Macomb County Board approves EGLE materials grant, road and trail contracts, and several budget amendments

The Macomb County Board of Commissioners approved a series of grants, contracts and budget amendments during a regularly scheduled meeting, including a state grant to develop a county materials management plan, a MDOT shared-use path contract, and a local paving contract for Powell Road.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of meeting agenda: motion carried 12–0 (mover recorded as Dan Van Sickle; second recorded as Commissioner Center in discussion). The board also approved minutes for July 23, 2025, 12–0.

- Consent and presentations: Commissioners agreed to place items 6A through 6E on the consent/preview list; the motion to bundle the items passed 12–0.

- EGLE materials management planning grant: the board accepted $359,349 from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to develop a materials management plan that replaces the county’s former solid waste plan under recent state legislation. The grant will fund a consultant, community education and other planning activities over a three-year project window; motion passed 12–0.

- MDOT shared-use path rehabilitation (Clinton River Spillway Trail): approved a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for a shared-use path rehabilitation, total project cost $603,454, with 80% federal funds and a 20% local match to be split between local partners; motion passed 12–0.

- Powell Road paving (Proline Asphalt Paving Corporation): approved paving Powell Road from 30½ Mile Road to 32 Mile Road (gravel to asphalt with gravel shoulders), total contract $4,590,538; local cost-sharing noted (60% Washington Township, 40% county road commission); motion passed 12–0.

- Macomb work zone closure and construction updates: informational item received and filed; motion passed 12–0.

- Circuit Court self-help center technology grant: approved a $10,000 grant to install four private cubicles to provide secure Zoom access for self-help center users lacking remote-hearing access; motion to move to full board and amend budget passed 12–0.

- Sheriff’s Office JAG grant: approved an increase to the sheriff department calendar grant (2024 JAG) in the amount of $19,369 to purchase equipment for incident command and public events; motion passed 12–0.

- Juvenile Justice Center communications system contract: committee approved a contract award recommendation and the full board later approved the purchase (see separate article for details); committee vote was 11–0.

- Resolution approving legal services for the prosecuting attorney: the board approved resolution 2025-13907 for legal services; motion passed 12–0.

Why it matters: the EGLE planning grant responds to statewide changes in solid waste policy (Public Act 115 referenced by a commissioner in discussion) and will require the county to develop new recycling and waste-diversion metrics, public education and infrastructure planning. The road and trail contracts fund locally significant transportation and recreation improvements.

Notes on the EGLE materials plan: county staff told commissioners the new materials management plan replaces the prior solid-waste plan and will be judged on metrics for recycling, education and waste-stream reduction rather than solely landfill capacity. The county has three years to complete the work and staff said the $359,349 grant is expected to cover consulting, education and other requirements.

Process and next steps: procurement and planning staff will post required RFPs for consultant selection on the EGLE-funded materials plan and will work with municipal partners on cost-share agreements for local road projects. No ordinance or new local tax was proposed in these actions.

Ending: All recorded votes on the items listed above were unanimous in committee and on the floor where tallies were recorded, and staff will return with consultant procurements, project schedules and any required cost-share agreements for local partners.