I'm This morning our invocation will be given by Mr. Jim Heath and our pledges will be led by Mr. engineer will you please stand. I heard it, Father. We thank you for this day for our country. Please be with this court today as they do the county's business. And Father, please be with all of our people as they go through trying times. Be with our service people throughout the world as they stand in harm's way by the all all come home safe and sound. In that name we pray. Amen. Please join me in the pleasure of your state of America and to the republic for which for his stands. One nation under God, the individual with liberty and justice for all. One of the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God. One in the justice flag. Thank you, gentlemen. Item one is for public input. For items not listed on the agenda, if there's any member of the public that would like to address commissioners court, we ask that you please complete a public comment form available from the aid of the court on the side table over here. And we'd be glad to hear from you. I'd like to also remind everyone to please turn off your cell phones and pages. Members, item two is a consent agenda. I need to pull item two C. But other than that, do we have a motion for approval? Are any questions? Motion by Commissioner Marchand. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. On favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed to the name? Motion does carry. Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, Madam Chair, and a new hire and adult probation. 2V is approval of the Intra Departmental Transfers. 2D is approval of Budget Amendment request 102120 for professional services, for Child Protective Services, in the amount of $1573. 2E is approval of Budget Amendment request 102130 for primary health care services for public health clinical in the amount of $40,000. 2-F is approval of budget amendment quest 102-140 for computer equipment and operating equipment for vehicle maintenance in the amount of $5,181. 2-G is approval of budget amendment quest 102 102150 for computer software for capital replacement fund in the amount of 66,120 dollars to H is approval budgetumant quest 102160 for small tools for vehicle maintenance in the amount of 973 dollars to I is approval budgetumant quest 102 170 for office supplies for human resources in the amount of $900 to J is approval of budget amount plus 102, 1-8-0 for computer software, the county clerk records management funding the amount of $1,600 to K is approval of budget amount of plus 102, 2-1-0 for computer software and computer hardware maintenance for county wide technology, the amount of $65,500, two L is approval of a budget amount of $65,500. Two L's approved of a budget amount of Quest 10220 for HMAC for road and bridge precinct foring the amount of $138,150. Two M is approved of a budget amount of Quest 10220 for computer software for geographic information systems in the amount of $3600. Two N is approved of a budget amount of $3600 to N is approval of budget amount of Quest 102 240 for legal and for commissioners court in the amount of $2500 to O's approval of budget amount of Quest 102 250 for operating equipment and vehicle repairs for shares reserve unit in the amount of $66650 to P is approval of budget amendment of quest 102 280 for various line items for shares department, any amount of $140,000, $54.2Q is approval of budget amendment of quest 102 290 for various line items for various shares departments, in the amount of $33,805 to hours of approval of budget amendment of quest 102300 for law and reference books and CD ROM law and reference for law library in the amount of $13,648 to S is approval of Budget Amendment request 102 310 for office furniture and according to clerk in the amount of $9,612 and we'll go back to item 2C and McCollum Beth Lemming. Good morning. We do have a change in funding that is different than listed in the Agenda Packet. Funding for this project will be transferred from the AAA precinct for discretionary funds to a new AAA to count. 61, 73, 87, 90, 60 for the Copper Canyon Road North and that's the only change. Thank you for the clarification. Members, any questions? Do we have a motion for approval? Motion by Commissioner Ead, seconded by Commissioner Marchant. On favor please say aye. Aye. Poscenine. motion does carry. Now we're going to go to 3A, which is a presentation of one, the Achievement of Excellence and Precurement Award and two, the UPPCC, fully certified agency award to the Denton County Purchasing Department. I'd like to read the letter that was part of the backup. This letter comes from the Achievement of Excellence in Precurement Award Committee. It says, Dear Judge Horne, the Achievement of Excellence in Precurement Award is designed to recognize organizational excellence in procurement. The award is achieved by those organizations that demonstrate excellence in procurement by obtaining a high score on a rating of standardized criteria. The program is designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement function. The achievement of excellence in procurement is sponsored by the National Purchasing Institute, the California Association of Public Purchasing Officers, the Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers, the Institute of Supply Management, the National Association of Public Purchasing Officers, the Institute of Supply Management, the National Institute of Government Purchasing the National Association of State Precurement Officials, the National Association of Educational Precurement, and the Texas Public Purchasing Association. It is my pleasure to notify you that the Purchasing Department of your agency has earned the 14th annual achievement of Excellence in Precurement Award for 2009. Moreover, Ditton County is one of only 34 counties in the United States and one of only 28 government agencies in Texas receiving the award. Your agency is one of only six government agencies in the United States who has received the award all 14 years since its inception and has scored in the top 10% of all counties in the United States and in the top 10% of all government agencies in the United States. Congratulations on the achievement of the Excellence in Precurement Award. Congratulations, that's to you and your staff, that's wonderful. We have your offices getting full of these, isn't it? These things heavy. I know what they do. They do their morning exercises. And that really build up muscle. Good job. And then there's also a very nice silver placker. It just excellence in achievement 2009, UPPCC, that Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council is honored to recognize that in County Texas for demonstrating the pursuit of professional excellence through the achievement of the Agency Certification Award for 2009. Congratulations, Beth. I'm going to play the name. of the Board of Trustees. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. not my award either one of them. It is an agency award and we couldn't do it without the support of Commissioner's Court where the programs that we present to you, you support those and help us present those to the whole county. And then as far as the certification, that's the hard work of my staff who do believe in professionalism. It does give the county an advantage in our procurement division and we appreciate all the support that you give us and I am very proud of my staff. They work very hard. Thank you. In bottom line doing all that hard work saves taxpayer dollars. Okay, we are at 915 so we can go to item 4a. 4a is the public hearing consideration discussion and or approval of their re-plat of lots 12R through 16R, block 2 of Savannah phase 1 precinct 1. First we need a motion to go into our public hearing. Motion by Commissioner Marchin. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. All in favor please say aye. Aye, Opposed to the name. Motion is carried. We'll call in Bennett House. The morning Bennett. Morning Judge, commissioners come before you to replant lots 16 R through 17, you know, 12 R through 16 R blocked to a Savannah phase one. It's in precinct one. And basically what the freshwater supply district has shifting the lot lines over about 20 feet. The better fifth their comprehensive land use plan. We did send out public notices to the landowners and have not gotten anything back either for against it. Okay, that was going to be my question. Do we have any questions from members of the court? So anyone in attendance who would like to address commissioners court on this issue either in favor of or opposed to the proposed reply. Anyone in attendance who would like to address commissioners court on this issue? I believe not. Is there anything else from you Bennett? Anyone in attendance that would like to address commissioners court on this issue? I believe not. Is there anything else from you, Bennett? Okay. Do we have a motion to close our public hearings? Motion by Commissioner Marchant, seconded by Commissioner Eads. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, Cine? Motion does carry. Thank you. Thank you, Bennett. carry. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have a few guests with us this morning but are probably carrying on the proposed budget and then the adoption of the tax rate are posted for 10 and 10, 15 respectively. I can't start until that time since that's the posted time. Just wanted you to know. I'm going to go back to item one here since this is not a posted item. And I mentioned it last week that Sunday was Commissioner Marchance Burthing. And we wish them a happy birthday, but today we have cake. So for anybody that would like to have, huh? Sounds cake. Sounds cake, is that what it is? New favorite? Okay, well, I'll offer it to anybody else as long as you save the commissioner a piece. Okay, but it's available in the room over here if you'd like to have a piece of cake and a cup of coffee, or waiting, you're welcome to do so. Okay. Let's move on to item 5A. 5A is approval bill report payments from CSCD, Community Corrections, T-A-I-P, Shares, Training Shares, Forfeiture, VIP, Interest, D-A Check-Fee, and D-A Forfeiture funds are presented for reporting purposes only. And soon as James gets unhanding this out, he'll address this. Good morning, James. One last commissioners. Passed for the bills to be approved as presented. With the six deletions, as noted, all various council process and errors that we will correct and a process correctly, this week, it's all corrections we have. I have the questions and amendments recorded. Do we have a motion for approval? Some move. The questions from members of the court are we have a motion for approval. So moved. We have a motion for commission or march and seconded by commission or eeds. Okay. All right. I'll in favor of the motion. Please say aye. Aye. Opposed to the name. Motion is carried. 7A is approval of budget amendment quest 1 0 0 for repairs and maintenance for didn't kind of storage buildings in the amount of $3,000. Do you have questions or moves recorded? Do we have a motion for approval? So moved. Motion by Commissioner Marchand. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. Here are no questions. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposite. Motion does carry. 7b is approval of the budget amendment of quest 102-110 for a lawsuit settlement for non-departmental in the amount of $300,000. Motion by Commissioner Coleman. Seconded by Commissioner Marchant. Questions? Your none. On favor please say aye. Aye. Posting. Motion carries. 7c is approval of Budget O'Millment of Quest. 102104, various line item including the transfer of 34,000 from non-departmental and appropriated court contingency, court ordered contingency for 211th District Court in the amount of $38,439. Chair will move for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Marchant. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed to the seat. Motion goes carry 7D is approval of budget amendment of Quest 102200 for part time salary as benefits for criminal district attorney in the amount of $450. You should. Motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Seconded by Commissioner Coleman. Any questions? Hearing none. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, Zanene? Motion is carried. Senate and E is approval of budgetament request 102260 for computer software for a department of information services in the amount of $2,475. Motion by Commissioner Marchant. Seconded by Commissioner Mitchell. Questions? All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Okay. Come on, people. You have three days off. It's time to wake up. We'll try that again. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed to any? Motion does carry unanimously. Thank you. 7-0 is approval of budget amendment quest 102-2700 to increase revenues and advocate expenditures. For overtime, we'll see the task force benefits for shares department in the amount of $26,000. I'll make it for approval. Motion by Commissioner Coleman, seconded by Commissioner Eads. Are there questions here? None all in favor I'll move for approval motion by Commissioner Coleman seconded by Commissioner Eads are the questions Here none on favor please say aye aye Posting E motion does scary They don't too much time off I think yeah, I'm not enough Okay, we're gonna go to 8 a which is discussing and preventing the gift card to the retirement recognition program that we'll call on any fellows. Good morning, judging commissioners. This was an item that was initiated by Commissioner Mitchell. And I sent you some additional information on it this morning. And it's a topic open for discussion. Commissioner Mitchell. and it's a topic open for discussion. Fisher Mitchell, well done and I were talking in the office and Donna actually said we were talking about the fact that we had removed the cake from the employees and Donna said, well what about some kind of gift code or something and I said, well you know that's a good idea. When I left GTE after 20 years I got a watch and was able to select something out of the catalog. But I had thought we'd sought out for the gift code, and then I saw the commission of eats that talked to Amy about maybe a catalog item. So I think, you know, it's open for discussion, it's for his unconcern. I think somebody who leaves here, this county, should get some kind of thank you for your service and retirees, yeah, that retirees. And so that's where I wanted to start at, that we would get some kind of retirement gift. Initially, I thought a gift card and I spent $50 in the beginning, maybe I said $25 or $50 and then after some research, Amy said that would require the pay taxes on it. I certainly don't want to have somebody pay taxes on $50. If you're going to give $250 a more, then taxes, they'd still have a little something. So I wanted to open the discussion and I wanted to open it with the commissioners' co-it. Now with the personnel policy committee, I wanted to open it with you guys to see if you all would think that it was something that you would even like to look at. I mean, how much did we spend last year on employees that retired? That $350 or something? I was at $3. Probably because the cakes were about $30 and got one about one a month. If we were spending $30 on a cake $20 or $50 on to that, I think to me would make me feel better. I have to work for GTE for 20 years and when I left and got something, you know, I appreciated that and I appreciate the facts of the employees' service for ever how many years and then retire. So that's where I am on it and I'm open to going to a catalog to let them choose a gift. I know after I left some employees got to choose a lot better gift than I did. I'm the catalog. I see those purses they got. I'm not looking for anything is extravagant but I am looking for something that says thank you for the job that you did for them. Commissioner, are you suggesting recommending what is your recommendation? We have some people that are here maybe 10 years or 12 years and you're going to draw a distinction between those that are here 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, I would like to make that distinction. you're going to make a draw distinction between those that are here 20 years, 25 years, 30 years. I would like to make that distinction. You know, I don't not sure that any you have questions about that, didn't you? Making that distinction about I think if I've been here 20 or 25 years there certainly should be a standard for my being here 25 years but I've only been here 10 years, and then there may be something else that I want to, you know, a lesser amount, but for strains. It has to aim me to get us some catalogues we could see different brackets, you know, for years of service, obviously. The HR office looked in, that's not, they don't do catalogs and do more online things now. So as far as making a formal recommendation as far as bracketing the years of service, I don't think we have a recommendation. It was Amy sent that to us today and so we're going to look through the online catalogs and bring forward a recommendation as far as bracketing free years of service. There are other catalogs. I've just sent a couple just to give you an idea of what they're showing. You know some counties or cities have done something like this and I think you had about in the beginning you had about six or seven examples where some people do catalogs of some give a gift certificate or a gift code and some there's the department does the retirement party. I think on page 476 and 477 I believe are the page numbers that show what other entities do in their variety of approaches there to retirement. So I want to open it up for discussion and see what if you all are even think about doing this. First of all, and then we'll Commissioner and the Eats and I will look at a catalog and see if we can come up with something. All in Commissioner Martian, what's your thoughts on this? I, yeah definitely. I remember leaving a city of Carrollton as city councilman we received a watch. I mean and, and, uh, anybody that, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and it mounted. I don't know about the catalog letting them look through a catalog. I'd rather have it pretty standard and bracketed of what that gift's going to be. You know, everybody always made a joke about retirement, getting retirement watch, but I didn't ever see anybody ever give the watch back. I like it. I didn't turn it down. No, I turned it down. So I like that idea. I like that. I like that. I like that. I like that idea. I like designating what the gift is going to be within a certain bracket of years. That makes it to me easier. Commissioner? Commissioner Cohen. I like the effect that it would be left up to Commissioner