Barry County commissioners approve master plan, invoices and routine claims in unanimous votes

The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved a set of routine financial items and adopted a five‑year parks and recreation master plan.

The board approved the consent agenda, which the clerk read to include: approval of the Dec. 17, 2024, board meeting minutes; approval of the Jan. 2, 2025, organizational meeting minutes; and approval of a grant submission to MMRMA for acquisition of new software. The consent agenda passed on roll call.

In separate motions the board approved prepaid invoices in the amount of $3,757,733.48 and approved claims the transcript lists as $144,184.53 (the meeting record also contains a near‑identical figure of $144,177.53 in the motion text; see clarifying details). The board also approved commissioner mileage reimbursements of $916.56. All motions passed on roll call.

The board adopted Resolution 25‑4 to approve the 2025–2029 Barry County Parks and Recreation five‑year master plan. Commissioners recorded their votes by roll call and the resolution was approved.

Public comment during the meeting included remarks from Dan Patton, parks director, who thanked the board for approving the parks master plan and noted additional work created by the plan; and Rick Moore, a county parks volunteer, who urged continued volunteer support and grant seeking to sustain trails and park maintenance.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes and grant submission): Motion carried by roll call (outcome: approved). - Prepaid invoices: Motion by Commissioner Getty, support by Smelker, approved. Amount announced: $3,757,733.48. - Claims: Motion approved by roll call. Transcript contains two close figures associated with the vote ($144,184.53 and $144,177.53); the board recorded the motion as approved. - Commissioner reimbursements (mileage): $916.56; motion approved by roll call. - Resolution 25‑4: Adopt 2025–2029 Barry County Parks and Recreation five‑year master plan. Motion by Getty, supported by Smelker; roll call approval (outcome: approved).

The meeting included routine commissioner reports and local updates; commissioners also announced a site visit to the Coldwater Branch County Jail later the same day.