Oct 05, 2026 Commissioners Court Regular - Resolutions

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THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA. FROM INSIDE THE ALICIA CHACON COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE

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[OPEN MEETING]

THIS MORNING WE ARE WELCOMING A NEW INTERN HERE ON THE THIRD FLOOR. AND COMMISSIONER CORONADO'S OFFICE, SALVADOR DELGADO. WELCOME. SALVADOR AND SALVADOR WILL BE LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE THIS MORNING. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE

[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

NEXT, WE'LL RECEIVE AN INVOCATION FROM ERIC MCNABB, REPRESENTING JOIN US FOR JUSTICE, THE EL PASO CHAPTER OF AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. GOOD

[INVOCATION]

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[PUBLIC COMMENT]

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THIS IS A CRISIS AND IT'S ONGOING. IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP. THERE WILL BE A CAUSE AND EFFECT. IF IT'S SHUT DOWN, THE EFFECT WILL BE TREMENDOUS. WE ALREADY SEE ENOUGH. BUT I WILL CONTINUE WITH WHAT I WANTED TO SAY. SO WE ARE A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE GREATEST LOSS IMAGINABLE. WE HAVE LOST OUR SONS, DAUGHTERS, OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS, AND OTHER LOVED ONES TO IMPAIR DRIVING. WE ARE NOT HERE TODAY SIMPLY TO MAKE A STATEMENT. WE ARE HERE TO DEMAND ACTION. WE ARE HERE TO STRONGLY ADVOCATE FOR THE CONTINUED FUNDING AND OPERATION OF THE DWI TASK FORCE IN EL PASO. BECAUSE THIS TASK FORCE IS NOT A LUXURY, IT IS NOT AN OPTIONAL PROGRAM. IT IS A CRITICAL PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATION WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO PREVENT IMPAIRED DRIVING, PROTECT OUR STREETS AND SAVE LIVES. WHEN DWI ENFORCEMENT IS REDUCED, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE REAL. WHEN RESOURCES ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTION SUFFERS, AND WHEN PREVENTION SUFFERS, FAMILIES PAY THE PRICE. WE CONTINUE TO SEE IMPAIRED DRIVING REMAIN A SERIOUS THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

BEHIND EVERY STATISTIC IS A HUMAN BEING. BEHIND EVERY CRASH IS A FAMILY AND BEHIND EVERY LIFE LOST IS A PERMANENT HOLE THAT CAN NEVER BE FILLED. WE UNDERSTAND THAT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FACE DIFFICULT BUDGET BUDGET DECISIONS, BUT PUBLIC SAFETY CANNOT BE TREATED AS

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COURT STAFF PREPARE DOCUMENTS AND SCHEDULES. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MAY BE REQUIRED TO APPEAR COURT REPEATEDLY. COURTROOMS, COURTROOMS. RECORDS, HEARINGS. ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES CONTINUE TO BE USED. THOSE COSTS ADD UP, AND WHILE CASES ARE DELAYED, FAMILIES WAIT. VICTIMS FAMILIES ARE FORCED TO RELIVE A TRAUMA THAT THEY ATTEND. HEARING AFTER HEARING ONLY TO NOT ONLY LEARN THAT THE CASES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED AGAIN, THEY WAIT FOR

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BUT I'M ASKING YOU TO BE HONEST. CONVERSATION ABOUT TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, EFFICIENCY THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IF WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TAXPAYER DOLLARS, THEN WE SHOULD EXAMINE PART OF THE PROCESS. WE SHOULD ASK WHETHER DELAYS ARE NECESSARY, WHETHER RESOURCES ARE BEING USED EFFECTIVELY, AND WHETHER FAMILIES ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT AND INFORMATION THEY DESERVE. BECAUSE DELAYS HAVE FINANCIAL COST, THEY ALSO HAVE HUMAN COSTS, AND THE HUMAN COST IS SOMETHING I KNOW PERSONALLY. MY SON WAS STEPHEN HERNANDEZ, 28 YEARS OLD, WAS TAKEN BY AN IMPAIRED DRIVER THAT TOOK HIS LIFE. STEPHEN WAS NOT JUST A STATISTIC. HE WAS A CASE, NOT A CASE NUMBER. HE WAS MY SON. HE HAD A LIFE OF FUTURE AND PEOPLE WHO LOVED HIM. HE HAD A FAMILY WHO EXPECTED HIM TO COME HOME. BUT BECAUSE SOMEONE CHOSE TO DRIVE IMPAIRED, OUR FAMILY RECEIVED THAT PHONE CALL AND CHANGED EVERYTHING. THERE IS NO WAY TO MEASURE THE FULL COST OF THE LOST. YOU CANNOT PUT A PRICE ON A MOTHER LOSING HER CHILD. YOU CANNOT CALCULATE THE EMPTY CHAIR AT THE TABLE, THE BIRTHDAYS WITHOUT THEM ON THE HOLIDAYS AND NEVER TO BE THE SAME. AMY'S LIFE WAS ALSO STOLEN. SHE WAS ONLY 17 YEARS OLD. SHE HAD A LIFE OF FUTURE DREAMS AND PEOPLE WHO LOVED HER. HER FAMILY NOW CARRIES THAT LOSS THAT THEY CAN NEVER BE REPAIRED. AND I WAS JUST NOT A STATISTIC EITHER. BOTH. ALL EVERY FAMILY'S LIFE MATTERED. EVERY PERSON AFFECTED BY IMPAIRED DRIVERS MATTERS. THIS IS WHY I TOOK A LOOK DWI ENFORCEMENT AS SIMPLY ANOTHER EXPENSE. A DWI TASK FORCE IS AN INVESTMENT IN PREVENTION. IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN SAFER ROADS, STRONGER COMMUNITIES, AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR FAMILIES.

WHEN AN IMPAIRED DRIVER IS STOPPED BEFORE CAUSING A CAR CRASH, A LIFE MAY BE SAVED. A FAMILY MAY BE SPARED WITH PAIN. MINE HAS EXPERIENCED IT. A CHILD MAY STILL HAVE A PARENT.

A PARENT MAY STILL HAVE A SON OR A DAUGHTER. A COMMUNITY MAY AVOID ANOTHER TRAGEDY. 30S PREVENTION IS NOT WASTEFUL. SPENDING. PREVENTION IS RESPONSIBLE SPENDING. OUR OFFICERS NEED THE RESOURCES, THE TOOLS, THE TRAINING, THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO DO THIS DIFFICULT WORK. THEY NEED ABILITY TO IDENTIFY IMPAIRED DRIVERS RESPONSIBLY, QUICKLY.

SO I ASK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE DON'T TAKE AWAY DWI TASK FORCE. WE NEED THE SUPPORT. OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS US, SO PLEASE RETHINK THIS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS HERNANDEZ. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GABRIEL LACERDA. DO WE HAVE GABRIEL LACERDA IN THE ROOM? OKAY. CONTINUING WITH ARACELI RASCON. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RASCON AND I AM THE FOUNDER OF DRIVEN AGAINST SILENCE TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF EL PASO COMMISSIONERS COURT. I'M HERE TO FORMALLY EXPRESS DEEP CONCERN REGARDING THE DECISION TO DISCONTINUE FUNDING FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DWI TASK FORCE. THIS DECISION CARRIES SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE DUTY OF CARE OWED TO THE CITIZENS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THE DWI TASK FORCE HAS LONG SERVED AS A CRITICAL SAFEGUARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY. ITS DEPUTIES COMMIT COMMIT EXTENSIVE HOURS, DAY AND NIGHT IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING IMPAIRED DRIVERS FROM OUR ROADWAYS. THEIR WORK IS NOT THEORETICAL. IT IS LIFE SAVING.

EVERY SHIFT THEY COMPLETE PREVENTS TRAGEDIES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE DEVASTATE FAMILIES, NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE BROADER FABRIC OF OUR COUNTY. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY MAJOR NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS, FOR ITS EXCELLENCE IN IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT AND PREVENTION. THESE RECOGNITIONS ARE NOT CEREMONIAL. THEY REFLECT MEASURABLE IMPACT, PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY, AND A PROVEN RECORD OF SAVING LIVES. YET RECOGNITION ALONE CANNOT PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS. FUNDING IS WHAT ALLOWS THESE DEPUTIES TO CONTINUE DOING THE WORK THAT EARNED THOSE RECOGNITIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE. I DON'T I DO NOT SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE AS A DISTANT OBSERVER. I SPEAK AS SOMEONE WHO HAS LIVED THE REALITY OF IMPAIRED DRIVING TRAGEDY. MY FAMILY LOST MY

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OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE DIANA BASS. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DIANA BASS, AND I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF DRIVEN AGAINST SILENCE. I AM HERE TO RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO CONTINUE FUNDING THE DWI TASK FORCE AND TO RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL ROLE IT PLAYS IN PROTECTING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. KEEPING OUR ROADS SAFE MUST REMAIN A PRIORITY. EVERY PERSON WHO GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY TO THEIR FAMILY. WHEN IMPAIRED DRIVING PUTS THOSE LIVES AT RISK. WE NEED STRONG PREVENTION AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. THIS WEEKEND ALONE, FIVE PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN CRASHES IN EL PASO ROADWAYS, INCLUDING THREE PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED IN A SINGLE COLLISION ON RED ROAD. WHILE THE CAUSES OF THESE CRASHES REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION, THESE TRAGEDIES ARE A PAINFUL REMINDER OF HOW QUICKLY A TRAFFIC CRASH CAN TURN INTO A DEVASTATING LOSS FOR AN ENTIRE FAMILY. FOR ME, THIS ISSUE IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT STATISTICS. IT'S DEEPLY PERSONAL. ON JANUARY 17TH, 2023, MY BEST FRIEND'S DAUGHTER, DESIREE RASCON, WAS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER. DESIREE WAS MORE THAN MY BEST FRIEND'S DAUGHTER. SHE WAS FAMILY. HER LOSS LEFT A PERMANENT EMPTINESS IN THE LIVES OF EVERYONE WHO LOVED HER. SHE IS DEEPLY MISSED AND HER FAMILY CONTINUES TO LIVE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DECISIONS THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE. I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A PERSON A DAUGHTER, A SON, A MOTHER, A FATHER, A FRIEND, OR SOMEONE WHO IS LOVED AND EXPECTED HOME. AT THE END OF THE DAY, NO FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT SOMEONE THEY LOVE BECAUSE ANOTHER PERSON CHOSE TO DRIVE WHILE IMPAIRED.

THIS IS WHY I AM ASKING YOU NOT TO DISCONTINUE THE FUNDING OF THE DWI TASK FORCE. WHEN ALCOHOL RELATED CRASHES, CONTINUE TO TAKE THE LIVES AND INJURE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO STEP AWAY FROM PREVENTION AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS. IT IS THE

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PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR ANOTHER LIFE TO BE LOST BEFORE DECIDING THAT THESE EFFORTS ARE WORTH PROTECTING. FOR DESIREE, FOR HER FAMILY, AND FOR THE MANY OTHER FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO IMPAIRED DRIVING, I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO CONTINUE FUNDING THE DWI TASK FORCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SAMMY CARRILLO. GOOD MORNING.

WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING TO EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS SAMMY. SAMMY CARRILLO WITH A SAMMY SISCO. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF WHO I AM. TOOFAN HOON, THE GERMAN WORD FOR DEVIL DOG. THAT IS THE TERM THAT THE GERMANS USED FOR THE MARINES WHEN THEY WERE FIGHTING.

AND I MENTIONED THIS LAST TIME, WHAT IS A BULLDOG? A BULLDOG IS A IS A DOG THAT ONCE IT LATCHES ON TO SOMETHING, IT DOESN'T LET GO. AND HERE I AM AGAIN TODAY TALKING ABOUT SHERIFF OSCAR UGARTE IN THE $5.9 MILLION DEFICIT. NOW LAST WEEK, I'M PROUD OF YOU GUYS. YOU GUYS ACTUALLY TOLD THEM NO. AMAZING. IT'S A START. IT WAS ONLY $7,000. BUT IT'S A START. BUT WHAT DID HE GO AND DO? HE POSTED A VIDEO ABOUT THE Z71 TRUCKS FLAUNTING THAT HE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON IT. THAT NEEDS TO STOP. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? HE JUST STARTED IN THIS. HE'S ONLY BEEN THERE FOR TWO YEARS. BUT I HATE TO TELL YOU THIS, HE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WHEN HE WAS A CONSTABLE AT PRECINCT ONE. THIS IS NOTHING NEW. WE HAVE TO PUT A STOP TO IT. YES. AND TO ALL THE FAMILIES HERE FOR THE W I TASK FORCE. ABSOLUTELY. WE NEED TO DO THAT. BUT DO WE FOCUS ON THE ARREST? DO WE FOCUS ON THE CONVICTIONS OR DO WE FOCUS ON THE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES? I KNOW THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SITTING BACK HERE RIGHT NOW. WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT GRANT MONEY FOR UBER, FOR THE FREE RIDES THAT WOULD HELP PREVENT WHAT? THAT SAVED THE PROBLEM? NO, IT WOULDN'T, BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE WE FOCUSING ON? ARE WE FOCUSING ON CONVICTING PEOPLE? ARE WE FOCUSING ON SAVING LIVES? GOING BACK TO SHERIFF UGARTE, A LOT OF THE OVERTIME HE SAYS HE'S PUTTING ON DWI TASK FORCE, WHICH FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, SOUNDS NICE AND WE DEFINITELY DO NEED THAT. BUT IF YOU CAN'T MANAGE YOUR TASK FORCE, IF YOU CAN'T MANAGE YOUR OVERTIME PAY, WHAT DOES THAT REALLY DOING? WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WHY WEREN'T YOU HERE WHEN SHERIFF WAS SPEAKING LAST TIME? WELL, I CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE. I'M JUST ONE PERSON. EVERYBODY WATCHING UP THERE TODAY. EVERYBODY, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU CAN SPEAK UP. YOU DON'T NEED TO BE SOMEBODY SPECIAL TO COME UP HERE AND SPEAK. IN FACT, A LOT OF YOU PEOPLE SAY, SAMMY, YOU SHOULD SAY THIS. YOU SHOULD SAY THAT. WELL, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU. YOU GUYS CAN SAY THAT.

HOW? SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT ONLINE. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HAS A VOICE AND WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP.

WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP FOR THE DWI VICTIMS. WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES. WE JUST CAN'T BE THROWING MONEY AWAY. AND I ASK YOU GUYS TO CONTINUE TO HOLD SHERIFF UGARTE ACCOUNTABLE. HE WENT ONLINE. HE WENT ON FOX NEWS SAYS HE HE WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS PURCHASES, TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. PEOPLE ON THE LEFT, PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THIS. HE IS TAKING MONEY, HARD EARNED MONEY, OUT OF PEOPLE'S POCKETS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BUY TOYS, BECAUSE HE WANTS TO DO TIKTOK VIDEOS ABOUT THE VERY EXPENSIVE Z71 TRUCKS. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE COMING HERE EVERY SINGLE MONDAY TO CALL HIM OUT ON IT. I AM A PROACTIVE, NOT A REACTIVE KIND OF GUY, AND IF HE JUST WANTS TO ARREST PEOPLE SO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY CAN CONVICT HIM, WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS? WE NEED TO WORK BETTER ON PREVENTING THESE CRIMES TO INCLUDE DRUGS, FENTANYL. WE HAVEN'T EVEN TALKED ABOUT THAT. THE PROBLEM WITH FENTANYL IN OUR YOUTH. WHAT IS THE SHERIFF DOING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE? WHAT IS HE

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FENTANYL. WHY AM I PUTTING SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THEIR. STAY TUNED. YOU GUYS WILL FIND OUT.

THE SAMMY C SHOW IS NOT HERE JUST TO REPRESENT ONE PARTY, ONE SIDE. I AM JUST ONE GUY WHO COMES HERE AND TRIES TO MAKE MY COMMUNITY BETTER. I SERVED FIVE YEARS IN THE MARINE CORPS. OUR MOTTO WAS HONOR 30S SEMPER FIDELIS, LATIN FOR JUST LIKE IN SPANISH, SIEMPRE FIEL, ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO GOD, COUNTRY AND CORPS. NO LONGER IN THE MARINE CORPS, BUT MY CORE IS MY COMMUNITY. I SERVED MY COUNTRY. NOW I SERVE MY COMMUNITY. YOU GUYS SHOULD ALSO BE FAITHFUL TO YOUR CORE, TO YOUR COMMUNITY, TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THANK YOU FOR SAYING NO ONCE, BUT I BEG THAT YOU CONTINUE TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE. SAMMY CARREJO, I YIELD MY TIME. THANK YOU. TIME.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JAMES LOWENBERG. GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. AS A TAXPAYER AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER AND A VENDOR FOR THE COUNTY, I'M DISGUSTED WITH THE COUNTY BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? AT 2 MILLION WE PUT A STOP TO THIS. I MEAN, AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I CAN'T GO INTO DEBT TO FINANCE MY PET PROJECTS. AND AND AS COMMISSIONERS TRAVELING WITH HER, ALL THIS, ALL THESE LITTLE THINGS, THEY ADD UP AND IT'S LIKE, LIKE ME, I KNOW BEING UP HERE TALKING ABOUT THIS IS PUTTING MY BUSINESS IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN A VENDOR FOR THE SHERIFF'S FOR 30 YEARS. I'VE DONE THEIR CARS FROM SAMANIEGO. WE'VE SAT IN SAMANIEGO WAS THE SHERIFF AND WILLES WAS THE POLICE CHIEF. WE TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT THE CONSTABLES HAD, AND OUR SOLUTION WAS, LET'S MAKE THEM BUY THE SAME CAR. SO THE COUNTY IS BUYING ONE CAR, MAKE IT ECONOMICAL, MAKE THE PARTS RELIABLE AND REASONABLE. AND THEN WE WENT TO WITH, WITH, WITH SAMANIEGO. HE CALLS ME AND SAYS, JAMES, WHAT CAN WE DO TO SAVE MONEY ON THIS? AND I SAID, LET'S NOT CHANGE THEM ALL AT ONCE. LET'S DO THEM. LET'S PHASE THEM IN. AND WE DID. MR. APODACA WAS BEAUTIFUL IN WORKING WITH ME ABOUT THAT. I AM SHERIFF WILES USED TO MAKE FUN OF ME, AND CHIEF WINTON WOULD MAKE FUN OF ME ABOUT. I CARE ABOUT THE MONEY MORE THAN I DO ABOUT MY BUSINESS SOMETIMES, AND I KNOW I'M SLITTING MY OWN THROAT, TALKING HERE BECAUSE OUR GREAT SHERIFF. NOW, OSCAR, HE COULD. WE COULD JUST CUT ME OFF ON DOING THE SHERIFF CARS. BUT I'VE ALWAYS COME IN. MY BIDS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FAIR. MY WORK FOR THE COUNTY HAS ALWAYS BEEN. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF THE WORK I DO FOR THE COUNTY. JUST LIKE WHEN ROGER ESPARZA, SD, THE CHIEF THERE FOR SD NUMBER TWO.

I'M SORRY, HE WAS A MORON AND I SAID IT TO HIM AND I LOST THAT ACCOUNT BECAUSE I SAW THAT HE WAS NOT BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. AND WHEN YOU HAVE A SHERIFF THAT HAS NOTHING BUT YES, MEN, YOU HAVE NO ACCOUNTABILITY AT 6 MILLION. WHY ARE WE SUGARCOATING THIS 5.9? IT'S NOT IT'S 6 MILLION. WE JUST HAVEN'T SEEN ALL THE RECEIPTS YET. AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I KNOW I HOLD MY RECEIPTS SOMETIMES BEFORE I GET INTO MY ACCOUNT, BUT MY, MY, MY BOOKKEEPER AND MY ACCOUNTANT HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE. THEY HOLD MY FEET TO THE FIRE. ALL THESE PROJECTS ARE GREAT WHEN WE HAVE MONEY, BUT WHEN WE'RE BROKE, I DON'T LIKE MY TAXES GOING UP AND WE COULD CRY, CRY ME A RIVER ABOUT EVERYTHING. BUT WHEN THERE'S NO MONEY, I DON'T WANT TO SEE MY TAXES GO UP. I CAN'T BUILD A NEW BUILDING BECAUSE I'LL TAX MYSELF OUT OF MY OWN BUILDING ON PROPERTY TAXES. INSTEAD, I HAVE TO BUY PORTABLES, SCHOOL PORTABLES AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT WORK. BECAUSE GUESS WHAT? AS SOON AS I WELD THAT BUILDING TO THE TO THE PIERS, THAT'S A PERMANENT BUILDING. SO NO, IT'S NOT PERMANENT. IT'S BASICALLY A SHED. THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF THINGS A BUSINESS OWNER HAS TO DO TO MAKE ENDS MEET. IT'S NOT PARTIZAN, IT'S NOT LEFT OR RIGHT. JUST LIKE THE JUDGE SAID ON ONE OF HIS COMMENTS ON THE

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JUST ASK ME WHY I CAME IN A YEAR BEFORE HE LEFT, CHIEF WIT AND WILES CAME IN AND ASKED ME, JAMES, WHAT CAN WE DO? I WANT TO LEAVE THE COUNTY ENOUGH MONEY SO THAT I WANT TO STABILIZE THE PRICE OF THE CARS. I KNOW WITH COVID GONE BY, WE COULD DO ALL THIS STUFF AND I SAID, WE'LL LOCK IN THE PRICE UNTIL YOU LEAVE. AND MR. STAPLE'S A GREAT MAN, JAMES, DO WHAT YOU CAN FOR US. AND I DID IT, AND I'LL DO IT FOR THIS SHERIFF, TOO. BUT WHEN THE SHERIFF DOESN'T SHOW ANY SENSE TO ME, NO OFFENSE TO SOCORRO, BUT WHEN THE CITY OF SOCORRO.

MY BUSINESS ISN'T THE CITY OF SOCORRO. WHEN THE CITY OF SOCORRO USED TO HIRE A CAPTAIN, A LIEUTENANT FROM EL PASO PUT HIM AS POLICE CHIEF, GUESS WHAT SOCORRO HAD 20S. WHEN SOCORRO IS NOT IN THE NEWS, WHY NOW? BECAUSE THEY'VE HIRED COMPETENT PEOPLE. AND I'M NOT SAYING THIS CHIEF AIN'T THIS THIS SHERIFF INCOMPETENT. BUT IT LEAVES A LOT. BUT THE THE YOU GUYS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO NIP THIS IN THE BUD. BUT WITH WITH YOU GUYS GOING ON TRIPS WHEN YOU'RE ON THE WAY OUT MAKES NO SENSE EITHER. AND ALL THESE COMMISSIONERS HERE, YOU GUYS AND THE JUDGE NEED TO GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER AND POLICE THIS TIME. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARTA DE LA CRUZ. GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARTHA DELA CRUZ. I AM A MONITOR TECH IN DEL SOL MEDICAL CENTER. I AM MAKING 1650 AN HOUR RIGHT NOW.

IT'S ALL IT'S ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SURVIVE ON MY SALARY. WE STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR BASICS LIKE FOOD AND GAS. ALWAYS FORGET ABOUT EXTRAS LIKE HEALTH INSURANCE. WE CANNOT AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE RIGHT NOW FOR BOTH OF US. MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND. SO I DECIDED THAT I SHOULD GET HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ILL IN THE PAST. BUT AT THE BEGINNING OF 2026, MY HUSBAND GOT DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. MY HUSBAND GOT DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND WE COULDN'T AFFORD OR WE COULDN'T GET HEALTH INSURANCE FOR HIM. WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED. WE STRUGGLED TO AFFORD TREATMENTS AND THE CANCER LEFT HIM UNAVAILABLE TO WORK. I WORKED 12 HOUR SHIFTS FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS EVERY DAY AT DEL SOL MEDICAL CENTER, JUST TO GET TO SCRAPE BY AND PAY AS MUCH AS WE COULD. BUT THAT MEANT I COULDN'T SPEND ANY TIME WITH HIM. NOT A SINGLE DAY. HE PASSED AWAY TWO MONTHS AGO, ON JULY THE 21ST AT 3:46 P.M. AND NOW MORE THAN $100,000 WORTH OF DEBT. I CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO MAKE THOSE PAYMENTS BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO HIGH. IT'S WRONG THAT HEALTH CARE WORKERS SAVING LIVES AND KEEPING EL PASO HEALTHY CAN'T AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE FOR OURSELVES OR OUR FAMILY. NOT WHEN HCA IS MAKING MONEY OFF OUR HARD WORK, OFF THE CARE WE PROVIDE. NO ONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. BETWEEN HEALTH CARE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR SPOUSE. EL PASO HEALTH CARE WORKERS DESERVE A LIVING WAGE. I THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SANDRA CARDENAS.

GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. HOW ARE YOU ALL? MY NAME IS SANDRA CARDENAS. I'VE BEEN IN DEL SOL MEDICAL CENTER FOR 23 YEARS. I GET PAID 1739 AN HOUR, AND THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR ME BECAUSE I HAD COLON CANCER THREE YEARS AGO. AND RIGHT NOW I'M IN $10,000 DEATH. THEN FROM THERE, I HAVE 18,000 BEHIND MY BILLS THAT CAN AFFORD 43 YEARS. THAT I HAVE TO STILL SEE MY

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WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANGELINA GOMEZ. I AM AN EVS TECH AT DEL SOL MEDICAL CENTER, WHICH MEANS I, I CLEAN AND I SANITIZE EQUIPMENT AND ROOMS, GETTING IT READY FOR THE NEXT PATIENTS. WE WORK HARD TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PATIENTS AND OUR HOSPITAL. WE'RE CONSTANTLY SHORT STAFFED. AND SO I HAVE TO CLEAN TWO AREAS, PLUS TWO DOCTORS HOUSES FOR THE HOSPITAL.

IT'S A LOT OF SPACE TO COVER. AND IT REALLY IT'S REALLY EXHAUSTING. THEN WHEN I'M DONE, THEY ASKED ME TO GO UPSTAIRS. THEY THEY SEND ME UPSTAIRS TO HELP WITH OTHER FLOORS AND HELP WITH THE DISCHARGES. IT'S STRESSFUL TO GET IT ALL DONE IN TIME. AND ALL THAT STRESS COMES WITH CONSEQUENCES. THIS JULY, I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST FROM STRESS, IT WAS JUST FROM STRESS. AND I ENDED UP WITH A BILL OF 17, $1,700. THAT IS ANOTHER FROM THE AND THAT'S JUST FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE DOCTOR'S BILL. THAT IS ANOTHER EXPENSE THAT I HAVE TO TO ADD TO MY ELECTRIC. MY RENT AND ALL OTHER EXPENSES. I DON'T HAVE A. I CAN'T AFFORD A CAR, SO I TAKE THE BUS OR I WALK TO WORK. WE DO A LOT OF WORK TO TAKE CARE OF THE. TO TAKE CARE OF EL PASO AND FACE ALL THAT HARD WORK, HARD CONSEQUENCES. BUT ALL THE PROFITS GO TO HCA AND THE HEADQUARTERS IN NASHVILLE, AND THAT'S NOT FAIR. THEY'RE OFFERING US A RAISE LESS THAN $0.30 A YEAR. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE US RAISES TO KEEP UP WITH THE WITH THE RISING PRICES. AND IT MEANS A LOT. IT MEANS WE ARE FAILING, FALLING FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND. THAT'S NOT FAIR.

WE DESERVE REAL RAISES. RAISES THAT ALLOW US TO PAY OUR BILLS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ELSA FLORES. GOOD MORNING. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY NAME IS ELSA FLORES. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF SEIU IN TEXAS. AND I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF WORKERS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS THAT WE REPRESENT AT DEL SOL AND LAS PALMAS MEDICAL CENTER. AND YOU'RE PROBABLY WONDERING, WHY AM I HERE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE SECTOR HOSPITALS AT COMMISSIONERS COURT, GIVEN THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS MORE PUBLIC SECTOR, AND I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE TO TALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITAL. BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHY. FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS, THESE WORKERS HAVE BEEN BARGAINING WITH HCA FOR A FAIR CONTRACT, ONE THAT INCLUDES MEANINGFUL WAGE INCREASES AND RECOGNIZES THE VITAL WORK THEY DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. WORKERS WHO CARE FOR OUR FAMILIES WHEN THEY'RE SICK, WORKERS WHO KEEP THIS HOSPITALS CLEAN, SAFE AND RUNNING EVERY SINGLE DAY, WORKERS WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE IN EL PASO, WHO ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. HCA, THE COMPANY THAT OWNS THIS HOSPITALS, IT'S HEADQUARTERED HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

AND UNLIKE MANY OF THE WORKERS HERE IN EL PASO THAT WORK FOR HCA, HCA IS DOING EXTREMELY WELL. THEY MADE ALMOST $7 BILLION IN PROFITS JUST IN 2025. I'M GOING TO SAY THAT AGAIN,

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A COMPANY MAKING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PROFIT IS PAYING THEIR WORKERS WHO WORK IN OUR HOSPITALS WAGES SO LOW THAT SOME OF THEM, AS YOU HEARD, CAN'T EVEN AFFORD THE HEALTH CARE SO THAT THEY CAN GO TO THE HOSPITAL THAT THEY WORK AT. THEY'RE GOING INTO DEBT BECAUSE OF IT. AND THAT DOESN'T JUST HURT THESE WORKERS. IT HURTS EL PASO WHEN HCA PAYS LOW WAGES HERE, THAT IS MONEY THAT ISN'T BEING SPENT IN EL PASO GROCERY STORES, RESTAURANTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES. IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR FAMILIES TO BUILD THEIR LIFE HERE. IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR HOSPITALS TO RECRUIT AND KEEP EXPERIENCED WORKERS. MEANWHILE, THE PROFITS GENERATED BY THIS HOSPITAL FLOW TO THE HEADQUARTERS IN NASHVILLE. HCA SHOULD NOT TREAT EL PASO AS A PLACE TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF WHILE REFUSING TO MAKE A SERIOUS INVESTMENT IN THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE IN EL PASO. AND WHAT HCA HAS OFFERED THESE WORKERS AT THE BARGAINING TABLE SIMPLY ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. UNDER ITS CURRENT CONTRACT PROPOSAL, MOST WORKERS WOULD RECEIVE AN AVERAGE OF ANNUAL RATES OF $0.30 PER HOUR OR LESS. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP DURING THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE WHO WORK SHORT STAFF, PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR PATIENTS ON THE WORST DAY OF THEIR LIVES. THEY DESERVE BETTER. AND HCA CAN DO BETTER. WE ARE HERE TO ASK YOU TO CALL HCA TO NEGOTIATE A FAIR CONTRACT WITH RACES THAT SHOW RESPECT FOR EL PASO HEALTHCARE WORKERS. OUR MESSAGE TO HCA IS SIMPLE IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO BUSINESS IN EL PASO, INVEST IN EL PASO, PAY WORKER WAGES THAT ALLOW THEM TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY, RESPECT THEIR EXPERIENCE. EL PASO DESERVES NOTHING LESS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS FLORES. THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO READ THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WERE SUBMITTED. FIRST ONE FROM JAKE MILLER. JAKE MILLER BEGINS. I RECENTLY TRAVELED THROUGH EL PASO AND WATCHED A NEWS STORY ABOUT EL PASO SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET. I'M A RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND LOOKED INTO SOME OF THE BUDGET AND WHAT I COULD FIND. THE SHERIFF ONLY WENT OVER BY 3%. HAVING WORKED IN JAILS, THE BURNOUT IS A REAL ISSUE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE STAFF OR THE INMATES THAT ARE SWORN TO KEEP SAFE.

