2008-2009 County Operating Budget Approved Unanimously – Balanced and On Time

Oakland County Commissioners unanimously approved a balanced 2008-2009 Oakland County Operating Budget at their meeting Thursday, September 20th, 2007.  The $775-million budget keeps spending at current levels (no increases, no cuts).  No new programs will be funded, and no new employees added.  No employees will lose their jobs.  No services will be cut.  And no new taxes will be levied.

Cost-saving measures in the budget include:

• Using a visiting judge instead of installing a permanent judge to handle case overloads in the County’s Family Court System;
• Helping relieve jail overcrowding by expanding the current tether program instead of building a new jail or adding on to the current one.
• Raising certain Court fees to be paid by those who use the County Courts;
• Cutting back raises for county employees to just one percent…about a third less than this year’s inflation rate.

Of the total budget amount, $419 million will be used for General Fund/General Purpose expenses.