Wayne County health officials outline use of MDHHS local stabilization funds and warn state lead-abatement grants have declined

Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veteran Services staff briefed commissioners on the county’s use of local stabilization authority funds from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and addressed concerns about lead-abatement funding from the state.

Dr. Brianna Osorio said local stabilization funds are an annual MDHHS allocation the county uses to support mandated public-health services (food safety, hearing and vision, immunizations, communicable disease work) and to fund staff positions and technology upgrades. She said unused stabilization funds roll over and the funding is restricted to eligible programs identified by MDHHS.

Commissioners asked whether the local stabilization authority is an independent board; staff clarified the funds are disbursed by MDHHS and are not a separate independent authority. Commissioners also asked whether lead-abatement funds remain available. County staff said a direct state lead-abatement grant that the county previously administered was discontinued in the last year or two because the per-household abatement costs were high; the department still performs lead testing and prevention work and coordinates with municipalities and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) when remediation resources are available.

Commissioners discussed municipal lead-service-line replacement timelines and funding constraints and asked staff to follow up with details about available state programs or rehabilitation dollars. Dr. Osorio said staff would provide clarification to the commission about eligible uses and limits for the stabilization funds and would report back on any state programs that provide abatement or rehab funds.