[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6502047,"mediaKeyId","5608822-92296f9f327ef8337f208896794403cc","parentId",5608822,"title","Votes at a glance: Eaton County commissioners approve fee changes, grant applications, budget amendments and labor agreements","audioSeconds",810,"startMs",525000,"endMs",1335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5608822-92296f9f327ef8337f208896794403cc&start=525&end=1335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5608822-92296f9f327ef8337f208896794403cc/thumbnail_525000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502047/Eaton-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Eaton-County-commissioners-approve-fee-changes-grant-applications-budget-amendments-and-labor-agreements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502047-8a3dc90811d0b6758725f69fd305db7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149517&Signature=dbst8euvOzJ-GAxmRUuN7EPNMDIEJx3EqKmqlpMz3virKDlzqr5gBNIcjksCOpXErZT28yS4KIBSnO6s-tMXJBp9Dc9JOt~cYyLJexbdGUImlI64oSFk1bFE6A0ZQjgVjvl4euYR4Wfu8O2VgKOVhq2TKLpEfb~Nqpf5fv0NpWrXKObu6OzcilKJ63q8kGXG0N95tz0R0hE4EsvwzSqJs1DFN8cKFAMSpS1eHGVGFo80Ul9j6HfpvazW3k6MaINymLPLeUFEX9UCq1s1DxeS4lVBSGIkWnj4Fe0PdWnO2TF~TnmztxXxca9tu6YVNnLevA19aD8124dse7fxK4JRvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Eaton County","date","2025-08-20T22:51:39.313Z","article","The Eaton County Board of Commissioners handled several routine and substantive actions at its Aug. 20 meeting. Below is a concise list of the formal actions taken, as recorded in the meeting.

Emergency Management Performance Grant

- Action: Approve initial work agreement for the Emergency Management Performance Grant (annual agreement covering activities required to receive funds).
- Motion: Accept the work agreement and receive the grant.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Holmes; supported by Commissioner Pete.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Notes: County emergency management staff said the agreement documents the activities the office will perform to qualify for grant funds in the following fiscal year.

Clerk fee schedule amendment

- Action: Resolution to amend county clerk fee schedule (certified copy fee comparison to surrounding counties discussed).
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Drosha; supported by Commissioner Barber.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
- Notes: Clerk Bosworth reported neighboring counties charge $20 per certified copy, with Ingham County charging $30; county fee had not changed since 2017.

County clerk e-recording grant application

- Action: Resolution authorizing application for a county clerk e-recording grant.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Rosha; supported by Commissioner Haskell.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

PA 116 farmland/open space development rights agreement

- Action: Resolution approving a PA 116 farmland/open space development rights agreement.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Drosheus; supported as noted on the floor.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

Fire training center grant (see separate article)

- Action: Resolution to authorize acceptance and pass-through of a state appropriation for a fire training center with a reduced county administrative fee of 3% (override of the county's 15% grants policy).
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Rosha; supported by Commissioner Christiansen.
- Outcome: Approved by roll call (two-thirds required and met). See separate article for full discussion and roll-call votes.

Fiscal year 2024-25 budget amendments

- Action: Resolution to approve fiscal year 2024-25 budget amendments.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Drosheus; supported by Commissioner Hansen.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

Claims and purchases (paying the bills)

- Action: Motion to approve the claims and purchases.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Drosheus; supported by Commissioner Pearl Wright.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

Labor relations / tentative agreements

- Action: The board acknowledged tentative agreements with multiple bargaining groups covering wage increases (examples listed by administration: central non-supervisory and supervisory groups, maintenance, youth facility, animal control, sheriff's non-supervisory division). The command officers group remained under negotiation.
- Motion/Outcome: Board approved putting the negotiated increases forward (voice vote); no roll call required. Administration noted raises of 5% in year one and 3% in year two were included in the proposed budget and that the county used one-time ARPA funds previously for retention bonuses.

Meeting minutes

- Action: Approval of July 26 regular meeting minutes and July 25 special and closed meeting minutes.
- Mover/Second: Moved by Commissioner Rosha; supported by Commissioner Hansen.
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

Other committee reports

- Public Works and Human Services, Public Safety, and Ways and Means provided routine reports; some items were forwarded to the board without additional action beyond the items listed above.

