FEBRUARY 23, 2010

Agenda Item No. 21

 

Introduced by the Finance Committee of the: 

 

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE 2010 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET, TO EXTEND THE 2010 HIRING DELAY, AND TO IMPLEMENT A HIRING FREEZE FOR

INGHAM COUNTY GENERAL FUND POSITIONS

 

RESOLUTION #10-050

 

WHEREAS, due to current economic conditions, anticipated reductions in property tax and interest revenue totaling approximately $3 million have been identified since the adoption of the 2010 Budget on October 27, 2009; and

 

WHEREAS, as a result of a continual increase in expenses for County operations, Ingham County must take significant measures to reduce expenses in an attempt to minimize Ingham County Government’s projected budget deficit, and to reduce the number of positions facing layoff in future years; and

 

WHEREAS, in addition to these strategies, it is expected that additional long-term strategies to maintain current year expenses within current year revenues will be identified for 2010, and to a greater extent during the 2011 budget process; and

 

WHEREAS, the fiscal years for the State=s Cooperative Reimbursement Program and the County=s Budget are different, creating problems with reporting, billing expenses, and auditing purposes between the County and the State of Michigan; and

 

WHEREAS, due to the large number of employees and retirees shifting to lower cost health insurance options during the 2010 open enrollment process, the General Fund health insurance costs are projected to be $250,000 less than budgeted; and

 

WHEREAS, the new contract for jail prescription services is expected to result in a 2010 savings of approximately $135,000; and

 

WHEREAS, the new contract for parking at the Grady Porter Building/Veterans Memorial Courthouse complex is expected to result in a 2010 savings of approximately $35,000; and

 

WHEREAS, the Controller/Administrator has recommended a reorganization of some Central Services positions that will result in a 2010 savings of $129,113; and

 

WHEREAS, based on revenue collections during the last half of 2009, the Drain Commissioner is projecting $90,000 in unbudgeted general fund revenue in 2010; and

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 23, 2010

Agenda Item No. 21

 

RESOLUTION #10-050

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, during the 2010 budget process, $195,910 was reserved from excess budget savings to be considered for use by the Sheriff’s Office upon evaluation of the budget situation at the end of 2009; and

 

WHEREAS; the current budget situation requires the Budget to be reduced; and

 

WHEREAS, the reduction in the Delhi Law Enforcement Contract of three deputies and associated expenses, resulted in a net revenue reduction of $51,266.

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners is increasing the current six-week hiring delay to eight weeks effective immediately.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners is implementing a hiring freeze on all permanent positions for Ingham County effective April 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the hiring delay and hiring freeze will be effective for all departments, with the only exceptions being for positions that are funded 100% from non-General Fund sources.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Department Heads who believe it is necessary to fill a position to maintain vital county services can make a formal request to the County Services Committee.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that temporary employees, or members of a different bargaining unit if prohibited by a labor contract, will not be substituted to perform daily functions of any bargaining unit positions that are affected by the hiring delay or hiring freeze. 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that no out-of -state travel funded by the General Fund will be permitted for the remainder of 2010.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the fiscal year for the current Friend of the Court Cooperative Reimbursement Fund (215) and the Prosecuting Attorney Cooperative Reimbursement Fund (298) Budgets will end on September 30, 2010, and that succeeding fiscal years for these funds shall begin on October 1.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2010 Ingham County Budget be amended to reduce the General Fund budget by $1.7 million as follows:

 

Cost Savings Strategy

General Fund Budget Savings

Implement Hiring Freeze for 6 months in 2010

$250,000

Increase Hiring Delay from 6 to 8 weeks

$170,000

0Eliminate Out-of -State Travel

$17,200

Reduce In-State Travel by 25%

$23,725

Reduce Training by 25%

$10,406

Reduce Telephone by 25%

$40,850

Reduce Supplies by 20%

$178,283

Projected Health Care Savings

$250,000

Jail Prescription Savings from New Contract

$135,000

Savings from New Parking Contract at GPB/VMC

$35,000

Central Services Reorganization

$129,113

Cost Savings Strategy

General Fund Budget Savings

Change Cooperative Reimbursement Funds Fiscal Year

$265,909

Funds Reserved from Sheriff’s Savings – 2010 Budget

$195,810

Less Funds for Delhi Contract Revenue Loss

($51,266)

Recognize Additional Drain Commissioner General Fund Revenue

$90,000

Total

$1,740,030

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Departments will maintain the ability to transfer funds within their budgets as permitted by the Ingham County Budget Transfer Policy (Resolution #94-93).

 

FINANCE:  Yeas:  Grebner, Tennis, Bahar-Cook, Schor, Dougan

     Nays:  None     Absent:  Holman        Approved  2/03/10