[00:00:09] >> GOOD MORNING. IT'S 9:00 A.M. AND WE WILL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. WE WILL START TODAY WITH OUR INDICATION. I DID WANT TO MENTION ALSO THAT JUDGE SCOTT IS ONLINE, STILL RECOVERING FROM HER INJURY. WE ARE GLAD TO SEE HER AS WELL AND WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE PASTOR BILL CORNELIUS FROM CHURCH UNLIMITED. IF YOU'LL ALL PLEASE RISE OR B INDICATION, THANK YOU. >> GOD, WE COME BEFORE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO IN THIS PLACE AND WE THANK YOU LORD THAT YOU CREATED LAWS AND STATUTES TO PROTECT US AND GUIDE US AND THANK YOU FOR EACH ONE OF THESE COMMISSIONERS. BLESS THEM AND WATCH OVER THEM WE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR HEALING FOR THE JUDGE GETS WE KNOW YOU WILL DO WHAT ONLY YOU CAN DO TO BRING HEALING TEARS WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY AND WE PRAY THAT WE BRING YOU GLORY IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH I STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. >> I THINK THE PASTOR WILL GET A PICTURE WITH EVERYBODY. >> THANK YOU. AT 9:00. THIS IS JULY 15TH. WE ARE HERE IN THE COURTHOUSE AND CERTIFIED QUORUM AND JUDGE SCOTT AND ONLINE AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS ARE PRESENT HERE ITEM D IS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF DISCLOSURE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. ANY ANNOUNCEMENT AT THIS POINT THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE? IF YOU COME UP ON ONE DURING THE [1. In Recognition of Johnnie Bickham for his incredible career at State Farm Insurance] MEETING YOU CAN CERTAINLY DO IT THERE AS WELL HERE WE ARE NOW GOING TO MOVE INTO THE ADOPTION OF THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDERS. FIRST ONE IS IN RECOGNITION OF THE GREAT JOHNNY BICKHAM FOR HIS INCREDIBLE CAREER AT STATE FARM INSURANCE. GREAT TO SEE YOU. AND I WILL LET YOU TAKE THIS ONE, I'M NOT SURE WHO'S READING IT BUT I WILL LET YOU TAKE THIS ONE. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. IT'S MY GREAT HONOR THIS MORNING TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY OUT IN THE NORTHWEST AREA OF NUECES COUNTY FOR MANY YEARS AND I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION HERE FIRST AND LET THE COURT GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY AND THEN I HAVE A FEW PERSONAL COMMENTS IF I COULD PICK THIS IS THE COURT RESOLUTION HONORING JOHNNY BICKHAM, WHERE HE MOVED WITH HIS FAMILY TO CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS IN 1976 AND BEGAN HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE ON APRIL 1ST OF THAT YEAR. JOHNNY HAS BEEN IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS A LITTLE OVER 50 YEARS. THAT'S AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT. AND WHEREAS HE QUICKLY BECAME AN ENGAGED AND BECAME A VALUED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY JOINING THE ROTARY CLUB AND THE LIONS CLUB WITH A STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES AND WHEREAS JOHNNY BECAME A DEVOTED MEMBER OF GRACE METHODIST CHURCH WHERE HE WOULD SERVE AS AN USHER AND CONTINUED THE LIFE OF HIS CHURCH COMMUNITY. -- CONTRIBUTED TO THE LIFE OF HIS CHURCH COMMUNITY, I'M SORRY. WHERE HE'S DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION TO EDUCATION IN NORTHWEST CORPUS CHRISTI SERVING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD IN THE 1980S CONTRIBUTING TO THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND HELPING TO ESTABLISH THE CALALLEN EDUCATION AND CONTINUING HIS SERVICE. AND WHEREAS THROUGH THESE EFFORTS JOHNNY HAS POSITIVELY IMPACTED COUNTLESS YOUNG PEOPLE AS A SPECIAL OLYMPICS VOLUNTEER, AS A FOUNDING SUPPORTER AND BOARD MEMBER AND COACH OF THE [00:05:02] ELEMENTARY BASKETBALL LEAGUE AND AS A LOYAL AND ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORTER OF LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS. AND WHEREAS HIS COMMITMENT TO SERVICE EXTENDS TO MANY COMMUNITY INITIATIVES INCLUDING THE BICYCLE RODEO YOUTH EVENT, CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK PROGRAMS AND THE NUECES COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW PROVIDING INSURANCE AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATES AS A BUYER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. WHEREAS ON APRIL 1ST, 2026, JOHNNY CELEBRATED AN EXTRAORDINARY MILESTONE OF 50 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATING PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. AND WHEREAS BEYOND HIS MANY PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS JOHNNY'S GREATEST LEGACY IS FOUND IN HIS DEVOTION TO HIS FAMILY HAVING BEEN A LOVING HUSBAND FOR 54 YEARS UNTIL HIS WIFE'S PASSING IN 2021 AND CONTINUING AS A PROUD FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WHO TREASURED SUPPORTING HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND THEIR ACTIVITIES. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE THEREBY HONOR AND RECOGNIZE JOHNNY BICKHAM FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS AND WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT HE HAS MADE ON THE NUECES COUNTY COMMUNITY DULY ADOPTED OF THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT ON THE 15TH DAY OF JULY 2026. I SO MOVE. >> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? I THINK THERE WILL BE LOTS OF COMMENTS ON THAT. I WILL LET YOU START COMMISSIONER. >> JOHNNY, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU -- WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR LONGER HE AND I WANT TO ADMIT TO. HE WAS SERVING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND I WAS SERVING AT THE SAME TIME AND WE USED TO GET TOGETHER ONCE IN A WHILE AND DISCUSS MAYBE THAT THAT WASN'T THE SMARTEST THING WE'VE EVER DONE BUT WE CERTAINLY ENJOYED THE CONTRIBUTION. BUT JOHNNY HAS BEEN AN AMAZING CONTRIBUTOR TO THE NORTHWEST AREA OF OUR CITY AND COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. IF YOU GO TO AN EVENT, AN ATHLETIC EVENT, JOHNNY IS ALWAYS THERE. HE IS ALWAYS SUPPORTING THE WILDCATS. HE'S HELPED AT THE TULOSO MIDWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE LITTLE DRIBBLERS PROGRAM THAT BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS WENT THROUGH AND SO JUST AN AMAZING NUMBER OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS. IN SUPPORT OF THE NUECES COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW GOES WITHOUT QUESTION. JOHNNY, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO CALL YOU MY FRIEND AND YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT FRIEND TO THE NORTHWEST COMMUNITY AND THIS CITY AS A WHOLE AND WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS CITY AND COUNTY AND CONGRATULATING YOU ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ESPECIALLY AS A BUSINESS OWNER. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ANY OTHER COMMENTS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE MADE AT THIS TIME? LET ME ADD TO WHAT THE COMMISSIONER SAID. I MEAN THAT WHEN I SAY THERE HAS BEEN NO ONE MORE INVOLVED IN THIS COMMUNITY IN ALL THE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE THAN MR. BICKHAM AND IT DOESN'T MATTER THE FACT THAT HE'S BEEN OUT IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. HE'S BEEN SO INVOLVED IN ALL ASPECTS OF NUECES COUNTY AND WE ARE GREATLY APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYTHING HE'S DONE AND ALL THE WORK THAT HE'S DONE AND WE ARE GLAD THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS. WE HAD TO RESCHEDULE ONCE BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR FAMILY HERE. AND I SEE YOU HAVE THEM IN FORCE TODAY SO CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL YOU'VE DONE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE HERE IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED AND YOU MEAN A LOT TO THIS COMMUNITY AND WE ARE HAPPY TO HONOR YOU TODAY. >> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS CATHY WOULD INVITE YOU TO SAY SOMETHING. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> IF YOU CAN GET ON THE MICROPHONE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> I AM NOT SURE THAT I'M DESERVING OF EVERYTHING THAT'S BESTOWED UPON ME BUT I AM APPRECIATIVE AND I KNOW THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME AS WELL AND I APPRECIATE YOU ALL. THAT PROCLAMATION, I DON'T THINK I COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT ANY BETTER. BUT I DO APPRECIATE IT. I'M GLAD TO HAVE MY FAMILY, MY DAUGHTER AND HER FAMILY HERE WITH ME TODAY AND LIKE I SAID, I DO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING AND I HOPE I CAN CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE A FEW MORE YEARS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. WE WOULD LOVE TO GET A PICTURE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY UP HERE. [APPLAUSE] >> IF I COULD, WHILE THEY ARE [00:10:03] COMING UP, BRANT. >> SORRY, JUDGE. GO AHEAD. >> THAT'S OKAY. I'M NEW TO THIS, GETTING ONLINE AND TALKING BUT I JUST WANT TO REPEAT EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID ABOUT MR. BICKHAM HERE. I'VE KNOWN HIM MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE IN THE NORTHWEST COMMUNITY AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION AND KIDS, IT GOES BEYOND THAT AND MORE. WE JUST CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH AND IT'S SAD THAT I COULD NOT BE THERE TODAY BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FROM MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AS WELL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE. PERSONALLY FOR US, AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT, LEAVE THE JUDGE ON THE SCREEN SO WE CAN GET HER PICTURE ON IN THE BACKGROUND. ABOUT THAT ? [INAUDIBLE] [APPLAUSE] [2. In Recognition of Dr. Eric Baggerman, M.D. for his incredible career at Amistad Community Health Center.] >> THANK YOU AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. BICKHAM. ITEM TWO IS IN RECOGNITION OF DOCTOR ERIC BAGGERMAN, M.D., FOR HIS INCREDIBLE CAREER AT AMISTAD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER. AND WE WILL READ THAT AS EVERYONE ELSE GETS SETTLED IN. ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD. >> WHEREAS DOCTOR ERIC BAGGERMAN IS AN EXCEPTIONAL PEDIATRICIAN, VISIONARY HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE AND DEDICATED ADVOCATE FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND WHEREAS SINCE JOINING THE AMISTAD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER IN 2014 AND BECOMING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN 2021, DOCTOR BAGGERMAN HAS LED THE ORGANIZATION'S GROWTH WHILE CONTINUING TO SERVE PATIENTS AS A PRACTISING PEDIATRICIAN EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND WHEREAS UNDER DOCTOR BAGGERMAN LEADERSHIP, AMISTAD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER HAS EXPANDED ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY CARE AND ENHANCED SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF PATIENTS AND WHEREAS DOCTOR BAGGERMAN SERVANT LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE INSPIRED COLLEAGUES, STRENGTHENED COMMUNITIES AND TRANSFORMED THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND NUECES COUNTY EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE GRATITUDE AND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS. DULY ADOPTED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND NUECES COUNTY TEXAS ON THE 15TH DAY OF JULY 2026. >> SO MOVED. >> SECONDED. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE AYE ANY OPPOSED MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. JUDGE SCOTT VOTING I AS WELL HAVE PLEASE SHOW. I BELIEVE THIS ONE WAS YOURS IF YOU WANT TO START OFF. >> AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK DOCTOR BAGGERMAN. A DOCTOR, A PEDIATRICIAN, MOST DOCTORS HAVE A PRACTICE AND THEY GO HOME AND THEY DO THEIR THING BUT DOCTOR BAGGERMAN IS KIND OF A STAR HERE A STAR IN PUBLIC HEALTH. HE'S A STAR BECAUSE HE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND DOING THINGS [00:15:09] THAT A PUBLIC SERVANT DOES. BESIDES HIS WORK, HE ALWAYS FINDS TIME TO HELP OTHERS, ESPECIALLY THE KIDS. I HAVE LEARNED THAT HE HAS LOVED TO WORK WITH KIDS. THAT'S WHY HE'S GOING TO THIS SCHOOL. AND DOCTOR, YOU HAVE MADE A BIG, BIG IMPACT IN THE AREA OF NUECES COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU. THANK YOUR FAMILY. YOU WERE ABLE TO DO THIS. WITHOUT FAMILY SUPPORT IT WOULD BE TOUGH. BELIEVE ME, I KNOW THAT. BUT I WANT TO THANK YOUR FAMILY ALSO FOR SUPPORTING YOU WHEN YOU DO ALL THIS EXTRA STUFF ON WEEKENDS AND SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. YOU DON'T FIND TOO MANY DOCTORS DOING THAT ON THEIR OFF TIME BUT YOU ARE A PERSON AND YOU HAVE A SPECIAL QUALITY AND YOU DO IT FROM YOUR HEART. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR REACHING OUT AND BUILDING IT TO WHAT IT IS TODAY. WITHOUT YOU IT WOULDN'T BE WHAT IT IS TODAY. BELIEVE ME, I KNOW. YOU HAVE A LOT OF PATIENCE. A MAN BEHIND THE SCENE WITH ALL HIS PATIENTS THAT I WISH I HAD SOMETIMES. AND EVERY TIME YOU SAY IT'LL HAPPEN, YOU WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN AND OF COURSE IT DID HAPPEN. THANKS TO YOU AND IT IS WHAT IT IS TODAY BECAUSE OF YOU. THANK YOU DOCTOR, VERY MUCH. AND THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILY. >> THANK YOU. DOCTOR, DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING TODAY? I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS A COMMENT? >> ANYTIME THAT AMISTAD WAS SO IN A TRANSITION POINT WONDERING FROM DOCTOR BANNERMAN'S PREDECESSOR UNTIL HE WAS HIRED, THERE WAS A LOT OF UNKNOWNS, IT WAS STILL IN ITS GROWING PHASE AND YOU COULD ARGUE IT'S STILL GROWING. THE GROWTH WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN AMAZING BUT THE FACT THAT HE CAME AND STUCK WITH OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE CREDENTIALS HE HAD AND AN AMAZING TWIST IN CAREER CHOICES BUT I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE STAYING IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I'M GLAD YOU WILL BE TEACHING AND THAT'S A GREAT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OUR KIDS THERE ARE HUNGRY FOR MORE EXPERTS TO SHARE IN THEIR FIELD AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE SO I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO NUECES COUNTY AND FOR STAYING HERE. WITH ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AT AMISTAD AND LEADING IT ON THE RIGHT PATH AND WE KNOW THAT THERE'S THINGS TO BUILD AND WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOOD START THERE THAT WILL SUPPORT THAT AND A GOOD WARD BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. >> GO AHEAD, DOCTOR, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL HONOR AND I HUMBLY APPRECIATE IT AND AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE MY FAMILY. I CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT THEM, THE SUPPORT AND MAYBE SHE LETS ME DO TOO MANY THINGS BUT IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. AMISTAD HAS GROWN AND IT'S CERTAINLY NOT JUST ME. AMISTAD HAS FILLED MANY VOICES IN THIS COMMUNITY AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR THE AMAZING PEOPLE AND THE AMAZING WORK THAT AL-MARSAD IS DOING AS WELL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. WE APPRECIATE THAT. [APPLAUSE] >> I'M PART OF THE AMISTAD BOARD SO IF YOU JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND. I WANT TO THANK THE DOCTOR FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK AND WE WERE SAD TO SEE HIM LEAVE BUT I'M VERY EXCITED THAT HE IS GOING TO MY HOMETOWN BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THERE'S LOTS OF WORK TO BE DONE THERE WITH OUR KIDS SO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT BUT COMMISSIONER JAG DID GET THE STAR SO I WANTED TO PRESENT IT TO HIM ALSO THIS MORNING. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, SIR. >> IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A QUICK PICTURE AND BRING YOUR SHINING STAR UP HERE. >> ALL RIGHT. [1. In recognition of Joseph F. Padilla III for 23 years of service with Nueces County.] [00:21:18] MOVING ON TO ITEM F ONE TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE AND RECOGNITION OF JOSEPH PADILLA THE THIRD FOR 23 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH NUECES COUNTY. HE IS RETIRING TODAY FROM THE NUECES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IS THERE SOMEONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE COMMENTS? OR WE CAN RECOGNIZE HIM HERE IF WE HAVE A NICE CERTIFICATE FOR ANYONE? PLEASE COME ON UP, SIR, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE IS GOING TO TALK TO YOU HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE IN UNIFORM HERE COME ON UP HERE. >> IF THERE'S ONE THING I CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT OFFICER PADILLA, IT'S CONSISTENCY FOR THE PAST 23 YEARS. >> GET ON THAT MIC. >> IF THERE'S SOMETHING I CAN TELL YOU -- >>> AND STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE. >> IF THERE'S SOMETHING I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT MR. PADILLA, IT'S CONSISTENCY. IF YOU WATCH ON VIDEO YOU CAN SEE HIM COME IN EVERY DAY. WE KNOW HE WILL BE THERE THROUGH COVID, THROUGH PROBLEMS, STORMS, THROUGH THIS AND THAT. IF THERE WAS A CONSTANT, IT'S MR. PADILLA ON HIS SHIFT AND THAT IS THE LEGACY HE LEAVES BEHIND WITH US, HE WAS ALWAYS THERE AND THAT IS A HARD, HARD THING, HIS LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY AND THE CARE, CONCERN AND CAUTION HE USED FOR THE PEOPLE IN HIS CHARGE AND THE CARE HE TOOK OF THEM WHILE HE WAS WITH US AND THAT WILL BE HARD TO REPLACE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL NUECES COUNTY, THANK YOU PROFUSELY FOR YOUR SERVICE. WE KNOW WHAT A DIFFICULT JOB IT IS TO SERVE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND ESPECIALLY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HEAR THE WORDS THAT THE CAPTAIN ECHOED FOR YOU SHOWS A GREAT RESPECT THAT HE AND THE DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF US AT NUECES COUNTY HAVE FOR YOU. ON BEHALF OF NUECES COUNTY, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU WILL BE MISSED AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE ABILITY TO RETIRE AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. YOUR TWO YOUNG. YOU MUST HAVE STARTED WHEN YOU WERE ABOUT 12 SO CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT. >> YES, SIR. I WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS UP HERE. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE YEARS AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN WHATEVER YOU DO. STILL YOUNG ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ELSE SO GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SERVICE. >> ANYONE ELSE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? >> ABSOLUTELY. MY NAME IS CAPTAIN JUAN AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SUPERVISE THIS INDIVIDUAL BEHIND ME, A YOUNG GUY AS YOU CALL HIM. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT NEEDS TO BE NOTED IS OBVIOUSLY HE SERVED OUR GREAT NATION IN THE NAVY AS WELL, NOT ONLY DID HE SERVE US IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT HE ALSO SERVED IN THE NAVY. HE IS ALSO THE SON OF THE REPUBLIC INDIVIDUAL MEMBER WHICH NOW WITH HIS YOUTH HE'S ABLE TO USE ALL THAT STRENGTH THAT HE HAS TO CONTINUE ON WHAT HE'S SHOWN US AS HIS SUPERVISOR. I'VE NEVER HAD SUCH A DEDICATED INDIVIDUAL TO HIS CRAFT AND I'M SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY NOW IS GOING TO FLOURISH WITH HIM OUT THERE AND SPECIFICALLY WITH THE SONS OF THE REPUBLIC AT THIS TIME, HE'S VERY PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF AND I AM PROUD AND PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW HIM, TO GUIDE HIM AND ACTUALLY TO LEARN FROM HIM AS WELL BECAUSE OUR GREAT MILITARY HAS TAUGHT HIM A LOT OF THINGS THAT HE BROUGHT TO THIS AGENCY AND SPECIFIC TO THE ANNEX WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO AND WERE HIS DUTIES FOR SO LONG HE WAS A TROOPER AND HE DID WHAT HE NEEDED TO DO AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO MISS HIM. IT WILL BE A BIG VOID THAT HE [00:25:02] LEAVES BEHIND BUT LIKE CAPTAIN WILLOUGHBY WAS SAYING, HE WILL LEAVE A LEGACY AND THINGS THAT OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO FILL SO WE ARE SO HONORED TO HAVE HIM HERE, AND TO HONOR HIM ON HIS BEHALF AND I WANT TO SHAKE HIS HAND HERE AND SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING HE'S DONE AND THE AGENCY IS LOSING A SOLID INDIVIDUAL HERE BUT WE KNOW THAT HE HAS TO GO ON AND FULFILL OTHER DUTIES SO THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. >> MR. PADILLA, PLEASE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNTY FOR THE CHANCE TO ACTUALLY WORK FOR YOU ALL. LIKE THE CAPTAIN SAID, I'M PART OF THE SONS OF REPUBLIC OF TE TEXAS. WITH MY FREE TIME NOW, THE YOUNG ONE, AND IN THESE GROUPS AT 57 I AM THE YOUNG ONE. YOU WILL PROBABLY BE SEEING ME A LOT MORE BECAUSE I'M ALSO PART OF THE NUECES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND I WILL BE DOING MY BEST TO BRING THE HISTORY OF THE AREA AND THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY AS MUCH AS I CAN TO PRESENT IT AND EVERYTHING ELSE LIKE THAT. THAT'S WHERE MOST OF OUR RESOURCES WILL BE GOING TO. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. >> THANK YOU, SIR. [APPLAUSE] WE WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE. >> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO [G. 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.] ITEM G WHICH IS PUBLIC COMMENT HERE IT LOOKS LIKE THE FIRST NAME IS SCRATCHED OFF WHICH WAS BRAD PARTIZAN SO THAT PERSON HAS BEEN SCRATCHED OFF. OKAY. YOU WANT TO STAY ON THE LIST PLEASE OKAY. THEN WE WILL GO TO SEAN FLANAGAN, NEXT ON THE LIST HERE, THERE. SORRY. YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE, HE MENTIONED THAT THEY EMAILED THIS TO YOU LAST NIGHT. >> I'M SEAN FLANAGAN AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT THREE. A SHORT WHILE AGO WE HEARD BASICALLY BECAUSE OF COMMISSIONER PRESSLEY'S APPEARANCE ON THE RADIO ABOUT THE HUT EIGHT COMING AND THEN WE HAD A MEETING AT CDF WHERE WE GOT A VERY GOOD ATTENDANCE AND THERE WAS LOTS OF CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE HUT EIGHT DATA CENTER IN OUR COUNTY. AS A RESULT OF THAT, THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONER HAD THREE OF US INTO HIS OFFICE TO HAVE AN HOUR AND A HALF MEETING ON THIS. >> SPEAKER-10: , WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING A LOT OF ISSUES THAT COME ON UP AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS I WAS TALKING TO THE COMMISSIONER EARLIER AND HE WAS ASKING ME IF WE ARE FOR OR AGAINST IT. WE REALLY AREN'T FOR OR AGAINST IT BECAUSE THAT SHIP HAS SAILED HERE THIS THING IS HAPPENING HERE WHAT OUR VIEWPOINT IS IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE ACCURATE INFORMATION AS TO WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CONSTRUCTION WILL BE FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS NOW OR DOWN THE LINE, IF WE ACT NOW OR BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTIONS AS NEEDED TO MITIGATE ANY DAMAGE THAT MIGHT COME FROM THIS OUT OF THE COMMUNITY AND SO WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH A JUDGE AND WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND HOPEFULLY THE WHOLE COMMISSION TO WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE AREAS OF PROBLEMS AND TO BE FOREWARNED AND TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT IT. IF THERE IS A BIG TAX BENEFIT THAT COMES OUT OF IT MAYBE WE [00:30:01] NEED TO SAVE SOME OF THIS MONEY ASIDE FOR SOME OF THE DAMAGES THAT MIGHT BE INCURRED. THIS PAPER THAT YOU WERE HANDED AS THE GROUP CAME ON UP WITH THIS PAPER, ABOUT SEVEN DIFFERENT ISSUES, DIFFERENT QUESTIONS AND WHAT WE ARE BASICALLY TRYING TO DO IS GET ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS. NOT SAYING THAT YOU GUYS KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SO WHEN THE PUBLIC ASKS THAT WE ARE FOREWARNED AND IF THESE ARE ACTION ITEMS THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING WE COULD RECOMMEND ACTION BE TAKEN ON AND WE ARE ALSO GOING TO BE WORKING WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATORS BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE POWER ACTUALLY EXISTS TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON THIS DATA CENTER BUT IT'S OUR BUSINESS TO MAKE SURE THAT ACTION IS TAKEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AT THIS LEVEL. FOR INSTANCE IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRST TWO POINTS WE ARE TALKING MAINLY ABOUT ROADS AND ABOUT ROADS, TRAFFIC AND DRAINAGE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THESE ARE JUST QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE OR STEPS THAT MIGHT BE TAKEN BY THE COUNTY TO KIND OF PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY OF WHAT IS GOING ON HERE WE TALKED YESTERDAY TO THE CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE THE THIRD OF THIS DATA CENTERS ANCHORAGES IN THE CITY AND THEY WILL BE CONNECTED TO CITY UTILITIES. THEY HAVE A STAKE IN THIS AS WELL SO AS MANY THINGS AS WE CAN DO TO BE PREPARED TO MITIGATE THE DAMAGE. WE ARE NEITHER FOR OR AGAINST BUT JUST WANT TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. FLANAGAN. NEXT UP IS SUE ELWOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE ARE NOT ALLOWED BY LAW TO PROVIDE RESPONSES BUT WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE AND TO LISTEN. >> THANK YOU. IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT SEAN WAS JUST DESCRIBING, I JUST HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AEP INFRASTRUCTURE AND HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES. WE ARE WONDERING WHAT INFORMATION HAS THE COUNTY RECEIVED FROM AEP TEXAS REGARDING THE NEW OR UPGRADED INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO SERVE THIS PROJECT. AND SPECIFICALLY WE ARE WONDERING ARE THE NEW HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES PLANNED REGARDING THOSE -- ARE THEY 765-KILOVOLT LINES? OR IS THERE ANOTHER VOLTAGE LEVEL BEING USED? AND WILL THERE BE NEW OR EXPANDED SUBSTATIONS WE WILL THERE BE ANY NEW LINES OR POLES OR EASEMENTS OR RIGHT OF WAY CROSSING HOMES? SCHOOL FARMS OR PUBLIC ROADS? AND WHAT PUBLIC NOTICE WILL RESIDENTS RECEIVE BEFORE ROUTES ARE FINALIZED? AND WILL AEP ATTEND THE JULY 27TH MEETING PREPARED TO ANSWER PROJECT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. AND HOPEFULLY WILL THE COUNTY SEND A FORMAL LETTER TO. AEP TEXAS REQUESTING THE PROJECT'S OFFICIAL STATUS? AND REGARDING THAT AND JUST AS A SIDE NOTE I AM WILLING TO HELP WITH ANY QUESTIONS THAT MAY EMERGE FOR INVESTIGATIONS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE AND THAT HANDOUT YOU JUST RECEIVED CORRECT YOU HAVE A QR CODE AND A SHORTER URL TO TYPE INTO A COMPUTER OR A QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE AND SEE AN EXAMPLE OF SOME LETTERS JUST DRAFTED LETTERS FOR EACH OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS. AND AS WELL AS THE DATA PLAN THAT IS DRAFTED UP HERE JUST AGAIN AS DRAFTS BUT WE ARE WILLING TO HELP PARTNER AND TO HELP CREATE SUCH LETTERS OR PLANS SO WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE COUNTY FORMALLY INVITE A WELL INFORMED AEP HUT EIGHT PROJECT RELATED REPRESENTATIVE TO THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING TO ANSWER THESE AND OTHER QUESTIONS THAT WE ARE POSING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. NEXT UP IS MELINDA DE LOS SA SANTOS. >> GOOD MORNING. MELINDA DE LOS SANTOS. INCOMING UPON THE DATA AND ALL, WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING IS A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE TO SEE HOW THIS HAS AFFECTED COMMUNITIES AND EVERYTHING AND WHAT I'M HEARING A LOT IS FROM THE HOMEOWNERS AROUND AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEM. AND I KNOW WE HAVE A VISION ON AI AND I'M NOT TRYING TO STOP THE VISION OR ANYTHING BUT I WANT TO PUT GUARDRAILS. BACK IN 1993 I WAS IN THE [00:35:02] LEADERSHIP OF CORPUS CHRISTI AND WE HAD A VISION FOR DOWNTOWN AND NOW IT'S 2026 AND IT HAS NOT EVOLVED INTO WHAT WE HAD ANTICIPATED. I THINK WE ARE NOW AT VISION 2030. BUT I THINK ABOUT MY GRANDSON TOO WHEN HE FIRST STARTED CRAWLING AND BEFORE HE COULD WALK WE HAD GUARDRAILS AROUND SO ALL WE'RE ASKING IS FOR YOU ALL AS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THOSE GUARDRAILS IN ORDER TO GET THIS VISION GOING FORWARD IN A PROPER MANNER SO REGARDING THE RATEPAYER AND TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS WHAT ASSURANCES DOES THE COUNTY HAVE THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS PROTECT SCHOOL FAMILIES AND TAXPAYERS WILL NOT PAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED BY THIS PRIVATE PROJECT SO WE WANT CLARIFICATION REGARDING WHO PAYS FOR THE AEP UPGRADE. WHO'S PAYING FOR ROAD DAMAGE? WHO IS PAYING FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. WHO PAYS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IF IT'S ABANDONED OR THE PROJECT CHANGES OWNERSHIP? ARE THERE ANY COSTS BEING SHIFTED TO RESIDENTIAL RATEPAYERS THROUGH ELECTRIC BILLS AND IS THE COMPANY CONTRIBUTING ENOUGH TAX REVENUES TO OFFSET PUBLIC BURDENS ON ROADS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND LOCAL SERVICES SO AGAIN WE JUST WANT -- I. KNOW THERE WILL BE A LOT OF CAPITAL INVOLVED IN THIS BUT WE JUST DON'T WANT THEM BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT'S A LEASE, THESE BIG COMPANIES TO TAKE OFF AND THEN WE ARE LEFT WITH ALL OF THIS ABANDONED STRUCTURE OUT THERE SO PLEASE DO US JUSTICE AND PLEASE PUT THOSE GUARDRAILS UP FOR US. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH. NICE TO SEE YOU. UP NEXT IS HOPE MALKIN. >> GOOD MORNING. MALKIN INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS JUST DOWN THE ROAD, GREAT TO SEE YOU AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BE BEFORE YOU AND TO SPEAK OUR MINDS AS CITIZENS DEFENDING FREEDOM AND ADVOCATING FOR THE CITIZENS OF NUECES COUNTY. AND TRYING TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP WITH THOSE REPRESENTING US. IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PROCESS AND I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE LIMITATIONS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE HERE. THE HORSE HAS LEFT THE BARN IN A LOT OF WAYS. HOWEVER THIS PROCESS OF DUE DILIGENCE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH NOW IS AN IMPORTANT ONE. I THINK IT'S A LEARNING PROCESS FOR US AND THERE MAY BE SOME POINTS WHERE WE STILL HAVE SOME LEVERAGE AND WE NEED TO EXPLORE THOSE TOGETHER SO WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH YOU GUYS. I WILL SPEAK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I'VE HEARD AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT AS YOU START TO RESEARCH THIS AND LOOK AROUND THE STATE AND OF COURSE AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE NOISE DECIBEL LOW FREQUENCY SOUND IS A HUGE ISSUE. THERE ARE A COUPLE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOUND HARASSMENT. THEY ARE CALLED INFRASOUND WHICH IS PART OF WHAT'S CREATED BY THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THEN TONAL. THESE ARE EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY SOUNDS THAT ARE CREATED. I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT LF, EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY SOUND IS ACTUALLY A MILITARY GRADE WEAPON OF TORTURE AND YOU ARE CERTAINLY HEARING PEOPLE IN SOME OF THESE AREAS NEAR THESE DATA CENTERS WHO DO FEEL IN FACT THAT THEY ARE BEING TORTURED SO I THINK THAT IS WORTH BRINGING UP AS A VERY HIGHLIGHTED ISSUE. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW CAN WE REQUIRE -- CAN THE COUNTY REQUIRE AN INDEPENDENT NOISE STUDY BEFORE OPERATIONS BEGIN. THE STUDY SHOULD OBVIOUSLY INCLUDE A BASELINE NOISE READING BEFORE OPERATION SO WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE STARTING FROM, DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME READINGS, THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEASUREMENTS CALLED DBA, DBC AND DBZ AND LOW FREQUENCY AND TONAL SOUND ANALYSIS AND SO ON AND I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME SO I'M GOING TO MOVE ON BUT WE'VE HIGHLIGHTED ALL THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOUNDS THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT AND PARTICULARLY WITH EAST ELEMENTARY RIGHT NEXT DOOR. NEXT, I WANT TO BRIEFLY TOUCH ON THE WASTEWATER EMERGENCY RESPONSE SITUATION. WE KNOW THEY WILL BE HAULING IN WATER FROM LOUISIANA CAN WE SEE THOSE ROOTS? WHAT ABOUT THE DISCHARGE PLANTS, WHERE IS THE WASTEWATER GOING? IS IT BEING STORED ON SITE? ARE WE LOOKING AT HOLDING PONDS? WHAT ABOUT TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL? AND FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS, WHAT ABOUT THE SUBSTATIONS TRANSFORMERS OR BATTERY FIRES? THESE ARE HUGE ISSUES WHEN THEY HAPPEN, DIESEL GENERATOR INCIDENTS, CHEMICAL RELEASES, SO ON AND SO FORTH SO WE ARE JUST DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE HERE ASKING WHAT CAN HAPPEN, WILL WE BE PREPARED AND CAN WE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS WHEN CITIZENS WHO ARE IMPACTED COME TO YOU OR COME TO US AND THE MEDIA AND SAY HEY, WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [00:40:03] >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, APPRECIATE IT. PAM MATLOCK. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PAM MATLOCK. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THIS. NEVER DID PUBLIC SPEAKING SO I WILL BE A LITTLE BIT EMOTIONAL BECAUSE THIS IS BEING BUILT IN MY AREA. THIS CALICO ROAD IS MY MAIN ROAD TO MY FAMILY'S HOME. WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PIECE I MEAN THIS IS A BIG THING, THIS IS RIGHT NEXT TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I LIVE LESS THAN 1 MILE TO THIS PLACE. I SIT IN MY BACKYARD ON MY PATIO EVERY NIGHT AND I HEAR BIRDS AND KIDS PLAYING AND THE ROADS, THAT'S FINE. TRAFFIC AND EVERYTHING BUT WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN? I GO BY THIS PLACE EVERY SINGLE DAY AND IT JUST UPSETS ME. I JUST WISH THAT IT WOULD RAIN ON THAT AREA FOR THE NEXT WEEK. JUST FLOOD IT SO THEY CAN'T DO ANY CONSTRUCTION. I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL BE FIXING OUR ROADS BECAUSE THE ROAD IS NOT IN GOOD CONDITION RIGHT NOW AND ALL THESE BIG TRUCKS ARE COMING IN AND OUT. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN? THIS IS WHERE I LIVE. THIS IS WHERE I GREW UP. I GREW UP IN THE VIOLET AREA. MY NAME IS HELLSHIRE. WE -- I'M SORRY. WE FARM IN THIS AREA. IT'S OUR LIVELIHOOD AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO LET -- ALLOW THIS TO COME INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE SCHOOL RIGHT NEXT TO THEM. THESE ARE LITTLE KIDS. KINDERGARTEN FIRST GRADE AND SECOND GRADE AND THIRD GRADE -- NO, THIRD GRADE IS IN MCGHEE BUT THESE KIDS WILL BE LISTENING TO THIS SOUND EVERY SINGLE DAY WHILE THEY ARE IN SCHOOL. THEIR PLAYGROUND IS RIGHT THERE LOOKING AT THAT PLACE. WOULD YOU WANT YOUR GRANDKIDS OR YOUR CHILDREN TO BE BROUGHT UP AROUND THAT AREA? NO. I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T. I DON'T THINK ANY OF Y'ALL WILL EVEN LIVE NEAR THIS AREA. SO IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING TO HELP US TO STOP THIS, EVEN IF WE CAN'T STOP IT BUT DO SOMETHING TO HELP US IN THIS AREA, I WOULD SURE APPRECIATE IT AND SO WOULD THE CHILDREN HERE AND SO WOULD EVERYONE THAT LIVES THERE. I MEAN, I CAN WALK TO THIS PLACE. IT'S RIGHT THERE. IT'S RIGHT THERE SMACK IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT IT'S BEING BUILT. AND I THINK WE NEED TO GET THAT OUT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS BEING BUILT OVER THERE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. BRAD BARTLESON, I THINK YOU ARE BACK UP. >> GOOD MORNING, BRAD BARTLESON, CORPUS CHRISTI. I SPENT 12 YEARS IN SUPERCOMPUTING AND AS BACKGROUND I WILL BE SPEAKING TO OBSOLESCENCE, FINANCE AND RELATED DECOMMISSIONING AND LONG TERM SITE RESPONSIBILITY SO EVERY TWO YEARS WE DOUBLED THE SPEED OF COMPUTING. THAT MEANS REPLACEMENT. THERE'S A HUGE INVESTMENT AND OBVIOUSLY IN THE SUPERSCALAR GPUS THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IN SO THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY SO BOTH MARKET AND TECHNOLOGY CAN CAUSE FOR THE BUSINESS MODEL TO CHANGE AND HOW WILL THAT BE MANAGED? WE HAVE OTHER FORCES COMING ONLINE. WE HAVE QUANTUM COMPUTING TECHNICALLY THAT IS ADVANCING AND BEING PUT INTO THE CENTERS. WE ALSO FROM A POWER STANDPOINT HAVE SMALL MODULAR REACTORS AND A CALL FOR THESE SITES TO HAVE ON SITE POWER GENERATION. WHAT WILL THAT DO TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE PUT IN PLACE BY AEP TO GET POWER VIA TRANSMISSION LINE? WE HAVE COMBINED ISSUES AT HAND HERE AND I'M CONCERNED FROM FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT STANDPOINTS THAT THE PEOPLE BEHIND US WILL NOT BE HERE. THEY'VE CREATED AN INSULATED STRUCTURE MANAGEMENT AT HUT EIGHT VERY ISOLATED AT THE TOP. THE JOBS THAT WE WILL GET THEY ARE SAYING 230. THE MANAGEMENT LIKELY WILL NOT BE HERE. IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT THAT IS REQUIRED SO THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT CAN ACTUALLY ADDRESS ISSUES HERE LOCALLY AND NOT BE SOMEWHERE REMOTE. SO TOWARDS THE ISSUES OF [00:45:04] DECOMMISSIONING, IF THE PROJECT CLOSES, CHANGES OWNERSHIP, LOSES ITS TENANT, GOES BANKRUPT OR LEAVES UNUSED INFRASTRUCTURE BEHIND, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING EQUIPMENT AND RESTORING LAND AND REMOVING SUBSTATIONS, BATTERIES, GENERATORS, EQUIPMENT, CONCRETE PADS, REPAIRING ROADS AND DRAINAGE AND PROTECTING NEARBY PROPERTY OWNERS AND TAXPAYERS. WILL THE COUNTY REQUIRE A DECOMMISSIONING BOND, PARENT COMPANY GUARANTEE OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE? WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT NUECES COUNTY REQUIRE A DATA CENTER ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN BEFORE FULL OPERATION OR ENERGIZATION. THIS PLAN SHOULD ADDRESS POWER ROADS, DRAINAGE, SCHOOL PROXIMITY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, NOISE, PUBLIC HEALTH, WATER, TAXPAYER PROTECTION, RATEPAYER PROTECTION AND LONG TERM SITE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSTRUCTION SHOULD NOT BECOME AN OPERATION WITHOUT PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY. WE'VE SEEN THESE ISSUES ALREADY AT BOOTSTRAP ENERGY ON 44. I CAN GIVE YOU A LONG BACKGROUND THERE BUT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG AND MARKET CHANGES, THEY ASK FOR TAX ABATEMENT. THAT CAN AFFECT IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. JUST A GENERAL COMMENT TO OUR ATTORNEY, WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED PREVIOUSLY THAT ALL OF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NUECES COUNTY HAS NO AUTHORITY TO DO CORRECT BUT THIS IS A LEGISLATIVE ACT. UNLESS THEY COME ASK FOR AN ABATEMENT SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REITERATE THAT. WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THESE AT ALL. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A DEBATE BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN ADVISED. >> IS CORRECT COMMISSIONER. THAT IS CORRECT. >> THANK YOU. AMANDA. SELL. >> YOU NEED TO GET ON THE MIC, SHE CAN'T HEAR YOU, MA'AM. SHE CAN'T HEAR YOU UNLESS YOU ARE ON THAT MIC HERE. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK THIS MORNING. MY NAME IS AMANDA SHORT. I'M 100% A DISABLED VETERAN AND A TEXAS LAND DEVELOPER AND REGISTERED NURSE AND A BUSINESS OWNER. YOU SPOKE EXACTLY TO WHAT I AM BRINGING UP TODAY APPEARED THROUGHOUT MY CAREER I'VE LEARNED THAT THE ONE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH IS THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH EVERY SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY IS BUILT. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE TEXAS IS ENTERING A NEW ERA OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THESE FACILITIES AND OTHER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ARE ARRIVING AT A PACE THAT OUR LAWS WERE NEVER MEANT TO ANTICIPATE. WHILE THESE PROJECTS MAY BE REGULATED BY VARIOUS AGENCIES FOR INDIVIDUAL PERMITS, TEXAS DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING THEIR CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ON INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITIES AND TAXPAYERS BEFORE THEY ARE APPROVED. THE CHALLENGE IS EVEN GREATER IN RURAL AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS. MANY TEXAS COUNTIES HAVE LITTLE OR NO ZONING AND LAND USE AUTHORITY OR LEGAL TOOLS TO EVALUATE WHETHER THESE EXTRAORDINARY INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE LONG TERM NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. AS A RESULT, LOCAL LEADERS AND CITIZENS ARE LEFT WITH FEW MEANINGFUL OPTIONS ONCE A PROJECT IS PROPOSED BY A LANDOWNER, EVEN WHEN THE EFFECTS FAR OUTREACHED THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT PROPERTY. THIS IS WHY I'VE BEGUN DEVELOPING THE TEXAS INFRASTRUCTURE STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE. THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO LEGISLATION AT THIS SENATE HEARING AND I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE'S INPUT FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES, THE COUNTY OFFICIALS, THE CITIZENS, THE SPECIALISTS IN THIS FIELD, THOSE LIVING WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS INITIATIVE IS NOT TO STOP GROWTH OR DISCOURAGE INVESTMENT AND IT IS TECHNOLOGICALLY NEUTRAL. ITS PURPOSE IS TO ESTABLISH A MODERN STATEWIDE FRAMEWORK THAT PREPARES TAXES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BY ENSURING THESE EXTRAORDINARY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ARE REVIEWED CONSISTENTLY ACROSS THE STATE USING OBJECTIVE STANDARDS THAT CONSIDER THE LONG TERM IMPACTS ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE [00:50:02] COMMUNITIES THAT WILL LIVE WITH THESE DECISIONS FOR DECADES TO COME. RESPONSIBLE BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM CLEAR EXPECTATIONS. COMMUNITIES DESERVE TRANSPARENCY AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION. AND FUTURE GENERATIONS DESERVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE. STEWARDSHIP MEANS PREPARING BEFORE A CRISIS AND NOT REACTING AFTERWARDS. I HOPE THIS BRINGS EVERYONE TO THE SAME TABLE FROM INDUSTRY TO LANDOWNERS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE AGENCIES AND CITIZENS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND EVERYONE WHO GETS INVOLVED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT. ISABELLE NOYOLA MARTIN. >> GOOD MORNING. HELLO, EVERYONE MY NAME IS ISABELLE NOYOLA MARTIN. I LIVE IN PRECINCT TWO AND I'M HERE AS A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT TWO. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COURT ON THE ITEMS THREE A, TWO AND THREE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COURT TO CONSIDER HOLDING OFF ON TAKING ACTION IN APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING ITEMS THREE A, TWO, AND THREE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER WAITING UNTIL A NEWLY ELECTED COMMISSIONER IS ELECTED FOR PRECINCT TWO. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS THE COMMON PRACTICE OF THIS COURT TO NOT EXHAUST ALL BUDGET FUNDS ALLOTTED FOR RESPECTIVE PRECINCTS WHEN THERE IS AN INCOMING NEW COMMISSIONER AS A COURTESY TO THE NEWLY ELECTED INCOMING COMMISSIONER AND TO THE VOTERS OF PRECINCT TWO WHO WILL DECIDE IN NOVEMBER. AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO TAKE THIS CONSIDERATION AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [2. CONSENT AGENDA: The following Agenda Items are of a routine nature, and the Commissioners Court has received supporting materials for consideration. All of these Agenda Items will be passed with one vote without being discussed separately, unless a member of the Commissioners Court or the public requests that a particular Agenda Item be discussed. If so, that Agenda Item will be pulled from the Consent Agenda and discussed as part of the regular Agenda at the appropriate time. One vote will approve the remaining items on the Consent Agenda.] THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ALL RIGHT. WE ARE NOW MOVING INTO THE CONSENT AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT ANY COMMISSIONER OR JUDGE WOULD LIKE TO PULL AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME? I THINK -- >> THANK YOU E ALL, FOR BEING HERE. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ. I WANT TO PULL J AND H. AND ALSO M, OH,, P, AND T. >> HANG ON A SECOND. >> ANY OTHERS THAT NEED TO BE PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA BY ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS OR THE JUDGE? THE JUDGE SAYS NO. >> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM V AS IN VICTOR, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK W BE PULLED. >> ANYONE TO GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON W? >> YES, SIR. >> OKAY. ANY OTHERS? >> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ALL THE OTHERS. [LAUGHTER] >> ROUGH DAY FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL THE OTHER ITEMS. >> SECOND. >> THE MOTIONS TO PASS A, THROUGH G, ALL CONSENT AGENDAS EXCEPT H, J, N, O, P, T, V, NW HAVE BEEN MOTION SECONDED FOR PASS. ALL IN FAVOR SAY I. ANY OPPOSED? SEEING NONE. I AM GOING TO PULL ITEM W INTO! WE WILL TAKE THAT ONE OUT OF [H. Authorize the following "Outside Agency" Contract Amendment for FY 2025-2026: 1.  Corpus Christi Fraternal Order of Police Shop with a Cop - Total - $1,500      $500 - County Judge; $500 - Commissioner Pct. 1; $500 - Commissioner Pct. 3      2.  The Rise School of Corpus Christi - Total - $1,000      Commissioner Pct. 1 - $1,000; Commissioner Pct. 2 - $1,000] ORDER A LITTLE BIT AND I WILL GO BACK UP TO THE ONES IN ORDER THAT WERE PULLED. MR. GONZALEZ, YOU PULLED ITEM H. >> MY QUESTION IS FOR TERESA, RHNJ THE SAME THING? >> H IS THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT WAS RESCINDED SO WE HAD TO REVISE THAT CONTRACT AND THEN THE RISE FOR SCHOOL COMMISSIONER ADDED $500. >> SO H IS THE RESCINDED ONE? >> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. H, THE ONE WHERE YOUR FUNDS WERE RESCINDED SO WE NEED TO REVISE THE TOTAL CONTRACT. >> BUT H IS CORRECT AS STATED IN HERE. >> S. ITEM NUMBER 2 WHICH IS THE [00:55:04] CONTRACT TOTAL BEING CORRECT AT 1000 BUT THE DISTRIBUTION IS INCORRECT. IT SHOULD BE 500 COMMISSIONER PRECINCT ONE AND 500 FOR COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ. >> WHAT IS LISTED ON THE AGENDA IS INCORRECT. THOSE AMOUNTS SHOULD BE 500 FOR PRECINCT ONE AND TWO AND NOT 1000. >> YES. THAT IS CORRECT. >> IS ITEM ONE CORRECT? >> YES, SIR. >> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION, YOUR HONOR, TO AMEND ITEM H TWO TO REFLECT THAT THE AMOUNT CONTRIBUTED BY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT ONE AND COMMISSIONER PRECINCT TWO WERE $500 EACH. >> THANK YOU. >> A MOTION IN A SECOND TO AMEND. ANY DISCUSSION PLEASE SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY I. NOW WE WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ITEM H AS AMENDED. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ AND SECONDED -- I. WILL SECOND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY I. JUDGE SCOTT, I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T [J. Authorize the following Fiscal Year 2025-2026 "Outside Agency" Contracts: 1.  