I have publicly asked the board and the administration to take the lead on cutting our own budgets before asking any staff or consumers to go without.

It is an honor to work with the dedicated public servants we have on our current board. We will cut our budget and do what is right for the citizens of Washtenaw County. Government meetings serve the people best when there is a chance for more than one viewpoint. Disagreement is part of the process of getting to the best solution.

This board takes its responsibilities to the people seriously and many of us feel the pressure of the $26 million deficit weighing on us heavily. Please be patient with those of us you have elected to serve you and your neighbors. Communicate with us often and consider coming to our meetings.

I’d like to point out that the alternative of a 10% budget cut in each commissioner’s allocation would not necessarily mean a cut in spending. Those are not amounts allocated to commissioners to spend any way they want, but a budget estimate. When I was there, there was a ceiling on travel expenses (to conferences etc.) for each commissioner and I assume that the same is true now. But the use of travel and per diems varies widely. If the highest spending commissioners continue to use the fullest amount possible while others remain far below that, the total savings will be very little.

The 10% cut idea makes it sound as though each commissioner is entitled to spend that entire amount budgeted for him/her. That would be a very bad idea to put across. I don’t see how halting the payment of per diems would impede anyone’s representation of their district, unless they are unable to attend meetings without receiving $25.

Our county government is grappling with a monstrous budget problem created by a unprecedented drop in property values accompanied by a sharp rise in need. Unfortunately, our meeting on Wednesday was further evidence that the quantity of debate is often inversely proportional to the importance of the decision.

Having said that, I believe that the Board will come together around some significant cuts in our budget because we all know the need and the seriousness of our situation. As far as I can tell, the differences over what should be trimmed back are quite small.

I thought Commissioner Gunn’s proposal was right on target and I was happy to support it and move on to weightier items (such as our Thursday meeting covering the Sheriff’s vision for his organization and a presentation on our reserve funds).