michigan countiesfiles.ctctcdn.com/f8ba6f40101/e098388a-00d3-4f49-ba65-18fcae916… · • mac...
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InsIde thIs edItIon:• LegislativeUpdate:CourtReform-TheUltimateCollaborativeEffort
• LetterfromMACPresident,MattieHatchett
• MACAnnualConferenceRegistrationNowOpen
• MACAnnualConferenceNowonSocialMedia
• SecretsandStrategiesforWinningGrants
• AsktheExpert:TheEconomicsofRural&SmallCommunityRedevelopment
• MACAONews:EatonCountyFindingSavingsByGoingPaperless
• OutgoingNACoExecutiveDirectorlooksback…andahead
• DeferredCompensationProgramUpdate
• NACo2012NationalSurveyofElectedOfficialsResults
• Nationwide/NACoScholarshipAnnounced
• 7thAnnualLandBankConference
• ConnectingEntrepreneurialCommunitiesConference
• ToBYODandBackAgain
September 2012 |
Michigan CountieS
Official voice of the Michigan Association of Counties
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LegIsLatIve Update
Court reform - the ultimate Collaborative effort
ByDeenaBosworth,LegislativeCoordinator
Undeniably,thecostofMichigan’scourtsystemisextensive,andevergrowing.Counties,theprimaryfundingunitfortheState’scourts,arefacedwiththelossofpropertytaxrevenue,strainingbudgets,annualcutstorevenuesharing,alackofrevenueincreasingoptionsandanever-endinglistofservicedeliveryrequirements.Yetcountiesarestillfacedwithannualfundingbattleswiththecourtsystem.Althoughmanyofthecourtfundingdisputesareresolvedbeforetrial,atleast7courtfundingrelatedlawsuitshavegonetotrialinrecentyears.
Inthemajorityofcounties,thecostofthecourtsystemisthelargestexpenseandisconsideredtobeourbiggestunfundedmandate.Thetotalcostofthecourtsystemexceeds$1billion,lessthanhalfofwhichisreimbursedbythestate.
MAChasproposedasweepingreformforthefundingofthecourtsystem.Thereformwouldtransferallcourtemployeesfromcountyemploymenttostateemploymentandrequireamaintenanceofeffortpaymentbycounties/fundingunitstotheState,basedonthecurrentpercentageoffinancialobligationfortheemployees.Inexchangeforcontinuingourlevelofsupporttowardtheongoingcostofcourtemployees,thestatewouldgrantusfullcreditforthetotalamountofrevenuesharingowedtothefundingunitaswellasfullcreditforanylossesrealizedfromthepotentialeliminationofthepersonalpropertytax.Theproposalisintendedtoberevenue/expenseneutralintheinitialyearsinordertomakeitfeasibleforthestatetoabsorbtheemployeeswithoutthefinancialdisincentivetodoso.Thiswillcurbthecostofcourtstothecounties,whileatthesametimeforcingthestatetotakeresponsibilityfortheircourtsystem.
Intheearly1970’s,whenthetotalcostofthecourtsystemwas$77million,theChiefJusticeproposedasimilartransferofresponsibilitytothestate.Thetransferofthefundingresponsibilitywasintendedtobephasedin,startingwiththeDistrictcourts.Thestatewastobecometheemployerofallcourtemployees,allunioncontractsweretobehonoredandthestatewastopayforalloperatingcosts.Theresponsibilityforthefacilitiesandutilitieswastoremainwiththefundingunit.Becausethephaseinofthetransfertookplaceovermanyyears,andtheGovernorandChiefJusticeretired,thephase-installedandwaseventuallyrepealed.
Therisingcostofthecourtsystemisundeniable.Whatwasthena$77millionissue,hasballoonedintoover$1billionandisstillclimbing.
MaC event CaLendar
September 23-25MACAnnualConferenceShanty Creek ResortRegistration Open
October 11, 2012MACSuperCommitteeRaddison Hotel, Lansing
affILIate MeMbers
MichiganCountyMedicalCareFacilitiesCouncil
MichiganGovernmentalFinanceOfficersAssociation
Corporate MeMbers
BlueCrossBlueShieldofMichigan
Berends,Hendricks&Stuit
EmployeeBenefitsAgency
MichiganMunicipalRiskManagementAuthority
NationwideRetirementSolutions
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50th ANNIVERSARY
Toll Free 855 GEN CODE | GeneralCode.com
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Countiescannotaffordtocontinuetopayfortheexpandingandeverexpensivestatecourtsystem.Ourrevenueshavebeenrapidlydeclininginrecentyears,andourabilitytoraisemoreissignificantlyrestrained;yetourresponsibilitiesdonotgoaway.
GovernorSnyderandthelegislaturehavemadeaconcertedeffortoverthepasttwoyearstostresstheimportanceofcooperationandconsolidationamongunitsofgovernment.Manypolicieshavechangedatthestateleveltoencourageandopenthedoorsformorecooperation,includingtheestablishmentoftheMunicipalPartnershipActandchangestotheUrbanCooperationAct.Inresponsetothisdemandformorecollaborativeapproachestoprovisionofgovernmentalservices,MACseestheproposedcourtsystemreformasawaytocomplywiththevisionasestablishedbytheadministrationandlegislature,whilestillattackingunfundedmandates.
Manyofthedetailsoftheproposalarestillbeingworkedout.MACismeetingwithjudicialgroupsandotherinterestgroupstoheartheirconcernsbeforelanguageisfinalizedintolegislation.Therearemanydifferentconcernstoconsiderwithsuchalargescalechangeandweareworkingtoironoutasmanyofthekinksintheplanaspossible.
MACneedsallcountyofficialstobegindiscussingwiththeirlegislatorstheimportanceofthisproposalandthebenefitstonotonlyyourcounty,buttothemanagementofthejudicialsystemaswell.
CourtReformTalkingPoints
• Michigan’scourtsystemcostsover$1billionannuallytofund,lessthanhalfofthisisreimbursedbythestate.
• Eachyearcountycommissionersarefacedwithappropriatingfundsfortheoperationofthestate’scourtsystemwithintheircounty.
• Often,thefundingappropriatedisunacceptabletothejudgesandadisputeoveradequatefundingensues.
