[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6560147,"mediaKeyId","3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da","parentId",3670886,"title","Board approves vehicle for veterans, multiple contracts and budget adjustments","audioSeconds",499,"startMs",698000,"endMs",1197000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da&start=698&end=1197","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da/thumbnail_698000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560147/Clare-County/Michigan/Board-approves-vehicle-for-veterans-multiple-contracts-and-budget-adjustments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560147-974e36738ec83f8cd30c1c8925a83778/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154445&Signature=P86BQkuzHhEvTI23t22gq9EaBBhfU5GIx3l4lhYEw96gu-QzGAA9NOG3SQ4AQg1JDFiyj~pIHs-SB~Zg-2XhRQsn13bFVyz9NZw7CBbszQKJjbe3k9WentWooM5WYXB8l7DyXSxQ8Lnaq71BfY7vKQ~HAmByDaj5PF~aU0vmNbhPWcRpUx53Miw9qhN7l7W4a6EIIVwzula2k~4rP-ED-jYtV1TKNNU-zH3EjVx7y6NDtN6aNPKWwnJs864vFJOTvO0eaAKV8m6Or1Gyehyp3MEJStAsqESb58vXCTKhnXx2SyK3~uOlNCdRgVAyRz2SxWhL~lkrQk6pmqFUEkfDrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T17:40:26Z","article","Clare County commissioners approved several motions during the meeting, including a vehicle purchase for the Veterans Office, a roof contract amendment, a pre-purchase support contract, budget adjustments and routine meeting schedules.

Votes at a glance (items recorded at the meeting):

- Vehicle for veterans: Motion to approve purchase of a vehicle for veterans in the amount of $27,363.93, with all funds to be paid from grant dollars — approved by roll call. The motion was moved and seconded on the record; the chair called a roll and the motion carried.

- Roofing contract amendment: Motion to approve a contract amendment with Great Lake Roofing and Installation Systems Inc. to finish work with an additional cost (spoken as $5,000 above an earlier figure); staff explained the contractor is approved by jail operations and warranties are in place. Motion approved by roll call.

- Pre-purchase support (IT/maintenance): Motion to approve pre-purchase preventative maintenance and customer support for 100 hours in the amount of $13,650 — motion approved.

- Budget adjustments and expenditures: Motions to approve finance meeting minutes and various budget adjustments were approved, including a listed adjustment 23-21 (amount $24,035) to account for an increase in a public-safety grant, and approval of the November expenditures in the amounts read into the record (the clerk read monthly expenditures during the meeting). Those budget and expenditure motions were approved by roll call.

- Contracts and appointments: The board approved the SmithRx contract for prescription services and appointed Advanced Benefits Group as agent of record for benefits matters (both reported elsewhere in the meeting).

Why it matters: These approvals enact procurement, insurance and budget decisions needed for county operations, veteran services and IT maintenance. Several of the items use grant funds or designated program funds, according to staff.

Ending: Staff said detailed backup documents are available in the county office and that the auditors are reviewing year-end items; routine calendar and committee dates were set for early 2024.

(Notes: motions described above were recorded during the meeting. Exact mover/second names and individual vote-by-name tallies were not always recorded verbatim in the transcript excerpt; outcomes are reported as recorded by the clerk on the public record.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","12.14.2022 Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During the meeting commissioners approved a number of routine finance and procurement items including a $27,363.93 vehicle purchase for veterans (paid from grant funds), a roofing contract amendment, pre-purchase IT support, and budget adjustments tied to grants and monthly expenditures.","taxTitle","Clare County, Michigan","taxId",63546,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560152,"County staff: recent state bills boost liquor and veterans funding, add solid-waste planning duties",150,165000,315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da&start=165&end=315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6560152/Clare-County/Michigan/County-staff-recent-state-bills-boost-liquor-and-veterans-funding-add-solid-waste-planning-duties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560152-1f6505f27b4a805568652300d9768c4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154445&Signature=JWrFfR~XeV2FRYNatWrO3vBNbpXPcL45fqwzMU8lFGaDqrONFzcyCt-VTJYf3x4aV-7q1G2AP5Y9VnmM0t6Re9sfaWVAfgnG-gp6ehnJySp5A~SSgHgcF-4SBIDG4b5xYdKMliKh6MPA-ZYx6pq5WBhAF-560s79FcIkWhP8IrNt4mBJ9HldTGFaNk5oVBnQAXpTJ8zl~ivvqiPiyOe2wKQkccj8RSaDQk0OKKXVVdxQLnT~zQwMnbkjjOd3Piof-rKp0MvyKaHQszqDE27iFTBACgboK2FbLbuqqspS7mC-hp6AnqhcbbTt7TMJnwSgjCchU07CoIJMDvJ52-btsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff updated commissioners on three separate sets of state actions they said will affect Clare County’s revenues and responsibilities.

