2024 Master Plan Addendum

Hold for text once layout is finalized

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 Section L r Goals & Obiectives

Refining Opportunities into Actionable First Steps

The current 2077 Benzie County Master Plan has over 100 "opportunities" listed throughout the document.
These are broad-based ideas pertaining to the different chapter categories (housing, for example) and are divided
between opportunities for the County and others for the Local Governments. While these listed opportunities are
useful in identifying a range of potential projects, the Benzie County Board of Commissioners (BOC)found a need
for more actionable and focused objectives to accomplish in the next 5-10 years.

For this reason, during the 2024 plan update, the BOC worked with Networks Northwest over a four meeting
period to prioritize projects, identify stakeholders and provide timelines for achievement. This will allow the Board
to focus their efforts on implementation and capacity building in the near term. The tables on the next two pages
are organized by column to make each goal and objective more actionable. The first column contains a goal from
the current 2017 plan. The second column lists stakeholder groups locally, regionally and statewide that would be
helpful or necessary in accomplishing the goal. The third column gives a timeline for goal initiation and completion
Finally, the fourth column gives a first step that the BOC will need to take in order to begin working towards
implementation. This table should updated each year as first steps are accomplished and new objectives are
identified.

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Goa! Partners Timeline First Step
Offer incentives for participating Habitat for Humanity, 2024 start, ongoing thereafter Many of these entities already meet,
in pa rtnerships with housing Homestretch, Frankfort Area with facilitation from Housing North.
stakeholders and developers thought Community Land Trust, Housing The Benzie BOC recognizes a need to
the County Land Bank Authority or Nort h formalize this group, its meetings and
Brownfi eld Redevelopment Authority. processes.

Coordinate with local units of Local units of government, 2025, ongoing thereafter Benzie County will continue to
government and relevant stakeholders Benzie County Road Commission, lead a formalized collaboration for
to identify options for enhancing DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, broadband expansion. The Cou nty
or expanding infrastructure such Cherryland Electric Co-Op will help local units to develop sewer
as sewer, natural gas, water and and water expansions by acting as
broadba nd. a resource in letters of support,
advocacy and information requests.
The County will lead efforts to expand
natural gas.
Su pport waterway trail systems DNR, Benzie Conservation By 2034 Convene stakeholders to identify a
through infrastructure and District, Platte River Watershed need for a coordinated water trail
programming developments. Council, Betsie River Watershed system on the Betsie River. Work with
Cou ncil, Crystal Lake Watershed a consultant to develop a water trail
Cou ncil, FLOW LIAA, CISMA plan that includes themed signage,
site improvements, gaps in trail
access, a water trail committee and
funding opportunities.
Act as a resource for trail development Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail, Ongoing When needed, act as a fiduciary
and maintena nce. DNR, National Park Service, for grant proposals. lf a Recreation
Benzie-Manistee Snowbirds Director is hired at the County, have
this person regu larly communicate
with each stakeholder group to
identify collaboration opportunities.
Support education and training as a Local units of government By 2028, ongoing thereafter Survey local unit boards and councils
best practice for good governance on gaps in expertise (e.g. zoning
throughout the county. administration, FOIA, economic
development, meeting procedures).

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 Goal Partners Timeline First Step
Promote best practices for DNR, Benzie Conservation Ongoing Provide letters of support to partnering
improving and maintaining high District, Platte River Watershed agencies related to initiatives that
water quality. Council, Betsie River Watershed promote watershed best Practices,
Council, Crystal Lake Watershed land protection on critical sites, low-
Council, FLOW CISMA, Health impact development and infrastructure
Department improvements.

lncrease use of Benzie's recreation Local units of governent, Friends 2025, ongoing thereafter Hire a Recreation Director to
and cultural sites through of the Betsie Valley Trail, DNR, coordinate sta keholders and implement
coordinated efforts (see Section 3 Nationa I Park Service, Benzie- some or all of the promotion
of this addendum) Manistee Snowbirds methods described in Section 3 of this
addendum. The first initiative should
be the development of an interactive
portal containing site location and an
inventory of features.

Develop an updated analysis of land Local units of government, By 2030 Hire a consultant to analyze aerial
use changes since 2000. This can Grand Traverse Regional Land imagery of development patterns since
help local units to plan their future Conservancy, Consultant 2000. Also, analyze existing assessed
land use based on trends at the land uses across the countY for
county level. compatible and incompatible land use
patterns.

ldentify programs and services in Local units of government 2025, ongoing thereafter Survey local units on gaPs in thelr
Benzie County that could be shared programs and services, including but
between municipalities in order to not limited to: emergency services,
reduce redundancies and increase policing, youth programming,
cost savings. infrastructure maintenance and
recreation.

Consider options for shared zoning Local units of government By 203s Survey local units on their ability to
administration and permitting administer their zoning. Educate local
services for local .iurisdictions. leadership on colla borative permitting
models: Joint Pla nning Commissions
(Wexford), Single-CountY Zoning
Ordinance (Emmet), Contracted
Permitting Services (Manistee)

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 Section 2 - State & Federal Funding

Ensuring Resilience in Benzie County

Local units of government in.reasingly have to rely on state and federal funding to succeed in project implementaton. There are various
reasons for this phenomenon, though the fact remains: communities who are able to access grant dollars are better offthan those who cannot.

From 1960 to 2022, federal funding for community and regional development expanded from $0.1 billion to S43.2 billion. tn 2015, this
allocation was at S14.4 billion. Between 2000 to 2022, transportation funding from federal to state and local governments increased from
S32.2 billion to S93.9 billion lAnolyticol Pegpectives, Budget ol the US Government, FY2O24l.There is ample funding for parks and recreation,
transportation, infrastructure, community engagement, planning and economic development.

This section ofthe 2024 Benzie County Master Plan addendum describes three key components. First, the Benzie County Board of
Commissioners priorifized vision-based initiatives to betterthe community over the next 5-20 years. These initiatives were divided into short
versus lonS-term, as weil as low versus high-impact. second, the Board discussed the success of the survey issued to garner public preferences
regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)funds that became available in the wake ofthe 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this
section highliShts that survey and reiterates the importance of community engagement in the decision making process, especially regarding
which funds to seek and where to spend them. Finally, this chapter lists other state and federdl funds the County may seek in the coming years
to accomplish many ofthe goals listed in Section 1of this 2024 Addendum.

Ensuring Resilience in Benzie County

There were many lessons learned in the wake ofthe COVID-19 pandemic. Local communities were able to stress test the various factors
.ontributing to their quality of life. Local officials were able to see what economic contributors remained strong during disruption, and which
ones needed more planning and preparation. ln response to the pandemic, the federal government initiated the S1,9 trillion American Rescue
Plan A€t (ARPA). This included 5350 billion in funding to governments across the U.S. This specific funding allocation was 53,450,837.00 to
Benzie County. A few years removed from the peak ofthe pandemic, Benzie County officials found that addifonal planning would be helpful
in case more federalfunding were to become available during an unforeseen event such as COVID-19. Therefore, envisioned initiatives found
in this section are categorized into Community lmprovement actions and community Resilience actions. The difference between the two is
discussed further in this section.

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 Planning for Future Funding
Many communities across Michigan, for obvious reasons, Community Resilience
were not expecting the COVID-19 pandemic nor the federal
These are projects or programs that would help Benzie County to
funding assistance that came along with it. Because of this,
overcome unforeseen changes in the local economy, environment or
communities had to work quickly to decide how ARPA funds
day-to-day operations of local government and businesses. While the
shou ld be spent locally.
COVID-19 pandemic was a rare occurrence, it spurred a need to more
At the first meeting set aside for this Master Plan udpate, the diligently plan for the future.
Benzie County Board of Commissioners, with facilitation from
Community lmprovement
Networks Northwest, discussed the prospect of future funding
allocations. Specifically, the commissioners were asked to list These are projects or programs that address current needs in the county.
as many broad-based local initiatives as possible that would These may include infrastructure improvements, increased economic
promote Community Resilience and Community lmprovement opportunities and solutions to gaps in the social well-being of the
(see right for definitions). community.
The various initiatives brainstormed by the Board of Ease of lmplementation
Commissioners is broken into four additional categories. The
purpose of doing so is to help the Board to prioritize projects if During the facllitation, commissioners were asked to separate their
and when funding were to become available. These categories proposed projects into those that are "easier to implement" and those
are Easier to lmplement, More Difficult to lmplement, Small that are "more difficult to implement". A clear definition was not
lmpact and Large lmpact. The County would do well to provided. This category is based on the commissioners' perception of
implement projects that are Easier to lmplement and have a how challenging certain deliverables would be to implement.
Large lmpact on the county.
Degree of lmpact
The easy to implement, large impact quadrant's initiatives
Similar to ease of implementation, the degree of impact categorization
focused primarily on emergency communications and response
are based on commissioners'subjective viewpoints. The facilitator asked
times, health care, education, youth programming, housing,
the commissioners to decide whether each project or program would
environmental protections and senior services. These are the
have a small or large impact on the social, economic or environmental
first broadly defined initiatives the County will direct funding well-being of the county.
if something similar to ARPA were to become available in the
futue. These are also areas the County may address in the near
term, as many overlap with the goals and objectives listed in
the previous section of this addendum.

