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Berrien County commissioners approve consent calendar; one commissioner abstains on two items
Summary
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved the consent calendar by roll call, 10 yeas and 2 absent. Commissioner Tyler declared two abstentions: one resolution he had signed as county clerk and a requisition involving First Church of God tied to a relative.
Berrien County commissioners on Tuesday approved the meeting’s consent calendar by roll call vote, with 10 commissioners voting yes and two absent.
The consent calendar vote followed a brief period for public comments on agenda resolutions and a short discussion about potential conflicts of interest. Commissioner Pitcher moved to approve the consent calendar; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote.
Commissioner Tyler said he would abstain from two specific items on the consent calendar. "I will have to abstain from resolution f2501013 because I signed it as county clerk," Tyler said, and added he would also abstain from "requisition 75125 regarding First Church of God for 92,928 due to my daughter-in-law was the writer of the grant and sometimes assists with service." The board recorded the abstentions before proceeding to the roll call.
The roll call showed the following votes: Kern, yes; Freeland, yes; Harrison, yes; Ott, yes; Pitcher, yes; Tyler, yes (except abstaining on the two specified items); Walrath, yes; Warfel, yes; Yarbrough, yes; Bell, yes. Commissioners Mikkelman and Elliot were recorded absent for the vote. The clerk announced "10 yeas and 2 absent." The board secretary said the abstentions would be reflected in the meeting minutes.
County staff and department reports that preceded the vote addressed a range of noncontroversial administrative matters that were bundled into the consent calendar, including routine waivers and interlocal agreements; specific items on the consent calendar were not debated individually during the public meeting. Commissioner Tyler’s stated reasons for abstaining were recorded into the public record prior to the roll call.
The board then proceeded to committee reports and other agenda business, including updates from the sheriff’s office, the road department, finance, personnel, and a planned closed session on collective bargaining under MCL 15.268(c).
The clerk is expected to reflect the vote totals and the two abstentions in the official minutes of the meeting.