Ending

The board completed the docket of resolutions and routine business. Several items (notably the fire training grant and drainage concerns) drew substantive public comment and follow-up items for administration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8-20-2025 Board of Commissioners","oneSentenceSummary","At its Aug. 20 meeting the Eaton County Board of Commissioners approved multiple resolutions and motions including clerk fee changes, grant applications, PA 116 farmland agreements, emergency-management grant work agreement, fiscal year 2024-25 budget amendments, claims and purchases, and tentative labor agreements.","taxTitle","Eaton County, Michigan","taxId",53092,"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},6502052,"Residents and commissioners call for changes to Michigan drain code after steep assessments in Eaton County",1190,1695000,2885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5608822-92296f9f327ef8337f208896794403cc&start=1695&end=2885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5608822-92296f9f327ef8337f208896794403cc/thumbnail_1695000.jpg","/articles/6502052/Eaton-County/Michigan/Residents-and-commissioners-call-for-changes-to-Michigan-drain-code-after-steep-assessments-in-Eaton-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502052-c4a0ff5c7348be7859d56e8471ed0689/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149517&Signature=L~CV6g4B6qH0ASOuBwTF-fGoHT1-u74DiDpiSsejfuBglOw2gwD10ira6hLvKFweAOF3pjncHCDUVmAek6HTEgxzL04MO10VVrvCw~vuZToeza~LLpDT3Z2G6IfLjXWJGGBdyvhRAzXMjfTRu8t0inAgxXv1kDA3Sj9zA3ZhSqdXovR2zOaFK9-17b1fSQnr96bWhfo4mlBz2viwgj-owUWRiswyadNkAfdFSdND2sT7hl4ZOes5PFpttDlYck2kYst4np4Y51iEA05j23Pr5o0AXvTJxD7MKj0~RiR6Q6Tjv69VH2EPj9u8DEwXKW0XBSnxU-QxxhlDqVFuCEFaWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents urged Eaton County commissioners on Aug. 20 to press for changes to Michigan's drain law after several speakers described large assessments and difficulty reaching the Drain Commissioner.

Jim Billig, a longtime county resident, told commissioners his family and others were facing large drain assessments. \"The total owed for 2 drains is $40,000,\" Billig said. \"I did not get a chance to vote on this issue.\"

Why it matters: Drain assessments are legally separate from the county general fund. Commissioners and administration described the board's limited statutory authority over the Drain Commissioner's decisions and assessments, but said the county can take administrative steps and pursue legislative changes to the drain code.

Administrator's explanation and county limits

County administration told the board it has a constrained role: it must provide a budget and workspace for elected offices but cannot directly control an independently elected Drain Commissioner's assessment decisions. \"You have a limited responsibility, like you have for every elected office,\" the administrator said. \"You cannot control what the Drain Commissioner doesn't do or does.\"

Administration also described options the board could consider that do not require amending state law, such as making the county's extension of full faith and credit for drainage projects contingent on stricter local petition thresholds and reporting requirements. Officials said that approach would not change the state drain code but could alter county-level financing decisions tied to drainage projects.

Public concern and legislative outreach

Billig said multiple residents had tried to contact the Drain Commissioner without success and that some property owners face assessments they say they cannot pay. He said he had discussed the issue with state representatives and with staff members in the governor's office and was told bills had been introduced to seek change.

County administration said it has met with legislators, reviewed possible statutory revisions and drafted proposed policies to bring to the Legislature. The county also said it had requested and awaited an audit of the Drain Office and that more information would be made available when the audit is complete.

Board response and next steps

Commissioners and administration acknowledged the problem but emphasized that significant change likely requires legislative action in Lansing. Administrators said the board can require more frequent reporting from the Drain Office and can make local financial support for projects conditional on petition thresholds or other local policy changes in order to limit county exposure.

