Washtenaw County Board approves balanced 2010-11 budget in committee
County Administrator Bob Guenzel laid out a lofty plan two months ago to patch up a $30 million structural deficit in Washtenaw County's budget for 2010-11.
After weeks of working toward that goal - including major deals reached in labor negotiations where union employees gave up promised raises - the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners voted 11-0 tonight in committee to approve a balanced two-year budget.
Bob Guenzel
The full board plans to formally adopt the budget at its Dec. 2 meeting.
The budget brings revenues and expenses into conformity with $99.2 million in general fund spending next year. That drops to $98.5 million in 2011.
Commissioner Leah Gunn, D-9th District, thanked Guenzel for his "incredible patience" with commissioners as they pored over every detail of the budget.
"Everybody worked so hard on this budget, and I have never seen so much documentation enabling us to make good decisions," Gunn said. "I regret that we have to lose some people, but I think we've got a budget that is going to work."
The general fund budget includes the net elimination of about 19.6 full-time equivalent positions after factoring in new positions being created.
The cuts include:
- 1 in the county administrator's office.
- 5 in building inspection.
- 1 in the clerk/register of deed's office (as well as one held vacant).
- 1 in the county attorney's office.
- 2 in facilities management.
- 1 in Head Start.
- 1 in human resources.
- 7 in strategic planning.
- 1 in project management
- 1 in the prosecutor's office.
Part of the county's restructuring efforts involved creating four new positions in economic development and energy, including a director and three economic development and energy specialists. Another information technology manager position is being created, while 2.6 full-time equivalent IT jobs are being eliminated.
In parks and recreation, three positions are being cut, and three new ones are being created. And in water resources, an administrative assistant position is being created, while a customer service specialist position is being eliminated.
Commissioners said tonight they're pleased to have a balanced budget that doesn't include mass layoffs.
"I am very happy that we've been able to get to a (balanced budget) without some of the draconian measures some of us feared," said Commissioner Jeff Irwin, D-11th District.
Irwin predicted, however, that the next budget for 2012-13 will be even more challenging for the county.
The board's amended budget for 2010-11 calls for a hiring freeze to remain in effect.
Commissioner Kristin Judge, D-7th District, expressed regret to see two mental health positions being cut from other parts of the budget. She said it concerns her because those employees work in suicide prevention.
The county has about 1,350 employees within 17 unions, as well as nonunion employees. Personnel costs make up more than 60 percent of the budget.
Guenzel said a promised 3 percent raise that union workers gave up went a long way toward balancing the budget.
Commissioners were expected to give final approval of the budget at the full board meeting that followed tonight's Ways and Means Committee. County Board Chairman Rolland Sizemore Jr., D-5th District, said some commissioners still had minor concerns, which is why they're holding off two more weeks.
"But I'm very pleased the way this has turned out so far," Sizemore said. "I'm very pleased with the process. I think anybody that had anything to do with the budget stepped up. All the commissioners did a good job and everybody had say-so on which way they wanted to go."
One of the last issues being worked out is compensation and benefits for nonunion employees. Commissioners voted unanimously in committee tonight on a resolution that brings the levels of compensation and benefits of nonunion employees in line with those granted to union employees.
More than 80 percent of the county's employees are unionized, which leaves less than 300 that aren't.
In the county's first phase budget reductions for 2010-11 earlier this year, the county board approved a plan that included no salary increases, salary reductions, and a change in medical insurance, including premium sharing, for nonunion employees.
The resolution approved tonight refined those changes to make them closer to agreements reached with a number of the county's labor unions. That includes taking unpaid furlough days instead of salary reductions.
"It has almost the same effect in terms of salary savings but if employees don't work, they obviously get the day off, so that's the tradeoff," Guenzel said. "And then we modified the medical insurance. We took our existing plan and increased the co-pays ... and then we started premium sharing a year earlier, so that starts in 2010. We saved almost as much money, but it seemed a little fairer."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
a2grateful
Thu, Dec 3, 2009 : 9:05 a.m.
We citizens are adept about unceasing whining in one of the most amazingly economically blessed countries on the planet.... I think I will soon be channeling my negative energy to my snow shovel as I begin to clear the road in front of my house.... Thanks to the commissioners for performing their challenging and thankless job.... Thanks to the employees who gave up increases, or made concessions.... Condolences to those whose jobs are being eliminated...
Gemini27200
Sat, Nov 21, 2009 : 7:11 a.m.
