Legislative focus turns to water infrastructure spending

With the state’s FY22 budget now enacted, legislators are turning their attention to allocating the approximately $5.7 billion in remaining American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in state accounts.  The first item of focus will be a massive water infrastructure supplemental spending bill sponsored by Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo).

Senate Bill 565 allocates $2.5 billion of ARP funds for a variety of projects, ranging from lead line replacement to septic system loan programs and wastewater treatment and stormwater management.

Several interest groups have testified on the importance of investing in water infrastructure across our state. MAC and our Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan were among those voicing support for the funding bill. However, it is important to note that these are preliminary conversations regarding the allocation of funding. It will be several weeks before the Senate Appropriations Committee acts on recommendations to move the proposal forward. 

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

Critical 9-1-1 funding measure clears House committee

With legislative session days in 2021 dwindling, the Dec. 31, 2021, expiration of the state’s 9-1-1 enabling act is looming large for county and state officials. Fortunately, this week House Bill 5026, by Rep. Julie Calley (R-Ionia), which would extend the 9-1-1 authorization until Dec. 31, 2027, cleared the House Communications and Technology Committee with a near unanimous vote.

The bill also replaces a statewide 5 percent prepaid wireless surcharge with 6 percent one to ensure proper revenues on these devices, which, over the years, have become less expensive, in large part due to an expansion of internet sales. Importantly, the bill also includes a provision to ensure a review of prepaid fee revenue by the Department of Treasury to determine why revenue has been lower than expected.

There is no change in the state 9-1-1 fee on “post-paid” (contract) devices, which remains at 25 cents, under the proposal. Lastly, the bill has a mechanism in which the Michigan Public Service Commission can roll back fees if revenue ends up higher than expected.

A vote in the full House on HB 5026 is expected to as soon as next week. With the looming sunset, MAC encourages members to reach out to House members to voice support.

For questions, contact Meghann Keit-Corrion at keit@micounties.org.

 

NACo webinar will feature MAC’s work on Michigan jail reforms

Executive Director Steve Currie speaks at launch event in 2019 for county-state task force on  jail reforms as (l-r) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack and Attorney General Dana Nessel look on.

County jails are a major local expense and jail populations across the country have tripled since the 1970s. While state lawmakers may think of jails as the county’s responsibility, many of the laws and policies that determine who goes to jail and for how long are made at the state level. Everything from determining what’s a crime, when to arrest someone, how to make pretrial release and sentencing decisions, and how to handle probation violations and unpaid fees, to things like funding for mental health services in the community. County officials often have broad discretion, but they’re not solely responsible for the growth in our jails.

Safely reducing jail populations has taken on even more importance during the pandemic as congregate care settings have fueled the spread of COVID-19.

Join us on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. (noon central time) for a half hour webinar featuring the work of the Michigan Association of Counties, which formed a county-state partnership to safely reduce jail populations, and read more about their work here!

MAC joins coalition to enact ‘Prosperity Roadmap’ with ARP funds

MAC Executive Director Steve Currie participated in a press conference on Oct. 14 unveiling the work and funding plan created by the Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan. This coalition includes more than 40 members. The proposal sent to legislative leaders and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration last week is a comprehensive approach to utilizing the state’s remaining $5.7 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars by focusing on 5 key areas that will have a transformational impact on Michigan. These funding and match programs will support individuals, families, education, small business, infrastructure and local governments. … READ MORE

 

MAC asks counties to add their voices to this effort by passing resolutions of support. Please see a sample resolution here. If you pass such a resolution, please send a copy to Hannah Sweeney at sweeney@micounties.org.

 

MAC thanks the following counties that have approved resolutions: Alger, Barry, Chippewa, Delta, Huron, Isabella, Lake, Lapeer, Mecosta and Sanilac.

 

Reminder on reporting deadlines

 

The U.S. Treasury has revised its timeline for counties to submit their Project and Expenditure Reports for the Fiscal Recovery Fund. Treasury has set aside the original deadline of Oct. 31, 2021, citing comments and feedback gathered during the Interim Report and Recovery Plan Performance Report process.

