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VINO SANTOS AND DIVI DIVISION MANAGER, NESSA BROUSSARD.AND WE HAVE BEEN JOINED BY STAFF FROM COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER AND STAFF FROM COUNCIL MEMBER PLUMMER'S OFFICE.
I THINK EVERYBODY ELSE WAS HERE OR IN THE BACK AND WILL JOIN US SHORTLY.
SO WITH THAT, WE'RE GETTING YOUR PRESENTATION LOADED AND BEGIN JUST AS SOON AS YOU SEE IT.
GOOD MORNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
I'M VERY PLEASED TO PRESENT TO YOU THE MUNICIPAL COURT DEPARTMENT'S FY 26 BUDGET.
ATTENDING WITH ME TODAY IS DIVISION MANAGER, NESSA BROUSSARD, WHO'S SEATED HERE WITH ME, AS WELL AS OTHER MUNICIPAL COURT TEAM MEMBERS WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE.
THIS PRESENTATION IS REFLECTIVE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE COURT SERVICES IN AN EQUITABLE, EFFICIENT, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE FOCUSED MANNER.
I DO HAVE TO APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE THAT I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ALLERGIES GOING ON THIS MORNING, SO I MAY HAVE TO TAKE A COUPLE SIPS OF WATER, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, WE ARE GOOD TO GO.
THIS SLIDE REFLECTS HOW MUNICIPAL COURT PROGRAMS AND KEY INITIATIVES ALIGN WITH THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES.
THE COURTS PROGRAMS FALL PRIMARILY UNDER THE CATEGORIES OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT.
ONE OF OUR GOALS FOR THIS BUDGET YEAR WAS CREATING EFFICIENCY SAVINGS WHILE MAINTAINING THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AREAS WHERE WE COULD CONSOLIDATE FUNCTIONS TO AVOID THE NEED TO FILL VACANCIES AND CUT OPERATIONAL COSTS.
THESE EFFICIENCIES HAVE ALLOWED US TO ACHIEVE A SAVINGS OF $1.8 MILLION WITHOUT IMPACTING COURT SERVICES.
THE SAVINGS WILL BE REALIZED, UH, BY DELAYING THE FILLING OF VACANCIES AS WELL, AS WELL AS THE ELIMINATION OF CURRENT VACANCIES, REALIGNMENT OF SPECIFIC IT COSTS AND THE REDUCTION OF SOME OPERATIONAL COSTS.
MUNICIPAL COURTS HAD 85 ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES FOR THE VOLUNTARY MUNICIPAL EMPLOY EMPLOYMENT RE RETIREMENT PAYOUT, AND 36 IN NON-CRITICAL POSITIONS ACCEPTED THE OPTION.
THE VALUE OF THE REDUCTION WAS THREE POINT $990,000.
ALTHOUGH WE HAVE LOST QUITE A FEW VALUED EMPLOYEES WITH A STRONG KNOWLEDGE BASE, THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF TRANSITIONING DUTIES AND SHARING INFORMATION BEFORE RETIRING.
WE HAVE BEEN HANDLING ALL OF OUR DOCKETS AND COURT PROCESSES VERY WELL, AND THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO THE AMAZING TEAM EFFORT BY ALL OF MUNICIPAL COURT STAFF.
WE ARE ALSO FORTUNATE THAT MANY OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES HAD BEEN CROSS-TRAINED AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSUME OTHER NECESSARY ROLES IN THE COURTROOMS. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO MONITOR DAILY AND FIND WAYS TO DO THINGS MORE EFFICIENTLY.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE RESILIENT GROUP OF JUDGES AND STAFF MEMBERS THAT HAVE REALLY STEPPED UP TO ASSIST IN VARIOUS AREAS OF OUR COURTHOUSE AND TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT OUR MISSION OF JUSTICE FOR THOSE THAT WE SERVE IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.
NEXT, THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN IS THAT IT HELPED US REDESIGN OUR O ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ERNST AND YOUNG EFFICIENCY STUDY.
THE NUMBER REFLECTED ABOVE IN THE CURRENT STATE MEANS PRIOR TO THE RETIREMENTS AND THE NUMBER REFLECTED IN THE PROPOSED STATE MEANS POST-RETIREMENT.
THE AVERAGE SPAN OF CONTROL AT THE CURRENT STATE IS EIGHT, AND PROPOSED STATE IS 10.
THE PERCENTAGE OF MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS WITH LESS THAN FOUR DIRECT REPORTS AT THE CURRENT STATE WAS 24%.
AND PRO PROPOSED STATE IS 4%, AND THE LAYERS OF MANAGEMENT AT THE CURRENT STATE IS SIX, AND PROPOSED STATE
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IS FIVE.WE HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO COMPLETE OUR REORGANIZATION PLAN TO SHIFT THE OVERSIGHT OF CERTAIN STAFF AND KEY COURT SERVICES TO OTHER EXECUTIVES, MANAGERS, OR SUPERVISORS, AND CREATE EFFICIENCIES BY CONSOLIDATING SECTIONS TO IMPROVE THE SPAN OF CONTROL AND LAYERS OF MANAGEMENT.
THIS CHART INCLUDES A COMPARISON OF EXPENDITURES FOR ALL MUNICIPAL COURTS BY FISCAL YEAR.
THE GENERAL FUND REFLECTS A 16% DECREASE FOR FY 26 AND OVERALL MUNICIPAL COURT FUNDS WILL SEE A 14% DECREASE WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FY 25 BUDGET.
CAN YOU, CAN YOU CALL CORY ABOUT IT? NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
THIS SLIDE REFLECTS THE SAME INFORMATION, OKAY, THAT WAS ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, BUT IN A BAR CHART FORMAT.
NEXT, THE FY 26 GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE BUDGET IS COMPRISED OF 76% PERSONNEL COSTS AND 24% NON PERSONNEL COSTS.
THIS SLIDE ALSO REFLECTS THE PERSONNEL AND NON-PERSONAL BREAKDOWN IN THE SPECIAL FUNDS.
THE NEXT SEVERAL SLIDES WILL PROVIDE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE COURT'S OUTCOME BASED BUDGET, INCLUDING INFORMATION BY PROGRAM AND BY FUND.
