The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC)

Legislative Update 8-11-23

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

Board approves 2023-24 platforms for final member review

The MAC Board of Directors reviews policy platforms during its summer meeting on Aug. 9, 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MAC Board of Directors, at its summer meeting, reviewed the association’s policy platform drafts for 2023-24 and approved them for final review by the membership at the 2023 Annual Conference.

MAC’s advocacy work is guided by these policy platforms, which are developed through meetings of MAC’s six policy committees each year:

  • Agriculture and Tourism
  • Environmental and Natural Resources
  • Finance and General Government
  • Health and Human Services
  • Judiciary and Public Safety
  • Transportation and Infrastructure

The next step in this annual process will begin on Friday, Aug. 25 when the policy drafts post to the MAC website for member review. According to the by-laws, MAC members may offer amendments in two ways:

  • Submit an amendment to the MAC offices at least five (5) days prior to the opening day of the MAC Annual Conference (or Sept. 26 this year); or
  • Submit an amendment from the floor during the Annual Business Meeting on Oct. 3.

Please note that amendments submitted in advance require a majority vote on the floor for approval, while amendments submitted on the floor during the session require a 2/3 vote of members attending.

For any questions on the platforms, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.

To submit an amendment, email the finished text to despins@micounties.org.

 

Podcast 83 episode focuses on 2023 Annual Conference details

Details about the 2023 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo County are the focus of a special episode of Podcast 83, MAC’s podcast about all things related to Michigan’s 83 counties.

Guest Tammi Connell, MAC’s director of member events, provides a rundown of the conference mechanics, including the timeline for registration, when to show up at the conference venue, the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, and even what music you can expect to hear at the Gala following the traditional President’s Banquet on the night of Monday, Oct. 2.

Deena Bosworth, MAC’s director of governmental affairs, provides more conference details, including on this event’s workshops for county leaders, including a special two-day dive into the exceedingly complicated – and important – road funding formula found in Public Act 51.

View the full video of the episode, recorded on July 28, by clicking here.

For additional details on the Annual Conference, click here.

Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.

And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.

 

MAC creates resolution template for 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 template 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 regarding the opioid crisis, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.   

 

Fees and fines are focus of next ‘Fiscally Ready’ webinar

“Nuts and Bolts: Fees, Fines, Purchasing and Receipting” is the theme for the next “Fiscally Ready Communities” webinar hosted by the Michigan Department of Treasury and Michigan State University Extension.

Registration is now open for this free webinar series, which is offered on these dates:

  • Aug. 17, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 11, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Oct. 11, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET
  • Nov. 7, 10 a.m.  to 11:30 a.m. ET

The training is designed to assist appointed and elected officials.

This webinar will include a deep dive into best practices related to fees, fines, purchasing, receipting, and more. It will cover what they are, why such policies are necessary, how they contribute to local fiscal health, and how to get started on implementation.

For more information, contact Eric Walcott at walcott3@msu.edu.

 

Transportation asset conference set for Sept. 26

Registration is now open for the 2023 TAMC Asset Management Conference, to be held Sept. 26, 2023, in Grand Rapids.

The conference is sponsored by the state’s Transportation Asset Management Council. Kelly Jones of Ingham County is the MAC representative on that panel, which reports to the Michigan Infrastructure Council and the State Transportation Commission.

Among topics to be discussed at the conference are:

  • Tips & Recommendations on How to Build a Quality Chip Seal
  • Michigan Infrastructure Council Update
  • National State of Practice on Local Asset Management
  • 2022 PASER Data Analysis and Update 

Check out the full agenda.

Registration fee is $65 per person and all sessions are in-person only. Deadline to register is Sept. 17.

 

2023 Annual Conference will feature Anniversary Gala, workshops on key county issues

Blog, Events, MAC news

Please join MAC and your fellow county leaders in Kalamazoo County Oct. 1-3 for the 2023 Michigan Counties Annual Conference to celebrate MAC’s 125th Anniversary.

