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ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY, WAYNE COUNTY The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a greenhouse and a botanical garden located on Belle Isle, a 982-acre island park located in the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. 83 Official Voice of the Michigan Association of Counties | June 2021
Contents
3 Letter from the
Executive Director
12 CRC Analysis
REVENUE SHARING: HOW THE STATE ‘FOUND’ $1
5
BILLION FOR ITSELF
Letter from the President
14 MACAO Corner
6 Legislative Update
MAC WORKING TO LEVERAGE HISTORIC
UTILIZE THE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES OFFERED
TO COUNTIES TO BOOST CYBERSECURITY
FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNTIES
16 Expert Corner
8 MAC News DTE SETS THE PACE ON A CLEANER ENERGY
FUTURE FOR MICHIGAN
18
REGISTRATION CONTINUES FOR 2021
REGIONAL SUMMITS
Best Practices
MAC BOARD ELECTIONS SET FOR
SEPTEMBER MIDLAND COUNTY USES MAP TECH TO HELP
HONOR VETERANS
LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
4-YEAR TERMS, FEDERAL COVID AID
MAC MARKS MILESTONE WITH ALL-WOMAN
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM
20 Affiliate Corner
PARKS AND RECREATION: AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE
21
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CLASS INCLUDES
11 FROM MICHIGAN
Meet Your MAC Board
10 MAC News
EILEEN KOWALL AND JOE STEVENS
PROPERTY TAXES: SOME HELP FROM THE
LEGISLATURE WOULD BE GREAT 22 Legislator Q&A
SEN. JEREMY MOSS
REP. THOMAS ALBERT
ON THE COVER
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES MAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephan Currie, Executive Director President Veronica Klinefelt, Macomb County/
PHOTO CREDIT: Deena Bosworth, Director of Governmental Affairs Region V
BANANAROMA TV, Peggy Cantu, MACSC Sponsored Program Liaison
First Vice President Phil Kuyers, Ottawa County/
“BELLE ISLE Vickki Dozier, Executive Assistant
CONSERVATORY”
Region III
Kristina Garner, Coordinator Of Blue Cross and COBRA Services
Licensed under Flickr
Meghann Keit, Governmental Affairs Associate
Second Vice President Stan Ponstein, Kent
Public Domain
Derek Melot, Director of Communications and Marketing
County/At-Large
Mark 1.0.
Jamie Pemberton, Director of Finance Vaughn Begick, Bay County/Region VI
Hannah Sweeney, Governmental Affairs Assistant Joe Bonovetz, Gogebic County/Region I
Gabriel Zawadzki, Grant Services Program Director
Bryan Crenshaw, Ingham County/Region IV
Kyle Harris, Saginaw County/At-Large
Eileen Kowall, Oakland County/Region V
Christian Marcus, Antrim County/Region II
Scott Noesen, Midland County/Region VI
Joseph Palamara, Wayne County Appointee
Richard Schmidt, Manistee County/Region II
MICHIGAN COUNTIES (ISSN 0896-646) Robert Showers, Clinton County/Region IV
Published By: Michigan Association of Counties Joe Stevens, Dickinson County/Region I
110 W. Michigan Ave., Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48933 Jim Storey, Allegan County/Region III
Editor: Derek Melot, melot@micounties.org
Design: Tandem Studios, www.gotandem.biz *One At-Large Seat Vacant
2 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021
Letter from the Executive Director
As you read this, it’s been less than four months since President Biden signed the
American Rescue Plan into law, bringing with it a historic investment in county
government across the nation.
And since that signing on March 11, MAC has been focused on answering the key
question: What does this all mean for Michigan’s counties?
The topline, of course, is that the 83 counties here will receive about $1.9 billion in direct
funding from the U.S. Treasury. But how?
MAC, working with our partner the National Association of Counties, engaged with
Treasury to identify and distribute the links and steps that counties needed to take to
ensure prompt receipt of the first wave of dollars.
At the same time, MAC began working with our CoPro+ subsidiary and Livingston County
STEPHAN W. CURRIE to develop and issue an RFP for consulting services on how to manage and report on ARP
MAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR funding — a critical issue for smaller counties that are operating with the leanest staffs.
As of this writing, those contracts are in their final stages of development, and we will be
providing details as soon as possible (perhaps even before you receive this magazine at
“The topline, of the end of June.)
course, is that the
Just know that MAC member counties will be able to utilize these services without
83 counties here having to develop and issue their own RFP — another huge savings in time and effort for
will receive about many counties.
$1.9 billion in direct This is just one example of one of many CoPro+ programs that provide public entities the
funding from the U.S. opportunity to procure valuable goods and services at competitive prices. (Check out
what CoPro+ can do for your county at www.coproplus.org.)
Treasury.”
MAC also is serving as a conduit of information back to Washington, D.C., to aid Treasury
in developing its reporting standards for ARP spending based on a county’s daily
operational challenges. This process fuels consistent updates to Treasury’s FAQ sheet,
found at home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRPFAQ.pdf.
Back here in Lansing, Governmental Affairs Director Deena Bosworth and I have been
meeting with state officials and other government groups on a strategy to create
matching programs so that local governments and the state can partner to leverage their
ARP aid on a variety of fronts, ranging from broadband expansion to water infrastructure.