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 Small lmpact Large lmpact
Community Resilience
Monitor and eradicate environmental concerns (e.g. invasive species)
Community Resilience lmprove emergency response times
Create programs, policies and infrastructure that improves water quality Make public safety improvements
lmprove road quality Build broadband connections and digital equity to more areas in the County
Ensure that education is not interrupted by hazards (e.9. pandemic) lmprove communication and transparenc.y between public officials and the public
o) Provide access to nutritional meals community-wide lncrease access to health care
E Ensure that hazard responsiveness is well-prepared
OJ
E Expand communication networks, especially for use during emergencies
Provide quality educational opportunities for all ages
-E Community lmprovement
o
P lncrease the presence of youth services
L Community lmprovement
Continuing education for adults
.c) N4aintain the structural integrity of bridges
Be responsive to local economics to ensure stability
(u Protect natural resources
t! Provide/support affordable housing development
lnvest in educational opportunities for all ages
Generate a comprehensive inventory and provide easy access to public lands and water bodies
Support year-round youth activity opportunities
Continue to support programs for senior citizens

Community Resilience
Create a support mechanism for small businesses and the agricultural industry
Community Resilience lncrease presence of mental health services
Create revolving loan funds to support local businesses Develop regionalwater, sewer and natural gas hookups
Manage and plan resources for a hazard response (food, shelter, etc.) lncrease housing stock
Provide revolving loan funds to local businesses lmprove access to medical care
o.) Keep businesses open to the extent possible during prolonged lncrease the presence of reliable childcare
E emergencies lncrease the amount of affordable housing
o Designate a space for emergency shelter during an emergency Ensure that first responder staffing and equipment is adequate for potential emergencies
o-
Ensure that the community has backup communications systems during
Community lmprovement
E an emergency
Establish a collaborative body in the community to coordinate resources
o
P lncrease the number of EMS/Fire/Public safety officials
! Make improvements to the County's parks and recreation spaces
(J Community lmprovement Provide childcare for youth age 0-6
Provide a business incubator space Market the County's assets to increase year-round tourism
'J- lnventory and communicate the full list of senior services lmprove community walkability and connectivity
i5
in the community Develop a community recreation center
OJ
Provide affordable and accessible childcare Provide a central space for access to community resource services
o Ensure that community infrastructure is of top quality
Encourage housing growth
lmprove water and sewer availability
Continue to expand the availability of broadband
Expand childcare
Grow the presence and access to parks and recreation
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 Engaging the Public

When ARPA funds became available to Benzie County during the COVID-19 pandemic, the County distributed an online survey for residents
to provide input. The County wanted to see how members of the public wanted to see the ARPA dollars spent and which categories of
local needs they found most pressing. The survey received roughly 470 responses with at least one respondent from each municipality in
Benzie County. Around 50 percent of respondents were age 50+ with iust two respondents under 20 years of age. Benzie County's Board
of Commissioners, during the 2024 planning process, agreed that another survey is the best manner in which to garner input on funding
allocations from grant awards.

The first survey question asked participants to rank a list of items from highest priority to lowest priority, 1 being the highest and 10 being
the lowest. The mean indicates how close the option was to the highest average priority. For example, "Enhance online presence for County,
Townships, and City information" had a mean of 8.41, meaning it was the lowest priority as it had the highest mean of the 10 options. The
options included the following, with means listed next to each:

1. Attainable Workforce Housing, including assistance with the procurement of property for the development of housing (3.52)

2. lncrease childcare capacity and quality, including family and caretaker subsidies, provider subsidies, and in-home training program for
providers (4.43)

3. Broadband Expansion (4.48)

4. Road Repair and Maintenance, including brining of roads, resurfacing, and paving projects (4.99)

5. Sewer and Water lnfastructure, including support for a regional water and/or sewer system (5.31)

5. Expansion of Utilities options including natural gas (5.72)

7. Bridge Repair, including assistance with the repair and/or replacement of Lindy Road Bridge, Haze Road Bridge, Nostwick Road Bridge
(6.13)

8. Parks and Recreation, including the Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project and local park amenities (6.25)

9. Emergency Communications lnfastructure, including an emergency telecommunications tower (6.26)

10. Enhance online presence for County, Townships, and City information (8.41)

One can see that'Attainable Workforce Housing, including assistance with the procurement of property for the development of housing"
was the highest rated priority followed by childcare, broadband and road repairs.

8
The second survey question asked respondents to "Please assign a percentage of total awarded dollars to the following projects
based on your ranking above (please do not exceed 100 as a total)". Similar to the previous question, we use the mean score
in order to show the prioritized project categories that received the highest percentage of preferred funding allocations. We
also include the standard deviation to show the degree to which each cateogory's preferred percentage varied. A low standard
deviation means that the percentages of funding allocations varied less. For example, 'Attainable Workforce Housing" had a
standard deviation of 2!.62, or a variance of 467.33 (standard deviation is the square root of the variance). We include the
standard deviation because the average (mean) score of 20.13 percent for'Attainable Workforce Housing", with a high standard
deviation, signifies that responses ranged greatly from 0 percent to 100 percent. ln contrast, "Enhance online presence" varied
minimally. This is important because, for example, 'Attainable Workforce Housing" likely recelved many higher percent funding
responses, also lndicated by the fact that it has the highest mean score.

It is worth noting that some categories had a higher preferred funding allocation percentage than they were ranked as priorities
in the previous question (Emergency communications infrastructure, for example). This indicates that respondents believed
some projects that are a higher priority should still not receive a higher percentage of funding allocations.

1. Attainable Workforce Housing, including assistance with the procurement of property for the development of housing
(mean=20.13, standard deviation=21.52)

2. lncrease childcare capacity and quality, including family and caretaker subsidies, provider subsidies, and in-home training
program for providers (mean=11.65, standard deviation=14.90)

3. Broadband Expansion (mean=10.48, standard deviation=14.66)

4. Road Repair and Maintenance, including brining of roads, resurfacing, and paving projects (mean=9.34, standard
deviation=13.41)

5. Emergency Communications lnfastructure, including an emergency telecom munications tower (mean= 8.09, standard
deviation=17.49)

5. Sewerand Water lnfastructure, including support for a regional water and/or sewer system (mean=l.74, standard
deviation=11.36)

7. Expansion of Utilities options including natural gas (mean=5.82, standard deviation=9.25)

8. Parks and Recreation, including the Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project and local park amenities (mean=5.47,
standard deviation=9.53)

9. Bridge Repair, including assistance with the repair and/or replacement of Lindy Road Bridge, Haze Road Bridge, Nostwick
Road Bridge (mean=5.45, standard deviation=8.21)

10. Enhance online presence for County, Townships, and City information (mean=1.97, standard deviation=5.93)

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 Funding Opportunities
While the ARPA funds and COVID-19 pandemic were both unexpected, Benzie County has the opportunity to continue identifying
available funding sources from the state and federal government. Counties across Michigan are hiring grant writers because of the
competitive edge they give their communities in acquiring funding for local projects. While Benzie does not, at the time of thls
writing, have an in-house grant managet the County can still use various sources to monitor grant opportunities. Grants.gov provides
subscribers with availability alerts and is the main source for federal grant programs.

The table below shows different granting agencies at both the federal and state levels.

Federal Funding Entity Agency Web Site State Funding Entity Agency Web Site

Economic Development Administration (EDA) eda.gov/ Michigan Department of Natural m ich iga n. gov/d n r
Resou rces (DNR)

United States Department of Agriculture usda.gov/ Michigan Department of m ichigan.gov/mdot

(USDA) Transportation (MDOT)

Federal Emergency Management fema.gov/ Michigan State Housing Development m ich iga n. gov/msh da
Administration (FEMA) Authority (MSHDA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) epa.gov/ Michigan Department of Labor and m ichigan.gov/leo
Economic Opportunity (LEO)

United States Department of Transportation tra nsportation.gov/ Michigan Economic Development m ich iga n b us iness.org/
(usDoT) Corporation (MEDC)

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highways.dot.gov/ Michigan Department of Agricu ltu re m ichiga n.gov/mda rd
and Rural Development (MDARD)

United States Department of Housing and hud.gov/ State Land Bank Authority michigan.gov/leo/burea us-
Urban Development (HUD) agencies/la nd ba n k

Michigan Department of Enivronment, m ich iga n. govlegle

Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

Michigan State Historic Preservation rglh isto ric-

m ip la ce. o
Office (SHPO) preservation/

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Section 3 r Promoting Public Sites

Providing opportunities for collaboration and promotion

This section describes strategiesthat Benzie County may use in the near to long-term future to
promote its many recreational and cultural sites. While the County itself owns and manages just
a handful of the area's many sites, the County understands that it would do well to plan for and
promote recreation collaboratively. For this reason,in2022 the County contracted Networks
Northwest to develop a Recreation Director Feosibility Study. The purpose of this plan was to
document other communities' efforts to hire and maintain a recreation department, its expenses,
revenues, organizational structure and local benefits. Since the feasibility study's introduction, the
County approved the FY2023-24 budget to create new positions for one full-time and one part-time
person to work together on parks and recreation and community/economic development. This is a
strong step in the County's eventual ability to implement some or all of the strategies described in the
section.

