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Oh, okay. It hasn't come through yet. I

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just got it.

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Yes.

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» Good morning. Welcome to the Tuesday,

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August 19th, 2025 Tarant County

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Commissioner Court meeting.

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» It's okay. I now call the meeting to

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order.

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» Tim County,

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» Present.

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» Miles, Junior, Commissioner

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» Here. Alisa, Mr. Precinct 2

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» Here.

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» Matt Crouch, Mr. Precinct 3

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» Here.

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» Ramirez, Mr. Pre here.

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» All right. Today's invocation will be

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led once again by Tarant County

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Sheriff's Office Chaplain Frank Litkkey.

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Please rise for the invocation and the

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pledges to our flags.

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» Shall we pray?

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Father, we're thankful for this time

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that we have. I'm thankful Lord that we

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live in a county that recognizes you in

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a time like this. Pray, seek your help,

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seek your wisdom, and we seek values. I

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pray for the judge and the commissioners

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that you would give wisdom with the many

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decisions that they are that they take

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during the course not only of this

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meeting but of course of their day. We

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pray Lord for our leaders, our sheriff,

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his staff, as well as those that are

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working with the uh folks inmates that

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are incarcerated as well as the the

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officers on the street. We pray for

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them. We thank you for this day. We ask

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that you would continue to bless our

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nation, one nation under God. And I ask

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these things in Jesus name. Amen.

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» Amen.

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» Amen.

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» All right. Please join me in the pledge

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of allegiance to our flag. I pledge

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algiance to the flag of the United

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States of America and to the republic

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for which it stands. One nation under

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God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.

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» And now the Texas flag.

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» Honor the Texas flag. I aliance to thee,

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Texas. One state under God, one and

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indivisible.

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» Thank you. You may be seated.

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[Music]

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Good morning, Judge Commission.

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» Agenda announcements.

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» Oh, sorry, sir. Yes, sir. A couple of

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announcements this morning. Uh, first of

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all, item H1 under the criminal district

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attorney section.

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» Go ahead.

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» Item H1 under the criminal district's

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attorney session. We're going to hold

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that item until after closed.

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Uh item P33 in purchasing that's being

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removed from the agenda completely for

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today.

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And also item T1A

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is also being removed from the agenda

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completely today.

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And court members we have several items

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which have been pulled from consent. So

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this next batch are once again that have

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been pulled from consent. So the first

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one is I4 under elections.

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Also I5 under elections,

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[Applause]

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P35 under purchasing,

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T2A,

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and finally T3G

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and T3H.

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That's it, sir. All right. Thanks, sir.

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All right. Do we have any commissioner's

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court announcements?

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» Yes, judge. I have an announcement. I'd

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like to put out one last reminder and

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call for our 10th annual Healthy Lives

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Matters Alzheimer's Symposium that is

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coming up this Saturday, August 23rd,

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starting at 9:00 a.m. and we'll end up

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around 100 p.m. We'll be providing free

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of charge breakfast and lunch for all

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attendees. It is a great event filled

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with lots of resources for the

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community, lots of access to care and

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support for those who are caregiving for

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loved ones who are dealing with

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Alzheimer's and dementia. And I would

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encourage all those who have loved ones

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or friends of loved ones who are dealing

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with dementia or Alzheimer's to invite

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them to come out. We will be at Taran

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County College Trinity River campus. So,

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you can find out more information or

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register on our website, the county

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website. Just go to precinct 1 and there

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is a link for the Healthy Lives Matter

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Alzheimer's Caregiver Symposium. You can

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call our offices and register as well.

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So, we look forward to seeing all of you

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there this coming Saturday. Again,

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August the 23rd at 9:00 a.m. we will be

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at Taran County College Trinity River

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campus. Thank you.

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» What sir? We don't we don't do point of

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information from the audience. That's

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not going to happen. If you want to find

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a staff member, you can ask a question

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of a staff member. No more interruptions

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of the meeting for what you want asked

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or put out there. The I'm I am I'm not

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going to talk to you again before I have

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you leave. So, please be quiet.

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» All right. Any other commissioners

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announcements?

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» Yes.

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So, I wanted uh today to take this

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opportunity to recognize Texas State

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Representative Nicole Collier, who's uh

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who represents District 95, where each

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of you is sitting today. Um, I want to

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say thank you to Representative Collier

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for her principled

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stand in defense of legislative dignity

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and democratic representation.

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Um, Representative Collier spent the

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night last night on the on the floor of

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the Texas House after refusing a

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Republican

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demand to be placed under the watch of

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the state department of public safety.

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And when House Democrats returned to

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Austin after their quorum break uh over

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redistricting, the House Speaker

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announced that Democrats could only

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leave the House floor

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if they uh had received written

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permission

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and agreed to be under law enforcement

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escort.

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her refusal

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uh to do that is notable.

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Um

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while the others signed the permission

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slip, Representative Collier said, "No

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way, not doing it." And she stated this,

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these were her words. I refuse to sign

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away my dignity as a dulyeleed

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representative just so Republicans can

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control my movements and monitor me with

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police escorts. So, her refusal reminds

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me of the courageous acts of resistance

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throughout this country's history

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when people of color and people of

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conscience

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refuse to submit to systems designed to

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strip away their dignity and fundamental

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rights. Just as enslaved people who

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refuse to carry passes that control

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their movement, Representative Collier

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understood that signing such a document

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would be tantamount to accepting

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treatment as something less than a full

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citizen and elected official. And this

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situation

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reflects a broader pattern.

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I've witnessed personally the targeting

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and harassment of black women leaders

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who refuse to be intimidated or

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silenced.

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As an African-American professional in

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this role myself,

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um, I've experienced firsthand the

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disrespect,

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bullying, conspiratorial

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behavior from colleagues on this day and

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county executive staff who cannot accept

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inclusive leadership. Many of my peers

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in leadership positions like this,

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including Nicole and Jasmine,

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Congresswoman Crockett, uh endure

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similar treatment. But this extends

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beyond elected leaders. Um

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this goes to African-American women in

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boardrooms, in middle management, in

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blue collar supervisory positions um

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across our nation. So, Representative

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Collier's stand yesterday, which

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continues today, was a declaration that

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enough is enough.

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And so, rather than submit to being

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treated with surveillance and control,

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reminiscence of our nation's darkest

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chapter, she chose dignity and

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principle.

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And so for that courage and tenacity,

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I'm proud to recognize her strength and

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I'm grateful to her for her leadership.

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And I'll be going to visit her in

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Austin.

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Thank you.

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[Applause]

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[Music]

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[Music]

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[Applause]

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Uh any other commissioners

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announcements? I'll make one on uh

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empowering seniors. Uh mark your

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calendars October 2nd. Uh Judge O'Hare's

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office and precinct 3 are working

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together to put that on. It's going to

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be a great event for seniors. Go to

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empoweringceniors.com. You get a lot

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more information on it. If you want to

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be an exhibitor or a sponsor, uh you can

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also do that there. But we'd love to

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have a great turnout on October 2nd uh

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for empowering seniors. And and I will

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just say it's kind of a counter part to

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what Commissioner Simmons just said. I

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was actually in the Texas House in 2021

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when there was another quorum break and

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I was subjugated to be uh held in Austin

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for 30 days not getting to work on

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anything and every day I had to get a

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permission slip to leave the chamber as

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well. So nobody's being targeted,

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nobody's being individualized, nobody's

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being quiet.

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» It's all because they fled the state

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last time and measures have to now be

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put in place to make sure that they will

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stay and do their job.

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» And so just one second.

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» Yeah. If there's another outburst, you

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will be removed immediately. We're not

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going to do that up here today. I'll

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have an announcement in a minute. I'm

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looking straight at you because I've

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seen you do it three times. You'll be

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gone if you do it another time. Okay.

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» So, I want to

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» I'll move her now. Take the lady in

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green out.

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» Good. Goodbye.

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» Goodbye.

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» Thank you for coming.

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So, I want to applaud uh Speaker

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Burroughs and uh House Administration

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Chair Charlie Garren for making sure

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that the people of Texas can continue to

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do the work uh that needs to be done

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during the second special session.

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Drastic measures have to be used because

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uh of the first quorum break. So, I I

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appreciate the House leadership there.

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» Thank you. Uh on another note regarding

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empowering seniors. So this is an event

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that puts seniors together with

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caregivers

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uh people who provide services for

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seniors, help them to be able to get

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their Medicaid right, their Medicare

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right, all sorts of things. It's a great

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event extremely nonpartisan. It is

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something started really by Commissioner

279
00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:56,320
Gary Ficus

280
00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:59,920
many moons ago and then uh Judge Whitley

281
00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:02,800
took it up. We decided, Commissioner Fus

282
00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:05,040
and I, to combine it because it ended up

283
00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:07,120
kind of taxing some of the providers and

284
00:16:05,040 --> 00:16:10,720
they ended up have sponsored twice and

285
00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:12,959
it took money out of their hands uh

286
00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:15,519
instead of uh putting it into the hands

287
00:16:12,959 --> 00:16:18,480
of those who who need the help. So, we

288
00:16:15,519 --> 00:16:20,240
combined it to have one and uh it's a

289
00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:23,759
great event for seniors. I encourage

290
00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:25,440
everyone to send their friends uh who

291
00:16:23,759 --> 00:16:28,399
are seniors or who may be becoming

292
00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:30,880
seniors. It's a it's a wonderful uh

293
00:16:28,399 --> 00:16:32,320
event that puts a lot of people in a lot

294
00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:33,680
of good spots and gives health care

295
00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:36,320
checks and all sorts of things that's

296
00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:38,480
good for our senior community. Uh any

297
00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:41,600
other announcements from the DIS?

298
00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:44,320
» I have one. Um I would like to wish our

299
00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:45,839
colleague Matt Krauss, Commissioner

300
00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:47,360
Krauss a happy birthday. It's his

301
00:16:45,839 --> 00:16:48,320
birthday today. So happy birthday

302
00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,519
Commissioner Krauss.

303
00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:49,680
» Happy birthday Commissioner. Appreciate

304
00:16:49,519 --> 00:16:51,440
it.

305
00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:54,000
» Happy birthday.

306
00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:56,399
» Okay. Um,

307
00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:59,920
we are now to the proclamations and

308
00:16:56,399 --> 00:17:02,560
resolutions and presentation section.

309
00:16:59,920 --> 00:17:05,120
I guess before I get there, let me make

310
00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:07,360
a couple of announcements because once

311
00:17:05,120 --> 00:17:09,600
we only got one item on there and then

312
00:17:07,360 --> 00:17:13,439
we're kind of getting into the to the

313
00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:16,640
meat of our agenda. Um,

314
00:17:13,439 --> 00:17:19,360
my goal for today for everyone here is

315
00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:22,799
for you to get to say your piece in an

316
00:17:19,360 --> 00:17:25,120
orderly, respectful fashion. So there is

317
00:17:22,799 --> 00:17:26,640
a set of decorum rules that this court

318
00:17:25,120 --> 00:17:28,880
passed,

319
00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:31,679
another set that they operated by for

320
00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:33,919
many years that uh was passed by a

321
00:17:31,679 --> 00:17:36,960
majority of this court uh I believe

322
00:17:33,919 --> 00:17:39,760
about a year ago. When you sign up to

323
00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:43,039
speak, you promise to abide by those

324
00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:45,840
rules. So what I hope to see is everyone

325
00:17:43,039 --> 00:17:47,440
gets up, speaks, follows the rules,

326
00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:49,360
everybody can do it in an orderly

327
00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:51,840
fashion. I hope to not have to tell one

328
00:17:49,360 --> 00:17:53,440
person please lower your voice. I hope

329
00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:56,480
not to have to tell one person you

330
00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:58,720
cannot make profane remarks. Uh that is

331
00:17:56,480 --> 00:18:01,520
my hope but that's going to be up to the

332
00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:04,720
speakers. So do know I will enforce the

333
00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:06,799
rules. Uh I'm a believer in decorum. You

334
00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:09,039
may not be. Some people on this dis may

335
00:18:06,799 --> 00:18:10,960
not be but I am and I think a majority

336
00:18:09,039 --> 00:18:13,760
of Americans are. So we're going to

337
00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:16,080
enforce the rules. And part of those

338
00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:18,000
rules are once we get past the

339
00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:20,000
proclamation section, there are no

340
00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:21,840
outbursts. There is no applause. There

341
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:24,320
is no rallying. This is not a political

342
00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:28,160
rally. This is a business meeting of the

343
00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:30,080
Tarant County government. So with that,

344
00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:33,039
we will now go to the proclamations,

345
00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:35,039
resolutions, and presentation section.

346
00:18:33,039 --> 00:18:36,799
Uh the first and only item on this

347
00:18:35,039 --> 00:18:39,440
section is a memorial resolution

348
00:18:36,799 --> 00:18:41,039
honoring Mr. JW Robinson.

349
00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:41,520
» Who's presenting this one?

350
00:18:41,039 --> 00:18:43,840
» I am.

351
00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:46,240
» Okay. Commissioner Miles,

352
00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:48,720
» Before I start, I would like to

353
00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:51,760
acknowledge and recognize

354
00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:55,120
Mr. Robinson's family. If you would

355
00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:58,880
stand when I call your name,

356
00:18:55,120 --> 00:19:02,160
Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Aquanita Robinson,

357
00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:03,760
this is the wife and widow of Mr. JW

358
00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:08,400
Robinson,

359
00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:12,880
his daughter, Dr. Kiana Roberts

360
00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:18,120
and his granddaughter Natasha Robinson

361
00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:18,120
and his son-in-law Albert Roberts.

362
00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:24,640
We love you. We support you and we are

363
00:19:22,799 --> 00:19:29,320
here for you. Thank you for coming

364
00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:29,320
today. You may be seated.

365
00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:37,679
[Applause]

366
00:19:35,039 --> 00:19:40,480
Whereas the family and friends of Mr. JW

367
00:19:37,679 --> 00:19:45,440
Robinson were deeply saddened by his

368
00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:47,919
death on Sunday, July 27th, 2025.

369
00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:52,799
And whereas Mr. Robinson was born on

370
00:19:47,919 --> 00:19:56,320
June 20th, 1947 in Holly Grove, Arkansas

371
00:19:52,799 --> 00:19:59,200
to Timothy Robinson and Shed Robinson.

372
00:19:56,320 --> 00:20:01,200
And whereas Mr. Robinson received his

373
00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:04,640
formal education in the public school

374
00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:06,880
system in Holly Grove, Arkansas. Drafted

375
00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:09,760
into the United States Army and deployed

376
00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:12,000
into the heart of the Vietnam War, where

377
00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:15,200
he earned the National Defense Service

378
00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:20,160
Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign

379
00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:23,520
Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Overseas

380
00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:25,360
Service Bar, and Expert Qualification in

381
00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:28,559
marksmanship.

382
00:20:25,360 --> 00:20:30,559
And whereas Mr. Robinson worked in the

383
00:20:28,559 --> 00:20:33,600
construction industry after returning

384
00:20:30,559 --> 00:20:35,280
home to Kansas City, Missouri, then

385
00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:37,600
transitioned to the food service

386
00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:40,559
industry where he developed a passion

387
00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:44,400
and love for quality food and personable

388
00:20:40,559 --> 00:20:47,039
service. And whereas after learning the

389
00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:50,880
craft of signature Kansas City barbecue

390
00:20:47,039 --> 00:20:52,960
style, his family moved to Texas to open

391
00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:54,880
Parks and Parks and Robinson

392
00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:56,960
Construction.

393
00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:59,919
This business led to their personal

394
00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:03,760
construction of the now infamous

395
00:20:59,919 --> 00:21:07,200
Robinson's Barbecue located at 1028 East

396
00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:10,960
Berry Street, Fort Worth, Texas. This

397
00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:14,240
legendary barbecue pit pitmaster took

398
00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:16,960
Kansas City style barbecue and added his

399
00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:20,720
very own Texas twist.

400
00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:23,679
And whereas Mr. Robinson will be forever

401
00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:27,120
will be forever cherished by his wife

402
00:21:23,679 --> 00:21:30,960
Aquanita Robinson his children Lelle

403
00:21:27,120 --> 00:21:34,559
Robinson Hall Dr. Kiana Roberts

404
00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:38,559
grandchildren Natasha Robinson Kevin

405
00:21:34,559 --> 00:21:42,400
Dixon Albert Roberts III Carrington

406
00:21:38,559 --> 00:21:46,080
Roberts and a host of longtime friends

407
00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:49,520
and extended family. Now therefore be it

408
00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:52,320
resolved that I, Rodri Miles Jr.,

409
00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:55,679
Commissioner of Taran County Precinct 1

410
00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:58,000
and Commissioner Al Alisa Simmons, Taran

411
00:21:55,679 --> 00:22:00,000
County Commissioner Precinct 2, pay

412
00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:02,960
tribute to the memory of a beloved and

413
00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:05,280
honorable man, and extend our deepest

414
00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:07,520
sympathy to the members of his family

415
00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:11,280
and his many friends for their great

416
00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:13,919
loss. In witness whereof, we have here

417
00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:16,159
unto set our hands and caused the seal

418
00:22:13,919 --> 00:22:19,440
of Taran County to be affixed this

419
00:22:16,159 --> 00:22:22,159
seventh day of August, 2025. And on a

420
00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:25,440
personal note,

421
00:22:22,159 --> 00:22:30,559
I would like to say Mr. Robinson's

422
00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:33,760
barbecue spot was a formidable

423
00:22:30,559 --> 00:22:37,200
part of my upbringing in my childhood.

424
00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:38,799
As a student at OD Wide High School at

425
00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:42,080
lunchtime,

426
00:22:38,799 --> 00:22:45,760
it was not it was not unusual to see a

427
00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:48,480
host of my classmates and I driving down

428
00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:51,280
Eastberry to get to Robinson's Barbecue

429
00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:54,640
to get us a chopped beef sandwich, a bag

430
00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:58,400
of chips, and a soda for lunch. That was

431
00:22:54,640 --> 00:23:00,640
my daily meal for lunch. And it was the

432
00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:03,280
best chopped beef sandwich this side of

433
00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:05,200
heaven, let me tell you. And every time

434
00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:07,360
we would go and Mr. Robinson was there,

435
00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:10,880
he would greet us with the biggest smile

436
00:23:07,360 --> 00:23:14,960
and say, "Make sure you get enough." And

437
00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:18,159
so he will be greatly missed. His

438
00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:19,919
fingerprints and his influence is on the

439
00:23:18,159 --> 00:23:23,120
majority of the south side of Fort

440
00:23:19,919 --> 00:23:25,600
Worth, Texas. His legacy will live on

441
00:23:23,120 --> 00:23:27,840
not only through his family members, but

442
00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:29,760
those of us who were blessed to be in

443
00:23:27,840 --> 00:23:33,039
his presence and to be touched by his

444
00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:35,440
life. I thank God for Mr. Robinson and I

445
00:23:33,039 --> 00:23:37,200
thank God for his family. If the family

446
00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:39,280
will come at this time down so that we

447
00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:42,000
can take a picture with you with the

448
00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:43,919
memorial resolution.

449
00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,760
Let's all give the Robinson family and

450
00:23:43,919 --> 00:23:48,760
the legacy of Mr. Robinson a round of

451
00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:48,760
applause.

452
00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:56,960
My colleague reminded me I I got a

453
00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:57,360
little caught up. I move for approval.

454
00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:57,919
» Second.

455
00:23:57,360 --> 00:23:58,880
» Second.

456
00:23:57,919 --> 00:24:02,000
» All right. All right, we have a motion

457
00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:04,480
and a second to approve. Any discussion?

458
00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:07,520
» I I'll only say that working uh patrol

459
00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:09,679
in Fort Worth PD on the east side, um we

460
00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,880
also filled our bellies quite often at

461
00:24:09,679 --> 00:24:14,240
Robertson's barbecue and it was

462
00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:16,559
incredible. Still is.

463
00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:18,480
Uh we have a motion and a second with no

464
00:24:16,559 --> 00:24:22,720
further discussion.

465
00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:24,320
Uh all in favor, please raise your hand.

466
00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:29,000
Okay, passes unanimously. You're in

467
00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:29,000
favor. Good. I figured you might be. So,

468
00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:38,200
Welcome.

469
00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:38,200
Great night.

470
00:26:06,799 --> 00:26:10,039
Thank you.

471
00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:23,600
All right. Now we move to our consent

472
00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,480
agenda as amended.

473
00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:26,159
» Move for approval.

474
00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:28,720
» Second.

475
00:26:26,159 --> 00:26:31,279
» Uh we have a motion. Yeah, it takes a

476
00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:33,919
little longer to get back to this stuff.

477
00:26:31,279 --> 00:26:36,559
Uh we have a motion to approve the

478
00:26:33,919 --> 00:26:40,679
consent agenda as amended. And we have a

479
00:26:36,559 --> 00:26:40,679
second. You got it.

480
00:26:44,559 --> 00:26:48,720
All right. Any discussion on the amended

481
00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:50,320
consent agenda?

482
00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:53,520
All right, seeing none, all those in

483
00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:56,320
favor of approval, raise your hand. All

484
00:26:53,520 --> 00:27:00,000
right, passes unanimously.

485
00:26:56,320 --> 00:27:01,760
Now takes us to the regular

486
00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:04,799
section,

487
00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:06,720
starting with 10 A1,

488
00:27:04,799 --> 00:27:08,880
the administrator section, consideration

489
00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:09,840
of out of state travel requests.

490
00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:10,080
» Move approval.

491
00:27:09,840 --> 00:27:11,120
» Second.

492
00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:13,840
» Second.

493
00:27:11,120 --> 00:27:16,320
» We have a motion and a second to approve

494
00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:20,000
that item.

495
00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:21,520
Uh any discussion there?

496
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:24,080
All right, seeing none, all in favor,

497
00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:27,559
please raise your hand.

498
00:27:24,080 --> 00:27:27,559
Passes unanimously.

499
00:27:32,159 --> 00:27:37,440
The next item is D1, budget and risk

500
00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:41,600
management.

501
00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:44,600
Do we have um any comments from the

502
00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:44,600
court?

503
00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:47,520
court wish to discuss anything related

504
00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:49,200
to the budget.

505
00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:50,960
» So there are no we have no items that

506
00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,840
we're presenting today for the FY26

507
00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:55,440
budget.

508
00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:59,720
» Okay. We have one speaker on the budget

509
00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:59,720
and that is Dr. Harriet Harold

510
00:28:03,279 --> 00:28:06,279
paper.

511
00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:26,240
A budget is a moral document. A budget

512
00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:28,480
is a plan. A budget is the foundation

513
00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:31,360
that lets county government serve its

514
00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:34,720
people. The goal of a budget is not

515
00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:37,840
simply to cut. Last week, we celebrated

516
00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:40,480
a low tax rate. You do know, of course,

517
00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:44,000
that a low rate also means fewer

518
00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:45,840
services. We owe residents honesty about

519
00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:48,399
that tradeoff.

520
00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:51,520
Here's how an effective budget process

521
00:28:48,399 --> 00:28:53,679
should work. Immediately after this

522
00:28:51,520 --> 00:28:56,720
budget passes,

523
00:28:53,679 --> 00:28:59,360
launch a strategic planning process that

524
00:28:56,720 --> 00:29:02,240
includes all elected officials and a

525
00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:04,159
true cross-section of Tarant County,

526
00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:05,919
urban and rural, business and labor,

527
00:29:04,159 --> 00:29:09,200
neighborhoods, nonprofits, faith

528
00:29:05,919 --> 00:29:12,720
communities, young people. Ground that

529
00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:15,840
plan in shared values, a clear vision,

530
00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:18,799
and a mission we all commit to. From

531
00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:22,240
there, build consensus on the county's

532
00:29:18,799 --> 00:29:25,360
top needs and prioritize them. And for

533
00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:28,080
each priority, define solutions with

534
00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:32,720
timelines, cost estimates, and measures

535
00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:35,440
of success. Only then are you ready to

536
00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:38,799
start to build a budget. Without that

537
00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:41,679
framework, departments compete, ideology

538
00:29:38,799 --> 00:29:45,279
fills the gaps, and power plays decide

539
00:29:41,679 --> 00:29:48,080
who gets funded. That is not leadership.

540
00:29:45,279 --> 00:29:51,039
It's roulette. And roulette produces

541
00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:52,640
unintended consequences that hurt real

542
00:29:51,039 --> 00:29:55,039
people.

543
00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:58,240
It is time for Taran County to be

544
00:29:55,039 --> 00:30:01,360
professional. I am not criticizing the

545
00:29:58,240 --> 00:30:03,520
hard work of our budget office. I am

546
00:30:01,360 --> 00:30:07,919
saying they've not been given the

547
00:30:03,520 --> 00:30:11,760
strategic tools to do their best work.

548
00:30:07,919 --> 00:30:15,679
Commissioners, your job is to lead.

549
00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:18,720
Leadership means being strategic. No

550
00:30:15,679 --> 00:30:21,679
more seat of the pants budgeting. Start

551
00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:25,520
a countywide strategic planning process

552
00:30:21,679 --> 00:30:28,480
now. Publish the values, the priorities,

553
00:30:25,520 --> 00:30:31,039
the timelines, and the price tags.

554
00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:34,880
Commit to a rolling three-year

555
00:30:31,039 --> 00:30:38,799
framework. Report progress publicly and

556
00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:41,840
adjust with data, not headlines. If we

557
00:30:38,799 --> 00:30:44,480
want the lowest taxes, say clearly what

558
00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:47,679
services we'll do without. If we want

559
00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:50,559
stronger services, say clearly what we

560
00:30:47,679 --> 00:30:52,880
will invest and why it matters. Either

561
00:30:50,559 --> 00:30:55,760
way, the citizens of Tarant County

562
00:30:52,880 --> 00:31:01,279
deserve clarity, consistency, and a

563
00:30:55,760 --> 00:31:03,120
plan. Budgets without strategy are just

564
00:31:01,279 --> 00:31:07,520
spreadsheets.

565
00:31:03,120 --> 00:31:08,159
Let's do better. Let's lead.

566
00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:11,120
Thank you.

567
00:31:08,159 --> 00:31:13,440
» Uh, any there is no applause here,

568
00:31:11,120 --> 00:31:17,600
folks. Don't don't make me have to deal

569
00:31:13,440 --> 00:31:19,279
with it. Just be respectful. Uh,

570
00:31:17,600 --> 00:31:21,520
anything else from the court members on

571
00:31:19,279 --> 00:31:26,320
the budget.

572
00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:28,399
Okay, moving on to item H1. H1 is held

573
00:31:26,320 --> 00:31:30,080
until after closed, but we do have a

574
00:31:28,399 --> 00:31:35,240
speaker.

575
00:31:30,080 --> 00:31:35,240
So, our speaker is Dr. Brooks McKenzie.

576
00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:46,240
I guess that's not Dr. Brooks McKenzie.

577
00:31:43,120 --> 00:31:49,600
Is Dr. Brooks McKenzie here?

578
00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:51,360
Is there a spillover room?

579
00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:53,840
» I believe only right outside.

580
00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:55,039
» Okay. Can y'all check and see if Dr.

581
00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:56,399
Brooks McKenzie is out there? I'm

582
00:31:55,039 --> 00:31:58,799
assuming they have microphones out

583
00:31:56,399 --> 00:32:00,480
there.

584
00:31:58,799 --> 00:32:01,039
» Is there some kind of speaker system?

585
00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:01,760
» Speakers out there.

586
00:32:01,039 --> 00:32:04,640
» Okay.

587
00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:06,720
» All right. I don't see a Dr. Brooks

588
00:32:04,640 --> 00:32:09,519
McKenzie.

589
00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:14,279
Doesn't appear to be one coming.

590
00:32:09,519 --> 00:32:14,279
So, we will now move to I1

591
00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:25,840
HIJ. We'll move to I1. Elections

592
00:32:23,519 --> 00:32:27,840
Administration consider to approve an

593
00:32:25,840 --> 00:32:31,200
order calling a special election on

594
00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:32,960
November 4th, 2025.

595
00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:36,159
» Move for approval. Second.

596
00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:38,720
» We have a motion and a second to approve

597
00:32:36,159 --> 00:32:40,240
uh this order calling the special

598
00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:42,399
election on November 24th. Any

599
00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:44,240
discussion?

600
00:32:42,399 --> 00:32:46,640
All right. Seeing none, all in favor,

601
00:32:44,240 --> 00:32:50,519
please raise your hand.

602
00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:50,519
All right. Passes unanimously.

603
00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:58,799
Next we move to I2, consideration to

604
00:32:57,440 --> 00:33:01,760
approve an order calling a

605
00:32:58,799 --> 00:33:03,519
constitutional amendment election on

606
00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:04,320
November 4th, 2025.

607
00:33:03,519 --> 00:33:05,600
» Move approval.

608
00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:08,000
» Second. All right. We have a motion, a

609
00:33:05,600 --> 00:33:10,399
second to approve that. Any discussion

610
00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:11,840
there?

611
00:33:10,399 --> 00:33:14,240
All right. All in favor, please raise

612
00:33:11,840 --> 00:33:17,120
your hand.

613
00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:20,480
All right. Passes unanimously.

614
00:33:17,120 --> 00:33:23,200
Now we get to I have it marked as

615
00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:26,080
another I2. I'm assuming we just got it

616
00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:28,320
wrong and it says I3. Whatever it is,

617
00:33:26,080 --> 00:33:30,880
it's consideration to approve proposed

618
00:33:28,320 --> 00:33:33,120
early voting and election day polling

619
00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:34,559
locations for the November 4th, 2025

620
00:33:33,120 --> 00:33:35,519
joint special and constitutional

621
00:33:34,559 --> 00:33:37,200
amendment election.

622
00:33:35,519 --> 00:33:38,480
» I move to reject.

623
00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:40,240
» Second.

624
00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:42,080
» Second.

625
00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:45,039
All right. We have a motion and a second

626
00:33:42,080 --> 00:33:49,080
to reject. Any discussion before we let

627
00:33:45,039 --> 00:33:49,080
Clint present his

628
00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:53,519
views?

629
00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:55,120
All right, seeing none, Clint, go ahead.

630
00:33:53,519 --> 00:33:56,880
» Good morning, commissioners. Judge,

631
00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:59,039
happy birthday, Commissioner.

632
00:33:56,880 --> 00:34:01,039
» Um, the last time we were up here

633
00:33:59,039 --> 00:34:03,919
discussing early voting locations, the

634
00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:06,159
court um told me, "Don't come back with

635
00:34:03,919 --> 00:34:08,159
the same list. Go do your homework. look

636
00:34:06,159 --> 00:34:10,320
at the the locations and bring forth

637
00:34:08,159 --> 00:34:12,480
something um that you can support and

638
00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:14,399
that you've done your some analysis on

639
00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:16,399
and something that will support the the

640
00:34:14,399 --> 00:34:18,639
voters. And so that's what we did. We

641
00:34:16,399 --> 00:34:21,599
went back, we looked, we looked at voter

642
00:34:18,639 --> 00:34:24,240
turnout, um looking at the locations, we

643
00:34:21,599 --> 00:34:26,159
calculated what is it, how how many

644
00:34:24,240 --> 00:34:29,520
voters can we actually process at a

645
00:34:26,159 --> 00:34:32,079
location per hour on average, that's 104

646
00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:33,839
voters per hour per location with an

647
00:34:32,079 --> 00:34:35,839
average wait time of about 10 and a half

648
00:34:33,839 --> 00:34:38,399
minutes. So that's kind of the peak

649
00:34:35,839 --> 00:34:39,839
velocity that we're looking at um with

650
00:34:38,399 --> 00:34:42,159
the max weight time or the average

651
00:34:39,839 --> 00:34:44,560
weight time. So as we were looking and

652
00:34:42,159 --> 00:34:46,960
especially our early voting locations,

653
00:34:44,560 --> 00:34:48,240
we went back and said, "Okay, 2023,

654
00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:50,480
what's our turnout?" That was the

655
00:34:48,240 --> 00:34:54,639
highest turnout oddyear election that

656
00:34:50,480 --> 00:34:57,920
we've had recently compared to 21 a 19

657
00:34:54,639 --> 00:35:01,280
um 23 had it. So I went through added

658
00:34:57,920 --> 00:35:03,440
10% to that number to increase just for

659
00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:07,200
some growth. Um, traditionally we don't

660
00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:09,040
see 10% but went for 10%. And then uh

661
00:35:07,200 --> 00:35:10,960
calculated the velocity. How many

662
00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:13,119
locations would we need on the busiest

663
00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:17,040
day of early voting to process those

664
00:35:13,119 --> 00:35:19,280
voters? And it's 12. 12 v locations

665
00:35:17,040 --> 00:35:23,680
could process the busiest day of early

666
00:35:19,280 --> 00:35:25,440
voting in 23 adding an extra 10%. Um,

667
00:35:23,680 --> 00:35:27,280
and then we went back looked at same

668
00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:30,640
thing for election day. What's it going

669
00:35:27,280 --> 00:35:32,000
to take? Um unfortunately our odd year

670
00:35:30,640 --> 00:35:36,480
elections they just don't get the

671
00:35:32,000 --> 00:35:38,960
turnout. Um early voting we saw it had

672
00:35:36,480 --> 00:35:42,400
10% the turnout that we saw in 2024

673
00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:44,320
during early voting in 23. And overall

674
00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:46,800
for the 23 election even though it was

675
00:35:44,320 --> 00:35:49,599
higher it still didn't even hit 13%

676
00:35:46,800 --> 00:35:51,520
voter turnout. Um, so on election day,

677
00:35:49,599 --> 00:35:53,839
doing the math, looking at it, it would

678
00:35:51,520 --> 00:35:56,960
take approximately 80 locations to

679
00:35:53,839 --> 00:35:58,640
handle the volume of voters that that we

680
00:35:56,960 --> 00:36:02,000
would receive even with the 10%

681
00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:04,240
increase. Clearly, um, we have many,

682
00:36:02,000 --> 00:36:06,880
many more locations like that available

683
00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:09,440
or for available that we could use um,

684
00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:11,119
and had used in the past. So then we

685
00:36:09,440 --> 00:36:14,240
went back and looked and said, okay, if

686
00:36:11,119 --> 00:36:16,000
if 12's what'll handle it,

687
00:36:14,240 --> 00:36:17,440
how do we make cuts? Where do we look?

688
00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:19,839
How do we make sure we get the best

689
00:36:17,440 --> 00:36:21,839
locations we can? So, we started every

690
00:36:19,839 --> 00:36:22,960
every location, it has to be ADA

691
00:36:21,839 --> 00:36:25,119
compliant. That's the first thing we

692
00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:27,200
look at. We check make sure that every

693
00:36:25,119 --> 00:36:29,280
single one of our locations is ADA

694
00:36:27,200 --> 00:36:30,800
compliant. And then we went back and we

695
00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:33,839
looked at the voter turnout. Where do

696
00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:35,200
the people choose to show up? Um, and we

697
00:36:33,839 --> 00:36:37,440
couldn't just take, you know, the 12

698
00:36:35,200 --> 00:36:39,280
highest turnout locations and throw

699
00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:41,520
those on a map because it clearly it

700
00:36:39,280 --> 00:36:43,760
puts them all in specific areas and and

701
00:36:41,520 --> 00:36:45,520
you have big gaps all over the map. So,

702
00:36:43,760 --> 00:36:48,720
we also had to look at how do we get

703
00:36:45,520 --> 00:36:50,880
locations spread around the county uh to

704
00:36:48,720 --> 00:36:53,040
to ensure that there is accessibility

705
00:36:50,880 --> 00:36:55,760
the the distance isn't too great uh for

706
00:36:53,040 --> 00:36:57,680
anybody to get there. And in doing that,

707
00:36:55,760 --> 00:36:59,520
we looked if we had two locations that

708
00:36:57,680 --> 00:37:01,280
were really really close to each other,

709
00:36:59,520 --> 00:37:03,680
the location that had the higher turnout

710
00:37:01,280 --> 00:37:05,760
was the one we would keep in in order to

711
00:37:03,680 --> 00:37:08,480
get there. And we also looked at the

712
00:37:05,760 --> 00:37:10,960
spaces in in the polling locations. Are

713
00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:12,400
they large enough to allow us to to have

714
00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:15,760
more equipment than normal? If we're

715
00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:17,359
going to use a few less locations, can

716
00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:19,280
we add some equipment to ensure that

717
00:37:17,359 --> 00:37:21,040
we're we're not creating extra lines and

718
00:37:19,280 --> 00:37:23,280
we can we can process these voters? And

719
00:37:21,040 --> 00:37:26,400
so we picked locations that that did

720
00:37:23,280 --> 00:37:29,200
have that space. And then um more

721
00:37:26,400 --> 00:37:32,560
importantly for early voting than

722
00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:35,920
election day uh recent legislative

723
00:37:32,560 --> 00:37:37,920
changes call for election equipment um

724
00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:39,680
when it is stored or when it's being

725
00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:42,480
used during the election it must be

726
00:37:39,680 --> 00:37:44,000
stored in a in a separate locked room.

727
00:37:42,480 --> 00:37:46,320
Uh, so we looked at our polling

728
00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:48,240
locations that gave us that for early

729
00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:49,520
voting that had the separate locked room

730
00:37:48,240 --> 00:37:51,440
because anything that would be in a

731
00:37:49,520 --> 00:37:54,640
common area would require the staff to

732
00:37:51,440 --> 00:37:56,320
tear everything down every night, store

733
00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:58,240
it, lock it up, then set everything up

734
00:37:56,320 --> 00:37:59,920
in the morning. And generally during

735
00:37:58,240 --> 00:38:01,760
election, we only set the equipment up

736
00:37:59,920 --> 00:38:03,920
once and we tear it down once. So doing

737
00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:06,400
that for 12 days, obviously you

738
00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:09,280
introduce a lot of risk um to the

739
00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:11,200
locations opening on time, um equipment

740
00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:13,599
breaking due to the use. Um, so we

741
00:38:11,200 --> 00:38:15,920
looked at those locations that that were

742
00:38:13,599 --> 00:38:19,119
going to give us

743
00:38:15,920 --> 00:38:20,720
and meet those types of requirements.

744
00:38:19,119 --> 00:38:22,400
Um, on the list you're going to see that

745
00:38:20,720 --> 00:38:26,480
there there are four locations that

746
00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:28,320
weren't used in 23 and that's um Forest

747
00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:30,079
Hill, the town hall. That's that takes

748
00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:32,160
the place of the Forest Hill Community

749
00:38:30,079 --> 00:38:34,640
Center. That was a decision Forest Hill

750
00:38:32,160 --> 00:38:38,480
made um in order to switch that

751
00:38:34,640 --> 00:38:40,880
location. Um then we now have the

752
00:38:38,480 --> 00:38:44,400
Arlington Active Center which is taking

753
00:38:40,880 --> 00:38:46,079
the place of the Run Wright Library. Um

754
00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:48,800
it's a brand new space. They're giving

755
00:38:46,079 --> 00:38:51,040
us a much bigger space. It's very close

756
00:38:48,800 --> 00:38:53,040
to the Run Wright Library and it's just

757
00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:55,119
a much better space and we'll be able to

758
00:38:53,040 --> 00:38:56,320
better handle the voters. So, um we're

759
00:38:55,119 --> 00:38:57,839
very thankful that that the city of

760
00:38:56,320 --> 00:39:00,480
Arlington is allowing us to use that

761
00:38:57,839 --> 00:39:02,560
one. Um and then we looked at the the

762
00:39:00,480 --> 00:39:04,560
North Park YMCA.

763
00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:06,480
Um they allowed us to move in to replace

764
00:39:04,560 --> 00:39:09,359
the Golden Triangle location. Although

765
00:39:06,480 --> 00:39:11,760
Golden Triangle would get good turnout,

766
00:39:09,359 --> 00:39:13,359
the parking and in and out was was very

767
00:39:11,760 --> 00:39:17,119
very difficult. And what end would end

768
00:39:13,359 --> 00:39:19,040
up happening is voters would park in the

769
00:39:17,119 --> 00:39:21,280
field across the street and they would

770
00:39:19,040 --> 00:39:23,599
play Frogger across Golden Triangle to

771
00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:25,520
get to the polling location. Um so

772
00:39:23,599 --> 00:39:26,960
obviously not the best situation and we

773
00:39:25,520 --> 00:39:29,599
were able to find a better one for that

774
00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:32,800
one. And then um you'll see that we have

775
00:39:29,599 --> 00:39:35,440
Sagenov Public Library which is taking

776
00:39:32,800 --> 00:39:38,400
the place of

777
00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:40,320
um TCC Northwest which took the place of

778
00:39:38,400 --> 00:39:42,240
Eagle Mountain Sagen ISD building

779
00:39:40,320 --> 00:39:43,680
because the Eagle Mountain Saga ISD

780
00:39:42,240 --> 00:39:47,280
building is no longer there. They tore

781
00:39:43,680 --> 00:39:49,040
it down. Um so we we had shifted to DCC

782
00:39:47,280 --> 00:39:51,440
Northwest but then we were able to get

783
00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:53,760
the Sagena Public Library which has far

784
00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:56,960
better parking a much better space to

785
00:39:53,760 --> 00:40:00,320
utilize to assist the voters. So, with

786
00:39:56,960 --> 00:40:01,839
all of the proposed locations, um, we're

787
00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:03,839
looking at an average distance of about

788
00:40:01,839 --> 00:40:06,160
4 and a half miles between locations.

789
00:40:03,839 --> 00:40:09,520
Now, there is the longest distance is 10

790
00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:10,960
miles, and it's the AEL um, ISDPD up

791
00:40:09,520 --> 00:40:13,200
there in the northwest corner with the

792
00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:17,119
lake. There's we just don't have

793
00:40:13,200 --> 00:40:21,040
anything else around it. Um, now these

794
00:40:17,119 --> 00:40:23,599
recommended lists are the bare minimum

795
00:40:21,040 --> 00:40:26,480
that we would recommend. Um, we wouldn't

796
00:40:23,599 --> 00:40:30,560
recommend going any lower than this um

797
00:40:26,480 --> 00:40:32,000
to to assist the voters. Um, when we

798
00:40:30,560 --> 00:40:33,599
were looking there, there were a few

799
00:40:32,000 --> 00:40:35,760
that I wanted to brief the court on that

800
00:40:33,599 --> 00:40:38,640
that were very very tough decisions. And

801
00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:41,040
when we were looking at getting the down

802
00:40:38,640 --> 00:40:43,440
to the bare minimum, that's that's what

803
00:40:41,040 --> 00:40:46,160
this list includes. But KO Community

804
00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:48,720
Center is is one location that that we

805
00:40:46,160 --> 00:40:51,200
really really struggled with um in

806
00:40:48,720 --> 00:40:53,119
including on the list. But again, we've

807
00:40:51,200 --> 00:40:55,520
got down to the bare minimum knowing

808
00:40:53,119 --> 00:40:58,160
that the court can can make changes and

809
00:40:55,520 --> 00:41:00,480
um if they wish to add could um it it

810
00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:02,319
where it's located turnout it's it's

811
00:41:00,480 --> 00:41:04,000
right there kind of in that gray area

812
00:41:02,319 --> 00:41:06,960
and it very easily could have been added

813
00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:09,599
to the list. Um the other location is

814
00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:11,920
the Legacy Learning Center. although

815
00:41:09,599 --> 00:41:13,760
very low turnout, it's it's kind of up

816
00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:16,240
in the north section there and there's

817
00:41:13,760 --> 00:41:18,800
just not a lot around it and uh could

818
00:41:16,240 --> 00:41:21,760
also would be um a good one to consider

819
00:41:18,800 --> 00:41:25,680
adding to the list of the 24. And then

820
00:41:21,760 --> 00:41:28,720
um the last area we looked at is in the

821
00:41:25,680 --> 00:41:30,880
North Richland Hills area. We had a

822
00:41:28,720 --> 00:41:32,880
group of four locations that really are

823
00:41:30,880 --> 00:41:34,160
right on top of each other and but

824
00:41:32,880 --> 00:41:36,240
there's there's still really good

825
00:41:34,160 --> 00:41:38,800
turnout in that area and the Bedford

826
00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:41,440
Public Library gets the most turnout in

827
00:41:38,800 --> 00:41:42,800
that area and looking at our decision to

828
00:41:41,440 --> 00:41:44,720
pick the location that gets the best

829
00:41:42,800 --> 00:41:47,440
turnout. That's the one that that we

830
00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:50,000
ended up choosing. But due to the

831
00:41:47,440 --> 00:41:54,880
turnout in that area, um we could see

832
00:41:50,000 --> 00:41:56,960
adding either of the um Northeast Subort

833
00:41:54,880 --> 00:41:59,760
House or the Brookside Community Center

834
00:41:56,960 --> 00:42:01,599
to to assist with that volume. So again,

835
00:41:59,760 --> 00:42:05,280
this is kind of that that bare minimum

836
00:42:01,599 --> 00:42:08,160
that we believe we can execute and and

837
00:42:05,280 --> 00:42:10,319
pull off the election. the election day

838
00:42:08,160 --> 00:42:13,200
locations. There was a change in the

839
00:42:10,319 --> 00:42:15,119
statute in 23

840
00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:16,640
that required

841
00:42:15,119 --> 00:42:19,440
changed how we calculated the bare

842
00:42:16,640 --> 00:42:22,319
minimum and that got us to a required

843
00:42:19,440 --> 00:42:24,640
number of locations of 347.

844
00:42:22,319 --> 00:42:27,280
The legislature this past legislative

845
00:42:24,640 --> 00:42:29,839
session went back rescended that pulled

846
00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:32,079
it back to what it used to be and now

847
00:42:29,839 --> 00:42:35,839
the the number of locations that we must

848
00:42:32,079 --> 00:42:39,440
have on election day is 212. The list

849
00:42:35,839 --> 00:42:41,599
before you has 214 locations. Um, we

850
00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:44,319
didn't go all the even though the math

851
00:42:41,599 --> 00:42:46,240
says 80. Um, we didn't go all the way to

852
00:42:44,319 --> 00:42:48,640
212 because to leave a little bit of

853
00:42:46,240 --> 00:42:50,800
wiggle room if generally something does

854
00:42:48,640 --> 00:42:52,560
happen to a location between now and

855
00:42:50,800 --> 00:42:54,640
election day, one falls off, pipes

856
00:42:52,560 --> 00:42:57,280
burst, things happen in order to make

857
00:42:54,640 --> 00:42:59,920
sure that that we hit that mark. Um, but

858
00:42:57,280 --> 00:43:01,760
212 is as far as we could go. And again,

859
00:42:59,920 --> 00:43:04,480
we were looking at locations, which one

860
00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:07,760
provides the best voter access in the

861
00:43:04,480 --> 00:43:11,040
use. Um, something else that to consider

862
00:43:07,760 --> 00:43:13,520
is we have recently had um several

863
00:43:11,040 --> 00:43:14,720
entities are sending us their notices

864
00:43:13,520 --> 00:43:16,960
that they're going to be joining in in

865
00:43:14,720 --> 00:43:19,359
the election. And then the entities can

866
00:43:16,960 --> 00:43:22,560
choose on their own to to add locations

867
00:43:19,359 --> 00:43:24,480
that they pay for for for their um

868
00:43:22,560 --> 00:43:27,839
elections. And the ones that we would

869
00:43:24,480 --> 00:43:30,880
anticipate probably doing that um are

870
00:43:27,839 --> 00:43:33,200
Halum City, which usually they they use

871
00:43:30,880 --> 00:43:36,079
the city senior center andor the Halum

872
00:43:33,200 --> 00:43:38,400
Library. Um the city of River Oaks and

873
00:43:36,079 --> 00:43:40,800
they may request the River Oaks annex.

874
00:43:38,400 --> 00:43:43,520
City of Hurst, they may request the

875
00:43:40,800 --> 00:43:46,240
Brookside Center. Um we got the city of

876
00:43:43,520 --> 00:43:48,640
North Richel Hills and they they most

877
00:43:46,240 --> 00:43:51,920
likely would pick either the city hall

878
00:43:48,640 --> 00:43:54,640
or the the library. Um and then

879
00:43:51,920 --> 00:43:57,119
Northwest ISD is has just called a

880
00:43:54,640 --> 00:44:00,000
special election and they they may in

881
00:43:57,119 --> 00:44:02,720
turn want the Legacy Learning Center and

882
00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:05,760
then uh Kennedale also has is on there

883
00:44:02,720 --> 00:44:08,240
and they may request Doberh Hall um when

884
00:44:05,760 --> 00:44:10,880
and joining in those elections. So

885
00:44:08,240 --> 00:44:13,280
that's that's kind of the

886
00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:15,280
10,000 view of of what we did, what we

887
00:44:13,280 --> 00:44:17,760
went back and considered to get to this

888
00:44:15,280 --> 00:44:19,520
again. This this proposal is the bare

889
00:44:17,760 --> 00:44:24,160
minimum that that we believe we could

890
00:44:19,520 --> 00:44:26,160
use to to have a good election. Um but

891
00:44:24,160 --> 00:44:28,560
there there were some some tough cuts

892
00:44:26,160 --> 00:44:29,680
that that were made and we could see um

893
00:44:28,560 --> 00:44:30,960
adding a few as well.

894
00:44:29,680 --> 00:44:33,280
» All right. I have some questions for

895
00:44:30,960 --> 00:44:35,520
you. How much does this save over the

896
00:44:33,280 --> 00:44:37,040
last election?

897
00:44:35,520 --> 00:44:39,040
» Over the last election, I didn't

898
00:44:37,040 --> 00:44:40,480
calculate. We were looking at the the

899
00:44:39,040 --> 00:44:41,839
just the reduction in cost of polling

900
00:44:40,480 --> 00:44:43,359
locations and it's over a million

901
00:44:41,839 --> 00:44:46,640
dollars. Okay.

902
00:44:43,359 --> 00:44:49,440
Did any member of this court

903
00:44:46,640 --> 00:44:53,280
ask you to put something on this list or

904
00:44:49,440 --> 00:44:56,079
take something off this list?

905
00:44:53,280 --> 00:44:57,920
» So after it was published obviously I

906
00:44:56,079 --> 00:44:59,280
received some phone calls and was asked

907
00:44:57,920 --> 00:44:59,680
to make changes to the list.

908
00:44:59,280 --> 00:45:00,079
» Okay.

909
00:44:59,680 --> 00:45:01,520
» Um

910
00:45:00,079 --> 00:45:04,240
» Let me then let me let me start with

911
00:45:01,520 --> 00:45:05,040
this. Did anybody prior is this your

912
00:45:04,240 --> 00:45:07,040
list?

913
00:45:05,040 --> 00:45:08,720
» So this elections list is

914
00:45:07,040 --> 00:45:10,560
» Yes this is elections list. myself, my

915
00:45:08,720 --> 00:45:12,800
team, every location that was

916
00:45:10,560 --> 00:45:15,359
recommended is a location that we

917
00:45:12,800 --> 00:45:18,000
recommended. Every location that didn't

918
00:45:15,359 --> 00:45:20,160
did not make the cut that we cut was a

919
00:45:18,000 --> 00:45:22,960
location that we chose to cut. Not a

920
00:45:20,160 --> 00:45:25,200
member of the court selected any one of

921
00:45:22,960 --> 00:45:27,119
those locations or asked us to remove

922
00:45:25,200 --> 00:45:29,920
any of those locations. This this

923
00:45:27,119 --> 00:45:30,800
proposal is purely ours um and and our

924
00:45:29,920 --> 00:45:32,800
recommendations.

925
00:45:30,800 --> 00:45:34,480
» Okay. So,

926
00:45:32,800 --> 00:45:36,000
um,

927
00:45:34,480 --> 00:45:39,440
after

928
00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:42,400
the county went to countywide voting,

929
00:45:39,440 --> 00:45:43,280
which I believe was 2019,

930
00:45:42,400 --> 00:45:45,119
is that right?

931
00:45:43,280 --> 00:45:48,400
» Correct.

932
00:45:45,119 --> 00:45:50,960
Elections told the court, not a single

933
00:45:48,400 --> 00:45:52,720
member is sitting here today that

934
00:45:50,960 --> 00:45:55,680
received this, but elections told the

935
00:45:52,720 --> 00:45:57,839
court after a handful of elections, they

936
00:45:55,680 --> 00:46:00,800
would go back and look at what they

937
00:45:57,839 --> 00:46:03,280
could cut because

938
00:46:00,800 --> 00:46:05,280
it with the countywide, you can now vote

939
00:46:03,280 --> 00:46:07,200
anywhere.

940
00:46:05,280 --> 00:46:07,680
Can you confirm what I just said to be

941
00:46:07,200 --> 00:46:10,319
accurate?

942
00:46:07,680 --> 00:46:12,079
» Correct, Judge. the the my understanding

943
00:46:10,319 --> 00:46:13,599
the uh the initial agreement was we're

944
00:46:12,079 --> 00:46:15,760
going to use everything that we have and

945
00:46:13,599 --> 00:46:18,319
then eventually they would go back and

946
00:46:15,760 --> 00:46:20,560
look at the locations and then reduce in

947
00:46:18,319 --> 00:46:22,400
areas that they thought they could um to

948
00:46:20,560 --> 00:46:24,960
get the cost savings. Unfortunately that

949
00:46:22,400 --> 00:46:27,359
that didn't happen prior to me then 23

950
00:46:24,960 --> 00:46:31,599
with the legislative change mandating

951
00:46:27,359 --> 00:46:33,920
that that 347 polling locations. It just

952
00:46:31,599 --> 00:46:37,040
didn't give us the room. Um if you all

953
00:46:33,920 --> 00:46:39,760
remember we were scrambling to get to

954
00:46:37,040 --> 00:46:42,640
347 just to meet the requirement.

955
00:46:39,760 --> 00:46:44,800
» Does um

956
00:46:42,640 --> 00:46:47,359
so the first time this analysis was

957
00:46:44,800 --> 00:46:50,319
actually done was in was for ahead of

958
00:46:47,359 --> 00:46:50,960
this 2025 constitutional amendment

959
00:46:50,319 --> 00:46:53,040
election.

960
00:46:50,960 --> 00:46:55,280
» Correct. Okay. Besides the

961
00:46:53,040 --> 00:46:57,760
constitutional amendments,

962
00:46:55,280 --> 00:46:59,920
um, which I would venture to guess 99%

963
00:46:57,760 --> 00:47:01,839
of the public cannot name a single thing

964
00:46:59,920 --> 00:47:04,960
on there, and if they can name it, it's

965
00:47:01,839 --> 00:47:07,040
the homestead exemption.

966
00:47:04,960 --> 00:47:10,400
I know there's Senate District 9 is on

967
00:47:07,040 --> 00:47:13,280
there. Is there any other election for

968
00:47:10,400 --> 00:47:15,680
office?

969
00:47:13,280 --> 00:47:16,720
» For office, I don't believe so. I

970
00:47:15,680 --> 00:47:17,760
believe most of the cities are

971
00:47:16,720 --> 00:47:20,079
propositions.

972
00:47:17,760 --> 00:47:22,800
» Okay. Um

973
00:47:20,079 --> 00:47:24,240
» So um is there any law that requires us

974
00:47:22,800 --> 00:47:26,800
to have the same amount of same amount

975
00:47:24,240 --> 00:47:27,200
of polling locations for each election?

976
00:47:26,800 --> 00:47:30,000
» No.

977
00:47:27,200 --> 00:47:33,280
» Okay. Um

978
00:47:30,000 --> 00:47:34,800
how much does it cost to operate

979
00:47:33,280 --> 00:47:36,160
approximately? It's probably different

980
00:47:34,800 --> 00:47:38,400
for each one. How much does it cost

981
00:47:36,160 --> 00:47:39,920
approximately to operate one early

982
00:47:38,400 --> 00:47:43,520
voting location?

983
00:47:39,920 --> 00:47:46,560
» On average a little over $10,300.

984
00:47:43,520 --> 00:47:50,880
So, I went we went back and looked at

985
00:47:46,560 --> 00:47:53,520
some numbers. And so, I'm looking at the

986
00:47:50,880 --> 00:47:56,319
2023

987
00:47:53,520 --> 00:47:59,040
constitutional amendment election.

988
00:47:56,319 --> 00:48:01,440
We had an early voting location that

989
00:47:59,040 --> 00:48:05,440
had, and I I did some math. My math

990
00:48:01,440 --> 00:48:09,119
could be off by a handful of hours,

991
00:48:05,440 --> 00:48:11,599
but uh we had one location that had over

992
00:48:09,119 --> 00:48:13,920
the course of what I believe was 12 days

993
00:48:11,599 --> 00:48:15,520
of early voting

994
00:48:13,920 --> 00:48:18,079
and

995
00:48:15,520 --> 00:48:21,280
I I think it was about 120 hours of

996
00:48:18,079 --> 00:48:23,920
being open. We had one location that had

997
00:48:21,280 --> 00:48:24,559
95 people vote the entire time.

998
00:48:23,920 --> 00:48:26,880
» Correct.

999
00:48:24,559 --> 00:48:31,440
» We had another location that had 116

1000
00:48:26,880 --> 00:48:34,000
people vote the entire time. So 10, if

1001
00:48:31,440 --> 00:48:36,559
you just do some quick math, that lowest

1002
00:48:34,000 --> 00:48:38,400
one, literally less than eight people

1003
00:48:36,559 --> 00:48:42,559
per day,

1004
00:48:38,400 --> 00:48:44,559
less than a voter per hour.

1005
00:48:42,559 --> 00:48:47,520
And so you've gone through and cut a lot

1006
00:48:44,559 --> 00:48:48,160
of those locations for 2023,

1007
00:48:47,520 --> 00:48:51,119
» Correct?

1008
00:48:48,160 --> 00:48:53,040
» This is not your recommended list for

1009
00:48:51,119 --> 00:48:53,839
2025, is it?

1010
00:48:53,040 --> 00:48:56,839
» No, it's not, Judge.

1011
00:48:53,839 --> 00:48:56,839
» Okay.

1012
00:48:59,040 --> 00:49:03,359
There were several legislative changes.

1013
00:49:01,280 --> 00:49:07,040
You you briefly mentioned that. One of

1014
00:49:03,359 --> 00:49:09,200
them was the Springer bill

1015
00:49:07,040 --> 00:49:12,800
that came out and said you had to have

1016
00:49:09,200 --> 00:49:15,200
one voting location in 2023,

1017
00:49:12,800 --> 00:49:16,880
I think is when they passed it. You had

1018
00:49:15,200 --> 00:49:18,559
to have one voting location for every

1019
00:49:16,880 --> 00:49:20,400
two precincts. There was some more

1020
00:49:18,559 --> 00:49:23,280
nuance to it, but that was it. That's

1021
00:49:20,400 --> 00:49:25,599
what required us to have 347.

1022
00:49:23,280 --> 00:49:27,280
multiple counties, multiple elected

1023
00:49:25,599 --> 00:49:29,680
officials complained, said, "You're

1024
00:49:27,280 --> 00:49:31,200
making us waste money." I think LA, I

1025
00:49:29,680 --> 00:49:33,040
think for the presidential election, how

1026
00:49:31,200 --> 00:49:34,240
many total votes were there? 830

1027
00:49:33,040 --> 00:49:35,040
something thousand.

1028
00:49:34,240 --> 00:49:38,720
» Yes, Judge.

1029
00:49:35,040 --> 00:49:40,480
» And we had 349 locations on election day

1030
00:49:38,720 --> 00:49:42,960
and it was 20% of the vote

1031
00:49:40,480 --> 00:49:45,119
approximately.

1032
00:49:42,960 --> 00:49:47,440
» Close a little over 20%. Yes, Judge.

1033
00:49:45,119 --> 00:49:50,079
» Um, and we had locations that were

1034
00:49:47,440 --> 00:49:53,119
vacant for hours.

1035
00:49:50,079 --> 00:49:55,359
» Yes, Judge. So

1036
00:49:53,119 --> 00:49:58,000
they changed the Springer bill as it

1037
00:49:55,359 --> 00:50:02,240
became known down in Austin to that

1038
00:49:58,000 --> 00:50:03,200
allows us to go down to what on election

1039
00:50:02,240 --> 00:50:04,160
day locations

1040
00:50:03,200 --> 00:50:07,200
» 212

1041
00:50:04,160 --> 00:50:07,520
» 212 and so your recommendation 214

1042
00:50:07,200 --> 00:50:10,000
» Correct

1043
00:50:07,520 --> 00:50:12,079
» All right so last

1044
00:50:10,000 --> 00:50:14,000
year I guess it was when we had this

1045
00:50:12,079 --> 00:50:16,400
discussion

1046
00:50:14,000 --> 00:50:20,559
and I did not pull this information so

1047
00:50:16,400 --> 00:50:23,680
this is purely from memory but on uh

1048
00:50:20,559 --> 00:50:26,960
election day

1049
00:50:23,680 --> 00:50:29,920
we had one precinct with a 100 locations

1050
00:50:26,960 --> 00:50:31,599
and another precinct with 80 locations

1051
00:50:29,920 --> 00:50:33,599
are the numbers that stick out in my

1052
00:50:31,599 --> 00:50:36,240
head and then another one maybe had 82

1053
00:50:33,599 --> 00:50:38,319
maybe had 84 and I think the message

1054
00:50:36,240 --> 00:50:41,119
that was delivered by a majority of

1055
00:50:38,319 --> 00:50:42,960
folks up here was

1056
00:50:41,119 --> 00:50:46,160
it's too late now to go create

1057
00:50:42,960 --> 00:50:49,359
uniformity but we want something more

1058
00:50:46,160 --> 00:50:50,480
evenly balanced. Is this more evenly

1059
00:50:49,359 --> 00:50:53,040
balanced?

1060
00:50:50,480 --> 00:50:54,559
» Yes, there's a difference of one between

1061
00:50:53,040 --> 00:50:58,440
the precincts.

1062
00:50:54,559 --> 00:50:58,440
» Okay. Um

1063
00:51:01,280 --> 00:51:06,400
I told you I said it was 839,000. It was

1064
00:51:03,680 --> 00:51:10,240
828,000 people.

1065
00:51:06,400 --> 00:51:13,680
544 voted in 2024

1066
00:51:10,240 --> 00:51:16,680
election and the 2023 election had

1067
00:51:13,680 --> 00:51:16,680
156,220.

1068
00:51:16,800 --> 00:51:23,680
So uh

1069
00:51:20,559 --> 00:51:27,720
what is that? I mean that is is that 20%

1070
00:51:23,680 --> 00:51:27,720
even? It's not even 20%.

1071
00:51:30,079 --> 00:51:37,559
There was one one other question.

1072
00:51:33,040 --> 00:51:37,559
One of the legislative changes

1073
00:51:37,680 --> 00:51:42,720
said something to the effect of this

1074
00:51:39,760 --> 00:51:45,960
past session said something to the

1075
00:51:42,720 --> 00:51:45,960
effect of

1076
00:51:46,400 --> 00:51:50,000
And as you talked about it when you

1077
00:51:47,839 --> 00:51:53,520
picking up pack picking up pack up every

1078
00:51:50,000 --> 00:51:56,640
day there has to be a secure room for it

1079
00:51:53,520 --> 00:51:58,480
to happen for it to be in that you have

1080
00:51:56,640 --> 00:51:59,040
access to at all times.

1081
00:51:58,480 --> 00:52:01,200
» Correct.

1082
00:51:59,040 --> 00:52:03,359
» Were there any

1083
00:52:01,200 --> 00:52:05,440
locations that said they could not

1084
00:52:03,359 --> 00:52:07,119
accommodate that?

1085
00:52:05,440 --> 00:52:11,119
» The specifically two that we reached out

1086
00:52:07,119 --> 00:52:12,720
to UTA and TCC TCC Southeast both said

1087
00:52:11,119 --> 00:52:15,760
that they could not accommodate that.

1088
00:52:12,720 --> 00:52:15,760
Okay. All

1089
00:52:16,400 --> 00:52:19,760
right, I think that's all the questions

1090
00:52:17,760 --> 00:52:21,200
I have.

1091
00:52:19,760 --> 00:52:21,599
» Any other questions or comments? Go

1092
00:52:21,200 --> 00:52:23,119
ahead.

1093
00:52:21,599 --> 00:52:24,559
» I've got one. Clint, thanks for all your

1094
00:52:23,119 --> 00:52:27,119
work on this and to your staff. I know

1095
00:52:24,559 --> 00:52:30,160
it was painstaking, took a lot of time.

1096
00:52:27,119 --> 00:52:31,760
What kind of partisan analysis went into

1097
00:52:30,160 --> 00:52:32,480
these decisions?

1098
00:52:31,760 --> 00:52:36,680
» Zero.

1099
00:52:32,480 --> 00:52:36,680
» Okay. Thank you.

1100
00:52:37,119 --> 00:52:39,520
» So, um,

1101
00:52:38,160 --> 00:52:41,839
» Commissioner Ramirez just rec

1102
00:52:39,520 --> 00:52:43,599
» Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see.

1103
00:52:41,839 --> 00:52:46,000
» Go ahead if you'd like. Oh, you're

1104
00:52:43,599 --> 00:52:49,119
you're fine.

1105
00:52:46,000 --> 00:52:49,680
» I jumped I jumped in and did go for it.

1106
00:52:49,119 --> 00:52:51,200
Go ahead. Go ahead.

1107
00:52:49,680 --> 00:52:52,000
» Because I'm you know I'm longwinded. Go

1108
00:52:51,200 --> 00:52:55,760
ahead. Go ahead.

1109
00:52:52,000 --> 00:52:59,200
» Okay. So, uh it it was good to hear some

1110
00:52:55,760 --> 00:53:02,880
details from our election administrator

1111
00:52:59,200 --> 00:53:06,880
today. Um but let's let's kind of talk

1112
00:53:02,880 --> 00:53:10,079
about process. Um and you just heard a

1113
00:53:06,880 --> 00:53:14,800
previous speaker discuss process uh with

1114
00:53:10,079 --> 00:53:17,359
regard to the budget. Um,

1115
00:53:14,800 --> 00:53:20,960
and I don't know if anyone up here wants

1116
00:53:17,359 --> 00:53:25,599
to admit to having had input on these

1117
00:53:20,960 --> 00:53:28,400
list. Um, or how about

1118
00:53:25,599 --> 00:53:30,880
did the elections administrator

1119
00:53:28,400 --> 00:53:33,359
schedule meetings with you or your staff

1120
00:53:30,880 --> 00:53:35,040
to go over this? Probably could have

1121
00:53:33,359 --> 00:53:38,160
gotten a lot of your great questions

1122
00:53:35,040 --> 00:53:41,839
answered if if he had stopped by and

1123
00:53:38,160 --> 00:53:45,839
visited uh with each of us. Like it's

1124
00:53:41,839 --> 00:53:49,520
customary when executive staff has

1125
00:53:45,839 --> 00:53:53,119
policy, procedure, changes, initiatives,

1126
00:53:49,520 --> 00:53:56,240
ideas, you come and get our input um and

1127
00:53:53,119 --> 00:53:59,119
feedback and try to go and mash it up

1128
00:53:56,240 --> 00:54:03,040
and make it work. Uh but that that

1129
00:53:59,119 --> 00:54:06,160
didn't that didn't happen. So, I saw the

1130
00:54:03,040 --> 00:54:09,040
um list on the agenda, called him,

1131
00:54:06,160 --> 00:54:10,720
talked to him about an hour and asked

1132
00:54:09,040 --> 00:54:13,520
for

1133
00:54:10,720 --> 00:54:17,920
analysis. Where's your where's your

1134
00:54:13,520 --> 00:54:22,640
analysis? Where's your data? Um,

1135
00:54:17,920 --> 00:54:26,000
and he got this got this to got this to

1136
00:54:22,640 --> 00:54:28,640
me on Sat Saturday.

