Legislative Update 8-23-24

Written by Derek Melot on August 23, 2024. Posted in 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:

No ordinance: Do not adopt an ordinance and allow the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to site for all large-scale renewable energy projects.
CREO: Adopt an ordinance that matches the standards outlined in the law exactly.
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.