The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC)

Legislative Update 8-30-24

Blog, Events, Legislative, MAC news, MACSC, Marketing, NACo

Candidates make their case for 2024 Board elections

The field is set for this year’s elections for the MAC Board of Directors.

Six county commissioners have filed for the five available seats on the Board that will be filled via regional caucuses held on Sept. 25 at the 2024 Michigan Counties Annual Conference:

  • Region I, Seat A
  • Region II, Seat A
  • Region III, Seat A
  • Region V, Seat B
  • At-large, Seat C

Only county commissioners registered for the Annual Conference may participate in the six regional caucuses. Only candidates who filed by the Aug. 23 deadline are eligible to be elected.

Regional seats are determined by the votes of that region’s caucus, with each county represented in the caucus room receiving one vote. The at-large seat is filled by the candidate receiving a majority of votes (with each commissioner casting a vote) in at least four of the six caucuses. (For questions on election procedures, contact Communications Director Derek Melot at melot@micounties.org.)

Candidates provided statements to MAC to share with colleagues:

Michigan FY 2025 County Revenue Sharing Projections Released

The Michigan Department of Treasury has recently posted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 County Revenue Sharing projections, providing an essential preview of the expected funds that will be distributed to counties across the state. These projections offer a insight into how the new distribution model will affect each county.  

The changes to the distribution methodology are the result of the changes made to the State’s FY 2025 enacted budget for Michigan.  For years, county revenue sharing was based on an outdated model that was rooted in values from, among other things, a 1975 inventory tax, inflationary increases for those counties still drawing down from a reserve fund and random percentage increases and decreases decided on by the legislature and the administration.  The old methodology also required counties to earn a portion of their revenue sharing with reports at the local level and state level. 

The new methodology has it’s roots in previous distributions but the unprecedented $30M increase for county revenue sharing this year will be distributed based on a counties taxable value as compared with the rest of the State.  All counties will see an increase in revenue sharing for FY 2025 compared to previous years. However, the actual impact on each county’s budget from the $30M increase will vary depending on the final 2024 taxable values.

The Michigan Department of Treasury projected revenue sharing payments for each county for FY 2025, FY-2025-County-Revenue-Sharing-Projections-8-29-24.pdf (michigan.gov), are based on the taxable values from 2023, which have been used as the foundation for estimating the amount each county will receive. However, it’s important to note that the actual payments to counties will be calculated based on the 2024 taxable values, which are expected to be released later in September. This means that the figures currently provided are preliminary and subject to change once the updated taxable values are available.

The Department of Treasury is expected to notify counties of the final revenue sharing amounts sometime next week, but they will only be projections until the 2024 taxable values are finalized.

In conclusion, the FY 2025 County Revenue Sharing projections provide a valuable early look at the funding counties can expect in the coming fiscal year. While the final amounts will depend on the forthcoming 2024 taxable values, these projections serve as an early indication on what counties can expect to receive.  For more information, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAC on the Road: Ottawa County

MAC’s Samantha Gibson toured Ottawa County’s Family Justice Center, juvenile detention center and day treatment center for youth community-based programming. The newly unveiled Family Justice Center and the programming, resources and opportunities made available to youth in the juvenile detention center and day-treatment programs exemplify the positive result of strong partnerships between boards of commissioners and courts, ultimately benefiting the youth within their communities. Thank you to Thom Lattig, Ottawa County juvenile court director, and Kathie Kolean, assistant director of court operations, for providing the tour of their campus.

 

Podcast 83: Artificial Intelligence is the present, not the future, says NACo expert

County leaders feeling hesitant about artificial intelligence (AI) entering their workplaces need to realize the technology is already there – and will be a boon to them and their staffs, said a National Association of Counties (NACo) expert in the newest episode of Podcast 83.

Rita Reynolds, NACo’s chief information officer, and host Stephan Currie conducted a wide-ranging discussion on AI terminology, its scope and how county leaders can use a new NACo toolkit to adapt to this seminal technology.

“When you start looking at some of those recommendations in generative AI, and were we first going to start seeing it in county government, where are we going to see it initially?” Currie asked. “Is it in the back office? Is it front office? … Talk a little bit about that, where you’re starting to see counties implement some generative AI.”