1137
00:54:26,000 --> 00:54:33,920
that that's that's not

1138
00:54:28,640 --> 00:54:35,920
analysis and data um of the election

1139
00:54:33,920 --> 00:54:40,079
process

1140
00:54:35,920 --> 00:54:44,319
uh for a county of 2.2 million people.

1141
00:54:40,079 --> 00:54:46,800
Um so I don't have

1142
00:54:44,319 --> 00:54:50,240
faith. I don't trust the process that

1143
00:54:46,800 --> 00:54:52,880
was used. It wasn't um

1144
00:54:50,240 --> 00:54:55,040
forget forget the commissioner's court.

1145
00:54:52,880 --> 00:54:57,839
It wasn't transparent to you. there was

1146
00:54:55,040 --> 00:55:01,680
no opportunity to participate, give

1147
00:54:57,839 --> 00:55:06,000
input. There are a good number of you in

1148
00:55:01,680 --> 00:55:08,880
that audience that knows elections,

1149
00:55:06,000 --> 00:55:11,839
polling places, the whole gamut better

1150
00:55:08,880 --> 00:55:15,760
than any of us and even better than

1151
00:55:11,839 --> 00:55:18,400
Clint. Um, and so to not go to the

1152
00:55:15,760 --> 00:55:20,880
community, the parties, the

1153
00:55:18,400 --> 00:55:23,760
commissioner's court,

1154
00:55:20,880 --> 00:55:26,800
um, I have a I have a problem with that.

1155
00:55:23,760 --> 00:55:32,559
So there's no evidence

1156
00:55:26,800 --> 00:55:34,800
that due diligence was um conducted by

1157
00:55:32,559 --> 00:55:36,559
um the elections administrator. He

1158
00:55:34,800 --> 00:55:39,280
single-handedly

1159
00:55:36,559 --> 00:55:42,720
developed these lists without guidance

1160
00:55:39,280 --> 00:55:46,319
and input from the five member governing

1161
00:55:42,720 --> 00:55:50,319
body u the top leadership in this

1162
00:55:46,319 --> 00:55:55,359
county. So to to me today is not a day

1163
00:55:50,319 --> 00:55:58,319
to vote on these list. Um,

1164
00:55:55,359 --> 00:56:02,400
we I think we need to have a special uh

1165
00:55:58,319 --> 00:56:05,599
a specially called meeting um to to

1166
00:56:02,400 --> 00:56:07,040
settle this issue. Get get me the data.

1167
00:56:05,599 --> 00:56:08,799
I'm interested in the data. It sounds

1168
00:56:07,040 --> 00:56:13,119
like the judge is yet a lot of

1169
00:56:08,799 --> 00:56:17,440
questions. Um to see how we got here.

1170
00:56:13,119 --> 00:56:21,920
How did we get to a place where we will

1171
00:56:17,440 --> 00:56:25,280
be causing massive voter confusion?

1172
00:56:21,920 --> 00:56:26,799
Let's let's just start with that. Um

1173
00:56:25,280 --> 00:56:31,040
impeding

1174
00:56:26,799 --> 00:56:34,640
and limiting access to the ballot box.

1175
00:56:31,040 --> 00:56:36,240
There these voters, me included. You can

1176
00:56:34,640 --> 00:56:40,559
call me a senior citizen if you want to.

1177
00:56:36,240 --> 00:56:44,400
I'm 62. Um

1178
00:56:40,559 --> 00:56:46,640
have a specific place they like to vote.

1179
00:56:44,400 --> 00:56:50,799
I

1180
00:56:46,640 --> 00:56:52,880
am stunned that you and they people out

1181
00:56:50,799 --> 00:56:56,240
there probably stunned too about

1182
00:56:52,880 --> 00:56:59,280
particular sites. I'm stunned that you

1183
00:56:56,240 --> 00:57:02,079
uh removed the Bob Duncan Center in

1184
00:56:59,280 --> 00:57:03,680
Arlington. It is incredible. Senior

1185
00:57:02,079 --> 00:57:09,839
citizens,

1186
00:57:03,680 --> 00:57:12,000
white um Hispanic and some black that

1187
00:57:09,839 --> 00:57:16,640
frequent the Bob Duncan Center. I I

1188
00:57:12,000 --> 00:57:20,319
could go on, but um I I think that

1189
00:57:16,640 --> 00:57:23,599
um you know, I would amend my motion to

1190
00:57:20,319 --> 00:57:26,640
to table this so we can at least get the

1191
00:57:23,599 --> 00:57:30,240
data, be able to analyze it as court

1192
00:57:26,640 --> 00:57:34,400
members, um give input. You mentioned

1193
00:57:30,240 --> 00:57:38,240
the new state law uh with regard to I

1194
00:57:34,400 --> 00:57:40,559
think secure rooms at um colleges and

1195
00:57:38,240 --> 00:57:43,839
universities. I have relationships with

1196
00:57:40,559 --> 00:57:45,920
my college presidents. I could text them

1197
00:57:43,839 --> 00:57:48,480
and say, "Hey, can you get us a secure

1198
00:57:45,920 --> 00:57:50,960
room?" And I I just I don't think that

1199
00:57:48,480 --> 00:57:54,880
would be a problem. But you didn't you

1200
00:57:50,960 --> 00:57:58,319
didn't check check with the people who

1201
00:57:54,880 --> 00:58:01,119
know their precincts extremely well with

1202
00:57:58,319 --> 00:58:03,440
the people who are connected to the

1203
00:58:01,119 --> 00:58:05,040
people. Um

1204
00:58:03,440 --> 00:58:07,040
» Actually commissioner specifically with

1205
00:58:05,040 --> 00:58:10,160
UTA I did reach directly out to your

1206
00:58:07,040 --> 00:58:12,319
office and ask if you could make contact

1207
00:58:10,160 --> 00:58:13,680
on the the instru when I was looking at

1208
00:58:12,319 --> 00:58:15,440
going in the instruction I received from

1209
00:58:13,680 --> 00:58:17,440
your office is that you yourself wanted

1210
00:58:15,440 --> 00:58:19,760
to handle that communication. I did

1211
00:58:17,440 --> 00:58:21,440
follow up and spoke with Gabe and he he

1212
00:58:19,760 --> 00:58:23,920
had mentioned that he had looked and

1213
00:58:21,440 --> 00:58:27,040
they were not willing to move us out of

1214
00:58:23,920 --> 00:58:28,880
um that community center or the the

1215
00:58:27,040 --> 00:58:34,960
Maverick Center.

1216
00:58:28,880 --> 00:58:39,280
» Okay. Um so my My aim here is to

1217
00:58:34,960 --> 00:58:44,640
not vote on this today until we get some

1218
00:58:39,280 --> 00:58:46,799
data um that we can that we can look at.

1219
00:58:44,640 --> 00:58:47,440
» So, is that an amendment to your own

1220
00:58:46,799 --> 00:58:48,400
motion?

1221
00:58:47,440 --> 00:58:50,079
» Yes, I can. Um

1222
00:58:48,400 --> 00:58:51,839
» And what is your amendment?

1223
00:58:50,079 --> 00:58:55,520
» Uh

1224
00:58:51,839 --> 00:58:57,359
I move to amend my motion to table the

1225
00:58:55,520 --> 00:59:00,400
vote on the list today.

1226
00:58:57,359 --> 00:59:01,599
» Why don't you just revoke your motion?

1227
00:59:00,400 --> 00:59:02,559
um your original motion.

1228
00:59:01,599 --> 00:59:04,799
» I'll ask the

1229
00:59:02,559 --> 00:59:06,480
» Withdraw your withdraw your amendment.

1230
00:59:04,799 --> 00:59:06,880
Withdraw your motion and make a new

1231
00:59:06,480 --> 00:59:08,480
motion.

1232
00:59:06,880 --> 00:59:09,440
» I'll take I'll take my advice from

1233
00:59:08,480 --> 00:59:12,079
council.

1234
00:59:09,440 --> 00:59:15,520
» Either way is fine, Commissioner. Um I

1235
00:59:12,079 --> 00:59:18,400
would suggest uh here to be clear on

1236
00:59:15,520 --> 00:59:20,640
what the record is to take the approach

1237
00:59:18,400 --> 00:59:22,079
of withdrawing the previous motion

1238
00:59:20,640 --> 00:59:24,079
rather than amending it and perhaps

1239
00:59:22,079 --> 00:59:26,400
causing some vaguess or confusion and

1240
00:59:24,079 --> 00:59:29,680
just make a straight uh motion to

1241
00:59:26,400 --> 00:59:32,240
postpone to u the next meeting whether

1242
00:59:29,680 --> 00:59:33,599
it be a special call to regularly

1243
00:59:32,240 --> 00:59:35,440
scheduled.

1244
00:59:33,599 --> 00:59:39,599
» Thank you sir.

1245
00:59:35,440 --> 00:59:41,680
So I would draw my initial motion. My

1246
00:59:39,599 --> 00:59:44,799
» Is there a requirement for a for the

1247
00:59:41,680 --> 00:59:46,960
second to with to agree to that?

1248
00:59:44,799 --> 00:59:48,079
» Is there or is once they once it's

1249
00:59:46,960 --> 00:59:50,799
withdrawn it's withdrawn?

1250
00:59:48,079 --> 00:59:53,440
» I I I would say that in this instance uh

1251
00:59:50,799 --> 00:59:55,839
if the motion is withdrawn there would

1252
00:59:53,440 --> 00:59:56,799
be no requirement for a second on this.

1253
00:59:55,839 --> 01:00:00,799
» So it's withdrawn.

1254
00:59:56,799 --> 01:00:03,200
» All right. So I move to table the vote

1255
01:00:00,799 --> 01:00:03,680
uh on item I3.

1256
01:00:03,200 --> 01:00:05,119
I

1257
01:00:03,680 --> 01:00:06,319
» We have a motion to table the vote on

1258
01:00:05,119 --> 01:00:07,119
I3.

1259
01:00:06,319 --> 01:00:09,280
» Second.

1260
01:00:07,119 --> 01:00:11,359
» We have a second.

1261
01:00:09,280 --> 01:00:13,680
» All right. Further discussion,

1262
01:00:11,359 --> 01:00:15,440
questions, comments for Clint or each

1263
01:00:13,680 --> 01:00:17,200
other before speakers?

1264
01:00:15,440 --> 01:00:18,720
» I've got plenty of questions, Clint. Um

1265
01:00:17,200 --> 01:00:21,599
and I appreciate you touching base with

1266
01:00:18,720 --> 01:00:23,760
me last night um to answer some of them.

1267
01:00:21,599 --> 01:00:26,079
Uh obviously, I think you're you're

1268
01:00:23,760 --> 01:00:27,520
figuring out that communication uh

1269
01:00:26,079 --> 01:00:29,520
probably would have gone a long way to

1270
01:00:27,520 --> 01:00:31,200
answer questions on the front end. Um,

1271
01:00:29,520 --> 01:00:33,520
you know, when I saw the list, first of

1272
01:00:31,200 --> 01:00:35,520
all, I I applaud you and your staff for

1273
01:00:33,520 --> 01:00:37,359
going through and and trying to be

1274
01:00:35,520 --> 01:00:39,359
analytical and data driven as we were

1275
01:00:37,359 --> 01:00:40,960
selecting these sites. Uh, as you

1276
01:00:39,359 --> 01:00:42,640
mentioned that there are a lot of

1277
01:00:40,960 --> 01:00:45,599
efficiencies to be found in a lot of

1278
01:00:42,640 --> 01:00:46,880
places where um there was waste in in

1279
01:00:45,599 --> 01:00:48,960
some of these locations where people

1280
01:00:46,880 --> 01:00:50,880
were sitting around not doing much. Um,

1281
01:00:48,960 --> 01:00:53,040
perhaps their efforts could could be

1282
01:00:50,880 --> 01:00:54,640
used to funnel people to other locations

1283
01:00:53,040 --> 01:00:56,240
as opposed to sitting in vacant areas.

1284
01:00:54,640 --> 01:00:58,960
So, I appreciate you doing that and

1285
01:00:56,240 --> 01:01:00,880
culling uh the the lowhanging fruit, so

1286
01:00:58,960 --> 01:01:02,480
to speak. Uh some of them that didn't

1287
01:01:00,880 --> 01:01:05,200
make sense to me, though, when I saw

1288
01:01:02,480 --> 01:01:07,520
this proposal were ones that I know to

1289
01:01:05,200 --> 01:01:10,240
be historically utilized uh very

1290
01:01:07,520 --> 01:01:13,599
heavily. Um ones that, you know,

1291
01:01:10,240 --> 01:01:15,359
candidates campaign ad, ones that have

1292
01:01:13,599 --> 01:01:18,079
convenient parking, ones that are in

1293
01:01:15,359 --> 01:01:20,160
unique uh areas. Um we talked about the

1294
01:01:18,079 --> 01:01:22,640
KO community center last night. I think

1295
01:01:20,160 --> 01:01:24,400
that's one that's very heavily used um

1296
01:01:22,640 --> 01:01:26,480
by all of the surrounding communities

1297
01:01:24,400 --> 01:01:28,640
there. Um when you when I think about

1298
01:01:26,480 --> 01:01:30,960
Fort Worth in particular, and that's

1299
01:01:28,640 --> 01:01:32,720
what I'll focus on here. Um you know,

1300
01:01:30,960 --> 01:01:34,960
some of these neighborhoods are like

1301
01:01:32,720 --> 01:01:36,880
cities in and of themselves. And so when

1302
01:01:34,960 --> 01:01:38,720
you think about North Side, you may say,

1303
01:01:36,880 --> 01:01:41,520
well, it's close proximity just north of

1304
01:01:38,720 --> 01:01:42,799
the stockyards to downtown. Um well, not

1305
01:01:41,520 --> 01:01:44,720
many folks from North Side are going

1306
01:01:42,799 --> 01:01:46,720
into downtown every single day for any

1307
01:01:44,720 --> 01:01:49,520
other reason. Um, so a convenient

1308
01:01:46,720 --> 01:01:50,960
location in that area makes sense. You

1309
01:01:49,520 --> 01:01:52,240
think about the same thing for Westside.

1310
01:01:50,960 --> 01:01:53,920
You could say that's that's KOMO

1311
01:01:52,240 --> 01:01:56,640
Community Center. Um, because the

1312
01:01:53,920 --> 01:01:59,520
closest one to that one is the Southwest

1313
01:01:56,640 --> 01:02:01,040
Subcourthouse. Um, and that's or the

1314
01:01:59,520 --> 01:02:02,640
Benbrook Community Center, whichever one

1315
01:02:01,040 --> 01:02:04,160
you you map it, and then they're about 5

1316
01:02:02,640 --> 01:02:06,160
miles away or seven miles away, whatever

1317
01:02:04,160 --> 01:02:08,160
you want to say. Uh, and then also the

1318
01:02:06,160 --> 01:02:10,000
the the last question I'll ask, and I

1319
01:02:08,160 --> 01:02:12,240
know I'm saying a lot, the last question

1320
01:02:10,000 --> 01:02:14,000
is about TCC Northwest. Um, you know,

1321
01:02:12,240 --> 01:02:16,960
that's right off of the freeway. It's a

1322
01:02:14,000 --> 01:02:19,119
much different uh geography than going

1323
01:02:16,960 --> 01:02:22,400
into Maroy and into Sagenol to get to

1324
01:02:19,119 --> 01:02:24,240
the library. So, um just just kind of

1325
01:02:22,400 --> 01:02:26,400
piece by piece what your justification

1326
01:02:24,240 --> 01:02:28,720
was for those because what I was hoping

1327
01:02:26,400 --> 01:02:30,400
to hear was that there was some

1328
01:02:28,720 --> 01:02:34,240
scientific method that based it on

1329
01:02:30,400 --> 01:02:35,599
population uh on geography. Um but I

1330
01:02:34,240 --> 01:02:37,680
didn't hear that. I heard that that

1331
01:02:35,599 --> 01:02:40,079
there was a lot of of of things that

1332
01:02:37,680 --> 01:02:41,839
were kind of left discretionary, which I

1333
01:02:40,079 --> 01:02:44,880
don't mind. You're the elections expert,

1334
01:02:41,839 --> 01:02:47,359
not us. However, seeing uh these

1335
01:02:44,880 --> 01:02:50,000
communities as individual communities

1336
01:02:47,359 --> 01:02:52,400
and and especially the sites that have a

1337
01:02:50,000 --> 01:02:54,160
history of being heavily utilized, uh I

1338
01:02:52,400 --> 01:02:55,359
really would need a strong justification

1339
01:02:54,160 --> 01:02:58,240
as to why we're going to cancel those

1340
01:02:55,359 --> 01:03:00,480
out. But again, I support the effort in

1341
01:02:58,240 --> 01:03:02,079
the aggregate. I mean, I think you you

1342
01:03:00,480 --> 01:03:04,640
had a mission and you came back and I

1343
01:03:02,079 --> 01:03:07,359
and I'm actually glad that it was

1344
01:03:04,640 --> 01:03:10,079
independent um that that you decided to

1345
01:03:07,359 --> 01:03:12,160
do this on your own. I'm glad for that.

1346
01:03:10,079 --> 01:03:14,079
But but again, I think you're seeing

1347
01:03:12,160 --> 01:03:15,839
some of the pitfalls by not checking in

1348
01:03:14,079 --> 01:03:18,319
even after you had your first proposal.

1349
01:03:15,839 --> 01:03:20,240
So, um, if you would start by explaining

1350
01:03:18,319 --> 01:03:22,480
justification on COMO.

1351
01:03:20,240 --> 01:03:24,240
» So, COMO, like I said, that one was was

1352
01:03:22,480 --> 01:03:25,839
a very difficult one that we went back

1353
01:03:24,240 --> 01:03:27,280
and forth on, and that's why I brought

1354
01:03:25,839 --> 01:03:30,160
it up specifically as one that

1355
01:03:27,280 --> 01:03:31,920
potentially would be worth adding. Um,

1356
01:03:30,160 --> 01:03:34,799
we it's it's right there on the border

1357
01:03:31,920 --> 01:03:36,960
because we got Brookside and Diane, the

1358
01:03:34,799 --> 01:03:38,960
Southeast Subcourthouse, Taran County

1359
01:03:36,960 --> 01:03:40,480
Plaza, it's kind of right in that area.

1360
01:03:38,960 --> 01:03:42,480
So there's there's the capacity to

1361
01:03:40,480 --> 01:03:45,359
handle the voters that were there, but

1362
01:03:42,480 --> 01:03:47,440
understanding it's it's just kind of far

1363
01:03:45,359 --> 01:03:50,000
enough. It was it was a very difficult

1364
01:03:47,440 --> 01:03:51,920
one. And that one was

1365
01:03:50,000 --> 01:03:54,319
we were trying to get down to the bare

1366
01:03:51,920 --> 01:03:56,240
minimum saying we this is the least we

1367
01:03:54,319 --> 01:03:58,000
could use to make this happen, but

1368
01:03:56,240 --> 01:04:01,119
anything that we add obviously would

1369
01:03:58,000 --> 01:04:03,359
would increase and add some benefit um

1370
01:04:01,119 --> 01:04:05,680
to a point. So, that one it it was a

1371
01:04:03,359 --> 01:04:08,319
very difficult one to to to cut and

1372
01:04:05,680 --> 01:04:10,880
hence the reason I highlighted that one

1373
01:04:08,319 --> 01:04:13,680
as possibly one to add. The uh North

1374
01:04:10,880 --> 01:04:16,960
Side Community Center, that one the the

1375
01:04:13,680 --> 01:04:20,799
location um not the not the greatest

1376
01:04:16,960 --> 01:04:24,240
location and they had 160 voters in 12

1377
01:04:20,799 --> 01:04:26,400
days. Um and so it just it it was near

1378
01:04:24,240 --> 01:04:30,000
the very bottom of voter turnout. And

1379
01:04:26,400 --> 01:04:32,720
so, um we chose not to include that one.

1380
01:04:30,000 --> 01:04:34,319
Um, even though you know we have

1381
01:04:32,720 --> 01:04:34,720
» Which one are you referring to right

1382
01:04:34,319 --> 01:04:36,640
now?

1383
01:04:34,720 --> 01:04:37,599
» North Side Community Center.

1384
01:04:36,640 --> 01:04:38,000
» Is that what you asked?

1385
01:04:37,599 --> 01:04:39,520
» Yeah.

1386
01:04:38,000 --> 01:04:42,240
» Okay.

1387
01:04:39,520 --> 01:04:44,400
» Well, I I asked specifically North Side

1388
01:04:42,240 --> 01:04:46,000
Fort Worth. If if there were a

1389
01:04:44,400 --> 01:04:49,599
convenient voting location that you

1390
01:04:46,000 --> 01:04:52,240
identified for that particular area.

1391
01:04:49,599 --> 01:04:54,000
» Yeah. The only the only location that we

1392
01:04:52,240 --> 01:04:55,359
have kind of in that area is the North

1393
01:04:54,000 --> 01:04:58,079
Side Community Center, and it only had

1394
01:04:55,359 --> 01:04:59,760
160 voters

1395
01:04:58,079 --> 01:05:01,280
for for early voting. Well, I think

1396
01:04:59,760 --> 01:05:05,200
North Side Community Center and and

1397
01:05:01,280 --> 01:05:06,240
Diamond Hill Jarvis Library, correct?

1398
01:05:05,200 --> 01:05:08,880
» Those are in close.

1399
01:05:06,240 --> 01:05:11,839
» Um

1400
01:05:08,880 --> 01:05:13,520
I guess Diamond Hill, if that is

1401
01:05:11,839 --> 01:05:15,280
technically North Fort Worth, it's so

1402
01:05:13,520 --> 01:05:17,680
far north. So, yeah, Diamond Hill is

1403
01:05:15,280 --> 01:05:19,839
there, but the unfortunately the law

1404
01:05:17,680 --> 01:05:22,319
requires that the election center be a

1405
01:05:19,839 --> 01:05:24,160
polling location. So, I had to have my

1406
01:05:22,319 --> 01:05:26,720
location, which is just down the street

1407
01:05:24,160 --> 01:05:30,799
from Diamond Hill. Um, so we had that

1408
01:05:26,720 --> 01:05:32,240
one and and I can't cut my location,

1409
01:05:30,799 --> 01:05:34,720
although the turnout would say we

1410
01:05:32,240 --> 01:05:36,240
should. Um, the law won't allow it or I

1411
01:05:34,720 --> 01:05:38,160
would.

1412
01:05:36,240 --> 01:05:41,200
» And TCC Northwest

1413
01:05:38,160 --> 01:05:43,760
» TCC Northwest um parking has been an

1414
01:05:41,200 --> 01:05:46,799
issue there historically. And then um

1415
01:05:43,760 --> 01:05:50,000
the that one does give us um it's kind

1416
01:05:46,799 --> 01:05:51,520
of a fishbowl thing that they put us in,

1417
01:05:50,000 --> 01:05:54,160
but they have to go and remove all the

1418
01:05:51,520 --> 01:05:56,000
furniture. We go in set up and then we

1419
01:05:54,160 --> 01:05:58,960
have to pull out. They go in and put all

1420
01:05:56,000 --> 01:06:00,640
the furniture back in. And we the Sagon

1421
01:05:58,960 --> 01:06:03,359
Public Library has much better parking,

1422
01:06:00,640 --> 01:06:06,720
a much better room um to to handle those

1423
01:06:03,359 --> 01:06:07,920
those voters. So, we chose the the Syon

1424
01:06:06,720 --> 01:06:09,359
Public Library because it is a new

1425
01:06:07,920 --> 01:06:11,520
facility that that that has just now

1426
01:06:09,359 --> 01:06:13,599
become available for us.

1427
01:06:11,520 --> 01:06:14,480
» Yeah. I just I I look at and again this

1428
01:06:13,599 --> 01:06:16,400
would have been great to have this

1429
01:06:14,480 --> 01:06:18,720
conversation um you know a couple of

1430
01:06:16,400 --> 01:06:20,160
weeks ago uh in an office somewhere

1431
01:06:18,720 --> 01:06:22,640
where we could plot these things on a

1432
01:06:20,160 --> 01:06:24,160
map uh because when you look at just

1433
01:06:22,640 --> 01:06:25,599
demographically I'm very familiar with

1434
01:06:24,160 --> 01:06:27,359
the area. It's where I grew up. So I

1435
01:06:25,599 --> 01:06:29,680
know everybody that's going to Sagenol

1436
01:06:27,359 --> 01:06:31,280
Library is coming from the north down

1437
01:06:29,680 --> 01:06:32,960
and then primarily everybody that's

1438
01:06:31,280 --> 01:06:34,960
going to go to TCC Northwest is probably

1439
01:06:32,960 --> 01:06:36,720
coming from with inside the loop up. Um

1440
01:06:34,960 --> 01:06:39,280
that's probably how it's how it works

1441
01:06:36,720 --> 01:06:40,559
out uh every year. So it's not like the

1442
01:06:39,280 --> 01:06:42,880
same voters are going to same places.

1443
01:06:40,559 --> 01:06:44,960
Now, I I say all that I mean, I know you

1444
01:06:42,880 --> 01:06:46,640
can't have an election center on every

1445
01:06:44,960 --> 01:06:48,319
single corner. Uh, and you can't

1446
01:06:46,640 --> 01:06:51,200
anticipate all of these things. And

1447
01:06:48,319 --> 01:06:53,359
again, I I think you put forward a good

1448
01:06:51,200 --> 01:06:54,799
effort in trying to accomplish the the

1449
01:06:53,359 --> 01:06:57,440
marching orders that I think you got

1450
01:06:54,799 --> 01:07:00,480
after the last uh exercise on voting

1451
01:06:57,440 --> 01:07:02,319
centers. Um but but on these I mean to

1452
01:07:00,480 --> 01:07:05,440
to get comfortable with this I mean I I

1453
01:07:02,319 --> 01:07:07,680
I really would like to see KOMO added uh

1454
01:07:05,440 --> 01:07:09,440
potentially TCC Northwest and

1455
01:07:07,680 --> 01:07:12,160
potentially something in North Side

1456
01:07:09,440 --> 01:07:15,359
Fort. The uh one other thing on TCC

1457
01:07:12,160 --> 01:07:18,480
Northwest is out of the 44 locations in

1458
01:07:15,359 --> 01:07:21,280
in 23 it was in the bottom 10 for

1459
01:07:18,480 --> 01:07:23,440
turnout. Um, so there was another reason

1460
01:07:21,280 --> 01:07:24,960
um to not utilize that and shift to the

1461
01:07:23,440 --> 01:07:26,720
library because the library having

1462
01:07:24,960 --> 01:07:28,079
better parking, better access, we

1463
01:07:26,720 --> 01:07:30,960
thought might help increase the turnout

1464
01:07:28,079 --> 01:07:32,240
as well.

1465
01:07:30,960 --> 01:07:33,760
» Anything else over here?

1466
01:07:32,240 --> 01:07:36,640
» I I'll say one more.

1467
01:07:33,760 --> 01:07:39,359
» Uh, thank uh Clinton, when we talked, I

1468
01:07:36,640 --> 01:07:41,119
know everything was driven by just pure

1469
01:07:39,359 --> 01:07:42,480
voter turnout, and I think that's the

1470
01:07:41,119 --> 01:07:44,000
right way to do it. I think what you

1471
01:07:42,480 --> 01:07:46,559
were looking at I understand some of the

1472
01:07:44,000 --> 01:07:49,039
concerns uh Commissioner RmIrez was just

1473
01:07:46,559 --> 01:07:51,119
talking about. Um but I I actually

1474
01:07:49,039 --> 01:07:52,960
appreciated that that that's how you

1475
01:07:51,119 --> 01:07:55,280
looked at it. What's the most efficient

1476
01:07:52,960 --> 01:07:56,559
effective way to handle this election to

1477
01:07:55,280 --> 01:07:57,760
get people where they need to go where

1478
01:07:56,559 --> 01:07:59,760
they've already shown us that they're

1479
01:07:57,760 --> 01:08:01,839
showing up to vote at the ballot boxes.

1480
01:07:59,760 --> 01:08:03,119
Let's take our resources there so we get

1481
01:08:01,839 --> 01:08:04,400
people in more efficiently, more

1482
01:08:03,119 --> 01:08:08,559
effectively. I think that was actually

1483
01:08:04,400 --> 01:08:10,240
really well done. Um, I guess my uh my

1484
01:08:08,559 --> 01:08:12,079
thought when when we're saying we

1485
01:08:10,240 --> 01:08:14,160
didn't, you know, it was a unilateral

1486
01:08:12,079 --> 01:08:15,520
decision. Why was he the one doing all

1487
01:08:14,160 --> 01:08:17,359
this? Sounds like you were the one

1488
01:08:15,520 --> 01:08:19,199
tasked with that. And so when we tell

1489
01:08:17,359 --> 01:08:21,920
you, please go do this for us, it seems

1490
01:08:19,199 --> 01:08:23,600
disingenuous for the court then to say,

1491
01:08:21,920 --> 01:08:24,719
why did you make these decisions? I

1492
01:08:23,600 --> 01:08:26,880
understand we need some more

1493
01:08:24,719 --> 01:08:28,159
communication, but um that's what you

1494
01:08:26,880 --> 01:08:29,679
were charged to do and that's what you

1495
01:08:28,159 --> 01:08:32,640
came back. And so again, I applaud that

1496
01:08:29,679 --> 01:08:34,719
effort. Um, if we vote down the motion

1497
01:08:32,640 --> 01:08:36,880
to table, um, and what I was going to

1498
01:08:34,719 --> 01:08:39,920
come in and be prepared to do, uh, right

1499
01:08:36,880 --> 01:08:41,600
away was to, uh, move to adopt the

1500
01:08:39,920 --> 01:08:44,159
voting centers that you had, but add

1501
01:08:41,600 --> 01:08:45,600
three. And one was Como. I I think we

1502
01:08:44,159 --> 01:08:47,199
ought to add KOMO in. From our

1503
01:08:45,600 --> 01:08:50,799
conversations yesterday, that one was

1504
01:08:47,199 --> 01:08:52,000
right there on the margins. Um, and

1505
01:08:50,799 --> 01:08:54,799
there's really no other good

1506
01:08:52,000 --> 01:08:56,799
geographical location that that the

1507
01:08:54,799 --> 01:08:59,440
people in that community can get to very

1508
01:08:56,799 --> 01:09:01,520
easily. Um, so I thought Ko was good.

1509
01:08:59,440 --> 01:09:03,040
The Legacy Learning Center up in HLlett

1510
01:09:01,520 --> 01:09:04,960
uh I also think was good. I was going to

1511
01:09:03,040 --> 01:09:07,759
move to add that one because as you said

1512
01:09:04,960 --> 01:09:08,799
that gap for that 10 miles as there's

1513
01:09:07,759 --> 01:09:10,480
not much there and as Commissioner

1514
01:09:08,799 --> 01:09:12,159
RmIrez knows better than anybody.

1515
01:09:10,480 --> 01:09:13,679
Hasllett and anywhere is hard to get

1516
01:09:12,159 --> 01:09:15,440
around Bonds Ranch Road. You probably

1517
01:09:13,679 --> 01:09:18,319
need something closer to there to get

1518
01:09:15,440 --> 01:09:20,000
all those people in that area done. Um

1519
01:09:18,319 --> 01:09:22,239
and then based on our conversation the

1520
01:09:20,000 --> 01:09:24,880
the Northeast Subcourthouse. Now, having

1521
01:09:22,239 --> 01:09:27,279
said that, I would say that's the third

1522
01:09:24,880 --> 01:09:30,000
in in terms of priority because we do

1523
01:09:27,279 --> 01:09:31,679
have the Bedford Public Library. Um, so

1524
01:09:30,000 --> 01:09:33,520
if if somebody else wanted to add

1525
01:09:31,679 --> 01:09:35,120
something there, I get that. But based

1526
01:09:33,520 --> 01:09:36,960
on our conversations, those were like

1527
01:09:35,120 --> 01:09:39,040
the three that were right on the edge

1528
01:09:36,960 --> 01:09:41,279
that we're no longer having. So, I'm

1529
01:09:39,040 --> 01:09:43,679
prepared to make a motion uh if if we

1530
01:09:41,279 --> 01:09:45,839
don't table it to adopt your map, but

1531
01:09:43,679 --> 01:09:48,080
add KOMO Legacy Learning Center in the

1532
01:09:45,839 --> 01:09:50,480
Northeast Subcourthouse unless there's a

1533
01:09:48,080 --> 01:09:52,400
overwhelming uh reason to adopt one of

1534
01:09:50,480 --> 01:09:53,839
the other ones. Um, but I appreciate

1535
01:09:52,400 --> 01:09:55,760
your work and I think you've done a good

1536
01:09:53,839 --> 01:09:58,640
job of hitting the target that we asked

1537
01:09:55,760 --> 01:10:00,000
you to do. Um and and and I think

1538
01:09:58,640 --> 01:10:02,560
everybody understands nobody's going to

1539
01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:05,920
be completely excited or thrilled with

1540
01:10:02,560 --> 01:10:07,840
losing uh precinct or voting locations,

1541
01:10:05,920 --> 01:10:09,440
but that doesn't mean that that's not

1542
01:10:07,840 --> 01:10:10,000
what we should do. So, thank you for

1543
01:10:09,440 --> 01:10:10,320
your work.

1544
01:10:10,000 --> 01:10:13,440
» Thank you.

1545
01:10:10,320 --> 01:10:17,360
» I have a comment, judge.

1546
01:10:13,440 --> 01:10:20,719
» The first thing I want to say is this.

1547
01:10:17,360 --> 01:10:22,320
This is not about wasteful

1548
01:10:20,719 --> 01:10:26,080
spending.

1549
01:10:22,320 --> 01:10:28,800
This is about voter accessibility.

1550
01:10:26,080 --> 01:10:31,120
Everybody deserves the the right to have

1551
01:10:28,800 --> 01:10:33,760
a place that they are comfortable with

1552
01:10:31,120 --> 01:10:36,000
and familiar with to go and to cast

1553
01:10:33,760 --> 01:10:39,520
their vote.

1554
01:10:36,000 --> 01:10:44,000
My people bled, died, and suffered and

1555
01:10:39,520 --> 01:10:47,120
fought for the right to be able to vote.

1556
01:10:44,000 --> 01:10:50,000
And to dismantle or to take those rights

1557
01:10:47,120 --> 01:10:53,840
away from us that we worked hard to get

1558
01:10:50,000 --> 01:10:58,640
is unacceptable on any level. It's not

1559
01:10:53,840 --> 01:11:00,800
about money. It's about access.

1560
01:10:58,640 --> 01:11:04,080
If it's only one person that goes to a

1561
01:11:00,800 --> 01:11:06,239
voting site, so be it. That's one person

1562
01:11:04,080 --> 01:11:08,960
that got to participate in the

1563
01:11:06,239 --> 01:11:12,159
democratic process. It doesn't matter

1564
01:11:08,960 --> 01:11:15,679
the cost. It matters making sure that

1565
01:11:12,159 --> 01:11:18,320
everybody has access and the ability to

1566
01:11:15,679 --> 01:11:20,640
go and vote and to let their voices be

1567
01:11:18,320 --> 01:11:22,560
heard. If we want to really talk about

1568
01:11:20,640 --> 01:11:26,080
it, let's talk about why there is voter

1569
01:11:22,560 --> 01:11:28,719
apathy. Let's begin to build strategy

1570
01:11:26,080 --> 01:11:30,800
around voter engagement. Instead of

1571
01:11:28,719 --> 01:11:32,480
taking places away from people, we need

1572
01:11:30,800 --> 01:11:35,520
to make it more accessible to the

1573
01:11:32,480 --> 01:11:39,600
people. So, as we talk about voter

1574
01:11:35,520 --> 01:11:43,199
access, in 2021, Taran County voters had

1575
01:11:39,600 --> 01:11:45,840
48 early voting sites and 323 election

1576
01:11:43,199 --> 01:11:48,960
day polling locations.

1577
01:11:45,840 --> 01:11:52,080
In 2023, early voting sites decreased

1578
01:11:48,960 --> 01:11:54,719
slightly to 44, but election day sites

1579
01:11:52,080 --> 01:11:58,080
actually increased to 330.

1580
01:11:54,719 --> 01:12:00,880
Under this proposal for November 2025,

1581
01:11:58,080 --> 01:12:05,440
voters would be left with only 24 early

1582
01:12:00,880 --> 01:12:08,080
voting sites, a 50% cut, and 214

1583
01:12:05,440 --> 01:12:12,719
election day polling sites, nearly

1584
01:12:08,080 --> 01:12:15,040
onethird fewer than in 2021.

1585
01:12:12,719 --> 01:12:18,880
Not to mention, many of the closures are

1586
01:12:15,040 --> 01:12:21,520
concentrated inside the A20 loop,

1587
01:12:18,880 --> 01:12:24,000
leaving Central Fort Worth, including

1588
01:12:21,520 --> 01:12:26,960
historic black and brown neighborhoods,

1589
01:12:24,000 --> 01:12:29,440
disproportionately affected. That, my

1590
01:12:26,960 --> 01:12:31,440
friend, is problematic. While our

1591
01:12:29,440 --> 01:12:34,320
college campus early voting sites have

1592
01:12:31,440 --> 01:12:37,440
been eliminated, disenfranchising young

1593
01:12:34,320 --> 01:12:40,239
voters, firsttime voters, and working

1594
01:12:37,440 --> 01:12:43,760
students who depend on access accessible

1595
01:12:40,239 --> 01:12:46,480
polling near their college campus.

1596
01:12:43,760 --> 01:12:48,320
Let this sink in. The following cities

1597
01:12:46,480 --> 01:12:52,960
have no early voting locations

1598
01:12:48,320 --> 01:12:57,520
whatsoever. Everman, Kennedale, Halum

1599
01:12:52,960 --> 01:13:00,480
City, Hurst, Ulis, and Edgecliffe. and

1600
01:12:57,520 --> 01:13:03,520
there is only one location for the whole

1601
01:13:00,480 --> 01:13:05,360
of Grand Prairie. That, my friend, is

1602
01:13:03,520 --> 01:13:08,000
problematic.

1603
01:13:05,360 --> 01:13:10,320
This comes on the heels of midterm

1604
01:13:08,000 --> 01:13:13,040
redistricting battles that already

1605
01:13:10,320 --> 01:13:16,239
weaken community representation.

1606
01:13:13,040 --> 01:13:18,000
Now, reducing polling locations is a

1607
01:13:16,239 --> 01:13:20,239
direct, in my opinion, a direct

1608
01:13:18,000 --> 01:13:23,679
continuation of attacks on every

1609
01:13:20,239 --> 01:13:25,520
citizen's fundamental right to vote.

1610
01:13:23,679 --> 01:13:29,120
Once the number of polling places

1611
01:13:25,520 --> 01:13:31,520
decreases, it rarely rebounds.

1612
01:13:29,120 --> 01:13:34,880
The precedent being set here risks

1613
01:13:31,520 --> 01:13:38,239
locking in long-term voter suppression.

1614
01:13:34,880 --> 01:13:41,600
In my humble opinion, in the 2023

1615
01:13:38,239 --> 01:13:44,400
election, turnout was just 12.48%

1616
01:13:41,600 --> 01:13:47,199
of registered voters and five sites saw

1617
01:13:44,400 --> 01:13:49,120
fewer than 300 voters. Instead of

1618
01:13:47,199 --> 01:13:51,600
closing sites, again, we should be

1619
01:13:49,120 --> 01:13:54,719
asking why turnout is so low and

1620
01:13:51,600 --> 01:13:57,280
addressing excess barriers.

1621
01:13:54,719 --> 01:13:59,840
Residents without cars who rely on

1622
01:13:57,280 --> 01:14:02,400
public transit or who juggle multiple

1623
01:13:59,840 --> 01:14:05,520
jobs will face the greatest burden when

1624
01:14:02,400 --> 01:14:08,480
polling sites are miles farther away or

1625
01:14:05,520 --> 01:14:11,120
reduced altogether. And let me add this,

1626
01:14:08,480 --> 01:14:13,840
this is part of the systemic problem. We

1627
01:14:11,120 --> 01:14:15,679
have people who do not connect and re

1628
01:14:13,840 --> 01:14:18,000
resonate with the people in the

1629
01:14:15,679 --> 01:14:20,320
community. We don't have people who are

1630
01:14:18,000 --> 01:14:23,120
here who are making decisions who are

1631
01:14:20,320 --> 01:14:25,280
poor, who work multiple jobs, who have

1632
01:14:23,120 --> 01:14:27,440
transportation issues, who have child

1633
01:14:25,280 --> 01:14:29,199
care issues and all of these barriers

1634
01:14:27,440 --> 01:14:30,960
facing them, but they are the ones that

1635
01:14:29,199 --> 01:14:33,520
are making the decisions for these

1636
01:14:30,960 --> 01:14:35,760
individuals. We're leaving these people

1637
01:14:33,520 --> 01:14:38,400
out of the process.

1638
01:14:35,760 --> 01:14:41,199
We are making them invisible.

1639
01:14:38,400 --> 01:14:43,679
And that ain't right. Our job is to

1640
01:14:41,199 --> 01:14:46,640
represent every represented, every

1641
01:14:43,679 --> 01:14:48,400
person in the county. The ones that look

1642
01:14:46,640 --> 01:14:50,320
like us, the ones that don't look like

1643
01:14:48,400 --> 01:14:52,880
us, the ones who have what we have, and

1644
01:14:50,320 --> 01:14:55,679
the ones who don't. Everybody needs to

1645
01:14:52,880 --> 01:14:59,840
be included in this process. And the way

1646
01:14:55,679 --> 01:15:02,239
it is presently presented, they do not.

1647
01:14:59,840 --> 01:15:04,480
And that's problematic. And we need to

1648
01:15:02,239 --> 01:15:06,480
look at the humanness of ourselves and

1649
01:15:04,480 --> 01:15:08,560
begin to see people for who they are and

1650
01:15:06,480 --> 01:15:10,960
where they are and what they need and

1651
01:15:08,560 --> 01:15:15,360
not make decisions and judgments based

1652
01:15:10,960 --> 01:15:17,440
upon our experience and our lens.

1653
01:15:15,360 --> 01:15:20,400
That's what we're doing. We're making

1654
01:15:17,440 --> 01:15:22,640
decisions based upon our personal lens

1655
01:15:20,400 --> 01:15:25,120
and we're not taking into account what

1656
01:15:22,640 --> 01:15:27,130
the people who will be affected by this

1657
01:15:25,120 --> 01:15:28,800
need.

1658
01:15:27,130 --> 01:15:32,400
[Music]

1659
01:15:28,800 --> 01:15:34,400
I want you to think about that.

1660
01:15:32,400 --> 01:15:37,040
While state regulations and budgets

1661
01:15:34,400 --> 01:15:40,239
create pressures, disenfranchising

1662
01:15:37,040 --> 01:15:41,760
entire communities is not an acceptable

1663
01:15:40,239 --> 01:15:45,040
solution.

1664
01:15:41,760 --> 01:15:47,120
Democracy should not be sacrificed for

1665
01:15:45,040 --> 01:15:49,199
administrative convenience or cost

1666
01:15:47,120 --> 01:15:51,199
savings.

1667
01:15:49,199 --> 01:15:53,199
Democracy in Taran County is being

1668
01:15:51,199 --> 01:15:56,000
chipped away. First through

1669
01:15:53,199 --> 01:15:58,640
redistricting, now through cuts, now to

1670
01:15:56,000 --> 01:16:01,920
voting sites. This is not about

1671
01:15:58,640 --> 01:16:04,880
efficiency. It's about eroding access

1672
01:16:01,920 --> 01:16:08,239
and silencing voices.

1673
01:16:04,880 --> 01:16:11,760
60 years ago, these kinds of tactics

1674
01:16:08,239 --> 01:16:14,400
were unacceptable and today they remain

1675
01:16:11,760 --> 01:16:17,040
an insult to every voter in Taran

1676
01:16:14,400 --> 01:16:19,760
County. And as I close my remarks, in

1677
01:16:17,040 --> 01:16:22,640
the words of Dr. Martin Luther King,

1678
01:16:19,760 --> 01:16:25,199
give us the vote. We're not asking for

1679
01:16:22,640 --> 01:16:29,239
it. Give it to us because it belongs to

1680
01:16:25,199 --> 01:16:29,239
us. Thank you.

1681
01:16:30,880 --> 01:16:36,360
Sit down. I have something else.

1682
01:16:42,159 --> 01:16:49,600
Okay. So, um this this plan as presented

1683
01:16:46,800 --> 01:16:53,760
today, it just it makes it harder for

1684
01:16:49,600 --> 01:16:57,679
people to vote. Not easier. And so

1685
01:16:53,760 --> 01:17:01,040
making it easier for people to vote, I

1686
01:16:57,679 --> 01:17:04,800
hopefully that's what we all want is

1687
01:17:01,040 --> 01:17:07,760
more voter turnout. Um I've heard Clint

1688
01:17:04,800 --> 01:17:10,880
say since I've been on this panel uh

1689
01:17:07,760 --> 01:17:13,600
over and over he needs more polling

1690
01:17:10,880 --> 01:17:17,600
locations. He has stood at that podium

1691
01:17:13,600 --> 01:17:21,679
and said that repeatedly repeatedly.

1692
01:17:17,600 --> 01:17:27,800
And so, um, we've got a perfectly good

1693
01:17:21,679 --> 01:17:27,800
list of polling places from 2023.

1694
01:17:27,840 --> 01:17:34,320
Use it. The ones that are not welcoming

1695
01:17:30,239 --> 01:17:38,640
us back, of course, but use that. Now,

1696
01:17:34,320 --> 01:17:40,239
make this make any sense to me, and um,

1697
01:17:38,640 --> 01:17:44,159
Commissioner Krauss, I think, touched on

1698
01:17:40,239 --> 01:17:48,159
it. The Northeast

1699
01:17:44,159 --> 01:17:49,840
uh, Gary Ficus Subcourthouse

1700
01:17:48,159 --> 01:17:53,040
number

1701
01:17:49,840 --> 01:17:55,600
eight on the list of the highest vote

1702
01:17:53,040 --> 01:17:59,040
getting polling places in the county,

1703
01:17:55,600 --> 01:18:00,800
but he removed it.

1704
01:17:59,040 --> 01:18:03,600
Uh

1705
01:18:00,800 --> 01:18:06,640
that kind of thing has got to be

1706
01:18:03,600 --> 01:18:09,040
explained. Um

1707
01:18:06,640 --> 01:18:10,640
so

1708
01:18:09,040 --> 01:18:13,040
people need to be able to vote without

1709
01:18:10,640 --> 01:18:15,360
having to worry about trying to figure

1710
01:18:13,040 --> 01:18:17,679
out where to go. Everybody's not going

1711
01:18:15,360 --> 01:18:20,239
to jump on their phone and or try to

1712
01:18:17,679 --> 01:18:21,760
find out what their precinct number is.

1713
01:18:20,239 --> 01:18:25,679
U they're going to turn around and go

1714
01:18:21,760 --> 01:18:28,719
home if it's not at the usual place that

1715
01:18:25,679 --> 01:18:32,400
it's been at. And

1716
01:18:28,719 --> 01:18:35,199
we know resources are not the problem.

1717
01:18:32,400 --> 01:18:37,120
Um the the

1718
01:18:35,199 --> 01:18:41,520
FY24

1719
01:18:37,120 --> 01:18:44,800
fullear contract labor spend was 2.4 4

1720
01:18:41,520 --> 01:18:49,440
million and the current budget allocates

1721
01:18:44,800 --> 01:18:52,880
3.3 million for contract labor. Uh so

1722
01:18:49,440 --> 01:18:54,960
that gives us more than enough to fund

1723
01:18:52,880 --> 01:18:56,640
the staffing needs to keep voting

1724
01:18:54,960 --> 01:19:00,719
accessible.

1725
01:18:56,640 --> 01:19:02,320
Uh you know, unless I'm wrong, but you

1726
01:19:00,719 --> 01:19:05,360
can come by and tell me. I'm just I

1727
01:19:02,320 --> 01:19:08,000
looked at your looked at the budget.

1728
01:19:05,360 --> 01:19:09,440
Um so it feels like we're doing two

1729
01:19:08,000 --> 01:19:12,719
things at the same time. We just

1730
01:19:09,440 --> 01:19:15,920
finished drawing up a new map because

1731
01:19:12,719 --> 01:19:18,480
our county is growing so fast, right? We

1732
01:19:15,920 --> 01:19:21,040
just redistricted,

1733
01:19:18,480 --> 01:19:24,560
got all these new people,

1734
01:19:21,040 --> 01:19:27,679
we think, but then we turn right around

1735
01:19:24,560 --> 01:19:33,600
and say we're going to cut our voting

1736
01:19:27,679 --> 01:19:36,239
spots in half. Come on now. Come on. Um

1737
01:19:33,600 --> 01:19:41,560
that just does not add up. And so when

1738
01:19:36,239 --> 01:19:41,560
you take away places to vote from

1739
01:19:42,800 --> 01:19:48,239
I can't even there's so many segments of

1740
01:19:45,679 --> 01:19:51,679
the community that you're discriminating

1741
01:19:48,239 --> 01:19:53,360
against. I it's hard to pick one. Senior

1742
01:19:51,679 --> 01:19:56,239
citizens.

1743
01:19:53,360 --> 01:19:58,960
You know, when you say UTA, you think

1744
01:19:56,239 --> 01:20:01,600
the campus, but if you've lived in

1745
01:19:58,960 --> 01:20:05,360
Arlington for almost 40 years, as I

1746
01:20:01,600 --> 01:20:08,159
have, you know that neighborhood. And

1747
01:20:05,360 --> 01:20:09,679
that neighborhood is a senior

1748
01:20:08,159 --> 01:20:11,760
neighborhood.

1749
01:20:09,679 --> 01:20:14,320
Those people can walk right across the

1750
01:20:11,760 --> 01:20:16,080
street, get their steps in, and vote on

1751
01:20:14,320 --> 01:20:17,520
campus.

1752
01:20:16,080 --> 01:20:20,719
You're discriminating against

1753
01:20:17,520 --> 01:20:23,440
African-Americans. Who takes coma?

1754
01:20:20,719 --> 01:20:27,679
You're discriminate. Who

1755
01:20:23,440 --> 01:20:29,360
You know, the voter turnout at Vernon

1756
01:20:27,679 --> 01:20:34,400
Newsome

1757
01:20:29,360 --> 01:20:36,480
is a high minority population, but

1758
01:20:34,400 --> 01:20:39,040
um and and I'm going back and forth

1759
01:20:36,480 --> 01:20:43,600
between the list, election day and

1760
01:20:39,040 --> 01:20:46,320
early. Um so

1761
01:20:43,600 --> 01:20:48,640
y'all know what this is called, voter

1762
01:20:46,320 --> 01:20:52,000
suppression,

1763
01:20:48,640 --> 01:20:55,280
uh impeding access to the ballot box.

1764
01:20:52,000 --> 01:20:57,360
Um, and really Clint,

1765
01:20:55,280 --> 01:20:59,440
it was what almost a year ago that we

1766
01:20:57,360 --> 01:21:02,239
were up here about the college the

1767
01:20:59,440 --> 01:21:05,199
polling places on college campuses

1768
01:21:02,239 --> 01:21:08,800
and um it's a big fight. A whole bunch

1769
01:21:05,199 --> 01:21:10,880
of people up here. Um, and it and it

1770
01:21:08,800 --> 01:21:13,360
failed.

1771
01:21:10,880 --> 01:21:16,719
So, we know the Republican party of

1772
01:21:13,360 --> 01:21:19,679
Taran County, they've said it,

1773
01:21:16,719 --> 01:21:21,920
thinks only students are only Democrats

1774
01:21:19,679 --> 01:21:23,520
and they only vote on college campus,

1775
01:21:21,920 --> 01:21:27,120
whatever.

1776
01:21:23,520 --> 01:21:29,760
So, what you're doing is the work of the

1777
01:21:27,120 --> 01:21:32,480
Republican party. You You went so we

1778
01:21:29,760 --> 01:21:35,760
wouldn't have to debate it up here. You

1779
01:21:32,480 --> 01:21:38,560
went ahead and said, "I'll I'll just

1780
01:21:35,760 --> 01:21:42,320
remove all college campuses."

1781
01:21:38,560 --> 01:21:44,080
Um, and you are SP you an elections

1782
01:21:42,320 --> 01:21:47,440
administrator

1783
01:21:44,080 --> 01:21:50,719
must have integrity.

1784
01:21:47,440 --> 01:21:57,280
You you 100% have to. And that's called

1785
01:21:50,719 --> 01:22:02,320
into question when you cut by 44% almost

1786
01:21:57,280 --> 01:22:04,719
in half the number of polling places for

1787
01:22:02,320 --> 01:22:06,960
each of these constituents. We talk

1788
01:22:04,719 --> 01:22:09,280
about working families.

1789
01:22:06,960 --> 01:22:10,880
gotta rush home and pick up the kids

1790
01:22:09,280 --> 01:22:12,560
from daycare and vote. That's you're

1791
01:22:10,880 --> 01:22:15,440
discriminating against them when you cut

1792
01:22:12,560 --> 01:22:18,480
these vote centers in half. Um, senior

1793
01:22:15,440 --> 01:22:23,840
citizens, African-Americans, Latinos, it

1794
01:22:18,480 --> 01:22:27,280
it goes on and on. And so, um, I I'm

1795
01:22:23,840 --> 01:22:30,880
I've got my motion on the floor. Um, it

1796
01:22:27,280 --> 01:22:33,360
just this proposal, this list is not

1797
01:22:30,880 --> 01:22:36,400
right. And I do have a PowerPoint

1798
01:22:33,360 --> 01:22:37,440
presentation because you don't, do you?

1799
01:22:36,400 --> 01:22:41,360
No, ma'am.

1800
01:22:37,440 --> 01:22:45,120
» Okay, I do. And I can show you show the

1801
01:22:41,360 --> 01:22:48,880
public what it looks like now and how

1802
01:22:45,120 --> 01:22:50,960
many um uh spots you're taking away. Do

1803
01:22:48,880 --> 01:22:55,400
y Where's the IT? Where are the IT

1804
01:22:50,960 --> 01:22:55,400
people? Is it up?

1805
01:22:56,239 --> 01:23:00,600
Gabe, if you can click

1806
01:23:05,920 --> 01:23:12,639
All right. In 2023, we had 331 election

1807
01:23:10,159 --> 01:23:17,040
day polling locations.

1808
01:23:12,639 --> 01:23:19,120
In 2024, that number was 349.

1809
01:23:17,040 --> 01:23:22,480
Uh, and this draft proposal today has

1810
01:23:19,120 --> 01:23:24,880
214 sites. That's a net loss of 117

1811
01:23:22,480 --> 01:23:27,760
polling places from the last

1812
01:23:24,880 --> 01:23:31,840
constitutional amendment election. Um, a

1813
01:23:27,760 --> 01:23:34,239
35% loss of location. So, um, that's

1814
01:23:31,840 --> 01:23:38,480
what that looks like. 23, look at all

1815
01:23:34,239 --> 01:23:41,840
those accessible locations. 24

1816
01:23:38,480 --> 01:23:46,480
or 25 proposed 25. And that's what we're

1817
01:23:41,840 --> 01:23:48,000
talking about um doing. That's election

1818
01:23:46,480 --> 01:23:50,480
day.

1819
01:23:48,000 --> 01:23:54,400
And

1820
01:23:50,480 --> 01:23:57,600
here's early vote 2023.

1821
01:23:54,400 --> 01:24:01,280
44 early vote locations.

1822
01:23:57,600 --> 01:24:04,400
in 2025 uh 2024 we had 51 but we I

1823
01:24:01,280 --> 01:24:08,040
didn't show that. So then you go to the

1824
01:24:04,400 --> 01:24:08,040
proposed for 2025

1825
01:24:08,639 --> 01:24:15,920
I mean

1826
01:24:11,199 --> 01:24:17,520
it's ridiculous. Go back to um 23

1827
01:24:15,920 --> 01:24:19,840
25.

1828
01:24:17,520 --> 01:24:22,159
Thank you sir. These aren't small

1829
01:24:19,840 --> 01:24:25,040
changes. These are drastic cuts that

1830
01:24:22,159 --> 01:24:27,760
will have a real and painful impact on

1831
01:24:25,040 --> 01:24:31,440
our voters. And what really gets me is

1832
01:24:27,760 --> 01:24:33,280
where these cuts are being made. Um, all

1833
01:24:31,440 --> 01:24:35,120
the colleges are gone. Our young people,

1834
01:24:33,280 --> 01:24:38,320
students, they deserve a convenient

1835
01:24:35,120 --> 01:24:41,199
place to vote. Um, and walking uh from

1836
01:24:38,320 --> 01:24:46,560
UTA to the Arlington subcours is a hike

1837
01:24:41,199 --> 01:24:48,800
when you're walking. Okay. Um, so we we

1838
01:24:46,560 --> 01:24:51,120
should be encouraging participation in

1839
01:24:48,800 --> 01:24:55,360
our democracy, not putting up barriers

1840
01:24:51,120 --> 01:24:57,520
to folks civic duties. Um, so that's

1841
01:24:55,360 --> 01:24:58,880
that's all I've got for now.

1842
01:24:57,520 --> 01:24:59,920
» All right. Anybody else have anything?

1843
01:24:58,880 --> 01:25:02,159
Yes, ma'am. Sir,

1844
01:24:59,920 --> 01:25:04,159
» I was just going to say in 2023, we only

1845
01:25:02,159 --> 01:25:05,840
utilize two college campuses anyway, and

1846
01:25:04,159 --> 01:25:08,239
UTA was not one of them.

1847
01:25:05,840 --> 01:25:10,159
» Okay. I know. I know that.

1848
01:25:08,239 --> 01:25:13,040
» Anything else from anyone up here before

1849
01:25:10,159 --> 01:25:16,840
we go to the speakers?

1850
01:25:13,040 --> 01:25:16,840
» All right. Thank you, Clint.

1851
01:25:18,080 --> 01:25:22,560
» This is I3. All right. Our first speaker

1852
01:25:20,480 --> 01:25:24,560
you uh I will remind you please follow

1853
01:25:22,560 --> 01:25:26,800
the rules.

1854
01:25:24,560 --> 01:25:28,480
Our first speaker is Mindy Tacket.

1855
01:25:26,800 --> 01:25:31,480
Following Mindy Tacket we have Daniel

1856
01:25:28,480 --> 01:25:31,480
Peters.

1857
01:25:32,560 --> 01:25:36,400
If you if I call your name and will you

1858
01:25:34,880 --> 01:25:39,400
please make your way to the center

1859
01:25:36,400 --> 01:25:39,400
aisle.

1860
01:25:41,120 --> 01:25:47,199
It's one minute for the these this item.

1861
01:25:44,239 --> 01:25:50,159
In 1980, Paul Hyrick, a founder of the

1862
01:25:47,199 --> 01:25:54,080
modern right, said the quiet part out

1863
01:25:50,159 --> 01:25:56,800
loud. I don't want everybody to vote.

1864
01:25:54,080 --> 01:26:00,239
Our leverage goes up as the voting

1865
01:25:56,800 --> 01:26:03,840
populace goes down. That's the playbook.

1866
01:26:00,239 --> 01:26:06,560
And his heirs obviously are still at

1867
01:26:03,840 --> 01:26:08,639
work closing polling places in black and

1868
01:26:06,560 --> 01:26:11,679
Latino neighborhoods and college

1869
01:26:08,639 --> 01:26:14,320
campuses. coming on the heels of maps

1870
01:26:11,679 --> 01:26:17,360
that split communities apart. All behind

1871
01:26:14,320 --> 01:26:19,280
it, white Christian nationalism. If your

1872
01:26:17,360 --> 01:26:21,840
faith, your race, your neighborhood

1873
01:26:19,280 --> 01:26:24,480
doesn't fit their vision, the goal is

1874
01:26:21,840 --> 01:26:27,360
keep you from the ballot box. That's

1875
01:26:24,480 --> 01:26:29,679
what's happening here. You all fear the

1876
01:26:27,360 --> 01:26:32,480
people of Tarant County. You want to

1877
01:26:29,679 --> 01:26:34,800
decide who counts and who doesn't.

1878
01:26:32,480 --> 01:26:37,120
» But democracy only works when voters

1879
01:26:34,800 --> 01:26:39,520
choose their leaders. And today,

1880
01:26:37,120 --> 01:26:42,400
everyone here and everyone watching

1881
01:26:39,520 --> 01:26:45,199
online can see how dangerous your

1882
01:26:42,400 --> 01:26:48,960
choices are to our democracy.

1883
01:26:45,199 --> 01:26:51,520
» Thank you. Is Mr. Peters present? Daniel

1884
01:26:48,960 --> 01:26:54,239
Peters? Do we still have people out

1885
01:26:51,520 --> 01:26:55,120
there?

1886
01:26:54,239 --> 01:26:56,239
Anyone?

1887
01:26:55,120 --> 01:26:58,560
» I don't know, but I'll find out.

1888
01:26:56,239 --> 01:27:01,280
» All right. Daniel Peters, I called him.

1889
01:26:58,560 --> 01:27:03,600
We're moving to Candace Swanson.

1890
01:27:01,280 --> 01:27:06,600
Following Miss Swanson, we have Allison

1891
01:27:03,600 --> 01:27:06,600
Compalo.

1892
01:27:07,040 --> 01:27:11,480
Is this Miss Swanson? Okay,

1893
01:27:14,400 --> 01:27:16,639
» Judge. We do still have people outside.

1894
01:27:16,159 --> 01:27:17,600
» Say it again.

1895
01:27:16,639 --> 01:27:19,520
» We do still have people out in the

1896
01:27:17,600 --> 01:27:22,719
overflow.

1897
01:27:19,520 --> 01:27:24,800
» Ready? Thomas Jefferson said, "We do not

1898
01:27:22,719 --> 01:27:26,639
have a government by the majority. We

1899
01:27:24,800 --> 01:27:29,120
have a government by the majority who

1900
01:27:26,639 --> 01:27:31,199
participate. The new locations will

1901
01:27:29,120 --> 01:27:34,000
suppress participation.

1902
01:27:31,199 --> 01:27:36,320
Tarant County is growing. 89 people move

1903
01:27:34,000 --> 01:27:39,760
here a day. Closing half the early

1904
01:27:36,320 --> 01:27:41,520
polling locations and 130 some odd of

1905
01:27:39,760 --> 01:27:45,040
the same day sites will suppress

1906
01:27:41,520 --> 01:27:47,360
turnout. By creating voting deserts in

1907
01:27:45,040 --> 01:27:49,679
minority communities, you force voters

1908
01:27:47,360 --> 01:27:52,000
to travel farther to exercise their

1909
01:27:49,679 --> 01:27:54,480
rights, especially the elderly and those

1910
01:27:52,000 --> 01:27:57,199
of limited means. These tactics are not

1911
01:27:54,480 --> 01:27:59,040
a sign of a healthy democracy, but we

1912
01:27:57,199 --> 01:28:02,080
all understand you need to ensure a win

1913
01:27:59,040 --> 01:28:04,400
for your side. Judge, you demand respect

1914
01:28:02,080 --> 01:28:06,719
in your court. Cracking, packing, and

1915
01:28:04,400 --> 01:28:09,199
suppression are unfair and disrespectful

1916
01:28:06,719 --> 01:28:11,440
to those you serve. Please be fair and

1917
01:28:09,199 --> 01:28:13,760
respect the voters. Do not make it more

1918
01:28:11,440 --> 01:28:15,199
difficult to participate in elections.

1919
01:28:13,760 --> 01:28:16,400
Thank you for your attention to this

1920
01:28:15,199 --> 01:28:18,639
matter.

1921
01:28:16,400 --> 01:28:22,920
» Thank you, Miss Compalo. Following Miss

1922
01:28:18,639 --> 01:28:22,920
Compalo is Taylor Ramett.

1923
01:28:23,920 --> 01:28:27,920
» Hello. Um, okay. So, I called Clint the

1924
01:28:26,400 --> 01:28:29,600
other day and I I asked for locations

1925
01:28:27,920 --> 01:28:31,040
and he said that's something for the

1926
01:28:29,600 --> 01:28:32,480
commissioners to change the list. So,

1927
01:28:31,040 --> 01:28:34,000
I'm officially requesting that we change

1928
01:28:32,480 --> 01:28:37,360
the list of the proposed polling

1929
01:28:34,000 --> 01:28:40,080
locations. Um, I would at the very least

1930
01:28:37,360 --> 01:28:41,760
recommend that we add in some polling

1931
01:28:40,080 --> 01:28:42,960
locations. Um, even if we don't add in

1932
01:28:41,760 --> 01:28:44,560
all of them, I'm not asking you to open

1933
01:28:42,960 --> 01:28:46,639
the Everman Civic Center if nobody votes

1934
01:28:44,560 --> 01:28:48,560
there. Um, I would please request the

1935
01:28:46,639 --> 01:28:50,000
following six locations. Uh, which is

1936
01:28:48,560 --> 01:28:52,239
the South Service Center or something

1937
01:28:50,000 --> 01:28:53,840
equivalent to it. uh the Ulus family

1938
01:28:52,239 --> 01:28:55,280
senior center, the Komao Community

1939
01:28:53,840 --> 01:28:56,719
Center, and the Bob Duncan Center. Those

1940
01:28:55,280 --> 01:28:59,280
are the top four. So, those were in the

1941
01:28:56,719 --> 01:29:01,280
top 24 by population and by turnout um

1942
01:28:59,280 --> 01:29:04,320
from the 2023 list. Those were very

1943
01:29:01,280 --> 01:29:06,639
highly uh utilized and used. And then

1944
01:29:04,320 --> 01:29:08,480
also the Vernon Newsome Stadium and at

1945
01:29:06,639 --> 01:29:10,239
least one location in the north side.

