Comments on: Washtenaw Faces $20M Deficit in 2012-13

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:42:39 +0000

To clarify, the MPPP was the pension plan for all county employees who began work after a certain date in the 1990s. It was a defined contribution plan (like a 401K) and commissioners, as half-time employees, were included with all others at half-time or more. Employees from an earlier date were on a defined benefit (traditional pension plan), WCRS. Over time the employees on MPPP were dissatisfied and negotiated a change whereby all employees went onto the state defined benefit plan. This left only the commissioners, most of whom were not qualified for the state plan, in MPPP. It should have been shut down at that time but there was some resistance among certain commissioners. I hope that the BOC can do the right thing now and terminate the plan.

(As a commissioner, I was a member of the MPPP and when I left, rolled over 8 years’ worth of my contributions, that were matched by the county. At that time, all employees were still members of this plan or of WCRS.)

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:50:46 +0000

I also agree that this so-called MPPP pension plan is unnecessary and should be eliminated. I am less concerned about health care since that is the very issue we want to promote for all employees – part-time or not. No health care means more costs long term for all governments. This is counter to President Obama’s initiative earlier this year to expand coverage, not reduce or eliminate it. Eliminating health care isn’t Democratic.

Get rid of the pension. Get rid of the waste that is per diem, mileage and travel. No reason a board member should get these high-cost perks in this day and age.

By: Fred Zimmerman

Fred Zimmerman — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:00:18 +0000

I agree that a pension plan for a part-time commissioner job is unwarranted.

I am more sympathetic to having a health insurance plan. Why *not* have a plan available so that those who need it can avail themselves of it? — as long as it is reasonably priced. I would rather have everyone possible covered than punish people who are in no way responsible for our national health insurance policy.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:38:24 +0000

“Once again, I will say that I proposed ending the MPPP (the Money Purchase Pension Plan, a defined contribution program that the Commissioners benefit from) last year, and I got violent pushback from Commissioners (whom I will not name out of courtesy).”

Oh we know who they are/were. And, kudos to you Leah for taking the lead on this. I am not always happy with your political choices, but on this one, you are right on the money.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:34:44 +0000

“Unlike Commissioner Judge and most other commissioners, i have no spouse or partner who has access to medical medical insurance which would cover me through his/her employment. Nor did I receive health insurance as a benefit to a widow of a deceased employee. I must pay for my own health insurance costs.”

Then maybe Ms. Bergman can grasp thousands and thousands of Washtenaw County residents feel then? Elected officials should NOT be getting health care until everyone else in American does. If that is a major reason Ms. Bergman is running for office, then she needs to find another job.

By: Barbara Levin Bergman

Barbara Levin Bergman — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:23:11 +0000

Just for the record: I am considered a half employee of Washtenaw County. Therefore , as a half time employee, I pay one half of the cost of my health insurance. I am part of the county employee group plan.

Unlike Commissioner Judge and most other commissioners, i have no spouse or partner who has access to medical medical insurance which would cover me through his/her employment. Nor did I receive health insurance as a benefit to a widow of a deceased employee. I must pay for my own health insurance costs.

Payment for one half of my health insurance by the county has been considered an employee benefit. It is one that I have greatly appreciated.

I do support the proposal of Commissioner Leah Gunn to end all per diem and mileage payments.
I do, however hope that the county will continue to offer shared payment health insurance to me and to any incoming commissioner who is in need of this benefit.

By: Leah Gunn

Leah Gunn — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:51:30 +0000

Once again, I will say that I proposed ending the MPPP (the Money Purchase Pension Plan, a defined contribution program that the Commissioners benefit from) last year, and I got violent pushback from Commissioners (whom I will not name out of courtesy). When I became a Commissioner, I asked to be excluded from this benefit, and was told that I had to take it. All Commissioners put in 7.5% and the county matches that. This year, with the county employees all in a different plan, this plan has only eleven members, the Commissioners. It is my understanding that a memo will be sent out soon to dismantle the plan and put Commissioners in a 457 deferred compensation plan, which will have no county match. Then, individual Commissioners can decide what they want to do – stay in the plan, roll it over to another tax deferred instrument such as an IRA, or pay taxes and cash out. I am hoping that all Commissioners will support the ending of this pension benefit. It costs about $10,000 a year to administer, and that is an expense we do not need to bear. I realize that $10,000 is a small amount, but we have already cut to the bone in our budget, and are in the position of looking at digits and perhaps limbs in the future. I am also willing to take a salary cut, and actually earn nothing, if my fellow Commissioners will agree to that. It is about public service, not about us.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:06:48 +0000

Ms. Judge – You didn’t really use the phrase “bad chicken dinners” to draw sympathy for your penchant to travel to county conferences, now did you? We should view your efforts as a huge sacrifice on our behalf? Shame on you.

You know as well as anyone that most of what is done at a conference can be accomplished remotely by some extra effort. Particularly in this economy. It is time you start using the “conference call” and “webinar” feature a bit more often to participate in future functions. Your not my commissioner, but if you were, I would want a LOT more accountability and respect.

By: Mark Koroi

Mark Koroi — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:56:08 +0000

It is ludicrous that part-time commissioners should receive pension benefits and health insurance.

There should be citizen pressure on the County Commission to abolish this ASAP.

By: Kristin Judge

Kristin Judge — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:51:55 +0000

Let’s talk about the almost $50,000 a year commissioners cost the taxpayer for pension and health insurance. That does not directly benefit the residents. It is a perk that I think needs to go.

We need to vote on that before November 1st to change it for the incoming board. Commissioner Bergman is one of only two commissioners who is on the county’s insurance plan. That is a perk. Giving up weekends to sit in a hotel conference room and eat bad chicken dinners so I can bring back revenue and programs for the county is not a perk.

Let’s talk about the true spending that should be eliminated from the commissioner budget.