CHAIRPERSON FINANCE COMMITTEE DEBBIE DE LEON MARK GREBNER, CHAIR DEB NOLAN VICE-CHAIRPERSON REBECCA BAHAR-COOK DALE COPEDGE TODD TENNIS LAURA DAVIS VICE-CHAIRPERSON PRO-TEM STEVE DOUGAN RANDY SCHAFER

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

P.O. Box 319, Mason, Michigan 48854 Telephone (517) 676-7200 Fax (517) 676-7264

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M., IN THE PERSONNEL CONFERENCE ROOM (D & E), HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING, 5303 S. CEDAR, LANSING.

Agenda (Revised)

Call to Order Additions to the Agenda Limited Public Comment 1. Overview of Liaison Committee Recommendations a. Communication from Sheriff’s Office b. Communication from Community Corrections c. Communication from Animal Control d. Communication from Legal Services of Central Michigan e. Communication from MSU Extension f. Communication from Central Michigan 2-1-1 g. Communication from 55th District Court h. Communication from Ingham County Parks Department i. Communication from Probate Court 2. Review and Action on Law Enforcement Committee Recommendations 3. Review and Action on Judiciary Committee Recommendations 4. Review and Action on Human Services Committee Recommendations 5. Review and Action on County Services Committee Recommendations 6. Action to Incorporate Strategic Planning Initiative Funds into Recommended Budget 7. Adoption of Finance Recommended Budget Announcements PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES OR OTHER ELECTRONIC Public Comment DEVICES OR SET TO MUTE OR VIBRATE TO AVOID Adjournment DISRUPTION DURING THE MEETING

The County of Ingham will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting for the visually impaired, for individuals with disabilities at the meeting upon five (5) working days notice to the County of Ingham. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Ingham in writing or by calling the following: Ingham County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 319, Mason, MI 48854 Phone: (517) 676-7200. A quorum of the Board of Commissioners may be in attendance at this meeting. Meeting information is also available on line at www.ingham.org

COUNTY ofINGHAM

State of Michigan

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

AGENDA ITEM #.

Gene L. Wriggelsworth

Sheriff

INGHAM COUNTY

Allan C. Spyke

Undersheriff

Sam Davis

Major

630 North Cedar Street

Mason, MI 48854

(517) 676-2431

FAX (517) 676-8299

Greg S. Harless

Chief Deputy

Joel Maatman

Major

TO: Ingham County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee

FROM: Sheriff Gene L. Wriggelsworth

DATE: September 15, 2009

RE: Z - List

Dear Committee Members,

The current Z list contains three Deputy positions. In our present budget proposal we have

proposed the staffing reduction of thirteen law enforcement Deputies. The Z list proposal would

reduce that number to ten Deputy positions eliminated.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS AGENDAITEM#.

2010 Ingham County Board Priority:

Providing Appropriate Sanctions for Adult Offenders

Encourage the use of appropriate sanctions for adults in order to foster appropriate behavior and reduce

recidivism, and to reduce incidents of jail overcrowding, using strategies such as supporting

implementation of recommendation of the Jail Overcrowding Subcommittee and Community Corrections

Advisory Board as well as working with partners such as MidSouth Substance Abuse Commission to

facilitate treatment of substance abuse disorders, develop and use a data tracking system focusing on

system volume and trends, supporting appropriate usage of existing residential services, to increase the

usage of GPS/tethering equipment, and using improved information collection, automation, record

keeping and information exchange between departments. This information will be used to help improve

jail utilization.

Specific enhancement: Support efforts to increase access to program alternatives available through

Community Corrections utilizing Statefunds. Consider countyfinancial support to implement the

recommendations ofthe Community Corrections Advisory Board and Jail Utilization Committee,

including the provision ofa range ofappropriate community-based direct and contractual treatment and

service programs to be used in lieu ofor in reduction ofjail time.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ADVANCES THIS BOARD PRIORITY

with a proposed staff of 2.5 FTE and

a proposed GF contribution of 10.1% of the overall budget

Request: Fund CCAB Staff Consultant contractual position at .75 FTE time.

Total GF cost to the County (Z List) after factoring in applicable grant funds

of $ 24,198 (Note: Three weeks unpaid vacation and unpaid County holidays and no

hourly increase)

CCAB Administration:

The 14 member Community Corrections Advisory Board and the Office of Community Corrections

provide a forum and structure within which to address county-wide corrections resource issues and work

to reduce recidivism and jail overcrowding while ensuring public safety and community well-being.

Community Corrections develops, implements, and monitors a full range of quality, cost effective

community-based sanction/service/treatment programs. State program funding is secured annually

through a comprehensive application process.

Data Collection and Distribution:

Community Corrections Staff Consultant tracks and provides real time data, data analyses and

comparisons to a network of County and City of Lansing criminal justice departments and agencies for

the purpose of increasing resource utilization awareness and to facilitate data-based decision making in

the development of strategies to more effectively manage local corrections resources, including the

Ingham County Jail. Community Corrections also distributes information on current topics of research,

as well as National and State reports pertaining to current criminal justice system issues.

Jail Utilization Coordinating Committee (JUCC)

Since June of 1999, Community Corrections staff has coordinated and facilitated meetings and

negotiations and has developed plans required to implement Jail Overcrowding Committee recommended

projects. Community Corrections staff chairs the Jail Utilization Coordinating Committee (JUCC),

coordinates meetings, and facilitates and tracks implementation progress. 2008/2009 JUCC projects have

focused on sub-committee work to develop and implement offender funded electronic monitoring,

community re-entry from jail, and in-jail treatment and follow-up after release.

ITEM #

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROGRAMMING

Serving a Projected 1,600 Ingham County Offenders in 2010

Direct Services: Provided by Community Corrections Staff

Program Referral and Gatekeeper Services: The Staff Consultant saves jail beds and facilitates the

onset of treatment by moving Ingham County Jail inmates into PA511 funded residential programs, as

soon as they are eligible to be transferred. In 2008 at the request of the District Courts, a process was

developed and implemented for coordinating the transfer of all District Court inmates going to Mid-South

funded residential programs. In cases where beds are not available, staff assists probation by identifying

alternative program options and/or funding sources in order to expedite transfer out of the jail. Last FY

aggressive efforts resulted in an additional $64,600 in State residential funding.

EVOLVE: Women's Life Skills/Relationship Skills groups consisting of one 1-1/2 hour group per week

for a projected 380 high supervision level Circuit Court probationers annually.

Thinking Matters: In-jail CBT based education class consisting of two 1-1/2 hour groups per week for

an average of 15 inmates per class for approx. 100 inmates annually.

Substance Abuse Evaluations Services (SAES): Provides approx. 500 evaluations annually for Ingham

County defendants and offenders. SAES staff works with the Courts and probation departments to

identify and secure appropriate treatment, consults with attorneys on alcohol and drug cases regarding

appropriate treatment and conducts evaluations for Secretary of State driver's license restoration. SAES

utilizes interns by creating a learning experience for four MSU upper level undergraduate and graduate

students who make a one year commitment to the internship program.

Women Achieving Success Workshops: Working with the Circuit and District Probation Departments,

Community Corrections co-sponsors and co-coordinates 6 workshops per year for female probationers

and parolees. Projected 100 participants for each of the 6 workshops.

Garden Project: In 2008, Jim Webster found significant research showing the success of prison and jail

garden projects. Community Corrections then began working with MSU Extension and Future Farmers

of America to explore the feasibility and benefits of a garden project. This year, the % acre ICFG Victory

Garden was established. Starting small the first year, the idea is to expand to supplement the jail food

budget and provide additional inmate worker slots and

saving Earned Early Release days.

This year fresh produce has been donated to the House of

Commons residential treatment facility and the Mason Food

Bank.