• TheStateCourtAdministrativeOfficewithintheMichiganSupremeCourthassomemanagerialauthorityovertheoperationsofthecourtsystem,butthefundingunit(counties)doesnot.
• MACiscommittedtoworkwithalllevelsofgovernmenttoovercometheobstaclesinhavingthestatetakeovercourtsystememployees.
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Letter froM the presIdent
DearMACmembers,
Onethingisforcertain–servingasPresidentoftheMichiganAssociationofCounties(MAC)hasmadeforanexcitingandbusyyear.Ithastrulybeenanhonorandprivilegetoservethecountiesandourstateinthiscapacity.Ihavetrulyenjoyedtheexperience,butmostimportantly,IreallyappreciatehavinghadanopportunitytogettoknowsomanyCountyCommissioners,administratorsandstafffromMichiganandacrossournation.
IwanttothankthefinestaffatMACwhoworkdiligentlytoprovidethesupportservicesandresearchthathasprovenbeneficialtoallofourcommunities.TheyhaveadvancedtheuseoftechnologytobringMACanditsconferencesintotherealmofsocialmedia.ThemembersofMACareveryfortunatetohavesuchaprofessionalandforward-thinkingstaff!
And,IwanttoexpressmyheartfeltthankstoeveryonewhosharedinthesuccessfulimplementationofmyinitiativestosupportveteransandtoencouragethecreationofYouthCouncilstoeducateandengageyoungpeopleinthegovernmentalprocess.Severalcounties,includingmyown,OaklandCounty,havehostedVeteran’sResourceFairsorestablishedVeteran’sAdvisoryCouncils.Inlinewithmyveteran’sinitiative,MAC’sVeteransTaskForceisupandrunning.Thetaskforceisamechanismforeachofustolearnmoreaboutwaysinwhichwecanallmakecertainthateveryveteranandtheirfamiliesareprovidedwiththesupportandservicesthattheysorichlydeserve,becauseoftheirsacrificeandcourage.
ServingasthePresidentofMAChasbeenauniqueandenjoyableexperience.Thankstoeveryoneforyoursupportandencouragementoverthepastyear.Ilookforwardtoseeingyouattheupcoming2012MACAnnualConference,September23-25,2012attheShantyCreekResortinBellaire,Michigan,wherecancelebrateourachievementsandworktogethertowardsevengreateraccomplishments.
“Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.” ~ThomasJefferson
Mattie Mckinney HatchettPresident, MAC Board of [email protected]
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MaC newsmaC 2012 annual ConferenCe registration now open
RegistrationfortheMichiganAssociationofCountiesAnnualConferenceisnowOPEN!
Thisyear’sAnnualConferencewillbeSeptember23-25atShantyCreekResortinBellaire,Michigan!Toregistergotoourwebsiteathttps://micounties.org/events.phpwhereyoucanregisteronlineordownloadafullregistrationpacket.Toseeafullagendaforthisyear’sconferenceclickhere.
TheMACConferenceisgoingmobile!SignuptodaytoreceivetheFREEconference
appandtextalerts.TextMACto57780orclickheretosignupnow!
IfyouhavequestionspleasecallMACat(800)258-1152.
SeeyouinSeptember!
maC 2012 annual ConferenCe on Your favorite soCial mediaNowyoucangetthelatestconferenceannouncementsandupdatesbyfollowingtheMichiganAssociationofCountiesonFacebookandTwitter.Justgotohttp://www.facebook.com/MIcountiesand‘like’ourpagetogetthelatestFacebookposts;followusonTwitterbygoingtohttps://twitter.com/micountiesandclickingthe‘follow’button.Youcanalsogetup-to-the-minuteupdatesduringtheconferenceandseewhatothercommissionersaresayingusingthe#MACconf12hashtagonTwitter.Notonsocialmedia?Don’tknowwhatahashtagis?ThinkTwitterisakindofbirdcall?ThenmakesuretoattendourMondayconferenceworkshopSocialMedia101:thebasics.
seCrets and strategies for winning grants MACisofferingsomethingnewatthe2012AnnualConference,aFREE pre-conference workshoponSundayafternoon,September23rd.ThecompetitionforgrantdollarsisgettingtoughereachyearasdemonstratedbythedwindlingnumberofsuccessfulapplicationseachyearthatareawardedtoMichigangovernmentalentities.Don’tmissthischancetoreallyhelpindevelopinganapplicationandstrategythatwillincreaseyourchancesforsuccess.
MIChIgan assoCIatIon of CoUntIesTimothy McGuire, Executive Director
Steve Currie, Deputy Director
Yvonne Dzurka, Officer of Financial and Administrative Services
Benjamin Bodkin, Director of Legislative Affairs
Deena Bosworth, Legislative Coordinator
Emily Dobson, Legislative Assistant
Kami Smith, Director of Membership Services
Shasta Mantyla-Pohl, Executive Assistant
Stephanie Ericson, Communications Coordinator
Kristina Garner, BCBSM/COBRA Coordinator
Gabriel Zawadzki, Grant Services Program Assistant
MaC board of dIreCtors
Mattie M. Hatchett, President - Oakland County
Thomas Bardwell, First Vice President - Tuscola County
Shelley Pinkelman, Second Vice President - Crawford County
Thomas Mullaney, Immediate Past President - Alpena County
Kenneth Borton, Director - Otsego County
Terry Burns, Director At-Large - Allegan County
Jon Campbell, Director - Allegan County
Michael Crawford, Director - Antrim County
Jerry Doucette, Director - Alger County
Jack Enderle, Director - Clinton County
Rosalie King, Director At-Large - Iron County
Toni Moceri, Director - Macomb County
James R. Moore, Director - Chippewa County
Joseph Palamara, Director - Wayne County
Robert Scolnik, Director At-Large - Muskegon County
Max R. Thiele, Director - Allegan County
Adam Wright, Director - Newaygo County
Doyle & Malinzak, PC, Legal Counsel
MICHIGAN COUNTIES (ISSN 0896-646) Published Monthly by: Michigan Association of Counties 935 North Washington Avenue Lansing, Michigan 48906-5137
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Thespeakersatthisworkshopwilltellyouthe“SecretsandStrategiesforWinningEPAandOtherGrants”ForthoseofyouwhoareinterestedinapplyingforEPAbrownfieldfundsthisyear,theworkshopwillassistparticipantsindetailingresponsestrategiestoThresholdandRankingCriteria,aswellasutilizingtheTABEZgrantwritingtool.
