To: Gary L. Goetzinger, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Joshua Freeman, Director of Administration
title
RE: Approval of a request to create, post & fill one (1) additional FOIA Specialist position within the Office of the Board of Commissioners
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a request to create, post & hire an additional FOIA Specialist position in the Office of the Board of Commissioners.
BACKGROUND:
The Board hired a dedicated FOIA Specialist to exclusively handle all FOIA requests for the County. Previously, that work was performed by Corporation Counsel. During that time, the average yearly FOIA request was around 800. Once a dedicated specialist was hired, we streamlined the FOIA process through the utilization of FOIA specific software. While this initially improved the process, the number of incoming requests increased significantly. YTD, we have received over 2,130 requests in the system. This dramatic increase has caused delays in providing required information. Initially, we hoped that the number of requests would level off, but that has not been the case. In addition to the increase, the complexity of the requests has also changed. Video, and the requirement to review that video, is a time intensive process that further delays response times.
DISCUSSION:
As discussed above, it is critical that we add another specialist to review FOIA. By splitting this work in half, we’ll be able to timely answer requests and reduce the risk of litigation because of untimely responses. FOIA is a statutory requirement and failure to respond and provide the requested information will harm the County.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
Normal hiring/onboarding.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Each year, for the last 3 years, the Board of Commissioners has set aside $500,000 for economic development purposes. Each year, that money has largely been unspent. It is my intention to use $98,238 of that appropriation for this new position. Even with the expected hiring of a Chief Strategic Growth Officer, there would still be ample remaining funding for growth within the economic development sphere. As such, there would be no new general fund allocation. An amendment will be prepared and processed by Fiscal Services if approved.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There would be no additional burden on Facilities.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
Normal hiring/onboarding requirements.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This position helps fulfill the Boad’s goal of long-term financial stability by reducing unnecessary risk by responding to statutory requests in a timely manner.
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 Director of Administration to authorize creating, posting, and filling one (1) new FOIA Specialist position within the Board Office 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 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 any applicable collective bargaining agreement.