7

' ^&r>*V. ■ -

AGENDA ITEM #

Residential Beds (28 Average Daily Population/10,222 bed days)

Equivalent of $591,840 at a cost of $57.91 per jail bed day

Residential Facilities

1. House of Commons

2.NCA-HoldenHouse

3. NCA - Glass House

4. Community Programs, Inc.

5. Pine Rest

6. Home ofNew Vision

7. K-PEP

Location

Mason

Lansing

Lansing

Waterford

Grand Rapids

Ann Arbor

Kalamazoo

Level of Substance Abuse

Treatment Provided

Inpatient

Inpatient

Inpatient

Inpatient

Inpatient

Outpatient

Outpatient

Contractual Community-Based Programs:

Day Reporting: M-F in-person reporting, may be required to stay at the program facility for up to 8

hours per day if not employed or going to school, program includes random drug testing, Cognitive

Change groups, off-site activities verified (e.g., school, employment, treatment and other appointments),

staff assists with resumes, job readiness and job search.

Relapse Prevention & Recovery: Outpatient level substance abuse treatment for those who successfully

complete residential treatment in order to extend the continuum of treatment after returning to the

community.

Pathways Employment Services: Intensive employment services consists of one- on- one assistance

with job readiness, job search, job placement, and job retention for the unemployed and those with an

unstable work history.

Holistic OUIL III Program Enhancements (HOPE): Provides nutritional therapy, nutritional

supplements, a diet designed for recovering alcoholics, and acupuncture treatments to enhance the

cognitive based treatment model provided at the House of Commons for OUIL III convicted felony

offenders.

AGENDA ITEM #.

Ingham County

Animal Control

MemoTo: Controller's Office, Mathew Myers, Ph.D.

From: Jamie McAloon Lampman

CC: Board of Commissioners

Deputy Controller John Neilsen

Date: September 16, 2009

Re: Animal Control Request to adjust 2010 Budget

Based on 2009 Animal Control (ICAC) revenues, Animal Control management

anticipates the reduction in revenues to continue into 2010. ICAC is requesting an

adjustment to the 2010 budget. In recognition ofthose revenue shortfalls,

management feels it would be prudent to make adjustments at this time.

Unfortunately, despite the cost cuts made for 2010, those savings alone will not

cover the shortfall and therefore management is proposing that further cuts be

made which would include the elimination oftwo additional positions to the FOP

position already proposed for 2010 in ICAC.

ICAC had proposed the elimination ofone FOP FTE Supervisor for 2010 and

eliminated a part-time FOP Animal Control Officer in 2009. The elimination of

additional officers would place a burden on the department that would seriously

impact public safety and overall animal control services throughout the county.

Management is proposing the additional elimination oftwo positions; a part-time

dispatcher (UAW) and the full time Office Coordinator (UAW). The office

coordinator and dispatcher duties would be re-assigned, among remaining staff.

Service Impacts

Reduced services as a result of a five day work week vs. the current six day work week due to

loss of dispatcher

The duties ofthe Office Coordinator would be divided among remaining staff.

Delays in response time and administrative duties.

Longer wait times in front lobby.

Reduced hours- evening hours (Mon-Friday) would be reduced.

AGENDA ITEM #.

Break down of estimated Deficit $ 151,173.

Based on the projected shortfalls in the following line items:

t

License revenue

Redemption Fees

Rabies fees

Adoption Fees

Animal Drop-off fees

Sterilization Deposits

Forfeiture Deposits

$ 113,373

5,800

8,000

7,000

3,000

7,000

7,000

$151,173

Cost Saving Cuts $ 65,371

Savings are based on the following cuts:

Temp

Clothing Allowance

Drugs/Pharmaceutical

Dog Licensing

Contractual Services

Dog Damages

Vehicle Purchase

Remaining deficit of

$ 14,386

485

2,000

3,000

9,000

500

27,000

$ 60,371

$ 94,802

Proposed Staff Cuts:

1 PTE UAW Clerk/Dispatcher $ 28,901

1 FTE Office Coordinator UAW $ 65,942

Cost Savings $ 94,843

Deficit Balance of $ 94,802

$ 41.

• Page 2

I cAGENDA ITEM #.

INGHAM COUNTY

JOB DESCRIPTION

OFFICE COORDINATOR - ANIMAL CONTROL

General Summary

Under the supervision of the Animal Control Deputy Director, regularly responds to public

telephone calls and visitors of the Animal Control Department. Signs in and adopts out

animals, sells licenses, collects various fees, and enters information on departmental

activities to the computer. Responsible for the accounting and related recordkeeping for the

Department. Prepares correspondence, maintains records and prepares reports, and performs

a variety of other support functions. Serves as lead worker to the clerical support staff in the

Department.

Essential Functions

1. Responds to public inquiries and complaints, in person and by telephone, and explains

departmental policies and the laws and ordinances related to animal control.

Documents complaints and forwards them to appropriate staff. Refers calls to other

agencies as appropriate.

2. Receipts payments for adoptions, claims of animals, licensing fees and other

transactions. Balances receipts daily and prepares summaries of financial transactions.

Maintains register book.

3. Responsible for the accounting and related recordkeeping of the Department, includes

preparing transmittals to the Treasurer, financial reports, and bank deposits and

reconciliations. Processes accounts payablcs for the department, includes verifying

accuracy of invoices, supporting documentation and proper authorization.

4. Assists in compiling financial data to assist in budget preparation for the department

and monitors expenditures against the approved budget.

5. Prepares vouchers for refunds, invoices and payments to veterinarians, cleaning

allowance, longevity payments, and census takers pay.

6. Explains adoption process and prepares necessary records for adoption.

7. Initiates paperwork on animals brought to the department.

8. Maintains records of departmental activity including animals coming into the shelter,

releases, adoptions, and other dispositions of animals, complaints by category, and

other activities and prepares summary reports. Compiles and types annual reports.

9. Reviews state and county forms such as bite reports, warrant requests, unlicensed dog

reports, and others for accuracy and completeness. Prepares correspondence, records

AGENDA ITEM # '

OFFICE COORDINATOR - ANIMAL CONTROL (11/10/98)

Page 2

and reports, sorts and distributes mail, prepares mailings, makes copies, maintains

project and departmental files and performs other clerical support tasks.

10. Maintains the animal control record system, including organizing and maintaining

office files and entering and maintaining information in the computer.

11. Inputs dog license information to the computer and operates computer terminal to look

up information.

12. Types specimen information for Rabies Tests to be sent to the laboratory at Michigan

Department of Health.

13. Purchases supplies for the Department from County and outside vendors, includes

reviewing products and vendors, performing price comparisons, and preparing purchase

orders. Purchases drug supplies for the Department from County vendor.

14. Serves as lead worker to the clerical support staff in the department, includes

responding to procedural questions and assisting and instructing other employees in

their work. May take problem calls as referred by other staff.

15. Contacts field stall through Central Dispatch in the event of an emergency.

16. Performs functions of Redemption Clerks and Dispatchers as necessary.

Other Functions

17. None listed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being

performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an

exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Employment Qualifications

Education: High school graduation or equivalent, prefer some advanced coursework in

accounting and data processing.

Experience: Two years experience in a secretarial/office support capacity including dealing

with the public and computer operations.

Other Requirements:

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience

levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job

AGENDA ITEM #

OFFICE COORDINATOR - ANIMAL CONTROL (11/10/98)

Page 3

description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or

promotional standards, but as seneral guidelines that should be considered along with other

job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Physical Requirements [This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions

contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following

requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants

unable to fulfill one or more ofthese requirements]:

Ability to access various files.

Ability to operate copying machine and other office equipment.

Ability to enter and access information to the computer.

Working Conditions:

Works in office conditions and the animal shelter.

