Newaygo County finance committee approves park contracts, fund transfer and a slate of service agreements

The Newaygo County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee approved a series of contracts, resolutions and service agreements at its March 5 meeting, including multiyear park-maintenance contracts, a $1.5 million transfer from the county delinquent tax revolving fund to the general fund and the establishment of a parks and recreation capital projects fund.

The committee voted to award multiyear contracts for mowing and spring cleanup at county parks and to authorize the board chair to sign necessary documents. The committee also approved a $562,884.84 semi-monthly detailed payments list, an addendum to a mechanical-services contract to include ductwork cleaning at the courthouse and jail funded from an ARPA HVAC allocation, and a one-year information-technology services agreement with the Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency effective March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026.

Why it matters: The items approved move planned park work and building maintenance into contract or budgeted execution, free funds for an upcoming parks project, and preserve county IT support while leaders consider longer-term cost options.

Most significant votes and discussion

- Transfer and capital fund: The committee approved Resolution 03-008-25 to transfer $1,500,000 from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund to the Newaygo County general fund, and then approved Resolution 03-009-25 to establish Fund 410, Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Fund, to hold those dollars for park capital work. County Treasurer Jason O'Connell said he had kept the funds short-term and available so the county could draw on them as expenses arrive. "I've been socking some funds away and not investing it in something that's long term by keeping it short term so we can still get interest on it," O'Connell said. He said the funds would be available if the board approves the transfer next week at the full board meeting.

- Park contracts: The committee approved a multiyear contract with Barton's Cutting Edge LLC for mowing at Ed H. Henning County Park and Sandy Beach County Park for the 2025 and 2026 seasons with an option for a third year. The committee separately approved multiyear spring-cleanup contracts with Barton's Cutting Edge (Sandy Beach and Diamond Lake parks) and GB Landscaping LLC (Henning and White Cloud parks) for the 2025 and 2026 seasons with an option to extend for a third year.

- Facilities HVAC/duct cleaning: The committee approved an addendum to the Orchard Hill Mechanical contract to include ductwork cleaning at the courthouse and jail, with payment from the ARPA 24 HVAC improvements allocation. Facilities staff described a partial-cleaning approach after a contractor review found some ductwork could be cleaned without causing damage. A staff member summarized the procurement route: because Orchard Hill installed the HVAC systems and is the incumbent contractor, the county is using Orchard Hill as general contractor to oversee subcontractors rather than re-bid the separate duct-cleaning work.

- IT services agreement: The committee approved a one-year agreement with the Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency for technical support and management of Newaygo County information technology (effective March 1, 2025–Feb. 28, 2026) and authorized the board chair to sign the agreement. Committee members said the county has used the external service for several years, that it gives access to a broader bench of technical talent and security support, and that the one-year term will allow time to explore hybrid or other cost-control options.

- Housing rehabilitation program participation: The committee adopted Resolution 03-010-25 authorizing participation in the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) program noted in the meeting (referred to in discussion as the MSHDA program) and designated the board chair as authorized official. Staff described a previously submitted grant application that was revised from $590,000 to $400,000 for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; the county expects to run a two-year loan program to assist eligible low-income homeowners with repairs and to coordinate public outreach and program guidelines with MSHDA before beginning intake.

- Human services and transit items: In committee reports the board approved the Commission on Aging's Senior Produce Program and allocation of $30,000 from the Bridging Generations Fund grant (63904-BGF2024-2) to distribute produce coupons to Newaygo County seniors, and approved a $99,644 agreement with Transpo Group USA Inc. to complete a transportation study and implementation plan (funded by MDOT project authorization 2022-0112-P4-221165N1). Commission on Aging staff cautioned the committee that implementation will require contractor availability and significant administrative work to deliver the program and state-funded activities.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda — Motion carried (voice vote). - Approve minutes, 02/19/2025 regular finance committee meeting — Motion carried (voice vote). - Approve multiyear mowing contract with Barton's Cutting Edge LLC for Ed H. Henning County Park and Sandy Beach County Park (2025–2026; option year 3); authorize board chair to sign — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Trapp; seconder: Commissioner Culp; voice vote). - Approve multiyear spring-cleanup contracts: Barton's Cutting Edge LLC (Sandy Beach, Diamond Lake) and GB Landscaping LLC (Henning, White Cloud) (2025–2026; option year 3); authorize board chair to sign — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Trapp; seconder: Commissioner Kalk; voice vote). - Approve semi-monthly detailed analysis dated 03/05/2025, total $562,884.84 — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Cook; seconder: Commissioner Mikey; voice vote). - Approve addendum to Orchard Hill Mechanical contract to include ductwork cleaning at courthouse and jail; funds from ARPA 24 HVAC improvements allocation; authorize county administrator to sign documents — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Culp; seconder: Commissioner Tret; voice vote). - Approve agreement with Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency for county IT support and management (03/01/2025–02/28/2026); authorize board chair to sign — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Mikey; seconder: Commissioner Melina; voice vote). - Approve Resolution 03-008-25 authorizing transfer of $1,500,000 from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund to the Newaygo County general fund — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Trapp; seconder: Commissioner Melina; voice vote). - Approve Resolution 03-009-25 establishing Fund 410, Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Fund — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner [not specified]; seconder: Commissioner Trapp; voice vote). - Adopt Resolution 03-010-25 authorizing participation in the MSHDA program and designating the board chair as authorized official — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Malama; seconder: Commissioner Cook; voice vote). - Approve budget for Newaygo County regional plan submitted by the West Michigan Shoreline Materials Management Plan work program (year 1) — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Trapp; seconder: Commissioner Culp; voice vote). - Approve Commission on Aging Senior Produce Program and allocate $30,000 from Bridging Generations Fund grant 63904-BGF2024-2 — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Mackey; seconder: Commissioner Culp; voice vote). - Approve Commission on Aging expenditure of $99,644 to Transpo Group USA Inc. for a transportation study and implementation plan (MDOT project authorization 2022-0112-P4-221165N1); authorize board chair to sign — Motion carried (mover: Commissioner Mackey; seconder: Commissioner Trapp; voice vote).

What the committee said

County Treasurer Jason O'Connell described keeping delinquent-tax funds short-term and available so they can be drawn down as expenses arise. "I've been socking some funds away and not investing it in something that's long term by keeping it short term so we can still get interest on it," O'Connell said during discussion of the transfer.

Commission on Aging staff noted administrative and contractor challenges for housing and produce programs. "The challenge to spending the money will be coordinating with the contractors and getting contractors lined up to do the work," said Bridal Hinken, Commission on Aging director. Hinken added the program will require a public-education campaign and that the state program's move to a digital QR-code delivery model complicates outreach to seniors who lack smartphones.

Procurement and administration notes

Committee members discussed procurement choices for the ductwork cleaning: because Orchard Hill Mechanical installed the HVAC systems and holds the existing contract for HVAC work, staff recommended an amendment to Orchard Hill's contract to oversee duct cleaning rather than issuing a separate solicitation; staff said using Orchard Hill places responsibility for the work and related liabilities under the general contractor rather than the county.

Next steps

Several items will be signed by the board chair or county administrator as authorized. The full board is scheduled to consider the delinquent tax transfer next week, per the Treasurer's remarks. Staff said the MSHDA participation will be followed by a required public hearing and program-guideline approvals before intake begins.

Ending

The finance committee adjourned at 10:29 a.m. The full board will take up some items at its next regular meeting, and county staff will return with program guidelines, procurement documents and timelines as required for implementation.