1946
01:29:08,480 --> 01:29:12,239
And you know, I know Manny and I agree

1947
01:29:10,239 --> 01:29:14,480
on almost nothing, but he's completely

1948
01:29:12,239 --> 01:29:17,040
right. We can't have no locations in the

1949
01:29:14,480 --> 01:29:18,239
north side. We need at least one. Um, we

1950
01:29:17,040 --> 01:29:19,520
closed the North Side Community Center,

1951
01:29:18,239 --> 01:29:21,520
you closed the campus, you closed the

1952
01:29:19,520 --> 01:29:23,679
Diamond Jarvis Library. That's not

1953
01:29:21,520 --> 01:29:26,000
acceptable. We need last one. Nobody's

1954
01:29:23,679 --> 01:29:28,400
going to Thank you.

1955
01:29:26,000 --> 01:29:32,600
» Is that Mr. Rett? Okay. Following Mr.

1956
01:29:28,400 --> 01:29:32,600
Rette, we have Nicole White.

1957
01:29:33,920 --> 01:29:37,840
» As an Air Force veteran, I took an oath

1958
01:29:35,840 --> 01:29:39,920
to defend the Constitution. A note that

1959
01:29:37,840 --> 01:29:41,520
didn't end when I hung up my uniform.

1960
01:29:39,920 --> 01:29:44,480
That oath is why I'm standing here

1961
01:29:41,520 --> 01:29:46,719
today. At its core, the right to vote is

1962
01:29:44,480 --> 01:29:49,360
not a partisan issue. It is the

1963
01:29:46,719 --> 01:29:51,280
foundation of who we are as Americans.

1964
01:29:49,360 --> 01:29:54,000
Every one of us in this room may differ

1965
01:29:51,280 --> 01:29:56,960
on policy or party, but we should all

1966
01:29:54,000 --> 01:30:00,080
agree on this. The ballot box must

1967
01:29:56,960 --> 01:30:02,719
remain open, accessible, and fair. The

1968
01:30:00,080 --> 01:30:04,960
proposal to cut the early to cut the

1969
01:30:02,719 --> 01:30:06,960
number of early voting locations in half

1970
01:30:04,960 --> 01:30:08,719
and the closing of over 100 election day

1971
01:30:06,960 --> 01:30:10,719
polling sites will make it harder for

1972
01:30:08,719 --> 01:30:13,120
working people, for young people, for

1973
01:30:10,719 --> 01:30:16,159
black and brown folks, seniors, for

1974
01:30:13,120 --> 01:30:18,239
voters who depend on nearby places to

1975
01:30:16,159 --> 01:30:21,280
cast their ballot. We are not saving

1976
01:30:18,239 --> 01:30:23,280
money. We're spending trust. And once

1977
01:30:21,280 --> 01:30:26,239
and and once trust in our elections is

1978
01:30:23,280 --> 01:30:28,480
gone, it doesn't come back. It doesn't

1979
01:30:26,239 --> 01:30:30,560
come back with a stroke of a budget.

1980
01:30:28,480 --> 01:30:32,800
History may not remember the margins of

1981
01:30:30,560 --> 01:30:36,239
this election, but it will remember

1982
01:30:32,800 --> 01:30:40,639
whether we expanded or diminished it.

1983
01:30:36,239 --> 01:30:43,760
» Uh Nicole White, is she present?

1984
01:30:40,639 --> 01:30:47,280
Following Miss White, William Marks,

1985
01:30:43,760 --> 01:30:52,040
William Marks present.

1986
01:30:47,280 --> 01:30:52,040
Next we would have Fallon Brazzle.

1987
01:30:53,360 --> 01:30:57,800
William Marks or Fallon Brazzle.

1988
01:31:01,520 --> 01:31:05,440
The voters you're trying to suppress are

1989
01:31:03,600 --> 01:31:07,840
my constituents. My name is William

1990
01:31:05,440 --> 01:31:10,159
Marks. I'm a candidate for the Texas

1991
01:31:07,840 --> 01:31:12,639
25th Congressional District. So

1992
01:31:10,159 --> 01:31:14,400
eliminating voting locations is an

1993
01:31:12,639 --> 01:31:17,600
assault on the rights of the working

1994
01:31:14,400 --> 01:31:20,320
class, an assault on young voters, an

1995
01:31:17,600 --> 01:31:22,960
assault on everyday Texans, and an

1996
01:31:20,320 --> 01:31:24,800
assault on truth, justice, and the

1997
01:31:22,960 --> 01:31:27,360
American way.

1998
01:31:24,800 --> 01:31:29,440
This map of voter suppression is

1999
01:31:27,360 --> 01:31:31,760
stealing the American promise that

2000
01:31:29,440 --> 01:31:34,159
everyone has a voice, that the

2001
01:31:31,760 --> 01:31:36,800
government exists of the people, by the

2002
01:31:34,159 --> 01:31:39,199
people and for the people. So if

2003
01:31:36,800 --> 01:31:42,480
Republican policies are so good, let

2004
01:31:39,199 --> 01:31:45,280
them stand on their own. Let the people

2005
01:31:42,480 --> 01:31:49,080
decide and bring back every location

2006
01:31:45,280 --> 01:31:49,080
you're trying to eliminate.

2007
01:31:49,440 --> 01:31:55,040
» Is Fallon Brazzle here?

2008
01:31:53,040 --> 01:31:58,159
» All right. with no foul and brazle.

2009
01:31:55,040 --> 01:32:01,440
Whitney Wood Wararez.

2010
01:31:58,159 --> 01:32:04,639
It's Miss Wararez present.

2011
01:32:01,440 --> 01:32:07,600
Whitney Wood Wararez.

2012
01:32:04,639 --> 01:32:08,960
Is that Miss Warez?

2013
01:32:07,600 --> 01:32:12,880
Are you Miss Wararez?

2014
01:32:08,960 --> 01:32:15,840
» Okay. Following Miss Wararez is Abiola

2015
01:32:12,880 --> 01:32:18,239
Agoro.

2016
01:32:15,840 --> 01:32:20,880
» Good morning. Access to the ballot box

2017
01:32:18,239 --> 01:32:23,199
is the foundation of our democracy.

2018
01:32:20,880 --> 01:32:26,400
Closing these locations will create

2019
01:32:23,199 --> 01:32:28,320
unnecessary barriers for students,

2020
01:32:26,400 --> 01:32:32,000
working families, and communities of

2021
01:32:28,320 --> 01:32:34,400
color. Many of these voters already face

2022
01:32:32,000 --> 01:32:37,120
challenges like transportation and long

2023
01:32:34,400 --> 01:32:39,120
work hours. Removing convenient polling

2024
01:32:37,120 --> 01:32:42,159
places will only make it harder for them

2025
01:32:39,120 --> 01:32:44,960
to participate in our elections.

2026
01:32:42,159 --> 01:32:47,280
Instead of limiting access, our county

2027
01:32:44,960 --> 01:32:52,480
should be doing everything possible to

2028
01:32:47,280 --> 01:32:54,719
expand it. Every voter, every vote

2029
01:32:52,480 --> 01:32:56,639
matters.

2030
01:32:54,719 --> 01:32:59,520
Every voter should have an equal

2031
01:32:56,639 --> 01:33:00,480
opportunity to cast their ballot. Thank

2032
01:32:59,520 --> 01:33:04,960
you.

2033
01:33:00,480 --> 01:33:06,960
» Thank you. Is Abiola Agoro present?

2034
01:33:04,960 --> 01:33:10,400
Following Miss Agoro, we have Diane

2035
01:33:06,960 --> 01:33:11,760
Simmons or Simons.

2036
01:33:10,400 --> 01:33:14,560
» How many of you all still have your

2037
01:33:11,760 --> 01:33:16,880
grandparents or your parents alive? Show

2038
01:33:14,560 --> 01:33:19,440
of hands. Nobody has grandparents or

2039
01:33:16,880 --> 01:33:20,560
parents. If your grandmother fell in the

2040
01:33:19,440 --> 01:33:22,480
middle of the road when I had an

2041
01:33:20,560 --> 01:33:25,440
interview, would you want me to take the

2042
01:33:22,480 --> 01:33:27,760
time to help her? We often talk about

2043
01:33:25,440 --> 01:33:30,560
what is legal. We talk about what we

2044
01:33:27,760 --> 01:33:33,520
feel obligated to do. But helping people

2045
01:33:30,560 --> 01:33:36,320
is not convenient. Helping people and

2046
01:33:33,520 --> 01:33:38,639
doing what is necessary for people is

2047
01:33:36,320 --> 01:33:40,719
one of the most inconvenient things in

2048
01:33:38,639 --> 01:33:43,920
the entire world.

2049
01:33:40,719 --> 01:33:46,080
» But it is what we must do. Many of you

2050
01:33:43,920 --> 01:33:47,760
all have lived by different models your

2051
01:33:46,080 --> 01:33:51,199
entire life. I'm sure Judge will

2052
01:33:47,760 --> 01:33:54,239
recognize veritas liberavit vos for the

2053
01:33:51,199 --> 01:33:56,880
truth will make you free from SMU

2054
01:33:54,239 --> 01:33:58,960
disciplina precidium civotas or

2055
01:33:56,880 --> 01:34:01,520
cultivated minds are the guardian genius

2056
01:33:58,960 --> 01:34:03,440
of democracy I'm not asking for you all

2057
01:34:01,520 --> 01:34:06,080
to do what is easy I'm not asking for

2058
01:34:03,440 --> 01:34:07,920
you all to do anything that is easy but

2059
01:34:06,080 --> 01:34:09,440
I am asking for you to abide by what you

2060
01:34:07,920 --> 01:34:10,320
have been said to abide by for your

2061
01:34:09,440 --> 01:34:12,960
entire lives

2062
01:34:10,320 --> 01:34:15,760
» Thank you following Miss Simons we have

2063
01:34:12,960 --> 01:34:15,760
Josiah Weber

2064
01:34:22,320 --> 01:34:27,360
I'm Diane Simons, uh, precinct. Oh, I

2065
01:34:24,960 --> 01:34:30,880
guess it's two now. Um, but I'm also a

2066
01:34:27,360 --> 01:34:33,440
precinct chair 1206. Also, I am a house

2067
01:34:30,880 --> 01:34:36,400
uh, uh,

2068
01:34:33,440 --> 01:34:38,239
coordinator uh, that takes care of 97.

2069
01:34:36,400 --> 01:34:40,639
And I just want to let you know that,

2070
01:34:38,239 --> 01:34:43,679
you know, I've lived and grown up in Ben

2071
01:34:40,639 --> 01:34:45,600
Brook and I still go to KO.

2072
01:34:43,679 --> 01:34:47,520
Why? Because the parking is horrible in

2073
01:34:45,600 --> 01:34:50,080
Benber. And if you're disabled, the

2074
01:34:47,520 --> 01:34:52,560
parking, all the people that park there

2075
01:34:50,080 --> 01:34:54,320
and the parking spot work there. And

2076
01:34:52,560 --> 01:34:56,400
it's

2077
01:34:54,320 --> 01:34:58,080
hard to get around and not actually hit

2078
01:34:56,400 --> 01:35:00,719
somebody if you're doing curbside voting

2079
01:34:58,080 --> 01:35:03,280
as well. Uh KO has a lot of curbside

2080
01:35:00,719 --> 01:35:05,199
voting. And uh anybody that's been

2081
01:35:03,280 --> 01:35:08,159
there, they'll always see that. And so

2082
01:35:05,199 --> 01:35:10,480
you're taken away and people that are in

2083
01:35:08,159 --> 01:35:12,880
a wheelchair, our public transportation

2084
01:35:10,480 --> 01:35:14,480
only holds two people max and people are

2085
01:35:12,880 --> 01:35:16,400
having to wait for the next time to come

2086
01:35:14,480 --> 01:35:19,520
around. You took all the other locations

2087
01:35:16,400 --> 01:35:20,960
out of Fort Worth pretty much. We have

2088
01:35:19,520 --> 01:35:21,360
to be able to get there.

2089
01:35:20,960 --> 01:35:22,560
» Thank you.

2090
01:35:21,360 --> 01:35:26,000
» And you can't take them away.

2091
01:35:22,560 --> 01:35:31,120
» Thank you. Is Josiah Weber present?

2092
01:35:26,000 --> 01:35:33,360
Josiah Weber. Okay. The time is 11:31.

2093
01:35:31,120 --> 01:35:35,520
We are going to take a break, a recess

2094
01:35:33,360 --> 01:35:37,920
until 11:40.

2095
01:35:35,520 --> 01:35:43,080
So, we will be back at 11:40 to continue

2096
01:35:37,920 --> 01:35:43,080
public comments. We're in recess.

2097
01:47:07,360 --> 01:47:10,360
Sorry.

2098
01:47:15,600 --> 01:47:20,560
Yeah.

2099
01:47:18,560 --> 01:47:24,840
» All right. Please go ahead and find your

2100
01:47:20,560 --> 01:47:24,840
seats. Uh we will resume.

2101
01:47:25,119 --> 01:47:33,280
And the next person we have to speak is

2102
01:47:29,040 --> 01:47:37,840
Stella Fair. Following Miss Fair, we

2103
01:47:33,280 --> 01:47:41,440
have Sonia Bole. Is Miss Fair present?

2104
01:47:37,840 --> 01:47:45,159
» I heard her say, "I'm here."

2105
01:47:41,440 --> 01:47:45,159
I think I heard that.

2106
01:47:49,760 --> 01:47:53,280
» Good morning. I guess it's still

2107
01:47:51,040 --> 01:47:56,400
morning. During a commission's court

2108
01:47:53,280 --> 01:47:58,880
meeting in early 2024, one of you said,

2109
01:47:56,400 --> 01:48:00,800
and I quote, "I don't believe it's the

2110
01:47:58,880 --> 01:48:02,400
county government's responsibility to

2111
01:48:00,800 --> 01:48:04,639
try to get more people out to the

2112
01:48:02,400 --> 01:48:07,040
polls." While this statement may be

2113
01:48:04,639 --> 01:48:10,000
true, it is also not your responsibility

2114
01:48:07,040 --> 01:48:12,880
to reduce voter turnout by eliminating

2115
01:48:10,000 --> 01:48:15,040
eliminating access to polling places. It

2116
01:48:12,880 --> 01:48:17,760
is your responsibility, however, to

2117
01:48:15,040 --> 01:48:20,159
ensure that all voters of Tarant County

2118
01:48:17,760 --> 01:48:22,960
have unfettered access to free and fair

2119
01:48:20,159 --> 01:48:24,960
elections. I urge you to honor your duty

2120
01:48:22,960 --> 01:48:26,639
to the voters of this county and reject

2121
01:48:24,960 --> 01:48:30,320
this proposal.

2122
01:48:26,639 --> 01:48:32,000
» Thank you. Uh Sonia Bole present. Uh,

2123
01:48:30,320 --> 01:48:35,000
following Mr. Bole, we have Elizabeth

2124
01:48:32,000 --> 01:48:35,000
Gonzalez.

2125
01:48:36,560 --> 01:48:42,560
» Hello. It's nice to see y'all. Um,

2126
01:48:39,840 --> 01:48:44,480
commissioners, I'm here speaking today

2127
01:48:42,560 --> 01:48:47,040
to urge you not to close any voting

2128
01:48:44,480 --> 01:48:50,159
locations and perhaps add more to HB

2129
01:48:47,040 --> 01:48:51,440
area, DFW area, and other parts of the

2130
01:48:50,159 --> 01:48:54,000
community, especially those serving

2131
01:48:51,440 --> 01:48:55,520
lower income and diverse neighborhoods.

2132
01:48:54,000 --> 01:48:57,600
These communities already face

2133
01:48:55,520 --> 01:48:59,679
significant barriers to voting,

2134
01:48:57,600 --> 01:49:02,239
including limited access to reliable

2135
01:48:59,679 --> 01:49:04,320
transportation and great challenges for

2136
01:49:02,239 --> 01:49:06,239
elderly residents. Reducing polling

2137
01:49:04,320 --> 01:49:08,960
places would only make those obstacles

2138
01:49:06,239 --> 01:49:11,280
worse, forcing people to travel further,

2139
01:49:08,960 --> 01:49:14,239
wait longer, and potentially give up on

2140
01:49:11,280 --> 01:49:16,960
voting altogether. I currently volunteer

2141
01:49:14,239 --> 01:49:19,040
to help seniors in my area to get to

2142
01:49:16,960 --> 01:49:21,760
appointments, grocery visits, and any

2143
01:49:19,040 --> 01:49:23,760
other oblig obligatory appointments that

2144
01:49:21,760 --> 01:49:25,520
they need in their free time. This would

2145
01:49:23,760 --> 01:49:27,119
put a significant obstacle on those

2146
01:49:25,520 --> 01:49:28,800
individuals.

2147
01:49:27,119 --> 01:49:30,960
We have seen in the past elections that

2148
01:49:28,800 --> 01:49:33,040
long wait times, fewer voting sites hit

2149
01:49:30,960 --> 01:49:35,679
workingass and minority voters the

2150
01:49:33,040 --> 01:49:37,679
hardest. This resident, these residents

2151
01:49:35,679 --> 01:49:38,239
deserve the same access to the

2152
01:49:37,679 --> 01:49:40,000
» Thank you.

2153
01:49:38,239 --> 01:49:42,560
» Thank you.

2154
01:49:40,000 --> 01:49:45,520
Uh, Elizabeth Gonzalez. It's Miss

2155
01:49:42,560 --> 01:49:48,800
Gonzalez present.

2156
01:49:45,520 --> 01:49:51,360
Elizabeth Gonzalez.

2157
01:49:48,800 --> 01:49:53,360
Okay. Isabella Barnett.

2158
01:49:51,360 --> 01:49:57,320
» Hi. Following Miss Barnett, we have

2159
01:49:53,360 --> 01:49:57,320
Stephanie McCartney.

2160
01:49:57,760 --> 01:49:59,679
» Hi.

2161
01:49:58,400 --> 01:50:01,520
» Hi.

2162
01:49:59,679 --> 01:50:03,119
» I believe that it is common knowledge to

2163
01:50:01,520 --> 01:50:05,119
most people in this room that having

2164
01:50:03,119 --> 01:50:06,639
equal access to the ballot box is a

2165
01:50:05,119 --> 01:50:09,119
civil right that's recognized and

2166
01:50:06,639 --> 01:50:11,119
protected by the Constitution. I believe

2167
01:50:09,119 --> 01:50:13,679
it is the representatives responsibility

2168
01:50:11,119 --> 01:50:16,159
to protect and uphold that right through

2169
01:50:13,679 --> 01:50:18,080
their actions and policies. That's why

2170
01:50:16,159 --> 01:50:19,840
I'm speaking today to express my deep

2171
01:50:18,080 --> 01:50:21,520
opposition to the motion to close a

2172
01:50:19,840 --> 01:50:23,840
portion of Tarant County's early voting

2173
01:50:21,520 --> 01:50:25,840
locations. To call early voting

2174
01:50:23,840 --> 01:50:27,760
locations a waste of taxpayer money is

2175
01:50:25,840 --> 01:50:29,679
an extremely insensitive and quite

2176
01:50:27,760 --> 01:50:32,239
honestly an insult to the people of

2177
01:50:29,679 --> 01:50:34,320
Tarant County. Personally, I do not

2178
01:50:32,239 --> 01:50:37,360
believe it is an elected officials place

2179
01:50:34,320 --> 01:50:38,960
to hypothesize on how to disengage

2180
01:50:37,360 --> 01:50:41,199
constituents from their civic

2181
01:50:38,960 --> 01:50:42,719
participation. This decision would

2182
01:50:41,199 --> 01:50:44,320
affect college students living on

2183
01:50:42,719 --> 01:50:46,159
campus, specifically those without a

2184
01:50:44,320 --> 01:50:48,320
vehicle, individuals without the means

2185
01:50:46,159 --> 01:50:49,840
to travel, working people without the

2186
01:50:48,320 --> 01:50:51,600
schedule to vote, and those with

2187
01:50:49,840 --> 01:50:53,679
disabilities, and more from marginalized

2188
01:50:51,600 --> 01:50:55,600
communities. To move forward with this

2189
01:50:53,679 --> 01:50:57,119
decision is an active form of voter

2190
01:50:55,600 --> 01:50:59,520
suppression, specifically targeting

2191
01:50:57,119 --> 01:51:00,719
young working voters and black and brown

2192
01:50:59,520 --> 01:51:03,440
voters. Thank you.

2193
01:51:00,719 --> 01:51:04,719
» Thank you. Uh Stephanie McCartney.

2194
01:51:03,440 --> 01:51:08,280
Following Miss McCartney, we have

2195
01:51:04,719 --> 01:51:08,280
Vanessa Nun.

2196
01:51:11,360 --> 01:51:15,760
Tarant County and this court have a

2197
01:51:13,280 --> 01:51:18,400
shameful record. Texas already like

2198
01:51:15,760 --> 01:51:19,920
ranks last in voter access and Tarant

2199
01:51:18,400 --> 01:51:22,719
County is following the state's worst

2200
01:51:19,920 --> 01:51:25,040
trends. We demand transparency and

2201
01:51:22,719 --> 01:51:27,040
justice. We call on this court to

2202
01:51:25,040 --> 01:51:29,760
immediately halt all closures and

2203
01:51:27,040 --> 01:51:32,080
release the full list of cuts. hold

2204
01:51:29,760 --> 01:51:33,760
public hearings in affected areas and

2205
01:51:32,080 --> 01:51:35,920
restore voting access with mobile

2206
01:51:33,760 --> 01:51:38,400
polling units and extended early voting

2207
01:51:35,920 --> 01:51:40,960
like Harris County. This is about

2208
01:51:38,400 --> 01:51:42,560
fairness and if you unwisely proceed, we

2209
01:51:40,960 --> 01:51:44,480
will file federal complaints under the

2210
01:51:42,560 --> 01:51:47,040
Voting Rights Act. We will mobilize

2211
01:51:44,480 --> 01:51:49,119
voters to remember this in November.

2212
01:51:47,040 --> 01:51:51,599
Expose who benefits from silencing

2213
01:51:49,119 --> 01:51:53,920
black, Latino, disabled, young, and

2214
01:51:51,599 --> 01:51:56,159
workingclass voters. The nation is

2215
01:51:53,920 --> 01:51:59,119
watching. Will Tarant County stand for

2216
01:51:56,159 --> 01:52:02,880
democracy or suppression? Thank you.

2217
01:51:59,119 --> 01:52:05,440
Thank you. Uh, Miss Nun, did I call out

2218
01:52:02,880 --> 01:52:07,440
Vanessa Nun?

2219
01:52:05,440 --> 01:52:09,760
I'm calling out Vanessa Nun now. Vanessa

2220
01:52:07,440 --> 01:52:12,800
Nun,

2221
01:52:09,760 --> 01:52:14,880
Jennifer Snowden,

2222
01:52:12,800 --> 01:52:16,719
Vanessa Nun, or Jennifer Snowden. Do we

2223
01:52:14,880 --> 01:52:21,639
still have people outside?

2224
01:52:16,719 --> 01:52:21,639
» Okay. Uh, Sabrina Ball.

2225
01:52:22,400 --> 01:52:29,440
Vanessa Nun, Jennifer Snowden, Sabrina

2226
01:52:25,360 --> 01:52:33,040
Ball. Okay.

2227
01:52:29,440 --> 01:52:35,599
How about Suzanne Mabe?

2228
01:52:33,040 --> 01:52:36,960
Miss Mab, come on up.

2229
01:52:35,599 --> 01:52:41,320
No, we'll go ahead and let her go now.

2230
01:52:36,960 --> 01:52:41,320
Miss Mab, we'll have you second. Okay.

2231
01:52:44,080 --> 01:52:49,280
» Hi, I'm a native Texan and a mom and an

2232
01:52:47,199 --> 01:52:51,119
election judge in Commissioner Ramirez's

2233
01:52:49,280 --> 01:52:53,599
district, or at least I hope to still

2234
01:52:51,119 --> 01:52:55,679
be. At my precinct, we've worked hard to

2235
01:52:53,599 --> 01:52:57,520
grow turnout. I see men and women coming

2236
01:52:55,679 --> 01:52:59,520
straight from long shifts, sweaty and

2237
01:52:57,520 --> 01:53:01,280
tired, but determined to vote. I see

2238
01:52:59,520 --> 01:53:03,920
mothers with children, seniors, and

2239
01:53:01,280 --> 01:53:05,679
veterans who depend on us. These are not

2240
01:53:03,920 --> 01:53:07,679
wealthy families, but they are American

2241
01:53:05,679 --> 01:53:09,840
families with the same right to vote as

2242
01:53:07,679 --> 01:53:12,880
anyone in South Lake. When you cut early

2243
01:53:09,840 --> 01:53:14,480
voting sites like, KOMO, and TCU, sites

2244
01:53:12,880 --> 01:53:16,239
with great access for working families

2245
01:53:14,480 --> 01:53:19,040
and the elderly, you're not saving

2246
01:53:16,239 --> 01:53:21,679
money. You're sacrificing democracy to

2247
01:53:19,040 --> 01:53:24,159
save a buck. Working families built this

2248
01:53:21,679 --> 01:53:27,599
country. Don't silence them now. Stand

2249
01:53:24,159 --> 01:53:30,960
with us, not against us.

2250
01:53:27,599 --> 01:53:34,840
» Next we have Suzanne Mab. Following Miss

2251
01:53:30,960 --> 01:53:34,840
May, we have Gwen Bude.

2252
01:53:38,639 --> 01:53:46,560
» Hi. I I came here to um ask you to

2253
01:53:42,400 --> 01:53:49,360
reconsider these uh selections that you

2254
01:53:46,560 --> 01:53:52,960
presented to us, but uh Commissioner

2255
01:53:49,360 --> 01:53:55,280
Miles stole all my thunder.

2256
01:53:52,960 --> 01:53:58,000
And so I want to second everything that

2257
01:53:55,280 --> 01:54:01,840
he said, but I have a couple of couple

2258
01:53:58,000 --> 01:54:04,000
of small things to say. Uh if your goal

2259
01:54:01,840 --> 01:54:07,280
is to suppress voting, you're doing a

2260
01:54:04,000 --> 01:54:10,800
really good job. And uh there are only

2261
01:54:07,280 --> 01:54:13,920
two sites within loop 820 and the public

2262
01:54:10,800 --> 01:54:17,360
transportation outside of loop 820 is

2263
01:54:13,920 --> 01:54:18,880
non-existent almost. So that needs to be

2264
01:54:17,360 --> 01:54:21,760
rectified.

2265
01:54:18,880 --> 01:54:24,800
And uh then I want I want to ask you why

2266
01:54:21,760 --> 01:54:27,840
should why would you make it harder for

2267
01:54:24,800 --> 01:54:29,520
every year for people to vote? uh you

2268
01:54:27,840 --> 01:54:32,320
are charged with overseeing the

2269
01:54:29,520 --> 01:54:35,679
elections and you shouldn't try and cut

2270
01:54:32,320 --> 01:54:39,040
the budget to keep people from voting by

2271
01:54:35,679 --> 01:54:42,239
removing places to vote. Uh

2272
01:54:39,040 --> 01:54:45,719
» Thank you. Following this birude we have

2273
01:54:42,239 --> 01:54:45,719
Andrew Kawa.

2274
01:54:50,480 --> 01:54:55,760
» Hello Gwen Bude here. I now represent

2275
01:54:53,119 --> 01:54:58,800
Texans Defending Democracy, a nonprofit,

2276
01:54:55,760 --> 01:55:01,440
nonpartisan organization committed to

2277
01:54:58,800 --> 01:55:03,599
protecting Texans right to vote. This

2278
01:55:01,440 --> 01:55:06,480
proposal would reduce Tarant County

2279
01:55:03,599 --> 01:55:08,880
polling locations and it lacks clear

2280
01:55:06,480 --> 01:55:10,480
rationale. Looking at early voting

2281
01:55:08,880 --> 01:55:12,719
locations alone, high turnout and

2282
01:55:10,480 --> 01:55:15,360
polling locations across Tarant County

2283
01:55:12,719 --> 01:55:17,440
such as Brookside Center, KO Community

2284
01:55:15,360 --> 01:55:19,280
Center, and Ulis Family Life Center as

2285
01:55:17,440 --> 01:55:22,159
well as the Golden Triangle location

2286
01:55:19,280 --> 01:55:24,480
would all be closed. while lower turnout

2287
01:55:22,159 --> 01:55:26,719
areas would lose access altogether. As

2288
01:55:24,480 --> 01:55:28,880
Commissioner RmIrez pointed out, this

2289
01:55:26,719 --> 01:55:31,920
means voters will travel farther, face

2290
01:55:28,880 --> 01:55:34,239
longer lines, and depend on limited

2291
01:55:31,920 --> 01:55:36,880
public transportation services.

2292
01:55:34,239 --> 01:55:40,239
Twothirds of the remaining sites are

2293
01:55:36,880 --> 01:55:42,159
hard to reach without a car. And if one

2294
01:55:40,239 --> 01:55:45,440
site shuts down due to technical

2295
01:55:42,159 --> 01:55:48,239
problems, the backup would be the backup

2296
01:55:45,440 --> 01:55:50,560
would be few and far as far as locations

2297
01:55:48,239 --> 01:55:52,960
would be few and far between. These

2298
01:55:50,560 --> 01:55:54,080
closures make voting harder, not easier.

2299
01:55:52,960 --> 01:55:58,679
Please make voting easier.

2300
01:55:54,080 --> 01:55:58,679
» Thank you. Is Andrew Kawa present?

2301
01:55:59,040 --> 01:56:07,159
» All right. K K A W A is how to pronounce

2302
01:56:01,760 --> 01:56:07,159
it. Andrew. Uh Molly Sanchez.

2303
01:56:08,080 --> 01:56:11,560
Katherine Godby.

2304
01:56:12,400 --> 01:56:18,840
All right. Molly Sanchez.

2305
01:56:14,800 --> 01:56:18,840
Miss Godby, come on up.

2306
01:56:20,080 --> 01:56:24,520
following Miss Godby and Zeta.

2307
01:56:27,760 --> 01:56:32,960
I've been trying to understand what it

2308
01:56:29,840 --> 01:56:35,360
means that I'm white. Uh, believe me,

2309
01:56:32,960 --> 01:56:37,840
it's a painful journey. When I first

2310
01:56:35,360 --> 01:56:41,119
learned that this was agendaized today,

2311
01:56:37,840 --> 01:56:44,000
my spirit sank. I'm so tired of these

2312
01:56:41,119 --> 01:56:46,639
racist policies, racist actions by my

2313
01:56:44,000 --> 01:56:48,800
county government. Voter suppression is

2314
01:56:46,639 --> 01:56:51,199
an act of violence. It's in the long

2315
01:56:48,800 --> 01:56:53,440
tradition of what Ben Boswell calls

2316
01:56:51,199 --> 01:56:56,239
white terrorism.

2317
01:56:53,440 --> 01:56:58,800
As in the middle passage, child slavery,

2318
01:56:56,239 --> 01:57:01,360
police brutality, redlinining, mass

2319
01:56:58,800 --> 01:57:03,520
incarceration, gerrymandering, sundown

2320
01:57:01,360 --> 01:57:06,400
towns, lynchings,

2321
01:57:03,520 --> 01:57:08,400
urban renewal, Jim Crow laws. White

2322
01:57:06,400 --> 01:57:11,599
people have been terrorizing black

2323
01:57:08,400 --> 01:57:14,719
people for over 400 years, and we've got

2324
01:57:11,599 --> 01:57:18,320
to stop it. Thank you.

2325
01:57:14,719 --> 01:57:21,840
Uh, an Zeta following Miss Zeta's Aaron

2326
01:57:18,320 --> 01:57:23,760
Perks or Perus.

2327
01:57:21,840 --> 01:57:26,159
» Good morning. I'm An Zeta, newly

2328
01:57:23,760 --> 01:57:27,840
racially gerrymandered into precinct 4.

2329
01:57:26,159 --> 01:57:29,280
I didn't realize until I was preparing

2330
01:57:27,840 --> 01:57:30,880
my remarks that I was dressed all in

2331
01:57:29,280 --> 01:57:32,400
black, but I guess it's apppropo of the

2332
01:57:30,880 --> 01:57:34,719
issue that I'm here to speak on, the

2333
01:57:32,400 --> 01:57:36,400
steady whittling away of our democracy.

2334
01:57:34,719 --> 01:57:37,840
With only one minute to speak, another

2335
01:57:36,400 --> 01:57:39,520
example of your efforts to limit the

2336
01:57:37,840 --> 01:57:41,599
voices of constituents. I will just say

2337
01:57:39,520 --> 01:57:42,880
that I am opposed to the reduction of

2338
01:57:41,599 --> 01:57:44,480
polling locations that

2339
01:57:42,880 --> 01:57:46,480
disproportionately impact black and

2340
01:57:44,480 --> 01:57:47,760
brown voters. Several years ago, while

2341
01:57:46,480 --> 01:57:49,360
serving on the Fort Worth City Council,

2342
01:57:47,760 --> 01:57:51,440
a demographer from Rice University

2343
01:57:49,360 --> 01:57:53,679
presented to us the growth of minority

2344
01:57:51,440 --> 01:57:55,119
community communities that were destined

2345
01:57:53,679 --> 01:57:57,760
to make Fort Worth and Tarant County

2346
01:57:55,119 --> 01:58:00,080
majority minority. And here we are. And

2347
01:57:57,760 --> 01:58:01,679
now we have to fight to ensure that

2348
01:58:00,080 --> 01:58:03,520
those voices are heard. Eliminating

2349
01:58:01,679 --> 01:58:05,040
polling locations will not make people

2350
01:58:03,520 --> 01:58:07,119
go away, but it does make it harder for

2351
01:58:05,040 --> 01:58:09,520
those voices to be heard. This is voter

2352
01:58:07,119 --> 01:58:11,679
suppression. I also wanted to say that

2353
01:58:09,520 --> 01:58:13,199
with the limited process of voters, it's

2354
01:58:11,679 --> 01:58:15,920
about it's not about limiting the

2355
01:58:13,199 --> 01:58:18,000
ability to process voters. It's the

2356
01:58:15,920 --> 01:58:20,159
proximity of voters to hear their vo

2357
01:58:18,000 --> 01:58:22,400
their voices to be heard. And is the

2358
01:58:20,159 --> 01:58:23,440
goal the bare minimum? I keep hearing

2359
01:58:22,400 --> 01:58:27,440
the bare minimum.

2360
01:58:23,440 --> 01:58:29,599
» Thank you. It's Aaron Perkus present.

2361
01:58:27,440 --> 01:58:32,560
Perks, my apologies. Aaron Perks.

2362
01:58:29,599 --> 01:58:33,280
Following Miss Perks is Anan Patel.

2363
01:58:32,560 --> 01:58:34,960
Okay.

2364
01:58:33,280 --> 01:58:37,599
» Hello, I'm Aaron Perks, a resident and

2365
01:58:34,960 --> 01:58:39,199
taxpayer in the 76110 zip code of

2366
01:58:37,599 --> 01:58:40,719
Mistletoe Heights. I'm here today to

2367
01:58:39,199 --> 01:58:43,119
share concerns about the proposed

2368
01:58:40,719 --> 01:58:45,040
closures of early voting locations.

2369
01:58:43,119 --> 01:58:46,560
Under this plan, residents of Mistletoe

2370
01:58:45,040 --> 01:58:48,800
Heights, Berkeley, Tinglewood, Overton

2371
01:58:46,560 --> 01:58:50,320
Park, Monaceel, Crestwood, and many more

2372
01:58:48,800 --> 01:58:52,320
would lose access to long-standing

2373
01:58:50,320 --> 01:58:55,119
voting sites like Southside Community

2374
01:58:52,320 --> 01:58:56,800
Center, TCU, and Health Science Center.

2375
01:58:55,119 --> 01:58:58,400
Leaving only the downtown courthouse,

2376
01:58:56,800 --> 01:59:00,400
which is harder to reach and navigate,

2377
01:58:58,400 --> 01:59:03,119
tens of thousands of residents would be

2378
01:59:00,400 --> 01:59:05,119
funneled into one location. If this is

2379
01:59:03,119 --> 01:59:07,040
about efficiency, why aren't reductions

2380
01:59:05,119 --> 01:59:09,040
distributed evenly across the county?

2381
01:59:07,040 --> 01:59:11,040
Central Fort Worth and historic black

2382
01:59:09,040 --> 01:59:13,119
and Hispanic neighborhoods would be

2383
01:59:11,040 --> 01:59:15,520
disproportionately impacted while other

2384
01:59:13,119 --> 01:59:17,280
areas are left untouched. What steps

2385
01:59:15,520 --> 01:59:19,360
will this court take to ensure that

2386
01:59:17,280 --> 01:59:21,679
these cuts don't unfairly burden some

2387
01:59:19,360 --> 01:59:23,599
communities over others? Trust in our

2388
01:59:21,679 --> 01:59:25,920
system depends on every voter having

2389
01:59:23,599 --> 01:59:27,280
equal unburdened access to the right to

2390
01:59:25,920 --> 01:59:32,560
vote. Thank you very much.

2391
01:59:27,280 --> 01:59:38,520
» Thank you. Uh is Anand Patel present?

2392
01:59:32,560 --> 01:59:38,520
Anand Anand. Uh, next, Loretta Hardman.

2393
01:59:41,920 --> 01:59:44,639
Following Miss Hardman, we have Ivonne

2394
01:59:43,760 --> 01:59:45,440
Thompson.

2395
01:59:44,639 --> 01:59:46,000
» Good morning.

2396
01:59:45,440 --> 01:59:49,199
» Good morning.

2397
01:59:46,000 --> 01:59:51,520
» I am your lead for KO. I would just like

2398
01:59:49,199 --> 01:59:54,880
to say real quick, KO is a welloiled

2399
01:59:51,520 --> 01:59:58,000
machine. We're efficient, professional,

2400
01:59:54,880 --> 02:00:00,159
and if you vote there one time, you'll

2401
01:59:58,000 --> 02:00:02,480
come back. If you come in with a

2402
02:00:00,159 --> 02:00:05,440
problem, I'm going to make sure you have

2403
02:00:02,480 --> 02:00:07,280
a solution. That's my promise.

2404
02:00:05,440 --> 02:00:10,719
Commissioner RmIrez, thank you for

2405
02:00:07,280 --> 02:00:12,960
recognizing Kamo. It's needed. Uh,

2406
02:00:10,719 --> 02:00:15,199
Commissioner Krauss, is that right?

2407
02:00:12,960 --> 02:00:18,440
Happy birthday.

2408
02:00:15,199 --> 02:00:18,440
That's it.

2409
02:00:18,639 --> 02:00:24,080
Uh, Ivon Thompson. It's Ivon Thompson

2410
02:00:21,679 --> 02:00:27,880
present.

2411
02:00:24,080 --> 02:00:27,880
All right. Peter Irvin.

2412
02:00:28,800 --> 02:00:34,080
Uh, Ivon Thompson. I'll call again. Um,

2413
02:00:32,080 --> 02:00:37,040
following Mr. Irvin. We have Aisha

2414
02:00:34,080 --> 02:00:38,880
Hassan.

2415
02:00:37,040 --> 02:00:41,119
» My name is Peter Irvin. I have been a

2416
02:00:38,880 --> 02:00:44,639
resident of Tarant County for four

2417
02:00:41,119 --> 02:00:46,320
years. I urge no demand the court reject

2418
02:00:44,639 --> 02:00:48,239
the proposed early voting and election

2419
02:00:46,320 --> 02:00:50,560
day polling locations for the November

2420
02:00:48,239 --> 02:00:52,639
4th, 2025 joint special and

2421
02:00:50,560 --> 02:00:54,320
constitutional amendment election.

2422
02:00:52,639 --> 02:00:56,000
Furthermore, it appears that at least

2423
02:00:54,320 --> 02:00:57,360
three members of the commissioner's

2424
02:00:56,000 --> 02:01:00,239
court have forgotten our founding

2425
02:00:57,360 --> 02:01:02,320
father's position on petty tyranny. To

2426
02:01:00,239 --> 02:01:04,320
this end, I will remind you that when in

2427
02:01:02,320 --> 02:01:06,480
the course of human events, it becomes

2428
02:01:04,320 --> 02:01:08,000
necessary for one people to dissolve the

2429
02:01:06,480 --> 02:01:10,320
political bands which have connected

2430
02:01:08,000 --> 02:01:12,239
them with another, and to assume the

2431
02:01:10,320 --> 02:01:14,000
powers of the earth, the separate and

2432
02:01:12,239 --> 02:01:16,639
equal station to which the laws of

2433
02:01:14,000 --> 02:01:18,639
nature and of nature's God entitled them

2434
02:01:16,639 --> 02:01:20,239
a decent respect to the opinions of

2435
02:01:18,639 --> 02:01:22,159
mankind requires that they should

2436
02:01:20,239 --> 02:01:24,400
declare the cause which impel them to

2437
02:01:22,159 --> 02:01:26,719
the separation. We hold these truths to

2438
02:01:24,400 --> 02:01:28,880
be self-evident that all men are created

2439
02:01:26,719 --> 02:01:30,880
equal, that they are endowed by their

2440
02:01:28,880 --> 02:01:32,960
creator with certain unalienable rights,

2441
02:01:30,880 --> 02:01:35,599
that among these are life, liberty, and

2442
02:01:32,960 --> 02:01:37,440
the pursuit of happiness. That to secure

2443
02:01:35,599 --> 02:01:38,239
these rights, governments are instituted

2444
02:01:37,440 --> 02:01:41,040
among men.

2445
02:01:38,239 --> 02:01:42,800
» Thank you, sir. Next, we have Aisha

2446
02:01:41,040 --> 02:01:45,199
Hassan. Following Miss Hassan, we have

2447
02:01:42,800 --> 02:01:47,199
Reed Bills.

2448
02:01:45,199 --> 02:01:48,560
» Good morning. My name is Aisha Hassan

2449
02:01:47,199 --> 02:01:51,119
and I live in North Fort Worth in

2450
02:01:48,560 --> 02:01:52,880
precinct 4. I'm speaking in opposition

2451
02:01:51,119 --> 02:01:55,040
to the consideration to approve early

2452
02:01:52,880 --> 02:01:58,960
voting in election day polling locations

2453
02:01:55,040 --> 02:02:00,560
for the November 4th, 2025 election. My

2454
02:01:58,960 --> 02:02:02,480
message today is to you, Commissioner

2455
02:02:00,560 --> 02:02:04,800
Manny Ramirez.

2456
02:02:02,480 --> 02:02:06,719
I am appalled at the idea of shutting

2457
02:02:04,800 --> 02:02:10,239
down so many early voting election day

2458
02:02:06,719 --> 02:02:14,080
polling locations. This is a first class

2459
02:02:10,239 --> 02:02:16,320
example of voter suppression and you

2460
02:02:14,080 --> 02:02:18,480
know it is.

2461
02:02:16,320 --> 02:02:20,080
This proposal disproportionately impacts

2462
02:02:18,480 --> 02:02:22,480
people of color and their right to

2463
02:02:20,080 --> 02:02:25,599
accessible voting locations. You cannot

2464
02:02:22,480 --> 02:02:27,199
possibly stand for this. Um you cannot

2465
02:02:25,599 --> 02:02:29,520
possibly stand for this proposal with

2466
02:02:27,199 --> 02:02:32,000
goodwill and face the people you sought

2467
02:02:29,520 --> 02:02:34,800
to represent just like me knowing you

2468
02:02:32,000 --> 02:02:37,199
are actively suppressing votes. This

2469
02:02:34,800 --> 02:02:39,199
proposal is a disgrace and I ask you as

2470
02:02:37,199 --> 02:02:41,599
a citizen in your precinct to please

2471
02:02:39,199 --> 02:02:44,560
stand on the right side of history and

2472
02:02:41,599 --> 02:02:46,880
not vote for this. Thank you.

2473
02:02:44,560 --> 02:02:51,159
» Thank you. Reed Bills present. Following

2474
02:02:46,880 --> 02:02:51,159
Miss Bills, we have Libby Willis.

2475
02:02:59,840 --> 02:03:05,440
Judge O'Hare and his Republican cohorts

2476
02:03:02,880 --> 02:03:08,719
are again trying to suppress voting in

2477
02:03:05,440 --> 02:03:11,360
Tarant County by drastically cutting the

2478
02:03:08,719 --> 02:03:14,000
number of polling locations, especially

2479
02:03:11,360 --> 02:03:17,119
in places where people of color and

2480
02:03:14,000 --> 02:03:19,679
college students usually vote. I would

2481
02:03:17,119 --> 02:03:22,480
like to address the funding implications

2482
02:03:19,679 --> 02:03:24,719
of this proposal.

2483
02:03:22,480 --> 02:03:28,080
The court

2484
02:03:24,719 --> 02:03:33,080
communication indicates

2485
02:03:28,080 --> 02:03:33,080
there is no fiscal impact.

2486
02:03:33,679 --> 02:03:40,000
Apparently no fiscal impact study was

2487
02:03:37,840 --> 02:03:42,639
conducted.

2488
02:03:40,000 --> 02:03:45,599
So I assume that means there is no

2489
02:03:42,639 --> 02:03:49,840
costsaving to reducing the number of

2490
02:03:45,599 --> 02:03:53,040
locations by half. If that is the case,

2491
02:03:49,840 --> 02:03:56,000
that leaves only political motiv

2492
02:03:53,040 --> 02:03:58,639
motivation for this proposal.

2493
02:03:56,000 --> 02:04:01,440
I urge you to vote against this blatant

2494
02:03:58,639 --> 02:04:03,280
act of voter suppression.

2495
02:04:01,440 --> 02:04:06,159
» Follow. Is Miss Willis present? Libby

2496
02:04:03,280 --> 02:04:08,080
Willis?

2497
02:04:06,159 --> 02:04:13,199
Libby Willis.

2498
02:04:08,080 --> 02:04:18,920
Uh next, uh Anna or Anna Kamarena.

2499
02:04:13,199 --> 02:04:18,920
Miss Kamarena present. Lydia Bean.

2500
02:04:19,199 --> 02:04:24,679
Uh, following Miss Bean, we will have

2501
02:04:21,119 --> 02:04:24,679
Rita Adam.

2502
02:04:27,119 --> 02:04:31,520
My name is Lydia Bean. I'm the chair of

2503
02:04:29,280 --> 02:04:34,000
the Broadway Baptist Justice Committee

2504
02:04:31,520 --> 02:04:36,639
and one of the founders of the Tarant

2505
02:04:34,000 --> 02:04:38,719
County Faith and Justice Coalition. I'm

2506
02:04:36,639 --> 02:04:41,280
speaking here today to ask you to not

2507
02:04:38,719 --> 02:04:43,040
adopt this proposal to close polling

2508
02:04:41,280 --> 02:04:44,880
locations which are disproportionately

2509
02:04:43,040 --> 02:04:47,360
in black and Latino and working-class

2510
02:04:44,880 --> 02:04:49,199
neighborhoods. And I want to remind you

2511
02:04:47,360 --> 02:04:51,840
that the right to vote is not a

2512
02:04:49,199 --> 02:04:53,199
suggestion and it shouldn't depend on

2513
02:04:51,840 --> 02:04:55,520
the color of your skin or the

2514
02:04:53,199 --> 02:04:57,599
neighborhood where you live. And when

2515
02:04:55,520 --> 02:04:59,520
you close polling locations, you make it

2516
02:04:57,599 --> 02:05:02,000
very expensive and timeconuming for

2517
02:04:59,520 --> 02:05:04,480
working people to vote. You force people

2518
02:05:02,000 --> 02:05:08,400
to take off work, to take a bus across

2519
02:05:04,480 --> 02:05:09,840
town, to walk two and a half hours to

2520
02:05:08,400 --> 02:05:13,040
the nearest because that's how long it

2521
02:05:09,840 --> 02:05:16,080
takes to walk 5 miles in Tarant County.

2522
02:05:13,040 --> 02:05:17,840
So creating a pole tax is a violation of

2523
02:05:16,080 --> 02:05:20,159
people's voting rights. Please

2524
02:05:17,840 --> 02:05:21,840
reconsider this list, particularly

2525
02:05:20,159 --> 02:05:23,920
focusing on historic neighborhoods of

2526
02:05:21,840 --> 02:05:25,599
color, and make sure that everyone has a

2527
02:05:23,920 --> 02:05:27,360
polling location where they can easily

2528
02:05:25,599 --> 02:05:29,599
and conveniently vote without having to

2529
02:05:27,360 --> 02:05:33,040
take off work, hire a babysitter. Thank

2530
02:05:29,599 --> 02:05:35,360
you. Is Rita Adam present?

2531
02:05:33,040 --> 02:05:39,560
Rita Adam.

2532
02:05:35,360 --> 02:05:39,560
Uh Alexandria Williams.

2533
02:05:39,599 --> 02:05:43,360
Following Miss Williams, we have Toby

2534
02:05:41,440 --> 02:05:46,320
Laws.

2535
02:05:43,360 --> 02:05:49,040
Hello. I am a Terry County resident,

2536
02:05:46,320 --> 02:05:51,199
college student, and precinct chair 4179

2537
02:05:49,040 --> 02:05:53,920
where early voting will be almost

2538
02:05:51,199 --> 02:05:55,440
non-existent for us. Um our Texas

2539
02:05:53,920 --> 02:05:57,040
Constitution,

2540
02:05:55,440 --> 02:05:59,119
actually, no, I'm sorry. The study by

2541
02:05:57,040 --> 02:06:00,719
Enrico Canton shows that a quarter mile

2542
02:05:59,119 --> 02:06:03,280
increase in travel distance can cause

2543
02:06:00,719 --> 02:06:04,960
voter turnout to drop by 5%. You're

2544
02:06:03,280 --> 02:06:06,560
considering cutting more than 100

2545
02:06:04,960 --> 02:06:09,360
polling places. So, what do you think

2546
02:06:06,560 --> 02:06:11,760
that difference will make? Um, fewer

2547
02:06:09,360 --> 02:06:14,080
sites means longer lines, lower turnout.

2548
02:06:11,760 --> 02:06:16,639
It'll lead to confusion, more mistrust

2549
02:06:14,080 --> 02:06:18,400
and unnecessary boundaries in our

2550
02:06:16,639 --> 02:06:20,080
government. This means seniors,

2551
02:06:18,400 --> 02:06:21,840
students, and families without reliable

2552
02:06:20,080 --> 02:06:23,599
transportation will be unfairly

2553
02:06:21,840 --> 02:06:25,760
burdened. This is not efficient. This is

2554
02:06:23,599 --> 02:06:27,520
voter suppression. These changes will

2555
02:06:25,760 --> 02:06:29,280
fall the hardest on underserved

2556
02:06:27,520 --> 02:06:31,599
communities, young people, and working

2557
02:06:29,280 --> 02:06:33,360
families. And at a time when trust in

2558
02:06:31,599 --> 02:06:35,199
elections is already fragile, cutting

2559
02:06:33,360 --> 02:06:37,599
polling places is a direct spit in the

2560
02:06:35,199 --> 02:06:39,920
face of democracy.

2561
02:06:37,599 --> 02:06:42,079
Voting is a fundamental part of

2562
02:06:39,920 --> 02:06:44,320
democracy and these decisions should

2563
02:06:42,079 --> 02:06:45,040
expand access, not restrict it.

2564
02:06:44,320 --> 02:06:46,000
» Thank you.

2565
02:06:45,040 --> 02:06:48,880
» Thank you.

2566
02:06:46,000 --> 02:06:53,119
» Uh Rita Adam, is Rita Adam present? I

2567
02:06:48,880 --> 02:06:58,040
didn't read that one very long. Toby LS

2568
02:06:53,119 --> 02:06:58,040
following Mr. LS is David Richardson.

2569
02:07:01,040 --> 02:07:08,800
» I too uh disagree with

2570
02:07:04,719 --> 02:07:10,320
this proposal to remove many polling

2571
02:07:08,800 --> 02:07:14,000
locations

2572
02:07:10,320 --> 02:07:18,159
all across the land. People feel as

2573
02:07:14,000 --> 02:07:22,239
though democracy is very much fleeting

2574
02:07:18,159 --> 02:07:26,239
and representation is not

2575
02:07:22,239 --> 02:07:27,920
reflective of the population and those

2576
02:07:26,239 --> 02:07:30,639
entrusted

2577
02:07:27,920 --> 02:07:33,199
to serve the public

2578
02:07:30,639 --> 02:07:36,480
often do not.

2579
02:07:33,199 --> 02:07:39,679
It is very disheartening

2580
02:07:36,480 --> 02:07:43,679
uh for this to even be proposed.

2581
02:07:39,679 --> 02:07:47,760
I admit some appreciation for Mr.

2582
02:07:43,679 --> 02:07:51,599
Ramirez for at least trying to be

2583
02:07:47,760 --> 02:07:54,800
somewhat objective about some things and

2584
02:07:51,599 --> 02:07:57,199
encourage you all to

2585
02:07:54,800 --> 02:07:59,920
not necessarily vote on this, gather

2586
02:07:57,199 --> 02:08:02,400
more detail and truly serve Tarant

2587
02:07:59,920 --> 02:08:04,400
County.

2588
02:08:02,400 --> 02:08:07,400
Following Mr. Richardson. We have Laura

2589
02:08:04,400 --> 02:08:07,400
Leman.

2590
02:08:11,760 --> 02:08:18,320
Thank you.

2591
02:08:13,920 --> 02:08:21,199
We've been drowned in facts and reason

2592
02:08:18,320 --> 02:08:23,520
and enlightenment thinking today. I have

2593
02:08:21,199 --> 02:08:26,000
too much to say for my minute. So, I'm

2594
02:08:23,520 --> 02:08:28,000
going to tell you a story.

2595
02:08:26,000 --> 02:08:29,840
I want to tell you about my neighbor's

2596
02:08:28,000 --> 02:08:33,040
grandmother.

2597
02:08:29,840 --> 02:08:35,920
She lives out past the gravel road where

2598
02:08:33,040 --> 02:08:37,599
the mailbox leans like an old man in the

2599
02:08:35,920 --> 02:08:39,920
wind.

2600
02:08:37,599 --> 02:08:42,719
She's voted in every election since

2601
02:08:39,920 --> 02:08:48,280
1952.

2602
02:08:42,719 --> 02:08:48,280
Rain, shine, or Texas heat.

2603
02:08:49,199 --> 02:08:54,560
Last year, she took two buses and

2604
02:08:52,239 --> 02:08:57,119
arrived from a church volunteer to reach

2605
02:08:54,560 --> 02:08:59,760
her polling place.

2606
02:08:57,119 --> 02:09:02,000
If we cut locations in half, she won't

2607
02:08:59,760 --> 02:09:04,560
make it.

2608
02:09:02,000 --> 02:09:08,239
And if she doesn't vote,

2609
02:09:04,560 --> 02:09:11,280
something sacred goes quiet.

2610
02:09:08,239 --> 02:09:14,880
Not just her voice, but the memory of

2611
02:09:11,280 --> 02:09:17,040
every generation she carried with her in

2612
02:09:14,880 --> 02:09:19,520
that ballot box. Am I done?

2613
02:09:17,040 --> 02:09:22,960
» Yes, sir. I'm assuming that's what that

2614
02:09:19,520 --> 02:09:24,880
beep was. Okay. Um

2615
02:09:22,960 --> 02:09:26,480
All right. Laura Leman is next.

2616
02:09:24,880 --> 02:09:29,480
Following Miss Leman, we have Stacy

2617
02:09:26,480 --> 02:09:29,480
Melo.

2618
02:09:31,920 --> 02:09:36,719
» Good morning. Yes, I'm Laura. Well, here

2619
02:09:34,560 --> 02:09:38,320
we go again. How to cheat and steal to

2620
02:09:36,719 --> 02:09:40,639
keep power by suppressing voting

2621
02:09:38,320 --> 02:09:42,480
opportunities in Tarant County. Leading

2622
02:09:40,639 --> 02:09:45,920
this charge, Judge O'Hare, Commissioner

2623
02:09:42,480 --> 02:09:47,440
Ramirez, and Krauss for the November 4th

2624
02:09:45,920 --> 02:09:49,040
special election. And these three men

2625
02:09:47,440 --> 02:09:51,119
shamelessly want to slash over 100

2626
02:09:49,040 --> 02:09:55,280
polling locations, cutting election day

2627
02:09:51,119 --> 02:09:57,760
sites from 349 down to just 214.

2628
02:09:55,280 --> 02:09:59,440
People are not stupid. While you claim

2629
02:09:57,760 --> 02:10:01,520
this is about efficiency, we all know

2630
02:09:59,440 --> 02:10:02,880
it's really about making voting harder.

2631
02:10:01,520 --> 02:10:05,119
Just like when you tried to close

2632
02:10:02,880 --> 02:10:06,880
college polling locations last year and

2633
02:10:05,119 --> 02:10:08,560
just like you racially gerrymandered the

2634
02:10:06,880 --> 02:10:10,480
county commissioner precincts.

2635
02:10:08,560 --> 02:10:13,760
Commissioner Ramirez, remember when you

2636
02:10:10,480 --> 02:10:15,760
said add more sites, don't take any away

2637
02:10:13,760 --> 02:10:18,800
regarding the college polling locations

2638
02:10:15,760 --> 02:10:22,159
debacle. Stealing power by cheating

2639
02:10:18,800 --> 02:10:24,639
voters lacks morality and it it flies in

2640
02:10:22,159 --> 02:10:27,760
the face of biblical teachings. Proverb

2641
02:10:24,639 --> 02:10:30,079
11, the Lord hates anyone who cheats,

2642
02:10:27,760 --> 02:10:31,599
but he likes everyone who is honest.

2643
02:10:30,079 --> 02:10:34,400
We've had enough of your terrible

2644
02:10:31,599 --> 02:10:35,920
policies. Voters are already what your

2645
02:10:34,400 --> 02:10:41,560
actions are harmful. Thank you,

2646
02:10:35,920 --> 02:10:41,560
» Stacy Melo. Stacy Melo present.

2647
02:10:42,079 --> 02:10:46,840
All right. Following Miss Melo, we have

2648
02:10:43,440 --> 02:10:46,840
Karen Gryom.

2649
02:10:50,159 --> 02:10:56,079
Well, well, well. Here we are again

2650
02:10:52,639 --> 02:10:58,079
fighting for our right to vote. I'm not

2651
02:10:56,079 --> 02:10:59,920
surprised though, as it seems like the

2652
02:10:58,079 --> 02:11:01,840
only thing that y'all are really good

2653
02:10:59,920 --> 02:11:05,280
for is suppressing people's right to

2654
02:11:01,840 --> 02:11:06,880
vote. So, congrats on that. Um, listen,

2655
02:11:05,280 --> 02:11:09,040
I'm not going to sit here and beg y'all

2656
02:11:06,880 --> 02:11:11,840
to do what's right, which is voting

2657
02:11:09,040 --> 02:11:14,000
against this voting list. You already

2658
02:11:11,840 --> 02:11:15,760
know that that's the right thing to do.

2659
02:11:14,000 --> 02:11:18,079
Uh, but I also know that y'all don't

2660
02:11:15,760 --> 02:11:20,239
really care what your constituents have

2661
02:11:18,079 --> 02:11:23,119
to say. You didn't care when you

2662
02:11:20,239 --> 02:11:25,360
racially gerrymandered our precinct maps

2663
02:11:23,119 --> 02:11:26,639
and you don't really care now. Um, so

2664
02:11:25,360 --> 02:11:28,480
really what I just want youall to be

2665
02:11:26,639 --> 02:11:30,000
aware of is that we know that the reason

2666
02:11:28,480 --> 02:11:32,480
that you're doing this is because you're

2667
02:11:30,000 --> 02:11:35,840
scared. You're scared of the reckoning

2668
02:11:32,480 --> 02:11:39,599
that is coming for you in 2026.

2669
02:11:35,840 --> 02:11:42,560
And you should be because we every every

2670
02:11:39,599 --> 02:11:44,800
single time that y'all try to do this BS

2671
02:11:42,560 --> 02:11:47,840
of trying to restrict our right to vote,

2672
02:11:44,800 --> 02:11:49,360
it just lights a fire under us. So I

2673
02:11:47,840 --> 02:11:51,440
hope that you are scared because we are

2674
02:11:49,360 --> 02:11:52,079
coming for your seats in 2026.

2675
02:11:51,440 --> 02:11:53,119
» Thank you.

2676
02:11:52,079 --> 02:11:57,639
» Thank you. All right,

2677
02:11:53,119 --> 02:11:57,639
» Miss Gryom. Is Miss Gryom present?

2678
02:11:57,679 --> 02:12:02,719
Karen Gryom.

2679
02:12:00,880 --> 02:12:05,599
All right. Following Miss Gryom or I

2680
02:12:02,719 --> 02:12:08,079
guess not following but June Naylor

2681
02:12:05,599 --> 02:12:09,679
Harris.

2682
02:12:08,079 --> 02:12:14,840
Approximately how many people are still

2683
02:12:09,679 --> 02:12:14,840
out there? Deputy if you had to guess.

2684
02:12:16,159 --> 02:12:24,199
Okay. Uh June Naylor Harris.

2685
02:12:20,079 --> 02:12:24,199
June Naylor Harris present.

2686
02:12:24,960 --> 02:12:30,800
Jennifer MSUS.

2687
02:12:27,840 --> 02:12:32,639
Jennifer MSAS present.

2688
02:12:30,800 --> 02:12:34,719
Chandler, do we have uh you said there's

2689
02:12:32,639 --> 02:12:36,960
speakers out there, so I'm assuming

2690
02:12:34,719 --> 02:12:38,320
they're right outside those two doors.

2691
02:12:36,960 --> 02:12:39,599
Hear it. I should see them pop up.

2692
02:12:38,320 --> 02:12:40,880
» What I've been told by staff is we're

2693
02:12:39,599 --> 02:12:42,239
trying to call names ahead of time out

2694
02:12:40,880 --> 02:12:42,719
there to have them lined up if they are

2695
02:12:42,239 --> 02:12:46,440
sitting up.

2696
02:12:42,719 --> 02:12:46,440
» All right. Jennifer MSAS,

2697
02:12:47,520 --> 02:12:51,079
uh Charles Bills,

2698
02:12:51,119 --> 02:12:56,119
following Mr. bills is Leavon Cochril.

2699
02:12:57,520 --> 02:13:02,639
» I want to reiterate something that Mr.

2700
02:12:59,520 --> 02:13:04,880
Miles said about uh that the voters when

2701
02:13:02,639 --> 02:13:07,360
they come they want a place that they

2702
02:13:04,880 --> 02:13:09,199
always know they can go to vote and when

2703
02:13:07,360 --> 02:13:11,920
you close something that's been around

2704
02:13:09,199 --> 02:13:14,159
like Komo Center has always been open

2705
02:13:11,920 --> 02:13:16,159
for voting and have it suddenly not be

2706
02:13:14,159 --> 02:13:18,880
available to voting that that just

2707
02:13:16,159 --> 02:13:20,719
causes way too much stress and

2708
02:13:18,880 --> 02:13:22,400
confusion. You know, there's not

2709
02:13:20,719 --> 02:13:24,400
anything buddy saying, "No, now you have

2710
02:13:22,400 --> 02:13:26,400
to go three miles away." There's just

2711
02:13:24,400 --> 02:13:29,840
nothing. There's just no voting there,

2712
02:13:26,400 --> 02:13:32,239
and that's just not acceptable.

2713
02:13:29,840 --> 02:13:36,760
Uh, Miss Cochril, following Miss Cochril

2714
02:13:32,239 --> 02:13:36,760
is Wesie Anderson, Jr.

2715
02:13:39,920 --> 02:13:46,000
Being unpopular is a problem. Better

2716
02:13:42,960 --> 02:13:50,159
lost Taran County by only 24,319

2717
02:13:46,000 --> 02:13:52,000
votes. Judge O'Hare, you won by 34,9 69

2718
02:13:50,159 --> 02:13:55,119
votes and Commissioner Ramirez, you won

2719
02:13:52,000 --> 02:13:58,480
by 23,628.

2720
02:13:55,119 --> 02:14:01,920
But 38,000 registered Democrats who live

2721
02:13:58,480 --> 02:14:05,040
on the north side did not vote.

2722
02:14:01,920 --> 02:14:07,840
Cutting $81 million to JPS, ICE raids,

2723
02:14:05,040 --> 02:14:10,159
locking up Nicole Collier, Taran County,

2724
02:14:07,840 --> 02:14:12,800
Trump's approval rating is 38% and

2725
02:14:10,159 --> 02:14:14,880
falling. Republics are unpopular.

2726
02:14:12,800 --> 02:14:17,760
Hurting people is unpopular. Cutting

2727
02:14:14,880 --> 02:14:20,719
polling places is unpopular.

2728
02:14:17,760 --> 02:14:24,480
and you work basically one day a month

2729
02:14:20,719 --> 02:14:26,000
for a 220,000 plus salary.

2730
02:14:24,480 --> 02:14:28,239
I laugh because you can't stop

2731
02:14:26,000 --> 02:14:29,679
publicity, the doortodoor explainers,

2732
02:14:28,239 --> 02:14:32,480
the continuous phone calls to the

2733
02:14:29,679 --> 02:14:35,679
Democratic headquarters, our thousands

2734
02:14:32,480 --> 02:14:37,520
of volunteer forms filled out. You can't

2735
02:14:35,679 --> 02:14:39,280
calm the anxiety in Tarant County

2736
02:14:37,520 --> 02:14:39,920
because you created it.

2737
02:14:39,280 --> 02:14:42,960
» Thank you.

2738
02:14:39,920 --> 02:14:45,520
» You awoke a low blood sugar giant.

2739
02:14:42,960 --> 02:14:49,400
» Please step away from the microphone.

2740
02:14:45,520 --> 02:14:49,400
Um Wesie Anderson.

2741
02:14:49,440 --> 02:14:53,199
Mr. Anderson.

2742
02:14:50,960 --> 02:14:55,040
» Okay. Following Mr. Anderson is Kristen

2743
02:14:53,199 --> 02:14:56,880
Hartwell.

2744
02:14:55,040 --> 02:14:59,840
» Well, good afternoon. Afternoon,

2745
02:14:56,880 --> 02:15:01,840
» Texas. Been here two years. Only thing I

2746
02:14:59,840 --> 02:15:04,320
heard since I've been here is voter

2747
02:15:01,840 --> 02:15:07,040
suppression. My question for you on the

2748
02:15:04,320 --> 02:15:11,239
redistricting is how does it affect you

2749
02:15:07,040 --> 02:15:11,239
three as far as your neighborhoods

2750
02:15:11,920 --> 02:15:17,639
polling closes? How does it affect you

2751
02:15:13,360 --> 02:15:17,639
three people?