Registration is now open and online only.

In honor of MAC’s anniversary year, the annual President’s Banquet will be capped by music in the ballroom of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo.

Additional highlights for this year’s event are:

  • A two-part, two-day dive into the details of Public Act 51, the state’s road funding formula via workshops held on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning
  • Plenary sessions on affordable housing and bridging generational differences in the workplace,
  • MAC’s Annual Business Meeting, during which members will review and approve MAC’s policy platforms for the coming year
  • MAC Board elections, with four seats to be filled via decisions of regional caucuses on Oct. 2

The schedule of the conference is carefully crafted to respect members’ weekly schedule, with conference registration opening around noon Sunday and events concluding prior to hotel check-out on Tuesday morning.

Commissioners who attend the conference will earn 3 credit hours for MAC’s County Commissioner Academy.

Click here for a full Agenda

Registration pricing

REGULAR RATES – After Sept. 8
Member* – Full Conference Rate | $490
Member* – Single Day Rate | $325
Non-Member – Full Conference Rate | $565
Non-Member – Single Day Rate | $385
Spouse/Guest Rate | $250

*The following are eligible for the member rate: county commissioners, county administrators, countywide elected officials, county staffers and staffers of MAC affiliates.

Hotels

The Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center is now SOLD OUT.

For other hotel options in the area, visit the website of the Kalamazoo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For conference-related questions, contact Director of Member Events Tammi Connell at connell@micounties.org.

 

 

Legislative Update 8-4-23

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

Governor signs FY24 budget with key county priorities

Michigan will expend $81.7 billion its fiscal 2024 budget year starting Oct 1 after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed enabling legislation this week. The budget includes a variety of county benefits and 2023 MAC legislative priorities.

County-related items from the FY24 budget include:

  • A $17.6 million increase to county revenue sharing, bringing the total to $263.4 million (click here to see county-by-county estimated payments)
  • $6.6 billion for transportation work
  • $1.1 billion for environmental work (with about a third of it coming from the state General Fund)
  • Reimbursements for counties from the Child Care Fund at 75 percent, moving up from the current 50 percent and securing one of MAC’s key priorities for 2023 (UPDATE: Please see clarification on the rate changes in the Aug. 25, 2023, Legislative Update.)
  • $72 million for Michigan Indigent Defense Commission grants to cover costs associated with Standard 8 adopted by the commission
  • $19.3 million for foster care per diems, representing an 8 percent increase
  • $25 million for an increase to Essential Local Public Health Services
  • $76 million for implementing the provisions of Proposals 1 and 2 from 2022 that alter legislative term limits, transparency standards and election procedures, with $30 million of that figure set aside for grants to incentivize early voting efforts via multi-jurisdictional efforts

For more information MAC’s work on the state budget, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.

 

Registration for 2023 Annual Conference opens Aug. 7

Please join MAC and your fellow county leaders in Kalamazoo County Oct. 1-3 for the 2023 Michigan Counties Annual Conference to celebrate MAC’s 125th Anniversary.

Registration opens on Aug. 7 and is online only. Visit MAC’s conferences page starting Monday to begin your registration process.

In honor of MAC’s anniversary year, the annual President’s Banquet will be capped by music and dancing in the ballroom of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo.

Among the highlights for this year’s event are:

  • A two-part, two-day dive into the details of Public Act 51, the state’s road funding formula via workshops held on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning
  • Plenary sessions on affordable housing and bridging generational differences in the workplace,
  • MAC’s Annual Business Meeting, during which members will review and approve MAC’s policy platforms for the coming year
  • MAC Board elections, with four seats to be filled via decisions of regional caucuses on Oct. 2 (see item below)

The schedule of conference is carefully crafted to respect members’ weekly schedule, with conference registration opening around noon Sunday and events concluding prior to hotel check-out on Tuesday morning.

Additional details and full pricing schedules will be available on Aug. 7.

