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Home My WebLink About2003-09-02-10:00AM-PUBLIC HEARING ,~pT OFT OG~TY P BRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN, TEXAS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE BRAZOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 300 EAST 26TH STREET, SUITE 115, BRYAN, TEXAS. THE COURT WILL HEAR COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. ALL INTERESTED PESONS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND SAID HEARING AND PRESENT THEIR CAUSE, IF ANY, FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSED BUDGET. The Courthouse is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two business days before the meeting. To make arrangements, call (979) 361-4101 VOL g{7 PAGE 1 o'I COMMISSIONERS' COURT PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas held a Public Hearing at the Brazos Center in the Courthouse in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2003, with the following members of the Court present: Randy Sims, County Judge, Presiding; Tony Jones, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Duane Peters, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Kenny Mallard, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Carey Cauley, Jr., Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk. Attached is a list of the citizens and officials in attendance. The purpose of the hearing is to hear commentary for or against the proposed budget ending September 30, 2004. The County Judge asked those wishing to speak to please limit their comments to three (3) minutes each. 1. Treasurer - The County Judge said that she was out of town but that she asked to go on record requesting a salary increase for herself. 2. Information Technology Department - Ernie Laney, Department head requested two (2) additional employees, had discussed outsourcing the Webmaster position but has reconsidered. He would also like to request the salary change for himself and the Assistant Department head as negotiated some years ago. Vol 47 Page 109 Commissioners Court meeting September 3, 2003 2 3. District Attorney - asked if he should address the longevity issue now. The County Judge said no. 4. Chris Kirk, Sheriff - requested a 712% increase for sworn personnel. When the survey was carried out, the gap was a 30% difference between his office and the two (2) police departments. He asked for a 15% increase in salaries last year but only got 71-1$. He was really hoping for another 7'-t$ this year. He had requested two (2) additional personnel but after going over some information it seems he still needs at the minimum an additional investigator. He has reassigned an individual to the Terrorist Task Force. His people are overworked, having to use overtime etc. If the Court agrees to pay for one half of the Crimes Stoppers Coordinator's salary he will assign that person more duties so that the County will get some benefit. The County Judge asked what happened to the funding for the Crime Stoppers position. The Sheriff replied that they had lost the grant that supported the position and that fund raising is down. Courthouse Security would like an additional officer on staff. Security has had to cover some Bailiff duties and then a patrol deputy cover for the Security officer. An extra officer would provide great relief. No additional tax dollars would be involved as there is money in security to cover the cost. 5. James Marrow, Constable Precinct 1 - requested a group and step increase for his clerk to equal the other constable clerks. He asked for an increase in salary for the law enforcement Constable's deputies to equal that of the Sheriff's deputies. He continued by asking that the chief deputy position be increased to a group 23, step 1 position and that the senior deputy position be increased to a group 19, step 1 position. He asked for an additional deputy to help handle the enforcement of public nuisance laws and to help serve warrants. He asked for an increase in the following line Vol 4-7 Page 109 Commissioners Court meeting September 3, 2003 3 items: a. Copier supplies to $600 b. Conference fees to $1,000 c. Miscellaneous to $15D d. Travel to $1,000 He asked for two (2) new radios, furniture for the new facility, 9-1-1 dispatching and police video camera. 6. Donald Lampo, Constable Precinct 2, Wayne Thompson, Constable Precinct 3 and Isaac Butler, Constable, Precinct 4 - all stated that they would like to see the same increases for their chief deputy and deputies. 7. Kristie Roe, Chief Deputy Tax Office - asked about an adjustment and change to the computer system to align with the Appraisal District's computer. The funds for this are in Capital funds. She requested an additional employee. 8. Demetrios Basdekas, Citizen - stated that the County needed additional funds for employee salaries, a need for a reasonable increase in the Sheriff's salary. The giving of a 3% COLA and a 2% merit with one hand and then taking it away with the other hand by increased health costs. He asked the Auditor about the discrepancy in what the Auditor certified as income due to property evaluations. The County Auditor explained the discrepancy. He went on to say that Constable, Precinct 4 made a point in that you were willing to compare with the two cities on what they were not covering on health insurance but you'd better be prepared to compare on employee salaries. He commented that indigent health care costs are rising but at the same time you're cutting employee health care coverage. 9. Naomi Fackler, Board Member Dispute Resolution Center - wanted to make sure the Commissioners had budgeted $5,000 for the Center. She also requested that as the County expands the Courthouse would be an excellent spot for the Vol Page fro Commissioners Court meeting September 3, 2003 4 center. She stated that the county may use their resources free of charge. 10. Katie Conner, County Auditor - handed out the correction of errors and reviewed this with the Court. There was approximately $16,000 in errors and $57,000 in requested changes. 11. The County Judge thanked the Commissioners for being at all the departmental meetings on the budget and in helping prepare it. There being no further comment, the County Judge declared the Public hearing closed. Vol 47 Page ~l The foregoing minutes of the commissioners Court Public Hearing held September 2, 2003 have been examined "anted are approved in open Court this theOday of l~l~(~[.f4?j& 20A3, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Randy ms Ton one Coun Judge Commission Precinct No. 1 Duane Peters Kenny Mall Commissioner, Commissione Precinct No. 2 Precinct No. 3 rey Ca ,Jr. Commiss' ner, Precinc No. 4 Attest: Karen"McQueen County Clerk Vold Page I i a- BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING ON 200.3 AT /o-`on e!-k( NAME R ION/DEP TM T /'J Maiat ~lltlts~ r~iti Cbns~uMl6 Qck. v GL i 2 ~ -a Q>l ,~~4Q' If Nui -t~ `T VOL IL PAGE 113 BRAZOS COUNT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING ON 9 200-3 AT /020 /Mk NAME ORGANIZATION/DEPARTMENT i Jd l Q a Lzt, T K~ /.T" n~ so7t Cizrs~ 0'c~3 110L' 'q1 PAGE 114