS.

WE ACTUALLY MOVED, THIRD CHAIR PROSECUTORS THAT WERE ASSIGNED TO COURTS INTO THE INTAKE DIVISION.

SO SO WE'RE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF CASES THAT WE ARE REVIEWING, BUT THAT'S THE NORMAL WORKLOAD THAT A, THAT A PROSECUTOR THAT'S ASSIGNED TO THE

[01:05:05]

INTAKE DIVISION HAS.

THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THAT, THIS IS PEOPLE DOING EXTRA WORK ON THEIR OWN TIME AFTER HOURS ON THE WEEKENDS.

AND SO THAT IS, IS MAKING A A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF REDUCING THE OVERALL PICTURE OF THE BACKLOG THAT WE HAVE IN THE OFFICE.

KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS THIS INITIATIVE WAS ABOUT HIGH RISK INTAKE, LOOKING AT AT CASES WHERE, DEFENDANTS HAD ANY, ANY CRIMINAL HISTORY THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, FELON IN POSSESSION BY DEFINITION, THAT'S SOMEONE WHO'S A REPEAT OFFENDER, RIGHT? HE'S GOT A A PRIOR CONVICTION, IS ARRESTED FOR HAVING A WEAPON IN HIS POSSESSION, AND WE CAN INDICT HIM FOR THAT OFFENSE.

SO YES, WE ARE FOCUSING ON ON VIOLENT OFFENSES.

WE'RE FOCUSING ON DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

NO. APPRECIATE THAT.

SO THE THE MIX OF THOSE INDICTED WITHIN THOSE BACKLOG CASES YOU'RE WORKING THROUGH ARE.

YOU KNOW, CONSISTENT OR BETTER THAN YOUR DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS, IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

YES, THEY'RE BETTER IN THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOW PUTTING MORE HANDS AND MORE EYES ON THE VIOLENT CRIMES AND THE REPEAT OFFENDERS.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT THAT IN THAT SENSE IT HAS IMPROVED.

OKAY. OBVIOUSLY THE CONCERN IS JUST THAT IF WE'RE TRYING IF THERE'S PRESSURE, TO GET THROUGH A BACKLOG, THAT WE'RE NOT JUST RUSHING THROUGH AND NOT ACTUALLY PURSUING THE CASES THAT NEED TO BE PURSUED THERE.

AND THAT'S THAT'S MY MY COMMENT ON THAT FRONT.

AND I WILL SAY THAT, COMMISSIONER, THAT'S A VERY VALID POINT.

AND THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THIS CORRECTLY.

THAT'S WHY IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

IF THIS WAS A AN INITIATIVE THAT WE WANTED TO KNOCK THIS BACKLOG OFF IN TWO MONTHS, THEN YEAH, THEN WE'D BE RUSHING TO GET EVERYTHING INDICTED.

BUT WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

WE WANT TO TAKE CARE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO TO ADEQUATELY, OR COMPETENTLY INDICT THESE CASES.

AND WE CAN PREPARE TO GO TO TRIAL AND OBTAIN CONVICTIONS WHERE NECESSARY.

OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO ANY COMMUNICATIONS WITH THIRD PARTIES REGARDING THESE CASES? THERE'S BEEN SOME REPORTING LOCALLY ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE REND COLLECTIVE AND OTHER GROUPS.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT AND, AND MAKE CLEAR WHETHER THIRD PARTY GROUPS ARE IMPACTING CHARGING DECISIONS HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY? COMMISSIONER, I DON'T WANT TO VIOLATE THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S A REQUIREMENT THAT WE STAY ON TOPIC THAT'S LISTED ON THE AGENDA.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU AND I WILL TELL THE THIS ENTIRE COURT THAT NOBODY MAKES DECISIONS OUTSIDE MY OFFICE.

I AM THE ONE THAT MAKES THOSE ULTIMATE DECISIONS.

NOBODY HAS ANY INFLUENCE OTHER THAN THAN, HAVING HAD SOME, MESSAGING, RECOMMENDATIONS. BUT CHARGING DECISIONS SPECIFICALLY ARE MADE BY OUR OFFICE AND OUR INTAKE DIVISION AND MADE BY OUR CHIEFS OR MYSELF AND NO ONE OUTSIDE THIS OFFICE.

OKAY, WELL, I HOPE THAT'S THE CASE.

I JUST KNOW THAT THERE'S THERE'S BEEN CONCERNS RAISED BY FORMER PROSECUTORS.

ACTIVE JUDGES AROUND COMMUNICATIONS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE IN LINE, AND APPROPRIATE.

AND I THINK IT IT AFFECTS PUBLIC PERCEPTION WHEN IT COMES TO CHARGING DECISIONS.

IF THEY THINK IF THE PUBLIC BELIEVES THAT DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE OUTSIDE OF BEXAR COUNTY, THEN THAT'S A PROBLEM.

THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR OUR COUNTY.

THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR YOUR OFFICE.

AND WE NEED TO, AVOID THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY.

AT THE VERY LEAST, WOULDN'T YOU AGREE? I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M STANDING HERE TELLING YOU THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE IN THIS OFFICE IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.

EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE DONE HAS BEEN BASED ON MY BELIEF THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS DOING THE RIGHT THING.

NOBODY HAS HAD ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCE ON ANY CHARGING DECISIONS.

I UNDERSTAND THE PERCEPTION OUT THERE IS THAT THERE MAY BE, SOME INFLUENCE IN THAT NATURE, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT, THAT SOME OF THAT NARRATIVE IS NOT ACCURATE.

AND I'VE MADE AN EFFORT TO, TO CORRECT THAT NARRATIVE.

AND I'M HERE TO TELL THIS COURT THAT, THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND DO IT APPROPRIATELY.

ALL RIGHT. I'LL JUST SAY, FOR THE RECORD, AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, WHAT I HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS IS THAT THAT WE DON'T WANT, YOU KNOW, TO REIMAGINE CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

WE JUST WANT TO ENFORCE OUR LAWS AND HOLD CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE, MAKE SURE THAT WE REMOVE VIOLENT OFFENDERS FROM THE STREETS.

WE REMOVE REPEAT OFFENDERS FROM THE STREETS.

THAT IS THE FOCUS. THAT'S WHAT I HEAR TIME AND TIME AGAIN FROM COMMUNITIES, FROM HOAS, FROM CONCERNED CITIZENS.

AND I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT AND APPRECIATE IT.

YES, SIR, I DO. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

[01:10:02]

THANK YOU, MR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FOR THIS VERY PROMISING UPDATE, AND WE APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK THAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN THE OFFICE THERE.

MY QUESTION IS RELATED TO SOMETHING GERMANE, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THE HIGH RISK, FOLKS ARE ON ANKLE MONITORS.

I KNOW MOST OF THEM PROBABLY ARE IN JAIL, BUT SOME OF THEM MAY BE ON ANKLE MONITORS.

WE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH PEOPLE CUTTING ANKLE MONITORS.

CAN YOU UPDATE US ON WHAT IS THE, STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH THAT? WELL, IF I KNEW THAT THAT QUESTION WAS COMING, I WOULD HAVE MADE AN EFFORT TO TO GET A TOTAL NUMBER OF ANKLE MONITORS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT THAT OFTEN WHEN WE ARE REVIEWING CASES AT THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE, OUR PROSECUTORS RECOMMEND, SOME SORT OF MONITORING THROUGH THE GPS SYSTEM WHERE APPROPRIATE, ESPECIALLY WHERE IT INVOLVES A VIOLENT CRIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS, SUBSTANTIAL CRIMINAL WHERE THERE'S ANY CRIMINAL HISTORY. AND WE'RE CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VICTIM AND CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC.

BUT AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, THAT OUR JOB IS TO RECOMMEND, BONDS OR JOB IS TO RECOMMEND CONDITIONS OF BOND, INCLUDING THE USE OF THE MONITOR. BUT WE DON'T CONTROL HOW MANY OF THEM CAN ACTUALLY BE USED.

WE DON'T CONTROL HOW MANY OF THEM ACTUALLY ARE ORDERED.

THAT'S, WHOLLY WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE OF THE JUDGES.

BUT BUT WE OFTEN DO ASK THAT MONITORS BE A CONDITION OF BOND.

ONE OF THE TOOLS OF MONITORING THAT HAS BEEN OPENED UP FOR THE COUNTY IS A PHONE APP CALLED CHECK UPS, WHERE THEY ARE GIVEN A PHOTO OF THEIR LOCATION, GPS, THEIR PHYSICAL LOCATION FROM THEIR PHONE CHECK IN.

BUT I UNDERSTAND THE VENDOR HADN'T BEEN PAID OR CONTRACT CREATED.

DO YOU KNOW IF THERE'S BEEN ANY UPDATE? I KNOW THIS IS KIND OF MAYBE A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTAL QUESTION, BUT DO YOU KNOW IF THERE'S BEEN ANY UPDATE ON CHECK UPS AND THOSE TYPES OF TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP WITH, MONITORING FOLKS? NO, COMMISSIONER, I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY, ANY INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO THAT ISSUE.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT ANYTHING THAT THE COUNTY CAN DO TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OF MONITORS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, THESE ANKLE MONITORS, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE, THE THE SUPERVISION AND MONITORING OF THESE INDIVIDUALS IS A GOOD THING.

AND I'M CERTAINLY IN FAVOR OF THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. JUDGE.

ANY OTHER QUESTION OR COMMENT.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

JOE. NO, NO, SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DIALOG ABOUT THIS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

IF YOU COULD, THOUGH, YOU WENT THROUGH THAT PRESENTATION PRETTY QUICKLY.

I DON'T HAVE A COPY OF THAT.

IF YOU CAN GET US A COPY OF THAT, I MAY HAVE SOME FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS, BUT I KNOW WE'VE HAD, DIFFERENT HUDDLES ON THIS AND, APPRECIATE YOU AND THE WORK THAT YOUR OFFICE IS DOING.

BUT I THINK CERTAINLY FOR THE IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE, IF YOU CAN GET US A COPY OF THAT PRESENTATION JUST SO WE CAN, LOOK A LITTLE BIT CLOSER AT SOME OF THE, THE BULLET POINTS AND NUMBERS THAT YOU PUT IN.

THERE, AND I MAY HAVE SOME FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS FOR YOU AT A LATER TIME.

YEAH, I, I THINK I HAVE ONE EXTRA COPY THAT I CAN IMMEDIATELY PROVIDE YOU, COMMISSIONER, BUT I WILL MAKE AVAILABLE A COPY FOR EVERYBODY.

ON THE COURT. GREAT.

THANK YOU, JUDGE JOE.

LET ME JUST MAKE SOME COMMENTS.

I MAY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

FIRST, LET ME THANK YOU.

FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AT THE DA'S OFFICE.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ISSUES AND CONTROVERSIES.

WE HAVE KIND OF TOUCHED UPON THEM TODAY.

AND YOU HAVE DONE YOUR VERY BEST TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS OF BEXAR COUNTY.

I WOULD ESPECIALLY THANK YOU AND ALSO THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

WHEN THE ISSUE OF THE THE VIOLENT REPEAT OFFENDER ISSUE WITH POLICE SHOOTINGS CAME UP IN THE MEDIA.

OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A VERY PRESSING ISSUE.

AND I CONVENED, ALONG WITH MAYOR RON NIRENBERG, TO CREATE THE COUNTY CITY PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION AND INVITED YOU.

AND YOU PARTICIPATED IN BEHALF AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

JUDGE RON RANGEL, CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS.

SHERIFF JAVIER SALAZAR, ON BEHALF OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

MAYOR RON NIRENBERG, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.

CHIEF BILL MCMANUS, ON BEHALF OF SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT, CITY ATTORNEY ANDY SEGOVIA.

AND THERE WERE ALSO OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, THAT WERE INVOLVED AND WERE VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN COMING UP WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY ACTION PLAN THAT WE PUT THROUGH. AND I WANT THE RECORD REFLECT THAT YOU WERE A ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THAT PROCESS.

THAT PROCESS WAS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THAT SPECIFIC ISSUE.

WHAT I, AS COUNTY JUDGE TOOK THE LEADERSHIP WAS WE SAW, OBVIOUSLY.

FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, FINGER POINTING AS TO WHO SHOULD BE BLAMED FOR ALL THE COMPLEX AND COMPLICATED ISSUES THAT HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

[01:15:07]

AND I FELT IT WAS WE NEEDED TO STOP THAT.

THAT DOESN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.

AND SO WE PUT THE COMMISSION TOGETHER.

WE WORKED TOGETHER.

WE SAW THAT THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS MULTIFACETED.

IT HAS MULTI PARTS.

YOUR OFFICE PLAYS OBVIOUSLY A BIG IMPORTANT PART IN PROSECUTION.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU'RE JUST ONE PART.

THE COURTS HAVE THEIR DUTY TO SET BONDS, TO SET TRIALS, TO ADJUDICATE AND THEN MAKE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS.

AND OBVIOUSLY THE SHERIFF HAS TO GO OUT AND ARREST FILE CASES ALONG WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE SAW NUMEROUS FLAWS, WEAKNESSES IN OUR SYSTEM.

THE TECHNOLOGY WAS ONE.

AND SO MY COMMENT, FROM THAT FINDING WAS THAT YOU HAVE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT YOU ARE FOCUSING ON THE TECHNOLOGY, AND I'M GOING TO BE REAL UPFRONT.

I AM GOING TO DEMAND THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ALL THE COUNTY OFFICES THAT ARE TIED TO THE ODYSSEY TECHNOLOGY, I KNOW THAT MR. MARK GAGER BCIT IS DOING HIS VERY BEST.

IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG PROCESS.

I'M JUST GOING TO KEEP PUSHING HARD THAT WE UPGRADE THAT TECHNOLOGY.

AND SO, I APPRECIATE WHATEVER EFFORTS YOU, YOUR OFFICE AND YOUR ADAS CAN GET THIS NEW SYSTEM ONLINE.

WE GAVE YOU THE MONEY TO, I BELIEVE, THE TECHNOLOGY.

AXON IN ORDER FOR YOU AND THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT TO BE BETTER CONNECTED SO INFORMATION COULD FLOW ELECTRONICALLY AND NOT PURSUANT TO THE OLD PAPER PROCESS.

AND SO I'M HOPING THAT THOSE ARE ALL OTHER PIECES OF THE PUZZLE THAT MAKE OUR SYSTEM STRONGER.

I'M VERY PLEASED THAT THE THE REVIEW AND THE EFFORT TO DEAL WITH THE BACKLOG HASN'T CAUSED THEM ANOTHER BACKLOG AT THE COURTS.

SO I WANT TO ALSO THANK JUDGE RANGEL AND ALL THE JUDGES OF THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS, ALONG WITH THE COUNTY COURTS AT LAW, THAT HANDLE THESE CRIMINAL CASES AND HOW THEY MOVE THEIR CASES.

SO AS YOUR CASES AND EXTRA CASES COME ACROSS, IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE JUDGES ARE WORKING HARD AND I WANT THEM TO BE RECOGNIZED.

AND OBVIOUSLY THE SHERIFF HAS, YOU KNOW, PUT SPECIAL EFFORTS WITH HIS SPECIAL UNITS, HIS THE SPECIALIZED UNITS LOOKING FOR THOSE OFFENDERS THAT ARE A DANGER TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING UP THE ISSUE OF THE MONITORS, BECAUSE THE ISSUE THERE IS NOT SO MUCH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS OR HAS NOT BEEN PAID, BUT THE ACTUALLY HOW THE PROCESS WORKS BETWEEN THE AGAIN, THE DA'S OFFICE, THE JUDGES AND THE SHERIFF IN REGARD AND THE PRETRIAL SERVICES, AND ALSO ALL THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT USE ELECTRONIC MONITORING, THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE HAS IDENTIFIED THAT NEEDS TO BE WORKED ON.

WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN PEOPLE BREAK THEIR MONITORS OR WHATEVER THEY DO TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, THAT WE'RE DOING OUR VERY BEST TO BRING THEM BACK IN AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

AND AGAIN, I WILL ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN REGARDS TO THAT.

WE IDENTIFY THESE HIGH RISK OFFENDERS WHO ARE UNDER SUPERVISION OF A MONITOR, BUT YET CONTINUE TO CREATE PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I REALLY WANT TO FOCUS ON THAT.

AND SO, ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR IMPROVING THE COMMUNICATION.

I BELIEVE THE SYSTEMS ARE NOW WORKING HARDER TOGETHER.

YOU'VE GIVEN US A REPORT AS JUST WHAT YOU DO, BUT AT SOME POINT I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE BRING ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS IN TOGETHER, PERHAPS HAVE A JOINT REPORT.

AND I'M GOING TO ASK THAT, APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP WITH THAT.

AND FINALLY, MR. DA, I THE REASON WHY I'M PUTTING SUCH, STRONG EFFORT INTO THESE ISSUES AND TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR SOCIETY.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS SOMETHING THAT IS AT THE TOP OF MY LIST, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

AND I WILL ASK, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF THIS COMMUNITY, IS THAT CORRECT? ABSOLUTELY. YOUR HONOR. ABSOLUTELY.

ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, IS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? THANK YOU. MR. GONZALES.

MAY I BE EXCUSED? OKAY.

SHORT ON.

OKAY. OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO GO TO WE'RE WE'LL GET TO THE OTHER TIME CERTAIN AT 1030.

WE'RE A LITTLE SHORT OF TIME THERE.

I MEAN, WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

WE'LL TAKE UP AGENDA FIVE.

[5. Request of Commissioners Court to identify items from the Consent Agenda for additional discussion and to approve remaining Consent Agenda items.]

REQUEST OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO IDENTIFY ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION AND TO APPROVE REMAINING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.

[01:20:05]

WE'LL START WITH COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ARE THERE ANY MATTERS THAT YOU WISH TO PULL? NO, SIR. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ I'M GOOD, JUDGE.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER MOODY, I'D LIKE TO PULL ITEM 19 1924.

OKAY. HOLD ON. 1924, 56, 56 AND 6356. AND DID YOU SAY 63? OKAY. COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

ALL RIGHT. OKAY, SO LET'S MAKE SURE I IDENTIFY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

COMMISSIONER MOODY'S ASKED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATIONS OF ITEMS 1924.

56 AND 63.

ALL RIGHT.

SAVE AND ACCEPT THOSE ITEMS PULLED.

[CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS]

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT? MOTION TO APPROVE SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

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

WE'LL TAKE UP ITEM NUMBER 19 AT THIS TIME.

ALL RIGHT. COME, I WILL.

[19. Awarding a delivery order to Galls, LLC for the purchase of seventeen (17) ballistic shields in the total amount of $82,198.68, as requested by the Bexar County Constable Precinct 3; allowing for future countywide orders in FY24, through BuyBoard Cooperative Contract #670-22; and authorizing the Purchasing Agent to execute the contract and file the appropriate award documents for record.]

FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION, AWARDING A DELIVERY ORDER TO GALS GALS, LLC FOR THE PURCHASE OF 17 BALLISTIC SHIELDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $82,198.68, AS REQUESTED BY BEXAR COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT THREE, ALLOWING FOR FUTURE COUNTYWIDE ORDERS IN FY 24 THROUGH BY BOARD COOPERATIVE CONTRACT NUMBER 670-22, AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING AGENT TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT AND FILE THE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD.

MISS TORRES. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING. AND AND WE DON'T HAVE TO, TO GET INTO A PRESENTATION.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ITEM.

THAT WE BROUGHT FORWARD IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR CONSTABLE, MARK VOJVODICH FOR FOR PRECINCT THREE.

THIS WAS A NEED THAT THEY ADDRESSED.

I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT.

MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CONSTABLES SAFE OUT THERE.

AND I JUST WANTED TO TO HIGHLIGHT AGAIN THE OPPORTUNITY TO TO PARTNER THERE, BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE IDENTIFY THESE NEEDS THAT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE AND WE SUPPORT THEM WHEREVER WE CAN.

SO WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE APPROVAL.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOONEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

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

ITEM 24 APPROVAL OF THE ENGINEERING SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.

[24. Approval of the Engineering Services Agreement between Bexar County and Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for a total compensation not to exceed $244,500 for professional engineering services in connection with the Flood Control Capital Project, Toutant Beauregard LWCs, LC34, Precinct Number 3.]

FOR TOTAL COMPENSATION NOT TO EXCEED $244,500 FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ENGINEERING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL CAPITAL PROJECT. TERM TO T A AND T BURKHARD L, WC, LC 34, PRECINCT NUMBER THREE AND COMMISSIONER MOODY.

I'LL JUST JUMP IN ON THIS ONE TOO.

THANK YOU FOR FOR COMING UP.

YOU KNOW THE REASON WHY I PULLED THIS? I KNOW WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS, BUT I JUST FOR THE RECORD, I KNOW THIS IS THE INITIAL ENGINEERING CONTRACT, BUT, I DO AS PART OF THAT ENGINEERING CONTRACT, EXPECT US TO HAVE OPTIONS THAT ARE BROUGHT BACK IN TERMS OF WHAT THOSE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS ARE.

I MEAN, THIS IS IN MY BACKYARD.

I'VE DRIVEN THAT ROAD, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS OF TIMES.

THE THE ISSUE WITH MCANDREWS SCHOOL AND STUFF, THAT WAS AN ISSUE THAT THAT WE HAD.

I'VE SEEN IT, I'VE DEALT WITH IT.

BUT I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BRING OPTIONS BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THEN WE CAN THINK ABOUT THE, THE, THE POLITICAL DECISION ABOUT WHAT THE BEST OPTION IS TO REDUCE THAT RISK.

SO I JUST, FOR THE RECORD, WANTED TO, TO MENTION THAT AS WE GO FORWARD WITH THE ENGINEERING CONTRACT, TO KEEP THAT IN MIND AND ASK FOR THAT.

I'LL MOVE APPROVAL.

ALL RIGHT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

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

LET'S CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS.

[56. Authorization for the County Judge to execute a funding agreement between Bexar County and Build San Antonio Green (BSAG) in the amount of $85,000, to provide services and programs in the area of energy efficiency for the period of January 23, 2024 through September 30, 2024 .]

LET'S GO TO ITEM NUMBER 56, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY AND BILL SAN ANTONIO GREEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,000, TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS IN THE AREA OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 23RD, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024. MR. CURRY. YEAH.

SO SO AGAIN, THIS ITEM IS, IS AN ANNUAL AGREEMENT WE DO WITH BUILD SAN ANTONIO GREEN.

BUILD SAN ANTONIO GREEN IS A ORGANIZATION THAT WE FOUNDED WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND CPS.

[01:25:01]

I WANT TO SAY APPROXIMATELY 20 YEARS AGO, IT CREATES A PATHWAY FOR HOME BUILDERS AND CONSTITUENTS TO GET ACCESS TO THE CPS STEP PROGRAM FOR ENERGY REBATES, PRIMARILY THROUGH NEW CONSTRUCTION.

THEY ALSO HAVE A MULTIFAMILY AND COMMERCIAL ARM OF CERTIFICATION AS WELL.

THEY HAVE FREE RESOURCES FOR SOLAR AND EV VEHICLE, RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE CONTRACT WITH THEM ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, JUST LIKE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DOES, TO PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH TO, CONSTITUENTS IN THE COUNTY AS WELL AS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

WE DO WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THEY PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TO US AS PART OF THIS AGREEMENT.

WELL, THIS IS AN ITEM THAT'S, YOU KNOW, AS YOU MENTIONED, IT'S AN ANNUAL ITEM THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP PREVIOUSLY, I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN OUT THERE FOR A DECADE OR MORE EASILY.

YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S SOME PROGRAMS THAT, THAT THIS SUPPORTS.

THIS JUST IS A RECURRING, COST ON OUR BUDGET THAT, THAT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.

AND I'VE, I'VE VOTED AGAINST IT BEFORE.

AND NOTHING THAT I'VE SEEN HERE WOULD, WOULD CHANGE MY PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.

BUT I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING, BRINGING IT FORWARD AND PROVIDING THE, THE BACKGROUND.

OKAY. UNDERSTOOD. COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, DAN, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, I KNOW THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP, IN SOME WAYS WITH THE CITY, DO THEY CONTRIBUTE AROUND THE SAME AMOUNT OR DO THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE $85,000 A YEAR? OKAY. AND THEN CPS DOES 90.

SO AFTER THE COMMENTS LAST YEAR FROM COMMISSIONER MOODY, WE BROUGHT THIS ITEM LAST YEAR, I'M ACTUALLY SERVE AS THE TREASURER ON THAT BOARD.

WE'VE DISCUSSED ABOUT REDUCING THAT TRANCHE OF EXPENSES OVER TIME, BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION IS IN A MUCH BETTER FINANCIAL POSITION THAN IT WAS, LET'S SAY, IN 2019 OR 2020. WE DID NOT DO IT THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OF VARIOUS FACTORS.

BUT WE IF WE DO REDUCE OUR COMPENSATION, I ANTICIPATE THE CITY WILL DO THAT AS WELL, ALONG WITH CPS.

SO WE NEED TO BE MEASURED IN THAT APPROACH.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO RUN DOWN THAT PATHWAY.

I DON'T HAVE IT AVAILABLE THIS YEAR FOR YOU GUYS, THAT RECOMMENDATION.

BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE BOARD.

AND AGAIN, YOU YOU MENTIONED IT'S NOT A A MANDATE NECESSARILY ON ANY, BUILDERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT, TO, TO, TO TRY AND LIKE YOU SAID, USE SOLAR, USE GREEN TYPE ENERGY, BUILDING MATERIALS. SO IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S A PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES THAT BUT DOES NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE IT.

IS THAT RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.

YES. OKAY. I THINK IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM, JUDGE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVIN.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I JUST YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, I THINK THESE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN LIGHT OF OUR GRID AND IN LIGHT OF OUR CLIMATE.

AND AS COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ SAID, THIS, VOLUNTARY, OPPORTUNITY, THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY AND NEW THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THIS WORLD.

THAT GROUP LIKE THIS CAN KEEP PEOPLE UP TO DATE ON.

SO WITH THAT, I DON'T WANT US TO BURN UP AND BE FRIED CHICKEN.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL NICE AND COOL.

ALL RIGHT, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING I, I ANY OPPOSED? NO. ANY ABSTENTIONS.

MOTION CARRIES.

THE FINAL INDIVIDUAL MATTER OFF THE CONSENT IS ITEM AGENDA ITEM 63, APPROVAL FOR BEXAR COUNTY ECONOMIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO

[63. Approval for Bexar County Economic & Community Development to negotiate an Economic Development Innovation Grant in the amount of $200,000 to VelocityTX in support of the 2024 Bexar Bio Pitch competition.]

NEGOTIATE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF 200,000 TO THE VELOCITY, TEXAS IN SUPPORT OF THE 2024 BEXAR COUNTY BEXAR BIO PITCH COMPETITION.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER, YOU WANT ME TO GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OR DO YOU? WELL. WELL, LET ME JUST, FRAME THINGS UP.

THE REASON WHY I PULLED THIS AND AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK BRIEFLY THIS MORNING IS I THINK THE BUDGET WENT FROM 150 TO 200,000, BUT THIS WAS WAS PUSHED INTO CONSENT AGENDA, SO DIDN'T REALLY HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THE BUDGET WAS GOING UP THERE.

ALSO, I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN WE'RE, WE'RE MAKING CHANGES LIKE THAT.

I KNOW YOU PLAN TO COME BACK AGAIN, LATER ON ONCE YOU HAVE MORE OF A PLAN IN PLACE.

BUT IF WE'RE MAKING THOSE BUDGET CHANGES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT UP FRONT, WE HAVE THAT DISCUSSION ABOUT WHY THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS NEEDED, AND THAT'S WHY I PULLED THE ITEM. BUT IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT, OF COURSE.

COMPLETELY UNDERSTOOD. COMMISSIONER, WE USUALLY DO TAKE THESE PERMISSION TO NEGOTIATE AGREEMENTS BEFORE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. I THINK DUE TO TIME, WE WERE ASKED TO DO CONSENT, AND THEN WE WERE GOING TO COME BACK BEFORE WE EXECUTED THE AGREEMENT AND DO AN INDIVIDUAL.

BUT I HAVE RENEE DOMINGUEZ HERE, WHO'S THE CEO OF VELOCITY, WHO WE PARTNER WITH TO PUT ON OUR BEXAR BIO COMPETITION, WHO CAN SPEAK TO THE BUDGET AND THE INCREASE IN THAT.

THANK YOU ALL. JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS, I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO EITHER BRIEF YOU INDIVIDUALLY OR YOUR STAFFS.

[01:30:04]

AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT LAST YEAR.

WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IS WE'RE REALLY HIGHLIGHTING AN ASPECT OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GAME PLAN THAT OFTEN GETS NEGLECTED, AND THAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH, COMMERCIALIZATION AND STARTUPS, IN PARTICULAR IN THE HEALTH CARE AND BIOSCIENCE INDUSTRY OR LEADING INDUSTRY, WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH.

AND SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE CREATED A PITCH COMPETITION, WHICH HAVE BECOME NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY POPULAR AS A WAY TO ATTRACT STARTUPS AND TO HELP YOUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEM PROVIDE FUNDING FOR STARTUPS.

AND WE'VE ASKED BEXAR COUNTY TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE BY PROVIDING THE SEED FUNDING TO ESTABLISH THAT PITCH COMPETITION.

I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT LAST YEAR, OF THE 48 PARTICIPANTS AND APPLICANTS, FOUR OF THOSE PRESENTED TO YOU ALL AT THAT PITCH COMPETITION AND ALL FOUR STILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUT LIFE SAVING TECHNOLOGIES.

THREE OF THOSE FOUR ARE WOMEN FOUNDERS, WHICH I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD OF.

COMMISSIONER, THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WAS REQUESTED THIS YEAR WAS TO THINK BIG, TO TRY TO BRING NATIONAL ATTENTION TO SAN ANTONIO FOR THE BIOSCIENCE AND HEALTH CARE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE HERE.

SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE MERGED THREE VERY SUCCESSFUL ELEMENTS OF A NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MILITARY MEDICAL INDUSTRY DAY, THAT THE CITY HELPS US PUT TOGETHER, SURF, WHICH IS A UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FORUM CAPTURING THE RESEARCH THAT'S BEING DONE AT UT HEALTH, UTSA AND THE VA, AND NOW BEXAR BIO.

AND SO WE'VE BROUGHT THOSE THREE ELEMENTS TOGETHER TO CREATE A TWO DAY CONFERENCE, JUNE 24TH AND 25TH.

THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WAS REQUESTED IS SO THAT THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND STAFF CAN ATTEND THE ADDITIONAL CONFERENCE ELEMENTS. THOSE PARTICIPANTS ATTEND FOR FREE.

SO THERE'S AN INCREASE IN PARTICIPANTS.

SECONDLY, AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ENHANCE THE CONFERENCE BY HOSTING A WHAT WE'RE CALLING EXHIBITOR CRAWL, ENDING ELEMENT, A NETWORKING ELEMENT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER ACADEMIA, INDUSTRY AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR INTO ONE NETWORKING EVENT.

AND SO THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WAS TO NOW ADD THAT ELEMENT TO THE TWO DAY CONFERENCE.

BUT IN GENERAL, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT AND THE FACT THAT THE COUNTY ESTABLISHED THIS INNOVATION FUND.

IT'S VERY HARD TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THESE TYPES OF, INNOVATIVE CREATIVE INITIATIVES THAT ARE BEING DONE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND OTHER CITIES.

AND THE COUNTY THROUGH THIS FUND HAS BEEN SUPPORTING THIS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, BY THE WAY, IT'S VERY SIMILAR AND HAS BEEN MODELED OVER THE TECH FUELED COMPETITION THAT YOU ALSO FUND. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IF I COULD JUST ASK A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS ON THE, THE PARTICIPANTS LAST YEAR AND THOSE WHO WERE AWARDED, YOU KNOW, IN RETROSPECT, ARE WE SEEING THE RETENTION HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY? OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S THE GOAL.

