May 19, 2026 Commissioners Court - Regular Session

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>> OKAY. GOOD MORNING.

ON THIS 19TH DAY OF MAY AT 9:39 WE WILL BEGIN COMMISSIONERS COURT. GLAD TO SEE YOU TODAY.

WE WILL JUMP AROUND IN THE AGENDA BECAUSE OF SOME TIME

[1. Review and approval of minutes.]

APPROVAL OF MINUTES. >> I MOVE WE APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION BY

[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.]

MOTION PASSES 4-0. AUDITOR.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM REQUESTING APPROVAL TODAY FOR THE FUNDING REPORT THAT WAS IGNITED ELECTRONICALLY LAST WEEK IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,786,278.53. IN ADDITION I'M REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR ONE WIRE AND ONE BENEFIT PAYMENT TOTALING

406,000, $130.13. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> I SECOND. >> MOTION BY BOLES AND SECOND BY COOK. ANY OPPOSED MOTION PASSES 4-0.

[39. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on designating May 19, 2026, as Round Rock Dragons Girls Soccer Day in Wiliamson County in honor of their state championship in State 6A Division I this spring. Co-sponsored with Commissioner Russ Boles.]

ITEM 39. WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE A LOT OF VISITORS HERE TODAY AND WE ARE HAPPY TO DESIGNATE -- TO VOTE ON DESIGNATING MAY 19TH 2026 AS ROUND ROCK DRAGONS GIRLS SOCCER DAY. IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY.

A LITTLE HURRAH IN THE BACK. ANYWAY.

I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF COMMISSIONERS HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO READ A PROCLAMATION. COMMISSIONER COOK.

>> CAN WE START? >> YES.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A FEW DIGNITARIES THAT ARE HERE.

THE SUPERINTENDENT. ARE YOU HERE? I'M NOT SEEING YOU. OKAY.

GORDON BUTLER IS THE PRINCIPAL OF ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL.

ARE YOU HERE? >> THEY ARE FINISHING UP SCHOOL

AS WE SPEAK. >> THAT FABULOUS COACH IS HERE AND THAT IS CHAD ALDRICH. [APPLAUSE] ROUND ROCK ISD TRUSTEE CHUY ZARATE HERE? HAND UP IN THE AIR. YES.

PRESIDENT ALICIA MARKHAM. RIGHT HERE.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

RUSS BOLES AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ A PROCLAMATION ON THE GREAT DEEDS DONE BY THIS TALENTED TEAM.

>> THIS IS A SPECIAL TREAT FOR ME BECAUSE I AM A ROUND ROCK DRAGON. I AM A GRADUATE OF ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL AND WE WEAR THE MAROON PROUDLY.

IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT WE GET TO JOIN CHAMPION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AND WE GET TO DO SO TODAY. WHEREAS THE ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER TEAM WON THE INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAM STATE SIX AA CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE BY BEATING KELLER

HIGH INDIANS BY A SCORE OF 3-1. >> WHEREAS THE DRAGONS RALLIED IN THE MATCH BY SCORING THREE STRAIGHT GOALS AFTER KELLER

SCORED THEIR ONLY GOAL. >> WHEREAS THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH, THE DRAGONS TOOK EIGHT SHOTS ON GOAL WHILE HOLDING

KELLER TO A TOTAL OF 2. >> WHEREAS ROUND ROCK FINISHED THE SEASON BY GOING 6-0 IN THE PLAYOFFS, OUTSCORING THEIR

OPPONENTS 17-4. >> AND I PARTICULARLY LIKE THIS ONE. WHEREAS SPEAKING OF PLAYOFFS THIS TEAM ADVANCED PAST THE REGIONAL FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR HISTORY WHEN THEY DEFEATED LAKE TRAVIS 3-1 WITH ONLY TEN PLAYERS IN THE GAME FOR 64 MINUTES DUE TO AN EARLY

RED CARD. >> WHEREAS THIS CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM IS DEEP IN TALENT. GRACE ELDER, MVP ALL TIME LEADER IN SINGLE SEASON GOALS LED THE TEAM WITH 40 GOALS.

WHICH SHATTERED HER OWN PRIOR SCHOOL RECORD BY 11.

NAMED TO ALL STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM, TEXAS GIRLS COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL STATE TEAM, CVU ATHLETE OF THE WEEK, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SOCCER COACHES, FIRST TEAM ALL TEAM AND RECEIVED

THE ALL STATE PLAYER INVITE. >> KARLEE DEEGAN NAMED A DISTRICT 256 A MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR SECOND TEAM ALL STATE, ATHLETE OF THE WEEK, STATESMAN OF THE WEEK AND RECEIVED THE ALL

STAR PLAYER INVITE. >> AUDREY RADICE, NAMED TO THE ALL STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM, TO THE TEXAS GIRLS COACHES

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TEAM. >> ADRIAN HERNANDEZ NAMED DISTRICT 256 A FIRST TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MVP ALL STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM ALL STATE TEAM AND TGCA FOUR A, FIVE A, SIX A

SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR. >> THEA HALL NAMED DISTRICT 256 A SECOND TEAM AND TGCA ALL-STATE TEAM.

>> MONTAS HERNANDEZ AND KENZIE PELTZER NAMED TO THE DISTRICT

256 A FIRST TEAM. >> LIZZIE GURSKI, VALERIA MIRANDA, AND HANNAH STEWART NAMED DISTRICT 256 A SECOND

TEAM. >> SOPHIA ORTIZ REESE AND ELLA WOOD NAMED TO THE 256 A HONORABLE MENTIONS.

>> AND 21 OUT OF 24 ROUND ROCK PLAYERS RECEIVED ACADEMIC ALL STATE HONORS AND A 9 OF 15 SENIORS RECEIVED ACADEMIC ALL

STATE HONORS. >> WHEREAS THESE GIRLS AREN'T ONLY CHAMPIONS, COACH ALDRICH HAS GONE 120516 AND 21 IN HIS SEVEN YEARS AT ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M GOING TO APPLAUD RIGHT THERE.

THAT'S AMAZING. THAT IS AMAZING.

[APPLAUSE] 125-16-21 IN HIS SEVEN YEARS AT ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL AND WAS NAMED 2026 REGION FOUR COACH OF

THE YEAR. >> WHEREAS THESE EXEMPLARY STUDENTS AND COACHES ACHIEVED THEIR SUCCESS THROUGH NOT ONLY THEIR OWN HARD WORK AND THE DEDICATION MANAGERS AND FANS.

>> LET IT BE PROUDLY PROCLAIMED THAT THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DESIGNATE TODAY MAY 19TH 2026 AS ROUND ROCK DRAGON GIRLS SOCCER DAY IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND LIFT UP THE INCREDIBLE WORK, TALENTS, AND DETERMINATIONS OF THESE YOUNG FEMALE LEADERS. THAT IS MY MOTION.

[APPLAUSE] >> WELL SAID.

>> HOLD ON ONE SECOND. WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS FIRST. WE WILL TAKE A PICTURE SECOND.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY BOLES AND SECONDED BY COOK.

ALL IN FAVOR? TEAM, COACHES, EVERYONE FROM THE ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS SCHOOL DISTRICT, PLEASE COME DOWN AND

WE WILL TAKE A PICTURE. >> WE WILL SEE HOW WELL WE DO IN

HERE. >> COME ON IN HERE.

>> MIGHT HAVE TO TURN SIDEWAYS. >> TALL PEOPLE ON THE SIDES.

EVERYONE CAN HOVER IN THE FRONT. I THINK YOU ALL KNOW HOW TO DO

LAYERS. >> AND YOU GET OUT OF SCHOOL FOR

HALF A DAY. >> WHAT A DEAL.

>> ON THE EDGE, MAYBE? GET IN REALLY CLOSE AND TIGHT.

IS THAT EVERYONE? OKAY.

CONGRATULATIONS. A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> WAY TO GO. WE HAVE THE LEDGER HERE.

OKAY. RIGHT HERE.

WE SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT WITH THE PICTURE.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF YOU ALL.

>> GREAT JOB. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> GREAT JOB. CONGRATULATIONS.

>> WONDERFUL JOB OF. >> 150 YEAR.

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>> THAT'S A LONG TIME. THE NEXT ITEM I WANT TO TAKE UP

[40. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on a resolution recognizing the Williamson County Sun on its 150th anniversary.]

ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS, FOR A NEWSPAPER.

WE HAVE LIVED IN GEORGETOWN FOR 32 YEARS AND HAVE TAKEN THE PAPER EVER SINCE WE MOVED HERE. OF COURSE WHILE OUR BOYS WERE GOING THROUGH SCHOOL AND ALL OF THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE THEM AND THEIR FRIENDS IN THE PAPER REALLY MADE IT SPECIAL FOR US. NOW EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE GONE, I STILL LOOK THROUGH IT TO SEE FAMILIAR FACES.

CONGRATULATIONS. I'M GOING TO READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN CLARK AND LINDA, IF YOU WOULD COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS AND THEN WE CAN GET A PICTURE AT THE END.

WHEREAS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN PUBLISHED ITS FIRST EDITION MAY 19TH, ACTUALLY TO DAY, 1877 IN GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF FOUNDER JESSE E COOPER AND HAS SERVED THE RESIDENTS OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY FOR 150 YEARS AND WHEREAS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN IS THE OLDEST NEWSPAPER IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND STANDS AMONG THE COUNTY'S OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED BUSINESSES AND WHEREAS FOR GENERATIONS, WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN HAS DOCUMENTED THE HISTORY, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, PRESERVING THE STORIES OF ITS PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES, INSTITUTIONS, AND PUBLIC LIFE. WHEREAS THROUGHOUT ITS DISTINGUISHED HISTORY, THE NEWSPAPER HAS PROMOTED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS THE FIRST RAILROAD IN GEORGETOWN AND INITIATIVES BENEFITING LOCAL RESIDENTS.

WHEREAS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN HAS PROVIDED CONSISTENT REPORTING ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION, BUSINESS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, HELPING ENSURE TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY, AND AN INFORMED CITIZENRY.

WHEREAS THE LEGACY OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN INCLUDES NOTABLE JOURNALISTS SUCH AS CLARA SCARBOROUGH, A LONG TIME EDITOR A COLUMNIST, AND TEXAS HISTORIAN.

HIS WORK PRESERVED THE HERITAGE OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THROUGH HER WIDELY READ PIONEER HISTORY COLUMN AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO TEXAS HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP.

WHEREAS THROUGH HER DECADES OF SERVICE, CLARA SCARBOROUGH EXEMPLIFIED THE ROLE OF LOCAL JOURNALISM IN DOCUMENTING COMMUNITY HISTORY AND STRENGTHENING CIVIC IDENTITY.

WHEREAS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN CONTINUES ITS TRADITION OF LOCAL STEWARDSHIP UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SCARBOROUGH AND THURMAN FAMILIES, CARING FORWARD A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY JOURNALISM DEEPLY ROOTED IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND WHEREAS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN REPRESENTS AN EXTRAORDINARY MILESTONE IN TEXAS JOURNALISM AND REFLECTS THE ENDURING IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS TO THE STRENGTH AND VITALITY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY CONGRATULATES THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY AND EXPRESSES SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT WILLIAMSON COUNTY HONORS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY SUN FOR PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTY, STRENGTHENING CIVIC LIFE, AND SERVING AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF LOCAL NEWS FOR GENERATIONS OF RESIDENTS. ON THIS 19TH DAY OF MAY, 2026.

I MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> WOULD YOU ALL COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS?

>> WOULD YOU FIRST INTRODUCE YOURSELVES?

>> I AM CLARK THURMOND AND MY WIFE LINDA SCARBOROUGH, WE PUBLISH THE SUN. HER FAMILY BOUGHT THE SUN IN 1948 AND WE HAVE PUBLISHED IT EVER SINCE.

IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE. I DIDN'T EXPECT THE EXTRA HONOR OF BEING ON THE AGENDA WITH THE DRAGONS.

THAT IS A FEATHER IN OUR CAP TO BE ALONG WITH THEM.

BUT IT IS AN HONOR TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE COURT.

AS WE ENTER OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR, WE ARE THINKING A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE PAST.

THE SUN IS A VERY OLD BUSINESS. WE BELIEVE IT TO BE THE OLDEST BUSINESS IN THE COUNTY CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM DOING ITS ORIGINAL JOB EXACTLY AS IT DID IN ITS FIRST ISSUE. IT IS ACTUALLY ONLY 29 YEARS YOUNGER THAN THE COUNTY. WE ALL GO BACK A LONG WAY.

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BUT THE SUN HAS WORKED FROM THE EARLY DAYS TO NOW TO REPORT WHAT IS OFTEN CALLED THE FIRST DRAFT OF HISTORY.

IT COVERS SIX GENERATIONS OF LIFE AT THE COUNTY SEAT.

SOMETIMES LOOKING FOR A FACT FROM THE PAST, WE OPENED UP A BOUND VOLUME IN THE ARCHIVES AND COME ACROSS AN OBITUARY AND WE REMEMBER WE SAW THAT NAME IN ANOTHER BOUND VOLUME DECADES EARLIER. A BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT OR A WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT. A NEW BUSINESS, AN ELECTION.

SO WE REMEMBER THOSE NAMES. LAST YEAR, THE FRONT PAGE CARRIED THE REPORT OF THE HOMECOMING OF WILLIAM COOK.

AN EARLIER FRONT PAGE REPORTED THAT HE WAS MISSING IN ACTION.

OVER 80 YEARS PASSED BETWEEN THOSE TWO REPORTS.

BUT HIS LOSS AND HIS BURIAL AND HIS RETURN HOME ARE BOTH RECORDED IN HIS HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER.

AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 150TH YEAR, WE LOOK FORWARD TO KEEPING THIS CONTINUOUS RECORD FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.

LINDA AND I AND ALL OF US AT THE SUN ARE GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF A STREAM OF CARETAKERS OF THE SUN AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR

RECOGNITION OF ITS VALUE TODAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WANT TO GET A PICTURE. WE WILL GET YOUR CREW, IF YOU WILL, TO COME UP AND WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TAKE IT SO YOU

CAN BE IN IT. >> I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS. AS SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT FROM GEORGETOWN, I SO ENJOY READING. IT IS THE PLACE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COVERAGE BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND JUST GEORGETOWN.

IT REALLY DOES COVER THE COUNTY. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

>> IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GREAT. I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT THAT COUNTY HAS ALWAYS WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE THAT. EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES WE MAY DISAGREE ON SOME THINGS BUT, YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN GOOD.

IT HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> WE NEED TO VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR? 4-0.

IF YOU COULD COME DOWN COME ON LET'S GET A PICTURE COME ON PLEASE. PLEASE DO.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> QUITE THE LEGACY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. EXACTLY.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> BY THE WAY, IT WOULDN'T BE A GOOD PAPER IF WE ALWAYS AGREED. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

[41. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on appointing Julie Hobbs to the ESD #6 Board of Commissioners. The term will be May 19, 2026–December 31, 2027.]

DECEMBER 31ST OF '27. >> APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY LONG AND SECOND BY BOLES. ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES 4-0

[42. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding a proclamation recognizing May 17–23, 2026, as Emergency Medical Services Week.]

ON TO ITEM 42. EMERGENCY SERVICE WEEK.

PROCLAMATION FOR MAY 17TH THROUGH THE 23RD.

>> IS JOHN HERE? I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO READ

IT. >> HERE HE IS.

HE WAS STUCK IN THE BACK. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

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NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK BRINGS TOGETHER LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL TO HONOR THE DEDICATION OF THOSE WHO PROVIDE THE DAY-TO-DAY LIFE SAVING SERVICES OF MEDICINE'S FRONTLINE.

EMS WEEK IS PRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL COMMISSIONS AND EMT AND TOGETHER, THEY LEAD ANNUAL EMS ACTIVITIES. THEY ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF EMS PROFESSIONALS AND SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING OF THEIR COMMUNITIES IS CELEBRATED AND RECOGNIZED. EVERY YEAR, THERE IS A THEME FOR EMS WEEK. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS SAVING LIVES TOGETHER. A YEAR AFTER THIS NATIONAL EMS WEEK WAS RECOGNIZED, WE WERE FORMED IN 1975 AND WE HAVE BEEN THE PREMIER EMS SERVICE FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND WE OBVIOUSLY COULDN'T DO THAT WITHOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINES EVERY DAY 24 OVER 7365.

THIS IS FOR THEM, CELEBRATING THEM AND ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DO AND THE SACRIFICES THAT THEY GO THROUGH EVERY YEAR.

THEY MISS BIRTHDAYS, THEY MISS ALL THE SPECIAL EVENTS.

BUT THEY DO HAVE THEIR WORK FAMILY AND THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO. WITH THAT, I DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION HERE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO READ.

WHEREAS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IS A VITAL PUBLIC SERVICE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING RAPID LIFE-SAVING CARE TO THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND WHEREAS THE MEMBERS OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY EMS SYSTEM STAND READY TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE 24 HOURS A DAY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WHEREAS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS 911 TELECOMMUNICATORS ALONG WITH THEIR PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ENSURE THAT LIFE SAVING ASSISTANCE IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY AND WHEREAS ACCESS TO QUALITY EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVES THE SURVIVAL AND RECOVERY RATES OF THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ILLNESS OR INJURY AND WHEREAS THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM IS COMPRISED OF HIGHLY TRAINED EMERGENCY MEDICAL PHYSICIANS, DISPATCHERS, NURSES, PHYSICIANS, AND PARTNER FIRST RESPONDER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND WHEREAS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL WERE THE CAREER OR VOLUNTEER DEDICATE THOUSANDS OF HOURS TO SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND CONTINUED EDUCATION TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE OUR LIFE-SAVING SKILLS. WHEREAS THE 2026 NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN SERVICES WEEK THEME IMPROVING OUTCOMES TOGETHER RECOGNIZES THE COMMITMENT, COMPASSION, PROFESSIONALISM, AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS DEMONSTRATED DAILY BY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL AND HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS AND WHEREAS IT IS APPROPRIATE TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE, DEDICATION, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THEIR ESSENTIAL ROLE IN PROTECTING THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEREFORE, LET IT BE PROCLAIMED THAT THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE MAY 17TH THROUGH 23RD AS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK AND WILLIAMSON COUNTY TEXAS AND ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CONTRIBUTORS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTEERS.

>> I MOVE APPROVAL. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> MOTION BY LONG AND SECOND BY COOK.

>> I WANT TO SAY THAT THERE IS A VARIETY OF BAROMETERS THAT COMMISSIONERS GO BY AND ONE OF THEM IS IF WE DON'T HEAR ANYTHING FROM A DEPARTMENT BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE AND INVOLVED WITH THE PUBLIC, WE KNOW SOMETHING GREAT IS GOING ON. YOU ARE THE BEST-KEPT SECRET IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY BECAUSE YOU ALL DO IT SO WELL AND WE HEAR NOTHING BUT GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOUR DEPARTMENT.

YOU ARE AWARD WINNING. YOU DIDN'T MENTION ANY OF THAT.

THAT'S THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION MISSION LIFETIME EMS GOLD PLUS AWARD WHICH YOU RECEIVED TEN YEARS IN A ROW.

THE PINNACLE EXCELLENCE AWARD AND THERE IS A TEAM WITH THAT.

THERE IS THE SUPERIOR ACT OF COMPASSION AWARD.

THERE IS A TEAM WITH THAT. AND YOU ARE A TRI ACE ACCREDITATION THAT INCLUDES DISPATCH ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. SO YOU ALL ARE SETTING THE

EXAMPLE. >> CREME DE LA CREME.

>> JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.

>> AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

I KNOW IT'S A LOT TO ASK, BUT WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT.

>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BOLES MENTIONED THE ACCOLADES, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALWAYS BRING UP THIS TIME OF YEAR IS A REMINDER OF THE EXCELLENCE BECAUSE WHEN YOU CALL INTO A HOSPITAL AND THEY ARE TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO

[00:25:05]

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PROFESSIONALISM, THEY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DIAGNOSE ON THE SCENE, AND THEY DON'T DO THAT WITH ALL OF THE PROVIDERS AROUND.

ONE MORE THING TO HIGHLIGHT AND THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU. >> WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU AND GLAD TO HAVE THIS DAY TO CELEBRATE.

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

THERE IS A MOTION BY LONG AND SECOND BY COOK.

ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES 4-0. WE WOULD LIKE TO GET A PICTURE, PLEASE. COME ON UP.

ALL RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS.

NOW YOU ALL NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK.

[APPLAUSE] >> GREAT JOB.

[43. Hear a presentation from Jay Kingston, District 8 Extension Administrator, on the impact of Williamson County Extension Agents on the community.]

>> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A PRESENTATION BY THE DISTRICT EIGHT EXTENSION ADMINISTRATOR.

ARE YOU HERE? YES.

YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF, IF YOU WILL.

>> MY NAME IS JAY KINGSTON AND I'M THE DISTRICT EXTENSION ADMINISTRATOR FOR TEXAS A AND M CONTENTION SERVICE.

IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU THIS MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME. I THINK YOU HAVE A COPY OF THE NEWSLETTER THAT WE SUBMITTED AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL BE GOING FROM THIS MORNING. TWO THINGS.

FIRST, I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE COURT'S SUPPORT HERE IN WILLI WILLIAMSON COUNTY.

YOU GUYS ARE TREMENDOUS IN YOUR SUPPORT AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO DO IS SHARE A FEW OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT YOUR AGENTS ARE DOING HERE FOR THE CITIZENS OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE POSITIONS FILLED AND THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

WE HAVE THE FIFTH ONE OPEN READY TO DO SOME INTERVIEWS TO GET SOMEBODY HERE TO WORK. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE A SERVICE AGENCY. WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

YOUR AGENTS ARE VERY GOOD AT THAT AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB APPEARED WE ARE ALL ABOUT PEOPLE, ALL ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS, ALL ABOUT PROGRAMING. AND WE HAVE OUR DESIGNATED PROGRAM AREAS IN AG AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

DOING A GREAT JOB OF USING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP EXTEND OUR REACH AND WITH THE NATURALIST PROGRAM, 239 ACTIVE MEMBERS GIVING OVER 18,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY.

THAT IS TREMENDOUS WORK. THEY DO A LOT OF GREAT EDUCATION BOTH FOR ADULTS AN END YOUTH IN THE NATURAL RESOURCE REALM.

THAT IMPACTS OUR ENVIRONMENT. THEY ARE POSITIVELY WORKING TOWARDS WATER CONSERVATION AND THOSE PRACTICES THAT AFFECT OUR ENVIRONMENT. ON THE AGRICULTURE SIDE, PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE BELIEVE IT OR NOT IS STILL STRONG HERE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY. EVEN THOUGH -- I SAW ONE POST WHERE GEORGETOWN MIGHT BE THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN THE NATION. THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

THAT ALSO PLAYS INTO SOME OF OUR PROGRAMING WITH NEW LANDOWNERS AND TEACHING THEM HOW TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THAT LAND.

PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE AS WELL WITH BEEF CATTLE, SMALL GRAINS PRODUCTION, PESTICIDE, APPLICATOR TRAININGS, THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH INFORMING YOUR CITIZENS ON HOW TO BE GOOD

STEWARDS. >> WE HAVE SOME VERTICAL AGRICULTURE GOING ON ON THE EAST SIDE.

>> GROWING NEW. YES, SIR.

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PROVIDING SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO BUDGET THEIR FOOD BUDGETS IN A WAY THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THEM IN A HEALTHY WAY. AND ALSO TARGETING SOME OF THOSE CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION AND GETTING OUT THERE AND BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AS WELL.

YOU ALSO HAVE A HORTICULTURE AGENT, ONE OF THE FEW THAT WE HAVE ACROSS THE STATE WHO IS DOING GREAT WORK.

HAS THAT MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM ROLLING REALLY WELL.

A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS COME A LOT OF VOLUNTEER HOURS THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED IN. GARY IS DOING A GREAT JOB OF THAT. THEY ARE PROVIDING A LOT OF THE GARDENING PROGRAMING FOR YOUR CITIZENS, BOTH, AGAIN, YOUTH AND ADULTS AS WELL. GARY HAS A BACKGROUND IN RESEARCH SO HE HAS WORKED WELL IN THE PAST WITH STYLES FARM IN PROVIDING RESEARCH TILES WITH THEM THAT BENEFIT WILLIAMSON COUNTY. AND THEN OUR FOUR-H YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE STATES.

WE HAVE OVER 7484H MEMBERS ENROLLED.

A LOT OF THE LEADERS THAT SUPPORT THAT.

AS YOU KNOW, THE FOUR-H PROGRAM IS ABOUT PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHING THOSE KIDS THOSE LIFE SKILLS THAT THEY WILL LEARN EARLY AND USE THOSE AS THEY TURN INTO ADULTS.

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR PROGRAM. A GREAT REACH.

>> THEY ARE IMPRESSIVE AND FORMIDABLE.

>> VERY FORMIDABLE. WE ARE PROUD OF THE PROGRAMING THAT OUR AGENTS ARE DOING AND I WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THEM SO WELL. AS YOU POINTED OUT, THEY DO A FABULOUS JOB IN THE COUNTY AND AS WE HIGHLIGHTED SOME YOUTH HERE, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT AT A DIFFERENT TIME THE THINGS THAT THEY DO. THOSE MEN AND WOMEN CONTINUE TO IMPRESS AND IT TAKES YOUR TEAM, BUT IT ALSO TAKES A MULTITUDE OF

VOLUNTEERS BEHIND THEM. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD AND GIVE A PLUG TO THE DISTRICT EIGHT TRAINING THAT WE HAVE.

THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION EVERY YEAR.

>> EVERY YEAR, YES, MA'AM. >> IT'S EXCELLENT.

THE LUNCH IS EXCELLENT. >> THE LUNCH IS BETTER THAN

EXCELLENT. >> YOU LEARN FOR US WE GO TO TRAINING AND WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE 16 HOURS OF MINIMUM TRAINING A YEAR. YOU LEARN A LOT OF THE LAW ISSUES AND GROUP ISSUES. YOU GO HERE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU SEE AT PLAY IN RURAL SITUATIONS AND YOU GET A LOT OF RURAL INFORMATION THAT WE DON'T GET COME UP BUT WE REALLY

BENEFIT FROM. >> WE WILL BE GLAD TO DO THAT

AGAIN THIS YEAR. >> THE TROUBLE IS WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DISTRICT SO IT'S A LONG DRIVE. I HAVE AN ELECTRIC CAR AND I'M LOOKING FOR WHERE DO I CHARGE, WHERE DO I CHARGE.

>> MOST OF OUR POPULATION DOESN'T LIVE ON A FARM OR DO AGRICULTURAL THINGS, BUT IT HAS BEEN THE BASE OF THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTY AND IT IS STILL OUR MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY.

IT IS EVER CHANGING JUST LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT THE EVER CHANGING LAWS FROM THE STATE. WE ALL FACE EVER CHANGING LAWS AS WELL. THERE'S A BUNCH OF STUFF IN THIS COUNTY THAT IT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN BUT THERE IS A NEW CHALLENGE, A NEW CRITICAL CHALLENGE ALL THE TIME.

THE EXAMPLE IS -- WE WON'T MAKE YOU GO INTO IT NOW COME UP BUT JUST KNOW THAT NOT A LOT OF OUR FARMERS ARE OUT THERE WORKING HARD BUT THEY ARE OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND IT IS A CONSTANT FIGHT AGAINST MOTHER NATURE AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE STATE BECAUSE OF YOU. THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT. >> GREAT JOB.

AND THEY ARE A GOOD BUILDING MATES ALSO.

I APPRECIATE IT. DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE HERE TODAY? COULD YOU HAVE THEM STAND UP SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THEM? COME ON SHELLY.

GET UP. >> WE HAVE SHELLY FRANKLIN WHO IS OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AGENT AND SERVES AS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SO THE CONTACT FOR YOU ALL.

WE HAVE BRITTANY ALLEN. BRITTANY IS THE FOUR-H AND YOUTH

[00:35:02]

SHE WAS IN BETTER LIVING FOR TEXANS AREA PRIOR TO THAT.

AND THEN WE HAVE GARY. IT IS YOUR HORTICULTURE AGENT.

HE MOVED INTO THAT POSITION IN SEPTEMBER AND WAS YOUR FORMER AGRICULTURE AGENT. SO YES, VERY GLAD TO HAVE THIS

TEAM HERE IN WILLIAMSON. >> VERY GOOD.

[ 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 – 38)]

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

APPRECIATE IT. COURT, I'M GOING BACK TO CONSENT ITEMS AND THAT IS THREE THROUGH 38.

I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY CHANGES SO I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THREE THROUGH 38.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION BY COOK AND SECOND BY BOLES FOR THREE THROUGH 38.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR?

[ 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.]

WE HAVE SEVERAL THAT HAVE COME TO SPEAK TODAY AND WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS. IT'S A LOT.

IT IS OVER AN HOUR. I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE WHILE WE WORK THROUGH SOME OTHER THINGS ON THE AGENDA.

WE DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU AND I WILL CALL YOU UP ONE AT A TIME. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE A CERTAIN TIME TO SPEAK.

WE APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL START WITH ANNA CORNETT.

I'M GOING TO CALL A COUPLE AT A TIME SO YOU ARE CUED UP.

YOU CAN SIT IN THE FRONT ROW SO WE CAN GO.

I WILL JUST SAY THIS. I KNOW MOST ALL OF YOU HAVE WANTED TO DISCUSS ITEMS THAT ARE THE SAME ITEMS. I APPRECIATE THAT. WE ARE HAPPY TO HEAR YOU.

HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE THE SAME COMMENTS 50 TIMES, BUT IF IT IS COME UP WE WILL HEAR YOU OUT. APPRECIATE YOU.

COME ON UP. AND AFTER ANNA, IT WILL BE GRANT CORNETT. COME ON UP, GRANT, IF YOU WOULD COME UP PLEASE. GO AHEAD.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> ANNA CORNETT.

I LIVE ON 303 COUNTY ROAD 30 C. IT IS CURRENTLY SEVEN FAMILIES LIVING ON THIS ROAD. THERE IS A SINGLE BRIDGE WITH LOW WATER CROSSING. A PLOT WAS JUST SOLD AND IT NOW LOOKS LIKE WE ARE ABOUT TO HAVE 512 HOUSES BUILT.

WE WENT THROUGH THE FREEZE WHERE WE HAD NO WATER COMING NO ELECTRICITY FOR 11 DAYS. SOMEONE FINALLY CAME AND CHECKED THE LINES AND FOUND US. WE LIVE ON SEPTIC.

I AM JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE GOING TO FUNCTION WITH 512 HOUSES BUILT. I CAN TELL YOU EVERY CAR THAT GOES DOWN MY ROAD EXCEPT FOR A FEW HERE OR THERE BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY GOT LOST. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE KEEP THE RURAL AREA SOMEWHAT RURAL.

YOU TALK ABOUT COUNTRY LIVING AND ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE. PART OF THAT IS KEEPING US COUNTRY. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT WE TAKE AGENDA 30 OFF AND ALLOW THE REST OF OUR RESIDENTS A CHANCE TO LOOK AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US.

>> I WILL COMMENT REALLY QUICKLY.

AS IT RELATES TO PRELIMINARY PLOTS, WHICH IS WHAT THIS ITEM IS, WE HAVE SUBDIVISION RULES THAT THESE DEVELOPERS HAVE TO FOLLOW AND THOSE HAVE BEEN APPROVED THROUGH A PUBLIC PROCESS. IF THEY FOLLOW THOSE RULES, WE HAVE TO APPROVE IT. COUNTIES DON'T HAVE ZONING AUTHORITY LIKE CITIES DO. A CITY CAN SAY YOU CAN'T PUT THAT THERE BECAUSE IT ISN'T ZONED FOR THAT.

COUNTIES IN TEXAS DON'T HAVE THAT.

I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE THING YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH.

BUT IF IT FOLLOWS THE SUBDIVISION RULES, WE ARE

REQUIRED BY LAW TO APPROVE THAT. >> I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

LET ME REACH OUT TO THE DEVELOPER AND SEE IF I CAN GET SOME INFORMATION FOR YOU. COMMISSIONER LONG IS RIGHT.

IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. IF THEY SUBMIT A PLAT WITH CERTAIN THINGS ON IT, WE ARE REQUIRED TO.

[00:40:03]

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT THE STATE JUST KIND OF PUSHES US TO DO. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH A DEVELOPER.

KELLY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE BACK. SHE IS MY CHIEF OF STAFF.

SHE WILL GET YOUR INFORMATION AND WE WILL SEE IF WE CAN GET WITH A DEVELOPER AND SEE WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION WE CAN GET

FROM THEM. >> I'M GOING TO PULL THIS ITEM BACK UP BECAUSE WE APPROVED IT IN CONSENT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE DISCUSSION, I APPRECIATE THE FACT I OVERLOOKED THE FACT THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE CONSENT ITEMS. ASSUMING THAT EVERYONE WAS SPEAKING ON THE THREE ITEMS THAT EVERYBODY ELSE SIGNED UP FOR.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. WE WILL TAKE THAT BACK UP.

I THINK YOU HAVE HEARD THAT WHETHER WE APPROVE THIS OR NOT, IT WILL MOVE FORWARD AT THIS STAGE.

>> UNDERSTAND IT WILL MOVE FORWARD.

>> OUR ACTIONS TODAY WOULD BE IN LIGHT OF THAT.

BUT YOU HAVE HEARD THE COMMISSIONER SAY THAT HE WILL

FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. >> THAT'S GREAT AND WE WANT TO TALK TO THE DEVELOPER AS WELL. MY ONLY OTHER THING WOULD BE.

>> WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF? >> I'M GRANT CORNETT.

I LIVE ON THE SAME ROAD, 303. >> WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.

>> THAT IS GOOD NEWS. WE WERE IN HERE A FEW YEARS BACK SPEAKING ABOUT THE ROAD EXPANSION COMING THROUGH.

THE SAME ROAD. DONATED PROPERTY AND WE WERE TRYING TO MOVE THAT OVER, BUT THAT WILL HAPPEN AS WELL.

WE ARE JUST WANTING THE ROAD TO BE DONE BEFORE THIS HIGHLY CONDENSED AREA GET PUTS IN BECAUSE A FEW MILES AWAY IT HAPPENED AND THE ROADS ARE JUST DETERIORATING AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO GO DOWN THERE NOW BECAUSE YOU HAVE A REALLY NICE AREA WITH 400 HOMES AND THEN THE ROADS ARE HORRIBLE.

GETTING IN AND OUT. I DON'T EVEN GO THAT ROUTE ANYMORE BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS SO BAD.

IF WE CAN GET THE ROAD EXPANSION DONE BEFORE WE PUT 512 HOUSES IN, IT WOULD MAKE IT BETTER. WE KNOW IT'S COMING NO MATTER

WHAT. >> WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THAT ALL OVER THE COUNTY. WHEN PEOPLE SELL THEIR PROPERTY, WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH TRYING TO GET THE ROADS TO ACCOMMODATE.

WHETHER IT IS THE SCHOOL. >> WE ARE JUST PUSHING ALL THE HOUSES AND THE PEOPLE. IT'S JUST HARD TO GET AROUND.

>> CAN WE GO BACK AND RE VOTE? I WOULD LIKE TO PULL THIS ITEM TO GIVE US A CHANCE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE DEVELOPER.

>> IF EVERYBODY IS FINE. >> DO WE KNOW WHERE IT IS IN THE SHOT CLOCK? IT WILL GET APPROVED EITHER WAY.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THESE FOLKS.

>> MAYBE THE DEVELOPER WILL SAY WE CAN PUT IN.

THE MOST CONDENSE THAT YOU COULD GET IT AS OF PUTTING IT DOWN ON PAPER, WHEN YOU SEE IT IN PERSON WE HAVE A LOW WATER CROSSING.

MY SON HAS ROLLED HIS CAR THERE BECAUSE THERE IS BLIND CURVES.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING FROM SEVEN HOUSES TO 1500 MORE CARS

ON THE ROAD. >> THE COMMISSIONER WILL WORK WITH YOU AS WELL OUR ROAD AND BRIDGE GROUP BECAUSE THERE MAY

BE SOME PLANS FOR THAT ROAD. >> THERE IS.

LAST TIME WE SPOKE YOU SAID IT COULD HAPPEN BETWEEN 5 AND 20

YEARS. >> AND THEN PEOPLE SOLD THEIR PROPERTY AND IT'S HAPPENING SOONER.

>> RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK THAT THE COURT PULL THE ITEM RIGHT NOW.

I'M TRYING TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM MY STAFF TO SEE WHERE WE ARE ON THE SHOT CLOCK ON THAT.

I WANT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I MAY CALL IT BACK UP LATER JUST DEPENDING ON WHERE WE ARE ON THE SHOT CLOCK.

IF WE HAVE TIME, I INTEND TO NOT IMPROVE IT.

LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION. LET'S FILL YOU IN AS WELL.

>> REGARDLESS, THAT WILL HAPPEN. >> ITEM THREE, WE ARE PULLING THAT BACK UP AND WE WILL NOT TAKE ACTION ON THAT UNTIL WHAT?

>> WE'VE ALREADY VOTED ON IT. >> A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE

ITEM. >> I WILL WITHDRAW.

>> I MOVE TO RECONSIDER ITEM 30. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO RECONSIDER ITEM 30.

>> THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO PULL UP.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? 4-0 TO RECONSIDER NOW.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL THE ITEM.

>> FOR LATER TODAY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THE

ITEM AS OF NOW. >> MAY BE NOT TABLE BECAUSE THAT TAKES A FULL JUDICIAL ACTION. WE JUST WON'T TAKE ACTION ON IT RIGHT NOW. BUT JUST TO MAKE CLEAR, BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER, BEFORE OUR SESSION IS OVER, WE MAY.

DEPENDING ON WHAT HE FINDS OUT WITH THE SHOT CLOCK.

BECAUSE TO WHAT HAS BEEN SPOKEN, IT MAY BE PAST ANYWAY.

>> DO THEY UNDERSTAND THE SHOT CLOCK?

YOU MIGHT WANT TO EXPLAIN. >> I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND WE

ARE TRYING TO GET INFORMATION. >> JUST TO BE CLEAR, WHAT THEY ARE REFERRING TO WITH REGARD TO THE SHOT CLOCK IS STATE LAW SAYS

[00:45:05]

>> WE JUST FOUND ABOUT IT LATE. WE DON'T STAY UP TO DATE.

>> WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO FROM HERE?

>> KELLEY HERNANDEZ IS IN THE BACK IN THE GREEN DRESS AND SHE IS GOING TO MAKE CONTACT. WE CAN GET YOUR INFORMATION AND WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. I THINK I SEE OUR DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION COMING FORWARD AND HE WILL GIVE US SOME INFORMATION EXACTLY ON WHERE WE ARE WITH THE SHOT CLOCK.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE. APPRECIATE IT.

ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON.

>> I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE BACK THERE.

YES. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 44.

BEFORE WE CAN MOVE ON TO ANYTHING ELSE, WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS. I'M GOING TO CALL YOU UP.

I WILL CALL SEVERAL AT A TIME. IF YOU WILL COME COME AT TWO AT THE TABLE COME AT TWO AT THE BENCH, WE ARE QUEUED UP AND THAT WILL BE GREAT. ED STAYED AND DOCTOR PAUL DOWLING, IF YOU WOULD COME TO THE TABLE, PLEASE.

QUEUED UP WOULD BE DOCTOR HOWARD CHASE AND JASON BLUE.

AND ALSO COME AKIRA ESTRADA. PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOU WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK.

>> MY NAME IS ED STORTI AND I LIVE IN THE SUBDIVISION AT 112 WHITE STEP GEORGETOWN. I WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT REGARDING THE PROPOSED JAIL LOCATION. JUST BEFORE I SPOKE, SOMEONE POSTED ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE THAT THEY HAD EMAIL DOCTOR STOVALL AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THE PROJECT.

ACCORDING TO THE POST, HE RESPONDED THAT THE DISTRICT WAS AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THE SCHOOL COULD DO BECAUSE THE JAIL AND COURT PROJECT IS A CITY AND COUNTY MATTER. THIS MORNING LAST NIGHT, I EMAILED HIM AND THE BOARD AND THIS MORNING I RECEIVED THIS RESPONSE. HE SAID "IT IS TRUE THAT I HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT I BELIEVE REPRESENT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THESE CONCERNS MIRROR SOME OF YOURS LAST NIGHT.

HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT EXPRESSED OPPOSITION TO THE LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL CENTER. MY QUESTION IS IF THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT PLACING A JAIL NEAR A GRADE SCHOOL AND A MIDDLE SCHOOL? WERE THOSE CONCERNS FORMALLY CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DURING THE SITE SELECTION AND APPROVAL PROCESS? ALSO, AS FAR AS SEX OFFENDERS AND TEXAS LAW, WHEN LOOKING IT UP, IT SAYS TEXAS LAW RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING CHILDREN THROUGH SAFETY, CHILD SAFETY ZONES, INDIVIDUALS CONVICTED OF CERTAIN OFFENSES INVOLVING MINORS WHO ARE ON PROBATION, PAROLE, OR MANDATORY SUPERVISION.

THEY ARE PROHIBITED FROM LIVING IN OR VISITING AREAS NEAR PLACES WHERE CHILDREN COMMONLY GATHER. INCLUDING SCHOOLS COME AT DAY CARE FACILITIES, PARKS COME UP PLAYGROUNDS, YOUTH CENTERS, SPORTS FIELDS. THIS LOCATION IS WITHIN THAT AREA. AND IT IS REALLY CLOSE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT ON A MAP, IT'S ABOUT A MILE, A MILE AND A HALF AWAY FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE GRADE SCHOOL.

AND THEN YOU HAVE ROCK RIDE THERE THAT ALSO HAS KIDS AND VETERANS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT IS EVEN CLOSER TO WHERE THE JAIL LOCATION IS GOING TO BE. LAST WEEK I ALSO LOOKED UP IF YOU ARE BUILDING A JAILS AND THERE'S JAILS IN SPECIALIZED CARE CENTERS FOR CHILDREN'S, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT COME UP. SAFETY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, DISRUPTION OF THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENTS.

THAT WOULD BE A LOT FOR THE ROCK RIDE AREA.

>> THANK YOU ED. APPRECIATE IT.

GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS DOCTOR PAUL DOWLING. I LIVE AT 345 BRENHAM PASS IN GEORGETOWN. I AM A RETIRED EDUCATOR.

[00:50:02]

IT'S GOING TO BE A JAIL WHERE PEOPLE ARE IN AND OUT EVERY SINGLE DAY. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

ALSO, MY INFORMATION THAT I WAS READING RECENTLY WAS THAT THE LAND WAS PURCHASED FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF EIGHT TIMES OR MORE THAN NORMAL MARKET VALUE OF THE LAND.

I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THAT'S TRUE AND IF WE CAN AFFORD TO OVERPAY LIKE THAT, WHY COULDN'T WE FIND ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND

AND ENTICE SOMEONE ELSE? >> I APPRECIATE YOU WANTING TO SUPPORT THE SPEAKER COME UP BUT WE CAN'T HEAR THEM WHEN YOU ARE CLAPPING, SO PLEASE REFRAIN FROM THAT.

YOU CAN SNAP OR HOLD YOUR HANDS UP OR SILENTLY SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALSO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LISTENING AND ARE RECORDING THIS CAN HEAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

UNDERSTANDING. >> ANY WAY.

THOSE WERE MY MAIN CONCERNS. DO I NEED TO REPEAT ANYTHING OR DID YOU GET ALL OF THE COMMENTS? I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF

CLAPPING AND SUPPORT. >> YES, THERE WAS.

NO, I UNDERSTAND. >> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME TODAY. I APPRECIATE IT.

I WILL MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEXT SPEAKER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. DOCTOR CHASE AND JASON BLUE WILL BE UP. AS SOMEONE CLEARS A CHAIR, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND HAVE A SEAT AND WE WILL KEEP GOING.

AFTER KIRA ESTRADA WILL BE MATT DOWLING.

AND ABIGAIL BROCK. DID YOU NEED TO SAY SOMETHING? WE WILL WHEN WE GET TO THE AGENDA ITEM.

GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS HOWARD CHASE.

I AM A RETIRED SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.

I HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW ON THIS. I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU PICKED THIS LOCATION OVER THE OTHER LOCATION.

IT WOULD BE APPRECIATIVE IF THERE WAS A SPREADSHEET SHOWING THE VALUE OF BOTH PROPERTIES AND WHY YOU SPENT THIS KIND OF MONEY. WHEN I LOOK AT IT, YOU WASTED $65 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY. HOW MANY POLICE OFFICERS COULD YOU EMPLOY INTO OUR COMMUNITY WITH THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY? IS IT JUST MY IMAGINATION? WHY WAS IT SO SECRETIVE? IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. WE JUST SPENT $75 MILLION.

PLEASE DO A SPREADSHEET TO COMPARE THESE SITES FOR US.

