Sep 01, 2021 Public Hearing Agenda

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:04]

>>JUDGE CANALES: GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

WE WILL BEGIN OUR COMMISSIONERS COURT HEARING.

AND WE ARE GOING TO BE CALLED TO ORDER AND THE TIME IS 8:09 A.M. I WILL ASK ALL OF TO YOU STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES OF THE

AMERICA AND TO THE TEXAS FLAG. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NA NATION, UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR A ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS, ONE STATE,

UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. >>JUDGE CANALES: AT THIS TIME, I WILL REMIND EVERYBODY THAT IT IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2021.

THIS IS A NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING THAT WAS POSTED ON OUR CALENDARS. WE ARE IN THE NUECES COUNTY COURTHOUSE, THIRD FLOOR, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ROOM.

I DO CERTIFY THAT ALL COMMISSIONERS ARE HERE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE CLERK AND THEREFORE I DO ALSO CERTIFY THAT A QUORUM IS PRESENT. I WILL ASK TYNER TO BRING US

[C. PUBLIC COMMENT: This section provides the public the opportunity to address the Commissioners Court on any issues within its jurisdiction. The Commissioners Court may not take formal action on any requests made during the Public Comment period which are not on the Agenda, but can refer such requests to County staff for review if appropriate.]

I DO NOT SEE ANYBODY IN THE HALLS AS I CAME IN.

>> WE JUST CHECKED THE SIGN-IN SHEET.

>> JUDGE, I AM WAVING MY HAND. ON THE PUBLIC LINE AND I AM

TRYING -- >>JUDGE CANALES: NO WORRY.

CONNIE WILL PUT YOU ON RIGHT NOW.

CONNIE, WE HAVE ONE COMMENT ONLINE.

WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE ANJELICA HERNANDEZ WHENEVER WOULD YOU LIKE TO START. I SEE WHERE YOU ARE.

LET ME JUST WAIT FOR YOU. WE ARE GOING TO WAIT FOR YOU.

LOOK. THAT IS TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION.

AND DON'T -- DON'T RUSH. JUST -- TAKE YOUR TIME THERE.

>> DOES SHE NEED TO SIGN UP BECAUSE SHE IS IN PERSON.

>> I WAS VIRTUAL -- >>JUDGE CANALES: I WAS ABOUT TO BE TOO. I LEFT MY PHONE SOMEWHERE AND WE HAD TO RETRIEVE IT THIS MORNING AS WELL.

WE WERE ABOUT TO DO THE WALKING AND TALKING TOO.

SO AT YOUR LEISURE, WE ARE GOING TO CALL ON YOU FOR PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> SO GOOD MORNING.

>>JUDGE CANALES: GOOD MORNING. >> I WANTED TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. I KNOW IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR BUDGET PROCESS. AND I WANTED TO ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR PROMISES. OUR OFFICE HAS COME BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT SEVERAL TIMES, AND WE HAVE ASKED TO YOU LOOK AT THE WAGES OF THE ATTORNEYS AND STAFF IN OUR OFFICE. AND WE HAVE ASKED YOU TO CONSIDER RAISES FOR US. MUCH LIKE MANY OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, I KNOW. PROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE IN OPEN SESSION BY EVERY PERSON THAT IS HERE PRESENT, AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER CHESNEY WHO IS ONLINE.

AND I AM ASK YOU NOW TO PUT INTO ACTION THE PROMISES THAT YOU MADE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOUR VOTE REFLECTS WHAT YOU HAVE SAID TO US ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHICH IS YOU RESPECT THE WORK THAT WE DO. YOU PRIORITIZE THE WORK THAT WE DO. YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THE WORK THAT OUR OFFICE DOES ON THE COUNTY AS A WHOLE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS POSITIONS AND AGENDAS THAT EVERYBODY HAS. AND I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SOME COMMISSIONERS IS NOT TO RAISE THE TAX RATE. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND I RESPECT THAT AS A CONSTITUENT, AS A FIRST ASSISTANT, I RESPECT THAT. BUT WE HAVE ALSO BEEN PROMISED, I HAVE BEEN PROMISED IN CONVERSATIONS THAT IF THERE IS A WAY TO GET THE RAISES WITHOUT RAISING THE TAX RATE, THAT THAT WOULD BE A FAVORABLE VOTE FOR COMMISSIONERS.

