Happy new year. Good to see you. >> How are you? >> Good morning, commissioners. And happy new year to each of you. >> Good morning. >> I don't know where we look. >> That knees feeling better, commission. >> One day at a time, sir. One day at a
time. Some days I think it's doing great and then other days it reminds me that you ain't there yet. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> The key is to be mobile without moving. Right. >> Right. Exactly.
>> Rest. But you got to keep it going. >> All right. Packed house. All right. We ready to go. Okay. Well, good morning. Welcome to the first commissioner's court meeting of Tarant County in the year 2026. Happy new year to everyone. I now call the meeting to
order. >> Tim O'Hare, County Judge, >> present. >> Rodrik Miles, Jr., Commissioner Precinct One, >> here. >> Alisa Simmons, Commissioner Precinct 2, >> here. >> Matt Krauss, commissioner precinct 3 >> here. >> Manny Ramirez, commissioner precinct four,
>> here. >> Constitutes form. >> Thank you. So, we have a special start to today's meeting. Uh, please welcome our Tarant County Sheriff's Office honor guard led by Chaplain Wes McDuffy. Please rise as they make their way into
the courtroom. And to lead today's invocation and pledges of allegiance, we have a special guest, as we like to do at the beginning of each year. We had two years ago the starting quarterback for the University of Texas, Quinn Eurs. Last year we had
Chad Hennings. Believe it or not, there was actually a reporter who said when we invited Quinners, who's a Tarant County resident, that that was some kind of slap in the face to TCU. We love TCU here, but I listened. So, I've now
invited to do the prayer and the pledges a local Fort Worth businessman who's also happened to be the four-year starting quarterback of the University of Texas and a Davy O'Brien Award winner and the winningest quarterback in the history of college football for power
conferences. Please welcome Fort Worth businessman K McCoy. What an introduction. Thank you. Uh please bow your heads. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you now with humble hearts. God, we lift up our
country. We lift up our state. We lift up our county. And we just ask for your wisdom to guide our nation and for your peace to rest upon our land. We pray for our leaders uh nationally, President Trump, our state leader, Governor Abbott, our local leaders, Mayor Parker and Judge
O'Hare. We just ask that you would grant them discernment and integrity and humility and courage as they make decisions that affect uh so many lives. Uh Lord, we specifically pray for uh the up commissioner's court meeting today. May it be peaceful, respectful, and
productive. um pray for the dialogue and we pray that that all involved would would seek the common good with unity and grace. God, we also uh just want to lift up my friend and former teammate Jordan Shipley. Uh we we ask that you would just surround him with your
protection as he's recovering from a tragic accident. And uh whatever he's facing, just give him um encouragement and peace and physically and mentally and spiritually just to to improve. and uh you you've shown miracle after miracle. Uh we thank you for that. God,
we place all these prayers into your hands. We trust in your love and your sovereignty. And it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. Amen. >> Will you please join me in the United States uh pledge I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States >> United States of America >> and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, with liberty and justice for all. >> And now for the Texas pledge.
>> Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. >> All right. Thank you, Colt. Please uh remain standing. It is uh now my honor
to welcome to the podium uh someone who is not a stranger to many of us here in Tarant County, Corporal Don Graves, a World War II veteran and the last survivor of the Battle of Ewima. Let's give it up for Don Graves.
There's always three things I like to say before I sing. I love the Marine Corps. I wouldn't have anything else. I love this country and I love that flag and I'll do anything for it. And this is a beautiful
song that Kate Smith introduced during the war. I heard it, fell in love with it. God bless America. land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her through the night with light from above. From the mountain to the prair to the ocean
I will go. God bless America. Our homes with home.
God bless America. Sweet home. Thank you, Corpal Graves. Thank you, Colt. You may be seated. >> Probably should have made Uh, would you please check and see if we need to clear the courtroom for a
minute? If everybody could please just stay quiet here for a minute while we tend to someone having a health emergency. Can you see Dr. Bird? I would like everyone in those back three three or four rows to please
quietly get up. You'll have the same seat and exit the back of the courtroom. We're going to adjourn for a few minutes. Ask me. All right. That's
I got you. It's honor. Okay. She seems to be doing well back there. Paramedics are on the way. Dr. Bird says there's no reason that we can't continue. Uh, is it is it really hot back there or
anything? Do we need to get some air going? >> All right, >> he's back. So, we'll start up as soon as Commissioner Ramirez takes his seat. Okay. >> All right. We are uh back from our
break. And was this on video the entire time >> or No, >> it was like people heard what I said a minute ago to the >> I believe so. >> Okay. Uh agenda announcements. >> Yes sir. Uh a few announcements this morning. Uh we have one item that's
being uh withdrawn completely from the agenda. That is item K1 under facilities management. And then members, we have several items uh which are being withdrawn from the consent agenda but still to take action on. Uh there's a number of them. So
please bear with me here. Uh, A1, E6, F4, F5, F7, F10, F11, F12, F13, F14,
F16, F17, H1, K3, N1, O1, Q13, and finally R1. >> For those down here, we are looking at
our seat on our screens. Can you get our agenda up on these screens? Okay, got those. Now we have commissioner court announcements. Commissioner Ramirez. >> Uh yes. So f first thanks Chaplan West McDuffy and the Tarant County Sheriff's
Office Honor Guard for opening today. Um and a huge thank you to you uh Corporal Don Graves. Uh and and and happy belated birthday, 100th birthday. Uh we're excited to have you here with us and we'll be excited to have you again uh on February 2nd at our Tarant County
salutes veterans event. Um, I'd like to invite everybody here and everybody watching to our third annual Tarant County salutes veterans event. Uh, it'll be February 2nd from noon to 6:00 p.m. Uh, our team in precinct 4 as well as the entire county staff have done a
phenomenal job in putting this together. Uh, it's an incredible event and we have helped thousands of veterans thus far and anticipate helping thousands more. Um, it's in partnership with the footwear stock show and rodeo military appreciation day. Um, veterans will will
receive free entry to the grounds. Uh, we're giving away rodeo tickets, a $20 meal voucher, and if you register in advance, you can also get a free parking voucher. We've got some incredible sponsors that have stepped up to make this a reality. Uh, and in Tarant County, we absolutely salute our
veterans. Uh, this event is wonderful. So, please, uh, February 2nd, take note. Uh, that'll be a great event. And you can contact my office, Daiquiri, Emily, Tracy, Dylan, Alicia, anybody in our office for more information if you'd like to. So, thanks.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Krauss. >> Yes. Uh love to invite all of you uh this Friday uh at the historic courthouse. Uh we're going to be dedicating the uh Ten Commandments monument that we voted on earlier uh in the year. I think it's going to be an awesome time of coming together and just
uh solidifying the history and tradition of what much of America and Texas was built upon. So, I'm really excited about it and again invite you 200 p.m. this Friday at the his out front of the historic courthouse. Would love to see you there as we celebrate this momentous
uh day. >> You have anything, Commissioner Miles? >> No. Thank you, Judge. Uh first, happy new year, Taran County. Good to be present with you all. I wanted to
announce that we had our first county birth of 2026. I'd like to give congratulations to the Muhammad family. Baby Linda was born at exactly 12:00 a.m. at JPS, weighing in at 7 lb and 21 in. Congratulations again
to the Muhammad family on the arrival of Little Miss Linda. A fun fact for us, 20% of all Taran County births happen at our JPS hospital. The second announcement I have is I
would like to announce our 12th annual Healthy Lives Matter prostate uh cancer and education screening event. It will be it will take place on February the 28th at the Monreef Cancer Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration is
open and live now on the precinct 1 website. We will have special guests from the Texas Rangers. We'll have a former player that will be there autographing baseballs. We'll have Texas Rangers swag. We'll also have the Dallas Mavericks. Uh Mavs Maniacs. They're
always a fan favorite. and the Mavs cheerleaders will be there. And we'll also have some swag and giveaways from the Dallas Stars. This is a free event to all county residents, not paid by county funds, paid by sponsors and
donors. Uh this is a free event to you. Please come out and learn your prostate status, your prostate health status, get educated on prostate cancer, get a free PSA screening. Make sure ladies that you invite all of the the men in your life,
your husbands, your fathers, uh your uncles, grandfathers, everybody needs to learn about what their prostate health status is because this is a disease that can be prevented. It does not have to have a death sentence. We can live and
thrive beyond prostate cancer. So again, please come out on February the 28th at the Monree Cancer Center uh from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for our 12th annual Healthy Lives Matter Prostate Education and Cancer Screening event. Registration
is now open. You can go to the Precinct One website on the Taran County web page and register. I'd also like to give congratulations to Professor Larry Story. He is a professor at Taran County College South Campus and
he has been a professor for 58 years. He will give his last lecture this Friday. He has done a a phenomenal job sharing the story of history to hundreds I would even say thousands of students
who've walked the campus of Taran County College South Campus. So I want to congratulate him on 58 years of teaching and making an impact in the field of education. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of a great
community leader, William Joe McCarthy, a dedicated Crowley community leader, rancher, former postmaster, founding member of the Crowley Fire Department, and former Fort Worth police officer.
Mr. Carte passed away on December 27th at the age of 90. His life of service and commitment to community will be remembered for decades. And lastly, I ask that we close out today's court with a moment of silence
for a dedicated and beloved volunteer of precinct 1. Brenda Black Widow Howard, trailblazer, a woman who loved precinct 1, who was beloved in precinct 1, and
one of our most dedicated volunteers. So, if we could close out today's commissioner's court with a moment of silence for Miss Howard, I would appreciate it. Those are my announcements. Thank you, Judge. >> Thank you. Did you say Linda Blackwell Howard?
>> No. Brenda Black Widow. That's her nick. That was her nickname. >> Brenda. Brenda Howard. >> Brenda Howard. That's her name. Yes. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. Uh we have uh the historical commission will be doing courthouse
tours on Saturday, January 17th uh before the rodeo and stock show from 1 to 3 p.m. if anyone is interested in that. Tours of the old courthouse, Saturday, January 17th from 1 to 3. Uh that concludes the commissioner's court announcements.
So we will now move to proclamations, resolutions, and presentations. Uh first we do our employee recognition. So, for all of our employees, we are grateful for you and you do some outstanding work for the people of this
great county. I'm going to ask you to stand as I call your name in groups. To begin, so if you are present, please rise so we can recognize you. Eric Agedo, Marissa Alcarez, Vance Bates,
Shelby Bell, Rashonda Clark, Ivonne Guerrero, Nicholas Ingram, Marilyn Jennings, Sandra Lee, Dulce Lozano,
David Manning II, Pete Munoz II, Marie Veroni Palindo, Crisal Roa Jr. >> Christopher Rodriguez, Mela Sanchez,
>> Jacob Sorrels, Shelley Stone, Javon Stubs, and Judge Brian Walker. Let's please give all those a round of applause. Now for our tenure employees,
please call rise as I call your name. Amanda Brazil, Rashidita Burrell, Brandy Green, Crystal Hayward, Colleen Hill, Lesie Hogan,
Charardai Jameson, Jonathan Counz, Thomas McGullum, Donald Oaks, Banga, Oak Boy, Carmen Perez,
Leon Pulk, Lena A Salazar, Katherine Taylor White, and Michelle Yonomine. Let's please give all those a round of applause. Thank you. Now, for our 15-year employees, please
rise as I call your name. Charles Bowwware, Melinda Clark, Elizabeth Desmond, Robin Deetur, Eric Horton, Judge Mike Rael,
Roy Kurban, Donald Judge Don Pearson II, and James Vanzant. Thank you all for 15 years. WE APPRECIATE YOU. NOW WE HAVE four 20-year employees,
Monica Brantley, Patricia Broutton, Richard Colame, and Maria Omos. Thank you for two decades in Tarant County. We appreciate you.
All right. Now, we get to our 25-year employees. I'm going to ask you to stand. by yourselves here while we recognize you for a quarter of a century of service to Tarant County. Um, Randall Corley. Randall, are you here? Okay.
Well, Randall, we asked for the birth. He's a building manager uh in facilities management. We asked for his birthplace, so he gave us his birth date. So, I'm going to go ahead and read that out just so um he went to Richland High School, has two sons, loves to fish and go to
the gun range. Other titles he's had with the county, building engineer 2, building engineer 3, superintendent one, and superintendent two. Most memorable moment is scraping ice off the sidewalk with supervisors helping. And the thing he likes the most about working at Tarant County are the friendships made.
So, Randall, wherever you are today, thank you for 25 years of service. Let's give a round of applause. I don't have a form for Carrie James from the sheriff's office, but how are you? I'm >> good. >> Good. She's been with us 25 years, and we thank you for your service and all
you do to keep us safe. Uh, also not attending in no form, we have Tracy Vansel from the ME's office. 25 years of service to Tarant County. Thank you, Tracy. We appreciate you. And Terry Howell, is Terry here with us?
Hi, Terry. How are you? 25 years also with Tarant County. She's a juvenile probation officer, born in Arlington, went to Arlington High School, a cult, uh, college, University of Texas at Arlington. Where do you live now? >> Okay. Yeah, I thought that might be the
case. Um, she has two sons, two daughters, and three grandkids. I see one of the ages of those grandkids. You don't look old enough to have a grandkid that old. Uh, fact, no one knows about her. John Howland, the 17-year-old boy famous for
falling off the Mayflower and being pulled from the ocean, is her 11th greatgrandfather, making her a distant relative of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wodssworth Longfellow, and Presidents Franklin
Roosevelt and George and George W. Bush. So that's quite a quite a lineage. For fun, she likes to ride horses, attend concerts and and other live music gatherings. Uh do game nights with family and friends and read and travel. Uh she started as a field officer in
intensive supervision. Uh then traditional and deferred prosecution. She has chosen to remain a field officer and has loved it. Uh, most memorable moment, too many to count, but the most meaningful times are when she hears from one of her previous kids that she worked with, uh, who tell calls to tell her how
well they're doing. I bet that's cool. And what she likes the most, working with and building lasting relationships with the kids on her case load. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing her kids realize their potential and make positive changes. They are not just what they've done and so much more than who
they look like on paper. Absolutely. And thank you, Terry, for 25 years. We appreciate you. Well, Frank Gdoy, 25 years. Where are you, Frank? Uh, thank you. Yes. Give him a round of applause. You can do it now.
Uh, facilities management superintendent 2. Born in Denton, went to North Side High School. Where is that? >> That's not Denton, is it? >> It's in Fort Worth. Fort Worth. Yeah. Got it. Okay.
>> Gotcha. Okay. Fact. No one knows about him. He's not going to tell us. So why they won't know it? Um what he likes to do for fun, work out. He likes to go hunting and spending time with family and friends. Uh other job titles he had
with the county 2001 through 2004, tax office inventory manager. uh most memorable moment. He has a deep relationship with the Almighty and his son and their true name. The creator of the heavens and the earth is pronounce it for me. Elohim
>> Elohim. >> Elohim or the father's name is Yahweh. And the son, the anointed Messiah name is >> Yahusha. >> Yahusha from John 5:43. I am come in my father's name and ye receive me not. If
another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. John 10:30, I and my father are one. And what he likes the most, working with the best employees of Tarant County that he has ever served with over 25 years. The most important thing is helping each other with
knowledge and passing on to the next generation. Um, and he is truly blessed by God. And thank you for the milestone that you have given me. He is truly blessed. Uh, thank you very much, Frank, for your 25 years of service. We appreciate you.
And also uh 25 years is Judge Deleó with us. >> He's probably busy in court. Judge Sergio DeLeon celebrating 25 years of Tar County. He had been a JP for 25 years, has he? >> Has he been that long? >> He was a constable. >> Okay. God, he was constipible. Got it. All right. Well, let's give Judge Deleó
a big round of applause for his 25 years. All right. Now we have three folks who have been with us for 30 years. Wow. Uh Margot Lawson from the district clerk's office. Is Margot here?
Margot. All right. Well, Margot, three decades. We cannot thank you enough for your service to Tarant County citizens over those 30 years. Let's give her a round of applause. Next, we have Sheila McDougall. Sheila here. Well, hi Sheila. How are you? Uh,
30 years. She is an assistant manager, central library and records management at the county clerk's office. Born in Enid, Oklahoma. Went to Simol High School in Simol, Oklahoma. Went to Simol State College and Tarant County College. Uh, one son, Matthew.
Uh, fact no one knows about her, not really a secret, but her husband of 35 years also worked at Tarant County as a sheriff's deputy for over 31 years and retired in 2024. uh what he what she likes to do for fun. She likes to fish. She loves lake life,
traveling, and spending time outdoors. Other job titles she's had with the county, she started out as a clerk in facilities at the resource connection 96 to9. An indexing clerk from 99 to 2001 and then assistant manager 2001 to
current. most memorable moment after starting in the indexing department. She was very nervous because her assistant manager was very strict. Uh Linda Nolder, I guess we can say that. Is Linda still here with us? Okay. Uh if anyone remembers Paul Seabberry, who was
a manager in county clerk's office, he was quite the prankster and everyone told her if they ever call you down to his office, it can't be good. Well, they did at about 4:15 the end of the day. All the co-workers were saying, "It's been nice working with you." Paul told
her to have a seat and pulled out a box of Kleenex and laid it upon his desk and she was so naive. She started crying, couldn't control it. They felt so bad and were just calling me down to tell me that she had passed her probation
period. So, I bet that was me. Was Paul still with us? >> No. Okay, good. We We were going to fire him if he was. Um, and so what she likes the most, assisting customers. She has represented the county clerk's office at the empowering seniors, senior synergy event since it began, and we thank you
for that. And, uh, her co-workers, she has been on the interviewing team for years and a part of hiring some of the best applicants to join the county clerk's team. Um, seeing people better themselves is a blessing. Some have moved on to other jobs within the county. Others have take positions other companies. But she's watched many get
married, start families, and see their children now grown up and starting their own families. And she's made lifelong friends. So Sheila, for three decades of service to Tarant County. We thank you very much. And last but not least, we have D. Long,
who's also been with us 30 years. Hi D. How are you? You literally must have started when you were like 17. Um, she is a mobility coordinator in engineering services. Was born in Hodgej, Louisiana. Went to Trinity High School in Ulis.
Went to college at TCC and uh three children. Uh, one granddaughter and fact that no one knows about her the year she became retirement eligible. She returned to college after a 23-year
break to complete her bachelor's degree and graduated Kum Lad, showing her family and many others, I might add, it's never too late to follow your dreams. That's pretty cool. What she likes to do for fun, hang out with her best friend Charlie, doing fun
DD things like tea parties, makeup, bubbles, going to the zoo, and you're going to Disney World in March. Great. other job titles she has had with county community outreach coordinator for commissioner ficus parillegal in the DA's office civil division most
memorable moment was September 11th 2001 standing next to work family watching the attacks uh and then the moments that follow that bonded us together as Americans to feel stronger and more patriotic what she likes the most the opportunity to represent and serve Tarant County in several capacities to
help make it the best ever while raising her kids and not missing opportunity unities to support them. So D, thank you for three decades. We greatly appreciate you. >> Okay, I will make a motion to receive and file employee recognition. >> Second.
>> We have a motion and a second. Please cast your votes. And we have a yes over here. So, okay, we're going to say we're all in. Uh 50. Is somebody pressing this for him? You are. Okay. Got it. All right. So, you're wa You're watching. Okay. Perfect. Thank
you very much. And again, one more big round of applause for all our employees. Thank you. And now there is a reception in your honor on the fourth floor. If you would be so kind as to quietly make your way out those back doors if you want to go there.
All right. Next from Commissioner Miles, we have a memorial resolution honoring the life of Frank Moss. Commissioner Miles. >> Thank you, Judge. Uh, I have asked our
colleague, Commissioner Simmons, to present this um, resolution to the family seeing that I am not there physically. But before she does read this into the record, I wanted to say a few words about the Honorable Franklin
Deos. Franklin Moss was a true statesman. He was the epitome of class and grace and he just did the job the right way.
He is a great man, an even better human and an exemplary public servant. You can't think about stop six without thinking about Frank Moss. Frank Moss is stop six.
>> Yes. Frank Moss loved this community and he served it with integrity, the highest of character, and an unparalleled passion. He made sure that the residents of Stop
Six had true leadership and genuine and authentic representation. I along with so many other African-American elected officials owe Frank Moss a debt of gratitude for
his service, for the example that he set. Whenever I had a question or a concern or I wanted to ask about um being an elected official, I could pick up the phone and call Mr. boss and he was always
ready and available with advice, with wisdom and insight and he freely shared it not just with me but with anybody who will call and ask. >> On a personal level, I owe Mr. Moss a
debt of gratitude for the way that he uh took care of my aunt Erlene Miles as she was getting up in age and the house that she was living in in stop six on Edgewood Terrace was falling into
disre disrepair. Mr. Moss made sure that her house got the um restoration that it needed. He made sure that she was well taken care of and he
always looked out for my aunt Erlene. And for that I and my family are eternally grateful for his leadership, for his friendship, and for the way that he loved my family and the stop six community.
So to Miss Moss and other family members who may be there today, I want to say thank you for allowing us to have your husband, for sharing your husband and your father with us. He is a jewel.
His name will for always be remembered and the work that he has done in our community will ring for decades. So, thank you so much. Uh, Mr. Moss will
be greatly missed, but he is so deeply appreciated for the service that he rendered the residents of the city of Fort Worth in Taran County. Thank you for my comment, for the time for comments. >> Okay.
>> Did he make a motion? >> Make a motion. >> He can make the motion. No, >> you're done. Okay, good. >> So, uh, thank you for that, U, Commissioner Miles. So, I am honored to
read this resolution into the record. Whereas the family and friends of the Honorable Franklin Douglas Moss, Senior, were deeply saddened by his death on
Sunday, December 14th, 2025. And whereas Frank Moss was born in Fort Worth, Texas on September 8th, 1944 to Claudia Moss senior and even Eva Moten Moss. Graduated from
Paul Lawrence Dunar High School, earned a bachelor's of arts degree from Texas Wesley College, a master's of business administration degree from UT Arlington, and completed pro postgraduate studies at the John F. Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University. And whereas Mr. Moss became the first black president of the UTA Alumni Association, receiving the Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award and the UTA School of
Urban and Public Affairs Distinguished Alumni Award. And whereas Mr. Moss was first elected to the Fort Worth City Council representing District 5 from 1998 to 2004. and again from 2007 to 2013
where he was a tireless champion for quality housing and neighborhood redevelopment and whereas Mr. Moss served on numerous boards and commissions including the Taran County Historic Commission, the Texas Association's Black City Council
members, Texas Municipal League, National League of Cities, and the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. He was a charter member and past president of the Tarant County Black Historical and Genealological Society, a
lifetime member of the Fort Taran County NAACP, and received the 2024 Taran County Harambe Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. And whereas in 1993, Mr. Moss founded Moss Real Estate and
Development Group where his contributions earned him the National Association of Development Organizations Region 6 Hall of Fame award and the Greater Fort Worth Business uh Builders Association Partnership Award.
And whereas Mr. Moss was an active member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, serving the Ebenezer Music Ministry, Federated Male Chorus Sunday School, and served as a deacon for more than 50 years. And whereas Mr. Moss
leaves cherished memories to his devoted wife, Christine Chadwick Moss, his sons Edmund El Moss and Franklin Douglas Moss Jr., daughter Kimberlin Ma Simpson and a host
of other loving relatives and friends. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Taran County, pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Franklin Douglas Moss, Senior, recognize the contributions he has made to the people of Taran County, the state
of Texas, and the nation, and extend our deepest sympathy to the members of his family and his many friends for their great loss. In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hands and cause the seal of Taran County to be affixed this 13th day
of January 2025. >> I move approval for the ratification of this resolution. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. We do have a speaker signed up. Any discussion before the speaker?
>> Bishop Kirkland. You can't see that. The iconic Franklin W. Moss, Senior. I knew him and his family well. Um, he was the councilman of district 5 when I became the fourth pastor in the history
of our ministry. Uh, Mr. Moss, beautiful wife. Um, Miss Moss served as a trustee for years for Forth ISD. Uh, his son actually was a member of the STEP team that I sponsored while I was teaching
the MOSA program at Dumbar High School. And his father actually cut my hair as a child. Um the progress that's being seen and historic stop six is all due in part to the beloved steps taken by the
pioneering efforts of Mr. Moss. Uh someone asked a question in scripture, can anything good come out of Nazareth? With all the negativity surrounding stop six, I declare a decree that something good can come out of stop six. Um Mr.
Moss was instrumental in the four in establishing the fourth young men's leadership academy and stop six. He was a great historian. He was proud of the legacy and rich traditions of our village. People are excited about
posting the ten commandments. While Mr. Moss was a living scripture. It It's amazing to me that people who call themselves spiritual don't recognize the names of Elohim and Yeshua.
I want to stand in solidarity with uh precinct one's uh representative that this is an outstanding member of our village. Thank you, Mr. Moss, for being an example. Thank you for your life, your faithfulness, your services,
your spree decor, your sincerity, your hard work, and your willingness to work with all people. Thank you, Yahweh, for this iconic legend from our village. All right, we have uh four votes in.