AND WE'VE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT MAKING SURE THERE'S NO STRINGS ATTACHED, THAT THAT BEXAR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO ARE SEEING THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT THERE.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? YES, SIR. TWO OF THE FOUR WERE DIRECTLY FROM SAN ANTONIO.

THE OTHERS WERE FROM FORT WORTH AND HOUSTON.

PART OF THE STIPULATION FOR WINNING THE AWARD IS THEY MAINTAIN A PRESENCE HERE.

SO ALL FOUR CONTINUED TO HAVE A PRESENCE HERE, AND ALL FOUR CONTINUE TO WORK ON THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR TECHNOLOGIES AND CREATE JOBS.

OKAY. GOOD.

GOOD TO HEAR. AND THEN ON THE SPONSORSHIP SIDE, AS WE GO FORWARD, OBVIOUSLY BEXAR BIO, WE'RE THE THE HEADLINE SPONSOR, BUT IS ARE THERE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO ATTRACT PRIVATE SPONSORS? ABSOLUTELY. THE LONG TERM GOAL IS TO MAKE THIS A NATIONAL CONFERENCE WITH CORPORATE SPONSORS.

CURRENTLY, I THINK I SENT THE LIST OVER, BUT THERE'S, YOU KNOW, 10 TO 15, REGIONAL OR LOCAL SPONSORS THAT FUND THIS CONFERENCE.

AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT GROWING OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR INCLUDES AROUND $40,000 OF ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIP FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ACADEMIC SECTOR.

BUT, COMMISSIONER, THAT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.

RIGHT NOW WE, YOU KNOW, BREAK EVEN AND CONSIDER IT A SUCCESS BY DRAWING OVER 600 PARTICIPANTS TO THE CONFERENCE.

BUT OUR LONG TERM GOAL IS TO HAVE OVER 3000 ATTENDEES.

AND SO WITH THAT GOAL IN MIND, THIS CONFERENCE IS ABSOLUTELY GOING TO HAVE TO GROW AND ATTRACT CORPORATE SPONSORS.

NOW, I APPRECIATE THAT AND HOPE YOU CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE STRIDES IN ATTRACTING THOSE CORPORATE SPONSORS GOING FORWARD.

AND I APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWERS ABOUT.

THE THE JOBS THAT ARE BEING CREATED HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY REGARDING THAT.

[01:35:02]

WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE APPROVAL.

JUDGE. SECOND.

I'LL SECOND. I JUST HAVE A QUICK COMMENT.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

MISTER COMMISSIONER CALVERT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RENEE.

AND EVERYBODY ON THE BEXAR BIO TEAM FOR THE WORK THAT'S GOING FORWARD FOR THESE LIFE SAVING, PRODUCTS AND INNOVATIONS.

I WAS VERY TOUCHED JUST BY THE CONVERSATIONS OF THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT WERE OFFERED.

THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT, JUST HOPE I THINK THAT THESE PRODUCTS GIVE.

AND IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT SAN ANTONIO IS HAVING A PART TO THAT END.

I DO THINK, THOUGH, FROM A VISION STANDPOINT, WE'VE GOT TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF, INVESTORS, WHETHER THEY'RE NOT JUST SAN ANTONIO FOLKS, BUT EVEN OUTSIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO GET INTO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND REALLY ATTRACT SOME ATTENTION. NOW, THERE MAY BE A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT THE COUNTY CAN PARTNER IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

ONE OF WHICH IS, I'M HAPPY TO HELP RECONVENE A GROUP THAT I PUT TOGETHER AT THE CITY, MAYBE SIX YEARS AGO OF VENTURE CAPITAL, TO LOOK AGAIN AT SUPPORTING THESE INNOVATIVE, ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES.

SECOND IS TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE INNOVATION FUND, INCREASING THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE A CARROT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, DEVELOPING IT. SO WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS WORK WITH YOU TO PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF THESE VENTURE CAPITALISTS, BOTH IN SAN ANTONIO AND AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND TEXAS, TO SEE IF THEY WOULD WANT TO PARTICIPATE. AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO COURT, MAYBE NEXT YEAR WITH A BIGGER CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP SIDE SO THAT WE CAN REALLY, COMPETE WITH SOME OF THE BIG BENCHMARK GLOBAL CITIES THAT WE'RE COMPETING WITH.

SO THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR THAT.

ALL RIGHT, RENEE, LET ME JUST THANK YOU.

VELOCITY TEXAS, YOU'RE THE NEW CEO THERE.

AND I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO GO OVER THERE AND PARTICIPATE IN THESE COMPETITIONS AND AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY.

AND THEY'RE VERY YOUR PARTICIPANTS, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG PEOPLE, ARE VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE WITH THE INNOVATION AND THE IDEAS AND THE JOB CREATIONS THEY'RE BRINGING TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM AND WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AND WISH YOUR, PARTICIPANTS AND COMPETITORS TO KEEP CARRYING ON. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

CARRY ON. THANK YOU ALL. ALL RIGHT.

I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES THE CONSENT.

IS THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT WE NEEDED TO CONSIDER A HEARING? NONE. WE'RE GOING TO RECESS AND WE WILL HAVE THE HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, OPEN ITS MEETING.

[4.d. 10:30 a.m.: Convene as Board of Directors, Bexar County Housing Finance Corporation]

COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, THANK YOU.

JUDGE, WE HAVE A BRIEF MEETING FOR THE HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.

LET THE RECORD REFLECT.

A QUORUM IS PRESENT. TIME IS 1043.

WE WILL CONVENE NOW AS THE BEXAR COUNTY HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.

WE HAVE TWO BRIEF ITEMS. SUMMER, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

ITEM ONE A IS JUST.

YOU SHOULD HAVE THE PACKET IN FRONT OF YOU IS THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING.

JANUARY 23RD, 2024.

WE NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

MOVE TO APPROVE. WE HAVE A MOTION.

WE HAVE A SECOND, SECOND MOTION A SECOND.

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

AYE AYE.

ANY OPPOSED THAT MOTION CARRIES OKAY.

ITEM TWO A IS CONSIDERATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING BOND ISSUES.

AND IT IS CONCERNING APPLICATION OF AMERICAN AGAPE FOUNDATION, RELATING TO PROPOSED TAX EXEMPT BOND FINANCING.

UP TO $20 MILLION FOR THE GROCER LOFTS PROJECT.

SUMMER. PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.

YES. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

SUMMER GREATHOUSE, I'M WITH BRACEWELL.

WE SERVE AS BOND COUNSEL FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.

LIKE THE MEETING LAST MONTH WHEN I WAS HERE FOR THE HFC, WE'RE PRESENTING A NON-BINDING INDUCEMENT RESOLUTION TO ISSUE PRIVATE ACTIVITY TAX EXEMPT BONDS FOR THE GROCER LOFTS PROJECT.

THIS PROJECT IS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT, 100% AFFORDABLE.

IT'S A DEVELOPMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 80 UNITS ON THE WEST SIDE OF DOWNTOWN AND PRECINCT TWO.

THE DEVELOPER, AS COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED, IS AMERICAN AGAPE FOUNDATION.

IT'S THE SAME DEVELOPER AS THE MÉRIDA PROJECT THAT YOU INDUCED LAST MONTH.

THEY HAVE CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING AND OPERATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE.

THIS AGAIN, MUCH LIKE LAST MONTH, THIS IS A NON-BINDING INDUCEMENT RESOLUTION.

IT INDICATES YOU'RE WILLING TO ISSUE UP TO $20 MILLION OF TAX EXEMPT BONDS.

WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO YOU UPON THE NEGOTIATION OF FINAL DOCUMENTS TO ASK FOR YOUR FINAL APPROVAL.

THIS IS, AGAIN, NON-BINDING.

YOU'RE NOT OBLIGED.

TO APPROVE THAT, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, AND WE'LL COME BACK AND PRESENT TO YOU AGAIN.

[01:40:04]

THIS IS REALLY JUST THE FIRST STEP THAT ALLOWS THIS PROJECT TO MOVE FORWARD.

IT AUTHORIZES US TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD FOR THE PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDS, AND IT ALLOWS THE DEVELOPER TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR TAX CREDITS TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

THE BONDS ARE NOT GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE COUNTY.

THERE'S NO LIABILITY TO THE HFC OR TO THE COUNTY FOR THESE BONDS.

AS FAR AS AFFORDABILITY LEVELS GO FOR THIS PROJECT, 10% OF THE UNITS WILL BE AT 30% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

40% AT 50% AMI.

21% AT 60% AMI, 6% AT 70% AMI, AND 23% AT 80% AMI.

SO 100% OF THE UNITS WILL BE AFFORDABLE, AND THEY'RE FOCUSING ON TRUE AFFORDABILITY AT THOSE LOWER AMI LEVELS.

FINALLY, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE HFC IN THIS PROJECT IS A 1% FINANCING FEE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS, SO UP TO $200,000.

GREAT. THANK YOU. SUMMER.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR SUMMER ABOUT THIS PROJECT? IT IS IN MY PRECINCT, AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF POTENTIAL ACTIVITY ON THAT NEAR WEST SIDE, ADJACENT TO CATTLEMEN AND NOT FAR FROM THE JAIL. SO I THINK THIS IS A GOOD POTENTIAL, REDEVELOPMENT AND CATALYST TYPE PROJECT.

HOW MANY UNITS DID YOU SAY AGAIN? SUMMER. IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO 80 UNITS.

OKAY. AND THE DEVELOPERS ARE HERE.

OKAY. SORRY. TO MY RIGHT.

JOSE IS HERE WITH THE DEVELOPER.

IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS SIMPLY, NO COMMITMENT ON OUR PART OTHER THAN THIS ALLOWS THEM TO GET IN LINE FOR THE, POTENTIAL TAX EXEMPT BOND FINANCING. IS THAT RIGHT? CORRECT. OKAY. YES.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, OR DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS? I HAVE A QUESTION. SO WHAT'S THE TIMELINE IN TERMS OF KNOWING IF WHETHER OR NOT THEY GET THE BOND FINANCING? SO RIGHT NOW, IN REGION NINE, WHICH IS THE REGION WHERE THIS HFC IS LOCATED, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE TAX EXEMPT BONDS AS SOON AS WE APPLY.

IF WE APPLY BEFORE THE 1ST OF MARCH, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE INTENDING TO DO.

AND THEN FROM THERE, THEY HAVE 180 DAYS TO CLOSE THE FINANCING FOR THOSE BONDS.

OKAY. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

OKAY, GREAT. WE HAVE A MOTION.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OH. IT'S OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER MOODY, JUST, JUST WANTED TO REITERATE WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY.

THERE'S NO TAX EXEMPTION HERE FOR COUNTY TAXES.

CORRECT. AND THERE'S NO COUNTY FINANCIAL OBLIGATION HERE, WITH THIS PROJECT, IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT. OKAY.

THANK YOU. GREAT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THAT MOTION CARRIES SUMMER.

I THINK THAT'S ALL WE HAVE TODAY.

IS THAT RIGHT? OKAY. THANK YOU.

THE JUDGE WILL ADJOURN THE MEETING OF THE HFC AND TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

[6. Filing for record the following legal and administrative documents and directing the Criminal District Attorney's Office to take action, if necessary]

WE'LL GO BACK TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SIX, FILING FOR THE RECORD OF THE FOLLOWING LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS.

DIRECTING THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE ACTION, IF NECESSARY, FOR SECTIONS A, B, C, D, AS NOTED ON THE AGENDA.

[7. Commissioners Court minutes for Tuesday, January 23, 2023.]

AGENDA ITEM SEVEN, COMMISSIONER'S COURT MINUTES FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 23RD, 2023.

SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

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

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO CITIZENS TO BE HEARD.

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

AND I WILL ALERT THE COURT AND THE PUBLIC.

WE HAVE QUITE A FEW.

SO JUST REMINDER, WE WILL HAVE A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT, WHICH WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED IN ORDER THAT EVERYBODY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M GOING TO TAKE UP THOSE THAT HAD INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. WE HAVE ANOTHER GROUP THAT IS HERE IN REGARDS TO ONE PARTICULAR ISSUE, AND I WILL ALLOW THEM TO SPEAK TO.

SO AT THIS TIME, I HAVE JOSEPH WEIL OR WEIGEL, BUT I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE YIELDING YOUR TIME TO MR. BRAD PHIPPS.

SO BOTH OF Y'ALL WANT TO COME UP.

ALL. YOU HAVE YOUR SIX MINUTES, RIGHT? RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

AND WOULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF? THANK YOU. JUDGE. MY NAME IS BRAD PHIPPS.

I'M A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER, AND, I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH JOSEPH WAHL'S LETTER THAT HE WROTE.

HE HAD TO LEAVE. HE HAD A FUNERAL, UNFORTUNATELY, TO GO TO.

HIS LETTER READS, JUDGE SAKAI, COMMISSIONERS AND FELLOW CITIZENS.

MY NAME IS JOSEPH WILD, AND I REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OF HILLTOP ACRES, A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE FAR WEST SIDE OF BEXAR COUNTY.

I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO ADDRESS THE PROPOSAL FOR A NEW COUNTY PARK TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT ONE, SUBDIVIDED OUT OF THE TALLEY RANCH,

[01:45:05]

NORTH OF FM 1957, NOW POTRANCO ROAD.

IN THE YEAR 1959, HILLTOP ACRES, ALONG WITH ITS NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES GERONIMO VILLAGE, ROLLING OAKS, LATER BARGER AND EMERALD VALLEY FORMED A PEACEFUL RURAL ESCAPE FOR FAMILIES WHO WORKED AND SERVED THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO AREA LONG BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTOVER HILLS WEST CREEK.

ALAMO RANCH RESIDENTS AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS SERVE THE PUBLIC AND FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE, WITH THE GERONIMO VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER SOCIAL EVENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

HILLTOP ACRES AND ITS SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT ALAMO RANCH.

THE RESIDENTS OF HILLTOP ACRES TODAY ARE A MIX OF THOSE MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES WHO HAVE GROWN UP, IN SOME CASES, LIVED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES IN THIS COMMUNITY, WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE MORE RECENTLY MOVED TO THE COMMUNITY HOPING TO FIND A FREEDOM, TRANQUILITY, AND ITS MEANING OF BOTH THE URBAN COMMUNITIES OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE NEWER DEVELOPMENTS.

AS ONE WHO IS BLESSED TO SPEND MY CHILDHOOD LIVING IN HILLTOP ACRES AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BLESSED ALSO TO BRING UP SEVEN CHILDREN WITHIN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, I CAN SAY THAT WE THRIVED WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF ANY EXTRAORDINARY COUNTY SERVICES SUCH AS PARKS, NATURAL AREAS, OR EVEN RELIABLE POLICING.

HILLTOP ACRES IS NOT A COMMUNITY OF ILLITERATE HILLBILLIES, AS SOME HAVE CHARACTERIZED US.

IN FACT, THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS FIREFIGHTERS, TEACHERS, PROFESSORS, SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONS.

WE HAVE BEEN GOOD NEIGHBORS IN SPITE OF THE FRUSTRATIONS OF CHANGING TIMES AND CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH WE HAVE PRESSED UPON US WITH INCREASED TRAFFIC CONGESTION, CRIME, UNWANTED, UNWANTED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST, PRESENT STRUGGLE OVER THE FUTURE OF THE PROPOSED PARK, WHICH IS TO OCCUPY PARK PROPERTIES ONCE OWNED BY OUR FAMILY, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

IN THE VERY HEART, VERY HEART OF OUR HISTORIC SUBDIVISION.

OUR ONLY REQUEST IS THAT COUNTY RECIPROCATE OUR CARE IN BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO US.

DO NOT, FURTHER DEGRADE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN AN EFFORT TO SATISFY THE WISHES OF THOSE THAT ALREADY HAVE POOLS, PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, WALKING TRAILS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, NEARBY HOMES IN THOSE WE ENJOY, THE BLESSING OF OUR WILDLIFE, OUR GREEN SPACE AND CLOSED SPACE INSULATING US FROM THE NEARBY CROWDS.

THESE 50 ACRES PROPOSED TO HOUSE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, HIKING TRAILS, PAVILIONS, PICNIC AREAS ARE CURRENTLY HOME TO MORE THAN 200 WHITETAIL DEER, FERAL HOGS, MORE THAN 90 WILD TURKEY, FOX, COYOTES, RABBITS, RINGTAILS, RACCOONS, PORCUPINES, AND BOBCATS.

A LAST REFUGE FOR THESE SPECIES, DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR RANGE BY THE ENCROACHMENT OF ALL THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT IS GOING AROUND IN WESTBORO COUNTY.

THE ACREAGE ALSO BOASTS AT LEAST TWO DOCUMENTED PREHISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN HOME SITES WITH UNDEVELOPED ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES.

THESE REPRESENT THE EARLIEST HISTORY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WHOSE HISTORY CONTINUED THROUGH THE OCCUPATION OF LATER NATIVE TRIBES.

A LAND GRANT ISSUED BY THE KING OF SPAIN TO THE CATTLE RANCHES OF THE LATE 19TH CENTURY, AND FINALLY THE RURAL SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT OF THE LATE 20TH CENTURY.

WHEN HILLTOP ACRES IS NO MORE, OUR LAST RESIDENTS WILL EITHER PASSED AWAY OR SOLD OUT TO MOVE FURTHER WEST.

THIS LAND SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN AS A TESTAMENT TO THE LEGACY OF THIS HISTORY.

AND THAT WAS FROM JOSEPH.

WHILE, SOME OF THE STUFF THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS, LIKE HE SAID, HILLTOP ACRES IS A VERY HISTORIC COMMUNITY TO US.

IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE OLDEST NEIGHBORHOODS IN FAR WEST BEXAR COUNTY OUTSIDE OF LOOP 410.

AND THIS PROPOSED PARK WAS ACTUALLY BROUGHT UP ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO.

THE COUNTY CAME TO US AND WE MET AT THE GERONIMO VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND WE VOTED IT DOWN THEN, AND IT WAS PUT TO BED, WE THOUGHT, AND WE FOUND OUT TWO WEEKS AGO THROUGH A, A PUBLIC INPUT MEETING AT A SCHOOL THAT THIS HAD BEEN STARTED UP AND IT HAD ACTUALLY STARTED BACK IN 2021.

THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF LETTING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD KNOW WHO IS COMPLETELY SURROUNDS THIS PARK.

IS A SAD TIME.

WE SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS SO-CALLED PARK, NOT ALAMO RANCH.

ALAMO RANCH IS FOUR MILES AWAY FROM THIS PARK.

OKAY, ALAMO RANCH AND THEIR OWN MASTER PLAN HAS THEIR OWN POOLS, THEIR OWN PARKS, THEIR OWN TRAILS, AND THEIR MASTER PLAN.

[01:50:04]

OUR VOTER LOCATION.

WE ARE PRECINCT ONE, 1129.

THEY DON'T EVEN VOTE WITH US.

SO, I REQUEST AS FAR AS, WHAT? ALL OF Y'ALL STATE SAN ANTONIO HAS A RICH CULTURE AND HISTORY.

PLEASE, REMEMBER OUR CULTURE AND OUR HISTORY.

WE WERE ALL ACREAGE HOME SITES.

OUR FAMILIES RAISED ANIMALS.

WE HAVE EXOTIC ANIMALS.

THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

WRAP IT UP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

AND LIKE I SAID, WE JUST REQUEST THAT THE PARK.

WE SHOULD BE MORE INFORMED AND HAVE A BIGGER VOICE THAN ALAMO RANCH.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR Y'ALL'S TIME.

THANK YOU, DAVE JORGENSEN.

OH, NO.

DAVE JORGENSON. I THINK HE'S GOING TO SPEAK WHEN THE ITEM CAME UP.

AND THEN ONCE YOU'RE DONE, I.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING.

COMMISSIONERS COUNTY JUDGE.

MY NAME IS WILL MCLEOD.

I'M HERE TODAY TO, GO OVER A COUPLE OF THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, OUR, BEXAR COUNTY LAW LIBRARY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BEXAR COUNTY LAW LIBRARY BECAUSE THERE'S A COURTROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.

AND, THEY SAID, WELL, I ASKED ONE DAY IT'S LIKE, I WANT TO LOOK AT THE CRISS CROSS DIRECTORIES, YOU KNOW, THOSE OLD LITTLE DIRECTORIES FROM 1970 AND STUFF LIKE THAT. FIND OUT WHERE SAN ANTONIO BUSINESSES WERE LOOKED OVER THERE AND THEY WERE LIKE, WELL, WE DON'T HAVE THEM ANYMORE.

THEY'RE ALL ONLINE.

AND I'M LIKE, OKAY, WELL, I GUESS A LIBRARY AND I AND I WALKED UP OUT THERE AND IT'S LIKE, WELL, IT'S TOO BAD Y'ALL DON'T HAVE THE, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? THE, THE, THE LAW OF THE CRISS CROSS DIRECTORIES.

AND IT'S LIKE, WELL, YEAH, WE DO.

AND, LET'S JUST, THEY JUST TOLD YOU WRONG.

SO WHY IS IT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THE LAW LIBRARY? I THINK WE SHOULD.

I THINK, THAT SHOULD BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

WITHOUT ANY ACT OF CONGRESS TO GET TO YOU.

I DON'T WANT TO DWELL TOO MUCH ON THAT.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WANT TO DWELL ON THE SIGN ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

AND I'VE NOTICED THAT, CERTAIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN PUTTING SIGNS UP ILLEGALLY.

AND WE HAVE OVER HERE ON THE SIGN ORDINANCE, WHICH IS RIGHT HERE, SECTION 28, DASH 75, TEMPORARY SIGNS ON THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY AND CITY PROPERTY, TEMPORARY PLACEMENT ON CITY PUBLIC STREET, RIGHT OF WAY FOR SIGN LOCATION SIGNS MUST BE SELF-SUPPORTING AND PLACED INTO THE GROUND BY 1 OR 2 STAKES.

NO OFF PREMISES SIGN IS PERMITTED ON A UTILITY POLE, GUARDRAIL, STREETLIGHT, POLE SIGN, POLE FENCE, TREE, OR OTHER MAN MADE OR NATURAL FEATURE UNLESS AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SECTION.

NOWHERE IN THIS SECTION OF THE SIGN ORDINANCE WHICH I HAVE, DOES IT SAY YOU CAN PUT THEM ON GUARDRAILS OR YOU CAN PUT THEM ON TREES OR TELEPHONE POLES, ETC.? ALSO, THERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE RIGHT THERE.

SOMEONE'S, A COUNTY EMPLOYEE HAS A, CAMPAIGN SIGN AFFIXED TO THEIR JEEP.

I THOUGHT THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FAIR.

AND, WHAT IS THAT WORD? NOT SHOW IMPROPRIETY? RIGHT HERE I HAVE Y'ALL'S ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY, NUMBER 41.

THAT'S BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE OCTOBER 17TH, 1970.

AND LET'S SEE HERE IT SAYS ACTIVITY PROHIBITED IN ALL COUNTY BUILDINGS, THE SOLICITATION OF ANY ITEMS OR EVENTS, INCLUDING SIGNATURES OR TO DISTRIBUTE, DISTRIBUTE DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS SUCH AS PAMPHLETS, HANDBILLS OR FLIERS, ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED IN ANY COUNTY BUILDING UNLESS CONDUCTED AS PART OF AUTHORIZED COUNTY DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES.

JUDGE, THE TIME HAS EXPIRED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

STEVEN PRICE.

[01:55:18]

GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

DISTINGUISHED GUEST.

YOUR HONOR, I'M HERE AGAIN.

TO GIVE YOU MY THREE MINUTES, THE WINKLE COURT MILITARY CITY PROJECT IS STILL UNDER SOMEWHAT OF AN ALERT.

WE HAVE A NEW OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.

AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS OF TRYING TO GET FUNDING FROM THE STATE, WE DID MANAGE TO GET AN $800,000 GRANT FROM THE STATE FROM LIZ CAMPOS TO HELP THAT PROJECT.

IT'S PILOT PROJECT NUMBER ONE OF FOUR, WHICH WILL BE ENTITLED TO $200,000 TO HELP THAT PROPERTY.

PROBLEM IS, IT'S BEEN SINCE OCTOBER NOVEMBER THAT THE GRANT WAS ACTUALLY WRITTEN AND AUTHORIZED, BUT THE FUNDING HAS YET TO HIT THE WINKLE COURT PROPERTY.

RIGHT AT THIS POINT, I'VE GOT THE WINKLE COURT PROPERTY OWNER, THE SECOND OWNER, NOW ABOUT TO FILE BANKRUPTCY AND EVICT SEVERAL OF THE VETERANS THAT ARE ON SITE.

I KNOW THAT I'VE TALKED TO JUSTIN.

I'VE TALKED TO COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, JUSTIN, I'VE TALKED TO MARCUS IN DEPTH.

AND I'M ASKING YOU AGAIN, PLEASE, PETER.

YOUR HONOR, PLEASE SET ASIDE SOME TIME SO THAT I CAN MEET WITH YOU PERSONALLY AND NOT JUST ME PERSONALLY, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE VOICES OF OUR VETERANS AND THE OTHER VETERANS THAT I REPRESENT ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WE DO HAVE A COALITION.

YOU'LL SEE THE PICTURES IN THERE.

I GAVE YOU SOME INFORMATION ON THE COALITION.

THAT IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE, SIR, AS YOU HAVE ASKED BEFORE.

THAT WOULD BE COLLABORATIVE AND NOT COME AT YOU AS THEY HAVE COME IN THE PAST.

AND I KNOW THEY'VE COME AT, COMMISSIONER MOODY IN A NEGATIVE FASHION IN THE PAST.

AND, COMMISSIONER, PLEASE, I APOLOGIZE FOR SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE AND THE WAY THEY'VE ATTACKED YOU IN THE PAST.

BUT I THINK THAT WE CAN SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

COMMISSIONER CLAY, PLEASE.

JUSTIN, I'M BELABORING THE ISSUE WITH YOU.

YOU KNOW THAT I DO COUNT ON JUSTIN AND COMMISSIONER CALVERT FOR THEIR HONESTY IN THE PAST AND THEIR INTEGRITY AND SENDING THE MESSAGE TO YOU GUYS.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER ISSUES, BUT ONLY THREE MINUTES LEFT.

IF WE WOULD CONSIDER A BILL THAT'S UP AT THE HOUSE AND MAY COME UP AGAIN, IT'S H.R.

2148, WHICH IS ASKING THE COUNTY TO LET US KNOW ON AN ANNUAL BASIS HOW MANY VETERANS IN BEXAR COUNTY ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE? OKAY. IT'S NOT THAT DIFFICULT ASKING THE COUNTY CORONER TO IN ANY WAY IDENTIFY THOSE VETERANS THAT ARE COMMITTING SUICIDE, MALE OR FEMALE. JUST THE NAME.

NOT EVEN THE NAME.

MAYBE JUST THE NUMBER, YOUR HONOR.

I'M ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

THE LAST THING THERE IS A LETTER.

AND I DID SPEAK TO THE COMMISSIONERS ABOUT THIS, AND ACTUALLY, COMMISSIONER, RODRIGUEZ HELPED WITH THE TRIP TO DC ON THE TIME HAS EXPIRED SEVEN, WHICH IS THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE HERBICIDE ACT.

I'M LOOKING FOR A LETTER IN SUPPORT TO SEND TO CONGRESS, Y'ALL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO NOW GO TO THE, THERE'S A GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE THAT APPEAR TO BE TALKING ON ONE ISSUE.

IF YOU'RE YIELDING YOUR TIME, WOULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN ADVANCE THAT YOU'RE YIELDING YOUR TIME? AND SO I WILL JUST GO IN THE ORDER THAT IT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO ME, JENNY OLSON.

GOOD MORNING. HI, MY NAME IS JENNY OLSEN, AND I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA.

I'M HERE TO ASK THE COURT TO PLACE THE ISSUE OF ARPA FUNDS FOR GUN SAFETY ON THE COURT'S AGENDA AND MORE SPECIFICALLY, TO ALLOCATE ARPA FUNDS FUNDING TO COMMUNITY BASED CVI ORGANIZATIONS.

ARPA DOLLARS WERE EXPLICITLY INTENDED FOR COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY'S FINAL RULE STATES THAT EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES LIKE FOCUS DETERRENCE, STREET OUTREACH, VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS, AND HOSPITAL BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION MODELS ARE ELIGIBLE USES UNDER THE LAW.

NOWHERE ARE THESE FUNDS MORE URGENTLY NEEDED THAN FOR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN ESSENTIAL WORK ON THE FRONT LINES OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

THESE PROGRAMS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO BOLSTER AND EXPAND THEIR EVIDENCE DRIVEN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES, REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE, AND LIFT UP COMMUNITIES.

AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN THE GUN VIOLENCE SPACE ON A DAILY BASIS, I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE FIREARM STORAGE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY LED STRATEGIES THAT

[02:00:05]

REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE IN THE MOST IMPACTED NEIGHBORHOODS.

CVI STRATEGIES ARE EVIDENCE BASED AND REDUCE AND HAVE REDUCED GUN HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

I AM ASKING THAT YOU REDIRECT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE $900,000 FROM THE PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN TO COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTION ORGANIZATION, WHOSE OBJECTIVES ARE TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

I URGE YOU TO PLACE THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA WITHOUT DELAY, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE NEEDED FUNDING TO OUR COMMUNITIES BEFORE GUN VIOLENCE SPIKES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS.

ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

CINDY STRAUSS.

STRZELECKI. STRZELECKI.

MY NAME IS CINDY STRZELECKI.

I'M A RESIDENT OF WINDCREST, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF BEXAR COUNTY FOR 40 YEARS.

I'M A VOLUNTEER FOR THE BE SMART FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS A NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT EDUCATES ADULTS ON SECURING GUNS.

SMART IS AN ACRONYM THAT'S IS SECURE GUNS IN YOUR HOMES AND VEHICLES.

M STANDS FOR MODEL RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR AROUND GUNS.

A IS ASK OTHERS ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF UNSECURED GUNS AT THEIR HOMES AND IN THEIR VEHICLES.

R IS RECOGNIZED THE ROLE OF GUNS IN SUICIDES AND T STANDS FOR TELL PEERS TO BE SMART.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE FUNDING OF A MEDIA CAMPAIGN THAT WOULD LOOK AT GUN SAFETY.

RESEARCH, AS WAS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, HAS NOT SHOWN EVIDENCE BASED THAT IT IS EFFECTIVE.

I MOVED TO BEXAR COUNTY.

AS I SAID, 40 YEARS AGO, I WAS SURPRISED AT THE ISSUE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT THE TIME AND HOW MUCH INFORMATION WAS IN MEDIA, BILLBOARDS, RADIO.

I RECENTLY NOTICED ON MY WAY OUT OF DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO, A BILLBOARD THAT SPEAKS TO, AGAIN, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND REPORTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THIS IS 40 YEARS LATER.

WE HAVE AS MUCH, IF NOT MORE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN BEXAR COUNTY AS WE DID 40 YEARS AGO IN 1983.

AGAIN, MEDIA PRESENTATIONS ARE NOT EVIDENCE BASED AND DON'T AFFECT TURNING AROUND SITUATIONS LIKE THE GUN VIOLENCE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COUNTY.

LET ME HAVE ANGIE, JEN OR JEAN.

GOOD MORNING OR AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS ANGIE YANG, AND I AM A VOLUNTEER WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA.

