[00:00:01]
          CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT, IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND 
          [00:05:01]
FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY, ACCESS AND POSITION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          LIVE FROM EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS, THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE U.S.A. FROM INSIDE THE ALICIA CHACON COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE. YOU ARE WATCHING THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING. 
          GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. TODAY IS MONDAY, JUNE 15TH, 2026. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS MEETING IN REGULAR OPEN SESSION. THIS MORNING WE'RE JOINED BY ASL 
          [00:10:04]
INTERPRETERS DARIO GARCIA AND TAMARA MARQUEZ. COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE THIS MORNING'S PLEDGE GROUP? YES. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. SO WE DON'T 
          [OPEN MEETING]
HAVE A STUDENT LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE TODAY BECAUSE IT'S SUMMER. EVERYONE IS SLEEPING IN A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE DO HAVE ONE OF OUR INCREDIBLE PARTNERS WHO'S GOING TO BE RECOGNIZED IN 
          [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
A RESOLUTION FOR ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. BUT JESUS SANCHEZ WITH ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, IS THE PERSON WHO'S GOING TO BE LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE TODAY. 
          THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU JUDGE. HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. 
          ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. TEXAS. PLEDGE. 
          HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE. TEXAS. ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU JESUS. AND NOW WE'LL RECEIVE AN INVOCATION FROM WALLY HALEY, REPRESENTING. JOIN US FOR JUSTICE. THE EL PASO CHAPTER OF AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. AS WE GATHER TODAY FOR THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT SESSION, LET US TAKE A MOMENT 
          [INVOCATION]
TO REFLECT ON THE PURPOSE THAT BRINGS US INTO THIS ROOM. WE COME TOGETHER NOT AS INDIVIDUALS SEEKING PERSONAL GAIN, BUT AS A COMMUNITY UNITED BY A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY. LET US BE GUIDED TODAY BY THE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE, WISDOM AND FORESIGHT. MAY THE DECISIONS MADE HERE BE GROUNDED IN REASON, INFORMED BY DATA AND GUIDED BY LONG TERM VISION FOR THE WELL-BEING OF ALL RESIDENTS. EMPATHY AND INCLUSIVITY. MAY WE LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH OPEN MINDS AND COMPASSIONATE HEARTS, ENSURING THAT OUR ACTIONS LIFT UP THE VULNERABLE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF EVERYONE WE REPRESENT. 
          INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY. MAY THE WORK DONE TODAY REFLECT THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF HONESTY AND FAIRNESS. MAINTAINING THE PUBLIC TRUST THAT'S BEEN PLACED IN THIS BODY. WE RECOGNIZE THAT WHILE WE MAY HOLD DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS THE SAME TO FOSTER A SAFE, PROSPEROUS AND JUST COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE. MAY OUR DELIBERATION BE RESPECTFUL, OUR COLLABORATION PRODUCTIVE, AND OUR DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE UNWAVERING. LET US BEGIN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WILL YOU RAISE THE VOLUME A LITTLE BIT ON THE MIC? THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU. JUDGE, DO YOU HAVE SOME OPENING REMARKS FOR US THIS MORNING? YES, PLEASE. AND THANK YOU. JUST ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR COMMISSIONERS, WE WELCOME YOU TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT RESOLUTIONS TODAY AND LOOKS LIKE A SHORTER AGENDA, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU DO PARTICIPATE THAT WE'RE ALWAYS VERY GLAD AND AND PRIVILEGED WHEN YOU BECOME PART OF THE COMMISSIONERS PROCESS. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. HAVE A GREAT MONDAY AND A BEAUTIFUL WEEK. SO THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS THE CONSENT AGENDA COMPOSED OF ITEMS FOR A THROUGH FOR Q. WE HAVE A REQUEST FROM THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER PRECINCT FOUR, COMMISSIONER CORONADO TO POSTPONE ITEM NUMBER FOUR H FOR ONE WEEK. THE ITEM READS PURSUANT TO THE POLICY ON USE OF COUNTY FUNDS BY STATE, COUNTY AND PRECINCT OFFICIALS WHEN THEY HAVE NOT 
          [CONSENT AGENDA]
SOUGHT OR SECURED REELECTION, APPROVE AN AUTHORIZED COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND PRECINCT FOUR STAFF TO SECURE TRAVEL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT MEMBERS OF THE COURT OR PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION? I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE CAESAR PATCH SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. WE HAVE A SECOND. I'LL SECOND MINE. STILL LOADING. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THE VOTING IS OPEN. VOTE. I THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER STOUT, I HAVEN'T CLICKED I YOU COMMISSIONER OLGUIN I THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CORONADO IS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 
          [00:15:06]
FIVE A FROM RESOLUTIONS APPROVING. ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 AS RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. PASTORS, WOULD YOU COMMIT. 
          [A. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring the month of June 2026, as "Responsible Fatherhood Month" in El Paso County, Texas.
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]
PASTOR LUIS CABRERA, PLEASE? I'M VERY, REALLY HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO HAVE THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE EVERYONE STANDING HERE HAS BEEN A GREAT FRIEND, HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THE ACTIVITIES, LIKE THE HEALING GARDEN DURING THE PANDEMIC. AND, AND ALSO ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, THEY'VE COME TO ME AND, AND TALKED TO ME AND PRAYED WITH ME SO THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME VERY DIFFICULT TIMES. SO I'M VERY PROUD TO, TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE. AND BEFORE WE CONTINUE, LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION AND WE'LL VOTE ON IT. AND THEN, OF COURSE, EVERYONE DESERVES A CHANCE TO REACH ONE'S FULL POTENTIAL. AND WE HAVE A MORAL AND ECONOMIC DUTY TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN AND TO PROMOTE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH THROUGH EARLY INTERVENTION, QUALITY EDUCATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS. WHEREAS FATHERS, WHETHER BIOLOGICAL, A FATHER FIGURE, FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE, DESERVE OUR HONOR AND GRATITUDE. WHEREAS, A CELEBRATION OF FATHERS DAY IS A TIME TO HONOR FATHERS AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT AND THE VITAL ROLE THEY PLAY IN HELPING THEIR CHILDREN GROW AND SET GOALS FOR THE FUTURE. WHEREAS, GOOD FATHERING AND CO-PARENTING DURING INFANCY, CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE CONTRIBUTES EMOTIONAL SECURITY AND HAS OVERWHELMING POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND OTHER SECTORS. WHEREAS, CHILDREN ARE LESS LIKELY TO FACE POVERTY, INFANT MORTALITY, ABUSE AND OR NEGLECT WHEN THERE IS AN INVOLVED FATHER IN THEIR LIVES. WITH ALL FATHERS MUST INVEST IN PROVIDING EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN AT EVERY JUNCTURE OF THEIR LIVES. SUPPORTING, INVOLVED, NURTURING AND RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD, WHERE STRONG FAMILIES ARE THE FOUNDATION OF THRIVING COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL AS WE ADDRESS SOCIAL CHALLENGES LIKE ADDICTION, TEEN PREGNANCY, CRIME AND SCHOOL DROPOUT. AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WE AIM TO PROMOTE POSITIVE FATHERING AND CO-PARENTING, TO SHOWCASE PROVIDERS OF FATHERHOOD, RESOURCES AND SERVICES, AND TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF FATHERS. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT OF EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS, THAT THE MONTH OF JUNE SHALL BE KNOWN AS RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD MONTH, SIGNED THIS 15TH DAY OF JUNE 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. 
          THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE APPRECIATE THAT, ESPECIALLY AS WE'RE GOING INTO FATHER'S DAY. SO WHICH I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED IN MY OPENING REMARKS. BUT THANK YOU. YES. GO AHEAD, FATHER. PASTOR PADILLA. YES. THANK YOU. AND I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A IN THE HOUSE TODAY. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WHO HAS THE PRIVILEGE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HOLDING THAT PARENTING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND OUR HOUSEHOLD. AS EVERYONE KNOWS, WE CONTINUALLY PRAY FOR EACH AND ONE OF YOU. SO I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR NOT ONLY THE OPENNESS, BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT IT TAKES TO ACTUALLY APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND ALIGN WITHIN THIS PARTICULAR GROUP. SO I HAVE THE HONOR AND THE PRIVILEGE OF INTRODUCING THE ONE THAT IS SPEARHEADING THIS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. PASTOR ALEX CABRERA FROM CITIZENS DEFENDING FREEDOM. 
          THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR APPROVING THIS, THIS RESOLUTION. AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING JUNE AS FATHERHOOD RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. AND WE CELEBRATE THE VITAL ROLE IN FATHERS PLAY IN THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG FATHERS HELP BUILD A STRONG COMMUNITY AND BUILD STRONG FAMILIES AS WELL. FATHERS PROVIDE LOVE, GUIDANCE, PROTECTION, DISCIPLINE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT THAT HELP CHILDREN THRIVE EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND ACADEMICALLY. RESEARCH CONSISTENTLY SHOWS THAT CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO TO SUCCEED WHEN FATHERS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THEIR LIVES. WHILE WE CELEBRATE THE MANY DEDICATED FATHERS IN OUR CITY AND AND COUNTY, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ENCOURAGING AND EQUIPPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FATHERS TO EMBRACE THEIR GOD GIVEN 
          [00:20:01]
RESPONSIBILITIES. FATHERHOOD IS NOT JUST ABOUT BEING PRESENT. IT'S ABOUT LEADING, SERVING, MENTORING, AND LOVING SACRIFICIALLY ON BEHALF OF CITIZENS DEFENDING FREEDOM AND THE FAITH COMMUNITY HERE OF EL PASO. THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING SHINE A LIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD. TOGETHER, LET US CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE YOURSELVES. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. PASTOR SAMMY FROM WALK ON WATER CHURCH. AND I'M JUST PRIVILEGED TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. WE ARE A THRIVING COMMUNITY OF FAITH, JUST NOT JUST FROM OUR CONGREGATION, BUT ALL ALL ACROSS THE EL PASO COUNTY. WE'RE IN HORIZON CITY, WHICH FALLS UNDER THE COUNTY AS WELL. BUT WE ARE STRIVING TO BUILD A COMMUNITY. I, I'M A BIBLE OCCASIONAL PASTOR, SO I SO WORK AS A THERAPIST. I'VE BEEN IN ACADEMIC IN ACADEMIA AND IN THE CLINICAL FIELD FOR OVER 20 YEARS. AND I'VE SEEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ROLE OF A FATHER IN THE CHILDREN'S LIFE. EVERY ROLE IS IMPORTANT, BUT WE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, DIMINISH THAT ROLE AT ALL. AND I'VE SEEN IT AS AN EDUCATOR, AS A CLINICIAN, AND AS A PERSON THAT WORKS ACTIVELY WITH, WITH OUR MILITARY AS WELL. AND ALL, ALL, ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY, FORT BLISS, EL PASO COUNTY, THE, THE ACADEMIC LEVEL, EVERYWHERE, THE MENTAL HEALTH LEVEL IS VERY IMPORTANT. I THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR FOR EL PASO. 
          THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JOSE ALAMILLO AND I AM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE EL PASO CENTER FOR CHILDREN, THE FATHERHOOD AFFECT PROGRAM. WE ARE IN YEAR TWO OF A FIVE YEAR GRANT CYCLE. 
          WE'RE FUNDED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. WE KNOW THAT WHEN FATHERS ARE INVOLVED, CHILDREN ARE A LOT MORE SUCCESSFUL. WE KNOW THAT EXPECTING MOTHERS ARE A LOT HEALTHIER. WE KNOW THAT BABIES ARE A LOT HEALTHIER WHEN DADS ARE INVOLVED. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE WORKING WITHIN THE SCHOOL, DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WE'RE GOING INTO THE COUNTY JAIL TO WORK WITH SOME OF THE INMATES THERE, BECAUSE WE ALSO KNOW THAT WHEN DEATHS ARE INVOLVED, THAT'S WE HAVE CRIMINAL HISTORY. WHEN THEY BECOME RESPONSIBLE FATHERS, THEN THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM FALLS DRAMATICALLY. SO WE KNOW THAT FATHERHOOD HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT NOT ONLY ON THE FAMILY BUT ALSO ON THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. SO WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND TO CHANGE THE FATHERHOOD, THE LANDSCAPE OF THE FATHER COMMUNITY IN EL PASO, NOT ONLY WITHIN THE FAITH COMMUNITY, BUT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RON LONG. I'M A PROGRAM SPECIALIST WITH THE FATHER PROGRAM IN EL PASO FOR CHILDREN. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GAVIN MEZA. I'M AS WELL A PART OF EL PASO CENTER FOR CHILDREN FOR THE FATHERHOOD EFFECT PROGRAM. AND I'M A FATHERHOOD SPECIALIST. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, PASTOR BOBBY GARCIA. THANK YOU JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN HERE FOR THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. AND JUST ON A QUICK SIDE NOTE, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR COMING OUT TO READ THE THE RESOLUTION ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER DID A FANTASTIC JOB. THANKS. THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, PASTOR JESUS MEDINA, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THE WORDS HONORABLE JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RESOLUTION. I WISH I KNOW THAT YOU'RE IN YEAR TWO FOR THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN, BUT I'M A PRODUCT OF ABUSE IN THE HOME AND ALSO OF NEGLECT. MY MY DAD WAS NEVER PRESENT. I'M. YOU'RE LOOKING AT A YOUNG MAN THAT. WELL, WHEN I WAS YOUNGER THAT DID NOT. YOU KNOW, MY DAD WAS NEVER HOME, BUT WHEN I MOVED TO EL PASO FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, THERE WAS A RETIRED SOLDIER WHO WAS ALSO A PASTOR THAT TOOK ME UNDER HIS WING. 
          AND NOW, YOU KNOW, POINTED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND I THANK THE LORD FOR HIS LIFE AND FOR THE HUGE IMPACT THAT HE HAD IN ME. I JUST FINISHED ALMOST 30 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND NOW I'M A FULL TIME PASTOR. I WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND JUST LET YOU KNOW THAT I FOUND A COUPLE OF THINGS. THESE ARE NOT MINE, BUT PRIORITIES THAT THAT DADS SHOULD HAVE. AND BEING THAT WE'RE IN EL PASO, I DECIDED TO 
          [00:25:05]
ENTITLE THEM PAPA PRIORITIES. AND IT'S IT'S THE PRIORITY OF PRESENCE, THE PRIORITY OF PROTECTION, THE PRIORITY OF PROVISION, THE PRIORITY OF PRINCIPLES AND THE PRIORITY OF PURPOSE, PRESENCE TO BE PRESENT AND ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH YOUR CHILDREN. PROTECTION, YOU KNOW, TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY, THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS PROVISION. IT'S NOT ONLY PROVIDING PHYSICAL NEEDS, BUT BEYOND TO ENSURE THE STABILITY AND SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN. THE PRINCIPLES TO BRING THE MORAL COMPASS INTO THE LIVES OF OUR KIDS, PROVIDE MORAL MODELING, INTEGRITY, EMPATHY, AND STRONG CORE VALUES TO OUR KIDS. AND THEN THE PURPOSE IS POINTING OUR CHILDREN TO GOD. FOR TO HIS SOVEREIGN PLAN OF WHAT HE HAS FOR EVERY CHILD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU ALL DO, AND WE'RE PRAYING FOR YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU IN THE PAST. 
          AND THAT REALLY, REALLY MEANS A LOT. WE'RE CONTINUING TO PRAY FOR YOU. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S A, WHAT A, WHAT A GREAT REMINDER WE TAKE FOR GRANTED. BUT EVEN WITHIN THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM, THEY REALIZE THAT IF THEY HAVE A FATHER ROLE, IT MAKES IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR THEM TO WORK WITH THEM. RECENTLY, A YOUNG MAN WHO I KNEW ENDED UP IN PRISON, AND THE PAROLE WAS. HIS PAROLE WAS LAST THURSDAY, AND I SUBMITTED A LETTER THAT I WOULD BE WILLING TO MENTOR THIS YOUNG MAN. AND HE WAS ALLOWED HE WILL BE PAROLED. AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THAT THAT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE TO KNOW THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE HIS BIOLOGICAL BECAUSE BIOLOGICAL FATHER IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND, BUT THAT A FATHER ROLE IS SO IMPORTANT. AND THEY PUT A LOT OF EMPHASIS AND THEY KNOW WHO COMES BACK. AND THOSE THAT COME BACK ARE PROBABLY DON'T HAVE A BIOLOGICAL FATHER PRESENCE OR SOME ROLE MODEL TO, TO BE THERE. 
          SO IT'S SO IMPORTANT, LIKE I WAS TELLING YOU EARLIER THAT AS A PROBATION OFFICER, I SAW HOW IMPORTANT THE FATHER ROLE IS. I MEAN, IT IS EXTREMELY BESIDES THE CHILD'S EXPECTATIONS OF NOT HAVING ONE. AND IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO BEGIN WITH. SO ON TOP OF ALL THE CHALLENGES, THEY KNOW THAT THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOMEONE. AND IT'S NOT THE BIOLOGICAL PRIMARILY, IT'S JUST HAVING SOMEONE STEPPING INTO THEIR LIVES THAT MAKES A HUGE, HUGE DIFFERENCE. AND SO THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER THAT IT'S ALMOST LIKE WHERE WE HAVE CHRISTMAS AND WE FORGET WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. AND WE HAVE FATHER'S DAY AND WE SORT OF SORT OF FOCUS ON HAMBURGERS AND GRILLING AND, AND TIES FOR SOME REASON. AND IT'S MORE THAN THAT. IT'S REALLY A WAY TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THOSE FATHERS THAT ARE THERE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT NOT ONLY THEIR CHILDREN, BUT SOMEBODY ELSE'S CHILDREN THAT THEY STEP IN. AND SO THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER OF GIVING FATHER'S DAY MORE OF A, A ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING THAN JUST A QUICK CELEBRATION AND LIFE GOES ON. SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU DO, NOT ONLY FOR THIS SITUATION, BUT MY EXPERIENCE OF WHAT YOU DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY IS VERY, VERY IMPACTFUL, HELPFUL. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'D LOVE TO TAKE A JUDGE. YES, SIR. CAN I SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK? FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION AND BEING A FATHER, NOW 18 YEAR OLD SON WHO'S ABOUT TO GO OFF TO COLLEGE. YOU KNOW, THIS RESOLUTION, YOU KNOW, HITS HOME AND REMINDS ME A LOT THERE. YOU KNOW THIS THERE ARE GREAT A GREAT NUMBER OF RESOURCES IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR, FOR MEN TO, TO TAP INTO. I MEAN, JOSE ALAMILLO WAS, WAS MY, WAS MY TEACHER WHEN I WAS WHEN I WAS A YOUNG FATHER, MY SON WAS PROBABLY 4 OR 5 YEARS OLD. AND I, AND I TOOK A CLASS WITH AND WITH WITH JOSE. AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S THESE, THESE TYPES OF THIS TYPE OF PROGRAMING ISN'T JUST FOR FOLKS THAT ARE MAYBE INVOLVED IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OR HAVING HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME. I THINK THEY'RE FOR, FOR EVERYBODY WHO, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I'M SORRY, BUT WHEN YOU BECOME A FATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK YOU'RE DOING, RIGHT? YEAH. AND SOMETIMES YOU TRY TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF, OF MEN THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN LIFE. AND SOMETIMES THOSE EXAMPLES AREN'T, AREN'T THE BEST. SOMETIMES THEY ARE NOBODY'S PERFECT, RIGHT? BUT YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S JUST BEEN SO MANY ADVANCES IN MEDICAL AREAS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL AREAS. AND THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND HOW KIDS ARE AND REACT AND, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, THE NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE AND 
          [00:30:08]
THE IMPORTANCE OF, OF, OF A FATHER BEING IN THEIR LIFE, RIGHT. AND UNFORTUNATELY, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT THAT DOESN'T, THAT DOESN'T HELP IN MY OPINION. 
          RIGHT? I MEAN, I DIVORCED FROM MY SON'S MOTHER WHEN, WHEN MY SON WAS THREE YEARS OLD. AND IT WAS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO HAVE A CUSTODY AGREEMENT THAT WAS, IN MY OPINION, AMENABLE OR THAT WAS CONDUCIVE TO ME ALSO BEING IN MY SON'S LIFE. AND SO THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR, IS MAKING SURE THAT WHEN WHEN FAMILIES SEPARATE, FATHERS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS WELL. AND SO I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU DO AND TRYING TO, TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES AND HELP FATHERS LIKE ME, YOU KNOW, GET THROUGH, GET THROUGH TOUGH TIMES AND UNDERSTAND HOW TO, HOW TO BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL AND HOW TO, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS. SO APPRECIATE IT. AND HAPPY, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS OUT THERE. THANK YOU FOR THOSE ADDITIONAL WORDS. I THINK THEY'RE VERY POWERFUL. THANK YOU. AND WE'LL GO. 
          ITEM NUMBER FIVE BE APPROVED. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 AS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. GOOD MORNING. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF 
          [B. Approve and adopt a resolution to declare the month of June 2026 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in El Paso County, Texas.
Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Precinct 3, 915-273-3594]
OUR PARTNERS WHO ARE HERE WITH US TODAY FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN TRYING TO PROTECT OUR ELDERLY AND DISABLED COMMUNITY. 
          IT'S REALLY AN HONOR FOR ME TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION EVERY YEAR BECAUSE IT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF. AND SO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK EVERYONE FOR WEARING PURPLE AS YOU ALL HERE TODAY IS ACTUALLY GO PURPLE DAY. SO YOU ALL LOOK GREAT. WE'LL LOOK GREAT IN THE PHOTOGRAPH ONCE IT COMES TIME TO THAT. OKAY. WHEREAS THE CITIZENS OF EL PASO, TEXAS HAVE ALWAYS CONTRIBUTED TO THE GENERAL WELFARE, PARTICULARLY TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR CITIZENS WHO ARE ELDERLY AND DISABLED. AND WHEREAS, THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAS PROVIDED PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO CITIZENS WHO ARE ELDERLY AND DISABLED, AND WHEREAS, ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN DOMESTIC AND 
          [00:35:01]
INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTY. AND WHEREAS ELDER ABUSE HAPPENS TO MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL INCOME LEVELS, ALL CULTURAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS, WHETHER THEY ARE IN GOOD HEALTH OR INCAPACITATED IN SOME WAY IN POOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND IN SUBURBIA. AND WHEREAS THERE IS A NEED TO CONTINUE TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS REGARDING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM AND THE LEGAL MANDATE THAT ANY PERSON WITH KNOWLEDGE OF ABUSED, NEGLECTED OR EXPLOITED ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS OR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES MUST REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES THROUGH THE TEXAS HOTLINE AT ONE (800) 252-5400. AND WHEREAS, IN OBSERVANCE OF WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY, COMMUNITIES ACROSS TEXAS WILL COMMEMORATE GO PURPLE DAY ON JUNE 15TH, 2026 BY WEARING PURPLE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE AND PURPLE SUNDAY ON JUNE 14TH, 2025. A DAY OF PRAYER CREATED TO UNIFY FAITH BASED COMMUNITIES IN LIFTING UP VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS, REMINDING THEM THAT THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN AND THAT THEY DO NOT PRAY ALONE. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 BE DECLARED AS ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. SIGNED THIS 15TH DAY OF JUNE 2026, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE JUDGE, COUNTY JUDGE SAMANIEGO, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY OFFICIALS. MY NAME IS GRACE ORTIZ, AND I AM THE FAITH BASED AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST FOR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR SUPPORTING ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH WITH A RESOLUTION. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES IS A STATE AGENCY THAT INVESTIGATES CASES OF ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION FOR THE ELDERLY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. APS SERVES TEXAS RESIDENTS AGE 65 AND OLDER, OR THOSE 18 TO 6464 THAT HAVE A DISABILITY. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES HAS BEEN ACTIVELY WORKING TO PROMOTE OUR PARTNERING TO PROTECT INITIATIVE. OUR GOAL IS ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY. TOGETHER, WE CAN DO OUR JOBS BETTER AND SERVE THE VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE CANNOT DO THIS ALONE AND THIS WE HAVE LEARNED. 
          SO WE NEED OUR PARTNERS. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, I WANT TO THANK ALL OUR PARTNERS WHO CAME TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE. TODAY, JUNE 15TH, IS WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY, AND WE'VE ASKED EVERYONE TO WEAR PURPLE. BUT IT'S VITAL BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THESE COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AN AGENCY THAT'S THERE TO HELP AND HOW WE CAN PREVENT ABUSE IN OUR ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE VULNERABLE THAT LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE WANT THEM TO BE AT HOME, AND WE WANT THEM TO LIVE THERE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. JUNE 17TH, WE'RE HOSTING A SYMPOSIUM. IT'S CALLED IT PAYS TO PARTNER WITH APS. IT'S AN EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR. IT'S ALL ABOUT EDUCATION. KNOWING THAT IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE INVITE LOCAL BANKS AND PROFESSIONALS TO JOIN US, ATTEND AND LEARN ABOUT EXPLOITATION, SCAMS, AND HOW PARTNERING WITH APS CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY. I CHALLENGE EACH OF YOU TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY GETTING INVOLVED. 
          WE JUST TALKED ABOUT FATHER'S DAY, SO THIS COMING SUNDAY WHEN WE HAVEN'T SEEN OUR DADS IN A LONG TIME, WE NEED TO CHECK ON THEM, MAKE SURE THEY'RE OKAY, MAKE SURE THEY DON'T ARE NOT GOING THROUGH ANYTHING. THEY'RE NOT BEING SCAMMED, NEGLECTED, EXPLOITED. ANYTHING THAT FALLS UNDER THOSE PRETENSES. WE'RE ALL CONNECTED TO AN OLDER ADULT IN OUR COMMUNITY, BE IT A FRIEND, A NEIGHBOR, A RELATIVE, CHECK ON THEM ON THOSE REALLY HOT DAYS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE WELL RUN ERRANDS FOR THEM. REMIND THEM TO TAKE MEDICATIONS AND REMIND THEM TO STAY INSIDE, NOT TO BE DOING GARDENING AT NOON WHEN IT'S MOST HOT. WE NEED TO BE THE VOICE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES. IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS BEING ABUSED, NEGLECTED, OR EXPLOITED, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU CAN CONNECT WITH APS AT 1-800-252-5400. WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND WE REALLY WANT TO HELP ONE DAY. IT'S INEVITABLE. ALL OF US ARE GOING TO BE OLDER TEXANS, AND MY WISH IS THAT WHEN I'M AN OLDER TEXAN, THAT THERE WILL BE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY, SUCH AS MYSELF AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME WHO WILL BE A VOICE FOR ME. 
          THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR WITH ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, MR. JESUS SANCHEZ. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, HONORABLE JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOR THIS RESOLUTION. LAST YEAR, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVESTIGATED APPROXIMATELY 4000 INTAKES, BUT TO JUST CALL THEM INTAKES, IT'S A DISSERVICE. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY, CITIZENS OF EL PASO, CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. THERE ARE FRIENDS. THERE ARE FAMILY MEMBERS, VITAL MEMBERS OF OUR 
          [00:40:06]
COMMUNITY, SOME WHO HAVE EVEN SERVED OUR COUNTRY. AND BECAUSE OF PEOPLE TOOK THE COURAGE TO CALL ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND ALLOW THE STAFF THAT I'M PROUD TO LEAD TO PROVIDE THEM SERVICES. THEY LIVE SAFER. THEY LIVE WITH GREATER DIGNITY. THEY WERE TREATED WITH WITH INTEGRITY. AND SO I THANK YOU BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS HUBERT HUMPHREY THAT SAID THAT THE THE MORAL TEST FOR GOVERNMENT IS HOW WE TREAT THOSE IN THE DAWN OF LIFE, WHICH ARE THE CHILDREN IN THE TWILIGHT OF LIFE, WHICH ARE CHILDREN, THE DAWN OF LIFE, WHICH ARE THE ELDERLY, AND THOSE IN THE SHADOW OF LIFE, WHICH ARE THE SICK, THE NEEDY, AND THE DISABLED. AND SO TODAY, I THINK YOU SEND A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE WHERE EL PASO IS A COMMUNITY STANDS, AND AS A GOVERNMENT STANDS, THAT WE ALL STAND TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS AND THAT WE WILL WORK TOGETHER TO MAYBE ONE DAY ERADICATE SO THAT YOU PUT US OUT OF A JOB. AND IF THAT'S POSSIBLE, GREAT. SO THAT OUR CITIZENS HERE IN EL PASO AND THROUGHOUT TEXAS LIVE A SAFER AND MORE DIGNIFIED LIFE. SO I THANK YOU. I THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS VERY COURAGEOUS STEP TO RECOGNIZE THIS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT DAY. AND SOMETHING THAT REALLY IS, IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT I AND MY STAFF DOES. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU. YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD? HELLO. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE CARRANZA. I WORK FOR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES. I'M HONORED TO BE AN INVESTIGATOR WITH THEM. AND I REALLY THANK YOU GUYS FOR LISTENING TO US THIS MORNING AND APPRECIATING A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT WE DO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. YVETTE LUGO, I'M THE DIRECTOR FOR THE RIO GRANDE AREA AGENCY ON AGING. WE'RE A DIVISION OF THE RIO GRANDE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS. AND I OBVIOUSLY STAND HERE IN SUPPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, THROUGH THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE IN THAT IN SUPPORT OF AND ADVANCING THOSE OLDER ADULTS WHO RESIDE WITHIN OUR SERVICE REGION. IF WE CAN BE A PART OF THAT SOLUTION, THEN THAT IS WHAT OUR OUR GOAL AND OUR ROLE IS HERE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THOSE OF US THAT ARE AGING, BECAUSE THAT'S A GOOD THING, RIGHT? ALL OF US ARE AGING THAT WE WE CONTINUE TO DO SO WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND RESPECT TO THOSE WHO COME BEFORE US. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WELCOME. HONORABLE JUDGE. I'M HERE. YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT APS. I THINK THEY DO THE THE GRUNT WORK, RIGHT? THEY GO IN THERE AND THEY HELP THEM. BUT WE'RE SO HONORED TO BE A COMMUNITY PARTNER WITH THEM AND BE ABLE TO TURN IN AND CALL AND GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION AND THEY RUN WITH IT. AND WE'RE ABLE TO BRING THEM IN TO BE AN ALL INCLUSIVE SENIOR HEALTH. MY NAME IS MICHELLE SALINAS. I'M SO SORRY I GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT THESE THINGS. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION AND GROWTH, SO I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS, SENIORS INTO THE PROGRAM. BUT WITHOUT THESE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ESPECIALLY APS AND TRIPLE A, WE WOULDN'T HAVE SUCH A FLOW OF SENIORS COMING INTO OUR PROGRAM. AND ONE MORE THING I'D LIKE TO AGREE WITH, WITH GRACE, WE WANT TO GIVE OUR SENIORS OF EL PASO THAT DIGNITY, RIGHT, AND SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED SO THEY CAN CONTINUE LIVING THEIR LIVES UNTIL THEY'RE NO LONGER WITH US. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING US TODAY. THANK YOU. HI. GOOD MORNING. I'M SERGEANT CRISTINA MENDOZA. THIS IS DETECTIVE CRISTINA BARRIOS. WE'RE WITH THE EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT IN OUR SECTION AT FINANCIAL CRIMES THAT SPECIFICALLY DEALS WITH ANY CRIMES AGAINST THE OLDER ADULTS THAT ARE BEING EXPLOITED AND ABUSED AND NEGLECTED. AND WE DO. WE ARE PROUD PARTNERS OF APS AND THE RELATIONSHIP WE BUILT WITH THEM, OR THAT WE'VE WORKED ON THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HAS PROVEN CRUCIAL TO BRINGING THE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY DO COMMIT A CRIME AGAINST OUR OLDER COMMUNITY. SO WE'RE PROUD TO SUPPORT THEM. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU BOTH. THANK YOU. RYAN GONZALEZ WITH ALL INCLUSIVE SENIOR HEALTH, A SUPPORTING COMMUNITY PARTNER OF APS AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO. ALSO, JUST TRYING TO HELP AND SUPPORT OUR ELDERLY COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE UTMOST INDEPENDENCE AND THE BEST LIFESTYLE POSSIBLE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE THIS MORNING. MY NAME IS BERNADETTE RAMOS. I'M WITH GCU. WE PARTNER CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY, EL PASO PD AND APS TO WORK TO ERADICATE THE EXPLOITATION THAT WE SEE AMONGST OUR SENIORS REGARDING OUR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION CASES THAT WE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS MORNING. THANK YOU. GOOD 
          [00:45:05]
MORNING. THE ONLY ONE IN RED, BUT I HAVE MY PURPLE PEN. GOOD MORNING. ROSALVA HERNANDEZ, PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE CITY COUNTY SENIOR MEAL PROGRAM. WE'RE HERE IN SUPPORT OF ALL THE NEEDS THAT OUR POPULATION TRULY NEEDS. THE FOOD INSECURITY, ADDRESSING THAT NEED WITH OUR PARTNERS AT APS AND TRIPLE A WHO FUNDS OUR PROGRAM. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR THE GUIDANCE WE ALWAYS RECEIVE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, ROSALBA, ONE OF OUR VERY OWN. THANK YOU. DO WE GET EVERY EVERYBODY INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. THEY DID WELL. I WANT TO THANK YOU. IT'S A I LIKE WHAT YOU SAID. YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF TRUTH THAT WHEN IF YOU'RE NOT CAPABLE AS A SOCIETY TO TAKE CARE OF THE ELDERLY, THAT'S WHEN IT BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN. BECAUSE THE FACT THAT THEY CONTRIBUTED, THEY WERE PART OF OUR OF OUR LIVES. AND THEY'RE PART OF CONTRIBUTIONS IN SO MANY WAYS, OR VETERANS AND SO FORTH. IT'S JUST SO IMPORTANT TO DO THAT. I WANT TO FOCUS ON SOMETHING THAT YOU DO THAT I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE, BUT WHEN YOU IDENTIFY SOMEONE WITH A MEDICAL ISSUE THAT NORMALLY THEY WOULDN'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, NOBODY WOULD HAVE TAKEN THEM THERE BY THEMSELVES. BUT THE DELAY OF TREATMENT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR OUR HOSPITALS. SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF EARLIER IS NOW AT A SEVERE STAGE. AND IT'S SO COSTLY, BUT IT'S ALSO SO DEVASTATING FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL TO KNOW THAT IF WE HAD INTERVENED PROPERLY AND ON TIME, THEY WOULD HAVE AVOIDED SO MUCH PAIN, NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES BUT FOR THEIR FAMILY. AND SO I THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND LIKE I'VE ALWAYS SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS AWARENESS, I KNOW SOMETIMES I'LL GET A CALL WHEN WE DO SOMETHING THAT WE'RE PROMOTING AWARENESS AND THEY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? I HADN'T THOUGHT OF THAT. OR I HADN'T, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTOOD IT AS WELL AS I DID. SO OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND COME AND PLAY A BIG ROLE IN HELPING US OUT. THEY JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS IT THAT THEY COULD DO TO HELP OUT. AND SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I THINK THIS AWARENESS IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOU KNOW, WE KEEP SAYING THAT WE'RE ONE OF THE BEST COMMUNITIES, BUT WE HAVE TO EVERY SINGLE CATEGORY. SOMETIMES IT'S, YOU KNOW, LIKE WE HAD IT WITH FATHERHOOD AND WHAT HAPPENS TO A YOUNG CHILD. AND IN THIS CASE, IT'S THE ELDERLY THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT. I KNOW I'M A LITTLE BIASED, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS DO THE RIGHT JOB. BUT WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. AND OF COURSE, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS GREAT RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. WE ARE SO BLESSED HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY TO HAVE SO MANY INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE OUT THERE WORKING EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE SURE OUR ELDERLY AND DISABLED POPULATIONS ARE BEING PROTECTED AND ADVOCATED FOR. SO THANK YOU, GRACE AND JESUS WITH ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE AND YOUR ENTIRE TEAM, OF COURSE, EVA WITH THE RIO GRANDE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, TRIPLE A AND BAB EL PASO PD, G, C, U, AND OF COURSE, OUR VERY OWN COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. AND ROSALBA, WITH THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT SHE DOES WITH ALL OF OUR SENIOR CENTERS. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE VERY DIFFICULT WORK THAT YOU DO. YOU'RE OUT THERE ON THE FRONT LINES PROTECTING OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY. BUT I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT YOU ALL CAN'T DO YOUR JOB. IF WE, THE PUBLIC, ARE NOT REPORTING WHAT WE SEE. SO IF WE SEE INCIDENTS OF ABUSE, WE HAVE TO REPORT THAT BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU ALL ARE GOING TO BE AWARE AND THAT YOU ALL CAN STEP IN AND THAT YOU CAN THEN PROTECT THOSE SENIORS. SO I JUST WANT TO REPEAT THE NUMBER TO REPORT AGAIN, THE TEXAS HOTLINE IS ONE 800 252 5400. AND JUST REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU ALL CAN'T DO YOUR JOB EFFECTIVELY. IF WE, THE COMMUNITY, ARE NOT STEPPING FORWARD AND REPORTING ANYTHING THAT WE SEE. SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK, AND WE'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOU AND THE RESOLUTION. 
          [00:51:41]
ITEM NUMBER FIVE. C APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 AS LOGISTICS APPRECIATION MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU JOHN. SO TODAY WE 
          [C. Approve and adopt a resolution to proclaim the month of June 2026 as Logistics Appreciation Month in El Paso County, Texas.
Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Precinct 3, 915-273-3594]
ALSO GET TO HONOR A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TEAM HERE WITHIN THE COUNTY. SO IF EVERYONE FROM THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT CAN START MAKING THEIR WAY UP TO THE PODIUM SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK, I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN PASS IT OVER TO OUR PURCHASING AGENT, KAREN. WHEREAS NATIONAL LOGISTICS DAY, OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON JUNE 28TH, RECOGNIZES THE ESSENTIAL ROLE LOGISTICS PROFESSIONALS PLAY IN ENSURING THE EFFICIENT AND SEAMLESS OPERATION OF SERVICES ACROSS BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. AND WHEREAS, THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF EL PASO COUNTY DEPENDS ON THE COORDINATION, MOVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS, AND WHEREAS, THE PURCHASING AND LOGISTICS DEPARTMENT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING COUNTY OPERATIONS THROUGH RECEIVING AND DELIVERIES, WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT, INVENTORY CONTROL, ASSET TAGGING AND ACTIVATION, MAILROOM SERVICES, PRINT SHOP OPERATIONS AND THE COORDINATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY AUCTIONS AND RECYCLING EFFORTS. AND WHEREAS, THE LOGISTICS TEAM WORKS DILIGENTLY BEHIND THE SCENES TO ENSURE THAT DEPARTMENTS RECEIVE THE TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO COUNTY IN AN EFFICIENT, TIMELY AND ACCOUNTABLE MANNER. AND WHEREAS, THROUGH THEIR COMMITMENT TO ORGANIZATION, COMPLIANCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, THIS TEAM SUPPORTS FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP AND CONTRIBUTES TO COST SAVINGS AND REVENUE GENERATION THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS SURPLUS AUCTIONS, IN-HOUSE PRINT SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT COST AVOIDANCE BY REDUCING RELIANCE ON EXTERNAL VENDORS, RECYCLING PROGRAMS, AND THE REPURPOSING AND REDISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS NO LONGER NEEDED BY ONE DEPARTMENT, BUT REASSIGNED FOR USE BY ANOTHER. AND WHEREAS THE SURPLUS AUCTION PROGRAM HAS DEMONSTRATED CONTINUED GROWTH, REFLECTING INCREASED PARTICIPATION ACROSS DEPARTMENTS AND A COMMITMENT TO PROPER ASSET DISPOSAL, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. AND WHEREAS ONGOING EFFORTS HAVE SUPPORTED THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONAL READINESS OF THE WAREHOUSE FACILITY, ENHANCING THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO CENTRALIZE RECEIVING OPERATIONS, IMPROVING INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND EXPANDING SURPLUS PROCESSING CAPABILITIES. AND WHEREAS, THEIR DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMITMENT TO TEAMWORK REFLECT SERVICE EXCELLENCE AND A FOCUS ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN SUPPORT OF EL PASO COUNTY OPERATIONS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 AS LOGISTICS APPRECIATION MONTH. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. 
          KAREN, WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER HOLGUIN. 
          THIS IS REALLY A PRIVILEGE AND AN HONOR FOR THIS APPRECIATION TODAY. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE BROUGHT YOUR LOGISTICS TEAM IN FRONT OF YOU. AND SO THEY'RE PRETTY EXCITED. EVERYTHING THAT'S NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. WE'LL GET BACK TO IT IN JUST A MOMENT. THIS TEAM IS YOUR QUIET. 
          YEAH. THESE ARE THESE GUYS ARE QUIET AND BEHIND THE SCENES. BUT AS COMMISSIONER OLGUIN POINTED OUT, THERE ARE SEVEN SERVICE LINES. THEY ALL RUN THESE SERVICE LINES AND ALL OF 
          [00:55:02]
US USE THEM EACH AND EVERY DAY, ANYWHERE FROM YOUR MAILROOM AND YOUR COURTHOUSE TO ALL THE DIFFERENT INVENTORIES AND THINGS THAT WE LISTED. SO THIS MORNING, I REALLY JUST WANT TO INTRODUCE OUR BRAND NEW PERMANENT LOGISTICS MANAGER, MISS JULIA MARTINEZ. SHE HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS THE NEW LOGISTICS MANAGER. AND SHE'S AMAZING. NOT ONLY IS SHE A MILITARY VETERAN, BUT SHE'S AN ACTIVE NAVAL RESERVIST, AND SHE TAKES A TEAM AND DEPLOYS WITH THEM A BRAND NEW NAVAL SOLDIERS OUT. AND TYPICALLY SHE GOES TO GUAM, BUT SHE TAKES THEM OUT AND SHE TEACHES THEM LOGISTICS AND LEADERSHIP. AND SO TO BRING MISS JULIA MARTINEZ INTO THE TEAM JUST ACCELERATES THIS TEAM AND ITS EXCELLENCE. AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO HER TO INTRODUCE HER TEAM. MISS MARTINEZ, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU SIR. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. A LITTLE NERVOUS HERE, SO BEAR WITH ME. IN MY LOGISTICS CAREER. I ONCE HEARD THIS SAYING THAT READS LOGISTICS MOVES THE WORLD. I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD THAN TO SAY THAT THIS LOGISTICS TEAM BESIDE ME HELPS MOVE THE COUNTY. THIS IS THE SAME TEAM THAT YOU CALL WHEN YOU ORDERED THAT TONER AT THE LAST MINUTE, AND YOU'VE BEEN TRACKING IT ALL DAY, AND YOU SAW THAT WE RECEIVED IT AT 4 P.M. AND YOU NEED IT IN YOUR OFFICE RIGHT AWAY. THIS IS THE SAME TEAM THAT YOU CALL WHEN IT'S ELECTION DAY. THE MACHINES GO DOWN AND THIS TEAM WILL NOT HESITATE TO STEP RIGHT IN AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY PRINT OUT ALL THE PROPER DOCUMENTS THAT THEY NEED FOR THE EL PASO AND FOR EL PASOANS TO BE ABLE TO EXERCISE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RIGHTS, WHICH IS THE RIGHT TO VOTE. THIS IS THE SAME TEAM THAT YOU WILL CALL WHEN YOU SEE THAT CHAIR THAT'S BEEN SITTING IN YOUR OFFICE FOR A YEAR OR TWO LONG, AND THIS IS THE SAME TEAM THAT YOU GO TO WHEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE THOSE DELIVERIES FOR THOSE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS. THIS TEAM WORKS HARD BEHIND THE SCENES EVERY DAY TO SUPPORT EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY. WE, LIKE, MISS KAREN SAID. WE DO RUN SEVEN SERVICE LINES, WHICH IS THE WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS, INVENTORY CONTROL, RECEIVING, DELIVERING MAIL ROOM AND OUR PRINT SHOP OPERATIONS. AND I COULDN'T BE MORE BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD SUCH A HARD WORKING GROUP OF PEOPLE. SO AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE THEM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. BY THE WAY, DO YOU HAVE DO WE HAVE YOUR PICTURE IN THE LOBBY FOR THE WOMEN VETERANS? NO, YOU DO NOT. CAN WE CAN WE PLEASE HAVE IT? I'LL TALK TO TONY TO REACH OUT FOR YOU. YES, SIR. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS OF VICTORIA FIGUEROA, ADMIN COORDINATOR FOR PURCHASING LOGISTICS. I'VE BEEN HERE FOR TEN YEARS. THANK YOU. 
          SANDRA GARCIA, INVENTORY CONTROL CLERK. THANK YOU. RICHARD. I WORK IN INVENTORY CONTROL, MOSTLY IN SURPLUS. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING MARK. LUCKY INVENTORY CONTROL. BEEN HERE FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. ALEJANDRO DOMINGUEZ. I'M AN INVENTORY SPECIALIST AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. 
          CHRISTIAN ENRIQUEZ, INVENTORY CONTROL CLERK. AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RODOLFO GARCIA. EVERYBODY KNOWS ME AS RUDY, AND I MANAGE THE PRINT SHOP HERE AT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. AND I'VE BEEN HERE JUST A LITTLE BIT OVER A YEAR. 
          THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. RAFAELA LOPEZ, I'M THANK YOU. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE? I'M GOING TO TURN ON 14. SHE'S BEEN WITH US FOR 14 YEARS. SUPER IMPORTANT TO US. OH. 
          THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. GOOD MORNING. I'M CRISTIAN SOTO AND AN INVENTORY CLERK FOR THE RECEIVING SECTION. THANK YOU. MORNING, AGENT MOLINA. I'M THE MAILROOM CLERK. INTERMEDIATE SPECIALIST, LOWER LEVEL MAILROOM, TEN YEARS. THANK YOU. KAREN, WHAT IS DO THEY WORK WITH A BOND SITUATION AS WELL? IS THERE SOME CONTACT WITH THEM AND WHAT'S HAPPENING? THE BOND PROJECT. I THINK IF WE HAD SURPLUS MANY OF THE BOND PROJECTS ARE RECYCLING. THIS WOULD BE YOUR TEAM THAT WOULD WOULD DO THAT FOR YOU. OH THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US MOVING FORWARD. AND I ALWAYS LIKE WHEN SOMEONE'S IN THE BACK GROUND, BUT THEN WE GET TO GET YOU OUT OF THE BACK. AND PEOPLE KNOW AND UNDERSTAND. I ASKED THAT BECAUSE I HAVE A MUCH DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR PURCHASING. I JUST YOU BUY AND THAT'S IT. YOU KNOW, I CALL YOU BUY SOMETHING AND BUT NOW I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES AND ESPECIALLY WITH A BOND. I MEAN, IT'S REALLY MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE OF YOUR TEAM AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER LEGAL AND PUBLIC WORKS. AND SO YOU PLAY A VERY SPECIAL ROLE. 
          [01:00:05]
THERE'S A HUGE EXPECTATION THAT WE'RE EFFICIENT AND THAT WE USE OUR MONEY PROPERLY AND FROM FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS. AND I JUST LOVE THE FACT THAT WHEN OUR CONSTITUENTS UNDERSTAND HOW EVERYTHING WORKS AND THE IMPORTANT PART THAT YOU PLAY AND YOUR ROLE IN MAKING THINGS HAPPEN AND MAKING US MORE EFFICIENT. KAREN, THANK YOU AS ALWAYS, YOU HAVE A GREAT TEAM IN DIFFERENT AREAS. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU JUDGE. THANK YOU, KAREN, AND THANK ALL OF YOU. I KNOW KAREN MENTIONED YOU ALL ARE THE ONES DOING THE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES. BUT PLEASE KNOW THAT WE, WE, WE SEE THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND IT'S THAT WORK THAT ENSURES THAT THE COUNTY IS FUNCTIONING EFFICIENTLY AND PROPERLY AND TRANSPARENTLY. ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO COUNTY. SO THANK YOU. WE, I'M SURE, DO NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO, BUT PLEASE KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY. 
          THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ORDERLY MOVED IN THIS DIRECTION. I KNOW THEY'RE VERY ORDERLY. ONLY LOGISTICS WOULD DO THAT, RIGHT? YEAH. WELL, IF WE COULD INVITE YOU ALL UP TO TAKE A PHOTO WITH US, PLEASE. 
          ITEM NUMBER SIX IS PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE SIX SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY. JUST LIKE TO REMIND SPEAKERS THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER PERSON. EVERYBODY WILL BE TIMED. I'D LIKE TO START WITH MISS ELIZABETH CRAWFORD, WHO SUBMITTED WRITTEN COMMENT. HER COMMENT BEGINS. GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU. I WAS ASKED TO COME HELP WITH THE KIDS SUMMER CAMP ON THE EAST SIDE, AND I'M SO MUCH ENJOYING BEING BACK IN EL PASO. AS WE HONOR OUR FATHERS. THIS MONTH, WE ARE REMINDED OF THE ULTIMATE FATHER AND EXAMPLE OF FATHERHOOD. WE ARE TOLD IN GOD'S HOLY WORD, LIKE A FATHER'S, LIKE. LIKE AS A FATHER PITIES HIS CHILDREN. SO THE LORD HAS COMPASSION ON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. PSALM 103. WE LIVE IN AN AGE WHEN FATHERHOOD IS OFTEN ABSENT, AND FATHERS ARE SADLY, OFTEN MOCKED. RADICAL FEMINISM HAS SOUGHT TO UNDERMINE AND USURP THE ROLES OF OUR FATHERS IN A PENDULUM SWING OF REACTING AGAINST TOXIC VERSIONS OF MASCULINITY, MANY IN OUR DAY HAVE CHOSEN THE TOTAL ABDICATION OF RESPECTABLE MASCULINITY THAT SERVES AND PROTECTS. THIS CULTURAL MESS WE HAVE CREATED WAS NEVER GOD'S DESIGN. THE WORD OF SOCIAL MEDIA WAS RECENTLY REELING WITH SHOCK AS AN INFLUENCER, A FATHER OF A BABY IN THE WOMB AT A GENDER REVEAL PARTY BROADLY DECLARED, IF THE BABY IS REVEALED TO BE A GIRL, HE WOULD HAVE ABORTED. HE WOULD HAVE HAD HER ABORTED. PEOPLE WERE ASTONISHED AT THE CALLOUS RESOLVE OF THIS DAD. EVEN PEOPLE WHO CALL THEMSELVES PRO-CHOICE WERE HORRIFIED. BUT WHY? THE REACTIONS REVEAL TO US THAT DEEP DOWN, UNDER ALL THE FACADE OF WORDS ABOUT WOMEN'S AUTONOMY, NOBODY TRULY BELIEVES THAT THE BABY IN THE WOMB IS JUST A CLUMP OF CELLS. WE ALL KNOW THAT HE OR SHE IS A TINY LITTLE PERSON, AND WE ALL KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM. WHEN A FATHER CAN CHOOSE TO KILL A BABY FOR A FRIVOLOUS REASON, SUCH AS A GENDER THAT WAS NOT PREFERRED, A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF FATHERHOOD COMES NOT THROUGH WHAT OUR CONFUSED CULTURE WOULD TEACH US, BUT THROUGH A LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER IN HEAVEN. AS THE LORD JESUS 
          [01:05:02]
TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES TO PRAY. OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. THE LORD IS THE EXAMPLE OF TRUE FATHERHOOD AND THE ONE WHO CAN ENABLE MEN TO TRULY PROTECT AND SERVE. I HOPE THAT EACH OF YOU WHO ARE FATHERS HAVE A VERY SPECIAL FATHER'S DAY. END OF COMMENT. OUR NEXT SPEAKER, WHO ALSO SUBMITTED A PUBLIC COMMENT IS MEGAN HERNANDEZ SMART? ONE MOMENT. OKAY. HER COMMENT IS PLEASE ADVISE AS TO INTERVENTIONS OR PROPOSED PLAN FOR COUNTY TO ADDRESS THREAT OF NEW WORLD SCREWWORM. END OF COMMENT. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MR. PAUL DE LA PENA. WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN PERSON. WE'LL CONTINUE ON WITH SAUL GONZALEZ. SO FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS GONZALEZ. I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH SEMBRANDO ESPERANZA, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT NUMBER TWO. 
          AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT DATA CENTERS. SO DATA CENTERS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN A REALLY HOT TOPIC STATEWIDE, NATIONWIDE. AND OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT THE EXCEPTION. OUR COMMUNITY IS SUPER CONCERNED ABOUT THE METADATA CENTER. AND NOW THE PROPOSED FOR DATA CENTER. AND I THINK YOU GUYS REALIZE, WELL, SOME OF YOU REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING BEST PRACTICES FOR DATA CENTERS. SO THANKS TO COMMISSIONER BUTLER IN JANUARY, YOU GUYS CREATED DIRECTED COUNTY STAFF TO CREATE WHAT YOU GUYS CALL THE BEST PRACTICES GUIDE FOR DATA CENTERS. AND THIS WAS IN JANUARY. SO FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S THE STATUS WITH THAT AND WHAT'S THE TIMELINE. AS YOU KNOW, OUR CITY IS ALSO WORKING ON A FRAMEWORK FOR DATA CENTERS. AND I WANT TO ASK, HOW IS YOUR FRAMEWORK ALIGNED WITH THE CITY'S FRAMEWORK? AND ARE THERE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR UTILITY COMPANIES IN THIS FRAMEWORK? AND I KNOW YOU YOU CANNOT ANSWER DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT THOSE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE. ALSO, YOU GUYS HAVE A 381 AGREEMENT WITH META. IT'S A TERRIBLE DEAL. I READ IT SO MANY TIMES. THERE IS NO PROTECTIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. SO WHEN I HEAR THE JUDGE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT WHEN THERE'S NO PROTECTIONS THAT ALLOW US TO PUT A STOP TO META THEIR EVERY TIME THEY ASK FOR MORE AND MORE. AND AT WHAT POINT IS THE COUNTY GOING TO SAY, STOP? AS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY CLOSELY AT THE PUC, THE COUNTY, THE CITY, AND EL PASO WATER AND. THE CITY OF EL PASO UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO STOP RECRUITING AND INCENTIVIZING DATA CENTERS. I'M HERE TO ASK, CAN WE EXTEND THAT TO THE COUNTY? CAN WE PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO DO THE SAME? ALSO, AS YOU KNOW, ITEM 37, JUST LAST WEEK, THE CITY HAD A NINE HOUR MEETING WHERE I WAS THERE AND THEY VOTED NO ON INITIATING NEGOTIATIONS TO TALK TO META TO CANCEL THEIR 380 AGREEMENT. SO THIS ITEM WAS JUST TO NEGOTIATE ON TERMINATING THIS AGREEMENT. I'M ASKING, CAN THE COUNTY PUT A SIMILAR ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT CANCELING THE 381 AGREEMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS WITH META? ALSO, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A STATEMENT THAT ONE OF THE CITY REPRESENTATIVES DID ABOUT COMPARING META TO A DATA CENTER 
          [PUBLIC COMMENT]
FROM 88 AT&T, AND THAT JUST I WAS REALLY IN SHOCK BECAUSE I THINK OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE NOT EDUCATED ON AI HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME AS AN AT&T DATA CENTER OR A TRADITIONAL DATA CENTER. HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS REQUIRE TEN TIMES MORE WATER AND ENERGY, 
          [01:10:02]
AND ALSO IT'S WHAT THEY REPRESENT. SO. THE VALUES OF OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD NOT DON'T REFLECT DATA CENTERS, BECAUSE A TRADITIONAL DATA CENTER IS BASICALLY IS STORING INFORMATION FOR US. AI DATA CENTERS STORE INFORMATION FROM US. THEY ARE SURVEILLANCE. THEY ARE DOING SURVEILLANCE ABOUT US. SO I KNOW THIS THIS COURT IS BEING REALLY PROACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO DETENTION CENTERS. AND I THINK DATA CENTERS AND DETENTION CENTERS SHOULD BE FOUGHT THE SAME WITH THE SAME ENERGY, BECAUSE THOSE FIGHTS ARE INTERCONNECTED. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY, THE COMMUNITY IS WATCHING WHAT IS COURT IS DOING. AND WE'RE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY, WITH THE ATTORNEY OF EL PASO WATER, AND FIND A WAY TO EXIT FROM THIS TERRIBLE DEAL. BUT ALSO WE NEED TO GET META OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND ALSO, YOU'RE NOT A DECISION MAKER 30S FOR THIS DATA CENTER, BUT YOU CAN INFLUENCE. SO I'M ASKING YOU TO ALSO GET INVOLVED WITH THAT. WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU. WE WE NEED YOU TO, TO STAND UP TO THESE BIG CORPORATIONS. THAT'S NOT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WE NEED. THAT'S NOT THE THAT'S NOT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT BENEFIT FROM THEM. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE THAT. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS VERONICA CARBAJAL. WELCOME, VERONICA. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. 
          VERONICA CARBAJAL WITH THE ESPERANZA COALITION AS AN ORGANIZER, JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, EL PASO WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE NUMBER TWO OUT OF 243 CITIES TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FASTEST RISE IN TEMPERATURES BY CLIMATE CENTRAL. OUR TEMPERATURES ROSE OVER SIX DEGREES IN RECENT YEARS. AND WE KNOW NOW WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2023 THAT DATA CENTERS CAN INCREASE AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BY UP TO 16 DEGREES AS THE ESPERANZA DUE TO OUR MEMBERSHIP, WHICH CONSISTS OF NINE NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH SIDE AND MONTANA VISTA, OUR MEMBERS TOLD US A YEAR AGO THAT THEY WANTED TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE UTILITY RATE INCREASES AGAINST EL PASO ELECTRIC AND TEXAS NATURAL GAS AND THEN EL PASO WATER, AND THAT IS HOW WE GOT INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST META AND NOW THE FORT BLISS DATA CENTER. AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IS REALLY LOOKING AT THIS HOLISTICALLY. WE'RE FOCUSING, OF COURSE, ON THE WATER CONSUMPTION, BOTH AT THE DATA CENTERS AS WELL AS THE ENERGY THAT THEY REQUIRE, BECAUSE AI DATA CENTERS REQUIRE SO MUCH ENERGY AND SO MUCH WATER. WE ARE FIGHTING EL PASO ELECTRIC BEFORE THE STATE AND THE UTILITY COMMISSION, AND COMMISSIONERS OLGUIN AND COMMISSIONER STOUT HAVE SUPPORTED US IN THAT EFFORT. WE'RE FIGHTING THE CITY WITH ITS TAX INCENTIVE, AND WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AGAINST THE CITY. 
