to the Tuesday, April 30, 2019 meeting to the Ditton County Commissioners Court. This morning I'd like to welcome Matt Richardson, the public health director here at Ditton County, to lead our invocation and our pledges will be followed by Kevin Carr, our Director of Technology Services, if you'll please stand. You pray with me. Our Father, we thank you as we do. Father, we thank you for so many things. We thank you for the blessings, these gifts, the things that we take for granted, whether it's just the weather, whether it's our health, whether it's the gift of income, whether it's the love and adoration of family and friends. Just Father, we thank you for the good, good things we experience. Father, we also come to you this morning asking you to be with those who are struggling. Father, I think each of us has people on our minds, people that need your peace, that need your healing, that need your comfort. And so we bring those people to you this morning, Father. We feel helpless when we don't know how to assist them. And so we bring them to you because you are the creator of all things. And we ask for your healing hands. Father, we thank you so much for so many, but Father, we most of all thank you for the life and the death and the sacrifice and the resurrection of Your Son, so that we may be different and so the world may be different. We thank You for that gift most of all. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag at pledge allegiance to the Texas one state under God, one indivisible. Thank you, Matt. under God one and invisible. Thank you, Matt. Thank you, Kevin. At this time, I'd like to go to item 1A and welcome back someone who is no stranger to the people in this room. I'd like to welcome back Beth Fleming, our former director of purchasing, and she is here to talk about our National Day of Prayer. Welcome back Beth. Good morning, good to see everyone. As every year I like to make an announcement about our National Day of Prayer event and with me today are several women in our small band of Christian women who have been planning this for more than 10 years. And we are excited to be here and excited to have the event this year. Due to inclement weather, we have already made the decision to move it to cross Timber's church right down the street. And that program will begin at 11 o'clock with music by the McNeil family and the Bobby Robby Robb family. And then the program will actually start at noon. As always we pray for our America and our government leaders, our churches, pastors, our families, education, our youth, our military and our first responders. We have emphasis on all those categories. I know Commissioner Edmondson is participating. There's other events that I know you're involved in as well. I know Bobby's involved in one tomorrow evening. I don't know if that one's outside or not. The mayor breakfast in the morning, but we invite all citizens to come and intercede in this event this year to pray corporately for America and we hope all of you can attend. Perfect thank you Beth this is something I always look forward to and it's a great event did you have something commissioner. I just said good to see. Good does the yelts. Dorothy Smith is our chair and she's here this year and as Did you have something commissioner? I just said good to see. Good to see y'all too. Dorothy Smith is our chair and she's here this year and as well as a couple other women. And thank you for letting us present this today. Thank you. Thank you, Beth. Thank you, Ms. Smith for all y'all. It's a great event. I like the fact that we usually host a ride here on the square. And so due to the weather, we're gonna keep it going, but just a different spot. So thank you very much. All right, we have no other items posted for the public comment portion. I'd like to go to item three A, is this a presentation from the town of Draper, and in the appropriate action, I'd like to welcome Mayor Jamie Harris. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you for inviting me. I've been in Denton County for about 25 years. My husband, my son, and my dog, I've worked for the Sheriff's Department. So we're kind of involved. I've been out in the draper previously Coral City area for about 20 years. So I've been involved in some capacity during all that time. Yes, you have. For those of you who don't know, probably nobody does. It's even located. We are west of 35W and on the south side of 407. So we'll have both those big expansions going on. I'm gonna kind of give you a background of the city just because evidently we're the only town in Texas that's like this. We started off in 76 being incorporated by Geneva Hilton so that she could vote the City wet. So they became wet and they were kind of the only wet thing out there. It was 12 acres. They had kind of a little, it looked like a saloon but it was a liquor store and then a convenience store. And over about a 20-year period it came into horrible disrepair and the county condemned it because the septic system that they had out there They had their own sewage system treatment plant was backing up into all the homes and at that point James Eddie Draper purchased that property and Got it it and put up a new liquor store, a new convenient store, and moved in about 10 homes. And he of course was planning for expansion. He then annexed and purchased 75 acres to the West that was farm property. And so we became almost 100 acres. Then we worked on a water line, but all we could get was an unpressurized line. So we currently have an unpressurized water line that services the city. And he was on aerobic systems. We brought sewer in, and we almost have it paid for. He sold the town, I want to say, around 2007, and it was picked up by some people that were associated with Hillwood, and then it sold again, and we're now owned by the Scotty Brothers, which are movie producers out of Hollywood. This is true. Yes, this is true. All the property in the town is owned and always