One, two. I'll check I can't Just letting you know we're going to take pictures with the kids. Group is going to take a picture and then we're going to call all of them up to take. >> Whatever you want to do, man. We'll be here for you.
>> Thank you. All right. Good morning. Welcome to the Tuesday, February 10th, 2025 Tarant County Commissioners Court meeting. I now call the meeting to order. >> Tim O'Hare County >> present. >> Commissioner precinct one
>> here. >> Alisa Simmons, commissioner, precinct two, >> here. >> Matt, commissioner, precinct 3, >> here, commissioner, precinct four, >> here. >> Questions. >> All right. Thank you. Today's invocation will be led by Pastor Jay Davis from Texas Senior Ministries here in Fort
Worth. Please rise for the invocation and pledges to our flags. >> Gracious heavenly father, we thank you for this great nation. We thank you for this great state and we thank you for this county. Lord, we thank you for these leaders who you've called into
this moment, for this precise time. I pray God that you would give them the gift of your wisdom and your discernment. Pray God for a spirit of unity to fill this place. God, we want to know that you are with us, that you are for us, and that you are guiding us. We'll be careful to give you credit
as we thank you in Jesus name. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance to our flag. I aliance 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 to our state flag to the Texas one state one and indivisible. >> Thank you. You may be seated.
How you feeling? >> Not 100. >> Okay. Good morning, judge and commissioners. >> Couple of announcements this morning. So, we have one item that is being withdrawn from the agenda completely. That is item F5 under purchasing.
And then we have several items which have been pulled from uh the consent agenda for individual consideration. Those items are B1, C2, D1, D5, E1.
>> Did you say D or E? >> Uh E. >> E1. Yes, ma'am. >> G is in girl. Two. G3, I 10, I12,
J1, J2, and finally 01. All right. Thank you, sir. We come to commissioner's court announcements. And I want to start
by saying uh many of you I think probably are already aware in this audience, but former Fort Worth City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tim Gina Bivvens passed away and uh she was just a really nice, sweet
lady and passed away too soon. So, our sincere condolences to uh the family and friends of Miss Bivvens and uh may she rest in peace. I don't have anything else comments
wise. Any other comments or announcements from commissioners? >> Yes. I would also like to give my condolences to the Bivvens family on the passing of a
community stalwart, a fierce advocate for the residents of District 5, the city of Fort Worth and Taran County, the Honorable Gina Bivvens.
She was an amazing woman. She was a very layered woman. She could get her point across in whichever manner >> it needed to be given.
Uh she did not hold her tongue. You knew where you stood with Miss Bivvens. If she was with you, she was with you 100%. She was a stateswoman.
She was a great servant leader and she loved the stop six community. Her presence will be felt for decades. Her business acumen and savviness was unprecedented.
The work she did with North Texas lead raised up generations of leaders. She was a captain of industry and she was a great mentor. I will miss that smile.
I will miss her pulling me close, grabbing me by the arm when she had something to say, but she wanted to always maintain decorum and professionalism. But those words she whispered in my ear, you could best believe I followed the orders.
Um, she was a great woman. Her presence will be sorely missed in the stop six community. We've lost a lot of giants here recently in the Stop Six community.
And so I ask that you pray for not only the Bivvens family, but pray for the residents of Stop Six. Pray for us. We are grieving. We've lost people who've made marks that
will never be erased. And so I honor and salute today the Honorable Gina Bivvens. And I ask that we close today's session in memory of the Honorable Gina Bivvens. So um I I have a lot to say, but I'm not
going to about uh Gina. Her passing is a profound loss for Tarant County. I you know I remember when Gina was working at at uh Fox for remember her uh
journalism career I actually got to meet her through the North Texas lead program where she's always uh taken a personal interest in my young career and um up up through
today. um what I could count on from Gina um particularly in this role on a commissioner's court Tuesday was a text or a phone call about 5:30 in
the morning or scripture that says you can do it. You are not alone. There are lots of people praying for you, supporting you. um as you go into the lion's den. And so
I've always appreciated that Gina saw I didn't have to call her and say, "Oh my god, did you see court meeting or did you hear what happened?" She knew she was paying attention and
um she was supportive and she was among a small number of African-American women who devoted their later years to answering the call for public service. Um so I appreciate that. I see her as a
mentor and she was somebody I could always call and she thought about me quite often and I appreciated it. So going to Miss
Gina Bibs a lot. Um and I was always impressed with her um leadership of the regional transportation uh board. uh and when she stepped down as chair I was concerned but um she's
just she she was just an amazing person and leader and so my condolences to her mother and her family so that's it going to miss you Gina >> anybody else have anything uh I I would
like to also express my condolences to the Bivvens family and uh can't say any better than my colleagues just did. But just know we're praying for you and appreciate a lifetime of service. Um, I also wanted to thank everybody who helped us uh for the Ten Commandments uh
dedication. Uh, it was an incredible ceremony. I thought it went really well. Tom Stallings and Joshua Palmer uh did an amazing job of getting everything ready. I also appreciate the judges staff and the precinct 3 staff for getting everything together. But again, I think it's a wonderful monumental uh
day as we continue to say, but I hope you get a chance to see that go by and uh appreciate it and um it's a good day for Tarant County and I'm glad to see that it went so well. I've got some announcements, but I but I'll first echo my colleagues and in um saying that Gina
was a titan. I got the I had the privilege of working with her for more than a decade as POA president and she was on council. Uh, and I counted her among a close ally and a close friend. Uh, if you knew Gina, you knew she always fit into any situation, both with
her personality, uh, but also with her, uh, attire. Uh, she always carried about four different pairs of shoes because she says a woman should always know which room she's walking into and change her shoes to suit. Um, and so she had boots, she had heels, she had tennis
shoes, all ready to tackle the day. So, Gina was an incredible woman, a great friend. uh and she will be missed um greatly. So um phenomenal lady. Um and I would also like to thank everybody who helped us uh put on the third annual
Tarant County salutes veterans event at the stock show and rodeo. It was a tremendous event. We were able to serve thousands of veterans and connect them with services uh that they need uh to live better lives and and their families. And I mean it's just an incredible event year after year. Um,
now one one problem that we have though is that we just book up way too soon with vendors. Uh, we were completely full about 3 months in advance of the event this year. So please, uh, if you want to get involved with the salute salutes veterans event for next year, uh, reach out to our office immediately.
Um, we're probably going to have to extend the space that we have at the stock show. Um, because I mean you you saw it, the room is just packed. Um, and we're blessed that it's packed. that means that we're serving our veterans and and they come back year after year and bring a friend. So, um that was an
incredible event. We're looking forward to doing it next year. Thank everybody who is involved in that. Uh specifically our staff. You were incredible. >> Yeah. Last year I stole your thunder cuz I said something about it first before you got to talk about it. So, I didn't want to do that this year, but I did want to congratulate you and your staff.
It it was incredible. The the event I I was two years in a row now. This was bigger, better uh in so many ways. And so, uh, it really is an incredible service y'all, uh, provided for our veterans. And so, great job. Precinct 4, uh, did Tarant County very proud, uh,
for that event. >> So, I have a a couple more announcements. Um, I want to thank the Tarant County essential employees who were forced to brave this um, the frigid weather we
endured a couple weeks ago. Um, I want to thank all of our, uh, first responders, uh, from the sheriff's department, Office of Emergency Management, um, all those folks who didn't take one day off. Um, and I want
to give a special thanks to, uh, all of our road and bridge crews, but particularly mine. Um, they pre-treated the roads. Uh my guys are out there uh every day uh taking
care of those roads. Um and to watch them do it uh go out with them uh while they were doing it uh you know just gives you an appreciation u for the important work that
commissioners are responsible for that a lot of people forget or don't don't think about. Right. is taking care of our unincorporated roads and bridges. Um, and so we're concerned about those guys safety uh on uh uh events like this
and I just want to say thank you to all of them from precinct 4, three, two, and one. Uh thank you uh all the men and women for what you what you did during that ice storm. Um, and to all of our
directors, absolutely, assistant directors. >> Well said. >> Um, and I want to extend an invitation to everyone to join me at my third annual Kidney Wellness and Health Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on
Saturday, March 14th at the Arlington Subourhouse. Um, I think I've mentioned before I have chronic kidney disease and it snuck up on me. I didn't know what it was and became interested in what this is. Um I don't take medication or
anything. Um so this will be the third year that we have done kidney screenings and the number of people each year continues to grow. We partner with the kidney foundation uh of Dallas and a lot
of other partners. So we have education um events along with the screenings and a lot of county services table out there. So um feel free to sign up on Eventbrite by searching kidney wellness and health expo and I hope to see you
there. And finally, happy Black History Month. Uh this is uh Black History Month. It's a story of resilience, brilliance, excellence, courage in the face of injustice. Uh, this year marks the 100th
year of honoring black history. Um, and honoring the generations who uh were resilient and refused to be overlooked and paved the way for um all
of us and people like me um to to even be in this space. So, um, celebrate Black History Month year round, but this is Black History uh, celebrate Black History year round, but this is Black
History Month, and I encourage you to, uh, learn something new. That's all I have. >> I have a couple of announcements as well. Uh, I want to echo Commissioner Sim Simmons sentiments regarding our maintenance crew and facilities. They
did an outstanding job during a difficult time of year. Um, making sure that residents have access to our facilities is of utmost importance. One of the things that I learned from my predecessor, Commissioner Brooks, he would always say, and so would Judge
Whitley, the county never closes. The county is always open. And it's because of the men and the women and the people that work in our facilities, departments, and maintenance crews that we're able to keep that word true. The county never closes. We're always open
and we're always available to serve and to serve our residents. So, special shout out to Precinct One. I got numerous calls from people about the work that they did specifically at public health making sure that the parking lot was clean and clear so that
people could uh access those services. Dr. Bird called me and asked me could he take the crew out for breakfast. He was so appreciative of the work that they do. It just underscores the importance of every person that works for Taran County. We are fortunate to be in these
seats and to sit in this capacity and be on TV from time to time. And I hate being on TV just for the record. Uh but it's the people that you don't see that are the heartbeat of Taran County. They are the ones that make Taran County go
and that makes Taran County work. And so I am grateful and thankful for each and every person that comes in every day unassuming to get the job done. We give you your flowers and we say kudos to you. And special shout out to Esmerald
the Sanchez with those updates. Yeah, >> boy. I got those updates rapid fire. I mean I knew exactly what was going on >> in the county. >> In the county. So wherever you are, Esmeralda, we say thank you and we appreciate you. Yeah, because I'm sure
you're like me, you had people asking all those questions and you had information and you're like, "Thank you for reading my mind, Esmeralda. That's exactly what I needed to know." >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Uh, I too want to acknowledge and celebrate Black History Month.
>> In 1926, Carter G. Woodson and other African-American leaders came up with a way to recognize the contributions of black people in America. And it started out as Black History Week and we have moved to Black History Month. And we
celebrate this month 100 years of providing contributions that have transformed and changed the United States of America and albeit the world. I give um I'm proud to be a black man in America.
I'm proud of the contributions of my forefathers and my elders. And I'm proud that I know my history. I recognize that history books paint one story, but I want to encourage every young black boy and black girl. Your
history began before 1619. >> You come from kings. You come from queens. You come from architects. You come from creators. You are an amazing people. Walk with pride, with your head held
high because you are the carriers of the inheritance of black people. I salute my ancestors and those who paved the way and made it possible for me to sit in this seat today. So, I encourage
you as well, learn something about African-American history, about black history that you didn't know. I promise you, you will be surprised and amazed by the brilliance of black people. And lastly, I want to say we are having our
prostate cancer screening event on February the 28th at the Monree Cancer Institute. This is free to taxpayers. Uh it is a great event. We are saving lives. We have screened over 2100 men since our inception. And of those 2100
men, we've had 200 men test have elevated PSA tests and need further examination and treatment. And so we're saving lives. So ladies in the room, if you've got a husband, a boyfriend,
a uncle, a cousin, invite him. Better yet, bring him with you so that he can make sure that he knows his status. Because people should not die from prostate cancer. >> It can be treated. There is hope. So,
make sure that you bring everybody you know. And I invite my fellow colleagues on the court. Come and get your PSA screening so that you can know what your prostate health status is. And come and learn something. You may be surprised. I don't know if y'all saw those fabulous
Super Bowl commercials, but there was a Super Bowl commercial that was geared towards prostate health. I it it was amazing to me. It blew my mind. I was like, "What? They really promoting prostate health?" I was like, "Go ahead on in with your bast."
So, please, again, it is February the 28th and we'll be at the Mon Creek Cancer Institute. You can register on the precinct one website. On the Taran County website, just go to the precinct one tab. It is It starts at 9:00 a.m. and we end up at 2 p.m. We'll provide
breakfast and lunch. We'll have uh Rangers players on site. We'll be giving away R free Rangers swag. We'll have the Dallas Mavericks, the Maniacs, the dancers, and they'll be giving away some swag. So, it's going to be a good time. It's always a vibe at the prostate
cancer event. And I know that that's strange to say prostate cancer screening event and vibe at the same time, but I promise you it's a whole vibe. So, come and join us. >> Are y'all gonna have barbecue? >> No, we will not have barbecue. Y'all had it one the one first one I went to was
good. I'm just asking. >> It's uh it's tough to make prostate screening enjoyable, but I think you've done it. So uh >> and and Commissioner, despite the fact that I I mean the only reason why I know what Vibe is cuz I have a 14-year-old daughter. >> So,
all right. Anybody here have anything else? Nope. Okay. Uh we now and it was a good segue with the thank yous for our staff. We now go into our employee recognition time uh that we do. And uh I'm going to call out your names uh by
groups of five. Please stand as I call your names so we can recognize you and honor you. Ivana Alexander, Jose Castanada III, Poliola Chernowski, Michael Edwards,
Dora Howard, Nikki Jones, Lucy Lang Languin, Olivia Moran, Tucker Morton, Victor Perez, Elelliana Rodriguez,
Matthew Smith, Latoya Turner, and Terry Workman. Thank you all very much for 5 years. We appreciate you. Thank you. Uh now I'll ask our tenure employees to stand if they're here. Uh Jessica Bratan,
Jose Carnazol Jr. Cody Clemens R. Enette Daniel, Nicholas Gray, Clinton Leachch, Kevin Lewis,
Regina Newsome, Tyler Reynolds, Kamishha Rollers, Veronica Sanchez, Sha Nil Stokes Waters, and Megan Wesley. Thank you all for a decade of service to
Tarant County. We only have four 15-year employees today. So, I'll ask you to stand if you are present. Uh Jeremiah Allen, Ashley Clark, Ashley Deiner,
and Emily Randolph. Uh thank you all very much. WE APPRECIATE YOU. ALL RIGHT. NOW, FOR our 20-year employees, I'm holding off on these glasses as long as I can. Jamie Amrine is what that
looks like. Uh Dana Caldwell. Did I get Did I get it right? >> Okay, good. Good. Dana Cwell. Jose Cisneros. Melody Cordell. Clare Beth Montes, Guiermo Montoya,
Regina Reyes, and Ronald Wilkerson. Thank you all for two decades of service to Taran County. We appreciate you. Thank you. All right. Now, we come to our 25-year employees. I had a little form here.
Where'd that go? Uh Terrell Williams. and I don't believe he could be with us today. He had another engagement he had to deal with, but uh he has been with us for 25 years. He's a sergeant in the training division. Uh born in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, and went to high school at Northwest Classen College at San Diego State. Two children. Uh he's a big anime fan. That's a fact no one knows about him. uh what he likes to do for fun, teach and train Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission
grappling. He's done that for the past 21 years and currently holds a third degree black belt. So we want Sergeant Williams near us at all times. >> Um and it takes 10 years just to get a black belt and he's on his third degree.
So pretty cool. Um other job titles he's had with the county, he's worked in all facilities except Cold Springs. Uh he's been a field training coordinator, an unofficial response team sergeant, and he assisted with the identification of security threat groups. Most memorable moment was conducting a search for an
escaped inmate and recovering him. And what he likes the most is the camaraderie and mentorship. So, Sergeant Williams, thank you for 25 years. Wherever you may be, we appreciate you very much. There's that piece of paper. All right.
Next, we have Michael Wellbourne. Is Michael Wellbourne here? How are you, sir? >> Uh, 25 years of service also with the sheriff's office. We greatly appreciate you. Thank you for being here and thank you for protecting everyone in Tarant County. James Morris.
Is James here with us? All right. He's also celebrating 25 years with the sheriff's office. Four people. 25 years with the sheriff's office this morning. So, uh, Mr. Morris, we thank you for your service to Tarant County and for putting your life on the line for us every day. Let's give Mr. Morris a round
of applause. And Patrick Truax, >> how are you, sir? >> Um, any relation to Billy? >> No. Okay. You know who that is, though, don't you? Yeah. Nobody knows anymore. Uh, 25 years of service Tarant County.
He's a security control specialist. Born in Bingmpington, New York. I think you may be the first person that's been born in New York since I've been here reading this stuff. Um, we're glad you're here, though. Uh, went to high school at Randolph High School on Randolph Air Force Base. Uh, one daughter, loved to
spend time with his family, engages in marksmanship and leather crafting. Other job titles he's had with the county, detention corporal and detention officer. His most memorable moment was being promoted to corporal. and what he lacks the most are the officers he works
with. So, Officer Truax, thank you for what you do. We appreciate you very much. Next, we have Katherine Martinez. Hello there. How are you? 25 years of service to Tarant County. She's an administrative assistant born in Clovis,
New Mexico. And uh where you're an administrative assistant in constable 3, I will add. Uh went to high school, Texas City High School. Uh big rivals with Lamar, right?
>> Yeah. Um college, Eastern New Mexico University. In fact, no one knows about her. She was a police, fire, and rescue dispatcher for 15 years and received numerous commendations and awards during her career doing that. Uh she likes to uh be creative with building stained
glass projects. That's cool. Painting and quilting. Other job title she's had with the county. Um justice of the peace court clerk in precinct 3. And her most memorable moment was when she passed the test to become a certified justice of the peace court clerk with less than two
years of service. She was the first in precinct 3 to pass that exam. And what she likes the most, which is a theme we often hear uh from all the employees here that spend a long time with Tarant County, is she loves the people she gets to work with and uh we do have a a bunch
of really good folks and good team members here in Tarant County. So, Katherine, thank you for your 25 years of service. We appreciate you. John Jennings, is John here with us? Hi, John. How are you? 25 years of service, juvenile services. We are grateful for your work for Tarant County and thank
you for all you do. Uh we have three juvenile services today, 25 years. Bradley Gatewood, I'm How are you, sir? Thank you for your 25 years. We appreciate what you do there. A tough job, but I know from speaking to many uh of those of you that
work there how rewarding it can be. So, thank you for your 25 years. We appreciate you. And Robert Lewis. Is Robert Lewis here? All right. Somebody had to cover for y'all while you were here. So, uh, Robert Lewis, also 25 years with juvenile services. Mr. Lewis, if you
were listening to us, we are grateful for you and your service and thank you very much. All right. Uh there's a 25-y year anniversary for uh Kimberly. Somebody help me with the pronunciation. Diavagnon.
>> Mark Davin. >> Davanyon. Okay. She could not be here today, but uh she was born she's an assistant district attorney born in Irving, graduated from Keller High School, went to Texas Tech undergrad and law school.
Saw saw no gun up. So uh she she runs a summer camp for grieving children, Elasauro de la. She's been a part of this camp for 30 years where they plan, program, and fund raise all year for one
magnificent healing week and sounds like a a great thing to do. She also indicated on here, feel free to call her to give her money for the camp. So, uh, reach out to Kim if that sounds like something you'd like to help with. Um,
her most memorable moment. So many cases have left a lasting memory with her. She worked most of her career in sex crimes, both of adult and children, and walking besides those victims as they sought justice was and is by far the best part of this job for her. Communitywise,
probably the most memorable case she worked on was the Carla Walker case. Prosecuting Fort Worth's oldest cold case and getting justice for the Walker family after 46 years uh was an incredibly memorable and rewarding moment in her career. And uh what she
likes the most, as any prosecutor will tell you, doing closing arguments is the very very best part of being a prosecutor. So Kim, thank you for your 25 years. We are very grateful for your service in the district attorney's office. Okay. Also not attending today is
Maryanne Cerna with the domestic relations office. She has been with Tarant County for 25 years. So Maryanne, thank you for your service. We appreciate you. Let's give her a round of applause. All right, we have one 30-year employee to
celebrate today, Shelley Aguire with Juvenile Services. How are you, Shelley? Oh, you look way too young to have been there 30 years. She started young. Um, she's the assistant director of administrative services in juvenile. Born in Gainesville, went to Valley View High School, uh, college at Of course.
It probably wasn't then, was it? >> It was. Okay. Uh, bachelor's degree in counseling. Man, that really ages me, doesn't it? So, uh, got her master's degree in criminal justice from UTA, >> two daughters,
and grew up in a small town and participated in 4 and raised pigs. That's pretty cool. Do you do anything like that now? >> Um, not so much now. >> Okay. >> Okay. All right. Um, what she likes to do for fun, travel, garden, and go to
plays. Um, other job titles she's had with the county victim services offer officer, field probation officer, casework supervisor, and senior supervisor. Her most memorable moment was working with really good people that care about the youth and families we serve. So that's doing doing that every
day. And what she likes most, she's extremely appreciative and truly blessed to have the opportunity to work for juvenile services. So Shelley, thank you very much for 30 years of service. WE ARE GRATEFUL. AND we have one 35-year employee today.
If I can pronounce this name correctly. Satyam. Satyam with us. No. Satyambot. Is it have my best guess? CSCD. 35 years of service to Tarant County. And we are
grateful for anyone uh especially Mr. Bot for being here for 35 years. So, thank you very much. Let's give a round of applause there. Um, I have one speaker signed up to speak on
this item, but what they said they wanted to speak on has nothing to do with this item. So, is Jenny Streer here? Is Jenny Streer in the audience? Do we have a spillover room? >> Okay.
Can we see if there's a Jenny Streer in there? I mean, what she stated she wanted to speak on has nothing to do with this. So, >> while we wait, can I ask a question about this thing? Um, I don't know who to ask. Can we get the
consent agenda up here on the screen? No, I hit it. Yeah. >> Oh, Mrs. Well, it's Mrs. Is it Bat or Bot? >> Bot. >> Bot. And is it
>> Satium bot? >> Satium bot. Well, thank you for coming in here and thank you for 35 years. Let's give her another round of applause. All right. Since I'm not seeing Jenny and it's not related to this topic, I will make a motion to
um what do we do here? Receive and file the employee recognition. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second on this item. All right. Please cast your vote. All right. It passes unanimously. Thank you again to all our employees. Thank you for what you did during the freeze.
We seem to have one of these like clockwork at some time or another every single year. And with the weather here in the next 10 days, uh maybe we're past it, but we appreciate what you do. We appreciate everything you do for the people of Tarant County. And at this
point, if you would like to leave to go to a reception in your honor on the fourth floor, uh you are free to do so. What? >> Afraid to get it off of there. >> No, it doesn't show up until you're like
on it, unfortunately. >> I think once we get there it'll do it, but I don't think it shows up early. I'm there. Yeah, >> that's a crowd. >> Yeah, it's pretty good crowd today. >> All right, the next item on our agenda
is a proclamation uh in honor of the Covenant Christian Academy cheerleading team. Commissioner Krauss. >> Thank you, Judge. Uh after last month's uh meeting when Commissioner Ramirez uh recognize the Lake Country Christian School cheerleaders for their state championship, I had somebody reach out and say, "Hey,
you know, precinct 3 has a state champion as well." And I said, "Well, let's get them down here because we want to honor them uh also." And so, uh we've done our best. They're missing school today, so we said we try to draw this out as long as possible. So, I'll read this proclamation very slowly, but um we
are honored to have them here today. Let me read the proclamation, then I'll let you know who we have here today. Whereas the Covenant Christian Academy cheerleading team has continued to exemplify excellence in spirit, athleticism, and character, building upon a distinguished legacy that
includes the 2025 TAPS tier 1 1A 4A traditional 13 and up state championship, as well as prior TAP state championships in 2018, 2016, and 2015, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of competitive achievement. And whereas
this tradition of success reflects not only the skill and dedication of the student athletes, but also the rich history and faithful witness of Covenant Christian Academy, a school committed to developing young men and women who pursue excellence in all things while honoring Christ in character, conduct,
and service. And whereas the accomplishments of the cheerleading team are the result of countless hours of preparation, discipline, and teamwork undertaken while balancing rigorous academic responsibilities and upholding the values of integrity, perseverance, and unity. And whereas the leadership
and mentorship of the cheerleading coaches have played a vital role in shaping both the performance and the personal growth of the athletes, modeling high standards, encouragement, and Christc centered guidance. And whereas the administration, faculty, families, and broader Covenant Christian
Academy community have provided steadfast support, creating an environment where students are empowered to grow spiritually, academically, and athletically. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Tarant County Commissioner's Court congratulates and honors the Covenant Christian Academy
cheerleading team, their coaches, and the entire school community for their outstanding accomplishments and for their continued representation of the school's mission and values. And be it further result that this recognition serves as an expression of pride and appreciation for their commitment to
excellence, their faithful witness, and the inspiration they provide to students and the broader community. And that a copy of this resolution be presented to Covenant Christian Academy and to coach Kyla Cox and Coach Casey Baker as a lasting acknowledgement of this significant achievement and the enduring
legacy of the Lady Cougar cheerleaders. And today we have with us uh cheerleaders Abby Patrick, Emily Udillay, Lola Shots, Sophia Henkins, Olivia Cromer, Hannah McWills,
Alli Vaughn, Emily Krl, Liv Ballard, De Harper Sagers, Kellen uh Fishpaw, Mercedes Moon, and then we have Coach Kyla Cox, and parents Ramona Moon and Amy Utillay. Thank you girl ladies for
being here. Congratulations on your success and I move adoption of this proclamation. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Uh any discussion? Please cast your vote. And if you ladies would join me down here, we'll present the proclamation to you.
All right, I passes unanimously. Y'all come back some more. One, two, three. Go Cougars. >> One, two, three. >> Congratulations. >> Great job, ladies. Job, ladies. Congratulations.
Thank you so much for having us. We're super grateful for your kindness and love towards our girls. We're so proud of them and thankful for the gifts that God has given them and the opportunity to be a part of something like this, pursuing excellence and enjoying all the benefits that something like that
provides. And we just thank you so much for loving us. >> Congratulations. Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have a proclamation uh in honor of All Saints Episcopal Schools football team. Commissioner Ramirez. >> Yes. Uh who who knew that Tarant County
was home to so many incredible student athletes and state champions? Uh but we knew in precinct 4 all along that All Saints has been a powerhouse for a long time. Uh I've got three today uh celebrating three state champions from all states. But first, I'm going to
celebrate our football team. Whereas the All Saints Episcopal school football team concluded its 2025 season with a perfect 14-0 record culminated in winning the Taps Division 2 state championship title on December 5th, 2025
following a 34 to6 victory over Second Baptist School of Houston. And whereas this triumph marks the program's second consecutive state championship and third title overall, establishing the Saints as the first team in TAP's 11man history to secure back-to-back undefeated
championship seasons. And whereas the program's excellence is further evidenced by individual accolades, including 28 members named to the division 2 district 1 all district teams, nine selections to the all-state teams, and six student athletes honored
in the academic all-state team. And whereas head coach Aaron Beck and his coaching staff have successfully instilled the core values of leadership, sportsmanship, and servitude with each player, providing them with a foundational character that will endure throughout their lives. And whereas Tarant County and the All Saints
community alike take immense pride in the team's dedication, tenacity, and composure under pressure. Qualities that have secured their enduring legacy. And whereas the Tarant County Commissioner's Court formally acknowledges the historic achievements and athletic distinction of the Saints football team and its
coaching staff. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, do hereby issue this proclamation to the All Saints Episcopal School Saints football team in recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments and extend our most sincere congratulations. and witness
whereof will have here unto set our hands and cause the great seal of Tarant County to be affixed this 10th day of February 2026. And I would move for approval. >> Second. >> Fantastic. With us today from from all saints, we've got >> motion and a second. >> Any comments? If none, please cast your
vote. >> All right. Passes unanimously. >> Well, with us today, uh, from all saints, we have Do we have Wally Warden, the head of school? >> Mr. Warden was preoccupied at school today. >> All right. Hope it's Hope it's nothing bad. We've
got uh head coach Aaron Beck and athletic director Aaron Beck. Uh student athlete Drew Edmonds, Kingston Byer, Gatlin Gearhard, Hudson Razer, and Barrett Bray. If you guys could stand up and come on down, we'll present this proclamation to you.
>> That's some That's some big boys. >> Um What team? >> All Saints Pis. >> Uhhuh. Who is Gatlin? >> What's your last name, >> sir? >> What's your last name? >> Man, that's like that's like the best
football name I've ever heard. That's good stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Congrats, fellas. >> Good job, fellas. >> Congratulations, fellas. >> I know. Manny's not a small man.
