Travis County Commissioners Court
October 23, 2007
Item A2
A-2, consider and take appropriate action on request for a letter to various Travis County managers regarding interim work on legislative issues in preparation for 2009 legislative session. Unfortunately peter gave me a letter a couple days ago that I revised and really even over lunch looked at it because I think the letter ought to come from Commissioners court. Basically this is inviting the managers to give us by October 30th requests for legislative items, issues, proposals that we need to consider and discuss at our November 1 work session. We can bump that -- we can bump the work session if we want to, but the sooner we turn our attention to it, the better. There are probably five or six big issues that we've discussed lately that we probably ought to discuss as a group ourselves and decide whether to give them to our consultants to start working on during the interim. The other thing is annually or historically we have invited county managers to bring to us any proposals that they think the legislature should consider. Annually also we really have been kind of tardy in getting that to our consultants so the aim this year is to start working on it a whole lot sooner. The other thing is that I think part of our strategy this time ought to be to touch base with the other urban counties, maybe even some of the -- you know, medium size and smaller counties and try to get their input. So if we want to do this, my recommendation would be that Commissioner eckhardt, peter and I maybe look at this. Any changes we make will be bewordsmithing without significance. More than anything else, I think it ought to come from the Commissioners court because I think it will have a little more impact that way. And probably be a good idea for us if we know departments have issues because managers have mentioned to us, touch base with them and see if they can get us by -- the 30th is Friday.
>> it's next Tuesday.
>> okay, then, next -- by next Monday or Tuesday because the work session is next Thursday. How is that?
>> that sounds good.
>> judge?
>> yes, sir.
>> my request would be we push it a week. I'm not here on the 1st and I would really like to be part of it. Maybe somebody is not going to be here on the 8th, but if everybody is going to be here on the 8th.
>> it will be at least two weeks based on how we do work sessions. We can do that. Is that okay is this.
>> we may be able to get a more comprehensive list of wishes.
>> and move that to the 8th?
>> sure.
>> November 15th? By the way, we are committed to do the performance evaluations of executive managers on the 15th. That's the date that -- well, if we do the 8th and just have this as one item, we want to think about doing that?
>> sure.
>> and try to get this --
>> so next Friday? Next Friday and then do the 8th?
>> yeah. How is that?
>> so Friday is the 2nd? November 2nd.
>> and just -- November 2nd for the deadline. November 8th for a work session that is just this item, but we will have bob can here and that will give us more time to touch base with managers that we think should bring proposals to that session, okay? And what Commissioner eckhardt and peter and I will do is work on this a little bit more and have it on the agenda next -- or do we want to try to get it out?
>> I think we should go ahead and get it out. I think it would be such minor wordsmithing, we could get it out and have an extra week to pull that information from the managers and division directors.
>> okay. We would send this letter to all elected officials and managers that historically have worked for the legislature?
>> I think so, yes.
>> okay.
>> so judge, I think you had mentioned something about some other outside people, but I think it would be great to try to have don lee, ask don if we can come and listen. Because we go to them so often with -- probably wouldn't hurt for him to listen and it usually consult vaits some ideas from don.
>> it would certainly be great to have him here. It might be a little premature in regard to -- I don't see any problems. I think he would be a great help.
>> I'm happy to call him and ask him if he will come.
>> do we think everybody is okay on November 8th?
>> yes.
>> 1:30? And hopefully an hour to an hour and a half. Ms. Porter, will you be able to find time in your busy schedule to join us? You are not here on workday work schedules anyway.
>> no.
>> I see why you look so eager and happy. All right. Move approval of the draft.
>> second.
>> we'll wordsmith it. If we make significant changes, we'll put it back on, otherwise we'll get it out. Discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 18:30 AM