has been by one group. So I don't think there's any other town in Texas that is that way. We currently get our police services from North Lake. They do a great job. And we use Brian the animal guide, I guess, out out of Justin for our animal services. We in 2013 employed the Mitchell Planning Group to do some design standards so that as we move forward we kind of keep things because we're planning on getting a waterline pretty soon depending upon how we can come up between the owners and us with funding. Because I think they're holding out for a big box store and some apartment since we have, as you all know, lots and lots and lots of rooftops that have headed out to that area. And the last thing that we've done is we brought in a company out of Eagle Mountain Lake called Lampride Lot Services. They've been doing moving our water. We have horrible drainage problems flooding. And so they've been helping us move our water back into the culverts and also we started zero escaping what the city has to try to get away from the water usage. And that's the story of Draper. We changed our name to Draper, I didn't get to that. In 2016, we changed the name of the city from Carouse City to Draper in honor of Eddie Draper. Well, Mayor, thank you for being here. Thank you for outlining that rich history that you'll have over the last few decades. And we appreciate you being here. This is something we do every week. We try to hear from one of our mayors here in the county and hear about the history and all the great things on the horizon. So I know you have a lot of bright future ahead. I'd like to see if Commissioner Ebitz would like to say anything. Thank you so much for being here today. And I just want you all to know that not only has she been either on the council with mayor for 20 years, she also retired as an interior designer. And now you run a small home health care business and clients have traumatic brain injuries. Yes. But this is a lady with a fascinating background. And thank you so much for your service. We appreciate you. Oh, welcome. OK, thank you very much. Thank you so much, Mayor. Applause. All right. Let's go to item 3B. This is a presentation to welcome Dr. Delvin Atterson as the new senior pastor of West Side Baptist Church in Los for Texas. On Sunday, May 4, 2019 in the appropriate action. Check the data. All right. Anybody from West Side? Oh good. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. Hey. Good to see you this morning. Thank you, Mr. Njaj. My name is Vanessa Freeman. I am a member of Westside. We are so excited about the opportunity for Dr. Atterson is why I pointed to lead our church. And we just asked you guys being prayer for her as we get about doing the business of the Lord in the area not only in West Side Also in the community as well. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. We're so glad you're here. This is a proclamation whereas Ditton County is proud to welcome Dr. Delvin Atchison a senior pastor of West Side Baptist Church in Louisville, Texas. And whereas Dr. Atterson has known nationally and internationally for his preaching and teaching of the gospel and currently serves as the director of the Great Commission team for Texas Baptists. And whereas West Side Baptist Church takes pride in its outreach and stripes to be inclusive of all within the Louisville community and other communities. And whereas West Side Baptist Church is excited for the installation of Dr. Delvin Atterson as their senior pastor on Sunday, May 4th, 2019. Now therefore, the Ditton County Commissioners Court wished to congratulate Dr. Atterson on his installation as the pastor of West Side Baptist Church. We extend to Pastor Atterson a Ditton County welcome and wish him success as he preaches the word. Instant in season and out of season, reproving, rebukeying and exhorting with all long suffering and doctrine. Proclaim to 30th April 2019 upon a motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Edbitson. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? the motion carries unanimously Thank you so much Vanessa I will be there Sunday to read that to the church The venezia what department you work for hearing you work for here I've been here for the past 17 years. Oh my goodness right I'll see you on Sunday 17 years. Yes, yes. Oh my goodness. Right. All right. I'll see you on Sunday afternoon. Absolutely. I'll be looking for a favor. And Vanessa, we'd love to have the pastor once he gets settled in to come lead our invocation one morning. We'd love to welcome him up here. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for all you do. Next is item 3C. This is a presentation of the Excellence in Safety Award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool to Ditton County for its record of excellence in safety in the workplace in any appropriate action. Gustavo. George, communications good morning. We have Isaac Garcia and Todd Kisel from Texas Association of Counties to present the award to the Commissioners Court and Denton County and we also have Michelle Brewer here who is leading this project. Welcome. Good morning. Good morning, Commissioners. Good to be here. How's everybody doing? Good. Right. I'm Isaac Garcia. Some of you may know me. I'm a risk control consultant with the Association of Counties. And like you've thought I'd mentioned, I'm here to present the Excellence in Safety Award for the 2018 year. Some of you may not know we revamped our Safety Award in 2018. It used to be called the Gold Star Award. Now this is the Excellence in Safety Award. It's the top tier award from the Association. That being said, we revamped it. The criteria has become a bit more stringent. There's not very many counties in the state who are able to achieve this award. Of the 254 counties in the state, we had 17 counties that were actually able to achieve the Excellence in Safety Award. And we're very happy that Denton County was one of the hard work of the people over