Mitchell and Commissioner Ead. No, you would be left up to Commissioner Mitchell and Commissioner Ead. No, you can be left up to the goal. But I think it's a good idea and I think that it would be good for them to vet it. Our watch seems nice to me. Yeah. But I do think there should be a distinction between years of service. I don't want somebody, you know, we've had some people I can think of one that was here for 32 years, and more recently we had somebody that we tired after like 12 years, I don't think the recognition should be the same. It's great, yeah. I thought I don't appreciate somebody, but I just think there needs to be a distinction there. It puts in 32 years, it needs to be special. After Chancellor was here for a long, long time. Ever kept in Chancellor? It needs to be special. Captain Chancellor was here for how long? A long, long time. I remember Captain Chancellor. Ready? Ready. No, Pat, we were at the task office. We see a 32 years. Yes. Cool. Cool. We'll talk about it. OK. Well, I think the consensus of opinion is we come up with a recommendation for court with a distinction concerning Nierz's service. Okay. Move it. But it's shaking her head, yes. So, thanks, thank you. Okay. The posting here says, doesn't approve adding a gift card to the retirement recognition program. There's not really a vote to support, I believe, a gift card. I think we're looking more in the gift category rather than a gift card. So there'll be no action on 8A today. We've re-worded it when we know we're bringing back. Thank you. 8V is approved the addition of extra expense coverage to Denkundi's current property insurance policy As the backup indicates all of you are certainly aware that we've had to move out of our building and it's made to think about some Expenses that were not covered and we were very fortunate the last two times that we had to vacate the carol building that the expenses that were not covered were very small, but it's made us think some more about other events that could occur where there might be quite large expense for for continuing, continuity of business. And one of the examples that we thought of, I guess, was if we had to vacate our jail and we had to finally space for inmates. And that was probably the worst case that we could think of. And so we talked to the Sheriff's Office and tried to get an estimate of what they thought it might cost if we had to vacate the jail for a month. Certainly, you know, when these things happen, we don't know if they're going to be for a week or for two or three months. And so it's impossible to tell exactly what we'll need in a given circumstance. But we have gotten some quotes on what the different levels of that kind of insurance would cost and you'll see them there in our memo and we recommend the middle level a million dollars worth of coverage, but we didn't know what the commissioners court would how you would look at it and what the commissioner's court would, how you would look at it. And there is sufficient money in this year's budget under the property insurance line item. Or in the 2010 budget, I should say that I assume will be adopted today to cover the additional expense. Any questions from members of the court? Commissioner Marche? Any other questions? May we record commission march? Can you say the continuity of business? Remember the questions that I was asking you as far as reimbursables on the carole building when we talked about and I asked does the insurance pay for our out not only out of pocket but our out of work I mean hours that we put into bringing the carol building back online are our actual staffers that had to do that go beyond what their normal course of business was. And put over time. Yeah. Would this new premium cover that? Yes. I would go within the $1 million to be... Would you motion? Hold on. Yes, million dollars. That's... V my motion. Seconded. And motion by commission. March and seconded by commission. Mitchell, are there other questions or comments concerning this issue? All right. from Mitchell. Are there other questions or comments concerning this issue? All right. Here none on favor the motion. Please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Annane. Motion is carried. Thank you for researching. Ann. Thank you. Unfortunately, we have to prepare for disasters. Disasters. 13A is acceptance and approval of Dr. Nicole Bryan's appointment to the Health Advisory Board. The appointment replaces Joe Redre uses as a commissioner around March and precinct to appointment. I should approve. I'll second. I should mention the commissioner March and seconded by commissioner Coleman. I'll in favor please say aye. Aye. Opposed to the seat. Motion is carried. 13V is acceptance and approval of Ronnie Smith's appointment to the Transportation Committee. This appointment replaces Joel Marks, Commissioner Ron Marchin, pressing two. This is- I want to make the motion for approval and Mr. Smith is here on a back row if you would stand or raise your hand or this is Mr. Smith is joining us today. We have a motion by Commissioner Marchant. The chair will second. Thank you for being here. I will give it a motion. Please say aye. Aye. Oppositing. Motion is carried. I'll in favor of the motion. Please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed to the name motion this carry 13 c is approval contingency allowance authorization number six inclusive and of change order number 18 It credit in the amount of $7,861 Good morning, Dean Judge commissioners. What this is is 55 I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Marchant. I'm in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed, Cinean. Motion does carry. 13D is approval of revisions to the by-laws that didn't kind of take the services board. I just have a question. I have no idea what the revisions are. I mean, there's... It's the brand new... It's just the brand new... Excuse me, let me get to it. Are these the brand new bylaws totally rewritten? Or... And that's totally... There's just really a change. Underline the revisions. Like to see a markup, I guess? Yeah, yeah. I don't know what the difference between what they had and what they're changing. It's not that much different except the fact that the office is limited on their time in the office holding the office. And actually that's not in here. Yeah, that's one of the things I would like to, I didn't, I looked through it and I didn't see that. No, that's what I like. Okay, I thought she was going to put that in there, Judge. I would like to propose term limits for the officers. It's good. Oh, for the officers. Yeah. I see the membership term. Yeah, I meant to, uh, underlying the changes from the prior bylaws to these, there really were just a couple, um, Commissioner Mitchell and I met with the president of the CPS board and, um, Oh, shoot. We can certainly do that. So we can certainly do that. Okay, with me. Excellent, I'm terrible. Put it off for a week and make those. Yeah, I'm sorry. I need to underline that. Let's do that. Let's number one underline. There's really only a couple changes from the parabiala's. And we'll get those underlined for you. The second part is I wanted to put in there some language to limit the officers' terms. Now and I'd like to have a little input on that. Do you want to say that if a person's president this year they can't be treasure next year? Do you want them to sit out for a year or two? In fact which? One year or two years. I think there is really in any organization it's helpful to have the person that's vice president move up to the presidency. So I kind of hate to limit that action because for continuity in the agency I think that's helpful. But I don't like the idea of the person that's been treasure for 15 years just because they're reelected. I think that we have some issues and we need to have some change out. I like was a system where you basically get on track to be president where you start to be secretary and then you become treasurer and then become vice president and then you become president and then once you're president you're pretty much not going to be president. The only problem with that commissioner is not everybody wants to be secretary or trier. Well, if you can be president. It might stick into the vice presidency but they don't want to be Secretary of Trigger. Well, it might step into the vice presidency, but they don't want to be Treasurer. Well, I think it's a good idea, because when you become President, you've done everybody else's job. Got all of it? Then you're asking somebody who's taking those positions for more than a one-year commitment. You're asking for a four-year commitment. That's a call. After the only. That's a valid point. I just you know I think we need to have some mix up in the leadership there. I do too. I do too. Commissioner Martin. At the only thing is that these are appointed positions appointed by us and then and if you I had the same argument in a nominating committee at the for the North Texas Judge and Association and basically it was you you're the Secretary, you vice president, and you move up to the president of whatever that position is and basically I said, well, what if that person doesn't get reelected or retires from their elected office? What do you do? How do you serve? How do you feel that position? These are appointed positions at any given time at the end of their term, whether they're