Ms. Judge: While it is admirable you are giving up your county paid cell phone, I believe the citizens of Washtenaw County are looking for real reform and real cuts with the BoC leading the way. What about the pension, health care, travel reimbursement (your predecessor loved his trip to Hawaii on us), stipend, salary, etc..? Let's bring every single BoC expense out on the table in to a separate line item and cut line by by line. Speaking of cell phones, are we still wasting money on the Road Commissioner's Blackberrys?
stunhsif
Fri, Nov 20, 2009 : 8:44 a.m.
Let's see here. 80% of the 1350 folks are unionized and there are 17 union's involved. Guenzel and Irwin are proud of themselves because the union's gave up a promised 3% raise.What about cuts to pension's and higher employee contribution to healthcare like the rest of us have taken in the private sector. Gee guys, pat yourself on the back! Irwin states that the next budget in 2012-2013 will be even more challenging. These guys know the budget they just passed did not go far enough. The economy around here will only get worse from a tax revenue standpoint for the next two years and they will be begging the taxpayers for more money before then. Give it a year, they will be back with their union thugs demanding more from us.
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 12:53 p.m.
Sorry for the above error, the amount allocated was $175K for 10 families, at $17,500 per family for one year of housing and utilities.
Kristin Judge
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 12:24 p.m.
As one of the commissioners that started the conversation about our own budget, I am proud of the work we did to decrease our budget this year. Before any cuts were made to staff, I was one of two commissioners who asked the board to consider our own budget and have the administration consider their budget as leaders in the process of cutting expenses. The Board of Commissioners' budget was cut by over 15% and the Administration's budget was cut by over 28%. I returned my county issued cell phone and have asked the administration to rewrite the current policy regarding who is given a cell phone paid for by the taxpayer. The savings result should be available by mid-December. There is no money left in government for extras or "perks" as some see it. I would argue that "perks" should never have been a part of any government spending. My commitment to the residents of Washtenaw County is to understand where your money is being spent and to spend it in the most responsible manner possible. If you are interested in talking to me about it more, call me at 734-646-2088 or sign up to get my monthly e-newsletter at judgek@ewashtenaw.org.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 11:55 a.m.
I agree. Thanks for providing the additional info, Barbara.
dotdash
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 10:55 a.m.
Nice to see the commissioners posting here. Thanks for reaching out to the online community, Barbara...
Eric64
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 9:17 a.m.
Hey Barbara so are Jobs. We the People want JOBS.
Janelle Baranowski
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 9:05 a.m.
I was at the meeting last night. From my observations, the most engaged of the board members were Kristin Judge, Ronnie Peterson, and Ken Schwartz. Kristin Judge addressed several issues including keeping as many "line items" seperate as possible, in order to keep the budget transparent for citizens. Ronnie Peterson and Ken Schwartz were incredibly insightful and engaged in the discussion of $250K for at-risk families. Peterson suggested that agencies and programs should provide data on their effectiveness and impact on the community. As more cost cutting measures will be neccessary in the future, he argued that this data would help insure the county was getting the most value for its tax dollars. Both Peterson and Schwartz questioned the program that would aid families at the cost of $17500 per year versus using that money to aid a much broader part of the population. I plan on blogging more in-depth about my experience at the meeting. Overall, I would agree with commenters that some commissioners need to go. But I definitely think there are some who are truly working for their constituencies. Janelle Baranowski
Barbara Levin Bergman, Washtenaw County Commissioner, District 8
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 8:51 a.m.
For the record : Following comments regarding suicide prevention activities in Washtenaw County, Donna Sabourin, Director of Community Support and Treatment Services (CSTS) addressed the Ways and Means Committee of the Board of Commissioners. Ms. Sabourin explained that Suicide Prevention activities are now under the aegis of the Department of Public Health with the full cooperation of CSTS and its staff. It is important that citizens who read Ryan Stanton's article understand that suicide prevention is an important service and is still available in our community. Barbara Levin Bergman, Washtenaw County Commissioner, District 8
ezbngreen
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 8:19 a.m.
I would bet that any concessions offered by our commissioners would take effect after they left office. They are nothing more than self serving wolves in sheep clothing. They have proven time after time that their priorities are messed up....
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 12:02 a.m.
Actually, there was a resolution introduced tonight "to discontinue Commissioner retirement benefits including healthcare." The resolution stated it would mean "dissolving future retirement benefits for Commissioners effective January 1, 2011." County officials said tonight that such a change couldn't take effect mid-term anyway, so it's being put off for now. At this point, it looks like it will come back for discussion in January.
ezbngreen
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 10:42 p.m.
What sort of concessions did our board give up? Let us see if they tighten there own belt and become fiscally more responsible... No more trips to the islands I hope....
Eric64
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 10:09 p.m.
Yeah like this will ever happen.