The CSTS budget runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, in sync with the state’s fiscal year. The county operates on a calendar year cycle.

The proposed $26,838,557 budget calls for eliminating seven FTEs and putting one position on hold/vacant status, but creating three new FTE positions, for a net loss of five FTEs. In addition, 19 FTE positions will be reclassified. Though CSTS is a county department employing about 300 people, it receives 98.8% of its funding from the Washtenaw Community Health Organization, a partnership between the county and the University of Michigan Health System. Commissioners were briefed on a reorganization of the WCHO at a July 7, 2011 working session. The changes are aimed at limiting the county’s financial liabilities.

The WCHO is an entity that receives state and federal funding to provide services for people with serious mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders. At this point, WCHO “leases” its employees from the county, and contracts for services through CSTS.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

Yousef Rabhi, left, who won the District 11 Democratic primary for county commissioner, talks with commissioner Leah Gunn (District 9) and Jim Dries, chief deputy clerk, before the Sept. 15 county board meeting.

No one spoke during any of the four opportunities for public commentary, nor did anyone speak at a public hearing for the indigent veterans millage. The board set another public hearing for Oct. 6 to seek input on an economic development millage it plans to levy.

Also during Wednesday’s meeting, the board passed the five-year master plan for Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation, and gave initial approval to backing a bond for a $2.8 million Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority project. The project will include a facility upgrade to handle single-stream recycling.

The board also approved a $6.5 million first-quarter budget and personnel changes for the Community Support & Treatment Services (CSTS) department, which operates under a fiscal year that’s aligned with the state and begins on Oct. 1. CSTS is in the process of merging with the Washtenaw Community Health Organization (WCHO), a partnership between the county and the University of Michigan Health System. The board got an update on that merger at its Sept. 16 working session.

Millages for Vets, Economic Development

Commissioners acted on two millages at Wednesday’s meeting, giving final approval to one and setting a public hearing – plus initial approval – for another.

The board set a public hearing for Oct. 6 to get input on levying an economic development tax of 0.043 mills. Known as the Act 88 millage, it is expected to generate roughly $611,266 annually and would cost homeowners $4.30 for every $100,000 of a home’s taxable value. Because Act 88 predates the state’s Headlee Amendment, it can be approved by the board without a voter referendum. The board is expected to vote on the millage at its Oct. 6 meeting.

It’s a slight increase over last year, when the board levied 0.04 mills under Act 88, and allocated funds to Ann Arbor SPARK, the Eastern Leaders Group, 4-H activities, horticulture/MSU Extension, agricultural innovation/MSU Extension, the Food System Economic Partnership, heritage tourism and the director’s job of the county Economic Development and Energy Department. So far, no specific allocation has been designated for the 2011 Act 88 funds. The resolution setting the public hearing simply stated that the board has the “option of assigning some of the generated funds to a non-profit organization which is engaged in the purpose of advertising the advantages of and encouraging trade within the County.”

Also on Wednesday, the board held a public hearing and gave final approval to levy 1/40 mill for indigent veterans’ relief. No one spoke at the hearing. The millage does not require voter approval and would raise an estimated $362,415 for services to local veterans. It was first passed two years ago, and cost homeowners $2.50 for every $100,000 of a home’s taxable value. The funds are administered by the Department of Veteran Affairs, led by director Mark R. Lindke.

County Parks & Rec Master Plan

The board adopted a five-year master plan for the county’s parks and recreation department, spanning 2010-2014. Highlights of the plan were presented at a Sept. 2 working session of the board, and a draft is posted on the parks and recreation website. The master plan must be updated and adopted by the county every five years in order to qualify for certain state grants. The city of Ann Arbor is going through a similar process, updating its Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan, known as PROS.

Among the projects in the county’s master plan are upgrades to the County Farm Park and Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, Cavanaugh Lake County Park, Independence Lake County Park, Osborne Mills Preserve, Pierce Lake Golf Course and Park, and several others. [.pdf file of action plan]

At the Sept. 2 working session, parks and recreation director Bob Tetens told commissioners that the department had been formed in the 1970s with land given to it by the county road commission. At the time, it was “not much more than a roadside picnic stand with a table and trash barrel,” Tetens said. Now, the system maintains 1,943 acres of parkland and 1,857 acres of nature preserves across the county.

