December 14, 1999

Ingham County Board of Commissioners

Citizens of Ingham County

P.O. Box 319

Mason, MI 48854

RE: 1999 Activities

Dear Commissioners and Citizens of Ingham County:

I am pleased to present this brief summary on the 1999 activities of the Ingham County government. Ingham County provides a diverse array of services to its 285,000 residents in the areas of human services, law enforcement and justice administration, recreation, education, elections, and record keeping. Providing accessible health care; developing recreational opportunities; supporting the appropriate development of youth; and providing appropriate sanctions have been high priority goals in the delivery of services to county residents and visitors.

Through the efforts of elected and appointed officials, boards and agencies, and employees, the county strives to deliver these services in a cost-effective manner, made possible by a quality workforce operating within the parameter of continued financial solvency, assisted by current technology. The daily business of the county is carried out by some 1,300 employees located in several campuses throughout the county.

Attached please find a brief review of activities Ingham County government has undertaken in 1999. The review focuses on items of particular interest this year and is not meant to encompass all of the ongoing activities and services in which the County government is involved in on a daily basis. The extent of our accomplishments this year and the level of services provided to Ingham County is reflective of the high caliber of county officials and employees who make up Ingham County government.

Notable accomplishments achieved through the cooperative efforts of county officials and employees during 1999 include:

8,500 uninsured county residents were enrolled in the Ingham Health Plan, which provides primary and speciality outpatient services;

Community wide involvement was continued and expanded in discussions regarding the development of a system of health care for the uninsured;

Construction of Hawk Island Park began with the first phase to be open to the public in the summer of 2000;

Construction of the Kenneth Hope Soccer Complex was completed with the fields to be ready for play in the fall of 2000;

Construction of a new Consolidated Courts Building began with occupancy targeted for June 2001;

Continuation funding for pilot projects focusing on youth violence prevention at Otto Middle School in Lansing and at Stockbridge Middle School was secured from other sources, and funding for continuation of Project RESPECT, which focuses on building self-esteem of young women at risk, was approved by Commissioners;

Recommendations to more efficiently manage local correction's resources were identified by local criminal justice officials participating in a System Mapping exercise;

Jail overcrowding was greatly reduced, with only 2 overcrowding emergencies declared over the past 12 months, compared to a total of 19 in the 2 prior years;

Approval was granted by the Board of Commissioners to establish a residential probation facility in Mason for non-violent adult male offenders;

Funds were appropriated for a contract with Camp Highfields to provide a short term residential facility for juvenile offenders;

A newly created 911 Advisory Committee began to design a system for improved voice communication for police and fire agencie;

The Solid Waste Planning Committee presented the proposed Solid Waste Plan to the Board of Commissioners;

The County concluded its review and restructuring of its economic development and new staff was hired;

The County Board's Ethics Policy was revised;

The budget for 2000 was adopted with a slight decrease in the tax rate, no reductions of County funded services, and with additional expenditures for animal control services; foster care placements; parks operations; community corrections; and emergency operations;

A projected 20% increase in health insurance premiums was reduced to less than 10% through the efforts of the Health Coalition, a cooperative labor management effort.

Many of the challenges and opportunities for 2000 will arise in areas of high priority. Continued efforts to increase access to care for the uninsured; to expand recreational opportunities; to develop effective sanctions for adult and juvenile offenders; to invest in proactive violence reduction efforts; to enhance current services by new investments in technology; to monitor current budget assumptions and to promote cost-effective delivery of services are expected.

In addition, efforts will also likely be spent in monitoring and reacting to changes in state and federal laws as well as events in and around our county. Examples include defining the County role in recycling; evaluating possible changes to the methods of providing mental health services; reacting to changes in funding the Friend of the Court; evaluating the possible revision of the Drain Code; promoting economic development in light of General Motor's decision to build new plants in the region; evaluating other cooperative regional activities; and reacting to changes in the county revenue structure.

I have enjoyed working with you during this past year and am grateful for the opportunity to have served as Board Chairperson.

Sincerely,

Paul C. Pratt, Chairperson

Ingham County Board of Commissioners

GWA/PCP/njh

Attachment

A Review of 1999 Activities

Challenges and Opportunities for 2000

SERVICES OF INGHAM COUNTY

The business of Ingham County is carried out on a daily basis by some 1,300 employees located on several different campuses throughout the county. Primary locations are downtown Lansing, south Lansing, and Mason, the county seat. The county provides over $130 million in services annually, and supports another $62 million through appropriations which are leveraged with other funds.

County government provides a diverse array of services in the areas of human services, law enforcement and justice administration, recreation, education, elections, and record keeping. In any one day, hundreds of people access county services, such as:

*Utilizing one of the many public health, sanitation, or disease control services provided by the Health Department, the support services of County Veteran Affairs, or the residential services of the Medical Care Facility or the Ingham County Housing Commission. They may be utilizing one of the many other human service programs supported by county funds in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Aging, Special Transportation, or Youth Violence Prevention.

