Travis County Commissioners Court
May 31, 2005
Item 3
Let's just call up number 3, then. There was indication of house bill 1611 that sort of made mae me want to take it close to 11. But number 3 is to consider and take appropriate action on new f.t.e. For county vehicle inspection, maintenance and low-income repair assistance, relate troe fit and axle erated --
>> good morning, shelene walker this is a request from t.n.r. Basically to tr-r the necessary funds from the f.y. '05 budget earmarked tore the low-income repair assistance program and vehicle emissions and inspection program. The funds, as you know, on may 23rd of 2004, Travis County entered a past resolution saying that we wanted to implement these two programs. The state will be responsible for implementing the vehicle and section maintenance program, but because we have a fleet and perform our own inspections we will be responsible for doing that and we will need the personnel to do that. We also made a commitment to implement and the county will be responsible for implementing the program. We had talked initially about contracting with a third party, but i've been meeting the last several months with our health and human services department, sherri fleming and her staff, and we basically came to realize that we could implement the program ourselves much more efficiently and with a lot less confusion for the target population through our existing programs. And they have a wonderful electronic tracking program that I was not aware of at the time, which allows us to face with the private sector repair facilities and get them patriot quickly, which was one of the big concerns is we're going to have private sector repair facilities performing these repairs and we wanted to get them their payments as quickly as possible because it's a voluntary program. You can't force anybody to participate, but you can't get cars repaired if you don't have stations making the repairs. Based on that, what's what rear looking at is implementing this program ourselves through h.h.s. And t.n.r. H.h.s. Will be the first point of contact. They have a request in here to help fund a part-time temporary employee just because we're not sure what the kol of calls is going to be, but that will be the first person that gets called. This temporary employee is already on staff and is already being funded by another grant that's fairly consistent grant part time so this person would just pick up additional duties. They are asking for a few funds, $3,495 from f.y. '05 to cover the two months in tpao euf t.n.r. Is asking the court approve an additional f.t.e. In our fleet division. This person would be responsible for overseeing all the emission-related repairs within our own fleet, which is a new scale basically in our fleet department as well as will be the point of contact with the private sector repair facility stations. We expect to have about 20 to 50 repair stations working with us over in next few years, and it's important to have somebody that they can inter face with who is familiar with emission-related repairs and can talk to them about what's the best way to go about repairs and can audit those repair bills because that's a key decision that tceq has asked to us make t part that you are talking about, judge, is house bill 1611. Currently the program by state statute you can only spend 5% of state funds and this program is funded by fees we get from other inspections and comes back to us to the state. Right now an entity that chooses to implement the program is restricted to only using 5% of the funds for anything other than actual repair costs. And there are the people who are currently operating these programs have gone to the legislature and made a case, a very good case that that is just not a good way to operate the program, that you really need to be able to use some more additional funds to actually operate the program, do outreach on the program, make sure people know about the program. That case was heard. The bill was passed. House bill 1611. This memo was written may 23. I believe the bill passed its final hurdle on the 25th or 26th of last week. Now the governor has yet to sign the bill as far as I know. I haven't seen that it's been signed, but that's the last hurdle that would have to happen. That's what we're waiting is is make sure that bill gets signed. If that bill gets signed, we would then be able to use the grant funds to cover this f.t.e. It specifically says in the bill language you can use to it cover these types of f.t.e.s. You can also use the money for public education and outreach on the program. So we shouldn't need any additional funds in f.y. '06 but I can't tell you that is 100% sure.
>> in order to be eligible to be called low-income and be able to get these repairs, what is the income?
>> 200% of poverty, which is -- the highest basically standard that the state has. It was based on the former, the old chip standards so it's a fairly high threshold. You will have quite a few people that will be eligible to get these grant funds. And these are grant funds. People have to pay approximately $30 to get up to $600 in repairs. So it is basically giving folks money to make these repairs because that's the whole opponent of the vehicle inspection maintenance program is get the cars fixed.
>> so if -- surely there are people out there who will be eligible for this who don't come through h.h.s. Or other services.
>> there will be. Yes. And that's why it's important that we make sure that people know about the program and understand that the program exists.
>> important with the repair shops who do this work.
>> that's the first place that most people learn about the program, and we will be working very closely with the inspection stations. They will have brochures. The brochures -- well, when you get your inspection, you will actually get a computer print out that tells you whether you passed or failed. As part of that there will be an application. Travis County's phone number will be on that printedout as well as our website. They will have the information right there. It helps to have is inspection stations play it up and encourage people.