 

The Project and Expenditure Reports will now be due on Jan. 31, 2022, and will cover the period between award date and Dec. 31, 2021. Further instructions will be provided at a later date, including updates to existing guidance as well as a user guide to assist recipients to gather and submit the information through Treasury’s Portal.

 

Please visit the Treasury’s website at www.Treasury.gov/SLFRPReporting for the latest information.

 

Senate backs jail diversion grant programs

Grant programs that would help support local efforts to promote jail diversion and community mobile crisis intervention services easily passed the Michigan Senate this week. Senate Bills 637–638, by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Wayne) and Sen. Rick Outman (R- Montcalm) respectively, would create grant programs through the Department of Health and Human Services.

Under SB 638, the behavior health jail diversion grant would provide funds to local units of government to establish or expand behavioral health jail diversion programs in coordination between community agencies and law enforcement agencies.

Under SB 637, the community crisis response grant would distribute grants to local units of government for the purpose of establishing or expanding community-based mobile crisis intervention services and give priority to grant applications that demonstrated a commitment to certain best practices.

The state’s FY22 DHHS budget included $5 million for the Jail Diversion Fund which is also created under this legislation. MAC supports both bills, which now move to the House.

Additionally, the legislation aligns with the Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan proposal to support ongoing grant opportunities through the Mental Health Diversion Council for counties and to build on the existing partnership through the Center for Behavioral Health at Wayne State University, who also supports both bills.

For questions, contact Meghann Keit-Corrion at keit@micounties.org.

 

Tell your member of Congress to back ARP flexibility measure

The bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act would provide additional flexibility for the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund) authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

This week, the U.S. Senate passed this bipartisan bill, and it now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote. The legislation would strengthen the Recovery Fund in the following ways:

• Allow counties to allocate up to $10 million in ARPA Recovery Funds for the provision of government services without being required to calculate revenue loss
• Allow $10 million (or 30 percent) of a county’s ARPA Recovery Fund allocation to be used for infrastructure-related activities authorized under existing federal surface transportation laws or a Community Development Block Grant project
• Allow ARPA Recovery Funds to provide emergency relief from natural disasters and their negative economic impacts, including temporary emergency housing, food assistance, financial assistance for lost wages, or other immediate needs

The Recovery Fund, which the National Association of Counties helped develop, is a historic investment in our nation’s counties. These funds provide direct, flexible aid for every county, parish and borough in America.

Please contact your U.S. representative and urge their support for final passage of the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act, which will help counties achieve our goal of successfully implementing the Recovery Fund to ensure the health and well-being of our residents and economic vitality for our communities.

 

ARP matching program campaign discussed in latest episode of Podcast 83

In a new episode of MAC’s Podcast 83, Deena Bosworth and Meghann Keit of MAC’s Governmental Affairs Team go deep on MAC’s involvement in a new coalition to convince the state of Michigan to match local investments of American Rescue Plan funding.

The pair discuss the groundwork laid for the MI Prosperity Roadmap with allies in the public and private sectors AND what local county leaders need to be doing to help propel the campaign. Keit also discusses the legislative progress of 9-1-1 funding.

Click here to view the episode.

Members can view any previous episode of the podcast on the podcast webpage.

 

Updates on ARP, state budget coming in Oct. 26 webinar for local governments

The 14^th session in a webinar series, “Updates and Resources for Local Governments,” co-sponsored by MAC and other local government groups will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

To register: https://bit.ly/3peBM8v

Topics covered will include:

• An update from the State Budget Office regarding the State of Michigan fiscal year 2022 budget
• An update on the implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act
• Updates from Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) on trends and initiatives

The Michigan Treasury also maintains a a webpage with numbered letters, memorandums, webinars, and resources regarding COVID-19 updates for local governments and school districts. This webpage was created to ensure that Michigan communities have access to the most up-to-date guidance and is updated frequently with information and resources as they become available. 

 

Mecosta administrator appointed to Indigent Defense Commission 

Paul Bullock, controller/administrator for Mecosta County, has been appointed to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Bullock was submitted by Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Jackson) for a term commencing Oct. 15, 2021, and expiring April 1, 2025. He succeeds Jeffrey Collins whose term expired April 1, 2021.  

Bullock holds a bachelor’s degree in American history from Spring Arbor College and is an active member of the Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers. 

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the U.S. Constitution, the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.

