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County staff flag state bill to fund statewide aerial imagery, funded by $4 recording fee
Summary
Midland County staff described a proposed state bill to fund statewide aerial imagery paid by an automatic $4 increase to recording fees; staff said the measure could help 911, emergency response and local mapping but may draw opposition from registers of deeds over additional workload.
Bridget reported that equalization directors and GIS staff around Michigan are pushing legislation that would have the state pay for updated aerial imagery, which could be valuable for 911, law enforcement and emergency response.
"It would be paid for by the state of Michigan after, if this legislation were approved," Bridget said, adding that the senator backing the idea — identified in the discussion as Senator Singh — was optimistic the measure would draw bipartisan support if it cleared the Senate.
Bridget and other county staff described several local benefits. They said statewide imagery would reduce costs for counties that fly their own photography every five years and would provide improved data for damage assessment after flooding, dam failures and other emergencies. Bridget noted local units could still purchase higher‑resolution imagery for specific areas if desired.
County staff also described a likely point of opposition: the bill proposes an automatic $4 increase on the recording fee collected by registers of deeds. "There could be some opposition to this legislation by the register of deeds," Bridget said, explaining registers’ concern that the change could add work and that current recording‑fee software would need configuration changes.
No bill number or legislative text was cited during the executive committee meeting; staff said conversations were ongoing and that Senator Singh "was pretty optimistic" about the measure’s prospects. County commissioners did not take a formal position during the meeting; staff asked the board to keep the proposal on its radar as it moves through the Legislature.
Next steps: staff reported outreach to the senator’s office and to county GIS partners; if the legislation advances it would require action in the Senate and then the House before funds were appropriated. The meeting did not record a formal referral or vote on the proposal.
