[{"_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",6467201,"mediaKeyId","5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3","parentId",5809270,"title","Board approves several routine measures including opposing state revenue cuts and transfer to Parks Capital Improvement Fund","audioSeconds",156,"startMs",2487000,"endMs",2643000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3&start=2487&end=2643","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3/thumbnail_2487000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467201/Montcalm-County/Michigan/Board-approves-several-routine-measures-including-opposing-state-revenue-cuts-and-transfer-to-Parks-Capital-Improvement-Fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467201-f2705ba8165356a00cc541c140c5841b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084535&Signature=ARjJJGmGaXyEDUSKs9JfeGqmW8WyK0mQdsRnugRa0n~zRDPia5fvMdXtg52HBC23OuvSct82dxEoZFDADG-ctyqsLHzQFSO6N7CqudCf8-XKMq8-cZWqcOUX96dzcE3XqztWzuB8eL9jbwpI558Z~qXe3vRmYoUAvytEgktwZbJVmVfllsS3gv6W093hGtSuvXUNsvK-BOPi4-qax1-qIZ5wrs-7PDD7zoyPxVi7gZuMn4aRtlduLzz9NNRKY6f2pFusK1xSy1HXM9T7uoEdWUt1azmPQxls57pnWCR3OfCE83NKiXb-XvPHqNJ4uB3Fdc8qA9Z-Odnvw-6jD6gsQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montcalm County","date","2025-09-22T20:08:37Z","article","The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners approved several consent and fiscal items during the Sept. 22 meeting.

Key actions taken by voice vote:

- Resolution 2025‑11: The board approved a resolution opposing proposed fiscal year 2026 cuts to county revenue sharing and authorized sending the resolution to the county’s U.S. House representatives.

- Parks capital funds: The board authorized the controller to transfer $25,000 from the general fund to the Parks Capital Improvement Fund. The controller said prior funding for parks capital has come from property sales and timbering revenues and that the fund balance would be small without this transfer.

- Medical examiner reappointment: The board reappointed Dr. Paul Wagner, M.D., as Montcalm County medical examiner through Dec. 31, 2025, to preserve continuity while the county continues to evaluate its contract with MidMichigan Medical Examiners Group.

- FY2025 budget amendments: The controller presented and the board approved a series of FY2025 budget adjustments, largely to account for a wage study enacted earlier in the year and to reallocate existing general fund dollars and some fund balances where intended.

- Warrants and consent agenda: The board approved three warrant reports totaling $1,907,779.09 and placed consent agenda items 9 through 15 on file, including an ordinance amendment to the ORV ordinance.

Most votes were taken by voice and recorded as carried; the meeting did not include roll‑call tallies in the transcript for these motions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 22 approved a package of routine fiscal and administrative items, including a resolution opposing state revenue‑sharing cuts and a $25,000 transfer to the parks capital fund.","taxTitle","Montcalm County, Michigan","taxId",45831,"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},6467206,"Board seeks clarification on FOIA appeal concerning 1972–1975 records of unidentified human remains",346,2139000,2485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3&start=2139&end=2485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3/thumbnail_2139000.jpg","/articles/6467206/Montcalm-County/Michigan/Board-seeks-clarification-on-FOIA-appeal-concerning-19721975-records-of-unidentified-human-remains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467206-6e2ec6e4f37a4ab0f1a1dabc8d132a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084535&Signature=YRaIDnB1SENCFiDUddziXHX-CDSHKTJaW2scKaY8aLXxQ2qieeUwDnZ5WtSpp9TUnQr8KtaHqzZYtdfLznmKSGhvrRSjW~RE3EEfGAMZI56j6iuobZSWI5Ww6uG~XfqrWWwdLS3G1azxj4zBguoeBKq2Ean7CcPcDPnP2~RZ7UuWNLd789o4TT5~0igVYXCtbPs9yY5KwspZCJgwDl9cFFWDO8rDIjp6YTyRdqKlf8jKZJyWO~07ByZtCTayvYzU7xo~J8vedgjR5uS3AydPpNTan8hytq00vBx8OvgZIKFHnWJnRo7ICgnNo3yItgeCWToEI4O0YzkEG47IqN2Erw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners heard a Freedom of Information Act appeal on Sept. 22 from an individual seeking records from 1972–1975 concerning runaways, missing persons and unidentified human remains.