in the carole building. The support from court and everybody in the county. So I'd like to congratulate the county. Somebody would like to come and accept the word? We will, we'll have the county. The court will. Yeah, I'm going to get in the shed. Let me see. What are you? Thank you. I want to I just like to add to those comments, thank you for driving up this morning and presenting that to us. It's important, safety is important, it's really mission critical for us. And it really takes all employees and I appreciate the leadership of the Human Resource Department and Michelle, in particular, thank you for your guidance and leadership and inspiring the employees to work safely. And I want to thank just all our rank and file employees. Agstents happen even here in this courthouse. It doesn't have to be on a construction site. You know, accidents can happen anywhere, even in an office environment. So I just want to thank all of our employees and congratulate all our employees on the job well done. So thank you so much. Inversive, let's go ahead and go back to item two, which is our consent agenda. We have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented or would we have any items that need to be pulled. So the motion for approval by Commissioner Marchin. Second. Second about Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? A motion carries unanimously. Item two a is order making appointments and we have three promotions in the purchasing department and we have one new hire in the road and bridge, public works road and bridge engineering. So congratulations on the promotion and welcome to the county or the other. We have no action on item 2B. Item 2C is approval of payroll. Item 2D is approval of the building use request from the Ditton County Law Enforcement Association to use the memorial park behind the Ditton County Administration complex, 535 South Loop 288 in Ditton on Wednesday, May 15th, 2019 from 11am to 130pm for the purpose of the annual Ditton County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Item 2E is approval of building use request from the City of Ditton Economic Development to use the Cortesimo Square lawn on Friday, June 21st, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for make music day. Item 2F is approval of the building use request from Cam, Cam, Conner to use the Court House of the Square on Friday, June 28, 2019. From 5 PM to 9 PM for the purpose of a night out gathering. All right, item five A's are approval of bill report. Payments from CSCD, Community Corrections, TAP, Sheriff's Training, Sheriff's Forfiture, B-I-T Interest, and DA-Fourfeiture, presented for recording purposes only, Mr. May. I have no changes to the report. Okay, members, do we have a motion to approve? Bill report has presented motion by Commissioner Marchin. Thank you. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. I forgot your name. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item 5B is a approval of all matters incident and related to the issuance and sale of Ditten County Texas tax note series 2019 and permanent improvement refunding bonds. Series 2019 including the adoption of an order, authorizing the issuance of such tax notes, establishing parameters for the sale and issuance of such tax notes, and delegating certain powers to an authorized official of the county. And we're going to welcome Mr. John Martin. Good morning, sir. Good morning, Judge, commissioners. I'm John Martin with Hilltop Securities. That's a pleasure for us to be here this morning with me. It's Bob Drainsfield, your bond counselor with Norton Rose Fulbright. The Bob Drainsfield. We are here for your consideration of a couple of items here all under one for the approval of tax notes and refunding bonds. So between the two of them, there's, there'll be savings from, that we're anticipating. In the ballpark of about $200,000 a year from your debt service payments on the permanent permanent refunding bonds, these are the 2011 bonds that we'll refund. That's about, about $15 million of refunding bonds, these are the 2011 bonds that we'll refund. That's about $15 million of refunding bonds. And then the tax notes which are for building acquisition and some other various projects and so forth will be doing those at the same time. They'll both be offered tomorrow. Please do report that a standard in poor is a Moody's has once again affirmed your AAA rating. Congratulations on that. That is a very big deal. They are also excited about one of the things that they came back when their reports was that you all are starting to try to budget and stash a little bit of money away for pay as you go type projects and reducing the amount of borrowing that you will need going on and and trying to Reduce that amount and while you're paying down debt So you guys are doing all the right things well managed mr. May is just taking to this like a duck to water Here and it's you know, and his kind of stuff and he's been great to work with and again we'll be out in the market tomorrow morning with the underwriters and then money in the bank is scheduled for May 29th. You happy to answer any questions or Jeff or Bob either one. Members do you have any questions for Mr. Mark and Mr. Drancefield? How much are the tax notes that you're going out for? The idea will be to deposit, the project fund deposit should be about 15.8 million. So the par amount will be a little bit less because of the way they're marketed. Okay. Well I'm glad to know that the agencies have reaffirmed our triply bond rating, which is the best you can get. And so I'm pleased about that. That's awesome news and that they acknowledge our efforts to increase the process of pays you go. So that's been something to court for many years has been consciously making an effort of doing some glad they acknowledge it as well. All right, the chair will move for approval. Do we have a second? Second. Second about Commissioner Marchett. Any comments or questions? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries to answer. Thank you, gentlemen. For being here. A purchasing item 6A is approval to declare miscellaneous computer equipment as surplus, advertising place and online auction 192523 in any appropriate action. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Seconded by Commissioner Edbotson, any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item 6b is approval of award for employee service award, RFP number 11182499 to the Circle R Ranch as recommended by the evaluation committee in any appropriate action. No move. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Seconded by Commissioner Edmitzer. Any discussion? Yes. Commissioner Marchin. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. the right track on how we honor our employees. If you have not been doing that, is there a way that you can do that after this specific event happens? Commissioner Marchand, yes, we do perform a survey every year after we do the service award. Last year we did not conduct one, but in previous year we have always done trying to improve. See the ones and needs of the employees. And I mean the results go all over the place. There is some of those that't attend. So because it's a Saturday, they're working. It's all you, Texas, game. Some concerns are about, is this our employees, is this our families. I mean, we have resolved all over the place. Some employees love it. They think it's great. The consensus is that the sound in that place is very difficult to hear. So when we are doing the presentation, many people don't even know that that is happening right there. So we try to find solutions and any ideas are welcome. So we are, that's a great question commissioner and our office has been in conversations with human resources about that very thing. So what we will, we do need to go ahead and approve this for the circular branch for this year. But I think that's just the venue. But I think we can do it before the event as we go through our employee engagement process, the summer and fall. That would definitely be one of the conversation points that we're going to discuss. And also, while we have it here at the Circle R Ranch, do we need to make modifications to the program and the schedule and activities to make sure that it's really satisfying the desires of the employees and truly honoring their years of service. So, okay. We have a motion and a second in the other discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Mr. Hernandez, I don't, a is a report from human resources regarding hiring actions of other elected officials. report from human resources regarding hiring actions of other elected officials. Judge commissioners, we have one new hire in vehicle maintenance, three promotions in the county jail, three new hires in the county jail, and one new hire in Jordan bridge, freezing one. Okay, thank you, sir. Under the sheriff item 12a is approval approval of the joint interlocal cooperation agreement for school resource investigator between Denton Independent School District and Denton County for 2018-2019. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell, second by Commissioner Coleman, any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item 12b is approval of the law enforcement agency application for participation by the Ditton County Sheriff's Office in the Department of Defense Law Enforcement Support Office Program. Motion by Commissioner Coleman. Second. Second by Commissioner Marchant. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. We will skip 13a for now. We will go to 14a under legal, which is approval of the agreements for emergency debris management services between Ditton County, Texas and Phillips and Jordan Inc as primary. TFR enterprises Inc as secondary and seris environmental services Inc as tertiary for the removal of disaster generated debris in any appropriate action. Chair will move for approval. Second. Second about Commissioner Mitchell. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item 14b is approval of the 2019 subscription order for work-eva, performance reporting solution as cloud-based computer software subscription and the amount of $9,343. For remainder of the first term, beginning July 1st, 2019, and ending on September 30th, 2019, and the amount of $37,60 for the second term, beginning on October 1st, 2019, and ending on September 30th, 2020 with funding for both terms to come from Auditor's line item 166611045 computer software maintenance has recommended by John and Maccus budget officer. We have a motion for approval. Motion by Commissioner Marchant. Seconded by Commissioner Edminton. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Item 21a is approved of legislative policy statements and our resolutions and discussion. Or approval of other matters relating to the 86 legislative session and any appropriate action. We would like to welcome Ms. Shannon Jawski. Good morning, Judge and commissioners. Morning. Okay, exciting day in Austin today. So we just have 28 days left. The last day for the House bills to be passed out of the House committees is May 9 and I guess there are quite a few that are probably not going to make it out. SB 1066 which is our DCTA bill that was sent to local and consent calendars on April 26th. They do expect that to be on the local calendar in the house this Friday, which will be the final passage for the bill. So that could be complete by the end of this week. HB 3714, which is our street lights on county roads and HB 3716 moving the bracket from 1 million to 2 million for medical examiner both House bills are out of the committee so that also is good news and hopefully those will get passed The big big thing today SB 2 is on the house floor and will be heard Quick update of where that's at. There are over 175 amendments prefiled for today, as well as some additional changes. But as it stands today, 3.5% rollback rate for all, no index to inflation, no 