Benzie County owns or manages the following recreational and cultural sites: Betsie Valley Trail (in
partnership with Michigan DNR), Zada Price Park, Railroad Point NaturalArea, Benzie County Crystal
Lake Park and Point Betsie Lighthouse.A full list of cultural sites can be found on the next page. A
list of all recreation sites in Benzie, including an inventory of site features, can be found inthe 2022
Benzie County Recreation Director Feasibility Study.

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 Benzie County Culturol Sites (os found in 2022 Benzie County
I

Site
Site Nome Ownership Recreotion Director Feosibility Study)
Number
I Benzie Monistee Tribol Outpost ond Community Grond Troverse Bond 15.tt 4
A
Center
Benzonia Twp
2 Wotervole Historic District Privote crystal
Lake Twp
3 Historic Wollin School Privote 18

City of Fronkfort z0
4 Fronkfort Gotewoy Arch
5 Congregotionol Summer Assembly Privote

6 Plotte River Stote Fish Hotchery MDNR

7 Chenenioh Bible Comp Privote r-]

8 Loke Ann Elementory School Benzie Centrol Schools

9 Point Betsie light House Benzie County )

l0 Droke School Benzie County

Historicol Society
ll Michigon legocy Art Pork Privote non-profit J

12 Morquette's Deoth Historicol Morker City of Fronkfort

l3 Benzie Shores District Librory District librory 5 I
14

l5
Elizobeth lone Oliver Center for the Arts
Gorden Theoter
Non-profit
Privote non-profit
(
:f I
l6 Cherry Bowl Drive in Theoter Privote ,-'1

t7 Benzonio College Historic Morker Non-profit

I
[-r _l

t
l8 Mills Community House Non-proftt
rI
l9 Benzonio Public Librory District librory
Benzie County
I
t
20 Benzie Areo Historicol Museum
Historicol Society

21 Crystol Loke Elementory School Benzie Centrol Schools

22 Dorcy Librory of Beuloh Dorcy Librory Boord r I

I
23 Beuloh Depot Troilheod Villoge of Beuloh L_t
24 Corferries on loke Michigon Historic Morker Villoge of Elberto
25 Almiro Township Librory Almiro Township N
Legend
o 1.25 2.5 5 Miles
26 Almiro Historicol Museum Almiro Historicol
Society
A Benzie Cultural Sites
Hydrography
A
District Librory Roads
27 Betsie Volley District Librory
- Eenzie Lakes
28 Thompsonville Diomond Crossing Historicol Site Villoge of
fl criticat Dune Areas
Thompsonville
ffi pubtic Lana

29 Benzie Centrol Jr. Sr. High School Benzie Centrol Schools ! EenzieCountyBoundary

30 Comp Lookout Privote

Strategies to Promote Benzie Recreation and Culture

Online Mapping Platform

Various entities in Benzie could take a role in collaborating with
Listed in the goals section of this addendum, the County wants to
local businesses, and in targeting the recreation industry for growth
prioritize creating an online platform that displays recreation and
locally. While the Chamber of Commerce is the most appropriate
cultural sites. This platform would be interactive, allowing users
entity for this task, other aBencies would do weell togenerate
to click on sites to see more information such as site amenities,
ongoing relationships with recreation and cultural businesses
directions, site size and a brief description of what to expect.
already operating in Benzie.
Communities across Michigan have had great success with such
initiatives. The Michigan Water Trails website is a great example
(mich iganwatertrails.org). During the 2022 Recreation Director Community Events
Feasibility Study, the County and Networks Northwest created Community events are a strong way to showcase the community,s
an inventory of all recreation sites in the county and created a assets. Benzie County could host smaller events, on their own or
Geographic lnformation System (GtS) shapefile containing this in collaboration with non-profits and local businesses. The County
information. could also encourage programming at specific sites, such as bird
watching groups, hiking groups, etc. Clean-up days and similar
Public-Private Partnerships organized activities can also help to support volunteerism in the
community. These organized activities could be promoted by a
Public-Private partnerships are a way for local governments
Recreation Directoi or the County could help hosting agencies to
to engage with local businesses to spur investment in the
get the word out to the public.
community. Businesses can be supportive of the well-being
and recreation of the area in which they operate, and
facilitating this support can go a long way in offsetting some
Mobile App
costs for promotion and marketing. Similar to the online mapping platform, a mobile application
of Benzie's public cultural and recreation sites would help
ln addition, there are recreation-based businesses that the
with promotion. The mapping platform could be integrated
County and local units can target for relocation or startups in
into the mobile app, as well as any other information that
Benzie County. According to a recent study from Networks
would be usefulto residents and visitors. This may include
Northwest, "Opportunities for business investment and
event notifications, a calendar of events, safety warnings,
development are recommended in the following categories:
local initiatives and opportunities to participate in events or
Camping and camping equipmenU bicycles; sports,
volunteerism.
recreation, and exercise equipmenti and rental/repair
of sports, recreation, and exercise equipment" (Outdoor
Recreotion Economic lmpoct Study for Northwest Michigon).

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 Ongoing Feedback & lnput Social Media
Part of having a successful culturaland recreation scene in Communities across Michigan now rely heavily on social
Benzie is engaging the public on a regular basis. Residents media to disperse information and to promote local
and visitors should have chances to let local leadership recreation sites and events. While this method can be time
organizations know what is working well and what could be consuming, it is a useful way to engage with community
improved. A mobile app may contain a feature that allows members. Social media posts should occur on a regularly
for input. Additionally, the County may survey public site scheduled timetable in order to keep people drawn to the
users every 2-3 years to identify possible projects that would page.
increase the use of public sites.
Printed Materials
Coordinated Promotion Printed materials can be more expensive than other
The are various actors in Benzie County who are already
communications methods described in this section. However,
since Benzie County's populace is largely age 65+, it may
contributing to the promotion of public sites through
be difficult to draw people using an online presence alone.
improvements and programming. The County could play a
lnformational pamphlets, postcard mailings, Every Door
role in making sure that there is a central point of promotion
Direct Mail (USPS), posters and annual reports can describe
for all of these entities. For clear reasons, a centralized
success stories and plans for improvements at public sites.
calendar of events and programming would help members of
the public to stay informed. This may be a role that could be
handled by a County Recreation Director, as described in the Themed Signage
2022 feasibility study. Signage plays many roles. Wayfinding signage helps people
navigate the community, and can lead them to public sites.
lmproved Accessibility lnformational signage highlights the unique qualities of
each sites, including environmental features, historical
A key means to encourage more use of public sites is
significance, honoring local figures and donors and providing
to ensure that they are accessible to many people. For
safety warnings. Lastly, si8nage that contains a recognizable
example, mobi maps are a very useful tool to help people
theme (color, font, layout) creates a sense of place for
in wheelchairs to enioy beaches. Universal kayak launches
residents and visitors. Themes indicate that someone is in
allow people with physical disabilities to access water-based
Benzie, as opposed to any other part of Northern Michigan.
recreation. Certain types of pathways are easier to navigate
in a wheelchair than others.

There are funding opportunities, such as the Michigan DNR

Trust Fund, that can help pay for these improvements.

t4
 Section 4 - Public Safety

Existing Services Overview

Benzie County Central Dispatch
505 S. Michigan Ave., Beulah, Ml 496!7
Benzie County Central Dispatch was established on October 16, 2012 by the Board of Commissioners as the emergency and non-emergency
public safety answering point (PSAP) for Benzie County. Operational funding is provided by a citizen approved 9-1-1 surcharge applied to
all telephone subscribers in the county and from a state wireless surcharge formula, based on the county population, from the state 9-1-1
Commiftee. No county general funds are applied.

For the purpose of policy and procedures Benzie county Central Dispatch is governed by the Benzie county Central Dispatch Advisory Board,
The intent ofthe Board is to make recommendations to the Director and County Board of Commissioners (BOC) 'hs it relates to the operation
of Benzie County Central Dispatch and to comply with the Law Enforcement lnformation Network (L.E.l.N) requirements and policies,
recommend operational policy and procedures, recommend a Director, and to meet the requirements under the Emer8ency Telephone
Enabling Act, PA 32, and the county E9-1-1- Service Plan".

Agencies represented on the board include the following:

o Benzie County Sheriff's Office

. Frankfort Police Department BENZIE COUNTY

.
.
Michigan State Police

Benzie County EMS

-l ^e. d
. Benzie County Fire Chiefs rr.v=v 9-1-1
$
. Benzie County Board of Commissioners (BOC)
CENTR^,qL DISP^ATCH
r National Park Service - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

15
 The Director is appointed by the Board of Commissioners and is a member of the Michigan Communications Director Association.