I KNOW I HAVE SPOKEN TO COMMISSIONER CHESNEY ON THAT.

I THINK OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE SAID THAT IN PUBLIC SESSION. WE HAVE WORKED WITH DALE, BECAUSE WE HAVE ATTORNEYS IN OUR OFFICE WHOSE POSITIONS ARE IN JEOPARDY. AND WE KNOW THAT WITH FOUR ATTORNEYS AND ONE SUPPORT ST STAFF.

I AM IMPLORING YOU TO WORK TOGETHER TO BE THE BODY THAT IS GOVERNING THE COUNTY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES AND WORK TOGETHER. AND IF DALE AND HIS STAFF, WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY HAVE COME UP WITH AN OPTION THAT

[00:05:06]

I KNOW DALE HAS WORKED ON IT. I KNOW THAT HE HAS IDEAS.

I KNOW HE HAS WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH IT.

I TRUST IN HIS -- HIS KNOWLEDGE AND HIS EXPERTISE.

MARK GONZALEZ, THE DA AND I MET WITH HIM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ALONG WITH HIS STAFF. SO I AM ASKING YOU NOT TO BE ANOTHER SET OF POLITICIANS MADE UP OF EMPTY PROMISES, MADE UP OF EVERY HOPE, WHERE YOU LOOK US IN THE FACE AND YOU TELL US THAT YOU ARE WITH US. YOU TELL US THAT YOU UNDE UNDERSTAND. YOU TELL US THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER AND THEN REFUSE TO COMPROMISE.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST YOU AFFECTED.

IT'S EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTY WHO COMES TO WORK EVERY DAY AND IS TRUSTING YOU TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

AND SOMETIMES WHAT IS RIGHT IS COMPROMISE.

NOBODY IS GOING TO GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT ALL THE TIME. IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO I AM ASKING YOU ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE IN OUR OFFICE AND ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY, IF DALE HAS SOLUTIONS THAT ARE LEGITIMATE, VOTE FOR THE RAISES PLEASE.

>>JUDGE CANALES: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TYNER, ANY -- NOBODY ELSE? SKILL ONCE MORE, IF THERE IS ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THIS MORNING?

[2. PUBLIC HEARING:]

DALE HAS A NICE PACKET TO YOU AND WE WILL TURN IT OVER TO -- THIS IS, BY THE WAY, FOR THE AUDIENCE LISTENING AND THIS PUBLIC HEARING. THIS IS OUR ONLY ITEM TODAY.

AFTER WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND I WILL MOVE US INTO ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY IF THERE IS NO LEGAL MATTER TO TAKE UP IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT IS OUR AGENDA FOR TODAY.

AND I WOULD NOW PIVOT TO DALE AND ASK TO YOU TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE POCKET THAT WAS JUST GIVEN TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. THIS PUBLIC HEARING BY TAX CODE 26 AND THE COUNTY AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT DECIDE TO PROPOSE A RATE. PROPOSED RATE IN EXCESS OF NO NEW REVENUE TAX. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AS REQUIRED ON SEPTEMBER 9 -- FOR OUR BUDGET SEPTEMBER 8 -- SO SORRY, SHOULD BE SEPTEMBER 8 -- WELL, ACTUALLY TODAY IS SEPTEMBER 1. THAT IS AN ERROR.

I WILL FIX THAT. YOU GO TO THE NEXT PAGE, CO CONNIE. I FOR DISCUSSION IS PROPOSED TAX RATE AND EXEMPTION AS WELL AS OUR HISTORICAL TAX RATES THAT WE HAVE FOR THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

SOURCES OF REVENUE THAT WE HAVE FOR THE COUNTY BY FUNCTION AND OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL IMPACT. I KNOW JOHNNY IS ONLINE.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR BOTH HIM AND I, WE WILL BE AVAILABLE. CONNIE, NEXT PAGE.

CURRENT TAX RATE. CURRENT TAX RATES FOR THE COUNTY INCLUDE OUR GENERAL FUND AND OPERATIONS, DEBT SERVICE AND ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND TAX RATE AND CURRENTLY WE ARE TAXING 3.11588 PER $100 VALUATION OF YOUR PROPERTY.

