Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 (Agenda)
Item 17
>> 17 is receive revised fiscal year 2012 budget agenda work sheet that includes topics discussed during budget hearings and serves to identify potential topics to be addressed during the fiscal year 2012 budget markup.
which starts September 7th.
>> that's correct.
markup is currently scheduled for September 7th from 9:00 to noon.
and from 2:00 to 5:00.
we do have two additional days if needed.
there have been budget cycles when we've been able to complete our work within the first day of markup.
you do have before you the finalized budget agenda work -- work sheet, and I'll let jessica go over a couple of the things.
I would just encourage us all to be prompt on returning this completed work sheet to the judge's office by 5:00 p.m.
on Tuesday August the 30th.
and it's from your input on those agenda requests that we set up the agenda for markup.
as you recall, we go through and generally address those items that all five of you have marked that you want to discuss and then we go to four, three, two and one.
I would remind you that we do reproduce any comments over in the right-hand comment section, so if you are making comments to yourself that you would prefer not to be public, well, maybe what you want to do is work on a draft and -- because what we have done consistently is reproduce those comments out on the right.
and with that I'll let jessica just go over a couple of brief things.
>> certainly we already went over.
I guess what I would highlight that's a little different from the last year, I believe, is that we have noted in blue the earmarks that are either on the preliminary budget.
now, this second section says preliminary budget amount, there are a couple of issues on different ones where we actually have it on the corrections list for consideration during markup and we've included that information so you can see a more complete picture.
but we've noted it anywhere we've done that in the description or request name in parentheses to let you know there mate be a change.
the earmarks are listed in blue and they -- e.m.
stands for earmark.
as leroy noted, we would want this back on August 30th and any comment that you put we will reproduce.
the asterisks on the far left, the notes if it was discussed at a budget hearing.
so that's something to keep in mind as well.
>> jessica, could I have a copy of that?
I do not have a copy.
>> I think we have an additional one here.
>> okay.
thanks.
appreciate it.
thank you.
that's all right.
thank you.
>> so where will that asterisk be?
>> it will be at the far left, at the very top there is an asterisk in gray so if you continue down --
>> 199 on the left has one.
>> right.
>> okay.
>> they are sprinkled throughout the document.
there's also different options on a few of the requests that you were duds during budget hearing.
most notably under the sheriff's office, and it's a lot of information, but honestly we had quite a number of people looking at this to make sure it was complete and as easy and readable as we could make it given the complexity of the issue and large amount of information that was discussed.
also under the sheriff's information, travis has included some costing information that I believe was requested from the court.
and that is also listed starting at 276 b-1.
and that information is just for you to see the costing information for one detective, for example, or one sergeant, one lieutenant.
also under the corrections relief there's some costing information for a corrections officer and a security coordinator.
so this will be your guide during budget markup, and that's really I think all that I was going to highlight.
>> can I ask a question?
>> sure.
>> so if there is a requested amount and that same amount is shown under the preliminary budget amount column, that means that it's in the preliminary budget.
>> that's correct.
>> that's correct.
>> so if those amounts are the same, what should I think when I see it?
>> well, you can -- what we will do in markup as a starting point for markup is ask you to approve the preliminary budget just as a starting point.
and then you can take away from any -- any of these items that you see under the preliminary budget that you would like to delete from the preliminary budget, then I would say that you would check that item and in your comments you might want to say reconsideration for deletion from preliminary budget.
does that answer your question?
>> not really.
>> okay.
>> so there's a requested amount, that amount is in the preliminary budget, I don't have any problem with it.
I guess I'm wondering why is it on the sheet.
and 2, I just leave it blank.
>> right.
you leave it blank and the reason it's on the sheet is that a member of the court may want to request that it be deleted.
that's the reason it's on the sheet.
>> the sheet requested all reductions and budget proposals submitted to p.b.o.
so it's a complete picture.
>> our new cemetery.
we talked about $2 million needed at some point.
in fact, that amount is in the preliminary budget.
>> it is earmarked in the preliminary budget.
>> we had subsequent conversations that led us to believe 1.25 would cover it.
>> that's correct.
>> which would free up $750,000.
