Revenue Sharing

All of you have heard the complaints from Townships, Cities, and Counties about the declining “revenue sharing” dollars from the state. More than 20 years ago Proposition 2 lowered property taxes and raised sales taxes. Part of this citizen approved tax shift created a formula whereby the state would collect the sales tax and pass on a specified portion to local governments. Unfortunately during the last 20 years—partly because of term limits and partly because of lapsed memories—the legislature and governor have forgotten the part of the ballot language that said a certain specified amount of the increased sales tax was to go back to local governments. The state elected officials figure that money is theirs for use in balancing the state budgets. Gradually the state has “stolen” the amount of funds designated for local governments, and used that money to balance state budgets— while leaving local governments to fend for themselves. As you have undoubtedly heard from local elected officials this results in either decreased local service, or a position of having to go to the local voters for more revenue to cover needed services. The next time you talk with your state legislators tell them to keep their hands off the share of sales tax meant for local governments.

Issue of this Month—Service for Veterans in our County

I was pleased to be nominated to the first Kent County Veteran’s Advisory Committee when this department was established in 2008. I was honored to serve as its first chair. We continue to meet to plan the continued improvement in the service functions. One thing we have realized is that our county is not providing sufficient funds to meet the need. Unfortunately, this pressure to help county veterans comes at the same time the state is cutting funds for veterans services. We have begun to discuss the possibility of finding other sources of funds to help serve the needs of low income and homeless veterans. One possibility is to ask the County Commission to levy a small increase in its Headley Act allowable millage. Essentially it would be possible to levy the difference between what the county currently levies, and the upper limit allowed by Headley—approximately .007 mills. Our committee will be taking that issue up in the next couple of meetings. One factor that will be a major consideration is the amount of revenue sharing we will end up receiving from the state. If we are cut by the estimated $4 million revenue sharing recommended by the Governor, we will be hard pressed to add any additional funding requests to our county budget.

Issue of this Month — Public Transit Millage ballot proposal of May 3

When I was a City Commissioner some years ago I was privileged to serve on the Rapid Transit Board. It was during my service on that Board that a decision was made to create an Authority of the six major cities within the county to fund and operate a public transit system. I am no longer on that Board, but have followed the successes and challenges of the transit system in my service as a County Commissioner. Since its creation, the Authority has successfully had the citizens of the six cities approve millage proposals that operate a fairly comprehensive system of public transit services in the area. Some of the outlying townships, the Grand Rapids Public School system and Grand Valley University purchase services from the Authority for some of their public transit needs. This cooperative arrangement is a plus for all parties. While our area’s public transit is not perfect, I have come to conclude it is one of the most efficient public transit systems in the state, and does a good job of responding to the needs of our population who do not have the means or income to own a car, or need to have an alternative method to get around the community. The Rapid is now asking voters to renew their present millage of 1.14 mills, plus add another .35 mill to expand services and to add a new line that would carry passengers from south Division to the Medical Mile much faster than normal, and allow certain passengers streamline service. It is likely this issue will get more press during the next two months. I would welcome your feedback and thoughts about the upcoming millage question. Should it be voted in or out? Please share your views.

JANUARY 2011 NEWSLETTER

COUNTY COMMISSIONER HAROLD MAST
DISTRICT 12 (WYOMING AND KENTWOOD)

Welcome to this first edition of the Mast County Commission Monthly Newsletter. .

Post Election Activities:

Since the November election I have been involved with several community activities consistent with my campaign platform of jobs, efficiency, and collaboration:

• Participated in the future development forums of 52nd Street sponsored by the Kentwood Planning Department and Lighthouse Communities.

• Accepted appointment to become a member of the Board of the Senior Meals Program, Inc.

• Decided to continue my membership on the Kentwood Board of Review.

• Heard a presentation about the planning efforts to rejuvenate 28th Street Business District at a Wyoming City Council meeting in early December.

• Renewed my membership in the Wyoming/Kentwood Chamber of Commerce and my active role in the Government Affairs Committee of the Chamber.


January activities that I have been involved with:

My first official meeting as a Commissioner was January 4. Several organizational decisions were made:

• Commissioners Sandi Parrish was re-elected Chair and Ted Vonk was elected Vice-Chair of the Commission.

• I was appointed to the Legislative and Human Resources sub-committee of the Board.

• I was appointed to the Network 180 Board and the Veteran’s Affairs Advisory Committee.

• I was also appointed to the Board Standing Rules Committee.


The Board of Commissioners Finance Committee adopted a “buy local” policy that stipulates purchase of goods and services will be based on local ownership vs local dealership presence of providers.

The Veteran’s Affairs Department has filed over 150 claims for benefits since this past June, and has brought over $1 million in added spending to our county businesses.

The Kelloggsville Community Coalition and the Division Avenue Business Association met the week of January 10. The Urban League breakfast on January 17 honored retiring legislators—including Congressman Vern Ehlers.

The County Parks Department is working towards hosting a world class professional water skiing event at Millennium Park this July.

Campaign progress

I'm pleased with the response from people I meet going door-to-door.  I am concentrating on that aspect of my campaign more now, and will follow that up with volunteers as the final weeks before the election happen.  I have a meeting with the District 12 precinct delegates tommorow morning to assess their willingness to help with volunteer recruitment and getting involved with get-out-the vote work.  I will be doing some additional fund-raising work the next couple of weeks.  I am planning a breakfast for absentee voters for the last week of September.   

Donating my county pension

In my campaign for election as county commissioner for District 12, I propose to help the county accomplish three goals: (1) create an environment for jobs, (2) provide services more efficiently, and (3) develop new collaborative efforts. As I talk with people during my campaign in the District 12 community, I am struck by the need for immediate attention to accomplish these goals. I realize as a current county commission retiree with a $400/mo county pension, I can do something now to bring attention to these needs. If I am elected I do not want to have two county paychecks. Accordingly, I have decided to begin a practice of donating my county pension to organizations that illustrate my election goals.


I recently made donations of $200 each to the Wyoming and Kentwood Economic Development Corporations to enhance their job creation capabilities. I plan to make continued $400 cash contributions each month for the remainder of this year. I will announce the recipients on my blog and web narratives. If elected, I will make this an automatic bank withdrawal to selected needy organizations for the next two years.

Collaboration Work

I attended the Wyoming City Council with two representatives of the Kelloggsville Public School district tonight.  I arranged to have the K school representatives on the agenda.  They were able to present the initiative begun by the Kelloggsville school to connect more with the community.  This is called the Kelloggsville Community Coalition.  I am pleased to be part of this neighborhood group.  We will be in front of the Kentwood City Commission tomorrow night.  I will participate in their National Night Out party on August 3.