IF THERE IS AN ESCAPE, WHICH IS A REALITY IN ANY JAIL, HAVE YOU DISCUSSED HOW YOU WILL SET UP THE ALARM SYSTEM TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOLS AND THE HOMEOWNERS? WHAT WILL BE THE RESPONSE TIME FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT? THE OTHER PART YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT, IN A JAIL, PEOPLE GET OUT EVERY DAY.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO? YOU DON'T PROVIDE THEM TRANSPORTATION. THEY WALK AWAY FROM IT.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE A CAR COME ON NO PLACE TO LIVE COME ON THEY ARE A THIRD OF A MILE FROM THE FIRST HOUSE.

THINK ABOUT THAT. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HANDLE THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC? WHO VISITS THE PEOPLE IN JAIL SOMETIMES? SOME OTHER GANGBANGERS.

THEY WILL BE HANGING OUT NEAR THE SCHOOLS.

THE PART I WORRY MOST ABOUT IS YOU CAN PICK UP A CHILD PEDOPHILE WHO POST BAIL AND GETS OUT THE NEXT DAY INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH CHILDREN AROUND UP.

HOW CAN YOU THINK THAT? IT'S SCARY.

WHERE WILL THEY GO WHEN THEY WALK OUT OF THE JAIL? THEY WILL GO TO A HOME, A BACKYARD, A PORCH COME OR GRAB SOME KID OUT OF THE SCHOOL. I HOPE YOU WILL RELEASE PEOPLE, IF THIS GOES THROUGH, AT CERTAIN TIMES WHEN THERE ARE NO CHILDREN AROUND. THE NEXT PART IS NOT PERSONAL TOWARD ANY OF YOU. BUT YOU ARE I USE THIS CORRECTLY. YOU ARE CREATING A TIME BOMB HERE. IF YOU APPROVE THIS LOCATION COME IN NOT ONLY THE PERSON THAT COMMITS THE CRIME IS RESPONSIBLE, SO ARE YOU. YOU ARE NOT KEEPING OUR CHILDREN

[00:55:01]

>> THANK YOU COME ON DOCTOR CHASE.

MR. BLUE, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JASON BLUEBEARD I LIVE IN THE MAPLE CREEK COMMUNITY.

I'M HERE TODAY AS HUSBAND, FATHER COME A MARINE VETERAN COME A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, AND A REGIONAL MANAGER FOR A LARGE MULTIFAMILY MANAGEMENT COMPANY HERE IN CENTRAL TEXAS.

I AM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CARES DEEPLY FOR MY COMMUNITY AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN IT.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO ITEMS 46, -- 44, 46 AND 47.

I'M ASKING YOU AGAIN, PLEASE VOTE NO ON THESE PROPOSALS.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE COUNTY BUILDING A NEW JAIL.

ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NEED THE SUPPORT AND THEY NEED THE STRUCTURE AND THEY NEED THE FACILITIES.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT. I'M OPPOSED TO BUILDING IT ON THIS SPECIFIC SITE. RIGHT NEXT TO HOMES AND SCHOOLS.

AS YOU WILL HEAR TODAY, PLACING A MAJOR DETENTION FACILITY IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD CREATES AN AVOIDABLE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPACT FOR FAMILIES.

AS HAS BEEN SAID, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE BEING RELEASED DAILY INTO SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS WITH NO TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND NO SUPPORT TO MOVE THEM OUT OF THE AREA.

THIS WILL AFFECT PROPERTY VALUES, DAILY TRAFFIC, AND A SENSE OF SECURITY THAT RESIDENTS SHOULD FEEL IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. THE SITE WAS CHOSEN WITHOUT ENOUGH TRANSPARENCY. AGAIN, WHY ARE WE PURCHASING LAND FOR EIGHT TIMES THE VALUE? HOW IS THAT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR TAXPAYER MONEY AND WITHOUT THE INPUT OF THE PEOPLE WHO WILL LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES? THE COUNTY CONSIDERED MULTIPLE LOCATIONS YET THIS ONE IS THE MOST DISRUPTIVE TO NEARBY HOMES AND SCHOOLS.

IF WE ARE GOING TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MOVING A JAIL FACILITY FROM ITS CURRENT PROBLEMATIC LOCATION NEAR HOMES AND SCHOOLS, WE SHOULD AT LEAST CHOOSE A SITE THAT MATCHES THE SCALE AND IMPACT OF THE PROJECT, NOT ONE THAT SHIFTS THE BURDEN ONTO OTHER ESTABLISHED HOMES AND SCHOOLS. I ASK YOU AGAIN COME A VOTE NO ON ITEMS 44, 46, 47, AND TO MOVE THE JAIL TO A SITE MORE APPROPRIATE AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY, NOT MERELY WHAT IS CONVENIENT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. YOU WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS KIRA STRADA AND I AM HERE AS A RESIDENT OF PINNACLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M ALSO HERE AS A TAXPAYER AND A PARENT WHO IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROPOSED JAIL LOCATION AND THE PROCESS SURROUNDING THIS PROJECT APPEARED TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER WILLIAMSON COUNTY EVENTUALLY NEEDS AN ADDITIONAL JAIL CAPACITY. THE CONCERN IS THE PROPOSED LOCATION, THE FINANCIAL IMPACT TO TAXPAYERS, THE STRAIN ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY THAT HAS CHARACTERIZED THIS PROCESS FROM THE BEGINNING.

THE PROPOSED SITE IS ADJACENT TO ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOODS AND ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. FAMILIES CHOSE THESE COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THEY WERE DESIGNED TO BE FAMILY ORIENTED AREAS WHERE CHILDREN COULD SAFELY GROW UP, ATTEND SCHOOL, AND BUILD A COMMUNITY. PLACING A MAJOR JAIL FACILITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT ENVIRONMENT PERMANENTLY CHANGES THE CHARACTER OF THE AREA AND RAISES LEGITIMATE CONCERNS FOR THE RESIDENTS ALREADY LIVING THERE. THIS INCLUDES THE MANY ISSUES THAT THIS INCLUDES. THERE ARE SERIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS THAT CAN'T BE IGNORED. THE ROADS SURROUNDING THIS AREA ARE LARGELY TWO LANE ROADS AND RESIDENTS ALREADY EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT CONGESTION DURING PEAK TRAFFIC HOURS WITH BACKUPS STRETCHING FOR MILES. THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE DOES NOT APPEAR CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING A LARGE SCALE FACILITY THAT WOULD INCREASE DAILY TRAFFIC FROM STAFF, SERVICE VEHICLES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND VISITORS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS NO ESTABLISHED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE AREA FOR INMATES RELEASED WITHOUT RIDES. AT THE SAME TIME, TAXPAYERS ARE BEING ASKED TO ACCEPT A LAND PURCHASE APPROACHING $76 MILLION DESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FACILITY.

FURTHERMORE, MANY RESIDENTS ARE TROUBLED NOT ONLY BY THEIR PROPOSAL ITSELF BUT BY THE PROCESS USED TO ADVANCE IT.

PUBLIC TRUST DEPENDS ON TRANSPARENCY.

THE INITIAL VOTE AND DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING THIS PROJECT HAVE LEFT MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS FEELING EXCLUDED FROM MEANINGFUL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION LEADING THEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS FROM THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR NOT, THE PERCEPTION THAT DECISIONS OF THIS MAGNITUDE WERE ADVANCED WITHOUT PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY DAMAGES CONFIDENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

AS A PARENT, I THINK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY WE ARE BUILDING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

GROWTH SHOULD COME FROM THOUGHTFUL PLANNING, RESPONSIBLE SPENDING, AND GENUINE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

[01:00:02]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT. MATT, BEFORE YOU START, WE HAVE ABIGAIL BROCK IS NEXT AFTER THAT AND THEN PATTY DITTON AND COURTNEY CROSS. IF YOU WOULD ALL COME UP COME UP PLEASE. YOU WILL HAVE 5 MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS MATT DOWLING I'M A RESIDENT OF NORTHWEST GEORGETOWN IN PRECINCT THREE AND A FATHER OF A 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO IS IN KINDERGARTEN AT FLORIDA ELEMENTARY AND I HOPE MY TESTIMONY TODAY AGAINST ITEMS 44, 46, AND 47 REFLECT THAT OF RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT LIVE NEAR THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE. I FIRST WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO MY FELLOW RESIDENTS IN SOUTHEAST GEORGETOWN FOR BEING LATE TO THE PARTY. HOWEVER, I DO PROMISE MANY MORE REINFORCEMENTS. AS THIS IS DISCUSSED, WE MUST REMEMBER AND ACKNOWLEDGE OUR GROWING AND DESIRABLE COMMUNITY WAS NOT CREATED BY POLICING JAILS NEXT TO NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOLS. ADDITIONALLY, WE MUST ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE MORAL EQUIVALENCY BETWEEN THE EXISTING COUNTY JAIL AND DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN WHICH HAS EXISTED IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER FOR 130 YEARS AND THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE. FOR GENERATIONS COME A FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES AND SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE WHETHER LIVING OR OPERATING NEAR THE DOWNTOWN JAIL WAS RIGHT FOR THEM. ALMOST EVERY SINGLE FAMILY AND EVERY SINGLE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOSE OTHERWISE.

MEANWHILE, FAMILIES WHO MOVED TO SOUTHEAST GEORGETOWN DID SO UNDER THE REASONABLE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS WOULD BE DEVELOPED AS RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES CENTERED AROUND SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND RETAIL AMENITIES.

AND THAT THEIR LOCAL OFFICIALS WOULD NEVER FORCE A MASSIVE MULTI-PHASED JAIL COMPLEX INTO A COMMUNITY WHERE RESIDENTS NEVER EXPECTED ONE OR WANTED ONE. GEORGETOWN HAS RIGHTLY BEEN RECOGNIZED AS HAVING THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWN SQUARE IN TEXAS.

NO ONE WOULD SERIOUSLY SUGGEST MOVING THE COUNTY JAIL DIRECTLY ONTO THE TOWN SQUARE BECAUSE WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT DOING SO WOULD DAMAGE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND IDENTITY OF THE COMMUNITY. OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY DESERVE THAT SAME LEVEL OF THOUGHTFUL PLANNING AND PROTECTION. A MASSIVE COUNTY JAIL SHOULD NOT BECOME THE DEFINING FEATURE OF A HEAVILY TRAFFIC RESIDENTIAL CORRIDOR SURROUNDED BY SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

NO SPOUSE, PARENT, OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPER HAS EVER SAID LET'S BUY THE HOUSE NEXT TO THE COUNTY JAIL OR I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING TO BE KNOWN FOR ASKING OUR CHILDREN TO WALK PAST A JAIL TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THOSE CONCERNS ARE BACKED BY EMPIRICAL PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN THE REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS, A STUDY SHOWED THAT NEARBY HOME VALUES DECREASED BY 2%-4% AND HOUSEHOLD INCOMES REDUCED 2%-6%.

RESIDENTS VISIONS OF WAITING FOR THE NEXT PARK, MIGHTY FINE BURGERS, OR THE GROCERY STORE TO BE BUILT NEXT TO THEM WILL BE REPLACED BY VISIONS OF THEIR FAVORITE BAIL BONDSMEN.

ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD NOT KNOWINGLY CREATE ECONOMIC HARM FOR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS. IN FACT, IF TRULY THERE IS NO OTHER LOCATION FOR THIS JAIL WITHIN CITY LIMITS, WE CAN TURN TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM.

LOCAL BRACKETED BILLS HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH PASSAGE RATE WHEN LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITIES SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE.

AS A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE, I FULLY UNDERSTAND CONCERNS THAT DELAYS TO THIS PROJECT COULD COST THE COUNTY AND TAXPAYERS ADDITIONAL MONEY. HOWEVER, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE LONG TERM ECONOMIC AND REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE WOULD COST FAR MORE IF WILLIAMSON COUNTY BECAME KNOWN AS THE COUNTY THAT PLACES JAILS NEXT TO SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

NO AMOUNT OF MARKETING WILL OVERCOME THAT FACT.

THIS TYPE OF SUNK COST FALLACY IS NOT A GOVERNING STRATEGY, NOR WEIGHTED IN ANY POLITICAL IDEOLOGY.

ESPECIALLY ON AN ISSUE THAT IS SO CONSEQUENTIAL FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROPOSED JAIL SITE HAS UNITED REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, AND INDEPENDENTS.

IN TODAY'S POLITICAL CLIMATE, THAT KIND OF CONSENSUS IS RARE.

SO LET'S NOT MESS IT UP. WE ASK THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT TO BE A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT WHO DOES THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE THAT

[01:05:03]

SOLUTION. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> ABIGAIL, YOU ARE UP AND PATTY, YOU ARE NEXT. SORRY.

PATTY, IF YOU COULD COME ON UP. AND AFTER PATTY, THERE IS COURTNEY AND CAROL MEDWAY. AND AFTER THAT, AMY.

DID I SAY THAT RIGHT? OKAY.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND QUEUE UP, PLEASE.

>> MY NAME IS ABIGAIL BROCK. I AM A HOMEOWNER AND PARENT IN CARLETON PLACE. THAT IS A FOUR MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE. THERE ARE OVER 2000 STUDENTS AT EASTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL. AGES 14 TO 18.

AS I SAY THIS, PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN IN YOUR LIFE THAT ARE THE SAME AGES. WE HAVE 900 STUDENTS AT WAGNER MIDDLE SCHOOL AGES 11 THROUGH 14 AND THEN OVER 700 CHILDREN AT MITCHELL ELEMENTARY WITH THE YOUNGEST ENROLLMENT BEING FIVE YEARS OLD. WE ALSO HAVE 1400 STUDENTS, YOUNG ADULT STUDENTS AT SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WHICH IS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET. THESE ARE OVER 5000 CHILDREN WHO BIKE, BUS, DRIVE, SCOOTER, AND WALK.

ACROSS THE SAME PATHS THAT RECENTLY RELEASED INMATES WILL ALSO TRAVEL. IN THE PROPOSAL HERE, PLACING 3000 JAIL BEDS IN THESE KIDS BACKYARD.

THIS WEEK THE COUNTY RELEASED AN FAQ.

I WANTED TO DISPEL A FEW CLAIMS FROM IT SO THAT THE COURT KNOWS THAT THE ANSWERS GIVEN WERE NOT SATISFACTORY.

THE FAQ FIRST SAYS THAT SAFETY IS THE TOP PRIORITY AND WE WILL BENEFIT FROM INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE.

WHAT IT OMITS IS THE OTHER SIDE. DOZENS OF RELEASED INMATES FROM JAIL DAILY WITH NO LEGAL MECHANISM TO MOVE THEM AWAY FROM SCHOOL ZONES OR BUS STOPS. YOU CAN'T ARREST SOMEONE OR FORCIBLY TRANSPORT SOMEONE AWAY FROM AN EXISTING SCHOOL AFTER THEY ARE RELEASED FROM JAIL. WE ALL KNOW THAT.

AND WE ARE POWERLESS TO IT. THE FAQ ALSO CLAIMED THAT 93%-94% OF INMATES HAVE A RIDE HOME.

THIS FIGURE HAS NO PUBLISHED METHODOLOGY OF MEASURING.

NO PUBLIC DATA SHORTS THAT SOMEONE LIKE ME COULD INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY. THIS IS JUST A NUMBER THAT SOMEONE WROTE IN AN FAQ. BUT EVEN IF WE ACCEPT THIS AS TRUTH, AT 3000 BEDS, IF WE DO THE RATIOS, THAT CONSERVATIVELY MEANS THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PER MONTH WILL BE RELEASED ON FOOT INTO A RESIDENTIAL CORRIDOR WITH NO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

THE FAQ ALSO ADMITS THAT THERE IS NO SUPPORT SERVICES NEAR THE NEW SITE THAT WOULD ATTRACT INMATES TO STICK AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT IS TRUE TO DAY, BUT WHERE DEMAND EXISTS, SUPPLY WILL ALSO FOLLOW.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY EIGHT BAIL BOND COMPANIES WITHIN A HALF A MILE OF THE CURRENT JAIL. THERE IS A TODDLER STORY TIME OUR EXISTING AT THE SAME LIBRARY WHERE RECENTLY RELEASED INMATES SEEK OUT COLD AC AND FREE WIFI AFTER THEY GET RELEASED.

THOSE BUSINESSES THAT INMATES FREQUENT WILL FIND THIS NEIGHBORHOOD COME A MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AS WELL. AND THE BLENDING OF RECENTLY RELEASED INMATES IN CHILDRENS SPACES WILL BEGIN.

FINALLY, ON PROPERTY VALUES. THE COUNTY AND THE FAQ CITED 73% APPRECIATION NEAR THE CURRENT JAIL FOR THE AVERAGE HOME, IMPLYING THAT THE JAIL HAD NO NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON HOME VALUES, BUT APPRECIATION HAPPENED DURING THE POST COVID BOOM AND THAT HAPPENED EVERYWHERE. DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND THE SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT IN THE SAME LOGIC AS DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. WE CANNOT ACCEPT THE FAULTY COMPARISONS AS ANSWERS WHILE WE LOSE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN OUR INVESTMENTS. NOTHING I'M SAYING IS RADICAL.

NO PARENT IN THIS ROOM WOULD CHOOSE TO PURCHASE A $400,000 HOME NEXT TO A JAIL WHEN GIVEN THE OPTION NOT TO.

NO SUBURBAN HOMEOWNER BELIEVES THAT A JAIL RAISES THEIR PROPERTY VALUE. AND NO ONE MISTAKES AMBULANCE SIRENS AT NIGHT FOR SAFETY. THE COUNTY IS NOT MOVING A PROBLEM FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS RESIDENTS.

THE COUNTY IS TRIPLING THE PROBLEM IN SIZE FROM 1000 BEDS TO 3000 BEDS AND RELOCATING IT TO WHERE CHILDREN ARE.

I URGE EACH OF YOU TO RECONSIDER FOR THE BENEFIT AND SAFETY OF US

[01:10:04]

ALL, ESPECIALLY OUR KIDS. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS PATTY AND I LIVE IN GEORGETOWN AND I HAVE BEEN AROUND HERE ABOUT FIVE YEARS. I RELOCATED FROM ANOTHER STATE AND I BRING ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE. I DON'T BUY INTO MARKETING ATTEMPTS. I LIKE TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE AND LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON. I AM A FIVE MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE NEW JUSTICE CENTER AND YET I UNDERSTAND THE DECISION.

DO I LIKE IT? NO.

BUT I CAN'T SAY I'M AGAINST THE ACTION WHICH I KNOW DOES NOT MAKE ME A PERSON FAVORABLE TO DAY WITH MOST SPEAKING AGAINST IT. BUT I DO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR COUNTY LEADERS NEED TO MAKE A TOUGH DECISION AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO STAND UP AND ALSO SAY THAT.

IN ANOTHER AREA WHERE I LIVED I LIVED IN THE COUNTY SEAT AND THE COUNTY SEAT HAD THE COUNTY JAIL THERE.

IT WAS RIGHT NEXT TO A LARGE PUBLIC PARK AREA THAT WAS REDESIGNED TO HAVE MORE LARGE PUBLIC ACTIVITIES.

IT WAS NEAR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT WERE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE WITH SIDEWALKS THAT CHILDREN WALKED DOWN TO GET TO AND FROM SCHOOL WHILE THE JAIL WAS THERE.

AND THERE WERE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS THERE THAT WERE HARD TO BUY THE HOUSE AS. THEY WERE HIGHLY COVETED.

AND THERE WAS CHURCHES NEARBY APPEARED IN THAT AREA, I HAVE TO SAY, IT NEVER ROSE ABOUT SAFETYS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS, FOR THE SCHOOLS, FOR THE DOWNTOWNS, FOR THE PUBLIC GATHERINGS.

I WAS A FRIEND OF ANOTHER PERSON WHO WAS SAT AS THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR THE COUNTY SO WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS AND THAT WAS NOT A CONCERN THAT WAS EVER RAISED.

ONE OF THE THINGS I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE LONG TERM OPERATIONAL COSTS. THOSE ARE THE THINGS I'VE LOOKED AT. I'M A FINANCIAL PERSON.

MANY OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THIS NEW LOCATION IS IT IS GOING TO MINIMIZE TRANSPORTING INMATES BACK AND FORTH. THAT'S THE DAY-TO-DAY COST THAT TAXPAYERS HAVE TO PAY. THE COST THAT IF IT'S TOO FAR AWAY FROM ALL OF OUR CITIES THAT HAVE TO HAUL SUSPECTS DOWN THERE, THOSE COSTS, TAKING TIME AND OFFICERS AWAY COME A HIRING MORE OFFICERS, THE TIME COME A PERSONAL COST, TRAVEL COST.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I LOOK AT AND HOW CAN WE REDUCE COST IN THE LOCATION AS PART OF THAT.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT WHEN THE INMATES ARE RELEASED AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT OPERATIONALLY HOW WE CAN ADD TO THE BUDGET TO OFFSET THE DECREASE IN COST OF ALL THE OTHER THINGS WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE INNOVATIVE TO HELP THESE PEOPLE GET RIDES. I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED, BUT PERHAPS THE COUNTY COULD LOOK AT ITS BUDGET TO INCLUDE SOMETHING INNOVATIVE.

I KNOW TODAY WE ALL USE UBER AND LYFT AND WHATNOT.

THERE IS THE GTT SERVICE AND PERHAPS THOSE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE COUNTY COULD LOOK AT ON HOW TO HAVE A FUND TO HELP TRANSPORT PEOPLE TO ANOTHER LOCATION.

EVEN RECENTLY, THE NEW BUS SERVICE THAT TAKES FOLKS DOWN TO THE AUSTIN AREA. IF THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE ARE FROM.

SO I'M ENCOURAGING THAT FOR OPERATIONAL DAY-TO-DAY COSTS, YOU ALSO CONSIDER WHAT YOU CAN DO THAT MAYBE ISN'T BEING DONE TODAY TO HELP WITH TRANSPORTATION WHEN INMATES ARE RELEASED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

COURTNEY, YOU ARE NEXT. AND THEN AFTER THAT, CAROL.

COME ON UP COME ON CAROL. AND LET ME QUEUE UP A FEW MORE.

AMY, YOU ARE SITTING THERE. AFTER AMY IS JOHN.

JOHN GOMEZ. THANK YOU.

AND THEN JENNA LEWIS. GO AHEAD.

>> MY NAME IS COURTNEY CROSS. I'M HERE TO VOICE MY OPINION ON AGENDA 44, 46, 47 REGARDING THE PLAN FOR THE COMPLEX AND EXPANDING A 3000 BED JAIL. I VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE YOUR PLANS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PURCHASE LESS THAN A THIRD OF A MILE FROM MY HOME WITH SCHOOLS AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY REQUEST THAT

[01:15:04]

WHEN WE MOVED TO THE AUSTIN AREA, WHEN WE MOVED BACK TO THE AUSTIN AREA IN 2021, WE LIVED IN GEORGETOWN AND WE WERE PLEASED WITH THE LOCATION, THE SQUARE. IT WAS PEACEFUL.

