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 series of workarounds and said the RFP will identify options and cost estimates. The motion was moved by Commissioner Paige and carried by voice vote.

• Approval of payment of accounts payable totaling $26,715,496.03 covering 01/18/2025–02/14/2025, plus P-card and EFT payments for 01/01/2025–01/31/2025, as presented by the county clerk. The motion was moved by Chair Nash and supported by Commissioner McGuigan and passed by voice vote.

• Amendment 1 to the DLZ Michigan Hall of Justice renovation design contract: accept a $290,000 deduct from the Hall of Justice contract; reallocate $140,000 of that amount to DLZ Michigan for work at the Marquette campus and $150,000 for replacement window shades at the Hall of Justice. Wade VandenBosch, public works director, said the Hall of Justice renovation work is essentially complete and explained that the original blinds were removed during demolition and staff requested replacement for glare and privacy. The motion was moved by Chair Nash, supported by Commissioner Hayskamp, and carried by voice vote. The county will issue an RFP for window shade replacement and return for approval of the purchase contract once bids are received.

• Authorization to dispose of a 02/2003 Chevy 2500 HD under the county surplus disposal policy. The motion was moved by Commissioner Paige, supported by Chair Nash, and carried by voice vote.

• Approval of updated Regional Materials Management Plan committee appointments and approval of the proposed 2025 work program budget for the materials management plan, which the public works director said is largely a management fee paid to Windsor (name reported in packet as Windsor). The motions were moved by Sharon Nash and Chair Nash, respectively, and carried by voice votes. The work plan is submitted and pending state approval; staff said the plan will be posted on the website after state approval.

• Authorization to issue a solicitation for a website content-management system, digital-asset-management system and web hosting for Muskegon County. Matt Kelleher, IT director, said the county hired a new web developer to evaluate the existing 2017 platform and that the solicitation will identify replacement options; work would be funded through a capital request in 2026 if a vendor is selected. The motion was moved by Commissioner McWiggen and supported by Commissioner Cyr and carried by voice vote.

Committee members who spoke in support of motions cited vendor expertise and ongoing value of services. No roll-call tallies with named yes/no votes were recorded in the transcript; motions were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance (motion text summarized):

• WM25-317 — Waive procurement; extend corporate counsel contract with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C., five years starting 07/01/2025 — motion moved by Sharon Nash, supported by Commissioner Hermann; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503.18 — Waive procurement; extend contract with Governmental Consulting Services, Inc., five years, amount not to exceed $54,000/year — moved by Sharon Nash, supported by Commissioner McGuigan; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503-19 — Authorize release of RFP for a human resources information system — moved by Commissioner Paige; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503-20 — Approve payment of accounts payable $26,715,496.03 (period 01/18/2025–02/14/2025) and P-card/EFT payments for 01/01/2025–01/31/2025 — moved by Chair Nash, supported by Commissioner McGuigan; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503-21 — Amendment 1: $290,000 deduct from DLZ Hall of Justice contract; reallocate $140,000 to DLZ Marquette campus work and $150,000 for Hall of Justice window shades; authorize RFP for shades — moved by Chair Nash, supported by Commissioner Hayskamp; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503-22 — Authorize disposal of 02/2003 Chevy 2500 HD via surplus disposal policy — moved by Commissioner Paige, supported by Chair Nash; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503-23 — Approve updated Regional Materials Management Plan committee appointments — moved by Sharon Nash; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503-24 — Approve proposed materials management plan work program 2025 budget (management fee to Windsor) — moved by Chair Nash, supported by Commissioner Paige; outcome: approved (voice vote).

• WM2503-25 — Authorize solicitation for website CMS/DAM/hosting for Muskegon County — moved by Commissioner McWiggen, supported by Commissioner Cyr; outcome: approved (voice vote).

After business was completed Commissioner Cyr noted a liaison committee posting of “hot jobs” on westmichiganworks.org for Muskegon County with a current listing of 77 openings, from entry-level service jobs to aerospace positions; that item was a liaison update and not a committee action.

No motions were recorded as failed, tabled or amended on the floor; several items noted follow-up steps (e.g., issuing RFPs and returning with bids for specific procurements).