Meeting Watch: County Board (15 Oct 2008)

Road commissioner selected, budget approval postponed

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Local students who attended Wednesday’s Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting as a requirement for their civics class sat through three hours that was long on presentations, short on action (aside from a Road Commission appointment). Among the things they heard was an update from Treasurer Catherine McClary on the county’s financial stability, in light of the recent global credit crisis; a presentation of environmental awards; and an overview of the many youth programs supported by the county. It was a civics lesson in the real-world minutia of local government.

Public comment: Bill Stein, a retiree of the Washtenaw Road Commission, thanked the county commissioners for helping retirees and current employees through some of the challenges they’d had over the past year regarding retirement and health care benefits. Though they didn’t speak publicly, about a dozen others were in the audience wearing bright orange T-shirts with the Road Commission logo – they left after Stein’s remarks.

2008 Environmental Excellence Awards: Several companies were recognized for their work in water quality protection, waste reduction and pollution prevention.

Update on youth programs: In an extended presentation, several people spoke about the different programs that Washtenaw County is helping to fund for youth. Derrick Jackson, the county’s chief deputy clerk and a West Willow resident, talked about efforts in that Ypsilanti Township neighborhood, including a basketball tournament called “Ballin’ in the Willow,” a summer recreation program and a community garden project. He said the most important aspect of these programs is the way in which they build community.

Programs highlighted by others during the hour-long presentation were: Washtenaw Youth Development, Washtenaw Area Teens for Tomorrow, Teen Center Without Walls, the B. Side of Youth, the Mentoring Coalition, workforce development programs, Career Jam, 4-H Youth Development, and an after-school program at Lake Shore Apartments in Ypsilanti Township.

Several of the speakers praised Commissioner Rolland Sizemore Jr. for his leadership and support of youth programs in the county. Sizemore thanked everyone for their efforts, and said he hopes to expand some of these initiatives.

Treasurer’s report on county finances: Treasurer Catherine McClary gave an update on Washtenaw County’s financial status, and reported that the county’s $226.6 million cash portfolio was secure. About six months ago she had reduced the county’s bank holdings – there are currently no CDs in the cash portfolio – but now that the FDIC is covering up to $250,000 per bank, she intends to begin placing CDs up to that amount in local banks. Tax delinquencies are up, as are mortgage foreclosures, which will likely contribute to declining property values, she said. That will continue to affect revenue for the county. McClary expects foreclosures to begin to abate by 2010. She said her office’s mortgage and tax foreclosure prevention programs are helping deal with the situation.

Road Commission appointment: As it had been during a special caucus last week reported on by The Chronicle, the process of appointing a new road commissioner continued to be a point of contention. Jeff Irwin, the board’s chairman, summarized his approach that led to nominating Doug Fuller of Scio Township. Karen Lovejoy Roe and Jessica Ping voted against Fuller, saying they didn’t believe the process had been transparent and inclusive. Leah Gunn noted that any commissioner could have nominated a candidate, but no one else did. “If you want to change the process, bring a proposal to the table,” she said. Fuller will serve as one of three road commissioners, earning $10,500 annually.

2009 budget: During a public comment session prior to the board meeting, Caryette Fenner, president of ASFCME Local 2733, asked commissioners to table the 2009 revised budget so that the union could talk to administrators about proposed staff cuts. She was concerned that restructuring would eliminate 13 positions, and wanted to have more time to see if another alternative could be reached. Later in the meeting, Commissioner Karen Lovejoy Roe moved to table the budget and was supported by Mandy Grewal, Mark Ouimet, Ronnie Peterson, Jessica Ping, Ken Schwartz and Rolland Sizemore Jr. – enough votes to take that action. ASFCME members in the audience applauded.

Present: Barbara Levin Bergman, Mandy Grewal, Leah Gunn, Jeff Irwin, Mark Ouimet, Ronnie Peterson, Jessica Ping, Karen Lovejoy Roe, Ken Schwartz, Rolland Sizemore Jr., Conan Smith

Next meeting: Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the County Administration Building, 220 N. Main St. The Ways & Means Committee meets first, followed immediately by the regular board meeting. Public comment sessions are held at the beginning and end of each meeting.