May 12, 2026 Commissioners Court - Regular Session

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>> WELCOME TO THE MAY 12TH WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

[ Public Comment Period for Agenda Items. The Commissioners Court will conduct a Public Comment Period to allow members of the public, who have properly submitted a Public Participation Form, to address the Commissioners Court regarding specific Agenda Items that are on the Commissioners Court’s Agenda. During such Public Comment Period, speakers shall be limited to a maximum of three (3) minutes to make his or her remarks regarding an Agenda Item. Each member of the public who appears before the Commissioners Court to address the Commissioners Court regarding more than one (1) Agenda Item on the Commissioners Court’s Agenda shall be limited to a cumulative maximum of five (5) minutes to make his or her remarks for all such Agenda Items. The maximum overall discussion time allowed for an Agenda Item, regardless of the number of members of the public wishing to address the Court on such Agenda Item, shall be limited to thirty (30) minutes. Speaking time, to the extent possible, will be evenly allocated among speakers should more than ten (10) speakers desire to speak on the same Agenda Item. In matters of exceptional interest, the Commissioners Court may, by majority vote, lengthen the maximum overall public discussion time allowed on a particular Agenda Item. The Presiding Officer of the Commissioners Court reserves the right to conduct public comment regarding an Agenda Item at the time in which the item is called for the Commissioners Court’s consideration as opposed to including such public comments during this Public Comment Period.]

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH COURTNEY CROSS.

AS YOU MAKE YOUR WAY UP HERE, JUST A REMINDER TO EVERYBODY WHEN YOU SIT DOWN AND GET SETTLED AND WE GET READY TO START, IF YOU COULD PLEASE JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE RECORD. AND IF YOU SIGNED UP FOR MORE THAN ONE AGENDA ITEM, YOU GET 5 MINUTES, AND IF YOU JUST SIGNED UP FOR ONE YOU GET 3 MINUTES.

I GET IN TROUBLE IF I DON'T CUT YOU OFF EXACTLY AT THE TIME, SO I'M NOT BEING RUDE OR TRYING TO SILENCE YOU OR ANYTHING.

I'M JUST TRYING TO KEEP THE COURT RUNNING AND FOLLOW OUR GUIDELINES. WITH THAT BEING SAID, COURTNEY, WHEN YOU ARE READY, INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND WE WILL START THE CLOCK FOR 5 MINUTES. THANK YOU.

>> YES, I'M COURTNEY CROSS. I'M HERE FOR AGENDA ITEMS 42, 44, AND 45. I LIVE IN CARLTON PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WILLI WILLIAMSON COUNTY WITHIN A THIRD OF A MILE OF THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE FOR A 3000 BED JAIL THAT HAS BEEN PURCHASED, THE LAND HAS BEEN PURCHASED WITHOUT ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS, ANY FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS, FROM SCHOOLS THAT ARE CLOSE BY. THAT JAIL SITE IS SURROUNDED BY NEIGHBORHOODS. IT'S NOT JUST CARLSON PLACE.

NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST. THEY ARE ALL OVER THAT AREA.

FOR ME IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE LOCATION WASN'T CONSIDERED MORE HEAVILY THAN THIS LOCATION FOR CONVENIENCE PURPOSES AND EFFICIENCY PURPOSES.

I DON'T THINK THAT YOUR CONVENIENCE AND YOUR EFFICIENCY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES, OF OUR CHILDREN, WALKING BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY.

WE ARE VERY ANGRY ABOUT THIS SITUATION, AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED MUCH EARLIER THAN MARCH.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON APPARENTLY SINCE OCTOBER OF 24, AND YOU DECIDED ON THIS WITHOUT LETTING US KNOW SO THAT WE COULD VOICE OUR CONCERNS. YOUR INFORMATION AND AGENDA ITEMS HAVE NOT INCLUDED DETAILS ABOUT THIS SITUATION, SO WE WEREN'T ABLE TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE.

WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PREPARE AND PROTEST.

WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH HOW YOU HAVE BEEN MANAGING THE SITUATION. OUR COMMISSIONER IS RUSS BOLES.

HE DOESN'T EVEN LIVE IN GEORGETOWN.

HE LIVES IN ROUND ROCK. SO HE DOESN'T CARE IF THIS IS IN HIS BACKYARD OR NOT. OUR HOUSE VALUES ARE GOING TO BE WAY DOWN. WE WON'T FEEL SAFE.

JAIL RELEASES HAPPEN ALL TIMES OF DAY AND NIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO BE WORRIED EVERY NIGHT WE GO TO BED IF THIS PERSON THAT'S GETTING OUT OF JAIL IS GOING TO WALK DOWN THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND BREAK INTO OUR HOUSES LOOKING FOR MONEY OR FOR HOUSING, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S RAINING.

AND THEY DON'T ALL HAVE A RIDE AND CAN'T GET SOMEONE TO PICK THEM UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AND VERY DISAPPOINTING IN HOW THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MISS CROSS.

IF I COULD JUST GIVE YOU A FEW WORDS.

I CAN SAY FOR ME, THERE'S BEEN NO DECISION ABOUT THE JAIL AND THE JAIL SITE. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE THE LOCATION OF THIS PROPERTY. I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT -- IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTY ON WHATEVER GOES THERE.

I DON'T WANT TO MISLEAD YOU. IT COULD BE THE JAIL AND JUSTICE CENTER. BUT I HAVEN'T MADE A DECISION ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE JAIL AND JUSTICE CENTER.

LAST YEAR WE PURCHASED A PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN.

LOOKING AT THE OPTIONS TO STAY DOWNTOWN AND EXPAND, THOSE ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT I'M CONSIDERING.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE CONCERNS. WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THAT. BUT I'M STILL GATHERING

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SO I APPRECIATE YOU COMING TO SPEAK TODAY.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JAMES HEDRICK.

JAMES, WELCOME BACK. ONCE YOU GET SETTLED AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF WE WILL START THE CLOCK SO YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES

TOTAL. >> MY NAME IS JAMES HEDRICK.

I LIVE AT THE CARLSON PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD IN GEORGETOWN.

I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS A HARD TIME FOR FOLKS TO COME OUT AND SPEAK TO YOU ALL, MIDDLE OF THE WORK DAY ON TUESDAY AND BE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR CONCERNS. CAN EVERYONE WHO'S HERE TO OPPOSE THE JAIL RAISE THEIR HAND SO WE CAN SEE? THAT'S A LOT OF FOLKS WHO TOOK THEIR TUESDAY OFF FROM WORK TO BE HERE. THIS DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.

Y'ALL ARE BUYING A MASSIVE PIECE OF PROPERTY AT A MASSIVE PRICE, AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S A DONE DEAL BY MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS.

A JAIL DOES NOT BELONG ONE-THIRD OF A MILE FROM A SCHOOL OR NEAR THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND NEARBY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT'S NOT A CONTROVERSIAL POSITION.

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF UNDEVELOPED LAND IN THE CITY.

AWAY FROM SCHOOLS, AWAY FROM NEIGHBORHOODS, AND AWAY FROM 1700 KIDS ON THAT CAMPUS. THE COUNTY HAS HAD MANY OTHER OPTIONS PRESENTED BY CONSULTANTS, BUT YOU ARE CHOOSING CONVENIENCE OVER WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS, PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE INMATE RELEASE ISSUE DIRECTLY BECAUSE I EXPECT THIS COURT MAY ARGUE THAT MOVING THE JAIL AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN SOLVES THE PROBLEM.

GEORGE TOWN'S CITY MANAGER SAID ON MARCH 12TH DURING THEIR STATE OF THE CITY THAT EVERYONE ARRESTED IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY IS RELEASED DOWNTOWN AND IT CREATES, QUOTE, "A DYNAMIC.

THE POLICE CHIEF CALLED IT A VICIOUS CYCLE IN COMMUNITY IMPACT. BUILDING A JAIL MAY HELP DOWNTOWN, BUT THE COUNTY ISN'T SOLVING THAT DYNAMIC.

THE NEW JAIL WILL TRIPLE THE CAPACITY, TRANSFERRING THE PROBLEM FROM DOWNTOWN INTO AN AREA WITH ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOLS.

THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE AT BEST AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS DO NOT WANT IT HERE. I SUPPORT THE DECISION TO BUILD A JAIL, IT MAKES SENSE. THE CURRENT ONE IS OLD AND NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED. WHAT I DON'T SUPPORT IS THIS LOCATION AND HOW THE DECISION WAS MADE AND I THINK IT'S WORTH THE COURT'S TIME TO UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE FEEL THIS WAY.

THE CONSISTENT FEEDBACK I HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE IN ROOMS LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME, WILLIAMSON COUNTY HAS A REPUTATION FOR DOING WHATEVER IT WANTS AND IGNORING CONSTITUENTS AND PARTNERS.

THIS DECISION HAS BEEN HANDLED IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT...

ON MARCH 24TH THIS COURT VOTED 5-0 TO SPEND ON 253 MILLION ACRES ONE-THIRD OF A MILE FROM SCHOOLS.

THE AGENDA ITEM THAT AUTHORIZED PURCHASE READ ASSIGNMENT OF COMMERCIAL CONTRACT, UNIMPROVED PROPERTY, NO PRICE, NO MENTION OF A JAIL. THAT TITLE GAVE NO INDICATION OF LOCATION OR PURPOSE. WE HAD NO REASON TO SHOW UP.

THAT'S NOT A TECHNICALITY. THAT'S A PROBLEM AND THIS COURT HAS BEEN PUT ON NOTICE WITH THE VIOLATION IN WRITING.

I WANT TO REFERENCE THE LETTER BILL OLSHER SENT TO JUDGE SNELL ON MAY 6TH REGARDING AN OPENING MEETING ACT VIOLATION.

HE NOTED THAT THE PUBLIC NEVER RECEIVED ADVANCE NOTICE OF THIS PURCHASE BEING FOR A JAIL AND NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN. AND FOR THE RECORD HE WAS QUOTED, THE PEOPLE OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY ARE ENTITLED BY THE TEXAS OPEN MEETING ACT TO ADVANCE NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD TO BE... TO BE USED FOR A JAIL WHICH WOULD DAILY BE RELEASING ARRESTED PERSONS FROM A LOCATION RELATIVELY CLOSE TO A SCHOOL. A $75.8 MILLION LAND PURCHASE FOR A JAIL NEAR TWO SCHOOLS QUALIFIES.

YOU HID THIS BEHIND A VAGUE AGENDA ITEM.

THE ONLY REASON I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FOLLOW EVERYTHING IS THAT I'VE SPENT HOURS GOING THROUGH MONTHS OF AGENDAS, TOWN RECORDS, WEBSITE PAGES, PRESS RELEASES AND CROSS-REFERENCING THAT WITH AI SO I COULD UNDERSTAND. I'M JUST A NORMAL CITIZEN.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT. I DON'T HAVE A BACKGROUND IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND THIS IS NOT HOW GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.

LOOKING AT TODAY'S AGENDA ITEM 44, THE AUTHORIZATION PROPOSES $135 MILLION WITH NO AGENDA WORDING.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO CLICK THROUGH TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. IF YOU DIG INTO THE PAPERWORK IT SAYS A JAIL, BUT THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

WHEN YOU PRIORITIZE THE COUNTY'S CONVENIENCE OVER CONSTITUENTS KIDS AND PROPERTY VALUES WITHOUT TRANSPARENCY, PROPER NOTICE, WITHOUT GIVING THE PUBLIC A REAL SEAT AT THE TABLE, YOU'VE LOST THE PLOT ON WHAT YOUR JOB IS. HERE'S MY ASK OF THIS COURT.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE WILL OF CONSTITUENTS, STOP HIDING WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH THE PUBLIC.

DO NOT PROCEED WITH ANY FINANCING TODAY WITHOUT POSTING A CLEAR SPECIFIC NOTICE THAT THIS IS THE JUSTICE COMPLEX AND

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AND A SESSION THAT'S NOT JUST A SHOW AND TELL.

ENGAGE WITH CONSTITUENTS IN THE EVENING WHEN PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY BE HERE. BUT MY REAL ASK IS THIS.

DO THE RIGHT THING, LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

CANCEL THE CONTRACT ON THIS LAND.

DO NOT BUILD A JAIL JUST A SHORT WALK FROM AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS. WE WILL STOP THIS AT GEORGETOWN CITY COUNCIL DURING THE ZONING PROCESS.

WE HAVE THE NUMBERS, WE HAVE THE SUPPORT.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING. [APPLAUSE]

>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS WYATT WHEELER.

YOU ALSO HAVE 5 MINUTES ONCE YOU GET SETTLED AND INTRODUCE

YOURSELF. >> HELLO.

MY NAME IS WYATT WHEELER. I'M A RESIDENT IN GEORGETOWN.

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEMS TODAY INVOLVING THE COUNTY JAIL A MILE FROM OUR HOME. ASIDE FROM SAFETY CONCERNS THAT MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE, I'D LIKE TO SPEAK MORE SPECIFICALLY ON ANOTHER CONCERN RESIDENTS ARE FACING THAT I PERSONALLY HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO TALK TO ABOUT IT. IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE REAL ESTATE HAS SHIFTED FACING THIS NATION, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY CENTRAL TEXAS RESIDENTS MORE HARSHLY.

THIS IS A NEWER NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE MOST OF THE HOUSES BUILT 2020 TO 2021 AND NEWER, AND MANY RESIDENTS BOUGHT THEIR HOMES PEAK PRICING SHIFT AND OTHERS WHO HAVE BOUGHT WITHIN THE LAST YEAR OR SO. INCLUDING MY WIFE AND I.

HOME PRICES HAVE ONLY DROPPED IN THE LAST YEAR 5-7% ACROSS THE BOARD. MANY RESIDENTS ARE PUT IN AN AWFUL PREDICAMENT WHERE EVEN IF THEY FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THIS AREA, WITH THE NEW COUNTY JAIL OPENING, THEY CAN'T. MANY RESIDENTS FEEL IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE. THE AVERAGE SALE TIME IN THIS AREA IS NOT UNREALISTIC TO SEE SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR.

THIS JAIL WILL ONLY DELAY HOME SALES FURTHER IN A NEWLY BUILT NEIGHBORHOOD, PUSHING PRICES DOWN COLLECTIVELY AS A RESULT.

THIS MAKES NEIGHBORS FEEL TRAPPED IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND LIKE THE ONLY CHOICE THEY HAVE IS TO ENDURE THE PUNISHMENT OF THE COUNTY WITHOUT CHOICE. FROM -- EXCUSE ME.

MANY HAVE POINTED TO DOWNTOWN AS A COMPARISON TO NEWLY BUILT PROPOSED LOCATION. THIS IS JUST NOT AN ACCURATE COMPARISON. MANY HOMES DOWNTOWN ARE HISTORIC HOMES, AND THEIR VALUES ARE TIED TO THE LOCATION CLOSE TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA. AND THE BUYERS THAT BUY THOSE PROPERTIES UNDERSTAND THAT. FROM MY EXPERIENCE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE PROPOSAL OVERWHELMINGLY FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN TALKING TO MANY RESIDENTS.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO DOZENS JUST IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE URGE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO RECONSIDER THE COUNTY JAIL PROPOSAL AT ITS CURRENT LOCATION.

PLEASE MOVE THE SITE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. JIM DILLON.

>> GOOD MORNING. YOU WILL HAVE 5 MINUTES FROM THE

TIME YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> I'LL INTRODUCE MYSELF AT THE END. AT THE END OF MY 10 MINUTES.

I HATE THESE CHAIRS. I DON'T SEE WHY THE LITTLE PEOPLE HAVE TO SIT DOWN HERE ON THE FLOOR AND LOOK UP AT Y'ALL.

TYPICALLY I PREFER TO LOOK DOWN ON MY POLITICIANS.

>> WILL YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

>> I LIKE TO LOOK DOWN ON THE POLITICIANS RATHER THAN UP AT

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DIDN'T YOU SAY MY NAME BEFORE I CAME UP HERE?

>> I DID. >> OKAY.

I'LL LET THAT STAND. IF THIS CHAIR WAS LOCATED -- CHAIR WAS LOCATED ANYWHERE NEAR A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY, THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE COUNTY CAN'T WASTE MONEY ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY SOMEWHERE ELSE. THERE'S OPPOSITION TO IT, THE PEOPLE DON'T WANT IT. THEY'VE EXPRESSED THAT OPPOSITION JUST NOW. AND PRIOR TO THIS.

BECAUSE AGAIN, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT POLITICIANS AREN'T MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IS BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO SEAL THE DEAL BEFORE THEY REVEAL WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO STEAL.

THAT JUST CAME TO ME. IT JUST CAME TO ME.

I DON'T HAVE TO STUDY THIS ST STUFF.

I KNOW IT, IT'S FROM WITHIN. SEAL THE DEAL BEFORE YOU REVEAL WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO STEAL. IF YOU LET THE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE UP TO IN ADVANCE, THERE COULD BE PROTESTS AND PLENTY OF TIME TO PREVENT ALL THIS WRONGFUL ACTION.

BUT SINCE IT'S ALREADY A DONE DEAL, WE JUST MOVE FORWARD WITH IT AND THEY CAN BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES.

BUT THAT'S NOT HOW YOU GET VOTES IN THIS NEXT ELECTION.

STABBING PEOPLE IN THE BACK. THIS MENTAL HEALTH THING, AND BY

THE WAY -- >> THANK YOU, KATHY, FOR THE GREEN RIBBON. IT SAYS HOPE.

OUR ONLY HOPE, OUR ONLY CHANCE IS JESUS CHRIST.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THAT ANSWER IS BEING REJECTED AGAIN AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS, THE GREAT RESET AND ALL THAT JIVE. WE'VE GOT SERIOUS DRUG ADDICTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

SOME PEOPLE ARE TAKING 30 OR 40 PILLS A DAY BECAUSE A DOCTOR TOLD THEM TO, AND THESE DOCTORS, THEY CAN BE WRONG ABOUT THAT.

THE KIDS ARE BEING MUTILATED, ATTACKED IN SCHOOLS WITH PROPAGANDA AND INDOCTRINATION. THERE'S WARS AND THE AIR AND THE FOOD IN THE WATER HAS BEEN POISONED AS WE SPEAK.

I DON'T THINK MENTAL HEALTH IS THE RIGHT TERM.

I THINK IT'S MORE OF A MENTAL ILLNESS THAT WE HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. I REALLY LITERALLY THINK THAT Y'ALL HAVE GONE STARK RAVING MAD.

THE INSANITY IS NEXT LEVEL ALREADY.

AND GETTING WORSE. JUST A COUPLE YEARS AGO, Y'ALL SHOT ALL THE SCHOOLS DOWN, CLOSED ALL THE BUSINESSES AND MADE EVERYBODY GET A SHOT. DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT MENTAL

HEALTH. >> TIME IS UP, MR. DILLON.

THANK YOU. >> YOU WANT ME TO SAY MY NAME

NOW? >> PLEASE.

>> JIM DILLON. >> THANK YOU.

>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. BILL CUMBERLAND.

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>> WILLIAMSON COUNTY, SIXTH GENERATION TEXAN, RETIRED NAVY CAPTAIN. THE FIRST ITEM I WANTED TO MAKE COMMENT ON, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HONOR OUR POLICE, AND WE ALSO NEED TO... I HAD A COUPLE INSTANCES, THERE WAS THE INCIDENT IN THE PARK YEARS AGO, BUT THERE'S A COUPLE MORE. AS PART OF MY MILITARY BACKGROUND I WAS AN ASSISTANT LEGAL OFFICER, WENT THROUGH THE NAVY UCMJ AND LAW SCHOOL. THE NCIS UNIT IN THE 80S AS ANOTHER RESERVE ASSIGNMENT AND ALSO FIVE YEARS IN THE RESERVE IN ARGENTINA. I ALSO HAD AN ISSUE IN CEDAR PARK WHERE THE POLICE FILED A REPORT THAT GOT THE ACCIDENT WRONG, BUT THE INSURANCE ADJUSTERS GOT IT RIGHT, THERE'S STILL A REPORT ON THE BOOKS. THE CURRENT ISSUE I'M HAVING TO DEAL WITH IS SOME ROGUE BEHAVIOR, AND ANOTHER TICKET WAS ISSUED BUT DISMISSED. WE NEED TO HAVE SOME PROMPT WORK TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR POLICE SO THAT WHEN THAT ONE-TENTH OF 1% MISBEHAVES, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT QUICKLY AND MAINTAIN OUR REPUTATION. ITEM 17, $49 MILLION CAPITAL FINANCE HOUSING. THESE COME UP CONSTANTLY, YEAR AFTER YEAR. THESE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING PROJECTS DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO OUR TAX BASE PAYING THEIR SHARE OF SCHOOL TAXES, EMERGENCY SERVICES TAXES ET CETERA.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR CITIZENS ARE AWARE OF THIS, BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING TOO MANY OF THESE THINGS AND IT'S IMPACTING AND RAISING OUR TAXES ON IT.

WE HAVE LOTS OF SITUATIONS WHERE WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY.

JUST LIKE TAKING LEGAL ACTION FOR ANY TRUST ISSUES AND THE PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR GOING AFTER THE AI ONLINE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, PRACTISING MEDICINE WITHOUT A -- WITHOUT A LICENSE AND DOING BAD DIAGNOSIS. WE HAVE A LOT OF HANKIE PANKY GOING ON AT THE LEGISLATURE, MODIFYING OUR UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE TO NOT TO THE BENEFIT OF OUR CITIZENS.

SO WE HAVE SO MANY CORRUPT THINGS GOING ON AROUND US, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE HOW MANY THERE ARE.

I KEEP TRACK OF A LOT OF THEM, BUT WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY.

ITEM 45, REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTION.

I PRINTED A COPY OF THIS OFF AND COULDN'T FIND ANYWHERE IN THIS RESOLUTION WHERE THERE WERE ANY BOUNDARIES ON SPENDING.

THIS IS ALSO WITH THIS JUSTICE CENTER ISSUE.

I MIGHT RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO TO ONE OF THESE ROCK QUARRIES AND USE THEM IN A DOMAIN SO THAT YOU CAN BUILD A CENTER THAT'S NOT IN THE POPULATION AREA, NOT IN A SCHOOL AREA.

THERE'S HUNDREDS OF ACRES OUT THERE.

CONSIDERING THAT WILLI WILLIAMSON COUNTY HAS OVER 30% OF ROCK QUARRY BUSINESS IN THE ENTIRE STATE, THERE'S A LOT OF THAT, AND IT GETS AWAY FROM NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND THE $135 MILLION IN ISSUING NOTES, WHERE IS ALL THAT GOING? WHICH SPECIFIC PROGRAMS? THIS KEEPS KEEPING OUR CITIZENS IN DEBT, AND AS I'VE MENTIONED IN THE PAST, JUST FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE OVER THE YEARS, 30% OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS GO TO DEBT SERVICE.

THIS YEAR'S BUDGET HAS BEEN INCREASED TO 35% OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS GO TO DEBT SERVICE. MILLIONS, OR WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT OVER THE LAST DECADE LOOKING AT OVER A BILLION DOLLARS, BEING SPENT ON ALL THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND GUESS WHAT, THE CITIZENS LIVING HERE AS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED THIS MORNING ARE NOT BEING GIVEN A PROPER INPUT INTO THE FUTURE OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY. IT'S A COMPLEX WORLD, BUT I'M

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>> I HATE TO TELL YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. ED ST STADE.

YOU WILL HAVE 5 MINUTES TOTAL ONCE YOU GET SETTLED AND

INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> OKAY, GREAT.

WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND EVERYTHING, AND I ALWAYS PUT THE KIDS FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. I THINK A LOT OF GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE DON'T DO THAT. SO THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HERE A LITTLE BIT. YEARS AGO I SERVED ON A PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT IN ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

IT WAS FORMED TO HELP DETERMINE BOUNDARY LINES AND A NEW HIGH SCHOOL. WE MET WITH SEVERAL PARENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO GET INPUT AND DISCUSS WHAT WOULD WORK BEST FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS INVOLVED.

AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF COLLABORATION AND DISCUSSION, THE PARENTS DEVELOPED THREE DIFFERENT BOUNDARY OPTIONS THAT MADE SENSE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE KIDS.

THE DISTRICT LEADER HELD AN OPEN HOUSE MUCH LIKE THE ONE RECENTLY HELD REGARDING THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE.

AT THAT MEETING WE PRESENTED DISPLAY BOARDS, BEHIND IT THREE PARENTS SUPPORTED PLANS AND EXPLAINED WHY THEY WERE GOOD OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES. THE DISTRICT ALSO PRESENTED ITS OWN MAP. IN THE END, THE DISTRICT MOVED FORWARD WITH -- WITH ITS ORIGINAL PLAN WITHOUT SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE WORK THE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAD DONE.

BY THAT POINT THE PROCESS WAS TOO FAR ALONG FOR MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION TO BE MADE. THE FINAL DECISION MAY HAVE SUPPORTED THE DISTRICT GOALS RELATED TO DEMOGRAPHICS, EQUALITY, AND COST, BUT DID NOT MAKE SENSE FOR MANY OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED. I NEVER EXPECTED TO FIND MYSELF IN THIS SITUATION AGAIN. EXACTLY HOW THIS CURRENT JAIL PROPOSAL FEELS. THE PROPOSED SITE IS LOCATED CLOSE TO SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS THAT SERVE CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS. WAGNER MIDDLE SCHOOL IS ABOUT HALF A MILE AWAY. MITCHELL GRADE SCHOOL IS A LITTLE OVER A QUARTER MILE AND ROCK RITE CENTER FOR KIDS IS LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE. FROM THE PROPOSED LOCATION DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET. ROCK RITE CENTER PROVIDES THE ASSISTIVE SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND VETERANS WITH PHYSICAL COGNITIVE, AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES.

AT THE MEETING LAST MONTH I ASKED WHY CHILDREN WERE NOT BEING PLACED FIRST IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS.

I WAS TOLD THEY WERE. HOWEVER, WHEN I FOLLOWED UP BY ASKING WHY THIS LOCATION HAD BEEN SELECTED, THE EXPLANATION GIVEN WAS IT WAS THE MOST CONVENIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE OPTION. THE RESPONSE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE TRULY THE PRIORITY.

