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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-28-10:00AM-WORKSHOPBRA ar~ I ~ L7 t : Y J i l BRYAN, TEXAS NOTICE OF MEETING BRAZOS COUNTY COMISSIONERS COURT WORKSHOP SESSION THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL MEET IN A WORKSHOP SESSION ON TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2006 AT 10:00 A.M. IN SUITE 115 OF THE BRAZOS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 300 EAST 26TH STREET, BRYAN, TEXAS. 1. Call to Order 2. Review of the status of the Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force, and the future of narcotics enforcement in Brazos County. 3. Adjourn The Brazos County 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) 361-4102. Office of the County Judge • 300 East 26' St. • Suite 114 . Bryan, Texas 77803 • Fax: (979) 3614503 VOL_] 9 PAGE ~J Commissioners Court meeting February 28, 2006 2 history of the task force from it's establishment to current activities. He said that funding had been at a 75% state funded and 25% county funded match since 1988. He went on to say that there had been accusations of impropriety as close as Hearne but no problems with the Brazos County Task Force. Unfortunately, the incidents seemed to have cast a bad light on all task forces. The Legislature has taken steps to either do away completely with task forces or impose strict guidelines. Brazos County has adopted the strict guidelines as requested by the Governor but it seems that the Governor is backing away from funding. The Sheriff distributed copies of an article from County Progress Magazine giving the reasons for the demise of the task forces. He went on to say that funding will end March 31, 2006 and there is no answer in sight on how to continue to fund the task force after that point. Sim Lucas then went over statistics with the Court and gave them a handout. The task force has made a sizeable impact on narcotics in the Brazos Valley year after year. He then described some notable arrests. The Sheriff passed out a copy of HB 1239 that addresses multi county drug task forces. Vol ? Page v23 Commissioners Court meeting February 28, 2006 3 Mr. Lucas then discussed the number of years of law enforcement experience that would be lost with the demise of the task force if it can not be funded. He discussed a possible budget of $324,652 to cover six months of operating expenses. The Crime Fund can probably get the task force through the remainder of the budget year. He received an E- Mail from the Governor about the creation of a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) that has funds to target criminal organizations that constitute the greatest threat to local citizens. This is not meant to be for the re-creation of the drug task force. While there appears to be no funding for a drug task force, there is a possibility of funding this team on some level in another capacity. He then passed out information on the Criminal Enterprise Response Team (CERT) that would be used to augment a partner agency's response to a major crime and to assist in broad scope investigations of a criminal enterprise. The County Judge stated that he didn't think Brazos County could afford to pick up the whole budget without help from the State but asked that Mr. Lucas get staff and costs down as much as possible. The Sheriff replied that he didn't think they could cut much more from the budget submitted. He plans to ask for funding from the Governor for a CERT. This Vol 7Y Page a 4 Commissioners Court meeting February 28, 2006 4 will allow them to fight the drug problem but approach it from another angle. Commissioner Mallard asked about other grants. The Sheriff said it appears grants have been cut across the board. The future on grant funding is not real clear. Demetrios Basdekas said that drug trafficking is under review and evolving. Perhaps those aspects might help secure funding from Homeland Security. The Sheriff said even if we find grants to fund a year or so, he thinks it is important that the Commissioners take a look at funding locally so that we don't have to chase funding year after year. The County Judge asked why cities can't grant an officer. The Sheriff said he has explored that and received a lukewarm response from the cities. The County Auditor pointed out that there is a position in the DA's office that is funded 66% by the task force that will also end March 31, 2006. Vol 7F Page 101 The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Workshop held February 28, 2006, have been examined and approved in open Court this the 4+L day of M(~.v 20_0~, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. U<Q737=~~- Duane Peters Commissioner, Precinct No. 2 Carey Cau ey, Jr. Commissioner, Precinct 4 Attest: C~(L&e Karen McQueen County Clerk Lloyd assermann Commissioner, Precinct No. 1 Kenny Mall Commissione Precinct No. 3 Vol 7 8 Page ';Z (P 0 Ll::- BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING ON Z8 2006 AT O,DD ,i/kt Name Organization/Department SO V%X Q Y'w (iw- l3 U~Uf~ Paz C 0 VOL 7B PAGE ~7 `c BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING ON jh- 200(,AT wo(K.G"p 7X PR^E a 8