Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Report

From the Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Calhoun County Commissioners passed two proclamations, one for American Heart Month and one for Black History Month. The Board also approved a resolution to affirm the County’s Opioid Settlement Funds Steering Committee. On the consent agenda, Commissioners approved the appointment of Gerald Stover to the Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Committee, the Road Department's Agreements with townships for 2024 local road projects, a grant application for the Road Department’s submittal to MDOT two bridges for replacement, under the federal bridge investment program, and a correction to previously-approved updates to Policy #340 Employee Benefits to match union contract provisions.

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

In new business, Commissioners approved:

an amendment to the Sheriff's Office boarding and transport contract with the City of Westland Police Department
a Road Department bid for cold patch materials
a second amendment to the Transportation Authority of Calhoun County Articles of Incorporation
a staffing allocation change for the Public Defenders Office

A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott

This Board of Commissioners meeting included recognition of February as Black History Month and American Heart Month.

Black History Month

Black History month encourages us to recognize the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in our country and within Calhoun County.

Several community events during February include:

Kellogg Community College’s annual Soul Food Luncheon, alongside a Black-owned Business Showcase.
Albion College’s offering of a play by Albion Theater and a Taste of Blackness event before month end, as part of their Black History Month programming; and
The Art & Culture Collective of Battle Creek’s (ACCBC) current series to feature and thank contemporary Black folks in Battle Creek who have influenced the local art community. Check it out on the ACCBC Facebook page

Also starting this month and happening throughout the year, the County's internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee has engaged Michigan-based Justice Leaders Collaborative (JLC) to offer trainings for employees that are interested in understanding principles of bias, racism, and more.

American Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and American Heart Month is an opportunity to learn more about how you can keep your heart healthy. The American Heart Association website has lots of information for us all to be aware of and address risk factors. This site also includes heart healthy recipes and more healthy living resources for us all!

A Calhoun County Board of Public Health meeting was held on Monday, Jan. 22. At this meeting, Finance Director Megan Banning provided a financial update. In the department update, information was given about plans to apply for Public Health Accreditation Board Accreditation in the early months of 2024.

The Calhoun County Opioid Settlement Funds Steering Committee met Thursday, Feb. 1. At this meeting, Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton reviewed the Calhoun County Opioid Coalition's Strategic Map. Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Anna Tart provided an overview of the Medical Examiner's 2022 Annual Report, and Health Officer Eric Pessell shared information about the Public Health Department's Project Access program. Information about the Opioid Settlement Funds Steering Committee and the County’s planning process to create a spending plan can be found at

calhouncountymi.gov/opioidfunds.

On Friday, Feb. 2, the countywide State of the Community presentation was held at the Kool Family Center. You can view the presentation, with updates from the Cities of Albion, Battle Creek, Marshall, and Springfield, as well as the County, on AccessVision.

The Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC) also met on Feb. 2 at Heritage Commons in Marshall. At this meeting, the Committee voted on officers for 2024, and an amendment to the Dental Program Service Standards was discussed, Fountain Clinic gave an update, and a tour was given of Heritage Commons at the end of the meeting.

A Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) board meeting took place on Tuesday, Feb. 13. At this meeting, the EDC discussed offering a manufacturing leadership forum, and members gave economic development project updates from Albion, Battle Creek, Marshall, Springfield, Homer and Countywide.

A Calhoun County Veterans Affairs Committee meeting took place on Wednesday, Feb. 14. In new business, the Committee discussed its 2024 agreement with the Battle Creek Battle Jacks and a VA bathing program at Marian Burch Adult Day Care. The Committee approved six Veteran Relief Applications for a total of $5863.09.

From the Clerk and Register of Deeds, Elections

Early In-Person Voting begins this Saturday, Feb. 17 at two locations in Calhoun County. This new voting opportunity in Michigan is due to the passage of Proposition 22-2, which now offers nine days of in-person voting before federal and state elections. For the upcoming Presidential Primary Election, which takes place on Feb. 27, Early In-Person Voting is available at specified locations from Feb. 17-25.

The landing page, calhouncountymi.gov/voteearly, provides information on where Calhoun County registered voters can go for Early In-Person Voting. Voters from the City of Battle Creek, City of Springfield, Bedford Charter Township, and Pennfield Charter Township can vote early at the Kool Family Center at 200 W Michigan Ave. in Battle Creek. Voters from every other city or township in Calhoun County can vote early at the County Building in Marshall, located at 315 W Green St.

Operating hours for both locations, tips for early voting, and early in-person voting dates for upcoming elections can be found on the Clerk's Office website.

VOTE EARLY

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