Genesee County Board of Commissioners 12-3-2025

The meeting comprised sessions from five different committees: Community Economic Development (CED), Finance, Governmental Operations, Human Services, and Public Works. The proceedings focused heavily on long-term planning and infrastructure, specifically the ongoing efforts to expand high-speed broadband and the release of a comprehensive 25-year Master Plan 13:06.

In the economic and administrative sectors, the board discussed the "Community Acceleration and Revitalization Initiative" (CARI) 1:47 and the establishment of a new "Next Gen Genesee Strategy Group" to manage broadband development 7:03. The Finance and Governmental Operations committees handled numerous resolutions regarding healthcare consulting, security services, and the appointment of officials to various county boards.

Public engagement was a notable theme, both through the formal presentation of the Master Plan's public comment schedule 12:20 and a public comment from representatives of the May Center regarding senior services millage 1:13:40. The meeting concluded with several technical approvals for utility separations, equipment purchases, and software renewals across various county departments.

• Broadband Expansion: Transitioning from a task force to the "Next Gen Genes_Strategy Group" in January 2026 to oversee RFP processes 7:03.
• County Master Plan: Initiating a 63-day public comment period with sessions scheduled for January in Clay, Fenton, and Flint 12:20.
• Healthcare Management: Approval of a significant contract with Plant Moran for healthcare consulting to manage the county's self-insured model 33:11.
• Public Safety Innovations: A pilot program for life-saving blood transfusions in the field by the Sheriff's Office 50:04.
• Administrative Policy: Amendments to the county's appointment policy to improve candidate communication and eligibility verification 58:32.

• Commissioner Dr. Beverly Brown: Participant and committee member 1:05.
• Commissioner Charles H. Winfrey (Wayhill): Participant and committee member 1:05.
• Commissioner James Avery: Participant and committee member 1:05.
• Commissioner Brian K. Flewelling: Participant and committee member 1:05.
• Commissioner Delrico J. Lloyd: Participant and committee member 1:05.
• Commissioner Dale K. Weighill: Participant and committee member 1:05.
• Commissioner Shaun Shumaker: Participant and committee member 1:05.
• Commissioner Gary L. Goetzinger: Participant and $\text{Gat}$singer 19:09.
• Commissioner Kzenoff: Participant and committee member 19:09.
• Derek Bradshaw: Staff presenter providing updates on the Master Plan and other initiatives 11:38.
• Anita Galida: Human Resources Labor Relations Director, presenting on healthcare consulting 33:31.
• Barbara Maner: Circuit Court Administrator, providing information on jury board appointments 47:14.
• Janoise Wiggins & Ed Taylor: Representatives for the May Center, providing public comment 1:13:40.

• CARI Proposal (Res. 25847): An updated proposal for the Community Acceleration and Revitalization Initiative, which features a reduced transfer amount to support economic growth 2:50.
• Master Plan Approval: Approval of the draft 25-year County Master Plan for a public comment period 14:10.
• Chief Strategic Growth Officer (Res. 25-2619): Approval to post and fill a new position to unify community and economic strategic plans 20:15. _ Healthcare Consulting (Res. 2025-2351): Approval of a contract with Plant Moran for healthcare consulting services 33:11.
• Blood Transfusion Pilot (Res. 2754): A $50,000 pilot program between the Sheriff's Office and the American Red Cross to provide field transfusions 50:04.
• Jail Electrical Separation (Res. 2477): An agreement with Consumers Energy ($180,000) to separate power between the jail and the former administration building 1:24:10.

• December 10, 2025: Scheduled date for Dr. Mark Skidmore to present research on the local economy 7:46.
• January 2026: Transition of the broadband task force to the Next Gen Genesee Strategy Group 7:03; also the month for Master Plan public input sessions 12:20.
• January 22, 2026: Start date for the terms of reappointed Jury Board members 46:52.
• December 13, 2025: Deadline for applications for various county board appointments 1:02:28.

• Genesee County, Michigan: The primary jurisdiction for all discussed business.
• Clay, Fenton, and Flint: Locations for upcoming Master Plan public input sessions 12:20.
• Crossroads Village: Site for security services and upcoming catering services 1:30:55, 1:31:17.

• Economic Growth: The need for broadband expansion is driven by the goal to attract/retain residents and combat population decline 5:18.
• Financial Stewardship: The healthcare consulting and software renewals are presented as necessary to manage multi-million dollar expenses and maintain efficiency 35:18, 1:34:04.
• Public Transparency: The updates to the appointment policy were motivated by a need for better communication with applicants 59:39.

• Minutes Approval: Approved for Community Economic Development 1:26, Finance 19:31, Governmental Operations 31:48, Human Services 1:12:57, and Public Works 1:23:06.
• Resolution 20252739: Approved the Catholic Charities transfer request 8:28.
• Master Plan: Approved the draft for the public comment period 14:10.
• Resolution 25-2619: Approved the creation and filling of the Chief Strategic Growth Officer position 25:52.
• Resolution 2024-1373: Approved the $963,000 grant for Ghost Operations 32:28.
• Resolution 2025-2351: Approved the Plant Moran healthcare consulting agreement 41:17.
• Resolution 2754: Approved the $50,000 blood transfusion pilot program 56:02.
• Resolution 2025-2769: Approved amendments to the appointment policy 1:02:28.

• Broadband Strategy: Debate over the effectiveness of the "marathon" approach to broadband and the importance of high-speed internet for population growth 6:42.
• Healthcare Costs: Discussion regarding the complexities of the county’s self-insured model and the importance of tracking trends to maintain quality at reasonable costs 35:18.
• Court Furniture: Concerns raised regarding whether the purchase of new furniture for the 67th District Court is appropriate given potential future building relocations 43:02.
• Crime Prevention: Discussion on the efficacy of the "Ghost Operations" grant in combating human and drug trafficking 32:28.

• Appointment Policy Follow-up: Commissioner Wayhill and staff to review and incorporate specific language regarding residency requirements for appointments 57:05.
• Master Plan Public Sessions: Staff to conduct public input sessions in Clay, Fenton, and Flint in January 12:20.
• Next Gen Genesee Strategy Group: Transition from task force to strategy group scheduled for January 2026 7:03.
• Jail Power Update: Staff to provide an update/plan regarding power consistency and equipment refreshing at the jail in January 1:27:20.

• Senior Center Concerns: Residents expressed frustration regarding the timeline and perceived "hoops" involved in the millage application process for the May Center 1:14:02.
• General Engagement: The board noted an increase in community engagement, with dozens of individuals applying for previously sparsely populated county appointments 1:01:25.

• On Philanthropy: A panelist noted that private foundations could only cover 79 days of a single year of US federal expenditures, emphasizing that foundations cannot be the sole "savior" 2:28.
• On Broadband: The broadband process was described as "a marathon, not a sprint" 6:42.
• On Healthcare Expenses: Anita Galida noted that healthcare is a "multi-million dollar expense" for the county due to the volume of retirees and families covered 39:29.

• Hiring Process: Commissioner Shoemaker questioned the specific process and oversight for the new Chief Strategic Growth Officer role 20:15.
• Healthcare Consulting: Commissioner Shoemaker inquired if other counties use similar self-insured models and how the county evaluates the necessity of these consultants 36:42.
• Court Furniture Necessity: Commissioner Shoemaker questioned the urgency of the $25,000 furniture purchase given an ongoing space study for the court 43:02.
• Blood Transfusion Cost: Commissioner Shoemaker questioned the $600 per-patient cost for the pilot blood transfusion program 50:49.