[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6472837,"mediaKeyId","5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c","parentId",5774669,"title","Committee recommends reclassification and new job pairing for deputy administrator/finance director as county prepares for retirement","audioSeconds",742,"startMs",2168000,"endMs",2910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c&start=2168&end=2910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c/thumbnail_2168000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472837/Barry-County/Michigan/Committee-recommends-reclassification-and-new-job-pairing-for-deputy-administratorfinance-director-as-county-prepares-for-retirement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472837-00b4b2cb3d1a5e72eb2f7e6a4fcb07f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775115073&Signature=hwZGGQ5c-XUeMQi3NpdVVrbEUhFnZc1a8eBOO~gFiR6yEyGvt75T1WLwwtxoDuJNiIpztDj6jC~kOf59LX0blu6ofKPzwTcYNLU6O6mfURCER2lOI6Xzay-JCxvlidcrxb9XclX1xFWkBtOCMffnagGhv9x0dh0XRD8Y6V09XSET1Shjc92Y8B5osOfApADmiHY7o0Ft3bYhS8x7eiLVWf~DI8EX2lKZp-EF4PHfCQKSAaR4iLecLvXJqLVurEB8Qq8Ap3J25BsLLY5~VN4ZqEVDp12Bfk6SVJY1JJG8VgOnG7rfBsEVXRLXlQLk9T1fdsPdNjs9l8~bXJfliz6XGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Barry County Michigan","date","2025-09-17T01:47:57Z","article","On Sept. 16, 2025, the Barry County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole voted to recommend that the Board remove the deputy administrator/finance director position from the classification system, approve a new job description and set pay pairings for 2025-26 to attract a candidate to an expanded role.

County staff told the committee the action responds to the announced retirement of Louella, the incumbent, at the end of the year and the county's desire to centralize financial functions. \"Louella will be retiring at the end of the year. So in efforts to move forward on placing the open position up, I want to take the opportunity to revisit the job description,\" a county administrator or staff presenter said. Staff said some accounting and accounts-payable duties will move to the administrator's office to create a single finance function and that the revised deputy role would include supervisory responsibilities.

Staff said the county compared pay and duties with similar counties and found the current range was below market; the recommended change sets a salary range for 2025-26 intended to attract candidates with stronger accounting and finance backgrounds.

Commissioners generally supported the change, citing a loss of institutional knowledge as multiple long-tenured staff retire and endorsing the need for a professionally skilled finance position. Commissioner White asked whether moving duties from other departments would require adjustments in manpower and budget; staff responded they believe funds exist in the budget and that the change is a modification to an existing position rather than creation of an entirely new post.

Motion by Hatfield, support by Campbell, recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve removing the deputy administrator/finance director from the classification system, approve a new job description and approve pay pairings for the 2025-26 period. The committee chair called for the ayes and the motion carried.

The committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the full Board for final action. Staff said they will continue to evaluate work distribution across elected offices and administrative roles as hires and retirements occur.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee of the Whole 9/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","Barry County's Committee of the Whole recommended removing the deputy administrator/finance director position from the classification system, approving a revised job description and setting a 2025-26 salary pairing to attract a candidate after the incumbent's planned retirement.","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},6472842,"Barry County schedules Oct. 28 public hearing on 2026 budget; committee recommends Resolution 25-22 adoption",94,2060000,2154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c&start=2060&end=2154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c/thumbnail_2060000.jpg","/articles/6472842/Barry-County/Michigan/Barry-County-schedules-Oct-28-public-hearing-on-2026-budget-committee-recommends-Resolution-25-22-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472842-65657ce7305f7bdcf221a800ffd777da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775115073&Signature=j1cUeBtmUaifsFosg-g2GcvxabDzmecGzSaNtMPdPgMHXOy278vjfcBlkIOQjDkwiZd0qKVCOshlmAPHjnljoUuT6~74qbXEPK~kYbJvpm5K43nzGqs6QVcioPbsVP84aCXefSm79FVtAu6oxxEyDUl61ptJ07oN7ATCwCG8-W2dNpdOYmmecw5q0i9~p-ijI0vGVXhj3mT~Mw7VQH4tVgNqkaNeBZVZ0OfpYb1VC4GsREL88EQsrTUhFFyEQAOSwARD0SSiRLiLTFICuTl2jF2fqzXzweGcLuDVL86KHrz-~v6CPyZ6FzmN018T7pP1FdgSNkgBuZqhFh4wXWoTVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Sept. 16, 2025, the Barry County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole voted to schedule a public hearing on the proposed 2026 Barry County budget for Oct. 28, 2025 at 9 a.m. and recommended that the Board adopt Resolution 25-22 (the 2026 Barry County Budget General Appropriations Act and millage) after holding the hearing.

