Podcast 83: In Lansing, all roads lead to roads right now

In their newest legislative update, MAC’s Podcast 83 team again took a deep dive into the no. 1 issue in Lansing right now: roads.

“Huge talk in Lansing is about an influx of dollars into the local road system,” said Deena Bosworth, MAC’s governmental affairs director. “The vast majority of the money that they’re talking about right now (would be) going to county roads, then to city roads and, lastly, to (the Michigan Department of Transportation).

“It’s about a $3 billion package,” Bosworth continued, “They’ve carved out a little bit of money for bridges. I want to say a little. We’re talking hundreds of millions of dollars, but money for bridges, money for county road systems, money for city road systems and then some money for actually township roads, too, so that they don’t necessarily have to come up with a big match on the design part of the projects, where county roads are or where the county is responsible for the roads.”

MAC testified in support of the package in a House committee on Tuesday, Bosworth noted, joining such groups as the Michigan Municipal League and the County Road Association in support.

“(W)e’re slightly concerned about what some of this decrease in General Fund (to finance the road investment) will mean later down the road, but again, you can’t really look a gift horse in the mouth with your $1.4 billion additional every year going into the county road system,” she said.

In other news, Jimmy Johnson gave an update on work for a permanent fix for trial court funding: “(The Legislature) created the Trial Court Funding Act of 2024, which is requiring the Supreme Court Administrative Office, under the direction and supervision of the Supreme Court, to analyze and determine these certain costs and revenues that trial courts are working on. So that sunset right now and for them to have that report completed and presented to everyone is going to be May 1, 2026.”

As part of this work, Johnson said, there is a Funding Distribution Team: “Now this group is going to be charged with recommending a plan to establish the Trial Court Fund, and that’s going to be designed to centralize all the generated revenue from the trial courts.

“Their most recent update was that they held a vote on which functions currently receive money from court assessments, and what should be considered court operations and therefore continue to receive money from court assessments via the Trial Court Fund. They were able to reach a consensus, it says, on two-thirds of the votes. Now, again, we don’t know exactly what those are. We’re basically getting kind of like a high level ‘this is what we’re discussing.’”

To view the full episode, recorded on March 18, click here.

Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.

And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.

Michigan Judicial Council gives update on trial court funding

This 2023 chart shows the existing breakdown of trial court funding in Michigan.

This week, the Michigan Judicial Council released a status update from their Alternative Funding for Trial Courts implementation teams. These teams are responsible for making recommendations on a permanent funding model for trial courts. The four implementation teams are focused on:

1. Operational Costs Funding Model
2. Funding Distribution
3. Uniform Assessments and Indigency Determination
4. Collections Systems

The Operational Costs Funding Model team is tasked with developing the financial plan for Michigan’s trial courts under the new funding model. This includes determining and recommending appropriate funding levels for each trial court.

One key issue they are currently working on is whether the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) should be static or adjusted periodically, and what triggers an adjustment once the MOE is established. This is an important area to watch, as it could have a direct financial impact on counties. A complete concept paper on this issue will be finalized by the end of April.

Meanwhile, a Funding Distribution Implementation Team is responsible for recommending a plan to establish a Trial Court Fund. This fund would centralize all revenue generated by trial courts and create a process for redistributing court-generated revenue back to the courts.

In its latest update, the funding team voted on which functions currently receiving money from court assessments should continue to receive funding via the Trial Court Fund. The team reached a two-thirds consensus on all but three of the funds under consideration. These recommendations will be presented to the entire workgroup at its April meeting. For the funds the team did not reach a consensus on, they will present two options for consideration, along with arguments from both sides.

At this time, MAC does not have full details on what the Funding Distribution Team agreed or disagreed on, as we only received a general update from the workgroup. We will continue to closely follow this process.

For more information on this issue, contact Jimmy Johnson at johnson@micounties.org.

 

MAC launches annual Opioid Settlement Funds Survey

The Michigan Association of Counties, in partnership with Public Sector Consultants, is conducting the second annual opioid settlement county reporting survey on opioid settlement funds.