WHEN MINIMUM STAFFING IS PUSHED. IT ALSO APPEARS, SINCE HE IS THE FIRST TERM SHERIFF AND PUTTING HIS STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY FIRST BY NOT ACCEPTING A PAST NORM. END OF COMMENT. THE NEXT COMMENT COMES FROM MARIA MARIA SCHIAFFINO. HER COMMENT BEGINS. WRITTEN STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED DWI ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS. HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS MARIA SCHIAFFINO AND I SERVE AS A PROGRAM SPECIALIST WITH THE MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING. I AM SUBMITTING THIS STATEMENT BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND SEEING THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PREVENT IMPAIRED DRIVING. OVER THE COURSE OF MY WORK WITH MAD, I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THROUGH SATURATION SATURDAY INITIATIVES, COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLES, PRESS CONFERENCES, HERO HIGHWAY EVENTS, AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS. I HAVE SEEN HOW THESE EFFORTS BRING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, RAISE AWARENESS AND ADDRESS THE SERIOUS ISSUE OF IMPAIRED DRIVING. I BELIEVE THAT ENFORCEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT WORK. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ARE CRITICAL, BUT THEY MUST ALSO BE SUPPORTED BY ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS THAT HELP IDENTIFY IMPAIRED DRIVERS AND KEEP THEM OFF OF OUR ROADS. HOLIDAYS, WEEKENDS, MAJOR CELEBRATIONS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TIMES FOR DEDICATED DWI ENFORCEMENT. THESE ARE TIMES

[00:55:03]

TO ME, THE VALUE OF THESE OPERATIONS GOES BEYOND THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS MADE OR CITATIONS ISSUED. THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS PREVENTION. WHEN AN IMPAIRED DRIVER IS STOPPED BEFORE THEY HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAUSE A CRASH, SOMEONE'S LIFE MAY BE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER. A FAMILY MAY BE SPARED THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES THAT CAN COME FROM AN IMPAIRED DRIVING CRASH. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COUNTY HAS DIFFICULT BUDGET DECISIONS TO MAKE, AND THAT FUNDING AND RESOURCES MUST BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT MOVING FORWARD, INDIVIDUAL DWI ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS WILL REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT. WITH THAT IN MIND, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CONSIDER THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO APPROVE DEDICATED DWI ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS DURING HOLIDAYS, WEEKENDS, MAJOR FESTIVITIES AND OTHER HIGH RISK PERIODS, INCLUDING SATURATION SATURDAY. THROUGH MY WORK WITH MAD, I HAVE SEEN THE VALUE OF OF HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS THE SAME GOAL PREVENTING IMPAIRED DRIVING AND PROTECTING LIVES. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN A VALUABLE PARTNER IN THESE EFFORTS, AND I BELIEVE MAINTAINING THAT PARTNERSHIP, INCLUDING DEDICATED ENFORCEMENT, IS IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. I AM NOT ASKING THE COURT TO OVERLOOK THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES. I AM SIMPLY ASKING THAT THE IMPACT OF THESE OPERATIONS BE CONSIDERED, ALONGSIDE THE COST OF IMPAIRED DRIVING CRASHES AND THE LIFELONG CONSEQUENCES THEY CAN HAVE ON VICTIMS FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY. I RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THESE DWI ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS WHEN THEY ARE REQUESTED. EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PREVENT AN IMPAIRED DRIVING CRASH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT A LIFE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY PERSPECTIVE AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

RESPECTFULLY. MARIA SCHIAFFINO, PROGRAM SPECIALIST WITH MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING. END OF COMMENT. OUR NEXT COMMENT COMES FROM EVA HERNANDEZ. HER COMMENTS BEGIN. THE DEFINITION OF FUNDING IS MONEY PROVIDED, ESPECIALLY BY AN ORGANIZATION OR GOVERNMENT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IT IS AN ESTIMATED VALUE FOR THE COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED. HOW MUCH IS A LIFE WORTH? HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIFE WORTH? HOW MUCH IS THE LIFE OF YOUR CHILD OR A FAMILY MEMBER? YOUR NEIGHBOR, A STRANGER? MY LIFE. MY CHILD. MY FAMILY. MY NEIGHBOR. IF WE STOP FUNDING FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DWI TASK FORCE, WHAT IS THE COST FOR THE LOSS OF A LIFE? SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM LIFE. TERM AFTER THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE. THE IMPACT AND THE COST IS FAR HIGHER THAN FUNDING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DWI TASK FORCE. LOSS OF LIFE. LOSS OF WORK.

LOSS OF HEALTH. LOSS OF MENTAL HEALTH. LOSS. LIFELONG REPERCUSSIONS THAT COST THE FAMILY OF THOSE LOST AND THE CITY MUCH MORE MONEY THAN THE FRACTION THAT IS SPENT ON EDUCATION AND PREVENTION. END OF COMMENT. THE NEXT COMMENT COMES FROM ELIZABETH CERECERES.

HER COMMENTS BEGIN. HONORABLE COUNTY JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH CERECERES AND I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF DRIVEN AGAINST SILENCE, AN ORGANIZATION CREATED TO HONOR LIVES LOST TO IMPAIRED DRIVING. SUPPORT THOSE IMPACTED BY THESE PREVENTABLE TRAGEDIES, AND ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. I RESPECTFULLY ASK COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED FUNDING OF DEDICATED DWI ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY, PARTICULARLY DURING HOLIDAYS, MAJOR EVENTS, AND OTHER HIGH RISK PERIODS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY IMPAIRED DRIVING. THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A DISCUSSION ABOUT OVERTIME STAFFING OR A LINE ITEM IN A BUDGET. IT IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT PREVENTION AND WHETHER LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL HAVE THE RESOURCES TO INTERVENE BEFORE ANOTHER IMPAIRED DRIVER CHANGES A FAMILY FOREVER. AT DRIVEN AGAINST SILENCE, WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT INTERVENTION DOES NOT OCCUR. WE KNOW THAT. WE KNOW THE EMPTY SEAT AT THE DINNER TABLE. WE KNOW THE BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, GRADUATIONS AND MILESTONES THAT CONTINUE WITHOUT SOMEONE WHO SHOULD STILL BE THERE. WE KNOW THAT WHILE A CRASH MAY HAPPEN IN SECONDS, THE GRIEF AND TRAUMA LEFT BEHIND CAN LAST A LIFETIME. THAT IS WHY DEDICATED DWI ENFORCEMENT MATTERS. EL PASO CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE ALCOHOL RELATED CRASHES, INJURIES AND FATALITIES. EVEN WITH DEDICATED DWI ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS IN PLACE. THAT ALONE DEMONSTRATES HOW SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT THIS PROBLEM REMAINS.

IF IMPAIRED DRIVERS ARE STILL MAKING IT ONTO OUR ROADWAYS WITH THESE OPERATIONS IN PLACE,

[01:00:05]

FURTHERMORE, HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY UNTIL EXPENSES ARE REVEALED. A PROPER REVIEW SHOULD CONDUCT SHOULD. CONDUCTED BY VOLUNTEER CITIZENS WHO HAVE NO ASSOCIATION WITH ANY CITY, COUNTY LEADER OR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THERE IS NO NEED TO WASTE MONEY HIRING A FIRM. IF WE CITIZENS CAN SERVE ON A JURY. WE CAN DO THE SAME WITH QUESTIONABLE OVERSPENDING.

END OF PUBLIC COMMENT. NEXT COMMENT COMES FROM OMAR GONZALEZ. HE BEGINS. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS OMAR GONZALEZ, PRESIDENT OF THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICERS ASSOCIATION. I AM WRITING YOU TO. I AM WRITING TO YOU REGARDING THE RECENT CONCERNS SURROUNDING OVERTIME AND THE ONGOING BUDGET ISSUES WITHIN THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AS PRESIDENT OF THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR MEMBERS AND ADVOCATE FOR THE WORKING CONDITIONS, STAFFING AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. HAVING BEEN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR NEARLY 23 YEARS, I HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THE ONGOING CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES AND OVERTIME.

THESE ARE NOT NEW ISSUES. HOWEVER, THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR DEPUTIES AND DETENTION OFFICERS, PARTICULARLY WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE REPEATEDLY REQUIRED TO WORK OVERTIME AND ARE UNABLE TO ENJOY THEIR SCHEDULED TIME OFF. WHEN SHERIFF OSCAR UGARTE TOOK OFFICE, ONE OF THE PRIORITIES OF THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICERS ASSOCIATION BROUGHT FORWARD WAS THE NEED TO FULLY STAFF BOTH COUNTY JAILS. SHERIFF UGARTE LISTENED TO OUR CONCERNS, AND OUR MEMBERS HAVE SEEN MEANINGFUL PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING THE STAFFING ISSUES WITHIN THE DETENTION FACILITIES. WHILE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WHILE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS RECENTLY RECEIVED NEGATIVE ATTENTION REGARDING ITS BUDGET, I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MY

[01:05:03]

OMAR GONZALEZ, PRESIDENT, EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICERS ASSOCIATION. END OF COMMENT.

OUR NEXT COMMENT COMES FROM JOSE DOMINGUEZ. HE BEGINS. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TO RAISE CONCERNS REGARDING THE PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE UNDER SHERIFF OSCAR UGARTE. SINCE SHERIFF UGARTE TOOK OFFICE, THE COUNTY HAS FACED SERIOUS QUESTIONS REGARDING RISING OVERTIME COSTS. A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR PROJECTED SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET DEFICIT, STAFFING AND JAIL OPERATIONS, AND THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO ACCURATELY TRACK AND CONTROL THESE EXPENDITURES. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN MULTIPLE DEATHS IN CUSTODY, INCLUDING REPORTED SUICIDES, RAISING LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, RAISING LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS ABOUT INMATE SUPERVISION, SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH PROCEDURES, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THESE CONCERNS ARE BASED ON PUBLICITY REPORTED TO REPORTED INFORMATION AND COUNTY PROCEEDINGS. I'M NOT ASKING THIS COURT TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS OR POLITICAL JUDGMENTS. I'M ASKING FOR TRANSPARENCY. TAXPAYERS DESERVE CLEAR ANSWERS. WHY HAS OVERTIME INCREASED SO SIGNIFICANTLY? WHAT CAUSED THE BUDGET SHORTFALL? WHAT CORRECTIVE MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED? AND WHO'S BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE WHEN ESTABLISHED FINANCIAL OR OPERATIONAL CONTROLS FAIL? THIS IS PUBLIC MONEY. PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY. I RESPECTFULLY ASK COMMISSIONERS COURT TO REQUIRE CLEAR ANSWERS, MEASURABLE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AND CONTINUED PUBLIC REPORTING FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. LASTLY, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THIS WRITTEN COMMENT BE READ OUT LOUD FOR THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU. END OF COMMENT. AND OUR FINAL COMMENT COMES FROM ELIZABETH CRAWFORD. HER COMMENTS BEGIN. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND COMMISSIONERS. IN THE MIDDLE OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2023, WHEN THE SUPREME COURT OF MEXICO DECRIMINALIZED ABORTION ON DEMAND. THIS DECISION, WITH THE RELATED REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES REGARDING ABORTION ON DEMAND HAS ALREADY MEANT THE DEATHS OF COUNTLESS MEXICAN CHILDREN IN THE WOMB. I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY THIS SEMESTER TO TEACH ENGLISH IN A CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JUST ACROSS THE BORDER IN JUAREZ. I AM GRATEFUL THAT THERE ARE SCHOOLS THERE. I'M. I'M SORRY. I AM GRATEFUL THAT THERE ARE SCHOOLS WHERE, INSTEAD OF THE STATE SPONSORED IDEOLOGY, CHILDREN HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT GOD'S HOLY WORD TEACHES ABOUT LIFE AS THE CREATION OF THE LORD. I WATCHED THE EXCITEMENT IN THE CELEBRATION LAST MONTH OF MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY AND HEARD THE SHOUTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. VIVA, MEXICO! YET, HOW SAD THAT MEXICO HAS FOLLOWED THE UNITED STATES IN CHOOSING A CULTURE OF DEATH INSTEAD OF LIFE WHERE IT'S VERY TINIEST AND MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. IN SPEAKING ABOUT GOD'S HANDWORK, KNITTING TOGETHER BABIES IN THE WOMB, THE PSALMIST WROTE, I WILL PRAISE YOU, FOR I AM FEARFULLY AND WRONGFULLY. I'M SORRY. I WILL PRAISE YOU, FOR I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. MARVELOUS ARE YOUR WORKS, AND THAT MY SOUL KNOWS RIGHT WELL. PSALM 139. LIFE IN THE WOMB IS TRULY A GIFT FROM GOD. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AND I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD DAY. END OF PUBLIC COMMENT. AND THIS COMPLETES ALL THE COMMENTS ON OUR ON OUR SCHEDULE. THANK YOU, CESAR, AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TODAY TO PROVIDE COMMENT. THANK YOU.

[01:10:18]

[CONSENT AGENDA]

[A. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the District Attorney’s Office for its dedication in supporting crime victims with its 2026 walk,” Steps Towards Healing “in El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF COUNTY JUDGE SAMANIEGO.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. WHEREAS, THE EL PASO DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL WALK IN HONOR OF CRIME VICTIMS ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH, 2026. AND WHEREAS SINCE 2006, THE ANNUAL WALK HAS BROUGHT THE EL PASO COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO HONOR CRIME VICTIMS, RECOGNIZE SURVIVORS, AND STAND WITH FAMILIES WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN FOREVER CHANGED BY CRIME. WITH THIS YEAR'S THEME, STEPS TOWARDS HEALING, SERVING AS A REMINDER THAT NO VICTIM OR FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO WALK THE JOURNEY TOWARD HEALING ALONE. AND WHEREAS THE VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT OF 1984 AND THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT OF 1994 STRENGTHENED PROTECTIONS AND RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS AND HELPED EXPAND THE ROLE OF LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES IN PROVIDING SERVICES AND GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. AND WHEREAS THE FIVE MILE STEPS TOWARDS HEALING WALK WILL BEGIN AND END AT THE CRIME VICTIMS MEMORIAL AT RALPH T PARK, LOCATED AT 610 NORTH YARBROUGH DRIVE. WITH COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ALONGSIDE VICTIMS FAMILIES AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EMPLOYEES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE THE ANNUAL CRIME VICTIMS WALK AND THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT OF THE EL PASO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO HONORING VICTIMS OF CRIME, SUPPORTING SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND ENSURING THAT THOSE IMPACTED BY CRIME KNOW THEY DO

[01:15:05]

AND I THINK WE SHOULD HOPEFULLY GET A FEW MORE FOLKS THAT THAT CAN PARTICIPATE. AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE. AND I'M HONORED TO BE JOINED BY MEMBERS OF OUR VICTIM SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SEVERAL OF OUR VICTIM ADVOCATES. YOU KNOW, THEY WILL BE OUT THERE. AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN GOING FOR 15 YEARS. YOU KNOW, REGRETTABLY, WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT THAT WILL BE JOINING US FOR FOR THE FIRST TIME. AND, YOU KNOW, ANY, ANY SUPPORT FROM FROM THE COURT. WE'RE DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE. THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU, MR. MONTOYA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOUR STAFF? SURE. HERE. I'LL START.

OH, WE HAVE LISA RIOS, WHO'S THE DIRECTOR OF OUR VICTIM SERVICES DEPARTMENT. WHO ELSE HAVE WE GOT? OH, OKAY. WE GOT JUANA VASQUEZ, MAGGIE COLLAZO, SANDRA MARQUEZ, LORENA GARCIA.

ANDREW LINTON IS OUR PIO. AND WHO ELSE AM I FORGETTING? NEW FACES. OH, MAGGIE. OH, I SAID MAGGIE. YEAH. MARTHA. PAOLA. RODRIGO. AND WHO'S OUR INTERN? ASHLEY. OKAY. VERY GOOD. LAILA.

VERY GOOD. AS OF LAST WEEK. NEW HIRE. VERY GOOD. WONDERFUL. WELL, THANK YOU ALL. WELL.

THANK YOU. MR. D A AND WE REALLY JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE DAY I WAS A PROSECUTOR IN AUSTIN. WE HAD A LOT MORE RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS AT THAT TIME. EVEN WITHIN, WE'D HAVE SOMEBODY WHO WAS A VICTIM COORDINATOR FOR EACH ONE OF TWO DIFFERENT OF TWO COURTS. I CAME HERE TO EL PASO AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT. AND I KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE THE VICTIM'S OFFICE HAS GROWN AND RIGHTFULLY SO. AND IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT THEY ADDED FEES TO, YOU KNOW, THE COURT COSTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FUND THESE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS GRANTS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN APPLY FOR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO THE VICTIM, WHICH IS SUPER,

[01:20:05]

NEXT ONE IS. ITEM NUMBER SIX. B APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING

[B. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the Lee & Beulah Moor Children’s Home for more than sixty-five years of dedicated service to the children and families of El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

COMMISSIONER CORONADO, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT. IT'S MY HONOR, AGAIN TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF JUDGE SAMANIEGO TO THE LEE AND BEULAH MOORE CHILDREN'S HOME. ARE SOMEBODY HERE FROM THERE? WELCOME. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION. WHEREAS THE LEE AND BEULAH MOORE CHILDREN'S HOME HAS SERVED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF THE EL PASO REGION FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS, PROVIDING A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO GROW, DEVELOP, DEVELOP CONFIDENCE AND EMBRACE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES. AND WHEREAS LEE MOORE ESTABLISHED A TRUST FOR THE CREATION OF THE CHILDREN'S HOME IN 1949, PROVIDING 13 ACRES FOR ITS RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS. AND THE FIRST CHILDREN CAME TO LIVE AT

[01:25:04]

WHEREAS, CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS HELP MAKE POSSIBLE IMPORTANT CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION, SCHOOL CLUBS, YEARBOOKS, SUMMER ACTIVITIES, BIRTHDAY AND HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, PROM AND SENIOR ACTIVITIES, GRADUATION EXPENSES, CLOTHING, SHOES, HAIRCUTS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALLOW CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE ALONG WITH THEIR PEERS AND CREATE LASTING MEMORIES. AND WHEREAS, THE ANNUAL OPERATION PUMPKIN FUNDRAISER BRINGS TOGETHER COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN SERVED BY THE LEE AND BEULAH MOORE CHILDREN'S HOME, CONTINUING EL PASO'S TRADITION OF GENEROSITY AND ENSURING THAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR, ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LEE AND BEULAH MOORE CHILDREN'S HOME FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF EL PASO, AND FOR ITS ENDURING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH THE CARE, EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITIES, EXPERIENCES AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL FUTURES WHILE ALSO RECOGNIZING THE STAFF, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, VOLUNTEERS, DONORS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND GENERATIONS OF SUPPORTERS WHOSE DEDICATION AND GENEROSITY HAVE SUSTAINED THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND HELPED ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD ENTRUSTED TO ITS CARE IS TREATED WITH DIGNITY, COMPASSION, AND HOPE. AND SIGNED THIS FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026 AND SIGNED BY THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE COUNTY JUDGE. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND COMMISSIONER BUTLER ARE ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. GOOD MORNING AGAIN. MY NAME IS ROWENA DEPASUPIL. I'M. AND I'M WITH LEE AND BALTIMORE CHILDREN'S HOME. ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN, STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE LEE AND BULLIMORE CHILDREN'S HOME. WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE THANKS AND GRATITUDE FOR THIS RESOLUTION. SINCE 1959, THE LEE AND BULLIMORE CHILDREN'S HOME HAS PROUDLY SERVED OVER 31,000 VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE ARE THE ONLY CHILDREN'S HOME THAT PROVIDE PRIVATE PLACEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE, AND WE HAVE RECENTLY EXPANDED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES. EACH DAY, WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING CHILDREN NAVIGATE LIFE'S DIFFICULT TRAUMA AND CIRCUMSTANCES. WE ARE HONORED TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM MOVE FORWARD AND REWRITE THEIR LIVES FILLED WITH HOPE, EXCITEMENT, AND SUCCESS IN ALL THAT THEY DO. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS HONOR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[01:30:01]

YOU. KNOW. WHO HE IS, BUT YOU JUST. I HAVE MY PURSE WITH ME. YOU LOOK DRESSED FOR THE PICTURE. ARE YOU GUYS OKAY? ONE MORE. OH, YES.

ITEM NUMBER SIX. SEE, APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DONNA JUAREZ FOR RECEIVING THE PRESTIGIOUS VALUES AND ACTION AWARD FROM ACADIA HEALTH CARE DURING ACADIA'S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT IN FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE. COMMISSIONER STOUT,

[C. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Donna Juarez for receiving the prestigious Values in Action Peak Award from Acadia Healthcare during Acadia’s Executive Leadership Summit in Franklin, Tennessee. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

AND I'M SO PROUD TO TO BE ABLE TO BE BE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO READ THIS INTO THE RECORD AND CONGRATULATE YOU. I BROUGHT MY TEAM WITH ME. YOU CAN BRING YOU CAN BRING THEM UP AS WELL WITH YOU. RIO VISTA BEHAVIORAL. AND ACTUALLY, IT WAS A BIG BROAD CITY AWARD, NATIONAL AWARD THAT GAINED RECOGNITION FOR ALL OF EL PASO. AND NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. SO THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, THERE WERE 29,000 PEOPLE. BUT WHAT THEY LOOK AT IS STORIES OF HEALING PATIENTS. AND WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF THEM. BUT THIS PARTICULAR ONE BROUGHT NATIONAL ATTENTION.

AND OUT OF 29,000 SUBMISSIONS, 390 WERE SELECTED. AND WE ACTUALLY WERE ABLE TO GET IT.

SO I, I KNOW I GOT TO GO UP AND RECEIVE THE TROPHY OR THE AWARD AND NOT A TROPHY. AND IT WAS SO AMAZING BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY ONE PERSON ALONE IS LIKE A BATON. IT'S A BATON, IT'S A BATON. SO, WELL, LET'S, LET'S GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION AND READ THE RESOLUTION. AND THEN WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM EVERYBODY. OKAY, RESOLUTION STATES. WHEREAS DONNA JUAREZ, UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN DIRECTOR OF MILITARY AND VETERAN AFFAIRS AT RIO VISTA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WAS THE FIRST VETERAN WOMAN AWARDED AS EL PASO COUNTY VETERAN OF THE YEAR IN 2324 AND RECEIVED A NATIONAL AWARD RECOGNIZING EL PASO, TEXAS. HER AND RIO VISTA'S EXTRAORDINARY DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO SERVING VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

AND WHEREAS DONNA CONSISTENTLY GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT IS EXPECTED, WORKING ALONGSIDE MEDICAL PERSONNEL, NURSES, THERAPISTS, MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS, EL PASO, VA, WILLIAM BEAUMONT ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, AMISTAD ENDEAVORS, ONE STOP GI FORUM, THE VETERANS TRANSITIONAL LIVING CENTER, AND MAGOFFIN VA HOMELESS PROGRAM AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WHO OFFER HOUSING PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THAT VETERANS RECEIVE COMPASSIONATE AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE. AND WHEREAS THIS WORK EXTENDS FAR BEYOND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE AND INCLUDES HELPING VETERANS OBTAIN CLOTHING, SHOES, EYEGLASSES, WHEELCHAIRS,

[01:35:03]

AND WHEREAS RECOGNIZING THAT HEALING INVOLVES THE MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT, DONNA IS NOW COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMUNITY, PARTNERS AND RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT ADDITIONAL SPIRITUAL, NUTRITIONAL, AND HOLISTIC PATHWAYS TO SUPPORT VETERANS SERVICE MEMBERS, MILITARY, AND FAMILIES WHO DESIRE THAT OPTION AS PART OF THEIR HEALING JOURNEY. AND WHEREAS DONNA PROUDLY SHARES THIS NATIONAL RECOGNITION WITH THE ENTIRE RIO VISTA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM, INCLUDING NURSES, MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS, THERAPISTS, PHYSICIANS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SUPPORT STAFF, LEADERSHIP, AND THE MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHOSE TEAMWORK HELPS RESTORE HOPE AND SAVE LIVES. AND DONNA HAS STATED WITH GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY, I COULD NOT DO THIS WORK OR SAVE LIVES WITHOUT MY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM AND AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THIS AWARD BELONGS TO ALL OF US. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES AND CONGRATULATES DONNA JUAREZ AND THE RIO VISTA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TEAM FOR RECEIVING THIS DISTINGUISHED NATIONAL RECOGNITION AND EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION TO EVERY MEDICAL, PROFESSIONAL, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, COMMUNITY PARTNER, HOUSING ADVOCATE AND VETERAN BATTLE BUDDY WHOSE DEDICATED EFFORTS HELP INDIVIDUALS LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND PURPOSE. SIGN THIS FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. ADMIRAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER AND JUDGE SAMANIEGO ARE ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF. OKAY. SORRY. I'M REALLY EXCITED. I KNOW THAT I WAS ABLE TO GO TO NATIONAL. I KNOW I WAS ABLE TO DO SOME INTERVIEWS, BUT I THOUGHT THERE'S NO WAY ONE PERSON CARRIED THIS HONOR. NO WAY. AND IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE WHEN YOU WHEN, YOU KNOW, THEY HAD THAT SAME FAMILIES WHO PLAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER. WE ACTUALLY HAVE A TEAM THAT WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION, BUT IT REACHES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. AND BOY, DO WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE SAVE LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY AND WE TAKE IT VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY. I WOULD I WOULD LIKE TO JUST BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THIS WHOLE TEAM HERE. I KNOW THAT THEY'RE STRETCHED BACK HERE, BUT THERE'S NO WAY ONE PERSON IT'S A IT'S A TEAM EFFORT. IT'S LIKE RUNNING A FOOTBALL, A FOOTBALL DOWN A FIELD. AND SOMETIMES YOU RUMBLE AND YOU STUMBLE AND YOU GET HURT. BUT WE PICK IT UP AND WE TAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE ON A REGULAR BASIS. SO I'M SO HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY. I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

YOU'RE NOT ALONE IN YOUR JOURNEY. AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE, WE'RE ABLE TO AT LEAST GET YOU THE RESOURCES, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, INTENSIVE CARE OR JUST KIND OF ON THE PERIPHERAL OR JUST GET YOU OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY. WE DO IT TOGETHER AND WE'RE CONNECTED WITH OUR COMMUNITY. AND I'M SO PROUD OF RIO VISTA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. THE TEAM THAT I WORK WITH, THEY'RE LIKE FAMILY, AND I JUST WANT TO HONOR THEM TODAY TOO, BECAUSE I THOUGHT, WELL, I'LL COME UP, BUT I'M NOT DOING IT WITHOUT MY TEAM. GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DONNA, AND YOUR TEAM FOR, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO IN, IN MENTAL HEALTH, ESPECIALLY WITH VETERANS. CAN YOU CAN YOU WANT TO HAVE EVERYBODY COME UP AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES? SO WE KNOW WHO, WHO THE TEAM IS FELLOW VETERAN RIGHT HERE, DIRECTOR OF RISK MANAGEMENT. AND INFECTION CONTROL NURSE EDUCATOR. CARLA SILVA, CEO. ANGELA RIVAS. PATIENT EXPERIENCE SERVICES DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES. JESSICA MENDOZA, ADMIN ASSISTANT. GOOD MORNING, DALTON, DIRECTOR OF MILITARY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. MORNING. JOE LOPEZ, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, FIRST RESPONDER LIAISON. MARIO, DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? IF NOT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A PICTURE. JUST THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS. VERY WELL DESERVED. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

[01:40:22]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. CONGRATULATIONS.

ITEM NUMBER SIX D APPROVAL. ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ROULETTES ON THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND HONORING A DECADE OF ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND DEDICATED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC AND CULTURAL COMMUNITY OF EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. AND I'M HONORED TO READ

[D. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing The Roulettes on their 10th Anniversary and honoring a decade of artistic achievement and dedicated contributions to the music and cultural community of El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

[01:45:04]

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. WELCOME. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY AND LETTING US HONOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE VERY HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY. WE WANT TO THANK EL PASO COUNTY AND FOR THIS PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNIZING OUR BAND. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO COMMISSIONERS JACKIE BUTLER, DAVID STOUT, SERGIO CORONADO, ELIANA ELGIN, AND OF COURSE, JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO FOR THIS HONOR. IT'S BEEN A DECADE AND IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE MAKING MUSIC HERE IN OUR HOMETOWN AND JUST GETTING THE BAND TO GET RECOGNIZED, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT MANY VENUES, WHETHER IT BE SMALL VENUES OR BIG COMMUNITY EVENTS, IT'S JUST BEEN VERY MEANINGFUL, THIS JOURNEY FOR US AND REACHING ALL THESE MILESTONES, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, AND IT'S DEFINITELY EVERY MUSICIAN'S DREAM COME TRUE. AND WE'RE BARELY GETTING STARTED. WE HAVE MORE, MORE TO DO, AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING TO KEEP PUTTING EL PASO ON THE MAP. AND WE'RE THANKFUL TO OUR FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS, OUR FANS, OUR ALL THE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND VENUES THAT HAVE SUPPORTED US ALONG THE WAY. I WANT TO DO A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO MY WIFE, CORINA ROSALES, WHO'S OUR BAND MANAGER, WHO'S BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING US TO THIS STAGE IN OUR LIVES AS A BAND THIS PAST YEAR. AGAIN, IT'S BEEN VERY MEANINGFUL. WE DID OUR DEBUT ALBUM WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC LAST YEAR. WE HAD OUR ONE OF OUR SINGLES REACHED THE TOP 50 BILLBOARD ROCK CHARTS, AND WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH AMAZING MUSICIANS ALSO THAT ARE GREAT ON THE MAP GAVE ESPARZA A GRAMMY WINNER AND ALSO ROGER ARGINASE AS WELL. SO WE'RE VERY THANKFUL THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH THESE AMAZING PEOPLE, AND WE HAVE A GREAT SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITY. AND WITH THAT IN MIND, WE DECIDED TO DO FRIGHT FEST, WHICH IS A STAGE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO COME AND BE CREATIVE AND, AND BE ON A STAGE AND SHARE JUST LIKE THEIR CRAFT, JUST LIKE WE DID FOR SO MANY YEARS. AND WE'RE HOPING THAT WE HAVE THIS FESTIVAL BE AN ONGOING THING, MAKE IT A COMMUNITY EVENT. AND WE WANT TO THANK ALL THE ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE BEHIND US IN MAKING THIS DREAM COME TRUE FOR BOTH BAND AND FOR OUR FESTIVAL. AND, AND AGAIN, WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING HONOR. LET ME QUICKLY INTRODUCE THE GUYS. WE HAVE SERGIO VIEIRA ON DRUMS RIGHT HERE. HE'S OUR DRUMMER. WE HAVE JOSE, OUR LEAD GUITARIST, AND THEN WE HAVE FRANCISCO ORONA, WHO IS OUR BASS PLAYER. AND MY NAME IS JUAN FLORES. I'M THE LEAD SINGER AND VOCALIST. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK, FOR HIGHLIGHTING OUR BEAUTIFUL REGION AND OF COURSE, FOR YOUR EFFORTS WITH FRIGHT FEST. AND WE'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOU ALL IF WE CAN. PLEASE. THANK YOU. YOUR DRUMMER HAS A GREAT FIRST NAME. HE DOES.

HE'S A HE'S A. VERY MUCH. THREE TWO, ONE.

THANK YOU. WHAT DO YOU PLAY? GUITAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. OKAY. YES. YES.

[01:50:12]

[F. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing NAMI El Paso on its 40th anniversary. Honoring its decades of advocacy, support, education, and public awareness for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions in El Paso County. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-273-3559]

DEAL WITH WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION, AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM ISIDRO TORRES AND INTRODUCE HIS TEAM, THE RESOLUTION STATES. WHEREAS THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS, EL PASO, NAMI EL PASO BEGAN AS AN INFORMAL MEETING OF ELVIS, CLIFFORD, ROSALYNN AND GREGORIO LUNA IN THE EMERGENCY WAITING ROOM AT R.E. THOMAS IN GENERAL HOSPITAL, NOW UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. AND WHEREAS THESE ADVOCATES TURNED THEIR FRUSTRATION OVER A LACK OF SERVICE INFORMATION AND HELP INTO A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT, WITH THE INCORPORATION OF THE EL PASO ALLIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, NOW NAMI EL PASO IN 1986. AND WHEREAS NAMI EL PASO IS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING NAMI ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WHEREAS NAMI EL PASO HAS EXPANDED ITS SERVICES ACROSS EL PASO REGION, HARNESSING THE PASSION OF VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED TO TRANSFORMING EL PASO'S EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS BY ELEVATING THE VOICES OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE. AND WHEREAS EL PASO PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR LOVED ONES THROUGH PEER SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY RESOURCE CONNECTIONS, AND MORE. AND WHEREAS SINCE 2011, NAMI EL PASO HAS HOSTED NAMI EL PASO, THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS EVENT IN THE REGION, WHICH HAS RAISED MORE THAN $600,000 FOR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES. AND WHEREAS, THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE PASO DEL NORTE HEALTH FOUNDATION AND FAMILY SERVICES OF EL PASO, NAMI EL PASO HAS DELIVERED THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS OVER THE YEARS. AND WHEREAS NAMI EL PASO HAS BUILT STRONG, LONG LASTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION.