FOR FY 26, WE HAVE REFINED A FEW OF OUR PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND ADDED NEW ONES, WHICH ALL ALIGN CLOSELY WITH THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES.
OUR GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO REVIEW AND IMPROVE UPON OUR PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND REPORT BACK TO YOU ON A QUARTERLY BASIS THROUGH OUR MONTHLY OPERATING FINANCIAL REPORT.
AS REFLECTED IN THIS EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM SUMMARY CHART, THERE IS A 12% OVERALL DECREASE ACROSS ALL MCD PROGRAMS FOR FY 26.
THIS DECREASE IS A RESULT OF APPROVED BUDGET REDUCTIONS AS WELL AS SEPARATIONS TIED TO THE RETIREMENT OPTION.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES PROGRAM INCLUDES OVERSIGHT OF BUDGETING, PROCUREMENT, FINANCIAL REPORTING, AUDIT COMPLIANCE, AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION, AND INCLUDES FUNDING FOR ALL INTER FUND ACCOUNTS.
THIS PROGRAM ALSO HAS OVERSIGHT OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE, CENTRAL MAIL ROOM OPERATIONS, SAFETY SECURITY INITIATIVES AS AND STAFF WELLNESS AND TRAINING INITIATIVES.
THIS PER PERFORMANCE, UH, THIS PROGRAM'S PERFORMANCE MEASURES INCLUDE MONITORING OF EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE FUNDS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR SPECIFIC STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.
THERE ARE ALSO TWO NEW PERFORMANCE MEASURES FOR FY 26 FOR THIS PROGRAM THAT MEASURE OUR RESPONSIVENESS TO AUDIT INQUIRIES AND REPORTING SECURITY INCIDENTS TO THE STATE AS THEY OCCUR.
OUR NEXT PROGRAM IS THE CASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROGRAM.
THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES OVERSIGHT OF CASHIERING SERVICES AT ALL COURT LOCATIONS FOR THE PROCESSING OF TRAFFIC AND NON-TRAFFIC CASE PAYMENTS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING FEE-BASED NOTARY PRINTING AND PASSPORT APPLICATION PROCESSING SERVICES.
THIS PROGRAM ALSO HAS OVERSIGHT OF CENTRAL MONEY ROOM OPERATIONS, CONTRACT, ARMORED CAR SERVICES, DAILY RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS, INCLUDING A QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW PROCESS AND FACILITATING JAIL BONDING SERVICES.
THIS PROGRAM'S PERFORMANCE MEASURES INCLUDE THE QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW OF MONETARY TRANSACTIONS PROCESSED BY THE COURTS AND THE NEW PERFORMANCE MEASURE FOR FY 26, WHICH IS TIED TO TRACKING THE NUMBER OF PASSPORT APPLICATIONS PROCESSED BY PASSPORT AGENTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS.
NEXT, THE COLLECTIONS AND COMPLIANCE PROGRAM INCLUDES OVERSIGHT OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COLLECTION EFFORTS, ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT OPTIONS, INCLUDING THE DEFERRED PAYMENT PROGRAM, COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL POLICIES, INCLUDING POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND COMPLIANCE WITH AUDIT PROCESSES.
THIS PROGRAM ALSO OVERSEES THE PROCESSING OF COURT ACTIONS DIRECTOR, YOU'RE DOING THE BEST JOB EVER.
WE'RE RUNNING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND.
INSTEAD OF JUST READING IT, IF YOU COULD JUST HIT THE HIGH POINTS OF EACH SLIDE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
UM, AND PARTNERS WITH THE CITY'S 3 1 1 SYSTEM TO ASSIST WITH RESPONDING TO COURT RELATED INQUIRIES.
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OPERATIONS PROGRAM, UM, AND TAKES CARE OF THREE DIFFERENT COURT AREAS, PRE COURT SERVICES, WHICH IS SCANNING DATA ENTRY COURTROOM SERVICES, WHICH IS SUPPORTING THE JUDGES IN THE COURTROOM AND POST COURT SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDES WARRANT VERIFICATION, BOND AND APPELLATE ADMINISTRATION.THE JUDICIAL OPERATION PROVIDES THE PUBLIC WITH THE OVERSIGHT OF ALL THE SPECIAL DOCKETS, WEDDING SERVICES, JURY ADMINISTRATION, UM, AND ALSO SUPPORTS LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGH OFFICER SCHEDULING, PROCESSING, SEARCH WARRANTS, AND PROVIDING MAGISTRATE SERVICES.
THE PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM, UH, PROVIDES CLEARANCE LETTERS FOR EMPLOYMENT, MILITARY PURPOSES, AND, UH, HANDLES ALL THE PRESS RELEASES AS WELL AS OUR COURT'S WEBSITE.
OUR TRUANCY PREVENTION AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES THE TRUANCY PREVENTION AT MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES, AND WE PARTNER WITH HOUSTON ALDE AND SPRING BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.
THE FY 26 PROPOSED GENERAL REVENUE FUND RE REFLECTS A 12% INCREASE AND A, UH, IN THE GENERAL FUND AND A 7% INCREASE IN THE SPECIAL FUNDS.
THESE INCREASES ARE BASED ON MUNICIPAL COURTS WORKING TO IMPROVE INTERNAL INITIATIVES TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS TO RESOLVE THEIR CASE MATTERS MORE EFFICIENTLY, WHICH WE BELIEVE IN TURN WILL ENHANCE REVENUE.
THIS BAR GRAPH REFLECTS REVENUE BY FISCAL YEAR.
THIS CHART REF, UH, INCLUDES A COMPARISON OF REVENUE FOR ALL MCD FUNDS BY FISCAL YEAR.
UH, THIS SLIDE ALSO COM, UH, COMPARES THE REVENUE BY PROGRAM BY FISCAL YEAR.
THIS CONCLUDES THE BUDGET PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION.
MA'AM, MA'AM, WHEN I SAID SPEED IT UP, SHE SPED IT UP
WE CAN MAYBE GO BACK TO SOME OF THOSE.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO SPEED YOU UP, UH, QUITE THAT MUCH.
SOME OF THE TARGETS OH, I FOLLOW DIRECTIONS VERY WELL.
