Genesee County Funds Investigators, Approves Employee Pay Raises

After weeks of uncertainty, the Genesee County Board of Commissioners delivered a double dose of good news, both for the Prosecutor’s Office and for more than 100 county employees.

Investigators Get Lifeline After Funding Scare

The board approved over $127,000 in funding to keep four investigator positions in the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office. These roles were initially created using temporary funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, but those dollars had run out, putting the program and the office’s efficiency at risk.

Prosecutor Praises Impact on Jail and Court Efficiency

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said the investigators have made a huge difference, helping the office move cases more quickly and easing the strain on the county jail, which has been near capacity. Leyton said:

The investigators help the system run more efficiently. We’re able to move cases through much quicker, which means folks spend less time in the county jail.

He added that before the pandemic relief funding, the office went more than two decades without investigators. Their work has also been key in encouraging witnesses to testify, giving them reassurance and guidance throughout the process.

County Officials See Long-Awaited Pay Raise

In the same meeting, commissioners approved another major proposal, this one to increase pay for more than 100 county officials, including department heads, deputy directors, and other non-union employees. The measure passed 7-2, with supporters saying it’s about fair compensation for hard work. Court employees are not included in the raises, and details on when the pay increases will take effect or how they’ll be funded have yet to be determined.

Get our free mobile app

Between the restored investigator funding and long-awaited pay bumps, there’s a sense of relief and forward motion in Genesee County government, progress that’s been a long time coming.

REMEMBER WHEN: 25 Marlboro Miles Rewards Smokers Earned in the '90s

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Marlboro would reward smokers with Marlboro Miles that could be cashed in for various items. From camping gear to poker sets, here is a look at some of the more unusual Marlboro Miles items from the 1990s.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll