The length of time it is taking to address the overpayment issue is unacceptable.

The County Commissioners should be tripping over each other going to the payroll office to resolve this matter so it does not continue being a story that is constantly receiving media scrutiny.

It seems that the per diem controversy has brought about a level of public dissatifaction for those who have received improper or questionable disbursements from the payroll office. This is not a political but a legal issue as inappropriately received compensation should reimbursed to the county post-haste. Those commissioners who do not return such monies voluntarily should explain why to the public.

As of this date, I am aware of only Leah Gunn who has tendered a reimbusement check to the county based on Larry Kestenbaum’s report. Other commissioners need to speed up resolution of this embarrassing matter and cough up cash to the county ASAP.

The minutes reflect that I did bring forth a resolution that would eliminate the pension. The only difference between our two resolutions was that I added the elimination of the health care benefit.

WASHTENAW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE

October 20, 2010

Items for Current/Future Discussion
Comm. Judge moved to adopt a resolution to eliminate Board of Commissioners retirement, pension & health care benefits for all returning and newly elected members as of 1/1/2011 and beyond. Motion failed due to lack of a second.

I no longer have dental care, and I never had vision care.

The reason I voted to table the resolution in 2009 was that I had not had a chance to review it or ask questions of the pension administrator. Remember that tabling a vote does not the same as a “no” vote. It just allows the resolution to be taken up at a later date.

I was always in favor of getting rid of the pension, but I wanted to understand the resolution before voting on it. The original resolution was brought to the board by Commissioner Gunn, so the question remains, “Why did she not vote to get rid of the pension when it was brought up again in 2010?” We both agreed that the pension should be eliminated. This should have been a resolution we could have agreed on. [link]

In this AnnArbor.com article [link] Commissioner Gunn incorrectly states that Commissioner Bergman is the only Commissioner participating in the county health care.

“I don’t think it’s morally right to mess with somebody’s health care, and there’s only one commissioner who has it — she’s singling out Barbara,” said Leah Gunn, D-Ann Arbor, referring to an ongoing feud between Judge and Commissioner Barbara Levin Bergman, D-Ann Arbor.

Actually other commissioners participate in the health benefits along with dental and vision benefits including Commissioner Gunn. To see the history of costs visit: [link]

As I have stated publicly, my reason for supporting per diems is that per diem payments create an equity between commissioner work loads, as long as the system is used correctly. One commissioner may be appointed to 5-6 committees and go to 100 extra meetings a year. While another commissioner who is not appointed to any committees, just attends the county board meetings. Our Chair of the Board and Chair of Ways and Means receive a greater salary than the other commissioners due to the increase in workload. The per diem also works to bring equity to the pay for time worked.

The real cost to the taxpayers is the health and pension benefits that I tried to have eliminated and had no support on. Residents should not be paying lifetime health benefits for part-time elected officials who serve 16 years. We cannot choose to give up our 7.5% pension contribution from the county. Commissioners can choose to not take per diems, and I will not be taking any for my service.

I am hoping that my colleagues will look at the true opportunity to save some money long-term by getting rid of legacy costs for part-time elected officials.

If you would like to see past commissioner spending and how much we have brought that down, visit my website at [link].

Feel free to contact me with any questions or stop by my “Coffee with your Commissioner” events the 2nd Thursday of each month from 10-11am at Harvest Moon Cafe. Evening times coming soon.
734-646-2088 or judgek@ewashtenaw.org

What I stressed was that the WCHo does not make official policy at the Jail. The Program Committee was interested in and pleased with the report of the psychiatrist we pay for in the jail who reported that because deputies accepted the offer of training in alternatives to taser for inmate control, its use had reduced.

The Sheriff sets policies for the jail. What I lauded was the willingness of deputies to accept training for alternatives to the use of taser. This is another case of county departments working together to improve services.