Learn more about this financial “force multiplier” in Deena’s report on page 6.
And we continue to consult monthly with county administrators via Zoom to collect and
convey information on ARP and any other issue that is confronting members.
Lastly, I’m pleased to report, as President Klinefelt notes in her letter this edition (page
4), we are seeing some return to normalcy around here. Staffers have returned to MAC’s
offices, and we are preparing for the resumption of in-person MAC events such as our
summer Regional Summits (see page 8) and the 2021 Annual Conference in September.
This will be a busy summer, but one that everyone here in MAC is looking forward to as
we help our members recover from the pandemic. u
MICOUNTIES.ORG | 3
AFFILIATE MEMBERS
2021
Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Members
CCE Central Dispatch
Community Economic Development Association THANK YOU TO ALL MACPAC MEMBERS. TO SUPPORT MACPAC, PLEASE VISIT OUR
of Michigan WEBSITE, MICOUNTIES.ORG.
Community Mental Health Association of Michigan
County Road Association of Michigan PLATINUM Arthur Jeannot Benzie County
Health Care Association of Michigan Jack Shattuck Ionia County Daniel Robillard Baraga County
Lean & Green Michigan
Gail Patterson-
Michigan Association for Local Public Health GOLD Gladney Van Buren County
Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers Stephan Currie MAC Staff
Michigan Association of County Clerks Jeremy Whittum Eaton County
Christian Marcus Antrim County
Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners Karen Goodman Manistee County
Roger Bergman Ottawa County
Michigan Association of County Park and Lewis Squires Mason County
Tom Matthew Branch County
Recreational Officials Ron Baker Montcalm County
James Maike Newaygo County
Michigan Association of County Treasurers Roseann Marchetti Cass County
Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors
Douglas Johnson Otsego County
Kyle Harris Saginaw County Allen Dannenberg Ottawa County
Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council
Carol Hennessy Kent County
Michigan Emergency Management Association
SILVER David Karschnick Alpena County
Michigan Judges Association
Michigan Works! Association David Pohl Clinton County Dean Kapenga Allegan County
Mid-Michigan District Health Department Stan Ponstein Kent County Doug Zylstra Ottawa County
Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan Greg DeJong Ottawa County Harold Haugh Macomb County
Nurse Family Partnership James Stewart Eaton County Gerald Corkin Marquette County
Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan Joseph Palamara Wayne County James Goetz Lenawee County
UPCAP Services Kenneth Glasser Otsego County Jeanne Pearl-Wright Eaton County
Upward Talent Council Mandy Bolter Kent County Joseph Bonovetz Gogebic County
Richard Godfrey Van Buren County Kim Cyr Muskegon County
Robert Showers Clinton County Mamie Yarbrough Berrien County
Scott Noesen Midland County Mark DeYoung Allegan County
CORPORATE MEMBERS Vaughn Begick Bay County Marlene Broemer Ontonagon County
44North MEMBER Martha Scott Wayne County
Aetna
Catherine Pullen Alger County Michael Patrick Mackinac County
Berends, Hendricks & Stuit
Donald Arquette Lake County Nancy Jenkins-Arno Lenawee County
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Nancy Morrison Luce County
Brown & Brown of Central Michigan
Earl Poleski Jackson County
Glenn Anderson Wayne County Nicole Koons Manistee County
Cintas Corp.
Jack Tany Saginaw County Robert Nousiainen Ontonagon County
Clark Construction Co.
Cohl, Stoker & Toskey, P.C. Julie Wuerfel Berrien County Roberta Burke Arenac County
CompOne Administrators Raymond Steinke Mecosta County Ron Christians Oceana County
Consumers Energy Brenda Ricksgers Antrim County Ronald Reinhardt Charlevoix County
CoPro+ Roger Bergman Ottawa County Theresa Nelson Delta County
Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. Ronald Christians Oceana County William Sarkella Sanilac County
Dickinson Wright
DTE Energy
Enbridge
Enterprise Fleet Management
DE ZWAAN WINDMILL,
OTTAWA COUNTY
83 COUNTIES
Envirologic
Gallagher
Gibson Insurance
Granger Construction MANY MORE STORIES
ITC Holdings
Maner Costerisan
Windmill Island Gardens
83
takes pride in their 250-year-old
Dutch windmill, named “De working
Zwaan.” The windmill reaches
towers over 36 acres of 125 feet and
Michigan Counties is your gateway to all things related to
manicured gardens, canals
— downtownholland.co and picnic areas.
m
Maximus
Official Voice of the Michigan
Association of Counties
| April 2021
Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority
county government in the Great Lakes State. For an annual
Miller Canfield fee of $15, you will receive all six printed editions of the magazine (February,
Multi-Bank Securities, Inc. April, June, August, October and December).
Munetrix To subscribe, send your name and mailing address to melot@micounties.org
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PFM Financial Advisors LLC
TowerPinkster To pay, visit MAC’s digital payment center at micounties.org/macsc.
4 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021
Letter from the President
Change is in the air
There is a change in the air swirling around Michigan counties lately. I sense a loss of tension and
commissioners from around the state are talking about getting back to some sense of normalcy.
