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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$49.5M roads budget amendment and 2026 construction program
A $1.77 million MDOT project will finally add a mast-arm traffic signal and turn lanes at the chronically dangerous 26 Mile and Hayes intersection, where the road's odd skew has caused repeated crashes. The county's share is about $1.02 million, with state safety funds and local communities covering the rest.
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.
Sheriff's Department Pension Reopening Costs
The sheriff department's return to the old defined benefit pension is costing the county an extra $1.04 million this year, plus part of a $2.5 million salary amendment. Officials explained the pension is now constitutionally guaranteed and the county must pay the actuary-determined rate annually.
Public Works Building water intrusion and repairs
The Public Works Building has leaked since it was built, with water now reaching the main electrical switchgear and original boilers failing. A $185,000 design contract will address waterproofing, boiler replacement, and new air conditioning, with construction likely waiting until spring.
County Capital Needs Funding Gap
The county has $361 million in capital needs over five years but only about $21 million in the FY2027 budget for capital improvements. Finance Director John Scanlon suggested it's time to build a dedicated long-term capital funding plan tied to recurring revenues.
Salt Barn Project Management Contract Postponed
Terrible soil at the Shelby Township salt barn site means nearly 80% more concrete than planned, adding $261,537. Even with the change order, the project stays under its $2.5 million budget.
Capital Outlay Funding and Process Concerns
Commissioners are fighting over a $14.5 million capital budget that's already been spent, while critical building repairs keep arriving. Three big projects were rejected and will likely resurface in the next budget cycle.
FY2027 Executive Recommended Budget
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.
County audit material weaknesses and timeliness
The county's finances look strong — pension over 100% funded, $127 million unrestricted fund balance, AAA bond rating intact — and the long-delayed single audits are finally caught up.
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.
Senior meals funding shift
Senior Services is moving about $204,000 out of group dining and into home-delivered meals, where demand is higher. Both changes were recommended unanimously.
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.
Veterans' Millage on November Ballot
A proclamation recognizes Nov. 4-11 as Operation Green Light for Veterans, with green lights at county buildings and homes to show support and connect veterans with resources.
Vacant Bertrand Drive Land Sale
The county is selling a thin vacant strip on Bertrand Drive to Lombardo Homes' entity for $50,000, with money going to the General Fund.
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.
St. Clair Shores Small Tax Bill Consolidation
A housekeeping resolution lets St. Clair Shores merge tiny winter tax bills (under $100) into summer bills for about 14,000 parcels, saving paper and postage.
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.