BUT YOUR BUT YOUR, YOUR BUDGET IS, IS PRETTY DARN, AS I RECALL, EVERY YEAR.
UM, IT IS IN WHAT YOUR FUNCTIONS ARE AND WHAT THE MONEY GOES TOWARDS.
BUT WE DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS IN THE QUEUE.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, UH, CAN I JUST FINISH THE END? SURE, ABSOLUTELY.
AND, UM, IT'S, IT'S REALLY SHORT, I PROMISE.
SO HERE'S OUR ORG CHART AND Y'ALL CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
AND THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS OUR DEMOGRAPHICS.
UM, THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE THERE FOR YOU TO REVIEW.
I WAS JUST GOING TO HIGHLIGHT, UM, OUR SPECIAL DOCKETS, WHICH WE CONTINUE TO ASSIST CITIZENS WITH, UH, WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO COME TO COURT AND PAY THEIR FINES.
SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS, ALL THE DOCKETS THAT WE HAVE.
AND I DID WANNA SHOUT OUT ON TEEN COURT, 'CAUSE LAST NIGHT WE HAD THEIR GRADUATION AND WE HONORED 30 STUDENTS WHO WERE GRADUATING.
AND I WANNA THANK CHIEF DIAZ AND COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO WHO CAME OUT TO SPEAK TO THE STUDENTS.
SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF TEEN COURT.
WANNA, UH, ALSO, UH, BRAG ABOUT OUR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY WHERE WE GOT A 95% SATISFACTION FROM OUR CUSTOMERS.
AND THEN I WANNA TOUCH ON, UM, OUR BUILDING.
'CAUSE AS WE KNOW, IT'S BEEN ALMOST EIGHT YEARS SINCE HURRICANE HARVEY.
YEAH, WE, WE TALKED TO THE GENERAL SERVICE DIRECTOR ABOUT IT TOO.
BUT PLEASE, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
YES, WE'RE SUPER EXCITED THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN ALMOST EIGHT YEARS, UM, THERE IS A BRIGHT SIDE AND A IN, UH, A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.
WE'VE MADE GREAT PROGRESS ON THIS YEAR, DETERMINING A LOCATION, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CONSULTANTS ON DESIGNING OUR SPACE.
SO THIS CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION OF OUR BUDGET.
I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO, ONCE AGAIN, THANK MY ENTIRE COURT TEAM WHO'VE BEEN AMAZING AND SUPPORTIVE SINCE MY APPOINTMENT TO THIS POSITION THREE MONTHS AGO.
UM, THEY'VE ALL STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE, UH, AND HAVE ASSUMED A WHOLE BUNCH OF RESPONSIBILITIES.
I KNOW WE LOST A LOT OF GOOD STAFF, BUT THE ONLY WAY THAT WE ARE DOING THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IS BECAUSE OF THIS AMAZING STAFF.
SO, UM, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR, ALL OF YOU, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE PARTNER DEPARTMENTS.
SO WITH THAT, I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS.
WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU AND ALL OF YOUR TEAM FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.
WE HAVE BEEN JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CAROLYN, EVAN SHABAZZ, ONLINE AND COUNCIL MEMBER MARY NAN HUFFMAN, ALSO ONLINE AND STAFF FROM COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER.
AND, UM, FIRST QUESTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN.
JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
I KNOW OVER AT THE COURTS, IT REALLY IS FAMILY.
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UM, AND I WANNA THANK Y'ALL FOR THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU DO.UH, DESPITE LITERALLY THE STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES THAT Y'ALL HAVE HAD DURING THE PANDEMIC.
UM, THERE WAS NO BACKLOG WHEN DISTRICT COURTS HAD BACKLOGS.
Y'ALL KEPT THINGS MOVING AT THE CITY.
AND I WILL SAY FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN CALLED TO JURY DUTY, THAT PROCESS IS SEAMLESS COMPARED TO OUR DISTRICT COURTS.
UM, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO, WE'LL FOLLOW UP JUST ON THE STATUS OF THE FUNDING THAT IS COMING IN FOR THE NEW BUILDING.
FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES HAPPENING AT FEMA RIGHT NOW IF FEMA STILL EXISTS.
SO I'M WONDERING, DO WE HAVE THAT MONEY IN THE BAG? IS IT, WHERE ARE WE WITH THAT? THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO KNOW.
UM, I BELIEVE YOU SAID THAT BUDGET, Y'ALL'S DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET HAS DECREASED BY 14%.
UM, HAS THAT, HAS THERE BEEN ANY IMPACT TO THE PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY? UH, I MENTIONED, AND YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH I CARE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS, UM, WHETHER IT'S SAFE HARBOR, VETERANS COURT, HOMELESS OUTREACH, TEEN COURT, ARE ANY OF THOSE BEING ELIMINATED OR REDUCED? NO.
AND EVEN I, THERE WAS AN, UH, IT SAID ON ONE OF THE SLIDES, TRUANCY AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT EXPENDITURES HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY 3%.
IS THAT, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT? AND ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THAT PROGRAM? THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM.
AND THAT MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN MAYBE SOME OPERATIONAL COSTS THAT WE LOWERED, BUT NO, THERE'S NO CHANGES.
UH, WHAT PERCENTAGE, I'M ASKING EVERY DEPARTMENT OF FUNDING DO YOU RECEIVE FROM FEDERAL OR STATE GRANTS? THE JUVENILE, UH, CASE MANAGER PROGRAM WE RECEIVED THIS YEAR, WE'VE HAD, UH, IT'S ABOUT A $450,000 GRANT THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS ON THE, UH, CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION.
AND THAT HELPS US FUND FIVE JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS.
AND SO FIVE JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS.
IS THAT, IS THAT POTENTIALLY AT RISK OF BEING CUT DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS? OTHER TYPES OF GRANTS ARE VERY UNCERTAIN RIGHT NOW? YES, IT IS.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, UH, WE APPLY EVERY YEAR AND WE APPLIED IN JANUARY.
AND WE RECENTLY, LIKE I WANNA SAY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, RECEIVED NOTICE THAT WHERE WE ARE IN THE PRIORITIES, UM, IS A LITTLE LOWER THAN OTHER APPLICANTS.
