Travis County Commissioners Court
September 8, 2009,
Item A1
Now we are back to our executive session items, I believe.and are you all here to see what action we are taking on the ones we did this morning?
do you want to take action this morning?
we did discuss a-1, the matter involving the new contract regarding flexible spending with fbmc premier benefits solutions.
and we had discussed the possibility this morning of some debits being allowed at the point of contact by providers that were later declared ineligible.
and one way to do that would be get employees to declare basically that where there was that situation, they would pay that invoice ultimately and Travis County would not.
and that if the bill were sent to Travis County and we were forced to pay it, then the employee would agree to reimburse Travis County or let Travis County withhold from his or her compensation that amount.
and barbara seems to think that would be all right.
>> and that is currently written into the contract; is that correct?
>> it's in the contract and it's in the fee agreement that they have to -- when they sign up for the debit card -- charles vaughn from the auditor's office.
when they sign up to use the debit card, it's also for the agreement.
>> and we can do a little more employee education on that fact as well, that the card is only designed for eligible items and if for some reason something is ineligible, that this is what they can expect and just lay it all out for them.
>> the other thing I think should be added to the agreement if it's not there already is that the repeated violation of that policy may result in the employee being declared ineligible to use the debit card.
if this is there as a matter of convenience, it makes a lot more sense than the current method where you have to periodically, I guess, do a paper invoice and provide documentation of the expense.
so this debit card will enable you basically to withdraw it from your money as the year progresses.
>> judge, I second the motion, but I would also like to find out when would this particular debit card be ready and available with the condition that we have stipulated here from the dais, the terms and the concerns --
>> October 1st.
>> I heard you say something that you would educate employees to let them know exactly what -- what we're suggesting here and if this motion passes what we expect to see happen.
>> correct.
and in our employee training that we did already, we did quite an intensive round of employee training during open enrollment so people would kind of know what to expect.
>> exactly.
>> we did indicate to them what the process is, but we can do some more, judge, with no problem at all because I think it's important people understand that the debit card is only intended for eligible fs
Now we are back to our executive session items, I believe.
and are you all here to see what action we are taking on the ones we did this morning?
do you want to take action this morning?
we did discuss a-1, the matter involving the new contract regarding flexible spending with fbmc premier benefits solutions.
and we had discussed the possibility this morning of some debits being allowed at the point of contact by providers that were later declared ineligible.
and one way to do that would be get employees to declare basically that where there was that situation, they would pay that invoice ultimately and Travis County would not.
and that if the bill were sent to Travis County and we were forced to pay it, then the employee would agree to reimburse Travis County or let Travis County withhold from his or her compensation that amount.
and barbara seems to think that would be all right.
>> and that is currently written into the contract; is that correct?
>> it's in the contract and it's in the fee agreement that they have to -- when they sign up for the debit card -- charles vaughn from the auditor's office.
when they sign up to use the debit card, it's also for the agreement.
>> and we can do a little more employee education on that fact as well, that the card is only designed for eligible items and if for some reason something is ineligible, that this is what they can expect and just lay it all out for them.
>> the other thing I think should be added to the agreement if it's not there already is that the repeated violation of that policy may result in the employee being declared ineligible to use the debit card.
if this is there as a matter of convenience, it makes a lot more sense than the current method where you have to periodically, I guess, do a paper invoice and provide documentation of the expense.
so this debit card will enable you basically to withdraw it from your money as the year progresses.
>> judge, I second the motion, but I would also like to find out when would this particular debit card be ready and available with the condition that we have stipulated here from the dais, the terms and the concerns --
>> October 1st.
>> I heard you say something that you would educate employees to let them know exactly what -- what we're suggesting here and if this motion passes what we expect to see happen.
>> correct.
and in our employee training that we did already, we did quite an intensive round of employee training during open enrollment so people would kind of know what to expect.
>> exactly.
>> we did indicate to them what the process is, but we can do some more, judge, with no problem at all because I think it's important people understand that the debit card is only intended for eligible fsa items because everybody wants to be in compliance with the i.r.s.
>> exactly.
>> I'm sure employees wouldn't attempt to violate it but if you do it unwittingly.
the motion is approve the contract with that understanding.