Commissioner Miles, I'm assuming you are a yes. Okay, that passes unanimously. >> Okay, Mrs. Moss, if you would join me down front. >> Do you have other family members here? Mrs. Moss
>> Albert, does she have her? >> Okay. Good morning. Happy new year. >> Happy new year. >> Just a few words to say. Thank you, Commissioner Miles. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons, and all of those
who have recognized my husband, former city councilman Franklin Douglas Moss, Senior. Thank you, Bishop Kirkland, for those nice words about my husband. And I'm good. You know, God has me. So, I
just want to say thank you to all of those who showed me so much love during the month of December. God bless you. >> Thank you trustee. >> We are sorry for your loss. Thank you for being here today.
>> All right. Next, we have a resolution recognizing uh the MLK Parade Neighborhood uh Parade and Events Committee upon its 8th anniversary. Commissioner Simmons. Thank you, sir. Um, so, um, guess what? I get to be a
grand marshall in this parade coming up on Saturday. So, I'm excited and I'm excited to present this uh, resolution um, in recognition of all the work that this uh, organization and this uh, the
joy that this parade has has brought for eight years. Whereas in 2018, Cliff Sparks and Alexandria Sparks founded the neighborhood parade and events committee with a mission to restore, preserve, and celebrate meaningful traditions in
Tarant County's historic Stop Six neighborhood. And whereas Cliff and Alexandria Sparks boldly envisioned that bringing parades back to stop Six would uplift the community, engage children in positive community experiences, and
counteract negative community perceptions. And whereas in their first act of public service, the neighborhood parade and events committee planned and hosted Stop Six, Stop Six's annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade in
celebration. and in doing so revived a long missed tradition. And whereas since 2018, the neighborhood parade and events committee has collaborated to develop and nurture other impactful community
events. Among these are the Tay Day parade, a partnership with the Atatiana Project, which honors life, freedom, and community resilience, and Taste of East Side, a partnership with Fort Worth neighborhood police officer Tracy Dardy.
And whereas the neighborhood parade and events committee also founded the Junth parade to strengthen community bonds, promote civic pride, and create safe, inclusive spaces where culture, connection, and community thrive. Now
therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Taran County, do hereby recognize and celebrate the Neighborhood Parade and Events Committee, its founders, Cliff and an Alexandria Sparks, and its board of directors for demonstrating unwavering
dedication to restoring hope, fostering pride, and encouraging togetherness among stop six and all Tarant County residents. and witness whereof we have here unto set our hands and cause the seal of Taran County to be affixed as
13th day of January 2026. I move approval. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second to approve this item. Any discussion? All right. Please cast your vote. All right. Passes unanimously.
>> All righty. Thank you, Mr. Sparks. If you all would, you and your family would come on down. You're ready. Can I just compliment the sparks on their parenting ability because your kids have been in here for an hour and I think I've heard them twice. That those
are kids are well behaved. That's awesome. So, first I want to say thank you Alicia Simmons. Uh, thank you Roger Miles for your hard work. Um, I'm honored and grateful. Um, we've been doing this a long time, eight years. Um, so we
decided to bring it back to the community and just want to thank you guys for your support. Um, thank you for everything that you do. And so the parade will start Saturday 11:00 a.m. 2126 Amanda Avenue the starting location and celebration will end at Eugene
McCrae Community Center. So thank you again. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to everyone. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Now, we have a proclamation honoring Cole Kennegger, Commissioner Krauss. Thank you, Judge. Uh, you know,
a lot of times we have uh exceptional uh students, exceptional youth, exceptional folks in our uh community who make our community proud, who make our area proud, who make our state proud, who make our country proud, and sometimes they're known all over the world. And so when we found out about Cole and what he
had done uh this past summer, we thought this was worthy of uh recognizing him and uh encouraging him and hopefully through recognizing him, inspiring others uh in his same spot to do the same. And so uh we have Cole here today. I'm going to read this resolution and then talk a little bit more about him.
But uh whereas the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, Texas, takes great pride in recognizing exceptional young citizens whose achievements exemplify the highest ideals of dedication, integrity, and excellence. And whereas Cole Kininger, an accomplished member of the Keller High School baseball team,
has demonstrated remarkable athletic talent, leadership, and sportsmanship, earning admiration from teammates, coaches, and the broader community. And whereas Cole's commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom has made him a model of perseverance and determination reflecting the values and
spirit that define the youth of Tarant County. And whereas through countless hours of practice, teamwork, and dedication, Cole has brought honor and recognition to Keller High School, inspiring fellow students and setting a standard of excellence for future athletes. And whereas his accomplishments stand as a testament not
only to his talent but also to his character, humility, and leadership. All of which embody the finest traditions of sportsmanship. And whereas during the 2025 season, Cole achieved an outstanding 419 batting average, eight home runs, 39 RBI's, helped lead Keller
Indians to an outstanding season, and earned recognition as the District 46A most valuable player. And whereas Cole's athletic excellence earned him national and international recognition, including selection to the team USA's 18U national team, where he represented the United
States in the World Baseball Confederation Under 18 Baseball World Cup in Japan, contributing to a gold medal championship. And whereas Cole has been recognized as one of the top baseball pro prospects in Texas by national scouting organizations including Perfect Game and Prep Baseball
Report. And whereas beyond his achievements in athletics, Cole has exemplified leadership, teamwork, service, and encouraging younger athletes and representing Keller High School with integrity and humility. Whereas Cole is committed to continuing his academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee, where he will
compete at the collegiate level and continue to make Tarant County proud. And uh now therefore, let it be resolved that the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, Texas, does hereby proudly recognize and commend Cole Kininger for his exceptional accomplishments, leadership, and possible uh positive
representation of the Keller community. And be it further resolved that the Tarant County Commissioner's Court on this day, January 13, 2026, extends its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Cole for continued success in his academic and athletic pursuits, confident that he will remain a source
of pride and inspiration for the citizens of Tarant County. Uh Cole, we just wanted to say well done on so many levels, whether in the classroom, on the field. And I was talking to him beforehand and I said, "So you're you're excited about going to Tennessee. the only thing that could keep him from going to Tennessee is if he gets
drafted. Uh and that that is a very real possibility this summer. And so we know your future is bright. We know it's ahead of you and we just wanted to say congratulations. Thank you for representing u again not only our area but our country on a world stage and doing it with excellence. So we have his
parents Jeff and Stephanie here as well today who I know he would say I would not be here without them. And so we just wanted to recognize Cole and the Kigers. And if you would come down Cole, I would and I move to uh pass this resolution. >> Second. Thank you. >> All right.
All right. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Commissioner Miles, you in? Okay. Passes unanimously. All right. Remember this name. He's on the starting lineup. We might actually need you for the
Rangers this year. I just want to first thank God. Uh I want to thank you all for this amazing recognition. Uh it was an honor playing for Team USA and uh representing Taran County and the city of Kelly. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next proclamation is in honor
of Lake Country Christian School cheer team. And before I turn over to Commissioner Ramirez, good news that your your cheer teammate is going to be just fine. So for those watching at home and here in the room, she's she's doing well. We'll be just fine. Commissioner Ramirez. >> Yeah, I could not be more excited for
the uh resolution we're going to read today. Um the Lake Country Christian School cheer team has been a a pride and joy of the Eagle Mountain Lake uh area community for a long, long time. Uh and so we are very very proud to recognize their recent and uh not so recent
achievements. They've been winning for a long time as you guys can tell. Uh anybody in this courtroom who hears that banging and clattering, that's what victory sounds like. Um and so so with us today to help celebrate the Lake Country Christian School cheer team, uh we've got Shannon Duffy, who's the
varsity cheer coach and director of cheer. Uh Lily Carroll, assistant varsity cheer coach. Sarah Deckert, the head of school. Dr. Michael Bon, the high school principal, uh Jackie Green, who is a Lake Country Christian School Board President, and Chris Yley, who's also a a board member on the Lake
Country Christian School Board. Um I'll read all of the the cheer team members names at the conclusion of the resolution, but uh I I want to make sure that we we properly celebrate them today. And whereas the Lake Country Christian School varsity and Talon crew cheerleading teams have recently
achieved their eighth national title, a monumental accomplishment reflecting unparalleled dedication and skill. And whereas the team secured numerous prestigious accolades at the national competition, specifically achieving FCC national champions, game day varsity
co-ed national champions, advanced varsity co-ed national champions, and the esteemed title of co-ed grand champions alongside the commendations for the hit zero award, best stunts, and best pyramid. And whereas individual members excelled in their respective
divisions, earning top honors with first, second, and third place in the co-ed group stunt division, first, second, and third place in the co-ed partner stunt division, as well as the titles of jump jam winners for the 9inth and 12th grades, and tumble jam winners
for the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. And whereas the squad members commitment to tireless practice and routine perfection has demonstrated exceptional athleticism, skill, and creativity during countless hours of rigorous training both on and off the mat. Whereas this remarkable group of student
athletes has bestowed immense pride and recognition upon the Lake Country Christian School community, serving as an inspiration to students, faculty, and supporters through their outstanding performances. And whereas head coach Shannon Duffy and assistant coaches Louisie Carroll, Victoria Powers, and
Chance Duffy have diligently fostered an atmosphere of excellence, encouraging each athlete to strive for their utmost potential. And coach Duffy, having led the program since 2015, has helped develop a program that instills valuable skills and enduring qualities in young
men and women and has recently been recognized for a profound impact by being nominated and awarded the 2026 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Fame. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County, do hereby formally issue this proclamation to the Tarant County
Christian School Varsity and Talent Crew cheer Teams and their exemplary coaching staff in official recognition of their extraordinary achievements, and extend our sincerest congratulations on their success. In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hands and caused the
great seal of Tarant County to be affixed on this 13th day of January, 2026. And I would move for approval. Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second on this item. Any discussion? >> I will say I've been to that school many times. That trophy case is getting very
full. So, uh, you're going to have to get a new one pretty soon, but congratulations. That's awesome. All right, it passes unanimously. Joining us today, uh, and please stand up as I call your name and then I'll have you all come down to the front. Uh, we've got senior Jake Bell, senior Zack uh,
Mckelia, senior Jillian Pittz, senior Molly Patell, senior Alli Munoz, senior Mason Schmidt, senior Emmy Emory Wilson,
Junior Joshua Allison, Junior Jackson Bolan, Junior Riley Bradford, Junior Kyle Dar, Junior Naomi Hall, Junior Eden Martinez, Junior Colt Stein, Sophomore Abby
Andrews, Sophomore Mlan Larson, freshman Sophia Andrews, freshman Heidi Bolan, freshman Natalie Clark, freshman Faith Nielson, freshman Ellie Pittz, freshman Reagan Pittz, freshman Rebecca
Trantham, eighth grader Joel Green, eighth grader Sophie Guzman, eighth grader Emma Jameson and eighth grader Olivia Williams. Congratulations to all of you. It's a lot of That's a big lot of
metals. That's a lot of clanging. >> Okay. >> Yeah, you're good. >> If y'all can figure out how to do that in unison, you probably win every competition forever. >> I feel like they should be in a pyramid.
Thank you. Very exciting for them. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> They're they're out of school. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. Tuesday for sure. Can can y'all lift Commissioner Ramirez up and uh
>> Hang on. Hang on. Hang on, guys. Get some pictures. >> We got lots of people take pictures here. All right, come on up, guys. Stay right there. Everybody good? Wait, wait, wait. >> Congrats, guys. I do.
Well, good morning, commissioners. It is um thank you so much for taking the time to recognize um Coach Duffy and our talent and cheer teams. Um they are exceptional young people and I want to thank you also for taking care of our
athlete who had a issue this morning. She um was concerned that her medals were clanking too loudly and she was didn't want to impose anything on the court. So she was um she's doing well and she was able to join us for the celebration this morning later. I also
want to thank um Manny Ramirez um from precinct 4 in his office for um setting writing this resolution, making this time available to us and giving us this recognition. Thank you for passing the resolution. It is always good to
recognize young people for doing good things. There's so much in the press about the difficulties and the challenges of raising high school students and older students these days. And these students are to be commended for their hard work and for being an
excellent example of what young people can do when they're busy doing good things. And so thank you again for um taking the time to do that. They represent Fort Worth well. They represent Taran County well and they did so on a national stage and have done
that consistently and for that I'm grateful. So, we add our prayers to yours that God will give you the knowledge and the wisdom that you all need to lead and to make decisions for Tarant County. And we thank you again for this honor and for taking time to recognize our students today. God bless
you and thanks again. >> Thank you. >> All right. Now, our final proclamation of the day is in honor of the TCU women's soccer team. Commissioner Ramirez. Yes, we have the uh the honor of recognizing another incredible sports team here in Fort Worth. Uh and that is
the TCU soccer team. Uh with us as we present this resolution is TCU uh soccer head coach Eric Bell, um senior associate head coach Ryan Higin Bothotham, associate head coach Thomas Serattor, assistant coach Madison Kroger, director of soccer operations
Anna Auger Crossman, uh associate AD for student athlete experience and brand development Raymond Walls and creative content Nick Rata. And we also have representatives of TCU, uh, Greg Cox, Amy Peterson, and Kelly Lamers.
And whereas the 2025 Texas Christian University women's soccer team through steadfast dedication and rigorous perseverance concluded a historic season with an exemplary record of 18 victories, three defeats, and three draws, thereby securing the program's
inaugural appearance in the NCAA College Cup tournament. And these elite student athletes maintained a consistent offensive dominance, outscoring their opponents by a cumulative margin of 54 to 22, yielding only two shutouts and demonstrating competitive excellence by
securing a 31-1 record against nationally ranked top 25 programs. And whereas entering the NCAA College Cup tournament as a number two seed, the Horn Frogs achieved a notable two to1 victory over top ranked Vanderbilt University, marking a definitive milestone in a postseason campaign that
concluded with the team's first away defeat of the season. And whereas the program's collective excellence was mirrored by an unprecedented individual individual honors including seven castain's recognition as NCAA elite 90 scholar athlete and Honda sport award
finalist and the naming of five student athletes Morgan Brown seven castain Camden Fuller Cameron Patton and Sydney Bera to the United Soccer coaches all Midwest team and individual accolades continued with Morgan Brown and seven
castain earning United Soccer coaches all-American honors. While top drawer soccer named head coach Eric Bell as national coach of the year and selected Camden Fuller and Emma Yolinsky for all for the all freshman team. And whereas Tarant County holds profound pride in
this team for its tenacity, sportsmanship, and composure under pressure. Qualities that have garnered the enduring respect of both the Texas Christian University community and the citizens of Tarant County. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the Commissioner's Court of Tarant County,
do hereby issue this proclamation to the 2025 Texas Christian University women's soccer team, its coaching staff, and support personnel in formal recognition of their historic achievements, and extend our most sincere congratulations on a season of unprecedented excellence.
In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hand, and cause the great seal of Tarant County to be affixed this 13th day of January, 2026. And I would move for approval. >> Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All right, we've got a yes from
Commissioner Miles. Passes unanimously. >> Fantastic. Would you please come up and join me to accept the resolution? And all of the student athletes wanted to be here, but the coach said absolutely not. You're going to class. How are you, sir? One more. One more here.
>> Let's give it up for TCU women's soccer. Thank you, sir. >> All right. Um, thank you uh to the court for this prestigious honor. Um, definitely wasn't expected, but definitely we are humbled by this experience and um, hopefully we
continue to make uh, Fort Worth and Tarant County proud. Um, and hopefully as as we continue to build our program, we can bring back a national championship. So, thank you very much. Go Frogs. >> Thank you, COACH. >> All right, this concludes the ceremonial
portion of our agenda. The time is now 11:19. We will go into a recess and we'll meet back in this room at 11:30 sharp. We are now adjourned till 11:30 or in recess till 11:30. Uh, we might need a slice.
>> Okay, >> commissioner. >> That will cost you more. >> All right. Um, so AJ is on on the case and Jan, I'll let you know. Um, you're going to need to talk with paper. I'll do it. >> Okay, I'll do it. I have my
>> You got your Okay. >> All right. talking. >> Okay. Yeah, >> I'm happy. >> We're going. All right, we're back back from recess.
First uh item up on the agenda is the consent agenda as amended. Do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda or any questions on what's remaining? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda as
amended. Did you say something, Commissioner Miles? No, you're just voting already. Okay. Uh All right, everybody get your votes in. Commissioner Miles is a yes. All right. The consent agenda as amended passes
unanimously. Now the first item, this is going to take a bit. The first item we now go to is item A one, which is the minutes.
Do we have a motion to approve the minutes? >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second to approve the minutes. Any discussion before speaker Joe Palmer? Good morning. Joe Palmer, precinct 1. According to Robert's rules of order,
meeting minutes are the official written record of what was done at a meeting, not a transcript of what was said. They focus on decisions, actions, and results like votes and assigned tasks, not verbatim discussions or arguments. Minutes serve as the group's legal record are signed by the secretary and
must be approved at the next meeting ensuring accountability and transparency. I would like I'm in precinct 4, by the way. I would like for a motion to be made to amend the minutes to reflect the fact that Bishop Kirkland was removed at the 2hour and 46 second
mark. It was under the agenda item F1, budget and risk management interlocal agreement between Taran County and MHMR for the operation of the mental health jail diversion center. I would like a motion, a second discussion vote. Thank you.
>> All right, that's our comment. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> So, um I move to amend. He makes a good point. uh minutes are to record what
what occurred uh and uh what business was taken care of. So um I move to amend the motion to um reflect
that Bishop Kirkland was removed. All right, we have a motion to amend the motion on the floor to reflect when Bishop Kirkland was removed. Do we have a second?
All right. Seeing none, the motion fails. What did he second it? >> Yes. Okay. All right. We have a second. Okay. So, now clear the screen.
You don't know how to clear screen on this. Okay, we have a motion, a second to amend the minutes. >> If you were in favor of that motion, raise your hand. >> If you are opposed to that motion, raise your hand.
All right, motion fails two to three. Takes us back to the original motion, a motion to approve the minutes. Uh, yay or nay? All right. Yay. So, it passes four to one.
All right. Next item is item E six, which is receive and file the auditor's report of the fiscal year 2025 chapter 59 asset forfeite report prepared by the
Tarant County Sheriff's Office. So, I'll move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve. Any discussion before speakers? The first speaker I have is Paul David
Williams and then Lon Burner. >> I just don't understand why there's no physical report. Shouldn't there not be? If they're selling stuff, there ought to be a report about it. >> It It affects
the money that comes in. I think it's ignorant to not do it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Is Mr. Burnham present? >> Okay. All right. We have a motion and a second to approve this item. Any further
discussion, Commissioner Miles? Yay or nay? >> Nay. >> All right. So, the all the votes are in. It passes 3 to two. Then takes us to item F4.
F4, consideration to accept the calendar year 2026 grant award from the United Way of Tarant County for the Tarant County Veterans Treatment Court. >> Do we have a motion on this item? >> Move approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve this.
>> Uh, any discussion before speakers? All right. The first speaker is Billy Wilson and then Mr. Burnham. Mr. Wilson. All right. And Mr. Burn. I'm not here either. Okay. Our aim is decarceration.
We repeat our call for proper placement of ID, reduction of pre-trial jail population by speedy magistration, fully educate officers and citizens of the diversion program, stop imprisonment of low-level nonviolent citizens, and work with the community to for real
solutions. We believe that this was step towards number one, three, and five. We need to join with groups like the United Way to assist with real solutions for our veterans. The Veterans Treatment Court is a diversion program for justice involved veterans who are currently facing prosecution for one or more
criminal cases. The program offers offenders and treatment officers that are judicially supervised. It is designed to divert JIV out of the traditional criminal court process into the appropriate rehabilitative uh alternative. The program helps by diverting them from traditional criminal
justice system and providing tools that they need to lead to productive lives styles improving mental health recovery and re-entry into the community. Respect for our veterans is one way that we can show that our we care about their service and we ask that you accept this grant as well as any other ones that
provide solutions to our community's issues. Thank you. >> And Mr. Burnham is not present. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second on this item. Any further discussion? If not, cast your vote. All right. Passes unanimously.
Takes us to F5, which is consideration of the fiscal year 26 professional services contract between Tarant County and Challenge of Tarant County for the provision of substance abuse planning and advocacy services and support for the benefit of Tarant County residents.
All right. Do we have a motion on this item? >> Move approval. >> All right. We have a motion to approve. I'll second it. Uh, any discussion before speakers? Speakers are Nan Terry and again Mr. Burnham.
Good morning. I I appreciate that staff has brought this before you and I'm glad we are doing an assessment of substance abuse planning and advocacy services. Um, I hope the report uh covers
individuals with various ages and if you're looking at the juvenile group, I hope that the juvenile ages before and after the YAP contract was terminated will be addressed. and and I'd like to help to wonder if they could also determine why the Tribune article
reports that Taran County leads the state in the number of juveniles sent um offsite for housing or detention detainment. Um most criminal most crimes are related to drug abuse and so substance abuse this follows in line
with the report on substance abuse planning. Um, if we can stop substance abuse planning, we can probably stop a lot of crimes that are committed and I hope the report addresses that. Thank you. >> All right. Still no Mr. Burnham. All right. We have a motion and a second
on this item. Commissioner Miles. All right. We are passes five to zero. All right. Now we go to F7. No. Yes. >> Yes. >> F7, which is consideration of the fiscal
year 26 professional services contract with courtapp appointed special advocates of Tarant County for the provision of courtappointed advocacy services for the benefit of Tarant County residents. >> All right. I'll move to approve this. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any
discussion before I assume speakers? All right. Katherine Godby. And again, Mr. Burnham, >> uh, yeah, I just wanted to thank you for entering into this services contract with CASA. It's a great organization. I
looked up the quote from one volunteer who said, "Over the past few months, I've had the honor of meeting and supporting the children assigned to me. I began to recognize this role isn't just about giving time. It's also about being a voice and pillar of stability for these young lives. The comprehensive
training and ongoing support from this organization, including a dedicated volunteer supervisor have been invaluable. So, thank you to the staff and whoever else is responsible for this contract. >> And still no, Mr. Burnham. All right.
Please cast your votes unless there's any discussion. Commissioner Miles is in. Passes five to zero. Now takes us to F10. Consideration to submit a fiscal year 27 juvenile justice and truency prevention
grant application to the office of the governor. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second to approve this item. Any discussion before speaker? >> All right. Adrien Smith. Adrien Smith. I am one with the people.
This agenda item speaks to the importance of every youth matters and the school to prison pipeline doesn't have to be the way of life or any youth seeking to spread their wings. The youth of today are up against so
much opposition for their growth and development that any investment that seeks to ensure a promised future for them should always be given the highest regard. So
I'm sure we'll get a file across the board approval for this. This is important for you. And I just want to say I did read into the uh language that accomp accompanies uh this particular agenda item and it it speaks to the
success rate that this program has had. Um and I feel like I know this county will continue uh pushing forward hopefully. But uh yeah, this for the success rate that this program has, I hope it's my hope that it continues to
get even higher. It states that 62 youth were supported in this program previously. Hopefully this number would even get uh just go become greater. And the factors that uh come into play when it
concerns these youth that find themselves in this program that are not addressed in this I would like to put on the record. One would be illiteracy, uh, poverty and then policies that are created for the purpose of ensuring
failures because we know that there are things that are created to ensure failures for certain youth within society. So we have to also make sure that if we are going to continue pushing for youth betterment that illiteracy has
to be addressed. It has to be addressed. Poverty has to be addressed and then we have to do away with these policies that seek to destroy youth. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. We uh those that's the only
speaker. So, Commissioner Miles, are you in on this? Any discussion before voting? All right. Passes unanimously. Next, we have F11. which is consideration to submit the fiscical year 27 violence
against women formula grant application resolution to the office of the governor. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve this item. Any discussion before speakers? Uh Katherine Godby and Adrienne Smith. Uh yeah, I understand this um violence
against women formula grant programs are designed to help reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and that the funds will help us develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies as well as strengthening services to victims. So,
thank you again to the staff and whoever's responsible for obtaining this grant and hope it makes it into the regular budget next year. Mr. Smith. This particular agenda item in its importance should be echoed throughout all of Taran County. Violence against
women is one of one of societal amongst us that has taken so much from so many. And we owe it um we owe it to for ourselves to to to continue to push for greater
um restraints or I wouldn't say restraint for greater we just leave that great we need we need to put great greater uh effort towards ensuring that our women are protected but if I could we shouldn't stop it just
women we need to include girls because most of this domestic violence. It's just not with women. It's it's happening with the younger generation, the girls, you know. So, we have to find a way to affect our girls as well because
they're taking on this the domestic violence aspect of life at a young age and and they're growing up with it and a lot of not making it into adult life. So, thank you all. Again, I know we're going to get a five close board vote for this um particular agenda item. Let's uh
continue to advocate for women and girls and their growth, development, and protection and violence of any kind is not acceptable. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Any discussion before voting, Commissioner Miles. All
right. Passes unanimously. brings us to item F12, consideration to submit fiscal year 27 general victim assistance direct services program grant application resolution to the office of the governor. Move >> approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve
this item. Any discussion, Mr. Burnham? I did not see him show up. Okay. Any discussion before voting? Commissioner Miles.
All right, passes unanimously. Now we move to F-13, consideration to submit the fiscal year 27 state criminal justice planning funds grant application resolution to the office of the governor. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve this item.
Mr. Burnham not present. All right. Uh discussion or vote, Commissioner Miles. All right. Passes unanimously. No, it doesn't. We have one straggler
from precinct 4. All right. Now passes unanimously. Your chair. This is this is would be F. Is this 13 or 14?
Just did 13. Just did 13. 14. All right. F14. Consideration to submit the fiscal year 27 state specialty courts grant program application resolution to the office of the governor for the mental health diversion court. >> Approval. Second.
>> We have a motion. I think it was Krauss, but I don't think it matters. Second from Commissioner Simmons. Uh Paul David Williams, Katherine Godby, and Lon Burnham. Um, I had an experience. I take
medication and I failed to take my medication and got myself in trouble with the law and I got sent through the diversion court and uh it was a very good experience and I went to a classroom where we all sat around and we
made name tags that sat in front of us. We were handed out a booklet that had this information in it. Um it's a wellness recovery action plan. Uh it has concepts for recovery
including hope, personal responsibility, education, self- advocacy and support. It includes system awareness symptom continuum so that we can follow up on our lives as
after we get out of the course. And uh I I highly recommend that we continue this course for the people that need it is very very helpful. It helps me very much. I appreciate it. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you sir for sharing your support for the program. Yeah. More good stuff happening in Tarant County. Uh this mental health diversion grant helps reduce the jail population. I assume I think I hope and
uh it will help more individuals who should be having mental health services available to them actually get them. Provide community- based treatment, crisis response and stabilization. Some of these grants even help with housing, which I hope is the case here. So, thank you again to the staff and whoever's
responsible for this and look forward to funding it in the general budget next year. >> And it was it Burnham was next. >> Yeah, that's right. All right. And he still has not arrived. Okay. Um we have
a yes from Commissioner Miles. All right. Passes unanimously. Now we go to F-16. Consideration to submit the fiscical year 27 state specialty courts grant program application resolution to the office of the governor for the Tarant County Veterans Treatment Court. >> Move approval.
>> Second. >> We have a motion and a second to approve this item. >> Billy Wilson Okay. Felt kind of need to do this because of the other grant. But we for many reasons I always already stated submit that hope that you would submit
for this grant because along with all the veterans treatment services program this can help us to achieve the mission to divert justice individual veterans justice involved veterans, relieving overcrowding the jails, addressing the mental health needs and ensuring successful entry into the community. We
need all of these grants, not just for our veterans, but for our youth, for our mental health, and all the other things that we can do to increase decarceration. Thank you. >> Thank you, uh, Commissioner Miles. All right, any discussion?
All right, the votes are in. Passes unanimously. Now we go to F17, consideration to submit the fiscical year 27 grant application and resolution also the governor for Tarant County family recovery court program. >> Move approval. >> Second approval. >> A motion and a second to approve this
item. Mr. Burnham didn't walk in to my knowledge. All right. Uh any discussion? If not, cast your vote. Or if so, cast your vote. All right. passes unanimously.
Now we move to item H1. Item H1 is consideration to submit fiscal year 27 grant applications and resolutions to the office of the governor for the drug impact rehabilitation enhanced comprehensive treatment and reaching independence through selfmpowerment court programs.
>> Move approval. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second to approve H1. Uh, Miss Terry, Aunt Nan Terry. The commissioner's court is being asked to consider the submission of the FY2027
grant applications and resolutions to the office of the governor for the drug impact rehabilitation enhanced comprehensive treatment direct court program and reaching independence through self-empowerment rise court program. I want to thank the staff for
bringing this submittal to the court. The direct specialty court program has been in continuous operation since October 1st, 1994. The rise specialty court program has been in continuous operation since February 1st, 2011.
If approved, uh the county will receive funding of $170,000 plus for the direct court and 37 about 375,000 for the rise court. The grant is runs the fiscal year for 27.
Since this program has operated since October 1st, 1994 or February 2011, what are the results? Has the auditor's office or perhaps the uh IT department conducted a research program to
determine if these the success of these programs? And if these documents exist, why aren't these reviews of the program included in the online agenda? I support this program and programs like this, but I think the public should know what we are getting and what the results
are. Also, since it's been around since October of 94 or February of 2011, it is safe to say that Taran County relies on this these programs. And what happens if these source funds dry up? Do you or the budget office have a plan to replace these funds if the source funds are not
available the following year? Again, I want to thank staff for the preparation of this submitt and I hope the court approves it. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, Commissioner Mauls. All right. Passes unanimously.
Now we go to K3. This was removed at the request of the tax assessor, Rick Barnes. It is the consideration of a building renovation of the subcourthouse at Mansfield for the tax assessor collector's office. Mr. Barnes. >> Uh thank you, commissioners and court.
Our office spends a great deal of time trying to figure out how to improve our services to the taxpayers of Tarant County and this request uh came out of that conversation. Um but and it's not a huge expense, but we're asking that we move the expense for this from the
general fund to our VIT fund. Uh it doesn't make sense to try to figure out how to do better services for the taxpayers, but then ask the taxpayers to pay for that. And so I'd like to just ask Ellen to move that over if y'all will approve that. It also relates to what we did in the your next item number
four. Uh in that item that was to improve our services in this building. So we already did that for that one, but this one was directly servicing the taxpayers in Mansfield. We just ask that you move it to VIT. Okay. All right. I'll make a motion that we approve
second >> item K3 but take the funding out of the his fund not the general fund or the capital fund. >> Explain his fund. >> You want to explain that? So we have a
ve vehicle inventory tax fund that the the when the uh the dealers miss deadlines, miss events, they they receive a fee from the government to uh from actually from the state government that comes directly to our account. And so this is an account that we can spend
that for this because it relates directly has to go right back out to uh vehicle servicing. And so the what we're trying to get done in Mansfield is to improve the servicing to the taxpayers particularly as they're coming in doing their car registrations. All right. Any other questions for Mr. Barnes?
>> Yeah, this just uh speaks to the improvements that uh we need at the Mansville Subcourthouse. Um so, >> okay, there's a motion. You had had a second, but I wasn't quite done. I'm
assuming your second is still good. >> Still good. >> Okay. Um any other discussion? Commissioner Miles? All right, passes unanimously. Now we go to N1.
N1, which is consideration of an agreement between Tarant County and the 8th administrative judicial region of the state of Texas to employ an auxiliary court coordinator. Move >> approval. Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second
on this item. uh Nan Terry and Lon Burnham. >> I just have a few questions. Which courts within this area, criminal, family, civil, would get this auxiliary coordinator? What would their role be?
Why do we need another auxiliary coordinator? And how many auxiliary coordinators does the county have? And and really what I'm curious on is what triggered this request and you know AI Google it's all kind of interesting when you put in what triggered you know what
auxiliary coordinator what pops up is an article from a couple years ago when Taran County was proposing to reorganize the court staff and I was wondering is does this have anything to do with that and you know why are we doing this thank you
>> all right Mr. Burnham. No. Okay. Um, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion? >> Um, so Chandler, uh, are you able to answer that question? >> Which one specifically >> that, uh, Miss Terry asked? >> There were several. Which one?
>> All of them. >> So, uh, this was a request that came from Judge Evans, who is the presiding judge for the judicial reason. uh this basically civil service requires that the court allow individuals to work for more than one uh group or department at
a time. So this is the request of the court to allow this individual that is currently employed as an ox court coordinator to also work for judge Evans in the eighth uh judicial region the state of Texas which is the judicial region will be reimbursing us for all
costs for Mr. Laroo's time spent uh working at the judicial region. >> Thanks, >> Commissioner Miles. All right, any other questions or discussion? All right, passes unanimously.
Now we go to item 01 which is consideration of the second amendment to the policy for the dispositions of deceased poppers. And I will move to approve second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any
discussion before speaker uh Nan Terry? I want to thank the Emy's office for bringing these policy amendments to us. I want to remind everyone that all of these people were someone's beloved son or daughter, perhaps a brother, sister,
mother, father, or perhaps even a child. And I was looking at the timelines and I I started asking around and found that some localities use two weeks instead of 10 days to dispo dispose of the remains um when they can't find the necks of
kin. And I was wondering if there's space available because I do understand that space to store these remains is an issue everywhere. Um, and if there and there are a few locations still or few instances where you may not have the 10
days to find the next of kin and as how many people actually find the next kin after we've disposed of the remains of the bodies. I know when this was an issue a few years ago, there were people who were found after the remains were disposed of. Um, but would it might even
be cheaper in the long run if the next of kin took responsibility instead of the county? And what is the impact if we wait two weeks like other localities do instead of the 10 days? Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, we have a motion
and a second on this item. Any discussion? All right, please cast your vote. We've done Commissioner Miles. All right, passes unanimously. Uh, next we have Q13,
which is consideration of an amendment to an RFP for an annual contract for inmate communication services. >> All right. Do we have a motion on this? I'll move for approval. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second
on this item. Any discussion? Uh Paul David Williams and then Katherine Godby. Um I heard that the there aren't enough tablets and I heard that there are people using the
tablets that there are to watch movies and play video games. And there are other people that need the tablets to communicate with their families that aren't able to do that. And uh there seems that there would be a
priority for the people to communicate with their attorneys and their families over people playing video games and watching movies. And it it it just seems to me that if we can't get more uh tablets, then we could make it a
priority for people to be able to do so instead of playing games and watching movies. Thank you. >> Following Miss Godby, Mr. Burnham and then Miss Terry. It looks like the rate per minute for a
phone call is almost doubling from 3 12 cents to 6 cents. I've read that Dallas County is at 1 cent and they're trying to eliminate it alto together which I totally agree with. a county government. Um, our this county
is making $125,000 a month, $1.5 million annually from this contract. And I just don't think the county should be making money off of incarcerated people and their families.
The vast majority of detainees are held pre-trial. They are legally innocent, but they languish in jail because they cannot afford bail. The average amount of time they're there is almost four months, during which time they've likely
lost their job, maybe their car, who knows? Because they could not afford bail. They're already poor. And here we are, a rich, growing county, making them pay to make a phone call, making them pay for their pre-trial
electronic monitoring devices they have to wear, making them pay for seeing a parole officer. I mean, we're driving these families further and further into poverty. Now, I'm not sure I've read this contract correctly. It could be we're making less than we used to per
month, which I would say, how great, except that making 1 cent off of them is not right. We should be doing everything we can to help incarcerated people stay in touch with their families and friends because that is a proven way to reduce
recidivism, which saves the county money, which you say you want to do. Tarant County and the Tarant County Jail are shamefully trapping lowincome people
into poverty. It just makes no sense. Mr. Burnham. No. Miss Terry. I appreciate the idea that the increased offerings of this con this amendment will help reduce recitism, but I think
something is missing. The m as Katherine said, the majority of the people that are in jail are too poor to make bond. If these two poor pe detainees are too poor to make bond, how will they be able to afford these new offerings? Is there a program for the indigent to be able to
afford these programs? Do we have an average cost for the programs that will reduce recidivism? The people who approach me to talk about a loved one in jail most frequently mention the cost of communicating with their loved ones. Do we have figures on the average amount a
detainee spends who is there less than a week versus detainees who are there over a month versus detainees who's are there because bond has not been set. Do we even know the average cost paid by a detainee in the jailbased competency program?
The people I know who have been a part of that jailbased constant program don't even have an account. Uh so what is the average cost? It's not in the documentation that was submitted. And why is this a fiveyear contract? None of your terms are five years. Why
is this contract five years? Again, what happens if for for people who have no money? How do they access the tablets or the phones or communications? My last comment has troubled me more ever since I read that we make 125,000
monthly or 1.5 million on this contract. Are you proud that you are really making money off the backs of the poor and the incarcerated? Do you know how bad that sounds? How does that compute with Matthew's gospel when Jesus say asks
what you have done for me for the least of these you have done for me. You should be embarrassed. >> All right, we have a motion. We have a second. Um any further discussion? >> Yes, I um I agree with
both uh speakers. Um I saw this and I saw it last I I see every contract in which we are charging um these inmates. Um and it's a profit center for the jail. Um, one big
profit center for the jail could be if we would finally begin to charge the city of Fort Worth for housing um, their inmates. Um, I brought this up
years ago. Um, Dallas, Dallas County does it uh, with the city of Dallas. Um, city of Dallas pays uh the county to take their inmates until a case is filed. Same thing with Travis County. We're not doing that. If you want to
charge somebody, charge the city of Fort Worth. Um, our our jail population used to be um approximately 40% of um our inmates were from city of Fort
Worth, city of Fort Worth arrestes. So, um, that's, you know, that's all I have to say about it. >> All right. Any other comments or discussion? >> Okay. Commissioner Miles, yay or nay?
>> Did he say nay? Okay. >> Nay. >> All right. All right. All right, it passes 3 to two, which brings us to R1, which is consideration of a memorandum of understanding between the Tarant County Sheriff's Office and the US
Immigration Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations uh to prevent and eradicate the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Um I will move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?
Uh Nan Terry uh and Lon Burnham. >> The agenda actually says it's a consideration of a platform user non-disclosure agreement between Tarant County and Street Grace, Inc. to access and utilize artificial intelligent
platforms. >> Yep. >> Uh that's interesting. Mhm. >> That's what mine says as well. >> It's not what mine says, but >> that's what mine says as well. >> R1. So, I read it wrong or obviously.
>> So, I will reread it if I may borrow this. >> Sure. Grab your phone there. This is not the first thing I read. It's consideration of a platform user nondisclosure agreement between Tarant County and Street Grace, Inc. to access and utilize artificial intelligence
platforms. Man, how'd that happen? Okay, >> thank you. >> Thank you for bringing that to my attention. >> You know, everyone is always for the protection of children and against the exploitation of children and I am too. But this non-disclosure agreement
concerns me. If AI identified someone incorrectly, what recourse could that person have if there are non-disclosure agreements between the county and this organization? Two countries have banned Grock recently because of its AI images. AI is not perfect. Would these NDA
agreements prevent a person from clearing their name or their reputation? Would this NDA agreement prevent someone charged but not convicted from determining how their name appeared with this program? Perhaps someone stole their Wi-Fi connection and the IP
address was incorrectly attributed to the owner of the account and the not the user or the algorithm was flawed. What recourse would someone have with this NDA agreement? I'm all against exploitation of children, and I'm all for keeping children safe, but I'm also
against wrongful accusations or convictions, and so should you. >> Uh, no, Mr. Burnham. All right, Alexander Montalvo. All right. Um, so I want to read a couple of
things from this agenda item because I too have some concerns about this uh agreement that is being pursued between the sheriff's office and this platform. uh first, you know, utilizing artificial
intelligent platforms. My first question is what is the county's standards and what are the protections? What have we as a county put into place when it comes to utilizing artificial intelligent
platforms in any capacity? Have we established any kind of protections or do all Tarant County employees currently have full access to plug something into chat GBT to upload data to do whatever
they want? How are we protecting the data of the county and what it's responsible for and how people are using any artificial intelligence. So, as was discussed, the a non-disclosure agreement between this organization
using artificial intelligence becomes even more concerning because we're not putting in a policy that protects the people's data and the information. We're simply trying to protect to cover our own assets to
so that nobody knows what's going on or what goes wrong. So, within this item, it says, "S Street Grace is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and eradicating the commercial sexual
exploitation of children." And I'm not that familiar with this organization, but as a faith-based organization, I think faith-based communities have a huge problem right now with sexual exploitation of children, including Robert Morris out of South Lake right here in Tarant County, who was just
charged with that. So, what is their what is the sheriff's goal in terms of using this and who are they going to be focusing on around this work? Now, it says the fiscal impact is there no cost Tarant County to access and use the Gracie and Transaction Intercept, which
Gracie is their AI tool to analyze and to try to catch people who are interested in this stuff. But once again, we have no insight in terms of how that's being utilized and and what is going to be coming of those conversations and things like that like that. And as we know with anything with
big tech, if you're not paying, then you're the product. And so what what are we supposed to do with artificial intelligence as different departments just willingly want to pursue these non-disclosure agreements and have these
collaborations? and we actually don't have any standards or protections and we haven't established anything as a county. >> All right, we have a motion in a second. Uh further discussion.
>> Yes. Um so I want to see if Mr. Mendes can come up and address uh part of that. Do we have policies with regard to artificial intelligence? Good morning. Um the county has
instituted a policy that the only AI tools that employees can access from their work uh environment uh is our own Microsoft copilot u artificial intelligence engine and all information on that is totally and
completely contained within our Azure which is our cloud structure um uh environment and does not get exported to anywhere else in the artificial intelligence world and so we have the protection of making sure that chat GPT
uh you know claude anthropic uh you know Grock all of those uh are not accessible from and and cannot be used in the work computers and as a result we can have data exfiltration from the the county systems into these systems outside. uh
regarding this particular software um uh my colleague um the siso for the county uh has uh done a complete analysis of this and I would ask for him to come and address any questions regarding that software. >> Thank you. >> Good morning. So I did read through uh
both contract as well as uh reviewed the software there. The county will not be exposing any data. it it's it's all open source intelligence that will be coming in that
we'll be reviewing. Um, and because it's open- source intelligence, the the chances of misidentifying, it's it's analyzing it's analyzing trends. is piecing
together bits of information that then has to be analyzed by law enforcement in a traditional manner. The odds of misidentifying and bogus uh prosecution of a person almost zero.
I I would to give some background. I started my career as a Dallas County Juvenile Probation Officer. spent five years out on the streets chasing sex offenders. This is near and dear to me. But I'm also going to ensure
that there aren't any false prosecutions as the county is protected by that. That's what I get paid to do. Now, I have full confidence that this software is going to keep the county protected while still allowing us
um to to fulfill our mission of tracking down predators. >> Did we go out for uh bid on this or how how did this
one faithbased organizations software product come to our attention? Do we go out for bid? Um, are there private industry uh private firms that offer the same type of thing? >> That I'm not aware of. This was uh excuse me. This was brought to my
attention by purchasing after uh the uh process was engaged through the sheriff's office. >> Speak more on that if you want. >> Yes, sir. I'm gonna let our human trafficking commander Kevin Turner explain uh the software, how we how we want to use it
and uh things like that. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon. Uh in regards to the bid process, since this was free of charge to law enforcement, purchasing determined there was no need for a bid process on this particular platform. This platform is currently being used by
other law enforcement entities across the country. Uh so it has been proven. In regard to some of the questions about uh inaccurate prosecutions or identifications, our current use for this platform is a deterrent platform.
Uh that right now there are not going to be any criminal cases generated off of this platform as far as any interaction that these individuals have with these chat bots and things. So our primary goal uh in any exploitive uh situation whether it be human trafficking, online
child exploitation is to try to deter that activity. And a big part of that is to get online and engage with these individuals that are out there and let them know, hey, uh you've been flagged. Uh you're committing a felony offense by
engaging in this behavior. Uh and it's also going to link them to resources. uh if these individuals have an addiction uh to pornography, it links them to resources in order to address that. If they have a sex addiction, it also has a a links to that in which they can
address those addictions. Again, our primary focus is try to deter this activity so that exploitation does not occur. Uh and this is one way to do that. Uh this is in accompanying with our proactive operations that we do uh
using undercover officers that engage uh online in an undercover manner with these individuals that do lead to arrest, but this particular platform is being used as a deterrent platform at this time. >> Okay. U so are there other platforms out there that we could have considered? I
understand um you're saying this was free. >> Um >> yes, ma'am. Free is not always good. Uh but I but I hear you. Lots of others use it. >> Did we look at any others private industry, other faith-based groups that
offer this? >> Well, to our knowledge, um that this is a more of a soul source type platform that they are the ones that generated this and in company with Microsoft came together with street grades to create this program. Um so, uh to my knowledge,
there are no other platforms like this particular one. Uh I've not done a lot of research to go out there and actually look for those. Uh this is a platform that is often uh presented at several conferences across uh the state. Uh when it comes to human trafficking, child
exploitation, the Dallas crimes against children conference is often presented at as well. Uh so it is a platform that is recognized across the state uh as one that um primarily can be used as a deterrent platform but in some entities in some areas of the state they are
actually using this to create criminal cases out of >> that's all I have. Thanks. >> All right. Any other questions or discussion? Yes sir. >> Yes. I have a question. Uh can you you referenced other law enforcement
agencies using this platform? Can you cite some of those other law enforcement agencies just for my uh knowledge and benefit? >> Well, I I can tell you one locally the Fort Worth Police Department has access to this platform and I know that um when FIFA is coming that there are other
entities. Arlington Police Department is also looking at employing this platform during uh the FIFA uh u matches. So, those are two local. There's other ones across the state and across the country as well. I just don't have a direct list of all those, but I can get that for you if you'd like.
>> If you could, I would appreciate that. >> Yes, sir. >> That's all I have. >> Okay. Uh, we have a motion and a second. Please cast your votes.
All right. It passes 4 to one. Now it takes that's the end of the consent portion. Now we move to a public hearing. Item 81 to consider amendment number one to the Tarant County 2025
through 2029 consolidated plan and program year 2025 action plan in community development. This is a public hearing. There's no one signed up to speak to this item. Anybody have anything on the court on
this? >> So, we we are we do need a motion to adopt the amendment. Correct. >> That's my understanding. Move for approval. >> Second. >> Yeah, we have a motion and a second to adopt the amendment. And is your motion also to close the public hearing?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> You second. Okay. >> Um any discussion? >> All right. Please cast your votes. All right. We are a yes there. So that's passes five to zero.
Now brings us to item 9A1, consideration of out of state travel requests. Do we have a motion on the out of state travel requests? >> Move for approval. >> We have a motion to approve and a second. Any discussion?
Let me look here. I don't see any. Okay, with no discussion, please cast your vote. All right, passes unanimously. Item two, consideration to approve additional funding for outside council public interest legal foundation in the lawsuit entitled Jackson versus Tarant
County. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second on this item. Discussion before speakers. Sure. Um, so this, uh, contract was agreed upon with a $250,000
limit. The contract states, quote, "This agreement outlines a not to exceed amount of 250,000." And that limitation is reflected in
court order, court communication, court order 14539. We were not advised that costs would exceed what was initially requested and approved. So if work continued beyond the contract
limit, why was the court not made aware before the authorized amount was exceeded? So, Commissioner, the only comment I'll have is uh we were made aware once we received the invoice, which is what generated us putting this action item on
the agenda, >> but the firm should have notified us before they exceeded the amount. >> Yeah. I don't know if the DA's office who worked directly with them have any has any comment on that.
Uh we we had no involvement with those invoices coming in. So we're >> I'm sorry >> our office did not have involvement with approval of the invoices. Uh so we have no information on that front. >> So but who who is in contact with the firm? So, if you if if the DA's office
was in contact with the firm and the firm says, "Hey, our next steps are going to take us over 250,000." It seems like that's a kind of discussion or email or something that would have >> to the best of my knowledge, we had no
involvement with the actual billing amounts. >> Who Who's dealing with the firm? uh the the DA's office did. Again, we we brought the contract to court originally. We had it approved. Uh we
had paid invoices up to the amount approved by the court once we had received an invoice over that amount. That necessitated this item being placed on the agenda. That's been the extent of budget and admin's involvement with this. >> I get it. But other departments don't do
it that way unless there's a slip up. But the the practice and policy of the county is that you have to um you know if you're going to exceed something you got to get approval. If you're going to spend something you got to get approval
to spend it. So if you're going to exceed it then it should have come before the court before um you know the the approved amount was exceeded. the the contract further states the firm
will provide the county with an itemized billing statement monthly. Um the bill should be submitted within 30 days of the end of the billing period in question if those things occurred. Mr. Kratle,
did you rece Well, wait, you're not getting the invoices, correct? >> I >> DA DA's office doesn't get the invoices. >> Not to my knowledge. They go straight to >> I receive. >> You receive them. Okay. So, did you
receive monthly billing statements from the public interest legal foundation in accordance with the requirements of this contract? >> Yes or no? >> Well, I receive them. Yes, they are received monthly. They received for a month's time
>> and so they've already spent spent the money. >> The prior to this last invoice that we received, they still had a balance left of the 250,000. >> Say, say that again. >> Prior to the last invoice being
received, they still had a balance uh on the 250,000. What was the balance? >> I think it was approximately $30,000. I can't remember exactly. Is Travis? Yes. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. It seems to me if they see they're going to exceed, they would get with the county and say, "Hey, we're about to exceed." So, now we're here. Um
just trying to figure out who had knowledge that the contract is approaching or exceeding its authorized limit. No, nobody. And then what is the standard protocol for notifying the court when a contract is at risk of exceeding its approved
amount? What's a standard protocol >> when it comes to legal counsel? Uh what the practice has been that the we received invoices that show that they were over the amount and then we present it to court for approval. This is not go
outside of the standard that we've done in the past. >> Okay. So if in my department I spend over an amount, I can come here and get the overage approved. You typically we get it
approved before we spend it, right? >> Well, we haven't spent it. That's what this is for. Asking your approval to pay it. It's not been paid. >> Okay. Has So, of the 250,000 only, all of it's been paid except for
30,000 or so. >> This last invoice has not been paid at all. So, it's it's the amount that we're asking that exceeds the 250. >> Got it. Okay. All right. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> All right. Any other questions before speakers? All right. Our first speaker is Reed Bills and then Paul David Williams. Having already paid the contracted amount of $250,000
for a case that has been dismissed, Pil is coming back for an additional $75,000. To further clarify Commissioner Simmons question, I quote from the original contract.