Regular exposure to odors of animals.

Exposed to noise of the impounded animals.

Exposure to disease communicated by animals.

Exposure to the risk of being bitten by animals.

Exposure to animal feces and urine.

Exposure to fumes from cleaning products.

Exposure to parasites [fleas, ticks, mitesj.

(9/11/2009) Linda Sjolund - Re: Ingham County "Z" List Budget Consideration Page 1

AGENDA ITEM #,

From: Angela Tripp <trippa@umich.edu>

To: Ipourzan <lpourzan@umich.edu>

CC: Linda Sjolund <lsjolund@ingham.org>

Date: 9/11/2009 4:12 PM

Subject: Re: Ingham County "Z" List Budget Consideration

Attachments: Commissioner meeting handout.pdf; Ingham Cnty Grant App 2010 final version

amended.pdf

Dear Linda and John,

We are submitting the following documents for the Finance Committee

meeting on 9/23:

a) A copy of our original 2010 Ingham County Community Agency Grant Fund

Application, which has been amended to change the Grant Amount Requested

to $20,000 to reflect the change that was made at the Judiciary

Committee meeting on 9/2/09.

b) A copy of the handout that we would like to have included in the packet.

We may be submitting additional materials before the deadline. Thank

you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional

questions.

Lori Pourzan and Angela Tripp

Managing Attorneys

Legal Services of South Central Michigan

3490 Belle Chase Way, Suite 50

Lansing, Ml 48911

(517) 394-3121 x 240 or x 223

Ipourzan wrote:

> Thanks John and Linda:

> We will be sure to get you memos/bkgrd info/hand-outs (electronically)

> by the end of the business day, 9/15. We will be attending the

> Finance Committee Budget meeting on 9/23. Regards,

>Lori

> Linda Sjolund wrote:

» ** High Priority **

» ** Reply Requested When Convenient **

»

» John Neilsen requested that I send the information below to your

» attention...

»

» You are getting this e-mail because you have an item on the Z - list

» for further consideration by the Finance Committee Budget meeting on

» September 23, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Human Services Building.

» You or a representative of your Department should plan on being there

»to present this request and to answer any questions about it.

» If you want to put any memos or background information about your

[(9/11/2009) Linda Sjolund - Re: Ingham County "Z" List Budget Consideration Page 2

AGENDA ITEM #_» request - please get them to me by no later than Tuesday, September

» 15th at 5 p.m. so we can have it in the Finance packet before it goes

» out.

» An electric copy would be preferred.

» John Neilsen

» Ingham County Deputy Controller

»DEPARTMENT AMOUNT DESCRIPTION

» Probate Court $63,434 Restore Law Clerk

» District Court $26,982 Full time

» Court/Collection Officer*

» Legal Services of South Central Ml $20,000 Legal Services

» Linda Sjolund

» Administrative Secretary

» Ingham County Deputy Controller's Office

»ph: 517.676.7209

»fax: 517.676.7306

»lsjolund@ingham.org

AMENDED AGENDA ITEMLl^

2010 INGHAM COUNTY

COMMUNITY AGENCY GRANT FUND APPLICATION

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY

WEDNESDAY. MAY 27.2009.5:00 p.m. to:

Ingham County Deputy Controller's Office

Ingham County Courthouse, Room 101-A

341 S. Jefferson St., P. O. Box 319

Mason, Michigan 48854

Phone: (517) 676-7209

I. INSTRUCTIONS

1. The Application must be submitted in a typewritten format.

2. The Application must be received by Wednesday. May 27. 2009.5:00 p.m.. Ingham County

Deputy Controller's Office, Ingham County Courthouse, 341 S. Jefferson St., P. O. Box 319,

Mason, MI 48854. Submit the completed application and required documentation and email it to

lsjolund@ingham.org or send via the US Mail.

3. The following information must be included with this Application:

a. Section II - Applicant Information.

b. Section III - Required Proposal Information.

c. Section IV - Detailed Scope of Work (one page or less).

d. Section V - Project Budget.

e. Copy of the 2009 Organization's Budget.

f. Copy of most recent Financial Statement: Federal 990 Form or Certified Audit. (Please

send either the 990 Form or Certified Audit - not both.)

g. Current list of Board of Directors.

h. Documentation of Tax Exempt Status from Internal Revenue Service.

i. Copy of Commercial General Liability Insurance. Commercial General Liability

Insurance on an "occurrence basis" only with limits of liability of not less than ONE

MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,000,000) per occurrence and/or aggregate

combined single limit, personal injury, bodily injury and property damage. Coverage

shall include the following: (1) Broad Form General Liability Endorsement or equivalent

if not in policy proper; (2) Contractual Liability; (3) Products and Completed Operations;

and (4) Independent Contractors coverage.

£3 Electronically attached with Grant application OR O Sent via US Mail

AGENDA ITEM #_

II. APPLICANT INFORMATION

1. Organization: Legal Services of South Central Michigan

2. Contact Person: Jane Martineau Title: Local Grant Manager

3. Organization's Address: 3490 Belle Chase Way. Ste. 50

Lansing. MI 48911

4. Phone Number: 517-394-2985. ext. 226 Fax Number: 517-394-4276

5. WEB: http://lsscm.org

6. Proposal Title: Legal Services

7. 2010 Grant Amount Requested: $ 20.000 (AMENDED)

8. Federal Tax Identification Number: 38-1845444

9. Preference of receiving Ingham County communications regarding community agency grants:

Please Check One -

O U.S. Postal Services

^ Email

O Email Address: ianemart@umich.edu. rgillett@umich.edu

10. Please indicate the names and titles of persons who are authorized to execute agreements on

behalf of your organization:

Name: Robert F. Gillett Name: Delphia Simpson

Title: Executive Director Title: Board Chairperson

11. Nonprofit Organization: Please Check One -

□501(c)(2) K|501(c)(3) □ 501(c)(4) □ 502(c)(3)QOther (specify)

12. Business organization (profit): n/a

13. Unit of government including schools (specify): n/a

14. Not incorporated (specify legal and/or professional status of the requesting individual):

_ n/a

15. How long has the applicant's organization been in business? Incorporated 7/1963

16. What is the number of full-time equivalent positions currently employed? 12 (in Lansing)

17. How many volunteers are currently involved? 15 volunteer students (MSU and Cooley

externs). 13 Advisory Board Members, and a pro bono panel of over 300 attorneys.

HI. REQUIRED PROPOSAL INFORMATION

1. Proposed Summary: Please provide a brief summary of what is proposed to be accomplished.

Provide legal advice, brief services, and attorney representation in civil legal matters to Ingham County

residents facing one or more legal crises. The specific services funded under this grant are legal services

targeted for low-income persons who reside in Ingham County. We provide services for housing problems

(evictions for subsidized housing tenants and private housing tenants; lock-outs; utility termination; foreclosures

and repair issues). Public Benefits and other income maintenance issues (FIP benefits. Social Security benefits,

emergency financial grants from DHS. Medicaid. Medicare and health programs, food programs,

unemployment compensation) and Family Law Problems (divorce or custody cases, with a focus on cases

where there is spouse or child abuse). The economy and housing crisis are resulting in more families and

individuals needing and qualifying for our services.

2. The County's long-term objectives and specific areas of priority for 2009 are attached.

a. What one specific County objective or identified area of priority does this proposal

primarily address?

This proposal primarily addresses the priority of "Assuring Judicial Processing." This project will

ensure that Ingham County residents have the assistance of counsel as they navigate the legal system seeking to

resolve their foreclosure, landlord/tenant, benefit, consumer or family law issues that impact their ability to have

stable housing, income and benefits, as well as a safe family environment.

b. What other County objectives or priorities may also be impacted?

