Committee approves sheriff’s labor budget amendments after heated debate, 7-4

At a meeting of the Macomb County Records and Public Safety Committee, members voted 7 to 4 to approve budget amendments implementing parts of the Fraternal Order of Police labor agreement for the sheriff’s department.

The amendments — described in committee as related to the sheriff’s labor agreement and presented together as items 5c–5f — were presented by Carolyn Sembrough, director of human resources and labor relations, and Steve Schmiegel, director of finance. Committee members debated whether to table the matter or vote immediately and raised concerns about notice to contract payers and the effect on municipal budgets.

Commissioner Joseph Kraft said the board needed to decide rather than postpone: "If we decide yes, we move forward with the contracts and continue on. If we vote no, negotiations will go back and continue," he said. Several other commissioners urged an up-or-down vote rather than additional tabling, saying further delay would simply prolong uncertainty for negotiators and communities.

Commissioner Lucido made the motion to move the items; the motion was supported by Commissioner Perna. After discussion, the chair announced, "Motion passes 7 to 4. Commissioners Groat, Craft, Sabatini, and Wallace voting no."

Opponents cited process and local budget impacts. Commissioner Sabatini said she had spoken with community members and that the size of some municipal contracts left her reluctant to support the package without different handling. Commissioner Wallace asked whether cities and townships had been informed about the increases; staff said municipalities were aware that a roughly 9% cost was baked into the contract but that HR could not disclose bargaining details while negotiations were ongoing.

Supporters emphasized retention and the costs of turnover. In public comment, James Tiganelli, president of the Police Officers Association of Michigan, urged investment in retention: "The probably the most difficult thing in public safety right now is recruiting and retaining good people," he said, adding that defined-benefit pensions and competitive wages help keep experienced personnel.

The committee recorded two budget figures associated with the labor agreement during discussion: $575,000 and $575,800. The materials presented and the committee record did not fully reconcile line-item details in the public discussion; staff indicated the items had been postponed from a December 4 Government Oversight Committee meeting and had been the subject of further review before arriving at this vote.

The committee did not specify further implementation steps or reporting deadlines during the meeting. Commissioners said they will pursue improved communication and process changes so municipalities receive earlier notice of contract impacts.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the budget amendments by roll-call tally 7–4; Commissioners Groat, Craft, Sabatini and Wallace voted no.

Ending: The items will be forwarded according to the committee’s process for full-board consideration and implementation steps were not specified on the record.