>> instruct people to call sh eld hhs for very if I indication of income.
>> our service delivery model for this program, judge, Commissioners, is we will actually be using the Jonestown site as a call center for this program. There will be one phone number that everybody will call. And the staff will actually do what we call presumptive eligibility over the phone. They will ask them some questions that will lead us to be able to assess basically on the phone whether or not they are eligible. If they are eligible, then that staff will have the ability to direct them to an appointment at a site at one of our other centers, whichever one that the resident might identify as being closest to them. So while everyone will call in to Jonestown, they will still have an opportunity to receive this service at any of the seven county sites.
>> okay. Okay, that's it for right now. Go ahead.
>> thank, Commissioner. This particular program, especially with the lirap, is there any model for this program that exists currently? I知 thinking about those counties such as dallas and houston, I think, that are mandated to do certain things to reduce -- on a federal mandate to reduce their emission, and if so how do they handle the eligibility criteria?
>> the eligibility criteria is actually spelled out in the grant activities plan that was attachment 1. It's actually one of the -- it's the easiest way -- one of the programs is the easiest way to qualify. You simply have to produce a pay stub for a month's worth of information showing thaw have some kind of income.
>> okay. That's -- okay, well that -- in other words, because I was hearing sherri saying that the call center would receive calls from the telephone for Travis County eligibility for the persons that will be using this if they are in poverty -- 200% poverty. And you could really certificate that that through the conversation that that person is eligible. When does the tangible eligibility criteria and when is that presented? I mean on the telephone, I hear what you are saying, but I don't see what you are saying.
>> as a part of the out reach, there will be the information on the brochure. As residents call in, we'll be able to tell them by income or I believe that if they have a d.h.s., department of human services caseworker or a case number I think is what it's called or if they have a case number in the tanif program, then we presume those folks are eligible.
>> okay. Secondly, are listening and when the criterion come out we're saying 200% of poverty, what does that mean in terms of income? In other words, how much money.
>> it's about $33,000 for a family of -- household of four.
>> 33,000?
>> yeah, 33,000 and some change for a family of four.
>> obviously it changes every year.
>> right, depending on the number of people in the family and yeah, it does change every year.
>> 33,000 for a family of four, as of today.
>> to date.
>> now, can you tell me this particular program that Travis County has, let's say a person would like to get a car inspected or vehicle inspected that do not reside in Travis County. Do -- how would this program fit into those persons that live outside of Travis County or will this prohibit anybody that lives outside of Travis County to deal with this program?
>> yes, you have to be a Travis County resident, and your car has to be registered in Travis County.
>> okay, so anybody -- and that will come out, I guess, as we go through the process.
>> right. Just so you know, because Williamson county is going to be operating this program as well, you will be able to get your car repaired in Williamson county and we should be able to pay those repair stations as well. But in order to qualify for the program, you have to be in -- and they will do the same.
>> if a person does qualify under the lirap program, how much available funds will be made to this individual who eligible under the program to have the vehicle -- what's the max amount?
>> up to $600.
>> $600 is the max.
>> yes, sir. And the average lirap repair costs in the dallas-fort worth region this year was about $450. Some were more, some were less. The average is $450.
>> so this amount of money that you are requesting today is good as far as the time period until when? In other words, take us from what point to what point before the other funding --
>> these would be f.y. '05 funds to get our program. The state is starting the vehicle inspection and maintenance program in travis and Williamson county on September 1, 2005. So before the end of our fiscal year. In order to make sure that we have a lirap program that is up and running and has the properly trained personnel and the proper equipment to be in place on September 1, 2005, we're talking August and September. These funds will be used to cover these costs in August and September. In f.y. '06, October 1 for us, September 1 for the state, the grant funds based on the changes that have been made in house bill 1611, assuming that the governor signs it, we should be able to cover all those costs with the grant funds that we get from the state. In f.y. '06.
>> we assume that he will sign that 1611 bill. Thank you.
>> what happens if he doesn't sign it?
>> the governor does not sign it, then we would still get all the funds for all the repair costs, but we would then be responsible for -- we would get 5% -- we could use 5% of the funds for these administrative-type costs which are basically outlined in the front of your backup memo. The estimated cost of the f.t.e. With full benefits is about $34,000. No, I知 sorry, about $43,000. We think that we would get, based on estimates that we've been given by tceq, we would probably only get about $35,000 under that 5%. So we would have to subsidize that position. The upfront costs, however, would be paid for already, the computers, the phone lines, that sort of thing. And then we would have to make a decision about the temporary employee over at h.h.s.