THE CRIME RATES WEREN'T TOO BAD. THE SCHOOLS WERE GOOD.

WE DID RESEARCH ON THE AREA AND WE DECIDED TO CALL CARLETON PLACE OUR HOME. NEW HOME PRICES AT THAT TIME WERE ASTRONOMICAL AND ALTHOUGH THE COST OF THE HOME WAS CONSIDERABLY ABOVE OUR PRICE RANGE IN THE CRAZE OF THE POST COVID ERA, WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE FINANCING OF OUR HOME. WE LIKE THE AREA.

IT WAS FULL OF YOUNG FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

THE FARMLAND SURROUNDING IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND APPEARED TO BE A NICE PLACE TO SETTLE DOWN. AND NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WOULD HAVE IMAGINED A LARGE JAIL BEING BUILT RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOME. THE FORMER LADY THAT JUST SPOKE COME UP MANY OF US PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT THOSE HOMES PROBABLY KNEW THE JAIL WAS THERE. THEY MADE THAT DECISION.

THIS IS SOMETHING BEING FORCED ON US.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY WAY OF GETTING OUT OF OUR HOMES BECAUSE IF THIS IS BUILT, NOBODY IS GOING TO WANT TO BUY A HOME FROM US IN THIS AREA. THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE US MUCH LOWER PRICES THAN WE SPENT ON OUR HOUSE WHEN WE INITIALLY BOUGHT IT SO WE ARE NOT ONLY LOSING MONEY BUT WE WILL BE TRAPPED IN OUR HOME BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE FORCED TO LIVE NEXT TO THE JAIL. IN ADDITION TO THE FAQ DOCUMENT RECENTLY RELEASED, IT SAYS IT OCCURS DAILY ON 6:00 A.M. AND SIX P M. HOWEVER, I HAVE PICKED UP A FRIEND THAT HAS BEEN ARRESTED THAT WAS NOT RELEASED UNTIL TEN P M AT NIGHT. WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO GO? WHERE WILL THEY GET A RIDE TO GO SOMEWHERE? WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO HEAD TO AFTER THEY ARE RELEASED? PLEASE RECONSIDER BUILDING THE CENTER AT ANOTHER SITE FAR AWAY FROM SCHOOLS AND LARGE RESIDENTIAL AREAS. ASK YOURSELF, IF MY CHILD OR A GRANDCHILD WALKED TO AND FROM SCHOOL LESS THAN A THIRD OF A MILE FROM THE PROPOSED JAIL, WOULD I WANT A CRIMINAL ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FOLLOWING THEM HOME? WOULD I WANT CRIMINALS WALKING THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD LATE AT NIGHT RATTLING DOORKNOBS TO MY HOME? THE ANSWER IS NO APPEARED NONE OF US WOULD WANT THAT.

WHY DUMP THE JAIL HERE AND NOT IN AN ISOLATED AREA FAR AWAY FROM FAMILIES AND CHILDREN? I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE PLAN AND ASK THAT YOU VOTE NO TODAY. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> MY NAME IS CAROL MEDWAY.

>> YOU ARE GOOD. GO AHEAD.

>> I LIVE AT 345 BRANIGAN PASSAGE GEORGETOWN, TEXAS.

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE THIS JAIL OR PRISON. MY HUSBAND AND I RECENTLY MOVED TO GEORGETOWN WHICH IS THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD.

WE CHOSE TO LIVE IN DEL WEBB, SENIOR COMMUNITY, WHICH IS SHANGRI-LA AND NO ONE IN GEORGETOWN EXPECTED TO HAVE SUCH A HUGE MEGA JAIL WITHIN OUR COUNTY.

IF IT WAS UP TO ME, I WOULD PUT THEM IN THE MOJAVE DESERT COME UP BUT THAT'S ME. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE PUTTING THIS IN GEORGETOWN. IT IS THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN AMERICA. WHY ARE WE PUTTING A JAIL IN THE FASTEST GROWING CENTER OF AMERICA? PUT IT IN A RURAL COMMUNITY. DOES IT HAVE TO BE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY? PUT IT IN A PLACE THAT NEEDS ECONOMIC STIMULATION. WE ARE FROM CALIFORNIA.

THEY PUT THE JAIL IN LANCASTER WHEN THERE WAS NO ONE LIVING THERE. WHEN THE PEOPLE IN LANCASTER KNEW THEY WERE BUYING INTO AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS GOING TO BE A JAIL OR THERE WAS A JAIL AND THE PRICES REFLECTED THAT.

I'M GOING TO JUST FINISH UP WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY AND MY CONCERN IS LIST BY LIST WITH PEOPLE I'VE SAID.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND YOU ALL COME AND NOT YOU PERSONALLY, BUT YOU SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT LAWSUITS BECAUSE YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FAST AND IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND IT IS GOING TO BANKRUPT OUR COUNTY. SO WHOEVER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COME UP PAYING 8.3 TIMES THE VALUE OF THE LAND, WE WANT TO KNOW WHO THEY WERE AND WHY IT WAS SO SECRETIVE.

IT REALLY BRINGS UP A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

FINALLY COME I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE MOVED HERE AND WE ARE MOVING IN SHANGRI-LA. I DON'T WANT CRIMINALS CRUISING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND LOOKING FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE TO BREAK INTO

[01:20:02]

NO. NO, NO, NO.

STOP IT WHILE WE CAN. THIS WILL AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY FOR 100 YEARS. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE AMY AND JOHN AND JENNA.

AFTER THAT WILL BE JAMES HENDRICK AND JUSTIN GAUSE.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M AMY FROM GEORGETOWN, TEXAS. I AM SPEAKING TODAY IN OPPOSITION TO ITEMS 44, 46 AND 47 AS WELL AS ITEM 64 AS IT RELATES TO THE SALE OF A 98-ACRE LOT AT BLUE SPRINGS.

ALL LARGE PLOTS OF LAND SHOULD BE UNDER CONSIDERATION AS A JAIL SITE. I RECOGNIZE THAT EVERY COUNTY MUST ACCOMMODATE NECESSARY BUT UNDESIRABLE FACILITIES SUCH AS LANDFILLS, TRANSFER STATIONS, AND JAILS.

HOWEVER, THE PLACEMENT OF THOSE FACILITIES MATTERS GREATLY.

THE CURRENT PROPOSED SITE AT INNER LOOP AND SOUTHWESTERN BOULEVARD IS AN INAPPROPRIATE LOCATION FOR A JAIL.

BEFORE I HIGHLIGHT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SITE I'M GOING TO TAKE US BACK TO 2021. THIS COMMISSION WAS MADE UP OF THE SAME PEOPLE COME OUT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JUDGE SNELL, AS THEY DISCUSS SUING THE CITY OF AUSTIN OVER A HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL LAND USE DECISION. DURING THE LIVELY DISCUSSIONS, THAT COMMISSION MADE A LITANY OF POINTS THAT ARE VERY RELEVANT TODAY. STATEMENTS SUCH AS "OUR RESIDENTS DESERVE TO NOT LIVE IN FEAR.

"AND ASKING AUSTIN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WHILE WHY A BACKROOM DEAL WAS ARRANGED WITH ZERO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

I ENCOURAGE THIS COMMISSION TO GO BACK AND WATCH THE MARCH SECOND 2021 MEETING. THAT COMMISSION STATED THAT COMMUNITY COMPATIBILITY -- EXCUSE ME.

MATTERS. AND THAT COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUE THE CITY OF AUSTIN TO STOP A 50 BED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE FACILITY FOR THE ELDERLY.

COMMISSIONER COVEY, YOU SAID "AUSTIN FAILED TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE IN TALKING TO HOMEOWNERS.

"YOU SAID, "IT WAS A FACILITY THAT NEEDS TO BE OPENLY DISCUSSED WITH THE PUBLIC. "COMMISSIONER LONG.

YOU STATED "AUSTIN DECISION MAKERS WERE DISINGENUOUS.

"THAT THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUSINESSES, OR NEIGHBORS WHO WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED.

"TO EXPAND ON THE POINT OF COMPATIBILITY, COMMISSIONER COVEY, YOU STATED THAT "900 FEET WAS TOO CLOSE TO A HIGH SCHOOL. "YET THIS PROPOSED JAIL SITE IS A THOUSAND FOOT WALK ACROSS AN EMPTY FIELD TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AS YOUR CONSTITUENT, THE SHIFT IN PHILOSOPHY MAKES ME WONDER IF THE LAWSUIT AGAINST AUSTIN WAS ABOUT YOUR LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OR WAS IT ABOUT YOUR EGO? YOUR VOTE TODAY ON THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE WILL SPEAK VOLUMES ON YOUR PRIORITIES AS WELL AS YOUR VALUES.

LET'S EXPAND ON THIS PROPOSED SITE FOR THE JAIL.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ROUND THE CLOCK RELEASES.

IN PARTICULAR, THOSE WITH NO PLACE TO GO.

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? PERHAPS THOSE IN DESPERATE CIRCUMSTANCES COME UP PERHAPS THE UNHOUSED.

PERHAPS THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR ADDICTION CHALLENGES.

PERHAPS PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEM SO NO ONE IS LEFT TO PICK THEM UP.

WHERE DO THEY GO? THE SCHOOLS? THE HOA AMENITIES CENTER WHERE THERE IS WI-FI, BY THE WAY? THERE'S NOT ENOUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO TRACK EVERYONE RELEASED AND I DOUBT THAT WOULD BE LEGAL.

I ALSO WORRY ABOUT THE LONG TERM IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDING AREA. RIGHT NOW IT IS HOMES, SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND CHILDREN OUT WALKING, PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW CITY PARK AS A PLACE TO GATHER.

IS THE COUNTY DISMANTLING THIS LITTLE OASIS? COMMISSIONER LONG, YOU STATED THAT BASIC PLANNING PRINCIPLES REQUIRE COMPATIBLE LAND USE. THIS IS CLEARLY AN INCOMPATIBLE USE. OR IS IT? WHAT ARE THE COMMISSIONERS PLANS? ARE YOU INTENTIONALLY TRANSFORMING THIS PART OF

[01:25:02]

"FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, PUTTINGA JAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF OVER FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS IS THE EXACT SAME THING.

YOU ARE NOW PICKING THE WINNERS AND THE LOSERS.

IN LAST WEEK'S MEETING, I HEARD IT SAID THAT MORE REMOTE SITES WOULD NEED UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE FACTORED INTO THE COST. THE 2021 COMMISSION ACCUSED AUSTIN OF PUTTING A SOCCER STADIUM AHEAD OF ITS RESIDENTS.

IT APPEARS THAT THIS COMMISSION IS WILLING TO PUT THE COST OF A SEWER LINE AHEAD OF ITS CONSTITUENTS.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE JOHN, JENNA, JAMES, JUSTIN, AND THEN THERE IS SARAH JEFFERSON.

IF YOU COULD COME ON UP COME UP PLEASE.

GO AHEAD, JOHN. >> YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU. >> INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

>> YES, MA'AM, MY NAME IS JOHN GOMEZ.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE MAKING ANY FRIENDS HERE TODAY.

PERHAPS I WILL TRY MY LUCK DOWN AT THE VFW DOWN THE ROAD LATER THIS EVENING. I HAVE LIVED IN GEORGETOWN FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW. WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO GEORGETOWN I LIVED RIGHT HERE IN OLD TOWN. THEN SADDLE CREEK IN 2022 AND 2023 AND CURRENTLY SERENADA. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN FAVOR OF UPDATING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT FOR THE NEW JAIL IS NO EXCEPTION. FIRST, I THINK THE PREMIUM THAT THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR THIS LAND REFLECTS ITS COMMITMENT -- REFLECTS THE COMMITMENT THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS TO PUBLIC SAFETY. UNLIKE MY GODFORSAKEN HOMETOWN OF MINNEAPOLIS AND THE GODFORSAKEN AND FRAUD RIDDEN STATE OF MINNESOTA. SINCE MANY TO GEORGETOWN, I'VE HEARD SO MUCH TALK OF GEORGETOWN BECOMING AUSTIN 2.0.

IF WE CONTINUE TO DELAY BUILDING A NEW JAIL WE WILL BECOME AUSTIN 2.0. WE ARE HEARING SO MUCH FEAR OVER WHAT A NEW JAIL IN THE LOCATION WOULD LOOK LIKE, BUT NOBODY HAS ANY SUPPORTING EVIDENCE OR DATA TO SUPPORT THEIR POSITIONS.

THE CURRENT JAIL IS JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY SITTING. NOBODY THINKS TWICE TO TAKE THEIR KIDS TO MONUMENT CAFE. THAT PLACE WAS ON DRIVER'S DYNEINS AND DRIVES. LET'S TAKE THE KIDS DOWN.

OR THE LIBRARY WHERE INMATES -- WHERE PEOPLE TAKE THEIR KIDS AND INMATES LOOK UP WALKING DIRECTIONS BACK HOME RIGHT ACROSS. NOBODY THINKS TWICE TO TAKE THEIR KIDS THERE. WE HEAR A LOT OF FEAR OF WHAT RELEASED INMATES WILL DO. FEARS OF PEOPLE'S BREAKING INTO HOUSES, BACKYARDS, GARAGES. ALL WITHOUT ANY DATA TO SUPPORT THE UNFOUNDED FEAR. FEAR OF RELEASED INMATES GOING INTO A SCHOOL. THAT SOUNDS REALLY UNFOUNDED TO ME. WE ALSO HEAR A LOT ABOUT ROCK RIDE AND DISABLED VETERANS. I'M A DISABLED VETERAN.

I HAVE A NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION THAT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO COME UP BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE COME UP FOR ME TO OBTAIN A DRIVER'S LICENSE. AS SUCH, I UTILIZE A BICYCLE AS MY PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

DURING MY TIME LIVING IN SADDLE CREEK, I WAS RIDDEN OFF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES WHILE BIKING DOWN ROCK RIDE LANE AND ALMOST STRUCK BY VEHICLES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOZENS OF TIMES.

SO I REALLY DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM THOSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TALKING ABOUT CARING FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

WHERE ARE THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO LIVE RIGHT HERE IN OLD TOWN WITH TESTIMONY OF RELEASED INMATES BREAKING INTO THEIR HOMES? WHERE ARE THE PARENTS THAT TAKE THEIR KIDS TO THE LIBRARY WITH TESTIMONY OF THEIR CHILDREN BEING HARASSED BY RELEASED INMATES OF THE JAIL? I DON'T SEE THEM ANYWHERE IN THIS ROOM.

INMATES ARE RELEASED FROM JAIL WANT TO GO HOME COME A NOT TERRORIZE THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY.

AND THE CONSTANT COMMENTS OF CHILDREN NO LONGER BEING ABLE TO WALK TO AND FROM SCHOOL IS JUST UNFOUNDED.

WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO TOWN, THERE WAS A GUN STORE RIGHT NEXT TO A T H STORE DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL AND NOBODY WAS BATTING AN EYE. I WAS TOLD THAT'S HOW TEXAS IS.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE FAMILIES TAKEN THEIR CHILDREN TO DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN WITHOUT HESITATION AND WITHOUT THE THOUGHT THAT THE CURRENT JAIL IS JUST STEPS AWAY? I THINK THE COUNTY SHOULD BUILD THE DELAY. IT REFLECTS GROWTH IN THE FUTURE, THE PREMIUM THAT THE COUNTY IS PAYING REFLECTS THE COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. DO NOT BEND A KNEE TO UNFOUNDED FEARS BROUGHT TO YOU WITHOUT DATA OR EVIDENCE.

BUILD THE JAIL AND MAYBE EVEN PROVIDE STEP BY STEP WALKING

[01:30:03]

MAYBE ADD A FEW GOLF PENCILS AND INDEX CARDS SO THEY CAN WRITE THEIR DIRECTIONS DOWN. EXPAND THE SIDEWALK NETWORK TO CONNECT TO INNER LOOP. GIVE THEM WALKING DIRECTIONS TO THE OUTLET MALL WHERE THEY CAN CATCH A METRO BUS.

COUNTY JAILS ARE ALWAYS LOCATED INSIDE OF A COUNTY SEAT.

RURAL LOCATIONS ARE FOR FEDERAL PRISONS, NOT COUNTY JAILS.

BUILD THE JAIL AND IN PLACE OF THE CURRENT JAIL, WHERE IT CURRENTLY SITS, BUILD A PARK WITH TREES, BUSHES, PATHS, BENCHES COME A PICNIC TABLES. I THINK THAT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL, ESPECIALLY IN DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN.

THE GROWTHS THAT THIS COUNTY IS EXPERIENCING, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS.

AS WE'VE DONE BEFORE. I MOVED HERE FOR A REASON.

FOR A SAFE COMMUNITY COME A WELL FUNDED LAW ENFORCEMENT COME A WELL FUNDED JUSTICE SYSTEM. THAT IS WHAT I VALUE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY. JAILS ARE SECURE FACILITIES.

NOBODY IS GOING TO BE ESCAPING FROM THEM.

AND PEOPLE WHO GET RELEASED WANT TO GO HOME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE NEXT AND THEN COME ON UP.

JAMES, IS THAT RIGHT? JAMES IS NEXT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JENNA LEWIS AND I LIVE NEAR THE PROPOSED JAIL SITE.

I AM A FORMER PROSECUTOR. I WANT TO SPEAK TODAY NOT JUST AS A HOMEOWNER AND A MOTHER, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS SPENT YEARS WORKING INSIDE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WHO UNDERSTANDS FIRSTHAND WHAT HAPPENS AROUND JAILS.

I HAVE WORKED WITH INMATES, VICTIMS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY CRIME. I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE. I AM EXTREMELY PRO-LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO EXPAND OUR JUSTICE CENTER. I EVEN UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO HAVE THE LOCATION HAVE RELATIVELY EASY ACCESS TO HOSPITALS AND TO KEEP THE JAIL NEAR THE JUSTICE CENTER.

BUT I AM FIRMLY AGAINST PLACING THIS FACILITY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY WITH AN EXTREMELY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES WHEN SAFER AND MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE OPTIONS EXIST.

THE DECISION ASKS FAMILIES LIKE MINE TO ABSORB THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF A CHOICE WE DID NOT MAKE.

BECAUSE JAILS CHANGE THE AREAS AROUND THEM.

THAT IS SIMPLY THE TRUTH. THEY BRING INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAFFIC, INMATE TRANSPORTATION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITY, ATTORNEY AND PROBATION TRAFFIC, LATE NIGHT OPERATIONS, AND ALL THE OTHER INEVITABLE RIPPLE EFFECTS THAT COME WITH CONCENTRATING A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN A RESIDENTIAL CORRIDOR. THIS BODY EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT CRIME IN WILLIAMSON WILL GROW EXPONENTIALLY OVER TIME.

AS EVIDENCED BY THE NEW JAIL HAVING 3000 BEDS MAKING IT ONE OF THE LARGEST FACILITIES IN THE STATE.

ANYONE WHO HAS WORKED IN OR AROUND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM KNOWS THAT NO MATTER HOW PROFESSIONALLY A JAIL IS OPERATED, SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES ARE IMPACTED.

IN FACT, OUR CITY MANAGER WAS QUOTED SAYING "JUST THINK ABOUT IT. EVERYONE ARRESTED IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY IS RELEASED IN OUR DOWNTOWN.

"AND THAT AT "JUST CREATES A DYNAMIC.

"A DYNAMIC THAT THIS BODY IS SEEKING TO PUT WITHIN SPITTING DISTANCE OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND A MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT JAILBREAKS.

I KNOW OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB MANAGING OUR FACILITIES AND JAILBREAKS ALMOST NEVER HAPPEN.

WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE INMATES WHO ARE RELEASED ON THE FENCE STEP EVERY SINGLE DAY. EITHER ON BAIL OR AFTER THE SENTENCE WITH NOWHERE TO GO. WHEN I WAS A PROSECUTOR, THE COUNTY I WORKED IN WAS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WILLIAMSON WILL BECOME AND ABOUT 15 YEARS, IS MY GUESS.

IT WAS A TOUGH ON CRIME COUNTY OUTSIDE OF A MUCH LARGER LESS TOUGH ON CRIME COUNTY. THE CRIME FROM OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTY CONSTANTLY BLED INTO OUR OWN.

IT WAS COMMON FOR MY CASELOAD TO INCLUDE CRIMES, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE. IT WAS COMMON FOR MY CASELOAD TO INCLUDE CRIMES COMMITTED WITHIN A MILE OF OUR JAIL SITE.

OFFENDERS WHO ORIGINALLY LIVED IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY WERE EVEN OTHER COUNTIES, BUT UPON RELEASE FROM JAIL SET UP SHOP NEAR OUR JUSTICE CENTER AND REPEATED THOSE OFFENSES.

I HAVE SEVERAL CASES I COULD PRESENT TO THIS COURT IF GIVEN MORE TIME. GEORGETOWN DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM TO ALLOW THESE INDIVIDUALS TO LEAVE THE AREA. ANYONE WITHOUT A CAR OR A RIDE WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL ON FOOT THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND BY OUR SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO ACCESS ANY COMMERCIAL SERVICES.

WHEN I ATTENDED THE INFORMAL MEETING A FEW WEEKS AGO I ASKED A MEMBER OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE WHAT THE PLAN WAS FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. I WAS TOLD "THEY WILL LIKELY JUST WALK BACK TO DOWNTOWN. "AND THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE.

[01:35:03]

THIS IS NOT JUST A PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN, IT IS A STEWARDSHIP CONCERN. TAXPAYERS DESERVE TO KNOW WHY LAND THAT REPORTEDLY COULD HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR APPROXIMATELY $7 MILLION AWAY FROM NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOLS WAS VOTED DOWN WITH MINIMAL CONSIDERATION.

WHILE LAND OVER TEN TIMES ITS COST WAS JUMPED AT WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA.

THE CONCERNS OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA WERE NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED DURING THE FIRST VOTE ON THIS PROPERTY AND THE VOTE WAS HIDDEN ON THE AGENDA SO HE COULD NOT APPEAR.

AND YES, I HAVE HEARD THAT IT NEEDED TO REMAIN A SECRET FOR NEGOTIATION PURPOSES, BUT THAT FALLS APART WHEN WE REALIZE THAT THE CONTRACT WAS ENTERED INTO ON MARCH NINTH.

SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE MARCH 24TH VOTE.

THERE WAS NO NEED FOR >> FURTHER IT'S BEEN SAID OTHER OPTIONS WERE NOT FEASIBLE AS THEY REQUIRED UPDATES TO INFRASTRUCTURE. THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN THE AREA KNOW OUR CORRIDOR NEEDS UPDATES TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE LOST POWER AT LEAST TEN TIMES LAST YEAR AND THREE TIMES SO FAR THIS YEAR WITH SUPPOSED IMPROVEMENTS.

