Gratiot County adopts 2025–26 budget after amendments; board authorizes one additional road-patrol FTE
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Summary
After a public hearing, the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners approved the 2025–26 budget with amendments including one additional road-patrol FTE, a correction to a resolution numbering error and use of assigned fund balance for a pension contribution.
Gratiot County commissioners adopted the county—s 2025—26 budget at their Sept. 16 meeting, approving a set of amendments and authorizing the staffing and spending levels included in the resolution.
County Administrator Ryan opened the public hearing with an overview of the budget and the resolution before the board, saying the budget "is basically a status quo budget" and noting it proposes using $1,000,000 of assigned fund balance for a MERS pension contribution while projecting the unassigned fund balance will increase by about $295,000.
The board voted on two related resolutions. First, commissioners approved budget amendments (Resolution 25-341) by roll call. Later they approved the 2025—26 county budget as amended (Resolution 25-342) after a motion to correct a numbering error in the body of the resolution and to increase authorized road-patrol full-time equivalents (FTEs) in the sheriff—s general patrol from the figure shown in the draft to 14 FTEs.
Why it matters: The adopted budget sets millage rates and appropriations for the county's general and special funds, authorizes grants and reimbursements to be executed and approves the county's 2025—2030 capital improvement plan, including projects the board discussed for later study such as potential jail renovations.
Key details and discussion - Administrator Ryan said the resolution "is gonna show compliance with public act 621 of 1978" and that it "approves the appropriations" for the funds summarized in the budget book. He described a capital budget totaling roughly $7.6 million that does not yet include final numbers for possible jail renovations. - On fund balance: Ryan described the plan to use $1,000,000 of assigned fund balance for a retirement (MERS) contribution and said the unassigned fund balance is expected to increase by about $295,000 under the adopted plan. - On staffing: Commissioners and staff discussed the sheriff—s authorized positions and current staffing. The sheriff (Tom) and staff noted a discrepancy between the fully staffed target (20 officers, counting a narcotics team assignment) and the current funded payroll headcount. The board agreed to authorize 14 road-patrol FTEs on the FTE schedule; county staff said the budget can be amended during the first quarterly adjustment if payroll savings are available to fund an added position. - Policy manual language: Commissioner discussion highlighted confusing numbering in the resolution (a line labeled "23" should have read "22") and raised questions about a policy provision that the county policy manual "shall apply to all employees." One commissioner asked whether county commissioners are included; the board asked staff to have the county attorney clarify whether elected commissioners are covered by the referenced policies and to return with recommended language or an amendment if needed.
Votes and formal actions - Resolution 25-341, budget amendments for the current fiscal year (03/04/2025): moved by Commissioner Steve (recorded by name in roll call), supported by George; roll-call vote recorded as: Commissioner Bailey: Yes; Commissioner Bunting: Yes; Commissioner Gay: Yes; Commissioner Sapsy: Yes; Commissioner Owens: Yes. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 25-342, 2025—26 county budget as amended (including change of numbering 23->22 and authorizing 14 road-patrol FTEs): moved by Steve, supported by George; roll-call vote recorded as: Commissioner Bailey: Yes; Commissioner Bunting: Yes; Commissioner Gay: Yes; Commissioner Sapsy: Yes; Commissioner Owens: Yes. Outcome: adopted.
Context and next steps The board and staff noted several items will require follow-up: (1) attorney review and potential amendment of the policy language about which persons the county policy manual covers; (2) possible further budget amendments in January tied to staffing changes or contract adjustments; and (3) continued study of capital items such as jail renovations before specific expenditures are added to the capital plan. Administrator Ryan and finance staff said quarterly budget amendments will be used to reflect staffing changes if and when vacancies are filled.
Ending The board closed the public hearing, which drew questions from several commissioners about staffing, policy wording and the capital plan, and then returned to regular business after approving the budget and related amendments.
