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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2016.04.21 - 22324MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #16108 BY: Commissioners Marcia Gershenson, _pistrict #13; DQvid Woodward, District #19; Helaine Zack, District #18; Nancy Quarles, District #17 Jan(--f - 3CIC- ICS6Ark iz- IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — INVEST IN MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES AND REFORM LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS between 2002 and 2012, the State of Michigan decreased the amount of money it sends to local governments by more than 56%, even while state revenue climbed by 29%, according to a new report issued by the Michigan Municipal League; and WHEREAS during that period, nationwide there was an approximate 48% increase in state funding support for local governments, while Michigan reduced funding support by 57%; and WHEREAS Michigan is among only four states that reduced state financial investment in local governments during that period and, of the other three states to reduce funding, the average decline was only 9.4%; and WHEREAS census data shows Michigan ranks dead last over the past 10 years in municipal revenue growth and state investment in local government; and WHEREAS this decrease in state support has occurred at a time when many communities have experienced significant declines in property values and property tax revenues; and WHEREAS tax revenues are not increasing commensurate with the recovery in property values, due to Michigan's tax limitation laws that cap valuation increases to the rate of inflation; and WHEREAS the result of long term chronic underfunding of local governments is readily apparent in communities throughout the state; and WHEREAS the rapidly deteriorating condition of critical water, sewer and road infrastructure is compromising the health, safety and welfare of our citizens and their overall quality of life; and WHEREAS much of Michigan's water and sewer infrastructure has been neglected for years, threatening public health and in desperate need of repair, an undertaking that experts say could cost $17.5 billion over the next two decades-not including the cost of repairing lead service pipes; and WHEREAS the American Water Works Association estimates there are 6.1 million lead service lines nationwide, mostly located in older homes in cities that were developed prior to the 1950's; and WHEREAS the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that, without increased investment in the system, waterborne illnesses would cost American households $413 million between 2011 and 2020. It further calculated U.S. businesses would lose $734 billion in sales from 2011 to 2020 without added investment in water and sewer infrastructure; and WHEREAS Detroit Free Press Columnist Nancy Keifer recently wrote "had Flint's lead service lines been replaced long ago, had its budget been sound enough to stave off emergency management, or if its revenue base hadn't declined sharply, the Flint water crisis could have been forestalled; and WHEREAS in 2013 and 2014, nearly 25 billion gallons of partially treated and untreated storm and sanitary sewage flowed into Michigan's waterways; and WHEREAS budget cutbacks have caused a reduction of 5,000 police and law enforcement positions throughout the state, according to economist Mitch Bean; and WHEREAS as has been repeatedly evidenced, this policy of neglect inevitably leads to the taxpayers having to bear a much greater burden as problems in Michigan communities reach a critical stage; and WHEREAS Michigan has more cities under state supervision than any other state; and WHEREAS vibrant and desirable communities are necessary to attract talent, increase economic opportunity and to maintain a healthy, thriving populace; and WHEREAS the time has come to recognize that Michigan's system of funding local governments is fundamentally broken and major reform is necessary to effectively address the many challenges that are facing our local communities and endangering our citizens. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners calls upon the Governor and members of the State Legislature to recognize the human, economic and social costs to our state and its citizens that has been caused by chronic, systemic failure to properly support local communities through state funding and adequate sources of local tax revenue. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners calls upon the Governor and the State Legislature to adopt comprehensive reforms that provide long-term, stable and adequate funding to ensure local government can protect the basic health, safety and welfare of our citizens. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Oakland is directed to submit a copy of this resolution to the Board's legislative lobbyists, the Office of the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, members of the Senate Appropriations Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution, Commissioner Marciaq3ershenson District #13 Commissioner David Woodward District #19 Commissioner HeIiihe Zack District #18 Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # (141 Cornmissioner District # 211? Commissioner District # ko Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Committee, members of the House Appropriations Committee and the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature. Resolution #16108 April 21, 2016 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.