 

Registration opens for Virtual Great Lakes PFAS Summit

Registration is now open for the 2021 Virtual Great Lakes PFAS Summit taking place Dec. 6-10. The goals of the summit are to provide the most current and reliable science and policy, facilitate information sharing and explore current and future research topics related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Participants may include local, state, and federal government officials; environmental consultants and vendors; academic researchers and students; industries involved in managing PFAS contamination; and community organizations. Last year, the summit drew nearly 1,800 attendees from more than 30 states and six countries.

Registration fee is $50 and professional development hours will be available.

 

Recycling conference set for Oct. 28-29 in Bay City

The Michigan Recycling Coalition Conference is hosting its second conference of the year on Oct. 28-29 at the Bay City DoubleTree. The conference provides two days of educational sessions, thought-provoking keynotes, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Designed for Michigan public and private sector professionals that manage end-of-life materials, come to learn about opportunities and stay to network with industry experts and potential partners in sustainability. This hybrid event provides both an in-person and virtual attendance option. We’re following state guidance and best practice models to keep you safe in-person and meet your needs if you attend virtually. Take a look at the program.

 

Staff picks

• Data mapping the social determinants of public health (Governing)
  
  
• Supply chain worries, inflation woes and critical thinking (State of the State Podcast)
  
  
• Math often adds up against rural health care delivery (NACo)
  
  
• More than 90 snakes found under Northern California home (Associated Press)

ARP Coalition announces MI Prosperity Roadmap

Executive Director Steve Currie participated in a press conference this morning unveiling the work and funding plan created by the Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan. This coalition is comprised of over 40 members including the Michigan Association of Counties. The proposal sent to legislative leaders and Governor Whitmer’s administration this week is a comprehensive approach to utilizing the State’s remaining $5.7 B in American Rescue Plan dollars by focusing on 5 key areas that will have a transformational impact on Michigan. These funding and match programs will support individuals, families, education, small business, infrastructure, and local governments.  

 

The five key areas are:

Infrastructure: Resilient and Sustainable Water Systems ($2.5B) and High-Speed Broadband Access ($500M)

• Water infrastructure across Michigan is in desperate need of repair and replacement. The American Rescue Plan provides an opportunity to repair and replace aging water infrastructure, resolve public health problems, reduce environmental contamination, and provide current and future generations with resilient and sustainable systems. This roadmap leverages American Rescue Plan funds to make capital improvements, replace lead service lines, improve planning at the local level, and address issues of sustainability and resiliency related to water. Key Investments: Capital Improvements, Lead Line Replacement, Drinking Water Assistance, PFAS Mitigation, Dam Repair and Retro Fit, Planning

 

• High-speed broadband should be accessible to homes and businesses across Michigan to enhance economic development, provide access to education and life-long learning opportunities, and support remote work demands. Utilizing the American Rescue Plan, Michigan can support the buildout of high-speed broadband and help modernize the way we work and learn. Key Investments: Connecting Michigan Communities Grant Program, Digital Literacy, Access to Devices, Mapping, and Planning 

Infrastructure: Resilient and Sustainable Water Systems ($2.5B) and High-Speed Broadband Access ($500M)

 

Fiscal Health: Smart Investments that Provide Stability for State and Local Government ($800M)

 

• Supporting the long-term fiscal health of the state and local governments of all sizes is key to stabilizing Michigan’s economic landscape. State economic policy sets the stage for business growth and personal wealth creation. Local government complements state policy by balancing and tailoring quality of life, infrastructure, and economic initiatives for a community’s specific needs. Utilizing the American Rescue Plan to enhance Michigan’s prosperity is strengthened by providing stability at the state and local level. Key Investments: Revenue Sharing, Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, Technical Assistance 

 

Thriving Communities: Attainable Housing and Community Development ($805M)

 

• Access to attainable housing and thriving communities have a significant impact on education, health, employment, economic, and equity outcomes, while providing greater opportunities for wealth creation. Michigan can utilize American Rescue Plan resources to address the state’s housing needs, invest in great places, and layer in wrap-around services to improve outcomes for all Michigan families. Key Investments: Housing and Community Development Fund, Building Trades Training, Placemaking, Non-Profit Assistance, Regional Resiliency 