“Early on ― and even now ― there’s a definite focus with what we would call the productivity applications, which really, mostly, are the back office,” Reynolds replied. “So, for productivity, it’s those type of tasks where I’m doing the same thing over and over, and it’s taking me a lot of time, or it is so repetitive that’s why I can hand this off to someone.

“And it could be as simple as meeting notes, having the artificial intelligence work for you during a meeting and summarize the meeting minutes at the end of it, it could be taking a chunk of information, maybe you’ve written something for an article, but you’re not happy with the way it’s worded. Or you need to reword it in simpler terms. And so that’s generative AI, as we call it, the tool that allows you to put information in and it generates out a response that is potentially easier to understand or more professional.”

“What do you foresee the future now is of this toolkit?” Currie asked.

“We already do have a game plan and a roadmap. Basically, the toolkit is live on the naco.org website. … There’s also an interactive, tabular type page that allows you to say, ‘I’m an elected official, take me to those sections that I need to really be aware of.’ And it’ll take you to the benefits, the challenges, the opportunities, some use cases and then several, not all, of the work recommendations,” Reynolds explained.

“I would like to just mention,” Reynolds concluded, “from the challenge perspective, the (NACo) committee was very cognizant that there are areas such as accuracy, relevancy and, of course, particularly bias that could be in the data. And we’ve all said all along, there’s always been that type of problem. Generative AI just brings it to the forefront and actually gives counties now the opportunity to be better at cleaning up the data and making it relevant.”

View the full episode, recorded on Aug. 5, 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.

 

Staff picks

Legislative Update 8-23-24

Blog, Events, Legislative, MAC news, MACSC, Marketing, NACo

UM institute releases ordinance template for renewable energy siting

A template ordinance for renewable energy facilities has been released by the University of Michigan. The Graham Sustainability Institute team, led by Dr. Sarah Mills, has created a sample Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO) as well as guidance on “Workable” Renewable Energy Ordinances.

Mills has presented information on this topic in recent months via the MAC Legislative Conference, Podcast 83 and the June edition of Michigan Counties.

As many of you know, the new law for siting large-scale wind and solar projects takes effect in November. Each local unit of government with zoning authority must choose one of three paths forward:

  1. No ordinance: Do not adopt an ordinance and allow the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to site for all large-scale renewable energy projects.
  2. CREO: Adopt an ordinance that matches the standards outlined in the law exactly.
  3. Workable ordinance: Adopt an ordinance that deviates from state standards but is reasonable enough that a developer would want to work directly with the local unit of government rather than going through the MPSC.

MAC recommends that each local unit of government consults with legal counsel before determining its path; what is right for one community may not be so for another. Thankfully, U of M has provided resources on each option.

The MPSC has yet to share its final rules on implementing the new law so these documents may evolve with time but considering the approaching effective date, reviewing these materials now can help guide the planning process moving forward.

For questions on MAC’s advocacy on this issue, contact Madeline Fata at fata@micounties.org.

 

Celebrating International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month

August and September highlight a time to recognize the lives lost to drug overdose and celebrate recovery from substance use disorders.

Overdose Awareness Day is recognized internationally on Aug. 31 annually to raise awareness of drug overdose, stigma associated with overdose deaths and acknowledge grief experienced by families and friends remembering those lost and injured as a result of drug overdose. To find out more information, you can visit https://www.overdoseday.com/.

Recovery Month is recognized nationally throughout the month of September to promote new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the strength and resilience of the recovery community and highlight the providers and communities that support recovery from substance use disorders. To find out more information, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month.

MAC has created a proclamation template for both overdose awareness day and recovery month proclamation which counties can customize to highlight their commitment to addressing stigma and overdose, honoring the lives lost, celebrating those in recovery and sharing that recovery is possible.

For more information on MAC’s services on opioid settlement planning, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.

 

FCC issues rule capping phone fees for jail inmates

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed a ruling last month lowering the cost of jail and prison communications by capping the call rates for inmates to 6 to 12 cents per minute. 