In the event the billing reaches $250,000, the firm shall brief the Tarant County Commissioner's Court on the budget and what options are available to continue the matter.
Is a representative of Pil here today to provide that be briefing? I understand a representative has not already briefed the commissioners and adequately justified this additional expense to
continue even though the case is closed. So that's a contract violation on the part of Pil provided the original maps for redistricting and they were so flawed that they generated two court challenges
of racial bias. Several speakers came forward and suggested that this firm was not appropriate to handle the defense. In my opinion, if hired, they should have served pro bono. They certainly
shouldn't be paid this additional $75,000. Following Mr. Williams is Billy Wilson. Um, are we setting a precedent where anybody that wants to ask for an extra 33% over what we agreed that we'll pay
that amount to them? Um, it sounds like we don't even know what we're paying for. And it sounds like u I don't it sounds like that we don't
have a obligation to pay that amount because we have a contract that says differently. Thank you. >> Following Mr. Wilson, we have Nan Terry. >> The 2020 election was not stolen. Harder Garcia did a good job. Crystal Mason
should not have been prosecuted. Anthony Johnson should be alive today. Wrongheaded is a democratic institution that seeks its direction from national institutions over the will of the people. Don't say you didn't know. We pleaded
you not to go down this road. We warned you that their racist leanings and litigation that they had they were already facing. We warned you of the drain on the uh county budget defending racial gerrymanding. We warned of the harm of of this uh to our contiguous
communities. And so here we are because of your desire to please the dear leader in Teran County red. Our budget is now running red. We will be in the red. we will be follow having faced these lawsuits as well as the ones to the uh
for the jail desk because one person believed he wanted this time. Nobody else suggest this play. You ask who is the person of contact. I think it should be the person who brought them in without any other word advice from anybody else. The judge brought them in
and I think he should be the one that speak to these type of issues. And so because of your Okay, I said that part. if you could perform. I believe that our judge when we did this that we asked our lawyers could they do this and
they said that they could but we decided not to do that. It is a slap in our face to not use the people that we have and to give our funds to a group who has done so much harm to our community at the request of one man. I say we do not
give another penny to p. Thank you. >> Thank you. Following Miss Terry, we have Linda Hanrady. >> How does PIL define not to exceed? How do you define not to exceed? Periodically, you have items come back to this body for additional funds
because some people do understand what not to exceed means. That's what should have happened here in my humble opinion. I have a 90 plus year old house in your district, Mr. Ramirez and I know what not to exceed means and my contractors
know what not to exceed means. Regardless, not to exceed means stay within your budget. And you So now we'll see what your actions show and if you know what not to exceed means and you have the county's best interests in mind. If the grant for
the United Way is a 100 veterans at Veterans Court for 25,000, could we serve an additional 300 people in Veterans Court with these funds? What about a donation of that amount to the Taran Area Food Bank? If you approve this, what message are you saying to the
other lawyers who have not to exceed contracts with Tarant County? You've got two on the agenda for Anthony Johnson's case. You'll decide in a few minutes. What message are you sending? Are you sending the message that the county is a blank check? That you don't need to know
what not to exceed means because the county will pay for it. Approving this is fiscally irresponsible. Why should Taran counties absorb this mistake? Please show some fiscal restraint.
>> Following Miss Hanratty Lon Burnham as he arrived. First of all, happy new year to everyone. >> Happy new year. Happy new year. >> Um, and I live in precinct 4. >> I object to additional funds for pilf, which somebody call pilfer, which is
probably a better name. Commissioner Simmons said it best. Paying pil is like paying the arsonist to put out the fire they started. $250,000 was too much. paying an additional $75,289
because Pil couldn't stay within their budget is totally unacceptable. Thank you. Uh Elizabeth Miller and then Dr. Valencia Edner Happy new year. I just wanted to take a
quick moment to point out that it's not just the legal fees we've already paid and the additional ones we'll also have to pay, but all the resources this county has spent on the redistricting. And just remind everybody that a lot of
people in this county aren't Democrats or Republicans, they're others. and we put the taxpayers and the county through all this and it's caused some discomfort in our county and perhaps even inspired other people outside the
county to do redistricting. But I just wanted to bring attention to all the expense to us for this change which is going to change one county commissioner and I'm not sure that the rest of the taxpayers who are smart enough to be
oblivious to what we're all doing and go on with the regular lives would appreciate knowing all the time and resources and money. I'm not necessarily yelling at y'all. I just wanted to take an opportunity to bring attention to all the angst to resources we spend to make
not no offense Commissioner Simmons. Not that the change is potentially small. That's not what I mean. I mean it's important who's in the seat, but you know what is ultimately not a big deal for regular people. >> So please try to check the resources we
and time and energy and angst we spend on this redistricting nonsense respectfully. >> Following Dr. Edner. We have Harriet Harold. >> Happy New Year. >> Happy New Year. >> We hope.
>> While the law speaks of representation and dem and democratic process. We witnessed through this redistricting um a betrayal of both. Voices were invited to speak but not to be heard. communities showed up, testified,
warned, pleaded, and proposed, and still a racist and inequitable voter map was pushed uh through as if the people were an inconvenience rather than the constituency. Now comes the deeper insult. After forcing through a map that
disenfranchises black and brown per uh voters, fractures community, and protects power instead of people, those responsible want taxpayers to foot the bill for defending their actions. You pushed through a plan that displaced
the political voice to pay $250,000. And now you're asking the very people harmed to pay well over $300,000 to defend a decision made in bad faith. No is a complete sentence.
The firm must have thought they had latitude. Again, insulting and unacceptable. That is not governance. That is coercion. This is systematic gaslighting. Expecting the public to finance the defense of injustice while being told is
for its own good. It asked for harmed. It asked the harm to subsidize the harm to silence the to the silenced to bankroll their silencing and the marginalized to underwrite their own eraser. Let's be clear, accountability
is not persecution. Legal defense does not become a public obligation simply because power was misused. When leaders ignore the will of the people, dismiss public testimony, and entrench inequity by design,
the cost of that decision should not be transferred to the communities they refuse to honor. Democracy is not performance. Public comment is not a checkbox and injustice cannot be invoiced to the
very people it has failed. >> Following Dr. Herald, we have Adrienne Smith. Is Is there a name or can you see the list of all the speakers? Is there a name after Montalvo? >> Okay,
I say amen to what you've already heard, but I feel strongly about this and want to say more. Pilf again. This is a group whose involvement in Tarant County has already done serious damage. Their
so-called consultation on redistricting was biased and agendadriven. And they offered no meaningful public engagement. They refused to answer basic questions, refused to interact with concerned citizens, and refused to treat public
input with the respect it deserved. And after all that, you hired them to defend the county against charges tied to racism and constitutionality in the work they themselves did. Who else would have
stomached it? So you approved a contract not to exceed $250,000. That was the deal. That was the public understanding. And yet here we are with PIL essentially saying we couldn't stay
within our budget and we want more money. Perhaps defense of the indefensible was harder than they thought. So they are asking for 75,289
more taxpayer dollars. That is price gouging. Take note, commissioners. Pilt is now trying to treat you the way they treated the voters of Tarant County with contempt. I'm angry about it and you should be
too. Because when a vendor takes a not to exceed contract and then comes back asking for tens of thousands more, that is testing this court. If you vote yes,
what message do you send? That Tarant County is a blank check. It's a cash cow for PIL. If you truly intend to live up to your promise to save taxpayers money, then
say no to pill. If this co court court votes yes, I'm calling on the media to report it clearly and thoroughly that Pil has skirted public accountability, charged this county for the consequences, and
then come back demanding more, and the court cave to their non-contractual demands. So, please vote no. Do not reward pilts behavior. Do not validate
price gouging and do not spend one more taxpayer dollar than you committed to. Following Mr. Smith, we have Robert Van. So speaking to this particular agenda item, I would say 90 93 days for the
northern district of Texas to determine the redraw maps here in Taran County were not illegal. I want the people to know who continue to stand in opposition to the redrawn county maps that an election year is
upon us. Your vote is the ultimate power for change. Thank you, Commissioner Simmons, for bringing up this uh well, asking the necessary questions as to accountability. Why are we the taxpayers having to pay
more? It seems like they already got their $250,000 uh payment. All right, so 75,000 seems like seems like someone is getting a bonus. Uh now to the decision
to the decision one it was a it seemed like it was I say 93 days it seems uh a fast track trail you know this this trial is a fast track we are in Texas it's a red state I don't care for either blue or red I don't I'm down the middle but we are in red state so we understand
the ramifications why this trial was fast track two it seems like someone had a dog in a fight Three, we who controls the county's checkbook.
I will give you the spelling my spelling of my name to correct me. So if you write me one, I will gladly accept it and I will give you the amount that I'm looking for. No, no vote of approval
should occur until this firm gives an account for for why this money is necessary. You already heard from staff that no one had answers.
No one from staff had the answer. All right. And I don't think it was those moments where we kind of got you. It wasn't a gotcha moment. A simple questions being asked as to who, what, when, where, and why. So you all have
the opportunity to regardless of this political divide. It's 32. Let's all get all three. 32. Cool. You all have an opportunity to table this until we
get an account as to why this $75,000 $75,000 is necessary. And judge, you speak of physical responsibility. You you you you you man on it. Let's see it in action.
We have an opportunity, sir. Let's see it in action. That's just don't be words. Let's be about action. Thank you. >> Uh following Mr. Van, we have Joe Palmer. Thank you. Most of what I had to say has
already been said. Starting out with Commissioner Simmons. So, you started out, you gave this firm, the Public Interest Legal Foundation or Pill, $30,000 to do a job. You knew that there would be lawsuits
following. So eventually they came back and said, "You can't you you decided to use that firm to defend yourselves against the lawsuit." And the Greek paid them uh and the quote
I quote, $250,000. It said the the paragraph on the physical impact of the thing says, "Hey, quote, funding shall not exceed $250,000 without commissioner's court approval." unquote. So now they're back. They want an
additional amount. And I asked, did someone from the county approve this additional expenditure prior to? And I think that question has been pretty much answered best I can tell. Uh before the court actually approved it, is that legal? And then
I've noticed that Judge O'Hare has already signed it as approved. Did the Republican members of the court get together and agree to approve it? Is that a violation of the Open Meetings Act? Or did the judge just assume that his
fellows would vote in favor? It's signed, approved. The taxpayers of Taran County were already being badly hurt by the whole Republican racial gerrymander fiasco. The bill for all these changes necessit necessitated by the gerrymander will be
huge. This has already been brought out. We don't know. Pil another thin dime. >> All right. Next, we have Joe Palmer. Following Mr. Palmer, we have Mr. Montalva. >> Thank you. If I had a a car, if I were
to take my car to a mechanic and he quoted me $2,500 to fix the transmission and the next call I got from Well, the next call I got from was good news. where are 30% below budget and then the next call I got from them. We're going to be the bill is 30% over budget. That
would be a problem. I'm coming at you on this thing. I I know it's the redistricting, but strictly in terms of saving money in terms of keeping us out of a lawsuit. You know, I think it was John F. Kenton said the job of the president number one is to keep the country out of war. I believe the job of
the county judge and the court is to keep us out of lawsuits. It's lawsuit after lawsuit. There's a bunch of them on this agenda. Um, if I were in Harris County as a Republican activist and Lena Halgo did this, I'd be on fire. I'd be out there. I would be knocking doors. I'd be telling people all about this
stuff. But because it's us, because it's our team here, I can't play that game anymore. It's probably I don't advance in the Republican party. That's fine with me. I'm free. This is really important for us to Okay, this is a win for us. If we abandon this contract with PIL and go with somebody local, like has
been said before, that is a win. That is not a loss. That's not an abandonment or an embarrassment. They're the one thing that I want to highlight that staff said was um they were 30 30 they were at 220 at
the time of the last invoice. So since that time to now that they've gone to 105 extra. How long ago is that invoice? I might have missed it if it was said. What was the likelihood at the beginning of this whole thing that we would get
sued? And what was the substance of the discussion at that time that Pil was going to be chosen to represent us in such a lawsuit? Or what chances did a local law firm have at that time at the very beginning of being considered to
represent this county? You have the option to cancel the contract with pill. You have the option to terminate it. I saw that in the agenda. And so for any reason it says so this rises above any menial reason if it is true what was said before somebody
cited the contract and said that they've failed to meet the terms of the contract by reporting. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Montalvo. So, let's call this what it is. This is classic government cronyism. right now.
Your whole pursuit for redistricting was y'all want more Republican representation. And what is that getting us? As mentioned, lawsuit after lawsuit. And now we have somebody that you picked, judge, which I want to hear on
record in y'all's discussion how you are justifying if you're going to vote for this extra invoice. Now, I think everyone is coming to you to say make the right decision. say, "No, you don't get past the amount we contracted you for, and that's it." But if you're going
to improve this, I and everyone here want to know exactly the justification of what you're making to improve this extra money. And listen real close that it's not cronyism that is ultimately motivating
all of this stuff. If your leadership in the Republican party and your party's perspective is fiscal conservative, being fiscally responsible,
this flies in the face of all of that. This isn't rugged individualism of a law firm that's going to milk the taxpayers over and over. This is a political party that does not
care about serving the people and using dollars to help people in this county, but is more motivated to get money into their ecosystem so they can keep power. Power for what? To keep getting more money. That's all this is right here. if
you approve this additional invoice and for this extra $75,000. That's all it proves. So, I want to hear on record what you're going to have to say about this because this is your mo actually if people do
their history with Farmers Branch. You love using the taxpayers piggy bank to fund your people to get money into the hands of the ecosystem you believe in and the people are not served in the
process. And yeah, you'll go on your political speeches and say you're reducing taxes this that or whatever, but what's actually happening is you're stripping government from its ability to actually do its job, which is serve the people in this county. So you'll cut
human services. You'll do all kinds of things that people are in need. You'll impact JPS where people are getting life and death care where they're on their deathbed trying to survive.
So what's it going to be, Judge? What's it going to be, Tim? Let's hear your answer. >> All right. Any other comments or discussion from the court members? >> Yes. So I want to I I think I asked this
maybe I was not clear. So who authorized the continuation of work? Who authorized the continuation of work once the contract limit was reached?
So some who is the person in this county that is talking to Pil that was that's briefed by Pil. Surely PIL is saying
okay we we have to file this we have to do that we have to do this who is that person in this county when filings occur
because so for example um in the Johnson lawsuit case I've asked the district attorney's office to send me every filing, every piece of paper, every action that happens in that case. And so
I receive those, they they send them over. Um, so I could say I can see what's in invoices, too. I'm in a position to say, well, I know what's happening in the
Johnson case. I know how much we're spending because I've asked for it. Um, and so I can read it or not read it, but but the DA is somebody in the DA's office who's is responsible for the
Johnson case. Um, they are in touch with those law firms will approve some contracts today. Um, somebody called with regard to these two Johnson contracts. Somebody somebody called and said,
"I know I used to be the lawyer. I'm the lawyer for this detention officer. I'm changing law firms." Somebody communicated that in advance. Uh, and so we know that who in this
county authorized the continuation of work or did PL just not say, hey, you know, we've got we've got more work to do. We're going to exceed 250,000.
Did Did they not say that? Who are they communicating with or they're not communicating? They have cart blanch with who authorized the continuation of work. >> So all I can say on my end, ma'am, is we receive the bills. We see the bills are
within the authority amount approved by the commissioner's court. This bill exceeded that amount. It comes to court for their consideration. Typically, all legal matters with regards to the county are handled by the civil division of the district attorney's office.
>> Mr. Price, did you authorize the continuation of work? Is Is Mr. Price Craig Price here? Not here. >> I thought he was here. >> Oh, there. There. Sorry. These are
computer glasses. Everybody else is blurry. Did you? >> No, >> you did. So, the chief of civil did not authorize the continuation of work. >> Is it you?
>> The the game you're playing at the moment. >> Ain't no game. So the >> quiet the game you're playing at the moment is you know that we've had multiple legal matters before where when
there's not a monthly billing cycle or there's not a court meeting the legal work doesn't stop. I would assume they continued the work because there was a flurry of activity in filings and appellet briefings and part of their
contract is they bring it here for us to approve. I don't believe the contract states before we will do any legal work you must give us approval for it to continue. What Mr. Merritt said they bring it to
us for consideration. So the you keep asking who gave them approval as though someone gave some express approval. I doubt anyone gave them express approval to continue representing the county that they were
hired to represent. So they just kept working and and and to to your point about legal work needing to continue um this court decided to go to one meeting a month. Okay. So
that that presents one problem. We also as a court have the ability to call uh call meetings to vote on anything that arises. So um that doesn't hold water.
We could have approved um exceeding the amount uh on any given any given day. Um, but somebody
authorized continue continuation of work or or they just knew they could do what what they wanted to do and they did it. Um, you know, again, we're confronted with a
lack of transparency. I talk about that a lot. You you all come and talk about that a lot. It is consistent. It is inconsistent with the terms of this contract and with our responsibility as a court
to provide to approve spending beyond the original contracted amount without first without first receiving the detailed briefing explicitly required by the agreement.
This court has a duty to uphold fiscal responsibility and safeguard public dollars. Approving this payment without prior briefing shifts our role from active oversight to reactive approval
and that undermines accountability. It weakens transparency. It erodess the public trust in how taxpayer funds are managed. Um so I I'll stop. Um I'll be voting no
on paying PL the additional $75,289. As far as I'm concerned, uh it's a donation. They didn't come to us. We didn't check in with them and say, "How are we doing? Do you need any more than 250,000?" Um,
I consider it a donation. This is consistent with their um previous not to exceed contract of $30,000 to produce redistricting maps. They wrote off all that money over 30,000 roughly 8,000. Contracts
have consequences. So, >> all right. Any other discussion? >> Yes. I would just like to say for the record, I will not support a pay increase to
PIFF because of a unwarranted, unnecessary, and quite honestly harmful decision to do mid decade redistricting. It did harm to not only my community but
several community communities across the county and residents of Tarant County. I will not support paying pills any money to exceed the parameters within the contract that was agreed upon.
>> All right. Any other discussion? All right. Commissioner Miles, you are a no, correct? That is correct. >> It passes 3 to two. Next item is 9 A3 which is consideration to accept the
resignation of probate judge Brook Allen. We also have a corresponding item and closed. I would assume the route we would take on this would be discuss this and closed get legal options and then come back if there's action to take
afterwards here. That was my intent by placing it on closed in case the court wanted to have that discussion. >> All right. So, that's what we'll do unless there's any objection. Uh, okay. With that, it is now 1:10. We are going to take a
break until 1 It's now 1:11 until 1:23. So, we are in recess until 1:23. His That's working. one. >> I was going to say we're missing two.
Okay. All right. We are back from recess. First item to discuss is item B1, consideration of the attorney employment agreement engaging the firm of Oldm Clement and NOGA as outside council for the defense of
Tarant County employee Rose Moody Royce Moody in a lawsuit entitled Anthony Johnson versus Tarant County. Move for approval. >> All right, I'll second that. And any discussion before speakers?
>> Yeah. Um, so looks like we might run into the same problem we just got finished discussing. Um, so I think what would have been smart is to have a second or a third and fourth item on the
agenda. If if the amount is the contracted amount is 30,000 right now. That first
um what's his name? Roy Smoody. Roy Smoody's attorney. Um, they're at 21,000. So, I'm sure they'll soon exceed
30,000. Hope not. Don't even want to pay him 30,000. And then same thing with um Kim Noble's attorney. The contracted amount is 30,000. there are 29,000.
So, uh we just we continue to, you know, pour unknown amounts of unbudgeted money at $300 per hour, attorney fees to defend these rogue employees. I mean, I can see how much is left in
this allocation. I can see the cap. with the settlement have been less. Um I just we can change we can change firms but um these these people are going to go over the these firms are going to go
over the limit pretty soon. So >> Mr. Crowavville, as a refresher, we are statutoily obligated to provide defense counsel for these employees. Is that correct? >> That is correct. So we we there's not an option that says we've already paid them
too much. We can't keep doing it. We have to continue to provide representation for them in this matter. >> We are required by statute to provide representation. >> Thank you. >> But we're required to approve the contracts. Do you have to approve the amounts?
>> We're required to provide representation in some form, Commissioner. >> Okay. So, we've been approving these contracts or they've been approving these contracts at 30,000. Um, so before
they go over, should we approve another should we discuss and closed u another amount um or just let them do like we let PL just go over? Everybody can just go over
>> for both items one and two under the district attorney's uh section. We're asking the court to approve another $30,000 with these contracts in both of these uh outside council agreements. >> Okay. So, this is not just moving
uh or changing the the law firms because the lawyer's changing. We're also asking for additional funds. >> Correct. We were asking for both. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Any other comments or discussion
before speakers? First is Reed Bills, then Bishop Kirkland. Here we go again. You are asking for more dollars to hire outside counsel to represent an employee in this suit brought by the Johnson family against
the county. An additional 30,000 all after already having spent almost 30,000. The attorneys you have already hired and paid should have completed negotiations to resolve this case long before now.
The additional money allotted may also be insufficient and the total cost of this case to taxpayers will continue to rise. The money spent on attorneys at least $370,500 should be spent on compensating the
Johnson family or restoring funding for the very social services that will help prevent a need for awarding damages to those who have been abused by the jail system. It is time to settle this matter.
>> Following Mr. Kirkland, we have Jacqueline Johnson. >> Bishop Kirkland, um I just want to go on record of saying way back when this all started and we were talking about the 30K that I said
then we were going to exceed that. And uh thank you Commissioner Simmons for bringing us back to that. Mr. Krauss, uh we need to pay attention to how we word things. You're absolutely right that because there are civil servants, uh,
council has to be provided. But what you're incorrect about is the fact that we have to go hire these people to represent them when we already have civil attorneys on staff.
It is an embarrassment to our county. It is an embarrassment to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson that we come in here and we talk about Marine veteran Anthony Johnson as if he's simply a
statistic. These people are the fall guys for poor leadership in the jail. No one else is being held accountable
for the murder, not the death, the murder of Marine Anthony Johnson Jr., but the people at the bottom, all the people at the top hands are being washed by this 3 to2 vote every
time we come in this room. And there is no accountability. You have shown your hand too many times. We know exactly what we see. >> Following Miss Johnson, we have Adrienne
Smith. >> To those who may not know me, um I am the mother of Anthony Johnson Jr. who was murdered in Tarant County Jail on April 21st, 2024. When I saw representation for Royce Moody on the agenda, I had to speak.
The public needs to understand who you are defending. Moody is one of the guards who pepper-spray my son directly into his mouth. The medical examiner ruled that my son suffocated both with the pepper spray and the physical force used on him. The pepper spray was not
incidental. It was part of what killed him. So, Commissioner Ramirez, explain why no one has been indicted for the chemical part of his death. Marino is charged for the physical part.
He is the fall guy for everything. And what about Garcia, the one recording? Is this someone's part of the deal that protects the others? I'm asking you directly because you want votes.
So, will you actually look into this? Are you only looking for votes from a select few while claiming to represent all of us? At some point, an elected official has to take a stand instead of hiding behind
legal obligations and pretending their hands are tied. This trial is being pushed closer to election season and everyone can see the timing. There is a video that shows exactly what happened. There is no
reason this should take years unless the goal is delay, protection, and political convenience. Commissioner Ramirez, the question is simple. Will you demand answers about the chemical part of what suffocated my
son or will you continue to stand behind silence and politics? Community is watching. >> Following Mr. Smith is Mr. Mononttovo. So this particular agenda item item and the one do the to follow. I'm going to yield my time for the one that's due to
follow just kind of for the space of time. I just would like to say Mr. Krauss you did say one thing. You just said statutoily required. Now I know someone who writes checks. I would like one at the end. But he said statuto
required there statutory but there we can't forget about being morally right. There statutory and there's morality. Statuto morality. Nothing should ever exceed morality. Morality is
simply just doing what's right. Right and wrong. Right and wrong. You know it seems like we have forgotten we have gotten away from the idea of morality. Now, I'm not for anyone's livelihood being uprooted because of a decision
they made, but there are consequence consequences for the decisions we make, whether good or bad. Now, we're spending more taxpayer money to defend
employees of this county. I I it sound like a conflict of interest to me because I it's from the language it states that this is a civil matter which I thought civil matters were more handled on the federal side. But hey, again, I'm I'm a novice when it comes to the legality of how things work. But
it does sound like a conflict of interest. So, if we're going to spend more of the county's money in defending individuals for uh litigation purposes to defend them in courts, we could have easily solved this. We could have easily solved I
don't think it's about money with the with the Johnson family. It's it's about first and foremost accountability. You all refuse to release the video for whatever reason. When it's public, it's it's it's for public consumption. You know, something happened in a county
space which we the taxpayers uphold our dollars. So, whatever reasons you all decided not to release videos. Hey, I don't think it's it's not about money. I'm sure it's not about money. It's about
remembering the life of a man who died at the hands of a system that was supposed to consider his his his human nature. Despite the reason why he was incarcerated, he's still a
human at the end of the day. And I will continue on with more that aspect of my talk in public comment. But again, we could have easily been done with this. But no one want you don't you know why you don't want to write your check because you don't want to you just don't
want to say hey we're wrong you know but wrong is wrong and right is right simple as that said commissioner her and I know you understand that concept because your face it lets me know you do understand what I'm saying >> Mr. Manville.