The acquisition of nature preserves is attributable to a 10-year, 0.25 mill tax passed in 2000 to support the natural areas preservation program, known as NAPP. Since then, the county has established 17 new nature preserves. The millage will have generated about $27.5 million by the time it expires.

The NAPP millage is up for renewal this year, and commissioners have previously voted to put it on the Nov. 2 ballot.  Because of Headlee rollbacks, the renewal rate will be slightly lower – 0.2409 mill – and is expected to raise roughly $3 million in annual revenues if it passes.

At the Sept. 2 working session, commissioner Rolland Sizemore Jr. called the parks and recreation system “one of the jewels of this county.”

Bonds for Recycling, WCC

The board gave initial approval to backing a bond for a Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority project. The $2.8 million project would expand and upgrade WWRA facilities, including the addition of equipment for single-stream recycling. The facility serves Chelsea and the townships of Bridgewater, Dexter, Lima and Lyndon. Sylvan Township, Manchester Township and the village of Manchester are expected to be served by the facility in the future.

There was no discussion of the project at Wednesday’s meeting, but during the Sept. 8 administrative briefing – held to review the upcoming agenda – Leah Gunn, one of the commissioners representing Ann Arbor, asked why the western Washtenaw municipalities weren’t using the Ann Arbor Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), which was recently upgraded to handle single-stream recycling.

Commissioner Mark Ouimet, whose district covers parts of the county’s west side, said he’d asked that same question of Frank Hammer, chair of the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority’s board. Apparently, Ouimet said, there are some townships that don’t want to deal with Ann Arbor. When Gunn pointed out that MRF has contracts with Lansing and Toledo, Ouimet said, “It’s like anything else – it seems to be an issue of control.”

Ken Schwartz – a commissioner who represents the townships of Ann Arbor, Superior, Salem and Northfield, and portions of Webster Township – noted that he serves on the county’s board of public works, which will be establishing special assessments to pay for the bond over 15 years. He said the sentiment on the west side of the county is that their recycling efforts have been successful because of the local focus.

If all eight communities participate, the assessment will be about $21 annually per household. If only the current five communities are part of the project, that assessment will be roughly $29 per household. In addition, $26 per household in the townships and $44 for Chelsea and Manchester residents would be assessed annually to cover ongoing maintenance and operations. Schwartz said he didn’t expect there’d be much opposition to the project.

The county board is expected to vote on final approval for the bond at its Oct. 6 meeting.

Also on Wednesday, commissioners gave final approval to transfer the use of $10 million in federal Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds from the county to the Washtenaw Community College. WCC plans to use the bonds to fund construction of a parking structure. The county has been allocated just over $22 million for this type of bond as part of the 2009 federal stimulus bill, but has not used any of its allocation, which expires at the end of 2010.

Fees: Land Records, Dog Licenses

County clerk Larry Kestenbaum and chief deputy clerk Jim Dries both attended Wednesday’s meeting, on hand to answer any possible questions regarding a resolution related to their office: Fees for remote online-access searching and copying of digital land records.

The board gave initial approval to the resolution, which sets the following fee schedule:

• Single document reproduction: $1.20 per page
• One week unlimited search and reproduction: $400 per week
• One month unlimited search and reproduction: $1,300 per month
• Annual unlimited search and reproduction: $12,000 per year (unchanged)
• Records can be searched for free at the register of deeds office during business hours.

The county has an electronic database of property record images dating back to January 1969. According to a memo accompanying Wednesday’s resolution, the database is used by homeowners, realtors, title insurers, financial institutions, legal professionals, law enforcement, local and regional planners, real estate developers and local assessors to determine ownership of real property and to identify any encumbrances that may affect such ownership.

Previously, fees were paid annually or on a per-copy basis via remote online access. The clerk/register of deeds office expects to bring in $7,800 in monthly revenues from the fees.

Also during Wednesday’s meeting, the board gave final approval to year-round dog license renewals, with the added option of a three-year dog license. Currently, a one-year dog license is available for purchase starting Dec. 1 for the upcoming year. Dog owners have until March 1 to buy a one-year license before their previous license expires. The board also approved a new fee schedule: Licenses will cost $1 a month for a maximum of 3 years for spayed or neutered dogs, or $2 a month for unaltered dogs.