The ruling states that call rates will be $0.06 per minute for prisons and large jails, $0.07 per minute for medium jails, $0.09 per minute for small jails, $0.12 per minute for very small jails and $0.11 per minute for video calls.

MAC and NACo have not yet taken a position on this ruling.

For more information, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org. 

 

MAC on the road: Grand Traverse and Kent counties

MAC’s Samantha Gibson and Madeline Fata attended a Grand Traverse County’s Board meeting on Aug. 21, which included a report from their opioid epidemic task force sharing their strategic plan and budget recommendations and approval of the FY24-25 Child Care Fund budget. After the meeting, the MAC duo met with (l-r) Commissioner Scott Sieffert, Administrator Nate Alger and Board Chair Rob Hentschel.

MAC also was in attendance on Aug. 22 when Kent County commissioners voted to amend its Lodging Excise Tax Ordinance. The board action increases the levy to 8 percent and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025. After the session, MAC’s Gibson and Fata met with Commissioner Stan Ponstein (left) and Administrator Al Vanderberg.

 

Audits are focus of Sept. 5 webinar from Michigan Treasury

The Michigan Department of Treasury will hold its next “Chart Chat” webinar at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Click here to register and to submit questions prior to the event.

The Chart Chat webinar series provides local governments with critical information related to accounting and auditing topics, measuring local government fiscal health, and other important updates from Treasury.

Topics covered will include:

  • Are you prepared for your audit?
  • What happens to your audit after it gets to Treasury?  
  • How to file for an audit extension  
  • Pension and OPEB Monitoring (PA 202 of 2017)
  • FDCVT Grants FY 2025 

Presentations and recordings from this webinar, along with previous webinars, can be found at TREASURY – BLGSS Learning Center. For support related to Treasury’s local government services, visit TREASURY – Contact Information.

 

Legislative Update 8-16-24

Blog, Events, Legislative, MAC news, MACSC, Marketing, NACo

MAC releases transparency guidance and additional templates for opioid settlement work

This week, MAC released a new guidance document focused on supporting counties with transparency associated with opioid settlements. The Michigan County Opioid Settlement Funds: Transparency, Monitoring and Accountability Guide is intended to:

  • Build on national guidance
  • Highlight key areas and practical steps for creating and sharing transparent processes
  • Highlight availability and access to information
  • Focuses on transparency as a tool to support decision-makers in clarifying how and why decisions were made

The guidance document is framed around three phases in which to consider transparency, including, planning, funding and monitoring. It focuses on three key areas in which transparency can be addressed throughout all phases, including, community inclusion, conflicts of interest and a centralized location for information and public access.

Additionally, MAC has made the following template documents available on the Opioid Settlement Resource Center.

  • Public Input/Feedback Session Resolution Template (PDF) (Word) – A resolution for Boards of Commissioners to host community input sessions on their spending plans prior to adoption of a spend plan.
  • Spending Plan Adoption Resolution Template (PDF) (Word) – A resolution for Boards of Commissioners to finalize their expenditures.
  • Vendor/Contractor Reporting Form Template (PDF) (Word) – A reporting document for monthly, quarterly, or biannual reports from vendors/contractors receiving opioid settlement funds.
  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form Template (PDF) (Word) – A document for steering committee or request for proposal review committee members to attest to any conflicts of interest.

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

 

Podcast 83 delves into resources for counties to address growing mental health responsibilities

A review of the major changes in county mental health responsibilities in recent decades and the challenges now confronting counties in the mental health space are the focus of a new special episode of Podcast 83.

Richard Carpenter, a specialist with Rehmann, a MAC Premier Partner, sat down with host Stephan Currie to reiterate and expand on points he made during a presentation at this year’s Legislative Conference.

“In the late’ 70s and early’ 80s, the state started to close a lot of the state facilities … and that’s where the counties really started picking up that responsibility,” Carpenter explained.