The survey allows MAC to:

• Update the Opioid Settlement Resource Center dashboard
• Understand annual reporting information on the planning for, and utilization of, opioid settlement funds
• Provide useful technical assistance for counties

Following the survey, the MAC Opioid Settlement Center dashboard will be updated and a report will be created to share about efforts taking place across the state. To see the report from the first annual opioid settlement county reporting survey, see the Michigan Opioid Settlement County Reporting: Data Overview – June 2024.

For additional information or no-cost technical assistance, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.

 

Celebrate National County Government Month in April

National County Government Month (NCGM), held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. Since 1991, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties to actively promote county roles and responsibilities in serving residents.  

Through participating in NCGM, your county can:

• Champion the county workforce (Michigan counties collectively employ more than 40,000 people from Monroe to Gogebic)
• Boost civic engagement and strengthen connections between government and residents
• Raise public awareness of programs and services provided to the community

In 2024, MAC arranged with Rep. Julie Rogers, a former Kalamazoo County commissioner and MAC Board member, for a House resolution in support of NCGM.

A sample proclamation, sample press release, celebration ideas, social media resources and more can be found at https://bit.ly/CountyMonth2025

And please share your NCGM events and news with MAC by emailing Communications Director Derek Melot at melot@micounties.org.

 

MSHDA announces new process to reserve CDBG funds through MI Neighborhood

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is pleased to announce a new streamlined process to reserve Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds. The CDBG Program, funded through MI Neighborhood, is expanding eligible activities and increasing the maximum funding amount a unit of local government can request up to $1.5 million.

Letters of Intent, the first step of the process to reserve funding, are now being accepted. CDBG funds are available to non-entitlement units of general local government — cities, towns, townships, villages, or counties not currently receiving a direct allocation of CDBG funds from HUD. A reference map can be found on our website. 

MSHDA is currently accepting LOI for funding from eligible Units of General Local Government (UGLG) for proposals that meet the housing objectives of the CDBG Program. These letters will be used to establish eligible projects. If approved, grantees will receive a reservation memo reserving funds, as a formal application and CDBG compliance steps are completed.

To be considered for funding, submit a LOI form online via the MI Neighborhood CDBG page or print and mail LOI submissions (via overnight mail only) to the attention of MSHDA NDD, 735 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912. 

To learn more about the process, MSHDA is hosting a Q&A session on April 3 at 10 a.m.:

Join the meeting
Meeting ID: 265 746 348 873
Passcode: zC6gg9Mx

All submissions must be stamped/submitted prior to 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2025.

After submission, you may be contacted for a consultation prior to reservation of funds.

Submit any questions to MSHDA-CDBG@michigan.gov.

 

University uses MAC work as basis for national guidance on opioid funds

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has released national transparency guidance, A Principles Quick Guide on Transparency for Opioid Settlement Fund Management. Amy Dolinky, MAC’s technical adviser on opioid settlements, worked with Hopkins to develop the guidance, which is adapted from MAC’s Transparency, Monitoring and Accountability Guidance Document.

Dolinky also authored a blog post on the new guidance highlighting why transparency matters and the importance of incorporating transparency across planning and spending efforts associated with settlement funds.

The guidance focuses on three key areas for considering transparency: planning, funding, and monitoring, and then suggests reflecting on what has been done and refining the transparency work as needed. Throughout each phase of work, three universal considerations should also be incorporated: community inclusion, conflict of interest management, and the establishment of a centralized information platform.

For more information or for technical assistance with opioid settlement planning and spending, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.

 

Staff picks

• Federal cuts to Medicaid: What counties should know (NACo)
  
  
• Palisades nuclear plant receives second federal loan disbursement (WGHN)
  
  
• New bill would loosen various BEAD rules (RouteFifty)
  
  
• Michigan’s newest PFAS threat: Contamination from household septic systems (Bridge Michigan)

Podcast 83: Is it big-money time for counties on roads?

A Republican road funding proposal that could mean a whopping $1.44 billion in new county road dollars was the focus of this week’s episode of Podcast 83.

“If (the House GOP plan) goes through, it would mean a significant influx of dollars into the county road system,” said Deena Bosworth, MAC’s governmental affairs director.

“What the bills basically do is they allocate the gas tax, the tax on that you pay at the gas pump, and the sales tax, turn that into a gas tax, and then dedicate all of that revenue to the roads,” she explained.

