The 2010 Fair is coming fast.  August 8-14 will be here before you know it.  We have been working harder than ever to make the fair a more local event.  We will still have the great line-up of national entertainment including Rodney Adkins and Styx.  The Jackson Symphony Orchestra will be performing their summer pops concert for the third year.  New this year is a Christian rock band Run Kid Run with Spring Arbor native Rob Vischer and the International Demolition Derby.  The very popular Monster Truck Show is back.  We have added 13 (yes 13) local bands to perform free on our small stage by the Gumper Exhibit Building and we have a local couple who travel with a free childrens show, Pirates Cove.

 

I can't forget to mention all the local entries, the animals and exhibits from the 4H clubs, local vendors, live animals, the birthing barn, and many others things too numerous to remember.  Besides needing good weather for the week of the fair, we need you to support this important community event.  More information is available on the Fair web-site and you will be seeing lots of advertising starting next week.  See you at the Fair!

Last night (June 15), the Board of Commissioners passed the 2011 budget.  There are several significant items that should be noted about the spending plan.  First, it is $3,000,000 less than just a few short years ago.  County government spending is going down.  Next, we have 81.5 less employees than we did in 2004 which was the year in which the County employed the most people.  Most importantly, even though spending is decreasing, reductions are being made according to the strategic plan adopted by the Board of Commissioners.

 

What this means to the citizens of Jackson County is that they are paying a lot less to run county government.  At the same time, the budget for public safety is going up and our economic development activities are increasing.  Our departments have developed systems and procedures to do the work with less people.  We believe that service delivery has not been significantly impacted by these staff reductions because we have made them carefully and in ways that you would generally not notice.

 

We anticipate that resources to run the County will continue to go down for the next 4 years.  Elected officials and department heads are already looking for ways to reduce the total budget by $500,000 EACH year from 2012-2015.  This will not be an easy task on top of what they have already done.  Your suggestions, comments, and questions as to how we are going to do this are always welcome.

Did you know that Jackson County had an Emergency Management Office?  It is a department of the Sheriff and a cooperative effort between the City of Jackson and the County.  The purpose is to prepare first responders, citizens, and businesses for a disaster.  They coordinate emergency response agencies to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Jackson County.  In cooperation with the City and townships, they operate the emergency warning system throughout the County.  They organize training and periodically hold simulated emergency response exercises using a variety of scenarios. 

 

Jackson County has just received official word that our bond rating by Standard & Poors (S&P) has been increased.  The rating was increased from A+ to AA.  S&P cited four consecutive years with an annual surplus, healthy reserves, prudent financial policies, financial planning, and low debt burden as reasons for the new rating.  On an annual basis, S&P analyzes the county's financial condition.

 

Is this really a big deal?  In some ways no but it does send a message that Jackson County government is in good, solid financial condition.  It assures residents that sound fiscal policies are in place and maybe even more importantly, that financial planning past the current fiscal year is happening.  A more direct benefit will happen if the County or any other unit of government in Jackson County borrows money with the County's credit rating.  That borrowing will have a lower interest rate assigned as a result of this increase in the bond rating.

 

County department heads, elected officials, and County Commissioners have been working very hard to keep our budget in balance.  That has not happened without some reductions in services and staffing but it has been accomplished with a plan and in a gradual manner.  I hope you have been following our progress and agree that we are going in the right direction.

Anyone that has had a child in elementary through middle school is aware of the Hearing or Vision testing students go through each year.  Did you know those services are performed by the Jackson County Health Department staff?  This is a wonderful prevention service that screens thousands of children in day care and public and private schools.  There is even a free clinic the 1^st and 3^rd Friday afternoons of every month (except in the summer) at the Health Department.  This clinic is available for children who may have missed their school screening or even adults that may have a concern with their hearing or vision.

Many of your children have regular annual checkups with your family doctor and that is great but not everyone can do that.  As those of us with children know, they can change physically very fast in a year.  A result of the testing is that several hundred referrals are made for follow up due to something detected in the screening.

More information is available on the Health Department web-site.  The next time some child in your family talks about the hearing and vision technicians coming to their school, remind them that it doesn't hurt.

On Tuesday, March 16, the Board of Commissioners adopted an economic development plan for Jackson County.  The plan first calls for retaining and expanding our current economic base including: utilities, manufacturing, retail, educational services (private), and health and human services.  It also calls for attracting new industries and investment in the areas of life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and travel and leisure.  Specific strategies are outlined to deal with each of the previously mentioned recommendations as well as suggestions for improving public services and recommending business climate changes for the state.  The entire plan will soon be available on our web-site under County Information, then Strategic Plan (or on this link).  Do not let the length of the document scare you.  If you read pages 5-9, you will get the executive summary.