Corpus Christi Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #27 - Total $3,500      County Judge - $500; Commissioner Pct. 1 - $500      Commissioner Pct. 2 - $2,000; Commissioner Pct. 3 - $500 2.  Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association Inc.      Commissioner Pct. 4 - $1,000] SEE THAT. ANY OPPOSED MOTION PASSES. ITEM J, COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ, YOU ALSO PULLED THAT ONE. >> J IS CORRECT. COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ MADE MOTION TO PASS AND COMMISSIONER PUSLEY SECONDED ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. I WILL MOVE TO ITEM N. [N. Accept for record purposes Internal Budget Amendment No. 12 for Special Revenue Funds as of July 15, 2026.] [O. Authorize Budget Amendment No. 13.] [P. Authorize Project Budget Amendment (PBA) No. 11.] THAT IS YOU COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ. >> I WANT TO TAKE N, O, P TOGETHER. THIS IS A CONSENT AGENDA. WE ARE PUTTING A BUDGET ON A CONSENT AGENDA. HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT THE AMENDMENTS ARE? >> WE ASKED FOR THAT LAST TIME. THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ASKED AT THE LAST MEETING. BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS PULL THEM. WE ASKED HER TO DO IT. >> ON THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, JULY 15TH. >> I DIDN'T HEAR YOUR QUESTION. >> N, WHAT IS OUR SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS AS OF JULY 15TH? >> THE MOBILE MEDICAL CLINIC AND THEN ALSO VOTER REGISTRATION SPECIAL REVENUE DEPARTMENT CAFE ARE REALLOCATING FUNDS. >> AND IT'S AMONGST THEIR OWN FUNDS BECAUSE WE ARE JUST MOVING MONEY WITHIN THEIR OWN FUNDS. >> JUST THE BUDGET FUNDS ARE THERE. >> YES, SIR. >> SO MOVED. >> I WILL MOVE N, O AND P IF THEY ARE ALL TOGETHER. >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PUSLEY. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR [T. Authorize and approve ratification of an Order Form with Granicus, LLC under TIPS Cooperative Contract No. 220105 for setup and configuration of the Granicus Boards and Commissions module; and related matters.] SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES FOR N, O, P. NEXT. >> CAN I GET CLARIFICATION ON T. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. PLLC THE LLC. >> IF I COULD SPEAK, COMMISSIONER. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> THIS IS COMMISSIONER PUSLEY AND MY STAFF HAD BEEN MEETING ABOUT GRANICUS. WE HAD NEVER UTILIZED THIS PORTION OF GRANICUS. IT HAD BEEN AVAILABLE AND WE NEVER DUG INTO IT PURPOSES TO HAVE OUR BOARD ONLINE AND TO HAVE THE APPLICATION PROCESS WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE WHEN THEY GO ONLINE. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, COMMISSIONER PUSLEY, BUT THIS IS THAT CONTRACT. >> THAT IS CORRECT, YOUR HONOR. AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IS RATIFYING THE -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT RATIFYING THE JUDGE'S SIGNATURE ON THIS CONTRACT. >> YES. >> SO JUST THE FORM TO APPLY? >> WE ARE UTILIZING SOMETHING WE HAD NOT DONE BEFORE. IT WAS ALWAYS AVAILABLE BUT WE HAD NEVER DOVE INTO IT AND MADE IT MORE. THIS WILL HELP THE PUBLIC WHEN THEY WANT TO GO AND SIGN UP FOR BOARDS, IT WILL GIVE THEM A CLEAR LISTING OF WHAT'S AVAILABLE AND WHEN IT'S COMING AVAILABLE. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> I MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER PUSLEY TO APPROVE. ANY DISCUSSIONS HEARING NONE. [V. Accept certificate for CE credits obtained by Commissioner Mike Pusley at the 92nd Annual South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference.] [01:00:03] ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. MOTION PASSES. ITEM V AS IN VICTOR. YOU PULLED THIS ONE CORRECT COMMISSIONER PUSLEY. >> I WANTED TO MAKE NOTE THAT THIS IS A REFLECTION -- A RECOMMENDATION MADE BY TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES WHEN WE ATTEND TRAINING CLASSES THAT WE SHOULD POST THOSE CREDIT THAT WE'VE OBTAINED ON AN AGENDA TO BE VOTED ON SO THAT THEY ARE MADE PUBLIC RECORD. THESE ARE A REFLECTION OF THE CREDITS I RECEIVED FOR ATTENDING THE 92ND ANNUAL SOUTH TEXAS COUNTY JUDGES AND COMMISSIONER ASSOCIATION. >> SO NOTED. IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER PUSLEY AND SECOND BY GONZALEZ. ANY DISCUSSION SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? [1. Discuss and consider approving and adopting a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to Texas Parks and Wildlife for the Local Parks Grant Program, designating certain officials, certifying county eligibility and 50% matching share, and dedicating the proposed site of the Inclusive Sensory Park; and all related matters. ] MOTION PASSES. MOVING ON TO ITEMS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA, THREE, A, ONE. THIS IS YOURS, COMMISSIONER MAREZ, ADOPTING THE SUBMISSION AND APPLICATION TO TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE AT A LOCAL GRANT PROGRAM, DESIGNATED CERTAIN OFFICIALS FOR BUILDING 50% MATCHING SHARE AND DEDICATING SITE OF THE INCLUSIVE SENSORY PPARK AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THIS ITEM WAS BROUGHT UP LAST MEETING. WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ON THAT SO HOPING TO BRING MORE CLARIFICATION. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING MEETINGS. WE ARE PLANNING TO BRING A FINAL VOTE TO THE COURT IN OUR NEXT MEETING ON THE 29TH AND BY THEN THAT WILL BE OUR LAST DAY THAT WE CAN TAKE IT TO PARKS AND WILDLIFE. THIS IS A NONBINDING GRANT. WE ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE IT IF WE DON'T LIKE IT. SO MY PUSH WILL BE IN TWO WEEKS THAT WE ACCEPT IT WE WILL HAVE HOPEFULLY MORE OF THE QUESTIONS WORKED OUT THAT THE COURT SHARED AT OUR LAST MEETING AND EVEN THEN NOT EVERYTHING IS ANSWERED WE WILL HAVE IT ADDRESSED AS HOW MUCH FUNDING THAT WE CAN PUT IN AND THIS INCLUDES IN-KIND DONATIONS AS WELL. WE FEEL WE HAVE POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE WILL MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE ON THE NEXT AGENDA AND THEN THAT WILL ALLOW THE COURT TO SEE THAT THOSE IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS CAN COUNT TOWARDS OUR ONE FOR ONE THAT WE ARE PURSUING WITH TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. JUST A LITTLE UPDATE BUT MOTION TO TABLE TO OUR SEVEN, 29 MEETING. >> SECOND ON ITEM 3A ONE, NO DISCUSSION PROVIDED. THEREFORE WE WILL TAKE A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR ON THE MOTION TO TABLE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE. ANY OPPOSED SEEING NONE. MOTION IS TABLED UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING WHICH IS JANUARY 29TH. -- JULY 29TH, SORRY. THINKING AHEAD. ITEM NUMBER 2 AND 3 I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REVIEW THE COURT'S POLICIES ON THE MATTER THAT HAS BEEN RAISED ON THIS. >> LET ME BRING THIS UP REALLY QUICK. THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN APPROVED PREVIOUSLY CACTUS WAS ALREADY ON THE TABLE AS FAR AS A PROJECT APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S NEW. IT'S BEEN THERE. USING THE FUNDS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED PREVIOUSLY BY COMMISSIONERS COURT SO IT'S NOT LIKE IT WAS SOMETHING JUST BROUGHT UP HERE IT WAS AN ONGOING PROJECT. SO MAYBE THAT'S WHY I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. >> AGAIN. I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION I WILL EXERCISE THAT ABILITY TO TAKE IT INTO REVIEW THE COURT'S POLICIES ON IT AS WELL AS TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING INVOLVED WITH IT. JUST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IN THE [4. Discuss, consider and receive information on Bob Hall Pier admission fees; and all related matters. ] PAST. MOVING ON TO ITEM FOUR, THIS WAS COMMISSIONER GONZALEZ ITEM, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AND RECEIVE INFORMATION ON BOB HALL ADMISSION FEES AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. >> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THAT AS FAR AS ON THE FEES. LOOKING AT THE FEES AND I THINK THAT TO ME, AGAIN, THIS IS A PROJECT THAT BELONGS TO THE NUECES COUNTY CITIZENS AND I THINK WE ARE CHARGING A LOT OF [01:05:02] MONEY JUST TO WALK ON THE PIER AND EVEN A $3 PER PERSON ADMISSION, MAYBE IT SHOULD BE $4 PLUS ONE. THIS IS $4 FOR JUST ADMISSION SO I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH $1 FOR THE SENIORS AND ACTIVE MILITARY AND ALSO FOR LIMITED BUT THIS IS TAXPAYERS MONEY THAT WE'VE BEEN USING TO BUILD THE PIER, WE SPENT ALMOST $28 MILLION AND I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY COULD BENEFIT FROM IT SO I THINK THAT THE PRICES ARE TOO HIGH FOR SOME OF THOSE THAT CANNOT AFFORD IT AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S A YEARLY REVENUE THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN THE PAST, FROM 100,000 TO 600,000 IF I RECALL AND I GUESS THOSE REVENUES ARE GIVEN TO THE PARK BOARD. >> THEY GO TO THE GENERAL FUND. >> THERE IS A QUARTERLY FUND. >> THEY GO TO THE GENERAL FUND AND WE MAKE AN ALLOCATION FOR WHATEVER THE REVENUE DOESN'T COVER BY THE PARKS BOARD SO IF THE PARKS BOARD -- WHETHER THEY KEEP THIS REVENUE, IF IT GOES AWAY, WE HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT SO IF WE LOSE $500,000, IT'S EITHER THEY LOSE THE REVENUE AND THEN WE HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT MORE OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND THEN WE HAVE NO FUNDS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS USED FOR A LOT OF TIMES SO. >> MY THING IS HERE THOSE ARE NOT GENERAL FUNDS PER SE, THEY ARE RESERVED FUNDS FOR THE PIER REPAIR OR WHATEVER BUT HOW DO WE GET A REPORT ON A QUARTERLY BASIS ON WHAT HAD BEEN THE REPAIRS FOR THE PIER AND HOW MUCH MONEY FOR THE BALANCE ON THIS AMOUNT? >> YOU CAN ASK THE COASTAL PARKS DIRECTOR FOR IT AND I'M SURE THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE IT. I DON'T KNOW, WE HAVE NOT HAD A PIER IN SIX YEARS SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT REPORT YOU WOULD BE ASKING FOR BUT WE JUST GOT ONE SO YOU CAN CERTAINLY ASK. >> I VOTED FOR THE PIER AND I SUPPORTED THE PIER. >> YOU CAN ASK. >> LET ME FINISH, COMMISSIONER. I DON'T SUPPORT THE BAR BUT I SUPPORT THE RESTAURANT. I THINK THAT I COULD TAKE THIS BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TWO, IF YOU DON'T MIND, TO DISCUSS SOME OF THESE FEES THAT ARE BEING CHARGED. >> ABSOLUTELY. WE CAN DO THAT, WE WILL PUT THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE COASTAL PARKS BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SET RATES SO YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR CONCERNS TO THE COASTAL PARKS BOARD AND WE CAN CERTAINLY REVIEW THAT AS WELL SO THAT YOU KNOW THEY SET THE RATES AND WE DON'T BUT WE WILL PUT IT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ANY REVENUE THAT WE DON'T GENERATE, THE GENERAL FUND WILL HAVE TO MAKE UP SO THAT'S JUST A STATEMENT. >> I WILL MAKE THIS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. >> POINT OF ORDER, MADAM ATTORNEY, IS THIS A LEGAL QUESTION? >> THE FUNDS ARE THERE. IF IT'S A GENERAL FUND, IT'S A GENERAL FUND SO WHY IS IT RESTRICTED? FOR ONLY THE PARKS BOARD OR FOR THE PIER? WE ALL PUT MONEY INTO THE PIER. >> SURE. THAT IS NOT A QUESTION I CAN SPECIFICALLY ANSWER BUT I WAS GOING TO ANSWER WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A QUESTION THAT'S ELIGIBLE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL QUESTION? BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT FALLS UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER -- >> MAY BE MY ONLY LEGAL QUESTION WOULD BE IS THE PARKS BOARD CONTROLLING THE FUND REVENUES COMING IN FROM THE PIER SINCE IT'S A PUBLIC PIER CHARACTERIZED. IT'S NOT A PARK BOARD PIER. WE BUILD THE PIER PIER IT'S FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S TAXPAYERS MONEY SO WHY ARE THEY CONTROLLING THAT? >> DO YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THAT IN EXECUTIVE OR DO YOU WANT A SHORT ANSWER NOW? I KNOW THAT IN GENERAL THEY SET THE RATES AND THE LAST RATES WERE SET IN 2017. >> I KNOW THEY SET THE RATES. BUT I'M SAYING, THE MONEY THAT IS RECOVERED, HOW MUCH MONEY THAT IS SPENT FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR QUARTERLY SPENT ON EXPENSES, [01:10:03] WHERE ARE THE EXPENSES BEING SPENT? BUT THAT MONEY THAT IS SET ASIDE ON THE GENERAL FUND IS REALLY RESTRICTED FOR THE COASTAL PA PARKS, FOR THE COASTAL PARKS BOARD. THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY. SO THEY ARE NOT REALLY GENERAL FUNDS PER SE BECAUSE WE CAN'T ACTUALLY -- I CAN'T DRAW FROM IT. BUT THEY ARE A PUBLIC REVENUE REVENUE THAT THE PUBLIC PUT IN AND THAT WE COLLECTED. >> IT OPERATES THE SAME AS THE FAIRGROUNDS. MONEY GOES INTO A FAIRGROUNDS, WE SEE IT EVERY YEAR AND THAT WE'VE SEEN EVERY YEAR SINCE WE'VE ALL BEEN HERE. THERE'S A REVENUE LINE AND THERE'S AN EXPENSE LINE AND THEN THERE'S A GENERAL FUND TRANSFER LINE FOR ANYTHING THAT IS SUBSIDIZED, SAME AS THE FAIRGROUNDS. IF REVENUE GOES INTO THE P AND L, THE FAIRGROUNDS ALWAYS OPERATE AT A LOSS AND COASTAL PARKS ALWAYS OPERATES AT A LOSS AND IT GENERATES REVENUE. >> IT CAN BE A LOSS. WHEN YOU HAVE $600,000, YOU PUT IN $28 MILLION, COMMISSIONER. >> , BUT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 16 YEARS, IT OPERATES AT A LOSS BECAUSE EVERY YEAR WE HAVE TO MAKE A GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO SUBSIDIZE WHAT THE COASTAL PARKS BUDGET DOESN'T COVER. THEY GENERATE AN AMOUNT OF REVENUE, THEY HAVE EXPENSES, THE EXPENSES OUTWEIGH THE REVENUES THEREFORE THE GENERAL FUND MAKES A TRANSFER CHARACTERISTIC THE FAIRGROUNDS. THE FAIRGROUNDS TRANSFER IS $1 MILLION PER YEAR, WHATEVER IT IS THAT THE GENERAL FUND HAS TO PAY BECAUSE THE FAIRGROUNDS DOESN'T COVER ITS EXPENSES FOR COASTAL PARKS IS THE SAME WAY PARKS APPEAR DOESN'T OPERATE AS ITS OWN ENTITY. >> SAME THING WITH THE FAIRGROUNDS. WE TAKE MONEY CAN WE ADD MONEY. WE TAKE MONEY CAN'T WE ADD MONEY SO WHY NOT THE COASTAL PARKS? >> WE DO THE SAME THING. THEY RUN THE SAME WAY. >> I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT HAPPEN IN A LONG TIME, COMMISSIONER. >> BUT NO OFFENSE, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET. IT SHOWS CLEARLY HOW IT OPERATES. THEY HAVE OPERATED THE SAME WAY FOR 50 YEARS AND SO HAVE THE FAIRGROUNDS FOR AS LONG AS IT'S BEEN IN OPERATION. >> IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY CAN'T CHANGE. >> I DIDN'T SAY IT COULDN'T CHANGE BUT YOU ARE NOT SEEMINGLY UNDERSTANDING HOW IT'S WORKING. >> I'M JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST RIGHT NOW THAT WE ARE TRYING TO UP THE COST FOR THE PUBLIC. >> WE ARE NOT UPPING THE COST. THIS IS THE SAME COST THAT WE'VE HAD, THAT THE PIER HAS ALWAYS CHARGED FOR 30 OR 40 YEARS. THE SAME RATE SINCE 2017 SO THE RATES ARE THE SAME AS 2017 SO THERE IS NO INCREASE. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN CHARGING PIER THE PIER HAS BEEN CHARGING THIS. >> I'M LOOKING AT IT. WE ARE CHARGING TOO MUCH MONEY. >> YOU HAVE TO TAKE TO THE COASTAL PARKS BOARD. THAT'S A FAIR THING. JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE CAN GO TO THE COASTAL PARKS BOARD AND WEIGH IN ON WHAT YOU THINK THEY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT CHARGE. YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO THAT AND YOU SHOULD. THEY MEET ONE THURSDAY A MONTH AND WE CAN GET YOU THAT SCHEDULE AND YOU CAN GO OUT THERE AND RENDER THAT OPINION. BUT JUST KNOW THAT IF THIS MONEY GOES AWAY, THE GENERAL FUND WILL HAVE TO MAKE UP ANOTHER -- >> WE'VE BEEN MAKING ENOUGH. >> IF YOU WANT TO SPEND ANOTHER $500,000 ON IT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WILL GET THAT. BUT OKAY. IS THERE A LEGAL QUESTION FOR THIS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WOULD BE OR NOT. IT'S YOUR CALL. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL ANSWERS FOR YOU. IT SEEMS LIKE IT MIGHT BE A BETTER QUESTION FOR MAYBE SCOTT CROSS OR SOMEBODY IN THE AUDITOR'S OR BUDGET OFFICE. >> I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> COULD YOU TURN THAT SHIRT OFF SO WE CAN ALL SEE. >> I WANT TO MAKE ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION ON THE BOB HOPE PIER. WHEN WE TOOK OPERATION OF THE PIER ITSELF AND NOT THE CONCESSION RESTAURANT SPACE BUT WHEN WE STARTED OPERATING IT, THAT PARTIAL FISCAL YEAR I THINK IT WAS IN 2014, 2015, WE MADE AN INITIAL INVESTMENT TO $68,000 FOR COST OF GOODS SOLD. YOUR TACKLE, YOUR SNACKS, YOUR COKE, YOUR SODAS, YOUR CANDY BARS, ALL OF THAT STUFF AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME WE USED A TAXPAYER DIME TO PAY FOR THE OPERATION OF THAT PIER AND JUDGE SCOTT WILL TELL YOU, SHE HAS LOOKED AT THIS VERY HARD, THAT PIER WAS NETTING US AROUND 400,000 EVERY YEAR. [01:15:04] THE DECISION WAS MADE BY ELIAS'S PREDECESSOR NOT TO CARRY A FUND BALANCE IN DEPARTMENT 182 SO ALL THE MONEY THAT WE MADE WITH THAT BALANCE BUILDING UP THAT WOULD CONSISTENTLY PAY FOR THAT OPERATION YEAR OVER YEAR WE WOULD SWEEP THAT FUND BALANCE TO GO INTO OUR DEPARTMENT 180 ACCOUNT TO OFFSET OUR OVERALL OPERATIONS SO AFTER THAT INITIAL YEAR, OF INVESTMENT, THE PIER PAID FOR THAT YEAR'S OPERATION AND THE NEXT YEAR'S OPERATION AND THE REMAINING FUND BALANCE SWEPT OVER SO THAT PIER HAS NEVER COST Y'ALL A THING, IT SUPPORTS ITSELF. >> IT DIDN'T PAY FOR ITSELF. >> IT DIDN'T PAY FOR IT TO GET REBUILT BUT IT PAYS FOR ITS OPERATIONS. >> WHEN YOU PAY FOR REBUILD, IT'S $28 MILLION. >> LIKE THE COMMISSIONER SAID, YOU CAN TAKE IT UP WITH THE PARKS BOARD. THEY ARE WHAT THEY ARE. >> THAT'S FINE. BUT NO LEGAL ISSUES, THAT'S FINE. I WILL ASK FOR THE AUDITOR TO GIVE ME THE BREAKDOWN OF THE EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE. >> ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT ONE, COMMISSIONER? >> WE SHOULD PROBABLY BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THERE'S A FAIRLY GOOD ARGUMENT FOR WHY HAVEN'T WE INCREASED THE FEES? [5. Discuss and consider accepting resignation of Kevin Kieschnick, Tax Assessor-Collector, effective August 31, 2026; discuss and consider appointment of new Tax Assessor-Collector and all related matters.] >> MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 5, DISCUSSING AND CONSIDERING THE RESIGNATION OF -- SELL DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF NEW TAX ASSESSOR AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. >> I MOVE WE DENY THIS. [LAUGHTER] >> SECOND THAT MOTION. >> I WILL LET TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR SPEAK BEFORE I ENTERTAIN ANY MOTIONS TODAY. >> GOOD MORNING, I JUST WANT TO SAY IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE SERVING THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY FOR THE LAST ALMOST 15 YEARS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 15 YEARS IN JANUARY BUT WE'VE MADE LOTS OF CHANGES. LET'S JUST CUT TO THE CHASE. NO ONE LIKES PAYING PROPERTY TAXES BUT THAT'S HOW WE ALL GET FUNDED AND THAT'S HOW THE GOVERNMENT OPERATES AND OUR JOB ESSENTIALLY, YOU HEAR ME TALKING ON FACEBOOK AND MEDIA AND SO FORTH, I DON'T SET THE TAX RATES, I DON'T APPRAISE YOUR PROPERTIES BUT WE CAN MAKE THE PROCESS LESS PAINFUL AND WE'VE REDUCED WAIT TIMES OVER THE YEARS BY IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY AND REORGANIZING THE OFFICE AND OBVIOUSLY WORKING ON STATE STATUTES TO HELP TAXPAYERS OUT AS WELL. OVER THE YEARS AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES I WAS PROUD OF WAS AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY, WE FOLLOWED THE STATE STATUTE THAT PREVENTED A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM LOSING OVER 65 EXEMPTION FREEZES THEY WOULD HAVE HAD BECAUSE THE STATE STATUTE REQUIRED YOU HAD TO REBUILD WITHIN TWO YEARS, THAT WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEY WOULD HAVE LOST THEIR EXEMPTIONS AND THUS THEIR FREEZES AND SO WHEN THE HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN REBUILT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN FROZEN AT A HIGHER LEVEL PAYING MORE TAXES. WE PUT A STOP TO THAT AND BILL PASSED TO MAKE IT FIVE YEARS AND WITH AN OPTION TO ACTUALLY GO FURTHER SHOULD THAT BE NEEDED AND SO IT'S ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES OF THINGS WE'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS SO PAYING TAXES IS PAINFUL FOR ALL OF US BUT WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF STREAMLINING THOSE PROCESSES, THE WAIT TIMES ARE DOWN AND I EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE WITH THE GROUP THAT WE'VE GOT. WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE TEAM. MY CHIEF DEPUTY AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN MOVING THESE THINGS FORWARD AND WE HAD A MEETING THE OTHER DAY ABOUT POSSIBLY BRINGING IN SOME AI INTO THE OFFICE TO MAKE SURE TAXPAYERS QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED WHEN OUR PHONE LINES ARE BEING FLOODED SO YOU WILL SEE SOME THINGS ABOUT THAT IN THE FUTURE AND I THINK USING TECHNOLOGY TO HELP OUR TAXPAYERS IS PROBABLY THE BEST THING WE CAN DO AND THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY WE CAN CONTINUE TO RUN AND THAT WILL CONTINUE SO IT'S JUST BEEN A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR TO BE HERE AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TAKING THAT JOB THAT I WILL BE DOING OVER THERE AND DOWN THE ROAD WE WILL BE RELOCATING BUT NO TIME SOON AND I'M EXCITED. I THINK THINGS NEED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE ALONG IN THE DIRECTION THEY'VE GONE AND I THINK THAT [01:20:01] THERE'S A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND I THINK IT'S TIME TO HAND THE REINS OVER TO THE NEXT PERSON AND ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE. >> KEVIN, BEFORE YOU SAID THAT LAST PART I THOUGHT THAT WAS A CAMPAIGN SPEECH BUT YOU SAID WHAT A LOT OF US PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SAID, YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE. YOU WORK REALLY HARD AND QUITE FRANKLY I REMEMBER WHEN YOU CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT YOU WERE UP FOR THIS APPOINTMENT AND I THINK I TOLD YOU THAT I THOUGHT THERE WAS A LEVEL OF INSANITY THAT YOU NEEDED TO PROBABLY CHECK TO SEE WHAT YOU WERE REALLY GETTING INTO BUT HERE WE ARE 13 YEARS LATER -- >> 14. >> AND I GUESS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DIFFERENT, YOU ARE DOING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. YOU'VE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB. I THINK THE JUDGES INCLINATION IS TO WAIT ON THE SECOND PART OF THIS, THE REAPPOINTMENT PART BUT OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO ADDRESS YOUR RESIGNATION TODAY BUT YOU'VE DONE A TERRIFIC JOB AND IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED. YOU REALLY HAVE. I HATE TO JUDGE THINGS BY THE LACK OF GRIEF THAT WE CATCH OVER THINGS BUT A LOT OF TIMES IF THE FIRE IS NOT IN FRONT OF YOU AND YOU'VE NEVER HAD A FIRE, WE'VE NEVER HAD A FIRE IN FRONT OF US WITH YOU. YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER IN THE 12 YEARS -- MY 12TH YEAR NOW I'VE NEVER HAD ANYTHING COME UP WHERE I'VE HAD LOTS OF COMPLAINTS OVER YOUR OFFICE OR THINGS WE'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS RUN A GREAT SHIP AND I MEAN THAT SINCERELY. WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS A LONG TIME AND I'VE GIVEN YOU LOTS OF GRIEF AND YOU'VE GIVEN ME LOTS BACK BUT AS WE SIT HERE TODAY IN PUBLIC I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE. HAS BEEN -- YOU'VE DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB AND YOU HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY STAFF AND I KNOW YOUR STAFF DOES 90% OF THE WORK AND YOU TAKE ALL THE CREDIT AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT. I HAVE A STAFF MEMBER LIKE THAT TOO THAT DOES A LOT OF WORK FOR ME AND I CAN APPRECIATE THAT BUT SINCERELY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US IN NUECES COUNTY. YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB AND YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN RESPONSIVE AND SUPER EASY TO GET AHOLD OF AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND SUPER PROFESSIONAL. YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU. JUDGE, I KNOW YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING AS WELL. >> , THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME CG IN HERE AND WITH THE DISPUTES AND APPRAISAL VALUES. I WORKED WITH KEVIN A LOT. BACK AND FORTH AND TESTIMONY AND DEALING WITH LEGISLATION. I THINK ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU SAID ABOUT YOURSELF AS WELL AND NOT HAVING ISSUES COMING UP AND EVERYTHING, YOU'VE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB FOR THE COUNTY AND WORKING WITH YOU AND SO IMPRESSED AND THANKFUL THAT YOU WERE THERE IN THAT POSITION AND HER RESPECT AND ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL THAT THE COUNTY IS TREMENDOUS AND FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR I WANTED TO STATE ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE AND VALUE YOUR SUGGESTION ON THE APPOINTMENT. THE ONLY REASON I HESITATE ON TODAY DOING EVERYTHING IS WHILE I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH KRISTA AND DEAL WITH HER AND LAST YEAR WITH OUR BUDGETS AND SEEING AN INTERIM AUDITOR AT THE TIME AND THE MEETINGS WE HAD, I WOULD JUST LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS TO GET A ONE ON ONE FACE TIME WITH HER BEFORE WE ASK THEM TO MAKE A VOTE ON SOMETHING AND MAYBE THEY HAVE AND MAYBE THEY ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD BUT I FELT LIKE IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GIVE EVERYONE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY I HAD AND I THINK IT WAS AN EXCELLENT RECOMMENDATION AND THAT THEY WILL DO AN EXCELLENT JOB FOR NUECES COUNTY AND I HAVE NO DOUBT WE WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS WITH HER AT THE HELM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> BEFORE WE MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS. >> I AM STICKING WITH MY ORIGINAL. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING. I THINK WHEN KEVIN CAME IN HERE. THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE NEED UPGRADES AND BROUGHT INTO THE 21ST CENTURY AND YOU DID A GREAT JOB OF THAT. THE WAIT TIMES AND WHATNOT HAVE BEEN CUT DRASTICALLY AND I TEST THOSE EVERY NOW AND AGAIN AND I GO DOWN AND GET IN LINE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE AND IT IS VERY REFRESHING TO SEE THE EFFICIENCY BROUGHT IN BUT I ALSO WANTED TO RECOGNIZE KEVIN FOR HIS WORK IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE OVER THE YEARS EVERY TIME JUST LIKE YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE TAXES THAT WOULD BE ASSESSED TO PEOPLE THAT WOULD REBUILD THE HOMES AFTER A [01:25:03] NATURAL DISASTER WAS A TREMENDOUS STEP FORWARD IN SAVING FOR TAXPAYERS 65 AND OLDER IN THIS COMMUNITY AND WE ALL APPRECIATE THAT. BUT MANY TIMES WE ARE GOING TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND FOUGHT FOR THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED IN OUR STATE LAWS AND KEVIN, FIRSTLY, I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST IN YOUR NEW ENDEAVORS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> KEVIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. I APPRECIATE IT. YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN AWESOME DOWNSTAIRS. NO COMPLAINTS AND I HEARD YOU SAID YOU WOULD BE IN ZOOM FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS? >> I WILL BE IN NUECES FOR A WHILE. MY BEST GUESS IS RELOCATION AT ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW. I'LL BE HERE WORKING ON TRANSITION BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS COMING UP IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS WHICH IS THE REASON WHY THE COMPANY ASKED ME TO START AND I TOLD THEM WE JUST CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A TRANSITION IN PLACE AND OF COURSE IT'S -- THE COURT'S DECISION WHO THEY WANT TO PUT IN PLACE SO WHOMEVER YOU SO CHOOSE OBVIOUSLY WILL RESPECT THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT PERSON -- MAKE SURE THAT TRANSITION GOES THROUGH BECAUSE WE ARE HITTING A CRITICAL TIME WITH THE CERTIFICATION AND SO FORTH AND KRISTEN RALPH KEPT PARTS OF THAT AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER COMES IN KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE GETTING INTO. I WILL STATE THAT CHRIS HAS BEEN WITH ME FOR 13 YEARS AND HAS WORKED HER WAY UP THROUGH THE FOOD CHAIN SO I ALWAYS LIKE TO HIRE FROM WITHIN. NOT BY TENURE BUT THAT IS THE REASON WHY. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. I APPRECIATE IT. >> YOU ARE PROBABLY ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WHEN APPOINTING KEVIN, GREG? I APPRECIATE YOUR APPOINTMENT. GO AHEAD. >> BLAH, BLAH, BLAH KEVIN, WE ALL LOVE YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MAREZ, MOVING ON. >> LET'S GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY. YOU HAVE SOMEONE YOU RECOMMEND. I AM ALWAYS FOR A TRANSPARENT PROCESS. CONTINUITY OF SERVICE AND THOSE THAT ARE CAPABLE. YOU HAVE TWO PEOPLE WHO CAN STEP RIGHT INTO THAT AND OTHERS THAT I'VE TALKED TO, NOT A PART OF THIS COURT WOULD AGREE AND SO THAT IS THE UNIVERSAL MESSAGE COMING OUT TODAY BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT PROCESS. I'M ASSUMING, JUDGE, YOUR PLAN IS TO HAVE THIS ON THE NEXT AGENDA FOR ACTION AND DO WE TAKE IN APPLICATION PROCESS OR WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS? OR DO WE JUST GO OFF THE RECOMMENDATION WE. >> YES, ON THE NEXT AGENDA WE NEED TO DO IT FAIRLY QUICKLY. DOING SOMETHING. I AM ASSUMING THAT IT'S OUT FOR THE PUBLIC NOW AND UNLESS WE HEAR FROM OTHER NAMES THAT WISH TO BE CONSIDERED, IT'S NOT A POSITION AS IT GOES INTO AN ELECTED POSITION SO UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME WE NEED TO CONSIDER IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE POSTED. IT'S AN APPOINTMENT. >> THE LAST APPOINTMENT THIS COURT MADE AND MAYBE A FEW MONTHS OR A YEAR, THE SHERIFF'S POSITION. OBVIOUSLY THAT IS -- NOT MUCH MORE COVETED CACTUS IS PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT. >> DEFINITELY NOT COVETED. [LAUGHTER] >> BUT TAXES IS AN IMPORTANT DEAL BECAUSE YOU ARE RIGHT, THAT REVENUE MAKES OR BREAKS ALL GOVERNMENT LOCALLY SO WITH THAT SAID I JUST FEEL THAT WE HAVE SET A GOOD PRECEDENT. WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE WITH PRECINCT FOUR, WE DID IT WITH THE SHERIFF. THE ONLY TWO APPOINTMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE SO I WOULD SUGGEST WE FOLLOW THE SAME. MAY BE A SHORT AND TRUNCATED VERSION OF YOU GOT UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK OR MAYBE BEFORE OUR DEADLINE FOR POSTING THE AGENDA SO MAYBE NEXT TUESDAY, MAYBE FIVE BUSINESS DAYS THAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO APPLY AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND WE CAN STILL TAKE ACTION. WHEN I WAS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD WE HAD A VACANCY MANY YEARS AGO AND RATHER THAN GO TO THE PUBLIC, THE ITEM WAS WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE AN OPTION AND IT WAS LITERALLY A TRUSTEE WHO DECIDED NOT TO RUN [01:30:02] AGAIN AND WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THAT PERSON BACK ON BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAD INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND IT WAS NO HICCUP AND NO NEED TO GO THROUGH WEEK LONG PROCESS AND INTERVIEWS AND ALL OF THAT SO I HAVE SET THAT PRECEDENT MYSELF HERE I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH DOING THAT BUT I THINK IT LEADS TO OPENING IT UP SO THE COMMUNITY FEELS LIKE THEY HAVE SOME VALUED SKILL SET WHICH THIS IS SO PARTICULAR, KEVIN. YOU COVER VOTER REGISTRATION, TAXES, ALL THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION, ALL THESE DIFFERENT AREAS AND BEYOND AND YOU HAVE AN OFFICE AND IN OTHER AREAS IN THE COUNTY SO SOMEBODY BETTER COME PREPARED. NOT TO JUST SAY I FEEL LIKE I CAN DO IT AND IN TRYING TO MAKE A POLITICAL APPOINTMENT. I DEFINITELY BELIEVE IN HAVING THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON TO FILL OUT THIS TERM SO I WILL SAY THAT BUT I DO FEEL LIKE I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN UP A PROCESS AS LIMITED AS IT MAY BE SO THAT WE CAN SAY WE DID OUR PART AND WE DIDN'T JUST GO IN FOR A RUBBER STAMP. I DON'T KNOW IF. I CAN'T THINK ANYONE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WOULD BE WILLING OR ABLE TO COME IN AND SAY I CAN DO THIS JOB AND DO IT WELL OTHER THAN MAYBE A HANDFUL YOU HAVE ALREADY ON YOUR STAFF. >> AND YOU NEVER KNOW. THAT IS A PRUDENT THING TO DO AND WHATEVER THIS COURT DECIDES, ME AND MY TEAM BECAUSE WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT PERSON -- THAT THEY ARE BROUGHT IN. >> I DEFINITELY FEEL -- >> BUT I'M JUST SAYING CAN'T GIVE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS. RALPH HAS GONE THROUGH TWO TAX ASSESSORS SO WE'VE KEPT A LOT IN THE TEAM. THE KNOWLEDGE BASE IS THERE AND THE TEAMWORK IS THERE SO WHATEVER THE COURT DECIDES. >> I'M EXPECTING ONLY TWO OR THREE INTERNAL. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF ANYONE FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY WHO WOULD EVEN DARE TO PUT THEIR NAME IN TO JUMP IN AND DO THIS JOB FOR THE NEXT TWO AND A HALF YEARS OR SO BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION. THAT IS MY RECOMMENDATION, JUDGE. THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION THAT WE WOULD AT LEAST OPEN UP APPLICATION PROCESS AND MAKE IT LIMITED TO A HANDFUL OF DAYS SO THAT IT'S POSTED IN TIME AND WE HAVE A LIST OF APPLICANTS AND WE GO THROUGH AN INTERVIEW PROCESS LIKE WE HAVE BEFORE BUT THE COURT MAKING ONE RECOMMENDATION WITH THE MAJOR APPOINTMENTS THAT WE DO LIKE WITH THE RTA AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND WE GO ABOUT DOING AN OPEN INTERVIEW LIKE WE HAVE WITH THE SHERIFF AND ALSO CONSTABLE PRECINCT FOUR. >> WE DIDN'T DO IT LIKE THAT. >> DEFINITELY FOR THE SHERIFF. COUNTY WIDE POSITION. >> IF YOU COULD SAVE THAT MOTION BECAUSE WE NEED TO ACCEPT HIS RESIGNATION FIRST. >> SORRY. JUST TALKING OUT LOUD. >> IS THE SECOND PART OF THAT BUT WE CAN'T MAKE THAT MOTION UNTIL WE ACCEPT HIS RESIGNATION BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING TO DO ON THE SECOND PART UNLESS WE ACCEPT IT. I WILL MAKE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF KEVIN, TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR AUGUST 26, IS THERE A SECOND? I MAKE THAT BEGRUDGINGLY. THERE IS A SECOND ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT? HEARING NONE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? HEARING NONE THAT PASSES 5-0. AND AGAIN OUR GRATITUDE FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE KEVIN. IT'S BEEN GREAT HAVING YOU HERE AND WE WILL MISS YOU AND I KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE MISSED AROUND THE COUNTY AND THE COURTHOUSE AS WELL. MOVING TO YOUR POINT, JOHN, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION. >> LIKE I SAID, I'M JUST TALKING OUT LOUD SO JUDGE, I KNOW YOU HAD AN IDEA AND PLAN AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER TO TRY TO FOLLOW THAT SAME PRECEDENT THAT WE HAVE BEFORE. SOMETHING TO THIS MAGNITUDE THAT IS COUNTY WIDE AND NOT SPECIFICALLY TO A PARTICULAR PRECINCT SO THAT WOULD BE MY ONLY REQUEST BUT LIKE I SAID I ONLY ANTICIPATE INTERNAL APPLICANTS AND SO IT MAY BE A SIMPLER AND EASIER PROCESS FOR US THAN GOING TO THE COMMUNITY. I WOULD DISCOURAGE THAT. >> AND WHAT YOU WERE PLANNING ON DOING IN KEEPING WITH OUR SCHEDULE AND PUTTING THIS BACK ON THE NEXT AGENDA SO THAT WE HAVE SOME PERSON THAT IS READY TO STEP INTO THOSE SHOES, I AM FINE WITH OPENING IT UP. I WAS JUST GOING TO LEAVE IT OUT THERE FOR SOMEONE TO CONTACT US IF THEY WANTED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR IT BUT I WASN'T HERE DURING THE SHERIFF'S APPLICATION THING, I WAS ONLY HERE DURING THE PRECINCT FORUM AND WE DID NOT DO IT THEN SO I WAS ASSUMING WE WOULD JUST -- IF ANYBODY CONTACTED US I KNOW THERE WAS SOME RUMORS OF SOMEONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THE LAST POSITION WHEN I WAS HERE FOR CONSTABLE BUT THEY NEVER CAME FORWARD TO RECORD AS AN OFFICIAL REQUEST TO BE INCLUDED SO IF YOU WANT TO OPEN THAT UP UNTIL TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA AND THE INTERVIEWS WOULD HAVE TO BE FOR [01:35:01] SOMETHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T TIME FOR US TO SCHEDULE MEETINGS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I'M FINE WITH WHATEVER PROCESS WE WANT TO DO. I ABSOLUTELY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES GREAT THOUGHTFULNESS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. >> IS THE POSTING DEADLINE TUESDAY AT WHAT TIME? WHEN IS THE POSTING DEADLINE? I WOULD SAY LET'S DO IT BY MONDAY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE IT POSTED. >> MONDAY AT NOON. >> WHAT ARE WE DOING? >> IT'S LIKE A MAJOR APPOINTMENT LIKE WE WOULD WITH THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I DON'T KNOW IF TYPICALLY IT WOULD GO TO BLAKE. WOULD IT BE SIMILAR TO THAT, PEYTON? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? >> SENDING IT TO THE JUDGE. >> THAT'S WHAT THEY DO, YES. >> I'M GOOD WITH THE PROCESS. I WOULD RATHER IT BE OPEN AND I HOPE MY COMMENTS -- THERE MAY BE SOMEONE GREAT THAT I HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF IN THE COMMUNITY BUT I REALLY DO THINK THEY SHOULD BE LIMITED. I DON'T WANT THIS TO BECOME POLITICAL IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM AND I FEEL MY VOTE WILL BE BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS AND SO TO ME THAT SAYS A VERY LIMITED POOL OF APPLICANTS SO UNLESS YOU'VE DONE THE WORK OR RECENTLY DONE THE WORK IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, KEVIN, I WOULD SAY IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT IT'S SOMEONE I'M GOING TO LOOK AT FOR AN INTERIM APPOINTMENT BASICALLY OF TWO YEARS BECAUSE I KNOW -- AND HELP ME NICOLE IS SOMEONE WITH ELECTION LAW. IN POSITIONS LIKE THIS, YOU TAKE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY LIKE THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION, RIGHT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TILL JANUARY 1 OF 29. IS THAT HOW IT WORKS? >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE ELECTED POSITION? >> TO FILL THE TERM. >> IF HIS LAST DAY IS -- >> BUT GOING INTO THE FUTURE IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 28 WHEN SOMEONE IS ELECTED IN 2028 FOR YOUR POSITION. >> I BELIEVE SO. >> THEY TAKE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY AND DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TILL JANUARY 1, 2029. >> TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THAT IS CORRECT. >> WHEN THEY ARE APPOINTED. >> SO WE ALL UNDERSTAND AND THE PUBLIC DOESN'T GET CONFUSED. IF OR WHY THAT SCENARIO PLAYS OUT AND THAT IS WAY DOWN THE LINE BUT THIS DOES GO INTO AN ELECTION THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER. >> I THINK WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS MONDAY AT NOON IF WE CAN MAKE A FORMAL MOTION THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A LETTER SUBMITTED TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE BY MONDAY AT NOON AND THEN WE WILL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? >> YES. JUDGE, IS THAT GOOD? IS THAT A MOTION PLEASE BE MY GUEST. I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION. IS THERE A DISCUSSION FURTHER? TRYING TO KEEP ORDER HERE. >> I WILL BE HARD PRESSED. KEVIN MADE A RECOMMENDATION HERE AND I WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO GO OUTSIDE THAT RECOMMENDATION BUT WE'VE ALREADY NOW STARTED DOING BUDGETS HERE IF WE HAVE BUDGET COMING UP. THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL TIME FOR US TO HAVE SOMEBODY AND FOR US TO EVEN CONSIDER CHANGING TO SOMEONE WHO MAY HAVE TO COME IN HERE AND SPEND WEEKS GETTING THEIR FEET UNDERNEATH THEM. IS A RISKY PROPOSITION BUT WHATEVER YOU ALL WANT TO DO. >> I THINK IT'S FAIR TO THE PUBLIC TO OPEN IT UP. WE HAD THREE APPLICANTS OR FOUR APPLICANTS AND WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS AND YOU SELECTED THE SHERIFF. >> THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND SECOND, DISCUSSION, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. I'M FINE WITH OPENING IT UP AND DOING IT. I HAVE A TENDENCY TO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PUSLEY SENTIMENT BUT I WANT TO BE UP FRONT AS WELL UP HERE SO THERE IS A MOTION TO SECOND, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION THAT NEEDS TO BE HAD? >> I DO HAVE ONE COMMENT. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS -- WE WILL BE ON THE RIGHT TIMELINE SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE TIMELINES AND THINGS I DO HAVE TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THE MOST CRITICAL THING IS THAT WHOMEVER IS APPOINTED THAT WE GET IN PLACE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1 BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE SOMEBODY BONDED IN THIS POSITION THE OFFICE HAS TO SHUT DOWN UNTIL YOU HAVE A BONDED TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ON IT BUT I WANT TO MAKE EVERYONE AWARE. >> THAT IS A GOOD POINT. >> THE CERTIFICATION TAKES TIME AND YOU HAVE A YEAR FOR THAT SO -- >> WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE ON STAFF BY SEPTEMBER 1 THAT CERTIFIED? >> NO. THEY HAVE A YEAR TO DO THAT AND ACTUALLY CHRIS IS ALREADY CERTIFIED BUT HAS TO GO THROUGH 60 HOURS OF TRAINING NEXT YEAR ANYWAY BECAUSE SHE'S A NEW TAX [01:40:05] ASSESSOR COLLECTOR BUT SHE HAS THE SAME CERTIFICATION AS I DO. >> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE CAN VOTE ON THIS BEFORE TOMORROW COMES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? I APOLOGIZE. MOTION TO OPEN IT UP TO MONDAY AT NOON IS A DEADLINE AND PUT IT BACK ON THE 29TH PASSES 4-1. 5-0. >> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT IF I SAID THAT AGAIN. >> I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING. >> WE ARE OPENING IT UP TO A MONDAY AT NOON AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION YOU HAVE TO APPLY WITH THE LETTER OF AN INTEREST TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE BY MONDAY AT NOON. >> I GOT IT. >> AN APPOINTMENT ON THE 29TH. [6. Discuss and consider updating the Commissioners Court Policy to reflect schedule changes to Commissioners Court Resolutions to begin at 8:30 a.m. before the start of the regular Commissioners Court Meetings and all related matters. ] >> NUMBER 6 -- >> THANK YOU. >> DISCUSS AND CONSIDER UPDATING THE COMMISSIONERS COURT POLICY TO REFLECT SCHEDULE CHANGES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT RESOLUTIONS TO BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. BEFORE THE START OF THE REGULAR COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETINGS AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. I PUT THIS ON BECAUSE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR MANY TIMES AND WE ARE GETTING INTO MORE AND MORE RESOLUTIONS AND PEOPLE WANT TO HONOR PEOPLE AND SO FORTH AND SO ON. IT'S A DISCUSSION POINT TO DO IT. SIMILAR TO WHAT GOES ON, NOT THAT WE NEED TO COMPARE OURSELVES IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM TO THE CITY BUT IT'S AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO DO THINGS BECAUSE THEY START EARLY AND ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO COME DOES NOT HAVE TO SIT THROUGH ANYTHING OTHER THAN BEING RECOGNIZED AND CAN TAKE YOUR PICTURES AND PHOTOS AND IF YOU CAN'T GET HERE AT 8:30 IT WOULD BECOME SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD NOT VOTE ON HERE IT WOULD JUST BE A RESOLUTION OF HONORING THEM BECAUSE IF WE ARE NOT ALL HERE, IF THE COUNTY CLERK IS NOT HERE, IF THEY ARE NOT NEEDING TO BE HERE, IF WHOEVER SHOWS UP FOR THE COUNCIL. THEY DO A RECOGNITION AND IT'S SIGNED SO IT WOULD BE A CERTIFICATE RECOGNITION OR A RESOLUTION. IT'S JUST NOT VOTED ON. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A PROBLEM. >> IF IT'S A RESOLUTION, IF IT'S COUNTY BUSINESS THEN IT WOULD NEED TO -- EXCUSE ME, OR MAY BE SIGNED BY ONE COMMISSIONER OR THE COUNTY JUDGE. SOMETHING LIKE THAT BUT IF IT'S A RESOLUTION THAT GOES BEFORE THE WHOLE COMMISSION THEN IT HAS TO BE NOTICED LIKE A REGULAR MEETING AND THE PLAN WOULD JUST BE TO BASICALLY MAKE THE MEETING START EARLIER AND WE WOULD STILL NOTICE EVERYTHING. >> SO STARTING AT 8:30. >> WE ARE KILLING 30-40 5 MINUTES WITH RESOLUTIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS IN THE MORNING. I'M TRYING TO STREAMLINE THAT A LITTLE BIT AND SAY OKAY, WE CAN EITHER DO THEM THE WAY THEY DO THEM AND IF WHOEVER SHOWS UP SHOWS UP AND IT'S A CERTIFICATE OR WE CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S NOT A RESOLUTION, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CALL THEM AT THE CITY BUT IF IT'S THAT OR IF WE WANT TO START MEETING AT 8:30 AND RESOLUTIONS AT 8:30, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND IT'S COME UP EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AND I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION. >> I'D LIKE TO COMMENT, IF I COULD AND I WILL SAY AND I'M HARD PRESSED TO BRAG ABOUT ANYTHING THE CITY DOES ESPECIALLY CURRENTLY BUT WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE COUNCIL IN 2020 THEY USED TO DO THESE RECOGNITIONS WHEN THE COUNCIL MEETING STARTED AT 11:30 AND WE WOULD SOMETIMES BE 1:00 BEFORE WE FINISHED RESOLUTION SO AS A COUNCIL WE SAT DOWN AND SAID OKAY WE WILL ALLOCATE 30 MINUTES TO THIS. WE WILL DO IT BEFORE REGULAR MEETING TIME SO WE WOULD START FROM RECOGNITIONS AT 11 AND WE WOULD TELL ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU CAN INVITE ALL THE PEOPLE YOU WANT BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE WITHIN 30 MINUTES. BECAUSE THAT'S ALL WE ARE GOING TO DEVOTE TO IT SO THE MAIN DEAL THERE WAS THERE WAS NOT A MEETING SO ATTENDANCE WAS NOT MANDATORY. THERE WAS NO CALL IN FOR A MEETING SO IF WE WANT TO DO THIS I'M FINE BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A CALL STARTING WITH OUR MEETING AT 830, OUR MEETING WOULD START AT 9:00 LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND ATTENDANCE TO THESE RECOGNITIONS IS NOT MANDATORY. >> I AGREE AND IT STILL HAS THE SAME EFFECTS BECAUSE IT STARTS EARLIER BASICALLY THE NET EFFECT IS WE ARE TAKING 30 MINUTES AT LEAST OFF THE MEETING STARTING AT NINE SO. >> THE ONLY DOWNSIDE OF THIS THAT I SEE IS THE FOLKS THAT WE ARE ASKING TO COME UP HERE TO BE RECOGNIZED HAD TO BE HERE AT 8:30. [01:45:02] >> WHICH IS SOMETIMES BETTER FOR THE SCHOOL KIDS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE BECAUSE WE DO A LOT OF SCHOOLS AND IT'S EASIER TO GET THEM HERE AT 830 BECAUSE COMING IN AT NINE IS LATER IN THE DAY FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY START SCHOOL AT 8:00 SO THEY CAN GET ON THE BUS AND GO. >> AS LONG AS WE SET IT UP WHERE THIS IS NOT A START OF THE MEETING BUT ATTENDANCE IS NOT MANDATORY, I'M FINE WITH IT HERE AND THAT WE START OUR MEETINGS AT 9:00. THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO LIMIT WHO ALL WE RECOGNIZE, THAT'S ALL OF MY COMMENTS. >> JUDGE. >> SO THEN WOULD THIS BE JUST THE JUDGE SIGNING ON BEHALF OF THE COURT? >> I THINK THE ONLY THING IS WE WOULD HAVE TO COME UP WITH WHAT THE DOCUMENT IS. IT CAN'T BE CALLED A RESOLUTION, I WONDER IF THAT IS REALLY TRUE BECAUSE WE CAN CHANGE THE WORDING IN THE DOCUMENT TO CALL IT SOMETHING THAT ISN'T OFFICIAL, ADOPTED. YOU TAKE OUT THAT LANGUAGE AND YOU GET THE CITY'S FORM AND LOOK AT THAT. >> I BELIEVE THE MAYOR ONLY SIGNS THOSE AND THAT'S HOW THEY GET AROUND IT. IF THE BODY IS ADOPTING SOMETHING, IS AGREEING TO JUST LIKE THIS MORNING