          BUT YOUR YOUR COUNTERPART 381 AGREEMENT IS IDENTICAL TO THEIRS AND IS EQUALLY PROBLEMATIC. AND WHAT WE KNOW NOW IS THAT EVEN PRESIDENT TRUMP RECOGNIZES THE DATA CENTERS HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON RESIDENTIAL RATEPAYERS. IN MARCH, HE PASSED THE PLEDGE, THE RATEPAYER PROTECTION PLEDGE, THAT IS AIMED AT MAKING SURE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DATA CENTERS DOESN'T IMPACT THE AVERAGE USER. META SIGNED ON TO THAT, AND WE THOUGHT, WELL, THEN META IS GOING TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND SAY, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE RATES. AND SO THE MCLOUD FACILITY THAT'S MADE UP OF GENERATORS, THAT'S GOING TO COST $473 MILLION, WILL NOT BE PAID FOR AT ALL BY EL PASOANS. THEY DIDN'T DO THAT. THEY STILL EXPECT US TO INHERIT THAT. THOSE GENERATORS WITH A VERY SHORT LIFESPAN IN FIVE YEARS OR LESS. AND THEN LAST WEEK WE SAW GOVERNOR ABBOTT ASKING ALSO THE UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS TO PUT A LIMIT ON DATA CENTERS, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS THE ONE THAT INVITED THEM TO OUR STATE AND HAS INCENTIVIZED THEM WITH SALES TAXES AND LACK OF REGULATIONS. AND SO WHILE WE WE APPRECIATE THESE THESE TWO RECOGNITIONS AT THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL, BECAUSE THEY ARE AN ADMISSION OF. WHAT WE HAVE ALL KNOWN IS THAT THESE DATA CENTERS ARE TERRIBLE FOR LOCAL PEOPLE. WE KNOW THAT THEY WILL NOT MATERIALIZE UNLESS WE HAVE LOCAL PUSHBACK. AND THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. WE REALLY NEED YOU ALL TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE CITY AND THE WATER COMPANY AND EL PASO ELECTRIC TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP META FROM EVEN CONTINUING TO BUILD IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE NEIGHBORS BOTH IN CHAPARRAL AND IN THE VISTA DEL NORTE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY'RE BOTH LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM 
          [01:15:04]
THE FACILITY, AND THEY'RE ALREADY DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT COME WITH CONSTRUCTION THE NOISE, THE LIGHTS, THE DUST, THE DECIMATION OF WILDLIFE. AND IF THIS IS ALL TO PROCEED, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE HEAT INCREASE, THE NOISE POTENTIALLY FLOODING THE AIR POLLUTION FROM BOTH THE DATA CENTER AND THE GENERATORS AND THE HEALTH EFFECTS THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE ALREADY SEEN. WE KNOW THAT META LIED. WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO USE RENEWABLE ENERGY, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CONSUME OUR WATER. THEY'RE GOING TO NEED 1000MW, ONE GIGAWATT OF ELECTRICITY THAT WILL RELY ON DIRTY ENERGY GENERATED BY EL PASO ELECTRIC AND PAID FOR BY US, THAT IT IS DEMANDING UP TO 1.5 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY, EVEN THOUGH IT'S SAYING IT HAS A ZERO A ZERO NET WATER USAGE THROUGH ITS CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM. BUT OUR COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN VERY CLEARLY, AND WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE FACT THAT NEITHER DATA CENTERS NOR ICE DETENTION CENTERS ARE ENTITLED TO OUR PRECIOUS AND VERY EXPENSIVE WATER. WE HAVE TOLD BOTH THIS BODY AS WELL AS THE CITY, THAT NEITHER DATA CENTERS NOR ICE DETENTION CENTERS REFLECT WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY, AND HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IN TERMS OF JOBS, IN TERMS OF PROSPERITY. AND SO WE WILL BE BACK AGAIN. WE WILL NOT BE ALONE. AS YOU SAW, THERE WERE OVER NINE HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT GIVEN TO THE CITY OF EL PASO BY OVER 200 PEOPLE, AND MANY OF THEM HAVE TAKEN TIME OFF OF WORK, ASKING ALL OF OUR ELECTED LEADERS TO DO THEIR JOB, WHICH IS TO PROTECT US NOT JUST NOW, BUT FIVE, TEN, 15 YEARS FROM NOW. 30S WHEN AS OUR WATER RESOURCES BECOME MORE AND MORE SCARCE, AND AS WE LEARN MORE AND MORE ABOUT HOW DETRIMENTAL BOTH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE DATA CENTERS THAT PRODUCE IT ARE TO OUR COMMUNITIES. SO WE WE ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE. AND THIS BODY IS MUCH MORE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAN ITS CITY COUNTERPARTS. AND SO WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU ONCE AGAIN SHOW US THE COURAGE THAT YOU HAVE SHOWN IN THE PAST AND STAND WITH US. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND I WILL LEAVE A COPY OF OUR COMMENTS TO THE UTILITY COMMISSION. THANK YOU VERONICA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LORENA RODRIGUEZ. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS LORENA RODRIGUEZ FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS HONORED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MCKINNEY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. AND WE WANTED TO INTRODUCE OUR THREE INTERNS THAT WILL BE WITH US THIS SUMMER IN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU CAMILA RAMOS. 
          SHE'S A RECENT GRADUATE WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE FROM WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY. WE ALSO HAVE JOAQUIN MADRID. HE'S IN HIS SECOND YEAR AT UTEP STUDYING POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY. WE ALSO HAVE OUR THIRD INTERN JOINING US ONLINE, LEANNE MCLEMORE. SHE'S A RECENT GRADUATE WITH BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, MINOR IN LAW AND SOCIETY FROM NEW YORK UNIVERSITY. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. WE'RE EXCITED TO TEACH THEM COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND WE'RE ALSO EXCITED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON BIG COUNTY PROJECTS FOR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. CAN WE GIVE A FEW MOMENTS FOR THEM TO SPEAK? ABSOLUTELY. WELCOME. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CAMILLE RAMOS. IT'S SUCH AN HONOR TO BE HERE TALKING TO YOU ALL, BUT ALSO BEING BACK IN THE CITY THAT RAISED ME AND MADE ME WHO I AM. SO I'M VERY EXCITED TO WORK WITH EVERYONE HERE AND WORK ON PROJECTS THAT WILL ONLY HELP OUR COMMUNITY GROW. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WE'RE EXCITED THAT YOU'RE HERE AS WELL. SO GO AHEAD. GOOD MORNING. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE CAMILLE. I'M HONORED TO BE HERE AND TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM. I CANNOT SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND BEFORE YOU, NOT JUST AS A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT AS SOMEONE LOOKING TO YOU FOR GUIDANCE. SO THIS OPPORTUNITY MEANS THE WORLD TO ME, AND I'M EXCITED TO TO SEE IT THROUGH. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. LEANNE. I THINK YOU'RE MUTED. LEANNE. I CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. OKAY. HI. SORRY. I'M LEANNE MCLEMORE AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL AND EXCITED LIKE MY PEERS. AND I KIND OF JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT THEY HAVE SAID. AND VERY HONORED TO HAVE RECEIVED THIS OPPORTUNITY AS WELL BECAUSE AND I'M EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO MY COMMUNITY AFTER BEING GONE FOR FOUR YEARS AND BE ABLE TO GIVE IT EVERYTHING THAT IT HAS GIVEN ME AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN 
          [01:20:05]
IF I HAD NOT BEEN FROM EL PASO. AND I'M VERY PROUD OF BEING FROM THIS FROM HERE. AND I WANT TO EXTEND THE EXTEND EVERYTHING IT'S GIVEN ME BACK. SO I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY. 
          THANK YOU. AND FROM OUR BEHALF, WE RELY SO MUCH ON OUR INTERNS AND THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE AND THE FRESHNESS OF YOUR STUDIES AND THEN YOUR CONTINUED STUDIES. SO WE'RE VERY PRIVILEGED AND WE'RE VERY I MEAN, IT'S JUST I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT YOU THINK WE'RE GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY, BUT YOU'RE GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY. AND THEN THAT ENERGY. I SAW LEANNE AT THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL THIS PAST WEEK, AND I SEE THE EXPOSURE THAT YOU'RE GETTING. AND IT'S OKAY. YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS TELL MY INTERN, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT YOU LOVE? DON'T FORGET THAT WE ALSO WANT THAT TO BE INTEGRATED. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WE TELL YOU, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, BUT THERE MIGHT BE THINGS THAT WE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THAT WE DON'T KNOW. SO THERE'S SOME KIND OF A PASSION. ALWAYS TALK TO WHOEVER YOU'RE WITH TO SAY, HAVE THIS PASSION. CAN I INTEGRATE IT AS PART OF WHAT I'M DOING? AND I THINK THAT'S, THAT'S THE REAL MAGIC THAT THAT YOU ALSO ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING AND WE GIVE YOU THE PLATFORM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. AND I THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THEM HERE TODAY. YOU KNOW, WE REALLY WISH YOU THE BEST. AND, AND WE'LL DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT A VERY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THIS COMPLETES PUBLIC COMMENT. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN A FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE SALE, USE AND POSSESSION OF FIREWORKS FOR THE JULY 4TH, 2026 PERIOD. THANK YOU MELISSA. CAN I ASK, I WOULD 
          [A. Receive a presentation, and discuss and take appropriate action regarding the sale, use and possession of fireworks for the July 4th, 2026 period.
Melissa Carrillo, Deputy County Administrator, County Operations, 915-273-3582]
LOVE FOR LEGAL TO SORT OF GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF A, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS IT THAT WE CAN DO? YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCESS? BECAUSE I THINK THE PUBLIC GETS A LITTLE CONFUSED. SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT COULD BE ELISA OR SOMEONE FROM LEGAL, JUST TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. ERIC RUSSELL, AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY. YES, MISS AMAYA HAS ACTUALLY PUT TOGETHER A REALLY GREAT PRESENTATION THAT WILL WALK THE PUBLIC THROUGH HOW THIS IS ASSESSED, WHAT AUTHORITY THE COURT HAS AS A BODY AND WHAT AUTHORITY THE COUNTY JUDGE HAS AS WELL. AND SO WE ASSIST WITH THAT, WITH THAT ANALYSIS. AND SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MISS MAYO. THANK YOU. WELCOME, ELISA. THANK YOU ERICA. GOOD MORNING. BUENOS DIAS. ELISA MAYO, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS MANAGER. AND TODAY I THINK IT'LL BE VERY BRIEF. AND AND YES, LEGAL HAS ASSISTED IN IN GIVING ME THIS INFORMATION. BUT THEY CAN ALSO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS NEEDED. 
          WE AS YOU KNOW, WE WE'RE APPROACHING THE FIREWORKS SEASON FOR JULY 4TH. AND THE COURT CAN TAKE ACTION ONLY IF WE CAN GO TO THE FIRST SLIDE, PLEASE. ONLY IF WE GO OVER A CERTAIN THRESHOLD FOR THE DROUGHT INDEX, WHICH IS A KEY INDEX THAT WE'VE BEEN MONITORING SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH. SO THESE ARE THE OPTIONS. BASICALLY, THE FIRST ONE IS DOING NOTHING REGARDLESS OF THE INDEX. THE SALES PERIOD RUNS BETWEEN JUNE 24TH THROUGH MIDNIGHT, JULY 4TH. THE SECOND OPTION WOULD BE IF WE WERE ABOVE THE 575 ON AVERAGE ON THIS DROUGHT INDEX, THAT AS OF TODAY, WE WERE AT 504, I BELIEVE, AND YESTERDAY WE WERE AT 530. SO STILL NOT ENOUGH. ELISA, CAN I JUST QUICKLY INTERRUPT YOU ON THIS FROM THE STATE SAYING THAT IT WILL GO BEYOND A 4TH OF JULY, BUT INTO THE FIFTH THAT THE STATE ALLOWED? JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW THAT THAT IT WILL COVER NOT ONLY THE FOURTH TILL MIDNIGHT LIKE IT TYPICALLY IS, BUT THAT IT GOES INTO JULY THE 5TH UNTIL 12. THIS IS SOMETHING I JUST LEARNED TODAY. OKAY. THAT MIGHT BE NEW TO ME. AND MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT LEGAL CAN HELP US LOOK AT. MAYBE, MAYBE THAT HAS CHANGED. AND I MEAN, STILL WHAT HASN'T CHANGED, I THINK IS THE DROUGHT. BUT WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT JUDGE AND GET BACK TO YOU. I'LL HAVE ON THE VENDORS AS WELL. I'LL HAVE THE CHIEF ESPARZA ALSO MAYBE DIRECT THAT INFORMATION. OKAY. SOUNDS GOOD. 
          THEN THE SECOND OPTION WOULD BE, AS I WAS SAYING, ON THE IF THE IF THE AVERAGE ON THE CDAI WAS ABOVE 575, BUT IT'S NOT AS OF TODAY AND AND TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO TAKE ACTION BY THE 
          [01:25:03]
COMMISSIONERS COURT. SO UNFORTUNATELY, THERE MIGHT BE NOTHING WE COULD DO ON THE SALE OF SKYROCKETS WITH STICKS AND MISSILES WITHIN. SO. SO STICKS AND FINS IS WHAT IT'S COMMONLY KNOWN AS. AND THEN THE THIRD OPTION WOULD BE FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE. SO FOR YOU JUDGE, TO ISSUE A LOCAL DECLARATION OF SORRY, A DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER, IF THERE'S AN IMMINENT THREAT OF WIDESPREAD OR SEVERE DAMAGE, INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE OR PROPERTY RESULTING FROM ANY, ANY OF THE THREATS THAT THAT FIREWORKS POSE ON ON THE COUNTY, IT COULD BE ISSUED AT ANY TIME, BUT IT CAN IT IT ONLY LASTS SEVEN DAYS UNLESS A COURT EXTENDS IT. 
          SORRY. AND IT SAYS 60. SORRY. THAT EXCEEDS THE RESTRICTION ON THE CODE. THEN IT CAN LAST FOR UP TO 60 HOURS, UNLESS THE GOVERNOR GRANTS THE EXTENSION. SO THE GOVERNOR COULD COULD BE THE ONE GRANTING THE EXTENSION. BUT AGAIN, THIS IS LIKE A DISASTER DECLARATION THAT IS SOLELY THE UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE COUNTY. JUDGE. COULD WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE? REALLY QUICK, ELISA, BEFORE YOU LEAVE OFF OF THERE, I THINK, JUDGE, WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS SENATE BILL 996 LAST YEAR THAT RECOGNIZED THAT THIS WAS THE 250TH YEAR OF THE UNITED STATES. AND BECAUSE 4TH OF JULY FALLS ON SATURDAY, IT EXTENDED CELLS TILL SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT, ON SUNDAY AT MIDNIGHT, BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE WITH FIREWORKS HALF OF THE WEEKEND. AND SO THEY EXTENDED IT TO JULY 5TH AT MIDNIGHT. I THINK IT'S NOT AT MIDNIGHT. I THINK IT'S TIL NOON, RIGHT? NO, SIR. IT'S TILL 11:59 P.M. OKAY. PULL IT. YES. I THOUGHT IT WAS STILL SORT OF JUST TO GIVE IT ANOTHER. RIGHT. THE SPECIFICALLY, THEIR STATEMENT OF INTENT WAS TO ALLOW AMERICANS TO CELEBRATE 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. AND SO IT'S TILL 11:59 P.M. ON SUNDAY. WHICH CHANGES THINGS A LITTLE BIT FOR US AS WELL, TO HAVE TWO VERSUS ONE DAY. AND THIS THIS SUBSECTION EXPIRES THIS YEAR. IT'S ONLY FOR THIS YEAR. THANK YOU BETSY. THIS WAS AS OF THE POSTING DATE. 
          SO AGAIN, WE WERE CHECKING THE KBDI AND WE WERE AT 508. SO WE HAVEN'T REALLY EXCEEDED THE THRESHOLD TO TAKE ACTION TO BAN STICKS AND FINS. AND THEN IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. I KNOW WE ALSO LOOK AT OTHER MONITORS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT EVERYTHING, EVERY INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE AND WE'RE NOT I MEAN, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE UNDER THE LOW FIRE DANGER. I KNOW IN PRIOR YEARS, WE'VE BEEN UNDER THE VERY HIGH, SOMETIMES AT THE EXTREME. BUT I THINK THIS YEAR WE'RE WE'RE A LITTLE LOWER THAN THAT. AND THEN NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR ALSO PASSES UNDER NONE IN THE INTENSITY LEVEL OR. THIS WAS AS OF LAST WEEK WHEN WE POSTED THE AGENDA ITEM. AND WE'RE STILL NOT AT THE SAME INTENSITY LEVEL THAT WE'VE BEEN IN PRIOR YEARS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO WE HAD PUT THIS MOTION HERE IN CASE WE WOKE UP TODAY AND WE HAD AN INDEX OF OVER 575 ON THE KVDI. 
          HOWEVER, IT'S STILL NOT THERE. SO THERE'S NOT AN OPTION AT THIS TIME FOR THE COURT TO TAKE ACTION. BUT BUT I KNOW THAT YOU CAN DISCUSS AND CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING. AND THANK YOU, BETSY, FOR CLARIFYING THAT THE SALES PERIOD WILL WILL GO A LITTLE LONGER THIS YEAR. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. CHIEF, DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? BUT PLEASE COME TO THE. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OTHER THAN I FOUND OUT THIS MORNING THAT THEY DID EXTEND IT TO JULY 5TH. I WAS TOLD MIDDAY AND IT'S MIDNIGHT. SO YEAH, THIS THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THIS YEAR. AND IT DOES EXPIRE THIS YEAR. IT'S A ONE TIME THING ONLY. YES. COMMISSIONER BUTLER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE. THANK YOU CHIEF. THANK YOU TO THE ISDS AND OUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK OVER THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY. THEY ARE EXTREMELY BUSY IN OUR COMMUNITIES, RESPONDING TO NOT JUST POTENTIAL SPREAD OF FIRE, BUT ANY ANY EMERGENCY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE USE OF FIREWORKS. I, I MENTIONED THIS SOME OF MY 
          [01:30:02]
CONCERNS AND THEY'RE NOT DIRECTED AT YOU, CHIEF, JUST GENERALLY AROUND THE USE AND SALE OF FIREWORKS IN COMMUNITIES LIKE MONTANA VISTA THAT ARE THAT ARE HIGHLY POPULATED AND HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTS IN THEM. AND AT LEAST IN FAR EAST EL PASO COUNTY, A LOT OF PEOPLE GO THERE NOT ONLY TO BUY FIREWORKS, BUT TO TO POP THEM AS WELL. AND EVERY YEAR, JUDGE, I HEAR FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I ALREADY STARTED HEARING FROM THEM THIS YEAR ABOUT THE DISTURBANCE THAT FIREWORKS, CAUSE WHEN THEY'RE BEING POPPED NEAR THEIR HOMES. 
          AND SO YOU HAVE ANIMALS, DOGS ESPECIALLY, THAT ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO FIREWORKS. AND SO A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ISSUES WITH PET RELATED ANXIETY WITH FIREWORKS USE. WE KNOW THAT WE SEE AN INCREASE OF ANIMALS THAT HAVE HAVE LEFT THEIR HOMES DURING THE 4TH OF JULY, WHICH EXACERBATES OUR ALREADY SERIOUS ISSUE RELATED TO STRAY ANIMALS IN THE COUNTY. I HEAR FROM VETERANS WHO HAVE PTSD, WHO STRUGGLE DURING THE FIREWORKS SEASON AND 4TH OF JULY SEASON, ESPECIALLY, WHO ARE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO THE SOUND OF FIREWORKS BEING POPPED NEAR THEIR HOMES. AND THEN WE HAVE A BIG ISSUE WITH TRASH RELATED TO POST 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES AND CELEBRATIONS IN COMMUNITIES LIKE MONTANA VISTA AND I, I'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS OPENLY. I'VE SPOKEN TO SOME OF THE FIREWORKS VENDORS ABOUT THAT ISSUE. LAST YEAR WE PARTNERED WITH THE SD AND HAD A POST 4TH OF JULY COMMUNITY CLEANUP IN RED SANDS, AND IT REALLY, YOU KNOW, IT IT'S IT'S REALLY A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE TO COMBAT WITH VERY LIMITED RESOURCES. I CAN GO OUT TO MONTANA VISTA NOW AND SHOW YOU TRASH AND DEBRIS FROM FIREWORKS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS AND JUST KEEP PILING UP YEAR AFTER YEAR. BUT THAT'S A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE SHOULD ALL HAVE. OUR FIREWORKS VENDORS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THAT. OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO GO OUT TO COMMUNITIES LIKE MONTANA VISTA SHOULD BE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT THEY ARE POPPING FIREWORKS IN, IN, IN COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE LIVE. AND SO I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS INTERNALLY AT THE COUNTY ABOUT HOW WE TRY TO MITIGATE SOME OF THAT TRASH ISSUE AND ILLEGAL DUMPING ISSUE AFTER THE 4TH OF JULY. SO I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THOSE IF WE CAN. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, IF THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOME MAYBE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS RELATED TO, TO BOTH THE TRASH DISPOSAL AND OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS RELATED TO THE 4TH OF JULY THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. SO GOOD MORNING, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS MELISSA CARRILLO WITH COUNTY OPERATIONS. GOOD MORNING CHIEF. GOOD MORNING. SO, COMMISSIONER BUTLER, THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING THE EFFORTS AND THE PLANNING THAT THAT IS STARTING TO COMMENCE COMMENCE INTERNALLY. I HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN ATTENDING SOME OF THIS INTERNAL STAFF MEETINGS, AND I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MEMBERS OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT, OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S, PUBLIC WORKS VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. WE STARTED MEETING TO BRAINSTORM. WE ARE CONTINUING TO MEET STARTING THIS WEDNESDAY, EVERY MORNING AT 8:30 A.M. 
          UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY, POST 4TH OF JULY, SO THAT WE CAN DEBRIEF AS WELL. BUT THOSE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN DONE TO START COORDINATING EXACTLY THOSE CONCERNS. COMMISSIONER BUTLER, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT SAFETY AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT CLEANUP? AND SO FOR NOW, UP UNTIL NOW, WE HAVE WORKED ON MEETING WITH TEXDOT, WHO WILL HAVE A FOCUS ON DRUNK DRIVING THE NIGHT OF. 
          AND THEN ALSO THEIR FOCUS IS ON ADOPT A HIGHWAY AFTER FOR CLEANUP EFFORTS. WE HAVE ALSO SPOKEN WITH ESD ONE. THEIR FOCUS IS ON SAFETY, NOT ALLOWING CHILDREN TO HANDLE FIREWORKS, STAYING AWAY FROM DRY GRASS, KEEPING PETS SAFE. THEIR EFFORTS ARE NOT FOCUSED ON CLEANUP AT THIS TIME, BUT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM ON THAT. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WE'VE MET WITH DANIELLE ALVARADO ON THE RED SANDS OPERATIONS, AND SO WE UNDERSTAND FROM THEM THAT THEY ARE NOW SETTING UP AND DISCUSSING THEIR COMMAND POST. 
          THEY WILL HAVE BETWEEN 20 AND 40 DEPUTIES ASSIGNED. THEY'RE ALSO PARTNERING WITH ESD CHIEF TO ON USING RAZORS AND ATVS PATROLLING THE INNER WORKINGS OF RED SANDS. I ALSO ASKED IF THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PATROL TO REMIND RESIDENTS ABOUT CLEANUP AND DUMPSTER ROLL OFFS AS WELL. SO WE'RE STILL TALKING THROUGH IF WE'RE DOING THESE EFFORTS, HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE BOTH THE SAFETY AND THE CLEANUP ASPECTS ARE ADDRESSED? AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE WORKING WITH MICHELLE AND HER VOLUNTEER TEAM BECAUSE WE REALLY BELIEVE THERE'S GREAT 
          [01:35:02]
OPPORTUNITY THERE WITH NOT JUST THE VOLUNTEERS YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PAST, BUT ALSO WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE FIREWORKS VENDORS TO SEE IF THEY CAN ALSO PROVIDE VENDORS AND HELP US SUPPLY THOSE CLEANUP EFFORTS THE DAY AFTER. AND AGAIN, THESE ARE JUST WHAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT. WE'VE SPOKEN WITH PUBLIC WORKS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL TO USE ROLL OFFS, AND SO ROLL OFFS HAS BEEN AN IDEA THAT'S COME UP IN THE PAST. THE ISSUE IS RIGHTS OF WAY TO RESIDENTS AND THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY. SO WE DID LOOP OUR COUNTY ATTORNEYS IN. WE HAD A SIDE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT, BUT THEN WE ALSO BROUGHT THEM INTO THE LAST MEETING THAT WE HAD TO BETTER UNDERSTAND. IS THIS AN OPTION AND SHOULD WE CONSIDER IT? WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT WAS THAT RIGHTS OF WAY TO RESIDENTS ACTUALLY MAY CREATE SOME LIABILITY. IF WE WERE TO PLACE ROLL OFFS IN RESIDENTS PROPERTY. AND THEN WHEN WE'RE CLEANING UP, DO WE ACCIDENTALLY PICK UP SOMETHING THAT WAS THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY, NOT JUST THE FIREWORKS TRASH? SO WE TALKED ABOUT THE IDEA OF USING ROLL OUTS INSTEAD AT PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES THAT MAY BE NEARBY, SO THAT THEY COULD PLACE THE ROLL OFF THERE INSTEAD. AGAIN, THESE ARE JUST IDEAS THAT ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE AS SAFE AND SECURE FOR THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY. AND THEN LASTLY, TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER BUTLER, REGARDING COMMUNICATION, THAT'S GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY SO THAT WE CAN INFORM THE RESIDENTS ON THE SAFETY SIDE, BUT ALSO SO THAT WE CAN GENERATE INTEREST ON THE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP US WITH THE CLEANUPS THE DAY AFTER. AND OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM IS WORKING ON TWO PRESS CONFERENCES. THE FIRST IS TOMORROW TO CELEBRATE THE EVENT THAT'S TAKING PLACE AT ASCOT PARK, BUT THE LATTER WILL BE CLOSER TO THE END OF JUNE, SO THAT WE CAN USE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO REMIND THE PUBLIC ABOUT SAFETY, WHAT WE CAN DO TO PROTECT OUR ANIMALS, AND THEN ALSO ANY CLEANUP EFFORTS THAT WE'VE DECIDED UPON BY THAT POINT. BUT ALL OF THIS IS STARTING TO BE DISCUSSED. I SENT OUT THOSE INVITES, AND I DID INVITE STAFF FROM COMMISSIONERS, PRECINCTS ONE, THREE, AND FOUR. GIVEN THE LOCATION AND THE IMPACT BY FIREWORKS IN THOSE PRECINCTS. AND SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS WHAT WE CAN DO TO BE BEST PREPARED. STARTING THIS WEDNESDAY, WE'LL HAVE THOSE DIALOGS AND WE'LL CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS. OKAY. THANK YOU, CHIEF. ANYTHING ELSE, FERNANDO, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AS PART OF THE THE VENDOR SIDE AND JIMMY. 
          WELCOME, FERNANDO. HONORABLE COMMISSIONER, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MISTER, MISTER NEVAREZ. WE'RE BOTH LOCAL VENDORS. WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE FIREWORKS SALES PROBABLY FOREVER. I THINK WE BOTH GREW UP PRETTY MUCH INTO THE FAMILY DOING THIS, THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS. AND LIKE YOU'RE SAYING, APPRECIATE YOU RECOGNIZE IT AS A LEGITIMATE SMALL BUSINESS. WE HAVE HAD TALKS. I'VE MET WITH COMMISSIONER BUTLER THIS YEAR, EARLY IN MARCH. I'VE MET WITH MELISSA AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS, THE JUDGE. COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. 
          WE'VE BEEN IN THE TALKS MORE SO THAN I'VE EVER SEEN IT. AND AND THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING THAT THAT WE'VE DONE. AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO LIKE COMMISSIONER BUTLER SAYS, YES, THERE'S CERTAIN AREAS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, GOT QUITE A BIT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON. AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS, AS VENDORS, IT'S A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RESIDENTS ALSO ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER. AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST POINTS THAT WE'VE HAD. AND CHIEF ESPARZA HAS REALLY BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT ENFORCING WHAT HE NEEDS TO ENFORCE. AND HOPEFULLY THAT WE AS A GROUP, I CANNOT CONTROL JIMMY, CANNOT CONTROL ALL THE VENDORS. IT'S A COMPETITION. IT'S A SMALL TIME FRAME, AND WE'RE ALL TRYING TO MAKE A YEAR'S WORTH OF LIVING IN ABOUT TEN DAYS, SO IT'S PRETTY TOUGH DEAL FOR US TO. BUT YES, WE ARE ADDRESSING IT. 