2752
02:15:18,480 --> 02:15:21,520
» It's not It's not a Q&A. Use your minute

2753
02:15:20,560 --> 02:15:23,440
however you choose.

2754
02:15:21,520 --> 02:15:25,040
» Okay. Well, everybody's complaining

2755
02:15:23,440 --> 02:15:26,719
about voters being suppressed. I don't

2756
02:15:25,040 --> 02:15:30,199
hear anybody on your side of town say

2757
02:15:26,719 --> 02:15:30,199
y'all losing voters.

2758
02:15:32,560 --> 02:15:39,369
It's crickets.

2759
02:15:35,020 --> 02:15:39,369
[Music]

2760
02:15:39,520 --> 02:15:42,719
» Anything else?

2761
02:15:40,400 --> 02:15:44,320
» That is all, sir. I got 15 seconds

2762
02:15:42,719 --> 02:15:45,679
» Not to just stand there and do nothing.

2763
02:15:44,320 --> 02:15:47,119
So, thank you, sir. No problem.

2764
02:15:45,679 --> 02:15:48,960
» Miss Hartwell is next.

2765
02:15:47,119 --> 02:15:50,320
» It doesn't affect their districts.

2766
02:15:48,960 --> 02:15:50,639
Redistricting didn't affect their

2767
02:15:50,320 --> 02:15:51,840
district.

2768
02:15:50,639 --> 02:15:53,440
» Commissioner Simmons, you just brought

2769
02:15:51,840 --> 02:15:54,800
up that one of my polling places was

2770
02:15:53,440 --> 02:15:56,400
closed. It was in one of the top 10

2771
02:15:54,800 --> 02:15:57,920
polling places in all of Tarant County.

2772
02:15:56,400 --> 02:16:00,880
So, I wouldn't say that's exactly true.

2773
02:15:57,920 --> 02:16:03,599
» Miss Miss Hartwell, is Miss Hartwell

2774
02:16:00,880 --> 02:16:07,400
present?

2775
02:16:03,599 --> 02:16:07,400
Jerry Michael Stein.

2776
02:16:09,040 --> 02:16:13,719
Following Mr. Stein is Donna Reagan.

2777
02:16:15,599 --> 02:16:21,360
» Jerry Stein, precinct number one. Uh,

2778
02:16:19,199 --> 02:16:23,280
Commissioner Miles summarized most of my

2779
02:16:21,360 --> 02:16:24,719
major points. I just the only original

2780
02:16:23,280 --> 02:16:26,719
thought I could add here is that there

2781
02:16:24,719 --> 02:16:29,119
are consequences for your actions and

2782
02:16:26,719 --> 02:16:31,760
I'd like you to think about that dearly.

2783
02:16:29,119 --> 02:16:33,920
When you cut off the ability to pe for

2784
02:16:31,760 --> 02:16:36,160
people to express their views

2785
02:16:33,920 --> 02:16:37,760
peacefully, then you have people coming

2786
02:16:36,160 --> 02:16:40,639
out at a meeting like this. Then you

2787
02:16:37,760 --> 02:16:42,719
have them go having large rallies at

2788
02:16:40,639 --> 02:16:45,200
Barnett Park. After that, there are less

2789
02:16:42,719 --> 02:16:46,960
than peaceful actions and and that's

2790
02:16:45,200 --> 02:16:49,519
something that concerns me and should

2791
02:16:46,960 --> 02:16:51,840
concern you. Don't cut off people's

2792
02:16:49,519 --> 02:16:52,800
peaceful expression of their views.

2793
02:16:51,840 --> 02:16:55,359
Thank you.

2794
02:16:52,800 --> 02:16:59,280
» Thank you. Are you Miss Hartwell? Are

2795
02:16:55,359 --> 02:17:01,200
you Miss Reagan? Miss Reagan.

2796
02:16:59,280 --> 02:17:04,160
Following Miss Reagan, we have Andrew

2797
02:17:01,200 --> 02:17:05,920
Fizer.

2798
02:17:04,160 --> 02:17:08,719
» Good morning. My name is Donna Reagan

2799
02:17:05,920 --> 02:17:11,200
and it's my first time to appear here.

2800
02:17:08,719 --> 02:17:13,760
Um, I understand it's customary to

2801
02:17:11,200 --> 02:17:15,519
address the court as your honors.

2802
02:17:13,760 --> 02:17:17,840
However,

2803
02:17:15,519 --> 02:17:20,160
the only honor I've picked up on here is

2804
02:17:17,840 --> 02:17:21,679
honor among thieves. Thieves who are

2805
02:17:20,160 --> 02:17:26,000
trying to steal the power of we the

2806
02:17:21,679 --> 02:17:27,439
people. While voter suppression is no

2807
02:17:26,000 --> 02:17:29,760
laughing matter, it seems to be the

2808
02:17:27,439 --> 02:17:31,120
running gag of this court.

2809
02:17:29,760 --> 02:17:33,120
Instead of fulfilling your duty to

2810
02:17:31,120 --> 02:17:35,120
safeguard fair elections, you're focused

2811
02:17:33,120 --> 02:17:37,760
on delivering the same sad punchlines

2812
02:17:35,120 --> 02:17:39,840
over and over. Play party politics,

2813
02:17:37,760 --> 02:17:42,080
disenfranchise voters, target

2814
02:17:39,840 --> 02:17:44,080
communities of color. When officials

2815
02:17:42,080 --> 02:17:46,080
manipulate who gets to vote, who gets

2816
02:17:44,080 --> 02:17:48,080
streamline of a process, and who gets

2817
02:17:46,080 --> 02:17:50,800
stuck at the back of the line, it's not

2818
02:17:48,080 --> 02:17:53,040
honorable. It's cowardly.

2819
02:17:50,800 --> 02:17:54,479
It's fixing the game before it's played

2820
02:17:53,040 --> 02:17:57,040
just so you don't have to face a fair

2821
02:17:54,479 --> 02:17:59,840
fight. And if you think racism is hidden

2822
02:17:57,040 --> 02:18:01,280
by bureaucratical language, think again.

2823
02:17:59,840 --> 02:18:03,280
Denying minority groups their voice

2824
02:18:01,280 --> 02:18:05,040
isn't just a bad joke, it's the oldest,

2825
02:18:03,280 --> 02:18:05,599
ugliest reoccurring joke in American

2826
02:18:05,040 --> 02:18:06,479
history.

2827
02:18:05,599 --> 02:18:07,040
» Thank you.

2828
02:18:06,479 --> 02:18:10,240
» Thank you.

2829
02:18:07,040 --> 02:18:12,399
» Andrew Fizer present. Andrew Fizer

2830
02:18:10,240 --> 02:18:14,240
Fiser.

2831
02:18:12,399 --> 02:18:18,160
Uh

2832
02:18:14,240 --> 02:18:21,160
Destin or Destiny Denini.

2833
02:18:18,160 --> 02:18:21,160
Destiny.

2834
02:18:22,000 --> 02:18:27,800
Following Miss Denini is Katherine Cano.

2835
02:18:32,160 --> 02:18:36,479
I was born and raised in Fort Worth. I

2836
02:18:34,800 --> 02:18:37,679
live in Ridgely Hills now with my

2837
02:18:36,479 --> 02:18:41,200
husband where we're raising our

2838
02:18:37,679 --> 02:18:43,920
beautiful little girl. I am a Texan. I

2839
02:18:41,200 --> 02:18:46,880
get when I get excited, my eye sounds

2840
02:18:43,920 --> 02:18:50,559
get longer. If I see a need, I scream

2841
02:18:46,880 --> 02:18:53,120
and I help. I scream at the TV just like

2842
02:18:50,559 --> 02:18:55,840
everyone else when the game is on. As a

2843
02:18:53,120 --> 02:18:57,679
Texan, if I make a mistake, I accept

2844
02:18:55,840 --> 02:19:00,639
accountability and make amends when

2845
02:18:57,679 --> 02:19:02,639
necessary. If I lose, though I may not

2846
02:19:00,639 --> 02:19:06,479
be happy about it, I can shake my

2847
02:19:02,639 --> 02:19:08,559
opponent's hand and say, "Good game."

2848
02:19:06,479 --> 02:19:10,880
And when I have a problem with someone

2849
02:19:08,559 --> 02:19:13,280
as a Texan, I can look them in the eye

2850
02:19:10,880 --> 02:19:15,200
and say, "So, I have a problem with

2851
02:19:13,280 --> 02:19:18,880
you."

2852
02:19:15,200 --> 02:19:21,439
I ask that if polling places are being

2853
02:19:18,880 --> 02:19:24,319
added for the November 4th elections,

2854
02:19:21,439 --> 02:19:26,160
current polling places not be removed.

2855
02:19:24,319 --> 02:19:29,519
To be a part of a team, you earn your

2856
02:19:26,160 --> 02:19:31,280
spot. As repres as representatives of

2857
02:19:29,519 --> 02:19:33,200
this county, it is your job to rise to

2858
02:19:31,280 --> 02:19:34,800
the occasion and meet the needs of all

2859
02:19:33,200 --> 02:19:39,800
your constituents.

2860
02:19:34,800 --> 02:19:39,800
» Thank you. Is Miss Kano present?

2861
02:19:41,920 --> 02:19:45,399
Gary McMatterin

2862
02:19:45,760 --> 02:19:50,200
Gary Mcmadaran Gary McMatterin

2863
02:19:50,560 --> 02:19:54,040
Steve Christian

2864
02:19:54,800 --> 02:20:02,319
following Mr. Christian Sad Dumis

2865
02:19:59,040 --> 02:20:05,200
Thank you. I'm a lifelong resident of

2866
02:20:02,319 --> 02:20:08,399
Fort Worth um precinct 4 live in

2867
02:20:05,200 --> 02:20:10,080
precinct 4. Thank you uh Commissioner

2868
02:20:08,399 --> 02:20:12,319
Miles for everything you said and a lot

2869
02:20:10,080 --> 02:20:15,520
of others saved me some time in my one

2870
02:20:12,319 --> 02:20:17,600
minute. Um the main thing that I got

2871
02:20:15,520 --> 02:20:21,840
from the presentation from staff today

2872
02:20:17,600 --> 02:20:26,960
was we have low voter turnout and so the

2873
02:20:21,840 --> 02:20:28,880
answer to that is to cut polling places.

2874
02:20:26,960 --> 02:20:32,560
What that something doesn't seem right

2875
02:20:28,880 --> 02:20:34,080
with that to me. Um but um I'm

2876
02:20:32,560 --> 02:20:35,760
particularly

2877
02:20:34,080 --> 02:20:39,200
everyone else has spoken eloquently

2878
02:20:35,760 --> 02:20:41,680
about the other reasons for this. I'll

2879
02:20:39,200 --> 02:20:44,319
speak for the college students and the

2880
02:20:41,680 --> 02:20:47,520
fact that eliminating all polling places

2881
02:20:44,319 --> 02:20:49,280
from colleges and universities is

2882
02:20:47,520 --> 02:20:52,240
sending them a message that their voices

2883
02:20:49,280 --> 02:20:54,240
are not valued and it discourages civic

2884
02:20:52,240 --> 02:20:56,479
engagement for our next generation of

2885
02:20:54,240 --> 02:20:58,560
leaders which I can hardly wait for them

2886
02:20:56,479 --> 02:21:00,880
to get here.

2887
02:20:58,560 --> 02:21:02,240
In a healthy democracy. In a healthy

2888
02:21:00,880 --> 02:21:04,479
democracy. Thank you, sir. We should be

2889
02:21:02,240 --> 02:21:05,520
working to expand access.

2890
02:21:04,479 --> 02:21:06,720
» Thank you, sir.

2891
02:21:05,520 --> 02:21:09,040
» Thank you.

2892
02:21:06,720 --> 02:21:11,439
» Are you Miss Dumis?

2893
02:21:09,040 --> 02:21:15,439
» No. Did I call your name?

2894
02:21:11,439 --> 02:21:18,319
» Okay. Please state your name for us.

2895
02:21:15,439 --> 02:21:20,479
» Good afternoon, Shade Dumas.

2896
02:21:18,319 --> 02:21:23,439
I want to speak against reducing polling

2897
02:21:20,479 --> 02:21:25,359
locations because saving a little over a

2898
02:21:23,439 --> 02:21:27,920
million dollars are meeting the minimum

2899
02:21:25,359 --> 02:21:29,680
requirement under the Springer bill does

2900
02:21:27,920 --> 02:21:31,200
not outweigh the harm of

2901
02:21:29,680 --> 02:21:34,080
disenfranchising

2902
02:21:31,200 --> 02:21:36,479
tens of thousands of voters. Democracy

2903
02:21:34,080 --> 02:21:39,520
demands more than the bare minimum. It

2904
02:21:36,479 --> 02:21:41,840
demands fairness and full access.

2905
02:21:39,520 --> 02:21:45,439
Polling locations are not simply numbers

2906
02:21:41,840 --> 02:21:48,000
on a budget sheet. Each site represents

2907
02:21:45,439 --> 02:21:52,080
real people, real communities, and their

2908
02:21:48,000 --> 02:21:55,040
voices matter. Their votes matter. And

2909
02:21:52,080 --> 02:21:56,960
honestly, voting should not depend on

2910
02:21:55,040 --> 02:22:00,000
whether a community has the financial

2911
02:21:56,960 --> 02:22:02,160
resources to buy its way into democracy.

2912
02:22:00,000 --> 02:22:05,520
That in itself undermines the principle

2913
02:22:02,160 --> 02:22:07,920
of equal access. It erodess trust and it

2914
02:22:05,520 --> 02:22:10,080
weakens our democracy. So, I urge you

2915
02:22:07,920 --> 02:22:12,720
all to reject reducing polling

2916
02:22:10,080 --> 02:22:15,040
locations. It is time to expand access

2917
02:22:12,720 --> 02:22:15,920
to the ballot box, not to reduce it.

2918
02:22:15,040 --> 02:22:18,160
Thank you.

2919
02:22:15,920 --> 02:22:18,880
» Thank you, S Dumis.

2920
02:22:18,160 --> 02:22:21,120
» That was me.

2921
02:22:18,880 --> 02:22:25,160
» Oh,

2922
02:22:21,120 --> 02:22:25,160
Kelly Tuful.

2923
02:22:29,280 --> 02:22:33,840
Okay. Kelly Tuful.

2924
02:22:31,680 --> 02:22:37,880
TOEFL.

2925
02:22:33,840 --> 02:22:37,880
Allan Loba.

2926
02:22:38,880 --> 02:22:46,479
Callie Tuful. All right, Mr. Loba,

2927
02:22:41,760 --> 02:22:48,319
following Mr. Loba is Jessica Irvin.

2928
02:22:46,479 --> 02:22:50,000
» Thank you so much. With all due respect

2929
02:22:48,319 --> 02:22:52,080
to my good friend Stella, I thought the

2930
02:22:50,000 --> 02:22:54,319
quote was, "It's not our job to make

2931
02:22:52,080 --> 02:22:56,479
voting easier." I'd love to debate that

2932
02:22:54,319 --> 02:22:58,319
when we have more than a minute, but I

2933
02:22:56,479 --> 02:23:00,080
only have a minute. So, I would tell you

2934
02:22:58,319 --> 02:23:02,800
that hardwired into your job

2935
02:23:00,080 --> 02:23:06,800
descriptions, woven into the fabric of

2936
02:23:02,800 --> 02:23:10,080
your calling is to make life better for

2937
02:23:06,800 --> 02:23:12,399
every resident in Tarant County.

2938
02:23:10,080 --> 02:23:14,880
» Serve every resident of Tarant County,

2939
02:23:12,399 --> 02:23:17,439
make their lives better. All due

2940
02:23:14,880 --> 02:23:19,439
respect, I love what you've said to us.

2941
02:23:17,439 --> 02:23:22,880
You're my representative on this

2942
02:23:19,439 --> 02:23:27,760
council. I've heard two phrases, bare

2943
02:23:22,880 --> 02:23:31,439
minimum, 10 mile radius. you can close

2944
02:23:27,760 --> 02:23:34,080
20 of the closest uh polling places near

2945
02:23:31,439 --> 02:23:36,319
my house. I'll get in my car. I'll

2946
02:23:34,080 --> 02:23:39,760
Google where I need to go. I'll get

2947
02:23:36,319 --> 02:23:42,319
there. But making somebody walk 9 and a

2948
02:23:39,760 --> 02:23:44,720
half miles to a polling place because

2949
02:23:42,319 --> 02:23:47,600
they have limited resources, limited

2950
02:23:44,720 --> 02:23:48,560
time, limited access to transportation.

2951
02:23:47,600 --> 02:23:49,600
» Thank you, sir.

2952
02:23:48,560 --> 02:23:52,479
» Polling tax.

2953
02:23:49,600 --> 02:23:57,080
» Mr. Irvin or Mrs. Irvin, I'm sorry.

2954
02:23:52,479 --> 02:23:57,080
Jessica Irvin, sir. Jessica Urban

2955
02:24:02,640 --> 02:24:11,479
Libertad Heredia

2956
02:24:06,240 --> 02:24:11,479
following Miss Heredia is Richard Perez.

2957
02:24:21,920 --> 02:24:25,920
Um, hi. My statements aren't very

2958
02:24:24,160 --> 02:24:27,920
polished because like a lot of people, I

2959
02:24:25,920 --> 02:24:29,840
was blindsided by, you know, this map

2960
02:24:27,920 --> 02:24:31,840
that came out with the suggested polling

2961
02:24:29,840 --> 02:24:33,600
location closures. And as I was sitting

2962
02:24:31,840 --> 02:24:35,280
here listening to uh members of this

2963
02:24:33,600 --> 02:24:38,240
court, I realized that a lot of you guys

2964
02:24:35,280 --> 02:24:40,479
were also blindsided. And I commend uh

2965
02:24:38,240 --> 02:24:41,840
the commissioners from precincts 1, 2,

2966
02:24:40,479 --> 02:24:46,560
and four for voicing their concerns and

2967
02:24:41,840 --> 02:24:48,960
standing on their principles. Um I

2968
02:24:46,560 --> 02:24:50,720
I suppose I am echoing the sentiment of

2969
02:24:48,960 --> 02:24:53,760
a lot of people here in saying that

2970
02:24:50,720 --> 02:24:55,600
adding additional hurdles uh in response

2971
02:24:53,760 --> 02:24:57,840
to low voter turnout is the wrong

2972
02:24:55,600 --> 02:25:00,240
approach to take. Um it's a degradation

2973
02:24:57,840 --> 02:25:02,000
of our democratic institutions and that

2974
02:25:00,240 --> 02:25:04,479
hurts everybody regardless of our

2975
02:25:02,000 --> 02:25:05,680
personal beliefs. Even if you might feel

2976
02:25:04,479 --> 02:25:07,359
like you're winning something,

2977
02:25:05,680 --> 02:25:11,280
ultimately we all lose if we allow this

2978
02:25:07,359 --> 02:25:13,760
to happen. and respectfully contrato um

2979
02:25:11,280 --> 02:25:16,960
if we are concerned about budget I would

2980
02:25:13,760 --> 02:25:19,359
suggest you look at your taxpayer funded

2981
02:25:16,960 --> 02:25:22,160
salaries before cutting access to voting

2982
02:25:19,359 --> 02:25:24,960
locations respectfully thank you

2983
02:25:22,160 --> 02:25:26,800
» Is Mr. Richard Perez here all right

2984
02:25:24,960 --> 02:25:28,300
following Mr. Perez. We have Deborah

2985
02:25:26,800 --> 02:25:30,560
Kratkkey.

2986
02:25:28,300 --> 02:25:34,160
[Music]

2987
02:25:30,560 --> 02:25:37,680
» I'm Richard Perez and I live in District

2988
02:25:34,160 --> 02:25:40,800
2 near the historic stocky darts and I

2989
02:25:37,680 --> 02:25:42,960
stand firm with District 2 Councilman

2990
02:25:40,800 --> 02:25:45,760
Carlos Flores and District 11

2991
02:25:42,960 --> 02:25:47,920
Councilwoman Janette Martinez as they

2992
02:25:45,760 --> 02:25:51,359
both oppose this proposal. They've

2993
02:25:47,920 --> 02:25:54,000
released statements as of yesterday. I

2994
02:25:51,359 --> 02:25:56,399
live in the historic area of Fort Worth

2995
02:25:54,000 --> 02:25:58,800
near the stockyards. I also live four

2996
02:25:56,399 --> 02:26:01,680
blocks from a infamous historic building

2997
02:25:58,800 --> 02:26:04,080
called the Ellis Picon factory. We know

2998
02:26:01,680 --> 02:26:06,479
the initial purpose of that building was

2999
02:26:04,080 --> 02:26:09,520
the Fort Worth Claver at the beginning

3000
02:26:06,479 --> 02:26:12,160
of the 20th century and that was used to

3001
02:26:09,520 --> 02:26:16,240
intimidate people in North Side, black

3002
02:26:12,160 --> 02:26:17,760
and brown people, people of diversity.

3003
02:26:16,240 --> 02:26:19,760
They were known for suppression of

3004
02:26:17,760 --> 02:26:21,200
voting.

3005
02:26:19,760 --> 02:26:23,200
Uh they were known for their

3006
02:26:21,200 --> 02:26:25,680
intimidation.

3007
02:26:23,200 --> 02:26:27,840
I would hate to see that our great Fort

3008
02:26:25,680 --> 02:26:31,120
Worth and I my family's been here 80

3009
02:26:27,840 --> 02:26:32,160
years. I'd hate to see them.

3010
02:26:31,120 --> 02:26:33,040
» Thank you, sir.

3011
02:26:32,160 --> 02:26:37,880
» Thank you.

3012
02:26:33,040 --> 02:26:37,880
» Following Miss Katr, we have Amy Super.

3013
02:26:38,479 --> 02:26:42,720
» Yes, Debbie Katr here. Um in listening

3014
02:26:41,120 --> 02:26:44,560
to the other comments, I'm not going to

3015
02:26:42,720 --> 02:26:46,080
add what's already been said, but there

3016
02:26:44,560 --> 02:26:48,399
are two things that concerned me. And

3017
02:26:46,080 --> 02:26:50,720
one of them was the fact when you asked

3018
02:26:48,399 --> 02:26:52,399
the electeduh the elections official if

3019
02:26:50,720 --> 02:26:54,560
the amendments were the only thing on

3020
02:26:52,399 --> 02:26:57,439
the ballot and he said yes. That's not

3021
02:26:54,560 --> 02:26:59,920
true. Actually Senate uh Senate seat

3022
02:26:57,439 --> 02:27:01,680
that's currently held by Kelly. Uh

3023
02:26:59,920 --> 02:27:03,600
» Yeah, I said that.

3024
02:27:01,680 --> 02:27:07,040
» There you go. Okay. Then the last thing

3025
02:27:03,600 --> 02:27:10,160
I'm going to say is in 1873 there was a

3026
02:27:07,040 --> 02:27:13,120
Dallas resident who said that Fort Worth

3027
02:27:10,160 --> 02:27:15,439
was very much like a sleeping panther.

3028
02:27:13,120 --> 02:27:18,720
And the one thing I can promise you is

3029
02:27:15,439 --> 02:27:22,880
that panther has awoken and we will see

3030
02:27:18,720 --> 02:27:27,730
you at the ballot box. Uh Amy Super

3031
02:27:22,880 --> 02:27:30,820
following Miss Super Stanley Johnson.

3032
02:27:27,730 --> 02:27:30,820
[Music]

3033
02:27:31,760 --> 02:27:37,359
» Facts matter. All voters still have the

3034
02:27:34,720 --> 02:27:39,120
same 12 days, 121 hours plus election

3035
02:27:37,359 --> 02:27:41,280
day, another 12 hours to cast their

3036
02:27:39,120 --> 02:27:44,080
votes. Nothing changes with that. That's

3037
02:27:41,280 --> 02:27:45,920
not voter suppression. I analyzed the

3038
02:27:44,080 --> 02:27:47,359
data. I told Commissioner Simmons how to

3039
02:27:45,920 --> 02:27:49,840
analyze the data. Guess she didn't want

3040
02:27:47,359 --> 02:27:51,760
to do that. It clearly shows us where

3041
02:27:49,840 --> 02:27:53,520
people want to go to vote and which

3042
02:27:51,760 --> 02:27:57,520
places they prefer not to choose to vote

3043
02:27:53,520 --> 02:27:59,439
at. This proposed plan reflects that. Uh

3044
02:27:57,520 --> 02:28:02,720
the proposed list is a direct reflection

3045
02:27:59,439 --> 02:28:07,359
of that data. Here's a fun fact. 202021

3046
02:28:02,720 --> 02:28:09,920
um 48 EV sites voter turnout 8.29. 2023

3047
02:28:07,359 --> 02:28:15,040
you took away four

3048
02:28:09,920 --> 02:28:17,280
voter turnout went up not down. Okay. Do

3049
02:28:15,040 --> 02:28:18,640
do you get that? Okay. I'd remind you

3050
02:28:17,280 --> 02:28:20,240
once again of your responsibility. Take

3051
02:28:18,640 --> 02:28:21,600
a more pragmatic approach when making

3052
02:28:20,240 --> 02:28:23,680
decisions that involve how our tax

3053
02:28:21,600 --> 02:28:25,600
dollars are spent. Million dollars would

3054
02:28:23,680 --> 02:28:27,840
cover your salary. So that's a savings I

3055
02:28:25,600 --> 02:28:29,920
would think is good. I do recommend also

3056
02:28:27,840 --> 02:28:32,880
to get KO back. Great parking and one of

3057
02:28:29,920 --> 02:28:35,439
the best crew sites in Karent County.

3058
02:28:32,880 --> 02:28:38,240
» Thank you. Is Mr. Johnson present?

3059
02:28:35,439 --> 02:28:41,880
Stanley Johnson. Following Mr. Johnson,

3060
02:28:38,240 --> 02:28:41,880
we have Nidia Cardinis.

3061
02:28:42,399 --> 02:28:47,840
» I have a rhetorical question for the

3062
02:28:44,960 --> 02:28:51,120
judge and the election administrator.

3063
02:28:47,840 --> 02:28:56,880
Uh, but I want to preface it by this uh

3064
02:28:51,120 --> 02:28:58,800
quote uh from our uh highly uh respected

3065
02:28:56,880 --> 02:29:02,319
previous election administrator in his

3066
02:28:58,800 --> 02:29:04,960
protest uh uh resignation letter. Judge

3067
02:29:02,319 --> 02:29:07,040
O'Hare, my formula to administer a

3068
02:29:04,960 --> 02:29:09,439
quality, transparent election stands on

3069
02:29:07,040 --> 02:29:11,600
respect and zero politics. Compromising

3070
02:29:09,439 --> 02:29:13,200
on these values is not an option for me.

3071
02:29:11,600 --> 02:29:15,600
You made it clear in our last meeting

3072
02:29:13,200 --> 02:29:17,920
that your formula is different. Thus, my

3073
02:29:15,600 --> 02:29:19,680
decision to leave. I wish you the best.

3074
02:29:17,920 --> 02:29:23,200
Taran County deserves that you find

3075
02:29:19,680 --> 02:29:25,680
success. And so, my question is, u what

3076
02:29:23,200 --> 02:29:27,920
is your formula?

3077
02:29:25,680 --> 02:29:30,880
um we're only going to save in a million

3078
02:29:27,920 --> 02:29:32,399
dollars, I believe 11/10enth of a

3079
02:29:30,880 --> 02:29:35,200
percent

3080
02:29:32,399 --> 02:29:38,720
and it's not addressing the problem. The

3081
02:29:35,200 --> 02:29:40,479
problem is low turnout, not too many

3082
02:29:38,720 --> 02:29:41,200
voting places.

3083
02:29:40,479 --> 02:29:43,520
» Thank you.

3084
02:29:41,200 --> 02:29:45,920
» Thank you. Uh following, do we have Miss

3085
02:29:43,520 --> 02:29:47,760
Cardinis present? Nidia Cardinus.

3086
02:29:45,920 --> 02:29:50,760
Following Miss Cardinis, we have Drew

3087
02:29:47,760 --> 02:29:50,760
Brown.

3088
02:29:51,040 --> 02:29:54,800
Hello, my name is Nia Cardinas and I

3089
02:29:53,200 --> 02:29:56,880
want to know why we have a bare minimum

3090
02:29:54,800 --> 02:29:58,479
mindset about the most foundational

3091
02:29:56,880 --> 02:30:00,319
principle of democracy which is the

3092
02:29:58,479 --> 02:30:02,399
right to vote. And coming into this

3093
02:30:00,319 --> 02:30:04,160
meeting, I tried to read all the news I

3094
02:30:02,399 --> 02:30:05,760
could find about it. And all of them

3095
02:30:04,160 --> 02:30:07,760
said that there was no comment on your

3096
02:30:05,760 --> 02:30:09,680
behalf, judge. And I was kind of like,

3097
02:30:07,760 --> 02:30:11,200
why is he not saying anything about why,

3098
02:30:09,680 --> 02:30:12,640
you know, he's advocating for this? And

3099
02:30:11,200 --> 02:30:13,760
I realized coming into this meeting is

3100
02:30:12,640 --> 02:30:15,840
because you barely just got the

3101
02:30:13,760 --> 02:30:18,000
information. So, how could you feel

3102
02:30:15,840 --> 02:30:20,800
comfortable making such a significant

3103
02:30:18,000 --> 02:30:22,880
decision about people's access to voting

3104
02:30:20,800 --> 02:30:25,280
with what sounds like less than a week

3105
02:30:22,880 --> 02:30:27,200
of information? And so, I'm very

3106
02:30:25,280 --> 02:30:28,960
concerned about how every time I come to

3107
02:30:27,200 --> 02:30:31,439
this court, every decision is being made

3108
02:30:28,960 --> 02:30:33,359
with little transparency, little

3109
02:30:31,439 --> 02:30:35,520
creative thinking. And if this is

3110
02:30:33,359 --> 02:30:37,520
financial, then I would encourage us to

3111
02:30:35,520 --> 02:30:40,640
ask the public interest law firm for a

3112
02:30:37,520 --> 02:30:42,160
$250,000 refund um that we're paying

3113
02:30:40,640 --> 02:30:44,399
them to fight the lawsuit against

3114
02:30:42,160 --> 02:30:47,600
redistricting. um and we can fund what

3115
02:30:44,399 --> 02:30:51,040
was it 20 23 of the sites based on the

3116
02:30:47,600 --> 02:30:53,040
um administrator's budget of 10,600 um

3117
02:30:51,040 --> 02:30:54,080
for an early voting site. So let's do

3118
02:30:53,040 --> 02:30:56,479
that instead.

3119
02:30:54,080 --> 02:31:01,120
» Is Drew Brown present

3120
02:30:56,479 --> 02:31:02,000
following Mr. Brown? We have Becky Don.

3121
02:31:01,120 --> 02:31:02,880
» Good morning.

3122
02:31:02,000 --> 02:31:04,960
» Good morning,

3123
02:31:02,880 --> 02:31:07,200
» Mr. Brooks. You used to be my

3124
02:31:04,960 --> 02:31:08,960
commissioner. I'm sorry you're not. I

3125
02:31:07,200 --> 02:31:12,240
voted for you.

3126
02:31:08,960 --> 02:31:13,680
» Uh and uh hi. You're my new

3127
02:31:12,240 --> 02:31:15,680
commissioner. I didn't vote for you. I

3128
02:31:13,680 --> 02:31:20,479
hope I don't get arrested.

3129
02:31:15,680 --> 02:31:22,399
So, uh, and M. County Judge, uh, I had

3130
02:31:20,479 --> 02:31:24,399
the opportunity to vote for you, but I

3131
02:31:22,399 --> 02:31:26,640
made a different decision because that's

3132
02:31:24,399 --> 02:31:30,560
my rights and voting. So, you represent

3133
02:31:26,640 --> 02:31:32,560
the whole county. So, uh,

3134
02:31:30,560 --> 02:31:35,920
and Commissioner Brooks, so all you said

3135
02:31:32,560 --> 02:31:38,800
was facts, not opinion. So, uh, what

3136
02:31:35,920 --> 02:31:40,800
we've got here is a bait and switch.

3137
02:31:38,800 --> 02:31:42,720
They want to make that decision today.

3138
02:31:40,800 --> 02:31:46,240
table the decision. What they're going

3139
02:31:42,720 --> 02:31:47,520
to do is M commissioner Meris and

3140
02:31:46,240 --> 02:31:48,960
Commissioner Krauss, they're going to

3141
02:31:47,520 --> 02:31:50,160
throw a couple of bones over here. We're

3142
02:31:48,960 --> 02:31:51,439
going to give you we're going to give

3143
02:31:50,160 --> 02:31:54,000
you com. We're going to give you this

3144
02:31:51,439 --> 02:31:57,200
that that vote on. We're done. And think

3145
02:31:54,000 --> 02:31:59,920
that they're heroes. Wrong.

3146
02:31:57,200 --> 02:32:01,680
» Is Becky Don present?

3147
02:31:59,920 --> 02:32:04,680
» Following Mr. Dawn, we have Peyton

3148
02:32:01,680 --> 02:32:04,680
Bullis.

3149
02:32:05,270 --> 02:32:10,240
[Music]

3150
02:32:07,760 --> 02:32:12,880
Some people imagine themselves as tasked

3151
02:32:10,240 --> 02:32:15,680
by God to be liberators and protectors

3152
02:32:12,880 --> 02:32:17,920
of purity and virtue. There are those of

3153
02:32:15,680 --> 02:32:20,720
us who disagree and think they are

3154
02:32:17,920 --> 02:32:23,200
merely dominators and oppressors of

3155
02:32:20,720 --> 02:32:25,359
other people. They use the language of

3156
02:32:23,200 --> 02:32:27,600
spiritual warfare to scapegoat out

3157
02:32:25,359 --> 02:32:30,240
outsiders by implying they are evil or

3158
02:32:27,600 --> 02:32:32,800
inferior beings. These so-called

3159
02:32:30,240 --> 02:32:35,520
liberators dismiss others as undeserving

3160
02:32:32,800 --> 02:32:37,520
of the civil rights of our constitution,

3161
02:32:35,520 --> 02:32:42,359
demeaning them by labeling them as

3162
02:32:37,520 --> 02:32:42,359
freeloaders, immoral or criminals.

3163
02:32:42,479 --> 02:32:46,479
Local and federal agents are throwing

3164
02:32:44,399 --> 02:32:48,479
innocent people in jail, often knowing

3165
02:32:46,479 --> 02:32:51,280
they have not committed a crime. The

3166
02:32:48,479 --> 02:32:53,840
color of their skin is their sin.

3167
02:32:51,280 --> 02:32:55,439
Poverty criminalized when the is

3168
02:32:53,840 --> 02:32:57,920
criminalized when the homeless are

3169
02:32:55,439 --> 02:32:59,600
incarcerated. Mental illness needs only

3170
02:32:57,920 --> 02:33:02,319
to be controlled and often with

3171
02:32:59,600 --> 02:33:04,479
brutality. When those in power redraw

3172
02:33:02,319 --> 02:33:07,520
maps, cut polling sites, eliminate early

3173
02:33:04,479 --> 02:33:08,080
voting. The message is that being sent

3174
02:33:07,520 --> 02:33:09,040
it.

3175
02:33:08,080 --> 02:33:09,680
» Thank you.

3176
02:33:09,040 --> 02:33:10,240
» Thank you.

3177
02:33:09,680 --> 02:33:12,640
» Thanks.

3178
02:33:10,240 --> 02:33:15,359
» Peyton Bullis, present.

3179
02:33:12,640 --> 02:33:17,520
Peyton Bullis.

3180
02:33:15,359 --> 02:33:20,160
Uh Jack Bowen.

3181
02:33:17,520 --> 02:33:24,439
Jack Bowen present. All right. Following

3182
02:33:20,160 --> 02:33:24,439
Mr. Bowen, we have Linda Henry.

3183
02:33:25,520 --> 02:33:31,359
Big word said here today was integrity

3184
02:33:28,479 --> 02:33:34,240
and integrity related to credibility.

3185
02:33:31,359 --> 02:33:38,080
And Judge O'Hare, my wife and I were

3186
02:33:34,240 --> 02:33:40,319
stunned last fall when you said WFA,

3187
02:33:38,080 --> 02:33:42,080
this is about partisan politics. Talking

3188
02:33:40,319 --> 02:33:44,800
about redistricting, this is about

3189
02:33:42,080 --> 02:33:47,200
partisan politics and making sure we

3190
02:33:44,800 --> 02:33:50,240
have a stronger Republican majority on

3191
02:33:47,200 --> 02:33:53,359
the court. Not it was right. Not it was

3192
02:33:50,240 --> 02:33:56,640
fair. Not it was honest. This is about

3193
02:33:53,359 --> 02:33:59,600
partisan politics. So when we see this

3194
02:33:56,640 --> 02:34:01,840
kind of cut proposed to places to vote,

3195
02:33:59,600 --> 02:34:04,000
we see the president saying, "Let's ban

3196
02:34:01,840 --> 02:34:06,720
mailin voting and we see the

3197
02:34:04,000 --> 02:34:09,600
legislature, the governor going, it's an

3198
02:34:06,720 --> 02:34:12,319
emergency. Let's rejerrymander the last

3199
02:34:09,600 --> 02:34:16,000
gerrymander we did." So we're

3200
02:34:12,319 --> 02:34:17,600
suspicious. And even before a peaceful

3201
02:34:16,000 --> 02:34:20,319
rally here in Fort Worth, the chairman

3202
02:34:17,600 --> 02:34:22,800
of the Republican party said, "Few

3203
02:34:20,319 --> 02:34:25,760
wellplaced snipers could handle it." And

3204
02:34:22,800 --> 02:34:26,160
if you wonder why Tarant County lacks

3205
02:34:25,760 --> 02:34:26,800
credit,

3206
02:34:26,160 --> 02:34:27,920
» Thank you sir.

3207
02:34:26,800 --> 02:34:31,920
» There you go.

3208
02:34:27,920 --> 02:34:33,310
» Uh following Miss Hanratty, we have

3209
02:34:31,920 --> 02:34:36,160
Dr. Harold.

3210
02:34:33,310 --> 02:34:38,560
[Music]

3211
02:34:36,160 --> 02:34:40,960
» I object to the 50% reduction in early

3212
02:34:38,560 --> 02:34:42,720
voting polling places and commensurate

3213
02:34:40,960 --> 02:34:44,960
reduction in the election day voting

3214
02:34:42,720 --> 02:34:47,439
places. Both of my early voting places,

3215
02:34:44,960 --> 02:34:50,080
Ko Community Center and TCU, are slated

3216
02:34:47,439 --> 02:34:52,640
for elimination, though apparently KO

3217
02:34:50,080 --> 02:34:54,160
may come back in. I guess they found out

3218
02:34:52,640 --> 02:34:57,439
it wasn't just black voters who voted

3219
02:34:54,160 --> 02:34:59,040
there. Um,

3220
02:34:57,439 --> 02:35:00,960
why are we reducing the number of

3221
02:34:59,040 --> 02:35:03,359
polling places when Taran County is one

3222
02:35:00,960 --> 02:35:05,760
of the fastest growing counties in the

3223
02:35:03,359 --> 02:35:07,520
country? This appears to be a f

3224
02:35:05,760 --> 02:35:09,840
furtherance of the county's court's

3225
02:35:07,520 --> 02:35:12,240
mission to disenfranchise Tarant County

3226
02:35:09,840 --> 02:35:14,640
voters which started with the recently

3227
02:35:12,240 --> 02:35:16,560
recent grossly racial racist

3228
02:35:14,640 --> 02:35:19,760
redistricting that we're all going to

3229
02:35:16,560 --> 02:35:21,760
pay a huge amount of money for way more

3230
02:35:19,760 --> 02:35:24,319
than all the voting places you're

3231
02:35:21,760 --> 02:35:26,160
eliminating. The court says that their

3232
02:35:24,319 --> 02:35:29,600
policies are helping county residents

3233
02:35:26,160 --> 02:35:31,920
and thus deserve re-election.

3234
02:35:29,600 --> 02:35:33,680
But but it seems to me that reducing

3235
02:35:31,920 --> 02:35:35,840
polling places means they're afraid of

3236
02:35:33,680 --> 02:35:37,439
us. And of course, the other thing the

3237
02:35:35,840 --> 02:35:38,000
court has done is they reduce

3238
02:35:37,439 --> 02:35:39,040
» Thank you.

3239
02:35:38,000 --> 02:35:41,520
» The meeting places.

3240
02:35:39,040 --> 02:35:44,520
» Uh following Dr. Harold, we have Carla

3241
02:35:41,520 --> 02:35:44,520
Palyus.

3242
02:36:01,280 --> 02:36:07,280
Running fair, accessible elections is

3243
02:36:04,080 --> 02:36:10,000
one of your highest duties. This

3244
02:36:07,280 --> 02:36:13,439
proposal to cut early voting in half and

3245
02:36:10,000 --> 02:36:16,240
to slash election day polling v places

3246
02:36:13,439 --> 02:36:19,600
will make voting harder for every

3247
02:36:16,240 --> 02:36:22,080
citizen. The numbers are staggering.

3248
02:36:19,600 --> 02:36:25,040
These cuts would force more than 8,000

3249
02:36:22,080 --> 02:36:28,800
voters into each polling place. over

3250
02:36:25,040 --> 02:36:31,280
five times the national average. MIT

3251
02:36:28,800 --> 02:36:34,720
research shows that would add more than

3252
02:36:31,280 --> 02:36:38,640
an hour to wait times. And I have charts

3253
02:36:34,720 --> 02:36:41,439
here, Chandler, for you to pass out. Um,

3254
02:36:38,640 --> 02:36:44,960
Tarant County's growth demands more

3255
02:36:41,439 --> 02:36:47,040
polling places, not fewer. Yet, this

3256
02:36:44,960 --> 02:36:49,680
plan eliminates

3257
02:36:47,040 --> 02:36:53,760
college sites and slashes early voting

3258
02:36:49,680 --> 02:36:57,359
in half. Vote no on this proposal.

3259
02:36:53,760 --> 02:36:58,080
Making voting harder is never the right

3260
02:36:57,359 --> 02:36:59,200
answer.

3261
02:36:58,080 --> 02:37:04,479
» Right.

3262
02:36:59,200 --> 02:37:08,840
» Is Miss Polyaris present? Carla Palaris.

3263
02:37:04,479 --> 02:37:08,840
Uh Angela Rodriguez Pryin

3264
02:37:09,280 --> 02:37:13,880
following Miss Pryin. Hollis Kirkpatre.

3265
02:37:16,560 --> 02:37:22,319
Howdy. My name is Angela Rodriguez

3266
02:37:20,000 --> 02:37:25,120
Prryin, but most people know me as Heli

3267
02:37:22,319 --> 02:37:28,560
um like in Helica. Um and I am an

3268
02:37:25,120 --> 02:37:31,840
entrepreneur um and a mom who lives in

3269
02:37:28,560 --> 02:37:34,640
Monaceel area. And I'm the granddaughter

3270
02:37:31,840 --> 02:37:36,399
of Pauline Gosa Valenciano. A lot of

3271
02:37:34,640 --> 02:37:38,640
people in here know who she is. She died

3272
02:37:36,399 --> 02:37:40,479
in 2018. She served this city for a very

3273
02:37:38,640 --> 02:37:42,560
long time, helping open more voting

3274
02:37:40,479 --> 02:37:44,160
locations, expanding it to people who

3275
02:37:42,560 --> 02:37:45,600
speak Spanish and different languages.

3276
02:37:44,160 --> 02:37:47,280
And my grandma, she's rolling in her

3277
02:37:45,600 --> 02:37:50,160
grave right now.

3278
02:37:47,280 --> 02:37:51,680
about all this. And I'm just asking you,

3279
02:37:50,160 --> 02:37:53,439
you know, if you're trying to save

3280
02:37:51,680 --> 02:37:56,479
money, use that money to put out

3281
02:37:53,439 --> 02:37:58,160
marketing to say it's voting time. Hey,

3282
02:37:56,479 --> 02:38:00,880
you know, here's the people who are on

3283
02:37:58,160 --> 02:38:02,479
your ballot. Let people know who's

3284
02:38:00,880 --> 02:38:04,479
running so they can actually come out

3285
02:38:02,479 --> 02:38:06,479
and vote. It's just basic stuff like

3286
02:38:04,479 --> 02:38:09,520
that. And I'm also a fighting Texas

3287
02:38:06,479 --> 02:38:12,720
Aggie, class of09. Whoop. And we don't

3288
02:38:09,520 --> 02:38:15,520
put up with liars, cheaters, or tolerate

3289
02:38:12,720 --> 02:38:18,000
those who do. And I'm asking you guys to

3290
02:38:15,520 --> 02:38:19,040
please just make it more accessible to

3291
02:38:18,000 --> 02:38:22,080
people.

3292
02:38:19,040 --> 02:38:25,560
» Is Hollis Kirkpatre present?

3293
02:38:22,080 --> 02:38:25,560
Hollis Kirkpatrick.

3294
02:38:26,080 --> 02:38:31,040
Olivia Cartwright.

3295
02:38:29,280 --> 02:38:34,600
Following Miss Cartwright, we have

3296
02:38:31,040 --> 02:38:34,600
Alexander Montalvo.

3297
02:38:39,120 --> 02:38:42,960
The justification of low turnout ignores

3298
02:38:41,600 --> 02:38:45,359
that turnout is low because of

3299
02:38:42,960 --> 02:38:47,840
structural barriers. For example, in

3300
02:38:45,359 --> 02:38:50,240
Polytenic Heights, voters currently walk

3301
02:38:47,840 --> 02:38:52,800
or take a 10 to 15minute ride to

3302
02:38:50,240 --> 02:38:55,439
Rosedale to vote. Under this plan, they

3303
02:38:52,800 --> 02:38:57,680
would be forced to Bey Street instead,

3304
02:38:55,439 --> 02:39:00,000
doubling driving time or up to an hour

3305
02:38:57,680 --> 02:39:02,160
by way of bus. For a minimum wage

3306
02:39:00,000 --> 02:39:05,680
worker, that's up to three hours of pay,

3307
02:39:02,160 --> 02:39:09,120
roughly $30 just to cast a ballot. That

3308
02:39:05,680 --> 02:39:11,359
is not access. It is a deterrent. Clint

3309
02:39:09,120 --> 02:39:14,240
has now apparently had two opportunities

3310
02:39:11,359 --> 02:39:16,160
to present data. And I I commend you,

3311
02:39:14,240 --> 02:39:18,160
Judge O'Hare, for asking those important

3312
02:39:16,160 --> 02:39:21,600
questions. And unfortunately, we have

3313
02:39:18,160 --> 02:39:24,080
yet to see an ounce of scientific method

3314
02:39:21,600 --> 02:39:26,560
or data. Commissioners who demonstrated

3315
02:39:24,080 --> 02:39:28,640
your commitment to factbased decisions

3316
02:39:26,560 --> 02:39:31,600
last year when you voted to preserve

3317
02:39:28,640 --> 02:39:33,439
campus polling locations. I ask the

3318
02:39:31,600 --> 02:39:36,000
fellow commissioners and judge to apply

3319
02:39:33,439 --> 02:39:39,040
that same principle here. This is not

3320
02:39:36,000 --> 02:39:41,439
science. This is politics. Taran County

3321
02:39:39,040 --> 02:39:44,479
has consistently Thank you.

3322
02:39:41,439 --> 02:39:46,000
» Is Mr. Montalvo present. Alexander

3323
02:39:44,479 --> 02:39:50,359
Montalvo.

3324
02:39:46,000 --> 02:39:50,359
All right. Next, we have Kimberly Agoro.

3325
02:39:54,080 --> 02:39:58,920
Following Miss Agoro, we have Candida

3326
02:39:55,920 --> 02:39:58,920
Garcia.

3327
02:39:59,550 --> 02:40:02,680
[Music]

3328
02:40:02,800 --> 02:40:08,319
» I am Reverend Dr. Kimberly.

3329
02:40:06,160 --> 02:40:11,439
I've been greatly disappointed with my

3330
02:40:08,319 --> 02:40:14,640
so-called friends, neighbors, and fellow

3331
02:40:11,439 --> 02:40:17,040
followers of Christ. At least with the

3332
02:40:14,640 --> 02:40:19,520
open races, and groups like the Proud

3333
02:40:17,040 --> 02:40:22,640
Boys and the KKK, you know exactly where

3334
02:40:19,520 --> 02:40:24,479
they stand, and you know what to expect.

3335
02:40:22,640 --> 02:40:26,000
But with today's good people like

3336
02:40:24,479 --> 02:40:27,920
yourselves,

3337
02:40:26,000 --> 02:40:30,800
people who toss rocks and hide their

3338
02:40:27,920 --> 02:40:33,200
hands, who sit silent while allowing the

3339
02:40:30,800 --> 02:40:35,359
balance of power to be shifted unfairly

3340
02:40:33,200 --> 02:40:37,760
and still demanding that folks pull

3341
02:40:35,359 --> 02:40:40,800
themselves up by the bootstraps that you

3342
02:40:37,760 --> 02:40:42,160
are cutting. Jesus is wondering how his

3343
02:40:40,800 --> 02:40:43,760
greatest commandment to love your

3344
02:40:42,160 --> 02:40:46,399
neighbor as you love yourself is

3345
02:40:43,760 --> 02:40:49,120
embodied in this legislation. I'm at a

3346
02:40:46,399 --> 02:40:51,920
loss as to how you expect me to bask in

3347
02:40:49,120 --> 02:40:54,479
what is not love. This is not love. This

3348
02:40:51,920 --> 02:40:56,880
is not justice. This is not right. And

3349
02:40:54,479 --> 02:40:59,120
guys, as the woman who chaired text pack

3350
02:40:56,880 --> 02:41:02,880
and put corn porny and put Greg in

3351
02:40:59,120 --> 02:41:06,560
office, I'm back. You got me back. I'll

3352
02:41:02,880 --> 02:41:09,560
be here. Is Miss Garcia present? Candida

3353
02:41:06,560 --> 02:41:09,560
Garcia.

3354
02:41:09,840 --> 02:41:13,960
Uh Paul David Williams.

3355
02:41:15,280 --> 02:41:19,479
Next we would have Katherine Brennan.

3356
02:41:22,800 --> 02:41:29,120
uh this this uh is supposed to be a

3357
02:41:25,680 --> 02:41:31,520
republic of democracy and you're trying

3358
02:41:29,120 --> 02:41:34,960
to make it authoritarian. That's not

3359
02:41:31,520 --> 02:41:37,680
right. And uh we need people to love

3360
02:41:34,960 --> 02:41:40,160
each other and we put you in place to do

3361
02:41:37,680 --> 02:41:43,120
that and you're not doing it. You're

3362
02:41:40,160 --> 02:41:46,399
denying people the love that they need

3363
02:41:43,120 --> 02:41:49,680
by taking away their voting. We need to

3364
02:41:46,399 --> 02:41:53,280
have the districts be fair and we need

3365
02:41:49,680 --> 02:41:57,280
to have people to be able to vote

3366
02:41:53,280 --> 02:42:00,399
without any uh problems and you're

3367
02:41:57,280 --> 02:42:02,240
making more problems for us.

3368
02:42:00,399 --> 02:42:05,359
What you're doing is wrong. What the

3369
02:42:02,240 --> 02:42:08,520
world needs is love. It's up to you to

3370
02:42:05,359 --> 02:42:08,520
do it.

3371
02:42:08,640 --> 02:42:15,920
» Is Katherine Brennan present?

3372
02:42:12,720 --> 02:42:18,080
Katherine Brennan,

3373
02:42:15,920 --> 02:42:20,399
Claudia Busby, Claudia, I'm sorry,

3374
02:42:18,080 --> 02:42:26,359
excuse me, Claudia Busby,

3375
02:42:20,399 --> 02:42:26,359
and following Mr. Busby, Dixie Davis.

3376
02:42:26,560 --> 02:42:31,040
Good afternoon. Uh, I'm against this.

3377
02:42:29,520 --> 02:42:33,600
Um,

3378
02:42:31,040 --> 02:42:35,520
closing the polling places. Each time we

3379
02:42:33,600 --> 02:42:37,280
go to election, uh, this past time was

3380
02:42:35,520 --> 02:42:38,800
election, we have people come in and

3381
02:42:37,280 --> 02:42:40,080
they want to vote and they not register

3382
02:42:38,800 --> 02:42:41,920
to vote. They have vote registration

3383
02:42:40,080 --> 02:42:43,840
cards. And I thought that was odd this

3384
02:42:41,920 --> 02:42:46,560
past year. And then now we come back and

3385
02:42:43,840 --> 02:42:48,720
we close places. I hear Romero asked

3386
02:42:46,560 --> 02:42:50,240
about all these questions. And I said,

3387
02:42:48,720 --> 02:42:51,520
why he asking questions? He normally

3388
02:42:50,240 --> 02:42:54,240
don't say anything. And they were

3389
02:42:51,520 --> 02:42:56,160
beating questions in order for the other

3390
02:42:54,240 --> 02:42:57,760
guy to speak cross to speak in.

3391
02:42:56,160 --> 02:42:59,439
Basically, what we trying to do is

3392
02:42:57,760 --> 02:43:00,960
railroad people and get rid of these

3393
02:42:59,439 --> 02:43:03,200
voting places. We need these voting

3394
02:43:00,960 --> 02:43:05,120
places. You know it. And you trying to

3395
02:43:03,200 --> 02:43:07,120
play like you're not doing it. These

3396
02:43:05,120 --> 02:43:09,359
people in this room here are against

3397
02:43:07,120 --> 02:43:11,040
this. Not going to listen to us. I

3398
02:43:09,359 --> 02:43:12,640
recommend that the people in this room

3399
02:43:11,040 --> 02:43:14,560
share this information with the young

3400
02:43:12,640 --> 02:43:16,640
people and let them put it on social

3401
02:43:14,560 --> 02:43:18,000
media and see how y'all run our media.

3402
02:43:16,640 --> 02:43:20,080
If you want your child to run a meeting

3403
02:43:18,000 --> 02:43:22,160
the way you run across, let your kids

3404
02:43:20,080 --> 02:43:24,880
see this because you're not you

3405
02:43:22,160 --> 02:43:26,399
disrespect of Miss Sims, disrespectful

3406
02:43:24,880 --> 02:43:26,960
audience here, you don't want to listen

3407
02:43:26,399 --> 02:43:27,359
to us.

3408
02:43:26,960 --> 02:43:28,640
» Thank you.

3409
02:43:27,359 --> 02:43:31,359
» Thank you.

3410
02:43:28,640 --> 02:43:34,680
» Dixie Davis following Miss Davis is

3411
02:43:31,359 --> 02:43:34,680
Carol Raburn.

3412
02:43:38,160 --> 02:43:41,280
My name is Dixie Davis, speaking on

3413
02:43:39,840 --> 02:43:43,439
behalf of the League of Women Voters of

3414
02:43:41,280 --> 02:43:45,279
Tarant County, a nonpartisan civic

3415
02:43:43,439 --> 02:43:47,520
organization whose mission is to empower

3416
02:43:45,279 --> 02:43:49,040
voters and defend democracy. Cutting

3417
02:43:47,520 --> 02:43:50,800
nearly half of polling sites this

3418
02:43:49,040 --> 02:43:52,720
November would continue a persistent

3419
02:43:50,800 --> 02:43:54,479
pattern of voter suppression by this

3420
02:43:52,720 --> 02:43:56,560
court. a pattern that includes the

3421
02:43:54,479 --> 02:43:58,560
defunding of Trinity Metro bus rides on

3422
02:43:56,560 --> 02:44:00,240
election days, last year's attempt to

3423
02:43:58,560 --> 02:44:02,399
eliminate all college campus polling

3424
02:44:00,240 --> 02:44:03,920
sites, and the recent dilution of voters

3425
02:44:02,399 --> 02:44:06,160
voices through blatant racial

3426
02:44:03,920 --> 02:44:08,319
gerrymandering. Fewer polling sites

3427
02:44:06,160 --> 02:44:10,000
means more confusion, longer lines, and

3428
02:44:08,319 --> 02:44:12,000
greater barriers, especially for college

3429
02:44:10,000 --> 02:44:14,399
students, seniors, and voters of color

3430
02:44:12,000 --> 02:44:16,720
who may need to travel farther to vote.

3431
02:44:14,399 --> 02:44:18,319
This court has a duty to voters to make

3432
02:44:16,720 --> 02:44:20,479
every election accessible and well

3433
02:44:18,319 --> 02:44:22,880
funded and ensure our polling places are

3434
02:44:20,479 --> 02:44:25,200
numerous and well staffed regardless of

3435
02:44:22,880 --> 02:44:27,279
voter turnout or what's on the ballot.

3436
02:44:25,200 --> 02:44:29,359
We urge you to prioritize the needs of

3437
02:44:27,279 --> 02:44:31,920
voters and keep all polling sites from

3438
02:44:29,359 --> 02:44:33,840
the 2023 election. Thank you.

3439
02:44:31,920 --> 02:44:37,800
» Thank you. Following Miss Raburn, we

3440
02:44:33,840 --> 02:44:37,800
have Leon Reed Jr.

3441
02:44:39,680 --> 02:44:44,800
So, I've worked the election as a judge

3442
02:44:41,520 --> 02:44:47,359
many times in Arlington at various

3443
02:44:44,800 --> 02:44:49,520
locations. We don't need to lose any of

3444
02:44:47,359 --> 02:44:51,840
those locations. All of them have been

3445
02:44:49,520 --> 02:44:56,000
very busy. Most of the ones, especially

3446
02:44:51,840 --> 02:44:58,560
the subcourthouse and UTA are are

3447
02:44:56,000 --> 02:45:00,800
staffed full-time. There's people there

3448
02:44:58,560 --> 02:45:02,640
voting all day long. We don't need to

3449
02:45:00,800 --> 02:45:05,600
double either one of those locations,

3450
02:45:02,640 --> 02:45:08,399
especially taking away the UTA location.

3451
02:45:05,600 --> 02:45:10,479
that smacks of total voter

3452
02:45:08,399 --> 02:45:12,720
discrimination because you're

3453
02:45:10,479 --> 02:45:14,560
discriminating against young people and

3454
02:45:12,720 --> 02:45:16,240
we're working really hard to get young

3455
02:45:14,560 --> 02:45:19,279
people registered to vote and to

3456
02:45:16,240 --> 02:45:21,359
encourage them to vote at UTA and TCC

3457
02:45:19,279 --> 02:45:23,040
when they graduate from high school.

3458
02:45:21,359 --> 02:45:24,479
You're telling them that doesn't matter

3459
02:45:23,040 --> 02:45:28,000
and they're not going to be able to do

3460
02:45:24,479 --> 02:45:30,720
that anymore. It's very disappointing.

3461
02:45:28,000 --> 02:45:34,120
» Mr. Reed, following Mr. Reed, we have

3462
02:45:30,720 --> 02:45:34,120
Judith Cotton.

3463
02:45:40,650 --> 02:45:46,000
[Music]

3464
02:45:43,120 --> 02:45:48,720
I'm here to remind you that life prefers

3465
02:45:46,000 --> 02:45:51,520
balance. But don't trust me. Trust

3466
02:45:48,720 --> 02:45:54,000
science. Trust Isaac Newton when he

3467
02:45:51,520 --> 02:45:56,960
tells you that for every action there is

3468
02:45:54,000 --> 02:45:59,520
an equal and opposite reaction. Don't

3469
02:45:56,960 --> 02:46:02,560
trust me. Trust God. when he tells you

3470
02:45:59,520 --> 02:46:06,240
in Galatians chapter 6 that you will

3471
02:46:02,560 --> 02:46:08,479
reap what you sow. Trust good old boys

3472
02:46:06,240 --> 02:46:11,600
when they tell you that chickens will

3473
02:46:08,479 --> 02:46:14,160
eventually come home to roost. The

3474
02:46:11,600 --> 02:46:17,359
further you try to stretch Tarant County

3475
02:46:14,160 --> 02:46:20,399
in one direction, the further and more

3476
02:46:17,359 --> 02:46:22,160
vicious the snapback will be. It has

3477
02:46:20,399 --> 02:46:24,080
been noted that Tarant County is one of

3478
02:46:22,160 --> 02:46:27,120
the fastest growing counties in the

3479
02:46:24,080 --> 02:46:30,080
country. Yet we want to cut the polling

3480
02:46:27,120 --> 02:46:32,720
locations. It's

3481
02:46:30,080 --> 02:46:35,439
past time that politicians stopped

3482
02:46:32,720 --> 02:46:38,640
electing voters and allowed the voters

3483
02:46:35,439 --> 02:46:40,800
to elect the politicians. That is the

3484
02:46:38,640 --> 02:46:42,160
American way, not what we're seeing

3485
02:46:40,800 --> 02:46:45,840
right now.

3486
02:46:42,160 --> 02:46:47,840
» Thank you. Is Miss Cotton present?

3487
02:46:45,840 --> 02:46:50,640
Okay. Following Miss Cotton, we have

3488
02:46:47,840 --> 02:46:52,479
Ronald Bendian.

3489
02:46:50,640 --> 02:46:54,479
I do not support this repeated attempt

3490
02:46:52,479 --> 02:46:56,160
of voter suppression from your mission

3491
02:46:54,479 --> 02:46:57,600
statement to work collaboratively with

3492
02:46:56,160 --> 02:46:59,040
our stakeholders to improve the

3493
02:46:57,600 --> 02:47:00,880
satisfaction of the residents and

3494
02:46:59,040 --> 02:47:02,319
businesses of Tarant County through the

3495
02:47:00,880 --> 02:47:05,040
effective and efficient provision of

3496
02:47:02,319 --> 02:47:07,439
services. Removing over 100 voting

3497
02:47:05,040 --> 02:47:09,520
locations is not effective or efficient

3498
02:47:07,439 --> 02:47:11,200
provision of services. Taran County is

3499
02:47:09,520 --> 02:47:14,160
the third most populous county in Texas

3500
02:47:11,200 --> 02:47:16,800
and 15th in the USA. It's contradictory

3501
02:47:14,160 --> 02:47:18,399
that a rapidly growing county with over

3502
02:47:16,800 --> 02:47:22,960
two million citizens should reduce

3503
02:47:18,399 --> 02:47:24,880
voting locations from 349 to 214. This

3504
02:47:22,960 --> 02:47:27,359
attempt will leave citizens of North

3505
02:47:24,880 --> 02:47:28,960
Side, Southside, KOMO, all college

3506
02:47:27,359 --> 02:47:30,800
campuses in the county and the

3507
02:47:28,960 --> 02:47:32,560
hardworking without effective and

3508
02:47:30,800 --> 02:47:34,720
efficient early voting on election day

3509
02:47:32,560 --> 02:47:36,880
locations in the November elections. It

3510
02:47:34,720 --> 02:47:39,920
is your duty to uphold the United States

3511
02:47:36,880 --> 02:47:41,760
Constitution, your mission, goal as

3512
02:47:39,920 --> 02:47:44,000
county commissioners, and do not approve

3513
02:47:41,760 --> 02:47:46,080
this attempt of voter suppression of the

3514
02:47:44,000 --> 02:47:48,720
citizens of Tarant County. Thank you.

3515
02:47:46,080 --> 02:47:52,279
» Thank you. Ronald Bendian. Ronald

3516
02:47:48,720 --> 02:47:52,279
Bendian present.

3517
02:47:53,279 --> 02:48:00,479
Aandra Kulie.

3518
02:47:56,880 --> 02:48:03,479
Following Miss Kulie, we have Roelio

3519
02:48:00,479 --> 02:48:03,479
Mahero.

3520
02:48:20,479 --> 02:48:26,000
Since I only have a minute, I'm hoping

3521
02:48:22,720 --> 02:48:29,359
you are taking note that so far it's

3522
02:48:26,000 --> 02:48:31,439
been one person for this and the rest of

3523
02:48:29,359 --> 02:48:32,960
us in this audience have been against

3524
02:48:31,439 --> 02:48:35,200
it.

3525
02:48:32,960 --> 02:48:38,800
Uh, I'm here to say that I'm against it,

3526
02:48:35,200 --> 02:48:42,840
too. Let the people you sworn to

3527
02:48:38,800 --> 02:48:42,840
represent vote.

3528
02:48:44,960 --> 02:48:50,720
Reducing the number of sites

3529
02:48:48,399 --> 02:48:53,439
will

3530
02:48:50,720 --> 02:48:55,680
disenfranch disenfranchise

3531
02:48:53,439 --> 02:48:58,479
and suppress the vote of the young

3532
02:48:55,680 --> 02:49:00,800
people, the working poor, the middle

3533
02:48:58,479 --> 02:49:02,240
class, and of course the people of

3534
02:49:00,800 --> 02:49:04,319
color.

3535
02:49:02,240 --> 02:49:06,640
I hear that a couple of you are familiar

3536
02:49:04,319 --> 02:49:09,439
with the Old Testament

3537
02:49:06,640 --> 02:49:12,560
and of the Ten Commandments because I

3538
02:49:09,439 --> 02:49:16,960
hear they're posted everywhere now.

3539
02:49:12,560 --> 02:49:19,600
Number eight says don't steal. And isn't

3540
02:49:16,960 --> 02:49:21,600
that what you're trying to do?

3541
02:49:19,600 --> 02:49:22,479
The absence of polling sites on

3542
02:49:21,600 --> 02:49:24,160
campuses.

3543
02:49:22,479 --> 02:49:26,800
» Thank you, Miss

3544
02:49:24,160 --> 02:49:28,319
» Uh Mr. Is it Mo? Can you help me

3545
02:49:26,800 --> 02:49:30,240
pronounce that?

3546
02:49:28,319 --> 02:49:32,479
» Moio.

3547
02:49:30,240 --> 02:49:33,760
You got a judge. Uh, Roelio is the name

3548
02:49:32,479 --> 02:49:35,760
and Muo the last name.

3549
02:49:33,760 --> 02:49:38,640
» Muo like

3550
02:49:35,760 --> 02:49:40,960
Okay. Following Mr. Muo is Dorothy

3551
02:49:38,640 --> 02:49:42,000
Deose. Go ahead, sir.

3552
02:49:40,960 --> 02:49:43,439
» All right. Thank you so much.

3553
02:49:42,000 --> 02:49:45,680
Commissioners, I want you all to think

3554
02:49:43,439 --> 02:49:48,240
back for a second. The first time you

3555
02:49:45,680 --> 02:49:50,080
voted for me, in my case, it was a UT

3556
02:49:48,240 --> 02:49:51,279
Arlington. That feeling of pride, the

3557
02:49:50,080 --> 02:49:55,040
feeling of being part of this great

3558
02:49:51,279 --> 02:49:56,640
country. Do you remember?

