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Board approves advisory committee, forensic audit engagement and multiple administrative contracts; several policy votes carried
Summary
At its meeting the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners approved a set of motions and resolutions including formation of an opioid advisory steering committee, authorization for a forensic audit engagement, hiring a part‑time quality assurance contractor for juvenile justice reform, and several administrative service agreements and policies.
The Gratiot County Board of Commissioners voted on multiple items Wednesday, approving motions to form an opioid‑fund advisory committee, authorize a forensic audit engagement, hire a quality assurance specialist under juvenile justice reform, and enter service agreements for accounting and other administrative matters.
The board approved a motion allowing Mid Michigan District Health Department officer Liz Breck to form a Gratiot County advisory steering committee to recommend distribution of opioid settlement funds estimated at about $120,000 annually over 18 years. The motion was moved by Commissioner Tim (Tim) and supported by Commissioner Steve (Steve); the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The board also authorized an engagement letter with Yo & Yo (forensic/audit services) to perform a forensic audit expanding initial scope to include records back to Jan. 2017 and gave the chair authority to sign a negotiated engagement that could extend further if needed. Commissioners moved and approved authority to pay the required retainer to begin fieldwork.
Other approved items included: - A contract to compensate Julie Frick up to $18,400 annually (up to 460 hours) to serve as a local quality assurance specialist to help the county meet Michigan juvenile justice reform requirements and protect a 75% reimbursement rate from the state. Motion moved by Commissioner Steve and seconded by Commissioner Jan; motion carried by voice vote. - Authorization to engage Woodhill Group for accounting/finance support, including monthly completion (not just review) of the general fund bank reconciliation process. Motion moved by Commissioner Steve, supported by Commissioner George and approved by voice vote. - Approval of the Heartland (regional) materials management plan bylaws (the MMP governing documents for a multi‑county recycling/materials effort). Motion moved by Commissioner George, supported by Commissioner Steve; motion carried. - Adoption of a county earned sick time policy aligned with a pending Michigan law (1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked) for nonunion employees. Motion moved by Commissioner George, supported by Commissioner Steve; roll call recorded and motion carried. - Approval of Resolution 20‑5‑330 to accept credit card transaction services for county payments. Motion moved and approved by roll call. - Authorization for county counsel to seek outside counsel (Cole Stoker & Toske) to pursue enforcement of a zoning violation in Newark Township; motion passed. - Correction and approval of a park grant payment to the City of St. Louis (adjustment of the approved amount to $39,061.31). Motion moved and approved.
Several agenda items were tabled for legal review, including a wind‑farm decommissioning study, and the board voted to move forward with the forensic audit and related retainer to begin the investigation. The board approved entering closed session to discuss pending litigation and union negotiations.
Votes at a glance - Opioid advisory steering committee: moved Tim / supported Steve — approved (voice) [see provenance]. - Forensic audit engagement (Yo & Yo) and chair signing authority: moved Steve / supported Tim — approved (voice) [see provenance]. - Hire Julie Frick as QA specialist (up to $18,400): moved Steve / supported Jan — approved (voice) [see provenance]. - Woodhill Group accounting services (including bank reconciliations): moved Steve / supported George — approved (voice) [see provenance]. - Heartland materials management plan bylaws: moved George / supported Steve — approved (voice) [see provenance]. - Earned sick time policy (county): moved George / supported Steve — approved (roll call) [see provenance]. - Resolution 20‑5‑330 (credit card transactions): moved (staff) / second Steve — approved (roll call) [see provenance]. - Authorization to seek outside counsel on Newark Township zoning violation: moved Steve / second Jan — approved (voice) [see provenance]. - Park grant correction for City of St. Louis ($39,061.31): moved George / supported Jan — approved (voice) [see provenance].
The board recorded several other routine approvals (consent calendar, minutes) and agreed to return later for closed‑session matters.
