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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-21 1:30PM WORKSHOP SESSIONFI LEF ZQZZ JUN' I I P 2. 22 veEj-saga 0 ;1—;_: i;d-Y='rc���i r BRAZOS COUNTY B RYAN, TEXAS NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA WORKSHOP SESSION BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WI LL MEET IN A WORKSHOP SESSION AS FOLLOWS: MEETING DATE: June 21, 2022 MEETING TIME: 1:30 PM MEETING PLACE: Brazos County Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX 1. Call to Order 2. Presentation and Discussion for the following Brazos County Departments and Offices on the proposed budget requests for FY 2022-2023: • a. Justice of the Peace, Pct. #1 • b. Justice of the Peace, Pct. #2 • c. Constable Pct. #1 • d. Constable Pct. #2 • e. Constable Pct. #3 • f. Constable Pct. #4 • g. Sheriff's Office: Administration • h. Sheriff's Office: Jail 3. Open discussion of 22-23 Proposed Budget. Executive Sessions 4. Convene into Executive Session Pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.074 to discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of county personnel. 5. Consider and possible action on Executive Session. 6. Adjourn Pg.10 MINUTES' JUNE 21, 2022 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WORKSHOP SESSION Call to Order A workshop session of the Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas was held in the Brazos County Commissioners Courtroom in the Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Russ Ford, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk. The attached sheets contain the names of the citizens and officials that were in attendance. 2. Presentation and Discussion for the following Brazos County Departments and Offices on the proposed budget requests for FY2022-2023: • a. Justice of the Peace, Pct. #1 • b. Justice of the Peace, Pct. #2 • c. Constable Pct. #1 • d. Constable Pct. #2 • e. Constable Pct. #3 • f. Constable Pct. #4 • g. Sheriff's Office: Administration • h. Sheriffs Office: Jail Judge Peters announced that they will start with Constable, Precinct 2 due to Constable Donald Lampo attending a training conference. Vol. 3 6 �- Pg. A 1. Constable, Precinct 2: Constable Donald Lampo began by explaining to the Court that his request for salary increases is strictly to take care of his deputies. He stated that he has good employees and wants to be able to retain his quality staff. The other portion of his request is a title change and job description modification for the Clerk position, to more accurately reflect the duties of that position. The requested increase to the Constable, Precinct 2 budget totals approximately $66,000. Constable J.P. I ngram added that all of the Constables are asking the Commissioners Court to determine where law enforcement should fall on the pay scale for Brazos County. Commissioner Cauley questioned whether every officer would make the same amount if the request were granted. It was explained that their base pay would all be the same, not factoring in merit or longevity. Commissioner Ford asked if officers are able to work off duty projects in County vehicles. Constable Lampo said that they do in fact work off duty projects, but at a lesser rate than other agencies. 2. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1: Judge Kenny Elliott stated that he is in favor of the proposed 7.5% COLA, noting that it is hard to replace and retrain employees who leave for higher paying jobs. Judge Elliott also requested that the Judges and Constables be given a salary increase that is comparable to other elected officials. 3. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2: Judge Terrence Nunn requested an additional Clerk position. He stated that since the COVI D-19 pandemic, cases have become more complex and time consuming. A majority of cases are filed at the Justice of the Peace level and the J P Offices tum over cases quickly. Judge Nunn is also supportive of the 7.5% COLA. Commissioner Aldrich questioned whether Judge Nunn would be in favor of raising the tax rate if a 7.5% COLA is approved. J udge Nunn answered that he appreciates the difficulty of the job that the Commissioners Court faces in creating a County Budget, but that he was asked to present a prioritized list of needs within his office and that is what he is doing. Commissioner Cauley interjected with clarification that the 7.5% COLA is simply a baseline for the Court to build the budget from, and adjustments will be made as needed to keep from going over the threshold of the current tax rate. Further discussion continued between members of the Court regarding the 7.5% COLA. 4. Constable, Precinct 1: Constable Jeff Reeves expressed his concern for retaining quality employees in his office. He stated that it appears other local agencies will be giving, raises for their law enforcement personnel, creating an even larger disparity in pay between Brazos County law enforcement officers and those of the other agencies. Constable Reeves added that he currently makes less than a Bryan Police Department Patrol Officer. Commissioner Ford and Commissioner Berry questioned whether Constable Reeves thought it was fair to make salaries even for all deputies across the board. Constable Reeves stated that in terms of performance quality and service time, his deputies all operate on relatively the same level. 