WHAT CONCERNS ME MOST IS THAT THE IMPACT THIS FACILITY COULD HAVE ON NEARBY SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN'S FOCUSED PROGRAMS WERE NEVER SERIOUSLY ADDRESSED. AT NO POINT DURING THE PRESENTATION WAS THERE A MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT INMATES BEING RELEASED FROM THE JAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. WHETHER PEOPLE SUPPORT THE PROJECT OR NOT, THESE CONCERNS DESERVE TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

I WENT ON THE INTERNET, AND TWO OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO READ THE RESPONSES THAT I HAD FOUND. AND I ASKED, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS WITH BUILDING A JAIL NEAR SCHOOLS? IT CAME UP WITH A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS.

LIKE I SAID, SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TO GO OVER THAT.

AND THEN THEY SAID, WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTED CASES CONCERNING BUILDING A JAIL CLOSE TO SCHOOLS.

AND AGAIN IT CAME UP WITH A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS.

ONE OF THEM THAT STOOD OUT TO ME WAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY, IT SAYS THE SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE SCHOOL RAISED SIGNIFICANT OBJECTIONS AND I'M WONDERING, WHERE IS OUR SUPERINTENDENT? WHY ISN'T HE COMING UP WITH OBJECTIONS ABOUT HAVING A JAIL SO CLOSE TO A SCHOOL? I DON'T KNOW IF HE HAS OR NOT.

[00:30:03]

I THOUGHT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING, SO I REWORDED IT A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS. AND I SAID, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING MIDDLE SCHOOLS CLOSE TO A JAIL IT CAME UP WITH A FEW THINGS, BUT THE ONLY BENEFIT IT REALLY SERVES --

>> I HATE TO CUT YOU OFF, I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR

TESTIMONY IN WRITING. >> I HAVE COPIES OF EVERYTHING THAT I WENT OVER IF ANYBODY WANTS THEM.

>> YES, SIR. I APPRECIATE YOU, AND I HATE TO

CUT YOU OFF. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JASON BLUE. MR. BLUE, I HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR ONE ITEM, SO YOU WILL HAVE L START WHEN YOU INTRODUCE

YOURSELF. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY NAME IS JASON BLUE, I'M A RESIDENT OF THE MAPLE CREEK COMMUNITY, WHICH IS LOCATED OFF OF MAPLE IN BETWEEN WESTINGHOUSE AND INNER LOOP, WHICH IS A STONE'S THROW FROM THE PROPOSED JAIL FACILITY. I'LL BE BRIEF WITH YOUR TIME TODAY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 42. I DO LIVE NEAR THE PROPOSED SITE AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE WRONG PLACE FOR A JAIL BECAUSE IT IS TOO CLOSE TO HOMES AND SCHOOLS, AS YOU'VE HEARD.

IT WILL CREATE A LASTING SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT.

THE COUNTY HAS NOT NECESSARILY EARNED THE PUBLIC'S TRUST ON THIS PROCESS AT THIS POINT AND RESIDENTS DESERVE BETTER NOTICE, BETTER PLANNING, AND A BETTER LOCATION.

I ASK THAT YOU PAUSE THIS ITEM AND RECONSIDER BEFORE MAKING A DECISION THAT WE CANNOT EASILY UNDO.

I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM AGREE A NEW JAIL IS A NECESSARY, BUT THIS LOCATION IS NOT. THE SITE IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY. THE COUNTY SHOULD NOT FORCE THIS BURDEN ONTO NEARBY FAMILIES. ONCE THIS IS APPROVED, THE HARM TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS PERMANENT.

LIKE MOST PEOPLE, WHEN WE GO TO BUY A NEW HOME, WHICH MOST OF THE HOMES SURROUNDING THE SITE ARE PRETTY NEW WITHIN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, JUST BUILT. I'M PRETTY SURE EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT BOUGHT THEIR HOME IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE SAFETY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I CAN ALSO IMAGINE THAT A NEW PROPOSED JAIL WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF THINGS THEY FOUND IN THEIR RESEARCH.

SO TO BE A NEW HOMEOWNER AND FIND OUT A NEW JAIL WAS GOING UP IN YOUR BACKYARD IS CONCERNING. I DO UNDERSTAND, AGAIN, THE COUNTY NEEDS A FACILITY. BUT THE LOCATION MATTERS.

MY REQUEST IS SIMPLE. CHOOSE A SITE THAT PROTECTS PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THIS SITE. THIS PLACE IS A BURDEN NEXT TO HOMES AND SCHOOLS, AS WE'VE HEARD.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. BLUE. [APPLAUSE]

>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MATTHEW. WELCOME.

SAME THING, 3 MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE. MY NAME IS MATTHEW GUERRO I'M A MEMBER OF THE SADDLE CREEK COMMUNITY.

SO AGAIN, VERY CLOSE TO WHERE THE JAIL IS BEING BUILT.

AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF GEORGETOWN FOR TEN YEARS NOW.

I MOVED HERE FROM VIRGINIA WITH MY WIFE, AND LAID DOWN ROOTS.

GEORGETOWN HAS BEEN SUCH A GREAT THING FOR US.

I LOOK AT IT AS IF I'M A STAKEHOLDER OR SOMEBODY DECIDING WHERE TO INVEST. WE CHOSE TO INVEST IN GEORGETOWN. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A SOUND FINANCIAL DECISION GIVEN THE GROWTH, GIVEN SOME OF THE GREAT DECISIONS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE COMMUNITY LEADERS HERE.

RECENTLY, THOUGH, I'M STARTING TO DOUBT MY FINANCIAL DECISION TO INVEST AND BECOME A HOMEOWNER HERE, AND FOR APPARENT REASONS PEOPLE HAVE LAID OUT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO FLIP THAT AROUND. IF YOU GUYS, AND I KNOW YOU ARE, WE'RE INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY, AS GOING AFTER WHAT'S

[00:35:07]

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO THE COUNTY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ITEM 42, WHILE A FORMAL LEGAL CHALLENGER GUARDING THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT IS PENDING. BYE BYE AUTHORIZING THESE REIMBURSEMENT CERTIFICATES TODAY, YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY FINANCING A PROJECT BUILT ON LEGALLY CONTESTED VOTE FROM MARCH 24TH. AND THIS IS NOT JUST A PROCEDURAL PICK UP, IT'S A LIABILITY.

IT IS FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO COMMIT $135 MILLION OF OUR TAX PAYING MONEY WHILE THE UNDERLYING LEGALITY OF THE LAND PURCHASE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. AGAIN, I SEE THIS AS A LIABILITY. IF I WERE IN YOUR SHOES, THIS IS NOT A SOUND INVESTMENT. I WOULD PUMP THE BRAKES.

FURTHERMORE, WE MUST LOOK AT THE VALUE OF WHAT WE ARE FINANCING.

$135 MILLION COVERS THE LAND PURCHASE PRICE AT 8.3 TIMES IT'S WCAD VALUATION. THAT'S CRAZY.

HAVE YOU EVER PAID FOR SOMETHING THAT'S 8.3 TIMES MORE THAN THE ASKING PRICE ANYWHERE ELSE? A CAR, ANYTHING? THAT'S A FINANCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE THING TO DO.

CONVENIENCE DOESN'T JUSTIFY THIS EITHER.

AN 800% MARKUP FOR AN ITEM. SOME PEOPLE ONLINE HAVE SAID, WELL, IT MIGHT BE CONVENIENT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE A JAIL

LOCATED -- THAT'S MY TIME. >> SORRY, MATTHEW.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. [APPLAUSE]

>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS STEPHANIE TIBBETS.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE MYSELF.

MY NAME IS STEPHANIE TIBBETS. I'M A RESIDENT OF SADDLE CREEK AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE VP FOR THE SADDLE CREEK BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE HOA. I'M ALSO A RETIRED PEDIATRIC SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER WITH ALMOST 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN MY CAREER. I'M HERE TO VOICE MY OPPOSITION TO PLACING THIS COUNTY JAIL IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA LOCATED JUST 1 MILE FROM AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID IT'S LESS THAN A MILE.

THAT MAY BE THE CASE IN ADDITION TO RIGHT BY ROCK RIDE.

THROUGHOUT MY CAREER I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH CHILD VICTIMS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND PROSECUTORS INVOLVED IN SERIOUS CRIMINAL CASES. I UNDERSTAND FIRSTHAND THAT CRIMINAL CHARGES AND FINAL CONVICTIONS DO NOT ALWAYS TELL THE FULL STORY. IN TEXAS, APPROXIMATELY 90-98% OF CRIMINAL CASES ARE PLED OUT TO A LOWER CHARGE AND FELONY CHARGES ARE OFTEN REDUCED TO MISDEMEANORS THROUGH NEGOTIATION -- NEGOTIATED AGREEMENTS. UNDER TEXAS CODE 4.4, CERTAIN FELONY OFFENSES MAY ULTIMATELY BE TREATED AS MISDEMEANORS.

OTHER SERIOUS OFFENSES ARE REDUCED BECAUSE OF EVIDENTIARY ISSUES OR PLEA NEGOTIATIONS. THE LEGAL CLASSIFICATIONS ONE ENDS UP WITH ON PAPER DOES NOT ALWAYS REFLECT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THEIR UNDERLYING CONDUCT. ONLY ABOUT 2% OF FELONY CASES EVER GO TO TRIAL. THE PUBLIC IS OFTEN REASSURED BY LOOKING AT FINAL CONVICTION STATISTICS, BUT THOSE NUMBERS CAN BE MISLEADING WHEN EVALUATING WHO MAY ULTIMATELY BE HOUSED IN OR PROCESSED THROUGH A COUNTY JAIL FACILITY.

BEYOND THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS, MANY RESIDENTS ARE ALSO DEEPLY TROUBLED THIS PROPERTY WAS PURCHASED AT A PREMIUM PRICE, ESPECIALLY FOR A USE THAT WILL PERMANENTLY ALTER THE SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL AREA.

EQUALLY CONCERNING IS THE PROCESS ITSELF.

COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF THIS LAND FOR THE JAIL BEFORE GIVING THE PUBLIC A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE CONCERNS OR PROVIDE INPUT. DECISIONS OF THIS MAGNITUDE SHOULD INVOLVE TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT BEFORE THE VOTE, NOT AFTER. PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THEIR CHILDREN WHY A RELEASED INMATE IS WANDERING AROUND THEIR SCHOOL. FAMILIES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE LONG TERM IMPACT THIS FACILITY COULD HAVE ON THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOME VALUES AND OUR COUNTY SHOULD NOT NORMALIZE PLACING MAJOR CORRECTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF GROWING RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES WHEN THERE ARE OTHER LOCATIONS AVAILABLE AND MAY BE MORE

[00:40:02]

I'VE BEEN ASKED BY MULTIPLE PEOPLE IF I WOULD CONSIDER RETURNING TO MY CAREER, BUT I CANNOT CONSIDER WORKING WITH OR FOR A COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN WHOM I CANNOT EXPLICITLY TRUST.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO RECONSIDER THIS LOCATION AND PRIORITIZE THE SITE FURTHER REMOVED FROM SCHOOLS AND RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DEBORAH

ARNOLD. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS DEBORAH ARNOLD. I'M SPEAKING OUT AGAIN ON -- FOR THE COMMUNITY OF THE HOMEOWNERS, BUT MAINLY SAFETY FOR THE CHILDREN FOR THIS JAIL. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PROPERTIES, JAMES HAS MENTIONED THERE'S PROPERTY OUT OFF OF I-30 THAT HAS 900 ACRES BY THE DUMP, WHICH ACTUALLY HAS THE SHARE OF OWNING SOME OF THE PROPERTY OUT THERE AS WELL, OR THERE IS A FACILITY OUT THERE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE TO PUT THE JAIL, NOT WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS OR THE DISTANCE OF THE SCHOOL. IF YOU ARE A MOTHER OR GRANDMOTHER AND YOUR CHILD IS WALKING HOME, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU LIVE NEAR A JAIL, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT YOU WOULD APPRECIATE A JAIL IN YOUR COMMUNITY IF YOU HAVE A GRANDCHILD, A DAUGHTER, A GRANDSON WALKING HOME BY THEMSELVES. MAYBE BEING ENCOUNTERED BY A PREDATOR. BECAUSE IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE RELEASED FROM JAIL, WHICH IS GOING TO BE DAILY AND THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO GO, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO? THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO THE SCHOOLS, THE HOMES FOR SHELTER? I DON'T THINK THAT'S A VERY SAFE PLACE TO PUT A JAIL.

I WAS GIVEN THIS BY THE GENTLEMAN FOR DOCUMENTING CASES IN LOUISIANA 2018. SCHOOLS INCLUDING MADISON HIGH SCHOOL WERE PLACED ON LOCKDOWN FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER SEVEN INMATES ESCAPED FROM THE NEARBY DETENTION CENTER.

2025, CLEARFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TENNESSEE WAS CLOSED TEMPORARILY AFTER TWO INMATES ESCAPED.

YOU MENTIONED OKLAHOMA, HOUSTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE 2026.

AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS PLACED ON LOCKDOWN FOLLOWING SECURITY INCIDENTS WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL ATTEMPTED TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL, TRIGGERING A LARGE POLICE RESPONSE WHICH IS A COMMON CONCERN IN HIGH SURVEILLANCE AREAS NEAR CORRECTIONS FACILITIES. SO AGAIN, THIS CONCERN IS REALLY FOR A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WE ARE BEGGING YOU NOT TO PUT THIS NEAR THE SCHOOLS, NEAR THE HOMES. GO OUT IN THE COUNTRY.

AND IT'S A HUGE COST. WHY WOULD YOU SPEND $75 MILLION OR $65 MILLION ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY WHEN YOU CAN GET IT FOR TEN. IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

THAT'S ALL I NEEDED TO SAY. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BJ NELSON.

>> HELLO. I'M BJ NELSON.

I ALSO LIVE IN THE SADDLE CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD.

AS YOU CAN TELL, I HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN HAVING A JAIL NEAR A SCHOOL. I AM PART OF THE DISTRICT WHERE THOSE ARE MY ASSIGNED SCHOOLS AND I HAVE TWO ADDITIONAL CHILDREN THAT WOULD ALSO BE GOING THERE.

AS WAS STATED, THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT LOCK DOWNS FREQUENTLY HAPPENING DUE TO INMATES BREAKING OUT, BUT ALSO JUST STRANGERS WALKING ON CAMPUS. THAT'S NOT OKAY.

I'M ALSO A FORMER RESIDENT OF CALIFORNIA, AND I LEFT CALIFORNIA ON PURPOSE BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF THE FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE DECISIONS THEY WERE MAKING.

[00:45:01]

I AM TIRED OF FEELING LIKE MY FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES ARE BEING IGNORED BECAUSE -- SORRY.

A LITTLE BIT DISTRACTED. HE'S A VERY GOOD SPEAKER.

JUST BEING FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE, AND IT'S THE DUTY OF THE TAXPAYER TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

NO ONE HERE GETS IN TROUBLE FOR OVERSPENDING UNLESS ENOUGH RESIDENTS WAKE UP AND START VOTING PEOPLE OUT.

INSTEAD OF HAVING A LARGER AND LARGER TAX BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS AND FUTURE TAXPAYERS, WHICH ARE THE CHILDREN, BUT IF YOU OUTPRICE IT SO FAMILIES CANNOT LIVE HERE, YOU DO NOT HAVE A FUTURE TAX BASE AS PART OF THE PROBLEM.

SO I WOULD SAY TO HOLD OFF. LIKE IT WAS SAID EARLIER, THERE'S LITIGATION ALREADY PENDING DUE TO THE PROCESSES THAT WERE IGNORED, THE TRANSPARENCY THAT WAS NOT FOLLOWED. WE NEED MORE TIME.

9:30 IN THE MORNING IS NOT THE MOST CONVENIENT TIME FOR MOST PEOPLE TO COME AND STATE THEIR ISSUES BOTH FOR AND AGAINST WHAT'S HAPPENING. WE NEED MORE TIME TO FIND OUT WHAT WE, THE CITIZENS OF GEORGETOWN, ACTUALLY WANT AND NEED FROM OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MISS NELSON.

[APPLAUSE] >> WHAT'S YOUR SON'S NAME? SAMUEL. THANK YOU, SAMUEL.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. JOHN GOMEZ.

>> 5 MINUTES, RIGHT? >> THREE FOR SINGLE ITEMS.

>> I SIGNED UP FOR TWO, 44 AND 45.

I WOULD APPRECIATE THE FULL 5 MINUTES AS WE'VE ALREADY ALLOTTED OVER 45 MINUTES FOR TESTIMONIALS AGAINST.

>> I HATE TO TELL YOU BUT I'VE GOT TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

>> ALL RIGHT. MY NAME IS JOHN GOMEZ.

I LIVE IN SARASOTA AND I DON'T THINK I'LL BE MAKING ANY FRIENDS HERE TODAY. PERHAPS I WILL TRY MY LUCK LATER THIS EVENING. ABOUT THE NEW JAIL.

I MOVED HERE FOUR YEARS AGO FROM MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

I MOVED FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT I HAD NO NONSENSE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. I LIVED IN OLD TOWN WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE, SADDLE CREEK IN 2022 AND 2023.

I BIKED TO AND FROM INCLUDING NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, CHURCH HILL FARMS, CARLSON PLACE, MANY MIGHT REMEMBER ME ON MY BICYCLE DURING THOSE YEARS. I SEE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING AND I WILL CIRCLE BACK IN A MOMENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FEAR AND VOCIFEROUS OPPOSITION HERE. WILLIAMSON COUNTY NEEDS A STRONG JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE SPACE THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT INTERLUDES THIS DESCRIPTION.

OTHERS HAVE PROPOSED RURAL LOCATIONS.

COUNTY JAILS ARE ALWAYS IN THE SEAT OF A COUNTY.

IT'S A FACT OF LIFE WE NEED TO ACCEPT.

AND THE FACT IS THERE'S NO IDEAL SPACE FOR A NEW JUSTICE SYSTEM JAIL WITHIN THE COUNTY SEAT THAT IS NOT IN A CLOSE PROXIMITY OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS OR SCHOOLS. RURAL LOCATIONS ARE FOR FEDERAL PRISONS, NOT COUNTY JAILS. UNLIKE PLACES I'VE LIVED PREVIOUSLY WITH A GOVERNMENT UNWILLING TO PUT PROPER FUNDS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE PREMIUM THE COUNTY IS PAYING REFLECTS ITS COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SAFETY.

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS, THE SITE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE PROPOSED FOR THE NEW JAIL SITE AT BLUE SPRINGS AND BLUE RIDGE IS BY CELEBRATION CHURCH, WHICH I BELIEVE HAS A DAY CARE OR A SCHOOL OR BOTH. THEY TELL YOU NOT TO BUILD IT WHERE, BUT THEY TELL YOU TO BUILD IT NEAR OTHER SCHOOLS AND HOMES. THE CURRENT JAIL SITE WE CURRENTLY HAVE IS NEXT TO MANY SENSITIVE AREAS.

MONUMENT CAFE, THE LIBRARY, WHERE A LOT OF HOMELESS PEOPLE

[00:50:04]

I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY, BUILD A STRONG, SECURE AND MAGNIFICENT JUSTICE CENTER IN JAIL AND DISPLAY ITS FIRM COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

-- MAKE GEORGETOWN GREAT AGAIN, MAKE TEXAS GREAT AGAIN, AND MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ABIGAIL

BROCK. >> MY NAME IS ABIGAIL BROCK.

MY FAMILY LIVES IN CARLSON PLACE.

IT'S A STONE'S THROW FROM THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE.

WE ARE HOMEOWNERS AND PARENTS LIVING CLOSE TO THE PROPOSED JUSTICE COMPLEX SITE. TODAY YOU WILL HEAR FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES, AND I JUST ASK YOU TO HEAR OUR MAIN MESSAGE AND CONCERNS ABOUT OUR CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL SAFETY ABOUT THE JAIL OVER EVERYTHING ELSE. AS STEPHANIE HIGHLIGHTED SO WELL, PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS DECISION HAS INEVITABLE AND EGREGIOUS CONSEQUENCES THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL EXPERIENCE.

I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY HEARD.

OUR CONCERN PRIMARILY SURROUNDS RECENTLY RELEASED INMATES AND THAT THE CURRENT PLAN CAN'T AND DOESN'T PROVIDE A SAFE SYSTEM FOR HOW INDIVIDUALS LEAVE THE AREA AFTERWARD.

THAT MEANS THAT SOME, POSSIBLY A MAJORITY OF RELEASED INMATES WILL INEVITABLY LEAVE ON FOOT THROUGH SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS ON ALL SIDES. WE UNDERSTAND THAT TRANSPORTATION MAY BE OFFERED AT NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIPS.

THIS IS NOT AN OPTION THE MAJORITY OF RELEASED INMATES USED, SO IT'S KIND OF A MOOT POINT.

AT THE SAME TIME INMATES ARE BEING RELEASED INTO THE AREA DURING REGISTRATION HOURS, SCHOOL HOURS.

STREETS IN THIS AREA ARE BUSY WITH CHILDREN WALKING HOME FROM NEARBY MITCHELL ELEMENTARY AND WAGNER MIDDLE SCHOOL.

EASTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BEING DROPPED OFF ALONG THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUS ROUTES, AND THE CENTER FOR KIDS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY HAS A LOT OF POPULATIONS. IT SERVES EVERYBODY, BUT IT SERVES KIDS AND KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

ADDITIONALLY ONE OF THE MOST DIRECT WALKING ROUTES FOR THE PROPOSED SITE TOWARD DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN IS SOUTHWESTERN BOULEVARD AND IT RUNS THROUGH MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND PAST SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, WHERE MANY YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENTS LIVE AND WALK DAILY.

THIS CREATES A PREDICTABLE AND RECURRING OVERLAP DURING RELEASE ACTIVITY -- BETWEEN RELEASE ACTIVITY AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THE PROPOSED SITE HAS MANAGED TO CAPTURE ALMOST EVERY AGE GROUP OF CHILDREN TO YOUNG ADULTS AND PUT THEIR DAILY SAFETY IN QUESTION. THAT OVERLAP BETWEEN INMATES AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN IS NOT HYPOTHETICAL, IT'S INEVITABLE AND A DIRECT RESULT OF WHERE THE CURRENT LOCATION IS DESIGNED.

WE ARE ASKING THE COUNTY TO STOP AND RECONSIDER THIS DECISION AND ENSURE RESIDENTS ARE PROACTIVELY INFORMED AND MEANINGFULLY INVOLVED BEFORE DECISIONS OF THIS SCALE MOVE FORWARD.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MISS BROCK.

OUR LAST SPEAKER ON AGENDA ITEMS IS MARGARET SMITH.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARGARET SMITH, I GO BY PEGGY. I LIVE IN THE SADDLE CREEK COMMUNITY. I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN'T HAVE A BAR NEXT TO A JAIL, BUT YOU CAN HAVE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEXT TO A JAIL. THE REASON I LOVE LIVING IN SADDLE CREEK IS BECAUSE I SEE THE KIDS WALKING TO SCHOOL, RIDING THEIR BIKES TO SCHOOL, IT'S A CHARMING COMMUNITY.

WE STILL HAVE COWS ON THE WAY ENTERING SADDLE CREEK.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY, AND THIS DECISION SEEMS TO BE HASTILY MADE OR UNDER COVER MADE AND NOT FULLY EXPOSED TO THE PEOPLE WHO IT AFFECTS DIRECTLY. I'M ASKING YOU TO OPPOSE THIS COMPLEX. THE SITE IS TOO CLOSE TO THE SCHOOLS, THE PEOPLE GETTING RELEASED AND I WON'T BE REPEATING MYSELF, BUT THEY ARE RIGHT, THE PEOPLE GETTING

[00:55:01]

IT ALSO DOESN'T SEEM FAIR THAT WE ARE OVERPAYING FOR THIS PROJECT YOU ARE VOTING ON WHEN THERE ARE OTHER LOCATIONS THAT COULD BE TAKING PLACE. I'M GOING TO ASK YOU POLITELY TO PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR VOTE. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, MISS SMITH. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO SPEAK TODAY. WE APPRECIATE YOU.

WE HAVE A FEW MORE SPEAKERS LATER IN THE AGENDA, BUT NOW WE

[1. Review and approval of minutes.]

STARTING WITH AGENDA ITEM NUMBEF THE MINUTES.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

[2. Hear County Auditor concerning invoices, bills, Quick Check Report, wire transfers and electronic payments submitted for payment and take appropriate action including, but not limited to approval for payment provided said items are found by the County Auditor to be legal obligations of the county.]

THANK YOU. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2, HEAR FROM THE COUNTY AUDITOR. WELCOME.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M REQUESTING APPROVAL TODAY FOR THE FUNDING REPORT SENT OUT ELECTRONICALLY LAST WEEK IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,162,577. IN ADDITION, I HAVE ONE BENEFIT PAYMENT FOR YOUR APPROVAL TOTALING $5,766,666.98.

>> I MOVE WE APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND SECOND. ANY MORE DISCUSSION?

[ CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda includes non-controversial and routine items that the Court may act on with one single vote. The Judge or a Commissioner may pull any item from the consent agenda in order that the court discuss and act upon it individually as part of the Regular Agenda. (Items 3 –24)]

THANK YOU, NATE. THE CONSENT AGENDA IS PRESENTED TO YOU. ITEM 3-24, I'M REQUESTING WE PULL ITEM 13. THE CONSENT AGENDA WILL CONSIST

OF ITEMS 3-12 AND 14-24. >> CAN WE ALSO MOVE 11 TO REGULAR AGENDA PLEASE? AND IF THAT'S THE CASE I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEMS 3-24 EXCLUDING 11 AND 13.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> JUDGE, IS 13 BEING PULLED OR MOVED TO REGULAR?

>> PULLED COMPLETELY. WE HAVE A MOTION.

WHO DID THE SECOND? OKAY.

ANY MORE DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR.

CARRIES 5-0. WE WILL COME BACK TO 11 IN A

[25. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a proclamation recognizing the month of May as 'Mental Health Awareness Month'.]

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 25, DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. COMMISSIONER LONG.

>> JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR ANNOUNCING THAT.

I'M GOING TO ASK KATHY PIERCE TO COME UP, THE CHAIR OF OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TASK FORCE IN THE COUNTY AND HAS BEEN COORDINATING FOR THE COUNTY ALL THINGS MENTAL HEALTH AND BEYOND.

I'M GOING TO LET HER TAKE THE LEAD ON THIS.

I'LL READ THE PROCLAMATION. BUT JUST REALLY A SHOUT OUT.

KATHY -- THIS IS A TOUGH SUBJECT AND A REALLY CHALLENGING THING.

I WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO BRING AWARENESS TO THIS.

