Denton County Commissioners Court Courthouse on the Square 110 West Hickory, Denton, Texas * * * * * Formal Agenda Minutes
Not Official Minutes.  For official minutes, please contact the County Clerk at 940-349-2012.

August 8, 2000

Be it remembered that Commissioners Court of Denton County, Texas, met on this the eighth day of August, 2000, with Judge Kirk Wilson presiding. Commissioners Jim Carter, Scott Armey, Sandy Jacobs and Jeff Krueger, along with deputy clerk Kathleen Bransford, were present when the following proceedings were had, to wit:

Court opened with an Invocation by Pastor Bill Pritchett of the First Baptist Church of Argyle, followed by the Pledges of Allegiance to the American Flag and the Texas Flag led by Douglas Lee, President of the Denton County Sheriff's Association.

Pastor Pritchett: Father, we have much to be thankful for as Americans. We have much to be thankful for as people of Texas. We acknowledge that all good and perfect things come from You. And so we thank You for the goodness that has been bestowed upon this great land, and this great area we call Texas. Father, I thank You for how You have literally called out and ordained a sense of government to give us direction and so to that end, I pray especially for every Commissioner of our great counties. Father, I pray Your blessings upon their health. I pray Your blessings upon their families. I pray Your blessings upon their endeavors and, yes, even their prosperity. And I pray that especially for Judge Wilson as well. Lord, we know there are plans that man makes, but we are told by Your word that it is Your purposes that come to great fruition. And so I pray that You would guard the heart of every decision made here today. And that decision, no matter how major or minor it may seem, would honor You in principle, in truth, in reflecting the values of our great land as drawn forth from Your precious and inspired word. Bless the work, Father, of this great Court today. May it be done under Your guidance and headship. And, I pray it in the name of Jesus. I pray this is something He would pray here today, in His name. Amen.

ITEM 3 CONSENT AGENDA Item 7A pulled)

5.B) Approval of reject all bids for RS/6000 58H Unix Server and hold over a future sealed bid sale - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

5.C) Approval to declare miscellaneous furniture as salvage and authority to dispose of accordingly - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

5 D) Approval to declare miscellaneous list of vehicles, furniture and equipment as surplus and authority to advertise and place in the City of Denton Auction scheduled for August 30, 2000 - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

BUDGET

6.B) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102180 for Psychiatric Services for County Court at Law #1 in the amount of $2,000 - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

6.C) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102200 for Office Supplies for Information Services in the amount of $1,160 - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

6.D) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102210 to increase revenues and allocate expenditures for Training and Education for County Planning in the amount of $1,200 - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

6.E) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102220 for Contract Labor for County Clerk in the amount of $400 - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

6.F) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102240 for various line items for County Treasurer in the amount of $5,405 - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

6.G) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102270 for Office Supplies for 393rd District Court in the amount of $1,100 - County Judge.

6.H) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102300 for various line items for County Operations in the amount of $7,727 - County Judge.

6.I) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102310 for Computers for Constable, Precinct #3 in the amount of $600 - County Judge.

HUMAN RESOURCES

7.B) Approve moving an Eligibility Worker (slot 002-PC), Social Worker (003-PC), and RN (slot 004-PC) from the Primary Care Grant to the Public Health (Clinical) budget - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

COUNTY CLERK

8.A) Approve the minutes for July 25, 2000, Formal Session - County Judge.

LEGAL

12.B) Approval of the Trade Contract Agreement No. 90-9539 between Denton County and Wright Painting & Coating, Inc., for the Pre-Trial Center, Enforcement Center, Kitchen Expansion, Canopy Addition and Security Enhancements of the Sheriff's Department - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

12.C) Approval of the Trade Contract Agreement No. 90-9481 between Denton County and Lewisville Waterproofing, Inc., for the Pre-Trial Center, Enforcement Center, Kitchen Expansion, Canopy Addition and Security Enhancements of the Sheriff's Department - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

12.D) Approval of the Trade Contract Agreement No. 90-9487 between Denton County and Supreme Systems, Inc. for the Pre-Trial Center, Enforcement Center, Kitchen Expansion, Canopy Addition and Security Enhancements of the Sheriff's Department - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

12.E) Approval of the Trade Contract Agreement No. 90-9665 between Denton County and Boggs Electric Co., for the Pre-Trial Center, Enforcement Center, Kitchen Expansion, Canopy Addition and Security Enhancements of the Sheriff's Department - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

12.F) Approval of Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Juvenile Post Adjudication Facility Services between Denton County and Hopkins County - County Judge. (Briefing 8-1-00)

Move to approve Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 7A by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0448

ITEM 4 COUNTY AUDITOR

Approval of Bill Report.
(Payments from Adult Probation, Community Corrections, Pre-Trial Services and District Attorney Check Fee Fund are presented for recording purposes only.)

