From the Thursday, August 18 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting
The consent agenda for the August 18 Board of Commissioners meeting included the appointment of Leroy Wright to the Summit Pointe Board, updated bylaws and intergovernmental agreement with Michigan Works! Southwest Workforce Development Board; and a local road improvement agreement between the County Road Department and Sheridan Township. Click here for the meeting agenda and video
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In new business, the Board approved,
- the Sheriff's Office FY2023 Secondary Road Patrol Grant Application
- an amendment to the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority's Interlocal Agreement with the cities of Marshall, Springfield, and Battle Creek and the County regarding ongoing funding of the employees’ defined benefit pension plan
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A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Inaugural Local Government Leaders Forum
Hosted by the County’s Community Development Office and sponsored by our Economic Development Corporation, the very first Local Government Leaders Forum was held on Wednesday, August 17. This was an opportunity for elected and appointed government officials from every township, village, and city in Calhoun County to get together with County officials and learn about topics that are relevant to all local municipalities. We hope to make this be an ongoing opportunity with forums a few times each year.
At this first meeting, Assistant Community Development Director Doug Ferrall provided updates about the countywide transit initiative, which is ongoing, as well as the Parks Millage allocation process, which provides annual funds to local municipalities for parks improvements.
For the Transit update, Doug and Battle Creek Public Transit Director Mallory Avis shared potential plans for a countywide transit initiative that would expand the current BC Go pilot program to a capacity that could successfully serve residents countywide. Data from the City’s pilot program clearly shows this need for expansion. Of the more than 50,000 total trips requested of BC Go in 2021, only 22 percent were able to be completed with the two vans dedicated to the program. The goal of all city and county leadership in Calhoun County who have been leading this initiative is to create a consolidated public transit authority that includes both the existing fixed route systems in Marshall and Battle Creek, and adding an on demand system throughout the county. This might take 22 vans, and the system would be funded through existing state and federal transit funding, rider fares, some operational savings from the consolidation, and inevitably a new millage, which most other communities rely on for this service. Click here to learn more about the current BC Go program.
Regarding the parks millage, Doug Ferrall shared information about how local governments can make the most of the funds to improve recreation options for their residents. Allowable expenses that municipalities can use millage funds for include any activities that maintain, operate, preserve, acquire, or develop new and existing parks in these communities. Information about the millage can be found on the Parks website.
More Leadership Focus:
This week, I'd like to congratulate Veterans Affairs Director Aaron Edlefson on successfully completing the National Association of Counties' High Performance Leadership Academy, which is an online program designed "to equip county government professionals with practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and communities." The practical skills taught include leading, organizing, collaborating, communicating, and delivering. Learn more about the program. Aaron successfully completed the 12-week program with the highest possible score on each topic covered. This program will be offered to others in future years and is just one example of how our county supports employees seeking opportunities to better their abilities to lead others and to serve our residents.
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Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events:
A Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) meeting was held on August 5. The Committee elected a new Vice Chair and reviewed revisions to the minimum service standards for the Handy Helper and Dental Programs. SMAC also discussed numerous upcoming events including strategic planning, which takes place tomorrow Aug. 19; Senior Day at the Fair, which took place on Wednesday, Aug. 17; the Senior Fair, which will take place at Kellogg Arena on Sept. 8; and the Senior Health and Safety Fair, which will take place at the Tekonsha Fire Station on Oct. 6.
On Wednesday, August 10, a Veterans Affairs Committee meeting was held. The Committee discussed plans for the county fair and changes for the office related to new federal legislation. The Committee reviewed 13 applications for the Veterans Relief Fund and approved eight.
An internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee meeting was held on August 11. The committee reviewed some other counties’ DEI initiatives and action plans to help identify some next steps and specific goals for our committee, including a focus on supervisory training and educational opportunities between departments,
Also on August 11, a joint meeting of the Board of Commissioners’ and Internal Budget Committees was held to launch the 2023 budget process. Finance Director Megan Banning shared the budget calendar; the updated five year General Fund budget forecast; 2023 expenditure targets; and status on the Health Department's budget, which follows a different fiscal year.
A Calhoun County Board of Public Health meeting was held on August 15. At this meeting, the Board received an update from Megan Banning about the Health Department’s 2023 budget, which will be brought before the Board of Commissioners in September. Community Health Supervisor Lauren Lewandowski provided an update on the Hearing & Vision Program and School Wellness Programs, before the upcoming school year. The Board also held a closed session to discuss Health Officer Eric Pessell’s annual performance evaluation.
The Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Commission met on August 18. There was no new business, and in the department report, Assistant Director Doug Ferrall provided updates about the 2023 budget, an upcoming parks tour, progress on Kimball Pines and Historic Bridge Park improvement projects, and the upcoming trail race, to be held on October 22.
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