15 million threshold for small taxing units and also no election for small taxing units to opt into lower rollback rate. Exims hospital districts and junior college districts and any taxing unit with a rate, a tax rate less than 2.5 cents per hundred dollars from reduced rollback rate. Unused increment adjustment to allow taxing unit to bank amount below rollback rate for up to five years. Calculation of, let's see, okay, this is, that's a different, okay, it does not affect COs and it is, it imposes a 2% rollback rate on ISD, so they're carved out into their own bracket for the school districts. So that is on the house floor today. That is the big news. Okay. SB 239 has moved out of committee. That is the bill relating to the special districts. And several house bills are coming up relating to firework sales. I know that we had written a letter and sent that off, but it appears that several of them are out of committee and they're coming to the floor and there were so many I couldn't really find a whole of them and document them all here but they are one of them is asking for a year-round sale of fireworks and others restrict county's ability to permit fireworks stand like we can't do anything with it. So they're moving unfortunately and just kind of giving you a heads up on that one as well. So that's really all I have right now. Yes. Archen. I think it's great to have two representatives from TAC here this morning because I we had some questions about the legislation that I will say is attacking your organization. And if you come up here, let me ask questions if you don't mind. Just for clarification, so we'll understand exactly where this bill might be headed and what tack has been very, very important to us. And all the years that I've been part of the government system, and I have provided the years that I've been part of the government system and have provided a tremendous amount of services to us. And last week we were asking questions, for instance, many of us yet are continuing education for the attack. I guess the biggest question, if this passes, will it do away with tack? That's a big question. I know it is because I've seen in the paper that has stated that it will do away with tack. That's why I'm asking. Good morning, Judge and Commissioners. My name is Todd Kiesel. I'm a risk management consultant with TAC. I specialize in property and casually coverage that we provide to y'all. I'll be obviously honest and candid with my answer to you. I'm not the right person to answer that question. Sorry. That's okay. That's okay. We're here to support you. As I mentioned, I'll be happy to reach out to my office to have them call you directly to assist with your question. But I'm not the right person building. OK, I thought I was getting ready to take advantage of you being here. Well, that just proves that TAQ helps us in so many ways. And so they help us with government affairs. They help us with risk management. They help us with training and education. They help us with a variety of avenues of service here in county government across our 254 counties. And so small and large. So. Would you like somebody from our office? Absolutely. I think we had some questions last week that I thought we're very, very pertinent that would affect us not only getting those those education hours. You know, education hours are I think you also provide those for justice, peace, and constables as well. That's correct. And they are funded out of the second appellate court. The second appellate court out of the state of Texas. I mean, you get funds for that from them. And I'm sure that this has been talked about and dissected over and over. But I would love to talk to somebody back and ask them specific questions so that I can relate those because they're specifically to our legislators that represent us within the county as this law if it comes to the floor. Does it look like it's going to come to the floor? Yes, so there's two. You're referring to HPE 281 and on the House side, that one has passed out of committee and is now in the calendars committee. SB 29 by Senator Bob Hall is the other relating to the prohibition of political subdivisions, use of public monies for lobbying activities. That was passed out of the Senate and sent to the House. So one is out of Senate into the house and the house bill is out of committee Sent to calendars so It is interesting to know that the governor does support this So we do have someone down and see you see this watching these people We talked about on Monday morning and so he sent us the Email about it. And he was updated as to what's going on. What did they have any perception that it would do pretty heavy duty damage to the organization itself? What do you think of the fact? Yes, yes, yes. Mm-hmm. And I believe it also would impact our sister agencies. Yes, all about TML. I believe it also would impact our sister agencies. Yes, all about to be that TML. Okay. Thank you, Shannon. Thank you. Jody, I'd like to welcome Jody, thanks also for our final marshal. Thank you, Judge. Morning, permission. Just wanted to touch on the fireworks this year. Almost all of the surrounding counties have done the same resolution that you guys passed in opposition to these firework bills, as well as most of the urban counties. Montgomery County, I know, and Fort BN and some of the others. But the thing is, it's not in opposition to the fireworks that the problem is, is if you want to pass year-round sales or increase sales, you've also got to change other legislative, you know, the statutes to allow government agencies to deal with the regulation of these things that you're adding to the amount that could be used and the time that they're used. So that's really the big issue. It's not just fireworks year-round. It's our ability to regulate them. We can't regulate them now with only 20 days totally year. And much less if we had full 365 days of year firework sales, we need to change other statutory