IF THE WIND BLOWS, OUR LIGHTS FLICKER.

THERE WILL BE NEED TO EXPAND INFRASTRUCTURE NO MATTER WHAT AND I WOULD SUGGEST WE FIND A CHEAPER PLOT OF LAND TO ALLOW FOR MORE FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY FOR THOSE UPDATES.

THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE UP NEXT.

>> MY NAME IS JAMES. I LIVE IN CARLETON PLACE.

I WANT TO NOTE TODAY'S ITEM 44 IS A REVOTE ON THE ORIGINAL LAND PURCHASE. THE COUNTY POSTED THE ITEM BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL VOTE DID NOT GIVE PROPER NOTICE OF WHAT WAS BEING DECIDED. THAT WAS THE ACTION SPEAKING FOR ITSELF YET HERE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION WE'VE BEEN RAISING FOR WEEKS.

THE SESSION LAST WEEK AT 1PM FOCUSED ENTIRELY ON PROBLEMS -- I UNDERSTAND. I SEE THE NEED FOR A NEW DEAL.

I FEEL BAD FOR THE STAFF, OFFICERS AND CITIZENS WHO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES DAY IN AND OUT BUT WE HAVE NO SUBSTANTIAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WE KEEP BRINGING TO YOU THROUGH BEING HUNDREDS OF EMAILS AND CALLS FROM THE PUBLIC.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE LAST WEEK THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER LISTENED AND TOOK THE TIME TO VOICE YOUR HEARING OUR CONCERNS AND MORE CONVERSATIONS NEED TO HAPPEN WITH THE COMMUNITY BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS AND I CAN NOTE THAT'S REFLECTED IN THIS VOTE. I ALSO HEARD YOU COMMISSIONER THAT IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD. THAT FELT VERY DISMISSIVE TO THE CONCERNS AND STILL NOT BEING ANSWERED PUBLICLY.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU AND YOUR COMMITTEE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ON AN ISSUE THAT'S VERY COMPLEX AND I UNDERSTAND WHY THE PUSHBACK IS FRUSTRATING BUT THERE'S TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS TO MOVE ON. MY BIGGEST QUESTION FROM THE PAST FEW WEEKS BUT FOR TODAY MY QUESTION IS THIS.

THE COUNTY'S ANSWER TO EVERY COST CONCERN FOR COSTING OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IS IT COULD BE SPREAD OVER THE YEARS THE FACILITY COULD EXIST. IF THAT'S THE STANDARD YOU GUYS WILL APPLY TO THIS THAT NEEDS TO BE APPLIED EVENLY TO ALL DECISIONS INCLUDING SITE SELECTION.

THE UPFRONT COST OF UTILITIES TO DIFFERENT SITE SAFER FOR KIDS AND SURROUNDING AREA. SAYING NOBODY FLINCHES AT ROAD SPENDING AND SHOWING A D. -- BUDGET SHEET.

WHY ARE YOU SO CONCERNED ABOUT UTILITY COSTS IF IT MEANS FINDING A SITE THAT'S NOT NEAR SCHOOLS AND ROUGHLY 6500 HOMES.

WHY NOT SPEND THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM THE RIGHT LOCATION. ALTERNATIVES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE.

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. IT INVALIDATES THE OTHER ARGUMENTS ABOUT SITES NOT BEING VALUABLE.

YOU SAID OTHER SITES HAD FATAL FLAWS MAINLY TO COST BUT PLACING WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF TWO SCHOOLS WITH 1700 STUDENTS ISN'T THE ULTIMATE FATAL FLAW FOR A SITE.

THE ONLY SITE IN GEORGETOWN CITY LIMIT THAT WORKS AND HAPPENS TO BE ACROSS THE STREET FROM COUNTY OFFICES.

PRIORITIZING THE CONVENIENCE OVER COMMUNITY SAFETY.

THIS WILL BE A REMINDER TO VOTERS EVERY SINGLE TIME WE DRIVE BY ESPECIALLY ONCE YOU BREAK GROUND.

I HEARD COMMENTS THE COUNTY WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH RESIDENTS TO ENSURE SAFETY'S MEANT FOR SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE RELEASE PROBLEMS NOT A SINGLE THING YOU CAN SAY TO US THAT WILL GUARANTEE... WILL NOT CREATE A SAFETY RISK

[01:40:01]

I CANNOT LIVE WITH A DECISION TO PUT THEM AT RISK THAT WAY AND YOU'RE TAKING AWAY ONE OF THE BEST REASONS MANY OF US MOVED TO THIS PART OF TOWN. I HEARD YOU ASKING QUESTIONS OF FOLKS WHO SAT HERE SHARING ISSUES AND CAN TELL YOU'RE ENGAGED AND HAVE THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE SO I CAN SEE YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE WISE DECISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTY. WE BELIEVE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN GIVEN INCOMPLETE INFORMATION ON THE SITE THAT MATRIX IS FLAWED.

THERE'S AN ABUNDANCE OF LAND IN GEORGETOWN SPENDING 10 MINUTES LOOKING AT COUNTY RECORDS ON THE MAP, THERE'S SO MUCH THERE.

AND THE NOTION THERE'S LITERALLY NO OTHER OPTION IS NOT REALISTIC AND NOBODY BELIEVES THAT. JUST BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THE MOST CONVENIENT LOCATION DOES NOT MAKE IT THE RIGHT CHOICE.

THE COUNTY HAS TO BE WILLING TO MAKE COMPROMISES FOR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE -- IF THAT MEANS YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES AWAY AND SPEND A LITTLE MORE ON UTILITY COSTS, SO BE IT.

I KNOW THIS COURT HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME AND PRESSURED BEFORE TO GET IT DONE BUT THE PROBLEM LEAVING CONSTITUENTS OUT OF THE CONVERSATION.

BLINDSIDED US AND ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH A FATALLY FLAWED SITE. COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE -- THE SITES LIKE THE MATRIX TOWARD THE CONVENIENCE OF THE COUNTY SO PLEASE VOTE NO TODAY ON ITEMS 44, 46 AND 47.

SEND IT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

THERE'S NO VERSION OF THIS -- HAVING A JAIL THIS CLOSE TO SCHOOL -- THE SITE CANNOT BE SELECTED AND YOU CANNOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PURCHASE. IT JUST HAS TO BE WORTH THE

EFFORT TO FIND A BETTER PLACE. >> WE HAVE DEBORAH ARNOLD AND AFTER THAT DANIELLE WHEELER. PLEASE.

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JUSTIN AND I LIVE IN GEORGETOWN IN MAPLE CREEK COMMUNITY. I'M SPEAKING TODAY REGARDING THE AGENDA ITEMS CONCERNING THE $135 MILLION FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT. FIRST LET'S ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL REALITY. -- PAYING 75 MILLION VALUED AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE. THE COUNTY'S DEFENSE IS 8.3 MARKUP IS SIMPLY MARKET RATE FOR COMMERCIAL BUT YOU DIDN'T TEST A FAIR MARKET VALUE BY VIOLATING THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT VOTING ON THE PURCHASE BACK IN MARCH YOU PREVENTED ANY PUBLIC SCRUTINY OF THE PRICE TAG UNTIL THE DEAL WAS DONE.

YOU DON'T GET TO HIDE BEHIND MARKET VALUE WHEN YOU PURPOSELY HID THE TRANSACTION FROM THE TAXPAYERS FUNDING THIS.

WE'VE ALSO HEARD THE DEFENSE FROM THIS COURT INCLUDING THE OFFICIAL COUNTY PRESS RELEASES CLAIMING THE FACILITY MUST BE LOCATED IN GEORGETOWN BECAUSE IT'S THE COUNTY SEAT.

THAT IS LEGALLY INCORRECT UNDER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 292001 JAIL FACILITIES EXPLICITLY EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENT. THE COURT HAS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PLACE A JAIL ANYWHERE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY.

IT'S NOT A LEGAL MANDATE, IT'S A PREFERENCE.

SINCE THE LAW GIVES TOTAL FREEDOM TO BUILD IT ANYWHERE IF THE 250-ACRE JUSTICE CAMPUS IS A MASSIVE BENEFIT TO A COMMUNITY WHY AREN'T WE BUILDING IT NEAR YOUR HOMES INSTEAD OF NEAR SCHOOLS. WHY AREN'T WE LOOKING AT SITES CLOSER TO YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE 3000 BED JAIL WOULD NOT BE FORCED INTO A RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL ZONE.

NONE OF YOU WILL SEE THE TRANSPORT VANS.

NONE OF YOU WILL SEE THE INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING FROM YOUR FRONT PORCHES AND NONE OF YOU WILL HAVE A 3000 BED JAIL DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO WHERE YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL. IT'S EASY TO VOTE FOR A HIGH DENSITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY WHEN IT ISN'T IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. IF YOU WOULDN'T WANT THIS FACILITY NEXT TO YOUR FAMILY'S, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS FORCING IT ON TO THE FAMILIES OF SOUTHEAST GEORGETOWN.

TODAY'S YOUR FINAL VOTE ON FINANCING AND IT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. STOP THE DEBT AND RESPECT THEE MEETING ACT AND FIND A SITE THAT DOESN'T PUT YOUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOL ZONES AT RISK.

IF IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR MINE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO.

THANK YOU. APPLAUSE APPLAUSE.

>> MY NAME IS -- SARAH JEFFERSON I'M A RESIDENT OF MAPLE CREEK.

WITH AN INCOMING SIXTH GRADER AND THREE STUDENTS WHO WILL BIKE EVERY DAY TO WILLIAMSBURG INVOLVED PARENT AND ADVOCATE FOR NOT ONLY MY OWN CHILDREN BUT OTHERS.

I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR A JAIL HUB BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT A LAND PURCHASE, TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND USED FOR MULTIPHASE PROJECT

[01:45:04]

THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX ISN'T DEVELOPED UNTIL THE MID 20S WHICH MANAGES SELF CONTROL, EXECUTIVE FUNCTION AND, DECISION MAKING AND THE ABILITY TO ADOPT TO -- ADAPT TO STRESS HOW IT WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY, FUTURE AND CHILDREN.

THE 32ND DECISION OF AN ARREST SHOULD NOT BE IMPOSED ON STUDENTS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE FAMILIES RECEIVING THERAPY ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THE POPULATION DOES NOT HAVE THE DEVELOPED PREFRONTAL CORTEX TO IMPACT OF THE TRANSITS LEAVING THE SITE DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION. OUR FUTURE, OUR CHILDREN.

THE INTERACTION -- I'M SORRY. THE INTERACTIONS OF CHILDREN INCREASE SIMPLY DUE TO PROXIMITY WITH STUDENTS RIDING THEIR BIKES TO AND FROM SCHOOL, SECONDARY STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN AFTER SCHOOL GROUPS AND BEING APPROACHED BY TRANSIT LEAVING THE JAIL SITE. WE MUST CONSIDER THE MIND-SET AND THE OUTCOME OF THEIR TIME. THE I DON'T CARE ATTITUDE OR ANGER AFTER GETTING OUT. OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION, OUR FUTURE, OUR CHILDREN CAN BE TARGETED.

NOW YOU HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE. WITH A DEVELOPED PREFRONTAL CORTEX MORE THAN 30S INCLUDES DATA, PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERN TO ENSURE THE RESIDENT TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE AT THE HEART OF YOUR ABILITY TO VOTE NO AGAINST THE USE OF A SITE FOR JAIL. OUR FUTURE, OUR CHILDREN DESERVE IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> WE HAVE DEBORAH ARNOLD NEXT AND DANIELLE WHEELER, FAY

JENKINS AND MATTHEW GROVE. >> MY NAME IS DEBORAH ARNOLD.

I'M A RESIDENT OF GEORGETOWN AND CHARLESTON PLACE.

I'M HERE AGAIN TODAY BECAUSE MANY OF US ARE UPSET REGARDING THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY PURCHASED LAND FOR OVER $75.8 MILLION FOR A PROPOSED JAIL FACILITY WITHOUT ANY MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION OF TRANSPARENCY WITH SURROUNDING COMMUNITY BEFOREHAND THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROJECT. THE DECISION WILL IMPACT FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROPERTY OWNERS AND CHILDREN FOR GENERATIONS. SOME OF THE KEY POINTS I KNOW THE JUDGE IS NOT HERE BUT WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HIS STATEMENT WAS I'M TRULY HONORED TO BE APPOINTED TO THE POSITION TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY. SERVE MEANS TO BE ON THE CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY SIDE, NOT THE SIDE FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE.

THE DECISION FIVE TO ZERO WHICH ALL OF YOU SITTING IN FRONT OF US HAS NOT SERVING THE CITIZENS, SERVING FOR THE OFFICIALS.

CYNTHIA LONG COMMISSIONER, YOUR STATEMENT WHEN YOU BECAME IN PUBLIC TO BE ELECTED YOU WANT TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY SO YOU THINK A QUARTER MILE AND A THIRD OF A MILE IS SAFE FOR OUR CITIZENS AND OUR CHILDREN? YOU'RE ABOUT THE BUDGET TAXPAYERS. IF THE BUDGET IS CONCERNED 75 MILLION VERSUS A PROPERTY IN FLORENCE FOR 14 MILLION, THAT TO ME IS NOT BUDGET CONSCIOUS. AND THEN FOR TERRY COOK YOUR STATEMENT WHEN YOU BECAME A COMMISSIONER YOUR GOAL WHEN YOU RAN WAS TO GIVE INFORMATION AND TRANSPARENCY FOR THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE RIGHT AREA. I DON'T THINK THAT WAS TRANSPARENT BECAUSE WE WERE HIDDEN FROM THE FACT THAT THERE WOULD BE A JAIL IN OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU ALSO IN THE DECISION OF THE JAIL IF YOU STOOD FOR YOUR WORDS WOULD YOU HAVE CALLED THE MEETING OF THE CITIZENS AND COMMUNITIES FOR THEIR INPUT AND CONCERNS PRIOR TO YOU VOTING AMONGST THE CONSTITUENTS BEFORE US WITH A 5-0 VOTE.

WHICH BY THE WAY IS NOT INCLUDING COMMUNITIES THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS. VALERIE, YOUR STATEMENT IS WHEN YOU WERE APPOINTED ENJOY PROBLEM SOLVING.

THE PROBLEM IS THE JAIL TOO CLOSE TO THE SCHOOLS AND HOMES.

AND TO ADD TO YOUR STATEMENT, THE DECISIONS MADE TODAY WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE COUNTY.

MUST I REMIND YOU WE THE PEOPLE OF GEORGETOWN OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY ARE THE COUNTY. ARE NOT SOLVING ANYTHING AND YOU'RE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEMS. SO YOUR STATEMENT TO ENSURE SCHOOLS ARE NEIGHBORHOODS REMAIN SAFE TO PUT YOUR SERVICE AND REAL BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND TO WORK FOR OUR FAMILIES. RILEY? A JAIL, A QUARTER A MILE, A THIRD OF A MILE IS WHAT YOU CALL SAFE? WE WOULD PUT CRIMINALS AND

[01:50:01]

YOU MEAN THOSE OPPORTUNITIES? YOU ALL CONSIDER THESE SAFE? YOU WENT AGAINST EVERYTHING YOU SUPPOSEDLY STAND FOR IN STATEMENTS WHEN YOU MADE EVERYONE IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY SO YOU COULD GET VOTED. AND YOU CALL YOURSELVES CHRISTIANS. WE AS A COMMUNITY WERE ENTITLED BY THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS TO BE A VOICE AND DECISION TO VOTE ON LOCATION FOR JAIL AND YOU ALL MADE A DECISION WITHOUT US.

THAT'S NOT LEGAL TO DO SO IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

NO FINAL VOTES CAN BE TAKEN IN A CLOSED SESSION.

I WOULD SAY 5-0 FROM ALL OF YOU IS A CLOSED SESSION.

THE VOTE TO BE DISMISSED AND THE LEGAL WAYS TO INCLUDE ALL OF GEORGETOWN CITIZENS TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS THEN VOTE.

NOT FIVE PEOPLE UNLESS WILLIAMSON COUNTY ONLY HAS FIVE PEOPLE IN IT. AND TO BE POSTED 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING. REGARDING THE PROPERTY, YOU GUYS ALL -- THERE WAS 37 PROPERTIES THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROPERTY REVIEWED. WE AS A COMMUNITY WANT THE LIST LOOKED AT, THE REASONS WHY YOU CHOSE NOT TO CHOOSE THOSE.

AND ONLY CHOSE THIS ONE PROPERTY HERE.

ONE IN PARTICULAR WAS ON FM 11 '05 GEORGETOWN.

FOR ONLY 13 MILLION. THERE'S ONE IN FLORENCE AND THAT WAS 481 ACRES. THAT WAS ONLY $14,550.

SO THAT'S ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE FROM HERE AND IS STILL IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY. AND YOU'RE PAYING 20 TIMES MORE FOR THE PROPERTY. SO YOU WANT TO EXPAND AT -- IF YOU HAVE TO EXPAND, THAT'S WHY YOU WANT TO GET 253 ACRES.

I THINK IT'S A BETTER CHOICE BECAUSE NOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO EVER EXPAND. PLUS PLUS.

>> YOU CAN COME ON UP. AND QUEUE UP.

SURE. >> MY NAME IS DANIELLE WHEELER.

I LIVE IN SADDLE CREEK GEORGETOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

MY HUSBAND IS WHITE WHEELER. HE COULD NOT ATTEND THIS WEEK TAKING OFF EVERY TUESDAY THREE WEEKS IN A ROW IS NOT ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE. JUST AS IT'S NOT FOR MOST FAMILIES. I'M HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF BOTH OF US TODAY ON BEHALF OF MANY OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHO DESERVE A VOICE ON THE MATTER OF THE COUNTY JAIL.

MY HUSBAND AND I BROUGHT -- BROUGHT HER HOME FROM THE COMMUNITY LAST YEAR AND INVESTED OUR SAVINGS, FUTURE AND TRUST HERE BECAUSE WE BELIEVED IT WAS SAFE.

SAFE, PEACEFUL, FAMILY ORIENTED PLACE TO BUILD OUR LIVES AND NOW AS I SIT HERE 37 WEEKS PREGNANT AND PREPARING TO WELCOME OUR FIRST CHILD INTO THE WORLD, I NEVER IMAGINED I WOULD BE BEFORE THE COURT -- FIVE PEOPLE SET TO MAKE A DECISION FOR THOUSANDS.

LET ME BE CLEAR. WE UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY NEEDS A JAIL BUT UNDERSTANDING A JAIL IS NECESSARY DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD ACCEPT PLACING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD NEXT TO A SCHOOL. QUITE FRANKLY THE IDEA THAT ANY ONE PLACING A JAIL FACILITY BESIDE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS APPROPRIATE IS BEYOND REASON. FAMILIES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN WHY INMATES ARE BEING TRANSPORTED NEARBY, WHY THERE IS AN INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AROUND THEIR SCHOOL OR WHY THEY NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE ALLOWING THEIR CHILDREN TO WALK OR PLAY FREELY IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. WHILE YOU MIGHT TRY TO MINIMIZE THE CONCERNS, RESIDENTS KNOW THERE ARE EVENTUALLY -- PEOPLE ARE EVENTUALLY RELEASED FROM JAIL FACILITIES EVERY SINGLE DAY. INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH SERIOUS CRIMES. THE FACT THAT IT COULD OCCUR BESIDE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS DEEPLY DISTURBING TO THE FAMILIES OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO QUESTION HOW THE LOCATION COULD EVER BE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE WHEN THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN SHOULD BE THE TOP PRIORITY. WHETHER COUNTY OFFICIALS WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT OR NOT, JAIL'S FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS ARE BUILT AROUND SCHOOLS, HOMES, PARKS AND FAMILIES, NOT DETENTION FACILITIES. PEOPLE MOVED HERE BECAUSE THEY WANT STABILITY AND SECURITY AND NOT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LIVE NEXT TO A JAIL. COMMISSIONER YOU STATED LAST WEEK IT'S TOO GOOD OF A DEAL TO WASTE TIME WITH A PUBLIC MEETING SO MY HUSBAND AND I DID WHAT YOU WOULD NOT AND CREATED AND PRINTED FLIERS AND WALKED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD EVERY DAY AFTER WORK AND ON WEEKENDS TO INFORM NEIGHBORS OF WHAT WAS GOING ON UNDER THEIR NOSES. ABOUT THE COST OF DELAYING THE VOTE WITH NO VOTER REGARD TO THE COST AND TOLL OF JAIL WOULD HAVE ON COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOME VALUES AND PEACE OF MIND.

MANY RESIDENTS FEEL THE PROCESS IS BEING RUSHED FORWARD WITHOUT

[01:55:02]

IF TAXPAYERS ARE EXPECTED TO FUND A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE, TAXPAYERS DESERVE MEANINGFUL PUBLIC INPUT AND ENOUGH TIME FOR HONEST CONVERSATIONS BEFORE IRREVERSIBLE DECISIONS ARE MADE. DESPITE THE DECISION THE PEOPLE MOST AFFECTED WERE NEVER TRULY GIVEN A VOICE.

THE PROPOSAL WAS NEVER PLACED ON A BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE AND I BELIEVE EVERYONE IN THE ROOM UNDERSTANDS WHY.

HAD THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON POLICING JAIL AND NEIGHBORHOODS BY CARS, IT WOULD HAVE NEVER PASSED. I WANT TO THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC'S CONCERNS ARE VALID AND UNDERSTANDING THERE IS A REASON SO MANY RESIDENTS ARE SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE SITE. NONE OF US WANT TO BE HERE.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE OUR VOICE AND VOTE NO ON THE CURRENT PROPOSAL FOR THE JAIL. RIGHT NOW I SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON PREPARING FOR THE BIRTH OF MY BABY AND FEELING EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING A CHILD HOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

MY FIRST HOME. INSTEAD FAMILIES LIKE MINE ARE LEFT FEELING ANXIOUS, IGNORED OR UNCERTAIN ABOUT THEIR FUTURE THAT THEY CHOOSE TO PLACE -- TO BUILD THEIR LIVES.

I URGE TO RECONSIDER THE LOCATION AND SERIOUSLY EVALUATE ALTERNATIVE SITES AND REMEMBER YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES NOT TO THE COUNTY PROJECT, BUT ALSO TO THE PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS YOU'RE ELECTED TO -- REPRESENT.

THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE UP NEXT AND THEN

MATTHEW. >> I AM FAY.

A DISABLED VETERAN, SINGLE MOTHER AND OF OTHER ABLED CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. IN 2018 I INVESTED WHAT LITTLE I HAD IN AN AFFORDABLE FOR ME HOME.

NOW MY INVESTMENT IN MY FAMILY PIECE IS BEING CHALLENGED.

