Board of Commissioners Recognizes 2012-13 Green Schools

by Don Brown on April 17, 2013

 

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Macomb County Commissioners today recognized 127 schools from across the county for successfully achieving “Official Michigan Green School” status. Awards, banners and badges were given during an awards ceremony the Macomb Intermediate School District in Clinton Township.

 

Commissioners presented representatives from the 2012-13 Macomb County Green Schools with a banner, decals with their designation, and certificates signed by Board Chair David Flynn and their local county commissioner. Nearly all schools participated in the honors ceremony for the academic year program which promotes environmentally responsible projects and education.

 

“The Board is very proud to partner with the MISD on this successful hands-on program,” said Board Chair David Flynn. “Green Schools not only teaches students how to be responsible stewards of the natural resources in their community, but it also has the potential to lower energy costs for the schools involved.”

 

Significant cost savings from going paperless, reducing trash, offering zero-waste lunches, and utilizing energy from solar panel systems have all been reported by past program participants.

 

St. Mary School in Mount Clemens and Jefferson Middle School in St. Clair Shores tied for the honor of “Top Overall School 2012-13,” and were chosen by program facilitators for their outstanding level of participation and enthusiasm with a wide range of projects — from going paperless, park clean-up projects and composting (St. Mary) to creating a community garden and solar ovens (Jefferson Middle School).

 

The “Top Evergreen School” was awarded to Romeo High School, “Top Emerald School” honors were given to Robert G. Lutz School for Work Experience in Clinton Township, and the “Top Green School” honor went to Elmwood Elementary in St. Clair Shores.

 

The Macomb County Green Schools Program first launched in 2008-09; now in its fifth academic year, with participation growing each year. This year, local public and private, K-12 schools submitted applications prior to the March 1, 2013 deadline for certification for the 2012-13 academic year. Applications were reviewed for adherence to program criteria, set forth in P.A. 146 (2006) and the optional additional enhancements which created higher designations of “Emerald” or “Evergreen” for those wishing to participate in more activities. This year, 27 Macomb County schools earned “Green” status, 48 achieved ”Emerald,” and 52 achieved the highest level of “Evergreen” status.

 

The program is funded through grants, and by generous donations from sponsors including Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Smith, IBEW Local 58-NECA, Automation Alley, Waste Management Inc., Anderson Eckstein & Westrick Inc., and Ray Weigand’s Nursery.

To learn more about the Michigan Green Schools program in Macomb County, visit: www.macombcountymi.gov/macomb_gov/GreenSchools.htm .

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Macomb County Business Retention Program nets results

by Don Brown on March 16, 2013

The Macomb County Planning and Economic Development Department’s (MCPED) Home in Macomb Business Retention Program, which was launched last January, has seen substantial success in its objective of helping existing Macomb County companies achieve their goals for growth.

The department now has dedicated staff working exclusively to assist existing Macomb County companies, targeting second-stage manufacturing firms with nine or more employees, more than a million dollars in revenue and a desire to grow. MDPED offers access to a wide range of business development services including incentives and alternative financing, employee recruitment and training programs, market research, site selection assistance when considering expansion opportunities and general business consulting services.

During 2012, department clients invested more than $164 million in new equipment and facilities resulting in the retention of 3,450 jobs and the creation of 1,260 new ones.

Highlights include:

§ AGS Automotive — a Canadian-based supplier that specializes in engineering, metal stamping, plating, painting and bumper system design and assembly — expanded its square footage in Sterling Heights. They expanded their presence in Macomb County by acquiring and renovating a 350,000 square foot facility. The company was able to access local and state incentives along with employee recruitment and training services.

§ Tax incentives available through Michigan’s Tool & Die Recovery Zone enabled Baker Aerospace of Macomb Township to invest more than $10 million in an expansion that will create up to 170 jobs.

§ Fori Automation is a global designer and supplier of the machinery that makes advanced manufacturing possible. Several years ago, it turned its attention to expanding its customer base to include defense, aerospace, agriculture and recreational vehicles. They were able to access employee recruitment, employee training, tax incentive, expedited permitting and utility services. Success in tapping these resources resulted in an expansion of its world headquarters in Shelby Township.

Department business attraction services also helped to bring new businesses to Macomb County that invested nearly a million dollars and created 52 new jobs. To see the full report, visit: http://www.macombcountymi.gov/MCPED/documents.htm

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Northern Macomb County Roads to Benefit from Limestone Application

by Don Brown on January 15, 2013

 

Northern Macomb County Roads to Benefit from Limestone Application

 

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Communities in northern Macomb County will once again have the chance to benefit from the Macomb County Department of Roads 90/10 limestone program, which distributes a six-inch limestone application on approximately 18 miles of gravel roads in 2013.

In 2012, Bruce, Armada, Richmond, Washington, Ray and Lenox townships benefitted from the county’s limestone program, receiving three miles each of limestone applied to selected roads submitted to the county by township officials. According to county officials, the same communities are being offered the opportunity to  participate this year.

Cost for the limestone application will be covered mostly by the county. Townships will pay for 10-percent of the cost of the limestone, or $6,400 per mile.  “I am so pleased that communities in my district can benefit from such a great opportunity at a nominal cost again this year. Limestone is invaluable in maintaining the quality of our gravel roads here in the north end of Macomb County,” said Macomb County Commissioner Don Brown, who represents the residents in the affected communities.

Residents can contact their township offices directly to request that specific roads be considered for this program, or find out when selected roads will be brought to the township board for approval. Limestone application is expected to begin in mid-to-late June.

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For more news from the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, check www.MacombBOC.com or visit us on Facebook or @MacombBoC on Twitter.

 

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Board of Commissioners Win Contracting Law Suit filed by Executive

by Don Brown on October 31, 2012

Michigan Court of Appeals Overturns Circuit Court Ruling;
Rules in Favor of Board of Commissioners
 
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — The Michigan Court of Appeals today ruled in favor of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners in the Board’s attempt to keep the county’s contracting and purchasing activities subject to public scrutiny, as outlined in the Macomb County Charter approved by residents in 2009.  A lawsuit was filed against the Board in early 2012 by the Office of the County Executive challenged the Board’s right to review and approve contracts, as stated in the Charter. In a May 2012 Circuit Court ruling, the court rendered Macomb County the only county government in Michigan without contract approval required from an elected governing body, thus allowing publically funded purchasing and contracting deals to be executed behind closed doors. The Board filed the winning appeal of this decision later that month.
 
“As both a Macomb County taxpayer and Chair of this Board of Commissioners, I am beyond pleased with the Court of Appeals decision,” said Board of Commissioners Chair, Kathy D. Vosburg of Chesterfield. “Through this ruling, the Court sided with the people’s will through the Charter to have contracts and purchases totaling more than $35,000
vetted before a public body.  ”I believe that such transparency is crucial in keeping our county government responsible, accountable, and responsive to the wishes of our constituents.”
 
The Macomb County Charter, approved by voters in 2009, grants the Board of Commissioners legislative duties and oversight of the county budget.  
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For more news from the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, check www.MacombBOC.com
or visit us on Facebook or @MacombBoC on Twitter

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The Romeo Observer General Election Questionnaire

by Don Brown on October 25, 2012

Occupation: Macomb County Commissioner Deputy District Director, Congresswoman Candice Miller

Government / Professional / Political Involvement: Macomb County Commissioner Macomb Orchard Trail Commission Macomb County Republican Party Executive Committee S.E. Michigan Liaison, Michigan Secretary of State Associate Director, Governor John Engler’s S.E. Michigan Office Independent Insurance Agent Washington Township Trustee Harvard University, Certificate, John F. Kennedy School of Government Oakland University, B.A. Political Science

Why should the voters choose you to represent them in this office? I have a record of community service and advancing projects for Northern Macomb such as; Macomb Orchard Trail; Romeo Trailside Park, 26 Mile bridge replacement, paving Jewell Road etc. I advocate for the individual citizen who needs assistance in working with government at any level. I’ll work with our Executive to promote our county and cultivate economic growth. I’ve been active in our community serving in the Washington Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, St. Clement Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and member of North Macomb Sportsman Club and NRA. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Macomb County Farm Bureau and the only candidate to be endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan. I’m available at www.DonBrownforMacomb.com

Your three priorities if chosen for this office?

• Create a climate needed to retain and attract jobs through lower county taxes, working with employers as they diversify, and market our world class work force to attract additional investment.

• We’re laying the foundation for our new form of county government. We must insure checks and balances are in balance to protect the interests of the taxpayers and reduce the size and cost of its operation. I’ll continue to work with the Executive on a purchasing and contracting policy that protects taxpayers by having Commissioners review contracts over a certain dollar amount.

• Expand the limestone applications on gravel roads.

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Board of Commissioners Appeal Circuit Court decision on Contracting

by Don Brown on May 24, 2012

Here my comments regarding the Board of Commissioners need to file an appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals.
  
If the Circuit Court decision stands, it would make Macomb County the only Michigan municipal governing body that will not have the ability to approve contracts.  Accountability and transparency only occur when decisions about how to spend public money are made at public meetings.  Without public review, no one will know even some contracts exist, let alone the terms of those contracts.  Providing a list of checks written by the county does not pass for accountability.  A list of checks doesn’t explain what contracts they are based upon or the terms of those contracts.  It also does not show the process used to approve the contracts.  The Board of Commissioners needs to review “significant” contracts before they are binding. 
 
We are laying the foundation for our new form of county government.  If we tolerate a lack of accountability and transparency from an honest executive, the public we serve will suffer in future years should they elect an executive that won’t operate above board. 

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BoC to Appeal Recent Court Ruling

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — The Board of Commissioners today voted unanimously to file an appeal to overturn Judge John Foster’s recent ruling in the lawsuit filed against the Board by the Office of the County Executive (OCE) in February. The vote was 11-0, with Commissioners Phil DiMaria and Marv Sauger absent from the meeting.

The suit filed by the Executive’s office challenged the Board’s authority to pass policy requesting review of county contracts in excess of $35,000 and all construction contracts above $100,000. As a result of his recent ruling in favor of the plantiff, Foster rendered Macomb County the only county government in Michigan without contract approval required from an elected governing body.

“The purchasing and contracting measures protected taxpayers and the future of Macomb County by bringing contracts and business dealings out from behind closed doors, and into public view.” BoC Chair Kathy D. Vosburg said. “This appeal is necessary to ensure fair and equitable contracting practices in Macomb County.”  “This Board holds legislative powers and intends to provide the checks, balances and oversight authorized by the charter.”

Legal counsel for the Board, Clark Hill, PLC, is expected to file the appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals within one week. 

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For more news from the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, check www.MacombBOC.com or visit us on Facebook or @MacombBOC on Twitter

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Veterans Outreach

by Don Brown on April 15, 2012

Active duty, retired veterans, and their

families are invited to speak with Macomb

County Commissioner Don Brown about

county government and have questions

answered.

Representatives from Macomb County

Veterans Affairs Department will be on hand

to talk about the full range of programs and

benefits available to veterans throughout the

county.

Find out about the new photo ID program

offered through the County Clerk/Register of

Deeds Carmela Sabaugh’s office. This service

is provided at the clerk’s office in Mount

Clemens, but will be made available at the

outreach venues. Veterans must bring a photo

ID and discharge papers. IDs are $10 and by

appointment only at this event. Please call

(586) 469-7935 for an appointment.

 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

James Coleman VFW Post No. 6802

34339 32 Mile Rd., Richmond

 

 

 

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Commissioner Don Brown comments on Lawsuit filed by the County Executive

by Don Brown on March 7, 2012

                                                                                 
Macomb County Commissioner Don Brown (R), Washington Township offered the following statement regarding the County Executive’s decision to sue the Board of Commissioners over the contracting ordinance and policy.