>> and that's noted on here.
if you look at line actually 3:57, which is the international cemetery expansion which there was a $2 million earmark in c.a.r.
reserve which is noted in blue, $2 million under preliminary budget.
the next line 357 a is the capital costs related to the 885 that was for the land purchase.
my understanding from mr. Dairybarry is the 885 is on the corrections list because the court has already taken action.
however, the associated capital will require additional action which is what that 357 a represents and that's why there's a zero under preliminary budget.
the next line includes a negative 750,000, judge, which is I believe what you were just referring to.
and so what the court could do is vote on taking that -- the actual c.a.r.
reserve down by $750,000 by action on those items. Does that answer your question?
>> it sure does.
>> I'll get the corrections to the preliminary budget which those items we just discussed are on there and I will get those to you for the agenda item the week before and then go over them the first thing during markup to kind of recommend and get your approval for those corrections.
>> well, the judge's final question is this.
let's say that he remembers court discussions on some of these and seems like all of us agreed on a certain action that is reflected in the preliminary budget.
can we circle that in red or something to indicate we've decided this and there's no reason to discuss it, but if somebody wants to bring it up, let them do it?
>> well, it's easier just to leave it blank.
>> that puts a lot more work on you, doesn't it?
>> no, we just count the checks.
>> [laughter]
>> you set aside several days for markup and I'm trying to get back a half a day.
>> but I mean if in fact there's no need to discuss it, just leave that last -- next to last column blank and it will end up at the bottom of the agenda which normally doesn't get discussed.
for example, if in fact -- if in fact you agreed with everything in the preliminary budget and with us not interested in adding or subtracting anything, you would just sign this and turn it in.
>> that won't happen, I guarantee you that.
>> [laughter] but there are some items where I think done deal court would save us a whole lot of time and you too.
however, be that as it -- we understand p.b.o.
has its way.
I dare not change that, mr. Nellis.
>> we're relying on their memory to remember all the things we voted on.
>> if we keep it simple, then there's not a confusion as to what it means by a check or the lack thereof.
>> I promise --
>> are you through?
>> yeah.
>> you know, and you know, we went through a pretty exhaustive process as far as having a budget hearing and, of course, we heard from a lot of folks that really would like us to consider funding certain things in this upcoming budget that were not a part of the p.b.o.
preliminary budget.
and, of course, my concern is that how will we be able to make sure that after we have exhausted our input, and I'm saying the Commissioners court input into responding to those requests made by the participants, capital idea, men and boys, the men and boys heritage foundation and the list goes on and on and on and on.
the sheriff, of course, and when I say the sheriff, we're talking about all the people in the sheriff's department.
in other words, we heard from a lot of folks.
>> right.
>> how we'll be able to during the markup session when we come before the court, will they be able to receive what the court has decided to do as far as when we turn these things in as far as what I decided to and what everybody else on this court decides to do, how will that be made available to those persons that came down and said, look, I would like you to -- and they could see where we are.
how will that happen?
as far as the public is concerned.
>> well, the agenda, the proposed agenda for markup will be submitted once we've tabulated these.
we normally have not distributed the tabulation prior to markup other than to the members of the court.
>> right.
but I'm just saying after that has exhausted its end, let's say an example the african-american resource center, which is under the men and boys conference, heritage foundation conference, those as an example along with capital idea, those folks, they will come down and how will they know, how will they know what we have done --
>> what you vote on?
>> yes.
>> normally what happens is the department that had sponsored those outside agencies or any of the budget hearings that are on the sheet, they normally have the responsibility to respond to all of those agencies.
and I think sherri could probably --
>> because a lot of those were social service, well, participation.
I'm sorry, go ahead.
let sherri.
>> sherri fleming.
we have described the budget process to all of the agencies and particularly those agencies who have requests before you.
and so they have information about, you know, the budget work session was a stage for them and then they also have information about the markup process and how that works.
it is possible that you may see some of those folks here at markup.
if not, we will keep them informed as to any action you take, any final action that you take.
now, it has not been our practice to notify those agencies to say your item got so many check marks on the -- because generally even the departments don't really see that until markup, until the morning of markup.
so we wouldn't give them that information, but at whatever point your final action is taken, we would notify them.
>> okay.
I just wanted to make sure they are still considered in the loop and how we would know they are still considered in the loop as far as the funding of it.
you explained it pretty accurately.
thank you.
>> we have received the document.
>> just to note we do have additional copies and if the department would like a copy, I would suggest that they contact their budget office and we will supply them a p.d.f.
>> thank you.
>> now, let me indication to call up 11 next, 11 next and then 21, 40 and 41 that I said we would get to at 2:00.
those items require staff reporting back.
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