Macomb County issued the following announcement on Oct. 1.
For the eleventh consecutive year, Macomb County’s Finance Team has prepared a structurally balanced County budget for 2022. The County’s proposed 2022 budget totals $1.057 billion, the first time in County history that the budget has exceeded $1 billion. Priorities include enhancing public health and public safety, mental health services, community action programs, road construction and maintenance, investments in capital infrastructure and redesigning County services to better align with the changing social conditions caused by COVID-19. The budget now goes to the Board of Commissioners for review and final approval.
“The County’s sound budgetary practices have put us in an exceptional financial position,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “Our department leaders, countywide electeds and employees have helped create an efficient and economical spending plan that expands service networks, exceeds all regulatory obligations and adds to our fund balance.”
The proposed financial plan details all revenues and expenditures of the County’s operations and includes a three-year financial projection. Favorable economic conditions and sound financial practices have enabled the administration to recommend the addition of 78 positions to the 2022 budget, over half of which are funded by grants or other sources. Notable additions include 21 positions in the Public Defender’s Office, 10 in the Prosecutor’s Office, 7.5 in the County Clerk’s office, 7 in the courts and 6 in the Health Department.
“It is our top priority to develop a financially sound budget that exceeds all statutory requirements,” said Macomb County Finance Director Stephen Smigiel. “We’ve again achieved that goal, which will allow us to strategically invest in our future, efficiently manage our resources and respond to whatever challenges arise over the next year.”
The County’s financial best-practices and history of balanced budgets has allowed Macomb to preserve its fund balances and maintain its highly coveted AA+ bond rating.
Original source can be found here.