Department updates: veterans services growth, jail inspection praise, public-health and MSU Extension staffing notes

LAPEER COUNTY, Mich. — Several department heads used the board meeting to give updates on staffing and services, including a hiring timeline for MSU Extension, a reported surge in veterans seeking help, a state inspection that praised the county jail and an introduction of the countys medical director.

Carly Cridgeard, district 10 director for MSU Extension, told commissioners the countys additional 4-H program coordinator posting was taken off the market during the December holidays and reposted after the new year; the application window closes Feb. 4 and the search committee will meet the following Friday to review candidates.

Director Curley (Veteran Services) said the county changed the office name from "Veterans Affairs" to "Veterans Services" to reduce confusion with federal Veterans Affairs agencies and better reflect the offices role as a local facilitator of benefits. Curley said veteran visits increased from 1,000 in July to about 1,160 at the time of the meeting, a gain of 160 veterans since July. Curley also said notices have been sent to veteran service organizations about potential vacancies on the local veterans service board and that the administrative office is seeking applicants for posted vacancies to be filled in March.

The sheriff (unnamed in the transcript) reported the county jail underwent a multi-day Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) inspection; the inspector told the sheriff that Lapeer County performed at a high standard compared with other counties. The sheriff told the board the jail has 123 beds total and was holding about 87 inmates the day before the meeting; some inmates are housed out of county for revenue reasons in periods of low population. The sheriff credited jail administration and staff for the positive inspection outcome and said other counties that are struggling are being sent to Lapeer County to observe operations.

Kathy Fisher (public-health director) introduced Dr. Hammond, who has served as the county medical director since 2018 and also works with surrounding counties and regional EMS providers. Dr. Hammond described his role reviewing medical orders, advising public-health and EMS policy and assisting with communicable-disease matters when family physicians are not reachable.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the department leaders and noted vacancies and staffing transitions would be handled through the usual committee and administrator tracks.