Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

From the Thursday, Dec. 15 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting

As a special order of business, Commissioners approved the annual BCATS Holiday Season Resolution—Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. On the consent agenda, Commissioners approved FEMA public assistance grant agreements, a Road Department heavy equipment financing resolution, scheduling of the 2023 Board of Commissioners Organizational Session on January 5, 2023, two Senior Millage contract amendments, a Road Department safety grant for tree removal on T Drive N, and to rescind an outdated resolution relating to the Calhoun County Retirement Committee. To view the agenda or meeting recording, visit the Agendas page of the website.

In new business, the Board approved,

2023 independent contracts for the County Equalization Director and Appraisal services
revisions to Policy #310, Employee Classification and Compensation
a Road Department federal aid MDOT contract for Phase II of a Morgan Road Project in Pennfield Township
2023 renewal contracts for workers compensation administration and excess coverage
a settlement agreement related to Tax Foreclosure Excess Proceeds Class Action litigation
the 2023 agreement for MSU Extension Services
2022 year-end budget adjustments
an application for a Michigan SPARK Grant to improve Historic Bridge Park
the UAW-Road Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2023-2025

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

Tonight was the last Board of Commissioners meeting of the 2021-2022 commission term. I look forward to working with the five returning commissioners for 2023-24, and want to thank outgoing Commissioners Jake Smith and Gary Tompkins for their work over the past two years. Jake's last meeting was earlier this month because he was sworn in as a Commissioner for the City of Battle Creek last week.

In 2023, we'll also welcome two new commissioners—Pastor Monique French, District 3 and Diane Thompson, District 6. With fresh perspective and plenty work ahead, we look forward to a productive 2023-24 term. Planning will begin soon for beginning-of-term commissioner orientation, and appointments for the net two year on our numerous boards and committees.

This is the last two-year term for county commissioners across the state of Michigan. New legislation now calls for four-year county commission terms starting with the 2024 election. I’m looking forward to the increased continuity the longer terms will provide, along with the consistency with the same four-year terms our countywide elected officials have had all along.

I wish all of our County family and our residents a very healthy and peaceful holiday season, and a wonderful Happy New Year!

Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events:

The Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) met on Friday, Dec. 2. There was a special presentation by Stacy Wines, CEO of CareWell Services, who gave updates about their senior services organization. In new business, SMAC recommended for County board approved a supplemental request for the Fountain Clinic's dental program and a new unit rate for Adult Day Care, which affects its contract with the Senior Millage. The group also voted to form a bylaw review subcommittee.

The County's internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee met on Thursday, Dec. 8. We recapped the first Lunch and Learn educational event, which took place last week and featured a brief training by Summit Pointe about suicide prevention. The County is fortunate to have a suicide prevention coordinator and related training and support, currently being partially funded by an appropriation of the County’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation. The Committee also continued ongoing strategies around training, policy review, and strategic plan development.

A Local Government Leaders Forum sponsored by the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) took place on Dec. 13 at Heritage Commons in Marshall. This meeting, facilitated by Community Development Director Jen Bomba, featured a presentation about the Countywide Broadband Initiative. Communications Director Lucy Blair provided information about the history of the initiative, as well as current efforts related to expanding access, the Affordable Connectivity Program, and current FCC map challenges. Click here for a PDF of the presentation. On behalf of the Broadband Task Force, information is being shared in the community about how individuals can participate in challenging the FCC broadband maps. Read this informational update for details.

A Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Committee meeting took place on Wednesday, Dec. 14. It elected 2023 officers and meeting times. The Committee also approved five Veterans Relief Applications for emergency assistance.

On Dec. 15, Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott convened the monthly countywide leadership meeting, with all countywide elected officials and their deputies, court administrators and chief judges, and department heads invited. Deputy Health Officer Brigette Reichenbaugh gave updates on the current state of public health in Calhoun County, in the midst of what the CDC is calling the “tripledemic” combination of the flu, COVID-19, and RSV, all of which are causing significant levels of sickness, with some impacts on local schools. There was widespread appreciation expressed by many of us for the positive communication and collaboration we have between departments, all for the good of the people we serve.

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