5. Constable, Precinct 3: Chief Deputy Constable Calder Lively gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Court regarding the Constable, Precinct 3 Budget requests. First, he discussed each employee's years of experience. He then explained the disparity in pay between Brazos County officers and other agencies. Chief Deputy Lively also expressed interest in seeing the County get away from a group and step pay program where law enforcement is concerned and allow LEO's to be paid based on rank. Constable Ingram then summarized the presentation and also requested that all Constables receive a salary increase. He suggested looking into personnel studies and using County services more efficiently as a way of refraining from burdening tax payers with the requested salary increases. A copy of the presentation is attached. C 6. Constable, Precinct 4: Deputy Constable Hezekiah Carter presented the Precinct 4 request in place of Constable Butler, as he was unable to attend. Deputy Carter expressed concern over retaining quality officers. He stated that his office has great officers but some are seeking employment from other agencies due to higher pay. Commissioner Aldrich questioned if the Precinct 4 office is requested pay at the same rate as presented by Constable, Precinct 3. Deputy Carter stated that they are requesting the same pay as Precinct 3 and feels these officers deserve that. 7. Sheriff's Office -Administration: Sheriff Wayne Dicky opened by thanking the Court for the Budget process and allowing each department to present their requests. He then stated that he would like to continue with the group and step approach to the pay scale. Chief Deputy Paul Martinez discussed the needs of the Sheriff's Office to retain quality and experienced employees. He explained that the County has specialized officers that are highly educated, great leaders and offer great customer service to the community but we are beginning to lose those officers to other agencies. Lieutenant Garrett House began a presentation detailing the Sheriff's Office Budget requests. He discussed the desired position title changes and pay increases. As part of the presentation, he also explained the increased growth in the community, leading to an increased need for more law enforcement officers. A copy of the presentation is attached. 8. Sheriff's Office - Jail Chief Deputy Kevin Stuart gave a short presentation on the needs within the Jail. He explained that with 32 current position vacancies in the jail, -they are struggling to operate at an efficient level. The employees are working mandatory overtime and they are having a hard time hiring officers to fill the vacant positions. Chief Stuart stated that a 7.5% COLA will certainly help them to scale back their original request however, they are still in need of two additional crisis intervention deputies and one court deputy. He asked the Court for help and to make the Jail a priority this year. Commissioner Aldrich questioned how much was being paid in overtime hours for the jail employees. Commissioner Cauley stated that she feels the jail is doing what is needed to keep everyone safe since they always pass the State inspections. A copy of the presentation is attached. Auditor Katie Conner then asked the Court for direction on the Budget based on the presentations given. Judge Peters wants to be competitive and able to recruit officers, especially at the Jail. Commissioner Cauley felt that the 7.5% COLA would take care of the issue of hiring and retaining employees. Commissioner. Aldrich requested further information on open positions within other departments. After further discussion, Budget Analyst Nina Payne recommended that the Court plug in the Jail and Sheriff's Office Administration requests into the budget. VOL Pg. 3. Open discussion of 22-23 Proposed Budget. Commissioner Aldrich opened discussion regarding the proposed 7.5% COLA. He views the proposed increase as a means of further burdening tax payers. Judge Peters explained this is simply a number that is proposed to allow for the building of the budget while awaiting the certified tax rate. Commissioner Cauley asked that Commissioner Aldrich give the budget process a chance to work before shooting down the 7.5% COLA. The Court entered into further discussion on the matter. Judge Peters then adjourned the meeting. Executive Sessions 4. Convene into Executive Session Pursuant to Texas Government Code §551.074 to discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of county personnel. It was determined there was no need for an Executive Session. 