>> All right. So, we're hiding behind this requirement that we have to give representation, but can someone explain to me why the only option for representation costs $300 an hour? >> Are there no other options that we can
consider? Why are we paying so much to represent county employees within a system that refuses to address the deaths and
murders that continue to happen in our jail? At what point are y'all going to be motivated to put on an agenda item to address the systemic issues within our jails that are resulting in so many
lawsuits? and resulting in so many dollars that are having to be spent and having families suffer through this process where it's taking years to address
accountability within the courts while more people die and while more people are murdered. Is this the kind of law enforcement, Manny, that you aspire for this county to have?
Let's milk the taxpayers because I know your money has come from taxpayers your entire career as a police officer and now a county commissioner. So, you're not out there making it on your own. You're asking us to provide
you a living. We're providing a living to these law enforcement agents. within the jail or anywhere else. You haven't represented opposition to ICE and how they're murdering people in the streets.
So, is this the kind of government you are wanting that citizens and residents of this county can be murdered and you feel your only obligation is to have us foot the bill?
But you're never going to ask the sheriff to come here to talk about what are the systemic issues that are causing this. We're keeping a tab on you folks. And I know Tim, you were silent in the last agenda item. I'm assuming you're going to be silent again.
Not strong enough to to tell the people what you really think on this. You just want to cut checks for your lawyers. Cut checks for lawyers. Cut checks for lawyers. I guess that's the operations of our county, right? We're accounting that lawyers can come make money. >> Yes. >> Off us.
>> That's the business we are in. >> But we're not going to serve the people and we're definitely not going to address the injustices that happen when they're murdered. All right. We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion from the court members?
>> I just want to make sure I understand something, Mr. Katabil. So on these two items, the fiscal impact associated with
I'm looking at Moody right this second. The fiscal impact associated with representation for this client to date is $21,616. That's what they had spent of the
30,000. Correct. >> From the prior contract. Yes. With the previous. >> That's what's been spent on. >> Yeah. Okay. From the prior contract. You're saying once we once this contract
is approved it it's going to be the balance of that, right? So 9,000 left. Correct. >> To make sure I understand you correctly, you're saying that once this is approved, they will have $9,000 remaining. >> Yes. >> No, Commissioner, it would be
>> It goes back to $30,000. >> Yes, they have $30,000. >> Okay. All right. Huh. >> And that the case is the same for both contracts. >> Got it. All right. I didn't I didn't quite get that, but um that's why I came
back to it because you said it earlier. I said, "Let me make sure." Okay. >> All right. Anybody have anything else? All right. Please cast your votes. All right. That's a Yeah. >> No, that's a no. I'm sorry. I had my
microphone muted. I'm sorry. >> I said that I had a comment that I wanted to make. I'm sorry. >> Oh, yeah. Go ahead. >> Uh, Commissioner Krauss, thank you for telling us what our legal obligation is
in defending county employees. I understand that it's our statutoatory obligation. However, for me, I can't get past my moral obligation to stand
with the Johnson family and the loss of their son while he was in the custody of the county jail. I cannot get past that. Who's going to speak for the Johnson family?
I think that we have a moral obligation to tell the truth and just be honest. It's our fault that their son is dead. And he was killed at the hands of county employees.
I don't want to rehash how that happened or why it happened. The truth is is that it did happen. And I think we have a moral obligation to own that, to speak it and to give
some relief to this family. And part of, in my opinion, giving that family relief is telling the truth and being honest and being accountable for what we did. And although I have a statutory
obligation to defend these employees, I in good conscience am not and cannot do that because of the moral implications for me. So with that being said, I will vote
against these two items to further fund the legal counsel for these county employees. All right. Anybody else have anything? All right. The votes are in. It passes 3
to two. Moves us to item B2. Consideration of an attorney employment agreement engaged the firm of Thompson Co. Cousins and Irons is outside council for the defense of Tarant County employee Kimberly Nobles uh in the Johnson versus Tarant County lawsuit.
>> Move for approval. >> All right, we have a motion to approve. Um I'll second it. Uh discussion before speakers. All right. First speaker is Reed Bills followed by Mr. Palmer. >> Do you wish to speak?
>> No. >> Okay. Mr. Palmer following Mr. Palmer is Mr. Smith. So obviously the reason I started coming to these meetings was a jail deaths. Um I just would like you to settle with the family. I don't know if efforts are being made to settle with the Johnson
family. They probably are. Give you the benefit of the doubt. But I don't I don't see that. And I think it would be good to show that. I think it would be in good faith. My shortcoming in politics is that I view the people um as having to fight off the government in a
lot of instances regardless of what the issue is. Not a lot of people agree with me, but when you have a choice of whether to represent the people or be a voice for the people or be a voice for the governmental body. Um to me it looks
like circling the wagons. It looks like smokec screen, chuck and jive. obfiscate, prevent, prevent, prevent, willing to give this much money to law firms instead of this much money to the family of the victims. They've gone through uh two Thanksgivings now and
they've gone through two Christmases. I lost a friend very close to mine, close to me. Uh she died very young, too young. Um and I have a box by my door. It's got a bathroom fixture in it that she really wanted. I got it at an estate sale for her. I texted her a picture of
it. She says she loved it. It's still by my door. She died two months ago. And every time I go out the door, I see like I got to get that to Jana. Oh, can't get it to her. Doesn't matter anymore. I refuse to move it. I don't know why. What's it like to lose a son? And what's
it like to lose a son and then have your county hire nine law firms or whatever the count is now to fight you, to go to war with you over what is righteous. I'm asking you to come out and be ye separate and look into these people's eyes and
see them as human beings and see them as your brothers and sisters. It's not a loss to settle. It's doing the right thing. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Smith. >> Okay, Mr. Montalvo. So, the conversation for this item
before y'all vote, which I'm assuming is going to be 32, is can we get an answer of what other legal options are available to the county? What other representation options are available that we feel
forced to overpay all of these lawyers in a situation where the county murdered a citizen? We need clarity. We need information.
Krauss, are you going to ask that question to the staff because you love being confirmed like ah we have to do this but are you going to pursue any other questions to find out whether this has to be our only path
that the taxpayers have to pay this much money that the families have to go this long before resolution or is your only interest in saying when I have to and when I agree with it, I'll follow the law no questions asked.
But in other instances, I'll fight tooth and nail until I get what I want because that shows us that you don't care about the Johnson family whatsoever. But I will give you this. You at least do speak to the mic. Manny, I don't ever
hear you say anything in this court. Are you an actual commissioner here in this county? Because you don't engage in these meetings whatsoever. As we are coming and asking these questions, do you know your job? Do you know what you're supposed to be doing in this
space? Because these are people in your precinct. Anthony Johnson Jr. was a constituent of yours that was murdered. And it's my understanding you haven't met with a family whatsoever,
even though you promised to do it. So, do you know your job as county commissioner? Because it looks like you don't and you say next to nothing when it comes to the amount of hundreds
of thousands of dollars that will eventually be millions of dollars the county spending. So, I would clarity from you. Do you know what your role is in this space when it comes to citizens being murdered and killed in the jails and what kind of
accountability we should be pursuing? Because it looks like we're with the lap and we're giving seed money for them to start their own law firm by working with Tarant County. Is that in the business you're you're in for this county? Let's help lawyers get their own firms
and continue to milk us for more money. I would love for some information. I know a lot of other people would too. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion from court members? >> All right, I guess we have our no vote
uh from Commissioner Miles. So it passes 3 to two. Brings us to item C1, consideration of a property use and fee waiver request from the Tarant County Historical Commission to conduct guided public
tours of the 1895 courthouse during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Parade. >> Move approval. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve this item. Any discussion? All right, please cast your votes.
>> Where'd he go? >> Here I am. >> Is that a You're voting for this. >> Okay. Passes five to zero. Next. C2 is consideration of a property use and fee waiver request from the Tarant County Bar Association to use the
Vandergrip Civil Courts building for a mock trial competition. >> Move for approval. >> Second. >> Second. We have a motion and a second on this item. Any discussion here. >> All right. Please cast your votes. Yes.
From Commissioner Miles. Passes unanimously. Item C3, consideration of a property use and fee waiver request from Commissioner Precinct 2 staff to use the subcourthouse in Arlington for a kidney wellness and health expo. >> Move approval. Second. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second
to approve this item. Any discussion here. All right. Please cast your vote. All right. Passes unanimously. Now we go into purchasing. I'll make a motion to approve items D1
through D8 if unless there's an objection. >> Second. >> Approval. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion on any of these eight or any questions on any of these eight?
All right. Seeing none, cast your vote. All right, passes unanimously. Now we go to D9. So I have one question
on nine I annual contract from Microsoft enterprise agreement and licenses. Uh who can tell me when this is due? >> When is when is this up for renewal? When how
>> the current contract ends on April 30th? >> Okay. So, uh, there is a meeting that I have set up from a vendor that reached out to our office with, I believe, Chandler and Andre
coming up. And one of the things this vendor um states that they do is get very significant uh reductions from what Microsoft charges
government entities. This is kind of what they do for a living and they've been hired in a couple of different states and different places. So the question is can we wait for this meeting before passing 9 I
and this meeting is taking place this month >> if we could approve the permission we can hold posting the bid >> okay >> because we don't have >> this is just
this is just an RFP permission And how exactly do we do an RFP for Microsoft? >> We would award based on >> Is there anybody that bids besides Microsoft? I mean, is there
>> Well, I'm sure >> these are different vendors trying to sell Microsoft sellers. Yes. >> Okay. So, we're not going straight to Microsoft. Okay. All right. Yeah. No, that's fine. I'm I'm cool with that. >> Okay. And I make a motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Uh, we have a motion and a second. I did have one more question on an item 9C, Green Bay Jail Retrofit Lights. Um, the reason listed
on changing the lights out is reducing electricity costs. Do we have any idea how much we will be reducing electricity costs by? No sir, we don't have those numbers. The real reason would probably be is the
actual fixtures. They are no longer manufactured. That's really the real reason why >> there will be some savings because the LED Go ahead. >> The other thing I'd say judges, we actually ran the savings when we did the LEDs for the parking garage over here and it did actually show savings, I think, of an ROI of like 18 months or
something like that. So, we anticipate something very similar coming from this project. >> Got it. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion or comments? >> Yes, I have a I just have a question
about item number E under permission to bid permission to take bids. Um, so I see uh an analog camera system. Analog camera systems. What's that about?
>> So this is the current uh jail security system that's in there. It's outdated. It's analog. Uh, this is going to upgrade it. Uh, and yeah. >> Okay. That has those checking. I was hoping we weren't putting analog camera
system. I'm like, wait a minute. >> Okay. All right. Any other questions or comments on this item? All right. Seeing none, please cast your vote. >> Oh, we do.
>> Where is this? Oh, sure do. Where is that? Who's the speaker? I don't see it here. >> All right, Mr. Palmer. I >> think it was early on in the system, we got an email indicating what all that
you have on record for us signing up for. We don't get that. Um, just as a way of confirming that we are expected to speak. Um, you've got software and ammo and building maintenance on the same RFP. I
would like you to move to to table this until the next meeting. I don't like RFPs that have those vastly different things on the same RFP. The the agendas are are too much. They're too big because you're meeting once a month. We need to go back to two
meetings a month, please, so that the agendas can be more easily managed by staff. That's my opinion. Item A on this RFP is the correction center envelope renovation. Envelope meaning the exterior. This is a good expenditure. This uh part of this is a
good expenditure. It's the the resealing of joints and the masonry uh to prevent worsening of the cracks and so forth. But as far as repainting handrails, metal gym screening, metal louvers, and removing, cleaning, and reinstalling mesh screens, I don't think that you
need to do that. said the purpose of this is stated to maintain the facility's safety and security to improve its durability and weathertight envelope and restore the overall aesthetic of the building's exterior. I think that the number one reason for this sub item is for the aesthetics of
the exterior. I think the secondary motivation is the improve the durability of the building and then the third is the facility safety and security. I'd like you to look at item A very closely and just question whether or not these are things we ought to be spending money on. And if we're going to be
spending money on the jail, which I'm wholeheartedly in support of, we need to be spending money on things like lighting and like making sure the fire hoses are long enough to reach all areas of the building. The variances that I brought to this court months ago need to be addressed. I would say no money for
aesthetics, no money for cosmetic stuff until the functionality of that jail is brought to a level that's acceptable. It's been said that the jail is the Cadillac standard. It is not. This is evidence of the fact that it's not. We're doing some of the things that
need to be done, but no aesthetics, no cosmetic stuff. >> Thank you. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion or questions? >> Yeah, just a question. Quick brief question. So, it looks like we're
looking at $23.5 million of improvements for the sheriff's office. Is that about right? Where'd he go? I think I did the math on that.
Um item, excuse me, item H, we already had approval for that um from the last court meeting, but we're what we're we bought it back because we're requesting permission to do a RFP on that item.
>> So is approved, but it's back. Yes, because we have to ask for permission to do a RFP. >> Okay. So, we're about 23.5 million for the sheriff's office with all of these
um >> submissions. Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any further discussion? All right. Please cast your vote. It passes unanimously.
Brings us to item 101, consideration of appointments to boards or commissions. Do we have any board or commission appointments? No board or commission appointments. All right, seeing none, we will move to briefing section. The first item is a briefing regarding the jail death of
Richard Gutowski. >> Thank you. Good afternoon, court members. Uh we did ask the sheriff's office uh if they would like to have someone here to brief on this item. Uh they responded that uh because there is uh this is an active investigation, they
would not be sending anybody. However, I do have the press release of publicly available information which I'm happy to read into the record if the court so chooses. >> Sure. Go ahead. >> Okay. Uh for immediate release, this first one comes from August 6th, 2025. reference in custody death. On
Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, jail medical personnel from John Peter Smith Hospital responded to medical emergency inside the Tarant County Jail involving a 61-year-old male inmate. The inmate was transported to JPS hospital where he passed away. He was arrested by the White Settlement Police Department for
criminal trespass. He arrived at the Tarant County Jail on July 29th, 2025. The Tarant County Medical Examiner's Office will determine his cause of death and release his identity. All in custody deaths are investigated and reviewed by Tarant County Sheriff's Office, Jail Staff, the TCSO Criminal Investigation
Division, the Tarant County Medical Examiner's Office and Outside Law Enforcement Agency, JPS Medical Staff, the Texas Attorney General's Office, and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Uh, in reference, and this also JPS was also requested to brief on this item,
uh, we did reach out to JPS uh, and they sent back the following statement. The statement is being provided in connection with the in custody deaths that occurred on 8625, 82425, and 1221-25. Our hearts go out to each of the
descendants families and we are deeply sorry for their loss. While we are not able to provide in-depth information about any of the individuals due to privacy laws, we offer the following statements in conte in connection with each and will only read the one for this agenda item and then I'll read the
subsequent ones later. Uh Mr. Gowski Jr. had existing health concerns that were known to him prior to his incarceration. His treatment plan was continued during his jail stay. On 8625, he called for medical assistance from his cell due to nausea, pain, and vomiting. Later that
same day, he coded and was provided with emergency support and transported to the hospital where he was ultimately pronounced deceased. That's all I have. >> Thank you. Um, I have some questions. Um, you probably can't answer them, but >> I'll try my best.
>> You can you can stay up there for decoration. >> Okay. >> Um, so I I asked for this briefing so the court and constituents can know how Mr.
Gutkowsk's encounter with the Tarant County Jail got us to his death. Um, and from what I understand, Mr. Kakowski was 61year-old white male arrested for
criminal trespass. So, if I'm understanding correctly, well, Mr. Kowsk's bond was set at $500 and he spent nine days in our jail, which transported to JPS. as as you
detailed and died on August 6th. Um $50 would have gotten him out of jail and avoided this tragedy through a bondsman at 10% 10% of the
$500. I mean, it it costs more than $50 to keep any one person in jail for more than a day. Our current average inmate daily cost is $101. So, I guess we should ask ourselves on
this day in the community, is it worth incarcerating someone with a $500 bond who has the possibility of dying in the custody of our sheriff?
Crimes like criminal trespass are usually rooted in other areas like housing insecurity, homelessness or food insecurity and mental health.
If I had a magic wand, individuals with bonds less than 500 would would be given um PR bonds and be released and given a court date. It just doesn't make any fiscal sense to house nonviolent offenders in our county
jail for one day when that exceeds the cost to taxpayers to bond them out. >> What was his cause of death? Do you Does it >> I don't have the medical examiner's report, ma'am. My I'm sure it's still pending, but I don't know that for sure.
>> Okay. We've got to get to a place where we're figuring out how we prevent these types of incidents in the future. You know, I I don't know if you all receive it, but
I get the daily list of uh folks in our jail with bonds of $500 or less. I shared that with other commissioners. They were appalled. They're like, "Well,
we don't keep these people in our jail. Are y'all nuts?" And I'm like, I I'm just a, you know, I'm just asking. I'll be sitting at a conference and say, "Check this out." They're like, "Why do y'all have these
folks here?" Not every last one of them, but um we've got to figure out how to pre prevent these types of deaths. We should This gentleman died August 6th. August 6th. It's January.
Whatever. What What are we still investigating? We should have We should have some answers for Mr. uh Gowsk's family about his death. Thank you.
>> All right. Any other questions or comments on this item before bringing up speakers? >> All right. The first speaker is Reed Bills, then Bishop Kirkland. This briefing item has been on the agenda several times before. with no
appearance from the sheriff. Instead, as today, the county administrator offers reports that are not explanations as to why people are dying in our jails and why there are months delay in
reporting the cause of death. When a county employee is called to speak to the court on an issue as serious as yet another jail death, I think the sheriff should be required to appear and provide the requested
briefing. Not doing so is an act of disrespect to the court and the taxpayers who have come to this meeting to hear the update as well as dereliction of the sheriff's
duty. We deserve better. Uh my problem with you, Mr. Ramirez, you said, I believe it to be October, November. You made a statement and you said something to the effect that we're
finally on the right track in our jail. Not to mention, I think you're the most powerful person on this court. I know what one and two are going to do.
I know what the judge and him are going to do. But you are the most powerful person. I glad you recognize your power. On or about or before 11 a.m.,
Mr. Gakowski was arrested July 29th. By August 6, 7 days later, this 61year-old man with pre-existing health conditions was dead.
I gr to you, Commissioner Simmons. Why on earth are we holding nonviolent offenders for $50? I further agree.
Here we are in January with our once a month meeting and there has been no followup on the death of Mr. Kawasi. We come into this room.
Sorry. You talked about all Mr. Ramirez, Commissioner Ramirez. I still give you that title. You talk about all the wonderful awards we receive and I look for them. The
American Jail Association Award of 2023, uh, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards said we had zero deficiencies. Zero deficiencies. yet six deaths this
calendar year. What an award. You also read that received the Tiny Miller award for jail compassion. We have six people dead and we receive an award
for jail compassion. I kept looking at your list of awards. We received so many accolades for having the veterans pod in our jail.
This place where veterans and we know many of them have PSD and other mental issues. What a great idea for a pod for veterans. Why would Anthony Johnson Jr.
in that pod? You got the award. >> He's a veteran. I'll be >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Paul David Williams and Mr. Burnham. >> Um I wanted to speak generally about the people that have died in jail and the
secretary told me to report to just list under one. Um we don't need all these people to die in jail. We need to do something different. We need to train the officers better or I don't know what we can do but we need to do something different. We can't be killing all these
people in the name of the government. >> Mr. Burnham present. Okay. Next is Miss Terry and then Miss Hanratty. Good afternoon. Most of what I was going to say has been said by others, but I want to read the
custodial death report of Mr. Dukowski. And this is completed by the sheriff's department. Um, it's a little print. Tarant County inmate Richard Gudkowski, white male, date of birth 731964,
had been housed at the Tarant County Jail, Tarant County Correction Center at 100 North Lamar. He'd been in custody since July 29th, 2025 on one charge of criminal trespass class B misdemeanor. Inmate Gukowski
died on 86, 2025 at approximately 10:47 at John Peter Smith Hospital. He suffered a medical emergency in his cell on a on the same date. What's further what's mentioned on some of these custodial death reports is the
time and date they send the inmate or the detainee to J. Yes, that's missing in this account. His cause of death is listed by uh the medical examiners which I found when we didn't realize it up
here. It's peritonitis due to perforation of the colon. Peritonitis due to perforation of the colon is the MA's cause of death. Now, I'm not a medical examiner at all, but I would think peritonitis due to
perforation of the colon would be extremely painful. So, do we know if and for him to be transported to JPS the same day he died seems inongruous inongruent to me. Uh, I wish
the sheriff's office would write more into the custody, amend the custodial death report to explain when JPA when they found out he was ill and transported him to JPS.
>> After Miss Henry is Dr. Edner. I want to thank Commissioner Simmons for approving three briefings on the deaths in the county jail in the last six months. What I had said is that um it's important to learn how and why these deaths keep happening, especially since
the sheriff's office seems reluctant to provide videotapes, autopsies, or other information to help explain the deaths. But what I found here is that there's nothing. I mean, the sheriff's office won't won't appear, but there's plenty of sheriff's
officers down out there to protect, I guess, the commissioner's court from us, but they won't even, it doesn't have to be the sheriff, but there's got to be somebody there to speak for the sheriff's office and somebody from JPS. And they can't be invest all they always
say, "Oh, we're investigating." But we never hear how they get investigated. We still don't know about Chastity Bonner. And that's been years. >> Yes. >> And and her mother brought brought her ashes. You'd have thought somebody would have thought that we could do something.
I'm just appalled. Appalled. And to have somebody with criminal trespassing die. Why didn't they treat him when he came in? He had to be sick when he got to the jail. And he should have been in JPS then, not wait till he dies. Thank you.
>> Thank you. As you consider the next phase of addressing the multiple deaths in this awardwinning jail, will good old boy tactics surface in every investigation?
Why does the pattern never change, only the names? Why can trespassing get you a death sentence? This is a sad reality. We already know what's coming. Three more cases handled
the same way as the others. Performative investigations, no real justice, taxpayer funded legal defenses, endless lawsuits, and paytoplay legal games designed to exhaust the people. disregard the families while insulating
power. >> Let us be clear, we're not ignorant and we do not suffer from political Stockholm syndrome. We see the pattern. We know the playbook. You don't care. But we are tired. Tired of abuse
masquerading as process. Tired of corruption dressed up as legality. Tired of being told to trust systems that repeatedly protect themselves while harming the public they claim to serve. >> This is cyclical evil.
This revolving door of misconduct without consequence is not merely unjust. It's reprehensible. But here's what I do know. Sunday school lesson time. God does not slumber. Nor
does God sleep. Power may evade accountability for a season, but conscious cannot be buried forever. Those who choose to operate without moral restraint, who silence voices, distort justice, and manipulate systems will be held accountable by a power far
greater than any office, any title, or any authority they believe they possess. You may outrun public scrutiny. You may outspend legal challenges. You may delay justice. But you cannot outrun,
outmaneuver, or out trick righteousness. Amen. >> All right. So, this is everyone signed up to speak on this particular item. Anything else from court members on this one?
>> All right. Next. >> I signed up for this and other items. I don't believe you signed up for this one, but your name is not before me. So, we'll go to the next item, which is briefing regarding jail death of Steven Whitley. Uh, good afternoon again, court members.
Uh again on this one I have a uh statement from JPS as well as the press release from the sheriff's office which I'll now read into the record. Uh so this press release is dated August 26th 2025 reference in custody death of an inmate. On Sunday, August 24th, 2025, a
63-year-old inmate passed away at JPS hospital while in custody of the Tarant County Jail. On Friday, August 22nd, 2025, the inmate experienced a medical emergency and was reported unresponsive in a cell. TCSO detention staff at JPS medical staff began life-saving
treatment. The inmate was transported to JPS hospital and admitted to the ICU. Two days later on August 24th, 2025, the inmate passed away. The inmate was initially arrested by the Drug Enforcement Agency on 711 2025 for manufacturing/d delivery of a controlled
substance 4G/200g and had additional federal US Marshall probation violations related to a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance charge. The inmate has a lengthy criminal history dating back to n 1985 and has
been in and out of custody for various offenses including robbery, dog fighting, manufacturing/dely, and possession of a controlled substance. Most recently, March 2025, the inmate was arrested for the manufacturing delivery of controlled substance 4G/200g.
The Tarant County Medical Examin office will release the inmate's name and cause of death. All in custody deaths are reviewed and investigated by Tarant County Sheriff's Office, Jail Staff, the TCSO, Criminal Investigations Division and Outside Law Enforcement Agency, JPS Medical Staff, the Texas Commission on
Jail Standards, and the Tarant County Medical Examiner's Office, and the Texas Attorney General's Office. That's the end of that release. Uh, Commissioner Simmons trying to anticipate this. I did look up really quickly on the medical examiner for Mr. for Whitley. Member uh manner of death was natural. First cause
of death was and I'm not a doctor for so forgive me here hypertensive aoscllerotic cardiovascular disease. Second cause of deaths with COVID 19 diabetes malitis. Statement from JPS on Mr. Whitley.
Mr. Whitley had existing health concerns that were known to him prior to his incarceration. He required intermittent hospitalization during his jail stay on 8225. His cellmate called for assistance from Mr. Whitley and he was found unresponsive in his bed. Emergency
support for excuse me, emergency support was provided and he was transported to the hospital where he was ultimately admitted to the intensive care unit. He was pronounced deceased on 82425. >> All right. Questions or comments from the court members on this matter?
