[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6276349,"mediaKeyId","2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5","parentId",2660674,"title","Votes at a glance: Barry County commissioners approve consent items, claims and personnel policy changes","audioSeconds",85,"startMs",733000,"endMs",818000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5&start=733&end=818","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5/thumbnail_733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6276349/Barry-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Barry-County-commissioners-approve-consent-items-claims-and-personnel-policy-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276349-72be9816571842aa1aa1da19ed0d09be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170389&Signature=D6AD4ADoIZ8OnZ2zk2hgCodXrkKv0~NGBDLMJxdow~CWeaKzIpxfi47~XyHbRtCfn0lWI7KS0Tj~PAZWIDIih286Rf59xpaCvuInQo2zBtQulRh60h-t59fQmK9dyZSJbwkPsvuW7ZqOBAYsIG~A8SQfmJPDpyUT1LT5ROtCpyvMbmEioUi8zYxZQ93CVJahjkCw862d48r1ETGIFqo-rE4aOLvFLT1WZSOgApZTF04P1q4S52u1fsdzpglbKeKi5yzGAas8Qp-ekPIWD0Zd7Rz~ARndvf0XhiotNyOZAFcskyMVqn-WKb6VKXGFardeHfEyyNUgUZDv14Ce3FMASQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barry County Michigan","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Below are the key motions and roll-call outcomes from the Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 11, 2025. These items drew limited discussion and were approved by the board.

Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda, including the Feb. 25, 2025 meeting minutes, by roll call. Commissioners present voted aye.

Prepaid invoices (Item A): The board approved prepaid invoices. Staff introduced the item as $3,235,476.19 and the motion language later recorded $3,275,476.19 in the meeting; the roll-call vote approved the motion. (The packet and motion text contained inconsistent amounts; staff did not correct the discrepancy on the record.)

Claims (Item B): The board approved claims in the amount of $57,032.76 by roll call.

Commissioner reimbursements (Item C): The board approved commissioner mileage reimbursements in the amount recorded in the packet ($424.80) by roll call.

Policy change on promotion wages (Item J): The board approved a change to personnel policies to allow promoted nonunion employees to be hired or promoted up to the top of the pay range based on experience, aligning promotional rules with recently broadened hiring flexibilities. Commissioners voted aye by roll call; the motion passed.

Other routine approvals: The meeting also approved motions for acceptance of other administrative items and procedural votes; all passed by roll call unless otherwise noted in individual item coverage above.

Noted roll-call practice: The meeting record identifies the commissioners present and records an aye vote for most routine motions; occasional individual dissent was recorded on certain items identified in the primary articles above.

Ending: These routine financial and procedural approvals allow county staff to process payments, update payroll and implement the approved personnel policy changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners - 2025/03/11","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 11 meeting the Barry County Board of Commissioners approved the consent agenda and routine financial items including prepaid invoices, claims and commissioner reimbursements, and approved a personnel policy change on promotion wages.","taxTitle","Barry County, Michigan","taxId",52020,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276354,"Barry County dissolves Solid Waste Oversight Committee, transitions to Materials Management Committee",206,2723000,2929000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5&start=2723&end=2929","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5/thumbnail_2723000.jpg","/articles/6276354/Barry-County/Michigan/Barry-County-dissolves-Solid-Waste-Oversight-Committee-transitions-to-Materials-Management-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276354-788272ef9072cde3c7e2efedaa3e2ef3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170389&Signature=SEnZ1jkIK2wAf93yz-eZ-hCbCNmL0CIzsktoMEqREEFbmFshQfzJ83VTQlJgs7IqSIXLdcUhma70mlzByfKuE09em~r0SbuffX5FG8-64ctR0WqDiFedrJwJ2toxu-2cUg9ajdk5HwgCyhNXdS6bU14pYTVuukWBVa9KUWsG7NdqON7c1LMXFytehB115ssWr4ZypppG4YA3TmnrHgpxkIp3em-VhJmoJBrW071Ri27fkx7Ab-UZ55o7zeo26tMO-BFCEVa0OdFp3p~gyliDhlAufCcsO3MA0yBIlM48wvr4OdKX5IPrBvwESiaFA8qj2DKT0PycTBWbtR~IT0UG6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board adopted Resolution 25-08 on March 11 to abolish the Barry County Solid Waste Oversight Committee and shift duties to the Materials Management Committee in accordance with updated state guidance.

