Update from Kelli Scott for Thursday, Aug. 1
The Michigan Native American Heritage Fund Board (NAHFB) met on July 29 to decide on funding for seven grant applications, from Michigan governments and educational institutions. Jamie Stuck, chairperson of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe, chairs this Board. This year all submitted projects were supported, and based on available revenues, projects $20,000 and under were awarded at 100 percent of the requested amount and projects above that threshold at 98%. Those awards, totaling $479,782, are, 

  • Bay de Noc Community College, $6,000
  • Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, $98,000
  • Grand Rapids Community College, $5,285
  • Indigenous Law and Policy Center at Michigan State University College of Law, $20,000
  • Monroe County Community College, $199,234
  • Northern Michigan University, $134,612.80
  • The Friendship Community/LIFT Teen Center, $16,650

In community involvement,

The 2020 budget process continued with a Board of Commissioners Budget Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 23. Commissioners Frisbie, King and Smith sit on this committee. The County’s Administrative Executive Team and Finance staff reviewed our 2020 assumptions and projected revenues and expenditures for the General Fund, as well as the resulting department targets necessary to balance the budget. Countywide leaders will be developing their budget requests for 2020 during August and into September.

The Marshall Community Credit Union Board Meeting took place on Monday, July 22. CEO Heather Luciani share a presentation on Board of Directors Liability, highlighting the important roles and fiduciary responsibilities required of us to reduce personal liability. The Board also received the annual Examination Report from the state’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services..

On Tuesday, July 23, the Hospital Finance Authority met, as required annually. It elected new officers and reviewed Oaklawn Hospital's Quarterly Disclosure Report, required in conjunction with the Authority’s prior issuance of bonds on behalf of the Hospital to finance capital improvements. I was elected as Authority Chairperson for this year, with State employee John Byrd, II as Secretary and County Deputy Controller Jeryl Schoepke as Treasurer.

The Calhoun County Planning Commission met Monday, July 29 and recommended for approaval zoning text and map amendments for Newton, Lee, and Marshall Townships, along with a Public Act 116 farmland preservation application from residents in Burlington Township. 

For a regularly-scheduled meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission met on Thursday, Aug. 1. The group continued discussion of a possible countywide parks millage proposal for 2020, which would require County Board of Commissioners authorization before being placed on the ballot. The department report included information about the update to the County’s 5-year master Parks and Recreation Plan and primitive camping research. 
From the Board of Commissioners

At the Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019 Board of Commissioners Meeting, the Board accepted the County’s December 31, 2018 annual financial and compliance audits, presented by Gabridge & Co. 

In new business, the Board,
  • Accepted the 2019 Iron Belle Challenge Grant Award, providing $81,500 toward local match for acquisition of trailhead property in Albion Township
  • Approved the 2018 Act 51 Annual Report summarizing the financial condition of the County’s Road Department
  • Authorized a countywide user fee study, and cost allocation plan for the Health Department, to be conducted by MGT Consulting Group
  • Approved a purchasing policy waiver for constructing confidential meeting space required by the Public Defenders Office
  • Authorized the issuance of Series 2019 GOLT Refunding Bonds
  • Approved a reimbursement resolution for the Road Department in anticipation of bonds to fund the County’s share of Emmett Township local road improvements
Road Department Update

In operations:
  • The County's chip seal program is half complete, currently in Convis Township then moving toward Bedford Township
  • Bridge work continues, with maintenance wrapping up on the 22 1/2 Mile Bridge between H Dr N and F Dr N in Marengo Township
  • Joint repair continues on I-69, working on the south-bound lane from N Dr N to just north of I-94

In contractor operations:
  • Brining in Clarendon and Homer Townships is complete, with Albion Township next and followed by Sheridan, Marengo, and Convis Townships
  • The second round of Roadside Mowing is scheduled to begin in mid-August. Mowing will start in Clarence Township, working east to west across the County

In engineering:
  • Two construction projects, F Drive/West Drive and Michigan Avenue (pictured), are nearly complete
  • Final paving remains for the Union City Rd. project
  • The North Ave. project is underway
  • 25 1/2 Mile Rd is scheduled to be pulverized on July 31
  • Primary and local road work is about 75 percent complete
  • The Halbert Rd. culvert installation is underway
Voting in Select Calhoun County Townships

There is an election on Tuesday, Aug. 6 in Clarence, Marengo, and Sheridan Townships, as well as those in the Marshall District Library district. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. For a description of the voting proposals, information about voter registration, or a list of polling locations, please see the press release prepared by Teri Loew, Calhoun County's Election Specialist . The press release also provides information about which communities are included in the Marshall District Library district. 
From the Parks and Recreation Department

A public-input survey is available to better understand the interests and hopes of residents related to parks countywide. Questions in the survey address opportunities to redevelop Kimball Pines, accessibility, and the possible support of a parks millage. The survey is available in August and September and will be incorporated into the department's 5-year plan, which is used for grant applications and strategic planning.

The survey can be accessed online at b.link/calhounparks . For a hard-copy version, call the Community Development Office at 269-781-0782.
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