Washtenaw Deals With $20M Projected Deficit

In her state of the county address at the Jan. 19, 2011 Washtenaw County board of commissioners meeting, county administrator Verna McDaniel outlined preliminary plans to address a projected two-year $20 million deficit in 2012 and 2013. The deficit was first discussed publicly at the board’s Oct. 6, 2010 meeting. McDaniel plans to seek $8.5 million in cuts to employee compensation and benefits, $8.5 million from organizational changes, and $1 million from payments to outside agencies. She also has targeted the goal of generating $2 million in additional revenues.

In her extensive remarks, McDaniel stressed the need for structural and cultural changes. “We can no longer be all things to all people,” she said. She also said it was crucial for the board to set priorities that will guide how the administration addresses the projected budget deficit. A board retreat has been set for Jan. 29 to discuss priority-setting – that meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Washtenaw County administration building, 220 N. Main St., Ann Arbor.

This brief was filed from the county board meeting at the Washtenaw County administration building. A more detailed report will follow: [link]