Part two of two parts:
If you can’t measure it ? you can’t manage it. Staying on task is critical in today’s business world. Even more so when you are responsible for managing taxpayer’s money. Last time we highlighted our actions covering Communications, Fiscal and Operations. This article will cover our final three scorecard categories ? Economic Growth, Community and Infrastructure.
Economic Growth:
Sashabaw Corridor: Plan created and funding sources identified for I-75 / South Sashabaw Interchange and Sashabaw / Waldon Intersection. Plans presented to CIA and Planning Commissions, as well as the Township Board.
Dixie Hwy: Construction is in full swing on Dixie Highway. Plans to create ‘Welcome to Independence Township? marquees at the north and south Township borders in the works.
Hospital: Continuing to work with both local and state officials on the NEED for a new hospital. While this new hospital may be only 15 miles from the nearest trauma center, it is at-best a 25 minute ambulance ride ? way too long when seconds count in a life threatening matter for a loved one.
Industrial Development District: The Township was approached by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation about a European Auto Parts manufacturer looking for a ‘friendly? community to set up business. The new company, Magneti Marelli, is currently renovating the vacant manufacturing facility at 5600 Bow Point bringing over 88 new jobs with an annual payroll exceeding $5M to our community. Magneti Marelli has informed the Township they will recruit locally.
Community:
Police: Was able to find money in the budget while keeping fund balances at acceptable levels to add an additional deputy on the afternoon shift.
Senior Center: Have been working with the Senior Advisory Board on finalizing their plans for an expansion project for their current building ? doubling the footprint from 2200 to 4400 square feet. The $300,000 price tag will be covered with private funds.
Riparian Issues: Have quickly learned that arguments between Homeowner Associations regarding who can / can’t put boats on a lake is a fight I want to avoid in the future at all costs. No matter what you do to try to solve the issue, someone will not be happy. This was an expensive lesson to learn.
Infrastructure:
Capital Improvement Plan: Continuing to scrub the Capital Improvement Plan. Have eliminated or deferred over $1M in expenses to date.
I.T.: We’ve replaced and upgraded the computer infrastructure at Town Hall to ensure that data consistency and integrity are maintained.
Brady Lodge: Have approved funds for site inspection / request for quote proposal to be generated.
Being new to the office, your township team quickly found there is no shortage of opportunities in our township. Our mission is pretty simple, to provide the ‘best services? at the ‘lowest cost possible? to enable current and future residents to want to live, work and play in our community. We’ve come a long way in six short months. We also realize we have a long way to go. With your help and continued support ? it should be an interesting journey.
Pat Kittle is supervisor of Independence Township.

I learned something a long time ago from my experiences as an automotive executive ? ‘if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.?
Detailed job descriptions, measureable goals and objectives, quarterly performance reviews, training and job coaching, and compensation based on merit –not just tenure — are all pretty basic principles in the private business sector.
Not so much with government.
That is why Independence Township is beginning to work with a performance improvement consultant to help us create a new culture within Town Hall.
A culture where team members look at their responsibilities and budgets like it was their own personal business. A culture where money saved or efficiency gains would directly benefit their business enterprise.
A culture that:
? Establishes a clear description of what is expected from each employee.
? Identifies the key skill sets required to perform that job.
? Creates mutually agreed upon measureable goals and objectives.
? Develops processes to ensure quarterly performance feedback is given.
? Provides employees the tools and training to allow them to excel in their job.
? Rewards positive behaviors and performance excellence.
? Holds individuals accountable for sub-standard performance.
Several years ago, the township embarked on a plan to create just such an environment with limited success.
The current Township Board realizes performance metrics and personal accountability are critical as the township strives to operate in the most efficient manner and has committed $5,250 to try to bring this new mindset to government.
Is it going to be easy? No. Is it going to happen over-night? No. But every journey starts with a single step and the township has contracted with The Metiss Group to help guide us along this new path. $5,250 for a job description? Yes. And a whole lot more. Will keep you posted.
Patrick Kittle is supervisor of Independence Township.

Have you ever wondered what those DPW guys are doing that drive around town in the white pick-up trucks with the Independence Township logo on the door? This is what I have experienced so far in my first six weeks on the job.
There are actually 13 Department of Public Works (DPW) employees who are on the road at any point in the day. These are the workers who are responsible for maintaining over 40 different facilities including wells, water towers, booster stations, sewage lift stations, pressure reduction valves as well as 120 miles of sanitary sewer mains and 118 miles of water mains all dedicated to make sure the water in your residence is flowing and the toilets are flushing.
A few examples of your tax dollars at work.
There are 11 Sewer Lift Stations in Independence that collect raw sewage from upstream households and businesses. When the Lift Station holding tanks reach a pre-determined level, giant pumps turn on and force the waste uphill so it can begin its next trek downstream to the main sewage interceptors.
The guys in the white trucks ensure the Lift Station main pumps run smoothly, check and make sure the back-up generators are operational and perform routine maintenance that ensures maximum life expectancy for the millions of dollars worth of investment in these stations.
There are also 16 wells that extract millions of gallons of water per day from the aquifers running under Independence Township. Specially trained DPW Technicians are constantly taking water readings and checking the filtration and chlorination systems to ensure the water in Independence exceeds federal and state standards.
It’s these same DPW guys that are charged with maintaining the big blue water storage tanks in the community, the water they hold and even changing the red emergency lights on the top of the towers-some reaching over 140 feet into the air. These gravity fed water towers help provide pressure consistency and balance the flow of water based on demand and time of day.
You will also find DPW employees and their white trucks at new construction sites around the community. These guys tap into the water main and connect the house to the community water system. Taking about 3-4 hours each, 81 water tap-ins have been completed in 2012.
Lastly, there are always DPW guys on-call in the evenings and holidays. When an alarm at one of the substations goes off or a call is received about a water problem, the on-call technician rushes off to diagnose and rectify the problem.
So that is how a big part of your water and sewer tax dollars are spent. The township has been doing a good job to keep these operational expenses flat over the years. The tough part in managing the Sewer budgets are the annual fee increases coming from Detroit and the new Oakland/Macomb Interceptor construction projects. It is not uncommon for these fee increases to vary from 3-4% up to 10-12% per year with little or no warning. (More on these in another article)
Next time you see one of these white trucks parked at a job site, remember they’re the guys checking to make sure the stuff we take for granted, our water and sewage systems, are operating at top efficiency. Give the guys a friendly wave. They deserve it.
Call Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle at 248-625-5111 ext. 244