For conference-related questions, contact Director of Member Events Tammi Connell at connell@micounties.org.

 

FY24 state budget eliminates court fee paid by trial courts

Counties will be relieved of an annual fee paid to the state court system starting Oct. 1, the State Court Administrative Office announced in a letter on Aug. 1. Michigan’s FY24 state budget, signed this week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, eliminates the Judicial Information Services (JIS) user fee for case management systems via ongoing state support to cover the bills.

Previously, all trial courts were assessed a JIS user fee. Since the establishment of JIS systems more than 30 years ago, locals have paid between $4 million and $6 million annually in user fees, the state court office said. Therefore, counties will see significant cost savings with the elimination of this fee.

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

 

Deadline approaching on participating in Walgreens settlement

Local governments have until Sept. 6 to participate in the Walgreens opioids settlement, a fact highlighted by Attorney General Dana Nessel in an Aug. 3 letter urging such participation.

Michigan’s Walgreens settlement requires that Michigan join the Walgreens National Opioids Settlement. The settlement allows 278 local units of government in Michigan — called subdivisions in the settlement agreement — to participate. The Department of Attorney General has a full list of eligible subdivisions on its website.

Eligible subdivisions that have not completed participation forms may email the Department for additional instructions before the September 6 deadline to participate and receive direct payments.  

For more information on this issue, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.

 

MCMCFC awarded $5.9M in workforce stabilization grant

The Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council (MCMCFC), a MAC affiliate, will be using nearly $6 million in new state funding to improve recruitment and training of staff to better serve the residents of medical care facilities.

Last week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced MCMCFC was one of six applicants to receive a Workforce Stabilization Grant. Of the $67 million in funding available, MCMCFC was awarded $5.9 million.

House Bill 4016, sponsored by Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Eaton), was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in March. This bill allocated the $67 million in grant funding and outlined the application process, as well as how the workforce stabilization money would be awarded to applicants.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2023, county-owned nursing homes will be implementing strategies to positively affect recruitment, retention, long-term care working training and career development with the grant funding provided by MDHHS.

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

 

CRC report: Michigan’s health challenges growing

A new report from the nonprofit, nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan says Michigan has become a less healthy state since 2008.

CRC and its research partner Altarum released Health Challenges and Opportunities, the third in a series of five papers. The research series, Michigan’s Path to a Prosperous Future: Challenges and Opportunities, addresses a variety of recent statewide trends, from population change to health outcomes to infrastructure quality, many of which are progressing unfavorably, and how Michigan can support a more prosperous, thriving future.

“The research shows that Michigan is losing its competitive edge and stagnant population growth is a major contributing factor,” CRC said in its release. “Michigan is in the bottom third of many national rankings, including 34th in household income, 36th in K-12 educational outcomes, and dropped from 32nd in health outcomes in 2008 to 39th today. This stands in contrast even to neighboring Midwestern states, who have experienced on average better overall health outcomes over the last two decades. And as the state’s population continues to age, challenges to Michigan’s overall health outcomes are expected to intensify. …

“Socioeconomic status and geography are considerable factors determining health outcomes and Michigan ranks 37th out of 50 states in social and economic factors, such as the rate of children living in poverty, residents experiencing food insecurity and residential segregation,” the release stated. “People living in Michigan’s rural communities, such as parts of the northern Lower Peninsula and much of the Upper Peninsula, have little to no access to health providers to meet needs such as primary, maternity, prenatal and behavioral health care. …

“’We need to take a whole society approach to understanding the root causes of health by strengthening Michigan’s public health system, and investing in research, education and policies regarding social determinants of health outcomes,’ said Eric Lupher, president of the Citizens Research Council.”

MAC is a supporter of CRC’s work. To learn more about the council, visit its website.

 

SW Michigan county officials graduate from NACo academy

MAC congratulates the April 2023 NACo Leadership Academy graduates from Michigan. They join more than 10,000 graduates and current participants from across the country benefiting from the 12-week online program enabling existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential.

