Update from Kelli Scott for Thursday, Aug. 15
The FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board met Thursday, Aug. 8 to consider Tier IV discretionary grant applications, submitted by local governments within Calhoun County. $329,202.16 was awarded for 23 projects, including some applications submitted by County Government departments. Those include, 
 
Circuit Court Clerk
$24,960 awarded to digitize archived court files for easy public access
 
Juvenile Home
$17,581.28 awarded to upgrade security cameras and equipment
 
Parks
$20,000 awarded to purchase a brush mower, create a development plan for Riverside Park, and establish load rating for Charlotte Highway Bridge in Historic Bridge Park
 
Sheriff
$16,580 awarded to upgrade training facility in Marengo Township
 
Solid Waste
$5,515.88 awarded to launch a sharps drop-off pilot program countywide
 
10 th  District Court
$24,500 awarded to support the treatment courts’ in-home alcohol monitoring and provide for state and national program training 


The Calhoun County Fair took place this week at the fairgrounds in Marshall. Numerous County departments were active in this year's fair, including the Sheriff's Office who has a large presence in keeping the event safe, Senior Services which helps provide a free lunch to seniors on Senior Day (pictured), and Veteran Affairs which assisted with the planning of Veterans Day.  
In community involvement,

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Summit Pointe Board met and heard presentations regarding the Crisis Intervention Team and I/DD Services. The board approved physician privileges for Dr. Priya Mahajan, an appointment to the Recipient Rights Advisory Board, and the annual audited financial statements from the firm of BDO.
 
The Michigan Municipal Services Authority Executive Committee met Thursday, Aug. 8. The Committee held a public hearing on the FY 2019-20 budget and then adopted the budget through a Resolution Approving the General Appropriations Act. The group also authorized me, as Board and Executive Committee Chair, to create a CEO selection subcommittee and to negotiate contractual services for certain duties related to the Local Community Stabilization Act. The MMSA Executive Committee meets next on September 12, when we hope to formalize agreements regarding both items.
 
The Veterans Affairs Committee met Wednesday, Aug. 14. At that meeting the committee approved eight items on five applications for Veterans Relief Fund dollars and discussed the fund's procedures. 
From the Board of Commissioners

At the Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 Board of Commissioners Meeting, Commissioners received July financial statements for County Government and the Road Department. It also awarded the Public Health Department's laboratory water testing bid to Alliance Analytical Laboratories. The resolution to waive local funding of return gravel road construction was not approved.
 
The Board of Commissioners also approved three items of new business related to the Road Department.
 
Athens Township 3rd Brine Application: The Calhoun County Road Department pays 100% of the cost for two rounds of brining of gravel roads, and then the County will apply another round of brining as townships request and at the townships’ cost. This item approved such an agreement with Athens Township.
 
Agreement to Purchase Barry County Federal Highway Funds: This agreement allows Calhoun County to purchase $750,000 of Barry County's allocated federal road funds at a 15% discount, providing savings to Calhoun County and unrestricted cash in exchange to Barry County.
Pictured is the paving of North Ave.
Road Department Update

Operations:
  • Calhoun County road crews are approximately three-quarters of the way through the Chip Seal Program. Chip Sealing is taking place in Bedford and Leroy Townships.
  • Primary road bridge work continues. Maintenance work continues on the bridge that crosses the Battle Creek River on Pine Lake Rd between Bellevue Rd and Pennfield Rd. When that work is complete, crews will remove the old deck and install a new one on the bridge on P Dr S just east of M-99 in Homer Township. We will be removing the old deck and installing a new one.
  • Shoulder maintenance is taking place countywide.
  • Boom mowing continues in Pennfield and Bedford Townships.
  • The CCRD sign shop continues to perform sign maintenance countywide.
 
Contractor operations:
  • Contract patchers are working in Tekonsha, Clarendon and Homer townships, to wrap up this season’s comprehensive patching plan. Emergency patching will continue with CCRD staff.
  • The second round of Roadside Mowing has started. Lee and Clarence Townships were completed and now contract crews are working in Albion, Eckford, and Sheridan Townships.
 
Engineering:
  • Federal aid projects are wrapping up
  • Primary and local road paving is approximately 80% complete
  • Verona Rd and a small portion of 11 Mile Rd will be chip sealed starting Monday, Aug. 19, weather permitting
  • Preston Dr in Marshall Township was pulverized and is now being paved
  • The Halbert Rd culvert project is almost complete
Calhoun County in the News

When we are able to explain the work that we do countywide, we help the public understand the breadth of services we offer and how decisions are made in local government. In the last week, publicity by local media outlets has covered multiple departments and county initiatives .

From the Community Development Office

There's still time: A public-input survey is available to better understand the interests of residents related to parks countywide. The survey can be accessed online at b.link/calhounparks . For a hard-copy version, call the Community Development Office at 269-781-0782.

Don't miss the last three major recycling events of 2019:

Saturday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
City of Battle Creek Department of Public Works
150 Kendall St. S, Battle Creek, Mich. 49037

Saturday, Sept. 14, 8 a.m.-noon
Athens Township
130 E Burr Oak St., Athens, Mich. 49011

Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-noon
Marshall County Building
Intersection of S Grand St and W Hanover St in Marshall, Mich. 49068
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