MAC continues to gather answers, devise strategies on ARP spending With the release of a new U.S. Treasury FAQ sheet and aggregated language on interim spending rules, Michigan counties now have substantial guidance on how they can use the $1.9 billion in direct investments via the American Rescue Plan. Meanwhile, MAC is working with state […]
Huge Senate majority approves 4-year terms for commissioners By a vote of 32-4, the Michigan Senate approved Senate Bills 242, by Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Dickinson), and SB 245, by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Oakland), which would bring four-year terms for county commissioners to Michigan in the 2024 presidential election cycle. The roles of a county commissioner […]
By Stephan Currie, Executive Director, Michigan Association of Counties The citizens now serving in the Michigan Legislature did not create the fiscal crisis that now grips our 83 counties and other local governments. The crisis is so large, so complex, it took decades to create — decades of poor choices, often made with good, or […]
Counties can earn, keep interest on ARP funds, Treasury says during video call Officials from the U.S. Treasury and the White House gave more context to the American Rescue Plan (ARP) spending rules during a brief video call on Tuesday. Among the key questions addressed during the 30-minute session: Will U.S. Treasury provide “pre-clearance” of […]
New workplace rules on COVID expected from state on Monday By July 1, Michigan will have lifted all COVID-19 restrictions on the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced this week. On June 1, the outdoor restrictions lift, will indoor capacity limits increase to 50 percent. Whitmer cited ongoing progress in vaccinations […]
Counties, be sure you are set up with Treasury on ARP funds The U.S. Department of Treasury released a wave of documents Monday to guide counties and local governments on using direct investment funds through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Michigan counties stand to receive about $1.9 billion in such aid. Treasury has created a main […]
Roughly 75 percent of those who participated in a recent survey in Michigan said they were somewhat or very lonely. That and other results on the state of “wellness” in Michigan were presented and discussed during a special MAC webinar on May 11 led by Louis Alloro of The Wellbeing Lab. This spring, researchers at […]
At the 2021 Michigan Counties Annual Conference (Sept. 26-28 on Mackinac Island), MAC members will vote on five seats on the MAC Board of Directors. Commissioners wishing to serve on the Board, whether incumbents or new candidates, have until Aug. 26 to file official notice of their intent to run. (The application form is found […]
The U.S. Department of Treasury released a wave of documents today (May 10) to guide counties and local governments on using direct investment funds through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Michigan counties stand to receive about $1.9 billion in such aid. Treasury has created a main landing page for this effort, noting that relief is […]
Legislature continues work on FY22 state budget The fiscal 2022 state budget bills continued their movement through the legislative process this week, with both chambers moving appropriations bills from their full appropriations committees. The Senate Appropriations Committee, for example, passed 17 budget bills, largely along party lines, after debating a variety of amendments. Proposed amendments […]