The licenses are administered by the county treasurer’s office. Applications can be filled out online.

CSTS Budget Approved

The board approved a $6.5 million budget for the Community Support & Treatment Services (CSTS) department for the first quarter of its fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The approval included included several personnel changes related to the CSTS merger with the Washtenaw Community Health Organization (WCHO), which is in progress. The WCHO is a partnership between the county and the University of Michigan Health System. CSTS provides mental health services under contract with the WCHO, which offers a range of services for residents, including ones related to substance abuse.

The board got an update on the merger at their Sept. 16 working session from Patrick Barrie, WCHO’s executive director, and Donna Sabourin, CSTS director.

Transfer of Travel Money Item Removed from Agenda

At the Sept. 1, 2010 board meeting, commissioner Kristin Judge had proposed transferring no more than $1,300 from commissioner Ronnie Peterson’s expense account, to be moved into her own account. According to Judge, the funding would be used to cover travel expenses. From Chronicle coverage:

Judge explained that she exceeded her allocation because of her work on a cyber-citizen coalition, an initiative she’s spearheading to address Internet-related crime. The effort is being recognized by the National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education, based in Washington, D.C. Judge said she traveled to D.C. to participate in a NICE meeting, and she hopes to get grant funding for the Washtenaw effort. A kick-off event for that effort is set for Oct. 6 from 8-10 a.m. [at Washtenaw Community College's Morris Lawrence Building]. Internet crime is the No. 1 concern of constituents, Judge said, adding that Washtenaw County needs to stay at the forefront of efforts to address it.

However, at the Sept. 1 meeting, commissioner Leah Gunn objected to the transfer. Conan Smith moved to table action on it until Sept. 15, which the board agreed to do – with dissent from Judge and Peterson.

The item appeared on Wednesday’s agenda, but during the meeting Judge asked that it be removed from consideration. There was no additional discussion.

Misc. Communications

Two commissioners gave updates during the time set aside for items for current or future discussion.

Wes Prater reported that at their last meeting, Washtenaw County road commissioners reviewed a five-year, $30 million capital improvement plan (CIP), from 2011-2015. Those $30 million in road projects will be funded from the Michigan Transportation Fund. However, Prater said, another $101 million in road projects for the county are unfunded, and the road commission is still looking for funds to replace six bridges that are out, mostly located in the western part of the county.

Kristin Judge told her colleagues that the SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments) legislative task force had held its first meeting earlier that day. She and Saline mayor Gretchen Driskell are members. The group looked at possible issues that they might lobby for at the state and federal levels, Judge said, including transportation, brownfield redevelopment and regional collaboration.

There was consensus that Michgian needs a new tax structure, she said, and that if SEMCOG and other groups can come together on the issue with one strong voice, there might be opportunity to get something done in Lansing – especially with new legislators and a new governor coming into office. [Gov. Jennifer Granholm and many state legislators are term-limited and can't seek reelection.] Judge noted that the group of new legislators might include some current commissioners – Republican Mark Ouimet and Democrat Jeff Irwin won their primaries for state representative in Districts 52 and 53, respectively.

Present: Barbara Levin Bergman, Leah Gunn, Kristin Judge, Jeff Irwin, Mark Ouimet, Ronnie Peterson, Wes Prater, Ken Schwartz, Rolland Sizemore Jr., Conan Smith.

Absent: Jessica Ping

Next board meeting: The next regular meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the County Administration Building, 220 N. Main St. The Ways & Means Committee meets first, followed immediately by the regular board meeting. (Though the agenda states that the regular board meeting begins at 6:45 p.m., it usually starts much later – times vary depending on what’s on the agenda.) Public comment sessions are held at the beginning and end of each meeting. [confirm date]

Nina Johnson, Washtenaw County's human resources manager, prepares awards that were given out to employees during Wednesday's board of commissioners meeting. (Photo by the writer.)

Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (Sept. 2, 2009): Emotions ran high during parts of Wednesday night’s county board meeting, as residents made impassioned pleas for continued funding of programs for the developmentally disabled. Commissioners responded, some with equal passion, with Leah Gunn saying this is the worst year she’s ever faced in her career as a commissioner, and Jeff Irwin breaking down as he described his reaction to hearing constituents’ stories. The county faces a projected $30 million budget deficit over the next two years in its $102 million general fund, and is working on ways to cut expenses.

