2008-2009 - Saginaw County

Probation Oversight fees. Total fines and cost increases imposed upon convicted criminals are expected
to generate $275,000 a year.
Probate Court
The Probate Court has taken steps to significantly reduce their budget’s reliance on the General Fund.
The primary savings has been achieved through staff turnover and reorganization of duties. The
estimated savings for Fiscal 2009 is $60,000.
Family Division – Juvenile Court & Probation
The Family Division Court and the Family Division Probation have taken steps to significantly reduce
their budget’s reliance on the General Fund. The Family Division has reduced staff by one (1) full time
position at an estimated cost savings of $90,000. While the Family Division is not desirous to reduce
staffing to this level, they are committed to trying to make the staff cut work.
In addition, the Family Division transferred 2 1/2 probation positions from the General Fund to the
Child Care Fund. This will save approximately 50% of the funding for these positions from the General
Fund or about $100,000 annually. In addition, the Family Division has evaluated fees charged per case
and has adjusted them upwards in the fee schedule which should result in additional revenue of $30,000.
County Clerk
The County Clerk has taken steps to significantly reduce their budget’s reliance on the General Fund.
The Clerk has eliminated one (1) position of Microfilm Clerk. While the County Clerk is not desirous to
reduce staffing to this level, they are committed to trying to make the staff cut work. Additionally, the
County Clerk has participated in the Cost of Service Analysis study commissioned by the BOC and
conducted by MAXIMUS to adjust certain fees for specific services.
Controller –Administration/Finance/Audit/Personnel
The Controller’s Office has taken steps to significantly reduce their budget’s reliance on the General
Fund. The Controller’s Office eliminated two (2) positions at an annual cost savings of $134,000.
Additionally, the Controller’s Office has incurred staff turnover which will further reduce costs by
approximately $50,000. The Controller’s Office does not desire to cut these positions yet is committed
to make the staff cuts work. In addition, the Controller has removed the Cost of Service Analysis study
via MAXIMUS of $43,500, removed GFOA dues to obtain the certificate of achievement for excellence
in financial reporting of $1,000, removed the audit Staff Training & Improvement line item of $2,000,
and reduced internal operational audits by $3,500.
Equalization
The Equalization Department has taken steps to significantly reduce their budget’s reliance on the
General Fund. Equalization has participated in the Cost of Services Analysis study and has
recommended certain increases in fees which still provide the services at lower than actual costs. They
are the increase of the Tax Bill preparation and printing from $0.75/parcel to $1.00/parcel and the Tax
Roll Management fee from $0.75/parcel to $1.00/parcel. Together, these fee adjustments coupled with
staff turnover should produce additional revenue of $45,000 and lower expenses of $20,000 per year.
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