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.
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.
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.
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.
Michigan Tax Tribunal cases
Pending tax appeal cases were discussed — these can affect how much property tax revenue the county collects.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Otisville wastewater treatment plant ARPA contract
A last-minute addition: the county is extending its ARPA-funded contract with Genesee County Water and Waste Services for the Otisville wastewater treatment plant.
Prosecutor's office staffing restructure
The Prosecutor wants to trade a secretary position for a paralegal, reshuffling legal support staff. The full board will make the final call.
Deputy CFO pay increase
The county's second-in-command for finance gets a 10% raise, backdated to mid-September, for doing the vacant CFO's job on top of their own.
Mt. Morris Township CDBG contract extension and fund transfer
The county is working out an agreement with Mt. Morris Township to extend a CDBG contract and shift federal grant money between eligible activities. The committee referred the resolution for more review rather than approving it, so nothing is finalized yet.
county newsletter and IT modernization
Genesee County just put out its October 2026 Commissioner newsletter, and the headline item is IT modernization — the county says it's upgrading its tech to serve residents better. That's roughly all the detail included, but it's a quick skim if you want to know what your county government is currently focused on.
Road Commission structure and funding
With Chris Gehringer leaving in August, the board debated whether to publicly interview Road Commission candidates — a seat that's politically hot. No process change was adopted yet.
Recognition resolutions and DEI commission process
The board split 6-3 on recognizing the National Day of Racial Healing, with three members questioning whether the resolution is the county's job. The MLK Day portion passed unanimously after the two were separated.
Medical Examiner's Office services
Contracts for body removal, death scene investigators, and autopsy histology keep the county's death investigation system running. The histology item with Hurley drew a single no vote.
Veterans services and transportation
A state grant of $163,665 would fund veteran transportation, plus $10,000 for the Veterans Bell Memorial and $110,000 for Vets to Wellness rides through MTA.
Janitorial Contract Cost Increase
The county's janitorial contract would rise to $819,000, adding $192,760 to the general fund next year. Two commissioners voted no, flagging the higher cost.
Jail education and reentry programs
Grant-funded culinary ovens, IGNITE game tables, and a $50,000 Motherly Intercession agreement supporting kids and families of people in jail all advanced. These programs help people leaving jail get jobs and families stay stable.
General Fund cost of District Court IT position
A grant meant to pay for an IT position fell through, so the committee was asked to cover half the cost — $55,049.67 — from the general fund. The committee split 4-4 and said no, leaving the position's future funding unresolved.
Search for new Chief Financial Officer
The county will pay a search firm, Hiring Solutions, to find a new CFO — a key hire for whoever runs the county's finances next.
Huckleberry Railroad Locomotive Repair
The county plans to spend up to $146,327 repairing the boiler of historic Locomotive 464 at Crossroads Village — keeping a beloved attraction running.
Drain Commissioner borrowing $1.75 million
The Drain Commissioner wants to borrow $1,753,000 over three years to cover drain expenses — debt that ultimately ties back to drainage ratepayers.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance expansion
An extra $45,000 in grant money goes to rental help for tenants through September 2027.
Land Bank property acquisitions
$600,000 lets the Land Bank buy and hold properties for neighborhood stabilization and rehab-resale programs.
School district food service contracts
Nine local school districts would get county-run food service under contracts for the 2026-2027 school year, from Bendle at $36,684 up to Clio and Kearsley at about $117,297 each.
Public Health Mobile Services
Genesee County’s COMPASS mobile health unit is coming to Flint on Sept. 10 with free cancer screenings and prevention info. If you’ve been putting off a checkup, this is a low-stakes way to get checked without the usual cost or hassle.
Parking Ramp Closure
Downtown Flint’s Riverfront Parking Ramp is closed for now, so if you use it near Beach and Kearsley you’ll need another place to park. There’s no reopening date yet, which means daily routines could stay disrupted indefinitely.
County Programs and Investments
Genesee County commissioners are putting a spotlight on how your tax dollars are being spent, from everyday local services to new partnerships. It’s a quick way to see what county government is actually doing for residents. If you’ve ever wondered where your money goes, this is worth a look.
DDA parking garage dispute
Flewelling and Loyd flagged ongoing problems with the DDA parking garage — the county keeps paying full freight despite unfulfilled promises — and an engineering review is being sought.
Disability pride resolution push
Two speakers asked the board to revive a disability pride resolution that failed by one vote earlier this year, arguing recognition means belonging beyond ADA legal protections.
Jail and courthouse masonry repairs
The board approved a $6.4 million contract with Spartan Construction Group to fix masonry on the jail and circuit courthouse, paid from capital improvement funds.
Compass mobile health unit rollout
The county's new 38-foot mobile health unit is taking community requests and will prioritize the county's eleven highest-vulnerability ZIP codes; commissioners will help connect townships and cities.
Jail truck simulator purchase dispute
A vendor price jump forced an $11,000 increase on the Dell computer order, and Commissioner Shumaker pulled seven Chevy Traverses from the vehicle purchase, questioning dealership add-ons and pushing pickup-truck alternatives.
Federal Grant Recognition
Genesee County’s planning department got a HUD shoutout for spending federal community development money on time. That’s not just a gold star—late spending can put grant dollars at risk, and this cash backs local housing and infrastructure. So the upside is steadier funding for neighborhood projects.
FY2027 county budget
A first look at next year's ~$129 million general fund budget shows spending down from this year, with 53% going to public safety. Final adoption is expected in August.
Public Health Heat Relief
Genesee County has cooling centers open during the heat wave, giving people a free place to cool off if their AC isn’t cutting it. If you or someone you know is overheating at home, it’s worth knowing where to go.
County Health Department Accreditation
Genesee County’s health department just earned official state accreditation, meaning it’s been checked against statewide standards for services like vaccines and emergency prep. Translation: the public health basics you rely on are meeting the state’s baseline.
Biometric monitoring for jail inmates
The county is buying 50 OverWatch wristbands that monitor jail inmates' vitals in real time, aimed at catching overdoses, suicides, and medical crises in a jail where up to 10% of inmates are in opioid withdrawal. It's contingent on IT and Corporation Counsel review.
Public Health Mobile Unit Launch
Genesee County is launching COMPASS, a 38-foot mobile health unit, debuting at a free health fair in downtown Flint on June 10. It’s aimed at people who have trouble getting to a clinic by bringing services closer to them.
County Emergency Blood Program
Genesee County now lets ambulances carry and transfuse whole blood at the scene, and officials say it may have already saved a life. If you’re ever in a severe crash or trauma situation, this county-funded upgrade could buy crucial minutes before you reach a hospital.
county resolution recognizing Juneteenth
Pride Month, Juneteenth, and heritage month resolutions triggered an hour-plus debate over religion, DEI, and which groups get recognized — including complaints that a law enforcement appreciation resolution never came back. A motion to cut off debate failed, and Pride Month still passed 5-3.