          WE'RE PROACTIVE, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO, TO, TO, TO SATISFY, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY THE ISSUES THAT COME WITH IT, BUT THERE ARE THINGS, YOU KNOW, VETERANS, WE, I MEAN, WE BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN, WE HAVE VETERAN DISCOUNTS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES. AND THEY REALLY COME AND BUY A LOT OF FIREWORKS, PARTICULARLY IN THE FORT BLISS AREA AND HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. ANIMALS. MY WIFE IS A VET VETERINARY TECHNICIAN. SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THAT SHE'S ALSO A FIREWORKS VENDOR. BUT, YOU KNOW, SHE DOES HELP A LOT IN, IN HELPING OUT AND GIVING ADVICE FOR YOUR ANIMALS. YOU KNOW, WHENEVER THEY, THEY, THEY HAVE THAT ISSUE DURING THE FOURTH. SO I THINK WE GOT SOME PLIERS THROUGH TNT, I THINK ON THE ON THE ANIMAL THING. I'LL, I'LL GET THAT TO YOU ONCE I KNOW I'M PRETTY SURE THEY HAD THAT ADDRESSED. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, I'D LOVE TO ANSWER THEM. THANK YOU MR. MR. GONZALEZ, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US. I HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS. ONE, 
          [01:40:06]
AND THERE'S THERE'S SEVERAL. I'M SORRY, IS WE CAN PLACE BINS, SOME OF THESE FIREWORK LOCATIONS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE LEASES ON THEM. AND THAT WOULD JUST, YOU KNOW, WE COULD TELL OUR CUSTOMERS AT THE SAME TIME, BRING YOUR TRASH BACK HERE, HERE'S BINS SO WE CAN FIND SOME LOCATIONS TO PLACE THESE BINS AS FAR AS THE TRASH, UNFORTUNATELY, MR. VIRAMONTES IS RIGHT. WE HAVE SOME VENDORS THAT COME IN, WANT TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK AND JUST LEAVE AND THEY DON'T CARE. IT'S OUR LIVELIHOOD, SO WE REALLY HAVE A LOT MORE INVESTED IN IT. WHAT I WOULD TRY TO SUGGEST IS IF WE COULD GET MORE ENFORCEMENT ON THE TRASH ISSUE AFTERWARDS AND SEND SOMEBODY OUT THERE FROM CODES AND TICKET, THESE VENDORS THAT ARE NOT PICKING UP THESE LOTS AND NOT ISSUE THEM A LICENSE THE NEXT YEAR BECAUSE WE, WE HAVE ALL OUR VENDORS PICK UP, WE PERSONALLY DRIVE THROUGH THE NEXT DAY, WE SURVEY ALL THE LOTS AND PROPERTIES NEAR OUR LOCATIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE PICKED UP. I EVEN PERSONALLY HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN TO FIGHTS WITH VENDORS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO PICK UP THE TRASH, BUT I THINK AN EASY CONCLUSION WOULD BE TO CITE THESE VENDORS THAT AREN'T BEING RESPONSIBLE. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO BUSINESS IN THE COUNTY IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE. THE THIRD THING THAT I JUST WANTED TO SAY IS, I DO WANT TO THANK THE EMS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEIR COOPERATION. THEY WORK VERY HARD AND THEY'RE VERY COURTEOUS TO US, AND THEY DO A LOT TO HELP US. THE OTHER THING, AND THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS WE'RE NOT GOING TO OPEN ON THE FIFTH. THAT JUST SEEMS MORE LIKE A BURDEN TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY. WE'LL BE PICKING UP EVERYTHING ON THE 5TH OF JULY LIKE WE ALWAYS DO. BUT I DO WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO THE JUDGE AND TO THE COUNTY AND ALL YOU COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. GONZALEZ. I'VE ALWAYS I HOPE THAT I'VE EXPRESSED THE COOPERATION THAT WE'VE HAD. I ALWAYS GO BACK TO THE PANDEMIC, AND THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO AND YOU DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. SO I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT ANOTHER MEETING COMING UP, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AS MANY OF THE VENDORS AS POSSIBLE AND COMMIT, GET THEM TO COMMIT. LIKE ALL OF YOU HAVE THE IDEA OF CLEANING UP THE IDEA OF HAVING TRASH BAGS, THE IDEA OF ALL THESE THINGS THAT, THAT YOU'VE DONE, IT'S SORT OF NOT FAIR THAT IT'S SORT OF FALLS ON A FEW OF YOU. BUT WE SOME WAY, SOMEHOW WE HAVE TO GET THAT COMMITMENT FROM THE BIGGER AMOUNT OF VENDORS SO THAT WE COULD DO THIS. RIGHT. IT'S 250 YEARS. AND SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE MOMENTUM RIGHT NOW. AND I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE COULD DO IS AND YOU AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AND THAT IS THAT THAT WHATEVER WE'VE EXPERIENCED BEFORE, I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE IT A COUPLE MORE NOTCHES UP BECAUSE OF THE EXCITEMENT OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I MEAN, NEW MEXICO ALWAYS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT. WE COULD CONTROL WHATEVER WE WANT, BUT NEW MEXICO SELLS, AND OBVIOUSLY THEY BRING THEM INTO TO THE COUNTY. AND SO THIS IS A HUGE MOMENTUM THAT'S TAKING PLACE. AND I THINK IT BEHOOVES US TO GET READY FOR IT AND DO WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE NEED TO, TO ACHIEVE. AND HAVING THAT EXTRA DAY, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO STRATEGIZE, YOU KNOW, AS TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO HANDLE THAT. AND THEN WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO DO? BECAUSE WE TYPICALLY FOCUSED ON 4TH OF JULY. ON THE FIFTH, WE'RE CLEANING UP. IN THIS CASE, WE HAVE SOME DIFFERENT FACTORS. SO I THINK WE DO NEED TO GET VERY ASSERTIVE AND SORT OF ANTICIPATE, I KNOW THE SHERIFF IS GOING TO BE MORE INVOLVED NOW AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR HIM AND SHERIFF AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE TO DO. SO IT'S JUST A MATTER OF, YOU KNOW, TRYING OUR BEST TO GET READY FOR THE INEVITABLE AND THE INEVITABLE. 
          TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT ABOUT 250 YEARS. BUT WE JUST CANNOT FORGET THAT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY, VERY INTENSE. AND THAT AND THEN I THANK YOU FOR ENCOURAGING NO STICKS AND FINS WITHOUT HAVING I MEAN, EVEN IF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, YOU'VE ALL AGREED THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO STICKS AND FINS INDEPENDENT OF OF WHAT YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, IF IT RACES OR WHATEVER HAPPENS, YOU'RE STILL NOT GOING TO FOCUS ON THAT, ON THAT STICKS AND FINS. SO THAT'S VERY HELPFUL THAT WE KNOW THAT. AND IT'S ALSO VERY HELPFUL THAT YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH AND GIVE YOU AS MUCH TIME TO PREPARE FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. SO I THINK IT'S BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN. YOU KNOW, WE, WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WHAT WE COULD COUNT ON, BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET READY FOR 4TH OF JULY AND NOW THE 5TH OF JULY. SO I DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER COMMENTS. ANYBODY THAT. WOULD ACTUALLY JUDGE? I'M SORRY. I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS REGARDING TRASH COLLECTION. 
          THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE IN THE COUNTY, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE 
          [01:45:04]
COUNTY. AND LIKE THE JUDGE SAID, UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON OUR LOCAL VENDORS AND YOU ALL DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT SOME OF THESE OTHER FOLKS, THESE OTHER NON-LOCAL VENDORS DO. BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR FOR UNDERSTANDING WHY THAT IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE TO US AND DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VENDORS THAT YOU DO KNOW AND THAT YOU DO WORK WITH ALSO ARE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OF THE TRASH COLLECTION AFTER THE 4TH OF JULY. WE ALL LOVE TO CELEBRATE ON THE 4TH OF JULY, BUT WE ALL ALSO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT REQUIRES OUR COMMITMENT TO CLEANING OUR COUNTY AFTER THE CELEBRATION. BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO IN THAT RESPECT. WE STRESS THAT WHAT HOW WE DO THAT TODAY OR THIS SEASON WILL DETERMINE YOUR CHALLENGES NEXT YEAR. YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S NO COOPERATION AND WE'RE NOT HAVING WHAT WE NEED, THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE IN TRYING TO DO WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW. AND THAT COOPERATION, IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AND WE HAVE MORE TRASH THAN WE EXPECT IT, AND, YOU KNOW, NOBODY'S PARTICIPATING OR, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAVING BIGGER CHALLENGES, OBVIOUSLY, THEN IT BECOMES A BIGGER CHALLENGE FOR US TO SUPPORT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR. SO EVERY YEAR, SORT OF LIKE A BUILDING BLOCK OF COOPERATION. SO I DON'T KNOW. BETSY, IS THERE SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO AT THIS POINT AS FAR AS JUST MORE OF A, A GUIDE? NO, SIR. JUST FOR TO INFORM THE COURT WHERE WE'RE AT AND WHAT ACTION YOU CAN TAKE ON THE LEGAL SIDE AS FAR AS THE, THE BANNING OR NOT BANNING, WHICH AS OF AS ELISA EXPLAINED, WE ARE NOT AT A POINT WHERE YOU CAN BAN. AT THIS POINT, IF SOMETHING WERE TO DRASTICALLY CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND THE 4TH OF JULY, THAT'S WHEN THE JUDGE'S AUTHORITY COMES IN, AS SHE EXPLAINED. BUT THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A DRASTIC CHANGE IN THE DROUGHT CONDITIONS BETWEEN NOW AND THEN. OKAY. THANK YOU. WELL, WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. APPRECIATE. YES. GO AHEAD, MR. VIRAMONTES. EXCUSE ME. I ASKED FOR THIS LAST YEAR. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT I CAN GET A DOCUMENT FROM THE COUNTY ON, ON WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED AS FAR AS TRASH, SOMETHING THAT I CAN PHYSICALLY TAKE TO EVERY VENDOR, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE, AND SAY, LOOK, THIS IS WHAT WE AGREED TO. THIS IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT. CAN YOU FOLLOW THIS? AND I COULD GIVE IT TO THE OWNERS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY. I DO HAVE A COMMUNICATION WITH MISS WILDMAN. MR. W FIREWORKS IS BIG IN EL PASO. SOMETHING THAT I CAN ACTUALLY GET FROM THE COUNTY. NOTHING THAT'S LEGAL, BUT SOMETHING THAT WOULD EXPLAIN WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND SAY, LOOK, YOU GUYS, WE GOT TO WORK ON THIS BECAUSE EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID MEANS A LOT TO ME. WHAT WE DO THIS YEAR IS GOING TO REALLY AFFECT US NEXT YEAR. I THINK I DON'T WANT TO WALK INTO THAT. I THINK IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD DO, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S VERY POWERFUL FOR YOU AS VENDORS TO REACH OUT TO THE OTHER VENDORS AND SAY, THESE ARE THIS IS OUR EXPECTATION. THIS IS WHAT WE EXPECT. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF ALL THAT LEGAL AUTHORITY. I MEAN, WE COULD SUGGEST I MEAN, WE COULD SIT TOGETHER. THAT'S WHAT I MEANT IS NOTHING THAT'S LEGALLY BINDING OR ANYTHING WITH MELISSA, WOULD YOU SORT OF SEE IF MAYBE WE COULD WORK AND SEE WHAT WE COULD PRESENT THE OTHER VENDORS? SURE. SO ONE THING, AS WE WORK ON OUR COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS AND WE WANT TO PUSH SOME OF THIS INFORMATION OUT, ANY SOCIAL MEDIA FLIERS THAT WE CREATE, WE'D BE HAPPY TO GIVE THOSE TO YOU SO THAT YOU CAN SAY, HERE'S WHAT THE COUNTY IS DOING TO HELP GET PREPARED FOR SAFETY AND CLEANUP EFFORTS. WE'D BE HAPPY TO GIVE YOU COPIES OF THOSE ONCE WE PRODUCE THEM. OKAY. WOULD THAT WORK? YES. 
          THANK YOU. OKAY. APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. SIR, PLEASE, FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET AS MANY VENDORS. SO WE HAVE THE SAME AUDIENCE AND WE'LL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE THAT IT'S A BIGGER GROUP. THANK YOU. SIR. THANK YOU JUDGE, WE WILL TAKE NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN B RECEIVE A PRESENTATION, DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING EL PASO COUNTY'S 90TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AGENDA. 
          [B. Receive a presentation, discuss and take appropriate action regarding El Paso County’s 90th Texas Legislative Session Agenda.
Melissa Carrillo, Deputy County Administrator, County Operations, 915-273-3582]
WELCOME BACK ALISA. THANK YOU, JUDGE AGAIN, ELISA TAMAYO, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS MANAGER. 
          NOW, SWITCHING GEARS NOW TO THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS WE GET READY FOR THE 90TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER A RECOMMENDATION OF WHAT WE WE THINK THAT SHOULD GO ON THE AGENDA. AFTER EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS, WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS, WITH STAFF, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, SOME MEMBERS OF OUR DELEGATION OR THEIR STAFF. AND AGAIN, WE 
          [01:50:02]
WE THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT AND SOMETHING THAT MIGHT CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND JANUARY WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS. BUT I KNOW YOU WANT TO HAVE A FRAMEWORK AND SOMETHING TO PRESENT TO OUR STATE DELEGATION, WHO ARE ALWAYS REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE COUNTY AND DO GREAT WORK WITH US. AND THEY'RE GREAT PARTNERS TO THE PRIORITIES THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY PRESENTS TO THEM EVERY, EVERY OTHER YEAR. SO I'LL TRY TO GO OVER THEM QUICKLY, BUT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STOP ME AT ANY TIME. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE SOME CARRYOVER ITEMS FROM THE 8980 NINTH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THINGS THAT REALLY MOVED ALONG IN THE PROCESS AND THAT ARE A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY THAT WE THINK SHOULD COME BACK NEXT SESSION. REMEMBER THAT THAT A LOT OF THESE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES TAKE TWO OR 3 OR 4 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS TO REALLY GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. SO I'M GOING TO START WITH THE MUD RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT. SO LAST SESSION IT WAS HOUSE BILL 1930 BY MARY GONZALEZ, SENATE BILL 1028 BY SENATOR BLANCO. THIS WAS TO CREATE A REQUIREMENT FOR CANDIDATES THAT ARE WISHING TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF A MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT TO LIVE IN THE AREA THAT THEY WANT TO REPRESENT, VERY SIMILAR TO TO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN OTHER PUBLIC OFFICE. PLACES. AND SO WE WE'RE WORKING WITH GONZALEZ TO BRING THIS PRIORITY BACK AND SEE IF, IF THIS NEXT SESSION, WE CAN WE CAN MOVE IT FORWARD. NUMBER TWO IS THE SELLERS NOTICE REGARDING THE CONNECTION OF WATER UTILITIES TO CERTAIN TRACTS OF LAND. SO LAST SESSION THIS WAS HOUSE BILL 5335 BY REP EDDIE MORALES, SENATE BILL 2604 BY SENATOR BLANCO. AND THIS IS TO TRY TO PREVENT WHAT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE COUNTY WHERE PEOPLE BUY PIECES OF LAND, THINKING THAT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY EASY TO CONNECT TO THE WATER LINE. THEY A LOT OF THESE SELLERS TELL THEM, HEY, THE WATER LINE IS JUST ACROSS THE STREET, BUT IT IS REALLY EXPENSIVE. AND WHAT WE WANT THEM TO KNOW IS AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE, THAT THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY CONNECTED TO A WATER LINE AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST THEM TO DO SO. THAT WAY WE AVOID THEM EXPECTING SOMETIMES THAT THE COUNTY WILL WILL TAKE THAT COST. AND AS MUCH AS WE HAVE TRIED, AND LIKE A LOT OF THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THIS AREA HAS, YOU KNOW, LIKE MADE MADE THOSE CONNECTIONS, BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH AND IT IS EXPENSIVE. SO WE THINK THAT BY HAVING THIS NOTICE, IT WILL BE EASIER FOR A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS AND CONSTITUENTS JUST TO BE AWARE OF WHAT THEY'RE BUYING. NUMBER THREE IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE BURIALS OR THE CREMATIONS OF OF DECEASED POPPERS BODIES. SO AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE, SOMETHING THAT THE STATE TELLS EVERY COUNTY THAT IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BURY OR CREMATE OR DISPOSE OF THE BODIES OF INDIGENT PEOPLE. AND WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THEM SOME DIGNITY BY TRYING TO GET THE STATE TO CREATE A PROGRAM. THERE'S DIFFERENT IDEAS OUT THERE THAT WE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PUSH. SO WHETHER IT IS WHETHER THAT IS THAT THE STATE CREATES A PROGRAM WHERE MAYBE FUNERAL HOMES ARE ASKING FOR THESE DONATIONS AT THE TIME OF WHEN A LOVED ONE COMES IN TO THE FUNERAL HOME AND TRIES TO BURY A LOVED ONE, THAT COULD BE A GOOD TIME TO ASK THEM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO THIS FUND? THIS FUND WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE, AND IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTIES CAN APPLY FOR. THERE WILL BE RULE MAKING, OF COURSE, FOR MAYBE AN AGENCY WHO WHO WOULD BE REGULATING THIS. BUT OUR INTENT WAS AND WE ALMOST GOT IT OUT OF THE SENATE LAST SESSION. IT DIED ON THIRD READING. BUT BUT WE GOT SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THROUGH THROUGH THIS BILL, SENATE BILL 2023 BY SENATOR BLANCO. SO OUR INTENT IS TO CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION. WE WORKED A LOT WITH OTHER COUNTIES TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, AND THEY ALL WERE VERY INTERESTED, AND THEY ALL TALKED TO THEIR DELEGATIONS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF WHAT THE ISSUE IS. 
          SO WE'RE TRYING TO BRING THIS BACK AGAIN NEXT SESSION. NUMBER FOUR FOR IS EXPANDING THE ELIGIBILITY FOR YOUTH OFFENDERS TO PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN DRUG COURT PROGRAMS. THIS IS A THIS WAS FILED FOR THE SECOND TIME LAST SESSION, HOUSE BILL 1831 BY REP ANN JOHNSON, SENATE BILL 1431 BY BLANCO. THIS ONE MADE IT OUT OF THE HOUSE LAST SESSION AND IT DIED IN THE SENATE. IT NEVER RECEIVED A HEARING. SO WE ARE WORKING WITH WITH STAFF TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE MORE OPEN TO MAYBE WHATEVER THE CONCERNS ARE FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO TRY TO ADDRESS THOSE AHEAD OF SESSION, TO SEE IF WE COULD MAKE MORE PROGRESS ON THE SENATE SIDE NEXT SESSION. THIS WOULD CAPTURE MORE YOUTH INTO THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE REALLY BENEFICIAL, BECAUSE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WHEN WHEN THE KIDS ARE CAUGHT AT AN EARLY STAGE, THERE'S A GREATER RATE OF RECIDIVISM. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE THAT WE'RE 
          [01:55:05]
ADDRESSING THAT. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CHIEF MEDINA REALLY HAS PUSHED FOR. AND, AND THIS WAS HER IDEA. SHE WAS THE BRAIN BEHIND WRITING THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SUPPORT HER AND THAT WE TRY TO CAPTURE AS MUCH AS MUCH OF THAT OF THOSE YOUTH OFFENDERS AS WE CAN IN THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT COULD BE REALLY EFFECTIVE AND IN SHAPING THEIR LIVES. SO THESE ARE THE FOUR ITEMS THAT WE WOULD BE CARRYING OVER FROM LAST SESSION THAT REALLY GAINED A LOT OF TRACTION. THE REST OF THEM WILL BE VALUE STATEMENTS IF YOU ALL APPROVED LATER TODAY. BUT WE ARE WE'RE JUST TRYING TO REALLY USE OUR BANDWIDTH AND OUR ENERGY AND EFFORTS, THE THAT ARE LIMITED TO PUSH THINGS THAT BOTH OUR DELEGATION SUPPORTS AND ALSO ANOTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT ARE DOABLE. AND THAT MADE SOME KIND OF PROGRESS LAST SESSION TO MAKE IT EASIER. HOPEFULLY, THIS THIS NEW THIS NEW SESSION TO PUSH THEM FORWARD. AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER ITEM ON THE NEXT SLIDE FOR. THIS WAS FROM A PREVIOUS SESSION. SO LAST SESSION WE DIDN'T FILE THIS, BUT IN THE 88TH WE DID. IT WAS SENATE BILL 2542. THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, WHERE WE WANT TO REQUIRE THAT ON SITE DRAINAGE PONDS ARE CONSTRUCTED BY THE LOT OWNER TO RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE, OR COC YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT DEVELOPERS ARE NOT DOING, AND WE'RE TRYING TO TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO THESE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEN THEY DON'T FALL ON THE COUNTY BECAUSE THEN WE WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME RESIDENTS GET EXCITED ABOUT THESE NEW HOMES THAT ARE BEING BUILT IN THE COUNTY. ONCE THEY MOVE, THEY REALIZE THERE'S ISSUES WITH WITH FLOODING, THERE'S ISSUES WITH SIDEWALKS. 
          WE ALSO THINK THAT MAYBE THIS TIME AROUND, WE TRY TO INCLUDE SIDEWALKS ON THE REQUIREMENT AND THINGS THAT ARE QUALITY OF LIFE ITEMS THAT ARE RESIDENTS REALLY NEED, AND THAT THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW DOESN'T HAVE THE TOOLS TO ENFORCE OR REQUIRE FROM THESE DEVELOPERS. IF WE MOVE OVER TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THESE ARE NEW REQUESTS THAT CAME THROUGH OUR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. AND SO THE FIRST ONE IS FROM OUR JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. 
          CHIEF MEDINA HAS BEEN A GREAT LEADER IN TRYING TO GET A WELDING PROGRAM THAT IS A VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE YOUTH THAT IS IN PROBATION. AND SHE'S ALREADY SECURED SOME FUNDING THROUGH CONGRESSIONAL PROJECT FUNDING FROM THROUGH CONGRESSWOMAN ESCOBAR'S OFFICE. 
          BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TO FINISH THE THE FACILITIES THAT NEED TO BE BUILT FOR THIS. SO SHE'S ALREADY MET WITH VICE CHAIR GONZALEZ, FROM REP GONZALEZ, FROM THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. SHE SOUNDS INTERESTED, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HER TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE HAS THE TOOLS THAT IT NEEDS. WE UNDERSTAND GETTING ANY FUNDING FROM THE STATE IS A HEAVY LIFT, BUT SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT LEADER IN TRYING TO GET US PROJECTS FOR THE COUNTY. AND HOPEFULLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THAT THE THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES. SO SOMETHING THAT THAT AGAIN, IT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST. SO WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE ONLY TWO KIND OF MANAGING OUR EXPECTATIONS AND NOT ASKING FOR FOR THE MOON AND THE STARS, BUT REALLY THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY SHOVEL READY THAT ARE THINGS THAT THAT REALLY WOULD HELP THE COUNTY. SO THE OTHER THING WOULD BE TO HAVE, AND I KNOW WE FOUGHT FOR THIS LAST SESSION, WE. BUT WE KIND OF FOUND OUT LATER AND NOT WITH NOT SO MUCH TIME IN ADVANCE HOW THIS WORKS ON THE BUDGET, BUT HAVING INCREASED FUNDING IN THESE BUCKET FROM THE FROM THE STATE BUDGET THAT FALLS UNDER THE CONTROLLER. SO THE COMPTROLLER, AS YOU KNOW, HAS THIS PAYMENTS FOR LOCALITIES LIKE EL PASO THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY THE DISABLED VETERAN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION. 
          AND LAST SESSION, WE HAD A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PRIORITY JUST TO TRY TO GET MORE FUNDING FROM THE FROM THE SURVIVING SPOUSE. BUT WE'RE TRYING TO NOW FOCUS ON LIKE REALLY PUSHING FOR THE INCREASED FUNDING. THE LEGISLATURE ONLY PUT, I BELIEVE, LIKE 19 MILLION LAST SESSION, BUT I'LL GET BACK TO YOU ON THE LIKE, RIGHT AMOUNT. AND TO REALLY COVER ALL THE LOCALITIES THAT QUALIFY FOR THIS EXEMPTION, THEY WOULD NEED CLOSER TO 70 MILLION. AND I KNOW THAT THE HOUSE AND AGAIN, VICE CHAIR GONZALEZ, BEING IN THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, THEY WERE RECOMMENDING THOSE 70 MILLION THAT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO PUT IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS PROGRAM. BUT THEY WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE SENATE WAS REALLY PUSHING FOR A LOWER AMOUNT, AND THAT'S WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING LAST SESSION. BUT WE HOPE THAT THAT IN THE NEW IN THE 90TH SESSION, WE CAN CONVINCE THE LEGISLATURE TO PUT ENOUGH FUNDING, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE LAST SESSION THEY DID PASS LEGISLATION TO INCREASE SOME SOME OF THE QUALIFICATIONS. 
          SO NOW THERE'S MORE LOCALITIES THAT QUALIFY FOR THIS EXEMPTION THAN THEY WERE BEFORE. EL PASO STILL QUALIFIES. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. BARBARA ALWAYS DOES OUR APPLICATION AND DOES A GREAT JOB IN TRYING TO SECURE THE THE FUNDING. THE PROBLEM IS NOT THAT WE DON'T APPLY FOR THE 
          [02:00:03]
FUNDING. THE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH IN THAT BUCKET OF MONEY. SO WE HOPE THAT THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN SEE THAT OUR VETERANS ARE ALSO ADVOCATING FOR THIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY STILL GET THE EXEMPTION, NO MATTER WHAT. IT IS REALLY TO HELP THE COUNTY KIND OF OFFSET THAT LOSS IN REVENUE. AND OUR VETERANS, MISS TONY HUNT HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN IN TALKING TO THE VETERANS LOCALLY. AND THEY ARE DISCUSSING, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, A LETTER TO SEND TO THESE COMMITTEES TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS AND HELP KIND OF JOIN OUR EFFORTS OF ADVOCACY TO GET MORE FUNDING IN THIS IN THIS PROGRAM. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS? NO, NO? OKAY. THEN WE CAN GO ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WELL, I DO HAVE A QUESTION, IF THAT'S OKAY. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. CAN WE PUT THE SLIDE BACK UP? THERE WE GO. SO WHAT IS WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST. I HOPE THAT WE GO WITH WHAT THE HOUSE WAS RECOMMENDING LAST SESSION WITH THAT IS 70 MILLION. IF THEY PUT 70 MILLION IN THIS PROGRAM, MORE OF US CAN QUALIFY FOR. I MEAN, SORRY, MORE OF US CAN GET BACK MORE FUNDING OF WHAT WE QUALIFY FOR. 19 MILLION IS NOT ENOUGH. 
          CLEARLY, WE'RE NOT GETTING NOT EVEN LIKE A FIFTH OF WHAT WE QUALIFY FOR. SO IF WE I THINK THE ASK IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE PUTS 70 MILLION. UNLESS THERE'S A BETTER RECOMMENDATION OUT THERE. BUT FOR NOW, BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED LAST SESSION, I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE PUSHING FOR TO HAVE 70 MILLION IN THAT PROGRAM. AND JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. MELISSA CARRILLO, AGAIN, WITH COUNTY OPERATIONS. THE OTHER THING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM IS THAT WE WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT. AND THE MORE THAT PEOPLE ARE HEARING ABOUT IT, THEY'RE FINDING OUT ABOUT IT, DETERMINING THEIR QUALIFYING. SO MORE PEOPLE ARE APPLYING FOR THESE FUNDS. AND THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, FROM WHAT I RECALL AT LEAST, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THEY'RE NOT ACTIVELY PUSHING THIS FUND OUT, SAYING, HEY, WE HAVE THIS MONEY. RATHER, WE FIND OUT ABOUT IT, WE APPLY. AND INITIALLY, I THINK WE WERE ONE OF LESS THAN TEN, I WANT TO SAY LIKE 6 OR 7 COUNTIES WHO APPLIED. SO THE MORE POPULAR IT'S GETTING, THE MORE PEOPLE ARE APPLYING TO THAT SAME POT OF MONEY THAT'S NOT BIG ENOUGH. AND SO WE'RE ADVOCATING TO THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE TO SEE IF THEY CAN INCREASE THAT SO THAT WE CAN GET WHAT WE'RE ELIGIBLE FOR. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ONLY GIVE US WHAT THEY'RE ABLE TO SPEND, GIVEN THE SMALL POT THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE. AND THEY ACTUALLY WHAT THEY DID IS THEY EXPANDED WHO IS ELIGIBLE. SO THEY WHAT WHAT MADE IT LESS MONEY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE IS THEY EXPANDED WHO'S ELIGIBLE AND DIDN'T INCREASE THE FUNDING. RIGHT. SO IT MADE LESS MONEY, THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE FOR MORE COUNTIES TO MORE LOCALITIES TO APPLY FOR IT. RIGHT. WHEN I THINK ABOUT APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS ON OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, I THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, FOR OUR COUNTY, RIGHT? SO BUT BUT WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE WHOLE STATE. WELL, WE'RE ASKING FUND THIS TO BE ABLE TO RE TO BASICALLY STOP THIS UNFUNDED MANDATE OF GIVING THE INCENTIVE, GIVING THE THE TAX BREAK, AND THEN NOT MAKING THE LOCAL ENTITIES THAT GIVE IT WHOLE. I GUESS WHAT I'M WHAT MY QUESTION IS, SHOULD WE INCLUDE WHAT EL PASO LIKE AN ACTUAL APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST? WOULDN'T IT BE EL PASO COUNTY NEEDS THIS MUCH FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM AND ASK FOR THAT AND THEN SUPPORT ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE WHOLE PROGRAM? WE COULD WE COULD DO THAT. WE COULD WE PUT OUR MONEY. THAT WOULD BE A BUDGET WRITER. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD, BETSY. BUT ALISA, IF THEY PUT. SO IF JUST FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU PUT THE SLIDE BACK UP THERE, IF THEY GAVE THE ENTIRE 6.2 MILLION, IT GOES INTO A FUND AND WE'D STILL BE COMPETING FOR OUR ENTIRE 6.2 MILLION WITH EVERYBODY ELSE. 
          YEAH, I GUESS I GUESS WHAT I'M, WHAT I'M STUCK ON IS LIKE APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS, RIGHT? SO THE, THE FIRST ONE IS A, IS MAYBE A SPECIFIC TO EL PASO COUNTY REQUEST FOR SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR $3 MILLION FOR JPD BUT THEN IN THE SAME BUCKET, WE'RE SAYING WE WANT 70 MILLION FOR THIS PROGRAM FOR THE WHOLE STATE, RIGHT? BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT. WELL, THERE ARE THERE ARE TIMES WHERE WE ASK THEM TO DO SOMETHING STATEWIDE BECAUSE IT'S A STATEWIDE ISSUE. LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, PSYCH BEDS IS A STATEWIDE ISSUE. AND SO WE WANT THEM TO INCREASE THEM FOR EVERYONE. OTHERWISE WE WILL BE COMPETING, STILL COMPETING WITH OTHER LOCALITIES. AND NUMBER SIX, IT IS VERY SPECIFIC TO EL PASO. AND NUMBER SEVEN, IT'S A STATEWIDE ISSUE. AND SO WE CAN SPECIFICALLY TELL WHAT OUR ASK IS AND WHAT WE BELIEVE THE 
          [02:05:02]
ENTIRE STATE'S ASK IS. BUT IF THEY ONLY WERE TO FUND INCREASE THE FUNDING BY OUR ASK, WE WON'T GET THAT FULL AMOUNT BECAUSE WE WOULD BE STILL IN A POOL COMPETING. WITH OTHER LOCALITIES. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I THINK I'M JUST TRYING TO TO MAYBE IT'S LIKE, HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THIS ON A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA? BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE TWO, TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF ASKS. I THINK I AGREE. ARE YOU? YEAH, ONE OF THEM IS LIKE THE FIRST ONE COULD BE A BUDGET WRITER, WHICH IS LIKE, WE NEED A MEMBER OF OUR DELEGATION TO, TO, TO DO THAT, RIGHT? LIKE TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT. AND THE SECOND ONE IS A PROGRAM THAT ALREADY EXISTS AND THAT WE'RE ALREADY WE ALREADY MET IN JANUARY WITH THE ACTING COMPTROLLER. AND THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABLES, RIGHT? LIKE FOR, FOR THE SECOND ONE, FOR THE FOR THE PROGRAM ON THE DISABLED VETERANS EXEMPTION, THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW CONTROLLER NEXT SESSION. AND THAT IN OUR MEETING, THE THE ACTING CONTROLLER DID NOT SEEM WILLING TO EVEN PUT THIS UNDER LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUEST WITH THEIR LA. THE THE PREVIOUS CONTROLLER LAST SESSION DID. AND HE DID ASK FOR THE 70 MILLION. SO IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF ADVOCACY. IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF REQUEST BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE STATE FUNDS DIFFERENT THINGS. AND WE CAN PUT MORE THINGS COMMISSIONER, IN LIKE APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS SPECIFIC TO EL PASO COUNTY, TO YOUR POINT. BUT WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO BE LIKE, REALISTIC AS TO WHAT WE CAN GET FROM THE STATE. AND THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT THAT OUR DELEGATION WOULD SUPPORT THE WELDING PROGRAM. AND I'M TALKING ABOUT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE WHERE WE ARE AS TO, OKAY, LET'S ASK FOR LIKE SEVEN DIFFERENT THINGS OR, OR IF YOU THINK WE SHOULD ASK FOR MORE, I THINK BY ALL MEANS, WE'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO, TO ASK FOR THE, FOR THE THINGS THAT WE NEED. BUT AT THIS POINT, WE JUST THOUGHT THIS IS REALISTIC. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT WE COULD ADVOCATE FOR IN DIFFERENT WAYS, RIGHT? LIKE THE FIRST ONE IS A BUDGET RIDER SPECIFIC TO EL PASO COUNTY. AND THEN THE SECOND ONE IS MORE OF A, IT'S A COLLECTIVE EFFORT. AND WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH BELL COUNTY AND WITH OTHER COUNTIES THAT ALSO QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM. JUST BECAUSE IF IF THE CONTROLLER GETS THE FULL 70 MILLION THAT HE ASKED FOR LAST SESSION, FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE. 