Vice Chairman Peterson summarized the appeal and told the board that the sheriff’s office had responded to most requests saying records “do not exist.” One specific request — records of unidentified human remains from 1972–1975 — was denied by the sheriff’s office, which cited an investigative exemption, saying disclosure could interfere with law‑enforcement proceedings.

“I don’t understand how an investigation is interfering with the police investigation if it’s been 50 years,” a commissioner said during the discussion. The sheriff had previously told county staff by email that, if records had existed they were likely purged long ago and that there is no way to know if records ever existed.

Commissioners agreed it was prudent to seek clarification from the sheriff’s office to determine whether the records physically do not exist or whether the sheriff believes disclosure would interfere with an ongoing or potential investigation. The board asked staff to request an explanation from the sheriff and to take up the appeal again at the next meeting; staff noted the appeal deadline falls on Oct. 13, giving the board time to respond.

The board did not vote to overturn the sheriff’s denial; instead it requested clarification and deferred final action until the next meeting.

The appeal concerns records dating back five decades; the transcript shows commissioners and staff discussed the practical likelihood of locating such old records and the sheriff’s statement that staff from the 1970s are no longer available to consult.","A Freedom of Information Act appeal seeking records from 1972–1975 related to runaways and unidentified human remains was discussed. The sheriff earlier denied one request citing law‑enforcement‑investigative exemption; the board asked the sheriff for clarification and deferred action until the next meeting.",{"_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},6467210,"Board approves full‑time probation officer to start veterans/drug treatment courts; controller to identify funding",1592,472000,2064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3&start=472&end=2064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3/thumbnail_472000.jpg","/articles/6467210/Montcalm-County/Michigan/Board-approves-fulltime-probation-officer-to-start-veteransdrug-treatment-courts-controller-to-identify-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467210-73b12be1466e573963af64d883608097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084535&Signature=MevaWvMOJsNavr~XXCmjNNF79q9KPCtT9dkrqzni2MWGFvZJHJvwWntTBCSsTKPEyfGTzL3afFj4Zq~c2NdF42BffOILv76phziWY-KlI3HBbQZxz5DmsT6VWI5Jg1G9wSq7-iuxEjKZk1nrKA~PrhzwuCRkbrSGEWtEUbNdEEak~ZctsEjEIt2WneT53JeA0gjl3NIKglAZMy~7m4XvOvfOA95RIbWrtsEJHMw~a8FXspAGftp99MwRGdTYj93UAQvY5Vabh~VmzZ4dn5TK8FMjEUNn4PE1mncFPZNpEAiPcT8MbR5nCrH96fiY4hGMlnBySyT~Q7hSgNSkUXABzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 22 approved making district court probation officer Mikaela Sattler a full‑time employee and authorized her to lead development of veterans and problem‑solving drug courts in the county.

“I’m asking for an investment, one that delivers measurable returns in public safety, family stability, cost savings, and community well‑being,” said Mikaela Sattler, speaking to the commissioners about the proposed full‑time role and the work required to build specialty courts.

Sattler described the role as encompassing multiple responsibilities — probation officer, case manager, program coordinator, grant administrator and mentor coordinator — and said the work would include building program infrastructure, screening participants through a “rigorous multistep process,” and securing treatment and services. She said the drug and veterans treatment courts are “highly structured evidence‑based programs” that require collaboration among multiple systems.

Judge Eggleston and several commissioners spoke in support of the proposal during a lengthy discussion about timing and budget. Commissioner Johnson described the courts as “a long time coming” and said Sattler is a “rock star.” Several commissioners raised concerns about the timing because the county’s budget was recently finalized.

The county controller provided cost details during the meeting: the estimated county cost without insurance was $65,590. The veterans‑court grant already awarded to the office is $10,000; the controller said that amount has been and will continue to be applied toward wages in the near term. The controller also reported cumulative marijuana revenue received by the county since September 2020 of $1,389,000 with $935,006.68 earmarked or spent to date, leaving a fund balance cited in the meeting. Board members discussed the possibility of using opioid settlement funds or marijuana‑related revenue to support the position short term.