>> Some big boys, too. >> Private schoolwise. Big boys from private school. >> Big healthy boys. You know, speaking on behalf of of Mr. Warden, I'm the assistant head of school athletic director, head football coach. All that
means is I'm clean up on aisle 7 grace. But it is such a privilege for us to be here today and be invited. And as a lifelong Tarant County resident, born on Monte Street about two blocks away from the Masonic home orphanage. All the work
that everyone in this room does for the great great Tarant County is so appreciated and it's our honor and privilege to be here today to celebrate um our young people and our coaches. Thank you for everything that you do. >> Thank you, COACH. >> All right. Next is a proclamation
honoring the All Saints Episcopal Field Hockey team. Commissioner Ramirez. >> Yes. Uh another incredible team from another incredible school. Uh, the All Saints Episcopal School Field Hockey Team secured the 2025 TAP state championship title on October 23rd,
2025, prevailing over St. Agnes Academy in a compelling 2 to1 victory. And whereas goalie Reagan Davis, a member of the class of 2026, was duly recognized as the tournament's most valuable player for her exceptional performance during the championship series. And whereas under the distinguished leadership of
head coach Dana Weaver and assistant coach Katherine Dour, the team consistently demonstrated exemplary resilience, strategic prowess, and composure throughout the demanding tournament. And whereas the All Saints Episcopal School Field Hockey program has established a commendable legacy, a
testament to the dedication, rigorous training, and collective sacrifices made by its athletes and staff. Whereas Tarant County takes immense pride in acknowledging the dedication, hard work, tenacity, and composure demonstrated by this esteemed team, thereby securing their place not only in the hearts of
the All Saints community, but also among the citizens of Tarant County. And whereas Tarant County wishes to formally recognize the outstanding achievements of this team and its exemplary coaching staff. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, do hereby issue this
proclamation to the All States Episcopal School Field Hockey Team and their coaching staff in recognition of their extraordinary achievements. And we extend our most sincere congratulations on this momentous victory. In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hands and cause the great seal of Tarant County to be affixed this 10th day of
February, 2026. I'd move for approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All right, seeing none, please cast your vote. Passes unanimously. >> And joining us today from field hockey, we have head coach Dana Weaver,
assistant coach Katie Dour, student athlete Izzy Elmas, student athlete Lily Chavez, and Reagan Davis. If you would guys please come down. We were talking before commissioner's court. I think Reagan's going to play in college. Is that right? >> Yes, sir.
>> Where at? >> Roads College in Memphis, Tennessee. >> Roads College of Memphis, Tennessee. Good for you, Reagan. >> That's the barbecue capital of America. >> Indeed. >> Well, of Tennessee. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Tennessee. >> Kansas City may have something to say about that.
>> Arthur Bryant. Although I'll take Franklin in Austin. >> Hey, REAGAN. REAGAN, remember Corky's, you'll love it. I promise. >> Thank you all again so much for having us. Coach said everything perfectly, so
I'll just reiterate that. But we really really appreciate this recognition. Thank you. Congratulations. >> Great job, ladies. >> All right. Last on the proclamation resolution section also uh to honor an All Saints Episcopal school team. This is the volleyball team. Commissioner Harris.
>> Yeah. Last but certainly not least, we have the All Saints volleyball team. Whereas on on November 14th, 2025, the All Saints Episcopal School volleyball team achieved a decisive 3 to 0 victory over Houston Lutheran to become the 2025
TAPS 5A state champions, the third the third time in the program's noteworthy history. And whereas the win culminated a stellar season in which the Saints ended with a record of 29 wins and only five losses and included an impressive 14game winning streak. And whereas the program's excellence is further
evidenced by individual accolades, including five members named to the division 2 district 1 all district teams, three selections to the all-state teams, four selections to the all tournament team, and four student athletes honored in the academic all-state team. And whereas coach Mary
Schindler and her staff have successfully instilled the core values of leadership, sportsmanship, and servitude within each player, providing them with a foundational character that will endure throughout their lives. And whereas Tarant County and the All Saints community take profound pride in the
team's dedication, tenacity, and composure under pressure. Admirable qualities that have secured their lasting legacy. And whereas the Tarant County Commissioner's Court desires to formally acknowledge the historic achievements and athletic distinction of this team and its coaching staff. Now
therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, do hereby issue this proclamation to the All Saints Episcopal School volleyball team and their coaching staff in recognition of their extraordinary achievements. And we extend our congratulations. In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hands and cause
the great steel of Tarant County to be affixed this 10th day of February, 2026. And I'd move for approval. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second to approve this. Any discussion? Seeing none, please cast your vote. All right. Passes unanimously. Uh with
us today we have head coach Mary Schindler, uh athlete Liz Cers, athlete Clara Wixs, and Avari Marorrow. Please come down. Were one of y'all going to play college as well? >> Not yet. Okay, we have several.
>> Okay. athletes. >> I I do know one of the football guys was going to play in college, right? Which one was going to play in college? >> All of us. >> All of you. >> All of them. There you go. What do you mean? >> I love it. >> That's the That's the right answer right
there. >> We're at the ones who have committed >> Colgate. University. >> That's right. In San Antonio. That's right. >> Montana. >> Montana. That's cool. Awesome. >> What town? In Montana. Where is it? >> That's cool.
>> Beautiful. Thank you so much. Is anyone from >> Oh, I can. >> It's an honor to be here. We just want to say thank you so much again for this incredible experience. >> Congratulations. Yes, thank you.
>> Quite the athletic program going at All Saints. And uh that's if I have my count right, that's three volleyball state champions from Taran County. That's pretty cool. Volleyball hotbed of of Texas. >> May maybe next month Commissioner Ramirez can bring the one team at All Saints that didn't win state just so
they don't feel left out. I feel like everybody's won it. >> Um all right, it is now 11 o'clock. We are before we resume the rest of our meeting, we're going to uh take a recess and be back in here at 11:08. We are now in recess.
I am. >> So that's how I am. >> Yeah. Just go for it. an agenda. >> That's an interesting screen saver. >> What are you telling me? >> I don't know. >> It's my algorithm.
All right, we're back on the record. It is uh time to go to the consent agenda. Do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended? >> So moved. >> Second. All right, that was
a motion I think from Krauss, a second I think from Simmons and uh any discussion. All right, please cast your vote. All right, that passes unanimously. Now that
will take us to item B1 which is consideration of an interlocal agreement between Tarant County and the state of Texas office of court administration for security services. And this is under consent
item 7B1. Okay. All right. Do we have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. All right. We have a motion and a second on this item. Any discussion before speaker? >> All right. Speaker is Lon Burnham.
>> Good morning everybody. Uh my apologies for missing last month. We had a family emergency and I ended up spending the day on a medical situation in Farmer's Branch. Ironically, I was reminded about unnecessary litigation. Then, listen, the reason I
signed up on this is I didn't understand it at first, uh, but now I do. And all I have to say is if you have not had an opportunity to have a Sunday school lesson given by the former judge John Hill and his experience being shot in our courthouse, you need to take that
Sunday school opportunity. He gives a great message on forgiveness. This is absolutely necessary and sorry for taking 30 seconds of your time on it. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion?
Are you voting? All right, passes unanimously. Next, we go to item C2. C2 is receive and file the auditor's report for county asset inventory. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve
this item. Any discussion before speaker? I'm looking for C2 on the screen. Okay. If we This is this C2 in front of me? I don't have a speaker signed up. Did one of y'all pull this off?
>> No. Okay. There's no speaker listed. >> Judge, I'm sorry. I I do show a speaker, Joe Palmer. >> I Wow. Okay. There's not one here. >> Are y'all sure on this screen you've got
C2 from consent up here? All right. Well, if there's a speaker, Joe Palmer. Is Mr. Palmer present? >> That doesn't say C2. Okay. All right. Well, I don't see him present. The overflow room is done. We
have a motion and a second on this item. Any discussion? >> All right. Please cast your vote. All right. Passes unanimously. Next item we have is D1, which is budget and risk management consideration of fiscal year 2026
appropriation adjustments. Do we have a motion on this item? >> Sec. Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion to approve and a second. Any discussion here? >> Yeah, I just have a couple of quick
questions. So, it looks like we are taking $5,342 from reserves for this appropriation. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. Can we get next meeting and probably the next meeting, can we get a briefing to discuss appropriation adjustments coming from reserves? Okay. All right. Let's let's add that to
the um agenda so I'm able to keep up because I think we had something come from reserves back in December or something like that. Um thank you. That's all I have there. >> All right. We have a motion and a second
on this item. Any further discussion? uh vote uh >> yay. >> Okay. Uh passes unanimously uh for our IT or whoever it is staff.
This monitor seems to repeatedly not allow to be pressed for the next meeting. Can we have this looked at, adjusted, dealt with, or replaced so we don't have that issue? Thank you.
>> Um, now takes us to D5, which is consideration to submit the fiscal year 27 peace officer mental health program grant application resolution to the office of the governor for the Tarant County Sheriff's Office. Move >> approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second
to approve this item. Uh, we have one speaker signed up to speak to this item, Rich Dott. Thank you, judge and commissioners. My name is Rich Giat. Years ago, I served on the Sheriff's Department, Civil Service Commission. I was the chair of
it. And in that role, I got familiar with the Sheriff's Department. I went on ride alongs. I anonymously went to various jailing facilities and I I heard the sounds, smelled the smells, and saw what those people have to do for their jobs, which most of us in this room
would not want to do. and I'm very thankful for them. So my comments today are really to support them. When I showed up at the last meeting to talk about something uh for two minutes uh very briefly came very much at the end of the day. I waited around here for eight hours as you all did
and I watched speaker after speaker get up and speak on several items. Same speakers get up three minutes each time. There were a lot of people in that group that spoke more than any of y'all did. They were heard. But I don't think they understand. Just because you have the
right to speak doesn't mean we have to listen. And after the first or second, I believe in public comments. I think this is a forum that's needed. But you're getting ready to have a lot of your time wasted. One of the people you're going to h have in front of you
shortly from now is going to speak to you 11 times. It's not me. I'm leaving after I get done here. You're going to waste almost 36 minutes. A a sermon at church can't last that long. Are people gonna hear >> Mr. Mr. Dott?
>> Yes. >> While I may appreciate your comments for this item, they are to stick with the agenda item. >> Good. Okay. I'm going to I'm going to stay with that. If I can have a little more time back on that clock, I'd appreciate it. My my um my point of this
is to support because people got up last time and that's why I'm here today. They got up last time and said accusing people of murder. They don't know what happened. They saw videos. Videos never, if we have learned anything in the last two months, videos don't tell the whole story. Your job is not to write a check.
Your job is to find out what the truth is. And I hope that you will stick to that. Find out what the truth. Give deliberation time for that. Don't write a check. Um, be patient and deliberative. I'm thankful for the sheriff's department. They do work that
most of us won't do. They handle about 4,300 uh inmates every day. They they prevented 300 suicides last time. They are lifavers. They are not murders. And all the people in the sheriff's department need to know that. My comments today are centered around
trying to be some of what of an encouragement. I've met so many of these people that work in the sheriff's department and they do it with vigor. I'm proud of them. I think they're doing a good job. I I do support law enforcement. There's a bunch of people here with signs. They're going to show
that they don't. And I do. And a lot of people do. And if this is going to turn into a political rally every month, I probably can bring some friends, too. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, sir. All right. Any other discussion or any discussion before finalizing the vote?
All right. Seeing none, passes unanimously. Takes us to item E1. E1 is community development request for public hearing Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 at 10 a.m. to
consider the draft program year 2026 annual action plan. This item is to approve setting a public hearing. Is it not? >> Okay. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> How we have a motion and a second.
We have two speakers on this item. Lon Burnham and Linda Henry. This is more of a question for commissioners to consider and that is just how much of this money is going to go into housing. We all know that we have a mental health and housing crisis in this county and there's probably a
need for a lot more money going into programs that support that and this is a good place to get them from and I'll try and make that hearing on the 10th. Thank you, >> Miss Henry. >> I'll be brief. Um the item says comments will be open from February 5th to March
10th, but there is no link to the action plan itself nor instruction on how to obtain a copy of it. Right. >> How can anyone reasonably com comment on the action plan if they don't know how to access it access? Well, and of course, the 30-day comment period has
already begun. This appears to be part of a pattern of the court decidif. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Please cast your votes.
>> Yay. >> Passes unanimously. Now we go to item G2, consideration to approve the settlement agreement and full and final and complete release in connection with a suit filed against Tarant County, Texas by Kendo Contracting LP.
>> For approval second. All right, we have a motion and a second to approve this item, Mr. Burnham. >> Uh, any discussion before voting? >> Yay. >> All right, just passes unanimously. Are when she's
trying to do this, are y'all making the yes vote? >> Oh, okay. cuz that might be work, but they >> just show them that for today or you can do whatever you want, but I'm saying it's obviously not working. >> Uh, all right. That's G2. >> Did we vote? We voted.
>> Yes, >> it's passed. >> Now we go to item G3. G3 is consideration of an amendment to the contract between Tarant County and the Texas Workforce Commission for online access to the information contained in the unemployment insurance and wage records. Move for approval.
Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve this item. Any discussion before speaker Mr. Burnham I'm sorry, I've lost my place. Which one are we on? >> G3.
An amendment to a contract between Tarant County and the TWWC. >> No, that's the one I said pass. >> No, it wasn't. >> Well, I'm going to pass. >> Okay. All right. Any other discussion? All the votes are in. All right, passes
unanimously. Next item is I 10, consideration of amendment number one to the professional services contract with Komatsu Architecture for the Cold Springs Jail renovation project. All right, I'll move to approve. Second. All right, we have a motion and a
second. Any discussion? All right. Our speakers are Charles Bills, Charles Bills, and Lon Burnham. Mr. Bills, you only get one. >> Yeah, I I signed in. My mom signed in for me. But um this item has been on the
court's agenda frequently over the last two years with changes and increases to the contract specifications. It is past time to inform the public exactly what the per ultimate plan is of use for this facility. Is it going to be for inmates?
Is it going to be an ICE detention center? If so, it should be funded by the federal government. And uh you know, we just need to know exactly what it's for. >> All right, Mr. Burnham.
So, this item uh provides me with the opportunity to remind you of many people in the community's concern that there's really no intent to limit the number of people that we unnecessarily incarcerate. And so, we're concerned about what this involves. Um I had the privilege of being at the Jail Standards
Commission last week in Austin to testify against our DA and his request. Uh, I just wish you guys would spend more time evaluating what's really going on with our jail. And I do not need to speak to number 12 because it's the same
concern. Okay. All right. Any discussion from the court before voting? All right. Seeing none, please cast your votes. All right. Passes unanimously.
Brings us to item. Is this I or J? What are we on here? I 12, consideration of amendment number two to the professional services contract Kamasu archite architecture for the Sheriff John B. York building renovation project at Resource Connection. >> Move approval. >> Second.
>> Now we have a motion and a second on this item. Any discussion? >> Is this the law enforcement training center? >> Yes, >> that's correct. >> All right. Any discussion before speaker? >> All right, Mr. Burnham. That's what >> That's the one you just said you're
passing. I remember that. That wasn't that long ago. Okay. Uh any discussion before voting? >> All right. Seeing none, cast your votes. >> You're a yay. >> Yay. >> Okay. Passes unanimously.
Then we go to item J1. J1 HIV administration consideration of interim funding for fiscal year 202627 health resources and services administration ending the HIV epidemic a plan for America. Um I'll move to approve. >> Second.
>> All right. We have a motion a second on this item. Any discussion? Bishop Kirkland. >> At least I stay on topic. Um, this agenda item for one is a reason why I believe that Taran County should have
its own human resources department. I'd mand this court to approve this interim funding in the amount of $40,000 which will be reimbursed by the uh HRSA.
My only push back is that part of the proposal says for a period not to exceed four weeks. I'd like to see that revisited at the end of the 4-week period to make certain that those
monies are available. Which brings me to my second objective or item on this uh agenda item. and that is this court needs to convene more than once a month.
You're about to put a rubber stamp on this and pass this and even before the monies are due to come back to this court, you will have already made your decision.
Um, I just figure if we could write openf face checks to law firms in Virginia, why not do it for the Ryan White Foundation? Thank you. >> All right. Any discussion before voting. All right. Seeing none, passes
unanimously. Now go to J2. Consideration to submit the fiscal year 2026 2027 Texas Department of State Health Services Housing Opportunities for Person with AIDS grant renewal application. I'll move to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second on this
item. Any discussion, >> Mr. Kirkland? >> Uh Ryan White, although tragic, it reminds us how much people need people for help. Ryan removed the stigmatism attached to this disease of being a
curse from God to condemn homosexuality. My problem with the word homosexual in the canon of scripture is that the Bible in the first century when it was written and you using a 15th century word people
living with HIV and AIDS are touched by life in ways that most of most of us could never imagine. Ryan was a brave young man that outlived his life expectancy by five years. He came along
the early 80s and when most ignorant people were still calling HIV grids, gay related illness. Ryan was a brave young man and he put a face on such an ugly
disease. HIV incidents in Texas is 17.1 per 1,000 people, which is the highest in the nation in 2024. Can one of you people please guide me to
some resource with real time numbers about people living in HIV and AIDS year to date? I'm being told that as a county we're not doing a great job. I fear that the program direct I hear that the
program director is doing an excellent job yet with limited resources. Please tell me Taran County is doing more than the SRO program for indigent people living with HIV and AIDS. SRO, single
room occupant facility is a permanent housing environment for single men and women live with HIV and AIDS and it only has 60 beds. Please tell me there is another resource
in this county with 17.1% per 100 people that we're offering more than 60 beds. I hope this is one of those situations like the human services department or forgive me. We're the
largest county in the state of Texas and we don't have a human resources department. but the old defunct human resources department that those funds will remain in a pot and not be used and given back
next fiscal year. My fear with the bias of the LGBT community and Taran County that our own judge openly displayed a meeting to stop a resolution with his distasteful hateful comments in that
meeting. Please tell me. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. All right. Any other There will be no applause in the room today. Anyone have any comments before voting? All right. Please cast your votes. They're in. Passes unanimously. Go to
item 01, which is consideration of an agreement with one community USA for implementation of the pathways to helping offenders pursue excellence, re-entry, diversion, restorative justice, and mentoring program. Move >> for approval. >> Second. All right. We have a motion and a second to approve this item.
uh two speakers. Uh any discussion before speakers? I >> I'll say one thing. Uh Ian Furer, who heads up uh this program, does an amazing job at making sure that they are involved with our uh criminal justice system, getting uh the re-entry that's
effective, that's efficient, that uh reduces recidivism. And so, uh, I just wanted to thank him and his organization publicly because they do a fantastic job and, uh, I appreciate the work he does in Tarant County that makes our, uh, county safer. All right, our first speaker is Jackie Johnson,
then Lon Burnham. Today you're being asked to approve $99,000 for a re-entry, diversion, and restorative justice program inside the Tarant County jail. Programs like this can be very valuable, but I need to hear what happens inside that jail when the
most basic responsibilities are not met. My son Anthony Johnson Jr. never had a chance to make it to re-entry. He never made it to diversion and he never and he never made it to restorative of justice because at intake your own staff documented in writing that he needed a
me immediate mental health intervention. They wrote it down and then nothing happened. No intervention, no monitoring, no care. My son died in your custody because the fun foundational duties, safety, supervision and medical
response were not met. And my family is not alone. A woman died in the same jail because she was denied fruits and vegetables, because her basic dietary needs were ignored. She asked for food she could safely eat and still died.
That is not a programming issue. That is a failure of care. So when I see an I asking for nearly $100,000 for programming, I I have to ask where is the investment in the conditions that would have kept people alive. Where is
the accountability for the failures that were documented and ignored? Where is the transparency for the families who are still waiting for answers and investigations? And because part of this funding comes from the commissary, which is paid for
by the families of people incarcerated, transparency is not optional. The court should require regular public reports on who is participating in this program, how many people complete it, and what are the outcomes are being measured. If families are funding it,
families deserve visibility. Programs like Pathways to Hope only matter if people survive long enough to participate in them. My son never got the chance. Too many others didn't. And until this court confronts the systemic
failures inside that jail, failures that are costing human lives, these programs become window dressing on top of a crisis. I'm asking you today not just to approve contracts, but to confront the truth. If
Tarant County can find $99,000 for programming, it can find the will to fix the conditions that killed my son. It can enforce the standards you already have. It can demand accountability from the sheriff's office and it can ensure that no other family stands where I'm
standing today. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Burnham. >> I agree with both of the two previous speakers. My poor mama used to try to teach me to if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. I never
got that lesson. But this is an occasion to say something nice about the efforts here. >> It's It sounds like it's a very good program. Not enough is frequently as the case, but at least it's a good start. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, >> Judge. I would say with this item, I am
in support of it, but I would ask uh what will the u performance metrics look like? How frequently will we get performance metrics or updates from this program? I I'll tell you one that I've witnessed is they have a graduation
ceremony at the Green Bay facility after they go through this pathways that one community puts on. You kind of see the partners that have worked with the inmates and I was blown away at kind of the uh the hope, the encouragement, the confidence that these inmates had after going through this program knowing that
when they get out momentarily they're going to be able to reenter into soci society in a in a legitimate beneficial way. And so if you've never done that, I'll I'll make sure you get over to that. seen one of those graduation ceremonies over at the Green Bay facility, I think you would see the value and benefit of what they're doing.
>> I'm sure it's a great program and I look forward to attending one of the graduation ceremonies, but I would ask us to go a step further to make sure that all members of this court have the performance metrics of the program. >> Yes, I'd love to see I'd love to see a breakdown of the stats on on the
reduction recidivism and all the rest. I mean, I know and it's not anecdotal, they have them, but I'd love to have an appal report. >> Sure. Maybe maybe in six months or a year or whatever we do. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Anything else on this item? All right. All the votes are in. Passes
unanimously. Now it takes us to the beginning of the non-consent agenda. First item is a public hearing to consider establishing Shelton Ranch Road in precinct 4. So the
public hearing is now open. There is no one signed up to speak on this item. Is there anyone who would like to speak on this item? All right, seeing none, do I have a motion to close the public hearing? >> So move. >> So move. Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second
to close the public hearing. Any discussion? All right, cast your votes. All right, passes unanimously. Public hearing is now closed on that item. Next, we come to 9A1, consideration of out of state travel request. Judge, uh, real quick as we get into kind of the
general calendar, uh, just a point of information. I know we've got a busy calendar, we've got a full calendar. Previous times we've done that. I know we've talked about the Roberts rules of order, uh, that there's 10 minutes per commissioner per item. Uh, is it am I understanding that we're under those
same rules today and that that will be in force as we go throughout the rest of the agenda? Mr. Katville, can you speak to that? Yes. Robert's rules and under section 43 says that uh for each member they have uh 10 minutes to make a
speech. >> Okay. >> On an item. So are you asking me to invoke that? >> Yeah. Well, yeah. I think that would help the meeting official. >> All right. So, when we get to an item, I guess I'll tell you when we're at an item that will be
>> a significant item. Okay. Well, I don't want him to have to start a 10-minute clock on consideration of out of state travel requests, but uh if you'll >> Okay. >> allow that latitude. So, I'll tell you when when to judge count it. I'm sorry
to interrupt if I may. Council on this last public hearing, the vote they took, was that uh sufficient to establish the actual name of the road or do they need to take a separate vote on that outside of closing the public hearing? >> I understood that motion to be to close the public hearing. So I would recommend
that if there is a separate action that's being >> asked for in the agenda that a separate vote be taken on that. >> Can you can you put do you have the ability to put that back on the screen? >> Okay. >> Thank you, judge. >> So u Okay, that's
>> and I guess I would make a motion to establish Shelton R and four. >> Second. Did did any of you up here understand that's this was supposed to be two different motions? >> I did not. I thought for a public hearing
>> on and I can try to remember on public hearings because that seems we've done this now several times but >> can we make some additional something on there where it's a little clearer >> the action if necessary if you want us
to just make it much more >> a public hearing b >> necessary >> established to Got it. Yes sir. >> Yeah. All right. So we did we closed our public hearing. Now we have a motion and a second to establish Shelton Ranch Road and
Precinct 4. Uh, any discussion? All right, please cast your vote. >> All right, passes unanimously. Now we're back to the out ofstate travel requests. Um, and if any court member thinks I have
missed an item, that's one where we want to invoke the 10-minute rule, just say so. Uh, 9A1, consideration of out of state travel request. Do we have a motion on this item? >> Move approval. Second. >> All right, we have a motion to approve. Any discussion? Motion second. Any discussion? All
right, let me see. Mr. Burnham. I think this is an appropriate time to revisit my concern and issues over uh how much money spent on out of state travel to attend uh things that are really far too political in nature and
supporting Christian nationalism. I don't know that there's anything on the agenda this time, but there has been in the past. And I just want to make that clear to many people in this audience that may not pay as much attention to travel requests. This has been an ongoing problem and I hope it's fixed.
Thanks. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve the outstate travel request. Any discussion? All right, please cast your vote. Votes are in. Passes unanimously. brings up to item B1, budget and risk management. Consideration to submit a grant
application resolution to the Texas comproller of public accounts for sheriff immigration law enforcement grant program funding for the Tarant County Sheriff's Office. >> For approval. >> All right, we have a motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Uh we have a second. All right, discussion from the court members before bringing up speakers. >> Yes. Um so um start ask some educational
questions. >> Um uh who's is anybody briefing? Nope. I had some questions about 287G. >> I believe Chief Gabard is is available. Let me see if we can find her really quick.
>> Okay. Stop my clock, y'all. Stop. >> Have they stop? Have you stopped the clock? Yeah. So, give it about whatever it is 15 seconds before you start it again. >> Okay. Thanks.
>> Y'all got that? Give it about 15 seconds before you start it again. >> What? Just start it over. Just don't don't start it. Count to 15, 20, whatever. I don't care. Start it over.
>> Yeah, I'd say just start it over. They call her chief. Thank you. >> Hi, Chief. >> Hi. How are you? >> Uh, good. So, I just have a a few questions about uh the 287G agreement between Tarant County and ICE. Can you
just kind of talk about that? Um, when did Taran County enter the 287g agreement? When did it renew? Um, how many Tarant County Sheriff's deputies are duly deputized as ICE
agents? >> Uh, yes. I'll give you answers. Uh, the information that I I know off the top of my head. Um, so immigration has actually been inside the Tarant County jail for decades. Uh, we used to have an immigration officer that actually sat inside the jail and worked with our
team. uh around 2017 or 18, 287 uh agreement was put into place to where we actually had individuals inside our jail that had training regarding 287G so that they were um accurately having discussions with individuals that might
not be in this country legally. Um this program here today, this that we're talking about on the agenda is more related to a um reimbursement for the things that we are doing inside the jail. So, it could be reimburse training. It could reimburse for
equipment. It's up to $140,000, I believe. Um, that the reimbursement from the state of Texas uh would be would be available to our agency. >> Okay. How many people are currently in our jail with an icehold? And
>> um I don't have an exact number for you on that, but it's several hundred. >> Okay. Um, how many people currently have an icehole in the jail uh that are charged with low low-level offenses? >> Um, I'm sorry, I was not prepared to
give that information regarding this particular agenda item. >> Okay. All right. Um, so th those are those are all the questions I I have for you on that, I think. Um, >> so let me say this.
Um, what is happening across this country, including Minnesota, is disturbing and should alarm everybody. Uh, federal immigration enforcement operations have cost lives, including
the lives of two Americans. Um, these events require us to take a hard look at our own responsibilities here at home. I do not support ICE. I do not support this grant. and I do not support
expanding immigration enforcement at the county level. This is not just a grant. This is the state offering money to encourage Taran County to expand county responsibility and liability in order to support
federal immigration enforcement. Um, I want to address two things. My colleagues want you to believe they care deeply about taxpayer dollars and the size of government.
Um f first of all, I learned a long time ago that nothing is free. These grants are not free. This grant is not free money. They come with strings.
They come with staffing requirements, training costs, legal exposure, and long-term obligations that don't disappear when the grant runs out. This is how local government quietly grows.
We say yes to grant money today and start sending the bill to county taxpayers tomorrow. And I guess they're okay with this. This proposal does nothing to meaningfully address actual violent crime in our community. Our public safety officers
need to dedicate resources to solving homicides, addressing repeat violent offenders here in the county, strengthening investigations, and ensuring our jails and law enforcement systems are functioning safely and effectively.
Um, according to ICE and DHS's own data, only about 5% of people deported through internal enforcement have been convicted of violent crimes. So, let's be honest here. This is not an effort to make our
community safer. It's an effort that diverts attention, manpower, resources away from violent crime issues that already exist here. What this is to me is folks want to pick
people up and that look like me that look like Commissioner Meritz and get them out of here. >> Okay. One moment. I'm going to ask the audience to be quiet. >> Um >> if you speak out, you'll be removed. >> So that's it. It's an effort to get
black and brown people out of here. If they could get them out of all of us out of Taran County, they probably would. But this is an effort to do that. Immigration enforcement is federal business. That's not county business. We're nowhere near a border.
And so with over 20 years of public safety experience, I have 20 years of public safety experience. I know what effective, accountable, and humane public safety looks like. And um what we are talking about here is not that
before we expand cooperation with federal enforcement, shouldn't we be able to demonstrate basic competence and accountability in our own systems? Last week we had two jail escapes.
We've had 76 deaths in the jail. We've got work to do here um in Taran County and I I think that's where our focus should be. Um a press conference was held praising this grant and the expansion of enforcement
authority. Statistics were shared including the claim that 375 people are currently under ICE hold in our jails jail. That raises serious concern. How's this information being shared? Um, these fellas got up in this press
conference and had all the details, but but it is very difficult and I'm glad you're here today, Chief, uh, to to get updates here in this commissioner's courtroom at that podium.
