Macomb County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Macomb County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Community Food Bank grant funding
An $84,549 increase to the federal TEFAP program would boost emergency food distribution through Macomb Community Action — more food for pantries and families in need.
Senior Meals Funding and New Kitchen Contractor
A $58,500 agreement with the St. Clair Shores Activity Center would fund congregate meals — group dining for seniors. It keeps a meal program running for older residents in the lakeshore area.
Water Affordability Assistance
A $221,562 budget amendment would bring state MDHHS water affordability grant money into Macomb Community Action, helping low-income households pay water bills.
Schoenherr Road Reconstruction
A $15.4 million MDOT contract will rebuild Schoenherr Road between 23 Mile and 25 Mile Roads, with the county covering about $2.9 million. The full Board still needs to give final approval.
8½ Mile Relief Drain Bonds
The county will pledge its full faith and credit to drainage district bonds backing a new $40 million pump station near Nine Mile and Jefferson in St. Clair Shores, which should cut flood risk and sewer overflows. Officials say there's no added annual cost to the districts.
EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant
The county landed a $500,000 no-match EPA grant to assess contaminated sites countywide over the next three to four years, paving the way for redevelopment.
Rosso Highway Project Grant Agreement
A $38.2 million state grant agreement and $27.8 million construction contract will reroute Rosso Highway near Selfridge, at no county cost.
County roads: Romeo Plank reconstruction and Neighborhood Roads Fund
Roads officials previewed the long-awaited Romeo Plank reconstruction starting in late 2027, a big 2027 slate of resurfacing projects, and reliance on the new state Neighborhood Roads Fund — which may bring in less than the $30 million forecast. The department wants 11 new hires to tackle 33 vacancies and improve snow plowing.
Public Works budget and sewer infrastructure
Public Works reported sewer overflows cut 75% at Chapaton, a record year of drain cleanouts in every community, and $184 million in grant funding raised. The department is asking for a $127,100 budget amendment and wants Oakland County to pay more toward Red Run repairs.
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.
Sheriff's Road Patrol Staffing Increase
The Sheriff is 19 deputies short with 13 recruits graduating in December, plus six corrections and three dispatcher vacancies. The crime suppression unit (one sergeant, two deputies) made it into the general fund budget after four years of requests, but a Macomb Auto Theft Squad lieutenant position did not.
Opioid settlement funds to add mental health therapists
Opioid settlement money will pay for two more MCCMH therapists at the intake center — part of a push to connect people in the justice system with treatment.
Courtroom space shortage
Chief Judge Biernat says the courts are out of room — one judge is sharing a conference room with another judge, and pending legislation could add three new circuit judges the county has no space for. A space needs assessment backs him up.
Missing sheriff's deputy at prosecutor's child support unit
The prosecutor's third-floor cooperative reimbursement unit — open to the public, with DNA testing that brings in children — hasn't had an armed deputy since COVID. There was a fight there this year. The office wants the position restored, with 66% grant-funded.
Juvenile Justice Center facility upgrades
A $900,930 video surveillance system for the Juvenile Justice Center was postponed to September while the board sorts out its capital funding process.
Obsolete courtroom recording equipment
The courts' 15-year-old electronic recording system is failing mid-trial — one judge had to move her trial to another courtroom. A vendor was chosen in August 2026, but the pilot was shelved over funding; the judge says a clean trial record is legally essential.
Federal Crime Victim Compensation Access
A Kent County resident told the committee that crime victims and survivors struggle to access federal compensation funds, and urged the county to find middle ground between fraud concerns and victims' needs amid a dispute over the county executive's signing of a federal grant certificate.
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.
Traffic Signal and Safety Improvements
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.
Firearm safe storage and youth gun violence
Another child was shot with an unsecured gun the same day as the meeting. Commissioner Howard urged residents to pick up free gun locks from any police department — no questions asked — or call him directly for one.
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.
Data center proposals in northern Macomb townships
Commissioner Wallace reported the state Attorney General offered a town hall on data centers and continues work on lake pollution cases affecting county waterways.
Central Intake & Assessment Center / Jail Construction Change Orders
The committees recommended nearly $1.7 million in contracts to furnish and equip the new Central Intake & Assessment Center, plus a security systems change order. The project remains on budget.
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.
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.
Resident complaint about county domestic violence resources
A domestic violence survivor told the committee that county-funded Care House and Turning Point services failed her family, said she was denied interpreter services, and asked the board to revisit her August 2026 claim.
Public Defender's Office Indigent Defense Funding
The county Public Defender's Office will keep managing attorney appointments and invoices in Shelby Township District Court for another year under an extended interlocal agreement.
Veterans Services and Martha T. Berry operations
The county nursing home reports strong census and four-star quality ratings, but leadership warned of tighter cash flow, aging building systems (elevators, HVAC), and demographic pressures from an aging population — and asked the board to start planning for the facility's long-term future.
$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.
26 Mile & Hayes Road Intersection Safety Improvement
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
New Health & Community Services Building design
Clark Construction was recommended for pre-construction management on the new Health & Community Services building, but Commissioner Haugh wants a full project funding plan before any more money is committed. Design work starts now, with cost estimates due back around March.
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.
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.
21 Mile Road bridge replacement
The county is chipping in about $1.46 million toward a $6.125 million MDOT project to replace the 21 Mile Road bridge. Construction should start in November and run through the winter, wrapping up around June.
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.
New Health and Community Services Facility (Verkuilen)
The county picked Integrated Design Solutions to design the new Health & Community Services building, with 19 firms showing interest. Full project budget expected around early 2027.
Aging county building systems
The Juvenile Justice Center's 23-year-old surveillance system, 2002-era chillers and boilers, and 1990s warehouse HVAC units all need replacement — but the money questions killed two of the three requests.
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.
Macomb County Jail security electronics replacement
An electrical survey found a wiring fault causing problems throughout the jail tower. A $162,300 fix by Motor City Electric is on the way ahead of the CIAC project.
Countywide Avigilon card-access system expansion
The committees recommended $1.33 million in spending to finish replacing outdated security systems: badge access for the Sheriff's Office and cameras at the Juvenile Justice Center, where about 20 cameras — including entrances — are down on a 22-year-old system. Staff say the camera failures are a real safety concern at a 24-hour facility.
Clinton Township Road Rehabilitation (Little Mack, Carlier, South Nunneley)
Cost-share deals fund the 25 Mile Road bridge rehab in Shelby Township and Little Mack/Carlier/Nunneley rehab in Clinton Township, with construction starting this fall.
Public Transportation Millage on November 2026 Ballot
The county is moving toward putting a transit millage renewal on the November 3 ballot at about 0.94 mills — slightly less than the current levy, so no tax increase. The new structure dedicates 12.5% of each community's millage revenue back to that community for local transit needs, with a master service agreement and annual renewal provisions. SMART reports ridership up 30% this quarter and on-time performance improving.
DTE Electric Rate Increases — County Intervention
The county will formally intervene in Public Service Commission proceedings over proposed DTE Electric rate increases.
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.
Rosso Highway Rerouting Project
A $38.2 million grant agreement with the state will reroute Rosso Highway near Selfridge, including a new roundabout at Towne Center Boulevard and drain relocations — all state-funded with no county cost. Construction runs through late 2027 with detours around 21 Mile Road.