Commissioners also heard budget presentations from leaders of two departments – Public Health, and Community Support and Treatment Services – and got a brief budget update from county administrator Bob Guenzel, who said that their 2009 general fund projections are on target.

The board also voted unanimously – and with no discussion – to approve a $1.375 million deal that would settle two lawsuits related to the 2006 death of Clifton Lee Jr., who died after a struggle with Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies in the Ypsilanti Township of West Willow.

Public Health

Dick Fleece, director of the county’s Public Health/Environmental Health department, gave a presentation on the public health portion of his 2010 budget. Because of state funding requirements, the department needs to finalize its budget by Oct. 1. That means commissioners will need to vote on it at their Sept. 16 meeting. [Most of the county's general fund budget is expected to receive final approval from the board in November.]

Public health’s $9.3 million budget gets funding from several sources, but the largest single source – $3.36 million in 2010 – comes from the county’s general fund and accounts for 32.5% of the department’s total budget. Another large funding source is the state, contributing an anticipated $2.37 million to the department in 2010. However, given the state’s own budget crisis, that funding remains uncertain, Fleece said. Depending on what happens in Lansing, the department will likely need to return to commissioners with an amended budget later this year. By way of example, he noted that Gov. Jennifer Granholm, through an executive order, cut funding to the state’s public health core services by 17% for the quarter ending Sept. 30.

Fleece described several ways that the Public Health department has already cut its budget so far this year, eliminating $594,118 from its 2009 general fund allocation. Three clerical jobs were eliminated, and the positions of public health director and environmental health director were combined. The department also cut costs in several other ways, including centralizing its medical examiner functions at the University of Michigan Hospital, extending a summer layoff for its hearing and vision staff by three weeks, and eliminating overtime for its adult clinic staff, among other things.

The department generated $207,834 in additional revenue during 2009, Fleece said, in part through increased billing from Medicaid, and fee increases for cremation permits (from $20 to $40) and certain clinic services. Medicaid revenue has increased – and is expected to grow by $130,000 in 2010 – because the department combined its federally funded Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Maternal Infant Health Providers programs. This allowed county staff to reduce the number of home visits and create other efficiencies. Outreach to find children who are eligible for Medicaid funding under these programs has also helped increase revenue.

Fleece noted that nearly all of the department’s programs are mandated by the state. For the department’s 10 discretionary programs, every $1 from the county’s general fund spent on them brings in $2 of funding from other sources – including grants and state or federal dollars, he said.

In outlining his concerns for the coming year, Fleece described increased demand for public health services on several fronts. Levels of sexually transmitted diseases – including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis – are at all-time highs, he said. County staff deals with between 120 to 160 STD cases a month, and does outreach to places like the jail and the Delonis Center, the homeless shelter in Ann Arbor. Other examples of increased demand for services include an increase in the WIC caseload – to over 6,000 clients per month – and greater numbers of reported foodborne illnesses that the department must handle.

Also putting a strain on public health staff is their preparation for a possible H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. The department is getting $375,548 in federal funding – and possibly more – to help cover staff costs, but the demands are great, Fleece said. Everyone in the department is involved, with tasks including daily phone briefings with UM and St. Joseph Mercy hospitals and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, frequent conference calls with state and federal public health officials, as well as with local school administrators, media requests and presentations to community groups.

The county staff is responsible for tracking lab results and authorizing tests for cases in Washtenaw County, receiving and administering antivirals and vaccines, staffing clinics to give vaccines, training medical and non-medical volunteers, and doing outreach. As one example of the magnitude of their responsibility, Fleece noted that there are 50,000 school-aged children in the county, each requiring two doses of the H1N1 vaccine. However, in response to a question from commissioner Kristin Judge, Fleece noted that the vaccines are voluntary at this point, “except for our staff.” And there’s still uncertainty about the severity of the virus, he said.

The department’s staff is dealing with increased demand for services with fewer resources at their disposal than just a few years ago, Fleece said. Public health employed 90 full-time employees in 2002, but that number has declined over the years due to budget cuts. The 2010 budget supports only 64.5 full-time staff, including nine nurses.

