Opportunity Missed To Reduce Costs to Taxpayers

Hi All,
The Township Board of Trustees at their Dec. 12 meeting voted to exempt the township from the financial provisions of the MI state government newly signed  ACT 152.  The Township Board did not present any figures to the public stating the potential benefit of Act 152 to the taxpayer.  How much money could have been saved?  The figures were never discussed at the meeting.  Unbelievable.

"AN ACT to limit a public employer’s expenditures for employee medical benefit plans; to provide the power and duties of certain state agencies and officials; to provide for exceptions; and to provide for sanctions."

Job Application Materials Reveal Some Costs to Taxpayers for Employee Benefits

FYI:  The Township is currently taking applications for MORE firefighter/paramedic.  This is where this information was found.  From application materials:




No Salary Figures or Complete Contracts for Examination

Without the salary figures and the complete contracts and the other contracts that may exist for other employee groups, a complete analysis of costs is not possible. The Township leadership had this information and could have presented the facts.  As taxpayers, I believe all that information should be readily available online.  If the Township can tell potential employees the contract details online, they certainly can tell the taxpaying public.  What are the salaries so the dollar figure of the percentages can be calculated?
  

Bottom Line:  We Need Elected Officials and Trustees That Look After the Taxpayers Best Interests


It is the elected officials' job to provide services at reasonable costs.  I'm not so sure that is true in Bloomfield Township. An incredible amount of money seems to be given to the employees as benefits.  The Township even pays employee tuition bills for college since March 22, 2004. There seems to be enough vehicles for most to use and some employees have township credit cards.  How is all that listed in the budget for taxpayer review?  Why are we on a four day work week? The four day work week serves the employees interests, not the taxpayers.  Who gets hired?  Posting of job openings seem to be found more by existing employees, their family members and friends than the general public.  There are line items in the budget that on close examination could reveal many areas to reduce personnel costs. Why isn't it done?  The taxpayer needs relief.  The taxpayer needs FACTS.


The costs for personnel is about 80% of the budget. When Township officials FAIL to discuss the agenda items, especially those concerning contracts, finances and the budget in detail at the public meetings, I wonder, what are they hiding? Show me the facts and the numbers?

Ready for Change in November 2012

Personally, I'm ready for a change in leadership.  All 7 positions are expiring. Don't count on the Township to tell you how and when you can apply for those jobs.  So I will.   The deadline to submit applications for Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and 4 Trustees positions that expire in Nov. 2012........IS EARLY MAY 2012....for the PRIMARY vote in AUGUST 2012.  Get an application.  There are people who will support a change in leadership.  I'll help connect you with people looking to support qualified people to get the needed change in leadership in Bloomfield Township.  You will need to get signatures ....start now.