AND WHAT THEY'VE UM, UH, PROPOSED FOR US TO RECEIVE THIS YEAR IS 150,000.
SO WOULD THAT REDUCE, UH, THE STAFFING OF THAT PROGRAM? SO I HAVE THIS, UH, CREATIVE WAY OF WAITING TO FILL A FEW VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE TO, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW THE, UH, GRANTS ARE GONNA PLAY OUT.
SO I HAVE SOME VACANCIES THAT I'M HOLDING BECAUSE I HAVE SOME VERY STRONG JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS AND I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO ROLL THEM INTO THAT SPECIAL FUND.
UH, SO WE'LL SUBMIT A QUESTION ON THAT.
BUT AGAIN, GETTING A MORE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING GIVEN VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT GIVEN, UH, PERSONNEL REDUCTIONS, HOW MANY YOU CAN FILL VERSUS HOW MANY ARE, ARE FROZEN OR GOING TO BE ELIMINATED.
AND JUST HOW THAT BALANCES OUT.
AND I APPRECIATE IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT OF CREATIVE CREATIVITY HERE TO KEEP THESE PROGRAMS GOING.
UH, BUT A LOSS OF OVER 300,000 FOR JUVENILE CASE MANAGEMENT IS CONCERNING.
AND I'LL BE, I'LL GO BACK IN QUEUE.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I HAD A GREAT TIME YESTERDAY WITH THE THANK, THANK YOU AGAIN WITH THE STUDENTS.
UM, ON SLIDE SEVEN, EXPENDITURE BY FUND, THERE'S A 6% REDUCTION IN THE LOCAL YOUTH DIVERSION FUND.
WHAT IMPACT DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO HAVE? UM, AGAIN, THAT WAS NOT NECESSARILY TO, UH, A DECLINE OF STAFF MEMBERS.
UH, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON SOME OF THE OPERATIONAL COSTS, BUT WE DO NOT WANT TO LOWER THE NUMBER OF JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS THAT WE HAVE.
THE SCHOOLS ARE JUST, UH, BEGGING US FOR MORE CASE MANAGERS AT THE SCHOOLS.
SO IT IT, WE DID HAVE ONE JUVENILE CASE MANAGER THAT ACCEPTED THE RETIREMENT.
SO I HAVEN'T REALLY GONE BACK TO, UM, THE ADMINISTRATION WITH THAT ONE JUST YET.
UH, SO, BUT THEN AGAIN, THE SCHOOL YEAR IS ENDING.
SO THAT WAS THE GOOD TIMING OF IT, THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO FINISH OUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
SO WE HOPE THAT THERE'S NOT AN IMPACT TO THAT PROGRAM.
IS THAT CLASSIFIED AS ONE OF THE POSITIONS THAT CAN BE REHIRED? IT IS NOT, BUT THERE, THERE IS A, A, UM, PROCESS IN PLACE TO SEEK TO FILL EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT, UM, ONE OF THE CRITICAL POSITIONS.
BUT, UH, AND I HAVE NOT DONE THAT JUST YET BECAUSE AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO GET READY FOR BUDGET, BUT I, I DO PLAN ON,
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UH, ASKING FOR THAT.AND I FULLY SUPPORT YOU IN, IN, IN THAT EFFORT.
UM, MUNICIPAL COURTS ARE USING AI FOR EFFICIENCY, STREAMLINING, DOCUMENTATION, PROCESSING AND, AND SOME OTHER THINGS TO HELP.
UH, ARE WE DOING THAT AT ALL? NO, WE ARE NOT YET.
I'M STILL TRYING TO WRAP MY ARMS AROUND AI
UM, I, WE'VE, WE'VE ACTUALLY, IN THE PAST, I'M THE, ONE OF THE ONES THAT HAVE ASKED FOR PRESENTATIONS ON AI MM-HMM
BUT I, I RECENTLY DID, UM, DO SOME SEARCH ON HOW WE COULD UTILIZE THAT.
I HAVEN'T REALLY DELVED INTO IT, BUT THANK YOU FOR ASKING.
'CAUSE I AM LOOKING TO, TO GET ANY HELP WE CAN GET THAT'S, THAT FALLS WITHIN THE LEGAL PARAMETERS OF COURSE, THAT WE FOLLOW, YOU KNOW, ARE CAREFUL THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING ALL THE LEGAL PARAMETERS.
I THINK IT'S MORE FOCUSED ON EFFICIENCIES.
SCHEDULING, CASE MANAGEMENT, THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
UM, BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SEE US MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION WITH ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO DO AROUND EFFICIENCY.
THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR AND THANK YOU DIRECTOR OR JUDGE, I SHOULD SAY.
UH, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN YOUR PO POSITION LONG, BUT I KNOW YOU'VE WORKED IN THE COURT SYSTEM FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
AND, UH, I WAS LOOKING AT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
I THINK REALLY THIS IS MAYBE THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PART OF YOUR PRESENTATION.
THERE IS SO MUCH THAT, THAT YOU ALL DO TO HELP THE VULNERABLE, VULNERABLE POPULATION, BUT ALSO THE POPULATION THAT, UH, DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY.
YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT FOLKS WHO TEND TO GET PULLED OVER AND TICKETED OR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO MAINTAIN THEIR VEHICLE OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
UM, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR JUDGES MAKE LIBERAL USE OF THE DEFERRAL PROGRAM.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? UM, SO THERE MANY OPTIONS FOR DEFENDANTS TO COME TO COURT.
UM, IF THEY'RE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY, THE JUDGES WILL ASK THEM IF THEY WOULD LIKE, UM, A DEFERRED PAYMENT PROGRAM.
AND WE HAVE STAFF THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY, UM, TRAINED TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS AND THEY COME UP WITH A PAYMENT PLAN.
WE ALSO REMIND THEM TO, IN CASE THEY FORGET, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WANT CITIZENS TO BE COMPLIANT SO THAT THEY CAN AVOID HAVING WARRANTS.
