Update from Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019
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Please note that the Oct. 3, 2019 Board of Commissioners meeting is cancelled due to a special White House briefing that day in Washington, D.C. for county commissioners. The next Board of Commissioners meeting will take place Thursday, Oct. 17.
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After receiving an 'AA' financial rating from Standard & Poor’s last week, bonds were priced on September 11 and will be sold in early October to refund the County's outstanding
2010 General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds
. This issuance does not extend the payoff time for the debt service and will lower interest rates to save the County over $300,000 during the remaining life of the bonds.
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Here is what's going on in Calhoun County:
Tuesday, Sept. 10, the
Calhoun County Visitors Bureau
met at Starr Commonwealth and received an update from CEO Linda Freybler on the Bureau's upcoming strategic planning process. County board vice-chair Kathy-Sue Vette is the chair of the CVB board, and I continue to serve as treasurer. We reappointed several board members for another term, and elected a new vice chair and secretary in response to a few members’ term limits. A closed session was held at the end of the meeting to discuss our CEO’s performance evaluation.
Also on Sept. 10, the
Summit Pointe Board
met and held a public hearing on the organization’s proposed 2020 budget. Commissioner Vette is also the chair of this board and I’m the treasurer. We heard an update regarding strategic planning and adopted the FY2020 budget.
As chair I convened the Executive Committee of the
Michigan Municipal Services Authority
on Thursday, Sept. 12. In new business, the committee authorized me to execute a contract with Advocate Solutions for 2020 technical consulting services relating to our contract with the State’s Local Community Stabilization Act (LCSA) board, and discussed plans to select a new CEO.
On Sept. 16, the
Board of Health
heard a presentation about Children's Special Health Care Services and discussed its meeting schedule for 2020. Highlights from the Health Officer's report include, recruitment is taking place for a number of positions, outreach initiatives are ongoing related to emergency preparedness and National Food Safety Month, and the mosquito/tick tracking program is near complete.
Later that day, I attended the
Marshall Community Credit Union Board of Directors
meeting. The credit union’s VP of Information Technology and our compliance officer presented their quarterly cybersecurity update, and we discussed the upcoming annual strategic planning process.
The
Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance
(MAEDA) board met Tuesday, Sept. 17 and heard from County employee Doug Ferrall about the Parks & Recreation Commission’s plans for a potential new countywide parks millage. As treasurer and chair of the finance/audit committee I reported on August 2019 financial statements and we approved the engagement of Gabridge & Company for the 2019 financial audit.
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Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
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At the Sept. 19 meeting, there were three items of special business. The Calhoun County Land Bank Authority provided its bi-annual update, the election for the County Board of Canvassers took place, and a resolution was heard related to Stepping-Up.
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At the start of new business, the Water Resources Commissioner Fred Heaton gave his annual report, which includes a list of maintenance performed this year on county drains Townships from Bedford to Homer were assessed and in many case maintenance like vegetation management was performed. After his annual report, the Board of Commissioners approved related lake level resolutions, as recommended by Commissioner Heaton.
In other new business, the Board approved,
- An application for a 29 Mile Rd/Clark Street MDOT Transportation Economic Development Grant to improve a stretch of these roads in Albion
- Senior millage amendment for the community care options program to serve more seniors currently wait-listed
- The Health Department's final FY19 budget amendments
- PA2 Alcohol Tax budget for FY19/20
- License to use the Sperry Avenue Right of Way
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Update from the Road Department
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Operations:
- The chip-seal program is complete for 2019
- Primary road bridge work continues, with a second timber deck replacement on V Drive N, just east of Old 27 over Indian Creek
- Shoulder maintenance took place countywide
- Berm removal is taking place in Clarendon and Tekonsha Townships
- Boom mowing is taking place in Burlington, Marengo, and Pennfield Townships
- Gravel maintenance is taking place in Burlington Township
- Crews are patching potholes in Homer, Clarence, and Lee Townships
- Two Durapatchers are running in Burlington and Marengo Townships
Contractor operations:
- The second round of roadside mowing is complete
- Crack-sealing in Pennfield and Bedford Townships is complete and ongoing in Convis Township
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Engineering:
- Federal aid projects are complete
- D Drive N culvert project in Emmett Township is complete
- T Drive S culvert project in Athens Township will likely start next week
- Primary and local road paving is 95% complete countywide
- Federal aid tree cutting can start after Oct. 1, per environmental requirements
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Calhoun County Corporate Cup
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Since the last Board of Commissioners meeting, numerous employees participated in the 31
st
annual Cereal City
Corporate Cup
, hosted by the Battle Creek YMCA to provide friendly competition between various employer teams. I'm proud to say that Calhoun County took fourth place overall. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this fun, active, community event, and an extra special thank you to Marie St. Amand, who coordinated the County’s participation and supported us at the events!
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From the Public Health Department
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CCPHD is investigating a possible case of
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
in an individual who may have been exposed in early or mid-August.
Most who are infected with the virus that causes EEE do not become ill. However, persons below the age of 15 or above the age of 50 years have greater risk of developing a severe infection that has high potential for permanent brain damage or death. Calhoun County residents will continue to be at risk for EEE infection until the first frost decreases mosquito populations. The mosquito species that transmits the virus to humans is most active from dusk until dawn.
To prevent EEE, the Public Health Department recommends
- Wear protective clothing
- Use repellent
- Install and repair screens
- Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs near you
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Click to read more from CCPHD
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Explore the Fort Custer National Cemetery Memorial Path
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At the last Veterans Affairs Committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, Director Aaron Edlefson began by unveiling a physical and digital memorial project. Both are in honor of Jay Wilkerson, an employee of Silver Star Veterans Housing who died in 2018. A wall in the office's board room features photos of monuments along the memorial path in Fort Custer National Cemetery. A complementary digital story map interactively tells the story of the path, and the intent of the project.
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