*Utilizing the services of the County Prosecutor, County Sheriff, or the Courts, or anticipating the arrival of law enforcement, fire or emergency medical services personnel dispatched by county supported 911 Centers.

*Obtaining birth, death, tax or property information from the Offices of the County Clerk, Treasurer, or Register of Deeds, participating in elections, or receiving assistance in drainage-related problems from the Drain Commissioner. They may be traveling on county-built or maintained roads in non-urban areas of the county.

*Attending educational events sponsored by Cooperative Extension, visiting one of the many county parks, or visiting the county fairgrounds.

The focus of county services is reflected in the statement of the county's long-term objectives. Providing accessible health care; developing recreational opportunities; supporting the appropriate development of youth; and providing appropriate sanctions have been high priority goals in the delivery of services to county residents and visitors. The delivery of these services in a cost-effective manner, made possible by a quality workforce operating within the parameter of continued financial solvency, assisted by current technology, have been high priority internal goals.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROGRESS - 1999 AND 2000

EXPECTATIONS January, 1999	PROGRESS & RESULTS December, 1999	CHALLENGES &OPPORTUNITIES - 2000
Over 7,000 county residents without health insurance will have improved access to health care, through the Ingham Health Plan.	8,500 county residents were enrolled in the Ingham Health Plan on September 30, 1999.	The IHP Board of Directors has set a target of 14,000 county residents to be enrolled by the end of 2000. Plans will be developed to provide some compensation to hospitals for inpatient services to the enrolled population. Additionally, the Board intends to design and prepare for marketing to low wage paying employers a health benefit or insurance product that is funded 1/3 by the IHP Board, 1/3 by the employer and 1/3 by the employee. The IHP Board will also participate in the effort to address the dental needs of low-income persons by providing funds to support an expansion of services. The ability to continue these initiatives into 2001 will require additional local funding. The IHP Board will make a proposal to the Board of Commissioners early in 2000 regarding these needs. The Board will also continue to seek adequate speciality care physicians to meet the needs of the enrolled population, and continue encouraging Sparrow Health System to participate in the special Disproportionate Share Hospital payment mechanism that funds the Ingham Health Plan.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROGRESS - 1999 AND 2000 (Continued)

EXPECTATIONS

January, 1999

PROGRESS & RESULTS

December, 1999

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES - 2000

Efforts to design a comprehensive and affordable system of health care for all of the uninsured in the county will continue.

The Community Voices project continues, with numerous small group meetings held during the year. Two large, community wide meetings (February 19^th and November 23^rd) were held to receive various reports and recommendations from the community and the small work groups. As a result of the last community forum, the Capital Area Health Alliance has agreed to accept more of a role in the effort to assure that the uninsured have access to health care.

The major activities of the Community Voices Project will be to work with the Capital Area Health Alliance to develop specific strategies to expand health care access for uninsured and under insured persons; to implement three community health planning events in different neighborhoods in the Lansing area, to identify strategies the different communities wish to pursue in order to improve the level of health and; to implement the information sharing project which will provide community members with descriptive information about their communities. Additionally, projects will be implemented to engage the African American and Hispanic communities in the processes to improve their health status. Finally, a project to address the dental health needs of the low-income and underserved populations will be implemented.

Expanded recreational opportunities will be made available to county residents as development of Hawk Island Park and the Kenneth Hope Soccer Complex continues.

Construction of Phase I of Hawk Island is on schedule, and should be ready for public use by the summer of 2000. Construction of the soccer complex is complete, and fields will be ready for use by the fall of 2000.

Hawk Island Park will open in the summer. Facilities included in the first phase include picnic shelters, picnic areas, fishing docks, and a warming area for sledders and cross-county skiers.

Construction of the second phase will also begin, with timing dependent upon grant approved decisions. This phase will include a swimming beach, boat docks, and additional fishing piers.

Efforts will also continue to finance and construct a boardwalk or sidewalk across the front of the park.

The Soccer Complex will open in the fall. Plans are being developed to secure sponsorships and other funding sources necessary to have the complex operate in a financially self substaining manner.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROGRESS - 1999 AND 2000 (Continued)

EXPECTATIONS

January, 1999

PROGRESS & RESULTS

December, 1999

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES -2000

The administration of justice will become more convenient and safe for county residents when the recently authorized Consolidated Courts facility becomes a reality in June, 2001.

Groundbreaking for the new building was held on September 24, 1999. $13 million was borrowed on December 7, 1999. The 100,000 square foot building is on budget and on schedule for occupancy in June 2001.

