Genesee County Board of Commissioners 11-5-2025

The meeting comprised several sessions involving the Community and Economic Development, Finance, Government Operations, Human Services, Public Works, and Appointments committees. A major portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the economic impact of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and discussing the potential for a community acceleration and revitalization initiative (KERR) 3:07.

In the Finance committee, the board engaged in a lengthy and intense debate regarding a proposed wage study for non-union employees, including department heads and elected officials 14:20. While some commissioners advocated for the fairness of the study, others, specifically Commissioner Shoemaker, expressed significant concerns regarding the precedent of using wage studies to set salaries and the potential long-term burden on the county budget 32:48.

Other significant business included updates from the Health Department on their 2025–2030 strategic plan 1:43:20, reports from the Director of Veteran Services regarding the impact of millage funding 1:27:02, and several resolutions regarding grant awards for the public defender, the prosecutor's office, and the development of a new state park 47:10.

• Economic Development: Review of CVB Return on Investment (ROI) reports 3:50 and the KERR proposal regarding real estate transfer tax adjustments 4:54.
• Infrastructure: Updates on broadband public-private partnerships 5:59 and the development of the new state park 47:10.
• Labor and Compensation: Debate over implementing a wage study for county employees 14:20.
• Public Safety: Funding for investigators within the Prosecutor's office 57:54 and crime prevention through the "stop violence" grant .
• Public Health: The 2025–2030 Health Department Strategic Plan 1:43:20.
• Veteran Services: Impact of the Veterans Millage on service delivery and funding 1:27:02.

• Commissioner Brown (District 4): Participating committee member 2:02.
• Commissioner Wayhill (District 8): Participating committee member and Vice Chair for Community and Economic Development 2:02.
• Commissioner Avery (District 5): Participating committee member 2:02.
• Commissioner Flewelling (District 9): Participating committee member 2:02.
• Commissioner Lloyd (District 1): Participating committee member 2:02.
• Commissioner Goetzinger (District 3): Participating committee member 2:02.
• Commissioner Shoemaker (District 6): Participating committee member; notable critic of the wage study proposal 2:02.
• Commissioner Winfrey (District 2): Participating committee/committee member 2:02.
• Colonel Britain: Director of Veteran Services 1:27:02.
• David Leighton: Prosecuting Attorney 57:54.
• Sam Olsson: Juvenile and Probate Court Administrator 56:48.
• Michelle Bryant: Health Department representative 1:41:21.
• Brad Snyder: Deputy Health Officer 1:45:52.
• Crystal: Finance/Administrative staff 14:20.

• CVB ROI Reports: The committee reviewed reports showing positive outcomes for events like the 2025 Ally Challenge and the Gus Macker tournament 3:50.
• KERR Proposal: An exploration of a proposal from the Mott Foundation to update the 1966 real estate transfer act to create new revenue 4:54.
• Wage Study Proposal: A discussion regarding salary increases for department heads, deputies, and elected officials based on a recent study 14:20. The proposal was added to the agenda for the full board to review 28:55.
• Resolution 25-2220: Approval of a $50,000 agreement with Motherly Intercession to support services for justice-impacted individuals in the county jail 45:04.
• Resolution 25-2569: Approval of a $5 million grant from the Michigan DNR for the development of a new state park 47:10.
• Resolution 25-2590: Approval of $127,880 for four investigators in the Prosecutor's office, transitioning funds from ARPA to the general fund 57:54.
• Resolution 2025 2651: Approval to update the appointment process for the DEI Commission 2:21:29.

• April 2026: Expiration of the CVB contract 3:30.
• November 13, 2025: Upcoming panel discussion at MCC regarding the Mundy Township mega site 7:23.
• FY 2025–2026: The period covered by several approved budget amendments and grant awards 45:04.
• January 1, 2026: Effective date for new positions and wage rates in the Parks and Recreation Commission 55:42.

• Wage Adjustments: To address pay disparities identified in a wage study and ensure competitive compensation for county leadership 14:20.
• Economic Growth: The KERR proposal aims to create a sustainable revenue stream for community and economic development without relying on state/federal uncertainty 5:16.
• Public Safety: Funding for investigators is necessary to maintain the efficiency of the criminal justice system and handle high case volumes 1:00:12.

• Fiscal Responsibility vs. Equity: A major debate occurred regarding whether the county should adopt the rates suggested by a wage study. Commissioner Shoemaker argued that adopting these rates could set a "costly precedent" that residents would ultimately be responsible for 34:13.
• Historical Preservation: During the discussion of the DNR state park grant, Commissioner Lloyd advocated for ensuring the site captures the history of the 1936 sit-down strike 50:20.
• Healthcare Access: The Health Department presented on the barriers to healthcare access, noting that it is not just about insurance but also about "navigating the healthcare industry" and coordination of care 2:01:15.

• Full Board Review: The wage study proposal was moved to the full board for discussion and a vote 28:55.
• DEI Commission Consultation: The appointment committee will coordinate with the leadership of the DEI Commission to discuss the rationale for the updated appointment process before the next meeting 2:26:26.
• Volunteer Review: Commissioners were asked to review a list of volunteer opportunities and provide feedback to staff 1:25:17.

The sentiment regarding the wage study was divided. While some participants focused on the necessity of fair pay, the primary debate among officials was centered on the fear of long-term budgetary instability 34:34. There was also notable concern expressed regarding the difficulty of accessing healthcare for the middle class due to high deductibles and co-pays 2:03:15.