Vice Chairman Peterson and other commissioners noted timing concerns but moved a motion supporting the judge’s request to make Mikaela Sattler a full‑time probation officer to oversee creation of the specialty courts, and instructed the controller to determine the funding source. The motion carried.

Commissioners asked for a one‑year progress update; Sattler said she would provide reports and welcomed site visits to the program. The board set the effective date to align with grant and payroll timing; Sattler stated the veterans grant runs through Sept. 30 and that Oct. 1 would be the simplest start date to align with existing grant coverage.","The Montcalm County Board voted to make Mikaela Sattler a full‑time probation officer to develop and run specialty treatment courts (veterans and drug courts). The board approved the position and directed the controller to identify funding, with possible use of opioid or marijuana settlement funds; cost without insurance noted as $65,590.",{"_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},6467215,"Montcalm County approves 2026 operating agreement with MSU Extension for education and staffing support",447,57000,504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3&start=57&end=504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809270-3f216c5795d2b275d300d9a3117628c3/thumbnail_57000.jpg","/articles/6467215/Montcalm-County/Michigan/Montcalm-County-approves-2026-operating-agreement-with-MSU-Extension-for-education-and-staffing-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467215-036e77d8095b9c81c2a8f8605ed9c088/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084535&Signature=K4QuEQij0xOuofnzBQEk9kAWXuAlNZYPGYZL0-jonFvRiVfehTTfYvlUJkCyUVjGCepxxSqnjb71aNVzUWZ--wVBVXTL60It7UtiKCnr2JfWaxKQ42XggknyImvN-po4m5bUvdZKGSqVUOzD5Sm9SDQigzLcW358vbo~RuOKY5BTSlhKju2KZTu4aN8jXrf81NXEyqHDwuYrit22PhFJ8vxXeun-PEWyP-eBl-BgEuC2aV3RBbxY2o16~qgd2BFzx43WFYSU7rUPu7L6iUu6AfnAjBHEM7M5QXHKecPW5jIGz2hUFUJHFpz-u6uoxUbpVKcwgu9q6xLiteTE1Gd3-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 22 approved a 2026 memorandum of agreement with Michigan State University Extension to fund specific Extension services and staff in the county.

The agreement covers a base assessment and line items for 4‑H program coordination, a full‑time clerical support position and 0.8 of a field crops educator, for a total contractual-services amount of $276,005.89, the board was told.

“Those are the line items of contractual services that total $276,005.89,” said Bill Hendryon, MSU Extension, as he summarized the agreement for commissioners. Hendryon said the agreement codifies MSU Extension’s role providing programming in agriculture and agribusiness, children and youth development (including 4‑H), health and nutrition, community food and environment, and oversight for local Extension staff.

Hendryon also explained that the county provides office space and that indirect costs are charged back to the millage that funds Extension services in Montcalm County.

Commissioners asked for clarification about staffing and costs. Hendryon identified Steve Whittington as the field crops educator whose pro‑rated cost is represented by the 0.8 FTE line item, and said the $97,000 figure associated with that line reflects salary plus legacy costs and benefits averaged by the statewide formula.

Vice Chairman Peterson moved to approve the 2026 memorandum of agreement and allow for appropriate signatures; the motion was supported, called, and carried without recorded opposition.

Hendryon told the board MSU Extension ran 275 county programs in 2024 and praised local volunteers. He also noted that a SNAP‑education position will end Sept. 30 due to a funding cut and that health and nutrition programming will continue through other health educators as the office seeks alternative funding and internal adjustments.

The board’s approval authorizes the county to enter the contract and direct appropriate signatures; specifics of budget submissions and any items outside the MOA will be addressed through the county’s normal budget process.

The board did not record individual roll‑call votes in the meeting minutes for this motion; minutes show the motion carried.","The Montcalm County Board approved a 2026 memorandum of agreement with Michigan State University Extension to fund specified Extension services including 4-H coordination, clerical support and a field crops educator totaling $276,005.89; county provides office space and indirect cost reimbursement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves several routine measures including opposing state revenue cuts and transfer to Parks Capital Improvement Fund

Board seeks clarification on FOIA appeal concerning 1972–1975 records of unidentified human remains

Board approves full‑time probation officer to start veterans/drug treatment courts; controller to identify funding

Montcalm County approves 2026 operating agreement with MSU Extension for education and staffing support