Bloomfield Township Treasurer/Republicans

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP TREASURER/REPUBLICAN

MARK ANTAKLI

Antakli received both his undergraduate mechanical engineering degree and his MBA from University of Michigan. He is a selfemployed insurance agent.

TREASURER RESPONSIBILITIES

As one of three full-time elected positions in the township offices, along with the supervisor and the clerk, the treasurer has a variety of

DAVID THOMAS from page 27B affidavit saying they will be out of town on Election Day. Reinstates the option of a straight-ticket vote for all candidates of a particular political party by marking one spot on the ballot. The Republican-controlled legislature passed a law ending that practice, and this November election will be the first time that option is not allowed.Proposal 3 also allows voters to seek an audit of statewide elections. In addition, it will add the current legal requirements for secret ballots and military and overseas voting to the Michigan constitution. Currently, the right to a secret ballot and the military/oversees voting timetables are part of Michigan election law but are not in the constitution. The most recent changes are in the same day voter registration and the attempts to expand the absentee voter rolls. Talking with the present clerk, actions have been put into place to address the same day registration. Those processes have been tested through several recent elections. The absentee ballots process will add many hours to the election night duties for the clerk. The ballots cannot be counted until the polls close so with an increase in the number of ballots and the cross responsibilities. Can you tell us the statutory responsibilities of the treasurer? What qualifications do you have to be township treasurer? Be specific. Treasurer is a member of the Board of Trustees which has the following statutory requirements, from the Michigan Compiled Laws for the Township Board: MCL 41.70-41.75b. Regarding education qualifications: graduate degree, University of Michigan – Dearborn – master degree in business administration, concentrating in finance. I graduated with distinction and was accepted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Honor Society for Business Schools. Undergraduate degree is in mechanical engineering, from University of Michigan, College of Engineering – Ann Arbor. I have an extensive business background, utilizing my finance background to support board and management activities such as: forecasts, budgets, cost savings initiatives, financial analysis, and stakeholder relationships.

TOWNSHIP FINANCES

For a number of years there has references needed to ensure the integrity of those ballots, the workload on election night will increase significantly. The reinstatement of straight ticket issue will affect the ballots but will not add to the workload. MICHIGAN FOIA There can never be too much information in the public’s hands. If elected, I would put everything online. The key item that will be online is the township checkbook that is tied directly the approved budgets. All accounts would show their approval authority, what was budgeted, and the present variance to budget. If any overruns occur, they would not be authorized until the board of trustees approves it. This will drive accountability and will create trust and transparency with the residents. MASTER PLAN/ORDINANCES The entire master plan needs to be revisited and redone. The present master plan is over 10 years old and has been ether been ignored or amended ad hoc. Each time the supervisor has said that he was going to reissue the plan but has failed to do so. The entire plan needs to be redone and presented to the citizens for their input and approval. It should been concern about the township's finances and whether the township had invested its money correctly. In the last several years there have been changes in how investments have been handled which have produced improvements. Can you tell us the changes that have been made in the investments of the township? Be specific. As a township, what investment vehicles can a township use? Can you tell us how the township's portfolio has performed in the last two years? Investments the township can utilize are identified in Michigan’s Compiled Laws and are referenced in the year end March 31, 2019 audited financials. Township utilizes laddered maturities of CD’s to cover the cash needs of daily operations. Recently, the township utilizes Oakland County’s government investment pool and has increased the holdings in that account. A few years ago, the majority of these investments were in short-term bond mutual funds, with other investments being in certificates of deposit. Per fiscal year end audited financials, investment fees have increased from $86,208 in 2016 to $267,851 in 2019. Per the 2019

audit, investment returns on the address the future needs in infrastructure and how the upgrades will be funded. It must include a threeyear review because of the rapidly changing technology and its potential impact to the plan. As clerk, I do not write the ordinances, I publish them. I think they should all be reviewed for relevance and technology impacts. Government is the one cost that really impacts citizens. The ordinances should be reviewed for their effectiveness and their economic impact to businesses and citizens. TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENT

I would fully endorse a superintendent type of governance of the township. It needs to be reviewed and studied, and it must have the resident’s input and support. But, yes, I am in favor of it. REUNIFYING THE COMMUNITY

Treat everyone equally with respect and fairness. That includes the residents, employees, and vendors. Our Constitution First Amendment allows for a redress of grievances by the citizens. It goes for all levels of government. Elected officials may not like what some of the electorate is telling them. It is symptomatic of an issue or a different perspective. If you are leading, you want the best pension trust net investment expenses were: 2019, 2.3 percents and 2018, 4.7 percent. AAA BOND RATING

