County Leadership Has Responsibilities, Not Privileges

by Robert Zimmerman

We ask leadership to do only one thing…… Lead. Actions, and inaction, always speak so much louder than words. Leadership sets the tone for the organization, whether it wants to or not!

Failure to understand this concept by so many in County government shocks our conscience. Investigative reporting by The Ann Arbor Independent and MLive of high-level administrators and elected officials’ exceptionally robust taxpayer-funded travel junkets appall us. Headlines of $137k in county credit card indulgence resonate loudly. The egregious expenditures and by whom don’t need to be detailed here as the lack of checks and balances by the overlords are so rank. They reek of privileged entitlement with their complicity by enabling such looting of taxpayer funds.

These abuses are so insulting to us voters and taxpayers. These elected and appointed officials treat us and public money as mere game pieces in their pursuit of self-importance. 

Failures don’t rest at the first fox caught invading the henhouse. Eggs must be hypothetically thrown at those who hire, supervise, mentor, set policy and “lead” our County government. Reporting discloses a wide-open policy weakness inviting abuse: department heads do not need to secure prior approval for travel.

We pay our taxes to improve Washtenaw County. If Washtenaw County is better off when our public servants are travelling elsewhere, do we really need them on payroll here?

We need several parties to step up to the plate, or perhaps even pull a few plates away from the perpetual party. Fiduciary responsibilities must apply!

Our County Administrator’s duty is day-to-day operational oversight of county government, equivalent to its Chief Executive Officer. If he is not on top of the activities of and costs incurred by his management team, who is? Travel and entertainment policies are not new concepts, but perhaps recurring substantive reviews for weaknesses are. Although a recent Commissioners’ meeting refers to a “small change in policy,” details were not provided in the public copy or in discussion. Will the public have a chance to see the full policy? At least one neighboring county provides this basic act of transparency.

Our Board of Commissioners set terms of employment with the County Administrator. If the Board does not insist on appropriate oversight of the Administrator and County operations, who will?

Our County Treasurer’s job description cites the responsibilities for safeguarding of assets. If our taxpayer funded cash isn’t considered an asset worth safeguarding, what is?

Travel and Entertainment policies are historically among the most abused. Budgets demonstrate organizational priorities. Money can only be spent once. Moreover, insufficient oversight leads to internal organizational distrust and with the public. It’s way too tempting for corruption to spread when leadership places itself first. Opportunities for others to “get theirs” will abound. Adherence to IRS rules and regulations is crucial as improper travel and entertainment expenses can be considered taxable income.

The 2024 election must be our push back to permanently voice our displeasure with “public servants” who take us for granted. Otherwise, we are condoning this pattern of misbehavior and will see it more and more again. Our ballots could have up to seven millages as both renewals and new taxes. So many of our residents risk being “priced out” of Washtenaw County with its high taxes and housing costs. All nine Board of Commissioner seats and five countywide offices will also be on the ballot for four-year terms. It is our time. 

If we like this status quo, we can keep it. Otherwise, let’s change the people we elect.

Rob Zimmerman is a candidate for Washtenaw County Treasurer. A resident of Washtenaw County for over 30 years, he resides with his family in Pittsfield Township. He holds a CPA certificate and an MBA in Finance from Northwestern University. His professional experience includes over 35 years of financial management. Notable roles and responsibilities included CFO, Director-Finance, Division Controller, along with public accounting experience in a “Big Four” CPA firm and internal audit management for two Fortune 200 companies.