Liquor tax revenue: A staff presenter summarized that a Senate bill described in the meeting as “Senate bill 12 22 23” amended the State Convention Facilities Authority Act to extend the sunset of liquor-tax revenue for counties. The presenter said the change raised the county’s baseline allocation by about 48 percent and noted an incremental increase the county will begin receiving; the presenter cited an additional $49,074 and a subsequent receipt figure that was read as about $103,037 (numbers stated by staff during the oral report).

County veterans fund: The presenter described a House bill referenced as \"House bill 6 3 7 7\" that continued the county veterans fund established in February 2018. Under that program the state provides a base $50,000 payment to counties plus additional funding based on veteran population; the presenter said Clare County qualified for an additional $71,000 under an added fund component for that population band.

Solid-waste/materials-management requirements: Staff said a package of bills approved during the lame-duck session will require counties to prepare a materials-management plan and obtain approval from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (state). The plan, the presenter said, must include township officials and would require the county to create recycling and reuse opportunities, including electronics recycling. The presenter warned the new requirements will impose additional costs and coordination burdens on the county and said the administration will work with the county’s director of solid waste (Rick) to prepare the plan.

Why it matters: The liquor and veterans funding items add near-term revenue to the county budget, while the solid-waste changes impose new operational requirements that will require planning and resources. The presenter said the county will monitor implementing rules and work with townships to meet the plan and approval requirements.

Ending: Staff said the county will continue to refine revenue estimates as official allocations are received and will keep the board informed about the timeline and costs associated with preparing a materials-management plan for review by state regulators.","Staff told the Board that recent state legislation will raise Clare County’s baseline liquor-tax allocation and extend county veterans funding while also imposing new materials-management planning and reporting requirements that will require county work and expense.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560157,"Clare County approves SmithRx as prescription vendor, promises employee outreach and lower drug costs",911,329000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da&start=329&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da/thumbnail_329000.jpg","/articles/6560157/Clare-County/Michigan/Clare-County-approves-SmithRx-as-prescription-vendor-promises-employee-outreach-and-lower-drug-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560157-92bf245cbac862d5f419a43270b7bde4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154445&Signature=gOcqLR15TyohJw2o9ECp7uhy7TxZeW6vXqxMD3dDOy202BEJvI89OVOYvEX-61KLoTcMpZ9xxqIJBPVFUZ-x2VTGc0gips88rbxaOU6xtQF~xy7FiEL1lCpeeudPI1EQFuhmkaQYuG~0Wc5eYMp9yU~1-8t1~Z7em5qJJh-oNQVoFsRFMYqJFIl4MbVvJk-pEYPtLswtA8haM2TEA9wnKSinRm8tlTsGh1FW28ss3vqOYw-UmqKqIpq5WZjNosxxKdwH7LuaItF7YrKEUnbBp3ezBm9NbJxKiaBSbS0gU4L2ZKEW1KicAMsNOxfxhyJPhyb6ozl36NNqzSbGQU8phg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clare County commissioners voted to approve a contract with SmithRx as the county’s new prescription-provider partner, and later approved Advanced Benefits Group as the county’s agent of record for health-insurance matters.

County staff told commissioners they had reviewed several vendors and selected SmithRx (affiliated with GoodRx) after sending the county’s drug history to bidders. Staff said the county’s prescription spending had been substantial: more than $75,000 year-to-date and about $48,000 for October alone. In presenting the change, a staff presenter said SmithRx will work directly with each employee who receives prescriptions and will assign an agent for one-on-one assistance.

Staff emphasized that employees will need to work with their primary-care providers to request generic equivalents where clinically appropriate. The presenter gave examples: the county’s current cost for a brand prescription listed was about $2,200 per month; SmithRx quoted a domestic generic equivalent at roughly $7. The presenter described a commission- and-margin difference between the prior vendor (percentage-based) and SmithRx (flat fee per drug), and said that structure should reduce overall county prescription spending.

The board approved the SmithRx contract on a motion and a recorded voice vote. Commissioner Spenza made the motion; a second was recorded. Commissioners also approved a separate motion to name Advanced Benefits Group as the county’s agent of record for health insurance products and benefits consulting.

Why it matters: County staff said the change aims to reduce county healthcare spending and give employees direct support when filling medications. Staff also said Jan. 1 will bring a $0 copay for regular primary-care visits for all employees; specialist copays will remain for buy-up and regular plans ($10 and $20, respectively, as described by staff).

Implementation and next steps: Staff said SmithRx representatives will contact every affected employee and that department meetings will explain the transition. The county will continue to rely on human-resources staff to facilitate enrollment and price-equivalent substitutions.