AND WHEREAS NAMI EL PASO'S MEMBERS AND LEADERS WILL KEEP WORKING TOWARD A WORLD WHERE ALL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS EXPERIENCE RESILIENCY, RECOVERY, AND WELLNESS. STARTING WITH EL PASO COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS IN 2026, NAMI EL PASO PROUDLY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS SO THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS CAN BUILD BETTER LIVES. AND WHEREAS NAMI EL PASO WILL MARK THIS MILESTONE ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2026, NAMI WALKS EL PASO AT ASCOT PARK. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE NAMI EL PASO ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY, A TIME TO CELEBRATE A DECADE, CELEBRATE DECADES OF ADVOCACY, SUPPORT AND PUBLIC AWARENESS, HONOR THE FOUNDERS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO BUILT THIS WORK, AND ENCOURAGE ALL THE RESIDENTS TO JOIN NAMI EL PASO AT ASCOT PARK ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2026. SIGN THIS FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN AT SAMANIEGO AND COMMISSIONER BUTLER. ABSENT MOTION CARRIES. MORNING. COMMISSIONERS ISIDRO TORRES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NAMI EL PASO, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NAMI TEXAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS, FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND THIS HONOR TODAY. IT IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO START OFF OUR BIRTHDAY WEEK WITH THE COUNTY, BECAUSE NAMI EL PASO WAS BORN IN THE WAITING ROOM OF THOMASTON HOSPITAL, WHICH IS NOW UMC. FAMILIES HAD COME TOGETHER AND REALIZED THERE WAS A LACK OF SUPPORT, A LACK OF COMMUNITY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, PROVIDING CARE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. AND ONE OF THE GENTLEMEN, CLIFFORD, WAS STARTED WITH NAMI WISCONSIN, WHICH IS WHERE NAMI WAS BORN, AND BROUGHT IT HERE TO EL PASO.

AND THEY STARTED OFF, YOU KNOW, MEETING IN THEIR LIVING ROOMS AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE AND CONTINUED THAT WORK AND BROUGHT IN SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE. WE HAVE SOME OF MY WONDERFUL BOARD

[01:55:01]

JOE LOPEZ, TREASURER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MONIQUE GARCIA, VICE PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS SO ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND PSYCHIATRIST. MY NAME IS DONNA JUAREZ, AND I'M A NAMI HOMEFRONT INSTRUCTOR AND A NAMI BASICS INSTRUCTOR, BOTH TRAINED WITH NAMI. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS JESS AND I'M A PROGRAM LEADER. WONDERFUL PARTNER OF VISTA. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. BUT YEAH, YEAH, AS YOU CAN SEE, NAMI, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY BRINGS TOGETHER A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND, AND RESOURCES AND SUPPORTERS TO, TO SUPPORT FAMILIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ISIDRO, FOR NOT ONLY LEADING THIS ORGANIZATION LOCALLY, BUT HAVING TAKEN THE HELM OF THE STATE, THE STATE CHAPTER, OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF MONTHS AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU. IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO SEE HOW YOU'VE GROWN THIS ORGANIZATION, HOW NAMI HAS JUST EXPLODED. YOU KNOW, EVERY YEAR IT GETS BIGGER AND MORE PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED AND IT REALLY, REALLY GOES A LONG WAY. AND HELPING REDUCE THE STIGMA, HELPING HELPING FAMILIES UNDERSTAND AND, AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS, IS IN THE BEST POSITION POSSIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH, WITH, WITH THESE ISSUES THAT THAT MANY, MANY PEOPLE, MANY, MANY PEOPLE DEAL WITH. SO THANK YOU AGAIN AND LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A PICTURE. THANKS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

WE WILL BE TAKING OUR BREAK A LITTLE BIT EARLY TODAY, BUT THEN WE'LL BE RETURNING EARLY AT 1230 TO CONTINUE WITH OUR RESOLUTIONS. SO COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS UNTIL 1230. WE'RE IN RECESS.

[02:04:59]

[02:05:05]

THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. FOR MANY COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS SUPPORT BECOMES THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS THEM REGAIN STABILITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED OLDER ADULTS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING MEALS DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.

MORE THAN A MEAL, THESE SERVICES PROMOTE HEALTH INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENSURING OUR OLDER ADULTS REMAIN SUPPORTED, VALUED AND CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY. OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. ESTABLISHED IN 2020, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS ENSURE EVERY EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'VE LIVED HERE FOR GENERATIONS OR ARE NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY, HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THEY NEED THROUGH OUTREACH, COLLABORATION, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS RESIDENTS PURSUE CITIZENSHIP, LEARN ENGLISH, CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. PROGRAMS LIKE PACE, WHICH SUPPORTS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PATHWAY TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP. AND I SPEAK 915, OUR COUNTY WIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS INITIATIVE HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS AND MAKE COUNTY SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. WORKING ALONGSIDE SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEERS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS BRINGS RESOURCES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION INVESTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT RURAL AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH THE COLONIA SELF-HELP CENTER PROGRAM, RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO OWNER OCCUPIED HOME IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP EVENTS, THE TOOL LENDING LIBRARY, AND THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER RESOURCES THAT PROMOTE SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, AND GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THE DIVISION ALSO OPERATES THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HAS SERVED RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. THE CENTER PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, MEETING SPACES, A HYGIENE CLOSET, AND SERVICES OFFERED BY LOCAL PARTNERS. CREATING A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER, LEARN AND CONNECT. DIGITAL LIBRARY IN TODAY'S WORLD, ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. LOCATED AT THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER CAMPUS, ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EL PASO COUNTY'S FIRST ALL DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY. WITH A FREE DIGITAL LIBRARY CARD.

RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE, PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY.

[02:10:15]

IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS.

THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, AND COUNTY OFTEN COLLECTS TAXES ON BEHALF OF OTHER ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE? WOW, THAT'S A LOT. YES IT IS.

OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ENABLED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TOO. THANK YOU. BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. DO YOU HAVE A NAME OR SOMETHING? WELL, YEAH. OH. HEY, GUYS, IT'S ME, CHET. I GUESS I'M JUST A GUY WHO THINKS COUNTY GOVERNMENTS COOL. AND I THOUGHT Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER. OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING, BECAUSE TEXAS COUNTIES DELIVER. HEY. EVERY DAY, EL PASO COUNTY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SOMETIMES THAT WORK HAPPENS HERE AT HOME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES US ACROSS TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD. COUNTY LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, VETERANS SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, FUNDING REQUESTS, AND VARIOUS POLICY DISCUSSIONS, YOUR COUNTY IS WORKING TO ENSURE EL PASO'S VOICE IS HEARD. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP BRING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR POSITION ON CRITICAL MATTERS CAN BE SHARED AND HEARD BY THOSE MAKING DECISIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, ALSO ALLOWS COUNTY LEADERS TO LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BRING INNOVATIVE IDEAS BACK HOME. EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO

[02:15:05]

[02:21:43]

THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. FOR MANY COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS SUPPORT BECOMES THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS THEM REGAIN STABILITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED OLDER ADULTS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING MEALS DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.

MORE THAN A MEAL, THESE SERVICES PROMOTE HEALTH INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENSURING OUR OLDER ADULTS REMAIN SUPPORTED, VALUED AND CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY. OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. ESTABLISHED IN 2020, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS ENSURE EVERY EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'VE LIVED HERE FOR GENERATIONS OR ARE NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY, HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THEY NEED. THROUGH OUTREACH, COLLABORATION, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS RESIDENTS PURSUE CITIZENSHIP, LEARN ENGLISH, CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. PROGRAMS LIKE PACE, WHICH SUPPORTS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PATHWAY TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP. AND. I SPEAK 915, OUR COUNTY WIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS INITIATIVE HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS AND MAKE COUNTY SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. WORKING ALONGSIDE SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEERS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS BRINGS RESOURCES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION INVESTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT RURAL AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH THE COLONIA SELF-HELP CENTER PROGRAM, RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO OWNER OCCUPIED HOME IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP EVENTS, THE TOOL LENDING LIBRARY, AND THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER RESOURCES THAT PROMOTE SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, AND GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THE DIVISION ALSO OPERATES THE AGUA

[02:25:02]

RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE. PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY.

HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. WELL, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. WELL. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S LAWS AND POLICIES. COUNTIES PROVIDE SERVICES LOCALLY TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. AND THEY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN BY THE LOCALS AND CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE. YEAH, BUT ISN'T THE CITY EVEN MORE LOCAL THAN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, ONE THAT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. CITIES ARE LOCAL AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WITH LIMITS AND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY, THEY MAY PROVIDE THINGS LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND WASTE REMOVAL. BIGGER CITIES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND THE CITY MAY BUILD CERTAIN STREETS. WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING I NEED. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO YOUR COUNTY. YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FILLS THE GAP, PROVIDING THINGS THAT THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT DO NOT. IT PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNTY WIDE. IT RUNS THE COURT SYSTEMS. WHEN THERE ARE BAD GUYS, IT KEEPS THE JAILS WHERE THEY STAY.

IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS.

THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, AND COUNTY OFTEN COLLECTS TAXES ON BEHALF OF OTHER ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE? WOW, THAT'S A LOT. YES IT IS.

OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ENABLED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TOO. THANK YOU. BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. DO

[02:30:02]

OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[02:38:27]

THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. FOR MANY COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS SUPPORT BECOMES THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS THEM REGAIN STABILITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED OLDER ADULTS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING MEALS DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.

MORE THAN A MEAL, THESE SERVICES PROMOTE HEALTH INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENSURING OUR OLDER ADULTS REMAIN SUPPORTED, VALUED AND CONNECTED TO THEIR

[02:40:06]

RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE. PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY.

HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. WELL, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S

[02:45:04]

IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS.

THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, AND COUNTY OFTEN COLLECTS TAXES ON BEHALF OF OTHER ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE? WOW, THAT'S A LOT. YES IT IS.

OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ENABLED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TOO. THANK YOU. BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. DO YOU HAVE A NAME OR SOMETHING? WELL, YEAH. OH. HEY, GUYS, IT'S ME, CHET. I GUESS I'M JUST A GUY WHO THINKS COUNTY GOVERNMENTS COOL. AND I THOUGHT Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER. OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING, BECAUSE TEXAS COUNTIES DELIVER. HEY. EVERY DAY, EL PASO COUNTY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SOMETIMES THAT WORK HAPPENS HERE AT HOME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES US ACROSS TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD. COUNTY LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, VETERANS SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, FUNDING REQUESTS, AND VARIOUS POLICY DISCUSSIONS, YOUR COUNTY IS WORKING TO ENSURE EL PASO'S VOICE IS HEARD. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP BRING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR POSITION ON CRITICAL MATTERS CAN BE SHARED AND HEARD BY THOSE MAKING DECISIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, ALSO ALLOWS COUNTY LEADERS TO LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BRING INNOVATIVE IDEAS BACK HOME. EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND OUR BORDERS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF TRAVEL ACROSS TEXAS, THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE EL PASO AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION. THESE EFFORTS ALLOW US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, SHOWCASE OUR REGION'S UNIQUE ADVANTAGES, AND COMPETE FOR NEW JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT WHERE WE TRAVEL TO, BUT WHAT WE BROUGHT HOME. AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2026, OUR GRANT PORTFOLIO REMAINS STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE. TO DATE, WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF 50 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, WITH 21 AWARDS SECURED, RESULTING IN MORE THAN $15.6 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AWARDED. EVERY TRIP REPRESENTS ONE PURPOSE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY. WHETHER ADVOCATING IN AUSTIN, COLLABORATING IN WASHINGTON, OR BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS BORDERS. OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[02:55:11]

[02:55:17]

THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. FOR MANY COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS SUPPORT BECOMES THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS THEM REGAIN STABILITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM. FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED OLDER ADULTS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING MEALS DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. MORE THAN A MEAL, THESE SERVICES PROMOTE HEALTH INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENSURING OUR OLDER ADULTS REMAIN SUPPORTED, VALUED AND CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY. OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS. ESTABLISHED IN 2020, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS ENSURE EVERY EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'VE LIVED HERE FOR GENERATIONS OR ARE NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY, HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THEY NEED. THROUGH OUTREACH, COLLABORATION, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS RESIDENTS PURSUE CITIZENSHIP, LEARN ENGLISH, CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. PROGRAMS LIKE PACE, WHICH SUPPORTS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PATHWAY TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP. AND I SPEAK 915, OUR COUNTYWIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS INITIATIVE HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS AND MAKE COUNTY SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. WORKING ALONGSIDE SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEERS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS BRINGS RESOURCES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION INVESTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT RURAL AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH THE COLONIA SELF-HELP CENTER PROGRAM, RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO OWNER OCCUPIED HOME IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP EVENTS, THE TOOL LENDING LIBRARY, AND THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER. RESOURCES THAT PROMOTE SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, AND GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THE DIVISION ALSO OPERATES THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HAS SERVED RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. THE CENTER PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, MEETING SPACES, A HYGIENE CLOSET, AND SERVICES OFFERED BY LOCAL PARTNERS. CREATING A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER, LEARN AND CONNECT. DIGITAL LIBRARY. IN TODAY'S WORLD, ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. LOCATED AT THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER CAMPUS, ILUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EL PASO COUNTY'S FIRST ALL DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH A FREE DIGITAL LIBRARY CARD.

RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE. PROUDLY

[03:00:03]

HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. BUT ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE. AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. WELL. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S LAWS AND POLICIES. COUNTIES PROVIDE SERVICES LOCALLY TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. AND THEY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN BY THE LOCALS AND CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE. YEAH, BUT ISN'T THE CITY EVEN MORE LOCAL THAN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, ONE THAT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. CITIES ARE LOCAL AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WITH LIMITS AND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY, THEY MAY PROVIDE THINGS LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND WASTE REMOVAL. BIGGER CITIES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND THE CITY MAY BUILD CERTAIN STREETS. WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING I NEED. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO YOUR COUNTY. YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FILLS THE GAP, PROVIDING THINGS THAT THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT DO NOT. IT PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNTY WIDE. IT RUNS THE COURT SYSTEMS. WHEN THERE ARE BAD GUYS, IT KEEPS THE JAILS WHERE THEY STAY.

IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS.

THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, AND COUNTY OFTEN COLLECTS TAXES ON BEHALF OF OTHER ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE? WOW, THAT'S A LOT. YES IT IS.

OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ENABLED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TOO. THANK YOU. BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. DO YOU HAVE A NAME OR SOMETHING? WELL, YEAH. OH. HEY, GUYS, IT'S ME, CHET. I GUESS I'M JUST A GUY WHO THINKS COUNTY GOVERNMENTS COOL. AND I THOUGHT Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER. OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING, BECAUSE TEXAS COUNTIES DELIVER. HEY. EVERY DAY, EL PASO COUNTY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SOMETIMES THAT WORK HAPPENS HERE AT HOME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES US ACROSS TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD. COUNTY LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, VETERANS SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, FUNDING REQUESTS, AND VARIOUS POLICY DISCUSSIONS, YOUR COUNTY IS WORKING TO ENSURE EL PASO'S VOICE IS HEARD. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP BRING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR POSITION ON CRITICAL MATTERS CAN BE SHARED AND HEARD BY THOSE MAKING DECISIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE

[03:05:02]

OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. WE ARE ON ITEM NUMBER SIX E FROM RESOLUTIONS. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2026. AS EL PASO COUNTY EMPLOYEES

[03:10:04]

[E. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing October 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026, as “El Paso County Employees Combined Charities Campaign Month” in El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

AND WHEREAS THE DONATIONS MADE BY COUNTY EMPLOYEES DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE EL PASO COMMUNITY, ENSURING THAT THEIR GIFTS REMAIN IN EL PASO FOR EL PASOANS IN NEED, MAKING A LASTING IMPACT WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK. AND WHEREAS THE EL PASO COUNTY EMPLOYEES COMBINED CHARITIES CAMPAIGN HAS SET A FUNDRAISING GOAL OF 50 DONORS FOR THE YEAR 2026, ENCOURAGING ALL EMPLOYEES TO CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR GENEROSITY AND TO CARE ENOUGH TO SHARE.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2026. AS THE EL PASO COUNTY EMPLOYEES COMBINED CHARITIES CAMPAIGN. SIGNED THIS FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN. I VOTE AYE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. MOTION CARRIES. JUDGE SAMANIEGO, COMMISSIONER BUTLER ABSENT. GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS. JULIETA RUBIO WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU FOR ADOPTING THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE EMPLOYEES COMBINED CHARITIES CAMPAIGN. TODAY MARKS AN EXCITING MILESTONE AS WE OFFICIALLY LAUNCH THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN AND COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE PLEASED TO PARTNER WITH UNITED WAY OF EL PASO COUNTY, AN ORGANIZATION WITH A LONG STANDING COMMITMENT TO CONNECTING COMMUNITIES WITH RESOURCES AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO THRIVE. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, OUR EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT CHARITIES, CAUSES, EXCUSE ME, CHARITABLE CAUSES THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO THEM.

HUMANITY HUMAN RESOURCES WILL PROVIDE EMPLOYEES WITH INFORMATION, BROCHURES AND PLEDGE FORMS VIA THE HR, ADMINISTRATIVE, EMAIL, PAPER FORMS AND BROCHURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER OR THOSE WHO PREFER TO FILL OUT PAPER FORMS. EMPLOYEES MAY CHOOSE TO MAKE A ONE TIME OR REOCCURRING PAYROLL DEDUCTION, OR A ONE TIME DONATION VIA CASH OR CHECK. OUR TEAM CAN COORDINATE WITH DEPARTMENTS TO PICK UP CASH OR CHECK. DONATIONS OR CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO HUMAN RESOURCES. THIS YEAR, OUR GOAL IS TO REACH 50 EMPLOYEE DONORS. WE ENCOURAGE OUR EMPLOYEES TO TAKE A MOMENT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN. CHOOSE A CAUSE THAT IS MEANINGFUL TO THEM, AND TO CONSIDER MAKING A CONTRIBUTION. WHETHER IT'S A ONE TIME DONATION OR A CONTRIBUTION THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTION, EVERY DONOR MAKES A DIFFERENCE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, EVERY DONOR REPRESENTS AN EMPLOYEE CHOOSING TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. WE HOPE OUR EMPLOYEES WILL TAKE PART AND HELP US REACH OUR 50 DONOR GOAL. THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT DONATIONS TO HUMAN RESOURCES IS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, SO THEY'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO STILL COME IN ON THAT SATURDAY. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN AND GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, OUR EMPLOYEES, AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER. AND NOW IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE INCREDIBLE TEAM FROM UNITED WAY, WHO WILL BE PARTNERING WITH US THROUGHOUT THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MISS ANDREA MACIAS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED WAY OF EL PASO, TO SPEAK MORE ON THE CAMPAIGN. THANK YOU. WELCOME.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS ANDREA MACIAS. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY FOR THE UNITED WAY OF EL PASO COUNTY. AS MENTIONED, THE COUNTY EMPLOYEE CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN RUNS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, AND THE UNITED WAY OF EL PASO COUNTY IS PRIVILEGED TO ADMINISTER THE CAMPAIGN ALONGSIDE THE COUNTY OF EL PASO TO INSPIRE GIVING AMONGST THE EMPLOYEE BASE. AS YOU. LISA MENTIONED, COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO AROUND 38 CHARITABLE NONPROFIT

[03:15:01]

HI. MY NAME IS MARIA FERNANDA GUTIERREZ AND I AM THE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR AT THE UNITED WAY, EL PASO COUNTY. GREAT. WELL, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. YOU KNOW, OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO COUNTY EVERY SINGLE DAY JUST IN THEIR DAILY DUTIES.

BUT THIS IS SUCH A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW SO MANY OF OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES GO ABOVE AND BEYOND. SO I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD AND THANKFUL TO THEM FOR THAT. WELL, THANK YOU ALL. AND IF WE COULD HAVE YOU JOIN US FOR A PHOTO UP FRONT, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

OTHERWISE, IF I LEAVE IT LIKE THAT, IT WILL HURT. ITEM NUMBER SIX G. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 4TH THROUGH THE 10TH 2026 AS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. IT'S ALSO A PLEASURE TO READ THIS VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION AS WE TRY

[G. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing October 4-10, 2026, as “Digital Inclusion Week” in El Paso County, Texas. Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Precinct 3, 915-273-3594]

AND WHEREAS, DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK REMINDS US THAT CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE REQUIRES COLLABORATION AMONG GOVERNMENT, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE TOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INCREASINGLY DIGITAL WORLD. AND WHEREAS EL PASO IS COMMITTED TO CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE BY PARTNERING WITH REGIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS BORDER, PLEX CONNECT, INVESTING IN ACADEMIC STUDIES WITH LOCAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO IDENTIFY BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY GAPS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, AND USING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDING TO EXPAND FIBER CONNECTIVITY IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED THROUGH THESE PARTNERSHIPS. AND WHEREAS, AS TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO SHAPE HOW RESIDENTS LEARN WORK, ACCESS SERVICES AND CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER, DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE PROGRESS ALREADY MADE WHILE RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT NO EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENT IS LEFT BEHIND. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 4TH THROUGH THE 10TH 2026 AS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK IN EL PASO COUNTY AND ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS,

[03:20:01]

BORDER. PLEX CONNECT IS FOCUSED ON THE GOAL OF MAKING ACCESS TO THE DIGITAL WORLD A POSSIBILITY FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER THEIR LANGUAGE ABILITY, THEIR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, THEIR AGE, OR WHETHER THEY LIVE IN AN URBAN OR RURAL NEIGHBORHOOD. I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR PARTNERS WHO LEND THEIR SPACE, THEIR IDEAS, THEIR TIME AND THEIR ENERGY TO TACKLING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. THEY INCLUDE UNITS OF GOVERNMENT LIKE EL PASO COUNTY, CITY OF EL PASO, CITY OF LAS CRUCES, AND DONA ANA COUNTY. NONPROFITS FOR PROFITS AND INDIVIDUALS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT. I WILL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU IN THE COMING WEEKS.

REGARDING THE LATEST EDITION OF OUR DIGITAL DIVIDE DOCUMENT FOR EL PASO. THIS IS A DOCUMENT WHERE WE TRACK INDICATORS TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE AT IN CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. AND

[03:25:03]

AND AGAIN, INVITE THEM TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. THANK YOU ANDREA. BUENOS DIAS. BLANCA JARAMILLO DE SALUD. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LORENA CRUZ, AND I AM PROMOTORA DE SALUD. THANK YOU. BUENOS DIAS DE SALUD. MY NAME IS IRMA MEJIA. HELLO. MY NAME IS YAMIL CABELLO AND I'M A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROSITA AND I'M A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER. MAYA, DON'T BE SHY. WE SEE YOU. MAYA SANCHEZ, PROGRAM OFFICER WITH EL PASO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, HERE IN SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUE ERIC. WE SEE YOU, TOO. DON'T BE SHY.

SAME REASON. AND, ANTHONY MARTINEZ, I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH THE ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU.

CHRISTIAN. VERY BRIEFLY. MORNING OR AFTERNOON, I SHOULD SAY CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT. I DON'T HAVE ANY PREPARED REMARKS, BUT JUST VERY BRIEFLY, COMMISSIONERS WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE RECOGNITION OF DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK AS WELL. AND ALSO THANK ANDREA AND ALL OF THE WORK THAT BORDER PLEX CONNECTS DOES REGIONALLY, I THINK, FOR KIND OF HELPING ADDRESS AND MITIGATE THOSE EFFORTS. I'VE HAD THE HONOR AND THE PRIVILEGE ON THE COUNTY SIDE TO WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH ANDREA AND A LOT OF THESE EFFORTS, AND REALLY KIND OF AT THE DIRECTION FROM THE SUSTAINED INVESTMENT AND PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES APPROVED BY THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT. RIGHT. AND SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY, AS WELL AS THE ONGOING RECOGNITION OF, OF DIGITAL INCLUSION AND CLOSING THAT DIGITAL DIVIDE. SO JUST WANTED TO TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CHRISTIAN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK. AND I'M VERY PROUD THAT BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT. SO I'M VERY THANKFUL TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COURT FOR ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT THEY'VE DEDICATED TO THIS INITIATIVE. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. IT'S VERY NICE AND VERY EXCITING TO SEE SO MANY PROMOTORAS WHO I KNOW ARE GOING TO REALLY HELP US MOVE THIS INITIATIVE FORWARD. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK, AND IF WE'D LOVE IT, IF YOU COULD JOIN US UP FRONT FOR A PHOTO.

NICE TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU.

YEAH. APPRECIATE IT. OF COURSE, OF COURSE. IN EL PASO.

ITEM NUMBER SIX H. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH AND HIGHLIGHT THE WORK OF THE RUN AND WALK FOUNDATION.

COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER. STOUT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL

[H. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and highlight the work of the Run & Walk Foundation. Sergio Coronado, Commissioner, Precinct 4, 915-273-3596]

[03:30:01]

AND WHEREAS PREVENTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUPPORTING SURVIVORS REQUIRES A UNITED COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSIONATE SERVICES, ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES, AND SAFE AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. RECOGNIZING THAT EVERY PERSON DESERVES SAFETY, DIGNITY, AND FREEDOM FROM VIOLENCE AND EVERY SURVIVOR DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL, REBUILD AND BEGIN AGAIN. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO LEARN THE SIGNS OF ABUSE, SUPPORT SURVIVORS WITHOUT JUDGMENT, SHARE TRUSTED RESOURCES, WEAR PURPLE AND SOLIDARITY, AND JOIN THE RUN AND WALK FOUNDATION AND ITS COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN BUILDING A SAFER, MORE INFORMED AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE AND SECOND CHANCES BEGIN. SIGN THIS FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026 BY THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE HONORABLE COUNTY JUDGE. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. VOTING IS OPEN. JUDGE SAMANIEGO, COMMISSIONER BUTLER ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LUCY RIOJAS. I AM THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF RUN AND WALK FOUNDATION. FIRST, I WANT TO SINCERELY THANK ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING RUN AND WALK FOUNDATION HERE TODAY AND GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR MISSION AND OUR COMMUNITY. I WOULD LIKE ALSO RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE SPONSORS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE WITH US FROM THE DAY ONE WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF RUNNING WALK FOUNDATION NOR ASSISTANT LIVING CENTER DICK POE, PRIME TIME TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND SUN CITY BREW. YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH TO US BECAUSE WHEN YOU SUPPORT RUNNING WALK FOUNDATION, YOU ARE HELPING US STAND BESIDE SURVIVORS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO NEED A SECOND CHANCE. TODAY, I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT, NOT ONLY FOR OUR ORGANIZATION, BUT FOR THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILDREN ABUSE WHO ARE STILL AFRAID TO SPEAK. RECENTLY, SOMEONE CAME TO ME AND SHARED HIS STORY ABOUT GROWING UP IN A HOME FILLED OF FEAR. HE TOLD ME THAT AS A CHILD, HE WATCHED HIS FATHER VERBALLY AND PHYSICALLY ABUSE HIS MOTHER. DAY AFTER DAY, HE SHARED THAT THE DAY BEFORE, HIS FATHER HAD FELL THROUGH A SHOWER FLOOR. HIS FATHER HAD PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED HIS MOTHER SO SERIOUSLY THAT HER LEFT LEG AND HER LEFT ARM WERE FRACTURED. HE WAS WEARING A. SHE WAS WEARING A BOOT FOR THE FRACTURE IN HER LEG AND A CAST ON HER ARM. HE SAID TO ME, LUCY, WE LIVED IN A VERY HUMBLE HOME AND THE FLOOR OF THE SHOWER HAD A HOLE IN IT. ONE DAY MY FATHER

[03:35:06]

THERE ARE MORE MOTHERS WHO ARE SUFFERING IN SILENCE. THERE ARE FAMILIES WHO WANT TO LEAVE, BUT THEY MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN WHERE TO START, HOW TO START OVER, OR WHETHER ANYONE WHO WILL BELIEVE IN THEM. THAT IS WHY RUNNING WALK FOUNDATION IS SEEKING FOR SUPPORT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND CHILDREN AFFECTED BY ABUSE. OUR WORK IS BUILT ON THREE PILLARS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, HEALING AND RECOVERY SUPPORT, COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND OUTREACH. WE DO NOT ONLY WANT TO HELP SOMEONE ESCAPE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, WE WANT TO HELP THEM HEAL, REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND GAIN STABILITY AND BECOME INDEPENDENT AND KNOW THAT THEY HAVE SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONERS EL PASO NEEDS CONTINUE FUNDING RESOURCES, EDUCATION, AWARENESS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE. WE NEED TO CONTINUE BRINGING THESE CONVERSATIONS OUT OF THE SHADOWS. WE NEED TO REACH THE MOTHERS WHO IS AFRAID.

