The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Changing the way government operates
By Mark Ouimet, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
When the Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the 2008-2009 Washtenaw County budget in November, it came after a very thorough, even painstaking process.
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Months of work by Washtenaw County staff and board members went into making the process as inclusive as possible, getting feedback from every community of interest and department. Little did we know then how important that thoroughness, and comprehensive understanding of our needs and resources would be.
We received word from the county's equalization director in December that, though we had reduced our projection for increased tax revenue by half, it had become clear that the economic downturn in Michigan had finally hit Washtenaw County.
In April, our first opportunity for official confirmation of 2008 tax revenue, we learned that our taxable values would increase less than 1 percent. It was the first time in 50 years the state equalized value for property in Washtenaw County actually decreased.
For Washtenaw County, that means the largest part of a $10 million hole in our general fund budget. And, looking forward, there aren't many solid prospects for improving revenues in the next few years.
In February, armed with the information we had obtained in our budget planning process, the board was able to pass recommended reductions in the 2008 budget. Some of these were one-time cuts, others were changes in structure that would become permanent. Since then, we have been working on finding long term structural cuts for 2009. Our focus remains continued excellent county services, but it hasn't been easy.
Since January, we've instituted a hiring freeze for all general fund positions. Though this is hardly a permanent remedy for our situation, it will help us cut between $2 and $3 million from the budget. We have made some decisions about the 2009 budget, with more to be made by August. The process is ongoing and will require imagination as much as a sharp pencil to succeed.
What we're doing in this process, frankly, is changing the way government works. We have new funding constraints, but we are firmly committed to finding ways to do as much or more with less. One of the ways that we can make that happen is through purposeful collaboration. By finding and partnering with other organizations, as we have with local municipalities in the area of Web technology, professional development and geographic information systems, we have created greater positive impact in our wider community.
Our work with local governments, with local universities, with private sector businesses and with the nonprofit sector is helping Washtenaw County reshape itself. Our funds will be constrained -- the future doesn't have to be. I believe that if we work toward common goals in a transparent way to find who does what best, services to our citizens can be enhanced, not diminished.
It's all about working together, facing this downturn together and believing in opportunities not yet discovered,
I'd like to know your thoughts on this or any other issue facing us today. Please feel free to contact me.
Mark Ouimet is a Washtenaw County commissioner. He can be reached at ouimetm@ewashtenaw.org.
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