Carpenter noted several resource opportunities for counties today:

  • “We’ve even seen really good partnerships with Mental Health First Aid training that some counties are getting very involved in with their community mental health services programs, so their first responders are ready to identify and respond to those emergencies that might include a behavioral health component.”
  • “We do see opportunities with both our state General Fund dollars at the Community Mental Health Services programs and our Medicaid dollars; I can’t stress enough that our Medicaid dollars can help individuals stay out of … incarceration.”
  • “There is access through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in what they call the Community Mental Health Block grants. And they still have … substance abuse and prevention and treatment block grant dollars.”

“When I look into the future, what are the hot things that I would recommend people kind of keep their ears open for keep their eyes on,” concluded Carpenter, “the no. 1 of them is the (Certified) Community Behavioral Health Clinic. The state of Michigan is putting a lot of dollars into that CCBHC program.”

View the full episode, recorded on June 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.

 

Clock is ticking on registration access to 2024 Annual Conference

Registration continues online for the 2024 Michigan Counties Annual Conference, being held Sept. 24-26 at the always popular Grand Traverse Resort in Grand Traverse County.

Among the highlights for this year’s event are:

  • The 2024 President’s Banquet on Sept. 25 will feature the installation of Wayne County’s Melissa Daub as MAC’s 116th president, followed by entertainment.
  • The Welcome Reception on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 24 will be held in the Exhibitor Hall with beverages and a strolling dinner
  • An optional new session called “Women of MAC” will be held the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 24
  • Plenary sessions on Sept. 25-26 will feature presentations on dealing with personal threats as an elected official, healthy living and the comedic stylings of Danny Adams, “The Facilitator of Fun.”
  • MAC’s Annual Business Meeting on Sept. 26 will review and approve MAC’s policy platforms for the coming year.
  • Elections will be held for five MAC board seats via regional caucuses on Sept. 25

While the deadline to register for the conference isn’t until Sept. 13, the special hotel room rate will expire on Aug. 23, so county leaders who have yet to make their plans should do so immediately.

For registration questions, first review MAC’s website, then contact Tammi Connell at connell@micounties.org.

 

Voters endorse almost all county millage requests in August

Voters across Michigan gave broad approval to millage requests from county governments in the August 2024 primary election.

Data provided by the Gongwer News Service shows voters approved 162 of 170 requests on Aug. 6. Voters in Charlevoix County alone approved six different millage renewals and increases for services ranging from recycling and recreation to the county’s medical care facility.

The most common request was for a millage renewal or increase for public safety, with all 44 such requests passing. Of the 31 requests for senior services, 30 were approved.

To see a full list of county-based results, click here.

 

MDOT seeks comment on 5-year investment plan

The public may provide input on the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Five-Year Transportation Program (5YTP) now through Sept. 3. The five-year plan is released annually to share MDOT’s funding forecast, upcoming projects, economic impacts and investment strategies for the future.

See a digital version of the plan here. This year’s plan focuses on multi-modal transportation, public transportation networks, and resiliency strategies. Funds will be dedicated toward repairing and rebuilding 1,355 highway lane miles and replacing and preserving 161 bridges. For local transit, “78 bus agencies, 4 passenger ferry systems, and 38 specialized service providers” will see investments.

MAC encourages county leaders to review and comment on the plan prior to the Sept. 3 deadline.

For more information on MAC’s infrastructure policy advocacy, contact Madeline Fata at fata@micounties.org.

 

Treasury webinar will focus on fundamentals, best practices

The Michigan Department of Treasury and Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) want to make you aware of our next Fiscally Ready Communities training opportunity. This FREE training is a 90-minute webinar that’s designed to assist appointed and elected officials.

Click here to register.

The upcoming webinar training will be Thursday, Aug.22, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with additional sessions available on Sept. 16, 2024, Oct. 21, 2024, and Dec. 12, 2024.

“From Fundamentals to Best Practices”

This program focuses on implementing financial best practices, measuring fiscal health, and local government financial management fundamentals. It will include material on reconciling a bank account, how to read and interpret governmental financial statements, audit prep umbrella, how to complete and file an F65 Report, remitting taxes timely, and how to craft an appropriate and effective audit finding Corrective Action Plan. Participants will also receive resources to support best practice implementation and assess their local unit fiscal health.

For more information about Fiscally Ready Communities, please check out 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.”

