County Commissioner, District 7· 2025-01-01 to 2028-12-31 (per MCL 46.410 subsection 2, text read: 4-year term begins January 1 following the 2024 election; current-term start, first-office day unsourced; end December 31, 2028)
James M. Perna
Macomb County
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 17
- Total speaking time
- 24:14
- Avg per meeting
- 1:26
- Segments
- 642
Want every word Perna has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Perna said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
2027 county budget review process
A $1.25 billion total budget with a $399 million general fund; property tax revenue projected up about 4.25% with a Headlee millage rollback factor of about 2.5%.
Next Generation 911 Implementation
$165,100 not-to-exceed increase, funded from the FY26 Dispatch Cellular Fee Fund.
Veterans Services and Martha T. Berry operations
Additional HVAC funding beyond $4.1 million is needed; cash flow is tightening as state recoupments increase.
Senior Meals Funding and New Kitchen Contractor
The agreement totals $58,500.
Traveling petting zoo animal welfare
Capital Outlay Funding and Process Concerns
Roughly $4 million in requested capital spending was rejected or at issue against a $14.5 million budget.
Juvenile Justice Center facility upgrades
$900,930 from general fund fund balance via the Capital Improvement Fund, pending re-approval.
Macomb Orchard Trail Master Plan
$45,000 grant, including an $8,167.50 general fund transfer.
Traffic Signal and Safety Improvements
County cost is $1,020,200, with MDOT and local communities picking up the rest.
Community Corrections fund deficit
$277,000 over three years from the FY26 Opioid Settlement Fund.
Central Intake & Assessment Center / Jail Construction Change Orders
About $1.7 million in new contracts, all within the existing CIAC project budget.
Rosso Highway Project Grant Agreement
No cost to the county; funded by a state grant.
Data center proposals in northern Macomb townships
Commissioner Howard argued tax breaks for large data companies would divert money from veterans and schools.
Public Transportation Millage and SMART Agreement
$39,032 in additional grant funding from SMART, no county dollars.
New Health & Community Services Building — Phase 1 design
Phase 1 design contract of $384,438, funded by a state enhancement grant.
Federal Crime Victim Compensation Access
Involves federal grant funding for crime victim services and compensation.
Elections costs and state technology mandates
Elections ran a $568,000 loss last year; future state technology costs are unknown.
Delinquent tax foreclosure collections
$156,434 from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund.
CDBG Grants for Local Communities
About $1.59 million in 2024/2026 CDBG program funds across six communities.
Public Transportation Millage on November 2026 Ballot
No tax increase — the rate is a renewal at roughly 0.94 mills, slightly below the current Headlee-reduced rate, with 12.5% of revenue redirected to local communities.
Decisions during term (726)
Recorded while Perna was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Adoption of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Operation Green Light for Veterans Proclamation
PCE Systems Clinical Forms/Referral System Contract ($277,000)
Mission Critical Partners Next Generation 911 Change Order ($165,100)
Resolutions 2026-16193 and 2026-16192 (Public Works)
MDOT Roads Contracts (Items 9.c–9.h)
EPA Brownfield Grant Budget Amendment and CDBG Subrecipient Agreements (Items 9.i–9.o)
Adjournment
Adoption of the October 29, 2026 agenda
Approval of minutes dated October 28, 2026
Receive and file budget reviews, items 6a through 6d (Public Works, Planning & Economic Development, Roads, Parks & Rec)
Adjournment of the October 29, 2026 meeting
Approval of Minutes
Adjournment
Adoption of Agenda
Approval of Minutes (October 27, 2026)
Receive and File Budget Reviews (Items 6a-6e)
Adjournment
Approval of Minutes
Voting record (669)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.