  • Dean Kapenga, board vice chair, Allegan County
  • Jennifer Rentfrow, finance director, Cass County
  • Jenny James, deputy administrator, Kent County
  • Lyn Holoway, human resources manager, Allegan County
  • Rebekah Curran, commissioner, Ottawa County

The September cohort for the High Performance Leadership Academy is just around the corner. Prioritize leadership development today and deliver results for your team and county. Scholarships are available. 

 

Legislative Update 7-28-23

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

State releases broadband plan to spend $1.55 billion

Michigan has released its draft plan to spend $1.55 in federal funds to expand broadband access across the state.

You can review the plan in its entirety here. The state is now taking public comment until Aug. 4. It will use this feedback to shape the final version of its “Five-Year Action Plan.”

Developed by the Michigan High Speed Internet (MIHI) Office, the plan follows the announcement that Michigan would receive the fourth-largest allocation in the nation from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

The draft plan highlights MIHI’s key priorities: reduce barriers to broadband deployment; maximize the use and reach of federal funds; promote digital equity and inclusion; advocate for resiliency and sustainability for broadband infrastructure development; and empower communities through engagement and involvement.

The MIHI team has spent nearly a year traveling around Michigan to identify the needs of each region. They have determined that nearly 500,000 households are unserved or underserved by high-speed internet. The objectives outlined in the plan include expanding infrastructure, promoting affordable broadband services and increasing digital skills.

Stakeholders have been divided into three separate classes: core, enabling and external. Counties have been placed in the enabling class, meaning they will play a key role in “identifying barriers to infrastructure deployment and developing and implementing solutions to overcome these barriers.” Counties will also be involved in developing policies that contribute to successful program implementation.

Local permitting and county rights-of-way and drains have already been identified as significant barriers in the deployment of infrastructure, according to MIHI. The plan suggests a desire to standardize the permitting process, making it easier for broadband providers to expand into unserved and underserved areas.

MAC has not taken a position on the plan but encourages members to review it carefully as soon as possible.

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

 

Podcast episode reviews work on Revenue Sharing Trust Fund

MAC’s work to enact a dedicated Revenue Sharing Trust Fund is the focus of a special and new episode of Podcast 83.

Host Stephan Currie delves into the details of the trust fund effort with MAC’s governmental affairs director, Deena Bosworth.

Late in June, lawmakers did approve a $17.6 million boost in county revenue sharing, which will bring the total in FY24 to $263.4 million. However, the MAC pair noted, the trust fund initiative will relieve much of the uncertainty about funding and tie payments to the growth of sales tax revenue.

Among key points made during the discussion, taped July 11, are:

  • Legislative term limits have disrupted the institutional knowledge of revenue sharing’s purpose in Lansing.
  • There is now a strong group of former county commissioners in the Legislature, however, who are well-positioned to aid in the trust fund effort.
  • The version of the legislation that has the “most momentum” is in a House committee.
  • The only stumbling block, Bosworth says, is the lack of buy-in, so far, from the State Budget Office.

“It’s called revenue sharing for a reason,” Bosworth noted. “They are supposed to be sharing the state revenue. It was established years ago because we gave up our own local taxing authority.”

View the full video of the episode, recorded on July 11, by clicking here.

For additional details on MAC’s trust fund proposal and to send a pre-drafted email of support to your lawmakers, visit MAC’s Advocacy Center.

See county-by-county revenue sharing estimates for FY24.

Previous episodes can be seen at MAC’s YouTube Channel.

And you always can find details about Podcast 83 on the MAC website.

 

Counties can now sign up for Walgreens settlements

Local governments can now participate in the opioid settlements with Walgreens. If local governments choose to participate, they will need to complete a participation form and submit it no later than Sept. 6.

This settlement will align with other pharmacy settlements and funds will be directly distributed to the local governments. Eligible local governments should receive forms by today (July 28).