This project also addresses the priority. "Assisting in Meeting Basic Needs." LSSCM provides services

to clients facing legal emergencies which affect their ability to meet basic needs, including homelessness

prevention, maintenance of safe and affordable housing options, increasing the availability of financial benefits,

domestic violence prevention, protection from garnishment of basic family income, and other basic human

needs. LSSCM's long term goal is that individuals and families in Ingham County will live in stable homes and

have income to provide for basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and health care. Assuring that domestic

violence victims live in safe homes, preventing evictions, and increasing household income are important

strategies toward achieving this long term goal.

3. a. How does your proposal involve coordination or collaboration with County services,

other local governments, or other agencies?

LSSCM provides attorney assistance in the Ingham county courtrooms of the family court judges on

days when the court schedules Pro Se uncontested divorce hearings. The attorney is available to assist people

with the procedure of finalizing their matters by providing forms, answering questions, and giving general legal

information. Because judges and court staff are not permitted to give legal advice, this activity has been very

well received by people attempting to represent themselves, and by the court for the assistance in making their

dockets run more smoothly.

LSSCM closely collaborates with Eve's House and MSU Safe Place, local shelters for victims of

domestic assault, to expedite information gathering and mutual client referrals, and to assure greater

accessibility of legal services to victims of domestic abuse.

LSSCM refers clients to and accepts referrals from HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies in

Lansing for clients facing mortgage foreclosure. LSSCM is the lead agency of the Michigan Foreclosure

Prevention program - to provide legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosures. The program is a

collaboration with housing counselors, all regional legal aid programs in Michigan, the Community Economic

Development Association of Michigan, and the National Consumer Law Center.

LSSCM provides monthly on-site intake at the Volunteers of America New Hope Day Center. This

service reaches a vulnerable, frequently homeless, population that often experiences transportation and

telephone access problems. By providing outreach, we have also experienced improved communications with

our clients because we are able to meet with them at a location that is convenient for them. We also have

monthly on-site intake at Cristo Rev with our Spanish speaking staff attorney, which improves access to legal

services for the Spanish speaking community. A staff attorney also conducts monthly legal counseling sessions

at MI WORKS-Successful Parenting Program, giving advice on numerous legal issues affecting low-income

pregnant women. LSSCM is beginning monthly outreach at St. Vincent Catholic Charities Refugee Services.

Upon request, staff attorneys give presentations on common legal issues to local community agencies and their

clients.

LSSCM has several staff attorneys that are members of the Capital Area Family Violence Coordinating

Council. The Council includes staff from the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorneys office. Eve's House.

CARE. Lansing Police Department. MSU Safe Place. Sparrow Hospital and other agencies. LSSCM staff

attorneys also participate in the local Stop Grant committee, a network of persons in the legal law enforcement

and advocacy community committed to assisting survivors of domestic violence. Further. LSSCM staff

attorneys participate in the Greater Lansing Housing Resolution Network, and are thereby able to identify

housing issues impacting low-income Ingham County residents. Through the GLHRN. LSSCM is able to

collaborate with other agencies to better serve the homeless and at-risk clients in Ingham County.

b. What other programs similar to your program are operating in the County?

LSSCM is the only provider of a full range of free civil legal services to low income individuals in

Ingham County. The Sixty Plus Legal Clinic at Coolev Law School offers limited services to senior citizens

(over 60 years of age) regardless of income, but handles very few family law cases. Michigan State

University's Housing Clinic provides assistance for certain cases during the school year. We work in close

collaboration with both programs.

4

4. a. Is this your first request for funds from Ingham County? O yes £3no

If not, please describe previous requests.

LSSCM has been very fortunate in obtaining funds from Ingham County for many years. We have received

funding from Ingham County for over 25 years. Recent requests have included legal advice and representation

on serving Ingham County domestic violence survivors and their children in family law cases (custody,

parenting time, child support, etc."): and the basic needs of all Ingham County residents including housing,

consumer law and state and federal benefit services along with domestic violence protections. Our impact on

Ingham County residents' legal needs is unique and vital. We have provided crucial legal services in the

community for 42 years and have legal expertise in poverty law. We provide high quality services that are cost

efficient and effective.

b. How do you anticipate this proposal will be funded in future years?

LSSCM has a long history of providing high-quality free civil legal assistance to low-income families

and individuals in Ingham County. LSSCM brings significant federal and state funding into the community to

support the work of this program. The state and federal funding comprise approximately 80% of the program

funding. The remainder of the program's funding comes from local or donated funds. In 2007. we started a

"Friends of Legal Aid" fundraising campaign for the counties served by the Lansing office of LSSCM and are

encouraged by the results. The campaign is currently focusing on the bar associations in the counties served by

the Lansing office. In the past two years we have received support from over 100 new donors. We also are

always aggressively seeking other funding sources.

5. a. Have you sought funds for this proposal or concept from any other entity? Please

identify who and the response. ^ yes Q no

LSSCM serves 13 counties in south central Michigan and administers two statewide programs. Ingham

County has the largest number of individuals living in poverty in LSSCM's service area. In addition, the

Ingham County poverty population accounts for 68% of the poverty population in the six counties served by the

Lansing office. In addition to Lansing, we have field offices in Ann Arbor. Battle Creek. Jackson, and Monroe.

We receive funding for homelessness prevention, domestic violence prevention, assisting in accessing health

care, food and needs-based income programs from a variety of sources in all of our offices. In our larger

counties we receive funding from the County to provide services. Many of the smaller counties do not have

general funds that fund human service agencies. Our Ann Arbor office receives approximately $95.000 from the

Washtenaw County general fund and the Washtenaw County Treasurer. The majority of this money is from the

general fund. In addition, the Calhoun County Treasurer provides $40.000 in funding to the Battle Creek office

for foreclosure prevention work and the Ingham County Treasurer provides $20.00 grant for foreclosure

prevention work.

We continually seek ways to increase funding. At any given time, we have 10 or more grants requests

pending program wide. The Lansing office of LSSCM receives ongoing funding from the City of Lansing, The

City of East Lansing, and the Ingham County Bar Association.

b. Does the proposal anticipate utilizing funds from other sources? |^| yes Q no

Legal Services Corporation. Michigan State Bar Foundation. City of East Lansing. City of Lansing and

the Ingham County Bar Foundation, and donations.

c. To what extent is the other funding assured?

LSSCM has been a recipient of federal Legal Services Corporation funding since 1978 and Michigan

State Bar Foundation funding since 1992. We have also received funding from each of the listed funders for

many years. However, the exact amount of funding from each source may vary from year to year.

TV. DETATT/FJ) SCOPE OF WORK

1. Legal Services of South Central Michigan seeks to achieve equal justice for low-income persons by

providing legal assistance necessary to secure basic needs and enable clients to fully access the courts.

Specifically, with regard to the Ingham county proposal, LSSCM will provide and attorney to work in Ingham

County on emergency family law, housing and benefit cases for low-income clients. LSSCM provides a full

range of legal services. These services include: counsel and advice; providing a legal hotline; referral to other

appropriate agencies; document preparation; assistance in negotiations; and representation in court and

administrative hearings to remedy a housing, domestic violence, health care, or other income maintenance

crisis. All services are provided free of charge to low-income individuals who fall below 200% of the federal

poverty guidelines.

2. Legal Services will ensure that low-income Ingham County residents have access to the courts and

judicial processing; we will also assist them in achieving stabilization of income, housing and safety issues,

foreclosure prevention, all of which are basic needs. In 2008 the Lansing office completed cases for over 2,700

individuals and families facing critical legal issues. Our outcome data demonstrates that our assistance

consistently makes a difference and improves the circumstances of individuals in well over 90% of the cases in

which we are able to provide full representation services.