Ending: Commissioners approved the SmithRx contract and the Advanced Benefits Group appointment during the same meeting; staff said they will communicate with employees and hold department meetings to review the new prescription process.","The Board approved a contract with SmithRx (affiliated with GoodRx) as the county's new prescription provider beginning January 2023. County staff said switching could sharply reduce costs on some medications and that employees will be contacted directly to manage transitions.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560162,"Clare County clerk: new statewide election rule will increase county costs, staffing and coordination",823,1411000,2234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da&start=1411&end=2234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670886-2042f3e3d77ae18c131e1d40c900b8da/thumbnail_1411000.jpg","/articles/6560162/Clare-County/Michigan/Clare-County-clerk-new-statewide-election-rule-will-increase-county-costs-staffing-and-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560162-76576e29cfadd5da9673c2a569e72172/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154445&Signature=RhiJu4SjizQo7coSKNcVvDloN0wajlHSpPmvSBHxddPwjKWs5u7hj7UEIbD7aJYEQeHD3r4IGewes94vDouJREWE0A93B~nk4-O8Or4T9~b~8aXmYiHQgTJvCgRNg5q5TG3aBidaZrryY7IvjE9TJSw6nPar9oSgJyzL4l9R9IfIrDZc6PzfjmJw62CBhyKe4xnXPkl7dJULsI5821otuXBUVytqwwTnge-ZuaSsAoNHGfTZz2XXmfDU6FICoVKcIst4NXHgLz2tnmFRhsaLJ~ilAqJ~8pOrI9j0k2GVpixdATfZMPb0VuiCIzoiUr6MfAZKdSdOOQX2hHDon5LbDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clare County Clerk Laura told the Board of Commissioners on Dec. 13 that a package of statewide election changes commonly described during the meeting as “Proposal 22-2” will significantly increase the county’s workload and costs.

The clerk said the measure requires nine days of early in-person voting for statewide and federal contests, mandates minimum daily open hours for early sites, expands the window for accepting some overseas ballots, creates a permanent absentee-voter (AV) list and requires counties to provide drop boxes and other new infrastructure. \"This is going to cost the county more money. It's going to take more coordinating, planning, and executing from my office,\" Laura said.

County officials and clerk’s office staff said the state will not provide full funding for the additional early-voting days and domestic postage for mailed ballots and applications, and that the bulk of operational expense will fall to counties and local jurisdictions. Laura reported state estimates she had received that projected substantial increased postage costs and said the state estimate — based on the 2020 election — was roughly $11.4 million per statewide election for postage; she also said a later estimate showed an increase of $4.3 million for a subsequent presidential election cycle. The clerk cautioned the board these estimates come from state-level calculations and that more detail is expected after the first of the year.

Why it matters: county elections are administered locally but the new rules expand county duties for staffing early-vote locations, securing ballots, signature review and handling ballots arriving after election day from overseas voters. Laura said staffing early voting could require 10–12 hour days (eight hours minimum plus setup and teardown) for nine days leading up to a vote, and that this could create a recurring staffing and cost problem for small townships that lack capacity.

Details from the clerk’s presentation:

- Early voting: nine days of early voting with a minimum eight hours per day; counties should expect longer shifts when setup and security are included. The clerk said local options remain for consolidating precincts, but consolidation can cause voter confusion because a consolidated early site for a federal election could be different from a voter’s precinct site for a local election.

- Permanent absentee-voter list: under the new rules, an individual who applies may be placed on a permanent AV list and receive ballots automatically unless removed; the clerk said such automatic mailing continues until a voter fails to vote for six consecutive years (at which point mailings stop).

- Overseas/military ballots: ballots from overseas voters that are postmarked on election day must be accepted if received within six days after the election, which prevents counties from certifying immediately in some instances.

- Drop boxes and donations: the proposal requires drop boxes and allows counties, townships and municipalities to accept charitable donations to administer elections; the clerk flagged legal and perception issues around donated election resources.

- Cost and staffing: Laura said the state will fund some postage but that counties still bear logistics and other costs. She warned that some smaller jurisdictions may be unable to absorb the cost and that consolidation or county-run elections may become more likely.

Board response and next steps: Laura said she will assemble a planning committee and seek guidance from the Bureau of Elections and local clerks to design a county approach that reduces confusion and cost. She told the board she may request additional staff and asked commissioners to be prepared to discuss options for funding any added county responsibilities. \"Don't be surprised if I come asking for another employee,\" she said.

Ending: The clerk said the state Bureau of Elections had not yet issued final recommendations at the time of the meeting; she pledged to return to the board with implementation options early next year and said she will work with township clerks, the county’s office of finance and other stakeholders before proposing funding or organizational changes.","Clare County Clerk Laura told the Board that changes approved in Proposal 22-2 require nine days of early voting for statewide and federal contests, expand absentee-ballot handling windows, create a permanent absentee-voter list and add new logistics and postage costs that will fall on county and local jurisdictions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves vehicle for veterans, multiple contracts and budget adjustments

County staff: recent state bills boost liquor and veterans funding, add solid-waste planning duties

Clare County approves SmithRx as prescription vendor, promises employee outreach and lower drug costs

Clare County clerk: new statewide election rule will increase county costs, staffing and coordination