Administrator's Update

Update from Kelli Scott for Thursday, May 2

I’m excited that this week, County parks are open to the public for the season! Restrooms are unlocked and maintenance will continue through August. County parks include Historic Bridge Park, Kimball Pines and the Ott Biological Preserve. Keep up with what's happening at the parks on Facebook .

This week, we congratulate Commissioner Jake Smith for his appointment by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Community Corrections Board, which advises the director of the Michigan Department of Corrections in developing goals, criteria and guidelines for local governments in establishing community corrections programs and in determining grant guidelines for Comprehensive Corrections Plans. Read the press release

At the County Board of Public Health meeting on Monday, April 15, staff presented an overview of HIV Awareness initiatives. Health Officer Eric Pessell’s report included an update on recent isolated mumps cases within the county jail and information about a new opioid response grant from the state. Also, deputy county controller Megan Banning presented the Health Department's financial reports. Through March 31, both revenues and expenditures were lower than the prior year’s amounts, mainly due to staffing vacancies and timing of receipts and expenditures within certain programs. Starting in June, county finance will be working with the Health Board’s budget committee and its managers to develop the budget for the department’s fiscal year starting October 1.

On Tuesday, April 16, Calhoun County employees had an opportunity to attend customer service training by Emily Bongard. This presentation was put on by the County's Human Resources and was well attended by employees from departments across the County.

I was honored to attend on the 14 ^th graduation ceremony for the Mental Health Treatment Court , which took place on Wednesday, April 24 . Led by Chief Judge Mike Jaconette and the Mental Health Treatment Court Review Team, individuals in the Mental Health Treatment Court program work very hard to better themselves in order to lead a healthy, productive lifestyle outside of the criminal justice system.

In community involvement,

A Michigan Municipal Services Authority Executive Committee meeting took place on Thursday, April 11, at which we discussed the CEO Transition Plan because the executive director is taking a new job as assistant city manager of Troy, Michigan. I will convene the executive committee again on Thursday, May 9 to continue with future plans, including a consideration of continuing the MMSA's agreement with the Local Community Stabilization Authority that includes disbursing reimbursements to local governments for personal property tax losses.

The FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board met on Friday, April 12 to consider applications for specific actual costs increased during 2018 that were attributable to the FireKeepers Casino or the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Reservation. Commissioner Derek King continues to serve on the Board as the County’s representative. This year all amounts submitted were approved, including $910 to the County Sheriff’s Office for inmate housing and nearly $163,000 to Emmett Township for public safety response, sewer project expenses and the third year’s payment toward partial reimbursement of the township’s fire apparatus purchased in 2017. The FLRSB meets again on Friday, May 3 to continue the 2019 disbursement process, with expected approval of approximately $4.5 million and $1 million for tier 3 (payment in lieu of taxes) and tier 4 (20% remaining discretionary amount), respectively. At the end of the tiered disbursement process, the Board will also decide whether to offer a local governmental grant program with unspent discretionary funds.

On April 16, I attended the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance Board meeting. At that meeting, we discussed communications for the MDOT/Michigan Avenue Project in downtown Marshall, and approved additional funding for a planned new tourism trolley.

On April 23, I gave remarks at the opening of the new location of our CareHere Health & Wellness Center for our employees and families, as well as those from our partners from three private Battle Creek companies. A ribbon cutting and open house gave employees a chance to meet providers and see the new space.

From the Board of Commissioners

Vice-Chair Kathy-Sue Vette led the May 2 Board meeting in the absence of Chair Steve Frisbie.

One item of new business that was approved at the Board of Commissioners meeting is an amendment to the PACE Program Report. Local, private entities can take advantage of the "Property Assessed Clean Energy" (PACE) program, which allows energy projects to be financed and repayments secured with a special tax assessment on the property.

The County began this program in 2015, and this amendment simply updates certain terms of the program, administered by Lean and Green Michigan . Our first project is expected to be with the Battle Creek YMCA, which is seeking to update its facilities in an energy-positive way. We are glad to encourage opportunities like this that promote sustainable economic development.

In other new business, the Board:

Approved 2019 summer and winter property tax resolutions, with no change to the county’s millage rates again this year
Approved Senior Millage supplemental funding for Community Action’s minor home repair program
Approved the 2018 Homeland Security Grant Program Funding agreement
Approved Sheriff's Office Risk Avoidance Grants through MMRMA, our risk management authority and property/liability insurance carrier
Approved a mowing and property services award, which will be used by the Treasurer's Office for foreclosed properties
Approved this year’s administrative service agreement with the Native American Heritage Fund Board

A number of board approvals related to the Calhoun County Road Department, including,

Approved the replacement of the Halbert Road culvert
Approved the first batch of local road improvement agreements for 2019, with Albion and Convis Townships
Awarded a bid for the 2019/2020 biennial bridge inspection program
Approved an authorized staffing allocation change to add three road workers

Road Department Update

Although many road construction projects officially begin in early June, crews have begun work on 16 Mile Rd in Convis Township this week. Weather permitting, work will continue on the 21 Mile Rd Bridge project. The engineering team is also completing annual traffic counts in the Battle Creek area and submitted applications for MDOT's Local Bridge Program. If projects are selected, they will be funded in 2022. Also, T Drive S/1 Mile Rd construction projects are currently out for bid.

In operations, the Calhoun County Road Department is patching potholes countywide, mowing in Leroy and Sheridan Townships, replacing culverts in various locations, and managing tree removal/cleanup. There are 14 contract ed patch ing crews starting this week and will begin patching potholes in Clarence Township. A contractor is also crack-sealing in Bedford Township.

Volunteering in the community | Staff and committee members from the Veteran Affairs Office volunteered with Habitat For Humanity on Saturday, April 20. The team helped build a ramp for a disabled veteran who recently had a stroke. The project was organized by Habitat For Humanity and funded by the County's Veteran Affairs Office.

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