 

Strong Economy: Economic Development, Business Assistance, Skilled Workforce, and Talent ($910M)

 

• Recovering from the pandemic will require more than just a return to normal. To propel Michigan’s future success, it is critical to learn from the experiences of the last year and a half and capitalize on the changing environment to make the state a model for recovery, innovation, and growth. The American Rescue Plan can help streamline Michigan’s recovery, better connect talent to the state’s growing job market, accelerate entrepreneurship, and increase community wealth. Key Investments: Office Conversion, Brownfield Redevelopment, Strategic and Large Site Development, Job Training and Direct Business Support Grants, EV Readiness 

 

Public Health and Safety: Healthy and Safe People, Families, and Communities ($500M)

 

• Strengthening Michigan’s health and safety infrastructure is critical to improving the quality of life for residents while protecting their ability to fully participate in their economy and community. Through the American Rescue Plan, the state can make targeted investments necessary to support a safer, healthier, and more stable population. Key Investments: Mental Health and Addiction Services in Rural and Underserved Areas, Facility Improvements, Cybersecurity, Restaurant Licensing.

 

For more detailed information, please see the detailed plan here and watch the recording of the press conference this morning.

 

County infirmary structure simplified under proposal

Michigan has two county infirmaries, Monroe and Midland, that have multiple layers of administrative oversight, of which is unnecessary and removed under Senate Bill 569. Senator Dale Zorn (R-Monroe) worked with Monroe County, home of Fairview- the Monroe County Home, to ensure a simplified organization structure in which the county board governs and provides administration for the facility.

Monroe County’s Administrator/Chief Financial Officer Michael Bosanac provided testimony in support of the legislation to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The full testimony can be found  here beginning at the 20 minute mark.

MAC supports Senate Bill 569. The committee voted out the bill unanimously this week and it now awaits action of the full Senate.

For further questions, please contact Meghann Keit-Corrion at keit@micounties.org.

 

National Alliance on Mental Illness hosting one-day virtual state conference

This year’s conference is for everyone! Specific focus on Law Enforcement Crisis Response Models, the Intersection of Faith and Mental Healthcare, the future of integrated healthcare in Michigan, Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT) Behavioral Health Crisis – Training for First Responders, First Episode Psychosis (FEP), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s), suicide prevention resources in our schools, and more!

For more information, please see here.

 

Staff picks

• Helping local governments in Michigan become healthier and more resilient (video) (CLOSUP)
  
  
• Child maltreatment prevention in Midland County (Midland Daily News)
  
  
• Education levels drive Michigan vaccines. What’s rate in your neighborhood? (Bridge Magazine)
  
  
• Is Cyber Insurance Coverage Holding Local Government Ransom? (NACo webinar for Oct. 20)

Public notice bills no help to locals

A two-bill package “modernizing” public notice postings passed out of the Senate this week. SB 258 sponsored by Sen. Vanderwall (R-Mason) and SB 259 sponsored by Sen. Santana (D-Wayne) would modify the definition of a newspaper to mean a newspaper in an adjoining jurisdiction if one was not available in the county. 

The bill would also require the posting of the notice on a website hosted by the newspaper.  Neither of those modifications help to curb the cost of the postings, alleviate the unnecessary details of many of the posting requirements, nor do they assist locals in meeting the publicized notice timeline should a newspaper fail to print the notice in a timely manner. 

MAC offered several amendments to the legislation that were rejected.  The intent of the amendments was to limit the cost of the public notices to a government rate, to allow for partial posting of information with a link to more information, and to allow the posting online to count toward the deadline needed to meet notice posting timelines. The bills have been referred to the House committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance. MAC will continue to advocate for amendments to make this legislation beneficial to counties. 

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

 

Mental health transport option moved by committee

Under Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Dickinson), a county board of commissioners would be allowed to contract with a private security company to transport individuals for involuntary hospitalization or screening. The opportunity under the bill will allow county boards to address the many logistical issues that law enforcement officers have to work through when they must transport an individual.

The board would have to establish a county mental health transportation panel, which must include certain members, before entering into a contract. The purpose of the panel would be to recommend a transportation mechanism to serve as an alternative to a peace officer’s transporting an individual to the board. The panel would make sure the company meets the criteria as set forth under the statute, if passed.