THE LACK OF ADEQUATE GUN SAFETY POLICY SOLUTIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL NECESSITATES ACTION FROM OUR LOCAL LEADERS.

YOU, OUR BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

TRAVIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY ARE LEADING THE WAY WITH AIR INITIATIVES, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BEXAR COUNTY CATCH UP.

THAT IS WHY I AM URGING THE COURT TO PLACE THE ISSUE OF ARPA FUNDS FOR GUN SAFETY AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS TODAY.

IN ADDITION TO SAVING LIVES, THESE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS SAVE COUNTIES A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

BASED ON EVERYTOWN'S GUN COST CALCULATOR, IT COSTS TEXAS TAXPAYERS OVER $700,000 FOR EVERY ONE HOMICIDE.

HARRIS COUNTY CVI PROGRAM HAS DEFUZED 30 GUN RELATED CONFLICTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2021.

THAT IS A COST SAVINGS OF $21 MILLION.

UNLIKE OTHER LARGE COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, BEXAR COUNTY HAS NOT MADE THESE INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION.

BEXAR COUNTY MUST INVEST IN COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO ARE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS IN THIS SPACE.

THOSE WHO ARE TRUSTED IN THE COMMUNITY AND ARE IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE BASED SOLUTIONS.

THESE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALREADY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT SAFE FIREARM STORAGE AND PASSING OUT GUN LOCKS.

THEY ARE MEDIATING CONFLICTS, INTERRUPTING VIOLENCE, PROVIDING EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, FURNISHING SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES, MEETING WITH AFFECTED VICTIMS AND FAMILIES, MENTORING OUR YOUTH.

[02:05:01]

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.

ALL OF THESE THINGS.

FREE UP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

TIME TO FOCUS ON THE MOST SERIOUS CASES.

MY ASS TODAY IS THAT THE COURT VOTE TO ALLOCATE FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY BASED BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, RATHER THAN A PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN.

AGAIN. THESE PROGRAMS ARE SHOWN TO REDUCE SHOOTINGS AND DEATHS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS MOST IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

AT THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT, ESPECIALLY AS WE APPROACH THE SUMMER, IT IS CRUCIAL THAT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVES ARE ACCESSIBLE AND TAILORED TO THOSE MOST AFFECTED.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. LENORE WALKER.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS LEONORA LIGHT WALKER.

MANY OF YOU KNOW ME.

AND SEEING WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH FREE TEXAS, WE HAVE LITERALLY BUILT THIS ORGANIZATION FROM A VISION TO THOU IS THRIVING AND ACTUALLY DOING REMARKABLE WORK.

WE ARE ASKING TODAY, WITH THIS $900,000, THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING TO GO TO AN AD CAP, CAMPAIGN, AS THE LADY JUST STATED BEFORE, GO TO ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FREE TEXAS MONSTER MOMS MOM, DEMANDS OTHER BIG MAMA SAFE HOUSES.

THESE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THE FRONTLINE WORK.

WE HAVE THE CREDIBILITY WITH THE COUNTY, WITH THE CITY.

WE ALSO JUDGE ARE DOING MORE PROGRAMS TO DO FOR OUR FAMILY AND OUR YOUTH.

SUMMER IS COMING.

KIDS NEED THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO FREE.

TEXAS IS DOING A SUMMER PROGRAM THAT'S HELPING NOT JUST CHILDREN, NOT JUST PARENTS, BUT ACTUALLY REUNITING FAMILIES, BECAUSE THAT IS THE KEY.

WHEN WE'RE LOOKING TO RESTORE OUR COMMUNITY IS TO UNITE OUR FAMILIES.

SO WE WANT TO TELL YOU, AS AN EXPERT AND SOMEBODY THAT JUST RECEIVED A NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP THAT WILL BRING BRINGING MORE NATIONAL ATTENTION TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON HERE IN BEXAR COUNTY, I ASK YOU AND IMPLORE YOU TO THINK ABOUT OUR YOUTH.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT OUR YOUTH AND YOU THINK ABOUT OUR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND OUR FORMERLY INCARCERATED, KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING ON THE FRONT LINES TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, AND THAT MONEY THAT IS BEING USED ON AN AGENCY AD COULD BE UTILIZED TO BUILD CAPACITY SO WE CAN CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD AND BEING ABLE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NEEDS THAT ARE RIGHT NOW, AND WE ARE THE SOLUTION TO THIS.

AND TOGETHER, WE ARE JUST ASKING OUR COMMISSIONERS AND OUR COUNTY JUDGE THAT WE KNOW LOVES OUR CHILDREN AND OUR YOUTH, AND ALREADY HAS BEEN SUPPORTING US AND OTHER WAYS TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT SUPPORT AND DO IT MORE THAN EVER TO SHOW THAT THIS MONEY NEEDS TO BE DELEGATED TO AGENCIES LIKE OURS THAT ARE FRONTLINE ADVOCATES, EXPERTS IN THIS FIELD, AND NOT ONLY NEED TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE, BUT ALSO NEED TO BE DIRECTING THE NARRATIVE.

WE ALL WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING TOGETHER.

WE UNDERSTAND WHAT VIOLENCE IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WE ALL WANT TO WORK ON THIS TOGETHER, AND WE CAN ONLY DO THAT THROUGH THE SUPPORT THAT WE CAN HAVE THROUGH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BECAUSE WE SERVICE EACH OF YOUR PRECINCTS.

BY THE WAY, OUR FREE TEXAS ALONE HAS SERVICE 4 TO 7 PEOPLE IN EACH OF YOUR PRECINCTS.

AND JUST IN THE LAST TWO COHORTS THAT WE'VE DONE AND OUR LAST, EVENT THAT WE DID, WE HAD 50 PEOPLE.

THAT WAS TEN SCHOLARS, FAMILY AND CHILDREN THAT CAME OUT TO EVENTS.

PLEASE THINK ABOUT THAT AND PUT THAT IN CONSIDERATION.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO HEAL OUR COMMUNITY, NOT DIVIDE OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

LET ME HAVE MARIE NARANJO.

GOOD MORNING JUDGE.

GOOD MORNING, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

MY NAME IS MARINA FRANCO AND I'M WITH FREE TEXAS.

FREE TEXAS STANDS FOR EXCUSE ME A LITTLE NERVOUS.

FINISH RECIDIVISM THROUGH EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND DIVINITY.

I STAND WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS PRESENT, SUCH AS BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE, MONSTER MOMS, SAN ANTONIO RISING, AND OTHERS THAT CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK.

AND WHAT I'M ASKING FOR AND WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS FOR THE $900,000 THAT IS FOR ARPA TO BE INVESTED INTO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING THE WORK EVERY DAY EDUCATING, DETERRING GUN VIOLENCE AND ADDRESSING RECIDIVISM AND OUR COMMUNITIES INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY IMPACT THE TOPOGRAPHY OF OUR YOUTH AND FAMILY STRUCTURE, LIKE FREE TEXAS, IS THE ANSWER.

OUR REMNANT OF HEALING ACADEMY PROVIDES WELL-ROUNDED CURRICULUM BASED ON SEVEN PILLARS PEER SUPPORT, FAMILY RESTORATION, CIVICS, DIVINITY, EDUCATION, WELLNESS, AND HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT.

FREE TEXAS STRIVES TO EMPOWER EACH SCHOLAR AND EQUIP THEM TO BE THE LEADERS IN THEIR HOMES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITIES. WE ASK FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, BUT BECAUSE WE ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED WITH OUR FAMILIES AND

[02:10:09]

OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY IN THIS RICH COMMUNITY AND UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO ALLOW INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO PROPEL US TO THE RIGHT TRAJECTORY.

I ASK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, COMMISSIONER ROBERT CLAY-FLORES, WHEN CAN WE MEET COMMISSIONER JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ? WHEN CAN WE MEET JUDGE SAKAI? WHEN CAN WE MEET COMMISSIONER GRANT MOODY? WHEN CAN WE MEET TOMI CALVERT? WE CONTINUE TO MEET AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.

CHARLES SATTERWHITE.

WELL, HE DID LEAVE.

CAN I SPEAK FOR HIM? NO.

UNLESS YOU SIGNED UP.

I'M SIGNED UP. OKAY, I'LL GET TO YOU.

HOLD ON. CHRISTINA DELGADO.

HELLO. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE THIS BODY.

MY NAME IS CHRISTINA DELGADO AND I SERVE AS THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL ADVOCACY ASSOCIATE FOR COMMUNITY JUSTICE, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION LED BY AND FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR DEDICATED TO ELEVATING THE VOICES OF SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAMING IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

GROWING UP AS A YOUNG LATINA TEXAN, I EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PART OF A COMMUNITY BESIEGED BY VIOLENCE.

THANKFULLY, I HAD THE CHANCE TO MOVE TO A COMMUNITY THAT BENEFITED FROM ACCESSIBLE VIOLENCE REDUCTION RESOURCES THROUGH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THIS TRANSFORMATION UNDERSCORED FOR ME HOW VITAL SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES ARE IN PREVENTING VIOLENCE AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

DATA AND SURVIVOR STORIES ONLY CONFIRM WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW THAT AWARENESS ALONE ISN'T SUFFICIENT.

WE NEED ACTIVE SOLUTIONS THAT ENGAGE HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS TO INTERRUPT VIOLENCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE.

CONSIDER BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, FOR EXAMPLE.

THE CITY WITNESSED A REMARKABLE, REMARKABLE REDUCTION.

AND HOMICIDE RATES AND NONFATAL SHOOTINGS.

THANKS TO THE SAFE STREETS INITIATIVE, THIS SUCCESS WAS ONLY POSSIBLE DUE TO STRATEGIC LOCAL INVESTMENTS IN PROGRAMS. WITHOUT SUCH FINAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT, MANY LIVES WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST AND THE CITY WOULD FACE ENORMOUS FINANCIAL BURDENS.

THESE STATISTICS REPRESENT MORE THAN NUMBERS.

THEY REFLECT OUR LIVED EXPERIENCES, OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THIS WORK.

TACKLING GUN VIOLENCE ISN'T EASY, BUT IT'S NECESSARY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE.

WE DON'T NEED AGENCIES TO DETACH FROM OUR REALITIES, DICTATING SOLUTIONS, OR OUTSIDERS TELLING US HOW TO CONNECT WITH THOSE IN CRISIS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE NEED CREDIBLE MESSENGERS, THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH THE RESOURCES PROVEN TO BREAK THE CYCLES OF VIOLENCE.

THE DATA, DATA AND SOLUTIONS ARE CLEAR.

THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR STORIES TODAY HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THEIR JOURNEYS, THEIR PAIN, AND THOSE THEY STRIVE TO SAVE.

THE QUESTION REMAINS, DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE OF BEXAR COUNTY TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITIES THRIVE? BREAK THESE CYCLES OF VIOLENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION INVESTMENTS.

THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO SUPPORT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

TO HONOR THOSE WE'VE LOST, AND TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO REMAIN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL AND LIVE THE LIVES THEIR FAMILIES AND OURS FOUGHT SO HARD TO PROVIDE.

I URGE YOU TO COMMIT TO INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.

THANK YOU ALL. BEVERLY HALL.

HI, I'M BEVERLY HARWOOD, MOTHERLESS CHILD.

I'M HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS OUT HERE.

BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE, SATELLITE, SAN ANTONIO RISING STORES.

ALSO, I WORK CLOSELY WITH WALTER PERRY.

SUIT UP. SO I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I AM A MOTHER WHO HAS LOST A CHILD, AND I'M HERE BECAUSE THE MONEY THAT Y'ALL WANT TO USE FOR MEDIA SHOULD GO OUT TO ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS US.

MOTHER LOST CHILD.

WE ASSIST FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST CHILDREN TO DEATH AND INCARCERATION.

[02:15:02]

WE ARE IMPACTFUL.

WE ARE OUT HERE WORKING, AND WE JUST FEEL LIKE THE FUNDS SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS US.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

TIA GIBSON.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

I WANT TO THANK JUDGE AND OUR COMMISSIONERS, ESPECIALLY TOMMY.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR US IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M BASICALLY COMING HERE TO HONOR MY COMMUNITY, THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY, THAT WORK HARD, THEY'RE ON THE FRONT LINE.

IT'S OKAY TO HAVE THIS MUCH MONEY THAT YOU FEEL LIKE MAYBE AN AD CAN, CAMPAIGN CAN PROBABLY DO A JOB AT.

BUT IF THEY'RE NOT WORKING WITH US IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE FRONT LINE, THEY'RE NOT WORKING AT ALL.

I STAND HERE WITH MY SON.

I STAND HERE WITH MY SON BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE, BECAUSE OF US TRYING TO STOP THAT HARM.

I'M HOMESCHOOLING HIM, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I'M DOING THAT SO HE CAN BE HERE, NOT AS A PRISONER.

HE'S NOT HERE AS A PERSON THAT HAS BEEN LOCKED UP.

HE'S HERE BECAUSE HE'S LEARNING.

HE'S LEARNING WHAT A BOND IS.

HE'S LEARNING HOW TO BE IN COURT AND SPEAK AND HAVE STAGE PRESENCE.

THIS IS WHAT WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY.

BIG MAMA'S HOUSE, SAN ANTONIO RISING STARS, MONSTER MOMS. I WORK WITH TRAUMA INFORMED CARE.

BEFORE WE GET TO THE VIOLENCE, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS TRAUMA.

IF WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, THEN WHAT ARE WE DOING? YOU COULD PUT A MILLION ADS ALL AROUND THE WORLD THAT WILL NOT SAVE ANY OF THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN THAT WE ARE PICKING UP OFF THE GROUND.

THAT WILL NOT SAVE ANY OF THE LIVES OF THE WOMEN THAT WE'RE MEETING, THAT ARE BEAT UP, THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE WATCHED THEM BE DRAGGED FROM ROOM TO ROOM.

I FEEL LIKE WHATEVER IT IS THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING, IF Y'ALL CAN TAKE ANY TIME TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THIS SITUATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING, IF THERE IS ANY MONEY THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO ANY ADS, IT NEEDS TO BE OURS.

IT NEEDS TO BE THE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE.

IT NEEDS TO BE THE LIVED EXPERIENCE.

IT NEEDS TO BE THE ONES THAT WORK WITHOUT MONEY.

WE'VE WORKED WITHOUT MONEY FOR YEARS, AND WE'VE DONE THAT BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT WE DO.

IT'S NOT WORK FOR US AS A PASSION.

SO WHEN YOU SEE US ON THE FRONT LINE WORKING, WE'RE COMING TO YOU BECAUSE IT'S A PASSION THAT IF YOU WANT TO GIVE US A COUPLE OF DOLLARS, THAT WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE AMAZING.

YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE YOU WOULD HELP ANOTHER MOTHER.

YOU WOULD HELP ANOTHER CHILD.

AND THE SUMMERTIME WE STARTED COURAGEOUS CAMP.

NOT ONLY JUST WAS I WORKING, MY CHILDREN WERE WORKING.

I'M NOT SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE NOT BIRTHED.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE 360 CHILDREN.

WHEN I TELL YOU THAT THEY CAME INTO THIS CAMP NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT TRAUMA INFORMED CARE, NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE, NOT KNOWING ANYTHING.

SOME OF THEM HAVE SEEN GUN VIOLENCE, BUT FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK THEIR TRUTH AND FEEL LIKE THEY WAS IN A SAFE PLACE AND NOW GOING TO SCHOOL.

AND I CAN TAKE THEM OUT OF THE SCHOOLS THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN IN TROUBLE FOR, FOR WHATEVER CHARGES THEY MAY HAVE.

THEY THINK DIFFERENT.

THEY THINK DIFFERENT NOW.

AND THAT'S WHY THE MONEY NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE, THE PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

WENDY LAWRENCE.

HELLO? APRIL 15TH, 2023.

MY DAUGHTER PASSED AWAY FROM FENTANYL POISONING, AND I AM NOW TAKING CARE OF MY GRANDKIDS.

I'M ASKING.

I WANT. I DON'T WANT NO MORE TRAUMA GOING ON.

THEY ARE IN A COMMUNITY.

I AM AS THEIR PARENT NOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

I CAN'T DO THAT.

ALL 100%.

I'M DOING WHAT I CAN.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE MOTHER, LOST CHILD.

RISING STARS IS HELPING ME TO HELP THEM.

AND I'M ASKING Y'ALL TO CONSIDER GIVING THE MONEY TO THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE FRONT LINE.

THEY ARE HELPING.

A COMMERCIAL IS NOT GOING TO HELP THIS.

ALL RIGHT. I BELIEVE THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS ARE ALL TIED TO BIG MAMA.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO YIELD TIME, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

I'LL CALL YOU IN THE ORDER THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME.

LARONDA PRICE.

OKAY. HOLD ON. LAUREN YIELDS.

HOLD ON. ALL RIGHT.

HOW ABOUT CLARENCE PRICE YIELD? OKAY. LATRELL PRICE.

[02:20:02]

YOU OKAY? BENNY PRICE.

I'LL SPEAK. OKAY, WELL, HOLD ON, LET ME, LET ME LET ME READ THE OTHER ONE.

SHAQUITA EVANS, ARE YOU YIELDING? YES. YIELD.

TERRY. DIXON.

TERRY DIXON, YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK, OKAY? AND AS ESSER SALIMAN, SALAZAR SALIMAN, AZIZA SALAMA.

AND I'LL BE SPEAKING. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. BENNY. BENNY PRICE.

THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR HAVING ME.

COMMISSIONERS TODAY.

MY NAME IS BENNY PRICE.

I'M THE FOUNDER, CEO OF BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE, PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION TEAM CALLED THE GREAT, WHICH STANDS FOR GANG REHABILITATION.

ENDING AFFILIATION TIES.

TODAY IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY.

TODAY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

TO INVEST IN OUR YOUTH AND OUR YOUNG ADULTS AND OUR SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

BEXAR COUNTY.

IS A GREAT COUNTY TO LIVE IN.

I BELIEVE IN BEXAR COUNTY AND I BELIEVE IN EVERY COMMISSIONER Y'ALL WERE VOTED IN.

THE PEOPLE BELIEVE IN TRUSTING Y'ALL THAT Y'ALL WILL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR YOUR DISTRICTS.

BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE SERVES EVERY DISTRICT.

THE NATIONAL.

AVERAGE FOR ONE HOMICIDE FOR GUN VIOLENCE IS 1.2 MILLION.

AND I'M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

I'M NOT HERE FOR THE 900,000, BUT LET'S SAY YOU JUST GAVE US 900,000.

THAT'S A $300,000 RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT.

IF. WE SAVE ONE LIFE.

THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO YOU.

IS THAT A GOOD ENOUGH RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT? BUT WHAT WE HEAR TODAY IS THE SAYING THAT BEXAR COUNTY HAS TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT.

THEY HAVE TO ITS PUBLIC SAFETY, THE NUMBER ONE THREAT TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

IS COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE HOMICIDES.

OUR GREAT PROGRAM ADDRESSES THAT PROBLEM.

BY INTERRUPTING, MEDIATING.

THOSE GUN VIOLENCE THAT LEADS TO HOMICIDES.

NOW THERE ARE SOME OF YOU THAT WASN'T ON THE BENCH WHEN THIS WAS VOTED IN.

BUT TODAY YOU'RE BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH IT, THEN LET IT BE KNOWN.

BUT DON'T LET IT GO FORTH.

WHEN THE COMMUNITY IS TELLING YOU THAT IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY.

WE'RE SAYING THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT FOR GUN VIOLENCE, THEN ADD TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE GUN VIOLENCE.

YOU CAN GO GET ANY PR COMPANY TO DO SOME ADS AND MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

THEY DON'T DEAL WITH GUN VIOLENCE.

WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DEALING WITH GUN VIOLENCE AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE EVERY DAY? WHAT IS THE COURT GOING TO DO FOR THEM? JUDGE. I KNOW YOUR PASSION FOR OUR KIDS.

I ASK YOU AGAIN, JUDGE.

IS THIS WHAT YOU SEE GOING TO REALLY HELP OUR KIDS? EVERY DAY SINCE I HEARD OF THIS, I'VE BEEN GOING AROUND ASKING THE YOUTH, DO THEY WATCH COMMERCIALS? NONE OF THEM WATCHED COMMERCIALS.

WHAT ABOUT THE SOCIAL MEDIA? YOU KNOW, THEY SKIP PAST IT.

IT'S A WASTE.

NOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT GUN SAFETY.

EXCELLENT IDEA.

SAFE STORAGE MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

EXCELLENT IDEA.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

GUN VIOLENCE.

IT'S A WASTE OF MONEY.

SO I ASK YOU TODAY.

AND I DON'T STAND HERE ALONE.

I STAND HERE WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL DISTRICTS SAYING.

LET'S DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING.

THANK YOU. GOOD.

TERRY DIXON.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK.

AND JUST THIS TIME IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

[02:25:04]

EVERYONE HAS SAID SO MUCH GREAT THINGS ALREADY.

JUST TO FOLLOW.

I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE ALLOWED THIS TIME TO COME AND SPEAK.

I BROUGHT MY 15 YEAR OLD SON, MY NEPHEW.

JUST TO KIND OF COME AND SHOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF JUSTICE AND TO SPEAK FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.

WE'LL BE CELEBRATING NEXT MONTH.

MY SON BEING PASSED AWAY FOR TWO YEARS, AND MY 15 YEAR OLD SON, WHICH I BROUGHT.

I WANTED TO JUST SAY THIS BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO BE VERY UPSET WHEN I DO SAY IT.

THE WHOLE TIME HE WAS HERE, HE'S ON HIS PHONE.

HE'S NOT GOING TO WATCH TV.

I HAD TO TEXT HIM MULTIPLE TIMES TO PAY ATTENTION.

AND THESE ARE THE THINGS LIKE, I'M TRYING AND I'M LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, BUT I'M LIKE, YOU NEED TO GET HERE.

YOU NEED TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO NOT BE AGAINST THE POLICE AND GUN VIOLENCE AND ALL THESE THINGS, TO BE ON THE SIDE TO SPEAK WHAT'S RIGHT.

SO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT I STAND AND REPRESENT, BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE, EVERYONE ELSE, THEY'VE DONE SO MUCH.

THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME AS A MOM.

I JUST THANK YOU GUYS.

SORRY. YOU GUYS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AZIZA SALIMAN.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT AND JUDGE PETER SAKAI.

I WOULD LIKE TO JUST START OFF WITH THANKING YOU GUYS FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE IN THE SERVICES THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FREE RIDES PROGRAM HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, AND A SAN ANTONIO NATIVE RAISED ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF TOWN.

WENT TO ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT AREA HAS ALWAYS BEEN PLAGUED WITH CRIME.

I'M A SUPPORTER OF BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE AND A FREE TEXAS AS WELL.

I'VE DONE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

ASIDE FROM JUST ENDING GUN VIOLENCE, I DO WORK WITH IMPAIRED DRIVING AS WELL.

I LOVE MY CITY.

I LOVE IT VERY MUCH.

I LOVE THE PEOPLE IN MY CITY.

I WANT TO DO THE BEST THAT I CAN FOR MY CITY AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY.

MY HOME HAS BEEN SHOT AT AT LEAST ON 2 OR 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE LIFESPAN OF ME LIVING THERE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF TOWN.

I'M NOT INVOLVED IN ANY KIND OF ORGANIZED CRIMES, BUT JUST BY MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

I HAVE BULLET HOLES IN MY FRONT DOOR AND MY WINDOWS.

AND EVERY TIME I LOCK MY DOOR, I THINK TO MYSELF, YOU KNOW, HOW SAFE IS MY HOUSE? JUST LOCKING IT.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN.

CLEARLY, I'M NOT A PERSON OF INTEREST IN ANY KIND OF CRIMES, BUT YET I AM STILL VERY MUCH SUSCEPTIBLE TO A CRIME IN MY AREA.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE LEARNED WORKING WITH BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE IS THAT THEY'RE VERY MUCH SO A PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

MANY PEOPLE LOOK FOR THEM FOR RESOURCES OUTSIDE OF EDUCATION.

THEY LOOK FOR THEM FOR RESOURCES, FOR UTILITIES, EDUCATION.

WHAT NEED BE THAT THEY MAY HAVE.

AND SO WORKING IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS FOR NON PROFIT, I'VE COME TO LEARN ABOUT GRASSROOTS.

AND I'M SEEING IT HAPPENING AT BIG MAMA'S SAFE HOUSE AND TEXAS FREED.

AND I AND I ASK YOU TODAY, WHY DO ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO HAVE A BETTER COMMUNITY WHEN THERE IS FUNDING AVAILABLE TO RETURN THAT INVESTMENT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY, PAY YOUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE A BETTER COMMUNITY.

THEY CLEARLY HAVE THE PASSION HERE TODAY.

I MEAN, THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE FUNDING THEMSELVES, BUT IT TAKES MONEY TO BE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, TO BE IN SCHOOLS, TO BE TALKING TO PEOPLE.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING PAID.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT COME OUT HERE AND GET PAID TO DO THIS, AND THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT.

SO I ASK YOU TODAY TO PLEASE, PLEASE CONSIDER BRINGING THAT FUNDING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND PAYING THESE CITIZENS TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ALSO RETURN THE INVESTMENT ON HELPING THEM GET EDUCATION AND THE RESOURCES.

AND I MEAN, I KNOW BENNY'S GOTTEN SEVERAL EXPIRED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVEN'T SKIPPED ANYBODY.

I HAVE NO OTHER SLIPS.

IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT DID SIGN UP THAT HASN'T SPOKEN GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY? ALL RIGHT. LET US NOW CONTINUE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS I'VE ASKED.

[02:30:03]

COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, YOU'VE ASKED TO ADVANCE UP, AND I.

WITHOUT OBJECTION, MAY I JUST HAVE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO THANK THE MOTHER? I JUST WANT TO THANK THE MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND ALL OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE COME TO COURT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MEETINGS.

YOUR TESTIMONY IS POWERFUL.

IT'S STILL IN THE AIR.

IF IT WILL BE HEARD.

I KNOW THAT I HEAR THE PLEAS FOR, INTERVENTION.

AND I THINK IT IS, A PLEA THAT MANY SAN ANTONIANS ARE WHO ARE NOT REPRESENTED IN THIS COURTROOM FROM EVERY SECTOR OF THE COUNTY.

AGREE WITH, I FEEL A SENSE OF URGENCY KNOWING THE SUMMER CRIME, PEAK THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR TO TRY AND DIVERT THESE RESOURCES TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL INTERVENE WITH YOUTH BECAUSE YOUTH, THEIR NUMBER ONE KILLER, IS GUN VIOLENCE.

AND THAT IS A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS THAT WE'RE IN IN AMERICA, A VERY SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS.

AND I FEEL A SENSE OF URGENCY TO HELP TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHO THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO INTERVENE.

AND THEY GO THROUGH TRAUMA TO WHEN THEY SEE YOUNG PEOPLE KILLED, AND THEY SEE FAMILIES DESTROYED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

AND I REALLY HOPE THAT THIS COURT WILL DO A VERY SIMPLE THING, WHICH IS TO DIVERT THESE DOLLARS TOWARDS ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. FOR ME, I STARTED OUT IN A SIMILAR PROGRAM, WORK PROGRAM AT 12 YEARS OLD WITH SAN ANTONIO FIGHTING BACK WITH THE UNITED WAY SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM HELPED PUT ME AND MANY OTHER AT RISK YOUTH FROM THE EAST SIDE, ON A MUCH BETTER PATH.

MANY OF THEM ARE DOING GOOD COMMUNITY THINGS TODAY.

PEOPLE LIKE DARRYL BOYCE WAS IN THAT PROGRAM AND HE'S NOW A PASTOR, AND HE'S BEEN WORKING, HE'S HAD FAMILY WHO'VE BEEN VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE AS WELL.

BUT THEY'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE COMING TWO MEETINGS IN A ROW.

YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THAT THE COUNTY HAS, DELAYED THIS UNNECESSARILY IN TERMS OF TAKING ACTION.

IT'S REALLY NOT A HARD VOTE.

IT'S A VERY EASY THING TO DO, TO TRY AND GET THIS ON THE RIGHT PATH TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY, JUST LIKE WE DID FOR EVERY OTHER ARPA, APPLICATION WHERE YOU COULD SAY, THIS IS A PLAN THAT WE WANT TO PROPOSE TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

SO I HOPE BY THE NEXT MEETING WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

BUT THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY.

AND I KNOW BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT GUN VIOLENCE HAS ON YOU, THIS IS NOT AN ACADEMIC ISSUE FOR YOU.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL, YOUR TAX DOLLARS SHOULD BE UTILIZED FOR, AND YOU'RE 1,000% CORRECT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

[95. Presentation, discussion and appropriate action regarding increasing Bexar County's financial participation in the Mission Del Lago Reinvestment Zone Number 6, City of San Antonio, Texas.]

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP ITEM 95, AGENDA ITEM 95 PRESENTATION DISCUSSION, APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING INCREASING BEXAR COUNTY'S FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION, PARTICIPATION IN THE MISSION DEL LAGO REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER SIX, CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

MR. LIAO, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS, TODAY, WE'RE HERE TO LOOK AT A REQUEST FROM A DEVELOPER IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR THE MISSION DEL LAGO REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER SIX. THE DEVELOPER IS THAD RUTHERFORD AND IS REPRESENTED BY BLAKELY FERNANDEZ.

THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS ALSO HERE WITH THEIR TOURS DIRECTOR, DAVID KURBJUWEIT.

WE'LL LOOK AT THE CURRENT PROJECT.

AND THE CURRENT PROJECT HAS BEEN AMENDED ONCE IN 2019.

THE DEVELOPER ASKED FOR A SEVEN YEAR TERM EXTENSION AND ACTUALLY REDUCED THE COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION RATE.

NOW THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT STAYED THE SAME, BUT THEY DID ASK TO REDUCE OUR PARTICIPATION RATE TO 75%.

WITH THAT, SINCE THAT TIME, THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE OF ABOUT $10 MILLION OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DUE TO SEVERAL REASONS.

ONE OF THOSE IS THE PROJECT IS DOING SO WELL, IT'S ADDED ANOTHER 167 HOMES, SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

AND AS OF 2022, THE VALUE THAT WE TAX ON WAS 365 MILLION.

AND BY 2027, IT SHOULD GO OVER 600 MILLION.

NOW, THE REQUESTED AMENDMENT, CONTAINS TWO CAVEATS, AND THE REQUESTED AMENDMENT IS DUE TO THE VERY LIKELIHOOD OF SOUTHSIDE ISD DEPARTING FROM THE PROJECT.

SO TO KEEP THE PROJECT SOLIDIFIED AND GOING FORWARD, THE DEVELOPER HAS ASKED FOR A PARTICIPANT PARTICIPATION INCREASE, BACK FROM 75 TO 100%, AS WELL AS A MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION INCREASE.

NOW, FOR BEXAR COUNTY, THAT MEANS $6.3 MILLION.

[02:35:02]

AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THE CITY THERE IS ALMOST THREE TIMES THAT.

SO THAT'S THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR ONCE.

AND WE HAVE REALIZED, OR WE HAVE PAID OUT 5.5 MILLION AND THAT'LL GO UP.

WE SHOULD HIT THE 16.8.

IF YOU DO DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROJECT, AMEND IT.

AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE REQUESTED MOTION, BECAUSE IT IS A LONG ONE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT'S CONTINGENT ON SOUTH SIDE'S WITHDRAWAL.

FROM 75% TO 100% OF HIS GENERAL FUND MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION TAX INCREMENT DURING THE TAX YEARS 2025 THROUGH 2031. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, THERE ARE.

YEAH. HAS ANYONE FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HERE TODAY? NO, THEY ARE NOT IN ATTENDANCE TODAY.

