Board moves to revive PACE program, designates Lean & Green Michigan as administrator

Commissioners returned to a previously considered Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program and voted to amend a 2019 resolution to reestablish the program and adopt a new program report naming Lean & Green Michigan as the PACE administrator and the county administrator as the authorized official.

Supporters said PACE provides a financing option for commercial and nonprofit property owners to pay for energy efficiency, renewable energy, or resilience upgrades through a voluntary assessment attached to the property, and that projects are limited to commercial/industrial use under Michigan law (residential properties were excluded from PACE in Michigan). A county‑appointed administrator would not use county general funds; the administrator handles program marketing, application intake, and transaction facilitation and is paid through closing fees on successful projects.

Opponents raised concerns that PACE liens are placed on property tax rolls and, in the event of default, could complicate lien priority and tax collection. Commissioners also expressed concern about potential impacts on lenders and the county's indirect exposure to foreclosure processes on tax rolls. Supporters responded that in Michigan the statute provides protections — including the mortgage holder's consent option — and the program administrator's experience shows limited county exposure in the state: administrators reported no projects that had eventually resulted in county ownership of property.

The board voted to amend the 08/20/2019 resolution, adopt the Lean & Green Michigan PACE program report, and designate Lean & Green Michigan as administrator and the county administrator as the PACE authorized official. The motion carried on roll call.