Eaton County approves 3% administration fee to pass through misrouted fire training grant

Eaton County commissioners voted Aug. 20 to allow county administration to accept and pass through a state appropriation intended for a countywide fire training center while charging a 3% administrative fee.

The vote came after public comment opposing the fee and a multi-commissioner discussion about the county's grants administrative policy, legal obligations tied to legislative appropriations, and the time required to spend the funds. The resolution was moved by Commissioner Rosha and supported on the floor; the measure passed on a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The appropriation was issued to Eaton County in error instead of the Eaton County Fire Association and Charlotte Fire Department. County staff said the money cannot be reissued by the State Treasury without legislative action, so the county would have to serve as a pass-through recipient. The county's adopted grants administrative policy sets a 15% minimum for handling passthrough grants; commissioners voted to override that policy and accept a 3% administrative…