The substitute bill that passed the Senate Health Policy and Human Services committee included additional language to protect counties from liability and ensure a private security company would have to maintain insurance coverage. The bill now awaits further action by the full Senate.

For more information on this issue please contact, please contact Meghann Keit-Corrion at keit@micounties.org.

 

NACo hosting webinar featuring Michigan’s jail reforms

County jails are a major local expense and jail populations across the country have tripled since the 1970s. While state lawmakers may think of jails as the county’s responsibility, many of the laws and policies that determine who goes to jail and for how long are made at the state level. Everything from determining what’s a crime, when to arrest someone, how to make pretrial release and sentencing decisions, and how to handle probation violations and unpaid fees, to things like funding for mental health services in the community. County officials often have broad discretion, but they’re not solely responsible for the growth in our jails.

 

Safely reducing jail populations has taken on even more importance during the pandemic as congregate care settings have fueled the spread of COVID-19.

 

Join us on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. (noon central time) for a half hour webinar featuring the work of the Michigan Association of Counties, which formed a county-state partnership to safely reduce jail populations, and read more about their work here!

 

FY22 budget includes County Incentive Program requirements

The state’s County Incentive Program (CIP) will continue through FY 2022 after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the state budget into law last week. The Michigan Department of Treasury has released guidance for qualifying counties to begin their application process to receive their full CIP payments.

The program’s document requirements include:

• City, village, and township revenue sharing and County Incentive Program certification
• Citizens’ guide  
• Performance dashboard
• Debt service report
• Projected budget report

All required documents must be available for public viewing in the county clerk’s office or posted on a public website. The due date to receive full CIP payments is Dec. 1, 2021. Detailed information can be found on the Michigan Department of Treasury’s CIP website.

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

Staff picks

• Pictured Rocks tourism levels likely unsustainable unless action is taken (Rural Insights)
  
  
• Johnson & Johnson asks FDA to approve booster shot (9&10 News)
  
  
• Michigan coronavirus cases: Tracking the pandemic (Detroit Free Press)
  
  
• The ransomware scourge: Reckoning time for governments (Governing)

 

Conference draws more than 300 to Mackinac Island; President Kuyers urges unity

More than 300 county leaders from across Michigan converged on Mackinac Island this week for the 2021 Michigan Counties Annual Conference, which culminated with the swearing in of Ottawa Commissioner Phil Kuyers as MAC Board president.

The conference, which was held at the Grand Hotel Sept. 26-28, featured plenary sessions, policy breakouts and the MAC Annual Business Meeting, where commissioners approved policy platforms for the 2021-22 year.

Kuyers, who is starting his third term on the MAC Board, is the 113th person to hold the president’s position.

In his speech after taking the oath on Monday, Sept. 27, Kuyers pledged to “raise up MAC as an example of unity, of bipartisanship, of civility and of common sense” in a time of controversy and high passions.

“You are here tonight and at this conference because you believe in the value of MAC. I urge you to lean on this organization like you never have before. Our comfort zone is gone, another victim of the pandemic. Expectations of county government are rising on new fronts from broadband service to affordable housing,” Kuyers continued. “MAC stands ready to help each of you, and your colleagues who are not here tonight, with navigating these new issues. But we must work together.”

Keynote addresses at the event included presentations by Deputy State Budget Director Bethany Wicksall and Dave Lorenz, who leads the highly popular Pure Michigan travel campaign.

Kuyers will lead a board that gained one new member via elections held at the conference: Melissa Daub of Wayne County. She will fill one of the three at-large seats on the MAC Board of Directors.

As the conference closed, the MAC Board confirmed officers for the 2021-22 term. Joining Kuyers are Stan Ponstein of Kent County (first vice president) and Eileen Kowall of Oakland County (second vice president). Veronica Klinefelt of Macomb County moves to the role of immediate past president.

“We were pleased with the attendance at our first in-person conference in two years,” said Stephan W. Currie, MAC’s executive director. “It speaks to the quality of the policy breakouts and keynote presentations that more than 300 county leaders set aside the time to join us.”

Governor calls mask-budget links unconstitutional in budget message

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the FY22 state budget this week, but only after a few line-item vetoes and deeming certain boilerplate provisions unconstitutional and unenforceable.