Twofree,web-basedinventorytoolswillalsobedemonstrated:
• TAB-BIT(www.tab-bit.org)developedbytheTechnicalAssistancetoBrownfieldsCommunities(TAB)programatKansasStateUniversity
• TheATSDR(AgencyforToxicSubstancesandDiseaseRegistry)Brownfields/LandReuseSiteInventorytool(http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/brownfields/tools.html).
Thesetoolscanbeusedaloneorincombinationtocharacterizesites.Thetoolscanhelpuserssavethecostsofpayingconsultantstodevelopasiteinventoryordatabaseofsites.
Wehopeyoucanattendanddon’thesitatetosharethisinformationwithotherswhomaybeinterested.Let’sdoeverythingwecantobringmorefundingbacktoMichigan!
ask the expert
Besuretocheckoutour‘AsktheExpert’featureontheMACwebsite.It’saservicethatisfreetoourmembers.
the eConomiCs of rural & small CommunitY redevelopment
ByEricP.Helzer,EDFPRegionalManageratAKTPeerless
ComparedtourbanandmoredevelopedcommunitiesacrossMichigan,ourruralandsmallcommunitiesareuniquelydisadvantagedwhenitcomestoachievingsuccessfulredevelopmentofidleorunderperformingproperties.Ingeneral,thesecommunitieslackthestaffandresourcesthatarerequiredtotackleruralredevelopmentprojectsandovercomethenumerous
hurdlesthatmakereuseofunderperformingpropertiessodifficult.Otherdisadvantagesforthesecommunitiesincludealikelysurplusofnearby,easy-to-developGreenfieldsites,developers’commonreluctancetopartnerwith“thegovernment”,limitedavailabilityofcapitalandincentives,andtherelativelysmallnumberofdeveloperswhoarecurrentlypursuingprojectsstatewide.
Tofurthercomplicatematters:in2008,Michigan—alongwiththerestofthenation—sufferedaneconomiccrisis.Thisnotonlylimitedtheabilityoflocalgovernmentstofinancepublicprojectsbutalsoreducedthevalueandavailabilityofgovernmentalincentivesthathavetraditionallyoffsethighredevelopmentcosts.
Asaresult,theenvironmentalcleanup,buildingdemolition,andsitepreparationactivitiesthatarehurdlesinanyeconomyaremorelikelythanevertoforcedevelopersawayfromruralredevelopmentprojects.Thesehurdlescreatefearanduncertaintythatbecomecostlyandtime-consuming.Sitesthenlanguish,hinderingeconomicandcommunitydevelopment.
Thegoodnews,however,isthat—eveninthesetoughtimesofsloweconomicgrowth—therearehelpfulresourcesandstrategiesthatcanbeappliedtoabandonedandunderutilizedsitessothattheydonotremainblightedorcontaminated,forgotteninplainview.
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Ask the Expert continued...
Brownfieldandtaxrevertedlandredevelopment,forexample,arepowerfultools.Tobeusedsuccessfully,theyrequiresolutions-orientedprofessionalswithhighlyspecializedskillsandexperience.Thebestapproachisdifferentineverycommunityandforeverysite.ButanexperiencedprofessionalcanuseBrownfieldandeconomicdevelopmentincentivestoresuscitatestalledprojects,drasticallyreduceliabilities,andmaketroubledsitescompetitivewith-orevenpreferableto-comparableGreenfieldsites.
Howdoyoumaximizeincentives,manageriskandcreatesuccessfulstrategiestoaddresschallengingsitesinyourcommunity?OnTuesdaySeptember25thatthe2012MACAnnualConference,joincommunityleaders,commissioners,andeconomicdevelopmentandenvironmentalexpertsforapaneldiscussiononstrategiesusedattwodistinctiveruralsites.Theworkshop“SuccessfulBrownfieldRedevelopmentinRuralCommunities:StrategiestoOvercomeEconomicChallengesinyourCommunity”willbefrom10:30AM-12:00PM.
PracticalredevelopmentcasestudieswillincludetheexampleofatroubledLeelanauCountyproperty,which,althoughlocatedwithinacommercialcorridor,hasbeenoverlookedforyears,dueinlargeparttoBrownfieldconditions.Thesitecomprisesaformerelementaryschoolandtaxforeclosedproperties.AsecondexamplesitewillbediscussedwhichisasmallvacantparcelinBranchCounty.Eventhoughthissiteissituatedonamajorcommercialcorridorandnearahighwayinterchange,severaltonsofburiedconstructiondebristodepthsof12feethasimpededredevelopmentforatleast15years.Topicsdiscussedwillincludeeconomicandredevelopmentchallenges,properenvironmentalassessment/duediligenceandcleanup,andfindingtherightfinancingtoolstoallowforredevelopment.Panelistsinclude:
• DaleSwift,ChairoftheBranchCountyBoardofCommissioners&ChairoftheBranchCountyBrownfieldRedevelopmentAuthority;
• TrudyGalla,AICP,LeelanauCountyPlanningDirector&DirectoroftheBrownfieldRedevelopmentAuthority;
• EricP.Helzer,EDFP,RegionalManager&EconomicDevelopment&IncentivesDirectoratAKTPeerless;and
• DaveVanHaaren,SeniorProjectManagerofEconomicDevelopment&IncentivesatAKTPeerless.
MaCao news
eaton CountY finding savings bY going paperless
ByJohnFuentes,EatonCountyController
Todaymorethanevercountiesarefacedwiththeneedtoadaptandimprovebusinesspracticesinordertokeeppacewiththeclichéddomorewithless.Thisrealitycomesatthetimewhenresourcesarediminishing,astaxesarestagnantorareindeclineandthedemandandexpectationfromourconstituenciescontinuetoincrease.Evenwithoutachangeindemandorexpectation,manytimesthecountymustfindawaytocontinuetoliveuptoexpectationswithfeweremployees.Timeanditseffectiveuse,hasbecomeevenmorecriticalintoday’senvironment.Theincreaseisbeingdrivenbytechnology,boththroughaccessibilityandspeed.Thepaceatwhichweinteract,oratleastareexpectedtointeract,withthepublichasaccelerated,andgovernmentmustkeeppace.Thepublic,othergovernmentalunits,themediaandanyoneintheworldcanaccessyouinstantlywithanemailmessage.Withthisinstantaccesscomestheexpectationofinstantresponsetotheinquiry.Theabilitytoadaptourbusinessprocessesandfindmoreefficientwaystocompletethefunctionsnecessarytoallowcountydepartmentstofulfilltheirmandatesiscritical.