>> righter we're starting the program with a temporary employee that's shared through another grant program. 50% of that employee's time is being funded by one grant that we have, 50% by this program. We would anticipate after we know what the call volume is and the number of clients that we're actually serving that we may be coming back with a request for a full f.t.e. For the program. But we felt like this temp could handle the volume as the program gets up and running. So we prefer to have some numbers for you before we request additional personnel.
>> but again, assuming the bill passes, that cost would be covered by the grant funds.
>> this is a alan question. A good chunk of what is being asked for here is about $30,000 for public education and outreach. Clearly if the governor signs the bill, those are the kinds of things we can pass through. What's the dollar amount that we need to get this thing up and running? And if indeed the governor signs, which we're going to know within the next two to three weeks, he's only got x number of days because it makes zero sense for us to spend $30,000 if on a certain date certain we know that the grant will pick up every penny of that because of what is allowed to be passed back through. So I知 going back through what p.b.o. Is recommending that there are certain amounts of these expenses in terms of start jerusalem funds, yes, we should. But on the public education and outreach, that delaying that just a bit, we can get the grant to pay for that and not have to use our general fund dollars for that and that makes absolute sense unless they are willing to give us a advance funding agreement that says we can do those expenses but can put in and get reimbursed once September 1 kicks in. So that we accomplish both purposes. We get things up and running, we're ready to go, but things that can be -- I won't say backfilled, but things that could be charged back under an appropriate arrangement can be. Why should we spend 30,000 in general fund dollars if we're going to have grant funds that can pay for $30,000 in educational expenses. That doesn't phaebg any sense.
>> we calculated the salary and operating equipment for the partial cost, we came up with slightly different numbers in the department mainly due to equipment differences and some benefit differences. But for the non-public education and outreach portions, we came up with 18,464 to fund it in August and September. And that's what p.b.o. Has recommended be taken from the ear mark against allocated reserve.
>> do we have an answer to that question about i'll call it an advance funding agreement? Certainly you will want to have materials printed up by September 1, but if there's a way to shift the printing costs and all those kinds of things related to the public outreach to the grant, that's a much more appropriate way to do it.
>> it's my understanding that the September 1 start date was because that could even sides with the -- coincides with the state's -- no funds will be given in f.y. '05. It's unclear when we will actually get the f.y. '06, our first grant funds. Honestly they keep telling us we should be able to give them to you in September, but this program is funded by fees that are collected from inspections. So on September 1 there will not have been any inspections yet. Are we going to have to wait until tceq accumulates money to give it to us. We shouldn't because they've got reserves from other areas. But that still is unclear. We have not gotten an answer as to when they will get it to us. We do not think we will get any money reimbursed through f.y. '05. It's unclear when we will get funds start rolling in in '06.
>> wrong, but we have intergovernmental accounts all the time where we do stuff, it goes into the intergovernmental and gets sorted out when all these things kind of catch up with each other so we don't get caught up in those kinds of things. But the core question is are we going to be reimbursed for any expenditures prior to September 1 or do we need to wait until after September 1 to assure ourselves that we will catch up whenever in the intergovernmental account.
>> yes, the staff at tceq has told me very clearly that they do not have any funds for us until f.y. '06 and there is no money to be spent in f.y. Tpao euf.
>> that's the important piece right there. There is no money to be spent. Therefore, are you saying if we spend the dollars in '05 they will not reimburse us for anything that occurs in 2005.
>> that's correct.
>> [inaudible] do we think 100% of that will be reimbursed?
>> we have always known -- the budget process, did you assure us we would be reimburse stph-d.
>> we have not. We've always understand the county voluntarily opted to implement this program. And other areas of the state who have implemented lirap programs have all subsidized the program. We have worked very closely with these other regions to get the changes in house bill 1611 to try to ensure that we would not be forced to subsidize the program to the degree that dallas and houston have had to do so up until now. And that bill seems to be -- seems to have passed and that's great news. But we have always sort of assumed that this is a program that the county is taking on, the county is responsible for. The state is responsible for the vehicle maintenance program, we're responsible for handing out money to get cars repaired under this program.
>> I would counsel against just -- [inaudible] until the state money becomes available. I guess if there is some way for us to get the program started yet hold back as much as reasonable, then that seems to be the best strategy where we kind of maximize whatever -- whatever reimbursement we're entitled to. But I think there is some value, just the public education part is real important. The other thing is that on the front end, you need to know as of September 1 when you go get your vehicle inspection, there is another test that will be run, and if you do not pass it, you're not supposed to operate your car.