I recently walked into our county offices in Mt. Clemens without a mask. The November election
brought eight new commissioners to our board, and I am just now starting to meet them in person.
I have to retrain myself; it feels a little weird to go into a store without a mask. I suppose that is
why there are so many people still hesitant to shed them.
To add to the excitement, counties are getting money in from the federal American Rescue Plan
(see more on page 6) and there is much discussion to be had on how to handle the funds. Badly
needed infrastructure money may be on the horizon, too, and we in county government will be
even busier than we were before.
VERONICA KLINEFELT The biggest sense of relief I sense, though comes from watching many shuttered small
PRESIDENT, MAC BOARD OF businesses reopen and seeing the outpouring from residents eager to support them. People
DIRECTORS
are scheduling delayed appointments to their dentists and doctors, and everyone wants a
“The biggest sense professional haircut!
of relief I sense, All of this change is not coming a moment too soon. We are social beings; we are not meant to
though comes from be isolated. I find myself feeling appreciation for things in my life that I once took for granted.
watching many
For counties, the next phase will likely include dealing with many individuals who struggle
shuttered small to get back to where life was before the pandemic. We must watch property values
businesses reopen closely, because there are many unknowns regarding office space after a year of people
working from home. We do not know what the effect will be on the housing market when
and seeing the federal funds stop flowing in at the current rate.
outpouring from
While there is plenty to concern us in the coming days, I urge you all to take a moment
residents eager to right now to experience the falling stress levels in our communities. More people are
support them.” smiling, summer is coming and things haven’t been this good in such a long time. u
MICOUNTIES.ORG | 5
LEGISLATIVE
UPDATE
MAC working to leverage historic
financial opportunity for counties
BY DEENA BOSWORTH/GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
“By investing
combined
dollars in water
infrastructure,
broadband,
housing and
community
development,
economic
development and
public health and
safety, we will be
able to amplify
the return on
investment.”
W
ith more than $10 billion coming individual assistance programs and public
into our state, Michigan has a safety. By working together with all levels
rare chance to make significant of government, counties can stretch those
investments in our communities, businesses, dollars and invest in common goals.
citizens and infrastructure.
With the first dollars already arriving in local
But we need to work together to maximize accounts, county leaders are already under
these benefits. pressure to announce spending decisions.
MAC, however, is advising all counties to
Michigan’s 83 counties are slated to get $1.9 hold off on immediate spending choices.
billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars Although revenue replacement is an eligible
over the next two years. Cities and larger expenditure and a most obvious choice, the
townships are slated to receive a total of $1.8 rest of the funds could be allocated toward
billion and non-entitlement communities long-term investments.
(smaller units) approximately $640 million, all
while the state of Michigan itself will receive MAC is working on a plan to earmark close
more than $6.5 billion. to $4 billion in state ARP funds as matching
funds to enhance local efforts. For this plan,
With this huge influx of money, elected the Whitmer administration and legislative
officials at all levels of government will have leaders have asked for ideas that:
to make decisions on where and how they
want to use the dollars, within the federal • will be transformational in nature;
rules. Priorities will range from revenue • do not create new programs; and
recovery, savings and growing the interest • strategically invest the one-time dollars
on the funds, to infrastructure, business and in areas of greatest need for improvement.
6 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021
By investing combined dollars in water
infrastructure, broadband, housing and
community development, economic
U.S. Counties
development and public health and
safety, we will be able to amplify the
return on investment. This comprehensive
approach to stretch the ARP dollars will
provide Michigan the opportunity for an
unprecedented investment in drinking
FREE for NACo
water, stormwater, public sewers and septic
systems, broadband infrastructure, mental
Member Counties
health services, capital improvements to
facilities and jails, affordable housing and
Be a Live Healthy county
outdoor recreation. with health discount
MAC has been having conversations each programs for residents
week with the administration, legislative
leaders, business and community leaders and
other stakeholders on this idea. Our hope
is to create a groundswell of support that
Help your residents save on
bridges the political gap in Lansing and truly everyday prescription, dental
provides the resources and value needed for and health costs.
strategic investments in Michigan. As part of
that effort, MAC has provided a resolution Prescription Discounts at more
template (see our Legislative Update emails than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide.
or visit www.micounties.org) that counties
can use to express support for the matching Free to residents – they can save
funds concept. an average of 24%* off retail prices.
Also, remember that in addition to Dental and Health Discounts at a
ARP’s direct aid to counties, there are national network of providers. Low-
other federal funds available to counties
under ARP. These include $1.5 billion
fee programs save residents 15%
for public land counties, disaster relief to 50% on dental and health costs.
funds, economic development programs,
emergency management performance The Live Healthy program also
grants, emergency food and shelter includes marketing materials to
programs, behavior health, substance reach your residents.
abuse, public health work force assistance,
emergency rural development grants for
rural health care, airport recovery assistance,
homelessness and rental assistance, just to Become a Live Healthy county – it’s free! Visit
name a few. www.naco.org/health or call toll-free 1-888-407-6226.
