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From the Thursday, August 17, 2023 Calhoun County Board of Commissioners Meeting
At the August 17, 2023 Board of Commissioners meeting, the following items were approved on the consent agenda: Road Department Local Road Agreements with Clarendon, Eckford, Emmett, and Newton Townships; the Public Defender's FY24 operating grant from the Michigan Indigent Defense Council (MIDC); the Road Department’s 2022 Act 51 annual financial Report; the Friend of the Court’s 2023-2028 Cooperative Reimbursement and Child Support Enforcement grant agreement; a Senior Millage supplemental funding agreement for the prescription assistance program; the appointment of Director of Marshall District Library Angela Semifero to the Calhoun County Broadband Task Force; and the County’s Municipal Employee Retirement System (MERS) Officer and Employee Delegate Certification for 2023.
To view the agenda or meeting recording, visit the Agendas page of the website.
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In new business, the Board approved,
- the 2024 Secondary Road Patrol Grant application for the Sheriff's Office
- a Road Department bid award for signs and posts
- a staffing request for the Clerk's Office - Elections Division
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A message from Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott
Countywide Transit Authority Update
Efforts to develop a countywide transit authority are back on track following the Battle Creek City Council’s request last month to Calhoun County indicating their commitment to participating in the authority and asking the County to take the necessary next steps. Letters were send on August 7 to all local governments in the County notifying them that the County Board of Commissioners is expected to consider the creation of the Transportation Authority of Calhoun County (TACC) at the next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 7. Local units of government are required to notify the County of any decisions to opt out of the new authority by Oct. 9. Learn more about this project here.
Opioid Settlement Funds Update
Calhoun County recently started to receive the first in a series of new payments from the $26B nationwide settlement, and one regional settlement, to resolve opioid litigation brought against pharmaceutical distributors, pharmacies and manufacturers. The state of Michigan will receive nearly $800M over the next 18 years, with 50% of the settlement going to county and local governments. This is in addition to significant industry changes nationally to prevent this type of drug crisis from happening again.
The majority of funds from these settlement dollars must go to opioid remediation uses, and the list of acceptable uses is vast to include core strategies, such as naloxone, medical-assisted treatments, recovery services, prevention programs, and more solutions for specific populations, such as pregnant women. Funds can also be used for other strategies to reduce harm and save lives, such as first responder training and research, and syringe support services.
We project that the County will receive approximately $12M in annual payments over the next 18 years, through 2038, with an annual average of $750,000. Visit this Michigan Association of Counties resource website for information about the Opioid Settlement process, including the legal settlement agreements, a county—by-county dashboard of funding and planned uses, and all kinds of resources to guide our spending plans based on evidence-based best practices.
Lots of efforts are underway to assess our community’s needs and formulate a spending plan to deploy our settlement funds toward opioid remediation efforts, mainly on two parallel tracks:
Internally:
- With the Board of Commissioners’ prior authorization, County Administration is executing settlement agreements as recommended by the statewide opioid settlement administrator, and we’re receiving the payments into a restricted special revenue fund.
- We’re seeking input from our countywide elected officials, the courts and department heads on internal needs to increase opioid remediation efforts with these funds.
- So far, the only appropriation of settlement funds has been to add a Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) officer within the County Sheriff’s Office to help get more drugs off our streets. Other requests coming soon will include Health Department funding for initiatives that fit within the guidelines of the opioid settlement uses, and funding to implement within the County jail a medication-assisted treatment program.
- County Administration is planning to host a facilitated opioid settlement workshop within the next few months for our countywide leaders to provide updates and help finalize our initial internal spending plans.
Externally:
- The Calhoun County Opioid Coalition, facilitated by our Medical Director Dr. Will Nettleton and the Substance Abuse Council in Battle Creek, and including officials from the County and various community nonprofits, are updating strategic plans to address opioid usage, overdose and deaths.
- The County will then integrate this updated plan with our internal plans to create a comprehensive strategy to guide our deployment of settlement funds, to include a portion available for appropriations to other community agencies.
Next month, the County’s Medical Examiner, Dr. Joyce deJong, from Western Michigan’s Medical School, will present to the County Board of Commisioners the 2022 Annual Report, which clearly demonstrates the need for more resources to address opioid overdoses in Calhoun County, based on the number of deaths continuing year after year.