Um, and so here I'm going to I'm going to play the press conference so y'all can have some details about this grant um from the sheriff's office. >> Point of information, stop the clock. >> Do we do we play videos that I can't
remember us having ever done that is that normal course of >> I played videos before. >> Okay. >> So >> I don't remember it. So here >> I mean I I have not seen videos of what she's describing played in this room
since we have been here. Are you making an objection? >> I I I didn't know if that was something we we all did. If that was normal course I'm just trying to get some information and if it's not allowable then I'll call a point of order uh >> to say we shouldn't allow that. But
>> so to address that is it allowable? I mean, we don't have a specific provision that prohibits it. If there's not a specific rule in Robert's rules of order, then it then it typically falls
to the chair to make a ruling if there's an objection. And then if a ruling is made, a that ruling of the chair can be challenged. >> Okay.
So, play the video, please. It's uh it's it's just a video of the the sheriff's press conference that that you guys are at. Um so, that's that's it. >> There's nothing. >> Yes. >> Okay. You can play the video. Start the
>> clock. >> Pause the clock. Uh the results today as we stand here is that we have some such under 400 people detained in the county jail right now with a variety of different horrific felonies and representing by the way
>> do you have a transcript of this with with funds positions and so forth like that. So this is going to be a welcome dollar amount that will assist us in taking care of some of that. And so thank you sir. Are y'all working on audio?
>> We asked them to turn to the table and the thing that controller has done is he's cut out a lot of the bureaucracy that normally steps in the way of getting state funds and it's going to be quickly resolved. >> Well, thank you, Sheriff. Good afternoon, everyone. Texas is a law and
order state and Tarant County is a law and order county. We are proud to partner with ICE. And what the sheriff did not mention just now was there are currently 375 people. >> Well, stop the clock, please, until they um you that's not how that's not how
this works. >> No, that's how it's going to work. We can't hear the audio. Are y'all still working? >> You are out of order. You don't dictate when the clock is stopped or not. I do. You can make >> Are they still working on the audio? They're working on the audio. >> Well, the clock is going to continue to
run as long as that's playing. So stop it please. >> County we have been a part of the 287g program for nearly 10 years. Uh the results today as we stand here is that we have uh some such under 400 people detained in the county jail right now
with a variety of different horrific felonies and representing by the way 25 different countries. So we're always struggling with uh with funds, positions and so forth like that. So, this is going to be a welcome dollar amount that will assist us in in taking care of some
of that. And so, thank you, sir, for quickly bringing it to light and bringing it to the table. And and the thing that controller has done is he's cut out a lot of the bureaucracy that normally steps in the way of getting state funds and it's going to be quickly resolved.
>> Okay. Stop. Stop it. >> Sheriff, good afternoon to everyone. >> You saying stop the video? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, um it was good to hear those statistics from the sheriff. Um it'd be great if he'd u come to court and provide those
statistics or staff were prepared um with those statistics. I often hear the uh phrase law and order used in conversations like this. They use law and order. Law and order. But law and order does not exist when people's
rights are violated. Law and order does not exist when families are left without answers. Law and order does not exist when government reaches for more power while failing at its most basic
responsibilities. This grows county government blurs jurisdictional lines and liability. I raise a point of order without addressing existing failures. >> Thank you. Your time is up,
>> judge. I have that the number of the total if you would like it. We have 388 uh detainees at this time. Had I known that you would also want the low uh lower level >> uh detainees prior to court, I would have had that number for you, too. But
we actually have to go through the numbers and determines which ones might have fallen into that category. Unfortunately, many of our detainees, even though they might show that they have a low-level offense on their record, they're also being detained with an additional higher level offense. So,
it's not as simple as just looking at the low-level numbers or low-level offenses and saying that this isn't, you know, the exact number. So, we would have to go through that, but it's 388 right now in ter jail. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Anyone else on the court have any comments? >> I do.
>> Okay. As a commissioner, my responsibility is to ensure that decisions made by this court are grounded in fiscal responsibility, transparency, public safety, and community trust. Consideration of the SBA Sheriff
Immigration Law Enforcement Grant raises serious concerns in the following areas, particularly as it relates to the overreach and harmful impacts of immigration enforcement practices. As county commissioners, we serve as a safety net for all residents of Taran
County. Supporting policies or actions that expose residents to harm, intimidation, or oppressive enforcement does not advance public safety in my opinion. Instead, it undermines the very trust that communities need to feel safe, to report crimes, and to engage
with government. Too often, immigration enforcement actions disproportionately impact residents who are already vulnerable, individuals and families who may be overlooked in policy discussions, but who are essential contributors to our local economy, the workforce, and
community life. When enforcement practices create fear rather than safety, or when they blur the line between local government and federal overreach, the result is harm, not protection. Public safety cannot be built on policies that marginalize or
oppress any segment of our community. Our responsibility is to ensure that Taran County remains a place where all residents are pro protected, respected, and able to live without fear of unnecessary government intrusion. SBA
offers state funding, but funding alone does not constitute does not constitute constitute sound policy. This grant supports costs associated with immigration enforcement activities that are not reimbursed by the federal
government. Costs that can extend well beyond the life of the grant itself. Staffing, detention, medical care, administrative reporting, and polit and potential legal exposure are long-term obligations that ultimately fall on local taxpayers. This court has not
received a formal briefing on the sheriff's department's current or proposed involvement with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We have not been presented with clear information on the scope of any existing ICE agreements, operational responsibilities assumed by the
sheriff's office, costs already incurred or anticipated, impacts on staffing, jail capacity, or core public safety functions. It's difficult to responsibly consider a grant application when commissioners have not been fully briefed on the underlying enforcement activities that
the grant is designed to support. Third, expanded immigration enforcement carries significant liability and community trust implications. Increased involvement raises the risk of civil rights complaints, wrongful detention claims, and legal challenges.
cost and rep reputational harm that the state does not absorb, the county does. At the same time, community trust is crit is a critical component of public safety. When residents fear engagement with government or law enforcement,
crime reporting declines, victims stay silent, and overall safety suffers. Finally, immigration enforcement is fundamentally a federal responsibility. SBA pushes counties deeper into federal enforcement roles while limiting local
discretion to set law enforcement priorities based on our community's needs. Our sheriff's office should remain focused on the county jail, mental health response, and community policing, areas where local impact is clearest and most urgent. For these
reasons and in the absence of a comprehensive briefing to this court on the sheriff's department's ICE involvement, I cannot support moving forward with the SBA grant at this time. Responsible governance requires information before action, not after. Thank you.
>> Thank you. All right. Anybody else have any comments before we go to speakers? >> I've got a question. Chief, thank you for being here. Appreciate the work you do. to echo the sentiments of a speaker earlier about the hard job that y'all have and thank you for keeping our community safe.
>> Are are we required by law to have a 287g program? >> We are now. Yes, sir. >> Is that federal? Is that state? >> Uh that's state and they put it into place recently uh increasing that. Yes, sir. >> So, we have to have a 287g program. Yes,
sir. And as I understand the 28G 287G program, it necessitates a partnership between the federal government and the local sheriff's office. Is that correct? >> Correct, sir. Yes. >> So, we're already going to be in partnership with uh the federal government with ICE uh whether we extend
this grant or not. Is that correct? >> Yes. To abide by those statutes that are in place. Yes, sir. And but by taking advantage of that and voting for this today, then we actually get more state resources to help in the aid of that 287G program, which will help us be an
effective partner with the federal, with the state, and our local uh officials. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. And funding back for a job we're already doing >> and and that was going to be my next question. whether we have this partnership or not, uh, your office is already targeting many of these individuals because they've shown
themselves to be violent criminals, violent criminal history, and things of that nature. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. And so, Commissioner Simmons, I appreciate you showing that video uh because it was uh some stats that I didn't know. So, from what I heard, sound like there were over 380
individuals from 25 different countries that y'all have in our jail right now who have some kind of criminal activity because that's the way they get on that detainer report where the 287g program kicks in. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. So there's 380 individuals,
380 plus individuals in Tarant County that we don't have to worry about them going out and committing crimes, perpetrating violence against our citizens because the Tarant County Sheriff's Office is doing its role in making sure these people are behind bars and then cooperating with federal government to hopefully get them out of
Tarant County as soon as possible. Is that correct? >> That's correct, sir. >> Okay. I I think that seems like a pretty good program. I think everybody in here, no matter regardless of which aisle you're on, your ideology, your your viewpoint, I think we all want to make sure that our communities are safe and that they're uh that we're making sure
that each citizen uh is safe in their own in their own own home, in their own person. And so I think that's exactly what this program is doing. Uh I applaud uh the sheriff in your office for uh taking advantage of this program. I applaud Comproller Kelly Hancock for acting so quickly and helping Tarant
County take advantage of this program. I think it's going to only pay dividends to make us more safe, more secure. And uh I know there's been a lot of talk uh with ICE agents coming in from outside where we've seen it Minnesota and other places. I think it should give us a degree of uh soloulless and and
confidence that this partnership is going to allow Tarant County people who know the community, who know the area to be the one doing the law enforcement in this area, not some outside people. So, I think it's a great program. I appreciate your office and what you're already doing. And I think this is only going to continue to help you do a
program we already have to do, which we already have a partnership, whether people want it or not, with the local and and federal government. this is only going to uh further those aims and help us stay safe. So, thank you very much for being here and thank you for answering those questions. >> Yes, sir. You're welcome.
>> Commissioner Krauss, >> do you do you have anything? >> I I'll just say I appreciate your comments. All of my colleagues, I appreciate the concerns uh from many of them and I think you you made very good points, Commissioner Krauss. Um I would say HSI, DHS, they've been partnering
with Fort Worth and Tarant County and all of our surrounding agencies for decades. >> Yes. Uh this is not new. Um more than a decade ago when I was serving in the Fort Worth PD uh in our gang unit, quite literally we had HSI agents, ICE agents attached to our unit. Um I couldn't count the number of times that I saw
their professionalism and action. I couldn't count the number of times that they might have saved the lives of one of our our Fort Worth police officers on operations. Um it's not fair to vilify an entire profession, an entire workforce uh of federal law enforcement agents just because there are
questionable things that have happened in other areas or even in our own areas. It's not safe. It's not fair to vilify an entire profession. Uh because a lot of them are incredibly dedicated and admirable individuals. Uh and I think they deserve our respect. No different than any other law enforcement officer.
Um that's all I have to say. >> All right. So I I'll just add a couple of things. The 287G program is a federal program because the federal government understands they cannot do it alone or by
themselves. So, the program was created, I believe it was a bipartisan law that was passed that allows local law enforcement agencies, whether it's the state, a city, or a county, to partner with ICE to remove essentially dangerous
criminals from our community. Tarant County has been engaged in this 287G program for many years, for several years before any of us arrived. During that time, as Commissioner Krauss said,
the state legislature made it mandatory. What 287G is not, it does not allow, and correct me if I'm wrong, Chief, it does not allow Tarant County Sheriff's deputies, constables, or anyone else associated with law enforcement to go
pick someone up because they're there illegally and put them in our jail. These are people that go to our jail, an ICE detainer is placed on them, and they go to our jail for a crime that they have committed. Uh when I previously
served as a city councilman, I can tell you we had thousands of people come through our jail, way more than you would think of a city our size. And every crime you can imagine, every violent crime you can imagine
came through that jail and we helped deport them from our country. So some of you will say, "I hate IC. against ICE, whatever it is, and you have that right to do that. But at the end of the day, what this does is
protect every single community regardless of neighborhood status, e socioeconomic status, or anything else. So, uh, we now have a number of speakers. We
have a motion. We have a second. >> Please, please remove him from the courtroom. cop burger. >> Okay. >> And I'd like to say to >> your your 10 minutes are up. >> I'm talking to commission.
>> It doesn't matter who you're talking to. Your 10 minutes are up. So, we're going to bring the speakers down. I'm glad that you read bills. I know you don't think the rules apply to you. I know you don't. I'm glad you found value. >> We are now in recess. We're in recess. Okay. I'm glad
Okay. All right. What is he doing? All right. So, we are back in recess. I mean from recess. And couple of things that everybody needs to hear. Uh, number one, I'm the presiding
officer of this courtroom whether we're in session or not. Uh, number two, we are going to maintain order and decorum in here. If you disagree with the rules, you have every right in the world to do that, but you're still going to follow them or you're going to be removed from
the courtroom. For my colleagues up here, uh, I don't make the rules. Those are the rules. We're going to follow the rules. The other thing that I will say, if we have another outburst from anyone, we are going to clear the entire room
except for court members, their staffs, and county employees, and we will bring in speakers one at a time. That is not my preference, but we're not going to have any more outbursts that disrupt the meeting, create chaos, disorder. So, if you can't
follow those rules, you won't get to stay in here. All right, with that we are now moving to the speakers on this item which is item B1. The first speaker is Reed bills then Mindy Tacket.
The speakers you have two minutes each. I'd propose the program for which this is a grant request. Allowing sheriff office employees to perform federal immigration duties in Taran County leads to racial profiling,
damaged community trust, adding to the overcrowding in our county jail, and the misuse of local resources for federal deportation efforts. Investigations have shown that the profiling of Latino and black
communities has caused reduced cooperation from immigrant communities, making it harder for law enforcement to protect the public. There are also reports regarding the limited training of local officers and
inadequate oversight, which can lead to civil rights abuses. Local taxpayer money and law enforcement time are diverted to federal immigration enforcement rather than focusing on local crime.
I urge you to vote against this grant request and stop aiding and abetting the ICE program. Following Miss Tacket, we have David Rodriguez. I oppose Tarant County's participation in this grant program. SB8 shifts legal
risk, civil rights liability, and community harm onto counties while offering minimal funding. The costs wrongful detention, constitutional violations, increased jail populations, and
litigation, and that far outweighs any reimbursement we might get. This is being advanced without analysis of civil rights risks, without transparency, and without discussion of public safety impact. We know ICE isn't
operating in a legal manner. To be blunt, ICE is actively kidnapping and murdering people on the streets. And to approach this from another angle, Arlington is an entertainment destination hosting countless
multicultural events. Latino culture is a cornerstone of the stockyards. We just watched the stock show's grand ceremony celebrating Latino heritage. We have Sasha Bass's Latino cultural events
downtown. I really have to wonder how law enforcement racially profiling and chasing people down is going to square with all the money being made. It's a lot of hypocrisy.
And what do y'all think will win out? Money or your racism? >> Following Mr. Rodriguez, we have Gabe Gonzalez. >> My name is David Rodriguez. I would like to first and foremost voice my disagreement with this grant. And it's
crazy that I feel like I'm saying this, but coming out and speaking out against this that I am putting the target on my back. ICE has already been shown that whenever they do their little photo op camera things, they're already putting you in a datab database and listing you
as a domestic terrorist. So, I don't know about, you know, a few bad apples, but uh people who this paramilitary group detains, murders US citizens without due process, which as a police officer you're supposed to be well
acquainted with. Um, and they're also murdering children by denying them access to medical attention. But I know that empathy is hard for y'all to come by. So, y'all are the party of facts. Don't care about your feelings. So, here are some facts. So, according to leak
data from the uh DHS, 73% of people detained by ICE hold no criminal record. And I don't know about you, but I don't really think 17% is a passing grade on anything on a success rate. That's just me though. Uh, and according to official
data from DHS, 69% of those people don't even have a criminal conviction and 40% don't have a charge. So again, if 140,000, if only 69% or 40% of this money is being used, well, that's not a
great uh outcome. And I'm just going to go ahead and skip uh to this end part. So apparently there are 388 people in this jail. Afterwards, you had said that there were 55 people in child related offenses or cases. Well, let me tell
you, your own sheriff considers uh child cases a speed bump according to a March 4th, 2025 NBC interview that child related incidents or offenses are just considered a speed bump in the journey. Thank you, sir. Um is Mr. Mr. Gonzalez
present. Gabe Gonzalez. All right. Next we go to Brook Bright. Is Brooke Bright present? Following Miss Bright, we have Harold Vasquez. Hello, my name is Broo Brite. I am a
very proud mom to a mixed daughter and a very proud Tia to a young niece. I'm standing here today because the joy that I usually feel from having such a variety of a family is actually shattered by fear. This isn't politics only to me. These
are the faces and names I think about every time I see an article, I read a headline, or I hear a siren. How many mistakes will it take when the system is flawed? Don't we have a responsibility to fix it before we
consider even investing further? Isn't there an accountability for transparency and clear reporting further than the billions of dollars that we have already invested as a country? If you cannot guarantee that people asserting their constitutional rights will be safe, how
can you justify approving this grant? My concern goes further. You also can't guarantee that when an individual's rights are violated and when harm does occur that the individuals responsible will be held accountable. The county and this grant would only further fund this madness and it is something I cannot
support because we cannot assure safety oversight or proper consequences for those involved. There is no clear guarantee of safety, no clear oversight and no clear accountability. No one should have to fear violence from government actors. No one should fear
being detained or harmed for asserting their rights. No parent should fear taking their child to school or seeking health care. So I want to ask plainly, if you cannot guarantee our constitutional safety, you can't guarantee accountability of the
individuals within ICE and our sheriff's department supporting that, why would this court ask us to further fund that risk? What if it were your child, your family, your friend? What if it were you? I urge you to reconsider this grant and think carefully about what responsible governance looks like. Our
constitutional rights only matter if they're protected for everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is Mr. Vasquez present? Harold Vasquez. All right. Next we have Bailey Bruce.
Bailey Bruce present. How about Mandy Driggers? Liberty Oavdo. Following Miss Oavdo, we have James Dykes. Hello. Uh, I'm here to speak out against
the grant of $140,000 that is to be given to ICE. In the month of January alone, ICE as an organization has shown to be undeserving of it. Their training has them detain people based on the color of their skin. This goes against the court's goal of lowering
jail populations, protecting fundamental rights, and creating a the best place to raise a family in America. Funding ICE will cost Sarin County more in the long run. Our tax dollars will go towards the legal fees of ICE agents knowingly breaking the law and
more than our money, lives will be lost. I do not want a Texas version of Renee Good, Alex Pretty, or Liam Ramos. Lastly, the people coming to America are seeking a better life. The one the ones overstaying are considered hardened criminals. Overstaying is a civil
offense, no different than making making a mistake on your taxes. It is not deserving of a potential death sentence at the hands of untrained ICE agents. And then uh earlier you said that it's only a few bad apples. Uh it is the goal
of the organization to It is the goal of the organization to it is their goal to further a fascist organization. Thank you. >> Next is James Dykes. Is Mr. Dykes present?
All right. Next is Gabe Rivas. Is Mr. Rivas present? Next is Bishop Kirkland. After Bishop Kirkland, we have the name Rodney King. Excuse me. Uh,
quit talking about who ICE used to be. Commissioner Ramirez. Talk about they are now. Quit talking about how they used to conduct themselves. Talk about who they are now. We can't go by who they used to be cuz they're arresting a
5-year-old dangerous little boy named Ela and we're calling him a criminal. I appreciate and respect the sheriff's department minus the sheriff. My village is not anti- police.
Quit implying that because we disagree with the lawlessness of law enforcement that we disagree with all police. I understand the government code section 753.051 is mandates for you to do this. That's
not my issue. My issue is accountability. There will be no accountability. The sheriff has never availed himself to this court or his constituency as taxpayers
stakeholders. He completely ignores us coupled with the fact that if it's not a photo op, he will be absent. We're left to figure out what this agreement will look like because he'll
hide behind some watch whitewashed statement and remain in mute mode or send some deputy chief. Please remember please remember that the men and women who are tasked with working with these
groups are going to be left behind and tell way who nothing sticks to him. Nothing will happen. Peace be on. >> Is Mr. King present? Is there an actual Mr. King? All right.
Next is Danette Allen. Is Danette Allen present? All right. How about Deborah Kratkkey? Following Miss Krat, we have Nidia Cardinas. And then how many more speakers are
after that on this item? I count >> one one moment, Miss Kraky. >> I count 13. Judge, >> what? >> I count 13. >> Okay, so Oh, there I can move it now. I couldn't move it. Okay. Uh, you may proceed. >> Yes. I'm Debbie Katkkey. I live in
Crowley, Texas, and I'm here to talk about something that I know pretty well. Um, I've been working with immigration agents since a bunch of you were in elementary school. And I can tell you who you're seeing now are not the people
I saw then. The behavior that I'm seeing from these individuals is nothing like the men and women I knew then. one of the problems and I people have said here things today that that I had in my comments that I was going to say
but I would like to tell you a story that I heard from a a woman who works with domestic violence victims. One particular woman would not go to the police because she's not documented. Her husband is a citizen. So she is staying
in a home where she is being abused because she is scared. And that's one story from one worker throughout the county. So, I'm asking you to think about what you're doing. What is the plan? And I know that uh Commissioner
Krauss said our deputies do know our county, do know our area better than maybe anybody coming in from inside. So, what that tells me is that the agent, the sheriffs that will be riding along won't say go to Wedgewood. You're not going to find people in Wedgewood. help
out North Side. You're going to find people in North Side. So, that concerns me greatly, the fact that our sheriff's office, our police department would work handinhand with people who are working very hard to hurt our citizens. Thank
you. >> Thank you, Miss Cardinus. And then Sandra Culie. Um, my name is Nidia Cardinas and I live in precinct 4. So, I'm here to speak to my commissioner who also happens to be the first Latino on the Taran County Commissioner's Court. This weekend, Bad
Bunny used the largest sports stage in the country to proudly and with love represent the beauty of Puerto Rican and all of Latin American culture. and you are choosing the most powerful stage in Taran County to stand proud stand proudly next to the sheriff and the judge welcoming a strong stronger and
expanded relationship with ICE. And to your own logic about villainizing some all ICE agents because of a few ICE agents, this um commissioner's core continues to villainize all immigrants because of just a few immigrants who happen to be creating crime. And the statistics show that immigrants are less
likely to commit crime than um other Americans. So, I don't know what data you're using. Uh, I did do my research and I read the code. So, maybe yes, your hands are tied by the state, but your platform and your voice aren't. Nowhere in the government code did I find that you can't say loudly and clearly for
everybody in this room and online that you support our immigrant communities in Taran County. I know that it's and I also know that it's not just the Latino community that's being impacted. Even here in Taran County, that $140,000, that's nothing for how much it cost to do ISIS bidding. And it's not even the
dollar amount, it's the human cost. We had a case here in Tarant County Wild Tatabishi, the Tatarishi family um who was a victim of ICE from his primary caretaker being kidnapped at his regular um immigration appointment. And so, you know, to Debbie's point, there's all these stories that we're not getting to
hear. Um and and I I just want to invite you to think about what is your legacy. You know, back one of the songs that hits the most for people is Las and we have families in Taran County who don't get those kisses, don't get those hugs, who can't take those photos,
whose people have moved away not by choice but by force. So don't let this be your legacy as the first Latino on this court. >> Thank you, Miss Culie. And then Jackie Johnson. >> Hello again. I'm Sandra Kulie and Mr.
Ramirez, respectfully, this is not the ice that you were that you were used to. I'm against the taking of the grant money. I don't want our local law enforcement tainted by poor oversight and dreadful conduct by bad actors and
ICE. I don't want to see our sheriff and deputies standing with ICE against their own community. I don't want our sheriff's department lending legitimacy to mask unknown gun toing ICE thugs moving about with
impunity. ICE racially profiles people add brown people especi especially and that's about one of every three people in Tarant County. Instead of detaining and and deporting
the worst of the worst, they managed to write round up 86% with no criminal background at all. In other communities, often illegally, they have swept up, roughed up, broken, blinded, and murdered both citizens and
immigrants. And they continue to house detainees in for pro in for-profit concentration camps in horrid conditions. So, no to the grant money and I believe collaboration with ICE would further
erode our our trust in the sheriff's department and could open us up to lawsuits. Thank you. >> Thank you. Following Miss Johnson, we have Lon Burnham. Before you vote to expand the sheriff's
immigration enforcement role through this grant, I need you to look directly at the human cost of the system you're being asked to strengthen. Right now, Mr. Tarvishi, a 62-year-old Arlington resident, has been held in ICE detention since October. The story was very
touching to me. While he was locked away, his disabled son, who depended on him for every part of his survival, died alone. in intensive care. ICE detained Mr. Terabishi
to release on and they would not release him on humanitarian grounds. They even denied him permission to attend his own son's funeral. I understand that devastation. I have a 29year-old disabled daughter who depends on us for care. When a caregiver giver is taken
away, it's not a policy choice. It's life or death. And I stand here as the mother of Anthony Johnson Jr. who was murdered in Taran County Jail after the sheriff's department violated his rights. Two different systems, two different families, but the same pattern. A
culture that threatened that treats vulnerable people as disposable. Now you're being asked to approveund thou 140,000 to expand that same culture into deeper immigration enforcement. Before you vote, ask yourselves, is this
the system you want Taran County to help enforce? Do you really have a black soul? Because the consequences are not theoretical. They are human. They are local and they are permanent. >> Following Mr. Burnham, we have David
Martinez. Oh lordy. We live in George Orwellian times. We have one person on the dis trying to keep another person on the das from being able to make her comments, make her presentation. And then later they thanked them for making the
presentation that for some reason or another had a twominute editing problem, some technological problem. Oh, lordy. We had somebody else kicked out when you guys had adjourned in recess for his comments. >> Mr. Burnham, you can speak to this item
or you'll have to sit down. >> This is the item. I'm talking about authoritarianism in every level of government. And ICE is just out of control. Completely out of control. A friend of ours who is a librarian in
Minnesota finds that she's spending her spare time taking food to Hispanics who are afraid to leave their home. They're here legally. ICE is completely out of control. They've killed God knows how many people and you are willing to
continue to aid and abet this outrage. There reason there are two Latinas vying to oppose Mr. Manny Ramirez because he is more loyal to the law enforcement of old than he is to the Hispanic community
that he grew up in. It is time for you guys to re-evaluate how you're doing law enforcement. And this is a perfect time right now on this agenda item. Stop trying to prevent people from having their basic rights to speak, including
elected officials, and stop kicking people out. We all, some of you may know, I had a similar experience. Well, I was kicked out for six months. That is outrageous suppression. I have nine hours graduate level in public participation. And in this commissioner
court, I see nothing but the attempt to degrade, denigrate, and deny people's opportunities to express themselves before the court. Thank you for your precious two minutes. >> Next, we have David Martinez. Is Mr. Martinez present?
Lindseay Marone or Moroni. Then James Tras. I am a home homeowner in Tarant County. A mother, a wife, a veteran. My husband is a combat veteran. I am here to stand in opposition to this harmful grant. Our leadership in Tarant County saw the
videos of innocent Americans being killed in American streets and by masked men and thought that it would be a good idea to bring it here. ICE was founded in 2003. The ICE of today is not the same. They have lost sight of their mission. It is a fact that ICE agents
under this administration have zero regard for the Constitution and our laws. They have violated the people's first, fourth, eighth, and 14th constitutional rights over and over, and they've done so with impunity.
We are a country of laws that must be upheld. And to agree to increase funding with a lawless agency that you know will terrorize your population is a dereliction of your duties and there will be consequences eventually.
Some of those consequences have already arrived as evidenced by Taylor and Zwin. The the administration said that they were going to get the worst of the worst. But that's not what's happening. Up to 74% of the people taken by ICE
have no criminal records. ICE has shown that they cannot be trusted to follow laws. Please do not allow our federal government to send in masked lawless men to terrorize us. Keep Tarant County
intact and decline this dangerous grant. James Tras present. Following Mr. Tras, we have Pam Hardwick. Like many before me, I stand to oppose this grant. Uh, I guess my question though is $140,000,
is that all we're getting? Is that all that we're getting to see the next Renee Good or Alex Prey or Keith Porter or Marie Blae die on the streets of Tarant County? Now, I don't want Tarant County, our residents, to be sold out at all for any price,
but like it feels like we could get more than $140,000. And what I'd really like to have happen is to have ICE out of Tarant County. I'd like us to rip up our 287g agreement, fight the state of Texas on their
unconstitutional requirement to work with the feds, and keep our communities safe. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Is Pam Hardwick here? Miss Hardwick. Following Miss Hardwick is Anthony Mirabelli.
>> Thank you so much. I've been a Can you please tell him to be quiet? I can hear him up here non-stop. >> Can you restart the clock? >> Go ahead. >> I've been a lifelong resident of Tarant County. I've always been proud of my county. Please don't make me change my
mind about this. If you deny this grant, you can sleep safe tonight. You don't have to worry about it. Things will go on. Things will be the same. We cannot have a deal with the devil like this because they are acting with impunity. They can step in whenever they want. If
you agree, there's levels of this 287 agreement that go from the highest level of responsibility to lesser level. But because they're the feds, they can step in whenever they want. If we show them solidarity by accepting their money,
which is there's strings attached to it, then that means that we side with their policies. We can't do that. We can't be a county that does that. We can't be a state that does that. We have to shine. We have to do the right thing. The people that are detained in our jails
already are compromised. We obviously don't have enough money to even do the right thing by our own jails. And if we round up even more, they're we're going to put them there. And where are they going to go after they stay so long in our jail that we're not really running very well? We're going to send them down
to a hell hole in Dilly. And then what's going to happen to them there? By contributing to this system, we just keep it perpetually. and then we never do get to the point where we are a county that is shining again. I implore you to not pass this. Do not accept this
money because there are strings attached. None of us here want to see ICE in our county, in our city. None of it. There's not one person here because they they do not know how to uh they've been given billions of money. Uh they're not trained. What training used to take
six, seven, eight months, they're now trained in 45 days. And what kind of training is that? Are they going to step in and say, "We want you to act like us." What control can they have over you? The more you accept from them, and the more you do with them, the more you partner with them, you become them.