I'M SPEAKING FOR SURVIVORS, DISABLED VETERANS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, NOT JUST ONES WITH CRIES ABOUT OUR COMMUNITIES NOT CARING ABOUT VETERAN -- INNOCENT SCHOOL CHILDREN, PEOPLE WHO NEED IT. VICTIMS WHO -- DESERVE TO BE ON RECORD BEFORE YOU VOTE TODAY. I WAS 18 YEARS OLD WHEN VIOLENTLY IGNORED WHILE SERVING IN THE MILITARY.

MY NOTE VIOLATED AGAIN IN AUSTIN BY A POLICE STATION WHEN A MENTALLY UNSTABLE HOMELESS MAN VIOLENTLY ATTACKED ME IN MY CAR.

AFTER I POLITELY SAID NO, THANK YOU WHEN HE APPROACHED MY VEHICLE TO WASH IT WITH FILTHY WATER.

A LITTLE BOY IN OUR AREA WAS ASLEEP IN HIS BED WHEN A MAN -- BRUTALLY BEAT THE CHILD WITH A BASEBALL BAT.

HE SHOULD BE ALIVE TODAY AND THE MURDERER SHOULD BE IN JAIL BUT HE WAS FOUND INNOCENT BY REASON OF INSANITY.

THAT'S HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS SOMETIMES ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT A SIDE ISSUE. ABOUT 68% OF MASS SHOOTINGS INVOLVE PERPETRATORS WITH A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC OR FAMILY VIOLENCE. THESE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR VICTIMS AND CRIMES OF CONVENIENCE.

WE ARE ALREADY GOOD NEIGHBORS AND ACCEPT GROWTH AND ABSORBED INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION BY FOUR SIDES OF APPROVED EXPANDING CORRIDORS. WE'VE ABSORBED -- ABSORBED ENOUGH. OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY INSISTS ON SPENDING THIS MONEY ON THIS LAND, PLUS THE MILLIONS IN TAXES THEN CREATE SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY SERVES OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE VICTIMS WITH IT. EXPAND WHAT ALREADY WORKS.

CREATE A TRUE SANCTUARY FOR SURVIVORS AND TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN TO RECEIVE HOPE AND HEALING.

BUILD A NEEDED JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAM AND CRIMINAL PROCESSING SOMEWHERE ELSE AND SEPARATE THE VICTIMS FROM OFFENDERS.

THE QUARRY HAS A GREAT BUFFER ZONE BUILT IN AND PROVIDES SPACE. AFTER SPENDING MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE REBUILDING FROM WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AT 18, I'M NOW SAYING NO AGAIN. NO TO SEALING OUR COMMUNITY INTO WILLIAMSON COUNTY'S FINAL DUMPING GROUND.

TO PLACING VICTIMS IN THE SHADOW OF CRIMINAL PROCESSING.

NO TO PRETENDING THAT TRYING AND COURTS AND POLICE PRESENCE IN -- EQUALS SAFETY AND IF YOU VOTE YES TODAY, OWN WHAT IT MEANS ON THE FACT THAT SURVIVORS LOOKED YOU IN THE EYE AND PLED WITH YOU AND YOU BUILT IT ANY WAY. VIOLENTLY IGNORING OUR COLLECTIVE AND RESOUNDING NO. PLUS PLUS.

>> MATTHEW, YOU'RE UP. AND THEN AFTER THAT.

AND THEN JIM DILLON AFTER THAT. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS MATTHEW. I'M RESIDENT OF THE SADDLE CREEK COMMUNITY. I THINK IT'S GOOD WE POSTPONED THE VOTE FROM LAST WEEK SO WE COULD GET MORE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK. I THINK WE'VE HAD EXCELLENT COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TODAY. HOWEVER FEEDBACK IS ONLY VALUABLE IF IT UNCOVERS CRITICAL FLAWS AND A MASSIVE DEVASTATING

[02:00:04]

THE COUNTY, THE PRIMARY JUSTIFICATION FROM THE COUNTY IS THAT IT'S CONVENIENT PROXIMITY TO EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE ON SOUTHEAST INTERLOOP BUT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE PROPOSED 3000 BED ADULT JAIL SITS THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER. THIS IS WHERE CHILD VICTIMS OF SEVERE ABUSE AND FAMILY VIOLENCE GO TO RECEIVE FORENSIC INTERVIEWS AND EMERGENCY CARE. THE SINGLE MOST COMMON OFFENSE, BRINGING CHILDREN TO THE FACILITY IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

A CHARGE THAT OFTEN CARRIES VERY QUICK RELEASE TIME.

THINK ABOUT THE OPERATIONAL REALITY YOU ARE FUNDING TODAY.

A PERPETRATOR IS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO A NEW JAIL, DAYS LATER THE MOTHER BRINGS HER CHILD FOR TRAUMA INTERVIEWS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE THE ABUSER IS BEING HELD OR POTENTIALLY FRESHLY RELEASED ON BAIL.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THAT? I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE.

YOU'RE AUTHORIZING MULTIMILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BUILD AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FORCES CHILD VICTIMS INTO THE IMMEDIATE GEOGRAPHIC RADIUS OF THEIR NEWLY RELEASED ABUSERS.

THIS IS A COLOSSAL OVERSIGHT. I THINK SOMEBODY ELSE RIGHTLY SAID A TICKING TIME BOMB. SO IN CLOSING -- SORRY I'VE GOT A LITTLE MORE. WE'RE ALSO TOLD THIS SITE IS WORTH PAYING 8.3 TIMES ITS APPRAISED VALUE BECAUSE OF STRATEGIC LOCATION. BUT THIS INTERSECTION PROVES IT'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF STRATEGIC.

IT'S DANGEROUS. WE RECOGNIZE THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THE COUNTY -- THE SHERIFF, DISTRICT ATTORNEY MADE CLEAR THERE ARE SPACE SHORTAGES AND WE NEED A NEW JAIL.

THAT'S FINE. BUT A PRESSING NEED DOES NOT JUSTIFY A DEEPLY FLAWED EXECUTION.

IT'S FISCALLY, SOCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO APPROVE THIS MASSIVE BUDGET, THIS MASSIVE PROJECT FOR FINANCING A SITE THAT PLACES AN ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN IMMEDIATE PROXIMITY TO A CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER.

IT'S ALSO TWO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, JUVENILE CENTER AND LOCAL PARKS.

IN CLOSING, DON'T RUSH TO FUND THIS MULTIMILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE. I URGE THIS COURT TO VOTE NO ON ITEM 44, 46, 47 PAUSING THE FINANCING AND USE THE POSTPONEMENT. TO PULL THE REPORTS ON THE OTHER 36 SITES THAT WERE EVALUATED. MAKE THEM PUBLIC.

LET US SEE. AND FIND A LOCATION THAT RESPECTS THE COUNTY'S BUDGET WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> BILL, WILLIAMSON COUNTY.

SIXTH GENERATION RETIRED NAVY CAPTAIN.

AND I'VE BEEN IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY SINCE 79.

I'VE WATCHED THIS MASS DEVELOP OVER THE DECADES.

-- ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED THE AGENDA ITEM TALKED ABOUT $150 MILLION AND THE ACTUAL ATTACHMENTS AT $135 MILLION.

NOT TO EXCEED. BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE COMBINED THROUGH HERE, IT'S ALL ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THAT'S WHAT'S DRIVING THE MESS THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW AND THESE DISCUSSIONS.

OUR DEBT SERVICE AMOUNT THAT WE KEEP PAYING EACH YEAR IS GOING 25%, 30% NOW 35% OF ALL OUR TAX DOLLARS.

OUR US DEBT EXCEEDS GDP. WILLIAMSON COUNTY SEEMS TO BE FOLLOWING THIS MESS IN TERMS OF PROGRESSION.

YEAR AFTER YEAR, WEEK AFTER WEEK, WE GET THIS COMMENT THAT WE'RE STEALING PEOPLE'S PROPERTY USING EMINENT DOMAIN TO KEEP THE COST DOWN. HOW IS IT WE NOW GO THROUGH THE STAGE OF HYPOCRISY TO SAY WE CAN SPEND $300,000 AN ACRE.

MASSIVELY EXCEEDING ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE SAMSUNG PROJECT AND THAT FIASCO. AS CICERO SAID OVER 2000 YEARS AGO, THE MAIN PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT IS THE SAFETY OF ITS

[02:05:11]

THERE'S PLENTY OF PLACES OUT THERE WHERE YOU CAN BUILD A JAIL MUCH MORE ECONOMICALLY AND MUCH MORE SAFELY.

SO GO BACK -- AND COME UP WITH A BETTER PLAN, UNAFFORDABLE PLAN.

AND IF YOU NEED HELP, I HAVE A U.S. PATENT ON COST PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS, OPTIMIZATION. SO I AGREE WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE. IT'S TIME TO GO BACK AND START AT SQUARE ONE AND DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

PLUS PLUS. >> JIM DILLON.

IS HE STILL HERE? IS MR. DILLON STILL WITH US TODAY. NO? BRIAN WILLIAMS WOULD YOU COME UP PLEASE? THE SHERIFF WOULD LOVE TO BE HERE TODAY HE CANNOT BE HERE TODAY AND BRIAN, IF YOU WOULD JOIN US I'D LIKE TO -- I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO ADDRESS A FEW OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP TODAY THAT EVERYBODY HAS THEIR CONCERNS AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND YES, WE ARE ON ITEM -- WE CAN TALK ABOUT ALL OF THEM.

44, 46 AND FOUR -- 47 FOR NOW. >> REAL QUICK BEFORE HE JUMPS IN. ON THE PARTICULAR ITEM OF 44, WHICH WE BROUGHT BACK BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ABOUT THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND CONCERNS FROM THAT MARCH 24TH MEETING AND I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT THOSE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY OUR IN-HOUSE COUNSEL AS WELL AS OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL WHO HAS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND IN FACT WHEN HE WORKED AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, HELPED OFFER OPINIONS RELATED TO THE ACT. BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL HAVE OPINED THAT OUR ACTIONS ON THE 24TH WERE SUFFICIENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT ACT. AND I KNOW PEOPLE HERE HAVE ASKED FOR MORE SO BEYOND WHAT THE ACT REQUIRES THAT'S WHAT WE DO TODAY IS BRING IT BACK SO YOU COULD HAVE MORE TIME TO COMMENT.

THOSE ARE VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FOLLOWING THE LAW AND I WANT TO REITERATE THAT OUR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE COUNCILS DON'T -- FELT LIKE THAT WAS SUFFICIENT BUT TODAY BECAUSE WE HEARD YOU WE WANTED TO PUT IT BACK AND BRING IT BACK TO ALLOW YOU TO HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR

INPUT. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> BRIAN WILLIAMS. ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY OVER SPECIAL OPERATIONS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUY I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY.

SEVERAL COMMENTS WERE MADE AND THE GLOBAL COMMENT OF SAFETY IS A CONCERN OF MANY. THE PROXIMITY OF THIS POTENTIAL BUILDINGS HERE NEXT TO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL BROUGHT UP ROCK RIDE AND CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER.

CONCERNS ABOUT PERHAPS JAILBREAKS AND EVEN MORE CONCERNING PROBABLY AND I HEARD FROM SEVERAL IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE GET OUT OF JAIL AND WHEN DO THEY EXIT AND HOW DO THEY GET TO THEIR NEXT LOCATION. SO THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT

[02:10:02]

>> SURE. I WASN'T PREPARED TO SPEAK ON THIS AND I DON'T WANT TO DISCOUNT THE COMMENTS FROM THOSE -- DEFINITELY RESPECT THAT. BUT IN TERMS OF GENERALLY SPEAKING THE SAFETY AROUND OUR CURRENT LOCATION, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF CRIME THAT HAPPENS AROUND THE CURRENT JAIL.

IT DOESN'T MEAN IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT I'M AWARE OF NOT BEING HERE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF CAME FROM THE CITY -- THERE'S JUST NOT A LOT OF CRIME THAT TAKES PLACE AROUND THE JAIL. THE FACILITY DOESN'T HOUSE INMATES FROM OTHER COUNTIES OR FEDERAL INMATES.

IT'S VIOLATORS INSIDE THE COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY.

IN TERMS OF RELEASING. >> LET ME CLARIFY SOMETHING.

THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN OUR JAIL THAT GET SENTENCED TO STAY IN FEDERAL PRISON, THEY GET TRANSFERRED OUT.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> AT SOME POINT THEY GET

TRANSFERRED. >> I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE IN THERE COMMIT STATE AND FEDERAL CRIMES HERE IN WILKO BUT THEY DON'T STAY HERE AND SERVE THEIR TIME AND ARE NOT

RELEASED HERE. >> CORRECT.

THAT'S CORRECT AND I THINK THE POINT I WAS MAKING ON THAT PIECE IS WE DON'T CONTRACT WITH OTHER COUNTIES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT TO HOUSE INMATES. IN TERMS OF RELEASING -- I. DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS OF CORRECTIONS, BUT WE DO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR SOME IN TERMS OF TAKING THEM TO THE BUS STATION WITH A BUS TICKET. AND I KNOW IN SPEAKING WITH THE SHERIFF ON THIS THAT THERE WOULD BE INTEREST IN EXPANDING THAT IF IT'S NEEDED WITH ANY LOCATION THAT WE MOVE TO.

WHETHER IT'S HERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

I THINK TO THE EXTENT THAT I CAN SPEAK TO THOSE TOPICS, THAT'S PROBABLY ABOUT IT. BUT ALL OF US THAT WORK INSIDE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE. WE WORK VERY HARD EACH AND EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS IN THIS COUNTY END UP IN THAT BUILDING QUITE FRANKLY AND WE WORK VERY HARD AT THAT. ANY WAY IF YOU HAVE ANY

SPECIFICS. >> I APPRECIATE IT.

THE CONCERNS ARE VALID, I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE SHARE THEIR CONCERNS NO MATTER WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP UNPREPARED AS YOU ARE, YOU CAN SPEAK TO WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR EXPERIENCE THERE WITH THE JAIL.

I DIDN'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER HAD QUESTIONS OR WANTED TO BRING ANYTHING UP. I WILL MENTION THE 3000 BEDS, I SPOKE ABOUT THIS EVEN LAST NIGHT, THAT IS WHAT WE ANTICIPATE WE MAY NEED ONE DAY PERHAPS.

BASED ON HOWEVER MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY MIGHT FILL IN THE GAPS IN THE COUNTY AND THAT DEPENDS ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT QUESTION MARKS THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL OR EVEN ANTICIPATE NECESSARILY. BUT WE HAD TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS MAKE SURE THE LAND THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO MOVE IT AGAIN. THAT WAS REALLY WHY BUT THAT WOULD NOT BE WHAT WE BUILD NOW. WE TALKED TO THE SHERIFF AND GO TO DIFFERENT PLACES. SOME PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TODAY AT FACILITIES ELSEWHERE TO TRY TO LEARN FROM THEM.

BUT ANYWAY THAT 3000 BED IS A SCARY NUMBER AND I HOPE WE NEVER HAVE TO GET TO THAT. WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH WORK WE'RE DOING IN PROGRAMS WHERE WE CONTINUE AND ADD ON TO, I WOULD HOPE WE'D AVOID THAT. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE

FOR BRIAN? >> TODAY THE ISSUE IS THE JAIL WAS FULL OR NEARLY FULL. I BELIEVE.

IT'S FALLING APART AND OUT. >> I THINK PART OF THE ISSUE IS THAT WE'RE ALL STILL BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH JUDICIARY.

>> THE CENTER IS A WHOLE NOTHER ISSUE.

>> THAT'S TRUE. >> WHY DOES THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

NEED TO BE NEXT TO THE JAIL? >> THAT'S SOMETHING THE SHERIFF HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN IN THAT CONVERSATION WITH OUR

[02:15:04]

TODAY THEY'RE NEXT TO EACH OTHER WITH A TUNNEL UNDER THE GROUND THAT TRANSPORTS INMATES ARE ABLE TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO COURT.

YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT, BRIAN. I KNOW IN AUSTIN THEY DON'T HAVE IT THAT WAY. THEIR JAIL IS OUT AT THE

AIRPORT. >> I THINK IT CREATES MORE ISSUES WITH TRANSPORTING FOLKS THROUGH COURT BACK TO THE FACILITY. BUT THE WAY THAT IT'S STRUCTURED NOW MAKES IT A LOT MORE EFFECTIVE.

>> SAFER. I THINK TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE AND WE TALKED TO THE SHERIFF ABOUT -- I. KNOW THERE'S ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL HELP WITH THAT AS WELL.

A PLAN FOR FOLKS AS THEY EXIT OUR FACILITY, IF THEY'VE SERVED THEIR TIME. AND I'M ENCOURAGED THAT THE SHERIFF ACKNOWLEDGES IT AND WANTS TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE'RE DOING BUT ALSO IMPROVE AND EXPAND.

>> THAT WAS HIS COMMENT TO ME AND EVEN BEFORE COMING UP HERE THAT HAVING INTEREST IN EXPANDING THAT.

I UNDERSTAND IT. >> MY UNDERSTANDING FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHERIFF IS MOST FOLKS AT EXIT OUR JAIL ARE NOT WANTING TO STAY AROUND. AND MOST OF THEM HAVE RIDES.

IS THAT ACCURATE. >> THAT'S ACCURATE.

>> SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FEW THAT DON'T HAVE RIDES THAT WE WOULD HELP TRANSPORT THEM. YOU'RE PROVIDING TRANSPORT RIGHT NOW WITH BUS TICKETS OUT. THEN FOR THOSE THAT ARE ANOTHER SUBSET OF THAT WE WOULD WORK ON EXPANDING.

>> YES. I THINK ANOTHER COMMENT MENTIONED AGAIN, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

BUT IN RECENT YEARS WE'VE NEVER HAD AN ESCAPE FROM THE JAIL.

SO THERE'S JUST NOT NUMBERS TO POINT TO FROM THAT ASPECT AS

WELL. >> I DON'T THINK THERE'S BEEN AN ESCAPE IN ALMOST 20 YEARS THAT I'VE SERVED EITHER.

I'VE LOOKED AT THAT TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.

THERE'S ALSO FOLKS CONCERNED WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON CONVENIENCE VERSUS A BETTER DECISION ELSEWHERE.

I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO TRY TO GLEAN FROM THEM WHAT WOULD WORK BEST HERE COULD YOU SPEAK TO THAT?

>> I WASN'T INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THOSE BUT BEING THE FORMER POLICE CHIEF IN ROUND ROCK FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS I THINK I CAN SPEAK TO THAT. IN TERMS OF THE LOCATION INSIDE THE COUNTY OF WHERE THE JAIL IS CAN PUT STRAIN ON RESOURCES.

IF YOU START THINKING ABOUT THE CITY IN THE COUNTY THAT HAVE TO TRANSPORT PRISONERS TO THE COUNTY JAIL AND GET BACK TO THEIR CITIES TO POLICE, IT COULD BE A STRAIN.

SO MY GUESS WOULD BE A LOT OF CHIEFS WOULD SHARE CONCERN ABOUT THE FACILITY WHEREVER IT'S LOCATED IF SOMEONE MORE CENTRALLY LOCATED PERHAPS SO IT'S NOT ON THE FAR EDGES OF THE COUNTY. AND THE SAME HOLDS TRUE WITH EMS SERVICES. WE PULL ON EMS FOR RESPONSE AND WE WANT THAT RESPONSE TO BE RELATIVELY QUICK TO GET FOLKS

OUT TO THE JAIL IF NEEDED. >> THE PROXIMITY TO THAT POINT, THE HOSPITALS WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE SHERIFF.

>> BECAUSE IT SAVES LIVES. >> IF I COULD, I FIRST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO CAME TODAY. I KNOW TOOK TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY AND YOU'VE EXPRESSED THAT. SO THANK YOU BECAUSE YOUR IMPETUS IS IMPORTANT AND ONE OF THE THINGS IT POINTS OUT IN MORE DETAIL TO ME IS WE NEED TO LISTEN MORE ON THE PROJECT AND WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE MORE ON THE PROJECT.

THERE'S A LOT -- I'M HEARING A LOT OF STATEMENTS OUT THERE AND I THINK THERE'S ANSWERS TO A LOT OF THEM.

I DON'T KNOW THERE'S AN ANSWER TO ALL OF THEM YET AND SO I AM

[02:20:08]

AND I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE THAT VERY WELL AND I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER AT THAT. I ALSO WANT TO SAY, I BELIEVE JUDGE SNELL IS AT HIS COLLEGE -- SON'S COLLEGE GRADUATION.

WHEN THE COUNTY MANAGER WAS UP HERE LAST WEEK, I WAS SPECIFIC IN SAYING WHAT IS OUR BIGGEST NEED AND SHE SAID IT'S COURTROOMS. THEN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY GOT UP AND HE WAS EMPHATIC ABOUT WE NEED MORE COURTROOMS AND I'VE SINCE RECEIVED PHONE CALLS FROM JUDGES SAYING WE NEED MORE COURTROOMS. SO I KNOW THAT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST ON MY MIND AS WE GO THROUGH THE AGENDA TODAY.

SO I'VE HEARD A DA AND OUR JUDGES AND PEOPLE TODAY.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE MOST PART EVERYBODY SAID IT LOOKS LIKE A DIFFICULT DECISION BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S THE BEST DECISION. I'VE HEARD YOU SAY THAT.

AND WE ARE LIKE I SAID THERE'S STILL RECOMMENDATION FOR US TO GET BUT ALSO A WHOLE LOT MORE COMMUNICATING TO BE DONE.

AND MOSTLY I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TODAY BECAUSE EVERY SPEAKER I'VE GOTTEN MORE INFORMATION AND UNDERSTOOD MORE FROM IT. THANK YOU.

>> I'VE THOUGHT LONG AND HARD ABOUT THIS DISCUSSION AND IN MY YEARS ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, THERE'S HARD DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE. AND THIS RANKS UP THERE WITH ONE OF THE HARDEST ONES BECAUSE ANY LOCATION THAT WE WOULD PICK, THERE'S GOING TO BE INDIVIDUALS. THE REALITY IS IT HAS TO BE IN THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN AND LAND THAT CAN BE ANNEXED INTO THE CITY BUT IT HAS TO BE INTO THE CITY AND I THINK THIS IS ONE OF -- IN ALMOST 20 YEARS, ONE OF THE HARDEST DECISIONS I'VE HAD TO WEIGH IN ON BECAUSE IT HAS A HUGE IMPACT NO MATTER WHERE WE PUT IT. BECAUSE THE STATE LAW, OUR REQUIREMENTS OF WHERE IT HAS TO BE DRIVE LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY.

