Newaygo County staff prepare for 2026 millage renewal; senior programs, wages and insurance also discussed

Newaygo County staff told the county board that the county’s current millage is set to expire in 2026 and that staff are preparing options for the board to consider, including whether to seek a renewal at the reduced “heavy rollback” level or to reinstate the millage at its full previous rate.

The discussion matters because a renewal at the rollback amount is treated by voters as a continuation while reinstating the full rate is treated as an increase; that distinction can affect voter support and the county’s revenue. A staff presenter said, “Our millage is expiring in ’26,” and explained that “there’s a heavy rollback that diminishes what our millage is a little bit,” adding that if the county reinstates the full amount “there’s no sense in doing it just so we can have some extra money to sit on.” The presenter also said the millage funding would compete with requests for “COACOA, road patrol, and veterans.”

Why it matters: The board of commissioners makes the final decision whether to place a renewal or reinstatement on the ballot; staff and other departments can recommend amounts but the board must adopt any proposal. The presenter said the sheriff is “on the same page” favoring renewal, but recommended the board discuss exact amounts and allocations.

Staff updates and senior services

Brad Hinken, identified in the meeting as the county COE director, gave a monthly operations update focused on senior services. Hinken said staff served 608 potatoes to 206 people at a recent Potato Day open house, and that the county’s senior produce program is moving forward with two confirmed vendors, identified as Buddy’s Produce and Nelson’s, with staff seeking two additional vendors before printing participant coupons. “The team ended up serving 608, potatoes and 206 people to the open house,” Hinken said.

Hinken said Michigan State University Extension and the Area Agency on Aging ran nutrition classes during Nutrition Month. He also reported that the county is still waiting on Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) approval to move a transportation-related project forward; the transcript did not specify the project by name, and Hinken said he planned to follow up with MDOT to obtain the remaining forms needed for approval.

Personnel and facility matters

County staff said eight employees received step increases to ensure their pay stayed above the new minimum wage level. Hinken and an administrator discussed that additional scheduled minimum-wage increases in 2026 and 2027 will require further budgeting and that the county is developing a plan to manage future increases.

Administrator Ren (identified in the meeting only by the name Ren and as the county administrator) reported on the county’s approach to the state’s Earned Sick Time Act. Ren said the county is monitoring litigation and considering administrative changes for leave accruals, noting the county may combine separate leave pools (DTO and vacation) to comply with the law while limiting operational disruption. “We have 2 pots. We have DTO and vacation,” Ren said, and described a possible lump-sum approach to meet requirements.

Ren also raised an insurance issue: staff are reviewing the county facility insurance, which the administrator said currently lists a building value of $1,200,000; Ren said staff want to reduce that coverage amount to $200,000 but have encountered resistance from the insurer.

Other items

Hinken reported a disciplinary incident at the dining program: one participant was expelled and another suspended after a conflict in the dining room; Hinken said the matter had been resolved. A board member noted a recent Michigan law change signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that raises the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $362 to $614 beginning in 2025 and said the change will increase costs for employers and public programs; the transcript comment described that increase as affecting “more than 88,000 people.”

No formal votes on policy or budget items were recorded in the excerpted discussion. The meeting concluded after an adjournment motion.

Ending: The staff presenter and department directors said they will return to the board with specific millage amounts and allocations for formal consideration; MDOT follow-up and budgeting for wage and leave changes were identified as staff follow-up tasks.