SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED- MAY 13, 2003

Agenda Item No. 9

Introduced by the Finance Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AREAS OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS GUIDING 2004 ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS

RESOLUTION #03-127

WHEREAS, Ingham County government is committed to assuring the provision of services most important to its citizens; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined that Ingham County services are focused on these long term objectives:

*Enhancing access to county records

*Providing suitable roads and drains

*Supporting recreational opportunities

*Fostering economic well being

*Promoting environmental protection

*Preventing and controlling disease

*Assuring accessible health care

*Assisting in meeting basic needs

*Fostering appropriate youth development

*Enhancing public safety

*Assuring judicial processing

*Providing appropriate sanctions; and

WHEREAS, it has also been determined that these services are to be delivered in a manner which emphasizes:

* An educated and participating citizenry

* An ongoing capacity for intergovernmental collaboration

* A quality workforce

* Cost-effective delivery of county services

* Maximum use of technology; and

WHEREAS, the county is beginning the process of developing its 2004 budget and activities, which determines the type and level of services to be provided; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has assessed information provided by county staff and departments, offices and the courts related to issues and concerns which are important for the county to consider addressing in 2004; and

SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED-MAY 13, 2003Agenda Item No. 9

RESOLUTION #03-127

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has determined that it is desirable to develop a priority statement to guide the development of the 2004 budget and activities of county staff.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners adopts the following statement of priorities to be considered by county departments and budget staff in developing proposed activities and budgets in the Controller's Recommended Budget for 2004:

To the extent possible and appropriate, services currently provided by county government in support of all its long term objectives should be continued in 2004, with ongoing evaluation to identify possible overlap and duplication of services and to identify more efficient uses of county funds.

Priority consideration should be given to maintaining and enhancing the following long term objectives and related specific efforts:

Assuring Accessible Health Care

�Continue to expand access to health care for the uninsured and under-insured, focusing on increasing enrollment in the Ingham Health Plan; expanding prescription drug coverage; developing programs which offer all employers, in conjunction with their employees, a means for providing basic health insurance coverage; utilizing federally qualified Health Center status to access federal funding for health programs; and encouraging vendors providing goods and services to Ingham County to provide health insurance, where appropriate, to their employees. (Human Services)

Supporting Recreational Opportunities

�Enhance recreational opportunities throughout Ingham County through implementation of the County Parks Master Plan, focusing on connection of Ingham County Parks by a series of non-motorized pathways; and identification of funding for construction of a splash playground at Hawk Island Park. (County Services)

Providing Appropriate Sanctions

�Encourage the use of appropriate sanctions for adults in order to foster appropriate behavior and reduce criminal recidivism, and to reduce incidents of jail overcrowding, using strategies such as supporting implementation of the Jail Overcrowding Subcommittee recommendations, pursuing renovation of the jail to accommodate more work release inmates, develop and use a data tracking system focusing on system volume and trends, and supporting appropriate usage of existing probation residential services. (Law Enforcement, Judiciary)

SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED-MAY 13, 2003

Agenda Item No. 9

RESOLUTION #03-127

Fostering Appropriate Youth Development

�Implement recommendations resulting from the system-wide evaluation of programs and placements for delinquent juveniles, and from the development of strategies by the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition, utilizing Child Care Funds and juvenile millage funds to expand the juvenile justice system in a manner that is most appropriate for Ingham County in order to foster appropriate behavior, apply appropriate sanctions, and reduce criminal recidivism. (Judiciary)

�Review and assess the effectiveness of Truancy Court to determine the recidivism of youth that have been to the court, as well as the overall impact the court has made on truancy in Ingham County.

Promoting Environmental Protection

�Discuss and implement strategies for fostering appropriate land use and protecting natural resources, such as adoption of a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance, adoption of a wetlands ordinance, creation of a Purchase of Development Rights program, and other strategies being recommended by the Tri-County Growth Study Project. (County Services)

Enhancing Public Safety

�Enhance emergency preparedness capabilities to protect Ingham County against all hazards, including an emphasis on terrorism, natural disasters and accidents, by maximizing interagency cooperation and state and federal grant funding for such purposes. (Law Enforcement, Human Services)

�Review the county's role in Animal Control and shelter operations, including the pursuit of national accreditation for the animal shelter, and exploration of improved licensing procedures in Animal Control, including the possibility of multi-year licenses and involving veterinarians in the licensing compliance process. (Law Enforcement)

�Maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness of road patrol services in the areas of the County where primary law enforcement is provided by the Sheriff.

�Explore an alternative funding mechanism for the delivery of law enforcement services to rural areas of Ingham County.

Preventing and Controlling Disease

�Enhance Ingham County's readiness and capability to appropriately respond to public health threats such as anthrax, West Nile Virus, meningitis, tuberculosis, and other public health threats and emergencies. (Human Services)

SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED-MAY 13, 2003

Agenda Item No. 9

RESOLUTION #03-127

Assure Judicial Processing

�Improve the overall jury selection system in Ingham County. (Judiciary)

�Explore improved service to citizens and efficiencies and cost savings in the use of judicial resources by considering consolidation of or appropriate agreements between the 54B and 55^th District Courts. (Judiciary)

�Ensure effective oversight of operations of the Ingham County Friend of the Court by working with the Friend of the Court administration, and the Friend of the Court Advisory Committee to properly implement the CSES Generation 2.4 computer system, and enhance service to Ingham County families through more efficient and effective collection of child support

Assist in Meeting Basic Needs

�Assist in meeting the basic needs of all residents by supporting the development of affordable housing, and by promoting housing rehabilitation. (Human Services)

�Assess the need for an enhanced county role in assisting to meet the basic needs of county residents negatively affected by the recent economic downturn. (Human Services)

� Prepare for expected changes in Ingham County's demographic makeup by exploring ways to expand and improve services for seniors, especially personal care services, and to develop strategies to eliminate Medicaid Waiver waiting lists. (Human Services)

�Promote county policies which encourage contractors and vendors providing services to the county government to pay a living wage to their employees. (County Services)

Fostering Economic Well-Being

�Continue to explore more equitable ways of financing and governing the Capital Area Regional Airport on a regional basis. (County Services)

An Educated and Participating Citizenry

�Continue to enhance public awareness of county activities and services and to increase the availability of county services and records on the internet and in population centers of the county. (County Services)

Cost Effective Delivery of County Services

�Review the role of Community Agencies in furthering the priorities of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners.

SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED-MAY 13, 2003

Agenda Item No. 9

RESOLUTION #03-127

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners encourages all departments, offices, and courts to consider these priorities in the development of their budgets and activities for 2004.

FINANCE: Yeas: Grebner, Swope, Dedden, Hertel, Thomas

Nays: Minter Absent: None Approved 5/7/03