 

Oct. 15 info event set for broadband funding

Local governments and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can connect and explore partnerships at a matchmaking event on Oct. 15. The Michigan High-Speed Internet office (MIHI) will be hosting “Building Bridges for BEAD” at the Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville.

This is an opportunity for locals and ISPs that are interested in applying for Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding to learn more about potential collaborations. Public and private partnerships will be paramount to the successful deployment of broadband infrastructure across Michigan.

The forum will be “a fast-paced, guided activity” to initiate conversations and allow for networking. To register or learn more, click here.

 

MAC on road: Staff visits Clinton and Newaygo counties

MAC staff continue their travel across Michigan and the Midwest this summer (l-r):

  • Amy Dolinky and Stephan Currie discussed MAC innovative work on opioid settlement planning with county association executives at a gathering in St. Paul, Minn., this week.
  • Samantha Gibson and Madeline Fata attended Newaygo’s board session this month, which included reports from the Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan (AAAWM), Sheriff Bob Mendham and Newaygo’s Parks Department. After the meeting, the MAC duo met with Newaygo Chair and MAC Board Director Bryan Kolk. 
  • Deena Bosworth, Gibson and Fata attended a Clinton board session in late July and then toured the county’s jail facilities. The Board adopted a resolution in support of their local Community Mental Health entity regarding Conflict Free Access and Planning, supported by MAC and linked on our website.

 

New NACo program to teach county leaders about conflict resolution

America is more polarized than ever before. Tensions exist in all sectors, and especially across government and between county governments and communities. Public meetings are sometimes veering out of control, highlighting the urgency for county leaders to develop strategies and skills to bridge divides and collaborate across differences. County leaders are uniquely trusted by the American people to solve local problems.

In September, Convergence and the National Association of Counties (NACo) are offering county leaders a one-of-a-kind eLearning experience to build their capacities to address these tensions, to bridge divides and to collaboratively solve problems in their community.

The Convergence eLearning Program is an eLearning course that improves county leaders’ capacity to bridge divides, resolve conflict, convene and engage stakeholders and collaboratively solve problems.

Why should I participate in the Convergence eLearning Program?

County leaders are uniquely positioned to solve complex and contentious problems in their communities. This course will improve your capacity to effectively communicate during conflict, to identify common interests and goals, and to use collaborative problem-solving skills and processes to address complex issues in your community.

What kind of commitment will the Convergence eLearning Program require?

The Convergence eLearning Program will include up to six hours of coursework to be completed on your own time and at your own pace. Convergence is also offering 2-3 optional virtual meetings for additional coaching and practice.

As part of this pilot program, participants will be asked to complete a short, online evaluation about their experience.

For more information and to sign up, click here.

 

Legislative Update 7-26-24

Blog, Events, Legislative, MAC news, MACSC, Marketing, NACo

Governor signs FY 2025 budget

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed the FY 2025 budget into law, now designated as Public Act 121 of 2024. This budget brings a host of changes and allocations that impact Michigan counties.  The most significant change comes in a $30 million increase in county revenue sharing. This increment is on top of the ongoing funding from FY 2024 and will be distributed to counties based on an inverse relationship to taxable value. The Department of Treasury has yet to finalize the distribution calculations, but updates will be provided as soon as they become available.

Justice System Funding

The County Jail Reimbursement Program receives a $5 per diem rate increase.

Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC)

A total of $37.4 million has been allocated to support grant distributions to district and circuit court funding units for the state’s share of the FY 2025 costs for MIDC standards.

The breakdown is as follows:

  • $24.6 million for standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8
  • $12.9 million for standards 6 and 7

Kent and Macomb County Judgeships

The budget provides $305,500 for the partial year costs of two new judgeships—one in Kent County’s district court and another in Macomb County’s probate court.

Local Prosecutor Support Grants

To alleviate the workload on county prosecutors, $17 million has been set aside for grants to the 15 counties with the highest rates of violent crime per 1,000 residents. The funds will be distributed based on the population of each county, multiplied by $7.50.

Stormwater Management

The budget includes $10 million in ongoing funding for stormwater management planning grants and $300,200 in one-time funding.

