From the March 3 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting On the consent agenda, the Board approved the Veterans Affairs Committee appointment of Albert Smith, Parks & Recreation Commission reappointments of Jesse Jacox, Michelle DeLong, Dr. Bill Comai, and the 2022 Hazard Mitigation Planning Project Grant Application. Two presentations were given: The Land Bank's 2021 Annual Report and an overview of Sobriety Court by 10th District Court Judge Jason Bomia. The Board also passed a Resolution Supporting the County's current mental health system and our Community Mental Health Authority, Summit Pointe, and Opposing pending legislation (Senate Bills 597 and 598) that would make drastic changes to the administration of that system. Click here for the meeting agenda In new business, the Board approved,  a design services contract for the Morgan Rd. & North Avenue Signal Modernization Project, a grant-funded safety improvement project, to ROWE Professional Services Company a five-year agreement with RAVE Mobile Safety to provide an emergency and mass notification system for Calhoun County the purchase of the Guardian Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Jail Inmate Management Systeman MDOT Contract 22-5033 to rehabilitate Structure #1317 (Raymond Rd. over MDOT Rail Corridor) in Emmett Township, funded primarily with federal grant dollars

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott We anticipated a presentation at the last Board of Commissioners meeting by the Merit Network about the results of last year's countywide broadband survey, but the representatives were unable to make it due to weather conditions. We are still excited to share the findings of the broadband survey on behalf of the County's Broadband Task Force, which worked hard to promote the survey in 2021. The results are significant because they highlight the significant differences in both internet access and speed in almost all parts of the county from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) representation of the same data. Accurate and complete information is critical to the County's next steps for this project, which include feasibility, design and cost studies, while continuing to identify possible sources of grant funding that will help with affordability to our residents. A couple key conclusions from our survey are:  Internet Coverage is Definitely Lacking! FCC data shows about 96% of Calhoun County households having access to broadband services; while the Merit survey found that figure to be closer to 60%.  Internet speeds our residents have are woefully inadequate/ speed test results from our survey indicate that 55% of households do not have even the minimum FCC standards of 25 MBPS download and 3 MBPS upload speeds, which are still considered slow compared to the 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload speeds being required in the latest rounds of funding applications. The Merit survey results show that only 9% of households have access to internet at those higher, industry-recommended speeds. Click here for an executive summary of the results from Merit.

Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events: On Feb. 24, the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority had their organizational meeting, where officers were elected for 2022. The board also approved the Washington Heights Neighborhood, NPC2 Advisory Committee structure and selection process, and adopted the 2022 Sign Code of Ethics. Discussion included title insurance priorities and strategic planning priorities. The Calhoun County Board of Public Health met on Monday, Feb. 28. A Board Vice Chair was appointed and a presentation given by Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton and Calhoun County Health Educator Asha Ritchie about the Syringe Service Program. Health Officer Eric Pessell gave an update on the decline of COVID-19 in the community, and Finance Director Megan Banning presented the monthly financial report and preliminary FY2021 year-end results.  Also on Feb. 28, Administrator Kelli Scott gave a State of the County presentation to Battle Creek Rotary. The presentation included what departments accomplished in 2021, an overview of how some ARPA funds were spent last year, and a preview of what's to come in 2022, including progress on the broadband and transit initiatives. Click here for a PDF of the presentation. The Calhoun County Planning Commission also met on Feb. 28. In new business, the Commission discussed adding two new members and a zoning item brought to the Commission by Bedford Township related to an amendment to the township's Zoning Map. A Broadband Task Force Meeting was held on March 3. The task force discussed the results of the countywide broadband survey that was conducted last year, as discussed in the message above from Administrator Kelli Scott. A discussion was held on how to share these results with the community, as well as decision-makers at the state level who are involved in infrastructure spending.

Update from the Calhoun County Road Department Engineering update: Safety grant tree removals are ongoing countywide Planning and design work are taking place for the 2022 construction season Operations update: Crews are performing winter maintenance as needed Boom mowing is taking in Albion, Burlington, and Pennfield Townships Pothole patching is ongoing across the county Shoulder work has taken place countywide Tree cleanup is ongoing countywide

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