Votes at a glance: Barry County commissioners approve invoices, appointments, software, salaries, reclassifications and vehicle replacement

The Barry County Board of Commissioners completed a number of votes on routine and agenda items, approving invoices, appointments, service agreements and several personnel and capital items. The following is a summary of each action as taken by the board:

- Prepaid invoices: The board approved prepaid invoices in the amount of $6,038,507.12 (motion by Commissioner Campbell, second by Toonison). The clerk conducted a roll-call vote and the consent passed.

- Claims: The board approved claims in the amount of $98,523.13 (motion by Commissioner Campbell, support by Smelker); roll-call vote recorded approval.

- Commissioners' reimbursement mileage: Approved reimbursement totaling $395.50 (motion by Campbell, support by Colton).

- Board of Canvassers appointments: The board appointed Ann Richards as the Democratic member and Mike Cunningham as the Republican member of the Board of Canvassers for the term that begins Nov. 1, 2025, and ends Oct. 31, 2029 (motion by Colton, support by Smelker; roll-call approval). A member of the public later clarified that canvassers serve four-year terms with staggered two-year appointments, which the clerk confirmed.

- MGT agreement (cost allocation plan): Approved a master services agreement with MGT Impact Solutions LLC to prepare central services cost allocation plans for fiscal years 2025–2027, total $29,750 for the three-year period (motion by Campbell; roll-call approval).

- BS&A software purchase: The board approved purchase of BS&A software for the Treasurer/Equalization Department and Planning & Zoning, $165,530 for the first year with a five-year subscription model (motion by Campbell, support by Bassett; roll-call approval). Staff said the install was budgeted for 2026 and earlier approval was requested to secure vendor scheduling.

- 2025 apportionment report: The board approved the 2025 apportionment report as presented by the county treasurer.

- Salaries for countywide elected officials (2026): The board adopted Resolution 25-29 to set 2026 salaries for nonjudicial countywide elected officials at a 3% increase (motion by Campbell, support by Tunison; roll-call approval). The board discussed the statutory window for setting salaries and that salaries cannot be reduced below the base set for the current term.

- Chief deputies: The board approved a 3% increase for three chief-deputy positions (chief assistant prosecutor, undersheriff, chief deputy clerk) for 2026 (motion by Campbell; roll-call approval). The board noted some chief deputies are within bargaining units and are subject to contract negotiations.

- Legal secretary reclassification: The board approved reclassification of two legal-secretary positions in the prosecutor’s office from grade 4 to grade 5 on the BCCEA pay scale; staff said the change could be absorbed by budget and that the top of grade 5 is $23/hour.

- Vehicle replacement (sheriff’s Tahoe): The board accepted an actual cash value payment offer from MMRMA of $14,000 for a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe damaged in a collision with a large animal and authorized sale of the vehicle for salvage to the highest bidder; the board also authorized up to $68,500 from the vehicle fund to purchase and equip a replacement Tahoe (motion by Campbell, support by Colton). Commissioners asked staff to pursue any potential third-party liability (owner/homeowners insurance) for the collision; staff said MMRMA will investigate.

Procedural note: Several items on the consent agenda passed without discussion. For items where commissioners asked questions, staff provided clarifying information about funding sources, timelines and operational impacts.

The board’s roll-call votes and formal actions were recorded in the meeting minutes.