WE NEED TO REACH THE CHILD WHO BELIEVES NOBODY HEARS THEM. AND WE NEED TO SHOW SURVIVORS THAT THERE IS A COMMUNITY READY TO STAND BESIDE THEM. TODAY, I MAKE MY PROMISE. RUNNING WALK FOUNDATION WILL BE THEIR VOICE, AND WE WILL SPEAK FOR THEM WHO ARE STILL AFRAID TO SPEAK. WE WILL STAND BESIDE SURVIVORS WHO ARE READY TO BE, HAVE A SECOND CHANCE, AND WE WILL CONTINUE STANDING UP FOR CHILDREN WHO DESERVE TO GROW UP KNOWING SAFETY, LOVE AND HOPE AND NO FEAR. I ASK YOU TO START TO STAND WITH US, SUPPORT THIS MISSION AND HELP US BRING GREATER AWARENESS AND RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY. TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. TOGETHER, WE CAN GIVE FAMILIES A SECOND CHANCE. AND TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS VOICES HEARD OUT THERE. THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY VICE PRESIDENT.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CARLOS RIOJAS. I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ALEJANDRA PICHON AND I'M ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS. THANK YOU. HELLO, MY NAME IS RACHEL MINJAREZ. I'M ONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS. WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. AND THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC AND NOT JUST IN OUR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, COUNTRYWIDE. AND I REALLY WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE SHOUT OUT TO ONE OF OUR PREVIOUS OFFICIALS HERE IN THE COUNTY, BECAUSE BACK WHEN I CAME FROM AUSTIN, WE HAD THE MODEL PROGRAM THAT JUST STARTED THE PROTECTIVE ORDERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND I CAME TO EL PASO AS A PROSECUTOR HERE AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND WE WOULD REPEATEDLY SEE WOMEN. THE MAJORITY OF VAST MAJORITY WERE WOMEN SEEKING GOING FROM AGENCY TO AGENCY, TRYING TO GET HELP IN IN GETTING A PROTECTIVE ORDER. AND NOBODY WAS HELPING THEM. AND THANKS TO FIRST ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY, THEN MARGARITO RODRIGUEZ AND TO DANNY ANCHONDO, BACK THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, WHO LET MARGARITO AND I START THIS PROCESS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO ABOUT GOING TO START THIS. AND I CAME FROM THE MODEL PROGRAM IN AUSTIN THAT WE HAD IN TRAVIS COUNTY. AND SO WE STARTED HELPING THESE WOMEN TO GET THEIR ASSISTANCE AND GETTING PROTECTION. RIGHT. AND SO WE GOT INUNDATED. AND FINALLY, THE YEAR AFTER WE WERE ABLE, WE WERE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT AND WE WERE ABLE TO START THE GRANT THEN THEN COUNTY ATTORNEY JOE LUCAS LET ME SPEARHEAD TO START OUR FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER DEPARTMENT HERE IN EL PASO AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND THAT'S WHY TO THIS DAY, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS THAT PROGRAM. AND SO EVER SINCE, SINCE I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT OFFICE HAS

[03:40:02]

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

ALL. ITEM NUMBER SIX. I APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING PRIME TIME TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO CAREER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN EL PASO COUNTY. COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. I'M BACK. YOU'RE

[I. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Prime Time Technical Institute for its contributions to career education and workforce development in El Paso County. Sergio Coronado, Commissioner, Precinct 4, 915-273-3596]

[03:45:01]

IT'S AN HONOR TO STAND IN FRONT OF ALL THREE OF YOU. SIX YEARS AGO, PRIMETIME WAS JUST AN IDEA THAT MY FATHER AND I TALKED ABOUT. AND THEN SUDDENLY, IN THE MIDDLE OF COVID, WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD WAS FORCED TO SHUT DOWN, MY FATHER STILL BELIEVED THAT WE HAD SOMETHING TO HELP OTHERS. WHEN WE FIRST OPENED OUR DOORS TO A $1,800 SHIPPING CONTAINER THAT MY FATHER HAD CONSTRUCTED INTO OUR HOME OFFICE WITH HIS BARE HANDS. I REMEMBER SITTING THERE FEELING OUT ENROLLMENT PAPERWORK FOR OUR VERY FIRST STUDENT. HER NAME WAS KIMMY. SHE EXPRESSED TO ME HOW NERVOUS SHE WAS ABOUT STARTING THIS NEW JOURNEY. AND I MUST CONFESS TO EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM TODAY THAT ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT IN THAT MOMENT WAS, THANK YOU, JESUS, THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT I WAS THE ONE THAT WAS TRULY NERVOUS THAT SHE PICKED US FOR HER JOURNEY, BECAUSE ALL OF THAT WAS SO NEW TO US AT THAT POINT. BUT I HELD ON TO THAT FEELING BECAUSE IT HELPED ME. IT KEPT ME COMMITTED TO HER SUCCESS. AND AFTER WATCHING KIMMY PASS HER STATE EXAM ON HER VERY FIRST TRY, THAT FEELING BECAME GREATER THAN ANY DOLLAR AMOUNT COULD EVER MAKE ME FEEL. AND ONE STUDENT BECAME TWO. AND THEN THREE. AND THEN SUDDENLY, THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS HAVE GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF CHANGING THEIR LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION. BUT I MUST SAY THIS. I HAVE NOT DONE THIS ALONE. I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO RECOGNIZE MY PRIME TIME FAMILY STANDING BESIDES ME. I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE HARD AND DEDICATION THEY BRING TO OUR STUDENTS EVERY SINGLE DAY. I GET TO WITNESS FIRSTHAND HOW DEEPLY THEY CARE, AND NOT ONLY ABOUT HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED, BUT ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. PRIME TIME WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS TODAY WITHOUT THEIR HARD WORK, THEIR COMMITMENT, AND THE WAY THEY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE. I AM TRULY GRATEFUL TO HAVE EACH OF THEM BESIDE ME ON THIS JOURNEY. TODAY, WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEWEST PARTNERSHIP WITH UTEP. AND TO ME, THIS IS ANOTHER REMINDER OF JUST HOW FAR ONE IDEA CAN GO. WHAT STARTED WITH ONE STUDENT SITTING ACROSS ME SEVEN YEARS AGO, ALMOST SEVEN YEARS AGO, HAS GROWN INTO SOMETHING BIGGER THAT I COULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED. AND AS PROUD AS I AM OF HOW FAR PRIME TIME HAS COME, I KNOW THAT WE'RE NOWHERE NEAR FINISHED. TOGETHER, OUR TEAM IS GOING TO CONTINUE OPENING DOORS, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND REMINDING EVERY STUDENT WHO WALKS THROUGH OUR DOORS THAT THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT DETERMINE WHO THEY HAVE BECOME. BECAUSE IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT THIS JOURNEY HAS TAUGHT ME NOW IS THAT WITH FAITH, HARD WORK, AND THE RIGHT PEOPLE BESIDE US, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE REALLY IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE EVERYBODY WITH YOU. AND THEN I HAVE A FEW WORDS TO SAY. THANK YOU. AND ONCE AGAIN, MY NAME IS CARLOS RIOJAS, AND I AM ONE OF THE DIRECTORS. HI, MY NAME IS JOCELYN DOMINGUEZ AND I'M THE HR MANAGER. HI, MY NAME IS JENNIFER CALZADA AND I'M ONE OF THE COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTORS. HOWDY, Y'ALL. MY NAME IS GABRIEL. I'M ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS FOR THE CDL. I'M BRENDA PRICE AND I'M THE AREA MANAGER. MY NAME IS ALAN AMEZAGA AND I'M THE SUPERINTENDENT HERE AT PRIMETIME TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE REALLY PROUD WHEN WE FOUND OUT ABOUT WHAT Y'ALL WERE DOING, WAS JUST ECSTATIC BECAUSE HERE AT THE COUNTY, WE HAVE OUR PROMISE PROGRAM. AND NOW THEY'VE THEY'VE BECAME ONE OF OUR PARTNERS. AND WE'RE REALLY HONORED AND PROUD THAT Y'ALL JOINED US BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE WORK YOU ALL ARE DOING EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO, AND NOT JUST WITH THE JUSTICE INVOLVED. RIGHT? Y'ALL ARE DOING IT ACROSS THE BOARD. I'M, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A DREAM THAT EVENTUALLY COUNTY WIDE, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ESTABLISH A COUNTY WIDE PROMISE PROGRAM, NOT JUST FOR THE JUSTICE FOR ALL, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S OTHER INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE THAT NEED THAT KIND OF HELP, THOSE KIND OF SERVICES THAT ARE KEEPING THEM FROM GOING FORWARD AND

[03:50:02]

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SOLVE, AND THAT'S REALLY THE IDEA BEHIND OUR PROMISE PROGRAM IS THAT WE SOLVE THOSE THOSE OBSTACLES THAT PEOPLE HAVE AND CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION. AND WE KNOW WE REALLY NEED THAT HERE IN EL PASO. AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE DOING A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST THANKS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU. AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE REALLY GOING TO PROGRESS. I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR PROMISE PROGRAM WILL EVENTUALLY GO COUNTY WIDE AND THAT WE WILL HELP ALL INDIVIDUALS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT STATION THEY ARE. AND PARTICULARLY, WE TRY TO GET THEM IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT, RIGHT. IF WE DO THAT RIGHT AWAY, THEY'RE MORE APT TO TRY TO CONTINUE THAT. AND SOME OF THEM FACE THESE OBSTACLES IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. RIGHT. AND SO WE KNOW THEY DON'T THINK THAT THEY HAVE THE MONEY. THEY DON'T THEY THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE COMMITMENTS AT HOME. THEY HAVE CHILDREN, THEY DON'T HAVE CHILDCARE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FIX ALL THOSE ISSUES SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE. AND HAVING PARTNERS LIKE YOU ALL. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE. AND SO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE COUNTY FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK THAT YOU ALL DO, AND I'M REALLY PROUD THAT YOU ALL ARE IN CANUTILLO AND OUR PRECINCT, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU ALL WILL EXPAND FURTHER, RIGHT? AND THROUGHOUT. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. IF YOU'LL COME UP AND WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HERE. HOLD THAT. AND WHEN WE AFTER WE TAKE THE PICTURE, IF YOU'LL GIVE IT BACK TO HIM, WE CAN GET THE JUDGE TO SIGN IT AND WE'LL GET IT DELIVERED. PRIME TIME.

PRIME TIME WHERE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. THANKS. I'M NOT BEING CENTERED. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ITEM NUMBER SIX J. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS ARCHEOLOGY MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. WELCOME, EVERYBODY. GOOD MORNING OR GOOD AFTERNOON. HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING

[J. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing October as Archeology Month in El Paso County, Texas. Sergio Coronado, Commissioner, Precinct 4, 915-273-3596]

OKAY. WHEREAS ARCHEOLOGICAL PLACES ARE CULTURAL LANDSCAPES CONNECTED TO MEMORY, IDENTITY, TRADITION, MIGRATION, SURVIVAL, INNOVATION, AND THE ENDURING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PLACE AND THEIR PRESERVATION REQUIRES RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND RESPECT FOR DESCENDANT AND AFFILIATED COMMUNITIES. AND WHEREAS EL PASO COUNTY RESTS WITHIN A CULTURAL LANDSCAPE SHAPED BY AT LEAST 12,000 YEARS OF HUMAN PRESENCE ALONG THE RIO GRANDE, WHERE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND LATER COMMUNITIES HAVE LIVED, TRAVELED, GATHERED, CULTIVATED, TRADED, LEAVING AN EXTRAORDINARY ARCHEOLOGICAL RECORD OF LIFE IN THE DESERT BORDERLAND FOR US TO STUDY, TO APPRECIATE AND PRESERVE. AND WHEREAS EL PASO COUNTY IS FORTUNATE TO COLLABORATE WITH ARCHEOLOGICAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE EL PASO COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION, ARCHEOLOGY COMMITTEE, THE CENTENNIAL MUSEUM AND CHIHUAHUAN DESERT GARDENS, AND THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION, WHICH SERVE AS VITAL STEWARDS, REPOSITORIES OF KNOWLEDGE, AND ADVOCATES FOR PRESERVING AND INTERPRETING THE HISTORIES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, MIGRANTS, SETTLERS, FAMILIES, WORKERS, TRAVELERS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE GREATER PASO DEL NORTE REGION. AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT THROUGH PRESERVATION, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND COLLABORATION, THESE ORGANIZATIONS HELP ENSURE THAT ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES AND MATERIALS BOTH KNOWN AND YET TO BE DISCOVERED, REMAIN PART OF THE LIVING HISTORICAL RECORD AND DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EL PASO COUNTY'S LONG AND CONTINUING HUMAN HISTORY. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND

[03:55:02]

SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS ARCHEOLOGY MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY. I'VE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL ARCHEOLOGIST FOR OVER 36 YEARS, THE LAST 24 HERE IN EL PASO. IN THAT TIME, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE NOW MORE THAN EVER THAT ARCHEOLOGY CONNECTS ALL OF US TO THE DIVERSE HUMAN HISTORY OF THIS REGION. FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE LIVED, HUNTED, GATHERED, BUILT COMMUNITIES, AND FOSTER THE LAND ALONG THE RIO GRANDE. MATERIALS THEY LEFT BEHIND ARE NOT SIMPLY OBJECTS OF THE PAST. THEY ARE EVIDENCE OF SHARED EXPERIENCES, KNOWLEDGE, RESILIENCE, AND CREATIVITY THAT CONTINUES TO SHAPE EL PASO COUNTY TODAY. SO RECOGNIZING ARCHEOLOGICAL ARCHEOLOGY MONTH AFFIRMS THAT THESE IRREPLACEABLE RESOURCES DESERVE IDENTITY AND RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP. SO THIS RESOLUTION RESOLUTION ALSO RECOGNIZES THE VALUE OF PARTNERSHIP. I THINK YOU MENTIONED THIS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER. THE WORK OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION, EL PASO COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION, THE CENTENNIAL MUSEUM, EL PASO ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION, AND OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL PARTNERS. ADVANCES PRESERVATION, SUPPORTS EDUCATION, AND MAKES THE HISTORY OF THE REGION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES. SO BY ADOPTING THIS RESOLUTION, THE COMMISSIONERS COMMISSIONERS COURT CELEBRATES OUR SHARED HERITAGE WHILE ENCOURAGING INFORMED STEWARDSHIP AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. IT REINFORCES THAT EL PASO COUNTY VALUES THE FULL DEPTH OF ITS HISTORY AND IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE PAST FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU. AND NOW I'LL INTRODUCE EVERYBODY HERE, MY COLLEAGUES. MISS PRINCE MCKENZIE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EL PASO ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, MEMBER OF THE COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION, AND I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE EL PASO ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, THE ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY HAS BEEN PROMOTING UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATION. AND WE'RE WE'RE NOW FOUR YEARS INTO OUR SECOND CENTURY OF PROGRAMING, UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM AND THE COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. ROBERTA RANSOM, DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO BRING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO, FOR SPONSORING THE RESOLUTION. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT. DOCTOR CYNTHIA RENTERIA WITH HERITAGE, TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE STAFF LIAISON FOR THE COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION.

GOOD AFTERNOON. IT'S A WONDERFUL AS ALWAYS TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU. I'M CORINNE CHACON, THE HERITAGE TOURISM SPECIALIST. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR APPRECIATION AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO, TO PRESERVE THESE STORIES THAT ARE SOME THAT WE KNOW AND SOME THAT WE DON'T KNOW YET. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR FOR BEING HERE. AND THANK YOU FOR FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. YOU KNOW, BACK WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, WE WERE TRYING TO TRACK THAT WAS IN THE THE CIRCLE K INTERNATIONAL CLUB, AND WE WERE TRYING TO GET ONE OF THE CONFERENCES. I WAS WORKING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BACK THEN TO, TO COME TO EL PASO, THIS, THIS, THIS, IT'S A COLLEGE RIGHT CLUB THAT'S PART OF THE KIWANIANS CIRCLE K INTERNATIONAL. WE WERE TRYING TO. AND WE WERE LOOKING AT THE HISTORY. WHAT, YOU KNOW, CAN WE TELL OTHER PEOPLE IN THESE OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

[04:00:05]

RIGHT. IT GOES WAY, WAY BACK, WAY, WAY BACK TO THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HERE IN THIS AREA. THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE FOCUSED ON OUR ART AND OUR CULTURE, RIGHT. AND THE TRADITIONS THAT WE HERE IN THIS REGION TREASURE. AND TO THIS DAY, SOME OF US, YOU KNOW, WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP THAT IN THE LIFELINE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE SEEM TO FORGET. AND IF, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE CAME FROM, WHAT OUR TRADITIONS WERE, ALL THESE CULTURES AND HOW WE'VE PROGRESSED TO WHERE WE ARE NOW AND IN EL PASO HAS BEEN A GREAT PART OF THIS REGION. AND I THINK WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THAT IN THE LIMELIGHT AND DOING THESE THINGS IN TERMS OF OUR ARCHEOLOGY WITH, YOU KNOW, OUR MISSION TRAIL AND WACO TANKS AND ALL THESE OTHER AREAS THAT REALLY ARE UNIQUE TO EL PASO. I MEAN, I MEAN, HAVING THE OLDEST MISSIONS IN THE STATE, RIGHT? PROBABLY IN SOME OF THE OLDEST IN THE COUNTRY TOO. AND SO IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT THING THAT WE HAVE. WE JUST NEED TO TRY AND MAKE EDUCATE MORE PEOPLE ABOUT IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, BECAUSE I KNOW FOR SURE THAT SOME OF THEM DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WE HAVE HERE, THE TREASURES THAT WE HAVE HERE.

AND SO WE THANK YOU ALL FOR, YOU KNOW, WORKING ON THOSE ISSUES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRESERVE THOSE THINGS AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, YOU KNOW, GET OTHER PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND OUR OWN COMMUNITY HERE. SOME PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY ABOUT OUR PAST. AND SO AND THE TREASURES THAT WE HAVE HERE. SO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IN THIS RESPECT. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL. LET'S TAKE A PICTURE.

OR TWO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD ANY. WE TAKE THE PICTURE WITH US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER SEVEN A PRESENTATIONS. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION REGARDING THE EL PASO COUNTY SHINING STARS AWARD, NAMING THE FOUR SHINING STARS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 27. GOOD AFTERNOON BETSY. GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS. BETSY KELLER, COUNTY

[A. Receive a presentation regarding the El Paso County Shining Stars award, naming the four Shining Stars for the first quarter of FY27. Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]

[04:05:04]

KAREN IS CONSISTENTLY COURTEOUS, HELPFUL AND PUNCTUAL, AND MAINTAINS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE WITH CUSTOMERS AND COWORKERS, WHICH SUPPORTS A POSITIVE TEAM ENVIRONMENT. HER CREATIVITY IS IN SOLVING PROBLEMS AND FINDING WAYS TO IMPLEMENT EFFICIENCIES IN THE DEPARTMENT ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. SOME THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT KAREN ARE. HER HOBBY IS LINE SLASH COUNTRY DANCING. SHE'S GONE DANCING EVERY THURSDAY FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, CONSISTENTLY AND OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS. SHE'S GOING TO TEACH US SOME MOVES TODAY. SHE LOVES ALL TYPES OF MUSIC, READING AND ENJOYS SCARY MOVIES AND PLAYING GAMES. TAX ASSESSOR RUBEN GONZALEZ STATED THAT KAREN GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND EXPECTATIONS. WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU, KAREN.

LAYLA TALAVERA HAS SERVED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST, INTERMEDIATE WITH THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS. SHE CONSISTENTLY EXEMPLIFIES EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND SERVES AS A CORNERSTONE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S SUCCESS. HER EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONALISM AND WAVERING RELIABILITY, AND METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL SET THE STANDARD THAT OTHERS STRIVE TO ACHIEVE. SHE SKILLFULLY MANAGES COMPETING PRIORITIES WITH REMARKABLE EFFICIENCY, ENSURING THAT DAILY OPERATIONS RUN SEAMLESSLY WHILE CONSISTENTLY MEETING AND EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS. LAYLA FOSTERS POSITIVE RELATIONS WITH STAFF, EXTERNAL PARTNERS AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH HER OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE, SHE APPROACHES EVERY INTERACTION WITH COURTESY, RESPECT AND COMPOSURE. HER ORGANIZATIONAL ABILITIES ARE EXEMPLARY. SHE MAINTAINS ACCURATE, ACCESSIBLE AND WELL MANAGED RECORDS THAT STRENGTHEN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES AND SUPPORT OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE. SHE CONSISTENTLY GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND IN SUPPORTING LEADERSHIP AND COLLEAGUES, OFTEN TAKING INITIATIVE WITHOUT BEING ASKED. IN ADDITION TO HER ASSIGNED DUTIES, I LEARNED SOMETHING ELSE LAYLA HAS BEEN WORKING ON. FIRST, BEFORE STARTING WITH ACCOUNTING COUNTY, SHE WASN'T CERTAIN COLLEGE WAS THE RIGHT PATH FOR HER, BUT THAT HAS CHANGED. SHE IS NOW IN HER SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE, AND WE ARE VERY PROUD TO SHARE THAT.

BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, SHE WILL BE GRADUATING WITH HER BACHELOR'S IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, ALONG WITH A SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT, AND SHE PLANS TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE HER MASTER'S. FOR THESE REASONS, KAREN DAVIDSON SHARED HER DEDICATION, INTEGRITY, STRONG WORK ETHIC, AND COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MAKE HER NOT ONLY AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT, BUT ALSO TRULY DESERVING FOR THIS RECOGNITION. CONGRATULATIONS, AND WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU FOR WORKING ON YOUR SCHOOL AND EARNING THIS HONOR. LAYLA. THANK YOU.

CRYSTAL FUENTES HAS COMPLETED NINE YEARS WITH THE COUNTY AS SHE WAS HIRED JUNE 2017 WITH THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE. AS A PARALEGAL, CRYSTAL CONSISTENTLY BRINGS FORWARD INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR STREAMLINING INTAKE AND IMPROVING DOCUMENT FLOW. HER ABILITY TO IDENTIFY INEFFICIENCIES AND IMPLEMENT FAST, PRACTICAL AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED OUR TEAM'S PRODUCTIVITY. THE PROCESSES SHE DEVELOPS ARE NOT ONLY EFFICIENT BUT ARE ALSO EASY TO ADOPT, ENSURING SEAMLESS IMPLEMENTATION AND IMMEDIATE IMPACT. ONE OF HER MOST IMPACTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS HAS

[04:10:04]

BEYOND HER TECHNICAL STRENGTHS, CRYSTAL APPROACHES EVERY CHALLENGE WITH PROFESSIONALISM, INITIATIVE, AND A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE COUNTY. THROUGHOUT HER TENURE, CRYSTAL HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED A DEEP COMMITMENT TO OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT. I LEARNED THAT CRYSTAL'S INTEREST INCLUDE TRAVELING AND EXPLORING NEW FOOD AND PLACES. AND WHEN SHE'S NOT TRAVELING, SHE LOVES TO WATCH HER SON'S SWIMMING COMPETITIONS AND BASEBALL GAMES. AS BRIAN STANLEY DREW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WOULD PUT IT, HER EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP AND FORWARD THINKING MINDSET MAKE HER AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO THE TEAM. CONGRATULATIONS, CRYSTAL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. ROCIO GARDEA IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST, INTERMEDIATE WITH COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATION. SHE HAS COMPLETED 24 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COUNTY. THAT'S REMARKABLE. ROCIO BEGAN WORKING FOR THE COUNTY IN 2002 IN FACILITIES BEFORE MOVING TO COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATION.

SHE HAS A GENUINE WAY OF MAKING EVERYONE FEEL VALUED, WHETHER SHE'S ASSISTING A JUDGE, HELPING A COURT PARTICIPANT, OR SUPPORTING A COWORKER BECAUSE OF THE RESPECT SHE SHOWS OTHERS EVERY DAY, SHE HAS EARNED THE RESPECT AND TRUST OF EVERYONE AROUND HER. SHE SERVES AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST FOR COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT NUMBER TWO, AND HAS BECOME ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF THE COURT. SHE HELPS SUPPORT BOTH A BUSY CRIMINAL COURT DOCKET AND A.

AND THE DEMANDING OPERATIONS OF A DWI SPECIALTY COURT, HANDLING COUNTLESS RESPONSIBILITIES WITH PROFESSIONALISM, EFFICIENCY AND A SMILE. SHE'S AN INVALUABLE MEMBER OF COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATION, COUNTY COURT, CRIMINAL COURT NUMBER TWO, THE DWI SPECIALTY COURT TEAM, AND THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDICIARY AS A WHOLE. HER EXCELLENCE, PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY, AND COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE MAKE HER AN OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EL PASO COUNTY. QUITE SIMPLY, SHE'S SOMEONE YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON OUTSIDE OF WORK. ONE FACT I LEARNED ABOUT ROCIO IS SHE IS SO PROUD OF HER FAITH, SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS COMES NATURALLY TO ROCIO AND SHE DOES FROM THE HEART, IS TO THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING AND FOR SO MUCH.

ROCIO MAKES OUR COURT STRONGER, OUR OFFICE BETTER, AND THE PEOPLE AROUND HER FEEL SUPPORTED EVERY SINGLE DAY. AUBREY COUDER FROM COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATION MENTIONED. THANK YOU, ROCIO, FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND EVERYTHING YOU DO. I DON'T THINK SHE'S WITH US. I THINK SHE WAS HERE EARLIER BUT HAD TO LEAVE. I WANT TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR LIFTING UP THESE EMPLOYEES, FOR HELPING US RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

PUBLIC SERVICE IS NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE OR CELEBRATED. I THINK IT'S BEEN MORE UNDER ATTACK THAN EVER, BUT THE WORK OUR EMPLOYEES DO EVERY DAY MATTERS DEEPLY TO THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP YOU ALL HAVE SHOWN THROUGH YOUR STRATEGIC GOAL OF VALUING THE COUNTY FAMILY AND ENCOURAGING US TO RECOGNIZE AND TAKE CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES. IT MAKES US AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THIS QUARTER'S EPIC, SHINING STARS. I. I ALSO WANTED TO QUICKLY MENTION THIS. I TRY THIS QUARTER AND IT WAS VERY EASY. THIS YEAR, MARCH IS WOMEN'S MONTH, AND SO WE'RE RECOGNIZING FOUR OF OUR FEMALE EMPLOYEES THIS MONTH. SO THANK YOU THIS QUARTER. SO THANK YOU ALL. AND I KNOW CLAUDIA IS HERE WITH THEIR GIFTS. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS ALLOWING US THIS TIME. AND I THANK BETSY IN THE PAST, WE'VE TAKEN A PHOTO WITH OUR SHINING STARS. CAN WE DO THAT TODAY, PLEASE? YES.

[04:15:36]

ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, A COUNTY ADMINISTRATION DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO ADOPT THE EL PASO COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 THROUGH 2031. GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS LORENA RODRIGUEZ FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. LAST WEEK. ON

[A. Discuss and take appropriate action to adopt the El Paso County Strategic Plan for FY2027-2031. Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]

THE COURT IDENTIFIED FIVE OBJECTIVES UNDER THIS GOAL, SUPPORTED BY A TOTAL OF EIGHT ACTIONS. AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, ALL OF THESE ACTIONS ARE CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE CURRENT STRATEGIC PLAN. GOAL THREE BE A HUB FOR TOURISM THE COURT IDENTIFIED SIX OBJECTIVES UNDER THIS GOAL, SUPPORTED BY A TOTAL OF 15 ACTIONS. ALL OF THESE ACTIONS ARE CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE STRATEGIC PLAN. GOAL FOUR STRATEGICALLY INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE. THE COURT IDENTIFIED FIVE OBJECTIVES UNDER THIS GOAL, SUPPORTED BY A TOTAL OF 25 ACTIONS. THESE ACTIVITY MILESTONES ARE ALSO CARRYOVERS FROM THE CURRENT PLAN AND INCLUDE SEVERAL BOND FUNDED CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION AND TAX NOTE PROJECTS. GOAL FIVE CULTIVATE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS. THE COURT IDENTIFIED SIX OBJECTIVES UNDER THIS GOAL, SUPPORTED BY A TOTAL OF EIGHT ACTIONS. THESE ACTIVITY MILESTONES ARE ALSO CARRYOVERS FROM THE CURRENT PLAN. GOAL SIX ADVANCED ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES. THE COURT IDENTIFIED SEVEN OBJECTIVES UNDER THIS GOAL, SUPPORTED BY A TOTAL OF 11 ACTIONS DURING THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS. THE COURT ALSO APPROVED ONE NEW ACTION 6.11 PLAN TO BECOME A HUD ENTITLEMENT COUNTY. GOAL SEVEN VALUE THE EL PASO COUNTY FAMILY. THE COURT IDENTIFIED FIVE OBJECTIVES UNDER THIS GOAL, SUPPORTED BY A TOTAL OF SIX ACTIONS DURING STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS. THE COURT ALSO APPROVED ONE NEW ACTION

[04:20:04]

IT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THIS PLAN AND, AND BACK IT WITH THE, THE CORRECT LEVEL OF FUNDING THAT IS NECESSARY. AND, AND THAT MEANS SOMETIMES I, I, IF WE WANT TO DO THINGS ASKING TAXPAYERS FOR MORE MONEY, POSSIBLY IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE PARKS, WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND BRIDGES, BUILDING, BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE OUT, ESPECIALLY UNINCORPORATED PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY, OUR BONDS THAT THAT WE THAT WE GOT PASSED AND THE MONEY THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE INVESTING IN OUR BONDS, THERE ARE GOING TO BE OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR THOSE THINGS. AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT IT COSTS MONEY TO DO THESE THINGS. AND AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT THAT'S GOING TO COST MONEY, YOU ALSO NEED TO, TO COME TO THE TABLE AND BE PART OF THE PROCESS THAT ACTUALLY HELPS TO FUND THOSE THINGS. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. YES, COMMISSIONER. YOU KNOW, COUNTY GOVERNMENT BY BY DESIGN IS FRACTIONALIZED AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON TO THAT. BUT IT ALSO BRINGS ABOUT CHALLENGES.

AND THOSE ARE OUR PROCESSES THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW. AND I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAVE ONE OF OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES IS TO HOW WE CAN, YOU KNOW, TRY TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESSES, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF OUR PROCUREMENT, BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN REALLY, YOU KNOW, BE ABLE

[04:25:01]

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOUT. YES, COMMISSIONER STOUT, I DIDN'T SAY IT THAT LOUDLY. WAIT A MINUTE. IT'S WHITE LIGHTNING, NOT COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. VOTING IS OPEN. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BUTLER. COMMISSIONER STOUT. THANK YOU, SIR. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. LORENA. ITEM NUMBER NINE, A LITIGATION. JUSTICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH AN UPDATE ON OPERATIONS ON OPERATIONAL CHANGES IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JAIL OPERATIONS AND PRESENT THE EXPECTED OPERATIONAL OUTCOMES RESULTING FROM THOSE CHANGES. SHERIFF, WELCOME. GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS. EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF, TO FOLLOW UP ON LAST WEEK'S COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING. WE SAID WE WOULD COME BACK AND DO A PRESENTATION, REFERENCE THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE TO HELP REDUCE THE

[A. Receive a presentation from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to provide Commissioners Court with an update on operational changes implemented within the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Jail Operations and present the expected operational outcomes resulting from those changes. Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]

WELCOME. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS RUBEN SORIA, COMMANDER FOR THE PATROL DIVISION. ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, I WAS TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED TO DETENTION BUREAU TO PROVIDE CENTRALIZED COMMAND LEVEL OVERSIGHT AND COORDINATION FOR THE DOWNTOWN JAIL AND ANNEX JAIL. WITH NEARLY 27 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, INCLUDING TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE JAIL SYSTEM BEFORE TRANSITIONING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUREAU, I BRING A BROAD RANGE OF OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT. MY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE REVIEWING OPERATIONAL PRACTICES, STAFFING LEVELS, SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, ACCOUNTABILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY

[04:30:02]

HOWEVER, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL MANDATED ASSIGNMENTS AND OPERATIONAL AREAS THAT ARE NOT ACCOUNTED FOR WITHIN THE RATIO AT THE JAIL ANNEX, A MINIMUM OF 58 OFFICERS IS NEEDED TO OPERATE A SHIFT. THIS NUMBER IS CURRENTLY ALLOCATED TO EACH SHIFT, EXCLUDING THE TWO SERGEANTS AND ONE LIEUTENANT, FOR A TOTAL OF 61 OFFICERS. THE STAFFING LEVELS DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR POTENTIAL HOSPITAL COVERAGE. APPROVED VACATION LEAVE, SICK LEAVE, CALL INS OR TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS. ON AVERAGE, EACH SHIFT HAS FOUR AUTHORIZED VACATION LEAVES PER DAY, IN ADDITION TO AN AVERAGE OF 4 TO 5 SICK LEAVE. COLLINS, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. THEREFORE, WHILE THE STAFFING TABLES IDENTIFY THE MINIMUM LEVEL, THEY DO NOT PROVIDE THE COMPLETE THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF DAY TO DAY OPERATIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JAIL FACILITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE STAFFING OPERATIONAL CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED AT BOTH FACILITIES. REAL QUICK QUESTION ON THAT. THE 54 OFFICERS THAT YOU THAT YOU'RE SAYING ARE NEEDED FOR SHIFT, THAT'S THAT'S PER YOUR ANALYSIS OR THAT'S PER PER STATE RECOMMENDATIONS OR, OR, OR, OR WHATEVER THE WHATEVER THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BY DJ. YES, IT'S GOING TO BE 58, 58 IS THE IS THE IS THE TCGA. TCGA IS RECOMMENDED OFFICERS. YES, SIR. THAT'S WHAT I JUST WANT TO CHECK. YES, SIR. THANK YOU. AND I WOULD LIKE TO TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE STAFFING AND OPERATIONAL CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED AT BOTH FACILITIES. WHILE STAFFING HAS BEEN REDUCED IN CERTAIN AREAS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THESE AREAS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY MINIMUM STAFFING REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING THE TRUSTEE PROGRAMS. SOME ASSIGNMENTS AND DETAILS WERE ESTABLISHED WITH THAT, DEDICATED STAFFING ALLOCATIONS. AS A RESULT, DETENTION OFFICER OFFICERS HAD TO BE REASSIGNED FROM SHIFT OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO COVER THIS RESPONSIBILITIES.

THIS ULTIMATELY AFFECTED SHIFT STAFFING WHILE THE FACILITIES REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR MEETING MANDATED STAFFING LEVELS OVER TIME, HAS THEREFORE BEEN NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO TOUCH UP IS THAT A LOT OF DETAILS THAT HAVE COME UP WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PAUSE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY, WE TALK ABOUT THE INMATE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE. WE WE GOT TO BE COGNIZANT THAT WE NEED AN OFFICER FOR EACH DETAIL. SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WHEN I CAME IN IS WE HAVE ALL THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH IS GREAT ON PAPER, BUT ARE THE BODIES ALLOCATED FOR ALL THESE PROGRAMS? SO THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN, CAN SEE THAT WE'RE STRETCHED THIN AT THE JAILS. AND FOR ME TO COME IN, IN MAKING SURE THAT THE SHIFTS, JUST LIKE IN PATROL, MY, MY DUTY WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SHIFTS ARE TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE MANDATED IS. BUT THEN WHEN WE START PULLING FOR PAUL'S AND SPECIAL PROJECTS, THAT'S WHEN WE START RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS AND, AND WHAT'S THE EASIEST THING TO DO? PICK GET FROM THE SHIFTS BECAUSE THE BODIES ARE THERE, BUT THEN WHO'S COVERING FOR THE SHIFTS WHEN THEY'RE SHORT-STAFFED. SO IT'S A GIVE AND TAKE. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS MOVING FORWARD WILL BE TO SHIFT STAFFING AND REDUCING NON-ESSENTIAL PROJECTS AND ASSIGNMENTS. THIS EFFORT REQUIRES ALL HANDS ON DECK APPROACH INVOLVING CORPORAL SERGEANTS AND LIEUTENANTS. EVERY POSITION IS BEING EVALUATED FOR STAFFING PURPOSES.