Ending

Speakers asked the board to press state leaders for code changes and to elevate drain-office transparency. County staff said they would continue to meet with the Drain Commissioner, legislators and stakeholders and would present options to the board as the audit and legislative work progress.","Public commenters and county administration said the state's drain code limits the board's ability to address large assessments; residents described personal financial hardship and urged legislative change while the county said it is limited to budgeting and reporting actions.",{"_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},6502056,"Eaton County approves 3% administration fee to pass through misrouted fire training grant",536,758000,1294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5608822-92296f9f327ef8337f208896794403cc&start=758&end=1294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5608822-92296f9f327ef8337f208896794403cc/thumbnail_758000.jpg","/articles/6502056/Eaton-County/Michigan/Eaton-County-approves-3-administration-fee-to-pass-through-misrouted-fire-training-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502056-35666cba15ce96134d4a6c75e1cb17ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149517&Signature=Dn2CKv8BabJsy4lL0at~5mEr6QnwHVjZkA6SMooO3lBzURkcDBphX5hf5UF11~oMpWvJW5arc4zJyV4NBBKGXN7xONmVdHFyYP-6fG9CsOk3OOISpISBQ07qKhcHA5vFqClNG4R9d2NCPeU7dp0Q6UJBX7V7oB8wIXeUfTXau-XENKWxUBEaLq5rluLI8ilDnunXlH16g-ARJRxneOv2Uo3gcBsq0SicYV24nBaNXNfGPd7fuK1IWHqrqMuZ8-cJka04ESh5R1jkh9anmXaC4l1dSKtkAziyEgyhZSuDTdX3es1UgU5xU9YH2R21rA0hP~jT-fYNANGcq9ZEfGZ64A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eaton County commissioners voted Aug. 20 to allow county administration to accept and pass through a state appropriation intended for a countywide fire training center while charging a 3% administrative fee.

The vote came after public comment opposing the fee and a multi-commissioner discussion about the county's grants administrative policy, legal obligations tied to legislative appropriations, and the time required to spend the funds. The resolution was moved by Commissioner Rosha and supported on the floor; the measure passed on a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The appropriation was issued to Eaton County in error instead of the Eaton County Fire Association and Charlotte Fire Department. County staff said the money cannot be reissued by the State Treasury without legislative action, so the county would have to serve as a pass-through recipient. The county's adopted grants administrative policy sets a 15% minimum for handling passthrough grants; commissioners voted to override that policy and accept a 3% administrative charge for this single grant to allow the project to move forward.

Public comment and county response

Resident Joseph Chin told the board he represented the Charlotte Fire Department and the Eaton County Fire Association and said the appropriation was intended for the training facility. \"Losing $21,000 due to an error in taking the fire money away from this project is not acceptable,\" Chin said, referring to the difference between the 15% policy fee and the 3% fee now proposed.

Ben Solby, representing county administration, said the county had already invested staff time and legal resources and that a path forward required a subrecipient agreement and additional reporting and liability work. \"We are asking administration is to not do 15% and do 3%. That's in line with what other communities that have done pass-through grants for,\" Solby said, noting other municipalities had faced similar situations.

Details of the compromise

County staff said the 3% fee equates to roughly $21,000 on this appropriation and reflects the administration's estimate of the accounting, reporting and legal costs the county will incur while the funds are outstanding. Solby told commissioners the grant is statutory in nature (the appropriation was written into law) and that rerouting the payment would have required legislative action the county could not secure in the current session.

Solby also said the funds must be expended by 2027, and that the project timeline and procurement choices will determine the duration of the county's reporting obligations. He described the county's next step as entering a memorandum of understanding or subrecipient agreement with the fire training committee to clarify liability, ownership and reporting duties.

Board debate and vote

Commissioner Haskell asked whether 3% would cover the county's costs. Solby said it was the administration's current estimate and that actual costs could be higher depending on how long reporting obligations continue.

Commissioner Christianson voiced concern about reducing the fee for a public-safety project but the board majority said the 3% was the lowest practical administrative charge for this unique situation. Commissioner Toomey and Commissioner Whitaker said the county policy was working as intended and that the lower fee balanced fiscal responsibility with support for municipal partners.

The resolution required a two-thirds vote to override the grants policy. The roll call showed a majority in favor; Commissioner Christianson voted no. The clerk announced the motion carried.

What the county will do next

County staff said they will prepare a subrecipient agreement and related paperwork so that the fire training committee can proceed with procurement and construction within the time allowed by the appropriation.

Ending note

Commissioners and staff repeatedly framed the decision as an effort to move the project forward while attempting to recover the county's costs for legal and reporting work. The county did not reallocate general fund resources to cover the work and said it will monitor expenses under the subrecipient arrangement.

","The Eaton County Board of Commissioners voted Aug. 20 to accept a state appropriation mistakenly issued to the county for a proposed regional fire training center and to pass most funds to the fire training committee while charging a 3% administrative fee, an exception to the county's 15% grants policy.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Eaton County commissioners approve fee changes, grant applications, budget amendments and labor agreements

Residents and commissioners call for changes to Michigan drain code after steep assessments in Eaton County

Eaton County approves 3% administration fee to pass through misrouted fire training grant