“Counties will get about $340 million of that revenue to go toward their roads,” Bosworth said. “But, in addition to that, they’re also talking about taking General Fund dollars and switching around some business taxes, finding some savings elsewhere and then putting an additional $1.1 billion into the county road system, which is a huge windfall.”

Of course, there’s a potential catch: “The only thing that we might be concerned about is the hit that it’s going to take on the state’s General Fund,” Bosworth noted. “Counties are reliant on a lot of General Fund appropriations: our revenue sharing, our court funding or what goes to public health departments. … So, we’ll have to wait and see … if the state’s going to really be able to balance the budget, still maintain all of those priorities and do this huge influx into the roads.”

Also in the episode:

Bosworth noted the need for counties to keep wary eye on state budget politics this year after passage of an “essentials” budget in the Michigan House that would cut into revenue sharing: “It’s definitely not what we want to see … on revenue sharing, because what they did was they take that $30 million that we were getting in those adjusted taxable value payments for revenue sharing. … In fiscal year 25, it’s $30 million they did not include that in their budget (for fiscal 2026). And then they took the base revenue sharing amount, which we were getting $261 million of, and dropped that down to $256 million … This is a long budget process, and we know the Senate was not happy with what came over. So, I think it just is more setting the stage, doing the infighting, before we get to actually down to figuring out what the real budget is going to be.”

Governmental Affairs Specialist Jimmy Johnson discussed MAC’s activities at the 2025 National Association of Counties’ Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.: “Sen. (Gary) Peters (D-Michigan) was very gracious with his time (at a MAC-arranged briefing). And one big thing that he touched on was the Selfridge Air Base and how important that is,” Johnson said.

To view the full episode, recorded on March 10, click here.

Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.

And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.

Expansion of indigent defense to juveniles clears committee

Juvenile defendants would receive help through the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) under a bill backed by the House Judiciary Committee this week.

The committee took testimony from MIDC Executive Director Kristen Staley and Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Jackson) in support of House Bill 4070, which aims to expand the scope of the commission to include juvenile defense.

The bill would:

• Increase the number of members on the MIDC from 18 to 19, with the additional member being an expert in juvenile defense, thus ensuring the commission will have specialized expertise in juvenile justice
• Amend the funding disbursement system to an initial 40 percent payment, followed by three 20 percent payments (the current system is an initial 50% and two 25% payments)

MAC currently has concerns with the proposed disbursement model, as well as the MIDC having the authority to determine indigency. We are currently working with legislators on these technical changes as the bill moves to the House floor.

For more information on this issue, contact Jimmy Johnson at johnson@micounties.org.

 

Juvenile transport bill advances out of House

A bill to allow juvenile offenders who are 16 or older to be transported with adult offenders under the age of 25, if they are taken into custody at the same time for the same crime or if they were involved in the offense together, gained House approval this week.

Under House Bill 4018, by Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Genesee), a juvenile in these situations still would be separated from the adult offender as soon as possible. Proponents argue this would save time and resources, easing the burden on law enforcement agencies.

After the 74-34 vote in the House, the bill, supported by MAC and the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, moves to the Senate.

For more information on this issue, contact Jimmy Johnson at johnson@micounties.org.

 

State provides resources on sick time transition

On Feb. 21, Michigan’s new Earned Sick Time Act went into effect. This new law allows for increased flexibility for workers to earn paid sick leave. The new reforms will be phased in over time, giving small businesses time to adjust. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has developed resources to help both workers and businesses understand the changes. Visit their website to:

• Watch their Earned Sick Time Act webinar.
• View presentation slides.
• Review frequently asked questions (FAQs).
• See posting requirements.

 

Dolinky rejoins MAC in opioids role

Dolinky

Amy Dolinky has returned to MAC’s staff in her prior role as technical adviser, opioid settlement funds planning and capacity building. Dolinky originally filled that role in 2022 but departed MAC at the end of 2024 to explore other opportunities.

Prior to joining MAC, she served as a Senior Program Manager, Overdose Data to Action with the CDC Foundation and as the Senior Adviser of Michigan’s Opioid Strategy with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, Dolinky served as the Substance Misuse Response Coordinator, leading strategic planning around substance use with Knox County government in Tennessee.

