To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Samuel E. Muma, Treasurer
title
RE: Approval to create, post & fill a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position in the Treasurer’s Office contingent on receiving a grant from Rocket Community Fund
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval to create, post and fill a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position with hiring contingent on receiving a grant from Rocket Community Fund.
BACKGROUND:
MCL 211.7u requires all city and township local units of government to adopt a poverty exemption policy. A person must own and occupy as a principal residence the property for which the exemption is being requested. The owner must complete an application, on a state prescribed form, and submit it to the local unit assessing department and include documentation as described under MCL 211.7u(2)(a) - MCL 21137(u)(2)(e) after January 1 each year but before the day prior to the last board of review. One requirement is to meet the federal poverty guidelines or alternative guidelines as adopted by the governing body of the local assessing body. Every year the Treasurer’s office works with homeowners who own and occupy as their principal residence and apply for additional time to avoid foreclosure of their property. Many of these individuals are living on a fixed income that falls at or below the federal poverty guidelines
DISCUSSION:
Rocket Community Fund has worked with Wayne County to promote the poverty exemption, or Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) in an effort to keep individuals in their property. Rocket Community Fund is offering a grant to assist other counties in promoting the HOPE program. The Genesee County Treasurer’s office submitted a grant request to Rocket Community Fund for a $100,000 grant to cover the cost of a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position. The primary responsibility of this position will be to assist homeowners with the HOPE application as well as ensuring all required documentation is included for submission to the local assessing unit. The position will be responsible for attending community events and working with local partners to hold clinics to promote the HOPE program. The Treasurer’s office would like to create, post and fill this position prior to the grant being accepted, with the understanding that the position will not be filled until the grant agreement is approved by the Board of Commissioners. By posting and interviewing for the position prior to the grant being accepted, it allows this position to be filled immediately once the grant is approved, allowing the employee to be on staff and ready to start working with homeowners in January when the Treasurer’s enters its busies time of year.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
The impact on HR would be to post the position, screen applicants and work with the department as they work through the interview and hiring of an individual.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The position is not currently part of the adopted FY25/26 budget. The position would be 100% grant funded with any additional costs being paid for through the DTR fund. There would be no impact to general fund.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There would be no impact on facilities as there is currently space within the Treasurer’s office to accommodate the position.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
The impact on technology would be for the department to set up a new employee. The treasurer’s office currently has a vacant computer in the office that can be used by this position.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
By approving the addition of this position contingent on the approval and acceptance of a $100,000 grant from Rocket Community Fund, would meet a majority of the county priorities. Promoting the HOPE program with the ultimate goal of taxpayers successfully obtaining the exemption promotes healthy, livable communities by allowing homeowners to stay in their home. Homeowners remaining in their house promotes community growth and an inclusive and collaborative culture.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Treasurer to authorize creating, posting, and filling a nesTax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position, said position being fully grant funded and contingent upon the approval and acceptance of a grant from Rocket Community Fund, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the October 22, 2025 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board directs the Director of Human Resources to have the necessary personnel position number created, as necessary, for said position and to commence the hiring process so that the position may be filled as soon as practicable, in accordance with County policy and applicable collective bargain agreement.