DELETIONS:

From the General Fund to Office Depot, $6.99, items returned;
From WIC to Boise Cascade, a credit of $19.98;
From the DA Ck, $7,200.00 for Texas District and County Attorney Assoc., per department.

ADDITIONS:

To the General Fund, DA Juv. Prosec., $225.00 to Tx. Dist. & Co. Attorney Assoc., Reg. Fee for
Debra Bender;
To the General Fund, S.O., $150.00 to U.S. District Clerk, filing fee;
To the General Fund, S.O. Mnt. Hlth., $59.95 to Pagenet;
To the General Fund, Non-Dept., $20,000.00 to Daniel Abrego & Sam Burke for J.Casey
Settlement;
To the General Fund, S.O., $152.00 to Sony Service Center for monitor repairs;
To TNCP, $3,856.76 to the Denton County Sheriff's Office, reimburse Imprest Funds;
To TNCP, $883.88 to the City of Lewisville, $883.88 for a salary reimbursement/TNCP;
To SO Training, $708.50 to Green Oaks Inn, lodging for Leslie Willingham;
To DA Ck, $6,750.00 Registration Fee to Tx. Dist. & Co. Attorney Assoc. for 30 employees;
To Carroll Renovation, $4,006.15 to Ellis M. Skinner for Title - Carroll Building;
$ 475.50 to Southwest Glass for Carroll Building;
$3,999.50 to CBS Mechanical for Carroll Building.

Move to approve Bill Report as amended by Comm. Krueger, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 4-0-0 (Jacobs absent)
Court Order #00-0449

ITEM 9 HEALTH

9.A) Approval of the utilization of Texas Department of Health grant funding - County Judge.

Move to approve by Comm. Carter, second by Comm. Krueger.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0450

ITEM 7 HUMAN RESOURCES

7.C) Approve the job descriptions for the Public Works Director, Planning Manager, Manager of
Facilities, and Assistant Director of Public Works - County Judge. (Briefing 8-8-00)

Move to approve that these job descriptions be effective October 1, 2000 by Comm. Jacobs,
second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0451

7.A-14) Move to approve Order Maker Appointment for Kevin James, Deputy Sheriff/Sheriff,
pending results from the drug test by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Krueger.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0452

7.A) Approval of Order Making Appointments. (The appointments for August 8, 2000, have been posted and advertised; and interviews were conducted as set forth in the Denton County policies adopted by the Commissioners Court, except as otherwise stated in the appointment orders. These appointments are within the budgetary restraints.) The following Order Makers were approved: Steven Copeland, Driver/Equipment Operator/Centralized Road & Bridge; George Rojas, Deputy Constable/Constable Pct.2; La Don Jones, Deputy Clerk/Support Courts/County Clerk; Donnie Gilbert, Court Clerk/JP Pct 4; Samuel Jackson, Juvenile Detention Officer/Juvenile Detention; Daniel Jackson, Juvenile Detention Officer/Juvenile Detention; Socorro Aguilar, Juvenile Detention Officer/Juvenile Detention; Jabari Howard, Juvenile Corrections Officer/Juvenile Post Adjudication; Jenny Neil, Juvenile Corrections Officer/Juvenile Post Adjudication; Chelsie Watkins, Intern/JP Pct 2; Jose Pena, Corporal/Patrol/Sheriff; Andrew Steele, Deputy Sheriff/Sheriff; Karla Sikes, Financial Manager/Task Force Grant; Jason Gattenby, Shift Supervisor/Juvenile Detention; Felicia Chenevert, Deputy Clerk/Recording/Passports/County Clerk.