BUT WE DO, AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

KATHY, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK OVER THE YEARS IN HELPING BRING AWARENESS AND NOT JUST AWARENESS, BUT YOU BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. KATHY HAS THIS AMAZING WAY OF BRINGING PEOPLE TO A ROOM AND DISARMING THEM, MAKING THEM FEEL COMFORTABLE. SHE WALKS INTO A ROOM FULL OF COPS AND THEY WALK OUT THANKING HER.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE OVER THE YEARS, AND I WANT TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION AND I KNOW THERE ARE SOME INTRODUCTIONS YOU WANT TO MAKE.

ON TODAY, MAY THE 12TH, AT THIS MEETING, WHEREAS THE MONTH OF MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH TO BRING ATTENTION AND TO REMEMBER THE VITAL ROLE MENTAL HEALTH PLAYS IN OUR OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. WHEREAS ONE IN FIVE U.S. ADULTS EXPERIENCE MENTAL ILLNESS EVERY YEAR, ONE IN 20 U.S. ADULTS EXPERIENCE A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS EACH YEAR AND ONE IN SIX YOUTH AGES 6-17 EXPERIENCE A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER EACH YEAR WITH 7.6% OF ALL ADULTS EXPERIENCING A CO-OCCURRING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

WHEREAS 1 OUT OF 17 ADULTS WILL EXPERIENCE THE SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS IN THEIR LIFETIME WHICH CAN AFFECT THEIR PHYSICAL

[01:00:04]

MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS CAN IMPACT ANY ONE, REGARDLESS OF RACE, AGE, GENDER, EDUCATION LEVEL, ECONOMIC STATUS.

AND SADLY, SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 10-14. WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, THERAPY, MEDICATION, AND SELF CARE HAVE MADE RECOVERY A REALITY FOR MOST PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL ILLNESS, AND WHEREAS THE AVERAGE DELAY BETWEEN ONSET OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT IS 11 YEARS, BUT WITH TREATMENT INDIVIDUALS CAN LEARN TO WORK, CREATE, COMPETE, LAUGH, LOVE AND INSPIRE EVERY DAY. WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS, SOME OF WHICH INCLUDE BEING SAD OR WITHDRAWN FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS, TRYING TO HARM ONESELF, OR MAKING PLANS TO DO SO, OUT OF CONTROL RISKY BEHAVIOR, CHANGES IN MOOD OR WEIGHT, USE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, SLEEPING PATTERNS, FEAR AND ANXIETY.

AND WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT AND CAN BE LIFE SAVING TO RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND TO CONNECT OUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES TO TREATMENT RESOURCES AS THERE IS HOPE AND HELP AVAILABLE, INCLUDING THE BLUEBONNET TRAILS CRISIS SUPPORT LINE. AND WRITE DOWN THIS PHONE NUMBER. 844-309-6385.

YOU CAN CALL THAT LINE FOR QUESTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, AND HELP WITH NAVIGATING YOUR LOCAL TREATMENT OPTIONS AS WELL AS THE SEARCH FOR TREATMENT. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES THE MONTH OF MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND ENCOURAGES COUNTY RESIDENTS TO LOOK FOR WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND CALL OR TEXT 911 IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING OR IN CRISIS.

RESOLVED THIS 12TH DAY OF MAY 2026.

I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS HERE, WE WANT TO TELL THEM WHAT WE DID

THIS MORNING. >> WE HAD OUR FIRST ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WALK THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS. BUT NONE OF THIS WOULD BE MADE POSSIBLE WITHOUT PEER SUPPORT. IT'S SO GREATLY APPRECIATED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN THE NEED AND FILLED THE GAPS, AND WHERE THE STATE HASN'T ALWAYS DONE EVERYTHING AND CAN'T DO EVERYTHING.

BUT THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT FUNDING AND VOTES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT AFFECTS EVERY -- ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY, AS THE RESOLUTION SAID.

IT DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE ON ANY RACE, CREED, COLOR, ECONOMICS, ANYTHING ELSE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

AND WITH NEXT YEAR'S WALK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE IT EVEN BIGGER.

USUALLY WE'VE HAD TO GO TO TRAVIS COUNTY AND WE WANT TO BRING IT UP HERE. WE ARE BIG ENOUGH TO HAVE A BIG WALK THAT WE STARTED THIS YEAR AND WILL IMPROVE NEXT YEAR.

THANK YOU FOR OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH BLUEBONNET TRAILS.

THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO HELP US GET A LOT OF THOSE GAPS THAT WE IDENTIFIED IN THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TASK FORCE AND HELP FILL THEM. AND THANK YOU FOR THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND JUDGES, EVERYBODY THAT PARTICIPATES.

IT TAKES EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I THINK A TRUE DIFFERENCE HAS BEEN MADE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY

AND IT'S GREATLY APPRECIATED. >> KATHY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR EFFORTS. I WILL ECHO THAT.

WE'VE TALKED TO OTHER COUNTIES THAT DON'T HAVE THE COLLABORATION THAT WE HAVE, AND THEY LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE GOT AND THE GAPS THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVE REALLY MADE AN IMPACT. WE HEARD A LOT OF COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE JAIL TODAY. BUT ONE OF THE REASONS WE'VE GROWN SO MUCH, YET OUR JAIL POPULATION HAS NOT, IS BECAUSE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO WITH OUR JAIL REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH, EVEN PROGRAMS WE'VE STARTED IN OUR JAIL TO ADDRESS DIFFERENT ISSUES. I WANT TO THANK MIKE MAPLES, WHO'S HERE AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BLUEBONNET TRAILS.

THANK YOU AND ALL YOUR TEAM FOR THE COORDINATION BETWEEN US AND ALL THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS WE HAVE GOING ON, BUT ALSO THE END RESULT IS BETTER FOR EVERYONE IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE SITUATION.

[01:05:03]

THANK YOU. >> AND THANK YOU TO RUBEN AS WELL. WE TRY TO GET EVERYBODY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, AS WE TALKED ABOUT, BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN. HE STARTED A LOSS PREVENTION TEAM THAT HAS REALLY HELPED PEOPLE.

JUST THE WHOLE GAMUT FROM AS EARLY AS WE CAN GET THEM IN THE SHALLOW END TO ALL THE WAY TO THE MORE DESPERATE TIMES.

>> AND ADULTS AS WELL AS YOUTH. >> YES, FOCUSING ON BOTH.

>> WE HAVE SOME OF OUR PARTNERS HERE TODAY WITH THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT.

>> YES. DOCTOR NORWOOD AND TEAM IS HERE AS WELL. SHE STARTED A WALK WITH THE DOC.

SHE HAS ONE COMING UP IN TWO WEEKS ON A SATURDAY, STARTS AT 10:30. AND WHILE YOU ARE WALKING WITH A DOCTOR YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING MENTAL HEALTH, ISOLATION, AND JUST HAVE A CHANCE TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF TAYLOR. THEN WHILE YOU ARE GETTING SOME PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSIONS IN A MORE CASUAL WAY.

SO THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON. SORRY I LEFT PEOPLE OUT, SO THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT. WE ALSO HAD OUR ROCK SPRINGS HERE FOR THE WALK AND GEORGETOWN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INSTITUTE.

I KNOW THAT I'M MISSING OTHERS. BUT --

>> IF WE CAN GET A PICTURE THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

>> AND EVERYONE YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT'S A PART OF THAT TEAM AND THAT BIGGER COALITION, COME ON UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> I HAD LOTS OF REMINDERS TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> THE REASON FOR THE GREEN IS THAT SORT OF THE COLOR OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A RIBBON, I THINK KATHY HAS A FEW MORE OF

[26. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a proclamation recognizing the month of May as 'ALS Awareness Month'.]

>> NEXT WE HAVE DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MAY AS ALS AWARENESS MONTH. COMMISSIONER BOLES, THIS IS YOUR

ITEM. >> IT IS.

I HAVE BILL AND HIS DAUGHTER HERE TODAY, IF Y'ALL WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY, WE HAVE SCOTTY BROWN. SCOTTY BROWN IS CURRENTLY BATTLING ALS AND IS JOINED BY HIS WIFE AND HIS BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS AND HIS GRANDCHILD. I THINK THE SON-IN-LAW HAD TO LEAVE TO GO TO WORK. SO THANKS FOR STAYING WITH US AND THE PATIENCE OF A YOUNG CHILD AS WE GO THROUGH THE

PROCESS. >> YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE

YOURSELVES? >> WE'D LIKE TO DO THAT AT THE

END. >> THAT'S COMING FROM A FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER. YOUR TIME IS STILL GOING TO

START. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS AINSLEY BRUNET AND I'M A FRESHMAN COLLEGE STUDENT AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

I WANTED TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA TO TODAY. I WANTED TO START BY SAYING I'M NOT THE BEST AT PUBLIC SPEAKING, BUT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART. I'VE BEEN HERE A COUPLE OTHER TIMES GIVING THE SAME SPEECH, SO HERE I AM AGAIN DOING MY BEST TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR A DISEASE CALLED ALS OR LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE. THIS DISEASE TOOK MY MOTHER'S LIFE AT AGE 39 AFTER HAVING BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS. ALS IS A NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE THAT DEPRIVES YOU OF YOUR ABILITY TO WALK, SPEAK, AND MOVE AT ALL. IF YOU ARE DIAGNOSED, YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY DECREASES TO 2-5 YEARS.

IF YOU ARE DIAGNOSED THERE IS NO WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST IT.

BUT THERE IS HOPE IF WE BRING AWARENESS TO IT.

IT HAS NO KNOWN CAUSE, NO CURE, AND NOT NEARLY ENOUGH RECOGNITION AS IT NEEDS. IT DOESN'T AFFECT AS MANY PEOPLE AS CANCER, BUT I BELIEVE IT DESERVES AS MUCH ATTENTION.

[01:10:05]

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED FOR A CURE. IT IS IMPORTANT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE MAY AS ALS AWARENESS MONTH SO MORE PEOPLE CAN LEARN ABOUT THIS DISEASE. ALS NEEDS AWARENESS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY A CURE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, GREAT JOB. >> JUDGE, I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING MOTION. WHEREAS ALS IS KNOWN AS LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE AND IS A PROGRESSIVE FATAL NEURODEGENERATIVE -- I. APOLOGIZE -- DISEASE THAT ATTACKS NERVE CELLS IN THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD, MAKING EVEN THE SMALLEST MOVEMENTS, WALKING, SPEAKING AND GESTURING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, MUSCLES GET WEAKER AS MORE NERVE CELLS DIE AND PROGRESSIVELY GETS WORSE OVER TIME.

WHEREAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE AFFECTED BY ALS AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

ALS IN THE U.S. IS EXPECTED TO STEADILY CLIMB BY MORE THAN 10% OVER THE NEXT DECADE, INCREASING FROM AN ESTIMATED 32,800 CASES IN 2022 TO MORE THAN 36,300 CASES BY 2030.

WHEREAS ALS CAN SOMETIMES BE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE OR PREDICT HOW QUICKLY DISEASES ARE LIKELY TO PROGRESS, PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH ALS HAVE AN AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 2-5 YEARS AND THE PERSON LOSING THEIR BATTLE WITH THE DISEASE EVERY 90 MINUTES.

AND WHEREAS ALS STRIKES PEOPLE NO MATTER RACE,, AGE, OR ETHNICITY AND WHEREAS FINDING THE CAUSE OF THE CURE OF ALS WILL PREVENT DISEASE FROM ROBBING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS OF THEIR DIGNITY AND LIVES, AND WHEREAS THERE IS CURRENTLY NO KNOWN CAUSE OR TREATMENT OR CURE FOR THE DISEASE AND WHEREAS RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THIS DISEASE WILL FACILITATE THE DISCOVERY FOR A CURE AND BRING MUCH NEEDED DOLLARS OF SUPPORT AND SERVICE FOR FAMILIES IN TEXAS DEALING WITH ALS NOW. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE WILLIAMS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES

MAY 2025 AS ALS AWARENESS MONTH. >> I'LL SECOND.

>> MOTION AND SECOND ALL IN FAVOR.

AND TO HELP BRING AWARENESS, WE HAVE A GOLF TOURNAMENT COMING UP TO RAISE A LITTLE MONEY. DO WE HAVE A DATE SET? JUNE FIRST, COMING UP QUICKLY. LET'S GET OUT THERE AND RAISE SOME MONEY, AND LET'S FIGHT FOR THE CURE.

AND IF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE GOLF TOURNAMENT HOW CAN THEY

GET THAT INFORMATION. >> ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> WE CAN SHARE IT AND HELP GET THE WORD OUT.

>> WERE YOU A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL THE FIRST TIME YOU CAME HERE? OR MAYBE EVEN IN EIGHTH GRADE.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE. BUT I APPRECIATE IT, AND IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO GET TO KNOW YOU THROUGH THE YEARS.

I'M THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE HERE AND THAT YOU CONTINUE TO BRING AWARENESS. IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

SO THANK YOU. AND BILL, THANK YOU FOR BEING AN AMAZING DAD AND SUPPORTING AINSLEY THROUGH THIS.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY. TWO GREAT FAMILIES.

WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU.

CAN WE TAKE A PICTURE? >> ALL RIGHT.

[27. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a Proclamation recognizing May 10-16, 2026 as National Police Week.]

[01:16:35]

AND I WILL MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION.

WHERE ARE MY GLASSES? TO RECOGNIZE NATIONAL POLICE WEEK 2026 HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND HONOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY.

WHEREAS THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS DESIGNATED THE WEEK OF MAY 10-16, 2026 TO BE DEDICATED AS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND MAY 15TH OF EACH YEAR TO BE PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY IN HONOR OF ALL FALLEN OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN U.S. FLAGS SHOULD BE FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF.

THAT'S ON MAY 15TH. WHEREAS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE GUARDIANS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY, DEFENDERS OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO BE FREE, WARRIORS IN THE WAR AGAINST CRIME AND DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF LIFE LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, AND WHEREAS WILLIAMSON COUNTY DESIRES TO HONOR THE VALOR, SERVICE, AND DEDICATION OF ITS OWN DEPUTIES AND WHEREAS SINCE THE FIRST RECORDED DEATHS IN 1786, MORE THAN 27,000 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, INCLUDING 36 THIS YEAR.

AND WHEREAS NEW NAMES OF THE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE ENGRAVED ON THE WALLS OF THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON D.C.

NOW THEREFORE IT BE PROCLAIMED AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, STATE OF TEXAS, HEREBY PROCLAIMS MAY 10-16, 2026 AS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY TEXAS AND PUBLICLY SALUTES THE SERVICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION.

THAT IS MY MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND. >> WE ALL ALL SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 5-0.

I KNOW WE HAVE SHERIFF LINDAMAN HERE AND I JUST WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU AND SEVERAL BAILIFFS AND DEPUTIES AND THE CONSTABLES AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SERVICE AND PUTTING LIFE ON THE LINE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> THANK YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU.

[11. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on approving compensation changes, position title changes, position grade changes, and any corresponding line item transfers.]

>> NOW LET'S GO BACK TO ITEM 11, PULLED OUT OF CONSENT.

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A COMPENSATION CHANGES, POSITION TITLE CHANGES, POSITION GRADE CHANGES AND ANY CORRESPONDING LINE ITEM TRANSFERS.

>> JUDGE, I ASKED TO DISCUSS THIS A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE PULLED AN ITEM LAST WEEK AND WE FIND A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT DOING THE SAME THING, MOVING MONIES.

IT'S JUST A COMMON OCCURRENCE. WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS HAVE OUR HR DEPARTMENT AND BUDGET OFFICER COME BACK WITH ANY CHANGES AND

[01:20:02]

WE COULD LEAVE IT IN THE PERSONNEL BUCKET AND THE SALARIES BUCKET. IT'S WITHIN POLICY AND WE CAN GO AHEAD AND APPROVE THIS. LAST WEEK IT WAS JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER, WHATEVER. WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE POLICY.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHAT WE ARE DOING.

ANYWAY, THAT'S WHY I WANTED MORE DISCUSSION.

>> SO YOU'RE ASKING BUDGET AND HR TO COME BACK AND PUT SOME

PARAMETERS AROUND IT? >> EXACTLY.

WE ARE MOVING MONEY OFF OF A POSITION BECAUSE OF RULES.

BUT INSTEAD OF JUST LEAVING IT IN THE BUCKET THEY ARE MOVING IT TO ANOTHER POSITION. IN BOTH CASES VACANT POSITIONS.

SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE HAPPY TO MOVE IT AGAIN.

SO I'M NOT SURE THE REASON TO DO THAT.

BUT IT'S WITHIN POLICY, I GET IT.

WE CAN APPROVE THESE. I'M JUST SAYING, IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO DO THAT. THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO DISCUSS.

>> SO IS THERE A MOTION ON AGENDA ITEM 11?

>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE THIS, BUT I ABSOLUTELY WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HAVE HR RESOLVE IT WITH LESS

PAPERWORK. >> I'LL SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

[28. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on mid year changes to the FY2026 Employee Policy Manual.]

IN YOUR AGENDA, THERE IS A LIST OF THE RED LINE ITEMS TO THE EMPLOYED POLICY MANUAL AND I BELIEVE ALAN FREDERICK IS HERE

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

ALAN IS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, AND I ALSO SPOKE TO LINDA. THERE WAS SOME QUESTION ON SOME CHANGES TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, BUT THEY HAD A MEETING AND I THINK EVERYTHING WAS WORKED OUT. MOTION AND SECOND.

[29. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on a line item transfer for the Jail.]

ITEM NUMBER 29, DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON AN ITEM -- LINE ITEM, TRANSFER FOR THE JAIL.

>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE 29. WORK IN THE KITCHEN I BELIEVE

THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> SECOND. >> IN ADDITION, LINE ITEM TRANSFERRING VEHICLE, INSURANCE, VEHICLES LESS THAN 5000, GRANT TRANSFER AND GRANT FUNDS, PHARMACEUTICALS, AND MEDICAL HOSPITAL. SO I HEARD A MOTION AND A SECOND. IS THAT ACCURATE? ALL IN FAVOR? AGENDA ITEM CARRIES 5-0.

[30. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on the engagement of the law firm of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP to represent Williamson County in relation to Cause No. 26-1117-C512; Fabian Gonzalez Moncada v. Williamson County, Texas; In the 512th Judicial District Court of Williamson County, Texas; and exemption of these services from the competitive bid/proposal requirements of the County Purchasing Act pursuant to the discretionary exemption for personal or professional services, as set forth under Texas Local Government Code § 262.024(a)(4).]

>> DID YOU MOVE? ARE YOU MOVING?

>> I'LL MOVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER COOK.

I WILL SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES 5-0. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 31 IS TO DISCUSS, THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO MOVE THAT TO LATER AFTER REBECCA CLEMENS

[32. Receive a status update and presentation for Facilities Management Department Projects.]

SO WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 32, RECEIVE A STATUS UPDATE AND PRESENTATION FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT PROJECTS.

DALE BUTLER. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND

[01:25:11]

SO YOU'VE SEEN THIS COME THROUGH COURT RECENTLY, BUT -- ABOUT THE UPGRADES TO THE PARK. SO THIS IS KIND OF SHOWING THE EXISTING CONDITIONS SO YOU WERE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT WE WERE WORKING ON. CURRENTLY NATURAL GRASS FIELDS WILL GET UPGRADED TO SYNTHETIC TURF.

>> AND JUST A REMINDER, THE BULK OF THAT FUNDING IS COMING FROM OUR PARTNER. WE APPRECIATE THEM.

>> SO THIS IS KIND OF SHOWING THE IMPROVEMENTS ON THE FIELDS, THE STRIPING. OF COURSE THIS WILL BE PERMANENT STRIPING NOW. SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAINT THOSE AGAIN, HOPEFULLY NOT ANY TIME SOON.

PUTTING THE PARK TOGETHER, DID YOU EVER ENVISION IT BEING USED WITH THE INTENSITY THAT IT IS THAT YOU CAN'T KEEP GRASS ON IT?

>> AS A FORMER PARKS DIRECTOR SAYS, WE ARE GETTING HEAVILY LOOKED. THIS WILL BE A GREAT LONG TERM BENEFIT. WE CAN ALSO END UP USING THE FIELDS LONGER BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING TO LIMIT IT TO NOT LET

THE GRASS DIE. >> SO BASICALLY ALL WEATHER PLAYING FIELDS. THE STRIPING PLAN IS KIND OF SHOWN IN MORE DETAIL. BASICALLY FOR A VARIETY OF GAMES, OF COURSE SOCCER AND FOOTBALL, BUT SIX VERSUS SIX FOOTBALL FOR EXAMPLE, THAT RED LINE IS THE OUTER LIMITS OF THAT. SO IT'S A GOOD VERSATILITY.

>> THAT'S VERY EXCITING. USUALLY VERY HIGH SCORING.

>> I WON'T BORE YOU WITH TOO MUCH OF THIS, BUT LIKE YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, IT'S AN ALL WEATHER PLAYING FIELD WITH MULTIPLE LAYERS OF DRAINAGE BELOW THE TURF.

SO YOU CAN SEE THAT KIND OF LEADS EVERYTHING DOWN TO A SERIES OF PIPES AND DRAIN LINES TO GET ALL THE WATER OFF THE FIELD. IF WE DO RECEIVE RAIN.

CEDAR PARK ANNEX IS GETTING A LITTLE LOVE.

ADA UPGRADES AND SOME SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT WHERE THE SIDEWALKS WERE GETTING ROUGH AND WE NEEDED BETTER SLOPES FOR ADA ACCESSIBILITY. SO THAT'S HAPPENING, THE REPAVE OF THE PARKING LOT IS STILL ONGOING THERE AS WELL, AND WE HAVE SOME CHILLER UPGRADES ON THE WAY.

GENERAL JUSTICE CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT IS STILL SET TO FINISH PHASE ONE, WHICH IS ALL OF THE EXPANSION AREA IN THE WINTER OF 2027, SHOULD BE EARLY WINTER IF WE STAY ON TRACK.

WITH THAT, I'M ALREADY SEEING SOME FINISHED DETAIL JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED.

THE BLOCK WALLS FOR EXAMPLE ARE BURNISHED BLOCK, SO THAT'S A FINISHED PRODUCT. YOU WILL SEE THE WALLS, THE CEILING. SO SOME GOOD IDEAS WENT INTO PLANNING ON THAT. HALLWAYS, DOORS, INTO SOME SLEEPING AREAS. NATURAL LIGHT FROM THE TOP.

THIS IS THE FLEET SHOP ADDITION, WHICH IS FINISHED.

IT WAS FINISHED THIS MONTH IN APRIL.

THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE IN AND START USING THAT FACILITY, SO WE ADDED ABOUT 20 SQUARE FEET TO THE TIRE SHOP, 2400 AND ABOUT 2O WORK ON THINGS OUT IN THE WEATHER AND THE SUN AND RAIN.

THIS IS THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE SHOP.

THE LOWER ONE IS THE EXPANSION. THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD ROOM ADDED. AND IN THE SAME FACILITY, KIND OF NEXT DOOR TO THE TRAINING BUILDING IS BEING DESIGNED, AND YOU CAN KIND OF SEE IF YOU KNOW WHAT THAT BUILDING LOOKS LIKE TO THE SOUTH EAST CORNER IS WHERE WE HAVE THAT NEW AREA DRAWN IN

[01:30:06]

THE ANIMAL SHELTER, KENNEL ADDITION IS STILL BEING DESIGNED. WE JUST GOT BACK COMMENTS FROM THE CITY ON THE SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.

SO THINGS ARE MOVING ON THAT. THIS GIVES YOU A VIEW OF WHAT THE ELEVATION LOOKS LIKE. EVERYTHING IN THE FOREGROUND OF THE FIXTURE IS BEING ADDED ON TO THE EXISTING TWO-STORY BUILDING.

SO THAT KIND OF RUNS ALONG THE SOUTHEAST LOOP.

>> GEORGETOWN IS PAYING FOR THIS ADDITION WITH THE FUNDS CAPPED, AND WE HAD TO CUT BACK THE SECOND STORY WITH THE PRIMARY GOAL TO ADD PATH CAPACITY FOR THE DOGS.

SO I THINK WE ARE ACCOMPLISHING THAT WITH WHAT IT IS.

AND THEN HAVING TO MOVE CERTAIN PLAY AREAS.

BUT LOOKING FOR THAT TO BE SPONSORED THROUGH DONATIONS.

SO WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT OUR TEAM IS DOING TO MOVE THIS

FORWARD. >> YES.

WE SHOULD HAVE SEVERAL ALTERNATES THAT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S POINT WILL BE EASY TO GRAB AND ADD TO THE CONTRACT EVEN AFTER WE BEGIN CONSTRUCTION.

IF FUND-RAISING OR SOME OTHER FUNDING SOURCE IS FOUND.

MOVING ON TO THE ADMIN BUILDING. THIS WAS FRIDAY, I THINK, SO THAT'S LOOKING OUT TOWARDS SOUTHEAST LOOP FROM THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. STILL A BIT OF WORK TO BE DONE, BUT WE ARE DUE TO BE FINISHED THIS MONTH.

FINAL MOVE IN IS STILL PLANNED FOR JUNE.

THIS IS THE BACK OF THE BUILDING ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THEN THE DRIVE THROUGH ON THE RIGHT SIDE. JUST AN EXAMPLE OF SOME INTERIOR VIEWS OF WHAT THE LAWS LOOK LIKE AND SOME OF THE FURNITURE GOING IN. I THINK THESE WALLS ARE A GREAT INVESTMENT. REALLY HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL.

IT'S ALUMINIUM AND GLASS. SO NOT A LOT THAT CAN GO WRONG WITH THESE OVER TIME AND WE CAN REUSE THEM IF WE NEED TO RECONFIGURE. PROBABLY NOT IF, BUT WHEN WE NEED TO RECONFIGURE FOR GROWTH. SOME THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP THIS SUMMER, WHEN SOME OF THESE AREAS ARE GETTING VACATED AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEW EDMOND BUILDING.

THE BUILDING WE ARE SITTING IN, WE HAVE QUITE A FEW THINGS SLATED TO MOVE IN HERE AS WE CAN WITH THE VACATED BUILDING.

SO SOME THINGS THAT ARE END OF LIFE LIKE THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM UPGRADE, REFINISH THE FLOORS. INTERIOR PAINT IS NEEDED AND SOME UPGRADES ON HVAC CONTROLS. THE WINDOWS ARE KIND OF A CONSTANT THING, BUT WE WILL CHECK ON ALL OF THOSE AND DO SOME RESTORATION AS NEEDED ON THE WOOD WINDOWS AND THEN THE SIDEWALK RESTORATION. GEORGETOWN TAX OFFICE IS ALSO BEING VACATED, THAT'S TO BE DETERMINED BASED ON THE USE OF WHAT WE NEED TO MOVE IN AND DO ON THAT.

