From the Thursday, June 16 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting
This meeting included an annual presentation by CareWell Services Southwest, which provides resources and support to seniors in our region. On the consent agenda, the Board approved the appointment of new deputy medical examiners, the annual MDOT engineering reimbursement for the Road Department and reappointments to the Calhoun County Planning Commission. Two resolutions were also on the consent agenda, including opposition to HB4730, and a support resolution for federally funded replacement of Calhoun County Bridges 1326 and 1328, as part of MDOT's Bridge Bundling Program. Click here for the meeting agenda and video
|
|
In new business, the Board approved,
- the Battle Creek Area Transportation Study (BCATS) FY2023 local funding resolution, which commits Road Department funds toward transportation planning activities and in turn provides federal funding for local asset management and grant opportunities
- resolutions creating a new post-65 retiree healthcare savings program and benefit exchange through MERS of Michigan and Mercer
- a Road Department contractor paving bid award for improvements to 20 Mile Road
- a staffing allocation change for the Prosecutor's Office
|
|
A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Juneteenth Observed Monday, June 20
The County Board of Commissioners added Juneteenth as a new County holiday, and encourages our residents to participate in the Juneteenth events in Battle Creek and Albion this coming weekend. We also support the celebration and commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. County and court offices will be closed on Monday, June 20, 2022, for this holiday.
And, Happy Father's Day to all the dads in Calhoun County!
Information for County Veterans
Using state grant funds, the Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Office is promoting partnerships this summer and offering outreach to inform county veterans about upcoming events and to remind them of the services the County offers.
This week a new commercial was released, providing information on how to connect with the Veteran Affairs Office for services. It features Calhoun veterans, including Calhoun County's oldest resident, Robert Holt from Albion, who is 104 years old and served in World War II. Click here to watch the new commercial on Youtube.
At the last Veteran Affairs Committee meeting, the Committee approved up to $10,000 for a traveling exhibit that is coming to Battle Creek in mid-July. The Wall That Heals is a traveling national monument that visits a limited number of locations every year and will be at the Harper Creek Soccer Fields on July 14-17. The replica of the Vietnam Memorial brings this healing and powerful presence to the American people who might not have seen the permanent memorial in Washington DC. This will be a special visit for our community: The memorial will be available for visitors 24/7, with taps being played every day and a massive motorcycle-led welcome as the wall arrives in Battle Creek. For more information, visit the Red, White, and Blue Foundation's website, which also includes details on how to get involved.
Lastly, don't forget that a renewal of the 0.1 mill countywide Veterans Millage is on the August 2, 2022 ballot. Visit the Veteran Affairs website for more information about services available to veterans in Calhoun County.
|
|
Highlights from a few boards, committees, and events:
The county's internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee met on June 9 at the County building, and welcomed six new employees who applied to join the committee. After introductions, we reviewed the online training that recently wrapped up for all employees, as well as plans for the future for the committee, including policy and procedure reviews.
The Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) met on Friday, June 10. After interviewing two new candidates to join the committee, SMAC recommended Tom Tarkiewicz to be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for approval. In new business, SMAC approved $50,000 for Community Action's Home Heating Assistance Program, $5,000 for the Albion Health Care Alliance's Commodity Distribution, and support for five strategic project recommendations, which will also go to the Board of Commissioners for approval in July.
On June 14, Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott gave a State of the County presentation to the Marshall Rotary Club. She shared highlights from offices across county government, as well as progress on the broadband and transit initiatives. Click here to see a copy of her presentation.
A FireKeepers Local Revenue Sharing Board meeting was held on Wednesday, June 15. It approved Tier 3 Payment in Lieu of Taxes, and Tier 4 Formula allocations, and then approved issuance of all remaining checks for the year, including previously approved Tier 2 expense reimbursements and also the Tiers 3 and 4 allocations. The Board also voted to not offer a Tier 4 discretionary grant process this year, instead holding this year’s remaining fund balance to be carried over into next year, when the Board will consider a grant process again. Having no further business, this is was the last scheduled FLRSB meeting for 2022.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
