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.
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.
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.
TO: Department Heads/Elected Officials
FROM: Randy Treacher
RE: 2009 Budget
For the last couple of months, I have requested that you review your 2009 budget status as to both revenues and expenses. Gerard has also been making some projections. Several of you have received e-mails from him containing specific questions. I would ask that you answer him as quickly and completely as possible.
It appears that from our preliminary review, revenues will be about $1 million less than budgeted. This is on top of a large reduction in anticipated property tax revenue made earlier in the year. We do not have a contingency account to deal with this large decrease in revenue.
What can you do? Starting immediately, I am asking that only essential expenditures be made until the end of the year. This includes the use of overtime, casual, and temporary help as a last resort to continue necessary operations. I am anticipating that within two weeks a decision will be made as to the necessity of instituting a temporary (until January) delay in hiring if other costs cannot be reduced.
You have all been cooperative and understanding in our collective efforts to deal with a decreasing budget and I thank you for that. Please double those efforts for the remainder of this year so that we can make it through this most recent challenge.
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