Update from Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Thursday, August 19, 2021
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County Approves Initial Distribution of ARPA Funds
In conjunction with the annual mid-year budget adjustments, the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners approved on August 5 the first phase of appropriations from its $26 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds. This initial distribution totaled $9 million, for projects identified as necessary to address immediate negative health and economic impacts of COVID-19 on our community and on county operations.
These one-time dollars must be invested by the end of 2024 within four broad eligible use categories, set forth by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The eligible uses include responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, responding to workers performing essential work during the pandemic, offsetting the reduction of revenues to the county from 2020-2023, and investing in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure. Except for the lost revenue reimbursement piece, the focus must also be on mitigating problems caused by or exacerbated by the pandemic, including helping hardest hit businesses and industries rebound, and helping disproportionately affected residents and neighborhoods.
The County Board held a special workshop in May to review the rules on spending the funds, and guiding principles to ensure ideas don't create a future fiscal cliff after the funds ran out. We also discussed initial strategies and ideas for potential projects, and heard from some key leaders in Calhoun County to help frame high level needs of the community. Since then I've had numerous conversations with community leaders and have followed up on lots of requests for funding, both external to the county aind within our elected offices, departments and the courts. The process to develop future allocations of funds will continue throughout the next three-year spending period, with a potential project list now topping $50 million..
Within this $9 million are funds for the County Road Department for replacement of revenue losses in 2020 contingent on the lack of federal or state reimbursement, funds to improve the environmental and safety aspects within County facilities, including negative pressure cells in the jail, higher powered generators, and touchless restroom fixtures, improvements in information technology to better support public and employee online services, additional funding for substance use disorder prevention and treatment, and money to help the courts get back to operating at full capacity and beyond. The County also awarded the Calhoun County Fairground Board a grant to reimburse for lost revenue from the cancelled county fair last year, and the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority to help kickstart housing initiatives in partnership with the state, other local governments and private community partners.
We look forward to continuing to work with other local governments and community organizations to help emerge from the pandemic and its negative impacts as quickly as possible using this dedicated source of funding from the federal government. We also will strive to leverage any state ARPA funded programs that become available to counties from its $6.5 billion allocation.
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Highlights from a few boards and committees:
On Aug. 12, the Michigan Association of Counties held a County Administrator's meeting, at which statewide County Administrators shared the status of allocating ARPA funds and strategies being employed. We also heard from MAC staff legislative updates..
The Calhoun County Broadband Task Force met on Thursday, Aug. 12 virtually. At this meeting, a monthly meeting time was established for future meetings and the group began a conversation about how to meet certain objectives in the first year, which were established at a strategic planning session last month. In addition to the contracts being executed by Merit Network and Aspen Wireless regarding broadband, the Task Force discussed establishing goals for digital literacy and improving communications about what is being done.
On Monday, Aug. 16, the Marshall Community Credit Union Board met in person. At this meeting, we heard updates and proposals from the credit union's Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer, in addition to the normal monthly business.
A Calhoun County Board of Public Health Meeting took place virtually and in person on Monday, Aug. 16. One of the action items at this meeting was approval by the Board of Health the Health Department's 2021-2022 budget. which will now go to the County Board of Commissioners for approval in September. Additionally, a discussion was held regarding recommendations for masks in schools. The board reviewed a letter from Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton to frame the discussion about the need to consider action from the Health Officer to issue a countywide mandate, like some other counties in Michigan have done. There was also public input on the topic. No action was requested or taken by the Board of Health regarding masks in schools. More information about the Health Department's stance on this can be found in the Joint Information Center briefing, which was sent on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
The Battle Creek Executive Airport Advisory Board met on Aug. 18 via Zoom. At this meeting, we heard an update on governance review activities, including a presentation on Michigan State Legislative Options for Governance, as well as a discussion on the pros and cons on the options. Technical Advisory Members were also introduced to the board.
On Aug. 19, Chief Judge Mike Jaconette convened the 22nd graduation from Mental Health Treatment Court. The two graduations that took place at this time were the first to occur in person since the pandemic. This was a celebratory moment for the hard-working individuals who have followed the program to lead a healthy productive lifestyle outside of the criminal justice system.
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Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
At the August 19 Board of Commissioners Meeting, the Medical Examiner's Annual Report was provided by Dr. Joyce deJong, Calhoun County's Medical Examiner. Click here for the report. Additionally, on the consent agenda, the Board approved a finalized FEMA grant agreement to reimburse the County for costs of managing non-congregate sheltering contracts with local hotels last year and into 2021.
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In new business, the Board approved,
- The annual secondary road patrol and traffic accident prevention program grant application on behalf of the Sheriff's Office
- July 2021 financial statements
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Update from the Road Department |
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Engineering update:
- Federal aid projects are wrapping up and punch-list items are being addressed to finalize the projects
- Primary and local paving is ongoing countywide
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The Emmett Township Local Road Project is still actively underway (see weekly update)
Operations update:
- Durapatchers are preparing roads in Leroy Township for chip seal
- The second round of dust control will start next week in Athens Township
- Shouldering has taken place countywide
- 2021 contractor pothole patching is in full swing; contractors are currently patching in Lee Township with about 90% completed and then will move into Clarence Township
- The second round of roadside mowing has begun
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