The budget presented to the governor included language that “unappropriated” funding of local public health departments if a heath officer has an emergency order in place authorized under the Public Health Code- unless a county board of commission votes to support the order.

In a letter to lawmakers, the governor stated that penalizing local health departments for using their power given to them by the Public Health Code violates the Michigan Constitution. The letter cites both Article 3, section 2 and Article 4, section 25, which provide for separation of powers and no act is to be amended by reference, respectively.  

For more information on this issue, please see the text of the transmittal letter or contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.

 

U.S. Treasury resets key deadline on ARP reporting

The U.S. Treasury has revised its timeline for counties to submit their Project and Expenditure Reports for the Fiscal Recovery Fund.

Treasury has set aside the original deadline of Oct. 31, 2021, citing comments and feedback gathered during the Interim Report and Recovery Plan Performance Report process.

The Project and Expenditure Reports will now be due on Jan. 31, 2022, and will cover the period between award date and Dec. 31, 2021. Further instructions will be provided at a later date, including updates to existing guidance as well as a user guide to assist recipients to gather and submit the information through Treasury’s Portal. 

Please visit the Treasury’s website at www.Treasury.gov/SLFRPReporting for the latest information.

 

Presentations from 2021 Annual Conference now available

Presentation slides from all of the plenary sessions and MAC policy breakouts at the 2021 Annual Conference are now available on the MAC website.

Among the highlights are:

• A breakdown of the state budget process by Deputy State Budget Director Bethany Wicksall
• The MAC Legislative Update
• A primer on Michigan’s voting process by Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck
• Research studies on the problems with, and potential solutions for, Michigan’s local taxation system

Also on the conference page, you will find Facebook videos of three of the breakout sessions.

 

Check out the 2021 Annual Conference photo gallery

As is always the case when MAC and MCMCFC visit Mackinac Island, there are plenty of photo opportunities – and MAC’s conference photographer, Rod Sanford, captured them.

To see yourself and others, just visit our online gallery.

And this year, MAC is doing something special: If you would like to have a high-resolution version of a gallery photo that is suitable for printing and framing, just make a donation to MACPAC of $10 or more and send the photo ID number to intern2@micounties.org and we will send you the digital file for printing.

 

Daub joins MAC Board after regional caucuses; 4 incumbents re-elected

New executive team members for the MAC Board are (l-r): Stan Ponstein, first vice president; Eileen Kowall, second vice president; Veronica Klinefelt, immediate past president; and Phil Kuyers, president.

During regional caucuses held at the Michigan Counties Annual Conference Sept. 26-28, MAC members re-elected four incumbents and selected a new at-large director for the MAC Board of Directors.

Melissa Daub of Wayne County fills the vacancy created when Kalamazoo Commissioner Julie Rogers was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2020.

“Upon taking office, I immediately became involved with the Michigan Association of Counties to share ideas with my colleagues across the state, as well as the work we’re doing in Wayne County,” said Daub. “Today, I’m proud to be named an at-large member for the MAC Board of Directors and to be continuing my focus on transportation needs in my home county and across the state, as well as tackling the many other shared issues we see at the county level.”

Daub was first elected to the Wayne County Commission in 2018. She represents District 10, which includes Canton Township, Plymouth Township and the City of Plymouth. A proud graduate of Plymouth-Canton High School, Commissioner Daub holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Incumbent board members were returned to the Board from MAC’s Regions 1, 2, 3 and 5.

President Phil Kuyers of Ottawa County will be starting his third term on the board from Region 2 (Southwest Michigan).

Joe Stevens of Dickinson (Region 1 – Upper Peninsula) and Christian Marcus of Antrim (Region 2 – Northwest Michigan) also were elected to third terms. Eileen Kowall of Oakland (Region 5, Southeast Michigan) was elected to her second term and to serve as second vice president of the Board.

Board members can serve a maximum of three 3-year terms.

 

Policy survey invitation heading to county leaders next week

An invitation to participate in the next wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) is coming next week to your mailbox.

The MPPS is a statewide survey of local government officials conducted since 2009 by the University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) and co-sponsored by MAC.

