Calhoun County's Joint Operations Center (JOC) will release Joint Information Center (JIC) briefings via email every Monday and Friday, as well as hold a live presentation mid-day Wednesdays.
As of 4 p.m., Monday, April 20, there are 149 positive COVID-19 cases in Calhoun County and five reported deaths. There are 44 cumulative hospitalizations.
Unified Command Team Statement Regarding Proposed Coronavirus Relief Package
While Congress continues negotiations on an interim relief package, the Unified Command Team for the Calhoun County Joint Operations Center urges its federal representatives to include the requested funding for state and local governments.
The “COVID Relief Package 3.5” originally provided $150 billion in new funding for local governments to cover increasing expenses and plummeting revenue. Calhoun County leaders ask for the same, or similar, funding allocations for local governments.
According to a calculation by the Michigan Association of Counties, the funding allocation for Calhoun County was $11.8 million, based on population. Our cities, townships, and villages would also see drastically needed federal aid, given the probability that the state's budget shortfalls will undoubtedly impact local appropriations into the near future. For the City of Battle Creek, that proposed allocation was $4.51 million according to the Michigan Municipal League.
Local governments in Calhoun County are most concerned about continuing to provide services most needed by our vulnerable populations, while at the same time experiencing significant losses in our funding streams because of the requirements to stay home and limit most normal governmental transactions.
It's evident the COVID-19 pandemic and its response efforts will be major impacts to local government budgets. The investment in local governments included in this congressional proposal will in turn invest in our local economies and workforces, and protect our taxpayers.
—Unified Command Team
Rebecca Fleury, City Manager for City of Battle Creek
Eric Pessell, Health Officer for the Calhoun County Public Health Department
Kelli Scott, Controller/Administrator for Calhoun County