To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Joshua Freeman, Director of Administration
title
RE: America 250 - Genesee County Commission
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a request to create the America 250 - Genesee County Commission and to assign funding for commemorative events.
BACKGROUND:
In 2026, America will celebrate its Semiquincentennial Birthday. The Federal and State government have created commissions that are working on commemorating the 250th Anniversary of our nations founding and have encouraged the creation of local commissions to plan, promote, and celebrate this historic milestone.
DISCUSSION:
To help organize Genesee County’s America 250 Celebration, the Board of County Commissioners desires to create a commission to plan events and engage residents in commemorating our nation’s Semiquincentennial in the Summer of 2026.
This work will culminate in a celebration at Genesee County’s Bicentennial Project, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad. To be sure that Genesee Count’s America 250 Commission represents our diverse community, the following members will be appointed:
• One resident from each county commission district - appointed by the county commissioner of that district
• One appointee from the Michigan Township Association - appointed by the MTA
• One appointee from the Small Cities & Villages Association - to be appointed by the SCVA
• One appointee from the City of Flint - to be appointed by the Flint City Council
• One appointee from the education community - to be appointed by the GISD
• One appointee from the higher learning community - to be appointed by the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners
• Two appointees from the Genesee County Historical Society - to be appointed by the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners
Appointments to the Commission shall be made no later than June 2, 2025, and appointees shall serve through September 30, 2026.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
There will be no impact on HR.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
To fund Genesee County’s America 250 Celebration, this proposal will use $250,000.00 from the Accommodation Tax fund balance. Of that amount, no more than $50,000 will be used contract with a firm that will support the work of the Commission. In appropriating these dollars, the goal is to attract tourists to our area as we celebrate the Semiquincentennial.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There will be no additional burdens on Facilities.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
There may be limited impacts on technology as they work to support the work of the Commission.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
The Board of County Commissioners has prioritized an Inclusive & Collaborative Culture as well as Community Growth. The work of this commission will further those goals in bringing our diverse community together for a shared celebration of the founding of our country as well as drive economic activity through those same celebrations.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board of County Commissioners of Genese County, Michigan, establishes the America 250 - Genesee County Commission (“America 250 Commission) to plan events and engage residents to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary in the summer of 2026 at a celebration to be held at Genesee County’s Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the America 250 Commission will consist of the following appointed members:
• One resident from each County Commission District - appointed by the County Commissioner of that district;
• One appointee from the Michigan Township Association - appointed by the MTA;
• One appointee from the Small Cities & Villages Association - to be appointed by the SCVA;
• One appointee from the City of Flint - to be appointed by the Flint City Council;
• One appointee from the education community - to be appointed by the GISD;
• One appointee from the higher learning community - to be appointed by the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners;
• Two appointees from the Genesee County Historical Society - to be appointed by the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appointments shall be made no later than June 2, 2025, and the appointees shall serve through September 30, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairperson of this Board shall set the inaugural meeting date and time of the America 250 Commission, and said Commission shall be governed by the Newly Revised 11th Edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appointees are subject to removal by this Board pursuant to the Appointment Policy (Policy 01.002) and any relevant statutory authority.