“We could not be happier that Amy has rejoined us,” said MAC Executive Director Stephan Currie. “Her work in this field is nationally recognized and her expertise will continue to be a major benefit to our members.”

Dolinky holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration with a focus on global health from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Loyola University New Orleans.

Members with questions on opioid settlement issues may contact Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.

 

Ag Department issues tips on preventing bird flu spread

Michigan has been battling highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a.k.a. bird flu, for over three years. The virus has heavily impacted our backyard and commercial poultry farmers, increased the price of eggs, and, in March of 2024, crossed over into Michigan’s dairy cattle. While the virus is primarily spread by migratory wild birds, it can also be moved to new areas by people on their shoes, clothes, car tires, and more. Anyone has the potential to spread HPAI, particularly if they move between farming locations on the same day.

HPAI is a virus found among various species of wild and domestic birds. The disease can infect domestic poultry, including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl.

The virus has even been detected in various wild and domestic species of mammals – including dairy cattle and poultry – presumably after the animals come into contact with infected wild birds or materials contaminated by infected animals.

So, how can you help stop the spread of bird flu? These risk reduction measures, otherwise known as biosecurity, include:

• As much as possible, wearing rubber boots and using a disinfectant like a boot wash or using disposable shoe covers. Remember the virus can be moved on clothes and shoes.
• Spraying vehicle tires with disinfectant at a property’s entrance and when exiting as well as adhering to any biosecurity signs and procedures.
• Parking in an area in the sun and on a hard surface (like gravel or cement), as much as possible.
• Bringing only the tools, equipment, or materials that are essential, and disinfecting them in between uses.
• Following good hand washing and cleansing practices. Wash hands thoroughly and frequently for at least 15 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.

The HPAI virus can survive longer under cold and wet conditions (weeks to months) than under warm, dry conditions (hours to days). Being mindful of how the virus can spread and preventing that transmission is fundamental to being able to curb its impact and protect both animal and human health throughout the state.

For more information on HPAI, please visit www.michigan.gov/birdflu.

 

Recycling conference offers plenty for county leaders

As your county revises its materials management plans according to Part 115, do you find yourself with more questions than answers? Address these concerns at Michigan’s largest annual recycling conference May 13-15.

The Michigan Recycling Coalition’s 43rd Annual Conference provides a variety of opportunities for attendees to share and learn recycling best practices. This year’s conference is in Muskegon and features expert-led sessions addressing critical issues impacting county leaders, including recycling for multi-family housing, expanding organics recovery programs, setting planning goals and reducing construction waste.

Enjoy exceptional networking activities with other county and municipal leaders. Sign up for tour packages and volunteer activities to witness firsthand how recycling and composting operations function.

Click here to learn and register today.

 

NACo invites applications for 2025 Achievement Awards

Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities.

If you are ready to begin your application, click here to access the application portal. In addition, you can use the portal to view, edit and submit previously saved applications.

Email awards@naco.org for additional assistance.

Applications are due March 31, 2025.

 

Utility foundation seeks contest entries from rural communities

Counties and municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents may have a chance at $25,000 to “put your community on the map” under a contest from the Consumers Energy Foundation.

To be eligible for “Put Your Town on the Map,” an entry must be:

• From rural municipalities with a population up to 10,000
• From a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or municipality
• Community-focused (no individuals, businesses, corporations or LLCs)
• An idea that is conceptual or in the startup phase (previously attempted projects not allowed)
• From territory that is served by Consumers Energy

Only one submission can come from any given municipality.

Submission deadline is March 28. For more details, see the contest flier.

 

Staff picks

• Small towns in the US are better for upward mobility, study finds (CityLab)
  
  
• Michigan awards $1.3M in Rural Readiness Grants to expand economic opportunity and strengthen communities (Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity)
  
  
• Annual Report on Solid Waste Landfilled in Michigan 2024 (Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy)
  
  
• World’s oldest llama enjoys comforting chronically ill children in North Carolina (Associated Press)

State allocates $10 million in opioid funds to work with local governments

As part of the state of Michigan’s share of the national opioid settlements, the Michigan Legislature has allocated $10 million in funding directly to the 10 Pre-Paid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) through the Healing and Recovery Fund regional appropriations for fiscal year 2025.

