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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-24-1:00PM-Public HearinTHE TUES COUt STRE THE~ SEPT ALL i PRES The Co~ services BRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN, TEXAS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ?OMMISSIONERS COURT WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON }AY, AUGUST 24, 2004 AT 1:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS ['ROOM OF THE BRAZOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 300 EAST 26TM T, SUITE 115, BRYAN, TEXAS. OURT WILL HEAR COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET ENDING MBER 30, 2005. ,ITERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND SAID HEARING AND NT THEIR CAUSE, IF ANY, FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSED BUDGET. :house is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive mst be made two business days before the meeting. To make arrangements, call (979) 361-4102. COMMISSIONERS' COURT PUBLIC HEARING AUGUST 24,2004 The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas held a Pi ic Hearing in the Commissioners Courtroom in the C( in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 1:00 p on Tuesday, August 24, 2004, with the following members the Court present: Randy Sims, County Judge, Presiding; Eric Caldwell, 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 ~e. The County Judge announced the purpose of the meeting is t~ hear commentary for or against the proposed budget ending St 30, 2005. The County Judge then read aloud his that was delivered to all departments with the pz budget and asked those wishing to speak to please their comments to four (4) minutes each. Demetrios Basdekas, 7191 Old Reliance Rd., Bryan, Texas - stated that the proposed budget reflects the priorities of this Court. He said the County Judge only gave his list of priorities to a private few and declined when asked to do so in public. He said it seems that the priority of the County Judge is to secure Page o Court meeting August 24, 2004 funding for the Exposition Center and any money not nailed down gravitates to a black hole. He also stated that we are now paying more money to fund the Health Department so that the City of Bryan will help with utilities for the Exposition Center. He then stated that he was told the previous County Judge was the reason for such a high tax increase. Judge J.D. Langley, 85th District Court - stated that no one enjoys raising taxes, but he thinks this Court is in a position where they must do so. He said the Court should have been raising taxes a little each year. We need to do this to fund our reserve that has been depleted. He then thanked the Court. Judge J.D. Langley then requested that the part- time Magistrate position be made full-time. We have not had to create new courts because we have hired Judges such as the Court Master, CPS Court Judge, Juvenile Referee, ALR Judge and the Magistrate. The Magistrate is hearing cases in 4 out of 5 courts and we receive a $50 fee each time she hears a case. She is scheduled so that more prosecutors or bailiffs have not been necessary. He said she is needed more than part-time and he would like to see her job expanded to hear civil and tax cases also. Judge J.D. Langley asked that the Court consider a new web-master position. He would like to see more information given over the internet and the capability for defendants to pay fines and attorneys to file cases over the internet. We need a position dedicated to keeping the website updated to do this. The Director of Information Technology has requested a Program Analyst budgeted at approximately $47,000 for this. Judge Charles Ellis, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 - asked the Court to reconsider the addition of a new clerk position in his Court. He said the County is losing money because his staff does not have the time to issue warrants and follow up on them. Page Cc missioners Court meeting August 24, 2004 3 Wayne Thompson, Constable, Precinct 1 spoke on behalf of all the Brazes County Constables and requested a raise. There has not been a raise given to the Constable position in 10 years. Ernie Laney, Director of Information Technology - asked that the Court reconsider all his personnel requests and to consider Judge Langley's request as well. Commissioner Cauley - stated that if the Court does decide to take action on Judge Langley's request there will be other things needed as well, software, etc. The County Judge asked that Commissioner Cauley put the numbers together for tomorrow's meeting. Commissioner Mallard - asked Judge Langley about misdemeanor cases that seem to be dropped as they are consolidated with felonies. He asked if the Magistrate could help with this. He feels like the victims of these misdemeanor cases are neglected. Judge Langley explained the history of consolidating cases two years ago. Judge Langley feels this system works better. He does not think the misdemeanors are being neglected. Commissioner Cauley asked if it would be difficult to add another District Court. Judge Langley said that the State is pressed for money and our chances of a District Court are about 1 to 1,000. A new County Court at Law Courtroom would cost the County over $300,000. Commissioner Peters pointed out that the misdemeanor fines were down significantly in the last two years. Judge Langley said he doesn't think you can attribute it directly to the consolidation. Although, it may have contributed. 0 Charles Ellis, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 - stated that the Justice of the Peace offices are very self-supporting. Commissioner Caldwell - asked the County Auditor if she were asked to analyze the cost to add personnel that help to bring in revenue, would she take revenues into consideration. The Page CC V missioners Court meeting August 24, 2004 4 County Auditor said yes she would, but the estimate of revenues would be conservative. There being no further comments, the County Judge .~lared the Public hearing closed. 1 ~ 0 Page a' 2 ? R~ m~ Cc Pi Cc At The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Public ~ring held August 24, 2004 have been examined and are )roved in open Court this the ~day of NOV~Ii~- 0~ , in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. ~dy ~ms ln~ Judge Eric Caldwell Commi s s ioner, Precinct No. 1 ~ne Peters nmi ss ioner, .~cinct No. 2 Precinct No. 3 / :~-y C l~y, Jr. nmisC '~oner, / -f .:cinct No. 4 :est: zen McQueen lnty Clerk Page IL/-7 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING ON Name 200~4 AT Organization/Department BRAZO~ COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETINE Name ON J,D.L Organization/Department