DEC. 2011 NEWSLETTER
HAROLD MAST - COUNTY COMMISSION
DISTRICT 12 (WYOMING & KENTWOOD)
Paid by Committee to Elect Harold Mast as County
Commissioner
Commission Meetings:
December 13th at 9:15 AM
December Meetings/Events I will attend:
- Dec 1 Veterans Advisory Committee
- Dec. 1 Round Table Program—Senior Services
- Dec. 2 Breakfast with a constituent
- Dec. 2 GR Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon
- Dec. 3 AMSVETS Breakfast
- Dec. 4 Kelloggsville Community Coalition
- Dec. 4 W/K Chamber Government Affairs Comm.
- Dec. 4 Network 180 Brd meeting
- Dec. 4 AMVETS Members mtg
- Dec. 5.BOC Finance Comm.
- Dec. 6 Planning for Cuba Trip
- Dec. 7 Free Enterprise rally on the Calder
- Dec. 8 Division
Avenue Business Association
- Dec. 8 Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness Board mtg in Lansing
- Dec. 12 W/K Chamber Government Affairs session at Kentwood Chamber
- Dec. 12 Network 180 Board meeting
- Dec. 13 BOC Legislative Comm mtg
- Dec. 13 Board of Commissioners
- Dec. 13 Round Table Board mtg
- Dec. 13 Kentwood Board of Review mtg
- Dec. 14 Chamber Economic Outlook forum
- Dec. 14 Kentwood Senior lunch
- Dec. 15 BOC Executive Committee
- Dec. 20 Kentwood Economic Dev. Comm.
- Dec. 20 County Collaborative Comm.
- Dec. 21 Office of Service to the Aging Christmas Party
- Dec. 27 Kent County Veterans Council
- Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve
|
 If
you would prefer, you can also download this newsletter by clicking the PDF
logo on the left.Some key happenings to tell you
about include:
- Some Michigan history—on Dec. 6, 1865 the 13th amendment putting an
end to slavery was ratified. This amendment was written by Sen. Jacob
Howard, a Michigan Senator.
- Two outstanding Kent County employees will soon be leaving . Jim
Koslosky, Executive Director of the Gerald R. Ford Airport will be
retiring at the end of the year. Bert Vescolani, Director of the John
Ball Zoo for the past 7 years has left to take a job as President/ CEO
of the St Louis Science Center. We will miss the contributions of these
individuals.
- The Commission recently approved contracts with Parks Department
workers that were very favorable to both the county taxpayers and
employees. There will be modest increases in pay over the next three
years, and agreement of all concerned to limit health care cost
increases and wages over that same time for the benefit of the tax
payers.
- I was pleased to participate in the recent dedication of the new
D.O.C.K. (Discipling Of Christ’s Kids) ministries building at 4669
Division Ave in Wyoming. This multi-church ministry is an effort to help
kids in the neighborhood have hope and a better future.
- I was also pleased to participate in the ground breaking of a new
food pantry sponsored by the Streams of Hope organization at 260 60th
Street SE. I support both these organizations.
- The Rapid bus system recorded another 1-year ridership record with
over 10 million riders in FY 2011. More people than ever are beginning
to use The Rapid for work, recreation, school, church, shopping, and
other trips. With additional millage funds at the beginning of 2012 The
Rapid will begin planning even more service expansions and enhancements.
- The Legislative Committee completed its function of selecting
citizens to be appointed to boards and committees performing various
county functions. I was involved in interviewing and making
recommendations for appointments of nearly 20 individuals to such bodies
as the Children’s and Family Coordinating Council, Friend of the Court
Advisory Committee, Airport Board, Network 180 Board, and Veteran’s
Services Advisory Committee.
|
 Tell
Me What you think on my blog.Issue
of the Month—Kent County Budgeting in Times of Fiscal Stress
The Commission passed our county operating budget for 2012 in
mid-November. This budget is for $160.6 million in General Fund expenditures
against expected tax revenue of $160.5 million. Only $158,000 is being taken
from the General Fund surplus from previous years. We are pleased to be able
to adopt a “structurally” balanced budget which means we are spending no
more than the revenue we are taking in. Since our revenue has dropped
approximately $5 million over last year, this meant a decrease of that same
amount in expenditures. This necessitated eliminating 21 FTE positions—most
of which are currently vacant—and cutting services in many areas. The county
has done a good job of limiting increases in health care and pension costs
and is complying with the recently passed state legislation in regards to
employees paying 20% of the cost of health care premiums. Like all local
governments, the county is experiencing less revenue sharing dollars from
the state and less local property tax revenue flowing into its coffers. Our
county is similar to more than half of the nation’s counties in the nation
who report they are experiencing declining revenues from their state and the
federal government to perform mandated services, as well as lessening local
tax revenues. Most counties—like Kent—are adopting a “new normal” of less
revenues, less staffing, and lowered service levels than in previous years.
I will continue to work hard on balancing the needs of my constituents
against the need to maintain a conservative approach to using our tax
payer’s funds in the most efficient manner possible.
Tell
Me What you think on my blog.
View Past Newsletters:
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
January 2011
|