AND SO IT'S ON THE DEFERRED PAYMENT PLAN, BUT ALSO IF INDIVIDUALS ARE INDIGENT, THEY BRING PROOF AND SHOW, YOU KNOW, THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER DOCUMENTATIONS THE JUDGES REQUIRE, THEY BRING THOSE IN.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES, AND, WELL, I DON'T WANNA SAY IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN, BUT YOU KNOW, THE JUDGES MAY DISMISS SOME OF THE CHARGES, THE, THE FINES DEPENDING ON THE DOCUMENTATION THAT THE INDIVIDUAL BRINGS IN MM-HMM
AND, UM, THE CITY, I MEAN, EVERYBODY, I THINK AT THIS, THIS TABLE KNOWS THIS.
THE CITY GOT OUT OF THE JAIL BUSINESS, UH, SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
SO WE DON'T, WE DON'T RUN A JAIL OR, OR A DEBTOR'S PRISON.
AND SO, UH, I APPRECIATE THE JUDGES BEING COMPASSIONATE, YOU KNOW, IN THE WAY THEY APPROACH SOME OF THESE CASES.
UM, ALSO, UH, TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE, THE PASSPORT PROGRAM, AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT'S, THAT'S KIND OF A MONEY GENERATOR.
THAT'S NOT THE REASON WE HAVE IT, I'M SURE, BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT, THAT WE'RE LOSING MONEY ON.
UM, ALSO WITH REGARD TO THE, TO THE JURY FUND, UM, WHAT, WHAT DO OUR JURORS GET PAID? $6 A DAY.
AND IS THAT FOR EVERY DAY? IF THERE HAS TO BE A SECOND DAY, DOES THE PAY GO UP AT ALL? NO, IT DOESN'T, BUT IT'S VERY RARE, UNHEARD OF THAT WE HAVE A TWO DAY JURY TRIAL.
AND, UM, DID JURORS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO DONATE THAT $6 TO, UH, ANY, ANY FUND OR CHARITY? UH, NO.
LIKE THE COUNTY DOES, BUT THEY CAN SAY THEY DON'T WANT THE $6 AND IT JUST STAYS IN, IN OUR JURY FUND.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN ONLINE.
UM, I KNOW THAT, UM, WE GET A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS ABOUT THE MUNICIPAL COURTS AND HOW GREAT THE PROCESS IS, ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO, YOU KNOW, UM, WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO GO TO THE COUNTY AND HANDLE TRAFFIC TICKETS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UM, I KNOW THAT HPD, THEY HAVE, YOU KNOW, IN THEIR NEW CONTRACT COMING UP, I THINK THEY'RE GETTING A THREE HOUR COURT MINIMUM WHENEVER THEY'RE SUBPOENAED TO TESTIFY AT COURT.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED TO COME TO COURT? DO YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU, YOU KNOW, LIKE BARK THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS
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SOMETIMES COME AND TESTIFY ABOUT TICKETS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.DO YOU KNOW IF THEY HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR? I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.
I KNOW WE DO HAVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, UM, E EVEN, YOU KNOW, VARIOUS OTHER, UM, DEPARTMENTS THAT COME TO COURT TO, TO, UH, THAT HAVE CASES THAT ARE IN OUR COURT.
BUT I AM NOT AWARE OF IF THEY HAVE ANY SORT OF, UH, INCENTIVE OR TO, TO APPEAR IN COURT.
BESIDES HPD BARK, DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, CITY DEPARTMENTS, DO YOU TYPICALLY SEE A MUNICIPAL COURT COMING TO TESTIFY? I'M SORRY, I WASN'T ABLE, YOU SAID BESIDES THOSE DEPARTMENTS, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? COUNCIL MEMBER, WHAT OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS DO YOU TYPICALLY SEE IN MUNICIPAL COURT THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, SUBPOENAED TO TESTIFY? UH, RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I'M NOT SURE, BUT I PROMISE I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, UM, ON THAT QUESTION.
AND SO WHEN, AND JUST FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, SAY WE HAVE BARK AND WE KNOW THAT BARC HAS BEEN, UH, UNDERFUNDED IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT OTHER MAJOR CITIES AND WHEREAS, YOU KNOW, DALLAS MAY HAVE 90, UH, ANIMAL ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON, WE ONLY HAVE 24.
SO WHEN AN OFFICER COMES TO COURT, UM, FOR BARK, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE TAKING A LOT OF TIME AND NOW THEY'RE DOWN MANPOWER, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY BECAUSE THEY'RE WAITING IN COURT.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIALIZED DOCKETS OR IS THERE A WAY TO MAKE THE COURT MORE EFFICIENT BY MAYBE HAVING ALL OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL TICKETS ON ONE DOCKET OR HAVING ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD TICKETS ON ONE DOCKET? OR IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ALREADY DO? I KNOW THAT ON, UM, AND AGAIN, BEAR WITH ME 'CAUSE I'M ONLY RECENTLY COME INTO THE JUDICIAL PART OF IT.
BUT WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS THAT, THAT, LIKE FOR INSTANCE, THE DANGEROUS DOG HEARINGS, WE DO HAVE THOSE DOCKETS, UH, ARE ONLY HEARD ON A CERTAIN TIME.
SO I BELIEVE THOSE ARE SPECIALIZED DOCKETS.
UM, BUT AS FAR AS CREATING DOCKETS JUST FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, I'M NOT SURE IF WE'VE LOOKED INTO THAT, BUT I CAN CERTAINLY LOOK INTO IT COUNCIL MEMBER AND GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.
AND I DON'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
UM, BUT IF THERE'S ANY WAY TO HELP OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT THAN POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT COULD HELP THE MUNICIPAL COURTS TOO.
AND THEN TO, UH, BUILD ON WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ WAS SAYING ABOUT THE PASSPORTS, DO THOSE PASSPORT AGENTS DO, DOES THAT COME OUT OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT BUDGET OR ARE THOSE PASSPORT AGENTS PAID BY SOMETHING ELSE? NO, THEY'RE PAID THROUGH OUR, UH, MUNICIPAL COURT BUDGET.
UH, THEY'RE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE TRAINED, BUT THEY'RE ALSO CROSS-TRAINED IN ALL AREAS OF, OF COURT OPERATIONS.
SO, UM, YES, SO THEY ARE PAID THROUGH OUR BUDGET.
