From the Thursday, May 5 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting There were three items on the consent agenda at this Board of Commissioners meeting: local road improvement project agreements with 10 townships; financial statements for March 2022; and two appointments to the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation. Click here for the meeting agenda In new business, the Board approved, language for the renewal of the Calhoun County Medical Care Facility Millage, which will be on countywide ballots for the Aug. 2, 2022 election Parks Millage allocations for 2022 a bid award for Kimball Pines Park renovations a bid award for the jail's repeater and radio communication system a renewed contract for animal shelter services updates to Policy #340 - Employee Benefits, which adds Juneteenth as a recognized county holiday and makes Good Friday a full day holiday  a budget adjustment and lease agreement for the Public Health Department  to relocate its clinic in Albion  the TPOAM-Road Collective bargaining agreement for 2022-2024 After a motion was made in the beginning of the meeting to amend the agenda, Commissioners added an item of new business that prohibited returning primary roads to gravel unless there is a board policy in place that covers returning primary roads to gravel. After discussion, this was approved 4-3.

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott Thank you to our Public Safety Personnel Tonight the Board approved proclamations celebrating two weeks within this month times to recognize the important services that our Sheriff's Office provides every day, in both the corrections and law enforcement divisions. This week, May 1-7, is National Correctional Officers Week, recognizing our corrections deputies and all they do to keep the Calhoun County Jail operational, secure, and efficient. Read the proclamation. Earlier this week, Sheriff Steve Hinkley recognized the 2022 Corrections Officer of the Year in a press release. Congratulations to Deputy Aaron Grodavent! Later this month is National Police Week from May 11-17, where we honor our law enforcement professionals, including deputies in the Sheriff's Office. Read the proclamation, which specifically recognizes officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We are very thankful to have dedicated Sheriff's Office staff in Calhoun County. Excellence in Financial Reporting Recognition Once again this year, the County received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for our 2020 Audit, formally called the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or CAFR. This international award program maintains high standards for annual comprehensive financial reporting in government, prioritizing transparency and full disclosure. It takes extra work to prepare an optional CAFR and our Finance Department continues to shine with their commitment to excellence each year! Read a press release from GFOA about this process. Happy Mother's Day on May 8 to all the moms in Calhoun County and beyond!

Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events: The internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee met on Thursday, April 14. We approved a mission and vision statement and ongoing action plans, including the current process of accepting applications from employees to join the committee. Online all-employee training covering Cultural Competency topics is taking place this month.   The Calhoun County Board of Public Health met on Monday, April 18. In his Health Officer Report, Eric Pessell provided updates about Public Health programming and future strategic planning and national accreditation efforts. The Board also discussed the change of location for the Albion Health Clinic to the Cram Building and plans to offer services with a mobile van in the future.   The Veterans Affairs Committee held a special meeting on Wednesday, April 27 to discuss grant amendments for FY22 and opportunities for FY23 for the County Veteran Service Fund, which is a state fund that county offices can apply for. Because additional funds are newly available, Director Aaron Edlefson held a meeting to discuss potential requests.   On Friday, April 29 the FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board (FLRSB) met for the first time in 2022 for its organizational meeting. The Board elected officers, naming County Commissioner Derek King as chair for this year. They also approved this year’s meeting schedule and timeline for funds distribution. The first allocation step is for Tier 2, reimbursements to local municipalities for specific actual increased costs incurred during 2021. That application period is now open, and can be found along with other information about the FLRSB on our website, calhouncountymi.gov/flrsb. On Thursday, May 5 the County’s Broadband Task Force met. At this meeting updates were given by Kitch Law Firm about current and pending state and federal legislation and funding opportunities relating to broadband, and by our consultants, CTC, about progress on a feasibility study and cost benefit analysis. CTC is currently in the process with meeting with local internet service providers, local municipalities and other key stakeholders to help the County narrow down options for how to meet our goal of ensuring affordable, sufficient-speed internet access countywide.

Questions or comments? Please contact our Communications Manager. If you were forwarded this email, sign up to receive future emails.