The mission of Benzie County Central Dispatch is to manage emergency and non-emergency public safety calls for service, and dispatch
and monitor the law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency medical service providers (or Public Safety Partner
Agencies) they serve, for the protection of property and the safety of the citizens, visitors and the public safety personnel of Benzie
County.

Benzie County Central Dispatch uses several types of technology to perform their duties:

. Enhanced 9-1-1 which provides caller lD information

. Mapping software for cellular phone location identification

. Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to record and track the calls for service

. Address point mapping to identify the location of an address

. Mobile in-vehicle computers for Police, Fire and EMS units.

. Mobile CAD, including mapping, for responders.
. GPS tracking on the units

Public Safety Partner Agencies:

. Benzie County Sheriff's Department 505 S. Michigan Ave., Beulah, M149617

. City of Frankfort Police Department 412 Main St., Frankfort, Ml 49635

o Michigan State Police - Honor Post 11508 Main St., Honor, Ml 49640

. United States Coast Guard Frankfort, Ml

. National Park Service Law Enforcement (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)

. Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa lndians Tribal Police

. Michigan DNR - Platte River - Fire Control 15200 US Hwy 31, Beulah, Ml 49617

. Benzie County Animal Control

. Benzie county Emergency Management

L6
 Almira Township Fire and EMS Department 7276 Ole White Dr., Lake Ann, Ml 49650

Benzonia Township Fire Department 1020 Michigan Ave. Benzonia, Ml 49615

Frankfort Fire and Rescue Department 1223 James St. Frankfort, Ml 49635

Homestead Township Fire Department 11508 Honor Hwy., Honoi Ml 49640

lnland Township Fire and EMS Department 19568 Honor Hwy, lnterlochen, Ml 49543

Thompsonville Fire and EMS Department 14714 Lincoln Ave., Thompsonville, Ml 49683

Benzie County Emergency Medical Services, which provides:

. 911 RESPONSE. This service is made up of Medical First Responders (MFR), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT),
and Paramedics (Advanced Life Support). EMS personnel respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in all weather
conditions. Crews respond to all medical emergencies, motor vehlcle accidents, or other traumatic events, wherever they
are needed by the residents of Benzie County. County EMS Station 1: 448 Court Place, Beulah, Ml 49617. County EMS
Station 2: 1901 N. Thompsonville Hwy, Beulah, M149617, County EMS Station 3: 225 Park Ave., Frankfort, Ml 49535

. Emergency Medical Service Programs

. CpR Training

Additionally, Benzie County Central Dispatch continues to be involved in the regional lncident Dispatch Team (lDT) as part of the
Northern Michigan Mutual Aid (NMMA). One dispatcher is provided as part of the response team for pre-determined deployments,
based on the needs of the incldent. Additionally, that dispatcher can be assigned to support operations during major incidents or
planned events, such as lronman, in Benzie County.

ln 2023, Benzie County Central Dispatch formed an internal Community Outreach Team focusing on community outreach, public
education, and recruitment. This team works to inform and educate the community about the technology and importance of both
9-1-1 and emergency communications.

L7
 Benzie County Sheriff's Office
505 S Michigan Avenue, Beulah, Ml 496t7
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Benzie CountY-.-
Sherift ffi t' tFw -t
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Corrections Division

Mission Statement: "To serve as a detention facility for lawfully incarcerated individuals. To assure the public's safety by securely
maintaining the custody of these individuals in a secure and cost effective environment that is safe for both the inmates and staff."

The Corrections Division of the Benzie CountySheriff's Office is responsiblefor processing and supervision of allarrested and
incarcerated persons by the Benzie County Sheriff's Office and all other law enforcement agencies operating in Benzie County. The
Benzie County Jail Policies and Procedures have been established with the guidance of the Michigan Department of Corrections,
Administrative Rules for Jails and Lock-ups as well as American Corrections Association, Standards for Adult Local Detention Facilities.
The Benzie County Jail has been found to be in total compliance with the Administrative Rules continuously since 2000, with our most
recent inspection being in 2022. All of the agency's Correctional Staff are certified by the Michigan Sheriff's Training and Coordinating
Council. Additionally, they are required to be re-certified annually with oversight by the MSCTC.

Groundbreaking for the current Jail and Law Enforcement Center occurred on December 9, 1"990. lt is located to the southwest of
the Benzie County Government Center on US-3L in the Village of Beulah. Total cost of the facility came in under the estimate of
S3,5OO,OOO.00, by about S3OO,OOO.O0. The brick and block structure covers approximately 19,000 square feet and houses the Jail and
Sheriff's Office operations. The Benzie County Jail has a maximum inmate capacity of 47 inmates, which at the time of it's opening, made
it the smallest Direct Supervision Jail in the United States.

18
Law Enforcement Division

The primary responsibility of the Law Enforcement Division is to provide the highest quality of public services and safety to the cihzens
and visitors of Benzie County. Services provided include patrolling the roads and highways of Benzie County, issuing citations, performing
criminal investigations and arresting violators of the law.

The Benzie County Sheriffs' Office serves a population of 17,800. The population grows seasonally to approximately 5O,OOO+ during the
summer tourist period, which can pose unique challenges for law enforcement.

Marine Division

The Benzie County Sheriff's Office operates a Marine Patrol which is funded through a state grant and local funds. Benzie County Marine
Division patrols 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline as well as over fifty inland lakes.

The Sheriff's Marine Division is mandated by state and federal legislation to provide search and recovery of drowning victims from any body
of water in Benzie County. The Marine Division enforces and inveshgates all violations of marine and criminal state laws that occur on lakes
located in Benzie County. The Benzie County Sheriff Marine Division handles a variety of incidents including contacts made by stopping
boaters, assisting disabled boaters, medical emergencies, search and rescue operations and investigating criminal activity occurring on the
waters of Benzie County.

State law requires that the Sheriff's Office provide a comprehensive boating safety program that also includes instruction to youthful
boaters. The Benzie County Sheriff's Office Marine Division provides a Michigan Boating Basic course several times during the marine
season. By making people aware of the rules and laws of the watet equipment required on vessels, and basic rescue techniques, some of
the tragic incidents of the past can be prevented.

Snowmobile Patrol

Snowmobile patrol normally operates on weekends and will occasionally work special events. Selective enforcement may be necessary
based upon special requests or complaints received from citizens. Typically, deputies patrol the snowmobile trails and selected areas
conducting inspections and compliance checks to ensure that operators adhere to state and local laws. The snowmobile patrol may be
requested to assist at accident scenes and could at any time, be called out for search and rescue operations.

19
 Benzie County Emergency Management
505 S. Michigan Ave., Beulah, Ml 496L7
The role of Benzie County Emergency Management is to protect the lives
and property of citizens before a disaster strikes through preparedness,
training and mitigation, and to reduce human suffering after a disaster
strikes through prompt and effective coordination of the County's response
and recovery efforts utilizing the expertise and resources of federal, state,
local agencies and voluntary relief organizations.

{
Benzie County Animal Control (

543 Michigan Avenue (US-31), Beulah, Ml496L7

Mission Statement - "To balance the public health, safety, and welfare
needs of the citizens and domestic animals in Benzie County by responsibly H tl I1
H
i
i,'
and humanely enforcing animal-related laws; provide nourishment and
a safe environment for impounded domestic animals; educate the public
I
efl

ilI' tE
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about responsible companion animal ownership; investigate cases where

animal care is inadequate; and find new loving homes for homeless animals
at the shelter. We understand that warehousing animals for the sake of t_ t--
f,
--i 3
saving them from humane euthanasia is not in the public's or animal's best
interest. We know it is not possible to save all animals in Benzie County.
We are committed to the highest performance standards, ethical conduct,
rt
. /swffif-
"4W {
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truthfulness, and moral behavior in our work with people and animals." Photo Source: https://www.recordpatriot.com/news/article/Benzie-County-
orga nizations-dedicated-to-caring-172 3 1408. ph p

The Benzie County Animal Control Office handles complaints regarding dogs
and livestock, enforces all State and County animal care laws, and sponsors
the adoption program of dogs and cats to the public. The staff averages
approximately 500 such complaints annually.

The Animal Control Building was built in 1993 using funds raised by the
Animal Welfare League of Benzie County. The building can house up to 20
adult dogs and 8 adult cats on an ongoing basis.

20
Benzie County Animal Control and the Animal Welfare League of Benzie County have worked together for over two decades to make sure
the county's animals get the care they need.

Benzie County Animal Control and the Benzie County Animal Shelter are under the same county office, according to Kyle Maurer, director
of Benzie County Animal Control. Animal control operates out of the sheltei located at 543 Michigan Ave in Beulah.

During the course of an average year the Animal Control staff adopt out approximately 150 dogs and 120 cats. Persons who adopt an
animal from the shelter are provided with a certificate which covers a percentage of spay or neutering surgery. The Animal Welfare League
of Benzie county sponsors this program.