Roads

While the budget does not allocate state dollars for a pilot project on mileage-based user fees, it does provide $74.5 million for 30 “Critical Infrastructure Projects.”

Elections

To support counties with the implementation costs associated with Proposals 1 and 2, and for financial disclosure investment grants, $1.5 million has been allocated.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)

An investment of $161.8 million, including 12 full-time employees, is aimed at expanding CCBHCs into additional counties, along with conducting a study on the program.

Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund

$10 million has been designated on a one-time basis for regional community health entities, known as Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs).

Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT)

A one-time fund of $500,000 will create a system for recording and accepting Medicaid reimbursement for emergency transport services.

Runaway and Homeless Youth Grants

The budget includes $5.3 million to support the expansion of runaway and homeless youth programs across various counties, including infrastructure and technology upgrades.

County Child Care Fund

An increase of $9.1 million was appropriated for the County Child Care Fund.

Foster Care Payments

The budget provides $16.9 million for foster care payments.

Housing

An appropriation of $5 million has been allocated for services to unhoused individuals in Genesee County, with an additional $10 million dedicated to affordable housing initiatives in the same region.

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

 

Counties now can sign on to Kroger opioid settlement

In September 2023, a settlement with Kroger was reached. This settlement will pay around $1.2 billion to states and subdivisions nationally and payment will be made over an 11 year period. In Michigan, local governments have the opportunity to sign-on to receive these additional funds between mid-July and mid-August of 2024.

To see the estimated total amount of funds for your county, you can visit MAC’s Opioid Settlement Resource Center website.

For more detailed payment information, such as expected payments by settlement by year, visit the Michigan Department of Attorney General Opioid Settlement Payment Estimator tool. 

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

 

Michigan gets $130M in federal help for clean energy projects

Nearly $130 million in federal aid will be made available for clean energy projects in Michigan, part of which will be used for financial incentives for locals to welcome utility-scale wind and solar projects to their communities.

The investment will help Michigan meet its goal of 60 percent renewable energy by 2030, a plan that was approved by the Legislature late last year with Public Act 235. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allocated these funds to states that were aggressive in renewable energy policies. Governor Whitmer advocated for the clean energy package, as well as the renewable energy siting reform bills, in order to receive these funds.

The Renewables Ready Communities Award pilot will make available $30 million for local governments “that approve and host utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage through local processes.” Locals can be granted $5,000 per megawatt for projects with at least 50 megawatts of energy. The maximum amount a local can receive is $3 million for a single project.

The remainder of the $129.1 million will be used to incentivize developers to build renewable energy projects brownfield sites, technical support, workforce development and strategic planning.

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

 

Congressional committee advances changes to child welfare

Legislation to improve federal Title IV-B programs for child welfare and workforce recruitment and retention to serve families in poverty passed unanimously this week in the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R. 9076 updates Title IV-B, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024, which currently lacks significant funding. The improvements, if passed, include a $300 million increase in mandatory funding over four years. This increased funding would assist those suffering from substance use disorders, improve child welfare legal proceedings, and dedicated funding for tribes.

MAC and NACo support H.R. 9076, allowing counties to continue to provide quality services to at-risk children and their families involved in the child welfare system.

For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.

 

Legislative Update takes mid-summer hiatus

MAC’s weekly email blast to members, Legislative Update, will not be released on Friday, Aug. 2 or Friday, Aug. 9 due to staff attendance at MAC and regional events.

Legislative Update will return to its regular Friday releases on Friday, Aug. 16.

 

Legislative Update 7-19-24

Blog, Events, Legislative, MAC news, MACSC, Marketing, NACo

Fifteen counties to receive local prosecutor grant funding in state budget

Fifteen of the 83 counties will receive some of a $17 million appropriation in the state’s FY25 budget for their prosecutor’s office to reduce the caseload per attorney. These grants are meant to address the severe prosecutor shortage plaguing every county in Michigan.

The $17 million will allow eligible counties to raise assistant prosecutor salaries and make prosecutor’s offices in those counties more competitive and attractive to prospective employees.

