St. Clair County commissioners set broad goals, order reviews of contracts, health department structure and airport fees

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners on the workshop agenda reviewed a recommended set of six overarching goals and directed county staff to undertake several policy reviews and reports, including an evaluation of contract-renewal practices, an organizational review of the county health department and community mental health authority, and a study of airport operations and fee structure. The board also confirmed a special meeting next week to receive legal memorandums related to landfill operations and adjourned by voice vote.

County Administrator Carrie told commissioners the goals document grew from department-head submissions and will be used to categorize department projects under a small number of countywide priorities. "Once the board decides what your overarching goals are, we'll categorize each of the department goals to fall under a category," Carrie said, noting the final document will be placed on the county website and departments will be asked to update goals annually and provide measurable metrics.

The draft goals presented to the board are: ensure efficient and responsible government; use organizational resources to create a prosperous community and improve quality of life; develop an overall facility plan to meet department needs; enhance and maintain a highly skilled county workforce; evaluate and enhance government services; and a separate category for landfill operations. Carrie said many department-specific projects (for example, technology upgrades or document scanning) will be mapped into these broader categories and that the county's capital improvement plan will be used to prioritize large facility projects.

Commissioners stressed different…