To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Christopher R. Swanson, Sheriff
title
RE: Approval of a request by Genesee County’s Sheriff’s Office to continue funding of two (2) Executive Directors of Community Engagement; this request is a general fund ask for FYE 2026-2027
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
The Office of Sheriff requests the approval of a continuation of funding for the two (2) Executive Director of Community Engagement positions. This would be requested for the 2026-2027 FY due to grant funding no longer available.
BACKGROUND:
In 2020 The Office of Sheriff was provided Federal grant dollars to further establish IGNITE (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education). With these grant dollars the Executive Director of Community Engagement or Ambassador position was established. In this role the Ambassadors engage with inmates throughout the Genesee County Jail to ensure there are no barriers while incarcerated. In addition to the work inside the jail these individuals engage with community members and attend countless meetings and events throughout Flint and Genesee County. During these events they work to connect with community members about issues they face involving the Office of Sheriff, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. The connections they make work to improve relationships with law enforcement and the community, which in turn keeps people, including our Sheriff Deputies, working in the jail and on patrol, safer.
DISCUSSION:
None
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This request would increase the 2026-2027 FY budget by $224,018.00 which covers the salary and fringe benefits for two (2) Genesee County Executive directors of Community Engagement.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This conforms to the County Priorities by communicating available resources and services to our residents as well as promoting safer communities.
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 an amendment to the Sheriff’s General Fund budget for FY2027, said amendment being necessary to increase the budget in the amount of $224,018.00 to provide funding for two (2) Genesee County Executive Directors of Community Engagement, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the August 12, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board), and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment