Meeting Notes 9-8-20
Notes from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting, September 8.
Meeting Packet: https://www.miottawa.org/appImages/Calendar/1599234476171-packet.PDF
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2lISmR5oQ0&t=2522s
Sentinel Wrap Up: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20200909/ottawa-county-2021-budget-92m-larger-than-2020
OC Public Health Update: Currently, Ottawa County is experiencing an elevated number of cases, as shown above. However, this increase is being driven by frequent targeted testing occurring at local higher educatrion institutions, namely GVSU and Hope College. However, positivity number are holding steady, and is currently at only 1.8%.
As reported in the Holland Sentinel, according to Hope College's weekly update posted Monday, Sept. 7, the college reported six positive cases among 450 tests conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 — a positivity rate of 1.33 percent. In the three weeks since Hope began its surveillance and symptomatic testing, the college has reported 10 cases, with zero the first week, four the second week and six last week. From July 29 to Sept. 6, Hope has conducted 4,974 tests with 48 positives, 38 of which came in pre-arrival screening, for a positivity rate of 0.97 percent.
OC Legislative Update: Currently, the State legislature is focused on the Budget process and working to pass a Budget by October 1, the deadline for passage. Following up passage of the Budget, and pending election outcomes, lame duck will not likely be an overly active period. There is lots of catchup on basic legislative matters.
Michigan is currently seeing healthy revenue estimating numbers, with tax revenues holding fairly steady. Because of the estimated reduction in budget deficit, there may be increased partisanship around the Budget and general legislation.
2021 Budget Presentation: Karen Karasinski presented the Board with an overview of the 2021 Budget. Summary points are as above. (You can catch the presentation at minute 26:00 in the Meeting Video posted above. Preparing the 2021 Budget during a pandemic was not the easiest, but alot of employees worked hard to work remotely to help get the Board the proposed Budget. The basic assumptions were 1) a 3.5% increase in Taxable Value, 2.) 1.8% increase in State Revenue Sharing ($90,000) 3.) and Local Communiny Stabilization Fund increase ($200,000). The 2021 Budget proposes a 3.9 mil levy, the same as current year. The budget assumes a 2.1% cost of living adjustment in January and a health insurance increase of 3%. More infor here.
