In case you're not sure what's up for elimination and/or reduction, this article from our friends at The Gladwin County Record and Beaverton Clarion sums it up:
On the chopping block:
County puts cuts on the table on the way to adopting budget
GLADWIN COUNTY – The Gladwin County Board of Commissioners presented a list of proposed cuts Tuesday, Dec. 10, some of which prompted discussion from department heads and other employees at both the regular board meeting and the Budget Workshop that followed that meeting.Among the proposed cuts are Michigan State University Extension. Under their Memorandum of Agreement with MSUE, the county has a 120-Day out clause, which they discussed using today.
If they opted out, services would be funded through around the end of March.
“We’re not going to shut the phones off and evict [MSUE],” said Board Chair Josh Reid.
Beaverton Area Business Association President Rev. Karen Blatt attended the meeting and urged the county not to drop MSUE, noting her experience with the agency’s involvement with Beaverton and Gladwin Leadership program.
MSUE District Coordinator Shari Spoelman was also on hand.
“I would hope that we are able to work through this hiccup,” she said, describing the services offered in Gladwin County, from 4-H to Project Fresh and other programs.
She added that if the board goes with their out clause, they will not be able to enroll youth in the 4-H program beginning in 2015.
“I would like to urge the board not to sever that tie,” Spoelman said.
Reid said that the board had asked to break apart that Memo of Agreement and fund specific parts of the agreement, however Spoelman said that’s not an option given the way the state funds the program.
Commissioner Vice Chair Terry Walters expressed his disappointment in the Finance Committee’s decision to consider the opt-out.
“I would like to look at cutting something else,” he said.
In the end however, the board voted during their regular meeting to draw up a letter stating that they were considering using their 120 day out clause.
In addition to MSUE, the board is proposing cuts to the Sheriff Department and Jail, including the elimination of a lieutenant position and a sergeant position, which would eliminate two deputies.
Sheriff Mike Shea indicated that that language was misleading.
“[The Board says] elimination of a lieutenant. I have *a* lieutenant,” he explained, stressing that there is only one lieutenant at the department. “That’s all I have.”
He added, “If we’re getting rid of two deputies, just tell me… I’m a big boy. I can handle it.”
The Sheriff also indicated his dismay at the proposed reduction in hours of the Jail Administrator and other administrative positions, adding that corrections staff are responsible for transporting inmates and taking care of them.
“They’re not nice people,” he stressed.
He also added that the cuts could have an impact on revenue.
In addition to those reductions, the board plans to eliminate Marine Patrol and cap Inmate Nursing at 40 hours per week, and is asking that court security hours be reduced at the discretion of the Sheriff.
Board Chair Josh Reid noted that the community had spoken when they turned down the Public Safety Millage.
“It is a shame that the Public Safety Millage did not pass,” he said.
Sheriff Mike Shea said that’s not the idea he got from the public.
“They never said, ‘We want less police,’” he said, speaking of the public’s response to the county’s proposal for a public safety millage. “It’s not about police. It’s not about public safety. It’s about county finances in general. It’s not about cops.”
Circuit Court Judge Thomas Evans also weighed in on proposed cuts to the courts, which include the reduction of a full-time clerk to part-time in Probate Court, District Court, and Friend of the Court; as well as the elimination of the Research Attorney.
He indicated that the Research Attorney is mandated by law, and that the two Circuit Court Judges have been making do with one, when they should have had two. He also added that the position offers the county a high level of “bang for their buck.” The position is 50 percent funded by Clare County, and is staffed typically by young people who are bright and willing to work for a pittance in order to gain experience.
He also added that the position in Friend of the Court is 80 to 85 percent funded by the state.
Board Chair Josh Reid expressed his frustration that during budget talks, the board was reportedly told by the courts to “use last year’s numbers.”
“There have to be cuts,” he said, adding that he was willing to sit down with the judge - or any other department head - and discuss the proposed reductions.
“We hit those target numbers like we said we would. It can be done,” Reid said, adding that even so, he is open to suggestions. “We’d welcome input from department heads before making those cuts.”
Judge Evans finished by saying that he is concerned that the board is headed into a “Failure Spiral” by cutting service levels and making reductions that could negatively impact revenue.
“I don’t disagree with you. I really don’t disagree with you, but I don’t know what our options are,” Reid said.
“There are no payless paydays,” Whittington said, adding later that the courthouse is down to four days per week of being open.
“Do we go down to three?” he asked.
Commissioner Terry Walters echoed the frustration of the rest of the board.
“The County isn’t going to give us an operational millage – we saw that with public safety,” he added.
Reid asserted his belief that there is no right answer, or as Commissioner Birgel put it – “no silver bullet.”
“None of it is perfect,” Reid commented. “Absolutely none of it is perfect.”
Additional cuts being considered include a cut by attrition at the County Clerk’s office by not filling a position after a retirement; the reduction in hours of a part-time position in the Treasurer’s Office; the elimination of Janitorial Services to be replaced with contractual services; the reduction of the full-time clerk to part-time at Animal Control; the reduction of all part-time employees to no more than 29 hours per week; as well as the reduction of some appropriations – from $25,000 to $12,500 to the Airport; and from $15,000 to $7,500 for the Economic Development Corporation.
The proposed cuts come as the Board of Commissioners have to adopt a balanced budget for 2014. In order to do so, they assert that they must cut around $500,000 from the budget. That will give them approximately $400,000 worth of cuts, and they are hoping to realize around $100,000 more from contract negotiations.
The County will vote to adopt their 2014 Budget on Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. in the Gladwin County Commissioners Chambers on the Third Floor of the Gladwin County Courthouse.
Along with the story, the Record and Clarion videotaped the regular Board meeting and the budget workshop Tuesday, so if you have some time, you may watch them! Here are the links:
Board meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAOOXwLquhs
Budget Workshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNyWRkrrjxU
We realize that many of you will come out to express your displeasure at the cuts to MSUE, which effectively create the perception that there will no longer be 4-H in Gladwin County.
But here's the deal, folks: Why does the 4-H program have to be run by MSU Extension? Are there not leaders? Are there not parents who can pay dues? The state refuses to disassemble their Memorandum of Agreement with the Board of Commissioners in order to allow us to pay for what we can afford, so why would we entertain placating them with additional monies?
Here's another thought. Said it before, but will say it again: Drop the frivolous lawsuit against Denise Miller. It's racking up costs every day. We can't afford those either, and I am offended that we keep paying because the commissioners won't drop it.
And lastly, return Zoning to the Townships. That'll help avoid future legal costs.
See you tomorrow!
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