Yes. All right. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to your Jefferson County Commissioner's Court meeting for Tuesday, May 13, 2025 is 1032-33 AM. And we'll call this meeting order and we'll begin our meeting today as always with an invocation today led by Commissioner Erickson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led Senegal if you feel led to rise. Now you have, right, Heavenly Father, we thank you for this glorious day and out of glorious day and the kingdom that you created for us. We thank you for this opportunity to gather together to conduct the business plea of the county. please give us your divine wisdom and guidance so that what we do and what we say will be pleasing in your sight. Again, Father, lead us and guide us and forgive us where we fail you. Your name we pray. Amen. Please join me in the play of the League, as a flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, individual with the time of public comment. If there's any individual present, the courtroom that wishes to make comment on any item that's on today's agenda, you may approach the lectern. If you are attending remotely, you'll need to press our six-time Mutual Line. Hearing none, we'll close this time of public comment. And we will begin our agenda a little bit out of order with Adam A. Under County Commissioners considering possibly approved proclamation for drug court. Do I have a motion on that item? So moved. Second. I'm in motion. Seconded by commissioners all for Narex and any discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Yes, it's happened. And if the representative of the drug court could come up to the podium, I'll read this proclamation. And it reads, whereas, according to all rights, treatment courts are the most successful justice system intervention in our nation's history for reducing crime by addressing substance abuse and mental health disorders and where treatment courts are saving average more than $6,000 for every individual they serve. Treatment courts provide a range of economic benefits to the community such as reduced cost and court and prison expenditures, increased tax revenue, lowered foster care expenses and decreased cost related to victimization, and treatment courts combine accountability with evidence-based treatment. And when I have treatment courts annually refer more than 150,000 people to lifesaving treatment and recovery support services. And according to all rise, treatment court significantly improves substance use and mental health disorder treatment outcomes and prevent fatal overdoses. And we have treatment court's facilitate community wide partnership bringing together public safety and public health. And there are now more than 4,000 treatment courts nationwide. And we have treatment court courts demonstrate, one person rises, we all rise. Now therefore be it resolved that the Jefferson County Commission's Court is hereby declare that the month of May 2025 will be treatment court month in Jefferson County, signed this day by the members of the Jefferson County Commission's Court. And Judge Shelton, I will turn it over to you and your team there. Thank you, Judge and commissioners. This is probably the best thing I've ever been involved in. I mean, we were really making significant changes and we're trying to keep families and children together that are suffering from the substance use disorder and other disorders. But first, I think the proudest thing is the people out of our group. This is Emily Kimmig, Roxanne Evans, Prashima. So they had to use Mary Bevel and Pat Velasco and they're part of the team. And Emily Prashima and Roxanne, there were also recovery coaches. So they were absolutely the front line of working with all of the parties that come into our floor and work with us. And if you don't mind, a blackberry has a short presentation and with some factual information, and I'd like to share that with you. If you have one, go right ahead, Miss Bell ahead, miss Bell. Jefferson County's family intervention and recovery support treatment, first court, offers a vital pathway for families impacted by substance use disorders and related challenges. Designed for parents who are at risk of losing or have already lost custody of their children due to substance related concerns, first court provides an intensive collaborative approach that prioritizes healing and stability. This innovative program connects parents with recovery services while coordinating efforts with child protective services, TSCN, peer support, attorneys, and community organizations to ensure children are placed in safe nurturing environments. Since its inception in 2005, First Court has reshaped how Jefferson County responds to family experiencing substance use issues. In Texas, thousands of children enter the child welfare system each year due to substance related removals with reunification rights often remaining low. However, communities that implement family treatment court models like Jefferson County are seeing promising changes. Between 2020 and 2024, Jefferson County experienced a marked decrease in child removals and a gradual rise in successful reunifications. These shifts suggest that intensive team-based support structures like First Court may help families remain intact or reunify sooner offering hope where their once was only disruption. Many participants who graduate from First Court are now maintaining sobriety, securing employment and resuming active parenting roles. These outcomes aren't just a reflection of individual progress. They illustrate how coordinated support can create opportunities that traditional court processes alone may not offer. In a testament to the long-term impact of recovery-centered intervention, a number of first-quarter-one-night have gone on to pursue careers in the middle health and addiction recovery