Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

From the Thursday, Nov. 17 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting

This meeting of the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners included the public hearing and Administrator/Controllers’ budget recommendation for 2023. Click here for the full recommended budget, which will be voted on by commissioners at the next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 1. On the consent agenda, Commissioners approved financial statements for October, a draft of the 2023 Board of Commissioners meeting schedule, the appointment of Isabell Nazar to the Senior Millage Allocation Committee, a contract amendment for the Senior Millage-funded nutrition program, a MERS service credit purchase by an employee, a contract amendment with Premise Health Medical Services for the County’s Employee Health & Wellness Center operations, and supplemental funding from the State for the Sheriff's Office secondary road patrol grant, which was approved by commissioners earlier this year. Visit the County website for the meeting's agenda and video recording.

In old business, Commissioners approved a new County Ordinance for Off Road Vehicles, which was tabled at a previous meeting. There will be a future public hearing on the proposed new Ordinance before it can be enacted. At the end of the meeting, there was also a closed session to discuss pending litigation related to tax foreclosure excess proceeds, managed by the Treasurer’s Office.

In new business, the Board approved,

Senior Millage contracts for 2023-2025 for dental assistance and the Fitness & Fun program
the FY2023 sexual assault prosecutor and investigator contracts, which extend funding from the State to cover all county expenses for this program through Sept. 30, 2023

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

Next week we observe Thanksgiving, with Calhoun County courts and offices closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24-25. Our 24/7 departments including the Sheriff's Office and Youth Center, and Road Department if we get more snow!, will work throughout the holiday to keep these emergency services ongoing. On behalf of County leadership and elected officials, we thank those employees for their commitment to our community.

Here are some other things I'm grateful for:

As we recently deactivated the County's Joint Operation Center for COVID-19 response, I want to thank the Public Health Department staff who continuously provided guidance and support to our community throughout the pandemic. Also, I'm grateful to our partners who helped us with ongoing response, especially Emergency Management, the Sheriff's Office and City of Battle Creek staff, including City Manager Rebecca Fluery who served as a member of the Unified Command Team. This effort was an example of how we can work cooperatively in challenging times to best serve residents. I'm proud of those unique efforts in our county that made us a best practice example across the state. And of course I appreciate the ongoing attention the Public Health Department will continue to give to keeping our community healthy from COVID-19, the flu, and other ailments.

After the Gubernatorial Election which took place two weeks ago, I'm grateful for our Elections staff who worked tirelessly before, during, and after elections to ensure this democratic process for residents. Employees from the Clerk/Register of Deed's Office were joined by support from Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Information Technology (IT), and were at the County Building until at least 3:30 a.m. receiving results from townships. The Clerk's Office staff continue to assist as canvassers work to certify the results. We are so thankful for your attention to detail, insistence on compliance with the process, and helpful attitudes throughout.

Next, as we're working toward approval of the FY23 budget, I want to thank Finance Director Megan Banning for her leadership in facilitating the budgeting process, and all other countywide leaders who contribute to balance the budget every year. In Calhoun County, Administration and Finance have great respect for our judiciary, countywide elected officials and department heads, and we try to lead in a way that focuses on the importance of the people and services behind the budget, and not just the numbers. Thank you also to the Board of Commissioners and Internal Budget Committees for reviewing and supporting the process. Your time and input toward ensuring a balanced budget is essential and appreciated!

And finally, we are all truly blessed to have an energetic and engaged Communications team, led by Director Lucy Blair, who make sure to keep everyone informed of County government happenings!

To all Calhoun County employees and residents, Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a safe, restful and happy holiday.

Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events:

On Monday, Nov. 14, Calhoun County's Joint Operation Center for COVID-19 response was deactivated following the State’s deactivation of its Emergency Operations Center on Nov.10. This ends the formal meetings of the Unified Command Team, and the coordinated effort between the County and the City of Battle Creek, and other community partners. The Calhoun County Public Health Department will continue its COVID response as needs arise in the community and continues to submit eligible expenses to FEMA for reimbursement while COVID-19 is still considered a public health emergency at the national level. The countywide emergency response operated for 32 months and ensured that the public, as well as local municipalities and agencies, had the most up-to-date information and access to resources throughout the COVID-19 response. Right now the Public Health Department is focusing on educating the public about measures that can be done to reduce community spread of COVID-19, along with the flu, common cold and other communicable sickness, and is still offering COVID-19 vaccination at Health Department clinics in Battle Creek and Albion. Every Friday, the COVID-19 Community Transmission Level is also still being updated on the Public Health Department's website, calhouncountymi.gov/coviddata.

An open house was held at the Cram Medical Center in Albion on Tuesday, Nov. 2 where the Public Health Department is now operating its Albion health clinic. This was an opportunity for residents peruse all services located in that building, which also includes Grace Health, Oaklawn, and the Albion Healthcare Alliance.

Communications staff Lucy Blair and Lynn Meikle presented at the Merit Broadband Summit on Thursday, Nov. 3 in Holland, Mich. They shared how Calhoun County has progressed on its broadband initiative, describing the process of identifying specific goals and exploring paths to increasing accessibility and affordability to all residents. Overall, much was learned from the conference ahead of state grant programs being released for broadband and Calhoun County receiving a report from contractors CTC Engineering and Technology.

A Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) meeting was held on Friday, Nov. 4. The Committee approved Isabell Nazar for appointment to SMAC, which was approved by Board of Commissioners tonight. A special presentation was given by the Albion Senior Housing Commission after it received $150,000 in strategic project funds. In new business, SMAC approved amending the 2020-2023 Meals on Wheels contract to increase costs, approved to retain the income limit of 250% of the poverty guidelines for services in 2023 and approved its 2023 meeting calendar.

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