County leaders, legislators discuss policy needs at 2024 conference
Keynoter Dr. Peter Cressy emphasized the need for leaders to be adaptable in times of crisis and change in his conference address. (Rod Sanford Photography)
“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” With these words from Winston Churchill, Dr. Peter Cressy concluded his keynote address to the 2024 Michigan Counties Legislative Conference on Tuesday in Lansing.
Cressy spoke to a filled conference hall at the event, which drew nearly 300 county leaders and others to Lansing this week.
Earlier on Tuesday, MAC honored its County Advocate Award winners for legislative work done in 2023.
Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw) was lauded for championing Revenue Sharing Trust Fund legislation that would fulfill a longstanding MAC priority. Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Mason) was honored for “commitment to preserving local control and championing legislation that helps counties provide services to the best of their abilities.”
During a legislative panel on Wednesday, attendees heard all four participants ― Sens. Aric Nesbitt and Jeremy Moss and Reps. John Fitzgerald and Graham Filler ― pledge support for “proper” revenue sharing, with Moss, Filler and Fitzgerald endorsing the trust fund reform effort.
National Association of Counties President Mary Jo McGuire of Ramsay County, Minnesota, not only delivered an address on her “ForwardTogether” initiative but spent two days with attendees making connections at receptions and presentations.
“We’re pleased at well everything came together,” said Executive Director Stephan Currie. “We had more than 30 legislators attend our reception on Tuesday evening, at a time when there were several other major events going on in Lansing. This shows the importance of counties at the state level.”
Materials from the conference’s Plenary sessions and 12 policy breakouts can be found at MAC’s website. In coming weeks, MAC also will be adding video segments from the event to its YouTube channel.
MAC’s next major educational event is the 2024 Policy Summit, to be held June 25 in Lansing and via zoom. Details and registration information should be released in mid-May.
FY25 state budget bills, with key trust fund, advance another step
Budget work continued in the Legislature this week with various spending bills gaining approval of each chamber’s full appropriations committee.
Click here to see a review of county spending issues from the April 26 Legislative Update.
A focus of MAC’s budget work right now is enactment of its Revenue Sharing Trust Fund proposal, as each chamber’s appropriators have now endorsed the concept, but with different provisions.
As detailed in this Issue Brief and by Governmental Affairs Director Deena Bosworth at this week’s Legislative Conference, House and Senate appropriations panels want to set up a dedicated trust fund using a portion of state sales tax receipts. The Senate version would secure a larger slice than the House’s, yielding $52 million more for counties in FY25 alone.
To gain the higher amount, MAC is working with legislators to address how the budget handles a separate “public safety fund” pushed by House Democrats.
As budget work accelerates in advance of the Legislature’s June 30 deadline to finish its fiscal work, keep an eye out for MAC Advocacy Alerts so you can add your voice to MAC’s call for maximizing revenue sharing.
For more information on MAC’s budget advocacy, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.
Governor signs trial court funding extension
A key part of funding for trial courts in Michigan is again secure for another 30 months after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 5392 this week.
Extension of the ability of local judges to impose fees, this time to Dec. 31, 2026, was a MAC priority for the 2024 legislative year.
HB 5392, by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Jackson), moved the extension of fee authority from May 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2026.
A related measure, House Bill 5534, by Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Oakland), has not yet received a final vote of concurrence in the House. HB 5534 would require the State Court Administrative Office to complete data collection and turn over to the Legislature by May 1, 2026, for advancement towards implementing the 2019 Trial Court Funding Commission recommendations.
MAC supports HB 5534 and long has supported adoption of the funding commission’s recommendations.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
Troubling election bills get Senate hearing
Election bills that would impose sweeping new duties on local governments received a hearing in a Senate committee this week. Known collectively as the “Michigan Voting Rights Act,” Senate Bills 401-404 were introduced to bolster federal law and voting rights in the state for members of a protected class and for disabled electors. While the intent is straightforward, the practical implementation would be complex and could expose locals to frivolous legal challenges.
