Board approves zoning text amendment, grants, bonds and budget amendments in voice votes

The Eaton County Board of Commissioners on May 21 approved a series of resolutions and appointments ranging from zoning changes to capital improvement bonds and budget amendments.

The board approved a text amendment to the county zoning ordinance, several committee appointments, the 2025 cycle 3 park community grants funded by the county parks millage, intergovernmental planning and zoning agreements, Public Act 116 farmland and open-space development rights agreements, the county’s taxable valuation reports, an amendment to a state grant for prosecutor’s office funding, issuance of capital improvement bonds, adoption of a six‑year capital improvements program and budget amendments for fiscal year 2024–25. Most motions were moved and seconded on the floor and carried by voice vote; recorded roll-call tallies were not provided in the meeting minutes or the spoken record.

Why it matters: together these votes implement the county’s current capital and operating plans, authorize grant applications and spending adjustments and set administrative appointments and fee schedules that affect permitting and park projects across Eaton County.

Key actions (motions as presented at the meeting):

- Motion: Approve text amendment to the county zoning ordinance. Moved by Commissioner Barber; supported by Commissioner Brian D'Rocia. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Note: the planning committee and the review panel recommended the change. (Transcript: public works & planning committee report, 2028.06–2063.76)

- Motion: Appoint Michael Gray to a materials management planning committee, 4-year term through Dec. 31, 2029. Moved by Commissioner Barber; supported by Commissioner Christiansen. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 2064.06–2100.12)

- Motion: Approve 2025 Cycle 3 park community grants (funded from the county parks millage). Moved by Commissioner Barber; supported by Commissioner Toomey. Outcome: approved (voice vote). The parks director said 12 applications were scored and the recommended projects fit the $400,000 allocation; Grand Ledge submitted a letter but was not among the initially approved projects. (Transcript: 2100.12–2278.65)

- Motion: Appoint to the Community Corrections Advisory Board. Moved by Commissioner Holmes; supported by Commissioner Haskell. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 2284.87–2308.95)

- Motion: Authorize application for indigent defense grant. Moved by Commissioner D'Rocia; supported by Commissioner Pearl Wright. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 2333.10–2367.79)

- Motion: Amend the planning and zoning fee schedule. Moved by Commissioner Drosheus; seconded by Commissioner Barber. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 2368.65–2427.75)

- Motion: Approve intergovernmental agreements for planning and zoning services. Moved by Commissioner Durocher; supported by Commissioner Haskell. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 2427.75–2451.39)

- Motion: Approve Public Act 116 farmland and open space development rights agreements. Moved by Commissioner Drosheus; supported by Commissioner Hansen. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 2451.39–2473.20)

- Motion: Receive and file taxable valuation reports (4046 report; 4.47% increase in taxable values; Headlee rollback calculation). Moved by Commissioner Drosheus; supported by Commissioner Haskell. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Staff reported an overall taxable value increase of 4.47% and a county allocated tax rate of 5.2023 mills. (Transcript: 2483.90–2648.80)

- Motion: Amend state grant to provide additional support for prosecutor’s office funding and framework for use (one-time funds, retention payments and a victims module for the office’s case management system). Moved by Commissioner D'Rocia; supported by Commissioner Pearl Wright. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Prosecutor Doug Lloyd explained the funds will be used for a victims-contact module and one-time retention bonuses; the county will submit required documentation to Treasury and requested authority to make minor wording changes if Treasury requires them. (Transcript: 2649.26–3332.13)

- Motion: Authorize issuance of capital improvement bonds. Moved by Commissioner D'Rocia; supported by Commissioner Haskell. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Bond counsel Miller Canfield and financial adviser PFM were present for questions. (Transcript: 3333.87–3371.75)

- Motion: Adopt six-year capital improvements program. Moved by Commissioner D'Rocia; supported by Commissioner Haskell. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 3373.21–3401.96)

- Motion: Approve FY 2024–25 budget amendments. Moved by Commissioner D'Rocia; supported by Commissioner Haskell. Outcome: approved (voice vote). The board authorized budget adjustments that included first-time recognized marijuana-related revenues and other mid‑year changes. (Transcript: 3402.68–3487.74)

- Motion: Approve claims and purchases (payments). Moved by Commissioner D'Rocia; supported by Commissioner Peake. Outcome: approved (voice vote). (Transcript: 3488.36–3500.83)

What was not recorded: Most votes were taken by voice (aye/no) and the meeting record transmitted ‘‘Aye’’ and ‘‘Motion carries’’ but did not record individual roll-call tallies in the public spoken record for these items.

Context and next steps: The board will meet for a full-board budget hearing May 30 to consider deeper cuts and options after two recent millage proposals failed; that process and the statutory constraints on services will inform which programs and positions are preserved, reduced or eliminated going forward.

Ending: Commissioners and staff urged residents and townships to participate in the budget discussions; staff signaled that detailed departmental mandates and services lists are being compiled to guide the decisions ahead.