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MaC ConferenCe GOES MOBILE!TheMACConferenceisgoingmobile!SignuptodaytoreceivetheFREEconferenceappandtextalerts.TextMACto57780orclickheretosignupnow!
InEatonCounty,onebusinesspracticeidentifiedforadaptationwasthecounty’saccountspayableprocess.Historicallyaverypaperintensiveprocess,aninvoicepassedthroughmanyhandsonitswaytobepaidasavendorcheck.Thecountyrecentlylaunchedanelectronicmethodofprocessingitsaccountspayable.Itisnolongernecessaryforpaperinvoicestotraversethehallsofthecourthouse.
Thiswasaccomplishedbyaddingamoduletoexistingscanningsoftwarethatstoresdigitalimagesofaninvoiceandnotifiestheappropriateindividualatthecorrectstageintheprocessthattheirattentionisrequired.Nowdepartmentsscanavendorinvoiceuponreceipt(manyofwhichweredoingforreferencepurposesalready)orreceiveelectronicinvoicesfromvendors,theelectronicimageisstoredonthecounty’ssecurenetwork.Individualsverifyappropriateinformation;enterdataatvariousstagesintheprocessuntilfinallytheaccountspayableclerkreceivesanemailthataninvoiceisapprovedtobeprocessedforpayment.TheWorkflowprocesswasdevelopedtomatchtheinternalcontrolsthatwerealreadyinplace,andauditrecordsofanychangesmadetoaninvoicehaveactuallyimprovedbecausetheyareloggedwithinWorkflow.
WhiletheadditionofWorkflowtotheCounty’saccountspayableprocesshasimprovedtheoverallefficiencyoftheprocess,improvementsarestillbeingevaluated.OncealloperationsareutilizingtheWorkflowprocess,plansarebeingevaluatedtointegratetheprocessdirectlyintotheCounty’sgeneralledgersystem.Thiswouldallowfortheeliminationofduplicatedataentryintheprocess.ByintegratingWorkflowintothegeneralledger,itwouldallowforthedecentralizeddataentryinWorkflowtopopulatetheCounty’saccountspayablesoftware.Internalcontrolswillbemodifiedtoensureaccuracyandreviewandvalidatethetransactions.UtilizingthiscontinuousimprovementapproachwillcontinuetoaidtheCountyinmeetingitsobligationswithimprovedefficiency.
Thischangeisinnowaypioneering,howeveritisanexampleoftheCountyadaptingitsprocessinordertoimproveefficiency,reduceitsconsumptionofpaperandrecoverpreciousminutesinemployees’workdaysinourcontinuingeffortto‘domorewithless’.TheapplicationoftheWorkflowprocessinnotlimitedtoaccountspayable,opportunitiesexistinvirtuallyeveryoperationthatcanbenefitfromtheautomationofitsroutinebusinesspractices.DepartmentsandInformationSystemshaveidentifiedhumanresources,Courts/ProsecutingAttorneyandareactivelysearchingforadditionalbusinessprocessestoimplementWorkflowtocontinuetoadaptinourever-changingenvironment.
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naCo news
outgoing larrY naake looks baCk... and ahead
ByCharlesTaylor,NACoSeniorStaffWriter
WhenJohnF.Kennedychallengedagenerationtopublicservice,LarryNaakewaslistening.Heremembersbeinginspiredbythepresident’swordswhenJFKspokeatBerkeleyintheearly’60s.Naakewasa20-year-oldstudentmajoringineconomics.
ItwasMarch23,1962,andKennedywastheuniversity’sCharterDayspeaker.“I’mconfident,”thepresidentsaid,“thatIamtalkingtothefutureleadersofthisstateandcountrywhorecognizetheirresponsibilitiestothepublicinterest,”accordingtoatranscriptofhisremarks.InNaake’scase,hewasright.
“Thatwholeadministrationgavecredibilitytopublicservice,”Naakerecalledrecentlyashelookedbackonhis26yearsatNACo,21ofthemasexecutivedirector.“Itwasanunbelievablespeech.”
Naakewillretirefromhisfull-timedutiesSept.14,butwillcontinuetobeinvolvedwiththeorganizationuntiltheendofDecember,justnotonadailybasis.
ItwasatBerkeleythatNaakedecidedonacareerinpublicservice.“AtfirstIthoughtImightliketobeanelectedofficial,”hesaid.“ThenIgotkindofinvolvedinstateassociationworkandsawit’satoughlifetobeanelectedofficial.Ihavealotofrespectforwhattheydoandthetimetheyputin.”
HisfirstjoboutofcollegewasanunpaidinternshipwiththeSacramentoCountyexecutive’soffice.“Thatsortofhookedmeoncountygovernment,”hesaid.NaakelaterenteredtheAirForceReserve;itwasearlyintheVietnamWarera.HisnextjobasapaidinternwiththeCaliforniaStateAssociationofCounties(CSAC)foreshadowedadecades-laterpositionasCSAC’sexecutivedirectorfrom1981to1991.“Wegotinvolvedinstategovernment,andwewentaroundthestatetalkingtostudentsabouttheimportanceofgettinginvolvedingovernmentandpublicservice.”
HisexperiencesatCSAChookedhimonassociationwork,becauseofitsvariety—frommanagementtolobbyingtopublicaffairs.
“It’slikerunningacompanybutit’salotmoreinteresting,you’renotjustsellingwidgetsorsomething.You’reinvolvedinthedevelopmentofpublicpolicy.”
Overfour-and-a-halfdecades,Naakehaswatchedpoliticaltidesebb,flowandturn-bothinSacramentoandinsidetheBeltway.RichardNixonwaspresidentwhenhefirstcametoNACoasalegislativerepresentativefrom1970to1974.RonaldReaganoccupiedtheWhiteHouseduringNaake’sone-yearstintasanassociatelegislativedirectorintheearly’80s.Asexecutivedirector,hespannedthefather-then-sonBushadministrations,andtheClintonandObamayears.