>> Thank you. >> Is Anthony Mirbelli here? >> All right. Next, we have Carla Palomarus. There's a lot of factual evidence that has been stated today to substantiate the inhumity of ICE, but I will instead read from a letter obtained and released
yesterday by ProPublica from a little girl at the Dilly detention camp. My name is Maria Montoya and I have been in jail for 113 days. I miss my friends and I am afraid they may forget me. I am so bored in here. I miss my country and my home. We came here for a vacation for 10
days. ICE took me into an interrogation room and questioned me for two hours without my mom. I was traveling by myself with the help of the steartist because my mom lives in New York. They only cared about arresting my mom. I was traveling with the tourist paper because but ICE used me to grab my mom. Now I'm
in jail and that is making me depressed. I've been f I I have even fainted two times from the conditions. Every night I cry. I don't sleep. I feel like this is my fault. All I wanted was vacation with my family. I'm a teacher. Maria is the age of my students. I can't stand the
thought of one of my students disappearing from my classes. ISIS operations have never been about detaining criminal illegal aliens. Their operations intend to dehumanize and excise our undocumented neighbors from our communities over simple paperwork.
So to me, the fact that a grant grant application to further cooperate with ICE is even on the table is ludicrous. The Taran County Sheriff's Office has been enforcing federal immigration law since 2017. And in this past year, data shows that there were many more immigrants being detained at the Taran County jail without any criminal record
than not. What is deeply concerning is the potential for the current 287 G agreement to balloon from the existing jail enforcement model to a task force model. I think I speak for the broad majority of Taran County when I say we don't want ICE terrorizing us like we saw in Minneapolis. So I implore this
court to vote no on this grant. Rest in peace Renee Good, Alex Petty, Keith Porter, and the many others who have unjustly lost their lives to this cruel system. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Following Miss Palarus, we have Robert Van is Michael Bell. The last name on this.
>> My name is Carl, Fort Worth res. >> One moment, we'll start you over. That's the last one. Okay, go ahead. My name is Carla Palamares, a Fort Worth resident of precinct 4. I've been coming up here commissioner's court for nearly six years. Previously on an almost bi-weekly now monthly basis. I have less
clarity. I have less confidence on how our local sheriff's department and even our local law enforcement agencies are cooperating with ICE. How money and resources are being accounted for with regards to 287G program. How families and community members are being impacted by this policy. How our Taran County jail is significant or insignificant in
the role of detainment of any persons. This has been a problem for over six years. More money won't bring clarity. We entered this agreement at the county level in 2017. In 2019 and 2023, the sheriff's department, DHS, ICE, held one public meeting in each of those years.
They were required to hold a meeting at minimum every 3 years and offer information to the public related to how this program is operating. There were no answers on May 17th, 2023. Sheriff Wbornne didn't even attend this meeting. He was hiding away in his office. We asked how many people were being detained. how many people had been
detained throughout the entirety of this program. We asked how much money had been spent, to which they said no county dollars were at that time, which is interesting because they entered it voluntarily. We asked if there was any actual evidence of this program being implemented correctly. And we were told by DHS that is quite the opposite. The
local sheriff's office was not properly implementing the program or maintaining this because officers were already overworked, overwhelmed, and having to do mandatory overtime at the jail. Yet everywhere Wayboard goes, he talks about how effective this program is and how excellent his relationship is with ICE. We have a right to demand transparency
for our tax dollars because we have effectively nothing to show for it. And it's not for a lack of trying on the part of community and the county residents. This insignificant grant money will not make anything better. Our local dollars need to be focused on helping residents, not kidnapping people. Buy a way and stop funding ICE.
For the record, I tore the jail and there is not an officer there to determine that. uh immigration stats. It's asked for your magistration and any partnership whether it's county, state or federally sanctioned, Mr. Krauss will be a failure no matter how much money is thrown at because of his confident leadership.
>> Next we have Mr. Van. Following Mr. Van we have Alexander Montalvo. >> The 287G program came to Tarant County in 2017 with a previous court. the Republican majority on the court jumped on and said, "Hey,
that's great." And so, we're gonna do it. We're gonna make it perpetual. So, there they go. And then just this past year, the state legislature passed the
uh SB8, which mandates that any county over I think it's 100,000 people uh has if if they have a a jail, the sheriff has to implement the 287g program.
Has been noted for there are several levels. There are three levels noted of of the 287g program. And as far as I know right now, this county has implemented the second level, the middle middle level, which just strictly working within the jail. They're not sending people out on the streets right
now. But as is also noted, that can always balloon out to something more. uh the state says okay during this year before December of this year all the counties that have implemented this have to
uh completely get it get it all together and completely set up with ICE and with the CBP so that they can can do this job uh during this year and if they don't they'll be penalized somehow or other
but it was also noted by Mr. draft. Uh, this county does have a an option to actually go against this and perhaps go try to file a lawsuit saying,
"Hey, this is not a constitutional thing. This is not legal. This needs to stop." I think it's worthwhile exempt that possibility. Thank you. >> Thank you. Following Mr. Montalvo, we have Libertad Heredia. Just want to confirm for folks I'm
wearing a mask because I'm a little under the weather, not because I'm a cowardly ICE agent, >> you know. And I know these masks have been triggering for you guys, these medical masks. But y'all sure are fine with domestic terrorists walking around the streets of America. >> Yes.
>> Covered up with their face. >> So I don't support this grant. I don't support ICE at all. ICE should be abolished. It is a stain on our country and on our history.
And Manny, as a lone Latino commissioner on this court, the fact that you champion ICE, that you support ICE, it is more than just a shame to our community, but it's a perfect example of
what we in the Latino community need in Tarant County, which is we are under reppresented in positions of power as a community throughout Tarant County, throughout Fort Worth. But what's even more harmful is the misrepresentation
our community has. Manny, you can't assimilate fast enough to whiteness. I know why Matt and Tim are jumping up and down for ICE to harass, raid, kidnap, terrorize our community, but I have no
clue what you got lost through this process of your life that you think this is what we need in this county. You have less than nine months left in this seat until you are voted out by the people in
Tarant County. Your legacy has been sealed and you should know that everyone is watching and our community and the community of solidarity is ready to remove you from that seat. So, if you want to opt out quicker, all the better,
but your time is up. Uh, Miss Heredia. I think that's a lady, isn't it? Is Miss Heredia here? All right. Then we have Michael Bell. >> And that is that's the last one.
Today you are considering considering a measure that would literally increase funding for ICE. Any decision that expands resources for an agency under serious national scrutiny is not just
physically significant. It is morally consequential across this country. Families are still grieving. The IC isolated murders of Keith Porter Jr., Renee and Nicole Good, and Alex Prey are not abstractions.
Their names, their lives, they are reminders that enforcement power without sufficient oversight can carry irreversible consequences. When government funding expands, so does
government capacity. And when capacity expands without clear accountability, communities pay the price. We the people pay the price. And let me add parathetically, commissioners, your verbally obscuring the facts and your
misleading rhetoric about this subject is irresponsible. As we a as we know, Congress and the White House are scheduled to engage in talks about the role, scope, and future of ICE. That conversation is happening at the highest levels of national
government to increase local funding before those deliberations conclude is premature. It places this c this county ahead of a national policy discussion that may redefine how this agency operates. Wisdom is not weakness.
Deliberation is not delay. If federal level decision makers uh are reconsidering the structure, mission and safeguards surrounding ICE, then common sense dictates that local government should pause, not accelerate.
>> Thank you. Uh Mr. Rivas, Gabe Rivas. >> Good afternoon, judge, commissioners. Uh my name is Gabe Rivas. I'm a lifelong resident of Arlington here in Taran County. I'm here to urge the court to vote no on the expansion of this ICE contract and acceptance of the uh SB8 grant. Taran County is standing at a
crossroads and just last week we saw two escapees from the Taran County Jail. We're still grappling with the fact that almost 80 people now have died in our custody since 2017. Our jails in a state of operational crisis and yet the item on today's agenda asks us to pivot our resources away from local safety and
towards federal immigration enforcement. I mean, let's talk about those resources, the money involved. This court is being lured by $140,000 from the state, and in a county with a billion dollar budget, this is a drop in the bucket. This this fine print of the
uh SBA grant is a trap for us, the taxpayers. By accepting this grant, the court is signing away its fiscal authority. This prevents this court and any future courts if you take this money essentially handcuffing the county and the taxpayers from ever exercising
oversight or trimming waste in the sheriff's department. This expansion moves us from the jail model we're currently under under 287G to a task force model turning our deputies into federal agents on our local streets. We are going to have to assume that
liability. the administrative burden and the legal risks for federal responsibility that the state is only subsidizing with pennies. I can tell you the public safety relies on one thing, trust between officers and the community. When you turn a traffic
stop into a federal investigation, immigration check, you're telling my neighbors that the county is no longer there to serve them. It's here to target them. We we don't need our deputies playing federal agents. We don't need them serving an authoritarian political agenda in DC or in Austin. We need them
securing the safety of the people here in Tarant County and the families of the people here in Taran County. Please, please put our neighborhoods first. Vote no on this expansion. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, those are the speakers on this item. We have a motion
and a second. >> I need to raise a point of order. >> Excuse me. You You can talk. Just I'm saying we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? You have a point of order. >> Point of order. During the recess,
an incident or uh somebody spoke out, a member of the public spoke out after we had gave out. I want to respectfully clarify the procedural authority
exercised at that moment. So under Robert's rules, when a body is in recess, official business is paused. Correct. >> Yes, Commissioner.
>> Okay. While decorum is always important, enforcement actions taken outside activity that active proceedings, I mean those
raise concerns about consistency and due process. So when we take actions, we're outside of being in session. point of order >> then that's a problem. So I am asking for
clarification on whether the enforcement action taken was consistent with our adopted rules of decorum and procedural rules. I believe it's important that our rules
be applied fairly. Hopefully um they think so too. consistently and transparently to everybody who takes the time to come and participate in their local governance. >> So if you would like to go into
executive session to receive legal advice, we can do so now. >> I can receive legal advice here. >> We're not going to receive legal advice >> sitting on this dis about decorum and constitutional issues and state laws. >> This isn't I'm not asking for legal
advice. This is a point. Yeah. And okay, your point of order is overruled. >> Okay. But if you would like to go receive legal advice from our lawyer as >> Is that how that works? >> You may do so. >> He can the chair can just overrule my point of order.
>> Commissioner, when you when you raise a point of order, it's then incumbent on the chair to make a ruling on the point of order and then you can raise a motion to appeal the ruling of the chair, which must be seconded and then can go to the body for >> All right. I move to appeal
uh the chair's ruling on my >> We have a motion to appeal the chair's ruling. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Uh all those in favor of the motion to appeal the order. >> Is there discussion on this item? >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> Who just said that? >> Don't don't respond to that. >> If you say another word out there, you're gone and so is everybody else. It's that simple. Judge, what was the point of order? >> The point of order is
apparently the person who was yelling out after recess is not allowed uh that I I have no authority to say please remove him from the courtroom. That was the point of order.
>> We gave out the proceedings were >> in recess. >> My question is what's what's the point of order? What are we trying to accomplish? >> I'm trying to accomplish uh fairness. He needs to be allowed back in proceedings.
Um what what he said happened after we gave out. So um >> Okay. >> It it shouldn't have happened. >> Okay. Any other comments from court members?
Okay. Seeing none, we have a motion and a second to overrule the chair's point the the chair's ruling. All those in favor of overruling the chair's ruling, please raise your hand. Okay, that's two in favor of overruling.
Those opposed to overruling the chair's order, raise your hand. Okay, so that's three. It fails two to three. So now we go to the motion where there is a second. Cast your votes. I don't have a
>> I am assuming you're a nay. >> I don't have a screen. >> Okay. The vote is called. It passes 3 to2. Brings us next to item C1, which is elections administration consideration to canvas the results of the Senate
District 9 special runoff election held on January 31st, 2026. Do we have a motion to canvas the results of the special runoff election? >> Move approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion on this item?
>> Yes. I'd like to say a big huge gigantic congratulations again to our senator elect Taylor Reett on the outcome of the Senate District 9 election. What a historic win for Taran County and a precursor of
things to come. All right. Any other comments from the court members before speakers? All right. We have Do you have anything you need to add? Okay. We have Jennifer Streer and Bishop Kirkland. Is Jennifer Streer present?
All right. Bishop Kirkland and then Billy Wilson. >> Wow. This agenda item is so prophetic. Mommy used to say, "God don't like no ugly." February 1st, I awakened to the news that my bishop, the late great
Kenneth B. Spears vision of Taran County becoming blue, was coming to fruition. I was born and raised in my beloved Tarant County. I left to become a United States Marine. Upon my return, I was saddened to see a place where it appeared that
time has stood still. Today, I'll sound the alarm. The sleeping panther sleeps no more. The story of the sleeping panther, which was inspired by Fort Worth's nickname, Panther City. Now, you
have heard the story how in 1873 a nationwide depression was underway and my beloved Fort Worth was doomed. economically. Rodney Coward, former Fort Worth resident who practiced lock Ellis, wrote
from the time her been in the meeting, been to a meeting in Fort Worth all day. And things are so quiet. I saw a panther sleeping on Main Street, undisturbed by Russian men or the home of trade. That's
why my village nicknamed it funky town. Things are about to get turned up up in here. Keep treating people as they have no alternative. Keep marginalizing your constituency. Continue to think that
this is the original 13 stolen colonies. In fact, this election is reminiscent of the Stamped Act. Um the people are saying that we had enough taxation without representation. People have
grown weary of your antics. Thank you, Emma Lazarus. On January 31st, 2026, I could hear the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddle masses yearning
to be free. The results represent a new vibe, the new energy of Funky Town. We have been, we have seen the tamilization of hope. I guess why there's so many people that look like you and I,
Commissioner Simmons, are showing up. People who don't look like you and I are showing up at my church just for prayer and praise and then the break. There's a brand new feeling in the air in ter. >> Amen.
>> All right. Billy Wilson is next. Is Mr. Wilson present? and then Amy Super Miss Super present. >> All right. Uh those are all the speakers we have. We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? >> Yes. I have uh some questions for Clint
since he I saw him still over there. Um would you please sir and and thank you to all of the elections election workers, poll workers, election judges, your staff um for their efforts during this election
especially because of that wintry weather. Um, I do, you know, I got lots of calls and maybe my colleagues did too about shutting down uh elections on at least two days
because it was so icy. Um, and and so I tried after talking to experts and you I tried to explain that it was not in your purview. You you could not shuts down.
Can you explain that to people? >> So, the the shutting down of an election, the overall I can't shut down an election. The governor called it, it must go on. Now, certain polling locations and things like that, we did have to close because we didn't have staffing for them. And then on that
Sunday, when it became apparent that we were going to have no staff show up at all to run polling locations, I had nothing to run. And at that point, we announced that we would not be open for voting on that Sunday. I apologize. I'm getting over a little rough weekend. But
um so we didn't shut anything down. We had workers that could not show up due to the conditions and therefore we couldn't open doors. Yes. But um people wanted or thought
that you should shut down elections um because of the weather, but you you cannot do that. And so I want you to explain that. >> Yeah. I'm not aware anywhere in the statute where it says I can stop an election that the governor's called and said these are the hours in which you
will conduct voting. And so we did we made every attempt to continue to meet the governor's intent in the call and have those polling locations open during the period prescribed. >> Okay. Um so I'll I'll talk about uh
Harris County. Um, I spoke with their uh clerk who is their EA and she uh suspended voting I think for two days. Um and
then a lawsuit ensued uh or was filed in a district court or something and um I think one of the candidates sued. Uh and so elections there were extended by a day or two or
however many days she shut it down. Um, and so, um, I had to try to explain to the public that the county can't shut down elections, uh, only a district court or extend, I'm sorry, extend the the uh,
voting period. >> You're correct, Commissioner. There's nothing that that gives me the authority to just extend a voting period. If in this case, Harris County is an example where somebody petition petitioned a district court judge and that judge issued an order to do that, then that's
how that occurred. But there's nothing that just allows me to say, "Hey, it was an ice storm. We need more hours." >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anybody have anything else? All right. Cast your votes.
All right. Passes unanimously. Next, we go to item D1. which is facilities management consideration of an addendum to the construction manager at risk contract with Steel and Freeman, Inc. for the guaranteed maximum price for construction services for the Cold
Springs jail renovation. Do we have a motion or any discussion on this item? >> Yes. Is someone here to brief this? Why don't we have people here briefing any anymore? John is right here, director of facilities, and I believe Chief Herklutz, the jail administrator, is
available if there are any operational questions. >> Okay. >> Forgive me. I was passively in the back of the room. >> Oh, that's okay. Um, so what is I want you to explain the long-term plan for county jail facilities and how does
renovating Cole Springs fit into that plan? I'm pretty sure I know, but I've heard uh people ask the question, so I think it's important that they hear from the expert. >> Yes, ma'am. Um so in 2022 2023, the
overall trajectory of the county population uh was projected to continue to expand and it has done so. Um just by sheer nature of humanity as population increases unfortunately so do inmate
populations. We have a set number of uh of inmate cells or beds that we can occupy. We have a variance from jail standards now right now that allows us to operate properly. Um we are within those standards. The population however
is projected to continue to increase and we are just barely under those standards to my best understanding. Um this operation is the most minimalistic compliance effort we can make as a county. It will increase uh the facility
itself is about 44,000 square feet and it will increase our total bed capacity of just over 500 beds. >> Good. Um, and in doing so, it will keep us in full compliance for the near-term projected expenditures or or exposures
to um uh to jail standards. >> Thank you. And my hope is that Cole Springs uh does all those things you said and prevents us from doing that private prison, private jail contract. So, um, I'm I'm supportive of the work
we're doing to retrofit um and get Cole Springs up to standard. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Any other questions or comments on this item? >> Yeah. Go, go, go. >> You've been here longer. You go first. >> No, my my my comments are are geared
towards to to your point, the long-term future. >> Yeah. >> Of where we see our jail facilities. Uh I know in this process the budget we thought this this iteration was going to cost us seven to9 million. Now it's
going to cost us 16. Um in iterating this we're looking for for the best use for that facility as it stands today. Whether that's expansion and adding a juvenile facility on maybe it's a partnership with Fort Worth um where they can hold their prisoners there and we take the cost off of our books. Maybe
we can look at making it in a mental health facility or something. But my point is, I think we have to study all of the options instead of just picking one where the budget is has doubled. Uh, and perhaps it might not be where we need to be in 10 or 20 years. If we need
to to completely build a new facility, um, look what Dallas County is doing right now uh, to prepare for the future. I mean, our facility was never really intended or I guess it was intended to be a jail facility, but I mean, it's not optimal being so many levels with elevators, etc. it's just not safe or
the safest um composition you could have as a jail facility. I just think we need a robust discussion about that. Um and we can't be murky on it either way and we can't put a band-aid on it and say let's add 100 beds here, 200 beds here. Um I just don't think that that's responsible. So I if you're saying or or
if the sheriff's office is saying that in order to avoid uh a Garza County contract in the future, if we do overflow, this is critical. Okay, I understand that. Um, but if we have options where this could potentially help solve multiple problems, be it
juvenile, be it mental health, whatever it might be, that then I think we should explore those as well and not just get too deep down this rabbit hole. Um, so so I'll ask I guess the question is not for you. It's for the folks that are operating these facilities, but um, if we have anybody that that has a long-term vision here and how critical
they think this is. >> Yes, sir. Just a moment. question. >> Shannon, my question is u Mr. Herklutz, Chief Herklutz. Yes, sir. >> Um my question is how critical is it that we put 190 to 200 beds online in the next
>> two years because that's the timeline probably. It's not going to happen before World Cup. It's not going to happen while we really need it. if there is going to be an influx in in uh folks that we anticipate, how critical is this project and in your opinion, is there a better way to go about it um as opposed
to just adding this in in pieces and phases? >> Commissioner, in response to your question, it's it's very critical. >> Uh we've been at 97 to 99% capacity uh since April. Uh we hit an unusual spike
this year early. That spike has not gone away. Um, at one point this week I was at 4563 and I have 4,699 beds. >> Part of those beds include a variance that we got approved to have by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards to
add 98 portable bunks at Green Bay. Unfortunately, we've had to use a lot of those bunks just to remain in compliance. Right now, if we don't move and don't do something to increase our capacity to give us some flexibility, we
will more than likely either a have to ship out or b we're going to lose that variance and that drops our capacity by that 98. So then our numbers become even more critical if that happens versus what we are right now. and our staff
have done yman's work trying to keep up trying to keep people properly classified and housed correctly. And just because we have open beds, that doesn't mean that you can put a body in that bed. We have to follow the objective classification system. We have to follow, you know, mental health
requirements, medical requirements. There's all types of things that come into who gets put in a bed. We can't just put a body in a bed. >> All right. I have a couple of questions. I'm sorry. Do you Did you Were you have more? >> No. Yeah. Okay, go ahead. >> I I just had that was my question. So,
thank you for asking that. Uh, so I guess my my question is if we do this cold springs kind of retrofit, add those beds. >> Is this a band-aid or is this a solution? Is it like we got to do this now and then we got to be start uh start talking about what's next right away or
is this hey, this gives us quite a bit of breathing room now. We can sit back and assess what we need to do in 5 10 years. I don't have the numbers right in front of me, but I think it would probably buy us at least three years, two to three years. I Okay. I I don't have those numbers, but we are gradually
growing. And with the county growing, >> uh, unfortunately, folks that move here, not all of them are good folks. >> Yeah. >> So, some of them are going to end up in jail. And so, as the county grows, our inmate population is going to continue to grow. >> Gotcha. All right. So, couple things. I
thought John just said this would add 500 500 beds >> four something. >> Okay. >> I don't have the total. >> What's the >> the current design is exactly notes 511 potential beds. >> Okay. So just
John. So it it was my understanding that there's two phases to this. The first phase which is this um $16 million would only add 198 or 200. And then there's a second half to the facility that would also need to be done in a separate action. So this will not add 500. Am I
correct in that? >> No sir. Phase one adds 511 beds. Phase two is another 16,000 square ft and it's almost entirely um block cells. And so that would theoretically increase that
population up to another 300. So your net total population out there if fully developed is just over 800 beds. >> Got it. Thanks. All right. So, it's about it's 500 beds for this one. And then when would this by approving this
when would this anticipate what's the anticipated completion date where prisoners could actually occupy this jail that are above medium security? >> Yes, sir. The construction timeline over in the net is um 13 months from notice to proceed. >> Okay. So
your point um that you you are making or that you asked do do we have a responsibility to look at long term what are we going to do? Absolutely. Even if we were to contemplate at this point building a new jail that is
literally at a minimum a billion dollar y if not twice that. And so that would have to go through a bond that would have to be set. There's what you're describing here
provides maybe not as immediate and quick as would be optimal, but it provides an avenue for several years. We don't even know if if we got to that point if a bomb would pass. There's so many different issues
and things that could come up between then and then. no tell on what law gets passed by the state that could add to this number or subtract from this number. So, I don't I don't know that there's a good reason not to proceed with it at this point, but I'm I'm all
ears if we have a good reason not to. Uh I don't think we can say, well, if we're going to build a jail and we hope it passes in three years, we shouldn't do this. While I wouldn't for one second think $17 million is not an incredibly large amount of money, it will be almost
a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of building an entirely new jail. So, if there's a reason not to do this now, I'm I want to hear it. I haven't heard it yet. Well, I just think we've got to plan our facilities just like we do our roadways. I mean, 50 years down
the road, we have to think about where where our citizens are going to be driving, right? >> What what mobility looks like in the region. the exact same thing has to be in our mind for facilities. My question is that we're geared around if this is the highest and best use that we can essentially get out of that facility
right now by spending this approximate amount. if if there were another way and I know like I said we've looked at three different structures already uh for partnerships with other agencies where those other agencies would be on the hook to pay a significant portion of these whether it's HHSC for mental
health whether it's TJJD for juvenile whether it's the city of Fort Worth if the city of Fort Worth uh we're going to be a partner in this we've looked at a few of those structures knowing that that opportunity still might be available uh with additional space there uh gives me some comfort and knowing
that it's 500 beds and not 200 also So uh gives me comfort. Um so if that's the consensus here then I'll agree. >> The only comment that I have is can we confirm that the guaranteed
maximum price will stay within approved budget and contingencies. >> The answer is no is the very simple quick short answer. Yeah. Um >> if you can do that commissioner I got some projects that I need. >> Now I will say this because you bring up an excellent point.
I think we could in we could improve significantly with our contracts where we put measures in place, >> right, >> that require performance or there are penalties or loss, >> you know, uh text dot has done that with
some of these toll roads uh there. So I think we could be a little more aggressive in the way we do things. Uh and looks like you have something to add on that front. >> Yes, sir. In the last year, the county we have modified our construction contracts, particularly our Seymar
construction manager at risk contracts. The at risk nature of that statement says they carry a burden towards that budget as well. There are minimalistic truly, but there are liquidated damages clauses within those contracts as well.
Um, it's not a big clawback, but it is uh keeping everybody accountable. >> Okay. All right. Any other questions on this item or do we have a motion? >> Move approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve this item. We do have one speaker, Mr. Burnham.
>> Thank you both. This is like deja vu all over again. And I think it's very appropriate that last night I watched Groundhog Day. Uh since before any of you were on this court, I was admonishing the previous court that yeah, you need a robust discussion.
Appreciate some of the commissioner's comments, but what never seems to come up is the discussion about what is obvious and other political arenas. You want cheaper water, conserve.
You want cheaper energy, conserve. In the case of jail management, it's kind of like retail marketing. Damn it, half the people there do not belong in the jail. >> Correct. If you all would do a better
supervision of the mismanagement of this jail, we could have a good retail turnover and send these people someplace other than the jail. Half of them are mental health problems. They don't
belong languishing in a jail. So while you're right in the short term, would you please start thinking in the long term, which is a robust discussion, addressing what we really need to do, which is to have better management of
this jail and let those people go. Thank you for your time. >> And if these judges move these cases. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? If none, cast your vote. All right, passes unanimously. Takes us
to item D2, which is consideration of a property use and fee waiver request from the Texas A&M Agro Life Extension to use the Tarant County Plaza building. I can remember we had a fairly extensive discussion about this about one year ago. Do we have a motion on this item? >> Move approval.
>> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve this. Any discussion? All right, please cast your vote. >> The commissioner told me he was a yay. Does that count? >> No, I I don't think it does, but it
doesn't matter. It's 40 anyway. >> So, all right. It passes four to zero. Uh, next we have human resources consideration of changes to the table of organization, county administration department, creation of purchasing agent
position under local government code section 262.0. 0115 >> move for approval. >> So I'll second that item. Um any discussion on this? >> Yes, I I I have discussion on it. I do
support it. Um but how we got here is problematic to me. So there is or was um a committee a board called the
purchasing agent board. It consists of two court members and three district judges. And our purchasing director um
actually reports to and it's under the authority of the purchasing agent board. Um and it's I'm not sure how long it's been that way in this county. um for decades
and decades. Um it falls under um the government code chapter 262.0.011. There is now a second structure for this under 262.0115,
0115, but Taran County has always had its purchasing director report to the board. And it's it's like our auditor.
um the purchasing agent um that structure was created in order to maintain checks and balances on the powers exercised by county officials including the commissioner's
court and that's why it was set up with the balances uh on the current board of district judges as well as uh members of commissioner's court. The aim is to ensure that it has a degree of independence from other officers
including the commissioner's court to ensure that purchasing matters are properly handled. I'm a member of the purchasing agent board as well as uh judge O'Hare and then
there are three district judges. All of a sudden, all of a sudden, end of last week, there was a purchasing agent board meeting. Um, an agenda was agenda was posted. We
met yesterday. So when the agenda was posted, there's no information, but the agenda item, and I I can't regurgitate it word for word, was to
disband, eliminate the purchasing agent board, and move the purchasing director under the opaces of the commissioner's court.
thereby taking away in my estimation checks and balances. The purchasing agent will become no more than a tool of this commissioner's court.
um and we'll lose the benefit of that independent knowledge and oversight of that that purchasing agent board. Um I don't think that it changing the structure is necessary
or even advisable or in the interest of taxpayers. You can do it. you can switch to 262.0115 and make the purchasing director report to the commissioner's court, but this was set up this way for a
reason. Um, same same with the auditor. You need an independent pair of eyes on purchasing practices. And this is the way it was initially set
up by the legislature. So yesterday at the purchasing agent board meeting, we disbanded the purchasing agent board. Uh our purchasing director hopefully will
have a job after we vote today. She was not aware of any of this. She went on vacation, checked her email when she got off the ship and learned that
her life was changing. The structure was changing. Um, Harris County. I checked with colleagues all across Texas yesterday, and I mean yesterday, because as a member of the purchasing
agent board, I knew nothing about this. Like, whose idea was this? Um, so Bayer County, Travis County, Fort Ben County, Harris County have the
purchasing agent board structure. And when I talked to those commissioners and county judges, they were just taken aback that that we would a county this size would uh put all of the authority on the
commissioner's court. Um, so anyway, there are some counties that have the other structure. Um, I think we lose um, you know, this is happening during an election cycle.
Um, those of us running for uh, reelection are out here fundraising. And I don't know, you know, there are vendors who would probably want to do business with us.