Our long term goal is that individuals and families live in stable homes and have income to provide for

basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and health care. Our representation of domestic violence victim

assures that the family lives in a home free of violence. LSSCM can assist clients with Personal Protection

Orders, which can help keep them safe from abusive partners; assist clients in obtaining custody orders, which

help them and their children to have safe and secure family life; and assist clients in obtaining divorces, which

may ensure the end of violent relationship and also stabilize a client's financial status through spousal support,

child support, or property division. Our housing and income maintenance case outcomes demonstrate how

families we represent are able to maintain their housing or increase their income, two of the proven strategies to

maintain self-sufficiency.

3. Assist the Ingham County Courts by providing forms, answering questions, providing procedural and

legal advice to pro se litigants; Advice, brief service or full legal representation in a consumer law crisis to

preserve income; Advice, brief services or full legal representation in a housing crisis by preventing eviction,

avoiding foreclosure, obtaining time to find alternate housing, enforcing tenant's rights, regaining or protecting

possession in a lock out case, restoring utilities shut off by the landlord, preserving right to possession in a land

contract or mobile home case and assisting clients in gaining admission to housing; Advice, brief service or full

legal representation regarding public benefits such as FIP, SSI, emergency needs programs, Medicaid,

Medicare, and health programs, food programs, unemployment compensation, and social security; and LSSCM

will provide legal representation to victims of domestic violence in a through and prompt manner to ensure the

safety of the victims and their children by assisting with personal protection orders and by stabilizing

households by obtaining custody orders, child support orders, and property divisions thorough final judgments

of divorce.

4. Clients will be residents of Ingham County and be either recipients of some form of public assistance

and/or have incomes under 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of four this equates to $44,100

gross annual income.

5. Services will be provided between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010

V. Budget

LEGAL SERIVCES OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN

INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET 2010

Requested

Funds

PERSONNEL SERVICES

Salaries & Wages $16,800

FICA 1,200

Unemployment

Fringe Benefits 2,000

Overtime

Temporary/Student /Hotline

Work Study Wages

PROFESSIONAL & CONTRACTUAL

Medical Services for recipient population

Accounting Services/Audit Fees

Dues & Fees

Grant Matches

Office Equip Leases

Maintenance Agreemts

OPERATING EXPENSES

Telephone

Rent & other space costs

Court Costs

Postage

Office Supplies

Travel

Insurance - Office & Prof. Liability

Library

Training & Misc.

Grand Total $20,000

Other

Sources

$368,302

$25,261

$2,456

$52,680

$0

$30,685

$3,400

$0

$0

$0

$0

$2,448

$0

$2,040

$2,584

$0

$0

$9,520

$41,319

$3,604

$2,040

$8,840

$9,520

$2,530

$4,488

$2,060

$573,777

Total

$385,102

$26,461

$2,456

$54,680

$0

$30,685

$3,400

$0

$0

$2,448

$0

$2,040

$2,584

$9,520

$41,319

$3,604

$2,040

$8,840

$9,520

$2,530

$4,488

$2,060

$593,777

AGENDA ITEM #

Legal Services of South Central Michigan

WHAT IS LEGAL SERVICES OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN (LSSCM)?

• LSSCM provides free civil legal assistance to low income persons in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton,

Shiawassee, Barry, and Livingston Counties with an emphasis on:

■ Homelessness prevention

■ Assisting in accessing health care, food, and needs-based income programs

■ Consumer and debt collection matters

■ Foreclosure prevention and amelioration

■ Stabilization of families harmed by domestic violence

• All clients must be living with less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines

o Family of Two - $29,140 gross per year

o Family of Three - $36,620 gross per year

• Our office is located at 3490 Belle Chase Way, Lansing, MI 48911. Our staff includes 2

Managing Attorneys, 8 Staff Attorneys, a Law Office Assistant, a Local Grants Manager/Office

Manager, an average of 12-15 Law Students from Cooley and Michigan State.

• Our office is part of a larger organization, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, which has

six offices and serves a total of 13 counties.

• Our office is funded by a combination of grants from the Legal Services Corporation, the

Michigan State Bar Foundation, Community Development Block Grants in Lansing and East

Lansing, Area Agency on Aging (Livingston only), the Ingham County Board of

Commissioners and Ingham County Treasurer, the Ingham County Bar Foundation and our

private fundraising campaign known as Friends of Legal Aid.

• In past years in our office, Federal and State grants make up 86% of funding; the rest comes

from local sources.

• We currently take referrals from domestic violence shelters in cases where a client needs

immediate assistance. We also take referrals from the City of Lansing and other agencies when

clients have been put out of red-tagged homes. All other clients come to us through our legal

advice and intake hotline.

IS THERE A NEED FOR LEGAL SERVICES? YES!

• We receive 65-70 requests for assistance per week in the Lansing office - we are unable to

provide representation in 44% of the cases that need an attorney.

• As of the 2000 census, there were over 38,000 Ingham County residents who survive below the

poverty line. If the figure were corrected to reflect the number of people eligible for our

services - those at or below 200% of the poverty line - that number would vastly increase.

• A recent unmet needs study was done from March to May of this year, which indicated that

program-wide, there were 2,064 cases where we were unable to assist or resolve a client's case,

and only 790 cases where we accepted the case for representation.

AGENDA ITEM*. ll

Legal Services of South Central Michigan 2009

IS LEGAL SERVICES IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY FOR BASIC NEEDS? YES!

• Ensuring that an individual's basic needs are met is critical for a successful community.

• Preventing homelessness is more cost effective for a community than paying for services for

someone once they are homeless - and keeping someone housed is priceless to that individual.

• Representing clients in court or administrative hearings (such as those for DHS benefits) levels

the playing field and gives the clients an increased likelihood of success in there case.

Unrepresented clients are often left to face attorneys, other more experienced authority figures,

or administrative bureaucrats, and are not truly able to advocate for themselves.

• Preserving someone's income base, whether that is through child support, public benefits such

as food stamps, cash assistance, or disability benefits, helps clients to keep their housing and

meet their own basic needs, and alleviates the pressure on other social service agencies by

allowing the clients to become self-sufficient.

HAVE WE HELPED PEOPLE MEET BASIC NEEDS IN THE LAST YEAR? YES!

• A.M. - Mrs. M, an Iranian immigrant, was receiving Social Security Survivor benefits after her

husband's death. She received a notice that her household's benefits were going to be

terminated in order to repay an alleged overpayment of $4,000 that she owed to the Social

Security Administration (SSA). The SSA argued that she worked too many hours and earned

too much to also receive the Social Security benefits. We helped her apply for a waiver, which

was denied; then her LSSCM attorney appealed this denial and received a favorable decision.

The ALJ determined that Mrs. M. could not understand English well enough at the time she

was given the instructions concerning employment, and because SSA did not provide an

interpreter, Mrs. M. was not at fault.

• D.L. - D.L. was being evicted for non-payment utility bills to his landlord. Mr. L. has a

Section 8 subsidy, but has not been able to put his electric bill in his own name because he

lacks the money for a security deposit. His only income is State Disability Assistance, which is

$264 a month. He had been to court before on this eviction and the other attorney tried to get

him to sign a consent judgment, but we had told him to ask for an adjournment so that we could

represent him. This same attorney had gotten other judgments against him before in this

manner. After we went to court, we were able to reduce the judgment from $2,000 to just

$400, in large part because the landlord was clearly wrong about how much Mr. L. owed. This

lowered judgment will enable Mr. L. to keep his home and his Section 8 subsidy.

• K.M. - Ms. M's cash assistance and food stamp benefits were terminated because DHS had

decided that she was non-compliant with their attempts to start a child support case. This

decision was contrary to DHS policy manuals. We appealed the decision to Circuit Court, and

within a month, the Attorney General representing DHS agreed to reinstate all of Ms. M's

benefits, and to give her retroactive benefits for the months that they were wrongfully

terminated. With these benefits, Ms. M. is able to fully support herself and her three children.

