Good morning and welcome to the Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 Tarant County Commissioner Court meeting. I now call the meeting to order. >> Tim O'Hare, County Judge, >> present. >> Rodrik Miles, Jr., Commissioner Precinct One, >> here. Alisa Simmons, commissioner precinct 2.
>> Matt Krauss, commissioner precinct 3, >> present. >> Manny Ramirez, commissioner precinct 4. >> Constitutes a forum. >> All right. Thank you. Today's invocation will be led by Pastor Will Ford. Please rise for the invocation and pledges to our flags.
Let's all bow our heads, please. Heavenly Father, we come before you today thanking you for 250 years of your faithfulness in our great nation. It's been great because of your son's mercy. We thank you for your mercy upon this
county and upon this court. We thank you that there's a court above this court. It's the court of heaven. >> And so Lord, we appeal to your mercy. Would you restrain what we deserve and give us what we don't deserve. Lord, we need more of you. We need more of your presence and we can't deserve it. So we
ask for wisdom to be on every commissioner today. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation today. And in this year of jubilee, God, let every person who needs forgiveness be set free. >> Yes, Lord. >> Come in great power and great glory. We ask and we give you this room today,
Holy Spirit. >> In Jesus name I pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, pastor. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance to our flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> And now the Texas flagged one state and indivisible.
>> Thank you. You may be seated. Okay, we have some agenda announcements. Mr. Merritt, thank you. Uh, good morning, judge and commissioners. Just a couple of quick announcements this morning. Um, first of all, we have three items which have been withdrawn completely from the agenda.
Uh, those items are under proclamations and resolutions, item two. Uh and then under the consent agenda, items E10 and F5. Additionally, uh court members, we have
several items which have been pulled from the consent agenda for individual consideration. Those are E1, Q4, Q15, Q21,
U2, not to be confused with the band, U3, U4, and U5. Uh, and a final quick announcement, there is an updated public health fee schedule in your red folders. Thank you very much.
>> All right. Thank you, sir. All right. All right. Do we have any announcements from our court members? >> Yes. Um, I'd like to announce that we will be hosting our 11th annual Healthy Lives
Matter Alzheimer's Education Seminar. Registration is now open for our Alzheimer's Education Cinema seminar. You can find it on our county website. Uh the seminar will be held on August the 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 2 pm. It will
be held at Tarant County College Trinity River campus. This event brings together families, caregivers, health care professionals, and community members for education, resources, and support. I want to encourage all
residents to register and join us as we continue to support families impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia. For those of you who know, my predecessor, Commissioner Brooks, is the one who started this program and it was a a
personal program because his mother transitioned because of Alzheimer's. Um, this event is personal to me as well. My father uh transitioned because of complications to
dementia. Uh Alzheimer's and dementia is a devastating disease. It takes those that we love and it leaves a shell of who they were. We carry in us the memory of who they
are, who they were, and what they meant to us. But it is a difficult journey to traverse. And no one should have to [clears throat] traverse that journey alone.
My friends, we are better together. This event will put you in a room with people who may be going through the same journey that you're going through. And we get to encourage one another. We get to support one another. And we get to
lean in to this work together. So, I would encourage you if you know of anyone who has a family member or a a friend who's dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia and their caregivers, invite them to come out and be with us. Um,
next we have our Tri City job fair that is coming up. We are proud to partner with the city of Forest Hill, the city of Everman, and the city of Keller as they offer the Tri City Job Fair on September the 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at the Everman
Civic Center. We are trying to connect residents to employment opportunities and because it is an important part of strengthening our communities, we encourage all job seekers to save the date and join us. We'll share more information as the date approaches.
I would like to take a personal moment of privilege and acknowledge the passing of a dear friend and community stalwart. Uh Johnny Lewis. Johnny Lewis was a resident of the
historic Southside community. He was a fierce advocate for that community. Uh and he was a dedicated employee of Taran County. He served as a probation officer for decades. We mourn the passing of Mr. Johnny
Lewis. He was a friend, a mentor, and someone who held those in public office to the highest of standards. His loss is deeply felt in the historic
Southside community, and I would ask that you would join me in your personal time to pray for the Lewis family and the Southside community. Lastly, National Intern Day is on July the 30th,
but I want to acknowledge my amazing two interns today because they'll probably not be here come July or well the next time we gather in court. So, if my interns are in the room, which they should Oh, he said they're in the overflow. He says they're in the
overflow room. Look at them, boy. You try to brag on them and they don't show up. [laughter] But I would like to congratulate two amazing young people. Macy Williams, who is a rising senior at Hampton University, and Devin Bloomer, who is a
rising junior at Clark Atlanta University. They are amazing young people. They have brought so much energy, fresh perspective, and innovation to my office. I feel about 10 years younger. [snorts] >> They have been a joy to have with us and
to work alongside me. Oh, here they come. There they are. Y'all give them a hand. [applause] They'll be with us for a couple of more weeks. And I'm going tell you this. Judge Devin said, "Commissioner, can I meet the judge?" [laughter]
>> Like you were a rock star or something. >> Well, yes, you can. [laughter] Yeah. >> So, we are excited and we're happy to have our interns. Those are all my announcements. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for doing the Alzheimer's one. That's uh my brother is dealing with it now and it's the worst thing in the
world. It is. So, Commissioner Krauss, >> I'll say last time we were uh talking about the transportation summit, 16th annual transportation summit that was about to take place. We had that in June. I want to thank each and everybody up here. Uh Commissioner May was on a panel. Uh the judge gave some remarks.
Commissioner Miles was there uh greeting folks. And so, thank you all for being there and being a part of it. I think it's great to carry on that legacy of Commissioner Ficus, what he started, but it was a unqualified success. So, thank you to everybody was a part of that. Today at 2 PM, uh, Precinct 3,
Arlington, North Texas hosts its ninth, uh, FIFA World Cup game, uh, in the last 19 days. And I just want to say thank you to, uh, Michael Morris and the COG, to city of Arlington, to our Tarant County folks. I think uh we have done a great job of showing the world stage uh
how competent, how effective and how innovative we can be. So uh it's been a great uh couple of days. It's been a great tournament in so many ways, but just want to thank everybody who made sure we could get to and from those games seamlessly. They've done a great job. Uh and uh so thank you for that.
And uh finally uh I had one more um but I've forgotten it at this point. So, uh, if it comes back to me, uh, I'll I'll give it after Commissioner Ramirez does his. >> All right. Thank you, Rick. [laughter] >> I I just have one quick one. I want to congratulate the city of Fort Worth and
Texas FFA Association for holding an incredible uh annual convention at the at the Convention Center in Fort Worth uh July 6th to the 10th. They gave away hundreds of thousands of scholarships uh to FFA kids and and 4H kids across the state. Everybody knows how important that is to Northwest Tarant County and
Tarant County's heritage in general. Um, and so I just wanted to congratulate them on holding an an incredible event. Um, we we had a we had a good time. >> Excellent. Uh, Congresswoman Beth Van Dyene is hosting her fifth North Texas job fair on August 6th at Globe Life
Field. I'm a a co-host of that, but it's it's at the stadium. There's over 530 employers confirmed to be there and more being added and over 30,000 positions being offered. So, if you know someone
who is not employed and is looking, uh, this job fair on August 6th at Globe Life Field is a fantastic way to connect with those who are hiring. So, uh, that should be a great event. It is every year with tons of people and tons of jobs found for those seeking.
>> You know what? I did remember it. Can I give it? Yes, you may. >> Okay. Earlier this morning in our office, we had a chance to bring in a bunch of the folks from facilities who helped uh with the dedication of the Ten Commandments monument. Get everything ready, get everything set up, make sure everything went off without a hitch. So, I just wanted to publicly again thank
our uh facilities department. Uh y'all do great work day in and day out. A lot of times it goes unnoticed, but know that we uh on the dis appreciate it. The county appreciates it. Keep up the good work and thank you again for all that you're doing. >> All right. Thank you, sir. Now we will
move to public comment for proclamations, resolutions and presentations. I believe the number of speakers that we have signed up in both places uh will bring our uh time allotted to two minutes. A reminder that if you signed up to speak in both sections, you get two minutes total uh
to be divided however you choose. So the first speaker I have is Allison Compalo. Following Miss Compalo is Reed Bills. >> Good morning. I'm going to try to cut this on the fly. I'm here to speak in
favor of the proclamation on honoring cancer care services. I want to speak with gratitude and respect for this organization. These are services that don't just treat disease, but they provide dignity, provide hope, and help people move forward when they feel like they've been forced to stop. Three of you have cast doubt on your ability to vote in favor of proclamations honoring
such community oriented, selfless services like cancer care services. Last month, two commissioners attempted to honor an extremely similar organization, an organization with which provides treatment and healthcare to those that need it. And despite this organization operating in full compliance with Texas and US laws, three of you decided to
vote that proclamation down anyway. One of you clearly voted it down in favor in fear of your colleagues. One of you blatantly lied from the disas. You lied even though the speakers and commissioner Simmons told you the truth. You said, "I can't in good conscience put the county seal behind an organization that seeks to actually do
what I think is more damage to children than to kind of let them go through that gender dysphoria until they go through puberty themselves without trying to stunt it." Commissioner, and you're my commissioner, you know this is a lie. We both know how smart you are. You know the health center doesn't treat children. You know, they don't provide
any surgical services of any kind. They prevent and treat HIV to keep people alive. But I guess in your view, only the adults who have the right kinds of consensual sex deserve health care. And one of you spent two and a half minutes describing National Kink Day to
us, which by the way is not an LGBTQ specific observance as if consenting adults practicing safe sex somehow lessens the work the health center does to keep Tarant County residents alive and healthy and working and paying their taxes. I hope you all find it within
yourselves to vote for this proclamation honoring cancer care services today. Like the help center, cancer care services provides an invaluable provision to the county by making sure all who need support receive it. Thank you.
Uh, next, Miss Bills. Following Miss Bills is Joanna Henahosa. Do we have a spillover room? All right. Do we know if Miss Bills is on her way? All right. How about Miss Henosa? Joanna Henahosa.
>> [snorts] >> Cassandra Johnson. >> Miss Johnson, are you here to speak on one of these resolutions or regular public comments? >> Well, I'll call you back shortly. >> Thank you, sir. >> Okay. You're welcome.