WHILE SOME OF THESE DECISIONS MAY BE UNPOPULAR, THEY ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. AT THE ANNEX, 16 OFFICERS WERE TRANSFERRED

[04:35:02]

THERE'S STILL SIGNIFICANT WORK TO BE DONE, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS EFFORTS. I BELIEVE WE OWE IT TO THE COUNTY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE OWE IT TO THE TAXPAYERS. SO EVERYTHING IS BEING EVALUATED AT THE JAILS RIGHT NOW FROM THE STAFFING, MAKING SURE THE CORPORALS, SERGEANTS, LIEUTENANTS, OFFICERS WERE ALL BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO INCLUDE COMMAND STAFF AND EVERYBODY PUTTING IN THE WORK. EVERY DAY I SIT DOWN WITH THE CHIEFS AND AND LOOK AT WAYS FOR CUTTING THE THE, THE OVERTIME, REDUCING THE OVERTIME.

AND THAT'S THE GOAL RIGHT NOW. SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE. THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO BE DONE. AND WE WILL GET IT DONE. AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION. YES, IT'S READY FOR YOU. AND JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE COLLINS, BECAUSE I TALKED ABOUT OVERTIME, BUT JUST TODAY COMBINE BOTH FACILITIES HAD 22 OFFICERS ON LEAVE, WHETHER IT'S SICK CALL OR VACATION, FMLA. SO YOU DO THE MATH. THERE'S GOING TO BE OVERTIME COST INCURRED. SO AGAIN, BACK TO THE 58 RATIO PLUS THE TWO LIEUTENANTS. WHEN YOU HAVE THAT MANY PEOPLE, OFFICERS CALL IN OR ON VACATION, WHICH I MEAN, THEY'RE MANDATED, RIGHT? WHERE DO WE GET THE BODIES? THAT'S THE QUESTION I WOULD ASK THE COMMISSIONERS. WHERE DO WE GET THE BODIES? SOMEONE'S GOT TO FILL IN. AND JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, WE HAVE FIVE MEDICAL RUNS TODAY. ONE INMATE HAD TWO OFFICER ESCORT BECAUSE OF HIS CHARGES. SO AGAIN, WHEN THAT WE COME ABOUT THAT, WHERE DO WE GET THE BODIES. WE HAVE TO PULL IN OVERTIME. AND IT'S OKAY AS LONG AS WE'RE BEING RESPONSIBLE OF COURSE. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE, THE, THE POSITIONS TO SEE WHERE IS IT THAT WE CAN CUT BACK AND SEND THOSE POSITIONS BACK TO MAYBE THE SHIFTS AND KIND OF HELP ALLEVIATE THAT, THAT PROBLEM? BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF JUST TODAY, HOW MANY WE HAD HAD ON LEAVE. SO JUST TO GIVE YOU A BREAKDOWN, WHAT WE DID AT THE ANNEX, WHEN I CAME IN, WE REDUCED THE KITCHEN FROM TWO OFFICERS TO ONE. I MEAN, THAT'S A MANDATE. ONE OFFICER IN THE KITCHEN, WHEN WE CAME ON BOARD, OBVIOUSLY THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT BLIND SPOTS, HOW BIG THE KITCHENS ARE, NOT TO MENTION SOME OF THE CAMERAS NOT OPERATIONAL, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE'RE ALREADY ADDRESSING. SO THAT'S WHY IT WAS TWO OFFICERS AT THAT AT THAT TIME, THE CLINIC AS WELL, TWO OFFICERS FROM TWO OFFICERS TO ONE OFFICER. SO THAT'S YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THE CLINIC OFFICER. THAT MEANT THAT MEANT THE THE CLINIC ITSELF, WHICH IS A STATION, BUT THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER OFFICER THERE TO ATTEND TO THE SICK CALLS THAT ARE COMING IN BECAUSE HE CAN'T MAN THE THE CLINIC AND IT'S STILL MANNED MANDATE. THE, THE THE THE SICK CALLS INFORMATION REDUCED FROM TWO OFFICERS TO ONE OFFICER PROPERTY SCANNER ONE OFFICER ONLY ON DAY SHIFT. AND THIS IS MORE FOR THE CONTRACTORS WHEN THEY'RE GOING IN CIVILIANS MAKING SURE THEY'RE GETTING SCANNED. BUT AGAIN, THERE'S NONE DURING GRAVES IT'S LOWER. SO WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE THAT INTAKE. YOU HAVE ONE CORPORAL AND TWO OFFICERS ON WEEKDAY, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT BUSIER, AND ONE CORPORAL, ONE OFFICER ON THE WEEKENDS, WHICH USUALLY IS MINIMIZED. AND THEN CENTRAL SECURITY, IT'S ONE OFFICER. WE HAD IT AT TWO, BUT WITH THE OVERTIME MATTER, WE REDUCED IT TO ONE MEDICATION PASS FLOOR OFFICERS WILL ESCORT NURSE NURSING STAFF DURING MEDICATION DISTRIBUTION. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I ALWAYS KIND OF LOOKED AT BECAUSE AS, LIKE I SAID, THEY ALWAYS ASK FOR PERSONNEL TO ESCORT MEDICAL, RIGHT. BUT WHERE DO WE GET THOSE BODIES? SO SOME OF THE ROVERS AND SPEAKING TO TO ADMINISTRATION, WELL, THEY HAD TO DRAFT PEOPLE FOR, FOR OVERTIME TO GET THE MED PASSED. BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ADDRESSED. NOW THEY'RE GOING TO GO, THE PODS ARE GOING TO OR THE FLOORS ARE GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE NURSES, SHE COMES IN TO MEDICATE THE INMATES. UNIT B, UNIT B IS A LOCKDOWN. IT'S ALL THE LOCKDOWN. SO IN 1400 THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE OUR MENTAL HEALTH. WE WENT FROM THREE OFFICERS, FOUR ACTUALLY FOUR OFFICERS TO THREE, AND WE'RE GOING TO USE THREE DURING THE DAY. AND GRAVEYARDS WE USE FOUR. AND THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH

[04:40:01]

REGARDLESS OF WHO WE ARE. SAME THING AT THE DOWNTOWN JAIL KITCHEN, REDUCED FROM 2 TO 1.

INFORMATION. ALSO ONE PROPERTY SCANNER, ONE SAME CONCEPT AS THE LIKE I SAID, WHAT HAPPENS AT THE ANNEX? THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN DOWNTOWN. SO WE'RE ALL STANDARDIZED MEDICATION PATHS. SAME THING. FLOOR OFFICERS WILL TAKE CARE OF. THAT ROLE WAS LIMITED TO FOUR ON EACH FACILITY AND THEN HOUSING. THE NEW CADETS WILL TRAIN WITH CORPORAL FOR TWO WEEKS INSTEAD OF FOUR. 11 TRAINEES ARE NOW FAMILIAR WITH HOUSING OPERATION, REDUCING ADDITIONAL STAFFING AND OVERTIME NEEDS. SO USUALLY WHEN WE HAVE A TRAINEE COME IN, HE'S ASSIGNED TO A CORPORAL AT THE DOWNTOWN JAIL. IT'S KIND OF HARD BECAUSE THE GUARD STATION OFFICER DOESN'T COUNT TOWARDS THAT MANDATE. SO WHEN DOES A CORPORAL GET A CHANCE TO TRAIN THE TRAINEE? SO THAT'S WHY WE ADDED THE EXTRA OFFICER SO THEY CAN BE ABLE TO TRAIN. FAST FORWARD. WE LOOKED AT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S THE TIME NEEDED TO TRAIN. AND WE WENT FROM ONE MONTH TO TWO WEEKS. SHOULD BE ENOUGH TRYING TO COME BACK ON THAT OVERTIME AGAIN. PROCESSING UNIT STAFFING REDUCED FROM 15 TO 12 OFFICERS WITH THREE OFFICERS REASSIGNED TO HOUSING UNITS.

AND THEN OF COURSE, SOME PORTS, WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT AT THE DOWNTOWN JAIL BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DO IT ON THE 12TH FLOOR, REDUCE FROM FOUR OFFICERS TO THREE OFFICERS, ALLOWING FOR ONE OFFICER TO ASSIST WITH COURT ESCORTS. SO JUST SHIFTING THE THE THE PERSONNEL. OFFICER RATIO ADJUSTED FROM 1 TO 4 TO 1 TO 7 TO REDUCE STAFFING AND OVERTIME NEEDS. PATROL STATION CLEANING. THIS IS A BIG HIGHLIGHT HERE. DETENTION PERSONNEL NO LONGER CLEANS NORTHWEST PATROL OR ANY STATION PATROL STATION. SO THAT HAS BEEN SHIFTED BACK TO THE LIEUTENANTS AT THE STATIONS. AGAIN, WE DON'T HAVE CLEANING SERVICES. SO AGAIN, THAT'S WHERE THE PROGRAMS COME IN AND THEY BENEFIT. BUT FOR NOW AS WE SPEAK, THEY'VE BEEN SUSPENDED.

SO IT WILL FALL BACK ON THE LIEUTENANTS FOR EACH STATION TO GET THAT SQUARED AWAY. SCHEDULE OVERTIME SUPERVISORS EVALUATE STAFFING NEEDS AND DISMISS SCHEDULE OVERTIME PERSONNEL WHEN CALLING OR OPERATIONAL NEEDS DO NOT REQUIRE THEM. AND AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE MEAL COUNTS, SHIFT VERIFY MEAL COUNTS BASED ON ONLY INMATES CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY.

LIEUTENANTS REVIEW AND UPDATE TRACKING TO ENSURE ACCURACY. AND AGAIN, THAT WAS BACK TO NOT BEING OVERCHARGED FOR MEALS AND FEDERAL INMATE POPULATION REDUCED TO MAINTAIN HOUSING FOR POPULATIONS AT BELOW 96, HELPING PREVENT ADDITIONAL STAFFING AND OVERTIME. KEEP IN MIND, WHEN WE PULL ONE OFFICER AND WE'RE ON THOSE 96 INMATES, OBVIOUSLY, WE DON'T HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THE FEDERAL MARSHALS AND THEN COURT TRANSPORTATION DOWNTOWN AND ANNEX PERSONNEL ARE COORDINATING COURT TRANSPORT AND ESCORT TO MAXIMIZE AVAILABLE STAFFING AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCY. AND THIS IS WORKING WELL BECAUSE IN THE LAST WEEK, I WAS I WAS ABLE TO RIDE ON ONE OF THE BUSSES MYSELF AND WE WERE ABLE TO SEE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT WORKING TOGETHER BETWEEN DOWNTOWN AND THE ANNEX. SO I THINK NOW, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO GET IT GOING AND I THINK COMBINED SHOULD REDUCE, YOU KNOW, MORE OVERTIME AS WE SO. AND THE CURRENT STAFFING. AND JUST TO HIGHLIGHT, WE HAVE A TOTAL OF SIX VACANCIES. KEEP IN MIND RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE CURRENTLY. 27 STARTING THE ACADEMY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY STARTED TODAY. BUT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT STAFFING TABLES, WE ALREADY HAVE YOU SEE THERE AS SIX VACANCIES, BUT TECHNICALLY THE 27 ARE IN THE ACADEMY RIGHT NOW. SO IT TAKES ABOUT 8 OR 9 WEEKS TO GET THEM GRADUATED AND THEN GO THROUGH THE TRAINING. SO REALLY, I MEAN, THEY'RE THERE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THEM PHYSICALLY. SO THEY ARE TRAINING JUST TO HIGHLIGHT BECAUSE YOU DO SEE THE SIX VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE, BUT THAT DOESN'T SHOW AN ACCURATE PICTURE. SO THE TRAINEES ARE STILL AT THE ACADEMY. THEY JUST STARTED THEY STARTED THE ACADEMY CORRECT. TODAY OR THE THE 27TH, THE MONDAY TODAY, TODAY, TODAY THEY STARTED. AND ISN'T IT POSSIBLE TO SEE IF WE CAN INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE ACADEMY SO THAT WE COULD IF THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT WE'RE HAVING IN TERMS OF SUPPLYING A PEOPLE THAT ARE

[04:45:04]

RIGHT. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT STILL UP FOR DISCUSSION. AND HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE WE CAN REVISIT THE COURT. IF I COULD ADD TO THAT COMMANDER SORIA, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PRESENTATION. THE HR HAS ALREADY RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO CREATE THOSE ADDITIONAL TRAINEE POSITIONS. SO WE WILL BE OVERSTAFFED AT CERTAIN WILL BE OVER OUR SLOTTED POSITIONS FOR CERTIFIED OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE ACADEMY. BUT WHAT THAT WILL DO IS WHEN THERE ARE VACANCIES, WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ABLE TO FILL THEM, AND THERE WILL BE INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN TIMES LIKE THERE'S A NEED FOR OVERTIME OR TO HELP FILL IN, BUT IT'LL BE AT A LOWER COST THAN WHAT WE'RE PAYING TO DO IT NOW. SO THERE WILL, WE'RE EXPECTING THAT WE WOULD BE USING SOME OF THE SALARY SAVINGS TOWARDS THOSE OVERAGE OF STAFFING VERSUS PAYING OVERTIME, WHICH IS MORE EXPENSIVE. ABSOLUTELY. AND IT'S SOMETHING TO HIGHLIGHT AS WELL. AS FAR AS THE TRUSTEE PROGRAMS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE IT'S ALL WHEN YOU HAVE INMATES, YOU HAVE AN OFFICER, RIGHT? SO WHO TAKES CARE OF THE COMPLEX? WE HAVE TO GET INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE. RIGHT? SO WE'RE PAYING THE RATE OF AN OFFICER OR WE'RE PAYING. CAN WE OUTSOURCE TO A LANDSCAPING WHERE THEY CAN DO IT TWICE A WEEK, THREE TIMES A WEEK, AND IT'S THE SAME, BUT WE'RE SAVING OUR HOUR IN THE END, RIGHT? SO IT'S THINGS THAT WE NEED TO REALLY THINK ABOUT AND INVEST IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP OUT ON OUR REDUCTION OF OVERTIME AND, AND OBVIOUSLY HOURS, HOURS. JUST TO ADD ON THE COURT DID APPROVE THOSE EXTRA. IS IT 40 POSITIONS? YES, BETSY, THE FOR THE TRAINING ACADEMY. SO WE CAN OVERSTAFF. BUT WE NEED TO HAVE SALARY SAVINGS. SO WHEN WE MET WITH CARMEN, IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THE ACADEMY, WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE SUFFICIENT SALARY SAVINGS IN OUR ACCOUNT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND THE LAST TIME WE CHECKED, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SALARY SAVINGS TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM. SO EVEN EVEN THOUGH WE, WE, WE DID IT LIKE THE, THE FUNDING BEHIND IT IS NOT THERE BECAUSE WE'RE DEPENDING ON THE SALARY SAVINGS. THIS WILL BE A SITUATION WHERE I DO THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, SHERIFF, AND I DO THINK THERE WILL BE. BUT BUT SIX VACANCIES DON'T DOES NOT EQUAL SIX TRAINEES. SO THE VACANCIES. PEOPLE WHO VACATED WERE OFTEN AT HIGHER LEVELS. AND SO IT IS AN ONGOING ASSESSMENT. THE AND THE PERIOD OF TIME AND THE COST AVOIDANCE OF THE OVERTIME ARE SOMETHING THAT HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTED. AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THE VACANCY SAVINGS VERSUS THE OVERTIME SAVINGS. BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO I THINK YOU SAID THERE'S 27 IN THIS ACADEMY, CORRECT, COMMANDER. SO THERE'S 27 PEOPLE IN THE ACADEMY. AND SO THAT WILL BE ABLE TO THAT WILL THEY'RE NOT DOESN'T MEAN ALL OF THEM WILL MAKE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH, OR THAT WE WON'T HAVE OTHER VACANCIES IN THE MEANTIME. BUT IT WILL HELP US BE MORE COMPLETELY STAFFED AND HAVE MORE COVERAGE AT A LOWER COST TO HELP WITH THOSE COVERAGES THAT WE'RE NOW PAYING HIGH DOLLAR TO COVER HIGHER DOLLARS. AND, BETSY, I KNOW THAT ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO WORKING ON SOME POLICY POLICY CHANGES. FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE MILITARY LEAVE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THAT. YES, MA'AM. SO HR DID SEND ME THE DRAFT OF THE MILITARY LEAVE. I BELIEVE IT'S COMING BACK PRETTY QUICKLY. IT WAS NOT QUITE WHAT THE COURT HAD PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, SO THEY WERE MAKING SOME ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS COMPLIANT WITH THE LAW. AND WE'D BE WILL BE BRINGING THAT ONE BACK. AND THAT WILL HELP US ADDRESS OUR MILITARY LEAVE, WHICH IS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT 20 SOMETHING PEOPLE BEING ON A LEAVE. THAT'S ONE OF THE LEAVES, AND WE'RE EXCEEDING FAR BEYOND WHAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO. AND AGAIN, JUST TO RECAP, DOWNTOWN IS REPORTING A 42.65 AND THE REPORTING OF 44.84. AND AGAIN, WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN. JUST RECENTLY HAVING THE THE DETENTION OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO THE TO THE ACADEMY, TO COMMUNITY SERVICES COMING IN TO TRANSPORTATION TO HELP ON THE, ON THE, ON THURSDAYS AND TUESDAY, WHEN THE IT'S THE HEAVIEST FOR COURT. SO I'M LOOKING AT EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING'S ON THE TABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE USING OUR RESOURCES APPROPRIATELY AND RESPONSIBLY. SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COMMANDER. THIS IS VERY GOOD INFORMATION. EXACTLY THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? THE COMMANDER. YES.

[04:50:07]

YES, SIR. BUT THE OTHER THING I DO KNOW IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE STATE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING, FOR EXAMPLE, SENATE BILL NINE AND HOUSE BILL, THAT REQUIRES LONGER DETENTION OF INDIVIDUALS, PARTICULARLY IN FAMILY VIOLENCE AND THEN CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES UNDER SENATE BILL NINE, THAT SOME OF THEM YOU CAN'T GIVE THEM BONDS, RIGHT. GIVE THEM PR BONDS, AND SOME OF THEM YOU CAN'T EVEN GIVE THEM BONDS. RIGHT? CORRECT. SO WE ARE SUPPOSEDLY HOUSING MORE SERIOUS, SUPPOSEDLY SERIOUS OFFENDERS. AND I KNOW THAT THAT LEADS TO PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE IN TERMS OF SAFETY ISSUES, IN TERMS OF THE SUPERVISION AND INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, AS YOU MENTIONED, TAKING, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT'S HIGH RISK, RIGHT? TO APPOINTMENTS AND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS WHEREVER OR OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THAT AND ESCORT. SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT. AND THAT SENATE BILL JUST HAPPENED IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN DID THAT COME INTO EFFECT? BETSY? I THINK IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS, TWO YEARS. SO WE HAVEN'T REALLY TAKEN ACCOUNT FOR SOME OF THESE ISSUES OR THE HOLDING OF FAMILY VIOLENCE OFFENDERS. RIGHT? CORRECT. AND I'M GOING TO SAY ALLEGED BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE INITIAL ARRESTEES, RIGHT? THAT WE NEED TO HOLD THEM. NOT ONLY THAT, ONCE THEY THEY POST BOND, TELL EVERYBODY WHAT YOU'RE REQUIRED TO DO, EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE POSTED BOND. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO ON THE FAMILY VIOLENCE? JUST TELL EVERYBODY WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN. CORRECT. I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THEY GO THROUGH THE PROCEEDINGS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS TO HIGHLIGHT IS, YOU KNOW, I WENT TO THE ANNEX AND THEY HAVE THE KEEP IN MIND I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE JAIL FOR SINCE 2010. RIGHT. BUT TO HAVE THE VIRTUAL COURT, WHICH IS VERY HELPFUL NOW. RIGHT. AND, AND SOME OF THESE OFFICERS THAT WERE THERE, THE OFFICERS WERE GIVING ME SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHAT CAN IMPROVE TO BETTER, YOU KNOW, SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND THE INMATES ULTIMATELY, BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE INMATES ARE BEING TRANSPORTED EVERY DAY WHEN WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY THE HEAVIER THE THE WORKLOAD TRANSPORTING, THE MORE OFFICERS WE NEED. SO NOW WITH THE VIRTUAL COURT, I THINK THAT HELPS A LOT. BUT I THINK SOME OF THE JUDGES ARE NOT ON IT BASED ON WHAT THEY WERE TELLING ME. SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO HIGHLIGHT TO THE JUDGES, MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW IT'S AVAILABLE. SO WE REDUCE ALL THIS OVERTIME, THE EXPENSE AND MAYBE GETTING THEM EXPEDITED THROUGH THE COURTS AND RELEASE, LIKE YOU SAID, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IN THE END, THEY'RE IN THE JAILS, THEY'RE SITTING IN THE JAILS UNTIL SUCH TIME THEY GO TO COURT. SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. AND ACTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT. AND THEN MOVING FORWARD, MAYBE GET WITH THE COUNCIL OF JUDGES AND AND PRESENT THEM THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. YOU KNOW, THERE'S REALLY A CAUSE AND EFFECT. IT'S NOT JUST THE JAIL ISSUE, IT'S A JUSTICE ISSUE. THE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE WE NEED TO AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY, A JUDGE ON STANDBY TO, YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF REVOKING EVERYBODY'S BOND BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T REPORT AUTOMATICALLY, THERE'S A WARRANT NOW INSTEAD OF A REGULAR $5,000 BOND, NOW THEY HAVE A 50 OR $100,000 BOND ON A LOWER OFFENSE. CORRECT. AND NOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS GET PICKED UP. AND BY THE TIME THEY GO TO COURT, THEY'VE BEEN SITTING IN THE JAIL FOR A WEEK, TWO WEEKS, THREE WEEKS, I DON'T KNOW. CORRECT. SO WE NEED TO YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST THE JAIL OPERATION. IT'S ALSO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT IMPACTS ABSOLUTELY THE JAIL DETAINEES. RIGHT. SO WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THIS COMPREHENSIVELY AND HOW WE DO THAT SHORTAGES IN THE DA'S OFFICE, AND BE ABLE TO MOVE THESE CASES WHERE YOUR PEOPLE ARE SITTING THERE, YOUR DETAINEES ARE SITTING THERE IN THE JAIL, AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROSECUTORS TO HANDLE THOSE SERIOUS CASES TO MOVE THEM, OR THOSE ARE A LOT OF THE CASES JUST TO MOVE THEM QUICKER, RIGHT? IT'S IT'S A SYSTEM ISSUE. IT'S NOT JUST A JAIL ISSUE. ABSOLUTELY. AND WE DO NEED TO PAY ATTENTION. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING OUT TO HAVE SOMEBODY GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION. BETSY, WHERE DOES THAT STAND ON THAT IS WITH, I BELIEVE, PURCHASING THAT WE WORKED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP THE RFP SCOPE.

WE ALL AGREED TO THE SCOPE, AND NOW WE HAVE REFERRED THAT RFP TO THE SCOPE THAT WE'VE PREPARED TO THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. IT SHOULD BE GOING OUT SHORTLY. I'LL FIND OUT

[04:55:05]

RIGHT. FOR FOUR HOURS. FOUR HOURS. AND THAT'S AFTER YOU'VE CONTACTED SOMEBODY TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, TO LET THEM KNOW, HEY, THIS PERSON'S ABOUT TO BE RELEASED. BEWARE. ARE YOU OKAY? WHATEVER. AND IF YOU CAN'T GET AHOLD OF THEM, WHAT IS IT, FOUR HOURS. FOUR HOURS.

RIGHT? SO WHO PAYS FOR THAT? WE DO. RIGHT. DOES THIS EXTRA TIME IF YOU MULTIPLY THAT TIMES THE 100 HOUR DAYS? NOT HERE. BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE CASES WE HAVE THAT ARE ARRESTED EVERY YEAR. YOU KNOW, JUST MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF HOURS EXTRA THAT OUR JAIL PERSONNEL HAVE TO SUPERVISE THESE PEOPLE. ABSOLUTELY. OR, FOR EXAMPLE, THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THERE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE NOW BECAUSE OF OUR PROCEDURES AND THE CJC AND THAT WE HAVE THAT PROCESS GOING. IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE TIME, RIGHT? BY THE TIME FOR THE BOOKING PROCESS THAN IT USED TO. RIGHT. ABSOLUTELY. SO I KNOW THAT INCLUDING THE MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS, RIGHT. OR REVIEWS. RIGHT. HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE? IT'S TIME CONSUMING TIME CONSUMING. SO WE KNOW THERE'S ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH. BUT YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE WE IN THOSE IN RESPECT TO THAT? I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE GET AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AS SOMEBODY MENTIONED ON ON PUBLIC COMMENT THAT THEY THINK THE COMMUNITY CAN DO IT, YOU KNOW, NO, THIS IS A VERY, VERY SPECIALIZED, VERY SPECIALIZED GOVERNMENT REQUIRED SERVICE. AND IT'S UNDER VARIOUS VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS AND STATE REGULATIONS. AND SO IT'S NOT JUST SOMETHING ANYBODY CAN DO, RIGHT? I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT. AND, YOU KNOW, AND, AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND, AND DEAL WITH THIS, YOU KNOW, ISSUE OF PEOPLE GOING ON VACATION AND STUFF AND HOW WE BEST CAN APPROACH THAT. AND, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO, YOU KNOW, EXPRESS THANKS THAT YOU, YOU KNOW, I SEE GOOD IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF THE REDUCTION IN THE OVERTIME. AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT UNTIL WE GET THAT AREA TO THAT POINT WHERE WE CAN DEDICATE THE ACTUAL STAFF, PERMANENT STAFF THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS OVERTIME, BECAUSE THE QUICKER WE DO THAT, THE LESSER THAT OVERTIME IS GOING TO OR THAT SERVICE REQUIREMENT IS GOING TO COST US. IT COST US 100% AND NOT 150%.

SO BUT I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING IN THAT RESPECT. SO I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE ANYTHING MORE, BUT ACTUALLY I DID WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF THE PERCENTAGE OF THE COURTS THAT ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE VIRTUAL COURT SYSTEM AND HOW MANY ARE NOT? I WANT TO HAVE THE PERCENTAGE. I DON'T KNOW, CHIEF. I WOULDN'T HAVE THAT. I CAN GET IT TO YOU, COMMISSIONER, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE WHAT THE PERCENTAGE IS AS FAR AS THE VIRTUAL COURT GOES. YEAH, I BELIEVE IT'S LOW BASED ON WHAT THE OFFICERS WERE TELLING ME. I THINK IT CAN BE EXPANDED AND USED, BUT I DON'T HAVE THOSE FIGURES. BUT I CAN GET THEM BACK TO YOU. SO, BETSY, I CERTAINLY THINK THAT THAT'S AN AREA OF IMPROVEMENT THAT WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR COURT ADMINISTRATOR ADMINISTRATION ON. ABSOLUTELY. YES, MA'AM. IF I MAY, I APOLOGIZE, COMMISSIONER, BUT REAL QUICK ON THAT POINT. YOU KNOW, THAT'S THAT'S A GOOD AND BAD COMMISSIONER, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T PRACTICED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE JUDGES WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO APPEAR AT THESE HEARINGS, BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY MORE EFFICIENT IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY IS

[05:00:03]

CORRECT. BUT I GET IT IN SOME OF THOSE MEETINGS AND SOME OF THOSE HEARINGS, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COURTS MAYBE, FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE ARRAIGNMENT PROCESS, MAYBE, AND HEARINGS THAT ARE NOT, YOU KNOW, MAY NOT REQUIRE THE PRESENCE OF THE DEFENDANT. BUT OTHERWISE, IT'S MY OPINION THAT I THINK THAT'S GOING TO LEAD TO QUICKER RESOLVING OF CASES WHEN THE CLIENT IS THERE, THAT THE DEFENSE LAWYER IS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY CONTACT BACK TO THE D.A. BACK TO THE CLIENT. WHEREAS IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT, THINK OF WHAT THE PROCESS IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE. AND THEN WE'RE PAYING THAT ATTORNEY, YOU KNOW, 50, $60 AN HOUR JUST TO TRAVEL DOWNTOWN OR TO THE ANNEX. ALL RIGHT. TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THAT CLIENT AND COME BACK TO THE D.A. GO BACK TO THE CLIENT. IT JUST MAKES IT INEFFICIENT. SO AT LEAST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT MAY BE MORE PRACTICAL IN SOME CASES. YEAH. JUST IN AREAS WHERE THERE'S MORE PRACTICAL, WE'D BE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT THOSE ARE. CORRECT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BUTLER. I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT THAT I HOPE YOU CONSULT WITH THE DA'S OFFICE WHEN IT COMES TO THE VIRTUAL HEARINGS. HE HAS A LOT OF INSIGHT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON ON HOW THAT CAN BE IMPROVED, AS WELL AS THE PROS AND CONS OF INCREASING VIRTUAL HEARINGS. MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS ON THIS.

THIS REDUCTION IN OVERTIME IS POSITIVE. I THINK THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE WANT TO SEE IT GOING. HAVE YOU DONE OR WILL YOU DO PROJECTIONS TO SHOW IF THIS IS SUSTAINABLE OVER TIME? YES, OBVIOUSLY WE WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE WAITED FOR ANOTHER WEEK BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE GIVEN US A TWO WEEK PROJECTION. SO GOING FORWARD, MAYBE PER PAPER, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU THOSE NUMBERS GOING FORWARD EVERY TWO WEEKS. YES. OKAY. THANK YOU. YEAH. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SUSTAINABLE. SO AND LIKE I SAID, IN THE END, WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AREAS THAT WE CAN CONTROL AND WE'RE GOING TO DO BETTER AND WE CAN DO BETTER. THANK YOU COMMANDER. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COURT CHIEF PATRICK GAILEY, CHIEF DEPUTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AGAIN, IT'S MONDAY, SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I DID WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING THAT COMMANDER SORIA PUT UP ON THERE ABOUT OUR SHORTAGES. THE 27 YOU SEE IN THE ACADEMY RIGHT NOW ARE ATTRIBUTED TO BEING ON OUR PAYROLL, BUT THEY'RE NOT PHYSICALLY THERE FOR ANOTHER NINE WEEKS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I HAVE FIVE OUT ON MILITARY. SO THAT'S WHAT MY MATH IS A LITTLE LACKING HERE, BUT IT'S WHAT, ROUGHLY 31. AND THEN I'VE GOT.

SOME MORE THAT RESIGNED THE SIX VACANCIES, YOU SEE. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT 37. SO THAT'S 37 PEOPLE THAT I SHOW ON MY STAFFING TABLE THAT AREN'T ACTUALLY THERE. SO THAT'S ONE THING I DO WANT YOU TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE TALK NUMBERS AND SHORTAGES. PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND BECAUSE THOSE SHORTAGES, ALTHOUGH ON PAPER, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE THEY'RE IN REALITY, THOSE ARE VACANT POSITIONS IN THE FACILITIES THAT I HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AND FILL IF THEY'RE IN CRITICAL NEED. SO AND THE ACADEMY IS NINE WEEKS, NINE WEEKS FOR THE ACADEMY. YES, MA'AM. AND CHIEF, WOULD THOSE SO ON THE ON THE CHART THAT WAS ON THE SCREEN, IT SHOWED 23 TRAINEES, NOT 27. IS THAT TRAINEES FROM THE LAST ACADEMY OR. THAT'S THAT'S THE CURRENT ACADEMY. AS OF TODAY, THERE'S. 27 THEY STARTED TODAY, THE. 927 YOU SEE, THERE WAS ACTUALLY AN ORIENTATION DATE WHERE THE TRAINEES COME IN. THEY GET INTRODUCED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND SUCH, BUT THEIR ACTUAL TRAINING DATE BEGIN TODAY, IF I CAN JUST ANSWER THAT. SO 23 BUT HR WAS ABLE TO FILL FOUR MORE BEFORE THE ACADEMY, AND THAT WAS DONE IN ONE WEEK. WE HAD TWO ORIENTATIONS TO CAPITALIZE ON THE ACADEMY. SO THE CURRENT NUMBER IS 27, NOT 23. OKAY. APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. SO COMMANDER, OUR CHIEF WILL BE GIVING A PRESENTATION LATER ON ON ONE OF THE I BELIEVE IT'S ITEM 11. HE'LL GIVE YOU A BETTER IDEA OF THE NUMBERS AND SUCH WHEN IT COMES TO HIS. BUT

[05:05:04]

AND OF COURSE, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO GET SOME INPUT FROM THE PERSON WE HIRE TO DO THAT. THAT STUDY, WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING. THAT'S THE REASON COMMANDER SORIA WAS BROUGHT IN.

HE'S TURNING EVERY STONE OVER. HE'S RECOMMENDED CUTS TO ME. I'VE APPROACHED THE SHERIFF.