• C.H. - Ms. H. was being evicted from her subsidized housing unit because of damage that her

abusive ex-boyfriend caused to her door. After a trial at which an LSSCM attorney represented

her, the Judge determined that she was not liable for the damage caused by her ex-boyfriend,

and she was not evicted.

Sep 14 2009 15:30 HP LRSERJET FHX p.2

SEP/C2/2009/WED 04:35 PM LAMLESS/BA.IRD FAX No. 517 483 6530 P. 002

AGENDA STEM #.

Circuit Court ofthe State ofMichigan30th Judicial Circuit

WILLIAMB.COUETTB DAVIDL. EASTBRDAYChiefCircuit Judge .jjuw'-Hl- Circuit Court Administrator

LAURABAWD itSflpKff RHONDA SWAYZEChiefCircuit Judge PrvTanpon /3S&!kc~\. Deputy Cowt Administrator/

(/fjraf fk\ Genet«l Trial Division

JANELLE A. LAWLESS LjJBEltn?Presiding Judge Family Division ^SstaP^ SHAUNA DUNNINGS

^ssiw^ Deputy Court Administrator/

Circuit Judges- General TrialDivision Friend ofthe Cmut

ROSEMARIBB.AQUILXNA ,^«,««™. /««JOYCBA.DRAGANCHUK . MAIIREBN WINSLOWJAMES R. CIDD1NGS Deputy Court Adralniaoilor/PAUJ-AJM.MANDBSTIBLD Pamfly Division

Circuit Judges. Pamily Division P.O. BOX40771R. GEORGE BCONOMY 313 W.KALAMAZOO STSBET

RICHARD 3 GARCIA LANSING. MICHIGAN 48901-7971^^ TELEPHONE: <517) 483-6500

FAJC: (517) 485-6501

September 2,2009

Deb Dc Leon, Chairperson

Ingham County Commissioners

Ingham County Courthouse

341 S. Jefferson St.

Mason, MI 48854

RB; Support ofLegal Services of South Central Michigan

Dear Chairperson De Leon and Commissioners:

I regret that I cannot attend tonight's meeting to express my support for Legal Services ofSouth Central

Michigan's Lansing office. Please accept this letter as my vote of support ofthis invaluable organization. It

has been the experience of our Court staff that LSSCM attorneys usually go the "eartjta. mile" to help clients

access needed legal services.

LSSCM helps pro se litigants navigate toe legal system to get child support, custody, parenting tune, andproperty settlements in family law cases. LSSCM also represents clients in these matters, which often containdifficult legal issues thatmany private practitioners are not familiar with, as they are very specific and unicpie to

those clients living in poverty. LSSCM has developed expertise in ftis field, and uses this knowledge to helpclients who would otherwise be without representation.

Sep 14 2009 15:30 HP LHSERJET FHX p.3

5EP/02/20Q9/WED 04:35 PM LAWLESS/BAIRD

RE: Support oftegal Services ofSouth Central Michigan

September 2,2009

Page 2

FAX Nd. 517 483 6530 P. 003

Without LSSCM doing this work, the dockets ofthe Family Division Judges would be flooded with people

coSicaiBd legal dilemmas. Since the courts cannot give legal advipe to litigants, woxely on fce pnvatsbarand Legal Services to represent clients in an efficient manner and to bring eases to conclnsion as quicWy aspossible. UgalSerdcesiBoftentteonlyresourcefOTCuentswhocannotaffordtopayanattonjey.

Our community needs the vital kgal services that LSSCM provides, especially in these tough economic times.

Sincerely,

Services to Ingham County residents that will no longer be available from MSU

Extension following the loss of the Horticulture Educator

No phone calls answered on horticulture, and related topics such as poisonous plants,

indoor insects, wildlife management, forestry, pond management, pesticide use and

safety, exotic insects, starting new specialty crops businesses, marketing, community

garden projects, schools, local governments, etc.

There will also be no commercial assistance for greenhouses, nurseries, Christmas tree

farms, small fruit and vegetable producers, turf farms, small growers, garden centers

orchards, golf courses, etc.

There will be no assistance for exotic pests such as the emerald ash borer, gypsy moth,

or whatever comes next.

There will be no plant or insect identification or diagnostic services for commercial

horticultural crops or general residents.

There will be no soil test report recommendations for horticultural crops, home gardens

businesses etc.

There will no longer be any wildfire education expertise will be available in our office.

The Master Gardener Volunteer program will be discontinued, which will include Master

Gardeners coming into the office to assist with phone and various community projects.

No fact sheets will be written or updated on any of the wide variety of topics covered by

the horticulturist.

No more horticulture and related information will be developed or updated for the

website.

All horticulture programs will be discontinued (programs for residents, growers, schools,

service clubs, hospitals, garden clubs, local and state governments, neighborhood

centers, etc.)

No site visits for commercial grower problems.

Technical, financial and volunteer assistance for Family Center and Fairground gardens

will end.

Production of instruction videos will be discontinued.

There will be nobody in the office to assist visitors who have questions.

Growers will no longer be able to come to MSU Extension for pest management

assistance when crops are quarantined by MDA for insect and diseases problems.

8/18/09

AGENDA ITEM #.

Supplemental Performance Measure Information for the

MSUE Horticulture Position

Teaching people to garden for themselves, their family or for donation for

the purpose of assisting in meeting basic needs.

• More than 50 program sessions were taught on horticulture and related

topics with nearly 1,000 participants within the past year. For example:

o Vegetable A to Z class: 5 week series to teach beginning gardeners

aJI the basic skills for growing and preserving their own food.

o Urban Gardener Series: 10 week class to teach people how to grow

produce in a greenhouse, containers or backyard gardens & train

volunteers to teach their neighbors what they have learned.

o More than 1,068 email questions for horticulture and related

information were answered in '08-'09.

• Farm Management Series: Four sessions to teach small growers how to

produce specific crops for local farmer markets.

Helping homeowners and commercial horticulture make decisions about

pesticide and herbicide applications that support environmental protection.

This covers everything from inquiries about classes we offered - to how to select

plants, homeowner and commercial horticulture problems, identification pictures,

insect ID, etc.

• 2,000 + requests by phone for information (per year)

• 200-300 soil test report recommendations written yearly

o many are for gardens, commercial landscape companies wanting to

apply only the amount of products needed. (This reduces cost and

potential water pollution.)

• 100-150 problem samples diagnosed and insects and plants

identified/year

o samples include garden and landscape pests, indoor insects,

poisonous plants, weed and insect ID for both commercial farmers

and general residents.

• Provided more than 100 home, office and commercial visits/year to assist

with pests and other problems.

o This includes people interested in starting specialty crop

businesses

o problem sample diagnosis

• Composting classes: designed to help people recycle organic matter to

improve soil quality which improves crop quality and reduces the need for

fertilizer applications, which in turn safeguards our surface groundwater.

• Turf management classes: Offered to help residents have nice lawns

without high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides.

AGENDA ITEM*.

Backyard Orchard Pest Management Class - The purpose of this class

was to teach residents with fruit trees how to treat pest that will result in

high quality fruit. Both conventional and organic options were taught.

Provided planning and technical assistance (and some funds) for

Fairgrounds and Family Center Gardens

Recruit, train and monitor the Master Gardener volunteer program.