AND WHEN THEY'RE PAID THROUGH YOUR BUDGET AND SAY YOU PROCESS, YOU KNOW, 2300 PASSPORT APPLICATIONS, WHERE DOES THAT REVENUE GO? DOES IT GO BACK TO THE MUNICIPAL COURTS? THE GENERAL FUND IT GOES TO, IT GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
NOT NECESSARILY BACK TO THE COURTS, IT JUST GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
IT'S LIKE ALL THE TRAFFIC, UH, FINES THAT ARE PAID.
WE COLLECT THAT REVENUE, BUT IT ALL ULTIMATELY GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
COUNCIL MEMBER HUFFMAN, I'LL PUT YOU BACK IN IF YOU NEED.
I'M GONNA GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER CARTER.
UM, JUST TO CLARIFY ON SLIDE 15, UH, THE WAIT TIME AND MINUTES FOR, UH, DEFENDANTS SCHEDULED FOR TRIALS BY JUDGE GOES FROM IN 2025 TO FROM 22 MINUTES TO 30, TARGETED IN 2026.
BUT THIS IS AN EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT.
AND THEN WAIT TIME FOR TRIALS BY JURY, 1.3 TO TWO HOURS.
ARE WE, AM I LOOKING AT THAT WRONG? NO, YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT CORRECTLY.
UM, WE ARE LOOKING TO REFINE OUR PERFORMANCE MEASURES.
I BELIEVE THAT WAS DONE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY, UM, IF WE'RE GONNA BE, UH, BEHIND ON, ON STAFF.
AND SO WE DON'T WANNA OVERSHOOT THE PERFORMANCE MEASURE.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, UH, IN READING ALL THE ERNST AND YOUNG EFFICIENCY STUDIES, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE ENCOURAGING US TO REALLY REFINE AND, AND GO AHEAD AND SHOOT FOR THE LOWER AMOUNT.
SO WE'RE NOT HOPING TO IN INCREASE IT TO 30 MINUTES.
WE JUST KNOW WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD TO GET IT AT THE 22.
[00:30:01]
WANNA OVERSHOOT THE THE PERFORMANCE MEASURE.I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE READING IT RIGHT, BECAUSE CERTAINLY FOLKS WAITING LONGER WON'T BE AS HAPPY AND IT'S NOT THAT EFFICIENT IF IT'S A NO, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE STRIVING FOR, BUT I THINK OUR PERFORMANCE MEASURE COULD BE TWEAKED.
UH, AND, UH, JUDGE, I I WANTED TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE, UH, DIVERSION, UM, AND HOW WE'RE DECREASING, UH, SOME EXPENDITURES THERE.
UM, SO YOU, YOU SAID THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE ANOTHER JUVENILE CASE MANAGE, UH, POSITION OPEN AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT HOW TO RESTRUCTURE IT.
ARE YOU LOOKING AT OTHER PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP SUPPORT THESE, THESE PROGRAMS AS WELL? UM, BACK IN MARCH, UM, SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUTH CRIME, AND, YOU KNOW, I WANNA SAY, UM, IT WAS THE WEEK, FIRST WEEKEND OF MARCH.
WE HAD PROBABLY ABOUT FOUR, UH, SHOOTINGS AND AVERAGE AGE WAS ABOUT 15, 16.
UM, AND WE, WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS MORE WITH JUVENILE RIGHTS.
UM, THERE'S, UH, BOSS LIFE FOUNDATION, CREATIVE GROUP, ECONOMICS, UH, ECONOMICS.
AND SO ARE, ARE THERE, ARE THERE ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH SOME OF THESE, UH, NONPROFITS TO HELP, UM, LEVERAGE SOME OF THE PROGRAMMING THAT YOU'RE DOING WITH, WITH YOUNG FOLKS? OH, ABSOLUTELY.
WE DO PARTNER WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING, UM, UH, LIKE WE BRING IN SPEAKERS OR, OR FIND OUT ABOUT SERVICES THAT ARE BEING OFFERED THAT WE COULD PARTNER WITH THEM TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO THE YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES.
SO WE ABSOLUTELY ALREADY DO THAT.
BUT WE'D BE HAPPY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SO THAT WE CAN ADD TO OUR LIST OF PARTNERSHIPS.
SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE, ARE RECEIVING, UM, FUNDING AS WELL, UM, AND DOING SOME OF THE SAME WORK.
AND I JUST, I THINK THEY COULD HELP LEVERAGE SOME OF THE, THE, YOU KNOW, THAT WORK SPECIFICALLY IN THAT SPACE WITH YOUNG FOLKS.
SO, UH, WE'LL CONNECT YOU WITH THEM.
UM, AND I'D LIKE TO SEE HOW COMMUNITY CAN PARTICIPATE IN A LOT MORE OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN, IN THAT SPACE.
COUNCIL MEMBER EVAN SHABAZZ ONLINE.
UH, THIS IS NOT A BUDGET QUESTION, BUT SOMETHING THAT I ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP AT THE FOREFRONT IN LIEU.
UH, AND BECAUSE OF THE, UH, VAST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOISE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN, AND OF COURSE I'VE ALWAYS ASKED ABOUT HAVING COURT AT NIGHT WHEN THESE CITATIONS HAVE BEEN, UH, GIVEN.
AND SO I DON'T KNOW, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WOULD PRECLUDE THE COURT FROM HAVING THESE, UH, CASES HEARD AT NIGHT? BECAUSE WE, WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT THE POLICE OFFICER WHO GAVE THE CITATION HAS TO BE THERE.
HE HAS WORKED ALL NIGHT, GETS OFF MAYBE 7:00 AM IS, IS, IS EXPECTED TO GET BACK IN COURT FOR NINE AND WE CANNOT HAVE THESE, UH, CASES DISMISSED.
SO IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN PRECLUDE THAT FROM HAPPENING? BECAUSE THAT'S VERY, I IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE CAN'T JUST ISSUE CITATIONS AND HAVE NO ENFORCEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MUNICIPAL COURTS.
IF, IF THE DEFENDANT THAT WAS CITED ASKED FOR A JUDGE TRIAL, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT IT COULD BE HELD AT NIGHT.
'CAUSE WE DO HAVE JUDGE TRIALS AT NIGHT.