Um, and hey, we might let them if they contribute to somebody's campaign. So, um, this, you know, what this is is eliminating checks and balances. I'm so opposed to it. Uh, but but today I will
I will vote in support of it. uh because it saves the job of our 30-year awardwinning purchasing director who is the immediate
past president of the Texas Purchasing Directors Association. Um, but but what just happened is complicated and I hope I explained it well enough that you understand
you got people up here making harmful decisions uh in my estimation. Um, so, um, I'm going to support this because
I want Melissa Lee to have a job and her staff because they do a fine job for the county. >> Thank you. >> Agreed. >> Does anybody else have any comments? >> Okay. Well, I'm going to address some. So,
how this idea came about, the state of Texas allows it to operate under two different systems. The purchasing agent reports to the commissioner's court or the purchasing agent reports to this purchasing board. The purchasing board in Tarant County is made up of a family
court judge, a civil district court judge, and a criminal district court judge. And so multiple elected officials and department heads have reached out to my office and talked amongst themselves to say we need to give purchasing more support. The
reality is um the commissioner's court approves every single purchasing decision. The commissioner's court uh approves every single purchasing policy. And the current setup of this system,
there is no judge that has a support staff that can help purchasing, go through any issues, deal with different things, and there's no one on this court that has a staff that can do it either.
Purchasing has a ton of laws that the state requires people to follow. Those laws will still be followed. Those laws are still in place, but through the county administrator's office,
they have support through a team of I don't know how many people are down there, but a county administrator, a deputy county administrator, an assistant county administrator, two assistant county administrators, uh multiple groups that can help facilitate issues between departments and elected
officials in purchasing. So Melissa Lee, um, this whole entire thing, and I I would agree. I wish she had been talked to about it ahead of time. There was attempts made. She was on vacation on a cruise, could didn't check her phone,
didn't take a call. I wished it would have I wish that part would have gone down different. Uh, I met with Melissa for several minutes yesterday in my office and uh, with passing this today, Melissa will still be
the d will be the director of purchasing. It's a change, but there's no difference in the titles. I mean, there's no difference in the duties, the responsibilities. That will remain the same. And hopefully there won't be this many departments and elected officials that have issues with purchasing and
they can help do it better. The actual support provided by this purchasing board was none. Not not one ounce of support provided to purchasing in any way, shape or form from that board. Uh my personal opinion,
it makes no sense to have three district judges who have dockets and full courts to try to manage purchasing in any way, shape, or form. I think some of the things that people are upset by probably could use some improvements. some of the
things that people are upset by probably uh they should realize, hey, this is the way it is and it's frustrating because the state has put so many laws in place. But all these accusations and innuendos, the idea that if somehow purchasing
goes to the commissioner's court and is managed by Chandler means donations will come in that somehow couldn't come in on the things we were going to vote for anyway. That is just literally ludicrous. And uh we still the court still has to approve it if it's a
purchase or not. We still have to approve whether or not we're doing um RFPs. I mean nothing changes. The general public won't see a single change whatsoever. Uh but I believe purchasing and Melissa will get more support and
support I think in in some ways they need. So anybody else have anything? Okay. All right. >> Can I make a comment? Sure. >> Hi, Mayor Louise Nicholson, County Clerk. Um, I support this. I've worked
with Melissa and her team for many, many years, and um, we have a great working relationship, but last year I was one of those elected officials that asked her to sit with me and other department heads to address the challenges we were experiencing. And she was very open to
it. We had a great conversation. Um, and we said, you know, can we see these changes? Can we can we make improvements on what's going on? And I understand processes and laws, but, you know, it seemed like things had shifted. And I went to her and asked and she said,
"Absolutely, Mayor Louise. Let's have this meeting." We did have a meeting and she walked away and said, "I'm on it. I'm going to talk to my staff. We're going to make these improvements and changes." I didn't see very many improvement and changes with us. They work very hard.
I'm not discrediting what you do, Melissa, and you know that. We work very hard to give her a chance to help bring this along, but when we're in the middle of contract negotiations and trying to get things to happen, if the organization is suffering,
we all suffer. And so, we asked to try and make this better. So, you know, I look forward to this. I think it's great that you're going to get the support you need with Chandler and all of his people when we go back into purchasing um system.
So, I appreciate the court. I appreciate you saying you're going to vote for this, Commissioner Simmons, because she does a great job, but all these laws and everything, it's just months and months and years and it just it's insane and she does need support. She does need support and so I think this is a great
idea and I hope y'all stay with it because it's one of the big five. Um we do a lot of business with Melissa and her team. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, anybody else have anything before we vote? All right, votes are in. Passes five to
zero. And where was that? >> That was E1. We did that already. All right. Next is F1, which is in purchasing purchase of
firearms range target system. Number two is an annual contract for identification verification service for ordering and processing certified copies. Number three is an annual contract for mattress materials uh for the sheriff's office, the jail. Number four is an annual
contract for medical supplies and public health. And then number five was removed entirely from the agenda. Number six is an annual contract for fire sprinkler inspections, repairs, and parts replacement. Number seven is a purchase of asphalt distributor trucks
in precincts one, two, and three. Number eight is an annual contract for electrical services. Number nine is an annual contract for on-base maintenance and support and IT. And number 10 is approval of reimbursement
of KN&F concept folder reflector with carrying bag and newer light reflector kit. to the tune of $7648. So I will make a motion to approve purchasing items one
through 10 excluding item five. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second on that. Any discussion there? All right. Please cast your votes.
All right, passes unanimously. The next item we have is permission to take bids and issue RFPs. Do we have any questions or comments on any of these items? >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second
to approve to give to grant permission to take bids and RFPs. Any discussion? Okay, cast your vote. All right, passes unanimously. Now, we're going to take a recess until 2:10 p.m. So, we are in recess until 2:10.
I know you're finished. Oh, it hurts to just sit. Oh, yeah. All right. All right. back from recess. Next item is G1, consideration of possible action to adopt the Tarant County Commissioner's Court agenda creation policy and amendment to the Tarant
County Commissioner's Court rules of decorum. So, I'm going to make a motion to adopt the agenda creation policy and the edited version of the decorum policy passed out in your red folders today.
>> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second on that item. uh discussion. >> Yes. >> And start the 10 minutes. >> As we discuss decorum, I want to ground this conversation in our shared
responsibility as leaders to uphold justice, integrity, and the constitution. The quorum matters not only in how the public engages with this court, but also in how we as elected officials conduct
ourselves. The first amendment guarantees the public the right to speak to petition their government and be heard in especially in spaces like commissioner's court which exists to serve the people.
The quorum policy should exist to ensure order and respect not to suppress voices or limit participation of the public. We must be careful not to conflate discomfort with disorder.
Public comment may be passionate. It may be emotional or critical. That doesn't make it inappropriate. In fact, it is often a reflection of residents who care deeply about their
community and their government. As county commissioners, we are stewards of democratic access. Our role is not to narrow the public square, but to protect it.
Any actions that restricts the when, how often, or how long residents may speak should be approved with great caution and with the understanding that the right to speak is not a privilege. It is a constitutional guarantee.
for precinct one. My position is clear. The voices of the people will not be limited. This seat does not belong to me or any of us on this DS. This seat has always belonged to the residents that I and the
rest of us represent. Their ability to speak before this court is fundamental to transparency, accountability, and trust in government. The quorum should elevate our civic process, not diminish it.
Leadership requires us to listen even when it's difficult and to protect the rights of the people we serve. And as I go off script real quick, I believe I have a solution that would
resolve this issue, but I don't believe that my colleagues have any appetite for it. And that solution is simple. We go back to the way the court used to be when we met every week. >> All right. Anyone else have any
comments? >> Yes. So on this court agenda creation policy, the county judge wants to upgrade the agenda policy. We don't we didn't have a an agenda policy. Um we had a practice.
Is this because I ask questions? Is this because you ask questions? Is this because I brief I agendaize
items on the agenda that you ask for that you ask me about? That is my responsibility as your elected official. I am not the expert on elections. So I
ask the elections administrator to come here and brief you and talk about how elections are carried out. Whatever your issue is, I will get the answer from the expert and I will bring the expert not
just you on the phone because if you have the question, probably a lot of other people have the question. So come to court and answer the questions that have been asked of me. Same with the sheriff. Same with any
other department or department head. It is just a basic responsibility that we have to communicate, educate, be responsive to those who put us in this position.
So, they've got all this rigma roll. He's got all this rigma roll in here about how court members can add things to the agenda. Um we are all duly elected.
Um same amount of power essentially. He has more power because he has two other guaranteed 100% guaranteed votes on anything. Um, if if you wanted
um a policy agenda, that'd be great. I like I like an agenda creation policy. That'd be great. I like policy. This county, especially when I got here, had too many practices and not policy.
But typically or previously, all of us got to weigh in on what we would like to see in a policy. I don't know about anybody else, but
nobody consulted me. I'm not sure when the the attachment popped up on the agenda. Um, so y'all elected me to be here. I have no input.
None. No thoughts. Did you make any input into this um policy? Was it the staff? Was it O'Hare? Who who did this and why were the other court members
uh not given an opportunity? It's clear, Judge O'Hare, that you have a problem with accountability. This is not about policy. This is about control. This is about authoritarianism in plain sight. You want to be king.
These protests and marches are You're the poster child for the no kings marches. Um there isn't a king on this day is to decide when people can speak or what briefings commissioners are allowed to request. You pick and choose who gets
held accountable and who doesn't. The gentleman after we gave out we were not even in session has been criminally trespassed for six a year I think. Albert
um for saying something after we were not in session. By doing this, this court is demonstrating its true colors. You are putting polit political convenience above democracy.
You are attempting to silence oversight, weaken transparency, and take power away from the people you are supposed to serve. But let me be clear. Alisa Simmons will not be silenced. Y'all can forget that I will not be silenced. I will not step
back. I will fight for the people of Taran County and I will fight to protect their right to be heard. Um if if time were truly a concern, good people, why did this court decide to meet once a
month? It's ridiculous. We are the third largest county in the state, 14th, 15th largest county in the country, meeting once a month, burdening our department heads
with rushing and trying to get things ready for the agenda. Um, limiting the public's voice under that excuse is pure hypocrisy. It's cowardly to claim patriotism and
talk about law and order while simultaneously violating the people's first amendment rights. True respect for the Constitution means letting residents speak, not silencing
them, not criminal trespassing them. But my MAGA colleagues don't know anything about that. Under this new rule, what happens? What happens if a resident has multiple agenda items they wish to speak on? Will their voice now
be limited or cut off? Yep. This silences the people of Taran County. It tells them their voices can be arbitrarily cut off that their concerns are only worth as much as this court decides. This,
plain and simple, is authoritarianism. The residents of this county pay our very good salaries and the very least we owe them is the ability to speak on every issue that matters to them not to
us. I just limiting them like this erodess trust, diminishes accountability, undermines democratic principles this court is sworn to uphold. This sounds pretty restrictive.
Regardless of any excuses they have, I am aware that there is nothing in the statute that says you can do this. There is nothing in the statute that says you can't do this. And there is nothing in the statute that
says you should do this. the county judge alone. The king chose this path. He opted to silence the voice of the people. First,
they came for our district maps through gerrymandering. Then, they came for our ability to vote by cutting polling places. Now, they're coming for our voice here at Commissioner's Court. I don't know if you're familiar with
these quotes. You guys should be. Here's one. Without freedom of thought, there can be no wisdom. And without freedom of speech, there can be
no public liberty. And here's another. The power to center is in the people over the government, not in the government over the people. Those were not
modernday activists making viral posts on Instagram. Those words came from Benjamin Franklin and James Madison, the founders of this country and the architects of our constitution. These
are the same voices conservatives claim to honor. Yet today, we are being asked to vote directly against their wisdom. It is painfully clear
that one, we're voting to restrict your speech and my authority as a duly elected official of this county, this state. And we're voting to cut public
participation. We're voting to silence dissent people who don't agree with us. I don't know about you, but that sounds like the exact kind of tyranny people fled England to escape when they came
here to form a new nation built on liberty, accountability, and the right to be heard. But let me say this. You might have the votes to pass this item today, gentlemen, but I guarantee
that I will never stop speaking for and representing the people who sent me here >> and their words will echo in this courtroom as long as I >> That is your 10 minutes. >> I am not going anybody elsewhere have any
>> your 10 minutes is up. Please respect the rules. I guess we'll go into recess again if that's what you want to do. >> Mopping all of this. >> We're now in recess. you uh who else would like to speak at this point? Yeah, I'll say a few words. Um
I didn't have a hand in crafting any of this pulse either, so which I'm okay with, but once I got the information, I said, "Okay, how does this differ from the other ones?" And so we looked at the previous decor and policy and the new one and uh our office came up with with
a little bit of an analysis. So um based on the new decor and policy if we were to adopt that today uh the comment period is now at the beginning of the meeting rather than the end. I think there's been several folks who have come here at least since I've been on the court in the last year who have said I
take all day off. I have to sit through all this work. I've sit through all this business and I just have to wait till my time to make my comments heard. So, um I actually think that's a huge positive for everybody who is asking, hey, can't we be heard first? Now, the public comment is at the beginning of the
meeting and not at the end of the meeting. I I thought that was actually a very positive thing. Uh the threshold to trigger the two and one minute comment times was raised from 20 to 30 and 40 to 50 respectively. So, um, if you have enough people sign up for comments, you
actually get more time. More people get more time before the threshold lowers, which again, I think is very helpful. If you want to have more of your uh message heard, you're going to have more time because the more people sign up, the threshold to to trigger the lower times
isn't met as quick. Uh, now you'll the new guidance allows members of the public to submit public comment forms up to 5:00 p.m. the day before a commissioner's court meeting. Previously, they had to submit 72 hours before. So, uh, the public has a 55 extra hours to submit public comment
forms. So, if you want to have your voice heard, if you want to write down those public comments, uh, so that we see them, now you have 55 extra hours before every court meeting to submit those. I think that's a very positive development. Uh, the new guidance prioritizes Tarant County residents over
non-residents. If you're not a Tarant County resident, that probably uh rubbed you the wrong way. But if you're a Tarant County resident is the Tarant County Commissioner's Court, I think that's probably something that you should welcome and appreciate. Uh the ne the last one that I have that we found
in our kind of sideby-side comparison uh was the new guidance allows for appeals of removal to the Civil Service Commission rather than the sexually oriented business board. I know a lot of times people said, "Well, if you get removed from commissioner's court, why do you have to go to this uh board that doesn't even sound like it has anything
to do with that?" So now under this new one, you actually get u get heard by the civil service commission. So based on all those things, I thought those were actually really positive uh developments. I felt like, you know, okay, this is a step in the right direction. You may not agree with me, but that's okay. And uh I know a lot of
you are going to come up here and say that this is unconstitutional. It's not allowable. Uh my guess is the vin diagram of those who are saying that today and those who said that during redistricting are almost going to be completely the same. And what we found out from all the litigation efforts in redistricting was no it actually was
completely constitutional and completely allowable by both the federal courts and the state courts. So um it's going to be a little harder for me this time when you're saying how unconstitutional it is knowing that you were wrong previously may be the same kind of error in your reasoning that's going to come along
today. Um, and then when we get to the uh the agenda creation policy, I realize there's some consternation there. Um, but throughout the year, the more I've seen, uh, I feel like the briefing time is often used for political purposes,
not actual information uh, gathering. And I think the briefings were supposed to be getting information for uh for the people of Tarant County for our programs and services that we have, not for political posturing, for political messaging or political grandstanding. And it seems like it's become a tool
more and more for that, which every commissioner on this das has the right to do that if they want to. They they can do that, but it doesn't mean the other commissioners have to stay there and uh just allow that to happen. So, um, that's why I'm in favor of the, uh,
briefing, uh, revisions as well. Um, I think when there's information that needs to be had, that needs to be gleaned, that needs to be, uh, learned from, we still have that opportunity. All five members of this commissioner's court have the ability to get that kind of information for the community. I
think this is going to cut down on some of the uh, political messaging, the political posturing, and I think that's beneficial for all of us. So, um, I think there's a lot of positives to this decorum policy. I think it's going to give you more time. The ones who come and and speak time and time and time
again. It may limit your ability on one meeting or another not to speak on as many of the items that you want, but for the whole uh people of Taran County, it gives them a better opportunity to have more of a say than less of a say uh than usual. So, I I think this is a step in the right direction. Uh, and I look
forward to supporting it today. >> Do you have anything? Yeah. Uh, you know, I'll say in response to a lot of the feedback that we got or we've gotten over the last year and a half or so, uh, the one takeaway that I had and I asked months ago for Chandler to look at a policy that potentially put public
comment at the front end of the meeting. Um, you know, that's one where we've talked to dozens and dozens of residents and constituents that said we would be far more apt to come participate in the process if we didn't have to wait until 3, four, 5:00 in the evening to talk. And so, this is a predictable time. I
absolutely support that. I wanted to make sure that it was in line with best practices, that it was what other counties or other agencies do. Uh the Texas Association of Counties, which is uh the organization that issues guidance on these types of things on agenda management, etc. for commissioners,
courts, and counties alike, explicitly states um that this is allowable public comment at the beginning of a meeting uh to cover all agenda items on a meeting. Um the attorney general has also opined the exact same thing. um that in order to facilitate efficient management of a
meeting that that you you you should and can do this. Um but the bottom line is, you know, we speak to hundreds of citizens every single week, not just on Tuesdays. Uh the work doesn't start and stop and the input doesn't start and stop here. Uh it's every single day
we're listening to our residents. And so I think that this will uh allow an expansion of those who want to come participate in the process. Uh, I agree with that because I I fully support efficient management of these business meetings. These are not political rallies. These are business meetings.
Um, so there you go. All right. I have some comments, but I'm going to wait till the speakers. So, we'll now go to the speakers. First up is Mindy Tacket and then David Rodriguez. And it's two minutes each. It is very clear that the that three
members of this court do not want to govern in partnership with the public. You've already reduced commissioner's court meetings to once a month. Now, you're telling residents that we may have as little as 60 seconds once a month to address every issue this court
decides on. That's not public engagement. It's silencing. What you are communicating is simple. You think this county belongs to you, not the people who live here.
You believe that you're accountable to nobody, right? And that public input is an inconvenience, not a responsibility. It's anti-democratic. It reflects an embrace of authoritarianism
rooted in white Christian nationalism. not representative government and the public is done tolerating the smug entitlement that comes with it. Tim, last week at Mercy Culture, you
publicly expressed your fears about next November. You did that last week. You're right to be concerned because voters are watching. We are organizing. and Tim and Manny, rest assured, we are
coming for your seats. >> Uh, next is Mr. Rodriguez here. All right. Following Mr. Rodriguez is Dr. Edner. So, back in August, y'all had chosen to reduce these meetings from twice to once
a month. And these solutions that y'all are trying to gussy up are just band-aids to the wounds that you've self-inflicted on yourselves and on the uh people here that are speaking. You're acting like I So if this was under the new rules, I'd have a minute left and
I've already spent like 30 seconds right now. I'm trying to do this. So, do I have to be like Buster Rhymes, Tech 9, chopping at you, going like and like maybe hopefully get my point across to y'all because even some even now sometimes two minutes really isn't isn't
enough. And so, growing up when I heard about the uh the party of small government as Republicans are called, uh I learned that uh supposed to be not infringing on the personal rights of the people. I didn't understand that
interpretation meant just completely excluding the people, all of them, including their voices. So, it's interesting how y'all keep trying to do these things. You're purposely reducing your workload for whatever
reason. You know, uh firefighters can't stop taking calls after 1, 2, 3 in the morning. um our teachers who are getting overfilled, overcapacied, like 30 students, 33 students. They can't just kick students out. They can't increase
their wage, which and even despite the fact what old boy said about y'all wasting y'all's time listening to us. Well, he doesn't get paid over 200 grand to sit and listen. You do. And a even in minimum wage, someone making minimum
wage has to make work three years just to get a piece of y'all's pie. >> So anyways, thanks. >> Following Dr. Edner, we have Gabe Rivas. Let me address those I need to judge
and these puppet commissioners. What we are witnessing today is a deliberate attempt to silence the very people who pay your salaries. The people have every right to address this court as often as your policies and political maneuvers require oversight and accountability.
Public com comment at the beginning does not allow for those comments to address what you say before rubber stamping. A vote for office is not a blank check and right now yours keeps coming up in
sufficient funds. This is America. We do not have kings in the White House and we do not have many kings here in Taran County. Scripture reminds us, because y'all like that, that everything legal is not necessarily right, says Expedient.
Legality does not equal righteousness. Ethics still matter, even when power pretends they don't. You consistently look like you don't care what we say. But injustice has a way of disturbing the conscious when it's spoken aloud.
and injustice unfortunately has become the consistent timber of this court. Let me be clear, being the majority does not mean you are inherently moral. History settled that question a long time ago. >> We know you can push through this this
and and I suspect you will as you normally do. But hear this plainly. Taxpayer dollars should not fund a once a month exercise in placating people who are exercising their constitutional right to speak to those they elected, no
matter how uncomfortable that speech may be. Limiting speakers to once a month while while a multitude of injustices are being waged against the people of Terara County. It's not order, it's censorship. So here's the Sunday school lesson. Every ruler who treated the
people with contempt eventually paid the price. There is no place for pharaohism. >> Thank you. >> Uh following Mr. Rivas is Bishop Kirkland. >> Thank you. Pass >> judges and commissioners. I'm here today to speak against this proposal uh
because we have seen a steady erosion over the last three years of the public's ability to participate in their own government here in Taran County. I mean, first this court cut the meetings from every week to once to twice a month. now to once a month. Effectively having the time residents can hold you
accountable. Today, you're being asked to take the final step in silencing over two million voices in Tarant County, the voices you were elected to represent by limiting residents to a total of three minutes across all agenda items, asking them to pick and choose which of their rights matter most to them. And the
sliding scale rule, which triggers a drop to two minutes or even one minute when the turnout is high, literally punishes citizens for being engaged. If more people show up because they care about the community, you respond by giving them less time to speak. That's the opposite of representative government.
>> Right? >> This change isn't happening in a vacuum either. It's happening at a time when Taran County is facing massive lawsuits, jails, controversial shifts, and law enforcement. Transparency, public input are the only things that keep a local government from sliding into corruption
or gross incompetence. When you make it harder for the people living here to tell you what is happening in their streets and in their neighborhoods, you lose your ability to lead effectively. You're choosing to fly blind rather than hear the truth. A
government that is afraid of the sound of the voices of its own citizens is a government that has lost its way. >> Iris's court to reject these changes. Do not cut the mic on the people of Tarant County. Let these people speak. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, next we have Bishop
Kirkland. Then following Bishop Kirkland is Zadinka Wilcox. >> I feel so important. I feel so important that three puppeteers would get together with a convoluted plan to silence me. You take my tax dollars because I own
the home my parents live in. You take my tax dollars because our ministry has undeveloped land. But yet you want to silence my voice. And I'm okay with that because I won't stay quiet for long.
I'll speak where I can I can. My message will be as strong as I am black and I'm probably the blackest thing in this room. I won't back down. I won't back up and I won't retreat cuz I'd rather in
words of Ameilia Sapata, I would rather die on my feet than to live on my knees. I got a word of caution for you man. You may not know much about the civil right about slavery but what would happen when
the field hands would run away they would put the house negroes in the field your field duty is coming soon because whenever a master get done with you and they're you're no good for them you're nothing more than a field hand. So, as a
stakeholder in this county, I'll be damned if you silence me. I will speak. I will talk. I will stand up for what's right. City council makes 25 grand a year. You people make a quarter million
dollar and you can't sit there and listen to people. All the money you make. >> You ought to just be glad that somebody want to talk to you. But I just want you to know it's not over. The fight's begun. And when you win, sister, when
you win, you gonna let me talk again. >> All right. Next, we have Zadena Wilcox. Is Miss Wilcox here? All right. Brian Wilcox. Is Brian Wilcox here? >> All right. Reed Bills.
And then Joanna Cardardoza. I have frequently appeared before you and requested that scheduled briefings be presented from the sheriff's department regarding jail deaths and complain that these briefings have not been provided.
I realize that this policy is designed to prevent me from making future such requests. This action is clearly a violation of my First Amendment rights. Briefing topics
relating to ongoing law enforcement investigations or active criminal prosecutions does not preclude the public's right to know what is happening in our county jail.
Our taxes are paying the salaries for the sheriff and his employees. And we have a right to know how our money is spent. We have a right to be briefed on the policies and actions of the jail system to ensure that our inmates are provided
a safe space and that the constitutional rights of those accused of a crime are observed. We ask for these asurances because the two frequent jail deaths lead us to have questions and demand answers.
Please vote against this blatant attempt to silence the concerned residents of Tarant County. >> Is Miss Cardardoza present? All right. Next, we have Jennifer Sanchez,
then Nidia Cardinz. >> Good afternoon. My name is Jenny Sanchez. I'm a Taran County resident and I'm speaking on behalf of the Texas Civil Rights Project. As we wrote in our letter to the Commissioner Commissioner's Court last night, we're concerned that these changes violate the First Amendment, the Texas
Constitution's free speech protections in the Texas Open Meeting Act. We're concerned that the proposed three minute time three minute limit on public comment, regardless of the number of agenda items, would significantly restrict the ability of Taran County residents to participate in their own
government. Both free speech law and the Texas Open Meetings Act envision generous public participation with reasonable limits applied in a way that preserves access rather than discourages it. And as we wrote in our letter, these restrictions may implicate that fundamental premise. This change risks
silencing lawful testimony, especially when meetings occur only once a month. That risk is compounded by the enforcement mechanisms attached to this rule. When the exercise of free speech carries the possibility of removal or even criminal penalties, people
understandably self-censored, which means that courts can and should put this rule under greater screening. If the goal is efficiency, the better solution is to provide more frequent opportunities for public engagement, not fewer. For these reasons, the Texas
Civil Rights Project urges you to reject this rule and protect the public's right to participate in open and transparent government. Thank you. Thank you. Is Miss Cardinus still here? Following Miss Cardinus, we have Billy Wilson. >> Um, yeah, my name is Nia Gardinas and it
feels like this agenda item is in a direct response to the people's commissioners corps, which is a group that has been organizing to take some of those consent agenda items that should be in discussion that people actually deeply care about and bringing them into the court. And so that feel it feels like a very direct connection to the
fact that people have been doing that. And I think you're asking the wrong question of, oh, it's always the same people coming to speak. Why might that be? Because this meeting is at 10:00 a.m. on a Tuesday and most people, those of us who do come here, have the privilege of being able to do that, but not most people do not have that freedom
um in their work. And so I think, you know, we're asking the wrong question and trying to solve the problem in the wrong way. Um, and then, you know, Commissioner, to my commissioner, you said you're talking to hundreds of people um a week. Well, how do I know who those people are as your constituent? How are you tracking those
conversations? Do you have data? Are you saying, "I talked to this person and they want to see this and then you're comparing." How are you making sure that you aren't following into known and wellressearched decision-m traps like availability bias? So, paying attention to the most recent conversation that you had, confirmation bias, talking to the
people who are affirming your way of thinking and asking questions in a way that just keeps you in your own thoughts. Escalation of commitment. So, incre you said yes once and now all of a sudden you're in a chain of yes. So, I have no idea what kind of decision- making um data you're tracking, what
processes you're using, because as far as I know, this is the only time a month that you guys meet that y'all talk to each other um all five. And that feels like a very poor way. If you look at any uh leadership practices, you're not really following any of the good ones. So, um how can we then trust to let you
make decisions on our behalf and keep things on the consent agenda? And what is the replacement strategy? So, if you don't want to hear from us here, I want to see each of your individual calendars for how you're going to be out in your very wide and dispersed precincts asking your constituents questions and for feedback. Efficiency is the word that's
being used and that's basically you telling us care less and efficiency does not equal effective and what we want is effective government. So, do better. >> Thank you. Is Mr. Wilson present? >> All right. I do not see Mr. Wilson. Next
is Latoya Lane. Is Miss Lane present? Yeah, you can go. And then next is Deborah Kratkkey. >> Hi, my name is Latoya Lane and I'm speaking on behalf of the Texas Civil Rights Project. We're here because we are deeply concerned about these
proposed changes, especially in light of this court and Judge O'Hare's continued efforts to make government make government less transparent, less open, and less responsive to the public. In particular, what we are concerned about today is that these changes
together severely implicate the first amendment, Texas free o Texas free speech provisions and the Texas Open Meetings Act. Those laws prevent overroad restrictions on speech and require this court to conduct certain
important business, public business in public. Yet today you are attempting to enact a ban on briefing topics that could functionally cover nearly any potential issue before the court and could lead to open meetings violations by pushing important dis discussions
behind closed doors. That ban affects the public's right to speak to by denying them the opportunity to comment on briefing topics. But it's not just about the legal risk. It's about the appearance of a commissioner's court that has continued to consolidate power
at the expense of its own constituents. You have reduced meetings from weekly to once a month while giving yourselves a raise. You have pushed through a redistricting map under the shroud of secrecy. You have ejected people from clapping during the discussions about
the county jail. Taran County residents deserve to hear briefings from its elected commissioner's court in public dialogue about the county jail redistric redistricting and other important issues to do otherwise risk violating the law. Thank
you. >> Thank you. Following Miss Katkkey, we have Stella Fair. Who? >> Delafair. >> Okay. >> Debbie Katkkey, Crowley, Texas. Um, I have to tell you, I it takes a lot to
shock me. I've worked with people in the homeless community and people coming out of prisons and seen some really strange things, but this doesn't make any sense to me. Putting this kind of restriction on feedback to individual topics and
saying you got to say it in the first, you may have two minutes, you may have one, and you need to say it right up front without hearing the briefings. How do we know exactly what you're going to be doing? But even more shocking than that is the language I've heard. I
listened to the candidate forum at Mercy Culture. And I was horrified to hear myself called a demon to say I was evil. All of these I wrote it all down and I was going to bring it up here, but I thought that's carrying it a bit too
far. But I don't think of anybody anybody even those people coming out of hardened prison. I don't think of them as demons. I don't think of them as evil. I don't think of you guys as evil. And I cannot believe you would be in a room with people who would say that
about the residents of this county. Go back and look at the tape. Look at Don Huffine. He's the one that called us evil and demons. So, it's out there. And when you talk about politicizing, that's what I'm hearing. I want to do business
with you. I want you to have the advantage of hearing the people who are so smart that come to these meetings. So, what I'm going to do, I'm going to call each of you and I'm going to set up an appointment to come in and have a one-on-one. I think Commissioner Krauss was accurate when he said that at one of
the last meetings that we could come in anytime and talk. So, that's what I'm going to do and that's what I'm going to suggest the people in this room do. If we can't make comments here, then how about we come and see you? Thanks. Uh so Miss Fair is not present. Uh Dr. Harold
is next. Then Lon Burnham. This proposed policy is contemptuous of the people of Tarant County. The 15th largest county in the United States wants to limit public participation, not because it's inefficient,
but because citizens are engaged. This proposal is not merely demeaning. It is legally vulnerable. Matt, the Texas Civil Rights Project has warned that these rules may violate both the First Amendment and the Texas
Constitution. prior restraints on speech are presumptively unconstitutional. They're al it's also wrong. You have been saying that public comments at the beginning is great and
maybe that is, but you neglect to mention that that will be the only time that people can speak. And instead of time limits for speakers on a topic that limit the amount of time we can speak, the limits relate to the
number of speakers on all topics in public comments. You are deliberately misrepresenting this to the public. Finally, or not finally, limiting speakers to a total of three minutes regardless of the number of agenda items
actively diminishes the quality of information available to you. There should be more opportunities for interaction. An open meeting before commissioner's court to discuss, hear from staff and citizens would allow you
to come to commissioner's court informed. The message is clear that you see the people you represent as an inconvenience. It is inconsistent with the law and it is unworthy of this
county. >> Following Mr. Burnham, we have Janet Matter. Well, my oh my, we have certainly come to a crossing. I just want to remind everybody something I've said for a long time that
one party rule anywhere in the world, particularly one party rule that's gone on for over 30 years, inevitably leads to corruption and authoritarianism. This particular item is a particularly a
particularly good representation of authoritarianism. You know, some of you may not be old enough to remember the Watergate scandal, but the fact of the matter is the worst crime was the cover up, not
the crime itself. The cover up that is being perpetuated today with this policy is you are trying to shut up the public and not allow us to have a public forum. And let me tell you, you may think we're stupid, but
we've all heard the cliche line, you can put lipstick on a pig, but you can't make it pretty. And the fact that you are justifying this in part by saying, "Oh, we're moving public comment to the front of the agenda." Well, you
can do that without any adjustment here. It is absurd and insulting for the two of you to sit there and suggest that you're doing us a goddamn favor at all. >> Please sit him down immediately. That will not be tolerated in this courtroom.