WHEN IT CAME IN TO DO OUR VALUATIONS, OUR NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE .298982 FOR NO NEW REVENUE TAX.

AN ERROR IN THE FILE. WHAT IS ONLINE -- ON THE SCREEN ARE THE CORRECT NUMBERS. IT GOT MISPRINTED.

PLEASE DISREGARD THAT BECAUSE THAT IS LAST YEAR.

SO WHAT WAS JUST HANDED OUT ON THE SCREEN FOR THIS YEAR.

.29892 PER $100 EVALUATION. WHEN WE CAME TO THE COURT BACK IN AUGUST, WE CAME TO A PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE

[00:10:02]

FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, 1 1151601 PER $100 VALUATION.

8.5%. FOR THE COUNTY AND M & O FOR THE GENERAL FUND .341 AND ROAD FUND IS 3.5% AND TAX RATE FOR DEBT SERVICE AS REQUIRED OF OUR DEBT REQUIREMENTS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THESE ARE THE EXEMPTIONS OF THE COUNTY. WE KNOW THERE ARE MORE THAN THIS, BUT WE SELECTED THE LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY, AS WELL AS THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY.

IF YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN A DIFFERENT CITY OR ARE A DIFFERENT AREA, THIS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT, BUT THESE ARE THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WE HAVE. FOR NUECES COUNTY AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT, THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME.

WE ALLOY YOU HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OF 20% OF TAXABLE VALUE. MINIMUM OF $5,000.

IF YOU ARE OVER 65 AND IF YOU ARE DISABLED, A TAX EARNINGS OF 6 2,500 FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND NUECES COUNTY.

FOR CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, GIVE YOU 10% VALUE ADJUSTMENT, AGAIN, $500 MINIMUM; HOWEVER, THEY ARE -- IT IS ONLY $50,000 FOR THEIR VALUES. CCISD SCHOOL DISTRICT, VERY SIMILAR BUT CCISD, ONE-TIME $ $2500 HOMESTEAD.

OVER 65 OR DISABLED $65,000 FOR BOTH THOSE ISSUES.

DEL MAR, $5,000 HOMESTEAD EVALUATION WITH THOSE BEING 65 $50,000. THOSE ARE THE EXEMPTIONS WE WANT IT CONTINUE FOR THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING ON WHEN WE HAVE OUR REGULAR MEETING ON THE -- SEPTEMBER 8. NEXT SLIDE, CONNIE.

>> EXCUSE ME, JUDGE, THIS IS JOHNNY.

MAY I MAKE A COMMENT? >>JUDGE CANALES: YES, SIR.

>> JUDGE, BACK IN THE MEETING WE HAD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I UNDERSTOOD THAT THE 8% WAS A VALUE THAT WAS IN THE CONTEXT OF AN AMOUNT OR PERCENTAGE NOT TO EXCEED.

THAT WAS -- IT WAS A CEILING IN TERMS OF WHAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TAX RATE WAS AND THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE FROM THE BUDGET APPROVAL WITH OUR BOARD YESTERDAY DOES NOT HAVE OUR BUDGET BEING PROPOSED AT 8%.

IT PROPOSES A 5.3% TAX INCREASE AND I AM NOT SURE HOW THAT QUITE FITS INTO TODAY'S DISCUSSION BUT WE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THE 8% WAS A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT IF YOU WILL.

AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT WE HAVE IS LESS THAN THAT.

>> JOHNNY, YOU ARE CORRECT. THOSE NUMBERS WE JUST ISSUED ARE THE PROPOSED RATE FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY. YOURS WAS AT THE HIGHEST RATE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO WITHOUT A REQUIREMENT WHICH WAS A 8%.

BUT I KNOW YOUR BUDGET WHEN YOU CAME IN, WHAT YOU PROVIDE TO US AND WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO US AVAILABLE WHEN WE HAVE OUR VOTING ON SEPTEMBER 8 IS WHEN YOU WILL BE BRINGING YOUR BUDGET US TO AT THE LOWER RATE. BUT THE RATE WE JUST MENTIONED IS THE HIGHEST TAX RATE -- IT WAS PROPOSED.