WE'RE MAKING MOVEMENT ON REALIGNMENT OF PERSONNEL. BUT AGAIN, CHIEF SORIA, WHEN HE'S UP TO DO HIS PRESENTATION, HE'LL GIVE YOU SOME MORE NUMBERS AND SUCH. THE MAIN THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT WE'RE WORKING. WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN. WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOR THE BUDGET. BUT WE ARE TAXPAYERS ALSO, JUST LIKE YOU ARE, AND WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO MINIMIZE WHAT WE SPEND. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT SOMETIMES THE NEED IS GREATER THAN THE DOLLAR FIGURE. SO CAN I ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING BEFORE I SIT DOWN? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS, CHIEF. THANK YOU COMMANDER.

THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER NINE. BE RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE REQUEST TO RESTORE FUNDS FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ACADEMY COURTHOUSE, SECURITY PATROL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, CRIMINAL

[B. Receive a presentation and discuss and take appropriate action regarding the request to restore funds from Contingency to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Academy, Courthouse Security, Patrol, Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and Warrants divisions overtime accounts to support current operational needs. Funding is available in GF-GADM-OPS CONTINGENCIES. Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]

I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT FOR THESE NEXT TWO ITEMS FOR ITEM NINE B AND NINE C, USUALLY, ANY BUDGET TRANSFERS ARE POSTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR BUDGET DEPARTMENT, WITH AMOUNTS INCLUDED AND LINE ITEMS FOR THE TRANSFERS. AS THAT PROCESS WAS NOT FOLLOWED FOR THESE ITEMS, WE BELIEVE THE COURT MAY PROCEED WITH DISCUSSION ON THESE TWO ITEMS, BUT IF THE COURT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ACTION, WE WOULD ADVISE FOR THE ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT BACK AT A LATER AGENDA. OKAY, SO WE CAN HEAR THE PRESENTATION, JUST NOT TAKE ACTION. CORRECT. THANK YOU.

WELCOME. ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON COURT. MY NAME IS COMMANDER JEROME WASHINGTON OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. OF COURSE, I AM THE CID COMMANDER, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION. AND CURRENTLY, WITH OUR CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR EFFICIENCY, I'M ALSO OVERSEEING THE PATROL DIVISION. SO I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU ALL A SNAPSHOT. WE ARE HERE TO. I'M SORRY, A SNAPSHOT OVER EACH ACCOUNT, BUT WE ARE HERE TO REQUEST THAT THE COURT RESTORE THOSE CONTINGENCY FUNDS TO OUR OVERTIME BALANCES. SO I WANTED TO KIND OF GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT WE'RE FACING. ONE OF THE POLICING STRATEGIES WE HAVE, RIGHT, IS TO ADDRESS CRIME.

THAT'S KIND OF OUR MAIN FOCUS, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC SAFETY ADDRESS CRIME. ONE OF THE EFFECTS OF ADDRESSING SPECIFIC CRIME IS WHAT WE CALL DISPLACEMENT, WHERE YOU PICK A PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE'S BURGLARIES, THERE'S CERTAIN SPECIFIC TYPE OF CRIME. WE ADDRESS IT WITH UNITS. WELL, THEN THE CRIMINALS IN THAT AREA DECIDE, WELL, LET'S GO SOMEWHERE ELSE WHERE THERE'S NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO A LOT OF TIMES IT CAN BE VERY SPORADIC RIGHT NOW. COMPOUND THAT WITH THE FACT THAT WE ACTUALLY ARE A MORE ACTIVE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE BEEN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR ALMOST 25 YEARS. AND, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, NOT TO SAY HOW THINGS WERE DONE. IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT APPROACH IN THE PAST. AND I CAN TELL YOU IT WAS VERY FEW, IF ANY, OPERATIONS, YOU KNOW, FOR BURGLARY, TO ADDRESS BURGLARIES, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN VERY SPORADIC. WE WOULD SEE A BIG SPIKE UPTICK AND THEN WE WOULD ADDRESS IT. THEN. HOWEVER, NOW WE ARE ON A MORE PROACTIVE. THE MOMENT WE START TO SEE THESE TRENDS, WE IDENTIFY THEM. WE HAVE AN ANALYST NOW AND WE ADDRESS THOSE THOSE TRENDS.

THERE'S A PRESENTATION LATER ABOUT DWI ENFORCEMENT, THE TASK FORCE. WE NEVER HAD THAT IN THE PAST TO EVEN ADDRESS THAT SERIOUS ISSUE OF INTOXICATED DRIVERS. SO, YOU KNOW, IN SPEAKING WITH THAT, THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT I'M GOING TO TOUCH IT ON AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION THAT IT'S KIND OF DIFFICULT. BUT BECAUSE OF THE UPTICK IN ACTIVITY, IT'S KIND OF NECESSARY THAT WE HAVE THOSE FUNDS AVAILABLE. SO IF I CAN, IF I MAY GO THROUGH SOME OF THE ACCOUNTS STARTING WITH THE BEGINNING, OUR ACADEMY, RIGHT. AS YOU SAW IN THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION, WE'RE SHORTHANDED. WE BELIEVE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF. SO THAT MEANS THAT WE NEED TO RECRUIT AND HAVE MORE STAFF. AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT STAFF IS PROFICIENT AND CAPABLE OF DOING THE JOB. SO OUR ACADEMY STAFF, THEY HAVE TO OCCASIONALLY ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU KNOW, INTERVIEW AND ADMINISTER TESTS, PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS FOR OUR NEW HIRES, TYPICALLY ON A SATURDAY WHEN THESE NEW HIRES ARE WORKING FROM THEIR PREVIOUS JOB AND HAVE THE AVAILABILITY. SO THAT INCREASE IN THAT ACCOUNT IS GOING TO HELP WITH THAT. AS PEACE OFFICERS AND DETENTION OFFICERS IN OUR DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN FOR OUR CERTIFICATION TRAINING AND SO ON, AND THOSE INSTRUCTORS ARE VERY VITAL TO HELP US MAINTAIN THOSE CERTIFICATIONS TO KEEP US IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE. THIS ONE IS A PERSONAL MIND, THE CID COMMANDER. SO FROM FROM MINE, I

[05:10:07]

OFFICERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE ACTION, WHICH IS GOING TO IN TURN ACCRUE MORE OVERTIME, EITHER WITH THE BOOKING PROCESS OR WITH THE ARREST PROCEDURES OR MEETING WITH THE MAGISTRATES, AND THEN FINALLY WARRANTS AGAIN OUR UPTAKE AND ACTIVITY ACROSS THE BOARD IN OUR DEPARTMENT, WE ARE WAY MORE ACTIVE. SO THAT ALSO INCLUDES MORE ACTIVE WARRANTS AS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH. AS YOU'VE SEEN, THERE ARE PLENTY OF INMATES STILL IN JAIL THAT HAVE PENDING CASES.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE MORE NEW CASES THAT ARE CREATING MORE ACTIVITY, MORE POPULATION. I UNDERSTAND THE POPULATION MAY BE DECREASING, BUT THERE'S DEFINITELY MORE ACTIVITY. WHETHER WE GO LOOKING FOR IT OR IT COMES TO US. SO AGAIN, SO TO TO KIND OF CLOSE OFF WHEN I'M ASKING AND I MENTIONED ABOUT THESE SPECIFIC TYPES OF OPERATIONS, THE REALITY ALSO IS IT'S KIND OF DIFFICULT, DIFFICULT TO COME AND SAY, HEY, WE WANT TO DO CRIME IN A PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A LOT OF BURGLARIES BECAUSE WE DO THAT PUBLICLY. WELL, THEN THE CRIMINALS ARE GOING TO KNOW, WELL, DON'T GO THERE, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE MORE TRANSPARENT ONES LIKE THE DWI TASK FORCE, THERE'S A LARGE CONCERT THAT'S GOING TO ATTRACT A LOT OF ALCOHOL INTOXICATION DRIVERS, RED SANDS, AND WE DEFINITELY CAN ANNOUNCE THAT. BUT THERE ARE GOING TO BE TIMES WHEN IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE SPECIFICALLY, NOT THAT WE'RE NOT BEING TRANSPARENT, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONFIDENTIALITY FOR OUR INVESTIGATIONS SO THAT WE DON'T ALERT THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT ELEMENT, NOT NOT TO KEEP ANYTHING FROM THE PUBLIC.

SO, SO AGAIN, WE HUMBLY AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THAT BE CONSIDERED. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S SOME OTHER PROCEDURES WE NEED TO FOLLOW, BUT BUT YES, COMMISSIONERS, TO ADD ON ALL THESE ACCOUNTS, WE DID GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. YOU KNOW, WE WE SUBMITTED THE JUSTIFICATIONS ON FOR THE INCREASE. ALL THIS PROCESS WAS DONE. THESE INCREASES WERE

[05:15:04]

SO IT DOESN'T SHOW ON PAPER THAT EVERY ACCOUNT IS RUNNING ON RED. SO I THINK THAT THAT WILL CHANGE. AND THAT'S THE REASON WE'RE WE'RE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING IF, IF IF NOT IN THIS COURT, THE NEXT COURT. WELL, WITH THE PROCESS THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MENTIONED THAT THE SUGGESTED AND APPROVED FUNDING THROUGH THE BUDGETING CAN BE RESTORED TO THESE ACCOUNTS, AND I BELIEVE THESE ACCOUNTS WILL NOT RUN IN RED BECAUSE WE WILL NOT BE USING THEM FOR DETENTION OPERATIONS ANYMORE. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH. MY UNDERSTANDING, I KIND OF DID A ROUGH CALCULATION OF THE MATH. IT'S ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT YOU'RE REQUESTING IS ABOUT 650,000 OR SO FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT. YES, SIR. THAT IS THE AMOUNT, THE DIFFERENCES. IT'S A LITTLE OVER 650,000. YES, SIR. FOR THE THIS IS AGAIN FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUREAU, SEPARATE FROM THE JAIL. RIGHT. AND THE OVERTIME PROPOSALS THAT YOU ARE OR RATHER THE FIGURES THAT Y'ALL PROPOSED. SO THAT WAS JUST FROM THE DETENTION IN TERMS OF THE OVERTIME SAVINGS. YOU MEAN FROM THE PREVIOUS ONE, SIR I BELIEVE. YES, SIR. THAT THE SAVINGS THAT THEY HAD AND THE PERCENTAGE REDUCTION THAT WAS FOR THEIRS, THIS THE CONTINGENCY, I GUESS TO BE CLEAR, IS WHEN WE MADE OUR JUSTIFICATIONS, OUR REQUEST, WE ASKED FOR SPECIFIC AMOUNTS FOR EACH OF THESE ACCOUNTS TO BE INCREASED FOR OVERTIME. PHONE I UNDERSTAND ROUNDABOUT WAY WAS APPROVED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE THAT WAS KEPT OVER AND ALL OF THE ACCOUNTS IN THE ORIGINAL ADOPTED BUDGET HAVE BEEN THE SAME AS PREVIOUS YEARS. SO THAT'S WHY THAT MONEY WAS. AND IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY.

ALL RIGHT. AND CAN Y'ALL GIVE US AN ESTIMATE OF THE 5.9 MILLION THAT MOSTLY WAS RELATED TO OVERTIME, THE OVER OVERAGE. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT PERCENTAGE OR WHAT AMOUNT WAS FOR THE DETENTION OVERTIME AND WHAT WAS FOR THE REST OF IT? THE I COULDN'T I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S GOING TO BE CONTRIBUTING MORE TO THE DETENTION SIDE, BUT I COULDN'T GIVE YOU AN EXACT NUMBER MYSELF, SIR. NO I COULDN'T. SO ON THE DETENTION SIDE, WHAT WHAT WAS THE APPROXIMATE OVERAGE ON OVERTIME? COMMISSIONER? WE CAN DEFINITELY UNDER THE ITEM WHERE CARMEN'S GOING TO PRESENT. YEAH, WE CAN GO OVER HOW MUCH OF THE BUDGET IS DUE TO WHERE, WHICH AREAS OF OVERTIME? IT MIGHT TAKE US JUST A MINUTE, BUT WE CAN. OKAY. YES. COMMISSIONER BUTLER, I ALSO AM CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW MUCH OVERTIME WAS TRANSFERRED OVER FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DETENTION. I'M INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT THAT NUMBER IS. I ALSO FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD TAKE THE THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM BEFORE WE TAKE THIS, SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE USES OF OVERTIME, BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT ACTUALLY MOVING ANY MONEY FROM CONTINGENCY OVER TO THESE ACCOUNTS. YES. IF I COULD ADD, JUST TO HELP A LITTLE BIT CLARIFICATION. SO IF A BETTER EXAMPLE IS I HAVE A DEPUTY ASSIGNED TO C, I'D A SECTION, RIGHT. AND HE GOES AND WORKS OVERTIME. HE OR SHE WORKS OVERTIME IN THE JAIL. WHEN IT'S TIME TO DO THAT PROCESS, THEY'LL PUT ON THEIR TIME CARD. I WORK THE JAIL OVERTIME. IT DOESN'T ALWAYS NECESSARILY SHOW THAT BECAUSE WE ALL USE THE SAME TIME KEEPING SYSTEM. HOWEVER, WHEN IT'S TIME TO DEDUCE THAT OVERTIME AMOUNT, THEY TAKE IT FROM THE DIVISION THAT THEY'RE ASSIGNED TO AS OPPOSED TO THE JAIL. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT THE SHERIFF WAS MENTIONING FOR THE FUTURE, IS WE WANT TO GET IT TO WHERE IT'LL MOVE IT BACK OVER. BUT IF THAT HELPS, KIND OF CLARIFY WHY YOU SAW THE FLUCTUATION IN THE ACCOUNTS IS BECAUSE OF DEPUTY FROM CID, DEPUTY FROM PATROL WORKED IN THE JAIL. THEIR OVERTIME THAT THEY WORKED CAME FROM THEIR OWN ORIGINAL ASSIGNMENTS, DIVISIONS, OVERTIME AND NOT THE JAIL. SO AS IT COULD BE. AND THAT IS SOMETHING SYSTEMATICALLY WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRACK AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CODE THROUGH OUR TIME SYSTEM. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT A CODE TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THAT. SO WE KNOW HOW MUCH IS IT REALLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE JAIL. AND WE DO HAVE A TRANSFER CODE. BUT I GUESS THE ISSUE IS, IS I KNOW THEY'RE TRYING TO SET UP TO WHERE THAT MONEY CAN ACTUALLY BE SUBTRACTED FROM THE APPROPRIATE ACCOUNT PER SE, AS OPPOSED TO SO WE CAN ACTUALLY RUN A REPORT AND SAY, OKAY, ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WORKED AT JAIL THESE TIMES, BUT IT ONLY IT AUTOMATICALLY REDUCE, I GUESS. I GUESS THE SYSTEM DOESN'T UNDERSTAND. IT JUST DOESN'T TIE OVER TO MUNIS TO THE ACCOUNTING SIDE TO CHARGE JAIL OVERTIME AND OVERDRAW THAT ACCOUNT

[05:20:04]

SO FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE CID UNIT, THE INITIAL REQUEST IN FOR BUDGET FOR 26 WAS 475,000. THE ACTUALS FOR 26 WAS $794,000. THE REQUEST THAT WE WORKED ON, AS THE SHERIFF INDICATED, WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, WE. WE WORKED TO IDENTIFY THE NUMBER THAT WAS BEING REQUESTED, WHICH IS THE $597,128. SO THAT THAT'S THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE HAVING. AND THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH COURTHOUSE SECURITY. IT WAS 35,000 THAT WAS REQUESTED. WE HAD 274,000 IN ACTUALS. HOWEVER, THAT THOSE OFFICERS THAT WERE THAT WERE WORKING WERE ACTUALLY CODED THERE. AND SO WE BROUGHT THAT BUDGET BACK DOWN TO THE 45,000, THE MORE REALISTIC NUMBER. COMMISSIONER, IF WE COULD HAVE DAISY READ IN NINE C. YES, SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS OVERTIME EXPENDITURES. ITEM NINE C APPROVING AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO APPROVE OVERTIME EXPENDITURES FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. PRE-PLANNED SPECIAL OPERATIONS INITIATIVES, INCLUDING DWI ENFORCEMENT ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND G ADMIN OPS CONTINGENCIES. FURTHER TRANSFER FUNDS FROM G F ADMIN OPS CONTINGENCIES TO VARIOUS S O DIVISION OVERTIME ACCOUNTS.

BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THIS ITEM, THOUGH, I STILL HAD A QUESTION ON BE IF WE COULD BRING UP THE LAST SLIDE THAT WAS UP WITH THE THREE COLUMNS FOR THE SIX DIVISIONS THAT COMMANDER WASHINGTON WAS EXPLAINING. THIS ONE. YES. SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, THESE SIX ACCOUNTS DO HAVE FUNDING FOR OVERTIME CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR THAT JUST STARTED LAST WEEK ON THE FIRST. SO SO PATROL, FOR EXAMPLE, CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE OVER $1 MILLION IN AUTHORIZED OVERTIME IN THAT ACCOUNT. NO, NO, MA'AM. FOR PATROL, IT'S 737,000. AND CHANGE THE THE MILLION THAT YOU SEE IS THE DIFFERENCE THAT WAS ADOPTED. THE FISCAL YEAR ADOPTED IS THE 737 THAT WAS LAST FISCAL YEAR. AND THAT'S WHAT WE LEFT IT AT THIS YEAR, I BELIEVE. OKAY. WE LEFT IT. WE DID IT THE SAME, REMEMBER? OKAY, SO THAT THE BUDGET PROP IS PROPOSED BY THE SHERIFF. BY THE SHERIFF. OKAY, THAT WAS THE PROPOSED AMOUNT. SO ESSENTIALLY OUR ACCOUNTS PRETTY MUCH STAYED THE SAME. OKAY. SO MINUS THE CONTINGENCY. SO THEN IN THE PATROL CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THERE'S $737,738 IN THE OVERTIME ACCOUNT. SO THERE IS FUNDING AVAILABLE IN OVERTIME RIGHT NOW FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. OKAY. AND I KNOW, I KNOW CLAUDIA MENTIONED THIS, BUT SINCE SINCE THE COURT'S UNABLE TO ACT ON THESE TWO ITEMS TODAY, ITEM NINE B AND NINE C, THAT WILL ALLOW US TIME TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT THE RESTORATION. I BELIEVE THE RESTORATION. THEY'RE REQUESTING TO BE RESTORED BACK TO WHAT THEY PROPOSED, BUT TO GIVE US TIME TO DO A LITTLE MORE ANALYSIS TO SEE WHAT THE COST, THE COST ESCALATORS WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD WE BEEN DOING THOSE ALL ALONG. AND FOR THE COURT TO CONTINUE ITS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE EFFICIENCIES AND ABOUT THE SIMILAR TO WHAT THE DISCUSSION YOU ALL HAD LAST WEEK WHEN YOU WERE LOOKING AT THE VARIOUS OVERTIME OPERATIONS AND YOU ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHO ELSE IS WORKING OVERTIME, WHAT IS THE NEED, ETC. IT'LL GIVE US A LITTLE MORE TIME, BUT THERE IS OVERTIME RIGHT NOW IN THE BUDGET. YES. SO. BUT WAIT, NOW I'M CONFUSED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE THE PROPOSED BUDGET, THE DIFFERENCE IS WHAT WAS PUT ASIDE AND CONTINGENCIES FOR THESE ACCOUNTS. SO TECHNICALLY IT WAS BUDGETED JUST UNDER CONTINGENCIES, CORRECT? YES MA'AM. THAT'S CORRECT. SO WE HAVE THE THE THE TOTAL PROPOSED BUDGET BUDGETED JUST IN DIFFERENT PLACES. THAT'S CORRECT. YES MA'AM. THAT'S CORRECT. BUT IF I MAY IF I MAY, JUST TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION, JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME MORE INFORMATION. SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE SHERIFF AND HIS STAFF, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT DEVELOPING A CADENCE WHERE WE

[05:25:07]

THIS ITEM, AS I UNDERSTAND FROM THE SHERIFF, IS NOW REQUESTING THAT MONEY FROM THE OPERATIONS CONTINGENCY AT THIS TIME. OKAY. AND. AND SO IF WE THIS IS THIS IS ALL OF THE OPERATIONAL OVERTIME OUTSIDE OF THE JAILS, CORRECT? YES, MA'AM. YES, MA'AM. THAT'S CORRECT. THIS IS THE OTHER OTHER SIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BUREAU. SO THE ONLY BUREAUS, THE ONLY REMAINING OVERTIME, I GUESS LINE ITEMS ARE UNDER THE JAIL. THE DOWNTOWN JAIL, THE JAIL ANNEX. YES, MA'AM. THAT'S CORRECT. SO WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE REDUCING OUR OVERTIME CONTINGENCY BY $650,000 AND 52 OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 6 MILLION, 9 MILLION

[C. Approve and authorize the County Judge to approve overtime expenditures for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office pre-planned Special Operations initiatives, including DWI enforcement initiatives, for Fiscal Year 2027. Funding is available in GF-GADM-OPS CONTINGENCIES. Further, transfer funds from GF-GADM-OPS CONTINGENCIES to various SO division overtime accounts. Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]

[05:30:03]

AND THOSE NUMBERS DO NOT HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT. WE HAVE BECOME VERY MUCH DATA DRIVEN. WE LOOK WHERE THE DWI ARE OCCURRING. WE CHECK INTO TIMES, DAYS, HOLIDAYS, MAJOR EVENTS. EVERY TIME THAT WE HAVE A MAJOR EVENT HERE IN EL PASO, WE ADDRESS THOSE THOSE WEEKENDS, WE ADDRESS THOSE DATES AND WE TARGET THIS IMPAIRED DRIVERS. DURING A MAJOR HOLIDAY OPERATION, HUNDREDS OF VEHICLES COME IN CONTACT WITH OUR UNITS, AND WE ARREST DOZENS OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS AND OFFENDERS BEFORE THEY THEY THEY COMMIT THE WORST MISTAKE OF THEIR LIVES. FOR EXAMPLE, IN IN THE OPERATION FOR 4TH OF JULY IN 2026, WE COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 440 TRAFFIC STOPS IN MAY, 34 ARRESTS, INCLUDING 28 DWI ARRESTS. IT WAS A TOTAL OF 151 CITATIONS ISSUE AND 531 WRITTEN WARNINGS. DURING OUR LAST LABOR DAY OPERATION, DEPUTIES CONDUCTED 289 TRAFFIC STOPS AND MADE 40 TOTAL ARRESTS, INCLUDING 30 DWI RELATED ARRESTS, ALONG WITH 2030 CITATIONS AND 252 WRITTEN WARNINGS. BUT I DON'T WANT THESE NUMBERS AND THIS ARREST TO BE JUST THE SUCCESS OF OUR UNIT. BEYOND MAKING THOSE ARRESTS IN THIS OPERATIONS, THOSE HUNDREDS OF TRAFFIC STOPS AND STOPS, AND OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO IDENTIFY IMPAIRED DRIVERS AND TO STOP A DRIVER BEFORE HE COMMITS A CRIME, EVERY PATROL UNIT FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT IS OUT THERE VISIBLE DURING THESE DAYS, THEY'RE ALSO A DETERRENT. SOMETIMES OUR GREATEST SUCCESS MIGHT BE THE PERSON WHO SEE OUR DEPUTIES AND WORKING YOUR DEPUTIES OUT THERE AND WORKING, AND DECIDES NOT TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL WHILE THEY'RE INTOXICATED. WE DON'T BELIEVE IN ENFORCEMENT AS LONG AS THE ONLY ANSWER IS, WELL, I DO AGREE WITH A LOT OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS WHO THEY ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM. AND THAT'S WHY OUR STRATEGY IS ALSO A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH. ENFORCEMENT IS IMPORTANT, BUT WE ALSO BELIEVE STRONGLY IN EDUCATION, PREVENTION, PUBLIC AWARENESS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY. OUR DEPUTIES PARTICIPATE IN PRESENTATIONS, COMMUNITY MEETINGS, PUBLIC EVENTS, AND OUTREACH WITH SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES. WE HAVE DEDICATED SIGNIFICANT EFFORT PREVENTING WITH PREVENTING CAMPAIGNS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, BECAUSE WE WILL MUCH RATHER CONVINCE SOMEBODY FROM NOT DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED THAN PLACE THEM UNDER ARREST. WE HAVE ALSO BUILT AN AMAZING RELATIONSHIP WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING,

[05:35:03]

A ONE DAY OPERATION CONSISTS OF ONE LIEUTENANT, TWO SERGEANTS AND A TOTAL OF 20 DEPUTIES AT AN ESTIMATED OVERTIME COST OF APPROXIMATELY 11,100 $198. A MULTI-DAY OPERATION. WE REDUCED THE NUMBER DURING THE SECOND DAY OF OPERATIONS, AND IT IS APPROXIMATELY A TWO DAY OPERATION IS APPROXIMATELY $20,100, WHILE A THREE DAY OPERATION WILL CONSIST OF $29,000 WITH $2. THE TOTAL PROJECTED OVERTIME FOR THE 12 PLANNED OPERATIONS THAT WE'RE REQUESTING TODAY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OF 2027 IS A TOTAL OF $223,394 FOR THIS 12 OPERATIONS.

WE ALSO REQUESTING A SMALL CONTINGENCY FUND FOR UP TO SIX ADDITIONAL DWI ENFORCEMENT DATES THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PREDICT ANY MAJOR EVENTS, ANY SPORTING EVENTS, ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO BRING A CELEBRATION A YEAR AHEAD OF US. THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERTS, A LOT OF FESTIVITIES THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PREDICT ON TODAY'S DATE. THESE FUNDS WILL GIVE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THE FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO ANY UNEXPECTED MAJOR CONCERTS, SPORTING EVENTS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, HIGH TRAFFIC LOCATIONS, OR THE REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM ANY OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS. AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE SOMETHING, JUST BECAUSE THE FUNDING WE ARE REQUESTING AND IS THERE, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO JUST SPEND IT. IT WILL ONLY BE USED WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFY ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT.

EACH CONTINGENCY OPERATION WILL USE A SMALLER TEAM OF ONE LIEUTENANT, TWO SERGEANTS, AND UP TO TEN DEPUTIES FOR APPROXIMATELY $6,605 PER OPERATION. THE MAXIMUM ESTIMATED FUNDING FOR ALL SIX OPERATIONS, APPROXIMATELY, WILL BE $39,628. THE OTHER IMPORTANT COMPONENT IS COMMANDER WASHINGTON WAS DESCRIBING ARE THE RED SANDS OPERATIONS. RED SANDS PRESENTS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY CHALLENGE. WE'RE DEALING WITH LARGE CROWDS DEALING WITH VEHICLES SUCH AS ATVS AND OFF ROADING VEHICLES, ALCOHOL, MEDICAL EMERGENCIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT, AND ACTIVITY THAT SPREADS ACROSS THE DESERT AREA, WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO ACCESS. THAT REQUIRES MANPOWER AND RESOURCES.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE RESULTS, I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE PRESENCE, THE OFFICER PRESENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF RED SANDS DURING THIS FACILITY IS TRULY MATTERS. THIS PAST SATURDAY, SHERIFF OSCAR AND MYSELF, WE MET WITH A LARGE COMMUNITY OF LEADERS FROM THE ATV COMMUNITY THAT ARE USUALLY ATTENDING THE RED SANDS AREA, AND THEY WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS AND THE CHANGE OF ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS INTO THE RED SANDS AREA, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE PARTICIPATING ON THE ATV EVENTS, I WANT TO SAY 99.9% OF THEM ARE FAMILIES, ARE GOOD PEOPLE WHO ARE ENJOYING THE SPORT. THAT IS VERY FUN AND IT'S HEALTHY. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S ALWAYS THAT 1% OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE CREATING A HAZARD FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. ON THE LAST OPERATIONS THAT WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS LAST YEAR UNDER SHERIFF CARUGATI, DURING THE 4TH OF JULY RED SANDS OPERATION OF 2025, DEPUTIES HANDLED OFFENSES INCLUDING DWI, FAMILY VIOLENCE, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, MARIJUANA POSSESSION, AND CRIMINAL WARRANTS. BUT DESPITE THE ACTIVITY, WE HAD SEVERAL MAJOR INCIDENTS, SEVERAL MAJOR INJURIES AND ZERO FATALITIES AS OPPOSED TO PREVIOUS BEFORE WHERE THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY SHOOTINGS AND PEOPLE DYING IN THAT PLACE. DURING THE TURKEY RUN OPERATION OF 2025, DEPUTIES HANDLED CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, INJURED PARTIES, PUBLIC INTOXICATION, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND A FIREARM RELATED REPORT. BUT AGAIN, ZERO MAJOR INCIDENTS, ZERO SERIOUS INJURIES AND ZERO FATALITIES DURING THE 4TH OF JULY IN 2026, OUR UNITS ALSO HANDLED MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, MEDICAL EMERGENCY, DISORDERLY CONDUCT ACTIVITY AND NUMEROUS OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE. BUT ONCE AGAIN, ZERO MAJOR INCIDENTS, ZERO SERIOUS INJURIES AND ZERO FATALITIES. TO ME, THOSE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS OF THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION BECAUSE, AS HAS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT THE DAY, IT IS

[05:40:04]

BUT THAT'S, THAT'S HOW IT OPERATES. WE GO OUT THERE AND WE LOOK FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT THERE. THAT, THAT THAT BEGS ANOTHER QUESTION FOR ME. SO IF YOU'RE IF YOU'RE DOING DWI OPERATIONS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, WHERE POLICE EPPD ALSO HAS JURISDICTION, IS THE DATA THAT YOU'RE PULLING OR THAT YOU'RE USING? IS THAT FROM EPPD OR THAT'S THAT'S NEGATIVE EVERYTHING, ALL THE NUMBERS THAT I HAVE PRESENTED TO YOU, THEY'RE ALL DATA. THAT'S, THAT'S OUR DEPUTIES WORKING AND MAKING THOSE ARRESTS. OKAY. SO IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT LIKE WHERE YOU'RE, YOU'RE WORKING ON A JOINT OPERATION WITH EPPD AND YOU'RE SHARING YOU'RE SHARING DATA. NO. NEGATIVE, SIR. EVERY TIME THAT WE DO AN OPERATION, WE DO SEND THE INVITATION OUT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVERY AGENCY IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, FOR THEIR OWN ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS. ALL THE NUMBERS THAT I PRESENT TO YOU IS NOTHING BUT THE WORK DONE BY OUR 55 DEPUTIES VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS OPERATION. AND SO, SO THE CONCERTS AND THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING, LIKE AT DON HASKINS OR, OR AT SUN BOWL OR ANY OTHER VENUE THAT ARE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. THE EPP DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT ON THEIR OWN. THEY NEED EXTRA,

[05:45:04]

SO WITH THE EXTRA UNITS ON PATROL, THEY DRIVE AROUND. AND IF YOU SEE OUR STATS, I MEAN, WE'RE NOT OUT THERE. THIS IS NOT TO GENERATE REVENUE. THIS IS NOT TO TAKE PEOPLE TO JAIL.

IF YOU SEE OUR STATS, WHICH SOMETIMES I'VE SEEN THE COMPLAINT, WE GO OUT THERE, WE ADDRESS IT. BUT IF WE FIND THAT THEY'RE NOT INTOXICATED, WE LET THEM GO. WE'RE NOT ISSUING CITATIONS ON EVERY TRAFFIC STOP. OBVIOUSLY, WE DO NEED TO CONDUCT THOSE THOSE CONTACTS.

YOU KNOW, THE DEPUTY DOES THEIR INVESTIGATION AND IT'S JUST A NORMAL PERSON NOT DRINKING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. WE RELEASE THEM, WE RELEASE THEM. WE'RE ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR THAT INTOXICATED DRIVER. BUT TO INTOD DRIVERS, WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE PATROL DRIVING AROUND. SO I GUESS JUST AS A FOLLOW UP TO COMMISSIONER STOUT'S, JUST BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND. SO THESE ADDITIONAL PLANNED OPERATIONS ARE NOT LIMITED TO OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS THERE. THEY WOULD BE HAPPENING HERE INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS. SO I GUESS THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THAT COORDINATION? WHEN WE WHEN WE HAVE A PLAN, WE DON'T PUT LIKE, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK. IT JUST DEPENDS WHAT WHAT IS GOING ON, IF IT'S ON, IF IT'S A 4TH OF JULY OR IF IT'S A MAJOR HOLIDAY. WE DEPLOY EVERYWHERE. AND IT JUST DEPENDS HOW MANY AGENCIES ARE HELPING. WELL, I'M LOOKING FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE AT THE MAY 18TH, METALLICA, LIMP BIZKIT, AVATAR. THAT'S A CONCERT. YES. SO IS THAT AT UTEP? YES. SO THEN THAT IS WITHIN THE CITY.

