I have already heard that there is push back from our employees, whom we exopect to take cuts. And, the amount of money in the flex accounts (about $38,000) would go a very long way with some of the local non-profits who are struggling to provide services. I am told that Food Gatherers’ demand has increased 128% in the last year. Symbolic it may be, but I believe it’s the right thing to do. My flex account spending for 2011 will be the same as it was in 2010 – zero.

I think Leah Gunn has been completely on point with her criticisms of the current system.

Ironically, it was the Washtenaw County Democratic Party that placed a spotlight with the per diem problems to torpedo the candidacy of Republican Mark Ouimet in the State House race. Now its the Democrats on the County Commission that want to retain these.

Thank you for your prompt response to my post.

I have no quibble with reasonable compensation for necessary mileage and travel expenses. If that is what the proposed resolution sets forth and the Board of Commissioners want to eliminate those items as well, more power to them.

I do, however, vehemently oppose as “double-dipping” the payment of a commissioner’s salary in addition to per diem reimbursemnt.

I thank all those commissioners who supported Mrs. Gunn’s resolution.

I note that Commissioner Ken Schwartz, who voted against the resolution abolishing per diems, was voted out of office and replaced with a Republican. It is possible, and likely, that his replacement would support this resolution if it were re-introduced sometime next year. I would expect it to pass at that time.

In the alternative, I would suggest the proposed resolution that failed be modified to simply address per diems but exclude mileage and travel expenditures from being abolished. Perhaps then there will be sufficient support for passage.

“….I tried to eliminate the larger cost to taxpayers of lifetime health care and pensions for part-time elected officials. These are perks that I do not think that taxpayers feel are justified….”

You are probably correct with you perception of taxpayer attitudes. I am satisfied with County Commission members receiving a flat salary of $15,000.00 with no other perks. However my recollection was that your proposal received little encouragement by your fellow commisioners. My focus at this juncture is to eliminate double-dipping via the per diems. Maybe your proposed resolution regarding pension and health care will get a warmer reception in the future by your fellow commissioners.

Until action is taken to abolish the per diems, the County Commission can expect to receive a torrent of adverse public opinion and citizen pressure from residents across the county to move on this issue post-haste.

You should be even more disturbed by the fact that the resolution I brought before the board last month was not supported. I tried to eliminate the larger cost to taxpayers of life-time health care and pensions for part-time elected officials. These are perks that I do not think taxpayers feel are justified. I encourage you to reread this article: [link]

The expenses occurred while doing business for the county should be reimbursed so that anyone can serve. If someone does not have the financial means to attend the hundreds of meetings a year that it takes to be an effective commissioner, then they may decide not to run. Having a way to be reimbursed allows anyone to serve. Commissioner Prater and I also started the Transparency Initiative and with the help of our amazing staff have a website that now shows you how each commissioner is spending any money they are allotted. Go to this link to see the accountability: [link]

If you would ever like to speak about this more, please call me on my personal cell phone at 734-646-2088. I also eliminated my county cell phone to save taxpayers about $1,000/year.

The passage of this proposed resolution would have been largely symbolic. Citizens should react by sending e-mails to the County Commission expressing disapproval with this vote.

Further, the commissioners failing to support this resolution should be voted out of office at the earliest oportunity.