Budget Approved: Revenue Sharing Slated to Increase by 4.8% Over Last Year

LANSING, Mich., June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michigan counties are slated to receive an increase in statutory revenue sharing payments from the State in Fiscal Year 2014.  This 4.8% increase to County Revenue Sharing over last year's funding level is still 20% below full funding levels, but is a step in the right direction.

Michigan counties have statutory and constitutional mandates to provide a multitude of vital services for Michigan's residents which include: courts, jails, 911, indigent defense, sheriffs, constitutional officers, elections and the public health system.

"The increase in funding is greatly appreciated, and is a step in the right direction," said Thomas Bardwell, President of the M.A.C. Board of Directors. " We look forward to working with legislators on future budgets and getting funding restored to full funding levels, allowing counties to continue to provide crucial services our citizens rely on."

Counties have saved the state more than a billion dollars since 2005 when they temporarily gave up revenue sharing payments from the state in an effort to help the state with its budget problem.  The state promised a return of that funding once reserves were depleted. Since counties don't have a constitutional component to their revenue sharing, they are wholly dependent on the state for their annual appropriation of statutory revenue sharing.

The Michigan Association of Counties (M.A.C.) founded on February 1, 1898, is the only statewide organization dedicated to the representation of all county commissioners in Michigan. M.A.C. is a non-partisan, non-profit organization which advances education, communication and cooperation among county government officials in the state of Michigan. M.A.C. is the counties' voice at the State Capitol, providing legislative support on key issues affecting counties.

SOURCE Michigan Association of Counties