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.
City Council Election Results
Flint’s City Council is getting a major shake-up after the Nov. 3 election. New members could mean different priorities on the city budget and public safety—stuff that affects daily life and local services.
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.
Metropolitan Planning Commission Public Participation Plan
A batch of MDOT, MTA, and GLS agreements covers transit planning, rideshare, and air quality awareness — mostly pass-through grant funding.
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.
Opioid Settlement Funds RFP
A cluster of items committed opioid settlement money to staffing — a specialty courts agreement with the 7th Circuit Court ($148,717), the Sheriff's residential substance abuse treatment program ($92,501.51), and continued funding for a Deputy Director and Grant Coordinator. All moved to the full Board.
Mental health priorities and focus areas
The committee discussed mental health as one of its focus areas. What comes of it could shape how the county directs human services attention and resources.
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.
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.
Community Services Block Grant funding
Two federal block grants totaling up to roughly $1.9 million would fund community services across the county for 2026–2027.
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.
Personal Recording Device Policy
A new county policy governing personal recording devices was up for approval. It would set rules on when and how employees may use recording devices.
Jail MAT/MOUD addiction treatment grant
A $338,154 Michigan State Police grant would fund medication-assisted treatment at the Genesee County Jail, with an $88,154 match already budgeted. This affects addiction treatment available to people booked into the county jail.
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.
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.
GIS data sharing and open data pricing
A resident's questions about how the county's $80/hour GIS processing fee works can't be answered through FOIA because no policy records exist. Commissioners asked that the GIS director still reach out to help.
Millage funding and usage priorities
The committee dug into how county millage dollars are being used — a topic that affects what residents pay in property taxes and what services those dollars fund.
Operation Arrowhead public safety partnership
A $1.59 million Mott Foundation grant funds Operation Arrowhead at the Sheriff's Office. It moved forward to the full board.
School resource deputies in Clio Area Schools
Several deals put sheriff deputies and school resource officers in Atlas Township, Goodrich schools, Fenton Township, Hurley Medical Center, and GISD schools next fiscal year. Most are paid by the townships and districts, not the county's general fund.
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.
Board Appointment Opening
Genesee County has an open seat on the Mass Transportation Authority Board, with a four-year term running through March 31, 2030. If you care about local transit decisions, this is a direct way to get involved—applications are open.
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.