Secretary President or Vice President, they can be not reappointed by us. And so what happens to the continuity of if they work up, I guess, what I'm asking. If that means if there's a two-year term on an officer, then if you start as a treasurer it may not, or a secretary, it may be six, eight years for your eligible for presidency. I mean, however long you know the two, if you have two year terms, then you move up to the next year's two year terms, then you move up to the next year's two year terms, then you move into the president. That's six years before you can be president. Is that what you're saying? No, I don't think that. I'm sorry that I don't understand. I'll take the, I don't think that the term of service would have to tie with the term of office. The appointment could be two years, but the officers could all be a one year progression. Do you see what I'm saying? Yeah, I see what you're saying. Yeah. I agree with the commissioner. Commissioner Comans comments, but people progressing through and also there are some people just with a judge said who may not have an interest in serving as treasure or may not have an interest in serving. I understand that but I think it would be nice to have people progress through a leadership development on a board with any board. the years within any one position. You know, they can't serve any one position more than X number of years and they sit out for a year and it comes back so that there's some diversity among the leadership of the board. All right, we'll turn this one year, I think, if I read it. Yes. What is? Yes. There's no prohibition on repeating. So you could have somebody be a president forever, as long as the board voted for him, or a treasurer or other officers. Any progress, and even though it would be problematic because we appoint them for two-year terms, would be a good idea in my opinion. Because when I was president of the Bar Association, they have it where you progress all the way through. Well, it's good to have the president of the Bar Association having been the treasure at one point because they know where all the bills are going, and you're just not signing checks and not having any idea where they go. I agree with your point about the limitations by term. Welcome over to some recommended language. How to put this in the bindless? I think we kind of need to figure out which direction we want to go and then put the language in and to be honest with you. I'm a meeting over here. I'm having a progression or a term limit as to officers. I think we need to develop a consensus. Are you saying term limit on any one position or just turn limit as an officer period? If you're president, are you saying you don't want them to go back and be secretary? And when I'm talking about this big of board here, we don't have too many limitations on it. And it does help for continuity to have an experience too, but we all recognize that we need to make some changes, I believe. Think about it. I think we need to think about it. Yep. Do you think commission needs? Which way would you rather go? I agree with you. I'd like the progression, but I don't want to make it too complicated. And the two years. And we can go and so did our pointees. And so I mean, so it's not going to be perfect. I think we've got to begin with that. It's not going to be a perfectly structured progression because things change because of officials and appointments and everything. I think we could shoot for a preference that would give the board a directive to try to follow to operate with under Shusay. We may just need to adopt a policy or a bylaw that says you can't repeat your term in office. So if you're president you can't be president the next year but all right and I think that's what we were thinking. One year terms or they two. One year terms. That may be the simplest way. What do you all think? Yeah, I like that. Although I'd like the progression. I like the end of one year limitation one year term. But you're not prohibiting them from serving as term. So you're not prohibiting them from serving as say, rice? I don't know if they're secretary one, you're they could be. I can get to the president and you have a one-year term and then you shit out another year before you can be another. Right. Before you can be on the board. I'm not saying that for a year. On the executive officer. As an officer. I mean, as an officer. Yeah. I think you're, we have a new executive committee every year. For a position for the past president. Are you going to say that the person that's secretary and treasurer can only serve the one you? I think what we should do is just have a policy that says you don't repeat your term in office. If you're secretary. Any of the positions. Right. If you're secretary, you can't be secretary the next year. And then we might suggest to them, hey, if you can, why don't you follow a progression policy? Because that would follow with that. And then it would also allow if somebody doesn't get reappointed to push somebody else in there. Okay. Sure, go ahead, hand. Without... This is a 501-3C3. What is required, and I may ask James, well, what's required of that organization as far as an audit? They don't have to have, excuse me. There is nothing that requires a nonprofit under the IRS, under Section 501, to be audited. All right, thank you. I didn't read through here. Is there a requirement of the commission's court for an audit to be had to have an audit? An outside audit other than being audited by the officers themselves? Okay, just before the organist, do you either finances for Don? Not at all. No, the question is, do I have to review their finances? No, I don't. You can there... No, not at all. Now, I don't see that having authority on under the child welfare board as a separate organization. The money that they receive that's outside county and county funding is within the county budget. So they fall under the funding they receive from the county follows under all financial rules and restrictions and guidelines that any other county funds do. The funds, the child welfare board, receives as a separate entity as under their 501c3. I don't think I have any authority to review those nor what I really want any. The 501C3 is really just a designation by the IRS, and that correct me? If I don't want to see three is a specific IRS designation as a tax exempt from income tax purposes, that's all it is. It is a separate organization in it to have their own bylaws, all of course, some corporation and so forth. Of course, they are only, it only exists under the auspices of the Commissioners Court to the point. So they're not really counting, not really totally separate counting. Members, the only two changes in these proposed bylaws from the prior bylaws is, first of all, Article 3, Section 8, concerning meeting absences. No more than four absences in a board year, or they'll be asked to leave the board. This is a working board. They need the people to be there and take part So if they've got something on and going on in their life that they have to miss four meetings a year they're asked to Step down from the board. That's one change the other change is article seven section four They had some language change their concerning posting of agenda items and Bobby and I had a problem with it and sat down with the board president and essentially went back to the 2006 version of the bylaws, the language that was already there. So I guess what was being proposed was the change and after Bobby and I visited with the president was agreed to go back to the original language. So really, at NASA there's only one change and that's the change to no more than four absence is in a board year. So that'll be the one change and then the other change is limiting the terms, trunneling it. Hey, welcome back. Would you please look at the auditing, I don't see turn this on. Okay, look at, look at, look back. Would you please look at the auditing, I don't see anything of it. And the reason I bring it to your attention, it was brought to my attention about what kind of audit they do on the books. Is it annual audit? Is it a, what kind of audit, you there's there's different levels of audit and um which I handle a lot of cash so thank you check it out and get that reposted so it'll be no action on 13D today let's go to 13E oh wait a minute no we'll's go to 13E. Oh wait a minute, no, we'll come back to 13E because that's going to take more than 10 minutes to discuss. Let's go to 14A. 14A is approval of the interlocal cooperation agreements for property tax collection between Denton County, Texas, and Denton County Freshwater Supply District numbers. 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1G is recommended by the Denton County Tax Assessor Collector. Chair, I move for approval. Seconded by Commissioner Eads. Questions? Hearing none, all in favor please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed, Cyanne? Motion carries. 14b is approved of the Under Local Cooperation Agreement for Property Tax Flexions between Denton County Taxes and the City of Denton is recommended by the Denton, County, Texas, S. or Collector. Motion by Commissioner Coleman, seconded by Commissioner Marchin. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed to the name? Motion carries. 