Charter = County Executive

QUESTION: Does Macomb County need an elected County Executive and County Charter (constitution)?

ANSWER: YES. Macomb County needs an elected County Executive who is directly responsible for running county government in an efficient manner, and it needs a County Charter (constitution). Macomb County has a larger population than 6 states.

QUESTION: Do the voters have the final approval of a County Charter (constitution)?

ANSWER: YES. Voters have control of the entire process. Voters will elect the people who will write the County Charter (constitution) and voters will decide whe ther to adopt or reject a County Charter (constitution).

QUESTION: Would a County Executive be directly elected by all the people of Macomb County?

ANSWER: YES. The County Executive would be directly elected by all of the people of Macomb County in regular elections. The County Executive would have a four year term just as the President and Governor do now.

QUESTION: Do voters directly elect the person who heads county government now?

ANSWER: NO. Once a year, the county Board of Commissioners chooses one of their own members to lead county government. The voters have no say in the matter.

QUESTION: We have 26 county commissioners now, the most of any county in the state. Can we reduce the number of county commissioners?

ANSWER: YES. A County Charter (constitution) would let the voters decide how many part-time county commissioners we have. The voters could reduce the number of part-time county commissioners to as few as 5.

QUESTION: If the County Charter (constitution) approved by the voters reduces the number of part-time county commissioners, will every voter be represented equally?

ANSWER: YES. County commissioners districts must be equal in population and based on 1 person – 1 vote.

QUESTION: Can a Charter Commission raise taxes?

ANSWER: NO. The law does not allow a Charter Commission to raise taxes. Only the voters can raise taxes.

QUESTION: What would an elected County Executive do for Macomb County?

An elected County Executive would:

Be a strong voice for us

Be accountable to all the voters of Macomb County

Lead a more efficient county government

Lead economic development efforts to create good-paying jobs in Macomb County