MTA, officials testify against bills preempting local control over sand and gravel mining operations—YOUR engagement still needed

MTA's Director of Government Relations Judy Allen, along with numerous township officials and other local government and environmental organizations, testified this week before the House Regulatory Reform Committee in opposition of House Bills 4526, 4527 and 4528, which completely preempt all local authority over sand and gravel mining operations in all Michigan communities. “This legislation allows mining operations to go anywhere in a community—regardless of zoning,” Allen said. “These bills represent a dynamic shift from local oversight to total preemption. Mining operations occur all over the state—and each one is different. These bills create a one-size-fits-all approach and treat all communities and all operations alike.” Allen outlined numerous additional concerns with the legislation, including high noise levels, 70-foot stockpile heights near neighboring property, dust control, no say over truck routes, elimination of right of referendum, and no requirement for public hearing—to name just a few. The legislation would also eliminate any existing court decisions on mining operations. No vote was taken by the committee following more than two hours of testimony. Local issues MUST remain local—most townships have a good relationship with mining operators and operations, but as both Allen and officials told the committee, under these bills “that collaboration would no longer exist.” Further, the bills would allow current mining operations permitted by the local unit with specific requirements to transfer to state oversight without any local engagement.

MTA urges you to continue reaching out to your state representative and ask them to oppose this harmful legislative overreach that usurps communities’ and residents’ say over issues that have a direct impact on their quality of life, environment, safety and more. Your voice helps us to continue to protect your community and your residents. Sign a petition opposing the legislation and please encourage your community and residents to do so as well.

Fire equipment grants program to open May 15

 Townships and fire authorities whose firefighters are “predominately on-call, part-time or volunteer” can apply as soon as Monday, May 15 for a grant to purchase fire equipment. The MI Fire Equipment Grant program, established under the state’s FY 2022-23 budget, will provide grants not to exceed $10,000 for the purchase of fire equipment for part-time, on-call or volunteer firefighters to qualified local units of government. Grants can be for any eligible purchase made after Aug. 1, 2022. The grant application must be submitted by the local unit of government or fire authority, with an application submission deadline of June 30. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced in August 2023 with funds to be disbursed no later than Oct. 31, 2023. Grant recipients will be required to submit documentation of eligible expenses via a Michigan Department of Treasury form, with all requests for reimbursement submitted no later than Sept. 1, 2023. Find additional information, including grant qualifications, forms and applications, FAQs and timelines, on the program’s website and attend the MI Fire Equipment Grant program webinar on Wednesday, May 17. MTA encourages all qualifying townships to apply for these grant funds.

MTA advocates for­­­­ townships in Washington, DC

MTA took the township message to the nation's capital this week, as members of the MTA Board joined Executive Director Neil Sheridan for the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) America’s Town Meeting and Legislative Fly-in. The MTA delegation met with Michigan congressional members including U.S. Reps. Lisa McClain (R-9th), John Moolenaar (R-2nd), and Hillary Scholten (D-3rd), and legislative directors and staff for Sen. Gary Peters (D) and Reps. Jack Bergman (R-1st), Debbie Dingell (D-6th), John James (R-10th), Dan Kildee (D-8th) and Elissa Slotkin (D-7th). Joining Sheridan, who is NATaT president, were 2023 President Pauline Bennett, Addison Township (Oakland Co.) clerk; Golden Township (Oceana Co.) Treasurer Connie Cargill, MTA 1st vice president and District 11 director; Green Lake Township (Grand Traverse Co.) Supervisor Marvin Radtke, Jr., MTA District 8 director who also serves as MTA Executive Committee member-at-large; and Bangor Charter Township (Bay Co.) Supervisor Glenn Rowley, MTA District 13 director. The local leaders discussed key issues of importance to Michigan townships and towns and townships across the nation, including increasing transportation and infrastructure priorities, including access to broadband and bridging the digital divide, also included in the U.S. Farm Bill. Additional Farm Bill priorities include support for USDA Rural Development programs and funding for rural capacity building and preparedness. The group also advocated for the U.S. Fire Station Act authorizing federal emergency management grant programs, and advance refunding legislation to refinance bond issues and take advantage of more favorable interest rates (see related article below).