August 14, 2023 - the Board of Commissioners authorized a Professional Services Contract with the Grand Traverse Band of Ouawa and
Chippewa lndians for animal control services in the total amount of S30o/quartei expiring September 30, 2025, subject to review by legal
counsel.

County Administrotor Memo to BOC 8/17/2023: Benzie County Animol Control hos o services controct in pldce with
the Grond Troverse Bond ol Ottowo ond Chippewo lndions to ossist them in housing stroy animots ond dpprehending
ond subduing oggressive onimols. This portnership is like other portnerships Benzie hos with neighboring entities to
ossist each other in need. Director Kyle Mourer is requesting this services controct be extended until September 30,
2025. This controct is appropriote and continues to show Benzie's dedicotion to its neighbors. The Tribe ogreed to
poy Benzie County S3O0 per quorter for the use of spoce, whether they're utilizing the space, or not.

2L
 Recent Progress Toward Improving Benzie
County's Public Safety Services

Benzie County 91U Central Dispatch

October 29, 2023 - BOC authorizes the implementatron of Emergenry Medical Dispatch and accepts the proposals from Priority Oispatch and
lD Network in the total not to exceed amount of541,270, over a five-year period, with funds available in the Central Dispatch Fund, with a
reimbursement from the MMRMA, and that the Chair be authorized to sign the appropriate documents,

County Administtotot Meno to BOC 10/19/2024 - EMD is o system thot enhdnces the setvices prcvide6 by out dispotcheE,
including ollowing the cdll toker to quickly notow down the cdller's type of medical ot ttoumo situotion so thot the
dispotchet con provide quolity instruction to the coller while woiting fot medical first responde6 to otive. lmplementing
EMD has been o gool Jot some time but hosn't been implemented Wimoily becouse of the upftont cost ond the intense
troining necessory to rcllthis out. Mr, Elliswds dble to obtoin on MMRMAgruntto ossist with implementotion ond plons to
otso opply fot o 2% ttibol grunt, ln the 23/24 budget, we hove budgeted fot the implementotion of this setvice.

March 15, 2024 - genzie County 911/Central Dispatch celebrated the completion of major renovations to the Sheriff's Office former storage
basement. lt now contains a gym for sheriff Deputes and staff and a new, state of art dedicated space for the 911 dispatchers.

The new 911 dispatch center is triple the size of the former one, providing a more comfortable work space for current dispatchers and can
accommodate more dispatcher workstations in the future. New technology upgrades were also made to dispatch equipment. The S1.88 million
project wasfunded through a variety of sources including the county's generalfund, delinquent tax fund and federalARPA and COVID relief
funds.

;:
I l*_ Ll__ New Benzie County 911 Dispatch
I Center, March 2024
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*

Photo Source: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/benzie-county-

sheriffs-office-reveals- 188m-remodel-for-im proved-loca l-servi ce

22
January 23, 2024 - County Administrator's report to the BOC: Consider putting the 911 surcharge millage on the August 2024 Ballot
EMS/ALS millage on the November 2024 Ballot.

Benzie County Central Dispatch 2023 Annual Report - Goals for 2024

o lntegrate Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) as a major improvement for the community and first responders. EMD is a
systematic program of handling medical calls for assistance. Trained telecommunicators use locally approved EMD guidecards to
quickly and properly determine the nature and priority of the call, dispatch the appropriate response and give the caller instructions
to help treat the patient untilthe responding EMS unit arrives.
o Continued monthly trainings to ensure all continuing education (CE) credits are obtained and compliant with the State of Michigan
along with meeting community expectations for services. With the introduction of EMD, we will also incorporate those CE
requirements.

. Continuing to work towards better alignment with 9-1-1 industry standards and community expectations with various projects such
as policies and procedures, training program documentation, CTO program enhancements, community engagement, and more.

' Staffing - Benzie County Central Dispatch will continue to search for qualified candidates and provide them with quality training. The
desired result is to provide two dispatchers on duty 24/7/355 to meet the need.

. Continuing to analyze, identify, and acquire equipment that supports the mission of providing an efficient, resilient, modernized, and
redundant Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) / Emergency Communications Center (ECC).

23
 Distribution of County Opioid Settlement Funds
November 28,2023 - BOC allocates County's Opioid Settlement Funds to:

. Central Wellness Network to help support their Medication Assisted Treatment Program

. Benzie County staff to fund training for 911/Law Enforcement personnel to assist with their daily interaction with
situations involving opioids or substance abuse disorders and/or co-occurring mental health conditions.

. Provide start-up cost to integrate Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols into the Benzie County Dispatch
daily operation protocols.

February L3,2024 - BOC allocates County's Opioid Settlement Funds to:

. - 54,465 to the joint request from the Benzie County District Court and Central Wellness for substance abuse
assessment, testing and monitoring programs.

o - $5,900 to Almira Township Fire and EMS for the purchase of l Airway trainer and 2 full sets of CPR/AED training
manikins, along with training of one additional instructor to help with classes.

. to have Tony Hoffman go into the schools for two speaking

- 59,200 to the School and Youth Resource Officers
engagements with the students regarding mental health, addiction, and recovery challenges.

March 72, ZO24

Authorize an additional 53,000 in Opioid Funding to impact the youth of Benzie County with motivational speaking in
the schools, bringing the total to 512,200 for a total project cost.

24
Benzie County Sheriff's Office
August 2, 2022 - Voters approved a millage to fu nd School Resource Officers (SRo) provided by the BCSO. Two SRos serve at the
Frankfort and Elberta Schools District and Benzie County Central School District. The SROS foster trust amongst school staff and
students, aid in school security, and provide safety education.

April 11, 2023 - BOC approved the lease arrangement to obtain a Soter RS Full Body Scanner for a period of seven years, with
annual payments not to exceed $15,749.20 for years one through five, and authorizes an additional $9,750 for years six and seven
for annual maintenance, with funds available first through grant sources noted in the April 11, 2023 packet communications and
remaining funds available from unexpected inmate housing rent revenue, and LATCF funding, and further that if there are any
changes to the existing lease arrangement, or additional services of the machine are requested that the Board of Commissioners
give prior approval to such changes to ensure proper funding is in place.

December \2,2023 -BOC approves that the purchasing policy be waived and that the purchase of a TruNarc Unlimited Model
Device from Thermo Scientific Portable Analytics lnstruments, lnc. in the amount of 529,900, be approved with funds available in
the Capital Fund.

This is a second TruNarc device that will be utilized by Sheriff's Office deputies to analyze key drugs of abuse as well as common
cutting agents and precursors. With the emerging threats of carfentanil and numerous fentanyl analogs and precursors this device
will protect deputies from exposure to these dangerous and life-threatening drugs. The Sheriff's Office already has one device that
it shares. The bidding process was waived because Thermo Scientific Portable Analytics lnstruments is the preferred agency among
Michigan local law enforcement departments and participates in the Ml Deal program, is the most competitive in pricing and
provides a consistent device for use by deputies.

January 9, 2024 - Board of Commissioners authorizes an addendum to the construction contract with Grand Traverse Construction
to include the Parole and Probation Remodel, with funds available in the Capital Fund in the not to exceed amount of 5220,000.

February 13,2024 - Boc authorized a Letter of Agreement with the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, Deputies
Unit, which allows for 12-hour shift rotations, and moves the Sheriff's office closer to the goal of providing 24-hour road patrol and
authorizes the Chair to sign.

BOC authorizes an amendment to the letter of agreement with Manistee Benzie Community Mental Health Organization, also
known as Centra Wellness, for mental health services within the Benzie County jail, to allow for a bachelor's level clinician in the
jail to act as a conduit between an inmate and a master's level clinician, and authorize the Chair to sign, with minimum quarterly
reports to the Board of Commissioners.

25
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Benzie County Emergency Management
August 14, 2023 - the Board of Commissioners waives the competitive The approved plan, which was significantly updated with
bidding process and accepts the proposal from Motorola Solutions dated assistance from Networks Northwest, is one of the conditions
August 14, 2023 for the installation of an emergency communications for the County (and participating local governments) to apply
tower and the total project cost not to exceed 52,650,000, with funds for and/or receive FEMA mitigation grants from the following
available in the capital projects fund. programs:

This new 800 MHz communications tower in

Frankfort enhances emergency communications
and fills in gaps in the county's existing emergency FEMA Flood FEMA is a non-disaster, competjtive grant program that
communications radio coverage. (Communication M itigation provides funding to states, local communities, federally
Assistance (FMA) recognized tribes. Funds can be used for projects that
between first responders at County Dispatch in
Grant Program reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to
Beulah and the City of Frankfort was not possible buildings insured by the National Flood lnsurance Program
due to the area topography). Fundingforthe
tower was primarily sourced from the State of FEMA Building BRIC is a non-disaster grant program, which provides
Michigan, as well as Lake Township and County Resilient funds on an annual basis for hazard mitigation planning
ARPA funding. The City of Frankfort donated the lnfrastructure and the implementation of mitigation projects prior
land for the construction of the towei located and Communities to a disaster. The BRIC program guiding principles are
(BRIC) Grant supporting communities through capability- and capacity-
southeast of Day Avenue and HallStreet.
Program building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting
partnerships; enabling large projects; maintaining flexibility;
This project also contributes to another county goal of expanding
and providing consistency.
broadband internet. The fiber installation to the tower will act as
"middle mile" fiber for connecting all those along the route, including
Crystal Lake Township and expanding into the City of Frankfort, Lake FEMA Hazard HMGP is a post-disaster grant program, where funding is
Township, and the Village of Elberta. Mitigation Grant only made available under a Presidential major disaster
Program (HMGP) declaration, in the areas of the State requested by the
Construction of the tower is estimated to be completed in mid-2024. Governor. Federally-reco8nized tribes may also submit a
request for a Presidential major disaster declaraton within
February 13, 2024 - The BOC adopted the County's 2023 Hazard their impacted areas.
Mitigation Plan Update, which has met FEMA and MSP review criteria
The expiration date of the 2023 Benzie County Hazard Mitigation is FEMA HMGP Post- This FEMA grant funds projects that make a community
February 25,2029. Fire Assistance more resilient after a designated wildfire disaster. States
(PFA) grant and federally-recognized tribes affected by fires resulting in
program a Fire Management Assistance Grant {FMAG) declaration on
or after October 5, 2018, are eligible to apply.

