As Washtenaw County works to address a $20.9 million structural budget shortfall, most members of the
agreed Wednesday night that the county should preserve services for the neediest residents and for children.
“We need to be there for people who ... have walked the length of the road and found there’s no more road to walk,” said Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor.
Commissioners didn’t target any specific programs. Instead they discussed what the county's core mission should be and mandated versus non-mandated services.
The board also had a brief discussion of privatizing some services, but most commissioners opposed that option.
Commissioner
Leah Gunn pointed out that the county is required by state law to offer some services, so the commissioners should consider the proper level of service. To help determine those levels, she suggested relying in part on assessments from department heads and employees.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
From left to right, Commissioners Barbara Levin Bergman, Conan Smith, Leah Gunn and Rob Turner discuss budget priorities during a breakout session at a recent budget retreat.
She said she liked an exercise in which department heads looked at their budgets and determined the impact of different levels of spending cuts. That provided the board with a picture of what will happen to certain services if a department’s budget is tightened.
“It gave me a clear idea of, ‘If I do this, then this will be the result,’” Gunn said.
Commissioner Dan Smith R - Northfield Township said the board should keep in mind Gov. Rick Snyder is promising sweeping changes to how government is structured in Michigan, so what is and isn’t mandated is somewhat in question. He added there could also be some relief coming from Lansing to go with those mandates.
But Commissioner
Wes Prater said the board shouldn’t rely on Lansing for funding at all any longer.
“If you look back the last five years at what happened then and what is happening now, we need to look at what the county can do on its own” he said. “If you depend on Lansing to do much of anything anymore I think you’re only wishful thinking. Look what happened to revenue sharing.”
The state's revenue sharing payments to states have been drastically cut.
Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, said the board needs to “re-localize our focus” and be as self-sufficient as possible.
Commissioner Rob Turner, R- Chelsea, said the federal and state governmenst are set up to take local tax money and promise to distribute it back, but the funds are not being properly redistributed.
“I’m sorry, but we are not going to be able to adequately fund the needs of the people of this county through just what we raise amongst ourselves,” he said. “They’re not going to give us the fair share of what they promised.”
He called for mandated and non-mandated departments to further streamline their operations and find more ways to save money.
“I know it has been going on, but I’m afraid we’ve got to go further,” he said. “With our elected officials, hired officials, we have got to go and squeeze out as much money as we can and be as efficient and find that money to save.”
Commissioner
Alicia Ping, R - Saline, said she had been to the county's juvenile detention center earlier in the day and seen staff there wearing multiple hats. She said the board needs to consider scaling back some of its mandated services if its priorities lie in non-mandated services.
“We can’t, right now, be all things to all people, and we need to figure out who we want to be,” she said.
Several commissioners also pointed out that many of the non-mandated services provide for the county’s neediest residents and children.
Commissioner Ronnie Peterson said the county may be at a point financially where it needs to cut those programs, especially given that they provide little return for the investment. He said many of the services aren’t aimed at physically capable residents, but are, for example, health programs for infants.
“It’s a hard choice for this progressive board,” he said. “Do you walk away from those populations and groups, especially in a time when people are particularly struggling economically, because … it’s about children.”
Peterson contended many of the services the county provides are what attract people to the community. He called Washtenaw County a “brand.”
“Washtenaw County — that name travels with a great deal of respect,” he said. “I would say we take on some of the cores that helped us get our reputation. People live here and move here because of quality of life and services we offer.”
Earlier in the conversation, Smith highlighted the need to prioritize those programs and departments — mandated or non-mandated — that provide a large return for little investment. He also argued that investing in children provides a large long-term return.
“If we spend a dollar on a child in the second grade, then we won’t be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on that child in several years,” he said.
Ping agreed.
“If we’re looking where we need to put our money, I’m all about focusing on kids,” she said. “I think that’s a huge investment in our community that provides long term benefits — we wouldn’t need a bigger jail, we wouldn’t need so many police officers.”
Turner said the board needs to address its immediate budget shortfall, but also balance that with long-term solutions.
Commissioner Conan Smith, D-Ann Arbor, characterized it as a need to “prioritize financial return on investment and social return on investment.”
In a discussion of how to budget for business the county should run as opposed to business it should look to others to take the lead on, the conversation largely centered on the prospect of privatizing the “invisible” aspect of county government.
Dan Smith said that included services that supported county employees, such as human resources related tasks, payroll or pensions. “All of these types of things that are transparent to the citizens — how much of this infrastructure does the county need to run versus asking a third party?” he asked.
Commissioner
Barbara Levin Bergman, D- Ann Arbor, cautioned against what might happen if infrastructure services were privatized and that company did not work out.
“If we privatize, we really need look at midterm and slightly longer than midterm consequences,” she said.
Washtenaw County Treasurer Catherine McClary also cautioned against privatizing services.
She used the example of payroll, which is her department’s responsibility. She said employees expect and a receive a level of service from her payroll department that they wouldn’t find with an outside company.
Several commissioners said they would want departments to have a chance to match outside company’s savings.
Turner, a former Chelsea School Board member, said that approach worked in motivating the district’s departments to find savings.
“There are times when it doesn’t hurt to compare inside cost of services to outside companies,” he said. “It was amazing how our inside services found a way to streamline.”
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. To reach the news desk, call 734-623-2530 or e-mail news@annarbor.com.
Comments
DonBee
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 4:20 a.m.