Community Support and Treatment Services

Like public health, the Community Support and Treatment Services department, known as CSTS, must submit its 2010 budget by Oct. 1, and requires approval by the board of commissioners at their Sept. 16 meeting. At Wednesday’s meeting, CSTS director Donna Sabourin gave an overview of the department’s proposed $30.36 million budget. CSTS, which provides a wide range of programs for residents with mental illness and developmental disabilities, is among the county departments being considered for dramatic budget cuts in general fund support.

Earlier in the meeting during the time set aside for public comment, several local residents – including some who were accompanied by developmentally disabled relatives – spoke in support of continued funding.

Public Comment: A Sampling

Jill Barker is president of Friends of the Developmentally Disabled, which advocates for about 200 families in the community. She said her two adult sons have severe cerebral palsy and profound mental retardation, so she understands the concerns and stresses placed on families when services for people like her sons are eliminated or disrupted. She introduced a theme that was echoed by other speakers during public commentary: Routine and familiarity are extremely important to people with developmental disabilities. She stressed the quality of CSTS staff, and noted that some clients have been working with the same CSTS staff their entire adult lives, receiving vocational and other skills-related training.

Lynn Evans introduced herself as the caregiver for her brother Steve, who receives services from CSTS. The staff works long hours and has a commitment to the individuals in their care, she said. It would be tragic if the programs ended, since in some cases it’s the only time when people like her brother have something productive to do: “Where are they going to go? What are they going to do?” The quality of life for clients of CSTS programs will be dramatically affected – that’s a factor that should be considered too, she said, along with the budget.

Deborah Gibson said that as the resident representative to the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, she was there to speak on behalf of low-income residents in the city’s public housing who use CSTS services. The mental health services provided by CSTS have a national reputation, she said, and the county should be proud of that. The services should not be considered optional in any way – they are as vital as garbage collection, she said, and if they are eliminated, all residents will be affected, not just those directly using those services.

Commissioner Response

Several commissioners responded to the public comments, praising CSTS staff and their work. Leah Gunn said that her commitment to human services was the reason she became a commissioner, but added that the county was in a financial crisis. It stemmed not just from issues at the county level, but at the state and federal levels as well – in large part, Gunn said, because for 40 years government leaders have been lecturing that taxes are bad. “Taxes are not bad,” she said. “Taxes provide services.”

Commissioner Ronnie Peterson asked whether the relatives of people served by CSTS had been contacted about the possible budget cuts. County administrator Bob Guenzel and CSTS director Donna Sabourin both assured Peterson that the staff had communicated the situation, but Peterson didn’t seem to believe the communication had been sufficient. He said he wanted advocates and caregivers of CSTS clients to be directly involved in this process, and that he wanted to hear their feedback before the commission voted on the CSTS budget.

An emotional Jeff Irwin, tearful as he spoke, described CSTS as offering world-class service, and said that the county risks losing that quality if they don’t provide financial support. “The money is in the system and we can make it work,” he said, prompting applause from people sitting in the public gallery.

Commissioner Conan Smith said he hoped residents understood that the board shares their values and concerns, and that they’d do everything they could to maintain a high level of service. “This is the biggest challenge we’ve ever faced as a community,” he said.

Director’s Budget Report

CSTS director Donna Sabourin reported that the department’s primary funder, the Washtenaw Community Health Organization (WCHO), had not finalized its budget for 2010 because it does not yet know how much funding it will receive from the state. Cuts in state funding could range from 15% to 55%, she said. That leaves CSTS in limbo as well. Other uncertainties include possible concessions from union workers that are still being negotiated, and the question of how much funding the county will provide.

With those caveats – and the likelihood that she’ll be bringing back an amended budget later in the year – Sabourin projected a $30.36 million budget for fiscal 2010, beginning Oct. 1. The budget includes a $2.26 million decrease in support from the county’s general fund, offset by a $3.135 million increase in WCHO funding.

As part of its cost-cutting efforts, CSTS plans to eliminate 7.5 full-time jobs – several of those have already been held vacant in anticipation of cuts, Sabourin said. But the department is also creating a part-time position – a peer support specialist – putting the net job reduction at 6.75 positions.

Regarding its vocational services to the developmentally disabled, CSTS has proposed three funding options for the WCHO to consider: 1) increasing WCHO funding to cover current CSTS programs, 2) conduct a competitive bid process for other entities to provide similar programs, or 3) continue funding CSTS and add other vocational and skill-building services, using existing CSTS staff.