27
 Benzie County Animal Control Future projects that need to be completed at
the animal control/shelter building, per Kyle
The shelter has undergone several renovations since 2021,
Maurer, Animal Control Director:
including the installation of "cat condos" to update where
cats are housed and a new parking lot. Renovate the aging indoor kennel area for the dogs so that
the shelter complies with the State of Michigan regulations for
ln 2023 and 2024, the Animal Control shelter began updating
animal shelters.
its outdoor space and yard to make four fenced individual
kennels so that volunteers and employees can allow more New exterior doors
animals outside at one time. The ideal flooring for an
outdoor kennel yard is a K9 turf, because it inhibits the An updated surveillance system
dlgging by dogs, and also provides an area that can be easily
There would be a need for a larger shelter in the future if the
cleaned to help prevent disease outbreaks at the shelter. This
county were to partner with a surrounding county for animal
turf also is considered to have a lifetime warranty and can be
holds. The property that the current Animal Control Office/
repurposed if a move happens.
Shelter is located on is not adequate for a larger shelter Building
The Animal Welfare League of Benzie County and Two a new shelter would allow for the building to be code compliant
Seven Oh, lnc. (a group dedicated to helping other small and for us to be able to be compliant with the state regarding
organizations in Michigan care for the wellbeing of animals) animal needs within the shelter. This can include design features
have assisted with funding the project. that facilitate disease control, air quality, sound control and
employee/ animalseparation, such as isolation kennels.
The shelter also has expanded hours, and now is open
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The shelter
is operated by Animal Control Officer Kyle Mauet who also
serves as a shelter attendant and a part-time shelter clerk.
October 10, 2023 - BOC rescinds the approval of the prior proposal
from the September 26, 2023, Board of Commissioners meeting, with
September 72, ?O23 -The BOC approves the Phase I Kennel AJ Excavating and approve the new proposal from Kerby Backhoe in the
Yard project for Animal control. Accepted the proposal from not to exceed amount of 552,000, with funds available from the ARPA
AJ's Excavating in the not to exceed amount of 551,000 to and Capital funds.
excavate, build a retaining wall and prep for village utility
connection, with funds available from the ARPA funding.
October 24, 2023 - BOC authorizes the reimbursement grant
agreement with Two Seven Oh, lnc. in the total reimbursable amount
September 26, 2023 - The BOC accepts the proposal from of S32,074.15 for animal shelter upgrades (purchase and install a
AJ's Excavating not to exceed amount of 574,905.00 for canopy over a renovated kennel yard) and authorizes the related budget
Animal Control connection to the Village of Beulah's water amendments to recognize the expenditure and revenue, and authorizes
and sewer system, with funds available from ARPA. the Chair to sign.

28
 Example Projects/Resources to Consider for Additional
lmprovements in Public Safety Services

Constructing a New Animal Shelter

Note: While the example below is representative of a much larger county in comparison to Benzie County (808.4 square miles of land
and a population of 327,997 persons in Spartanburg County compared to 319.7 square miles of land and a population of 17,97O persons
in Benzie County), resources utilized in this project for consulting and design work, partnerships, and operational goals can be seen as
potential examples for Benzie County Animal Control to consider in future planning.

Additionally, collaborating with other related animal shelter organizations surrounding Benzie County to facilitate such an endeavor that
would provide potential regional benefits and local cost savings should also be considered.

Example - Spartanburg County, South Carolina

"Spartanburg County Council approved that 55,000,000 of the county's -v-

ARPA funds be allocated to assisting in the construction of a new Pet
Resource Center. The funding strategy was based on estimates of
recently constructed facil ities.
I
Spartanburg County plans to open its own Pet Resource Center in the
near future, where we will house and care for our animal community.
aFl
We hired an animal shelter consultant, Dr. Sara Pizano of Team Shelter
USA, to help us identify needs in our animal community and develop
an animal welfare system plan. As part of a feasibility study, Dr. I
l.
Pizano surveyed nearly 50 animal welfare organizations in our area to
determine the best practices of each organization. County leadership
and staff toured multiple animal shelters across the state to further
determine best practices and operations. Our SZ+.6tVt facility, located sHLTR
.,.1.r,.r
r.
,/l\
on Southport Road, will be purpose-built, providing the services our
citizens and animals need, and will include room for future growth.

SHLTR Architects of Greenville worked with Animal Arts of Boulder,

Colorado to prepare a conceptual design of the 26,600 sq. ft. facility,
which includes:"

29
 "Dog housing (79 kennels) Our goal is to keep people and pets together. We want to
minimize the length of stay for each animal, focusing on reuniting
Cat housing (12 kennels) lost pets with their owners and re-homing others. We plan to
lsolation housing accomplish this through safety net programs and by working with
local fosters and rescues who can assist us in finding homes for
Adoption and clinic lobbies animals as quickly as possible.

Staff offices, workstations, break room, and support rooms IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS

Surgery x-ray, pharmacy, and exam rooms Partnerships will be key in our success.

Multipurpose room lmplementing proactive programs will help to reduce the

number of shelter intakes, which is imperative, as we want the
The facility will be a utilitarian structure, very durable, and
Pet Resource Center to serve as a "last resort" option.
designed to reduce long-term maintenance costs. The site will also
include 18,600 sq. ft. of exterior space (including 5,000 square feet The goal behind the Center will be to keep people and pets
of covered exterior areas). The exterior space will include: together. We want to minimize the length of stay for each
animal, focusing on reuniting lost pets with their owners and
Multiple fenced animal yards
re-homing others.
Artificial tu rf zones
Volunteers are vital when it comes to the animals' quality of
Temporary housing for farm animals life.

72 parking spaces |OCATION: We have selected an 8.05-acre site for our planned
Pet Resource Center. The property is located on Southport
We expect preliminary site work to begin in the spring of 2024, and Road, across from the wastewater treatment facility and near
construction to last between 14 and 18 months, with an expected the SCDMV. We closed on the property September 7,2023. This
completion date in 2025. particular property will allow the Pet Resource Center to be
centrally located, as it is positioned on a main arterial road, and
It is important to note that our Pet Resource Center will not
has 740 feet of road frontage. All of the utilities needed for the
function as a traditional animal shelter. We do not intend to
Pet Resource Center are available at this site.
warehouse animals. Historically, we've seen that approach causes
animals to become less adoptable. We've learned that, when STAFFING: We have created two new positions for the Pet
animals spend extended periods of time in kennels, their mental Resource Center, including a Director of Animal Welfare Services
health and wellbeing can decline, making them a less likely option and an Animal Cruelty lnvestigator. We are still looking for
for a potential pet owner. Warehousing animals can also lead to someone to fill the Director position."
increased euthanasia rates.

30
Expanding First Responder Service Capabilities

Local Example - Alignment with Local Master Plan Goals -

Blair Township, Grand Traverse Countyr,,
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) began discussions in 2019 with the
Oleson Family, BlairTownship, TARTTrails, and Grand Traverse Regional Land
Conservancy about 208 acres of TCAPS property behind Blair Elementary
School.

The township expressed interest in developing a portion of the land for the
purpose of meeting their Master Plan goals, which includes developing and lll,.\ I ll'fO\\'\Sl II I) I,lll llll(il,lN('\' SI,lllYI('lls
expanding an interconnected non-motorized trail system for recreational,
civic, and commercial services within the Township and connectivity to the
ongoing development of the Traverse Area Regional Trail (TART) system,
OPEIVHOI]Sfr
lla.r 22.:102I .'i:llllltll to i:lll)l'l| lltihbon culting Il .i:il0Pll)
preserving open spaces and scenic views in the development of recreational
opportunities and facilities, encouraging the development of neighborhoods
parks, and constructing a new Township Fire Hall.

