MAC extends Annual Conference registration to Aug. 31
County leaders still have time to register for the 2026 Michigan Counties Annual Conference, as MAC has extended the deadline to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31.
The event, which will be held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Grand Traverse County on Sept. 9-11, will feature:
- The 2026 President’s Banquet, featuring the installation of Newaygo County’s Bryan Kolk as MAC’s 118th president.
- A Welcome Reception and strolling dinner in the Exhibitor Hall with more than 40 firms providing goods and services of importance to county government.
- MAC’s Annual Business Meeting, which will review and approve MAC’s policy platforms for the coming year.
- Membership elections for five seats on the MAC Board of Directors.
- Ten policy workshops ranging from the local government role in data center siting and community corrections, to investments in dam safety and emergency preparedness.
Registration details
CLICK HERE for your conference registration.
- Fees:$495 for members and MAC Affiliates*; $275 for spouse/guest meal package; $995 for corporate attendees and non-members
- Deadline (EXTENDED): Aug. 31, 5 p.m.
- The following are eligible for the member rate: county commissioners, county administrators, countywide elected officials, county staffers and staffers of MAC affiliates.
CLICK HERE for your hotel registration.
- Venue: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd., Acme
- Rates: $229 (Hotel Guestroom) or $279 (Tower Guestroom)*
- *Rates do not include Resort Fee of $20.95 per room/per night or applicable taxes.
- The MAC room block expired on Aug. 14, but rooms may still be available at the MAC rate.
For any conference registration question, contact Olivia Triltsch at triltsch@micounties.org.
House passes bill to extend trial court fee authority
Trial courts would retain authority to levy fees beyond Dec. 31, 2026, under a bill approved by the Michigan House this week.
House Bill 5452, by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Jackson), would extend the authority for courts to collect costs reasonably related to actual trial court operations to Dec. 31, 2028. Those costs may include expenses such as court personnel salaries and benefits, necessary technology and the operation and maintenance of court facilities.
For counties, the issue has significant financial implications. Trial courts are operated through a partnership between the state and local governments, with counties responsible for providing substantial funding. Without a fee extension, counties could face a loss of an estimated $50 million statewide.
While the House action provides an important step, the Legislature still must determine whether this temporary extension will advance through the Senate and ultimately be sent to the governor. The bill’s progress also highlights the continuing need for lawmakers and stakeholders to reach agreement on a sustainable funding model that provides adequate resources for courts while preserving appropriate local involvement.
MAC supports HB 5452 and will continue working with legislators and stakeholders on trial court funding reforms to protect county resources, support effective judicial operations, and ensure communities have access to reliable court services.
For more information on this issue, contact Maci Main at mmain@micounties.org.
State transfers $20 million to modernize election equipment
Michigan’s election equipment will get a $20 million boost via a decision made last month by the State Budget Office.
The funds, part of a larger $77 million administrative transfer from the “Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund” in the fiscal 2026 budget, will support a statewide election system lifecycle refresh, including the purchase of new voting hardware, software and related equipment. The investment will be combined with federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds, state restricted funds and previously authorized state resources held in reserve for the procurement.
According to the State Budget Office, the modernization effort will help Michigan transition to election systems that meet federally adopted Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 2.0 standards and comply with Michigan election law.
For more information on this issue, contact Maci Main at mmain@micounties.org.
State sets aside $20 million to address dam risks
The Michigan Legislature has taken an important first step toward addressing the state’s aging dam infrastructure by securing a $20 million administrative transfer for dam repair, alteration, removal and other activities necessary to address risks associated with high-hazard, significant-hazard and poor-condition dams.
While the $20 million transfer is a significant investment, it should be viewed as the beginning of a broader state commitment to dam safety rather than a one-time solution. The proposed dam safety legislation (Senate Bill 947 and House Bill 5485) would create additional inspection, engineering, maintenance, repair, and compliance requirements for dam owners, potentially creating substantial new costs for counties.
Of the 357 county dams in Michigan, 113 would be impacted by the proposed legislation, including 63 high- or significant-risk dams that would be subject to the bills’ stricter requirements.
If the dam safety package moves forward, continued and sustainable state funding will be necessary to help communities meet these new requirements. The initial $20 million will not be sufficient to address the full scope of repair, alteration, removal, and ongoing compliance needs associated with the legislation. Without additional resources, counties could be left responsible for significant costs associated with dams they may have limited resources or ability to address.
