HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2008.07.08 - 8458450
OAKLAND COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES
July 8, 2008
Meeting called to order by Chairperson Bill Bullard, Jr. at 7:02 p.m. in the Courthouse Auditorium, 1200 N.
Telegraph Road, Pontiac, Michigan.
Roll called.
PRESENT: Bullard, Burns, Coleman, Coulter, Crawford, Douglas, Gershenson, Gingell,
Gosselin, Gregory, Greimel, Hatchett, Jacobsen, Kowall, Long, Middleton, Nash, Potter, Potts,
Rogers, Scott, Spector, Woodward, Zack. (24)
EXCUSED ABSENCE WITH NOTICE: Suarez. (1)
Quorum present.
Invocation given by Karen Spector.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Moved by Rogers supported by Nash the minutes of the June 12, 2008, Board Meeting be approved.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the minutes were approved as printed.
Moved by Kowall supported by Coulter the agenda be approved as printed.
AYES: Bullard, Burns, Coleman, Coulter, Crawford, Douglas, Gershenson, Gingell, Gosselin,
Gregory, Greimel, Hatchett, Jacobsen, Kowall, Long, Middleton, Nash, Potter, Potts, Rogers,
Scott, Spector, Woodward, Zack. (24)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the agenda was approved as printed.
Thomas Skrobola, Director of Management Services/CFO, City of Kalamazoo, GFOA State
Representative for Michigan presented Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Awards for
Distinguished Budget Presentation, Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and
Popular Annual Financial Report. Accepting the awards were: County Executive L. Brooks Patterson,
Board of Commissioners Chairperson Bill Bullard, Commissioner Mike Rogers and Commissioner Tom
Middleton. Thomas Skrobola stated that Oakland County was the only county in Michigan to receive all
three awards.
L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive, gave a presentation regarding Fiscal Year 2009 – 2010
County Executive’s Budget Recommendations.
Tim Soave, Manager of Fiscal Services, addressed the Board regarding the forecast of the future budget.
Several Commissioners addressed L. Brooks Patterson and Tim Soave regarding the presentation and
forecast.
Commissioners Minutes Continued. July 8, 2008
451
There was no public comment.
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #08126
BY: Commissioner David Woodward, District #18
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS – TRANSIT COMMUTER BENEFIT PROGRAM FOR OAKLAND
COUNTY EMPLOYEES
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the soaring cost of gas continues to put increasing financial pressure on the budgets of
governments, businesses and Oakland County workers and families; and
WHEREAS the relentless global demand for scarce oil resources makes it unlikely that a significant
reduction in the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel or biofuels will occur in the next several years; and
WHEREAS financial incentives have a significant impact on commute decisions; and
WHEREAS the federal tax code provides a variety of financial incentives related to commuter benefits for
employers and employers; and
WHEREAS mass transit is a viable alternative that can reduce the cost of transportation for Oakland
County worker and their families; and
WHEREAS Federal law lets private employers, non-profit organizations, and public agencies to
implement a Transit Commuter Benefit Program so that workers receive up to $115 a month in employer-
paid tax-free transit costs, or take up to $115 a month in tax-sheltered payroll deductions in transit costs;
and
WHEREAS “transit benefits” are defined as passes, vouchers, or similar fare media provided to
employees to cover their transit or qualified vanpool commuting costs; and
WHEREAS the Transit Commuter Benefit Program saves the employer money by eliminating payroll
taxes on the value of the benefit, and saves employees money by eliminating their share of payroll taxes,
and local, state, federal taxes on the value of transit benefit; and
WHEREAS Suburban Mobile Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the largest transit authority
in Oakland County and all of Michigan, offers a Transit Commuter Benefit Program called the SMART
TransitChek Program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners authorizes the
County Executive through the Human Resources Department to implement a voluntary Transit Commuter
Benefit Program for all county employees.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners authorizes the County
Executive through the Human Resources Department to enroll in the SMART TansitChek Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners are updated on the
status of Oakland County’s enrollment within 30 days of adoption of this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners encourages Oakland
County’s cities, villages, and townships, businesses and nonprofits also to enroll into the SMART
TransitChek Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this adopted resolution be forwarded by the Oakland County
Clerk to the Oakland County Business Roundtable, and all Oakland County’s cities, villages, and
townships.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
DAVID WOODWARD, TIM BURNS, VINCENT
GREGORY, KAREN SPECTOR, MARCIA
GERSHENSON, JIM NASH, DAVID COULTER,
ERIC COLEMAN, HELAINE ZACK, TIM
GREIMEL
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Personnel Committee. There were no objections.
The Board adjourned at 8:04 p.m. to the call of the Chair, or July 17, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.
RUTH JOHNSON BILL BULLARD, JR.
Clerk Chairperson