14 C is approval of one revised memorandum of agreement for purchase of right away by Denton, County, Texas and Deloitte Hancock for parcel 38 of the Copper Canyon road project reflecting the change in the payment amount from $13,793 to $15,300 to grant authorization to proceed with the closing and approval for the Dimkani judge to sign on necessary closing documents to purchase the right away and three direct the Ditton County auditor to issue a warrant in the amount of $15,300 plus any apiable fee for the purchase of right away to fully with funding to come from from Commissioner precinct for a triple for coppercandid road funds. This is auditor number 7673 8 7 9 0 10. Motion by Commissioner Eans seconded by Commissioner Marchant, other questions? No, no, in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, sen. Motion does carry. 14D is approval to terminate the contract for the transportation of human remains between whether or family, funeral services, LLC, eternal rest funeral home and didn't kind of Texas is recommended by being burdened director of the Dent County Health Department. And which do you have questions or was there sufficient information in your bathroom? I make a motion to approve, second. We have a motion by Commissioner Marchant, seconded by Commissioner Eads. Are there questions or is anything you wanted to state, sir? I would just say we had some concerns with this contractor a little over a year ago. Sent them a letter. They seem to have corrected them. We've been informed by TACC County Medical Examiner's office that there have been recurrence. and it's a major problem and we believe consultation with purchasing and legal the best thing for us to do is to end this contract. Beth can we go to the next one on the bid or do we have to? Our plan is to use the next low bidder on a temporary basis until we can go back out to bid. We can spend up to 50,000 at that point. It's about an $80,000 a year contract. So we will contract, excuse me, on a month to month basis until we can go out to bid and solicit bids from off-arms again. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Here, no further questions. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposite, aye. Motion. Thank you. Well, we are about 70 minutes away from our posted time for the hearing. Let's take a seven minute cake and coffee break, shall we? So we're in recess until 10 o'clock. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the Commissioner's Court is reconvened. We will go to in the item or B, which is our posted public hearing on the proposed budget. First, we need a motion to go into our public hearing. Motion by Commissioner Marchant, seconded by Commissioner Eads. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed to the name. Motion to the carry. It will call on down the street. Good morning, Judge and commissioners. I'd like to welcome everyone to the public hearing. We also have some handouts here of our slideshow. Back here on the ledge, if anybody's interested. Attached is our proposed budget cover. As you see, there's a statement required that we include on our cover, which talks about the budget and how much tax money will be raised from the budget this year. So it's been posted according to the statutes. We've also published notice in the Denver Curriculum Chronicle in August August 20th on August 14th. We also posted it on the main page of our website on August 14th. We filed the budget with the county auditor and county clerk as required to be And the notices have all been posted on September 2 for public inspection. This is a copy of our website so you can see all those notices have been posted accordingly. Early in the budget process, in February, in fact, the Commissioner's Court set the established goals and philosophies for the departments to use throughout the budget process. Our goals deal with being physically responsible and conservative, planning for change and growth, maintaining safety and security of our citizens, keeping the lowest possible tax rate, preserving and upgrading our infrastructure, developing economic and industrial growth, maintaining a stable high quality workforce. And that's live show. Good. Providing for an effective and efficient judicial system, retaining and expanding partnerships for the health of our citizens, fulfilling legislative obligations, long range strategic planning, maintaining adequate fund balance, and enhancing e-government solutions. I believe that our budget this year, even though it's, we see some reductions in departmental budgets, we're still able to maintain these goals that you established. Budget process begins for us as I mentioned in February. We had workshops with our departments in March where they were trained on the online budget application. Their budgets were submitted to our office on April 30th. And we presented a recommended budget to the court on July the 14th. We had budget workshops after that in July 3, mid August, we've also held two public hearings as required on our proposed tax rate on August 25th and September 1st. Again, we filed the budget for public inspection on September 2nd. And we're here today to consider adoption of our budget and tax rate. The current budget that we're working under for fiscal year 2009 is $181.6 million. What's being proposed is $184.5 million, which is an increase of $2.9 million. Based on the state of the economy, I feel like we're proposing a very conservative budget. In fact, most of our departments are seeing reductions in their budget requests. We're experiencing reduced revenues, fluctuating fuel costs, low property value increases, home foreclosures, a volatile financial market, an impact of inflation. Again, we continue to remain physically stable and have acceptable reserve funds, and we anticipate services to remain at the current levels. Some of our budget priorities this year were to work together to keep a balanced budget. I think the court took action to avoid bigger impacts later. We're attempting to protect our valued and skilled employees, attempting to retain public service as best we can during a time of economic uncertainty and protect our ability and capacity to operate in future years. The proposed tax rate summary, this is similar to what we've seen. You'll see several slides that are were shown during our tax rate public hearing. Our current tax rate is 0.23577. The effective tax rate is 0.242153. The proposed tax rate to fund this budget is 0.2498, which is an increase above the current rate of 1.4 cents or above the effective rate of just under 3.4 of a penny. That's a 3.16 percent increase above the effective tax rate. This chart explains a little bit about the effective rate. This is the rate that will provide our jurisdiction with the approximately the same amount of revenue that it had in the year before on properties taxed in both years. And there's an exhibit there from the truth and taxation code that helps explain how that effective rate is calculated. You take the prior year taxes, less taxes on property loss this year. My first time exemptions are deducted. That's divided by the current value of property taxed in both years and then multiplied by 100. years and then multiplied by 100. This is a quick summary of the major funds in our budget. Of course, general fund is our primary fund. You'll see that is pretty much status quo. 114.4 million. Rather than bridge, you'll see a reduction of 1.2 million dollars. And that my hat's off to all the commissioners, each of the four precincts reduced their budgets and set the example for our county departments. Juvenile probation fund has a slight increase. As you know we had expanded our Juvenile facility last year and we had some deferred hiring so there's an automatic impact built-in budget bought about $200,000. In red I've noted our debt service fund that's our primary increase this year. It's going from 28.9 million to 34 million. Again these are for projects that were approved by the voters in November of 2008. And all of our other funds combined are reduced as well by $1.2 million. As we're talking about the budget, it's important to talk about the voter approved debt projects. In November 2008, bond election was overwhelmingly supported. That included a facility and technology projects that totaled $185 million. County Roads and Bridges totaled $75 million. Trip 08 road projects totaled $235 million. Trip 08 road projects total $235 million. For a grand total of bonds approved by the voters of $495 million. The court did issue our first issuance of debt in May of 2009, with a breakdown to include facility and technology projects that totaled $47.5 million. That includes design costs for some new facilities. That includes the Lewisville Government Center, juvenile probation, expansion, and jail expansion and then construction projects for Loop 288 Phase 2 in jail roof repairs. County Roads and Bridges Accord issued $10 million. Trip 08 road projects total $32 million and we did issue projects total $32 million. And we did issue $15 million from another bond project from Trip 04. So the total debt issue was $104.5 million. Voters were informed that the impact on the tax rate to issue $495 million in debt over a four to five year period of time could increase the tax rate to issue $495 million in debt over a four to five year period of time could increase the tax rate by approximately one penny for each issue. Based on the calculated effective rate, the proposed rate that you're seeing today to fund this budget