OH, OKAY.

THERE IS SOMEBODY. OKAY.

YEAH. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE. HI.

GOOD AFTERNOON. JESSE HERNANDEZ, BOARD PRESIDENT FOR ISD.

I'M ACTUALLY HERE ON CAPACITY FROM CPS ENERGY, BUT I SAW THE ITEMS. I WOULD STEP UP TO SPEAK.

SO YEAH, SO WE DO HAVE A REQUEST THAT'S GOING TO BE GOING TO THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR US TO TO EXIT THE TERS.

FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, WE HAD SOME STATE FUNDING ISSUES THAT PREVENT US FROM PAYING THIS FORWARD.

SO, IT'S IT'S OBVIOUSLY HAS AN IMPACT TO OUR STUDENTS.

SO WE WOULD ASK FOR FOR THE SUPPORT ON THIS AS WELL.

WELL, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

SO, WE'VE SPOKEN QUITE A BIT WITH MANUEL.

MANUEL, THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.

WORKING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE CITY AND THE ATTORNEYS AND THE DEVELOPER.

SO THE REASON THAT I, I'M SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE I'M LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN, THE STUDENTS OF SOUTHSIDE ISD. AND WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF BEXAR COUNTY, TO MAKE SURE THAT CONSTITUENTS IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR CONTINUE TO HAVE CHOICE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WAS, REALLY DIFFICULT, HAS BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT TO FIND, PLACES TO LIVE FOR THOSE OF US WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

SO, SO THAT'S WHY I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SUPPORT THIS.

SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER COMMENT? MR. MOODY. AND SORRY TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT IF YOU COULD SPEAK ANY MORE, WHY IS SOUTH SIDE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE ANYMORE IN THIS, TERSE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MOODY.

SO, THERE'S BEEN, AS YOU MAY BE AWARE, STATE FUNDING ISSUES AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND SO WE HAD A DECREASE IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM OUR EXPECTED FUNDING THAT WAS GOING TO BE COMING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AND SO THAT'S BEEN PREVENTING US TO TO MAKE THE FIRST PAYMENT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT PASSED.

OKAY. AND WE ALSO ANTICIPATE THE FUNDING ISSUES TO CONTINUE THROUGH THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR OF THE THE AMOUNT THE YEARS THAT WE HAVE REMAINING ON THE TORRES AGREEMENT IS THAT FROM A REDUCTION IN ENROLLMENT OR SOMETHING, IT'S PART OF THE ADA, THE ENROLLMENT AND ENROLLMENT ISSUES.

IT IS NOT. IT'S JUST THE THE DECREASE THAT THE THE STATE LEVEL OR THE STATE HAD PREVENTED US TO TO RECEIVE THOSE DOLLARS.

SO WE SAW I WASN'T PREPARED TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS A $12 MILLION REDUCTION THAT WE HAD PER YEAR.

AND SO WE THIS WAS OUR OBLIGATION WAS ABOUT $3.2 MILLION.

SO WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO MAKE THAT PAYMENT.

YOU SAID 3.2, 3.2 I BELIEVE WAS THE THE AMOUNT.

OKAY. THAT'S AN ANNUAL NUMBER.

CORRECT. AND IT WOULD INCREASE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THANK YOU. AND THEN THE THE $10.5 MILLION CEILING WE HAVE TODAY.

WHAT IS THAT? WHERE ARE WE AT IN TERMS OF THAT? WE'VE CONTRIBUTED 5.5.

I JUST DID THE 2023 TAX YEAR TODAY.

I ACTUALLY GOT IT WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE BACK.

AND THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO ADD ANOTHER 1 MILLION.

SO WE WOULD HAVE HIT THE 10.5.

WE ASKED OUR ESTIMATED TO HIT THE 10.5 IF WE LEAVE IT THE SAME ABOUT 2027 WITH THE ADDITION, TAX YEAR 2031 WILL COMPLETE THE 16 POINT WHATEVER MILLION AND ACTUALLY REALIZE 1.8 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE IN THAT YEAR AND THEN 3 MILLION A YEAR GOING FORWARD.

[02:40:02]

OKAY, SO JUST FOR THE RECORD, WE'VE CONTRIBUTED 5.5 MILLION.

WE STILL HAVE A CEILING OF 10.5 MILLION.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER 5 MILLION IN TAX BREAKS THAT THAT UNDER THE CURRENT PLAN THE CURRENT TRAJECTORY.

RIGHT. BUT TODAY ASKING FOR THAT TO BE INCREASED ANOTHER 6 MILLION.

CORRECT. AND THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTING AN ADDITIONAL 18.7 I GOT THAT.

AND CAN YOU HELP US WITH WHAT WHAT THE THE PROJECTS THAT ARE BEING DEVELOPED WITH, WITH THE FUNDING LOOK LIKE, WELL, WHY DON'T I BRING UP THAT THE DEVELOPER HE'S MUCH, MORE IN TUNE AS TO.

THE ACTUAL PROJECTS GOING IN, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S OVER 2600 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND A CRITICAL AREA OF SOUTH BEXAR COUNTY. AND I'LL HAND IT OVER TO THAT.

YEAH. SO THIS IS A MAINLY THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBDIVISION.

SO THE PROJECT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 PLUS YEARS, AND THIS IS KIND OF THE LAST THREE PHASES.

SO WE THINK IT'S A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO ENDING A GOOD STORY IN THE SOUTH SIDE WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE FINAL INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH AGAIN IS ROADS, DRAINAGE AND OTHER PUBLIC, PUBLIC UTILITIES.

SO AND THIS IS A LITTLE OUTSIDE MY EXPERTISE BUT BUT AGAIN SO WHAT WHAT PART OF THIS FALLS WITHIN THE TORRES VERSUS COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ALREADY EXIST IN THIS PROJECT IS WITH WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO CITY LIMITS AS ALMOST WELL, ALL OUR TOURS ARE WITHIN INCORPORATED AREAS.

SO OUR RESPONSIBILITY LIES MAINLY WITH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

OKAY. YEAH.

I MEAN, I JUST THINK THAT I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS IN THE PAST, MEETINGS AND I BELIEVE, GOING FORWARD, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT OUR CURRENT DEBT AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE WITH BEXAR COUNTY.

AND, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH AND SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS WE'VE HAD THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION AROUND WHAT CAN CONTINUE IN TERMS OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO BE MORE MINDFUL OF IN TERMS OF OUR OVERALL DEBT LOAD PER CAPITA AND WHAT CAN BE SUPPORTED GOING FORWARD.

PERSONALLY, I JUST FEEL LIKE GOING FROM THE FACT THAT WE ALREADY HAVE ANOTHER 5 MILLION THAT'S ALREADY COMMITTED TO HERE, AND WE'RE ASKING FOR ANOTHER SIX ON TOP OF THAT.

I JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH RIGHT NOW.

I KNOW THERE YOU MENTIONED THE ISSUES WITH SOUTHSIDE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE ANOTHER LARGE COMMITMENT IN TERMS OF TAX REVENUE THAT WE'RE GOING TO FOREGO, AND CREATE MORE PRESSURE AND MORE STRAIN ON OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET GOING FORWARD.

SO THOSE ARE JUST MY CONCERNS RIGHT NOW.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.

SO THIS IS A RARE, BLAKELY TO DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY OR THAT.

AND THEN I'LL MAKE MY RARE COMMENT.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS WAS A CHURCH CREATED IN 1999 AND FOR YEARS PRODUCED THE ONLY NEW HOUSING GOING IN ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

THE CHURCH MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR A DEVELOPER TO COME IN AND TAKE A CHANCE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THE MARKET DIDN'T NATURALLY SUPPORT, AND BECAUSE THAT THAT HOUSING IN MICHELAGO HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, YOU'RE NOW SEEING DEVELOPERS HAVE COMPS AND THE ABILITY TO COME IN AND BUILD HOMES IN THAT AREA WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUPPORT.

SO THIS IS THE WAY A CHURCH IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.

THE SOUTH STAR BOUGHT THE PROJECT AFTER IT HAD BEEN FAILING FOR MANY YEARS, AND IN 2008, THEY STARTED GETTING THE HOUSES ON THE GROUND THAT THE SOUTH SIDE HAD BEEN EXPECTING.

ANYWAY, IT'S A REALLY GOOD STORY.

IT'S ONE OF THE BEST CHURCH STORIES IN THE COUNTY.

AND SO, MAKING SURE THAT IT CONTINUES AND FLOWS OUT THIS, THESE LAST FEW YEARS SUCCESSFULLY, I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU. SO I HAVE A RARE COMMENT TO MAKE.

I DON'T OFTEN SAY THIS A LOT OF TIMES, WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE, WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY, I ASK FOR CITY STAFF AND THEY ARE NOT PRESENT.

SO LIKE I SAID, IT'S A RARE OCCASION FOR ME.

I WANT TO THANK THE CITY, STAFFERS FOR BEING HERE, FOR BEING PRESENT.

AND AS MANUEL POINTED OUT, FOR TAKING ON A LARGER, PART OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN.

[02:45:03]

SO THANK YOU.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. ANY ABSTENTIONS.

MOTION CARRIES.

LET'S GO BACK UP TO ITEM NUMBER 94.

[94. Discussion and appropriate action to create an exemption from ad valorem taxation for a percentage of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.]

DISCUSSION. APPROPRIATE ACTION TO CREATE AN EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR PERCENTAGE OF THE APPRAISED VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY USED TO OPERATE A CHILD CARE FACILITY.

COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, IS THIS YOURS? IT IS. I BELIEVE MELISSA IS GOING TO BE PRESENTING ON THIS.

OKAY. GOOD MORNING, MELISSA SHANNON, COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE.

EXCUSE ME. I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THIS ITEM, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

THIS IS A, TAX CHILD CARE TAX, PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION THAT WAS APPROVED DURING THE 88TH LEGISLATURE.

SENATOR WEST FILED A BILL, FOR THIS TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE MINIMUM AMOUNT, AND ONLY CITIES AND COUNTIES CAN ADOPT THIS EXEMPTION.

YOU HAVE TO DO AT LEAST A 50% EXEMPTION IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO.

YOU THE EXEMPTION, THE TAXPAYER HAS TO FILE THEIR EXEMPTION DOCUMENTS WITH THEIR APPRAISAL DISTRICT BY APRIL 30TH. AND IF THEY FILE THEIR EXEMPTION THIS YEAR, BY APRIL 30TH, IT COUNTS TOWARDS THEIR 2024, PROPERTY TAXES.

THIS EXEMPTION IS ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR PROPERTIES THAT ARE FULLY CHILD CARE FACILITIES.

YOU CAN'T, LEASE A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY FOR, A RENTAL PROPERTY.

HOMEOWNER. THERE CAN BE NO OTHER HOMEOWNER EXEMPTIONS ON THE PROPERTY.

IT CAN ONLY STRICTLY BE USED FOR A CHILD CARE FACILITY, FOR A CHILD CARE FACILITY, TO PARTICIPATE OR BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE, THEY HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION'S TEXAS RISING STAR PROGRAM.

SO THAT IS A PROGRAM THAT'S RUN BY THE STATE THAT HAS THREE LEVELS OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION.

THEY QUALIFY AS A TWO STAR, THREE STAR OR FOUR STAR.

SO IT'S IT'S A LIMITED PROGRAM, THAT ALLOWS A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ON CITY AND COUNTY, REAL PROPERTY ONLY ON CHILD CARE FACILITIES, AND ONLY IF THE FACILITY, PARTICIPATES IN THE RISING STAR PROGRAM.

BUDGET HAS ESTIMATED THAT IF WE WERE TO DO 100% EXEMPTION, THAT WOULD BE $770,705 ANNUALLY THAT YOU WOULD FOREGO AT 100% EXEMPTION, A 75% EXEMPTION, 578,188 OR A 50% EXEMPTION 385,459. AND THOSE ARE EACH ANNUAL, AMOUNTS.

SO IT'S IT'S, IN MY ESTIMATION, BASED ON WHAT BUDGET HAS RUN.

IT'S A, IT'S A SMALL A SMALL HIT, VERY SMALL HIT TO OUR BUDGET.

THANK YOU MELISSA.

SO THE REASON I WANTED TO BRING THIS FORTH IS BECAUSE FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS NOW, SINCE 2014, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK TO GET MORE ACCREDITED CHILD CARE CENTERS IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR OF BEXAR COUNTY.

AND, THIS ISN'T JUST AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR ALL CHILD CARE CENTERS.

IT HAS TO BE TEXAS RISING STAR, WHICH IS AN ACCREDITATION PROGRAM.

THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION, CORRECT, MELISSA? YES, MA'AM. AND IT ALSO HAS TO BE FOR LICENSED CHILD CARE FACILITIES, AND THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM OF 20% ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE SERVICES. SO THIS CAN REALLY BE, A GAME CHANGER FOR A LOT OF OUR CHILD CARE CENTERS.

WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LARGE ISSUE WITH LACK OF CHILD CARE AND AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE.

AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD.

AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. DO WE DO WE HAVE TO HAVE A TAXATION RATE THAT WE'RE CHOOSING? YOU NEED TO YES, A PARTICIPATION.

SO WE HAVE TO SAY AT LEAST 50%.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO AT LEAST A 50% EXEMPTION.

[02:50:04]

WE HAVE TO SAY IT IN THE MOTION SPECIFICALLY WHAT OUR PERCENTAGE.

RIGHT. MY MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU WOULD HAVE TO BRING SOMETHING BACK.

I MEAN, THIS IS A THIS IS, I KNOW, AN ACTION ITEM TO GIVE STAFF SOME DIRECTION, BUT I THINK THE POINT IS, YOU'RE RIGHT.

I MEAN, WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME SPECIFICS ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

YOU LAID OUT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS, FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE PREPARED.

OKAY. OR IF WE HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF US.

COMMISSIONER, I'LL KIND OF DEFER TO YOU, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS A GOOD, I THINK, A GOOD POLICY.

IT'S A IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.

YEAH. SO IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING AS WELL, MELISSA, IS THAT YOU'LL BE YOU STAFF WILL BRING BACK MORE SPECIFICS ON THE PROGRAM.

WE CAN IF THAT'S NEEDED.

BUT, EVEN AT 100%, IF YOU WENT WITH 100% EXEMPTION, IT'S A $770,000 HIT ANNUALLY TO OUR BUDGET. BOTTOM LINE.

OKAY. SO MAYBE THE AT CURRENT LEVELS, MAYBE THE RECOMMENDED MOTION IS TO COME BACK WITH A PERCENTAGE ADOPTION AT, YOU KNOW, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING, COMMISSIONER? SO MARCUS HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS.

LARRY, WHAT'S IN THE BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS? IS IT JUST TO RECOMMEND STAFF TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION? I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE 100%.

AM I INCORRECT? I, I HADN'T HAD ANY DISCUSSION WITH ANYONE PARTICULAR ON A PARTICULAR AMOUNT.

OKAY, SO WHAT'S ON THE MOTION? LARRY AND DAVID IS THIS CAN I MAKE A MOTION FOR 100%, OR WAS THIS JUST A MOTION? IT'S DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION.

SO THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

WHAT WAS THAT LARRY. IT'S A IT'S IT'S AN ACTION ITEM.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THE BACKUP, BUT IT IS AN ACTION ITEM.

SO IF YOU WANT TO DECIDE IT TODAY, YOU JUST NEED TO TELL US THE PERCENT AND THEN WE DON'T NEED TO COME BACK I DON'T THINK OKAY.

SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS 100%.

OBVIOUSLY, I GUESS IT HAS IT NOT BEEN CLEAR, COMMISSIONERS? IF NOT, THEN WE CAN BRING IT BACK.

WELL, IT WOULD BE IN YOUR MOTION TO, YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN THE.

LET ME LET ME WEIGH IN.

DO WE HAVE A FISCAL NOTE ON THIS? YES. IT'S IN THE BACKUP.

I HAVEN'T SEEN IT. WHERE IS IT? I DON'T HAVE IT. IT'S.

WELL, IT'S IT WAS ON THE.

I DOWNLOADED IT YESTERDAY.

IT'S IN YOUR BACKUP.

I'M NOT PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD UNLESS THE FISCAL NOTE.

AND APPARENTLY IT IS, BUT I JUST DON'T.

I DON'T HAVE IT.

THAT'S FINE. SO I'D LIKE TO PREPARED.

I'M NOT TRYING TO WEIGH IN.

YEAH, I SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE, BUT I WANT A FISCAL NOTE.

NO, NO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY COLLEAGUES ARE CLEAR.

IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS 100%.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WERE ARE CLEAR ON THAT.

SO, I'LL JUST KEEP MY MOTION TO WE CAN BRING IT BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING.

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT MY STAFF MEET WITH ALL THE COMMISSIONERS OR THEIR STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PERCENTAGE, SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND HELP TO SUPPORT OUR CHILD CARE CENTERS.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

SO THERE WAS A MOTION.

DO WE CONSIDER THAT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THEN, COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES? YES. AND ACCEPTED.

ALL RIGHT. EVERYBODY GOT THE MOTION NOW.

ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER? WHAT'S THAT. ALL RIGHT.

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO RESTATE THE MOTION.

THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

WHAT? FRIENDLY AMENDMENT? WELL, NO. WELL, WHATEVER THE.

I'M JUST YOUR LAST MOTION TO APPROVE THIS FOR OUR CHILD CARE CENTERS THROUGHOUT BEXAR COUNTY.

NOT JUST IN MY PRECINCT.

RIGHT. EVERYONE WILL BENEFIT.

AND TO DIRECT STAFF TO PLEASE MEET WITH EACH OFFICE TO MAKE SURE, THE PERCENTAGE THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING, OF COURSE, YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT I'M SUPPORTING 100%.

AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THAT.

ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING, OH, COMMISSIONER MOODY, QUESTION TO STAFF.

MELISSA, DO YOU IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK APART NEW VERSUS EXISTING? BECAUSE THE CONCERN WITH A LOT OF THESE EXEMPTIONS IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO INCENTIVIZE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY, RIGHT.

BUT THAT'S NEW CAPACITY VERSUS, YOU KNOW, THE EXISTING JUST INCREASING THE PROFITABILITY OF THE CURRENT BUSINESS.

SO IS THAT POSSIBLE IN THIS.

SO SO THIS IS THESE NUMBERS THAT BUDGET RAN WERE ON EXISTING THERE AREN'T WE DON'T HAVE PROJECT I MEAN WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

YEAH. UNDERSTAND. NO I'M SAYING COULD WE DECIDE TO FOCUS ON NEW CAPACITY VERSUS EXISTING CAPACITY TO OFFER THE EXEMPTION ONLY TO NEW?

[02:55:02]

NO, SIR. IT'S IT'S IT'S AN EXEMPTION, JUST LIKE YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS.

SO FOR THOSE OF US WHO FILE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS, IS THE CHILD CARE FACILITY FILES AN EXEMPTION WITH, TO TO EXEMPT CITY OR COUNTY TAXES IF THOSE, GOVERNING BODIES HAVE VOTED THAT VOTED FOR THAT EXEMPTION AT WHATEVER PARTICULAR PERCENTAGE.

SO WE CAN'T IT'S NOT SET UP TO INCENTIVIZE NEW.

IT'S OFFERED FOR ALL FOR CURRENT AND WHATEVER FUTURE CHILD CARE FACILITIES COME ONLINE THAT ARE THIS RISING STAR PROGRAM.

OKAY I UNDERSTAND YEAH.

THE ONLY CONCERN THERE IS IS THE GETTING THAT THAT BENEFIT PASSED THROUGH TO, FOLKS WHO ARE UTILIZING THAT CENTER, VERSUS JUST INCREASING THE PROFIT.

YEAH, THAT WOULD BE BUSINESS.

THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE BUSINESS OWNER IF THE BUSINESS OWNER GAINED SAVINGS BASED ON THAT EXEMPTION.

YEAH. FROM THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, THEN IT WOULD BE BASED THAT PROPERTY OWNER, BUSINESS OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PASS THOSE SAVINGS ON.

YEAH. ON TO OBVIOUSLY IF WE COULD JUST FOCUS ON NEW THEN THAT WOULD BE IDEAL.

BUT IF I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

BUT NO SIR. YEAH, IT'S THAT'S NOT HOW THIS IS WRITTEN.

YEAH. I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A DISCUSSION, YOU KNOW, ON ON WHAT THE, THE RIGHT AMOUNT IS.

I DEFINITELY WANT TO KEEP, YOU KNOW, THE 50% OPTION, UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND EVERYTHING VERSUS THE 75 OR 100, BUT, LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE. ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR? I GUESS I HAVE A QUESTION.

IN TERMS OF DOES THE LAW HAVE ANY PROVISION FOR SAVINGS TO FAMILIES BASED UPON THESE ORGANIZATIONS GETTING EXEMPTION? DO THEY HAVE TO REQUIRE, YOU KNOW, ANY KIND OF SAVINGS ON THEIR MONTH? YEAH. WELL, I KNOW THAT THE RESEARCH THAT I'VE DONE ON THE RISING STAR PROGRAM, AT LEAST 20% OF THE CHILDREN ENROLLED HAVE TO RECEIVE SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS, TO BE A PART OF THE RISING STAR PROGRAM.

SO 20%, BUT AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE'S VARIOUS LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION.

TWO STAR, THREE STAR, FOUR STAR.

I'LL HAVE TO LOOK DEEPER INTO THOSE AND SEE IF THAT PERCENTAGE RISES.

I'D BE CURIOUS ABOUT HOW MUCH DISCOUNT THOSE DISCOUNTED, PROGRAMS PROVIDE IF I COULD GET THAT.

OKAY, I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

CALL FOR A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SIGNIFY, SAY AN I, I ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? MOTION CARRIES.

IF I MAY, I'D LIKE TO GO UP TO AGENDA ITEM 93.

[93. Discussion and appropriate action regarding a resolution nominating Ralph Barksdale to fill the vacancy on the Bexar Appraisal District Board of Directors.]

MR. BARKSDALE, ARE YOU STILL IN THE ROOM? YES, SIR. THERE YOU ARE.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE, TAKE UP AGENDA ITEM 93.

DISCUSSION. APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION.

NOMINATING RALPH BARKSDALE TO FILL THE VACANCY ON THE BEXAR APPRAISAL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

I AM SUBMITTING MR. BARKSDALE, FOR NOMINATION.

THIS IS, THERE IS A OPENING ON BC-AD.

I BELIEVE A EXISTING BOARD MEMBER HAS RESIGNED.

I BELIEVE IT WAS MR. LEO SALAS FROM THE SOMERSET SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AND SO THERE'S AN OPENING.

THIS DOES NOT FILL.

IT IS SUBMITTED UP TO THE BC-AD FOR A VOTE BY ALL THE TAX AND ENTITIES.

BUT, I WANTED TO BRING MR. BARKSDALE. I'M FAMILIAR WITH HIS BACKGROUND.

DECADES OF LEADERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.

CORRECT, MR. BARKSDALE? YES, SIR.

AND ALSO, HE'S A MAN OF FAITH.

YES, SIR. CLERGY AND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LOCAL CORRECTIONS OFFICER.

I BELIEVE IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO, BY BY THE MAJORITY VOTE OF THE TAXING ENTITIES, YOU'LL BE THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN ON THE BCAT BOARD.

SO I'M PROUD TO PUT FORTH MR. BARKSDALE. I'LL ASK THE COURT IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. BARKSDALE. I'LL ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND A MOTION AND A SECOND.

NO QUESTIONS, JUDGE.

I'D MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE.

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, WHOSE SECOND COMMISSIONER CALVERT ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MR. BARKSDALE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, SIR? I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, JUDGE SAKAI AND COMMISSIONERS, I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

IT IS A PLEASURE FOR ME TO SERVE.

AND THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR CALLING ME AND ASKING ME TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD.

I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, MR. BARKSDALE, AND I ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO PLEASE STEP UP FOR THESE BOARDS AND COMMISSION, MAKE SURE THE COMMISSIONERS AND MYSELF ARE AWARE OF YOUR WISH TO SERVE ON AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE AT THIS TIME.

I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

HAVE A GOOD DAY, MR. BARKER.

THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU, THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS.

ALL RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS.

LET'S GO BACK TO 86 DISCUSSION.

[86. Discussion and appropriate action regarding a request for approval of 41,422 hours of paid overtime for uniformed officers who worked mandatory overtime hours (MOT) in the Adult Detention Center between February 10 - May 31, 2024 for the total amount of $1,933,579 (including salary and benefits).]

[03:00:01]

APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF 41,422 HOURS OF PAID OVERTIME FOR THE UNIFORMED OFFICERS WHO WORK MANDATORY OVERTIME HOURS IN THE ADULT DETENTION CENTER BETWEEN FEBRUARY 10TH MAY 31ST, 2024, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT 1,000,930 $300,579, INCLUDING SALARY AND BENEFITS.

HELLO, CHIEFS. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

OH THAT'S RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON.

AFTERNOON. SO, UNFORTUNATELY, SHERIFF SALAZAR SALAZAR IS UNABLE TO MAKE IT.

HE SENDS HIS REGRETS.

HE'S UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED WITH, ANOTHER PART OF OUR MISSION.

I BELIEVE WE WERE EXECUTING SOME HIGH PROFILE ARREST WARRANTS, AND, HE WAS PERSONALLY INVOLVED WITH THAT.

SO, WITH MOTT, I THINK WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE.

VERY, VERY MUCH SO ON THIS PARTICULAR EFFORT.

AND WE'VE COME BACK WITH THE ASK THAT IS BOTH AGREED UPON FROM OUR SIDE AND WITH BUDGET FOR THE 41,000 HOURS.

AND WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD YIELD THE QUESTIONS TO ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY JOEL JENSEN.

HE HE'S THE BUREAU COMMANDER OVER THE THE ADULT DETENTION CENTER.

ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONER MOODY.

JUST TO CLARIFY, ARE WE TAKING UP 86 AND 87 TOGETHER? 86. WE'RE 86.

OKAY. WELL, I'LL JUST MAKE SOME SOME COMMENTS TOGETHER.

THEY'RE REALLY KIND OF ONE IN THE SAME.

I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION THIS MORNING, WITH, WITH, THE TEAM.

AND, YOU KNOW, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE, THE HOURS, IN THIS LAST PERIOD WERE DOWN.

COULD YOU MAYBE SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT? WAS THAT WAS THAT UNDER THE OVERTIME OR WAS THAT UNDER THE FLSA FLSA.

SORRY. THAT'S THE FLSA FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT'S DOWN ABOUT 120,000 HOURS.

OKAY. SO I THINK THAT'S THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD AND I BROUGHT FORWARD AND I KNOW THAT, BUDGET HAS NOW BEEN BEEN WORKING WITH YOU ALL ON THIS ITEM. WE HAVE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT REPORTING SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND BECAUSE THESE THINGS CAN BE PAID OUT IN SPURTS AND EVERYTHING, THE BEST WAY, IN MY OPINION, FOR US TO DO REPORTING IS BASED ON THE ACTUAL HOURS INCURRED.

SO WE CAN KNOW.

WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE PAID OUT IN THE FUTURE, BUT IF WE CAN BE FOCUSED ON HOW MANY HOURS WE'RE INCURRING ON A WEEKLY BASIS, ON A MONTHLY BASIS, THEN WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF THAT AND WE CAN REPORT ON THAT AND WE CAN KNOW WHICH WAY WE'RE TRENDING, ACROSS THESE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

SO I KNOW WE'VE HAD HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS ON THIS FRONT.

I WANT TO ASK STAFF TO PARTNER WITH YOU ALL GOING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN DO THAT AND REPORT ON THOSE HOURS THAT WE'RE INCURRING ON A MONTHLY BASIS SO WE CAN LOOK AT THAT HISTORICALLY, LOOK AT TRENDS AND SEE WHERE WHERE HOURS ARE GOING. I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, THAT WE'RE THROUGH A LOT OF CHANGE RIGHT NOW WITH ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES, BEING HIRED, THAT'S GOING TO CREATE SOME SOME ADDITIONAL STRAINS WHEN IT COMES TO OVERTIME AS WELL, BUT ULTIMATELY STILL JUST HAVING A BASELINE OF REPORTING IN TERMS OF HOURS INCURRED.

BECAUSE THERE'S SOME DIFFERENT CATEGORIES HERE.

THERE'S DETENTION, THERE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT, THERE'S FLSA, THERE'S OVERTIME.

WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF THE HOURS THAT WE'RE INCURRING AND LOOK AT THAT HISTORICALLY.

SO THIS BODY CAN LOOK AT THAT DATA, UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON AND BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON IT GOING FORWARD.

I HOPE THAT THAT MAKES SENSE.

YES, SIR. IT DOES.

AND BY BREAKING IT DOWN THAT WAY, WE CAN ALSO, INDICATE WHAT THE TRENDS ARE WITH REGARDS TO, IF ANYTHING MAJOR HAPPENED IN THE CRIMES THAT HAPPENED THAT THAT IMPACTED THAT OVERTIME SCHEDULE, IT MAKES SENSE TO BREAK IT DOWN.

THAT WAY. WE'LL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOUR STAFF ON THAT.

OKAY. I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE I'LL BE HONEST.

OTHERWISE, I THINK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR FOR ANYBODY UP HERE TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND, WHERE THOSE COSTS ARE COMING FROM OR WHETHER WE'RE, HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR THE WRONG DIRECTION.

SO WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT KIND OF HISTORICAL REPORTING IN ORDER TO DO THAT.

YES, SIR. I AGREE. AND AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT TREND CONTINUE TO DECLINE.

IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER FOR US THIS YEAR.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. DAVID, JUST REAL QUICK, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE CHIEF SAID LAW ENFORCEMENT FLSA WAS GOING DOWN.

[03:05:07]

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS AN INCREASING TREND OF DETENTION, FLSA SHIFTING FROM PAID OVERTIME TO FLSA.

THERE IS A FISCAL NOTE ATTACHED THAT SHOWS BUDGET IS ESTIMATING WE'LL SPEND BETWEEN THE TWO PAID OVERTIME AND FLSA IN DETENTION, $919 MILLION THIS YEAR, WHICH IS SIX 6 MILLION MORE THAN WE SPENT LAST YEAR, IF THAT IF THAT ESTIMATE IS CORRECT, WE'RE APPROACHING A PENNY ON THE TAX RATE BETWEEN ALL FLSA AND ALL, PAID OVERTIME.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? SO AS YOU SEE IN THE FISCAL NOTE, WHAT'S DESCRIBED IS YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT DO DECIDE TO GO FLSA INSTEAD OF RECEIVING THE OVERTIME AMOUNT, BUT ACTUALLY THE FLSA WILL BE DROPPING BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING AWAY WITH THE CADET PHASE ONE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE DOING, WHERE WE'RE FRONT LOADING THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE JAIL, AND THEY WERE OCCURRING THE COMP TIME BEFORE THEY WERE ACTUALLY STARTING THE ACADEMY.

AND THEN ONCE THEY WERE LEAVING THE ACADEMY, THEY WERE ALREADY WALKING IN WELL ABOVE CLOSE TO THE 480 MARK.

SO ACTUALLY YOU'RE GOING TO YOU SEE THIS, BUT NOW IT'S GOING TO BE GOING ABOUT THIS WAY, OKAY.

AND THAT'S DUE TO THE INCREASED AMOUNT OF STAFF THAT WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING.

SO HELP ME REALLY QUICK.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS.

DAVID, WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT JUST FLSA OR WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT COMBINED WITH OVERTIME, COMBINED COMBINED DETENTION, NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT? THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.

BETWEEN THE TWO AND DETENTION, IF CURRENT TRENDS CONTINUE, IF THE CHIEF IS RIGHT AND THE TRENDS CHANGE, OBVIOUSLY THE ESTIMATE WILL CHANGE.