Move to approve Items 7A-1 thru 7A-18, excepting those pulled, by Comm. Jacobs, second
by Comm. Krueger.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0453

ITEM 6 BUDGET

6.K) Approval of Budget Amendment Request #102320 for Claims and Judgements for Non-Departmental in the amount of $$20,000 - County Judge.

Move to approve by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0454

ITEM 10 STANDING ITEMS

10.C) Approval of any action regarding Denton County boards & committees - Commissioners Court.

NO ACTION

10.E) Approve instating a Local Disaster Declaration for Threat of Wildland Fires in unincorporated Denton County due to drought conditions - County Judge.

Move to approve by Comm. Krueger, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0455

10.A) Approval of any appropriate action regarding project development, construction progress, and change orders to ongoing Denton County Projects: Sheriff's Office/Jail, Centralized Road & Bridge, Carroll Building, Denton County Courts Building, Denton County Annexes, and future Denton County Satellite Facilities - Commissioners Court.

Captain Powell of the Denton County Sheriff's Office brought to the court's attention a request from the City of Denton for the county to pay development fees on the Sheriff's Office complex.

ACTION POSTPONED

ITEM 5 PURCHASING

5.A) Approve ranking of engineering firms for SH 121 Improvements, RFP #05-00-1365, authorize committee to begin negotiations, and any appropriate action:

1. Bridgefarmer Associates
2. Halff Associates
3. Carter & Burgess
4. Turner, Collie & Braden
5. Dannenbaum
6. HNTB

Move to approve by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0456

ITEM 10 STANDING ITEMS

10.D) Approval of nomination for Judge of County Criminal Court Number Five and any appropriate action - County Judge.

Move to approve by Judge Wilson the nomination of Richard S. Podgorski, Attorney and Counselor at Law, to the Denton County Criminal Court #5, effective January 1, 2000, with this office having interim responsibilities to serve with Judge Darlene Whitten and as a visiting judge assigned by Administrative Law Judge David Garcia, until Criminal Court #5 is up and running October 1, 2001. This motion was seconded by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0457

10.B) Approval of any appropriate action regarding ongoing, planned, and proposed county and state transportation projects; Denton County's Better Safer Roads Program; and any necessary action regarding the modification of the Denton County Master Thoroughfare Plan - Commissioners Court.

NO ACTION

ITEM 12 LEGAL

12.G) Approval of Agreement between the City of Denton and Denton County, Texas Providing for Payment and Use of Hotel Tax Funds for the Bayless-Selby House, $25,325.00 - County Judge. (Formal 8-1-00)

Move to approve this agreement as amended by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0458

ITEM 14 RECESS

ITEM 15 RECONVENE

ITEM 13 EXECUTIVE SESSION

For purposes permitted by Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 - Contemplated or Pending Litigation or Settlement Offer, Section 551.072 - Real Property, Section 551.074 - Personnel Matters, and Section 551.076 - Security.

Move to Convene in Executive Session by Comm. Carter, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 5-0-0

13.A) Real Property: Texas Government Code, Section 551.072: Real Property - Commissioners Court.

13.B) Deliberation regarding security procedures and devices - Texas Government Code, Section 551.076 -Commissioners Court.

13.C) Consultation with Attorney: Pending Litigation - Texas Government Code, Section 551.071 (1)(A) Tarrant County v. Denton County, pending in the District Court of Parker County, Texas 43rd Judicial District, Cause No. 44051 - Commissioners Court.

13.D) Consultation with Attorney: Contemplated Litigation, Texas Government Code, Section 551.071(1)(A) Identification of parties and claims regarding possible breach of warranties and defects as relates to the Denton County Courts Building - County Judge.

13.E) Consultation with attorney concerning the unresolved issues relating to the Purchase Agreement between STW, Inc, and Denton County for Financial Management Software, including possible settlement and/or contemplated litigation. Section 551.071 (1) (A); 551.071 (1) (B); and 551.071 (2), Government Code - County Judge.

13.F) Consultation with Attorney, Pending Litigation pursuant to Section 551.071(1)(A), Government Code, Howard v. Denton County, et at.; in the 16th District Court of Denton County, Texas, Cause No. 98-10795-16 - County Judge.