Helamentsthepoliticallandscape’sincreasingpolarizationanddysfunctionoverthecourseofhisyearsinWashington.“DemocratsandRepublicanscommutedbackandforthwitheachother,”Naakesaidofalesspartisantime,30or40yearsago.“Theyhadpicnicsontheweekend;theykneweachotheraspeople.Now,theydemonizeeachother.”
PhotobyJackHernandez
NACoExecutiveDirectorLarryNaakewillendhissuccessfulrunastheassociation’sCEOSept.14
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Despitethosechanges,NaakeledNACotoseveralaccomplishmentsofwhichhe’sjustifiablyproud-thoughquicktosharethecredit.Hisproudestachievement,hesaid,enabledhissuccesses:“NothingwouldhavehappenedifIhadn’tputtogetherafirst-class,first-ratestaffatNACo.Becauseifyoudon’thavetherightpeoplefortheorganization,it’shardtoaccomplishmuch.”
RunningaclosesecondwastakingNACofromthesignificantbudgetdeficitthatexistedwhenhewashiredtoareserveofmorethanitsannualoperatingbudget.CreatingNACo’sFinancialServicesCenterandFinancialServicesCorp.,anddiversifyingtheassociation’sincomebeyondmemberduesplayedamajorrole.
HeisespeciallyproudofNACo’sCountyLeadershipInstitutethatwascreatedonhiswatch.“We’vetrainedalotofyoungandnot-so-youngcountyofficialswhohavebecomeleadersinNACoandactiveintheirstateassociations,”hesaid.“Andsomehaveevengoneontootherofficesatthestateandfederallevels.”
TherearemanyotherachievementssuchasNACo’sbeingrecognizedbytheAmericanSocietyofAssociationExecutivesasoneofnineoutstandingassociationsintheUnitedStates,andmeetingtheassociation’sgoalof2,000membersbytheyear2000—thengrowingittomorethan2,400countiestodate.“Tome,it’srecognitionbyourmembersthatwe’reprovidingthemsomethingofvalue,whichiswhatourpurposeis.It’swhatit’sallabout.”
DuringNaake’stenure,NACohasachievedamorethan70percentsuccessrateonmajorlegislativevictoriesinCongressonkeycountyissues.NACo’spartnershipwithretiredSupremeCourtJusticeSandraDayO’Connor’siCivicsprogramandcreationoftheCountiesWorkonlinegamearealsoasourceofpride.
Inretirement,hewillhavenoshortageofactivitytokeephimoccupiedandfulfilledprofessionallyandpersonally.HealreadyhasseveraltripsscheduledeitheronNACo’sbehalfortobenefitotherstateassociations.
Askedwhatadvicehe’dgivehissuccessor,withwhomhe’llcontinuetoworkduringatransitionperiod,hesaid:“Runninganassociationisnotatraditionalcorporate,top-downsortofthing.You’rereallyanorchestratorandaconvenerofyourstaff,theleadership,theboardofdirectors,themembers.”
Thetimingofhisretirementseemsright,Naakesaid.“Ithinkweallhaveagutfeelingaboutwhenit’stherighttime,anditwastherighttime,Ithinkforme,andIthinktherighttimefortheassociation.”
Retirementwillgivehimmoretimetoreadthepoliticalbooksandfictionhesoenjoys;he’scurrentlyfinishingavolumeonLyndonJohnson.Heandhiswife,Joan,enjoylivetheater—locallyandinNewYorkCity.Healsoplanstokickhisexerciseroutineupanotchtodailyversushiscurrenttwotothreetimesaweekschedule.
“I’vebeengettingupandgoingtoworkeverymorningfor45-plusyears,soit’sgoingtobeachangehavingtogetupandfigureoutwhattodotoday,butI’mworkingonit,”hesaid.
LarryNaakegreetsPresidentRichardNixonafterNixonsignedGeneralRevenueSharinglegislationintolawinOctober1972.
NACo News continued...
deferred Compensation program update
ByLisaCole,Director,NACoFinancialServicesCorporation
Recentheadlinesaboutpensionfundingaroundthecountryandthecurrenteconomicclimatehighlighttheimportanceofmakingsurepersonalandretirementinvestmentsarewithafinanciallystrongcompany.
AspartofitsoversightofitsDeferredCompensationProgram,NACohiresanindependentconsultanttoevaluateseveraldifferentprogramaspects.TheseincludethecreditworthinessofNationwideFinancial,theparentcompanytotheprogramadministrator,NationwideRetirementSolutions(NRS),andthecompetitivenessofthefixedannuityinvestmentoptionreturntoprogramparticipants.
Accordingtothestudy,the2011returnonthisinvestmentoptionplacedhighestamongitscompetitors.ThereportwasreleasedatarecentmeetingofNACo’sDeferredCompensationAdvisoryCommittee,inAlleghenyCounty,PA.Thisstudyhasbeenconductedeveryyearsince1989,andtheNACoprogramhasalwayscomeoutontop.
“Our32-yearpartnershipwithNRScontinuestodeliveraqualityprogramthathelpscountyemployeessaveforamorecomfortableretirement—thisismoreimportantthaneverintoday’seconomy,”saidLarryNaake,NACoexecutivedirector.
IntheiranalysisofthecreditworthinessofNationwide,theconsultant’snotedthatNationwideFinancial’slong-termfinancialperformanceandcommitmenttothegeneralaccountannuitymarketisexcellent.Theconsultants’analysisnotesthatNationwide’sfinancialstrengthcomparesfavorablywithitspeers.AsofDec.31,2011,thereportnoted,Nationwide’sratioof“surplusplusassetvaluationreserve”to“generalaccountliabilities”was10.7percentwhichisthemedianofthecarriersinthetestuniverse.
Further,Nationwide’sactionlevelriskbasedcapital(RBC)ratio,ameasureofthefinancialflexibilityofaninsurancecompany,at585percent,wasthehighestamongcarriersinthetestuniverseandhasbeenthehighestineachofthepastfiveyears.