includes debt than a penny. It's .007647. So I think you have fulfilled your promise to the voters with the action that you're considering today. This shows the current tax rate versus the proposed rate on $100,000 home or $200,000000 home. Taxpayers could see, of course it depends on their individual evaluation. We know each and every once a little bit differently, but assuming that those values state the same, an owner of a $100,000 home could be paying a $1,17 per month increase or on a $200,000 home $2.34 per month. This chart shows the average home value in Denton County is now $212,370. You will see someone that resides in the city of Denton would pay total tax bill of $5,110 of that $3,164 or 62% would be for Denton I's D school taxes. At 28% for city of Denton taxes or $1415 and Denton County taxes is what we're talking about here today is $531 or 10% of that homeowners tax bill. The next visual just kind of shows the monthly taxes broken down for you on that same home. Monthly taxes are $426 of that $264 is for school tax, $118 for city, and only $44 for Denton County. This is a 15 year tax rate history. You'll see that the county has maintained a very low tax rate. In fact, it's significantly lower than it was in 1995. In 1995 it was 0.27838 and what we're proposing today is 0.2498. The next chart is just a visual of the top of the 10 years previous so you'll see that that bar chart is pretty level for the past 10 years. This is a comparison of the top 10 Texas counties and we use the countywide tax rates on this chart. This includes any countywide rate in these other jurisdictions that might include a hospital district, community college, water and drainage districts, as well as their county tax rate. And you'll see from this chart in dintin county your rate is 249 point 2498 and if you live in a dalga county you pay almost 80 cents per one hundred dollars of value I think that says a lot for dintin county This is the top 10 counties as well showing their tax rate and their employees per capita. You'll see in that chart we're also the lowest on the chart of total employees per 1000 county residents of 2.33 residents. This next chart shows you if you lived in some of the surrounding urban counties around Denton, what you would pay on that same home value in Denton County you pay $531. If you lived in Tarrant County. It would be $1378. Dallas County $1214 or Collin County 704. I'm going to talk a little bit about some of the revenue changes we're seeing in the budget. We are anticipating $4.8 million and additional tax money from the increased tax rate increase that's being proposed. Increasing taxes from new property is $4.3 million. Fines are increasing by $55,000. But we have a lot of reductions that we're seeing as well. Bail bond forfeitures are down by $71,000. Fees are down by $515,000. Inner governmental, which is typically grants or contracts with other intergovernmental agencies, they're down $628,000. Auto registrations are down by approximately $800,000. That's a direct impact of less auto sales throughout the county, throughout the United States. Interest earnings, we're expecting a loss of $1.2 million. And we have less transfers from other funds to help fund our budget. So total revenue changes total $3.4 million. And this is a visual to show you how our revenues are broken down. 71% of our budget is funded through property taxes and the other percentages are listed there with fees, fines, auto registration, intergovernmental, miscellaneous, etc. And out of the property tax revenue that is collected here in Denton County, 73.5% of that comes from residential property, 22.5% from commercial and 4% from mineral. Sparks down just so you'll be able to tie the charts to the various functions. Public safety includes our county jail, Sheriff's Department, all of our constables, adult and juvenile probation, fire and services, and emergency management. We also at the county provide funds for all the county roads and bridges. Also the legal system, judicial system includes 20 district county and JP courts, our district attorney's office, district clerk, medical examiner services, as well as security guard services. Debt service, of course, is our long-term debt that funds the road and bridge projects and county facilities. We have capital projects. Health and welfare includes our health department in both our clinical and environmental divisions, child protective services and injured health care. We also have the financial section includes the Auditor, Treasure, Tax Office and Budget. In general administration includes all of our county clerk functions, commissioners court, human resources, purchasing, information services, elections, and veteran services. And we also have Facilities Management. This is a breakdown of expenditure changes you'll see in the budget. Debt service payments are increasing by $5.1 million. Health insurance and other benefits that includes our retirement rate are increasing by $5.1 million. Health insurance and other benefits that includes our retirement rate had to be increased this year based on the volatile market conditions. They all suffer just like we have as well. We have some minor increases for longevity pay and incentive pay that total just about a million dollars. There are 10 new positions included in the proposed budget that total $546,000, a big percentage of that is for jail expansion. That would be to open up 48 additional jail beds. We do have about $400,000 in the budget to adjust salaries to the minimums of the new grades that were proposed by a company we hired called Evergreen Solutions. So those are the only salary adjustments that are included in the budget that affect about 20% of our workforce. Repairs and maintenance have increased, will over $200,000. Utility and gasoline prices have increased $10,000,000. Groundwater conservation district costs $150,000. Indigent care expenses are up $100,000, as well as other health care expenses, have increased $72,000. Now we have some reductions I'd like to show. There's reductions in training and education of $21,000. Library funding was reduced this year by $44,000, as well as funding for our social service agencies, reduction of $84,000. We do have reductions for rent and lease payments of $123,000. We really reduced departments budgets in the area of supplies by $234,000. Telephone expenses have decreased $335,000. Last year we implemented a new telephone system and those expenses were one-ton. Other transfers and miscellaneous expenses are down just over half a million dollars. Breding Bridge reduced their budgets by a million two and we saw significant reductions for capital equipment that totaled over 2.3 million dollars. So our total expenditure changes are 2.8 million dollars. This next chart just shows the breakdown based on public safety facilities. You'll see that a majority of our expenditures go to public safety as far as about 15% for our judicial and legal system, 4% for health and welfare debt services about 18%. Out of that budget, about 47% of our budget is for maintenance and operation. 52% is for personnel expenditures and 1% for capital expenditures. We talked a few minutes ago about new employee requests. Departments requested 33 new hires this year. The budget office recommended six. And after our budget hearings, the court added four positions for a total of 10 positions. Those positions include five for jail expansion. Those are all detention officer slots. Constable precinct six their part time administrative specialist one position was moved to full time status. The county clerk records management department received an assistant records manager. District clerk received an assistant department supervisor. Public health received a health technician and county planning received a construction manager. We also deleted some vacant slots in the budget. One court clerk for just so the piece precinct five and also a legal intern for the DA's office. and then Commissioner Coleman reduced his budget by also deleting a quality control technician position. We also transferred several positions to non-tax funded departments this year. Four and a half positions were moved from the County Clerk's General Fund budget, which is funded through tax revenues, to the County Clerk Wriccords Management Fund, which is funded through tax revenues, to the County Clerk Records Management Fund, which is strictly funded by fees for services. Two positions were transferred from our General Fund Records Management Department to a Records Management and Preservation Fund as well. and as well. This is a breakdown of all the employees in the county. There are a total of 1,1667 employees. Again, you'll see the majority are 54% of our staff is for public safety. 