SO I GUESS THAT'S THE QUESTION MAYBE WHAT IS THAT COORDINATION WITH THE OTHER ENTITIES LOOK LIKE. SO THIS IS ON OVERTIME BASIS. WE DON'T HAVE THE EL PASO PD. THEY THEY HAVE THEIR DEDICATED UNIT. SO THEY'RE ALWAYS ON DUTY. SO THEY HAVE A DWI. YES, A FULL TIME FULLY FUNDED DWI TASK FORCE. EVERY NIGHT THEY'RE WORKING, EVERY NIGHT THEY'RE WORKING. SO WHEN WE DO THESE OPERATIONS, I MEAN, IT'S A SUPPLEMENT, BUT EL PASO PD, IT'S CONTINUOUS. AND ARE.

THEY HAVE THEY REQUESTED THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WITHIN THEIR SPECIALIZED. WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ONLY HAVE 14 OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO THE DWI TASK FORCE. AND SINCE THEY'RE A PERMANENT DWI TASK FORCE, THEY ALSO HAVE. THAT'S THEIR PERMANENT ASSIGNMENT, RIGHT? SO THEY HAVE THEIR SCHEDULES, THEY HAVE THEIR DAYS OFF, THEY HAVE THE ROTATING SHIFTS. SO SO THAT'S HOW LIKE, EVEN IF THEY HAVE 14 DEPUTIES, 14 OFFICERS, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE 14 OFFICERS ENFORCING SPECIFIC DAYS. BUT I GUESS THAT'S MY QUESTION. HOW MUCH COORDINATION IF WE WORK IN COORDINATION? YES. NOT ONLY WITH THEM, ALSO WITH DPS, WE COORDINATE WITH HORIZON PD WITH SOCORRO PD. EVERY TIME THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO DWI OPERATION, WE SEND OUT THE INVITATIONS AND WE LET THEM KNOW IN CASE THEY WANT TO JUMP IN. SOMETIMES WE EVEN HAVE PD JUMPING ON BOARD AND THEY'RE ALSO DOING OBVIOUSLY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE STAYS WITHIN THEIR AREAS TO TRY TO KEEP THEIR OWN COMMUNITY SAFE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S A COMBINED EFFORT. WE ALL SEE IT. IT IS. IT IS EXTREMELY NECESSARY. NOW AS FAR AS TO THE NEED OF OF US BEING ABLE TO DRIVE AROUND AND TRULY TARGETING IT. IF WE WAIT UNTIL THEY MAKE IT TO MILE MARKER 35. BY THEN, THE POSSIBILITIES OF DRIVING FROM THE CONCERT ALL THE WAY TO MILE MARKER 35, AN ACCIDENT ALREADY HAPPENED. SO WHEN WE DEPLOYED OUR UNITS, WE ARE ACTIVELY TARGETING ALL THOSE AVENUES WHERE WE KNOW IT'S JUST COMMON SENSE. IF THERE IS A BIG SPORTING EVENT, THEY'RE GOING TO TRAVEL THROUGH 75, THEY'RE GOING TO TRAVEL LIGHT TEN. WE NEED TO CATCH THEM BEFORE THEY CAUSE A TRAGEDY. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I DO HAVE A QUESTION ON THE CONCERTS AS WELL. DOES UTEP REIMBURSE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ANY ANY COSTS FOR COVERING THOSE CONCERTS? I DID HAVE A MEETING MYSELF AND THE DPS LOCAL CHIEF. WE HAD A MEETING. I CAN'T REMEMBER HIS NAME. HE'S THE DIRECTOR OF OF, I GUESS, ENTERTAINMENT FOR FOR UTEP. AND WE DID ASK HIM LIKE, IS THERE ANY TYPE OF FUNDING THAT UTEP CAN PROVIDE? BECAUSE UTEP ONLY PROVIDES THE SECURITY AND OFFICERS FOR WITHIN THEIR FACILITIES. THEY DON'T THEY DON'T PATROL. I MEAN, THEIR

[05:50:04]

YOU'RE GOING TO CONTROL THIS INTERSECTION. SO UTEP PAYS FOR THEM AND THEY KEEP ALL THEIR THE HOURS WORK. THEY DON'T GIVE THEM TO THE LIKE TO GO PATROL. BUT IF THEY SEE AN IMPAIRED DRIVER, THEY WOULD. IF YOU'RE WORKING A SIDE JOB AND YOU SEE AN IMPAIRED DRIVER, THEN HE WOULD CALL A UNIT LIKE, HEY, I'M AT THIS INTERSECTION. I JUST STOPPED AN IMPAIRED DRIVER.

THEN HE WOULD CALL A LOCAL UNIT THAT'S ON ON PATROL TO COME AND HANDLE THAT. OKAY. CAN I ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND. SO THERE'S SO WE HAVE THE 55 VOLUNTEER DEPUTIES WHO SIGN UP FOR THE DWI OPERATIONS. BUT I KNOW THAT WE ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO? WHAT KIND OF. IF THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT DOESN'T DO DWI OPERATIONS, WHAT, WHAT WHAT OPERATIONS CAME UP WITH DWI OPERATIONS? I'M SORRY, THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT WAS TO TRY TO LOOK FOR ANY CRIME SURGES THAT HAPPEN IN EACH DISTRICT. SO WHAT WE DID FROM EACH SHIFT, WE PULLED ONE DEPUTY. AND WHAT THIS ADDED EVERY WEEKEND, WHICH IS 49% OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, HAPPENS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. SO BY PULLING AND THIS IS SOMETHING I WENT TO A CONFERENCE AND THEY SAID, LIKE HOW TO ALLOCATE YOUR STAFFING, RIGHT? SO ONE OF THE ISSUES WE WERE HAVING IS EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY WE HAD CALLS PENDING. WE HAD CALLS PENDING FOR SERVICE. BUT IN THE CURRENT SCHEDULING THAT WE HAVE WITH THESE 12 HOUR SHIFTS, YOU KNOW, ON THE WEEKEND WE WERE SHORTHANDED. SO WHAT WE DID, WE CREATED THIS SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT. AND EVERY OTHER WEEKEND IT'S A UNIT OF 12. THEY HAVE SIX OFFICERS. SO THOSE SIX OFFICERS NOW ASSIST PATROL. SO EVERY WEEKEND THEY'RE THERE. BUT NOW SO WE DON'T HAVE CALLS PENDING. WHEN PEOPLE CALL 911.

THESE SPECIAL OPERATION OFFICE UNIT IS HELPING PATROL. AND SO THOSE THOSE 911 CALLS. SO THERE'S NOTHING PENDING. OF COURSE IF THEY RUN INTO A DWI THEY TAKE CARE OF IT. IF THERE'S NO CALLS PENDING, THEY'RE PROACTIVE OUT THERE LOOKING. LIEUTENANT VERGARA IS ALSO IN CHARGE OF OF, OF THAT UNIT. EVERY WEEK HE CHECKS IN WITH EACH STATION. WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR IN YOUR DISTRICT? WHAT WHAT ISSUES ARE WE HAVING? WHAT ARE THE VEHICLE THEFTS? WHAT CRIMES ARE HAPPENING? SO THAT UNIT GOES AND TACKLES THAT THAT THOSE PROBLEMS AND THE REGULAR PATROL OFFICERS DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER TO THOSE. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THAT THOSE EXTRA UNITS. IF IF IT'S IF IT'S A HOLIDAY OR WHATEVER OPERATION THERE IS, YOU KNOW, THOSE THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT, THEY ARE GOING TO HELP WITH THE DWI OR WHATEVER OPERATION IS GOING ON. BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR. AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE. YES, SIR. BESIDES THE COVERS TO PATROL, WHICH WE'RE ALWAYS

[05:55:02]

AND INSTEAD OF JUST DOING WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE BEFORE, BEFORE SHERIFF TOOK OFFICE AND JUST WAIT, GENERATE THE REPORT, AND THEN MAYBE ONE DAY WE'LL FIND THAT THAT OFFENDER, THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT, GOT DEPLOYED THERE, HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SPECIALIZED TRAINING. THEY WENT THROUGH A 12 WEEK ACADEMY OF INVESTIGATIONS. SO THEY GENERATED THEIR OWN SEARCH WARRANT. WE LOCATED THROUGH INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS, THE OFFENDER WHO WAS HIDING IN A NEARBY HOUSE, AND WE EXECUTED THAT SEARCH WARRANT AND TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY TO TO FACE JUSTICE. SO THERE WAS A LOT OF LACK OF PROACTIVENESS WHEN IT CAME TO CRIMES. AND THAT'S WHERE THE SPECIAL OPERATION THAT'S TAKING OVER AND ASSISTING ALL PATROL STATIONS. SO WE'RE NOT SEEING THE SAME TYPE OF BACKLOG. THEY'RE FOCUSING ON THE BACKLOG. LOOK AT OUR RESPONSE TIMES, YOU KNOW, IN THE COUNTY AND OUR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY WHEN WHEN SOMEBODY CALLS 91911 OR OUR UNITS THERE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, IT WAS THE BEST WAY TO SUPPLEMENT THE, THE, THE LACK OF DEPUTIES THAT WE HAVE. SO IT THE BEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT, AND THE WAY I EXPLAIN IT TO THE SERGEANTS ON PATROL IS HAVING THAT THIRD SHIFT THAT IS COVERING THAT GAP. WHENEVER WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE. IT IS. IT IS SUPPLEMENTING THOSE. BECAUSE IF IF FUNDING WAS WAS THE RIGHT WAY, WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN NEEDING FOR MANY YEARS, WE WILL HAVE THOSE 12 DEPUTIES PATROLLING AND HORIZON LINE AREA. SO NOW WITH THIS SIX BODIES, WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT WITHOUT HAVING THE BODIES ON THE TABLE. AND THIS AND THAT IS ALL DONE ON THE REGULAR TIME SO THAT THE ACTUAL SCHEDULE. SO WE'RE NOT PULLING THEM FOR FOR OVERTIME. SO ACTUALLY HELPS THE OVERTIME. YES. COMMISSIONER. ON THESE SPECIAL DWI OPERATIONS THAT YOU HAVE, YOU STAY ON ANY PARTICULAR DAY OR, OR EVENT BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE TWO DAYS, SOME OF THEM ARE ONE DAY. RIGHT? YES, SIR. THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ASSIGN TO THOSE PATROLS, ARE THEY ONE MAN OPERATION PER VEHICLE? YES, SIR.

OKAY. AND DO YOU ARE THEY ALL ALL OF THOSE THAT GET ASSIGNED, ARE THEY SFST CERTIFIED? YES, SIR. SO AS PART OF THE DWI TASK FORCE, WHAT WE DID IS THAT WE RENEW PRETTY MUCH THE THE THE FIELD SOBRIETY STANDARDIZED. WE HAD A TOTAL OF THOSE INITIAL 55 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL TEN, I BELIEVE, FROM THE W TASK FORCE FROM THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT. ONCE THEY BECAME ACTIVE, THAT GOT RECERTIFIED ON SFSTS AND BECAME PROFICIENT ON IT. THAT WAS ANOTHER TOPIC THAT WAS NEGLECTED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. WE HAD, UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF OUR DEPUTIES THAT WERE NOT VERY PROFICIENT ON DWI INVESTIGATIONS THAT WERE NOT VERY PROFICIENT ON SFSTS INVESTIGATIONS, AND WE RECERTIFY ON ALL OF THEM. ON TOP OF THAT, WE CONDUCTED AN ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR 20 DEPUTIES, I BELIEVE. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT I

[06:00:03]

NOW, ON THESE PARTICULAR EVENTS THAT YOU HAVE, WHAT ARE YOUR APPROXIMATE ARRESTS JUST FOR THOSE EVENTS, NOT THE QUARTER OR ANYTHING, JUST THAT WE CAN HAVE WE HAVE A BREAKDOWN. YOU WANT TO GO BREAKDOWN PER PER OPERATION. YES, SIR. SO IN GENERAL, THERE'S AN APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 300 TO 400 TRAFFIC STOPS AND BETWEEN 30 TO 40 DWI ARRESTS. BUT WE HAVE A BREAKDOWN HERE. ON THE FIRST OPERATION OF 2025, WE HAD A TOTAL OF 36 ARRESTS AND 30 OF THEM WERE DWI RELATED. ON MAY 16TH WAS A TWO DAY EVENT. YES, SIR. ON MAY 16TH THROUGH THE 18TH, WE HAD A TOTAL OF 48 TOTAL ARRESTS AND 36 DWI RELATED ARRESTS. ON 4TH JULY LAST YEAR, WE HAD A TOTAL OF 53 ARRESTS, AND 29 OF THOSE WERE DWI RELATED. ON AUGUST 29TH THROUGH THE 31ST, WE HAD 35 TOTAL ARRESTS AND 26 OF THEM WERE DWI FOR FISCAL YEAR OF 2026. IT STARTED IN OCTOBER 17TH AND 18 OF 2025. WE HAD A TOTAL OF 50 TOTAL ARRESTS WITH 36 DWI RELATED ARRESTS. BY VALENTINE'S WEEKEND, WE HAD 241 TRAFFIC STOPS, 28 ARRESTS, AND ONLY 12 OF THOSE WERE DWI RELATED. ON MARCH 17TH OF THIS YEAR, WE HAD A TOTAL OF 18 ARRESTS WITH DWI RELATED ARRESTS. MAY 1ST AND SECOND, 179 TRAFFIC STOPS, 26 TOTAL ARRESTS, 11 DWI ARRESTS. ON THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND OF THIS YEAR, WE HAD A TOTAL OF 440 TRAFFIC STOPS, 34 TOTAL ARRESTS AND 28 DWI ARRESTS. ON SEPTEMBER 4TH AND THROUGH THE SIXTH, 289 TRAFFIC STOPS, 40 TOTAL ARRESTS AND 30 OF THEM WERE DWI RELATED. AND HOW MANY DEPUTIES YOU PUT IN ANY ONE OF THESE EVENT AVERAGE? WELL, IT VARIES, IT VARIES DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF VOLUNTEERS. BUT USUALLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS 20 FOR THE FIRST DAY AND ABOUT 15 FOR THE SECOND DAY, 20 AND 15. YES, SIR. SO WE'RE TALKING EACH DEPUTY WOULD HANDLE PROBABLY ON ANY PARTICULAR DAY LIKE THIS ONE WAS A TWO DAY EVENT, MAYBE 1 OR 2 ARRESTS. AND THAT'S WHAT APPROXIMATELY IT TAKES. IT TAKES ABOUT A SHIFT TO TO HANDLE THE WHOLE IF YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS OF WHAT. YES, SIR. I CAN TELL YOU, THE VAST MAJORITY OF MYSELF, INCLUDING MYSELF. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE RUN THROUGH ONE CALL. I ALWAYS GO DWI AT AT LEAST ONCE A NIGHT. MANY OF OUR DEPUTIES, WE HAVE EVERYONE GOING ONE. AND THEN IF YOU DON'T GET LUCKY ON THE ON THE FIRST NIGHT, YOU WILL GET IT ON THE SECOND ONE. AND THEN WE HAVE SOME OTHER ONES THAT GET LUCKY AND THEY END UP GETTING TWO DWI AT A NIGHT. WE.

WE'RE A GROUP OF VERY HIGHLY PROACTIVE OFFICERS, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THOSE 55 VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE STEPPING UP. WE'RE NOT FORCING THEM. WE'RE NOT ASSIGNING THEM. THEY THEY'RE VOLUNTEERING THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN THIS. SO THE WHOLE PROCESS FOR DWI, IT STARTS FROM THE TRAFFIC STOP. WHEN WE MAKE CONTACT WITH WITH A SUSPECTED VEHICLE WHO MIGHT BE INTOXICATED, WE START MAKING OBSERVATIONS OF THE WAY HE'S DRIVING. IF IT'S SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, IF HE'S FOLLOWING OTHER VEHICLES TO CLOSE, IF IT'S GOING TOO SLOW, IF IT'S GOING TOO FAST, AND THEN WE HAVE THE PROBABLE CAUSE TO MAKE THE CONTACT, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. OFTENTIMES WITH AN INTOXICATED DRIVER, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE SWERVING IN AND OUT OF THE LANES. YOU'RE GOING TO SEE FAIL TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL. YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE UNSAFE LANE CHANGE AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO ONCE WE DEVELOP THAT PC, WE INITIATE THE TRAFFIC STOP AND WE START OR SEVEN SEVEN STEP VIOLATOR CONTACT, WHICH IS GOING TO BE MAKING CONTACT INTRODUCING. AND WE START THE OBSERVATION PROCESS. AT THAT POINT, WE ASK THEM OUT, WE CONDUCT THE SFSTS, AND THEN WE DETERMINE IF THE PERSON IS SUSPECTED TO BE INTOXICATED. RIGHT THERE ON SCENE. WE READ THEM OF THE DEQ 24, WHICH IS A FORM WHICH IS GOING TO BE THE ADVICE OF

[06:05:01]

WE HAVE TO REQUEST THE RECORD. THAT'S HOW COMPLEX. SOME OF OUR DEPUTIES WILL NOT GO 1015 OR WILL NOT ARREST DWI, BECAUSE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO STAY WITH THE RECORD UNTIL THEY SHOWED UP.

THE VEHICLE GETS IMPOUNDED, THE SUSPECT GETS TRANSPORTED. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION WHERE WE AT, THERE'S GOING TO BE THE DRIVING TIME FROM THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS THE THE TRAFFIC STOP CONDUCTED ALL THE WAY TO ONE OF THE PATROL STATIONS WHERE WE CAN GET AN INTOXICATION OXIDIZING MACHINE, AND THEN THE 15 MINUTE OBSERVATION PERIOD, IT STARTS ONCE WE GET TO THE STATION. SO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR LONG FOR THOSE 15 MINUTES OF OBSERVATION IS THAT EACH DEPUTY STAYS WITH THE ARRESTEE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. YES, SIR. OKAY, YEAH WE CAN. IT'S NOT LIKE ANY OTHER ARREST WHERE YOU CAN PUT THEM IN THE CELL AND YOU CAN START WORKING ON YOUR REPORT. AND IT JUST KEEP AN EYE FROM THERE. YOU HAVE TO PHYSICALLY HAVE THEM WITH YOU, ESPECIALLY DURING THE 15 MINUTE OBSERVATION. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT NOTHING IS ALTERED IN HIS MOUTH AND HIS BREATH. SO YEAH, THE 15 MINUTE OBSERVATIONS ARE MANDATED. THEN WE GO THROUGH THE INTOXICATION INTOXICATION MACHINE, AND THAT CAN TAKE ANYTHING FROM 15 TO 20 MINUTES. AND THEN THE REPORT PROCESS STARTS. USUALLY AS I WAS EXPLAINING, IT IS MORE EXTENSIVE. IT REQUIRES MORE DISCIPLINE IN THE COMPLETENESS OF THE CASE BEFORE IT GETS PRESENTED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THROUGH THE ATTORNEY. SO IT CAN TAKE ANYTHING FROM 2 HOURS TO 4 HOURS. IF A SEARCH WARRANT GETS REQUIRED, THEN THE TRANSPORTATION TO THE DOWNTOWN JAIL PRESENT THE PCS. THEN YOU HAVE THE NURSES. YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SECOND FLOOR, GET THEM, EXECUTE THE BLOOD WARRANT IF IT WAS A BLOOD WARRANT, AND THEN YOU GO THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF THE BOOKING, WHICH AS YOU AS YOU ALL KNOW, IT ALSO TAKES A LOT OF TIME. AND THE REASON I, YOU KNOW, I KNOW ALL THIS PROCESS. I JUST WANT THE COURT TO KNOW THAT EVERY ONE TIME THEY MAKE THIS ARREST, IT TAKES UP A LOT OF THE TIME OF EACH ONE OF THESE OFFICERS TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

AND IF THEY HAVE TO GET A BLOOD WARRANT, I MEAN, THAT COULD DELAY IT. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR HOURS, RIGHT? YES, SIR. ONE OF THE ONE OF THE OLD SCHOOL MENTALITIES, RIGHT, THAT WE USED TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY LIKE YOUNG DEPUTIES WHEN I WAS A YOUNG DEPUTY, WAS THAT IT WAS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT. RIGHT. BECAUSE IT IS ONLY A CLASS B AND IT IS A LOT OF PAPERWORK, MOST LIKELY IN A DWI CASE, YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO COURT, YOU ALL ARE GOING TO GO TO THE DRIVER'S LICENSE HEARINGS, AND IT IS ONLY A CLASS B, SO IT WASN'T SEEN AS AS FLASHY OR AS GETTING A LOT OF RESPECT FROM THE TROOPS BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT GETTING COCAINE, YOU WERE NOT GETTING MARIJUANA, YOU WERE GETTING JUST A CLASS B. THE SADDEST PART OF IT IS THAT MANY OF US UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S EVEN THOUGH IT'S A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR, IT REPRESENTS THE LIFE OF SOMEBODY, AS YOU GUYS CAN HAVE. YOU GUYS HAVE HEARD FROM THE FROM THE COMMUNITY. IT IS THE LIFE OF SOMEBODY. SO WE ENFORCE A LOT AND WE ENCOURAGE A LOT OF OUR GUYS NOT TO LOSE THAT PASSION FOR THEM. BECAUSE THE WAY WE SEE IT, YOU'RE SAVING A LIFE THAT NIGHT. AND EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE A LOT OF PAPERWORK, IT MIGHT BE A LOT OF EXTENSIVE WORK HOURS, AND THE BOOKING PROCESS IS NOT AS A REGULAR ARREST. AND THEN MOST LIKELY YOU'RE GOING TO BE GOING TO ALL THIS COURT HEARINGS AND STUFF. IT IS WORTH SAVING A LIFE IF THAT'S GOING TO, IF THAT'S GOING TO, IF THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. YES, COMMISSIONER. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THAT AS SOMEBODY WHO LIVES IN ONE OF THE SERVICE AREAS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE MONTANA VISTA COMMUNITY, I DEFINITELY HEAR FROM THE RESIDENTS AND I SEE FIRSTHAND THE INCREASE IN PATROL AND THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE DEPUTIES IN THE AREA. I SEE AN INCREASE OF ENFORCEMENT ON ISSUES LIKE ILLEGAL DUMPING AND ANIMAL CRUELTY, AND I KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITIES IN THOSE AREAS REALLY FEEL SAFE AND KNOW THAT WHEN THEY CALL THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT THERE WILL BE THERE WILL BE A RESPONSE AND PROACTIVE RESPONSE AS WELL. WE GET A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR LIKE MONITORING, SPEEDING ON CERTAIN STREETS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ALWAYS RESPONDS. SO, SO I APPRECIATE THAT. I ALSO KNOW, YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR RED SANDS EFFORTS, I. YOU KNOW, UNLESS YOU GO OUT THERE AND YOU SEE IT FOR YOURSELF ON, ON THESE CERTAIN DATES THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND 4TH OF JULY ESPECIALLY, IT IS LIKE MAD MAX STYLE OPERATIONS OUT THERE. AND, AND I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF'S PRESENCE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PRESENCE THERE HAS MADE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

I, I, YOU KNOW, I'M ALWAYS CAUTIOUSLY HOLDING MY BREATH ON THOSE DAYS BECAUSE WE CAN'T PREVENT 100% OF THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED THERE BEFORE. BUT HOPEFULLY WITH INCREASED PRESENCE MEANS INCREASED DETERRENCE. SO I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO SAY THAT ON THE THE DWI, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY ON THIS COURT QUESTIONS EFFORTS AND FUNDS GOING TOWARDS DWI TASK FORCE. WHAT I DO THINK IS THAT WE'RE WE'RE IN THIS

[06:10:09]

[06:15:04]

AND SO THAT'S ONE THAT WE NEED TO TO KNOCK OUT RIGHT AWAY. AND THEN WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE OTHERS TO DO THAT ANALYSIS. WHAT OTHER INFORMATION DO YOU NEED, BETSY. SO WE WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT WHAT HAS BEEN THE SPEND FOR OVERTIME ON HALLOWEEN AS AN EXAMPLE. BUT I DON'T THINK THERE USED TO BE OPERATIONS DURING HALLOWEEN BEFORE. SO IF THERE WASN'T, THEN WE KNOW THE FULL AMOUNT IS AN INCREASE. BUT IF THERE WAS, WE KNOW THAT IT'S THE DIFFERENCE. CHIEF SAWYER, WERE THERE ANY OPERATIONS BEFORE? OR MAYBE IF IT WASN'T EVEN A SPECIFIC OPERATION, BUT OVERTIME WORKED ON HALLOWEEN. CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT. NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PRIOR HALLOWEEN OPERATIONS OTHER THAN JUST SATURATING THE COMMUNITY DURING THOSE THOSE EVENTS. SO ON A SATURDAY THIS YEAR. SO. RIGHT. IT'LL BE A VERY BUSY YEAR FOR HALLOWEEN WITH IT BEING ON SATURDAY. SO THAT WILL BE THE PRIORITY ONE TO BRING BACK. AND, AND I WOULD ASK ALSO THE, THE RED SANDS OPERATION FOR THANKSGIVING THAT'S COMING UP. AND THE ONLY THING I WOULD ASK IS JUST TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, BECAUSE THIS IS ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS. SO WE ALSO HAVE TO PUT IT OUT TO THE DEPUTIES. AND THEN I DON'T WANT TO WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE LIKE, HEY, WE DID GET FUNDING. I'M LIKE, I'M SORRY, I WASN'T PLANNING ON WORKING. SO JUST GIVE US AT LEAST 3 OR 4 MONTHS. SO DEPUTIES AS WELL, BECAUSE THEY DO PICK SINCE MOST OF THESE OPERATIONS ARE ON HOLIDAYS, THEY DO PICK OUT OF THE 55. NOT EVERYBODY WORKS. USUALLY WE DID REQUEST 20. SOMETIMES WE GET 1716. BUT I MEAN THEY KIND OF ALSO PICK WHAT HOLIDAY THEY'RE GOING TO WORK AND WHAT HOLIDAY THEY'RE GOING TO STAY WITH THEIR FAMILY. SO ALSO, I MEAN, I WOULD REQUEST IF, IF YOU CAN GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME AND INSTEAD OF JUST OPERATION BY OPERATION SO WE CAN PUT IT OUT AND DEPUTIES CAN DECIDE WHAT OPERATION THEY WANT TO WORK IF THEY'RE GOING TO WORK IT. I THINK WE CAN DO THAT. YES.

COMMISSIONER STOUT, DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER COMMENT THAT YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE? NO, I MEAN, I WAS JUST I WAS JUST. GOING TO ASK IF IF LIKE IT HAS TO BE I MEAN, THIS IS OVERTIME IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE ABLE TO, TO DO THESE OPERATIONS. YES. BECAUSE IF WE DO, IF WE DO DWI OPERATIONS, WE WOULD BE PULLING FROM THE SHIFT, RIGHT. BUT THE SHIFT IS ANSWERING TO 911 CALLS.

AND WHEN THEY'RE ASSIGNED TO A SHIFT, THEY DO. I MEAN, OF COURSE THEY CAN GET A DWI, WHOEVER'S PROFICIENT IN DOING THE INVESTIGATION. BUT ONCE THEY GET A DWI, THAT TIES THEM UP FOR SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT HOURS. SO THEN IT TAKES THEM AWAY FROM PATROL. AND THEN WE, WE LEAVE BEHIND THE DISTRICT THAT THAT DEPUTY WAS ASSIGNED TO PATROL. CAN IT BE DONE? ABSOLUTELY. BUT I MEAN, IT'S JUST WHAT IS IT SAYING? I MEAN, WE WE TAKE FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO COME IN AND WORK A DWI AND JUST TO JUST TO ADD ADD UP TO THAT, SIR, JUST ONE EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW SHOULD BE AT THE PATROL STATION. THEY'RE RUNNING WITH ONLY SIX DEPUTIES. THAT IS TO COVER TORNILLO, FABENS, CLINT SAN ELIZARIO AND HALF OF HORIZON. RIGHT. THAT'S LEAVING THEM WITH ONLY ONE DEPUTY PER AREA. AND IF ONE OF THEM GO AND ARREST A DWI, THAT IS GOING TO TAKE HIM ANYTHING FROM EIGHT HOURS TO THE ENTIRE DAY THROUGH THE BOOKING PROCESS, THE BLOOD WARRANT AND ALL THAT. NOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FIVE DEPUTIES RESPONDING TO ALL THOSE PLACES. IF ANOTHER DEPUTY IS STUCK WITH THE RECORD, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A TOTAL OF FOUR DEPUTIES ONLY WORKING IN THAT SHIFT. THAT THAT IS THAT'S HOW COME THIS IS JUST NOT

[06:20:01]

THAT'S ALL THEY DO. IT'S NOT ON OVERTIME, BUT I MEAN, THAT'S FOR FUTURE PLANS. HOPEFULLY THE COURT WILL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION. AND IN THE FUTURE, FUND A FULL TIME DWI TASK FORCE LIKE LIKE EL PASO PD. EL PASO PD IS THE ONLY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT CURRENTLY HAS A FULLY FUNDED DWI TASK FORCE. AND I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER. THE OTHER THING TOO IS WE CAN LOOK FOR OUR GRANTS TEAM CAN WORK WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL DWI GRANTS THROUGHOUT. I YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT AS EASY. AND I KNOW WE DO GO AFTER AS MANY GRANTS AS WE CAN GET, BUT WE CAN TRY TO TARGET MORE DWI GRANTS. EVEN SOME INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL OFFER GRANTS FOR ENFORCING DWI, DIFFERENT ROAD SAFETY GRANTS, MAYBE THROUGH THE STATE AND OTHERS. SO WE CAN ASK OUR GRANT ANALYST WHO'S ASSIGNED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, TO REALLY LOOK FOR SOME ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING TO HELP WITH SOME OF THE OVERTIME, NEW THINGS THAT WE DON'T ALREADY HAVE IN OUR TOOLBOX TO, TO TRY TO HELP PAY FOR SOME OF THE OVERTIME. YES, MA'AM. AS A MATTER OF FACT, LAST WEEK, LIEUTENANT NEVADA AND MYSELF, WE MET WITH TXDOT BECAUSE WE'RE APPLYING TO ONE OF THOSE GRANTS. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY. AND THEN IT COMES WITH A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS. IT COMES WITH A LOT OF REQUIREMENTS. ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IS THAT 2.5 TRAFFIC STOPS ARE CONDUCTED AN HOUR, WHICH IS GOOD. AND WE WE FEEL CONFIDENT IN OUR DEPUTIES BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE THAT AMOUNT OF NUMBERS. BUT AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, DWI ENFORCEMENT AND DRUG INTERDICTION IS BASICALLY PRETTY MUCH THE SAME FUNCTION. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CRITICAL ON THE TRAFFIC STOPS THAT YOU'RE CONDUCTING IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO CATCH THAT INTOXICATED DRIVER. I CAN RUN TRAFFIC STOPS ALL DAY. I CAN PROBABLY GIVE YOU 4 OR 5 AN HOUR, BUT AM I GOING TO BE TARGETING THE VEHICLES THAT I NEED TO PULL OVER? AND THE ANSWER IS GOING TO BE NO. SO WE'RE GOING TO WORK IT. WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT OUR BEST. HOPEFULLY WE GET GRANTED TO US, BUT IT COMES WITH THAT LIMITATION AND THEN THE FUNDING, IT IS VERY, VERY LIMITED. IT WILL COVER IT, I BELIEVE. I BELIEVE ONLY THREE THREE OPERATIONS, AND IT HAS TO BE DURING THE DESIGNATED TIMES THAT THEY'RE GIVING US, WHICH THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MATCH THE THE OPERATIONS. AND THE LAST THING THAT I WANTED TO THAT I WANTED TO BRING UP IS I RECENTLY HAD A MEETING WITH FOLKS FROM THE ACLU PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THEY'RE VERY WORRIED ABOUT SOME OF THESE OPERATIONS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS AND THE FEAR THAT IT'S CAUSING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. AND. YOU KNOW, I AND ALSO, THEY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AN ISSUE THAT THEY SEE THAT I'D LIKE TO THAT I'D LIKE TO LOOK INTO FURTHER WITH THE WITH THE BEBE BIDEN APPLICATION THAT WE PUT IN FOR THE, FOR THE GRANTS AND THEIR ASSESSMENT OF, OF IT ACTUALLY BEING MORE TIED TO IMMIGRANT IMMIGRATION DETENTION AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. AND SO I WANT TO URGE YOU, SHERIFF, TO, TO PLEASE MEET WITH THEM AS SOON AS YOU CAN. IF WE'RE GOING TO BE APPROVING THESE THESE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES. THAT'S ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST IS THAT YOU MEET WITH THE BORDER AND YOU MEET WITH THE ACLU AND THIS THESE THESE GROUPS THAT THAT I THINK CAN BE MORE HELPFUL WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, UNDERSTANDS WHAT THIS MEANS. AND ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT OF, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE NEW RULES THAT WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH, LIKE 287 AND, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT WHEN WE WHEN, WHEN AN IMMIGRANT IS INTRODUCED INTO THE SYSTEM, IT'S, IT'S A LOT MORE, IT MAKES THINGS IT'S A MUCH MORE OF A HARDSHIP, RIGHT? WHETHER, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE NOT GUILTY OF A CRIME IN THE END. AND SO I'D LIKE TO TRY TO SET A MEETING UP IF WE CAN, WITH, WITH, WITH THE SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE, WE'VE MET WITH THOSE GROUPS THREE TIMES ALREADY. AND WE ACTUALLY HOSTED A COMMUNITY MEETING TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING. BUT IF THESE OPERATIONS ALSO CAUSE A CONCERN, WE'LL DEFINITELY MEET WITH THEM AGAIN. YES, SIR. OKAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS ITEM. CESAR, IS THAT CORRECT? YES. YES, MA'AM. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME IN AFTER WE TOOK INITIAL PUBLIC COMMENT THIS MORNING, BUT CORRESPONDS WITH WITH THE SHERIFF ITEM. WE RECEIVED THIS COMMENT FROM FRANCIS, ANGELA STOLTZ. HER COMMENT BEGINS, AS A TAXPAYER

[06:25:01]

FOR. SO WE CAN FINISH UP. ITEM NUMBER 11 A FROM BUDGET AND FINANCE RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND FISCAL YEAR 2027. SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGETS AND STAFFING AND RECEIVE DIRECTION ON SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUDGETARY OR STAFFING ISSUES. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. CARMEN CANDELARIA, BUDGET AND FINANCE DIRECTOR. I'M HERE TO GIVE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET AND STAFFING UPDATE. SO. SO HERE WE ARE ONCE AGAIN LOOKING AT THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET. AND THIS IS THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2026. SO WE STILL HAVE SEVERAL DAYS TO FINISH OUT THE FISCAL YEAR. SO THIS THIS SLIDE GIVES THE BUDGET FROM THE ADOPTED STAGE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE REMAINING BUDGET. I'LL BE GOING THROUGH EACH CATEGORY IN THE ENSUING SLIDE. SO HERE WE HAVE THE BUDGET TRANSFERS. TO DATE THERE WAS NO CHANGE FROM THE LAST PRESENTATION THAT I GAVE BACK ON SEPTEMBER 28TH. WE STILL HAVE A HERE, A BUDGET OF REVISED BUDGET OF $143,384,170, WITH A $7,705,000 CHANGE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE BUDGET. OUR EXPENDITURES TO DATE. HERE WE HAVE. LOOKING AT THE REVISED BUDGET OF THAT 144,128,000. SO WE HAD SALARIES AND FRINGES YEAR TO DATE OF 115,634,355.