>> So JPS is not here. So, he was being treated from the time he came in. Can you determine that? >> That's I believe what the statement says. Uh had existing health concerns that were known to him prior to his incarceration. He required intermittent
hospitalization on 822. I'm sorry. You know what? It does not say specifically, but uh was found unresponsive in his bed. Now, it does not say specifically about treatment when he came into the jail. I'd have to check that with JPS. >> Okay.
Then he had um let's see 2500 on each state charge for a total of 5,000. Um no, his bond was set at 25,000 for each state charge. Um and then $2,500 on each state charge
for a total of 5,000. that would have gotten him out of jail and avoided this tragedy um through a bondsman at 10%. Correct. >> I defer to you, ma'am. I did not bring that information. My apologies. >> All right.
Any idea on how we prevent these types of deaths from occurring? >> Not at this time, ma'am. >> Okay. All right. Anybody have anything else before speakers?
Uh, Bishop Kirkland, Lon Bnham, Nan Terry, and Elizabeth Miller. Stephen Wade Whitley was the fifth in custody death. Um, this u man was born on July 4th, the day
of independence. I read his obituary this morning and though we highlighted and made it very convenient to lend his criminal past in the in the release I just heard, but his obituary noted other things
about this brother that he was loved, he was compassion, a devoted chef, he loved cooking, he loved sharing. I think it's important that I voice those things about this person and I put emphasis on
person. Perhaps his ongoing issues of health and criminal history contributed to his demise. However, Mr. Whitley and all of his issues became a part or an inmate in our
jail. those issues became our babies. I trust the medical examiner. He's one of the few county employees that I actually trust and I respect him. I don't expect
updates, follow-ups from all of these deaths deter as marked undetermined to come from him. I expect the people on this DAS and more importantly the
sheriff who never could make a grandiose appearance and stand in the face of the taxpayers to off some accountability at question. How can Los Angeles be 4.5
to five times larger than Taran County yet we are running neck and neck with them and in custody debts. How can our tax dollars go to invest in equipment like Axiom cameras and video
equipment yet our serve never releases uneduct unredacted videos. I know for a fact that Mr. Yansancy, who I've spoken to, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, have said, "Please allow the public to
see the unredacted video of the murder of my son. We have a problem in this jail. We could continue to pay tricks and act like we
don't have an epidemic in the jail." No wonder I own Sheriff. Thank you. I'll be back. >> Uh, Mr. Burnham's still not here, I'm assuming. All right, Miss Terry. I'm glad Chandela Rose read the cause of
death for uh Mr. Whitley. I don't believe any of the charges read by the sheriff's press release has a punishment of a death penalty. >> Courts to assign a death penalty as punishment, not Tarant County Jail. The last time this item was brief, I asked why the dashboard doesn't list the
number of detainees awaiting pickup by several entities. the US Marshall's Office, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which probably has quite a few of our detainees, which if we passed them off, we'd have lower population rates. Still
no change. How many people are waiting uh for transfer to a state mental hospital? How many people are in the jail diversion or the competency respiration restoration program in the jail? Those are all items that would be beneficial to the public and possibly
others. Um, and what you see on your dashboard is not the public dashboard. Uh, get a friend who's not in the county staff to give you access to the noncount public dashboard.
But Mr. Whitley died. He died of COVID, diabetes, and heart disease. I believe neither really are a death sentence. 61 is still less than the average age of
death in this Tarant County. Miss Miller. Good afternoon. Um, judge, I I would ask if the county could please do a policy where one could confirm, get some sort of digital confirmation when they're
signed up. Um, I know I'm not the only person that's had that problem. Um, I am disappointed, but I guess none of us are surprised that we're not being briefed on these deaths.
Um, I would just like to remind everyone we're talking about primarily legally innocent people or people who by definition have committed a crime that we have decided as a state is appropriately served at the jail.
Um, as Commissioner Simmons pointed out, in some in some of these cases, we're talking about deaths of people who were in there over a handful of dollars. As a taxpayer, I prefer not to spend money on
those items. I would also prefer if the commissioners in this court would respectfully stand up to the sheriff's department. There is a legitimate reason to delay
for investigation, but there is a reasonable time that an investigation is required. And I have seen instances, it happens, you'll be shocked to hear that law enforcement uses the investigative
privilege to delay turning things over. Let me give you an example. Right now, there's a trial going on of an officer in the Uvaldi shooting. 376 officers were there. 91 of them were
Texas DPS officers. We have seen none of their body cam footage or documents. None. The media and the families have sued to see it and they have refused. The judge has ordered them to produce
it. They refused. They're appealing. The state is helping them with that, which is grotesque. The families have begged to see it. This year, I spent the first nine months in Austin fighting a bill that would have made much of this confidential, and
I would like to discuss that with all of you, please, because that won't work out well for y'all. So, I'm saying this sheriff's department will be hide and others perhaps will hide behind an investigative privilege until you force them not to. Only you guys can do that.
We don't have the power. We want transparency and the only power we have is with you. You are my commissioner. Please do this. You're a constitutional lawyer. Please defend my constitutional rights and get some information.
Thank you. All right. Any other comments or questions from the court members? All right. Now we move to a briefing regarding the jail death of Shante Bratis. >> Good afternoon again, court members. Uh
the press release from the sheriff's office with regards to this item uh dated December 22nd, 2025, reference in custody death. Uh on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, a 40-year-old female inmate at the Taran County Jail was found unresponsive in her cell. Life-saving
measures were immediately administered by medical personnel from John Peter Smith Correctional Health. The inmate was transported to JPS Hospital for ongoing care where she passed away later that afternoon. The inmate was initially arrested by the Arlington Police Department for robbery and transported
to the Tarant County Jail where she has been housed since August 3rd, 2025. The Tarant County Medical Examiner's Office will determine her cause of death and release her identity. All in custody deaths are investigated and reviewed by Tarant County Sheriff's Office Jail Staff, the TCSO Criminal Investigations
Division, the Tarant County Medical Examiner's Office, an Outside Law Enforcement Agency, JPS Medical Staff, the Texas Attorney General's Office, and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Currently on this item, due to the periodicity of the case, the manner and cause are still pending with the medical
examiner's office. Statement from JP JPS on this one reads as follows. Mrs. Bris was not being followed or treated for any acute health care concern during her incarceration, but she was being followed by MHMR for her behavioral health needs. She was found unresponsive
in her cell on 122125 and was quickly provided emergency support and transported to the hospital where she was ultimately pronounced deceased. We continue to await the medical examiner's report establishing the exact cause of death. In accordance with typical practice, senior clinical staff performed a review of each of the
inmates records within a short time of being notified of their deaths and those reviews were later followed by joint nonclinical and clinical staff reviews. >> Questions or comments from court members? >> Yes.
So the JPA JPS statement um is congruent with what uh Miss Brous's mother shared with me that she didn't have any health issues
and that she did have behavioral health issues but she didn't have any medical issues. So, what this mother is trying to get to is how her daughter
died. It's what she's trying to get to. And she hasn't heard from a soul in this county sheriff's office. JPS or MHMR.
We have got to have better processes if we're going to be cool with these people dying in our jail. The least we could do is have some damn decency to contact these people.
She gets a call from the chaplain. She goes to the hospital. Her daughter is dead. I said, "What' she die? What' she die from? What they tell you she was in there for, ma'am?" I
She's like, "They they didn't tell me." In the conversation, I asked her two additional times. I said, "I am I understand you're grieving, but when you got to JPS, what' they tell you?
He said, "She's dead." Of what? From what? I said, "Have you talked to the sheriff's office? Did Chaplain from JPS come out?" Talk did have you heard from. She has an MHMR case, right?
Yes. Commissioner, who have you heard from? Nobody. That's sick. We have got to at least have some decency and have some heart
and communicate with these people whose loved ones have died for whatever reason in our jail. She was found unresponsive in her jail and in her cell,
not sick, not being treated by JPS for anything. Did she fall, hit her head? Was there an altercation? What? What? Tell these people, these families
something. Um her her bail was set she was arrested on complaint complaint of robbery out of Arlington. Her bail was set at 5,000 which means
500 would have gotten Miss Shante brought us out of jail and avoided this tra tragedy prior to September 30th
through a bondsman at 10%. But during her stay on August 14th, 2025, the defense attorney requested competency evaluation.
On August 15th, the request was denied. On September 30th, the defense attorney requested competency evaluation and it was granted.
But then Shante Brris was held without bond. On December 2nd, Miss Brris was admitted into the jailbased competency restoration program. on December 21st. She's dead.
What? We don't have a medical examiner's report back yet because it just happened a couple weeks ago, but somebody knows what she go in for. Um,
and was any of that anything anything determined during the bookend process? And why why do we hold people in our county jail with no bond after being found incompetent? Is that is that a good practice
or can it be revisited? just lots lots of questions, lots of um poor practices, um lots of heartless practices.
Um we've got to do better. We owe the family of Miss Bratis um and all the others, the Johnson's. We owe we owe these people some answers. I wanted these briefed
because we need updates as a court. the public needs update and the families damn sure need to know what's going on or what happened or the status. So, um I'll continue to brief these
deaths and there are some past ones that need to be briefed. Where's the three minutes of missing video from Chassity Bonner's case? What in the world?
That's all I've got for now. >> Any other comments or questions from commissioners before speakers? >> Bishop Kirkland and Mr. Billy Wilson. >> Mr. Chandler, I like you, but you're not the sheriff. I don't expect a briefing from you.
>> Correct. On December 21st, Shante brothers, a healthy 40year-old devoted daughter, granddaughter, graduate of Carter High School of Dallas, was uh admitted was uh arrested in our jail. Um
my my my issues is and I use the term politicks for those who you don't understand that term is politics mixed with tricks and that's all we are getting here. No wonder Sheriff Sheriff
Wayborn would not allow his son to be transported to his own death trap of a jail. >> Correct. He was facing serious charges. Yet because of the hand in hand good old boy network, he never saw our county
jail. Another mental health crisis. Another mental health individual dying in jail. I apologize, Mr. Miss Johnson. Like your
son, she never belonged in that jail. We're calling these people inmates, but other people call them mommy, daddy, uncle, auntie, nephew, niece, brother, sister, son. We cannot continue to
trust. We cannot continue to carry on as business as usual. When we're talking about Mr. Kakowski, Miss Mr. Whitley, Miss Brooks, say their names. They were living, breathing people. I've seen dogs
in this room treated better than you treat people. We went on and on about how PIP is pimping us. We spent over an hour talking about it. Yet, we spend very little time talking about the mises
of our county. I have a problem with our sheriff. He's derelch. He's entertained. Let's quit getting the people at the bottom and hold the people at the top of the chain, the people who are making the
money, who won't even come in this room. Let's begin to hold them accountable. And it is not until then, Mr. Ramirez, you could brag about how great our jail is. I could give a flying fat pig how many awards we got.
>> Following Mr. Wilson, Lon Burnham, I don't see him here. Then Miss Terry >> Shante Bris the 75th of the jail deaths under this current administration. This is three times the national average per the request by the Texas A&M Law
School of the Department of Justice to investigate. According to the lawsuit filed in July 24 by the uh civil rights law uh lawyer Ben Crump, admin, there have been 145 deaths under the current administration. This being that deaths are several times the national average,
perhaps as much as seven times more. This is due in part to the overcrowding because of people being left in jail that should never have been there in the first place. Low-level non-level violent offenses who were maximum sentences a fine that should have been diverted and allowed people to language in jail twice
the length of the time of the sentence on average. Many cases involve abuse, neglect. One was even designated by the medical examiner to be a homicide. Then let us read their names. Billy Ray Freeland 2027. Robert Thomas Renfro
December 22nd 2018. Clinton Don Simpsons November 17, 2018. A homicide. Jennifer Lynn Espinosa uh January 17, 2019. The family said uh they was told she died of aneurysm. We believe it was heroin
overdose. Derek Lyn win uh April 5th, 2019 accident. Seth Kamant death. I hope I didn't say your name correctly. Uh July 26, 2019. Robert Miller, July 23rd, 20 2019. Purpose spray death because uh
was listed as a cickle cell, but he didn't even have cickle cell. Uh Jackson Lee Murphy uh August 31st, 2019. Ricky Farmers, February 26, 2020. Willie Good of March 4th, 2020. Dean Ray Stewart of
April 26, 2020. Suicide lawsuit settled out for $100,000. $400,000. Jose Emanuel Rivera, uh, May 23rd, 2020. Javvante Meyers, the June 19, 2020. The medical neglect and lawsuit, settle for that one for $1 million. Jason Glendon Martin,
uh, June 24, 2020. Abdullah Muhammad, uh, 625, the height of dehydration. Delana Price, uh, uh, September the 9th, 2020. Andre Wilson, September 14, 2020. Dale Garland Thompson, September 28th, 2020. Rory Johnson, uh, November 9th,
2020. Kayla Leroy Craraven, November 10th, 2020. Nancy Lee and Nielsen, TW, uh, December 7th, 2020. Uh, Dexori Lamont M Williams, uh, December 9th, 2020. Lee D. Haney, 1219, 2020. Jiren
Daniel Champton, December 22nd, 2020. Ross Harold Brewer, December 28th, 2020. Zenora. Uh, Lazor, a baby Zenora was May 27th, 2020. We've spent 1.2 million on that one. Cedric Thiel, January 2nd,
January 1st, uh, 2021. Bibo Hernandez Garcia, February 15, 2021. Uh, Timothy Mars will continue on. But lastly, thank you, sir. Chante is on Terry. >> And then Elizabeth Miller.
As we've heard, Shante Levette Bris died on December 21st, 2025 at 4:11 p.m. She was 40 years old. The Taran County Emy's office states that the autopsy reports are pending. According to the attorney general's death and custody report, Miss
Bratis was arrested on August 3rd and entered the Tarant County jail at 9:33. Um, she was found unresponsive in her single cell during a medication distribution with a doctor hard code
being called immediately at approximately 8:41 on the 21st of December. Medical staff responded administrator administered life-saving measures. Aadian EMS responded and assessed the inmate's condition and continued life-saving measures. Aadium
EMS transported her to John Peter Smith Hospital Emergency Department via ambulance where she was later pronounced deceased at 411 on the 21st of December. It appears from the Taran County District Clerk's online docket that Miss Brris was a participant in the jailbased
competency program and had an upcoming hearing in April with a charge of robbery. The death in custody report which is completed by the sheriff's office answered this qu robbery to the question what were the most serious offenses which the deceased would was
charged with at the time of her death but to the question what were the types of charges or reason for contact the answer was violent crime against a person's that charge is not listed in the district clerk's online database but what we do know for sure is that a
40-year-old woman died in the Tarant County jail. She had not been found guilty of any crime. The UT Southwest database that compiles average life expectancy shows within Tarant County, the Fororth area, the county level life
expectancy for a black female is 78.7 years, but the zip code life expectancy ranges from 66.7 to 87.2. Regardless, at 40, Miss Bratis died way too soon in our county jail, having
never been found guilty for a crime for which she was charged. I didn't want to sneak up on you. You hadn't said my name, so I don't want to violate those rules. Um, I wanted to point out on the jail desk, um, I
expressed concern about the jail jails to someone affiliated to this court once and they said, "Well, the jail deaths aren't a problem." And my position is that all of the jail deaths are a problem that we need to understand.
I I want to make sure the court and the public understands that a lot of us are concerned not because we assume that the county or its employees have done something wrong every time somebody dies. I mean, a lot of us die all the time. That doesn't mean the county caused it, >> right?
>> But the minute we take those people into our custody, we're taking responsibility for them. We should only be taking those people in when we determine that what we think they have done wrong is worth taking on that responsibility. And so
when they die, we need to understand why. Whether that's because of the same chronic illness all the rest of us have or whatever, we have to respond to whatever it is. So all the deaths respectfully are a problem we need to
understand and anticipate. And I would also like to just point out that these items, I mean, we're concerned because they're they're people who are gone from this planet. That's the most that's that's
the biggest problem, right? But we should understand that that issue doesn't go away. They show up on our way too long agendas because somebody has died, but they will show up again as approving lawyers fees and settlements
and y'all will be discussing them in executive session and then the public is shielded in my opinion from the real costs of all this, right? Because y'all are talk I I'm not complaining about you just I want you to discuss your legal
advice in executive session, but we aren't in the middle of all that, right? So we're kind of protected from some of the costs of all this. So that is why we're concerned, not because we assume everybody's done things wrong, but because it's our moral, ethical, and
fiscal responsibility. >> Yes. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Montala. So, I want to thank Commissioner Simmons for these briefing agenda items and thank you for your leadership for
requesting any information that's available for us, the community, to know what is going on with these deaths and murders in the jails. I know as soon as the news broke that
Shantae had passed, a lot of community started asking, "What's the information? What's going on? We're asking county resources. We're asking community resources and nobody
has any information. And there are a lot of people that care about Tarant County and are deeply concerned and worried with the number of deaths that continue
to happen in this jail. But you seem to be the one leading in terms of amplifying that care the community has. And I just want to thank you for that. And this commissioner's court continues
to do very little outside of you to actually try to solve what is going on to try to get to the bottom of this. No questions from Tim, Matt, or Manny. Well, missing Manny as of right now.
This is something we need to solve because at anyone in Tarant County that is going to get detained and put into this jail for whatever reason has very legitimate concerns about their life once they
enter those doors. And we are not doing nearly enough to address those fears and concerns. We're not improving our practices. We're detaining people that we shouldn't be that we can utilize other resources.
There's people that need health care versus detainment. And the silence from UTM, Matt, and Missing Manny is deplorable. to the families that have to suffer that
these deaths keep happen happening and it's years that they're having to wait to get any answers, to get any resolution, to get any justice. What are y'all actually willing to do about this stuff? Whose name is it going to be next that
we're going to be talking about in this court? And what plans do you have to try to prevent any of it from happening? because to us it looks like absolute zero. All right. Any other questions or
comments on this matter from the court members? All right. Seeing none, it is 2:56. We are going to recess until 309. We are now in recess. All right, we're back. Uh,
next item, briefing regarding jail death. No, excuse me, briefing regarding CJ Gisham lawsuit. >> Judge, a comment on both of these. Uh, the the next two. Uh these were requests to be briefed by the district attorney's office. Uh due to the fact that both of
these items have pending or contemplated litigation, uh the DA's office has respectfully declined to comment on both of these items. >> Right. >> All right. Anybody have anything from the court before we have speakers?
>> No. Believe. Bishop Kirkland, Lon Burnham, and Elizabeth Miller. Attorney CJ Griome came to this courthouse because his friend, Miss Mr. Yansy, was murdered by was murdered in
the Taran County jail. like him, I was bamboozled and confused to see a privileged white man being handled the way that he was handled in this building. ICE is making
it painfully obvious just how disrespectful, rude, abusive, and callous that law enforcement could be without provocation. I am as a
taxpaying citizen stakeholder in Taran County embarrassed with how we treated attorney CJ Gish in the foyer of this court.
>> No, Mr. Burnham, Miss Miss Miller, Mr. Burnham had a family uh issue come up and won't be able to make it back since his regards. Um the I was here that day um when the CJ
Gisham incident occurred. Um, I respectfully ask that this court please, commissioners, judge, please consider changing your speech policy so that it
is consistent with the constitution. Respectfully, commissioner, it's not right now and you approved it. But you can fix that. Um, it's not only I I mean, who cares what I think? Although I did take constitutional law from this state's greatest
uh football coach, Charles Allen Wright, but he our greatest football coach. Um, and a lot of other people who are constitutional lawyers agree with me. I've discussed this with some of them.
It's not just the policy per se. It is how it has been implemented. For example, um there have been content restrictions enforced by the way this policy is Oh, but it has judge. You
have you've violated our our speech and the way you've enforced this policy because >> people commissioners may have your attention because this is costing us a lot of money. A lot of money. We're paying money for
lawsuits. We're paying CJ Gisha. I love CJ, but we're paying CJ Gisha money because we violated his speech. Another option is we could just respect his speech and mine and all of ours. Commissioner, that policy and the way we
are enforcing it violates speech. And then we have to come in here and you use my money to pay CJ Gisham and other people. Now, right now, in this last minute, I could say one of the words that the Supreme Court of this country
has said I can say. And then, you know what's going to happen? Judge O'Hare's going to say, "Get her and carry her out of here." And then what's going to happen? I'm going to sue you. And then you're going to write a check with my money, with all y'all's money to pay me
off. That's absurd. Another option. Commissioner, judge, commissioner is to just fix the policy so it's consistent with the constitution and stop enforcing it in a way that violates our rights and drains our bank
account. It's so simple. Please consider it respectfully. >> All right, that's that item. Unless there's any comments or questions from court members. All right, seeing none, the next one is briefing regarding Kirkland versus
Tarant County. >> Is the same item on this one? Judge D. >> So, you've already spoken to it. Yes, sir. Anybody Any members of the court have anything to add before speakers? Are we moved there? Are we on this? >> All right. Reed Bills and Joe Palmer.
Many of us here today were also here last month when Judge O'Hare illegally ejected our respected friend, Bishop Kirkland, from this room. Understandably, he has sued the court for violation of his civil rights to
speak. Our tax money has been spent to defend Tarant County for this unconstitutional act. The case has stalled on a technicality, but undoubtedly more will be spent to defend the amended challenges.
Because our funds are involved in this case, we are stakeholders and thus entitled to hear a briefing on the lawsuit. Thank you for putting this item on the agenda so we can be informed on the status of the expenditure of our tax
money. No thanks to the DA who has not provided that information. Mr. Palmer and then Mr. Wilson. >> Thank you. Bishop Kirkland's remarks at the last meeting. An intent to disrupt the meeting or an appeal to heaven. In what
ways are we able to hold elected officials accountable? Speaking at meetings of local government bodies is among them. At the last meeting, Bishop Kirkland was removed during his recognized time to speak for casually commenting, "Lord, we live in America where you cannot clap." There was no profanity and the volume of his voice
was low. This matters because of the specific constraints placed on public speakers by the court in the Dorm policy. Bishop Kirkland brings to these meetings words, nothing more. For some, the purpose of coming to speak is to communicate concerns, suggestions, etc.
to the court members. For others, it may be for venting, as can be seen in the case of the numerous family members of those who have died in custody. It should be deeply concerning to see these words reacted to with physical action, the removal of the individual under threat of violence, arrest, and the
related financial and reputational damage associated with it. Since that meeting, I've had conversations about these removals with friends of mine who not only are Republican voters, but who publicly support conservative candidates and are vocally conservative. The damage caused by these removals is the effect
on the public considering speaking. Fear and uncertainty are introduced into the thought process when an individual considers what statements they will include in their speech at the meetings, as well as whether to come to meetings at all. The family of Christopher Lyo, the young man who was killed in his home
last January, was in attendance at the meeting following his death, but abruptly left after witnessing a physical removal at that meeting. Their voices were not heard, and any calls for accountability, any semblance of a public memorial of that man's life was
quickly shrouded and displaced by proclamations of county employees along with other declarations, celebrations, and votes to replace file cabinets. I guess I bring all the all of this to you here today in attempt to ask the question, how can we magnify the
scenario together to the extent that you will consider seriously our concerns? Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, the two enemies of the people are criminals and government. So let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution. So the second will not become the legalized version of the
first. They would seem to agree, they are with us, that a reliance on office holders to self-regulate in terms of their actions as it relates to the rights of the individual in the setting of a public meeting and in all other cases is not adequate. This is perhaps the most
expensive lesson we as a human race have ever had to learn and evidently we have not learned it. Anthony Johnson Jr.'s your sister and father. Both removal, physical removal, amounts to a compounding of the hardship of these families dealing with the deaths of their loved ones. I'd like you to make a
motion second vote on either abolishing the decorum policy or severely modifying it to the um after adequate input from the entire court. >> Mr. Wilson and then no Mr. Bham
then it'll be Dr. Harrell. I used to say, "I hate weeds. I spent time and treasure trying to get rid of them. There are so many kinds of weeds." I once asked a gardener, "What is a weed?" He said, "Really, it's anything you don't want in your yard. What is a
weed to what is a weed to one could be substance or even healing for others. God made them the way they are and they survive no matter what we try to do to them. We have a choice to either spend our trying trying to kill them or we can just let them be. I now allow baby's
breath and wild onions that for some reason seem to thrive in my yard. But instead of killing them, I use them to beautify my home and flavor my food. I'm coming to the realizing to real I'm even realizing that there are benefits to
dandelions which I used to kill all the time. We seem to be weeds in your yard and you may try to rid yourself of us, but we will be and do what God created
us to be and to do. That's what Frank Moss want us to do. >> Uh Dr. Harold and then Elizabeth Miller. Thanks. I want to speak on behalf of Bishop Mark Kirkland, a citizen, a Marine, a minister who has shown himself
to be a caring, informed, and consistent advocate for the disadvantaged, for justice for all, for kindness and decency. You know him, commissioners. He's here all the time. His comments you're
familiar with. He's always measured. So his off-hand comment last month about clapping in the courtroom was hardly incendiary. But the response was immediate and punitive. It was not a professional or
calm effort to maintain decorum. It was an angry reaction that was uncalled for. That's not the way public comment should be treated because when a citizen is cut off and removed over a minor comment
that doesn't violate decorum, it sends a chilling message to everyone else in the room. Be careful what you say or you'll be punished next. That is not healthy civic life and it's
not the standard that Tarant County should accept. We don't expect you to agree with everything we say. We don't agree with everything you say. But we do expect for you to listen to us and perhaps learn something that you didn't
know or understand something from a different point of view. You don't know everything. We don't know everything. Right. >> But that's why together we could better serve Tarant County,
all of the county, and that includes treating Bishop Kirkland with respect. Thanks. >> Thank you, >> Miss Miller. And then Mr. Montalvo. To the extent that um my county used county resources
to violate the rights of Bishop Kirkland, I apologize. Um the way the speech works or our right to speech is supposed to work if
judge and the court feels like we've violated the policy then the court should you know say so and express how the policy has been violated and um invite us to leave perhaps um
give us a trespass warning perhaps. But and again, I I mean, Commissioner Krauss knows all that. Well, maybe we're too old. It's been a while since we went to law school. But the minute Judge Omar says, "Go get them. Get them out of here." And then the sheriff's
come put hands on us when the there's an option to say, "You violated the policy. Uh, please leave or you'll you trespass." But the way this court has gone straight to hands on and then taken people out of here now the county and
that's us. That's all of us. We pay the bill. That's on us. Once we go hands on and they come take us and take us off, then we're into assault and kidnapping because you don't get to just put hands. You know this, you remember this? You
don't get to just go hands on and yanking people around for saying words. you don't like. That's just not the way it works. And so I'm glad, as much as I don't want to be paying the bill, I'm glad the bishop is filing this lawsuit.