NO ACTION ON ITEMS 13A THROUGH 13F

ITEM 6 BUDGET

6.A) Approval of any action related to the 2000/2001 Denton County Budget - County Judge.

(The following is a paraphrasing of the highlights of the Budget Session.)

Donna Stewart, Budget Director, asked the court to refer to Page One of the budget packet handed out by her office regarding the breakdown in raises for a total amount of $5,806.210.
Judge Wilson asked if this was not the largest raise ever handed down in Denton County.
Ms. Stewart said it was the largest that she has seen since being Budget Director.
Comm. Armey asked if this represented the 8% slide plus a step for the majority of employees and the 4% for the non-classified employees.
Ms. Stewart replied yes.

Item 1 Non-classified Employees

Comm. Jacobs said that it had come to her attention that the position of Director of Purchasing within the job description of Denton County is unlike any other job description that she could find in the survey of counties in that it requires a Professional License. She believes an equity adjustment would be in line.

Move to do a $2500 equity adjustment beginning October 1, 2001, for the position of the Director of Purchasing by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0459

Ms. Stewart explained the handout to the court regarding the Proposed Tax Rage Discussions for Tax Year 2000.
Judge Wilson pointed out that all the rates Ms. Stewart is proposing are below the current rate but above the effective rate and below the roll-back rate.
Ms. Stewart said that is correct. The current tax rate is .23504. The effective rate would be .21705.
Comm. Carter would support the proposed tax rate of .231.
Comm. Armey requested that the court finish going through the remaining issues before tackling the tax rate.
Judge Wilson agreed on returning to the issues but outlined the court's goal of coming in under the effective and roll-back rate.
Ms. Stewart asked the court to look at several items that were not listed on the agenda and are not included in the budget: Operation's proposal for rental of space for Adult Probation intake for approximately four months plus utilities.
Comm. Armey asked Danny Brumley, Director of Operations, what is proposed after the four months?
Mr. Brumley answered that in that time, the fourth floor of the courts building will be completed, Operations will be able to move Adult Probation into the building where Information Services used to be.
Comm. Armey asked Mr. Brumley if the Cole Building had been cleared for use?
Mr. Brumley responded yes.
Comm. Krueger clarified that even thought the Cole Building is open, there remains some environmental problems. The building is structurally sound but was not designed well, environmentally. The problems from the past will continue to occur if further safeguards are not taken.
Comm. Armey asked if while the renovations were ongoing, could people still work out of the building.
Mr. Brumley recommended that it not be used during renovation. If people were working during renovation, it would drive up the cost of the renovation. Especially the Juvenile Probation area was the worst area.
Comm. Armey asked where Intake was now.
Mr. Brumley answered that it is directly across from the Information Services Building on Oak Street.
Comm. Armey, as an aside, suggested that at some point in the future, Adult Probation should be located at or nearer the courts building. Right now, space is required for the Juvenile Court.
Comm. Jacobs suggested that the Judge ask the Juvenile Board for their opinion as to space.
Judge Wilson stated that the Juvenile Board is not going to address office space. In his discussions with Judge Whitten, he does not believe she would be amenable to returning to the Cole Building.
Comm. Armey summed up by saying that rental space is needed for the Juvenile Court until the Cole Building is completely renovated and environmentally safe. The fourth floor of the courts building might be used temporarily as their courtroom. Comm. Armey suggested that the money for rental space be left to contingency because four months would be the longest it would be needed.

Item Fixed-car Allowance

Ms. Stewart requested that the court look again at this item for Purchasing and for JP1.
Comm. Jacobs asked that whatever action is taken on one, should be consistent with the action of the other.

Move to change the fixed-car allowance to a reimbursable car allowance for Purchasing, increasing the amount by $400 and increasing by $300 for Justice of the Peace One by Comm. Armey, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0460

Ms. Stewart brought to the court's attention one more car allowance item from Peggy Fox, Director of Juvenile Probation. Her request is for a fixed-car allowance of $1800 per year for herself, Matt Marick (JJAEP) and Ken Metcalf and, in turn, her department will eliminate the vacant part-time position. Money was included in the budget only for JJAEP reimbursable. So the issue to be addressed now is for Fox and Metcalf.