To date, MAC has received overwhelmingly
positive feedback on the ideas put forth for The Live Healthy discount program is NOT insurance.
match programs with the state. Although it * Savings may vary by drug and by pharmacy.
will take time to work out the details and The Prescription Discount Card is operated
by CVS/caremark®. The Discount Medical
launch the programs, we think this concept Organization for NACo Health and Dental
can succeed. In the meantime, we are Discounts is Alliance HealthCard of Florida, Inc.
hopeful counties can hold off on ARP fund All rights reserved. ©2015 CVS/caremark.
106-35891a 100515
allocations until that time.
For more information on this issue,
contact Deena Bosworth at
Michigan Association of Counties
bosworth@micounties.org. u
MICOUNTIES.ORG | 7
MAC
NEWS
Seats representing regions are filled by a vote in regional
caucuses at the conference. At-large seats are filled by the
candidate that wins a majority of the six regional caucuses.
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.
2021 Board seats
Registration continues for
• Region 1 – 1 seat
2021 Regional Summits • Region 2 – 1 seat
• Region 3 – 1 seat
• Region 5 – 1 seat
C
ommissioners and other county leaders can learn • At-large — 1 seat
tips on how to utilize American Rescue Plans and be
briefed on the affordable housing crisis and its effects Any member wishing to
on counties during MAC’s 2021 Regional Summits in late July. run in the election must
download the application
In light of COVID-19, some changes have been made to the form and return it by
event. All food and beverage will be boxed/packaged, for Aug. 26, 2021, at 5 p.m. to be eligible. Candidates are also
example. And networking time will be minimized. As usual, encouraged to submit a statement of up to 400 words on
however, MAC will offer the summits at four sites across why members should support them. These statements will
Michigan: be posted to the MAC website in late August.
• July 19 – Grand Rapids If you have any questions about Board duties, please contact
• July 22 – Frankenmuth Executive Director Stephan W. Currie at 517-372-5374. u
• July 26 – Escanaba
• July 29 – Gaylord
To register, visit micounties.org/2021-mac-regional-
summits. Legislative Conference
The summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; a light highlights 4-year terms,
breakfast and lunch will be included for the $35 fee. u
federal COVID aid
T
he top official in
the Michigan House
MAC Board elections set for of Representatives
signaled support for four-
September year county commissioner
terms and critical federal
A
t the 2021 Michigan Counties Annual Conference guidance on how to spend
(Sept. 26-28 on Mackinac Island), MAC members will $1.9 billion in COVID aid
vote on five seats on the MAC Board of Directors. for Michigan counties
Commissioners wishing to serve on the Board, whether is expected as early as
incumbents or new candidates, have until Aug. 26 to file next week were two of
official notice of their intent to run. the highlights of the 2021
Michigan Counties Legislative Conference this week.
To get an application form, visit micounties.org/wp-
content/uploads/MAC-Board-Election-Application- The gathering, held virtually for the second consecutive year,
Form-2021-fillable.pdf. featured three plenary sessions plus more than a dozen
8 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021
workshops for MAC members and members of the Michigan
County Medical Care Facilities Council (MCMCFC).
Leadership Academy class
House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Clare), speaking
includes 11 from Michigan
during a recorded Legislative Roundtable, said he would
E
support four-year terms for county commissioners. leven Michigan county officials and staff members
Legislation to enact such terms are now in the Michigan recently completed the NACo Leadership Academy,
Senate and are a MAC legislative priority for 2021. a 12-week online program that empowers front-
During a Thursday plenary session, Matt Chase, executive line county government employees with fundamental
director of the National Association of Counties (NACo), leadership skills. Across the country, 812 county
said the U.S. Treasury may release guidance as early as employees participated in the most recent class, which
next week on how counties can spend direct investments began in January.
from the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP). Chase and
NACo President Judge Gary Moore of Boone County, Ky., Among the 11 were Deena Bosworth, MAC’s governmental
urged counties to be sure to have all of their technical affairs director, Wayne County Commissioner Melissa
requirements fulfilled to receive their first allotment of Daub, Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck and
ARP funds. u Houghton County Administrator Ben Larson.
The rest of the Michigan class was Sheila Peters of Alger,
Ted Somers of Alpena, Shawna Walraven of Bay, Sue
MAC marks milestone with Buitenhuis of Cheboygan, Karl Hauser of Clare, Timothy
Mitchell of Osceola and Scott Miller of Washtenaw.
all-woman Government
MAC congratulates all the participants in the program.
Affairs team To learn more about the academy, visit micounties.org/
naco-high-performance-leadership-academy. u
M
AC’s Governmental Affairs
team was the focus of a
recent Gongwer News
Service feature.
“For the first time, the Michigan Helping Government Serve the People®
Association of Counties
government affairs team consists of For more than four decades, MAXIMUS Consulting
only women who are no strangers Services has helped state and local governments
recover millions of dollars in costs associated with
to the Capitol community but
managing federal and state programs. Trust our team
have still faced challenges when BOSWORTH of experienced professionals to deliver critical insights,
advocating for their agenda in current information and reliable results. Our services
a field that has historically been include:
dominated by men. • Cost allocation plans
• Title IV-D expense services
“While the current team at MAC marks the first time that • User fee studies
advocacy group has had an all-women team heading its • Random Moment
government affairs, there’s also a multiclient firm with an Sampling (RMS)
all-women staff, RWC Advocacy.
