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.
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.
Public Comment Scope Question
Commissioner Romano asked whether public participation could be limited to county-related topics; the chair said the Open Meetings Act governs it but promised to take the question under advisement.
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.
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.
HR 1 work requirements threaten mental health revenue
New federal work requirements for Healthy Michigan enrollees could cut CMH revenue by 10% as people lose coverage over paperwork. CMH is hiring a benefits specialist to help clients stay enrolled.
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.
Health & Community Services Budget Review
The health department, Macomb Community Action, and MSU Extension budgets were presented by their directors. These programs cover public health, food and utility assistance, and extension education for residents.
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.
2026 Countywide Millage Rates and Apportionment
The board approved the report that sets how property taxes get spread across all of Macomb County's taxing jurisdictions. Staff flagged an under-levy error at Fitzgerald Public Schools affecting about 5,000 Warren properties, plus two November ballot millage proposals that could force a December revision.
Student loan relief program (Savvy) pitched for county employees
Commissioners Wallace and Howard urged HR to look at the Savvy student loan assistance program, which neighboring Wayne and Oakland counties use as a recruiting and retention tool.
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.
Surge in ADA accommodation requests strains county HR
ADA accommodation requests jumped from 4 in 2023 to 94 so far this year, and HR says it needs a dedicated HR consultant to keep up, meet legal obligations, and limit county liability. The committee took no vote — this request will resurface during budget deliberations.
2027 County Budget Review Process
The County Executive proposed a $1.25 billion budget with a $399 million general fund and a $3 million surplus. It includes 3% raises for county workers and $21.6 million for capital projects — but the county faces $361 million in capital needs over five years, so a long-term funding plan is coming.
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.
Restoring the county employee training fund
HR is again asking to recreate the county's training fund (~$150,000) for leadership training and resiliency classes that were cut two years ago; commissioners showed interest but some questioned the jump from prior spending of ~$80,000.
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.
Outside assessment of county IT spending and staffing
IT is asking for three new positions — a cybersecurity manager, a compliance officer, and a purchasing assistant — saying one security administrator can no longer handle the county's growing cyber and compliance workload, and software maintenance costs are climbing about $1.5 million.
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.