The change is nominally organizational: county staff told commissioners the state has reorganized oversight functions and now refers to a materials management role with a somewhat broader charge and a different membership requirement. Commissioners said many of the same people who served on the Solid Waste Oversight Committee have been invited to participate in the new Materials Management Committee in an ad hoc capacity, but state rules require adding some members to meet composition rules for the new committee.

Why it matters: The transfer consolidates administration of the county’s solid-waste fund under the Materials Management Committee. Commissioners and staff noted ongoing contracts tied to chipping and other services that will require future renegotiation under the new structure.

Questions from the board: A commenter identified as Mr. Carey asked for clarification about the practical effect of the change; staff responded that the new committee carries similar functions, with slightly altered scope and new members required by state rules. Commissioner Gage noted members were already appointed to the materials planning committee in prior meetings, and this resolution formally dissolves the older oversight body.

Vote: The board approved Resolution 25-08 by roll call.

Ending: Staff said the solid-waste fund will now be administered by the Materials Management Committee and that the county will continue outreach to stakeholders on contracts and operations.","The board adopted resolution 25-08 to abolish the county Solid Waste Oversight Committee and move responsibilities to the Materials Management Committee to align with changes in state structure and membership requirements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276359,"Commissioners approve amended right-of-way easement with Wolverine Power on Norris Road property",261,2465000,2726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5&start=2465&end=2726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5/thumbnail_2465000.jpg","/articles/6276359/Barry-County/Michigan/Commissioners-approve-amended-right-of-way-easement-with-Wolverine-Power-on-Norris-Road-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276359-291033d5251e5d78e21f0d193023f101/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170389&Signature=g05VAccQS2XXIIOtioQEGaBtT~YG5A7CdkA6r6-97lTKvZ85nWASIRWXDqvAiHUiu5EleokyyiGRCMUVQfJV3QqaTEZG6LGv5~sxb07jJAUdqVnKXNzKXUmxuF5mgwXCH27BKLenB~SNFlZBWfat8bxW1xIUC3WpeyYdY4XCDAM80iLcBB3O7NOQIPrVceaCZJqGr7-4tLzXxKsp2NM7DyG8oQKm-Lzk1Hg2aQ7eWQyQl5w~pF8pczjKF1ZaSg-kcv-f0Lzk1S0SM8F3bdyrfMnc1OuegKrZ7xzuSJY-rc7iQJwGR0AqCgx9aBsRXka87iF5jjliHtdueJN5hZNwyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Commissioners on March 11 approved a second reaffirmation and amendment to a right-of-way easement agreement with Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative Inc. The easement will permit Wolverine to shift existing easement boundaries on county-owned property near Norris Road to accommodate utility work and maintenance near an existing substation.

Louella told the board she had met with Wolverine representatives and that the request is a boundary shift to an earlier-approved easement. Materials in the meeting packet included a color diagram showing the original easement and the proposed revised boundary; Louella said the county’s Norris Road parcel is roughly 40 acres and that tree removal in the new boundary area would likely be required. She said Wolverine offered to leave removed timber on site and that nearby school officials had expressed interest in retaining wood removed near a school building.

Questions and answers: Commissioners asked whether the county attorney needed to review the agreement; Louella said the amendment shifts boundaries of an existing, previously approved easement and described the language as routine. The board asked county staff to contact Cooperative Extension about the availability of previously harvested wood proceeds.

Vote: The motion to approve the second reaffirmation and amendment passed on a roll-call vote with the commissioners present voting aye.