“Those at the organizations spoke about the challenges they
face in the lobbying world and what priorities they hold
this year as the Capitol community begins moving toward
normal operations following the coronavirus pandemic. …”
Nicholas Bohac, Casey Steffee, Ron Wlock
To read the complete article, visit micounties.org/mac-
517.484.4240 | maximus.com/financial-services
MKT-477
marks-milestone-with-all-woman-government-affairs-
team/. u
MICOUNTIES.ORG | 9
MAC
NEWS
Property taxes: Some help from the
Legislature would be great
BY STEPHAN CURRIE/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephan Currie is
executive director
of the Michigan
Association of
Counties, which
represents
Michigan’s county
governments and the
622 elected county
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU (2017)
commissioners who
lead them.
Note: This
commentary
originally appeared
in Crain’s Detroit
Business on May 24.
“It took 11 years
T
he citizens now serving in the Michigan And if you look at those reports, you will
Legislature did not create the fiscal crisis see an unsurprising fact: Counties are still
for nominal that now grips our 83 counties and other squeezed. In fiscal 2019, for example, county
property tax local governments. The crisis is so large, so governments had at least $3.5 billion in
complex, it took decades to create – decades unfunded liabilities for retiree pensions and
collections
of poor choices, often made with good, or at health care coverage.
to recover to least not malicious, intentions.
their 2008 level. And what has the Legislature been doing in
Nevertheless, time after time, legislators eased the meantime? Not helping.
Worse, adjusting their own financial challenges by deepening
for inflation, the hole that our 83 county governments are In 2013, it enacted an exemption on property
trapped in. Revenue sharing cuts. Unfunded taxes to help Michigan veterans – a laudable
counties are now mandates. Restrictions on raising and using goal. But they did it without compensating
collecting almost revenue. The encroachments are many, the local governments. That exemption has carved
effects enormous. $1.7 billion in taxable value off local accounts.
$1 billion less
than they did in Today, we are urging them to take the first step In the last three legislative sessions, 2015-2020,
2008.” to better fiscal health: Stop making it worse. legislators filed no fewer than 140 separate bills
involving exemptions to the property tax, the
Four years ago, state leaders briefly noticed central revenue source for Michigan counties.
the problem around them and convened a task Many of these bills were motivated by noble
force to study the pension and retiree health purposes (job creation) or targeted for worthy
care pressures squeezing local governments. groups (disabled veterans, charitable groups),
I was proud to sit on that panel, which but what they all lacked was any recognition
produced a series of limited but practical of, or response for, the resulting cuts to local
recommendations to ease the strain. All the resources and local services.
Legislature managed to do, unfortunately, was
to require locals to generate more reports (i.e., And consider, a recent analysis by the
more work for locals) for the state to look at. nonpartisan Lincoln Institute of Land
10 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021Policy found that not only is Michigan “unique in the But we’ve all seen what COVID has done to local economies,
restrictiveness of the state’s property tax limits,” but with empty storefronts and unutilized office buildings a
“the property tax is particularly important for local common sight. Those images will, at some point, translate
governments’ fiscal health in Michigan because they have into lower property values and lower property taxes (used
little access to other types of taxes to raise revenue.” to pay for those local services and cover those local liabilities
to public servants).
Our crisis only worsened in the aftermath of the Great
Recession a decade ago. As the state’s economy and Despite this, some legislators are backing more ideas that
resources bounced back, Michigan’s local governments, will create more problems.
trapped underneath two interlocking state restrictions
on property taxes (Proposal A and the Headlee They are pointing to the historic investment to counties
Amendment), saw their resources plunge and never in the American Rescue Plan as proof the state can further
really return. reduce its commitment – even though the ARP funds
cannot, by law, be used to address pension or retiree health
It took 11 years for nominal property tax collections to care needs.
recover to their 2008 level. Worse, adjusting for inflation,
counties are now collecting almost $1 billion less than And they continue to file and tout property tax exemptions
they did in 2008. (10 bills so far in 2021). With each of these special breaks,
more of the burden for public services shifts to everyone
Then, of course, COVID hits. else, the small businesses and households that constitute
the majority of the state’s taxpayers.
Across the state, county leaders worked to ensure the
continued delivery of public services while doing their So, until the Legislature can engage in a good faith
best to protect the health of residents and county discussion on how to address the local government fiscal
employees. The strains have been severe, but counties crisis, we have one simple request to the Legislature: Stop
have met the challenge – so far. making it worse. u
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MICOUNTIES.ORG | 11CRC
ANALYSIS
Revenue sharing: How the state ‘found’
$1 billion for itself
BY ERIC LUPHER/PRESIDENT, CITIZENS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN
W
“In 2004, 36 of hen governments hit a budget of county taxes within a calendar year,
the 83 county tax problem, you can expect the resulting in more revenues than counties
response will take these forms: needed to operate on an annual basis. It
levies yielded per cut spending, raise revenue or use what also moved the receipt of taxes sooner in
capita collections many might call “gimmicks.” Popular a county’s fiscal year. The “excess” revenue
budgetary gimmicks have included shifting was deposited into revenue sharing “reserve
less than state expenditures into a different fiscal year, funds,” with the aggregate amount equaling
average. This funding programs from different temporary the December 2004 property tax levy.
