3/4/14 - The annual State of the County address gave officials from all over Livingston a look at the achievements of the past year and the challenges that await in 2014. The presentation was given to over a hundred attendees at EMS headquarters on Tooley Road. The main speaker was County Commission Chair Carol Griffith, although she did turn the microphone over to Vice-Chair Steve Williams and Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere at times. Griffith described the major investments and accomplishments in Livingston County over the last year, as well as the positive economic indicators for the region. In looking ahead, Griffith says the planned $13.4 million expansion to the county jail is the county's biggest concerns for 2014. She tells WHMI the hardest part will be mak1ing sure there is always operational funding for the facility. In order to fund the constant operation of the new jail expansion, the county will have to consider whether to seek a millage, rent out beds to other law-enforcement agencies, or cut back on non-mandatory public services. The county will also continue working with specialty courts to keep the jail population down. Griffith also said in her address that the county's population is aging, and it will be up to the county board to address that in the future. (TD)
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