Michigan Business Beat | Terrance Augustine, Jim Mott Eaton Co Financial Struggles-Board Action

Michigan Business Network

Originally uploaded May 29, re-loaded Nov. 26th. Jeffrey Mosher speaks with Eaton Co. Michigan Commissioner Terrance Augustine and the Board Chair Jim Mott Eaton County Board of Commissioners votes to form Tax Advisory Committee Jeffrey had several questions for the pair in this conversation. What led to the board taking action? Share with the Michigan business community what the CATLC will do? So, this sort of action is laid out in the Michigan constitution? share some more about the challenges faced by the federal, state, and local funding mix? What can the business community of your county do at this time? County financial struggles cause Board to take action EATON COUNTY, MI—The Eaton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to form a County Advisory Tax Limitation Committee (CATLC) to review the current tax amount the County is able to levy. The Committee will meet to determine if any changes are necessary to maintain operations, and then the Board will place that determination on the November ballot. The CATLC is part of a Tax Alteration process laid out in the Michigan constitution. The committee must be made up of representatives from the general public, County government, Township Supervisors, and School Districts. This group will submit its determination to the Board, which will be placed on a ballot for residents to consider, according to state law. Eaton County has not adjusted its tax allotment since 1978, despite rising costs in operations and continuing reductions in revenue via Headlee rollbacks. “We are not taking this action lightly,” said Board Chair Jim Mott (Republican). “The County has been struggling and getting by through the use of state and federal grant money. We, as a Board, regardless of party politics, know that we need to secure revenue, or we will see huge reductions in the services the County provides residents.” The Board hosted several town hall-style meetings over the past few months as it worked to analyze the County’s long-term financial stability. “The County will look vastly different if we do not find additional revenue,” said Commissioner Terrance Augustine (Democrat). “From public safety to day-to-day operations, the County has to find stable financial footing to support operations.” The Board expects to review the recommendations at its June 20, 2024, meeting, at which point it will take the necessary steps to place them on the November ballot.