Local governments will have an incalculable degree of legal liability. SB 401, by Sen. Darin Camilleri (D-Wayne), for example, prohibits a local government from impairing a protected class from participating in elections or the political process, but many of the listed impairments are beyond the control of a local government or conflict with Michigan election law.
The other major bill of concern is SB 403, by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Wayne), which mandates local governments must provide language assistance for elections. This includes providing translated signage, forms, ballots and a communication system that offers translation to electors. The local government will have to rely on the Secretary of State’s Office to produce these materials.
MAC opposed the bills when they were first introduced but is still working through the latest amendments. We will be meeting with bill sponsors and various stakeholders in the coming weeks in anticipation of further committee discussion.
For more information on this issue, contact Madeline Fata at fata@micounties.org.
Van Buren Commissioner Gail Patterson-Gladney receives her certificate from MAC President Jim Storey. (Rod Sanford Photography)
More than 60 commissioners graduate from MAC academy
MAC’s County Commissioner Academy (CCA) honored its largest graduating class ever during a Plenary session on Tuesday, April 30 at the 2024 Michigan Counties Legislative Conference.
Sixty-six county commissioners earned recognition as “certified” or “advanced.” Commissioners who attended the conference were presented their certificate by MAC President Jim Storey. Those who were unable to attend will be shipped their certificate.
Participants in CCA earn continuing education “hours” by attending designated events and workshops. “Certification” is offered at two different levels: “Certified” is reached at 10 hours, while “Advanced” is reached with 20 hours. In addition to MAC events, credit-qualified presentations also are offered by MSU Extension and the Michigan Department of Treasury.
For a full list of this year’s graduates and more information on the academy, click here.
MACSC provides $250 prizes to 2 lucky conference attendees
Commissioner Jeri Strong of Mecosta County and Administrator Katie Zeits of Benzie County were the winners of the MACSC Exhibitor Bingo drawing at the 2024 Legislative Conference on Wednesday, May 1.
Each received $250 after their completed bingo cards were drawn from a bowl by MAC President Jim Storey and Executive Director Stephan Currie.
In the last decade, MAC Service Corp. has issued more than $7,000 in cash prizes to attendees of MAC’s two major conferences each year.
Staff picks
- Michigan Policy Insiders Panel and 88th State of the State Survey (MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research)
- DHS announces $1.8 billion in preparedness grants to advance county security and resilience (NACo News)
- Nine states approve, pursue speed, red-light camera rule revisions (Landline Media)
- Satellite image reveals strange warm spot in Lake Michigan (MLive)
Legislation to secure key trial court funding has passed out of the House, and recently introduced Senate bills on the subject received a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.
A 10-bill package designed to restrict ― but not eliminate ― local governments’ power to regulate short term-rentals, while allowing for a 6 percent excise tax was the subject of the House Local Government Committee meeting this week. 
Democrats again will hold a 56-54 edge in the Michigan House of Representatives after two special elections held Tuesday.
Learn your options about social media posting in April 22 webinar
Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), legal experts will lead a discussion of the Lindke v. Freed decision in which the Supreme Court set forth the test for when local government officials are considered “state actors” for the purposes of the First Amendment when they post on social media.
Click here to register. The webinar begins at 2 p.m. Eastern.
The LGLC is a coalition of national local government organizations formed in 2023 by the National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to provide education to local governments regarding the Supreme Court and its impact on local governments and local officials and to advocate for local government positions at the Supreme Court in appropriate cases.
Capital improvements are subject of April 22 ‘Fiscally Ready’ session
Recurring annual expenses are simple to budget, but repair and replacement of big-ticket items can be much more difficult. A Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will help your local government organize those major projects and forecast the expenses to make long-term planning simpler. This session will cover the basics of a CIP, best practices, and give participants a chance to share techniques that have worked for their community, as well as policies, procedures, and accounting for capital asset management and planning.
