County Executive, City Manager Suggest Ways to Cooperate for Savings

Education Improvement Must Be A Priority for Economic Development: Hickner

January 9, 2004
By: Dave Rogers

      In an era of financial stress, citizens as well as government officials alike are seeking economies wherever they can be found.

           Eliminating duplication of government services is a difficult problem because the political arena is

territorial, but city and county officials are working on it, City Manager Robert Belleman told the Bay City Rotary Club in his annual "State of the City" address on Jan. 6.

      County Executive Thomas L. Hickner, who shared the podiumwith Belleman, noted that "local government is a product of the 19th Century" and is very slow to change.

      The city is talking with the Bay City Public Schools about sharing resources in maintenance of parks and playgrounds, Belleman pointed out.

      Hickner suggested that purchasing could be shared by the city and county, as an example joint "RFQ's" (request for quotation) on police cars.

      Information systems, fire protection and street maintenance are also areas where governments could cooperate to achieve savings, the two officials noted. Cooperation already exists somewhat with the sheriff's road patrol and the 911 system, Hickner said.

      The county executive said priority must be given to improvingthe local public education system. "Everyone in the community has to recognize education as a priority whether they have children or not," the executive said. "This is a lofty goal we must recognize in the context of economic growth."

      Belleman indicated the city is weighing its involvement in a proposed public-private sector economic development organization. A comprehensive economic development plan is being drafted and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the East Central Michigan Planning and Development Region and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce are being asked for input into the plan, the city manager said.

      Meanwhile, relations between the city commission and administration have improved and communications are better, said Belleman.

      Opening of the Hilton Doubletree Hotel/Conference Center in June is anticipated and the city is awaiting a final report on the "highest and best use" for the 48-acre Uptown at RiversEdge project, he said.

      Hickner said the county's major priority is strong financial management, noting that the 2004-2005 county budget calls for no new or higher taxes, reduced spending and no layoffs. The county is weathering tough financial times because rainy day fundswere set aside in the past, he said.