Candidate Q&A: White Lake Trustee Todd Birkle

To kick off election coverage, White Lake-Highland Patch has sent out a survey to candidates running for office in White Lake and Highland. The following is the Q&A response from current White Lake Trustee Todd Birkle. Birkle, a republican, will be facing off against several other candidates in the August primary election.

Patch: How long have you lived in White Lake?

Birkle: I've been a White Lake resident for 12 years.

Patch: What community and civic organizations are you currently involved in?

 Birkle: I am a member of the Pontiac/Waterford Elks and the North Oakland Republican Club. As a township trustee I regularly attend various fund raising events in the community.

Patch: What drew you to run for Trustee?

Birkle: I feel a person should be involved in the community in which they reside. I have lived in White Lake for 12 years and find it exciting to be involved in a community on the move. This community has experienced quality growth in a down economy.

Patch: What personal and professional experiences make you qualified to hold that position?

Birkle: I have been employed by Oakland County for 24 years. My present position is the Manager of Oakland County Support Services. In this role I supervise 32 employees and I am response for the preparation and administration of a budget over $10 million. I am presently a White Lake Trustee and served on the Planning Commission since 2004. Previously, I was an elected Waterford Township Trustee from 1994-2000.

Based on my work experience and training, I have a vast amount of knowledge of governmental budgets and daily operations. I have had to make difficult decisions to balance a budget.

Patch: What is the most important issue facing the township and what do you intend to do about it during your term in office?

Birkle: BUDGET: It would be beneficial for the township to switch to a two-year budget. This will allow the township to plan/forecast for multiple years instead of just one. Therefore, budget priorities can be established. One priority will be to establish funding for some unfunded liabilities. For example the township has $4.5 million in unfunded retiree health care liabilities and $12 million for active employees. A plan needs to be in place to pay down this liability instead of the present method of pay as you go.

The budgets for both police and fire could benefit from a reorganization and creativity to produce savings. An overtime review in the departments should be conducted, possibly some contract changes could be reduce this expense.

Also, items that have potential cost savings (such as contracting with the Oakland County Sheriff for dispatch) need to be investigated. I am not in favor of creating new millages to offset the loss in tax revenue without exhausting other options.

When dealing with tax payer dollars, no operational areas should be held harmless.

Patch: In recent years there has been discussion about contracting either police services or dispatch services with the county. Do you think the police department should be turned over to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department? Why or why not?

Birkle: Without having a study conducted to compare the cost and services each agency provides, I really can’t answer that question. Local law enforcement agencies are becoming a thing of the past, and I expect this trend will continue. White Lake is fortunate; the community is experiencing growth that is partly offsetting the losses in taxable values of the past couple of years. This growth has allowed the community to continue to fund its police department with some minor cuts. However, I do think the township needs to take a look at the county for police/fire dispatch service. This has the potential to save the police budget $150,000 annually. This savings could put another officer on the streets.

Patch: What is your vision for White Lake Township, where do you see the township in 10 or even 20 years, and what does the township need to do now to realize that vision?

Birkle:White Lake Township has an excellent Planning Commission and Community Development Department. The development focus has been quality projects that should be sustainable businesses in the future. The township master plan has identified key areas in the township for new development and redevelopment. If development is consistent with the Master Plan, no development will be “too much”. Also, in 2012 the township completed a process called “clear zoning”, wherein all the township zoning ordinances are available online. This feature makes it easy for developers to look at White Lake for their projects.

The township needs to be proactive in dealing with some of its funding issues. For example, the 2011 audit report showed the township has $4.5 million in unfunded retiree health care liability and $12 million in active employee liability. The township has been paying this expense on an as-you-go basis. Funding should to be allocated in the annual budget to reduce this health care liability over the next several years. Also, the township sewer fund will be broke in 2013, this issue needs to be dealt with now. Every month that administration procrastinates about dealing with this issue exacerbates the problem. The Supervisor needs to hold a special meeting and present proposals to the board to rectify this problem.

Lastly, as stated above, the township has a one-year budget. The township should adopt a two-year rolling budget to allow expenses and revenues to be forecasted for future years and plan ahead. With the right leadership in place, White Lake has an even brighter future ahead. I feel I have demonstrated I should be a part of the leadership team.