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Calhoun County commissioners urge end to COVID-19 business restrictions, request stimulus support
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a resolution asking state and federal officials to allow expiration of COVID-19 restrictions and to provide stimulus funding for affected businesses and employees; the measure passed 5-1 with one commissioner excused.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted 5-1 on Dec. 17 to approve a resolution asking the State of Michigan and Congress to lift pandemic-related business restrictions as soon as practicable and to provide financial stimulus to help affected businesses and their employees recover.
Comr. Steve Frisbie read the 'Resolution Supporting Calhoun County Businesses' into the record, saying it was intended to highlight the economic harm caused by state public-health orders. The resolution states in part, "WHEREAS, COVID-19 restrictions on certain businesses have caused severe financial distress and other hardships to the businesses, their employees and to our local economy."
The resolution identifies orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as having required temporary closures of venues and indoor dining and asks the state and federal government "to allow for the expiration of COVID-19 restrictions on the safe operations of businesses as soon as possible, and to appropriate sufficient stimulus dollars to support affected businesses and individuals in their efforts to get back to full operations."
Comr. Rochelle Hatcher voiced concern about whether the measure addressed employees as well as businesses; Frisbie replied the resolution referred to businesses affected by emergency health orders and recognized impacts to employees. The motion to adopt the resolution (Res.216-2020) passed by roll call, Yes — 5; No — 1 (Hatcher); Excused — 1 (Vette).
The resolution asks county leaders to encourage state and federal legislators and administrative agencies to pursue relief measures; it does not itself appropriate county funds or change county health policy. The Board did not adopt specific county-level spending or new local regulations as part of the resolution.
The meeting record shows a public comment from local business owner Joel Fulton later in the session supporting the resolution and describing economic hardship caused by the state orders. The Board's next scheduled organizational meeting is Jan. 7, 2021.
