Dear Friends,
This special newsletter edition deals with County Commissioner Redistricting. Besides the national redistricting for Congress, and state redistricting for the Michigan Legislature, we need to redistrict for our County Commissioners after every Census. Below are some thoughts and information on how this can impact Saginaw County, and how you can help in the effort. Another important cost-cutting measure that Saginaw County could take is consolidating the Register of Deeds and Clerk's departments. Despite the Controller's recommendation to consolidate the County Clerk and Register of Deeds offices, some of our elected officials are not in favor of this measure which is estimated to have a minimum savings of $100,000 a year. Commissioner O'Hare (Chair) stated, "I'm not in favor of it." He was also "...against the abolition of fringe benefits paid to commissioners." And Mildred Dodak, the current Register of Deeds has said, "I feel this is being done for political (maneuvering)."
However, 30 of Michigan's 83 counties have already combined the two departments, successfully saving money and increasing efficiencies. As usual the office holder isn't willing to sacrifice. But if it can work in Kent County it can work in Saginaw. There is even a hidden savings: Saginaw County currently has a Register of Deeds' Automation Fund, which cannot be used for anything other than technology improvements in that department. If the two departments were consolidated, the $600,000 in that fund could be tapped for improvements that would also benefit the Clerk's operations, thus saving county general fund monies. |
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County Commissioner Redistricting - Background
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The 2010 Census not only set the stage for the allocation of U.S. Congressional seats, in which Michigan will lose one seat, but will also be used to determine new boundaries of our State Senate, House and County Commissioner districts. In addition to determining the County Commission district boundaries, each County Redistricting Committee, consisting of the County Prosecutor, Clerk and Treasurer along with the Democratic and Republican Party Chairs, has the additional charge of determining the number of commissioner seats in the county. Below you will see some historical statistics regarding commissioner seats in Saginaw County. There have been at 15 commissioners since 1982 although our population has fallen off significantly in that time and may not even hit 200,000 in the 2010 census. Using the 2000 census data, each Saginaw district represented a population of 14,040 people. Other counties have functioned well with far higher population representation. Because of an estimated $5.5 to $6 million dollar budget deficit, the County Controller has recommended a reduction in commissioner benefits and the consolidation of the County Clerks office with the Register of Deeds. Wouldn't it make sense to reduce the number of districts along with his other recommendations, and save even more? This opportunity for district consolidations comes around only once every 10 years. It's time for the Redistricting Committee to recognize this opportunity; be accountable to the people of Saginaw County and act accordingly. Although the County Commissioners do not control the process wouldn't it be responsible on their part to publicly recommend a significant reduction in the commissioners?
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| County Commissioner Redistricting - Questions | |
County Commissioner Districts:
1982 = 15 1992 = 15 2002 = 15 2012 = ??
Population per County Commissioner District:
Saginaw County = 14,040
Ingham County = 18,621
Ottawa County = 21,665
St. Clair County = 23,462
Why do we need to be so far out of the mainstream?
Saginaw County Population Decline (from US Census):
1980 - 228,059
1990 - 211,946
2000 - 210,039
2010 - 200,000 (barely)?
As our population drops, why shouldn't the number of County departments and County commissioners?
Budget shortfall (from Saginaw News 1-24-2011):
$6,000,000 budget gap
Can we afford as many County departments and County commissioners?
Reduced County Work Force: 118 over 20 years, currently proposed 15 additional.
Reduced County Benefits: pension converted to 401K-type plans and some health and welfare benefits eliminated.
Shouldn't we also cut the number of County departments and County commissioners?
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County Commissioner Redistricting - Elected Officials' Opinions
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Included below are some quotes from county commissioners and the controller. In a time of a shrinking population, shrinking revenues, a reduced workforce and double digit unemployment doesn't it make sense for our local governments to find ways, as the controller puts it, to "...get rid of some chiefs"?
Commissioner Wurtzel - "We're on the brink of bankruptcy."
Commissioner Novak - regarding benefit cut backs - "It's time for us to continue to make sacrifices like we already have. It sets a good example for the community and the rest of the county." Wouldn't this statement be applicable to the number of commissioner districts and the consolidation of the County Clerk's and Register of Deeds' offices as well?
Commissioner McInenery - regarding benefit cut backs - "We don't have the resources anymore when we started, and it's become a burden on the county." Wouldn't this statement be applicable to the number of commissioner districts and the consolidation of the County Clerk's and Register of Deeds' offices as well?
Controller McGill - regarding consolidation of the County Clerk's and Register of Deeds offices - "We've been eliminating Indians over here, about 118 of them over the past 10 years, and now we're looking at getting rid of some chiefs." Wouldn't this statement also be applicable to the number of commissioner districts?
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County Commissioner Redistricting - What You Can Do
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County Commissioners met Tuesday, February 15h to vote on the cost saving measures including the reduction in benefits.
They will also have a public hearing March 2nd regarding the merger of the county Clerk's Office with the Register of Deeds. As you can see from the quotes above, some of our elected officials still don't understand the need for a smaller government. Use your social networks to inform more people, ask them to do the same, and let our county elected officials know your views.
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The Republican mission seeks to maintain a strong defense, encourage individual achievement and liberty through the free enterprise system, and strengthen families. If you would like to help us move the area and the country towards these goals, please consider donating to the Saginaw County Republican Committee. Every donation, no matter how large or small, will help ensure that we can find and elect people to work for those goals. You can do so by mail to PO BOX 6653, Saginaw, MI 48608 or on the web at www.saginawcountygop.com.
Sincerely,
Helene Wiltse, Chair, Saginaw County Republican Party
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Helene Wiltse, Chair
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