Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

From the Thursday, May 4, 2023 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting

The Board of Commissioners adopted two proclamations at this meeting highlighting Mental Health Month and National Therapy Animal Day. On the consent agenda, Commissioners approved 2023 Parks Millage allocations and the new Calhoun County Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Ordinance following previous discussions, input from townships and a public notice and hearing.

To view the agenda or meeting recording, visit the Agendas page of the website.

In new business, the Board approved,

a PA2 Alcohol Tax budget amendment for FY2022-23
a staffing allocation change for the Treasurer's Office
a lease amendment for the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority for additional space in the Marshall County Building

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every year during the month of May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) encourages raised awareness about mental health and mental illness, which affects millions of people in the U.S. The National Association of Counties (NACo) also recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2023.

Our County Community Mental Health Authority, Summit Pointe, is inviting area businesses to "light up green" for mental health awareness. To help encourage our community to take time to recognize the importance of caring for our mental health, County buildings will be lit in green during May.

To highlight another way Calhoun County is playing a role in behavioral health,, we work directly with Summit Pointe in the jail to provide wrap-around guidance so that local inmates can be connected with mental health and substance use disorder resources outside of the jail for continuation beyond incarceration. This partnership managed by the Sheriff’s Office and funded by the County’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation, is a model in the state for how to work with inmates on addressing core issues and prevent recidivism.

Earlier this year, NACo launched a Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing to address the ever-growing mental health crisis. Next month, NACo will release research on essential county perspectives on high-quality, accessible mental health services. Here is a link to NACo’s priorities to improve mental health: MH-Commission-Multi-Pager_0426023.pdf (naco.org)

There are many other opportunities to learn more about and share resources related to mental health awareness, found here: Mental Health Month | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. And, sign up for Summit Pointe’s Mental Health First Aid training program here: Summit Pointe To Offer Mental Health First Aid - Summit Pointe

A Veterans Affairs Committee meeting was held on Wednesday, April 12. At this meeting, the Committee discussed the year to date budgets and approved four emergency Veteran Relief Applications, totaling $2,085.

A County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) meeting was held on April 13. The EDC elected officers for president, vice president, treasurer and secretary, and heard updates from each of the local Economic Development Organizations within Calhoun County. The EDC also discussed funding opportunities from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

A Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) meeting was held on Friday, April 14. A special presentation was given by President and CEO of Neighborhoods, Inc. Whitney Wardell regarding a recent study of homelessness among older adults in Calhoun County. In new business, SMAC discussed the adoption of a new policy regarding capital costs of projects, the creation of a subcommittee to review nominations for the 2023 Joanne Konkle Senior Services Award, and three min-grant requests.

Also on April 14, a Michigan Native American Heritage Fund Board meeting was held, launching the 2023 grant process for this Fund. The application is now available for local governments and schools to apply for funding from the nearly $500,000 available each year. Applications are due June 16. Learn more about the Native American Heritage Fund and find the application on the program website, nahfund.com.

On Friday, April 28, a FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board (FLRSB) meeting was held. The Board approved requests for Tier II funding, to reimburse local governments for "actual specific cost increases" form the previous year relating to the FireKeepers Casino’s operations or the operations of the NHBP Tribal Reservation in Athens. Tier II applications were approved for Emmett Township, the County Sheriff's Office and Calhoun County Courts. Learn more about the FLRSB on the County's website.

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