3559
02:49:55,040 --> 02:49:58,240
I'm a proud for generation Tehano, a

3560
02:49:56,640 --> 02:49:59,840
student at UT Arlington and the son of

3561
02:49:58,240 --> 02:50:03,120
immigrants who believe that Tehas says

3562
02:49:59,840 --> 02:50:05,120
Latenos because after all we are our

3563
02:50:03,120 --> 02:50:06,560
parents American dream and yet this

3564
02:50:05,120 --> 02:50:09,120
court wants to shut down my campus

3565
02:50:06,560 --> 02:50:10,720
polling site. Don't tell me that this

3566
02:50:09,120 --> 02:50:12,479
about efficiency. This is about cracking

3567
02:50:10,720 --> 02:50:13,920
and packing our communities because this

3568
02:50:12,479 --> 02:50:15,840
is about bringing Jim Crow through the

3569
02:50:13,920 --> 02:50:18,399
back door or in this case through the

3570
02:50:15,840 --> 02:50:19,840
front door today. And transportation is

3571
02:50:18,399 --> 02:50:21,520
already the biggest barrier. Not

3572
02:50:19,840 --> 02:50:23,120
everyone gets to have a car like you.

3573
02:50:21,520 --> 02:50:24,960
I've been riding my bicycle for many

3574
02:50:23,120 --> 02:50:26,800
years now in Taran County. But

3575
02:50:24,960 --> 02:50:30,000
ultimately, I don't have all the time in

3576
02:50:26,800 --> 02:50:31,520
the world to spend and the TR, the TXRE,

3577
02:50:30,000 --> 02:50:33,120
because transportation is already the

3578
02:50:31,520 --> 02:50:34,880
biggest barrier. I ask you to front the

3579
02:50:33,120 --> 02:50:36,560
bill. I ask you to provide free and

3580
02:50:34,880 --> 02:50:38,319
rapid transit for every single person so

3581
02:50:36,560 --> 02:50:41,680
that it's not a barrier for us. I want

3582
02:50:38,319 --> 02:50:42,479
you to help me increase voter turnout.

3583
02:50:41,680 --> 02:50:46,399
» Thank you.

3584
02:50:42,479 --> 02:50:49,439
» Is Mr. Deose present?

3585
02:50:46,399 --> 02:50:51,840
» No. Is Miss Dose present?

3586
02:50:49,439 --> 02:50:54,160
» Yes. Following Mr. Debose is Jane

3587
02:50:51,840 --> 02:50:56,240
Collins.

3588
02:50:54,160 --> 02:50:58,240
» Good evening, judge and commissioners.

3589
02:50:56,240 --> 02:51:00,880
My name is Dorothy Deose and I strongly

3590
02:50:58,240 --> 02:51:04,479
oppose a proposed reduction of the early

3591
02:51:00,880 --> 02:51:06,000
v early voting sites and election day

3592
02:51:04,479 --> 02:51:08,319
sites.

3593
02:51:06,000 --> 02:51:10,240
When polling places move farther away,

3594
02:51:08,319 --> 02:51:12,960
seniors without cars and students

3595
02:51:10,240 --> 02:51:15,920
relying on public transit

3596
02:51:12,960 --> 02:51:18,960
face longer, more borders bordersome

3597
02:51:15,920 --> 02:51:21,200
trips just to cast their vote. You are

3598
02:51:18,960 --> 02:51:23,680
making it harder to vote. That

3599
02:51:21,200 --> 02:51:26,000
discourages participations in silenced

3600
02:51:23,680 --> 02:51:28,160
neighborhoods that rightfully deserve

3601
02:51:26,000 --> 02:51:30,800
strong representation.

3602
02:51:28,160 --> 02:51:34,240
Taran County is growing.

3603
02:51:30,800 --> 02:51:38,640
Our access to democracy must grow with

3604
02:51:34,240 --> 02:51:40,880
it, not shrink. I urge you to preserve

3605
02:51:38,640 --> 02:51:43,279
fair access for every neighborhood by

3606
02:51:40,880 --> 02:51:46,479
keeping their sites open. I have lived

3607
02:51:43,279 --> 02:51:48,800
within five blocks of my vote all my

3608
02:51:46,479 --> 02:51:51,040
life and I find that for all

3609
02:51:48,800 --> 02:51:53,439
neighborhoods for me to have to go 10

3610
02:51:51,040 --> 02:51:54,080
miles to vote is unacceptable. Thank

3611
02:51:53,439 --> 02:51:56,479
you.

3612
02:51:54,080 --> 02:51:59,960
» Thank you. Uh following Miss Collins, we

3613
02:51:56,479 --> 02:51:59,960
have Jimmy Blackwell.

3614
02:52:01,680 --> 02:52:07,359
» Hello, I'm Jane Collins from Arlington.

3615
02:52:04,800 --> 02:52:09,760
And when I first listened to the report,

3616
02:52:07,359 --> 02:52:13,600
it sounded like everything was just

3617
02:52:09,760 --> 02:52:17,520
about finances, how to save money. But

3618
02:52:13,600 --> 02:52:20,080
thanks to M uh Commissioner Miles, we uh

3619
02:52:17,520 --> 02:52:23,760
heard that it's about a lot more than

3620
02:52:20,080 --> 02:52:27,920
just saving money. And I totally

3621
02:52:23,760 --> 02:52:31,040
encourage anybody listening to this uh

3622
02:52:27,920 --> 02:52:33,840
session on on their computers to

3623
02:52:31,040 --> 02:52:38,240
relisten to that. I couldn't have said

3624
02:52:33,840 --> 02:52:42,880
it better. And uh once again, I'm going

3625
02:52:38,240 --> 02:52:45,439
to appeal to to Mr. Ramirez's

3626
02:52:42,880 --> 02:52:48,399
uh at least please vote to table. I'm

3627
02:52:45,439 --> 02:52:50,800
totally against any of this uh cutting

3628
02:52:48,399 --> 02:52:53,279
of polling places because I think it's

3629
02:52:50,800 --> 02:52:55,359
undemocratic, especially as we're

3630
02:52:53,279 --> 02:52:59,279
growing. But I'm going to appeal to you

3631
02:52:55,359 --> 02:53:02,560
at least table this until we get more

3632
02:52:59,279 --> 02:53:03,760
analysis. as Commissioner Simmons has

3633
02:53:02,560 --> 02:53:05,520
asked for.

3634
02:53:03,760 --> 02:53:09,479
» All right. Following Mr. Blackwell, we

3635
02:53:05,520 --> 02:53:09,479
have Andrea West,

3636
02:53:15,279 --> 02:53:22,880
Judge O'Hare.

3637
02:53:18,160 --> 02:53:25,760
Taran County is in a recession.

3638
02:53:22,880 --> 02:53:28,800
It's not a financial recession,

3639
02:53:25,760 --> 02:53:33,920
but a recession with the truth,

3640
02:53:28,800 --> 02:53:37,040
honesty, integrity, and fairness.

3641
02:53:33,920 --> 02:53:40,000
It's an absolute disgrace

3642
02:53:37,040 --> 02:53:42,880
what you are proposing and what you will

3643
02:53:40,000 --> 02:53:45,840
just force down the throat of Taran

3644
02:53:42,880 --> 02:53:47,520
County voters. You know what you're

3645
02:53:45,840 --> 02:53:48,800
doing.

3646
02:53:47,520 --> 02:53:51,439
So, don't look at me like you're

3647
02:53:48,800 --> 02:53:54,479
innocent. You know exactly what you're

3648
02:53:51,439 --> 02:54:00,000
doing. You're trying to suppress

3649
02:53:54,479 --> 02:54:02,000
the vote of precent one and precent two.

3650
02:54:00,000 --> 02:54:03,520
You want to change everything to your

3651
02:54:02,000 --> 02:54:05,359
lacking.

3652
02:54:03,520 --> 02:54:08,640
And we are here to fight back and say

3653
02:54:05,359 --> 02:54:12,880
it's not going to happen. So I stand

3654
02:54:08,640 --> 02:54:15,600
strongly and ask you to reject

3655
02:54:12,880 --> 02:54:18,240
this racist

3656
02:54:15,600 --> 02:54:21,680
MAGA s proposal. It stinks.

3657
02:54:18,240 --> 02:54:23,279
» Thank you, sir. Uh, Miss West.

3658
02:54:21,680 --> 02:54:24,770
Uh, following Miss West, we have Lee

3659
02:54:23,279 --> 02:54:26,000
Henderson.

3660
02:54:24,770 --> 02:54:28,080
[Music]

3661
02:54:26,000 --> 02:54:30,080
» Good afternoon. My name is Andrea West

3662
02:54:28,080 --> 02:54:32,720
and I represent District 6 on behalf of

3663
02:54:30,080 --> 02:54:34,880
the office of Councilwoman Dr. Mia Hall.

3664
02:54:32,720 --> 02:54:36,880
Our district includes historic Lake Ko

3665
02:54:34,880 --> 02:54:39,120
community and the Komo Community Center,

3666
02:54:36,880 --> 02:54:41,680
an accessible polling place now being

3667
02:54:39,120 --> 02:54:43,520
considered for removal along with James

3668
02:54:41,680 --> 02:54:46,080
Avenue Service Center and several north

3669
02:54:43,520 --> 02:54:48,160
side and college campuses

3670
02:54:46,080 --> 02:54:49,680
college campus polling places within the

3671
02:54:48,160 --> 02:54:51,279
city of Fort Worth. These are

3672
02:54:49,680 --> 02:54:53,520
neighborhoods made up of working

3673
02:54:51,279 --> 02:54:55,439
families, seniors, and voters who rely

3674
02:54:53,520 --> 02:54:57,680
on nearby familiar polling sites to make

3675
02:54:55,439 --> 02:54:59,840
their voices heard. Removing these

3676
02:54:57,680 --> 02:55:02,080
locations would create unnecessary

3677
02:54:59,840 --> 02:55:04,000
barriers to voting access, especially

3678
02:55:02,080 --> 02:55:06,960
for communities that already face

3679
02:55:04,000 --> 02:55:10,479
challenges. This is not about politics.

3680
02:55:06,960 --> 02:55:13,600
It's about fairness, equity, and access.

3681
02:55:10,479 --> 02:55:15,359
Voting should be convenient, not harder.

3682
02:55:13,600 --> 02:55:17,040
I respectfully urge this court to

3683
02:55:15,359 --> 02:55:19,279
maintain these polling sites and protect

3684
02:55:17,040 --> 02:55:21,359
access to the ballot for all of Fort

3685
02:55:19,279 --> 02:55:22,240
Worth and Taran County residents. Thank

3686
02:55:21,359 --> 02:55:26,000
you.

3687
02:55:22,240 --> 02:55:28,479
» Thank you. Is Lee Henderson present?

3688
02:55:26,000 --> 02:55:30,800
Lee Henderson,

3689
02:55:28,479 --> 02:55:34,760
Mark Connelly,

3690
02:55:30,800 --> 02:55:34,760
is Mark Connelly present.

3691
02:55:36,000 --> 02:55:44,080
Messia Savis Messia Savis.

3692
02:55:41,279 --> 02:55:46,800
Okay. How many of you signed up to speak

3693
02:55:44,080 --> 02:55:50,880
on this particular item besides Mr.

3694
02:55:46,800 --> 02:55:53,279
Montalvo and came in late?

3695
02:55:50,880 --> 02:55:57,640
Anyone?

3696
02:55:53,279 --> 02:55:57,640
Okay, Mr. Montalo, come on.

3697
02:56:01,040 --> 02:56:03,920
» All right. I didn't know my time was

3698
02:56:02,319 --> 02:56:07,200
appointed to a certain time, so I don't

3699
02:56:03,920 --> 02:56:09,520
know how late applies, but I want

3700
02:56:07,200 --> 02:56:12,240
everyone to understand who is watching

3701
02:56:09,520 --> 02:56:15,840
this, who is in the audience, that this

3702
02:56:12,240 --> 02:56:18,800
is the MAGA movement doing everything it

3703
02:56:15,840 --> 02:56:21,920
can to kill democracy.

3704
02:56:18,800 --> 02:56:23,920
The MAGA movement that O'Hare loves to

3705
02:56:21,920 --> 02:56:26,800
be a part of

3706
02:56:23,920 --> 02:56:30,120
is anti-American,

3707
02:56:26,800 --> 02:56:30,120
is anti-democracy.

3708
02:56:30,560 --> 02:56:35,840
And a lot of folks will think, well,

3709
02:56:32,319 --> 02:56:37,279
dang, America's got a pretty ugly past.

3710
02:56:35,840 --> 02:56:39,040
You know, he may be doing the things

3711
02:56:37,279 --> 02:56:41,920
that

3712
02:56:39,040 --> 02:56:44,399
it was designed to do. But I'm here to

3713
02:56:41,920 --> 02:56:46,399
say that people have died for our

3714
02:56:44,399 --> 02:56:48,880
rights.

3715
02:56:46,399 --> 02:56:51,680
Black and brown community members,

3716
02:56:48,880 --> 02:56:53,840
women, and even white community members

3717
02:56:51,680 --> 02:56:56,240
have sacrificed to get us where we're

3718
02:56:53,840 --> 02:56:58,399
at, and they are here to undo it, and

3719
02:56:56,240 --> 02:57:01,040
it's time for everyone to take action

3720
02:56:58,399 --> 02:57:02,640
and step up.

3721
02:57:01,040 --> 02:57:05,600
All right, those are all the speakers we

3722
02:57:02,640 --> 02:57:08,160
have on this item. We have a motion to

3723
02:57:05,600 --> 02:57:12,080
table. I don't have any form from you or

3724
02:57:08,160 --> 02:57:15,080
you. I read them all.

3725
02:57:12,080 --> 02:57:15,080
» Sure.

3726
02:57:20,479 --> 02:57:24,800
I believe that's Mr. Bell. Can Can you

3727
02:57:23,120 --> 02:57:27,680
check and see if Mr. Bell is on this

3728
02:57:24,800 --> 02:57:30,840
list? I don't recall saying his name at

3729
02:57:27,680 --> 02:57:30,840
any point.

3730
02:57:34,240 --> 02:57:37,840
» We have you signed up under Let me see

3731
02:57:36,560 --> 02:57:40,160
it.

3732
02:57:37,840 --> 02:57:41,920
» I4. No,

3733
02:57:40,160 --> 02:57:43,520
» 104.

3734
02:57:41,920 --> 02:57:45,520
» He probably meant it. probably supposed

3735
02:57:43,520 --> 02:57:49,279
to be I4.

3736
02:57:45,520 --> 02:57:52,240
» So, all right, we have a motion to table

3737
02:57:49,279 --> 02:57:56,000
this item. We have a second motion, I

3738
02:57:52,240 --> 02:57:58,240
mean a second on that motion.

3739
02:57:56,000 --> 02:58:01,800
Any further discussion from the court

3740
02:57:58,240 --> 02:58:01,800
before we vote?

3741
02:58:02,240 --> 02:58:05,520
All right, seeing none, all in favor of

3742
02:58:04,000 --> 02:58:08,160
tableabling the motion, please raise

3743
02:58:05,520 --> 02:58:11,200
your hand.

3744
02:58:08,160 --> 02:58:14,240
Okay, so that fails two to three. Do we

3745
02:58:11,200 --> 02:58:16,560
have another motion? I'm making it

3746
02:58:14,240 --> 02:58:19,680
quiet.

3747
02:58:16,560 --> 02:58:24,520
» Please remove her from the room.

3748
02:58:19,680 --> 02:58:24,520
» Um, please remove her from the room.

3749
02:58:26,000 --> 02:58:32,080
» I'm not going to move him. I'm just

3750
02:58:27,439 --> 02:58:34,560
going to move you. Please remove her.

3751
02:58:32,080 --> 02:58:39,399
» Okay. So, we have Do we have another

3752
02:58:34,560 --> 02:58:39,399
motion? I make a motion to approve all

3753
02:58:42,080 --> 02:58:46,560
» I make a motion that we approve all the

3754
02:58:44,080 --> 02:58:50,479
voting site locations that were put

3755
02:58:46,560 --> 02:58:53,840
forward by uh Mr. Lewig with the uh to

3756
02:58:50,479 --> 02:58:56,880
add on to it KO community center legacy

3757
02:58:53,840 --> 02:58:58,960
learning center the Tarant County uh

3758
02:58:56,880 --> 02:59:00,479
college northwest campus the Charles

3759
02:58:58,960 --> 02:59:03,479
Griffin Building and the Northeast

3760
02:59:00,479 --> 02:59:03,479
Subcourthouse.

3761
02:59:03,680 --> 02:59:06,720
I'll second that.

3762
02:59:04,800 --> 02:59:08,399
» I have

3763
02:59:06,720 --> 02:59:09,840
one moment. We have a motion and a

3764
02:59:08,399 --> 02:59:13,240
second.

3765
02:59:09,840 --> 02:59:13,240
» Further discussion.

3766
02:59:14,640 --> 02:59:20,080
» I wonder why. So, the motion was to

3767
02:59:17,520 --> 02:59:23,359
approve the sites presented with the

3768
02:59:20,080 --> 02:59:24,399
addition of KOMO

3769
02:59:23,359 --> 02:59:25,520
» Legacy Learning Center,

3770
02:59:24,399 --> 02:59:28,080
» Legacy Learning Center,

3771
02:59:25,520 --> 02:59:29,920
» Tarant County College Northwest Campus,

3772
02:59:28,080 --> 02:59:32,000
the Charles Griffin Building, and the

3773
02:59:29,920 --> 02:59:34,240
Northeast Subcourthouse.

3774
02:59:32,000 --> 02:59:36,560
» Okay. So there's a motion and a second

3775
02:59:34,240 --> 02:59:40,000
discussion.

3776
02:59:36,560 --> 02:59:42,640
» I have several sites to add as well. So

3777
02:59:40,000 --> 02:59:45,760
would that require an additional motion

3778
02:59:42,640 --> 02:59:48,319
to amend this motion?

3779
02:59:45,760 --> 02:59:52,399
» You can make a motion to amend the

3780
02:59:48,319 --> 02:59:54,479
motion and then you it does not have to

3781
02:59:52,399 --> 02:59:55,680
be accepted by the original motion

3782
02:59:54,479 --> 02:59:57,200
maker.

3783
02:59:55,680 --> 02:59:59,040
» That's correct, judge. What would happen

3784
02:59:57,200 --> 03:00:01,680
in the case of an amendment here would

3785
02:59:59,040 --> 03:00:02,880
be the amendment would require a second.

3786
03:00:01,680 --> 03:00:04,319
The court would then vote on the

3787
03:00:02,880 --> 03:00:05,920
amendment and then proceed on the main

3788
03:00:04,319 --> 03:00:10,200
motion as amended.

3789
03:00:05,920 --> 03:00:10,200
» Okay. So, state your motion.

3790
03:00:10,399 --> 03:00:17,840
Uh, my motion is to add

3791
03:00:14,800 --> 03:00:19,600
Bob Duncan, University of Texas at

3792
03:00:17,840 --> 03:00:22,960
Arlington,

3793
03:00:19,600 --> 03:00:27,359
uh, TCC Southeast

3794
03:00:22,960 --> 03:00:30,319
campuses or those sites back.

3795
03:00:27,359 --> 03:00:33,279
» All right. So, there's a motion

3796
03:00:30,319 --> 03:00:35,040
to amend Commissioner Krauss's motion to

3797
03:00:33,279 --> 03:00:36,800
add the following sites. Bob Duncan,

3798
03:00:35,040 --> 03:00:37,359
UTA, and TCC

3799
03:00:36,800 --> 03:00:39,760
» Southeast.

3800
03:00:37,359 --> 03:00:40,479
» Southeast. Do we have a second on that?

3801
03:00:39,760 --> 03:00:42,080
» Second.

3802
03:00:40,479 --> 03:00:42,800
» We have a second on that. Any discussion

3803
03:00:42,080 --> 03:00:46,080
on that one?

3804
03:00:42,800 --> 03:00:48,479
» Yeah. No. Uh, Mr. Credville, do I

3805
03:00:46,080 --> 03:00:50,240
indicate whether I will accept or reject

3806
03:00:48,479 --> 03:00:51,680
that amend? Amend.

3807
03:00:50,240 --> 03:00:54,000
» No, Commissioner, at this point, because

3808
03:00:51,680 --> 03:00:56,240
there's been an a motion to amend and

3809
03:00:54,000 --> 03:00:58,640
then a second, the court should vote on

3810
03:00:56,240 --> 03:01:01,120
the motion to amend. And then if it is

3811
03:00:58,640 --> 03:01:02,640
adopted, the court should vote on the

3812
03:01:01,120 --> 03:01:03,200
main motion that you presented as

3813
03:01:02,640 --> 03:01:05,439
amended.

3814
03:01:03,200 --> 03:01:06,240
» And if it's fails, then you vote on the

3815
03:01:05,439 --> 03:01:06,640
original motion.

3816
03:01:06,240 --> 03:01:09,040
» Correct.

3817
03:01:06,640 --> 03:01:11,840
» Okay. Okay. So, the motion. Does anybody

3818
03:01:09,040 --> 03:01:13,279
need me to repeat the motion up here?

3819
03:01:11,840 --> 03:01:14,479
» All right. We have a motion in a second.

3820
03:01:13,279 --> 03:01:16,720
Any discussion on this?

3821
03:01:14,479 --> 03:01:18,560
» Yeah. I don't know which sites exactly.

3822
03:01:16,720 --> 03:01:18,960
Um I didn't write them all down. There

3823
03:01:18,560 --> 03:01:22,960
were three.

3824
03:01:18,960 --> 03:01:24,960
» Bob Duncan, UTA, and TCC Southeast.

3825
03:01:22,960 --> 03:01:26,720
» Clint, did you have any problems with

3826
03:01:24,960 --> 03:01:28,880
any three of those?

3827
03:01:26,720 --> 03:01:32,399
» UTA traditionally isn't an odd year

3828
03:01:28,880 --> 03:01:34,479
early voting location. Um so, that one

3829
03:01:32,399 --> 03:01:37,439
we would have to see if that's something

3830
03:01:34,479 --> 03:01:40,479
that they would even want to do. Uh and

3831
03:01:37,439 --> 03:01:43,359
UTA and TCC Southeast, both those

3832
03:01:40,479 --> 03:01:46,319
locations do not give us a separate

3833
03:01:43,359 --> 03:01:48,080
room. So, that's going to if if they

3834
03:01:46,319 --> 03:01:49,520
will allow it, we're going to have to

3835
03:01:48,080 --> 03:01:51,760
set up and tear down those sites every

3836
03:01:49,520 --> 03:01:53,200
single day uh to to make those ones

3837
03:01:51,760 --> 03:01:55,760
work.

3838
03:01:53,200 --> 03:01:58,960
» All right. So, we have a Hang on. We

3839
03:01:55,760 --> 03:02:01,600
have a motion and a second

3840
03:01:58,960 --> 03:02:05,760
to amend the original motion to add Bob

3841
03:02:01,600 --> 03:02:08,479
Duncan, UTA, and TCC Southeast. Okay.

3842
03:02:05,760 --> 03:02:11,359
Just to Clint, uh, in regards to Taran

3843
03:02:08,479 --> 03:02:12,960
County College Southeast Campus, I would

3844
03:02:11,359 --> 03:02:15,040
recommend reaching out to their

3845
03:02:12,960 --> 03:02:18,960
governmental affairs director, Reginald

3846
03:02:15,040 --> 03:02:20,880
Gates, with the district office,

3847
03:02:18,960 --> 03:02:23,359
about accommodating you. And if you need

3848
03:02:20,880 --> 03:02:24,880
me to provide you with his contact

3849
03:02:23,359 --> 03:02:25,279
information, I can do that or I can make

3850
03:02:24,880 --> 03:02:27,600
the call.

3851
03:02:25,279 --> 03:02:30,880
» I'd appreciate that, Commissioner. And

3852
03:02:27,600 --> 03:02:33,359
my understanding is

3853
03:02:30,880 --> 03:02:35,439
the actual

3854
03:02:33,359 --> 03:02:37,439
due date

3855
03:02:35,439 --> 03:02:41,439
could accommodate.

3856
03:02:37,439 --> 03:02:45,120
So if this motion fails

3857
03:02:41,439 --> 03:02:49,680
and you and the reg the first motion

3858
03:02:45,120 --> 03:02:53,120
passes, there is still time to add these

3859
03:02:49,680 --> 03:02:55,040
if they can accommodate the law. Is that

3860
03:02:53,120 --> 03:02:57,600
accurate?

3861
03:02:55,040 --> 03:03:00,560
» Yes. Like this. Okay.

3862
03:02:57,600 --> 03:03:03,680
» Well, could could you alternatively if

3863
03:03:00,560 --> 03:03:05,279
the if the motion passed but they didn't

3864
03:03:03,680 --> 03:03:07,680
want to since we're publishing a list

3865
03:03:05,279 --> 03:03:09,200
say let's say we approve those sites and

3866
03:03:07,680 --> 03:03:11,279
then you subsequently find out that they

3867
03:03:09,200 --> 03:03:12,800
can't accommodate uh in accordance with

3868
03:03:11,279 --> 03:03:14,640
the law. What happens then? Do we have

3869
03:03:12,800 --> 03:03:17,200
to come back and remove the site by

3870
03:03:14,640 --> 03:03:19,439
court action?

3871
03:03:17,200 --> 03:03:21,520
I I believe we would just have to post

3872
03:03:19,439 --> 03:03:24,080
the notice that that site is not going

3873
03:03:21,520 --> 03:03:25,920
to be available. I don't remember the

3874
03:03:24,080 --> 03:03:27,120
exact posting requirements off the top

3875
03:03:25,920 --> 03:03:29,359
of my head. I don't have the election

3876
03:03:27,120 --> 03:03:31,920
code, but we would just have to notify

3877
03:03:29,359 --> 03:03:34,240
that it is not available um and where

3878
03:03:31,920 --> 03:03:36,720
the nearest locations are at.

3879
03:03:34,240 --> 03:03:41,800
» Okay. So,

3880
03:03:36,720 --> 03:03:41,800
what here's my comment on this.

3881
03:03:42,560 --> 03:03:46,080
Bob Duncan did not say we cannot

3882
03:03:44,560 --> 03:03:46,720
accommodate.

3883
03:03:46,080 --> 03:03:50,720
» No, they didn't.

3884
03:03:46,720 --> 03:03:52,560
» Okay. UTA and TCC South Southeast did.

3885
03:03:50,720 --> 03:03:52,960
» Correct. after you reached out.

3886
03:03:52,560 --> 03:03:56,800
» Correct.

3887
03:03:52,960 --> 03:04:01,120
» Okay. So, um

3888
03:03:56,800 --> 03:04:03,920
the other issue, well, I can I I would

3889
03:04:01,120 --> 03:04:05,760
probably support the Bob Duncan one. Uh

3890
03:04:03,920 --> 03:04:08,479
I'm not going to support those two and

3891
03:04:05,760 --> 03:04:10,399
they've already said no. But if you can

3892
03:04:08,479 --> 03:04:13,359
come back

3893
03:04:10,399 --> 03:04:16,160
and be able to analyze it and explain it

3894
03:04:13,359 --> 03:04:19,520
and why it's good, why it isn't, but the

3895
03:04:16,160 --> 03:04:23,600
idea that UTA is never a constitutional

3896
03:04:19,520 --> 03:04:27,120
amendment election um site, I mean

3897
03:04:23,600 --> 03:04:28,720
weighs with me. So, uh All right.

3898
03:04:27,120 --> 03:04:30,560
Anybody else have anything on this

3899
03:04:28,720 --> 03:04:33,840
before we vote on the amendment? I would

3900
03:04:30,560 --> 03:04:35,520
just say in order of operation, I think

3901
03:04:33,840 --> 03:04:37,359
it would be better if we didn't add

3902
03:04:35,520 --> 03:04:38,720
those polling sites in right now that

3903
03:04:37,359 --> 03:04:40,560
have already told us they couldn't

3904
03:04:38,720 --> 03:04:42,399
comply with state law and then try to

3905
03:04:40,560 --> 03:04:43,840
come back and add them in later than to

3906
03:04:42,399 --> 03:04:45,520
maybe approve them on the front end and

3907
03:04:43,840 --> 03:04:48,080
then have to come back and post a notice

3908
03:04:45,520 --> 03:04:50,000
and go through all that. So, um, but I

3909
03:04:48,080 --> 03:04:52,399
agree if it's just the Bob Duncan

3910
03:04:50,000 --> 03:04:55,680
Center, I'm I'm great with adding that

3911
03:04:52,399 --> 03:04:57,600
into this list of of amended sites.

3912
03:04:55,680 --> 03:05:00,000
» It's not just the Bob Duncan Center.

3913
03:04:57,600 --> 03:05:05,200
It's those sites I named. And I have an

3914
03:05:00,000 --> 03:05:08,479
amendment to my motion to add um I move

3915
03:05:05,200 --> 03:05:12,080
to amend my motion to add the Vernon

3916
03:05:08,479 --> 03:05:14,800
Newsome stadium.

3917
03:05:12,080 --> 03:05:17,920
» Would you be willing to revoke your

3918
03:05:14,800 --> 03:05:19,840
previous amending motion

3919
03:05:17,920 --> 03:05:20,240
and then make one?

3920
03:05:19,840 --> 03:05:21,600
» Sure.

3921
03:05:20,240 --> 03:05:22,880
» For those four?

3922
03:05:21,600 --> 03:05:26,640
» Yes.

3923
03:05:22,880 --> 03:05:27,040
» All right. You you vote?

3924
03:05:26,640 --> 03:05:31,680
» Yes.

3925
03:05:27,040 --> 03:05:33,120
» Okay. I move to resend

3926
03:05:31,680 --> 03:05:35,439
my motion.

3927
03:05:33,120 --> 03:05:36,319
» No, you just withdraw. You withdraw your

3928
03:05:35,439 --> 03:05:37,520
amending motion.

3929
03:05:36,319 --> 03:05:38,800
» I withdraw my

3930
03:05:37,520 --> 03:05:39,279
» Now you're going to make a new motion

3931
03:05:38,800 --> 03:05:44,080
for

3932
03:05:39,279 --> 03:05:47,760
» I'm going to make a new motion.

3933
03:05:44,080 --> 03:05:51,120
Amended motion to add

3934
03:05:47,760 --> 03:05:53,840
Vernon Newsome Stadium, TCC

3935
03:05:51,120 --> 03:05:57,920
Southoutheast Campus,

3936
03:05:53,840 --> 03:06:00,800
Bob Duncan, and the Kennedale site. So

3937
03:05:57,920 --> 03:06:05,359
you're now taking UTA off.

3938
03:06:00,800 --> 03:06:07,680
» Okay. So Bob Duncan, when you say the

3939
03:06:05,359 --> 03:06:08,000
Kennedale site, what is the Kennedale

3940
03:06:07,680 --> 03:06:10,640
site?

3941
03:06:08,000 --> 03:06:11,040
» Kennedale Community Center.

3942
03:06:10,640 --> 03:06:13,600
» Have you

3943
03:06:11,040 --> 03:06:15,680
» Yeah, I don't I don't have the name of

3944
03:06:13,600 --> 03:06:16,960
it because they just they had to move.

3945
03:06:15,680 --> 03:06:18,720
We used to be in the library, but

3946
03:06:16,960 --> 03:06:21,120
they're doing some construction. So it's

3947
03:06:18,720 --> 03:06:22,960
um

3948
03:06:21,120 --> 03:06:25,279
Dober Hall is is the location.

3949
03:06:22,960 --> 03:06:27,680
» Have you talked to them about that about

3950
03:06:25,279 --> 03:06:29,439
being able to do that this time?

3951
03:06:27,680 --> 03:06:32,000
We haven't, but we can just reach out

3952
03:06:29,439 --> 03:06:33,840
and um and ask.

3953
03:06:32,000 --> 03:06:38,880
» So, let me say this. This this my whole

3954
03:06:33,840 --> 03:06:41,920
point of tableing this until we have uh

3955
03:06:38,880 --> 03:06:47,040
time to go through it. So, sitting up

3956
03:06:41,920 --> 03:06:48,800
here on this day is um without the

3957
03:06:47,040 --> 03:06:50,880
information

3958
03:06:48,800 --> 03:06:52,479
um is

3959
03:06:50,880 --> 03:06:54,720
irresponsible.

3960
03:06:52,479 --> 03:06:58,960
It's unprofessional.

3961
03:06:54,720 --> 03:07:01,840
Um, and so the rush, what's what's the

3962
03:06:58,960 --> 03:07:04,560
urgency to do this?

3963
03:07:01,840 --> 03:07:08,000
We can have a special call meeting. We

3964
03:07:04,560 --> 03:07:10,800
can do it on September 3rd. Um, which

3965
03:07:08,000 --> 03:07:13,439
gives him plenty of time

3966
03:07:10,800 --> 03:07:16,240
um, according to the elections calendar

3967
03:07:13,439 --> 03:07:20,000
to get this get this approved. So, what

3968
03:07:16,240 --> 03:07:22,240
what is the rush um to do this?

3969
03:07:20,000 --> 03:07:24,000
Commissioner Miles might have some some

3970
03:07:22,240 --> 03:07:24,720
sites. Commissioner RmIrez might have

3971
03:07:24,000 --> 03:07:26,479
some sights.

3972
03:07:24,720 --> 03:07:28,640
» Is that a rhetorical question or

3973
03:07:26,479 --> 03:07:33,439
» No, no, I need to know.

3974
03:07:28,640 --> 03:07:35,359
» Uh I think two pieces to this is one

3975
03:07:33,439 --> 03:07:38,080
I'm ready to vote and I think we can

3976
03:07:35,359 --> 03:07:41,600
vote. There is an OP. So there is an

3977
03:07:38,080 --> 03:07:44,720
option to bring the other sites when

3978
03:07:41,600 --> 03:07:48,640
they've had the ability to do diligence.

3979
03:07:44,720 --> 03:07:52,479
Um so I don't see a reason at this point

3980
03:07:48,640 --> 03:07:54,080
to postpone it. We can vote if yours

3981
03:07:52,479 --> 03:07:56,640
fails. We can vote on his original

3982
03:07:54,080 --> 03:07:58,880
motion. If yours passes, we can vote on

3983
03:07:56,640 --> 03:08:00,479
the amended motion alto together. Take a

3984
03:07:58,880 --> 03:08:02,880
vote and then if there's something else

3985
03:08:00,479 --> 03:08:04,399
to add, it can come back and be added

3986
03:08:02,880 --> 03:08:06,880
and it gives him a chance to do the

3987
03:08:04,399 --> 03:08:07,760
diligence. So that that's the an answer

3988
03:08:06,880 --> 03:08:09,760
to that question.

3989
03:08:07,760 --> 03:08:12,160
» And anybody else want to weigh in on

3990
03:08:09,760 --> 03:08:13,040
that question?

3991
03:08:12,160 --> 03:08:15,600
» What's the

3992
03:08:13,040 --> 03:08:18,080
» The list of amended sites? There's I

3993
03:08:15,600 --> 03:08:21,279
don't see any of well all of the

3994
03:08:18,080 --> 03:08:23,200
additions. I don't see any sites that

3995
03:08:21,279 --> 03:08:25,920
historically would tell us no don't

3996
03:08:23,200 --> 03:08:29,040
don't show up here. Um so I'm I'm pretty

3997
03:08:25,920 --> 03:08:29,600
confident that the list of ads um we can

3998
03:08:29,040 --> 03:08:31,359
make happen.

3999
03:08:29,600 --> 03:08:33,359
» Which which list are you referring to?

4000
03:08:31,359 --> 03:08:34,560
» KO all all of them. KO T T T T T T T T T

4001
03:08:33,359 --> 03:08:36,960
T T T T T T T T T T T TCC Northwest, the

4002
03:08:34,560 --> 03:08:40,240
Charles Griffin Northeast Sub, Vernon

4003
03:08:36,960 --> 03:08:41,200
Newsome, Bob Duncan, and TCC Southeast,

4004
03:08:40,240 --> 03:08:43,600
and Kennedale.

4005
03:08:41,200 --> 03:08:44,800
» I thought you already said TCC said they

4006
03:08:43,600 --> 03:08:47,359
couldn't accommodate. They can't

4007
03:08:44,800 --> 03:08:49,840
accommodate the individual polling

4008
03:08:47,359 --> 03:08:53,920
location and us having a room, but they

4009
03:08:49,840 --> 03:08:58,319
will let us conduct voting there.

4010
03:08:53,920 --> 03:09:00,720
» Okay. So, at the moment, we have a

4011
03:08:58,319 --> 03:09:02,319
motion to amend Commissioner Krauss's

4012
03:09:00,720 --> 03:09:07,279
motion

4013
03:09:02,319 --> 03:09:09,120
to add Bob Duncan, Kennedale

4014
03:09:07,279 --> 03:09:12,000
Health Center or something to that

4015
03:09:09,120 --> 03:09:14,880
effect, TCC Southeast, and Vernon

4016
03:09:12,000 --> 03:09:16,399
Newsome Stadium as locations. Did I

4017
03:09:14,880 --> 03:09:18,319
repeat your motion correctly?

4018
03:09:16,399 --> 03:09:20,080
» Yes, but I have a question for the

4019
03:09:18,319 --> 03:09:24,720
administrator.

4020
03:09:20,080 --> 03:09:27,200
Um, so are you going to hold this list?

4021
03:09:24,720 --> 03:09:29,200
Because the judge said we can always

4022
03:09:27,200 --> 03:09:31,520
come back and add sites. Are you going

4023
03:09:29,200 --> 03:09:35,040
to hold this until the next meeting

4024
03:09:31,520 --> 03:09:37,279
before submitting it or publishing it or

4025
03:09:35,040 --> 03:09:39,920
whatever you have to do to it? Did you

4026
03:09:37,279 --> 03:09:41,840
hear what he said?

4027
03:09:39,920 --> 03:09:43,760
» The

4028
03:09:41,840 --> 03:09:45,760
what is approved today is what we're

4029
03:09:43,760 --> 03:09:48,720
going to move forward with to to start

4030
03:09:45,760 --> 03:09:50,720
getting the election done. And I don't

4031
03:09:48,720 --> 03:09:52,240
if we get an improved list of of what we

4032
03:09:50,720 --> 03:09:55,359
want then that's what we would.

4033
03:09:52,240 --> 03:09:59,680
» So he's he wasn't quite accurate when he

4034
03:09:55,359 --> 03:10:03,040
said that that we can add if if if

4035
03:09:59,680 --> 03:10:06,000
commissioner Krauss's passes and my

4036
03:10:03,040 --> 03:10:08,880
amendment fails, we can come back and

4037
03:10:06,000 --> 03:10:12,000
try to add some more sites at a future

4038
03:10:08,880 --> 03:10:14,080
meeting. There's there's still time. Um

4039
03:10:12,000 --> 03:10:16,240
if we if the court wanted to agendaize

4040
03:10:14,080 --> 03:10:18,160
an item and and add those on the

4041
03:10:16,240 --> 03:10:20,800
September 3rd meeting, we could add

4042
03:10:18,160 --> 03:10:22,640
those in. It just taking this list and

4043
03:10:20,800 --> 03:10:24,479
moving forward lets us start getting the

4044
03:10:22,640 --> 03:10:26,560
programming done. All the work for the

4045
03:10:24,479 --> 03:10:28,640
election. This will be the majority of

4046
03:10:26,560 --> 03:10:31,279
it. I wouldn't imagine that any ads are

4047
03:10:28,640 --> 03:10:33,600
going to be much significant after uh

4048
03:10:31,279 --> 03:10:35,920
the list that we've we've gained here.

4049
03:10:33,600 --> 03:10:38,800
So, we will be able to continue what

4050
03:10:35,920 --> 03:10:42,000
what we've presented and if there were

4051
03:10:38,800 --> 03:10:44,399
ads, we could add those in.

4052
03:10:42,000 --> 03:10:46,080
» All right. Are we ready to vote on the

4053
03:10:44,399 --> 03:10:47,200
amendment to the motion?

4054
03:10:46,080 --> 03:10:48,240
» I've got a comment.

4055
03:10:47,200 --> 03:10:51,520
» Okay.

4056
03:10:48,240 --> 03:10:54,479
» Um ju just in general, uh I I think this

4057
03:10:51,520 --> 03:10:56,640
process again, communication is key, um

4058
03:10:54,479 --> 03:10:59,439
for our elections administrator, um on

4059
03:10:56,640 --> 03:11:02,479
the next iterations of this. uh but I do

4060
03:10:59,439 --> 03:11:05,120
think you know while I may not share the

4061
03:11:02,479 --> 03:11:07,520
viewpoint uh of some of my colleagues up

4062
03:11:05,120 --> 03:11:11,120
here I I do think that the robust

4063
03:11:07,520 --> 03:11:14,240
discussion uh is healthy and I think

4064
03:11:11,120 --> 03:11:16,640
being able to discuss it and you know

4065
03:11:14,240 --> 03:11:17,840
not everybody it's not a win or loss

4066
03:11:16,640 --> 03:11:20,160
type of thing not everything's

4067
03:11:17,840 --> 03:11:22,720
adversarial um you know it's it's

4068
03:11:20,160 --> 03:11:24,000
viewpoints on what's the most efficient

4069
03:11:22,720 --> 03:11:26,240
way to do something what's the most

4070
03:11:24,000 --> 03:11:28,399
responsible and at the end of the day

4071
03:11:26,240 --> 03:11:30,319
how to best serve all of the citizens in

4072
03:11:28,399 --> 03:11:33,359
Taran County, all of them, uh, in each

4073
03:11:30,319 --> 03:11:34,880
of our individual precincts. So, I do

4074
03:11:33,359 --> 03:11:37,120
think that the conversation's

4075
03:11:34,880 --> 03:11:39,439
productive, uh, just to go through the

4076
03:11:37,120 --> 03:11:41,520
exercise and and again, Clint, I think

4077
03:11:39,439 --> 03:11:43,760
hopefully um, in the future, we have

4078
03:11:41,520 --> 03:11:45,200
this discussion before uh, we have a

4079
03:11:43,760 --> 03:11:47,840
final proposal so that everybody's

4080
03:11:45,200 --> 03:11:51,359
viewpoints are included. Um, but but

4081
03:11:47,840 --> 03:11:52,800
this process again, I think, has gone

4082
03:11:51,359 --> 03:11:55,120
about as well as it could with getting

4083
03:11:52,800 --> 03:11:55,840
the information how we got it. So,

4084
03:11:55,120 --> 03:11:57,439
thanks.

4085
03:11:55,840 --> 03:12:01,920
» Yeah, I don't I don't think anything's

4086
03:11:57,439 --> 03:12:04,800
been adversarial up here. Um, it's what

4087
03:12:01,920 --> 03:12:08,479
I said at the beginning, the process.

4088
03:12:04,800 --> 03:12:14,640
Um, and you know, you're not worth two

4089
03:12:08,479 --> 03:12:17,120
damn cents because I asked you Friday if

4090
03:12:14,640 --> 03:12:21,520
this could be postponed.

4091
03:12:17,120 --> 03:12:25,760
You said yes. All weekend

4092
03:12:21,520 --> 03:12:28,960
you and Chandler said no, it can't. I

4093
03:12:25,760 --> 03:12:32,479
wait. I've spoken with election

4094
03:12:28,960 --> 03:12:36,240
administrators in four other counties.

4095
03:12:32,479 --> 03:12:38,160
So, I know you did not tell me the truth

4096
03:12:36,240 --> 03:12:42,880
this weekend

4097
03:12:38,160 --> 03:12:46,160
as I attempted to pull this item off the

4098
03:12:42,880 --> 03:12:49,840
agenda and move it to the September 3rd

4099
03:12:46,160 --> 03:12:53,120
meeting. You wanted this circus. You

4100
03:12:49,840 --> 03:12:56,960
wanted You ought to be embarrassed. So

4101
03:12:53,120 --> 03:12:59,040
now you just said

4102
03:12:56,960 --> 03:13:01,920
you could put it on the September. I

4103
03:12:59,040 --> 03:13:03,680
I've got emails I will post on social

4104
03:13:01,920 --> 03:13:05,600
media for these people to see.

4105
03:13:03,680 --> 03:13:07,279
» Please do commission. I like I said and

4106
03:13:05,600 --> 03:13:10,319
I told you for the programming side of

4107
03:13:07,279 --> 03:13:12,560
it, yes, we have time. The issue is both

4108
03:13:10,319 --> 03:13:14,479
myself and the assistant elections

4109
03:13:12,560 --> 03:13:17,120
administrator are not going to be here

4110
03:13:14,479 --> 03:13:19,040
on the 3 in order to present it. And

4111
03:13:17,120 --> 03:13:20,800
that is why we wanted to get this in

4112
03:13:19,040 --> 03:13:22,720
here in front of the court so we could

4113
03:13:20,800 --> 03:13:24,319
have this discussion. and so I could get

4114
03:13:22,720 --> 03:13:25,120
my team a list of sites so that they

4115
03:13:24,319 --> 03:13:27,680
could work with

4116
03:13:25,120 --> 03:13:31,040
» And I took that into consideration and

4117
03:13:27,680 --> 03:13:34,160
my motion. All I've talked about is a

4118
03:13:31,040 --> 03:13:37,760
special call meeting because this county

4119
03:13:34,160 --> 03:13:40,000
has to stop because two individuals

4120
03:13:37,760 --> 03:13:42,000
won't be here. He'll be at a conference.

4121
03:13:40,000 --> 03:13:45,520
Hey, go go go to the conference a day

4122
03:13:42,000 --> 03:13:48,479
late. But the business of this county

4123
03:13:45,520 --> 03:13:50,479
has to continue.

4124
03:13:48,479 --> 03:13:53,120
Forget your conference. You got a list

4125
03:13:50,479 --> 03:13:56,319
to do. You got programming to start.

4126
03:13:53,120 --> 03:13:59,200
Skip a day of the conference.

4127
03:13:56,319 --> 03:14:01,120
» All right. We have a motion and a second

4128
03:13:59,200 --> 03:14:02,160
on an amending motion. What?

4129
03:14:01,120 --> 03:14:03,120
» You do not have a second for the

4130
03:14:02,160 --> 03:14:04,479
amendment, judge.

4131
03:14:03,120 --> 03:14:05,840
» Um,

4132
03:14:04,479 --> 03:14:06,399
» Do we have a second?

4133
03:14:05,840 --> 03:14:06,720
» Seconded.

4134
03:14:06,399 --> 03:14:07,200
» Okay.

4135
03:14:06,720 --> 03:14:10,239
» Second.

4136
03:14:07,200 --> 03:14:12,640
» We have a motion and a second on an

4137
03:14:10,239 --> 03:14:14,000
amending motion. Any further discussion

4138
03:14:12,640 --> 03:14:16,319
before we vote on it?

4139
03:14:14,000 --> 03:14:18,960
» Just one more question because TCC

4140
03:14:16,319 --> 03:14:20,640
Southeast is included in this. Correct.

4141
03:14:18,960 --> 03:14:23,200
» Correct. and they have told us that they

4142
03:14:20,640 --> 03:14:26,319
cannot comply with state law

4143
03:14:23,200 --> 03:14:29,200
» With the the separate room. Now there's

4144
03:14:26,319 --> 03:14:31,120
as long as we have a room within there

4145
03:14:29,200 --> 03:14:33,120
that we can tear down and store the

4146
03:14:31,120 --> 03:14:34,399
equipment every night then we can still

4147
03:14:33,120 --> 03:14:35,680
make that happen. They didn't say they

4148
03:14:34,399 --> 03:14:37,200
could not do that. They just said that

4149
03:14:35,680 --> 03:14:38,800
we could not have our own voting room.

4150
03:14:37,200 --> 03:14:40,880
So I can go back and see can they

4151
03:14:38,800 --> 03:14:42,880
accommodate that or they could say no

4152
03:14:40,880 --> 03:14:44,080
they can't and and then it wouldn't be

4153
03:14:42,880 --> 03:14:45,760
compliant with the state law and we

4154
03:14:44,080 --> 03:14:47,600
wouldn't be able to use it. So, you feel

4155
03:14:45,760 --> 03:14:49,760
reasonably confident that we'll be able

4156
03:14:47,600 --> 03:14:51,040
to make that site work?

4157
03:14:49,760 --> 03:14:54,279
» I'll do everything I can to find a way

4158
03:14:51,040 --> 03:14:54,279
to make it happen.

4159
03:14:54,800 --> 03:15:03,680
» So,

4160
03:14:56,479 --> 03:15:07,600
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. The 11th lowest

4161
03:15:03,680 --> 03:15:11,200
turnout from the 2023 constitutional

4162
03:15:07,600 --> 03:15:15,960
amendment election is the one out of

4163
03:15:11,200 --> 03:15:15,960
what now has risen to approximately

4164
03:15:16,640 --> 03:15:23,279
28

4165
03:15:18,319 --> 03:15:25,520
plus 4 32 locations. We're going to make

4166
03:15:23,279 --> 03:15:28,160
an accommodation for them being the 11th

4167
03:15:25,520 --> 03:15:30,720
lowest that no other early voting site

4168
03:15:28,160 --> 03:15:33,720
has to make. So for an average of

4169
03:15:30,720 --> 03:15:33,720
approximately

4170
03:15:35,279 --> 03:15:41,760
50 voters a day. All right. Again, if if

4171
03:15:39,200 --> 03:15:43,920
this had if

4172
03:15:41,760 --> 03:15:46,160
if we had this information ahead of

4173
03:15:43,920 --> 03:15:50,560
time, we wouldn't be up here doing this.

4174
03:15:46,160 --> 03:15:54,880
It doesn't make sense either

4175
03:15:50,560 --> 03:15:57,439
to get rid of the northeast courthouse

4176
03:15:54,880 --> 03:16:00,000
and they bring in they're the one, two,

4177
03:15:57,439 --> 03:16:02,000
three, four, five, six, seven, eighth

4178
03:16:00,000 --> 03:16:05,040
highest vote getting site in Taran

4179
03:16:02,000 --> 03:16:06,479
County. Make it make sense, sir. That

4180
03:16:05,040 --> 03:16:08,960
was part of the discussion and that was

4181
03:16:06,479 --> 03:16:10,560
one of the locations that I said likely

4182
03:16:08,960 --> 03:16:12,560
could be added. But when we were looking

4183
03:16:10,560 --> 03:16:14,640
at the fact that there is another higher

4184
03:16:12,560 --> 03:16:15,520
performing location right there next to

4185
03:16:14,640 --> 03:16:17,439
it

4186
03:16:15,520 --> 03:16:18,720
» And what we had done consistently was if

4187
03:16:17,439 --> 03:16:21,439
there was a higher if there were two

4188
03:16:18,720 --> 03:16:23,680
locations together and one was a higher

4189
03:16:21,439 --> 03:16:26,000
location that was the location that was

4190
03:16:23,680 --> 03:16:28,319
chosen to facilitate the voters.

4191
03:16:26,000 --> 03:16:29,920
» And and the administrator was very

4192
03:16:28,319 --> 03:16:31,680
responsive and helpful with me when I

4193
03:16:29,920 --> 03:16:33,600
called and asked that very question. He

4194
03:16:31,680 --> 03:16:36,000
laid all of that out to me and gave me a

4195
03:16:33,600 --> 03:16:37,600
clear reason for why that was not done.

4196
03:16:36,000 --> 03:16:39,760
And so I appreciated that. There was a

4197
03:16:37,600 --> 03:16:41,359
rhyme and reason behind every site that

4198
03:16:39,760 --> 03:16:42,319
we asked him about and that was very

4199
03:16:41,359 --> 03:16:46,600
helpful.

4200
03:16:42,319 --> 03:16:46,600
» Well, what I don't appreciate

4201
03:16:46,640 --> 03:16:52,160
is are the games and the lack of

4202
03:16:49,359 --> 03:16:55,439
transparency from you, Clint, and from

4203
03:16:52,160 --> 03:16:58,000
you, Mr. Merritt. Um,

4204
03:16:55,439 --> 03:17:01,920
and what I don't appreciate

4205
03:16:58,000 --> 03:17:04,399
is these people coming down here

4206
03:17:01,920 --> 03:17:06,800
parking, spending their time, leaving

4207
03:17:04,399 --> 03:17:08,800
their jobs, whatever. To be

4208
03:17:06,800 --> 03:17:11,520
disrespected.

4209
03:17:08,800 --> 03:17:16,880
When over a hundred

4210
03:17:11,520 --> 03:17:20,880
people tell us what to do and one says

4211
03:17:16,880 --> 03:17:23,600
no, we do what they tell us to do. We

4212
03:17:20,880 --> 03:17:26,800
were elected by them. Y'all are

4213
03:17:23,600 --> 03:17:29,680
disrespectful to our constituents.

4214
03:17:26,800 --> 03:17:31,920
and your disrespect for our staff is one

4215
03:17:29,680 --> 03:17:34,800
of the most abhorent things I have ever

4216
03:17:31,920 --> 03:17:36,720
seen. Be quiet now.

4217
03:17:34,800 --> 03:17:37,439
» They don't they don't have to be quiet.

4218
03:17:36,720 --> 03:17:40,399
They can respond.

4219
03:17:37,439 --> 03:17:42,080
» Yes, you do. Remove him.

4220
03:17:40,399 --> 03:17:46,400
» Yeah. And you know what? When I have the

4221
03:17:42,080 --> 03:17:48,560
microphone, I have the ability.

4222
03:17:46,400 --> 03:17:56,200
[Music]

4223
03:17:48,560 --> 03:17:56,200
So you you love you love. Excuse me.

4224
03:17:56,319 --> 03:18:01,200
because

4225
03:17:59,200 --> 03:18:01,840
he's got to throw people out.

4226
03:18:01,200 --> 03:18:04,319
» No.

4227
03:18:01,840 --> 03:18:06,800
» Disrespectful of these people who have

4228
03:18:04,319 --> 03:18:11,359
par, paid to park, come down here, taken

4229
03:18:06,800 --> 03:18:14,560
their time to tell us how to do their

4230
03:18:11,359 --> 03:18:16,960
business. These are taxpayers

4231
03:18:14,560 --> 03:18:19,279
» And you are constantly calling our staff

4232
03:18:16,960 --> 03:18:22,720
members liars, questioning their

4233
03:18:19,279 --> 03:18:23,840
integrity uh over and over and over.

4234
03:18:22,720 --> 03:18:25,760
They lie.

4235
03:18:23,840 --> 03:18:27,520
» Would you do me a favor? I let you

4236
03:18:25,760 --> 03:18:28,960
speak. Would you do the same for me?

4237
03:18:27,520 --> 03:18:30,960
» Okay, I'll speak after you. So,

4238
03:18:28,960 --> 03:18:32,720
» Of course you will. You can never stop.

4239
03:18:30,960 --> 03:18:35,520
So,

4240
03:18:32,720 --> 03:18:38,239
» You repeatedly get up here and call our

4241
03:18:35,520 --> 03:18:41,200
staff members liars when you don't agree

4242
03:18:38,239 --> 03:18:43,600
with what they say. You You confuse

4243
03:18:41,200 --> 03:18:45,760
facts. You say things that are

4244
03:18:43,600 --> 03:18:49,680
inaccurate as though they are fact

4245
03:18:45,760 --> 03:18:52,080
literally every single meeting. And

4246
03:18:49,680 --> 03:18:55,359
Clint has been very clear from the time

4247
03:18:52,080 --> 03:18:58,319
this started that the deadline to turn

4248
03:18:55,359 --> 03:19:00,960
this in is not today.

4249
03:18:58,319 --> 03:19:03,840
But they also don't want to go down to

4250
03:19:00,960 --> 03:19:08,800
the very last minute because voting

4251
03:19:03,840 --> 03:19:10,800
starts in I believe it is uh mid October

4252
03:19:08,800 --> 03:19:13,680
and they have less at this point than

4253
03:19:10,800 --> 03:19:16,560
two months to start going on it. It

4254
03:19:13,680 --> 03:19:18,319
would be nice if you would stop accusing

4255
03:19:16,560 --> 03:19:20,080
the staff members who disagree with you

4256
03:19:18,319 --> 03:19:22,399
and don't do what you think they should

4257
03:19:20,080 --> 03:19:24,560
do every minute. It would be nice if you

4258
03:19:22,399 --> 03:19:27,760
would stop accusing them of being liars

4259
03:19:24,560 --> 03:19:30,080
and deceiving and deceptive. You did it

4260
03:19:27,760 --> 03:19:31,840
to him today. You did it to Helen last

4261
03:19:30,080 --> 03:19:34,800
week. You do it to Chandler multiple

4262
03:19:31,840 --> 03:19:36,239
times a year. Enough's enough.

4263
03:19:34,800 --> 03:19:37,120
» Okay. So,

4264
03:19:36,239 --> 03:19:39,200
» Judge might be right.

4265
03:19:37,120 --> 03:19:41,600
» If this is No, no. I was going after

4266
03:19:39,200 --> 03:19:44,000
him. If this

4267
03:19:41,600 --> 03:19:46,960
is a comprehensive

4268
03:19:44,000 --> 03:19:48,800
report analysis,

4269
03:19:46,960 --> 03:19:52,720
methodology

4270
03:19:48,800 --> 03:19:54,880
on why we should be cutting our polling

4271
03:19:52,720 --> 03:19:57,040
places in half.

4272
03:19:54,880 --> 03:20:00,080
We're sad. This is sad. This is

4273
03:19:57,040 --> 03:20:01,760
ridiculous. I ask him,

4274
03:20:00,080 --> 03:20:03,840
"Where where's your arithmetic? Where's

4275
03:20:01,760 --> 03:20:06,239
your data? Where's your methodology?

4276
03:20:03,840 --> 03:20:08,160
It's all over my office, ma'am. I I I

4277
03:20:06,239 --> 03:20:11,040
would I would have to put it together."

4278
03:20:08,160 --> 03:20:13,680
And this is what I got on Saturday. So

4279
03:20:11,040 --> 03:20:17,279
if you don't want to be critiqued

4280
03:20:13,680 --> 03:20:20,080
and criticized, you've got to do better.

4281
03:20:17,279 --> 03:20:22,800
You've got This is This is pathetic. And

4282
03:20:20,080 --> 03:20:26,479
I don't miss I don't mince facts. I've

4283
03:20:22,800 --> 03:20:29,200
got facts. My data is always accurate.

4284
03:20:26,479 --> 03:20:34,720
It comes if it's ever inaccurate. It

4285
03:20:29,200 --> 03:20:38,800
comes from the staff, this staff. Um, so

4286
03:20:34,720 --> 03:20:42,399
you can allege that all you want. Um,

4287
03:20:38,800 --> 03:20:44,000
but you are wrong. You can you can

4288
03:20:42,399 --> 03:20:46,399
praise these people. Let me tell you

4289
03:20:44,000 --> 03:20:49,600
guys why he can praise these people.

4290
03:20:46,399 --> 03:20:52,880
They are terrified of him. He couldn't

4291
03:20:49,600 --> 03:20:55,359
dare they couldn't dare tell him, you

4292
03:20:52,880 --> 03:20:58,160
know, judge, that's not a good idea.

4293
03:20:55,359 --> 03:21:00,880
They'd be gone. He has whitewashed

4294
03:20:58,160 --> 03:21:03,520
this administrative staff. When we got

4295
03:21:00,880 --> 03:21:06,399
here, it was very diverse. We've got

4296
03:21:03,520 --> 03:21:09,200
three minorities left on this

4297
03:21:06,399 --> 03:21:12,239
administrative staff. So, they're

4298
03:21:09,200 --> 03:21:14,319
terrified of him. He's got the power.

4299
03:21:12,239 --> 03:21:16,000
You see? One, two, three. Those guys,

4300
03:21:14,319 --> 03:21:20,800
you're going to one, two, three. Lock

4301
03:21:16,000 --> 03:21:24,120
step. They're not going to consider you.

4302
03:21:20,800 --> 03:21:24,120
I am,

4303
03:21:24,399 --> 03:21:26,319
» Sir.

4304
03:21:24,720 --> 03:21:28,640
» And don't you ever say anything about

4305
03:21:26,319 --> 03:21:31,920
being a Marine again. My son is Marine

4306
03:21:28,640 --> 03:21:33,600
Captain about to be a major. and you're

4307
03:21:31,920 --> 03:21:36,000
embarrassing.

4308
03:21:33,600 --> 03:21:37,840
» Sir,

4309
03:21:36,000 --> 03:21:40,960
» If we're done, I was going to call the

4310
03:21:37,840 --> 03:21:43,840
question, but sounds like we're there.

4311
03:21:40,960 --> 03:21:47,359
» I I'll say one more thing. Um, the fact

4312
03:21:43,840 --> 03:21:49,120
that nobody listens on this DAS, it it's

4313
03:21:47,359 --> 03:21:51,359
just not true. In fact, you're seeing

4314
03:21:49,120 --> 03:21:53,840
this amendment play out. Thank you to my

4315
03:21:51,359 --> 03:21:56,479
friend Loretta, uh, who wish me a happy

4316
03:21:53,840 --> 03:21:58,160
birthday, who made a strong case for CO

4317
03:21:56,479 --> 03:22:00,239
as a lot of other people did after

4318
03:21:58,160 --> 03:22:01,680
conversations. That's why this is on

4319
03:22:00,239 --> 03:22:04,080
here. We talked about the Charles

4320
03:22:01,680 --> 03:22:06,880
Griffin Center uh that was really

4321
03:22:04,080 --> 03:22:09,279
important to uh Commissioner Miles

4322
03:22:06,880 --> 03:22:10,720
that's on here. So when you say nobody's

4323
03:22:09,279 --> 03:22:12,319
listening to you, that's just not true.

4324
03:22:10,720 --> 03:22:14,319
Taking a lot of feedback today. That's

4325
03:22:12,319 --> 03:22:15,600
what this amendment is all about. You're

4326
03:22:14,319 --> 03:22:17,279
being heard even if you don't always

4327
03:22:15,600 --> 03:22:19,120
agree, but those changes are being

4328
03:22:17,279 --> 03:22:21,359
incorporated.

4329
03:22:19,120 --> 03:22:24,800
» All right, question.

4330
03:22:21,359 --> 03:22:28,399
» Is the amendment for early voting or

4331
03:22:24,800 --> 03:22:29,920
election day sites or both?

4332
03:22:28,399 --> 03:22:33,680
» Great question. I believe the amendment

4333
03:22:29,920 --> 03:22:36,479
was for early voting sites is how I

4334
03:22:33,680 --> 03:22:36,960
interpreted it. Is that accurate?

4335
03:22:36,479 --> 03:22:39,359
» Yes.

4336
03:22:36,960 --> 03:22:40,720
» Okay.

4337
03:22:39,359 --> 03:22:42,640
» All right. We have

4338
03:22:40,720 --> 03:22:44,160
» So, we're not even addressing election

4339
03:22:42,640 --> 03:22:49,760
day.

4340
03:22:44,160 --> 03:22:52,399
At the moment, we have a motion to amend

4341
03:22:49,760 --> 03:22:55,520
the motion on the floor to add Bob

4342
03:22:52,399 --> 03:22:57,200
Duncan, Kennedale,

4343
03:22:55,520 --> 03:22:59,359
Tarant County College Southeast, and

4344
03:22:57,200 --> 03:23:01,760
Vernon Newsome Stadium to the list of

4345
03:22:59,359 --> 03:23:04,880
early voting sites.

4346
03:23:01,760 --> 03:23:08,040
Um, all those in favor, please raise

4347
03:23:04,880 --> 03:23:08,040
your hand.

4348
03:23:08,080 --> 03:23:15,439
All right, so it passes four to one.

4349
03:23:11,439 --> 03:23:19,040
Uh so now we have an amended motion on

4350
03:23:15,439 --> 03:23:21,680
the floor which is to approve the list

4351
03:23:19,040 --> 03:23:26,239
provided by Clint

4352
03:23:21,680 --> 03:23:28,640
and also to include Bob Duncan Kennedale

4353
03:23:26,239 --> 03:23:30,800
Tarant County College Southeast Vernon

4354
03:23:28,640 --> 03:23:32,319
Newsome Stadium the Northeast

4355
03:23:30,800 --> 03:23:34,399
Subcourthouse

4356
03:23:32,319 --> 03:23:35,520
KO

4357
03:23:34,399 --> 03:23:37,920
» Legacy Learning Center

4358
03:23:35,520 --> 03:23:39,200
» Legacy Learning Center and

4359
03:23:37,920 --> 03:23:42,399
» TCC Northwest

4360
03:23:39,200 --> 03:23:45,120
» TCC Northwest gest that I get them all.

4361
03:23:42,399 --> 03:23:48,960
All right. Uh all those in favor of

4362
03:23:45,120 --> 03:23:52,000
this, please raise your hand.

4363
03:23:48,960 --> 03:23:55,120
All right. This passes 3 to two. All

4364
03:23:52,000 --> 03:23:57,439
right. That is it for that item. We will

4365
03:23:55,120 --> 03:24:02,359
now take a 10-minute recess and be back

4366
03:23:57,439 --> 03:24:02,359
in here at 1:30. We are in recess.

4367
03:34:28,800 --> 03:34:34,800
All right, we are back from recess

4368
03:34:32,800 --> 03:34:38,239
and

4369
03:34:34,800 --> 03:34:41,439
the next item on the agenda

4370
03:34:38,239 --> 03:34:44,920
is item I4

4371
03:34:41,439 --> 03:34:44,920
from consent.

4372
03:34:45,439 --> 03:34:49,439
I make a motion to approve.

4373
03:34:48,080 --> 03:34:54,960
» All right, we have a motion and a second

4374
03:34:49,439 --> 03:34:58,680
to approve item I4. Let me go find I4

4375
03:34:54,960 --> 03:34:58,680
so I can read it.

4376
03:34:59,359 --> 03:35:04,080
» This is the uh consideration to approve

4377
03:35:01,279 --> 03:35:06,080
the changes to the EFG

4378
03:35:04,080 --> 03:35:07,680
» Elections Administration consideration

4379
03:35:06,080 --> 03:35:09,520
to approve changes to certain voting

4380
03:35:07,680 --> 03:35:12,319
precinct boundaries and authorized

4381
03:35:09,520 --> 03:35:14,720
publication of required notices. All

4382
03:35:12,319 --> 03:35:16,560
right, we have a motion and a second.

