Tom Hickner Files for Re-election, Pledging Intergovernmental Cooperation
County Financial Stability , Economic Development Also Exec"s Top Goals
February 20, 2008
By: Dave Rogers
Tom Hickner - Seeking Re-election as Bay County Executive
Bay County Executive Thomas L. Hickner is seeking re-election to his fourth term at the helm of the county's seventh largest employer.
The post is one of three county executive organizations in Michigan, the others being Wayne and Oakland counties.
"Because I believe in the basic goodness of our community and am optimistic about our future, I want to continue to work with other community leaders and residents to improve our quality of life for all who live here," he said in a formal announcement to the news media. So far he has no opposition in the post.
"We must focus our collective efforts on job retention and employment growth, budget policies that ensure a safe community and effective criminal justice system, and community-based activities that improve our quality of life, including preservation of valuable farmland and open space."
He also noted that his policies have resulted in 15 balanced budgets with no increase in tax rates, a pension system that is financially secure, a VEBA fund that has been established to provide future employee health benefits, and a county "rainy day" fund that has been more than doubled under his tenure.
Mr. Hickner previously served five terms as state representative from Bay County, first being elected to that post in 1982.
He was graduated from All Saints Central High and Michigan State University and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with emphasis on accounting from Western Michigan University. The executive has been married to the Nancy Auer Hickner for almost 29 years. The couple has three children, Andrew, Mark and Anne.
Mr. Hickner stressed three fundamental priorities:
Effective management of county government operations and finances;
Implementation of policies that promote community and economic development; and
Intergovernmental cooperation at the local, state and federal levels.
Mr. Hickner said "labor relations with the county's 11 bargaining units have continued to improve, despite major financial challenges that have strained the county budget."
He noted the county has "a well functioning integrated county-wide 911 system that works closely with fire, police and ambulance services." Contracts with townships are helping preserve the sheriff's road patrol despite major financial challenges, he said.
Bay County has a budget in excess of $110 million and is the seventh largest employer in the county with more than 600 full and part-time employees.
The executive manages 12 departments, Environmental Affairs and Community Development, Equalization, Finance, Health, Housing, Juvenile Detention, 911 Central Dispatch, Personnel and Employee Relations, Recreation and Administrative Services, Criminal Defense and Public Defender.
Voters also elect the county clerk, drain commissioner, prosecutor, register of deeds, sheriff, treasurer and seven judges in circuit, district and probate/family courts.###