Travis County Commissioners Court
December 15, 2009,
Item 7
>> 7 is approval modification number 4 to contract number pso 40161 jw, nora dell bosque, to provide professional legislative advocacy services for county auditor.
Commissioner Davis.
>> the reason I brought that up, I was trying to see the coalition, their relationship between dece, who we have hired on to take our legislative concerns to the legislature, and he's been doing a pretty good job.
and I was wondering why do we have a separate consultant here and as far as the reporting is concerned.
i don't know if this person reports directly to dece as he brings his stuff to the Commissioners court, because some of the stuff does concern judicial.
i recall one instance about -- I can't remember the bill itself, but it was basically looking at situations for district judges' compensation issues.
of course, that was brought up, and so I was kind of getting confused.
it appears that are we paying for two consultants here doing similar things?
i really don't know, so I wanted to get explained to me what -- why we have two consultants and especially when we have one that reports directly to the court as we go through the legislative process.
and so -- so that was what --
>> I'll try to respond and as you see, susan and dietz are here.
>> I need somebody to explain that to me because when the public sees that, they know that dietz comes to us, but on this here another consultant and I guess judicial and judges' issues.
>> well, I'll try to give you -- cyd grimes, county purchasing agent.
before mr.
dietz started with us, in years past, I guess it's probably been seven or -- seven sessions now, the court did hire legislative consultant for the Commissioners court.
we still have that contract continuing.
this contract for the county auditor started several years ago also, back in '04.
as you know, Commissioner, there's so much legislation, every year more and more bills are introduced and the complexity of the county really, you know, it was hard -- I mean we finally got a person on staff, but it's been hard for all of us to keep up with all the legislation.
a lot of us, a lot of elected officials have associations that look after specific interests like the Commissioners court, the district clerks, the sheriff, all those elected officials have associations that have paid staff and help with legislation.
and historically the county did not have legislative help.
probably I guess the last 10 years is when we started hiring folks.
so we actually have two outside consulting contracts or legislative assistants and we know have dietz.
so I think it --
>> who is the other one?
in other words, we have dietz and I know dietz reports directly to the court.
he has, you know, this past year -- who is the other one?
>> help me remember the name.
katz.
>> I'm sorry, greg knapp.
>> greg knapp and
>> [indiscernible] have the contract, the advocacy and consulting services.
>> right.
i know we did those two, but this other person coming out of the auditor's office, I know what we've done as far as in the past, but I'm just trying to say -- what I'm trying to get to is why we have --
>> I think it's because of the complexity of the legislative process and the issues --
>> but an example as far as your office is concerned, purchasing office.
you know, will you need a consultant also?
>> no, we have an association that we do legislation.
>> all right.
so that was my concern is the -- the -- I was hoping that when we got dietz and these other folks, santos, I know several people put in for that, that would take care all of our legislation requirements.
when I saw this, I said what is this?
we talk about significant money here and I don't really -- that was my point is a duplication of services, it appeared to me.
and that's just the way it appears.
>> no, I don't think it's duplication of services.
i'll let the auditor --
>> it's not a duplication of services.
>> explain to me what it is.
>> the auditor is an independent appointed official that has statutory duties that she or he must comply with.
whether or not the Commissioners court is in agreement with it.
what we have done is there are many financial issues, accounting financial issues that you remember.
we took -- this particular legislative service really dealt with the gasby 45 issue and there are numerous accounting actuarial issues really that are technical financial-type issues that do impact not only the Commissioners court but the people who live in our area.
and so this -- these are issues that she has become educated in.
she reports to me, but she certainly works in coordination with our other team and with dietz.
she was very helpful in the years where we're fighting hard against revenue caps and worked with the information that we gave her.
so it's just part of the decentralized county organization, but also working together.
>> right.
and I understand.
but my concern -- is the auditor, do you have an association statewide?
>> we have an association statewide, and their issues sometimes are the same as Travis County, a large county like ours, and sometimes they are not.
my stance and allegiance is to what the best for the taxpayers in Travis County and my ability to do my job here, and she focuses on those issue.
and has been very effective.
>> I'm not saying it hasn't.
i was questioning because when I asked the purchasing agent about why she doesn't have -- she's independent and she's an appointed official, why doesn't she have a consultant and, of course, she says because it's because much has an association.
>> my issues is not as complex at some of the issues -- some of the issues y'all are dealing with.
>> I'm not knocking the complexity.
i'm just -- it just appears that when a person sees that and we know that dietz is here, and does this person report to dietz?
>> no.
>> as far as presenting things that come before the Commissioners court.
>> if we need to do that, she will.
>> because I've never seen this person.
i can't recall her ever coming-.
>> she coordinates with dietz on the issues.
most of the issues or y'all's issues are in coordination.
>> okay.
>> any other questions?
>> I have one.
the -- the funds for the payments to this consultant are from within your budget entirely.
>> yes.
yes.
>> and if -- and do you have any independent authority to contract with a consultant for legislative services independent of our acquiescence?
>> I don't think that the auditor or any other official has the authority to contact.
Commissioners court has to do that.
it's part of the checks and balances.
that's exactly right.
like I could not enter into this contract.
i can recommend it, I can provide the funding for it, but the Commissioners court has to -- is the contract agency for the entire county.
>> in the event, given your independent status and bless he hadly so that's exactly how it should work, in the event that there were a conflict between the auditor's office and the Commissioners court with regard to a piece of legislation that the auditor felt strongly about, what -- what would be your stance with regard to utilizing this consultant?
>> we have had issues where we have a different view.
that's not uncommon, just the way the county is put together.
and what we would do is we would certainly come in, tell the court, which we have done in the last session, we had things that -- your association supported and we did not.
and then -- so I would tell you that.
we would tell dietz that.
and I would feel free to testify as an elected if I recall and use the legislative service person to help me do that.
>> okay.
>> frankly, Commissioners, that's the reason why.
>> that's why I'm asking the question.
>> because I did help her in drafting this contract with that in mind.
>> and that's exactly why I'm asking the questions.
i'm drawing out the -- the possibility of a conflict of interest with regard to legislative priorities between the independent auditor's office and the Commissioners court.
>> could be.
>> although we always strive to not have them.
those times do occur and although it -- it chafes when you are paying for your opponent's consultant, nevertheless my opponent is my -- is my sister policy person, but independent of the court.
>> the money is in your budget, though.
>> yes.
>> any more discussion?
>> I move approval.
>> second.
any more discussion?
>> no.
i've had it laid out thoroughly enough, judge.
>> all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you.
>> cyd, those questions were not intended to suggest that you go get your own consultant now.
>> [laughter]
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:30 PM