Ending: County staff said they will follow up with Cooperative Extension about timber access and the county’s options for wood from the clearing.","Barry County approved a second reaffirmation and boundary adjustment to a right-of-way easement with Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative Inc. to allow utility work and tree removal on county-owned Norris Road property.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276364,"Barry County adopts sick-leave policy to comply with Michigan Earned Sick Time Act",737,2947000,3684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5&start=2947&end=3684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5/thumbnail_2947000.jpg","/articles/6276364/Barry-County/Michigan/Barry-County-adopts-sick-leave-policy-to-comply-with-Michigan-Earned-Sick-Time-Act","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276364-f4bed59b6c0027472f3d61bc4ad38f08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170389&Signature=I3LZtd6RbzLxk4PZLIS9IyyYE9P3f9hYFe8pXDm631XsZ7y6A77yulnv-BKJkus7ONfuxYnz69JpTwEMMZkj547C8hP252HTO-ZQTS1NqrZMdvvDdgH02XClI86QB9ESckWRoG9HKRItGLjvnzuCienmdLvOoGXYmJIWAyBWqSRXJTo~LgpfA9KyBJbzBUY5xEG9FRcC6BMhQqS0nStDfiE8F24MWtEnfWkm1S99Wj6Mm-O6u8Oadr1Y3sIk8GmAiw3q8vI8kBMNPHSuuht7Nrkp-2HvfemigpJfDoh~XVBHAv3WSSn61rW2IOA4xsMk~bew4IwgnZIS91kUI46QFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Barry County Board of Commissioners voted March 11 to adopt a revised sick-leave policy (policy number recorded in meeting materials as 400–404) to comply with Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act. The policy update takes effect immediately as written in the meeting materials.

Why it matters: The new state law requires employers to provide earned sick time for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees. County staff recommended a front-loading approach for many part-time positions to avoid continuous hourly accrual tracking for a fluctuating workforce; some county boards and agencies may use accrual instead.

Key points from staff: Louella, the county administrative/HR official who presented the policy, said the county will continue front-loading 72 hours for full-time employees each Jan. 1 (a practice already in place) and will use a front-load method for many part-time positions rather than accrual because the county’s payroll system cannot automatically track part-time accrual. She said administrative staff drafted a notice form to give employees an estimate of expected hours and the front-loaded sick-time amount.

Union and cost notes: Louella told commissioners the new policy does not supplant existing union bargaining agreements that are still in effect; those employees remain covered by their collective-bargaining language until those agreements expire (noted as Dec. 31, 2025 in meeting remarks). Commissioners and staff repeatedly described the law as an “unfunded mandate,” and staff said tracking and administrative costs were uncertain.

Concerns about front-loading: Several commissioners asked how front-loading could be managed if a part-timer uses front-loaded sick time before actually accruing it and then leaves employment. Louella said the accrual method allows recapture options but that the county chose front-loading for administrative simplicity in many cases. Transit and other agencies with numerous part-time staff were identified as likely to use accrual and report hours to payroll for reconciliation.

Vote and dissent: The board approved the policy by roll call. One commissioner—Carlton—said he would vote no on a motion he had made earlier and recorded a “no” vote; the roll-call record shows other commissioners voting aye and the motion passing.