BUT IF CURRENT TRENDS CONTINUED, YOU WOULD SEE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR MORE DETENTION PAYOUTS VIA FLSA THAN PAID OVERTIME.

AND THAT'S A FIRST.

YEAH. IF IT CONTINUES AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE'S OTHER NEGATIVE, ISSUES WITH THE FLSA VERSUS OVERTIME.

TO ME, IF WE'RE PAYING OUT THE SAME AMOUNT, WHETHER IT'S FLSA OR OVERTIME, I DON'T NECESSARILY CARE IF IT'S A DOLLAR AND A DOLLAR.

IT'S UNDERSTANDING THE COMBINED TOTAL OF WHAT WE PAID OUT LAST YEAR BETWEEN THOSE TWO AND WHICH WAY WE'RE TRENDING AND WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOR THIS FY.

SO. I GUESS MY QUESTION THEN WOULD BE IF WE WENT FROM 13 MILLION TOTAL LAST YEAR, AND WE THINK IT'S GOING TO BE 19 MILLION TOTAL THIS YEAR.

HOW DOES THAT EQUATE WITH THE VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE IN DETENTION? BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION WITH PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS THAT WE WERE MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON HIRING.

ACTUALLY, I'LL LET CHIEF GARZA JUMP UP.

HE'LL MENTION THE NEXT UPCOMING UPCOMING ACADEMY CLASSES THAT'LL BE COMING THROUGH.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU. CHIEF. SO JUST TO BRING A PERSPECTIVE, COMMISSIONER, BY MID-MARCH, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ROUGHLY 131 CADETS IN OUR ACADEMY JUST FOR THE DETENTION BUREAU ALONE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, FOUR CLASSES.

THE ALPHA CLASS ALREADY BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 12TH WITH 23.

AND THOSE ARE THOSE THAT WERE LIKE THE CHIEF TALKED ABOUT.

THERE WERE THERE WERE CADETS IN THE DETENTION BUREAU THERE.

NOW, THE ACADEMY DOING AWAY WITH THAT PROGRAM.

OUR FIRST CLASS THAT STARTS WHERE YOU COME IN STRAIGHT OFF THE STREETS, GO TO THE ACADEMY FOR DETENTION.

THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BRAVO CLASS, THAT STARTS, THE 26TH OF FEBRUARY.

AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 42 CADETS SLATED TO BE HIRED FOR THAT.

THE FINAL GROUP OF CADETS ARE IN THE JAIL NOW THAT ARE GOING TO THE ACADEMY.

THOSE ARE COMING OVER MARCH 11TH, AND THOSE ARE 26.

WE ONLY HAVE 26 LEFT IN THAT CAPACITY.

AND THAT ROLE, THERE ARE GOING TO BE, GOING TO THE ACADEMY MARCH 11TH.

THE THE DELTA CLASS IS GOING TO BE STARTING MARCH 25TH.

AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE SLATED TO HAVE 40IN THAT.

SO FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 131 DETENTION CADETS, OUR RECRUITING SECTION IS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK.

WE'RE VERY AGGRESSIVE IN OUR HIRING CAMPAIGNS RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE SEEING THIS ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE'RE DOING SOME TAKEOVER SITES FOR THE KBB WEBSITE SO THAT YOU CAN SEE ALL OF OUR, CAREER FAIRS THAT WE'RE HAVING.

WE'RE HAVING THEM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, SO THAT WE'RE ACTIVELY RECRUITING TO HIRE THOSE FOR DETENTION TO BRING THOSE NUMBERS DOWN.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE THE HIRING AND THE ADDITIONAL OVERALL COSTS, BUT I'M NOT NECESSARILY UNDERSTANDING HOW HOW THOSE WOULD IMPACT OVERTIME OR FLSA COSTS WITHIN THE JAIL BECAUSE.

OH SORRY. THESE ARE ALL GOING TO GO TO THE JAIL 100 CADETS FROM THE TRANSFER INTO DETENTION DEPUTIES.

SO YOU'RE SAYING GOING FORWARD THAT SHOULD REDUCE THOSE COSTS? OKAY. UNDERSTAND.

BUT BUT TO DATE, I STILL WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION WE WENT FROM ABOUT 260 VACANCIES TO 210 ISH.

RIGHT? RIGHT.

AND SO, WITH OUR RETENTION SECTION WITHIN THE DETENTION BUREAU DOING A GREAT JOB IN, IN RETAINING THOSE FOLKS AND MAKING SOME CHANGES WITH REGARDS TO SHIFTS, ETC..

[03:10:08]

WE'VE HELPED TO RETAIN SOME OF THOSE FOLKS THAT WERE OTHERWISE SEEKING TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER AGENCY ARE STAYING WITH BEXAR COUNTY.

AND SO THAT COMBINED WITH THE AGGRESSIVE RECRUITING CAMPAIGN EFFORT WE HAVE, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT NUMBER CONTINUE TO TREND DOWNWARD.

OKAY. MAYBE ANOTHER PIECE OF REPORTING THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL IS LOOK AT TOTAL JAIL VACANCIES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS BY MONTH AND SEE LIKE WHERE THAT PEAKED AND HOW IT STARTED TO COME DOWN AND WHERE WE PROJECT IT TO GO.

BECAUSE THAT WOULD TIE IN DIRECTLY YOU WOULD EXPECT WITH THE OVERTIME COSTS AT THE JAIL.

ABSOLUTELY. SO IF THOSE LINES AREN'T LIKE MATCHING, THEN THEN WE'D HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT YES. OKAY.

THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A CORRECTED AMOUNT.

COULD WE HAVE A CORRECT AMOUNT ON THE AGENDA ITEM 86.

YES, JUDGE. THANK YOU.

THAT TOTAL AMOUNT SHOULD EQUAL 2,226,682.

AND THAT IS THE CORRECT AMOUNT THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR BACKUP AND WITH THE CLERK.

ALL RIGHT. WHO MADE THE MOTION? THERE'S OR IS THERE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

IS THERE A SECOND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

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

ALL RIGHT. LET'S TAKE UP ITEM 87.

[87. Discussion and appropriate action regarding notification of payment to those employees who have accumulated hours in excess of the FLSA maximum level for an estimated amount of $1,028,584 and approval of the appropriate budget transfers in the amount of $296,413 for the month ending January 2024.]

GENTLEMEN, DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENT OF THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE ACCUMULATED HOURS IN EXCESS OF FLSA MAXIMUM LEVELS FOR AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $1,028,584 AND APPROVAL OF THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET.

TRANSFERS IN THE AMOUNT OF 290 $600,413 FOR THE MONTH ENDING JANUARY 2024.

IS THERE? I DO.

JUDGE SAKAI? YES. THIS, THIS IS ITEM IS UNDER MINE BECAUSE WE PAY IT OUT THROUGH PAYROLL.

BUT A LOT OF IT WAS DISCUSSED ALREADY WITH THE DAVID AND COMMISSIONER.

I WILL ADD, THOUGH, IN REGARDS TO THAT TREND.

WE HAD FROM FLSA HOURS GOING FROM FY 22 TO, FY 23 OVER 100%.

SO APPROXIMATELY WENT FROM 4 MILLION TO 8 MILLION.

SO THAT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

ANY QUESTIONS OF THE AUDITOR? A QUICK QUESTION. GO AHEAD. LEO, A QUICK QUESTION.

I ASSUME YOU HAVE A BREAKDOWN BY, EITHER, CLASSIFICATION OR EMPLOYEE FOR BOTH, FLSA AND OVERTIME.

I DO. COMMISSIONER. OKAY.

GOT A COPY HERE FOR YOU.

YEAH. I DON'T NEED IT RIGHT NOW, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE, IN PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S IF THERE'S ANY TRENDS IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE IF THEY'RE OVERLOADED IN A CERTAIN AREA THAT THAT IS ALWAYS GETTING THE OVERTIME.

I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE JAIL, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AT SOME POINT, IF YOU COULD FORWARD IT TO MY OFFICE.

SURE. I'LL BE SURE TO SEND THAT TO YOU.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER BOOTY? WELL, JUST FOLLOWING UP FROM THE LAST ITEM, THIS ONE BEING SIMILAR.

I WANT TO SEE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THIS REPORTING FOR THE NEXT TIME THIS COMES FORWARD.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT THAT CLEAR THE BUDGET AND TO TO THE CHIEFS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE HAVE IT NEXT TIME WE COME IN HERE.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT. ALL RIGHT.

CALL FOR A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? NO. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? OH, IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

ALL 88 DISCUSSION.

[88. Discussion and appropriate action regarding approval of request from Economic and Development Department (ECD) of $3.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funding for a Supplemental Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (SLIHEAP) to ensure sufficient utility assistance resources are available for qualified Bexar County residents, to expend beginning March 1, 2024 and ending February 28, 2025, to include any appropriate budget transfer necessary.]

APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF A REQUEST FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ECD OF 3.6 MILLION IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

ARPA STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY SPECIAL FUNDS FUNDING FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO ENSURE EFFICIENT, SUFFICIENT UTILITY ASSISTANCE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFIED BEXAR COUNTY RESIDENTS TO EXPAND BEGINNING MARCH 1ST, 2024 AND ENDING FEBRUARY 28TH, 2025, TO INCLUDE ANY APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER NECESSARY, MR. MARCUS. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. I HAVE WITH ME AS WELL WHO ADMINISTERS THE PROGRAM? PROGRAM IS AS WE KNOW IT, IS A UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT'S ADMINISTERED THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT DIVISION.

THIS IS FOR OUR POOR RESIDENTS IN BEXAR COUNTY AND SAN ANTONIO.

[03:15:01]

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR CAP, A FAMILY HAS TO MEET 150% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, WHICH FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS APPROXIMATELY $46,000.

JUST FOR PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S ABOUT $22 AN HOUR, BUT THAT COULD BE BETWEEN TWO TWO WAGE EARNERS.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, FAMILIES WITH THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED.

THEY MUST ALSO, MEET CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE THIS IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM, WHICH OF COURSE AFFECTS SOME OF THE THE POPULATION IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ALSO HAVE TO, APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM ANNUALLY, EVEN IF THEY APPLY ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WOULD QUALIFY. THE PROGRAM DOES PRIORITIZE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX, ELDERLY RESIDENTS OVER 60 YEARS AND OLDER, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE UTILITY BURDENED TO PAY MORE THAN 11% OF THEIR TOTAL INCOME TOWARDS UTILITY BILLS.

THIS SHOWS YOU WHERE WE STAND THIS YEAR.

LAST YEAR, WE RECOGNIZED THAT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE LAST OF THE COVID ERA FUNDING SUPPLEMENTS THAT CAME IN.

THEY WERE VERY GENEROUS AND VERY NEEDED AND HELPFUL, AND WE KNEW THAT THOSE WERE GOING TO BE DRAWING DOWN, BUT WE DIDN'T EXPECT WAS THEY WOULD DRAW DOWN QUITE AS RAPIDLY AS THEY DID. YOU CAN SEE IN 2023, WE HAD A TOTAL BETWEEN CP AND ALL OTHER FUNDS OF $13.7 MILLION.

THIS YEAR, WE RECEIVED 6.5 MILLION IN CP, AND THERE IS NOT ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WILL BE FURTHER SUPPLEMENTS BEYOND THAT.

SO THAT'S A DRAMATIC DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR US.

AND WHAT WAS SURPRISING TO US IS THAT IT'S SO FAR EVEN BELOW THE TEN YEAR AVERAGE.

WE GENERALLY, SINCE I'VE TAKEN THE PROGRAM OVER IN VIRGINIA, CAN SPEAK TO IT HAVE AVERAGED AROUND 8.7 MILLION, 8.8 MILLION.

SO LET'S CALL IT $9 MILLION OR SO.

BUT TO DROP DOWN TO 6.5 WAS A PRETTY HEFTY IMPACT.

BUT YOU NEED TO TALK TO THIS.

OKAY. SO THERE'S, SEVERAL FACTORS, THAT, COMBINING TO INCREASE THE PRESSURES OF THESE VULNERABLE FAMILIES, A LOT IS JUST THE, YOU KNOW, ECONOMIC INFLATION.

THERE WAS RECORD HEAT IN 2023 WITH 75 DAYS OVER 100 DEGREES, AND IN 2023, A SEVEN IN A ROW OVER 105 DEGREES. THERE WAS RECORD COLD IN 2023 WITH TEN DAYS UNDER 35 DEGREES FOR 2020 4810 DAYS WITH LOW BELOW LOWS BELOW 35 DEGREES HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECORDED AND THEN RECENTLY APPROVED.

CITY PUBLIC SERVICE ENERGY RATE HIKES, TOOK EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 2024.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS COMBINED, HAVE CAUSED, ISSUES WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET, THEIR MONTHLY EXPENSES.

SINCE DECEMBER 2023, THERE ARE 16,839 HOUSEHOLDS AT OR BELOW 150% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL THAT HAVE A PAST DUE AMOUNT OWED ON THEIR UTILITY BILL.

OF THESE, 1608 HOUSEHOLDS, ARE IN THE BEXAR COUNTY ZONE AND 1553 HOUSEHOLDS ARE AT OR BELOW 125% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

AND THIS IS INFORMATION THAT WAS RECEIVED BY CPS ENERGY.

AND WE DO HAVE CPS ENERGY REPRESENTATIVES HERE.

IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, REGARDING, CUSTOMERS WHO ARE IN ARREARS.

WE MENTIONED THE 125 BECAUSE THE CPS ENERGY'S PROGRAM THAT ALSO PROVIDES FUNDING FOR UTILITY SYSTEMS, KNOWN AS THE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, ITS QUALIFICATION LEVEL IS 125% FPL, WHICH FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS ABOUT $39,000 A YEAR.

COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES, WERE YOU GOING TO SPEAK? I KNOW I THOUGHT EVERYONE, NO ONE ELSE HAD QUESTIONS.

I HAVE A COMMENT AT THE END.

THAT'S ALL. GO AHEAD.

YEAH. WHEN WE'RE DONE.

OKAY. COMMENT AT THE END.

I KNOW THIS IS AN EYE CHART HERE, BUT I DID GIVE YOU A COPY OF IT, BUT IT'S JUST SHOWING YOU WHICH ZIP CODES IN YOUR VARIOUS PRECINCTS HAVE THE IMPACT.

AND IT'S THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, AS YOU COULD IMAGINE.

THERE ARE FOLKS IN VIRTUALLY.

WELL, IN ALL OF THE PRECINCTS THAT HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OWED.

OVERALL, THE GRAND TOTAL BETWEEN THE CITY LIMITS AND THE COUNTY IS $14.4 MILLION.

THAT'S IN ARREARS.

THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS IT TO YOU BY PRECINCT.

WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE BCIT, FOLKS.

THEIR GIS TEAM IS, WE WORK HAND IN GLOVE WITH THEM TO GET ALL THIS INFORMATION FOR YOU AND CAN PROVIDE THAT FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED IT.

THESE ARE THE HOUSEHOLDS THAT WE WOULD BE SEEKING TO SERVE, BUT THESE ARE THE ONES THAT 125 FPL AGAIN, THE ADVANTAGE OF THE REAP PROGRAM.

ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF IT, IS THAT IT DOESN'T REQUIRE US CITIZENSHIP.

SO, WE ARE ABLE TO WORK WITH FAMILIES REGARDLESS OF THAT STATUS.

[03:20:01]

JUDGE, A QUICK QUESTION ON THAT SLIDE, DAVID.

YES, SIR. YOU MAY HAVE SAID THIS, BUT I MISSED IT.

IS THAT, UNINCORPORATED ONLY OR IS THAT AND SUBURBAN CITY AND SUBURBAN CITIES, BUT NOT CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

CORRECT. ANY PLACE WE CALL THE COUNTY ZONE, ANY ANY PART OF THE COUNTY THAT ISN'T IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, WHETHER IT'S UNINCORPORATED OR SUBURBAN CITY.

OKAY. COULD YOU GET US A FURTHER BREAKDOWN AT SOME POINT OF, WITHIN THESE NUMBERS, SUBURBAN CITIES.

LIKE WHICH CITIES? THAT'D BE HELPFUL.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU. I'M SORRY.

I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY WHAT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ IS SAYING.

SO THIS SLIDE DOES NOT INCLUDE.

HOMES INSIDE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

CORRECT? OKAY, SO JUST FOR THIS SLIDE, CAN YOU GUYS MAKE THAT, A LITTLE BIT MORE CLEAR? BECAUSE IF SOMEONE JUST SEES THIS, IT'S IT'S VERY MISLEADING.

OKAY, OKAY. THANK YOU.

YES, MA'AM. SO IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS SHORTFALL, WE ARE ASKING FOR A, ALLOCATION OF ARPA FUNDING OF $3.6 MILLION.

WE DID WORK WITH THE ARPA OFFICE.

IT IS AN ALLOWED EXPENSE UNDER THE ARPA RULES.

WE WORKED THROUGH WITH GUIDEHOUSE ON THAT.

THIS WILL ALLOW US TO PUT MORE MONEY BACK INTO THE USE OF HANDS FOR CLIENT BENEFIT.

IF WE DIDN'T GET THIS FUNDING AS WELL, WE'D BE LOOKING AT A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CUT IN RESOURCES.

AND WHILE THAT WILL COME EVENTUALLY ANYWAY, WE DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO COME NOW.

IT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN MORE OR LESS BY THE END OF MARCH.

THERE'S ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE WOULD RECEIVE MORE MONEY THAN LATER IN IN REGULAR CAB, BUT BY THAT POINT IN TIME WE WILL HAVE LOST THE STAFF.

SO THIS GIVES US A GLIDE PATH OF ONE YEAR.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE REALLY SEEKING TO GET HERE TO MANAGE, REDUCING THE STAFF THROUGH ATTRITION, ADDRESSING THE SHORTFALL AND SEEING WHAT HAPPENS WITH, FURTHER FEDERAL FUNDING.

WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INDICATION FROM THE, FROM THE STATE, OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THERE WILL BE MORE MONEY.

BUT AS YOU SAW, IT'S SUCH A DRAMATIC DROP FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.

WE KNOW THAT COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE FACING THIS.

SO WE'RE OPTIMISTIC THAT THERE MAY BE FURTHER FEDERAL FUNDING.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THIS PLAN IN PLACE USING ARPA FUNDING TO BRIDGE ARPA FUNDING TO BRIDGE THE GAP.

I WANT TO MENTION TO YOU ABOUT THE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

IT'S A VERY VALUABLE PROGRAM FOR US.

VIRGINIA'S TEAM IS VERY ADEPT AT STAGGERING AND AND BUNDLING TOGETHER THE VARIOUS FUNDS TO HELP FOLKS THAT ARE IN NEED.

IT DOES HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS, HOWEVER, THE PRIMARY OF WHICH IS THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TO TAKE OUT ANY PORTION OF IT FOR ADMIN COSTS.

SO THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO USE, CAP FUNDED ADMIN PEOPLE TO MORE OR LESS FUND REHAB, WHICH WE ARE TECHNICALLY NOT SUPPOSED TO DO, BUT BECAUSE THE FAMILIES ARE ROUGHLY THE SAME FAMILIES, WE'RE ABLE TO GET THROUGH WITH THAT.

BUT IT DOES HINDER OUR ABILITY TO OFFER THE REAP FUNDING FOR FAMILIES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE QUALIFIED, BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO GET THE STAFF TIME NOW, THE REFUNDING THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US IS ONLY FOR THE SUBURBAN CITIES AND THE AND THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY.

THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HAS THEIR OWN REAP ALLOCATION.

SO IN THIS CASE, IF WE WERE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THE $3.6 MILLION FOR ADMIN COSTS TO FUND WORKERS UNDER VJ'S TEAM TO IDENTIFY FAMILIES IN THE COUNTY ZONE THAT QUALIFY FOR REAP, WE ARE OPTIMISTIC WE COULD BRING THAT NUMBER THEIR THEIR BALANCE DOWN FROM A CURRENT $3 MILLION DOWN BY, PROBABLY 2 MILLION.

JUST BASED ON OUR LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT ARE AFFECTED AND HOW MUCH THEY OWE.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE ANOTHER CHANGE, WHICH I DID SPEAK WITH RUDY GARZA ABOUT.

RIGHT NOW, THE REAP FUND IS LIMITED TO $400 PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR.

IT'S ACTUALLY TWO $200 ALLOCATIONS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO ASK THEM THAT IF FOR THIS YEAR, THEY WILL ALLOW US TO INCREASE IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO TRIPLE IT TO GO TO $1,200 PER, PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR, OR POTENTIALLY TO GO WITH NO LIMIT AND JUST DEAL WITH IT AS WE NORMALLY DO, WHICH IS TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT IN DANGER OF DISCONNECTION, THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT OTHER FUNDING SOURCES AVAILABLE, WHATEVER THAT MAY MAKE SENSE, BUT WE'LL WORK THAT OUT WITH CPS ENERGY. JUDGE SAKAI, YOU AND MAYOR NIRENBERG AND RUDY ARE THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE REAP FUND.

AND SO WE'LL BRING THAT FORWARD TO A, REPORT THE MEETING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

AND I THINK THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.

SO WHAT ARE YOU RECOMMENDING? DAVID. BEG YOUR PARDON? WHAT'S YOUR WHAT'S WHAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION? WE'RE RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF A $3.6 MILLION ARPA FUND GRANT TO CREATE THE SUPPLEMENTAL LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

IS THERE A MOTION? JUDGE.

YES. DAVID, BEFORE BEFORE WE TAKE TAKE UP A MOTION, THE 3.6 YOU MENTIONED AS MAYBE GETTING US THROUGH THE NEXT YEAR

[03:25:02]

OR SO. IS THAT RIGHT? I DON'T WANT TO MISSTATE YOUR, YOUR STATEMENT, BUT, AND THEN YOU MENTIONED AS PART OF THAT, IT WOULD, IT WOULD PREVENT HAVING TO, YOU KNOW, LET GO OF STAFF, DISPLAY STAFF.

SO HOW MUCH OF THAT 3.6 IS ACTUALLY GOING INTO THE HANDS OF NEEDY RESIDENTS, AND HOW MUCH IS STAFF RETENTION? SO THE AGAIN, THIS THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE A WHILE.

IT'S IT'S 80% OF IT IS CLIENT BENEFIT AND ANOTHER 7% I WANT YOU TO ADDRESS THAT.

YEAH. FOR FOR CAP WE HAVE WE RECEIVED 7.22 FOR ADMIN AND 13.29 FOR PROGRAM SERVICES.

AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE ALLOWED TO PAY FOR PAYROLL DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STAFF MEMBER IS WORKING ON.

SO IF IT'S DIRECT, INTERACTION WITH THE, CUSTOMER AND IT'S TO, MAKE A PAYMENT ON THE ACCOUNT, THEN THAT'S WHERE THE 13.29 COMES IN. AND FOR ANYTHING LIKE PEOPLE WHO WORK FISCAL OR MYSELF WHO OVERSEE THE PROGRAM, THEN THERE'S THE 7.22% THAT'S ALLOWED FOR ADMIN.

OKAY. AND THEN REMIND ME ON THE ELIGIBILITY PIECE, IS THIS, SIMPLY IF THEY'RE IN ARREARS A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MONTHS, OR IS IT TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE THREATENED WITH SHUT OFF OF SERVICES? NO, THEY DON'T. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN, DISCONNECTION, STATUS.

YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE IF THEY HAVE THE NEED, THEN THEY CAN JUST APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM, OKAY? IF THEY ARE IN, IF THEY ARE IN DISCONNECTS, THAT IS THEIR PRIORITIZE.

SO EVERY DAY THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE CATEGORIZATION THAT'S KNOWN AS THE DUNNING LEVEL ONE THROUGH FOUR.

DUNNING LEVEL ONE IS THE RISK OF DISCONNECT.

AND SO IF THEY'RE IN A LEVEL ONE, THEN THEY MOVE TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE TO TRY TO PREVENT DISCONNECTION.

THAT'S, ADDED DUNNING, FOR I GET THEM BACKWARDS FOR IS A RISK OF DISCONNECT.

SO WE PRIORITIZE THOSE.

THAT'S WHAT ALLOWS OUR STAFF TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SPENDING THEIR TIME ON THOSE, HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE AT RISK FOR GETTING DISCONNECTED OR WHO HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED.

OKAY. WELL, I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A BIG TEAM THAT THAT ADMINISTERS THIS.

I THINK IT DEMONSTRATES THE SIGNIFICANT NEED THAT WE STILL HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP, YOU KNOW, GET US OVER THE HUMP AND CONTINUE THE PROGRAM.

JUDGE, I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

ANY FURTHER COMMENT? JUST A QUESTION. SO WHERE'S THIS, ADDITIONAL FUNDING DOLLARS COMING FROM? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A QUESTION FOR THOMAS.

IS THIS COMING OUT OF THE THE, WE WOULD RECOMMEND IT COME OUT OF THAT UNALLOCATED BUCKET.

OKAY. THAT BALANCE THAT I PRESENTED LAST.

OKAY. THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MOODY.

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS HERE, SO HELP ME WITH THE REAP VERSUS THIS PROGRAM.

AND CAN YOU APPLY FOR BOTH? YES, SIR. YOU CAN. SO REAP IS SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE SAN ANTONIO CITY LIMITS.

26 SUBURBAN CITIES OR THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

SEE IF WE CAN HELP ANYBODY WHO LIVES IN BEXAR COUNTY.

THEY DO HAVE TO MEET THE CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS, AND THEIR INCOME HAS TO BE AT 150% POVERTY LEVEL OR BELOW.

OKAY. SO WHAT WHAT IS THE FUNDING ON THE REAP SIDE VERSUS THIS PROGRAM? SO, CPS ENERGY GIVES STARTS US OFF AT $200,000 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

THE DIFFERENCE WITH REAP AND CAP IS THAT, CAP IS A CALENDAR YEAR.

SO JANUARY 1ST TO DECEMBER 31ST, WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE DON'T USE, WE HAVE TO GIVE BACK TO THE STATE WITH REAP.

WHATEVER WE DON'T USE ROLLS OVER TO THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS BECAUSE WE RECEIVED ALL THOSE, COVID FUNDING, THEN, REAP WAS PUT TO THE SIDE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T PAY ADMIN SO THAT WE HAVE BENCHMARKS THAT WE HAD TO MEET WITH THE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES.

SO IN ORDER NOT TO LOSE IT, THEN WE CONCENTRATED ON THAT.

SO WE'RE IMPLEMENTING BOTH THOSE PROGRAMS. YES, SIR. WE CAN GO AHEAD.

AND IF SOMEBODY LIVES, OUTSIDE OF THE SAN ANTONIO CITY LIMITS, LET'S JUST SAY THAT THEY HAVE HIGH ARREARS.

THEN WE WILL IMPLEMENT REAP FIRST, AND THEN WE CAN ROLL THEM OVER TO THE COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.

BUT OUR CURRENT POLICY IS WE'RE FUNDING FROM JUST ONE PROGRAM OR POTENTIALLY FOR BOTH PROGRAMS IF SOMEBODY QUALIFIES, IF THEY QUALIFY POTENTIALLY FOR FOR BOTH, A BOOK THAT REAP IS NOT SO MUCH A PROGRAM FOR US AS IT IS A BUCKET OF MONEY.

SO IT'S A BUCKET OF MONEY WE CAN APPLY TO THOSE FAMILIES IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS ONLY.

THEY'RE AT 125 FPL, AND WE USE THAT WHEN THOSE FAMILIES ARE IN ARREARS IF THEY QUALIFY.

[03:30:07]

AND SO THAT'S PART OF THE WORK THAT BJS TEAM HAS TO DO, IS TO FIGURE OUT HOW BEST TO OVERCOME THE THE ARREARS THAT THE FAMILY HAS USING THOSE TWO PRIMARY SOURCES OF MONEY.

IN THE PAST WE HAD ERA MONEY AS WELL, COULD ALSO BE USED FOR UTILITIES, BUT THAT'S BEEN, COMPLETED AS OF LAST YEAR.

SO THAT'S THAT'S A BIG PART OF THE WORK THEY DO IS TO TRY TO PUT THE PACKAGE TOGETHER USING FUNDS FROM REAP OR FROM CPP.

SO WHAT'S THE MAXIMUM YOU CAN GET FROM REAP FROM REAP.

YEAH, REAP. RIGHT NOW IT'S UP TO $400 WORTH OF ASSISTANCE 200 TWICE A YEAR.

$400 FOR REAP.

AND THEN FOR THE CPP.

FOR CPP THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. AND SO FOR EACH PROGRAM IT'S UP TO $2,400, BASED IT'S BASED ON THE CUSTOMER'S OR THE HOUSEHOLD'S INCOME.

AND THAT'S REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE UTILITIES UP TO $2,400, UP TO $2,400 WORTH OF ASSISTANCE FOR EACH HOUSEHOLD.

BUT THERE'S NO REIMBURSEMENT.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST WE CAN ASSIST THE HOUSEHOLD WITH UP TO $2,400 UNDER TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. SO IN ESSENCE, THEY COULD GET ASSISTANCE UP TO 4800.

AND WHAT ARE THE TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THERE? SO IT'S THE CRISIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SO THE CRISIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THERE, THE CUSTOMER HAS TO BE IN DANGER OF DISCONNECTION OR HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISCONNECTED.

BUT THEN THERE DOES HAVE TO BE ANOTHER CRITERIA.

ALSO. SO IT'S LIKE A CRISIS IF THERE IS A LIKE COVID, IF THERE IS WEATHER, WEATHER RELATED CONDITIONS, THEN WE CAN ASSIST WITH THAT. THEN THERE'S OUR UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

AND THAT IS TWO DIFFERENT.

IF THERE IS SOMEBODY IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO IS, MEETS A PRIORITY, SUCH AS SOMEBODY WHO'S ELDERLY, SOMEBODY WHO'S DISABLED, OR A CHILD WHO'S UNDER THE AGE OF SIX, THEN WE CAN ASSIST POTENTIALLY UP TO 12 MONTHS WORTH OF ASSISTANCE, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T GO OVER THAT, $2,400.

AND THEN FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A PRIORITY, THEN WE CAN ASSIST UP TO SIX MONTHS WORTH OF ASSISTANCE.

OKAY, BUT THE THE AMOUNT CAN'T BE MORE THAN WHAT THEIR ACTUAL BILLS ARE, RIGHT? RIGHT. IT'S A PLEDGE AGAINST FUTURE BILLS.

WE WILL PAY THEIR ARREARS IF NECESSARY.

AND A PLEDGE AGAINST FUTURE BILLS.

ACTUAL AMOUNTS. OKAY.

A COUPLE OTHER THINGS.

I'M JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBER IN UNINCORPORATED BEXAR COUNTY THAT YOU MENTIONED, 1600.

SO IF OUR FOCUS IS UNINCORPORATED BEXAR COUNTY WITH THE PROGRAM.

RIGHT. SO 1600.

COMMISSIONER, THAT'S 1600 AT 125 FPL AND BELOW.

SO THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY ALL THE FAMILIES THAT WOULD QUALIFY FOR CAP AND BUT IT WOULD BE FOR THE RIGHT IN THE CURRENT CURRENT MODEL.

OKAY. BUT THOSE WOULD BE THE ONES IN THE MOST NEED.

RIGHT. BUT THEIR CURRENT PAST DUE AMOUNT IS 1.4 MILLION.

SO. THAT'S RIGHT.

YES. IF EVERYBODY WHO HAD THE MOST NEED HAD ALL THEIR OUTSTANDING PAST DUE AMOUNT COVERED AND GOT ANOTHER $400, THAT WOULD STILL BE AROUND $2 MILLION. SO JUST HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE, THE ADDITIONAL NEED.