OUR CURRENT PROCESS IS TO SUMMONS JURORS DURING THE DAY.
UM, WE DO NOT HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE TO SUMMONS JURORS AT NIGHT.
I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT WOULD GO OVER BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE JURORS THAT COMPLAIN ABOUT COMING.
NOT ALL JURORS, A LOT OF 'EM ARE VERY HAPPY TO DO THEIR SERVICE, BUT JUST GETTING JURORS TO COME AND REPORT AT NINE 30 TO POSSIBLY FIVE IS, IS, YOU KNOW, A CHALLENGE.
UH, BUT, BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN, COUNCILMEMBER, WE CERTAINLY LIKE TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX AND WE CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THAT AMONGST OURSELVES.
UH, IT'S JUST THAT THAT'S THEIR RIGHT TO ASK FOR A JURY TRIAL.
AND SO THEREFORE THOSE JURY TRIALS ARE SCHEDULED AT 8:00 AM.
UM, UH, SO THAT'S THE, BUT WE ARE DISCUSSING IT.
I AM NEW TO THE POSITION AND WE, WE, I HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH WITH THE JUDGES AND MORE, UM, YOU KNOW, WE ROUND TABLE A LOT TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT, SUCH AS THE ONE YOU'RE EXPRESSING.
YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY WE HAVEN'T GIVEN THE BAD ACTORS ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX.
BUT CERTAINLY THAT HAS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE, UH, MY OFFICE AND I, WE ARE INUNDATED WITH THESE COMPLAINTS AND RIGHTFULLY SO WITH THIS NOISE.
AND SO THE INFRACTIONS ARE TAKING PLACE AT NIGHT MM-HMM
AND SO WE REALLY NEED YOU ALL TO LOOK AT THAT TO SEE IF, UH, AND, AND YOU KNOW, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET A GOOD JURY POOL WITH PEOPLE GETTING OFF WORK AND NOT HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY.
SO JUST WANNA KEEP IT AT THE FOREFRONT BECAUSE WE HAVE THE TASK FORCE NOW THAT'S DEDICATED TO THE NOISE IN THE THIRD WARD AREA,
[00:35:01]
BUT IT WILL COME TO NOT IF WE CAN'T GET ENFORCEMENT THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL COURTS.SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LOOKING INTO THAT.
UH, GOING BACK TO REVENUE GENERATION, UH, WE GET SOME REVENUE FROM PARKING CITATIONS.
AND I KNOW THAT, 'CAUSE I, I GET A FEW OF THOSE AND I'LL BE SEEING Y'ALL VERY SOON.
UM, THE, DO Y'ALL, IN YOUR BUDGET ACCOUNT, IS THAT PART OF THE REVENUE GENERATION THAT'S ACCOUNTED FOR IN YOUR BUDGET OR DOES THAT, IS THAT PART OF PARKING UNDER A RA THAT'S CALCULATING THAT OR ARE BOTH CALCULATING IT? IT GOES TO PARKING A RA.
OKAY, SO IT'S NOT CONSIDERED REVENUE GENERATION THROUGH THE COURTS? THAT'S CORRECT.
UM, GOING BACK TO THE GRANT QUESTION I WAS ASKING EARLIER, ARE THERE OTHER GRANTS THAT Y'ALL'S BUDGET IS CONTINGENT UPON OR HINGES ON? SO ARE THERE OTHER TYPES OF GRANTS THAT MUNICIPAL COURT RELIES ON FOR ITS OPERATIONS? NO.
JUST RUN THROUGH TWO FINAL QUESTIONS.
UH, WHAT CRITICAL NEEDS MAY BE UNFUNDED OR PART OF YOUR WISHLIST AS A DEPARTMENT? WOW.
THAT'S, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
UM, WE'RE, AND I SAY WE BECAUSE I, I HAVE MY, UM, THIS GREAT TEAM THAT'S BACK HERE SUPPORTING ME.
UM, AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS NEW MUNICIPAL COURTS, WHICH IS MINUS OTHER, THE WISHLIST OTHER THAN THE NEW BUILDING.
NO, I MEAN THE STAFFING THAT WE LOST AND HOW DO WE, UM, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC IN THE SAME MANNER.
SO WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT DAY TO DAY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH STAFF.
UM, SO MY WISHLIST IS THAT, UM, I MIGHT NEED TO GO TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND SAY WE, WE NEED FIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE COURTROOMS. UM, AND ANOTHER WISHLIST IS I WANNA DO THINGS WITH I, UH, TECHNOLOGY.
I KNOW, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO MENTIONED AI, BUT HOW CAN WE REACH THE PUBLIC IN A MORE EFFICIENT MANNER TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CASES? HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THAT WITH THEM? IS IT AN APP ON THE PHONE? UM, IS IT A BETTER WEBSITE? SO WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING ON HOW WE PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC IN A MORE EFFICIENT WAY.
UH, NO, AND IT EFFICIENCIES ARE CRITICAL AND EXPENSIVE, UH, BUT WE NEED TO DO THEM TO MOVE INTO THE NEXT GENERATION.
WE RECENTLY PROVIDED ICE WITH INFORMATION ON RESIDENTS WHO HAD, UH, RECEIVED CITATIONS FOR UNLICENSED DRIVING THAT INCLUDED RELEASE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION DATA, INCLUDING THEIR NAMES, BIRTH DATES, ADDRESSES, AND VEHICLE INFORMATION.
WHO AUTHORIZED THAT RELEASE? UM, I WOULD SAY I AUTHORIZED IT BASED ON, UM, A LEGAL OPINION AND WAS THAT TAKEN UP THE CHAIN WITHIN THE CITY, UM, WHICH IS HOW I ALWAYS HANDLE REQUESTS THAT ARE OUT OF THE NORM.
I HAVE TO SUBMIT THEM TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND GET A LEGAL OPINION.
SO IT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND DID IT GO TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE? I, I'M NOT SURE WHERE THEY TOOK IT FROM THERE.
I KNOW THAT WAS MY, THAT'S MY STANDARD PROCEDURE.
UM, SO I KNOW THAT, UH, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE MAKE THIS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND HOW DO WE MOVE CASES FASTER? AND A LOT OF THAT, YOU KNOW, THE JUDGES ARE DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT A LOT OF THAT ALSO DEPENDS ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PROSECUTOR.
'CAUSE A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WANNA JUST TAKE CARE OF THEIR TICKET, PAY THEIR FINE, GET THEIR DEFERRED AND MOVE ON.
UM, BUT HOW CLOSELY DO THE JUDGES COMMUNICATE WITH THE PROSECUTORS ABOUT WHAT THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES ARE? YOU KNOW, IF THE PRIORITIES ARE THE NOISE ORDINANCE OR THE ANIMAL ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A LOT OF THESE, YOU KNOW, DANGEROUS DOG CASES LATELY WE'VE HEARD ABOUT.
HOW CLOSELY DO THE JUDGES COMMUNICATE WITH THE MUNICIPAL PROSECUTORS ABOUT KIND OF THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES? OR DO THEY NO, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE DO IN, IN THAT SENSE BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THE JUDGES HAVE TO REMAIN NEUTRAL.
UM, WE HAVE BOTH THE PROSECUTORS AND THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS THAT WE WORK WITH.
AND SO IT WOULD BE OUT OF THE NORM FOR US TO, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY WORK WITH THE PROSECUTORS ON CERTAIN CASES AND, AND GIVE OUR OPINIONS.
NOW, I WILL TELL YOU THAT I HAVE, UH, MET BOTH WITH THE DEFENSE BAR AND THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE BECAUSE THAT'S THE ROLE I PLAY.
HOW CAN WE DO THINGS MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH, WITH BOTH
[00:40:01]
SIDES OF THE, OF THE BAR? AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ABOUT SPECIFIC CASES FOR SURE.AND, YOU KNOW, NOT TRYING TO VIOLATE ANY TYPE OF, UM, YOU KNOW, IMPARTIALITY.
UM, BUT I THINK SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THE MU MUNICIPAL, PRO MUNICIPAL PROSECUTORS DON'T NECESSARILY EVEN KNOW WHAT THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES ARE.
AND SO JUST A GENERAL, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT JUDGES CAN'T JUST DISMISS A TICKET ON THEIR OWN.
THEY HAVE TO BE PRESENTED WITH A DISMISSAL AND THEN THE JUDGE HAS TO ULTIMATELY SIGN OFF ON IT.
UM, SO IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THERE WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE COMMUNICATION, UM, AND MAYBE IT DOESN'T COME FROM THE MUNICIPAL COURTS, BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, FROM THE MUNICIPAL PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, YOU KNOW, MEETING WITH THE MAYOR, UM, TO CONVEY SOME OF THOSE PRIORITIES.
UM, I, I HAVE, UH, CONFIDENCE IN, UH, THE CITY ATTORNEY, UM, AND, AND THAT HE DOES MEET WITH THE MAYOR, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER.
I WOULD THINK THAT THEY SHARE THE MAYOR'S PRIORITIES, BUT I, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
I DO HAVE A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR, UH, LIKE I SAID, AS WELL AS WITH THE DEFENSE BAR.
SO, UM, I, I THINK SHE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
UM, I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN IN HER AS WELL, BUT I, YOU KNOW, I CERTAINLY, UH, UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM ON THESE CASES AND JUST UNDERSTANDING, UM, HOW, HOW TO BEST HANDLE THE CASES IN THE COURTROOM.
FOLLOWING UP ON, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN'S QUESTION.
UM, SO WITH REGARD TO THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION, UM, WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, WHAT YOU WERE OBLIGATED UNDER THE LAW TO RELEASE? UM, I'M TRYING TO STRUGGLE WITH, YOU KNOW, DIVULGING ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE COUNSEL AND, AND COUN, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT YEAH.
BUT I DO HAVE A PROCESS FOR OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS AND IF A QUESTION IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY OF WHAT WE NORMALLY CAN RELEASE, OUR PROCESS IS TO GO TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND, AND INQUIRE ABOUT THAT.
AND, AND, AND THAT'S THE PROCESS WE FOLLOW.
I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS, IS WHEN THE CITY GETS ANY PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST, WHETHER SOMETHING IS DISCLOSED OR NOT IS BASED ON WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES.
AM I, AM I RIGHT ON THAT? I WOULD THINK SO, YEAH.
FROM MY EXPERIENCE WORKING IN A DIFFERENT COURT SYSTEM, THERE'S CERTAIN TYPES OF INFORMATION THAT ARE CONSIDERED SORT OF BOOKING INFORMATION THAT ARE PUBLIC.
AND IS THAT THE SORT OF INFORMATION THAT, UH, YOU FELT YOU WERE REQUIRED TO RELEASE AFTER CONSULTING WITH YOUR ATTORNEY? UM, AGAIN, I FOLLOW THE PROCESS THAT I NORMALLY FOLLOW, WHICH IS TO GO TO THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND REQUEST AN OPINION.
AND THAT WAS WHAT THAT UM, THAT'S HOW WE HANDLED THAT REQUEST.
AND SO YOU FELT YOU WERE FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE GIVEN BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY THEN? YES.
AND OF COURSE, YOU'RE GONNA FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON SAYS, AND YOU'RE GONNA RUN THINGS UP THE CHAIN AS IT PERTAINS TO THE RELEASE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
UNDER TPIA THERE IS TRADITIONALLY, OR THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE REDACTED SENSITIVE INFORMATION PRIOR TO RELEASING INFORMATION.
THAT CONCLUDES THE, THE QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES.
THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK YOU DO TO YOU AND ALL OF THE TEAM AT MUNICIPAL COURTS.
YOU GUYS ARE GONNA GET A NEW BUILDING IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
AND, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUDGET PRESENTATION AND ALL YOUR WORK.
I'M GONNA, UH, WELCOME ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS.
DOUG SMITH HAS ARRIVED IN THE CHAMBER AND ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD.
WE WERE NOT GONNA SURVIVE THE BUDGET PROCESS WITHOUT YOU, DOUG, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE HE WANTS TO SPEAK ON THIS.
BUT DOES ANYONE ELSE ONLINE OR IN THE CHAMBER WISH TO ADDRESS THIS BODY? OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SEEING NONE, WE WILL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AND THEN HAVE SOLID WASTE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.