Click here to register for the event, which runs from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
For more information about Fiscally Ready Communities, please check out the Treasury Fiscally Ready Communities webpage. This webpage includes Treasury’s 32-page Fiscally Ready Communities Best Practices document, which we encourage all local officials to review.
If you have any questions, email TreasLocalGov@michigan.gov with the subject line “Fiscally Ready.”
Legislative Update 4-12-24
MAC news, Blog, Events, Legislative, MACSC, Marketing, NACo
Fee authority for courts likely to expire without legislative intervention
House Bill 5392, by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Jackson), extends a quickly approaching May 1, 2024, expiration (“sunset”) of the authority of trial courts to levy fees that constitute a key part of their operational funding.
However, HB 5392 is “tie-barred” to a separate measure through actions of the House Judiciary Committee. The companion bill, HB 5534, by Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Oakland), outlines a plan for the State Court Administrative Office to conduct data collection on certain trial court costs and revenue sources and provide a report to the Legislature with proposals to implement the Trial Court Funding Commission’s recommendations from 2019. A “tie-bar” means both bills must advance together.
MAC sees broad support for the sunset extension, but the prospects for the companion bill are much less clear. If, for political reasons, the legislation is delayed and not signed before May 1, a funding gap will result.
As we approach May 1, and the bills have yet to receive a vote, it is increasing likely fee authority for courts will expire. Courts stand to lose nearly $50 million in operational funding annually if HB 5392 does not pass. This loss of revenue, if not covered by the state, will fall on the counties to cover.
With the likelihood for the fee authority to expire, the State Court Administrative Office sent a memo to courts last week, encouraging them to work with counties to establish a back-up funding plan.
While we are expecting the authority to expire on May 1, MAC anticipates the bills will still be signed in May. MAC is advocating for state funding to be appropriated to counties in the event a funding gap is created, to the tune of $1 million per week.
MAC supports both HB 5392 and 5534, with our priority to move HB 5392 and extend the funding authority prior to May 1.
MAC is asking members to take immediate action to urge quick legislative passage. Please visit MAC’s advocacy center to share your support for HBs 5392 and 5534 with your elected officials. The legislative window is closing, as there are limited days for the Legislature to advance the bills to the governor prior to May 1.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
Executive Director Stephan Currie with official County Government Month resolution.
Legislative resolution recognizes ‘County Government Month’
April has been designated National County Government Month in Michigan after the Senate approved a resolution this week.
Resolution 105, by Sens. Jeff Irwin (D-Washtenaw) and Sylvia Santana (D-Wayne), was requested by MAC as part of National County Government Month festivities led by the National Association of Counties. Irwin is a former Washtenaw County commissioner and a member of MAC’s County Caucus.
This recognition is an opportunity to highlight the hard work of county officials and the multitude of services county governments provide. Since 1991, the National Association of Counties has pushed for all states to celebrate counties throughout the month of April.
Impact on counties of federal PFAS rule as yet unclear
The federal government has issued new drinking water standards pertaining to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week the “first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard.”
There are 66,000 public drinking water systems in the U.S. and the EPA estimates that between 6 percent and 10 percent of those systems will need to take action to meet the new standards. The federal government has made available $1 billion in funding to test and treat both private and public water supplies for PFAS.
Michigan has been a national leader in PFAS testing and treatment since at least 2017 with the creation of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART). While MPART has already sampled every public drinking water system in the state, it is not yet publicly known how many, if any, will be impacted by the new standards.
For more information on MAC’s environmental policy work, contact Madeline Fata at fata@micounties.org.
Trial court legislation still stuck in Lansing calendar, Podcast 83 reports
“So, at this time, unfortunately, we’re still held up on trial court funding legislation in the House,” Gibson said. “What’s becoming increasingly likely, and what I think will end up happening, is once the two vacant house seats are filled after those special elections, April 16, maybe. So, let’s say April 23 or 24, maybe the House will vote the bills out, then the Senate is going to have a hearing on some Senate versions of those bills on the 18th. So, whenever the House bills get over there, they can just get sent right to the Senate floor. … We probably will be looking at a week or so after May 1 for implementation of the new sunset.”