Eligible counties include Berrien, Calhoun, Crawford, Eaton, Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Luce, Muskegon, Saginaw, Schoolcraft and Washtenaw.

MAC’s long-term goal is for the state to provide funding to all 83 counties for prosecutor offices and close the gap on the statewide prosecutor shortage.

For more information on this issue, contact Samantha Gibson at gibson@micounties.org.

 

Podcast 83 episode explores reality of financial hardship in Michigan

How county leaders can assist the growing number of Michigan households experiencing financial hardship is the focus of a special episode of Podcast 83.

Host Stephan Currie welcomed two special guests to discuss a recent report on financial hardships and an important informational tool for families to access help:

  • Kaitlynn Lamie, president and CEO of the Michigan Association of United Ways
  • Sarah Kile, director of community and partner engagement for Michigan 211

“ALICE is a study that stands for ‘Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed,’” explained Lamie. “We now have 10 years of ALICE data, and this is really looking at folks who are working, yet still struggling to make ends meet.

“The newest data (from May) showed that we have 100,000 new households in Michigan that fall below that ALICE threshold,” she added.

With these additions, 41 percent of Michigan households are below the threshold.

Those households, though, can connect for assistance via 211.

“Every county in Michigan is covered with a simple three-digit number when you’re looking for assistance,” said Kile. “So, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We have trained, nationally accredited folks who ― 24 hours a day, seven days a week ― are waiting to find resources for individuals in your community. The most common are housing, food, utilities ― the basic needs.

“There are so many county commissioners, county leaders all over who’ve supported 211, whether it’s letters of support for funding or letters of support to get the service in their community,” she added.

To learn more about how the Association of United Ways can assist county leaders in understanding and responding to their local needs, view the full episode, recorded on June 3, 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.

 

AI report, elections highlight 2024 NACo Annual Conference

“The advent of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) worldwide presents unique opportunities and challenges for county governments,” states a new report from a National Association of Counties (NACo) committee that spent more than a year studying the issue.

Presentation of the report was one of just many activities at the NACo Annual Conference, held in Hillsborough County, Fla. MAC First Vice President Melissa Daub of Wayne led a Michigan delegation to the conference that included 27 commissioners from 13 counties.

Sonoma County, Calif., Supervisor James Gore was sworn in July 15 as NACo’s new president at the association’s Annual Business Meeting. At the same session, Michigan delegates participated in the election of George Dunlap of Mecklenburg County, N.C., as NACo second vice president.

“Four key themes emerged during our committee’s year-long exploration of generative artificial intelligence: Preparing the Workforce, Establishing an Ethical Framework, Promoting Policy Models and Enabling Responsible Applications. Each theme prompted our committee to study the impact of generative artificial intelligence deeply, specifically through the lens of county governance,” committee co-chairs Andy Brown of Travis County, Texas, and Gregg Weiss of Palm Beach County, Fla., wrote in the AI report.

“The goal of this report and toolkit is to enable county government to recognize low-risk versus high-risk implementations of artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence and address the challenges that both bring to local government,” they added.

 

NACo webinar to focus on federal rules on website accessibility

A national webinar on July 24 will focus on new federal requirements for county websites and mobile apps.

“The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued their final guidance to implement technical standards for counties to achieve web-based accessibility for county websites and mobile applications. Join NACo as we hear from the DOJ for an overview of the new guidance, ask questions regarding the guidance, and engage in a county panel to discuss implementation strategies, challenges, and opportunities for counties.”

The webinar will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern.

Click here to register.

If you have any registration questions, contact nacomeetings@naco.org.

 

MAC on the road in Wayne County

MAC’s Madeline Fata attended a session of the Wayne County Board. Commissioners on July 18, during which they board approved a contract to provide shuttle services for employees between an off-site parking lot and the county’s Criminal Justice Complex. After the meeting, Fata (center) met with Commissioner Melissa Daub (left) and Board Chair Alisha Bell.

 

Staff picks

  • CoPro Web Ad 2018
  • Enbridge Banner Ad 2018
  • NACo Live Healthy Ad 960x200px
  • Nationwide Ad For Mac Site
  • Gallagher Banner Ad 2023
  • Rehmann Ad