Ways and Means Committee approves contracts, solicitations and budgets including five-year counsel extension and $54,000/year legislative consulting renewal

The Muskegon County Ways and Means Committee on March 11 approved a package of contracts, solicitations and budgets, including a five-year extension of the county’s corporate counsel contract, renewal of legislative consulting services at up to $54,000 per year, authorization to solicit a human resources information system (HRIS) and a website content-management/digital-asset-hosting solution, and several budget and procurement items.

The committee voted on each motion by voice; the record shows motions carried by unanimous voice vote. No individual nay or abstention was recorded in the transcript.

Among the motions the committee approved:

• A five-year extension of the county corporate counsel contract with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C., commencing July 1, 2025. The motion was moved by Sharon Nash and supported by Commissioner Hermann. Mr. Eisenberg, a county staff member, said the firm “has been our attorney now through 6 years” and praised the firm’s range of expertise across practice areas. The committee approved the extension by voice vote.

• A five-year renewal of legislative consulting services with Governmental Consulting Services, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $54,000 per year and authorization for the board chair to sign the agreement. The motion was moved by Sharon Nash and supported by Commissioner McGuigan. Committee members noted the consultant’s monthly reports and assistance navigating Lansing; the motion carried by voice vote.

• Authorization to release a request for proposals (RFP) for a human resources information system. Kristen Wade, human resources director, described the county’s existing system as a…