In that case, MAC will be pressing the state to reimburse counties for the approximately $1 million per week that will be lost in operating revenue, as it did the last time the fee authority expired in the fall of 2022.
Also reviewed in this week’s episode are:
The potential effects of legislation just signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on hotel/motel tax authority for Kent and seven other counties.
The timing for the passage of the state’s FY25 budget this spring with the statewide election calendar looming.
View the full episode, recorded on April 8, by clicking here.
Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.
And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.
April 16 webinar set on harm reduction and opioid treatment meds
Many people have negative reactions when they hear “methadone” or “needle exchange,” but these are two of several science-backed ways to improve health and prevent deaths among people who use drugs. This presentation provides a broad overview of two kinds of interventions that science shows can help people who use drugs: medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), sch as methadone, and harm reduction, which includes services like needle and syringe programs. We will explain how these interventions work, show evidence of their effectiveness, and address common misconceptions about them.
Register to attend here.
The series is hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University as part of their Technical Assistance Collaborative.
For more information on opioid settlements are technical assistance, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.
New tool provides ‘one-stop shop’ for your grant searches
The MI Funding Hub is a new effort led by the Michigan Municipal League and state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to develop one-stop shop for grants. The hub provides open access to a searchable database of federal and state funding sources as well as philanthropic foundations that can be queried based on type of applicant and funding category as funding becomes available.
The hub provides a monthly newsletter announcing new grants, webinars and grant readiness training.
Local officials also have free access to hands-on technical assistance from a team of experts across many fields through the MI Funding Hub helpdesk. After receiving your helpdesk request form, the team will schedule a meeting to discuss funding needs, answer funding questions, direct applicants to appropriate funding sources and coach you on developing application strategies.
Services provided through the MI Funding Hub do not include writing grant applications, but MAC’s CoProPlus subsidiary does have a pre-negotiated grant writing contract available.
Get started by watching a recorded introductory webinar.
Use cyber courses to bolster your county’s defenses
In early April, Grand Traverse County was hit with a “spear phishing” attack through its email system. The county’s IT team was able to ward off the assault, but this is yet another reminder that digital security is a fundamental duty for any county government in the 21st century.
The NACo Cyberattack Simulation is a reality-based simulation that prepares county risk leaders for cyberattacks by assessing counties’ current state of readiness and identifying gaps. This simulation will help attendees evaluate their incident response procedures and tools and guide them in developing a detailed cyberattack response strategy.
Upcoming sessions will focus on:
The NACo Cyberattack Simulation is designed for cybersecurity managers, their teams and those responsible for risk defense, protection, and recovery, including HR, policy management, finance, public safety and emergency services. It requires 30-60 minutes per day for one week. Activities can be completed on the participants’ schedule and accessed online anywhere.
The retail price of the one week Cyberattack Simulation is $795 per enrollee; however, the simulations are fully sponsored for all counties, bringing your price down to ZERO.
To learn more or enroll, email moderator@pdaleadership.com.
Electronic options now offered on payments from state
The LCSA issues thousands of checks each year to local governments and a number of these remain uncashed. Issuing physical checks means there’s a greater chance of those funds being lost.
While we do work with the local units to try to locate checks and/or reissue them, if necessary, this process can take months.
As a result, we are commencing an electronic payment outreach program with the goal of ensuring local governments receive payments required under state statute(s). Our partners at Plante Moran are launching an outreach effort to contact local units of government directly to set up electronic payment.
LCSA offers two options for electronic deposit: through an ACH or through a Michigan Class participant-to-participant transfer.
If you would like to begin the simple process of converting to electronic payment, email us at electronicpayment@lcsami.gov. For questions, please contact Samantha Harkins, ceo@michiganmsa.org.
Opioid settlement metrics tool released
OSPRI was developed by a working group from Vital Strategies and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with additional contributions from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Shatterproof, the CDC Foundation, and the National Association of Counties.