>> right.
>> but judge --
>> there is a separate advertising campaign for that. Just enviro media has been hired by the state to the tune of $600,000 to make people aware of that portion of the program. [multiple voices]
>> if we have a piece of paper that's supposed to be handed out when you get an inspection sticker, you didn't need to have a year's worth of stacked up pieces of paper the first day you start. We ought to have an appropriate amount to get us through that -- get us through between July and August to kind of get people kind of cranked up it's copping and to have ready September 1st, but we ought not go spend general fund dollars for 12 months' worth of materials if we know that past a certain date it's going to be eligible for reimbursement. That's all I知 saying. Proportionate and not simply saying crank up 12 months worth of stuff because we need to get going.
>> the proposal we're talking about, talking to the folks in the dallas region who have had this program the last four years, one of the ways they found best to get the word out was to do a mailer to zip codes where you know you have people living in households that are less than 200% of poverty. A very targeted, dear resident mailer. And believe it or not they found that a mailer is very different than a door hanger. The door hangers for some reason did not produce the same kind of feedback and calls that the mailer did. That's what the proposal is is that very early in the process, and this could be done in August, it could be done in September, it could be done in October, that's what we would propose doing initially is sending out a mail their said did you know that, you know, as part of this new program up and running there is an associated low-income repair assistance program that the county operates. If you think you are eligible, call us.
>> is that the only way the community will be alerted about the new way we are going to have vehicles inspected is just --
>> through the vehicle inspections?
>> no, sir.
>> well, as far as September 1 --
>> no, sir, tomorrow there's a press conference. Mayor wynn, d.p.s. -- there will be billboards, radio ads, lots of other advertising going on about the vehicle inspection and maintenance program. About the fact that you now have to get your car inspected for emissions reductions. They will not be necessarily talking about the low-income repair assistance program. We are responsible for working with -- there will be media, free media as well. But that's our responsibility.
>> now, are we also looking at the Travis County piece as far as our television and stuff is concerned?
>> oh, yes, sir. We've been in discussions with them about actually doing a little video to take about it. We've got a new website up and running, I think as of last week. We'll have information on our website. We'll have information on the clean air force website. We'll have information in Williamson county as well. But you really have to just continuous usely let people know because people move in and out of the county and people -- honestly people don't pay much attention until their car doesn't pass. Then they want to know this information.
>> thank you. That's -- 99% of the people, that's when they are going to find out. There's no use spending $30,000 on this thing. I mean all you got to do is throw $30,000 away. The 600,000, we identified who we were talking about voting on this thing. That for $600,000, you weren't going to be able to make a great impression on people because people are anesthetized to that kind of advertisement. Whenever you put a bulk mailer in mail to people, 95% of bulk mail is not even read. I mean it's just one of those things where you just toss it. And then most of the time when you read it, you go I don't know what this is. So what you do is you go and you make sure that your stations are equipped with written information that you say, you know what, your bill didn't pass, here's what you do, here's the number to call. We'll go over that when you make the phone call. The most cost effective thing you could do since, what, 99.2% of us have telephones and with what you can do with all this direct dialing and leaving a message that we all get during campaign seasons because I知 roger staubach telling you that ms. Walker out to be on the Commissioners court. That -- those are -- [inaudible].
>> those are the things that are probably more cost effective. But, you know, there's no use in signing off on $30,000 for this when people are going to know is when they are going to drive in. Then you need to be equipped to give people the most information that you can and the phone number and then the person that's on the phone, I think, will be inundated because you will have to spend so much time over the phone really explaining this. The first thing you are going to have to explain is who voted for this to get put in place. I mean -- somebody is going to have to have pretty thick skin on that deal.
>> except the people who have already lived in el paso and harris county and tarrant county and bexar county, or if you are from california, hello, it's finally coming around here. It's like it's not anything new, it's just new for this area. And i'll give them your phone number.
>> figure out what we need to get done immediately.
>> we would appreciate it if you would approve the transfer for the upfront f.t.e. Costs. I mean to get the program 'and running. And we can come back if we need to later, depending on what happens with the governor on the bill for advertising or even after September 1 perhaps if we learn that tceq is not going to be able to give us money until later in the year to cover those costs, then we could come back for that. But if we could go ahead and get approval, my concern is if we don't get going on publicizing f.t.e., that is not going to just be eligible to be --
>> once the program starts, if it's going to start September 1st and we start expending money, you are going to have to make court advances. That the general fund will advance moneys to the grant until we get those moneys in and that has to be approved by the court.
