Rob Zimmerman
Washtenaw's greatest assets...
"ARE ITS PEOPLE! Our intellect and work ethic create a community like no other!
A true and genuine listen to our citizens shows a tremendous vibrancy and depth. It is our strength for our current generation…. And the generations to come."
RESOURCES
Rob's Goals Are to provide a fresh perspective of the County’s Treasury Operations.
Are we too accepting of “The Status Quo”?
Collaborate with our Treasurers in our cities and townships, and our taxpayers throughout the county:
- Washtenaw County annually borrows about $20,000,000 to cover anticipated delinquent real property taxes for the county and its various taxing jurisdictions within. This suggests both our late payment penalties are insufficient to incentivize on time payments, and we can do better at follow up collection efforts.
- We have over a million dollars per year of uncollected property taxes. The County Treasurer is to auction “foreclosed” property. Can we be more proactive and cost effective at avoiding foreclosures?
- Can we get better rates for our “sweep” cash management process? What is our benchmarking?
- Our local treasurers are the first point of contact with our property taxpayers. Our best collaboration efforts ensure our county’s competitive advantages.
The County Treasurer’s job responsibility includes the safeguarding of assets:
- Have we been proactive at insuring county property and combining forces for the most cost-effective coverage we can get?
- Have our liability risks been reviewed considering higher medical cost risks and inflation’s impact on property values?
- Have we reviewed “reinsurance” protection? Can we bundle and save in collaboration with neighboring counties?
- Are we covering all jurisdictions throughout the county?
- Has our physical safety and security practices been audited?
The Zimmermans
INTRODUCING ROB'S FAMILY
My wife Melissa and I relocated to Michigan in 1993 from our native Pennsylvania.
We elected to raise our family in Michigan as we believed it would provide the best opportunity for our children to grow into adults of character, compassionate for others, and with the skills needed to successfully compete in their chosen professions. When accepting a career assignment in Michigan, one of my first tasks was to help identify site selection for a startup manufacturing operation. Washtenaw County and Pittsfield Township were chosen for the 200+ person operation for the skill set of its workers, access to transportation, and cost competitiveness.
Melissa owns and operates her own Occupational Therapy practice. Her focus is the special education needs of students in multiple Washtenaw County school districts. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University.
Melissa and I are joined by our adult daughters Christina and Natalie. Christina, a Michigan State Graduate, is a multi-Emmy award winner for her Broadcast Meteorology talents with a Michigan based TV station, where she also serves as co-anchor of a morning talk show.
Natalie, a University of Michigan graduate, teaches at a Title 1 elementary school near Washington DC where close to 90% of her students qualify as low income and approximately 50% of her students have a home language other than English. She is a candidate for school board in her local district.