This funding is to help with a variety of infrastructure needs for substance use service providers working along the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery. These funds are also to be used to assist with collaboration with local governments to support community engagement with planning efforts related to settlement funding efforts.

To find out more about these funds or to coordinate with your local PIHP, please contact the Substance Use Disorder Director for your region found below.

MAC announces staff changes

Dolinky

The end of 2024 brought changes to the composition of county boards and the Michigan Legislature and to the staff of the Michigan Association of Counties. For 2025, Executive Director Stephan Currie announced the following staff moves:

The departure of Amy Dolinky as technical adviser, opioid settlement funds planning and capacity building. Dolinky spearheaded MAC’s highly successful and nationally recognized program starting in 2022. Since its inception, the program engaged 72 of 83 counties and fulfilled 339 requests for technical assistance in the deployment of legal funds to address substance abuse disorder.

Fata

Dolinky is moving on to a national opportunity, but not before leading a MAC webinar on Jan. 14 aimed at newly elected commissioners who are unfamiliar with the opioid settlement process.

Also moving on from MAC is Governmental Affairs Associate Madeline Fata. She joined MAC in 2022 from the Michigan Legislature and helped lead advocacy efforts on infrastructure and environmental issues. In her last weeks with MAC, Fata helped fend off potentially disastrous septic code legislation. Fata will continue her advocacy career with the firm of Karoub in Lansing.

Despins

Changing hats at MAC is Amanda Despins. She has been named MAC’s events coordinator, part of an expansion of services at MAC via its new Association Management Solutions (AMS) department.

Despins will work with Director of Member Events Tammi Connell on MAC events and assist clients of AMS.

Despins joined MAC in 2023 as Governmental Affairs Assistant. Prior to joining MAC, she served as a constituent relations liaison and legislative director in the Michigan House of Representatives.

 

Staff picks

• Governor signs bill expanding use of therapy dogs in court (WOOD-TV)
  
  
• Transparency in opioid settlement planning and spending (Bloomberg School of Public Health)
  
  
• How are states spending opioid settlement cash? (Kaiser Health News)
  
  
• Flooding Is a $400 billion problem that’s getting worse (Governing)

Renewable energy industry gives its take on controversial siting law

Solar and wind developers shared a much different interpretation than locals on the new renewable energy siting law in the second in a series of public meetings hosted by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) this week.

MPSC staff heard from developers and their attorneys about their concerns for implementing Public Act 233, which takes effect this November. MAC vigorously opposed the legislation in 2023 that became PA 233.

The law references “each affected local unit of government” numerous times throughout, and while locals have interpreted that to mean the city, village or township, in addition to the county a project lies in, developers say it only applies to the local unit handling the zoning.

During the meeting, they argued that only the primary local unit should receive the $2,000 per megawatt payment and the maximum $75,000 in intervenor funds. A legal representative for the developers strongly cautioned the MPSC that while they may grant a local unit up to $75,000 to contest the MPSC over a permitting decision, they should allocate much less.

Local governments and planning experts spoke during the first session and shared different concerns.

The MPSC must now determine how to proceed through the rule-making process. It is likely these disputes will be elevated, and a court of law may ultimately have to decide how to interpret the legislation. Much of the language in the law was drafted without proper consultation from stakeholders.

The next session is set for April 5 and is open to the public, though the time has not yet been announced. In the meantime, the MPSC is seeking feedback from the public. It has shared a list of questions and have asked that responses be submitted by March 31:

• What guidance or information are local units of government and communities seeking from the MPSC about implementing the new siting law (Public Act 233)?
• What lessons learned, resources, or expertise do local units of government and communities have to share with the MPSC?
• What types of consultant specialties were needed and who are the consultants you worked with in your evaluation of past developer applications?
• How can the MPSC incorporate local considerations into the process when a developer files an application at the MPSC?
• How should the MPSC determine the amount of the 1-time grant (up to $75,000 per affected local government and not more than $150,000 in total) for local intervenor compensation?

Responses can be sent to lara-mpsc-commissioners2@michigan.gov or

Michigan Public Service Commission
Attn: Cathy Cole
PO Box 30221
Lansing, MI 48909

MAC encourages members to stay tuned for more information.

For more information on this issue, contact Madeline Fata at fata@micounties.org.

Could ‘perfect user fee’ dig Michigan out of $3 billion hole in county road resources?

Michigan has a nearly $3 billion a year funding gap to maintain its county road network, an expert in the field told MAC’s Podcast 83 in a new special episode.

“We’re short about $2.8 billion a year for county road agencies,” said Ed Noyola, chief deputy and legislative director for the County Road Association of Michigan. “So that is really a number that boggles the mind, and I’m sure it’s going to boggle the minds of our legislators and the governor’s office to include on top of what MDOT needs and what the cities and villages need.”

As daunting as the need is, finding a solution may be more of a challenge, Noyola warned.

“There is no way that the amount of money that we have is going to maintain (the roads) that we all have to maintain and make improvements to, period,” Noyola said.

“We’ve tried not to tell the Legislature what’s the best choice or how much they need to invest in the infrastructure. I don’t think we can play that anymore. I think we have to be direct and honest with them as to how much we need. They can decide whether they can meet that figure or not, but at least we have to tell them how much we need to increase it in the short term,” he explained.

What is a “mileage-based user fee” and how would it work?

A promising new solution, Noyola says is the “mileage-based user fee.”

“It is a perfect user fee. If you drive 10,000 miles, you’re going to pay for 10,000 miles; if you drive 50,000 miles, you’re going to pay for 50,000 miles of road driving.”

Hear more about what the County Road Association thinks needs to be done ASAP on this issue by viewing the full session, recorded on March 5.

Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.

And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.

 

Deadline approaching for 1% of revenue sharing payment

Counties are required, as part of the FY2024 budget, to certify that they have fully obligated or expended all their ARP funds by Dec. 31, 2023.

The Michigan Department of Treasury Form 6056 must be completed and submitted to Treasury by March 30.

 As of 8 a.m. on March 18, 40 counties had yet to comply with the reporting to receive the additional 1 percent of their revenue sharing payments.

For more information on this issue, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.

 

Report offers suggestions on spending opioid dollars

Recommendations on how counties could deploy their opioid settlement funds are included in a new report paid for by the Michigan Opioid Partnership.

The partnership, a public-private collaborative including representatives from Michigan state government and key philanthropic organizations and the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) at the University of Michigan, worked to understand the needs and challenges of community-based recovery organizations in supporting recovery for individuals and families.

CHRT researched gaps and identified opportunities to address those gaps with relation to opioid settlement funding and to develop potential recommendations for state government and local governments. The report outlines areas for investment with opioid settlement funds in the areas of recovery and harm reduction, highlighting specific practices and pointing to Michigan-specific examples of these activities. Primary strategies presented in the report include recovery housing, peer support, recovery community organizations, engagement centers and jail services.

Read the full report here.

For additional information, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.

 

Interested in national policy? Apply for a NACo committee seat

A meeting of one of NACo’s many policy committees.

NACo members have the opportunity to serve on 31 committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards to inform national policy-making and help solve problems impacting counties, boroughs and parishes.

Policy Steering Committees

If you want to serve as a member of one of NACo’s 10 policy steering committees, you simply need to email MAC Executive Director Stephan Currie at scurrie@micounties.org. MAC is responsible for these appointments. You do not need to complete any forms. Just list your first and second choices for committees. It is NACo practice to reappoint all members each year, so if you currently serve on a committee as a regular member, you will be renewed automatically. Please note that you can only serve on one Policy Steering Committee.

Leadership (chair/vice chair): All chairs and vice chairs of all committees and subcommittees are appointed by the NACo president each spring, with appointments announced at the NACo Annual Conference in July. Appointments are made through an application process. The Presidential application portal for incoming President Supervisor Jame Gore is currently open through April 26, 2024. You can access the site to apply here. Detailed application instructions are outlined below. Please note that you can only serve on one Policy Steering Committee, so if you are appointed to leadership for a committee, you can’t serve as a member on another Policy Steering Committee. …

READ MORE

 

Forum will focus on mass shootings and local responses

A forum to brief county and other local leaders on resources to prevent and respond to mass shootings will be held on April 17 in Lansing.