regulations to give more authority to local government. And I think that would be obviously a staffing scenario. We'd have to evaluate as well if that went into effect for the staffing just to to inspect and respond to the also the not the locations but also the respond to the fire potential fire incidents as well. Judge. Yes, ma'am. I ask if any of my fellow commissioners or the judge has any plans to go down to Austin and Moby because without a group such as TAC or the others to present our viewpoint to the legislature, it's going to fall on each of us. Right. Be there day after day after day. We have to. Yes, I was down there last week. Which we do. It was a beat down. So, Commissioner, we do. I will say that through my 12 years on this court, each of the members, as well as Judge Horn, are very active in our legislative process. And I know that each one of us are as well. And we have good relationships, working relationships, I know you do as well with our delegation but without some of these combined efforts on a statewide basis we would definitely be down and more and it would be a financial a direct financial consequence to our budget to be able to timely respond and I'd be able to timely respond and- Not to mention the responsibilities that we have to be here and- Correct. Every county would have to go down, not just- Right. Right. And I will say that county officials are engaged in the legislative process already. Sure they are. They are across the state and they are down there. So we are not delegating our responsibility to necessarily other people but are also helping them to, they're helping to combine efforts and streamline the process which provides efficiencies and cost savings to the taxpayer. Commissioner Coleman was down there. He can also answer your question. He was just most recently. Obviously, I'm going to use conference and forth to the legislature. It seems that there's an attitude, this prevailing attitude and everything that I have read about what's going on within the legislature this year and there's a emphasis and I think it starts from the top and it goes all the way down. That even though we are elected officials and that we represent so many people within our jurisdiction that we are not, I won't say being ignored, but the efforts that elected officials are making as far as the cap is concerned are any other thing that has to do with tax reform, the press as well as the hate says about government abid but in a love government abid. No, to the pancreas, to this different issue but it just seems to be that every article is that, hey, the people that are showing up that are against this cap are the local elected entities and not the citizens from the state of Texas. So it's just a very, very weird kind of weird kind of. Ron, that's an excellent point. I was down there and, you know, I'm always so congenial, you know Yeah, I reminded people that you know us county commissioners we actually represent more people than state reps I actually did actually reminded somebody that our county does represents more people than a state center And though we were all elected for member member congress, they were a congress. And that counts for something. And that Fred Hill, who sends that really good news letter, I think hit it right on the point where he was talking about the state legislature and on our current contingent that represents in county, because I think they're very, very, very good. But they think they're Goldilocks. The federal government, you know, they're way too far away, so they're too cold, you know. That's local officials were too close, were too warm, but the state legislature, they're just right. Just like Goldilocks. I appreciate it if the legislature and for that matter the news media could talk about the difference between tax reform and tax relief. Because I think what the people want, what I'm hearing is they want relief from these high taxes and you don't necessarily get it by all these voodoo economic type things that they're looking at to do this and this and that because we're going to come out without tax relief. And frankly that's what I know people in my district are looking at. Well, it's actually, it's actually, it's just moving a tax, one tax, an entity to another one. I had to change. I had to change. I had to talk to me on this last week again. I'm sure all of us got our praises on our homes and they all went up. And so I spent the judge E. Teta engagement in Louisville, and he had another engagement that he had to go to. So I took the one in Louisville and talked to the people about the praises, the capsaid that they're wanting to stay there, wanting to put on us in the fact that your house went up, which is making your taxes go up. And I took the time to explain to them that the taxes, you know, been counting is 22 cents per $100 valuation. And that's not how taxes be. You know, you've got to pay for all the services that you get. And I said, you house went up because of the praise will that they do at the praise will district, which didn't count it has nothing to do with. But didn't central. And so, and I saw some heads shaking. Okay, you know, they understood that, but you know, one lady I talked to and length about it. And, you know, because she calls me whenever a Texas go up up and I said not you know my house went up to everybody houses went up but it's not it has nothing to do with your tax rate that didn't count it is choid in you and most of the time not even the city because we've routinely lowered it to the effective rate and you know Bobby those of us who work hard you know 180 easy payments right to pay house off, it hurts us. I completely understand and identify, but those people who have paid their house off or maybe retired because you know, I paid the house off and I have to pay the huge bill every January and it keeps going up. I completely understand. And B have done what's right, we have set the effective rate and we're being