AND THEN GEORGETOWN ANNEX PURCHASING IS VACATING.

SO IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY WHEN SOMEONE WHO'S OUT TO AT LEAST TOUCH UP THE WALLS AND CLEAN THE FLOORS,

NOTHING ELSE. >> I DIDN'T SEE A SPACE FOR A

CONSTABLE'S IN THE PRECINCT. >> I DO HAVE ANOTHER LIST HERE OF VARIOUS THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO DO THE COUNCIL REMODEL SOON.

WE WALKED IT AGAIN WITH THE CONTRACTOR YESTERDAY.

>> THEY ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING NOT SITTING IN A BROOM CLOSET.

>> YES. >> GOING BACK TO THE CENTER, YOU MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE FINISHED.

COULD YOU GO BACK OVER THAT? OUR ANTICIPATION IS THAT THE COURTROOM WILL BE FINISHED THE FIRST OF 27.

THAT'S STILL ON TRACK? >> YES, MA'AM,.

>> THE REST OF IT MAY NOT BE OPEN.

>> THE EXPANSION SHOULD ALL BE ABLE TO OPEN.

>> THE FIRST TWO PHASES. >> JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF 2027 IS THE TIMELINE. SO YES, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO THAT AREA OF EXPANSION AND THEN WE CAN START WORKING ON

[01:35:01]

PHASES THREE THROUGH FIVE. >> IF WE FUND THEM.

I'M JUST KIDDING. BUT, YES, WE HAVE VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD ON IT. SO THOSE WOULD JUST FOLLOW THE CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS CONTINUING.

>> YES. >> PERFECT, THANK YOU.

>> DALE, THANK YOU. YOU DO AN EXCELLENT JOB FOR THE COUNTY. JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS HOW MANY DIFFERENT BUILDINGS DO YOU AND YOUR TEAM MANAGE?

>> THERE'S ABOUT 100 BUILDINGS. SOME OF THOSE ARE SMALLER, LESS NEEDY TYPE OF BUILDINGS. BUT WE HAVE ABOUT 65 THAT ARE MORE LIKE THIS BUILDING OR AN ANNEX OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> THIS BUILDING WE ARE IN NEEDS A LOT OF LOVE.

IT'S HIGH MAINTENANCE. THANK YOU.

[33. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding the addendum for $15,000.00, per MSA 2026-029, originally approved by the Commissioners Court on October 14, 2025, under Agenda Item #18, between Williamson County and Iris Group Holding, LLC d/b/a Everon, LLC Solutions for Intrusion System Monitoring Services for the addresses noted on the contract, and authorize the execution of the agreement.]

>> THANK YOU. >> MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 33.

DISCUSS, CONSIDER AN APPROPRIATE ACTION FOR THE ADDENDUM FOR 15,000 PER MSA, 2026-029, ORIGINALLY APPROVED BY A COMMISSIONERS COURT ON OCTOBER 14TH, 2025 BETWEEN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND IRIS GROUP HOLDINGS LLC DBA EVEREN LLC SOLUTIONS FOR INTRUSION SYSTEM MONITORING SERVICE FOR THE ADDRESSES NOTED ON THE CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT. RICHARD IS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY

QUESTIONS. >> I MOVE APPROVAL.

WE HAVE A QUESTION. MR. SEMPLE IS IN THE BACK, I BELIEVE. ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A QUESTION ON THE INTRUSION SYSTEMS. WITHOUT GIVING AWAY OUR SECURITY

SECRETS. >> IF THE FACILITY SECRET.

>> OKAY. >> I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE

QUESTION AGAIN? >> NUMBER 33 IS REGARDING INTRUSION SYSTEM MONITORING. IS THAT BLOCKED DOOR MONITORING?

>> PANIC BUTTON MONITORING. OKAY.

>> OKAY. I'LL MOVE WE APPROVE THIS.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER LONG.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? >> QUESTION IS ANSWERED.

[34. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on Work Authorization 7 under Williamson County Contract for Engineering Services between Gray Engineering, Inc. and Williamson County dated June 2, 2022, for Design Engineering Services for Small Drainage and Small Roadway Projects.]

[36. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding Renewal #1 for Contract #25IFB61 between Williamson County and Lone Star Paving for asphalt mixes, this renewal will be based on the same pricing and terms as the original agreement approved by the Commissioners Court on August 12, 2025, Item # 49, and authorizing the execution of the agreement.]

[37. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding Renewal # 1 for Contract #25IFB29 between Williamson County and Pathmark Traffic Equipment LLC for Signs and Markers for Road and Bridge Dept., this renewal will be based on the same pricing and terms as the original agreement, approved by the Commissioners Court on June 17 2025 Item # 44, and authorizing execution of the agreement.]

[38. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on Contract Amendment No. 2 to the Bartlett Streets contract executed March 19, 2024, between Williamson County and IEA, Inc. relating to the 2023 Road Bond Program.]

[39. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on Supplemental No. 5 to Work Authorization No. 1 to the Bartlet Streets contract executed March 19, 2024, between Williamson County and IEA, Inc. relating to the 2023 Road Bond Program.]

[40. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a real estate contract with Emanuelle Resto, Charlotte Lynn Resto-Mafnas and Alejandro Resto to acquire 1.038 AC and 0.0956 AC needed as right of way for the future Corridor J roadway project.]

[41. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a real estate contract with Manuel Resto-Camacho and Ana R. Resto as trustees of the Manuel Resto-Camacho and Ana R. Resto living trust, dated July 8, 2022 to acquire 0.0946 AC needed as right of way for the future Corridor J roadway project.]

COURT, ITEMS 34-41 DEAL WITH ROAD AND BRIDGE, WORK AUTHORIZATION AND PAYMENT OF BILLS.

I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ONE OR ALL OF THOSE ITEMS.

>> CAN WE PULL 35 JUST TO DISCUSS? AND I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE 34-41 EXCLUDING 35.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LONG. ALL IN FAVOR?

[35. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action to approve a resolution committing to a goal of zero roadway fatalities and authorizing application for the safe streets and roads for all (SS4A) grant. The SS4A grant application is a joint application by Williamson County and Partner Agencies (City of Cedar Park, City of Liberty Hill, City of Hutto) for potential SS4A Implementation grant funding. The anticipated project cost is approximately $22M, which includes a $17.5M (80%) request for federal funds and a $4.5M (20%) local match. Williamson County’s will be responsible for $3M of the local match and the Partner Agencies will be responsible for $1.5M. The source of Williamson County funds will be from the Road and Bridge Division budget.]

WILLIAMSON COUNTY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 3 MILLION OF THE LOCAL MATCH AND PARTNER AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR 1.5.

THE SOURCE OF THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY FUNDS WILL BE FROM THE ROAD AND BRIDGE DIVISION BUDGET.

>> WE ARE PAYING TWO-THIRDS OF THE MATCH, I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHAT IT WAS. IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PROJECT.

MAKING STREET CROSSINGS SAFER FOR CHILDREN.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S A COUNTY ROAD.

>> IT'S BEEN A CONCERN WE'VE HAD FOR A WHILE, ESPECIALLY AS WE

CONTINUE TO GROW. >> BOB DE, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE. YES, THIS IS A SAFE STREETS FOR ALL GRANT THAT WE ARE GOING AFTER.

WE ASKED ALL THE CITIES IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY IF THEY WERE

[01:40:03]

AS I THINK THE COURT IS AWARE, WE'VE UNFORTUNATELY HAD SEVERAL INCIDENCES OF ACCIDENTS OR NEAR ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INCREASING OVER THE YEARS AS THE WILLIAMS COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW AND OUR NUMBER OF SCHOOLS PROLIFERATES.

THIS DOES SEEM LIKE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO IMPROVE

THE SAFETY OF OUR SYSTEM. >> THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS OUTSIDE OF GRANT FUNDING AS WELL.

JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW, SCHOOLS WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND OTHER AGENCIES TO GET CROSS MONITORED FOR CROSSWALKS AROUND ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW EXPONENTIALLY ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THE CHALLENGE IS IT'S HARD TO FIND ENOUGH CROSSING GUARDS.

THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS OUTSIDE OF THE HOURS OF SCHOOL AND CROSSING GUARDS, THERE ARE STILL CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH YOUNG FAMILIES CROSSING THESE AREAS AT A TIME WHEN SCHOOL IS NOT IN OR ON THE WEEKENDS, AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS TRIGGER OR ALLOW A STOP SIGN, A SIGNAL LIGHT. SO THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY IN THE WORLD OF DISTRACTED DRIVING. I THINK IT'S A GREAT INITIATIVE TAKEN ON BY OUR COUNTY AND PARTNER CITIES TO HELP MAKE STREET CROSSINGS SAFER WITH THE HOPE OF NO CHILD WALKING, RIDING A BIKE, SKATEBOARD, SCOOTER, WHATEVER, TO MAKE THEM SAFER.

WE HAD A STUDENT HIT IN LIBERTY HILL AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD A STUDENT WITH FATAL INJURIES IN THE ROUND ROCK AREA.

>> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES 5-0. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MORE TO COME ON THAT WHEN WE GET THEM INSTALLED.

IT'S SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE. ALL RIGHT.

THAT BRINGS US TO ITEMS 42, 43, 44, 45, AND BACK TO 41.

WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THOSE ITEMS AT 1PM.

SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOING TO -- ACTUALLY, BEFORE WE RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, I WANT TO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

A COUPLE OF THINGS JUST FOR THE AUDIENCE.

I'M GOING TO PULL ITEMS 44 AND 45 FROM CONSIDERATION AT TODAY'S MEETING. WHEN WE COME BACK AT 1:00 WE

[50. Public Comment Period for County Matters that are not on the Agenda. The Commissioners Court will conduct a Public Comment Period to allow members of the public, who have properly submitted a Public Participation Form, to address the Commissioners Court regarding matters pertaining to or affecting Williamson County, but that do not appear as an Agenda Item on the Commissioners Court’s Agenda. During this Public Comment Period, speakers shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) minutes to make his or her remarks and the maximum overall discussion time allowed for this Public Comment Period, regardless of the number of members of the public wishing to address the Court during such period, shall be limited to ten (10) minutes. Speaking time, to the extent possible, will be evenly allocated among speakers should more than five (5) speakers desire to speak during this Public Comment Period. Please note that the members of the Court may not comment during the meeting about matters that are not on the Commissioners Court’s Agenda.]

>> THANK YOU FOR PULLING 44 AND 45.

THOSE WILL BE ON THE AGENDA NEXT WEEK.

>> OKAY. >> MR. DOLAN WITH THE OFF AGENDA COMMENTS. YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES.

>> I WAS TAKING NOTE OF THE CONVERSATION EARLIER ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH, DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ARE AND YOUR STATUS. I SUSPECT THAT OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY IS MENTALLY ILL AND SUICIDAL, BECAUSE FOR ONE THING, IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE LET A CERTIFIED VEGETABLE BECOME PRESIDENT FOR FOUR YEARS.

HE'S MENTALLY ILL. AND NOBODY, ESPECIALLY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, OBJECTED TO IT.

AND THIS COUNTRY IS COMMITTING SUICIDE IN A NUMBER OF OTHER WAYS. OPENING DATA CENTERS THAT JUST GOBBLE UP ELECTRICITY AND WATER AT AN UNSUSTAINABLE RATE, AND HUNDREDS OF THEM ARE BEING BUILT ALL ACROSS TEXAS.

[01:45:02]

I DON'T KNOW WHY Y'ALL NEED SO MUCH DATA.

BECAUSE YOU ARE ON THE PHONE ALL THE TIME? SENDING TEXTS AND EMAILS AND CHAT SNAP, WHAT'S THAT OTHER ONE, INSTANT GRAMS. PLUS YOU'VE GOT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND VIRTUAL REALITY.

>> SORRY, YOUR TIME IS UP. BUT THANKS FOR STAYING.

WE USUALLY DON'T STAY THIS LONG. NEXT WE WELCOME BACK MR. JAMES

HEDRICK. >> AGAIN, MY NAME IS JAMES HEDRICK, GEORGETOWN RESIDENT. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU ARE NOT AT LEAST DISCUSSING PUBLICLY ITEMS 44 AND 45 THIS WEEK AND JUST PUNTING IT AGAIN TO NEXT WEEK.

THAT'S MORE TIME PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK TO COME.

I DO HOPE THAT YOU WILL AT LEAST ADDRESS IT TODAY IN THE 1:00 SESSION. BUT WHAT I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT ON THIS NONAGENDA ITEM IS AN ALTERNATIVE LOCATION FOR THE JAIL. WILLIAMSON COUNTY OWNS APPROXIMATELY 983 ACRES AT 600 COUNTY ROAD 131 IN HUTTO BY THE COUNTY DUMP. YOU HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2015, IT SITS BEHIND THE COUNTY LANDFILL NEXT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TRAINING CENTER AND IT'S DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE BOUNDARY. IT'S MORE THAN TWO MILES WITH NO DIRECT PATH TO THE SITE. THIS WOULD HAVE NO ACQUISITION COST, NO SCHOOL PROXIMITY ISSUE, NO NEIGHBORHOODS INFRINGING ON.

NO ZONING FIGHT WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS AND WE HAVE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE LIKELY ADJACENT. THE SITE WAS CONSIDERED WORKABLE, SO THIS SITE SHOULD ALSO BE BECAUSE IT'S LITERALLY ON THE LINE. GIVEN THE CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS THIS SEEMS LIKE A MUCH BETTER LOCATION FOR THE COUNTY JAIL WHERE IT DOESN'T AFFECT KIDS. IT'S ABOUT A 12 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE LOCATION YA'LL HAVE SELECTED.

MOST OF THE COUNTY POPULATION IS IN THE SOUTH PART ANYWAY.

SO THIS REALLY SHOULD NOT AFFECT THINGS MAJORLY.

I KNOW IT ADDS A LITTLE BIT OF TIME FOR FOLKS ON THE WEST SIDE.

BUT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLACE A JAIL IN A PLACE THAT CAN GROW AROUND IT THAT DOES NOT INFRINGE ON YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THEIR HOMES, THEIR HOME VALUES, THEIR SAFETY.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A MUCH BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE FROM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JAMES.

[APPLAUSE] >> OUR LAST SPEAKER IS SIGNED

UP, BILL CUMBERLAND. >> I FORGOT TO MENTION EARLIER, NOTING THE HAT I'M WEARING. THE LETTERS UP THERE STAND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL SHERIFF AND PEACE OFFICER ASSOCIATION OF WHICH I'M A MEMBER. IN ADDITION TO THE COMMENT I MADE ABOUT THE ERRONEOUS BAD ADVICE AND DIAGNOSIS OF AN AI SYSTEM IN PENNSYLVANIA RELATED TO MEDICAL HEALTH, THERE WAS ANOTHER RECENT SITUATION WHERE A LAWYER USED AN AI TOOL IN PREPARATION FOR A MURDER CASE. ONE OF THE KEY FLAWS IN THE AI TOOLS WE HAVE OUT THERE IS THAT THE TOOL ITSELF WANTS TO SATISFY THE USER IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE IN ORDER TO SATISFY THE USER, THE AI PRODUCT WENT OUT AND GOT SOME ERRONEOUS DATA THAT JEOPARDIZED THE OUTCOME OF THAT MURDER CASE AND ALSO RESULTING IN REPRIMAND OF THE LAWYER WHO USED IT, USING THIS TOOL INSTEAD OF USING THEIR EDUCATION. SO AGAIN, THESE AI SYSTEMS ARE NOT READY AND THEY CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IN THE HANDS OF THE

WRONG PEOPLE. >> THANK YOU, BILL.

[ EXECUTIVE SESSION "The Commissioners Court for Williamson County reserves the right to adjourn into executive session at any time during the course of this meeting to discuss any of the matters listed above, as authorized by Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (Consultations with Attorney), 551.072 (Deliberations regarding Real Property), 551.073 (Deliberations regarding Gifts and Donations), 551.074 (Personnel Matters), 551.076 (Deliberations regarding Security Devices) and 551.087 (Deliberations regarding Economic Development Negotiations)."]

IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE WILL DISCUSS ITEMS 46, DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING RURAL PROPERTY MATTERS PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, 551.072 AND AGENDA ITEM 47, DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION, SETTLEMENT MATTERS

[01:50:01]

THE TIME IS 11:26 AND WE

>> WELCOME BACK. IT IS 1:03 AND WE ARE RETURNING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. THERE IS NO ACTION ON 48 COMING

[42. 1:00 PM Hear a presentation, discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on countywide interim plans, including, but not limited to those related to the Justice Complex.]

A PRESENTATION, DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON COUNTY WIDE INTERIM PLANS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE RELATED TO THE JUSTICE COMPLEX.

WE HAVE COUNTY MANAGER REBECCA CLEMONS TO GIVE US A

PRESENTATION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

REBECCA CLEMONS, COUNTY MANAGER. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOOD TO GO.

I DID BRING WATER UP HERE BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF STUFF TO RUN THROUGH. I WILL TRY TO KEEP IT AS CONCISE AS I CAN BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE INFORMATION OUT THERE. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL ITEMS ON PREVIOUS AGENDAS FOR DISCUSSION TO ALLOW THE COURT TO DISCUSS JUSTICE NEEDS. I DID WANT TO GIVE A REMINDER OF THE SPACE THAT WE'LL BE AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THAT'S OPENING THIS SUMMER.

BY THE END OF JULY 2026 WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL SPACES DOWNTOWN VACATED, THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE, THE GEORGETOWN TAX OFFICE, INTERNAL AUDIT OFFICE, THE COUNTY CLERK'S RECORDS AND ARCHIVES DIVISION WHICH IS IN OUR CURRENT JUSTICE CENTER AND THE BOB PHILLIPS BUILDING, AND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, THAT'S THE SMALL HISTORIC BUILDING NEXT TO THE CURRENT JUSTICE CENTER. THE COURT TOOK ACTION LAST YEAR ON A PROO -- A. FEW IMPROVED MOVES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

WE ARE MOVING THE COUNTY CLERK CRIMINAL.

THEY WILL VACATE THE CURRENT SPACE ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND MOVE INTO THE COUNTY CLERK'S CIVIL AREA.

RECENTLY THEY VACATED ARCHIVE SPACE IN THE BASEMENT.

I DID NOTE THE BUDGET ON HERE ALLOCATED, THE BUDGET ALLOCATION NEEDED WITH $75,000 FOR THAT MINOR REMODEL.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL BEGIN A MAJOR REMODEL ON THE COUNTY CLERK'S RECENTLY VACATED CRIMINAL SPACE.

THAT BUDGET ALLOCATION IS ABOUT $750,000, SO THAT'S NOTATED ON THERE. THE BOB PHILLIPS BUILDING HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS GROWTH FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

NO REMODEL MONEY NEEDED AT THAT TIME.

WARREN DISTRICT JUDGE WILL MOVE TO THE NEW SPACE AT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FULL TIME. THAT'S ANTICIPATED IN SPRING 2027. AND THE JUDGES WILL DETERMINE ONCE WE GET CLOSER TO THAT DATE THE JUDGE THAT'S GOING TO MOVE OUT THERE. I DID WANT TO NOTE ON HERE THE CITY TEAM MOVING OUT TO OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED BUILDING.

THAT BUDGET HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED AND WE WOULD STILL NEED APPROVAL FOR THAT PROCESS. I KNOW DURING THE CIP DISCUSSION, WE HAVE SOME NUMBERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THROWN OUT FOR THAT. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SLIDE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE NOTE, BECAUSE WE ARE MAKING A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE IN OUR CURRENT JUSTICE CENTER. BUT THE CURRENT JUSTICE CENTER IS UNDER CAPACITY BY ABOUT 40,000 SQUARE FEET.

THE AMOUNT BEING VACATED IS A LOT LESS THAN THAT.

THE COUNTY CLERK MOVING OUT OF THE BASEMENT RETURNS ABOUT 7000 SQUARE FEET IN VACATING THE SECOND FLOOR, ABOUT 6000 SQUARE FEET, FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 13,000 SQUARE FEET.

SO WE WOULD STILL HAVE A DEFICIT THERE.

LOOKING AT OTHER SPACE DOWNTOWN, THE JAIL OF COURSE STILL HAS ABOUT 80,000 SQUARE FEET OF USABLE SPACE, BUT WOULD INVOLVE A COSTLY REMODEL ALONG WITH SUBSTANTIAL LOGISTICAL PLAN FOR INMATES. THE SO IS GOING TO REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 21,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE AND 9000 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE IF THEY MOVED OUT TO THE CITY AREA.

SO ADDING ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL 30,000 SQUARE FEET OF.

>> SO IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY THAT WOULD MOVE, IT'S THE LAB,

AND SOME EVIDENCE AS WELL? >> YES.

SEVERAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HOUSED, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE GOOD GUYS BEING HOUSED UNDER THE BAD GUYS, THEY ARE IN THE GOOD GUYS AREA OF THE JAIL. AFTER SEVERAL MOVES TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND APPROVED DOWNTOWN MOVES THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL SPACES AVAILABLE.

YOU WILL HAVE THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE, ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE GEORGETOWN TAX OFFICE, THE INTERNAL AUDIT WHICH IS THE SMALL SPACE FACING AUSTIN AVENUE NEXT TO THE OLD CARQUEST SPACE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN GEORGE TIME ALL TIME. -- A. LONG TIME.

[01:55:04]

ONE ADDITIONAL ITEM I WANTED TO NOTE ON HERE IS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING DOWNTOWN. WE DO HAVE A NEED FOR SPACE IN LIBERTY HILL. WE CURRENTLY HAVE AFFORDABLE BUILDING AND LAND OUT THERE AND WE HAVE A SMALLER BUILDING OFF TO ONE SIDE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE COMMUNITY SERVICES GROUP OUT THERE WITH ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.

DALE HAS ASSURED ME HE'S ABLE TO DO THAT WITHIN HIS FUNDING FOR THE 27 FACILITIES BUDGET, ABOUT $35,000.

AND IT MAKES SENSE TO MOVE THAT TEAM OUT THERE AND FREE UP A LITTLE BIT OF SPACE ON THE INNER LOOP THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY USING. JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT FOR

CONSIDERATION AS WELL. >> I WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU

AND DALE ON THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> SLIDE FIVE, TALKING ABOUT FUTURE SPACE NEEDS.

THROUGH 2030, I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME MEETING WITH STAFF FOR THE DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY COURT, LOOKING AT DIFFERENT OFFICES WITHIN THE JUSTICE COMPLEX.

THE DISTRICT COURT HAS SAID THEY CAN HOLD OFF ON REQUESTING ADDITIONAL JUDGES. THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SUPPORT STAFF FOR THEIR OFFICES TO HELP WITH EFFICIENCIES AND CASELOADS THERE AND THEY WOULD LIKE ONE ADDITIONAL COURTROOM FINISHED, WHICH IS THE CURRENT CSD AND PRETRIAL SPACE.

IF THEY CAN HAVE THOSE NEEDS MET, THEY DO FEEL THEY COULD HOLD OFF IN ASKING FOR ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE 2030.

THE COST FOR THAT ADDITIONAL COURTROOM REQUEST FINISH OUT IS ABOUT 2.5 MILLION. THAT INCLUDES 1.9 MILLION FOR THE COURTROOM AND WE WOULD HAVE TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT OVER $600,000 IN THE BASEMENT REFINISHING THAT COUNTY CLERK RECORDS AREA INTO OFFICE SPACE FOR THE STAFF THAT WOULD NEED TO BE THERE. THEY WOULD USE THAT ADDITIONAL COURTROOM TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE STRAIN ON THEIR CURRENT COURTROOM, AND HAVE ASSURED ME THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET SOME VISITING JUDGES AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES BESIDES ADDING A

FULL TIME NEW JUDGE. >> I SEE JUDGE KING AND MAYBE OTHERS HERE. THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION BECAUSE SOME OTHER COUNTIES TREAT COURTROOMS BY RESERVATION RATHER THAN ASSIGNED TO A PARTICULAR JUDGE.

HAS THAT BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE MIX? MAYBE IT WOULD HELP WITH THAT SPACE, MAYBE IT WOULDN'T.

I DON'T KNOW. HAS THAT BEEN CONSIDERED IN TERMS OF ELONGATING THAT TIMELINE?

>> I KNOW THEY OFTEN PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS.

I THINK NOBODY HAS EXPERIENCED THAT MORE THAN A NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE. SHE'S DOWN IN A BASEMENT IN A SPACE THAT'S NOT REALLY SET UP FOR CRIMINAL WITH SOME OF THE COMPONENTS AND ASSOCIATED OFFICE SPACE AND HOLDING CELLS.

SO I THINK THE OTHER JUDGES HAVE WORKED WHERE IF THEY NEED TO SHIFT DOWNSTAIRS SHE'LL SHIFT UPWARDS.

THEY WOULD LIKE OF COURSE TO GET BACK INTO A LITTLE BIT OF A LARGER SPACE. WE'VE TRIED USING THE AUXILIARY COURTROOM UPSTAIRS. THEY'VE TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT SHE REALLY NEEDS A SPACE THAT'S DOWN THERE.

SHE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INCREASE FROM TWO TO THREE DAYS A WEEK.

I THINK EVEN THOUGH THEY STILL HAVE THEIR NAMES ON A COURTROOM, IN PRACTICE THEY ARE KIND OF SHIFTING AROUND.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR JUDGE KING, BUT THEY DO SHARE SPACES A LOT. I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM AND TAKE A LOOK AT COURTROOM RESERVATIONS AND LOGS AND SEE WHAT COURTROOM USAGE IS. NOT BY JUDGE BUT JUST BY COURTROOM AND TO TAKE A LOOK AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY HOLES, GET A FRESH SET OF EYES ON IT AND THEN I CAN COME BACK AND SAY, THEY'VE DONE EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN. I DON'T SEE A WAY OUT OF NOT

ADDING AN ADDITIONAL COURTROOM. >> NO OTHER COUNTIES DO THAT, AND I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER THAT WOULD BUY UP ANY

MORE BANDWIDTH TIME. >> I CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND COME BACK AND JUST SAY, I THINK BY THIS TIME THE EARLIEST, REALISTICALLY BY THE TIME WE REMODEL THE BASEMENT, THE COURTROOM, PROBABLY LOOKING AT THE END OF 27 TO HAVE ANY SORT OF RELIEF. THE MOVE WILL HELP BEFORE THAT WHICH WILL AT LEAST GET THE JUDGE OUT OF THE BASEMENT AND GET THE COURT BACK, AND THEN HELPING WITH THE BANDWIDTH.