5. Consider and possible action on Executive Session. 6. Adjourn The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Workshop Session held June 21, 2022, have been examined and are approved in open Court this the 5th day of July 2022, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Duane Peters County Judge Russ Ford Commissioner, Precinct 2 Irm Cawley Commissioner, Precin Attest: Karen McQueen County Clerk _Steve Aldrich Commissioner, Precinct 1 ='<=V 6E*nntt_- Nancy Berry Commissioner, Precinct 3 VOL P9 -Aw Pg ` of _Z_ BRAZOS COUNTY. COMMISSIONER'S COURT 4 DAY OF Name (PLEASE PRINT) Organization (PLEASE PRINT) SV Bcso 0 PN/ Vol. Pg. Al Pg 'Z, of Name BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT Organization (PLEASE PRINT) A-c.-EXT c (1,&-f Pg.j-70 BCCO PCT 3 Current *Constable J.P. Ingram •Chief Deputy *Deputy *Deputy ,,Deputy vas. �� � Pg. �7.Z Chief Deputy • 30 years of law enforcement experience • Oversees daily operations & supervises deputies • Assists with bailiff duty • Responds to agency assists & priority calls for service • Proactive criminal interdiction patrol in Precinct 3 • Performs arrests and warrant collections • Serves civil process � 9R � pg. ,273 Deputy • Over 23 years of military and law enforcement experience • CSPD Medal of Honor recipient • Performs all manner of civil process, including seizures & auctions • Patrols Pct 3 for criminal interdiction and traffic safety • Manages K9 Diego trained in narcotics detection • Has assisted other agencies in narcotic detection & arrests • Instrumental in the arrest of two Latin Kings transporting methamphetimes into Brazos County disguised as Adderall pills and Ecstasy tablets (a modus operandi to gain control of victims for human sex trafficking) • Mentors' local officers in civil process and criminal interdiction techniques for a safer community V01. P a ���` Deputy • Over 13 years in law enforcement (7 years at BCCO Pct 3) • Truancy deputy responsible for serving truant conduct process and Parent Contributing criminal violations to stop the lack of education to prevent the "pipeline to prison". • Assists students & families with education options, employment opportunities, and -family violence victim assistance. • Assists with civil process, court bailiff duties, and requests for service • Patrols Pct 3 at large, as well as schools to bolster community safety as well as positive Pct 3 optics • Responds to calls for service V01, Deputy • Over 21 years of law enforcement experience • Manages warrant collections program • Instructed all Brazos County Constable offices in using the novel warrant texting program, resulting in thousands of dollars being collected from unpaid fines &preventing incarcerations (which costs the county additional funds) • Proactively patrols Pct 3 at large as well as schools and hrigh traffic public places to deter criminal activity • Responds to calls for service. VOL Precinct 3 Constables Office Years & Training Hours • Over 115 years combined law enforcement experience • Over 281102 hours of recognized Texas Commission On Law Enforcement training hours combined for officers of Pct 3 • Additionally, Pct 3 offers training on various topics needed by local law enforcement during the year and regularly serve as subject matter experts on various topics for prosecuting attorneys and District Attorney investigators. This was expanded with the addition of the K9 Unit. 0 Entry Pay Based on LE Certificates (most reliable method due to merit disparity) Bryan CSPD/Marshal Bryan Marshal BCSO Civil Avg. PCT 3 Basic - 601216 59,009 Intermediate - 65,062 66,248 Advanced- 721530 72,238 Master - 81,016 781,769 Sergeant - 94,637 921435 Lieutenant - 1051269 1021835 56,160 571366 - 601278 - 61,796 68,855 58,802 761960 71,676 77,105 58,802 77,209 88,093 71,677 (Chief Deputy) 101,000 91748 100,213 71,677 (Marshal) (Chief Deputy) This pay scale is apples to apples for duties performed & highlights the pay disparity of Brazos County Constables and their deputies who perform similar functions as their cohorts. The constable's staff is grossly underpaid compared to the BCSO Civil Unit who perform the same tasks. Recruitment,, Retention,, and Equity Questions • Do you value the BCCO Pct 3 employees you currently have with over 100 years of combined law enforcement experience? • Are your Precinct 3 law enforcement officers (who perform more services to the community) at least as valuable as other local law enforcement officers, irrespective of the advanced level of training and service provision provided by Pct 3? • Does the current compensation for Pct 3 officers reflect parity and equity when examined in the context of the Brazos County Salary Grade Chart? • If disparity/inequity exists, what will be the impact on Pct Ts ability to recruit, train, and retain officers? liO9pg. �79 Undesirable Facts • Equal value is not reflected in the BCCO Pct 3 pay scale compared to any local law enforcement agency. • There exists a profound compensation disparity between positions of the same job description among Brazos County SO civil deputies (who are non -essential and could be used elsewhere) verses Brazos County Pct. 3 deputies. • An objective, rational examination of the work load and pay disparity supports, at least an outward appearance of, intentional pay discrimination towards Pct. 3 officers. DUI I. pg.