          WE ARE ALL BETTER OFF BECAUSE WE ALL WE ALREADY QUALIFY FOR THAT. SO WE WOULD BE GETTING MORE OF THE MONEY THAT WE ALREADY QUALIFY FOR. BUT I DO HEAR YOU, AND I DO LIKE. IF YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING ELSE TO THE TO THE AGENDA, I THINK WE DEFINITELY SHOULD. BUT I ALSO WANTED JUST TO KIND OF BE REALISTIC ON HOW MUCH WE'RE ASKING FROM OUR DELEGATION AND FROM THE STATE AND COMMISSIONERS. THERE IS ANOTHER ITEM COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLIDE REGARDING ITEM NUMBER NINE AND HISTORICAL TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION, AND INCREASE IN FUNDING AS WELL FOR THE MARKERS. SO WE'RE PUTTING IT ALL IN THE SAME AGENDA. BUT IF YOU'D PREFER WE CARVE OUT MAYBE THE STATEWIDE REQUESTS VERSUS THE COUNTY SPECIFIC REQUESTS, WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL. BUT AGAIN, TO LISA'S POINT, WE JUST DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY HAVE TRACTION. WE DO BELIEVE THIS CONTROLLER ITEM WITH THE VETERANS EXEMPTION MAY HAVE TRACTION IF IT INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE STATE AND INCREASES FUNDING FOR US. AND THEN YOU'LL SEE NUMBER NINE AS WE GO TO NUMBER NINE, WE'LL TALK ABOUT A REQUEST ALSO TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION THAT USED TO BE WITH THE TXDOT. BUT WE'RE OPEN TO YOUR GUIDANCE. SO, YES, I'VE GOT A QUESTION. SO I MEAN, I THINK WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE BOTH. RIGHT. AND AND ABSOLUTELY, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT IF ASKING OUR DELEGATION IF SOMEBODY COULD PUT A BUDGET RIDER FOR WHAT THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING, LOOKING FOR. I HAVE A QUESTION. AND LISA DID AFTER HAVING DONE, YOU KNOW, OUTREACH TO THE TO THE COURT AND TO THE DEPARTMENTS AND AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, WERE THERE ANY THERE WEREN'T ANY OTHER LIKE LEGISLATIVE, LIKE APPROPRIATIONS THAT, THAT WE THAT THE COUNTY WANTED TO ASK FOR. ON THE SAME, ALONG THE SAME LINES AS A BUDGET RIDER, THAT WOULD BE MONEY THAT WOULD JUST COME FOR EL PASO COUNTY, KIND OF LIKE WHAT THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR OR THERE WERE THERE ANY OTHER THERE WEREN'T ANY OTHER REQUESTS THAT CAME THROUGH FROM THE COURT OR, OR STAKEHOLDERS THAT YOU ENGAGED WITH. NOT AT THIS POINT. ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE DO HAVE THE THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION MARKER, AND THAT'S ANOTHER ITEM THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO GET MONEY FOR. BUT AGAIN, WE'RE THINKING STATEWIDE JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE A HIGHER CHANCE. IT'S THE SAME THING AS WITH THE INDIGENT BURIALS. WE ALSO THINK THAT IF THE STATE CREATES THIS PROGRAM THAT IS NOT EL PASO SPECIFIC, IT HAS A BETTER CHANCE OF PASSING JUST BECAUSE WE CAN COLLABORATE WITH OTHER DELEGATIONS AND BE MORE OF A COLLECTIVE EFFORT FOR FOR ALL OF THE COUNTIES AND NOT JUST EL PASO SPECIFIC, BUT FOR NOW, I THINK WE WE WANTED TO, TO GIVE A LOT OF PRIORITY TO THE 
          [02:10:02]
WELDING PROGRAM, UNLESS THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE SHOULD KIND OF ELEVATE TO THAT BUDGET WRITER APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST AND, AND ADVOCATE FOR THAT AS WELL. BUT AT THIS POINT, IT WAS JUST THOSE, THOSE ITEMS OR I GUESS THE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THE APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST AS A BUDGET RIDER FOR THE WELDING PROGRAM IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WE SEE DOABLE OR, AND THE ONLY ONE REALLY, BECAUSE THE OTHER ONES ARE MORE KIND OF STATEWIDE PROGRAMS, DIFFERENT BUCKETS OF MONEY, BASICALLY. RIGHT. OKAY. THANK YOU. WE CAN GO ON THE NEXT SLIDE. NUMBER EIGHT. THIS IS A NEW THING THAT IS HAPPENING A LOT LATELY. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SENIORS AND RESIDENTS AND NOT JUST SENIORS, BUT BUT THE I THINK THE VICTIMS ARE MORE MORE OF THE VICTIMS ARE SENIORS OR OVER 65. BUT ANYBODY, ANYONE COULD BE A VICTIM TO THIS TYPE OF FRAUD THAT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE THROUGH A CRYPTO KIOSK. SO THERE'S BEEN PEOPLE THAT THAT RECEIVE A PHONE CALL OR A TEXT MESSAGE ASKING THEM TO PAY FOR OUTSTANDING FINES OR TO GET SOMEBODY OUT OF JAIL, A LOVED ONE. AND THEY, THEY ASK THEM TO PUT MONEY INTO THIS BITCOIN KIOSK OR CRYPTO KIOSK THAT, THAT ARE POPPING, POPPING UP MORE AND MORE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE, INCLUDING EL PASO. SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE, I WAS RECENTLY AT A HEARING WHERE THIS ISSUE CAME UP, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MIGHT BE A STATEWIDE PRIORITY, AND MAYBE LEADERSHIP IS INTERESTED IN PREVENTING BANNING THESE TYPES OF CRYPTO KIOSKS. THIS IS NOT BANNING CRYPTOCURRENCY. IT'S JUST THE PRACTICE OF HAVING THOSE KIOSKS WHERE A LOT OF OUR SENIORS, A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE PUTTING IN MONEY BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING SCAMMED AND TARGETED BY BAD ACTORS. SO KIND OF REGULATING THIS, THIS TYPE OF PRACTICE TO PREVENT FRAUD IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE. WE'RE STILL WORKING IN THE AND ARE IN THE VERY EARLY STAGES OF RESEARCH ON THIS INITIATIVE. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD WILL HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. AND IT'S A GOOD, GOOD INITIATIVE WHERE THE COUNTY COULD HAVE LIKE A LIKE A WIN AND ALSO CREATE SOME SORT OF CAMPAIGN WHERE PEOPLE CAN BECOME MORE AWARE OF WHAT THESE SCAMS LOOK LIKE AND HOW TO NOT FALL VICTIMS OF THOSE. AND THEN NUMBER NINE, THE STATEWIDE FUNDING. SO THIS IS ANOTHER TYPE OF FUNDING FROM THE STATE OR APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE, BECAUSE WE RECENTLY HAD A MARKER THAT THAT NEEDS MAINTENANCE AND HAS NOT RECEIVED, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED MONEY FROM THE STATE TO FIX THAT MARKER, EVEN THOUGH IT IS PROPERTY OR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE. HOWEVER, WE THINK THAT THAT LAST SESSION, WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THIS HISTORICAL MARKERS WERE CHANGED. THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE PURVIEW OF TXDOT AND NOW THEY THROUGH LEGISLATION, THEY NOW PUT THEM UNDER THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION'S JURISDICTION, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY. SO PRIOR TO THAT, TO THAT BILL FROM THE FROM LAST SESSION, TXDOT HAS HAS MONEY AND THEY COULD FIX IT. WE JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE FUNDING FOLLOWED FROM TEXAS TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION. AND NOW WE HAVE THIS ISSUE THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE. WE NEEDED ABOUT $7,000 TO FIX A MARKER. AND WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANYTHING FROM THE STATE. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THE COUNTY WILL HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THIS MARKER, AND WE DON'T WANT THAT TO TO CONTINUE. SO WE THOUGHT, OKAY, LET'S, LET'S TRY TO WORK WITH THE STATE AND SEE IF THEY CAN PUT FUNDING BEHIND THE HISTORICAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION. SO TO FIX THESE MARKERS SO THAT MOVING FORWARD, WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, THERE, THERE'S FUNDING FOR THAT. AGAIN, ALSO ON THE EARLY STAGES OF RESEARCH AND HOW WE COULD MAKE THIS HAPPEN, WORKING WITH OUR DELEGATION TO SEE IF THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN ENCOURAGE THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION MAYBE TO PUT ON THEIR LA LA LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUEST TO SEE IF THEY CAN START THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND GETTING FUNDING BEHIND SOMETHING THAT WILL BENEFIT EVERY EVERY MARKER STATEWIDE. YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THAT WE CAN BENEFIT FROM IN THE FUTURE. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. NUMBER TEN. 
          THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REALLY WANTS US TO PRIORITIZE. SO IS REQUIRING A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY CONGESTION AND SAFETY PROBLEMS BEFORE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IS BUILT. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYONE FROM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WHO WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THIS. I DID ASK ALL DEPARTMENTS THAT HAD A SUBMISSION TO TO BE HERE JUST IN CASE OR BE ONLINE. SHOULD THERE BE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, THIS INITIATIVE? THEY ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, AFTER ALL. BUT BUT BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT THIS WOULD HELP US REQUIRE SOMETHING TO PREVENT CONGESTION AND 
          [02:15:02]
SAFETY PROBLEMS ON ON LIKE ON THE FRONT END INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL SOME DEVELOPMENT IS BUILT. AND THEN WE SEE THERE'S TONS OF COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC OR, OR ISSUES IN THE AREA, AND THEY'RE HARDER TO ADDRESS AFTER EVERYTHING IS BUILT THAN BEFORE. AND THEN NUMBER 11, WE HAVE QUESTIONS ON THAT ONE. ELISA, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO ANSWER THEM. SO. I GUESS TWO QUESTIONS, RIGHT? I KNOW THAT FOR SOME OF OUR LARGER SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENTS, WE DO REQUIRE A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS TO THOSE. IS THAT IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE? YES, COMMISSIONER. YES, COMMISSIONER. 
          YOU'RE CORRECT. OKAY. BUT ON THE LARGER LIKE THIS, SOMETIMES WE DON'T GET THAT INFORMATION PRIOR TO THEM MOVING FORWARD. AND SO WE'RE STUCK WITH THESE DEVELOPMENT THAT DID NOT ADDRESS THE CONGESTION, ESPECIALLY THE AMAZON BUILDING AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO THAT'S WHY WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS BE A REQUIREMENT SO THAT WE'RE MORE PREPARED AS WE'RE AS THE DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO EXTEND TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT LET'S SAY LET'S USE THE SUBDIVISION STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE. SO AND I ONLY KNOW THE, THE ONES THAT, THAT, THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH, WHICH ARE, WHICH ARE NEWER DEVELOPMENTS ON THE EAST SIDE, THE FAR EAST SIDE. SO WE THEN ASK THE DEVELOPER TO, TO BUILD INTO THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS LIKE, LIKE MITIGATION. STRATEGIES AND TO ACTUALLY FUND THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO, TO TRY TO REMEDY SOME OF THE CONGESTION ISSUES WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR SUBDIVISIONS, RIGHT? SO AND IF THEY DON'T DO THAT, DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DENY. SO BECAUSE OF OUR LIMITED AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW, RIGHT. THERE'S A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS. 
          ADDITIONALLY, I'D LIKE YOU TO FOR YOU TO CONSIDER THAT WE'RE REWRITING THE SUBDIVISION RULES. 
          SO THAT WILL GIVE US ADDITIONAL, I GUESS, REQUIREMENTS THAT WE CAN ENFORCE ONCE THAT'S IN PLACE. BUT BECAUSE OF THE LIMITATIONS RIGHT NOW, I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WE DON'T HAVE THAT AUTHORITY, RIGHT? I KNOW OF ONE RECENT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OUT, OUT OF, OF PELICANO WHERE WE WERE TOLD THERE ARE SOME INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES, THERE ARE GOING TO BE TRAFFIC IMPACTS HERE, BUT THEY WEREN'T REQUIRED TO FUND THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. 
          AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DENY. THAT DEVELOPMENT. RIGHT. SO I GUESS WHAT I'M ASKING IS LIKE, WHAT IS THE HAVE WE THOUGHT THROUGH WHAT THIS ASK IS ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA? GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT CLIMATE OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THESE KINDS OF THINGS, IF WE ASK FOR TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS, IS THAT JUST TO CHECK A BOX, OR IS IT TO ACTUALLY FORCE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE INFRASTRUCTURE? I THINK IT'S FOR THE IT'S NOT JUST TO CHECK A BOX. I THINK THAT THIS WILL ACTUALLY HELP US TO IDENTIFY THE CONGESTION THAT WE WILL BE EXPERIENCING WHEN WE GET THE NEW DEVELOPMENT. AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF WE WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE FACT, A LOT OF TIMES ROADS ARE BUILT AND YOU CAN'T DO A WHOLE LOT. SO I THINK THIS WOULD REALLY HELP US. AND WE'LL BE GLAD TO SIT DOWN WITH ALISA AND PROVIDE MORE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THAT'S CLEAR TO THE COURT AND THE CONSTITUENTS AS THEY'RE SEEING THIS. SO WE WOULD WRITE THAT INTO OUR REQUIREMENTS WHEN WE REVIEW THE PLANS AND RESPOND BACK TO THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION. SOME OF THE EXAMPLES I THINK OF IS LIKE THE TURNS, LIKE ONE OF THE ONE OF THE DEVELOPMENTS. I THINK IT'S THE SAME ONE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TOO, IS THERE WERE ISSUES, LIKE WITH WHERE THE TURN INS WERE GOING TO BE FOR SEMIS AND, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE VERSUS WHAT'S STANDARD BUILT IN A ROAD. AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE COULD HAVE ASKED THEM TO PUT THOSE TURN INS IN OR THOSE CUT OUTS. AND WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IN THIS IS ACTUALLY IDENTIFY THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE CAN REQUIRE THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY REQUIRE FROM THE DEVELOPER. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND WE UNDERSTAND THIS MIGHT HAVE SOME OPPOSITION FROM OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE STATE, BUT I THINK HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM IS, IS IMPORTANT. AND, AND NOT LETTING 
          [02:20:05]
THIS JUST BE AN ISSUE THAT WE DEAL WITH. AND, BUT REALLY HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS, EVEN, EVEN IF IT'S A HEAVY LIFT, BUT SOMETHING THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTY. ANY MORE QUESTIONS? YEAH, I KNOW IT'S EARLY. I JUST, I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN CLARIFY AND BE MORE SPECIFIC AND WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY REQUESTING AND WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO HELP US ACTUALLY ENFORCE BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE, OR IF WE'RE JUST PLACING MORE BURDEN ON OUR COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGES, WHICH IS NOT FUNDED ANYWAY. YEAH. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. ON THE NEXT ITEM, THE I KNOW WE DISCUSSED THIS LAST MONDAY, BUT THE CREATION OF AN EL PASO WATER, EL PASO GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. I'M SORRY. SO IF THERE ARE ANY MORE QUESTIONS. BUT IF NOT, I THINK IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR LAST MONDAY THAT WE WANT THIS TO BE A PRIORITY ON OUR AGENDA AND NOT JUST A LEGISLATIVE VALUE, BUT SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY TRY TO WORK WITH THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WITH, WITH OUR DELEGATION, OF COURSE, AND SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN, HOW WE CAN SHOW SUPPORT FOR SOMETHING LIKE FOR FOR THE JOINT EFFORTS FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. YEAH, I JUST, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON THAT. AND I, I THINK THAT LAST WEEK AND WE MENTIONED IT IS JUST THE, THE START OF THE CONVERSATION. ON THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS. I THINK THAT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF, LIKE YOU SAID, ELISA, STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TO, TO HAPPEN TO DETERMINE, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE, THE IDEAL SITUATION WOULD BE FOR GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. AND I KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ. WILL LIKELY BE LEADING THAT EFFORT. AND SO. I THINK I DON'T I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IF WE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL ALL OF THOSE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TAKES PLACE TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA. OR IF WE WE KEEP THAT MAYBE. AS A AS A WORKING ITEM RIGHT NOW AS WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WE COULD ADD IT AS A VALUE STATEMENT FOR NOW, JUST THAT WE SUPPORT EFFORTS TO. I THINK WE ALREADY HAVE SOME THINGS ON THIS, BUT WE COULD HAVE IT JUST AS A VALUE STATEMENT. AND THEN IF THE COURT DOES DECIDE THEY WANT TO SPECIFICALLY ADD IT AS A ACTION ITEM, WE COULD MOVE IT TO AN ACTION ITEM, BUT WE COULD PLACE IT JUST AS A VALUE STATEMENT THAT WE SUPPORT EFFORTS BY. WELL, WE SUPPORT EFFORTS TO PROTECT COUNTY COMMUNITY RESOURCES. YEAH, I DEFINITELY DO THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR THE COUNTY, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. HOWEVER, I ALSO KNOW THAT WE WOULDN'T BE THE ONES DEVELOPING IT. RIGHT. AND SO. MAYBE WE WAIT UNTIL THAT LEGISLATION IS DONE, AND THEN WE BRING IT BACK AS A PRIORITY ITEM TO SUPPORT. BECAUSE BECAUSE WE'RE WE'RE REALLY IN A IN A SUPPORT FUNCTION HERE. I ALSO KNOW THAT MY, MY PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE IS THAT THE CITY OF EL PASO ALSO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT THESE. AND, AND SO MAYBE A CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE. SO THAT WHAT WE DO PUT ON THE AGENDA IS, IS COMPLIMENTARY OF EACH OTHER FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUPPORTING THE DELEGATION THROUGH THIS EFFORT. SO MAYBE WE CAN, WE CAN BRAINSTORM A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW TO EFFECTIVELY. REPRESENT THIS PRIORITY ON THE AGENDA. WHILE THE WHILE THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TAKES PLACE. I'VE GOT A QUESTION. I RECEIVED A, AN EMAIL FROM REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ'S OFFICE WITH WITH INVITATIONS TO SOME OF THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS. ARE THERE ANY ISSUES WITH WITH LIKE QUORUM AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT GOING TO THOSE. AND BECAUSE THAT'S ONE THING THAT I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT IS IF, IF WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS AND WE'RE GOING TO THOSE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS, I DON'T THINK ALL OF US CAN CAN GO. 
          COMMISSIONERS. ASSISTANT, COUNTY ATTORNEY. YES. THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING THAT. I MEAN, IT DEFINITELY DEPENDS ON ON HOW THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS ARE ARE SET UP. BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, IF THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY KIND OF DELIBERATION DISCUSSION ABOUT ITEMS THAT WILL BE BEFORE THE COURT COUNTY BUSINESS, WHICH THIS WOULD BE, THEN YES, WE WE WOULD NOT WANT TO ATTEND WITH THREE OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE COURT, AND OUR OFFICE CAN HELP WITH INDIVIDUAL. 
          [02:25:02]
IF YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, SET UPS THAT YOU HAVE INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS ABOUT. WE CAN WORK THROUGH THAT. BUT YES, COMMISSIONERS, THAT THAT WOULD BE AN ISSUE THAT. YEAH. WHICH IS WHICH IS AGAIN, SHAMELESS PLUG FOR INCLUDING OUR GR TEAM AND TRYING TO BE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THESE, SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, BECAUSE ALL MEMBERS OF THE COURT CAN'T BECAUSE OF QUORUM ISSUES. AND I DON'T I MEAN, I UNDERSTOOD THAT STAFF IS NOT INVITED TO THESE MEETINGS. AND SO I'M NOT SURE HOW THE HOW ALL OF THE COURT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP UP TO SPEED OR UPDATED IF THAT'S NOT IF THAT'S THE CASE AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD. SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT AND. AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO HOW WE'RE ALL GOING TO GET THE SAME INFORMATION. SO, ERIKA, IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS SCHEDULED AND THERE ARE NOT MORE THAN 1 OR 2 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT AT THE VARIOUS, DOES THAT STILL HAVE IMPLICATIONS? MY RECOMMENDATION. YEAH. THANK YOU. SO MY RECOMMENDATION, IF YOU ALL ARE OKAY WITH IT, IS OUR OFFICE COULD DRAFT A MEMO FOR THE COURT. WE COULD SEND IT TO YOU ALL INDIVIDUALLY, JUST UNLESS THE OTHER OPTION IS TO TAKE THIS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 
          THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT, BUT WE'D BE HAPPY TO ADVISE ON THAT, AND WE COULD WORK ON THE MEMO TO SEND TO YOU ALL INDIVIDUALLY. UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, COMMISSIONER, THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT SETUPS FOR THIS. 
          THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME WHERE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF MEETINGS, BUT WE CAN WE CAN INCLUDE THAT IN THE MEMO, COMMISSIONER. OKAY. THANK YOU. 
          ERICA, WE APPRECIATE THAT THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS ON THE GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT ITEM. CAN WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE? BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTOOD THAT FEEDBACK. SO WHAT WHAT COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS SAYING IS TAKE 11 OFF OF ONE OF OUR PROPOSALS FOR NOW, BRING IT BACK WHEN THE LEGISLATION IS DEVELOPED BY REP GONZALEZ'S OFFICE FOR AN ITEM FOR THE COURT TO SUPPORT, OR SOMETIME BETWEEN NOW AND THEN. THE OTHER THING I DON'T WANT TO PRESCRIBE LIKE A TIMELINE, RIGHT? I THINK AS IT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP, WE CAN BRING IT BACK AND ON AGAIN. ON TOP OF THAT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY FOR US AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FOLLOWING AND DEVELOPING, THEN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM IS IN THE LOOP AND, AND ABLE TO GATHER INFORMATION ON BEHALF OF THE REST OF THE COURT, BECAUSE WE MAY NOT ALL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN MEETINGS. OKAY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. 
          SO WE WILL INCLUDE ALL THE ITEMS MENTIONED EXCEPT NUMBER 12, WHICH IS THE GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, AND THEN WE'LL BRING THAT ONE BACK MAYBE SOMETIME IN JULY. I KNOW WE STILL NEED TO COME BACK TO THE COURT WITH OTHER ITEMS, I BELIEVE, FROM THE JUDICIARY, PERHAPS COUNTY AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS. SO THERE'S GOING TO BE OTHER ITEMS AND ANOTHER PRESENTATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE, MAYBE IN A FEW WEEKS. SO WE COULD BRING THAT ONE BACK UP. 
          THEN IF I THINK THOSE MEETINGS WILL BE WILL HAVE HAPPENED AT THE END OF JUNE. SO IN JULY, IT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO TO COME BACK TO THE COURT, TO MAKE THOSE TO DECIDE ON HOW HOW TO WORK WITH THAT ITEM. BUT WE CAN THEN IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS, WE CAN GO ON TO THE LEGISLATIVE VALUES. SO THESE ARE SOME NEW RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE VALUES. WE ALREADY HAVE VALUES IN OUR AGENDA THAT WE CARRY OVER SESSION AFTER SESSION. THINGS THAT ARE VERY IN SUPPORT, THAT CONTINUE TO BE THINGS THAT WE SUPPORT IN ALL DIFFERENT AREAS LIKE ELECTIONS, LIKE TAXING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AND SO THESE RECOMMENDED VALUE STATEMENTS ARE WOULD BE ADDED TO THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY ON THERE. SO NUMBER ONE, SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT PROHIBITS ILLEGAL DUMPING AND REFORMS, OPTIONS FOR RESIDENTS TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE AVENUES. SO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN SUPPORT TO PREVENT ILLEGAL DUMPING A NEW A NEW VALUE. I KNOW WE HAVE SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, BUT I THINK JUST MAKING THAT VALUE STRONGER THEN SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR DEDICATED PARKLAND REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW SUBDIVISIONS BY COUNTIES. SO LAST SESSION WE HAD HOUSE BILL 5380. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE'S A LOT OF OPPOSITION FROM BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS AND CONSTRUCTION GROUPS AND STAKEHOLDERS, BUT WE WILL KEEP FINDING AVENUES. THOSE ARE THOSE ARE THAT IS WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE VALUES ARE FOR, TO KEEP FINDING DIFFERENT AVENUES TO IMPROVE HOW WE CAN REQUIRE SOME PARKS AND GREEN SPACES FROM THESE DEVELOPERS. BUT IT'S JUST A REALLY HEAVY LIFT AT THIS TIME. THEN SUPPORTING. I'M SORRY, ALISA, DID YOU SAY WHO ASKED FOR THAT ONE TO BE INCLUDED? SO IT'S CARRYING. SO I MOVED EVERYTHING THAT WAS ON THE LAST AGENDA TO BRING IT BACK UP. AGAIN, SORRY TO PUT IT AS LEGISLATIVE VALUE. SO IF IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN ACTION 
          [02:30:04]
ITEM, IT WOULD REMAIN ON THE AGENDA AS A PRIORITY. SO I BELIEVE LAST SESSION IT WAS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WHO REQUESTED THIS. AND WE'RE NOW PUTTING IT AS A VALUE STATEMENT. 
          SO IF, FOR EXAMPLE, IF REP WALLEY, WHO IS NOT IN OUR DELEGATION, BUT HE DID FILE THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, IF HE WANTS TO BRING IT BACK, WE CAN DEFINITELY SUPPORT AND WE WILL THROW CARDS. WE WILL DROP CARDS IN SUPPORT, BUT WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, GEORGE FLY TO HERE TO AUSTIN TO TESTIFY AS HE DID LAST SESSION, BECAUSE IT IS NOT LIKE SOMETHING WE'RE ACTIVELY PURSUING ANYMORE UNLESS HE WANTS TO. I MEAN, EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO TO COME TO AUSTIN TO TESTIFY. BUT I'M JUST SAYING THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DOING THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR DOING TALKING POINTS, ONE, PAGERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE ARE WE'RE ONLY SUPPORTING IT SHOULD THE OTHER SHOULD, SHOULD, SHOULD OTHER DELEGATIONS, OTHER COUNTIES PURSUE THIS, OR IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES IN ANY KIND OF LEGISLATION. THANK YOU. THEN NUMBER THREE, SUPPORT INCREASED FUNDING FOR STATE AID TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SO THIS WAS OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY LAST SESSION, INCREASING THE CALCULATION OR ADDING TO THE CALCULATION OF THE FUNDING THAT WE QUALIFY FOR. THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF THE DISABLED VETERANS APPLYING FOR THE EXEMPTION. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THAT IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT ITEM TO PURSUE, AND WHAT WE NEEDED TO BE MORE ACTIVELY PUSHING FOR WAS THE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE WHOLE PROGRAM, AND NOT JUST TO INCREASE THE SURVIVING SPOUSE. 
          SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE PUTTING THIS AS A VALUE STATEMENT. IF IF SENATOR BLANCO OR IF ANY OTHER SENATOR WANTS TO, TO ADD THIS OR IF THERE'S AVENUES TO MAKE THIS AN AMENDMENT TO ANY KIND OF LEGISLATION, WE WILL SUPPORT IT. BUT I THINK THAT WHAT WHAT IS AN ACTION ITEM NOW IS, IS ADVOCATING FOR THE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE WHOLE PROGRAM SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THE FULL AMOUNT THAT WE QUALIFY FOR. THAT'S WHY THIS IS NOW A VALUE STATEMENT. THEN ON THE NEXT SLIDE, NUMBER FOUR, WE HAVE. SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO REFORM. SCOFFLAW SCOFFLAW. AS YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN AN ACTION ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND SOMETHING THAT WE WE ASK OUR DELEGATION TO FILE. WE TRY TO GIVE THEM ONE PAGERS, SUPPORT, TALKING POINTS AND EVERYTHING NEEDED. BUT IT JUST IT'S NOT MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS. I DON'T THINK THAT THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE IS THERE TO PASS SOMETHING LIKE THIS AT THIS POINT, BUT SHOULD BE SHOULD THERE BE ANY AVENUES AGAIN, WE WOULD SUPPORT? IT'S JUST NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD TAKE LIKE THE PLACE OF A OF AN ACTION ITEM AT THIS TIME. BUT, BUT WE DO RECOGNIZE, I THINK THROUGH OUR VALUE STATEMENT THAT THERE'S A NEED TO REFORM THE SCOFFLAW ONLINE VEHICLE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE. AND THEN NUMBER FIVE, SAME THING OR VERY SIMILAR SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO AUTHORIZE AN OPTIONAL COUNTY FEE ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION TO FUND TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. THIS WOULD REQUIRE AN ELECTION. SO LAST SESSION, IT WAS SENATE BILL 798 BY ECKHART, BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS ALSO WANT. WE HAVE TAKEN AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PAST. IT HAS PASSED THE HOUSE, BUT IT HAS NOT PASSED THE SENATE. I THINK IF WE SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAG ALONG ON A VEHICLE LIKE THIS ONE, LIKE SENATE BILL 798, WE WILL. BUT AGAIN, MAKING IT A VALUE STATEMENT INSTEAD OF AN ACTION ITEM. NUMBER SIX, SUPPORTING LEGISLATION TO GIVE COUNTIES AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THE JUNKYARDS, AUTOMOTIVE WRECKING AND SALVAGE YARDS. I KNOW THERE'S THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH. IF WE TAKE MORE ACTION LOCALLY, IF WE NEED THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS SOMETHING. 