Assuming favorable weather and no unexpected delays in work and materials, progress will continue on schedule. Deployment of appropriate technology for the building will be determined early in the year. A decision will also be made as to future renovation of the Grady Porter Building.

Activities fostering the appropriate development of youth will continue with ongoing county support of the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition.

With County funding ending for youth violence prevention pilot projects at Otto Middle School in Lansing and at Stockbridge Schools, the YVPC, in cooperation with the schools, was able to find alternative sources of funds.

The YVPC was also successful in obtaining funding from the Board of Commissioners to continue Project RESPECT, which focuses on building self-esteem of young women at risk.

Stockbridge and Lansing Public Schools have secured alternative resources to continue violence prevention activities in Stockbridge and Otto Middle School in Lansing. The Minority Over-Representation project will continue, with focus on data collection, maintaining a Key Leaders Policy Group and training of law enforcement officials, education professionals, youth at risk and their parents.

The County Board of Commissioners has provided additional funding to continue the services provided through Project RESPECT. Evaluation data for the School/Community Violence Prevention Program will be presented to sponsoring agencies and public forums.

The five-year plan for the YVPC is being reviewed and updated. Examples of prevention programming that may be identified are: Parenting Education pertaining to violence prevention; Follow-up on education for Youth at Risk;

Minority Over-Representation with expansion of Project RESPECT; and Community Mobilization.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROGRESS - 1999 AND 2000 (Continued)

EXPECTATIONS

January, 1999

PROGRESS & RESULTS

December, 1999

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES -2000

Efforts to develop appropriate sanctions for adult and juvenile criminal offenders will continue in order to alleviate an overcrowded jail and juvenile detention center situation.

The cooperative efforts of many in the criminal justice system have contributed to a significant decrease in the number of instances of jail overcrowding. This cooperation was also evidenced in the recently completed criminal justice system mapping exercise, which resulted in a number of recommendations geared to more efficiently manage local correction's resources.

Approval was received to convert the Library Services Building in Mason to a Probation Residential Center for non-violent felony offenders. Funding and approval was also received to contract with Camp Highfields for a 12 bed short term residential facility for juveniles under the jurisdiction of Family Court.

A $3.25 million renovation of Jail kitchen facilities will be substantially complete by year's end, and ready for use by the end of January, 2000.

The CCAB will continue to work with the criminal justice agencies to develop priorities and implementation strategies for the many recommendations which came from the system mapping exercise.

Renovation of the Library Services Building for use as a Probation Residential Center should be complete by year's end.

A contract with Camp Highfields for the short term residential facility should be presented for approval in early 2000.

The County will continue working to keep the design rated capacity of the jail at its 1999 level of 536.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROGRESS - 1999 AND 2000 (Continued)

EXPECTATIONS
January, 1999
PROGRESS & RESULTS
December, 1999
CHALLENGES &OPPORTUNITIES - 2000

An update to the County's Solid Waste Plan is proceeding as an activity related to promoting environmental protection.

The Solid Waste Planning Committee has completed a draft of the Solid Waste Plan and submitted it to the Board of Commissioners for its consideration.

The Board of Commissioners will consider approval of a draft of the Solid Waste Plan and authorize it to be submitted to local governments for their approval. The role of the county government in recycling and its potential funding implications will need to be analyzed.

A focus on promoting public safety continues with efforts to improve 911 services throughout the county.

A 911 Advisory Committee was established to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for the funding of system improvements to the 911 system. Funding has been provided to Lansing and East Lansing for various improvements, including Y2k compliance. The hiring of a consultant to design and bid an upgrade to the voice communication capabilities of police and fire agencies were also approved. By year's end, system design will be completed.

A recommended system design and estimated cost for voice communication will be presented to the Board for approval early in 2000. Following approval to proceed, bids will be solicited, and the Board will then consider bid award.

A decision on submitting the 911 Special Millage to the voters for renewal will need to be made in 2000. This decision may involve the continued use of a phone surcharge as an additional or alternate revenue source.

Efforts continue in fostering economic development by re-defining the county's unique role in supporting the development of wealth within the county.

The County's review of its economic development policies and organization is complete. Staffing has been approved and all positions will be filled by mid-December.

The EDC, with assistance of its new staff, will begin implementation of the newly approved goals and objectives for county economic development.

EXPECTATIONS AND PROGRESS - 1999 AND 2000 (Continued)

EXPECTATIONS
January, 1999
PROGRESS & RESULTS
December, 1999
CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES - 2000

County activities will be pursued within the constraints of demand for limited growth in locally generated revenues, and a corresponding need to foster cost-effective operations. Budget year 1999 should end as projected, with revenues and expenses favorably balanced. Significant overruns in the Child Care Fund have been addressed, and short term plans are in place to address decreased funding for the Friend of the Court.