EVERYBODY VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION. THAT'S HOW RESOLUTIONS WORK. THE WAY THAT YOU GET AROUND IS HAVING A CEREMONIAL EVENT WHICH YOU ARE ALL ABLE TO ATTEND IF YOU NEEDED TO BUT THAT MEANS THAT NO COUNTY BUSINESS COULD REALLY BE CONDUCTED DURING THAT BUT A PROCLAMATION FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE OR SOMETHING -- >> WE COULD STILL ALL SIGN IT. WE SIGNED CERTIFICATES FOR OUR EMPLOYEES THAT WE DON'T VOTE ON. WE DIDN'T VOTE ON MR. PADILLA'S, WE JUST ALL SIGNED IT OR I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF WE ALL SIGNED IT BUT WE SIGNED CERTIFICATES ALL THE TIME THAT WE DON'T VOTE ON SO THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO DO THIS THAT WE CAN ALL SIGN IT IF WE WANT TO BUT IT'S NOT A BUSINESS WE ARE TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT. BECAUSE IT'S NOT BUSINESS. YOU CAN CALL IT BUSINESS BUT IT REALLY ISN'T. ALL WE ARE SAYING IS CONGRATULATIONS. I MEAN, I GUESS THAT'S BUSINESS BUY I TOTALLY GET YOUR INTENT. WE CAN LOOK INTO THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO IT BUT FOR MR. PADILLA'S TODAY IT WAS GOOD BECAUSE IT WAS NOTICED ON THE AGENDA AND IT WAS DURING THE REGULAR MEETING. AND MAYBE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE. >> HOW ABOUT WE LOOK AT DOING THIS SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COMING BACK WITH A FORM THAT ALLOWS US TO DO IT WE. >> THAT'S COOL. >> THAT OKAY? IS EVERYONE OKAY WITH THE 8:30 DOING THE RESOLUTIONS? NOT MANDATORY, NOT NOTICED AND THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL COME UP WITH A DOCUMENT THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN JUST ALL SIGN AND NOT HAVE MANDATORY ATTENDANCE BUT STILL BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE EVERYONE WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE. I WILL STILL PROBABLY COME TO ALL OF THEM BUT IF WE DON'T WANT TO BRING ALL THE STAFF IN. STILL A LOT OF RESOLUTIONS AND THEY DON'T NEED TO BE HERE. WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE THEM SIT HERE FOR RESOLUTION. >> I KNOW IN THE PAST I DID A COUPLE OF RECOGNITIONS OF BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE NORTHWEST AREA, THE BARBERSHOP I GO TO THE GUY WHO OPERATED THE BARBERSHOP FOR 50 YEARS AND I JUST DID A LETTER OF RECOGNITION AND I DIDN'T EVEN PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. >> I HAVE DONE THOSE TWO. >> THAT'S POSSIBLE AS WELL. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. THE TIME ON THE AGENDA WILL REMAIN AT 9:00 A.M., WE WILL JUST START AT 830 FOR THAT. >> THAT IS THE PROPOSAL. I WILL PUT IT OUT THERE AND MAKE A MOTION. JUDGE, GO AHEAD. >> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS THE PEOPLE THAT START OUR MEETINGS, BECAUSE I WOULD ASSUME THIS WOULD BE BROADCAST AS WELL. THEY HAVE TO COME IN EARLY AND START AS WELL. >> THEY BROADCAST ON, YES, THEY DO SO IT'S NOT GOING TO KEEP EVERYBODY FROM HAVING TO COME IN HERE THE MORE YOU ASK ABOUT IT, I'M NOT REALLY SURE THAT IT'S WORTH IT UNLESS YOU JUST WANT TO CHANGE OUR MEETINGS TO START AT 8:30 O'CLOCK THIS YEAR. >> OR WE COULD DO RECOGNITIONS AT NINE AND START OUR MEETING AT 9:30. >> IF IT FAILS, IT FAILS. I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE A MOTION AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR IT, THAT'S FINE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN. IT DOESN'T HURT MY FEELINGS. >> I WOULD ADD THE LANGUAGE THAT ATTENDANCE IS NOT MANDATORY. >> AGREED. MY MOTION IS WE START -- RESOLUTION START AT 8:30 A.M., THEY WILL BE BROADCAST. [01:50:09] THEY ARE NOT MANDATORY FOR STAFF OR COMMISSIONERS OR THE COURTS MEMBERS AND THAT IS SUBJECT TO A DOCUMENT BEING PROVIDED THAT EVERYONE CAN SIGN OFF ON AND THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL BRING US SO IT WILL NOT START UNTIL THAT HAPPENS. THAT'S THE MOTION. DOES THAT COVER EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO. >> SECOND. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON IT? >> I HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION. ARE THEY MANDATORY AT LEAST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR RECOGNITION IN? WHAT IF NOBODY SHOWS UP? >> I WILL SAY, JUDGE, IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN SHAME ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. IF YOU ARE PUTTING IN A RESOLUTION AND DON'T SHOW UP FOR IT, IF WE NEED TO PUT THAT IN, WE CAN PUT THAT IN. WE WILL PUT THAT IN BECAUSE THAT COULD HAPPEN AND I WILL ADD THAT AS AN AMENDMENT THAT WHOEVER PUTS THE RESOLUTION FORTH HAS TO BE HERE FOR IT. >> THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] >> I MEAN -- >> YOU NEVER KNOW. >> STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. I WILL ACCEPT THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. >> ANYTHING ELSE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [7. Discuss and consider upcoming Commissioners Court meeting date(s), workshop date(s); and all related matters.] ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. ALL RIGHT, MOVING TO NUMBER 7, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER UPCOMING COMMISSIONER COURTS MEETINGS DATES AND WORKSHOPS AND WE DO HAVE AND IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP THAT WE HAVE A BACK-TO-BACK MEETING JULY 29TH AND AUGUST 5TH. AUGUST 5TH IS A SUBMISSION OF THE TAX RATE WE HAVE TO DO BUT I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE WANTS TO ADDRESS ANY OF THAT OR NOT. IF WE WANT TO. >> I DON'T WANT TO ADDRESS THAT BUT I HAVE ANOTHER DATE. >> JUMP ON IN. >> I HAVE ASKED YEAR AFTER YEAR AND I REPRESENT A PORTION OF THE ISLAND UNIVERSITY MAINLY THE STUDENT LIVING AREA BUT THE ISLAND UNIVERSITY MY ALMA MATER FALLS IN YOUR PRECINCT. WE NEVER GET TO ATTEND THE STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND I BROUGHT IT UP YEAR AFTER YEAR AND I KNOW IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE TAX CALENDAR AND THE SCHEDULE BUT JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE. ONE OF OUR LAST MEETINGS WE TOOK A RECESS TO ATTEND THE SALUTE TO THE MILITARY HOSTED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO AT LEAST DO THAT ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF US WILL ATTEND OR WANT TO ATTEND I WOULD LIKE TO GO AND SUPPORT MY ALMA MATER SO IF WE COULD I WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO WORK THAT AROUND SOMEHOW. IF NOT, IT'S NOT A HEARTBREAKER, WE'VE JUST NEVER DONE IT. I WILL JUST KEEP MISSING OUT BUT IT'S SOMETHING I'D LIKE. >> I AGREE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER. AND I THINK CONSTANCE AND THERESA AND THEM WERE LOOKING AT SOME WAYS TO GET AROUND THAT AND POTENTIALLY ON THE NINTH JUST HAVE THAT ONE ITEM ON THAT AGENDA TO WHERE WE CAN EVEN DO THE MORNING WE MIGHT DO THE EARLY MEETING AND THEN COME BACK AFTER LUNCH AND FINISH THE AFTERNOON MEETING OR SOMETHING BUT THERE IS A REQUIRED THING THAT WE HAVE TO DO ON THE NINTH AS PER GOING BACKWARDS WITH THE TIME FRAME SO IF WE JUST KEEP IT TO THE ONE ITEM AGENDA, WE COULD MAYBE DO THAT. >> IS THAT A MOTION? >> I JUST WANTED FOR DISCUSSION. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE COURT FELT LIKE AND I DON'T WANT TO MOVE EVERYTHING SO WE CAN MAKE A LUNCH. OUR TAX CALENDAR IS MORE IMPORTANT OBVIOUSLY. >> THE TAX RATE IS DUE TO THE TAX ASSESSOR ON THE 11TH OF SEPTEMBER AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO ADOPT THE BUDGET FIRST AND THEN THE TAX RATE SO THEY BOTH NEED TO BE DONE IN THE REGULAR MEETING WHICH IS ON THE NINTH SO PERHAPS YOUR SUGGESTION OF RECESSING WOULD WORK FOR US. >> ALSO, WE HAVE TWO WEEKS OF BACK-TO-BACK MEETINGS, THE SECOND AND THE NINTH SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE NEED ON THE AGENDA TO ACTUALLY VOTE ON REGULAR AGENDA CONSENT. >> JUST TO CONSIDER THAT IN PLANNING. LET'S TRY TO PLAN AROUND. I'M JUST SAYING IF THERE'S CONSENSUS, THE JUDGE HEARS THIS, OUR STAFF HEARS US AND WE WILL PLAN ACCORDINGLY FOR IF SOMETHING COMES UP, I DON'T WANT IT TO BE LIKE WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK. IF WE CAN, GREAT, WE WILL MAKE THE LUNCHEON. IF NOT, IT'S NO HEARTBREAK. IF WE CAN BE PLAYING THE JUDGES OPEN TO THE IDEA. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A TECHNICAL THING AND I'M JUST MAKING A SUGGESTION. >> ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS ITEM? >> MOVING ON. >> I ALWAYS GO TO THE STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY AS WELL AND THEY ARE USUALLY VERY INFORMATIVE AND HAVE DONE VERY WELL AT. >> I MEANT TO MENTION TO AS WE MOVE OVER TO COASTAL PARKS, THE REASON THAT I'M RUNNING THE [01:55:04] MEETING TODAY IS BECAUSE THE LAW PROVIDES THAT THE JUDGE CAN ZOOM IN BECAUSE SHE IS INJURED AND UNABLE TO BE HERE THERE THE LAW ALSO SAYS SHE CAN'T RUN THE MEETING AS A ZOOM PARTICIPANT AND I MEANT TO MENTION THAT SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THAT SO I'M DOING THAT NOW VERY LATE AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. NOT BECAUSE A LACK OF WANTING TO BE HERE. SHE VERY MUCH DOES. IN FACT WE HAD TO TIE HER DOWN AND MAKE HER STAY AT HOME SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT RE-INJURE HER [1. Discuss, consider, and take action on conditional selection of Barcom Construction for the Briscoe King Pavilion Construction and Renovation project; and all related matters.] VERY DAMAGED LEG. SO NOW I WILL MOVE TO THE COASTAL PARK SIDE. >> RECOMMEND SELECTION CONDITIONAL SELECTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE DISCUSSION BASICALLY IS THIS IS A CONDITIONAL SELECTION, WE WILL NOW GO INTO A VALID ENGINEERING PROCESS WITH THEM TO LOOK TO REDUCE THE COST BUT WE HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT MEETINGS WITH EMILY WHO IS THE LEAD DESIGNER AND SHE HAS INDICATED THAT THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE IN GETTING THIS INTO BUDGET AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THAT BACK VERY QUICKLY. ANYTHING FURTHER? NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. MOTION IN A SECOND TO TAKE ACTION ON THE CONDITIONAL SELECTION OF OUR CONSTRUCTION AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [1. Discuss and consider execution of Change Order No. 5 with ARGIO Roofing and Construction, LLC extending the contract by 30 calendar days for Courthouse Roof Improvement Project; and all related matters.] ANY OPPOSED MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PUBLIC WORKS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM WHETHER C ONE AND TWO AS SUBMITTED BY STAFF. >> SECOND. >> OKAY. THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE? >> I DID NOTE ON ITEM TWO, THERE WILL BE A REQUEST TO INCREASE THE BUDGET AFTER THIS YEAR TO COVER THESE COSTS. >> THEY WILL BE PART OF THE BUDGET INCLUDING OUR BUDGET. >> HOW ARE WE APPROVING THIS IF WE HAVEN'T PROVED THE BUDGET YET? >> THEY ARE INCLUDED. THEY ARE PART OF OUR BUDGET, THE ONE WE ALREADY HAVE. >> YOU ARE NOT ASKING FOR AN INCREASE PLEASE. >> NO, SIR. NOT FOR THIS, I HAVE A COMMENT R PHYSICAL YEAR '26-'27 IS THE TWO. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> THE COST IS 144,478 FYI. >> NEEDED TO BE BACK IN. >> TO THE INCREASE. >> THAT WOULD BE BUDGET INCREASE. >> NEXT YEAR. >> DOING THIS COMMITTING RIGHT NOW TO THE BUDGET INCREASE WE HAVEN'T GOT TO YET. >> I'M SORRY. >> EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THAT, RIGHT? OKAY? AND WE'RE DOING THIS -- >> WHAT IS OUR CHOICE? >> I DON'T KNOW. >> DO WE DO THE ONE-YEAR CONTRACT? >> THIS IS THE NEW CONTRACT. FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT. LET'S PULL OUT TWO FOR A SECOND. ANYTHING ELSE ON ONE -- >> THAT'S FINE. I CHANGE THE MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM C-1. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ONE? ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ITEM C-1 SAY AYE. >> AYE. [2. Discuss, consider, and take action authorizing execution of a Planned Service Agreement with Johnson Controls Building Solutions LLC under TIPS Cooperative Contract No. 25010501, for Metasys and air handling unit maintenance services; and all related matters.] >> OPPOSED? >> HEARING NONE, THAT PASSES. TO 2, SECOND TO PASS THIS. HOLD ON THIS FOR DISCUSSION-SAKE AND ASSUME THE SAME MOTION AND SECOND ARE THERE NOW. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT. WHY DOING THIS FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT IF WE KNOW A BUDGET INCREASE? GO AHEAD. >> TYPICALLY YOU CAN APPROVE MULTI-CAREER AGREEMENTS. WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST IS AGREEMENT WILL SAY SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION. THAT MEANS EVERY YEAR NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET THEN WE WOULD NOT LEGALLY BE OBLIGATED. I HOPE I'M NOT SAYING THAT INCORRECTLY. FOR THAT INCREASE. THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST. YOU CAN DO MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENTS WITH THE CLAUSE IN THE AGRE AGREEMENT. >> EVERY CONTRACT WE SIGN SAYS WE CAN EXIT WITH 30 DAYS NOTICE. >> I HAVE TO DEFER TO NICOLE. >> BY LAW WE HAVE THAT. >> WE HAVE PROVISIONS THAT SAY MOST CONTRACTS WHAT WE RECOMMEND TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT THERE IS A PROVISION IF THERE AREN'T FUNDS THAT -- BY IT'S NOT 30-DAY PROVISION TO MY KNOWLEDGE. >> BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE CONTRACTS WE DO FOR SERVICES, WE HAVE A 30-DAY EXIT CLAUSE IN ALL OF THEM BY STATE LAW. THAT'S REQUIRED BY STATE LAW. >> I WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE 30 DAYS AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW. THERE IS A PROVISION OF THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION THAT REQUIRES US NOT TO HAVE AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL DEBT WITHOUT FIRST HAVING A SINKING FUND. SO IF THERE'S NO SINKING FUND [02:00:02] CREATED, WE HAVE TO PUT THE PROVISION INTO THE LAW. >> SINKING FUND FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT OR SINKING FUND FOR OVERALL. >> ANY DEBT CREATED. SAY WE ARE GOING TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT THAT OBLIGATES THE COUNTY TO $50 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND DOESN'T HAVE A CLAUSE THAT SAYS WE'RE ALLOWED TO GET OUT OF IT, IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY CAN REQUIRE TO DO. WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE SINKING FUND BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL DEBT UNLESS THERE IS A -- THAT PROVISION. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE 30 DAYS IS WHAT I'M SAYING. THERE'S A PROVISION TO GET OUT OF IT. THE TIMELINE I'M NOT CERTAIN OF. >> I WILL MAKE A SUGGESTION. I'M UNCOMFORTABLE PASSING SOMETHING WITH THE BUDGET INCREASE AND I'M SURE MADE A MISTAKE WHEN SAID WASN'T GOING TO BE A BUDGET INCREASE. YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE IS. I MIGHT THINK UNLESS WE HAVE TO WE TABLE UNTIL THE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS. I'M NOT MAKING IT A MOTION. BUT THROWING IT OUT BEFORE IT IS A MOTION. >> DEADLINE ON THIS? >> NEXT QUESTION, URGENT ON THIS -- >> I HAVE ONE OTHER THING. WE HAVE THE OTHER CONTRACTS LIKE THE SOFTWARE. THAT'S THE MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND GOES UP EVERY YEAR. TO ME, THIS WOULD BE THE SAME SORT OF THING. WE WOULD NEED THE BUDGET FOR IT. >> WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. WE HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PULL OUT. >> SHE'S SAYING MAYBE. AND YOU'RE SAYING YES. AND NOT HAVING THE MONEY MEANS VERY LITTLE BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE THE MONEY. IT'S DO WE WANT TO -- MY QUESTION IS, IS THIS SOMETHING WE WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY ON? I WANT MORE EXPLANATION WHY WE'RE DOING THIS. JOHNSON CONTROLS HAD -- WE HAD INTERESTING RESPONSE, WORK WITH THEM IN THE PAST. ALWAYS HASN'T BEEN. AM I MISTHINKING? IS JOHNSON CONTROLS WHO WE HAD -- >> JOHNSON CONTROLS DO THE MAINTENANCE BECAUSE OF THE MAINTENANCE PLAN. SO WE HAVE -- THEY'RE THE ONES THAT DO THE MAINTENANCE ON OUR AIR HANDLER UNITS. THIS IS PART OF THE SAVINGS CONTRACT WE HAD DONE, 15-YEAR SAVINGS CONTRACT. I'M SORRY. >> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. >> YES, SIR. >> ARE WE ACTUALLY SEEING THE RESULTS ON THESE SAVINGS CONTRACTS THAT -- >> I THINK WE ARE REQUESTING FOR THEM TO GIVE UPDATE ON THE SAVINGS CONTRACT AND REQUESTING TO GIVE -- >> WHY APPROVING IT NOW IF WE DON'T HAVE THE UPDATE TO SEE IF IT'S SAVED US MONEY AND WORTHWHILE. >> ON THIS PORTION FOR THIS YEAR IS ONLY $30,000. WE HAVE THAT IN THE BUDGET. >> 30,000 I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT. IT'S THE 140 IT JUMPS TO IN YEAR 2 AND GOES UP CONSIDERABLY AFTER THAT. WHY CAN'T WE DO THE ONE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE OPTION WITH YEARS AFTER THAT. I'M NOT FOLLOWING WHY WE HAVE A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT RIGHT NOW ON SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN UPDATES WHETHER IT'S BEEN EFFECTIVE? >> BECAUSE THERE'S MONEY THAT WE HAVE IN THE BUILDING FUNDS THAT WE WILL BE PAYING OUT OF FOR THIS YEAR, WHICH IS THE $30,000. AND THEN IN THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, WE DON'T HAVE TO -- WE CAN GO BACK AND PART OF THE BUILDING FUNDS WE PAY FOR OUT OF THIS MONIES. >> WHEN DOES THIS CONTRACT END? WHEN DOES THE CURRENT ONE END? WHY DO WE DO A FIVE-YEAR NOW? CURRENT ONE END. >> WE DON'T HAVE ONE COMMISSIONER. >> THEY ARE. >> THEY'RE DOING IT WITHOUT NO CONTRACT? >> THEY'RE NOT DOING IT. WE'RE HAVING THEM TRY -- NOT TRY, COME IN AND DO THE MAINTENANCE PART OF IT FOR THE REMAINING OF THIS YEAR SO THAT'S PART OF THE $30,000. >> OKAY. WHO IS DOING THAT NOW? I'M NOT ASKING FOR -- >> FOR THIS YEAR, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DOING COMMISSIONER. >> WHO IS DOING IT? SOMEBODY IS DOING MAINTENANCE. >> IT IS SOFTWARE, RIGHT? AND THEN THE HANDLING UNITS COME IN AND DO, THEY COME AND MONITOR THE AIR HANDLER UNITS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE UP TO PAR, RIGHT? >> WHO IS DOING THAT RIGHT NOW? >> RIGHT NOW NOBODY IS DOING IT. WE DON'T DEAL WITH THE METIS PART OF IT. WE DON'T HAVE STAFF DEALING WITH IT. >> NOW I'M CONFUSED. >> THE METICE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME PART OF THE ENERGY UPDATE WE DID WITH JOHNSON CONTROLS BACK WHEN I WAS ON THE COURT BEFORE AND A WHOLE NEW DEAL AND THEY HAD PEOPLE THAT HELPED US MANAGE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE STAFF THAT HELPED TO DO THAT. DO WE HAVE STAFF ON NOW DOING THE METICE? >> WE HAVE STAFF DOING THE METICE. BUT THEY MONITOR THE METICE. WE HAVE THE SCREEN WHERE WE MONITOR THE SYSTEM. [02:05:02] THIS IS DOING THE UPGRADES AND MAKING SURE THEY COME -- >> IS THE PLAN TO TURN THE MONITORING AND DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF THE METICE OVER TO JOHNSON CONTROLS? >> THIS IS JUST FOR THEM TO COME DO THE UPGRADES FOR METICE AND DO THE UPGRADES FOR THE HANDLING. THERE'S LITTLE MECHANISMS -- I SAY MECHANISMS. LITTLE RELAYS, I CALL THEM RELAY, INSIDE OF THE AIR HANDLER UNITS AND HAVE TO START COMING AND UPDATING THE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. IT'S A COMPUTER THING. >> THIS IS THE CONTRACT FOR THEM TO UPGRADE THE METICE EQUIPMENT, THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PART OF IT? >> YES, SIR. THAT'S PART OF IT. >> OKAY. YOU'RE DOING A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THEM, THIS IS A NEW CONTRACT? >> YES, SIR. >> CORRECT. >> YES, SIR. >> OKAY. >> SO THIS DOESN'T SAY UPGRADE. THIS SAYS SERVICE. SO WHAT IS IT? SERVICE OR UPGRADE? >> IT'S A SERVICE. BUT IT'S PART OF AN UPGRADE THEY DO COMMISSIONER. >> HOLD ON. >> THIS IS MORE CONFUSING THAN EVER. HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN AND GO THROUGH THIS WITH THE JUDGE AT ALL? >> NO, SIR. I APOLOGIZE. >> OKAY. THAT'S NORMALLY HOW THEY ARE VETTED. THE DEPARTMENT HEAD GOES TO THE JUDGE AND ALL LOOK AT IT. >> YES, SIR. >> SHE'S BEEN OUT. SHE HAD AN INJURY. >> WE UNDERSTAND. >> SHE'S BEEN WORKING. >> CAN WE TABLE THIS? >> WE CAN. WE CAN TABLE IT TO MAKE SURE, YES, SIR. >> I WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION TO TABLE. >> I WILL SECOND IT. WITH THE ADDITION I APPRECIATE GETTING WITH THE JUDGE TO GO THROUGH IT AS YOU NORMALLY DO TO VET THE THINGS SO WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE UNDERSTANDING WHAT THIS IS. >> YES, SIR. >> THAT MOTION IS MADE AND SECONDED TO JULY 29TH. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE? >> AYE. >> ALL THOSE OPPOSED? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ALL RIGHT. [1. Review and discuss Unaudited Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Report as of April 30, 2026; and all related matters.] AUDITOR ITEM REVIEW AND DISCUSS UNAUDITED PHYSICAL YEAR 2026 FINANCIAL REPORT AS OF APRIL 30, 2026 AND ALL RELATED MATTERS. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> ON THE SCREEN, CONNIE IS PUTTING UP THE SNAPSHOT. I WILL POINT OUT A COUPLE THINGS. FIRST OF ALL IN THE GENERAL FUND YOU WILL NOTICE THE FUND BALANCE AS OF APRIL 30TH IS NOW AT 86.5 MILLION. NOTICE THAT'S A DROP OF ABOUT 10 MILLION FROM THE MONTH BEFORE. WE HIT THAT POINT IN THE YEAR WHERE THE FUND BALANCE STARTS GOING DOWN BECAUSE OF COURSE THE REVENUES ARE IN FRONT AND WE SPEND THEM OVER 12 MONTHS. LET'S SEE. ANOTHER THING THAT'S -- EVERYTHING ELSE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT PARTICULARLY STUCK OUT AT ME. LOOKS LIKE ALL TRACKING ALONG WITH THE BUDGET. SO THERE WAS DISCUSSION EARLIER ABOUT COASTAL PARKS. ON AGE 8 IN THE BOARD PACKETS NOT ON THE SCREEN ON PAGE 8 OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT IS DETAIL ON COASTAL PARKS AND SEE THE BUDGET WHERE WE ARE YEAR TO DATE WITH THE LINE ITEMS. AND I GUESS COMMISSIONER, THAT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO YOU. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS TO YOU, I WILL BE HAPPY TO GO THROUGH THEM WITH YOU. >> OKAY. >> TELLS YOU THE FUNDING. ESSENTIALLY ABOUT HALF THE FUNDING IS COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND. AND THEN THE OTHER HALF IS COMING FROM A COMBINATION PERMITS, ALL OF THAT, USER FEES AND THEN ALL THE EXPENSES ARE ITEMIZED THERE. WE CAN GO MORE DETAILED THAN THE SUMMARY AND TWO MORE LEVELS DOWN IN DETAIL. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, I WILL BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH YOU. >> OKAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE THAT. >> AND THEN OF COURSE THE OTHER FUNDS ARE THERE. ON THIS THE DETAILS ARE IN THE PACKET. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE YOU DOWN THAT -- INTO THAT FOREST OF DETAIL, BECAUSE IT'S VAST. ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT, LET ME KNOW. EMAIL ME. I WILL BE HAPPY TO GO THROUGH IT. CASH FLOW WITH THE GRANT FUNDED PROJECTS ARE 5.6 AND STILL WELL WITHIN THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE CAPACITY TO CASH FLOW THE PROJECTS. THAT'S IT. ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU. >> DOESN'T REQUIRE A MOTION? >> NO. >> I DIDN'T THINK SO. >> OKAY, GOT IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. ANYTHING FURTHER ON THIS MATTER? VERY GOOD, OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE GO INTO [4. EXECUTIVE SESSION: PUBLIC NOTICE is given that the Commissioners Court may elect to go into an Executive Session anytime during the meeting to discuss matters listed anywhere on the Agenda, when authorized by the provisions of the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code. To the extent there has been a past practice of distinguishing items for public deliberation and those for executive session, the public is advised that the Court is departing from that practice, and reserves the right to discuss any listed agenda items in executive session when authorized by law to do so. In the event the Commissioners Court elects to go into Executive Session regarding an agenda item, the section or sections of the Open Meetings Act authorizing the Executive Session will be publicly announced by the presiding officer. In accordance with the authority of the Government Code, Vernon’s Texas Codes, Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.0745, 551.076, 551.086, 551.087, 551.089, the Commissioners Court will hold an Executive Session to consult with attorney(s) including matters related to litigation; deliberate regarding real property, prospective gift(s), personnel matters, including termination, county advisory bodies, security devices, and/or economic development negotiations and other matters that may be discussed in an Executive Session. Upon completion of the Executive Session, the Commissioners Court may in an open session take such action as appropriate on items discussed in an Executive Session.] EXECUTIVE SESSION? WE WILL BE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. BEFORE I START THAT, ANYTHING ELSE THAT ANYONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS? VERY WELL. PUBLIC NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE COMMISSIONER COURT MAY ELECT TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ANY TIME IN THE MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS LISTED ON THE AGENDA AUTHORIZED BY THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE. IN THE EVENT THE COMMISSIONER COURT ELECTED TO GO TO SESSION, THE SECTION OR SECTIONS AUTHORIZED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED BY [02:10:01] THE PRESIDING OFFICER WITH THE CODE SECTION 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 5 #551.0745, 551.076, 551.086, 551.3087, 551.089. THE COMMISSIONER COURT WILL HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH R ATTORNEY INCLUDING MATTERS RELATED TO LITIGATION DELIBERATE REGARDING REAL PROPERTY PROSPECTIVE GIFTS AND PERSON MATTERS INCLUDING TERMINATION COUNTY ADVISORY BODIES AND SECURITY DEVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. UPON COMPLETION OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MAY IN AN OPEN SESSION TAKE SUCH ACTION AS APPROPRIATE OF ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE ARE ALSO BRINGING IN ITEMS 3A AND 2 AND 3. THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO IN ADDITION TO LISTED. >> 2W. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. >> AND 2W. SO NOTED THE TIME NOW IS 11:13. WE WILL BE BACK AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU. WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE HER, WE ARE GOOD. DO YOU HAVE ARE DASH CFC GRANT D [W. Authorize and approve the conditional selection of DCCM Infrastructure, Inc. for TDA-CFC grant-funded Engineering Services.] ENGINEERING SERVICES. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MOTION TO APPROVE ON A SECOND. APPROVED BY, SECOND BY GONZALEZ. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOUR SAY AYE AYE. ANY POST. [2. Discuss, consider, and take action approving execution of Job Order No. NCCP-030, in the amount of $242,690.45, under the Job Order Contracting Agreement with Grace Paving & Construction, Inc., for Amistad Veterans Memorial Park Field Improvements; and all related matters.] [3. Discuss and consider authorizing International Consulting Engineers (ICE) for engineering services not to exceed $21,182.40 for the Sports Field design at Nueces County Amistad Veterans Memorial Park.] THAT PASSES BY 50 VOTE NEXT ITEM IS THREE A TWO AND THREE A THREE. DO YOU HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE ON THAT? >> MOTION TO TABLE AND SECOND. >> IT'S A MOTION TO TABLE, NO DISCUSSION ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE HERE CAN YOU POST. HEARING NONE MOTION PASSES FIVE TO ZERO. THREE ITEMS WE ADDRESSED -- GOING TO CATCH UP THERE -- [INDISTINCT] THANKS FOR ASKING, ALWAYS GOOD TO KNOW. THERE WILL BE NO ACTION ON ITEM A ON EXECUTIVE SESSION. [C. Discuss, consider and take action approving payment of the Yield Reduction Payment for Positive Arbitrage in the amount of $3,273,813.09 to the United States Treasury and authorizing the County Judge to execute IRS form 8038-T; and all related matters.] ITEM B, THERE'S NO ITEMS THERE -- NO ACTION THERE. ITEM C COMMISSIONER PUSLEY I. THINK YOU HAD A MOTION ON THAT. >> I DO. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF THE REDUCTION THE AMOUNT OF $3,273,813.09. ADJUSTMENT BY THE AUDITOR EMPLOYMENT ALL PAYING DOWN OPTIONS PRIOR TO THE PAYMENT BEING MADE AND SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY REVIEW. THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO LOOK FOR PATTERNS OF FUTURE POSITIVE ARBITRAGE AND ALLOW THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE ALL RELATED NECESSARY DOCUMENTS. >> I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTION ON THAT MOTION? IS IT CLEAR TO YOU GUYS? BASICALLY THE PUSH TO PAY IT BUT -- WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE'S POTENTIAL PAY DOWN ACTIONS ON THAT. BEFORE WE PAY THIS WE WANT TO REVIEW IT AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE NOT ANY PAY DOWN OPTIONS WE MISSED ON THIS PART OF MAKING THAT PAYMENT. IF THERE AREN'T GET IT DONE AND IT HAS TO BE DONE BY JULY 27TH. [INDISTINCT] WE WERE TOLD THAT YOU WERE TOLD THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME OF THOSE OPTIONS SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PURSUE ALL OF THOSE. >> FUTURE ONES -- IT SAYS FUTURE POSITIVE ARBITRAGE, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN ANYMORE THEN WE HAVE TO. >> IT'S NOT A PENALTY. >> WHAT IT IS IS WE JUST HAVE A VERY HIGH INTEREST RATES OVER THAT FIVE YEAR. OF TIME ON THIS. WHAT I MENTIONED, I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMEBODY, WAS WHENEVER WE DO A BOND ISSUE IT GOES INTO ITS OWN BANK ACCOUNT. THE FASTER WE SPEND LESS MONEY THERE IS THERE. SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT. SO THE LESS BALANCE WE MAINTAIN -- I DON'T KNOW I ACTUALLY DON'T REALLY DESCRIBE, I'LL LET YOU TALK ABOUT IT AND FIGURE IT OUT AS LONG AS YOU'RE CLEANING THE MOTION AND SHE CAN ARTICULATE, [02:15:04] THERE'S NOTHING WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING -- LET'S SEE, AM I MISSING ITEMS? I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL THE BUSINESS WHETHER THEY. WE DO HAVE VOTES IN MEMORY OF -- >> DID WE VOTE ON THAT? >> DID WE NOT VOTE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED. HEARING NONE MOTION PASSES, THANK YOU, JUDGE FOR CATCHING ME ON THAT. [ Adjournment in Memory (upon request)] THAT'S ALL WE'VE GOT ON THAT ANYTHING ELSE I MISSED ON THE AGENDA? HEARING NONE WE'LL GO -- ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY TODAY. ANYBODY? I HAVE ONE KIND -- HAVE THE OBITUARIES, WANT TO MENTION SINCE NOBODY IS WAIVING HAND. I DIDN'T WANT TO MENTION -- LONG LITERARY SURF SHOP BENJAMIN, JULY FIRST 2026 LIVING LEGACY THAT SHAPE CULTURE FOR NEARLY FIVE DECADES THEN GREW UP AS THE SON OF A FARMER IN TEXAS WHERE HE WAS A STANDOUT ROLE PLAYER FOR THE ROBSTOWN PICKERS AND WAS THE OCEANS CALLED THE DIVINE HIS LIFE WORK LEADING HIM TO ESTABLISH WHAT BECAME THE MOST BELOVED SURF SHOP. ON JANUARY SECOND 1976 BENJAMIN FOUND SERPENTS STARTING AS A SURFBOARD ONLY SHOP WHERE HE SHAPED AND -- ON PORT STREET WOULD BEGIN AS A ONE MAN OPERATION AND EVOLVED INTO A MULTIGENERATIONAL INSTITUTION THAT WOULD OUTFIT COASTAL SURFERS AND SKATERS FOR 48 YEARS, THE SHOP'S GROWTH AND EXPANSION WITH BENJAMIN ESTABLISHING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE AREA, WAS QUITE A MAN QUITE AN INNOVATOR IN THIS COMMUNITY. L CERTAINLY READ THE OBITUARY THE NEXT MEETING BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO MENTION A LITTLE BIT AND THAT'S OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF BENJAMIN. ARE THERE ANY OTHERS BEFORE WE ADJOURN TODAY? SEEING NONE WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 1:09. HAVE A GREAT DAY * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.