Budget bills move to next chamber

This week, both the House and Senate passed their budget recommendations for the state’s FY 2023-24 budget in advance of the May 19 Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference. Each chamber made recommendations to the Executive Budget presented in February by the governor. Areas of interest for townships include:

• City, Village and Township (CVT) Revenue Sharing increase of 5% increase, plus a one-time 5% increase for FY 2023-24
• Public safety initiative funding was included in the governor’s and the House’s proposals
• Funding for the bridge bundling program was included at $200 million by the governor and $150 million by the Senate
• Local road funding increase was included at $150 million by the Senate and $400 million by the House
• Critical rail separation funding was included by both the House and the Senate
• Fire gear equipment grant funding was approved by the House at $15 million
• Firefighter support grants for health screenings and equipment was approved by the Senate at $4 million
• Funding for the 2024 presidential primary was included by the governor, House and Senate
• Implementation of Proposals 1 and 2 funding for the state was included ranging from $4.7 million to $19.7 million
• Funding for renewable ready communities was approved by the governor and House at $40 million, but at $15 million by the Senate
• Water infrastructure loan, grants and direct funding to communities was funded by the governor, House and Senate at $280 million
• Funding for housing, broadband and workforce development grants as well as revitalization and placemaking (vacant buildings, blight) program funding was included at various levels
• New state trooper school funding of $9 million by governor, House and Senate

Following the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, both the House and Senate will act action on the budget bills currently before their chamber.

Distracted driving bills head to governor

It may soon be illegal for drivers to use a mobile electronic device to make or receive a phone call, send or read a text message, view or record a video, or access, read or post to a social media site. House Bills 4250, 4251 and 4252 sponsored by Reps. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth Chtr. Twp.), Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), and Mike Mueller (R- Fenton Chtr. Twp.), received final legislative approval this week and have been submitted to the governor. The legislation would allow some exemptions—including law enforcement and other emergency vehicles or drivers to report an emergency or if the device is being used in a hands-free or voice-operated mode. Once signed, the provision will take effect on June 30, 2023.

Bills advance to create local grade separation grant program 

Local units and county road agencies could seek local grade separation grants to eliminate blocked railroad crossings in their communities under legislation approved by the Senate this week. Senate Bills 124 and 125, sponsored by Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Chtr. Twp.), would require the state Department of Transportation to develop a local grade separation grant program, which would require a 20% match from the applicant. The bills now move to the House for further consideration.

State would reimburse locals for special legislative elections under bill passed by House

Townships and cities could soon no longer be responsible for the costs associated with holding a special election to fill a legislative vacancy under a measure passed by the House this week. Under House Bill 4033, sponsored by Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods), if the governor directs that the special election be held on a date that is not a regular election date, the state would be required to reimburse impacted local units. The reimbursement process would work in the same manner as it does for a presidential primary and other statewide special elections. The bill now moves to the Senate.

STC Updates class, county multipliers

2023 STC Updates: ALL certified assessing officers and assessing technicians must take the 2023 State Tax Commission’s (STC) Updates class as part of their continuing education renewal requirements for the renewal cycle ending Oct. 31. STC Updates classes will be held via Zoom in May, June and July. The class has also been approved to satisfy the requirement that all uncertified assessing support staff must receive training once every two years. "Uncertified support staff" are all staff who are not certified as an assessing officer or technician, and who engage in the development of the assessment roll, including field work. It also includes any support staff who may provide information from the assessment roll to the public. 2023 STC Updates is also available for assessing officers and technicians through the STC’s Continuing Education Portal.

County multipliers—The STC has approved Bulletin 7 of 2023 - County Multipliers. These multipliers are to be used in the 2023 equalization appraisal studies whose purpose is to set the 2024 base. While the STC will continue to approve county multipliers annually, for those assessors using computer assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) software, the multipliers will automatically be included through the software providers' direct connection to the Marshall Swift System. Assessors will not be required to manually input or select their county multiplier.

Broadband funding opportunities and assistance programs

Rural Readiness Grant Program—This first round of grant funding is designed to empower community-specific solutions that build capacity and readiness in Michigan’s rural areas. The program provides up to $50,000 to support collaborative planning and capacity initiatives in rural communities. Grants will support and invest in underserved areas and populations by providing reimbursement grant funding for planning, capacity building activities, development readiness initiatives, and building collaboration and partnerships across communities and sectors. An initial Letter of Intent outlining a project concept is due May 25, by 3 p.m. Contact WiitalaM@michigan.gov with questions.