In anticipation of borrowing funds for the courts building, a credit rating of the county was required. The County received a very strong rating of AA3 from Moody's Investor Services and AA- from Standard and Poor's. The Moody's rating is an improvement from previous ratings.

The 2000 budget has been adopted with an approximate 4% increase. Most cost increases are less than this amount, with salaries, fringe benefit costs other than health insurance, and supplies increasing by 2.5%. All county services are anticipated to continue at current levels, with the possible exception of the Friend of the Court. Additional expenditures are included for animal control, foster care, parks, community corrections, and emergency operations. The tax rate is slightly less for 2000 than for 1999.

A projected 20% increase in employee health insurance premiums has been reduced to less than 10% by the work of the Health Coalition, a cooperative labor management effort. More than $500,000 in increased health insurance costs for 2000 has been avoided.

A revision of the County Board's Ethics Policy was also approved, following several months of discussion.

Some budgetary items may be problematic during 2000. Items such as the level of service to be provided by the Friend of the Court in light of significant funding reductions; the cost of health insurance, foster care expenditures, and the Camp Highfields contract, will need to be carefully monitored, as compared to the budgetary assumptions.

For the 2001 budget process, the revenue loss from changes in the personal property tax depreciation schedules may significantly decrease the total increase in revenues.

Labor contracts with the FOP, UAW, and ICEA expire at the end of 1999. Negotiations are underway, and those contracts not subject to arbitration should be resolved amicably in 2000.

The results of the Managers and Confidential Employees job reclassification review should be completed for Board consideration in early 2000. The personnel policy is

EXPECTATIONS AND PROGRESS - 1999 AND 2000 (Continued)

EXPECTATIONS
January, 1999
PROGRESS & RESULTS
December, 1999
CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES - 2000

Implementation of a new criminal justice information system will be close to completion by year's end, although there will continue to be modifications and adjustments into the new year. All major components are scheduled to be live and in production by year's end.

A revision of the computer programs supporting Friend of the Court operations has become necessary due to changes in federal requirements. Lack of clarity from the state as to the new requirements has been significantly hampering these efforts.

Y2k concerns were addressed with replacement of obsolete hardware and software including replacement of the land records and vital records system. The County investment in technology continued with on-going upgrading of all locations and software systems.

A change in the process of delinquent tax administration gave the County a choice as to its future role. After discussion and analysis, the county determined to allow the state to become the fiduciary agent.

Much effort was undertaken to assure Y2K compliance of major county systems. The land records and vital record's system as well as the tax billing system were replaced to address possible Y2k issues. Some concern still exists for parts of the jail manager but a contingency plan is in place. The County investment in technology continued with on-going upgrading of hardware and software.

Implementation of the initial phase of the Integrated Justice Information System should be substantially completed in 2000.

The computer system supporting the Friend of the Court will need to be compliant with federal regulations by April. If all counties in the state are not compliant, Michigan is at risk of losing additional federal funds.

Also in the planning for 2000 is the state's decision, as required by federal regulation, to implement a state level centralized collection system for Friend of the Court. This further adds to the many changes affecting the Friend of the Court and those who rely on it for enforcement of support orders.

The impact of the county's decision to opt out of the property foreclosure role will be monitored to determine if the county should opt in, in the future.

Should Y2K problems surface, necessary adjustments will be made.

An update to the County's Solid Waste Plan is proceeding as an activity related to promoting environmental protection.	The Solid Waste Planning Committee has completed a draft of the Solid Waste Plan and submitted it to the Board of Commissioners for its consideration.	The Board of Commissioners will consider approval of a draft of the Solid Waste Plan and authorize it to be submitted to local governments for their approval. The role of the county government in recycling and its potential funding implications will need to be analyzed.
A focus on promoting public safety continues with efforts to improve 911 services throughout the county.	A 911 Advisory Committee was established to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for the funding of system improvements to the 911 system. Funding has been provided to Lansing and East Lansing for various improvements, including Y2k compliance. The hiring of a consultant to design and bid an upgrade to the voice communication capabilities of police and fire agencies were also approved. By year's end, system design will be completed.	A recommended system design and estimated cost for voice communication will be presented to the Board for approval early in 2000. Following approval to proceed, bids will be solicited, and the Board will then consider bid award. A decision on submitting the 911 Special Millage to the voters for renewal will need to be made in 2000. This decision may involve the continued use of a phone surcharge as an additional or alternate revenue source.
Efforts continue in fostering economic development by re-defining the county's unique role in supporting the development of wealth within the county.	The County's review of its economic development policies and organization is complete. Staffing has been approved and all positions will be filled by mid-December.	The EDC, with assistance of its new staff, will begin implementation of the newly approved goals and objectives for county economic development.