AGAIN THESE ARE CEILING NUMBERS ONLY.

>> THANK YOU, >>JUDGE CANALES: JUDGE THANK

YOU. >> ON THE NEXT SCREEN, THE MAINTENANCE OPERATION, DEBT SERVICE, WELLS THE ROAD TAXES.

YOU WILL SEE BACK IN 2005, 2 2006, COMBINED TAXES .404 AND WE HAVE GONE DOWN SLIGHTLY UNTIL WE WENT TO 200 AND 2009.

THEN IT WAS A STRAIGHT ACROSS FOR THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS WAS THE SAME TAX RATE UNTIL 2013, 2014 AND SAW A SLIGHT DROP. NOW 2016 AND 2017, WHEN WE HAD THE HOMESTEAD EVALUATIONS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE EVALUATIONS AND HAD TO INCREASE SLIGHTLY BECAUSE OF THE LOSSES THAT WE SAW. AND WE HAVE GONE UP TO THE 3.13 IN 2018-2019. YOU SEE FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, WE STILL HAVE THAT SAME LOW RATE, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING TODAY. THIS IS WHAT THE PROPOSAL RATE IS. NOW WE GET TO OUR ELECTIONS ON THE 8TH, IT CAN DEFINITELY GO DOWN.

THEY CAN'T GO ABOVE. CONNIE, FULL GO TO THE NEXT PAGE. AS JOHNNY SAID THE PROPOSED RATE OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AS WELL AS THE ACTUAL RATES THEY HAD OVER THE LAST MANY YEARS GOING BACK TO 2005 AND 2006 AS WE SAID BEFORE. THEIR TOTAL RATE .175.

[00:15:04]

AND LEVEL AT .112. THE PROPOSED RATE IS GOING UP; HOWEVER, AS JOHNNY BRINGS THE BUDGET TO THE COURT ON SEPTEMBER 8, THAT WILL BE LEVEL AT THE SAME TAX RATE AS LAST YEAR AND YOU WILL NOT SEE AN INCREASE FOR THAT.

HOWEVER, FOR THE PROPOSED RATE WE DO.

NEXT SCREEN, CONNIE. THIS IS OUR COMBINED RATE WITH BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT COMBINED.

FOR 2005-2006, .5 79 FOR YOUR TOTAL TAX RATE AND THE SAME LEVEL THAT WE HAVE FOR THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT UP AND DOWN AND STEADY GOING THROUGH 2019, '20 AND '21 .24 OR .23. AND THAT IS WHAT WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR THE ADOPTION ON SEPTEMBER 8.

NEXT SLIDE, CONNIE. NEXT SLIDE SHOWS THE BUDGET REVENUE WHAT THE TAXES BRING IN FOR THIS.

THIS IS A COMBINED REVENUE. NOT JUST THE GENERAL FUND.

THIS IS YOUR ROAD FUND, DEBT SERVICE FUND AND GENERAL FUND COMBINED TOTAL TAX REVENUE IS $101 MILLION.

AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, ABOUT $14 MILLION.

FARM-TO-MARKET ABOUT $2 MILLION AND BRINGS YOU $85 MILLION TO $95 MILLION FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

THE IMPORTANT SLIDE IS THE NEXT SLIDE.

OUR HISTORY OF OUR -- OF OUR FUND BALANCE AND WHAT OUR TARGET LEVEL IS. OUR TARGET IS 25% OF OUR BUDGETED REVENUES THAT INCLUDE TRANSFERS IN.

YOU SEE IN '14, '15, AND '16, WE WERE IN EXCESS OF OUR TA TARGET. 2017, WE HAD TO USE FUNDS TO DO SOMETHING IN THE VERY LAST PART OF THE YEAR WHICH WE WERE REQUIRED TO DO A REDUCTION OF OUR FUND BALANCES.

WE ARE -- WE HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY INCREASING THEM AND WORKING TO GET OUR FUND BALANCES BACK UP.

2020, WE WERE VERY CLOSE. YOU SEE OUR TARGET WAS 25.13.

AND THIS YEAR, WITH OUR ESTIMATED ACTUAL COMING IN, 25.