�dfa Analysis There will always be demands on the county budget for fixing potholes, equipment needs, and normal operational and opportunity costs. They are variable costs, however their existence is predictable. Retention of quality employees is not guaranteed. Employees are hired and given a known pay scale yet the salary they can achieve is not commensurate to the work provided. There is not parity or equity when others are being paid significantly more for the same job function. BCCO Pct 3 has loyal experienced deputies but when any employee feels undervalued or less than when compared to their colleagues, they will leave.�Other agencies are actively recruiting Pct 3 deputies to join their agency. A known pattern that exists in Law Enforcement is to inadequately support/compensate high - performing, experienced employees, only for that employee to leave. Only then does the agency recognize the error, resulting in increasing new hire salary for candidates with little experience & training. Brazos County must transition to a Licensed Based Pay Scale as all local law enforcement have done in order to be equitable and unbiased toward any one agency. Brazos County needs highly trained and experienced Constable deputies, especially during times of social unrest & increased criminal activity. The Solution BCCO PCT 3 Basic - 60,000 Intermediate- 65,000 Advanced - 73,000 Master - 78,000 Chief Deputy - 88,000 'his pay scale will show Brazos County values its employees with experience and training, retain aid employees, and dissolve the disparity in the current pay structure. o< QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION 4 IN 1 law-P-M ho"J"' arwl R EST— A� - , is X H�, MW� III 1 2 W , IMM-12, 42% Change Positions to: • Lieutenant —Enforcement ® Sergeant —Enforcement ® Investigator Deputy— Enforcement PULNUIL = Lieutenant pay increased by 10% Chief Deputy pay increased by 15% Pg pg.. Ricardo'Gonzalez h � W at's the pay like? 2d Like Reply 'Tt_arfi_Dd6r Ricardo Gonzalez if it's not on there. it's probably -bad 101, 2d Like Reply 5 Noilad' KO, 6b Ricardo Gonzalez agree wonder - what the, pays, like 2d Like Reply Ric'1a1r.d.o'G6hzaIez patrol deputies make around 56k starting. 2d Like Reply 'Trent. Hill Stephen Garon just curious., as to how that is "compipt.itivell,lol, 2d Like Reply pg. Cody Allen If - ad' epa, rtrnent fists "'di rect,de, po sit" as�:a benefit, they probably d ' On!tffiakel, Whole'lOt Direc-t.`deposit isn.Ta benefit, that'sjust normal 2d Like Reply 12 Ue", Curtis Lo"I th'eiro I Holloway I ymll6kb.'-3��-,�o"iDks'.'-"" ''of vacatibn?'ThatsLicks., If ttold t1iem-.hbw-mu'qh,Ve get,; Would mai<6'iheirhm" 2d Like Reply 20 "'johri Badgilah Curtis Holloway top° out ot'6 weeks vac;- cadet,65K, probationary 70K. 1, couldn't.. ,imagine working, soMqwherb-for 3 ' weeks a-y 'eor, ld Like Reply Position z Deputy Patrol Assignment x e�, Courthouse is Deputy Support Services Assignment Deputy *Civilian Manager Background Investigator latrol Shift Staffing 2021 • ully Staffed (5 per shift� Staffing Minimum 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 --- Assuafts Calls For Service Accidents Disturbance Property Crime m 2020 2021 40 35 w 30 'Average Response Time' by 'Call volume' 16,642 18,701 19,993 17,366 18,122 CALL VOLUME Vol. 4,�Z,Pg. �y,� a i. #a4y ..•: Brazos County Sheriff's Office Jai/ Division FY2023 Budget Requests $,AZOf277A600 $2Of277, 600 96 Inmates 11 to 48 33 Vacancies Vol. �'�� Pg.,. Job separations, January 2011—November 2021, seasonally adjusted Millions 17.5 15.0 12.5 10.0 7.5 5.0 2.5 0.0 2011 2012 2013 - 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Click legend items to change data display. Hover over chart to view data. Shaded area represents a recession as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Source: US. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Total separations ® Layoffs and discharges ® Quits ® Other separations 2019 2020 2021 Fu&iloa Camtrbnel OnkH a W ry [mn..r,Fwtnn L0.Q Nrne HIRet VJH N2Ce faarrN anH LRQ H12Z i]bN.a {3FQ Nr.fa Ny,.ee Ne3Y fG81 4 IHMY W1C.N FrO Fas<0 f11%R 31+4r ro+. raH Hun wnH Haec uena sa i4rp HaeW O.PYr.9 WH H66ta H0.x,N Wn LBft {va4 HPJ Wm Neem H.SaID aa.r6 LCY are Wmn Mao Ware uNaa enei Grocery Stocker $18.00' Medical Benefits . 