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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-28 1:30 PM PUBLIC HEARINGBRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN,TEXAS PUBLIC HEARING r-tLLU I -UR RECORD Z DATE mZ SG_ ;,�� O ATT�pUpICLOCK� KAREN MCQU�EN M 4m= CLERK BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 AT 1:30 P.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 200 SOUTH TEXAS AVENUE, SUITE 106, BRYAN, TEXAS The court will hear comments on the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. All interested parties are invited to attend said hearing and present their cause, if any, for or against the proposed budget. The proposed budget is filed with the County Clerk and will remain on file in the office of the County Clerk in accordance with existing state statutes. All interested parties are urged to acquaint themselves with said budget during the time it remains on file with the County Clerk. For your convenience, the proposed budget has also been placed on the county website at http://www.brazoscountytx.gov/index.aspx?NI D=368. The Commissioners Courtroom of the County Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, Texas is vbeelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made tvo working days before the meeting. To make arrangements, please call (979) 361-4102. Va.- Pg MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2018 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PUBLIC HEARING The Commissioners' Court of Brazos Count County Administration Building in Bryan, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, with the following Texas held a Public Hearing at the Brazos Brazos County, Texas, at 1:30 p.m. on members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Sammy Catalena, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Irma Cauley, 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 on the proposed budget for fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. The County Judge called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. and invited others to speak. Marie Wolfe asked that documents she submitted to the Court be placed in the record. Ms. Wolfe said she would like to make several requests. Her first request is to add another deputy to the Constable, Precinct 1 office. The second request is for another lane to be added to Arrington Road. She would like there to be three lanes on that road instead of two. Ms. Wolfe's third request is for the addition of a Veteran's Court to be established. She said that there are 27 Veteran's Courts in the state of Texas and would like to see one in Brazos County to improve the lives of veterans. Mrs. Wolfe submitted a spreadsheet for the record. Ms. Wolfe's last request is for new voting machines with ballots that have their own unique number and paper to safeguard against hacking. She challenged the Court to find ways to add these requests while lowering the tax rate. Judge Peters would like to respond to Ms. Wolfe's requests. He stated that in his opinion he would look to the Sheriff's Office for public safety concerns since they operate 24 hours, whereas the Constable is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Judge Peters said that he does not believe the workload in Precinct 1 justifies an additional deputy. Ms. Wolfe suggested hiring bailiffs to save money rather than paying deputies to handle the courtroom duties. Judge Peters said that for security reasons it is better to hire peace officers due to the volatile nature of cases heard in the courts. Ms. Wolfe expressed her concern over the increase in home burglaries in the Nantucket area and would like to see more police patrols. In response to Ms. Wolfe's request for a lane to be added to Arrington Road, Judge Peters said they currently have 80 feet of right of way, but that is not enough for three lanes. He said that the property owners in Nantucket would have to donate more of their property to increase it and he does not think they would like to do that. Judge Peters said that the Mesa Verde extension has been helpful in reducing some of the congestion. Ms. Wolfe said that the Mesa Verde extension has been very helpful. She submitted information showing that another lane could be added with the 80 foot right of way to Arrington Road. She then requested a meeting with the Road and Bridge Department. Judge Peters explained that it could fit with the city streets with curbs and drainage, but not on a rural road. Ms. Wolfe stated that the previous County Engineer says it will fit. Commissioner Catalena added that Arrington Road is not the only road in Brazos County that needs work. Judge Peters said he believes two lanes on Arrington Road is sufficient for years to come. He then mentioned that they currently have issues with I&GN Road that are a priority. Ms. Wolfe said her concerns were for the safety of those living on Arrington Road. Judge Peters then addressed the request for a Veterans Court. He stated that we currently have a Specialty Court that functions in the same way as Veterans Courts and meets every Tuesday evening. Ms. Wolfe stated she will go and observe the court. Judge Peters said they have not made a decision in regards to the new voting machines but will soon. Ms. Wolfe said she did not believe there was a problem in Brazos County but would like to avoid any in the future Next to speak is Gage Gandy who has been a licensed Bondsman in Brazos County for over 22 years. Mr. Gandy would like to address the proposed Pre -Trial Officer. He said bondsmen guarantee the court appearance of a person who is accused of crime at no cost to the tax payers. Mr. Gandy went on to explain that when someone is held on a secured bond they are more likely to show up for court. He hopes they can work together on this. Mr. Gandy's wife Blanca Gandy spoke next. Mrs. Gandy is also a Bondsman and explained that in 2017 $73,000 in judgement costs were paid to Brazos County. She said so far in 2018 over $95,000 has been paid. Mrs. Gandy said they provide a vital service to the community. Speaking next is local attorney Wayne Rife. He would also like to address the Bail Reform issue. Mr. Rife said that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has come out with information that changes things. He said these changes mainly affect misdemeanors and not felonies. He is concerned about the Pre -Trial Detention Coordinator positions in the proposed budget. He stated that he is speaking about positions on pages 47, 56 and 91 of the proposed budget. Mr. Rife briefed the Court on what the 5th Circuit Court's opinion says regarding those who are indigent. He said they are entitled to individual assessments and a hearing within 24 hours. Mr. Rife said a decision needs to be made on what the law is and not what we thought it was. He said some of these positions may not be necessary and some duties could possibly be done by current employees. Sharon Mills asked to speak next. Ms. Mills stated that she agrees with Ms. Wolfe on the requested improvements to Arrington Road. She said she lives in the first house on Arrington Road in the Nantucket Subdivision. She would like the Court to consider their safety and add another lane. The County Judge announced the adoption of the Budget and Tax Rate will be on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. during the regular Commissioners' Court meeting. There being no one else wishing to speak for or against the proposed budget the meeting was adjourned. E VC4. - __._ The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Public Hearing held Auf?ust 28, 2018, have been examined and are approved in open Court this the 11`h day of September, 2018, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Duane Peters County Judge 34vcz� SAffdny Catena Commissio er, Precinct 2 Commissioner, Precinct 4 Attest: Kar6nlMcQueen County Clerk ,"I Steve Aldrich Commissioner, Precinct 1 Nancy Berry Commissioner, Precinct 3 Vol. a 7 --- BRAZOS COUNTY CONMSSIONEROS COURT ca$-A�-DAY Name (PLEASE PRLNT Wo LF /�l"I S�a•o •� /C r'r� Pc 1 of OF , 20� Organization (PLEASE PRLNM vol.