Move to add an additional $2,000 to reimbursable car allowance for the Juvenile Probation Department by Comm. Jacobs, second by Judge Wilson.
Motion Carried 3-2-0 (Krueger & Armey nay)
Court Order #00-0461

Move to delete the vacant part-time switchboard operator position in Juvenile Probation by
Comm. Armey, second by Comm. Jacobs.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0462

ITEM 14 RECESS

ITEM 15 RECONVENE

Item 2 District Courts

Judge Gabriel, Administrative Law Judge for District Courts, appealed the Recommended Budget on Office Supplies. This item was too small last year to cover office supplies. She had to go into her Operating Supplies just to reimburse her office supplies. She pleaded with the court to at least leave her level of Office Supplies at the same level as last year. Out of Office Supplies comes furniture. Operating Supplies is needed for such items as coffee for jurors, grand jurors, batteries for bailiffs, radios, etc. Judge Gabriel requested that her Operating Supplies be raised from $700 to $900. On Computer Supplies, she requested $1530 and was given $750, which is a $250 increase over last year. On Dues & Subscriptions, she requested $800 and was given $750.00. There are a lot of subscriptions she would like to have made available to her judges but cannot afford. Criminal, Family and Civil Law Judges constantly need updating and these subscriptions could provide that if they were members of the section of the bar.
Comm. Armey asked if the organizations in which she would like membership were listed in the budget request.
Judge Gabriel was not sure.
Comm. Armey noted that it would be helpful if those dues and memberships were listed.

Move to increase each of the District Court's Operating and Office Supplies by $200 and put a cap of $250 on Computer Supplies and set the subscriptions at a $100 per court increase by Comm. Carter, second by Judge Wilson with a friendly amendment by Comm. Armey to eliminate Operating Supplies line item and put it all under Office Supplies.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0463

Item 4 Non-Departmental Unappropriated Contingency

Move to set aside $50,000 of the contingency for a legislative consultant, earmarking Rider Scott, by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Krueger.
Motion Carried 3-2-0 (Wilson & Carter, nay)
Court Order #00-0464

Move to set aside $60,000 for the creation of a Flower Mound Government Center by Comm. Armey, second by Comm. Jacobs.
Motion Carried 4-1-0 (Krueger nay)
Court Order #00-0465

Item 6 Information Services

Ms. Stewart referred to Page 53 of the packet regarding the creation of a Systems Administrative Assistant that was originally recommended at a Grade 14 but was subsequently upgraded by Human Resources to a Grade 16 with a salary of $28,685.
Comm. Armey supports the creation of this position for several reasons: fully utilizes new courts building as an information center, help with mail, messaging, technical support for Information Services, help with flow of traffic and help citizens better use the court building.
Comm. Carter is reluctant to create a new position when so many departments are not being allowed to do so. The work is getting done and there are three on-site security officers to do the same job.
Comm. Armey expressed his concern that the work is not getting done from the conversations he has had with Barbara Looper. The mail is not being handled in a timely manner. The security officers are attempting to do the job but they are not county employees and the addition of this position will help the officers do their own job more efficiently.

Move to approve the new position in the Department of Information Services at a Grade 16 by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 3-2-0 (Carter & Krueger nay)
Court Order #00-0466

Move to approve under County-Wide Technology, the reduction of Lease Payments, the addition of six computers to Purchase Replacements, if necessary, and the reduction of computer software for a total cost of $5,606 by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0467

Item 7 Commissioners, Precinct Four

Move to increase Dues/Subscriptions to $150, increase Training/Education to $4,000 and add back the $720 for mobile phone expense by Comm. Carter, second by Judge Wilson.
Motion Carried 4-1-0 (Armey nay)
Court Order #00-0468

Item 8 Centralized Road & Bridge

Move to approve the recommendation of the Budget Director that there be a decrease transfer in the amount of $228,129 to Debt Service to pay for salary increases by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0469

Item 1 Vacancy Report

Ms. Stewart added that Road & Bridge had also requested for the court not to eliminate the vacant positions. Mr. Zwinggi outlined in an email that these positions are needed and he is confident will be filled by the end of the year.
Comm. Armey stressed the need for reviewing a vacancy report each budget year for efficiency and for the ability to eliminate positions that are vacant for more than a year.

