Macomb County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Macomb County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Veterans Services Advertising Contract
The $116,640 Play by Play sports media proposal for Veterans Services was pulled from the agenda at the department's own request, so it will come back another day.
CDBG Grants for Local Communities
About $1.59 million in federal CDBG dollars will fund ADA ramps, sewer lining, a playground, fire equipment, demolition and senior programs in Richmond, Mount Clemens, Macomb Township, Harrison Township, Eastpointe and New Baltimore.
ARPA Drainage Project Funding Shift
A $1.9 million shuffle among four drainage projects keeps the county from losing any of its $40 million in federal ARPA money before the Dec. 31 spending deadline.
Community Corrections fund deficit
A $277,000 PCE Systems contract will build electronic forms and automatic referrals linking jail intake, Community Mental Health and Community Corrections data — aimed at fewer duplicate records and smoother handoffs.
Elections costs and state technology mandates
Multiple residents alleged vote-history manipulation, ballot-image FOIA problems and compromised data from the 2021 forensic audit, urging audits and record preservation.
Animal Control Budget Review
The committee reviewed the proposed Animal Control budget with Chief Animal Control Officer Jeff Randazzo. It covers shelter and animal welfare operations county residents rely on.
Delinquent tax foreclosure collections
The Treasurer's office will spend $156,434 on targeted ads — mostly gas-station TV and online — to warn at-risk homeowners before foreclosure, run through a consolidated no-bid contract.
FOIA workload explosion at Corporation Counsel
Corporation Counsel has fielded 2,000 FOIA requests this year and expects 3,000 by year's end — up from 500 five years ago — and says it may eventually need another attorney just to handle records requests.
First new Board of Commissioners staff in ten years?
The Board's own office wants its part-time office assistant made full-time for about $31,000 net, citing a 70% workload jump since 2021. Multiple commissioners voiced support, with some arguing the ask is too modest.
County Credit Rating Upgrade to AAA
Moody's upgraded Macomb County from AA+ to AAA, the highest possible rating, meaning the county can borrow money more cheaply for big projects like buildings and infrastructure.
Macomb Community Action Expansion ($655,000)
A new $291,447 state funding stream replaces a wound-down program that pays for structural repairs — roofs and the like — so weatherization work can continue in qualifying homes.
Tax foreclosure prevention advertising
The Treasurer's office will spend $156,434 on targeted ads — mostly gas-station TV and online — to warn at-risk homeowners before foreclosure, run through a consolidated no-bid contract.
State health grant re-timing ($364,738)
About $364,738 in state health infrastructure grant funds is being re-timed so it can be spent next year, possibly on a new project. Officials stressed this is not a loss of funding.
IT maintenance agreements — $1.34 million in the first quarter
The committees recommended $504,258 for 458 HP laptops — the last laptop buy of 2026 — plus $308,234 to maintain the prosecutor's case management system and county antivirus. Commissioners pressed IT on the roughly $150,000 in annual overtime for after-hours rollouts and asked for a steadier annual replacement schedule.
Countywide technology refresh
The committees recommended buying 458 new HP laptops for county staff and renewing IT maintenance agreements for the prosecutor's case management system and antivirus protection — over $812,000 in technology spending.
FY2026 Budget Amendment Ordinance
The board adopted Ordinance 2026-08 to formally amend the county's FY2026 budget and appropriations, covering the funding moves approved throughout the meeting.
Clerk's Office technology staffing and remonumentation
The county keeps resetting and verifying the survey monuments that define every property line in Macomb County, using a $103,257 state grant passed through to surveying firms. Commissioners noted it protects property owners from the old '40 acres plus or minus' uncertainty.
Additional Facilities Project Manager
Facilities Operations manages 2.2 million square feet and 16 active capital projects with just one project manager, so a second position was added at $63,850 for the rest of 2026.
Rising IT Hardware Costs and Laptop Purchase
AI-driven global demand for chips and memory pushed laptop prices up more than 30% since March, and the committee rejected the $520K purchase 6-5. Aging COVID-era laptops still need replacing, so expect this fight to return.
County Executive compensation
The board set the County Executive's pay under charter Section 11.7 — its only split vote, 8-5.
Workday System Expansion (Trimmed)
The county is expanding its Workday business software — budgeting, treasurer payment integrations, HR and more — but the committee cut the $879,291 contract to $500,000 by removing the Adaptive Planning piece until after budget season.
Treasurer's Office Renovation and Furnishing
A $734,305 construction contract with Urban's Partition & Remodeling will renovate the Treasurer's Office, funded through the Capital Improvement Fund.
Plante Moran Finance Contract Extension
The county is keeping outside financial help from Plante Moran through June 30, 2026, at up to $130,000. Commissioner Zinner cast the only no vote.
Contracting and procurement rules overhaul
The county's contracting and procurement rules are being rewritten, with penalties for violations — the full board will decide whether to adopt.
County investment portfolio performance
The county's investments topped $1 billion countywide and earned about $42 million in 2025. Rates are falling and the Treasurer is moving roads fund CDs into U.S. Treasuries for safety.
County labor contracts with ADTECH and ROADTECH unions
The committee recommended approval of two union contracts covering administrative/technical staff and Department of Roads technicians through 2028, matching terms already settled with other county bargaining units.