is significant sources, changing accounting processes or
otherwise obfuscating the budget imbalance. Once this shift was completed, the state
because these payment of county revenue sharing stopped,
counties would Early in the 21st century, Michigan’s county and counties instead withdrew from their
revenue sharing program fell prey to a reserve funds amounts equal to what they
be the first to state gimmick, with consequences that still would have gotten in state payments. In
deplete their reverberate today. short, the cancelled county revenue sharing
payments helped fix the state’s budget hole,
reserves. ” The nation went into a recession in the and the timing gimmick ensured county
wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. revenues were maintained on a fiscal year
However, what became an eight-month basis.
national recession grew into a six-year
downturn for Michigan, placing considerable Once counties depleted these temporary
ongoing stress on the state budget. reserve funds, state revenue sharing
payments were restored; but because the
The recently elected Granholm administration initial reserve fund balances varied by county,
was often at odds with the Republican they exhausted their balances in different
Legislature in dealing with the structural years.
and cyclical imbalances of the state budget.
So, budget solutions most often focused In 2004, 36 of the 83 county tax levies
on blanket, across-the-board expenditure yielded per capita collections less than state
reductions, supplemented with a variety of average. This is significant because these
one-time budget fixes. counties would be the first to deplete their
reserves. Tuscola County was the first to
Revenue sharing was an early and easy target deplete its reserve fund in FY09, followed by
for these cuts. By fiscal year 2004 (Oct. 1, Gratiot, Houghton, Montcalm, Saginaw and
2004-Sept. 30, 2005) more than $275 million St. Joseph counties in FY10.
(30 percent) of statutory revenue sharing for
all local governments was being diverted to Those with greater than average per capita
other state purposes. tax yields maintained their reserve funds
MAC strongly
longer. Leelanau County only exhausted its
supports the work After these cuts came the gimmick: The state reserve fund in FY20, while Emmet won’t do
of the Citizens shifted the timing of the county property tax so until FY23.
Research Council levy. This shift from the winter to the summer
of Michigan, tax bills was phased in over three years. In Overall, the tax-switch gimmick diverted $182
a nonpartisan, 2005, one-third of the allocated mills were million a year (with inflationary adjustments)
independent public levied as a summer tax, and the remaining from FY2004 to FY2009 and diminishing
policy research two-thirds were levied in the winter. This amounts in each year since from county
organization. MAC process was repeated in 2006 and 2007, revenue sharing to other state purposes.
Executive Director with another one-third of the millage moved This gimmick provided minimal state budget
Stephan Currie
forward each year to the summer bills. relief each year (just 0.02 percent of the $8.9
currently sits on
the CRC Board. billion FY04 state General Fund budget), but
This tax shift accelerated the payment cumulatively the state was able to divert
12 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021more than $1 billion to other purposes
through this action.
While this gimmick allowed counties in
aggregate to maintain a revenue source
totaling $182 million plus inflation, it
did so by using their own tax dollars.
It is impossible to know how funding
of county revenue sharing would have
changed without this gimmick, as the
state remained in a fiscally retrenched
mode for several years after the shift.
But we do know this tax shift created
cashflow challenges that continue for
some counties even to this day. u
PUBLIC SECTOR CONSULTANTS REPORT #49
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MICOUNTIES.ORG | 13MACAO
CORNER
Utilize the considerable resources offered
to counties to boost cybersecurity
BY JEFF LAWSON/CHEBOYGAN COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
A
Jeff Lawson is vice nother beginning to a workday, with between organizations; and implements
president of the several virtual meetings scheduled, “Workforce Education” concerning
Michigan Association deadlines to maintain project timelines cybersecurity. CISA provides a “SLTT Tool
of County and then the phone rings. It’s IT calling to Kit” to help governmental agencies to
Administrative tell you, “I think we have a problem.” recognize and address cybersecurity risks.
Officers (MACAO). The kit includes:
Unfortunately, cyber-attacks are occurring
with more frequency on governmental • Cyber Resilience Review (CRR) program,
“By continuing organizations. It is not a matter of if it will which is a no-cost, voluntary, interview-
occur, but when and to what degree. By based assessment to evaluate an
to make continuing to make cyber security a key organization’s operational resilience and
cybersecurity a component of organizational planning and cybersecurity practices.
emergency response efforts, we can take • External Dependencies Management
key component measures to prevent certain type of attacks Assessment Description, assessment,
of organizational and mitigate the impact of others. which is a no-cost, voluntary, interview-
planning and based assessment to evaluate an
The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure organization’s management of their
emergency Security Agency (CISA) offers resources to dependencies on external computer
response efforts, state, local and tribal governments to help infrastructure resources.
combat and plan for cyber-threats. The state • Cyber Infrastructure Survey Description,
we can take of Michigan in 2017 participated in a federal which is a no-cost, voluntary survey
measures to case study that identified the foundation that evaluates the effectiveness
of cybersecurity for an organization is of organizational security controls,
prevent certain developing a “Strategy and Plan” concerning cybersecurity preparedness, and overall
type of attacks cyber security that integrates this process resilience.
into the strategic “Budgeting and Acquisition” • Vulnerability Scanning service of
and mitigate the
process of your organization; takes steps to Internet-accessible systems used by
impact of others.” conduct “Risk Identification and Mitigation” governmental agencies.