SO THAT -- AGAIN IT'S GOING TO IMPACT PEOPLE NO MATTER WHERE WE PUT IT AND IT'S A DIFFICULT DECISION THAT I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO THINK -- SPEAKING FOR MYSELF THAT IT'S BEEN TAKEN LIGHTLY AND I'VE RESEARCHED AND LOOKED AT OPTIONS.

I THINK COMMISSIONER, SINCE THIS IS KIND OF YOUR BACKGROUND I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT CAME BACK REGARDING PRICE, I THINK YOU PROBABLY HAVE A BETTER IDEA IN TERMS OF THE LAND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, VALUE. AND VALUE VERSUS MARKET VALUE PEER COULD YOU TALK ABOUT THAT JUST --

>> THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT HAS THEIR OWN APPRAISAL THAT DOESN'T REFLECT MARKET VALUE. AND YOU CAN TALK TO THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT ABOUT THAT. IT KIND OF SHOWS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF LIMITED VALUE FOR THE SAKE OF TAXING.

IT'S 250 ACRES ON THE LOOP IN GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, WITH SERVICES AND THOSE THINGS LIKE THAT ARE IN DEMAND.

SO THEY TYPICALLY SEE THE PRICE REFLECT THAT.

I'VE HEARD PRICE MENTIONED A LOT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PRICE IS WRONG AND I'D BE THE FIRST TO

SAY IF IT WAS. >> YOU'D LET US KNOW.

>> I'D LET YOU KNOW. THERE ARE SOME THINGS.

OUR COURTROOMS AND I'VE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS, THEY ARE TO BE INSIDE THE COUNTY SEAT AND THE COUNTY SEAT IS GEORGETOWN.

AND I SAID THIS LAST WEEK. FOR THOSE WHO WERE HERE FIRST, THE FIRST SPEAKER WHEN WE WERE EXPLAINING WE HAVE TO APPROVE

[02:25:02]

THAT'S WHAT THE STATE MAKES US DO.

IN THIS SITUATION THE STATE MAKES US ADD COURTROOMS. WHEN OUR POPULATION GETS TO A CERTAIN SIZE.

AND YOU ARE ALL HERE. WE ARE GROWING AND WE DON'T HAVE A GREAT PLACE TO PUT THOSE COURTROOMS IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO REMEDY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS. IT'S NOT LIKE -- I. DON'T THINK ANY OF US GOT THIS MORNING AND SAID I REALLY WANT TO BE COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND FIGURE OUT A GOOD PLACE TO MOVE THE JAIL TO.

THIS IS NOT -- LIPS AS THE LAW STATES IT.

WE HEARD THE DA LAST WEEK AND HE WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THE NEED IS HERE AND NOW IN THOSE COUR COURTROOMS. THE OTHER HALF IS THE JAIL. THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO STOP AND LISTEN. I WISH IT WAS A STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS FROM WHERE WE'RE AT. IT'S NOT.

I CAN ASSURE THERE'S MORE INFORMATION THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU AND THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF INFORMATION WE CAN GET FROM YOU TO HELP GUIDE US IN THIS PROCESS.

I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE THAT YET AND I'D LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY WHEN WE START DECIDING WHAT FACILITIES TO FACILITATE, LIKE I SAID I HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR THAT COUNTY MANAGERS SAY COURTROOMS IS OUR NUMBER 1 NEED. SO FOR ME THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING TO START TO FOCUS. AND THAT WILL GIVE US TIME TO

LISTEN. >> OKAY.

AND I DO APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH ME ON GETTING EVERYONE A CHANCE TO SPEAK.

AND YOU'RE SNAPPING WAS MUCH BETTER THAN TAKING UP TIME CLAPPING, SO I APPRECIATE THAT. VERY WELL DONE.

[44. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on the approval and ratification of the prior action taken by the Williamson County Commissioners Court at its March 24, 2026 Regular Session relating to an Assignment of Commercial Contract – Unimproved Property between Scott Stribling, as Assignor, and County of Williamson, as Assignee, relating to the assignment of that certain Commercial Contract – Unimproved Property, bearing the effective date of March 9, 2026, between Scott Stribling, referred to therein as Buyer, and Lera B Hughes Properties, LP, referred to therein as Seller, containing a sales price amount of $75,819,874, relating to the purchase of approximately 255 acres (more or less and subject to final survey) acres of real property (WCAD R038820, R519352, R432645 & R519356) located near Inner Loop/CR 110/Southwestern Boulevard/Sam Houston Avenue/1200 CR 110, Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas that may be used for purposes of future Williamson County facilities and other governmental purposes to include but not be limited to a future jail and justice complex; and authorize the County Judge to execute the Assignment of Commercial Contract – Unimproved Property and all other documents and instruments that may be necessary to close the transaction and convey the real property to the County of Williamson.]

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

I'M GOING TO READ ITEM 44. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF THE PRIOR ACTION TAKEN BY THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AT ITS MARCH 24TH, 2026 REGULAR SESSION RELATING TO AN ASSIGNMENT OF COMMERCIAL CONTRACT UNAPPROVED PROPERTY BETWEEN SCOTT STRIP POINT AS ASSIGNOR AND COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON AS ASSIGNEE RELATING TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL CONTRACT AND IMPROVED PROPERTY BEARING EFFECTIVE DATE MARCH 92026 -- REFERRED TO VARIANT BUYER AND LAURA B. HUGHES PROPERTIES LP REFERRED TO THEREIN AS SELLER CONTAINING A SALES PRICE AMOUNT OF $75,819,874 RELATED TO THE PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 255 ACRES MORE OR LESS AND SUBJECT TO FINAL SURVEY ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY ARE 038 038820R519352R432645 AND R519356 LOCATED NEAR INTERLOOP COUNTY ROAD 110 SOUTHWESTERN BOULEVARD SAM HOUSTON AVENUE 1200 COUNTY ROAD 110 GEORGETOWN -- GEORGETOWN WILLIAMSON COUNTY TEXAS THAT MAY BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE OF FUTURE WILLIAMSON COUNTY FACILITIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT PURPOSES NOT LIMITED TO FUTURE JAIL COMPLEX AND AUTHORIZED THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE THE ASSIGNMENT OF COMMERCIAL CONTRACT, UNAPPROVED PROPERTY AND OTHER DOCUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS THAT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE TRANSACTION AND CONVEY THE REAL PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON.

COMMISSIONER LONG, THIS IS THE ITEM YOU WERE ON?

>> I SAID -- >> IT CODIFIES WHAT WE DID IN

THE PAST. >> RIGHT.

>> IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES.

>> I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THE ITEM.

>> I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM 44.

>> I SECOND IT. AND JUST TO REMIND THE COURT THAT OUR OPTION. IS UP.

IF WE DON'T DECIDE ON THIS TO TODAY.

>> OUR LONG RANGE PLAN IS TO TRY TO BUILD CAMPUSES SO THAT WE CAN

[02:30:05]

NEW CAMPUS ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT. SO FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF THE

COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, IT WOULD -- >> REDUCE OUR OVERALL COST,

SERVICES. >> TO TRY TO GET CLOSE.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ANYTHING?

ALL IN FAVOR? >> THIS IS NOT A VOTE FOR THE JAIL TO GO THERE. IT'S A VOTE TO OWN THAT

PROPERTY. >> THIS IS CODIFYING THAT --

>> COMMERCIAL PROPERTY WHICH THEREFORE IS A HIGHER COST --

>> I DO WANT TO COMMENT ON THE PRICE OF THE LAND THAT CONTINUES TO COME UP. SO THE LAND IS 255 ACRES.

WE'LL SURVEY IT TO THE FINAL EXACT TALLY.

AND AGAIN, IT WAS IN AGRICULTURE AND AS AN EXEMPTION THAT IS A VERY LOW PRICE. THAT'S WHY FOLKS WANT TO PUT THEIR LAND IN AGRICULTURE IF THEY ARE NOT DEVELOPING IT OR EVEN IF THEY HAVE A LARGE PARCEL, THEY WILL CARVE OUT AN ACRE TO LIVE ON AND THE REST IS AGRICULTURE.

THEY DO THAT TO NOT PAY HIGHER TAXES.

THAT'S WHAT THIS LAND WAS IN. IT'S NOTHING DEVELOPED ON IT AND IT WAS IN AGRICULTURE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL ACREAGE AND TOTAL PRICE, IT'S A LITTLE OVER $6, AROUND 6.50 AN -- A. SQUARE FOOT. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT AMOUNT.

IT'S VERY WELL WITHIN -- WE ARE PAYING MUCH MORE THAN THAT ACTUALLY FOR RIGHT OF WAY. ELSEWHERE IN AROUND THE COUNTY.

AND I WANT TO MENTION SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I KNOW THE TRANSPORTATION THAT WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS MENTIONED.

TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE. IT'S ALWAYS AN ISSUE WHEN YOU PUT ANY DEVELOPMENT ANYWHERE. WE HAD THE COUPLE THAT CAME UP EARLIER AND TALKED ABOUT THEIR COUNTY ROAD.

THE INTERLOOP IS GOING TO HAVE -- GOING TO START THE PROJECT SOON. THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE PARTNERING ON WIDENING INTERLOOP.

THE FIRST PHASE WILL BE 1460 TO ROCK RIDE -- SORRY TO SOUTHWESTERN BOULEVARD. THAT WILL START VERY SOON AND THEN THE REST OF IT AROUND TO 29 WILL BE ON THE HEELS OF THAT.

THE TOTAL PLAN FOR SAM HOUSTON, THAT IS THE BYPASS AND IT WILL BE DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE ON THE ROAD IF IT WILL HAVE FURNISHED ROADS OR NOT BUT IT WILL HAVE A LARGE FOOTPRINT ALSO TO GET PEOPLE TO AND FROM. TO WORK ON.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE BYPASS FOR A LONG TIME AND SOUTHWESTERN IS AN ADDITIONAL ROAD. MY CONCERN HAS BEEN MAPLE STREET AND THAT'S PART OF THIS INITIAL PROJECT WITH THE INTERLOOP.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS ON HERE AND TO YOUR POINT COMMISSIONER, WE ARE TRYING TO GET INFORMATION OUT.

THE FACT QUESTIONS AS I VOLUNTEERED TO COME TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND SPEAK TO YOU IF YOU'D LIKE.

BUT WE WILL GET ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT.

TO THE COMMISSIONERS POINT, IT MAY NOT BE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO HEAR. IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE THE OUTCOME AND I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

IT'S A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ITEMS

[45. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action to update, allocate, and approve projects, real property purchases, and budgets from the 2026 Capital Improvement Program remaining balance and other possible sources of funds.]

[46. Consideration and possible action with respect to an Order Authorizing The Issuance Of Williamson County, Texas Limited Tax Notes In One Or More Series In An Aggregate Amount Not To Exceed $150,000,000; Levying An Ad Valorem Tax In Support Of The Notes; Approving Paying Agent/Registrar Agreements, Official Statements And Purchase Agreements; Establishing The Procedures For Selling And Delivering One Or More Series Of The Notes; And Authorizing Other Matters Relating To The Notes for designing, constructing, improving, expanding, or acquiring judicial facilities, and equipment to include land acquisition for a new judicial facility and jail; constructing, reconstructing, and expanding roads and acquiring certain right-of-way; and paying the costs of issuance of the Notes.]

BECAUSE I WILL CALL THEM BOTH UP.

BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT MONEY AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR SOME THINGS.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THIS PARCEL OF LAND, THOUGH IT IS PART OF IT IN ITEM 46. THE REST OF IT IS POTENTIALLY RIGHT OF WAY MONEY AND POTENTIALLY OTHER THINGS.

WE HAD LAST WEEK TO CLARIFY SOMETHING SAID EARLIER.

135 MILLION ON LAST WEEK. IT'S 150 MILLION.

THAT IS SO WE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT OTHER

THINGS IN THAT TRANCHE OF DEBT. >> JULIE KYLIE, COUNTY AUDITOR AND YES COMMISSIONER IF WE COULD DISCUSS ITEMS 45 AND 46 TOGETHER. ITEM 46 WAS PLACED ON THE AGENDA

[02:35:01]

YES, THE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE ATTACHED CURRENTLY REFLECT 135, AND BASED ON THE COURT'S DECISION TODAY, WE WILL ADMIT THOSE DOCUMENTS ACCORDINGLY AND/OR NOT.

ON 45, THE ITEM IS TO ALLOW US AND I KNOW ANDY IS ALLOWING US TO PUT ON THE SCREEN THE CIP LIST.

SOME OF THE ITEMS WE DISCUSSED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS ARE HOW WE WOULD PLAN TO FUND THE BALANCE OF THE JUSTICE COMPLEX OF WHICH YOU HAVE ALREADY VOTED TO APPROVE THE NEXT THREE PHASES. DO WE WANT THAT MONEY TO COME FROM OUR CIP PROGRAM OR DO WE WISH TO WRAP THAT UP IN THE TAX ANTICIPATION NOTE. I HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO INCLUDE SOME SEED MONEY TO START LOOKING AT THE JUSTICE COMPLEX PROJECT.

THE KNOWN ITEMS IN THE TAX ANTICIPATION NOTE ARE 76 MILLION FOR THE LAND PURCHASE THAT YOU VOTED ON IN ITEM 44 AND APPROXIMATELY 50 MILLION THAT WAS NEEDED -- THE REST IS THE DISCUSSION WE CAN HAVE UNDER ITEMS 4546.

>> I'M GOING TO PASS THIS DOWN BUT I PRINTED OUT -- IT'S TOGETHER. IT'S A PACKET.

SO BOTH OF THOSE GO TOGETHER. THE FIRST IS JUST THE COPY OF WHAT YOU ARE SEEING ON THE SCREEN SO WE COULD LOOK AT IT.

ALTHOUGH IT IS SMALLER FONT THAN WE WOULD LIKE PERHAPS, AT LEAST IT'S EASIER TO SEE. THE OTHER SHEET IS A STARTING POINT AND A DISCUSSION. WHAT I DID WAS I TOOK ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THE CIP LIST AND ADDED THE ROAD BOND RIGHT AWAY AT THE BOTTOM. ON THIS SHEET RIGHT HERE AT THE VERY LAST PAGE, IT HAS A COUPLE OF THE ITEMS THAT WERE JUST MENTIONED, THE LAND PURCHASE AND PERHAPS SOME SEED MONEY.

WHAT I WAS LOOKING AT WAS HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE HAVE IN DIFFERENT FUNDS. WHAT I DID WAS I ISOLATED CERTAIN THINGS, PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

I TOOK OUT THE CLUTTER OF THE OTHER NUMBERS AND SAID IF WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE PROJECTS WE STARTED AND COMPLETE THOSE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PRECINCT FOUR AND I WILL MENTION THAT IN A MINUTE CACTUS IS A POSSIBLE WAY OF FUNDING THEM.

SO THE COLUMNS ARE THE TEN AND WE CAN ARGUE OR DISCUSS HOW MUCH WE WANT TO BE BUT GIVEN ITS 150 MILLION, WHAT COULD GO IN THAT COLUMN AND WHAT WOULD WE SPEND THE EXISTING CIP.

THAT'S NOT TO INCLUDE THE 20 MILLION OF CIP FROM THE NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS WHERE I'M THINKING ABOUT.

WE WOULD HAVE SOME MONEY THAT WE WOULD BE SPENDING BECAUSE WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH POSSIBLE OPTIONS ON THAT SO NOT TO FORGET IT BUT THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T INCLUDE IT ON HERE BUT WE WOULD HAVE THE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THAT AND PERHAPS SELLING SOME STUFF HERE YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS TO BRING TO US STILL.

SO THIS IS A STARTING POINT ON THE DISCUSSION TODAY SO WE CAN SEE HOW MUCH WE WANT THE TEN TO BE.

THESE ARE UPDATED NUMBERS AS OF LATE YESTERDAY FOR EACH OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS, INCLUDING THE ENTIRE BUILDING BROKEN DOWN INTO THE ENTIRE BUILDING, THE 911 TRAINER CENTRE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RENOVATION AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUSTER BUILDING OF OUR FACILITIES -- NOT FACILITIES BUT ROAD AND BRIDGE PIER AND THEN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE MASTER PLAN FOR THREE, -- THREE, FOUR AND FIVE PHASES THAT NEED FUNDING.

AND THEN THE SMITH BRANCH TO FINISH THAT, WHICH THAT HAS TO BE DONE SO THAT WE CAN OPEN THE FACILITY ON THE LAND THERE BY THE JUVENILE DETENTION. THE OTHER IS THE INTERIM REMODEL OF THE CURRENT JUSTICE CENTRE. AS WELL, THE ROAD BONDS OF 50 MILLION CACTI LAND PURCHASE AND I ROUNDED IT TO 76, IT'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE LESS THAN THAT.

[02:40:02]

BEGINNING DISCUSSION. >> AND JUST TO INFORM THE COURT, WE HAVE ALREADY SECURED OUR RATINGS FOR THIS POSSIBLE BOND ISSUANCE AND WE RECEIVED NOTICE LATE LAST WEEK THAT OUR TRIPLE A WAS REAFFIRMED WITH BOTH FITCH AND S&P.

SO WE WANTED TO BRING THAT TO THE COURT TODAY AS WELL.

CONNIE IS WORKING ON A PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THAT THE RATINGS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO OUR WEBSITE.

>> THAT IS GREAT NEWS. COMMENTS.

THOUGHTS? BY THE WAY, IN THIS EXAMPLE, I DO HAVE THE EXPANSION TO GET TO THE 150.

IF NOT, WE CAN REDUCE IT. IF IT DOES MOVE OVER, BY THE SHEER AMOUNT, WE WOULD BE EATING INTO THE 27 NEXT YEAR SEE IP.

>> SO IT JUST LEAVES -- OF WHAT YOU ADDED UP HERE OF PROJECTS MARGINALLY ALREADY COMMITTED TO, THE ONE THING THAT WE DON'T HAVE ON HERE IS REPLACING THE TOWER. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT HAS TO BE THIS FISCAL YEAR BUT IT PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> WE HAVE A TOWER ON THERE. WE ALREADY HAVE A MILLION.

>> IF YOU ARE MISSING NUMBERS, YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE COLORFUL SHEET AND IT'S GOT THE OTHER NUMBERS.

BUT I SAW THAT THAT WAS -- WE JUST MOVED IT FROM ONE GROUP TO

THE OTHER. >> SO BASED UPON WHAT YOU EXTRAPOLATED FROM THE MORE DETAILED SPREADSHEET, THANK YOU, SARAH. THE 150 WOULD BASICALLY COVER THE JUVENILE EXPANSION, 50 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL RIGHT OF WAY, 76 FOR THE LAND THAT WE VOTED ON IN 44 AND THE 6.7 FOR CONTINUING THE PROCESS. IS THAT A RIGHT AMOUNT? OR IS IT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

WHAT DOES THAT COVER? >> IT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN --

>> IT WILL KEEP US GOING IN OUR PROCESS.

I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT AMOUNT BURKETT WAS THE DELTA AND THE 150. WE CAN VOTE OR NOT TO MAKE IT BE THAT AMOUNT. I AM TRYING TO SEE WHY I WOULD SUPPORT $150 MILLION. BUT, YES, AND REBECCA IS NOT HERE. THEY ARE ON A TOUR OF A JUSTICE COMPLEX TODAY. THAT'S WHY SHE'S NOT HERE AS WELL AS DALE IS NOT HERE FOR THE SAME REASON.

BUT SARAH IS HERE, AND SHE KNOWS THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN ASK HER. I'M JUST KIDDING.

BUT SHE GOT ALL OF THE INFORMATION FROM DALE BEFORE HE LEFT. THESE ARE UPDATED NUMBERS.

>> AS OF LAST NIGHT. >> WHAT IS THE BENEFIT?

>> IT'S THE SIZE OF THE AMOUNT THAT WE NEED TO FUND.

AND THEY ARE SHORT TERM SEVEN YEAR NOTES THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PAY IT OFF FASTER. HE CAN EXPLAIN.

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> SPECIALIZED PUBLIC FINANCE, FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO THE COUNTY. THE BENEFIT OF THE TANS IS THEY ARE SEVEN YEARS. VERY SHORT COMPARED TO YOUR ABILITY TO GO UP TO 30 PLUS YEARS WITH OTHER DEAD OPTIONS.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT STRATEGICALLY HAS BEEN BUILT BY BUDGET AND HOW YOU LAYER IN THE DEBT LEVELS TO ALLOW YOU TO COME IN AND SELL SHORT TERM NOTES FOR LONG TERM ASSETS AND NOT HAVE THE INTEREST COST THAT YOU NORMALLY HAVE ON LONGER TERM

DEBT. >> IT WILL COST TAXPAYERS LESS

IN THE LONG RUN. >> EXACTLY.

OBVIOUSLY OUR GOAL HAS BEEN TO POUND DEBT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND WE ARE STILL DOING THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> THAT'S OUR GOAL AS IT --

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT. IT'S BEEN LONG TERM SHORT TERM AND THEN PAY IT OFF AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULE WHICH YOU HAVE DONE FOR

[02:45:05]

OVER TEN PLUS YEARS. >> EXACTLY.

AND SAVING MILLIONS. IF WE REDUCE THE 150 TO A LESSER AMOUNT, THE NUMBERS WOULD CHANGE AND WE WOULD EAT INTO OTHER -- REALLY I WANT TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE.

IT'S NOT UNTIL DALE GAVE US THE UPDATED NUMBERS THAT WE SEE WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED TO COMPLETE THESE PROJECTS.

AND I THINK WE'VE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THESE PROJECTS.

AND NOTHING I HAVE LEFT OFF IS SOMETHING THAT IS DEFINITELY NEEDED TO BE FUNDED RIGHT NOW WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PRECINCT FOUR. A PROPONENT OF FIXING THAT ISSUE. YOU ARE GOING TO COME BACK.

>> IT'S TRICKY BECAUSE PART OF IT IS JUSTICE AND PART OF IT IS

NOT JUSTICE. >> IT WOULD FREE UP THE CIP TO

BE ABLE -- >> IT WOULD.

I THINK I'VE SEEN THESE PROJECTS BEFORE.

OTHER THAN BUYING THE PROPERTY FOR THE $75 MILLION PURCHASE, IS THERE ANY EXPENDITURES ON HERE, IS THERE ANY DESIGN, IS THERE ANYTHING ON HERE THAT PERPETUATES THAT SITE, FUNDING FOR THAT SITE OTHER THAN PURCHASING IT.

>> I'M NOT SURE I CLEARLY UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.

WE HAVE ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AND THERE ARE SOME SURVEYS, AT LEAST ONE FOR SURE, POSSIBLY A SECOND ONE THAT HAVE BEEN AGREED TO SPECIFIC TO THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY. THOSE ARE THE EXPENSES I'M AWARE OF SPECIFIC TO THE PROPERTY. AND OTHER THINGS LIKE GEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND ALL OF THAT. ON ITEM -- LET ME BACK UP, WHEN I WENT TO DO THIS EXERCISE, IT WAS A MENTAL EXERCISE BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE WHERE THE MONEY WAS AND IF WE COULD AFFORD AND HOW MUCH WAS REQUESTED. I BELIEVE WE CAN AND I GAVE YOU A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF HOW WE COULD PAY FOR THINGS.