          SO AGAIN, JUST MAKING IT VERY CLEAR THIS IS A VALUE STATEMENT, SOMETHING THAT WE SUPPORT AND THAT WE WILL ADVOCATE FOR IF THERE'S IF THERE'S AVENUES, BUT WE'RE NOT ASKING THE DELEGATION TO FILE THIS AGAIN, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE BANDWIDTH TO DO SO. NUMBER SEVEN, INCREASING THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR SENIOR HOME DELIVERED MEALS TO $10. SO LAST SESSION, IT WAS A REP FROM THE DALLAS AREA REP MESA, WHO FILED HOUSE BILL 2531. WE JUST WANT TO ADD IT TO OUR VALUE STATEMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WE SUPPORT THIS, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, I BELIEVE, WANTS TO SEE HAPPEN. AND WE WILL THROW OUR FULL SUPPORT. BUT THERE'S OTHER DELEGATIONS THAT ARE TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. NUMBER EIGHT. SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REGULATE MASS OPERATIONS, INCLUDING DATA CENTERS. SORRY. BEFORE I GO ON, THESE ARE NEW VALUE STATEMENTS. 
          SO SOMETHING THAT WE HAVEN'T PUT ON OUR AGENDA BEFORE OR HAD AS A LEGISLATION, BUT THAT WE RECOGNIZE AND THAT WE NEED TO TO HAVE AS A VALUE STATEMENT. SO SUPPORTING ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REGULATE MASS OPERATIONS OF, OF THINGS LIKE DATA CENTERS AND GIVING, GIVING US THE AUTHORITY TO, TO HAVE THOSE HAVE A SAY ON THOSE THINGS. AND IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM 
          [02:35:01]
WHAT SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS MENTIONED EARLIER, AND I KNOW WE WERE TRACKING THAT LAST WEEK, THE LETTER THAT THE GOVERNOR SENT TO THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS ROOM FOR IN YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THE LETTER GOES ON HIS REQUEST TO HAVE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE A BIGGER SAY ON HOW THESE CENTERS COME INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND HOW MUCH WE GIVE THEM IN IN ECONOMIC INCENTIVES. NUMBER NINE, SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO INCREASE THE HISTORIC TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES BY 5%. DOCTORS AND BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT RIGHT NOW, THE TOTAL THE TOTAL INCENTIVES ARE 25%, AND THAT IF WE HAVE THE STATE BUMP THAT UP BY 5%, THEN WE CAN HAVE A TOTAL COLLECTIVE TAX CREDIT INCENTIVE OF 30%. 
          THAT WOULD BE VERY VALUABLE AND BENEFICIAL TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND THE RENOVATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES. SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WE DON'T KNOW IF THE STATE WILL WILL DO THAT AT THIS POINT, BUT IF THERE'S ANY ROOM, ANY LEGISLATIVE VEHICLE TO SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WE DEFINITELY WILL. WE'RE JUST KNOWING WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE POLITICAL CAPITAL TO ASK OUR DELEGATION TO, TO FILE SOMETHING LIKE THIS AT THIS POINT. BUT AGAIN, THIS IS OUR RECOMMENDATION. SO WE COULD LATER BUMP THIS UP TO AN ACTION ITEM INSTEAD OF A VALUE STATEMENT. NUMBER TEN IS SUPPORT DEDICATED FUNDING MECHANISMS FOR THE STATE FOR AGING PUBLIC FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. SO MR. SOLIS SUBMITTED A PRIORITY AND A LOT OF DATA, RECOGNIZING THAT WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR AGING PUBLIC FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. AND IT WOULD BE AMAZING TO HAVE FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SO WE PUT THIS AS A VALUE STATEMENT TO JUST TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR THIS. BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT MAYBE THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT AT THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE JUST GOING TO WRITE A BLANK CHECK FOR US FOR AGING PUBLIC FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. SO, YOU KNOW, MORE RESEARCH ON THIS AND DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BRING BACK IN THE FUTURE TO SEE IF WE WORK ON, ON AN ACTUAL, MAYBE A BUDGET, WRITE A REQUEST OR AN ACTUAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR SPECIFIC THINGS THAT MAYBE THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE OPEN TO GIVING US NUMBER 11 SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE LAND OWNERS TO DEDICATE A RIGHT OF WAY TO THE COUNTY WHEN THEIR LAND IS PART OF A FUTURE ROADWAY. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AND OUR DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN SEEING, BUT SOMETHING THAT HAS A LOT OF OPPOSITION FROM THE BIG, BIG GROUPS, BIG STAKEHOLDERS LIKE THE LIKE BUILDERS AND, AND DEVELOPERS, BUT SOMETHING THAT THAT WE WILL TRY TO SUPPORT AND BE IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS WHEN WE CAN, AS WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE WHAT, WHAT MORE AUTHORITY WE CAN GET. AND THEN NUMBER 12, SUPPORT FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR THE PORT OF ENTRY MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT PLAN. I FAILED TO INCLUDE THIS ON THE INITIAL BACKUP, BUT WE WE CAUGHT THE ERROR AND WE WANTED TO BRING IT UP BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THE CITY OF EL PASO WILL BE PURSUING. AND TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER BUTLER, ABOUT ALIGNING OUR. LIKE OUR AGENDAS AND COLLECTIVE EFFORTS WHERE WE CAN. THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WHERE WE CAN THROW OUR SUPPORT BEHIND THIS INITIATIVE. BUT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CITY IS TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE. SO MORE LIKE AN ACTION ITEM ON THEIR END AND SOMETHING THAT WE CAN SUPPORT. BUT I FAIL TO PUT THIS STATEMENT ON THE IN THE FIRST PRESENTATION. SO JUST FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT THIS IS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO, TO PURSUE, AND THIS IS THE MOST UPDATED PRESENTATION. AND THAT'S CORRECT. IF I CAN JUST CHIME IN REALLY QUICKLY. SO THE CITY OF EL PASO IS GOING TO REQUEST A RIDER FOR FUNDS FOR A MASTER PLAN FOR THESE PORT OF ENTRY THAT WOULDN'T JUST BE LOOKING AT THE FOOTPRINT OF THE PORT OF ENTRY, BUT REALLY AT THE ENTIRE AREA. AND A LOT OF IT, OF COURSE, HAS TO DO WITH THE CHANGE IN COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC LEAVING BODA, AND HOW YSLETA CAN BE BETTER PREPARED FOR THAT CHANGE. SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE REQUESTING THIS FUNDING, I BELIEVE. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO ASK FOR ABOUT 10 MILLION FROM THE LEGISLATURE. AND THE MPO IS ALREADY TALKING ABOUT PROVIDING A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THEIR REQUEST FOR FUNDING. 
          SO THIS WOULD BE THE SAME THING, JUST THE COUNTY SUPPORTING THAT REQUEST FOR THEM AS THEY TRY TO FUND THIS MASTER PLAN FOR THAT ENTIRE AREA. COMMISSIONER, WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. NUMBER 13 SUPPORTING PROVISIONS TO ALLOW THE COUNTY TO CHARGE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL PERMITS AND AN ADDRESS ASSIGNMENT SERVICES, SOMETHING WE COULD ALSO ELEVATE THIS TO A TO AN ACTION ITEM. BUT AT THIS POINT, WE WANTED TO PUT IT AT LEAST AS A LEGISLATIVE VALUE, BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT WOULD BE A HEAVY LIFT RIGHT NOW. BUT SOMETHING THAT THAT, AGAIN, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IS RECOMMENDING THAT WE CONSIDER NUMBER 14 SUPPORT FIRE HYDRANT REGULATION AND MAINTENANCE BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. SO ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO TO GIVE TCU MORE OF AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM, MORE AUTHORITY, OR 
          [02:40:07]
JUST ASKING TO SEEK YOU DIRECTLY, BUT REALLY ADVOCATING FOR MORE SUPPORT REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE OF THESE FIRE HYDRANTS THAT WE KNOW IN OUR COMMUNITY IS A BIG ISSUE. 
          NUMBER 15, SUPPORT THE CENTRALIZED COLLECTION OF THE TAXES ON SHORT TERM RENTALS PLATFORMS SUCH AS AIRBNB, VRBO. MELISSA HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY CLOSELY WITH A LOT OF THESE PLATFORM STAFF, AND SENATOR BLANCO FILED REALLY GOOD BILL LAST SESSION THAT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HE INTENDS TO BRING BACK NEXT SESSION TO, TO TO MANDATE THROUGH THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE THAT THEY COLLECT THESE TAXES AUTOMATICALLY, AND THEN THEY REIMBURSE THEM OR GIVE THEM TO THE LOCALITIES WHERE, WHERE THEY BELONG. AND SO THIS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE A VALUE ON OUR AGENDA. SO WE CAN START GETTING THOSE TAXES. AND THEN NUMBER 16, SUPPORT REGIONAL WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND INVESTMENTS IN WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN EL PASO COUNTY. SO FOLLOWING THE CONSERVATION GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT ITEM, WE ALSO WANTED TO HAVE THE ITEM BECAUSE I, I HEARD VICE CHAIR GONZALEZ MENTIONED THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BOTH THE ACTION ITEM AND THE VALUE STATEMENT, BUT FOR NOW, WE COULD WE COULD HAVE THIS VALUE STATEMENT AND THEN KEEP WORKING ON WHETHER OR NOT WE BRING THAT ITEM AS AN ACTION ITEM IN THE FUTURE. AND I THINK THESE ARE ALL THE NEW RECOMMENDED VALUE STATEMENTS. IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS, WE COULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS PRESENTED ON THE SLIDES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 12, I BELIEVE IT WAS ON THE ACTION ITEM LIST OR LIST OF PRIORITIES TO TO LEAVE THAT PENDING FOR A FUTURE MEETING. QUESTION. JUDGE ME TOO. I'VE GOT A I'VE GOT A QUESTION. CAN YOU PUT THE THE LIST BACK UP THERE? SORRY, GUYS. CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE. I THINK IT WAS THE FIRST SLIDE IN THE RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE VALUES. YEAH. THE. SORRY. RIGHT THERE. 
          CAN YOU CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE THE SCOFFLAW ONLINE PROCEDURES? WHAT, WHAT, WHAT, WHAT IS THAT LEGISLATION AND WHY ARE WE SUPPORTING IT? SO THE LEGISLATION WAS FOR VERY SPECIFIC TO EL PASO OR IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, IT'S AN ISSUE VERY SPECIFIC TO EL PASO COUNTY, WHERE WE'RE NOT CAPTURING ONLINE VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS THAT SOMETIMES HAVE UNPAID FINES AND FEES. THERE'S EXAMPLES THAT MR. GONZALEZ HAS GIVEN ON HOW BECAUSE THEY GO THROUGH DIRECTLY THROUGH, I BELIEVE IT'S THE DMV WEBSITE, BUT WE BUT THEY OWE MONEY TO THE COUNTY, SO THEY TRY TO REGISTER IN PERSON. THEY REALIZE THAT THEY OWE MONEY TO US. AND THEN FOR SOME REASON, IN THE ONLINE PLATFORM, IT'S LIKE A LOOPHOLE RIGHT NOW. SO THAT LEGISLATION WOULD BE CLOSING THIS LOOPHOLE SO THAT WE CAN CAPTURE THOSE BAD ACTORS THAT HAVE NOT PAID THEIR FINES AND FEES ON WITH US, BUT THAT THEY CAN STILL REGISTER FOR SOME REASON ONLINE. SO HE HAS HE WROTE THIS, THIS BILL OR SUPPORTED THIS BILL IN THE PAST. BUT BUT THERE'S SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP TO OUR ATTENTION. FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE'RE MAYBE PENALIZING INDIGENT FOLKS OR PEOPLE THAT LIVE FROM THEIR CAR, MAYBE INDIVIDUALS, THAT THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, I MEAN. MAYBE THE FACT THAT LIKE SOME FOLKS CAN'T PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THEY'RE INDIGENT. AND SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT PENALIZING FOLKS AND KEEPING THEM FROM BEING ABLE, BEING ABLE TO DRIVE IF, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE INDIGENT AND NEED TO DRIVE TO WORK AND, OR, YOU KNOW. YEAH. AND WE, WE ALSO HAVE THE FINANCIAL RECOVERY DIVISION, I BELIEVE THAT THAT TRIES TO WORK WITH OUR RESIDENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET ON A PAYMENT PLAN AND THAT WE TRY TO SUPPORT THEM IN BASED ON HOW MUCH THEY CAN ACTUALLY PAY. SO THERE'S SO I THINK THIS VALUE STATEMENT RECOGNIZES THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF REFORM ON HOW WE COLLECT OR HOW WE ENFORCE THE SCOFFLAW, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LOOPHOLE. SO THAT THAT'S WHY I WAS RECOMMENDING IT TO, TO LEAVE IT ON AT LEAST AS A VALUE STATEMENT, BECAUSE CLEARLY IT'S NOT GOING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THIS CURRENT LEGISLATURE, BUT MAYBE IT DOES IN THE FUTURE. OR MAYBE THERE IS A WAY, MAYBE THERE'S ANOTHER COUNTY THAT IS TRYING TO FILE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TRY TO GET ON AS AN AMENDMENT OR SOMETHING THAT CAPTURES OUR SAME PROBLEM. SO THAT IS WHY I WE JUST WANTED TO LEAVE THIS AS A, HEY, WE RECOGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM. WE VALUE, WE WOULD VALUE SOME KIND OF REFORM TO CAPTURE THE BAD ACTORS THAT TRY TO GO ONLINE AND, AND KIND OF CLOSE THAT LOOPHOLE. BUT YEAH, AS LONG AS WE CAN ALSO TAKE AS LONG AS IT'S UNDERSTOOD THAT AS LONG AS IT'S UNDERSTOOD. SORRY, ELISA, AS LONG AS IT'S UNDERSTOOD THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO, WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO LIKE CREATE A FURTHER HARDSHIP FOR INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS. OKAY, I CAN REWARD THIS AND THEN BRING 
          [02:45:04]
IT ON NEXT ON, ON, ON A FUTURE PRESENTATION. OKAY. AND THEN CAN YOU PUT THE, CAN YOU PUT THAT SAME PAGE BACK UP TEAM? THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE THAT I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT. I THINK IT WAS THE NEXT SLIDE WHERE WE WERE. I DON'T KNOW, COMMISSIONER. GO UP ONE. NO, NO, I THINK I THINK IT WAS ON THE SAME PAGE AS THE ONE THAT WE JUST SAW. ONE MORE. OKAY. RIGHT THERE. CAN. I, I, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS NUMBER FIVE COMMISSIONER. YEAH, IT WAS FIVE. 
          I WAS I MEAN, SO TYPICALLY, I MEAN, THOSE THOSE INCREASES IN VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES ARE JUST FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. AND I KNOW THAT IT'S WRITTEN INTO THE LAW AS SUCH. 
          BUT I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE, INCLUDING LIKE TRANSIT PROGRAMING, IF WE'RE, IF WE'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, IT MAY BE A LONG SHOT, BUT LIKE HAVING VRF FUNDING BE ABLE TO BE UTILIZED FOR TRANSIT PROGRAMING AS WELL, NOT JUST BUILDING OF ROADS, BUT ALSO. HELPING FUND THAT. SO I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF WE INCLUDED ON THERE. I MEAN, YEAH, WE DO WANT TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT, THAT IF WE WANT TO, IF, IF WE WANT TO OPT INTO THAT IN THE FUTURE. BUT AGAIN, LOOKING AT THE LAW AND ACTUALLY ASKING FOR CHANGES TO MAKE SURE TRANSIT IS SOMETHING THAT'S VIABLE EXPENDITURE WITH THAT FUNDING AS WELL. SO BASICALLY, TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION THAT TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS INCLUDES TRANSIT, RIGHT? AND THEN I DON'T KNOW IF IT MAY BE ALREADY, IT'S PROBABLY ALREADY ON OUR AGENDA BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE A COUPLE OF SESSIONS AGO. IT WAS ON OUR, OUR VALUE STATEMENT. BUT I MEAN, I THINK MY OFFICE JUST GOT A REQUEST FROM FROM UTEP AND MAYBE OTHER OFFICES GOT A REQUEST FOR A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE LAW SCHOOL THAT THEY THAT THEY PLAN TO ASK FOR IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ALREADY. I KNOW THAT IN THE PAST WE HAD LIKE, YOU KNOW, TO SUPPORT TO SUPPORT THE STUDY FOR THE LAW SCHOOL. BUT NOW THAT THE STUDY FOR THE LAW SCHOOL HAS BEEN DONE NOW, I THINK THE NEXT STEP IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY ASK FOR THE THE LEGISLATURE TO ALLOW LAW SCHOOL TO BE OPEN AT UTEP. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT ON THERE, AND WE'RE ACTIVELY SUPPORTING THAT. LISA. SO THESE ARE THESE ARE ADDED TO OUR VALUES. THESE ARE NOT WE'RE NOT LOSING THE PREVIOUS VALUES WE HAD CORRECTLY. CORRECT? CORRECT. 
          RIGHT. I JUST I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE UPDATED OR BECAUSE IT MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST THAT WE'RE UPDATED, WE'LL PULL HOW IT'S WRITTEN TO MAKE SURE COMMISSIONER. BUT YEAH, BECAUSE I THINK WE WERE SUPPORTING THE STUDY, BUT LET ME TAKE A LOOK AND WE CAN BRING THAT ONE BACK UP FOR FOR THE NEXT PRESENTATION, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE, THE, THE UTEP LAW SCHOOL VALUE STATEMENT REFLECTS THE NEED OR WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE PUSHING FOR NEXT SESSION. RIGHT. THEY HAD THE STUDY AND THEN I'M NOT SURE WHAT WHAT THE ASK WILL BE NEXT, BUT MAKING SURE THAT WE UPDATE THAT LANGUAGE. AND I ALSO THINK BACK ON THE ONE THAT COMMISSIONER NUMBER FIVE, THAT COMMISSIONER STOUT WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE REFERENCED SENATE BILL 798, AS I RECALL, THAT BILL YOU WHAT COMMISSIONER STOUT'S ASKING AS FAR AS THIS FUNDING BEING ABLE TO USE FOR TRANSIT MAY BE SEPARATE FROM WHAT SB 798 WAS PROPOSING. RIGHT. AND BECAUSE I THINK IT'S TWO SEPARATE TYPES OF ISSUES, I THINK A LOT BEING ABLE TO USE THAT VRF FEE, WHETHER IT'S AN EXISTING FEE OR A NEW ONE, YOU'RE WANTING IT TO BE ABLE TO BE USED FOR TRANSIT PROJECTS. IF THE LOCAL ENTITY DECIDES THAT THAT'S THE BEST USE OF THAT, RIGHT? I MEAN, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S WRITTEN IN THE LAW THAT LIKE, EVEN IF LIKE SB 798 WERE PASSED AND THERE WAS ANOTHER $10 OPTIONAL FEE THAT THE COUNTY COULD ASSESS TO THE, TO THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION, IT HAS TO GO TO TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. AND, AND YOU CAN'T YOU CAN'T USE IT FOR TRANSIT PROJECTS. AND THE SB 798 WAS WRITTEN ALSO, IT REQUIRES VOTER APPROVAL, RIGHT, WHERE WE HAVE SOME OTHER VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL. RIGHT. AND I'M THINKING YOU WOULD WANT THE EXISTING FEES TO BE ABLE TO BE REPURPOSED TO TRANSIT. YES. IF WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY. RIGHT. YEAH. 
          THAT'S WHY I THINK THERE'S SOME DIFFERENCES. RIGHT. SO BRING ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE VALUE. SO WE HAVE TWO SEPARATE LEGISLATIVE VALUE STATEMENTS. WELL AND COMBINE IT INTO ONE. 
          ONE. ONE WOULD SUPPORT AN INCREASE THAT THAT COULD COME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. AND THE OTHER IS EXPANDING THE USES FOR THE FUNDING, RIGHT? YES. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? I THINK THAT WAS IT AFTER THE LAW SCHOOL. YEAH, I THINK THAT WAS THAT WAS ALL I HAD FOR NOW. 
          [02:50:04]
THANK YOU. I HAVE A COUPLE OF OF THINGS AND I CAN START SINCE WE'RE ON THIS, THIS SLIDE WITH NUMBER SIX, I PERSONALLY THINK THAT WE SHOULD REMOVE THIS FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK IN THE LAST TWO YEARS SINCE WE FIRST TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST JANUARY, OR YEAH, I GUESS AT THE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TO UNDERSTAND THE LIMITS TO COUNTY AUTHORITY. AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON THE FIRE CODE AND ON OUTDOOR BUSINESS ORDINANCE, WHICH GIVES US SOME AUTHORITY TO REGULATE THESE KINDS OF BUSINESSES. AND I THINK THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO PUT IT ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WE SHOULD HAVE A SPECIFIC ASK FOR WHAT THAT THOSE AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE. 
          AND I DO NOT HAVE THOSE. AND I DON'T KNOW IF, ELISA, YOU OR OUR LOBBYISTS HAVE A MORE SPECIFIC REQUEST WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ITEM. AND IF NOT, I THINK WE SHOULD REMOVE IT. AND I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT THAT HAD BEEN THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD LAST TIME ABOUT REMOVING THIS ITEM. SO REMOVING THIS IS FROM OUR LEGISLATIVE VALUES IS A VALUE. SO IT'S NOT A BILL. IT'S NOT A BILL LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE FILES SOMETHING THAT WOULD GIVE US MORE AUTHORITY. THIS GIVES US THE ABILITY TO DROP A CARD IN SUPPORT. IF IT'S SILENT, WE WON'T DROP A CARD IN SUPPORT OR AGAINST. WELL, I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT LEGISLATIVE VALUES VERSUS SPECIFIC BILLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK IF WE WERE TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE WE SUPPORT. 
          COUNTIES TO HAVE MORE AUTHORITY OVER LAND USE AND LOCAL CONTROL, WHETHER THAT'S BUSINESS PERMITTING OR. YOU KNOW, INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT WOULDN'T THAT BE A CATCH ALL FOR THINGS LIKE THIS? I, I MEAN, I GUESS I GUESS YOU COULD, YOU COULD CONSIDER IT THAT, BUT THE THING IS LIKE, IF YOU SAY SOMETHING THAT BROAD, IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD FOR OUR GR TEAM TO TRACK EVERY SINGLE BILL THAT COMES THROUGH. THAT HAS TO DO WITH THAT. RIGHT. AND SOME OF THEM, YOU MAY NOT INTERPRETATION, RIGHT? SOME OF THEM YOU MAY NOT, YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH. AND SO WE WOULD BE CONFLICTED, POSSIBLY. LIKE, IS THIS SOMETHING THE COURT WOULD SUPPORT US DROPPING A CARD IN SUPPORT OF? YEAH. I MEAN, BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THE TEAM TO DROP A CARD ON EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO COME THROUGH THAT HAS THAT BROADER DEFINITION, RIGHT? SO IT GIVES IT GIVES OUR GIVES OUR TEAM A LITTLE BIT MORE DIRECTION AS TO WHAT TO CONCENTRATE ON OR WHAT TO PRIORITIZE WITH THEIR TIME, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE UNLIMITED TIME. I, I JUST THINK THAT UNLESS WE HAVE A SPECIFIC LIKE NEED IN MIND, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THESE KINDS OF OUTDOOR BUSINESSES THAT WE COULD INCORPORATE THAT GENERAL ASK AND SOMETHING ELSE. BECAUSE IF I'M THE DELEGATION, I'M SEEING THAT AND I'M LIKE, WELL, WHAT ARE YOU WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? RIGHT. AND I THINK OVERALL, WHEN I LOOK AT THE LEGISLATIVE VALUES VERSUS THE ACTION ITEMS, AND I KNOW, LISA, YOU SAID, WELL, THIS COULD BE AN ACTION ITEM, BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S A VALUE JUST FOR ME, IT'S A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING. THE, THE, THE STRATEGY AND THE APPROACH FOR VALUES VERSUS ACTION ITEMS IS CONFUSING TO ME. 
          AND I GET THAT WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES. OUR GR TEAM IS ELISA, RIGHT? SO SO WHAT IS I GUESS THERE ARE VERY BROAD THERE ARE VERY BROAD VALUE STATEMENTS AND THERE VERY SPECIFIC VALUE STATEMENTS. AND FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S A VALUE STATEMENT ON DATA CENTERS, WHICH WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT. DATA CENTERS HERE. SHOULDN'T THAT SHOULDN'T THAT BE MORE SPECIFIC AND LIKE A PRIORITY FOR US? SO OVERALL, I I'M, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THIS, THE VALUE STATEMENTS VERSUS ACTION ITEMS. DIFFER IN TERMS OF STRATEGY, BUT ALSO HOW ARE WE PRIORITIZING THEM? IF, IF I COULD INTERJECT COMMISSIONER BUTLER SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU RECALL, A FEW YEARS AGO, WE USED TO SUBMIT LIKE 30 LEGISLATIVE ITEMS. AND I REMEMBER AT THE TIME, THE LOBBYIST TEAM TOLD MYSELF AS WELL AS ELISA, IT'S TOO MUCH WHEN YOU HAVE 30 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, OUR ATTENTION IS SPREAD AND WE CAN'T ENSURE THAT ALL THREE, ALL 30 GET DONE. LET'S WORK ON NARROWING YOUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IN THE FUTURE. I AGREE, I AGREE, AND SO WE WORKED REALLY HARD. AND SO YOU SEE IN THE FIRST SECTION OF OUR PRESENTATION TODAY, IT WAS FOCUSED ON LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. THOSE ARE THE 
          [02:55:02]
AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING, THE COUNTY'S PRIORITIES. WE'RE ACTIVELY GOING TO WORK WITH OUR LOBBYIST TEAM, THE DELEGATION, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE STATE DELEGATION TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO PUSH AND GET THOSE EITHER PASSED, CHANGED, AMENDED, WHATEVER FORM. 
          AND SO THOSE ARE YOUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. I DIDN'T SEE AN ITEM ON PRIORITY. 
          SO I SAW CARRYOVER ITEMS, WHICH WAS MY NEXT QUESTION. ARE THOSE ARE PRIORITIES BECAUSE THEY'RE CARRYING OVER FROM LAST SESSION. SO YES. YES MA'AM. SO IF YOU LOOK AT FOR SLIDE TWO STARTS YOUR CARRY OVER ITEMS INCLUDES FOUR OF THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. THE NEXT SLIDE. 
          SLIDE THREE HAS FIVE WHICH IS INCLUDED. AND THEN YOU START SEEING THE NEW APPROPRIATIONS. 
          SO WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR CARRYOVER OF FIVE. AND THEN WE'RE ADDING NUMBER 6789 TEN AND NOT 11. WE REMOVE THAT. SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE PROPOSING A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WITH TEN LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. SO SO THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD SAY. THESE ARE OUR TEN LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. YES MA'AM. FOR THE COUNTY. YES MA'AM. BUT DATA CENTER REGULATION ISN'T ON ONE OF THEM. THAT COMES UNDER THE VALUE STATEMENT BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD THAT THERE'S OTHER DATA CENTER PROPOSALS BEING RECOMMENDED AT THE STATE BY THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF. AND SO THE VALUES COMES IN A VERY DIFFERENT FORM, WHERE, THROUGH YOUR DIRECTION, WE AMEND OUR LEGISLATIVE VALUE STATEMENT. AND WE HAVE SO MANY IN THERE NOW, RIGHT? WE HAVE THEM BROKEN APART BY TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND VETERANS VALUES AND ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT VALUES THAT IF WE INCLUDE THESE VALUES IN THAT PART OF OUR BOOKLET, THEN WE KNOW, AS BETSY MENTIONED, WE SUPPORT THESE. WE DON'T WE KNOW YOUR YOUR GAUGE ON DO YOU SUPPORT, DO YOU OPPOSE SO THAT AS THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE STATE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE. OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND LISA KNOWS WE GOT TO OPPOSE THAT OR WE GOT TO SUPPORT HARRIS. I THINK WHAT COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS SAYING IS, SHOULD WE HAVE A BILL? WELL, I GUESS OVERALL, DO OUR TEN PRIORITIES REALLY REFLECT THE POLICY PRIORITIES OF THIS COURT? THE WAY ALSO TO DIFFERENTIATE THE ACTION ITEMS OR THESE TEN ITEMS, AS MELISSA EXPLAINED THEM FROM THE VALUE STATEMENTS, IS WHEN WE HAVE AN ACTION ITEM, WE GIVE THE LANGUAGE TO THE DELEGATION, WE GIVE TALKING POINTS. WE HELP THEM WHEN THEY'RE DRAFTING THEIR ONE PAGERS, I'M SORRY, THEIR BILL LAYOUTS. WE TAKE MORE OF AN ACTIVE ROLE BECAUSE LIKE THE FOR EXAMPLE, THE GRANT FOR THE DCS INDIGENT BURIALS. SO WE DID ALL OF THE WORK FOR THAT FOR THAT ONE SPECIFIC PIECE OF LEGISLATION WE DRAFTED THE LANGUAGE WE GAVE, LIKE I SAID, ONE PAGERS, TALKING POINTS, AND LIKE, WE KIND OF TAKE A VERY ACTIVE ROLE ON SOMETHING. AND THEN THE VALUES, WE SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE ARE TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE ON THEM. THOSE COULD BE COOK, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, TAC, OTHER DELEGATIONS OR OTHER ENTITIES. AND SO THAT THAT'S THE WAY LIKE WE KIND OF DIFFERENTIATE, WE HAVE THESE TEN THINGS THAT WE, THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY SPEARHEADING, AND THEN WE HAVE VALUE STATEMENTS. SO FOR EXAMPLE, COMMISSIONER ON THE DATA CENTERS, RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE TO REGULATE THEM, BUT WE COULD IF YOU DECIDE TO TAKE ACTION AND SAY, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I KNOW THIS IS YOUR AGENDA. 