sessions; develops an “Incident Response” • Phishing Campaign Assessment program
plan; participates in “Information Sharing” which is a no-cost, six-week engagement
For six decades, the Michigan Association of County
Administrative Officers (MACAO) has been a trusted
resource to county administrative officers as they
continuously improve their abilities in serving county
boards of commissioners by:
n Providing forums for information exchange and experiences
while delivering solutions to common challenges
n Offering guidance and best practices from educational,
governmental and professional organizations to members
LEARN MORE searching for leading edge practices in public administration
micounties.org/macao-michigan-
n Promoting and advancing high ethical standards and values
association-of-county-administrative-officers
as a foundation of managing Michigan public organizations
14 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021MACAO
CORNER
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System MC3 is another resource to help your organization. protecting Michigan’s water
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Remember, by continuing to make cybersecurity a key 03-01-18-Michigan Q&A_MAC_V3.indd 1 3/2/18 7:25 AM
component of organizational planning and emergency Visit MAC online at
response efforts, we can take measures to prevent certain www.micounties.org
type of attacks and mitigate the impact of others. u
MICOUNTIES.ORG | 15EXPERT
CORNER
DTE sets the pace on a cleaner energy
future for Michigan
BY CARLA GRIBBS/DTE ENERGY
C
Carla Gribbs is a limate change is one of the defining steps to save energy and save ourselves
regional manager for issues of our era. Here at DTE Energy, some money at the same time. Consider
DTE Energy, which we know that it’s our duty to act — things like recycling old appliances and
was the 2020-21 and we’re making fundamental changes to the investing in new ones that are ENERGY
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Podcast 83. our company, we’re taking steps to reduce adding insulation to your home or
greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of business can also reduce annual energy
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“Like all big
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transformations, believe this is the right thing to do for our purchase LEDS and other energy-saving
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At DTE, we like to say that the cleanest,
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16 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021EXPERT
CORNER
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MIGreenPower is a voluntary renewable energy program use. The carbon offset program protects 24,000 acres
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MICOUNTIES.ORG | 17BEST
PRACTICES
Midland County uses map tech to help
honor veterans
BY NATHAN FAZER/MIDLAND COUNTY GIS TECHNICIAN
“Midland
County has
expanded how
GIS technology
is used. It has
become part
of the fabric of
our operations
in a multitude
of departments
and programs in
A
ways we never s technology advances, local governments Midland County Veterans Memorial next
often find new and innovative ways to the County courthouse. The memorial
would have
to utilize that technology to improve is an approximately 30’x50’ area with paver
imagined.” a service or provide access to something bricks and a memorial wall. The paver bricks
that was not thought of before. The Midland contain messages from families, friends, area
County GIS Department actively seeks out new organizations, and others honoring and
and challenging ways to utilize the County’s remembering veterans from the area. Using
mapping technology. Midland County has the aerial imagery from the drone, the GIS
expanded how GIS technology is used. It has department mapped each individual brick at
become part of the fabric of our operations in the memorial – over 3,000 paver bricks. Then
a multitude of departments and programs in using a combination of the imagery and an iPad
ways we never would have imagined. (to field check the bricks), added the text of
each brick into the GIS. The bricks, along with
In 2011, the GIS Department worked with the the drone imagery, were put into an online
Midland County Veterans’ Service Office on a GIS application. This application allows users
project to honor veterans that have served our to search the text and messages on the bricks.
Country. The Veteran’s Services Office provides Once a name or message is found, the online
services to veterans and their families by map zooms to the brick.
Big or small, technical or helping with federal, state and county veterans
simple, we want to hear programs. The project mapped the locations of Once the project at the Midland memorial
how you have found a veteran burials in all the cemeteries within the was completed and shown to the Veterans’
new way to serve your county and providing that information in an Service Office, the GIS Department was asked
constituents. online search tool. This project was two-fold: to complete the same type of project for the
Please send a brief
to provide a tool to volunteers to use each memorial in Coleman.
description and Memorial Day to place flags at the burial sites
contact information for of veterans, and to allow families and loved The hope is the GIS application will be used in
the point person of your ones of these veterans to search for them several ways. First, to allow those that cannot
“Best Practice” to online and find their burial location on a map. travel to the actual sites the opportunity to
Derek Melot, browse and search the paver bricks online.
melot@ In mid-2020, the GIS Department explored And second, to be used at the memorials by
micounties.org. other ways to once again use the technology visitors. Visitors will scan a QR code with their
For questions,
available to show its appreciation to the smartphone and the GIS application will open.
call Melot at veterans of the area. Using a sUAS (small They can search for the name or message they
517-372-5374. unmanned system, or drone), the GIS came to see, and the map will help guide them
Department collected aerial imagery of the to the correct spot. u
18 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021Counties affect the lives of residents every day. When our frontline staff are empowered as
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MICOUNTIES.ORG | 19AFFILIATE
CORNER
Parks and recreation: An essential service
BY JAMES DUNLEAVY/OAKLAND COUNTY CHIEF OF PARKS
Procedures for enhanced cleaning and remote
work were instituted. Virtual programming
was created. Partnerships were developed
to provide programs and greater access. One
partnership was with the Oakland County
Health Division to help distribute “Safe re-
opening” kits for community-based small
businesses. Our parks staff helped distribute
the kits to local business owners. These kits
included items such as masks, wipes, digital
thermometers, employee check-in sheets and
workplace safety posters.