\"We'll schedule the public hearing on Oct. 28 at 9 a.m.,\" the committee chair said, asking for a motion to set the hearing and to recommend adoption of Resolution 25-22 following the hearing. Commissioner Bassett moved and Commissioner Hatfield supported the motion; the committee chair called for the ayes and the motion carried.

During public comment, Gary White raised concerns about contingency levels, fund balances and what he characterized as reduced capacity in the health department. White said it was difficult to find fund-balance information in the proposed budget and asserted that the budget's contingency amount and the county's general fund balance had changed over recent years. \"This budget includes contingency of $309,804, which is just a little over 1%,\" White said, and he urged commissioners to know and report fund balances and contingency levels.

County staff told commissioners they had not finalized any agreements with bargaining units and that future contract negotiations could prompt budget amendments. Staff said the 2026 budget as proposed is based on current estimates and that amendments will be used if negotiations or other developments require changes.

The committee's action was a recommendation; final adoption of the 2026 budget and millage will require the scheduled public hearing and a subsequent Board vote.","The Barry County Committee of the Whole voted to schedule a public hearing for the proposed 2026 Barry County budget on Oct. 28, 2025 at 9 a.m. and recommended adoption of Resolution 25-22 (General Appropriations Act and millage) following that hearing.",{"_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},6472847,"Committee recommends updates to cash-disbursement, vendor W-9 and smoke-and-vape workplace policies",311,1732000,2043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c&start=1732&end=2043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c/thumbnail_1732000.jpg","/articles/6472847/Barry-County/Michigan/Committee-recommends-updates-to-cash-disbursement-vendor-W-9-and-smoke-and-vape-workplace-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472847-a470bb8da7a114e2b0e8a7b3b1b9bb01/orig.mp4?Expires=1775115073&Signature=U8BdOQDxrx2Rl4Smee~RS9~wGhnfsBjwnF~tOWkt6nLTlLvAhC9~lC0CrSBC27c9VMwO6HQUFIu5gtyLT7sPtavUutz5JG72zWZ62VjpkVydPnyhV76S2OQiZrkI3BH2ZSTNxw~utn-m0FxhIPC4p25WyDKCMKfW-Sd2JpQKfhMCrhPRCpwwnVmxkDPxeD~N-Gw6TzKBB5x3ipstuZni7JUeYsC1wgmbiRZsNRm0Snm7kXdmNTdNOKIAwfMa1k24hwVO3zKwgb-Mhi48U3-mWGxGwwf6~8vI-sydzRBYyo41JFueNJaX1oHLQTYUWJ7Hce5eKEd7wx3O7b2NcEpf4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Sept. 16, 2025, the Barry County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole voted to recommend that the full board approve updates to three county policies: Cash Disbursement Policy (304), Vendor and Tax Withholding Policy (305) and Smoke and Vape-Free Workplace Policy (702).

A county staff member presenting the package told commissioners the updates respond to operational problems identified over the last year, including vendors paid without W-9 forms and inconsistent signage and enforcement for smoking and vaping at county properties. \"You need to have a W-9. You need to have everything in place before we'll pay anyone,\" the staff member said, describing the vendor-policy changes as giving accounts payable more enforcement ability.

The proposed smoke-and-vape policy expands the list of county buildings subject to a no-smoking rule and clarifies that vaping is included. Commissioner Gay asked whether signs should explicitly say \"smoke and vape free\"; staff said new signage will clarify that both smoking and vaping are prohibited.

The presenter said the updates have been reviewed by county legal counsel and will be distributed to staff upon approval. The committee motion to recommend approval was made by Getty and supported by Bassett; the committee chair called for the ayes and the motion carried.