4383
03:35:14,720 --> 03:35:19,560
Discussion before we bring up the

4384
03:35:16,560 --> 03:35:19,560
speakers

4385
03:35:30,720 --> 03:35:34,080
» Have a comment, but I can wait until I

4386
03:35:32,560 --> 03:35:37,200
speak. Okay. Uh,

4387
03:35:34,080 --> 03:35:40,080
» So we have uh Dr. Valencia Edner is

4388
03:35:37,200 --> 03:35:43,200
first up. Following Dr. Edner, we have

4389
03:35:40,080 --> 03:35:43,200
Amy Super.

4390
03:35:55,439 --> 03:35:59,520
I guess I should thank you for the small

4391
03:35:57,680 --> 03:36:03,760
win.

4392
03:35:59,520 --> 03:36:07,359
Yet, it does not change the motive

4393
03:36:03,760 --> 03:36:09,439
behind the way things get done. It takes

4394
03:36:07,359 --> 03:36:11,840
a weak body,

4395
03:36:09,439 --> 03:36:15,120
executive or judicial, to continue to

4396
03:36:11,840 --> 03:36:18,319
keep rigging the system in its favor.

4397
03:36:15,120 --> 03:36:20,160
This is not politics. This is fear.

4398
03:36:18,319 --> 03:36:23,680
Without your schemes, the people would

4399
03:36:20,160 --> 03:36:26,960
speak and your power would shrink.

4400
03:36:23,680 --> 03:36:28,640
This boundary change is not math. It's

4401
03:36:26,960 --> 03:36:30,960
malice.

4402
03:36:28,640 --> 03:36:33,920
It's not efficiency. It's voter

4403
03:36:30,960 --> 03:36:35,920
suppression. steel.

4404
03:36:33,920 --> 03:36:37,920
If you continue to vote for these

4405
03:36:35,920 --> 03:36:40,800
tactics, you are not serving the people.

4406
03:36:37,920 --> 03:36:43,920
You are silencing them.

4407
03:36:40,800 --> 03:36:46,560
Your fear of a county

4408
03:36:43,920 --> 03:36:49,120
where white or perceived white supremacy

4409
03:36:46,560 --> 03:36:50,880
no longer rules has led you down a path

4410
03:36:49,120 --> 03:36:54,399
of exclusion.

4411
03:36:50,880 --> 03:36:56,800
But hear me. When you change boundaries

4412
03:36:54,399 --> 03:37:00,560
that you could make the adjustment to,

4413
03:36:56,800 --> 03:37:04,479
don't give me the lie about the law.

4414
03:37:00,560 --> 03:37:07,279
When you cut places for people to vote,

4415
03:37:04,479 --> 03:37:09,359
you cut away democracy.

4416
03:37:07,279 --> 03:37:11,040
When you suppress votes, you suppress

4417
03:37:09,359 --> 03:37:15,120
justice.

4418
03:37:11,040 --> 03:37:17,120
Reckoning will come not from men, but

4419
03:37:15,120 --> 03:37:20,319
from God.

4420
03:37:17,120 --> 03:37:23,840
You should have tabled the vote.

4421
03:37:20,319 --> 03:37:26,720
Do not enshrine voter suppression into

4422
03:37:23,840 --> 03:37:28,640
the history of this county. And you

4423
03:37:26,720 --> 03:37:32,640
cannot look at me if you don't choose

4424
03:37:28,640 --> 03:37:36,399
to, but you need to because I speak for

4425
03:37:32,640 --> 03:37:40,000
the people of Tarant County, not for the

4426
03:37:36,399 --> 03:37:43,279
agenda of misguided

4427
03:37:40,000 --> 03:37:47,840
politicians, of which unfortunately

4428
03:37:43,279 --> 03:37:51,439
many of you are. Fix your heart and

4429
03:37:47,840 --> 03:37:54,399
maybe it'll fix your mind and your

4430
03:37:51,439 --> 03:37:56,880
motive.

4431
03:37:54,399 --> 03:38:01,080
» Amy Super is next. Following Miss Super,

4432
03:37:56,880 --> 03:38:01,080
we have Geraldine Jackie Cox.

4433
03:38:04,399 --> 03:38:10,239
» Hey, just a a quick request. Won't even

4434
03:38:06,800 --> 03:38:13,040
use up my three minutes. Um, under the

4435
03:38:10,239 --> 03:38:15,040
court actions requested, I'm going to

4436
03:38:13,040 --> 03:38:17,200
ask that you please request Tarant

4437
03:38:15,040 --> 03:38:19,520
County elections to also provide

4438
03:38:17,200 --> 03:38:23,920
notification to both parties, current

4439
03:38:19,520 --> 03:38:27,120
precinct chairs. Um, so we start filing

4440
03:38:23,920 --> 03:38:29,840
as early as next month, September, at EC

4441
03:38:27,120 --> 03:38:31,840
meetings for both parties. And for me,

4442
03:38:29,840 --> 03:38:33,359
my precinct is changing from one that

4443
03:38:31,840 --> 03:38:34,000
starts with a four, the one that starts

4444
03:38:33,359 --> 03:38:36,000
with a two.

4445
03:38:34,000 --> 03:38:38,560
» What what is the request? uh that the

4446
03:38:36,000 --> 03:38:40,960
notification about these changes, these

4447
03:38:38,560 --> 03:38:42,960
are changing our precinct numbers

4448
03:38:40,960 --> 03:38:44,640
» And that they res they they uh provide

4449
03:38:42,960 --> 03:38:46,319
that notification not only to the what

4450
03:38:44,640 --> 03:38:48,479
they have listed here but also to the

4451
03:38:46,319 --> 03:38:50,560
currently seated precinct chairs for

4452
03:38:48,479 --> 03:38:52,560
both political parties so they know what

4453
03:38:50,560 --> 03:38:53,359
precinct number to file to be on the

4454
03:38:52,560 --> 03:38:53,680
ballot for.

4455
03:38:53,359 --> 03:38:55,439
» All right,

4456
03:38:53,680 --> 03:38:56,000
» That's all I'm asking.

4457
03:38:55,439 --> 03:38:57,439
» Thanks.

4458
03:38:56,000 --> 03:39:01,279
» Is that the whole thing? Yeah.

4459
03:38:57,439 --> 03:39:03,920
» Okay. So, uh, can we even do what she

4460
03:39:01,279 --> 03:39:06,000
just asked today sitting here the way

4461
03:39:03,920 --> 03:39:07,359
this is noticed or is this something

4462
03:39:06,000 --> 03:39:08,880
Clint's going to do anyway?

4463
03:39:07,359 --> 03:39:10,399
» Judge, let me check the notice and I I

4464
03:39:08,880 --> 03:39:11,600
will I will let you know uh with

4465
03:39:10,399 --> 03:39:13,680
precision.

4466
03:39:11,600 --> 03:39:17,359
» Okay.

4467
03:39:13,680 --> 03:39:19,680
So the in the process

4468
03:39:17,359 --> 03:39:22,000
we sent the notice that this hearing was

4469
03:39:19,680 --> 03:39:24,399
going to happen to the precinct chairs

4470
03:39:22,000 --> 03:39:26,160
that did go out the the approval then

4471
03:39:24,399 --> 03:39:28,479
that the notice posting here requires

4472
03:39:26,160 --> 03:39:30,800
the website and in the newspaper of the

4473
03:39:28,479 --> 03:39:32,640
changes that you that are approved but

4474
03:39:30,800 --> 03:39:34,560
there's we can send this out to all the

4475
03:39:32,640 --> 03:39:35,040
precinct chairs as well. It's it's not

4476
03:39:34,560 --> 03:39:37,520
hard.

4477
03:39:35,040 --> 03:39:40,000
» Okay. All right. Uh next is Gerald and

4478
03:39:37,520 --> 03:39:42,720
Jackie Cox.

4479
03:39:40,000 --> 03:39:45,520
Following Miss Cox we have Dr. Michael

4480
03:39:42,720 --> 03:39:49,399
Bell.

4481
03:39:45,520 --> 03:39:49,399
» Miss Cox, are you coming?

4482
03:39:57,040 --> 03:40:02,319
» Thank you, commissioners. Uh my name is

4483
03:39:59,600 --> 03:40:05,279
Geraldine Jackie CS

4484
03:40:02,319 --> 03:40:07,439
precinct and I want to bring to your

4485
03:40:05,279 --> 03:40:10,560
attention today the fact that the

4486
03:40:07,439 --> 03:40:14,720
memorandum prepared uh by the

4487
03:40:10,560 --> 03:40:17,680
administration's uh elections division

4488
03:40:14,720 --> 03:40:20,239
cites some but fewer than all of the

4489
03:40:17,680 --> 03:40:24,239
statutes that really govern what may

4490
03:40:20,239 --> 03:40:27,200
happen when a countywide a pre a county

4491
03:40:24,239 --> 03:40:30,080
which does countywide voting

4492
03:40:27,200 --> 03:40:32,319
may alter the way in which it assigns

4493
03:40:30,080 --> 03:40:34,560
voting precincts.

4494
03:40:32,319 --> 03:40:36,560
Uh and the first of the things which we

4495
03:40:34,560 --> 03:40:41,760
need to look at or that I ask you to

4496
03:40:36,560 --> 03:40:45,640
look at is the text of uh our election

4497
03:40:41,760 --> 03:40:45,640
code section 42.06

4498
03:40:45,680 --> 03:40:50,640
that mandates that countings with voting

4499
03:40:48,000 --> 03:40:52,640
age populations of more than 100,000

4500
03:40:50,640 --> 03:40:56,160
persons

4501
03:40:52,640 --> 03:40:57,920
must produce precincts that have at

4502
03:40:56,160 --> 03:41:00,720
least 100

4503
03:40:57,920 --> 03:41:02,960
but no fewer than 5,000

4504
03:41:00,720 --> 03:41:06,239
registered voters.

4505
03:41:02,960 --> 03:41:11,359
Attached to Mr. Ludig's memorandum for

4506
03:41:06,239 --> 03:41:15,600
you is a chart that shows the number of

4507
03:41:11,359 --> 03:41:18,000
voters who will be in the new precincts

4508
03:41:15,600 --> 03:41:19,600
that he wants sent to the elections

4509
03:41:18,000 --> 03:41:24,640
board.

4510
03:41:19,600 --> 03:41:28,160
Uh and precinct 2656 has two voters

4511
03:41:24,640 --> 03:41:32,399
quite a few many fewer than 100.

4512
03:41:28,160 --> 03:41:37,359
Precincts 46 4620

4513
03:41:32,399 --> 03:41:39,600
has 62 voters again less than 100.

4514
03:41:37,359 --> 03:41:42,880
Uh but the big place where you see

4515
03:41:39,600 --> 03:41:45,200
deviations from what is permitted under

4516
03:41:42,880 --> 03:41:50,359
another section of the election code

4517
03:41:45,200 --> 03:41:50,359
which is 42.0051. 0051

4518
03:41:50,399 --> 03:41:56,319
has to do not just with counts but also

4519
03:41:53,200 --> 03:42:01,840
with how you make up the new precincts.

4520
03:41:56,319 --> 03:42:03,359
What you do and section 42%.

4521
03:42:01,840 --> 03:42:07,439
51

4522
03:42:03,359 --> 03:42:10,960
provides that you uh can only change

4523
03:42:07,439 --> 03:42:13,359
voter precincts if you're in a county

4524
03:42:10,960 --> 03:42:15,279
with a population of less than 1.2

4525
03:42:13,359 --> 03:42:19,120
million voters.

4526
03:42:15,279 --> 03:42:22,160
So right now as of today you don't have

4527
03:42:19,120 --> 03:42:24,880
authority to make the changes that are

4528
03:42:22,160 --> 03:42:26,960
in part of what you propose.

4529
03:42:24,880 --> 03:42:33,120
You do however you won't you'll have

4530
03:42:26,960 --> 03:42:36,000
that authority when uh a bill passed by

4531
03:42:33,120 --> 03:42:39,920
uh the Senate the legislature this

4532
03:42:36,000 --> 03:42:41,920
session becomes law if you meet a whole

4533
03:42:39,920 --> 03:42:43,439
bunch of fact

4534
03:42:41,920 --> 03:42:45,920
requirements.

4535
03:42:43,439 --> 03:42:49,439
Uh, and I'm not sure you do, but one of

4536
03:42:45,920 --> 03:42:52,880
the requirements is that you may not

4537
03:42:49,439 --> 03:42:57,120
violate the Voting Rights Act.

4538
03:42:52,880 --> 03:42:59,359
And we've had a lot of evidence today

4539
03:42:57,120 --> 03:43:01,439
that the manner in which this was done

4540
03:42:59,359 --> 03:43:03,520
does violate the Voting Rights Act.

4541
03:43:01,439 --> 03:43:06,080
» Dr. Bell,

4542
03:43:03,520 --> 03:43:09,080
you're passing. Next, we have Jimmy

4543
03:43:06,080 --> 03:43:09,080
Blackwell.

4544
03:43:23,540 --> 03:43:29,160
[Music]

4545
03:43:25,520 --> 03:43:29,160
Judge your hair

4546
03:43:29,439 --> 03:43:35,760
again. I smell a rat

4547
03:43:32,800 --> 03:43:38,080
because some somehow the truth is not

4548
03:43:35,760 --> 03:43:40,000
coming through here.

4549
03:43:38,080 --> 03:43:44,479
You have too many people who have spoken

4550
03:43:40,000 --> 03:43:47,520
against this proposal to just go ahead

4551
03:43:44,479 --> 03:43:49,840
and force a vote and

4552
03:43:47,520 --> 03:43:52,560
get things done the way you want them

4553
03:43:49,840 --> 03:43:55,840
done.

4554
03:43:52,560 --> 03:43:58,000
That's not leadership.

4555
03:43:55,840 --> 03:44:01,120
Leadership is when you listen to every

4556
03:43:58,000 --> 03:44:04,800
person on the court

4557
03:44:01,120 --> 03:44:07,520
and then you either discuss it, have a

4558
03:44:04,800 --> 03:44:10,319
lengthy discussion, a vibrant discussion

4559
03:44:07,520 --> 03:44:13,520
to see where people stand because you

4560
03:44:10,319 --> 03:44:15,600
have commissioners here who represent

4561
03:44:13,520 --> 03:44:17,680
certain precepts

4562
03:44:15,600 --> 03:44:20,640
and they have to go along with what

4563
03:44:17,680 --> 03:44:23,600
their constituents say.

4564
03:44:20,640 --> 03:44:26,479
But you judge, you are over the whole

4565
03:44:23,600 --> 03:44:28,720
county. you don't have a precent.

4566
03:44:26,479 --> 03:44:32,560
So, we would think that a person who is

4567
03:44:28,720 --> 03:44:34,960
over the whole county have a level head

4568
03:44:32,560 --> 03:44:38,000
can make sound decisions.

4569
03:44:34,960 --> 03:44:41,359
But apparently that's not the case.

4570
03:44:38,000 --> 03:44:44,960
So my message to the voters out there is

4571
03:44:41,359 --> 03:44:48,239
first to replace you

4572
03:44:44,960 --> 03:44:50,319
and to get people with integrity

4573
03:44:48,239 --> 03:44:53,920
and honesty

4574
03:44:50,319 --> 03:44:57,359
to listen to those who elected them

4575
03:44:53,920 --> 03:44:59,040
like Commissioner Simmons and

4576
03:44:57,359 --> 03:45:02,319
Commissioner

4577
03:44:59,040 --> 03:45:05,439
uh Rodri so eloquently

4578
03:45:02,319 --> 03:45:07,120
explain every time we come to comm uh to

4579
03:45:05,439 --> 03:45:11,920
Commissioner's

4580
03:45:07,120 --> 03:45:17,279
Now, judge, I know it's against your ego

4581
03:45:11,920 --> 03:45:19,520
to have an African of the diaspora woman

4582
03:45:17,279 --> 03:45:22,720
challenge your authority. And I think

4583
03:45:19,520 --> 03:45:25,520
I've made that point before.

4584
03:45:22,720 --> 03:45:28,560
But here's the case. You should want

4585
03:45:25,520 --> 03:45:30,880
feedback from strong opposition so that

4586
03:45:28,560 --> 03:45:33,600
you don't get a big head thinking that

4587
03:45:30,880 --> 03:45:35,520
you know everything when we know that

4588
03:45:33,600 --> 03:45:38,239
you don't.

4589
03:45:35,520 --> 03:45:41,239
You made decision to destroy this

4590
03:45:38,239 --> 03:45:41,239
county.

4591
03:45:41,520 --> 03:45:47,600
I guess that's what you come to work to

4592
03:45:43,520 --> 03:45:50,239
do because you do not listen to

4593
03:45:47,600 --> 03:45:53,199
opposition voices.

4594
03:45:50,239 --> 03:45:57,040
You only listen to those voices who

4595
03:45:53,199 --> 03:46:00,720
agree with you even when you're wrong.

4596
03:45:57,040 --> 03:46:03,120
They don't present any opposition, any

4597
03:46:00,720 --> 03:46:04,640
feedback that may be detrimental to your

4598
03:46:03,120 --> 03:46:06,960
thinking.

4599
03:46:04,640 --> 03:46:09,199
That's not leadership.

4600
03:46:06,960 --> 03:46:12,080
That's dictatorship.

4601
03:46:09,199 --> 03:46:13,600
And we don't need another Putin in

4602
03:46:12,080 --> 03:46:16,960
America.

4603
03:46:13,600 --> 03:46:20,000
We already had one in Alaska.

4604
03:46:16,960 --> 03:46:22,399
That's dictatorship. That's not good. I

4605
03:46:20,000 --> 03:46:26,359
smell a rat, but apparently they missed

4606
03:46:22,399 --> 03:46:26,359
the three blind mice.

4607
03:46:26,560 --> 03:46:30,560
All right, that's all the speakers we

4608
03:46:28,399 --> 03:46:32,160
have for I4.

4609
03:46:30,560 --> 03:46:34,080
Uh we have a motion and a second to

4610
03:46:32,160 --> 03:46:36,880
approve the item. further discussion.

4611
03:46:34,080 --> 03:46:40,399
» Yes. Uh while this seems simple on its

4612
03:46:36,880 --> 03:46:43,120
face, uh like just a routine

4613
03:46:40,399 --> 03:46:46,319
authorization to publish new boundaries,

4614
03:46:43,120 --> 03:46:50,720
it it represents the culmination of a

4615
03:46:46,319 --> 03:46:52,960
process that I have been vocally and

4616
03:46:50,720 --> 03:46:54,960
fundamentally opposed to from the very

4617
03:46:52,960 --> 03:46:58,479
beginning.

4618
03:46:54,960 --> 03:47:03,199
The mid decade racial germander was

4619
03:46:58,479 --> 03:47:06,479
unnecessary and unw warranted. The 2020

4620
03:47:03,199 --> 03:47:08,960
census data showed our precincts were in

4621
03:47:06,479 --> 03:47:11,040
compliance and there was no need to

4622
03:47:08,960 --> 03:47:15,120
spend taxpayer

4623
03:47:11,040 --> 03:47:17,279
money on consultants to redraw maps.

4624
03:47:15,120 --> 03:47:18,960
This entire process has been

4625
03:47:17,279 --> 03:47:21,359
irresponsible

4626
03:47:18,960 --> 03:47:23,439
and this map cleanup is just a drop in

4627
03:47:21,359 --> 03:47:26,640
the bucket compared to the consequences

4628
03:47:23,439 --> 03:47:29,279
both intended and

4629
03:47:26,640 --> 03:47:31,600
that are having to be corrected for no

4630
03:47:29,279 --> 03:47:33,600
real reason. Furthermore, these new

4631
03:47:31,600 --> 03:47:35,199
boundaries are a political and legal

4632
03:47:33,600 --> 03:47:37,279
travesty.

4633
03:47:35,199 --> 03:47:39,279
As I have said before, this is not about

4634
03:47:37,279 --> 03:47:42,319
fixing a problem. This is about creating

4635
03:47:39,279 --> 03:47:44,479
one. It is a calculated attempt to

4636
03:47:42,319 --> 03:47:48,000
dilute the voting power uh voting

4637
03:47:44,479 --> 03:47:50,960
strength of minority communities to

4638
03:47:48,000 --> 03:47:53,199
silence the voices of my constituents

4639
03:47:50,960 --> 03:47:56,640
and to strip representation from people

4640
03:47:53,199 --> 03:47:58,319
of color. the UCLA Voting Rights

4641
03:47:56,640 --> 03:48:01,120
Project.

4642
03:47:58,319 --> 03:48:05,040
That analysis confirmed that these maps

4643
03:48:01,120 --> 03:48:08,880
are a textbook example of racial

4644
03:48:05,040 --> 03:48:12,479
gerrymandering. We've got two lawsuits

4645
03:48:08,880 --> 03:48:14,319
uh on the books. So this this action

4646
03:48:12,479 --> 03:48:17,680
today

4647
03:48:14,319 --> 03:48:21,359
uh is just another necessary cleanup in

4648
03:48:17,680 --> 03:48:23,120
an unnecessary process that has lacked

4649
03:48:21,359 --> 03:48:26,479
transparency,

4650
03:48:23,120 --> 03:48:29,040
public input, and moral justification.

4651
03:48:26,479 --> 03:48:31,199
So, I just want to be on the record to I

4652
03:48:29,040 --> 03:48:35,760
want the record to reflect my continued

4653
03:48:31,199 --> 03:48:38,800
and unequivocal opposition to this map,

4654
03:48:35,760 --> 03:48:41,279
» Which I believe um is legally

4655
03:48:38,800 --> 03:48:43,840
questionable, morally wrong, and a

4656
03:48:41,279 --> 03:48:46,080
disservice to the voters of Taran

4657
03:48:43,840 --> 03:48:47,439
County.

4658
03:48:46,080 --> 03:48:50,800
» All right, we have a motion, a second on

4659
03:48:47,439 --> 03:48:53,199
this item. Any other discussion?

4660
03:48:50,800 --> 03:48:58,000
All right. Seeing none, all in favor of

4661
03:48:53,199 --> 03:48:59,600
approving I4, please raise your hand.

4662
03:48:58,000 --> 03:49:01,120
All right. Oppose, please raise your

4663
03:48:59,600 --> 03:49:03,680
hand.

4664
03:49:01,120 --> 03:49:08,239
All right. It passes 3 to two. Takes us

4665
03:49:03,680 --> 03:49:10,640
to item I5 removed from consent. Item I5

4666
03:49:08,239 --> 03:49:12,319
is consideration to approve supplemental

4667
03:49:10,640 --> 03:49:14,239
appointments of county election judges

4668
03:49:12,319 --> 03:49:15,040
and alternate election judges.

4669
03:49:14,239 --> 03:49:15,680
» Move for approval.

4670
03:49:15,040 --> 03:49:17,439
» Second.

4671
03:49:15,680 --> 03:49:20,800
» We have a motion and a second to approve

4672
03:49:17,439 --> 03:49:24,319
that item. Uh, any further discussion

4673
03:49:20,800 --> 03:49:27,040
there before I bring the speakers?

4674
03:49:24,319 --> 03:49:32,040
All right, first speaker is Amy Super.

4675
03:49:27,040 --> 03:49:32,040
Following Miss Super is Jennifer Blunt.

4676
03:49:36,930 --> 03:49:41,120
[Music]

4677
03:49:39,359 --> 03:49:43,520
I'm asking the court to get

4678
03:49:41,120 --> 03:49:47,600
clarification on what it is you're

4679
03:49:43,520 --> 03:49:49,520
voting on today. So the subject is

4680
03:49:47,600 --> 03:49:51,439
titled consideration to approve

4681
03:49:49,520 --> 03:49:53,120
supplemental appointments of county

4682
03:49:51,439 --> 03:49:57,120
election judges and alternate election

4683
03:49:53,120 --> 03:50:00,800
judges. You voted on a list to do that

4684
03:49:57,120 --> 03:50:03,439
on July 1st and that list had was not

4685
03:50:00,800 --> 03:50:05,279
the list that the parties submitted in

4686
03:50:03,439 --> 03:50:07,279
its entirety. There were names on that

4687
03:50:05,279 --> 03:50:08,960
list that they didn't submit. There were

4688
03:50:07,279 --> 03:50:10,080
names on that list that they did submit

4689
03:50:08,960 --> 03:50:12,560
that weren't on that list that you

4690
03:50:10,080 --> 03:50:14,880
approved. So what I'm asking is this the

4691
03:50:12,560 --> 03:50:17,520
list now? Because if it's the list, it's

4692
03:50:14,880 --> 03:50:20,160
not a supplemental list. It's the list.

4693
03:50:17,520 --> 03:50:22,720
Um, a supplemental list is as indicated

4694
03:50:20,160 --> 03:50:25,120
in the background covered in tech uh,

4695
03:50:22,720 --> 03:50:28,640
Texas Selection Code 32. I don't know

4696
03:50:25,120 --> 03:50:31,279
what. Um, it tells you in great detail

4697
03:50:28,640 --> 03:50:32,479
how this should be done. Um, I just

4698
03:50:31,279 --> 03:50:34,319
would like for you guys to get some

4699
03:50:32,479 --> 03:50:36,000
clarification. Is this an actual

4700
03:50:34,319 --> 03:50:38,239
supplemental appointments, which you are

4701
03:50:36,000 --> 03:50:42,880
free to make, the law specifies that, or

4702
03:50:38,239 --> 03:50:45,439
is this the two-year list corrected?

4703
03:50:42,880 --> 03:50:47,920
Um, that would be my only question I

4704
03:50:45,439 --> 03:50:49,279
think with regards to that. Just change

4705
03:50:47,920 --> 03:50:50,880
that so we all know what we're doing.

4706
03:50:49,279 --> 03:50:53,520
There are people that you approved that

4707
03:50:50,880 --> 03:50:55,920
are no longer on this list. So, do you

4708
03:50:53,520 --> 03:50:58,800
have to vote to take them off or are

4709
03:50:55,920 --> 03:51:01,359
they just off? Good questions to ask.

4710
03:50:58,800 --> 03:51:04,160
Just want some clarity on that. Um, and

4711
03:51:01,359 --> 03:51:06,080
then, um, since I have time left, I did

4712
03:51:04,160 --> 03:51:07,840
not address when you were talking about

4713
03:51:06,080 --> 03:51:11,040
the approval of the, uh, precinct

4714
03:51:07,840 --> 03:51:14,720
boundaries. Um, make sure because the

4715
03:51:11,040 --> 03:51:17,199
code is very specific about how

4716
03:51:14,720 --> 03:51:18,720
» Okay. Are you are you talking about item

4717
03:51:17,199 --> 03:51:20,479
I5 at the moment?

4718
03:51:18,720 --> 03:51:22,080
» They're they're combined because it has

4719
03:51:20,479 --> 03:51:24,960
to do with the election judges. The way

4720
03:51:22,080 --> 03:51:26,479
they're aortioned has to do with the way

4721
03:51:24,960 --> 03:51:28,319
people voted within different precincts.

4722
03:51:26,479 --> 03:51:31,040
So, you've moved precincts within county

4723
03:51:28,319 --> 03:51:32,880
precincts. So, the aortionment of which

4724
03:51:31,040 --> 03:51:35,199
party gets to have the presiding judge

4725
03:51:32,880 --> 03:51:37,359
in each poll site has to be completely

4726
03:51:35,199 --> 03:51:40,080
redone. and I want to just make sure

4727
03:51:37,359 --> 03:51:41,359
that that's done in time for us to

4728
03:51:40,080 --> 03:51:43,279
adjust and get make sure our

4729
03:51:41,359 --> 03:51:45,359
appointments are done within alignment

4730
03:51:43,279 --> 03:51:51,000
with Texas election code. Thank you.

4731
03:51:45,359 --> 03:51:51,000
» Thank you. Is Jennifer Blunt present?

4732
03:51:51,600 --> 03:51:58,040
» No. Okay. Uh Clint, can you address some

4733
03:51:54,479 --> 03:51:58,040
of those things there?

4734
03:51:58,880 --> 03:52:05,120
when we were wording the list um we did

4735
03:52:02,560 --> 03:52:07,680
uh consult legal on how to exactly word

4736
03:52:05,120 --> 03:52:09,439
the item because there are additions

4737
03:52:07,680 --> 03:52:11,680
from both the parties to add to this

4738
03:52:09,439 --> 03:52:14,960
list. Additionally, when we were going

4739
03:52:11,680 --> 03:52:18,160
through this um looking at the code, we

4740
03:52:14,960 --> 03:52:20,239
noticed that the how historically this

4741
03:52:18,160 --> 03:52:22,319
list had been done had been assigning

4742
03:52:20,239 --> 03:52:24,560
judges to precincts and as a countywide

4743
03:52:22,319 --> 03:52:26,800
polling location, that's not the correct

4744
03:52:24,560 --> 03:52:29,760
way to do it. So we went through and

4745
03:52:26,800 --> 03:52:30,960
changed that to make it reflect the the

4746
03:52:29,760 --> 03:52:33,040
proper way the list should have been

4747
03:52:30,960 --> 03:52:34,560
formatted and not the way that it had

4748
03:52:33,040 --> 03:52:38,960
been submitted prior.

4749
03:52:34,560 --> 03:52:41,600
» So the list that we voted on in July

4750
03:52:38,960 --> 03:52:42,640
was not the list submitted by the two

4751
03:52:41,600 --> 03:52:44,640
parties.

4752
03:52:42,640 --> 03:52:46,720
» It contained names of the list submitted

4753
03:52:44,640 --> 03:52:49,600
by the two parties. The it didn't have

4754
03:52:46,720 --> 03:52:52,560
all the names on the list. the

4755
03:52:49,600 --> 03:52:55,600
commissioner's court. Uh we had to move

4756
03:52:52,560 --> 03:52:56,720
up our deadline and to submit that um

4757
03:52:55,600 --> 03:52:58,640
because there was only going to be the

4758
03:52:56,720 --> 03:53:00,080
one court. I believe it was July and the

4759
03:52:58,640 --> 03:53:01,439
requirement is this gets approved in

4760
03:53:00,080 --> 03:53:03,279
July. And

4761
03:53:01,439 --> 03:53:05,120
» Okay, so hang on just a second. Just so

4762
03:53:03,279 --> 03:53:08,720
I'm clear about what we're talking

4763
03:53:05,120 --> 03:53:12,399
about. The list that the parties

4764
03:53:08,720 --> 03:53:15,040
submitted, it's a list. It's got names.

4765
03:53:12,399 --> 03:53:16,800
Whatever it is, 10, 20, five, seven, it

4766
03:53:15,040 --> 03:53:19,040
has names.

4767
03:53:16,800 --> 03:53:20,640
The list that that both Well, let's

4768
03:53:19,040 --> 03:53:23,359
start with the Republican party. The

4769
03:53:20,640 --> 03:53:25,359
list the Republican party submitted. Was

4770
03:53:23,359 --> 03:53:26,000
that the list that showed up on the July

4771
03:53:25,359 --> 03:53:27,760
meeting?

4772
03:53:26,000 --> 03:53:30,239
» Not all of it. No, judge.

4773
03:53:27,760 --> 03:53:31,680
» Well, it's either the list or it isn't.

4774
03:53:30,239 --> 03:53:34,319
It's one or the other.

4775
03:53:31,680 --> 03:53:35,920
» This is the entire party list now. We've

4776
03:53:34,319 --> 03:53:37,760
we've worked with them to get all of

4777
03:53:35,920 --> 03:53:39,199
their names, all the changes.

4778
03:53:37,760 --> 03:53:42,000
» That's not what I'm The list that we

4779
03:53:39,199 --> 03:53:45,279
approved in July was not they had a list

4780
03:53:42,000 --> 03:53:47,120
of names, 10 names, 10 whatever we did.

4781
03:53:45,279 --> 03:53:49,199
That wasn't the list we voted on. There

4782
03:53:47,120 --> 03:53:50,640
were some people on that list that we

4783
03:53:49,199 --> 03:53:52,239
voted for. There were some people not on

4784
03:53:50,640 --> 03:53:53,520
that list that we voted for. Is that

4785
03:53:52,239 --> 03:53:54,160
accurate?

4786
03:53:53,520 --> 03:53:57,199
» Yes, judge.

4787
03:53:54,160 --> 03:53:58,960
» Okay. The Democrat one, was that list

4788
03:53:57,199 --> 03:54:00,319
correct that we voted on?

4789
03:53:58,960 --> 03:54:00,880
» Not all of it. No, it was missing some

4790
03:54:00,319 --> 03:54:02,399
names, Judge.

4791
03:54:00,880 --> 03:54:04,800
» All right. How did that happen?

4792
03:54:02,399 --> 03:54:07,359
» The when the deadline moved to submit

4793
03:54:04,800 --> 03:54:09,520
everything, um, we jumped through to try

4794
03:54:07,359 --> 03:54:11,439
to get everything onto the court. The

4795
03:54:09,520 --> 03:54:13,120
parties technically had till the end of

4796
03:54:11,439 --> 03:54:14,479
the 30th to submit, so they still had

4797
03:54:13,120 --> 03:54:16,880
time to give us names. They hadn't given

4798
03:54:14,479 --> 03:54:18,800
us all their names and then we hadn't

4799
03:54:16,880 --> 03:54:20,399
completed a working list and so in the

4800
03:54:18,800 --> 03:54:22,720
scramble to get a list to get on that

4801
03:54:20,399 --> 03:54:24,560
July 1st court when they compiled the

4802
03:54:22,720 --> 03:54:26,479
staff compiled the list they didn't get

4803
03:54:24,560 --> 03:54:27,279
everything and there were some names

4804
03:54:26,479 --> 03:54:31,040
that were missed.

4805
03:54:27,279 --> 03:54:35,040
» Okay. So now what we're voting on today

4806
03:54:31,040 --> 03:54:38,080
is the list that Republicans asked for

4807
03:54:35,040 --> 03:54:40,080
and the list that Democrats asked for.

4808
03:54:38,080 --> 03:54:44,080
» Yes, Jeff. What happens to the people

4809
03:54:40,080 --> 03:54:46,960
that were not on the list

4810
03:54:44,080 --> 03:54:49,840
that these parties submitted or either

4811
03:54:46,960 --> 03:54:53,840
party don't care? What happens to those

4812
03:54:49,840 --> 03:54:56,720
folks who were approved in July? Are

4813
03:54:53,840 --> 03:54:58,239
they now removed by this?

4814
03:54:56,720 --> 03:55:00,319
» No, this is the supplemental list. So

4815
03:54:58,239 --> 03:55:04,080
the the ones the parties want to have

4816
03:55:00,319 --> 03:55:07,279
are all on the list. This is correcting

4817
03:55:04,080 --> 03:55:08,640
the the previous list and making sure we

4818
03:55:07,279 --> 03:55:10,160
worked with both parties to ensure that

4819
03:55:08,640 --> 03:55:13,040
we had every single person that they

4820
03:55:10,160 --> 03:55:14,640
wanted included and we had removed every

4821
03:55:13,040 --> 03:55:16,399
single person that they wanted removed.

4822
03:55:14,640 --> 03:55:20,399
» Okay. So I think the answer to the

4823
03:55:16,399 --> 03:55:23,520
question this list is the entire list

4824
03:55:20,399 --> 03:55:26,080
that each party wants and by voting for

4825
03:55:23,520 --> 03:55:29,680
this today does that remove anyone who

4826
03:55:26,080 --> 03:55:30,960
was previously voted for in July?

4827
03:55:29,680 --> 03:55:32,640
Mr. Proud of bill.

4828
03:55:30,960 --> 03:55:34,000
» Uh I'm checking the statute right now,

4829
03:55:32,640 --> 03:55:35,760
judge. And um

4830
03:55:34,000 --> 03:55:37,840
» I mean, basically, are we now voting on

4831
03:55:35,760 --> 03:55:39,439
two lists and then now the people we

4832
03:55:37,840 --> 03:55:41,520
voted on in July and these people are

4833
03:55:39,439 --> 03:55:42,239
now all on this together?

4834
03:55:41,520 --> 03:55:43,840
» What's the deal?

4835
03:55:42,239 --> 03:55:45,600
» What the what the statute contemplates

4836
03:55:43,840 --> 03:55:47,520
here is is the ability of the party

4837
03:55:45,600 --> 03:55:49,040
chairs to supplement the original list

4838
03:55:47,520 --> 03:55:49,840
of names that was okay.

4839
03:55:49,040 --> 03:55:51,600
» Submitted. So there

4840
03:55:49,840 --> 03:55:55,160
» The original list of names is not what

4841
03:55:51,600 --> 03:55:55,160
we voted on.

4842
03:56:02,880 --> 03:56:07,199
Let me ask you this. Would y'all We can

4843
03:56:05,439 --> 03:56:09,279
move on if there's no objection from the

4844
03:56:07,199 --> 03:56:10,800
court. We can move to some other items.

4845
03:56:09,279 --> 03:56:13,040
Come back to this when y'all have had

4846
03:56:10,800 --> 03:56:14,880
time to when you've had time to research

4847
03:56:13,040 --> 03:56:16,080
it and understand it.

4848
03:56:14,880 --> 03:56:16,479
» That would be helpful, Judge. Yes.

4849
03:56:16,080 --> 03:56:16,880
» Okay.

4850
03:56:16,479 --> 03:56:18,239
» Can we

4851
03:56:16,880 --> 03:56:20,560
» Come back during this court?

4852
03:56:18,239 --> 03:56:23,040
» That's what I meant. Yeah.

4853
03:56:20,560 --> 03:56:23,439
» Can we just move to table this?

4854
03:56:23,040 --> 03:56:26,399
» Yes.

4855
03:56:23,439 --> 03:56:28,080
» Was there not a deadline?

4856
03:56:26,399 --> 03:56:30,720
uh

4857
03:56:28,080 --> 03:56:32,720
the the first list of names which I

4858
03:56:30,720 --> 03:56:37,439
understand is kind of in flux here uh

4859
03:56:32,720 --> 03:56:40,479
was due to be acted upon in July and uh

4860
03:56:37,439 --> 03:56:42,960
there is a deadline of

4861
03:56:40,479 --> 03:56:45,120
15 days before a special election or 20

4862
03:56:42,960 --> 03:56:46,800
days before a general election. So just

4863
03:56:45,120 --> 03:56:49,680
from my cursory reading of the statute I

4864
03:56:46,800 --> 03:56:51,520
believe we have some some time to still

4865
03:56:49,680 --> 03:56:53,199
approve any additional supplemental

4866
03:56:51,520 --> 03:56:57,120
list.

4867
03:56:53,199 --> 03:56:58,880
So, I go back to my question,

4868
03:56:57,120 --> 03:57:02,479
which

4869
03:56:58,880 --> 03:57:04,319
mistakes happen, wrong list, submitted,

4870
03:57:02,479 --> 03:57:06,560
whatever.

4871
03:57:04,319 --> 03:57:08,479
The the idea here was we're cleaning up

4872
03:57:06,560 --> 03:57:10,960
those lists, but I don't believe I've

4873
03:57:08,479 --> 03:57:14,479
got an answer to the question of

4874
03:57:10,960 --> 03:57:17,120
somebody that was voted for in July that

4875
03:57:14,479 --> 03:57:19,279
was not supposed to be on the list. Do

4876
03:57:17,120 --> 03:57:22,720
they remain

4877
03:57:19,279 --> 03:57:25,120
a an election and an alternate judge if

4878
03:57:22,720 --> 03:57:28,080
they were previously approved or is this

4879
03:57:25,120 --> 03:57:29,359
action taking them off?

4880
03:57:28,080 --> 03:57:30,640
» Judge, if we table this, I will get you

4881
03:57:29,359 --> 03:57:33,680
an answer to that question.

4882
03:57:30,640 --> 03:57:34,399
» Is there any reason we can't table this?

4883
03:57:33,680 --> 03:57:36,000
No, judge.

4884
03:57:34,399 --> 03:57:37,040
» Okay,

4885
03:57:36,000 --> 03:57:38,479
» Move the table.

4886
03:57:37,040 --> 03:57:40,160
» Well, we already Hang on. We already

4887
03:57:38,479 --> 03:57:43,279
have We already have a motion to

4888
03:57:40,160 --> 03:57:44,880
approve. Um,

4889
03:57:43,279 --> 03:57:45,279
» You want me to resend my motion to

4890
03:57:44,880 --> 03:57:46,800
approve?

4891
03:57:45,279 --> 03:57:48,160
» Well, if you want to resend your motion,

4892
03:57:46,800 --> 03:57:49,680
you can resend your motion.

4893
03:57:48,160 --> 03:57:52,560
» Well, I I I guess

4894
03:57:49,680 --> 03:57:54,399
» But any anybody can ask questions away.

4895
03:57:52,560 --> 03:57:56,479
» I I don't feel like we have to table it.

4896
03:57:54,399 --> 03:57:58,960
If we get the answers from Mr.

4897
03:57:56,479 --> 03:58:01,760
Crowdville and others by the end of this

4898
03:57:58,960 --> 03:58:04,880
session that satisfies everybody, but

4899
03:58:01,760 --> 03:58:06,800
then we can table at that point. Um, I

4900
03:58:04,880 --> 03:58:08,239
guess that's the way I would I would

4901
03:58:06,800 --> 03:58:09,520
recommend going about it. Just seeing if

4902
03:58:08,239 --> 03:58:11,279
we can answer the questions by the end

4903
03:58:09,520 --> 03:58:12,239
of the court and if not then we move to

4904
03:58:11,279 --> 03:58:14,479
table.

4905
03:58:12,239 --> 03:58:16,720
» I don't see any reason wrong with this.

4906
03:58:14,479 --> 03:58:19,120
Nobody the dem neither the Democrats or

4907
03:58:16,720 --> 03:58:23,520
the Republicans are bothered by it.

4908
03:58:19,120 --> 03:58:25,520
Let's just get the right answer. Um,

4909
03:58:23,520 --> 03:58:28,080
so

4910
03:58:25,520 --> 03:58:30,800
how about we

4911
03:58:28,080 --> 03:58:33,040
um

4912
03:58:30,800 --> 03:58:34,560
well, so Commissioner Miles, did you

4913
03:58:33,040 --> 03:58:35,439
just vote to table? Did you just make a

4914
03:58:34,560 --> 03:58:36,000
motion to table it?

4915
03:58:35,439 --> 03:58:39,920
» Yes, sir.

4916
03:58:36,000 --> 03:58:42,160
» How are you about Let's move on from

4917
03:58:39,920 --> 03:58:44,160
this item. We have a motion sitting on

4918
03:58:42,160 --> 03:58:45,920
the floor. Let's go to the next set of

4919
03:58:44,160 --> 03:58:47,520
items. Do all the stuff we're doing.

4920
03:58:45,920 --> 03:58:50,239
Come back before we close. See if we

4921
03:58:47,520 --> 03:58:52,960
have an answer.

4922
03:58:50,239 --> 03:58:54,880
I think it would be better just to table

4923
03:58:52,960 --> 03:58:57,120
this so that they can get the accurate

4924
03:58:54,880 --> 03:58:59,760
information to us and clear up the

4925
03:58:57,120 --> 03:59:01,920
confusion because there is confusion

4926
03:58:59,760 --> 03:59:03,520
instead of just waiting till the end of

4927
03:59:01,920 --> 03:59:05,920
the court and hoping that they can

4928
03:59:03,520 --> 03:59:08,239
provide the accurate information to

4929
03:59:05,920 --> 03:59:10,800
bring clarification and clarity. I think

4930
03:59:08,239 --> 03:59:12,640
we should just table it until a later

4931
03:59:10,800 --> 03:59:15,680
date.

4932
03:59:12,640 --> 03:59:17,920
» Okay. So, all right. Thank you. You have

4933
03:59:15,680 --> 03:59:20,960
a motion and a second on the floor. Can

4934
03:59:17,920 --> 03:59:23,359
I can I just move to postpone?

4935
03:59:20,960 --> 03:59:25,199
» Yes. Either and and to be clear, the

4936
03:59:23,359 --> 03:59:27,920
terms table and postpone are used

4937
03:59:25,199 --> 03:59:29,439
synonymously in a lot of cases. Um but

4938
03:59:27,920 --> 03:59:31,439
in either case, what I would advise is

4939
03:59:29,439 --> 03:59:34,000
that does take precedent over the main

4940
03:59:31,439 --> 03:59:35,760
motion on the floor right now. And so it

4941
03:59:34,000 --> 03:59:37,600
can either be tabled or postponed until

4942
03:59:35,760 --> 03:59:40,399
later in the meeting or a future

4943
03:59:37,600 --> 03:59:42,880
meeting, whatever the court prefers.

4944
03:59:40,399 --> 03:59:44,800
» Okay. I don't Does anyone care up here

4945
03:59:42,880 --> 03:59:47,279
which one we do?

4946
03:59:44,800 --> 03:59:49,520
» I'd say we hold it until after closed.

4947
03:59:47,279 --> 03:59:50,880
and give them time to sort it out. Come

4948
03:59:49,520 --> 03:59:52,399
back after close. If they don't have

4949
03:59:50,880 --> 03:59:53,520
time at that point, we can table it for

4950
03:59:52,399 --> 03:59:54,720
a future meeting if they don't have

4951
03:59:53,520 --> 03:59:57,680
their

4952
03:59:54,720 --> 03:59:59,520
» Okay. So, in terms of the order of this,

4953
03:59:57,680 --> 04:00:03,600
he has a motion that's still sitting

4954
03:59:59,520 --> 04:00:06,319
there. He has made a motion to to table

4955
04:00:03,600 --> 04:00:09,760
the item. Doesn't seem like we have a

4956
04:00:06,319 --> 04:00:12,160
consensus on tableing the item. So, do I

4957
04:00:09,760 --> 04:00:14,080
now have to hear that motion before

4958
04:00:12,160 --> 04:00:16,080
going to his motion?

4959
04:00:14,080 --> 04:00:17,439
» That would be correct. save for. There

4960
04:00:16,080 --> 04:00:19,359
needs to be a second on the motion to

4961
04:00:17,439 --> 04:00:21,680
table and I would I would just ask that

4962
04:00:19,359 --> 04:00:22,640
it be to uh a particular time whether it

4963
04:00:21,680 --> 04:00:25,199
be after close.

4964
04:00:22,640 --> 04:00:27,760
» Clarify your motion.

4965
04:00:25,199 --> 04:00:30,080
» I move to table this to a later date.

4966
04:00:27,760 --> 04:00:30,720
» Okay. Do we have a second on that?

4967
04:00:30,080 --> 04:00:32,640
» Second.

4968
04:00:30,720 --> 04:00:36,560
» So we have a motion and a second to

4969
04:00:32,640 --> 04:00:39,520
table this item until a later date

4970
04:00:36,560 --> 04:00:41,040
which now has removed his motion

4971
04:00:39,520 --> 04:00:41,439
essentially. Or this has to be addressed

4972
04:00:41,040 --> 04:00:42,720
first.

4973
04:00:41,439 --> 04:00:43,920
» This has to be addressed first and then

4974
04:00:42,720 --> 04:00:45,520
you can proceed on the made motion. Does

4975
04:00:43,920 --> 04:00:47,199
anybody want to say something about

4976
04:00:45,520 --> 04:00:47,600
this?

4977
04:00:47,199 --> 04:00:50,640
» All right.

4978
04:00:47,600 --> 04:00:53,120
» Um, I I I do I want to say what I've

4979
04:00:50,640 --> 04:00:54,960
been saying all day. This is

4980
04:00:53,120 --> 04:00:57,840
unprofessional.

4981
04:00:54,960 --> 04:01:00,960
You're not prepared.

4982
04:00:57,840 --> 04:01:03,120
This is a bad look on this county and

4983
04:01:00,960 --> 04:01:04,880
this staff.

4984
04:01:03,120 --> 04:01:07,359
I'm not going to throw you a parade

4985
04:01:04,880 --> 04:01:09,920
because you're a nice guy. You have a

4986
04:01:07,359 --> 04:01:13,439
job. We should not have all these

4987
04:01:09,920 --> 04:01:16,439
questions. We shouldn't be confused.

4988
04:01:13,439 --> 04:01:16,439
Um,

4989
04:01:16,720 --> 04:01:20,800
it's ridiculous.

4990
04:01:19,040 --> 04:01:23,199
Now, y'all can pat him on the back if

4991
04:01:20,800 --> 04:01:24,960
you want, but this is crazy.

4992
04:01:23,199 --> 04:01:28,239
» We have a motion and a second to

4993
04:01:24,960 --> 04:01:31,520
postpone this until a later date.

4994
04:01:28,239 --> 04:01:34,160
Anybody else wish to weigh in?

4995
04:01:31,520 --> 04:01:36,319
All right. All in favor of postponing

4996
04:01:34,160 --> 04:01:38,560
until a later date, please raise your

4997
04:01:36,319 --> 04:01:40,399
hand.

4998
04:01:38,560 --> 04:01:43,040
All right. All those against postponing

4999
04:01:40,399 --> 04:01:46,239
to a later date, please raise your hand.

5000
04:01:43,040 --> 04:01:48,560
All right. So, the motion to postpone to

5001
04:01:46,239 --> 04:01:51,120
a later date

5002
04:01:48,560 --> 04:01:53,120
fails. So, now we have a motion to

5003
04:01:51,120 --> 04:01:54,960
approve sitting before us.

5004
04:01:53,120 --> 04:01:57,199
» And I will make a motion to postpone

5005
04:01:54,960 --> 04:01:59,120
till after closed. Second,

5006
04:01:57,199 --> 04:02:00,640
» But we had a motion.

5007
04:01:59,120 --> 04:02:02,399
» And now we have another.

5008
04:02:00,640 --> 04:02:04,160
» But he needs to rescend his other one.

5009
04:02:02,399 --> 04:02:05,680
» He didn't have to rescend it for him to

5010
04:02:04,160 --> 04:02:08,319
do it. So, I don't know why he would.

5011
04:02:05,680 --> 04:02:10,319
» Well, he made me resend motions earlier.

5012
04:02:08,319 --> 04:02:12,080
Does he Don't we have a motion on the

5013
04:02:10,319 --> 04:02:13,600
floor? Yes, that is correct,

5014
04:02:12,080 --> 04:02:15,040
Commissioner. Except for the fact that a

5015
04:02:13,600 --> 04:02:16,399
motion to table or a motion to postpone

5016
04:02:15,040 --> 04:02:16,720
takes precedent over the main motion on

5017
04:02:16,399 --> 04:02:17,840
the floor.

5018
04:02:16,720 --> 04:02:19,040
» Voted on that one.

5019
04:02:17,840 --> 04:02:20,239
» It's a different motion.

5020
04:02:19,040 --> 04:02:22,319
» I'm talking to the

5021
04:02:20,239 --> 04:02:24,000
» And I'm and I'm and I run the court and

5022
04:02:22,319 --> 04:02:24,640
it's a different motion and so we're

5023
04:02:24,000 --> 04:02:26,479
going to hear the motion.

5024
04:02:24,640 --> 04:02:28,720
» So, we heard that motion. There was a

5025
04:02:26,479 --> 04:02:30,319
there was an uh there was a motion on

5026
04:02:28,720 --> 04:02:33,520
the floor. Correct.

5027
04:02:30,319 --> 04:02:35,359
» The the motion to table uh was heard and

5028
04:02:33,520 --> 04:02:36,800
now you're on to the main motion, but

5029
04:02:35,359 --> 04:02:38,560
there has now been another motion to

5030
04:02:36,800 --> 04:02:40,560
table or a motion to postpone which

5031
04:02:38,560 --> 04:02:41,040
takes precedent over the underlying

5032
04:02:40,560 --> 04:02:42,880
motion.

5033
04:02:41,040 --> 04:02:45,600
» Correct.

5034
04:02:42,880 --> 04:02:48,239
» So, we have a motion to postpone until

5035
04:02:45,600 --> 04:02:49,359
after closed to see if we have an

5036
04:02:48,239 --> 04:02:49,760
answer. Is that your motion?

5037
04:02:49,359 --> 04:02:51,120
» That's it.

5038
04:02:49,760 --> 04:02:51,680
» Do we have a second?

5039
04:02:51,120 --> 04:02:53,520
» Second.

5040
04:02:51,680 --> 04:02:55,760
» We have a second. Any further

5041
04:02:53,520 --> 04:02:58,399
discussion?

5042
04:02:55,760 --> 04:03:01,359
All right. All in favor of this motion

5043
04:02:58,399 --> 04:03:03,279
to postpone until after close, please

5044
04:03:01,359 --> 04:03:06,720
raise your hand.

5045
04:03:03,279 --> 04:03:09,040
Okay. All those opposed?

5046
04:03:06,720 --> 04:03:12,560
So the motion to postpone until after

5047
04:03:09,040 --> 04:03:14,560
close passes 3 to two.

5048
04:03:12,560 --> 04:03:18,279
Uh now

5049
04:03:14,560 --> 04:03:18,279
we move to

5050
04:03:24,239 --> 04:03:31,120
I believe in this order it is J1

5051
04:03:29,120 --> 04:03:33,279
um

5052
04:03:31,120 --> 04:03:35,120
which is consideration of a community

5053
04:03:33,279 --> 04:03:37,040
facilities facilities agreement with the

5054
04:03:35,120 --> 04:03:39,040
city of Fort Worth related to utility

5055
04:03:37,040 --> 04:03:41,120
improvements for the Plaza garage

5056
04:03:39,040 --> 04:03:45,680
expansion expansion project including

5057
04:03:41,120 --> 04:03:50,000
the 2025 5 capital improvement program.

5058
04:03:45,680 --> 04:03:52,160
So, this was the same thing we addressed

5059
04:03:50,000 --> 04:03:53,279
two meetings or two weeks ago, I should

5060
04:03:52,160 --> 04:03:55,279
say,

5061
04:03:53,279 --> 04:03:58,560
» Where Fort Worth wanted to charge us

5062
04:03:55,279 --> 04:04:00,160
$76,000 or so to inspect our parking

5063
04:03:58,560 --> 04:04:05,680
garage

5064
04:04:00,160 --> 04:04:07,439
and we failed this item and now there's

5065
04:04:05,680 --> 04:04:10,239
a reason you have brought it back. Would

5066
04:04:07,439 --> 04:04:12,160
you please tell everyone what that is?

5067
04:04:10,239 --> 04:04:13,760
» Yes, sir. to the unenviable task of

5068
04:04:12,160 --> 04:04:16,720
returning something to the court. My

5069
04:04:13,760 --> 04:04:19,439
apologies. Um the the community

5070
04:04:16,720 --> 04:04:21,279
facilities agreement is, as you know, an

5071
04:04:19,439 --> 04:04:23,520
agreement between the county and the

5072
04:04:21,279 --> 04:04:25,359
city for modifications to their public

5073
04:04:23,520 --> 04:04:27,840
improvements. They have public

5074
04:04:25,359 --> 04:04:30,319
improvements within the foundation lines

5075
04:04:27,840 --> 04:04:32,319
of our current ongoing plaza garage

5076
04:04:30,319 --> 04:04:35,680
project.

5077
04:04:32,319 --> 04:04:39,840
And the approval of this would allow us

5078
04:04:35,680 --> 04:04:42,960
to continue um the expedited

5079
04:04:39,840 --> 04:04:46,080
construction of that garage. A

5080
04:04:42,960 --> 04:04:48,800
disapproval will cause us as a county to

5081
04:04:46,080 --> 04:04:51,359
have to put a stop work notice to the

5082
04:04:48,800 --> 04:04:53,120
work or a portion of the work at which

5083
04:04:51,359 --> 04:04:55,760
place puts the county at risk for

5084
04:04:53,120 --> 04:04:58,399
additional costs to the contractor.

5085
04:04:55,760 --> 04:05:02,160
» And when does when is that and how is

5086
04:04:58,399 --> 04:05:03,680
that additional cost triggered? uh it's

5087
04:05:02,160 --> 04:05:06,080
triggered by a stop work notice. In

5088
04:05:03,680 --> 04:05:08,479
other words, if we as the county or the

5089
04:05:06,080 --> 04:05:10,000
owner cause something or do not

5090
04:05:08,479 --> 04:05:12,319
facilitate something that allows

5091
04:05:10,000 --> 04:05:14,399
progression of the work and it impacts

5092
04:05:12,319 --> 04:05:15,520
the extending duration of the

5093
04:05:14,399 --> 04:05:18,080
construction contract.

5094
04:05:15,520 --> 04:05:20,960
» Okay. Has anyone had a discussion with

5095
04:05:18,080 --> 04:05:23,760
our contractor as to how they would play

5096
04:05:20,960 --> 04:05:25,439
this while we work this out with Fort

5097
04:05:23,760 --> 04:05:27,760
Worth or try to?

5098
04:05:25,439 --> 04:05:29,760
» Yes, actually. It's been a hot topic

5099
04:05:27,760 --> 04:05:30,319
with the contractor for about two

5100
04:05:29,760 --> 04:05:33,199
months.

5101
04:05:30,319 --> 04:05:35,439
» Okay. Okay. Um between the previous

5102
04:05:33,199 --> 04:05:37,600
court and this court, we've been able to

5103
04:05:35,439 --> 04:05:39,840
facilitate the work without causing any

5104
04:05:37,600 --> 04:05:42,800
further hindrance. Uh at this point,

5105
04:05:39,840 --> 04:05:44,880
delay is pretty close to impending. The

5106
04:05:42,800 --> 04:05:46,800
existing sanitary sewer line that needs

5107
04:05:44,880 --> 04:05:48,880
to be modified runs immediately adjacent

5108
04:05:46,800 --> 04:05:50,720
to the tower crane foundations which are

5109
04:05:48,880 --> 04:05:52,239
going in now. The tower crane

5110
04:05:50,720 --> 04:05:53,840
mobilization is scheduled for this

5111
04:05:52,239 --> 04:05:58,800
coming weekend.

5112
04:05:53,840 --> 04:06:00,880
» Okay. Uh Mr. Merritt, tell us where we

5113
04:05:58,800 --> 04:06:03,040
are with the city of Fort Worth and any

5114
04:06:00,880 --> 04:06:03,600
discussions. Tell us what where we

5115
04:06:03,040 --> 04:06:06,960
stand.

5116
04:06:03,600 --> 04:06:08,960
» Sure. So, uh, the facility staff has

5117
04:06:06,960 --> 04:06:10,880
been trying to work with Fort Worth on

5118
04:06:08,960 --> 04:06:13,199
seeing what we could do with regards to

5119
04:06:10,880 --> 04:06:16,319
any reduction or waiver of fees from the

5120
04:06:13,199 --> 04:06:17,840
city. Um, most of what my feedback has

5121
04:06:16,319 --> 04:06:19,439
been, most of those folks at that level

5122
04:06:17,840 --> 04:06:20,960
aren't really authorized to make that

5123
04:06:19,439 --> 04:06:23,199
level of a decision with regards to

5124
04:06:20,960 --> 04:06:25,439
reducing those fees. Uh I've reached out

5125
04:06:23,199 --> 04:06:29,279
directly to the city manager for Fort

5126
04:06:25,439 --> 04:06:30,880
Worth uh to see if uh he at his level uh

5127
04:06:29,279 --> 04:06:33,680
or the council's level would be willing

5128
04:06:30,880 --> 04:06:35,680
to reduce or wave the fees on our

5129
04:06:33,680 --> 04:06:38,640
behalf. And I'm currently waiting to

5130
04:06:35,680 --> 04:06:40,640
hear back from him on on that. So when

5131
04:06:38,640 --> 04:06:42,880
we

5132
04:06:40,640 --> 04:06:46,319
when three of us here took office in

5133
04:06:42,880 --> 04:06:49,760
January of 23,

5134
04:06:46,319 --> 04:06:52,239
we had multiple meetings with Fort Worth

5135
04:06:49,760 --> 04:06:55,920
asking them to

5136
04:06:52,239 --> 04:06:59,600
allow us to do video magistration

5137
04:06:55,920 --> 04:07:02,479
to alleviate jail population problems.

5138
04:06:59,600 --> 04:07:06,880
Uh, in one particular meeting I was in

5139
04:07:02,479 --> 04:07:08,319
with the sheriff, the chief of police. I

5140
04:07:06,880 --> 04:07:09,840
say that I think the chief was there. If

5141
04:07:08,319 --> 04:07:11,439
not, there there were multiple assistant

5142
04:07:09,840 --> 04:07:14,720
chiefs whether Chief Nos was there or

5143
04:07:11,439 --> 04:07:17,199
not. Uh, the mayor, the then city

5144
04:07:14,720 --> 04:07:19,920
manager, and probably five, six other

5145
04:07:17,199 --> 04:07:22,000
people. And they were all, "Yes, we want

5146
04:07:19,920 --> 04:07:25,600
to help." We're on board. That was

5147
04:07:22,000 --> 04:07:29,680
approximately February of 23.

5148
04:07:25,600 --> 04:07:32,479
I don't believe we actually got approval

5149
04:07:29,680 --> 04:07:34,800
to do the video magistration

5150
04:07:32,479 --> 04:07:38,319
at Fort Worth holding facility or what

5151
04:07:34,800 --> 04:07:40,560
at their police station until August

5152
04:07:38,319 --> 04:07:43,439
of 24.

5153
04:07:40,560 --> 04:07:44,640
Um is any part of that I said not

5154
04:07:43,439 --> 04:07:46,239
accurate?

5155
04:07:44,640 --> 04:07:49,840
» I can't speak specifically to the

5156
04:07:46,239 --> 04:07:50,399
timeline, but um but that sounds about

5157
04:07:49,840 --> 04:07:52,720
correct.

5158
04:07:50,399 --> 04:07:55,760
» Okay. And so where I'm going with this

5159
04:07:52,720 --> 04:07:57,680
is um

5160
04:07:55,760 --> 04:07:59,279
Fort Worth

5161
04:07:57,680 --> 04:08:02,080
wants

5162
04:07:59,279 --> 04:08:04,640
a good partner in Tarant County and I

5163
04:08:02,080 --> 04:08:07,439
think it's beneficial for the residents

5164
04:08:04,640 --> 04:08:09,359
of Fort Worth and the residents of

5165
04:08:07,439 --> 04:08:13,680
Tarant County to have a good partnership

5166
04:08:09,359 --> 04:08:16,479
with Fort Worth. Um,

5167
04:08:13,680 --> 04:08:20,319
but the idea that we're going to pay

5168
04:08:16,479 --> 04:08:23,840
$76,000 to improve our parking garage

5169
04:08:20,319 --> 04:08:26,319
and traffic and street parking, which

5170
04:08:23,840 --> 04:08:28,080
will allow, I believe, more revenue for

5171
04:08:26,319 --> 04:08:29,760
the city of Fort Worth with all the

5172
04:08:28,080 --> 04:08:32,319
parking meters that I think goes to them

5173
04:08:29,760 --> 04:08:34,319
anyway. And then we can't even get them

5174
04:08:32,319 --> 04:08:38,239
to return a call and get with us on how

5175
04:08:34,319 --> 04:08:40,479
we can deal with this. Uh, I I it

5176
04:08:38,239 --> 04:08:42,160
doesn't sit well with me. I it shouldn't

5177
04:08:40,479 --> 04:08:44,239
sit well with with any of us. I would

5178
04:08:42,160 --> 04:08:46,160
hope. But may maybe this is one where we

5179
04:08:44,239 --> 04:08:50,160
can have some bipartisanship. I don't

5180
04:08:46,160 --> 04:08:52,239
know. But here here's what I would my

5181
04:08:50,160 --> 04:08:53,840
opinion. We need to pass it to avoid

5182
04:08:52,239 --> 04:08:59,439
penalties.

5183
04:08:53,840 --> 04:09:01,279
Um, what I would d ask the staff to do

5184
04:08:59,439 --> 04:09:03,199
is to

5185
04:09:01,279 --> 04:09:05,920
uh, and by the way, I have set up a

5186
04:09:03,199 --> 04:09:11,920
meeting with the mayor tomorrow on this

5187
04:09:05,920 --> 04:09:14,720
very topic. And uh I would ask our staff

5188
04:09:11,920 --> 04:09:15,840
to go research, assuming today passes,

5189
04:09:14,720 --> 04:09:20,239
which I don't know that it will, but

5190
04:09:15,840 --> 04:09:25,600
assuming it does, um to go research what

5191
04:09:20,239 --> 04:09:28,800
we could do to revoke

5192
04:09:25,600 --> 04:09:31,920
andor reconsider the tiffs we passed at

5193
04:09:28,800 --> 04:09:33,439
the end of last year to recoup this kind

5194
04:09:31,920 --> 04:09:36,399
of money.

5195
04:09:33,439 --> 04:09:38,880
Um, I would like the staff to go do

5196
04:09:36,399 --> 04:09:41,600
research on how we could use that tiff

5197
04:09:38,880 --> 04:09:44,960
money for any remaining costs on the

5198
04:09:41,600 --> 04:09:49,520
parking garage, including the inspection

5199
04:09:44,960 --> 04:09:52,800
cost that they are charging. Um, I would

5200
04:09:49,520 --> 04:09:55,680
also include in that JPS.

5201
04:09:52,800 --> 04:09:57,680
I know there are fees that they want to

5202
04:09:55,680 --> 04:10:01,199
charge JPS

5203
04:09:57,680 --> 04:10:05,120
for how they build the tower.

5204
04:10:01,199 --> 04:10:07,840
Um, and so I think in a nutshell, it's

5205
04:10:05,120 --> 04:10:10,000
please present us options on what

5206
04:10:07,840 --> 04:10:12,560
amendments,

5207
04:10:10,000 --> 04:10:16,160
revocations, and approvals

5208
04:10:12,560 --> 04:10:18,399
we have with the downtown TIFF to ensure

5209
04:10:16,160 --> 04:10:24,960
a fair and balanced partnership with the

5210
04:10:18,399 --> 04:10:27,199
city. And by that what I mean there is

5211
04:10:24,960 --> 04:10:29,120
if you can't

5212
04:10:27,199 --> 04:10:34,720
amend it

5213
04:10:29,120 --> 04:10:37,199
then one option is you could revoke it

5214
04:10:34,720 --> 04:10:39,760
and pass it again

5215
04:10:37,199 --> 04:10:42,720
and take dollar for dollar that charge

5216
04:10:39,760 --> 04:10:45,439
out of by percentage what we allow them

5217
04:10:42,720 --> 04:10:48,080
to have. So I believe it's 35% over 20

5218
04:10:45,439 --> 04:10:50,880
years is what you told me last time.

5219
04:10:48,080 --> 04:10:52,720
Whatever it may be, calculate the number

5220
04:10:50,880 --> 04:10:55,840
32%,

5221
04:10:52,720 --> 04:10:57,359
30%, whatever it is, I'm asking you to

5222
04:10:55,840 --> 04:10:59,439
bring back those options. This is not

5223
04:10:57,359 --> 04:11:00,960
part of a motion or a vote. I want to

5224
04:10:59,439 --> 04:11:04,319
explore those options in the whole court

5225
04:11:00,960 --> 04:11:04,880
to be able to look at it.

5226
04:11:04,319 --> 04:11:05,359
» Okay.