Record numbers were recorded for trails use at
W
James Dunleavy hen the COVID-19 world health crisis day-use parks. Golf courses reported sold-out
is president of the struck, Oakland County Parks and tee times. The campgrounds were filled with
Michigan Association Recreation immediately acted to families looking for a close-to-home getaway.
of County Park mitigate the spread of the virus by closing facilities As a parks system, we have many parks that
and Recreational and cancelling programs at the recommendation have vehicle counters. In those early months, it
Officials. Learn more of the Oakland County Health Division. was not uncommon to have three or four times
about the group at as many guests daily as normal. The parks were
micountyparks.org. Day-use parks remained open, however, literally packed with people trying to find
welcoming visitors to hike and bike the 80 a place to recreate and escape their home-
miles of trails, fish, and relax in 7,000 acres of bound lives.
natural surroundings.
Providing an essential service during the pandemic
“Here in Ingham And free entrance to parks was offered March restored a sense of normalcy for our residents.
20-June 1, 2020, as the Oakland County Board Staff reimagined how to operate a 14-park system,
County, with of Commissioners and the Oakland County limited in-person programs and constantly
our 1,200 FTEs, Parks and Recreation Commission agreed it was changing COVID orders. Communication to staff
critical for county residents to have free access. and the public was critical.
we decided it
was important Even during the “Stay at Home” order, we still One of the greatest challenges was keeping
had dedicated employees opening and closing staff updated and trained on the constantly
to provide parks, handling trash, cleaning and sanitizing changing regulations. In Michigan there were
immersive — keeping day-use parks open to guests who weekly updates which often included changes
supervisor were desperate for normalcy and a place to go in mandates for health and safety concerns.
when almost everything was closed. For example, golf carts had to be sanitized
training in all after every use and a special area had to be
things Ingham.” The Oakland County Farmers Market was created to house this cleaning and sanitizing
deemed an essential business and remained open. operation. The hard work brought smiles when
The market evolved into a community hub for guests commented on how safe they felt at our
residents and businesses to drop off donations course and their gratitude for the cleanliness
of personal protection equipment (in one drop of our park and restrooms.
alone, DTE Energy delivered 80,000 N95 masks
for medical professionals and first responders). The culture of how we manage our parks
system has forever been impacted. It’s been
To keep the community nourished, the market rewarding to see how governmental agencies
hosted Gleaners Community Food Bank’s drive- can work together during a difficult time.
thru food distributions and offered curbside
pickup and delivery options. Up to 500 families The pandemic reinforced the fact parks and
at a time were served through this program. recreation are most certainly essential services. u
20 | MICHIGAN COUNTIES | JUNE 2021Eileen Kowall and Joe Stevens MEET YOUR
MAC BOARD
Name: Eileen Kowall while helping those still in need throughout
the county. I’m looking forward to working
County/MAC Region: Oakland/Region V with the (Oakland County Executive Dave)
Coulter administration and the Economic
Position: Director Recovery Task Force on a plan that will
make the best use of this one-time funding.
County Service: Oakland County Board of We need to focus on economic viability
Commissioners, 2003-2008 & 2015-present and sustainability with funding & programs
(currently serving on Finance Committee, geared towards business recovery. I believe
Airport & Healthy Aging ad-hoc committees, we should use key performance indicators to
EILEEN KOWALL Human Trafficking Task Force) measure results.
Profession: EMTK Consulting Also, how do we get people back to work?
No amount of funding can help if businesses
Previous Public Service: House of can’t get employees!
Representatives, 2009-2014
We need to help individuals and families
What are your county’s most pressing recover by addressing health, economic,
needs/projects as you emerge from social and other lingering needs. I believe
the COVID pandemic? ARP funds can have a sizable impact on
senior needs and mental health services, for
We need to assess the impact of COVID-19 examples.
on the county. What challenges still need to
be addressed? What unmet needs did the We have some broadband needs in Oakland
pandemic uncover? What did we learn from County and water/sewer/drain infrastructure
the pandemic and how can we be better improvements are also much needed. Public
prepared, if possible, for future events? Safety would be well served by promoting
a world-class training facility for our first
As we determine how best to utilize ARP responders. u
funds, we must maintain fiscal responsibility
Name: Joe Stevens What are your county’s most pressing
needs/projects as you emerge from the
County/MAC Region: Dickinson/Region I COVID pandemic?
Position: Director I believe the most pressing issue right now in
Dickinson County is not being able to fill jobs.
County Service: 1994-present Dickinson County is a manufacturing hub
in the Upper Peninsula and many positions
Profession: Retired aren’t being filled. The extra $300 a week in
unemployment benefits must stop. People
Previous Public Service: Kingsford City Council, need to go back to work.
JOE STEVENS 12 years
On another note: Line 5 needs to stay
open, and the tunnel needs to be built. All
of Michigan cannot afford to see Line 5 shut
down. u
MICOUNTIES.ORG | 21You can also read
