Van Buren County is excited to announce the launch of a new survey designed specifically for all County Remonumentation Grant Administrators across Michigan! This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to enhance collaboration, increase transparency, and improve the efficiency of remonumentation services statewide.
Through this survey, counties will have the opportunity to provide essential data on how much they are paying for remonumentation services, and in return, gain access to a powerful new tool: an online interactive report that allows them to see how their costs compare to other counties of their choosing. Let’s dive into how this survey works and why it’s such a valuable resource.
What is the Remonumentation Program?
The Michigan State Survey and Remonumentation Program is a statewide initiative to accurately restore and preserve survey corners, many of which date back to the original land surveys of the 1800s. Accurate land boundaries are critical to both public and private land management, and the remonumentation process ensures that property lines are clearly defined and legally sound. Each county is responsible for managing its own program, with funding provided through state grants.
Why This Survey Matters
Transparency in Costs: One of the key reasons for this survey is to promote greater transparency in the costs associated with remonumentation services. Currently, costs can vary widely from county to county, depending on factors such as the geographic size of the county, the number of survey corners, the ease or difficulty reaching those corners, and the availability of local surveyors. By participating in the survey, counties can provide data on what they’re paying for remonumentation services, giving everyone a clearer picture of the overall landscape.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Once the survey is completed, counties will gain access to an online interactive report. This report will allow administrators to compare their own county’s costs with those of other counties, which can be filtered and sorted based on various criteria. This comparison tool is designed to help counties make more informed decisions when budgeting for future remonumentation services or negotiating contracts with service providers. Knowing how your county's expenses align with those of similar counties can highlight potential areas for cost savings or investments.
Encouraging Collaboration: By providing counties with the ability to easily compare remonumentation costs, this tool fosters collaboration between counties. If one county is paying significantly less for the same services, it opens the door for neighboring counties to discuss how they might benefit from similar practices or partnerships. Whether it's sharing best practices or negotiating group contracts with service providers, counties can work together to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Maximizing State Grant Funding: With clear data on what counties are paying, the State of Michigan can better assess how remonumentation grant funds are being used across the state. The interactive report could help identify any disparities or areas where additional support might be needed. This ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and that every county is able to make the most of the funds they receive.
How to Get Involved
If you’re a County Remonumentation Grant Administrator, participating in this survey is easy! You will receive a link via email to access the survey, where you’ll fill out basic information on how much your county is paying for its remonumentation services. Once the survey is completed, you’ll be granted access to the interactive report tool.
This entire process has been designed to be quick, user-friendly, and beneficial to every county that takes part. The more counties that participate, the more comprehensive and valuable the data will be for everyone involved.
Looking Ahead
We believe that this survey and the interactive report tool will become a crucial resource for counties across Michigan. Not only will it provide transparency and encourage collaboration, but it will also help ensure that remonumentation services are delivered in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible. Van Buren County is proud to lead this effort, and we look forward to seeing how counties statewide will benefit from this innovative approach.
If you have any questions about the survey or need assistance, feel free to reach out to Van Buren County’s Remonumentation team. Let’s work together to ensure that Michigan’s remonumentation services continue to meet the highest standards of accuracy and efficiency.
Stay tuned for updates on the survey and the new interactive tool—we can’t wait to see the results!