Move to eliminate in the County Jail the position of Detention Officer I/Bilingual Life Skills as recommended by the Sheriff by Comm. Armey, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0470

Item 1 New Hires (ASAP Officers)

Move to approve two part-time ASAP Officers for Northwest I.S.D. under Constable,
Precinct Four, for one final year by Comm. Carter, second by Judge Wilson.
Motion Carried 3-2-0 (Jacobs & Krueger nay)
Court Order #00-0471

Comm. Armey asked to add language to the contract requiring the school district to report to the county on their estimated savings that this truancy program generates for the district.
Comm. Jacobs opposed this recommendation last year and is again opposed to this program. No question that this program works well for the district and saves them money. Therefore, they should be willing and able to pay for this program themselves and not expect it from the taxpayers of Denton County.
Comm. Carter countered that there are other school districts within the county that receive ASAP support. Constable Precinct Five's deputy provides such services.
Ms. Stewart confirmed Comm. Carter's statement.
Comm. Jacobs pointed out that is not earmarked in the budget as additional service like it is for NWISD.

Item 3 Records Management

Move to change the job title of Director of Records Management to Records Preservation Manager by Comm. Armey, second by Comm. Jacobs.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0472

Item 1 Justice of the Peace, Precinct Two

Move to change a part-time position to an intern by Comm. Armey, second by Comm.
Krueger.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0473

Item 5 Library Funding

Move to reduce matching funds for the Roanoke library and reallocate Roanoke's per capita funding to other county funded libraries with a savings of $10,000 by Comm. Carter, second by Comm. Jacobs.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0474

Item 3 Records Management

Move to approve the recommendation of the Budget Director of adding $11,000 to the Office Supplies in the Adopted Budget ($9,000) plus an additional amount for storage needs for a total of $23,043 by Comm. Jacobs, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0475

Ms. Stewart recommended, if the funding is available, for the court to consider funding of the microfilm equipment with the corresponding reduction.
Comm. Armey explained the original lease price of $82,748 would be reduced by canceling the contract with Lason for $20,000, the company that presently does the microfilming for the Sheriff's department.
Comm. Jacobs asked for guidance from the Judge on this item.
Judge Wilson agreed it is a very important item but he would prefer to see where the court is on the tax rate.

Item Tax Assessor/Collector

Move to approve Printed Material for $2,500 and Contract Labor for $2,000 by Comm. Carter, second by Judge Wilson.
Motion Failed 2-3-0 (Krueger, Armey & Jacobs nay)

Item County Leased Buildings

Comm. Krueger asked Mr. Brumley how much space will be needed for Adult Probation Intake Services?
Mr. Brumley said they are utilizing 1,000 square feet right now.
Comm. Krueger said the work release building will be vacant by the end of summer.
Mr. Brumley was not sure about that.
Comm. Carter suggested putting it into contingency.
Comm. Armey asked Mr. Brumley what is the $76,000 figure for?
Mr. Brumley proposed this figure for the Probation Department while renovation goes on in the Cole Building. He put together a timetable (please see handout) and this figure is an estimate.
Comm. Armey asked how long would construction be?
Mr. Brumley answered that the worst case scenario is six months, depending on the architect's proposal of what is needed to be done in that building.
Comm. Armey asked if it was possible that the renovation to the front part of the building may allow staff to work around it?
Mr. Brumley agreed that could be a possibility but he budgeted for the worst case scenario.
Comm. Armey requested that the court deal with this out of the contingency fund.

ITEM 7 HUMAN RESOURCES

7.C) Approve the job descriptions for the Public Works Director, Planning Manager, Manager of Facilities, and Assistant Director of Public Works - County Judge. (Briefing 8-8-00)

Move to approve that the Human Resources Director immediately post the position of Public Works Director and advertise not only in the local paper but also in the Dallas Morning News and any appropriate periodical plus getting the information to other counties by Comm. Jacobs, second by Judge Wilson.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0476

Item License & Weight

Move to approve one radar per constable by Comm. Carter, second by Comm. Krueger.
Motion Carried 3-2-0 (Jacobs & Armey nay)
Court Order #00-0477

Item DA/Chapter 59 Funds

Move to approve the recommendation of the Budget Director that Chapter 59 Funds were included in the adopted budget with no impact by Comm. Armey, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0478