POSSIBLY REFINISHING THAT COURTROOM AND BRINGING ON

VISITING JUDGES. >> AND THAT'S ONLY IN TWO DAYS A

WEEK. >> I DO KNOW THAT SHE'S REQUESTING TO ADD A THIRD DAY. ONCE OF COURSE WE CAN ALLOW THE

SPACE. >> IT WAS POSITIVE TO HEAR TODAY THAT THEY'RE STILL ON TRACK FOR THAT CENTER, THAT COURTROOM TO

BE OPEN. >> COUNTY COURTS AT LAW HAVE NOTED THEY MAY HAVE AN ADDITIONAL STAFF REQUEST.

WE HAVE A FEW JUDGES RETIRING THIS YEAR, AND WE HAVE ONE COURT THAT'S WORKED WITH A SCALED DOWN STAFF AND I THINK EVERYTHING HE

[02:00:02]

AND IT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEY DON'T THINK FOR FISCAL YEAR 27 BUT POSSIBLY 29 TO HAVE A STATUTORY PROBATE COURT. THAT WOULD BE A COURT THAT ONLY DOES PROBATE. IT'S MORE THAN JUST A TRADITIONAL STAFF THAT WE HAVE FOR THE COURT SYSTEM.

I BELIEVE THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY FOR REPORTING AND STATISTICS, AND INVESTIGATOR, IT'S A LOT MORE IN DEPTH.

>> WE LOOKED AT THAT BEFORE. AND WE DECLINED THE DESIRE TO HAVE THAT BECAUSE WE WOULD RUN OUT OF SPACE.

>> FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD, THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT POSSIBLY BEING A LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS THEY

WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ONE. >> WHO HAS TO?

EVERY COUNTY? >> I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S DEFINED BY POPULATION OR NOT. WE WILL SEE WHAT POPS UP IN DISCUSSIONS THIS YEAR. AND OF COURSE I WANTED TO NOTATE STAFF SPACES. WHENEVER YOU ADD TO ANY OF THE COURTS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET REQUESTS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND NOT JUST IF WE ADD ON OTHER COURTS, BUT THIS YEAR WE AREN'T ADDING A COURT AND I KNOW OFFICES IN THAT BUILDING HAVE REQUESTS FOR STAFF AND PERSONNEL JUST DUE TO WORKLOADS, INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES, ET CETERA. SLIDE NUMBER 6, THIS IS OUR CURRENT JUSTICE COMPLEX PROPOSED TIMELINE.

THE LAST TIME THAT WE DISCUSSED THIS WAS IN DECEMBER 25.

SO I JUST WANTED TO PUT IT UP HERE AS A REMINDER.

THIS PROPOSED TIMELINE HAS A COMPLETION DATE OF LATE 2030, EARLY 2031. THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE OFFICE THAT'S CURRENTLY LOCATED DOWNTOWN TO RELOCATE TO THE SITE THAT'S CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT ON THE INNER LOOP.

THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, THE JAIL AND JAIL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, MAGISTRATE, AND ALL OFFICES WITHIN THE JUSTICE CENTER WHICH INCLUDES ALL OF THE DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS, LEGAL OFFICES, PREAND POST-TRIAL SERVICES, AND CLERKS. OUR CURRENT JUSTICE CENTER JAIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITY FOR THE SHERIFF S OFFICE INCLUDES SOME PARKING, BUT OUR FOOTPRINT DOWNTOWN IS ONLY ABOUT 10 ACRES.

WE ALSO OWN SEVERAL ACRES OF NEARBY ADDITIONAL PARKING, SO WE GET CLOSER TO THAT 15-ACRE MARK. THE NEW PROPERTY FOR THE JUSTICE COMPLEX IS WHAT WE HAVE REFERRED TO AS THE TRIANGLE PROPERTY, APPROXIMATELY 135 ACRES. AND WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL OVER 100 ACRES THAT CAN BE UP THERE FOR SUPPORT SERVICES.

THIS WILL ALLOW US TO PLAY FOR THE ULTIMATE BUILD OUT ONE DAY AND MASTER PLANNING CAMPUS WITH ESTHETICS IN MIND.

WE ARE CURRENTLY IN PHASE TWO OF A SIX PHASE PROCESS AND AS A REMINDER FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE COURT, EACH PHASE HAS TO BE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT AS WE GO THROUGH.

SO WE ARE CURRENTLY ON PHASE TWO OF THAT PROCESS.

>> WE HAD A PRESENTATION IN DECEMBER I THINK THAT SHOWED WHERE WE WERE AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

SO THE INITIAL PRESENTATION, WE LOOKED AT A NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

>> SO THEY LOOKED AT THE NEED. DO WE NEED A JUSTICE COMPLEX, WHAT IS OUR REQUIREMENTS. THEY ALSO DISCUSSED PROPERTIES IN QUADRANTS THEY WERE LOOKING AT.

OBVIOUSLY THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFY IDENTIFY -- INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES, BUT THEY STARTED NARROWING THINGS DOWN.

WE ALSO STARTED TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT WITH THOSE PROPERTIES. DO THEY HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT IN PLACE, PARAMEDIC SERVICES, FOR EMPLOYEES TO GET TO AND JURORS TO GET TO, HOSPITALS, ALL THE CRITERIA AND SELECTION INVOLVED WERE LOOKED AT.

NEXT SLIDE, KEEPING THE PROPOSED TIMELINE IN MIND.

IF WE DON'T COMPLETE THE JUSTICE COMPLEX PROJECT BY FISCAL YEAR 31, WE COULD POTENTIALLY NEED SEVERAL COURTROOM SPACES.

I'M THINKING AT LEAST 2-3. WITH THE DISCLAIMER THAT ANY NEW COURTS APPROVED HAS TO COME BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT BEFORE APPROVAL FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THAT ONE STATUTORY PROBATE COURT IF THAT IS REQUIRED. THE OPTIONS ARE PRETTY SLIM.

I LISTED HERE WE DO HAVE THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE, THE COURTROOM THAT WE WERE IN AND THE DISTRICT COURTROOM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT UTILIZING THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE FOR CIVIL OR PROBATE. THIS WOULD BE FURTHER DISCUSSION WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE TO HAVE. WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT ABOUT $45,000 FOR SECURITY EQUIPMENT AND 220,000 TO UPGRADE.

DUE TO THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE PROGRAM THERE WOULD BE A LOT

[02:05:03]

ADDITIONALLY OF COURSE WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SCREENING AND DUPLICATION OF SERVICES IF WE USE THIS BUILDING.

WE DO HAVE THE JUVENILE ONE THAT'S ALREADY ON THE BOOKS FOR SPRING OF 2027. WE ALSO HAVE A HEARING ROOM JUVENILE WHICH IS THE CURRENT COURTROOM AREA BEING REMODELED SOME. IT SHOULD BE ONLINE IN SPRING OF 2028. THERE COULD BE POTENTIAL USES THERE. IF WE DO MAKE THE ADDITIONAL COURTROOM THE JUSTICE CENTER, IT WAS CURRENTLY THE PRETRIAL PROBATION OFFICE SPACES. WE WOULD NEED TO RELOCATE THOSE TEAMS AND THEN WE HAVE OUR AUXILIARY COURTROOM THAT IS STILL USED FOR A LOT OF THINGS. ONE THING TO NOTE ON THAT SIDEWAYS COURTROOM, IT'S USED FOR COURT FUNCTIONS BUT THERE'S REALLY NOT A LARGE MEETING SPACE OVER IN THE JUSTICE CENTER OUTSIDE OF COURTROOMS. SO FREQUENTLY WE HAVE MEETINGS IN THAT AREA AS WELL. JUST TO NOTE IF WE FINISH A COURTROOM OR BUILD A COURTROOM IN CURRENT SPACE, IT'S ABOUT 1.9 MILLION PER COURTROOM, AS MENTIONED EARLIER.

WITH A FUNDING ESCALATION OF 5-7% ANNUALLY.

IF WE TOOK, THE TAX OFFICE AS ONE OF OUR EMPTY SPACES AND IF WE REFINISHED THOSE, YOU COULD REASONABLY ASSUME COSTING ABOUT $4 MILLION. IF WE START PIECING THOSE TOGETHER WITH PROPERTIES WE DO HAVE DOWNTOWN.

POTENTIAL OFFICE NEEDS. I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IF SOME CIVIL COURTS NEEDED TO MOVE OFF-SITE WE WILL ALSO NEED OFFICE SPACE FOR THE JUDGE AND STAFF AND ASSOCIATED DEPARTMENTS. SO WHILE YOU HAVE YOUR COURTS, IT MAY HAVE A JUDGE AND A COUPLE STAFF.

WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER WE NEED SPACE FOR LEGAL TEAMS THAT MAY BE VICTIM ASSISTANCE OFFICERS OR LEGAL INVESTIGATORS.

WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE FACILITY COVERAGE BY BAILIFFS AND TRANSPORT. WE WON'T HAVE TO HAVE A BAILIFF -- WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A BAILIFF AND A CLERK IN EVERY

COURTROOM. >> IF WE ADD NEW COURTS, FOR EACH COUNTY COURT, IF WE ADD A CIVIL COURT IT'S A TOTAL OF 12 STAFF, SO THAT TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN. FOR DISTRICT COURT IT'S 12 STAFF ALSO. FOR CRIMINAL IT'S 16 OR 17.

SO WE HAVE A RANGE FROM 1.35 MILLION TO 2.61 MILLION.

DEPENDING ON WHICH COURT AND WHAT WE ARE AT.

>> BEFORE YOU LEAVE THAT, I THANK EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THAT THE ONLY TIME WE CAN ADD A COURT IS IN AN ODD YEAR BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE MEETS. SO BETWEEN NOW AND THE TIME FRAME WE'VE SET, THE TIMELINE YOU MENTIONED, THERE IS 27 AND 29. THE 512 JUST STARTED THIS YEAR.

SO KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE TALK ABOUT ADDING ON NEW COURTS.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WOULD ONLY BE IN THE EVEN YEARS, AND WE WOULD BE RUNNING UP SPACE IF WE KEPT DOING IT.

>> I HAD SOME QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IF WE SEPARATE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL. SO BUILDING A NEW JUSTICE COMPLEX AND JAIL AND ONLY PUTTING CRIMINAL COURTS IN THE NEW COMPLEX AND IF WE WERE TO LEAVE CIVIL DOWNTOWN FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE.

THAT WOULD OBVIOUSLY GIVE US A SMALLER FOOTPRINT INITIALLY FOR THE NEW JUSTICE COMPLEX. I WANT TO NOTE THAT THE JUDGES WITHIN THE COURTHOUSE DO STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS SOLUTION AND RECOMMEND CONTINUING THE PROCESS OF MIXED JURISDICTION COURTS TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCIES AND REDUCE COST.

IF THE NEW JUSTICE CENTER COMPLEX ONLY HOUSES CRIMINAL, THAT WOULD FREE UP SEVEN COURTROOMS DOWNTOWN.

THAT TAKES ALL THE MIXED USE COURTROOMS DOWNTOWN AND MOVES THEM OUT THERE. IF A NEW CIVIL COURT IS ADDED EVERY THREE YEARS THE BUILDING WOULD BE BACK AT CAPACITY AROUND 2047. THAT THREE YEARS IS AN ASSUMPTION BASED ON TALKING TO THE TEAMS IN THE JUSTICE CENTER AND WHAT THEY WOULD ON AVERAGE ASK FOR.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE COURT WOULD APPROVE IT, IT'S WHAT THEY WROTE REQUEST. THAT 2047 NUMBER CHANGES, BECAUSE TALKING TO THE JUDGES OVER THERE, THEY SAY THE COST TO SEPARATE THESE COURTS WOULD BE FIVE NEW COURTS.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO ADD SEVERAL MORE CRIMINAL COURTS.

WHICH PUSHES SOME PEOPLE OBVIOUSLY BACK INTO THE CIVIL.

THAT'S GOING TO BRING CAPACITY DOWN IF WE HAVE FIVE NEW COURTS DOWN TO 2037. WE COULD SEPARATE THEM OUT AND THAT WOULD BUY US A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY BIG TRANSITION AND COST ASK AT $9 MILLION AND NOT BUY US A WHOLE LOT OF BANDWIDTH DOWNTOWN. THE CURRENT OFFICE SPACE FOR THE COUNTY CLERK AND COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICES WOULD BE KEPT. ADDITIONAL SPACE WOULD BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE OFFICES OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PRETRIAL AND DISTRICT CLERK AND THEN WE WOULD MOVE PEOPLE AROUND.

[02:10:02]

SO WE WOULD HAVE TO SHARE EVERYTHING AROUND SHARED SPACES ADDED TO THE BUILDING TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS TODAY WITH CONFERENCE ROOMS AND ATTORNEY CLIENT MEETINGS.

REMODEL COST WOULD BE MINIMAL, BUT EXTENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES WOULD BE NEEDED. WE ARE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY 8.25-9000000, AND THAT'S SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES, THAT'S DOING SOME PLUMBING MAINTENANCE, WATER LINES, THAT SORT OF THING IF WE ARE GOING TO STAY IN THAT BUILDING LONGER TERM.

I DID WANT TO NOTE THOSE COSTS WOULD BE HERE.

STAFF WOULD NEED TO BE RELOCATED IN STAGES.

SO WE WOULD KIND OF HAVE TO SHIFT AND DO ANYTHING OF THAT.

AND OF COURSE IT WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN TRANSPORTATION COSTS. BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NOT A LOT OF INMATES THAT HAVE CIVIL CASES, THERE ARE INMATES THAT DO HAVE CIVIL CASES AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE THAT MAY SHOW UP FOR A CIVIL CASE AND END UP GETTING ARRESTED BEFORE THEY GET A CHANCE TO GO HOME. I DO WANT TO MENTION WE WOULD HAVE TO INCREASE TRANSPORTATION COSTS.

>> I'LL JUST ADD, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW. WE TALKED ABOUT RENOVATING WHERE WE ARE AND JUST ADDING ON. THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS, THE DISRUPTION TO BUSINESS IN TRYING TO RENOVATE WHILE WE ARE ACTUALLY IN THERE. I THINK WHAT YOU JUST SAID IS WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEW THING BEFORE WE CAN START DOING THAT.

>> WE'D HAVE TO HAVE SOME PLACE THAT WE CAN PUT A THIRD TO HALF.

DALE MENTIONED IDEALLY WE'D EMPTY A FLOOR OR AN ENTIRE WING OF THE BUILDING. CAUSE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILLER PIPING, SEWER PIPING, SUBSTANTIAL UPDATES.

CONCERNS FROM PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING, AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS I'VE ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

DISPLACEMENT OF PERSONNEL DURING DISCUSSION OF BUSINESS COURTS, A LOUD AND MESSY PROCESS, ISSUES WITH DUPLICATION OF SERVICES, PERSONNEL COSTS, ATTORNEY ACCESSIBILITY, TRANSPORT, AND IT WOULD MINIMIZE THE JUDGE'S ABILITY TO COOPERATE AND COLLABORATE WHICH COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT CLEARANCE RATES. SLIDE NUMBER 10 IS ADDING ON DOWNTOWN. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T LEAVE DOWNTOWN FOR 20-30 YEARS. I'LL SHOW ON THE NEXT SLIDE A MAP THAT SHOWS POTENTIAL SPACE THAT COULD BE BUILT NORTH OR SOUTH. THE SQUARE FOOTAGE AVAILABLE THAT WE CAN SHOW WITH THAT AND HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.

I'LL SHOW A MAP OF ALL THOSE THINGS.

BUT I DID WANT TO NOTATE IF WE DO ADD ON DOWNTOWN, WE WOULD HAVE TO REMODEL THE JAIL, WE WOULD HAVE TO CONVERT THE FIRST FLOOR SOUTH WHICH IS WHERE I MENTIONED EARLIER.

CONVERT THAT BACK TO HOUSING. WE WOULD NEED TO FINISH THE FOURTH FLOOR, PLUMBING INFRASTRUCTURE, ADDITIONAL ELEVATORS AND THE FIRST FLOOR NORTH IS WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT SERVICES. THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE KIND OF A BOTTLENECK WHENEVER OFFICERS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE DROPPING PEOPLE OFF AND IT'S TAKING A LONG TIME FOR THEM TO GET BACK ON THE STREETS. WHENEVER WE HAVE TO DO ANY SEARCHES, TAKING IN PROPERTY, RELEASING PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING GETS CONGESTED IN THAT ONE POINT, NOT TO MENTION THE LOGISTICS. REALISTICALLY AGAIN WE WOULD NEED TO GET DOWN TO PROBABLY CLOSE TO HALF OF OUR BUILDING CAPACITY, AND THERE'S NOT JAILS OUT THERE SITTING WITH 2-400 EMPTY BEDS. SO WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO MULTIPLE JAILS WITH INMATE HOUSING AND WORK ON TRANSPORTATION AND GETTING ALL THOSE.

ALL OVER TEXAS AND EVEN PROBABLY OUT OF STATE.

>> AND WHEN YOU SAY GET BACK ON THE STREET YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE OFFICERS RETURNING TO DUTY.

>> CORRECT. CURRENTLY IN BUSY TIMES THEY MIGHT BE AT THE JAIL FOR AN HOUR PLUS DROPPING SOMEONE OFF JUST DUE TO THE LOGISTICS OF GETTING CARS IN AND OUT AND THEY'RE IN LINE WAITING TO GO. IDEALLY OF COURSE WE WOULD HAVE PEOPLE IN AND OUT IN 10 OR 15 MINUTES.

THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE THOSE OFFICERS BACK ON THE STREET.

IF WE DID ADD TO THE NORTH SIDE THERE'S ABOUT 119,000 SQUARE FEET AVAILABLE. THE SOUTH SIDE HAS ABOUT 77,500 SQUARE FEET AVAILABLE. THIS IS THE MAP I JUST REFERENCED. THE FIRST MAP SHOWS HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS BY THE CITY OF GEORGE TOWN.

WE WOULD BE LIMITED IF WE DID ADD SOMETHING ON TO DOING A TWO STORY ADD ON TO THE JUSTICE CENTER, AND OBVIOUSLY THE JAIL WOULD JUST BE A FINISH OUT OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

THE SECOND MAP SHOWS AVAILABLE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF EACH COUNTY ON THE SITE. THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF FACILITIES ALREADY IN PLACE. YELLOW ALLOWS NEW SQUARE FOOTAGE

[02:15:03]

THAT SIDEWALKS, GREEN SPACE ET-CETERA.

IF YOU LOOK TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SECOND MAP, THE MAX SPACE LISTED ON THAT IN THE CURRENT BUILDINGS PLUS THE MAXIMUM BUILD OUT OF ALL. IT DOESN'T INCLUDE SPACE FOR ANYTHING LIKE OUR ADMINISTRATIVE, MENTAL HEALTH, DIVERSION, ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND IT WOULD TAKE ALL OF OUR EXISTING SPACES TO BUILD. IT DOESN'T LEAVE HIS OWN FOR A PARKING GARAGE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO THAT WILL ALL TURN INTO BUILDING.

WHEN WE LOOK OVER AT THE JAIL REMODEL, IF WE WERE TO DO THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT $115 MILLION JUST SO WE HAVE THAT BALLPARK IN OUR HEAD. IT WOULD BE ABOUT 119 MILLION WITH CONTINGENCIES. THE SOUTH SIDE WOULD BE ABOUT

77.5 MILLION. >> AND HOW LONG WOULD THAT TAKE US? IS THAT FOR THE TOTAL BUILD OUT?

>> OH, NO. IF WE BUILT OUT THE NORTH AND SOUTH LOTS WE WOULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL 12 COURTROOMS AND STAFF AREAS, INCLUDING EXPANDING STAFF SUPPORT.

AGAIN, IF WE WERE ON THE CYCLE OF ADDING TWO NEW COURTS EVERY SIX YEARS, WE'D BE AT THE MAX IN 2061.

SO THAT IS A LITTLE OVER $300 MILLION WOULD BUY US 36

YEARS. >> WHICH IS WHAT WE LOOKED AT ORIGINALLY WHEN WE WERE ANTICIPATING THE QUESTION.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S QUITE A BIT OF SPACE, IS IT SUFFICIENT FOR THE TOTAL BUILD OUT OF THE COUNTY. NOT UNLIKE WE'VE DONE.

>> RIGHT. THE JAIL IS DEFINITELY NOT.

>> AS THE COURT CONSIDERS APPROVAL OF THE TIMELINE AND GIVES DIRECTION IT'S IMPORTANT TO REVIEW DELAY COST.

WHILE COST IS NEVER THE ONLY CONSIDERATION IN BUILDING, IT DOES FACTOR IN ALONG WITH NUMEROUS DATA POINTS AND POPULATION GROWTH ESTIMATES. THESE AMOUNTS NOTED ON THE SCREEN GO WITH THE PROJECT ASSUMPTION OF $500 MILLION.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S GOING TO BE THE COST OF THE PROJECT, BUT THIS ISN'T A GOOD ROUND NUMBER THAT WE CAN KIND OF WORK WITH.

SO WE'VE GOT THAT WE WILL LOSE 6% BUYING POWER ANNUALLY, $32 MILLION, OR $8 MILLION QUARTERLY.

I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT OF COURSE THIS GOES ON MARKET ASSUMPTIONS AND FLUCTUATIONS IN WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.

QUARTER TWO OF 2026 IS MORE THAN 20 YEARS THAT CONSTRUCTION ESCALATION HAS INCREASED BY 0.5% ABOVE HISTORICAL TRENDS.

THE ASSUMPTION IS THIS IS LIKELY DUE TO CONTINUED MARKET STRENGTH AND UNCERTAINTY RELATED TO ONGOING CONFLICT ABROAD.

WHILE THAT INCREASE MAY RETURN OVER TIME IT'S IMPORTANT TO STILL MENTION THAT COST ESCALATION IS CURRENTLY MOVING UPWARD AND COULD REMAIN ELEVATED IN THE NEAR TERM.

>> SUMMARY OF OPTIONS FROM EVERYTHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TODAY, AND KEEP IN MIND ANY OF THESE COULD BE HYBRID OPTIONS AS WELL. OPTION A, IF WE STAY ON COURSE WITH OUR PROPOSED JUSTICE TIMELINE AND MOVE EVERYTHING FROM DOWNTOWN IN FIVE YEARS, OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW THE LAND COST IS APPROXIMATELY $76 MILLION FOR THE LAND THAT'S CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT, FACILITY COST, $500 MILLION, STILL TO BE DETERMINED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS IT'S NOT SET AT $5 MILLION.

I WOULD NOTE THAT WE WOULD SELL DOWNTOWN PROPERTIES OR ADDITIONAL COUNTY PROPERTIES AS AN OPTION TO RECRUIT SOME OF THOSE COSTS. OPTION B, IF WE WERE TO MOVE THE JAIL AND CRIMINAL ONLY FROM DOWNTOWN IN FIVE YEARS, SO WE WOULD STILL BUILD THE JUSTICE COMPLEX, MAYBE A LITTLE SMALLER FOOTPRINT, ON THE INNER LOOP AND THEN MOVE DOWNTOWN WE WOULD NEED TO REMODEL THE JUSTICE CENTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY AT 8.25-9000000. WE WOULD NEED NEW PERSONNEL FOR THOSE COURTS AND BREAKING THOSE APART WHICH WOULD BE 9 MILLION.

WE WOULD NEED TO REMODEL THE COURTROOM SPACE AND BASEMENT FOR THAT ADDITIONAL COURTROOM THAT'S CURRENTLY IN THAT PRETRIAL SPACE, 2.5 MILLION. WE WOULD NEED A DUPLICATION OF BAILIFF SERVICES, ABOUT 1.38 MILLION.

YOUR TOTAL INITIAL COST WOULD BE 21.13 MILLION.

ONGOING COSTS WOULD BE BETWEEN 12 AND 13.6 MILLION.

ROUGHLY ABOUT $3 MILLION FOR ONE WE COULD LEAVE STUFF DOWNTOWN.

[02:20:04]

IS ESTIMATED AT A $500 MILLION BILL TO BE APPROXIMATELY $32 MILLION ANNUALLY. ADDITIONALLY WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL COURTROOMS BY AS EARLY AS 28-29 IF THAT PROBATE COURT IS DONE. IF NOT IT WOULD BE BY 31.

OPTION D IF WE WERE TO ADD ON AND STAY DOWNTOWN, THE NORTH AND SOUTH ADD ON AND WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

COSTS WOULD BE CLOSE TO 5 MILLION FOR EVERY SIX MONTHS.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT A 321 COST TO ADD ON DOWNTOWN AND THEN TWO YEAR TRANSPORT COST OF ABOUT $20 MILLION.

IF THE REMODEL WAS DONE IN TWO YEARS, SO ABOUT 340 MILLION.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OPTIONS DOWNTOWN, YOU SHOWED THE PICTURE OF THE CITY'S RULES FOR HEIGHT. AND ALONG THE HOUSES, IT HAS THE SAME LOWER. SO IT BASICALLY TAKES PROPERTY AND SPLITS IT IN HALF. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF BUILDING WE WOULD BUILD LIKE THAT TO GET THE MOST VOLUME.

>> WE WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH THE TWO STORY.

WE CAN'T DO TWO AND A HALF-STORY BUILDING.

SO WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING DONE AT TWO STORIES.

LOOKING AHEAD, CONSIDERATIONS. TIMELINE TO MOVE INTO PHASE THREE OF OUR JUSTICE COMPLEX PROJECT AS WE FINISH THE PROGRAMING PHASE AND INTO DESIGN.

THIS PHASE WOULD FINALIZE THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS AND PROCUREMENT PROCESSES BEFORE CONSTRUCTION STARTS.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT'S WITH PHASE THREE.

AND THAT'S KIND OF A LOW-HANGING FRUIT THAT WE CAN PICK OFF.

WE KNOW WE HAVE A HISTORIC COURTHOUSES, BUT WITH THESE OPEN SPACES DOWNTOWN AND ONCE WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE DIRECTION ON POSSIBLE TIMELINES AND MOVES RELATED TO THE JUSTICE COMPLEX AND THESE -- DEDICATED SPACES, THE PROJECT TEAM CAN WORK

TOGETHER. >> AND THAT WOULD BE MORE ON CIVIL, WE ARE FAIRLY CONFIDENT IT'S NOT GOING TO INVOLVE INMATE ISSUES OF USING SOME OF THE JP COURTROOMS. WOULD THAT -- I. DON'T KNOW HOW FULL.

