Macomb County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Macomb County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County Seal Ordinance
A draft ordinance would set official standards for who can use the county seal and how — aimed at preventing misuse of the county's official emblem. Discussion only at this stage.
Traveling petting zoo animal welfare
A resident alleged a petting zoo at Freedom Hill's Harvest Fest violated Michigan's anti-cruelty statute and USDA licensing rules, leaving animals without shelter, and urged the county to investigate since the venue is overseen by the county.
Juvenile Justice Center Food Service Contract
A new vendor, Variety Food Services, will provide meals to youth at the Juvenile Justice Center for up to $200,000 a year after being the sole bidder. Staff say the quality and quantity have been vetted.
Public Participation Policy for People with Disabilities
A new Corporation Counsel-recommended policy formalizes how residents with disabilities can participate in county meetings.
Elevator maintenance and modernization strategy
Commissioners dug into how proprietary elevator systems limit competition — Otis holds the maintenance contract for the downtown campus because most of those elevators are proprietary, while Martha T. Berry and the new jail chose non-proprietary systems.
Breast cancer screening access
Commissioners Howard and Goike used the Cancer Society recognition to highlight that women of color and younger women are often denied MRI screening by insurers, and that 10% of breast cancer cases occur in men but often go undiagnosed.
New Baltimore Court Gets a Permanent Deputy
The board replaced a court officer position with a sheriff's deputy at the New Baltimore District Court — same cost, but law enforcement staffing instead of court staffing.
Prosecutor's Office Leadership Restructuring
With chief appellate lawyer Josh Abbott retiring after 22 years, the Prosecutor's Office is swapping that position for a chief of staff attorney role — budget neutral — and fixing a clerical error that dropped the victim witness coordinator. Abbott will return part-time.
Resignation of Rev. Ralph Brown from county human services boards
Rev. Ralph Brown is stepping down from the Human Services Board and Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility board at the end of January, leaving a vacancy the committee says will be hard to fill.