St. Clair County commissioners approve $19.9 million in disbursements and a package of contracts and personnel actions

The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 20 approved the county's January disbursements of $19,889,284.47 and a series of contracts, equipment purchases and personnel actions during a single-business meeting.

The votes covered a mix of procurement, grant applications, fee changes and administrative appointments. Major items approved included a three-year contract for library internet services, a marine safety grant application, purchase of a landfill gas monitor, multiple landfill-related agreements and an annual membership in the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

Why it matters: The votes authorize spending, change county contracts and adjust staffing classifications that affect daily operations for county departments including libraries, central dispatch, marine safety and landfill operations.

Votes at a glance

- January 2025 county disbursements: Approved, $19,889,284.47 (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Policy 3.36 (paid time off) revision: Approved (voice vote).

- Community Educational Network contract: Approved. Leased lit fiber services and internet access for the library system from 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2028 for $256,500 (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Training Funds application for central dispatch: Approved (voice vote).

- Fiscal Year 2025 Marine Safety Program grant application: Approved, $372,354 (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Purchase of GEM 5000 gas extraction monitor (Diamond Scientific) for the landfill: Approved, $16,321 (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Parks & Recreation portable stage rental fee increase: Approved; rate increased from $500 to $750 (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Landfill addendum with Sherkey Electric Co., Inc. for site support and monitoring: Approved, $13,650 (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Appointments to the Materials Management Planning Committee: Approved. Robert Felix (county elected official) and Bailey Pazinza (Regional Planning Agency representative) appointed to terms expiring 11/21/2029.

- Board of Commissioners bylaw revision: Approved (voice vote).

- SEMCOG membership for 2025: Approved, $75,059 (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Landfill manning table revision: Approved. One part-time Landfill Attendant 1 reclassified to Landfill Attendant 2 (voice vote).

- Addendum A to Cutting Edge Lawn & Snow contract: Approved. Increase not-to-exceed amount by $20,000, total $65,352 (term ending 04/30/2025) (roll call recorded as unanimous yes).

- Receive and file board packets and materials: Approved (voice vote). Meeting then adjourned.

Details and context

Several items drew brief discussion before votes. The Cutting Edge Lawn & Snow addendum was described as a weather-driven increase; staff said the revised total remained lower than payments to a previous vendor. The landfill manning-table change was explained as a classification adjustment reflecting higher-level duties already being performed by the incumbent. Several procurement items were standard contract approvals or grant applications with no substantive debate recorded.

The meeting also included announcements and introductions: the board was introduced to the newly hired deputy county administrator/controller, Thomas (Tom) Hull.

All recorded roll-call votes that were read aloud during the meeting were unanimous in favor of the motions presented; several other items were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Ending

After approving the consent and action agenda items and receiving routine reports, the board received new-staff introductions and then adjourned the Feb. 20 meeting.