We were able to bring a few more key pieces of information to the attention of the Board last week, as we move through this difficult and comprehensive budget process to eliminate our projected deficit of $26 million for 2010/2011. 

• One key factor in any decision on the budget is the 2009 Equalization Report which was presented by Equalization Director Raman Patel to the Board of Commissioners last Wednesday evening.  (See the Report and the PowerPoint presented that evening.)  Due to the 2005 change in timing for Property Tax collection, this was the first opportunity to see this year's data that show us where we stand on revenue which makes up more than 60% of our General Fund.
  
• The unprecedented downturn has made projections extremely problematic.  I want to congratulate the team, led by Treasurer Catherine McClary, Clerk/Register Larry Kestenbaum, Finance Director Pete Ballios, Equalization Director Raman Patel and Budget Director Jennifer Watson for taking on that task of projection - and for coming within $370K of the report’s numbers.  I know that sounds like a lot, but our "worse" case projections in the Financial State of the County were more than $1.2 Million.  We will discuss options with the Board for closing that gap, and amending the 2009 budget in May.  With all the data now available through the 2009 Equalization report, we can create better models that will help us make further projections for property tax revenue in coming years.
  
• Also on Wednesday, and then on Thursday, the Board received information on the roughly 25% of our General Fund dollars that support Non-General Fund programming, and our efforts to create greater government efficiency through shared services   - largely through Support Services.
  

• "Bob's Update" is a weekly message to Washtenaw County employees from County Administrator Bob Guenzel.  eWashtenaw publishes these columns when they are deemed timely and useful to the wider community.  Please contact Administrator Guenzel with your comments.

• Later this week the Board, the Labor Management Team and the organization at large will be able to take a look at the 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% reduction scenarios we asked the Department Heads to send us.  This would have been a difficult task at any period of time, but I want you to know that your leadership once again demonstrated their commitment to this process with a very quick turnaround.  It has been an extremely difficult, but extremely useful exercise to help us understand what reductions could mean to our employees, and our citizens.  I'll add to these thoughts in my next Update
  
• We continue to send out a lot of information - here on the front pages of eCentral, through your department heads, and on the Budget Planning web site.  The scenarios mentioned above were pulled together to help the Board and staff with the millions in needed adjustments.  Now those scenarios, that exercise, along with as much pertinent information as possible, will be accessible to you on the web site.

You share in the responsibility to take an interest, ask questions, voice concerns as we head towards the June 3rd Ways & Means meeting when I hope to give our recommendations for reductions and further adjustments.

I hope it's a good week for all of you,

Bob