punished for being physically responsible. And we and you don't have to take our word for it. You can take standard and you can take standard in pours and movies. Three years the effective rate. You can look at standard in pours and movies and how they've evaluated our financial stewardship. Part of that bond rating is not only are they rated our ability to pay it back, but they're looking historically to see how this court operated in a judicious manner. With sound financial policies, and are we adhering to our financial policies? And we have, and that's why we're part of one of the handful of Texas counties that have the bond rating that we have. And so there's a lot of uncertainty and the legislative process right now. And as far as unfunded mandates and how it relates and commissioner Emmett's in your right, we do want tax relief. And I express that to the House chairman of waysays and Measants saying that while some of these reform measures are welcome, there are some of those measures that are welcome. We are also seeking relief and it's important that we seek relief and so after all of this legislative process and advocacy from everybody, people need to see their tax bills impacted. And so moving forward. from everybody, people need to see their tax bills impacted. And so moving forward. The bill is not going to go down. And then we're going to get blamed for it after they do all this running and hand-ringing and hairpin and the nation of teeth. There are still not go down. And there are, you know, there's been conversations regarding different ways we could provide tax relief here locally whether it's senior tax freeze and other things that we could provide tax relief. But there's a lot of uncertainty now with the legislative process and we don't know what they're going to do. So we were limited and have to be extremely cautious as we move forward on some of these things. So Shannon, did you have something else to say? I was just going to mention, I was just trying to find the number. There is also a bill that is on the move, which is looking for the number, that would take the process here, let me see if I got this. Is it HB994? So the appeals process of appraisals and move it out of the appraisal district and move it to JPs, which could be a very large unfunded mandate for counties because this would be a pretty significant backlog. In talking to the appraisal district recently, they get on average about 79,000, 79,000 was his number of appeals a year. It would be a devastating to our JPs. It would be devastating to us trying to employ those people trying to employ those people and get enough docket time to even do that. Right. And as well as the other bill where they're trying to move into DPS to DMV. Right. And that has a great impact on us. Eventually, yes. And that has passed. And actually through structural change, where we're going to put all these people. I mean, it's just, yeah, when I read that about the the JP and being a JP I cannot I cannot. First of all JP's not even qualified to make a decision on the pre-sulval. I couldn't tell my next door neighbor what his house is valued at. Commissioner Edmondson. Shannon, thank you for mentioning that. When I saw that, I did forward the information to the TJPs that have part of my district to hear a slew and to highlight the column. And each of them responded almost identically that there's no way that they would want to take that on. They talk about additional staffing, additional space, all kinds of things that we just simply become a real world. And so I advise them to contact their legislators and let them know. Good, good, thank you. All right. Well, another week of good news. I want you all to know I'm more than willing to cover for you all when you go to Austin. Perfect. You wear shoes. All right. At this time I'd like to go to 15A which is the under Texas local government code 551074 personnel matters close meeting to deliberate the evaluation or duties of the position of veteran service officer and I'm 16A is under Texas government code 5510711A consultation with attorney in a closed meeting when the government body seeks the advice of its attorney about contemplated litigation regarding redistricting and any appropriate action in it is nine. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm going to be able to get the first place. I'm going to be able to get the first place. I'm going to be able to get the first place. I'm going to be able to get the first place. I'm going to be able to get the first place. I'm going to be able to get the first place. I'm going to be able to get the first place. I'm going to bevene our meeting from executive session and we would like to go to item 13A and I welcome our elections administrative Frank Phillips forward. This is to discuss approval and or discussion of boundary changes to county election precincts, commissioner precincts and J.P. Consul precincts and any appropriate action. Mr. Phillips, thank you for being here. Good morning, Judge and commissioners. First thing I'd like to talk about is our election prisinks. As you know, every other year in March or April, we have to look at the voter prisinks, have over 5,000 active voters and we'll require to split those. This year there were three of those, precinct 1026, 1036, and 2017. We also look at the ones that are 4,000 and over that have a lot of development going on. And if they are 4,000 that have a lot of development, we also recommend that they be split. Otherwise, it would be another two years before we could split them that also Has three precincts that fall under that criteria is 1,000 to 1029 and 1035 I've submitted the mats to you of our recommended splits both the Republican and Democratic parties have repeat those maps and their in agreement with the maps that are provided to you. Perfect. Members, do you have any questions or comments regarding the voter precincts as presented by Mr. Phillips? I move for approval. We have a