Title
Resolution to Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County for Planning and Reporting of County Authorized Millages
Memorandum
On May 1, 2024, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution that established expectations regarding the planning and reporting of organizations that are responsible for administering Washtenaw County authorized millage funds and directed County Administration to pursue Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with each organization regarding those expectations.
The City of Ann Arbor receives an allocation of funding from the Washtenaw County Roads and Non-Motorized Millage (Approx $1,852,000.00 annually)(the “Road Millage”) and the Mental Health and Public Safety Millage (Approx. $3,200,000.00 annually) (the “Mental Health and Public Safety Millage”). The Road Millage funds are used to supplement the City’s own road millage, used to resurface and reconstruct city streets. The County Mental Health and Public Safety Millage rebate funds are allocated based on City Council adopted resolution, #R-24-396. The funding is allocated as follows:
• 40% to support/create an Unarmed Response Program
• 40% to fund supportive services for residents of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission properties
• 20% to improved bicycle and pedestrian safety
The MOU intends to increase accountability and transparency related to the levied millage revenue by requiring the City to prepare and publish a four-year plan for use of the Road Millage revenue and a 1-year plan for the Mental Health and Public Safety Millage revenue, as well as an annual report for each levy. In addition, any projects funded by the Road Millage requires that signage be posted identify the project as millage funded. The MOU will apply to any additional millages that are remitted to the City from the County in the future as well.
Staff
Prepared by: Marti Praschan, Chief Financial Officer
Reviewed by: Michelle Landis, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor receives an annual allocation of the Washtenaw County Roads and Non-Motorized Millage and the Mental Health and Public Safety Millage;
Whereas, On May 1, 2024, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution that established expectations regarding the planning and reporting of those millages; and
Whereas, The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners directed that County Administration pursue a Memorandum of Understanding with the recipients of those millage funds;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County requiring planning and budgeting reporting of County millage funds distributed to the City;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the Memorandum of Understanding after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take any necessary action to implement this resolution.