On Monday, Oct. 4, you will receive an email link to the new MPPS questionnaire, which asks about issues in your county related to materials management, waste collection, and recycling.

The MPPS studies don’t just end up on someone’s shelf—they are used by legislators, the media, the public, and government officials to better understand what local leaders like you feel is important, right now. Your participation is crucial to the success of the MPPS program.

Reports and data from previous MPPS surveys can be found on the MPPS website: http://mpps.umich.edu.

If you have questions about this research study, contact Dr. Debra Horner, CLOSUP, University of Michigan, 5309 Weill Hall, 735 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-615-5315 or closup-mpps@umich.edu.

 

Staff picks

• Michigan tech industry looks to foreign workers for growth (Governing)
  
  
• (Wayne) County podcast on death investigations proves popular (NACo)
  
  
• Meet the bodacious bulky bears of Fat Bear Week 2021 (Smithsonian Magazine)
  
  
• Fishtown shanty soared through the air and back home (Interlochen Public Radio)

County revenue sharing increase highlights FY22 budget

Lawmakers and the governor reached a deal on the FY22 budget this week, just days before the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year. The budget allocates $10.4 billion in General Fund dollars.

The budget includes a 2 percent increase in the base for county revenue sharing, but retained the language requiring the increase in revenue sharing in counties that have been deemed to be in an underfunded status with their pension system to go toward those pension obligations.

Other items of note include:

• $148.9M in Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Grants, which includes implementation of standard 5
• $14.5M for PFAS Remediation Grants
• $13M to fund a Dam Safety Grant Program, with an additional $6M for the Emergency Dam Safety Action Fund
• $14.3M in High Water Infrastructure Grants
• $16M in a one-time appropriation to the state 911 fund for NextGen Infrastructure
  • This appropriation allows the Legislature to eliminate a fee increase in House Bill 5026 for postpaid phones and reduce the fee increase for prepaid
• $29.1M to the Raise the Age Fund, which is to cover cost outside of Child Care Fund eligible expenses for 17-year-olds
• EMS Medicaid fee schedule would be set at 100 percent of Medicare, which is an increase of $54.3M
• $51.4M for essential local public health services, with strings attached depending on local health orders: “If a local health officer has an emergency order under section 2453 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.2453, in effect as of October 1, 2021, the funds appropriated in part 1 for essential local public health services are unappropriated. This subsection does not apply if a county board of commissioners passes a nonbinding resolution by a record roll call vote to support any emergency orders the local health officer has in effect on October 1 of the current fiscal year.”

According to news sources, “Language in the budget that would strip local health departments of their state funding if they have an emergency health order in place to protect against COVID-19 without the assent of their county board of commissioners will likely be deemed unenforceable by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.” MAC expects more legal information to be released soon.

In other county-related details:

• $5.2B transportation budget includes an additional $52.8M for local road agencies for a total to local road agencies of $1.8B.
• $414.5M gross ($146.1M GF) for a $2.35 per hour direct care worker wage increase.
• $26.5M gross, ($5M GF) (6 FTEs) to support a two-year implementation for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration program
• $5.1M for the second year of a five-year phase-out of the use of Local CMH Local Match funding to support the Medicaid Restricted Mental Health Services line
• $4.25M to the county veteran service fund, $200,000 of which can be used by the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency to fund administration and technical assistance to counties
• $2M in one-time money for the secondary road patrol grant program is to compensate for lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing total support to the program at $15M
• $14.8M in the county jail reimbursement program, and agreement to remove language that bars reimbursement for any county that enacts or enforces any law or ordinance concerning the immigration status of an individual
• $2M for local conservation district operational support with an additional $1M one-time funding for FY22
• $45M in Federal funds for Water Infrastructure Improvement Grants for the City of Flint
• $2.1M increase to fully fund PILT payments
• $3M increase for the Michigan Infrastructure Council

Of the $6.5 billion in American Rescue Plan funds allocated to the state of Michigan, the FY22 budget and supplemental for FY21 utilizes just more than $770 million, including $150 million for the Unemployment Trust Fund. The remaining $5.76 billion will be allocated through a series of supplemental budget bills expected to begin negotiations this fall.

For more information about the budget, please contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org or Meghann Keit-Corrion at Keit@micounties.org.