Uh, Jimmy Blackwell, Daniel Sharer, Glenn Sharer, Jane Collins. Okay. Well, they'll be on their way. Uh, Deborah Katkkey. Following Miss Katkkey, we have Cameron
Berman. Morning. My name is Deborah Kretki. >> In last month's meeting, I expected push back from this uh panel and judge uh gave us some push back and so did Krauss
and Ramirez, but I wasn't prepared for the statements that were made. >> All right, I'm going to go ahead and interrupt you here. This section is for public comments related to these proclamation. These proclamations, resolutions, and presentations. >> And this is on the proclamation
recognizing Carol Independent School District for their victory in defending girls sports. [snorts] >> Fair enough. You may continue. >> All right. Thank you. >> And please give her another 20 seconds. >> Thank you. >> You talked about how this was political theater and was moving to be uh
divisive. I quite frankly find this proclamation to also be divisive. It would appear that there always has to be an other. Sometimes it's a Muslim educator. Sometimes it's a member of the LGBTQ community. There has to be a bad
guy. So, let's talk facts. The best available evidence suggests that the number of transgender students actually participating in school sports in Texas is extremely small. Texas does not track how many transgender students play sports, but based on available national
data and Texas specific enrollment patterns, the likely number is very small, perhaps in the low dozens and perhaps lower. I believe you all know this, but it sure makes an easy target. The transgender people that I know work hard to keep out of the public eye. Most
just want to live their life in peace, but they understand the hate that many in this community held toward them. Here you are adding adding kindling to the fire. By bringing forth this proclamation, you once again put a target on their back. Now, let's talk about the language that was used in last
month's meeting. Let's talk about political theater. Do you really think we do this for fun? Come on now. Really? I can promise I sure don't. Coming to downtown Fort Worth in July in this heat is not fun. I'm old and I'm in bad health, but I come anyway. I believe in
Tarant County. I believe in the people who live here. I believe that there are many good people and there are more good than bad. But you wouldn't know it by the way sometimes this court does business. Here's the thing. I hate
coming here, but I'm not going away. >> Please state your name into the microphone for us. >> Uh I'm Jane Collins and I uh I really meant I was trying to sign up for public comments. Could I speak? >> Would you like to wait? Yes, please.
Okay. Okay. >> Uh, next we have Cameron Berman. >> And next we have Gail Smith. Next we have Elizabeth Miller. Now, John Henahosa, Aaron James,
Donna Collins. Following Miss Collins, we have Justin Mahachic. Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Donna Collins. I live here in Fort Worth. I am here to speak on the pro proclamation recognizing Carol ISD for their victory
in defending girls sports. Um, first of all, I want to say I applaud the court for this recognition that uh Carol ISD held in preserving both fairness and in competition and the educational mission of school sports. >> [snorts] >> I um
I have two loved ones that are categorized as gay and they agree with me that that sports should be segregated [snorts] by sex at birth. Um I want to say that God made two genders. That's in the Bible. Male and female. God made two
genders. And anyone that teaches that otherwise otherwise than that is giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse one. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Miss Bills, do you want to speak on the proclamations and resolution
section? Is that a yes? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Are you saying you're not ready? Is that what you're saying? Okay. This proclamation is an obvious
organized political stunt. The commissioner's court should be focused on bettering the lives of our citizens. It is not the business of the court to put the county's name and seal behind a divisive social agenda or an
organization's that celebrates a judicial decision that actually causes harm to transitioning children. The court's responsibility is to protect all children, not sacrifice
them in the name of ideological advocacy. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Gail Smith. >> Good morning, Judge O'Hare. Commissioners, I just came to speak in favor of a proclamation to honor um
South Lake Carol for doing honorable things because when we do honorable things, we should be acknowledged. and my kids don't attend South Lake, but I think that they are a really good example of what public school can be if decisions are made correctly. So, I'm in
favor of honoring them and also our veterans. So, thank you for everything that you do. >> Thank you. All right. Is there anyone else in the room that I called during this section? >> Okay, >> that is okay. All right. You're welcome. Okay. So, I think that's everyone that
has signed up on this, which now brings us to our PO proclamations, resolutions, and presentation section. First up is employee recognition. And we have some amazing employees here in Tarant County. We honor them every
month on their anniversary month. And as we usually do, I'm going to read the five-year employees. Uh, and for those of you who are here, please stand as I call your name so we can recognize you. Oh, Assari,
Carolyn Bogen, Kyle Bunch, Leticia Cortez, Aaron Ellis, Amelia Esamia, Jennifer Franklin,
Devin Gray, Leadonna Hillyard, Melinda Hogan, Yinia Yarugui, Hunter Johnson,
Dondreion Kennedy, that's a cool name. Aubrey McDonald, Benjamin Mada, Christina Merrced, Zachariah Messik,
Lorna Miles, John Moore, Fernando Navaro, Martha Reyes Hwitt, Shakwar Smith, Laura Spencer,
Miles Taylor, Veronica Torres, and Elnora Williams. Thank you all for five years. We appreciate you. [applause] Now, for our tenure employees,
there's only three. Uh Amy Aguire Gonzalez, Daniel Monty, and Sanana Ortiz. Well, thank you three for one decade of service to Tarant County. We appreciate
you. [applause] All right, we only have three 15-year employees. Raul Milano, Jacqueline Rodriguez, and Christina Smith. [snorts] Thank you for 15 minutes. We [applause]
appreciate you. Now for our 20-year employees, Cody Bell, [snorts] Adam Colbert, Antuinette Lancaster, or as we say in Texas, Lancaster, right?
[snorts] Um, Michael Morris, moonlighting. Didn't know that. Nathan Peters, Mariana Sherwood, and Tuan Tree. Thank you all for two decades. That's a long time. We appreciate that. [applause]
All right. Now, we have four people who are celebrating 25 years. Is NVAS here? NASA Aguire, how are you? >> Good. >> Good. So she is the elections coordinator, been with us 25 years. Born in Fort
Worth and has lived here her whole life, proud alumni of North Side High. Go Steers. Her oldest niece graduated in May and is now a Steer alumni, too. Um, she has two associates degrees from Tarant County College, one in business, one in management.
In fact, no one knows about her. She started work for the county when she was five years old. Uh, [laughter] I I would buy that here. young. You have a young face. Um, she has developed a fear of riding in elevators
and she avoids driving on the freeway. You know, we do have robust mental health services on our uh [laughter] what she likes to do for fun. Just about anything as long as it includes any of her
favorite people and is not riding in elevators and is not driving on the freeway. Uh, [laughter] you're a lifelong Cowboys fan. This is our year. Super Bowl bound. >> Yes. >> Oh, dear. >> Yeah. Love it. >> Um, other job titles she has had with
the county, July 1st to April of08, associate clerk in the district clerk's office. Uh, April of08 to November of 13, secretary for juvenile services. and November 13 to current elections administration [snorts] uh where she started as a project specialist, then the assistant election coordinator and
trainer, now the elections coordinator. Most memorable moment work was 911 happened two months after she started with the county. Uh several bomb threats were received and they had to evacuate every time. uh personal uh she believes
that laughing makes every moment memorable and what she likes the most are the special bonds that have been made with the people that she has worked with through the years and who have become so dear to her. So Neves, thank you for 25 years. We greatly appreciate
you. [applause] All right. Next, we have Charles Tucker. Is Charles with us? Did he make it? Okay. Well, Charles has been with us 25 years. Born in Fort Worth, went to high school at North Side Christian Academy, has one son, one
daughter, um, loves sports, and other titles he's had with the county, building engineer, Tech 3. his most memorable moments. Uh, watching his son and daughter be born and what he likes the most. I like
this short, simple steak for dinner. That's pretty pretty good. [laughter] All right, Charles, thank you for your 25 years of service. We appreciate you very much. [applause] All right. Also, two other uh employees celebrating their 25 years. Claudia Lopez, who could not be with us today,
but 25 years in public health. Claudia, thank you for your service. Let's give her a round of applause. [applause] And Mark Thomas from Precinct One. Is Mark here? I didn't. He didn't make it either. Well, Mark, thank you for your two and a
half decades of service to Tarant County and your work in Precinct One. We appreciate you. Let's give him a round of applause. [applause] Okay. Okay. And with that, I will move to receive and file the employee recognition. >> So move. >> All right. We have a motion and a
second. Any discussion? A motioned and seconded. Huh. All right. There we go. All right. Passes unanimously. Uh, one more big round of applause for our Tarant County employees.
[applause] You certainly do not have to leave, but we have a reception in your honor on the fourth floor. And if you would like to go now to that reception, uh you are welcome to do so. All >> [clears throat]
>> right. All right. Would we please let anyone in the spillover room know that there are now a number of seats here available. We will go to our next agenda item, which is a resolution honoring Stacy Jordane for 32 years of public service.
[applause] [cheering] So, this is a resolution put on the agenda by Commissioner Simmons, and handling this in her place will be Commissioner Miles. >> All right. It is my honor and privilege to recognize
Stacy Jordan for 32 years of committed public service to the residents of Taran County. where ends. Stacy Jordan began her distinguished career in public service on September 6, 1994 with the Texas
Department of Human Services, later renamed the Department of Aging and Disability Services, serving as a medical eligibility specialist, dedicated to assisting older adults and individuals with disabilities in
accessing essential inhome services, medical facility care, Medicare support, And whereas her compassion, diligence, and strong leadership led to her promotion as access and intake
supervisor, where she also served as a legislative liaison, addressing inquiries and concerns across the 19 county region that includes Taran County. And whereas on January 6, 2006,
Stacy transitioned to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as the region 3 resource and external relations specialist for child protective services where she strengthened community partnerships,
advanced resource development, and promoted child protective services. And whereas Stacy has championed the mission of DFPS by fostering collaboration with family violence providers, prevention
coalitions, nonprofits, faith communities, child welfare boards, and many partners committed to protecting children and supporting families. And whereas she helped establish the first parent collaboration
groups in Tarant County, Dallas, Denton, and Hunt counties and organized key initiatives that enhance communication, supported case workers, and promoted equity and normaly for children. And
whereas in her role as Taran County Board liaison supervisor, Stacy has strengthened services for vulnerable children and families through her mentorship and leadership. And whereas Stacy Jordan will retire on
July 31st, 2026 after 32 years of exceptional service to the state of Texas, leaving a legacy divine defined by compassion, collaboration, and dignity. Now therefore, be it resolved that we,
the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, do hereby recognize and commend Stacy Jordan for her extraordinary contri contributions to children, families, and the community. In witness and witness whereof, we have here unto
set our hands and cause the seal of Taran County to be affixed this 14th day of July, 2026. I move approval. >> Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All right, seeing none, please cast your
votes. Passes unanimously. >> Well done, Miss Jordan, if you will come down. [applause] [applause] Let's give it up for her. And just parenthetically, she is a
member of the first family, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. [applause] I was going to say we should read read who's here on behalf, but maybe we should read who's not here on behalf because I think everybody is here. It's crazy. Two more.
Thank you. Good morning, judge and commissioners. I am honored and I thank y'all for all that he's done for me and my family. Um, I feel deeply blessed to have had a purposeful and fulfilling
career doing my part along with so many others, some of which who are uh gathered here today to make a difference in the community and many who are often defenseless um and [clears throat] overlooked. I thank um Commissioner Simmons in her
absence and Commissioner Miles for those very kind and generous words and this very thoughtful recognition. Um I've often said that working in public service is hard work. It requires
humility, compassion, dedication, and respect for others. and which has led to a lot of self-reflection for me and just a natural desire to serve and make a difference. I was raised by two
incredibly loving and hardworking parents who came from humble beginnings and from a young age I watched as they willingly help people in numerous ways um without expecting anything in return. My mother was selfless, overprotective,
[snorts] um, and well respected. And my father was a World War II veteran, [clears throat] a deacon in the church, and a proud county employee, a retiree from another state. So, um, I know that
they would be extremely proud if they were here with us today. And something my dad would often tell me was, uh, if you can do something to help someone, do it. And it was [snorts] just that simple. I want to thank you all, the commissioner's court for all of the support that you provide to family and
protective services, the CPS board, and all the children that we serve across Tarant County. Uh it truly takes all of us, everyone in this room working together to help keep them safe and to meet their needs. And it has been my
privilege to help make a difference. So, I thank you again. uh appreciate your service and off to retirement I go. >> Thank you. >> CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] >> All right. Next, we have a resolution celebrating the 80th anniversary
[clears throat] of cancer care services will be presented today by Commissioner Miles as well. >> All right. Number two, resolution celebrating the 80th an anniversary of cancer care services.