>> Sit him down. >> I'm so disappointed in all of you. >> Miss Matter. Hello, my name is Janet Matan. I'm the president of the League of Women Voters of Tarant County. We are a nonpartisan organization and
our mission is to empower voters and defend democracy. The proposal to impose time limits on constituents who come before this court to express their views is very concerning as is imposing
restraints on briefing topics. This violates First Amendment rights by stifling freedom of speech. This limits the public's ability to hold our county government accountable and reduces transparency in violation of
TOMA. This added with reducing meetings to only once a month, reducing the number of poll locations, and redrawing redistricting re redrawing precinct maps that you acknowledge are for your
political gain is a worrisome trend. If you care to represent us, you would be happy to listen to your constituents. >> Is Yasin Taznif in the room? come forward and then next will be Ryan
Price. >> Um, I would like to request a translator. She is right here. >> Okay. >> Sorry, one second. Okay. Looks like you already started. >> I got it. >> Thank you.
I stand before you as a constituent speaking in my mother tongue as is my right as a representation of the diversity of this place and the people you serve. It is our right for every word of ours to be heard no matter how long. And yet it is disappointing to feel like an inconvenience to you.
The truth is I'll be in Taran County soon. I've worked hard to ensure people like me have a voice like you do. And I would hate to leave knowing that so many people I love will have less of one. It feels wrong. There are so much pain and hate in the world and all we are truly asking for is love and compassion
for all. Can you do that? We deserve the right to be heard in all aspects. The power of words and the power of the people will be too loud to drown out and justice shall prevail. In this country, this state and this county, the people deserve only the
best. And again, the power of the people, the grassroots are strong. And again, I stand here before you asking for a right to speak to be honored. >> I have loved being involved here in various capacities, but it hurts to feel
like we've gone backwards. We all know this. Our country is one of beauty that speaks many languages that knows no bounds in leading our great state to the prosperous future we all want. But we can't do it unless everybody can be heard. Inabindad
Zindabad. >> We all look forward to this November where the voice of the people will truly break clear. >> Thank you. >> So following Mr. Price. We have Carla Palyus.
>> My name is Ryan Price. I am a Tarant County resident and I am here to speak in opposition to this proposal. According to the court's current rules of decorum, it is the county's intent to maximize citizen participation and
efficiently receive public input on matters of compelling public interest. The obvious and best way to do this is not by further limiting public comments, but rather by returning to a weekly
court meeting. The court's current once per month schedule is grossly inadequate for upholding the basic democratic principles of public participation and open government. This is especially true
for a county our size. You are each paid $200,000 per year. Yet you meet only once per month. Last I checked, Dawson County commissioners meet more than that. Their
population is 12,000. Ours is 2 million. Respectfully, I say the problem is not the public's threeinut comments, but the court's three week absences.
Many good things come from public comments. Good ideas are introduced. Problems are identified. Leaders of good faith and goodwill emerge. Bridges are built between public and public officials. And as has been the case at the Karen
County Jail, sometimes lives are even saved and deaths are exposed. Let the court expand and not diminish open access to open government. For it is we the people for whom our government exists and we the people who have the right to be heard. Thank you.
>> Following Miss Paula Mars, we have Lydia Bean. My name is Carla Mores Fort Worth and precinct 4 Timohair. You've put so much effort into stripping away our constitutionally protected rights to freedom of speech and freedom of expression here in these chambers.
You've chipped away at our aotted speaking time on multiple occasions. You have implemented and are currently attempting to implement more phony restrictions under the guise of efficiency and decorum. You've doubled down on you've clouded visibility to procedures and decisions to assume and
assert power that is unjust and lacking in integrity. You've made a habit of denying accountability for yourself, your collaborators, and people like Bill Sorels and Bill Wayorn by continually minimizing the participation of county residents. No matter how much you try to cut us down, we'll rise back up. We'll
continue to show up and speak up. You cannot silence us, but I hope you lose sleep trying. And I know you'll lose your seat in November. And when bad actors and our local bodies and state bodies and federal bodies are allowing one another to move forward without accountability and are essentially
encouraging each other to continue taking part in nefarious policies, practices, and behaviors. I guess it does make sense, Mr. Krauss, that the bad actors in charge won't find the other bad actors doing anything wrong or unconstitutional.
Uh, following Miss Bean, we have Elizabeth Miller. >> Good afternoon. My name is Lydia Bean, and I've spoken before this court many times as the former chair of committee at my church that works for social justice and is concerned about deaths in
the county jail. And you know already that one of the reasons why Commissioner Alisa Simmons puts briefings about the jail on the agenda is because we are so concerned about what is going on in the county jail. We are concerned about the
deaths. We want answers. We want information and those answers and that accountability has been missing from our sheriff. That's why Commissioner Simmons has been our champion putting those items on the agenda. She represents us and our concerns for human rights and
how our county dollars are spent. We have a budget of almost a billion dollars and the biggest item on that budget is our county jail and sadly the many many lawsuits that are constantly happening and being settled because of
deaths in that county jail. So we have a right to answers about how that money is spent. These new rules, this new agenda creation policy has the result of putting most of our county budget off the table to be discussed and is denying
us access and information. That's why it violates open open meeting laws. So, I ask you please vote no on this change in policy. If you want to expand access and ability for people to make their voices heard, go back to weekly court meetings.
Indeed, why not have half of those meetings in the evening so working people can come and make their voices heard? I'm a small business owner. I work for myself. I have the freedom to spend all day sitting here waiting to speak. Others do not. So, if you're truly concerned about people making
their voices heard, weekly meetings make half of them the evenings do not pass this change in policy. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Elizabeth Miller is next and then James Tras. Good afternoon. I um regret that we're here today on this
decorum policy. Last month, I think I came down and asked you guys in the spirit of the new year to please go back to the old one. to the extent that um the points that Commissioner Krauss pointed out, maybe perhaps those are improvements, but
respectfully, I don't think anybody truly believes that we're all here to do this to increase the public's access to their government or to free up their rights to speech. I
invite you to adopt those portions that that may be genuine improvements, but respectfully, I don't think that's why we're here. Um, I am with a group called Republican Liberty Caucus. Um, their group their goal is to influence
Republicans to respect and protect the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free market enterprise. Um, those principles are also in the Republican party platform.
Um, I'm sure y'all swear to uphold them when you run for office. Um, and then the right to speech is so fundamental. Um, I know you swear to protect and defend it. Um, that's a right that's
given to us by God or by the creator or by nature by virtue of being human. It's not created by this body. It's not your job to limit it. It's your job to protect it. You merely describe it and protect it.
You do not grant it. So, I I I plead with you on behalf of a lot of other Republicans who uh do not appreciate the uh erosion of their rights to not do this. And think again. >> Thank you. Is Mr. Tras present?
Following Mr. TRA. We have Linda Hanrrady. >> Good afternoon. Every month it seems like this court limits the ability of its residents to make their voice heard. I'm kind of nervous about what's going to happen next month and the month after. If I'm being honest,
>> as a Unitarian Universalist, the use of the democratic process is quite literally sacred to me. The only ethical form of government we believe is one that has the voice of its people at its center. This decorum rule changes that.
And in terms of public comments and public meetings and all the rest that this decorum change seeks to limit, if this part of the job is distasteful to you or boring to you or seems like a waste of time to you, then I would
invite you to have a serious moment of reflection and ask yourself, is this really the job you want? Is this really how you want to spend your limited time on Earth? And if not, that's okay. You
can step down and we will elect people who will. Thank you. >> Thank you. Miss Hanrady is next. Following Miss Hanrady is Chris Dobson. >> Uh my name is Linda Hanrady and I live in precinct 4 and we're going to have an
election. All my notes are out the window because everyone said them better than I can. But this meeting demonstrates what will happen if you pass this. There are enough people here today and then signed up to speak that we would have each had one single minute
to talk about whatever we wanted to talk about and that is totally unacceptable. Um and and also the in the in the thing were the briefings. No more briefings. We can't have briefings. We can't know what's happening. We can't find out that
some poor man who was arrested for criminal trespass dies in our jail. This is unacceptable. Democracy dies in darkness. And this is clearly an effort to handle the citizens right to participate in their county
government to limit or hinder. What is the accord afraid of? Are you afraid of all of us? It's very, very sad. Mr. Dobson. Following Mr. Dobson is Joe Palmer.
>> Chris Dobson. I live in Arlington. Uh boy, I guess if you wanted to stop being red for filth, you could always just change your behaviors and instead you're cutting down our time to make cogent and logical points about what we need to
change. You know, it takes longer than 30 seconds or a minute to explain why it's wrong that our bail bonds boards gets campaign donations from bail bondsmen here in Tarant County. You know, like uh
what was his name? Eric Kosandar. You know, he he donated to the sheriff and it was $10,000, but it was through his business and they were able to weaponize the incompetence to say that the sheriff didn't know the laws. So, he didn't know it was illegal. But, see, that takes
time. I'm already halfway through. And I haven't even got to the good parts yet, you know, cuz he also gave money to Tom Wilder on the way out cuz y'all ran him out of town because he came uncomfortable for y'all. And now you're running us out of these meetings because it's becoming
uncomfortable for y'all. You know, when y'all formed up, what did y'all call the election integrity patriot posi kinetic ensemble or whatever? >> Y'all had plenty of resources to go
after Crystal Mason, but then didn't have even a little bit to go after uh what was that Republican com uh county chair, precinct chair, what was her name? Stacy something. Anyway, she was a
white woman and so it seems like it's more, you know, y'all say law and order, but it seems like it's more order and then law >> where it's useful to hurt somebody. Uh, I'll point out one last incident. Sheriff Wburn could have been a had a
wonderful take his son to work day and instead he got bailed out of Arlington outside the normal judicial process because again it's order and not law. >> Thank you, sir. Following Mr. Palmer, we have Brenda Cornish.
>> Thank you for texting me. Appreciate that. Joe Palmer, SD9 Republican voter. I raise a point of order against further consideration to this item due to the fact that the item was improperly noticed. Yesterday, before the signup deadline, the supporting document for this item was not in the attachments drop-down menu. This was the case when I
accessed the agenda from both my laptop and my phone. I took screenshots of both and sent them to you all on Facebook and or email. There is at least one other person here, a Democrat, who also could not see the document. This prevented me from being fully aware of the proposed changes to the policy and the statutoily
required three business days. And it also prevented me from being able to notify others in Tarant of the proposed changes to the extent they might be motivated to call your office and offer input or attend today. You cannot reasonably adopt a policy change of this order without letting the public see it first.
Plank 180 of the RPT platform in part states, "Properly defining public accommodation as understood in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires that we prohibit any change to the legal definition by any federal, state, or local law to expand government control
to restrict any first amendment rights. The amount of time proposed is not reasonable restriction on speech." One argument in favor of this is what if everybody signs up for every item? we would be here four or five days. Is that what you want? This has not come close to happening and likely would never
happen. But even if it did, there might be one or more people there who are sincerely wishing to address multiple items and legitimately need the few minutes to lay out points on those items. Another point made by staff to me was that this was in part motivated by the fact that the public has complained about the long meetings. It's already
said if the intent was to offer the public the opportunity to address items toward the beginning of the meetings in order they may be able to leave and go back to their lives, why not just propose that as an option? What drastic total time reduction enter into the thought process here? Certainly, no one who attends these meetings asked for
three minutes total. This did not come from the public. We don't want it. Object to consideration. Move to strike from the agenda. Vote no. No. No. Uh next we have Brenda Cornish. Is Miss Cornish present? that you're not. Are you Miss Cornish?
Is that I guess that's a no. Uh Alexander Montalvo >> and then Robert Van is the last name on there. It looks like Wilhelm. Is that Eugene? Is that what does that say? >> Says
Okay. >> All right. So, this is a policy crafted by people who are afraid. Clearly afraid. And there's nobody better to show how much they fear than weak little men.
So, Matt, you talked about the reasons why people should support this. We don't want only one slot to give comments. That's never been the ask. Public comments being at the end being moved to the beginning has been the request not to eliminate our opportunity
to talk on agenda items as we see the need to discuss different items. So that that is a lie and gaslighting. We already can sign up five o'clock before the day before. We don't have to sign up 72 hours in advance. Right?
>> That's another lie. See, but with free speech, you get to lie and gaslight people even when you're in official capacity. And while you want to try to condemn political speech, it's also been ruled that political speech is free speech. That's why we get to knock on
the doors when people say no solicitors because that's been ruled that that is still free speech, political speech. So all of your reasons that you want to try to justify within your lies and within your gaslighting, you are afforded that because of our
rights. Yet you want to eliminate the access and the rights of people in Tarant County. And I find your criticism about not wanting people from outside Tarant County when you are more than willing to support sending juvenile kids to prison in other counties in this state, but you don't think they should
have a voice to say how you're doing that or anything else that you're impacting within this region. Y'all are clearly afraid. O'Hare, your time is nearly up. You move from Farmers Branch to Tarant County. Go find your
next destination. and Manny, your time in politics is over. I'm proud for Alisa and Nidia. >> Next, we have Mr. Van, followed by Michael Bell. >> Well, I'll cut this down a bunch because everybody has already said pretty much
what I want to say. Uh, a couple points. uh in the introduction to your rule of decorum it says quote maximize citizen participation unquote uh when you really what you want to do is minimize citizen
participation you might want to change that uh just in the spirit of veracity um and everybody has already mentioned started out before this court uh came into being this particular administration uh that you met four
times a month, every week, and then you cut it down to two, and then you cut it down to one, and now you want to put a big limit on that. Uh perhaps as you continue to vote yourself pay raises, your time has become so valuable that you feel it would be cheating your
public by wasting time sitting here in court listening to their input. I don't know. Uh, I know when you introduce a proposal such as this, it's sure to pass because as it's been already mentioned, the two faithful limings are assured votes in your pocket. However, I do feel the need
to at least make the request that you lighten up a little bit and maybe a little bit more in the direction of actually serving the people who elect you to your August office. >> All right, following Mr. Bell, we have Mr. or Mrs. Wilhelm.
Thank you, Commissioners Simmons and Miles for your courage. Democracy isn't simply a stage production or political theater. It is participation. It rejects the idea that elected
officials possess superior wisdom or exclusive insight that entitles them to curate public input while avoiding genuine accountability. Instead, democracy requires active engagement, citizens speaking, citizens
questioning, citizens challenging, and citizens contributing to this decisions that shape their lives. Several months ago, this court voted to reduce its public meetings to once a month. Once a month, that decision limited county
residents input in an already severely constricted deliberative process. When you reduce the frequency of meetings, you reduce the frequency of accountability. When you limit access, you limit voice. And when you limit voice, you weaken democracy itself. Now,
today, you prepared to go even further to restrict each speaker to addressing only one agenda item instead of allowing citizens to speak to the items that affect their lives. That may sound procedural, but it is profoundly
consequential. the the right to petition government for redress of grievances isn't a courtesy uh extended by elected officials. It's a constitutional guarantee. The first amendment doesn't say you may speak, but
only briefly, occasionally, and narrowly. It affirms that the people have the right to be heard. What we're witnessing is an incremental eraser of community feedback. Fewer meetings, fewer opportunities, fewer words allowed. the people's microphone is
being turned down a notch by notch and that's unacceptable. >> Thank you. >> Uh do we have Mr. or Miss Wilhelm here? Is there a Wilhelm here? Okay, those are all the speakers signed up on this item.
So I have a few comments that I will make. I normally make comments kind of just off the cuff out loud as I'm thinking it. I took the time here to put together some thoughts. Um, I have had multiple citizens, many,
many citizens and multiple staff members come to me and say, "Would you please do something about this? We'd like to come participate. We'd like to come talk. We don't want to come down there. We don't feel comfortable coming down there." And that has happened multiple times. And I
am out all over the community on a daily basis. and I hear it almost everywhere I go. My hope is that this courtroom would be a place of civility and problem solving. Civility and order foster productivity
and problem solving. Performative grandstanding just creates chaos. For a few, that is what they engage in. Over the last decade, we have seen politics become a place where people compete to see who can be more bombastic and get more attention. but it is not
governing. Sadly, Tarant County has not been immune to this shift in our civil discourse. I think the overwhelming majority of people in this county and across the country want respectful discourse and dialogue, not staged politics.
As someone who represents people, as all of us do, we've probably all been guilty at one time or another of not being as civil or respectful as we wanted to be. Political theater simply does not help people.
What we've seen in commissioner's court lately is not fair to all the people who are interested in the issues. The more civility and order we have, the better this court can serve all Tarant County residents and every person in
this courtroom right now. Of course, I respect the Constitution and the right to free speech. Free speech does not mean anyone can cause whatever chaos, say whatever foulmouth, do whatever agitation, do whatever
disrupting or campaign at a government business meeting. It has never meant that. Nor does it mean you can speak at a business meeting an unlimited amount of time on every issue you choose to. Do do I want to hear from the public? I
hear from the public every single day. I hear from the public everywhere I go. Government should be accessible and transparent. There is a public comment period if this passes. There are email addresses. There
are requests for individual meetings. I have reached out to multiple people in this room to say would you meet with me and it was usually a no. Couple of people I have met with. All counties have rules of decorum that
we have looked up. Dallas County says each individual appearing before their court shall be limited to a maximum of three minutes. Maximum discussion on any one topic shall be limited to 30 minutes regardless of the number of speakers.
Each speaker shall be limited to one appearance in any calendar month. You come speak at one meeting, you can't speak at the next. They say no slanderous remarks, no boisterous demonstrations. I think much of what I've seen here today would qualify as a boisterous demonstration in Dallas
County. Colin County. Each member of the public who appears before the court shall be limited to a maximum of three minutes to make his or her remarks. No shouting, no indecent, profane, vulgar, or threatening language. Harris County, one minute per speaker for the whole meeting, no matter the number of agenda
topics signed up for uh or if used in general public comment time. No unauthorized applauding, booing, stamping of feet, whistles, yelling, finger snapping, or other disruptive behavior. Bear County three minutes for the entire meeting. I can't speak for every single person on
this dis but I think every one of them is accessible to people who reach out to them. The people of Tarant County want us to do a job. The job is watching every dollar, prioritize prioritizing public safety,
fixing roads, building roads, providing good instructure, jailing people who commit crimes, running courts, helping juveniles, incarcerating juveniles. We could go on and on on the issues that this countyy's involved in.
They want us to solve problems, not just point them out and engage in political theater. If you want a performance, go to Bass Performance Hall. Don't come here. Maintaining order ensures that all voices are heard in a constructive envir
environment and through civility, I believe we can serve Tarant County better. >> Those are my comments. >> Any other court members have comments? Yes. >> Your time is up. I'm sorry. >> My time is not up. >> You used your 10 minutes. No. >> Do we need to recess again?
>> I don't care what you do. I have a question for the parliamentarian. >> There is no parliamentarian. >> For the attorney >> uh because one of the speakers brought up a good question uh about this not being properly
noticed. Um can you speak to that? Did you hear hear what he said? >> I I did. >> Okay. Uh so what the open meetings act requires is uh notice on the agenda, language on the agenda. Uh the inclusion
of backup documentation is something the county does as a practice, but it's not statally statutoily required under TOMA. >> Okay. So the backup doesn't have to be there. Just just the court communication. >> It's not required under the open meetings act. That's correct.
>> Okay. Uh thank you for that. And um so has anybody else looked at the Texas civil rights letter? >> Your time is up. The vote is 3 to2. The vote is now ended. The measure passes. >> We will now move to item >> campaign speech too. Tim, you tried to
soften yourself up. >> Thank you very much. >> We wouldn't have this. >> We will go to item 101. All right. We'll take a recess. We'll be back here in 10 15 minutes. >> I know how to get recess. All right. All right, do we back up here?
All right, we are back. The next item on our agenda is appointments to various boards and commissions. Uh I will make a motion to I received the resignation of one of my board members this morning. I'll make an a
motion to appoint uh Chuck Tagert to the hospital board. >> Second. >> Have a motion, a second on this item. Any discussion? All right, please cast your vote. >> All right, passes five to zero. Any other appointments to any boards or
commissions? >> I have one. I would like to appoint Commissioner Krauss as my replacement to the Conference of Urban Counties Policy Committee. >> Okay, I'll second that. Any discussion there? All right, please cast your vote.
All right. Any other board or commission appointments? All right. That one passes unanimously. All right. Seeing none, we have approval of bonds and certificates of self- insurance. There's one certificate of self- insurance to do for Brook Bell,
who was appointed to probate court number two. And um are we moving to accept the certificate of self- insurance? >> Moving to approve it, judge. >> Moving to approve the All right. I move to approve the certificate of self insurance.
>> Second. >> All right. We have a motion, a second. Any discussion there? All right. Please cast your vote. All right. Passes unanimously. Next item on the agenda is a briefing for consideration from the juvenile board
regarding the removal of juvenile board certifi board certified maybe it's juvenile board juvenile board certified attorney Brian Willlet from the juvenile court appointment will wheel I have a couple of comments I don't know what you have
>> uh I well not the juvenile board but I did see I received a letter from uh Judge Kim the chair of the board with regards to this briefing it that I was going to read into the record. >> Okay. >> Would you like me to go and do that now, sir? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Then I'll make my comments.
>> Judge Alex Kim, February 9th, 2026. Uh, Commissioner Simmons, I am declining to request to appear before the Commissioner's Court to address matters pertaining to the juvenile board. My decision is governed by the following legal principles. Statutory separation of powers. The Commissioner's Court and Juvenile Board are distinct and
independent bodies from each other. The Commissioner's Court and the Juvenile Board are distinct legal entities created by separate chapters of the state code, specifically the Texas Constitution and Local Government Code for the Commissioner's Court and the Texas Human Resources Code uh for the juvenile board. The law provides no
authority for the Commissioner's Court to exercise oversight, supervision, or secondary review of juvenile board functions. Second, lack of jurisdictional authority. While the commissioner's court fulfills a specific budgetary role, it does not possess the statutory authority to summon judicial members of the juvenile board to account
for board specific policy deliberations or decisions. These entities are designed by law to function independently, not subordinately. I will not participate in a proceeding that disregards the statutory boundaries of our respective offices of risks and politicization of the juvenile justice system. Respectfully, Alex Kim, district
judge, chairman of the Tarant County Juvenile Board. All right. So, here are the comments. Uh, I do not know Brian Willlet. I have never met Brian Willlet. And I had no earthly idea Brian Willlet was the name of the person running against Alex Kim. So,
at the juvenile board meeting, which is made up of all district court judges and the county judge, uh a motion was made to uh approve
first a request was made. Can we vote on all reappoints to the wheel without Mr. Willlet on there and without someone else on there? So, and I don't know the name of the other person. Then it was passed
reappointed the wheel all but those two. Then there was a motion to appoint or to to I think to appoint Judge Willlet. There may have even been a motion to not
appoint him. But then there was an a motion made to appoint Judge Willlet which got something like six, seven yeses, uh, one no and about 10 abstains. So then the chair of the committee said
a motion fails due to lack of support. I didn't think that was in line with Robert's rules of order, but I wasn't sure. I did not think an abstain counted against quorum, but it if you abstain, it's still there's still
a quorum present. So, I don't know if I called Judge Kim the next day, the second day after, but I called him what seemed like the next day and said, "Hey, I think he passed."
And he went and looked it up, got back to me and said, "Yes, he does. Yes, he did. You're right." So, he has been appointed to the wheel and has had been put back on the wheel and has been appointed to a couple of different cases over the last couple of days. And my
understanding is Judge Kim has either sent him a letter or is sending him a letter, but I have been told that he has been put assigned to at least two different cases in the last this this week.
So, that's what I was told. There you go. All right. What else do we have? >> So, if if that's the case, that's good news.
Um because let's talk about who Brian Willlet is. He's been practicing law for the last 30 years here in Taran County and is board certified in criminal law and juvenile law. He has announced his candidacy as the
Democratic nominee for the 323rd district court against Judge Alex Kim. Brian is as or more qualified on paper to represent any child at Kimbo Road
from level one through level four. There are 74 board certified lawyers in this state. In Taran County, there are four board certified attorneys. Two attorneys that are board certified work for Taran County with one of the two being our
director of juvenile services, Riley Shaw. Um the other two are in private practice with one of the two being Brian Willlet. So for this to even happen um
smacks of politics um you know you got somebody running against you, you take him off the wheel, try to affect his livelihood. It's just ridiculous. So,
it sounds like you intervened, uh, Judge O'Hare or pointed something out and it was corrected. Uh, if that's the case, I don't know who can confirm. Are you the best person to confirm that? >> No, probably Judge Kim or Brian Willlet
to be my guest. Okay. And I' I've noticed people pointing, so >> I would assume that's him since he signed up to speak. So, >> Okay. Is that you? I don't know who you are. >> Yeah. >> I just know you were you were done wrong. That's all. I don't know. I don't know this guy.
>> Okay. Do you have anything else on this before I bring up speakers? >> Uh, no. I do not. >> Okay. All right. So, the speakers are Ryan Ray and then Brian Willlet. Is Ryan Ray present? Uh, then Brian Willlet.
Following Mr. Will it is Monroe Solomon III. >> Thank you for having me here. Uh this is the first chance I've got to def I guess defend myself if you want to call it that off of it. But I'm really here really defending three people. One, my personal livelihood that have been
trying to be cut off by Alex Kim. The second is the kids that I represent, which tend to be more indigent and poor kids who can't afford to have a good attorney. And then third of all, and this is one that's important, too, is that any judicial candidate that decides that they want to run sometime in the
future against someone. And this doesn't have to be a Republican or a Democrat. That works both ways. That works both ways. The stuff that he did to do that underhanded type of stuff, and by the way, he has not sent me a letter. He has
not appointed any new cases to me. I have got appointed new felony adult cases >> which was done also underhanded by Tarant County. Somehow I was taken off a list and then magically put back on the list. I am not, as far as I know, on the
juvenile list and I have not received any cases. So, the only thing that I've done in this case, a list that I've been on since the inception in 2002 is decide to run against Alex Kim. That is why I'm
here. I would have never thought three months ago when I wasn't even deciding if I was going to do this that I would be standing here speaking to you. But this is what it's turned into. You talk about not wanting it to be politics. Alex Kim has made it politics. He is the
worst rated judge in Tarant County. It just came out. Everybody knows that. Everybody knows he has no business being there. He is the least qualified candidate ever to hold that position. For a party that claims they want the
most qualified people, I should be getting every vote this next election. I am the most qualified. I have been. I've been certified in juvenile law longer than he has been an attorney. period. Why is he not certified? You might want
to ask him that because there are certainly people that become certified after this after he after him after he's been judged. It's a hard test. Not everybody can pass it. >> I want to ask him about that. >> I want to ask you a question before your
time ticks out and we take a recess. >> Um, so you've been at this a while. Is this the first time the juvenile board has placed an item like this on the juvenile board agenda for consideration? >> As far as I know, I've never had any problems. I've never had any judge say
anything to about how I represented people or my work in general. We did have one judge who I've also never met in my life make a comment about someone was one was unhappy with the way I represented someone. I'm a criminal defense attorney, juvenile defense attorney. If we don't we have people
unhappy with us every day. If that was a standard, no one would be on this list. >> All right. Thank you, sir. >> So, you're not back on the >> Thank you, sir. Sir, your time is up. >> Are you back on the >> You do not run the meeting. Sir, your time is up. >> All right. Thank you, sir. >> So, I'm so sorry about what happened to you.