5% for red and bridge, 6% for financial, 8% for legal, 9 percent for judicial, 11 percent for general administration, and the other 7 percent for public health facilities and conservation. This is a 10 year employee history report. You'll see that over the past 10 years, a number of staff has increased by 20%. This shows the employee per capita rate. Four 10 years rate was 2.83 per capita in 2000 and is being proposed to be 2.334 this fiscal year. This is a 10 year population history chart. I think it's important to see that the population in the past 10 years has grown by 45%. Also looked back to 1990. Our population has increased by 130% since 1990. And in 1980, I think that was the year I was born. Not really. It's increased by 339%. That pretty much concludes the presentation I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. I have a question for you. Is there any member of the public in attendance that would like to address Commissioner's Court concerning the proposed budget and tax rate? Anyone in attendance that would like to express an opinion concerning the proposed budget, tax rate, or have any questions? It has some public here last time, but not today. It looks like, members of the Court. Do you have questions or comments? I have comments on the employees I'd like to vote on that separate and the new employees. Do you have other questions or comments? All right. Well, once again, Donna, you and your staff and done a great job pulling this together. I think every year it gets more difficult, isn't it? It's been especially challenging year, but once again, you've done a great job. If there's no further comment, we can close our public hearing motion by Commissioner Mitchell. Seconded by Commissioner Marchand. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Opposed, in any motion is carried. Commissioner. Mr. Three, bottomless. This is the one that I didn't vote on during the session. Which one? It doesn't the Truth and Taxation require us to vote on the budget as a whole. The Truth and Taxation laws require us to, the language as it's posted on the agenda here that is specific law that's, I'm sorry, specific language that's in the law and it has to be stated with those precise words. It doesn't allow us to be separating things out from the budget. We have to. Okay. I just wanted you to understand I'm not being understood to request but the law specifically states it has to be stated in this manner and it's word for word this way in the long. Are there any other questions or comments from members of court? And you did get a chance to vote on it during the budget process so. I'll vote for the tax rate. I will know how you feel. Ha ha. Commissioner Ease, did you answer anything else? No. OK. All right. We'll go now to item 4c, which is a proof of the adoption of the fiscal year 2009, 2010, Denton County budget in the amount of $184,505, I'm sorry, 184,505,108 dollars. Chair will move for approval. Motion by the Chair, seconded by Commissioner Marchant. Questions or comments? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye, opposed say aye. Aye. Opposed, say nay. Aye. Opposed, she carries four in favor, one opposed. And I have no problem with the overall budget. Three new employees. 4D is posted at 1015 or past that time. So we're really going to go to item 4D Which is a probably adoption of the Denton County tax rate of 0.249 8 per 100 dollars of that taxable value for tax year 2009 John page 374 of your packet includes the court order the wording is very specific in the property tax code. And it reads differently than the agenda item. Oh, does it? I'll go to the left. And that's in there. And read it to be read verbatim. Yeah, it will. And just a second here. It was specific. I just took for granted the agenda item was. Okay, we'll read from the court order then. Yeah, essentially they have us voting on the tax rate and then ratifying what we just did. It's two separate actions. So we'll go first. This is for E and we should probably have a court order states at this way so that would be correct. Or D or D. Commissioner, March and didn't you make the motion? Commissioner, Marche, didn't you make the motion? Yes, we did. It has to be stated just that way. I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of the property tax rate. Turn on your microphone. I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of 0.2498, which is effectively a 3.16 percent increase in the tax rate. This tax rate will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year's tax rate. The tax rate will effectively be raised by 3.16 percent and will raise taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 home by approximately $3.30. The adoption of the tax rate on $100 of taxable value for Denton County for Tax Year 2009 includes .018773, since for the purpose of maintenance and operation and 0.06207 cents for the payment of principle and interest on debt service for the total county tax rate of 0.2498 cents. So moved. Motion by commission March and who made the second before? motion by commission Marchion. Who made the second before? Who's you? Okay, I'll second the motion. So for further discussion Hearing none on favor please say aye aye a post in the motion does carry now for E And I believe this is posted correctly, but just to ensure I'm going to read directly from the court order. The chair is going to move to approve ratifying that the adoption of the 2009-2010 didn't kind of budget will raise more total property taxes from last year's budget by $9,107,512 or 7.4% and of that amount, $4,304,830 is tax revenue that will be raised from new property added to the tax role this year with a total tax rate of .2498 per $100 of taxable value, that's my motion. Seconded by Commissioner Marchin, discussion. Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed to聲ee. Motion does carry unanimously. Budget, if I could, I just wanted to also state that the 2010 budget will be available on the Denton County website. The link is listed here. Also, if you click on the adopted budget link, you'll be able to see that information as well as some historical data. We also will be placing the PowerPoint presentation from the day on the website as well. I'm very special people. I want to take an opportunity to thank. I have to start with my staff first. Donna Blackman is here with me, the Assistant Budget Officer. Sandra Camp Budget System Analyst, as well as LaDawn Fitzgerald. Kathy Unger, both Budget Analyst and Donna Hennrick Center Financial Support Specialist. They've come through like real troopers again and helped prepare what I think is a very financially sound document. They've gone above and beyond the last couple years. We've been displaced both times during the process and had to relocate and they've done a phenomenal job and each and every one of them are to be commended and to be proud for the job that they did. I think the budgets that we recommended is a testament to basically when you see the number of appeals we had this year they were significantly lower and I think departments understood we had tough economic times. Plus our departments, our employees work directly with them on various reductions. There are a lot of other people that are involved in bringing this document together. That includes all the elected officials and department heads and their staff. The county auditor, James Wells, for all he does to provide revenue estimates, which makes it possible for me to know where to begin. Purchasing director helps us in helps departments with various pricing information and assistance throughout the process. Human resources had a tough job this year of looking at new salary grades and ranges, as well as my department when it came to implementing the new system. There was a lot of time and effort went in on both of our department's part to make that happen. Information services, of course we couldn't do our jobs without Kamenkar and his staff, and the work that they do to provide the budget application for us online. Taxicist or collector Steve Mossman and Michelle, of course, Michelle is real troopers. She calculates all those tax rates for all the entities and we appreciate the job that she does. She also assists me with all the public notices that have to appear in the newspaper. Ashley Boynton County clerk's office, her first year to go through a budget process with us. As she did an outstanding job, she got the orders to us in a timely manner, and they're all caught up and up to date and initially I appreciate the job you've done. Also, Kim Gillis and her staff, they've dropped what they were doing a couple times to help me with some legal questions and issues throughout the process and I appreciate all that they do. We also have some committees that are formed, some are employee committees such as the Vehicle Assessment Committee and the Social Service Agency Committee. I never really properly thank our valued staff, just county employees for critical services that they provide to the citizens of Denton County. They're Denton at the share without a raise. They know times are tough. We haven't heard a lot of complain in from people. And times are tough, and I think they realize that and I want them to know how much each and every one of us appreciate the jobs that they do. And last but not least, commissioners and judge, you don't do a tremendous job, you've got a huge responsibility. I'm glad I'm sitting here and not there. I know those decisions are tough decisions to make, especially when we have to raise the tax rate like we did this year. But this year we did that based on voter approval and even though times are tough I think you made a wise choice and my hat's off to you for the job that you do and I appreciate it. Thank you, Donna. Glad that you take time to acknowledge all those people that help you and the rank and file employee is because we are all in this together for sure. And once again been a very challenging budget process, but I do believe we've ended up with a very fiscally responsible budget addressing