TheconsultantscontinuethatNationwide’sgeneralaccountassetsareinvestedinadiversifiedportfolioofbonds,mortgagesandotherinvestmentsinordertosupportthetermandriskcharacteristicsofitsgeneralaccountliabilitieswhichincludeasubstantialannuitybusiness.
TheNACodeferredcompensationprogram,alsoknownasa457program,isavoluntaryinvestmentprogramthatgivescountyemployeestheopportunitytosaveregularlyfortheirretirementonapre-taxbasis.OneoftheinvestmentoptionsavailabletoparticipantsisthefixedannuitythatofferscountyemployeestheopportunitytoearnaninvestmentreturnatafixedratethatisestablishedquarterlybyNationwide.Inaddition,onanannualbasis,Nationwidesetsaninvestmentrateminimum(orfloor)fortheyear.
Theconsultants’analysesareonlyonefeatureofNACo’sdeferredcompensationprogramthatdistinguishesitfromothers.AsaresultofNACo’sDeferredCompensationAdvisoryCommittee,theNACoprogramistheonlyoneinthecountrythatreceivesoversightandisadvisedbycountyparticipants.
ForfurtherinformationonNACo’sDeferredCompensationprogram,pleasecontactLisaColeatNACoat202.942.4270orlcole@naco.orgorNRSat877.677.3678orwww.nrsforu.com.
surveY: CountY eleCted offiCials trending more republiCan, two-thirds of loCal leadership see nation on ‘wrong traCk’ politiCallY
ByCharlesTaylor,NACoSeniorStaffWriter
ThegapbetweenRepublicansandDemocratshaswidenedsignificantlyamongtheranksofcountyelectedofficialssince2004,accordingtoNACo’s2012NationalSurveyofCountyElectedOfficials.
Fifty-twopercentofthosepolledself-identifiedasRepublicanversus31percentDemocrats.In2004and2008-bothpresidentialelectionyears-thefigureswerecloseratabout40percenteach.
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Atthesametime,respondentsoverwhelmingly(80percent)saidpartisandifferencesinWashingtonaremoreofaproblemtodaythaninthepast.However,despitecountyofficials’increasingdivisionalongpartylines,amajorityrespondedthatpartisanshipamongcountyelectedofficialsisnotaproblem.Notallelectedcountyofficialsarerequiredtodeclareapartyaffiliationtorunintheirrespectivestates,however,manypersonallyidentifywithaparty.Sixty-sixpercentofrespondentsidentifiedthemselvesasveryconservative(28percent)orconservative(38percent),while12percentsaidtheyweresomewhatorveryliberal.
Arandomsampleofabout500electedcountyleaderswasinterviewedforthetelephonesurveyJune1–18onissuessuchastheeconomy,budgetsandpolitics.ThisisNACo’sninthsuchsurvey.
“Thedatathisyearshowedthatnational-levelpartisanpoliticshavereachedthelocallevel,”saidJacquelineByers,NACo’sdirectorofresearch.“Inaddition,morecountiesthaneverbeforearestrugglingwiththeirgovernmentalstructureastheytrytoadapttotheirnewfiscalrealities.”
Thatadaptationincludesabeliefthatlocalgovernmentshouldbemoreentrepreneurial.Two-thirdsoftherespondents(66percent)saidthatgovernmentoughttoberunlikeabusiness;29percentbelievegovernment’smissionmakesittoodifferenttoberuninthatmanner.Theentrepreneurialapproach,perhapsnotsurprisingly,wasmuchmoreacceptedamongRepublicans(76percent)thanamongDemocrats(51percent),butineachcase,amajorityfavoredtheapproach.
Thisyear,67percentofrespondentssaidthenation’spoliticsandpoliciesareonthewrongtrack,while26percentsaidthingsareheadingintherightdirection.Thepercentageof“wrongtrack”respondersisatitshighestsince2008,when71percentofthosepolledsharedthatview.Responsescorrelatedwithpartyaffiliation;ofthosesayingthecountryisontherighttrack,8percentwereRepublicans,17percentindependentsand61percentDemocrats.
Countyelectedofficialsseetheeconomyandjoblessnessasthemostimportantproblemsfacingthenationtoday,withconcernsaboutthefederalgovernment’sabilitytofunctioneffectivelyclosebehind.
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Fifty-fourpercentofthosepolledthisyearreferencedtheeconomy,jobsortherecessioninresponsetoanopen-endedquestionaboutthemostimportantproblemfacingtheUnitedStatestoday.ConcernabouttheseissueswasstrongestintheSouth(61percent).Thirty-fourpercentofthoserespondingsaidfederalgovernmentineffectivenesswasthebiggestproblem.
Ascountyspendinghascontractedduringtherecessionandrecovery,officialswereaskedwhethercutstheyhavemadearepermanent;47percentbelievetheyare.Thosesurveyedalsowereaskedwhetherthesecuts“ought”tobepermanent:42percentsaid“yes,”while44percentrepliedthatthecutsoughttoberestored.
Survey HighlightViewsofthenationaleconomyarelargelyunchangedsince2009;inthemostrecentsurvey,89percentratedtheeconomyasfairorpoor.However,viewsofthelocaleconomyhavesteadilyimprovedoverthepasttwoyearswith43percentratingitexcellent(5percent)orgood(38percent).Counties’assessmentsoftheirfiscalhealthareattheirhighestsince2006.Onascaleof1to10,countyelectedofficialsratedtheirfiscalhealthat6.7onaverage.In2011,itwas6.4.
Fifty-twopercentofrespondentsbelievethatcountiesarelikelytomovetowardafee-for-servicesmodeloffinancing;while48percentfindthistobeaninappropriatemodelforfundingcountyservices.Anotheroptionforcountiestoprovideservicesisbycontractingwiththeprivatesector.Two-thirdsofcountyelectedofficials(66percent)favorcontractingwithprivatefirmstodelivercountyservices;26percentopposesuchcontracts.
Fifty-onepercentofrespondentssaidthattheyarenottooconcerned(35percent)ornotconcernedatall(16percent)abouttheircounty’sabilitytoreplacetheskillsofretiringcountyemployees.Representativesfromsmallercountiesexpressedaslightlyhigherlevelofconcernaboutreplacingskilledworkersthandidthosefromlargercounties.
Forty-onepercentofcountyelectedofficialsbelievethattheirconstituentsunderstandverylittleaboutcountygovernment,andtheygivepublicschoolspoormarks
foreducatingstudentsaboutcivicsandtheroleoflocalgovernment.