>> Next, we have Monroe Solomon III. >> Afternoon. I'm the current president of the uh Tarant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and we are here in support of Brian Willlet and any other criminal defense attorney that may face similar circumstances.
First and foremost, we want to thank the judges who are committed to fairness, justice, and the constitution. These judges were under tremendous pressure, but had the courage and integrity to do the right thing, and they deserve our gratitude and respect. Our commitment to justice, however, cannot end with
praise. It must be matched with action. And that is why we are here today to speak about the importance of due process. When judges act to remove a qualified attorney from the appointment wheel, the process must be fair, transparent, and based on evidence, not
on politics, not on personalities, and not on questionable motivations. We want to be very clear in this. Removing an otherwise qualified attorney is not a bureaucratic decision. It has real consequences for real people. It has it
affects a person's ability to feed their family, to pay their mortgage, to pay their employees, to continue the work for which they trained and took an oath to perform. Any action with consequences this serious must be handled with fairness and due process, the kind our
constitution guarantees. But this issue goes beyond the attorneys themselves. When qualified attorneys are removed from the appointment wheels without cause, the people who suffer the most are the clients and defendants. The very individuals the system the system is
supposed to protect, the citizens of this county. The sixth amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to effective assistance of council. Section 1, article 10 of the Texas Constitution guarantees a right to be heard by council. These rights are not optional. They are not symbolic.
They are fundamental. When we improperly reduce the pool of skilled, dedicated lawyers available to represent indigent clients, we weaken these basic constitutional tenants. We risk delays, inadequate representation, and eroding the county's trust in our criminal
justice system. So, we stand with a clear message. Protecting due process protects attorneys. Protecting attorneys uh protects our clients. Protecting our clients protects the Constitution. and protecting the Constitution protects the citizens of this county. We are calling
for fairness. We are calling for transparency. We are calling for accountability. We want a system where decisions about attorney appointments are guided not by politics or personal preference, but by performance, competence, and the needs of justice. So, let's work together to ensure that
every qualified attorney has a fair opportunity to do their job. Let's support the judges who uphold due process, not those that weaken it. and let's protect the constitutional rights of every person who walks through the courtroom doors. Justice requires
nothing less. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, sir. >> Uh, next we have Ken Turner. Is Miss Turner, Mr. Turner here? >> Yes. >> All right. Then we have Mindy Tacket and Nidia Cardinas. >> Well, most of these things have already
been said, but since y'all are taking our opportunities to say things away, I'm going to say it anyway. And I think y'all probably need to hear it again. There's no reason for attorney Brian Willlet to have been removed from the courtappointed juvenile representation list. No notice, no explanation, no due
process. Brian Willlet is the only double board certified attorney in both criminal and juvenile law in all of Tarant County. 30 years of experience, hundreds of cases, impeccable credentials.
The timing is damning. He was removed shortly after filing to run for the 323rd District Court challenging Judge Alex Kim who chairs the very board that removed him. This appears to be politically motivated retaliation and it
undermines the integrity of our justice system. If we allow judicial boards to punish attorneys for ex exercising their democratic right to run for office, we send a chilling message. challenge the system and lose your
livelihood. Worse, we deprive vulnerable children of one of the most qualified juvenile defense attorneys in our county. The Criminal Defense Lawyers Association called this deeply troubling, and I agree. I urge this
court to use your oversight authority to demand answers and accountability from the juvenile board. Thank you. Thank you, uh, Miss Cardinus, and then Lon Burnham. >> Um, for all the talk of how I I, you know, you've you've been saying that
we're politicizing everything and this is performance, political performance. Um, and offering a different experience or opinion, an alternative perspect perspective is not politicizing an issue. Removing a highly qualified lawyer from the wheel, that is politicizing an issue. And you know, why
is Brian even running? because we're sending the most number of young people into the youth prison system in Tarant County. And Manny, you're the president of the Texas Juvenile Justice Board. What are you doing? Can we get a briefing on that? What are you doing to make sure that those numbers change? Um, I'm glad to hear some rectification has
happened, but it should have never happened to begin with. And I want to make sure that Brian gets put back on that juvenile uh wheel as well. And if we're talking about politicizing and who we're listening to, you know, uh, Judge O'Hare, you said that you talk to people every day, but if the people that you're talking to are the same people who spoke
at that for liberty and justice night of action event, I consider it a critical duty as an American to come here and provide an alternative perspective and stop dehumanizing our neighbors. >> Thank you. >> Next, we have Mr. Burnham. Following Mr. Burnham is Carla Palyarus.
Excuse me. As I was saying earlier, one party rule for multiple decades anywhere in the world inevitably leads to corruption and authoritarianism. And this is one of those really
important examples. I hope this guy wins. Thank you. Uh, is Miss Palarus here? All right. Then we have Fred Howie. Oh, Mr. Howy will follow her. >> My name is Carla Palamares for and
precinct 4. The attempting consideration of the Rogue Wal Brian will the juvenile court appointment wheel was beyond a gross overreach of power by the juvenile board in this court. This is a blatant show of corruption at the one of the highest levels of our county government.
That effort was a direct retaliation against Mr. Willlet as he challenges the power of yet another corrupt and abusive actor in our local county government. Actions like this will only further negatively impact the youth and their families who are already being overly criminalized, abused, and tormented by
our county juvenile system. Attempting to remove Mr. Willlet actively corrupts the integrity of the process and county residents faith in the court appointment wheel. removing a good faith advocate, a fully qualified and justice-minded juvenile board certified attorney. How does that make the lives of those youth
any easier? By removing one of the few people who are doing the good work. Tim, for being a member of the juvenile board, I'm shocked that you would stand up there and say you don't know who's on the wheel and just laid out that you abstained to vote when that's a lie and you voted to remove that. >> That's not what I said. >> Because you weren't prepared for that
action or because you knew it was lacking in integrity. What's the story? That's a direct disservice to your role in your office and the families who need help. We see what you're doing and be affirm that people will prevail because we'll see you and your friends in November.
Is Mr. Howy present? Uh following Mr. Howy is Robert Van. >> Good afternoon. I'm Fred Howie and I am one of the uh I'm a criminal defense attorney. I used to do juvenile defense as well. I took court appointments for several years uh down at the 323rd and I
took criminal appointments out of the adult system for many years as well. I am now one of the the uh judicial candidates running for one of the district courts downtown. This hit not just Mr. Will it hit me and I think it hit any other person any
other attorney who wants to run for office whether it be for district court for one of positions maybe commission's court city council whatever it may be uh because now the judiciary has told
people who want to run for office on the Democratic party you're not welcome we don't want you and we're going to take your livelihood away from We're going to take your ability to do what you have trained to do and for me
almost my entire life to do this. I'm an Eagle Scout. I'm an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution and put my life on the line to do it. And now I worry that if I lose this
election, what happens to me? What happens to the other judicial candidates who are also running for office? Do we don't get to do this anymore? Are our skills being taken away? The things that we've been able to do to defend our clients is a showing. It's a chilling and
oppressive thing that happened. This seems like retaliation of political expression by a judicial judge. Judges should be fair, impartial, and ultimately not political.
Politics don't really play in a district court or a county court. The commissioner's court's a little different because it's more executive. Okay? But when it comes to a district court, a criminal court, a family court,
probate court, Democrat, Republican, should mean nothing. This seems like an oppressive action by the juvenile board coni consisting of district judges and that we just can't stand for and
that should not be a thing. I understand that this particular court there's not much you can do. It is the juvenile board that decid that decided that. But I think this court needs to be aware of what was going on down at the down at the courouses and what happened at the
juvenile court and that this particular action put tidal waves throughout the criminal defense attorney community. You had the president of the bar come and talk and this has a chilling effect on the defense attorneys. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Uh Mr. Van present. All right. Next we have Pamela Young. Following Miss Young is Libertad Heredia. I was at the meeting sitting a couple of
rows behind you. Judge O'Hare. You want to talk about staged politics? That's what I witnessed. I have a recording of the meeting, but I'm going to read you the transcript. Judge Chris Taylor said, "I would like
to personally move to remove one of those names from the list." That's Brian Willlet, Alex Kim. Motion, a second. Any discussion? Judge Don Cosby. I'm concerned here because Mr. Willlet is an
opponent of yours. Motioning to Alex Kim. Are we doing this for political reasons? Judge Chris Taylor, I'll tell you. I have personal issues with him and I'm not going to vote for him to remain
on the appointment wheel. Judge Don Cosby, you just have a personal issue. Judge Chris Taylor. Yeah. Then there was a motion to table the issue and gather more information.
That motion failed. Then there was a motion to add Mr. Will it back to the appointment list by Judge Cosby? That motion failed because a majority of the judges in the room chose to abstain from
the vote. This entire removal process was a choreographed concerted political effort to sabotage the opponent of Judge Alex Kim. jumped off by a flimsy sorry excuse
by Judge Chris Taylor that magically only got one question from a judge in the room. Cosby Brian Willlet is the only double board certified attorney on the juvenile defense wheel and in the race for
juvenile court judge. Tim, you were there and you voted enthusiastically for Willlets removal, so don't get in here and act different and brand new. You and Judge Kim say you care about
public safety. You say that every time you open your mouth and our youth. Yak gone. You don't care. But over and over you vote against our children and our safety and their safety.
Your hypocrisy and blatant disregard to do the right thing is repulsive. It's ungodly. >> It's uncristlike. >> Get ready for judgment day. I know you
believe in the Bible. >> Quiet. >> I Is Holy Spirit talking to you? Cuz if he's not, that means something is wrong. So you got to check yourself. >> Yes. >> Tarant County voters, vote Tim and Alex Kim out on November 3rd. Thank you.
>> And vote for your time is up for juvenile sit down. Uh, Miss Heredia, I'm just going to read some excerpts from an article that was published on October 28th of last year. Taran County recently sent more kids to the state youth prisons than any other Texas
county, contributing to a booming weight list for beds in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department uh, five secured facilities. While this is not the first time Taran County has led Texas in this issue, the county is on track to send the highest number of kids to state youth prisons
for the calendar year since at least 2011. State District Judge Alex Kim, who has led the county's juvenile court since 2019, pinned the increase on a change aimed at shortening the time kids have to sit in the court's juvenile jail awaiting their case's outcome. Now,
that's what I don't understand. If that is the argument that um Judge Kim is making, why would he try to remove a board-certified attorney that's trying to give these kids representation from whatever wheel this is? Um I guess I don't have much to say. Pam already said
what needed to be said. I guess I just want to know, are you guys tired of dis or failing our kids here in this county? Are you guys tired of the system you set up that causes um kids of color and black children to be disproportionately represented in these statistics?
Hm. And not that you guys would probably care, but just so you know, another issue, another way in which you've been failing the children of this county is the recent uptick in violence that children across the state and in this county have faced when they have taken
it upon themselves to fill in the gaps that the adults in their lives and in their uh government um in government bodies in their county have um proven to contribute to by protesting the inhumity that ICE is committing.
against their neighbors, classmates, and other peers. Um, last night, some um, high schoolers and middle schoolers from Eagle Mountain uh, Sagenar ISD were assaulted by a random drunk man who had a problem with them using their
constitutionally protected uh, freedom of speech. And so he decided to pull a gun on them and towards the arm of a young girl. And it's not the first time those same kids have faced this violence. And that man, that man is just being and people like him are being urged by the rhetoric and the policies
that this body has passed for the past year, but today and is reflected by the general inhumanity that the overall administration in this country has shown by um various immigrant communities. And I think it's a shame. I think it's dangerous. And I think again I ask you,
are you tired of failing our kids? Are you tired of putting them in danger? putting in positions that they shouldn't be in. When is enough enough? All of you. >> Thank you. >> So, Mr. Willlet, uh I have seen an email now since I've been sitting here that
was emailed to a Gmail address. Don't know if that's yours or not. Wouldn't want to read it out loud, but also something that says you're on the wheel and you were appointed to a 54.11 hearing yesterday was approved. So, if any of that is not accurate, if you'll
reach out to my office in the morning, we will make sure you are back on that wheel. But I think you're on the wheel. Um, all right. Next item. >> Well, I I'm not I have >> You have more to go. >> Yes, I do. Um, Mr. Willlet, are you in a
position right now to confirm what the judges can you access your Gmail? Because if if not if if if you're not back on the juvenile will um then I have some questions for I
don't know the judge uh the administrator you know how how can we get to the bottom of it but if you're on the wheel then we're good. Um, >> I'm not showing
>> Gmail uh today or just now. >> I don't know when it was sent. I'm just looking at a email that I'm not going to read into the public record, >> okay, >> but I'm happy to show him. >> Brian will with three more letters after that atgmail.com is the one I'm looking
at. So, >> okay. Well, if you have questions, ask questions. I don't think we're going to be able to confirm that he's on the wheel sitting here in this room. >> Okay. How can that be confirmed? Uh, it doesn't have to be confirmed right this
second, but >> it'll be confirmed by either Judge Kim or Riley Shaw. >> Okay. >> Um, I am sure also it could also look at that. >> Okay. >> I'll I'll reach out to them. Um,
I'm I'm grateful that you have the power to make a phone call and get somebody back on the wheel. So, um, that's that's interesting. >> Well, I understand Robert's rules of order and so I called to clarify that I thought the chair was mistaken, but I
didn't know with 100% certainty and he looked and realized he was. >> Okay. >> I mean, it's a interesting way to characterize it. >> All right. I'm I am done. Thank you. >> All right. So the next item on the agenda is
briefing for consideration from juvenile services regarding the hiring of Greg Sumpter, formerly of Grayson County as deputy director of juvenile services for Tarant County. Uh good afternoon court members. Uh I received an email from Riley Shaw this
morning in regards to this briefing item. Uh if I may, I'll read it into the record. >> Certainly. >> Uh this is from Riley Shaw to myself, David. dated February 10th at 11:16 a.m. Good morning, sir. I am unable to provide a briefing to the
commissioner's court regarding the hiring of Tarant County Juvenile Services Deputy Director Greg Sumpter. I do have >> Please keep it down. We're still conducting a meeting. >> I do however wish to provide the following information about Mr. Sumpter to the court and I request that you present the information to the court on
my behalf. Mr. Mr. Greg Sumpter worked for Tarant County Juvenile Services for over 20 years in numerous roles, including roles in detention, court, and field services and administration, training, and quality development. In 2018, Mr. Sumpter left Tarant County to promote and serve as the assistant chief
juvenile probation officer of Grayson County. For the past three years, Mr. Sumpter has served as the director of juvenile services and the chief juvenile probation officer of Grayson County. Mr. Mr. Sumpter's last day in Grayson County was on Friday and he began working for Tarant County yesterday. Mr. Sumpters
has a master's degree in criminal justice management, a doctorate in leadership studies, and as an author and frequent speaker on issues related to juvenile justice. Mr. Sumpter literally wrote the book on juvenile justice in Tarant County when he published a book exception, a Texas county's dream for
realizing juvenile justice, which was published by TCU Press. Mr. Mr. Sumpter is a thoughtful and trusted leader with an excellent reputation around the state and strong background in delivering evidence-based programming for justice involved youth and families programming
that enhances public safety and provides the youth families with tools and skills designed to help them thrive. I'm excited for Mr. Sumper's return to the Tarant County family. >> All right. Anything else from the court? >> Yes. So, uh,
this Mr. Sumpter's, um, background in hiring, uh, was brought to my attention. I didn't I listen to constituents. I go out looking for things like this.
Um, but that sounded good and Mr. Sumpter. Uh, sounds good on paper, but there is a an entire change.org petition out there um about
this gentleman, and with the problems we already have in juvenile, it it concerned me. So, I didn't just go by the change.org or um petition and
comments. I checked with juvenile directors across the state. This guy does not have a good reputation. So, we're bringing
Let me read to you some of the comments. Good riddance. Uh sadly, his replacement is more likely to be from the juvenile board social circle than the most qualified person. Always with the micromanaging and wanting to feel important.
Hopefully others will see what almost everyone that works there sees in Mr. Sumpter. It's getting worse by the day. Just a matter of time before something bad happens. Uh the facility morale is awful.
How is Sumpter still around? He's applied every other county since he's made this mess. Um, so we're bringing obviously we've hired somebody
with this type of reputation, not just the ch forget the change.org comments from other juvenile professionals. um they are shocked that this is who we're bringing into this county and he
had these complaints in Little Oak Grayson County. Um it's unfortunate that Mr. Shaw can't be here. It's unfortunate that on commissioner's court days, one day a month,
that these department heads can't figure out a way to make it to commissioner's court. Um, sounds like he has been brought on board and I will be paying close attention. I
urge the community to do so as well. It does not appear that we've gotten the best candidate out there. And um, it's unfortunate. I do appreciate the juvenile professionals that informed
informed me u as I was doing research on this gentleman. Um and then Judge Kim again participated on the hiring panel for this assistant director position.
The juvenile judge Kim has never been involved in the selection process for the assistant director position, which suggests he was a Kim pick, which suggests he'll be beholden to Judge Kim
um and not doing what's in the best interest of children. It's called cronyism and that sounds like who we've brought on board as the assistant director. Um, so those are those are my remarks there. >> All right. Anybody else have anything?
>> I'll say uh one of actually got a call from a friend who's a judge uh in Grayson County and he said, "Hey, I've I've heard there's been some unfair attacks and some uh just misconceptions and and outright deception on who Greg Sumpter is. I want you to know he was a
very valued member in our county. We hate to see him go. uh our loss is Tarant County's gain. So, he's excited for us and I'm sure that's what Riley Shaw saw when they brought him on. So, um I was wondering why that was even brought up because I hadn't heard anything. Now, I understand why they
were reaching out. But, uh at least for another perspective, this man is uh very highly thought of and regarded by many, many folks in Grayson County that he worked with and it sounds like uh we got a good one. So, I'm looking forward to working with them. >> All right. Anything else on this?
All right. Now we go to item 124. Uh, no, it's item 123, which is briefing for consideration from juvenile services regarding an analysis of 10-year detention trends in Tarant County
related to determinant and indeterminant commitments to TH to TJJD. >> And because um, Mr. Shaw is not here, I'm going to push this to next month. There are two speakers, one present to my knowledge. Is Miss Hanratty still
here? >> I'm sorry, Judge. I do have another letter from Judge Kim on this one as well that he asked me to read into the record. >> Uh, and I don't see Miss Hanratty. So, >> uh, again, letter from Alex Kim, dated February 9th, 2026. Commissioner
Simmons, I'm in receipt of your request to address the court regarding juvenile commitment data. I'm declining this invitation based on the following legal principles. Statutory confidentiality. Juvenile records are strictly protected by state statute. Publicly discussing this data in an open meeting could violate both the law and the privacy of
the minors involved. Judicial independence. My decision from the bench are judicial acts, not administrative ones. Under the separation of powers, these decisions are not subject to the supervision and review of the commissioner's court. Number three, appellet integrity. This the exclusive mechanism for reviewing judicial
determinations is the appellet process. It is worth noting that I have an excellent record of not being reversed by the appellet courts with some decisions even being upheld by the Supreme Courts of Texas and the United States. In conclusion, I have met with Commissioner Ramirez and his staff regarding juvenile justice in Tarant
County. I've met had multiple conversations with Commissioner Krauss and Judge O'Hare about Tarant County juvenile matters. I have previously met with Commissioner Miles to discuss the broader administrative aspects of juvenile justice. Despite my previous offers to speak with you directly, you have made no attempt to schedule a meeting, appearing instead to prefer
politicizing sensitive juvenile matters in a public forum. Commissioner Miles is respected for his desire to find solutions to problems rather than seek political points by grandstanding. I have learned much from his demeanor and temperament. Perhaps you could as well. The integrity of the judiciary requires that I remain insulated from such
political discourse. Therefore, I will not engage in a public review of matters already adjudicated under the law. Respectfully, Alex Kim, District Judge, 323rd District Court. >> Okay. On to that. >> Yes. U Commissioner Ramirez. >> Commissioner Simmons, if you hold this
until next month >> and you want another briefing on it, TJD gets reports on comparisons. Uh, and we have a board meeting in a couple weeks. Um, we get reports on comparisons. Taran County is by and large the highest in commitments. Um,
and we have tracking data. So I think it's publicly available. Uh, so we can gather that and add that for staff to present. Okay. >> But I think if if Tarant County is not going to do it, um, then the state, which the state is the one that's taking
these kids in, um, the state will. >> Okay. Um so uh just in response to that letter um and the first letter uh so the the key term here is
uh while the commissioner's court fulfills a specific budgetary role so I can ask him questions. First of all I didn't request him requested Mr. Shaw.
Um, so, um, there's that. And I highlighted a a sentence that says, "Despite my previous offers to speak with you directly, I have spoken to Alex Kim one
time and I called his office because he detained an eight-year-old because of her school uniform. that she wore
in his courtroom. And I got a whole bunch of criminal defense attorneys calling me about what was happening in his courtroom. I had my admin get him on the phone.
He called, he explained what what happened. I thanked him for his time and that was it. He's I've never That was it. He's not offered to speak with me directly or schedule a meeting about
any I haven't talked to him about any anything. So, this despite my previous offers, I've I've spoken to this man once to ask why he was detaining an eight-year-old
because of her school uniform. Um, so juvenile has a responsibility uh to explain what is happening in this county that we govern
uh to us. They have they have a responsibility uh to do that. I understand the separations. Um, but at the end of the day, at the beginning of the day, our name is on all of those commitments to the state.
It's not Judge Kim, it's Taran County commits all of these children um to the state. Highest number of kids in the state. We can ask questions. And when you ask me to find out, that's what
I'm going to do. I'm not going to pick up the phone and call 90 of you all. I'm going to brief it. Uh, and that's how I handled it. So, I'll I'll add this back to the agenda uh for next time. And thank you,
Commissioner Ramirez, for the information about the the data. I'll say this. I met with I initiated the meeting with Judge Kim because I had concerned constituents
who were referencing the article about the number the disproportionate number of our youth that are being committed to jail. And so because of that, I wanted to sit down and meet with him to find out what's going on. Why is this the
case? and what is a path that we can come up with that reduces the number of our kids, specifically black and brown kids, being committed to jail. I I pushed him on um restorative justice practices and um
what's the other word I'm looking for? Diversion programs and things of that nature and saying those are the things that we need to be implementing and we need to be focusing on. We don't need to be incarcerating young people. Um, so we had dialogue around that and I told him that I would be back because I want to
sit in on this court. I want to be able to see and make an assessment for myself, not based upon what I'm hearing from other people, but I need to be able to know for myself so that I can make an informed decision and come up with solutions that work for the children who
are being impacted by this. And so I appreciate his kind remarks, but the reason why I met is because I too listen to my constituents and I do what they ask me to do. >> Correct. >> All right. Next up is a briefing for consideration regarding MHMR's capacity
to assume mentoring duties previously performed under the youth advocate program contract. So on this item, some additional comments from Mr. Shaw, our chief probation officer uh in an extension in the of the earlier email uh regarding
briefing item number four. I wish to provide the following information to the court and I request that you present the information of the court on my behalf. The reference contract was terminated in its entirety without assignment or assumption regarding current contracts between Tarant County Juvenile Services and MHMR of Tarant County. I believe
that MHMR of Tarant County has the capacity to deliver the specific mentoring and other services for which we have contracted with MHMR of Tarant County and I believe that such contracted services are capable of meeting the needs of the youth and families who have been are and will be referred to MHMR of Tarant County
pursuant to those contracts. MHMR of Tarant County has been and continues to be an excellent partner in meeting the needs of our youth, families, and community. Okay. So, I ask that we be briefed on this
contract to ensure we are spending our money appropriately and that our incarcerated youth are getting the mental and behavioral support they need to be truly diverted from crime and to
hopefully become productive citizens of our county. Now, as a side note, nationally it cost $588 a day to lock up a youth. That's according to a 2020 Justice Policy Institutees sticker shock report. It
cost half that for YAP, the uh former organization to re rehabilitate or divert a a kiddo. As a matter of reference, I want to remind my colleagues that Taran County had a
32-year relationship with Youth Advocate Program or YAP as it's known. And YAP delivered safe, effective, evidence-based rehabilitative community-based youth and family wraparound services as an alternative to
detention, incarceration, residential care, and other out ofome placement. there there were no problems reported with with this contract during that time. Um, YAPS is the National Institute of
Justice Crime Solutions Agency and the program is rated promising. A promising rating implies that implementation of this program may result in the intended outcomes and program participants show statistically significant improvement in
educational engagement and reductions in serious dispositions compared with a comparison group. So, um, and and so I've I've looked at the YAP data between the years of 2022 and 2024.
Um, and the work of YAP was impressive. the results. Having studied that data, I wondered whether Taran County is receiving parallel services and parallel parallel
results from our contract with our MHMR as a youth jail diversion service provider. MHMR is a youth jail diversion service provider for us. Um, here are my questions.
Are you answering him? He's like, I don't >> I can try. >> Yeah, you Yeah, you might need to try because I met with MHMR in my office last week. They came over probably spent an hour and a half.
So, the executive director could not answer some questions. So the main question was, "So how's it going? You're providing the same you're providing the
same services that Yap is providing." She said she didn't know because I'm like, "How don't you know? I don't I'm not understanding." And she says, I don't know what YAP provided.
She'd never seen the YAP contracts. I said, "So, somebody called you from administration, Commissioner's Court, somebody called and said, "We're getting rid of YAP." Remember, we got rid of YAP because they're they had woke language
on their website. Um, that's what the judge said. in the paper. But uh so we got rid of Yap >> about and 50 other things. But yeah, keep going. >> Okay. So we got rid of YAP because they had woke language on their website and
>> uh it was it was decided it was decided >> um that MHMR would take over um providing services that YAP was providing. So when the woman told me she had never
seen a YAP contract, so she didn't know what they were providing, I was totally confused. So can you kind of explain that? I said, when Chandler called you and asked you if MHMR could handle uh mentoring program, juvenile, all the
juvenile services. What did he ask you and what did you agree to? So, so >> those agreements actually initi were originated in the juvenile services board. So, they were the ones I would assume through Riley that had the conversations with MHMR about services
that could be provided. Typically, what happens and I'm speaking to process here. When something like this falls under the authority of the juvenile board, they have the contracts brought to the juvenile board for they approve them and if there and then there if there is a component to it, which typically there is from a funding
perspective or a approval perspective, those then have to come to the commissioner's court for final approval, if you will. So, in a sense, what typically my role is is when we see agreements come before us that are under the juvenile section for approval, my question typically to Riley is has the
juvenile board approved these agreements because I won't allow it to be added to the agenda until such time that I know the juvenile board through their authorities have approved those agreements. >> Okay. Was but was Riley still here at the time or was Mr. >> Benny >> Medlin here? >> Medlin.
>> I don't know off top of my head. I'd have to go back and look. But if even in the case of Mr. Mr. Medlin was here, I would have asked the same questions of Mr. Medlin if this was done at the time when I was serving as the administrator. >> So how could she not be aware we so in
making the transition? So, are the are the children receiving the services that they've the children that have been through the program for 30 years, however long was over it, are they receiving those services?
>> I would think MHMR is providing whatever services that they were obligated to provide within the agreement. I have not done an analysis uh personally between previous agreements that were in place with the previous provider and the current agreements to see if there's any kind of a gap in those services or a
change in those services. If that's something you're interested in, we'd certainly be happy to work with with Riley, the chief probation officer, to see if we could come up with that analysis. >> Yeah, that'd be great. Um, yeah, because I pulled a YAP contract and and handed
it to her and they they weren't providing any of those services. So, we we got rid of a company with all these organization with all these great uh outcomes and just kind of abandoned
the children because we've stopped providing so many services. And the services that we do provide, MHMR does provide uh the mentoring services which entail attending a youth athletic games, outings at local restaurants or
visits to the park. Um all of that under the current contract uh are MHMR's mentoring services provided exclusively by certified or licensed behavioral um clinicians. Are
they doing this? Are they offering mentoring services that the kids used to get? And then how many kids are being mentored? We need all that um data because it doesn't
sound like um from some of the numbers she was able to share off the top of her head and she knew she was coming to my office for a meeting about this and it was off the top of her head. uh doesn't sound like we're fulfilling
or we replace the services that the children were receiving in juvenile. A lot of lot of questions about this. So it would be helpful to see uh an analysis comparison something.
Um, yeah, kind of kind of nothing right now and I'm concerned uh as our commitments are skyhigh. >> We'll work on a sideby-side analysis, ma'am. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Anything else from the court members?
>> Uh, we have two speakers. I don't One is not present. Bishop Kirkland is the one who is present. >> Before I begin, Commissioner Oh, he's not here. here. I wanted to say to him I apologize because in my passion a few minutes ago I called you Manny and
that's not who I am. That's not what I do. I respect the seat even if I don't respect a person and that's my military training. So, uh, when y'all threes some meetings, please let him know that I did
offer an apology. Uh, because I'll show respect when I feel respect. Uh, you people blew this one. I was in that meeting. You fix something that didn't need to be fixed.
Please quit reinvid inventing the wheel when it's not broken. You people are making knee-jerk decisions with long-term implications. We had a great relationship with YAP for
32 years and they were doing an excellent job. Why can't we entertain or go back to the people that was providing the service and perhaps talk to each other about some of the
woke language that they were using. I heard Mr. Shaw's remarks. Uh, I heard him call the Taran County Juvenile Program an excellent program. I did everything not to fall out of my seat and get thrown out.