During the past 3 years:

• 103 Master Gardeners trained

• 1,845 hours of community service reported thus far (valued at $33,210)

• 27,137 people assisted with community service projects such as:

o helping to coordinate activities at community gardens such as the

Fairgrounds project.

o assisting in answering resident phone questions.

o one MG reported over 100 hours at a local church garden project

which produced 2,000 lbs of produce this year for community

members in need.

o another MG volunteer has spent 7 years and hundreds of hours as

the coordinator for a local neighborhood community vegetable

garden project.

o others have co-authored fact sheets with the Horticulture educator.

o researched information to help keep our website updated.

o served ed as class assistants

Video production for broadcast to audiences unable to physically attend

classes and programs.

• Videos posted on our website have received over 7,450 hits. Titles

include:

o Pruning Apples, Harvesting Peaches, Managing Moles, Japanese

Beetles, Protecting Cherries, Pesticide Application Safety

Equipment, Soil Testing, etc.

o how to spray their fruit trees, start a garden, etc.

AGENDA ITEM#_

Central Michigan 2-1-1 Request

Capital Area United Way

Contact Person: Suzanne Eman-Jaehnig, 203-5033

Due to the very poor economy and sky high unemployment rate we are seeing a

larger increase in calls to 2-1-1. In 2008 we had just over 20,000 calls come into

2-1-1 from Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties. Out of these 20,000 calls, 15,843

of these calls come from Ingham County residents. This compares to 2007 when

the service debuted on March 27 when we received 5598 calls from the Tri-

County area, 4,246 of these calls from Ingham County.

We are seeing a large increase over the traditionally slower summer months

attributed to high numbers of people coming off unemployment assistance and

our continued high unemployment rate. In July 2009 we had 1377 calls come

from Ingham County. This compares with June 2008 when we had 1090 calls

come from Ingham County, a 23.3% increase. In July 2009 we had 1492 calls

come from Ingham County. This compares with July 2008 when we had 1003

calls come in from Ingham County, a 48.75% increase. We expect these call

volumes to only increase as we get into the cold weather months and holiday

season.

Due to the large increase in call volume we have had to add an additional full-

time staff person to cover calls from the Greater Lansing area. This increase in

staffing costs is difficult to cover with the decrease in dollars raised in the 2008

Capital Area United Way Campaign. The extra 2-1-1 is staffing was necessary to

avoid undue wait times for for tri-county residents who are already stressed to

the limit. The additional staffing burden combined with the decreased Capital

Area United Way budget is putting an undue strain on our organization. While we

realize these are very tough economic times for the county, we believe 2-1-1

provides a vital service for residents and is a service that needs to continue. We

thank the county for the support you have shown this program and are asking for

an additional $10,000 to support 2-1-1 in the Greater Lansing area.

Michael J. Dillon v'^v- AGENDA ITEM #Court Administrator

State of Michigan

55™ Judicial District Court

7OO Buhl Avenue • Mason, Michigan 48854

5 I 7-676-84OO

www.ingham.org/dc

PROPOSAL

to

TO ENHANCE SECURITY

and

THE COLLECTION OF REVENUE DUE TO THE COUNTY

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Lack of Security Personnel at the District Court

It is the primary role of courts to resolve disputes. Many of these disputes are emotionally

charged. Most people who stand before the court ultimately accept the court's rulings.

However, some will not and only care for the result that benefits them the most. When things

don't go their way, there is an increase in the potential for violence occurring in the

courthouse.

When a person is highly emotional and believes that they have been denied their own sense of

justice and that a government system has failed them, they may turn to violence as means of

exoneration or vengeance. Their hostility may be directed at the other party or the people who

personify the judicial system: judges, prosecutors, probation officers, clerks, and others who

work within the system. Since the courthouse is the building where the disputes are handled,

the courthouse is the building where violence is likely to occur.

The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) suggests that during the past 35 years, eight state or

local judges have been killed. Another 13 were physically assaulted. Three local prosecutors

were killed, four assaulted. At least five law enforcement officers have been killed at local

courthouses, 27 assaulted. At least 42 court participants have been killed at local courthouses

and countless numbers have been assaulted.

We have a significant security problem at the 55th District Court. That being, we do not have

adequate personnel resources to provide the security needed for our judges, court employees,

prosecutors, litigants, and members of the public. The court is greatly appreciative that the

County has funded a checkpoint for ingress/egress into the courthouse. The secured

checkpoint is a step in right direction, but falls short of providing the level of security needed

for this building.

Page I of4

The 55th District Court is an extremely busy court. We process over 30,000 new cases each

year. Thousands of old cases are reopened each year. Currently, we have two court officers

that are responsible for courthouse security. These court officers also serve as bailiffs and have

courtroom responsibilities. In August of 2006, one of our court officers was brutally attacked

by an inmate. We responded by requesting additional personnel resources for court security.

The County recognized the need and allocated an additional 0.5 FTE position for court security

(part-time court officer). Unfortunately, this position has been vacant since this year's hiring

freeze. The part-time court officer generally worked on Monday afternoons (criminal pretrials

and jury selection) and Tuesday and Thursdays (criminal docket days). This position was

assigned to perform the following duties:

Patrol lobby and hallways

Assist with prisoner transport

Provide additional security in courtrooms as needed

Assist probation officers with probation violations and uncooperative defendants

Fill in for court officers while on leave.

The court officer position is one that we and the County cannot afford to do without. The

safety and welfare of thousands upon thousands of people who visit the court each year is

dependent upon the Court having adequate security coverage. There are far too many cases

and far too many people for two court officers to provide the security needed for this court.

The problem is exacerbated when a court officer is utilizing leave time. In such a case, we have

only one court officer providing security coverage for the entire courthouse.

Both the Ingham County Sheriff Department and Mason Police Department have been very

cooperative and helpful in providing the court with additional security when asked, and they've

responded as soon as possible when dispatched to a security incident at the courthouse.

However, the problem lies with, "when asked" and "as soon as possible." Most security

incidences that occur in a courthouse are not predictable. Hence, it is not likely we will have

knowledge of when, where and who will be the victim of an assault. In most security

incidences, the greatest amount of physical injury will occur prior to a law enforcement officer

arriving on the scene. The longer it takes for an officer to arrive on the scene, the greater the

potential for a serious or fatal injury to occur.

It is our duty to protect those who enter and use the courthouse from becoming statistics on

the National Sheriff's Association report. We need to be proactive in addressing our security

problem. It's imperative that we act now and not when it's too late.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Lack of Personnel Resources to Collect Outstanding Receivables

Currently, the Court has a significant amount of money in outstanding receivables, with the

majority of the money owed to Ingham County. We constantly work on reducing this amount.

But, we can do better. We've identified five types of people who owe the court money; three

Page 2 of4

of which require additional work on behalf of court staff in order to collect the money. The first

two, the financially responsible and indigent types, do not require any additional work for court

staff. The financially responsible pay by the due date and the case is closed. When a person is

found to be indigent, the debt is forgiven and the case is closed.

Three types remain; the financially irresponsible, the financially deficient and the scofflaws.

Each of these types requires additional work in collecting the monies owed. The financially

irresponsible intend to pay their debt and have the means to pay the debt; they generally

mismanage their finances and/or do not place a high priority on the payment of the debt to the

court. The financially deficient intend to pay their debt, and would pay their debt on time;

however, they do not have the financial means at the time to pay off the debt. A financially

deficient person is different from an indigent person. An indigent person does not have the

wherewithal or means to earn an income. A financially deficient person does have the means;

however, they currently don't have a job or they believe they don't make/have enough money

to pay the debt. The scofflaws may or may not have the financial means at the time to pay the

debt; however, they have no intention of paying off the debt.

We believe the majority of the money owed to the Court is from the financially irresponsible

and financially deficient. The good news is that most of them intend to pay; they simply need a

little assistance. The financially irresponsible need a person to monitor their accounts and

remind them of their financial obligation to the Court, as well as the consequences for their

failure to make payment. The financially deficient do not pay because of the perceived large

sum of money that they owe to the Court. For them, it's not realistic to pay off the debt. Until

their financial situation changes, it's much easier to take their chances and ignore their debt to

the Court.

