To: Board of County Commissioners
From: Jerome Threlkeld, Organizational Development Coordinator
title
RE: Approval of MOU with University of Michigan-Flint for Genesee County Employee Tuition Discount
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of MOU with University of Michigan-Flint for Genesee County Employee Tuition Discount
BACKGROUND:
We currently have a tuition reimbursement program for Genesee County employees. During recent negotiations, there has been some level-setting in the amounts for the program. This MOU with University of Michigan-Flint allows us to maximize the investment in our tuition reimbursement program by offering discounted tuition to our employees. Please see all the benefits in the Discussion Section.
DISCUSSION:
Expanding MOU with University of Michigan-Flint: New Tuition Discount Maximizes Genesee County’s Investment in their Educational Reimbursement Program
As we build our professional learning community, a comprehensive educational assistance program represents a strategic investment in our workforce that directly advances our organizational core values while delivering measurable business impact. This program demonstrates our commitment to employee development, talent retention, and long-term organizational success.
The standing MOU with UM-Flint is founded upon 4 principles: fostering partnerships that maximize intellectual, social and human capital, economic growth, educational opportunities and community well-being. Our tuition assistance initiative fulfills all four principles, meets negotiated promises and reinforces our organizational commitment to Community Growth:
• Employee Development and Growth
- Empowers employees to pursue higher education and advanced certifications
- Creates clear pathways for career advancement within the organization
- Demonstrates tangible investment in personal and professional development
• Talent Retention and Attraction
- Differentiates our benefits package in a competitive labor market
- Builds long-term employee loyalty through meaningful investment
- Reduces recruitment costs by improving retention of high-potential talent
• Organizational Excellence
- Develops a more skilled and knowledgeable workforce
- Brings new perspectives and cutting-edge knowledge into the organization
- Strengthens our talent pipeline for leadership positions
• Financial Benefits
- Reduced turnover costs
- Increased productivity through enhanced employee capabilities
- Removing barriers for employees to pursue higher education
• Workforce Development
- Creates internal talent pipeline for critical roles
- Reduces reliance on external hiring for specialized positions
- Improves succession planning capabilities
• Employee Engagement
- Demonstrates organizational commitment to employee success
- Increases job satisfaction and workplace loyalty
- Strengthens Genesee County’s brand and company culture
Conclusion
A tuition assistance program represents more than just an employee benefit-it's a strategic investment in our organization's future and the community at large. By supporting employee education, we strengthen our workforce, demonstrate our values in action, strengthen our local colleges/universities and position ourselves for sustained success in an increasingly competitive business environment.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Healthy, Livable & Safe Communities/Workplace - Opportunities for career advancement and a more educated workforce/community; Long Term Financial Stability - Decreased turnover costs, Employee Loyalty/Productivity; Community Growth -Creating sense of place and attracting/retaining talent, Collaborating with other entities for economic growth