events

BUILDING MICHIGAN’S MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH P3S

May 8, 2014Events

http://www.ncppp.org/events/p3-insights-building-michigans-municipal-infrastructure-through-p3s/ Municipalities in Michigan and across the country are faced with a growing portfolio of municipal infrastructure, such as courthouses, schools, hospitals, parking garages and streetlights, that need to be built or renovated. Last year, for example, it was estimated that Michigan had $8.9 billion in unmet school construction needs. Unfortunately, most municipalities have competing priorities and cannot always address these needs. Enter public-private partnerships. Michigan has a unique legislative and regulatory framework that has been used for some P3s but has not been widely used for buildings or other municipal needs. P3s are a valuable tool for communities and states to obtain necessary infrastructure improvements, while maintaining public ownership of the building or structure. The National Council for Public-Private Partnerships’ P3 Insights Forum: Building Michigan’s Municipal Infrastructure Through P3s, on June 12, 2014 in Southfield, MI, will offer an advanced and in-depth look at how P3s can be more widely used in Michigan, with an emphasis on buildings, and other municipal infrastructure, also known as social infrastructure. Event Partners:

DBIA Michigan

In conjunction with:

Why You Should Attend:

One-day session, organized by the nation’s leading organization on P3s
Nationally recognized and local experts discussing P3s
In-depth and advanced look at all aspects of P3s for social infrastructure

What You Will Learn:

The current state of P3s in Michigan
The structure of P3s to support buildings and other infrastructure needs such as street lights, parking garages, dormitories and water facilities
Financing of projects
Risks and mitigation
Case studies of successful P3s for buildings
Hands-on charette to develop a P3 project in a Michigan community

Who Should Attend:

Municipal and Township managers, elected officials, township officials and planners
P3 and municipal consultants
Construction firms
Operators
Concessionaires
Architecture and engineering firms
Financial leaders
Legal experts
Subcontractors and suppliers

NACo Achievement Awards

April 9, 2014Events

Does your county have an innovative program that modernizes county government and increase services to county residents? Obtain national recognition for your program by applying for a NACo Achievement Award. Started in 1970, the annual Achievement Award Program is a non-competitive awards program that recognizes innovative county government programs. Each application is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. Awards are given in 21 different categories including children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, environmental protection, information technology, health, and many more. For a full list of categories and more information on the application procedures, please visit the NACo website!

M.A.C. Awards Sen. Warren and Rep. Schmidt as County Advocates

April 3, 2014Events, Legislative

The Michigan Association of Counties (M.A.C.) presented Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Washtenaw County) and Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Grand Traverse County) with the M.A.C. County Advocate Award at the 2014 M.A.C. Legislative Conference in Lansing. This award is given annually to legislators who have shown strong support for county interests. Senator Warren was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2006 where she served for four years representing the 53^rd District. Now in her first term as State Senator, Warren was recognized as a county advocate for her participation on the Michigan Mental Health Commission and her recent sponsorship of the Personal Property Tax legislation. “M.A.C. is an important voice for our local communities. I am honored to have been named a M.A.C. Advocate for my work in the Legislature, as I firmly believe that strengthening our local communities is integral to moving our state forward,” said Warren. Representative Schmidt was elected to the House in 2008 and is now in his third term representing District 104. Having previously served as a Grand Traverse County commissioner for five terms, Schmidt was recognized for his work to resolve the infrastructure funding crisis, and his consistency in working to help county government. “I am truly honored to be recognized by M.A.C. with this award for the work I’ve done on behalf of northern Michigan,” said Representative Wayne Schmidt. “My experience with local government as both a Grand Traverse County commissioner and small businessman offered firsthand knowledge of what it takes to run an effective and efficient county, and I have been proud to work with M.A.C. as a state legislator to solve the issues that our counties face.” “M.A.C. thanks Senator Warren and Representative Schmidt for their continued support,” said M.A.C. Board of Directors President Shelly Pinkelman. “A continued partnership between local and state government is essential for the success of Michigan.”

National Association of County Veterans Service Officers Conference Hosted in Michigan this June!

March 11, 2014Events

The Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors (MACVC) will be the host organization for the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) conference in Grand Rapids. The conference will take place June 8th-June 13^th 2014at the Amway Grand Hotel and Conference Center. Approximately 400 county veterans’ benefits counselors from across the nation will attend the event. Accreditation training and testing from NACVSO will be available at this conference for those county veterans benefits counselors who are paid county employees who work at least 1000 hours per year. An appropriation from the Michigan Legislature will cover most of the cost of attendance for county veteran’s benefits counselors in Michigan. If a county veterans benefits counselor would like information on attending the conference, please contact MACVC President, Garth Wootten as soon as possible. Mr. Wootten can be contacted by e-mail at wootteng@oakgov.com or by phone at (248) 858-0785

MAC and NACO Meet with Federal Delegation in D.C.

March 7, 2014Events, Legislative

The National Association of Counties (NACo) legislative conference was held this week in Washington D.C.. As part of this annual conference, MAC meets with our congressional delegation to talk about federal issues affecting counties. This year the major topics for discussion included:

The Farm Bill and PILT Payments
Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds
Waters of the U.S. Guidance Proposal – Federal Overreach to Control Michigan Waters
Medicaid Expansion and Medicaid Coverage for Pre-Trial Detainees
Federal MAP-21 Transportation Funding and;
Marketplace Fairness (sales tax on e-commerce)

MAC would especially like to thank Senators Levin and Stabenow for their consistent dedication to meeting with all of our conference attendees each year to discuss issues of importance to counties. This annual tradition affords our commissioners quality time to have questions answered and to relay upcoming issues of concern to Michigan counties. If you would like more information about the issues MAC members discussed with their congressmen, please follow this link to our federal briefing sheet: 2014 MAC Federal Briefing Sheet