 

This plan alone will not fix our economic challenges.  It will encourage us to work in one direction and speak with one voice.  It will help us to focus on targets that are achievable.  Maybe most importantly, we have a direction.  Let me know if you have questions or suggestions.

Recently, I have been asked why the County spends money in these tight times to do renovations of buildings.  It is certainly a fair question in light of shrinking budgets.  One of the main reasons we make changes in our offices is to create efficiencies.  A few years ago, we renovated the old Medical Care Facility Building on Lansing Avenue to accommodate all of our human service departments.  These departments had previously been in three buildings.  We were able to sell one of the buildings.  This consolidation has increased the interaction between these departments as well as providing more adequate work space.  We then relocated the Friend of the Court to the same campus and we are now marketing the building in which they were housed.

 

The current renovations at the Tower Building will not only provide better customer service but also greater efficiencies between the four departments that will be located there.  In addition, we will have two entire floors of the Tower Building that can be offered for rent.  We plan to begin a major renovation on the first floor of the Courthouse to combine operations of the District Court which are currently located in several offices throughout the building.

 

Creating efficiencies, reducing costs, and better customer service in exchange for a one-time cost to do the renovation are the primary reasons we look at making changes in our offices.  These are compelling arguments to me to continue our efforts in exploring how we do business.

Sometimes the Jackson County Animal Shelter staff gets a bad rap for the job they do.  They really dont deserve it.  Over the years, I have known them to be very caring individuals and all of them loved pets.  They have to pick up the pieces when pets have been abused, abandoned, or are just not wanted anymore.  For them, the satisfying part of their job is to see some animals adopted into caring homes.

 

Each year, thousands of animals are handled by the Shelter staff.  Sometimes, the animals are returned to their owners.  Adoptions also happen nearly every day and those programs and the details for adoption are available on the web-site.  Unfortunately but reality is that some animals have to be euthanized.  Whatever the outcome, the Shelter staff treats the animals as if they were their own.

 

Volunteers are always welcome.   Check out the web-site for more information on hours and services from the Jackson County Animal Shelter.

Few people know about the Jackson County Equalization Department but it has a major impact on everyone that pays property taxes.  The staff performs studies of property valuations and work with the assessors in the twenty local units of government to equalize those valuations for the entire county.  After approval by the Board of Commissioners, the department assures that the millage rates are applied to the July and December tax bills.

 

They deal with lots of numbers and huge spreadsheets but the work is interesting.  They have their fingers on the pulse of what is happening with property values in all different classes of property all over Jackson County.  The staff is also responsible for keeping the maps of all parcels of property.  Check out their web-site for more information.

The County has been reducing our budget over the last four years.  In fact, the 2010 budget is $5.3 million less than the 2007 budget.  The 2011 budget may be as much as $1 million less than 2010.  It has been a challenge to manage these large reductions in light of an increasing demand for service with rising expenses like health care costs.  To be sure, we have far fewer employees (probably 80 less by the end of 2010) but we have also worked hard to control other expenses.

 

More important than the fact that spending is down is how we have determined to make the reductions.  I am happy to say that there has been a plan.  It was adopted by the Board of Commissioners after input from the community and County department heads and elected officials.  The plan establishes priorities that are reflected in our budget.  For example, Safe Communities is the number one priority of the Board and as a result, there have been no reductions in law enforcement officers on the road.

 

I encourage you to review our strategic plan that is available on our web-site.  We always encourage your input and feedback either to me or your County Commissioner.

Since you are reading this, you have already accessed the County website and have seen what the various departments have posted.  Just a couple of years ago, that information would have been impressive.  But that is not true anymore.  We are in an age where even email is an old method of communication.  Jackson County recognizes the importance of communicating with our citizens.  Our challenge is to provide information and services in a more traditional method but at the same time meet the expectations of those using newer options.

We recently started a Facebook page.  The reaction has been very positive.  I had never visited Facebook but I am impressed with the possbilities.  If you have not become a fan, come and visit us.  The Sheriff Department is using Twitter to inform the public about things that are happening.  Tweets are sent by the operators at the 911 dispatch center.  Please let me (rtreache@co.jackson.mi.us) know if you have ideas on how Jackson County government can better communicate with citizens.

Jackson County has joined counties from across the country by offering a discount card program to help residents deal with the high cost of prescriptions.  The county is making the free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) that offers average savings of 22% off the retail price.

It seems a little imposing but the GIS name is appropriate.  Simply put, it is information that is presented in a geographic format based on tax parcels.  The County GIS website is full of useful information.  Like what?

There has been a lot of press regarding the County Fair.  The most important fact for you to know is that there will be a 2010 Fair (August 8-14).  It may be a little different because we plan to make it even better.