fields. Some are now certified peer recovery coaches, case managers and advocates working in treatment centers, child welfare agencies and nonprofits, often serving the very populations they were once a part of. Their lived experience provides both insight and inspiration, strengthening the local behavioral health workforce while extending the reach of recovery support in the community. The impact of programs like First Court Extends part beyond the immediate family. Research shows that children removed due to apparent substance use disorder are at a significantly higher risk of entering the child welfare system themselves or experiencing similar challenges in adulthood. By addressing the root cause of family separation such as trauma, mental health issues and addiction and providing structured recovery supports, first court offers an opportunity to disrupt this intergenerational cycle. In addition to social and emotional outcomes, the fiscal benefits are notable. A Southern Methodist University study found that for every dollar invested in family treatment courts in Texas, taxpayers saved over $9 through reduced incarceration, fewer foster care placements, and improved participant self-sufficiency. Jefferson County's experience mirrors this trend with fewer prolonged cases and more families reaching stability sooner, helping ease the stride on local systems and creating long-term cost savings. First Court represents more than just an alternative legal model. It is a community investment and lasting change. By empowering parents, stabilizing family, families, and supporting children through recovery-focused services, Jefferson County is laying the groundwork for stronger, healthier communities and now for generations to come. Oh, if I just take it it said what happens whenever child protective services remove the child from a home as a result of suspected abuse or neglect. They the parents are given an opportunity to participate in the family treatment drug court to either participate in the evidence-based treatment program to free them from their substance use disorder, and are directed to other agencies that can help them with mental health and with the end result being recovery, reunification with their children, and avoiding the necessity of sending people to prison. Is that a shorthand rendition of what your account And it's been a very successful program here in Jefferson County and one where extremely thankful to participate yet Well, last thing Emerald report or a statement she mentioned at Endales County for every dollar they spent they saved $9 so as soon as I find that $9 back to you I'm sure we can figure out how to wait and stand and appreciate it. Seriously thank you all for your support and you're all invited anytime that you're interested to come and watch our program we're gonna be there this Thursday and at 11'clock, we have a kind of a staffing and then our participants show up and you know we just we just try to encourage everyone and you know support their sobriety and it's just it's really very heartwarming because a lot a lot a lot's going on a lot of good things. Sometimes in June you have a family reunification day, don't you? Yes, very sick. Yeah. Yeah, reunification day in 279th Court. We've got the Tainted Family Care Network. It's supposed to be a big deal. This is the first time Defton County has hailed a reunification day ever. So it's a big deal. Would you send us an email on that, please, Judge? Yes, sir. We're all invited. So it's kind of hard, but it's a different version of Canada's auction day. Well, thank you so much for what you all did. You appreciate it. Thank you. All right. Also a little bit out of order. Madam Chair, I am the Chair of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senate of the Senateers to consider an appointment Mr. Troll, if Reno is the appointment of Commissioner Eric, and the Judge and County Dredin, did trick number six board that emotional in that item. So moved and seconded. Any discussion? Judge, I'd Mr. Reno is here in the audience today, and I just wanted to thank him for agreeing to serve on that move. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The aye is having it. Mr. Reno, will you approach the bench? Can you raise your right hand? Do you, Charles Reno, solemnly swear, or a firm that you will faithfully execute the duties of the Office of Jefferson County, drainage district number six board of directors, and will to the best of your ability. Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the state of Texas and of the United States. So help you, God. I will. Congratulations. We appreciate you. And I will have an oath and statement of officer for you to sign immediately following court. All right. Moving back to Adam. He's officially on the board. They are meeting in about 30 minutes. school. But they need this more than OK. So we'll move back to Adam's under purchasing item A is consider and improve specifications for request for statements qualification for engineering services for the Tech for General Land Office. Community development and revitalization disaster recovery reallocation program for students, chapter 262, 262 Texas local government code the County Purchasing Act and two code of federal regulation sections 200.3183327 and in be as considered a proven order request for proposals for inmate health care services for Jefferson County correctional facility to TK Health. I don't see it's considered an approved execute received file renewal for a term contract for marine motor fuel. For Jeffson County, for our first one year renewal with TriCon Inc. from July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 20th, 20th, 26th, pursuant to chapter 262, the Texas Local Government Code, the County Purchasing Act, and two Code of Federal Regulations, six and 200.318-326. And