Brandon Twp.- The current recession is the worst Sheila Ronis has seen in her nearly 60 years of life.
‘I’ve never seen a recession like this,? said Ronis, who is facilitating budget workshops for the township and is director of the MBA program at Walsh College. ‘We had a very bad recession in the late 70s, but nothing like this.?
In tough times like these, she said, the most common actions that municipalities take to keep a balanced budget are hiring freezes, as well as freezing of salaries and benefits. When employees retire, they are not replaced, even though their functions may need replacement. The raising of revenue is often done through booster clubs and fundraisers for certain programs. These actions may need to be considered by the township, but Ronis said she will not advise township officials on what to do, she is here strictly to facilitate ‘the strategic process that will help the leadership make decisions about future programs and budgets.?
Ronis is an Oakland County resident and besides her Walsh affiliation, is also president of a management consulting firm. She has been a budget facilitator ‘a few times,? but declined to say for whom, other than most of her work has been with larger agencies and departments. Having an outside expert to assist in the budget process is beneficial to the township, Ronis said.
‘I have no vested interest in the outcome,? she noted. ‘It helps when you have strong emotional ties, to have an objective outsider to look at what is for the greater good of the community.?
While Ronis will not advise township officials which actions to take, she will let them know possible ramifications of each decision. For example, if officials choose to reduce the services of programs, they will need to know the number of people that will be affected, both positively and negatively.
‘If you cut or eliminate a program, oftentimes it is virtually impossible to start it up again,? she said. ‘I try my best to not influence them, just tell possible outcomes and make sure they are in compliance with the law.?
Ronis said residents in Brandon are in better condition economically than many communities, in that more people here have jobs and the foreclosure rate is lower than others.
‘Everyone is struggling, but that’s a degreed thing,? she said. ‘If you have a job, you’re better off than people who are out of work or those whose unemployment benefits have run out. There are not many of those in Brandon Township, and that’s a very good thing.? The next township budget workshop meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., March 22 at the library, 304 South St.