Whereas cancer [clears throat] care services will celebrate its 80th anniversary on September 9th, 2026, marking eight decades of compassionate support for individuals and families affected by cancer throughout Taran
County. And whereas since its founding in Fort Worth in 1946, Cancer Care Services has remained committed to ensuring that no one faces cancer alone by providing essential, emotional, financial, and practical
support through every stage of the cancer journey. And whereas over the past 80 years, the organization has continually adapted to the needs of the community, expanding programs, strengthening partnerships, and
delivering person centered care that reflects the unique circumstances of each individual and family. And whereas cancer care services helps individuals overcome barriers to treatment, including access to
insurance, transportation, medications, and other vital resources, enabling patients to begin, continue, and complete life-saving care. And whereas through oncology, social work,
emotional support, financial assistance, survivorship and caregiver services, volunteer engagement, and strong community collaborations, the organization has improved the quality of life for tens of thousands of
residents at no case at no cost to those served. And whereas Cancer Care Services has built long-standing relationships with health care providers, community organizations, donors, advocates, and volunteers whose
generosity strengthens its mission and impact. And whereas for eight decades, Cancer Care Services has embodied the compassion, resilience, and spirit of service that define the Fort Worth
community, ensuring that individuals and families facing cancer receive support, connection, and hope. Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, do hereby
recognize cancer care services and encourage all residents to join in honoring its legacy, people, and 80 years of service to our community. In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hands and cause the seal of Taran
County to be affixed this 14th day of July, 2026. I move for it approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve this item. Any discussion? All right, seeing none, cast your vote.
>> Passes unanimously. >> Is there a representative from cancer care services? If so, if you would come down at this time. >> There are five How are you? >> How you Get in there. >> [clears throat]
>> Thank you. [snorts] at >> judge and commissioners. Um I want to thank you so much for taking the time today to celebrate cancer care's continuous service to uh this amazing
county. We are very unique. There's nothing like us in Dallas County, Harris County, all of the major uh counties in Texas. This is remarkable. It's a real treasure. and we're honored to be here. Sadly, most of us have been touched by
cancer in some way. Um, and if we haven't yet, we probably will be. So, our hope is that today, everybody who can hear me speak, that you will remember that we are here for you and those that you love. And we look forward
to doing that for another 80 years. So, thank you so much. We really appreciate it. >> You're doing great work, Mel. Great [applause] job. Okay. All right. All right. Next up on the agenda is a proclamation honoring Carol Independent School District for being named recipient of the 2026 Texas
High School Athletic Directors Association's Texas Cup. Presenting that, Commissioner Krauss. >> Thank you, Judge. Uh just for the commissioners on the court, we actually have two uh proclamations for Carol ISD today. So if it's okay with y'all, I'll I'll read the first one. We can vote on
it and then I'll read the second one. No reason to have them walk up and back twice. Uh and if y'all are okay with that as well. But so I'll I'll do the first one and then uh I'll move straight to the second one and then we can honor them and have them speak if they'd like to. But we we talk a lot about athletics here uh on this DAS. I think every every
one of us have brought in a different team that has won state that has done incredible in their athletic competitions. Today we're recognizing Caroliz D because of the to the totality of their athletic uh accomplishments have put them at number one in the entire state in class 6A uh in terms of
athletic programs. And so I'm going to read this resolution real quick, but I thought that was definitely worth celebrating uh and recognizing. Whereas the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association seeks to recognize through its annual Texas Cup Award, the Texas
High School Athletic Programs that best exemplify excellence in athletic achievement across the state of Texas. And whereas the Texas Cup honors the highest achieving overall athletic programs in Texas, awarding points based on team performance in district,
regional, and state competition with points increasing as teams advance through postseason play. and UIL recognized team sports. And whereas during the THSADA state conference, Carol ISD was proudly announced as the
inaugural class 6A Texas Cup champion, recognizing Carol Athletics as the top overall athletic program in the state of Texas for the 2025 2026 school year. And whereas this achievement reflects exceptional performances across multiple sports and highlights the depth,
consistency, and commitment of Dragon Athletics and its student athletes, coaches, trainers, staff, and families. And whereas the Texas Cup was established to highlight the important role athletics play in the educational experience of students across Texas, celebrating programs that demonstrate
excellence across their entire athletic department. And whereas this inaugural Texas Cup championship adds another milestone to Carol ISD's proud tradition of excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, and student achievement. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that Carol
ISD is hereby honored and recognized for earning the 2026 Texas Cup Class 6A championship and is commended for its exemplary athletic achievement, its commitment to excellence, and its outstanding representation of the state of Texas. And be it further proclaimed
that the accomplishments of Carol athletics stand as a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and dragon spirit that define the Carol ISD community. I move for approval. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second on this item. Any discussion?
>> I just want to say it's incredible again that right here in Tarant County, we have not [clears throat] only a good program in one sport, but in the totality of sports at class 6A, it's pretty impressive. So, uh, congratulations, Caroline. Steve. >> Yes. Well done. Well done. How many in a
row is this? >> This is the first. >> Oh. Oh, this is the first one. That's right. >> What did they call it before? >> Our 10th loans. >> That's what it is. Yeah, that's what I was saying. Our 10th loans. >> All right. Excellent. Okay. Passes unanimously. Let's give them a round of
applause for that. [applause] Next is also a proclamation recognizing Carol ISD for their victory in defending girls sports in Title 9 leading to a shared victory at the US Supreme Court. Commissioner Krauss. >> Yes, thank you. Again, kind of uh going
on the athletic theme. Uh you know, sometimes there's common sense issues. Some speakers talking earlier about how this might be divisive or in some way political, but I don't think it is. I think this is an issue that you know some say 8020 some say 9010 I would say closer it's 955
uh in our country today that we believe that girls should play girl sport uh sports boys should play boy sports and uh sometimes administrations make some decisions that do not align with common sense and those values that we hold dear and it takes somebody with courage it
takes somebody with resolve to stand up and say we're not going to allow that here and so Carol ISD did that uh first in the nation from what I understand uh or remember uh telling the Biden administration at the time, this goes against everything that uh we stand for in our community and we're not going to
let this sit. And because of their uh fight, because of their willingness to stand up and stand in the gap, uh the Supreme Court has now come down on their side to ensure fairness in sports and fairness in competition. I think that's something we can all get behind, something we can all appreciate, and
something that will actually allow girls sports to thrive for generations to come. So because of that willingness to stand out when they were virtually on their own, I thought it was worthy of uh appreciation and recognition. And I want to thank you all for doing that. And so I'm going to read that uh resolution now
or the proclamation. Whereas Carol Independent School District has demonstrated steadfast leadership and an unwavering commitment to educational excellence, parental involvement, and the constitutional principles upon which our nation was
founded. And whereas title nine of the education amendments act of 1972 was written to protect girls equal access to education, athletics, and protections against discrimination. And whereas the students, families, educators, administrators, and board of trustees of
Carol Independent School District have worked diligently to uphold policies and practices they believe best serve the educational interest and values of their community. And whereas Carol Independent School District's arguments in Carol ISD versus United States Department of
Education inform much of the opinion handed down in the recent United States Supreme Court consolidated cases of West Virginia versus BPJ and Little versus Heox and represents a significant affirmation of the right of local communities to defend fairness, safety,
and integrity in school athletics, including the district's position that girls sports must remain reserved for biological consistent with long-standing principles of competitive equity. And whereas this achievement reflects not only the resolve and professionalism of district
leadership and legal counsel, but also the united support of parents, teachers, students, and citizens who believe that protecting girls athletic opportunities is essential to preserving both fairness and competition and the educational mission of school sports. And whereas
Carol Independent School District continues to be recognized throughout Texas and the nation for outstanding student achievement, strong community partnerships, and a tradition of excellence in academics, fine arts, athletics, and leadership development. And whereas this occasion provides an
opportunity to recognize the dedication, perseverance, and principled leadership demonstrated throughout this historic legal process, particularly in reinforcing policies that keep girls athletics clear, consistent, and fair. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Tarant County Commissioner's Court do
hereby honor Carol Independent School District for its successful strategy in informing the United States Supreme Court and for its continued commitment to educational excellence, constitutional principles, and the protection of fair and safe athletic opportunities for girls. And be it
further proclaimed that all citizens are encouraged to join in recognizing the significant achievement in celebrating the enduring spirit of leadership, service, and community that defines Carol Independent School District. I move for adoption. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second
on this item. Any discussion? >> All right, seeing none, please cast your votes. >> And I believe uh >> this passes 3 to one. [snorts] >> Thank you. Uh, >> oh, did you have discussion? >> Well, no, I just wanted to recognize I
believe we have Dr. Jeremy Glenn, Carol ISD superintendent. Cameron Brian, board president of Carol ISD, Eric Lannon, trustee Christy Stacy, trustee, Mandy Reese, trustee, Renee Bottom, trustee, and Jacqueline Harwell, the assistant
director of communications at Carol. I believe we have all of them here to uh receive these recognitions. So, if y'all will come up and thank you for your work and your resolve and your leadership. [applause] >> [applause] >> One, two, three.