Bloomfield Township received its first AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's in April 2011, prior to a $3 million bond sale to finance improvements in its sanitary sewer system. The township has maintained its AAA bond rating since, which has been attributed to a well run township at every level. If you are elected, how will you work to maintain that AAA bond rating? Bloomfield Township is also rated by Moody’s. Moody’s downgraded Bloomfield Township to Aa1 on August 8, 2019. Credit challenges highlighted in Moody’s report on December 12, 2018 were: tax caps; high leverage and fixed costs from bonded debt and unfunded postemployment liabilities; a weakened economic profile. A new threat was added this spring. Six-year employment contracts were approved, increasing salaries and postemployment benefits by over 15 percent. A long-term balanced budget was not provided to residents, supporting the increase. I will work to

solutions so you must consider all the views around the issues before taking a decision.

WHY VOTE FOR YOU

I have been at the forefront of many recent township issues. The sewer and water overcharges, organizing the opposition the proposed Special Assessment District proposal that was put to a vote last August. None of my opponents have been that involved in the community. None of the others have had that level of impact to the community. My desire to serve coupled with my work experience and academic achievements are far beyond any of my challengers. None of my competitors have the experience in managing employees, processes, and budgets that I have. Why me? Courage to do the right thing, putting my community first. I will not take a township vehicle for compensation. I was the first candidate to make that pledge. My experience: No competitors have the experience in managing employees, processes, and budgets that I have. My integrity – I do not have a real or perceived conflict of interest as does one of my competitors.

reinstate a 10-year financial plan to improve strategic decisions and provide long-term fiscal responsibility. Predict and address financial challenges before they become large financial issues/burdens. I will work to reinstate a Consolidated Operating Budget, which was removed from the budget adopted on March 23, 2020. The consolidated budget would identify revenue by source and planned expenditures; identify surplus or deficit budgets; recommended by Michigan’s Department of Treasury. MASTER PLAN/ORDINANCES

How familiar are you with your community's master plan and zoning ordinances? Is there a part of the master plan or an ordinance that you feel needs to change? The master plan includes infrastructure requirements. Updating infrastructure increases the township long-term debt and can constrain expenditures during an economic downturn. Therefore, having a 10-year financial plan for the township will improve long-term decisions made by the township's planning division. I will work to reinstate a 10-year financial plan. Show our revenue, expenses, and debt projections year by year for a rolling 10-year period. Help the township make strategic decisions and provide long-term fiscal responsibility. Help the township predict and address financial challenges before they become large financial issues/burdens, saving taxpayers money. REUNIFYING THE COMMUNITY

There has been an increased lack of civility at township board meetings and social media postings, contributing to a divisiveness and lack of respect and cordiality. Given the very public struggles that have taken place in the township, what would be your plan to unify the community and the staff? I will respect First Amendment rights and core political speech of residents. I will work to reinstate a Consolidated Operating Budget, which would provide transparency by showing where all revenue will come from and what expenses are planned. Show residents if the township is operating with a balanced, surplus or deficit budget. Consolidated budgets should include water and sewer. Consolidated budgets are recommended by Michigan’s Department of Treasury. I will work to reinstate a 10-year financial plan to show revenue, expenses, and debt projections year by year for a rolling 10-year period. I will help the township make strategic decisions and provide long-term fiscal responsibility and help the township predict and address financial challenges before they become large financial issues/burdens, saving taxpayers money. I will lead by example and will not accept an exorbitant perk of a Ford Expedition. I stand for total transparency. Transparency makes for better governance. KEY ISSUES

What would you consider the top three issues facing the township and how would you address those issues?