BUT I KNOW THEY ARE NOT IN COURT EVERY DAY.

WE LOOKED AT THAT IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL BANDWIDTH.

>> I HAVE NOT PULLED ANY COURTROOM SCHEDULES.

BUT IF AS PART OF LOOKING AT THE ONES FOR THE JUSTICE CENTER THE COURT WANTS ME TO REACH OUT TO JUDGE MCLANE'S OFFICE FOR THE COURTROOM SCHEDULE I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT.

THAT COURT CAN HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES TO WHAT THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE DOES WHERE IT'S NOT REALLY DESIGNED FOR ANY SORT OF

INMATE TRANSFER. >> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE INMATE

RELATED KIND OF STUFF. >> I CAN LOOK AT THE SCHEDULES IF THEY DO THINGS IN THE MORNINGS OR AFTERNOONS.

I'M HAPPY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IF THE COURT WANTS ME TO.

>> BUT THAT WOULD BE A VERY SHORT TIME.

INTERIM IF WE HAVE A BUDGET THAT SEEMS NOT A LONG TERM PLAN.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE. IT MAY NOT BE AN OPTION.

BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'VE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID EITHER YES OR NO. AND THAT'S IT.

I'M DONE. >> LIGHTNING SPEED.

>> WHAT QUESTIONS DO Y'ALL HAVE? GO AHEAD.

>> I HAVE QUESTIONS. THEY ARE KIND OF MORE SPECIFIC.

I DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT I'M LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TODAY FOR THE QUESTIONS. BUT THE POSSIBLE PHASING OF WHAT WE MIGHT DO EITHER DOWNTOWN OR IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

[02:25:01]

>> THE NUMBER 1 THING IS COURTROOM SPACE, BECAUSE WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF SPACE AT THE JUSTICE CENTER.

THAT'S DEFINITELY TOP OF THE LIST, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE JAIL AND THE INEFFICIENCIES WITH THE SUPPORT SERVICES SPACE AND ALL THAT AND GIVING SOMETHING THAT

WORKS BETTER THERE. >> SO THE BEST TIME TO PLANT A TREE IS FIVE YEARS AGO. THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE A PERFECT PROCESS. IDEALLY IF THE FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE, WE COULD HAVE BEEN A MOTION FIVE YEARS AGO, OR WE COULD START FIVE YEARS FROM NOW AND HAVE MORE ISSUES.

YOU KIND OF THREW IT AT ME REAL QUICK.

SO BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS, BUT THEN YOU KIND OF SAID, WE'VE GOT THE JAIL AS WELL.

WHAT'S NUMBER 1 ON THE LIST? >> NUMBER 1 WOULD BE THE COURTROOMS BECAUSE WE ARE 40,000 BELOW CAPACITY RIGHT NOW AT THE JUSTICE CENTER. THERE'S NO MORE ROOM FOR STAFF

OR COURTROOM SPACE. >> AND THEN WE HAVE THE

COURTROOM SPACE. >> SO THE OTHER COURTROOM OPTIONS, THIS BUILDING POTENTIALLY, NOT ANYTHING RELATED TO INMATES IF WE DO HAVE THAT.

WE'VE GOT THE TAX OFFICE, I'M JUST OH SO THOSE ARE ALL OF THE NOT GREAT SOLUTIONS, BUT POSSIBILITIES.

>> IF WE HAD TO PLUG SOME HOLES. IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT'S GIVEN, WE WILL GET SOME COSTS AND FIGURE OUT TIMELINES AND

EVERYTHING ON THAT. >> I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT HANGING ON TO THE TAX OFFICE FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

NOT SELLING IT, IN OTHER WORDS. AND IT GIVES US OPTIONS.

>> AND WE WILL NEED OTHER OFFICE SPACE DOWNTOWN IF WE FINISH OFF THAT ADDITIONAL COURTROOM. CURRENTLY THERE IS 20 SOMETHING STAFF HOUSED IN THAT AREA. OBVIOUSLY WE WILL NEED TO FIT THEM OUT. I DON'T KNOW THAT EVERYBODY WILL FIT IN THE BASEMENT, SO WE NEED FOR THOSE STAFF.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> I'M GOING TO LET EVERYONE

ELSE GO FIRST. >> YOU ALREADY HAVE TO HAVE SPACE FOR STAFF SOMEWHERE. SO YOU CAN'T START -- YOU CAN START CONSTRUCTION OF A COURT SPACE SOMEWHERE, BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE COURT UNTIL YOU'VE GOT STAFF SPACE LAID OUT.

FURNITURE, ELECTRONICS THAT THEY REQUIRE, ALL THAT HAS TO BE IN PLACE. SO IT'S A TIGHT FINISH BETWEEN

THE TWO. >> I THINK OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, AND MY FIRST STANCE WAS, LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK DOWNTOWN AND ALL THAT.

AND AFTER LOOKING AT IT AND REALLY DIVING IN, LET'S BE REAL.

GEORGETOWN WANTS US OUT OF DOWNTOWN.

THEY'VE MADE IT REALLY CLEAR THAT THEY WOULD LOVE OUR JAIL AND JUSTICE COMPLEX TO NOT BE DOWNTOWN ANY MORE.

SO CLEAR THAT THEY WON'T GRANT VARIANCES TO GO TALLER OR DIFFERENT, SO THAT'S NOT AN OPTION.

I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING THEY HAVEN'T TOLD US.

>> AND PARKING. >> THAT'S A DISCUSSION FOR ANOTHER DAY. IT'S GOT TO MOVE.

I THINK THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN MAXIMIZE OUR CURRENT SPACE AS LONG AS WE CAN, BUT ULTIMATELY IT'S THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF DELAY THAT KEEPS COMING BACK TO ME.

[02:30:01]

THE COST OF DELAY OF PROJECTS IS SIGNIFICANT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN GET IT DONE IN FIVE YEARS.

I THINK A MORE REALISTIC TIME FRAME IS MORE LIKE SEVEN.

SO I WOULD SAY LET'S LOOK AT THE INTERIM SOLUTION OF ABOUT SEVEN

YEARS VERSUS THE FIVE. >> WILL YOU PUT THE TIMELINE

BACK UP? >> SURE.

>> IT'S REALLY TINY. >> SORRY.

>> SO I FEEL THAT MIGHT BE A BIGGER -- A. BIT AGGRESSIVE.

>> IT IS AN AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE. I CAN ALWAYS HAVE CAMERON WITH OUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT PUT TOGETHER THIS TIMELINE. THIS DOES HAVE US BUILDING THIS

TIME NEXT YEAR. >> ONE, I THINK THAT'S A VERY AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE. PERHAPS TO THE EXTENT THAT WE LOOK AT IT. AND THAT'S AGGRESSIVE IN MY OPINION, BUT I'M NOT THE EXPERT. BUT WHERE DO WE -- I THINK WE COULD SAVE SOME MONEY IN THE SHORT TERM BY HAVING -- UTILIZING THAT EXISTING BUILDING AS LONG AS WE CAN FOR CIVIL, BUT I ALSO SEE THAT JUDGES FAIRLY ROUTINELY GO AND SIT IN AND FILL IN RELATIVELY QUICKLY, AND THAT WE LOSE SOME OF THAT FLEXI FLEXIBILITY. I THINK THE RIGHT THING TO DO LONG TERM, WHEREVER IT GOES IS TO MOVE ALL THE JUDGES AT THE SAME TIME AND NOT LEAVE THEM SEPARATED, UNLESS THAT WAS ONLY AN INTERIM SOLUTION OR SOME SOMETHING.

THERE ARE SOME INTERIM SAVINGS THERE.

BUT THE PIECE I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT IN TERMS OF THE COST COMPONENT IS LET'S SAY WE ARE SEVEN YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, BUILDING THIS NEW FACILITY SOMEWHERE, I KNOW WE'VE DONE SOME ESTIMATES ON IF WE SOLD ALL THE LAND THAT WE HAVE OVER THERE RIGHT NOW, THE PARKING GARAGE, THE PARKING LOT FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, ALL OF THAT, JUST KIND OF GET A GENERAL ESTIMATE OF WHAT THAT MIGHT PRODUCE IN TERMS OF OFFSETTING MULTIPLE MILLIONS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO COME CLOSE. BUT IT'S A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT AND MIGHT BE GOOD TO ADD TO THE PICTURE.

>> I HAVE A COUPLE THINGS, OBVIOUSLY.

I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS, THIS IS A REALLY HARD SUBJECT.

WHEN COMMISSIONER LONG AND I CAME ON THE COURT OUR BIG SUBJECT OF THE DAY WAS THE LANDFILL.

NOBODY WANTED A LANDFILL NEXT TO THEM, AND THIS IS LIKE THAT IN THAT IT IS A TOPIC THAT IS DIFFICULT.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF COMMENTS TODAY, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE LOOKED THE LAST TWO YEARS ON TRYING TO FIND A GOOD LOCATION. SO THAT'S ONE THING.

AND WE CAN HAVE MORE DISCUSSIONS ON THAT.

THAT'S NOT OUR TOPIC TODAY. IT'S KIND OF THE NEXT STEPS.

BUT THE PRICE TAG IS A BIG PRICE TAG AND SOME PEOPLE MAY BE AFRAID OF THAT. HOWEVER NOBODY FLINCHED AT 825 MILLION. BUT YOU VOTED YES.

YOU DID. AND I THINK IT WAS 59 MILLION FOR PARKS. THAT'S A BIG NUMBER TO.

AND WE DIDN'T FLINCH. I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF THE ROAD PROJECTS, AND I DON'T WANT ANYTHING THAT CAN STOP THAT FROM MOVING FORWARD. WE HAVE TOO MUCH TO LOSE IF WE DO. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOW CAN WE AFFORD TO DO THIS, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THIS AND I THINK WE NEED TO. I THINK WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE COST OF THE JAIL RIGHT NOW IS VERY HIGH.

IT WAS BUILT AT A TIME WHERE IT JUST WASN'T DONE WELL, I'LL JUST

[02:35:05]

AND THAT'S THE WHOLE FIRST QUESTION WE ASKED.

CAN WE JUST STAY WHERE WE ARE AND ADD ON.

AND WHEN THAT BECAME A NO, WE STARTED LOOKING ELSEWHERE.

AND IT'S NOT JUST FOR ONE, IT'S FOR BOTH.

THE SHERIFF IS HERE, I WANT HIM TO COME OUT AND TALK ABOUT THIS.

OUR D.A. HAS BEEN PART OF THIS FROM THE BEGINNING.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH US.

BUT THIS IS A COMPLICATED THING AND IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE MORE THE MONEY IS.

THE MORE THE COST IS GOING TO BE.

AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SUFFICIENT TO STAY DOWNTOWN, THEN LET'S MOVE FORWARD. JUST LIKE OUR ROAD PROJECTS THAT WE DO, WE TEE UP CONSTRUCTION, WE DO PLANNING, DESIGN, WE GET RIGHT OF WAY, UTILITY WORK AND WE TEE UP THE CONSTRUCTION BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DO IT.

WE HAVE TO FIND A PROBLEM I BELIEVE EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT COME AND SPOKE, AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE COME AND SOME OF YOU WHO HAVE STAYED. THE NEED IS REAL.

THE PROBLEM IS DEFINED. WE NEED A SOLUTION.

WE CAN ARGUE ABOUT THE LOCATION, BUT MOVING FORWARD IS SOMETHING I DON'T SEE A WAY AROUND. IT'S GOING TO COST US MORE TO DELAY AND WE ARE GOING TO END UP BEING THERE ANYWAY.

WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THE SAME PLACE AND IT'S GOING TO CROSS THE -- COST THE TAXPAYERS MORE MONEY.

I'M ALL FOR CONTINUING OUR EFFORTS AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THE NEXT PHASES TO TEE IT UP ONE DAY.

WE CAN ARGUE ABOUT WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE.

IF WE KEEP MOVING WE CAN STAY ON TRACK.

GREAT. LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN DO TO TEE IT UP. PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE LAND PRICE THAT WE ARE PAYING WAY TOO MUCH.

THAT LAND IS IN AG, WHICH IF YOU GO TO LOOK AT ANY AG LAND FOR PURPOSE, IT'S VERY SMALL IN VALUE.

BUT YOUR HOME, MY HOME, EVERYBODY'S HOME HAS A MARKET VALUE. AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. THE MARKET VALUE IS MORE TYPICALLY. WE NEGOTIATED THAT.

WE HAD TO NEGOTIATE IT WITHOUT A PUBLIC MEETING.

AND I'M JUST GOING TO SPEAK FROM MY HEART.

I ENCOURAGED A BROKER NOT TO LET THE LANDOWNER EVEN KNOW WHO IT WAS. THEY WOULD HAVE COST MORE.

AND IN FACT, THE VERY DAY THAT WE APPROVE OR MOVE THE CONTRACT OVER, OUR BROKER REACHED OUT TO THE LANDOWNER AND THEY SAID, WE SHOULD HAVE CHARGED MORE. SO WE HAVE TO DO CERTAIN THINGS.

WE ARE VERY LIMITED IN WHAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT OUTSIDE OF THIS DISCUSSION. BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE CANNOT DISCUSS.

WE CANNOT NEGOTIATE PRICES OF THINGS OUT LOUD LIKE THAT.

AND THAT'S WHY THE STATE HAS GIVEN US THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I'M FOR MOVING FORWARD. WE CAN ARGUE ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW THAT ALL WORKS OUT, YES.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE A DUTY TO TAXPAYERS TO BE DILIGENT ABOUT TAXPAYER DOLLARS. IS IT A BIG NUMBER? YES. CAN WE AFFORD IT? OUR GUYS THAT ARE NOT HERE TODAY BUT WILL BE NEXT WEEK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE ITEMS SAY THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD IT.

I'M FOR KEEPING AS MUCH DEBT AS POSSIBLE OUT OF THE DISCUSSION.

SO GREAT. I'VE LOOKED AT OTHER BUCKETS AND WE CAN KEEP MOVING WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO ALL THE DEBT.

TO PAY FOR THE LAND, FOR CERTAIN THINGS AND WE NEED RIGHT OF WAY MONEY WHICH IS 50 MILLION OF THE 130 YOU ASKED ABOUT EARLIER.

I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD. I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND I HOPE THEY WILL LET THE SHERIFF COME UP AND SPEAK TO THIS.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THEM. THEY'RE THE ONES ACTUALLY FUNCTIONING IN THE BUILDING. AS FAR AS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO NEXT. CAN WE FINAGLE PEOPLE AROUND IN THAT SIDEWAYS COURTROOM BEING USED AS A GRAND JURY ROOM I THINK NOW AND A MILLION OTHER THINGS.

WHEN NANCY'S GROUP MOVES WITH THE BIG MOVE AND WE ADD ON TO SEAN'S AREA, THE DAS AREA, THAT WILL FREE UP THAT SIDEWAYS

[02:40:01]

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I'VE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD FOR 20 YEARS ALMOST. BUT I'M LOOKING AT THE TOTAL PICTURE AND IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS ANYWAY, IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WE'VE DEFINED IT, AGREED TO IT, AND WE WASTE OUR TIME, BUT IT FITS AND WE DON'T HAVE TO RAISE THE TAX RATE TO DO IT, WHY WOULD WE NOT. WE NEED TO SPEND MONEY GOING

FORWARD THE OTHER WAY. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS, BUT IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR WAY UP TO

THE FRONT. >> CAN THE SHERIFF GO FIRST?

>> IF YOU NEED TO GO THAT'S FINE TOO.

WHEN I BECAME JUDGE, ALREADY 18-24 MONTHS ON THE NEW JUSTICE CENTER, DEFINITELY DIDN'T WANT TO DERAIL THE TRAIN WITH A LOT OF QUESTIONS LIKE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND THE COMMUNITY HAVE QUESTIONS. NUMBER 1 WAS WHY.

I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO TALK TO THE COURT ABOUT THE LOT.

I THINK THAT TIMELINE IS VERY AGGRESSIVE.

I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR MORE SPACE TO DE.

I THINK IT'S NOT THE WHY MORE THAN THE WHERE.

LIKE WE GET THE WHY, BUT WHERE. WE WILL TALK TO THAT.

BUT FOR SHERIFF LINDAMAN AND OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO EXPLAIN, GIVE US AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT YOU HAVE TO MANAGE AND LOGISTICALLY MOVE AROUND SOME OF YOUR CHALLENGES AND WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT A NEW FACILITY VERSUS A REMODEL AND ADDITION. AND I THINK WHILE WE ARE TALKING, IF THE STAFF CAN HELP CREATE, I THINK IT'LL HELP EVERYBODY. IF WE CAN COME UP WITH SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS THAT WE CAN PUBLISH ON THE WEB THAT COVER ALL OF OUR BASES IN EVERY QUESTION THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY EVER HAVE ON WHY THIS AND NOT THAT.

WHY REMODEL VERSUS NEW BUILD. I THINK IT WILL HELP IF WE CAN

HOLD THAT OUT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MATT LINDEMANN, WILLIAMSON COUNTY SHERIFF.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION THIS MORNING HONORING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK. WE HAVE SO MANY TALENTED EMPLOYEES LIKE THESE TWO LADIES WORKING HERE.

THIS IS MY 41ST YEAR OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN WILLI WILLIAMSON COUNTY. THE FIRST PART OF OUR JAIL WAS JUST BEING COMPLETED. I SPOKE TO THE SHERIFF ABOUT THE NEW FACILITY AND HOW IT WAS STATE OF THE ART AND HOW I FELT IT SHOULD LAST 20 YEARS. HE CORRECTED ME AND SAID IT WAS A LOT LONGER THAN THAT. 13 YEARS LATER THEY WERE ADDING ON TO THE JAIL AND ADDING ON TO THE COURTHOUSE BECAUSE OF ALL THE PEOPLE AT WILLIAMSON COUNTY. YOU DON'T HAVE ANY WAY OF KNOWING HOW THAT'S GOING TO TURN OUT.

OUR INITIAL JAIL IS 36 YEARS OLD NOW, BUILT IN 88-89 AND MARCH OF 90 IT WAS 330 BEDS. THEY CAME FROM A JAIL THAT WAS BUILT IN THE 1880S, IT'S LIKE A CASTLE DOWN AT 300 NORTH MAIN.

SO GETTING THAT NEW FACILITY BEHIND THE MONUMENT, WE THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY GREAT. THERE WERE LESS THAN 50 EMPLOYEES AT THE SHERIFF S OFFICE THEN THAT INCLUDED DISPATCH, THE JAIL STAFF, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS, DEPUTIES. NOW WE ARE UP TO 578 FULL TIME EMPLOYEE POSITIONS WITH THE SAME BUILDING.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS OF OUR DEPARTMENT FORMED OUT, OUR LIVESTOCK DIVISION, PROCESS INTERVENTION TEAM.

SPREAD ALL OVER THE COUNTY TO MAKE DO BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SPACE AT THE SHERIFF S OFFICE. WHEN THEY ADDED ON 800 BEDS TO OUR JAIL IN 2003, THEY MOVED THE ORIGINAL BOOKING AREA, THE KITCHEN AND THE LAUNDRY INTO THE NEW ADDITION, AND TO THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION, THE CRIME SCENE AREA, CSI, THE

[02:45:05]

THAT'S JUST THE MAINTENANCE. THAT'S NOT UTILITIES, TAKING CARE OF LANDSCAPE, PEST CONTROL. THAT MAKES IT LIKE 1.2 MILLION.

IN 2026 FISCAL YEAR SO FAR, OCTOBER THROUGH MAY, FACILITIES HAVE SPENT $442,370.29 ON MAINTENANCE.

SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK OFFICE IN EARLY 2025, WE HAD TO DISPLACE OVER 30 EMPLOYEES BECAUSE WE HAD A HORRIBLE NOXIOUS SEWER GAS SMELL IN THE BUILDING AND WE MOVED ABOUT 30 EMPLOYEES OUT FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS UNTIL WE COULD GET THAT PROBLEM CORRECTED, BECAUSE IT WAS UNBEARABLE AND WE CANNOT EXPECT OUR PEOPLE TO WORK IN THOSE CONDITIONS.

AT TIMES WE HAVE WATER COMING DOWN INTO OFFICES FROM THE JAIL ABOVE. THAT'S VERY UNPLEASANT.

OTHER NOTES THAT I MADE, SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS A BIG PART OF... IS MAINTAINING THE COUNTY JAIL.

EATS UP ABOUT 80% OF OUR TIME. OVER THREE AND A HALF YEAR.

WE HAD 825 AMBULANCE RUNS TO THE JAIL TO TRANSPORT INMATES TO MEDICAL FACILITIES. SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE ADEQUATE EMS PROTECTION, FIRE PROTECTION, AND BEING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THOSE HOSPITALS. IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THOSE INMATES SAFE AND KEEP THEM ALIVE IN CUSTODY.

KNOCK ON WOOD, IN ALL THE TIME I HAVE BEEN WORKING HERE I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY ESCAPES FROM OUR COUNTY JAIL.

I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET THAT A LARGE PORTION OF THE PEOPLE THAT GO TO THE MONUMENT CAFE DON'T REALIZE WHAT THE BIG BROWN BUILDING IS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE CAFE.

WE'D LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY AND KEEP THOSE INCARCERATED PEOPLE INSIDE THE FACILITY. ANOTHER THING ABOUT EXPANDING OUR EXISTING FACILITY, THE CORE OF THE JAIL IS THE INTAKE AREA, THE BOOKING AREA, THE MEDICAL FACILITY.

THOSE ARE ALL PAST MAXIMUM CAPACITY RIGHT NOW.

SOMEONE SPOKE ABOUT OFFICERS FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES HAVING TO WAIT AN HOUR TO GET THEIR ARRESTED PERSON PROCESSED INTO THE JAIL. SOMETIMES ON A SATURDAY NIGHT THAT CAN BE 2-3 HOURS. WE HAVE PEOPLE STACKED UP BECAUSE OUR RECEIVING AREA IS SO SMALL.

THERE'S A CERTAIN PROTOCOL THAT THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO GO THROUGH BEFORE THEY CAN BE ALLOWED INTO THE BOOKING AREA.

SO ABOUT TWO ARRESTEES AT THE TIME ARE ALL THAT OUR RECEIVING AREA CAN ACCOMMODATE. THAT MEANS EVERYONE ELSE SITS IN THEIR PATROL CARS WAITING ON A CHANCE TO GET INTO THAT RECEIVING AREA. I HEARD SOME DISCUSSION A LITTLE BIT AGO, CIVIL COURTS. WHETHER THERE'S AN INMATE IN THE COURT OR NOT IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN SECURITY AND THERE'S A PROPENSITY FOR VIOLENCE AND CASES. SO SPLITTING THOSE COURTS WERE DEFINITELY REQUIREMENT TO HAVE ADDITIONAL BAILIFFS TO COVER THOSE. OUR EVIDENCE AREA IS ABOUT 3000 SQUARE FEET, PROBABLY SHOULD BE ABOUT 20,000 FOR CURRENT CONDITIONS, NOT TO MENTION GOING FORWARD.

OUR KITCHEN IN THE COUNTY JAIL IS SLATED TO HAVE SOME REMODELING DONE IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, WHICH IS GOING TO BE VERY COSTLY. THE CITY AND COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT REQUIRES IT AND THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHUT OUR KITCHEN DOWN IF WE DON'T COMPLY WITH THEIR REQUEST TO DO SOME NEW COATINGS ON THE WALLS AND CLEAN THE PREPARATION AREAS UP.

[02:50:08]

AND WHEN IT WAS BUILT IN 2003I DON'T THINK THOSE REQUIREMENTS EXISTED. I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. >> SHERIFF, I THINK THE NEED IS COMPELLING TO MOVE. THERE WAS DISCUSSION EARLIER TODAY ABOUT A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT A POTENTIAL LOCATION THAT WAS LOOKED AT AT THE VERY EDGE OF THE ETJ.

COULD YOU SAY WHY YOU ARE OPPOSED TO THAT ONE AND SUPPORT

ONE CLOSER? >> ARE YOU SPEAKING ABOUT THE PROPERTY NEAR THE DPS FACILITY? THAT'S 17 MILES NORTH OF WHERE WE ARE NOW. A LARGE PORTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS HIGHWAY 29. THAT WOULD ADD ON A GOOD TRAFFIC DAY PROBABLY AN EXTRA 30 MINUTES FOR SOME OF THOSE OFFICERS.

THE HOSPITALS ARE MUCH CLOSER TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW.

CITY OF GEORGIA HAS I BELIEVE SEVEN FIRE STATIONS THAT CAN COME TO OUR AID, AND THAT WOULD BE A VERY MAJOR ISSUE.

THERE'S ADEQUATE EMS EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL IN THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN. NOT TO MENTION THE BAILIFFS GREEN OVER 88,000 VISITORS TO OUR COURTHOUSE, SO IF THOSE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING 17-20 MILES FURTHER NORTH, DEPENDING WHERE THEY LIVE FOR JURY DUTY AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO COME TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR, BUT IT WOULD BE AN INCONVENIENCE FOR THEM. JUDGES OFTEN GIVE THE JURORS AN HOUR OR AN HOUR AND A HALF FOR LUNCH, AND I'VE BEEN OUT TO THE DPS TRAINING FACILITY AND IT'S TOUGH TO GO GET LUNCH AND GET

BACK THERE WITHIN AN HOUR. >> SHERIFF, YOU'VE BEEN PART OF THE COMMITTEE WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE.

I BELIEVE YOU'VE ALSO TALKED TO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> DO THEY FEEL THE SAME AS FAR

AS LOCATION? >> THERE WAS A GRAPHIC AT THE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER AND IF THE FACILITY WINDS UP ON THE INNER LOOP, THOSE COMMUTE TIMES FOR THE DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE ALL WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. IF IT SHOULD WIND UP ON THE PROPERTY NEAR FLORENCE, IT WOULD EASILY ADD 30 MINUTES MINIMUM, THAT'S WHEN THE INTERSTATE ISN'T STOP AND GO.

>> SHERIFF, YOU MENTIONED YOU WERE IN CHARGE OF SECURITY FOR BOTH BUILDINGS. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES. >> SO WE'VE TALKED IN OUR GROUP QUITE A BIT ABOUT THE FUNCTIONS OF BOTH BUILDINGS AND KEEPING THOSE FUNCTIONS TOGETHER. COULD YOU SPEAK TO THAT PLEASE,

AND YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? >> RIGHT NOW OUR CORRECTIONS FACILITY IS CONNECTED TO THE COURTHOUSE WITH A TUNNEL.