“School Mass Shooting & Critical Incident Preparedness Forum: The Role of Local Leaders” which run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Lansing, 925 S. Creyts Rd. 

“The MSU and Oxford Village shootings have taught us that a school shooting can happen anywhere at any time. We owe it to our children to be prepared. Give the importance of this issue, former Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley (who responded to a mass shooting in Dayton) and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor will be keynote speakers. They will be joined by subject matter experts who will brief us on crisis communications, victim services, law enforcement training needs, school safety and available resources for county and other local leaders,” explained event organizer Sarah Peck of the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University’s School of Law.

Registration link: https://www.chds.us/in/registration/?event=3355

Contact Peck at s.peck@phai.org for questions.

 

Cycling infrastructure for rural areas is topic of MDOT class

Planning and designing approaches for cycling facilities in a “rural context” will be the focus of a three-hour webinar to be offered twice in April by the Michigan Department of Transportation. Each session will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.

Click here to register for the April 10 session.

Click here to register for the April 30 session.

The program will look deeper into the challenges and solutions for establishing safe and connected bicycle networks within and between rural communities. These concepts will be illustrated using national best practices, case studies and actual projects in rural communities.

This free course is for village, city, township and county managers, engineers, planners and officials.

RSVP by April 5 for the April 10 class or by April 26 for the April 30 class.

The class link will be provided by a separate email prior to the day of the class.

 

Staff picks

• Even $23B might not be enough to upgrade Midwest’s power lines (Governing)
  
  
• Wayne County signs off on contract to erase medical debt for up to 300K (Bridge Detroit)
  
  
• Opioid needs assessment to be administered by (Lake) County (Ludington Daily News)
  
  
• Spring is very early. That’s not good. (Vox.com)

 

MAC joins campaign to repeal state control of energy siting

The MAC Board of Directors has voted to join the Citizens for Local Choice, a coalition of groups pushing for a statewide vote to repeal sections of a state law that put an unelected state panel in final charge of siting of energy generation facilities.

“What we have heard from our own counties, and from colleagues across the state, is that this law enacted last year is a clear attack on local control, an attack Michigan’s 83 counties cannot allow to continue,” said Jim Storey, president of the MAC Board of Directors and chair of the Allegan County Board. MAC is aware of at least nine counties that already have passed resolutions in support of the ballot campaign.

MAC consistently opposed the act as it worked its way through the State Capitol last year, testifying on the consequences of usurping local control and suggesting changes that could facilitate the generation of clean energy without making the state Public Service Commission the final answer on local land use.

“It’s unfortunate we have reached this point, but this measure is so ill-conceived, so counter to the interests of communities and good governance, that MAC has to take this stand,” added Stephan Currie, executive director.

What’s next?

MAC encourages county leaders to support the coalition’s work in several ways:

1. Pass a county resolution in support of it. The coalition has a template you can use for this purpose. Click here for it.
   
   
2. Consider circulating petitions for it. Click here to request a petition from the coalition. (Please note there are specific rules on the collection process, so be sure to familiarize yourself with them; the coalition has text and video briefings on that process.)

The coalition now has petitions in the field to collect the 550,000 signatures the group thinks is advisable to meet state requirements for ballot proposals. Only 356,958 valid signatures are needed under state law, but the coalition has set a higher goal to ensure the legal requirement is easily met.)

Time is short, though, as the deadline to collect signatures is approaching on May 29, the deadline to reach the November 2024 ballot.

3. Contact your county captain or volunteer to be one. The coalition has at least one county captain in 62 counties, but more are needed, particularly in Southeast Michigan. To volunteer as one, sign up on the website or send a note to citizensforlocalchoice@gmail.com.
   
   
4. Donate to the campaign. While the coalition is having success using volunteer petition collectors and not using paid ones, unlike other ballot efforts, a full statewide campaign to convince voters this fall will not come cheap. To donate directly to the coalition, click here.

For more information on MAC’s work in defense of local control, contact Director of Governmental Affairs Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.