Update from Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019
Last year's United Way campaign for the County was successful, with 152 pledges from County employees and $22,559 donated to the local United Way chapters. This year, let's exceed these numbers and give even more to our community. Hopefully in the process, we can have fun too. Learn more about the 2019 campaign below.
Here is what's going on in Calhoun County:
I attended the  Michigan Association of Counties' (MAC) Annual Conference  August 18-20 in Traverse City. Informational sessions included an update on Michigan’s economy, the importance of the upcoming U.S. Census process, and legislative priorities. Our statewide county administrative officers (MACAO) board meeting also took place during the conference. As always, the MAC conference was a great opportunity to discuss current issues with Commissioners and Administrators of other Michigan counties, as well as numerous vendors and MAC staff.
 
On August 23, the  Calhoun Public Safety Information Alliance Board  met. This board includes Sheriff Matt Saxton, Randy Hazel and as County representatives, and is chaired by Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker. At the meeting, the board received updates from the County's IT Department on the continued enhanced use of our jointly purchased law enforcement records management system (RMS), including e-ticketing, which is now implemented across almost all partner agencies.

A Department Head and Elected Officials meeting took place Tuesday, Aug. 27. County leaders heard first from Senior Services Manager Helen Guzzo about the upcoming United Way campaign. Updates from each department included,
Sheriff Matt Saxton updated the group on hiring needs at the Sheriff's Office, with approximately 12 empty positions.
  • Prosecutor David Gilbert reported on a new diversion program for juveniles.
  • The Public Defender's Office led by David Makled is officially open for business, taking on all new public defense cases starting in September and working with the courts on arraignments and other processes.
  • At the Calhoun County Juvenile Home, school has begun for the residents. The treatment program is at capacity, for the first time in approximately three years.
  • Senior Services is beginning a bed bug remediation program for the upcoming year and hopes to help 15-20 seniors who cannot receive other services due to bed bug infestation.

After the Department Head meeting, the  Information Technology Executive Committee also   convened on Aug. 27. Chaired by Commissioner Jake Smith, we heard from Communications Manager Lucy Blair an update about the upcoming website redesign and discussed how to ensure that the new site is service oriented. IT staff also gave an overview of our transition to Microsoft 360, which will be introduced to employees in the next month.

The Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation  met Tuesday, Sept. 3 and approved contributing $2,000 in grant matching support for an EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant. Director of Community Development, Jen Bomba, gave updates on county park initiatives, the countywide transit study, and an MEDC site readiness grant.
In tandem with the Marshall Historic Home Tour, tours will be offered at Historic Bridge Park about the truss bridges throughout the park.

Historic Bridge Park is a model nationwide for truss bridge restoration. Tours by Vern Mesler, the project manager for when the bridges were erected, will include information about riveting, eye-bars, bridge pins, forge welds, and more. Read the press release.
Calhoun County Board of Commissioners
At the Sept. 5, 2019 Board of Commissioners meeting, proclamations were read supporting Miles for Memories and the County's United Way Campaign. As part of the consent agenda, the Board approved County and employee delegates for our MERS retirement plan, a school wellness grant, and an amendment to the standing rules of the Board of Commissioners related solely to changes in the Open Meetings Act. A closed session was held at the end of the meeting.
In new business, the Board approved,

  • The Public Health Department's FY20 budget, which has a fiscal year starting 10/1, different than the rest of the county
  • Grant application for secondary road patrol
  • Two bid awards related to Road Department equipment
  • Lease agreements with the Department of Health and Human Services and with Michigan Works
  • A resolution related to a utility easement for electrical lines with Marshall Energy Center, LLC
  • A State Grant award to evaluate the potential for implementing a syringe services program
  • The independent contract form for the roster attorneys within the new Public Defender Office
Around the County
Update from the Road Department
Operations:
  • The County's chip seal program is nearly complete. Remaining roads are in Athens/Burlington, Emmett, Lee, and Marengo Townships
  • The P Dr South bridge deck replacement over Lampson Run Drain in Homer Township is complete
  • Maintenance has begun on the 18 1/2 Mile Rd bridge just south of M60 over the St. Joe River.
  • Bridge work will begin on V Drive N, just east of Old 27 over Indian Creek. The deck will be replaced.

Engineering:
  • Federal aid projects are nearly complete
  • D Drive North culvert construction has begun
  • The 1 Mile Dr culvert was installed
  • Emmett's Local Road Program is currently out to bid
Contractor operations:
  • The second round of brining will begin next week in Burlington Township
  • Tree trimming is taking place on R Drive N in Convis Township
  • The second round of roadside mowing is almost complete, finishing up in Bedford, Emmett, Leroy, and Pennfield Townships
  • Crack sealing is almost complete in Pennfield Township
Calhoun County's United Way Campaign Begins
The County's annual United Way campaign will begin with the Board of Commissioners Resolution at this week's meeting. Running for three weeks, County employees can enjoy cookouts, giveaways, and multiple opportunities to give. In addition to pledging to United Way, containers will be located in the primary County buildings to collect food for the Food Bank of South Central Michigan.

Click for information and the schedule of events , including when cookouts will take place in Battle Creek and Marshall.
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