WE MOVE SOMETIMES UP TO 100 INMATES TO EACH COURTHOUSE THAT NOBODY SEES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TO BRING THEM OUT TO THE PUBLIC AREAS TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE OR SOMEONE TO ATTACK THEM. SO IDEALLY IT WORKS OUT VERY WELL WHEN THE JAIL IS CONNECTED TO THE COURTHOUSE BY A SKYWAY OR TUNNEL. IT CUTS DOWN ON TRANSPORTATION COSTS. WE CAN GET A LOT QUICKER THAN IF WE HAD OUR JAIL SOMEWHERE SEPARATE FROM THE COURTHOUSE.

>> LIKE TRAVIS COUNTY, WHERE THE COURT BUILDINGS ARE DOWNTOWN AND

THE JAIL IS AT THE AIRPORT. >> CORRECT.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT, THANK YOU. THESE ARE ALL THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS HERE IN COURT SO EVERYBODY CAN HEAR.

BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

AND TO YOUR POINT, I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU'VE JUMPED IN TO THIS DISCUSSION, AND THE BOAT IS KIND OF MOVING AND YOU ARE TRYING TO GO, WHAT HAPPEN -- WHAT'S HAPPENING.

I COMPLETELY GET THAT. WE'VE ALL INHERITED THINGS THAT PREVIOUS COURTS HAVE MADE DECISIONS ON.

SO IT'S COMPLICATED, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PRICE TAG AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUE. SO I APPRECIATE WHERE YOU ARE AND TRYING TO ASK A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS AND FIGURE OUT IF

[02:55:04]

THERE'S OTHER OPTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR THE SHERIFF?

>> THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

>> NEXT WE HAVE OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

I'VE BEEN THE GUY WHO SAID SLOW DOWN AND ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS FOR ME AND HELP EXPLAIN WHY.

I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE A GOOD PERSON TO BRING TO THE TABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE INSIDE THE BUILDING.

THE SHEER AMOUNT OF EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE, AND FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE WHY WE NEED TO MOVE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER WHEN YOUR JUDGE IS SAYING TO PUMP THE BRAKES A LITTLE BIT.

>> CERTAINLY. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO ECHO THE SHERIFF'S COMMENTS. I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOU ALL AS A COURT ATTACKING THIS ISSUE, RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM, TRYING TO FIND A GREAT SOLUTION TO THIS.

AND I GET THAT IT'S NOT EASY. MY JOB IS A LITTLE SIMPLER, AT LEAST IN TERMS OF ONLY HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT'S GOOD IN MY OFFICE AND IN THE COURTROOMS. BUT I UNDERSTAND YOU GUYS HAVE A LOT MORE BROADER RESPONSIBILITY. BUT I ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE. SO I DO CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY, AND HOW WE MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THOSE COMMUNITIES. I DO LOVE THIS ISSUE AND I COULD TALK ABOUT IT FOR DAYS, BUT I WON'T.

I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. I MIGHT ACTUALLY BE SHORTER THAN THE SHERIFF TALKING ABOUT THIS. I THOUGHT AT LEAST FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE RECORD, I'D GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT THE NUMBERS AND WHERE THESE THINGS CAME FROM.

TELLS YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT WERE IN THE COURTHOUSE. FIRST OF ALL, THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE THAT WE ARE IN, THE SITE OF THE ORIGINAL COURTROOM.

THIS IS WHERE COURT WAS HELD FOR A LONG TIME.

WHEN I MOVED HERE IN 2001, IT WAS STILL JP OVER HERE.

BUT THE COURTHOUSE HAD MOVED TO I GUESS THE NEW BUILDING.

BUT THAT BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1990, AND AT THAT TIME WE HAD ABOUT 139,000 PEOPLE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY.

THAT COURTHOUSE WAS BUILT, THE DA'S OFFICE HAD TEN OR SO IN 1990. THERE WERE THREE DISTRICT COURTS, WITH THE THIRD DISTRICT COURT WAS JUST CREATED.

I BELIEVE IT WAS SEPTEM SEPTEMBER OF 89.

WHEN WE MOVED INTO THE NEW BUILDING, AND MAYBE COMMISSIONER BOLES KNOWS THE HISTORY. I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER IF ALL THE JUDGES OPERATED ABOUT THIS BUILDING OR WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE A COURTROOM UNTIL WE GOT INTO THE NEW BUILDING.

I KNOW YOU WERE PROBABLY ONE YEARS OLD WHEN THAT HAPPENED, COMMISSIONER. SO WE MOVE INTO THIS NEW BUILDING IN 1990 WITH LIMITED STAFF, 139,000 PEOPLE.

WE HAVE THE EXPANSION OF THAT BUILDING, THE ADDITION TO THAT BUILDING ROUGHLY DOUBLED THE ORIGINAL BUILDING.

AND IT WAS ALREADY IN THE WORKS WHEN I MOVED HERE.

IN 2004 WE MOVED INTO THE NEWEST SECTION OF THE COURTHOUSE WITH APPROXIMATELY 275,000 PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY.

SO THAT'S THE CURRENT CONDITIONS WE ARE IN.

WE HAD FOUR DISTRICT COURTS BY THE TIME WE HAD THE EXPANSION.

WE NOW HAVE -- NOW HAVE SEVEN DISTRICT COURTS.

I THINK WE HAD THREE COUNTY COURTS AT THE TIME WE MOVED.

WE NOW HAVE FIVE. SO THERE WAS A LOT OF GROWTH AND CHANGE, BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT CHANGED.

TECHNOLOGY, SECURITY, THINGS THAT COULDN'T REALLY BE PLANNED FOR. IT MAKES A LOT OF WHAT WE LIVE IN UNWORKABLE OR CHALLENGING. TO THAT END, IF WE THINK ABOUT THIS BUILDING WITH ABOUT 275,000 PEOPLE.

WE SHOULD HAVE ADDED ANOTHER BUILDING ON.

I LOOK AT IT AS THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WITH 250, PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE HAD ANOTHER BUILDING AT 500.

AND BY THE TIME THIS WAS BUILT IN 2031, IF THAT'S EVEN THE TIME FRAME, YOU ARE PROBABLY PUSHING A MILLION PEOPLE.

SO YOU WOULD NEED THE EQUIVALENT OF FIVE BILLION'S -- BUILDINGS.

WE ARE OPERATING OUT OF A BUILDING DESIGNED BACK IN 2000

[03:00:02]

THAT CREATES ITS OWN CHALLENGES, SPACING IN THE COURTHOUSE, SOME OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE. I DON'T WANT TO TALK MUCH ABOUT SECURITY BUT WE DO HAVE A SECURITY COMMITTEE FOR THE COURTHOUSE. THE BUILDING AND THE DESIGN WAS JUST FOR A DIFFERENT TIME. KEEPING NOT ONLY THE JUDGES AND OUR EMPLOYEES SAFE, BUT THE PUBLIC AS THEY COME IN AND OUT OF THE COURTHOUSE, IN AND OUT OF THE PARKING LOTS AND PARKING GARAGES. HOW DO WE MAINTAIN THE SAFETY OF THAT BUILDING. IT REALLY WASN'T DESIGNED FOR MODERN DAY SECURITY ISSUES AND IT MAKES IT REALLY CHALLENGING.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF RETROFITTING AND A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON THE BUILDING JUST TO RETROFIT SOME SECURITY INTO THE BUILDING. WHEN YOU DESIGN A NEW BUILDING, YOU CAN DESIGN IT BY TECHNOLOGY, MODERN INFORMATION AND BUILDING WITH SECURITY IN MIND FOR EMPLOYEES, FOR THE PUBLIC THAT COMES TO THE COURTHOUSE EVERY DAY.

SO THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIG CHALLENGES.

THE OTHER THING IS CONNECTIVITY. AS GOOD AS OUR IT DEPARTMENT, THE LEVEL OF CONNECTIVITY IN THE BUILDING, THE BUILDING WASN'T DESIGNED THAT WELL TO HAVE CONNECTIVITY TO THE INTERNET.

CONNECTIVITY TO CELL PHONES, TO KIND OF OFF-LOAD THAT BANDWIDTH.

IF I'M SITTING IN A COURTROOM, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO GET A MESSAGE TO ME INSIDE THE COURTROOM.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK THAT WAY. SO AS WE TRY TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT THE CHALLENGE IN THE COURTHOUSE, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC, YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO ADJUST CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS AND MAKE PLANS, AND SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE OR STAND BY A WINDOW JUST TO USE THEIR CELL PHONE IN A BUILDING. IT BECOMES AN INCONVENIENCE, STACKED ON 188,000 VISITORS A YEAR COMING THROUGH THE BUILDING AND BECOMES A PROBLEM. AND WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VICTIMS, JURORS, PEOPLE THAT JUST NEED A CIVIL CASE RESOLVED, THAT THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN THEY JUST HAPPENED TO BE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OR THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM. AND THE BUILDING JUST NEEDS TO BE DESIGNED FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE AND THEIR SAFETY.

THE OTHER THING IS JUST POWER IN THE BUILDING.

I KNOW SOME OLDER COUNTY BUILDINGS, THIS BUILDING PROBABLY SUFFERS THE SAME FATE. IT'S JUST NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE LOAD, THE POWER LOAD FOR ALL THE COMPUTERS AND THE SCANNERS AND PRINTERS, ALL THE ELECTRONICS THAT WE HAVE IN THE BUILDING. IT'S PROBABLY WEEKLY THAT WE HAVE BREAKERS FLIP, THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE POWER WE NEED.

ALSO, PLUMBING. WITHOUT GETTING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO FIND BAGS OVER A BUNCH OF TOILETS IN THE COURTHOUSE. SO WHEN YOU WALK IN AND THE JURY IS DISMISSED THERE IS 100 PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE 15 MINUTES TO USE THE RESTROOM AND GET BACK INTO THE COURTROOM, THEY WALK INTO A BATHROOM AND THREE OF THE STALLS ARE CLOSED OR TWO OF THE THREE HAVE A BAG OVER THEM, IT'S JUST NOT THE WAY THE PUBLIC DESERVES.

>> THAT'S A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. WE CAN FIX THOSE.

I WANT YOU TO SAY EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY, BUT JUST TALK TO US ABOUT HOW MANY EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE, VERSUS OFFICE SPACE, VERSUS ALL THE LOGISTICS OF COLLABORATION AND CASES TO MAKE SURE YOUR PROSECUTION, YOU HAVE AIRTIGHT CASES AGAINST --

>> SURE. OURS IS ONE OF THE FEW OFFICES THAT TOUCHED JUST ABOUT EVERY OTHER OFFICE IN THE COUNTY.

SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH OUR JUDGES, THE CLERK'S OFFICE, PRETRIAL SERVICES, WITH PROBATION AND WE ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED IN THIS SPACE AND THE COURTHOUSE, AND I KNOW THE COURT HAS BEEN MEETING AS A JUSTICE WORKING GROUP FOR THREE YEARS. HOW DO WE MAKE THINGS WORK, HOW DO WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO INCREASE EFFICIENCIES, INCREASE SERVICES AND WE DO SPEND A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT.

SO WE DO HAVE A LOT OF CONNECTIVITY AND WE ARE TRYING TO MAXIMIZE OUR SPACE. WHEN YOU COME TO THE COURTHOUSE TODAY, SOME DAYS IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING IS GOING ON, BUT WHEN

[03:05:01]

I NOW HAVE 63 EMPLOYEES. WHEN WE MOVED INTO THE NEW SPACE, I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT WE APPRECIATE VERY MUCH GETTING THE NEW SPACE FOR OUR OFFICE. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE FIVE PEOPLE IN ONE OFFICE, THREE PEOPLE IN ANOTHER.

WE ARE ALL STACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AND YOU CAN'T HAVE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS IF THE COURT NEEDS TO DO SOME KIND OF

ZOOM HEARING. >> FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT, AS WE GROW, LOOKING AT 2050 TO HAVE 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY. HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOUR OFFICE GROWING TO MEET THE NE NEEDS?

>> WE'VE BEEN TALKING THROUGH THIS, AND I THINK OUR ESTIMATE WAS ABOUT 300 EMPLOYEES THAT WE WOULD NEED, AND YOU ARE GOING TO GROW IN SOME DIVISION WORK, GROW WITH ADDING ADDITIONAL COURTS.

BUT WE WOULD PROBABLY ADD DIVISIONS LIKE A FAMILY VIOLENCE DIVISION, A SPECIAL CRIMES DIVISION.

MAYBE VEHICULAR HOMICIDE DIVISION.

SO YOU WOULD GROW IN AREAS THAT ALLOW CERTAIN TYPES OF CASES THAT REQUIRE SPECIALTIES TO GROW AND FLOURISH, THEY CAN TAKE THOSE CASELOADS OFF OF THE RANK AND FILE PROSECUTORS AT COURT EVERY DAY AND ALLOWS FOR A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN COURT. I CAN'T HAVE PROSECUTORS IN COURT FIVE DAYS A WEEK EIGHT HOURS A DAY.

THEY NEED SOME TIME TO MEET WITH WITNESSES, RESEARCH, LOOK AT EVIDENCE. BUT HAVING THAT ALTERNATE SO YOU CAN COME IN AND TRY A CASE FOR A WEEK, KEEPING THAT TRIAL PROSECUTOR TO GET READY FOR TRIALS THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, I'M HEARING YOU SAY JUST LIKE WE ADDED THE 512, THERE WOULD BE SOME GROWTH BECAUSE OF COURTS BEING ADDED. BUT THEN THERE WOULD ALSO BE

SPECIALIZATIONS. >> EXACTLY.

>> YOU NEED TO GROW IN OTHER AREAS TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCIES.

AND ALSO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITY SAFETY.

>> AND WE'VE MENTIONED BEFORE BUT WE HAVE TO MENTION AGAIN.

THERE'S NOT ANYTHING THAT WE BUILD THAT WILL BE THE ULTIMATE.

I KNOW WE DON'T NEED IT NOW AND WE WOULDN'T AFFORD IT NOW.

SO WE WOULD PHASE IT. BUT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT EVERY DEPARTMENT THAT THESE TWO BUILDINGS WOULD TOUCH, OR THREE BUILDINGS WOULD BE EXPANDABLE. AND I THINK THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. PART OF WHAT WE'VE DONE AS A COMMITTEE AND AS A PRIVATE PRACTICE LAWYER, A LOT OF THE MAJOR COMMUNITIES ARE MOVING TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE OF THEIR DOWNTOWN AREA. BUT THEY ARE BUILDING BUILDINGS THAT ARE EXPANDABLE. I THINK ALL OF US LIKE THAT IDEA OF MOVING INTO WHAT WE CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW WITH A GOOD PLAN TO EXPAND IT AS WE NEED TO. I'LL GIVE YOU A COUPLE STORIES ABOUT HOW OUR CHALLENGES COME I THINK I'VE TOLD YOU ALL ABOUT THIS BEFORE. WE TRIED A CASE THAT INVOLVED THE SHOOTING OF THREE CEDAR PARK POLICE OFFICERS AND WE HAVE NO SPACE IN THE COURTHOUSE FOR PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS WITH POLICE OFFICERS, WITH VICTIMS. THAT MEANT THE OFFICERS STOOD IN THE SAME HALLWAY WITH THE DEFENDANT'S FAMILY AND WERE CONSTANTLY IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO TALK TO THAT FAMILY WHILE THEIR OFFICERS WERE ON THE STAND OR THE CASE WAS GOING ON.

AND THEN THEY WEIGHED IN THE HALLWAY FOR THE VERDICT.

IT'S JUST NOT THE WAY THAT VICTIMS SHOULD BE TREATED WHILE THEY'RE IN A COURTROOM AND ALSO CREATES SECURITY ISSUES.

I HAD A PROSECUTOR CONFRONTED IN THE HALLWAY A FEW WEEKS AGO IN THE MIDDLE OF TRIAL BECAUSE THE COURTHOUSE SPACES ARE JUST CRAMPED. THERE'S NO PLACE TO MOVE AND TAKE WITNESSES AND PEOPLE OUT OF THE COURTROOM.

WE TRIED A FENTANYL MURDER CASE A FEW WEEKS AGO.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PUBLIC INTEREST IN THAT CASE.

AND WE DON'T HAVE THE COURTROOM SIZE, THE HALLWAY SIZE, THE MEETING SPACE TO REALLY JUST CONGREGATE TOGETHER, TALK TO US, TALK TO THE PROSECUTORS OR WHOEVER THEY NEED TO.

>> WHETHER WE BUILD THE NEW FACILITY IN FIVE YEARS, SEVEN, TEN, THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF LOGISTICAL COMPLICATIONS AS WE SHARE COURTROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE WORKED HARD ON THOSE LOGISTICS PLANS AND ARE

[03:10:03]

GETS TIME TO SPEAK. >> HOW ABOUT STORAGE SPACE FOR EVIDENCE, FOR FILES? EVERY CLOSET HAS BEEN CONVERTED

TO SOMETHING ELSE. >> ALTHOUGH WE ARE PAPERLESS, THAT REALLY MEANS JUST LESS PAPER.

BUT UP IN THE ATTIC, THOSE THAT HAVE SEEN THE ATTIC, IT'S LIKE 50,000 PAPER FILES UP THERE. AND WE DO USE THOSE FILES AND HAVE REASON TO GO GRAB THOSE FILES.

THEY HAVE TO BE SECURED. SO WHETHER THERE IS AN APPEAL, WHETHER SOMEONE GETS RE-ARRESTED, THE OTHER CHALLENGE WILL JUST BE COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY SPACE.

WE WILL HAVE A CHALLENGE OF PROBABLY MEETING SOME PRIVATE SERVERS FOR CASES LIKE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO THERE ARE SPACE CHALLENGES.

>> TO GET OUT OF THE CLOUD IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

>> YOU MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED FOR THINGS LIKE

THAT. >> ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE LOOKED AT IS THE EFFICIENCY OF EVERYTHING.

AND THE FIRST AND SECOND PHASE OF THE CURRENT BUILDING, WHEN THAT'S DONE IT'S DIFFERENT THAN NOW WITH TECHNOLOGY AND EVERYTHING ELSE. YOU'VE MENTIONED TECHNOLOGY COULD BE IMPROVED. THE DISTRICT CLERK IS HERE, THE COUNTY CLERK IS HERE, AND THEY'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME TO SEE THE CHANGES. WE ARE TRYING TO DESIGN SOMETHING THAT CAN GO INTO THE FUTURE AND BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE BUT ALSO BE EFFICIENT.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SECURITY ISSUES, OTHER THINGS THAT SEAN HAS HIT ON. WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL THOSE THINGS AS WE TRY TO PROGRAM WHAT NEW BUILDINGS MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

>> I THINK THE CASE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, FROM THE SHERIFF AND FROM EVERYBODY, IT'S INSUFFICIENT.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING. AND EVEN THE FOLKS THAT WERE HERE EARLIER TODAY. THE QUESTION I'M GOING TO ASK AGAIN OF YOU AS WELL ANOTHER SITE THAT WAS LOOKED AT NEAR THE VERY EDGE OF GEORGETOWN SEGJ. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> THE SITE TO ME SHOULD BE IMPORTANT, BUT IT'S JUST LESS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION.

I DON'T KNOW THE BEST PLACE TO BUILD, I DON'T KNOW THE LOGISTICS OF HOW USEABLE THE LAND IS AND HOW MUCH OF IT WE

CAN USE. >> ALL THAT ASIDE, JUST MILEAGE

WISE. >> I GUESS MY THOUGHT IS, I WILL PLEDGE TO WORK WITH THE COURT, THE SHERIFF, AND WE WILL COME UP WITH A SECURITY PLAN THAT MAKES SURE WE ARE PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY WHEREVER YOU DECIDE TO BUILD THIS FACILITY.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF WHEREVER THE COURT FINDS IS THE BEST PLACE TO BUILD IT AND I WILL HELP ANSWER WHATEVER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE, FOR THE PUBLIC, FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR THE COURT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

>> JUDGE, JUST SO I CAN SAY. I'VE GOT QUESTIONS.

I'M NOT GOING TO GET THEM ALL ANSWERED TODAY.

ONE OF THOSE IS PHASING, ONE OF THOSE IS -- REBECCA TOUCHED UPON A LOT OF IT BUT I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF WE GO, WE ARE GOING TO STAY DOWNTOWN IN GEORGETOWN. WHAT DO THOSE LOOK LIKE.

BECAUSE THAT HAD BEEN THE PLAN FOR QUITE A WHILE.

I THINK WHEN YOU TAKE THE TIME AND LOOK, THE PROPERTY WE HAVE UNDER CONTRACT, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT SITE FOR THE COUNTY.

WHETHER WE BUILD A JAIL AND JUSTICE SITE ON IT OR NOT I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THE COUNTY SHOULD PURSUE.

I LOOK AT OUR FACILITIES NOW, PREVIOUS COURTS HAD PURCHASED THAT LAND, MADE IT AN OPTION FOR FUTURE COURTS TO USE AT THE RIGHT TIME. I SEE THIS REAL ESTATE WE HAVE UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE SAME SERVICE.

I THINK WE ARE STILL GOING -- AT LEAST I AM, GOING THROUGH THE

[03:15:04]

BUT IN CASE IT'S NOT KNOWN, EACH COUNTY HAS A COUNTY SEAT LOCATED GENERALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTY BECAUSE WHEN THEY DECIDED THOSE, IT WAS ONE DAY'S HORSE RIDE FROM THE COUNTY LINE.

THAT'S HOW GEORGETOWN GOT TO BE WILLIAMSON COUNTY'S COUNTY SEAT.

FOR THE STATE CONSTITUTION, OUR JUSTICE AND COURTS HAVE TO BE IN THE COUNTY SEAT. THAT'S WHY WE BUILD OUR COURTROOMS IN THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN.

THOSE ARE STATUTORILY REQUIRED. THIS MORNING I GOT TO TALKING TO LEADERSHIP TO EXPLAINING IN ROUND ROCK, IF YOU AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH IT IT DOESN'T WORK THE WAY YOU THINK IT WORKS.

AND I LOVE TALKING COUNTY BUDGET.

WE HAVE 38 INDEPENDENT ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEY ARE QUICK TO TELL YOU THEY ARE INDEPENDENT ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND WE DON'T MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEM.

WE DO PROVIDE BUDGETS. IT'S OUR JOB TO FUND THEM SO THAT THEY CAN COMPLETE THEIR MISSION.

AND IF THEY DON'T THINK WE ARE FUNDING THEM ENOUGH, THEY SUE US. SO IT'S NOT JUST -- THEY'VE LOST

EVERY TIME. >> THEY HAVE.

BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO FACILITATE OUR JUDGE'S MISSION. WE HAVE TO FACILITATE OUR DAS AND COUNTY'S MISSION. PART OF THAT IS DICTATED AGAIN BY STATE LAW. ONCE WE GET TO A CERTAIN POPULATION, AND I'M EXPLAINING THIS BECAUSE I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY DO NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SYSTEM OR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO THEY'RE GOING COME THAT BUILDING IS THERE, YOU CAN USE IT, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS.

WE ARE BEING DRIVEN BY STATE LAW.

STATE LAW SAYS WE HAVE TO HAVE X AMOUNT OF COURTS SO THAT OUR POPULATION HAS ACCESS TO THE COURTS, AND ONCE WE HAVE X AMOUNT OF COURTS, AND WE ARE ADDING PEOPLE BY BUCKET LOADS.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE JUST ADDED A COURT, WE PROBABLY ARE GOING TO NEED ONE IN TWO YEARS, DEFINITELY IN FOUR YEARS.

NOT ONLY DO WE NEED A NEW JUDGE AND STAFF, TYPICALLY WE HAVE TO ADD MORE COUNTY CLERKS, MORE DISTRICT CLERKS, PROSECUTORS.

AND ONCE WE HAVE MORE PROSECUTORS WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE MANAGERS, ONCE WE GET TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PROSECUTORS.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COVER THE AREA. THEN WE JUST HAVE MORE PEOPLE THAT END UP IN OUR JAIL. I'VE LOOKED, WE HAVE TO HAVE A JAIL. PER THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

IF WE COULD OUTSOURCE THAT I THINK WE WOULD DO IT IN A HEARTBEAT. SO WHY PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE -- MAY NOT FEEL THE NEED WE JUST HEARD THE SHERIFF AND THE D.A. TALK ABOUT, BECAUSE THEY AREN'T IN THE COURT SYSTEM, WE HAVE TO FACILITATE THOSE PEOPLE AND WE HAVE TO MEET METRICS STATED BY THE STATE, AND WE HAVE TO DO IT IN GEORGETOWN.

AND WE'VE HEARD A FEW THINGS THAT SAID, THE COURTROOMS HAVE TO BE IN GEORGETOWN. WE HEARD THE SHERIFF SAY, THE JAIL IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE COURTROOMS, THAT IS SAFER FOR EMPLOYEES, QUICKER, EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION.

BUT THAT IS WHAT'S DRIVING ALL OF THIS.

BUT I ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW I'M STILL ASKING QUESTIONS.

I STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. SO WE HAVE A CONSULTANT ON BOARD THAT'S GIVEN US SOME GOOD INFORMATION, BUT I STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. BUT WE ARE MOVING THIS DIRECTION IN LARGE PART BECAUSE WE ARE BEING DRIVEN BY STATE LAW TO DO

THIS. >> I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD, DECEMBER 17TH OF 24, I BELIEVE IT WAS, WE AS A COURT VOTED TO MOVE THE JAIL AND JUSTICE CENTER OPERATIONS OUT OF DOWNTOWN.

BECAUSE WE NEEDED A DIRECTION TO EITHER STAY OR GO.

I THINK REBECCA NEEDS DIRECTION AS SHE LEADS OUR COMMITTEE ON

[03:20:03]

BUT WE NEED TO MAKE A CALL AT SOME POINT AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING. JUDGE, I KNOW YOU WEREN'T HERE AS PART OF THAT, SO OF COURSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON HOW WE GOT TO THAT POINT. BUT WE DID VOTE AS A COURT TO

MOVE OUT OF DOWNTOWN. >> JUST TO REEMPHASIZE SOMETHING COMMISSIONER BOLES SAID. I KNOW IT WAS RAISED EARLIER TODAY, YOU'VE GOT ALL THIS ACREAGE BY THE LANDFILL, THAT'S NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE IN THE COUNTY SEAT.