One more. >> [crying] >> Judge O'Hare. Commissioners, my name is Cam Bryan. I'm the president of the Carol ISD Board of Trustees. On behalf of our board and our superintendent, uh thank you so much uh for these recognitions. It really means a lot to
us. I'm super proud um of this board and this superintendent for always standing up for what is right, always striving for excellence. Uh, and that's why this school district, Carol ISD, consistently ranks number one in the state of Texas. Thank you guys for what you do. Thank
you for your service. And thank you again for the recognition. Thank you. >> Thank you, CAM. [applause] >> All right. Next up, we have a proclamation honoring Fort Worth police officers, uh, Johnny Cox and Bernardo Gomez. Commissioner Ramirez. Yeah, I am
uh very happy and proud to present this proclamation today. We have some incredible uh law enforcement officers in Tarant County and Fort Worth specifically. And it's not too often we get to recognize them in a public forum. It's very easy to stand up and criticize when officers make mistakes. Um but it's
just as equally important as we have to stand up and recognize tremendous service uh when it happens. Um we've got some incredible members of the Fort Police Department with us today. Um, we've got Police Chief Eddie Garcia, Assistant Chief Ricks, Deputy Chief
Smith, Lieutenant Wood, Lieutenant Horn, Commander Stewart, Sergeant McGallen, and then Officer Bernardo Gomez with his beautiful family, uh, his wife and baby over there. Uh, so I'll read this proclamation, then we'll celebrate these two officers. Proclamation honoring
forward police officers Johnny Cox and Bernardo Gomez. Whereas on Friday, June the 12th, 2026, near Dream Park along the Trinity River, Fort Worth police officers Johnny Cox and Bernardo Gomez responded to a call reporting a missing child. And whereas upon arriving at the
scene, the officers acted with vigilance, urgency, and compassion, locating the young child, partially submerged in the water. And at that critical moment, Officer Cox and Officer Gomez without hesitation entered the water and pulled the child to safety just as the child began to slip beneath
the surface. And whereas these officers displayed remarkable bravery, professionalism, and deep humanity in a moment that called not only for skill, but for heart, embodying the best of the Fort Worth Police Department and the noble calling of public service. And whereas their actions remind us that
behind every badge is an individual who stands ready day after day to face the unknown, to act without regard for personal safety, and to offer hope in the most perilous of moments. And whereas the Tarant County Commissioner's Court honors and commends Officer Cox
and Officer Gomez for their heroic intervention, their compassion towards a vulnerable child, and their steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of the residents of Fort Worth and Tarant County. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, do hereby formally and wholeheartedly honor and
commend Officer Johnny Cox and Officer Bernardo Gomez for their exceptional courage, their life-saving heroism, and their enduring devotion to the highest ideas of public service. We further encourage all residents to offer their deepest gratitude and unwavering support to all public safety professionals who
protect our community with honor, sacrifice, and an unshakable commitment to preserving life. and witness whereof, we have here unto set our hands and cause the seal of Tarant County to be affixed this 14th day of July, 2026. And I'd move for approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second
to recognize these fine officers. Any discussion? All right, please cast your vote. Passes unanimously. >> Ladies and gentlemen, please please come up here and give them a round of applause. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> Good job officers.
>> [laughter] >> Thanks. Thank you, John. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Awesome. [snorts] >> Thank you very much for this uh achievement that y'all provided to me. But
>> weird camera angle. >> All right. >> Is that better? Yeah. >> Okay. >> I want to say thank you very much for this achievement y'all provided me. Um I think any other officer in my shoes just the right place at the right time would have done the exact same thing I did. I
mean it just came back to my training. You know just knowing you know what the call details were. Um I'm just very happy that that child made it out alive. You know I think any moments you know later that child would have probably gone deep in that water. And uh I just
want to say thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Bruno, [applause] >> judge, commissioners, chain of command, the community. Thank you guys for all your support. My partner that day, Officer Gomez, did
an amazing job. He saw what was going on. He alerted me. We ran down that hill and I don't know how we didn't fall down the embankment. But by the grace of God, we are in the right place at the right time and u we work together and child
safe. So it was a great day. >> Great job. >> Uh again, thank thank you guys for all your support. Thanks for all the community support. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] >> And I'll say one thing. Johnny says that he was in the right place at the right
time. Well, that happens a lot. Uh we call him in the Fort Police Department the Silver Fox, Johnny Cox. And um he he's he he he's done a great job for a long long time. Thank you, Johnny. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. [applause] >> All right, that concludes our proclamations, resolutions, and
presentation section. We are now going to take a brief recess. We will be reconvene at 11:15. We are now in recess. All right, we are now to our public comment section of the agenda
and the time is two minutes. First up is Bob Willoughby and then Chris Wood. [snorts] I hear my name. >> Especially my son. Okay, I got two minutes, right? Okay, there's no time to
really talk about issues because the issue has become y'all is what the issue is. The new school board is great. This is what I want kids to learn in school. So that when they get up, they know how to elect. When they get older, how to elect candidates that don't reduce the
time or give them three minutes regardless. That's what the school board does. >> No matter how many people there, the school board gives three minutes. Also, this new one that took over, which I love now. I said it before. They're going out in public and holding meetings. I watched that guy take questions at one of the deals over at Pascal High School. Three hours. Even
some people he answered twice. This is a volunteer. And he stayed there. took everybody's question and you know you know what if my council member was to do that I wouldn't know how to no that's what we need in school so this is a normal not a high this is a normal thing
it's not Tim you're not a Republican Republican stamp for the constitution when you cut this down from two meetings a month to one you took away our right to speak at one time doing this is another thing all I care about now is open this up three minutes and give the people what they deserve first put them
first and you're not doing it. That's not a That's not a Republican. Now, Lisa or Simmons is hitting you about that, but she's got her own flaws. She's not a Democrat either. She want Phil Sores has got corruption over there, and she's a Democrat. She won't rip a Republican. That should be prime gain, and she won't
do it. So, she's no better either. So, when it comes to election time, I want better choices. The best way to get them is education, our school, teach these kids to start betting these candidates like you would hiring them for a job. If they don't answer questions, you don't hire them. If they lie, you don't hire
them. And if they take away your right to speak in your time like this, you don't hire them. Put three minutes back regardless. Then you'll be on the right track and you'll be a Republican. Otherwise, you're not a Republican. Thank you, Tim. Have a good day. >> Thank you. Uh, quiet in the audience.
Uh, next up is Chris Wood, then Reed Bills. I'm Chris Wood from Parker County. The current Tarant County jail intake process can turn a misdemeanor into a long destabilizing experience,
especially for someone with a mental health condition. Six years ago, I was arrested in Alabama for a misdemeanor traffic violation. I was processed quickly, held for several hours, and let go the same day on a signature release
until my court day. Five years ago in Tarant County, I left home without taking my psychiatric medication. A short time later, partly because I had not taken my medication, I was arrested on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct
charge. During booking, I explained I had forgotten to take my medication. Instead of receiving a way to obtain it or replacement medication, I was processed without it. The booking questions were lengthy and difficult for
me to handle in that condition, which increased my agitation. I was placed on a personal recgnissance bond that required transfer to the downtown jail. When I arrived, I declined a TB test because I have
difficulty with needles. Because of this refusal, I was placed all alone in a cement cell with no way to track time, no way to get comfortable or warm, and I started to feel suicidal. I'm sharing this because it shows how a
misdemeanor can become harmful when intake procedures do not appropriately match mental health needs. Please expand sight and release for misdemeanor cases. reduce unnecessary PR bond transfers.
This would decrease the number of people entering jail, ease strain on resources, and lower the risk that vulnerable people experience dangerous conditions. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you. Uh Miss Bills, you have a
minute and 12 seconds. Following Miss Bills is base MIGO. >> There have been four deaths since the last court meeting. with little to jail deaths, with little to no information
about the cause. It is long past time for our sheriff to be held accountable. Releasing dying inmates from custody in order to circumvent the Sandra Bland Act is not the solution.
>> Thank you. [snorts] Is Bass Migo present? Following Mr. Migo is Bishop Kirkland. [clears throat] Hi, I'm Bass Migo. Carl Avery McCrae,
dead June 16, 2026. Cause of death not known. James Kent Johnson dead June 18, 2026. Cause of death not known. Mac El Greer
dead June 17, 2026. He died from fatal head injuries in the jail. [snorts] No investigation. Victor Reynolds dead June 25th, 2026.
He died while I was handcuffed to his bed. These human beings were relatively young. All younger than me. All dead since this previous meeting
here. Four dead in the last month. Something's not right. The death rate, from what I last read, is four times what the national average is in jails. The commissioner's court,
you're not doing your job. You're offloading your responsibility. You don't want to do your job. You're offloading it to JPS. and JPS is taking the heat for it. And in their last meeting at JPS, they don't like that heat.
Thank you [snorts] very much. Following Bishop Kirkland, we have Ambika Chararma. Judge, commissioners. Judge O'Hara, you were successful in diminishing our voice as citizens and stakeholders. The sheriff decided to make a cameo in
person appearance probably late April or May, whatever meeting that was. He talked about how many rounds the staff conducted and how well our jail is operated, which was some manure. Commissioner Ramirez, you came back the following meeting talking about they
passed a test or some inspection. What you failed to tell us is that they only met the bare minimum requirements. My question to you, if things are so great, how in the whole fudge does people keep dying in that jail? The sheriff says it
because the people have health issues. I have health issues. I have high cholesterol, high blood pressure. I'm diabetic. I'm anemic. I've had two bouts with cancer. But I am still alive. I am alive because I have not spent one
single night in that death trap of a jail. >> [snorts] >> Um, nothing is going to change about that jail until you people acknowledge we have a problem. And as long as these
people keep dying supposedly at JPS, we know there'll be no real inspection at that jail. We need to tell the truth about where these people are dying. We need to hold people accountable. Let me say explain some of you, Commissioner Ramirez. My village do not dislike cops.
We dislike bad cops. We dislike cops that want to uh uh police us and not serve us. If there are bad Marines, if there are bad pastors, if there are bad citizens, there must be bad sheriffs.
And all of the hoopla and all of the excitement whenever they do one thing called doing their job, it's a big to-do. When are we gonna hold Sharon Wilborn accountable for the four deaths? Thank you.
>> Ambika Sharma is next. Quiet. Blaine Tulle after Miss Chararma. >> Um Sharma precinct one. Um I want to touch a few topics on the agenda. So let's start first with calendar. Um I would like to see 26 meetings for the
next calendar year. Uh when I have meetings with my employees, I try to offer them at least two minimum check-ins a month. We elected you and we pay for you. We are your employers. You are our employee. So as our employee and as your employer, I'm asking and we are asking for two minimum meetings per
month plus two for budget. In other words, 26 meetings is what I'm expecting to see. Number two, tech share. Manny, you're on the board of tech share. Where are the financials? Why is it so so difficult for me to find financials of tech share? Supposedly, it's a quasi governmental owned entity that's a
nonprofit. So, Manny, my action item to you is by the end of this Friday, I need to see a some kind of a statement from you as to why we should continue to invest in TechShare. Tom Wilder, the district clerk, is here asking for $1.6 million for TechShare. I don't understand what TechShare does and
what's our ROI. So, Manny, I'm looking for financial statements. I'm looking for ROI and I need this by the end of the week. Next, um $2.4 4 million undesated funds that are being taken from the general fund. This is part of your appropriation budget. So my there I have two asks for you. One is when you
vote on this consent agenda, please take that item out. And I want that $2.4 million to be voted on separately. And why are we taking money from general funds to give it to the sheriff? Does he not have enough money? Last I checked, he was full of he was loaded. Um so the $2.4 million, if you want to pay this,
tell us who is it for. Is it for Raana? And if yes, why did you end the contract with Rakana so uh abruptly? What did they do? So we want transparency on that. And lastly, uh budget. I know those are currently underway. Um as you look into the budget and decide on a
deficit, another public debt, uh please look into the abatements that you continue to give out to entities like data centers and data warehouses. And do not tell me the data warehouses, that's the free port tax exemption by the state because I expect you to send comments to the state. >> Thank you.