motion by Commissioner Coleman, second by Commissioner Marchant. As far as any further discussion, we do have our party chairs here from the Republican and Democratic parties. Do you all have any questions or comments, ladies? Thank you all for being here. Thank you all for being here and being part of the process. Commissioner Edminson. When will these new precincts on stick effect? They take effect January 1, 2020. Okay. We do have a motion and a second on the floor. Further questions or comments? Other than they'll be named at a future date. Correct. I wanted to make sure they were all approved before we know. Okay. All right. Commissioner Coleman. I was looking at agenda 16A. I just wanted to clarify there is no contemplated litigation regarding redistricting. Okay I would agree with that. Judge I'm sorry could I ask one more question? Yes ma'am. Well filing for precinct chairs begins in September and then ends the end of the filing period which is usually the four January 4th. How will potential presencers for these new presenks be allowed to file in the precinct that isn't actually created into? 2019. Yes, that's what we do now. So that gives us time to, number one, make all the changes in our system to get ready for January 1, and it gives us time to notify both of the political parties. So they can be prepared to make people file the run for that upcoming precinct. Thank you. Okay. We're going to call the vote and then I have an item to mention as well. So all in favor, adopting the revised voter precincts as presented by the Ditton County Elections Office. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion carries jamsley. Thank you, Frank. Well, as we continue our redistricting process, I would like to go ahead and put on the record that would you agree that our Commissioner precincts based on numerical population are out of conformity without outline and local government code. I would. They, you know, it says that they should be as equal as possible. And because of the population growth in our county, they have become severely unequal. Okay. So would you also agree that we are allowed at this time during the summer of the spring of summer to go ahead and proceed with redistricting those boundaries? Absolutely. That's the Commissioner's report program. Okay. So we believe that at this time the best process to a next step for this process will be to include a variety of stakeholders that we've engaged historically over in the past. And so the county judge will be seeing out letters this week to a variety of interested parties not limited to but will include the Democratic Party Chair, the Republican Party Chair. Our representatives from Lulac, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, and Asian groups to be determined because we have a growing Asian population across the county. We want to be sure to reach out to those different groups. The county judge will be sending out letters inviting them to be a part of this process and to make some middles to the county judge of their proposed math realignment so that we can take those and take their considerations into play as we look to revise that. So it will be a timely process and we're looking forward to doing that here in the spring of 2019 so we can get that adopted. So the county judge will be sending letters out to those interested parties and above them just like we have in the past. Regarding, I would like to go to executive. Is there any more questions or comments regarding item 13A members? Okay. Item 15A, there will be no action today under executive session 15A, there will be no action under 16A. The commissioner's Court will be directing our Director of Purchasing Scott Arledge to begin a RFQ process regarding consultants and or attorneys to help us with our redistricting process. Okay, is there any further comments? Commissioner Coleman. That's just pretty much on an ad-needed basis. I mean, we don't think Anything's gonna go wrong or anything, but we just in case we need some help or advice Correct. We may not use them and we may not use them, but it's always a good it's like a it's a tool It's always good. Correct. Have it and not need it the need it and not have it. That is a true statement any other Commissioner Edmondson did you have a question or comment? I just wanted to clarify, we're not spending any money right now on an attorney comment. This is true. I only, I can tell you from personal experience, I only charge you if you use them. And we may not use them. Thank you commissioner Coleman. I wasn't aware of it. Just going to tell you. Yes, I will go ahead and make a move to instruct the Director of Purchasing to begin an RFQ process for an attorney or consultant to help didn't count you through our redistricting process, the chair will move for approval. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. for approval. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. There was a very, very low turnout in LISD election and that covers a lot of my precinct a lot of your precinct and very, very low turnout in this early process. And then there's other elections going on within our county. So I would urge everyone that can vote. I urge that they do vote. And you probably will tell us about early voting hours. Early voting ends today at 7 p.m. So early voting today. As of this morning, countywide turnout was only around 2%. Those who've gone, those who have governed local, governed best, so it's really important to get out of it. All right. We're having a mayor's prayer breakfast in Louisville, so that's at 6.45 tomorrow morning. Also they told the bathroom, yeah, tomorrow's Wednesday. Oh, no it's not, it's next week. Next week. I'm a week ahead. The eight. It's the eight. It's like hang on. Don't forget the National Day of Prayer which is Thursday. Thursday. Better being here on the courthouse lawn we're going to put it over at the cross-temperes church. Yep. Okay. Okay. All right. We are adjourned. Thank you.