Votes at a glance: Newaygo County board approves appointments, parks contracts, grant and campground repairs

The Newaygo County Board of Commissioners voted on a series of routine appointments, parks contracts and a grant application during its meeting; all recorded motions carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: the items approve multi-year park maintenance and repair work, authorize the county administrator to complete a $20,000 marijuana-operations education grant partnership and fill a local board vacancy — all of which affect county services and small contract spending for parks and campgrounds.

Reappointment to jury board Commissioner Mikey moved and Commissioner Trapp seconded a motion to reappoint Randy Lee Butters to the Newaygo County jury board for a term beginning April 30, 2025, and expiring April 30, 2031. Wendy (staff) said Butters previously finished Barb Gino’s term and that this action will be his first full term. The motion carried by voice vote.

Parks appointment Janet Westfield appeared to indicate interest in reappointment to the Newaygo County Parks Board; she told commissioners she previously served on that board from February 2012 to February 2018 and is active on other local boards. Commissioners said they would make the appointment at the next meeting (the transcript records the board’s intention to appoint her at a future meeting).

Marijuana operations and oversight grant Commissioner Duberg moved and Commissioner Mikey seconded a motion to ratify the 2025 marijuana operations and oversight grant application and to authorize the county administrator to sign any necessary documents. Administrator Wren said the county contacted prior and potential partners and ultimately partnered with Family Health Care; she said roughly $20,000 will come to the county under the program and that Family Health Care will partner with the school district on video production that may be displayed on gas station TV platforms. The motion carried.

Parks mowing and cleanup contracts The board approved a contract with GB Landscaping LLC for mowing at Ed H. Henning and Sandy Beach County Parks for the 2025 and 2026 seasons and later amended the spring-cleanup contract with GB Landscaping LLC to add Diamond Lake and Sandy Beach County Parks for the 2025–2026 seasons. Commissioners noted the originally awarded company went out of business and that GB Landscaping agreed to adhere to prior low-bid prices or the originally bid mowing price. Both motions carried by voice vote.

Bathhouse floor restoration and campground water heater The board approved a contract with Smith Construction Group LLC to restore the Sandy Beach bathhouse floor at an amount not to exceed $14,730; commissioners observed the existing floor was peeling and compared the proposed finish to epoxy floors installed elsewhere. The board also approved a contract with Northwest Mechanical Company to replace the water heater at Sandy Beach Campground for an amount not to exceed $7,088. Commissioners said heavy park use made the existing 75-gallon tank insufficient; the motion carried by voice vote.

Other business In the administrator’s report, Wren noted the county will begin the fiscal year 2026 budget process and said officials will remain conservative and cautious amid uncertainty. The meeting proceeded to public comment and adjournment.

Votes at a glance (recorded as voice votes in transcript) • Reappoint Randy Lee Butters, Newaygo County jury board (term 04/30/2025–04/30/2031): Motion by Commissioner Mikey; second Commissioner Trapp; outcome: approved (voice vote). • Ratify 2025 marijuana operations and oversight grant application and authorize county administrator to sign documents: Motion by Commissioner Duberg; second Commissioner Mikey; outcome: approved (voice vote). Grant partner: Family Health Care; grant amount discussed by staff: $20,000. • Approve contract GB Landscaping LLC for mowing — Ed H. Henning and Sandy Beach County Parks (2025–2026): Motion by Commissioner Duberg; second Commissioner Park; outcome: approved (voice vote). • Amend spring-cleanup contract with GB Landscaping LLC to include Diamond Lake and Sandy Beach County Parks (2025–2026): Motion by Commissioner Tuborg and Clark; second Commissioner Trapp; outcome: approved (voice vote). • Approve contract with Smith Construction Group LLC to restore Sandy Beach bathhouse floor, not to exceed $14,730: Motion by Commissioner (recorded); second (recorded); outcome: approved (voice vote). • Approve contract with Northwest Mechanical Company to replace water heater at Sandy Beach Campground, not to exceed $7,088: Motion by Commissioner Tubert (recorded); second Commissioner Tudoft; outcome: approved (voice vote).