>> yes, sir.
>> seconded by Commissioner Davis.
ms.
wilson eye just heard y'all talking about and thought I better be down here in case there was another question.
>> we adopted all of the good legal advice you gave us.
any more discussion?
all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
john, we also discussed a-2, got our legal questions answered, I believe.
do we have that order?
>> well, it's better than we thought.
the treasurer's office did some searching and they found an interlocal agreement whenever we entered into the first transaction.
and that interlocal agreement is valid still today.
it continually renewed and it allowed the opportunity for other loans in the future.
and so delores was very pleased with that agreement in place.
i've sent copies of it to all of your offices, to the auditor's office and p.b.o.
and in my opinion that interlocal agreement will resolve any need because delores signed that original interlocal agreement in the first place.
so it's all set for you to take advantage of the --
>> no action needed.
>> you would still need to authorize the loan of the $12 million to the health care district pursuant to that interlocal agreement.
>> move that we approve the request from the Travis County health care district for $12 million from Travis County with the understanding that this would help them access greater federal funds for this community and with the understanding that they would pay us back as soon as possible, and this morning the representation was within a week to 10 days, wasn't it?
>> correct.
that is what --
>> second.
>> we have done this before and it happened harmlessly.
>> and it enables them to access an additional $52 million?
>> right.
they will send up 56 and they will get back an additional 52 back on top of that 56.
so it's a great deal if you can get it.
>> discussion?
all in favor?
show Commissioners Eckhardt, Gomez, Huber and your truly voting in fair.
>> and Commissioner Davis abstaining because his wife is employed with the daughters of charity of seton and I will submit the proper documentation to the clerk to support this particular statement.
thank you.
>> now, this morning we also got a briefing on 24-a, the fiscal that involves the city of Pflugerville and the developer and we were told we need to bring b back next week.
>> but I would move we do move forward with calling down the funds in 24-a.
>> second.
>> seconded by Commissioner Gomez.
discussion?
all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
and we took into executive session this morning one more item.
>> 41.
>> 41.
41 is the matter involving the community center at 1310 fm 1626.
>> I move the licensee be authorized to provide 300,000 as sufficient in complying with section 5.8 of the license agreement.
>> second.
>> seconded by Commissioner Gomez.
discussion?
all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
now we need to return to executive session to complete our executive session work today.
we have been in there at least twice already on star of Texas rodeo, but we need to go one more time.
and that's item number 37.
consider and take appropriate action on request for amendment to sublease of exposition center with certain terms and conditions from star of Texas rodeo and related issues and agreements.
and this will be under the consultation with attorney and real property exceptions to the open meetings act.
35, consider and take appropriate action concerning the settlement offer regarding charges for starflight services rendered by gerald pouliotte.
consultation with attorney.
36, receive breaching and take appropriate action on the capital metropolitan planning organization's campo, proposed changes to bylaws.
consultation with attorney exception.
number 38, receive legal briefing from county attorney and authorize county attorney to accept, reject or counter settlement offer and/or take appropriate action in a claim filed by katherine whippingfein.
39 we announced this morning we need to call up next week.
consultation with attorney on 38.
thank you, lawyer hilly.
40, consider and take appropriate action to authorize a broker to proceed in finding a data center for short-term lease of three to five years.
real estate exception.
and let's also announce legal just in case on item number 40.
and our final action for discuss will be 42, consider and take appropriate action regarding claims of former executive manager of assistive operations and director of the human resources management department.
consultation with attorney and personnel matters exceptions to the open meetings act.
>> consultation with attorney exception, they are no longer employees.
>> you heard that, public.
our lawyer says 42 only under consultation with owner, not personnel matters, right?
>> correct.
>> we will discuss these items in executive session under the exceptions announced, but will return to open court before taking any action.
a items because everybody wants to be in compliance with the i.r.s.
>> exactly.
>> I'm sure employees wouldn't attempt to violate it but if you do it unwittingly.
the motion is approve the contract with that understanding.
>> yes, sir.
>> seconded by Commissioner Davis.
ms.
wilson eye just heard y'all talking about and thought I better be down here in case there was another question.
>> we adopted all of the good legal advice you gave us.
any more discussion?
all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 4:25 PM
