Deadline extended on Opioid Settlement Funds Survey
The second annual opioid settlement county reporting survey will remain open until April 21. MAC, in partnership with Public Sector Consultants (PSC), is conducting the survey.
The survey allows MAC to:
- Update the Opioid Settlement Resource Center dashboard
- Understand annual reporting information on the planning for, and utilization of, opioid settlement funds
- Provide useful technical assistance for counties
Following the survey, the MAC Opioid Settlement Center dashboard will be updated and a report will be created to share about efforts taking place across the state. To see the report from last year, see the Michigan Opioid Settlement County Reporting: Data Overview – June 2024.
For additional information or no-cost technical assistance, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.
Commissioners learn about road funding, digital defenses and more at 2025 Legislative Conference
MAC President Melissa Daub of Wayne County welcomes attendees to the 2025 Legislative Conference on April 8, 2025, in Lansing.
More than 300 county and business leaders from across Michigan gathered in Lansing this week for the 2025 Michigan Counties Legislative Conference, hosted by MAC and the Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council.
MAC Board President Melissa Daub of Wayne County urged attendees to be able and consistent advocates for county services in remarks welcoming county leaders to the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Lansing.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also welcomed attendees, via a video message played on the morning of April 8.
During the event, the first of MAC’s two major conferences for the year, commissioners also enjoyed a new format that ensured all attendees could participate in the 11 different policy presentations, or “pods,” which ran the gamut from road funding and the ongoing threat posed by ransomware attacks on public websites and data systems to the flurry of changes in federal policy in Washington, D.C.
On the morning of April 9, MAC members honored the association’s 2025 County Advocate Award winners, Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) and Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Oakland), for their stalwart efforts to create a dedicated Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, one of MAC’s legislative priorities in 2025.
Elected county commissioners from 45 of Michigan’s 83 counties traveled to Lansing for the event.
“Staying abreast of policy changes is more important than ever, now that county commissioners are elected to four-year terms,” said Stephan Currie, executive director. “This was our first major gathering with members under the four-year term system, so it was gratifying to see so many commissioners on hand and grappling with everything from email security protocols to incentivizing more housing in their communities.”
To see materials from the event, visit the conference page on the newly revamped MAC website, micounties.org.
MAC, Rep. Rogers push for solution on veterans grants shortfall
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) recently announced a $3.6 million shortfall in projected funding for the Michigan Veterans Service Fund Grant for fiscal 2026. The gap stems from increased participation and utilization of the grant program, which has outpaced initial estimates.
Originally, MVAA projected it could fund $8.8 million in grants for FY26. However, updated figures revealed that actual available funding falls short by $3.6 million. Unfortunately, this announcement came after counties had already built their budgets around the earlier projections and were expecting full disbursement of the funds.
MVAA typically issues its funding projections a year in advance to give counties adequate time to plan. Grant applications are due annually on June 2, with award letters sent out on July 2. Due to the unexpected rise in demand, MVAA was forced to recalculate its funding allocations to align with current resources.
As a result, counties were required to submit amended grant applications by March 20, based on the revised funding amounts. Many counties have now seen reductions in their initially announced awards, raising concerns about potential cuts to services for local veteran populations unless additional funds are appropriated.
Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) is exploring solutions as budget negotiations continue. MAC has expressed strong concerns about the funding cuts and is seeking legislative action and appropriations to restore the full funding initially promised to counties.
For more information on this issue, contact Jimmy Johnson at johnson@micounties.org.
Concerns raised over MDHHS plan for competitive PIHP contracts
On Feb. 28, 2025, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requested public input through an online survey as the state transitions to a competitive procurement process for its Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) contracts. The public input survey period ended on March 31, 2025. According to MDHHS, the feedback gathered through this process will help inform the state’s direction and priorities as it considers changes to the way behavioral health services are funded and administered.
MAC has concerns regarding this move, as such a process could pave the way for the privatization of Michigan’s public mental health system. Privatization poses a significant risk to local control. Unlike the current publicly managed system — which ensures that local communities have a voice in decision-making — privatization shifts power to out-of-state corporations and governing boards, often with little or no connection to the communities they serve. This change threatens to erode community input, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of essential mental health services.
MAC plans to keep a close eye on how this process unfolds and will continue pushing for local communities to stay in charge when it comes to managing PIHP contracts. It’s important that any future system ensures the voices of local residents are heard and that there’s strong public oversight.
For more information on this issue, contact Jimmy Johnson at johnson@micounties.org.
Webinar designed to aid with compliance on ARPA reporting
As counties continue to implement projects under the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, accurate and timely reporting remains critical. To support counties in preparing their 2025 Annual or Q1 Project and Expenditure (P&E) Reports — due April 30, 2025 — the U.S. Department of the Treasury is offering a workshop series for all SLFRF recipients.
These webinars will equip county staff with tools, updates and guidance to successfully complete upcoming reporting requirements. Topics will include:
- P&E Report Content
- Common Reporting Errors
- Noncompliance Issues
- Debt Management
Dates and Registration:
- Session 2: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. Eastern
Register Here
Note: Both sessions will cover the same material and will be recorded for those unable to attend live.
Staff picks
- Deer are running amok in suburban Michigan. Is it time to shoot them? (Bridge Michigan)
- FEMA disaster preparedness role could decrease following Trump executive order (American City and County)
- Misinformation about fentanyl exposure threatens to undermine overdose response (Kaiser Health News)
- In 2024, more electricity than ever came from renewable sources (Governing)