WE PROJECT 27.4. BUT REMEMBER, WE MAY HAVE TO USE THE RESERVE OR OUR HEALTH INSURANCE BUT I STILL EXPECT US TO BE ABOVE OUR TARGET VA VALUE.WHICH IS VERY PROMISING FOR THE COUNTY. NEXT SCREEN WILL SHOW YOU WHAT THE VALUATION ON YOUR AVERAGE PROPERTY VALUE.

WE GOT THESE VALUES. IN 2020-2021, $141,511.

AVERAGE MARKET VALUE NOW FOR THIS FISCAL $149,979, INCREASE OF A LITTLE OVER $8,000. WITHOUT PUTTING ANY EXEMPTION TO THESE BALANCES, CALCULATE THE TAX LEVY ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY FOR 2020 AND 2021, THE TOY TALL TAX VALUE IS $599.02. CURRENT PROPOSED RATE.

A LITTLE BIT LESS BECAUSE OF HOSPITALIZATION IS GOING TO PROPOSE A RATE LOWER. BUT THE PROPOSED RATE A TAX LEVY OF $640.54 OR A SLIGHT INCREASE OF $41.52 ON THE AVERAGE PROPERTY VALUATION. NEXT SLIDE SHOWS YOU A LITTLE BREAKDOWN OF WHERE AND HOW YOUR TAXES LEVIED.

THE BIGGEST PORTION IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CCISD, WHATEVER SCHOOL DISTRICT YOU ARE IN, THAT WILL BE THE LARGEST AMOUNT AND YOUR TAXES GO THERE. NEXT IS THE CITY YOU ARE IN, CORPUS CHRISTI, ROBS TOWN, HIGHER LEVELS.

YOU SEE FOR OUR TAB HERE THE COUNTY IS ONLY 11.92% OF YOUR TOTAL. WITH DEL MAR COLLEGE 10.84.

HOSPITAL DISTRICT 4.42. COMBINE THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT A LITTLE OVER 16% OF THE TOTAL TAX BALANCE OF WHAT YOU PAY THAT GOES TO THE COUNTY OR THE HOSPITAL DIS DISTRICT. THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS YOU WHERE THE COUNTY GETS OUR MONEY FROM FOR OUR ENTIRE BUDGET.

NOT JUST FOR THE GENERAL FUND, BUT THE ENTIRE BUDGET.

YOU WILL SEE THAT 49% OF OUR REVENUE COMES FROM PROPERTY T TAX. AND 35% COMES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE. WHAT IS INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE? GRANTS WE RECEIVE, AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER CITIES, STATES AND COUNTIES THAT PROVIDE INCOME FOR US. CHARGES SERVICES ARE THE CLERK FEES, CONSTABLE, SHERIFF FEES. THIS IS A BREAKDOWN OF WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM. THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS YOU WHERE THE MONEY GOES. TH MONEY GOES TO THE BIGGEST EXPENSE OF ALL BUSINESSES IS PERSONNEL.

[00:20:01]

NEXT HIGHEST IS $9.1 MILLION AND SERVICES AND CHARGES AND THAT IS YOUR INSURANCES, YOUR -- YOUR ROLLING EXPENSES.

OTHER EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE A LARGE SUM AND NEXT LARGER IS THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT. NEXT SCREEN.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT -- WE WILL BE PROVIDING A PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE COUNTY CLERK AND WE WILL BE FILING IT ON THE FIRST OF THIS MONTH ON FRIDAY.

AND THESE ARE THE PERSONNEL ITEMS THAT WE WILL BE INCLUDING IN THE BUDGET. THE BOTTOM THREE ARE -- THE BOTTOM FOUR ARE STILL ITEMS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED ON SEPTEMBER 8 THAT CAN BE OR CANNOT BE ADDED.

THAT IS YOUR CHOICE. BUT THE TOP ONES WE HAVE ARE IN THERE, AND THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH REQUIRED TO BE THERE.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE LABOR AGREEMENT HAS INCREASE SALARY OF $383,621 FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.

ACCORDING TO OUR PERSONNEL POLICY, A CONTINUANCE PAY THAT MEANS ANYBODY THAT WORKED OVER FOR THREE YEARS, THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR 2.5% INCREASE IN SALARY.