AND, AND, YOU KNOW, GETTING TO A TEN, $11 MILLION BUDGET.

WELL, THOSE ARE JUST PEOPLE WHO ARE IN ARREARS.

WELL, WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED THE ASSISTANCE AND ARE NOT IN ARREARS.

SO MOST SPECIFICALLY LIKE THE ELDERLY, THE ELDERLY WILL GO AHEAD AND PAY THE UTILITIES AND FOREGO FOOD OR, OR PRESCRIPTIONS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO MEET THOSE EXPENSES.

SO THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO ASSIST ANYBODY WHO, QUALIFIES OR WHO NEEDS THE ASSISTANCE, NOT NECESSARILY JUST THOSE WHO ARE IN DISCONNECT STATUS.

OKAY. AND DO WE PRIORITIZE THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED? SO WHETHER IT'S NOW OR WHETHER IT'S NEXT YEAR, THERE'S GOING TO BE PRIORITIZATION THAT HAS TO OCCUR HERE.

RIGHT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S PART OF THE PART OF THE PROGRAM.

OKAY. SO TODAY WELL DO WE HAVE A CUT OFF OR IS ANYBODY WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE PROGRAM BASICALLY ABLE TO GET FUNDED, OR DO WE HAVE TO START REDUCING THE THE 150%, FEDERAL LEVEL? NO, THE THE THE FPL STANDS AS IT IS.

BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY, TO BE GEOGRAPHICALLY ACCESSIBLE, TO ALL THOSE HOUSEHOLDS THAT NEED ASSISTANCE.

SO ONE THING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS TO DETERMINE, WHAT HOUSEHOLDS ARE IN A POVERTY LEVEL AND THAT ARE UNDERSERVED.

THOSE ARE THE, THE PLACES THAT WE'RE GOING TO TARGET.

FIRST. YOU SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT THE.

[03:35:07]

QUITE A LIST. YES.

AND SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH CPS ENERGY, BECAUSE SINCE WE GOT, SUCH A LOWER AMOUNT, WE'VE BEEN STRATEGIZING ON HOW IT IS THAT WE CAN MAKE THE DOLLARS STRETCH, ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

SO ONE THING THAT WE'VE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH CPS ENERGY.

THEY'VE AGREED TO ACCEPT 30% OF THOSE ARREARS, FOR SERVICES NOT TO BE DISCONNECTED.

SO THAT WOULD HELP US IMMENSELY, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, CUSTOMERS ARE COMING IN WITH, LET'S JUST SAY, A $5,000 BILL IN ARREARS.

SO, YOU KNOW, CPS ENERGY HAS AGREED THAT 30% OF THAT, WOULD BE ALLOWED IN ORDER TO AVOID DISCONNECTION.

OKAY, WELL, I JUST WANT TO CIRCLE BACK, DAVID TO SOMETHING YOU SAID, WHICH I THINK IS VERY PRESCIENT AND WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT IS SO WE HAD A RECORD BUDGET HERE OF 13.7 MILLION LAST YEAR.

THERE WAS A HUGE DROP OFF IN FUNDING.

WE'RE TRYING TO BRIDGE THAT GAP WITH ARPA DOLLARS.

WE CAN'T REAPPORTION ARPA DOLLARS PAST SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

I BELIEVE THAT'S CORRECT.

SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? BECAUSE YOU SAID WE DIDN'T EXPECT IT TO DROP OFF SO QUICKLY.

IT'S GOING TO DROP OFF.

I MEAN, THE FEDERAL SUPPORT THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE IN THE FUTURE.

AND THIS IS JUST ONE MICROCOSM OF OTHER CONVERSATIONS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE AS THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS GO AWAY.

AND AND HOW DO WE AT LEAST MANAGE THAT DECLINE AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO TO SMOOTH IT OUT AS MUCH AS WE CAN, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT IT TO JUST BE A CLIFF.

RIGHT. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S THE WAY THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION IS WRITTEN.

AND IF THEY DON'T EXTEND ANY OF THOSE TIMELINES AND EVERYTHING, ONCE THE MONEY'S GONE, IT'S GONE.

AND AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO FILL THESE BUCKETS ANYMORE.

SO THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED, I ASKED MY TEAM TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE LAST TEN YEARS ON THE AVERAGE OF THE CAP, AND THAT'S WHY WE BROUGHT THAT NUMBER FORWARD, BECAUSE IT WAS IT WAS BELOW THAT EVEN QUITE A BIT, $2 MILLION, BELOW EVEN THE TEN YEAR AVERAGE.

SO OUR OPTIMISM IS THAT IT'LL START TO RE-APPROACH THAT TEN YEAR AVERAGE, 8 TO 9 MILLION.

WE'LL GET TO THE STAFFING LEVELS WE NEED TO THROUGH ATTRITION.

AND ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I BROUGHT IT UP SEVERAL TIMES TO Y'ALL, BUT WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH, IN FACT, WE HAVE AN EXTENDED MEETING TODAY WITH BCIT THROUGH THE INEFFICIENCY OF THE SYSTEM THAT WAS PURCHASED DURING THE PERIOD OF COVID.

WE WERE DESPERATE FOR AN ONLINE APPLICATION.

WE BOUGHT A SYSTEM.

IT WORKS.

HOWEVER, IT'S IT'S PRODUCTIVITY IS MUCH LOWER THAN THE HISTORICAL LEGACY SYSTEM.

SO AN INTAKE WORKER CAN DO ABOUT 3 TO 4 APPLICATIONS A DAY ON THE CURRENT SYSTEM OR ON THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM.

THEY COULD DO MAYBE EIGHT, 9 OR 10 PER DAY, MEANING MORE PEOPLE TO PROCESS THE SAME NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.

SO THIS MONEY WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO WORK THROUGH THAT PROBLEM THIS YEAR AND LOOK TO REPLACE.

OR OF COURSE, THE COMPANY WOULD LOVE TO SELL US, THEIR ABILITY TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.

BUT I PERSONALLY AM NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THAT.

BUT I'M OPEN MINDED TO WHATEVER WORKS.

BUT WE ARE WORKING ALREADY WITH BCIT AND HAVE BEEN FOR QUITE A WHILE, SO THAT WOULD MEAN THAT WHEN WE REACH THAT STAGE OF LESS MONEY, COMMISSIONER, WE WOULD BE REQUIRING FEWER HEADS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

SO THAT'S ANOTHER PART OF THE OF THE CALCULUS HERE.

SO THAT COME, COME NEXT JANUARY, WE'LL BE IN BETTER SHAPE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE MONEY GOES UP OR NOT.

OKAY, I JUST MAKE ONE FINAL COMMENT HERE FOR THE RECORD.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALSO UNFORTUNATE, GIVEN CSE'S RECENT RATE HIKE.

AND THE FACT THAT THE CITY IS COLLECTING $400 MILLION FROM CPS.

MEANWHILE, WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THAT FOLKS HAVE UTILITIES.

AND HOW WE CAN FILL THIS GAP.

AND OBVIOUSLY, AN INCREASE IN THE RATE STRUCTURE IS ONLY GOING TO INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR THIS KIND OF PROGRAM.

SO IT'S IT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING AS WE LOOK BACK AND THINK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE CURRENT STRUCTURE WITH THE THE FUNDING THAT GOES TO THE CITY, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT THE COUNTY. YEAH, THAT'S THAT'S TRUE.

AND WE WE DO HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH CPS ENERGY.

WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR.

WELL IT'S IT'S DECADES LONG.

AND SO WE HAVE A LOT OF OF GOOD TIES WITH THEM.

BUT I WILL POINT OUT, COMMISSIONER, TO YOUR POINT, THAT THOSE DOLLARS GO TO CPS ENERGY AT 100% OF WHATEVER IS OWED.

IN OTHER WORDS, EVENTUALLY THERE'S NO WRITING OFF, AT LEAST THAT I'M AWARE OF OF THOSE BILLS SOMEWHERE OR OTHER THEY'RE GOING TO THEY'RE GOING TO END UP WITH THE MONEY.

SO WHEN WE PUT THESE GRANT DOLLARS IN THERE, THEY'RE THEY'RE BEING MADE WHOLE, IF YOU WILL, AT THE FULL RATE.

SO I AGREE WITH YOU.

MR. CLAY-FLORES. YEAH.

SO, GROWING UP HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, OUR WATER AND ELECTRICITY GOT CUT OFF A LOT.

AND EITHER I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WEREN'T ANY PROGRAMS OR IF MY MOM DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR THEM.

[03:40:01]

AND SO WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO REACH OUT BECAUSE THEY'RE THAT POOR, THAT THEY NEED HELP.

I THINK THERE'S A SENSE OF SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT.

SO I WANT TO THANK, VIRGINIA, YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR WORKING WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS THROUGHOUT BEXAR COUNTY.

SPECIFICALLY FOR CONSTITUENTS OF PRECINCT ONE.

A LOT OF OUR ELDERLY.

SOME OF OUR SENIORS WILL CALL OUR OFFICE, AND WE DIRECT THEM TO YOU, YOU GUYS.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

AND I'M ALSO, I HAVE TO SAY, YOU LOOK LOVELY AND PURPLE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT ONE.

SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

WE APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU KNOW, WE DO IT BECAUSE IT'S.

WELL, IT'S MY HEARTBEAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, ALL THE, YOU KNOW, TEAM MEMBERS THAT I HAVE WORKING WITH ME, IT'S LIKE THEY'RE ALL IN IT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE LOVE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE REPRESENT BEXAR COUNTY.

THANK YOU. AND ON ON THE REEF, IF THE REFUNDING, IF WE CAN GET THAT INCREASE, WE WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICES FOR OUTREACH, SPECIFICALLY IN THE UNINCORPORATED IN THE SUBURBAN CITIES.

BUT WE GOTTA WORK THROUGH THAT PART OF IT.

I THOUGHT THEY WAS GOING TO SAY, OH, I HAVE A PURPLE TIE.

MY WORD FOR VIJAY. ALL RIGHT.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR? I DO. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

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

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS.

MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO ITEM NUMBER 89.

[89. Discussion and appropriate action regarding authorization to pay invoices to the City of San Antonio in an amount not to exceed $427,549.25 for case management services related to the Domestic Violence Navigation Line contingent on City of San Antonio's execution of an agreement; authorizing to file the appropriate award documents for record.]

DISCUSSION APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING AUTHORIZATION TO PAY INVOICES.

THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. AND AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $427,549.25 FOR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICE RELATED TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NAVIGATION LINE CONTINGENT ON CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT AUTHORIZING TO FILE THE APPROPRIATE AWARD DOCUMENTS FOR RECORD.

DOCTOR ANDREA. HI, DOCTOR.

ANDREA GUERRERO.

I AM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR BEXAR COUNTY.

BACK IN AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER TIME FRAME, WE BROUGHT TO YOU A PRESENTATION INFORMING YOU OF A RESOURCE THAT WAS GOING TO BE DISCONTINUED FOR BEXAR COUNTY RESIDENTS, WHICH SPECIFICALLY THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NAVIGATION LINE AT THAT TIME.

WE PROPOSED AND ASKED YOU TO APPROVE A THREE MONTH EXTENSION.

THEIR GRANT FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WAS RUNNING OUT, AND WE REQUESTED THE COURT TO APPROVE AN EXTENSION AND TO PAY FOR THAT EXTENSION PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. DURING THAT, DURING THIS TIME, UP UNTIL NOW, THAT RESOURCE HAS CONTINUED.

WE'VE BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN HEALTH DEPARTMENT, TO CONTINUE THAT RESOURCE.

WE ARE IN RECEIPT OF INVOICES FOR THIS AMOUNT OF 427,000.

AND WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR AUTHORIZATION TO PAY THOSE INVOICES CONTINGENT ON A SIGNED AGREEMENT FROM THEM.

WE'RE STILL WORKING OUT THE DETAILS OF THAT AGREEMENT.

OKAY. MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

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

DISCUSSION. APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE RATIFICATION OF A SUBMISSION OF AN ELECTRONIC GRANT.

ITEM NUMBER 90.

[90. Discussion, and appropriate action regarding a ratification of a submission of an electronic grant application to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHS A) for the FY 2024 Children's Mental Health Initiative in the amount of $6,000,000 which includes $4,000,000 in Federal funds and $2,000,000 in County in-kind matching funds, and acceptance of funds if awarded. The term of the grant is from September 30, 2024 through September 29, 2028.]

APPLICATION TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION SAMHSA FOR THE FY 2020 FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE IN THE AMOUNT OF $6 MILLION, WHICH INCLUDES 4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS $2 MILLION TWO.

$2 MILLION IN COUNTY IN-KIND MATCHING FUNDS AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS.

IF AWARDED, THE TERM OF THE GRANT IS FROM SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2028.

WE BROUGHT THE TEAM, HAPPY, HAPPY TO TO BRING FORWARD THIS INITIATIVE, A GRANT APPLICATION THAT WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO RATIFY.

IT'S A GRANT OUT OF SAMHSA CALLED THE CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE SYSTEMS OF CARE.

AND ALTHOUGH BEXAR COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, IS THE APPLICANT, IT IS VERY MUCH A TEAM EFFORT.

AND WE HAVE SOME FOLKS HERE, NOT JUST FROM OUR DEPARTMENT, FROM THE SCHOOL BASED PROGRAM, BUT ALSO FROM JUVENILE PROBATION.

I BELIEVE CHIEF MATA AND DOCTOR JEANNIE VAN STOLTZ ARE HERE, AS WELL AS FOLKS FROM THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE, TO ANSWER QUESTIONS BECAUSE IT IS COLLABORATIVE IN NATURE.

SO THE BACKGROUND ON THIS GRANT, BACK IN 1987, THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE COORDINATION GROUP WAS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE, REQUIRING COUNTIES TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF CARE FOR COMPLEX KIDS.

AND TO DATE, THERE ARE ABOUT NINE COUNTIES THAT HAVE SECURED SOME LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR THEIR CCGS, INCLUDING HARRIS, TRAVIS, DALLAS, TARRANT, WILLIAMSON, BURLESON, DENTON AND HUNT. BUT THE BEXAR COUNTY KRCG HAS NEVER ACTUALLY BEEN FUNDED BEFORE, SO ALL THE FOLKS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THIS COLLABORATIVE ARE VOLUNTEER. IT IS.

WELL, WELL, THEY HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS AND A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE, REPRESENTATIVE OF THESE AGENCIES SPEND A LOT OF TIME CREATING THIS COLLABORATIVE GROUP, BUT WITHOUT

[03:45:07]

COMPENSATION OVER AND ABOVE WHAT THEIR NORMAL JOBS ARE.

IT IS A COLLECTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS, JUVENILE PROBATION, CPS, AND MANY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT CREATE THIS ECOSYSTEM.

AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING, AND ESPECIALLY WITH OUR EXPERIENCE IN VICTORIA, CAN SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT.

BUT IN OUR EXPERIENCE IN THESE SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT THIS COURT HAS INVESTED IN, THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR AN EXPANSION OF THESE SERVICES FROM THE KRCG AND NAVIGATION RESOURCES TO ASSIST THEIR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

THERE'S A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, SPECIFICALLY KIDS WHO REQUIRE AN EXTENDED LENGTH OF STAY AND WHO REQUIRE OR WHO ARE ON MEDICAID.

SO IN GOING THROUGH THIS GRANT APPLICATION, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF KIDS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE SAY THEY'RE COMPLEX, BECAUSE COMPLEX IS SORT OF JUST LIKE A VERY VAGUE, NEBULOUS WORD.

AND THIS IS A CASE EXAMPLE.

SOME OF THESE, SOME OF THESE CHARACTERISTICS ARE ACCURATE OR REAL LIFE EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE KIDS THAT, THAT WE SEE.

BUT THIS IS CONSIDERED AN ANONYMOUS, THAT NOT ALL OF THESE THINGS, THIS IS NOT A REAL PERSON, BUT THE TYPE OF CHILD THAT WOULD COME THROUGH THAT WE WOULD CLASSIFY AS COMPLEX WOULD BE A 13 YEAR OLD FEMALE CHILD WHO WAS CURRENTLY LIVING WITH THEIR GRANDMOTHER.

SO THEY'VE BEEN IN THE CPS, SYSTEM AND THEY'RE THEY HAVE A KINSHIP PLACEMENT WITH THEIR GRANDPARENT.

CHILD WAS ACCIDENTALLY SHOT BY THEIR UNCLE.

THEY WERE REMOVED BY CPS FOR TESTING POSITIVE FOR SUBSTANCES.

THEY HAVE DIAGNOSES OF PTSD, OCD, ATTENTION DEFICIT AND SOME OTHER LEVEL OF EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE.

THEIR THEIR FAMILY ARE IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING HOUSING, FOOD, FAMILY PEER SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, MAYBE SOME OF THE UTILITY ASSISTANCE THAT WE JUST HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT.

AND WITHIN THE SCHOOL, THEY PROBABLY RECEIVE SOME LEVEL OF 504 ACCOMMODATION.

THEY RECEIVE FREQUENT IN SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS AND EXCESSIVE ABSENCES AND PROBABLY ARE EXPERIENCING FAILING GRADES.

THESE ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SINGLE CHILD THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER COMPLEX.

AND SO THE NEED FOR THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE COORDINATION GROUP IS VERY HIGH TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES OVER AND ABOVE WHAT WE MIGHT SEE AS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE SCHOOL BASED SETTING.

THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP WHAT IT DOES.

SO WHEN A WHEN A, WHEN A STUDENT OR A CHILD IS REFERRED TO A COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP, THESE ARE THE TYPES OF SERVICES THAT THAT CHILD OR THEIR FAMILY COULD HOPE TO RECEIVE. SO TO DECREASE DUPLICATION BECAUSE IT IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, YOU'VE GOT ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS TALKING TO EACH OTHER, DECREASING DUPLICATION, BRINGING ALL OF THESE PROVIDERS TOGETHER UNDER ONE UNIFIED PLAN, CREATING AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN SO THAT THAT FAMILY AND THAT CHILD HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET, SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING COMPLEX NEEDS THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, TONS OF INTERAGENCY COORDINATION, KEEPING THE CLIENT IN THE COMMUNITY WHENEVER POSSIBLE, ENDORSING FOR PLACEMENT OUTSIDE THE HOME. BECAUSE WHAT OFTEN HAPPENS IS ONCE A CHILD, RECEIVES AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP, THEY CAN BE PLACED IN INPATIENT TREATMENT IN WACO, IN THE FACILITY IN WACO.

BUT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF TOWN.

AND WE DO HAVE RESOURCES FOR INPATIENT HERE IN SAN ANTONIO LIKE CLARITY AND LAUREL RIDGE.

BUT THE LIMITATIONS ON ON THOSE INPATIENT TREATMENT FACILITIES ARE CAPACITY.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE ROOM, THE LENGTH OF STAY.

SOMETIMES THESE CHILDREN, REQUIRE A MUCH LONGER LENGTH OF STAY THAN POSSIBLE AT THOSE AND INSURANCE LIMITATIONS LIKE MEDICAID.

SO IN ORDER FOR A CHILD TO BE REFERRED TO THE KRCG SO THAT THEY CAN RECEIVE THIS COORDINATION, THERE ARE LOTS OF ON RAMPS.

AND THESE ARE MANY OF THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, EITHER THROUGH THE BEXAR COUNTY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE OR THROUGH THE KRCG.

THE FOLKS THAT THAT COMPRISE THIS ECOSYSTEM OF SERVICES, THESE ARE ALL ORGANIZATIONS THAT IF THEY ENCOUNTER A FAMILY OR A CHILD THAT NEED THESE SERVICES, THEY CAN MAKE REFERRALS INTO THE KRCG GROUP.

SO ONCE WE GET TO THE CRC JURY GROUP, THIS IS THIS IS THE PROCESS.

AND IF IT LOOKS COMPLICATED, IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

BECAUSE THIS AND THIS IS THE NEED FOR FOR THIS GRANT AND HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO RECEIVE THIS FUNDING IS BECAUSE IF IF I'M A PARENT AND I HAVE A COMPLEX CHILD OR A CHILD WITH COMPLEX NEEDS, THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND I HAVE TO NAVIGATE ON MY OWN.

SO THROUGH THIS GRANT AND THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED THROUGH THIS GRANT, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO THEY WOULD HAVE HELP AND ASSISTANCE IN NAVIGATING THIS VERY COMPLICATED SYSTEM WITH THROUGH THE BENEFIT OF THIS GRANT.

SO I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MY TEAM TO GO THROUGH THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT THE GRANT WILL ACCOMPLISH AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT.

GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE COURT.

AND SO ONE OF THE FIRST GOALS THAT WE HAVE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH OF THIS SAMHSA GRANT IS TO ENSURE THAT WE DO A NEEDS ASSESSMENT, BOTH ON THE COUNTY SIDE.

[03:50:05]

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT NEEDS, WHAT ARE ANY GAPS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED THROUGH OUR KRCG? AND THEN, OF COURSE, WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES WHEN WE TURN WHEN WE THINK OF OUR PARTNER, THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE, THE BURKE COUNTY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT ARE THEIR CURRENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND THEN WORK ON ACTION PLANS TO IMPROVE THEM, OR HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT THE CHILDREN OF THE THE COUNTY.

SO OUR GOAL FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE, AND THIS IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY, IS THROUGH A TARGETED EXPANSION.

AND SO WHAT WE ARE WANTING TO DO IS TO, CONDUCT A, TO INCREASE EXPANSION OR CAPACITY BY INTAKE AND REFERRALS. SO ANY FAMILIES THAT ARE IN NEED OF SERVICES CAN UTILIZE THE COMMUNITIES, HUB THE MODEL.

AND THEN WE ARE WE WANT TO INCREASE THIS AMOUNT BY 600 ADOLESCENTS AND FAMILIES PER YEAR.

WHEN IT COMES TO TO OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, WE WANT TO ALSO INCREASE COORDINATION AND CASE MANAGEMENT OF AT LEAST 600 ADOLESCENTS AND FAMILIES PER YEAR.

AND THIS IS THROUGH THE FOUR YEAR GRANT.

WE ALSO WANT TO OFFER ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR REFERRAL, FOR COUNSELING, INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP.

AND THEN WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PROVIDE 240 ADOLESCENTS THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE GRANT WITH INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.

CURRENTLY OUTPATIENT IEPS ARE NOT ARE THE THERE ARE BARRIERS BECAUSE OF INSURANCES.

A LOT OF THEM ONLY ACCEPT PRIVATE INSURANCES VERSUS EXAMPLES LIKE MEDICAID.

SO WE WANT TO KEEP THEM IN THE COMMUNITY AND CLOSE TO HOME.

AND SO WE WANT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER, BE ABLE TO SUPPORT TO AT LEAST 240 ADOLESCENTS DURING THE DURATION OF THE GRANT.

AND THEN OF COURSE, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND THE KRKD LIKE DOCTOR GERARDO MENTIONED.

IT IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

AND SO FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIGN SOMEBODY WHO CAN COLLABORATE AND COORDINATE THIS GROUP.

OUR GOAL IS TO ALSO INCREASE IT FROM MEETING ONLY ONCE A MONTH TO MEETING TWICE A MONTH, AS WELL AS INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF, FAMILIES THAT WE ARE SERVING WITHIN THE KRCG.

AGAIN, THESE ARE THOSE COMPLEX KIDS FROM FIVE OR SO PER MONTH TO MAYBE TEN AS A MINIMUM.

AND THEN ALSO I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE MISS LETICIA, WHO WILL GO OVER CURRENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

GOOD AFTERNOON, LETICIA DOMINGUEZ.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

SO THIS IS THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM HERE.

AND EXCUSE ME.

SO WE JUST WANTED TO GO OVER SOME OF THAT THAT INFORMATION.

SO FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND EVALUATION SERVICES WHAT WE OFFER THERE IS WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD WHO GOES INTO THE SYSTEM IS SCREENED AND ASSESSED.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE LEVEL OF CARE.

SO THAT MAY INCLUDE CRISIS, THAT MAY INCLUDE OUTPATIENT AND THAT MAY INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO ASSESS THEM CORRECTLY.

SECOND OUTPATIENT SERVICES.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE CAPACITY EXPANSIONS THAT WE'RE HOPING FOR.

THIS GRANT IS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, WE CAN REFER SERVICES TO THE CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES, WHO IS OUR LMHC, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN EXPAND SOME OF THOSE SERVICES.

THE CENTER DOES PROVIDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH WITH THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD, AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN EXPAND THAT, 24 HOUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, EMERGENCY SERVICES.

AGAIN, THAT IS THROUGH OUR LOCAL LMA.

AND THEY DO PROVIDE THE 24 OVER SEVEN, CRISIS SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WITH THAT, THEY HAVE ENOUGH CARE THAT CLINICIANS ARE ON CALL AND AVAILABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY, AGAIN, GET APPROPRIATE SERVICES, INTENSIVE HOME BASED CAPACITY EXPANSION.

THAT IS THE OTHER ONE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SATISFY WITH THIS GRANT.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE THE LOCAL MHA WHO PROVIDES YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SERVICES, WAIVER PROGRAM, AND THAT IS LOCAL IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT DOES PROVIDE IN-HOME INTENSIVE AND SCHOOL INTENSIVE BASED SERVICES.

ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE GAPS WITH THIS IS THAT THERE IS AN INTEREST LIST THAT CAN BE FROM 9 TO 12 MONTHS LONG.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALSO INCREASE THE CAPACITY FOR THAT, FOR OUTREACH AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

AGAIN, THIS IS WHERE WE BRING IN THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER MODEL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE OUTREACH TO FAMILIES AGAIN, HOLISTICALLY.

AND WE PROVIDE SERVICES NOT JUST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH, BUT OTHER SERVICES THAT THEY MAY NEED.

AND THEN THE INTENSIVE DAY TREATMENT SERVICES, AGAIN, CAPACITY EXPANSION FOR THIS GRANT.

AND WITH THAT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THE SERVICES FOR THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AS MISS VICTORIA MENTIONED, SOME OF THESE INTENSIVE SERVICES ARE NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO MEDICAID ISSUES.

[03:55:03]

OR AGAIN, MAYBE PUBLIC PRIVATE INSURANCE MAY COVER SOME OF THESE.

SO WITH THE INTENSIVE DAY TREATMENT SERVICES, WE DO HOPE TO PROVIDE 60 UNDUPLICATED ADOLESCENTS A YEAR TO GET THESE SERVICES.

AND IT'S BASICALLY A DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM.

THEY HAVE SCHOOL SERVICES THERE, AND THEY GO HOME IN THE EVENING TO THEIR FAMILIES, RESPITE CARE SERVICES.

THAT, AGAIN, IS PROVIDED THROUGH OUR YES WAIVER THROUGH THE LOCAL LMA.

AND WE DO HAVE OTHER PRIVATELY FUNDED SERVICES THAT DO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE.

BUT AGAIN, THERE IS A CAPACITY ISSUE FOR THAT.

SOME OF THESE SERVICES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND ALSO WITH OUR GRANT, WE'RE HOPING TO INDIRECTLY MINIMIZE SOME OF THESE OTHER SERVICES.

SO FOR INSTANCE, THE THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE SERVICES, WE CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE TWO PROVIDERS IN THE CITY.

SO WE'RE HOPING THAT BY IMPLEMENTING THIS GRANT, WE CAN MINIMIZE SOME OF THOSE SERVICES IN THE FUTURE AND THEN TRANSITION FROM YOUTH SERVICES TO ADULT SERVICES.

WE DO HAVE VARIOUS PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT HELP THE ADOLESCENTS TRANSITION INTO ADULTHOOD, NOT JUST FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR THEIR FAMILIES, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK AT THINGS LIKE EMPLOYMENT, OTHER SERVICES LIKE MONEY MANAGEMENT TO HOPEFULLY GET THEM INTO THE ADULT WORLD AND GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED.

THANK YOU. AND JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS ALAN CASTRO, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

IN TERMS OF THE MECHANICS OF THIS GRANT, IT IS A FOUR YEAR GRANT AND IT WILL BE $1 MILLION A YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS.

FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS, IT'S REALLY $3 IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR A $1 LOCAL MATCH.

AND YEAR FOUR IS MUCH MORE ONEROUS ON US.

IT'S $1, LOCAL MATCH FOR $1 IN FEDERAL FUNDS.

THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU HAVE HISTORICALLY AWARDED, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CONTRACTS FOR OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.

AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS REALLY JUST EARMARK AND BE VERY, PURPOSEFUL ABOUT HOW WE SPEND THOSE FUNDS AND USE THOSE, FOR THIS GRANT.

THE FUNDER SAMHSA DOES REQUIRE THAT WE HIRE TWO PEOPLE, A PROJECT DIRECTOR AND A LEAD FAMILY COORDINATOR.

THE PROJECT DIRECTOR WOULD BE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE A COUNTY EMPLOYEE ANSWERABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THE LEAD FAMILY COORDINATOR.

WE WANT TO BE, HOUSED WITH THE THE BEXAR COUNTY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE.

WE ALSO WANT TO HIRE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, WHICH WILL ALSO BE CONTRACTED INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE.

SO REALLY, THERE'S JUST ONE COUNTY EMPLOYEE INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS.

AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE FUNDS WILL BE CONTRACTED TO THE NETWORK OF TREATMENT PROVIDERS, TO THE BEXAR COUNTY HEALTH COLLABORATIVE, TO THE PROGRAM EVALUATOR, AND THAT AND THAT SORT OF THING.

AND THAT'S IT. AND WE RECOMMEND RATIFICATION.

ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES.

YES. SO THIS IS, THIS WILL BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROGRAM THAT I CHAMPIONED FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS.

CORRECT? YES, YES.

WHAT WE'VE LEARNED, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD A LITTLE OVER A YEAR IN WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IS THAT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE SCHOOL SETTING ARE ABSOLUTELY WORKING, AND THEY'RE REALLY A GREAT RESOURCE.

BUT THERE ARE THESE CHILDREN THAT HAVE MUCH MORE SERIOUS ISSUES AND FAMILIES THAT ARE IN GREATER NEED THAN WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE IN THE SCHOOL.

RIGHT? RIGHT. THAT'S WHY THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT AND SO NEEDED.

SO I HAVE A QUESTION.

YOU GUYS DIDN'T NUMBER THE SO I'M NOT SURE HOW TO SAY TO GO BACK, BUT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BEXAR COUNTY SYSTEM OF CARE, IT SAYS GOAL NUMBER TWO, THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE.

SO YOU GUYS ARE PARTNERING WITH THEM OR ARE THEY GOING TO BE PAID OR HOW HOW DOES THAT WORK? SO THE THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE HAS THEIR PATHWAYS HUB, AND I BELIEVE YOU'VE SEEN IT IN OPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE BRIGHTER JOURNEY PROGRAM, WORKING WITH CPS AND FOSTER FAMILIES IN THAT CAPACITY.

SO WHAT THE PATHWAYS HUB DOES IS USE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS TO PROVIDE CARE COORDINATION.

SO BASICALLY, A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER IS ASSIGNED TO A FAMILY THAT HELPS THEM NAVIGATE ANY SYSTEM, WHETHER IT'S BRIGHTER JOURNEYS OR WHETHER IT'S JUST A FAMILY THAT'S BEEN RECOMMENDED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY.

BUT YES, WORKING WITH THEM.

AND SO THE SO YOU'RE PARTNERING WITH THEM, WE'RE NOT PAYING THEM ANY EXTRA.

WELL, THEY WOULD RECEIVE FUNDING FOR THE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AND FOR THEIR PROGRAM DIRECTOR I BELIEVE FUNDING THROUGH THIS GRANT.

YES. OKAY.