 

“I have played an active role in trying to reach an agreement on language that would satisfy both sides in the debate over the contracting authority in hope of avoiding the need to go to court. While we have made much progress in bringing the two sides closer together, in the end there is a fundamental disagreement in the interpretation of the new county charter. It is our view that the question comes down to checks and balances. Neither the ordinance nor the policy allow the Commission to negotiate contracts, change contracts, sign contracts, implement contracts or oversee contracts. Instead, the policy the Board of Commissioners unanimously passed, is a way of employing its authority to approve contracts as a check and balance. It is a way to ensure a Macomb County executive could not do what executives in other counties are alleged to have done. For example, there are media reports that an executive in another county approved employment contracts with huge severance provisions. In the Commission’s view, the Charter intended to preclude those kinds of actions. The policy is not related to Mr. Hackel or to any past or current situations. Instead, the Commission seeks only to ensure the Charter’s checks and balances are used to protect Macomb County’s citizens and taxpayers. “

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S&P: County ‘AAA’ bond rating anticipated good for next 2 years.

by Don Brown on February 28, 2012

S&P: County ‘AAA’ bond rating anticipated good for next
two years
Standard & Poors has so much confidence in how Macomb County handles its budget, the company not only issued another ‘AAA’ bond rating for 2012, but it does not foresee changing that rating for the next two years.
 
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said it is an exception for Standard & Poors to anticipate extending a ‘AAA’ rating beyond the one-year mark. Hackel considers the additional designation to be a ‘AAA+’ rating for Macomb County.
 
“Although AAA+ ratings may not exist, granting Macomb County a ‘AAA’ rating for 2012 and 2013 is the bonus the public expected from this new form of county government,” he said. “Our finance team has done an exceptional job working with the various department heads, countywide elected officials, and employees to keep our fiscal house in order during these difficult economic times. I am so proud of work that is being done.”
 
Pete Provenzano, finance director for the county, agreed, adding, “the ‘AAA’ rating is the highest possible rating available, but when the agency does not anticipate changing that designation for two years, it is better than a ‘AAA.’  It feels more like a ‘AAA+’”.
 
According to the annual Standard and Poors report, which was released on February 22, 2012, the company has no plans to change Macomb County’s ‘AAA’ bond rating within the outlook’s two-year period “given the various measures management has taken to address budget challenges while maintaining what we consider very strong reserves.”
 
Standard and Poors also applauded the liquidity and health of the county’s tax revolving fund. This is a program that was created and is administered by Macomb County Treasurer Ted Wahby.
 
The decision to give Macomb County a ‘AAA’ rating was based on several factors including the county possessing good management practices and it maintaining a healthy workforce despite economic challenges.
 
Also noted in the report was that in 2011, the county was able to turn a $13 million budget gap into a projected $3 million surplus by making certain adjustments. It is expected that in 2012, an originally anticipated $23 million budget deficit will be entirely prevented by restructuring operations. 
 
According to Meredith Shanle, the county’s financial bond advisor, obtaining the AAA financial rating translates to taxpayers paying less interest to finance county bonds on construction projects.  
 
The ratings update was necessary as the County is scheduled to refinance Building Authority bonds that were originally issued in 2004. The anticipated savings is expected to exceed $400,000 due to a lower interest rate environment. Don Brown, chairman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioner’s Finance Committee, complimented the executive team on the refinancing of the bonds, as it is another step toward saving taxpayer dollars.
 
Macomb County is one of only three counties in Michigan and of 67 nationwide to have the ‘AAA’ rating. The other two counties in Michigan to receive the designation are Kent and Oakland. The United States was downgraded from the ‘AAA’ designation to ‘AA+’ in 2011.
 

 

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Special Public Forums on Roads in Northern Macomb County

by Don Brown on February 25, 2012

Macomb County Commissioner Don Brown invites the public to two Informational forums with the Macomb County Department of Roads  to report on this year’s construction program, road funding, and issues related to roads in northern Macomb County.   Staff from the Department of Roads will be on hand to answer questions from the public and hear any concerns specific to the area.  Questions on the events should be directed to Commissioner Don Brown at (586)469-5125

When:   Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:00 pm to 8 pm

Where: Washington Twp Hall, 57900 Van Dyke, Washington

and

When: Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 7:00 pm to 8 pm

Where: Knights of Columbus Creek Center, 72025 North Avenue, Armada

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