DemographicsOnthewhole,countycommissionersaregettingyounger;thisyeartheaverageageofrespondentswas60comparedto62in2011.Amongotherstatistics,the2012surveyfoundthatrespondentswere89percentwhite,7percentblack,2.4percentHispanic,1percentAsianand3percentother.Eighty-eightpercentofrespondentsweremaleand12percentfemale.
Thecountyelectedofficialsinthe2012surveyhaveworkedincountygovernment,insomecapacity,anaverageof12years.Theyhavebeenintheircurrentroleforjustover8yearsonaverage,althoughaplurality(41percent)hasservedlessthan5years.
nationwide/naCo sCholarship winner from genesee CountYOnAugust15thattheGeneseeCountyCommissionersMeeting.KenKelbeladdressedtheCommissioners,explainingthatthisisthe7thyearthatNationwidehasofferedscholarshipstohighschoolseniorswhoseparentorgrandparentparticipatesinNACo’s457DeferredCompensationProgram.Thestudentmustsubmitanessayindicatingwhyitisimportanttostartsavingearlyforretirement.Thisyear,oneofthe4winnerswasConnorCarey,whosemotherworksforGeneseeCounty.AfterKenpresentedConnorwiththecheck,theCountyCommissionerscongratulatedConnorandgavehimastandingovation.
Fromlefttoright:RobertaHarpur(NRSProgramDirector),KenKelbel(NRSRepresentative),LeoCarey,ConnorCarey,RhondaCarey,andDebTocarchick(RetirementOfficeSupervisor,GeneseeCounty)
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7th annual land bank ConferenCeHostedbytheCenterforCommunityProgress,thisconferencehasbecomeanindispensableopportunitytolearnaboutbestpractices,strategicinnovationsandevolvingadvancesinlandbankingasawaytotakecontrolofandtransformproblempropertiesintocommunityassets.
Thisyear’sconferencerunsOctober14-16andincludesanintroductiontothenutsandboltsoflandbanking,aswellasawidearrayofsessionsthatofferadvancedoperationalsupportforseasonedprofessionalsinthefield.Theprogramincludes20sessionsontimelytopicsthatrangefromredevelopmentincentivesandlandbankingwithoutenablinglegislationtoestablishingrentalprogramsandpartneringwithcommunityorganizations.Twoin-depthtrainingseminarsonlandbankingandcodeenforcementdovetailwithdailymobiletoursthatshowcaseKalamazooCountyLandBanksuccessesinbrownfieldredevelopment,mixed-usedevelopmentandgreeninginitiatives.
Plenarysessionswillfeaturetwoofthenation’sforemostexpertsinthefield--ScottBishopofStossLandscapeUrbanismandHunterMorrisonoftheNortheastOhioSustainableCommunitiesConsortium.
Theconferenceisbeingheldineasy-to-reachKalamazooforthreedaysofinformative,inspiringpresentations,brainstormingsessionsandnetworkingopportunitieswithleadinglandbankingprofessionalsfromaroundthecountry:http://goo.gl/FBCCn.
ConneCting entrepreneurial Communities ConferenCeTheconferencestartsMonday,October9inperfectlypicturesquedowntownPetoskeyandissponsoredbyMichiganStateUniversityExtension-GreeningMichiganInstitute’sSustainingCommunityProsperityWorkgroup,inpartnershipwiththeMicroenterpriseNetworkofMichigan,aCEDAMproject.Attendthisconferencetolearnabout“readinessindicators”developedbytheCenterforRuralEntrepreneurship,whichhelpscommunitiesassesstheirabilitytosupportentrepreneurialsuccess.Inaddition,learnhowtodevelopamore“entrepreneurial”mindset–onethatseesopportunity,assessesriskandtakesaction.Learnsomesimplewaystodevelopyouraptitudeandtakechargeofyourdestiny,whetheryouseeyourselfasanentrepreneurornot.
Therewillbemorethan20breakoutsessionscoveringawide-rangeoftopics,alldesignedtohelpcommunitiesbecomemoreentrepreneurialfriendly.Thebreakouteducationalsessionswillbe“embedded”invariousbusinessesdowntownPetoskey.Thatmeansthatthesesessionswillbeheldwithinactualbusinesslocations.Sessionattendeeswillseelocalentrepreneurialsuccessinactionastheylearnaboutvarioustopics,from“AccesstoCapital”to“Where’stheProfitinMicroenterprise?”,andmanyimportantissuesinbetween!Registertoday!RegistrationcourtesyofPetoskeyAreaChamberofCommerce:http://chamber.petoskey.com/.
to bYod and baCk again: the Challenge of switChing baCk to CompanY-owned deviCes ByMarkPrice,Abilita
IntroductionTherehasbeenanenormousamountoftalkinthetelecommunicationsindustryaboutbusinessesswitchingtoaBYODorBringYourOwn(mobile)Deviceenvironment.ABYODenvironmentisoneinwhichemployeesareallowedtobringtheirpersonaldevicestoworkasbusinessphones.
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Aswithanythingelse,therearebenefitstothistypeofenvironment,aswellasdrawbacks-butonethingmanybusinessesarenotaskingthemselvesbeforemakingtheswitchisthis:Whathappensifyouhavetoswitchbacktocompanyowneddevices?
Fewthingsintelecommunicationsarepermanent.Itisaconstantlychangingindustryinwhichpolicies,equipment,optionsandideasareever-evolving.Sobeforeyoumakeanymajorchanges,it’simportanttoaskwhatyouwillhavetogothroughifyouhavetogoback.
BYOD BenefitsPerhapsthebenefitofBYODthatconvincesthemostbusinessestoswitchiscostsavings.ABYODenvironmentshiftssomeofthecostsofmobiledevicestotheuser.Becausethedeviceisnotentirelyforcompanyuse,theemployeewillpayaportionofthebillandhardwarecosts.WorkersatisfactionisanothermajorbenefitofBYODpolicies.Employeesarehappytopaysomeorallofthecostsofthemobiledevicebecausetheyareabletochoosethedevicetheymostprefer.
