Clare County board approves hiring freeze, moves to return check-signing authority to administrator; other operational items discussed

The Clare County Board of Commissioners took several administrative actions and heard operational requests during the meeting.

Hiring freeze: The board's Wage and Personnel Committee recommended instituting a hiring freeze given uncertainty in federal and state funding. A motion to impose a hiring freeze—requiring board approval for replacements or new hires—was made and seconded; commissioners agreed and the chair announced the motion carried.

Check-signing authority: Commissioners discussed returning check-signing to the county administrator. A board member argued sign-off by a second person outside the department is a checks-and-balances step that the clerk currently performs, while proponents said the clerk's signature is not a statutory duty in finance and the administrator historically handled signings. The county clerk objected and said requiring her signature is the current safeguard preventing checks being sent before verification. After discussion the board held a roll-call vote; the chair announced "Motion carried." (Roll-call votes on this issue recorded a mix of yes and no responses.)

Operational requests and capital items: The county maintenance supervisor requested a county credit card with a $3,000 limit to expedite purchases such as tires for patrol vehicles; the clerk and administration indicated support and said the request could be placed on the next meeting agenda for approval. The clerk also asked the board to consider replacing courthouse windows; a bid of $148,900 (dated May of the prior year) was mentioned for budgeting consideration. No final vote on the credit card or window replacement occurred at this meeting.

The board then moved toward a closed-session item later in the agenda.