Hackel Recommends 2021-FY Budget In Macomb County

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel has prepared a 2021 budget for the county totaling over $856 million, his office announced Wednesday. The budget now goes to the county board of commissioners for review and final approval.

Hackel's office said the budget prioritizes public health and public safety by redesigning county services to better align with the changing social conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Virtually every County department, agency, and elected official contributed to the cost containment measures that were needed to balance this budget,” Hackel said. “In addition, we pursued every available dollar of federal and state resources to help shore up our current operations, provide assistance to our local businesses, protect jobs, and make our schools safer.”

The county also made major investments in technology to allow the public to access county services remotely, county officials said.

The proposed financial plan details all revenues and expenditures of the county’s operations and includes a three-year financial projection. Although no layoffs are expected, officials said more than 60 currently vacant positions were not funded for 2021. Macomb County is looking to take advantage of historically low interest rates to refinance existing bond issues.

“We have developed a financially sound budget that exceeds all our statutory requirements, and allows us to invest in our future,” Macomb County Finance Director Stephen Smigiel said. “We will continue to manage our resources to meet the challenges that COVID presents, and we will continue to incorporate efficiencies wherever possible.”

The county's finance department has previewed the proposed budget with commissioner Veronica Klinefelt, who chairs the board’s finance, audit and budget committee.

“I am pleased to see that the budget remains balanced in spite of the financial challenges we faced this year,” Klinefelt said.

The 2021 recommended budget can be viewed here.