This is a message that I recently sent to all employees of Jackson County regarding our 2009 budget status.

Prosecuting Attorney Hank Zavislak has a unit of his department called the Victim Rights Unit.  It is staffed by three people who dedicate their time to assisting individuals and their families who have been victims of more serious crimes.  Fortunately, most people never have to be exposed to a traumatic event like this but for those that do, the staff in this office are a big help in guiding victims through the criminal justice process.

You may think that the Department on Aging mostly provides meals on wheels or other in home services.  That is far from all they do.  There are eight congregate sites that provide way more than just meals.

Many people complain about being called for jury service but it is a vital part of our criminal justice system.  In fact, our system would fall apart if no one served on a jury.  You probably already know that potential jurors are selected from the Michigan driver's license list.  You are notified by mail when you receive a questionnaire which you must return.

The Women, Infants, & Children's (WIC) program at the Jackson County Health Department is a great service to our community.  WIC is a supplemental food program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.  Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under 5 are eligible if the family meets the income guidelines.  Right now, over 5,000 Jackson County residents are enrolled.

Did you know that every year about 10% of the real property taxes in Jackson County go delinquent?  Those that are not paid at the local governmental units are returned to the County Treasurer by the City and townships for collection.  The Treasurer has a number of steps that must be taken to notify property owners of the amount of the delinquency and how long the taxpayers have to pay before the property goes into forfeiture and foreclosure.  There are way too many steps for me to discuss here but the County Treasurer's office will help you through the process if you need.

The Board of Commissioners will be considering the 2010 budget at their regular meeting, Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.  They have already received the budget presentation and it is available on-line for public review by accessing the budget web page.  You are invited to attend the meeting and to make a statement if you wish.

Several projects are on going at the Jackson County Tower Building.  The building was originally built for the National Bank of Jackson and featured a very ornate bank lobby on the second floor.  Over the years (and prior to County ownership) many renovations took place and as a result, the area does not look as it originally did.

The current runways at the Airport were built in 1942.  The runways did not, even at that time, have the required safety areas at the runway ends.  It wasn't until 1999 when the FAA issued a mandate for airports to correct these runway safety area deficiencies.  In 2001 a team produced a Runway Safety Study that recommended the best alternative runway configuration to satisfy the FAA safety requirements.

It is really easy for you to know what is happening with the Board of Commissioners.  Board members do not receive a hard copy of their agenda packets.  They receive that information through a posting on the Commissioners website.  That same information is available to you on-line as well.  A link is available on the front page of the County website that says Meetings & Agendas.  That link will take you to the same place that the Commissioners go to download their packets.  Other boards and commissions are starting to post their agendas on this page as well.

If you are looking for information about Jackson County in a little different format, we have a new feature on our website to help you.  The County and JTV have teamed up to produce a show called Spotlight on Jackson County.

The Jackson County Health Department has been sponsoring a hazardous waste collection for many years.  This year's collection will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 9:00 am to 12:00 (noon) at the Health Department, 1715 Lansing Ave.

What in the world is GovQA?  It is a new way to interact with the public any time of the day and without having to make a phone call.  The interactive software went live just the first of this year.  GovQA is located on the front page of the County website (co.jackson.mi.us).

The County has been developing a strategic plan during the last year or so.  Recently, the Board of Commissioners added the strategy of a Safe Community to our list and prioritized it as our number one strategy.

Jackson County has many opportunities for volunteering.  I'd like to focus on two.

Most of you probably don't know that Jackson County has had a fair for 156 years.  That is a tradition.  As with most governmental activities, things have been a little tight the last couple of years.  Things are even tighter this year for the Fair.

Boy am I glad I live in Jackson County.  I could write a research paper in defense of that statement.  In this case, I am writing about inter-governmental cooperation in the event of an emergency.

The Board of Commissioners made a huge step forward at their May 19 meeting in an attempt to decrease unwanted dogs and cats in Jackson County.  Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a plan that will require all dogs and cats adopted from the Animal Control Shelter to be spayed or neutered.  The plan would also have the animals receive necessary shots and obtain a dog license if appropriate.

From time to time, I want to highlight certain services that County departments provide.  You may not need them but you may know someone who does and can pass on the information to them.

The Jackson County Health Department has taken a financial hit as a result of the on going State budget crisis.  Several programs will be affected including immunizations, local public health support, hearing and vision services, and others.  We are not sure of the amount of the reductions for this year if any.  The next fiscal year, which starts on October 1, 2009, will probably include even more significant cuts up to elimination of entire programs.

Today is Smart Commute 2009.  I hope you had the opportunity to ride or walk to work.  I have been trying to ride my bike to work whenever my schedule permits.  It is not only good exercise but also good for the environment.