And if any county employee comes and puts hands on on me, they should know they will be a named defendant. And I encourage anybody else in this county, I don't want to pay the bill, but I strongly encourage everybody else in this county who has their speech
rights violated or is assaulted and kidnapped by the county employees of this state of this county. I encourage them to file lawsuit. I argue that they have an ethical moral obligation to do so until we get this speech policy and
the enforcement of it fixed. And again, I invite you to just do that and then we can all be done with it and I'll shut up about it. Thank you, >> Mr. Montovo. I think it's time for some clarity around what is deemed breaking decorum
because it feels like it's based on your feelings, Tim, without any actual, you know, confirmation within the language that's there. And there's this whole thing about the first amendment and freedom of speech
that the quorum can't override. So if we're basing in this commissioner's court what can and can't be said said said based on your sensitivity and based on your feelings and what an emotional state
you're in on any given day. I don't think that we're going to be able to accurately be able to assess as community what can or can't be said within this court. One of the things, and I'm paraphrasing because it was so nonsensical in what
you said, that you're not here to comment on how we do things in this court when you were pushing Kirkland off the mic. It seems one of the most uneducated,
I think maybe even ignorant things you've said because that's exactly why we're here. We're here to comment on what you're doing as a commissioner's court. So in your emotional outburst
to express your dissatisfaction over what Bishop Kirkland said, you said completely nonsensical, deeply uneducated and ignorant thing. So it goes back to my original question.
Are you going to explain to us? Do we need a color code system based on the emotional state of you, Tim, from day to day within this commissioner's court? And will you apologize to community
members when you violate their first amendment rights by removing them because your emotional state is not grounded in, you know, a capacity to actually be a judge on this
court. Uh you're not able to hear words that make your feelings feel a certain way. So, I think we need clarity around that. And thank you, Commissioner Simmons, for this briefing so that we can engage you
on this to find out what we're supposed to know. How are we supposed to interpret when we're on agenda item, when we're not on agenda item, when it's acceptable, when it's not acceptable, because you have contradicted yourself over and over again. and we can put
together the video to show that this was okay, but this wasn't. And only I can determine is like you're a very sensitive individual that needs help. Thank you, sir. All right, that's all the speakers we
have on this item. Anything from any court members on this before we move to the next one? All right, seeing none, we are now to operational update related to MHMR services and Tarant County juvenile services. >> Thank you, judge. We have Susan Garnett
here, executive director of MHMR to give the briefing. >> Uh, good afternoon. Um, so I thought we would uh talk a little bit about the services funded by Tarant County for um youth who are in contact
with the juvenile justice system. We're also going to talk about the state funded services so you have a a sense of of what we do here in Tarant County. So this is a review of the um services that Tarant County currently funds for us for
juvenile services. So you can see we provide uh psychiatry and counseling services for youth who are in the detention center. We've done that for over 10 years. We actually think it's more like over 15 years, but nobody could figure out when we started it. Um we um have a juvenile justice liaison.
This was really an initiative that started um I think four directors ago to really uh share a staff person so that uh juvenile services could be confident that they uh could figure out how to get kids into uh MHMR services if they
thought kids needed that. And it's turned out to be a really effective way for us to work together. uh in the last year we have started a program called multi- systemic therapy MST. This is an evidence-based practice that uh our friends at juvenile services learned
about and uh you'll see on the next slide the state actually is also funding um MST services here in Tarant County for a limited number of kids but this really enables us to provide additional services so that we more fully meet the needs of um youth in Tarant County. We
provide services uh what's called JJ, juvenile justice alternative education programs for the youth that are involved with juvenile justice and are still in in school and so uh need additional assistance. We provide community navigation and post-adjudication
navigation. And that's really um assistance for youth who are in the process of the the criminal justice process but have not yet been adjudicated as well as a separate service for kids who have been adjudicated. And this really supports both the youth and the family. Um
frequently we are working with the family to help them get linked into the services that uh they might need for a family member whether it's a parent, a sibling or or somebody else in their life. We provide mentoring services that is also um inhome services that are that
are um available to kids um in a very intensive manner. And um then uh for many years we've worked together to enhance the services that are available for substance use involved youth who are in um primarily our residential campus
but also some that are in our um outpatient services. And then we're able to couple that by um the availability of the services that that we have here in Tarant County that are funded through the state. Uh most of these services are funded through the Health and Human Service Commission,
although there are some services that are funded through uh Tkumi, the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical and Mental Impairments. But just to review, um the youth services that that we provide are um many people know us through the psychiatric services that
we provide in clinic settings. We have four clinic settings for youth around the county uh geographically distributed around the county. But most of the services that we provide are provided in homes and communities uh directly with families. So that's where we would do um
skills training uh inhome supports, benefits, assistance, therapies, the different kinds of things that youth need. We also provide um a a new resource that the state funded in the last several years called Youth Crisis Outreach Team WCOT. Um, this is a
service that exists in eight communities in Texas and we're very fortunate that we're one of those eight tech eight uh communities that um was able to receive state funding and and make that service work. And that enables us to um be available in schools and in homes and to
be directly available to youth who have uh who have crisis events happening to them rather than just going to the hospital or um just calling the police. they're able to get um services from us. We have specialized services that reach people like the yes waiver program or or
again MST. So here's where the state funds this wonderful evidence-based practice multi-istic therapy and the state provides um uh some funding for that and and we in Tarant County when juvenile services wanted a very focused um juvenile services uh resource were
able to build on the infrastructure that state has made available to us. We have an adolescent crisis respit uh unit that um we're we are the only one in te in Texas that has this particular funding and we work in collaboration
with uh a family services. The uh unit is located on their campus and we work very closely with a but we work also with juvenile services and with the general public who might need that that service. It's not a residential service. It's really about temporary support for
um a youth who and family who need to be separated from one another, need some extra assistance for the youth and um then can reunify the family. Um we provide youth and family partner services through state funding. We provide residential and outpatient um
substance use disorder services through HHSC funding. We provide supports for youth with intellectual disabilities. So we use autism, but there are many other diagnoses that fit in that category, but autism is probably the diagnosis we we
hear about the most. And this is really a category of kids that has grown um really dramatically in o over a number of year over the last several years that uh the kids have come in contact with law enforcement and are more likely to
be um uh you know uh detained by juvenile detention and under their supervision. And so we've had to we work closely together to try and find the right supports for those kids. Um and then we we also provide a uh we have a a specialized program that's funded by
Tkumi to um uh for um youth who are involved. Sometimes it's youth who've been in out of home placements and returning to the community. But Tukumi has some special obligations that they have for um youth in communities. And then we provide a variety of of supports
for families. um it it it's not at all uncommon that a family who is in uh you know has has youth who are struggling themselves have challenges and so we're able to um one of the nice things about the way we work together is that we're able to assist families if they if the
uh juvenile services identifies families needing extra assistance and so we're able to do that. One of the nice things about the way we work together is that we're also able to um we don't act just as a a vendor to juvenile services. We act as a partner to juvenile services.
So we always look for opportunities where we can identify the right funding stream for um a youth to be in to receive the right services. Um we don't simply de deliver a service for to a kid. We say oh does this kid really need uh some other kinds of things that we
offer. we're able to get that. And if we can uh link a child to um the to state funded services, it really just makes more county funds available to serve additional kids. So that's a great thing for everybody. So let's think about the um contract
oversight we have. Um and we would tell you that we have a lot of contract oversight from the state of Texas for uh takumi um contracts, for mental health contracts, and for uh the substance use disorder contracts. We have about 50 contract oversight visits that take
place annually and that's scheduled as well as unscheduled visits that um the state of Texas does to uh assure that the funds are being spent in the way that they intend them to be and in compliance with the state contract requirements. We also have um uh uh
contract oversight through Tarant County for the services funded through Tarant County. So we we think of those in a combination of ways. We have uh uh probation officers who meet regularly and do are doing case reviews and considering um in conjunction with our
staff to be talking about individual cases and what's going on with kids and uh what's what needs to be u additional services a kid might need or something that's going on with the youth. Uh there are also monthly meetings that take place between um me and a top
administration and juvenile justice's top administration. Again, we we just are reviewing like how is this contract going? How are we meeting the terms? Are there anything that we're identifying that needs to be addressed? So, so we have regular meetings and then we have
more than monthly meetings between our um on-site managers for MHMR and for juvenile justice again just to do troubleshooting for the cont for the contract but also troubleshooting for cases and identifying particularly when there are kids who who have more um
challenging circumstances in their lives. So, we may have to work a little harder to put together different pieces for them. And then we do an annual submission of a report collecting service and outcome data uh to juvenile services. So I'll just say that we are deeply
appreciative of the u partnership we have with juvenile services and have had through through many um through through a number of years from when Carrie Cochril was um at juvenile services, Randy Turner, Benny Medlin, and now with uh Rally Shaw. And um so we know that
that uh many of the youth that juvenile justice serves don't come in contact with MHMR. Certainly many of the youth that MHMR serves don't come in contact with juvenile services. We serve over 23,000 youth annually. But we we we know
that there is that that overlap where it is incredibly important that um uh you know we work closely together and we identify where the opportunities are to work together to make a difference. uh in the case of those kids and that's what we want to do. So, uh I'll stop
there and see what questions anybody might have for me and we're always uh you know would always welcome you to look any further at these services and think you'd be really proud and uh we're appreciative of the work that um Commissioner Ramirez does with the um
Texas Juvenile uh Justice Department and uh know that it matters a lot in our community. So, I'll stop there. >> All right. Thank you, Susan. Any questions for Susan? >> Yes. Hey Susan. Hello. When did you start providing juvenile detention
services or support services? Is that what it's called? >> The supports that we provide? >> Yes. When did you all take over that? >> Oh, on uh on on some of those contracts where we did we started them in uh like two years ago.
>> Is that when the >> a year and a half ago? A year and a half ago, I think. maybe like October of 24 maybe. And some of them, of course, have been in place for many years. >> Okay, go back to the first couple slides. >> I'm not smart enough to go back.
>> Oh, yeah. You're like me. I wouldn't >> go back. One more. Yeah, that one. >> Is that the first one? >> Yeah. So, is this what you've been doing for a bunch of years or this is what you took over during October?
>> This is a combination. This is all of the services that we do in collaboration with um uh Baran County Juvenile Services. So, you can see that some of them have been in place for a number of years. And then some of them like MST
and posted Juda navigation are are very very new. They're contracts that we're just rolling out now. and then a couple of them for two years. Um those are a contract that we first started I think in October of 24. Okay.
So for those bullet three through the next to the last one, those newer programs, um how many young people have been served?
Um, I'm not sure that I know uh off the top of my head, but I will get it for you the exact number, but um I know it seems to me the um total this maybe it's a total in all of the services because I asked yesterday how many kids do we
serve from juvenile services, but I think it was the total they were giving me from everybody and that's around 400. Um and and you know the numbers sound dramatically different, right? because through our state funding we serve over 23,000 youth but these are very intensive services that take place here
you know so that when we look at at services like MST um that's a licensed professional who may have a case load of six people seven people on that case load because they're going to provide 247 supports for that youth and family for the time that they're they're in
services with them >> okay so some have big case loads some have much smaller case loads >> all right So, right now you can't break it down. So, up under the new contract contracted services, you can't tell me how many.
>> I can get you the numbers for each of these services. I will get you those numbers. >> Okay. Um, what is the composition of the staff assigned to the MHMart attention >> alternatives programs? it for for JJ A.
Those are staff who are full-time staff who are based with JJ AP. There's a couple of staff there. Um so let's see if I know how many staff are involved in these. Um so we have uh one psychiatrist who's the psychiatrist who who um is is
based at juvenile detention. There's one staff person with juvenile justice liaison. I don't know how many staff are involved with multi-istic therapy, but it would be a handful of staff. Uh JJ AP is only one or two staff. The navigation staff is only going to be several staff.
Those are going to be all of these are going to be full-time staff. Mentoring services is the contract where we're going to have um part-time staff involved. They might be our full-time employees in one area but working part-time on this contract. And that's largely because that contract requires
that we see kids in basically non-school hours. So it' be after school evenings, weekends, and so um we don't we can't put enough of a job together to it works better to have people who can do that part-time. >> Okay.
So you do have enough staff or you don't have enough staff. >> Oh, we do have enough staff. We're we're in the process because of mentoring services uses um part-time staff. We and and requires specific kinds of um
training for those staff. So, we are um continually adding those staff. That's one of the things that we review in our regular meetings with juvenile justice. Riley and I sat together last month, you know, reviewing how many staff are there, where are they in training, what
date is their training, what day are they going to be getting a case load. That's the level of review that we do. Since being awarded the contract, have you had to outsource any of the work?
>> No, we um you know, we have over 2,000 staff and so um you know, when we put out a call to who who would like to do some part-time work, generally we have somebody who's interested in doing that. So the I'm I'm trying to think if there's anything. These are all services
that we directly provide ourselves. >> Okay. So my >> provide through MHMR employees is by that is what I mean. Yeah. >> Got it. So, um, you took over
what Youth Advocate Program used to perform for juvenile services for 30 years or so. On this slide, you took over all the one year, two-year, two-year, one year,
two-year programs. Correct. Correct. On the next slide, those were those are programs you already performed, >> right? So, this slide is a slide of services that we are that we provide and
deliver for Tarant County. >> Okay. The next slide is a slide for services that we deliver for the state of Texas for Health and Human Service Commission for Tacumi um for for Health and Human Service
Commission and for well it's all health and human services. >> Okay. I have a whole bunch of questions. So I'll probably get with the young lady. >> We will be happy. >> Well, they had to go to other meetings.
>> Okay. Yeah, I bet she did. Um, so yeah, I have a I have a bunch of questions. I I'm my entire aim is to determine whether we are providing these same exact services and the same level of
services and if we are um helping the same or a higher number of youth uh as when YAP had this contract. And so I want to see all those numbers. I think
the court needs to to see all of that data um so we can compare um you know to make sure we're serving these children. We um I mean it's not anything that this county should be uh
proud of, but we're number one uh with the number of juveniles in um TJJD. So it's it's embarrassing. It's concerning. Um so I'm just trying
to figure out what's going on. um how it's happening and why we're why we have more children than Dallas County and Harris County in the state.
What are we doing here? What are we not doing here uh to prevent that? Because that's nothing to be proud of. We had a program before this was dumped on MHMR um and
it it had been successful, I think you might agree, um for 30 years and Taran County had the lowest um juvenile crime rates in the state of Texas and now it has the highest. So
that's that is pretty bad. So I need to figure out we all need to figure out what's going on and how to improve get those numbers back down to where they were and lower. Um and so I'd like to hear what
challenges you've had uh since this was dropped in your lab um in 2024. So, I'll get with you. My staff will get with you and we'll meet and then we'll probably have you come back and present. I'll give you give you the questions in
advance because you're not you're not going to have numbers today to all the these two pages of questions I have. So, I just realized that. >> Yep. We're we're happy to talk about it and I think you're going to feel good because I think you're going to see one of the advantages that we have is the
ability to um really expand the opportunity. It's not a matter of the county merely paying us to deliver a certain service. It's really accessing all of the services and ensuring that if there are more things kids need, we get there. And the other thing that I would
say because I have been around for 30 years so um uh you know I have the the benefit of a long view of of all this um is that uh back when uh some of these contracts began with uh Tarant County
many of the state funded services that are here today didn't exist. So, we are fortunate that there has been the actions of folks who were in the legislature who um you know made more of these services available in our communities and and so I think that um
it's a good thing and a smart thing for the county to relook periodically at its offerings and say based on the landscape that we have today, are we getting the things that we want and need for what we have today? Um so I think contract reviews to me are a really good thing.
it it that's good governance is to spend some time saying knowing what we know today how what are we going to tweak and change um and certainly um YAP is is a good is a good company we work with them a lot through the yes waiver have worked with them for a number of years and have
been uh great friends with them and appreciative of the the work that they do uh along with other u uh providers of uh services for this population but you're right you know we want to make a difference for kids because Our goal isn't to have kids to stay engaged with
these systems forever. Our goal is to give people uh to give youth the the the and families the supports that they need to help build resiliency in kids so that they can be the kind of members of our community that we want them to be. So, um we're we're glad to be a part of
that. So, um whenever it's convenient for you, just let us know. I will have some people there who have very granular knowledge and we'll sit down, we'll talk about um these services and and I'm gonna hope that you feel really good when you hear about the services that are provided and the difference it's
making for youth. >> Thank you. Do we have public speakers on this? >> We do. >> Okay. So, I may come back and ask you some of the questions. Speakers. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> All right. Do we have any other questions or comments from the court members?
Bishop Kirkland, Billy Wilson, and Alexander Montalvo. >> I would like to commend the MHMR juvenile justice entity. Um, I listen to uh, Miss Susan, and I'm not good with
first name, but I'm sorry. I listened to the young man who came from the MHMR veterans department or crisis center that talked about our veterans with mental crisis issues and how many people did they were servicing. I'm left with
the mindblowing question, what if Anthony Johnson Jr. was serviced and not jailed? He'd still be alive. Anthony needed a yes waiver and not pepper spray in the mouth. Anthony need a psychiatrist and not a jailer. What if
both he and his families had partners like this? Thank God for Taran County Youth Services. We have other programs. Now, we need to make sure that we match we're matching people with those programs. I love your presentation, Miss
Susan. Uh I love the oversight as aspect. is what we need on the adult side of the spectrum. I I was really worried when YAP was dismanted and your department took over.
It appears that this is a great uh partnership. My only challenge to you is to get those numbers down to where they were when YAP provided uh some of these services for our MHMR. Mr. Wilson,
when preparing to speak, I wish I knew what the impact of what our programs are doing, but the only information I can get is from this briefing. So, thank you for having this briefing. I hope to hear that uh we have improved the intake process of identifying and diverting ID.
I think I heard that. I hope to hear that we are doing is what we are doing is producing outcomes equal to those of YAP. I think I heard that before we cut before we cut the contract. I hope we hear that I hope to hear we're inviting
the community to shape the vision for MHMR. And I noticed you had the two people on the the vin diagram. You had the two circles. The one I think is really missing is the community. Okay. So I hope to hear from the uh person
responsible for strategic mental health plan. Strategic strategic planning is great folks. You need to identify what your issues are. You need to identify what your present situation is and then you need to develop your goals. I would
love for someone to be able to take on that job and come and communicate with us so that we can know what is going on because all we know is that we're number one in youth in Texas prisons. That's not acceptable. So we are not just some
weeds in the garden. We are citizens and we want to know what is going on. Please provide us with information. One thing that I also think that you could do is to put out information on a regular basis to the community. Let the uh newspapers know what you're doing so
that we can see cuz that's a lot. >> And now what we're going to have to do is go back and break it all down and try to investigate and see what's going on. We shouldn't have to be doing all that work, >> right? >> You should be reporting out to the community what your strategic plans are, what your goals are, what your present
status is, and what you going to do about the things that are wrong. That's what we as a community need. Not just for MHMR, for the jail, and for every other issue that we have. Please put together a strategic plan. Let somebody be accountable for coming to the
community and explaining to the community what you're doing, what your progress is, and we would be very happy if you could do that for us. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, this is what a briefing is supposed to look like. Now, I know we don't have
all the information we want and there's going to be more questions, >> but I want to give a just gratitude to MHMR for coming and presenting, preparing something for us to be able to go through to talk about so that if there are additional
questions we can have, I know the DA's office and the sheriff's office are too cowardly to do anything to try to provide any information to us, the community. Um but yeah, we have a problem with sending too many juveniles
uh through the system we have right now, but we also know that there's needs. And so I think a part of my questions that I would like to know a little bit more about is just the efficacy of all this work, >> right? >> How many juveniles are going through
this process and are able to get the needs met? How many of them are repeating going through the process that we're catching again? How many of them go through juvenile assist courts again and don't get the
services if they've gotten services before? And then how much are we serving compared to the need that is out there and being able to understand are we anywhere near the scale and scope of what's needed within our community. And I know Judge Kim likes to just ship
them off to wherever to Colin County and Dallas County and and you three love to just, you know, the Republican human trafficking and movement of people. Y'all love doing all that kind of stuff. But this is actually a service for the community that we can start to
understand and to what was said, how community can then engage in this process and the support that's needed within these families and within these communities. and what aspect of community oversight and engagement can we implement? Because if we can model this with MHMR,
maybe we can help teach the sheriff's office and the DA's office how community engagement and oversight can happen with what's happening. You know, instead of just accepting we're going to pay millions every time we murder somebody in the jail or we're going to hold up cases in court for two, three, four
years and we're never going to have any information on what's going on. So, I appreciate this briefing. It actually felt real and I believe it's a start of progress. So, thank you so much, Commissioner Simmons, and we'll see where we go from here.
>> Thank you. >> All right, any other questions or comments on this item? >> All right, seeing none, we'll move to the public comment section. And before we do that, we have to change out the batteries.
Okay. All right. Dolores Phillips is first and then Reed Bills. Are you Miss Phillips? >> Okay. Oh, by the way, I think Chandler, correct me if I'm wrong, sir.
>> Does this go to two minutes? >> It does, sir. >> That's what happens. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. So, it's two minutes. >> Dolores Phillips, I do allow I do appreciate you allowing me to speak. Honorable Judge O'Hare,
this is deprivation of rights under color of law. It's a multi-count collusion to deprive rights and to derail a a state before it was an estate. You have 10 handouts and it's
about an eviction. The first one, it was three filed over in Honorable Judge Kernut's court uh in Arlington. February, March, February, March, and April. It's not me. In this retaliatory
eviction that took place September 24th, 2025, this rid of possession, you have pictures that I emailed to you. And I want y'all to say these handouts because I'll be back to explain them. When you have these conversations behind doors
and not putting it on the record for the party you're speaking of to respond is so unfair. But when you're looking at those case summaries for those docket sheets, we had a hearing in 2025-0000
5723-1. August the 27th, 2025. I had exhibits. I was in the Delhi law library. They were clearly marked for the case that I just mentioned. Someone while I was in line
to pay for my prints took my exhibits. That's obstruction of justice. When they went in my apartment, they took exhibits from case P-19707, which is a probate estate matter. It
started from DF-92-11850. Keep it in mind in those checks they stole court documents in a derailing of an estate in a surround. >> Ma'am, your time is up. >> Thank you, honorable Judge O'Hare. >> Right. Reed bills and then Chris Wood.
I'm adding my voice to those who have rightfully objected to the reduction of commissioner's court meetings to one per month. The only way the court can get through the business that accumulates between meetings is to dump up to 1,500
pages of decisions into the consent agenda. This means there is no discussion on these matters, many of which deserve public scrutiny or thoughtful deliberation by commissioners. The consequence is that you are not
performing the role you were elected to fill and are paid to execute. Cities within the county meet once a week and are paid considerably less, some even nothing. City taxpayers are getting their money's
worth from the efforts of these public servants. County taxpayers are not. Uh Chris Wood and then George Charles. If you know you're next, you are welcome to come up. You I don't need to call you after I've said your name.