FIRST YEAR 148 EMPLOYEES, FIVE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THREE DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR COCOA TOTAL OF $169,890.

BECAUSE OF INTEREST RATES BEING LOW OUR REQUIREMENT COSTS ARE INCREASING BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENTS WE HAVE AND RETIREMENT INCREASE IS $45,085. NOW WE DID HAVE A SLIGHT INCREASE OF OUR WORKER'S COMP. WE CHANGED COMPANIES WE DIDN'T DO REDUCTION FOR OUR WORKER'S COMP.

WE ARE SEEING A SLIGHT DECREASE THIS YEAR OF WHAT WAS BUDGETED AND SEEN $97,590. PARDON ME.

MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS THAT COME IN ASK FOR MIDYEAR CHANGES ADDING NEW PEOPLE OR RECLASSIFYING PERSONNEL OR DELETING SOME POSITIONS. TOTAL THAT IS PART OF THE BUDGET. THE NEXT THREE ITEMS I WILL BE BE PROVIDING A LIST AND PROVIDE YOU WITH A PROPOSED BUDGET ON FRIDAY SHOWING YOU -- WHAT I AM RECOMMENDING AS LISTED IN THE POSITIONS. LIMITED RECLASSIFICATIONS, LIMITED TRANSFERS, AND LIMITED TRANSFER HAVE THE ATTORNEYS THAT ANGELICA TALKED ABOUT MOVING FROM THE PRETRIAL DIVERSION ACCOUNT, A SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, INTO THE D.

A. 'S REGULAR, $344,855. HOWEVER, WORKING WITH MARK AND ANGELICA AND THEY AGREED TO CONTRIBUTE $323,000 IF THEY HAVE THE FUNDS TO COVER THE COST OF THOSE TRANSFERS.

IF YOU SEE THE COST IS $344. THEY WILL TRANSFER $320 AND NET COST $24,000. I WILL PROVIDING A LIST OF ITEMS WHEN WE PRESENT THE BUDGET TO YOU AND HAVE YOU A COPY ON FRIDAY. LAST ITEM IS THE IMPACT OF THE FUTURE YEARS. AS WE KNOW WE STILL HAVE THE SENATE BILL TWO THAT MOVED US DOWN TO THE 3.5% REVENUE TAX THAT WILL BE A CONSTANT PROBLEM.

AS WE KNOW WE HAVE HEARD THE OTHER DAY WE WILL HAVE THE BELL BOND REFORM COME IN THAT COULD COST US A SIGNIFICANT A.FUNDS AND DOES NOT GIVE US ROOM TO COVER SOME OF THESE COSTS.

WE WILL CONTINUE THIS. THE FISCAL IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 IS CONTINUING. WE KNOW IT IS CLOSED SOME BUSINESSES. IT HAS CANCELLED SOME EVENTS.

IT HAS SOME SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DETRIMENT TO THE COUNTY AS WELL AS OTHER EN ENTITIES IN LOCATION, SO THOSE ARE DEFINITELY OUR FUTURE IMPACT FUNDS.

AS WE MENTIONED OUR NEXT PUBLIC HEARING IS ON SEPTEMBER 8 AT 9 A.M. WHERE WE ACTUALLY BRING IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY AND THE PROPOSED COUNTY FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THERE WILL BE A TIME TO DETERMINE THAT, AND WE MUST APPOINT AN ADOPTED RATE AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND TWO ITEMS FOR EACH OF THOSE TO DO THAT. THAT IS ON SEPTEMBER 8.

WE ASK THAT -- THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS CAN BE TO BE HERE TO GIVE YOU AN OPINION WHERE THE COUNTY BUDGET IS.

I BELIEVE I PROVIDED A -- A TRUE IMPACT COUNTY FOR WHAT WE HAVE. THAT IS OUR PUBLIC HEARING THAT IS REQUIRED FOR CHAPTER 26 ON -- ON THE EFFECT -- OVER IN THE TAX. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN LISTENING TO ME. I WILL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE. MY CONTACT INFORMATION IS ON THE SCREEN NOW. AND I WILL TURN OVER TO YOU,

JUDGE. >>JUDGE CANALES: OKAY.

WELL THAT IS VERY GOOD AND VERY COMPREHENSIVE.

