Grand Traverse County commissioners authorized staff Wednesday night to investigate ways to reduce the county's cost for soil erosion inspections, including the possibility of outsourcing those duties. Staff were directed to return to the board sometime in “early 2015” with an analysis of how to increase efficiencies within the department. The move follows a December vote to privatize county soil erosion inspections, which was later reversed following public backlash over the decision.

Multiple members of the commission – which experienced a turn-over of four seats at the beginning of the year – emphasized that the soil erosion department wasn't being singled out, but rather was the first in a line of county departments that would be scrutinized for cost-cutting opportunities. “I'd like to see us do a similar thing with all the departments,” said Commissioner Carol Crawford. “It's not picking on soil erosion. It's a good trial to see how this will go...for all of the departments.” Commissioner Christine Maxbauer agreed: “I want to look at everything. And I don't think we should exempt soil erosion.”

Commissioner Bob Johnson expressed concern about outsourcing the inspections, as well as the uncertainty the soil erosion department is now operating under. “This simple act is wreaking havoc in that department,” he said. “We've got people scared for their jobs down there. They're not sitting around eating Bonbons. We as a board need to learn what they do before we decide we can do it cheaper some other way. We want to make sure we're doing the right thing.”

Commissioners last night also agreed to review the county's soil erosion ordinance for possible revision. Large portions of the ordinance are no longer applicable after county stormwater management was separated from soil erosion in a 2012 board vote. The problem, according to County Administrator Dave Benda, is that "we're not enforcing stormwater anymore, (but) it's part of our ordinance.” Maxbauer and Benda agreed to meet about establishing an ad hoc committee to review the ordinance in more detail.