Staff told commissioners these are the first of several policy updates planned, including personnel and other administrative policies, and that some policies will be reviewed on an annual schedule while others will be updated as issues arise.

The committee's action was a recommendation to the full board; formal adoption requires full Board approval.","The Barry County Committee of the Whole voted to recommend adoption of three updated county policies — Cash Disbursement Policy (304), Vendor and Tax Withholding Policy (305) and Smoke and Vape-Free Workplace Policy (702) — after staff said revisions address enforcement and compliance gaps.",{"_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},6472851,"Barry County airport board commits $80,000 to widen parallel taxiway to 35 feet",379,1341000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c&start=1341&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774669-4399d621b3e6fdf8c4e797d4e082863c/thumbnail_1341000.jpg","/articles/6472851/Barry-County/Michigan/Barry-County-airport-board-commits-80000-to-widen-parallel-taxiway-to-35-feet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472851-42a8a8645aee31fa44fbf9fdb850acec/orig.mp4?Expires=1775115073&Signature=TD2bFPVEINo1E-HhtlMwBbIG8FPOO8FXNCeUHW7F~kqiCcdawLBRVV6xvQsTQ500Fe4L8nkZqZdgLIg~9M38lwZdpEqXjCkmo5Kq5H9dSaMhUD643M~9bwajTMCLFqlVxqHfay~iBcdJprxuRRdDt9bULG8XUu6juDJjAcKludSxpCKhOqf6YiDHJYah60UZpx2miKHGuBnQui4nCG~V9UHcxQOP8N2MS6HcQrYSlLf5pNCwxMzDbdWig5ACUaYQJ6ervYWUZ6u~qFjeRmpzEnGvidmmVT6pewSFrQDQzMc2ori47S7GMPOG1PqtdM9GS5~IOQhOnSfLguERc87uLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Sept. 16, 2025, the Barry County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole voted to recommend that the full board approve the airport commission's commitment of $80,000 to widen the Barry County Airport's parallel taxiway to 35 feet.

County and airport officials told the committee the additional width is intended to improve safety and allow larger aircraft to use the field. \"It is a safety thing that also expands the airport's usability,\" said Gino, an airport staff member, describing the plan as part of a five-year airport development schedule. The Federal Aviation Administration will fund a 25-foot taxiway; the airport is asking to cover the extra 10 feet of asphalt with airport funds, officials said.

Airport staff estimated the incremental cost for the wider taxiway at about $80,000 if the county does the work alongside the FAA-funded project in 2027; they said doing the widening later as a separate project could cost roughly three times as much. \"If we do it in conjunction with their program, we're basically paying for the asphalt,\" Gino said. He and other presenters said the extra width could help attract hangar construction and more operations.

Commissioner Tunnessen called acting now \"common sense,\" saying adding the extra width during the planned project would avoid repeat environmental studies and other work. The committee also noted the City has already approved the project.

Motion by Tunnessen, support by Bassett, recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve, under the airport commission joint operating agreement, the airport board's $80,000 commitment to widen the parallel taxiway to 35 feet. The committee chair called for the ayes; the motion carried.

Airport staff said the project is currently scheduled for 2027 (work could slip into 2028) and that, if operations grow, future grant funding from state or federal sources could cover a larger share. Officials referenced Federal Aviation Administration guidance and Michigan Department of Transportation involvement in funding and planning for the project.

The airport manager also reminded commissioners of an airport open house and ribbon-cutting scheduled for Oct. 21 with public events and an official 3:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting.

What the committee approved was a recommendation to the full board; final authorization and any contracting will occur if and when the Barry County Board of Commissioners takes formal action.","The Barry County Committee of the Whole on Sept. 16 recommended the Board of Commissioners approve an $80,000 airport-board commitment to widen a parallel taxiway from 25 to 35 feet, a move airport officials say would allow larger aircraft and expand the airport's marketability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends reclassification and new job pairing for deputy administrator/finance director as county prepares for retirement

Barry County schedules Oct. 28 public hearing on 2026 budget; committee recommends Resolution 25-22 adoption

Committee recommends updates to cash-disbursement, vendor W-9 and smoke-and-vape workplace policies

Barry County airport board commits $80,000 to widen parallel taxiway to 35 feet