Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

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

There was a proclamation at the start of this Board of Commissioners meeting to honor the retirement of Deputy Guy Picketts and K9 dog Tuco from the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Picketts assisted in the development and coordination of region-wide K9 trainings and multi-jurisdictional efficiencies, which has improved K9 response countywide. Read the proclamation. On the consent agenda, the Board approved the reappointment of Joyce Spicer to the MDHHS Board governing the Calhoun County Medical Care Facility. Click here for the meeting agenda and video

In new business, the Board approved,

the Calhoun County Public Health Department’s FY23 budget for the fiscal year starting Oct.1
an increase in authorized FTE level for one staff position within the Public Health Department’s School Wellness Program
and the renaming and branding, with new logo, from the current Calhoun County Juvenile Home to the Calhoun County Youth Center

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

First, I want to recognize the work put in by our road workers, Sheriff's Office deputies, and all emergency response agencies including the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority for tackling the storms damage that we had on Monday night. Even our Parks Department staff worked quickly to clear the County’s trailway from debris. Power outages were widespread, and I know our crews worked overtime to clear trees and assist folks during that time. We should all take the time to express appreciation for their efforts to keep us safe, and to reduce the time and inconvenience many residents felt during the power outage.

This summer has gone quickly! I hope the upcoming holiday weekend is a chance for employees and their families to spend time together and relax, while recognizing the importance and contributions of all workers In our community and in our Country.

Calhoun County Offices and Courts will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of Labor Day.

In Case You Missed It: Southwest Michigan Second Wave recently featured an article about local road funding and the challenges that come with how the state manages road funding. Calhoun County is in the Top 4 counties in Michigan to have the most paved roads, and that means our resources have to be managed smartly. Please read the article to learn more about how local road funding works. We are eager to continue working with townships on finding solutions that will lead to improved roads.

Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events:

The Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) Board held its check distribution ceremony for 2022 grant recipients on Friday, Aug. 19 at FireKeepers Casino. Visit the NAHF website for information about the projects that were awarded funds this year. Pictured above left is Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal council Chairperson Jamie Stuck speaking to attendees, and pictured right is from the welcome song at the start of the event. Photos by NHBP Tribal Member Johnathon Moulds.

Also on Friday, Aug. 19, the Calhoun County Senior Millage Allocation Committee held a strategic-planning session with its members. In addition to discussing strategies and goals, the Committee recapped successes and challenges so far in 2022, focusing especially on how homelessness affects older adults and what can be done about it. The group also discussed helping funded programs rebuild participation after the pandemic. A major upcoming event that the Senior Millage Allocation Committee is participating in is the Senior Fair, which will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Sept. 8 at Kellogg Arena. Learn more

The Calhoun County Broadband Task Force met on Thursday, Sept. 1 and heard an update from engineering consultants CTC Technology & Energy, who are developing a recommendation on how the county could improve residential broadband access for all residents. We anticipate receiving their recommendations in the next few months. Then Communications staff Lucy Blair and Lynn Meikle shared information from a recent statewide conference convened by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) called Internet for All.

From the Friend of the Court

Beginning October 1, 2022, The Friend of the Court will process all child support and paternity cases instead of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. All the employees who currently work to establish child support and paternity in the Prosecutor’s Office will continue their work as employees of the Friend of the Court. They will relocate into new office space in the Friend of the Court by the end of October.

This transfer of responsibility from the Prosecutor’s Office to the Friend of the Court was first allowed by Michigan law in 2015 and many counties have made this change. Consolidating child support establishment cases into the Friend of the Court, which is the office responsible for enforcement of child support orders, benefits the public because services related to child support and paternity can be handled in one office from beginning to the end.

Read the Press Release

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