Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

From the Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting

At the Sept. 21, 2023 meeting, Medical Examiner Dr. Joyce deJong presented the 2022 Annual Report. The Board also approved a proclamation for the Albion Business & Professional Women's 95th Anniversary Celebration, and a resolution honoring Robert Spencer and Mary Jo Byrne who received the 2023 Joanne Konkle Leadership Award. On the consent agenda were reappointments to the Michigan Works! Southwest Workforce Development Board, a correction to a previously-approved contract extension for senior transportation, judicial salaries for FY23-24, an annual plan and budget for the 2023-2024 FY Child Card Fund and Multi-systemic Therapy service, a bond cremation resolution, and the appointment of Ben Giese to the Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Commission.

To view the agenda or meeting recording, visit the Agendas page of the website.

In new business, the Board approved,

a Sheriff's Office purchasing award and budget amendment for a body scanner for within the Calhoun County Jail
the PA2 Alcohol Tax budget for FY23-24

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

Information from Our Public Health Department

Along with leaves falling and temperatures changing, Fall brings an increase in respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

The Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD) encourages residents to get their vaccines to protect against severe cases of illness, hospitalization, and death due to flu, as well as reduce the spread of illness. Getting vaccinated also protects the people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, pregnant people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

CCPHD anticipates receipt of flu vaccines soon and is offering walk-in and online scheduling of appointments to take place on Thursdays and Fridays during the month of October at both Battle Creek and Albion clinics. If residents prefer to schedule a time, they will be able to pre-register their information and schedule a time slot from the comfort of their homes, reducing wait times and in-person congestion in the CCPHD waiting room. To access the Calhoun County Public Health Department's online scheduling tool for flu shot appointments, please visit https://bit.ly/3PV8gBW. We encourage all residents to utilize this convenient tool to help us maintain a healthier and safer community.

The Calhoun County Board approved in June the

Calhoun County Policy 372: Infectious Diseases Control and Protective Safety Measures, which is still in place for county employees so that we can continue to provide a safe workplace on an ongoing basis.

A Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) meeting was held on Friday, Sept. 8 and led by Community Development Assistant Director Doug Ferrall. SMAC discussed the annual process for contractual spending requests for proposals, which will be released soon. The Committee also hear about two mini-grant requests, one from Sally's Kitchen Free Lunch, Salvation Army and one from Albion Community Gardens.

A Veterans Affairs Committee meeting took place Wednesday, Sept. 13. The Committee reviewed the department's FY24 budget request. It also reviewed 16 Veteran Relief Fund applications and ultimately approved 10 of them.

On Monday, Sept. 18, a Calhoun County Board of Public Health meeting was held. A presentation was given on the Public Health Department's STI, HIV, and Family Planning services, and the Board discussed plans for the upcoming expiration of a few members' terms.

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, a Calhoun County Broadband Task Force meeting was held. Communications staff shared the timeline for the next round of funding from the state called the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Grant, as well as a state map challenge process that will proceed the application process for BEAD.

At the Sept. 21 Elected Official and Department Heads meeting, a representative from the Michigan Association of Counties presented with Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott about the intention and upcoming impact of opioid settlement funds that are being distributed in Calhoun County. This was an opportunity for all department leaders in Calhoun County Government to learn more about the estimated $11M or more that will be spent on opioid addiction treatment and prevention. Learn more about this in the Michigan Association of Counties Opioid Settlement Resource Center.

Questions or comments? Please contact our Communications Director. If you were forwarded this email, sign up to receive future emails.