For additional information or technical assistance with monitoring investments, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.
Legislative Update 3-29-24
Blog, Events, Legislative, MAC news, MACSC, Marketing, NACo
Lenawee commissioner explains beginnings of ballot campaign on energy sites
So explained Lenawee County Commissioner Kevon Martis about the ballot campaign he and other concerned citizens formed now to contest Public Act 233, the controversial state law adopted in 2023 on the siting of renewable energy facilities.
“Public Act 233 has really taken away any meaningful local control of wind, solar and battery storage regulation,” Martis explained to Podcast 83 host Stephan Currie in a new special episode. “We’ve taken the approach that people should have a vote on this, and we’re trying to place the repeal of that local zoning preemption on the ballot this November.”
Under the name “Citizens for Local Choice,” this group wants voters to have a chance to modify the law to protect local control.
“We introduced this as initiated legislation and that legislation targets only the local zoning preemption (in the law),” Martis explained. “We’re not touching any of the energy policy side of this.”
“My strong recommendation to (Michigan’s county commissioners) is if each of you go out and collect one or two pages of signatures ― and each page has 12 signatures ― that will make a meaningful difference in our efforts,” Martis said.
View the full episode, recorded on March 22, by clicking here.
Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.
And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.
Use new portal to help state direct broadband investments
The maps were initially built using data from internet service providers, state, and federal entities. The challenge process is meant to fact-check that data and ensure funds are being allocated accurately. The challenge began on March 25 and will run through April 23.
Residents are unable to submit challenge results directly to the state, however, Merit has generated a portal for this purpose. Merit is a nonprofit regional research and education network which will gather residential data from the portal and submit it to the state on behalf of individuals. Community leaders should refer their constituents to the Merit platform to participate in the challenge.
For more information on MAC’s advocacy on broadband, contact Madeline Fata at fata@micounties.org.
MAC-backed bill to expand drug courts awaits House vote
House Bill 4525, by Rep. Graham Filler (R-Clinton), would amend state law to allow certain offenders to be admitted to a drug treatment court with the approval of the judge, prosecutor and any known victim.
HB 4525 is part of a three-bill package, including HBs 4523 and 4524, by Reps. Kara Hope (D-Ingham) and Joey Andrews (D-Berrien), respectively. The package would expand the use of mental health and drug treatment courts, which are currently limited to nonviolent offenders, to include certain violent offenders ― but again only with approval from a judge and prosecutor and consent of any victim.
The bills were voted out of the Senate; however, they were sent back to the House, as they are required to provide a concurrence vote due to amendments made in the Senate. Despite prior approval in the House, HBs 4523 and 4525 failed to move, and likely will not receive another vote until later this spring.
MAC supports this legislation.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
NACo webinar to give update on ‘elective pay’ under federal IRA
An April 16 webinar from the National Association of Counties is designed to answer county questions about the “elective pay” portion of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
On March 5, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued final regulations for the elective pay mechanism established in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Using elective pay, also known as direct pay, counties and other tax-exempt entities can monetize certain clean energy tax credits that they have previously been unable to access due to their lack of tax liability. Treasury also unveiled a new proposed rule to provide criteria regarding the eligibility of certain ownership structures to claim elective pay. During this webinar, counties will hear from Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on these new regulations and other funding opportunities available under IRA.
To register for the webinar on April 16, which will run from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, click here.
County efforts earn Hometown Health Hero awards
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the award, which is presented to individuals and/or organizations that have made significant and measurable contributions to preserve and improve their community’s health. Awardees are selected solely from nominations received.
Washtenaw County’s Community Voices for Health Equity will receive one of 10 awards this year.
Honorable Mentions will be awarded to:
All the awards will be presented on April 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the Atrium of Heritage Hall in the State Capitol. The event is open to the public. The event is held during Michigan Public Health Week, whose theme this year is f “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.”