Let's see, if we stop plowing the roads and keep the fire departments from getting to a few emergencies, it will be easier to ask for more taxes. If we raise the price on the Sheriff's department deputies, and add all the fees for service we can, in the long run it will be easier to get a tax increase. If we keep all the jobs in house, it will mean there are more union voters to keep the commissioners in office. If we don't fix the bridges, and force people to drive around, then in the long run they will vote for more taxes. After all our commissioners are smart folks, they know how to get what they want.
Roadman
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
I like the absurdity of a story that came out about the county retaining outside counsel, Cynthia Reach, to commence legal proceedings for libel against a formerly homeless person who claimed he was mistreated by the Sheriff's Department. My, my, does the county have this much cash to waste on suing an apparently destitute person? The County Commission should investigate who authorized this colossal waste of taxpayer dollars.
Dog Guy
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
High taxes make more people poor or even homeless. Let us raise taxes to provide benefits to these additional poor. Most of the money will end up in the pockets of social welfare professionals, who will move to Washtenaw and vote for higher taxes "for the children." What a wonderful system!
Roadman
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
What about the County Commission sacrificing per diems instead of trying to go into my pocket? The County Commission wants worker concessions but they have a problem when a finger is pointed back in ther direction to do the same. The bull about not being able to rescind the per diem law does not cut it with me. Per diems are paid only when commissioners send requests to the payroll department. No requests no payment of per diems. It is that simple.
dlb
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
We as a civilized society have a moral responsibility to care for those who are struggling, through no fault of their own. Most honest people would love to work if they could. We need aggressive jobs programs for those who are able, and adequate supports for those who are not.
ShadowManager
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
Raise taxes. Problem solved. The End.
Roadman
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
Right. raise taxes. That way we can pay commissioner per diems. They luuuuuuuuuv per diems like bees love honey. As Commissioner Barbara Levin Bergman so eloquently stated:"I earn them and I spend them".
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
You don't have to go far to see all types of pain in Michigan and Washtenaw these days. Just about everyone who has bought a home in this state in the last 15 years is likely underwater. Taxes across the State have not gone down - they actually went up with the Granholm tax increase. Most in the private sector have come under significant job pressure - either losing their jobs or coming closer and closer to losing their jobs, and certainly having benefits cut and going with no raises for several years. Most folks who tried to save money - even in a bank CD - have lost money or lost ground to inflation. The Tax-base is hurting. The treadmill has gotten much harder for those who have stayed in Michigan over these 8 years of economic nightmares. Paying taxes - even to support the most unfortunate - is under pressure too. A basic food clothing and housing benefit is needed - but only for those who Truly can not fend for themselves. The safety net can not be a hammock.
dlb
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:14 p.m.
You would have to go back to the 70's to find tax rates as low in Michigan as they are now. Back then, the feds shouldered much more of the services for the poor and disadvantaged. And we wonder why the State does not have enough money!
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:13 a.m.
Seems like some here are concerned about "saving the children" but there was another strong leaning toward saving their own county jobs if the budget got tougher. Lots of institutions have downsized and found ways to economize, including one person taking on the job of another, or two, or three. Been there, done that. It can work though no one is happy about it. But, sacrifice the children? I think we in Washtenaw County can come up with a better solution than that, despite one declaration that "they provide little return for the investment" and are not, "physically capable residents'. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when someone tells that to a parent or guardian trying to make ends meet in this economic climate.
annarboral
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
Is it too early to consider a recall of these commissioners? They are clearly out of contact with reality. Tax payers are not really interested in paying for the poor. They simply want essential services like good roads, police & fire protection. If people cannot afford to live here they simply need to go elsewhere. I'm a compassionate person but I'm also realistic. I don't want to pay taxes to support other people. It is simply time for people to take control of and be accountable for their own lives. I have all I can do to take care of myself and my family without having to support anyone elses. The welfare state simply encourages irresponsibility. If I want to help people with troubles I'll do so through my church or other charitable organizations but not the government.
Bertha Venation
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
You got that right, annarboral ! It's all I can do to keep a roof over my own head. When the weather breaks, I'll probably be sellin' pies at the end of my driveway (ribs, too).
Roadman
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
My feelings exactly. Let's take out of my pocket to save Bear Stearns, GM, and JP Morgan Chase. Comerica Bank got a 2.25 billion dollar bailout. No billionaire left behind!
MA
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 4:09 a.m.
Right On AnnArborAl!!! I agree with you!,,,,and I am struggling to meet my expenses, but I just work a little harder to make ends meet. Churches are set up to assist people with food and clothing, even some housing. Let the Churches be more involved. Quit taking money out of my pocket for someone who won't work!
Bob Martel
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
OK, so after their kumbaya moment, the Commissioners all agreed to eliminate programs for the wealthy, middle class and older citizens and focus on programs for the poor and children. Sounds noble enough. But, after they eliminate all County programs for the wealthy, middle class and older citizens (other than parks, I can't say that I can think of too many) it seems to me that they still have that nagging $20,900,000 budget shortfall to address.
Roadman
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.
Bob, what about the county hiring outside legal counsel to file legal papers to investigate and sue for libel a homeless veteran who claimed improper treatment from the Sheriff's Dept. That is one way to deter criticism of the Sheriff's Department. Who ever heard of a county suing a citizen for libel? Outrageous!
rusty shackelford
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 6:22 p.m.
this headline means the exact opposite of what your copy editor thinks it means.
Roadman
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
The county should keep its reportedly beneficial program to help people facing home foreclosure by having county employees assist in working with lenders and homeowners to keep them in their homes. According to at least one commissioner this has helped a number of residents from losing their homes. 2011 is projected nationally to be a year of a record number of foreclosures.