THEY WOULD BE ONE OF THE CONTRACT SERVICES THAT WE WOULD PROVIDE.

ALL RIGHT. AND THEN, VERONICA, WHEN YOU WERE TALKING, YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT UNFUNDED UNFUNDED MANDATE.

THERE'S SO MANY IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.

WHICH ONE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? SO I THINK THAT WAS ME.

BUT, I MEAN, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, UNFUNDED MANDATE.

IT WAS IN 1987.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE SAID, YOU SHALL DO THIS, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU ANY MONEY FOR IT.

BUT BASICALLY IT WAS FOR THE CREATION OF A KRCG OF A COMMUNITY RESOURCE COLLABORATIVE GROUP, TO TO COORDINATE ALL OF THESE SERVICES, RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS A NEED TO BRING ALL OF THESE AGENCIES TOGETHER, WHETHER THEY'RE NONPROFITS OR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES.

AND SO YOU SHALL DO THIS.

BUT THERE'S WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE ANY MONEY TO DO IT.

[04:00:01]

BUT THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT I LISTED HAVE SOUGHT EXTERNAL FUNDS LIKE GRANT FUNDING.

AND WE SEE THIS AS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE SAME.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.

I DO WANT TO THANK YOUR YOUR TEAM, YOUR STAFF, AS I'M IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORKING WITH SCHOOLS AND TALKING ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.

I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED, SO I'VE HEARD THAT BACK FROM OUR EDUCATORS AND OUR THERAPISTS AND OUR SCHOOLS.

SO THANK YOU, LETICIA AND VERONICA, FOR YOUR WORK AND OF COURSE, TO YOUR TO YOUR BOSSES, TOO.

SO THANKS FOR THAT WORK. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL SECOND.

ALL RIGHT. WE GOT A MOTION BY CLAY-FLORES.

SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

COMMISSIONER CALVERT. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. I NOTICED THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE COORDINATION GROUP, BUT THE BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSTABLES ARE NOT.

IS THERE A REASON FOR THAT? YOU WANNA SPEAK TO THAT? I KNOW THERE IS NO SPECIFIC REASON, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED.

LIKE WITH THEIR J.J., THE JUVENILE JUSTICE ACADEMY.

WE DO HAVE CONSTABLES THERE.

SO INDIRECTLY, YOU KNOW, WE WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT NOT SPECIFICALLY FOR ANY REASON.

NO. HOW DOES THE SAPD, PARTNER TO PROVIDE INFORMATION IN THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE GROUP? MOSTLY, IF THERE IS A CASE THAT INVOLVES SAPD OR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE TRY TO GET THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO JOIN THE MEETING.

SO IT REALLY JUST DEPENDS.

USUALLY NOT EVERYBODY SHOWS UP AT THE SAME TIME IF THEY HAVE A SPECIFIC CASE AND THEY WILL SHOW UP FOR THAT.

YEAH, I WOULD THINK WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF THAT IN THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY THAT THE SHERIFFS HAVE PRIMACY OVER.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE ROLE THAT THE CONSTABLES PLAY WITH RESPECT TO OUR CHILDREN HISTORICALLY IN TRUANCY, THEY'VE LONG HAD A REALLY GOOD CONTINUITY OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR SCHOOLS. SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO RETOOL THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE REALLY INCULCATED BECAUSE OF THE FAMILIES THAT THEY, THAT THEY REACH. LET ME ASK YOU, IN TERMS OF I NOTICED THERE REALLY ISN'T A LOT OF FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS AS PART OF THE COLLABORATIVE. THERE ARE FAITH BASED SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.

BUT IN TERMS OF CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES, WHY WHY ARE THEY NOT INCLUDED IN THIS? LIKE I MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER, IF THERE IS A GROUP THAT COMES IN OR IF A FAMILY REQUEST, SOMEBODY FROM THE FAITH COMMUNITY, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO COME IN TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE FAMILIES. WE DO OUTREACH TO MANY LIKE NAMI HAZARD PATHWAYS TO HOPE THEY HAVE THEIR, ALSO THEIR THEIR OTHER GROUP THAT IS BASED FOR CLERGY.

SO WE DO A LOT OF REFERRALS FOR THAT AS WELL.

AND SOMETIMES FAMILIES PREFER TO START WITH THEIR FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, BUT THERE IS NO SPECIFIC REASON.

AGAIN, THE LIST THAT YOU SEE HERE IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE EITHER.

IT IS BASED ON THE CHILD'S NEEDS AND THE FAMILY'S NEEDS IF THEY WANT SUPPORT, OR.

WE ALSO TEND TO ALWAYS REFER TO OTHER RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY IF THE ONES THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE ARE NOT WORKING FOR THEM.

SO YOU KNOW, WHAT I'M GETTING TO IS A FRONTLINE OFFENSE FOR INTERDICTING IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE MOST IMPACTED AND FAITH BASED, LEADERS, CLERGY AND DEACONS AND OTHER CHURCH MAMAS AND PAPAS.

THEY'RE OFTEN PEOPLE THAT ARE FIRST IN THE KNOW WITH RESPECT TO WHEN THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH THESE CHILDREN.

SO HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT TIGHTENING UP THEIR INCLUSION IN THIS COLLABORATIVE? WE CAN DEFINITELY REACH OUT.

AGAIN, MANY OF THE FAMILIES, IF THEY WHEN WE STAFF THE CASES, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FAMILIES IT IS NOT JUST ANYBODY CAN JOIN.

EVERYBODY HAS TO SIGN A RELEASE OF INFORMATION.

SO WE CAN DEFINITELY OUTREACH TO SOME OF THEM.

IF THE FAMILY WANTS TO INCLUDE THEM, THEY'RE MORE THAN WELCOME.

BUT WE DO TRY TO LIMIT IT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO HAVE A RELEASE OF INFORMATION FOR ANYONE WHO IS INVITED TO THIS GROUP.

YEAH, I THINK THAT GROUPS LIKE CATHOLIC CHARITIES, BAPTIST MINISTRIES UNION, COMMUNITY OF CHURCHES OF SOCIAL ACTION, THE METHODIST GROUP THAT MEETS, THEY WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT KEY COLLABORATORS TO HELP IMPROVE THE CAPACITY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THESE RESOURCES AND ENSURE THAT YOU DON'T LEAVE OUT CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE ARE OFTEN THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT GETTING THE RESOURCES.

THEY CAN BE IMPACTED THROUGH THE FAITH BASED.

SO I WANT TO ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THAT IN TERMS OF, THIS WHOLE COLLABORATIVE.

I NOTICE THAT COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AREN'T INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS.

IS THERE ANY THOUGHT ABOUT WHY THAT IS? I'M SORRY. CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION? SURE. I WAS NOTICING THAT COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS FOR YOUR RESOURCE COORDINATION GROUP.

IS THERE ANY REASON FOR THAT? LIKE I MENTIONED, THIS IS NOT AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST THAT WE HAVE HERE BEFORE US.

YES. I MEAN, HONESTLY, THE NEED FOR THIS GRANT IS, IS LARGELY DUE TO THE LACK OF CAPACITY FOR THE KRCG TO TAKE ON REFERRALS.

THEY CAN ONLY SERVICE ABOUT FIVE KIDS FAMILIES A MONTH.

[04:05:02]

THAT'S THEIR CURRENT CAPACITY.

SO REALLY IT HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT THEY THAT'S WHY THE REFERRAL PROCESS IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED.

NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE EXCLUDED, BUT BECAUSE THEY CAN ONLY TAKE SO MANY REFERRALS A MONTH.

AND THESE ARE MOST OF THE TIMES WHERE THE ON RAMPS ARE.

SO THE NEED FOR THIS GRANT HIGHLIGHTS THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND MORE EXPANSIVE.

IN THE OTHER GROUPS THAT CAN MAKE REFERRALS WITH THE INCREASED CAPACITY FROM THIS FOR THIS GRANT.

SO DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO REWRITE THOSE KINDS OF FAITH BASED BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF'S CONSTABLE'S COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION GROUPS? LITERALLY, IN THIS PARTICULAR GRANT APPLICATION, DO YOU THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO ADD THEM? OH, ABSOLUTELY. WHEN FINGERS CROSSED WE SUCCESSFULLY SECURE THIS GRANT, WE WOULD UNDERGO A NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND INCLUDE ALL OF THOSE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. SO. ABSOLUTELY.

OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT'S ALL. COMMISSIONER MOODY, CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME A QUICK BREAKDOWN? I SEE THE 6 MILLION.

4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS AND 2 MILLION IN COUNTY.

IS THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS OR FOUR YEARS? FOUR YEARS? YES, THAT IS OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR YEARS.

WHAT'S WHAT'S THE FIRST THREE YEARS LOOK LIKE VERSUS YEAR FOUR? THEN IN TERMS OF THAT BREAKDOWN, ALAN, DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THE BUDGET? YEAH. YES, SIR.

THE THE, FIRST THREE YEARS ARE BASICALLY, WELL, REALLY ALL OF THE YEARS.

LET'S JUST FOCUS ON THE LOCAL MATCHING DOLLARS.

IT'S REALLY JUST THOSE CONTRACTED, DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE THAT WE ARE USING RIGHT NOW FOR OUTPATIENT, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY FOR YEAR FOUR. WHAT WE ARE WANTING TO DO IS BASICALLY TRIPLE THE AMOUNT OF CONTRACT DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR OUTPATIENT, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY.

BUT IN TERMS OF LIKE HAVING THE SAME NUMBER OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, THE, THE SAME CAPACITY EXPANSION FOR THE CRC AND WHATNOT, THAT THAT REALLY STAYS THE SAME.

IT'S REALLY JUST, THE AMOUNT OF CONTRACTED DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR OUTPATIENT AND WE WILL SERVE MORE KIDS CONSEQUENTLY BECAUSE OF IT AS WELL.

YEAH. SO I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ACTUAL LIKE FUNDING WOULD BE FOR YEARS ONE THROUGH THREE FOR THE ITS FUNDS AND THE LOCAL MATCH.

IT'S, IT'S 1.33 MILLION FOR YEAR ONE, YEAR TWO, YEAR THREE.

AND THEN IT'S 2 MILLION FOR YEAR FOUR.

SO JUST SO IT'S LIKE 1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS AND 333,000 IN LOCAL MATCH.

BUT THAT 333 IS BASICALLY ALREADY BEING SPENT.

IT'S ALREADY BEING SPENT.

OKAY. AND FOR THAT MATTER, THE $1 MILLION IN YEAR FOUR IS ALREADY BEING, WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE SPENT.

OKAY I UNDERSTAND, THANK YOU.

HEY, DOCTOR CASTRO, I GOT A YOU STAY RIGHT THERE.

YOU HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING SAMHSA GRANTS FOR THE COUNTY AND AS A RESULT, I BELIEVE BEXAR COUNTIES.

CUTTING EDGE INNOVATIVE IN REGARDS TO RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, SPECIALTY COURTS, MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, ALL THE WAY FROM WE.

I KNOW WE'VE GOTTEN $1 MILLION GRANT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WE'VE GOT MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FOR THE CHILDREN, FOSTER CARE, CHILDREN'S COURT.

WE'VE GOT $1 MILLION FOR JUVENILE, I THINK JUVENILES IN THE ROOM, TOO, I THINK, JILL, YOU'RE STILL HERE.

AND I MAY ASK IF YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN.

AND SO WE'VE KIND OF WE'VE CREATED THIS, SHIFTING OF HOW WE PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

WE HAVE TRIED TO BE COLLABORATIVE AND COORDINATED AS BEST WE CAN, KNOWING THAT THINGS IN JUVENILE, CRIMINAL, CIVIL, STAY WITHIN THEIR REALMS. BUT, IT'S IT'S IT'S SO MUCH MORE POWERFUL WHEN WE LEVERAGE.

SO MY QUESTION TO YOU AND TO THE TEAM IS WHAT IS THIS PARTICULAR GRANT GOING TO DO? IT'S NOT TIED.

IT'S TIED TO MENTAL HEALTH OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT IS GOING TO CUT ACROSS ALL THE, THE BUREAUCRACIES, ALL THE, THE SYSTEMS, OUR JUSTICE SYSTEMS, HOW.

AND THEN THE ULTIMATE QUESTION AND THEN THIS PROBABLY GOES TO DOCTOR GUERRERO, HOW DOES THIS ALL GET TIED TOGETHER OTHER THAN BECOMING ANOTHER BUCKET OF MONEY? AND DO YOU WANT IT? GILBERT.

GILBERT GONZALES GILBERT, DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

THERE'S TWO THERE'S TWO ISSUES IN.

WHAT THIS DOES IS IT AFFECTS TWO KEY ISSUES.

THE FIRST IS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE, WHICH IS, COMMISSIONER FLORES CLAY-FLORES HAS POINTED OUT, WE HAVE STARTED THAT CONTINUUM OF CARE SPECIFICALLY SAYS YOU NEED THIS AND THIS AND THIS AND THIS.

WHAT THIS GRANT WILL DO IS BRING TOGETHER THE CONTINUUM, THE CONTINUUM OF CARE, THE CONTINUITY OF CARE.

IN OTHER WORDS, YOU JUST DON'T INTERVENE.

YOU INTERVENE AND SUPPORT FOR THE LONG TERM.

[04:10:03]

AND WITH RESPECT, COMMISSIONER CALVERT, TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT FAITH BASED, NAMI IS ALSO INVOLVED VERY HEAVILY IN BRIDGES TO CARE, WHICH IS ADDRESSING YOUTH, AND THEY'RE WORKING TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH WARRIORS.

AND SO IN THAT SENSE, THE COMMUNITY IS BEING BROUGHT TOGETHER.

SO THIS IS A KEY ISSUE.

AND SO IT FITS IN IN THE WAY THAT WE ADDRESS THE NEEDS WHEN THEY'RE NEEDED, THE ONES WE DO, WE DON'T TAKE A ONE AND DONE ATTITUDE.

WE TAKE A HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND HERE'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THIS KIND OF GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHERE THE REFERRALS ARE COMING FROM.

ARE THEY GOING TO BE WITHIN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AS THEY NEED TO TRANSITION TO LONG TERM CARE? THEY COME INTO THIS CONTINUUM OF CARE? OR ARE WE ARE THERE ANOTHER SUBSET OF POPULATION THAT ARE NOT ACCESSING SERVICES? YOU UNDERSTAND THE REFERRALS ARE COMING FROM NEARLY ALL OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE LISTED AND MAYBE CHIEF MATA.

I KNOW SHE'S, BEEN A PART OF THIS GROUP FOR A LONG TIME AND PROBABLY CAN SPEAK MORE SPECIFICALLY, BUT THE REFERRALS WOULD COME FROM ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT PLACES.

SO DOES THAT COME FROM JUVENILE PROBATION? YES. YES, ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS GRANT.

WE ARE ALREADY UTILIZING THE SERVICES OF ALL THE INDIVIDUALS HERE NOW.

AND AND A LOT OF THE KIDS WOULD BE PRE PRE REFERRAL AND THEN SOME OF THE KIDS THAT ARE REFERRAL.

BUT SO WHAT IS THIS.

WHAT'S THIS INITIATIVE DO THAT YOU ALL ARE NOT DOING ALREADY.

WELL WE ARE DOING THIS WORK BUT IT HELPS US BE MUCH MORE TARGETED ABOUT THE APPROACH.

FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU IF WE CAN IF THERE'S A DESIGNATED DIRECTOR, WE CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT COMMISSIONER CALVERT IS TALKING ABOUT.

EXPAND THOSE THOSE PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WHO CAN HELP WITH THOSE REFERRALS TO GET TREATMENT SERVICES FOR THESE KIDS.

I MEAN, IF YOU CONSIDER RIGHT NOW A LOT OF THE CHILDREN THAT COME IN HISTORICALLY, YOU'LL KNOW THIS JUDGE, THE, CHILDREN THAT COME IN AT, SITTING IN OUR DETENTION CENTER BECAUSE THEY NEED THESE SORT OF SERVICES AND THE SERVICES AREN'T OUT THERE.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT NOW THROUGH THE WORK THAT'S GOING ON.

BUT THAT CAN ONLY BE EXPANDED AND ENRICHED WITH THIS WORK, SO THAT THESE KIDS CAN BE GIVEN INTERVENTIONS EARLIER AND NOT HAVE TO SIT IN DETENTION.

THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE IN DETENTION ARE NOT GOING TO BE AS RICH AS THE SERVICES THAT ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDED IN THE COMMUNITY.

IF WE CAN MAKE THOSE REFERRALS TIMELY, THOSE CHILDREN THAT END UP SITTING IN, IN OUR DETENTION CENTER NOT GETTING THE SERVICES THEY NEED, A LOT OF THOSE KIDS END UP COMING BACK TO US, ROTATING BACK TO US, AND EVENTUALLY END UP IN OUR DEEP END OF THE SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD BE CRIER OR EVEN THE TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION OR TJJD, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

SO, ANY WORK WE CAN DO NOW WITH THESE KIDS TO FURTHER SUPPORT THEIR REHABILITATION IN THE COMMUNITY CLOSE TO HOME WITH HOME BASED SERVICES OR SHORTER TERM, COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES, INPATIENT.

I MEAN, THAT'S GOING TO BE A BETTER OUTCOME FOR THAT PARTICULAR GROUP OF CHILDREN.

SO AND SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M, I REALLY WANT CLARITY THERE.

AND I REALIZE THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

WE'RE DOING NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

AND IT'S WE'RE GOING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE BRIDGES ARE, SO TO SPEAK, THAT WE'LL USE THAT WORD.

BUT YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT THE SUBSET OF CHILDREN YOU WOULD BE LOOKING AT WOULD BE THE THOSE CHILDREN AT THE HIGH END, HIGH ACUITY KIDS.

AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW, IS THIS SYSTEM BUILT TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE KIDS THAT THE CURRENT SYSTEM CAN'T TAKE CARE OF? OR IS THIS ANOTHER REFERRAL SOURCE, SOURCE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY AND NEED ANOTHER REFERRAL SOURCE, BUT IT ENHANCES THE INTERVENTIONS AND SERVICES, EXCUSE ME, OF THE CHILDREN THAT WE'RE ALREADY SERVING.

SO WE NEED MORE OPTIONS FOR THOSE KIDS THAT ARE MORE TAILORED TO THEIR NEEDS.

A LOT OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, WE CAN TARGET CERTAIN CHILDREN, DO REALLY WELL IN OUR SYSTEM, IN THE DETENTION SYSTEM AND IN OUR KIND OF, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM.

BUT THERE'S A GROUP OF KIDS THAT NEED MORE HIGH LEVEL.

THOSE WOULD BE INTERVENTIONS, WHAT WE'D CALL CROSSOVER KIDS.

YES. SO KIDS THAT ARE IN OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, MULTIPLE SYSTEM KIDS, FOR SURE.

YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE A GOOD ANSWER FOR THOSE KIDS, DO WE? WE DO NOT.

AND WE DO REALLY GOOD WORK HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT THIS HELPS US EXPAND THAT AND TO BE ABLE TO, USE MONEY THAT WE'RE ALREADY USING.

BUT IN THIS MORE TARGETED CAPACITY WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES.

I MEAN, I FEEL CONFIDENT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES.

SO, DOCTOR CASTRO, YOU MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING TO TIE INTO OUR CHILDREN'S COURT FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

SINCE YOU HELPED.

YES. GET THE MONEY FOR THAT SYSTEM.

YES. AND WE GOT A SAMHSA GRANT, IN FACT, FOR YOUR BABY COURT AND FOR YOUR FAMILY DRUG COURT, ACTUALLY, FOR THAT MATTER.

YES. AND AND THIS IS GOING TO POTENTIALLY, DRIVE THOSE COURTS OUT OF BUSINESS IF WE DO OUR JOB RIGHT ON THE FRONT END.

I'D WELCOME THAT.

OKAY. ONE EXAMPLE, ONE EXAMPLE, THE EXAMPLE THAT WAS GIVEN IN THE SLIDES ABOUT THE CHILDREN THAT ARE MULTISYSTEM YOUTH.

[04:15:05]

I MEAN, WE HAVE A COLLECTION OF THOSE CHILDREN ALL THE TIME THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO.

SO THAT EXAMPLE THAT WAS IN THE SLIDE, THAT'S NOT AN ANOMALY.

I MEAN, THOSE THAT'S A GROUP OF CHILDREN THAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO SERVE AND SERVE IN A BETTER WAY THAN JUST HAVING THEM DETAINED BECAUSE PEOPLE FEEL AT RISK FROM THEIR BEHAVIOR. I MEAN, WE NEED TO BE OFFERING MUCH DEEPER, RICHER SERVICES FOR THOSE KIDS, AND THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO DO IT MORE EFFECTIVELY.

SO GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CALVERT.

THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR IT THE COHORT OF CHILDREN THAT WERE SERVICING WITH THIS GRANT IS ARE MAINLY ONES IN THE OUR SYSTEM.

SO WE'RE REALLY AT THE INTERVENTION STAGE.

WE'RE NOT IN A PREVENTION STAGE WITH THIS GRANT.

IT'S MORE WHEN THEY GET TO US BECAUSE WHEN THEY GET TO US, IT'S USUALLY WHEN THINGS GET PRETTY LATE IN THEIR, YOU KNOW, PATHWAY TOWARDS BOTH.

GO AHEAD. I MEAN, REALLY, I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT KIDS THAT ARE BOTH SOME OF THE CHILDREN THAT WOULD BE WE WOULD KEEP OUT OF THE SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD BE A HUGE BENEFIT, RIGHT, TO NOT EVEN HAVE THEM IN OUR SYSTEM.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THESE KIDS THAT ARE ALREADY IN OUR SYSTEM BECAUSE OF, THE NATURE OF THEIR BEHAVIOR.

IT RESULTS IN THOSE KIND OF CRIMINAL REFERRALS OR JUSTICE REFERRALS.

AND SO WE CAN HELP THEM EXIT THE SYSTEM.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PIECES IN PLACE THAT COULD KEEP THOSE CHILDREN OUT AND THEIR RECORDS.

SO IS THIS I MEAN, IS THIS BASICALLY THAT THE SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE AMOUNT OF CASES THEY HAVE AND THIS EXTRA, I GUESS, 4 OR 5 HANDS, MAYBE SIX, THEY'RE GOING TO HELP WITH THAT.

IS THAT BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE DIALING THIS DOWN TO.

RIGHT. THE THE SLIDE THAT YOU HAD THAT BASICALLY TALKED ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES.

THOSE ARE THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE AT CAPACITY WHERE WE DEFINITELY NEED EXPANSION.

BUT ALSO THE ADDITION OF THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE.

I'M POINTING OVER HERE BECAUSE MARY KAY MARTINEZ IS WITH THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE.

AMONG HER MANY TALENTS.

SHE'S BEEN UP HERE A COUPLE OF TIMES TODAY.

BUT, THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE AND THE PATHWAYS HUB MODEL, TAKES A WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH.

AND SO AS, AS THEY ARE FOCUSING JUST ON THE SERVICES FOR THESE KIDS THAT ARE IN MULTIPLE SYSTEMS, THEY'RE ALSO FOCUSING ON THE NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

SO WHETHER THAT'S SIBLINGS AND ALL THE OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

SO HOPEFULLY BRINGING THAT FAMILY INTO, HELPING THEM NAVIGATE A SYSTEM FOR THEIR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WHILE ALSO HELPING OUT THOSE CHILDREN.

OKAY. SO OVERALL, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE SUPPOSITION OF THE QUESTION I ASKED IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE, OR ARE WE SEEING A DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF FOLKS COMING THROUGH BEXAR COUNTY FOR THESE KINDS OF SERVICES? WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE OF CHILDREN THAT NEED THESE SERVICES.

PART OF IT WOULD BE HISTORICALLY, IF YOU'VE BEEN DOING THE WORK A REALLY LONG TIME, WE WEREN'T IDENTIFYING THOSE NEEDS AS WELL AS WE COULD.

WE'RE MUCH BETTER AT IDENTIFYING THOSE NEEDS EARLIER ON.

BUT ALSO WE ARE SEEING, I THINK IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WITH COVID AND EVERYTHING, WE'RE SEEING A LOT HIGHER NEEDS OF MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS FOR KIDS FOR SERVICES. SO I THINK IT'S BOTH.

BUT ISN'T A LOT OF IT POVERTY RELATED? I MEAN, THE FACT THAT FAMILIES ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME MAKING ENDS MEET STRESSES OUT, THE TRAUMAS ARE EXPOSED, AND IT JUST CHILDREN ARE HAVING A GENERALLY TOUGH TIME BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF THERE'S VIOLENCE THAT HAPPENS IN THERE.

THERE'S MOVES AND REMOVALS AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF OF THAT.

I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT. I THINK A LOT OF THE THE CHALLENGES THAT FAMILIES FACE ARE ECONOMICALLY DRIVEN.

I THINK I'VE SAID THAT HERE BEFORE THIS COURT BEFORE, AND A LOT OF THE TRIGGERS THAT, THAT CAUSE PEOPLE TO EITHER ABUSE OR NEGLECT THEIR CHILDREN AND ENTER INTO CPS AND FOSTER WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE OF SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES OR NEGLECT OR ABUSE.

YEAH. A LOT OF THOSE ARE ECONOMICALLY DRIVEN AND SOCIALLY DETERMINED.

SOCIALLY DETERMINED. YES.

THANK YOU, JUDGE MARY KAY, ARE YOU INVOLVED? WHY DON'T YOU COME FORWARD? BUT I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ HAS A QUESTION.

YEAH, IT.

I GUESS FOR DOCTOR A STAY UP THERE.

SO THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF REFERENCES MADE TO OUTCOMES.

WE'RE ALL INTERESTED IN OUTCOMES.

AND WE HEAR ANECDOTALLY ABOUT HOW SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS HAVE POSITIVELY, POSITIVELY IMPACTED, FOLKS.

BUT I'M WONDERING, FOR PURPOSES OF THE GRANT, HOW DO WE JUDGE THE THE EFFICACY OF THE PROGRAM? ARE THERE CERTAIN MEASURING STICKS? TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S, WITH ANYTHING WE DO HERE.

RIGHT? YOU PUT IN RESOURCES, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING POSITIVE RESULTS.

RIGHT? SO EACH EACH CHILD THAT IS REFERRED THROUGH THE CRC HAS AN INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN BECAUSE OF COURSE, THERE ARE VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES RELATED TO THAT CHILD AND TO THAT FAMILY. SO IN THAT IN THAT WAY OUTCOMES ARE VERY INDIVIDUALLY DRIVEN.

BUT IN TERMS OF WHAT THE OUTCOMES ARE, NUMBER ONE, IT'S THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

WHAT WHAT ARE THE THE VARIOUS RESOURCES THAT ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AND HOW DO WE EFFECTIVELY NAVIGATE THEM, WHICH IS WHERE THE COMMUNITY, THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE COMES IN. HOW ARE WE EFFECTIVELY NAVIGATING THEM AND THE OUTCOMES THAT THEY'RE MEASURING, WHETHER THE NUMBER OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT FAMILY, AVAILS THEMSELVES OF.

[04:20:05]

BUT ULTIMATELY, IT'S WHETHER OR NOT THE CHILD RECEIVES THE CARE THAT THEY NEED, WHETHER IT'S INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, AND THEN WHETHER OR NOT THEIR THERAPEUTIC OUTCOMES ARE MET. OKAY.

AND YOU HAVE SOME WAY OF CAPTURING THAT, I WOULD ASSUME WE DO.

YES. ALL OF THE PROVIDERS THAT THAT WE ENGAGE WITH, WHETHER IT'S CHCS OR ANY OF THE OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, ALL HAVE SPECIFIC OUTCOMES THAT THEY MEASURE RELATED TO EACH PATIENT. OKAY.

THANK YOU, JUDGE MARY KAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS BEING HERE FOR JULIE.

BUT NOW WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT KIDS.

SO NO, WE'RE NOT.

I JOINED THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE IN OCTOBER BECAUSE I MET ELIZABETH LUTZ AND SHE'S THE CEO AND THE GREAT, AMAZING PARTNER WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE. AND FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS, THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE HAS CREATED THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

THAT'S WHAT THEY DO INTELLECTUALLY, TELLING US WHERE WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD IN OUR HEALTH CARE.

AND THEN THE PATHWAYS HUB, WHICH IS A CERTIFIED HUB.

THERE'S ONLY 21 IN THE COUNTRY, THERE'S ONLY TWO CERTIFIED IN TEXAS, AND THE ONLY OTHER CERTIFIED ONE IS IN HOUSTON.

AND WE HAVE THE OLDEST ONE SINCE 2018.

AND SO A COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKER IN THE PATHWAYS HUB HAS 21 PATHWAYS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE.

OUR OBJECTIVE IS NOT TO OPEN THE PATHWAY, IT'S TO CLOSE THE PATHWAY.

AND WHEN THEIR SUSTAINABILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SECURED HOUSING OR THEY HAVE SECURED FOOD, OR THEY HAVE SECURED DAYCARE OR ELDER CARE OR ENROLLMENT AT A UNIVERSITY OR A COLLEGE, SOME SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT YOU MIGHT THINK IS CRISIS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

PARDON ME, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH.

ARE WE A HEALTHIER PEOPLE? AND SO THAT'S WHY I'M THERE.

AND WE THIS GRANT IS A GREAT GRANT.

WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF IT, AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. CAN I ASK YOU JUST BEFORE YOU LEAVE? SURE. WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS OF FOLKS THAT WE'VE BROUGHT OUT OF POVERTY THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH IN THE PATHWAYS OF THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE, YOU KNOW? WELL, I ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE THAT ON MY BACK POCKET, SO I'M HAPPY TO GIVE YOU A PATHWAYS.

IN FACT, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE WERE HERE, REMEMBER, WE GAVE YOU THE UPDATE ON THE PATHWAYS WHERE WE'VE HAD A TOTAL OF.

WE'VE OPENED UP SOMETHING OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

15,000 PATHWAYS HAVE BEEN OPENED UP OVER OVER TIME.

HERE'S WHAT I HERE'S WHAT I KNOW THAT 120 PEOPLE ARE REFERRED TO US, WHETHER IT'S THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES EVERY MONTH.

AND OF THOSE, IT'S A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM.

NOT EVERYBODY ENROLLS.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO DO, WE MOVE THEM IMMEDIATELY IN.

WE KNOW THAT THEY HAVE ABOUT AN AVERAGE OF 4 TO 6 PATHWAYS THAT ARE COMPLETED AND CLOSED.

AND THE AVERAGE TIME SOMEBODY THAT'S IN THE PATHWAYS RELATIONSHIP IS ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS, SOMETIMES MORE, SOMETIMES LESS.

ARE WE MOVING THE NEEDLE ON POVERTY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL? WE WE ARE BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE, ACCESS THINGS THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE, ONE PERSON AT A TIME, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.

WE KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN TELLS US WHAT OUR POVERTY RATE IS, TELLS US WHERE THE POVERTY IS HAPPENING.

WE KNOW WHAT STREET IT'S ON, AND IT'S ON EVERY STREET IN SAN ANTONIO AND BEXAR COUNTY.

ALL RIGHT. WE'VE HAD A VERY ROBUST DISCUSSION.

THERE'S A MOTION.

WAS THERE A MOTION BY CLAY-FLORES AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ? ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? I'LL JUST ADD THAT BEXAR COUNTY HOLDS A STANDING SEAT ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HEALTH COLLABORATIVE.

I CURRENTLY OCCUPY THAT SEAT, BUT WE'RE VERY INVOLVED IN THE WORK THAT THEY DO.

ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS. MOTION CARRIES.