Legislative Update 3-8-24
Blog, Events, Legislative, MAC news, MACSC, Marketing, NACo
House committee hears testimony as trial court funding deadline looms
Trial court funding sources (April 2023).
Legislative efforts ramped up this week to address funding for Michigan’s trial courts, which are now facing the legal expiration of a key funding source.
Action is now in the House Judiciary Committee and focused on two bills: House Bill 5392, by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Jackson), extends the current May 1, 2024, sunset date on the authority of courts to levy fees to May 1, 2026; and House Bill 5534, by Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Oakland), which outlines a plan for the State Court Administrative Office to collect data on trial court costs and revenue sources and provide a report to the Legislature with proposals to implement the Trial Court Funding Commission’s recommendations from 2019.
MAC is supporting both efforts, though its immediate focus is on HB 5392, since inaction would create an immediate funding gap. MAC testified to this point on Wednesday.
Courts stand to lose nearly $50 million in operational funding annually if HB 5392 does not pass. This loss of revenue, if not supplemented by the state, will fall on the counties to cover.
It is expected that HB 5392 will advance out of committee in an amended form to set a Dec. 31, 2026, sunset on fee authority.
Political dynamics in the House, however, could delay passage of both bills. The bills are expected to be tie-barred, meaning one cannot move through the legislative process without the other.
The bills are likely to be voted out by the committee next week and move to the House floor.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
MAC urges passage of bill to deter unfunded mandates on locals
Deena Bosworth testifies on HB 5353 before the House Local Government Committee.
A renewed effort to require legislators to consider the fiscal implications of new mandates on local governments prior to enacting them received MAC’s support in testimony before the House Local Government Committee this week.
House Bill 5353, by Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Kent), is a re-introduction of legislation that’s been introduced every legislative session since the Legislative Commission on Unfunded Mandates issued its report in 2009. In the last Legislature, Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Dickinson) was able to move SB 449 out of committee before it stalled on the Senate floor.
HB 5353, as with previous iterations, seeks a fiscal note process for legislation and departmental rules that increase or create new mandates on local units of government. It requires the identification of additional mandated services and a cost estimate for those services prior to the third reading of the bills in the originating legislative chamber or prior to the implementation of new departmental rules. This approach will allow legislators to have prior knowledge of the potential costs and be able to weigh their support or opposition based on complete information.
Funds required to perform the new mandates must be appropriated and sent out to local units before the locals would have to comply with the new mandates. The bill would affect new bills and rules only.
Twenty-eight states have similar reporting requirements, and many states have requirements that mandates must be funded. Michigan’s “Headlee Amendment” already requires that our mandates be funded. However, this requirement has not been routinely met.
With county-controlled resources (property taxes) already constrained by Headlee and Proposal A, additional service requirements imposed on counties by the state must come with the resources to meet them, MAC’s Deena Bosworth told committee members this week during her testimony (see 39:00 mark).
No vote was taken on the bill this week, but MAC is hopeful the bill will advance this spring.
For more information on this issue, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.
Senate appropriations panel hears from MAC on juvenile justice reforms
Panel Chair Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Wayne) convened a hearing to gauge the state of juvenile justice reform at the state and county level and determine the needs of counties and courts providing juvenile justice services.
MAC’s Samantha Gibson was among stakeholders who spoke to the struggles faced at the county level in providing care and support to youth in the justice system.
Among the reforms from enacted last year and now being implemented, the Child Care Fund reimbursement rate increase from 50 percent to 75 percent is most beneficial, Gibson told the panel, allowing courts and counties to expand on previously provided programs or possibly create new ones they could not fund prior to the increased reimbursement rate.
MAC once again called on legislators and the Department of Health and Human Services to assist in addressing the staffing shortage in juvenile detention facilities. More funding to counties is needed to boost staff wages and, in turn, promote more effective recruitment and retention efforts.