Next we have Blaine Tulle and [snorts] then Harriet Harrell. [clears throat] >> Good afternoon everyone. My name is Blaine Tulle precinct 1. John Bar 36 James Johnson 40 Carl McCrae 40 Matt
Greer 46 Victor Reynolds 61. The names of five people have died in the Taran County Jail this year. Four in a 10-month span last month. 80 people have died either in custody or shortly after their spending time in Taran County jail over the past decade. The last of which Victor Reynolds was released from released from jail and transferred to
JPS 30 minutes before being pronounced dead right before right after his handcuffs were taken off from the bed. Mr. Reynolds death was not considered an incustody death and thus no investigation. Move along. Nothing to see here. Then Matt Greer who sustained a head injury while in custody. He was
again released on a personal bond after being transferred to JPS. He was brain dead within a few hours before his family could see him and they took him off life support. He passed away shortly after. Again, not an in custody death, so no investigation. Move along. The family and friends of these men deserve
our compassion and respect. They don't deserve to be stonewalled on a technicality. The lives of people essentially written off under an extenduating circumstances. Ending up in jail doesn't mean you wave your right to a fair and humane treatment. Being poor or sick shouldn't mean you risk a death sentence if you end up in county. But
for too many, it has. Clearly, we need better so oversight and accountability in regards to conditions and treatment in Taran County Jail. That means the sheriff's office need to be more forthcoming and transparent instead of trying to dodge accountability with paperwork. Liberte Egalit fraternity. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Following Miss Herold, we have Nan Terry. >> Two things this morning. First, those of us who've been paying attention have learned this year that holding only one meeting a month is inefficient, dangerous, and disrespectful.
There is no way to thoughtfully review more than 1,800 pages of agenda materials and make sound decisions. Consent agenda C1 today illustrates another consequence. the county's
inability to pay bills and claims promptly because meetings are so infrequent. We again ask you to return to at least two meetings a month. Second, four deaths in the jail within
11 days should lead to one question. Why? I'm not here to assign blame. I'm asking you to insist on a serious examination of the gaps and barriers that allow
these deaths to occur. The interlocal agreement between the county and JPS expires September 30th. Before renewing it require clear responsibilities and accountabilities that are missing today.
Right now, the agreement contains no standards for how detention officers are to work with JPS. At a minimum, it should establish mandatory referral requirements, medical notification standards, officer
training, and shared performance measures. No more ringing hands. No more excuses. fulfill your responsibility as commissioners by requiring meaningful
changes that reduce the deaths in our jail. Thank you. >> Following Miss Terry, we have Jane Collins. You should be getting the starving for karazine from the Yale investigative labs in conjunction with KERS's prepared
in junction with KRA. Have any of you spoken openly about the need to prevent deaths from dehydration or starvation? During the Georgia Baldwin investigation, WFAA reported on three deaths due to dehydration in our jail. Chief Eckert testified in a deposition
about that case. All three inmates had 247 access to water, so it's not a concern as long as we provide water to them. After Kimberly Phillips death, sheriff officers repeated, "We supply water in the cell." These are individuals with mental illnesses who decompensate or get worse with
incarceration and don't know to drink. They are separated for their families and friends who would tell them to drink. But the people in charge of the building where they are detained don't think it's their responsibility to tell them to drink. Having made the first and second Starving for Care series, a
national publication, let's act differently. We don't need to be on the third. We want you to advocate for responsible care of detainees in our jail. Next topic, body cameras. Please include the issuance of mental health warrants in the policy for the body camera. Search and arrest warrants are
there, but not mental health warrants. What about the death of Christopher Lyo? I was surprised last meeting when Judge O'Hare and Commissioner Matt Krauss spoke about the glowing inspection reports from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. I want to remind you
gentlemen, these are minimum standards. This sheriff violated the Sander Bland Act. Over 20 deaths in custody in our county jail did not receive that required outside investigation. Trayon Warmley died of a fentanyl overdose after months in our jail. Clearly
screams for outside investigation. What are you going to speak about that? Lastly, how can you give glowing accolades for minimal standards when you have two jailers charged with murder in our county jail waiting for trial? >> Following Miss Collins, we have Tara
Maldonado Wilson. Um, I'm here to also speak on mass incarceration and uh my my shirt that I'm wearing shows that that's what I'm that's what I'm here for. And I I think that part of the problem other people have addressed
is when you stick all the people with mental health problems in the same facility as everyone else, uh it kind of overloads the prisons with things that people are not trained to take care of.
And uh so I'm pretty sure that everybody that works, you know, at the jail would be really happy if we could spend the money for more mental health facilities. And I think I'm remembering that maybe the sheriff had said that 70% of the
people in the jail were there for mental health reasons. And I could be wrong about that, but that's kind of what I remember. So I think that that's a really important issue to deal with. and and instead of like I think that we're are we giving money to Green Bay for
kind of extra space that we might need. And one of the things we should probably try to do is not be having so many people arrested. And I'm I'm actually from Houston. I've been up here four years now, but I remember in Houston or
Harris County when they decided not to hold people in jail just because they couldn't make bail. And I think something like that would help as well. So I think that that would be a good topic for the com commissioners to discuss. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next we have Tara Maldonado Wilson and then EJ Carryion. >> Good morning, Commissioner Court. Uh I am here to speak in support of the agenda item that will be um submitting a grant applications for street use for response to mental health crisis
disorders, substance abuse disorders in the amount of $3 million. Um that that whole uh agenda item would be extremely positive for our county. However, it also has to be important in how we implement it. when I was back home in
Mlennon County where I'm from was part of an initiative that covered 12 counties that worked in uh intaking crisis people that were experiencing crisis for whatever reason that is and both Mlin County Sheriff and Waco PD were all in conjunction with that and we all worked seamlessly to get these
people intake seen and placed properly where they needed to go and I can't remember in the four years that I was associated with that program that anyone that was brought to our attention that needed crisis intervention help was ever even injured. And so my point to that is that there is
a a way that we can operate in this county to address this issue with integrity, with transparency, compassion, and empathy. It's just a matter is if we want to. The other part of this is that I've worked inside of the county jail as well down in Mlennon County, and I know
exactly what the intake process looks like. And also in full transparency, I have I have spent I have been in jail twice since last November on noncriminal noncriminal charges with charges dropped because I pursued the the justice system
and and prevailed victorious in it. So my point is is that when you're in jail, depending on who you who your jellers are and what your entity is, you're really at the mercy of the compassion of those jailers to decide whether they want to give you water, whether they want to give you another styrofoam cup
to get that water, and whether they want to let you out to use the restroom. So really, this isn't about this is about a system that that depends on other human beings to show empathy and compassion. And that's where we really need to be leaning in here and understanding that it's humans that can make the system
better. >> Thank you. All right. Following Mr. Carry on, we have Lon Burnham. All righty. So, I saw um that you guys made a handshake deal with Rakana Solutions for $1.1 million to find
qualified jailers for the jail. And um I know you guys don't like to actually do any work, so you like to contract it out. I'm actually here to also um offer my hand to give you a handshake and maybe you can offer a contract with me
to replace all of you. [laughter] Would you shake my hand? Will you shake the hands of Maggie Selenus whose family has to deal with ICE taking her family here in North Side? Manny Matt, will you shake my hand when Sheam Zubie, a
principal at Fort Worth ISD for 10 years, no longer has a job because you're Christian extremism shows up into our city? Judge Sim, will you shake my hand to get you replaced as you can't even look these families in the eyes as you're up to having deaths, four deaths
in two weeks? I believe all the community here, I asked the community, pit out your hand. Pit out your hand, community, will you shake our hands because we know enough qualified people who are ready to be better than you. You need to step up and actually be leaders because what you're
doing right now is pathetic. Following Mr. Burnham, we have William Winston. Hello all. Thank you for the opportunity to uh spend part of Bastile Day with you. Many of us here today participated in a rally in March at our equivalent of
the Bastile, the Tarant County Jail. Uh the chance were too many dead and free the innocent. Too many dead because you guys are not doing your job and you're negligent. Too many incarcerated because the judges just aren't coming to work
and doing their job. And we have certain people at this table here to blame for that. I want to remind you of your of your political theater. You proudly posted the Ten Commandments across the way, but you failed to understand your
role and responsibility for the fifth commandment in case you have forgotten because you certainly don't observe it. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill. However you want to
turn the phrase, we have fa you have failed the 80 people that have died in custody in the chair period time in office. You failed the families. You failed the community. I brought you two simple gifts today to remind you of your
failure in the responses to this uh many good ideas that have been brought to this court. I don't see it right now, but I have a coffee cup to give uh to Tim, and it's really particularly telling. Uh the first gift is a coffee
mug for Tim. While Marie Antuinette said it out loud what she thought about the people, Tim is much more discreet about actions are are to cartel free speech and the struggle for justice in our jail say much more than the court's uh about
the court's position on our rights. that spoken words. The words on the mugs say it all. Please make the stupid people shut up. Unfortunately, I think that is the private prayer of [snorts] most of the >> You're done. Please take a seat.
>> No, you're done. >> You're remove him immediately. >> Remove immediately. >> Uh also remove the person in the pink hat. Remove that one. >> All right.
>> Remove the the woman in the pink hat on the next to the back row as well. All right, [clears throat] >> Mr. Winston, then Jackie Johnson. I'm Father William Winston. I'm a retired Episcopal priest. I'm here to
address the ongoing jail death crisis from a spiritual religious point of view. In light of your recent erection of the Ten Commandments on the courthouse grounds, I am pro-life, but not the conservative sense of being pro- embryo or pro uh fetus. I'm a prolife
advocate for actual air breathing human beings, knowing that the dominant tone of the state of Texas's approach to post-natal human life was expressed by Governor uh Abbott in response to the slaughter of school children and their teachers in Uvaldi when he said, "It
could have been worse." Even as a poor but honest simple country priest, I know that it could have been worse is not something any parent of a dead child ever wants to hear. Regardless of the age of the parent, regardless of the age of the child, and regardless of their
residency in the Tarant County Jail. Furthermore, the breathtakingly long list of deaths in Tarant County Jail over the past 11 years is a legal and spiritual scandal and must be addressed by the commissioner's court. If those
ten commandments are anything to go by, it could have been worse is definitely not the answer. Just ask the parents of those dead children. The ten commandments are not limited to any particular group of people. They are the core of over 600 laws in the books of
Leviticus and Deuteronomy that apply to all of God's people regardless of race, social class, or wealth. And yes, I know the magnificent equality of the law forbids the rich as well as the poor from sleeping under bridges, stealing
bread, and begging in the street. I know that most conservative Americans think that the USA is a Christian nation. Therefore, those ten commandments cannot be taken lightly or be used as prompts in political theater without consequences only God imagines. Don't be
hypocrites. Following Miss Johnson, we have Ben Darling. All I can do is say, "Wow, I thought the murder of my son was enough on April 21st, 2024, but we continue to have deaths. This is
a systemic problem and it's not being addressed. That $2.4 $4 million that'll probably be paid to reconnaissions for the jail needs to go to mental health. We have got to fix the mental health
problem in this county. My son should have never been in that jail. He was a Marine Corps vet that suffered from schizophrenia. Yes. medication that was administered by MHMR.
And yes, he was also a former patient at JPS. And the craziest thing is it didn't just happen. He was diagnosed over 10 years ago. So, he's been in and out of your system that is failing.