5227
04:11:04,880 --> 04:11:07,920
» So,

5228
04:11:05,359 --> 04:11:09,920
» Questions, comments?

5229
04:11:07,920 --> 04:11:11,439
» Yes.

5230
04:11:09,920 --> 04:11:17,439
So

5231
04:11:11,439 --> 04:11:20,080
having uh city of Fort Worth not eagerly

5232
04:11:17,439 --> 04:11:21,600
embrace video magistration was was

5233
04:11:20,080 --> 04:11:25,040
problematic.

5234
04:11:21,600 --> 04:11:26,960
Um I'm not sure I I got tired of asking.

5235
04:11:25,040 --> 04:11:28,560
I'm not sure how many people they're

5236
04:11:26,960 --> 04:11:32,080
even

5237
04:11:28,560 --> 04:11:35,760
um magistrating now.

5238
04:11:32,080 --> 04:11:37,359
Um but another

5239
04:11:35,760 --> 04:11:39,760
um

5240
04:11:37,359 --> 04:11:42,560
uh source

5241
04:11:39,760 --> 04:11:44,560
of revenue or partnership we should be

5242
04:11:42,560 --> 04:11:47,279
getting from city of Fort Worth. I've

5243
04:11:44,560 --> 04:11:51,760
said this before

5244
04:11:47,279 --> 04:11:53,920
several times is to stop taking their

5245
04:11:51,760 --> 04:11:58,399
inmates

5246
04:11:53,920 --> 04:12:00,239
um without them paying for them. City of

5247
04:11:58,399 --> 04:12:01,920
Austin and Travis County have an

5248
04:12:00,239 --> 04:12:05,520
agreement.

5249
04:12:01,920 --> 04:12:07,760
City of Austin pays Travis County to

5250
04:12:05,520 --> 04:12:11,600
take their inmates

5251
04:12:07,760 --> 04:12:14,319
till a case is filed. City of Dallas,

5252
04:12:11,600 --> 04:12:17,520
Dallas County, same contract. We just

5253
04:12:14,319 --> 04:12:19,279
take the city uh Fort Worth PD's

5254
04:12:17,520 --> 04:12:24,239
inmates.

5255
04:12:19,279 --> 04:12:25,920
um if you want to look at recouping cost

5256
04:12:24,239 --> 04:12:28,960
um

5257
04:12:25,920 --> 04:12:34,160
and this

5258
04:12:28,960 --> 04:12:36,720
revoking of TIFFs is not the answer. I

5259
04:12:34,160 --> 04:12:39,600
mean this is an attack on economic

5260
04:12:36,720 --> 04:12:41,600
development. Pulling out of the TUR or

5261
04:12:39,600 --> 04:12:46,319
TIFF will throw the developers funding

5262
04:12:41,600 --> 04:12:49,199
plans out of whack for just $75,000.

5263
04:12:46,319 --> 04:12:51,199
uh potentially delaying development and

5264
04:12:49,199 --> 04:12:53,439
possibly

5265
04:12:51,199 --> 04:12:57,359
cancellation due to funding gaps. So

5266
04:12:53,439 --> 04:13:01,359
that that's not the answer. Um you know,

5267
04:12:57,359 --> 04:13:06,319
it's it's as as much as we give and do

5268
04:13:01,359 --> 04:13:09,760
uh for Fort Worth at a detriment to to

5269
04:13:06,319 --> 04:13:12,800
the county. Um I'm not jumping up about

5270
04:13:09,760 --> 04:13:15,439
down about paying this 7576,000,

5271
04:13:12,800 --> 04:13:18,960
whatever it is. Um but we've got we've

5272
04:13:15,439 --> 04:13:20,960
got to do it. But there are other ways

5273
04:13:18,960 --> 04:13:24,640
um

5274
04:13:20,960 --> 04:13:27,439
you know to charge

5275
04:13:24,640 --> 04:13:30,960
uh city of Fort Worth.

5276
04:13:27,439 --> 04:13:34,239
» Move for approval of item J1.

5277
04:13:30,960 --> 04:13:34,560
» We have a motion to approve item J1.

5278
04:13:34,239 --> 04:13:35,120
» Second.

5279
04:13:34,560 --> 04:13:37,520
» Second.

5280
04:13:35,120 --> 04:13:42,120
» We have a second.

5281
04:13:37,520 --> 04:13:42,120
Uh further discussion before vote.

5282
04:13:42,319 --> 04:13:49,359
So, um I have one point I would like to

5283
04:13:44,800 --> 04:13:52,880
make and that is there is no money from

5284
04:13:49,359 --> 04:13:56,640
Tarant County in this tiff

5285
04:13:52,880 --> 04:13:59,439
guaranteed to go towards anything.

5286
04:13:56,640 --> 04:14:02,960
There is no development project that

5287
04:13:59,439 --> 04:14:07,040
will be interrupted or stopped because

5288
04:14:02,960 --> 04:14:09,199
Tarant County when we pass the TIF

5289
04:14:07,040 --> 04:14:11,040
maintain the right to approve any and

5290
04:14:09,199 --> 04:14:14,159
all projects

5291
04:14:11,040 --> 04:14:18,239
that Tarant County tax money in the TIF

5292
04:14:14,159 --> 04:14:20,960
would go towards. So if a developer,

5293
04:14:18,239 --> 04:14:25,520
which I highly doubt, is currently

5294
04:14:20,960 --> 04:14:28,080
banking on our portion to go towards any

5295
04:14:25,520 --> 04:14:29,840
project, we haven't taken a single vote

5296
04:14:28,080 --> 04:14:32,960
for it.

5297
04:14:29,840 --> 04:14:35,040
And uh I doubt very seriously there is

5298
04:14:32,960 --> 04:14:39,120
some project moving forward at the

5299
04:14:35,040 --> 04:14:41,439
moment that is counting on our specific

5300
04:14:39,120 --> 04:14:45,840
percentage

5301
04:14:41,439 --> 04:14:48,000
but also revising the tiff or re

5302
04:14:45,840 --> 04:14:50,640
renegotiating voting it down adding a

5303
04:14:48,000 --> 04:14:53,760
new one. Um

5304
04:14:50,640 --> 04:14:56,399
we are part of downtown. We have lots of

5305
04:14:53,760 --> 04:14:58,319
costs that we have to incur

5306
04:14:56,399 --> 04:15:01,199
and

5307
04:14:58,319 --> 04:15:05,199
bringing them to the table can benefit

5308
04:15:01,199 --> 04:15:07,520
everyone in Tarant County. Uh and that's

5309
04:15:05,199 --> 04:15:09,359
what a healthy partnership is. My

5310
04:15:07,520 --> 04:15:10,960
intention here is not to create a war

5311
04:15:09,359 --> 04:15:13,520
with the city of Fort Worth. In fact,

5312
04:15:10,960 --> 04:15:15,439
it's the opposite. It's to ensure basic

5313
04:15:13,520 --> 04:15:17,680
fairness between the two entities. And

5314
04:15:15,439 --> 04:15:21,120
right now, it certainly doesn't seem

5315
04:15:17,680 --> 04:15:23,439
like it's a two-way street. It seems

5316
04:15:21,120 --> 04:15:26,960
like it's a one-way street. I'd like to

5317
04:15:23,439 --> 04:15:28,800
make sure it's a two-way street. So, any

5318
04:15:26,960 --> 04:15:32,800
other comments

5319
04:15:28,800 --> 04:15:34,239
or questions before we vote.

5320
04:15:32,800 --> 04:15:36,479
All right, seeing none, we have a motion

5321
04:15:34,239 --> 04:15:39,359
and a second to approve this item. All

5322
04:15:36,479 --> 04:15:43,640
in favor, raise your hand.

5323
04:15:39,359 --> 04:15:43,640
All right, passes five to zero.

5324
04:15:45,600 --> 04:15:52,080
Uh, next we go, if I have my thing down

5325
04:15:49,359 --> 04:15:54,000
correctly, to 01, public health

5326
04:15:52,080 --> 04:15:58,520
consideration of changes to the Tarant

5327
04:15:54,000 --> 04:15:58,520
County public health fee schedule.

5328
04:15:59,199 --> 04:16:03,760
Dr. Bird.

5329
04:16:01,520 --> 04:16:05,600
Thank you, Judge and Commissioner Brian

5330
04:16:03,760 --> 04:16:08,640
Bird, public health. I have with me

5331
04:16:05,600 --> 04:16:10,479
Sabrina Vidari, who is our associate

5332
04:16:08,640 --> 04:16:13,040
director over environmental health. she

5333
04:16:10,479 --> 04:16:15,199
handles uh restaurant inspections and

5334
04:16:13,040 --> 04:16:18,239
that's what we're talking about today.

5335
04:16:15,199 --> 04:16:20,000
Uh we are responding to Senate Bill

5336
04:16:18,239 --> 04:16:24,000
10008

5337
04:16:20,000 --> 04:16:26,319
which requires as of September 1 uh that

5338
04:16:24,000 --> 04:16:29,359
we comply with the Department of State

5339
04:16:26,319 --> 04:16:31,359
Health Services fees uh for all of our

5340
04:16:29,359 --> 04:16:33,760
inspections on fixed food service and

5341
04:16:31,359 --> 04:16:37,760
mobile food service.

5342
04:16:33,760 --> 04:16:39,520
Uh since I am not an expert on

5343
04:16:37,760 --> 04:16:43,040
restaurant inspection and I like to hear

5344
04:16:39,520 --> 04:16:45,600
from experts, uh I've asked Miss Bedari

5345
04:16:43,040 --> 04:16:47,920
uh to present this uh this series of

5346
04:16:45,600 --> 04:16:50,880
slides, this slide deck, and walk us

5347
04:16:47,920 --> 04:16:54,239
through uh our approach to this as we

5348
04:16:50,880 --> 04:16:56,960
attempted to uh to present a proposed

5349
04:16:54,239 --> 04:16:58,560
fee schedule that balances uh we want to

5350
04:16:56,960 --> 04:17:00,880
keep everybody healthy and we don't want

5351
04:16:58,560 --> 04:17:02,560
to be ownorous on our local businesses

5352
04:17:00,880 --> 04:17:03,920
and trying to walk that line. So without

5353
04:17:02,560 --> 04:17:07,279
further ado, I'll turn it over to

5354
04:17:03,920 --> 04:17:09,199
Sabrina. Sabrina,

5355
04:17:07,279 --> 04:17:10,800
» Good afternoon.

5356
04:17:09,199 --> 04:17:11,439
Can y'all hear me? Okay. Okay.

5357
04:17:10,800 --> 04:17:13,199
» Yes, ma'am.

5358
04:17:11,439 --> 04:17:15,600
» So before I start the presentation, I

5359
04:17:13,199 --> 04:17:18,800
would like to let you know that the fee

5360
04:17:15,600 --> 04:17:21,199
schedule methodology has changed based

5361
04:17:18,800 --> 04:17:22,880
on the state law. Our current fee

5362
04:17:21,199 --> 04:17:26,159
schedule methodology was on square

5363
04:17:22,880 --> 04:17:29,279
footage and the state law puts us that

5364
04:17:26,159 --> 04:17:31,680
we would need to use the Texas

5365
04:17:29,279 --> 04:17:33,520
Department of State Health Services fee

5366
04:17:31,680 --> 04:17:37,680
schedule and theirs is off of gross

5367
04:17:33,520 --> 04:17:39,439
annual food sales volume sales. So um

5368
04:17:37,680 --> 04:17:41,439
the first slide so we have separated it

5369
04:17:39,439 --> 04:17:43,600
out amongst the different categories of

5370
04:17:41,439 --> 04:17:47,040
inspections due to that to try to make

5371
04:17:43,600 --> 04:17:48,560
it more clear for you. So fixed food are

5372
04:17:47,040 --> 04:17:50,640
just like that. They're establishments

5373
04:17:48,560 --> 04:17:53,439
that don't move. their brickandmortar

5374
04:17:50,640 --> 04:17:57,040
type of establishments.

5375
04:17:53,439 --> 04:17:59,279
They um you can see all of the fees. Our

5376
04:17:57,040 --> 04:18:01,199
current fee schedule is on the left. The

5377
04:17:59,279 --> 04:18:03,279
proposed fee schedule is on the right

5378
04:18:01,199 --> 04:18:05,120
with the current Texas Department of

5379
04:18:03,279 --> 04:18:07,120
State Health Services fee schedule in

5380
04:18:05,120 --> 04:18:10,080
the middle.

5381
04:18:07,120 --> 04:18:12,080
We have aligned our fee schedule um with

5382
04:18:10,080 --> 04:18:14,000
the Texas Department of State Health

5383
04:18:12,080 --> 04:18:16,399
Services with the exception of the

5384
04:18:14,000 --> 04:18:19,439
highest fee schedule which is for

5385
04:18:16,399 --> 04:18:23,520
$150,000 or more of gross annual food

5386
04:18:19,439 --> 04:18:27,439
sales. That cap is $773

5387
04:18:23,520 --> 04:18:29,760
and we have dropped it to 700.

5388
04:18:27,439 --> 04:18:32,000
The reason why we have dropped it to 700

5389
04:18:29,760 --> 04:18:34,560
is because we do believe that there may

5390
04:18:32,000 --> 04:18:37,359
be a majority of establishments that

5391
04:18:34,560 --> 04:18:40,399
fall into this category. So some of the

5392
04:18:37,359 --> 04:18:43,680
establishments may see a fee increase

5393
04:18:40,399 --> 04:18:45,680
and others may see a fee decrease. I do

5394
04:18:43,680 --> 04:18:47,680
not have any information on our

5395
04:18:45,680 --> 04:18:49,680
establishments as to where they would

5396
04:18:47,680 --> 04:18:51,680
fall in this. It is not information that

5397
04:18:49,680 --> 04:18:55,239
we had previously collected from any of

5398
04:18:51,680 --> 04:18:55,239
our permit holders.

5399
04:18:57,040 --> 04:19:00,159
Okay.

5400
04:18:58,960 --> 04:19:00,800
Do you want me to move on or is there a

5401
04:19:00,159 --> 04:19:03,760
question?

5402
04:19:00,800 --> 04:19:06,080
» So, are we the the proposed free SK fee

5403
04:19:03,760 --> 04:19:10,479
schedule on the right

5404
04:19:06,080 --> 04:19:13,680
150,000 or more is in sales, right?

5405
04:19:10,479 --> 04:19:16,239
» It is gross annual volume of food sales.

5406
04:19:13,680 --> 04:19:19,279
Yes. It is not revenue. It's gross

5407
04:19:16,239 --> 04:19:20,560
annual volume of food sales.

5408
04:19:19,279 --> 04:19:22,000
» I'm sorry. It sounded like you just said

5409
04:19:20,560 --> 04:19:23,520
it is something and then repeated the

5410
04:19:22,000 --> 04:19:25,439
exact same thing and said it isn't. It

5411
04:19:23,520 --> 04:19:26,960
is not revenue. A lot of people, a lot

5412
04:19:25,439 --> 04:19:28,159
of people get them confused. It's not

5413
04:19:26,960 --> 04:19:30,080
based off of revenue of the

5414
04:19:28,159 --> 04:19:32,479
establishment. It's based off of gross

5415
04:19:30,080 --> 04:19:34,800
annual food sales, which is before

5416
04:19:32,479 --> 04:19:35,680
taxes, before any deductions that would

5417
04:19:34,800 --> 04:19:37,600
come out from revenue.

5418
04:19:35,680 --> 04:19:40,560
» Is revenue different than that?

5419
04:19:37,600 --> 04:19:41,520
» Revenue comes after tax deductions and

5420
04:19:40,560 --> 04:19:45,040
exemptions.

5421
04:19:41,520 --> 04:19:47,199
» Okay. So, on the 150,000 or more, pick

5422
04:19:45,040 --> 04:19:49,600
one, doesn't matter. How how do we now

5423
04:19:47,199 --> 04:19:51,199
plan to go determine that?

5424
04:19:49,600 --> 04:19:53,120
So the that process

5425
04:19:51,199 --> 04:19:54,720
» Fill out a form.

5426
04:19:53,120 --> 04:19:56,399
» Well, they will have to submit. So it's

5427
04:19:54,720 --> 04:19:58,479
proprietary information. So they'll have

5428
04:19:56,399 --> 04:20:00,479
to give us this information which would

5429
04:19:58,479 --> 04:20:03,040
the best way is to give us their last

5430
04:20:00,479 --> 04:20:05,600
tax returns so they can prove if they do

5431
04:20:03,040 --> 04:20:07,359
not meet this category. We have asked

5432
04:20:05,600 --> 04:20:10,319
the state department of state health

5433
04:20:07,359 --> 04:20:11,520
services. They use the comprollers's

5434
04:20:10,319 --> 04:20:12,720
office and we have asked the

5435
04:20:11,520 --> 04:20:14,479
comprollers's office, the state

5436
04:20:12,720 --> 04:20:16,640
comproller if they would assist us with

5437
04:20:14,479 --> 04:20:18,800
this and they told us no, that it was

5438
04:20:16,640 --> 04:20:21,520
proprietary information.

5439
04:20:18,800 --> 04:20:22,880
So, we had talked about it with other

5440
04:20:21,520 --> 04:20:24,640
jurisdictions and that's what other

5441
04:20:22,880 --> 04:20:26,800
jurisdictions are doing as well. They're

5442
04:20:24,640 --> 04:20:28,159
setting it at the top and then we're

5443
04:20:26,800 --> 04:20:29,840
messaging out to all of these

5444
04:20:28,159 --> 04:20:31,760
establishments that if you feel you're

5445
04:20:29,840 --> 04:20:33,920
in the wrong category, please get with

5446
04:20:31,760 --> 04:20:36,399
us to provide the proper documentation

5447
04:20:33,920 --> 04:20:39,199
so that way we can lower that category.

5448
04:20:36,399 --> 04:20:42,800
» Do we have a different way of doing this

5449
04:20:39,199 --> 04:20:44,319
besides so if you take 150,000 in gross

5450
04:20:42,800 --> 04:20:46,560
sales?

5451
04:20:44,319 --> 04:20:49,760
I mean, the possibility exists that the

5452
04:20:46,560 --> 04:20:51,439
profit out of that is like 15 or 20

5453
04:20:49,760 --> 04:20:54,080
grand. Like, that wouldn't be unusual in

5454
04:20:51,439 --> 04:20:57,040
the food industry, whatever it may be.

5455
04:20:54,080 --> 04:20:59,840
Let's call it call it 50,000. Call it

5456
04:20:57,040 --> 04:21:02,960
100,000. Do we have a way to determine

5457
04:20:59,840 --> 04:21:05,120
if they're 150,000 or more other than

5458
04:21:02,960 --> 04:21:06,800
asking for their tax returns?

5459
04:21:05,120 --> 04:21:08,080
» No, it is.

5460
04:21:06,800 --> 04:21:09,760
» I'm just not real comfortable with us

5461
04:21:08,080 --> 04:21:12,399
requesting people's tax returns. So the

5462
04:21:09,760 --> 04:21:14,479
the way this would come up is if

5463
04:21:12,399 --> 04:21:17,199
somebody's claiming they have less than

5464
04:21:14,479 --> 04:21:19,439
50,000 in sales

5465
04:21:17,199 --> 04:21:21,279
and what we don't believe them or we're

5466
04:21:19,439 --> 04:21:22,239
just asking everyone to give us their

5467
04:21:21,279 --> 04:21:23,600
tax returns.

5468
04:21:22,239 --> 04:21:25,359
» I was just trying to use the same

5469
04:21:23,600 --> 04:21:27,680
methodology that the state of Texas has

5470
04:21:25,359 --> 04:21:30,239
set with all of the establishments. Um

5471
04:21:27,680 --> 04:21:32,720
we can most certainly change that. This

5472
04:21:30,239 --> 04:21:35,680
program does pay for all of the

5473
04:21:32,720 --> 04:21:37,359
personnel and supplies. Um the county

5474
04:21:35,680 --> 04:21:39,439
does not put in additional information

5475
04:21:37,359 --> 04:21:42,560
with that funding for that. And we do

5476
04:21:39,439 --> 04:21:46,239
have 30 ILAS with incorporated cities

5477
04:21:42,560 --> 04:21:48,640
and DFW airport. So we have about what

5478
04:21:46,239 --> 04:21:51,040
was it 3500

5479
04:21:48,640 --> 04:21:53,760
6,000 permits total

5480
04:21:51,040 --> 04:21:56,159
» And we have about 1,500 to 2,000 that

5481
04:21:53,760 --> 04:21:57,600
are pool permits. So the rest are some

5482
04:21:56,159 --> 04:22:00,960
sort of food permit.

5483
04:21:57,600 --> 04:22:02,399
» So if somebody says on their form, yeah,

5484
04:22:00,960 --> 04:22:03,840
we have more than 150,000 in gross

5485
04:22:02,399 --> 04:22:04,479
sales, we're not asking for their tax

5486
04:22:03,840 --> 04:22:05,840
return.

5487
04:22:04,479 --> 04:22:08,000
» Correct. We were going to set everybody

5488
04:22:05,840 --> 04:22:10,080
at the high one and ask them to come and

5489
04:22:08,000 --> 04:22:12,000
prove it to us if they need to lower it.

5490
04:22:10,080 --> 04:22:14,720
» Okay.

5491
04:22:12,000 --> 04:22:16,640
» If the if the state of Texas is already

5492
04:22:14,720 --> 04:22:18,800
doing this, does that mean the comp

5493
04:22:16,640 --> 04:22:21,120
controller has those numbers somewhere

5494
04:22:18,800 --> 04:22:24,080
that we could pull from and not have the

5495
04:22:21,120 --> 04:22:26,080
business owners send it to us as well or

5496
04:22:24,080 --> 04:22:27,680
is there not enough communication

5497
04:22:26,080 --> 04:22:30,000
between those two entities to get that

5498
04:22:27,680 --> 04:22:31,600
info? So, in asking the controllers's

5499
04:22:30,000 --> 04:22:33,439
office, they notified us that that was

5500
04:22:31,600 --> 04:22:36,239
proprietary information and they would

5501
04:22:33,439 --> 04:22:40,960
not give it to us.

5502
04:22:36,239 --> 04:22:43,279
» Are any of the proposed fees an increase

5503
04:22:40,960 --> 04:22:45,439
over the current fees?

5504
04:22:43,279 --> 04:22:48,239
» So, for some of the establishments, it

5505
04:22:45,439 --> 04:22:50,720
may be an increase. So, if I could just

5506
04:22:48,239 --> 04:22:52,319
explain like the less than 500 square f

5507
04:22:50,720 --> 04:22:57,120
feet of our current fee schedule, that

5508
04:22:52,319 --> 04:22:59,439
is $400. That would generally be like a

5509
04:22:57,120 --> 04:23:00,960
small subway or a drive-thru

5510
04:22:59,439 --> 04:23:03,359
establishment just to give you an idea

5511
04:23:00,960 --> 04:23:07,159
of what they would be. They may increase

5512
04:23:03,359 --> 04:23:07,159
to that 700

5513
04:23:08,640 --> 04:23:14,399
» And that is required by the state.

5514
04:23:12,159 --> 04:23:17,520
» So the law states that we have to use

5515
04:23:14,399 --> 04:23:19,279
the same methodology that this Texas

5516
04:23:17,520 --> 04:23:21,120
Department of State Health Services is

5517
04:23:19,279 --> 04:23:23,279
using.

5518
04:23:21,120 --> 04:23:25,120
They do not use unfortunately square

5519
04:23:23,279 --> 04:23:27,040
footage.

5520
04:23:25,120 --> 04:23:29,199
» Okay. Is there anything else that's an

5521
04:23:27,040 --> 04:23:32,319
increase in fees

5522
04:23:29,199 --> 04:23:34,560
» On this slide? No sir. I would like to

5523
04:23:32,319 --> 04:23:36,960
point out temporary foods. So the state

5524
04:23:34,560 --> 04:23:39,920
has a temporary food permit for 1 to 14

5525
04:23:36,960 --> 04:23:42,159
days and they charge everybody $52. Most

5526
04:23:39,920 --> 04:23:44,479
of our temporary food permits come to 1

5527
04:23:42,159 --> 04:23:46,800
to five days and our current schedule is

5528
04:23:44,479 --> 04:23:50,000
35 and we did not feel any need to

5529
04:23:46,800 --> 04:23:54,560
increase that. Um it is decreasing for

5530
04:23:50,000 --> 04:23:57,199
the 6 to 14 days down $10 because we are

5531
04:23:54,560 --> 04:24:00,640
allowed to take 120% of the fee

5532
04:23:57,199 --> 04:24:03,760
schedule. So from 70 it went down to 60.

5533
04:24:00,640 --> 04:24:07,120
That is a very small amount over 90% of

5534
04:24:03,760 --> 04:24:09,439
our temporary permits are 1 to 5 days.

5535
04:24:07,120 --> 04:24:11,600
Those are date and location specific

5536
04:24:09,439 --> 04:24:15,520
permits. They do not allow them to roam

5537
04:24:11,600 --> 04:24:18,000
around. So they may be festivals or

5538
04:24:15,520 --> 04:24:19,920
organizations doing um some kind of food

5539
04:24:18,000 --> 04:24:20,880
sales for fundraising for them is

5540
04:24:19,920 --> 04:24:23,040
usually who's pulling.

5541
04:24:20,880 --> 04:24:24,560
» So like if somebody does a bake sale for

5542
04:24:23,040 --> 04:24:27,120
their neighborhood PTA, are they

5543
04:24:24,560 --> 04:24:29,199
supposed to come get a one-day permit?

5544
04:24:27,120 --> 04:24:31,439
» Well, if they're selling hot dogs,

5545
04:24:29,199 --> 04:24:33,040
cookies are not bake sales are exempt

5546
04:24:31,439 --> 04:24:34,640
from that. But in that scenario, yes,

5547
04:24:33,040 --> 04:24:36,960
they would have to get that permit.

5548
04:24:34,640 --> 04:24:39,279
» Okay. So, so I think you said it

5549
04:24:36,960 --> 04:24:40,880
earlier, but just to clarify, the the

5550
04:24:39,279 --> 04:24:44,000
fee structure that we have and the fees

5551
04:24:40,880 --> 04:24:45,520
that we impose are to subsidize the cost

5552
04:24:44,000 --> 04:24:46,960
of our employees going out there and

5553
04:24:45,520 --> 04:24:48,720
doing these inspections to make sure

5554
04:24:46,960 --> 04:24:50,479
that there's healthy food being served

5555
04:24:48,720 --> 04:24:54,080
by these establishments and temporary

5556
04:24:50,479 --> 04:24:55,040
places. It's not a profit center for the

5557
04:24:54,080 --> 04:24:57,120
county. Is that correct?

5558
04:24:55,040 --> 04:24:58,800
» Correct. And by state law, it cannot be

5559
04:24:57,120 --> 04:25:00,640
profitable and it does have to go into

5560
04:24:58,800 --> 04:25:03,040
its own fund. And that's why it's more

5561
04:25:00,640 --> 04:25:07,080
special fund F223.

5562
04:25:03,040 --> 04:25:07,080
» Thanks. Would

5563
04:25:07,120 --> 04:25:09,040
you like me to move on to the next

5564
04:25:08,080 --> 04:25:10,960
slide? Okay, sure.

5565
04:25:09,040 --> 04:25:12,080
» So the next one is mobile food units. So

5566
04:25:10,960 --> 04:25:14,560
this one gets a little bit more

5567
04:25:12,080 --> 04:25:16,479
complicated. So in 2023, the

5568
04:25:14,560 --> 04:25:19,120
jurisdiction for all mobile food units

5569
04:25:16,479 --> 04:25:22,319
did move to Tarant County. So we were

5570
04:25:19,120 --> 04:25:25,520
permitting all of them. This past year

5571
04:25:22,319 --> 04:25:27,279
in the 2025 legislative session, the

5572
04:25:25,520 --> 04:25:29,760
state has moved the mobile food

5573
04:25:27,279 --> 04:25:33,600
jurisdiction to the state of Texas.

5574
04:25:29,760 --> 04:25:36,960
However, that is not coming into effect

5575
04:25:33,600 --> 04:25:38,800
until June of 2026 because they do not

5576
04:25:36,960 --> 04:25:41,359
they need to set up their program for

5577
04:25:38,800 --> 04:25:43,439
that first. So, we need to lower our

5578
04:25:41,359 --> 04:25:45,760
fees in order to come in line with

5579
04:25:43,439 --> 04:25:47,760
Senate Bill 10008.

5580
04:25:45,760 --> 04:25:51,439
But we will not be taking any of these

5581
04:25:47,760 --> 04:25:53,279
fees beyond June of 2026. People will

5582
04:25:51,439 --> 04:25:55,680
have to get their mobile vending permit

5583
04:25:53,279 --> 04:25:57,840
from the state of Texas. Currently, the

5584
04:25:55,680 --> 04:26:00,560
state of Texas is indicating that they

5585
04:25:57,840 --> 04:26:02,159
will give reciprocity to anybody who has

5586
04:26:00,560 --> 04:26:06,359
a current permit from a local

5587
04:26:02,159 --> 04:26:06,359
jurisdiction when that occurs.

5588
04:26:08,000 --> 04:26:11,760
» I bet you're happy.

5589
04:26:10,159 --> 04:26:13,120
» Will this will this necessitate a

5590
04:26:11,760 --> 04:26:14,880
reduction in workforce? Do we have

5591
04:26:13,120 --> 04:26:17,680
people that specifically do mobile or do

5592
04:26:14,880 --> 04:26:19,680
we or they they do all of it?

5593
04:26:17,680 --> 04:26:21,840
» So, in consumer health, they do all of

5594
04:26:19,680 --> 04:26:23,840
it. We do have a few that are dedicated.

5595
04:26:21,840 --> 04:26:26,000
I happen to have four positions that

5596
04:26:23,840 --> 04:26:28,239
recently became vacated that we are

5597
04:26:26,000 --> 04:26:30,000
going to hold to see what the revenue

5598
04:26:28,239 --> 04:26:30,960
comes in to see if we can fill those

5599
04:26:30,000 --> 04:26:34,359
positions or not.

5600
04:26:30,960 --> 04:26:34,359
» Got it. Thanks.

5601
04:26:38,560 --> 04:26:44,080
» ISDS is another change. So, independent

5602
04:26:41,920 --> 04:26:45,920
school districts,

5603
04:26:44,080 --> 04:26:50,239
currently the state of Texas does

5604
04:26:45,920 --> 04:26:52,560
require them to apply by September of

5605
04:26:50,239 --> 04:26:55,680
every year in order to receive their

5606
04:26:52,560 --> 04:26:57,040
inspections. So, ISDs are a nonprofit

5607
04:26:55,680 --> 04:26:58,640
and they're their own governmental

5608
04:26:57,040 --> 04:27:01,040
agency. They're not required to get a

5609
04:26:58,640 --> 04:27:03,520
permit. However, they do have to have

5610
04:27:01,040 --> 04:27:05,760
one inspection in the spring and one

5611
04:27:03,520 --> 04:27:07,760
inspection in the fall for their USDA

5612
04:27:05,760 --> 04:27:09,359
funding, which covers free and reduced

5613
04:27:07,760 --> 04:27:12,399
lunch.

5614
04:27:09,359 --> 04:27:14,880
So, the methodology that we chose to go

5615
04:27:12,399 --> 04:27:16,319
is that and they charge I know I wrote

5616
04:27:14,880 --> 04:27:18,560
it a little weird on their fee schedule.

5617
04:27:16,319 --> 04:27:21,359
It looks like it's $150, but they

5618
04:27:18,560 --> 04:27:23,520
actually charge $150 each inspection for

5619
04:27:21,359 --> 04:27:25,120
the spring and for the fall. And I am

5620
04:27:23,520 --> 04:27:28,960
proposing that we give both of those

5621
04:27:25,120 --> 04:27:30,960
inspections for $150 and not for 300.

5622
04:27:28,960 --> 04:27:33,680
There are some ISDs who have a

5623
04:27:30,960 --> 04:27:36,159
third-party contractor that runs their

5624
04:27:33,680 --> 04:27:38,880
kitchens for them. that must be approved

5625
04:27:36,159 --> 04:27:40,880
by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

5626
04:27:38,880 --> 04:27:43,359
We do have a public information request

5627
04:27:40,880 --> 04:27:45,600
in in order to get the proper amount in

5628
04:27:43,359 --> 04:27:47,520
Tarant County ISDs of who would fall

5629
04:27:45,600 --> 04:27:50,159
under this. And then we will have to

5630
04:27:47,520 --> 04:27:52,800
notify the ISDs of who may not have a

5631
04:27:50,159 --> 04:27:54,880
permit currently and who does. We also

5632
04:27:52,800 --> 04:27:57,920
have an interlocal agreement with Fort

5633
04:27:54,880 --> 04:27:59,840
Worth ISD which would need to be updated

5634
04:27:57,920 --> 04:28:01,520
in order to comply with this fee

5635
04:27:59,840 --> 04:28:04,560
schedule

5636
04:28:01,520 --> 04:28:05,920
» On the ISD required cafeteria

5637
04:28:04,560 --> 04:28:08,800
inspection. Then the ISD school

5638
04:28:05,920 --> 04:28:10,239
cafeteria operated by profit profit

5639
04:28:08,800 --> 04:28:10,960
private contractor.

5640
04:28:10,239 --> 04:28:13,680
» Yes sir.

5641
04:28:10,960 --> 04:28:15,199
» Uh for-profit private contractor. Why

5642
04:28:13,680 --> 04:28:16,479
the difference between the fees?

5643
04:28:15,199 --> 04:28:18,640
» Because that is the way the state of

5644
04:28:16,479 --> 04:28:21,359
Texas does it. The for-profit contractor

5645
04:28:18,640 --> 04:28:23,199
is not a nonprofit and so they're

5646
04:28:21,359 --> 04:28:25,680
required to have a permit. State law

5647
04:28:23,199 --> 04:28:27,520
exempts any nonprofit from permitting.

5648
04:28:25,680 --> 04:28:29,199
» Okay. This we're not just following here

5649
04:28:27,520 --> 04:28:30,239
what the state does. We're following

5650
04:28:29,199 --> 04:28:30,720
state law.

5651
04:28:30,239 --> 04:28:33,720
» Correct.

5652
04:28:30,720 --> 04:28:33,720
» Okay.

5653
04:28:35,760 --> 04:28:39,359
» And now on to nonprofits. So currently

5654
04:28:38,000 --> 04:28:41,520
nonprofits, you know, they're not

5655
04:28:39,359 --> 04:28:43,840
required to have any permits and they

5656
04:28:41,520 --> 04:28:45,520
don't require to have any fees. Texas

5657
04:28:43,840 --> 04:28:47,760
Department of State Health Services will

5658
04:28:45,520 --> 04:28:50,560
not inspect a nonprofit unless they

5659
04:28:47,760 --> 04:28:53,439
apply for an inspection. Here in Tarant

5660
04:28:50,560 --> 04:28:56,560
County, we have some nonprofits. We have

5661
04:28:53,439 --> 04:28:59,120
roughly 600 of them that do have permits

5662
04:28:56,560 --> 04:29:01,680
and we conduct inspections with them.

5663
04:28:59,120 --> 04:29:05,120
Um, most of them happen to be ISV

5664
04:29:01,680 --> 04:29:11,680
concession type stands. Some of them are

5665
04:29:05,120 --> 04:29:13,439
like lounges uh not loun not bars like

5666
04:29:11,680 --> 04:29:16,560
veterans lounges you know that are

5667
04:29:13,439 --> 04:29:18,720
nonprofits and meals on wheels is one of

5668
04:29:16,560 --> 04:29:20,720
them. So what are we suggesting because

5669
04:29:18,720 --> 04:29:22,880
we do have those four vacant positions

5670
04:29:20,720 --> 04:29:24,960
is that we continue to give one free

5671
04:29:22,880 --> 04:29:26,960
inspection a year and if they feel they

5672
04:29:24,960 --> 04:29:30,080
need another inspection then they can

5673
04:29:26,960 --> 04:29:34,520
pay for that inspection but we did lower

5674
04:29:30,080 --> 04:29:34,520
it to 100 from 150

5675
04:29:38,159 --> 04:29:44,239
child care centers. So, as the note

5676
04:29:41,040 --> 04:29:46,319
says, back in 2010, the actual

5677
04:29:44,239 --> 04:29:51,279
regulation of child care centers moved

5678
04:29:46,319 --> 04:29:54,080
to a different agency within Texas HHSC.

5679
04:29:51,279 --> 04:29:56,800
And when that happened, the Department

5680
04:29:54,080 --> 04:29:59,279
of State Health Services Food Inspectors

5681
04:29:56,800 --> 04:30:02,000
did not permit or inspect child care

5682
04:29:59,279 --> 04:30:04,880
centers.

5683
04:30:02,000 --> 04:30:07,680
We So, with that, this bill says that we

5684
04:30:04,880 --> 04:30:09,279
cannot charge anybody a permit that is

5685
04:30:07,680 --> 04:30:11,199
higher than what the state is. So they

5686
04:30:09,279 --> 04:30:13,199
have taken child care centers out of our

5687
04:30:11,199 --> 04:30:15,680
jurisdiction.

5688
04:30:13,199 --> 04:30:17,600
So since they are a highly susceptible

5689
04:30:15,680 --> 04:30:21,439
population, we still want to work with

5690
04:30:17,600 --> 04:30:23,359
the child care centers and allow them to

5691
04:30:21,439 --> 04:30:25,279
request an inspection of their child

5692
04:30:23,359 --> 04:30:27,359
care center and to charge them the same

5693
04:30:25,279 --> 04:30:30,359
that we would charge a nonprofit that

5694
04:30:27,359 --> 04:30:30,359
$100.

5695
04:30:35,680 --> 04:30:40,640
So this is the full fee schedule. As I

5696
04:30:38,080 --> 04:30:44,800
noted before, pools are also conducted

5697
04:30:40,640 --> 04:30:46,880
by this group. Pool inspections. Um

5698
04:30:44,800 --> 04:30:49,520
these fees are not changing. What is new

5699
04:30:46,880 --> 04:30:52,880
here is a late fee. In the past year,

5700
04:30:49,520 --> 04:30:55,520
we've had 30% of our pools be delinquent

5701
04:30:52,880 --> 04:30:58,479
by more than 90 days in paying for their

5702
04:30:55,520 --> 04:31:00,960
pool permits. And we are hoping that by

5703
04:30:58,479 --> 04:31:03,120
instituting the late fee that they will

5704
04:31:00,960 --> 04:31:06,000
come into compliance and to keep that

5705
04:31:03,120 --> 04:31:08,319
permit maintained. By law, if you have

5706
04:31:06,000 --> 04:31:10,159
water in that pool, you're required to

5707
04:31:08,319 --> 04:31:12,159
keep it maintained, which requires a

5708
04:31:10,159 --> 04:31:14,000
permit. And it does take a lot of leg

5709
04:31:12,159 --> 04:31:15,680
work from our inspectors to go out and

5710
04:31:14,000 --> 04:31:17,120
constantly remind them that they are

5711
04:31:15,680 --> 04:31:19,760
delinquent on their permit and they need

5712
04:31:17,120 --> 04:31:21,359
to pay. Previously, we did not have any

5713
04:31:19,760 --> 04:31:23,120
late fees for pools.

5714
04:31:21,359 --> 04:31:24,399
» A permit is annual.

5715
04:31:23,120 --> 04:31:29,760
» Yes, sir.

5716
04:31:24,399 --> 04:31:32,080
» So, if they are 30 64 days late,

5717
04:31:29,760 --> 04:31:34,159
they're they get a $100 fee. If they're

5718
04:31:32,080 --> 04:31:34,960
three days late, they get a $100 fee or

5719
04:31:34,159 --> 04:31:37,439
fine.

5720
04:31:34,960 --> 04:31:39,600
» Yes. Yes, sir. It's $100 the day. So,

5721
04:31:37,439 --> 04:31:41,920
all of our permits expire on the 10th of

5722
04:31:39,600 --> 04:31:44,960
a month. So, by the 11th of a month,

5723
04:31:41,920 --> 04:31:47,840
those late fees would come into play.

5724
04:31:44,960 --> 04:31:48,560
» And these pools, tell me what just give

5725
04:31:47,840 --> 04:31:50,319
me.

5726
04:31:48,560 --> 04:31:52,800
» So, they're all public and semi-public

5727
04:31:50,319 --> 04:31:54,479
pools. So, they could be operated by

5728
04:31:52,800 --> 04:31:57,520
municipalities,

5729
04:31:54,479 --> 04:32:00,560
homeowners associations,

5730
04:31:57,520 --> 04:32:03,439
um, other public pools like the YMCA or

5731
04:32:00,560 --> 04:32:06,960
apartments

5732
04:32:03,439 --> 04:32:08,720
» When when they're late.

5733
04:32:06,960 --> 04:32:10,000
I mean, obviously, we're trying to keep

5734
04:32:08,720 --> 04:32:10,399
the public safe,

5735
04:32:10,000 --> 04:32:12,239
» Correct?

5736
04:32:10,399 --> 04:32:15,279
» You're testing.

5737
04:32:12,239 --> 04:32:16,560
When they request the permit, what do we

5738
04:32:15,279 --> 04:32:18,319
do?

5739
04:32:16,560 --> 04:32:20,000
So, whenever you're a new establishment,

5740
04:32:18,319 --> 04:32:21,680
you request a permit for pools

5741
04:32:20,000 --> 04:32:22,960
specifically, they're before they put it

5742
04:32:21,680 --> 04:32:25,199
into the ground, we have them go through

5743
04:32:22,960 --> 04:32:26,880
a plan review process. We used to have

5744
04:32:25,199 --> 04:32:28,479
plan review fees, but the state of Texas

5745
04:32:26,880 --> 04:32:31,520
does not. So, we have taken all of those

5746
04:32:28,479 --> 04:32:33,359
away. And um pools are pretty

5747
04:32:31,520 --> 04:32:35,199
complicated. There's usually four or

5748
04:32:33,359 --> 04:32:37,040
five inspections before they are

5749
04:32:35,199 --> 04:32:39,040
finished making that pool because if

5750
04:32:37,040 --> 04:32:40,880
they put the gunnite down, which is what

5751
04:32:39,040 --> 04:32:42,880
you would walk on in a pool and the

5752
04:32:40,880 --> 04:32:45,199
plumbing is incorrect, it is

5753
04:32:42,880 --> 04:32:47,600
astronomical for them to tear that up in

5754
04:32:45,199 --> 04:32:49,760
order to fix it. So, we go do a lot of

5755
04:32:47,600 --> 04:32:52,399
inspections that way. Once it's

5756
04:32:49,760 --> 04:32:54,720
permitted, you get inspected one to two

5757
04:32:52,399 --> 04:32:56,000
times a year. We try to do one at least

5758
04:32:54,720 --> 04:32:58,000
in the summer months when it's being

5759
04:32:56,000 --> 04:33:00,880
used and one outside because there are a

5760
04:32:58,000 --> 04:33:02,800
lot of violations, say for fencing or

5761
04:33:00,880 --> 04:33:04,160
for things coming into the poolard that

5762
04:33:02,800 --> 04:33:08,320
shouldn't be there that allows things to

5763
04:33:04,160 --> 04:33:10,799
climb over that needs to be addressed.

5764
04:33:08,320 --> 04:33:12,879
If they're in not in compliance, then

5765
04:33:10,799 --> 04:33:15,359
they will be closed. If they're in with

5766
04:33:12,879 --> 04:33:17,119
a municipality with an ILA, we'll notify

5767
04:33:15,359 --> 04:33:18,799
them. We're very good at getting people

5768
04:33:17,119 --> 04:33:21,119
to come into compliance and the

5769
04:33:18,799 --> 04:33:22,719
municipalities don't really need to

5770
04:33:21,119 --> 04:33:25,760
assist us with people coming into

5771
04:33:22,719 --> 04:33:27,680
compliance, but sometimes they do. Um,

5772
04:33:25,760 --> 04:33:30,080
and we don't charge any kind of

5773
04:33:27,680 --> 04:33:31,680
reinspection fee for that at all. We

5774
04:33:30,080 --> 04:33:33,199
just work with them to come into

5775
04:33:31,680 --> 04:33:37,639
compliance and then reopen those

5776
04:33:33,199 --> 04:33:37,639
» When they're late on their permit.

5777
04:33:38,480 --> 04:33:41,439
» They should technically

5778
04:33:39,439 --> 04:33:43,680
» How often have you closed them down?

5779
04:33:41,439 --> 04:33:45,439
» They do. That is a procedure in order to

5780
04:33:43,680 --> 04:33:47,520
go and close the pool. uh

5781
04:33:45,439 --> 04:33:48,480
» Whether they close it or not. Sometimes,

5782
04:33:47,520 --> 04:33:51,119
you know, when you're talking about

5783
04:33:48,480 --> 04:33:53,119
HOAs, it's hard to get people on site.

5784
04:33:51,119 --> 04:33:55,439
And so, a lot of times this notification

5785
04:33:53,119 --> 04:33:57,279
is going outside of that. We don't chain

5786
04:33:55,439 --> 04:33:59,119
any pools, you know, or anything like

5787
04:33:57,279 --> 04:34:01,359
that. It's up to the pool establishment

5788
04:33:59,119 --> 04:34:02,799
to ensure that no one is using that pool

5789
04:34:01,359 --> 04:34:04,480
until they come back into

5790
04:34:02,799 --> 04:34:05,279
» Last year. How many pools did we close

5791
04:34:04,480 --> 04:34:06,719
now?

5792
04:34:05,279 --> 04:34:08,400
» I do not have that number for you, sir,

5793
04:34:06,719 --> 04:34:11,039
but I can get that for you.

5794
04:34:08,400 --> 04:34:12,160
» Do you know if it was 10, five, hundred

5795
04:34:11,039 --> 04:34:13,520
of them? Any idea?

5796
04:34:12,160 --> 04:34:16,719
» It's less than a hundred. No.

5797
04:34:13,520 --> 04:34:18,719
» Okay. I just I'm not sure. I mean, I I

5798
04:34:16,719 --> 04:34:21,199
understand the need to test it and make

5799
04:34:18,719 --> 04:34:26,080
sure it's safe for the public. I'm not

5800
04:34:21,199 --> 04:34:28,080
sure a $100 fine to the HOA is going to

5801
04:34:26,080 --> 04:34:30,160
make them jump up and go get their thing

5802
04:34:28,080 --> 04:34:31,680
filed, but I'd be willing to bet a close

5803
04:34:30,160 --> 04:34:32,879
down would do that. Not that I'm

5804
04:34:31,680 --> 04:34:33,279
advocating for hurry up, close them

5805
04:34:32,879 --> 04:34:35,600
down.

5806
04:34:33,279 --> 04:34:37,520
» We do close down now. Um it just takes,

5807
04:34:35,600 --> 04:34:40,959
we go back numerous times, like I said,

5808
04:34:37,520 --> 04:34:43,680
it's over 90 days that 30% that were

5809
04:34:40,959 --> 04:34:45,279
delinquent in their permits. Usually a

5810
04:34:43,680 --> 04:34:46,719
lot of people think that the pool is not

5811
04:34:45,279 --> 04:34:47,920
being used in the winter months, so they

5812
04:34:46,719 --> 04:34:49,680
don't need to keep up with it even

5813
04:34:47,920 --> 04:34:50,480
though their permit may expire in the

5814
04:34:49,680 --> 04:34:51,840
winter months.

5815
04:34:50,480 --> 04:34:53,840
» This is going to be an incredibly

5816
04:34:51,840 --> 04:34:57,199
ignorant question.

5817
04:34:53,840 --> 04:34:59,199
Um the

5818
04:34:57,199 --> 04:35:00,080
the brain eating amieba as it's

5819
04:34:59,199 --> 04:35:01,359
described.

5820
04:35:00,080 --> 04:35:05,359
» Yes, sir.

5821
04:35:01,359 --> 04:35:07,199
» How often does that come from a public

5822
04:35:05,359 --> 04:35:09,600
pool or or home pool? I

5823
04:35:07,199 --> 04:35:11,279
» So that is normally I can even

5824
04:35:09,600 --> 04:35:13,680
» Haven't we had like some splash pads

5825
04:35:11,279 --> 04:35:15,279
where we think some splash pads that can

5826
04:35:13,680 --> 04:35:16,879
happen with. So what happens is that

5827
04:35:15,279 --> 04:35:19,920
type of

5828
04:35:16,879 --> 04:35:21,920
» Parasite it can form a bofilm and so it

5829
04:35:19,920 --> 04:35:23,520
kind of protects itself and in splash

5830
04:35:21,920 --> 04:35:25,840
pads they don't have continuously

5831
04:35:23,520 --> 04:35:28,561
running water so it can allow them to do

5832
04:35:25,840 --> 04:35:30,400
that. A pool is supposed to be operating

5833
04:35:28,561 --> 04:35:32,799
and have a higher amount of chlorine in

5834
04:35:30,400 --> 04:35:34,639
it on a regular basis. Typically you

5835
04:35:32,799 --> 04:35:37,439
will see in splash pads or in natural

5836
04:35:34,639 --> 04:35:39,039
bodies of water that concern. Not that

5837
04:35:37,439 --> 04:35:40,719
it can't happen at a pool if they don't

5838
04:35:39,039 --> 04:35:42,639
keep their chemicals straight and it

5839
04:35:40,719 --> 04:35:44,480
maintained properly, but we have not

5840
04:35:42,639 --> 04:35:46,561
seen that here in Tarant County since

5841
04:35:44,480 --> 04:35:49,439
I've been here, but we have seen it at a

5842
04:35:46,561 --> 04:35:50,400
splash pad in the last few years.

5843
04:35:49,439 --> 04:35:50,959
» In Taran County?

5844
04:35:50,400 --> 04:35:53,439
» Yes, sir.

5845
04:35:50,959 --> 04:35:55,840
» Yeah. Is there anything we can do

5846
04:35:53,439 --> 04:35:57,760
different to stop that from happening

5847
04:35:55,840 --> 04:36:00,240
than what we're doing now?

5848
04:35:57,760 --> 04:36:02,320
» No. Um, the last one was a maintenance

5849
04:36:00,240 --> 04:36:04,080
issue. They didn't maintain properly

5850
04:36:02,320 --> 04:36:06,400
what they were doing. So I can't tell

5851
04:36:04,080 --> 04:36:09,760
you if that bofilm would have been

5852
04:36:06,400 --> 04:36:10,160
allowed to occur if that maintenance was

5853
04:36:09,760 --> 04:36:13,119
proper.

5854
04:36:10,160 --> 04:36:13,920
» How does a pool prohibit this from

5855
04:36:13,119 --> 04:36:14,320
developing?

5856
04:36:13,920 --> 04:36:16,320
» So

5857
04:36:14,320 --> 04:36:17,279
» But is it simply just running water or

5858
04:36:16,320 --> 04:36:18,799
is it chlorine?

5859
04:36:17,279 --> 04:36:20,879
» It's sanitizer that is approved

5860
04:36:18,799 --> 04:36:23,119
sanitizers in the pools. Splash pads

5861
04:36:20,879 --> 04:36:25,920
actually have two methods in which they

5862
04:36:23,119 --> 04:36:27,680
need to have sanitizers. Um, it's either

5863
04:36:25,920 --> 04:36:30,000
two sanitizers or one sanitizer and you

5864
04:36:27,680 --> 04:36:31,920
can use UV light, some other type of way

5865
04:36:30,000 --> 04:36:33,439
in order to try to filter that out

5866
04:36:31,920 --> 04:36:35,279
because the water's not constantly

5867
04:36:33,439 --> 04:36:36,799
moving through.

5868
04:36:35,279 --> 04:36:38,639
They're usually push button and

5869
04:36:36,799 --> 04:36:39,520
activated that way when somebody is

5870
04:36:38,639 --> 04:36:43,119
wanting to utilize it.

5871
04:36:39,520 --> 04:36:45,760
» I bet a $250,000 fine for any pool that

5872
04:36:43,119 --> 04:36:49,039
uh has a child catch that. I bet I bet

5873
04:36:45,760 --> 04:36:50,561
that would deter them more than $100.

5874
04:36:49,039 --> 04:36:52,080
Okay.

5875
04:36:50,561 --> 04:36:55,680
I would just encourage you to look at

5876
04:36:52,080 --> 04:36:57,680
that. I know it's not a big big

5877
04:36:55,680 --> 04:37:00,160
it's not a

5878
04:36:57,680 --> 04:37:02,160
epidemic here, but is there something we

5879
04:37:00,160 --> 04:37:03,279
can do to protect the kids? That one for

5880
04:37:02,160 --> 04:37:04,959
whatever reason probably because I have

5881
04:37:03,279 --> 04:37:06,160
kids just makes me really nervous.

5882
04:37:04,959 --> 04:37:09,600
» Yeah. Yes, sir. I agree.

5883
04:37:06,160 --> 04:37:13,000
» Yeah. Okay. What else? Anything else?

5884
04:37:09,600 --> 04:37:13,000
» That is it.

5885
04:37:13,840 --> 04:37:18,000
» Anything, Dr. Bird?

5886
04:37:16,000 --> 04:37:19,279
I I I just want to point out that I

5887
04:37:18,000 --> 04:37:21,760
learned a little bit this morning.

5888
04:37:19,279 --> 04:37:24,160
Thanks for asking the good questions and

5889
04:37:21,760 --> 04:37:24,959
uh but that is all we have sir.

5890
04:37:24,160 --> 04:37:26,959
» Okay.

5891
04:37:24,959 --> 04:37:28,000
» All right. Do we have a motion on this?

5892
04:37:26,959 --> 04:37:28,639
» Move approval.

5893
04:37:28,000 --> 04:37:30,160
» Second.

5894
04:37:28,639 --> 04:37:32,000
» All right. We have a motion, a second to

5895
04:37:30,160 --> 04:37:34,799
approve the changes to the Tarant County

5896
04:37:32,000 --> 04:37:36,959
public health fee schedule. Any further

5897
04:37:34,799 --> 04:37:38,480
discussion?

5898
04:37:36,959 --> 04:37:41,359
All right. Seeing none, raise your hand

5899
04:37:38,480 --> 04:37:44,959
if you're in favor.

5900
04:37:41,359 --> 04:37:47,600
All right. Passes five to zero.

5901
04:37:44,959 --> 04:37:49,359
brings us to

5902
04:37:47,600 --> 04:37:51,439
purchasing

5903
04:37:49,359 --> 04:37:53,840
item P1.

5904
04:37:51,439 --> 04:37:56,719
Not even looked at this amount of

5905
04:37:53,840 --> 04:37:59,760
numbers

5906
04:37:56,719 --> 04:38:03,199
this morning.

5907
04:37:59,760 --> 04:38:05,600
All right. P35 has been

5908
04:38:03,199 --> 04:38:07,760
removed from consent, so it'll be added

5909
04:38:05,600 --> 04:38:11,760
at the end.

5910
04:38:07,760 --> 04:38:15,600
Uh I would make a motion to approve

5911
04:38:11,760 --> 04:38:17,119
P1 through 13. Second.

5912
04:38:15,600 --> 04:38:22,400
All right, we have a motion, a second to

5913
04:38:17,119 --> 04:38:26,039
approve P1 through 13. Any discussion,

5914
04:38:22,400 --> 04:38:26,039
comments, or questions?

5915
04:38:27,279 --> 04:38:32,799
Uh, all right. Seeing none, all in favor

5916
04:38:30,561 --> 04:38:35,279
of approval of purchasing items P1

5917
04:38:32,799 --> 04:38:39,561
through 13, raise your hand.

5918
04:38:35,279 --> 04:38:39,561
All right, passes five to zero.

5919
04:38:41,039 --> 04:38:45,600
Brings us to then the next number which

5920
04:38:43,600 --> 04:38:49,520
is at 14

5921
04:38:45,600 --> 04:38:51,520
P14 permission take bids and RFPs.

5922
04:38:49,520 --> 04:38:53,199
Move approval. Second. All right. We

5923
04:38:51,520 --> 04:38:57,240
have a motion to second to approve that

5924
04:38:53,199 --> 04:38:57,240
item. Any discussion there.

5925
04:38:57,840 --> 04:39:02,320
All right. Seeing none. All in favor of

5926
04:39:00,639 --> 04:39:06,400
uh granting permission to take bids on

5927
04:39:02,320 --> 04:39:09,520
RFP RFPs, please raise your hand.

5928
04:39:06,400 --> 04:39:11,520
All right. Passes five to zero. Next we

5929
04:39:09,520 --> 04:39:16,600
do P35

5930
04:39:11,520 --> 04:39:16,600
which was removed from consent.

5931
04:39:17,439 --> 04:39:22,959
P35 is consideration of ID application

5932
04:39:20,160 --> 04:39:24,561
and subscriber agreement annual contract

5933
04:39:22,959 --> 04:39:25,680
for skip tracing software and

5934
04:39:24,561 --> 04:39:27,600
maintenance and elections

5935
04:39:25,680 --> 04:39:28,719
administration.

5936
04:39:27,600 --> 04:39:30,240
» Move for approval.

5937
04:39:28,719 --> 04:39:32,080
» Second. All right. We have a motion and

5938
04:39:30,240 --> 04:39:35,080
second to approve that item. Any

5939
04:39:32,080 --> 04:39:35,080
discussion?

5940
04:39:35,199 --> 04:39:42,480
Is there a speaker? No. Anyone

5941
04:39:40,080 --> 04:39:45,280
have any questions on this?

5942
04:39:42,480 --> 04:39:49,878
All right. Uh, all in favor of approval

5943
04:39:45,280 --> 04:39:49,878
of P35, please raise your hand.

5944
04:39:50,000 --> 04:39:55,120
All opposed. All right. So, it passes 4

5945
04:39:52,878 --> 04:39:58,958
to one.

5946
04:39:55,120 --> 04:40:01,040
Um, T2A was removed from consent, but

5947
04:39:58,958 --> 04:40:03,600
now it has been removed in its entirety.

5948
04:40:01,040 --> 04:40:07,958
So, we will not address T2A,

5949
04:40:03,600 --> 04:40:07,958
which brings us to T3G.

5950
04:40:08,560 --> 04:40:12,400
from consent.

5951
04:40:10,560 --> 04:40:15,360
» All right. Motion to approve. I'll

5952
04:40:12,400 --> 04:40:18,360
second it. Uh, any discussion on this

5953
04:40:15,360 --> 04:40:18,360
item?

5954
04:40:19,280 --> 04:40:24,400
» I don't know.

5955
04:40:21,120 --> 04:40:26,320
Any discussion on T3G?

5956
04:40:24,400 --> 04:40:28,958
All right. Seeing none, all in favor,

5957
04:40:26,320 --> 04:40:32,638
please raise your hand.

5958
04:40:28,958 --> 04:40:34,240
All right. Passes five to zero. T3H was

5959
04:40:32,638 --> 04:40:35,040
also removed from consent.

5960
04:40:34,240 --> 04:40:36,798
» Move for approval.

5961
04:40:35,040 --> 04:40:40,560
» Second. We have a motion to second to

5962
04:40:36,798 --> 04:40:42,080
approve that item. Any discussion there?

5963
04:40:40,560 --> 04:40:44,638
All right, seeing none, all in favor,

5964
04:40:42,080 --> 04:40:47,600
raise your hand.

5965
04:40:44,638 --> 04:40:49,520
» All opposed, raise your hand.

5966
04:40:47,600 --> 04:40:54,160
All right, passes four to one.

5967
04:40:49,520 --> 04:40:56,160
» I'm actually opposed to G as well. Oops.

5968
04:40:54,160 --> 04:40:58,638
» Can you go back and revote or change

5969
04:40:56,160 --> 04:41:00,560
your vote? How do you do that?

5970
04:40:58,638 --> 04:41:01,920
» Um,

5971
04:41:00,560 --> 04:41:03,280
I would suggest

5972
04:41:01,920 --> 04:41:06,638
» Can you correct the record or do we have

5973
04:41:03,280 --> 04:41:08,000
to undo it? We we can simply make a

5974
04:41:06,638 --> 04:41:09,440
amendment to the minutes when they are

5975
04:41:08,000 --> 04:41:11,120
adopted at the next meeting to reflect

5976
04:41:09,440 --> 04:41:11,600
that that was your intent, commissioner.

5977
04:41:11,120 --> 04:41:14,798
» All right.

5978
04:41:11,600 --> 04:41:16,878
» All right. Um next we have appointments

5979
04:41:14,798 --> 04:41:18,798
to various boards and commissions. Do we

5980
04:41:16,878 --> 04:41:19,360
have any board appointments? Commission

5981
04:41:18,798 --> 04:41:21,040
appointments.

5982
04:41:19,360 --> 04:41:25,560
» I have two. Okay.

5983
04:41:21,040 --> 04:41:25,560
» Um so for the

5984
04:41:25,600 --> 04:41:29,280
I don't know what it's called, Megan. Is

5985
04:41:27,360 --> 04:41:32,600
it called the Green Brick Freshwater

5986
04:41:29,280 --> 04:41:32,600
Supply District?

5987
04:41:33,200 --> 04:41:35,760
Okay. I thought that was today. Never

5988
04:41:35,280 --> 04:41:37,920
mind.

5989
04:41:35,760 --> 04:41:40,320
» I have none. All right. Anybody else?

5990
04:41:37,920 --> 04:41:43,040
» But I'll take his

5991
04:41:40,320 --> 04:41:44,878
um uh I need to make uh Katherine Roder

5992
04:41:43,040 --> 04:41:46,560
who's done some great work for precinct

5993
04:41:44,878 --> 04:41:49,680
3 for a very long time. She submitted

5994
04:41:46,560 --> 04:41:52,320
her resignation um for the Keller Tur

5995
04:41:49,680 --> 04:41:54,160
board number two um effective yesterday.

5996
04:41:52,320 --> 04:41:55,680
And I'd like to appoint Mike Garcia to

5997
04:41:54,160 --> 04:41:56,878
fill her unexpired term.

5998
04:41:55,680 --> 04:41:58,320
» Second.

5999
04:41:56,878 --> 04:42:01,680
» All right. A motion and a second to

6000
04:41:58,320 --> 04:42:04,160
appoint Mike Garcia to that TUR board.

6001
04:42:01,680 --> 04:42:07,200
Any discussion? All right, seeing none,

6002
04:42:04,160 --> 04:42:09,760
all in favor raise your hand.

6003
04:42:07,200 --> 04:42:12,000
Passes unanimously. Any other board or

6004
04:42:09,760 --> 04:42:14,240
commission appointments? All right, next

6005
04:42:12,000 --> 04:42:17,878
up, briefing item, operational impact of

6006
04:42:14,240 --> 04:42:17,878
Tarant County redistricting.

6007
04:42:21,080 --> 04:42:24,269
[Music]

6008
04:42:27,360 --> 04:42:31,840
Good afternoon, court members. Just a

6009
04:42:29,120 --> 04:42:34,000
couple of updates uh since our last

6010
04:42:31,840 --> 04:42:37,280
briefing on this. Uh we're really down

6011
04:42:34,000 --> 04:42:41,760
to kind of two items. Uh budget and

6012
04:42:37,280 --> 04:42:43,760
elections. So during our uh budget

6013
04:42:41,760 --> 04:42:46,878
workshop, we had some discussion with

6014
04:42:43,760 --> 04:42:48,400
regards to uh road and bridge uh assets,

6015
04:42:46,878 --> 04:42:50,160
personnel, and things like that. We did

6016
04:42:48,400 --> 04:42:52,560
not make any final determinations at

6017
04:42:50,160 --> 04:42:54,878
those meetings. Uh but certainly those

6018
04:42:52,560 --> 04:42:56,638
items are still in conversation uh with

6019
04:42:54,878 --> 04:42:58,958
the budget office to make those final

6020
04:42:56,638 --> 04:43:00,400
recommendations uh as part of the the

6021
04:42:58,958 --> 04:43:02,958
final approval of the budget coming

6022
04:43:00,400 --> 04:43:04,320
soon. Uh as far as election goes, uh

6023
04:43:02,958 --> 04:43:07,920
certainly we had a couple of action

6024
04:43:04,320 --> 04:43:10,718
items today with regards to uh voting

6025
04:43:07,920 --> 04:43:12,560
precincts and and the such. And that's

6026
04:43:10,718 --> 04:43:15,840
that's really the update I have for this

6027
04:43:12,560 --> 04:43:17,600
meeting with regards to redistricting.

6028
04:43:15,840 --> 04:43:20,718
» All right. Any questions or comments on

6029
04:43:17,600 --> 04:43:23,920
this item before we bring up a speaker?

6030
04:43:20,718 --> 04:43:26,320
So on the voter registration system, has

6031
04:43:23,920 --> 04:43:29,280
the updated voter registration system

6032
04:43:26,320 --> 04:43:31,040
now been fully implemented, Clint?

6033
04:43:29,280 --> 04:43:34,040
» And have there been any errors or

6034
04:43:31,040 --> 04:43:34,040
issues?

6035
04:43:43,520 --> 04:43:47,520
» Good afternoon, Commissioner. the the

6036
04:43:46,160 --> 04:43:48,958
maps and the precincts themselves, the

6037
04:43:47,520 --> 04:43:50,958
updates are made, but because these

6038
04:43:48,958 --> 04:43:53,200
don't go into effect until January 1,

6039
04:43:50,958 --> 04:43:55,840
they haven't been moved into the voter

6040
04:43:53,200 --> 04:43:59,120
registration system to reflect. So,

6041
04:43:55,840 --> 04:44:01,840
anybody that were to go to our website

6042
04:43:59,120 --> 04:44:04,400
and and put in their information, it's

6043
04:44:01,840 --> 04:44:06,080
still going to um show that they would

6044
04:44:04,400 --> 04:44:08,480
be voting in the other commissioner's

6045
04:44:06,080 --> 04:44:10,638
precinct because those or their not the

6046
04:44:08,480 --> 04:44:12,480
other commissioners precinct, but the

6047
04:44:10,638 --> 04:44:14,160
voting precinct because those voting

6048
04:44:12,480 --> 04:44:17,760
precinct numbers haven't changed and

6049
04:44:14,160 --> 04:44:20,160
won't change until January 1. So, we're

6050
04:44:17,760 --> 04:44:23,040
those changes will be made effective.

6051
04:44:20,160 --> 04:44:26,320
What we are doing is creating a separate

6052
04:44:23,040 --> 04:44:30,400
database to then

6053
04:44:26,320 --> 04:44:32,878
transition it to the post January 1

6054
04:44:30,400 --> 04:44:35,440
precincts prior to that so we can do the

6055
04:44:32,878 --> 04:44:37,440
mass mailouts to ensure that when we

6056
04:44:35,440 --> 04:44:39,440
mail everybody their voter registration

6057
04:44:37,440 --> 04:44:42,080
card they get the information that will

6058
04:44:39,440 --> 04:44:43,600
be effective January 1 even though we

6059
04:44:42,080 --> 04:44:46,958
have to have those mailed out prior to

6060
04:44:43,600 --> 04:44:50,000
the end of December.