needs, whether they be mandated or some that we perceive to be essential things that we need to address. And I think all county employees for your assistance in helping us arrive at this point in the discussion. It's always a huge relief when that final vote's taken in. Okay. We have one item left on our agenda for discussion here and that is 13E. 13E is the workshop to discuss the proposed watershed protection guidelines and a related resolution of the opportunity river water district members. I sent you some backup material via email on this some time ago and I think while opportunities intentions are certainly good and the people that have drafted these documents and tensions are certainly honorable, I had some concerns. So I forwarded those documents to Bennett Howell and asked him to take a look at them and come prepared to make some comments today about things we should consider or maybe want to do, not want to do, be cautious of things like that. Well, we all want to be good stewards of our county land. We also don't want to put the county in a position of having to expand additional funds that aren't really necessary. So with that, I'll open it up and call and then at home. Thank you, Judge, commissioners. Judge and I have been working on this for a while. Basically, what's happening is the opportunity regional water district as proposing some watershed protection guidelines for like Lewisville and to carry those throughout the county for other water bodies. Some of the ideas as I told the judge from a staff point of view their main thing is no development in the floodplain in which that's the same philosophy FEMA would like to take and from from a staff point of view, that would be the easiest for my staff to just tell everybody no. Well, from a practical standpoint, and from a land taking point of view and things like that, we have to abide by federal law. Also, there are ways to develop in the floodplain under the federal guidelines that are that we have to abide by I think. I think we have to be fair to the developers and fair to the landowners especially since this county has such a large amount of undeveloped floodplain as it is. So basically some of the ideas in this document are some good ideas but they're just not very practical. One of them is not to allow any maintenance in the flood plane, let it just grow naturally. And that might work in some areas of the flood plane, but other areas take, for example, if somebody bought a house next to one of the lakes, and they bought the property for a lake view and there's floodplain between them and the lake eventually the floodplain would grow up naturally and they couldn't see the lake so then their view of the lake would be going away and their property values would go down and it just be a mass so throughout this document the one doctor document you all have does not have my comments on it. This is what came from upper Trinity. Basically, what I would recommend is stick to the federal guidelines on developing floodplains and re-word some of these ideas of landowners can voluntarily do this to their own floodplain on their property things like that so it's not a burden on the county and it's not burden on developers Bennett I know I asked for some comments and you kind of wrote in the margin on a document here for us. You should think that. I would like to see a draft document prepared to go back to opportunity with each one of their, they have the key elements of a watershed protection program and then you know take a paragraph by a paragraph with what they had written first and then our comments below so if we have concerns about easement issues or whatever it might be. They'll have a better understanding of why we are or are not okay with the wording here. And if we want something totally out, say so, if we want to maybe just change the wording of it, say so also. So they have it paragraph by paragraph on each point. I think it's important to be that clear with them so that we don't get some verbiage back that we don't want after the through this process again. They send the document to you in electronic form that we can change or do we just going to start typing it again. I emailed you what I had if that came. There's the PDF. Well, we'll adjust it and do it that way. I'll see if I can get it for you so that you can space it in between. Members of the court, are there specific things that you would like addressed in a certain way? I just need some clarification. These are their recommendations to be adopted by the opportunity. And then we'll be adopted by us. So if we put our recommendations based upon their draft, will they? They're asking us to adopt watershed protection program and in these guidelines and to do a resolution and I say time out. I'm not totally in favor of your guidelines and your resolution and to which the response was that was just a draft. Work, work with it however you would like to see it, you know. I guess what I'm asking, can we put our own draft together and say this is what the commissioners court will accept through resolution? Will they abide by that? Or will they adopt it as well as a Ditton County resolution or guidelines? I'm just wondering if they put initial draft out and we respond to the draft saying this is what we would support and they don't do anything to their draft Are their guidelines? I don't believe they have authority to impose anything on the residents of the county You know, and that's me endorse it. So that's why I wanted to be careful what we said. Basically, this document is their idea for us to enforce. Right. It's real easy to tell somebody else how to do something else, but they don't want to have any business enforcing any of them. And that's what I want to be real careful of. So, um, I talked to him about, I said, well, do y'all want us to turn the enforcement over to y'all? And I said, no. They have no interest in that, of course. You've been part of enforcing this, Bennett? Yes. Because it's, it's basically under the floodplain regulations. A floodplain and, you know, we have code enforcement and, you know, environmental health and things so we you know we want to be a bit of a careful what we're doing here. Mr. Reads. I read your draft. I mean not your draft that you're comp. I'm written no. I'm a hand scratcher. And I agree with the judge. I'd like to see maybe a proposal that we could item by item with our response. I mean, their intentions are well and good, but it's the enforcement issues and everything. And I think our concerns, you know, so. Unless Bennett, it would be helpful to take the, I think there's two documents. There's the guidelines and there's a resolution. Maybe we should just write it the way we'd like to see it with a cover page explaining the areas that we have concerns with instead of taking it parabot. Then we have one complete document that we either like or don't like and and send it to them that way and we might want to point out to them a few why's as to why we didn't want to go there on this issue or that issue maybe do it that way or I could do it both ways until y'all could look see but whatever works for you what I changed. Any other comments on this issue? I just wanted to make sure that you all had a heads up on this so that when it comes back to court, you'll know how we got here, what's being asked for, and that we're hopefully taking the necessary precautions. You have something along this line that you would like to see in here or specifically don't wanna see in here that that men it hasn't already made note of. The time to let them know is quickly. Okay? You're good? Okay, is there anything else that you need, Bennett? I appreciate you taking time to do this. At some point, opportunity wants to come make a presentation to this court and they would like to have us adopt the guidelines and the resolution at that time. But I told them to hold off on that because until the wording of these two documents were the way we like them. I thought that was premature. All right. Okay. Thank you. All right. I believe we have 10 care of all items on the agenda. items on the agenda. We have executive session. We'll go to item 15. This is under Texas Government Code 551.0711A Consultation of the Turning the Close Meeting when the governmental body seeks the advice of its attorney about pending litigation with regard to a property tax appraisal suit. Steve Mossman didn't kind of tax assessor collectors named as defended in this cause of action. Dr. Rodgers, the Spencer versus Denton County appraisal district. Denton County appraisal review board. Denton County tax assessor collector. This is cause number 2009 6 0 263 dash 393. With that we are an executive session. the The Court is reconvened from executive session. Chiro is going to move to the sign the Denton County District Attorney's Office Civil Division to represent Steve Mossman Denton County Tax Accessor Collector. Name is defended. And cause number 2009, 6.063-393, styled Dr. Roger C. Spencer versus Denton County appraisal district, Denton County appraisal review board, Dent't kind of tax success or collector, that's my motion. Seconded by Commissioner Eads, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed say aye. Motion does carry unanimously. With that, we're adjourned, everybody have a great day. And once again, Commissioner March and happy birthday. And there's Kate. Happy birthday! In this cake!