It was my clapping at the December 9th meeting that ended up getting uh Bishop Kirkland ejected. I feel guilty for starting this unfortunate incident and I also feel the situation could have been handled better by everyone. It is important to note that the voice we use
to speak to others is the same voice we use to talk to ourselves. For example, there's a member in my family that's verbally abusive. One day I heard her saying stupid, stupid, stupid. I went to the room and found her all alone. She
was calling herself stupid. Our external communication habits, particularly tone, compassion, and positivity, mirror our internal dialogue. I urge everyone, challenge the harsh words used to communicate with others and with
yourselves. Treat others and yourselves as friends that need guidance, not severe retribution. To be more balanced, replace extreme statements with even killed ones. For instance, instead of saying, "I should have known better. I'm a failure." You
can say, "I did the best I could with the information I had. Now I have information to use in the future." Furthermore, in difficult circumstances, take a deep breath, pause, be objective, not judgmental. After something negative
unexpectedly happens, ask yourself, "What's one small step I can take to fix this?" Find humor in challenging situations. For example, if you mess up using technology in a virtual meeting, you could say, "Still figuring out how
to do this. I've only been doing it for 5 years." Be kinder, more patient, more fair to others and yourselves. Thank you. >> Thank you, uh, George Charles. And then Mindy Tacket
under failure to comply decorum has found a partial quotation of Texas local government code section 81.023. The provision ignores reads quote a person fined under this section may be confined until the fine is paid.
I suggested this omission was attended to diminish the chances that someone would become interested enough in the statute to examine its citational history for I found this perusal to be very helpful in trying to find what fifth circuit case law says about Texas
commissioner's courts. This federal decisional law might also explain why under failure to comply is found quote under the constitution and laws of the state of Texas unquote while no mention whatsoever is made of the United States Constitution.
I think it to be extremely telling that under prohibited behavior the only physical expression allowed is orderly clapping during proclamations, resolutions, and presentations. Thus, unless Tarant County is willing to claim that clapping can be taken as a sign of disapproval, the only physical action
allowed is a sign of approval of these events. Since only commissioner's court can cause PRPs, approval of any of these is also approval of an action by commissioner's court. Aversion of freedom of speech right out of the Kim Jong-un playbook. There's also the extra
added traction of PR and peace being prime examples of photo op fodder. And and there also these words under guidelines for speakers quote are for any other matter at the discretion of the county judge unquote and under
failure to comply is quote may result in sanctions including but not limited to unquote. This is what the rule of law means in police states. Un undefined offenses and unbounded power have no place in a system of liberty or excuse me of ordered liberty.
>> Thank you. Following Miss Tacket, Mr. Palmer. >> So, I want to start by saying that this body should be meeting more than once a month. We clearly have a lot to say and y'all clearly have mounds of things that you need to be discussing. In addition to that, the commissioner's court has a
responsibility to use its authority to press for the public release of the video documenting the death of Anthony Johnson Jr., As has been discussed here many times, this case is not an isolated incident. More than 70 people have died while in custody of the Tarant County
Jail since Sheriff Wayborn took office. That number alone establishes a clear and ongoing pattern of failure. It's not bad luck, not individual error, but a systemic breakdown in accountability, oversight, and care. When deaths occur repeatedly inside a secure facility,
responsibility does not stop at the jail door or with individual officers. It rests with leadership. Waybornne and Phil Sorrels have a duty to the Johnson family, to families of every person who has died in the Tarant County jail and to the public to provide full
transparency. In addition to that, I just want everybody, all of us to look at jail death, jail death, jail death, lawsuit, lawsuit. These two commissioners are clearly outraged. The three of you clearly do
not care. And I want the public to understand that this is what we get when white Christian nationalism is elected. And lucky for us, we have the chance to rectify that very soon. Mr. Palmer and then Bob Willoughby.
Appreciate all your time today listening. A lot of people don't know who Edward Deming is. Edward Deming was an American economist who in the 40s developed what's called TQM or total quality management. He went to all of the major US auto manufacturers uh with
a system that he said would improve efficiency and save them money and they all ignored him because they were making tons of money in the late 40s and the 50s. And so he went to Japan and went to the Japanese automakers and they took his uh they took his processes. And so
ironically, a lot of people don't know this, it's an American why the Japanese auto industry basically defeated us. Some of those cars are made in Hiroshima. So, um, in the spirit of that, I would like for, uh, my commissioner, I'm not going to pick on you. You've been picked on enough
tonight, today. So, I would like to be invited by you or anybody to go to the Sallyport on a Friday evening or a Saturday evening till as late in the morning as possible. And I want to see the booking process. I want to see what these individuals are going through when they're booked. I want to see what these
deputies are going through. I want to see what they're enduring in their job. Um, I would like for myself to be invited along with two or three other people. They don't have to be my people, but um, I want to see I want to take a look, you know, because um, at some points I feel like I'm up here speaking
and I don't know, uh, everything about what's going on. Don't know what I'm talking about. I don't want that to be part of my participation in these meetings. So, I'm willing to go up there and I'm willing to go in Sallyport and watch all that stuff until 3:00 or 4 in the morning. Whatever it is, I'm sincerely asking for that invitation.
You've got my phone number. That is Mr. Willoughby here. M following Mr. Willoughby, Bishop Kirkland. >> Well, I'm not about issues. I'm more about our system because I believe if you don't fix our system, right, then why would you listen to me about an
issue? And here's the system. We had two meetings a month here. You cut us down to one. That's not right. Look at it. Six hours here. You cut down to one and took us down to two minutes. That's not right. Republicans are supposed to stand for free speech and the people. That's what they say. But I'm telling you right
now, that's not what I see the action of of Republicans across the board. I'm a Republican, but I'm not pleased when they go around saying how much they're for free speech and the people and then you you don't you cut down our time and you take away suggestions. Move the people comment from the bottom of the
agenda to the top. The same way it is the Fort Worth ISD and all the surrounding cities except Fort Worth because Mayor Parker took us off completely. Now, I was warned by George when I asked that of you. Before I asked you, I was warned because when I told
Mayor Parker to move our comment meeting from the bottom agenda to the top, she did. She moved to the top to the roof and right out of the freaking building. We don't even have a comment there. Okay. Now, let's see. Replace the meeting that you took away. Okay? You want to take it
away, then at least replace it with a Q&A. That would not be good. That would be outstanding because nobody answered questions. Give us a ring Q&A and that would be good if you want to put that or put the meeting back one or the other. That's wrong. Okay. Another thing is now
that I got that off my chest it says here um what little time I got left. Phil Sor I came to you Tim about Phil Source. Not it's your job. I asked you to ask Phil Source because he is corrupt as can be. He's got paperwork over proof
millions of dollars. We are being ripped off. He will not answer us, but he will answer you. So I ask you to ask him why will he not ask us. That's a mission of guilt and they don't answer. I would appreciate it. Or tell us what we do about a crooked DA or someone in this room tell us what to do about the crooked DA. Thank you, Pam. Appreciate it.
>> Thank you, sir. Following Mr. Kirkland, we have Buff Kaiser. >> I prepared a speech which I'm not going to even look at. I just first thing I want to say is thank you to the sheriff's deputy for treating me with dignity and respect. Thank you
Commissioner Simmons who will not allow me to be thrown out of a building that as a Marine I took an oath to stand for against all enemies foreign and domestic and I will fulfill that promise. Um,
maybe my words are harsh at times. Maybe my passion comes across as uh insulting. But I will say this, because I'm a Marine and because I was raised by my parents, even when I don't like the person, I usually refer to them by
commissioner or judge. But keep calling me just cir and I'mma go to Tim. I don't want to do that because that's against who I am and what I stand for. I love Taran County.
I love the city of Fort Worth. And if you being inconvenience by having to hear my voice or hear my words, Tim, get another job. Do something else
because I'm not going anywhere. The blood of Malcolm, Martin, and Mecca will be on my hands if I go home and fold them and do nothing. >> I am so glad that ICE is giving priv
privileged lily white Americans an opportunity to see what bad law enforcement looks like. the disrespect of what it feels to be policed and not
serviced. I ain't going nowhere, so keep my seat warm. >> U Mr. Kaiser and then Katherine Godby. >> Hello and a happy new year. I'm Buff Kaiser, resident of Fort Worth and um
we welcome your interest and desire to pursue the mystery that we have of duplicate voter registrations in Tarant County, but we know now this is also occurring across other counties in Texas and outside of Texas. So, it's it's it's obviously bigger than us. Uh there are
four recent developments. Number one, the volume of duplicates being introduced into Tarant County has risen to back to where it's now back at the level it was in November of 2024. Number two, we can see as we're
monitoring other counties around us that we are disproportionately being targeted. So, uh that is the case. Uh number three, the duplicates are even more brazen. And number four, a uh a new book has come out uh that's been
published that's um sheds some light on the mystery of the duplicates. The book is titled Stolen Elections: The Takeown of Democracies Worldwide by Ralph Pazulo. And um it's published by Simon Schuster.
It was published on October 28th, 2025. Uh the book draws a connection between uh the smartmatic voting machines origins in Venezuela, the use of the operating system in our on heart inner civic machines, allegations of election
manipulation, including claims of fraudulent or duplicate registrations. Um a find the major finding of the book is that any electronic voting machines can be hacked. So hand counting of
handmarked ballots is the way to go. Um the mysteries of our duplicates is occurring on your watch and we welcome your commitment in u trying to resolve this during our 250th anniversary of our country. Thank you.
>> Thank you Miss Godby. And then Rich Dott, >> I uh I don't know Bishop Kirkland personally, but I've deeply appreciated his presence here and his words to this court. I respect how he speaks of his village and how he conveys conveys um
how the majority votes on this um body negatively impact his village. He's talked about his service to his country as a Marine and about how much he respects law enforcement and the tough job they have. As I recall, his remarks have always been very straightforward
and respectful. Last month, we witnessed our county judge used the power of his office to order Bishop Kirkland out of this space. I found that to be outrageous behavior. Really, it did not appear to be the behavior of
a secure and confident leader. It appears to be the behavior of a grown man who's mad, who's maybe threatened, and he's acting out by abusing the power that's available to him. When elected
officials silence citizens, it strikes at the core of America. In a democracy, officials derive their legitimacy from the people. When you suppress our voices, you undermine the foundations of your own authority.
>> It's our job as citizens to hold you accountable. That's all we're doing. Silencing the voices of the people nearly always harms marginalized, vulnerable groups first and foremost. If
Jesus had favorites, marginalized vulnerable groups would be his favorites. I have no doubt about that. So, I'm not sure that Jesus is really smiling at you three right now. I am sure that he's smiling broadly,
maybe even clapping for Bishop Kirkland. >> Our following Mr. Diad is Charles Bills. sometime in the future because this court in the past has to make decisions regarding the unborn. Recently, a candidate for
high political office stated that there is no biblical support for a pro-life opinion. And I was startled by that because he's training for ministry. So to help him out a little bit
in not very much time, the Bible teaches that life begins and has value at conception. The Bible teaches that God forms the unborn mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The Bible teaches that God
makes plans for babies while they're in the womb. The Bible teaches that God cares for and protects the unborn at the womb. And he calls on us to do the same thing. The Bible teaches that God teaches wisdom to babies in the womb. And he desires
faithfulness from babies in the womb. He knows what that looks like. He gives calling to the unborn. He sets the unborn apart for their calling, which is to give them experiences that lead towards their calling. He knows them before he forms them in the womb. And he ordains every day in the life of those
children. Jesus did not skip this part of the the human experience. He did not come into the world as a baby. He came into the world as a conceived human being. He lived nine months of a perfect human life before he was born in the manger.
According to the Bible, the unborn can worship, maybe even lead worship from the womb. According to the Bible, the unborn can be filled with the Holy Spirit. And God gives names which are really specific, individualized,
personal identifiers of a person. He wrote three billion lines of code and he implanted it in every cell in your bodies. There's plenty of biblical support. I've got a bookmark. I've handed it to >> Thank you, sir. Chandler Merritt uh for
your consideration. It's got all lots. Uh >> following Mr. Bills is Suzanne Mab. Well, I came to reiterate that our district attorney has yet to file charges against the man that sprayed pepper spray into AJ Johnson's mouth and
also all the other people that stood around and did nothing. And you I know that uh that he is considers himself too high and mighty to bother to even dain to come to the commissioner's court. But now today he doesn't even
bother to send somebody as a spokesman. Now Mr. O'Hare judge you are the highest and mightiest person in the government and your underling has just thumbmed his nose at you. I would hope that your
outrage equals that of someone clapping or commenting about clapping. >> Uh, Miss Mabe and then Jimmy Blackwell. >> Uh, well, afternoon. This been a long day. >> Yes. Uh I have two short comments and
the first one is to uh ask you to think about um how you've impacted the people in Tarant County and their right to address you as a court. And when you cut them cut us down to just one meeting a
month, it makes it for a long long long day and there's lots lots and stuff to work on. If you could go back to doing it twice a month, it would give people um more people an opportunity to engage
the court on the many items that affect the people of Karen County. And it is our right to address you because you work for us and it's important that we have an opportunity to oversee your work and let you know how we think you're
doing it. Uh the second thing is the second comment concerns Bishop Kirkland. I watched online as he came up to speak and heard his comments about free speech. Free speech is our uh
constitutional right and is it has been upheld over and over by many different courts and that right includes the right to criticize elected officials from the president all the way down to the commissioner's court. I think Bishop
Kirkland was unjustly removed that day and I hope he wins his case and the taxpayers of Tarant County aren't on the tab for any more of these lawsuits about free speech. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Is Mr. Blackwell here? All right. Then Jacqueline Johnson and then Carla Palyus. Uh public corruption used to be something governments confronted immediately. It used to be prosecuted, exposed, and rooted out. But the
corruption and cover up happening inside that jail is astounding. And this court is allowing it to continue. Judge O'Hara, you are leading the culture of protection and denial. My son's murder in that jail will mark a turning point in this county. And to every
commissioner sitting here today, I ask you directly, which side of history will you be on? Because as death toll climbs, what I see from most of you is complacency, silence, and a willingness to look away. Over the past years, I've
seen negative comments and attacks aimed at Commissioner Simmons. And I have one question. Why? Why attack one person who constantly shows humanity? Why go after the one person who's trying to help the people of this county while others seem focused only on protecting their
political interests? This county is at a crossroads. The corruption in that jail is not an accident. The coverups are not accidents. The deaths are not accidents. They are the result of choices. Choices
made by people in power who think no one will hold them accountable. Right? My son's death will not be buried. It will never be forgotten and every person on this court will have to answer sooner or later
for what they did or refused to do when confronted with the truth. Had that video been released, there might be some people still alive. Is Miss Paularus present? All right. Still no Lon Bum. Uh Dr.
Harold and then Charles Weedmire. So, my notes say good morning. Sigh. Um, I'm here to urge you again to reverse the decision to reduce commissioner's court meetings to just once a month. First of all, the agenda
size is out of control. Last month's agenda was 1564 pages. This month is 14404 and you get the agenda three work days before the meeting. So I'm asking how do
you justify this as responsible governing? How can court staff and the public be expected to review over a thousand pages in three work days and you still claim this process is
thoughtful, deliberate, and accountable? Because from where citizen sits, it looks like the county strategy is just pile everything into one meeting and hide what you're doing with huge consent agendas. On this one, seven pages of
consent items. One meeting a month reduces careful review, increases risk, and forces rushed decisions. Citizens have a legal and practical right to review the material and provide
input before decisions are made. But this calendar signals the opposite that the public is being managed, not engaged. Bottom line, you're asking for public trust while reducing public access. The
court is making the work harder, the decisions riskier, and the public's role smaller. So, I invite everybody to the people's commissioner's court on January 27th at 6 o'clock where there will be a
chance to explore issues. We encourage everyone to attend. >> Thank you. >> Following Mr. Weedmire, we have Nan Terry. Are you going >> judge over here and fellow commissioners, good afternoon. I just want to ditto what Buff Kaiser said
about election integrity and and further state that our citizen volunteers are finding about 5,000 duplicate voter registrations in Tarant County. 5,000. Now that number goes up and down. It goes up when you get close to elections.
It goes down at other times. But it needs to be zero. And so it's past time for the citizens to be doing the audits on this election thing. We need some help from the paid staff to do this and
ask questions. You know, why do we still have duplicate registrations for voters? It's illegal. It's not lawful. And there's a process for eliminating them. So anyway, let's do something about it. Let's audit ourselves. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Following Miss Terry is Elizabeth Miller. >> I'd like to join in the chorus requesting a return to two meetings a month. I'd like to ask, is this effort worth it? Who likes it? I'm not sure staff does. I haven't met anyone in the
public that likes it. Please reconsider. How late will you be here tonight? You're going to vote after closed. I'm not going to be here. But how many of you actually read the 1,400 pages in this month's meeting? How many did you read the 1500
pages last month? Also, I I thank Alyssa Simmons for requesting a briefing on MHMR's programs for youth, and I thank the MHR and their staff for the ongoing work they do to help our youth. Regarding the PIL contract, in addition to you not
understanding the definition of not to exceed, I was concerned about another issue. It appears that no one on staff actually reviewed and confirmed that actions build were actually performed. If I heard correctly, budget said they pay the invoice. If I heard correctly, DA's office say they don't review the
invoices. That's not good. Hopefully, this is a one-off because nobody wants to touch that contract. Lastly, please release the entire video of the Anthony Johnson's murder. Why hasn't the jailer been charged with a chemical as
charged with chemicaliation as mentioned as a cause of death on Anthony Johnson's autopsy? Thank you. >> Following Miss Miller is Robert Van. >> Good afternoon. Um, please uh
take the opportunity to look at the sign up. Um, not just to protect our god-given speech rights, but also to avoid a lawsuit on the matter. Seems like a dumb thing. Please restore the speech policy in a manner that respects
our god-given speech rights. Uh, please insist on transparency regarding the jail tests. Please produce the Anthony Johnson video, but also please, it's a new year. We can all start fresh again.
What a great opportunity. Please consider going back to more meetings per month. I don't think anybody on the deas or in this county can look me in the eye and honestly argue they did this so we could have more transparency
or better government or spend less money. 1,500 pages. There's no way. There's no way. Do you have any idea how often Joe Palmer could be up here saying things
that make you go Joe's got a good point? constantly. He could be saving you money, but he You can't even argue with me on that point, can you? You've all said it. So, please consider this fresh opportunity for us all to step back and
go back to a policy that will give us good government, that will restore faith. judge. Just think of how much good will you could generate in this county during an election year by taking this opportunity to do that.
Please consider doing so. Thank you. >> Following Mr. Van is EJ Carryon. Mr. Van still present. >> All right. How about Mr. Carryon? Following Mr. Carryon, Janet Matter. >> All right. So I want to tell you a story
about a kid similar to my age. His name is Wel, W AEL. He was born in JPS hospital. He's a Fort Worthian. He's American citizen. He also has Pompa disease which is a rare inherited inherited genetic disorder where the
body can't break down um glyogens causing harmful buildup in cells especially muscles and in the hearts. He takes 100% care from his family and his caregiver. His caregiver is his father, Mahair Tarabishi. Um, Mahair Tarabishi
on October 28th was taken from ICE when he was doing his annual checkup at the immigration center that he has done for decades. Mahair Tatabishi is an engineer. He is someone who is actively been legally here. And while an American
citizen is now have been in the hospital for 19 days and had surgery today and so this a Tarant County kid uh a kid who can't have his voice spoken here today. We saw what happened to Renee
Good on January 7th that created 1300 people here in Fort Worth protesting for the life and what she stood for and why she shouldn't have been killed by ICE. But right here in Tarant County, we are dealing with a possible slow death of a
30-some year old while Tatabishi. So I'm bringing this to this dis because you all have power to do something about this. You can contact US state representative Roger Williams which is in their that's their rep. Figure out how to help these this family. We're
talking life or death. You saw what happened with millions Americans across this country wanting to abolish ICE and now you do not want someone in Tarant County to go and see what happens to this community if you guys don't do something about this.
>> Janet Matter and then Adrienne Smith. Hello, my name is Janet Matern. I'm the president of the League of Women Voters of Tarant County. The League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Our mission is to empower voters and defend
democracy. We oppose the display of a religious monument on the lawn of the Tarant County Courthouse. Religious symbols of any kind do not belong on government property. This is a violation of the First Amendment. The
framers of our constitution were wise to establish a secular government to ensure freedom of and from religion. The act of erecting a religious monument
is totally antithetical to a functioning democratic republic. As leaders, you should represent all the people and not impose your idea of morality onto the people you res represent.
I want to call this out for what this is, a harbinger to national, sorry, Christian nationalism, an act of the few to display power over the many, to subvert democracy and divide the people.
This is what our founding fathers fought against. Tarant County can do better. We deserve leaders who unite the people, promote love and acceptance for all your
neighbors, regardless of their beliefs, and to protect all of our civil rights. I'm calling for Tarant County voters to stop the rise of Christian nationalism and the best way to do this is to be
informed voters and vote. >> Following Mr. Smith, we have Anthony Johnson. So as I prepare to depart from this place, I would like to just force us to revisit our childhood small moment. And what came to mind was Sesame Street. You
know, tell us how to how to get how to get to Sesame Street. One thing Sesame Street taught us, it taught us a lot, but one thing it always made sure to teach us was about letters. And they had letters but they also provided us with a
let's see a term. So the letter for today would be H. The word of the day would be human. And if I was to use word human in a brief synopsis it would say any criminal offense regardless of the
classification should it prevent anyone of being treated as human. Until individuals began accept accepting this truth. The ongoing occurrences of deaths within the Taran County jail system will continue. Let's be clear, all deaths
that have occurred within the Taran County jail system haven't been for the classification of homicide. But in cases where this has been the determining factor, accountability should be priority.
The county's lack of transparency only feeds into the monster of the business myth that's that keeps the people and and those we've those we have elected at eyes for what's best. So we got to get back to treating people
as human. Okay. in closing the sheriff's press release. He can send press releases to this particular court to humanize people who are in its custom but he can't send anyone here
to speak on record to the people as to who what you know again thank you it is an election season >> uh following Mr. Johnson. We have
Alexander Montalvo. >> Representative Al Green said something this court would do well to remember. The Constitution is above personal belief. It does not function because words sit on a paper.
It's function because of how those in power choose to respond when those words are violated. Your reaction is what gives the constitution meaning. And I can see what it means to many of you.
True morality does not come from obedience. It doesn't come from hierarchy. It's institutional. It comes from empathy. Simple as that.
Empathy. And yet, Taran County, you killed my son. AJ repeatedly begging for his life. You people have children. You tell me which one of your children
if you hurt someone one of them better that you can still sit there change positions with me cuz you got time. You got time. You don't even want to see hair. I MEAN WAY MORE. Oh that's right.
Cuz he is O'Hare. I told you when I left I know this culture. What you don't know is me. What these jails is going to find out who AJ really was. Taran County who the Johnson's are.
I don't thank you for any of this. Following Mr. Montalvo, we have the last speaker, which this is a speaker that signed up under the Brandon Walker matter that is
enclosed. I can't pull up the name at the moment, but if you signed up for that, that's you'll be last. >> All right, final two minutes for today. Long meeting. I'm going to echo what everyone else has been saying. We should not be having just one meeting. I mean, man, you couldn't even make it through
this meeting. I don't know if you took a break, took a nap, what happened, but you were missing for a couple of hours. We should have our representation here. We should be able to have the public engage. Y'all should be able to help
provide information to the community. And this is not working having it once a month. So, I want to have a weekly commissioner's court meeting, but I'll settle for two a month. So make the decision in 2026 to alter this.
We're about to spend some time at for city council because they're going to finally make a decision because they're waking up that the public needs to be heard and they cannot keep suppressing the people's voice. So this is going to be a year of change
that I'm excited to work with so many other community members in Tarant County and the over 50 60 70 people who have been watching online you know for those who want to see change in Taran County for those that have been here in this room and for all
the folks we're going to be talking to throughout the rest of this week this year is our opportunity because this is a mess. There's nothing but murder and mayhem happening from this county court and all y'all want to do is
go celebrate with your political flyers, you know, a tax rate, which doesn't mean anything because you're still paying millions and extra dollars in all these lawsuits because of the incompetence that is here within this county. So, you're just gaslighting them just like
you gaslight everybody in here. I'm ready for new leadership in this county. Not only on the commissioner's court, but once we have on the commissioner's court, I'm ready for new leadership in this staff because this staff is not satisfactory half the time in the things I hear from them.
So, 2026, hope everyone's ready. All right. Can you take us to Brandon Walker versus Tarant County so I can pull up the speaker? Adrien Smith. Is Mr. Smith still here?
Okay, Mr. Smith is not here. We will now go back up or go to announcements and comments. Do we have any announcements or comments from the commissioners? Only thing I'll say, uh, I think our staff does an amazing job and we've heard time and time again today folks say, "Thank you to the staff. Thank you
to the staff, your dedication for things you do." So, uh, contrary to what was just said, uh, I I want to say thank you for all of the work that y'all do getting us ready for every, uh, every commissioner's meeting. You guys are awesome, and I appreciate your work. All right. Anybody have anything else?
All right. Now, um, the court will recess the open session and proceed to close session to discuss items exempt under sections 551071, 072, 074, 076, 087, and 0725 of the
Texas Government Code. Executive session will begin at exactly 5:00 p.m. We are now in recess. see at the moment. Oh, he's there. There he is. Are you a yes or a no?
>> I couldn't hear anything. I just I text Chance to say I couldn't hear anything. Motion was made to accept the resignation of Judge Brook Allen and appoint Brooke Bell to fill the her vacancy upon the vacancy being in effect on January
21. Motion and second. All right, everybody's voted. You want to do that? Okay. All right. It passes five to zero. And today um we will be adjourning our
court uh in memory of Brenda Howard who has recently passed away. Um our best wishes for Miss Howard's family. We are now officially adjourned.
See you.