Today's Program - Marty Marshall, Lenawee County Administrator

Dane Nelson introduced Marty Marshall who has been associated with government in the county since 1985 while serving as their Equalization Director for most of that time before assuming his current role in December of 2010.

Here is what Marty told audience members: Counties, as a form of government, have been in place in Michigan before it ever became a state! Lenawee County, when it was simply a “territory”, oddly enough, was part of Monroe County. Counties, which are actually “political subdivisions” of Michigan are created by the state constitution and have the same 3 branches as state and federal government: Legislative, Executive and Judicial. The chairman of the county board is the CEO of the executive branch. The county board has transferred finances, human resources, and offices of appointed officials to the Administrator.

Relative to finances, revenue in the county has been declining for the past 5 years. While the property tax base in Lenawee County seems to be stabilizing, they still experienced a $1.3 million loss. Revenue sharing took a $600,000 hit in real dollars and interest earnings are at an all-time low ($700k less than in 2008). Combined, reduction in revenue from all sources amounted to $2.6 million!

On the expenditure side, in 2009 the county spent $1.5 million more than they took in; in 2010 – that amount was $1.9 million; in 2011 they realized a gain of $287k and in 2012 they spent $200k more than they took in.

Among the cost reduction factors put into place are: staff reductions, an increase in employee contributions of fringe benefit costs, a defined benefit retirement plan replaced by a defined contribution plan, and pay freezes. County employees have not received a pay increase since 2009. Energy improvements to county facilities were completed along with the restructuring of various department which will continue as opportunities permit. The county currently has 25 departments.

Among the recent actions taken by the county were: the formulation of a strategic plan, a capital improvement plan and the review of health care options in an effort to contain costs and encourage a more improved life style for employees. A decision on the fate of a Lenawee District Library will  be a ballot issue this fall. Upgrades to equipment and software for computers in police cars and automated ticket and report generation are being reviewed as well as adjustment to Marty’s position as Administrator.

Among the recent projects completed were: the new recycling center, the move of the Drain Commission offices, the rebuilding of the parking lots at the Judicial and Physical Resources buildings, a review of the Sheriff’s Department, the remodeling of the Prosecutor’s office, and the sale of bonds with a 1.8% interest rate.

Among the anticipated “challenges” in the years ahead will be: revenues from property taxes, revenue sharing, and interest on savings. The increase in demand for the Health Department, courts, Department on Aging and county library may also pose some issues in the coming years, Marty said.

Among the county’s “priorities” are:  Mandated vs. non-mandated services, implementation of the new strategic plan, maintaining levels of service with limited staffing and funding and ensuring the stability and viability of Lenawee County.