Additional hearings on this topic are expected in coming weeks.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
State gets federal grant for juvenile services
The department intends to use these federal dollars to create more beds and more appropriate placement options for high-risk youth in need of long-term residential treatment. According to MDHHS, Project activities include:
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
House committee backs bill to address sheriff staffing
House Bill 5203, by Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Oakland), received unanimous support from the House Local Government Committee and now moves to the House floor.
At present, if a person receiving retirement benefits becomes re-employed by the same county, their retirement payments are suspended for the length of their re-employment. The bill would allow retirement benefits to continue during re-employment if a retiree is hired by a sheriff’s office.
Allowing this practice would help address the severe staffing shortages seen within county sheriff’s offices.
MAC supports this legislation.
For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.
Podcast team discusses MAC’s behind-the-scenes efforts at Capitol
The legislative slowdown continues from the results of last November’s elections when the Democrats lost their majority in the House, leaving a 54-54 chamber that will remain tied until the end of April when new members are seated for two vacancies.
MAC, however, continues to crisscross the Capitol campus to brief legislators on county priorities and needs.
MAC, for example, testified last week before a Senate appropriations panel on the association’s opioid settlement efforts and the reaction was widely positive, Samantha Gibson reported.
“Our feeling on feedback from senators after that committee hearing was that they were really glad and impressed to hear about what was going on at MAC,” Gibson said. “It is important to note that I don’t believe anyone has started spending their settlement dollars yet and that’s because counties are really taking the time to hear from stakeholders and make sure that as many people as possible are engaged in the process, that they’re going to spend those dollars as effectively as they can.”
Director of Governmental Affairs Deena Bosworth spoke about her planned testimony on House Bill 5353 (see item above).
“MAC has always been supportive of any kind of unfunded mandates legislation dating back to 2009, when the legislative commission on unfunded mandates issued their report,” Bosworth explained. “We have not been successful in getting this all the way through the process and enacted. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we can cross that threshold this time.
“The only teeth (in the bill) are that we don’t have to comply … if they don’t follow the fiscal note process,” Bosworth added. “
View the full video of the episode, recorded on March 4, by clicking here.
Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.
And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.
Webinars explain how to challenge internet connection maps
While individuals may complete the testing process, they cannot submit the data themselves. Only local units of government, tribal governments, internet service providers and nonprofit can submit this data to MIHI.
Many county buildings are considered community anchor institutes, so they are able to challenge their connection status through the process.
MAC will share reminders as the start of the challenge process nears. In the meantime, MIHI will be hosting two upcoming webinars for participants to learn more:
For more information on MAC’s work on broadband issues, contact Madeline Fata at fata@micounties.org.
EPA opens grant program on hazardous waste
“U.S. EPA Region 5 has opened the FY2024-2025 Source Reduction Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity. This regional competitive grant program provides funding for projects that promote practical source reduction practices, tools, and training or Pollution Prevention (P2) approaches, such as reducing single-use plastics or using green cleaning or other safer chemical alternatives.
“Tribes, States, local governments and not-for-profit organizations are eligible for funding. Region 5 anticipates awarding 1-4 projects ranging from $40,000-$240,000 up to a total of $240,000 in federal funds. The number of awards is subject to the availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. The application deadline is April 15, 2024.”
While a variety of projects are eligible, the program’s priority areas are:
For additional support, contact Claudia Santiago at 312-886-0674 or Santiago.claudia@epa.gov.
NACo continues to accept Achievement Award applications
Applications are due March 30, 2024.
Michigan counties have won numerous awards in recent years for efforts ranging from the use of recycled materials for roads to cyber defense strategies to specialty courts.
Click here for more information or to begin your application process.
Please find the report, available here. It is also publicly accessible on the OAC’s website under “Commission Documents” > “Annual Reports.”
Also available is the 2024 supplemental brief. This document covers overarching themes, key takeaways/needs, and primary funding recommendations for appropriation from the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund.
The OAC is also in the process of finalizing its “Action Guide”, anticipated for release later this month. The Action Guide will lay out steps that state leaders can take to support/adopt OAC recommendations.
For information about MAC’s work on opioid settlements, click the image or contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.