MAC supports the goal of improving dam safety and protecting Michigan communities, but any expansion of dam safety requirements must be paired with a long-term funding strategy and clear lines of responsibility.
For more information on this issue, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.
Catch up on special Podcast 83 episodes on county challenges on human resources, employee benefits
Podcast 83 has entered its summer schedule of biweekly episodes, so members again have an opportunity this week to catch up on recent special episodes:
Aug. 18: Keying off a presentation made at the MAC Legislative Conference in April, Acrisure’s Sarah Kline and Paul Bragenzer spoke with host Stephan Currie about the need for counties to be in transition mode on leadership today to avoid big trouble tomorrow.
Aug. 4: Shawn Vaughn and Austin Brown of PPIM/CoProPlus joined podcast host Stephan Currie for an extended discussion of CoProPlus’ procurement services for counties and the evolving contract landscape in the public sector.
July 21: Ken Kelbel and Greg Watson of Nationwide, a longtime MAC partner, discuss the value of in-state staffing support for counties looking to streamline retirement options for employees.
June 30: Tony Raffa of Savi joined Podcast 83 to go over the huge changes to federal student loan programs on July 1 and discuss how Savi can help counties and their employees reduce their loan burdens.
June 2: Amy Dolinky, MAC’s director of opioid services, discusses the state of Michigan’s new list on proper spending targets for county opioid settlement funds and how MAC can guide members through these tough decisions.
Counties turn to universities, hard data to gauge opioid settlement impact
Because opioid settlement funds can often be paid out over roughly 18 years, most counties have time to test what works, measure it and change course. The catch, panelists said during the Opioid Settlement Summit in July, a pre-conference workshop at NACo’s Annual Conference, is that the measuring itself — formal evaluation — is often the hardest and most neglected piece of that cycle.
Evaluation is the final step that restarts the loop, and frequently the most complicated one, said Amy Dolinky, director of opioid services for the Michigan Association of Counties, who moderated a session on evaluating the impact of settlement investments. She pointed to two counties that have wired data collection into their programs rather than bolting it on afterward.
For Jason Berry, director of planning and community engagement in Monroe County, Mich., evaluation started with a question some counties might skip: What is the community trying to accomplish? The county of roughly 150,000 partnered with Michigan State University on a community needs assessment and Wayne State University to analyze the results, mapping gaps in services and barriers to treatment through focus groups, surveys and interviews with residents in recovery and their families. ..,
MAC renews call for county leaders to contact Congress on grant rule crisis
As MAC and the National Association of Counties have been reporting over July and August, county officials should be watching a sweeping federal proposal that could significantly change how counties receive, administer and manage federal grants.
MAC asks Michigan county leaders to reach out to their members of Congress on this issue right away (see details below)
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed a government-wide rewrite of the regulations governing federal financial assistance under 2 CFR Part 200. NACo recently submitted detailed comments on the proposal, raising concerns about increased administrative requirements, uncertainty surrounding federal funding commitments and potential financial exposure for counties.
Counties are among the nation’s largest recipients and pass-through administrators of federal assistance, administering programs across public safety, transportation, health, housing, human services and emergency management. Federal financial assistance to state and local governments totaled $1.1 trillion in fiscal 2024.
One of the most significant changes expands federal agencies’ authority to terminate certain discretionary awards if they no longer advance program goals, agency priorities or the “national interest as they exist at the time of the termination.”
NACo argues this standard could create significant uncertainty for counties that enter into contracts, commit local resources or advance funds based on a federal award.
Importantly, the proposal exempts block grants, formula grants and disaster recovery grants from the expanded discretionary termination authority. NACo is asking OMB to identify the specific programs covered by those exemptions so counties can know with certainty which funding streams are protected.
The termination provisions are particularly problematic for reimbursement-based infrastructure projects. Counties often advance local funds or enter binding contracts before receiving federal reimbursement. Under the proposed rules, if an award is suspended or terminated mid-project, there may not be a guaranteed path for recovering all costs already incurred. …
Staff picks
- A $250M highway rebuild is earning Michigan national praise (MLive)
- U.S. marijuana smoking at record high, cigarettes at low (Gallup)
- Baby boomers are smoking more pot. Their neighbors are fuming. (Wall Street Journal)
- Visionary former Michigan DNR director who transformed Great Lakes with a bold salmon experiment died at 102 (MLive)