III
I

The Township's 40-year-old fire station had reached the end of its usefulness
and was not located centrally within the community. After reviewing
tfi lirEi;;n,:;FqrFiil ?H+8,# III
[illii
the plans for the Township Fire Hall and future trails at the TCAPS Board Join us rt our new HM8CIirorgtdffiUnfor
Meeting, board members moved to officially transfer t3O.44 acres of the
- Ribbou <rntting
land to Blair Township for construction of a new fire halUEMS facility. After a -Btotion tourr
-Ilofmrhmonls
S0.Z million bond was passed by township voters in August 2022, groundfor
ITOS M-;r7, 'llruvertc ()itv, Illl {00tt5
the project was broken. The new facility was completed in early 2024.

This larger building will accommodate the future growth of staffing as Blair
Township continues to grow. Additionally, the building is centralized in the
community, resulting in a reduction in emergency response times. Other
upgrades at the station along M-37 include a state-of-the-art alert system
and cancer-reduction measures with an isolated gear room and gear washer.
As for the former Blair Township Fire Hall, other township services have
already moved into the renovated space.

1- https://upnorthlive.com/news/instagram/blair-township-celebrates-new-62-million-emergency-services-building-completion
2- https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/tcaps-transfers-some-of-land-behind-blair-elementary-to-township-for-development

31
 Funding and Programs
USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program - provides affordable funding to develop
essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that
provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a
primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Funds can be
used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and
pay related project expenses. Examples of essential community facilities include, but are not limited
to, public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks,
public works vehicles or equipment.

FEMA'5 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program - Fire safety grants fund critically needed resources
to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies and support community resilience. The
primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency
response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.
Eligible applicants include fire departments, nonaffiliated Emergency Medical Services (EMS), state fire
training academies, and non-federal airport and/or port authority fire or EMS organizations.

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment,
protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public
and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

Northwest Michigan Worksl Apprenticeship Team - Registered Department of Labor Apprenticeship

programs allow the employer to upskill current employees or recruit new talent while filling workforce
gaps. The Northwest Michigan Works! Apprenticeship team provides customized apprenticeship
services to fit the needs of every employei big or small. From Winemakers to Medical Assistants to
Construction Workers, we assist with the process.

Northwest Michigan Works! partnered with the Manistee County Sheriff's Department and West Shore
Community College to create Michigan's first Police Officer Apprenticeship program. Watch the video
to hear what the Apprentice, Mentor, Sheriff, and Director of the Police Academy have to say about the
apprenticeship program.

32
 Section 5 - Infrastructure Expansion
& Improvement
Road and Bridge lnfrastructure
Ouring the recent ARPA survey (2022), that Benzie County conducted, survey takers identified bridge repair and road repair as their number
one and number two highest priority items. Bridges and roads are essential infGstructure investments that provide many benefits to
communities and society as a whole,

Safety

well-maintained roads and bridges are crucial for ensuring the safety of motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road use6. potholes,
crack, and uneven surfaces can pose hazards and increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Repairing roads and bridges helps
reduce safety risks and prevent accidents. Reliable transportation infrastructure is important for supporting emergen.y response effons
during natural disasters, public health emergencies, terrorism, cases of national defense, and other disasters. Paved roads and bridges
facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles, supplies, military emergency responders, and other personnel, enabling 6mely and
effective response to disaster and recovery efforts.

Mobility, Productivity, and Accessibility

Paved roads and bridges improve mobility, productivity, and accessibility by providing a more consistent and well-maintained routes
for people and 8oods, Accessible infrastructure allows individuals to travel to work, school, healthcare facilitiet businesses, and other
destinations efficiently and safely. Well-maintained roads can reduce travel times, vehicle operating costs, and fuel consumption, leading to
increased productivity, a lower cost for goods for consumers, and consistency for businesses and individuals.

Economic Growth

lnvesting in infrastru€ture maintenance and repair contributes to economic growth by creatingjobs, creating demand for materials and
services, and supporting local businesses. Well-maintained roads and bridges facilitate the movement of goods and services, attract
investment, and promote commerce and trade, helping to increase economic activity and prosperity. Well-maintained roads and bridges
contribute to higher property values, thus increasing tax base, allowing more services forthe community, and attracting additional
investment. Access to quality transportation infrastructure is an important consideration for homebuyers, businesses, and even consumers,
when choosing where to live, work, and spend their dollars. Paved roads and bridges support tourism and recreational activities, by giving
easy and equitable access to scenic destinations, like Sleeping Bear Dunes or Lake Michigan, cultural attradions, including the Michigan

33
 Legacy Art Park, and outdoor recreational areas, including Crystal Mountain. Accessible and equitable transportation routes boost
economic and tourism spending, encourage healthy communities through outdoor recreation, and support and encourage through
education and experience the local cultural identity.

Environmental Benefits

Well-Maintained bridges and roads can have additional environmental benefits by reducing vehicle emissions, congestion, and
fuel consumption common with deteriorating roads and bridges infrastructure. New or improved infrastructure can help sustain
transportation approaches, such as public transit, multi-model approaches including biking or walking, which in turn reduce carbon
emissions, promote health, and can help to offset global climate change.

Where appropriate, Benzie County should look to work with stakeholders, the public, State and Federal officials, to improve/repair and
expand the bridges, roads both paved and unpaved withln Benzie County. lnfrastructure improvement will improve the safety, mobility,
productivity, accessibility, quality of life, encourage economic growth and higher tax dollars, and overall environment for the citizens of
Benzie County and the prosperity of future generations.

Sewer and Water lnfrastructure

Expanded sewer and water systems can reduce the risk of waterborne diseases by providing clean drinking water and proper sanitation
facilities. There are benefits to having replacing septic systems with sewer systems as sewer systems are more convenient for
homeowners and businesses because they require minimal maintenance. Once connected to the municipalsewer system, residents do
not need to worry about regularly emptying septic tanks or maintaining a septic field

Sewer systems have greater capacity and scalability than septic fields, sewer systems are more ideal for densely populated urban areas
and accommodating future growth. Municipal sewer systems can handle large volumes of wastewater and are easier to expand or
upgrade as needed. Proper wastewater management reduces pollution of natural water bodies, preserving aquatic ecosystems and
safeguarding public health. Sewer systems are designed to treat and dispose of wastewater safely and efficiently, reducing the risk
of groundwater contamination and environmental pollution compared to septic fields, which may malfunction or leak if not properly
maintained.

Properties connected to municipal sewer and water systems may have higher resale value than those relying on septic systems; buyers
perceive sewer systems as more reliable and convenient. Access to sewer and water Infrastructure can increase property attractiveness
and marketability. Sewer and water systems provide broader community benefits, such as supporting economic development,
promoting urbanization, public health benefits, and improving overall infrastructure resilience. Access to sewer services facilitates
growth and enhances the livability of cities and towns. Residents connected to city water systems may pay water utility fees, these costs

34
are often lower than the expenses/maintenance often hme associated with private well ownership. City water users do not have to initially
pay for the expense of well drilling, ongoing maintenance and repairs, or water quality testing, making city water a more cost-effective
option over an extended period of time.

Sewer and water infrastructure are present in Benzie County. Expansion efforts are ongoing in an attempt to provide additional services to
the Village of Benzonia and the Village of Benzie. The County should encourage, and where appropriate, support these expansion efforts
while looking to expand sewer and water development to dense multi-family, two-family, and single-family housing; commercial and
industrial development should also connect to this infrastructure.

(if map is available or can be created from data, insert)

Broadband
Many consider broadband internet access to be a fundamental human right and a societal equalizer. This is dependent on broadband
being accessible, digital literacy, affordability, equity, and infrastructure development. Broadband access offers many positive benefits
and opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities. Broadband enables access to large amounts of information available on
the internet and internet-based opportunities, including: educational resources, news, research materials, communications, economic
opportunities, remote work and telecommuting, healthcare services, and civic engagement. Broadband internet access encourages lifelong
learning, entertainment options, empowers individuals to stay informed and connected with the world.

Educational Opportunities

Access to lnformation and broadband enables access to a plethora of educational resources, online courses, and digital libraries, leveling
the playing field for students regardless of their geographic location. lt also allows for distance learning and remote education, which is
paramount during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic Development

Broadband access encourages economic activity and growth by facilitating e-commerce, empowering business's ability to reach new
markets, and encouraging entrepreneurship. Broadband internet access attracts investment, encourages innovation, and creates job
opportunities in sectors such as technology, telecommuting, and digital services.

Remote Work and Telecommuting

Broadband enables remote work and telecommuting, allowing individuals to work from home or other locations outside of traditional office
settings. lt offers flexibility, work-life balance, and productivity benefits for employees and employers.

35
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Telehealth and remote healthcare services rely on broadband connectivity to provide medical appointments, monitor patients, and provide
healthcare services to rural and/or underserved areas. Broadband expansion enhances access to healthcare, drives down costs, and reduces
the need to visit a hospital or office space that many may be uncomfortable to undertake.

lmproved Communication and Social Connectivity

Broadband enables communicaUon through email, social media, video conferencing, and messaging platforms. Broadband internet can foster
connections between individuals, families, and communities. lt reduces isolation, enhances social support networks, and promotes civic
engagement.