Lack of a long-term financial plan to fund over $160 million in postemployment liabilities. Fiscal responsibility. Financial transparency. A long-term financial plan to fund $160 million in post-employment liabilities is more than making payments according to an actuarial; a long-term financial plan includes making additional payments during an economic expansion. Fiscal responsibility includes providing a long-term financial plan and updating the plan annually. Reinstating a consolidated operating report to the annual budget. Updating the consolidated operating report on a quarterly basis and comparing actual results to estimates. Working a five-day week. Not accepting the Ford Expedition the current Treasurer uses, 24/7/365 at tax payers expense. Financial transparency includes providing residents access to all records. Adding a consolidated operating report to the annual budget. Providing on-line quarterly updates. Addressing postemployment liabilities. Providing online quarterly updates of investments. WHY VOTE FOR YOU

Why should voters select you over your primary opponent? Please be specific in drawing your comparison. I will respect First Amendment rights and core political speech of residents. I will work to reinstate a Consolidated Operating Budget, which would provide transparency by showing where all revenue will come from and what expenses are planned. Show residents if the township is operating with a balanced, surplus or deficit budget. Consolidated budgets should include water and sewer. Consolidated budgets are recommended by Michigan’s Department of Treasury. I'll will work to reinstate a 10-year financial plan. Show revenue, expenses, and debt projections year by year for a rolling 10-year period. Help the township make strategic decisions and provide long-term fiscal responsibility. Help the Township predict and address financial challenges before they become large financial issues/burdens, saving taxpayers money. I will lead by example and will not accept an exorbitant perk of a Ford Expedition. Antakli stand for total transparency. Transparency makes for better governance. Brian Kepes is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in accounting, is a CPA and has owned his own real estate company. He is the incumbent township treasurer. He previously sat on the township's board of trustees from 2009-2016, zoning board of appeals, which he also chaired, from 1994-2009, and tax board of review, 1993-2009.

TREASURER RESPONSIBILITIES

Collect real and personal property taxes and other monies due to the township, account for and deliver them to the county treasurer and other tax assessing entities. Maintain a uniform accounting system. Deposit monies in approved depositories. Disburse checks according to the state law or township board. Invest monies in investment instruments as authorized by state statute and the investment policy set by the township board. Vote at township board meetings. Appoint a Deputy Treasurer. Post a surety bond. I believe I possess the requisite skills, have provided solid results and a proven record to continue to serve as your Bloomfield Treasurer. I am a fiscal conservative. I have provided 26 years of experience and service to the township; 15 as a volunteer on the zoning board of appeals and tax board of review, seven as trustee, and four as your treasurer. Professionally, I earned a degree in accounting and am a certified public accountant, who has started, built, and managed successful businesses’ for over 30 years. Additionally, I have provided active long-term leadership in diverse community organizations.

TOWNSHIP FINANCES

Township finances are strong and performing extremely well. While under my responsibility, in the last four years, township reserves have earned $2,881,000 as compared to Dan Devine’s last four years in office, where he earned only $476,000. Despite historically low interest rates, the township performed six times better in the last four years by eliminating excessive broker fees and investing in safe government bonds. Since November of 2016, the defined benefit equities (DB) and Retiree Health Care Trusts (RHCT) have increased over 40 percent and 20 percent respectively. The difference in the returns for the DB and RHCT is the DB contains only equity, while the RHCT contain equity and fixed income instruments. From the beginning of my term as your Treasurer, every financial relationship and provider was examined, renegotiated, and/or rebid and replaced. All of the costs, fees, and expenses associated with these relationships were either substantially reduced or eliminated, while providing as good as or better service than before. AAA BOND RATING

Bloomfield’s AAA credit rating, as stated by Standard & Poor’s, is a reflection of Bloomfield’s economic strength and management’s demonstrated ability of managing its budget. The AAA rating allows Bloomfield to borrow at the lowest rates and reduce the bottom line cost to taxpayers. As your township treasurer, I diligently work with the supervisor and finance director to meticulously manage the finances and budget by refinancing debt to lower interest rates, continually pay down debt, and reduce township liabilities, increase our investable assets, and increase our reserves. To maintain Bloomfield’s AAA rating, I plan to continue my solid record of proven results.

MASTER PLAN/ORDINANCES

We live in a beautiful community, primarily planned, built, and maintained for residential use. The township's rolling hills and many water features are accentuated by our residents’ superior designed and maintained homes, which are supported by township ordinances, that we should all be proud. As a participant in Bloomfield’s master plan process and having chaired and been a member of its zoning board of appeals for over 15 years, I have great appreciation and respect for the planning, zoning and ordinance process. While the residential nature of the community has been set long ago, things do change and I believe that the master plan and ordinances need to constantly reflect the resident’s needs and desires now and in the future.

REUNIFYING THE COMMUNITY

Civility, cordiality, honesty, kindness, transparency and mutual respect are fundamental to a sound and healthy community and organization. I have lived my personal, business, and community volunteer life committed to these values and will continue to work as a professional in a cooperative spirit continued on page 30B