Gov. Rick Snyder centered his second State of the State address Wednesday night on building on the successes of 2011 and continuing to improve in 2012. Speaking in an upbeat manner, Snyder did not announce any major changes for the upcoming year and kept his topics on issues from 2011, stating he wants to instead focus on finishing “what we started.”

Montcalm County departments are beginning to deal with the repercussions of $1.3 million in budget cuts. Projected expenditures of more than $15 million and projected revenues of about $14 million left the county about $1.3 million short for 2011-2012 — more than half of which is a result of lower revenue.
The Board of Commissioners voted 8-1 to approve budget cuts Sept. 26.

The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners is reconsidering operating Animal Control with only two officers. Former Animal Control Director Patricia Lentz’s position was eliminated Sept. 26 as part of $1.3 million in county budget cuts.

The Montcalm County Transportation Authority is more than $11,000 in debt and local officials are worried the needed funds don’t exist. A proposed countywide public transportation system millage vote failed Nov. 8. Three months later, the Transportation Authority still hasn’t paid for election costs.