You would think that two indicted jailers for murder would be enough to bring this sheriff in and to realize there's a problem and a change needs to occur. But I don't know. It seems like
we need to get into the voting booth because we need people who going to represent us and fix the problem and not put band-aids on and stop being friends and come to some hard truths here. There are families out here that are suffering like we've been suffering for the last
two and a half years. Every time I close my eyes and I see that unredacted video, you still fail to release to us. So now we're sitting at another level at the appellet court at the fifth circuit to
try to get that video. That should not happen again. Do better. But you know what? I'm not even concerned with you doing that. We're going to be at the voting booth come October. >> Following Mr. Darling, we have Linda
Hanrrady. >> Hello, I'm Benjamin Darling, precinct 4. Let's cut to the chase. Current conditions and procedures at the Tarant County Jail are not even close to where they should be. There isn't an acceptable amount of loss of life in the recent number of deaths in June is truly
alarming. I come here to ask what this court is actually doing to improve the state of the jail both short and long term. It's clear things can't continue this way. I want to directly call in Judge Tim O'Hare in my precinct commissioner Manny Ramirez. Knowing the
makeup of Commissioner's Court, a change of priorities from both of y'all could make a massive difference. Do what you can to increase accountability accountability at the jail, including an independent investigation into the recent deaths. Additionally, I'd like to say condolences to the families um that
have lost people to jail. Thank you. >> Following Miss Hanratty, we have Sabrina Ball. >> I am speaking on change order number six for the law enforcement training center, which brings the cost its cost to over $18.1 million from the original 15.7. I
spoke out against the law enforcement center when it was first proposed as unnecessary given all the other training facilities. facilities in the area. Taxpayers were assured that Representative Granger would provide a grant to cover the costs, which never
came to pass. Instead, we taxpayers are stuck with a redundant training center for which we will continue to pay operating costs long into the future. And of course, a building does not provide training. [clears throat]
This court was prom has promised taxpayers to wisely spend our money. But apparently that is only to cut costs for health care, housing, and other social services while running up bills for law enforcement. Perhaps if we spent more
money funds on health care, especially mental health care and housing, especially for the homeless, we wouldn't need to spend so much on law enforcement and the resulting jail deaths. I also because I have more time want to say that we we should be able to speak on
every item and we should have two um meetings a month. It is ridiculous that a county this size has one meeting per month. Now if we were loving county that make might make sense but not Taran County. Please give us back our voice.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Is Miss Ball present? Following Miss Ball, we have Josh Lucas. [snorts] I started writing this comment about pro-life values, but after looking at your public records and campaign materials, I realize that's not the
issue. You're only pro-life for the unborn. The issue is accountability. The three of you talk about conservative principles like protecting taxpayers, responsible government, and fiscal responsibility. So, let's consider that. Holding people in a jail longer than
their sentences would require for low-level offenses is not fiscally responsible. Every unnecessary day in custody costs taxpayers money. Allowing a jail so plagued by incompetence that people continue to die in your custody
is not fiscally responsible. Every preventable death brings investigations, lawsuits, and multi-million dollar settlements that taxpayers are forced to fund. Families pay with their loved ones.
Families pay with their loved ones. Taxpayers pay with their wallets. And no one on this side of the court seems willing to pay with accountability. You're too busy making defi divisive proclamations that harm people, that harm kids over some madeup army of trans
girls. Y'all don't care about the girls in the Epstein files, but suddenly you care about girls. fiscal. You're you campaign on responsible government. Yet under your watch, people die, settlements grow, and
the response is always the same. Deny responsibility, write another check, and move on. Fiscal responsibility isn't a campaign slogan. It's preventing the failures that cost lives and millions of taxpayer dollars. Right now, you're failing on both counts. The most
expensive thing in this county that this county owns is not the jail. It's the cost of refusing to fix it. So pull yourselves up by your own bootstraps and own it.
>> Following Mr. Lucas is Steven Sanchez or Stefan. >> Hello. Good morning. Today I rise to express my extreme disappointment for the latest jail deaths. Four dead in 10 days. That's just not acceptable. M. L.
Greer died because of wounds to the head. That smells fishy since no one commits suicide by banging their head against the wall. And the compassionate release for Victor Reynolds was given was too late as he was still in handcuffs when he died. This is a pattern that has taken root. Someone
gets lethally hurt in the jail and then you call it a medical emergency and then they die at JPS even though they sustain their injuries in the jail. These are the cases that apparently don't need to be investigated according to the our attorney general's opinion.
It smells fishy to me. On a much lighter note, this week I was pleased to see a federal judge's order um that the mentally ill have 21 days to be transferred to a mental health facility. This type of deadline would be met well met if the c if the county
hires one or more public defenders. I have been trying to explain this to the commissioner's court for years now. Please don't wait to act. You would be saving lives and money if you hire a mental health public defender. Also, a true mental health court would help alleviate some of the stress that goes
with the workload of dealing with the mentally ill. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Mr. Sanchez. Following Mr. Sanchez is Paul David Williams. No parent shall uh should have to bury
their child. Um and um it's a it's really disappointing to see how many deaths we've had. Um it's pretty striking. Um I also want to talk about um purchasing item 21. Uh
before approving that um there's three things I want to talk about in section 2C uh strictly prohibits the DA's office from using any platform data charts or reports in a court, tribunal or regulatory body without prior written approval from TRM. Uh so basically you just need a you need
a permission slip. Um not great. Um second uh the demand orders a multi-upfront payment for two-year term. Um you typically in a subscription service you do one year kind of assess where you are and then continue. Um it says that you have a backdated order
from April. Um but then you're signing it to uh in July. Um so I don't know if you guys were paid for that or ahead of time. Kind of shady. Um if you really want to protect people especially for this kind of contract um from these kind of scams then you need to make sure the
contracts are right. Um lastly it's just you know accountability is kind of a thing. Um it says it's provided on an ASIS basis. So uh there's no SLA terms uh service level agreements no guaranteed up times
of when they're going to supply you with that permission slip. Um I don't know these are just you know contradictions in the contract you should look over before you just decide to sign it. Um, also as a community, we need more meetings. Uh, this isn't enough. This
isn't enough time. Um, 26 months or I'm sorry, 26 uh meetings uh out of 12 years out of the month or 12 months out of the year would uh probably suffice and you know help everyone, not just you. >> Thank you. Uh, following Mr. Williams is
Steven Lawrence. Um I'm here to talk about the the meetings that we have. Clearly we don't have enough meetings. We have a 129 agenda items and we only have two minutes to talk about the it's
totally ridiculous. had they're talking like it came from two to one, but it started out at four meetings, but it wasn't two at first. It was reduced to two, then it was reduced to one. Now it's reduced to two minutes.
If it went back to four, we'd still have an average of 32 topics to speak on and I think it would probably just allow two minutes. Also want to talk about the prison, the jail system. Um
um we've had 46 deaths in the last three years. Our love and support reaches out to the people who lost their family members. You would feel differently if it was your family members. If your name was on that list, if your family members were
on that list, you would feel quite differently than you're acting like you feel now. Other counties provide a system for people to get out of jail if they don't have the bail money. We need to follow that example. Two years ago, 70% of prisoners were
mentally ill. How many pe what percentage of patients are people? prisoners are mentally ill patients. Now, where's the report on that? We need a report on that as soon as possible. Uh, following Mr. Lawrence, we have
Charles Bills. Steven Lawrence present. Are we out of spillover? Okay. Uh, Charles Bills. Following Mr. Bills is Chris Dobson. There was a recent death it in JPS of
the man that was beaten or had a head wound in the jail and the sheriff brazenly decided to give him release him on his own recognance so that he wouldn't be counted as a jail death. Now, I wonder that it was now
that it's under scrutiny, we caught that right away, but who knows how many other people have had the same fate where they were sheriffs or the deputies or whoever knew that they had a a inmate that was about to die and they just went ahead
and released him so they wouldn't have to have a extra statistic on their hands. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Dobson. Present. All right. Next is Richard Thomas. Richard Thomas present. Next is Robert
Van. Following Mr. Van is Merl Glascock. So listening to what's been said so far by the speakers today, where does your focus maybe need to be?
Virtually everybody that's spoken here today has talked about the deaths in the jail. Confinement in the Ter Taran County Jail should not be a death sentence. Yet, five men have died in the care of Taran County Sheriff Bill Wurn in the past four months, adding to the 70 plus
deaths since he first assumed the office in 2017. Victor Reynolds suffered his fatal illness in the jail and as with a number of others was quickly shuffled to John Peter Smith Hospital where his family states he was handcuffed to his bed until he just before he died. Despite
the sheriff's office claiming that he was released from custody before expiring, moving dying or already dead inmates to the to the hospital seems to have become a favorite ploy of this sheriff and claiming the deaths were not quote jail deaths unquote.
Mr. Reynold's death followed that of M. Greer, James Johnson, and Carl McCrae all within the past couple of months. Besides the deaths themselves and their impact on loved ones, some of these deaths due to malfeasants and deliberate brutality have cost Tarant County
taxpayers literally millions of dollars and will be costing a lot more in the future. Again, confinement in the jail should not be a death sentence. Following Miss Glascock is Billy Wilson. Good afternoon.
I am Merl Glascock. I serve on the justice committee of Broadway Baptist Church. Why are you allowing this court to strip away your citizens rights?
Some Tarant County residents have to be Sherlock Holmes to find out where to click to register to speak to this court. When I first spo spoke at commissioner's court,
you met four times a month. Now it is once a month. It is blatantly obvious that you are terrified of your citizens. How frail
can a public official get? Thank you. >> Um following Mr. Wilson is Alexander Montalvo. Happy bestile day be revolution. I wear this shirt today representing the education that I received at Ector High School where I was taught that as an
American citizen. I was to take up the fight for worldwide liberation, the liberation from oppression, the struggle for the right for self-determinance, the right for the challenge wrong-headed governance which seeks to silence my voices of the people which limits me to two minutes which means that I can't say everything I need leading me to speak
quickly. I need more time to address a petition. four more meetings, more times so I can address jail deaths on our beliefs in decarceration and low-level non-de violent offenders and the ID to suggest to you that you should be fighting for your community to petition the state upon more beds so we can
comply with the recent ruling in the July 9th mandating that the placement of mental health issues occur within 21 days. How will we respond? I need more time to demand public accountability for those jails and of the citizens in the jail and offer solutions. Getting
cameras are good, but how about best practices? How about concerning pe dietary routine so people don't starve in your jail? How about proper proper registration? How about reduction in child recidivism? How about child care? I need more time to adjust the hypocrisy
of a commissioner's court whose stated goal is to keep Taran County red that shows disdain for the proclamation acknowledging the good work of the health center as political or voter education of nonpartisan groups like NAACP justice network league of women voters who come to you constantly
petition for one simple thing justice I need more time I need to say that it was you who divided up our continuous communities for your political gains you are honoring the political work of a team I need more time for briefings from the department heads like those going on with child care associates. Why wouldn't
necessary sign a fourth amendment and core contract? Who is how is cutting 600 over $600,000 going to allow more time for people and inquire for our people to be care for? Okay, I'm running out of time. So I will leave you with this. History has shown mankind struggle for
freedom. The oppressed will rise and justice will be done. And then after that, >> next thank you Mr. Montalvo. Following Mr. from Montelo is Cassandra Johnson. >> All right, Taran County, let's do a time check on where we are in history.
We are in the brink of making history with the upcoming election in November. But it's important for y'all to know how much time we have left. There are 97 days until early voting starts. There are 112 days until we get
the results of the election and all the efforts that so many people have been doing to see new representation in our county government. It's important for folks to know that there are three seats on this commissioner's court that are on
the ballot. We have precinct 2 where Commissioner Simmons currently presides. Dr. Jared Williams is on the ballot for precinct 2 because Commissioner Simmons is continuing to show the leadership we
need in this county by running for Tarant County Judge where currently Tim sits in that seat. Now, Alisa Simmons is going to need every vote just like Jarrett will need
every vote to keep the precinct in a space where it's going to be around people working for people. Tim O'Hare won his election in 2022 against Deborah Peoples. In 2022, Tim O'Hare had 309,000
votes. Deborah Peoples had 274,000. That is a very small number we need to beat. Lastly, in precinct 4, Manny RmIrez is running for reelection. And thankfully running against him is Nidia
Cardinas, who is running for real representation for the Latino community. Where Manny wants to be super cop while people die in the jail, Nidia is actually going to care for the community. 97 days, 112 until it's over. >> Thank you. Next after Miss Johnson is
Elizabeth Miller >> Ramirez, can you recall the suspect who repeatedly threatened to kill you using racial slares? He was immediately uh arrested. I've been waiting four years, four years for outside
investigation. Judge O'Hare Trader was in Arlington jail. I took his medication, his medical records, and begged them to let him go. And they told me he must be transported
to Taran County Jail. Sir May, when I saw you come in, your energy remind me of Trail. He was very intelligent. did the Lloyd's prayer, the I have a dream speech. Hearing you speak
about your children and their coaches connected me to your spirit. Because of my circumstances and my illness, I was forced to relocate. As soon as I become legally a Keller resident, I would be reaching out to you
for answers. Meanwhile, my request is simple. Fight a good fight. do your own research, seek the truth, and never walk into nothing blind. Because when you spoke on that
cleanness of that jail, I was recently there. I'm getting answers and I'm a witness that neglect on mental illness is still going on. It may be ugly on that side, but since they ignored Sandra Bland, Cassandra Johnson will get
answers. And this I have for you. Who's one of your pass? That's for you, ma'am. >> Uh, Miss Miller. >> Good afternoon. My name is Elizabeth
Miller. I am a precinct 3 resident. Um, thank you all for uh Thank you, judge, for your grace earlier. Uh, I have I have bad tremors. no telling what I was signing up for. Um I had wanted to come and and tell you gentlemen um about a
global learning conference that's here in well almost here. It's in Allen. It's a global conference on a condition called Eller Stanlo syndrome which is the most common condition you've never heard of. Um doctors are taught it's like one in five or 10,000 people but
it's we're looking it's looking more like one in 500. and one of your constituents that stands before you with it and there are legislators with it, staff. I've found all kinds of people and our hospital is not thought of well in this condition. So, I would love to
have conversations with you all about this. Um, I believe I have reached out to some of y'all. I will again. I wanted to talk mostly about that, but I must talk about our jail death issue. Since I saw you all last, I have attended all the conventions. I'm exhausted and I
must say um talking to candidates for county commissioners, sitting house members, sitting senate members, some of your old colleagues I'm sure would say hello. Um people are alarmed at what's going on here in Tarant County. They're alarmed that a and again all flavors,
Republicans looking me in the eye who are concerned, Judge O'Hare, that we're only meeting once a month. It's such a large populated county. How can we do uh good transparency? We can't. I would also, since I'm running out of time, uh, point out that one of the gentlemen that
died in our jail died from was arrested for marijuana. I depend on THC. I'm only before you because of THC. So, that could end up being me next. And I'm asking my community to please leave me there and call the media. Do not come get me out. But that could be me dying
in your jail. So, I would appreciate if we could at least have that conversation. >> Thank you. All right. We will now take a 5m minute recess and meet back in here at 12:17. 17. How much money? >> There you go. You're welcome.
Uh, Back on the record here, we will now go to the consent agenda as amended. Do we have a motion or any discussion on this? We have a motion and a second to approve the amended consent agenda. Any discussion at all?
All right, [snorts] seeing none, please cast your votes. Passes unanimously. Now, of the items removed from consent that we are considering, the first one is budget E1, consideration of fiscal year 26 appropriation adjustments. Do we
have a motion or any questions on this? >> I'll move for approval. >> We have a motion, a second on this item. Any discussion? All right. Seeing none, please cast your vote. Passes unanimously. Next, we go to purchasing item Q4.
This is annual contract for payroll services and temporary labor and elections administration. Uh I'll move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion here. All right. Please cast your vote.
All right. Passes unanimously. Next up is Q15. Q15 is consideration of an amendment annual contract for colllocation data center services. We have a motion or any discussion on this item.
>> Move for approval. >> All right, we have a motion and a second on this. Any discussion here? All right, seeing none, please cast your vote. >> Uh, you're not in. >> Oh, sorry. passes unanimously.
Then Q21, Q21 was consideration of contract for cryptocurrency software in the DA's office. Um, I'll move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion to second. Any discussion on this? All right. Seeing none, cast your votes.
We have a motion. O'Hare. Second. Krauss. [clears throat] >> Yes. Okay. >> Passes unanimously. All right. Next is U 2 3 4 and five. Uh and I have some general comments on some
of these. Uh put in perspective court members when we were at the HFC meeting the most recent one. I cannot remember if you were there. >> No. So then to recap for you and remind
them, I met with a group of uh people that are the asthma 411 consortium. >> 411. Is it 411? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yep.
>> Mine's green. Yeah. So is that better? >> Okay. Uh, and what we did was we gave a grant to this organization for $10,000 to make sure every single
school, public school uh, in Tarant County had asthma medicine. And uh but I think what we submitted with this was a 12 or 13page presentation of what they would use it for, how they would use it, where it is,
different things like that [snorts] on on these items. So they are one-s sentence explanations of how the funds will be used. [snorts] and one of them says something as simple as
we'll educate people on uh human trafficking and it's a sorority. So I'm not saying we should vote them all down, but I can't support it at this point when we're talking about one
sentence explanation of how funds will be used and in in multiple instances it doesn't explain how funds will be used. It just says we use for human trafficking. That's it. So, I can't support it. But if it's brought back
with additional information, specific layout of how it's going to be used, what it will be used for, how it will be used, there's another one where I think it's just $5,000 saying they do good work. Give them $5,000. What's the 5,000 be used for? Doesn't
say. So, I just don't think this is the way we should spend taxpayer dollars with additional information uh data telling us exactly how it will be spent, then I may be totally fine with all of them. >> Well, since Commissioner Simmons isn't
here and it's her items, um I don't I'm with you. I don't want to vote it down. Uh, and since she can't explain it, maybe we could table it um till next month or next meeting. Uh, just make a motion to table all four of these and then she can get more information. That
way we're not voting it down, but we're just have time to do that. Um, so if if that's appropriate, I'll make a motion to table items U2, U3, U4, U5 till the next meeting to where those questions can be answered and she has an
opportunity to fill in some of those gaps. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? >> Yes. Um, these funds, if my if I'm understanding it correctly, are each commissioner [clears throat] is allotted a certain
amount of money for community outreach grants. Is that correct? >> I would think that I would say that's very clo that's that's close. Yeah. >> Okay. [clears throat] Okay. And there are there's guidance for these funds to be used, right? There's parameters
around what these funds are to be used for because the application that we send out clearly states what these funds are to be used for. Is that correct? >> Are you speaking to the ones you submit or to these? I'm just trying to get con
I'm trying to provide context. >> That's a good I don't Are they all uniform? Are they all the same in all the precincts? >> The application that we received from the administrator's office basically said these are the parameters in which these funds are to be used for and
that's across the board for everybody. I just want to verify that that's accurate. >> The forms that everyone receive are the same forms. >> Correct. and they have parameters for which those funds are to be used. Correct.
>> I believe it has instructions on how to fill out and what's needed from the uh organization that is the money that money is being requested for. >> And on that that form, it has a section where that organization describes what
they are, what they do, and what those dollars would be used for. >> So, let me just ask this question. >> Go ahead. were I don't believe what he is describing was submitted in the court communicate if that exists. Am I
incorrect here? I'm not incorrect. Yeah. So that form may exist. It's not part of this. >> Okay. I'm I I'm in agreement with Commissioner Krauss. Since Commissioner Simmons is not here to be able to give an explanation and to provide other
information, it should be tabled. Well, the next meeting is in August. And the other thing that I know is these funds have to be expended by the end of September. Isn't that correct? >> They have to be expended or they have to be distributed. >> Distributed. It has to be committed.
>> Oh, it has to be committed. Okay. >> And and we'll have two meetings in August. >> Right. I just want to make sure that these organizations have time to actually commit those funds once they are approved. >> That's That's fair. I'm >> Yeah. Here's my position. I think each
commissioner is at their preference and their jurisdiction to determine where their outreach funds go and who they go to. I don't think it's our responsibility to micromanage who gets what and whether it should be approved
or not. I think each one of us has the ability to make the decision. We know these organizations that represent our precincts. We know the work that they do and we should be trusted that the organizations that we give money to are going to use it for the things that are
explicitly stated. I understand your point that there's not enough information for your comfort level, but I trust the commissioner that the organization that she's given the money to, she's vetted them, she knows them, and if she says that it's a good organization and it's worthwhile, then
I'm not going to question her. I want to let her go ahead and do what she thinks is best because she knows her precinct and her constituents better than any one of us. >> Well, and and I generally agree with that principle. I'm saying like travel budget. Hey, whatever conference you want to go, whether I like it, want to
go to it or not, that's up to you. Same thing with here. I I do think we ask a good question. If there are parameters for how this money is being used, does it fit in that parameters? And if it if it's outside those parameters, does do we not even put that on the agenda at that point? if it shows up on the
agenda, are we almost assured that it has it is meeting within those parameters? Does that make sense? Does my question make sense? Since you have to fill out that form to say it's what I'm going to use it for, >> if you all find that it's a purpose outside of what it's intended to use for, does it not even make it onto the
agenda? So, we can have confidence from now on if something's on the agenda, then it's gone through the process even if maybe some of the information is not there. and and and then another thing when I dis distribute my outreach funds, the organizations are required to give
me an accounting of what those funds are going to be used for and they show a report at the end of the the uh program stating what they did. I get pictures, I get background, I get all of that information again because I know the organizations that I'm I'm I'm giving
money to and I trust them. They're going to always report back to me. And I think the same it's the same case with Commissioner Simmons. Those those organizations that she gives money to, they report back to her and they tell her, "These are the things that we did. This is what we used the money for, and it's actually was it was actually used
for what we said we were going to use it for." [snorts] >> Yeah. >> So, just one comment to that. >> Go ahead. Um, I disagree with you that the a commissioner can just say, "I want to give money here and we're just supposed to rubber stamp it." Um, I don't I will
never support it if I don't know how it's going to be used. Um, and part of the law that we operate under is we have to approve any expenditures from the general fund. And so if [snorts] it's just give it away here, give it away
there. All these or organizations that come seeking grants that help protect children and help protect um domestic violence partners, they give us pages of documents saying how they're going to do it, what they're going to do, what it will be used for. It just doesn't exist
here. So, I'm not voting to deny the grants. I'm voting for let's do the what did we what do we call postponement? Let's table it. >> Bring it back with information. Then I very very well may vote for all of it. But if you're a no, you're a no. So
that's okay. >> No, [snorts] I'll vote to table it because I think it makes sense. It gives her the opportunity to come back and explain. >> Okay. Anybody else have anything on this? Okay. Uh it passes four to zero to postpone until the next meeting. All
right. Next we go to A public hearing item 101. It's a public hearing to consider authorizing installation of no dumping signs on Rendan Bloodworth Road in Precinct 2. The public hearing is now open. Is there
anyone who wishes to speak to this item? [snorts] All right. Seeing none, I will entertain a motion to close the public hearing. >> So move second. >> We have a motion to second to close public hearing. Any discussion? All right, seeing none, please cast your vote.