Item 3 Records Management

Comm. Armey asked Ms. Stewart if the $62,000 for microfilm equipment were added into the budget, what would the tax rate be? If the court sets it priorities first, then it can look at the tax rate that will accomplish the court's purposes.
Comm. Carter asked how much is in contingency?
James Wells, County Auditor, told the court that the Unappropriated Contingency is set at $912,000 in the Recommended Budget and some smaller contingencies that total approximately $70,000.
Comm. Armey asked Mr. Wells how much of that $912,000 is earmarked?
Comm. Jacobs said $110,000 done today, all combined approximately $200,000.
Mr. Wells referred the court to Page 48 of the Budget packet which shows an amount of $590,000 remaining in contingency.
Comm. Armey stated that anticipating the juvenile probation issues, the contingency could be down to $500,000, which is low.
Comm. Jacobs agreed that is low, normally carrying about $750,000. She asked Comm. Armey if it was his intention to first see what the rate is for what the court absolutely needs, including the microfilm equipment, and then look at raising our Unappropriated Contingency to see what affect that would have on the tax rate?
Comm. Armey said almost. Ms. Stewart indicated that at the rate of .232, the court would have $129,000 flexibility. He recommended that the microfilm equipment be approved and then adopt the rate that incorporates that $62,000 amount, not increasing the contingency. That means the court will have to be very cautious this coming budget year but the rate will be somewhat under .232.

Move to approve increasing microfilm equipment and reducing microfilm expenses for a total impact of $62,748 by Judge Wilson, second by Comm. Jacobs.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0479

Ms. Stewart informed the court that with the action just taken, the proposed tax rate of .23193, a 6.85% increase, would generate $52,655,484 in tax revenues.

ITEM 6 BUDGET

6.J) Approval of the proposed Denton County tax rate for tax year 2000 including the following:

1. determination of level of revenues required to fund proposed budget;
2. take record vote and schedule public hearing, if necessary, and any appropriate action to Chapter 26 of the Tax Code for the State of Texas - County Judge.

Move to approve a proposal to increase total tax revenue by 6.86%, which will generate approximately $52,655,484 in tax revenue at a proposed tax rate of $.23193 per $100 valuation and schedule a Public Hearing for Tuesday, August 29, 2000 at 11:00 am in Commissioners Courtroom in the Courthouse on the Square by Comm. Armey, second by Comm. Carter.
Motion Carried 5-0-0
Court Order #00-0480

Comm. Armey summed up that through this budget process, the court has demonstrated its ability to find cuts "outside the box". Any increase over the effective rate translates directly into salary increases for employees. The amount of this tax rate, which is above the effective rate yet below the current and roll-back rate, will generate approximately 3.3 million dollars. The cost of the employee salary raises is 5.8 million, so even by this action, still does not cover the costs of the salary raises. He is comfortable with this action and it sets the tax rate at a satisfactory level to accomplish the needs of a growing county while, at the same time, protecting the citizens from excessive taxation and reckless spending.
Judge Wilson added that the tax rate being proposed today represents the lowest rate for any major metro county in this entire state. In 1992 the rate of this county was almost $.30 per 100, today the rate of .23193 is a dramatic reduction of where this county was in 1992. Additionally, this represents a very responsible budget for the taxpayers of Denton County. If a person's home was evaluated the same this year as last year, their taxes will be reduced slightly.
Comm. Armey commended Mary Horn, Tax Assessor/Collector, for combining the collection for the county, cities and school boards that the county tax portion is roughly 10% of the total tax bill. On a house valued at $100,000, this tax rate will generate $231.93 in county property taxes.
Judge Wilson added that last year the same household would be paying approximately $235.00.
Comm. Krueger pointed out that because Ms. Horn is doing such a great job on combining the collections, your home mortgage company sends you a bill that states "Denton County taxes" without breaking that down into county, city and school board.
Comm. Armey agreed that needed to be broken down so people understand the difference.

ITEM 16 ADJOURNMENT

Move to adjourn by Comm. Carter, second by Comm. Armey.
Motion Carried 5-0-0

This set of minutes prepared by deputy clerk Kathleen Bransford and reviewed by County Clerk Cynthia Mitchell.