Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

From the Thursday, Dec. 1 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting

On the consent agenda of this Calhoun County Board meeting, Commissioners approved an amendment to the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority's lease agreement in the county building, an Amended 2022 Apportionment Report for the addition of the new voter-approved Lawrence Memorial District Library operating millage, and updates to Board Policies 361 and 362 to reflect contractual changes to retirement processes that were already approved by Commissioners. Visit the County website for the meeting's agenda and video recording.

In new business, the Board approved,

the appropriation of Phase 5 of the County’s ARPA fund allocation, which is described in the Administrator's message below
2023 Remonumentation Program grant application and contracts
adoption of the County’s 2023 budgets and appropriations resolution
POAM collective bargaining agreement for 2023-2025

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

The year is quickly winding down, with one Board of Commissioners meeting to go in 2022. Key financial accomplishments for the Dec.1 Board meeting included a balanced and on-time annual budget adoption, and another appropriation of the County’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation of one-time federal funds.

To learn more about the County’s largest budgets—the General Fund and Road Department Fund, please review this Budget in Brief document that highlights key assumptions and the bottom line figures. Or, dig deeper in the official FY23 Budget Book.

The fifth distribution of County ARPA funds represents our continued efforts since 2021 to invest these unprecedented COVID-19 response funds into projects that help the County maintain essential services in spite of lost revenues. More than 20% of our ARPA appropriations have also been deployed to outside agencies to help the community and our residents recover from negative economic and health impacts of the pandemic. This latest approval of $3.7 million resulted from input from our Board of Commissioners and Internal Budget committees, following a similar process to previous appropriation recommendations.

Phase 5 Internal ARPA Allocation

Lost Revenue replacement for 2023 budget, $2,700,000
Broadband Initiative, $251,300
Courts Recording System and Visiting Judge, $202,724
IT Central Services equipment, $76,470

Phase 5 External ARPA Allocation

Voces, $100,000
Washington Heights United Methodist Church, $113,000
Haven of Rest, $200,000

The County Board has now appropriated approximately $23 million of the $26 million received. By far the greatest need prioritized by the Board and our Budget Committees, including county and court administration and countywide elected officials, has been replacing reduced revenues for 2021, 2022 and again for 2023. This category of eligible use to date represents 50% of our total appropriations. Covering the cost of public health response ranks next in eligible uses, with 23% of the funds awarded to date falling into that allowable use category. A close third, 22% of the County’s appropriations have been awarded to projects within county government and to community organizations to address negative COVID-19 economic impacts and help disproportionately impacted communities and populations. The remaining 5% has funded projects within the other two eligible use categories, as defined by the US Treasury Department, of Broadband Initiatives and Essential Worker Premium Pay.

After this allocation #5, there is a balance of approximately $3 million remaining of Calhoun County’s ARPA allocation which must be appropriated by the end of 2024. I’m very grateful for this critical funding to get us through the past few years and to boost our county’s ability to more quickly rebuild from the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. I believe we’ve been responsible stewards of the funds and it will be exciting to see the resulting improvements from the County’s ARPA allocation and the allocations to every other city, township and village within Calhoun County.

Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events:

A Board of Commissioners Budget Committee meeting was held on Friday, Nov. 18 to discuss external ARPA requests. Elected officials including Treasurer Brian Wensauer and representation from the courts and Sheriff's Office, finalized the ARPA allocation on the Board of Commissioners agenda tonight.

A Calhoun County Planning Commission meeting was held on Monday, Nov. 28, facilitated by Community Development Director Jen Bomba and chaired by CISD Superintendent Terance Lunger. Seven items of new business were considered and approved by the Commission, including five PA 116 applications in Pennfield, Newton, Lee, and Clarence Townships, as well as zoning text amendments in Emmett and Newton Townships.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, there was a Calhoun County Broadband Task Force meeting. County Administration, Communications staff, and our legal consultants from the Kitch law firm provided updates about current efforts to challenge FCC maps, to apply for state and federal broadband funding, and to issue requests for proposals to identify possible internet providers to partner with the County for broadband expansion. The group also discussed ways to better promote the federal Affordable Connectivity Plan to residents who qualify for internet service discounts and are not currently participating. Next steps for the Task Force include review and consideration of the feasibility study report expected this month from our engineering contractors, CTC Technology & Energy.

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