3 Weeks Paid Time Off — Use it. Cash NYC shuttingdown Rikers facility over staffing it, Roll it it' 401k Y 9 The Grocery Stocker Associate provides materials, merchandise, and supplies as needed for store crisis, conditions Functionality. The ideal candidate must promote a clean, friendly and In -stock work environment. 3 weeks PTO- Use It, cash it, roll it MedicalDental' Vision 4011: 100%Match up to 6% By Gabrielle Fonrouge Job ID 2022.67U p 205 etas south G Madisonville G Tx June 17, 2022 1 1:27pm I Updated Americans are quitting their jobs in record numbers — more than 4 million each month kagstv.com Wrizon raising frilinimum wage to $20 an hour shortage explained " Cy N4kvtaWpe,w.n .. �vro':IAZ.'. tntw+yxr;.y Shrvx:+amrkn&riL r�r9 AAeswuarL,as since July — but much of that quitting is happening among young people who are leaving for other jobs or better pay. They're not leaving the workforce entirely. EDITORIAL: BernCo must solve fall staffing woes befor( there's a crisis AWunacrnue laumat N.M. rrw;kxwu,rn>,n;nrata -. �,re4a Jun. 16—Among a county's most bask tesponsibalnes are to maintain a courthouse, sherlff's office and county)ag. County )ails don't gamer a Pot of praise or attention — they're often stark behemoths on the outskirts of town, out of sight arb out of mind. But safely operating a )ail to .hold defendants until trial or for short-term sentences is essential to the admfnistranon of justice. AM In its administration of the Atelropolltan Detention [erne , Bermldlo county is Walking staffk% tightrope that could snap at any minute. Five trends shaping the U.S. labor market The United States is facing a major labor shortage that's restraining the speed of the economic recovery and pushing wages higher, and theories abound regarding what's driving the staff shortage. We take a closer look. 7.5% COLA I % Merit Reclassification New Positions Grocery Stocker S18 00' Medical Benefits —A Weeks Paid sa5h 11, Roll it' 401k NYC shutting down Rikers facility over staffing The Grocery Stocker Associate provides materials, merchandise, and supplies as needed for store crisis, conditions functionality. The ideal candidate must promote a clean, friendly and in -stock work environment. 3 weeks PTO- Use It, cash it, roll it MedicalDental' Vision 401k: 100%Match up to 6% By Gabrielle Fonrouge Job ID 2022.67U V 205111-05South 0 Madisomille 9 Tx June 17, 2022 1 1:27pm I Updated II �II Americans are quitting their jobs in record numbers — more than 4 million each month kagstv.com Verizon raising minimum wage to $20 an hour we•taro arn.euo..1 omw s.wy eMEn A„Y4mia ras atn. samm asw a2mi Ksnu, uroa ^- NSdiO mat4O 4HIm at.m {>pit.m litb iMOY meR& L1,!i warm K)m.n }:tat au w.m mrHa! aa� Kmnn {a.it tam »si 1maH mueDo via aiM aAi,m W.n Can L•tt {a,41v a6AB LH.m ND,m KMP W.rO S2Y H• aav bWuo Win {b']IH Km{m into QUASitfd Vol, _ �� Pg. 301 shortage explained tr�tlHtVanwOQw+mt -• Safe :yam k!ttmx.oav N,awsesm. Wwa.'AScsu,6mYAlren�noa since July — but much of that quitting Is happening among young people who are leaving for other jobs or better pay. They're not leaving the workforce entirely, EDITORIAL:'BernCo must solve jall'staffing woes befor< there's a crisis AI6W�mraee Jauinat. N.M. Jun. 16—Among a munty's most basic re5ponsibi ides are to maintain a courthouse, sheriffs office and county JaiL County 13I15 don't Banter a lot of praise or attention - theym often stark behemoths on the outskirts Of town, out of sight and out of mind. But safely operating a )ail to hold defendants until trial or for shory term sentences is essential to the atlministratlon of Justice, And in Its administration of the Metropolitan Detention Center, BewlObCounty is walking a staffing tightrope that could snap at any minute. IhFive trends shaping the U.S. labor market he United States is facing a major labor shortage that'sestraining the speed of the economic recovery and pushing ages higher, and theories abound regarding what's driving e staff shortage. We take a closer look Brazos County Sheriff's Office Jai/ Division b] FY2023 Budget Requests GUIDELINES FOR EXECUTIVE SESSIONS IN BUDGET WORKSHOPS The purpose of these guidelines is to prevent the discussion of a single employee by name or by a unique position that identifies the individual. A. The following actions do not require discussion in Executive Session: 1. Multiple positions within a department are being restructured, reclassified or discussed; 2. A new position is being added; or 3. Elected Officials. B. The following actions do require discussion in Executive Session: 1. A specific individual will be addressed by name; or 2. A unique position within the department is being addressed and doing so would identify a unique employee. C. Discussion involving a Department Head must be listed in a separate agenda item for the workshop Executive Session and the Department must be named.