Implementation and next steps: County staff will provide the notice form to departments that front-load time and will monitor the policy’s financial and administrative impacts through 2025, adjusting practice if needed.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to review costs after a year of implementation and recommended additional outreach to local municipalities and boards about how the law affects small employers.","The Board adopted policy 400-404 to implement the state Earned Sick Time Act, including provisions to front-load hours for part-time and seasonal employees; commissioners and administrators flagged implementation and tracking issues for nonstandard payroll situations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6276369,"Barry County approves multiple pay-scale reclassifications after officials cite recruitment struggles",1040,891000,1931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5&start=891&end=1931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2660674-29d5beca14761df7f3bd99fd618a91a5/thumbnail_891000.jpg","/articles/6276369/Barry-County/Michigan/Barry-County-approves-multiple-pay-scale-reclassifications-after-officials-cite-recruitment-struggles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276369-a7c4962680d99922782904cd45288127/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170389&Signature=LVe8pem97QJ6qQsnlCLwHP9~6yQtifBZ9qyFD2U84223wxfwmaQCAbXQL~OPtTaIr1FSHiP1NT~1sw9xL-n6xswMG3W552XepOSTBmwG6vB41GLdqk4Y3VBV38lXZaoJ91wwZ7AqgamFHIX3Zx42M0PnzG5VagoTSl57h~mrKEL7iFwIyAbhM97qkq~b48s5pDeGSxSHPQdyLtLXzyybzx0dG-xSNnUz1Fyl7Gl3cOPd2SLOTUpqVKe82sLK0cjto32YRVB3BzS~GzksBuiPMre4IrbipsG-og84vivBx4EGXdRKREEqbnsZbUC5QbtA0XNN3EJZcc37XCaqHPfFow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Barry County Board of Commissioners on March 11 approved a package of job reclassifications for public-safety and court positions, citing long recruitment gaps and competition from neighboring counties.

County commissioners voted to reclassify the assistant public defender from grade 11 to grade 12 and the senior assistant public defender from grade 13 to grade 14 on the BCCEA pay scale. The board also approved the same pattern of reclassifications for assistant prosecutor and senior assistant prosecutor positions, and a reclassification for a trial court staff attorney from grade 12 to grade 14.

Why it matters: Prosecutors, the public defender and court staff told commissioners the county is losing candidates to nearby counties that pay more for entry-level attorneys, leaving long vacancies and reliance on costly contract lawyers. The actions restore higher pay ranges for internal hires and aim to make the county more competitive when recruiting qualified attorneys.

Public defender: The speaker identified in the meeting as Public Defender told the board that an advertised attorney opening produced no applications in 17 months and that local starting pay lags neighboring counties. “I had an open position, attorney position, for 17 months, and I have not had 1 application. Not 1,” the Public Defender said. He and others argued that moving to a full-time public defender office and hiring salaried staff would ultimately reduce contract-attorney costs.

Prosecutor and court administrators: A prosecutor and trial court administrators described similar recruitment challenges and the emotional and technical demands of prosecutor and defender work. Inez, identified as Trial Court Administrator, and Daisy, deputy trial court administrator, said the staff-attorney role carries statutory duties including paternity and collections work and that filling the vacancy is necessary to comply with those duties. Louella, identified in the record as a county HR/administration official, explained the reclassifications trace to the county’s use of a proprietary classification system and a 2015 compensation study and to subsequent work by a classification committee.

Cost and funding: The trial court office said the position is funded under the county’s CRP contract and receives state reimbursement (66%); payment of a county share of approximately $14,322 was referenced in the discussion. Commissioners and administrators said that some vacancies have produced budget savings that can offset reclassification costs, and that hiring salaried staff may be fiscally preferable to continuing high contract-attorney pay dictated by state rates.

Vote: Each reclassification was approved by roll call. The meeting record shows the commissioners present—Bassett, Carlton, Campbell, Getty, Hatfield, Toonison, Colton and Jackson—voted aye, and each motion passed.

What’s next: Commissioners discussed a broader, updated classification and compensation study to replace the county’s nearly decade-old review, and several members urged placing that study on a future agenda so staffing levels and pay scales can be reassessed across departments.

Ending: Officials said filling these positions will proceed through the county’s normal hiring and classification processes, and that the county will continue to monitor recruitment outcomes and budget impacts.","The Barry County Board of Commissioners approved several job reclassifications Tuesday, moving assistant and senior assistant public defender and prosecutor positions and a trial court staff attorney up pay grades after officials described difficulty recruiting and retaining attorneys.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Barry County commissioners approve consent items, claims and personnel policy changes

Barry County dissolves Solid Waste Oversight Committee, transitions to Materials Management Committee

Commissioners approve amended right-of-way easement with Wolverine Power on Norris Road property

Barry County adopts sick-leave policy to comply with Michigan Earned Sick Time Act

Barry County approves multiple pay-scale reclassifications after officials cite recruitment struggles