Enhanced Government Services:

Broadband facilitates the delivery of government services online. These may include, but are not limited to: applying for permits, paying
taxes, retrieving government forms, and accessing public records. lt increases government efficiency, reduces administrative barriers, and
enhances transparency and government answerability.

Smart Agriculture:

Broadband connectivity supports accurate agriculture, enabling farmers to access real-time data, monitor crop conditions, and improve
resource management. lt expands farm productivity, reduces environmental impact, and enhances food security.

Cu ltural Preservation and Tourism:

Broadband encourages the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage through digital archives, online exhibits, and virtual tours. lt
promotes tourism by providing travelers with access to information about destinations, attractions, maps, trips, and informational guides
that can keep tourist out of trouble and/or properly prepare them for their trip. Cameras at destinations that are livestreamed can provide
real-time information about the conditions at a location and can foster e-commerce promoting marking of the destination while achieving a
synergy between the viewer and the location.

Disaster Preparedness and Response: Broadband connectvity strengthens disaster preparedness and response capabilities by facilitating
communication, disseminating alerts and warnings, and coordinating emergency services.

37
 Civic Engagement:

Broadband access allows individuals to engage with government services, participate in civic activities, and helps keep citizens informed. lt
promotes transparency, accountability, and democratic participation by providing access to information, resources, and platforms for civic
engagement.

Benzie County, the state of Michigan, and the Federal government have made considerable effort to encourage/incentivizes broadband
internet service providers to provide broadband to traditionally rural areas. A portion of these efforts via the Rural Opportunity with
Broadband lnfrastructure Networks (ROBIN)along with existing infrastructure are available in Map #. The County should make additional
efforts and utilize resources to find funding or incentives to provide broadband to the unserved areas around Thompsonville, Upper and
Lower Herring Lake, and other areas that are without broadband. The County should also monitor the internet service providers awarded
grants under ROBIN and other State and Federalgrant processes build out as described in the grant awarded.

Natural Gas
Benzie County has been attempting to extend natural gas lines within the County in an effort to lower energy costs, foster economic
development, and enhanced/dynamic energy reliability. However, these extensions can also present drawbacks, including: environmental
impacts, financial risks, and potential delays in the transition to renewable energy.

Economic Growth and Development

Natural gas is often cheaper than other energy sources such as propane, oil, or electricity. Extending natural gas lines can reduce energy
costs for households and businesses, potentially increasing disposable income and stimulating local economic growth.

Reliable and affordable energy can attract new businesses to the area, fostering economlc development and creating jobs. lndustries that
require stable and cost-effective energy sources could find an expanded availability of natural gas in Benzie County more appealing.

Environmental Advantages

Natural gas burns cleaner than coal, wood, and oil, producing less pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate
mattet and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This can lead to improved air quality and health outcomes for residents. Natural gas does
not reduce greenhouse emissions lower than renewable energy, however, natural gas emits less CO2 per unit of energy compared to coal,
wood, and oil, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions when substituted for coal, oil or wood. Natural gas infrastructure provides
a reliable and continuous energy supply, reducing dependence on deliveries of propane, heating oil, or wood which can be disrupted
by weather, supply chain issues, or often times in the case of wood, require additional time, energy, and resources to gather the supply
yourself. This can become more of an issue as traditional wood heating families age and may no longer be able to physically handle the
stresses required to heat with wood.

38
Backu p to Green Energy

Natural gas can serve as a backup for renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which are intermittent. This can help ensure a
stable energy supply during times of low green energy production.

Environmental Concerns

Natural gas is primarily methane, a strong greenhouse gas. Leaks from infrastructure can promote climate change, hypothetically
offsetting some of the environmental benefits over other fossil fuels. lnvesting in natural gas infrastructure may delay the transition to
renewable energy sources, lengthening dependency on fossil fuels.

Hefty Upfront lnvestment

Extending natural gas lines requires large initial investment for construction and expansion of lines. This could burden local budgets,
increase taxes, or require a reallocation of funds from other essential services.

Long-Term Viability: As producfion and supply of fossil fuel lessons or shifts towards renewables, natural gas infrastructure may become
obsolete, underutilized, or unavailable, leading to stranded assets and financial losses.

Social and Health lmpacts

Construction of natural gas llnes causes temporary disruptions to communities, including: road closures, noise, and potential safety
hazards. Natural gas is often cleaner than other fossil fuels, burning it still produces air pollution, causing health conditions and health
related problems for the public.

Regulatory and Policy Challenges

Extending natural gas infrastructure requires navigating complex regulation, securing permits, and remaining in compliance with
environmental and safety standards. Future regulations, looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, could require additional costs or
restrictions on natural gas infrastructure, impacting its feasibility and driving up costs associated with maintaining and/or expanding of
natural gas lines.

39
 Section 6 - Age-Related Challenges

Age Related lssues

2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data displays that Benzie County has a median age of 50.4, older than State median of 40.3,
and higher than the national median of 38.8. When looking at this data in a viewable form (table 1) it becomes apparent that within
the next 5 to L0 years Benzie County will be dealing with a large portion of their population being over the age of 65, many of whom
will need different housing, healthcare, and transportation-based needs.

Aging in place
Aging in place is refers to seniors living independently and comfortably in their own homes or communities for as long as possible, as
they age, rather than moving to institutional settings such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities. This allows seniors to keep their
independence, dignity, and quality of life. This approach benefits society as a whole by maximizing resources, promoting social equity,
and building resilient communities that value people of all ages.

Housing

To allow seniors to age in place requires planning ahead and having the tools and people to do so. These changes can take the form in
accessible housing options. Ensuring that housing is designed or can be modified to be accessible to seniors needs. Ensure regulation
is compatible with American with Disabilities (ADA) Act of 1990. Seniors are able to stay in their homes longer by supporting senior
community centers, such as Benzie Senior Resources, that provide social engagement opportunities, care coordination, delivered and
community meals, exercise and mental well-being opportunities, lawn services, maid services, and snow removal. Allow seniors the
ability to downsize from larger homes by, where appropriate, supporting higher density housing options such as condos or Accessory
Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Transportation

According to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) most seniors give up driving around 75 years old. Benzie County should
continue to invest in transportation measures that support senior mobility. Benzie Bus currently provides accessible and affordable
transportation options tailored to seniors' needs, such as door-to-door transportation services, on demand service, airport service,

40
ride sharing, and non-emergency medical transportation,
health rides, and prescription delivery. Benzie County could
look to support additional services including: volunteer
driver programs, senior shuttles that make community trips EGnrir Counly. Michigan

to commonly visited areas like a grocery store or church

I $2

services, and alternative modes of transportation, i.e.: bike

and scooter rentals from local senior centers and/or helmet
,E E 79 raa.a
I &

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renta l.
Dbr. Fr B' tg
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Childcare 6b6Ft t?a

Childcare expenses can be exorbitantly high for many tobuFs fta

eg
families, often exceeding the cost of rent or mortgage
55b lDyE u cte
payments. The high cost of childcare can place a significant
financial burden on parents, predominantly those with $bg 5$

low or moderate incomes, and may force some families to b ra3 ay

15 a0 an
choose between childcare and other essential expenses.
Other issues are accessibility to quality childcare may be 5lt

limited in some areas of the County requiring the parents Sblepr s1 atr
choose between working or staying home to provide care for
SbXE. 0
their children. The County should look to support subsidized
childcare programs, invest in preschools, Head Start, and 15 b:a pl ato 4

other pre-kindergarten programs. The County should look to 2094pr ax !a

work with non-profits, businesses, and foster other public-
lSFrrp a$
private partnerships with the goal of creating workplace
policies that are friendly for families with children. The l0btaF 430 aac

County should encourage Townships, Villages, and Cities 9b0ff tae IO

within the County to ensure they are not putting up road
blocks for new childcare developments or in home services. I g

Map 1 (need to zoom in on childcare maps and insert after

this section. Current Map 1 is placeholder.) was developed
o m

using kernel density to show areas of need for childcare, Placeholder graph
demonstrating employers, and finally need. This map is a

4t
 snapshot in time, but can be utilized to show the most deprived areas for childcare currently in Benzie County. Utilizing map 1, the County can help
guide development of new childcare developments within Benzie County to the area of most need.

Map 1: Showing Childcare target locations in the region at three different age groups. Developed by Network Northwest Community Development
Department.

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Youth based services

youth services aim to provide young people with opportunities for education, skill development, support, health and wellness, and community
engagement. Benzie has several groups working with youth in the community including, but not limited to: Best Benzie currently helps youth with
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) college student aid program, Benzie Area Youth Initiatve, working youth substance abuse, school
nurses, curriculum, and making youth aware of the dangers around them. Centa Wellness provides education and mental health services for the
County youth, and the school youth officer program. While the County should continue to evaluate these programs and where appropriate support
them, the County should look to furtherfunding opportuni6es for additionalyouth services,

42
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