CARRY ON. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. 91, DISCUSSION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE DESIGN BUILD AGREEMENT BETWEEN BEXAR COUNTY CORNERSTONE DETENTION PRODUCTS, INC., FOR A

[91. Discussion and appropriate action regarding the First Amendment to the Design-Build Agreement between Bexar County and Cornerstone Detention Products Inc. for a total amount not to exceed $17,360,623 to provide construction services for the Bexar County Detention Centers Security Electronics Project, to include the appropriate budgetary transfer.]

TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $17,361,623 TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY DETENTION CENTER SECURITY ELECTRONICS PROJECT.

TO INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET TRANSFER.

MR. CURRY? THANK YOU, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS, I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT.

AND I THINK THAT'S PARTLY WHY SOME OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ARE STILL IN THE ROOM HERE.

GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND, IN LATE 2022, YOU AUTHORIZED US TO ENTER INTO A DESIGN BUILD AGREEMENT WITH CORNERSTONE DETENTION PROJECTS.

PRODUCTS, FOR THE REPLACEMENT OR REMOVAL OF THE SECURITY ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR, DETENTION FACILITIES, THE MAIN JAIL, JAIL ANNEX, SOUTH TOWER, AND THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.

PHASE ONE OF THAT WAS TO DESIGN THE ACTUAL SOLUTIONS.

SO WE HAD A PLAN IN WHICH TO BID AND GO OUT TO THE STREET WITH WHICH CORNERSTONE DID, AND THAT FIRST PHASE WAS ABOUT $510,000.

[04:25:01]

WE TOOK THOSE PLANS, WENT TO THE MARKET, GOT MULTIPLE, PRICES.

AND THEY'RE PROVIDING US WITH A PHASE TWO AMENDMENT AGREEMENT, WHICH IS A LUMP SUM PROPOSAL FOR THEM TO DO THE REMAINDER OF THAT WORK.

SO WHY IS THIS SYSTEM IMPORTANT? AND I DON'T WANT TO UNDERSTATE THIS.

THIS CONTROLS ALL MOVEMENT WITHIN THE FACILITIES.

IF A CELL DOOR OPENS, IT'S THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

IF FOOD TRAYS GO TO A HOUSING UNIT, IT'S THROUGH THIS SYSTEM.

IF THE ELEVATORS MOVE, IT'S THROUGH THIS SYSTEM.

IF THERE'S CAMERA VIEWS, IT'S THROUGH THIS SYSTEM.

EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IN THAT FACILITY RUNS THROUGH THE SECURITY ELECTRONICS.

IT IS THE BEATING HEART OF THIS FACILITY, AND IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

AND IT IS LONG OVERDUE FOR AN UPGRADE.

IT ALLOWS 3 OR 4 PEOPLE TO CONTROL MOVEMENT IN THE ENTIRE FACILITY.

IF WE WERE TO GO BACK TO MANUAL KEYS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF POSTS, AND NOBODY'S INTERESTED IN ADDING THAT KIND OF MANPOWER TO THE FACILITY.

SO OUR CURRENT EQUIPMENT AGAIN WAS WAS UPGRADED IN THE LATE IN 1980S.

AND AGAIN, SOME PEOPLE FORGET THAT THE 1980S WAS ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO.

AND SO IT'S, IT'S IT'S WAY PAST ITS TIME FOR REPLACEMENT.

AT THE TIME, IT WAS STATE OF THE ART.

AND WE HAVEN'T MADE ANY SUBSTANTIAL UPGRADES TO THAT SYSTEM.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SOLUTION FOR PROBABLY ABOUT FIVE YEARS, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BRING THIS FORWARD TO YOU TODAY.

SO THE CURRENT EQUIPMENT, AS YOU CAN SEE, IS OLD ELECTRONIC PLC CABINETS.

ALL OF THESE ARE GETTING UPGRADED AND REPLACED WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM.

AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IT'S A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT WE ARE MAKING IN THAT FACILITY.

SO AS A SUMMARY, THE LOCATIONS ARE THE ADULT DETENTION CENTER, THE ANNEX, THE SOUTH TOWER AND THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.

PLCS, HMI CONTROLS INTERCOM SYSTEMS, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY JAIL STANDARDS, TWO WAY COMMUNICATION RELAYS, VIDEO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IP CAMERA CONTROLS.

WE'RE ACTUALLY ADDING CAMERAS TO DAYROOMS AND REC YARDS TO ENHANCE THE VISIBILITY FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHEN THEY'RE IN THAT FACILITY, AND THE SAFETY OF THE NOT ONLY EMPLOYEES, BUT OF THE INMATES AS WELL.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE ALL THE COMPUTERS IN THIS ROLLOUT.

SO THEY'RE ON THE COUNTY'S FOUR YEAR REPLACEMENT STRATEGY.

SO WE DON'T GET COMPUTERS THAT ARE STILL RUNNING WINDOWS 95 AND THEN TRYING TO UPGRADE THOSE SYSTEMS AS WE GO.

HERE'S THE PROJECT FUNDING SUMMARY.

PHASE ONE WAS $510,000.

THE AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS THE PROPOSED LUMP SUM AGREEMENT FROM CORNERSTONE TO DO THE REMAINDER OF THE WORK, IS 16,850,000.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO IDENTIFY A FUNDING STRATEGY TO ENSURE WE CAN AWARD THIS TODAY.

SO TODAY, I'M ASKING YOU, I KNOW WE WENT THROUGH THIS VERY QUICKLY.

I WANT TO BE COGNIZANT OF YOUR TIME AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE, BUT I'M ASKING FOR APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE DESIGN BUILD AGREEMENT WITH BEXAR COUNTY AND CORNERSTONE DETENTION PRODUCTS IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $17,360,369 TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE BEXAR COUNTY DETENTION CENTER SECURITY ELECTRONICS PROJECT, TO INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY TRANSFER.

IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CLAY-FLORES ANY DISCUSSION.

COMMISSIONER, WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION? SO THAT ALL FOUR PHASES WILL PROBABLY TAKE ABOUT 36 MONTHS.

WE'RE STARTING AT THE JAIL BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S THE MOST CRITICAL.

AND THAT RUNWAY IS ABOUT 20 MONTHS.

OKAY. RIGHT.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SIGNAL BY SAYING I, I ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

92 DISCUSSION.

[92. Discussion and appropriate action authorizing the negotiation of an agreement with Inmate Calling Solutions, LLC providing for the purchase of an Inmate Video Visitation system for Bexar County inmates through Request for Proposal (RFP) Event #892. Contingent upon successful negotiations, the agreement will be brought to Commissioners Court at a later date for consideration and award.]

APPROPRIATE ACTION AUTHORIZED THE NEGOTIATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH INMATE CALLING SOLUTIONS, LLC, PROVIDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN INMATE VIDEO VISITATION SYSTEM FOR BEXAR COUNTY INMATES THROUGH THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ARP EVENT 892.

CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS.

THE AGREEMENT WILL BE BROUGHT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT A LATER DATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

AWARD. OH, AND THEN WE HAVE A CITIZEN TO BE HEARD.

SO LET ME ASK THE CITIZEN TO BE HEARD, MR. DAVE JORGENSON.

DAVE. DAVE.

LET ME LET ME HAVE DAVE TALK FIRST.

I DO YES, I HAVE SOME MATERIAL.

COMMISSIONER. OKAY. PURCHASING.

HOLD ON. LET ME GET THE CITIZEN TO BE HEARD AND THEN WE'LL GO TO Y'ALL'S PRESENTATION.

MR. JURGENSEN, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. AND I'VE MADE SOME NOTES HERE SO I CAN TRY TO STAY ON TRACK AND MAKE SURE I ADDRESS ALL THE ITEMS. SO I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY.

I'M DAVE JORGENSEN, A SALES DIRECTOR WITH SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, YOUR HONOR.

AND COMMISSIONERS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ISSUE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU.

THERE'S VARIOUS ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE, WHETHER IT BE FISCAL OR THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITIES.

AND I HOPE TO ADDRESS ALL THOSE HERE BRIEFLY.

WE DID, IN FACT, PARTICIPATE IN RESPONDING TO THIS RFP, AND WE DO, AND WE HAVE RESPONDED TO AND PROVIDE SIMILAR SERVICES THROUGHOUT NOT ONLY THE COUNTRY, BUT THROUGHOUT TEXAS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING THESE SERVICES TO TDCJ CURRENTLY.

[04:30:01]

BY COMBINING IT WITH OTHER TECHNOLOGIES, WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE IT AT NO COST.

NOT ONLY NO COST TO THE COUNTY, NO COST TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHICH OF COURSE, IN THIS CASE IS SAVING WELL OVER $1 MILLION.

THIS CAN BE THIS TYPE OF PROCUREMENT CAN BE COMBINED WITH OTHER SERVICES TO COMPLETELY REDUCE THE COST THAT IS NOW BEING PASSED ON TO THE COUNTY OR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

BY COMBINING THIS TYPE OF PROCUREMENT WITH OTHER SERVICES, SUCH AS THE INMATE TELEPHONE SERVICE AND OR THE VIDEO VISITATION OR SORRY AND OR TABLET SERVICES, THE COST CAN BE BROUGHT DOWN TO ZERO TO THE COUNTY AND OR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHILE STILL KEEPING THE VISITS FREE TO THE CONSTITUENTS AND THOSE INCARCERATED.

WHAT I'M ASKING FOR HERE TODAY IS TO LOOK AT REDOING THIS PROCUREMENT BY COMBINING BOTH OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TODAY IN THE JAIL, THE INMATE TELEPHONE SERVICE AND THE VIDEO VISITATION SYSTEM INTO ONE COMPREHENSIVE BID.

THIS BENEFITS NOT ONLY THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS THEY'RE DEALING WITH.

ONE COMPANY. THIS BENEFITS THE FACILITY AND THE AGENCY THEY'RE DEALING WITH ONE SYSTEM TO LOOK INTO WHEN IT COMES TO THE DATA, THE CALLING AND THE VISITATION DATA.

IT ALSO BENEFITS THOSE INCARCERATED.

THEY'RE DEALING WITH ONE COMPANY AS WELL.

AND WHEN THAT'S THE CASE, THE COST CAN BE BROUGHT DOWN SO THAT ALL THOSE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN AN INCARCERATED INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE, THEIR CIRCLE, THEIR COSTS ARE BROUGHT DOWN AS WELL, AND THEY'RE NOT BEXARING THE COST THAT ULTIMATELY IS BEING PASSED ON.

SO AGAIN, DAVE JORGENSEN WITH SECURUS, I ASK THAT YOU RELOOK AT THIS PROCUREMENT AND COMBINE THIS WITH OTHER PROCUREMENTS THAT ARE OUT THERE, SUCH AS THE INMATE TELEPHONE SERVICE. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S GET A PRESENTATION THEN BY PURCHASING.

HI, SANA AMANULLAH, SENIOR CONTRACT SPECIALIST IN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.

DID YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD AND GO THROUGH THE WHOLE POWERPOINT? SURE. YES.

OKAY. I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

YOU GOT TO SPEAK UP. OKAY.

YES. SO THIS IS TO PROVIDE A FULLY FUNCTIONING INMATE VIDEO VISITATION SYSTEM FOR THE PUBLIC ATTORNEYS AND CERTAIN OFFICIALS TO VISIT INMATES HELD IN THE ADULT DETENTION CENTER BY REMOTE AUDIO AND VIDEO MEANS.

SO THE BACKGROUND AND TIMELINE.

I PUT THIS OUT, OR PURCHASING IT ON MARCH 27TH, 2023, AND IT WAS RELEASED TO 192 SUPPLIERS.

JUNE 16TH, 2023.

WE CLOSED IT AND WE RECEIVED FOUR RESPONSES.

INMATE CALLING SOLUTIONS, NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, INTERNATIONAL CORP, SKILLS ACQUISITION CORP, DBA SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, AND SMART COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING. AND THEN OUR EVALUATION COMMITTEE CONSISTED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, BUDGET INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SO JUNE TO AUGUST 2023 WAS OUR EVALUATION PHASE WHERE WE, REVIEWED WHERE THE COMMITTEE REVIEWED AND SCORED THE PROPOSALS SEPTEMBER 28TH AND OCTOBER 2ND, 2023.

WE HAD IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL DEMOS FROM THE THREE HIGHEST RANKED PROPOSALS.

AND THOSE WERE FROM INMATE CALLING SOLUTIONS LLC, SMART COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING AND SKILLS ACQUISITION CORP.

DBA SECURES TECHNOLOGIES.

THIS IS OUR COMPOSITE EVALUATION FORM.

AND YOU CAN SEE THERE THE BREAKDOWN BASED ON, THESE CATEGORIES.

SO INMATE CALLING SOLUTIONS LLC WAS FIRST THERE, THE HIGHEST RANKED PROPOSAL BASED ON THIS.

AND THEN WE JUST ADDED ANOTHER SLIDE TO KIND OF CLARIFY THAT, HOW WE CALCULATE THE PRICING FORMULA OR HOW WE CALCULATE ALLOCATE POINTS IN THAT CATEGORY. THIS KIND OF JUST BREAKS IT DOWN.

SO EVERYTHING'S KIND OF BASED ON THE, THE LOWEST PROPOSAL.

AND POINTS ARE ALLOCATED FROM THERE.

AND THEN, NEXT IS LIKE A LITTLE BREAKDOWN, PROPOSAL PRICING COMPARISON FOR ALL FOUR VENDORS.

AND THAT KIND OF BREAKS IT DOWN THERE.

SO IT'S GOING BY THE TOTAL FOR FIVE YEARS, WHICH WOULD BE THE LENGTH OF THIS NEW CONTRACT.

SO YOU CAN SEE THERE THE BREAKDOWN AND SO RECOMMENDED MOTION AUTHORIZING NEGOTIATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH INMATE CALLING SOLUTIONS, PROVIDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN INMATE VIDEO VISITATION SYSTEM FOR BEXAR COUNTY INMATES.

THROUGH THIS PROPOSAL EVENT 892.

CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS WILL BRING BACK THE AGREEMENT AT A LATER DATE FOR CONSIDERATION AND AWARD.

SO I HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ALSO THE VENDOR INMATE CALLING SOLUTIONS.

IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THEM.

[04:35:03]

ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ.

SO LET ME LET ME TRY TO CLARIFY.

SO THIS, RFP IS JUST FOR THE VIDEO VISITATION, IS THAT RIGHT? CORRECT. AND THE HIGH RANKING RESPONDENT, IS CURRENTLY ALREADY DOING THAT FOR THE FOR THE DEPARTMENT, IS THAT RIGHT? YES. THEY HAD THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT.

CORRECT. OKAY. AND, I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IS, I GUESS ONE OF THE OTHER BIDDERS IS ASKING ABOUT THE PHONE, SERVICES AS WELL.

AND ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATIONAL TYPE, SERVICES IS THAT'S NOT PART OF THIS RFP? NO, THIS IS JUST VIDEO VISITATION.

VISITATION SYSTEM.

YEAH. SO SO WOULD THAT BE I KNOW, PATRICIA, THAT WOULD BE A SEPARATE RFP AT SOME POINT TO DO THE, THE PHONE SYSTEM.

THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.

OKAY. OKAY.

SO AND IS THAT ALSO PROVIDED BY THIS CURRENT VENDOR AS WELL, THE PHONES? I BELIEVE THAT ISIS WAS THE PREVIOUS INCUMBENT.

OKAY. FOR THE MRS. OKAY, SO SO I GUESS THE REALLY THE THE QUESTION BEFORE US IS OBVIOUSLY THEY RANKED THE HIGHEST, GO WITH STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.

BUT THEN I GUESS, ALTERNATIVELY, TO PROVIDE THE BEST VALUE FOR THE COUNTY, WE COULD, DO A COMBINED PROCESS WITH BOTH PHONE VIDEO EDUCATIONAL.

IS THAT THAT IS CORRECT.

SO WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN IS WE WOULD REJECT ALL BIDS ON THIS EVENT.

I'M NOT SURE WE WERE ABLE TO WE'RE ABLE TO AMEND THIS AGENDA, OR WE WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO COURT TO REJECT OUR BIDS AND THEN COMBINE THE SCOPE OF SERVICES AND START ALL OVER. WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE DOING THE THE RFP FOR THE OTHER, THE PHONE SERVICES? IT'S ACTUALLY READY TO READY TO GO.

OKAY. WE JUST FINALIZE IT WITH IT.

TEAM OKAY.

I THINK, I THINK I UNDERSTAND.

GOT IT? I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, JUDGE.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER MOODY? WELL, I GUESS TO, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ'S QUESTIONING, IN THE NEXT RFP, COULD YOU COMBINE SERVICES WITHIN THAT? YES.

THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'VE CONSIDERED. YES.

WE ARE ABLE TO COMBINE THE SERVICES.

BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO ADDRESS THIS RFP.

SO WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS RFP OR THIS AGENDA SO WE WOULD DECLINE.

OR IF THAT'S THE COURT'S DECISION OR, HOW YOU WOULD LIKE FOR THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO GO FORWARD IS TO REJECT ALL BIDS ON THIS RFP.

AND THEN WE WOULD DEVELOP THE COMBINED SERVICES OR SCOPE OF SERVICES AND ISSUE A NEW SOLICITATION.

SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO COMBINE THE SERVICES, THEN WE CAN DO THAT.

WELL, WHAT'S THE, THE CURRENT STATUS OF.

THE VISITATION SYSTEM.

I MEAN, IS IT TIME CRITICAL OR.

WELL, WE DO HAVE A MONTH TO MONTH.

CURRENTLY ICS IS PROVIDING THE SERVICES, SO WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT.

WE WOULD PLACE AN AGENDA ON THE NEXT COURT DATE TO CONTINUE THAT UNTIL AN AWARD IS FINALIZED.

OH, YOU CAN EXTEND THE CURRENT CONTRACT.

WHAT'S THE CURRENT CONTRACT COST? THE COST? DO YOU HAVE.

LOOK. WAIT. YOU HAVE.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE COST.

DO YOU HAVE IT? 5000 TICKETS TO SEPTEMBER.

WE HAVE A. I'M SORRY. YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD? YES. I BELIEVE IT'S 175,000 WILL TAKE US.

THAT'S FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THAT WILL TAKE US THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

THE SERVICES, I BELIEVE.

OKAY. YEAH. AND I SEE YOU CAN CONFIRM.

BUT IS THERE AN EXTENSION? OPTION. SO.

SO THAT'S MONTH TO MONTH.

THAT'S SORRY. THAT'S MONTH TO MONTH SERVICES.

MONTH TO MONTH. SO THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT HAS HAS EXPIRED.

SO. SO IT'S $175,000 TO THE END OF THE FY.

AND THEN WHAT'S THE COST PER MONTH? IT WAS I THROUGH? THAT'S FOR THE ANNUAL COST.

THAT'S THE ANNUAL. THAT'LL TAKE US THROUGH.

YEAH. THIS WHOLE FISCAL YEAR TILL LIKE 930.

SO 15,000 A MONTH OR IT'S 175 FOR THE ANNUAL FOR THE YEAR.

YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT.

OKAY. ALMOST 15,000.

OKAY. I'LL JUST MAKE ONE OTHER COMMENT, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE, BUT, IS IT DO WE DISCOUNT, THESE ANNUAL COSTS BACK WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT SCORING FOR PRICING?

[04:40:07]

IT DOESN'T APPEAR SO.

LOOKING AT THE PROPOSAL PRICE IN COMPARISON, I WOULD JUST SUGGEST THAT.

DAVID, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? RIGHT. NET NET PRESENT VALUE.

YEAH, YEAH.

WE CAN BECAUSE IF YOU IF YOU'RE ADDING UP ALL THE COSTS OVER FIVE YEARS, IF SOMEBODY HAS A SIGNIFICANT COST IN YEAR FIVE, BUT THAT'S FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, THEN YOU NEED TO DISCOUNT IT BACK TO TODAY'S VALUE.

SO SOMETHING WE SHOULD DO GOING FORWARD.

OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? LET ME LET ME WEIGH IN HERE.

MISS TORRES OR YOUR YOUR STAFF.

HELP ME UNDERSTAND.

LET'S GO TO THE COMPOSITE EVALUATION FORM, WHICH IS THE SCORING.

THE COMPOSITE WHICH PUTS IC AS THE TOP RANK.

CORRECT. YES.

AND AS I BREAK DOWN THE SCORING.

I SEE PRETTY MUCH AS A SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE IN IN EVALUATION OVER THE OTHER THREE VENDORS.

CORRECT. BUT I'M LOOKING AT SECTION A FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TO THE COUNTY.

THAT'S WHERE I SEE SCORES A PERFECT SCORE OR GETS THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF POINTS.

SO EXPLAIN THAT TO ME.

WHAT WHAT WHAT IS WHAT IS FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TO THE COUNTY AND HOW THEY THEY BASICALLY HAD THEY SCORED THE MOST NUMBER OF POINTS BECAUSE THEIR PROPOSAL WAS THE LOWEST OUT OF ALL OF THEM.

I'M SORRY. WHAT WAS THAT? SO THEIR PROPOSAL, THEY HAD THE CHEAPEST PROPOSAL, THE LOWEST PRICED.

SO THAT GAVE THEM THE MOST POINTS, FOR THAT CATEGORY A THAT'S WHY THEY SCORED 30.

SO ANYONE WHO WOULD HAVE HAD THE LOWEST PRICE PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE 30 POINTS.

OKAY. BUT LOIS DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THE BEST.

CORRECT? CORRECT.

THAT'S CORRECT. SO WAS THIS SCORING PURELY BASED ON LOWEST? IF THEY WERE THE LOWEST, THEY GOT THE FULL AMOUNT OF POINTS.

WELL IT'S BEST VALUE. IT'S IT'S BASED.

SO THIS GRAND TOTAL AT THE BOTTOM IS COMBINING ALL OF THESE EVALUATION CRITERIA.

SO EVALUATION A THAT'S JUST ONE PORTION OF IT BECAUSE I'M GOING ACROSS THE LINE, I'LL JUST SAY FINANCIAL PROPOSAL 30 B C I'LL GO TO THE ONE THAT ONES THAT HERE SECURES.

THEY GO AT COME IN AT 14.

AND THEN THE LOWEST NETWORK IS AT NINE.

SO WE'RE HOW DID HOW DID THEY GET HOW DID THAT.

POINT SYSTEM GET ASSESSED.

SO BASICALLY OTHER THAN I GET 30, IT'S THE LOWEST.

BUT WHY DON'T THE THE WHY DO THE OTHER ONES GETTING REALLY SOME SO LOW SCORES.

SO BASICALLY IT'S JUST LIKE IT'S LIKE A COST SCORING FORMULA THERE.

SO THAT'S KIND OF HOW IT'S BROKEN.

IT'S LITERALLY JUST TAKING THE PRICING.

YEAH. OF THE LOWEST DIVIDED BY WHAT THAT PROPOSAL IS PRICING IS OR ANY OTHER ONE TIMES 30, WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF POSSIBLE POINTS FOR THAT CRITERIA. AND SO IT'S JUST IT'S JUST A STRAIGHT FORMULA TO GET THOSE.

ONE POINT IN REGARDS TO THIS.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS KIND OF PROPOSAL HAS COME ACROSS, AS I HAVE AS I AM THE COUNTY JUDGE, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE A PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE IS I.

SOME PEOPLE MAY DISAGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT, BUT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD PUT THE COSTS OF THIS SYSTEM ON THE PEOPLE THAT CAN LEAST AFFORD IT, WHICH IS THE INMATE AND THE THEIR FAMILIES. AND MOST TYPICALLY, I THINK THE FAMILIES ARE THE ONES THAT PROBABLY BEXAR THE COST FOR THESE TYPEKIT.

SO HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT'S THE COST IMPOSED ACCORDING TO IC.

AND THEN LET'S COMPARE IT TO SECURES WHO WHO PUTS THE MOST BURDEN ON THE INMATES.

SO NEITHER OF THOSE SHOULD HAVE ANY COST TO THE VISITOR.

SO THE GOAL WAS TO GET UP TO GO WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT WHERE THERE WAS NO COST TO THE.

SO OUR PROPOSALS NO COST.

YES. TO THE TO THE VISITORS AND INMATES.

CORRECT. BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE'S A CERTAIN I THINK THERE'S TWICE A WEEK.

I DON'T KNOW, CHIEF JOHNSON.

I'M SORRY. WHAT. SO I THINK IT'S LIKE TWICE A WEEK.

WE HAVE TO, BY LAW, PROVIDE LIKE TWO FREE CALLS.

SO. YEAH, IT'S AT NO COST.

LET ME GET THE SHERIFF UP HERE.

SHERIFF. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN ISSUE.

I MEAN, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY, WHY ARE YOU PUTTING SO MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS?

[04:45:01]

BUT I DO BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT IN REGARDS TO THE TREATMENT AND THE RESPECT THAT PEOPLE IN OUR JAIL SYSTEM SHOULD GET, AND THAT IS ACCESS TO THEIR FAMILIES.

SO GIVE ME YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS TO Y'ALL WERE INVOLVED IN THIS RATING PROCESS.

SO WHY WHY WAS THIS PARTICULAR.

COMPANY I SEE.

WHY DID IT RATE SO HIGH? HIGHER? OR DID IT WITH YOUR WITH Y'ALL'S EVALUATION? WELL, WE HAD, OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO DID THE SCORING, SO I CAN'T ATTEST TO WHY THEY SCORED THE CERTAIN WAY.

BUT I COULD TELL YOU AS FAR AS THE VIDEO VISITATION, AS SHE WAS MENTIONING, THAT, TCG'S.

REQUIRES US TO ALLOW THEM TO DO VISITS TWICE A WEEK.

AND WITH VIDEO VISITATION, NO COST IS TO FAMILIES OR INMATES.

WHERE THE COST COMES DOWN TO IS THEY MAKE PHONE SYSTEM WHERE INMATES ARE ALLOWED TO MAKE PHONE CALLS THROUGHOUT THE THE WHOLE WEEK, WHEN THEY WHERE THEY HAVE RECEIVE A DAY ROOM ACCESS.

SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE TWO SEPARATE, CONTRACTS, BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE DEALING RIGHT NOW IS JUST WITH THE VIDEO VISITATION, WHICH IS NO COST TO ANYONE.

THE PHONE CONTRACT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT, WHICH I BELIEVE THEN YOU ARE GOING TO PUT OUT TO BID.

THAT IS A COST TO INMATES.

AND AS FAR AS THE SHERIFF'S POSITION, WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE DO NOT WANT ANY COST TO THE FAMILIES.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THESE INDIVIDUALS FROM THEIR FAMILIES, TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE.

SO I KNOW YOU WERE PART OF SCORING, BUT AS BEST YOU UNDERSTAND THIS, THIS, THIS, THIS PROPOSAL SEEM TO FIT WITH ALL THE CRITERIA YOU WOULD ASK OF A VENDOR SERVING IN THE JAIL.

YES. CURRENTLY.

CURRENTLY WHAT'S WAS PROPOSED.

WE WE ASKED TO PUT CERTAIN ITEMS IN THIS RFP AND THEY WERE SUBMITTED AND THE SCORING WAS DONE.

YES. OKAY. YES.

COMMISSIONER MOODY, AND PATTY, THIS IS PROBABLY BACK TO YOU, BUT, THIS WAS AN RFP FOR THE VISITATION SOFTWARE.

RIGHT. YES.

AND WE HAVE PLANS TO GO OUT AND DO A PHONE RFP AS WELL.

IS THAT CORRECT? CORRECT.

COULD WE AND I'M JUST ASKING THE QUESTION, COULD WE ASK FOR AN EXTENSION AND KIND OF DELAY ON THE VISITATION? RFP, GO OUT WITH THE PHONE RFP, BUT ACTUALLY ASK FOR A PHONE AND A COMBINED, AND THEN SEE WHAT EVERYTHING COMES BACK.

YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS A COMBINED SOLUTION THAT'S BETTER FOR BEXAR COUNTY, THEN WE CAN PURSUE THAT PATH.

IF NOT, WE STILL HAVE THESE OPTIONS IN HAND.

WE WOULD JUST, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY DELAY IT FOR SIX MONTHS, BUT IT WOULD ALLOW FOR POTENTIAL BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH A COMBINED RFP.

YES. WELL, WE COULD DEFINITELY DO THAT.

AND I WOULD SUBMIT A REQUEST TO EACH VENDOR THAT'S SUBMITTED AND ASK IF THEY WOULD PARTICIPATE OR AGREE TO THAT BY HOLDING THE PRICE AND THEN ISSUING A SOLICITATION OF A COMBINATION.

BUT USUALLY WE JUST JUST MAKE A DECISION ON THE EVENT IN HAND AND THEN WE GO FORWARD.

BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN DO THAT.

WE CAN REQUEST, I KNOW SOMETIMES RFPS, YOU KNOW, HAVE A LONG TAIL AND THERE'S LOTS OF BACK AND FORTH AND DISCUSSIONS.

I THINK WE CAN MAKE EVERYONE AWARE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO DELAY THIS A LITTLE BIT WHILE WE, EXPLORE THE BEST OPTION FOR US.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT A SPECIFIC COMPANY, BUT ULTIMATELY, IF WE CAN GET BETTER OPTIONS ON THE TABLE WITH A COMBINED SOLUTION, THEN GREAT.

AND IF NOT, WE HAVEN'T LOST ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR SIX MONTHS OR EIGHT MONTHS, WHATEVER IT IS.

RIGHT? SO, I WOULD ADVOCATE FOR FOR THAT OPTION AT THIS POINT, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF A MOTION, OR WHETHER THAT NEEDS TO BE A SEPARATE.

ITEM THAT'S BROUGHT FORWARD, OR COULD WE BRING THAT AS A MOTION TODAY? MR. RODRIGUEZ SO, SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, IF THE COURT WERE TO DECIDE TO DO THAT, THERE WOULDN'T BE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PHRASE IT, BUT THE CURRENT PROVIDER IS STILL THE CURRENT PROVIDER, RIGHT, RIGHT.

AND SO THEY JUST CONTINUE ON IF WE DECIDE TO DO THAT UNTIL WE GET TO THAT POINT.

SO THERE'S NOT REALLY, AN ISSUE ON THAT, ON THAT.

RIGHT? CORRECT. OKAY.

SO. AND WE MIGHT HAVE TO ASK LARRY FOR SOME HELP ON THIS, BECAUSE THE WAY IT'S POSTED, IS JUST FOR CONSIDERATION ON THIS SPECIFIC RFP RESPONSE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD COMMISSIONER MOODY'S SUGGESTION.

I THINK THE MOTION WOULD JUST BE TO TO DEFER CONSIDERATION OF THE ITEM FOR, FOR UNTIL A FUTURE DATE, WHETHER IT'S SIX MONTHS OR BRING IT BACK IN SIX MONTHS.

[04:50:04]

BUT CAN YOU POST SOMETHING AND THEN LEGALLY RESEND IT? I'M SORRY. YOU CAN POST SOMETHING AND THEN LEGALLY RESEND IT.

I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T HEAR YOU. OKAY.

SO ULTIMATELY WE WOULD TABLE THIS ITEM, BUT THEN DIRECT STAFF TO, YOU KNOW, PURSUE, YOU KNOW, THE DUEL OPTION IN THE NEXT RFP, RIGHT? I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION TO TO TABLE THIS CURRENT RFP DECISION AND DIRECT STAFF TO PURSUE BOTH THE THE PHONE CONTRACT AND A SEPARATE COMBINED CONTRACT IN THE NEXT RFP.

COMMISSIONER, I WOULD POINT OUT THAT SHE WILL HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THE VENDORS, BECAUSE THOSE RFPS USUALLY HAVE A PRICING PERIOD WHERE THOSE THOSE PRICING, THEY HAVE DEADLINES FOR THAT PRICING.

UNDERSTAND? IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER MOODY.