After Sabourin’s presentation, commissioner Leah Gunn said, “Once again, scary numbers from the state. What are we going to do?” The WCHO – a partnership of the county and the University of Michigan – is unique, Gunn said, but she feared the impact of state funding. Sabourin said her department was preparing a lot of contingency plans.

Commissioner Jeff Irwin said he was “incredulous” at state attorney general Mike Cox’s ruling earlier this year, which states that counties must pay for mental health screening and treatment of inmates in county jails. The ruling means counties couldn’t use other funding sources to pay for those services. Sabourin said CSTS is adjusting its budget to account for that ruling.

2009 General Fund Update

County administrator Bob Guenzel gave a brief 2009 budget update, saying that thanks to cost-cutting measures implemented earlier this year, they were meeting their target for a balanced general fund budget. The county is projecting a revenue shortfall of $1.57 million for 2009, but plans to reduce expenditures by $1.82 million – leaving a projected surplus of nearly $242,000.

Several factors contributed to the surplus. Among them, Sheriff Jerry Clayton has realized a $500,000 reduction in his department’s budget, which is projected to end the year with a surplus. Separately, the county will not be spending $600,000 it had budgeted on the jail expansion this year. When Jeff Irwin quipped, “Thank you, Jerry Clayton!” Guenzel added that they should also thank construction delays.

Other savings stemmed from budget recommendations that the commission approved in July for 2010 and 2011, but which are being implemented this year.

Guenzel will provide the next 2009 budget update to commissioners in November. At the board’s Sept. 16 meeting, he will be presenting recommendations for dealing with a projected $30 million general fund deficit in 2010 and 2011.

Discount Drug Card

In July, three commissioners – Kristin Judge, Jessica Ping and Wes Prater – attended a conference of the National Association of Counties (NACo) in Nashville. While there, they learned of a drug discount program offered by CVS/Caremark, and they asked a representative of that business to make a presentation about the program to the full board.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Steve Rohm from CVS/Caremark told commissioners that 1,250 counties nationwide participate in the drug discount program. If Washtenaw County participates, cards would be offered to any resident not covered by insurance – there’s no enrollment, fee or registration required, no age limitations or limits on usage. Residents would take the card to participating pharmacies to get some type of discount on their prescription drugs. The discounts would be set by each pharmacy – Rohm said that consumers typically get around a 22% savings. Pet prescriptions are also covered, he said.

Responding to a query from commissioner Jeff Irwin, Rohm said that for each prescription filled using the discount card, CVS/Caremark receives a small transaction fee that’s been pre-negotiated with the pharmacies. He said he did not know the amount of that fee.

Kristin Judge said that she had checked with Ellen Rabinowitz, executive director of the Washtenaw Health Plan, to see if the discount drug card would in any way negatively impact the county’s current plan, and found that it would simply give residents another option. She said that at the NACo conference, she asked commissioners from other counties that were already participating in the plan whether there was a downside to the program – they all told her it was a great benefit. There’s a new kind of person who needs help, Judge said – people who have worked all their lives and never relied on government aid, but who now find themselves out of a job. They’re still reluctant to ask for help, so this discount card, which doesn’t require registration, would be perfect for them, she said.

Commissioner Jessica Ping said that the city of Saline is already participating in the program, through its membership in the National League of Cities. She said her sister, Alicia Ping, who’s a member of the Saline city council, would be willing to answer any questions they might have about the program.

Judge said she’d be supporting the county’s participation in the drug discount program. She also indicated that NACo would be offering similar programs for dental and vision coverage in the future.

Lawsuit Settlement

The board unanimously approved a $1.375 million deal to settle two lawsuits related to the 2006 death of Clifton Lee Jr. in the West Willow neighborhood of Ypsilanti Township. [See previous Chronicle coverage of the proposed settlement.] During the Ways & Means Committee portion of Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners went into a roughly 30-minute closed executive session to discuss the issue. Upon their return, they immediately voted on the item, with no discussion. The settlement was also on the agenda during the board’s regular meeting, which followed Ways & Means. It was approved then as well, again with no discussion.

Public Hearings

Two public hearings were held on Wednesday, regarding 1) a proposed renewal of a indigent veterans relief tax, at 1/40th of a mill, and 2) the proposed designation of Washtenaw County as an economic “recovery zone,” which would allow private and public entities to apply for federal recovery zone economic development bonds and facility bonds.