>> THAT LAND THAT WE HAVE THERE WAS FOR THE EXPANSION.

WHICH IS ALSO COMPLICATED. >> COMMISSIONER COOK, ANY

QUESTIONS? >> NO.

>> ONE THING THAT HASN'T BEEN STRESSED IN ALL THIS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE SCHOOLS, EVEN OUR CRISIS CENTER, THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE JAIL AND THE CONCERNS ARE REAL.

THEY AREN'T INVALID CONCERNS. BUT WE ARE ALSO GOING TO HAVE THE JUSTICE CENTER, THE SHERIFF S OFFICE WHICH WILL HAVE MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES, NOT TO MENTION IN THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN THERE WILL BE CITY POLICE THERE.

BUT THERE'S OTHER LOGISTICAL BUILDINGS ON THAT SIDE AS WELL AS WE NAVIGATE EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON IN OUR COURTROOMS AND ALL THE SERVICES THAT PROVIDE IT.

WE DO NEED TO KEEP EVERYONE ON THE PROPERTY SAFE AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND IT, AND ESPECIALLY THE SCHOOLS SAFE.

WE'VE DUG INTO THE PROGRAMING ON WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BUILD AS A COUNTY. AND WE'VE DONE A LITTLE BIT OF PROGRAMING ON THE WAY AND WE ARE GOING TO BUILD A.

BUT WE HAVEN'T REALLY TALKED ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.

IN ADDITION TO BEING THE SAFEST BUILDING WE CAN POSSIBLY BUILD, AND THERE'S NO FOOLPROOF DESIGN, I'M NOT GOING TO PRETEND THERE IS. AND EVEN WITH THE DESIGN IT'S PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT SAFE. BUT WITH THAT WE DON'T WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE A JAIL EITHER. SO OUR CURRENT ONE DOESN'T NECESSARILY LOOK LIKE A JAIL. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE JUSTICE CENTER WRAPS AROUND THE BUILDINGS THAT YOU KNOW.

SO THE DISCUSSIONS I'VE LISTENED TO HAS BEEN THE JAIL WILL BE ONE STORY. BUT IT WON'T BE AN OUTSIDE JAIL OR AT LEAST OUTSIDE SPACES WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

WE'LL TALK MORE TO THAT LATER REGARDLESS OF WHERE IT'S BUILT.

WHICH AS OF TODAY, IT'S BUILT WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK WE HAVEN'T PLANNED, ONCE DECISIONS ARE MADE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IT'S TAKEN THE COMMITTEE THREE YEARS TO GET TO THAT POINT WITH ME ON BOARD A YEAR TO LOOK AT ALL THOSE OTHER SITES. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND ONE OF THE MAIN QUESTIONS.

YOU HAD THIS GREAT PIECE OF LAND IN THE FLORENCE AREA THAT WAS EXPONENTIALLY CHEAPER AS FAR AS THE LAND.

SURELY IT WOULD BE MORE ECONOMICAL AND A BETTER USE FOR THE TAXPAYERS TO BUILD OUT, BUT LOGISTICALLY IT'S NOT THE CASE BECAUSE YOU WERE BRINGING WATER PIPE, WASTEWATER PIPES MILES.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO BUILD THE WASTEWATER CAPACITY ON THE OTHER END WHICH IS GOING TO FORCE YOU TO BUILD SEPTIC IN THE NEAR FUTURE. LIKE WE TALK ABOUT NOW, THE MAJORITY OF OUR POPULATION IS SOUTH OF 29.

WE ARE GOING TO DOUBLE AND DOUBLE AGAIN.

AND WHAT WE ARE BUILDING HAS TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AND EXPAND TO THAT ROUTE, WHICH MEANS THERE WILL BE NEIGHBORHOODS EVERYWHERE. THAT DOESN'T MAKE THE PEOPLE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS FEEL ANY BETTER TODAY, BECAUSE TODAY IS THE ISSUE THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT.

BUT ALL THE LOGISTICS THAT GO INTO THE CONVERSATION, WHY WE THINK THIS SITE AT THIS LOCATION IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR TODAY AND THE FUTURE, HAS TO BE EXPLAINED.

AND HOW IF WE BUILD THERE, HOW WE ARE GOING TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE, INCLUDING THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY HAS TO BE EXPLAINED AND PROVEN. WHETHER WE MOVE FORWARD OR NOT AT THIS LOCATION, THERE'S LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE. WE OWE IT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO DO THAT. I THINK WE'VE ALL PLEDGED TO DO

[03:25:01]

THAT. >> BECAUSE WE WANT IT SAFE NO MATTER WHERE. INCLUDING WHERE IT CURRENTLY IS.

AND THE SHERIFF OF COURSE ALONG WITH GEORGETOWN PD HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO MAKE IT SAFE WHERE IT IS NOW.

OR WHEREVER IT WILL GO. >> AND THE LOCATION, WE CAN IDENTIFY LAND, BUT IF IT'S NOT FOR SALE IT'S NOT FOR SALE.

IT'S A FINE LINE BETWEEN SAYING, WE NEED THIS SITE FOR A JAIL, AND GOING ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF SECURING REAL ESTATE.

THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK.

I APPRECIATE THAT AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE CITIZEN COMMENTS AS WE GO FORWARD AND HAVE TOUGH DECISIONS.

TO THAT MATTER, A COMMENT IS MADE -- WAS MADE THAT WE ARE PULLING ITEMS 44 AND 45. WE ARE JUST NOT READY TO HAVE

THAT CONVERSATION YET. >> IT'LL BE NEXT WEEK?

>> NEXT WEEK. WE WILL SEE IF WE CAN GET THERE QUICKLY. BUT IF IT IS THERE YOU'LL DEFINITELY KNOW ABOUT IT. IT WON'T BE ANY SURPRISE OR

ANYTHING. >> JUDGE, IS THERE ANY ACTION WE

NEED TO TAKE TODAY? >> JUST DIRECTIONS FOR REBECCA ON MAKING SURE WE ALL UNDERSTAND AND ARE OKAY WITH THE MOVES.

WE ARE MOVING SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THIS SUMMER, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE READY TO TALK ABOUT THOSE OTHER SPACES.

MOVE THE TAX OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE TAX OFFICE? MOVING THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. I KNOW WE HAVE A FILL IN PLAN AND WE'VE GOT SOME REMODELING TO DO.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A DESIRE TO RECREATE THAT ONE COURT, THAT'LL BUY US A LITTLE BIT OF TIME AT THE SPACE.

BUT I THINK AS FAR AS THAT, WE JUST NEED TO GET DIRECTION FOR WHAT TO PLAN FOR WHO'S MOVING WHERE AND WHAT CURRENT BUILDING

EXISTS. >> CORRECT.

ON WHO WOULD GO IN THOSE CURRENT SPACES.

BUT THE CONVERSATION BEFORE THAT HAS TO BE MADE ABOUT IF WE ARE STILL LEAVING ANYTHING DOWNTOWN, BECAUSE THAT AFFECTS WHAT SPACES WE KEEP AND LEAVE OPEN AND THE TIMELINE AFFECTS THAT AS WELL.

THE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO BE MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED TIMELINE. IF EVERYONE'S MOVING OR NOT EVERYONE'S MOVING, KIND OF THAT OPTIONS CHART THAT I GAVE EVERYBODY. I CAN SAY WE HAVE THE SPACE TO PUT THIS PERSON HERE, BUT IF WE STAY DOWNTOWN LONGER I CAN'T PUT THIS PERSON HERE, I HAVE TO PUT SOMEBODY ELSE HERE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M ALLOCATING MY TIME AND RESOURCES TO WHAT THE COURT AS A WHOLE WANTS ME TO DO.

>> THERE'S ALSO AN ECONOMIC IMPACT BY US LEAVING DOWNTOWN.

THINK ABOUT THE RESTAURANTS THAT ARE GOING TO LOSE BUSINESS, THE BUSINESSES, THE CASUAL BUSINESS THAT YOU GIVE WHEN YOU GET PAST IT GOING TO A RESTAURANT AND YOU DROP IN AND BUY SOMETHING.

>> THAT WOULD BE THE CASE IF WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE IT BLANK, BUT IT WOULD BE SOLD AND OTHER THINGS THAT WOULD GO THERE THAT WOULD HELP. I'M SURE THERE'S INTEREST.

>> AND JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, I'VE KIND OF TALKED ABOUT THIS TO THE COURT AS WELL. KEEPING THAT JUSTICE CENTER, THERE IS PROS AND CONS AND THERE'S A LOT MORE PEOPLE ON THE PLEASE DON'T KEEP TWO COURTHOUSES OPEN.

BUT MY EXPERIENCE IN FAST GROWTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAS TAUGHT ME ONE THING, IF WE ARE GOING TO DOUBLE AND DOUBLE AGAIN, WHY ARE WE GETTING RID OF ANYTHING? BEFORE WE SELL ANYTHING AND GET A FRACTION OF WHAT IT'S WORTH, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE WON'T NEED IT IN THE FUTURE. I'M NOT SURE WE CAN EVEN SELL ANYTHING UNTIL WE KNOW FOR SURE IT'S OBSOLETE AND WE AREN'T ABLE TO USE IT IN THE FUTURE. SO I'M NOT READY TO SELL ANYTHING THE COUNTY OWNS UNTIL IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.

AND WE ARE MANY YEARS FROM BUILDING TO COMPLETION AND GETTING TO A POINT WHERE WE ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN.

IT COULD BE FOR OFFICE SPACE, COULD BE FOR OTHER THINGS.

AND OUR NEXT ITEM IS ON THIS COURTHOUSE.

WE ARE GROWING TOO FAST AND WE ARE GOING TO EXPAND THE AMOUNT

OF EMPLOYEES TO RUSH TO SELL. >> JUST ON THAT, I DISAGREE WITH THAT IN TERMS OF SPACE. BUT I THINK WHAT I HEAR REBECCA SAYING IS THAT WE NEED TO FAIRLY QUICKLY SAY, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO MOVE COURT THERE. THAT'S ONE PATH.

BUT I AGREE, I DON'T THINK WE -- >> I AGREE.

>> WE KNOW WE WOULD HAVE TO RETROFIT SOME SAFETY THINGS.

>> BUT I DON'T WANT TO HEAR WHEN I'M A GRUMPY OLD MAN AND HOPEFULLY I'M STILL AROUND AND I'M 80, WE BUILT A NEW JUSTICE

[03:30:01]

I THINK THEY ARE GOOD COURTS, THEY CAN BE REMODELED AND IT'S GOING TO COST MONEY TO GET THEM UP TO SPEED.

I UNDERSTAND THE WHY, 100%. I'M JUST NOT READY.

THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. I'M NOT READY TO SELL WHAT WE

HAVE. >> CAN WE MOVE FORWARD ON SAYING WE ARE GOING TO MOVE COURTS AND JAIL TO NEW PROPERTY OUT OF DOWNTOWN, BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO PROGRAM SOMETHING AND HAVE TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE PROGRAMING. NOT TO SELL ANYTHING.

THE TAX OFFICE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

I THINK WE VOTED ON IT BEFORE. >> I THINK THE COURT MADE A DECISION A COUPLE YEARS AGO TO MOVE THE COURTS AND THE JAIL DOWNTOWN. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO HAVE THAT ACTION TODAY. BUT BEFORE WE INCUR THAT DEBT, I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE TAXPAYERS TO GET A PRICE ON REMODEL PLUS EXPANSION IN DOWNTOWN. I KNOW THAT DECISION IS NOT GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY EITHER.

BUT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A PRICE TAG ON IT AS PART OF THE

CONVERSATION. >> FOR CLARITY FOR OUR GROUP, IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT WE HAVE TAKEN A VOTE, MOVING OPERATIONS OUT OF DOWNTOWN, WE HAVE NOT SAID WE ARE GOING TO GO SELL THAT PROPERTY AT ALL AND WE HANG ON TO IT, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW, TO YOUR POINT.

BUT THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE JAIL AND JUSTICE TOGETHER AND GO AHEAD AND PROGRAM THAT. WHETHER WE NEED AN ADDITIONAL AND SPECIALIZED IN THE FUTURE, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE, BUT WE CAN AT LEAST MOVE FORWARD ON A PATH OF DESIGN.

BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING AT PLACES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO DO IT. I DON'T WANT TO SLOW US DOWN BECAUSE EVERY YEAR IT COSTS WAY MORE.

IS THAT IN LINE WITH WHAT YOU WERE SAYING?

>> THAT'S FAIR. AND PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND IT, THAT THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT WE BUY THE LAND, BUILD THE COURTS AND JAIL RIGHT THERE IN THE PROPERTY WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, AND IF THAT IS THE CASE WE NEED TO PARTNER WITH Y'ALL ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW IT'S ARRANGED AND HOW WE KEEP PEOPLE FROM WALKING INTO YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

I THINK WE OWE THAT TO YOU IF THAT'S THE PATH WE MOVE FORWARD

WITH. >> JUDGE, I'M NOT READY.

WE HAVE A CONSULTANT'S CONTRACT, WE ARE IN PHASE TWO.

I'M NOT READY TO LEAVE PHASE TWO AND I'M NOT READY TO MOVE TO PHASE THREE. I THINK WE NEED MORE CONVERSATION WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE NEED TO HAVE BETTER DIALOG. WHAT WE KNOW, WHAT THEY KNOW, WE NEED TO HEAR THAT. I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DOWNTOWN LOOK L LIKE.

THAT'S WHERE I'M AT. AT LEAST FOR ME, ONCE I GET A BETTER LOOK AT IT, MY GOODNESS, WE NEED TO FIND SOME SITE NOT IN DOWNTOWN. OR, WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK.

BUT I'M NOT READY, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS

WITH THE PUBLIC. >> ONE PART OF THAT CONVERSATION, JUST SO THE COMMUNITY KNOWS, OUR CURRENT JAIL, JUSTICE CENTER, PARKING LOTS TAKE APPROXIMATELY -- CAMERON, HAVE YOU DONE THAT? HOW MANY ACRES DO WE CURRENTLY HAVE TIED UP IN THAT JAIL AND JUSTICE CENTER?

>> IT'S 10 ACRES FOR THE JAIL, JUSTICE AND PARKING GARAGE AND THERE'S ANOTHER FIVE OR 6 ACRES AROUND FOR PARKING.

>> SO 250 ACRES. THE NEW JUSTICE CENTER WOULD OBVIOUSLY TAKE UP A BIGGER FOOTPRINT THAN THAT.

COMMISSIONER BOLES, WE NEED MORE TIME.

WE NEED MORE DISCUSSIONS. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB AND THEY'VE

[03:35:01]

I THINK THE FOUR WE CAME UP WITH AND BAILED OUT TO DEVELOP IT WERE SOMEWHAT THE SAME WHICH WAS WHICH WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE?

>> THEY WERE FAIRLY CLOSE. THE INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES

NEEDED. >> AND I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONSIDERATIONS IS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A HOSPITAL.

BUT WE ARE BUILDING A 150 YEAR BUILDING.

>> WE LOOKED AT THAT WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO YOU GUYS, AND IT WAS A 2-2 NO-GO ON THAT. BECAUSE OTHERS HAD SAID IT'S TOO FAR OUT FOR THE REASONS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TODAY, THAT WAS A NO-GO. SO WE PUT IT OUT OF OUR MIND.

WE HAVE LOOKED TIRELESSLY AT A LOT OF PARCELS, ALL THE POSSIBLE PARCELS AROUND THE GEORGETOWN ETJ TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST ONES. AND THE ONE WE HAVE UNDER CONTRACT ROSE TO THE TOP BECAUSE OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

BUT MAINLY THERE WERE FATAL FLAWS IN THE OTHER PROPERTIES.

WE CAN GO INTO THAT MORE, ESPECIALLY IF WE COME TALK TO YOU GUYS. WE CAN GO INTO THAT.

BUT IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS AND YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION YOU NEED, YOU NEED TO SEND IT TO REBECCA. WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT THIS INDIVIDUALLY, THINKING ABOUT IT AS A WHOLE ON THIS COURT.

WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE DELAY COSTS MORE MONEY.

>> I THINK I'M MORE FOCUSED ON THE INTERIM ISSUES, BACK TO COMMISSIONER COVEY POINT, DID VOTE AS A COURT.

SO I THINK THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO TELL HER WE ARE MOVING THOSE OPERATIONS OUT OF DOWNTOWN.

EVEN IN THE INTERIM PLAN, AND THIS IS JUST RELATING TO OUR

ADMIN BUILDING -- >> WE DIDN'T SET A TIMELINE AND

WE DON'T HAVE THE PHASING. >> I'M NOT SAYING THAT.

I'M JUST SAYING IN TERMS OF HOW ON AN INTERIM PERSPECTIVE, WHERE DO WE CREATE MORE SPACE FOR THE D-R.

AND THAT'S IMPACTED -- >> AND THOSE ARE REAL ITEMS.

>> SO WHATEVER QUESTIONS ARE STILL THERE, WE'VE GOT TO FISH

OR CUT BAIT. >> I THINK THE COURT MADE THE DECISION TO MOVE, THE COURT ARE WORKING TOWARD A DECISION ON THE NEXT STEP. WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S IN THAT PROCESS AND IF THERE'S A BETTER PLACE LET'S

PUT IT THERE. >> I'M NOT TALKING LOCATION.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT OUR INTERIM PLAN.

>> SO WHAT I HEARD THE COURT SAY IS WE NEED THE INTERIM PLANS ON ALL THE MOVES TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, AND THEN HOW WE BACKFILL THAT SPACE FOR THE COURT IN THE MEANTIME.

>> SO IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO, CAN BECOME WITH A PLAN LIKE THAT IN PICTURES AND EVERYTHING AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST SO WE CAN TAKE ACTION ON IT? BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO MOVE OUT IN A COUPLE MONTHS AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A FEW MONTHS TO

CLEAN ET-CETERA. >> REBECCA, CAN YOU HAVE THAT REPORT DONE BY JUNE SECOND? THERE'S A HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN

THERE. >> THAT WOULD BE TOO SOON.

AND AS A REMINDER TO THE COURT --

>> OKAY. WE WILL WORK ON THE TIME.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR REBECCA? >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR

STAFF. >> CAN WE PUT THAT OTHER ITEM ON NEXT WEEK? THE OTHER ONE THAT WE SKIPPED.

>> THIRTY-ONE? I NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT TODAY.

THAT'S OKAY. CIP POSTPONEMENT?

>> EVEN THE COURTHOUSE ONE. I THINK IT'S A LONGER SESSION.

>> FORTY-FOUR AND 45. WE ALREADY SAID THAT THOSE ARE

MOVED TO NEXT WEEK. >> I'D LIKE TO TALK 31.

[31. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on future planning for the use of the Historic Courthouse and designation of the County Judge as liaison for the Commissioners Court in relation to such planning activities.]

31 IS DISCUSSED, CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON FUTURE PLANNING OF THE USE OF THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE AND

[03:40:04]

AT THE RISK OF A LONG CONVERSATION, THIS ITEM DOES NOT COVER WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE.

I THINK THAT IS A CONVERSATION FOR THE COURT FOR ANOTHER DAY.

BUT WHAT I'M ASKING THE COURT FOR IN THIS IS, AS WE RELOCATE OUT OF THE HISTORIC COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, I'M ASKING THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE BE GIVEN THE FORMAL DESIGNATION AS THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE COURT TO LEAD DISCUSSIONS ON THE RELATED FUTURE USE, PLANNING AND PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE, TO WORK WITH DALE ON OBVIOUSLY AS OUR MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR ON THE REPAIR, RESTORATION. I DON'T WANT TO USE THE WORD RESTORATION BECAUSE THAT SOUNDS MAJOR.

BUT THE FIXING, THE MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, ALL THE WEAR AND TEAR AND AFTER THE MOVE IS OVER TO MAKE IT ALL NICE AND SHINY AGAIN. AS WE MOVE FORWARD ASKING THE COURT THAT I KEEP AN OFFICIAL COUNTY OFFICE IN THIS COURTHOUSE, BECAUSE THE COUNTY PRESENCE IN THE BUILDING, AND THAT I SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL LIAISON BETWEEN THE COURT AND WILLIAMSON COUNTY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT I'M NOT MOVING FORWARD ON ANY DECISIONS WITHOUT THE COURT.

ALL RELATED CONVERSATIONS ON THAT WILL BE HERE AND I'LL BE THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE MUSEUM AND EVERYTHING MOVING FORWARD. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING FOR TO BE DESIGNATED AS THE LEAD. ALL FUTURE CONVERSATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF IN THE COURT.

>> I DON'T MIND YOU CHECKING THE LEAD.

I THINK HAVING TWO OFFICES IS PROBABLY A WASTE OF COUNTY SPACE IN THE LONG RUN. I THINK --

>> I'M WELCOME TO HAVE ONE. >> RUN OUT THE CRITTERS.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A WHILE THIS BUILDING WILL BE UNINHABITED, AND I THINK THAT'S BAD FOR BUILDINGS.

IT'S GOOD TO FIX ANYTHING, BUT, YEAH.

>> I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT LONG.

THAT'S NOT A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL TO HAVE TWO OFFICES ANYWHERE.

I THINK FOR A SHORT TIME WHILE WE FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENS.

I WOULD SAY THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN PARTNER AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH GEORGETOWN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE RESOURCES, MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THINGS WITH THIS BUILDING.

THEY'RE ALWAYS PRESSING US FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT FESTIVALS.

I WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO TAKE ON MORE OWNERSHIP OF THAT.

THIS IS PROBABLY OUR MOST EXPENSIVE BUILDING TO MAINTAIN

SORT OF THE JAIL. >> THERE'S NO DOUBT.

THIS IS A VERY HISTORIC BUILDING, VERY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY BUT THE CURRENT FUTURE OF THE COUNTY AND NOW IT'S THE CENTERPIECE FOR THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN. I THINK AS COUNTY JUDGE, WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE, THAT BEING THE CUSTODIAN OF THIS BUILDING IS AN IMPORTANT TASK AND CONVERSATION AND I WOULD LIKE THE COURT'S AUTHORITY MOVING FORWARD ON THAT.

>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, BUT I THINK IN THE SHORT RUN HAVING THE SPACE HERE, I DON'T THINK LONG TERM THAT'S A

GOOD IDEA. >> SO MAYBE WE DO IT TEMPORARILY. IT JUST SAYS ■THE COUNTYJUDGE'S OFFICE REMAIN IN ITS CURRENT LOCATION.

SOMEWHERE IN THE BUILDING. AND MAYBE TEMPORARILY THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR WE CAN COME BACK AND REVISIT.

>> WHAT I'M ASKING IS THAT I KEEP MY OFFICE AS IS, WHERE IT IS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. IN THIS MOTION I DON'T HAVE ANY

TEMPORARY OR ANYTHING ELSE. >> WE'VE PLANNED AND BUILT A SPACE FOR YOU IN THE NEW BUILDING.

>> A $90 MILLION BUILDING. >> MAINTAINING TWO SPACES.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, HAVING YOU ISOLATED OVER HERE IS GOING TO BE A DETRIMENT TO COUNTY OPERATIONS.

EVERYBODY THAT SUPPORTS THE JUDGE IS GOING TO BE IN THAT NEW SPACE. I THINK MOVING OVER THERE WITH THE REST OF THEM YOU HAVE TO. IT'S PROBABLY GOOD UNTIL WE ALLOW WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS BUILDING.

BUT EVERYBODY THAT YOU WORK WITH EVERY DAY IS GOING TO BE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. AND THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THEM DRIVE TO YOU OR YOU DRIVE TO THEM.

>> I USUALLY DRIVE TO EVERYBODY TO MEET THEM.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS. USING HISTORICAL STATE DOLLARS TO REFURBISH THIS. PART OF THAT DEAL WAS TO

[03:45:01]

MAINTAIN -- >> THE COUNTY HAS TO HAVE A PRESENCE IN THIS BUILDING. THAT'S CORRECT.

WHY WOULDN'T IT BE THE COUNTY JUDGE? AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HAVING THE MUSEUM MOVED IN EVENTUALLY TO HELP WITH THAT TRANSITION AS WELL.

>> I AGREE, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MEETINGS IN THIS BUILDING TO, SERVING MOST OF GEORGETOWN. I'VE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT MAYBE KEEPING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION SUITE.

IT'S GOT A BATHROOM, A HALLWAY DOOR, CONFERENCE ROOM.

IT'S GOT THE SETUP THAT WE COULD DO FOR THE LONGER TERM.

IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT OFFICE FOR THE TEMPORARY TIME.

BUT HAVING THAT BIG SQUARE AREA AND AN OFFICE OUT THERE DOESN'T SEEM EFFICIENT. BUT I CAN SEE I CAN SAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE COUNTY -- IT SOMETHING YOU SAID JUDGE ABOUT -- I WOULD LOVE TO HOLD COURT HERE BUT I HAVE TO -- I THINK -- ALSO GET TO YOUR POINT, IF YOU WANT TO BE THE GUIDE --

>> IF YOU WANT TO BE TALKING TO EVERYBODY THAT'S GREAT.

I HAVE STUFF DONE ON THAT LIKE FOR PLANS AND STUFF.

>> JUDGE, I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE TO HAVE AN OFFICE IN THIS COURTROOM IN THIS BUILDING DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOGISTICS OF MOVING, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT, AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WHOLE VARIETY OF THINGS WE JUST DON'T HAVE OUR FINGER ON A JET PACK I DON'T KNOW RIGHT NOW I WANT TO START COMMITTING THAT BUT I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO BE HERE UNTIL WE GET THROUGH THIS AND RE-EVALUATE OUR PHASING OF A WHOLE VARIETY OF THINGS. WE TOOK THE MOTION.

>> L EXCEPT THE MOTION. >> I MOVE THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE IS NAMED LIAISON FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN RELATION TO THE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE FUTURE PLANNING FOR THE USE OF THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE. AND DESIGNATION.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 5-0.

WAS THERE A DESIRE TO MOVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO

NEXT WEEK? >> LET'S CHECK WITH JULIE.

>> OKAY SO WE WILL POSTPONE CAN I PUT IT BACK ON NEXT WEEK'S AGENDA FOR THE 006 PROGRAM. ALREADY APPROVED 40 -- APPROVED

[49. Comments from Commissioners.]

COMMISSIONERS? >> IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY? >> COMMISSIONERS? AGAIN, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO'S WORKED ON ALL THE PRESENTATIONS TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT IN THE PROCESS. GETTING THINGS TO THINK ABOUT, LOOKING FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH YOU ALL AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE PROCESS. TI

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.