6061
04:44:46,958 --> 04:44:53,280
» So it's not effective now. the voting

6062
04:44:50,000 --> 04:44:55,360
precincts. No.

6063
04:44:53,280 --> 04:44:58,080
» Why not again?

6064
04:44:55,360 --> 04:45:00,080
» So, the the voting precincts by law

6065
04:44:58,080 --> 04:45:03,080
don't go into effect till January 1.

6066
04:45:00,080 --> 04:45:03,080
» Okay.

6067
04:45:04,638 --> 04:45:06,400
» All right. Any other questions or

6068
04:45:05,920 --> 04:45:10,760
comments?

6069
04:45:06,400 --> 04:45:10,760
» Just stay stay up there. Um,

6070
04:45:11,120 --> 04:45:17,360
so have the new voter precinct maps been

6071
04:45:14,400 --> 04:45:18,480
published to the public yet? the new

6072
04:45:17,360 --> 04:45:21,360
voter precincts. They haven't yet

6073
04:45:18,480 --> 04:45:24,878
because we just um approved those today.

6074
04:45:21,360 --> 04:45:25,840
» Okay. And what's the what's the ETA?

6075
04:45:24,878 --> 04:45:27,120
» We're working on them right now,

6076
04:45:25,840 --> 04:45:32,000
Commissioner.

6077
04:45:27,120 --> 04:45:33,200
» Okay. So, a week, a five day, what?

6078
04:45:32,000 --> 04:45:34,798
Two weeks, a month.

6079
04:45:33,200 --> 04:45:35,280
» It won't It should be by the end of the

6080
04:45:34,798 --> 04:45:36,718
week.

6081
04:45:35,280 --> 04:45:39,680
» Okay.

6082
04:45:36,718 --> 04:45:42,480
Um,

6083
04:45:39,680 --> 04:45:45,680
so have

6084
04:45:42,480 --> 04:45:50,480
so you have or have not sent official

6085
04:45:45,680 --> 04:45:53,840
notices out for voting changes?

6086
04:45:50,480 --> 04:45:56,160
» We have sent official notices as were

6087
04:45:53,840 --> 04:45:58,560
required by the statutes to get to this

6088
04:45:56,160 --> 04:46:03,560
point and then we will have to do post

6089
04:45:58,560 --> 04:46:03,560
the notice of the approval today.

6090
04:46:04,000 --> 04:46:09,280
» Okay.

6091
04:46:05,840 --> 04:46:12,080
And have voters received any direct

6092
04:46:09,280 --> 04:46:13,920
notification about potential changes to

6093
04:46:12,080 --> 04:46:17,718
their precinct polling place that won't

6094
04:46:13,920 --> 04:46:17,718
happen till January?

6095
04:46:19,280 --> 04:46:22,400
» I'm trying to understand you quite so

6096
04:46:21,920 --> 04:46:25,680
voters

6097
04:46:22,400 --> 04:46:27,920
» Have we communicated to the voters in

6098
04:46:25,680 --> 04:46:29,920
any way about

6099
04:46:27,920 --> 04:46:32,718
you've been moved into this precinct.

6100
04:46:29,920 --> 04:46:35,920
This is your new commissioner.

6101
04:46:32,718 --> 04:46:37,600
Um this is

6102
04:46:35,920 --> 04:46:39,040
No, we have not. We We didn't have

6103
04:46:37,600 --> 04:46:42,638
anything approved. What we're working

6104
04:46:39,040 --> 04:46:44,958
with um it right now is creating a site

6105
04:46:42,638 --> 04:46:47,120
where a voter will be able to go in and

6106
04:46:44,958 --> 04:46:49,360
put in their address and it will tell

6107
04:46:47,120 --> 04:46:51,360
them um the the new precinct that

6108
04:46:49,360 --> 04:46:53,360
they're in. Um but we're working with it

6109
04:46:51,360 --> 04:46:55,840
to get that finish out that development.

6110
04:46:53,360 --> 04:46:58,400
» Okay. So, that kind of goes to my next

6111
04:46:55,840 --> 04:47:02,760
question uh about the communication

6112
04:46:58,400 --> 04:47:02,760
plan. Um,

6113
04:47:03,520 --> 04:47:09,040
so we're just going to say you can go to

6114
04:47:06,958 --> 04:47:12,080
our website and check this out. I saw

6115
04:47:09,040 --> 04:47:14,560
the little video last time.

6116
04:47:12,080 --> 04:47:16,878
Um,

6117
04:47:14,560 --> 04:47:20,400
but is that going to be it? I mean, this

6118
04:47:16,878 --> 04:47:22,000
is a a big change.

6119
04:47:20,400 --> 04:47:24,000
» So, communications department is

6120
04:47:22,000 --> 04:47:25,520
certainly aware. Uh, as I stated last

6121
04:47:24,000 --> 04:47:26,718
time, the video just gives you a taste

6122
04:47:25,520 --> 04:47:28,240
of what we've been working on in order

6123
04:47:26,718 --> 04:47:30,638
to push out the information with regards

6124
04:47:28,240 --> 04:47:32,160
to this. However, until the site was up

6125
04:47:30,638 --> 04:47:33,520
and we had confirmation that the site

6126
04:47:32,160 --> 04:47:34,878
was up in Oregon correctly, we didn't

6127
04:47:33,520 --> 04:47:36,480
want to push anything out yet because we

6128
04:47:34,878 --> 04:47:38,160
will be directing people to the site if

6129
04:47:36,480 --> 04:47:39,200
they want to look up uh where their new

6130
04:47:38,160 --> 04:47:41,280
voting precinct is.

6131
04:47:39,200 --> 04:47:42,480
» So, it's just going to be our website.

6132
04:47:41,280 --> 04:47:44,160
It's just going to be our

6133
04:47:42,480 --> 04:47:45,920
» Our website, social media channels, all

6134
04:47:44,160 --> 04:47:47,200
of our our normal uh channels that we

6135
04:47:45,920 --> 04:47:47,760
have available to us to push out

6136
04:47:47,200 --> 04:47:50,320
information,

6137
04:47:47,760 --> 04:47:53,600
» Right? But have we thought about doing

6138
04:47:50,320 --> 04:47:55,040
paid communications or

6139
04:47:53,600 --> 04:47:56,878
» Additionally, Commissioner, when we do

6140
04:47:55,040 --> 04:47:58,638
the mass mail out, every registered

6141
04:47:56,878 --> 04:48:00,878
voter that we have in the voter

6142
04:47:58,638 --> 04:48:02,560
registration system will get a new voter

6143
04:48:00,878 --> 04:48:04,718
registration certificate and that will

6144
04:48:02,560 --> 04:48:05,280
reflect that new precinct number. So

6145
04:48:04,718 --> 04:48:08,280
they will

6146
04:48:05,280 --> 04:48:08,280
» Okay.

6147
04:48:09,040 --> 04:48:13,520
Have any of our cities or school

6148
04:48:11,840 --> 04:48:17,040
districts or community partners

6149
04:48:13,520 --> 04:48:19,760
responded to notifications sent through

6150
04:48:17,040 --> 04:48:20,560
the mayor's council or delegation

6151
04:48:19,760 --> 04:48:22,560
briefings?

6152
04:48:20,560 --> 04:48:25,840
» I have not heard any response, ma'am.

6153
04:48:22,560 --> 04:48:26,560
» Okay. So, we don't have any feedback or

6154
04:48:25,840 --> 04:48:27,680
concerns or

6155
04:48:26,560 --> 04:48:29,760
» No, ma'am. I haven't heard of any

6156
04:48:27,680 --> 04:48:34,638
feedback from uh the federal, state

6157
04:48:29,760 --> 04:48:36,320
delegations, uh cities or ISDs.

6158
04:48:34,638 --> 04:48:38,878
» Okay.

6159
04:48:36,320 --> 04:48:41,040
Were those uh FY26 budget

6160
04:48:38,878 --> 04:48:43,600
recommendations to each precinct uh

6161
04:48:41,040 --> 04:48:45,520
finalized before the August 19th budget

6162
04:48:43,600 --> 04:48:47,280
hearings?

6163
04:48:45,520 --> 04:48:48,080
» I'm sorry, which FY26 budget

6164
04:48:47,280 --> 04:48:52,798
recommendations?

6165
04:48:48,080 --> 04:48:54,400
» Bud uh let's see to each precinct.

6166
04:48:52,798 --> 04:48:57,280
I think it was from your last

6167
04:48:54,400 --> 04:48:59,280
presentation.

6168
04:48:57,280 --> 04:49:00,560
» So I referenced the finalized

6169
04:48:59,280 --> 04:49:02,400
recommendations to each commissioner

6170
04:49:00,560 --> 04:49:05,360
precinct related to the FY26 budget

6171
04:49:02,400 --> 04:49:07,360
submission. And uh what we again at the

6172
04:49:05,360 --> 04:49:09,680
budget retreat we did have some

6173
04:49:07,360 --> 04:49:11,840
conversation with regards to those uh

6174
04:49:09,680 --> 04:49:13,200
but we were based on the fact that we

6175
04:49:11,840 --> 04:49:14,480
did not have an entire court here we

6176
04:49:13,200 --> 04:49:15,760
decided to kind of table some of those

6177
04:49:14,480 --> 04:49:17,120
conversations work with the budget

6178
04:49:15,760 --> 04:49:19,040
officer with regards to that to bring

6179
04:49:17,120 --> 04:49:21,600
back final recommendations.

6180
04:49:19,040 --> 04:49:23,600
» Okay. Thank you sir

6181
04:49:21,600 --> 04:49:25,040
» Sers.

6182
04:49:23,600 --> 04:49:27,760
» All right. Anybody have anything else on

6183
04:49:25,040 --> 04:49:29,200
this item?

6184
04:49:27,760 --> 04:49:32,760
All right. We have one speaker. Dr.

6185
04:49:29,200 --> 04:49:32,760
Valencia Edner.

6186
04:49:34,850 --> 04:49:40,160
[Music]

6187
04:49:36,718 --> 04:49:42,160
What an embarrassing day this has been.

6188
04:49:40,160 --> 04:49:43,520
Such a good old boy backs slapping got

6189
04:49:42,160 --> 04:49:45,520
him nights. The lights went out in

6190
04:49:43,520 --> 04:49:47,200
Georgia process.

6191
04:49:45,520 --> 04:49:50,160
That's the prevailing mindset in this

6192
04:49:47,200 --> 04:49:52,160
court. But let me get to my point.

6193
04:49:50,160 --> 04:49:56,320
Critical thinking requires more than

6194
04:49:52,160 --> 04:49:59,120
chasing an agenda. It means asking what

6195
04:49:56,320 --> 04:50:01,280
are the ripple effects.

6196
04:49:59,120 --> 04:50:04,000
Doing your homework before pushing it

6197
04:50:01,280 --> 04:50:06,798
would have avoided this Keystone Cop

6198
04:50:04,000 --> 04:50:09,920
atmosphere we keep enduring.

6199
04:50:06,798 --> 04:50:13,040
Yet your collective piler choices prove

6200
04:50:09,920 --> 04:50:14,560
that you either cannot or will not see

6201
04:50:13,040 --> 04:50:18,480
them

6202
04:50:14,560 --> 04:50:20,718
by re redrawing precinct lines, slashing

6203
04:50:18,480 --> 04:50:24,400
polling places. You have forced citizens

6204
04:50:20,718 --> 04:50:26,160
already packed and cracked by you to

6205
04:50:24,400 --> 04:50:29,600
struggle for what should be their

6206
04:50:26,160 --> 04:50:31,120
birthright. Free, fair, and equitable

6207
04:50:29,600 --> 04:50:34,240
elections.

6208
04:50:31,120 --> 04:50:36,878
But your politics won't let you care.

6209
04:50:34,240 --> 04:50:39,840
This is not leadership. It's ambition

6210
04:50:36,878 --> 04:50:41,680
gone mad. An ambition so blindly that

6211
04:50:39,840 --> 04:50:44,400
you trample the very people you were

6212
04:50:41,680 --> 04:50:47,280
elected to serve. But your politics

6213
04:50:44,400 --> 04:50:49,680
won't let you care. And tell me, how do

6214
04:50:47,280 --> 04:50:52,000
you rest? How do you look in the mirror

6215
04:50:49,680 --> 04:50:53,680
and not see the darkness of what you've

6216
04:50:52,000 --> 04:50:55,520
become?

6217
04:50:53,680 --> 04:50:57,920
You can close a polling place, but you

6218
04:50:55,520 --> 04:51:01,120
cannot close people's will. You can

6219
04:50:57,920 --> 04:51:04,160
withdraw a line, but you cannot withdraw

6220
04:51:01,120 --> 04:51:07,680
redraw our determination. You may try to

6221
04:51:04,160 --> 04:51:10,560
dim democracy, but we the people are the

6222
04:51:07,680 --> 04:51:14,798
light. And the light always finds a way

6223
04:51:10,560 --> 04:51:18,080
to shine on, shine in, and shine

6224
04:51:14,798 --> 04:51:25,360
through. And no one is blinded by good

6225
04:51:18,080 --> 04:51:28,400
light cuz truth will march on.

6226
04:51:25,360 --> 04:51:30,000
All right. Next item is

6227
04:51:28,400 --> 04:51:33,760
Tarant County Sheriff's Office update

6228
04:51:30,000 --> 04:51:35,760
regarding incidents in the county jail.

6229
04:51:33,760 --> 04:51:37,680
U

6230
04:51:35,760 --> 04:51:40,878
we had reached out to the sheriff to

6231
04:51:37,680 --> 04:51:42,878
request uh either the off his office be

6232
04:51:40,878 --> 04:51:44,320
available for briefing today. Uh we

6233
04:51:42,878 --> 04:51:47,440
heard back that the sheriff's office was

6234
04:51:44,320 --> 04:51:50,798
unavailable to to brief today. Uh

6235
04:51:47,440 --> 04:51:53,440
yesterday I received four specific names

6236
04:51:50,798 --> 04:51:55,360
as far as information uh that had been

6237
04:51:53,440 --> 04:51:57,120
requested to be briefed on today. I have

6238
04:51:55,360 --> 04:51:58,958
the four press releases that were sent

6239
04:51:57,120 --> 04:52:00,718
out by the sheriff's office related to

6240
04:51:58,958 --> 04:52:02,240
those four names. If it pleases the

6241
04:52:00,718 --> 04:52:04,080
court, I'd be happy to read those into

6242
04:52:02,240 --> 04:52:05,520
the record or I'd also be happy to just

6243
04:52:04,080 --> 04:52:07,120
file them with the clerk as a matter of

6244
04:52:05,520 --> 04:52:09,600
record. you can read them into the

6245
04:52:07,120 --> 04:52:12,638
record and u we'll just schedule them

6246
04:52:09,600 --> 04:52:13,120
for a briefing at the September 3rd

6247
04:52:12,638 --> 04:52:14,240
meeting.

6248
04:52:13,120 --> 04:52:15,920
» Okay.

6249
04:52:14,240 --> 04:52:17,200
» All right. So, the first one was on a

6250
04:52:15,920 --> 04:52:20,080
gentleman named Charles Johnson,

6251
04:52:17,200 --> 04:52:23,120
February 8th, 2025. On Saturday,

6252
04:52:20,080 --> 04:52:24,798
February 2025, a 36-year-old inmate in

6253
04:52:23,120 --> 04:52:26,878
the Tarant County Jail passed away at

6254
04:52:24,798 --> 04:52:29,440
John Peter Smith Hospital following

6255
04:52:26,878 --> 04:52:31,360
complications from an attempted suicide.

6256
04:52:29,440 --> 04:52:33,920
The inmate was booked into the Tarant

6257
04:52:31,360 --> 04:52:36,560
County Jail on February 4th, 2025 on a

6258
04:52:33,920 --> 04:52:38,638
parole violation out of Palipinto County

6259
04:52:36,560 --> 04:52:40,480
of multiple sexual assault convictions

6260
04:52:38,638 --> 04:52:42,878
as well as failing to register as a

6261
04:52:40,480 --> 04:52:44,480
violent sex offender. During the booking

6262
04:52:42,878 --> 04:52:46,160
intake process, the inmate was

6263
04:52:44,480 --> 04:52:48,160
administered a screening form for

6264
04:52:46,160 --> 04:52:50,080
suicide and medical, mental,

6265
04:52:48,160 --> 04:52:51,840
developmental impairments as required by

6266
04:52:50,080 --> 04:52:54,718
the Texas Commission on Jail Standards

6267
04:52:51,840 --> 04:52:56,878
and the Sandra Bland Act. TCSO detention

6268
04:52:54,718 --> 04:52:58,638
officers identified behavioral concerns

6269
04:52:56,878 --> 04:53:01,280
and the inmate was referred to Tarant

6270
04:52:58,638 --> 04:53:03,680
County MHMR for further assessment. The

6271
04:53:01,280 --> 04:53:05,600
inmate was screened and cleared by MHMR

6272
04:53:03,680 --> 04:53:08,160
and assigned housing per minimum jail

6273
04:53:05,600 --> 04:53:10,400
standards for protocol. On February 6th,

6274
04:53:08,160 --> 04:53:12,240
2025, the inmate was once again screened

6275
04:53:10,400 --> 04:53:14,080
by a mental health provider. It was

6276
04:53:12,240 --> 04:53:16,638
noted that the inmate did not display

6277
04:53:14,080 --> 04:53:19,600
any suicidal ideiations and was cleared

6278
04:53:16,638 --> 04:53:22,560
to remain in general population housing.

6279
04:53:19,600 --> 04:53:24,718
Subsequently, on February 6th, 2025,

6280
04:53:22,560 --> 04:53:26,480
after being cleared by MHMR, the inmate

6281
04:53:24,718 --> 04:53:28,718
was found unresponsive in his cell by

6282
04:53:26,480 --> 04:53:30,638
his cellmate. Within seconds, detention

6283
04:53:28,718 --> 04:53:32,240
officers and JPS medical staff

6284
04:53:30,638 --> 04:53:34,480
immediately began administering

6285
04:53:32,240 --> 04:53:37,040
life-saving treatment. The inmate was

6286
04:53:34,480 --> 04:53:39,200
taken to JPS hospital where despite

6287
04:53:37,040 --> 04:53:41,120
their efforts, the inmate passed away a

6288
04:53:39,200 --> 04:53:42,560
couple of days later. The Tarant County

6289
04:53:41,120 --> 04:53:45,120
Medical Examiner will release the

6290
04:53:42,560 --> 04:53:47,840
inmate's name and cause of death. In

6291
04:53:45,120 --> 04:53:50,958
2024, TCSO detention officers intervened

6292
04:53:47,840 --> 04:53:53,760
and prevented 390 suicide attempts. So

6293
04:53:50,958 --> 04:53:55,840
far in 2025, TCSO detention officers

6294
04:53:53,760 --> 04:53:58,080
have intervened in 24 suicide attempts

6295
04:53:55,840 --> 04:53:59,520
in the Tarant County Jail. All in

6296
04:53:58,080 --> 04:54:01,120
custody deaths are reviewed and

6297
04:53:59,520 --> 04:54:03,120
investigated by Tarant County Sheriff's

6298
04:54:01,120 --> 04:54:05,360
Office Jail Staff, the TCSO Criminal

6299
04:54:03,120 --> 04:54:07,360
Investigations Division, an outside law

6300
04:54:05,360 --> 04:54:10,080
enforcement agency. In this case, the

6301
04:54:07,360 --> 04:54:11,840
Texas Rangers, JPS medical staff, the

6302
04:54:10,080 --> 04:54:13,600
Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the

6303
04:54:11,840 --> 04:54:15,680
Tarant County Medical Examiner's Office,

6304
04:54:13,600 --> 04:54:17,280
and the Texas Attorney General's Office.

6305
04:54:15,680 --> 04:54:18,958
All media request on this case should be

6306
04:54:17,280 --> 04:54:22,480
directed to the Texas Rangers as they

6307
04:54:18,958 --> 04:54:25,280
are the lead investigating agency.

6308
04:54:22,480 --> 04:54:26,560
» That was Mr. Charles Steven Johnson.

6309
04:54:25,280 --> 04:54:29,040
» Yes, ma'am. Charles Johnson.

6310
04:54:26,560 --> 04:54:33,120
» Okay. Do we have Do you know if the

6311
04:54:29,040 --> 04:54:34,638
autopsy um report is back? Do you do not

6312
04:54:33,120 --> 04:54:36,240
know that latest? Okay.

6313
04:54:34,638 --> 04:54:37,120
» All right. We'll just

6314
04:54:36,240 --> 04:54:38,878
» Have him come back.

6315
04:54:37,120 --> 04:54:41,878
» Yes, ma'am.

6316
04:54:38,878 --> 04:54:41,878
» Next.

6317
04:54:44,480 --> 04:54:51,120
» Next up is Kimberly Phillips.

6318
04:54:48,320 --> 04:54:53,760
February 20th, 2025.

6319
04:54:51,120 --> 04:54:55,840
On Tuesday, February 28th, 2025, a

6320
04:54:53,760 --> 04:54:57,600
56-year-old inmate passed away while

6321
04:54:55,840 --> 04:54:59,920
under medical care at John Peter Smith

6322
04:54:57,600 --> 04:55:03,200
Hospital. The inmate was arrested by

6323
04:54:59,920 --> 04:55:04,958
Grand Prairie PD on January 24th, 2025

6324
04:55:03,200 --> 04:55:07,680
for outstanding felony warrants for

6325
04:55:04,958 --> 04:55:09,360
injury to child, elderly, disabled,

6326
04:55:07,680 --> 04:55:11,600
bodily injury and obstruction

6327
04:55:09,360 --> 04:55:13,120
retaliation. They were transported to

6328
04:55:11,600 --> 04:55:15,280
the Tarant County Jail the following

6329
04:55:13,120 --> 04:55:17,120
day. The inmate was placed in medical

6330
04:55:15,280 --> 04:55:20,160
housing under medical observation where

6331
04:55:17,120 --> 04:55:22,718
there is access to 247 medical care. On

6332
04:55:20,160 --> 04:55:24,958
February 15, 2025, the inmate was

6333
04:55:22,718 --> 04:55:27,200
transported to JPS and passed away on

6334
04:55:24,958 --> 04:55:29,440
February 18th under the direct care of

6335
04:55:27,200 --> 04:55:31,120
medical staff. The Tarant County Medical

6336
04:55:29,440 --> 04:55:33,360
Examiner will release the inmate's name

6337
04:55:31,120 --> 04:55:35,040
and cause of death. All in custody

6338
04:55:33,360 --> 04:55:36,560
deaths are reviewed and investigated by

6339
04:55:35,040 --> 04:55:38,718
Tarant County Sheriff's Office, Jail

6340
04:55:36,560 --> 04:55:40,638
Staff, the TCSO Criminal Investigation

6341
04:55:38,718 --> 04:55:43,200
Division and Outside Law Enforcement

6342
04:55:40,638 --> 04:55:44,958
Agency, JPS Medical Staff, the Texas

6343
04:55:43,200 --> 04:55:46,400
Commission on Jail Standards, the Tarant

6344
04:55:44,958 --> 04:55:50,680
County Medical Examiner's Office, and

6345
04:55:46,400 --> 04:55:50,680
the Texas Attorney's General's Office.

6346
04:55:51,840 --> 04:56:00,160
The third individual is Liza Gadlin.

6347
04:55:56,080 --> 04:56:02,878
This release is dated April 21st, 2025.

6348
04:56:00,160 --> 04:56:05,440
On Saturday, April 19th, 2025, a

6349
04:56:02,878 --> 04:56:07,920
57year-old female inmate passed away at

6350
04:56:05,440 --> 04:56:10,320
John Peter Smith Hospital. As per jail

6351
04:56:07,920 --> 04:56:12,000
protocol, she was evaluated by MHMR and

6352
04:56:10,320 --> 04:56:14,240
medical staff when she was booked last

6353
04:56:12,000 --> 04:56:16,560
week. The inmate's history indicates a

6354
04:56:14,240 --> 04:56:18,718
longtime drug use and chronic health

6355
04:56:16,560 --> 04:56:20,798
conditions. She was receiving care from

6356
04:56:18,718 --> 04:56:23,120
John Peter Smith Hospital medical staff

6357
04:56:20,798 --> 04:56:25,360
during the time she was in custody. She

6358
04:56:23,120 --> 04:56:28,638
was arrested by the DFW airport police

6359
04:56:25,360 --> 04:56:32,320
department on April 15th, 2025 for theft

6360
04:56:28,638 --> 04:56:33,920
of property between $100 and $750.

6361
04:56:32,320 --> 04:56:35,360
The Tarant County Medical Examiner's

6362
04:56:33,920 --> 04:56:38,080
Office will determine her cause of death

6363
04:56:35,360 --> 04:56:39,760
and release her identity. All in custody

6364
04:56:38,080 --> 04:56:41,200
deaths are investigated and reviewed by

6365
04:56:39,760 --> 04:56:43,360
Tarant County Sheriff's Office Jail

6366
04:56:41,200 --> 04:56:44,958
Staff, the TCSO Criminal Investigations

6367
04:56:43,360 --> 04:56:46,718
Division, the Tarant County Medical

6368
04:56:44,958 --> 04:56:49,200
Examiner's Office, and Outside Law

6369
04:56:46,718 --> 04:56:50,798
Enforcement Agency, JPS Medical Staff,

6370
04:56:49,200 --> 04:56:55,080
the Texas Attorney General's Office, and

6371
04:56:50,798 --> 04:56:55,080
the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

6372
04:56:55,200 --> 04:57:00,760
» We don't have her cause of death.

6373
04:56:57,040 --> 04:57:00,760
» No, ma'am, I don't.

6374
04:57:04,958 --> 04:57:08,160
But on all these, I'll if they've been

6375
04:57:06,638 --> 04:57:10,080
publicly released, I'll make sure that

6376
04:57:08,160 --> 04:57:12,560
we have the medical examiner's office

6377
04:57:10,080 --> 04:57:12,958
send that information to the court.

6378
04:57:12,560 --> 04:57:15,840
» Okay.

6379
04:57:12,958 --> 04:57:19,120
» Uh and inclusive of this last one. The

6380
04:57:15,840 --> 04:57:22,958
last individual is Richard Gowski.

6381
04:57:19,120 --> 04:57:25,520
This release is dated August 6th, 2025.

6382
04:57:22,958 --> 04:57:27,280
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, jail

6383
04:57:25,520 --> 04:57:29,120
medical personnel from John Peter Smith

6384
04:57:27,280 --> 04:57:31,120
Hospital responded to medical emergency

6385
04:57:29,120 --> 04:57:33,600
inside the Tarant County Jail involving

6386
04:57:31,120 --> 04:57:35,520
a 61-year-old inmate. The inmate was

6387
04:57:33,600 --> 04:57:37,440
transported to JPS hospital where he

6388
04:57:35,520 --> 04:57:39,120
passed away. He was arrested by the

6389
04:57:37,440 --> 04:57:40,958
White Settlement Police Department for

6390
04:57:39,120 --> 04:57:44,160
criminal trespass. He arrived at the

6391
04:57:40,958 --> 04:57:45,760
Tarant County Jail on July 29th, 2025.

6392
04:57:44,160 --> 04:57:47,200
The Tarant County Medical Examiner's

6393
04:57:45,760 --> 04:57:49,920
Office will determine his cause of death

6394
04:57:47,200 --> 04:57:51,440
and release his identity. All in custody

6395
04:57:49,920 --> 04:57:53,120
deaths are investigated and reviewed by

6396
04:57:51,440 --> 04:57:55,440
the Tarant County Sheriff's Office, Jail

6397
04:57:53,120 --> 04:57:57,040
Staff, the TCSO Criminal Investigations

6398
04:57:55,440 --> 04:57:59,040
Division, the Tarant County Medical

6399
04:57:57,040 --> 04:58:01,600
Examiner's Office, and Outside Law

6400
04:57:59,040 --> 04:58:03,440
Enforcement Agency, JPS Medical Staff,

6401
04:58:01,600 --> 04:58:06,638
the Texas Attorney General's Office, and

6402
04:58:03,440 --> 04:58:07,840
the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

6403
04:58:06,638 --> 04:58:08,958
» Thank you.

6404
04:58:07,840 --> 04:58:11,760
» Yes, ma'am.

6405
04:58:08,958 --> 04:58:14,480
» As scheduled, the sheriff to be here

6406
04:58:11,760 --> 04:58:15,120
next time to give an update on all these

6407
04:58:14,480 --> 04:58:19,040
cases.

6408
04:58:15,120 --> 04:58:20,400
» I'll make the request, ma'am. Anybody

6409
04:58:19,040 --> 04:58:22,718
else have anything before we bring up

6410
04:58:20,400 --> 04:58:26,440
our speakers?

6411
04:58:22,718 --> 04:58:26,440
Uh, Nan Terry

6412
04:58:28,000 --> 04:58:31,560
and Joe Palmer.

6413
04:58:36,718 --> 04:58:41,600
Good afternoon.

6414
04:58:39,360 --> 04:58:43,760
Chandler mentioned it, but I'm going to

6415
04:58:41,600 --> 04:58:46,240
say my piece, too. Since the

6416
04:58:43,760 --> 04:58:49,200
commissioner's court last met, uh, Mr.

6417
04:58:46,240 --> 04:58:50,878
Richard Gowski uh died in the Tarant

6418
04:58:49,200 --> 04:58:53,120
County Jail. The Texas Attorney

6419
04:58:50,878 --> 04:58:57,200
General's death in custody reports his

6420
04:58:53,120 --> 04:58:59,520
death is August 6, 2025 at 1047.

6421
04:58:57,200 --> 04:59:01,280
He had been in jail about a week. He was

6422
04:58:59,520 --> 04:59:04,240
charged with a class B misdemeanor

6423
04:59:01,280 --> 04:59:08,000
offense with a a criminal trespassing

6424
04:59:04,240 --> 04:59:09,680
and had a bond of $500. He was 61.

6425
04:59:08,000 --> 04:59:11,680
As you know, the National Institute of

6426
04:59:09,680 --> 04:59:13,360
Corrections critical site visit report

6427
04:59:11,680 --> 04:59:16,320
made recommendations to the Tarant

6428
04:59:13,360 --> 04:59:18,638
County Jail to improve the jail. One

6429
04:59:16,320 --> 04:59:21,680
recommendation is on page 11 of the

6430
04:59:18,638 --> 04:59:26,000
mortality review process. What currently

6431
04:59:21,680 --> 04:59:28,400
happens is MHMR and JPS have a critical

6432
04:59:26,000 --> 04:59:30,878
incident review committee and they meet

6433
04:59:28,400 --> 04:59:33,440
weekly to discuss this. The Texas

6434
04:59:30,878 --> 04:59:35,440
Commission on Jail Standards requires

6435
04:59:33,440 --> 04:59:38,480
the custody staff to review what

6436
04:59:35,440 --> 04:59:41,040
happened with the death in custody,

6437
04:59:38,480 --> 04:59:43,600
but near the two should meet. And the

6438
04:59:41,040 --> 04:59:46,320
recommendation from the NIC is that the

6439
04:59:43,600 --> 04:59:51,040
custodial death the custodial staff be

6440
04:59:46,320 --> 04:59:53,840
allowed to attend the MHMR JPS uh their

6441
04:59:51,040 --> 04:59:55,840
critical incident review meeting and so

6442
04:59:53,840 --> 05:00:00,240
that information can be shared against

6443
04:59:55,840 --> 05:00:03,840
both all three groups. and you guys are

6444
05:00:00,240 --> 05:00:06,878
the leaders of Taran County and

6445
05:00:03,840 --> 05:00:09,200
you fund or have some role and

6446
05:00:06,878 --> 05:00:12,400
responsibilities and perhaps you could

6447
05:00:09,200 --> 05:00:15,120
encourage JPS MHMR to implement that

6448
05:00:12,400 --> 05:00:17,600
mortality review process on page 11 of

6449
05:00:15,120 --> 05:00:20,560
the NIC report. I can't imagine it would

6450
05:00:17,600 --> 05:00:23,600
cost any have any significant budget

6451
05:00:20,560 --> 05:00:27,200
impact. Uh the other point uh Kimberly

6452
05:00:23,600 --> 05:00:30,000
Phillips her death in custody report was

6453
05:00:27,200 --> 05:00:34,798
uh malnutrition and dehydration

6454
05:00:30,000 --> 05:00:37,280
uh starvation and dehydration. And

6455
05:00:34,798 --> 05:00:39,840
another of the recommendations from the

6456
05:00:37,280 --> 05:00:45,360
NIC report was for a huddle to be done

6457
05:00:39,840 --> 05:00:48,160
weekly from JPS MHMR to discuss

6458
05:00:45,360 --> 05:00:51,520
incidents of concern for individuals

6459
05:00:48,160 --> 05:00:54,400
including reduced food intake. And since

6460
05:00:51,520 --> 05:00:57,360
Miss Phelps passed away due to reduced

6461
05:00:54,400 --> 05:00:59,760
starvation and dehydration, perhaps you

6462
05:00:57,360 --> 05:01:03,680
could encourage people to implement that

6463
05:00:59,760 --> 05:01:05,280
recommendation also. Um, I can't imagine

6464
05:01:03,680 --> 05:01:09,120
that would cost much. I think they do a

6465
05:01:05,280 --> 05:01:10,160
weekly now. Huddle. Uh, not daily. Thank

6466
05:01:09,120 --> 05:01:12,878
you.

6467
05:01:10,160 --> 05:01:16,718
» Thank you. Uh, I did not see Mr. Palmer.

6468
05:01:12,878 --> 05:01:21,638
Mr. Palmer's not present, is he?

6469
05:01:16,718 --> 05:01:21,638
Uh, now we come to public comments.

6470
05:01:22,638 --> 05:01:27,520
Okay, I don't have it. So, we have

6471
05:01:24,958 --> 05:01:29,360
public comments now.

6472
05:01:27,520 --> 05:01:32,958
First person to speak on public comments

6473
05:01:29,360 --> 05:01:32,958
is Darlene Doss.

6474
05:01:33,360 --> 05:01:40,520
Miss Doss present.

6475
05:01:36,718 --> 05:01:40,520
Oh, we have Rose Abraham.

6476
05:01:45,120 --> 05:01:50,560
» Are you Miss Abraham or Miss Doss?

6477
05:01:49,200 --> 05:01:51,760
What's your name?

6478
05:01:50,560 --> 05:01:53,920
» Rose Abraham.

6479
05:01:51,760 --> 05:01:57,320
» Gotcha. Okay. No. Darling Doss. Okay. Go

6480
05:01:53,920 --> 05:01:57,320
ahead, Miss Abraham.

6481
05:01:59,120 --> 05:02:04,240
» Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. My name

6482
05:02:00,718 --> 05:02:06,320
is Rose Abraham. I'm 73 years old and I

6483
05:02:04,240 --> 05:02:09,520
am here to

6484
05:02:06,320 --> 05:02:12,320
uh share with you guys something that is

6485
05:02:09,520 --> 05:02:15,440
really important for me that you know

6486
05:02:12,320 --> 05:02:18,080
and that it's going on and it involve um

6487
05:02:15,440 --> 05:02:22,638
a tow truck company right here in

6488
05:02:18,080 --> 05:02:24,160
forward located on 6754 Randle New Hope

6489
05:02:22,638 --> 05:02:28,160
Road.

6490
05:02:24,160 --> 05:02:30,798
Uh these people are seriously conducting

6491
05:02:28,160 --> 05:02:34,080
uh illegal activity and I was a victim

6492
05:02:30,798 --> 05:02:37,520
of them. I had a Nissan truck which it

6493
05:02:34,080 --> 05:02:40,560
was parked properly. They stole it. I

6494
05:02:37,520 --> 05:02:42,718
sued them. I won the case. They didn't

6495
05:02:40,560 --> 05:02:44,958
release my my truck claiming that they

6496
05:02:42,718 --> 05:02:47,440
were going to appeal it. They never did.

6497
05:02:44,958 --> 05:02:50,080
I sue them again

6498
05:02:47,440 --> 05:02:54,400
and they went on a rampage. Every time I

6499
05:02:50,080 --> 05:02:57,680
had to go to court, I was mysteriously

6500
05:02:54,400 --> 05:03:01,360
um hijacked and all my court paper were

6501
05:02:57,680 --> 05:03:03,760
taken. So I had no evidence and I had to

6502
05:03:01,360 --> 05:03:07,520
start all over again. That happened

6503
05:03:03,760 --> 05:03:09,280
three times and also one of the time

6504
05:03:07,520 --> 05:03:11,280
mysteriously

6505
05:03:09,280 --> 05:03:14,320
uh and I say mysteriously because I

6506
05:03:11,280 --> 05:03:17,360
cannot say specific that they did it but

6507
05:03:14,320 --> 05:03:20,560
the connection is very strong. I was

6508
05:03:17,360 --> 05:03:24,480
hijacked. I would spray with something.

6509
05:03:20,560 --> 05:03:26,798
All of the sudden, I found myself dumped

6510
05:03:24,480 --> 05:03:29,280
on the freeway.

6511
05:03:26,798 --> 05:03:32,000
Uh, luckily a a good Samaritan was

6512
05:03:29,280 --> 05:03:35,440
passing by and they noticed that there

6513
05:03:32,000 --> 05:03:39,280
was a human being. It was not a a a toy

6514
05:03:35,440 --> 05:03:40,718
or a a doll. An ambulance came. They

6515
05:03:39,280 --> 05:03:44,560
picked me up. They took me to the

6516
05:03:40,718 --> 05:03:48,638
emergency room. And little by little, I

6517
05:03:44,560 --> 05:03:52,160
started remember things. Bottom line,

6518
05:03:48,638 --> 05:03:54,160
they have seriously been terrorizing me.

6519
05:03:52,160 --> 05:03:58,480
But I am not going to stop. I'm going to

6520
05:03:54,160 --> 05:04:00,400
seek justice because I found out that my

6521
05:03:58,480 --> 05:04:03,840
truck

6522
05:04:00,400 --> 05:04:06,400
was sold to my next door neighbor, an

6523
05:04:03,840 --> 05:04:09,200
illegal drug dealer that have also been

6524
05:04:06,400 --> 05:04:12,480
terrorizing me.

6525
05:04:09,200 --> 05:04:14,320
I cannot be quiet. I need to speak up

6526
05:04:12,480 --> 05:04:17,520
and you all need to know what's going

6527
05:04:14,320 --> 05:04:20,240
on. I need prayer and I need help and

6528
05:04:17,520 --> 05:04:21,920
guidance. Anything that you can do to

6529
05:04:20,240 --> 05:04:24,240
guide me and help me, it will be

6530
05:04:21,920 --> 05:04:27,280
awesome. I can't find an attorney. I

6531
05:04:24,240 --> 05:04:29,440
don't have money. I'm suing them again

6532
05:04:27,280 --> 05:04:31,520
and we supposed to go to court. And I'm

6533
05:04:29,440 --> 05:04:35,600
appealing the decision of the judge

6534
05:04:31,520 --> 05:04:38,400
because they have uh an attorney that

6535
05:04:35,600 --> 05:04:41,680
have never show up to any other meeting

6536
05:04:38,400 --> 05:04:44,160
and they getting away with it.

6537
05:04:41,680 --> 05:04:46,560
They don't they don't I'm prosay but

6538
05:04:44,160 --> 05:04:49,600
they don't communicate with me and every

6539
05:04:46,560 --> 05:04:53,680
time we have a a a a hearing they don't

6540
05:04:49,600 --> 05:04:56,080
show up and it's okay. So I need an

6541
05:04:53,680 --> 05:04:58,560
attorney and I need prayer.

6542
05:04:56,080 --> 05:05:03,160
» That's all I can say. Thank you so much.

6543
05:04:58,560 --> 05:05:03,160
» Thank you. Next we have Bob Willoughby.

6544
05:05:07,040 --> 05:05:11,520
Let me start off with first here that uh

6545
05:05:09,600 --> 05:05:14,080
the school board the public comment

6546
05:05:11,520 --> 05:05:16,480
comes first. Canidel white settlement

6547
05:05:14,080 --> 05:05:18,718
forest hill city council comment comes

6548
05:05:16,480 --> 05:05:19,840
first. We're on the bottom here. It

6549
05:05:18,718 --> 05:05:22,400
doesn't take a minute to move the people

6550
05:05:19,840 --> 05:05:25,440
to the top. Republicans move people to

6551
05:05:22,400 --> 05:05:28,320
the top. Remember Reagan? We the people

6552
05:05:25,440 --> 05:05:30,160
first. Okay. Okay. Got that back.

6553
05:05:28,320 --> 05:05:32,000
Secondly, I really don't have much

6554
05:05:30,160 --> 05:05:34,400
respect for any across the board because

6555
05:05:32,000 --> 05:05:36,638
you don't answer questions. City council

6556
05:05:34,400 --> 05:05:38,320
don't, school board don't, and you don't

6557
05:05:36,638 --> 05:05:39,360
until you start answering legitimate

6558
05:05:38,320 --> 05:05:40,878
questions. I don't care about

6559
05:05:39,360 --> 05:05:42,718
redistricing. I don't care about those

6560
05:05:40,878 --> 05:05:44,638
machines or the voting locations.

6561
05:05:42,718 --> 05:05:46,638
They're irrelevant until you start

6562
05:05:44,638 --> 05:05:49,280
answering questions and you don't answer

6563
05:05:46,638 --> 05:05:52,638
questions. None of you. Not one of you.

6564
05:05:49,280 --> 05:05:55,440
Okay. Now, I got I our election in

6565
05:05:52,638 --> 05:05:58,400
District 5 was rigged. Democrats rigged

6566
05:05:55,440 --> 05:06:00,240
the election in Dem five 100%. Nothing

6567
05:05:58,400 --> 05:06:02,000
short of Jesus Christ walking that door

6568
05:06:00,240 --> 05:06:04,160
saying it's not rigged. It was rigged.

6569
05:06:02,000 --> 05:06:06,878
Do you care? Not one of you reached out

6570
05:06:04,160 --> 05:06:09,680
to ask about it. I went to court. It was

6571
05:06:06,878 --> 05:06:12,400
dismissed on 91A, which said, "Okay, I'm

6572
05:06:09,680 --> 05:06:14,400
going to file a however you do it, I'm

6573
05:06:12,400 --> 05:06:16,400
going to try to uh appeal it to go up to

6574
05:06:14,400 --> 05:06:18,400
a different court because the judge said

6575
05:06:16,400 --> 05:06:20,638
there's nothing there." Well, I'll tell

6576
05:06:18,400 --> 05:06:24,560
you what. When the votes go up four

6577
05:06:20,638 --> 05:06:27,040
elections in a row and it drop by 50%,

6578
05:06:24,560 --> 05:06:29,680
something's wrong. A doctor takes your

6579
05:06:27,040 --> 05:06:31,280
temperature, it drops by 50%.

6580
05:06:29,680 --> 05:06:33,840
Something's wrong. He can't tell you

6581
05:06:31,280 --> 05:06:37,200
what, but he say something's wrong. My

6582
05:06:33,840 --> 05:06:39,360
votes dropped by over 90%. 67 votes they

6583
05:06:37,200 --> 05:06:42,400
gave me. That's the lowest out of five

6584
05:06:39,360 --> 05:06:45,520
elections I ever got. I spent $20,000.

6585
05:06:42,400 --> 05:06:47,840
More money I ever spent. 67 boats was a

6586
05:06:45,520 --> 05:06:50,718
joke. This thing's rigged. And don't

6587
05:06:47,840 --> 05:06:52,480
tell me you care. You speak up about it.

6588
05:06:50,718 --> 05:06:54,798
You don't care. Or you speak up about

6589
05:06:52,480 --> 05:06:57,040
it. Our elections are the fabric of this

6590
05:06:54,798 --> 05:07:00,160
city. Our system. And if you don't care

6591
05:06:57,040 --> 05:07:03,120
about being rigged, the redistritis,

6592
05:07:00,160 --> 05:07:05,280
the locations don't mean crap. You got

6593
05:07:03,120 --> 05:07:08,320
to fix the riggedness. It is rigged by

6594
05:07:05,280 --> 05:07:09,680
Democrats. Cat in the voting deal should

6595
05:07:08,320 --> 05:07:11,520
not be in there. She's got mental

6596
05:07:09,680 --> 05:07:14,000
problems. She said it publicly. She said

6597
05:07:11,520 --> 05:07:16,240
she's a radical left Democrat and she's

6598
05:07:14,000 --> 05:07:18,878
in charge of the voting. Give me a

6599
05:07:16,240 --> 05:07:20,878
break. God. Anyway, you people start

6600
05:07:18,878 --> 05:07:23,680
answering questions, that's one. And I

6601
05:07:20,878 --> 05:07:25,760
mean the school board, council, city

6602
05:07:23,680 --> 05:07:27,440
council, across the board, when y'all

6603
05:07:25,760 --> 05:07:29,120
start answering. This is a partnership I

6604
05:07:27,440 --> 05:07:31,120
would never want to be in in the private

6605
05:07:29,120 --> 05:07:32,718
market with any of y'all. Never would I

6606
05:07:31,120 --> 05:07:34,560
enter into a partnership. But I am in a

6607
05:07:32,718 --> 05:07:36,560
partnership whether I like it or not.

6608
05:07:34,560 --> 05:07:38,480
And I don't like it. But I've got to

6609
05:07:36,560 --> 05:07:41,280
start answering legitimate questions.

6610
05:07:38,480 --> 05:07:43,600
One is Phil Sword. He's got documents on

6611
05:07:41,280 --> 05:07:45,760
his desk right now showing corruption

6612
05:07:43,600 --> 05:07:47,520
100%. He says, "I'm not going to act on

6613
05:07:45,760 --> 05:07:49,360
it. I'm not going to do anything. I'm

6614
05:07:47,520 --> 05:07:51,360
not going to answer. What do y'all do?

6615
05:07:49,360 --> 05:07:52,718
Same thing. You don't act on it. So,

6616
05:07:51,360 --> 05:07:54,480
don't talk like you're really doing

6617
05:07:52,718 --> 05:07:56,560
something for the people. Don't act like

6618
05:07:54,480 --> 05:07:58,798
you're something. District two, you're

6619
05:07:56,560 --> 05:08:00,080
not you don't answer either. You're no

6620
05:07:58,798 --> 05:08:01,760
better than the rest.

6621
05:08:00,080 --> 05:08:04,718
» So, as far as my concern about all of

6622
05:08:01,760 --> 05:08:06,240
you, you're not worth a hill of beans

6623
05:08:04,718 --> 05:08:08,160
until you start answering people and

6624
05:08:06,240 --> 05:08:09,680
respecting the public and moving to

6625
05:08:08,160 --> 05:08:14,040
number one. Thank you.

6626
05:08:09,680 --> 05:08:14,040
» Uh, next is Paul David Williams.

6627
05:08:14,878 --> 05:08:22,200
Mr. Williams here.

6628
05:08:18,320 --> 05:08:22,200
Next is Amy Super.

6629
05:08:24,400 --> 05:08:28,200
Miss Super, are you going?

6630
05:08:37,600 --> 05:08:43,280
Most of my comments are going to be

6631
05:08:39,200 --> 05:08:45,440
directed to my new commissioner. Um, I I

6632
05:08:43,280 --> 05:08:48,240
I get it. you got a bunch of new

6633
05:08:45,440 --> 05:08:49,520
constituents that you know, you know, we

6634
05:08:48,240 --> 05:08:50,798
didn't even have the option to vote for

6635
05:08:49,520 --> 05:08:52,400
you because you wouldn't have been on

6636
05:08:50,798 --> 05:08:54,000
our ballot the last time you were

6637
05:08:52,400 --> 05:08:56,240
running. And you know, you're going to

6638
05:08:54,000 --> 05:09:00,560
have to work hard uh to try to maintain

6639
05:08:56,240 --> 05:09:03,040
your seat. Um, however, you do still

6640
05:09:00,560 --> 05:09:05,840
represent us and when I go on to your

6641
05:09:03,040 --> 05:09:09,920
social media site and I am being

6642
05:09:05,840 --> 05:09:13,280
directed on videos how and what to say

6643
05:09:09,920 --> 05:09:16,320
when I call your office based on your

6644
05:09:13,280 --> 05:09:18,240
opinion on an issue.

6645
05:09:16,320 --> 05:09:21,200
I'm not comfortable with that. I think

6646
05:09:18,240 --> 05:09:24,080
that's that's not representation. Now,

6647
05:09:21,200 --> 05:09:26,000
to be fair, you've done a really good

6648
05:09:24,080 --> 05:09:27,600
job of showing us who you are and who

6649
05:09:26,000 --> 05:09:29,920
you believe you are best capable of

6650
05:09:27,600 --> 05:09:32,160
representing and it's not me and it's

6651
05:09:29,920 --> 05:09:35,440
not a whole lot of people who are now

6652
05:09:32,160 --> 05:09:36,878
part of precinct 2. Um, that doesn't

6653
05:09:35,440 --> 05:09:39,520
change the fact again that you're still

6654
05:09:36,878 --> 05:09:41,760
a representative. I specifically

6655
05:09:39,520 --> 05:09:44,160
suggested the last time I was here that

6656
05:09:41,760 --> 05:09:46,480
you consider maybe toning down some of

6657
05:09:44,160 --> 05:09:48,320
the hostile ways in which you addressed

6658
05:09:46,480 --> 05:09:49,760
Tarant County employees. It's

6659
05:09:48,320 --> 05:09:53,040
embarrassing. Those are the sorts of

6660
05:09:49,760 --> 05:09:55,040
things you do in private. Um, I'm not

6661
05:09:53,040 --> 05:09:56,560
asking you to give them free reign and

6662
05:09:55,040 --> 05:09:58,718
not hold them accountable when you think

6663
05:09:56,560 --> 05:10:00,080
that they're not doing something they

6664
05:09:58,718 --> 05:10:02,718
should be doing or have done something

6665
05:10:00,080 --> 05:10:04,638
incorrectly. Just not in front of this

6666
05:10:02,718 --> 05:10:06,240
entire group of people. Had I known

6667
05:10:04,638 --> 05:10:08,400
you'd come after our elections

6668
05:10:06,240 --> 05:10:10,080
administrator the way you did today, I

6669
05:10:08,400 --> 05:10:12,560
would never have brought up some of the

6670
05:10:10,080 --> 05:10:14,560
subject matters that I did. I have a

6671
05:10:12,560 --> 05:10:17,680
great working relation working

6672
05:10:14,560 --> 05:10:19,200
relationship with him as a voter. very

6673
05:10:17,680 --> 05:10:22,320
approachable

6674
05:10:19,200 --> 05:10:25,040
uh very problem-solving oriented

6675
05:10:22,320 --> 05:10:27,120
that I was ashamed and I apologize to

6676
05:10:25,040 --> 05:10:28,560
him for having done so. I should have

6677
05:10:27,120 --> 05:10:31,600
known that he wouldn't listen to my

6678
05:10:28,560 --> 05:10:33,520
suggestion. Um

6679
05:10:31,600 --> 05:10:36,798
I would like to also just quickly

6680
05:10:33,520 --> 05:10:39,520
address this thing with Tarant County um

6681
05:10:36,798 --> 05:10:41,600
college campus adding them. So they

6682
05:10:39,520 --> 05:10:43,200
explained to you that they don't have a

6683
05:10:41,600 --> 05:10:46,400
room where they can secure it, which is

6684
05:10:43,200 --> 05:10:48,000
now going to be part of the law. And he

6685
05:10:46,400 --> 05:10:50,000
also explained that that means that if

6686
05:10:48,000 --> 05:10:52,240
they can't secure it, that site is going

6687
05:10:50,000 --> 05:10:55,920
to have to break down, tear up, and set

6688
05:10:52,240 --> 05:10:57,760
up every day, 12 days in a row, 14-hour

6689
05:10:55,920 --> 05:10:59,440
days, these folks are working. They're

6690
05:10:57,760 --> 05:11:01,840
getting paid less than people who are

6691
05:10:59,440 --> 05:11:04,160
working at Taco Bell. You and I are very

6692
05:11:01,840 --> 05:11:06,958
close to the same age. It is physically

6693
05:11:04,160 --> 05:11:08,878
demanding to do that. Good luck at

6694
05:11:06,958 --> 05:11:11,360
finding a crew who is willing to do

6695
05:11:08,878 --> 05:11:13,600
that. EV sites do not have to set up

6696
05:11:11,360 --> 05:11:15,200
their own pull sites. Those are done for

6697
05:11:13,600 --> 05:11:17,360
them. They're take they're set up and

6698
05:11:15,200 --> 05:11:19,120
taken down by the staff at Tarant County

6699
05:11:17,360 --> 05:11:21,120
elections unlike election day sites

6700
05:11:19,120 --> 05:11:23,040
where we set up and tear down all of our

6701
05:11:21,120 --> 05:11:26,560
equipment. You're asking people to do

6702
05:11:23,040 --> 05:11:28,638
that every day for 12 days in a row. So

6703
05:11:26,560 --> 05:11:30,240
before you proceed with that, I would I

6704
05:11:28,638 --> 05:11:31,360
would ask for consideration for that for

6705
05:11:30,240 --> 05:11:34,400
the poor people who are going to be

6706
05:11:31,360 --> 05:11:37,760
stled with doing that work. Thank you.

6707
05:11:34,400 --> 05:11:40,000
» Thank you. Next is Carla Palaris.

6708
05:11:37,760 --> 05:11:43,878
She present.

6709
05:11:40,000 --> 05:11:43,878
Next is Jimmy Blackwell.

6710
05:11:53,170 --> 05:11:57,680
[Music]

6711
05:11:55,280 --> 05:11:59,760
Judge O'Hare,

6712
05:11:57,680 --> 05:12:05,958
it's a shame that the sheriff's office

6713
05:11:59,760 --> 05:12:05,958
is never available to face the people.

6714
05:12:06,320 --> 05:12:12,240
George O'Hara, I know you uh are

6715
05:12:08,958 --> 05:12:14,400
familiar with Joe Lewis, heavyweight

6716
05:12:12,240 --> 05:12:17,360
boxing champion.

6717
05:12:14,400 --> 05:12:20,240
He coined this phrase,

6718
05:12:17,360 --> 05:12:23,840
you can run,

6719
05:12:20,240 --> 05:12:25,520
but you cannot hide.

6720
05:12:23,840 --> 05:12:29,840
He made that comment when he was getting

6721
05:12:25,520 --> 05:12:32,000
ready to to challenge Billy Khan.

6722
05:12:29,840 --> 05:12:33,760
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. coined this

6723
05:12:32,000 --> 05:12:38,638
quote,

6724
05:12:33,760 --> 05:12:42,798
"No lie can live forever."

6725
05:12:38,638 --> 05:12:46,480
So, Judge O'Hara, what are you mega

6726
05:12:42,798 --> 05:12:49,360
people running from?

6727
05:12:46,480 --> 05:12:54,560
You all are running from the truth and

6728
05:12:49,360 --> 05:12:57,600
attempting to hide behind lie after lie

6729
05:12:54,560 --> 05:13:00,160
after lie.

6730
05:12:57,600 --> 05:13:02,160
How can the people of this county have

6731
05:13:00,160 --> 05:13:04,320
any confidence

6732
05:13:02,160 --> 05:13:08,320
in the decision brought before the

6733
05:13:04,320 --> 05:13:10,958
people by this court when it's apparent

6734
05:13:08,320 --> 05:13:13,440
that you, Judge O'Hara, makes the first

6735
05:13:10,958 --> 05:13:16,878
and final decision

6736
05:13:13,440 --> 05:13:18,798
based on your ideology.

6737
05:13:16,878 --> 05:13:22,400
You refuse to include other

6738
05:13:18,798 --> 05:13:26,798
commissioners in your dis, excuse me, in

6739
05:13:22,400 --> 05:13:31,120
your discussions prior to your decision.

6740
05:13:26,798 --> 05:13:34,000
Now, how can we be confident

6741
05:13:31,120 --> 05:13:38,240
that the other commissioners will vote

6742
05:13:34,000 --> 05:13:40,240
with you other than you have already

6743
05:13:38,240 --> 05:13:44,320
threatened them or whatever the case may

6744
05:13:40,240 --> 05:13:48,638
be if they go against you?

6745
05:13:44,320 --> 05:13:51,200
I want to personally thank uh

6746
05:13:48,638 --> 05:13:54,798
Commissioner Simmons and Commissioner

6747
05:13:51,200 --> 05:13:56,878
Rodri Miles

6748
05:13:54,798 --> 05:13:59,760
for their stance against some of the

6749
05:13:56,878 --> 05:14:02,400
stuff that you bring to this court and

6750
05:13:59,760 --> 05:14:05,120
before the people.

6751
05:14:02,400 --> 05:14:06,878
You know, it's not based on your

6752
05:14:05,120 --> 05:14:10,400
discussion with these individuals

6753
05:14:06,878 --> 05:14:13,600
because you refuse to even include them

6754
05:14:10,400 --> 05:14:18,480
in your discussions.

6755
05:14:13,600 --> 05:14:20,560
How can that be sound leadership

6756
05:14:18,480 --> 05:14:25,360
when you exclude

6757
05:14:20,560 --> 05:14:28,638
two of your major opposition voices?

6758
05:14:25,360 --> 05:14:31,200
That's what democracy is all about.

6759
05:14:28,638 --> 05:14:33,440
Listening to other people, discussing

6760
05:14:31,200 --> 05:14:35,440
issues with other people, and then

6761
05:14:33,440 --> 05:14:37,440
making a decision based on that

6762
05:14:35,440 --> 05:14:40,160
information that you get from those

6763
05:14:37,440 --> 05:14:43,600
people. You just don't arbitrarily make

6764
05:14:40,160 --> 05:14:45,680
a decision on your own and then shove it

6765
05:14:43,600 --> 05:14:46,958
down the throat of the people. And

6766
05:14:45,680 --> 05:14:49,440
that's what's going on with this

6767
05:14:46,958 --> 05:14:53,520
commission. That's what's going on with

6768
05:14:49,440 --> 05:14:55,040
you, Judge O'Hara. This has to stop. I

6769
05:14:53,520 --> 05:14:55,680
smell a rat.

6770
05:14:55,040 --> 05:14:57,280
» Thank you, sir.

6771
05:14:55,680 --> 05:15:02,400
» Miss you three blind.

6772
05:14:57,280 --> 05:15:05,760
» Thank you, sir. Next, we have Nan Terry.

6773
05:15:02,400 --> 05:15:08,320
Is Nan Terry present? She leave. And

6774
05:15:05,760 --> 05:15:12,440
then Joe Palmer.

6775
05:15:08,320 --> 05:15:12,440
I do not see Mr. Palmer.

6776
05:15:13,200 --> 05:15:19,440
» Okay. Well, I don't have your form.

6777
05:15:15,600 --> 05:15:22,638
» Well, you skipped earlier from the uh

6778
05:15:19,440 --> 05:15:25,520
section that was on uh

6779
05:15:22,638 --> 05:15:28,400
agenda announcements. Why is it on the

6780
05:15:25,520 --> 05:15:29,360
list of of agenda items that you can

6781
05:15:28,400 --> 05:15:31,920
participate in? If

6782
05:15:29,360 --> 05:15:34,718
» He on whatever he's describing,

6783
05:15:31,920 --> 05:15:38,240
» We do have a form, sir, for

6784
05:15:34,718 --> 05:15:40,000
» Go ahead. Thank you very kindly.

6785
05:15:38,240 --> 05:15:41,120
Give me just a moment to queue it up.

6786
05:15:40,000 --> 05:15:45,040
» What's your name?

6787
05:15:41,120 --> 05:15:49,200
» Stanley Johnson for precinct 1165.

6788
05:15:45,040 --> 05:15:51,440
So I direct your attention to the uh

6789
05:15:49,200 --> 05:15:52,958
uh rules of decorum that the court has

6790
05:15:51,440 --> 05:15:55,600
established.

6791
05:15:52,958 --> 05:15:57,360
Uh I would request that you all uh

6792
05:15:55,600 --> 05:15:59,600
periodically

6793
05:15:57,360 --> 05:16:02,000
perhaps before each meeting refresh

6794
05:15:59,600 --> 05:16:03,520
yourself on them just so that you're uh

6795
05:16:02,000 --> 05:16:05,280
confident that they say what you think

6796
05:16:03,520 --> 05:16:06,718
they say and that you're you know

6797
05:16:05,280 --> 05:16:08,638
they're right in your head and in your

6798
05:16:06,718 --> 05:16:13,120
heart. One of the things that it states

6799
05:16:08,638 --> 05:16:18,000
in them is that you uh

6800
05:16:13,120 --> 05:16:20,958
uh that your intent is to maximize

6801
05:16:18,000 --> 05:16:23,440
uh citizen participation

6802
05:16:20,958 --> 05:16:26,400
and uh I would suggest that perhaps

6803
05:16:23,440 --> 05:16:28,400
reducing the number of uh polling places

6804
05:16:26,400 --> 05:16:32,000
would be the opposite of maximizing

6805
05:16:28,400 --> 05:16:34,878
participation. It would be reducing it.

6806
05:16:32,000 --> 05:16:38,798
Um

6807
05:16:34,878 --> 05:16:42,718
the uh I don't have a lot more today

6808
05:16:38,798 --> 05:16:45,280
other than to say um

6809
05:16:42,718 --> 05:16:50,160
the

6810
05:16:45,280 --> 05:16:53,360
the the court seems somewhat fractured.

6811
05:16:50,160 --> 05:16:55,600
um if not actually physically

6812
05:16:53,360 --> 05:16:58,480
uh perhaps

6813
05:16:55,600 --> 05:17:00,718
um uh symbolically

6814
05:16:58,480 --> 05:17:05,360
uh in particular the two of you in the

6815
05:17:00,718 --> 05:17:08,160
center and to your right I guess uh seem

6816
05:17:05,360 --> 05:17:10,240
to be very much at odds and again if not

6817
05:17:08,160 --> 05:17:12,160
physically if y'all could possibly

6818
05:17:10,240 --> 05:17:16,240
symbolically

6819
05:17:12,160 --> 05:17:19,200
shake hands uh tone down the rhetoric a

6820
05:17:16,240 --> 05:17:23,120
little bit in the sense that um maybe

6821
05:17:19,200 --> 05:17:26,000
have dinner on occasion. Uh humanize one

6822
05:17:23,120 --> 05:17:28,480
another. Uh I think that would serve the

6823
05:17:26,000 --> 05:17:29,600
entire court better. Um and I think

6824
05:17:28,480 --> 05:17:31,200
that's all I have to say.

6825
05:17:29,600 --> 05:17:32,480
» Okay. Thank you, sir.

6826
05:17:31,200 --> 05:17:36,600
» All right. Do we have any announcements

6827
05:17:32,480 --> 05:17:36,600
or comments from the court members?

6828
05:17:36,798 --> 05:17:40,638
Uh, seeing none, the court will now

6829
05:17:38,958 --> 05:17:42,878
recess the open session and proceed to

6830
05:17:40,638 --> 05:17:45,520
close session to discuss items exempt

6831
05:17:42,878 --> 05:17:47,040
under sections 551071,

6832
05:17:45,520 --> 05:17:52,000
072,

6833
05:17:47,040 --> 05:17:54,718
074, 076, 087, and 0725 of the Texas

6834
05:17:52,000 --> 05:17:57,680
Government Code. Executive session will

6835
05:17:54,718 --> 05:18:00,840
begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. We are now

6836
05:17:57,680 --> 05:18:00,840
in recess.

6837
06:02:09,040 --> 06:02:16,000
We are back. We are back from executive

6838
06:02:12,798 --> 06:02:18,320
session. There are two items. One I

6839
06:02:16,000 --> 06:02:22,638
think we will take action on. One we may

6840
06:02:18,320 --> 06:02:23,680
or may not. The first item is H1. Do we

6841
06:02:22,638 --> 06:02:25,200
have a motion there?

6842
06:02:23,680 --> 06:02:26,638
» Motion to approve.

6843
06:02:25,200 --> 06:02:31,280
» All right, we have a motion to approve

6844
06:02:26,638 --> 06:02:32,798
H1. I'll second. Any discussion on that?

6845
06:02:31,280 --> 06:02:35,440
All right, seeing none, all in favor,

6846
06:02:32,798 --> 06:02:38,638
raise your hand.

6847
06:02:35,440 --> 06:02:41,360
All opposed, raise your hand. That's the

6848
06:02:38,638 --> 06:02:44,080
lawyer one. Opposed, raise your hand.

6849
06:02:41,360 --> 06:02:46,558
All right, passes four to one. Then the

6850
06:02:44,080 --> 06:02:50,080
next item that was tabled until after

6851
06:02:46,558 --> 06:02:51,920
closed was item I believe it would be 10

6852
06:02:50,080 --> 06:02:56,000
I5

6853
06:02:51,920 --> 06:02:58,400
and we did receive a legal briefing

6854
06:02:56,000 --> 06:03:00,878
legal advice on that issue. Does anyone

6855
06:02:58,400 --> 06:03:05,480
wish to make a motion or do we deal with

6856
06:03:00,878 --> 06:03:05,480
this in a couple of weeks?

6857
06:03:05,760 --> 06:03:10,160
All right. So seeing nothing we will

6858
06:03:07,840 --> 06:03:14,798
take no action on this item today. We

6859
06:03:10,160 --> 06:03:15,600
will um likely take this up on

6860
06:03:14,798 --> 06:03:20,080
» September 3rd.

6861
06:03:15,600 --> 06:03:21,760
» September 3rd. And that is all the items

6862
06:03:20,080 --> 06:03:23,760
we have to address. So we are now

6863
06:03:21,760 --> 06:03:25,600
» May make one announcement. Judge just my

6864
06:03:23,760 --> 06:03:27,200
neglected to say this at the beginning.

6865
06:03:25,600 --> 06:03:28,638
Next commissioner's court meeting we are

6866
06:03:27,200 --> 06:03:30,480
scheduled to be back in our normal

6867
06:03:28,638 --> 06:03:31,840
courtroom on September 3rd. So AV

6868
06:03:30,480 --> 06:03:33,280
installation is going very well. We

6869
06:03:31,840 --> 06:03:35,200
don't anticipate any issue why we would

6870
06:03:33,280 --> 06:03:36,080
not be in that uh courtroom September

6871
06:03:35,200 --> 06:03:37,600
3rd.

6872
06:03:36,080 --> 06:03:41,080
» Okay. Thank you sir. We are now

6873
06:03:37,600 --> 06:03:41,080
officially adjourned.