Genesee County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Genesee County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Police Chief Retirement
Flint Police Chief Terence Green is stepping down, which means the city has to go find a new top cop. That transition matters because public safety leadership shapes how the department operates and how safe residents actually feel in their neighborhoods.
Flint mayoral election
Flint is getting a new mayor: Tonya Burns won the race, so Michigan’s seventh-largest city will see new leadership and likely new priorities. The source doesn’t detail specific policy or budget changes yet, but a mayoral switch can reshape City Hall’s focus.
Former McDonald Dairy Site sale
Two Flint residents and Commissioner Loyd raised opposition to a recycling center on the former McDonald Dairy site near the cultural center, an elementary school and the Flint River. Loyd asked staff to plan a public forum before the board decides.
Accommodations tax review
The committee reviewed the county's accommodations tax — the levy paid on hotel and motel stays. This was a review only; any changes would come back before the body later.
Large-scale recreational facilities exploration
Committee members discussed whether pursuing big recreational facilities — the kind that could draw tournaments and visitors — should be a county focus area. It's early-stage exploration with no commitment or funding decided.
Crime victim services funding
Two state grants — $407,096 for crime victim services and $294,378 to renew the STOP Violence Against Women grant — were advanced. They fund services for victims of crime and domestic violence.
Genesee County Legacy Trails design and engineering
Over $1 million in Mott Foundation grants will build Phase One of the Fenton Road non-motorized trail and fund trails staff, a website, and marketing.
Hurley Medical Center case management services
The Health Department's contract with Hurley Medical Center for case management and care coordination would get a funding boost of up to $25,000 per year through March 2029.
Property tax foreclosure outreach and HOPE exemption
Housing is a yellow priority with little progress. Commissioner Shumaker urged rehabbing existing homes instead of demolition; Brown said the land bank is changing leadership and needs a strategy.
Community Corrections grant funding
The county was considering a $621,217 Michigan Department of Corrections grant to fund community corrections programs and services for fiscal year 2027. These programs typically support alternatives to jail and reentry services.
AJFO 2027 Biennial Conference sponsorship
The Sheriff's Office sought $30,000 in accommodations tax funds to be the Presenting Sponsor of the AJFO 2027 Biennial Conference. What the committee decided is not known because no minutes or transcript were provided.
Michigan Tax Tribunal cases
Pending tax appeal cases were discussed — these can affect how much property tax revenue the county collects.
Crossroads Village security contract
The county was set to consider spending up to $158,000 to keep unarmed security officers at Crossroads Village for another year. It covers January 2027 through January 2028 and is already budgeted.
General Election Results
Genesee County just wrapped its 2026 general election, and the results are in — new faces (and some familiar ones) are taking over local leadership. If you live, work, or pay taxes here, these are the people who'll decide everything from roads to public safety budgets.
Hiring of third-party labor counsel for alleged wrongdoing inquiry
Commissioners sparred at the end of the meeting over hiring an outside labor attorney to look into an alleged wrongdoing matter, with some members wanting the scope of the investigation defined first. The motion failed, so the county has not retained outside counsel on this issue.