Commissioners amend pool-management termination date, approve pay-scale changes for pool staff

The Alpena County Board of Commissioners amended a prior poll vote to end the Synchronization LLC contract effective Dec. 22 (the contractor had requested the earlier date to align with its pay period), and approved a package of changes to payroll and pay scales for the county’s plaza pool.

County staff said the change will reduce payments under management contracts by about $20,000; after recommended payroll adjustments for the manager, assistant manager and lifeguards, staff estimated a net savings of roughly $15,200 compared with the prior contractual expense. County administrators said the payroll adjustments are intended to help retain seasonal staff amid turnover.

Commissioner Fournier moved to amend the poll vote changing the termination from Dec. 27 to Dec. 22; the amendment passed on roll call. County Administrator Jesse Osmer told commissioners the contractor had asked for the earlier date because Synchronization’s pay period ended Dec. 22, and that both the Summerfields (associated operators) and Synchronization had been cooperative during the transition.

The board also approved a revised pay-scale pool for the plaza pool and associated staffing plan. County staff said the pool currently employs 14 lifeguards (15 including a senior lifeguard whose position is covered by a grant) and that many l ifeguards are high-school age; the administration adjusted assistant-manager hours conservatively and allowed flexibility in hourly projections to avoid under-staffing.

Separately, the board approved a lease renewal with the Michigan Department of Transportation for a 6,000-square-foot county building, negotiated to a rate of $45,000 per year. That lease was approved by roll call.

The meeting record shows the board took these operational actions by roll call vote and directed staff to implement the transition and payroll changes. County staff will monitor personnel impacts and report as needed.