[00:25:01]

I AM JUST GOING TO STOP AND ASK IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OF DALE FOR THE PACKET THAT HE JUST WENT OVER.

AND ALSO JUST DOUBLE CHECK WITH JOHNNY SINCE HE IS ON, IF HE HAS ANY QUESTIONS GIVEN THAT WE NOW HAVE, YOU KNOW, GREATER EXPLANATION. START WITH COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS FOR DALE REGARDING THE MATTER THAT HE HAS JUST GONE OVER, WHICH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF YOUR POCKET? OKAY.

>> JUDGE, AT THIS POINT, IT IS IMPORTANT, BELINDA TELLS ME, TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT ON SEPTEMBER 8, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT PUBLIC HEARING. AND THE TAX RATE WILL BE ADOPTED ON THAT DATE. IS THAT GOOD, LINDA?

-- BELINDA? >> AS WELL AS THE BUDGET.

ONCE IT STARTS, IT CAN'T STOP. >>JUDGE CANALES: THAT'S RIGHT.

REMEMBER ALL OF THESE DATES ARE DESIGNED UNDER THE LAW.

SO WHEN WE SET OUR BUDGET CALENDAR, WE TRY TO DO OUR BEST JOB TO GIVE EVERYBODY NOTICE, BUT ALWAYS GOOD REMINDER.

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE. >> AGAIN, JUST A REMINDER OUR SITTING RATES ARE THE HIGHEST RATES WE CAN GO.

WE CAN GO DOWN FROM THIS; HOWEVER, WE CAN'T GO HIGHER.

>>JUDGE CANALES: THIS REPRESENTS YOUR CEILING.

JOHNNY, NOW OFF THIS HEARD T THAT, DO YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THIS IS OUR CEILING?

>> YES, JUDGE, I DO. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO

MAKE COMMENT. >>JUDGE CANALES: YOU BET.

COMMISSIONERS IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS FOR DALE AT ALL, ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU FEEL IS SAY PROP YACHT AT THE TIME REGARDING THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THE MATTER THAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY WHICH IS THE ALL OF THE EXEMPTIONS, THE HISTORICAL TAX RATE, THE SOURCES OF REVENUE.

, ETC. OKAY.

WELL, HEARING NO COMMENTS AT ALL, I WILL JUST CLOSE BY SAYING THAT I ECHO THE SENTIMENT THAT WERE SPOKEN EARLIER IN PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR TO SEE WHAT PLAN OF ACTION WE CAN COME UP WITH THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PERSONNEL HIGHLIGHTS THAT WERE ON PAGE -- LET'S SEE.

>> ON THE SCREEN JUDGE, FOR SOME REASON THIS IS IN ERROR.

>>JUDGE CANALES: NO WORRY. THE PERSONNEL HIGHLIGHTS, THAT IS SOMETHING -- THOSE ARE FI FIXED.

THOSE ARE FIXED. THERE WE GO.

THANK YOU. THOSE ARE FIXED.

SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS WATCHING AT HOME BUT THOSE ARE ITEMS IN MY OPINION BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE COURT, THESE ARE FIXED. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY CAN NOT CHANGE. LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR AGRE AGREEMENT, CONTINUOUS WAY, RETIREMENT PLAN, WORKMAN'S C COMP. OF COURSE, I SHOULD SAY THAT THE MID BUDGET YEAR POSITION RECLASS COULD CHANGE, BUT THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO THE WORK THAT IS ONGOING.

AND THEN THOSE -- THE NEXT THREE HE ARE THE ONES THAT DALE WILL PROVIDE NOW FULL ON FR FRIDAY.

BUT AFTER DOING ALL OF THAT, YOU ADD ALL THOSE NUMBERS, YOU LOOK AT WHAT OTHER CONTINGENT LIABILITIES YOU HAVE BY CONTRACT OR PERHAPS BY NECESSITY.

AND THEN YOU FIGURE OUT WHICH TAX RATE WILL GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED, AND, OF COURSE, WOULDN'T IT BE LOVELY TO GET INTO THE WANT CATEGORY, BUT WE ARE REALLY IN THE NEED CATEGORY.

AND SO I ALSO SUPPORT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE.