This doesn't sound like an excellent program. It sounds like more pipelines from schools to prisons. I want to commend you, Commissioner Miles. You've taken a lot of heat in our village
because you've tried to meet people in the middle and I tell you that don't work here. I'm glad you spoke up today about your communication with Judge Kim, Alex Kim.
Um because you didn't need to take that hit. And I'm glad you directly addressed that or allowed don't allow them to do that to you. I want to say to Judge Kim
that he said this is not a politicized item. Does he live on Mars? Of course it's political grandstanding. Commissioner Simmons, again I want to admonish you. Keep extending the olive
branch. Keep getting the right people to the table. Your job is not to get them there. Your job is to present an olive branch. Whether they accept it or not, you fulfill your obligation. Mr. Chairman, I don't know your last
name, but I don't like first names. >> Thank you, sir. >> Yes, ma'am, sir. >> All right. I don't believe Mr. Van is here still. Okay. Next, we move to briefing regarding escape and recapture of inmate Victor Castillo.
>> Uh, good afternoon again. Uh the sheriff asked me to inform the court that he is unable to attend today. He was subpoenaed to a federal court case that's going on right now and I believe that's going on all week. Uh however, he did ask or his office asked us to read
into the record the press release uh that was released on February 3rd with regards to uh Mr. Castillo. So this is a press release from the Tarant County Sheriff's Office uh reference Tarant County inmate escape Tarant County, Texas. Shortly before 1 pm this
afternoon, inmate Victor Castillo, 26 years old, escaped from the Tarant County Sheriff's Office laundry facility located at 5041 Resource Drive. Inmate Castillo was a trustee working in our laundry facility when he shed his uniform and escaped on foot wearing
white boxers and a white undershirt. After an approximate 30-minute search, inmate Castillo was located in a dry riverbed and taken into custody. Inmate Victor Castillo was booked into the Tarant County Jail on January 20th, 2026 on two felony counts of possession of a
controlled substance. The Tarant County Jail system is a highly secure environment, said Sheriff Bill Wurn. We are confident that the two recent incidents are isolated and not reflective of the overall safety, security, or daily operations of our facilities. We want to thank our partner
agencies who assisted in the search including Tarant County Constables, Fort Worth PD, Forest Hill PD, and DPS. End of release. >> Um, so the sheriff doesn't always have to show up. He's the jail chief was here
earlier. Um, probably would have been a better um subject matter um speaker on this one. Who who was in charge of this individual within the
Taran County jail or sheriff's department? Chandler, >> who was in char? >> Who? Oh, yeah. I know. >> Who was in charge of this individual? >> Mr. Castillo. >> Well, as they were in custody, ultimately they would be the responsibility of the sheriff, but as
you mentioned, Chief Hercut is the jail administrator for the Taran County Sheriff's Office. Do you know if there is an ongoing investigation under underway related to this incident? >> My understanding is that TCJS, which is uh Texas Commission on Jail Standards,
does actively investigate these incidents and I believe it is currently under an active investigation. >> Okay. Um Mr. Katavville, are we subject to liability when an incident like this happens in our community?
Uh, Commissioner, I don't have any information beyond what I just heard about this, so it it's not a question I can answer. >> So, what if what if Mr. Castillo had gotten hurt? What if one of our deputies had gotten hurt? What if someone in our
community had gotten hurt? Uh, we would be liable is my thought, right? >> Issues of liability are fact intensive. So, it's it's impossible for me to answer based on the information available. All right.
Um, is the sheriff the only person you requested uh come speak, Chandler? >> I requested of the sheriff's office. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> That's all I have on that.
>> All right. Bishop Kirkland. >> Yes, sir. This is the exemplary jail. This is the awardwinning jail. Let me get this right. We have 388 ICE detainees
and an already overcrowded facility while the whole while Mr. Castillo is escaping. I was listening to the presentation on Cold Springs Jail. heard them talk about putting the right people in the right
beds. If Anthony Johnson was in the right bed, that marine would still be alive. I submit if we cannot I submit that we have to keep all these dangerous
fivey olds like Emilia locked away in detention. Yet we can't control our own prisoners and our own jails. He escaped from a trusty program. I have a question. What
type of oversightes do we make to avoid this? He stripped down to his underwear and nobody saw him getting undressed.
Nobody saw you running away. I'm may maybe these sound like rhetorical questions, but I'm just dumbfounded that in a day and time that we live in,
people who know where I live, people who follow me when I leave here, yet we can't keep up with a prison. Thank you for your time. >> All right. Anybody have anything else on this one? All right. Next, we have a briefing regarding escape and recapture of inmate
Carlos Enrique Rodriguez Romero. On this one, uh, I was not made aware of any official press release that went out. However, I did receive a statement from the sheriff's office with regards to this one that I'll read into the record. Uh, so this is from Jennifer Gabbert to myself uh, on February 10th
at uh, which is today at 9:40 this morning. Below is the information regarding Romero. On February 2nd, 2026, an inmate in the custody of Tarant County jail personnel escaped while being transported from downtown. The inmate fled from a TCSO transport
vehicle. The inmate fled on foot in the 4600 block of MarkV Parkway. Multiple law enforcement personnel secured a large perimeter in the area and began searching for the subject. He was located approximately two hours later hiding in a trailer business a few
blocks away where he was taken back into custody. The inmate, 27year-old Carlos Enrique Rodriguez Romero, was booked into the TCJ on December 4th, 2025 on two counts of aggravated robbery and felony charges of tampering with a government record. This is an open
investigation at this time and no additional information is available for release. So, it's uh of an investigation internally or um the uh commission on jail standards is investigated. >> The the message I received did not specify. It just said it was an open
investigation, but as I stated earlier, my understanding is TCJS does investigate uh escapes when they happen. So, I would I'd be making an assumption here, but I believe this is under investigation by TCJS. >> All right. Thank you. And all of this is
unfortunate. Um, and I I just wish we could do a better job in our Cadillac jail, if y'all um have heard that before. And we need to hold ourselves accountable
to the citizens of Taran County that have elected us to keep them safe. this uh this man uh slipped through his handcuffs. Um took him hours to find him. I I just
I I just don't understand what the leadership is not seeing about this jail and this sheriff's department operation. Um the people see it. Uh but but we don't and we're not
inclined to do much about it. Provide oversight, restrict budget. Um and it's unfortunate. So, but um for those who wanted the the briefings on that, there you have it.
I attempted to provide briefings for you. So, >> all right. Anybody else have anything? All right. Bishop Kirkland. >> Yes, sir. Judge, >> uh, I don't mean to sound rhetorical. >> I know I'm condescending. I I'll accept
that. But five national awards, the AJA award for training, the cleat award, the TSCO for excellence. My issue is not with the sheriff's deputy.
Every time we raise an issue about the shirt, the SOP standing operational procedure of that jail, it always gets to be about the men and the women who are the fall guys. I guarantee you,
>> right? I guarantee you some of these young deputies are going to lose their job when in reality the problem is not on their level. It is a higher level, >> yes,
>> of accountability. And until we do something about accountability on that level, we're going to continue to have deaths in that jail. Two escapes in a relatively short amount
of time. I'm done. Thank you, sir. >> All right. We're now at our public comments section. The time for public comments will be two minutes for each speaker.
Uh Stephen Fiser, Buff Kaiser, following Mr. Kaiser is Andrew Grub. Hello, I'm Buff Kaiser, resident of Fort Worth and um over the last six years, I've been trying to offer constructive
suggestions uh based on monitoring our Tarant County voter roles, the voting, our systems, and procedures. I'd like to begin by by thanking you, Judge O'Hara, for um having the bipartisan members of the Tarant County
Elections Ballot Board handc count the Senate District 9 runoff election results for the post-election audit. This could be a model going forward also helping us to train counters. And uh in a typical primary in Tarant
County for example, on average there are about 91 early voters per voting location per day. And on average about 280 election day voters per day per location and this level of voting in a
day could readily lend itself to Han County. Will Democrats and Republicans in uh Tarant County agree on Micah 6:8? He has shown you, oh moral, what is good and what does the Lord require of you to act
justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. So we are just looking I'm part of a group that's just looking to have just elections here. And um at our last three commissioners court meetings, we told you about the
duplicate um registrations we have here and we provided that information to your office and we've showed uh that 90 of these were identical in terms of names, street addresses, etc. except for a
different voter ID and that is strictly illegal. You can't have same people with the uh two different people with the same voter ID. And so it's just not okay. So that's our beginning offering. We have several people speaking today.
>> All right. Thank you, sir. Um, Andrew Grub. Is there an Andrew Grub present? >> All right. Following Mr. Grub, we have Bishop Kirkland. >> Uh, thank you to the court. Uh, my name is Andrew Grub. I'm a resident of Tarant County. have worked with Buff Kaiser and
the rest of that committee for a couple of years now on election integrity as well as serving as a a poll watcher. And for anyone on the election board here for the county, I'd like to compliment the clerks and the judges that I've
worked with. They do an excellent job under a high degree of stress. So, kudos to them. I'm here to address the logic and accuracy test results that we've talked about before here. The logic and accuracy test of our uh machines on
January 20th for the upcoming January 17th through March 3rd local, state, and federal primaries was conducted by Tarant election administrative staff with Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian ballot board members present. The board ballot uh the ballot board members were party representatives
present in the room verifying the tapes produced. They were witnessing the test ballots scanned, verifying the thumb drives removed from the machines being tested and ensuring properly reported election results from the test ballots. They're busy right now uh handcounting the
Senate District 9 runoff. These witnesses s saw and witness more on the inside of our election systems over the last six years than any of us. They're god-fearing individuals whose motivation is we just simply want just
elections. Twice on January 20th, a vote vote miscount occurred on separate scanners with a voting system reporting the wrong vote tally and manipulating the ballot image within the system to agree with a fraudulent result. Democrats and Republicans both agree on
having trusted voting systems that add and report properly. These logic and accuracy tests reported as being successful. I respectfully disagree. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. All right. Following Bishop Kirkland, we have Susan Bentley.
>> Yahweh. I'm grateful that there's a great awakening taking place in Taran County. I do missionary work in Nigeria, which is where all my clothes are made that I wear. They ask me all the time, "Daddy, why
don't black and white Americans get along?" I say to them, "We don't have a black and white issue most of the time. We have a classes issue. That's our real issue." It just happens to be our people
usually are at the bottom. I went back three years ago before my battle with cancer and they say, "Daddy, why do you treat Americans like Nigerians now?" I said, "They always have." They just wor the paper,
Miss Melissa. I watched this woman, uh, I think that's her name, the one that does the purchasing. >> Yes. >> I look at this agenda. She has more stuff on here every time we're here than anyone else. And I've watched this
little lady stand here and almost ask answer any question that's being asked of her and been in this county over 30 years and she go on vacation
and get a pink slip on vacation. Then the judge tried to give us blue smoke and mirrors and said we tried to call him. That did not happen in a twoe vacation period. That happened long before that.
>> Yes. I'm just so grateful y'all found found a way for this woman to keep her job after she's dedicated so much time to our >> H. Is Miss Bentley present?
Following Miss Bentley, I have Jimmy Blackwell, although I don't see him. >> Hi, I'm Susan Bentley and I my background is in public relations and marketing. I'm a stay at home mom, but I also have profound abilities and pattering and I like to use them to
benefit others in my community of all different types of people and backgrounds um when I see fit. I am um I have participated in audits within our county for elections and have sat in on other things um concerning them because
I'm very curious about them. On January 31st of this year, I worked as an alternative judge at precinct 4232 and we saw a lot of anomalies that really shouldn't be happening at this stage of having these heart machines. Um
we had um at the poll books people come in and they're not showing up but they are in precinct 9. um we've had to turn many of them away because then when our election judge
looked it up, it showed precinct 10, but some were actually precinct 9. The other issue that we had is that our duos or the machines that you put your ballot in where it's going to print your vote, the votes kept getting stuck, the ballots.
So, we had 29 ballots spoiled out of 869. One of those was provisional. Um, until we were able to figure out how to open it up and pull them out. Even still, we had probably 10 to 20 other ballots we didn't record that were
pulled out that were also jamming. The other issue is that at the scanner where you're depositing your vote, it was rejecting the votes over and over. Um, and it happened constantly. Um Amy Woodward and others that were there that
day will be giving you affidavit Thursday and we have um which detail other information that the election judge Amy Woodward also um denoted. So I appreciate your time and thank you. >> Thank you.
Uh I don't see Mr. Blackwell so we'll go to Janet Matter. Following Miss Matter is Charles Weedmire. What is that constant noise something back there? >> Hello, my name is Janet Matern. I'm the president of the League of Women Voters of Tarant County, the League's
nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. I'm speaking on the need to protect constitutional rights for all persons. Our institutions were once prized for protecting the rights of the most vulnerable. Now our government detains
immigrant families for trying to make a better life for themselves. Many are held or deported without habius corpus. Our government attacks DEI and discriminates against the most vulnerable. Today you have reduced the public's
ability to speak at this court. Our governor wants to silence local students from protesting when they see injustice. Our constitution is meant to protect the people from others and from government
out overreach. Our county, however, just erected a monument to the Ten Commandments. Why erect these laws? It's our constitution that's under attack, not your Bible.
I am calling for Tarant County voters to stop the rise of Christian nationalism. The best way to do this is to be an informed voter and to vote. >> Uh following Mr. Weedmire is Lon Bham,
>> Judge O'Hare, and fellow commissioners. As I sit here and listen to this and think about it, one thing that really strikes me is that nobody is calling Hart to account for failures on their test. When this failure that's been
documented by previous speakers uh was brought up, there's no evidence that Hart was ever called on the counter. This would be like uh when Volkswagen got caught cheating on their emissions controls for their cars. This would be
like asking boat asking uh Volkswagen if it was okay and they'd say yes, of course. But and that's like what's going on here when these things you can't justify missing a vote and then changing
the associated ballot to reflect that. That's just not right. And I I'm just puzzled by why we don't call the manufacturer in and but and make them explain what's going on. So, let's do that. We've got affidavit that document
what went on. The citizens are doing all the testing. That'd be like telling the drivers to test the cars and tell you what they found out. We need to have the professionals involved in this thing and called on the carpet to make it right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Following Mr. Mr. Burnham, we
have Carla Palyarus. You're good. >> You can give anything you want to Mr. Merritt and he can pass them out afterwards or Ruth. You can get them from him >> from them and give it to Chandler. >> You know, there's a solution to these
overly long meetings and overly long agendas. It's it's called returning to weekly meetings. Uh, I'm sorry we're here after 5:00. Sorry I can't say Buenos Dares to my commissioner because he's not here now. Um, and the article
that I'm having passed out is mainly for his benefit. But first, I just want to back up and apologize for using my temper and using that four-letter word. I'm really disappointed because I'd always described Matt as a libertarian Republican the times we were colleagues,
but now he's turning out to be more of an authoritarian Republican. So, we need to visit oneon one. So, here's the deal. Unfortunately, we spend a whole lot of time trying to undermine people's access to their government. And I just want to
make sure you saw this clipping. I know I've been in office that sometimes you feel like you're drinking from a fire hydrant. This little article that I want to call to your attention, and I'm not going to have time in one minute to read the whole thing, but it's from the current Fort Worth Weekly. I just want
to make sure you see this is the problem with the way county government is operating. My commissioner is more interested in being punitive than in helping an individual. And I'm going to
just point out uh like on the fourth column of this page within days Loftton's parents concerned about his increasingly erratic behavior called 911. later said they wanted an ambulance. Instead, they got Fort Worth police who
escorted Loftton to John Peter Smith Hospital's psychiatric unit. While there, Loftton was diagnosed with schizophrenia and began taking medication. He improved and was released to his parents. We have so many
undiagnosed mental health problems in this community. Maybe because of the way this community operates. Thank you. >> Reading the last paragraph that was cut off. I think mentally ill people and sir not getting the health. Your time is up. That's the ding.
>> I hope to take time to read the article. >> Mr. Burnham, please sit down. Your time is up. >> Thanks. Is she still present? And Amy Woodward. Elizabeth Miller.
following Miss Miller's Anthony Johnson. >> Good afternoon. Um, I'm sorry that we went in the wrong direction today. That really, really saddens me. Um, I know the recent election results got
everyone's attention and as well they should. A lot of the analysis has focused on sort of the natural way these things tend to happen. A lot of times um the midterms don't go really well for
the sitting presidential party. That's not surprising. A lot of people talked about how you know in specials turnout is different. We all have experience with that. But I would encourage everyone to pay attention because part
of what happened in SD9 and just to tell everybody a Democrat won that race for the first time in what is it like 30 years or something that happened. I mean we've had midterms in the last 30 years in Tarant County.
Yeah. We've had uh Democrats and Republicans the the White House change hands. What is unique is what's been going on up here. Part of what happened in SD9 has to do
with you guys. Um I agree, Judge O'Hare. I would like to see better decorum. A lot of Republicans would like to see see better decorum. That starts with you. That starts with treating each other with respect and not being petty. I think a lot of people of every party
persuasion would watch what went on here today and other days and find it petty. A lot of why we're here a lot of the time why I'm here is because of this decorum policy. If you don't want to have me up in your face every month,
then have a decorum policy that respects our our speech rights. But a lot of what happened in SD9 is because of you guys and you can turn it around. >> Thank you. Uh following Mr. Johnson is Mrs. Jackie Johnson.
Taran County Sheriff's Department violated state standards and violated the constitution in their treatment towards my son AJ Anthony Johnson Jr. So what I've been hearing all day is not factual. Let me
give you some facts about our sheriff department. Texas Commission on Jail Standards rules your sheriff's department broke. Rule 273.2, health services required prompt appropriate care for
inmates with mental health needs. My son received none. Rule 273.5, mental disability suicide prevention, requires immediate referral to mental health professionals.
The jail documented his psychosis and still did nothing. Rule 275.1 supervision requires face-toface observation every 60 minutes more often for mental health
individuals. My son was left unmonitored. Rule 277.3 restraints requires restraints only when necessary and continuous monitoring. My son was
restrained, pepper sprayed in the mouth and left to die without medical oversight. These are not suggestions. These are the Texas Tan uh standard guidelines
that they fail. Anthony Johnson Jr. and my commissioner is not here to hear me. So you see commissioners, we got a big problem here in Taran County and I'm going to talk about it. >> Thank you, sir. >> Uh Miss Johnson, following Miss Johnson,
Linda Hanratty. I was here to to speak to Manny Ramirez, my precinct chair, but he's not here. So, I'm just going to put this into the record. Commissioner, the last time I stood at this podium, I asked you directly to find out why no one has been
indicted for the chemical expiation of my son. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide called caused by chemical and mechanical esphyxiation. This is not my interpretation. That was the official ruling. I never received a
call, never received a letter from Mr. Ramirez. I never received any acknowledgement that you looked into the chemical cause of of the death. So, I have to assume that the answer is no, you did not.
And that matters, Commissioner, because families in your district are paying attention. We see who shows up and who doesn't respond. We see who responds and who stays silent. Your opponent, Nidia Cardinas, was has been out in the
district talking to constituents. She was even at your alma mater, Boswell High School, helping students understand their First Amendment rights. That's what engagement looks like. For two years, my family has come here asking
for answers about our son's death at the Tarant County Jail. So, I'm asking you again publicly on the record, why has no one been indicted for the chemical association of my son? If you don't know, why haven't you found out? If you
do know, why haven't you told us? Why are you running for office if you don't care about the constituents? >> Thank you. >> Is Miss Hanratty present? All right. Following Miss Henry, uh, or since she's not here, Chris Dobson, and
then Amy Super, Chris Dobson from Arlington. I wanted to uh correct uh something I said earlier. Stacy Penny was an election judge who voted voted multiple times in Tarant County despite living in Johnson County. a 2024 article uh from
the WFAA stated that she that Tenant County officials said that she would not face any consequences before the election. I have not heard anything about it since the election. So I would presume that she has not faced any consequences whatsoever for illegal
voting. that thing that the election integrity patriotic kinetic posi whatever y'all were was formed to do. Now you completely ignore in this mandate of yours
campaign finance violations. I mentioned a few of those earlier. Uh I'd like to return to one that I pointed out last year uh from Murdad Moyeti who uh was part of the Centurion American uh development group which Mr. Ramirez
listed on his original form then corrected it to an individual's name. His campaign sent a picture of the an image of the check to the Fort Worth Star Telegram and it very clearly says
business account on it. If y'all find out that money you have taken is illegal, you should probably return it. In the state of Texas, you should not profit from a crime. You should have the
accountability and the fortitude to stand up for your own self. Mr. O'Hare, you've been receiving checks from this man since 2016 at least when you were running for party chair. I would like to see all of
those donations returned despite the fact that y'all have done some really favorable work for him on the Bonds Ranch Road. >> Thank you, sir. Amy Super, is she present? Joe Palmer, I do not see him. Uh, next we'll have Libertad Heredia and
then Jenny Streer to close it. >> I'm going to need an interpreter for this. >> An interpreter. >> I'm sorry. I'm going to be my interpreter for this statement. >> I'm not going to allow interpreters when you when you when you speak English. You
speak English. You can speak English or >> I speak two languages, but yeah, I'm going to be speaking in Spanish, so I need >> We're not doing it that way. You can say what you want for three minutes in English or you can say what you want for three minutes in what other language you want to. >> So, you're denying the right for
interpreter as requested. I don't see we're not doing that because you can speak perfectly good English. >> Can you call that question? >> You can speak perfectly good English. Uh, your time is going. Do you want to speak? Yes or no? Can you start our time, please? >> Last October, ICE kidnapped a
62-year-old man named Maher Tarabishi during an annual routine check-in at the Dallas field office. Maker was an Arlington resident and the primary caregiver to his son, Wyatt Tarabishi. Wild Darabishi was a US citizen who suffered from advanced Pompei disease
and he relied entirely on his father to survive. He was left completely defenseless by his disease. He was unable to move, to breathe on his own, to eat solid food or to even wipe away his own tears. Wel died on January 23rd
after spending 30 days in the ICU. He spent those 30 days in constant physical and psychological pain and the last thing he ever asked for was his father. I had extensive and readily available
evidence of the medical necessity that one had for his father's caregiving. His health immediately and fatally declined as soon as his father was separated from him. Their family and their community begged Ice to release him for months in an attempt to say save Wy's life and ICE
refused. And then ICE refused to let Maher attend his son's funeral. Wabishi, a disabled US citizen, was slowly murdered by ICE through the abduction of his father and primary caregiver.
Manuin, you once swore to protect and serve. So tell me, who are you protecting and serving? It certainly isn't the most marginalized people in this community who you are choosing to persecute. It's not our elderly or disabled or chronically ill neighbors.
It certainly isn't the children who in the face of your failure have taken to to make their own stand to protect their families, friends, and peers and who have, as a result, been repeatedly threatened with violence. You are working with men who target your community. working with men who seek to
crush innocent families. Cruelty. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Your time is up. >> Mrerer, >> question. Did we violate the protocol, Mr. Crowderville, by not providing
translation as requested? I'm >> so generally the open meetings act does require that a person who requires a translator be given twice the amount of time. uh but it does say here and specifically in the statute that uh they're given twice the amount of time as a member of the public who does not
require the assistance of a translator in order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to address the body. So that means if you require the assistance of a translator and can't otherwise address the body um then you are given twice the amount of time. >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> Was she our last speaker? >> No. >> Go ahead. >> Hi. Um, I'm Jennifer Strader and I've been a I'm a precinct chair as well as I've been an election judge for about 10 years. um this last election on the 31st
of January upon going to Highland Middle School where where I was hosting that election there. Um we opened up the EEC, the electronic equipment cabinet, only to
find that one of the voting machines, the Duo had a cut clearcut security tag. That has never happened. Um, of course we did not use that duo, but then looking at the floor of the
cabinet was another EEC cut tag on the floor. >> So in my mind, I'm thinking, was this cabinet this cabinet been tampered with? Are these duos safe? Obviously, there was tampering.
Um, I reported it to the Tarant County Elections Office and they just said to do an affidavit, which I did do. Um, but I also have consistent issues with jamming of the machines. And one thing I've observed is over the past couple of
years is usually it's only one machine and it causes um the voter having to resubmit another ballot. Also, I had um a machine this past election go completely offline and we
had to reboot it. And if this is all daisy chain together, but I only had one go down, which I found rather odd. So, I just wanted to bring it to your attention that I'm seeing um a lot of inconsistencies and security issues with
our voting. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Are you Miss Phillips? >> Yes. >> Okay. Miss Phillips will be our last speaker. >> Thank you, uh, Judge O'Hare for allowing me to speak. You should each have, uh, hand out five pages. It's very important
that you have these handouts. This affects the poor and the wealthy. I'm shouting out to Honorable Chief Mr. Justice John Roberts Jr., the highest judge of America. I'm also and I'm sure they'll get this message. Honorable
Associate Justice Samuel Alo Jr., you've had white men stand before you today to say that they were being strong armed because who knows who. I'm 15 years in of that plus of obstruction of justice
being committed in the courts of law across the street. August 27th on the fifth page that you have is the second page of the case summary for 2025-00005723-1 across the street the fourth floor in
Delhi Law Library August 27th exhibits clearly specifically labeled for the pre-trial hearing that day that was going to be held within an hour were stolen from Deli law library for that
hearing which was a retaliatory eviction to obstruct justice across the street. That's Dallas County. Please understand that's 15 years of exhibits being stolen, erased, deleted. So when you're talking about white men saying that who
knows who I'm a black woman, I don't say that for an excuse. God, it's divinely done. I'm a black woman. But if you can have white men to stand before you to say, "Hey, please do something because they're being strongwarmed, please understand obstruction of justice and
stealing exhibits is because of the hitch that you have. DF 92-11850 a heist of an estate before it was an estate and it's happening to you and your families like never before. Thank you. I'll see you next month."
>> Okay. All right. That's it for public comments. Do we have any announcements or comments from the court members? >> Uh, only thing I'll say is earlier when I was talking about the differences between the two decorum policies, I conflated two of the items and so what I said was actually incorrect. So I wanted
to issue an apology. I never want to be incorrect or inexact in what I say. So, uh, again, that was brought up by some of the commenters and so I went back and looked and they were right and I was wrong. So, uh, we always were able to post public comments till or sign up
till 5:00 PM the day before. Um, I'd gotten that wrong and so I apologize. >> All right. Anybody else have anything? >> Yes, I um have a question. I'm sure Clint's gone back to the office, >> but I think it was Mr. Oh, the names
have gone. One of the first speakers uh that said we did I misunderstand Mr. Kaiser, did you say that we handc counted the ballots for SD9 after the election for
>> So there's a there's a recount that is mandatory under state law to do three precincts or up to six. But because of the voting irregularities, no, that's the wrong way
to say it. because of the uh testing issues and there there's a letter that may have list a couple of other issues but the secretary of state has said you can do the hand count of the whole thing uh >> of the whole when you say whole thing
>> of all 98,000 or whatever it was as opposed to what amounted to about a third of it. So the ballot board is is going through the whole thing counting it and the the purpose is uh to try to
figure out okay I I think there's two purposes one and any anybody else can have their own purposes right so the two purposes one purpose is uh I don't I have not heard one human being not one say the results of the dis
Senate District 9 election happened because of fraud or anything of that nature. So, get that out of the way. The two reasons. Number one, during these public tests, there were all kinds of interesting issues that happened and
their public tests leading up to the primary. Uh there's there is an affidavit signed by, I believe, three Republican ballot board members and one Democrat ballot board member. There's another affidavit signed by just one ballot board member and another one signed by another ballot
board member where some weird things were happening. So part of the reason to do it is to see how many votes are changing due to computer error or scanners reading things, you know. So for example, one of these
things was a blank a blank ballot and then the scanner picked up when the ballot was fed through this through picked up a vote because of some dust or something. So then the second
reason to do it is okay are is the hand count more reliable than the actual machine count? Uh there's a margin of error from the machines that's known. I don't want to quote the exact number, but I think what I was told is it's less
than 0.04%. But read nothing into the number. I don't remember it verbatim, but then the hand count, I think when there was a challenge on the 24 primary between two Republican constables, I think they counted it two,
three, four times and never got the same number. So that's to answer the question, that's what it is. >> So is the hand count completed? >> No, I don't think so. I can't imagine it would be. It has to I don't know. Sometime in the last three, four days.
Hang on. Hang. Yeah, hang on. It sometime in the last three four days assuming it has started. I don't know if it has started or not, but there's 21 days from a I believe election day that it has to be completed. Is that right? >> I believe that's correct, sir. >> Yeah.
>> So, is this official an official hand count or is this some exercise? >> Well, I'm not real sure what the difference is between an official and an exercise handc count. We canvas the votes today. the election is done and has been finalized through our action.
So >> that's why >> when the when the ballot board is doing it through the permission of the secretary of state, I don't know what your definition of official is, but I would say that's probably pretty official. All right, any other announcements or
comments? Okay. The court will now recess the open session and proceed to close session to discuss items exempt under sections 55107, 0720, 074, 076, 087, and 0725 of the Texas government code. Uh, court members,
>> executive session will begin promptly at 5:40 p.m. We are now in recess. Okay. All right. We're back from our executive session. Obviously, a lengthy meeting today and a very sad news that we open with and that we'll close with
is the passing of Gina Bivvens. Uh such a wonderful lady and we will now adjourn our commissioner's court in me. memory and honor of Miss Gina Bibons. We are adjourned.