USDA Community Connect Grant Program—This program provides financial assistance to provide broadband service to rural, economically challenged communities, which can stimulate economic development and provide enhanced educational and health care opportunities in these areas. Priority will be given to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services. The application deadline is June 20.

USDA Broadband Technical Assistance Grant—The program provides competitive cooperative agreement funding to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training that promotes the expansion of broadband into rural areas, such as conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs and developing broadband financial assistance applications. The application window closes June 20. 

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—This program provides a $30 per month subsidy on home internet service for eligible households. The program, which helps reduce the cost of expanding internet service into unserved areas, has helped more than 600,000 Michigan households get online. It is anticipated that the ACP will run out of funds in mid-2024; it will take an act of Congress to continue the program. The Michigan Office of High-Speed Internet (MIHI) is working with Michigan’s congressional delegation to raise awareness for the future of the program. MIHI encourages others to contact their U.S. representative to support the program.

Share input on proposed administrative records retention/disposal schedule

“General Retention Schedules” cover records that are common to a particular local government function. Currently, the State of Michigan does not have an approved general schedule for administrative records created by local government agencies. However, just about every office creates and maintains these types of records. A new schedule has been proposed to cover these types of records. Please review the proposed schedule and share comments, questions or grammatical edits to wojcikc@michigan.gov by May 22. 

Online tools to connect with federal infrastructure funding opportunities

Townships can connect with federal infrastructure funding opportunities with new online tools from the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO). Townships can request technical assistance from the state and track project funding with the tools, such as the Community Navigator and Infrastructure Investment Tracker that track projects ranging from roads to water to high-speed internet. The Community Navigator also displays data on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) programs in Michigan and provides access to key information, such as program overviews and eligible project types, as well as announced and estimated deadlines. The Infrastructure Investment Tracker showcases the location and amount awarded to successful applications for federal funding to support infrastructure projects, and provides details on how the state is deploying BIL infrastructure funding across the state and throughout the communities. Both tools will be updated regularly and will be accessible to everyone. 

Advance refunding bill reintroduced in U.S. Senate

Legislation to reinstate a tool that local units of government previously used in conjunction with municipal bonds to save money for taxpayers was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate last week. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) sponsored S. 1453, along with 16 bipartisan cosponsors including U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), that would enable local governments to refinance bond issues and take advantage of more favorable interest rates. Advance refunding reduces the long-term costs of infrastructure projects like roads, bridges and fire stations, and allows local units to pour those savings back into our communities.

MIHI Connected Future Listening Tour heads to the U.P.

To assist in providing affordable high-speed internet service across the state, the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) is continuing the MI Connected Future Listening Tour being held around the state. Michigan is poised to receive more than $1.6 billion from the federal government to expand high-speed internet service and achieve digital equity. Every region and every community in our state has unique needs when it comes to getting everyone connected and it is critical that the MIHI office hears from you and your community. Register now one of the in-person community meetings scheduled for next week in the Upper Peninsula: Watersmeet: May 16, 5 to 7 p.m.; Marquette: May 17, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Sault Ste. Marie: May 18, 3 to 5 p.m. Learn more about what you can expect as an attendee in a short video here.

VERY high fire danger risk throughout much of Michigan

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources warns that this week’s warm sunny weather has increased the risk of fire danger. The risk is the highest across the Northern Lower Peninsula and parts of the Upper Peninsula where the snow melt is gone. Before burning yard debris or any lighting any fires, visit www.michigan.gov/Burn permit to ensure weather conditions are safe.

All remaining spring weight restrictions lifted by MDOT

As of Thursday, May 11, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has lifted seasonal weight restrictions on all state trunkline highways throughout the state.

There is still time to share information about MTA’s Robinson Scholarship

The May 31 application deadline for MTA’s Robert R. Robinson Scholarship is quickly approaching! Share information with students in your township on your website, social media or electronic newsletters about this scholarship opportunity for future local leaders. Applicants must be a junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in a Michigan college or university and pursuing a career in local government administration. Help us support the township leaders of tomorrow by sharing details about our scholarship today!

Federal update for week of May 8

Check out the National Association of Towns and Townships' Weekly Legislative Update enewsletter for an update of federal actions impacting townships.

Updated list of available grants

Looking for funding for a township project or service? MTA compiles a listing of grants available to townships. You'll find it posted here; the listing is updated monthly.