Forms can be signed electronically or signed physically, scanned, and emailed back.

For more information on this issue, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.

 

MAC president featured in latest edition of NACo’s County News

Stan Ponstein, Kent County commissioner and MAC president, is featured in the “Profiles in Service” section of the July 17, 2023, edition of County News, the publication of the National Association of Counties.

Among the tidbits Ponstein shared with the NACo writers were:

  • His favorite movie is “The Sound of Music.”
  • He has a culinary arts degree.
  • The three people (living or dead) he’d invite to dinner are: Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, chef Anthony Bourdain and Susan Butcher, Iditarod Sled Dog Race champion.

To see the full feature, click here.

To watch Ponstein’s remarks at MAC’s 125th Anniversary Celebration in Lansing on Feb. 1, go to our YouTube channel.

 

Board seats up for election at 2023 Annual Conference

At the 2023 Michigan Counties Annual Conference (Oct. 1-3 in Kalamazoo County), MAC members will vote on four seats on the MAC Board of Directors. Commissioners wishing to serve on the Board, whether incumbents or new candidates, have until Sept. 1 to file official notice of their intent to run.  (The application form is found by clicking here.)

The MAC Board of Directors is the key body in guiding the legislative and organizational strategies of MAC. Board terms are three years in length and individuals may serve up to three terms.

2023 Board seats

  • At-large Seat A – Board President Stan Ponstein of Kent County is the incumbent
  • CORRECTION: Region 1 Seat B – Joe Bonovetz of Gogebic County is the incumbent
  • Region 2 Seat B – Director Richard Schmidt of Manistee County is the incumbent
  • Region 3 Seat B – Board First Vice President Jim Storey of Allegan County is the incumbent

The regional caucuses for these elections will be held Oct. 2 at 3:15 p.m. during the 2023 Annual Conference at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo. To identify your region, consult the map at right or click here.

Seats representing regions are filled by the particular regional caucus, with each county in the region casting a single ballot. At-large seats are filled by the candidate that wins a majority of the six regional caucuses, with commissioners casting individual votes.

Any member wishing to run in the election must download the application form and return it by Sept. 1, 2023, at 5 p.m. to be eligible. Candidates are also encouraged to submit a statement of up to 400 words on why members should support them. These statements will be posted to the MAC website in early September.

If you have any questions about Board duties, please contact Executive Director Stephan W. Currie at 517-372-5374.

 

Michigan delegation participates in platform votes at NACo conference

About 50 county officials from Michigan joined counterparts from across the nation this month to work on key policy issues at the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference.

The gathering was held July 21-24, 2023, at the Austin Convention Center in Travis County, Texas and featured addresses from U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, broadcast journalist Joan Lunden and Allan Golston, president of U.S. programs for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Members also participated in policy committee hearings and voting to hone the American County Platform, which guides NACo’s work on Capitol Hill and with executive agencies.

“Our delegation received a warm welcome in Austin, and not just because the temperatures were soaring above 100 degrees,” said Stephan W. Currie, executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties. “Participation in NACo events is one of the best methods that Michigan commissioners have to stay current on public policy issues and provide input on federal policies.”

 

Staff picks

MAC president featured in latest edition of NACo’s County News

MAC news, Blog

Stan Ponstein, Kent County commissioner and MAC president, is featured in the “Profiles in Service” section of the July 17, 2023, edition of County News, the publication of the National Association of Counties.

Among the tidbits Ponstein shared with the NACo writers were:

  • His favorite movie is “The Sound of Music.”
  • He has a culinary arts degree.
  • The three people (living or dead) he’d invite to dinner are: Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, chef Anthony Bourdain and Susan Butcher, Iditarod Sled Dog Race champion.

To see the full feature, click here.

To watch Ponstein’s remarks at MAC’s 125th Anniversary Celebration in Lansing on Feb. 1, go to our YouTube channel.

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