>> we're going to know what the governor is or is not going to sign in the next couple of weeks. Middle position is rather than saying here's a chunk of funds just in case is give them permission to post and start advertising for the hiring of these people. Or persons that you need for this particular problem. Get moving on that. But we are here, it's may 31, we're talking about something in September. To me, I知 finally getting the posting -- fine with getting the posting going and we will have clarity from the governor shortly about what we do or don't have the flexibility to do and we ought to listen to christian too much, do the appropriate budget transfer and get things appropriately set up with a intergovernmental account when we know what the heck it is that we're doing in terms of we are or we are not going to get the additional hope with 1611.
>> what effective daylight do you have -- date do you have for the phone lines, fax machine?
>> we basically assumed two months, August and September. August 1. I believe the call center phone is -- could be up and running sooner than that.
>> right. Judge, whenever we have the funding sraeublg.
>> because we had -- we had to give a phone number.
>> a 30-day start and September 1 implementation date.
>> uh-huh.
>> clearly we earmarked $50,000 for this. No question about that.
>> I don't think there was any question about that.
>> it's an ear mark.
>> but when did we -- we had to provide a phone number to d.p.s.
>> right. The one phone line -- we had to give d.p.s. In order to get our information on the computer printouts that everybody is going to get when they get their car tested, and they are doing a brochure, we had to get a phone number to them so we have set up the dedicated number for the call center.
>> is that 854-9222? [laughter]
>> I think it's 9333. [laughter]
>> to authorize posting and advertising of these positions. The temporary is already in-house, ms. Fleming, right?
>> yes. Paid by other -- by another grant. And then her hours will be expanded once this program begins.
>> do you get where you need to get today if we authorize posting of the other two positions?
>> yeah, I believe so. I assume it doesn't take very long. Two of the dedicated phone lines are for our actual inspection in answer we'll be using on our own fleet. I assume they only need a few weeks to get those set up so I don't think we would need to have them today. That would be my only other question.
>>
>> [one moment, please, for change in captioners]
>>
>> ...whatever public outreach and education we do, we will -- we will collaborate with the city of Austin.
>> and Williamson county as well. And we are working with others in the community.
>> okay.
>> and just -- just -- the full-time, this inspection technician will also make sure that the job gets done right?
>> correct. That's the key. I mean, we want to make sure that this person -- we also want to make sure that the repair stations aren't charging us for non-emission related repairs, but they also want to work with the repair stations to make sure that they know -- because it's a learning curve. Although I am happy to report that I went in February to a d.p.s. Workshop with the repair stations. When they asked how many repair stations are ready to go with this program, they had about 25 or 30 people raise their hands. These folks are very aware that this program is coming, what they need to have on hand to implement.
>> in Travis County.
>> in Travis County.
>> yeah. I think it would be one of those things if I need to go, I need to make sure that they are going to do the job right the first time.
>> that's why you have to go to a recognized repair facility. You can't just go anywhere. If you access these funds, grant funds, you cannot just go anywhere. You can only go to what d.p.s. Has. It's not a certification, but a d.p.s. Qualified recognitioned repair facility. They have a technician and they have the equipment.
>> and that I don't get charged more than what that repair job should be.
>> [indiscernible] we don't know anything about what's going on, for that certification.
>> let's move forward and clean up the air.
>> okay.
>> those directions to post those jobs. I guess they could be directions from the court. Will that take care of your immediate need?
>> yes, sir.
>> then I can come back.
>> that's what I recommend.
>> okay.
>> coming back on the -- on the outreach money?
>> outreach money pending -- those are the directions unless we need a specific motion.
>> I second it if it's a nothing. But if it's just direction, then --
>> right.
>> just direction.
>> [indiscernible] in house, so the conversion -- if there's a fiscal impact at some point, let us know, we will move then.
>> okay. We will get more information from tceq hopefully in the next month or so about exactly how that grant transfer is going to work.
>> do we need to as part of this item send the governor a letter indicating the importance of his administrative cost to operate the program.
>> I don't think so. There's been a lot of support for this bill. It's been introduced by representative chisolm, isn't it true armbrister was a big supporter, it should be fine. You never know.
>> you are saying the governor will sign it no matter what we do? [laughter] [laughter]
>> it's a small bill, probably not going to concern him very much.
>> he might be looking for light recreational reading.
>> Gerald, handle that call.
>> yeah.
>> thank you,.
>> thank you all.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, June 1, 2005 9:29 AM