indeed, it's considered an approved execute receiving file change order number one to invitation for bid for Jefferson County Virgin Center renovation, percent to chapter two, the Texas Local Government Code. The County Purchasing Act and two Code of Federal Regulations 6 and 200.318-326, with the preferred facilities group USA in the amount of $65,939.70 for sealing demolition to install a fire sprinkler system in the entire building bringing the total amount of the contract from 4,704,870 to 4,707,899. Out of me, it's a consider and improve execute receiving file of preventive maintenance agreement with unified power for the 337 pine tree port and HS tower and the amount of communications tower in the amount of $2,220.59 for the period from August 1st, 2025 to July 31st, 2026. Out of math, it's a consent or improve execute received and filed a professional services agreement with that. Let's technical consultants, LLC. To perform construction material testing services for the Jefferson County Divergent Center in the amount of $5,840 in accordance with the discretionary exemption and authorize by local government code section 262.02484 for personal and professional services and item G is considered and approved execute receiving file agreement with just a praise for document indexing for the Jefferson County clerk in the amount of $23,300 for the period from May 1, 2025 to April 30th, 2026. Do I have a motion of those items under purchasing? So moved by Commissioner Senegal and seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Discussion? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Yes, The ayes have it. Under county auditor, we have several items. I may as consent to approve a budget transfer for JP precinct two. For purchase of a TV and rolling stand, the amount of $600 out of B is consented to approve a budget transfer for road and bridge precincts one for purchase of of a diesel work truck Adam C is considered approved electronic disbursement for 667,978 $40 to the Texas State Controder for Intergovernmental Transfer for Jefferson County local provider participation fund for the uncompensative care D-Y-8 redistribution program. Adam D is considered an approved electronic disbursement for 823,498.67 cents to the state controller for the intergovernmental transfer for Jefferson County, the National Health and Human Services Commission, and the National Health and Human Services Commission, and the National Health and Human Services Commission, and the National Health and Human Services Commission, and the National Health and Human Services center project in the estimated amount of $72,000 using the diversion center special revenue fund. G is considered approved event funding request for American Rescue Plan Act to approve a project which option counting revision in the amount of $75,9927. Item H is to consider an approved option counting for August and abuse policy. Item I is to discuss, consider and possibly approve expenditure for television for JP 1, place 1, using JP Technology Fund, estimated amount update, $855. Adam J. is regular county bill check number 528-049 through 528-303. And Adam K. is considered to approve a budget transfer for the county clerk for the purchase of just a praise software in the amount of $25,000. We have a motion on those items under county auditor. So moved. Moved by Commissioner Willis. Second. Second by Commissioner Senegal. Discussion. Director, this is just between I and this three of our judges and eight.'s for precinct two and one's for precinct. One in place, one, the problem is, and one of them is a budget transfer. The other one's out of the JP technology find. And the question is, what are JPs done? Tell us, what do they need it for in the JP court? And my recommendation, recommendation because TVs are a question when you look at the list It does say computer hardware imaging that When I talked Kathleen and I kind of talked that you know came up with a standalone TV If they're needing to use it, you know some of them have it Connected to the cable or to be able to be able to get the weather or whatever other events that stand alone TV. I don't know that that would really, my recommendation would not to be to use the JP technology funds. I know that Ms. Stool has indicated she would like to connect hers using the laptop. And that's why it was requested that it would be put on the agenda for your consideration. What are they used for? Yeah, would you like to come up to the, I mean, because I know in the district courts that the lawyers frequently use the televisions for demonstrative evidence purposes, but I've never seen it used in JP Court for such. So maybe you can educate it. Absolutely. And thank you for the opportunity to see him before the honorable court today and more importantly to address the citizens who tune in to these procedures. I think a great question is being asked as to how the TVs are being used in the Justice Court. They are being used just like a computer monitors being used connected to a processing center It's used to display images to first of you media that comes through as evidence and also for us to conduct virtual trials Currently we can only do the virtual trials obviously on teams and zooms We only have a computer right now our TV screen is down So we have to basically turn the computer screen around so that people in the courtroom can see it as you can you can see that would be a problem because the TV screen is only up. I mean the computer screen is only like 18 inches. And so the TV is just being used solely connected to our computer system to display the images that are used in court evidence. And so you question about what happens in the district courts where you can get for the same exact reasons in I mean, I've tried cases in district court and used it, but I've never used it in the