AGAIN, THAT FREES UP SOME OF THE 20 MILLION THAT YOU ARE ANTICIPATING BEING THE NUMBER FOR NEXT YEAR AS WELL AS SOME INTEREST THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT IT'S COVERED AND ALL OF THAT.

SO IT GIVES US SOME FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON SOME OF THESE THINGS WITHOUT EATING ALL OF THAT UP AND THAT

GIVES US SOME FLEXIBILITY. >> CORRECT.

>> SO I WILL MOVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF

150 MILLION. >> CAN I READ THIS ITEM.

>> SURE. >> WE ARE ON ITEM 46, CONSIDERATION OF RESPECT -- WILLIAMSON COUNTY TEXAS LIMITED TAX NOTES IN ONE OR MORE SERIES IN AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150 MILLION LEVYING AND AD VALOREM TAX IN SUPPORT OF THE NOTES APPROVING PAYING AGENT REGISTER AGREEMENTS, OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS, ESTABLISHING THE PROCEDURES FOR SELLING AND DELIVERING ONE OR MORE SERIES OF THE NOTES AND AUTHORIZING OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE NOTES FOR DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, EXPANDING OR ACQUIRING JUDICIAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT TO INCLUDE LAND ACQUISITION FOR NEW JUDICIAL FACILITY AND JAIL CONSTRUCTING -- RECONSTRUCTING AND EXPANDING ROADS AND ACQUIRING CERTAIN RIGHT OF WAY AND PAYING COSTS OF ISSUANCE OF THE NOTES.

>> I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF 150 MILLION FOR THAT.

AS LISTED TO BE UTILIZED. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I WILL SECOND. THERE'S A MOTION BY LONG, JUST TO CLARIFY FOR THAT $150 MILLION, IT IS TO COVER 17,332,000 FOR -- 50 MILLION FOR RIGHT OF WAY FOR 2023 ROAD BONDS. THE LAND PURCHASE AND IT WILL BE WHAT IT IS BUT I AM ROUNDING HERE AT 76 MILLION AND FOR

[02:50:02]

YOU PUT IN THE CORRECT AMOUNT FOR THE ACTUAL PURCHASE.

THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION IS APPROVED.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO GO BACK TO 45.

THE REASON WHY I WANTED TO START TALKING ABOUT CIP EARLIER THAN WE NORMALLY DO WHICH IS NORMALLY IN AUGUST, SEPTEMBER OR EVEN AS LATE AS OCTOBER IN THE PAST IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING GOOD DECISIONS ALONG THE WAY ON FUNDING THESE PROJECTS I KNOW THAT SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE -- IT NEEDS TO BE FUNDED NOW. SO I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO FUND THESE 26 -- THESE PROJECTS UNDER FY 26CIP IN THESE AMOUNTS

AS WERE ESTIMATES. >> START ON THE FIRST PAGE ON THE LAST COLUMN, YOU SEE HOW THAT IS.

>> IT WOULD BE LAKE CREEK ANNEX IMPROVEMENTS LISTED UNDER P632 WHICH IS THE TRAINING CENTRE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF THE ENTIRE BUILDING. ON THE SECOND PAGE UNDER P643 IT WOULD BE THE ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE MUSTER FACILITY FOR DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

P519 FOR THE SMITH BRANCH MITIGATION WHICH IS THE DEALING WITH THE DRAINAGE ISSUES BEHIND THE JUSTICE JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITY IN FINISHING THAT UP AND UNDER THE JUSTICE CENTRE, THE INTERIM PLAN MODEL OF THE CURRENT JUSTICE CENTRE OF 1.4.

THAT TOTALS 12,000,346 -- $397. THAT STILL LEAVES OVER $5 MILLION IN THE BUCKET. IS THAT YOUR MOTION?

>> YES. >> THERE IS A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL SECOND IT.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? I APPRECIATE THAT.

ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES 4-0.

>> COMMISSIONER, IF WE COULD GO TO 46 QUICKLY.

I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE I APPRECIATE MR. FOWLER FROM OUR BOND COUNSEL. HE'S BEEN PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE MEETING TODAY. WE WILL GET THOSE DOCUMENTS WRAPPED UP, WE WILL GET THE ATTACHMENT CORRECTED AND IT WILL

[47. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action to approve a resolution authorizing the County Judge to execute certificates expressing official intent to reimburse costs associated with judicial facilities and jail including the acquisition of land for the future Justice Complex from 2026 TAN proceeds.]

IF I COULD ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF ITEM 47, THIS ITEM IS NEEDED TO REIMBURSE OURSELVES FROM THE TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES WHEN THE FUND ARRIVES. AS SOME OF THESE ITEMS MAY BE INCURRED PRIOR TO THE MONEY ARRIVING IN OUR BANK ACCOUNT.

>> SPEAKER-01: DISCUSS, CONSIDER, TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE CERTIFICATES OFFICIAL INTENT TO REIMBURSE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FACILITIES INCLUDING THE ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR THE FUTURE JUSTICE COMPLEX FROM 2026 TO HAND PROCEEDS.

I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE IS THERE A SECOND? ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES.

[48. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on the selection of salary grievance committee members in the event a hearing is needed with respect to the FY27 Budget.]

>> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WE APPRECIATE IT. THE NEXT ITEM IS 48 AND THAT IS TO SELECT SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

I'M GOING TO ENLIST YOU TO READ THE NAMES AS I PULL THEM OUT OF THE HAT IF THAT IS ALL RIGHT WITH YOU.

>> I AM APOLOGIZING IN ADVANCE. IF YOUR NAME WAS READ AND I

MISPRONOUNCED IT I APOLOGIZE. >> FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS SOMETHING WE DO ANNUALLY TO CREATE A COMMITTEE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO HAVE A PATH TO GRIEVE THEIR SALARIES.

IF THEY CHOOSE TO. WE DON'T AGREE WITH -- IF THEY DON'T AGREE, THEY CAN GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

AND THESE COME FROM A POOL OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SERVED ON

THE GRAND JURY. >> THE FIRST IS IT'S NINE

[02:55:01]

CATHERINE DE JANICE WITT. ROGER WOODLEY, ALDEN FISHER, BRITTANY MUMM JANICE TEETER IF A HARD WIND CAME THROUGH, THAT WOULD BE BAD DON'T LET HIM FALL OFF THE PAGE.

>> IS THAT YOUR NINE? WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF

THEM. >> NEXT IS JAMIE.

>> WE PULLED THEM ALL BUT THE REST ARE ALTERNATES.

>> TERRY, JAMES, DARYL MICHAEL PARSONS ERICA LEWIS RACHEL GOMEZ, DINA FINE, FRANKLIN STOVER, ANTHONY BERNARD.

THE LAST ONE IS LORNA. I PROBABLY SAID THAT WRONG.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE NINE THAT WERE SELECTED FIRST SO THAT -- HOW ARE THESE PEOPLE COMMUNICATED WITH? ALL OF THESE FOLKS WILL RECEIVE LETTERS TO THEIR SELECTION.

MATTHEW, BRIAN -- BRYAN BURROUGH, JASON SEIBEL, WILLIS FOWLER, CATHERINE DE, JANICE WITT, CANISTER WITH, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THE CIP LIST. THOSE ARE THE NAMES.

I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE SELECTION.

>> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE SELECTION AS PULLED FROM THE

HAT. >> IS THERE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES.

[50. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on approving the Goods and Services Contract #2026-218 between Williamson County and Dana Safety Supply, Inc. for the purchase and installation of 48 ballistic windshields in the amount of $164,976.00 and authorizing the execution of the contract pursuant to TIPS contract #240102.]

WE ARE ON 50. THAT IS GOODS AND SERVICE CONTRACT BETWEEN WILLIAMSON COUNTY AND DANA SAFETY SUPPLY FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF 48 BALLISTIC WINDSHIELDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $486,976.

>> JONES WE HAVE A GRANT FOR THAT?

>> MY QUESTION WAS THE FUNDING SOURCE ON THIS ONE.

DID JULIE LEAVE? >> I THINK WE GOT A GRANT.

>> IT'S A CONTRACT BUT COULD WE EXPLAIN.

>> COUNTY ME SEE WHAT I CAN FINR US ON THIS.

IT WILL TAKE ME A MINUTE HERE. HOLD ON.

>> WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING THAT UP, MY REQUEST TO ALL DEPARTMENTS IS THAT WE PUT THE FUNDING SOURCE ON THE AGENDA, ON THE FRONT OF THE AGENDA, NOT JUST ON THE BACK.

IF IT'S FUNDED IN THE BUDGET, THAT IS FINE.

JUST STATE THAT GOING FORWARD. I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL NOT ONLY TO THE COURT BUT TO THE CITIZENS PEER.

>> THIS REQUEST IS GRANT FUNDED GRANT 539 EQUIPMENT PEER.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE.

[03:00:02]

>> SECOND. >> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES 4-0. MOVING ON TO ITEM 51.

[51. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on approving Renewal #1 of the contract with Red Oak Construction, LLC through Choice Partners (Co-Op #25/033MR-40) for the Facilities Department, under the same pricing, terms, and conditions as previously approved by the Commissioners Court on October 28, 2025, Agenda Item #18, and authorize execution of this agreement.]

2025. >> I WILL MOVE THAT WE DO THIS.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? MOTION ALL IN FAVOR MOTION

[52. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on approving Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $44,083.39 for the CPA ADA Parking Upgrades with Falkenberg Construction Co., Inc and increase final completion time by 14 days.]

>> I WILL MOVE FOR THIS. I HAD WRITTEN TO DALE ABOUT THIS FOR THE CPA. HE DIDN'T ANSWER THAT.

BUT HE SAID THIS IS TO MAKE ALL THAT SHOULD BE A DA ACCESSIBLE WHERE THERE IS CONCRETE AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME SHIFTING GOING ON, THEY ARE GOING TO FIX IT.

>> SO THAT IS YOUR MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. MOTION BY COOKE, SECOND BY LONG.

ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSES 4-0.

[53. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on approving the Consent to Contract Assignment for MSA 25RF53 as previously approved by Commissioners Court on August 19, 2025, authorizing Water Engineering, Inc., as Assignor, to assign and transfer all interests, rights, and obligations under the agreement to Wagenfuhr Water, LLC dba Industrial Water Treatment, as Assignee, for Facilities Management, and authorize the execution of the document.]

IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOVE APPROVAL.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> LONG AND.

ANY COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES.

[54. Receive the May 2026 Road Construction Summary Report and PowerPoint Presentation.]

UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING -- >> OR WE CAN TAKE A BREATH.

>> IF YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM, THAT'S GREAT.

IF YOU WANT, WE CAN JUST DO A SUMMARY.

BOB, YOU CAN SUMMARIZE AS YOU FLIP THROUGH.

THANK YOU. >> SENIOR DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY.

IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO GO THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

>> IS THE MICROPHONE ON? >> I WILL TRY TO -- PRECINCT ONE, ONCE AGAIN THERE IS A LOT OF PLANNING, DESIGN ACTIVITY GOING ON IN PRECINCT ONE. A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT, PREPARING TO GO TO CONSTRUCTION BUT NOTHING UNDER CONSTRUCTION

AT THIS TIME. >> IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PRECINCT

ONE? >> YES.

>> PRECINCT TWO, RONALD REAGAN WIDENING FROM 29 TO 30405.

MOVING ALONG NICELY. DOING SOME PAVING AND SOME

DRAINAGE. >> TO BE FINISHED BY THE END OF

THE YEAR? >> THEY COULD VERY WELL BE

FINISHED EARLY. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> A NICE AERIAL SHOT OF THE PROJECT.

MOVING TO 183 TO GARY PARK ROAD, INSTALLING CULVERTS FOR DRA DRAINAGE. THIS IS DRILLING INTO THE EMBANKMENT THERE TO INSTALL SOIL NAILS, IT'S A TYPE OF RETAINING WALL TO KEEP THE SIDES FROM FALLING IN.

NICE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY THERE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CONNIE WATSON AND HER OFFICE AND STAFF FOR ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS ON COLLECTING THESE AERIAL SHOTS. IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO DO

THAT AND WE ARE APPRECIATIVE. >> THAT IS A -- THAT DRONE WAS WAY UP THERE I THINK WE ARE THERE NEARING CONSTRUCTION -- COMPLETION, MOVING TO PRECINCT THREE.

[03:05:04]

A HAPPY OCCASION. >> THAT IS THE ONE THAT MADE IT

THROUGH THREE COMMISSIONERS. >> AND IT IS COMPLETED.

>> IT IS REALLY A WONDERFUL SAFETY PROJECT FOR A LOT OF OUR PROJECTS ARE MOBILITY PROJECTS BUT THIS WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY SAFETY PROJECT THAT WILL REALLY KEEP A LOT OF REAR END ACCIDENTS

DOWN. >> WE TALKED ABOUT SOME RESTRIPING IN A CERTAIN AREA. HAS THAT BEEN COMPLETED?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAS BUT I WILL GET BACK TO YOU.

THE SPRING EXTENSION, CITY OF ROUND ROCK.

>> THAT WILL BE NICE TO HAVE BOTH OF THOSE ROADS OPEN.

WHEN THIS OPENS UP, IT WILL HEAD -- IT WILL HELP SPREAD THE TRAFFIC OUT. AREA 255254 RONALD REAGAN, ONCE AGAIN DOING SOME PAVING. ANOTHER NICE AERIAL SHOT.

195 PARTNERSHIP SOME PAVING PUTTING UP SOME CONCRETE RAIL A PARTNERSHIP CITY SENIOR PARK. AS YOU CAN TELL, THIS PROJECT IS PART OF A LARGER PROJECT THAT THE CITY OF CEDAR PARK HAS THAT WILL IMPROVE THE MOBILITY OF THIS AREA.

MOVING TO PRECINCT FOUR, THE ROADWAY WORK IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE. WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE RAILROAD TRACK ISSUES, THE RETAINING WALL AND BOX CULVERT FOR THE RAILROAD. HIGHWAY SEGMENT TWO COMPLETING SOME BRIDGES. THIS IS LIFTING BRIDGE DECK PANELS. THIS IS PUTTING IN FILL, WHICH IS EIGHT -- WHICH IS CHEAP CONCRETE TO EVERYBODY ELSE BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET NEXT TO A BRIDGE, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET GOOD COMPACTION AND SO IS EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE TO FILL IT UP WITH CHEAP CONCRETE. IT HELPS KEEP IT FROM SETTLING AND YOU GET THAT BOUNCE AT THE END OF BRIDGES OR A DROP OFF AT THE END SOMETIMES. IT'S ALWAYS EXCITING.

OLD SETTLERS BOULEVARD, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK. ANOTHER PARTNERSHIP 1121ST PHASE AND THEN MOVING ON TO THE SECOND PHASE.

WE'VE GOT PROJECTS MOVING ALONG NICELY.

MOVING TO 1460 AND THE TURN LANE PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF COP COPELAND. MOVING TO 110, THE FINAL COMPLETION OF THE NORTHERN SEGMENT OF THE 110 PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR SEVERAL THIS IS AFTER WE PUT THE LINE DOWN AND MIX IT ALL THE CHEMISTRY WE DID IS POKED IT AND TO BE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT MIX OF LINE IN THERE.

A NICE AERIAL SHOT OF 110. AND THAT CONCLUDES THE REPORT.

[55. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on approving a variance request to the Williamson County Subdivision Regulations from Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. on behalf of Tri Pointe Homes for the Tri Pointe at Pearson Ranch subdivision – Precinct 1. ]

[56. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on approval of the preliminary plat for the Tri Pointe at Pearson Ranch private subdivision – Precinct 1. ]

[57. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on Contract Amendment No 2 under Williamson County Contract for Land Surveying Services between Diamond Surveying, Inc. and Williamson County dated March 19, 2024.]

[58. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on Supplemental 4 to Work Authorization 1 under Williamson County Contract for Land Surveying Services between Diamond Surveying, Inc. and Williamson County dated March 19, 2024.]

[59. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on Contract Amendment No 5 under Williamson County Contract for Engineering Services between KC Engineering, Inc. and Williamson County dated May 31, 2022, for Design Engineering Services for Small Drainage and Small Roadway Projects. ]

[60. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding an Antiquities Permit Application to the Texas Historical Commission (THC), required as part of the Due Diligence Environmental Investigation on the East Wilco Highway, Segment 5 project, a 2023 Road Bond project in Commissioner Precinct 4.]

[61. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding an Antiquities Permit Application to the Texas Historical Commission (THC), required as part of the Due Diligence Environmental Investigation on the Ronald Reagan Widening Segment D-1 (Additional Improvements) project, a 2023 Road Bond project in Commissioner Precinct 3.]

[62. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a Donation General Warranty Deed from Tamara S. Kazda to Williamson County to convey 0.1169 AC needed as right of way in the Place Subdivision.]

[63. Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on a First Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between Williamson County and Jonah Water Special Utility District, regarding the Relocation of Water system Improvements in the Southeast Loop Segment 2 Roadway Construction Project.]

>> I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON ITEMS 55 THROUGH 63.

>> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE ITEMS 55 THROUGH 63.

>> IS THERE A SECOND. >> SECOND.

[03:10:01]

>> ITEMS 55 THROUGH 63, ANY COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES 4-0. WE ARE GOING TO RECESS THIS MEETING AT 1249PM TO TAKE UP THE ROAD DISTRICT MEETING AT 1249PM.

THERE IS A REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND COLLECTIONS.

ITEMS ONE AND TWO. >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEMS ONE AND TWO. THE MINUTES AND THE COLLECTIONS.

>> IS THERE A SECOND ITEMS ONE AND TWO REVIEW OF MINUTES AS WELL AS COLLECTION FOR APRIL OF 2026.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION PASSES 4-0. AT 1249 WE ARE OUT OF OUR ROAD

[ 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)."]

AND ITEM 65, DISCUSSING PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS THERE. BEFORE WE EXIT FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, YOU LEFT THE ROOM AND I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WERE HERE.

BUT YOU DID SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SHARE WITH US NOW, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THEN WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION AFTER THAT. >> I HAD SEVERAL THINGS I WAS GOING TO POSSIBLY TALK ABOUT. ANY WAY, JUST ONE THING NOTING EARLIER IN THE BEGINNING OF THE REGULAR SESSION WAS THE GIRLS SOCCER TEAM. IT WAS INTERESTING, MY DAUGHTER WAS A DRAGON IN 1985. TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS STILL IN PROCESS, IT WILL BE BACK ON THE AGENDA MANY TIMES IS OUR PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF OUR WATER RESOURCES I JUST WANTED TO POINT IT -- TO POINT OUT THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS DEEP IN THIS.

ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN THE EAST TEXAS AREA IS THAT THERE ARE DEVELOPERS COMING IN AND BUYING UP SECTIONS OF LAND AND THEN DRILLING WELLS AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN LIVING THERE FOR DECADES, ESPECIALLY THE RURAL AREAS, WHO HAD WELLS AND NOW THE WATER IS BEING SUCKED OUT AND PUT INTO OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREAS THESE PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO DIG DEEPER WELLS BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY YET THEIR WATER IS BEING TAKEN FROM THEM.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT SAME PROBLEM HERE.

WE HAVE TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR IT AND TAKE CARE OF ALL OF OUR CITIZENS. SO DEVELOPERS HAVE A RIGHT TO DEVELOP THEIR LAND BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO DESTROY OTHER LIVES KEEP THAT IN MIND. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A

SOLUTION. >> THANK YOU.

BEFORE WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, I WANT TO GO BACK TO

ITEM 30 AND REVISIT THAT. >> FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THE CONVERSATION I HAD WITH THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE EARLIER, THE SHOT CLOCK ENDS ON THIS PARTICULAR PLAT THIS SATURDAY, THE 23RD. AND THAT'S SOMETHING I MADE THEM AWARE OF. I'M GOING TO MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM 30. WITH THAT BEING SAID --

>> I WILL SECOND IT BUT GO AHEAD.

>> WE WILL STILL FOLLOW UP AND HAVE A DISCUSSION.

>> YOU BET. AGAIN, THIS HAPPENS ALL OVER THE PLACE. WE HAVE A LOT OF HOMES BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM TO MAKE IT SAFE. THERE IS A MOTION SECONDED.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR.

[03:15:02]

[66. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on directing the Williamson County Attorney's office to file a Declaratory Judgment Action on a Public Information Act request concerning victim privacy and safety (OR2026-015861/ID#26-004295).]

IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER COOK.

COVEY AND COOK. ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES 4-0.

[67. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding Cause No. 25-1280-C26; Blake Sanabria and Lacey Sanabria, individually and as next friend of Finley Sanabria, minor v. Brian Paul Gripentrog, Jr. and Williamson County; In the 26th Judicial District Court of Williamson County, Texas.]

I MOVE TO APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT OF CAUSE NUMBER 25-1280- C26.

BLAKE SANABRIA AND LACY SANABRIA INDIVIDUALLY AND AS NEXT FRIEND OF FINLEY SANABRIA MINOR VERSUS BRIAN PAUL JUNIOR AND WILL WILLIAMSON COUNTY IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY TEXAS FOR THE TERMS OF FULL AND FINAL RELEASE OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT INCLUDING AUTHORIZATION OF PAYMENT BY WILLIAMSON COUNTY IN THE TOTAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OF $82,000 AND EXECUTE SETTLEMENT DOCUMENTS ANY AS APPROVED TO FORM BY GENERAL COUNSEL AND/OR OUTSIDE OF COUNCIL. THAT IS BY MOTION.

THERE IS MOTION BY COVEY AND SECOND BY BOLES.

[68. Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action relating to discretionary full pay leave extensions provide for in Chapter 177A, Texas Local Government Code, regarding illness or injury leave of absence for certain County employees. ]

68. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO CHAPTER 177A, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY ORDERED THAT COUNTY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 177A BE PROVIDED WITH FULL PAY LEAVE OF ABSENCE BENEFIT FOR THE ONE STATUTORY ONE YEAR STATUTORY PERIOD AND FOLLOWING THE ONE YEAR STATUTORY PERIOD, COUNTY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 177A WILL RECEIVE WORKER COMPENSATION AND SALARY BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR IN THE TEXAS LABOR CODE.

>> THERE'S A MOTION. COMMISSIONER LONG ON 68.

I WILL SECOND IT. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR MOTION PASSES 4-0. ANY COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS? I THINK WE HAVE COVERED ALL OF THE ITEMS. SO AT 1:53 WE STAND ADJOURNED. AND BY THE WAY, WE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.