Macomb County committee approves rehiring waivers for two retirees, backs 32 Mile Road cost share

The Macomb County Board of Commissioners Public Services Committee approved waivers to rehire two retiring county employees on part‑time or contract terms and authorized a county cost share for a bridge superstructure replacement during its meeting.

The committee approved a waiver to rehire Mike Pappas, a senior inspector in the road department with more than 35 years of experience, on a part‑time basis not to exceed 1,000 hours. The motion passed 11‑0. County staff said the rehiring is intended to provide experienced coverage for a large bridge program planned over the next two years and to avoid the higher cost of hiring private contractors.

Committee members were told the Pappas rehiring would be budget neutral. “We don't anticipate this being anything above and beyond what was requested budget wise,” said Brian, a department representative, describing the request as consistent with existing staffing and salary allocations.

The committee also approved, 10‑1, a waiver to rehire Sue Van Stielen, an administrative aide with more than 21 years in her role, on a contract basis to train a successor and to provide occasional supplemental coverage. Commissioner Romano cast the lone dissenting vote. Romano questioned the lack of a firm time limit on the rehiring and said, “If she didn't wanna retire, she should've stayed. And if she's gonna retire, then let her retire.”

County staff said the intent for Van Stielen's contract is an initial training period for the replacement and the ability to call her back on an as‑needed basis — for example, to cover a weeklong absence — rather than a long‑term, continuous appointment. Staff described the role as specialized and said they had limited internal capacity to provide day‑to‑day training while maintaining other duties.

On transportation, the committee approved a cost‑share agreement for work on 32 Mile Road over High Bank Creek, described as a superstructure replacement rather than a full bridge replacement. Federal funds will cover 80% of construction costs, with the remaining 20% split between the county and the two townships involved; the county's share was listed as $222,524. The motion passed 11‑0.

All three items were presented to the committee as department recommendations and will be forwarded to the full Macomb County Board of Commissioners as the next step in the approval process.