Employeesatisfactionandcostsavingsaregreatbenefits,buttheymaynotoutweightheconcernsassociatedwithBYOD,primaryamongthembeingcontrol.Corporate-owneddevicepoliciesallowtheITdepartmenttoexerciseasignificantamountofcontroloverthemobileenvironment.Withacorporate-ownedpolicy,acceptableusepoliciesareunderthecompletecontroloftheITdepartmentbutwhenitcomestotellinganemployeewhattheycanandcan’tdoontheirownmobiledevice,thingsgettricky.Furthermore,whenanemployeeleavesthecompanyoristerminated,itcanbedifficulttosegregateandretrievecorporatedatafromtheemployee’spersonaldevice.Inaddition,insomecasesaBYODenvironmentcanactuallybemoreexpensive.Dependingonhowmuchacompanyreimbursestheiremployees,theycouldbereimbursingthemmorethantheywouldbepayingwiththevolume-discountratetheycouldgetwithacorporatepolicy.Expensereports,timespentonreimbursementsandtimespentonsecuritycomplianceforeachindividualphonealsocostsmoney.Asaresult,dependingonpoliciesandthenumberofdifferenttypesofdevices,aBYODenvironmentmightnotactuallybecheaperthanacorporate-ownedpolicy.Forexample,IBM’s
chiefinformationofficerJeanetteHoransaysthathercompany’suseofaBYODpolicyisn’tsavingthemmoneyandhas,infact,creatednewchallenges.ComplianceCompliancemandatessuchasGLBA,PCIDSSandHIPAAcanalsocausedifficultieswithaBYODenvironment.Thesemandateshavecertainrequirementsdesignedtosafeguardspecificdata.TakeahospitalthathasadoptedaBYODpolicyinordertosavemoney.TheymustfollowHIPAAguidelinesregardlessofwhoownsthephoneinordertoprotectpatientinformation.Inthissituation,ITdepartmentsmustcontrolcompanydataorrisksevererepercussionsthatcould,effectively,putanendtothebusiness.Now,whathappensiftheITdepartmentofourhypotheticalhospitalreceiveswordthattheywillbeswitchingbacktoacorporate-ownedmobiledevicepolicy?Thereareamultitudeofreasonswhythisdecisioncouldbemade,fromaclosecallwithadatabreachtoachangeinmanagement.Whateverthereason,thedecisiontoswitchbackmeansasignificantamountofworkandadjustment.
Adopting BYODBecausetelecommunicationsareconstantlychanging,thebestapproachistoviewitascyclicalandacknowledge,beforemakingchangesthatyoumayhavetoswitchback.Considerwhatmakingtheswitchfromcorporate-ownedtoBYODwillinvolve:
• Phones:Whatwillhappentoallthecorporate-ownedphones?WhatphonesareacceptableintheBYODenvironment?(Remember,justbecauseyouhaveaBYODpolicy,thatdoesn’tmeanyouhavetoallowanydevice.)Youshouldalsoconsiderthecost,measuredinemployeemanhours,ofmovinginformationovertotheotherdevice,includingimportingcontacts,calendars,corporatedata,etc.
• Numbers:Willemployeeshavetoswitchnumbersorwilltheclienthavetoremembernewnumbers?Whoownsthenumber,theemployeeorthecompany?(Thisisimportantifanemployeeleavesoryouhavetoswitchbacktoacorporate-owneddevicepolicy.)
• Policies:Acompletereworkofpolicieswillprobablybenecessaryinordertoaccommodateemployee-owneddevices.Newpolicieswillhavetotakeintoaccountwhatwillhappenifanemployeeleavesthecompanyforanyreason,whatmobile
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useisacceptableandunacceptable,whatwillhappenifthephoneislostorstolen,etc.Essentially,itwillcovereverythingcurrentlycovered…butwithatwist.
• Cost:TherearepotentialcostbenefitsfromswitchingtoaBYODenvironment,butitisimperativethateachindividualbusinessdoesacostanalysisinordertoensurethatthisistrulythecasefortheirenvironment.
Reversing BYOD AdoptionNowconsiderwhatmakingtheswitchfromBYODbacktocorporate-ownedwillinvolve:
• Phones:IfithasbeenasignificantamountoftimesinceswitchingtoBYOD,theolddevices(ifyoustillhavethem)willprobablybeoutdated.Younowhaveanupfrontcostofhardware.Inaddition,informationwillagainhavetobemovedtoanotherdevice.
• Numbers:IftheemployeeownedtheirnumberundertheBYODpolicy,eachemployeewillhavetogetanewnumber.Thiswilltakeaconsiderableamountofadjustmentforthebusinessaswellasitscustomers.
• Policies:Again,policieswillhavetoberewritten,whichtakestimeandincreasesheadachesforallinvolvedbecauseoftheadjustment.Itisnotalwaysassimpleasswitchingbacktotheoldpolicies,astheymaybeasoutdatedastheoldequipment.
• Cost:WhileBYODcansaveabusinessmoney,thisisnotalwaysthecase.Considerifacorporatepolicyisactuallymorecost-effective.Evenifitisn’t,evaluateexactlyhowlongitwouldtakeforthesavingsofaBYODpolicytooffsetthecostsofswitchingback.
ConclusionForsomebusinesses,aBYODenvironmentisperfect.Forothers,acorporate-ownedpolicyisthewaytogo.Sometimestheswitchbackisunavoidable,suchaswhenaBYODpolicyisalreadyinplacebutnewmanagementinsistsonacorporate-ownedpolicy.Inthatsituation,thebestyoucandoisensurethesmoothestandmostsecuretransitionaspossible.However,forbusinesseslookingtoincorporateaBYODpolicybecauseofthecurrentbuzz,carefullyconsiderwhatthechangemeans.Remember,itisn’tjustamatterofswitching,itmaybeamatterofswitchingbackinthefuture.Theimportantthingistomakeaninformeddecisionthattakesintoaccountnotjusttheimmediatebenefits,butthecostsofchangingyourmindinthefuture,forwhateverreason.
Additionalreading:
• http://goo.gl/gf2ja
• http://goo.gl/isEU7
• http://goo.gl/4xlbG
michigan association of countiespolitical action committee935 n. Washington avenue | Lansing, mi 48906 | toll free: 800.258.1152
make a personal contribution at www.micounties.org or send a check payable to mac-Pac attn: steve currie
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