THEN WE HAD OPERATING EXPENSES OF 26,867,000 75. SO OUR TOTALS ACTUALS TO DATE IS 142,501,000.

SO EXPERIENCED A INCREASE OF 1,801,000 $630,000. SO WE'VE SPENT 98.99% OF THE TOTAL BUDGET, 80% OF THAT, ALMOST 81% IS SALARIES, AND 18.35% IS OPERATING EXPENSES. WE HAVE EXCEEDED THE BUDGET IN THE SALARY ITEMS, 102.77% OF THAT BUDGET HAS BEEN SPENT. AND WHERE IS A TARGET THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS LAST SECOND TO THE LAST PAYROLL FOR THE FOR THE YEAR AT 96.15%, IS THAT TARGET ON ENCUMBRANCES TO DATE? YOU DO SEE A REDUCTION HERE IN THE ENCUMBRANCES AS SUMMIT, PRIMARILY, THE MEDICAL AND JAIL DETENTION CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN PAID. SO YOU SEE THERE THE CHANGE FROM THE PRESENTATION IS $1,514,000, LEAVING US ENCUMBRANCES A YEAR TO DATE OF $1,848,874, 1.344% OF THOSE CONTRACTS. EXCUSE ME. THOSE ENCUMBRANCES ARE RELATED TO THE MEDICAL JAIL AND DETENTION CONTRACTS. HERE'S OUR PROJECTED

[06:30:04]

BASICALLY, THAT'S GOING TO BE A MANUAL MAPPING IT BACK TO THE JAIL. I KNOW AS SOON AS WHENEVER Y'ALL CAN GET IT, I KNOW I WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU LIKE A TOTAL AMOUNT PER UNIT THAT'S BEEN CHARGED. BUT AGAIN, AS, AS BETSY INDICATED, THAT ACTUAL CHARGE FOR JUST PATROL PATROL ALONE WILL TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME. AND THEN MAYBE SINCE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PRESENTED THAT THEY'VE REALIZED SOME GOING FORWARD SAVINGS OF APPROXIMATELY 40% OR SO FROM EACH OF THE DETENTION FACILITIES, WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, BECAUSE WE HAVE DECISIONS TO MAKE REGARDING SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, INCLUDING THE CONTINGENCY OVERTIME FOR THAT. SO I THINK THE COURT WOULD LIKE SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, RIGHT? YES, ABSOLUTELY. AND THAT IS THE PLAN. WE PLAN TO MEET WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON A BI WEEKLY BASIS, RIGHT AFTER PAYROLL HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND THEN DO THE ANALYSIS AT THE CLOSE OF THE MONTH AND THEN COME FORWARD TO THE COURT WITH INFORMATION BASED ON THE PRIOR MONTHS CLOSE. AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS RELATED TO THE MEALS.

WE KNOW WE HAD AN OVERAGE THIS YEAR ON IT THIS PAST YEAR, RIGHT? I'M WE'RE ALREADY INTO THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR. I KEEP SAYING, BUT AND MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT WAS IN THE CONTRACT THOSE INCREASES ALREADY IS THAT'S MY THAT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING. SO WHY WAS IF THERE'S AN OVERAGE IN THAT, WHY WAS IT NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT PRIOR TO THE BUDGET STARTING? I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO DEFER THAT TO MAYBE YOU ALL MAYBE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE NEED TO LOOK ABOUT THAT NEGOTIATED FOR THE NEXT PRESENTATION. AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHEN THOSE INCREASES WERE NEGOTIATED. RIGHT. I YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THE COURT KNOWS ANY OF THOSE. THE INCREASES IN LAST YEAR'S. BARBARA PARKER, YOUR COUNTY AUDITOR, THE INCREASES IN LAST YEAR'S. THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED IN DECEMBER, BUT IT WAS BACKDATED TO MAY 1ST. SO

[06:35:03]

WOULD YOU LIKE FOR ME TO STAY FOR THE NEXT ITEM ALSO? YES, YES. 11 B OKAY. ITEM NUMBER.

ITEM NUMBER 11 B APPROVED BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 45 A TO THE EL PASO COUNTY'S 2025 2026 OPERATING BUDGET. THIS IS TO TRANSFER APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,459 WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL FUND TO CORRECT JOURNAL NUMBER 27 APPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 14TH,

[B. Approve budget amendment No.45(a) to the El Paso County’s 2025-2026 operating budget. This is to transfer appropriations in the amount of $18,459.00 within the Sheriff’s Office general fund to correct Journal #27 approved on 9/14/2026 for the Jail Annex Elevator Contract. This budgetary amendment will not increase or decrease the County of El Paso's 2025-2026 overall operating budget of $689,979,854.67. Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]

[A. Receive a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 Sheriff's Office Budgets and Staffing and receive direction on Sheriff's Office budgetary or staffing issues. Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]

[ Reconsider Item 11A - Staffing Update presentation by Human Resources.]

IF WE'RE DEDICATING OVERTIME AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO CUT DOWN THE OVERTIME BY FILLING FOR THESE, CAN'T WE USE PART OF OVERTIME FOR THOSE? I MEAN, I'M JUST SAYING. AND THE GOAL, THE GOAL IS TO NOT HAVE TO USE OVERTIME. THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE IT, BUT BE ABLE TO USE THE SALARY SAVINGS TO COVER IT AS WELL. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, IF WE DON'T REALIZE THOSE SALARY SAVINGS, THEN. RIGHT, RIGHT. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE. WE NEED TO GET TO THE POINT THAT WE'RE WE HAVE THE ADDITIONAL STAFFING TO GET TO THE SALARY SAVINGS. OKAY.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU. AT THE THE VACANCIES THAT WERE MENTIONED EARLIER, THAT'S WHERE THE SALARY SAVINGS ARE GOING TO BE COMING FROM. AND THAT WOULD BE AT A LOWER COST THAN OVERTIME

[06:40:02]

ADDITIONALLY, ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS, LOCAL JAILS NATIONALLY HAVE AN AVERAGE OF ONE DETENTION STAFF MEMBER FOR EVERY FOUR INMATES IN THIS REGION HAS BEEN CONSISTENT FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS. BASED ON THIS BENCHMARK, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DETENTION FACILITIES ARE CURRENTLY WITHIN BOTH THE STATE REQUIRED RATIO AND THE NATIONAL BENCHMARK.

THIS NEXT SLIDE REPRESENTS AND NUMBERS OF THE INMATE POPULATION BY THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND DETENTION PERSONNEL. THE NUMBERS OF INMATES ARE PRESENTED AS OF SEPTEMBER 21ST OF 2026. AS YOU MAY KNOW IN MAY, POPULATION CAN CHANGE DAILY, BUT THERE IS A FEW POINTS TO HIGHLIGHT. FROM 2025 TO 2026, THE INMATE POPULATION INCREASED BY APPROXIMATELY 151 INMATES.

IF WE COMPARE 2024 TO 2026, THE INMATE POPULATION INCREASED BY ABOUT 71 INMATES. AND AGAIN, THESE NUMBERS ARE AS OF SEPTEMBER 21ST OF 2026. DESPITE THESE CHANGES IN THE INMATE POPULATION, THE OVERALL STAFFING LEVELS HAVE REMAINED RELATIVELY CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. SORRY, THAT'S OVERALL POPULATION WITH FEDERAL AND STATE INMATES CORRECT? BOTH TOGETHER. CORRECT, SIR. YEAH. THE GRAY, THE GRAY. AND THEN THE BOTTOM LINE IS FEDERAL. WHAT THE NUMBERS. BUT THE NUMBERS ARE COMBINED. YES, SIR. THE GRAY IS THE COMBINATION. CORRECT. SO THE GRAY REPRESENTS THE STATE. THE ORANGE REPRESENTS THE FEDERAL.

AND IF YOU ADD THOSE NUMBERS THAT'S WHAT THE DIFFERENCE COMES OF INMATES. OKAY. THANK YOU. NOW THE CURRENT STAFFING WE HAVE THE DETENTION STAFFING AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE HAVE A TOTAL OF TEN VACANCIES RIGHT NOW WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DETENTION OUT OF THE TOTAL TOTAL AUTHORIZED 511 POSITIONS FOR DETENTION OFFICERS. WE HAVE FIVE VACANCIES AS OF OCTOBER 1ST. I KNOW THEY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MILITARY OR VACANCIES THAT WE REFLECT DO INCLUDE THE MILITARY. I KNOW HR IS WORKING WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION ON THAT POLICY, BUT ON OUR END, HR IS SO DOES INCLUDE THOSE AS OUR VACANCIES. SO WE CAN HIRE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON MILITARY LEAVE, EXTENDED MILITARY LEAVE. SO SO EVEN THOUGH TEMPORARILY THEY'RE

[06:45:02]

ADDITIONALLY, I DO WANT TO READ A CORRECTION. THE HOURS SHOW AND USAGE OF 78% COMPARED TO THE HOURS OF 2024 WITH THE HOURS THAT WE USE IN 2026. SO WE ARE ABOUT 78% OF THE USAGE.

IF WE COMPARE IT TO 2024, MEANING WE STILL HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT IN 2026, WHICH WILL PUT US ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF LEAVE HOURS THAT WE HAD IN 2024, OR SLIGHTLY INCREASED ABOUT 10% MORE HOURS USED. WE ALSO SEPARATED AND ONLY REPRESENTED THE DETENTION LEAVE HOURS,

[06:50:03]

THE TURNOVER RATE IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR WHEN WE HAVE TO EVALUATE WORKFORCE AVAILABILITY. THE OVERALL TURNOVER RATE FOR FY 26 FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS 11.8, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL TURNOVER RATE IN 2025, WHICH EQUAL ABOUT 124 SEPARATIONS.

THIS RATE INCLUDES ALL POSITIONS WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CIVILIANS, DETENTION, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT WE ALSO WANTED TO REPRESENT YOU A DEEPER DIVE INTO DETENTION, WHICH FOR FY 26, THEY HAD A TURNOVER RATE OF 12.9%, WHICH IS A 0.7% INCREASE FROM FISCAL YEAR 2025. I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR CORRECTIONAL TURNOVER RATE IS ANYTHING BETWEEN 20%, UP TO 55% IN SOME JAILS OR CORRECTIONAL CENTERS.

SO WE ACTUALLY DOING FANTASTIC WHEN IT COMES TO OUR TURNOVER RATE. TO CONCLUDE OUR PRESENTATION, WE WANT TO PRESENT WITH SOME KEY HIGHLIGHTS ON THE STAFFING LEVELS. OUR COUNTY AND DETENTION FACILITIES ALIGN WITH THE NATIONAL INMATE TO DETENTION OFFICER RATIO FOR LOCAL DETENTION OPERATIONS. WE ALSO ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES FROM US FOR THE 1 TO 48 AND FROM 2024 TO 2026, WE CAN SEE AN INCREASE ON INMATES BY 71 INMATES. THE ACADEMIES WE DID HIRE 112 NEW CADETS. I KNOW THAT WE PUT 107, BUT AS COMMANDER SORIA EXPRESSED, WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE SOME OTHER ONES AND DID A SPECIAL ORIENTATION FOR THEM. SO IT'S ACTUALLY 112. WE'RE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. WE HAD 25 PEACE OFFICER CADETS ATTENDED PEACE OFFICER ACADEMY, AND THEN THE ACADEMY SIZE IS DETERMINED BY THE VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE AT THAT TIME. I KNOW THAT WAS A QUESTION AND SAY, HOW DO WE DETERMINE HOW DO WE START THOSE ACADEMIES? IF WE HAVE 27 VACANCIES BY THE BEGINNING OF THAT PAY PERIOD, THEN WE START 27 PEOPLE AT THE ACADEMY. WE DID HAD A RECORD OF FIRST TIME HISTORY OF HAVING ZERO VACANCIES EVER IN AUGUST OF 2025. THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE FOR DETENTION OFFICERS. AND THEN WE DID IT AGAIN THIS YEAR IN APRIL, IN MAY, WITH ZERO VACANCIES FOR DETENTION OFFICERS. AND THEN, AS I MENTIONED RIGHT NOW, WE DO HAVE FIVE VACANCIES AS OF FRIDAY. WE MIGHT RECEIVE OTHER SEPARATIONS THIS WEEK. WE ARE COMING TO THE MONTHS WHERE YOU START RECEIVING THOSE RETIREMENTS. SO THAT IS PRETTY COMMON WITHIN THE TRENDS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE THREE FOUR MONTHS. SO WE'LL BE READY TO PRESENT ON THAT IN THE NEXT COMING WEEKS. I APOLOGIZE. CAN I ASK A QUESTION ON THAT TOPIC OF THE PEOPLE THAT START THE ACADEMIES? DO YOU ALWAYS GRADUATE ALL THAT ARE. THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION. SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE A REALLY GOOD SUCCESS RATE. WE DO LOSE A COUPLE ALONG THE WAY, BUT I WILL VENTURE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE ABOUT A 9,597% GRADUATION RATE. WHAT HAPPENS MOST OF THE TIME IS WE WILL LOSE 1 OR 2 THAT GO TO ORIENTATION AND REALIZE HOW MUCH THIS JOB TRULY IS. AND THEN IT HAS TO BE WITH PASSION. AND THEY DO DECIDE THIS JOB IS NOT FOR ME. SO WE WILL LOSE 1 OR 2 AT THE FIRST SECOND WEEK OF THE ACADEMY.

SAME THING ONCE IN STAR. TODAY THEY START DOING THE EXERCISES. THEY START KNOWING WHAT THE KNOWLEDGE IT REQUIRES. IT'S NOT JUST TO GO TO THE JAILS, RIGHT AND DO THE JOB. THEY HAVE TO PASS THE STATE EXAM. THEY HAVE TO BE LICENSED. SO WE WILL LOSE MAYBE 1 TO 2 MAXIMUM FOUR PEOPLE PER ACADEMY. BUT WE DO HAVE A VERY HIGH SUCCESS RATE ON GRADUATION. SO FOR IF WE SEE, LET'S TAKE IT THAT IT'S AROUND 25 OR SO AVERAGE IN THE ACADEMY AND WE LOSE FOUR OF THEM, THAT'S WHAT PERCENTAGE 20, 20, 20% OR A LITTLE UNDER MAYBE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. 20 IF WE DON'T INCREASE THE ACADEMY BY THOSE FOUR NUMBERS. SO EVEN AT 27, IF YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT, JANET. LIKE THE NUMBER, WE'RE OVER THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES. THEY'RE ALSO TRYING TO PROJECT OUT GOING FORWARD HOW MANY ADDITIONAL VACANCIES THERE WILL BE. AND THEY TRY TO ACCOUNT FOR LOSS. THEY DO. CORRECT. YES WE DO SIR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND RECRUITMENTS ARE DONE TO A 3 TO 4 MONTHS. SO ACADEMIES LIKE WE SAID, THERE ARE 4 TO 5 ACADEMIES PER YEAR. AND THAT IS THE 3 TO 4 MONTHS IT TAKES TO GO THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT

[06:55:04]

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? I THINK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS SOME RESPONSE. I MANY CHIEF DEPUTY FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WANTED TO KEEP CHIME IN ON SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ON THE DETENTION SITE. I KNOW THAT THE ACADEMY, WE DO START ACADEMIES, YOU KNOW, FOR BACK TO BACK, BUT WE DO LOSE SOME, AS YOU WERE SAYING. COMMISSIONER, ONE, ONE KEY POINT TO TO NOTE IS YOU NOTICE THAT THEY DID SPECIFY ONE 170 DETENTION OFFICERS WERE HIRED FOR 2026. OKAY. BUT WE LOST 82. SO WE ONLY RETAIN 25. THE OTHER ONES WERE JUST A STRAIGHT REPLACEMENT. SO ON PAPER, IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE YOU INCREASED IT BY 107. THAT'S GREAT. BUT WE ACTUALLY DON'T BECAUSE WE THE REALITY IS, IS THAT WE DO LOSE THEM, YOU KNOW, NOT NOT AS WE USED TO. BECAUSE WHEN WE FIRST CAME IN, WE DID HAVE A APPROXIMATELY CLOSE TO 100 VACANCIES. SO AS YOU SAW THE REPORT, IT'S WE'RE AT SIX. SO WE ARE DOING THINGS TO RETAIN THEM, SUCH AS PROPERLY STAFFING. AND I THINK ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES THAT WE HAD WAS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE LEAVING IN DROVES BECAUSE THEY WERE BEING OVERWORKED. YOU KNOW, OVERTIME CAN ONLY GO SO MUCH, RIGHT? EVENTUALLY PEOPLE GET TIRED. SO. WELL, ANOTHER THING IS TO, FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER IS THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS AS THEY TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION.

I WANT TO DIG TOO MUCH, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT GO ON, AND THE ONLY PLACE THEY PULL IS FROM DETENTION. THE GROUNDSKEEPING. I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. I'LL OVERSEE THE ACADEMY. I HAVE THREE DETENTION OFFICERS, TDY, AND NORMALLY THEY SHOULD BE AT THE ANNEX, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THEM TEACHING AT THE ACADEMY. THOSE ARE NOT STANDALONE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TO HAVE THOSE AS A STANDALONE, PROPERLY STAFFED POSITIONS WHERE THEY BELONG TO THE ACADEMY AND NOT TO THE ANNEX, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE PULLING FROM THE ANNEX BUDGET TO FUND THEM. AND ON PAPER THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE AT THE ANNEX, BUT THEY'RE NOT THE THE RANGE INSTRUCTOR AS WELL. AND SO THOSE MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT. THERE'S OTHER SB SIX REPORTING, RIGHT, THAT MANDATES THE COUNTY. IT DOESN'T MANDATE THE SHERIFF. BUT SOMEHOW THOSE DUTIES CAME TO US. BUT THEY DIDN'T SAY, HERE'S A NEW MANDATE. AND ALONG WITH THAT, THERE'S THREE PROPERLY STAFFED DETENTION OFFICERS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT DUTY. SO WHAT DO WE DO? WELCOME TO THE CLUB. YES, EXACTLY. SO NOW WE PULL TWO DETENTION OFFICERS TO DO NOTHING BUT DATA ENTRY FOR THE SB SIX THAT WE PULL FROM THAT TABLE. SO I THINK THE BIGGER PICTURE IS SOMETIMES WE SEE THE NUMBER OF INMATES. WE SEE THE NUMBER OF DETENTION OFFICERS DOWN. ON PAPER IT LOOKS GREAT. YOU GUYS ARE PROPERLY STAFFED. BUT IF WE TAKE AWAY ALL THESE, YOU KNOW, CRITICAL PROJECTS THAT WE DO, WHO'S DOING THEM? YOU KNOW, THE ANIMAL SHELTER IS GOING TO OPEN UP. AND GREAT IDEAS WERE, YOU KNOW, THE INMATES CAN PARTICIPATE. WELL, WHO'S TAKING CARE OF THE INMATES? SO NOW WE'RE PULLING MORE BODIES FROM THE DETENTION TO HOUSE THEM. NOW, IT'S GREAT IF WE PROPERLY FUND THAT PROJECT. AND HERE'S MORE. SO YOU GUYS CAN HIRE FIVE EXTRA ADDITIONAL TO JUST HANDLE THAT ANIMAL SHELTER. BUT THE REALITY IS, IS THAT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THAT PROJECT, THEY'RE GOING TO PULL, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOTTEN TO WHERE WE NEED POSITIONS. AND SOMETIMES IT'S, LET'S FREEZE TWO DETENTION OFFICER POSITIONS SO WE CAN PROPERLY FUND ANOTHER POSITION. SO NOW ON PAPER, YOU KNOW, THOSE THOSE DETENTION OFFICERS ARE THERE, BUT THEY'RE NOT BEING ALLOCATED TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. SO THAT'S SOMETHING I, I, I ASK THE COURT TO CONSIDER AS WE MOVE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE IT GETS TALKED ABOUT A LOT, BUT IT JUST NEVER MATERIALIZES. AND I GET IT. EVERYBODY NEEDS, YOU KNOW,

[07:00:02]

[07:05:04]

AND THEN WE WILL BE PRESENTING THAT SOON. LIKE SAM SAID, IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS WE DID GET THAT RESEARCH FROM THE TEXAS COMMISSION. AGAIN, THE SURVEY WAS DONE IN 2025, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN OR IF THEY PUT ANYTHING ELSE SINCE THEN. AND ON THE OTHER ISSUE, DO WE KNOW OF ANY OTHER COUNTIES, HR OR BETSY, THAT HAVE DONE ANY STUDY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THEIR JAILS? SO MAYBE WE CAN WE DID REACH OUT, REACH OUT AS PART OF OUR RESEARCH FOR THAT STAFFING ASSESSMENT THAT WE ARE CONDUCTING. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE ONES THAT DID RESPONDED. WE HAD A LOT THAT DIDN'T, BUT THE ONES THAT DID RESPONDED, THEY HAVEN'T CONDUCT ANYTHING SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'RE DOING. YOU KNOW, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO TAKE UP WITH OUR DELEGATION. I SPOKE TO SHERIFF GUERRA FROM HIDALGO COUNTY. THEY RECENTLY HAD AN ASSESSMENT DONE, AND THE COMPANY THEY USED WAS SHARED WITH WITH PURCHASING JUST TO LET THEM KNOW THERE'S THERE'S, THERE'S AN RFP OUT IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO APPLY. AND FOR THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE, HIDALGO COUNTY IS VERY SIMILAR IN TERMS OF THE POPULATION TO US, VERY, VERY SIMILAR. AND THERE ARE BORDER KIND OF BORDER COMMUNITY AS WELL. SO. ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? FOOD FOR THOUGHT. THANK YOU SHERIFF.

THANK YOU CHIEF.

I TOLD YOU 2:00. I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE LONG. YEAH. NUMBER ITEM NUMBER NINE. PUBLIC HEARING. PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE.

EDWARD BYRNE. MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM, HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING THAT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZEN COMMENT ON THE GRANT APPLICATION. IN THE AMOUNT OF $196,938, TO SUPPORT A BROAD RANGE OF ACTIVITIES TO PREVENT AND CONTROL CRIME AND TO IMPROVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS. AS PER THE PUBLIC COMMENT REQUIREMENTS IN THE CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE APPLICANT GOVERNMENT. IF WE COULD HAVE A MOTION TO. OPEN A

[D. PUBLIC HEARING - Pursuant to the requirements of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, hold a public hearing that provides an opportunity for citizen comment on the grant application in the amount of $196,938.00 to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the law enforcement and criminal justice systems for the City and County of El Paso, Texas as per the public comment requirements in the “Certifications and Assurances by the Chief Executive of the Applicant Government”. Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]

IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $196,938, NO COUNTY MATCHES REQUIRED. FURTHER APPROVAL. AUTHORIZE THE

[E. GRANT APPLICATION - Approve and authorize the County Judge to submit the FY26 JAG Local Solicitation grant application on behalf of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, El Paso Police Department and the District Attorney's Office in the total amount of $196,938. No County match is required. Further approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the accompanying Chief Executive Certification document. Application will require public comment. (Contract No. 2026-0693) Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]

[07:10:07]

APPLICATION APPLICATION WILL REQUIRE PUBLIC COMMENT CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0693. AGAIN, WITH THE BUDGET AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT, THE JAG GRANT PROVIDES FUNDS TO SUPPORT A RANGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AREAS INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTION AND COURTS, TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. LOCAL LOCAL AGENCIES RECEIVE FUNDS BASED ON POPULATION AND VIOLENT CRIME DATA. THE FY 26 GRANT WILL FUND RADIOS FOR THE EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT, SHIELDS AND BREACHING KITS FOR CELL AND SOFTWARE AND CAMERA EQUIPMENT FOR THE DA'S OFFICE. AT THIS TIME, WE REQUEST YOUR APPROVAL TO SUBMIT THE FY 26 APPLICATION.

WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER.

VOTING IS OPEN. JUDGE SAMANIEGO WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER NINE F APPROVING. AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE.

EDWARD BYRNE, MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE EL PASO ON BEHALF OF EL PASO COUNTY AS THE FISCAL AGENT BETWEEN THE EL PASO COUNTY

[F. Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the FY26 BJA Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Interlocal Agreement on behalf of El Paso County, as the Fiscal Agent between the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and El Paso Police Department, as participants of the grant. (Contract No. 2026-0694) Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]

IF I COULD HAVE A VERBAL SECOND. I'LL SECOND. THANK YOU. OKAY. COMMISSIONER BUTLER, I COMMISSIONER STOUT. COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, I COMMISSIONER CORONADO, I JUDGE SAMANIEGO ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER TEN A GRANT APPLICATIONS POSTPONED.

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2026, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2026 AND SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2026. GRANT AWARD APPROVING.

AUTHORIZED THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FISCAL YEAR 2027 SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT AWARD FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CONSTABLE

[A. (POSTPONED 9/14/26, 9/21/26, 9/28/26) GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to accept the Texas Department of Transportation FY2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant award for the Office of the Constable, Pct. 4 from October 1, 2026, to September 31, 2027, in the amount of $43,777.79. A County match in the amount of $7,725.49 is required and is being requested from GF-GADM-XFER OUT-GRANT MATCH. Further approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the accompanying Signature Authorization document. (Contract No. 2026-0644) Noe Juarez, Sgt. Deputy Constable, Constable Precinct 4, Constable Precinct 4]

[07:15:03]

[B. (POSTPONED 9/28/26) GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Interlocal Cooperation Contract between Texas State University and El Paso County on behalf of the Office of the Constable, Precinct 4 to conduct tobacco enforcement operations beginning upon the date of signature through August 31, 2027, in the amount of $15,000. (Contract No. 2026-0692) Luis Aguilar, Constable, Constable Precinct 4, 915-273-3503]

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, WE ON EXECUTIVE SESSION. YES, I THINK SO. CAN WE TAKE A TWO MINUTE BREAK BEFORE WE MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? I NEED TO READ IN SOME ITEMS. ITEM NUMBER 12 BE, DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION. STYLED NASHVILLE ET AL VERSUS DHS. CAUSE NUMBER 126 CV 02886. COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 000126PLAD. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 ITEM NUMBER 12 D DISCUSS LITIGATION STYLED CHRISTOPHER BRACKEN VERSUS EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. CAUSE NUMBER 2025DCV4115.

COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 000526LD. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071, ITEM NUMBER 13 A DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION STYLED NASHVILLE ET

[07:20:02]

IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE A MOTION TO POSTPONE BOTH OF THESE ITEMS FOR ONE. EXCUSE ME FOR TWO WEEKS. WE HAVE A MOTION TO POSTPONE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND JUDGE SAMANIEGO ARE ABSENT.

MOTION CARRIES. AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEMS 12 A, 12 C AND 12 E PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 AND 551.087. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECONVENE TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION. IT IS 4:51 P.M.

[07:27:20]

PROGRAMS LIKE PACE, WHICH SUPPORTS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PATHWAY TO U.S.

CITIZENSHIP. AND I SPEAK 915, OUR COUNTYWIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS INITIATIVE HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS AND MAKE COUNTY SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. WORKING ALONGSIDE SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEERS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS BRINGS RESOURCES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS EL PASO

[07:30:02]

BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE, PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY.

HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. WELL, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S LAWS AND POLICIES. COUNTIES PROVIDE SERVICES LOCALLY TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. AND THEY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN BY THE LOCALS AND CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE. YEAH, BUT ISN'T THE CITY EVEN MORE LOCAL THAN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, ONE THAT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. CITIES ARE LOCAL AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WITH LIMITS AND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY, THEY MAY PROVIDE THINGS LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND WASTE REMOVAL. BIGGER CITIES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND THE CITY MAY BUILD CERTAIN STREETS. WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING I NEED. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO YOUR COUNTY. YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FILLS THE GAP, PROVIDING THINGS THAT THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT DO NOT. IT PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNTY WIDE. IT RUNS THE COURT SYSTEMS. WHEN THERE ARE BAD GUYS, IT KEEPS THE JAILS WHERE THEY STAY.

IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS.

THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

[07:35:04]

OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION IN ABLE BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIPS TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TO THANK YOU. BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. DO YOU HAVE A NAME OR SOMETHING? WELL, YEAH. OH. HEY, GUYS, IT'S ME, CHET. I GUESS I'M JUST A GUY WHO THINKS COUNTY GOVERNMENTS COOL. AND I THOUGHT Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER. OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING, BECAUSE TEXAS COUNTIES DELIVER. HAHA. HEY. EVERY DAY EL PASO COUNTY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SOMETIMES THAT WORK HAPPENS HERE AT HOME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES US ACROSS TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION, AND AROUND THE WORLD. COUNTY LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, VETERANS SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, FUNDING REQUESTS, AND VARIOUS POLICY DISCUSSIONS, YOUR COUNTY IS WORKING TO ENSURE EL PASO'S VOICE IS HEARD. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP BRING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR POSITION ON CRITICAL MATTERS CAN BE SHARED AND HEARD BY THOSE MAKING DECISIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, ALSO ALLOWS COUNTY LEADERS TO LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BRING INNOVATIVE IDEAS BACK HOME. EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND OUR BORDERS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF TRAVEL ACROSS TEXAS, THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE EL PASO AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION. THESE EFFORTS ALLOW US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, SHOWCASE OUR REGION'S UNIQUE ADVANTAGES, AND COMPETE FOR NEW JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT WHERE WE TRAVEL TO, BUT WHAT WE BROUGHT HOME. AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2026, OUR GRANT PORTFOLIO REMAINS STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE. TO DATE, WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF 50 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, WITH 21 AWARDS SECURED, RESULTING IN MORE THAN $15.6 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AWARDED. EVERY TRIP REPRESENTS ONE PURPOSE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY. WHETHER ADVOCATING IN AUSTIN, COLLABORATING IN WASHINGTON, OR BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS BORDERS.

OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[07:44:04]

THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST

[07:45:01]

RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE. PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY.

HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START

[07:50:04]