HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1959.02.24 - 19073REPORT by the M'ECIAL OAKLAND COUNTY STUDY CO MMITTEE
TO: THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
On Monday, Febrrary 9, 1959, a request was made to the Oakland County Board
of Supervisors asing that the County Government Study Committee submit a
report on the activities of tbc- Committee to date, including a statement on
the extent of the powers and duties of the Board of Auditors.
The County Government Study Committee has reviewed the statutory authority
and responsibility of the Board of Auditors and has given this and other
matters serious consideration over the past year with the objective of
achieving the best organizational system possible for Oakland County. The
Committee is well aware of the complex nature of our probleMs and of our
responsibility to maintain the best that the present system has to offer.
To date, we have progressed on a piecemeal basis because this has been the
only course of action possible. Counties (unlike home rule cities) have no
inherent power to reorganize. The Michigan Constitution and State Statutes
control in detail the organization and activities of county government.
For example, the partial integration of the public works function of the
county, as approved by this Committee and the Board of Supervisors, is still
dependent upon the enactment of State legislation amending the acts under
which the Public Works Department and the Office of Drain Commissioner are
presently operating.
During our deliberations we continually recognized that other recommendations
under consideration would necessitate the passage of new or amendatory State
legislation. In addition, the Michigan Constitution prohibits the enactment
of local or special legislation where a general act can be made applicable.
We were therefore limited in our deliberations on possible necessary legal
changes to three alternative types of legislation. The first is enabling
legislation which would be acceptable to all counties in Michigan. The
second is permissive legislation which app]ies to all counties in Michigan
biAt- is subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors and/or the county
electorate in each county. The other alternative is, of course, the so-called
"classification statutes" which apply in general to all counties in Michigan
within a certain population class. The important point is: we must take
into consideration the fact that any changes in the laws respecting county
government must be weighed in light of thei4acceptabi1ity in other counties.
Since the Constitution does prohibit legislation which might apply specific-
ally to our needsin Oakland County-- except as it Flight be acceptable under
the alternatives mentioned above-- we sought to obtain a degree of self-
determination on those matters which are local and specific in nature,
particularly organizational changes. Therefore, we submitted a ,resolution to
the Board of Supervisors requesting the Board to petition the State Legislature
to provide for a simple and flexible home rule amendment which would serve a
two-fold purpose.
First, an overburdened Legislature could devote more time to matters which
aro' primarily state-wide in nature. Second, the 83 counties in Michigan
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would be permitted to adopt charters which could reflect the interests and
desires of the citizens in each county.
We appreciate the support which the full Board gave to our recommendations
on home rule. Unfortunately, it appears that the Legislature cannot take
action to put the question of county home rule on the ballot prior to the
general election in November of 1960. This does not mean that the County
Government Study Committee is prevented from working towards more efficient
and responsible government in Oakland County. It simply means that we are
more limited in the scope and extent of our activities.
At the present time, comprehensive organizational changes would involve a
multitude of legal questions and jurisdictional conflicts. In addition, the
barriers of constitutional provisions and the need for enabling and amend-
atory legislation will necessitate our giving attention to specific matters
on a somewhat piecemeal basis. Undoubtedly this will inhibit our giving
more careful attention to the interdependence of the total administrative
organization.
Nevertheless, we will move ahead with three broad general objectives in
mind. The first objective is to focus the administrative responsibility of
the Board in one agency, if possible, so as to increase the effectiveness
of the Board as a legislative and policy-making body. Second, we will YAork
toward departmental coordination, consolidation of functions, and the elim-
ination of duplication in departmental operations. Third, we will continue
to explore possible internal improvements in departmental operations toward
the end of increasing the efficiency of each county function.
THE ROLE OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF AUDITORS
At the present time, the Special County Government Committee is giving
attention to the activities of the Board of Auditors and to county admin-
istration in general. A study of this type involves a survey of the admin-
istrative activies and organization of the Board of Supervisors, and the
administrative activities of the numerous cohmittees of the Board. In
addition, consideration will be given to the activities of the various boards
and commissions in county government_ While there are specific statutes
which prescribe certain resl-onsihilities to the Board of Auditors, many of
the functions of this agency have been assigned to them by the Board of
Supervisors and in some cases involve specific requests made by the various
committees of the Board. Attention must also be given to the statutes
governing the scope and extent of other departments and agencies which might
be affected by changes in the activities of the Board of Auditors.
In addition, any proposal limiting or extending the present functions of
the Board of Auditors might necessitate permissive or amendatory State
legislation. The County Government Study Committee will continue to explore
the alternatives available for improving the administration Of county affairs
and, as soon as possible, a recommendation zomott will be submitted for your
consideration.
February 19, 1959