All right, the public hearing uh is now closed. I will now make a motion to authorize the placement of no dumping signs on Rendan Bloodworth Road. >> Second. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion to second on this. Any discussion? All right, seeing none, please cast your
vote. Uh I think I made that motion. >> You did. Yeah, you did. >> And Manny Manny and I second. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> Okay. All right. Please cast your votes.
All right. Passes unanimously. Next is a public hearing to consider authorizing the installation of a stop sign within the Wildwood subdivision of Precinct 2. Uh the public hearing is now open. Is there anyone who would like to speak to this item? All right. Seeing none, I'll entertain a
motion to close the public hearing. >> Approval. >> All right, we have a motion to close. Second. [snorts] >> Um, any discussion on that? >> Uh, did you make the motion to close the public hearing? Okay, that's Commissioner Miles. Who made the second? Commissioner
Ramirez. All right, please cast your vote. >> All right, passes unanimously. Now, I will make a motion to authorize the placement of stop signs within the Wildwood subdivision. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second there. Hi,
I'm Tim O'Hare. That's Rodrik Miles. All right. Any discussion? All right. Please cast your vote. All right. Passes unanimously. Next, we have consideration of out of state travel requests. >> Move approval.
>> All right. We have a motion to approve. We have a second. Any discussion on this? All right. Seeing none, please cast your votes. Passes unanimously. Next we have consideration of an
exception to the travel policy commissioner precinct 2. >> Move for approval. >> Approval. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion there? >> All right. Seeing none, please cast your votes. All right. Passes unanimously.
Next up is consideration to adopt a bodywn camera policy. >> Move for approval. Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second to approve this policy. Any discussion? >> Yes. >> Okay. [snorts] >> I want to begin clearly and on the record that I do support bodywn cameras
and I support Taran County establishing a countywide bodywn camera policy. When governed by a strong policy, bodywn cameras cameras protect residents, officers, and the county. They provide evidence, strengthen [clears throat]
accountability, reduce uncertainty, and help build trust between law enforcement and the communities that they serve. That trust matters deeply to the residents of Precinct One. Many of the communities I represent have experienced
a complicated and sometimes painful relationship with law enforcement, and that can't be underscored. Transparency and accountability are essential to strengthening that relationship.
Bodyworn cameras can be an important part of that work. I'm not here to oppose this policy. I'm here because I just want to make sure we get it right. The policy before us provides a solid
foundation. It establishes mandatory activation requirements, a retention schedule, a legal framework, and a process for public information requests. And those are important building blocks. However,
several areas should be strengthened before implementation is complete. [snorts] First, the policy does not provide adequate guidance for body one camera use inside county detention facilities. County jailers are covered by the
policy, but there are no jail specific activation protocols, no guidance for interactions within housing units, and no clear explanation of how bodywn camera footage will work alongside the fixed camera systems
already operating in our jails. Interactions inside a detention facility are fundamentally different from patrol encounters, and the policy should reflect those differences. Second, the policy does not include
guidance for encounters involving people experiencing mental illness. And based upon all of the comments that we've had here today in court, mental illness is a real issue that needs to be addressed. Substance abuse disorders are not in it.
Psychiatric emergencies are not in it or behavioral health crisis. And those things need to be included in any policy that we put forth. We need clear protocols that protect evidence while also protecting privacy,
dignity, and the rights of people during vulnerable moments. I'm going say that last part again. We need to provide and protect the privacy and dignity and the rights of people in vulnerable moments because none of us
are at our best every day. Third, the policy does not establish a meaningful process for community input or public accountability. Including this in the process would go a long way to repairing the damage of
community trust with this court and this county. We need to make sure that the community has voice and they are advocated for when we are implementing policies that directly impact the residents. There needs to be space for
community voices to be heard and their input to be considered as we are developing and crafting the policy. The people who will be recorded, the families who may request recordings, and the communities whose trust we are working to strengthen should have an
opportunity to understand and provide feedback on how this policy is implemented. The county should also establish a public reporting process that includes activation compliance, complaints, use
of force incidents, and other appropriate [clears throat] program measures. Transparency should not end when the cameras are purchased. And finally, the court needs greater clarity regarding the cost in implementation of this program.
The policy does not inter identify the number of cameras to be deployed, the total cost of the program, the funding source, the cost of data storage, training requirements, staffing needs, or the rollout timeline.
As we prepare for fiscal year 27 budget, the court should understand the full financial and operational impact of this policy. My request is straightforward. I support moving forward with a countywide born bodywn camera policy,
but I also ask that the court direct staff and the sheriff's office to strengthen the policy before in full implementation by these things. Developing a jailsp specific operational and activification activation protocols. Incorporating traumainformed guidance
for behavioral health and crisis encounters, establishing a community engagement and stakeholder review process, creating appropriate public reporting and accountability measures, and providing the court with a complete
funding and implementation plan. We can support bodywn cameras and still require stronger policy. Those positions, my friends, are not in conflict. They work in concert with one another. A well-designed program will
protect residents, protect officers, reduce county liability, strengthen accountability, and help build and repair public trust. Let's move forward with purpose, transparency,
and a commitment to getting this right. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Any other comments on this item? All right. Seeing none, please cast your votes. All right, it passes 3 to one.
Next we come to item four, consideration of an order designating the frequency in which commissioner's court shall convene in regular term during fiscal year 2027. >> Move for approval. >> All right, I'll second that. Any discussion on that item.
All right, seeing none, please cast your vote. All right, passes unanimously. Next we come to item five, consideration of a resolution of the commissioner's court determining the cost of certain authorized improvements to be financed within the bonds ranch PID. approving a
preliminary service and assessment plan, noticing a public hearing for August 18th to consider an order levying assessments on property located within the Bods Ranch Public Improvement District, and directing the filing of the proposed assessment roles with the tax assessor collector to make available
for public inspection and directing county staff to publish and mail notice of said public hearing and resolving other matters incident related there too. >> Move for approval. >> Second. how we have a motion and a second on that incredibly lengthy
described item. Any other discussion? All right, please cast your vote. Passes unanimously. Uh item B1, consideration of the proposed fiscal year 2027 Tarant County holiday schedule. I will move to approve. >> Second.
>> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on this? All right, seeing none, please cast your vote. All right, passes unanimously. Next up is item B2,
consideration of an interlocal agreement between the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the member entities of the Public Employee Benefits Cooperative for the provision of professional services. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> Uh we have a motion and a second on this
item. Any discussion? All right, seeing none, please cast your vote. Passes unanimously. Next, under ITC1, consideration of a tech share court development addendum
between Tarant County and Techure Local Government Corporation for the design, development, and delivery of civil family, juvenile, and tax court management functionality for the Tarant County District Clerk's office. Um, one thing I would like to do is commend uh our district clerk, Tom Wilder. Uh,
our district clerk has, I guess I would describe it as control over a significant account and that is generated from lawsuit fees and other fees related to civil courts.
and uh he has agreed to fund all of this where none of it comes from the general fund. Still requires court approval to do so, but I would like to publicly thank Tom for doing that. >> Absolutely. >> So with that, do we have a motion? >> Approval. >> Second. We have a motion and a second on
that item. Any discussion there? All right, seeing none, please cast your vote. All right, passes unanimously. Next we have purchasing.
Uh feel free to review these. Take your time to do so. I'll make a motion to approve items D1 through 18 unless anyone wants to take one of those individually. >> I'll second that. >> All right. We have a motion and a
second. Anybody have any questions or wish to remove one from that motion? All right, seeing none, please cast your vote. All right, [snorts] that passes unanimously. Now we have um item 19, which is
permission to take bids and RFPs. Uh, the one question I had on this was the SWAT rifle system. Can somebody just
explain uh what the the cost and what what all what all this entails? >> Guess here from the sheriff's office. Um, so previously we had a a bid for rifles. Um we are we didn't renew that contract.
The sheriff's office wanted to change the scope um for SWAT um and obtain a different type of of weapon. >> Okay. >> Um >> I'm not sure how many >> where did where did we So the estimated
value where does that come from? She's pulling it up. [snorts] I'll tell you what. Is there any you got something? >> I was just say a couple thing. Typically, uh, value estimates come from usage from previous years, actuals and
things like that. Uh, if I recall, these rifles, uh, the previous model we had actually had firing pin issues where they were of an issue. This is actually being budgeted and requested in the fiscal 27 budget. So, this is just start for the permission to take bid process, but we would not bring back an actual
agreement until after the process is completed and the funding for it had been approved in fiscal 27. >> Okay. Okay. So, the request amount um came from uh budget request from um Chief Grant of
32 of these weapons and accessories and um an additional item and some additional items they requested. >> Okay. All right. Anybody else have any other questions on 19 A and B?
All right. Do we have a motion? >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to grant permission to take bids and issue RFPs. Any discussion? Seeing none, cast your vote. Passes unanimously.
Next, we have appointments to various boards and commissions. I would like to make a motion to name uh Commissioner Ramirez the NAO primary voting member and Commissioner Miles the alternate voting member. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second on that.
Any discussion there. All right. Seeing none, please cast your vote. Passes unanimously. Uh does anyone else have any board or commission appointments? I have one um
to Freshwater Supply District number three. I'd like to appoint Amber Jameson. >> All right, I'll second that. So, we have a motion and second to appoint Amber Jameson to the Freshwater Board. Any discussion?
All right, please cast your vote. Passes unanimously. Anyone else? All right, seeing none, do we have any announcements from our court members? All right, seeing none there, the court will now recess the open session and proceed to close session to
discuss items exempt under sections 551071, 072, 074, 076, 087, and 0725 of the Texas Government Code. Executive session will begin at 105 p.m. We are now in recess.
Okay, we had a fairly brief executive session. There are no items uh to be discussed at this point. So with that, we are officially adjourned.