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Eaton County commissioners approve grants, appointments and set special meeting to fill vacant seat
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting the Eaton County Board of Commissioners approved recycling grants, appointments to education boards, budget amendments, bills and other routine business; the board also set a Feb. 6 special meeting to fill the District 1 commissioner vacancy created by a resignation.
The Eaton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 15 approved a package of routine but consequential administrative items including recycling grants, several appointments to local boards, budget amendments and payment of county bills. The board also scheduled a special meeting on Feb. 6 to fill the District 1 seat vacated by Commissioner Barnes.
Why it matters: The approved grants and budget actions support ongoing county operations (recycling and management planning) and enable the county to meet reporting and statutory obligations. The scheduled special meeting begins the statutory process to fill a commissioner vacancy within 30 days of resignation.
Most important actions
- Retirement resolution: The board adopted a resolution of appreciation for Sherry Taylor of the Friend of the Court, who is retiring. The resolution was moved by Commissioner Haskell and supported by Commissioner Pearl Wright and carried by voice vote.
- Solid Waste Alternative Grant and EGLE Management Planning Grant: The board approved the 2024–2025 Solid Waste Alternative Grant to fund recycling programs and authorized a 2025 Management Planning Grant application to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). Commissioner Keith Barber moved both items; motions carried by voice vote.
- ROE Commission appointments: The board approved appointments to fill two vacancies on the regional Board of Education (ROE) — Ron Kendall to a term ending Dec. 31, 2026, and Jim Green to a term ending Dec. 31, 2028. Motions carried.
- Agency reporting schedule: The board approved the county's 2025 agency reporting schedule included in commissioners' packets; staff noted the schedule can be adjusted if an agency cannot attend its assigned date.
- Ways and Means package: The Ways and Means Committee presented several items and the board approved a combined set of resolutions including the 2025 borrowing resolution for delinquent taxes, a re-monumentation resolution and authorizing re-monumentation agreements, as well as a set of budget amendments. Commissioner DiRocia moved these measures; motions carried by voice vote.
- Payment of bills: The board approved payment of county bills as moved by Commissioner DiRocia; motion carried.
- Work group appointments and committee alignment: Chairman Mott appointed members to the Parks Work Group and the Opioid Work Group and moved to transfer Commissioner Nicole Christiansen from the Public Works and Human Services Committee to the Parks Work Group; the board approved those committee/appointment changes.
- Special meeting to fill vacancy: Following Commissioner Barnes's resignation, the board set a special meeting for Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. (to follow the Public Safety Committee meeting) to appoint a replacement for the District 1 seat. Chairman Mott cited a statutory 30-day requirement to fill the vacancy; the board voted to set the meeting date.
Votes at a glance
- Retirement resolution for Sherry Taylor: moved by Commissioner Haskell; seconded by Commissioner Pearl Wright; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Approve 2024–2025 Solid Waste Alternative Grant: moved by Commissioner Barber; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Authorize application to Michigan EGLE for 2025 Management Planning Grant: moved by Commissioner Barber; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Appoint Ron Kendall (term to 12/31/2026) and Jim Green (term to 12/31/2028) to ROE Commission: moved by Commissioner Barber; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Approve 2025 agency reporting schedule: moved by Commissioner Barber; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- 2025 borrowing resolution for delinquent taxes; re-monumentation resolution and agreements: moved by Commissioner DiRocia; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Budget amendments (Ways and Means): moved by Commissioner DiRocia; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Payment of county bills: moved by Commissioner DiRocia; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Parks and Opioid work group appointments and committee reassignment (Christiansen onto Public Works & Human Services/Parks flow): moved by Chairman Mott; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Set special meeting for District 1 appointment (Feb. 6, 6 p.m.): moved by Commissioner Drosha; seconded by Commissioner Arndt; outcome: approved (voice vote).
What commissioners said and administrative notes
Controller/Administrator Sobe welcomed new board members and noted staff support for the upcoming budget process. Treasurer Darris Reynett updated the board on tax-forfeiture notices and land bank activity, and said his office mailed statutory notices required by Public Act 255 and Public Act 256. Several judges and justice-system officials introduced themselves and described court responsibilities; Sheriff Tom Reich and Prosecutor Doug Lloyd invited commissioners to visit their offices and said public safety and statutory mandates are major budget drivers.
Ending
Most motions at the Jan. 15 meeting were routine committee recommendations approved by voice vote. The next notable deadline is the Feb. 6 special meeting to fill the District 1 vacancy; the board must act within the statutory timeline cited during the meeting.