          SO IF YOU WANT THIS TO BE ELEVATED TO AN ACTION ITEM, WE CAN START WORKING WITH A LEGAL TEAM TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP US DRAFT LEGAL LANGUAGE TO, TO PROPOSE AN ACTUAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION. AND THAT WAY IT WOULD READ. BUT THAT'S, THAT'S KIND OF HOW WE DIFFERENTIATE THE AND HOW THE CONTRACTED GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM AND MYSELF, WE ALL WORK COLLECTIVELY TO, TO PUSH FOR MORE THAN ANYTHING, THE TEN THINGS THAT REQUIRE MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY DO THEY REQUIRE, LIKE I SAID, LIKE ONE PAGERS Q AND A BILL LAYOUT, TALKING POINTS, TALKING TO THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHEN THE BILLS COME, WHEN THE BILL COMES UP IN COMMITTEE, WE WE'RE LIKE ACTIVELY SHEPHERDING THEM THROUGH THE THROUGH THE PROCESS, IF YOU WILL, AND THEN THE VALUE STATEMENTS, THEY COME UP BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE ACTIVELY WORKING OR DOING THOSE THINGS FOR, FOR THOSE ITEMS. AND WE KIND OF JUMP IN AND WE, WE SUPPORT THEM. WE ALSO TESTIFY ON THEM, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ON THE ACTION ITEMS. WE FOR SURE, WE'RE KIND OF PLEDGING WE ARE GOING TO SHOW UP AND TESTIFY FOR THESE THINGS. 
          WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET A HEARING FOR THESE TEN THINGS. WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO MOVE THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE WITH ALL OF OUR WILLPOWER AND TIME AND COMMITMENT VERSUS THE LEGISLATIVE VALUES WHERE THERE'S MORE MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM OTHER PEOPLE. AND THEN THERE'S VALUE STATEMENTS THAT NEVER COME UP DURING SESSION OR THAT COME UP IN LIKE A DEFENSE MODE WHERE THEY'RE MAYBE TRYING TO PASS SOMETHING THAT WOULD REMOVE AUTHORITY FROM THE COUNTY FOR LAND USE, FOR EXAMPLE. AND THAT HAS HAPPENED A LOT IN THE PAST. THAT IS WHERE WE JUMP IN AND WE TRY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON THE OTHER SIDE AND SAY, HEY, WE CANNOT DO A REVIEW OF A PLOT IN THREE DAYS. WE HAVE WE NEED 30 DAYS, OR WE JUST TELL THEM HOW WE. SO THAT THAT'S KIND OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VALUE STATEMENTS AND 
          [03:00:06]
ACTION ITEMS. I HOPE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR AND HAPPY TO ANSWER MORE QUESTIONS. I DO HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. SO. SO BY YOUR EXPLANATION OF THESE. THE DIFFERENCE JUST NOW, GOING BACK TO THE APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST FOR THE CONTROLLER, THE 70 MILLION CONTROLLER PAYMENTS TO LOCALITIES, ARE WE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT IN FILING LEGISLATION? WELL, WE'RE NOT FILING LEGISLATION, BUT WE HAVE ALREADY TALKED TO THE ACTING CONTROLLER. WE TALKED TO THE PREVIOUS CONTROLLER LAST SESSION. WE SENT LETTERS, WE VISITED OFFICES. AND THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY TRYING TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE. WE'RE COORDINATING WITH OTHER COUNTIES THAT ALSO BENEFIT FROM THESE PROGRAM AND SAY, HEY, LET'S ALL SEND A LETTER TO THE COMMITTEE. AND KIND OF ALSO TAKING THE LEAD FROM OUR DELEGATION, SAYING THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE FUNDING IN THAT PROGRAM. BUT IT IS NOT A SPECIFIC PIECE OF LEGISLATION. AND SAME AS THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE WELDING PROGRAM, THOSE WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE A BUDGET RIDER, BUT IT'S ALSO LIKE A BUDGET RIDER THAT COULD BE LIKE OUR BABY, RIGHT? LIKE WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO BE AS INVOLVED AS WE CAN IN MAKING SURE THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT BUDGET RIDER IS DOING, WHY WE NEED IT, HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD BENEFIT FROM THAT, AND ETC. AND THESE ARE THE THE ITEMS, WHATEVER ITEMS THE COURT WANTS US TO FOCUS ON, THE FEEDBACK WE HAVE RECEIVED IS TO NARROW THAT DOWN. WE DON'T TAKE A AGENDA OF 30 THINGS THAT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSING OUR RESOURCES ON, BECAUSE IT'S NOT REALISTIC WITH OUR LOBBYIST OR OUR STAFF. SO WHAT ARE THE ITEMS THAT THE COURT WANTS US FOCUSING THE MAJORITY OF OUR ATTENTION ON IT? THOSE SHOULD BE UP IN OUR ACTION ITEMS THERE AND OUR AGENDA. THE OTHER THINGS ARE THINGS THAT IF IF THEY COME UP, THE COURT IS SUPPORTIVE OF US PROTECTING, DEFENDING OR DROPPING A CARD IN FAVOR FOR. BUT WE'RE NOT SPENDING THE MAJORITY OF OUR TIME OR RESOURCES ON THOSE ITEMS. I THINK, GIVEN THAT CONTEXT, I WOULD REALLY LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THOSE SPECIFIC TEN PRIORITIES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE I REALLY WELL, ONE, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE REGULATION OF DATA CENTERS REFLECTED IN OUR TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE REFLECTED IN OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. COLONIA INFRASTRUCTURE REFLECTED IN OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. LIKE THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME DISCUSSING. 
          LOCAL CONTROL, RIGHT, THAT WE KNOW IS GOING TO COME UP DURING THIS NEXT SESSION. AND IF WE'RE GOING TO BE SAYING THERE ARE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE REFLECTED SOMEWHERE IN THERE. THAT'S MY OPINION. I'D LOVE TO HEAR THE REST OF THE COURT'S OPINION, AND I UNDERSTAND, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE TO BE VERY NARROW AND AND PRECISE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE WHAT WE'RE PUSHING FOR. BUT IN THESE TEN I, I DON'T SEE A LOT OF THOSE REALLY URGENT ISSUES THAT WE'RE FIGHTING AGAINST ON A DAILY BASIS HERE. UNLESS THERE'S A WAY TO SAY ON OUR VALUE STATEMENTS, THESE ARE OUR PRIORITIES. AND THAT'S A DIFFERENT STRATEGY. BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M HEARING HERE. NOT EVERYTHING IN OUR VALUE STATEMENT IS HIGH PRIORITY. 
          THERE MIGHT BE SOME THINGS IN OUR VALUE STATEMENTS THAT ARE HIGHER PRIORITY, BUT BUT WE DON'T CLASSIFY THEM AS SUCH. WE KNOW IT BASED ON YOUR CONVERSATIONS, BUT WE DON'T GRADE THEM AS SUCH. AND MAYBE WE SHOULD. SO LIKE LOCAL CONTROL IS IN YOUR VALUE STATEMENT. AND WE KNOW THAT'S A BIG PRIORITY AND WE DO SPEND TIME AND RESOURCES ON DEFENDING IT. BUT WE'RE NOT PRESENTING ANY ASK OR BILLS ON IT. AND I KNOW IT'S TRICKY MANAGING SOMETHING REALISTIC THAT HAS A CHANCE OF PASSING THIS, THE CURRENT CLIMATE IN THE LEGISLATURE VERSUS SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY NEED. AND SO THAT'S WHY. AND YOU'RE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU WANT US TO GO BACK AND REVIEW MAYBE THE LEGISLATIVE VALUES AND GIVE THEM A PRIORITY NUMBER OR TRY TO FIND A WAY TO PRESENT THIS BETTER. I THINK RIGHT NOW THE RECOMMENDATION WAS THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE MOVED AND ARE AND CAN KEEP MOVING IN THE FUTURE. AND AGAIN, THE RESULT OF A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH WITH STAKEHOLDERS, WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, WITH STAFF. BUT WE CAN WE CAN CHANGE THIS. WE CAN TAKE YOUR DIRECTION AND 
          [03:05:01]
BRING A DIFFERENT DOCUMENT. NEXT PRESENTATION. I, I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS, AND I KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD EVEN ME IN MY OFFICE HAVE HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. BUT AGAIN, I THINK IT'S ABOUT HOW WE'RE CLEARLY COMMUNICATING WHAT OUR POLICY PRIORITIES ARE AND THEN WHAT MAYBE THOSE LEGISLATIVE. 
          WINS COULD BE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. RIGHT. AND I, THEY COULD BE DIFFERENT AND THEY COULD BE THE SAME. AND THERE MIGHT BE OVERLAP IN SOME OF THEM. I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT THE WAY THE DOCUMENT READS NOW, IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME. SO IF IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE CLEARER TO, TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. YEAH. I MEAN, I THINK I MEAN, I THINK. 
          IT MAKES SENSE. AND, AND JUST TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE DOCUMENT I THINK REFLECTS THE INPUT THAT'S BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR. SO I THINK IF WE WANT TO, IF WE WANT TO ADD SOMETHING OR CREATE A PRIORITY, I GUESS A DEEPER PRIORITY LIST OR ON WHEN IT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR LEGISLATIVE VALUES. BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE. SO, SO, SO WE CAN, I MEAN, WE CAN ALL ROLL. 
          WE CAN ALL GO BACK TO, TO, TO, TO DO THAT BECAUSE SOME OF, SOME OF THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES YOU THINK ARE THE TOP. I MEAN, I MAY HAVE OTHER IDEAS ABOUT OTHER ITEMS THAT WE SHOULD PUT AT THE TOP END. AND WE ALSO HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT IF WE HAVE, AGAIN, 30 PRIORITIES, THAT THAT'S GOING TO HINDER THE, THE, THE WORK THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. 
          RIGHT. SO. IF WE IF WE WANT TO GO BACK AND, AND COME UP WITH, YOU KNOW, TOP 3 OR 5 FOR EACH COMMISSIONER OUT OF, I GUESS, LOOK AT THE, THE AGENDA THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, OR I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDING THINGS, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME WE NEED TO DO IT PRETTY QUICKLY. 
          IF THAT'S IF THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, I THINK WE SHOULD. I THINK THAT EXERCISE IS GOING TO BE REALLY VALUABLE. AND, AND WE SHOULD WE SHOULD GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS OF SAYING AS A COURT, WHAT ARE OUR WHAT ARE OUR TOP LEGISLATIVE VALUES? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO BE FIGHTING FOR THIS NEXT SESSION VOCALLY, WHETHER THAT'S A A SPECIFIC BILL OR AN ISSUE THAT'S COMING UP. AGAIN, I'LL USE DATA CENTERS AS A AS AN EXAMPLE, WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE LEGISLATION AROUND DATA CENTERS AND, BUT AND WE'RE. AND WE WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL CONTROL AROUND DATA CENTERS. BUT THAT'S NOT BY LOOKING AT WHAT WE HAVE TODAY IN FRONT OF US. THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A PRIORITY FOR US. AND SO, SO I'M, I'M, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT PROCESS. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THE TIME TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND BE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT, WHAT WE'RE PUSHING FORWARD AS A COUNTY. SO YOUR NEXT NEXT WEEK, NEXT MONDAY IS A BUSINESS MEETING. WE COULD ADD AN ITEM ON THERE FOR THE COURT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. WOULD YOU ALL BE READY FOR US TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN A WEEK? WE NEED TO. TIMING IS IMPORTANT. OKAY. AND THEN I'D ALSO LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THE STRATEGY IS BEHIND OUR LEGISLATIVE VALUES. AND ARE THEY ALL ARE THEY TREATED EQUALLY? HOW ARE THEY TRACKED? HOW ARE WE DECIDING WHEN TO PUT A CARD IN OR WHEN TO SEND COMMENTS IN OR WHEN TO GO SPEAK ON? I THINK THAT'S A WORTHWHILE PROCESS TO GO THROUGH AS WELL. 
          FOR EACH OF THEM. AND THEN, BETSY, YOU MENTIONED THAT SOME OF THE VALUES, THIS ISN'T THE COMPLETE LIST OF VALUES. NO, IT'S NOT YOUR COMPLETE LIST. SO WHAT WOULD WE SEE THAT? ELISA. 
          I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE WORD DOCUMENT READY AND I'M WORKING ON IT. SO MY, MY PLAN WAS TO, WHENEVER YOU TOOK ACTION TODAY, PUT THAT ON A WORD DOCUMENT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE YOUR LEGISLATIVE OR WILL BE YOUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. AND THEN BRING THAT BACK SO YOU COULD SEE HOW IT LOOKS LIKE ON KIND OF LIKE WE HAD OUR PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, BECAUSE THIS IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE ON THE SLIDES TODAY ON THE LEGISLATIVE VALUES WOULD BE ADDED TO WHAT WE HAVE. AND THEN THE THE TEN ITEMS WOULD BE YOUR TOP TEN ACTION ITEMS THAT WOULD BE AT THE FRONT OF YOUR AGENDA. SO THE FIRST SLIDES THAT WE COVERED, THE FIRST 11 ITEMS OR TEN ITEMS NOW WOULD BE YOUR ACTION ITEMS. AND THEN THE REST WOULD BE VALUE. ELISA. ELISA. 
          [03:10:04]
BUT BUT, BUT OUTSIDE THEM TAKING ACTION TODAY, WE ALREADY HAVE ADOPTED LEGISLATIVE VALUES. 
          WE CAN GET THAT TO THE COURT. YEAH, WE CAN GET THAT SO THAT THEY CAN LOOK THROUGH THOSE AND SAY, OH, THIS ONE IS ALSO A PRIORITY FOR ME. RIGHT. AND ADOPTED WHEN IN OUR LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SO EACH TIME WE COME, WE BRING AN AGENDA AND VALUES FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. AND THE ADOPTION AND DIRECTION FROM THE COURT THEN GETS TRANSLATED INTO OUR OUR BOOKLET. AND WE HAVE A BOOKLET THAT WE USE TO ADVOCATE TO THE STATE. AND IT'S OUR GUIDING DOCUMENT AS WE GO INTO THE SESSION EACH YEAR. SO EVERY, EVERY TWO YEARS, WHATEVER YOU ADD. AND SOMETIMES THE COURT HAS IDENTIFIED THINGS TO REMOVE, BUT YOU GO THROUGH THE THE OVERALL COMPILATION OF VALUES THAT THE COURT HAS HAD OVER TIME. YEAH, I JUST THINK WE SHOULD HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER WHEN WE'RE TAKING ACTION ITEM ON ON THESE ISSUES. AND THEN SO I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF THESE, BUT MAYBE IT'D BE MORE PRODUCTIVE IF I JUST EMAILED THEM OR SENT THEM OVER ABOUT SOME OF THE, THE ACTION ITEMS. BUT ONE THING THAT I DID WANT TO REQUEST, AT LEAST FOR NOW, TO, TO PUT ON OUR RADAR AND AT LEAST CONSIDER ADDING WOULD BE SOME LOCAL. LOCAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVER TRANSMISSION LINE DEVELOPMENTS THAT GO THROUGH RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES. I KNOW THAT'S ALSO A BIG TOPIC AT THE STATE LEVEL RIGHT NOW, AND TRANSMISSION LINES AREN'T ADDED IN HERE AT ALL. SO MAYBE, ALISA, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN HELP ME WITH IS TO. YES, ABSOLUTELY. TO SEE WHAT THAT CONVERSATION IS LOOKING LIKE STATEWIDE SO THAT I COULD RECOMMEND SOMETHING TO ADD TO THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA SO THAT WE'RE TRACKING THAT BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC UTILITY TRANSMISSION LINES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES. I WILL GET WITH YOUR STAFF AS WELL TO, TO START THE RESEARCH ON THIS. AND I SHOULD HAVE PROBABLY MENTIONED THIS AT THE BEGINNING, JUST HOW, WHAT THE PROCESS WAS TO INITIATE THIS ACTION ITEMS. WE SENT OUT A GOOGLE FORM FOR DEPARTMENTS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY TO SUBMIT IDEAS THAT THEY HAD FOR US TO TAKE ACTION ON LEGISLATIVELY. AND SO THIS PROCESS OPENED UP BACK IN MARCH. I BELIEVE WE GAVE A LITTLE OVER A MONTH FOR SUBMISSIONS TO COME THROUGH THE GOOGLE FORM, AND THEN WE VETTED ALL OF THOSE SUBMISSIONS. AND THEN THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE ARE MAKING BASED ON EVERYTHING THAT WE RECEIVED. WE VETTED IT, WE LOOKED AT IT. WE CONSIDER WHAT COULD COULD BE DOABLE NEXT SESSION AND WHAT COULD REMAIN A VALUE STATEMENT FOR NOW AND THEN. THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH THIS LIST OF THINGS. BUT IT IS THE RESULT OF A LOT OF SUBMISSIONS FROM FROM ALL DEPARTMENTS, SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS, STAFF, ETC. ON THAT. 
          ALISA, IS THIS ONLY REFLECTIVE OF WHAT YOU GOT IN WRITING ON THE GOOGLE FORMS? NO, IT INCLUDES EMAIL, SOME OTHER EMAILS AND SOME OTHER INITIATIVES AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE COME UP IN OPEN MEETINGS BEFORE, LIKE THE FIRE HYDRANTS, FOR EXAMPLE. I KNOW THAT THAT HAS COME UP IN, IN OPEN MEETINGS. AND SO THAT'S HOW THAT VALUE, NEW LEGISLATIVE VALUE CAME TO BE. SO KIND OF A COMBINATION OF HEARING AND ALSO SEEING IN WRITING ON THE GOOGLE FORMS AND COMMUNICATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD, AND A LOT OF MEETINGS ONE ON ONE WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. WE STILL HAVE A FEW OTHER ITEMS THAT DID NOT MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE AGENDA OR THE LIST RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SHERIFF AND THE DA SUBMITTED, AND WE CAN GO THROUGH THOSE WHEN YOU'RE READY. THEY'RE A PART OF THIS PRESENTATION. THEY ARE PART OF THIS PRESENTATION. SO IF YOU WANT, WE DON'T TAKE ACTION TODAY OR DO WE TAKE ACTION FOR NOW AND THEN COME BACK TO AMEND. I MEAN, I THINK I MEAN, WE CAN TAKE ACTION ON WHAT'S BEEN PRESENTED. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM GOING FORWARD WITH THAT. 
          ARE WE TAKING ACTION ON ALL OF THE LEGISLATIVE VALUES AND THE EVERYTHING? NORMALLY YOU ALL LOOK AT EACH SLIDE AND IF YOU AGREE WITH. SO IF YOU CAN GO BACK UP HERE TO THE. IS THAT THE FIRST SLIDE? SO YOU LOOK AT ITEMS, THE LEGISLATIVE GO UP FURTHER. BEGINNING. SO NORMALLY YOU TAKE ACTION, GO DOWN ONE MORE. WHETHER OR NOT YOU AGREE WITH THESE FIVE CARRYOVER ITEMS 
          [03:15:02]
BECOMING PART OF YOUR AGENDA. AND IF YOU'RE NOT READY TO DO THAT TODAY, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND IDENTIFY YOUR TOP PRIORITIES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ACTION. GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. THE NEW REQUEST. IF YOU'RE NOT READY TO DO THAT TODAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO, BUT NORMALLY YOU TAKE ACTION ON EACH ONE OF THESE SECTIONS. THE NEXT SLIDE, NEW LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS. IF YOU WANT TO ADD THESE AS SOME OF YOUR TOP TEN, YOU WOULD INCLUDE YOU WOULD TAKE ACTION. GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. NEXT SLIDE. THEN WE GO TO THE VALUES. AND IF YOU ALL WANT TO ADD THESE TO YOUR VALUES TODAY MINUS NUMBER SIX. 
          ON THE NEXT SLIDE YOU WOULD TAKE ACTION. AND WE WOULD THEN BRING THOSE BACK INTO A DRAFT FOR YOU, AN OVERALL DRAFT FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER ADOPTING. I WOULD PREFER TO SEE THE FULL DOCUMENT BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION ON THAT. THAT'S MY PREFERENCE. IF WE COULD IF WE COULD DO THAT, MAYBE NEXT WEEK, THAT WOULD BE MY. OKAY. NEXT SLIDE. SO AGAIN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ACT ON THESE. 
          WHAT WILL BRING YOU IS WILL BRING YOU YOUR EXISTING DOCUMENT. THESE WOULD ALL BE CHANGES TO THAT EXISTING DOCUMENT IF IF APPROVED. BUT THESE ARE OTHER REQUESTS THAT WE'VE HAD THAT WE HAVE NOT AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDED INTO YOUR VALUES OR YOUR RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO CONSIDER. SO, ELISE, I'LL TURN IT BACK TO YOU. OKAY. SO WE ALSO RECEIVED THIS REQUEST THAT WE WANTED TO DISCUSS. AND I, THERE MIGHT BE SOMEBODY FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IF THEY WANT TO FURTHER EXPLAIN, BUT I'M GOING TO START WITH THIS ONE THAT IS INCREASED PENALTIES FOR THE SECOND DWI OFFENSE FROM A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR TO A STATE JAIL FELONY. SO THERE'S IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S BEEN A COLLECTIVE EFFORT LOCALLY. I BELIEVE MAYBE MAYOR JOHNSON, DA MONTOYA AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE INTERESTED IN INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR THE SECOND DWI OFFENSE. AND AND I KNOW THIS WITH THE MAKEUP OF THIS LEGISLATURE, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A REALLY HEAVY LIFT. THAT'S WHY WE'RE LIVING IN UNDER OTHER REQUESTS, BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MIGHT BE A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. BUT I KIND OF JUST PUT SOME BULLET POINTS ON HERE THAT I THINK ARE WORTH DISCUSSING IT. AND I KNOW WE YOU KNOW, I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT UP FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND DISCUSSION HERE. AND BUT YEAH, MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING. OH, GO AHEAD. NO, I WAS JUST IS THAT JUDGE ANCHONDO? DO YOU KNOW IF HE'S FOR THIS OR AGAINST THIS? I DON'T KNOW. THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, JUDGE. JUDGE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN CHECK WITH HIM. YEAH, PLEASE. BECAUSE I'M JUST INTERESTED BECAUSE IF ANYBODY TAKES A LEAD AND UNDERSTANDS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THINGS, IT'S HIM. SO I'D LIKE TO GET HIS FEEDBACK ON THAT. OKAY. I WILL I WILL GET HIS FEEDBACK AND THEN COME BACK IN THE NEXT PRESENTATION TO BRING THAT UP. I THINK, I THINK I THINK AT LEAST IT WOULD ALSO BE GOOD TO PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION ON LIKE WHAT THE OPPONENTS OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS ARE SAYING. JUST SO WE HAVE KIND OF A MORE LIKE INFORMED VIEW OF, OF WHAT WHAT'S ACTUALLY I MEAN, I GUESS WE CAN ALL LOOK IT UP OURSELVES, BUT IT WOULD BE THINGS WE DON'T. 
          YEAH. I MEAN, BECAUSE I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW, HOW MUCH LONGER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE IN JAIL, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, DO THESE PEOPLE ACTUALLY NEED TO GO THROUGH REHAB INSTEAD OF BEING THROWN IN JAIL FOR A FELONY? YOU KNOW WHAT, I GUESS SORT OF GOES AGAINST OUR TRYING TO GIVE THEM. YEAH, GET THEM OUT OF THE PROCESS. MAYBE, MAYBE THE DA CAN COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WELL BEFORE WE PUT IT ON THEIR. ALL RIGHT. SO I WILL TALK TO THE DA'S OFFICE AND SEE IF HE IF HE CAN COME IN THE NEXT MEETING AND, AND GIVE LIKE A LITTLE PRESENTATION ON HIS ITEM, AND THEN I BELIEVE THE SHERIFF OR WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE AND THEN WE CAN DISCUSS THE NEXT ONE. SORRY. BEFORE THE SHERIFF, WE HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 
          SO THESE ARE TWO INITIATIVES THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN WORKING, WORKING ON TO IN REGARDS TO THE PORT OF ENTRY. BUT I UNDERSTAND THIS MIGHT NOT BE SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF AT THIS TIME. SO THAT'S WHY WE PUT THEM UNDER OTHER REQUESTS. BUT THE FIRST ONE IS THE TRAFFIC MONITORING AND TOLLING FEASIBILITY INITIATIVE THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE PORT OF ENTRY. AND THEN THE SECOND ONE IS SUPPORTING INITIATIVES TO INTEGRATE THE PORT OF ENTRY TO INTO THE BROADER, BROADER REGIONAL INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NETWORK. SO THESE TWO THINGS WOULD SUPPORT THAT. INCREASING DEMAND 
          [03:20:04]
FOR ALTERNATIVE CROSSINGS AND THE GROWING ROLE THAT YOU CAN PLAY IN THE REGIONAL MOBILITY, TRADE DIVERSIFICATION AND LONG TERM ECONOMIC LONG TERM ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS. BUT AGAIN, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE ON A CURRENT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. 
          SO WE JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS THESE VALUES OR THESE SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE WORKED ON. BUT THERE MIGHT BE WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO PUT THINGS ON THERE THAT MIGHT CAUSE ANY TYPE OF CONTROVERSY OR ARE JUST NOT DOABLE AT ALL. 
          AND THEN THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE ALSO SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL THAT THAT WE WANTED TO DISCUSS. AND I BELIEVE THERE MIGHT BE SOME SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT HERE TO, TO GIVE MORE DETAILS, BUT IT IS BASICALLY LEGISLATION TO ALLOW OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES, LIKE THE SHERIFF TO REGULATE DRONES, AND ALSO HAVING THE SOFTWARE TO BRING DOWN THOSE DRONES AS THEY WHEN THEY'RE DOING ACTIVITY THAT THEY LIKE, SHOULDN'T BE DOING. 
          SO THERE'S EXAMPLES OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE DRONES ARE BEING FLOWN IN THE AREA SOMETIMES, LIKE IN, I DON'T KNOW, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, FATALITIES, WHEN OUR MEDICAL EXAMINER HAS NOT EVEN SHOWED UP TO THE SCENE. AND, AND IT IS DISTURBING OF LIKE PEOPLE'S PRIVACY. SO I UNDERSTAND WHERE THE, WHERE, WHY THIS INITIATIVE IS BEING CONSIDERED. BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT, I MEAN, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE CONSIDERING. SO WE WANTED JUST TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION. AND THEN IF WE NEED TO BRING IT BACK AT A FUTURE MEETING, ONCE WE KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, THEN WE CAN PUT IT ON EITHER AS A VALUE STATEMENT OR IF YOU WANT TO ELEVATE THIS AS A PRIORITY. WE COULD, BUT JUST WANTED TO TO PUT THIS ON THERE AND THEN GIVE THE SHERIFF SPACE TO EXPLAIN IF THEY'RE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY. AND IF NOT, WE ALSO HAVE THE LAST ONE IS JUDICIARY ITEMS THAT THEY HAVEN'T FINALIZED. SO THEY WILL BE PROBABLY SUBMITTING THEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE. SO WHENEVER WE COME BACK FOR THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE AGENDA, WE WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE THOSE READY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. BUT THAT IS THAT IS ALL WE HAVE TODAY. 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I WILL TAKE ALL THE FEEDBACK AND GUIDANCE TODAY TO COME BACK AT A FUTURE MEETING TO TO DISCUSS. SO I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE EVERYTHING TOGETHER. I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO DO IT PIECEMEAL, KNOWING THAT WE HAVE TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF WHAT OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES ARE. I DON'T KNOW IF WE SHOULD HAVE A LIMIT TO OUR VALUE STATEMENT. IF THERE'S SUCH A THING AS TOO MANY OR THERE'S NOT. BUT IF WE DO HAVE TO PLACE THESE LIMITS, I DON'T THINK IT'S HELPFUL TO KIND OF DO IT IN PIECES. I'D REALLY WANT TO SEE ALL OF IT. IF WE'RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO PRIORITIZE AND DECIDE WHAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON. 
          AND I'M WONDERING IF MAYBE THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS TO LAY OUT OUR SPECIFICALLY OUR VALUE STATEMENT, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME VALUE STATEMENTS THAT ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE VALUE STATEMENTS LIKE THE WATER AND WASTEWATER, LOCAL CONTROL. THOSE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN OUR VALUE STATEMENT. BUT I THINK THAT WE ALSO NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THINGS THAT WE KNOW ARE HAPPENING DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THAT THAT REALLY NEED EXTRA ATTENTION, LIKE THE DATA CENTER ISSUE, RIGHT? THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, OR, I DON'T KNOW, OTHER OTHER OTHER ITEMS THAT WE KNOW THAT ARE COMING BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS YEAR THAT NEED OUR ATTENTION. LIKE, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS AN EFFORT FOR SEVERAL LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS WHERE THEY WERE TRYING TO WEAKEN OUR SUBDIVISION ORDERS, WHICH WOULD, OF COURSE, LEAD TO MORE COLONIAS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. RIGHT. BUT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT LIKE, OKAY, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THIS, THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A WAY TO, TO, TO KIND OF DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THINGS. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BUT THEN THE THINGS THAT ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE PRIORITIES FOR COUNTIES, LIKE THE LOCAL CONTROL ISSUE, WATER, WASTEWATER, WATER, WASTEWATER. THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS THE TIMELINE WHEN WE HAVE TO GIVE THESE TO OUR DELEGATION VERSUS WHEN THE STATE COMES OUT. THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, OR THEY COME OUT WITH THEIR PRIORITIES. SO THERE HAVE BEEN YEARS WHERE SOMETHING HAS COME UP THAT HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT UP BEFORE. THAT REALLY CHANGED OUR MAJORITY OF OUR FOCUS AFTER WE HAD ADOPTED THIS. SO WE DO ALSO AMEND THIS DURING THE SESSION AS SOMETHING ELSE COMES UP. BUT THE MORE WE CAN IDENTIFY EARLY ON AS WHAT WE WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR OR AGAINST, THE MORE 
          [03:25:09]
HELPFUL I WHAT I'M HEARING AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS PROBABLY A WORKSHOP EVERY TWO YEARS, SEPARATE FROM A COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING, TO REALLY SPEND TIME THINKING THROUGH THESE PRIORITIES AND DEVELOPING WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR FROM THE COURT AND THEN ALSO FROM ALL OF OUR OTHER, LIKE THE COUNCIL OF JUDGES AND, AND OUR OTHER DEPARTMENTS. BUT I THINK IF WE IF WE HAD TIME, WE WOULD HAVE A WORKSHOP AND ACTUALLY GO THROUGH SOME OF THESE PRIORITY THINGS AND WHAT WE COULD BE ADVOCATING FOR. BECAUSE EVEN LIKE ON THE DATA CENTERS, WE, I THINK ABOUT THE, THE LARGE IMPACT DEVELOPMENTS, NOT JUST DATA CENTERS WHERE THERE'S OTHER BUSINESSES LOOKING TO COME THAT ARE LARGE IMPACT DEVELOPMENTS. SO WE MAY ALSO WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING ABOUT THAT TYPE OF. AND WE HAVE NO ABILITY. THE COUNTY. YOU KNOW, I READ AN ARTICLE THIS MORNING THAT MORE OF THESE LARGE IMPACT DEVELOPMENTS ARE LOOKING TO RURAL AREAS BECAUSE WE HAVE SO LITTLE AUTHORITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO, TO REGULATE THEM. 
          AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE THINKING THROUGH. WE NEED TO HAVE WORK SESSIONS AND REALLY BE PREPARING FOR THIS. SO WITH THIS FEEDBACK, WE WILL BRING BACK, WE'LL SEND OUT OUR LAST AGENDA. SO YOU SEE ALL OF OUR VALUE STATEMENTS THAT ARE IN THERE, AS YOU ALL THINK THROUGH WHAT WE WILL HAVE ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MONDAY AT LEAST. IS THERE ANYTHING THERE'S A COMMENT THAT IS MADE FREQUENTLY ABOUT META AND OTHER DATA CENTERS IS THAT IF WE IF WE DON'T PROVIDE INCENTIVES AND WE DON'T ENGAGE WITH THEM, THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO COME IN ON THEIR OWN. AND I JUST DON'T LIKE NOBODY'S GIVEN ME THE ANSWER TO THAT AS TO WHETHER THAT'S TRUE, THAT THAT THEY COULD COME IN AND THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET WATER, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET ELECTRICITY, AND THEN WE'RE COMPLETELY OUT OF THAT KIND OF DEALING WITH THEM. LIKE, I THINK IT SHOULD BE GOOD LEGISLATION TO SAY THAT THEY CAN'T DO THAT. YOU KNOW, THAT THAT'S SOMEHOW THEY'VE GOT TO COME IN AND NEGOTIATE WITH A GOVERNMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SO FORTH, BECAUSE THAT'S PRETTY CRAZY. IF IT'S TRUE THAT IF WE DON'T DEAL WITH THEM, WE'RE MUCH BETTER OFF, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST TRYING TO GIVE THEM SOME KIND OF INCENTIVE OTHER THAN THEY JUST COME IN AND THEY COULD GET EVERYTHING WITHOUT US EVEN BEING AT THE TABLE. SO I'M NOT SURE HOW WE CAN GET JUDGE. WE CAN GET A, A LEGAL, BOTH A PLANNING AND A LEGAL OVERVIEW OF THAT. IT DOES DEPEND ON WHERE THEY LOCATE. THERE IS DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES AND CITIES CAN ALSO ISSUE MORATORIUMS ON CERTAIN TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT. SO THERE IT REALLY DOES. BUT WE DON'T HAVE THOSE SAME NECESSARILY NECESSARILY HAVE THOSE SAME AUTHORITIES. SO WE CAN GET A SEPARATE ITEM TO GIVE TO GIVE A REALLY THOROUGH OVERVIEW OF LIKE WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO REGULATE, WE CHALLENGE THAT. YEAH. RIGHT. YES, SIR. AND WHAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO REGULATE AND WHAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO REGULATE EVEN RIGHT NOW. SO LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO REGULATE ALL SUBDIVISIONS IN THE COUNTY TO HAVE PARKS. WHAT THE WAY WE'VE DONE IT IS BY SAYING, IF YOU COME AND ASK US FOR SOMETHING, WE'RE GOING TO NEGOTIATE. AND WHAT WE NEGOTIATE IS THAT YOU'LL GIVE US PARK SPACE. SO BUT THEY HAVE TO COME AND ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION FROM OUR RULES IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THAT LEVERAGE. IT'S THE SAME WITH THESE TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTS. IF WE DON'T HAVE AUTHORITY, THE WAY WE CAN GET ANY KIND OF AUTHORITY IS THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF A DEVELOPMENT GOES IN THE COUNTY AND WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE, WE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO GET SOMETHING. AND THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD USUALLY USE A 381. BUT WE CAN GET THAT SEPARATELY LEGALLY WITH SOMETHING THAT'S NOT TO OUR BENEFIT. THEN WE GO TO THE LEGISLATION AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S AFFECTING US OR BUT I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THAT. SO YOU'RE RIGHT. THAT'S A GOOD POINT. LEGAL. I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS RIGHT NOW. AND THIS IS A DEVELOPING ISSUE, BUT THE GOVERNOR DID SEND HIS LETTER TO THE PUC ASKING TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE NEXT SESSION. AND WHAT GIVES ME HOPE IS BULLET NUMBER SIX ON THAT LETTER, AND I'LL READ IT TO YOU. IT SAYS REQUIRED DATA CENTERS TO REDUCE IMPACTS ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES BY IMPLEMENTING BEST PRACTICES SUCH AS SETBACKS, NOISE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER MEASURES THAT MAKE THAT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CONCERNS OF THE NEIGHBORS. SO TO ME, THAT BULLET POINT ON THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER LAST WEEK TO THE PUC INDICATES THAT THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF LEGISLATION NEXT SESSION THAT WE CAN DEFINITELY SUPPORT. AND THAT'S WHY I DO THINK THAT HAVING THAT VALUE STATEMENT IS IS IMPORTANT. 
          [03:30:03]
THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT WAS A LOT. SO IF WE WANT TO TAKE ACTION NEXT MEETING, WE WILL POST AN ITEM FOR THE NEXT MEETING. AND I WILL HAVE THE WORD DOCUMENT DRAFT. SO YOU CAN SEE HOW IT WOULD LOOK LIKE ON AN AGENDA. SO MANY CHANGES THAT I'D RATHER COME BACK AND LOOK AT IT AS A. AND THEN WE CAN ALSO HAVE MORE DISCUSSIONS. IN THE MEANTIME, IF ANYONE HAS INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ME AND I CAN MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE FOR THOSE. BUT PLEASE EMAIL OUR CURRENT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FROM LAST SESSION WITH ALL THE VALUES TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COURT. WELL, BETSY, I IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL FOR FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW IN A FULL DOCUMENT, LIKE NOT JUST LAST, BUT SO, SO YES, LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AGENDA, BUT ALSO WHAT IS CARRYING OVER COMPLETELY. WELL, WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON THAT YET. THAT'S THE PROBLEM. SO IF YOU WANTED A FULL DOCUMENT, WE WOULD HAVE TO. IT'S GOING TO BE CONFUSING, I THINK, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S ACTUALLY BEEN VOTED ON AND WHAT'S NOT BEEN VOTED ON AND WHAT'S PART OF THE AGENDA. WELL, THIS POWERPOINT, THIS POWERPOINT IS EVERYTHING WE HAVE ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW. 
          RIGHT? SO IF FOR THE CARRY OVER ITEM, NO, THIS IS THE CARRY OVER ITEMS IN THE LEGISLATIVE VALUE STATEMENTS. YOU SAID THAT THERE WERE SOME THAT WERE ON THE LAST YEAR AGENDA THAT OKAY. 
          SO THE AGENDA, THE THE DOCUMENT INCLUDES YOUR VALUE STATEMENT. EVERYTHING THAT'S IN THERE WE CARRY OVER EVERY YEAR, RIGHT. BUT THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY IN THE PRESENTATION TODAY. IT'S NOT IN THIS PRESENTATION. SO THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING WITH THIS PRESENTATION AND LAST YEAR'S LAST SESSION'S DOCUMENT, YOU SEE EVERYTHING THAT'S CARRIED OVER. THAT'S LIKE A LIVING, BREATHING DOCUMENT THAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY UPDATING. BUT THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING FOR. BE SHARED WITH US, RIGHT? LIKE, RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING ELISA TO SEND TO ALL OF YOU. 
          RIGHT, RIGHT. I JUST THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY YOU WANTED IT ALL, ALL PUT ON ONE DOCUMENT. AND THAT'S GOING TO CONFUSE, I THINK IF WE CAN, WE CAN READ MINE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHICH ONES ON THE PASS AND WHICH ONES IN THE FUTURE. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE I WOULD LIKE BOTH AS WELL. RIGHT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NOT CONFUSION AS TO WHAT'S ON AND WHAT'S NOT WHAT HAS BEEN VOTED ON AND WHAT HASN'T. WE CAN GIVE A RED LINE DOCUMENT, AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO REVIEW ALL OF THESE WHEN THEY'RE LIKE ON POWERPOINT SLIDES. SO IF THERE WAS LIKE A, LIKE A DOCUMENT THAT WE COULD LOOK AT, THAT HELPS A LOT TO. 
          SORRY, I STOPPED HEARING FOR A SECOND, BUT I COULD, I COULD HEAR THE LAST PART OF THE CONVERSATION AND WE CAN HAVE A READ. LISA, I'LL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU. I'LL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU OFFLINE SO THAT WE CAN GET THAT DOCUMENT PREPARED FOR OUR COURT. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. 
          OKAY. THANK YOU LISA. THANK YOU JUDGE. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. LISA. SO WE'LL TAKE NO ACTION ON ITEM NUMBER SEVEN B. BETSY, YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT 30 MINUTES. DID YOU SUGGEST IT. 
          IT'S UP TO THE COURT JUDGE. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE AT LEAST ANOTHER. WE'LL HAVE AT LEAST ANOTHER HOUR OF ITEMS. YEAH. THE EXECUTIVE ITEMS RIGHT. NOT JUST THE ONE BUDGET ITEM. 
          WE HAVE THE ONE BUDGET ITEM WE HAVE EXECUTIVE. AND THEN WE NEED TO PULL BACK ONE ITEM FROM CONSENT. CONSENT. THERE'S ANOTHER ITEM FROM CONSENT THAT WE NEED TO ASK YOU TO POSTPONE. 
          ITEM FOUR C DO WE WANT TO DO THAT. OR DO WE WANT TO DO THAT FIRST? JUST ARE WE GOING TO JUST DO EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR EXECUTIVE. IS THAT YES, YOU WANT TO FINISH FOUR C AND THEN THE BUDGET AMENDMENT ITEM AND THEN GO TO EXECUTIVE BREAK AND THEN COME BACK FOR EXECUTIVE. 
          YES. OKAY. OKAY. SO CARMEN'S UP. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, A BUDGET AND FINANCE APPROVED BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 30 A TO THE EL PASO COUNTY'S 2025 2026 OPERATING BUDGET. THIS BUDGETARY AMENDMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE THE COUNTY OF EL PASO'S 2025 2026 OVERALL 
          [A. Approve budget amendment No.30(a) to the El Paso County’s 2025-2026 operating budget. This budgetary amendment will not increase or decrease the County of El Paso's 2025-2026 overall operating budget of $667,676,760.47.
Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]
OPERATING BUDGET OF $667,676,760.40. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS CARMEN CANDELARIA, BUDGET AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS A BUDGET TRANSFER FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO TRANSFER APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE JAIL ANNEX DIVISION OVER TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION IN ORDER TO COVER A LEXICAL LEXICAL CORTICAL WELLNESS APP RENEWAL. SO JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE BACKGROUND WITH REGARDS TO THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT AND WHY WE'RE HAVING TO TO DO THIS AMENDMENT, IS THAT THE FIRST RESPONDERS MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM ACTUALLY PAID FOR THIS SERVICE IN FISCAL YEAR 2025. AND SO WHAT HAPPENED 
          [03:35:06]
IS THE NEW GRANT FOR FISCAL YEAR 26, INSTEAD OF HAVING AN APP THAT SERVICED MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF FIRST RESPONDERS, THE GRANT SHIFTED THAT COST OVER TO A IN PERSON CONTRACTED SERVICES. 
          AND SO IT LEFT THE SUBSCRIPTION THAT CONTINUED, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE GRANTS BUDGET, AND IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR SOME TIME TO TRY TO RESOLVE THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. THIS IS A SERVICE THAT'S NOT REQUIRED, BUT IT AND IT COULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE WELLNESS PROGRAM. AND SO WE WOULD LOOK TO FUNDS FOR. WE COULD POTENTIALLY LOOK FOR TO TO FUND IT OUT OF THERE. BUT THAT IS WHY THE AMENDMENT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO COVER THAT COST FOR FISCAL YEAR 26. I UNDERSTAND IT WILL NOT BE CONTINUED IN FISCAL YEAR 27. AND SO SERGEANT SANCHEZ FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, HE IS ONLINE AND ALSO CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO THIS SPECIFIC REQUEST FOR BUDGET. SO THE SUBSCRIPTION WON'T BE NEEDED NEXT FISCAL YEAR JUST FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. MY UNDERSTANDING WILL NOT BE NEEDED IN FISCAL YEAR 27. AND CARMEN, WE COULD ASK HR TO SEE IF THEIR WELLNESS FUND WOULD PAY FOR IT. YES. YES WE WOULD. 
          WE WOULD GO AHEAD. WE WOULD GO AHEAD AND ASK. THAT WAY IT WOULD NOT COME FROM GENERAL FUND. YES, MA'AM. BUT WE NEED TO PAY. WE DO NEED TO PAY FOR THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR THIS YEAR, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. YES, MA'AM. WHICH IS THE 30,030? YES, MA'AM. THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY. OKAY. AND THE GRANT DROPPED IT. SORRY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND. YES. 
          THE GRANT DID NOT INCLUDE IT IN FISCAL YEAR 26. IT WAS INSTEAD DONE FOR. IT WAS FOR IN PERSON SESSIONS, ON SITE CRISIS COUNSELOR THERAPY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS. AND WE DIDN'T DROP THE GRANT BACK THEN. I MEAN, WE DIDN'T DROP THE CONTRACT FOR THE SERVICE THEN. CORRECT. BUT WE CONTINUE TO USE THE SERVICE. THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR FOR SERGEANT SANCHEZ TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND. YES. THIS IS SERGEANT SANCHEZ WITH THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. 
          CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES. THANK YOU. SERGEANT. HI. SO I WAS IN THE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. AND DURING THAT TIME WE SAW VERY LOW USE OF THE OF THE APPLICATION. WE ALSO HAD ACCESS TO ENDEAVORS AT THE TIME, WHICH I BELIEVE IS STILL THE ONE THAT WE'RE USING FOR THE IN PERSON, YOU KNOW, THERAPY AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT. IT'S AVAILABLE TO THE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILY. SO THAT WAS USED A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THE APPLICATION. AND SO ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I BELIEVE I WAS REACHED OUT AFTER I WAS NO LONGER ON THE TEAM. IF THERE WAS A LOT OF USE FOR IT OR NEED FOR IT. AND THE TRUTH OF IT IS I DON'T BELIEVE SO. WE HAVE VERY MINIMAL TO ZERO USE ON THE APPLICATION. AND SO WE WE DIDN'T SEE THE NEED TO CONTINUE IT FROM THAT POINT ON. HOWEVER, AS FAR AS HOW THE CONTRACT WAS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT IS BEYOND ME. ALL I KNEW WAS THE APPLICATION AT THAT TIME AND WHETHER IT WAS USED OR NOT. SO WE'RE GOING TO DISCONTINUE USING THE APP. BUT BUT WE'RE REQUIRED TO PAY THIS PORTION BECAUSE WE ENTERED INTO THE CONTRACT. BUT WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET IT OUT OF THE WAS IT THE RISK POOL? THIS ITEM IS ASKING US TO PAY IT FOR IT FROM OUR GENERAL FUND. I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE ASKED IF THE RISK POOL WELLNESS FUND CAN COVER THIS OR NOT, BUT THAT WOULD BE. ANOTHER OPTION IS TO SEE IF THE RISK POOL WELLNESS FUND. I THINK WHAT THE DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENTS ASK IS FOR US TO APPROVE IT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY NEED TO PAY THE BILL. BUT IF WE WAITED ONE WEEK, WE COULD CHECK WITH HR TO SEE IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO PAY IT FROM THE WELLNESS FUND, OR COULD WE APPROVE PAYMENT FROM THE GENERAL FUND THE WAY IT'S PROPOSED TODAY SO THAT PAYMENT COULD BE PROCESSED, BUT THEN HAVE THE GENERAL FUND REIMBURSED BY THE RISK POOL FUND? IF IT TURNS OUT THAT'S A POSSIBILITY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE BETTER IF POSSIBLE. THE OTHER THING IS, I DON'T KNOW IF THE WELLNESS FUND COULD ABSORB ALL OF THIS, BECAUSE IT'S A LARGE AMOUNT COMPARED TO THE OVERALL WELLNESS FUND. WE COULD SEE TO THE EXTENT THAT IT COULD ABSORB THE COST. AND I THINK WE 
          [03:40:03]
COULD DO THAT WITHOUT HAVING TO COME BACK. I THINK THERE'S A LINE ITEM THAT COULD BE UTILIZED THAT WE WOULD, JUST BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE PAID OVER, IT HAS TO BE PAID REGARDLESS TO BE PAID. SO TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO HAVE IT PAID FROM THE RISK POOL FUND, IF POSSIBLE, I WILL DO THAT. OKAY, SO I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. CAN WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. 
          THANK YOU. CARMEN. GOING BACK TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR C. ONE SECOND. PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION TWO 62.024 A FOR APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF 
          [C. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 262.024 (a)(4), approve and authorize the use of Professional Service Exemption and ratify the Professional Service Agreement for the litigation styled Cause No. 3:25-cv-00141-KC; County Attorney case number: 0050-25-LD. Funds are available in GF-GADM-PROF SVC-LEGAL-COMMISN.
Ian Kaplan, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office, 915-273-3247]
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE EXEMPTION AND RATIFY THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR THE LITIGATION STYLED CLAUSE NUMBER 325 CV 00141. KC COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 005025LD FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND, GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LEGAL COMMISSIONS. IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THIS ITEM. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. THANK YOU. 
          JUDGE. MOTION CARRIES. JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, ER, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THE COUNTY AUDITOR ON THESE PROFESSIONAL EXEMPTIONS. WILL BE BRIEFING THE COURT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION SOON. BUT FOR THIS ITEM, THE ATTORNEY HAS INDICATED THAT WE CAN WAIT ONE WEEK. SO WE WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION TO POSTPONE FOR ONE WEEK, AND WE WILL WORK WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT TO TRY TO TRY TO GET THIS READY FOR YOU ALL. 
          THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. AND JUST BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, I'D LIKE TO READ IT, READ IN ITEM NUMBER NINE B, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.0725. DISCUSS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN EL PASO COUNTY. EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, ALSO KNOWN AS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AND EMERGENCY HEALTH NETWORK, REGARDING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT PERTAINING TO MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR INMATES OF THE COUNTY DOWNTOWN DETENTION FACILITY AND JAIL ANNEX. JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, 
          [B. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.0725, discuss contract negotiations between El Paso County, El Paso County Hospital District, also known as University Medical Center, and Emergence Health Network regarding an Interlocal Agreement pertaining to medical and mental health care for inmates of the County Downtown Detention Facility and Jail Annex.
Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]
COUNTY ATTORNEY. I DO UNDERSTAND WE'RE GOING TO BE RECESSING, BUT I JUST WANTED TO READ IN THE MEMO JUST SO THAT WE HAVE IT ON THE RECORD. SO STAFF IS ASKING THAT ITEM NINE BE THIS IS THE ITEM THAT MR. NAVARETTE AND BE TAKEN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AFTER THE BREAK. THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, ALSO KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER UMC, REGARDING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT PERTAINING TO MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR INMATES OF THE COUNTY DOWNTOWN DETENTION FACILITY AND JAIL ANNEX. THE INFORMATION TO BE DISCUSSED INVOLVES BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THOSE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE COURT MUST BE FREE TO DISCUSS THOSE ISSUES WITHOUT UNDERMINING THE COUNTY'S POSITION. I'VE DETERMINED THAT DELIBERATION AND OPEN MEETING COULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE POSITION OF THE COURT IN NEGOTIATIONS, SO WE'RE ASKING THAT THE COURT UNANIMOUSLY VOTE THAT DELIBERATIONS IN OPEN MEETING WOULD HAVE THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT THAT THE DELIBERATIONS TAKE PLACE IN CLOSED SESSION. AND THEN WE'D ASK THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, COMMISSIONERS, COURT REPORTERS, ENSURE THAT ALL PROCEEDINGS AND CLOTHES BE RECORDED. A COPY OF THE LEGAL MEMO HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONERS, COURT REPORTERS TO BE MADE A PART OF THE OFFICIAL COURT RECORDS. IF THE COURT AGREES, I WOULD JUST NEED THAT MOTION AND A SECOND RECORDED AT THIS TIME, PLEASE. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. 
          COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL NOW RECESS FOR 30 MINUTES. YES, YES. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR 30 MINUTES. IT IS 1:14 P.M. 
          [03:47:29]
IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD, EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT, ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, 
          [03:50:02]
STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT, IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS, WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS 
          [03:55:04]
THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN'T AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD, JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK, SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [04:02:02]
PASO. IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD, EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, 
          [04:05:01]
KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH 
          [04:10:05]
INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [04:16:36]
IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS, STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          [04:21:47]
WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT, IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH 
          [04:25:01]
FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 1:57 P.M. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL NOW RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEMS NINE A THROUGH NINE E, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 AND 551.0725 COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECONVENE TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION. IT IS 1:58 
          [EXECUTIVE SESSION
Only the members of the Commissioners Court have a right to attend an executive session, except that legal counsel must be present if the executive session is held pursuant to Government Code section 551.071. In addition to legal counsel, Commissioners Court may include in executive session certain officers and employees if it finds that (1) their participation is necessary to the matter under consideration; (2) their interests are not adverse to the county, and (3) their presence will not waive the attorney client privilege. Generally, the Chief Administrator, Commissioners Court Recorders, and Audio/Video Staff attend the closed session items based on the enumerated criteria, and certain other persons may attend based on the above-listed criteria or as otherwise provided by law. ]
P.M. 
          [04:30:45]
IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUA DULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          [04:35:55]
WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE 
          [04:40:01]
INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [04:45:17]
EL PASO. IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS, STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          [04:50:29]
WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT, IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY, ACCESS AND POSITION 
          [04:55:01]
TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF 
          [05:00:04]
I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          [05:05:02]
WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT, IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN'T AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD, JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY, ACCESS AND POSITION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU 
          [05:10:01]
MOVE FORWARD. 
          IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US 
          [05:15:05]
CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPEN FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. 
          ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUA DULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, 
          [05:20:03]
VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN'T AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [05:28:59]
IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO 
          [05:30:03]
SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO, YSLETA AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE 
          [05:35:04]
SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS, FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [05:43:31]
EL PASO. IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY 
          [05:45:02]
TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, 
          [05:50:04]
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [05:58:06]
IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          [06:00:08]
IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUADULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS 
          [06:05:04]
WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [06:12:39]
EL PASO, IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS, STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPENED FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE ASCARATE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND 
          [06:15:05]
CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUA DULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND. HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH 
          [06:20:04]
CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN'T AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION, FAMILY COURT SERVICES STAFF ARE APPOINTED ON SOME ADOPTION CASES TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS. OUR COOPERATIVE PARENTING PROGRAM PROVIDES CO-PARENTING CLASSES WHICH FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SEPARATION OR DIVORCE. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENT CHILDREN AND THE INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT, POSITIVE CO-PARENTING PRACTICES, IMPACT OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. CLASSES ARE OFFERED BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY AND ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. NO COURT ORDER NEEDED. CO-PARENTS TAKE THE CLASSES SEPARATELY TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS ARE COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THE TOPICS. INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER FOR CLASSES BY EITHER VISITING THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE WEBSITE, OR BY CALLING THE OFFICE AT (915) 273-3533, OR BY PICKING UP THE FORM INSIDE OUR OFFICE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR TO DISCUSS ATTENDANCE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. CLASS SCHEDULES CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE. ONCE THE REGISTRATION IS RECEIVED, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE PROGRAM FACILITATOR. OUR OFFICE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO FAMILY LAW ISSUES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE AND MODIFY ACCESS AND POSSESSION TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN, ENSURING THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE UPHELD. FOR THOSE SEEKING TO FORMALIZE AGREEMENTS, WE FACILITATE PARENTING NEGOTIATION CONFERENCES THAT TRANSFORM YOUR ARRANGEMENTS INTO LEGALLY BINDING COURT ORDERS. AT THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WE'RE COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOLUTIONS THAT WORK. SO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL TODAY TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD. 
          [06:27:13]
IT STARTED TO GET HOT IN MAY, AND EL PASO COUNTY IS KEEPING YOU COOL WITH SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON ACROSS OUR COUNTY. IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY OFF I-10 AND HORIZON BOULEVARD. EL PASO COUNTY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, PROUDLY ANNOUNCED THE COMPLETION OF THE PANORAMA VILLAGE UNIT ONE AND TWO FIRST TIME WASTEWATER PROJECT. THIS IS A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE THAT BRINGS MODERN SEWER SERVICE TO A COMMUNITY THAT PREVIOUSLY RELIED ON SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS FOR WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, EL PASO COUNTY, US CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT HOSTED A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY IN THE PANORAMA VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS, STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS PROGRAM. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, EL PASO COUNTY INVESTED IN CRITICAL WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE. THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE WAS THE SITE FOR A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CELEBRATION. 
          COUNTY EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS PARTICIPANTS FROM EL PASO, SOCORRO ISLAND AND FABENS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICIPATED IN THE PACE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. PACE, WHICH STANDS FOR PATHWAY TO AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY'S OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. THIS YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS DEDICATED THEIR TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH, PREPARE FOR CITIZENSHIP, AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALL WHILE BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES. THE PARTICIPANTS HAD A CHANCE TO TOUR THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO SEE HOW LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS, AND TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. 
          IT'S TIME TO COOL OFF AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES IN OUR CHIHUAHUAN DESERT. ALL THREE OF EL PASO COUNTY'S POOLS HAVE OPEN FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. THE AQUATIC CENTER, CANUTILLO AND FABENS POOLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM 12 P.M. TO 5 P.M. 
          ACCESS TO THE POOLS HAVE A LOW ENTRY COST OF $1 FOR KIDS AT FABENS AND CANUTILLO, $2 AT ASCARATE. IN ADDITION, SWIMMING LESSONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AT EACH LOCATION, STARTING AT $40 FOR EIGHT LESSONS. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SAFE AND WELCOMING RECREATIONAL SPACES FOR FAMILIES TO GATHER AND STAY ACTIVE. DON'T SAY THERE'S 
          [06:30:01]
NOTHING TO DO THIS SUMMER. OUR ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS THEIR KIDS CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING, FROM SPACE THEMED STORYTIME TO AN ASTRONAUT SCAVENGER HUNT RIGHT OUTSIDE, KIDS WILL HAVE AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE. MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING A SUMMER READING CLUB LOCATED IN THE AGUA DULCE NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          THE COUNTY'S ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS OFFERING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER THAT LEARNING, READING, CREATING, AND TEAMWORK IS FUN. THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS MONTH'S COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH. 
          WELCOME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHERE WE'RE DEDICATED TO HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF FAMILY LAW WITH EMPATHY, CLARITY, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND CHILDREN IN NAVIGATING COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD SUPPORT AND BEYOND. WHETHER YOU ARE RECENTLY DIVORCED IN THE MIDST OF A CUSTODY DISPUTE OR FACING CHALLENGES WITH CHILD SUPPORT, WE STAND READY TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. OUR MISSION IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING WHAT CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CONFIDENTLY. WE PROVIDE SERVICES BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY, COLLABORATING CLOSELY WITH JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS EACH FAMILY'S UNIQUE NEEDS. OUR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELL-BEING. WHEN A COURT ORDERS CHILD SUPPORT. IT REPRESENTS NOT JUST A FIGURE, BUT A COMMITMENT TO A CHILD'S FUTURE. THIS UNIT CONSISTS OF A TEAM OF ATTORNEYS, ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS, LEGAL ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS, PARALEGALS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHO ASSIST WITH THE COLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE ATTORNEYS DECIDE WHAT ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES WILL BE USED BASED ON THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE. WE HELP ENFORCE COURT ORDERS BY MONITORING PAYMENTS AND MAINTAINING ACCURATE RECORDS. WORKING WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND OPTIONS. FILING ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH THE COURT WHEN NECESSARY, AND HELPING PARENTS MODIFY ORDERS IF THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY. BECAUSE WE KNOW LIFE HAPPENS AND FAIRNESS MATTERS, WE KNOW THAT EVERY FAMILY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHY OUR STAFF WORKS WITH COMPASSION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM, HELPING BOTH CUSTODIAL AND NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS ON THE CHILDREN. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS THROUGH OUR FAMILY COURT SERVICE UNIT, WHERE WE SUPPORT THE COURTS IN MAKING INFORMED, CHILD CENTERED DECISIONS IN CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES IN CONTESTED CUSTODY MATTERS. WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CARE FOR THE CHILD. JUDGES OFTEN RELY ON OUR SKILLED 
          [06:35:06]
PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE AND DETAILED ASSESSMENTS. FAMILY COURT SERVICES, SOCIAL WORKERS OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATIONS AND PROVIDE REPORTS TO THE COURT BASED ON THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. EITHER PARTY MAY REQUEST THE APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THEIR CASE. IN ADDITION. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 5:05 P.M. JUDGE, WE HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR EXCUSE ME 405. 
          [REGULAR SESSION]
IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. CAN'T DO THAT, CESAR. I'LL SAY THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND A GREAT FATHER'S DAY TO TO ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES TODAY'S MEETING AT 4:06 P.M. THANKS FOR CATCHING THAT, COMMISSIONER.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.