With additional personnel resources dedicated to working with the financially irresponsible and

financially deficient, the County, the Court, defendants and law enforcement would stand to

benefit. The County would stand to benefit financially as the revenue collected from

delinquent accounts is expected to increase. The Court would benefit from a case management

standpoint as the number of open files would decrease. In addition, the integrity of the Court's

orders would be upheld. The assessment of fines and costs is an order of the court. Like any

other court order, in order to be effective, the order needs to be enforced. When there is no

enforcement action, the overall integrity of the Court is damaged. What good is an order, if it is

not going to be enforced? Defendants would benefit both financially and personally. They

would have someone working with them, not against them, to help monitor and clear up their

debt with the court. Law enforcement would benefit as less warrants would be issued for

failure to pay fines and costs. When a law enforcement officer contacts a defendant who has a

failure to pay fines and costs warrant, the officer will be taken off the streets to process the

arrest on the warrant. Fewer warrants will mean more enforcement time for more important

enforcement activities.

Page 3 of4

PROPOSED RESOLUTUON TO PROBLEMS:

The Court respectfully requests that the County fund 1.0 FTE position for 2010 budget year.

The position would encompass the 0.5 FTE court officer position that was removed from the

2010 budget and a 0.5 FTE to serve as a collection officer. The position would provide the

added security that is critical to the safety and welfare of all who enter into this building, and

the position would allow for time to enforce the financial orders of the court. By spending

approximately 0.5 FTE hours each week on collection activity, it is anticipated that the position

would pay for itself and generate some additional revenue for the County. The Court is

requesting funding for one year to demonstrate that the 0.5 FTE position can pay for itself. If at

the conclusion of one year, the 0.5 FTE position has not paid for itself, the Court would not

request funding for the position in 2011.

The County's current budget situation can definitely be described as an adverse situation, and

all of us have been asked to think creatively to assist in managing the financial hardship of

Ingham County. Our proposal does this. Our proposal is a creative way to assist the Court in

meeting its operational burdens without creating an additional financial burden for the County.

We believe our proposal is a creative way to assist defendants with their own financial burdens.

It has also been said, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." To us, the time appears to be right

to try such a new venture.

The Court respectfully request that the County fund a 1.0 FTE position (Court

Officer/Enforcement Officer) for 2010 budget year with 50% of the funds coming from

increased district court revenues as a result of collection activity being performed by the

position.

Page 4 of4

AGENDA ITEM #_

MEMO

Date: September 15, 2009

To: Finance Committee

From: Willis Bennett, Director

Re: Z list considerations

At the August County Services meeting, the Parks Department requested that two items be added to the

Z list for consideration. One being the replacement of funds for the 3 month lay off of one of our

Assistant Park Managers and secondly, the replacement of funds for Rayner Park.

Both items were approved by the committee to be added to the Z list and the committee requested that

we provide some alternate ideas for the operation of Rayner Park, reducing the services provided, thus

reducing the cost of operating the park. In the original request, the Parks Department identified a

yearly operating cost of $44,000.

Parks Department staff has carefully reviewed the operation of the park and identified several ways to

reduce costs, yet keep the park open for a portion of the year, versus year round as in the past.

Following is a synopsis of the reductions and the final cost that the Parks Department is requesting to

be considered for Z list funding.

• Reduce the operating season from year round, to April 15 through October 31 (park would

remain closed November 1 through April 14)

• Provide seasonal staff for a maximum of 2 to 4 hours per day, depending upon the operational

needs, reduced from 8 hours per day

• Reduce maintenance supplies to the bare necessities (restroom supplies, playground repair, etc)

• Maintain turf only in the high use areas of the park, allow open area at rear of the park to grow

wild, mow only for the County Fair parking needs, eliminate fertilization and irrigation to

reduce other costs

• Limit full-time staff participation to supervision of seasonal workers, playground safety checks,

and periodic facility maintenance.

With these reductions, we can still provide public access to Rayner Park during the peak use times but

reduce our ability to maintain the park at the high level our guests have come to enjoy. Utilizing this

plan, we have reduced the operating cost of Rayner Park to $20,000 per year.

Ingham County Parks & Recreation Department121 E. Maple St., PO Box 178, Mason, Ml 48854

Phone: (517) 676-2233 Fax: (517) 244-7190

www.inghamcountyparks.org email: parks@ingham.org

The other request was to replace funding for one the Assistant Park Manager I positions, which was

recommended for a three month lay off. In the original memo to the County Services Committee, I

indicated the importance of the management staff to our department, considering the make up of our

workforce. Our staff is predominately young seasonal workers, 18 to 21 years old who require more

supervision than a typical adult worker. Even in the winter season, our seasonal staff numbers up to 15

at any given time and those young workers are the front line people that deal with our guests, including

handling thousands of dollars from our various revenue generating areas. The need to supervise these

workers appropriately is a high priority to us, so that our guests are treated properly, rules are enforced

and revenue is collected and handled properly.

To ensure that our seasonal work force is properly supervised, our guests receive appropriate service

and our revenue collection system is effectively managed, we respectfully request that the Assistant

Park Manager I position be funded for 2010 by the Z list funds, in an amount of $16,411.50.

AGENDA ITEM #,

MEMORANDUM

TO: Finance Committee

Ingham County Board of Commissioners

FROM: George M. Strander

Probate Court Administrator & Probate Register

CC: Hon. R. George Economy

Hon. Richard J. Garcia

DATE: September 18, 2009

RE: 2010 Probate Court General Fund and CIP Budgets

The 2010 Controller's Recommended Budget calls for a reduction of $80,782 from the 2010

General Fund budget requested by the Probate Court. $63,434 of this reduction represents the

elimination of the Law Clerk position shared by Judges Economy and Garcia.

Our liaison committee - the Judiciary Committee - met to consider relevant department budgets

on September 2. At that meeting, the Judiciary Committee agreed to place the Probate Court

Law Clerk position on the Z List for strategic planning initiative fund support.

This memorandum lays out a plan by which the Probate Court Law Clerk position may be funded

out of the 2010 General Fund budget and thereby removed from the Z List.

(1) The Circuit Court is willing to make available up to $30,000 in one-time funds to assist the

Probate Court in retaining our Law Clerk position. These funds are available because the Circuit

Court will be using $30,000 from CCAB/Automon Fees to help restore the Pretrial Investigator

position, and as a result will not need $30,000 from the "furlough money" for that purpose.

We are thankful to the Circuit Court for the offer of these funds.

(2) Barbara Buck, Court Reporter for Judge Economy, will be retiring next year in February.

Judge Economy plans to replace Ms. Buck with a Court Recorder. The estimated savings is

$24,197.

(3) A small amount of furlough day savings remains available for position restoration. $9,237 of

this amount will be used for the Probate Court Law Clerk.

(4) In changing from a court reporter to a court recorder, Judge Economy would require his

courtroom to be equipped with appropriate hardware and software. Conservatively estimated by

MIS, this would cost approximately $11,000. This expense would properly be paid through

our equipment revolving fund (CIP Budget).

Our proposal is the following:

• Add $24,197 to the 2010 Probate Court General Fund budget to reflect the savings resulting

from the retirement in 2010 of Court Reporter Barbara Buck and the replacement of her with a

Court Recorder.

• Transfer the above referenced $39,237 to the 2010 Probate Court General Fund budget.

• Reinstate the Law Clerk position in the 2010 Probate Court General Fund budget.

• Increase the 2010 Probate Court Equipment Revolving Fund budget by $11,000 to pay for

hardware and software needed to equip Judge Economy's courtroom for use by a court recorder.

The Controller supports this proposal.