Fortunately, our partnerships with community organizations toward addressing substance use disorders are longstanding in Calhoun County. Just last week, we announced the availability of free lifesaving Narcan kits in two county buildings—the bond office at the jail in Battle Creek and the County Building in Marshall. This is a program we are proud to support from the Substance Abuse Council, which works closely with numerous County offices on prevention and reduction of substance abuse.
I expect that we will have an initial plan for deploying the County’s Opioid Settlement Funds by the end of 2023 or the first quarter 2024.
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A combined County Board of Commissioners and Internal Budget Committee Meeting was held on July 31 to launch the 2024 budget planning process. Finance Director Megan Banning shared information about the 2024 forecast, which will guide departments as they build their budget requests to fit within available revenues. The County’s General Fund continues to be constrained by reduced local revenues and the end of federal one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars that have helped to replace the losses over the past few years. We will present a balanced budget for the Board of Commissioners in November, for approval in December.
An internal Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee meeting was held on Thursday, Aug. 3. The committee discussed plans for 2024 training, reviewed a new draft pregnant and nursing parent policy to comply with recent legislative changes, and made plans for filling two employee seats on the committee.
A Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was also held on Aug. 3. The Commission reviewed applications for appointment to the commission from three community members, and in the department report heard about plans for Ott Preserve, a new marketing campaign with "Brought to you by" signs that will be posted in millage-funded parks, a recent meeting with MDOT regarding trails, and funding for Custer Drive/North Branch Park.
On Friday, Aug. 4, a Senior Millage Allocation Committee meeting was held. A special presentation was given by Taylor Benthin, the Nutrition Programs Manager for Milestone Senior Services, about the finances of the Meals program. In new business, the Committee approved a mini-grant request for Talon's Out Honor Flight 2023, and tabled mini-grant requests for Albion Community Gardens and the Walk the Beat Albion Music Series.
A Native American Heritage Fund Board meeting was held on Thursday, Aug. 10. The Board reviewed 20 applications for funds, which are meant to support community projects, academic programming updates, mascot revisions, and other projects that honor Native American culture and history in Michigan. The Board chose to award grants to nine applicants totaling over $480,000, including mascot revisions for Chippewa Hills School District, Manistree Area Public Schools, Petoskey Schools, Port Huron Area School District, and Sandusky Community Schools. Read the press release for information about the awarded projects. The awards will be distributed at a grant award ceremony at FireKeepers Casino Hotel on Friday, August 25 at Noon.
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On Tuesday, August 1, local law enforcement and first responder agencies participated in National Night Out at the Fairgrounds. Sheriff Steve Hinkley was repeatedly dunked in the dunk tank by kids, a K9 demonstration was given by Deputies Winder and Burpee and K9s Rocket and Rizzo, and Dispatch's facility dog Hope made an appearance. Another event for kids, including a book-bag giveaway, takes place from 1-5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 21 at Marshall High School. Learn about the upcoming event on Facebook.
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On Thursday, August 3, Officials in the Marshall County Building hosted 13 students from the Washington Heights Summer Youth Employment Program, led by Commissioner Monique French, who is pastor at the Washington Heights United Methodist Church. The high school students learned about County Government and all of the career choices we offer. Thanks to Clerk and Register of Deeds Kimberly Hinkley for organizing this fun, educational event!. This Youth Employment Program provides access to academic, career, cultural, and general life skills programming; offers tutorial support in math, reading, and grammar; exposes them to financial education; and provides exposure to higher education opportunities.
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A rededication for Kimball Pines Park in Emmett Township was held on August 5 to showcase the recent renovations to the park, including a new entrance and parking area for improved accessibility, a new pavilion with tables and grills, a new paved trail, meadow restoration, and an additional 9 holes of disc golf. Participants at the rededication got to throw seeds into the meadow, walk the trail, and try their skills at disc golf. Kimball Pines is available for recreation for all residents; learn more on the website.
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On Friday, August 11, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for renovations to the Calhoun County Youth Center. This $13M renovation will improve safety and spacial function of the facility for both the residents and staff. The footprint of the building will expand from 15,117 to 29,941 sq ft and add 10 beds for a total of 52. Renovations will move all resident activities to the main level, so no stairs will be required for youth movement around the facility. The new design incorporates natural lighting to make the environment more calming, and the entire building will be outfitted with updated security cameras and a communication system. More information will be sent in County newsletters such as this about the progress of this project as it develops over the next year.
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