JP court before. So I'm just hearing. It's a big monitor. If it, yeah, and it's mounted to the television and it's connected to our computers, and I as fit it all up to where we can display, we've had parties appear on the screen, we're able to have them come in virtually expert witnesses as well. We can do criminal and civil trials multiple times throughout the week, two settings, two days through Thursday, and so we are using, I mean we're using it and currently we've been making do but I don't think we should have to. I think the citizenship have access to justice and of course especially with the technology fund that is specifically laid out for these purposes. One question I have says listening that is, is it all justice courts have in this? Same thing? No, that I'm aware of. We're not going to follow this up with the request for spectrum TV service, all right? No, we've had the television for about four years. Now the previous county auditor had no issue. Approlegate as a part of the technology fund. Bill County, Montgomery County, Travis County, McClendon County, they all have these in the courtroom. With more elaborate outfits, all the maskings that are on one computer screen be replaced. And my question still remains, what's the difference in the technology fund in April? She's purchasing her out of technology fund. This JP2 just asked to use his budgeted funds. He didn't ask to use the technology fund. We should. But if you all want to.. Can I spend the part of the technology and just real quick? $14.14, a $14.org cost, is assessed to every criminal case that a person is convicted of. 28% of that goes to the JP technology fund, specifically for this purpose. And so I understand that precinct two may not have requested it through this, but I mean, I would argue they they maybe they should have Which they also have a rolling cart which the rolling cart would not We're paid for the rolling card, but but the other one that's fine. Yeah, to me if I Would like to see some continuity If you're using it for that purpose to display trial type issues that then I don't have problems. That seems to me like what it should be used. And I don't have problems, I'm still. You can make the turn of the button, make sure that you go out and take the knowledge of one. And that's, I'm with him on there. That's fine. And that's a big TV in my office that was put in there in like 2008 and I have never used it. So if somebody wants it, they can have it. I'm gonna take it home. You don't fucking do that. I can't do that. Kathleen, I'm just joking. I'm really, she's making notes. She's gonna be here. I'm gonna be in the office. I know be here. It's a fraud, friend. A fraud. All right. Any other questions about that? Yeah, so, a friend on the FMF on the 72,000 for the diversion center, that what is under purchasing for? That's item D and item F under purchasing. That is to fund those two items. Good deal. Thank you. And I remember when I read that Health and Human Services Contract project at a station, it related to the use of property purchased with grant funding and how chain of custody of that property was going to be maintained, but I don't know what property they're talking about. It's where the diversion center is going to be. This is in connection to the interlocal that we signed with Spindletop to be able to utilize the grant that they were awarded. They also the HHS has asked for this attestation and Kathleen has reviewed it. Unconstantly asking the state when they send these contracts to put something at the top to tell us what they're relating to instead of just a number. One other thing, friend, is for the public purpose, see, give a update on it because I know people listen to us. Right. I'm CND related to the net patient revenue, the percentage that the local hospitals contribute and then this is sent to the state on their behalf to get matching funds and it's fully funded by the hospitals themselves. Thank you. Okay thank you. Any other discussion on items under auditing? All in My favorite say, ah, in the info, the eyes have it. Under human resource and we have one item to consider and possibly approve revisions. An angel just got it to me. But considering possibly approve revisions to the personal policies and procedures manual for section 5.9, dress and personal appearance. Do you have motion on that, aye? So moved by Commissioner Senegal. Second by Commissioner Willis, any discussion? All the favour say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The aye has have it. And under county commissioners, we've already done item C and C. Item B is considering possibly appoint an ADA coordinator in committee to the GAD, the Jefferson County, to remain ADA compliant across all departments in connection with Texas Department of administration requirements and I will make a motion and the ADA coordinator of the members of the committee. I will also use a point county auditor, and the purchasing agent. The Rose Alice and I will also use a point County auditor, Fran Lee and the purchasing agent Deb Clark. Do I have a second and appointments from each of the commissioners? Second. In my point, is Kathleen Kennedy? In my point minutes, Michelle. My point is commission of care. to my appointment to Michelle. My appointment is Commissioner Carey-Haberson. My appointment will be Jeff Ross. All right. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The aye has havent. And that completes our regular agenda. We do have a scheduled clue a club or workshop for 1045 or as soon as commissioners court is adjourned. It discusses information regarding the diversion center. So at this point, we will, or does any member of the court or any elected official have anything they wish to bring the attention of the public without our taking action? If not, we are adjourned. Thank you for being here.