To: Dr. Beverly Brown, Community & Economic Development Committee Chairperson
From: Captain Jillian Macey, Office of Genesee County Sheriff and Courtney Irish on behalf of the Flint and Genesee Group
title
RE: Approval of a request by Genesee County's Sheriff's Office to approve the commitment to become the Presenting Sponsor of the AJFO 2027 Biennial Conference; the cost of this sponsorship level is $30,000.00; this is an Accommodations Tax Request
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Request to approve the commitment to become the Presenting Sponsor of the AJFO 2027 biennial conference. The cost of this sponsorship level is $30,000 to be requested from the revue generated by the County’s Accommodations Tax. In 2025 The Office of Genesee County Sheriff was selected to be co-host of the 2027 conference which will bring 300-400 professionals from around the United States to Flint and Genesee County.
BACKGROUND:
The Association for Justice-Involved Female Organizations (AJFO) Conference is a premier national conference bringing together 300 to 400 criminal justice professionals, advocates, researchers, and policymakers from across the United States. The Office of Genesee County Sheriff has been selected as the official co-host for the 22nd Biennial AJFO Conference, scheduled for September 12-15, 2027. The conference will take place on the grounds of the historic Flint Cultural Center, utilizing its state-of-the-art facilities to host three days of keynote presentations, workshops, and educational sessions. Hosting this major national assembly will generate significant local economic impact by driving revenue for local hotel lodging, restaurants, transit, and entertainment establishments across Genesee County. Hosting an event of this caliber provides a vital platform to showcase the region's top-tier venue infrastructure, highlight community resilience, and demonstrate to a national audience that Genesee County is defined by innovation, leadership, and public safety excellence.
DISCUSSION:
The success and impact of the 2027 AJFO Biennial Conference are further reinforced by the strong commitment of key community partners, including the Flint & Genesee Group, Genesee County Community Corrections, the Greater Flint Health Coalition, New Paths, Inc., and Genesee Health System. These agency partners unite in enthusiastic support of hosting this event in Genesee County, recognizing that its value extends far beyond local economic and tourism benefits. Bringing this premier national assembly to our community provides an unprecedented professional development opportunity for local law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and criminal justice practitioners. By convening national experts alongside local leaders on the grounds of the Flint Cultural Center, these collaborating agencies aim to equip local professionals with cutting-edge, trauma-informed, and evidence-based strategies, ensuring that the knowledge gained directly translates into enhanced care, safety, and supportive services across Genesee County and beyond
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no general fund impact on this request. Funds are requested from the Genesee County Accommodations Tax in the amount of $30,000.00.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
none
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
none
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Securing Presenting Sponsorship for the 2027 AJFO Conference directly advances the Board’s adopted strategic priorities: Community & Economic Growth: Attracting 300-400 national professionals directly boost local lodging, dining, and entertainment revenues while positioning Genesee County as a premier convention destination. Inclusive, Collaborative Culture: Serving as co-host alongside vital local partners-including the Flint & Genesee Group, Genesee Health System, Greater Flint Health Coalition, New Paths, Inc., and Community Corrections-expands the County’s role as a convener of diverse, multidisciplinary stakeholder networks. Healthy, Livable & Safe Communities: Bringing national, evidence-based criminal justice and trauma-informed expertise directly into our jurisdiction equips local practitioners with tools that enhance community safety, rehabilitation, and public health outcomes across Genesee County.
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 Office of Genesee County Sheriff to authorize entering into a funding agreement and memorandum of understanding between Genesee County and the Association for Justice-Involved Female Organizations (AJFO) Conference, and appropriating a lump sum of $30,000.00 from the Accommodation Tax fund balance to that entity, whereby Genesee County and the Office of Genesee County Sheriff will be the Premier Sponsor of the 2027 AJFO Conference to be held in Flint and Genesee County, said amount to be used solely for the purposes that are in accordance with the Accommodation Ordinance and allowed by state statute, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the November 3, 2026 meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the agreement, after approval by Corporation Counsel, on behalf of Genesee County.