Issue: Regionalism
Mayor Hieftje’s Accomplishments:
Mayor John Hieftje has been a statewide leader in creating regional delivery of government services. He founded the Washtenaw Metro Alliance to foster regional planning with neighboring communities. Mayor Hieftje’s efforts have led to the delivery of vital government services at a lower cost to taxpayers.
Under Mayor Hieftje’s leadership:
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Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County consolidated community development departments, thus saving taxpayer funds and ensuring that human service needs are addressed on a regional basis
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Ann Arbor and the City of Ypsilanti entered a landmark service agreement for greater cooperation in fire operations, thus increasing fire service coverage for both cities
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Ann Arbor joined the Washtenaw Urban County to work regionally with the County and surrounding townships to administer funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County will soon share a joint database management center in the new Police/Courts Building
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Ann Arbor joined with other communities to share fire dispatch services, thus ensuring that lives will be saved regardless of political boundaries
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Ann Arbor is working with the UM, SEMCOG, AATA and the State of Michigan to develop a revolutionary mass transit center that will reduce the need for future parking garages, save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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Ann Arbor’s successful Greenbelt initiative has been supported by Washtenaw County and surrounding townships; their financial contributions – along with federal and State grants – allows for the protection of thousands of acres of open space at a fraction of the cost had the city been the sole investor.
The Future:
In his next term as Mayor, John Hieftje will continue his leadership in southeast Michigan to foster new partnerships with surrounding communities to deliver high-quality government services at a reduced cost to taxpayers.