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Benzie County hears updates on broadband, materials management and community services
Summary
County departments and partners presented updates on broadband planning, a Materials Management Plan, conservation and senior services; Rep. Betsy Coffia gave a legislative update on housing, public safety and other bills under consideration in Lansing.
On Dec. 12 the Benzie County Board of Commissioners received a series of reports and presentations from county staff, regional partners and a state legislator.
John Throop of the Benzie Conservation District presented the district's 2022–23 annual report and provided a handout to commissioners. Doug Durand delivered the Benzie Senior Resources 2023 annual report and answered questions about services. The Building Department submitted its quarterly report for July through September 2023 on code and safety enforcement.
Emergency Management Director Rebecca Hubers recognized Citizens Emergency Response Team volunteers Dave and Deb Hanchett for sustained service; staff said David recently stepped down as coordinator and Deb is trained in search-and-rescue management. Tim Maylone of Cherry Capital Connection LLC updated the board on the Internet for All project for Benzie County and distributed materials about coverage and next steps.
Representatives from Networks Northwest—Rob Kurts, Matt Cooke and Jesse Zylstra—briefed the board on the county's Materials Management Plan (MMP) responsibilities and program components and answered implementation questions. At 9:50 a.m., 103rd District State Representative Betsy Coffia summarized work underway in Lansing, citing items such as septic regulation, repeal of the retirement tax, earned income tax credit, allowing Brownfield funds to be used for housing, 'missing middle' housing bills, short-term rental regulation, speed-limit and public safety proposals, eligibility for sheriff candidates, guardianship and conservatorship reform, and access to mental-health programs.
Public comment at 9:06 included holiday remarks from Homestead Township resident Karen Mallon, who thanked county staff, and later a noon public comment from Register of Deeds Paula Eberhart requesting interior remodeling to provide public research space and reporting a past roof leak in the records vault. Village of Beulah representative Annie Browning thanked presenters and said her village is advancing a stormwater settling pond project.
These presentations provided the board with program updates and informed the subsequent budget and contract decisions made during the meeting.