Tom Partridge, a regular speaker during the public comment sessions, was the only person to speak during the hearing on the veterans relief millage. It would be levied in December 2009, and raise roughly $393,616. For a home valued at $100,000, the tax would be about $2.50. [See previous Chronicle coverage of the millage when it was first implemented in 2008.]

Partridge criticized the county for raising funds that target only one segment of the population, and said the board had failed to live up to its responsibility to provide more comprehensive programs. As he continued to speak, he was cut off by commissioner Mark Ouimet, who told Partridge he was “wavering off topic.” Ouimet, as board vice chair, was chairing the meeting in the absence of Rolland Sizemore Jr., who is chair of the board.

No one spoke during the hearing for the recovery zone designation. Later in the meeting the board approved the designation unanimously, with no discussion. The veterans relief millage will be voted on at an upcoming board meeting.

Misc. Public Comment: A Sampling

In addition to supporters of CSTS, several people spoke during public comment on Wednesday regarding other topics.

Human Services

Kevan Lawlor, president and CEO of NSF International, spoke in his capacity as chair of the board for Food Gatherers, which collects food and distributes it to food pantries and other nonprofits countywide. Food Gatherers provides free or low-cost food to almost every shelter, after-school program and nonprofit agency in the county, he said. They also work in partnership with the county’s Employment Training and Community Services department (ETCS) to provide emergency food assistance. “Now is not the time to cut support to basic human services in our county,” Lawlor said. [The county funds several local nonprofits, including Food Gatherers. One option on the table would eliminate all human services funding beyond what's legally mandated, saving the county $1.69 million.]

Also speaking in support of Food Gatherers was Steve Davis of the Vineyard Church in Milan. The church, which is supplied by Food Gatherers, serves more than 1,500 households, he said. Though most of the families they help are from the eastern part of the county, they’re seeing more people from Ann Arbor and, for the first time, from Chelsea and Manchester, too – 12 to 15 new households sign up each week, he said, and rely on support from Food Gatherers. The county needs to continue its funding, he said, “or we’re going to have issues much more common to other, less fortunate counties.”

AFSCME Local 2733

Tonya Harwood, interim president of AFSCME Local 2733 – the largest union of county employees, representing about 700 of the county’s 1,350 workers – told commissioners she recognized that the county was facing job losses and a major budget deficit. She said that the county administration has been “careless and somewhat irresponsible” in its decisions. She reminded the board that union employees had made concessions in their previous contract, totaling some $10 million in savings over three years. “It seems like we’re not getting credit for that,” she said. AFSCME jobs are also taking a disproportional hit whenever job cuts are proposed, she said, and they don’t feel as though they’ll ever get back those lost union jobs.

United Way

Joanna Bidlack, management analyst with the county administrator’s office, gave a report on the county’s United Way campaign, which runs from Sept. 14-23. Their goal is to raise $75,000 from county employees, she said. Bidlack reported that a pre-campaign “Stuff the Bus” event, in partnership with Target, resulted in 112 backpacks filled with school supplies for children attending Ypsilanti Public Schools. Commissioner Mark Ouimet described United Way as one of his personal passions. “As government is doing less, we have to do more,” he said.

Employee Awards

In the past, the county has held an annual breakfast to recognize employee achievements. For the past two years, they’ve not held this event because of budget reductions. Instead, at Wednesday’s meeting county administrator Bob Guenzel gave out plaques of recognition to individuals and groups. [Link to listing of award winners.] Many family members attended, and vigorous applause filled the board room as each of the winners were recognized.

Present: Leah Gunn, Jeff Irwin, Kristin Judge, Mark Ouimet, Ronnie Peterson, Jessica Ping, Wes Prater, Ken Schwartz, Conan Smith

Absent: Barbara Levin Bergman, Rolland Sizemore Jr.

Next board meeting: Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the County Administration Building, 220 N. Main St. The Ways & Means Committee meets first, followed immediately by the regular board meeting. [confirm date] (Though the agenda states that the regular board meeting begins at 6:45 p.m., it usually starts much later – times vary depending on what’s on the agenda.) Public comment sessions are held at the beginning and end of each meeting.