I WAS THINKING A LOT ABOUT THIS LAST NIGHT.

WE MADE A LOT OF DECISIONS ON MONDAY THAT REALLY EFFECT LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU REMEMBER THAT? WE HAD A -- WE DID SOME GOOD THINGS, RIGHT.

SOME OF THE THINGS WERE REQUIRED, BUT STILL GOOD THINGS POLICIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE GAVE US TO REGARDING COVID-19 IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU WILL RECALL THE COURT BEFORE. WE TOOK CARE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL NEEDS THAT WE HAVE THERE TO MAKE SURE THEIR MEDICAL IS TAKEN CARE OF, AS WELL AS THEIR WORKMAN'S COMP. WE ALSO HAVE DONE A GOOD THING THROUGHOUT THE COURT'S HISTORY, BUT PARTICULARLY MOST RECENTLY WE SAYS IT IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE FOR RISK ASSESSMENT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE FOR -- FOR JAIL -- JAIL MAINTENANCE, RIGHT. WE DO A LOT FOR THINKING ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I JUST WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS THOUGHT, LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A TWO-PRONG PIECE.

[00:30:02]

THEY ARE ON THEIR OWN AND IN THEIR OWN BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT DOESN'T WORK UNLESS THE STATE OF TEXAS BRINGS THAT CASE. SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE PRIORITIZING AND WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, I THINK, ON LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE ALSO NEED TO THINK OF THE PRONG THAT ASSISTS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND I GOT TO THINKING, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY, FUNDAMENTALLY, FUNDAMENTALLY IF EVERYTHING ELSE HAD TO GO AWAY, WHAT WOULD YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO STAND FOR.

AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE IT IS OUR COURTS, OUR JAIL AND OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. SO I WOULD JUST LEAVE WITH YOU THOSE THOUGHTS AS WE PREPARE FOR THE 8TH.

THIS IS THE TIME TO REALLY ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU CAN, PROVIDE THE COMMENTS, AND, AS THEY SAY, PLEASE COME STUDIED UP AND PREPARED. IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER COMMENT AND NO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, JENNY, TO REALLY WORK FROM, I WILL CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:41 A.M.

WAIT A MINUTE, ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY HE.

[ Adjournment in Memory (upon request)]

>> JUDGE, I HAVE A RECOMMENDATION.

IF THE COURT COULD ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF ROBERT DEGRAF.

>>JUDGE CANALES: YES, OF COURSE.

>> HE WAS THE OWNER OF SOUND VIBRATIONS.

>>JUDGE CANALES: YES. >> FROM THE '70S OVER ON SIX

POINTS. >>JUDGE CANALES: CLASSIC.

>> TELL YOU WHAT. THIS GUY CHANGED THE MUSIC SCENE FOR ALL OF SOUTH TEXAS. HE PUT QUALITY INSTRUMENTS AND LITTLE KIDS HANDS LIKE MY OWN. AND HE WAS REALLY, REALLY IMPACTFUL. UNFORTUNATELY HE PASSED AWAY FROM COMPLICATIONS OF COVID. HE WAS 70 YEARS OLD AND HE

PASSED AWAY ON AUGUST 9. >>JUDGE CANALES: IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO ADJOURN IN HIS MEMORY.

AND TYNER, THERE WAS A RECORD COMPANY A FEW DOORS DOWN AND A

STUDIO WHERE YOU COULD RECORD. >> HACIENDA.

HACIENDA RECORDS. >>JUDGE CANALES: AND WAS IT ACROSS FROM A GUINNESS BOOK STORE? THIS WAS ANOTHER ONE A SMALL STUDIO WHERE YOU COULD GO RECORD. THAT WAS THE EPICENTER.

HACIENDA WAS HERE IN MORGAN, BUT ON SIX POINTS THERE WAS GATES BAKERY ACROSS THE STREET. AND THERE WAS A SMALL RECORD STUDIO WHERE YOU COULD GO AND RECORD AND BUY RECORDS, 45S.

AND THEN NEXT DOOR. ANYWAY, HE WAS AN ICON.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING US REMEMBER HIM TODAY.

WE ADJOURN IN HIS MEMORY AND OFFICIAL TIME NOW IS 8

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.