Montcalm County authorizes part‑time contract prosecutor and approves service contract with Greenville

The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16 authorized two prosecutions-related contracts: a six‑month, non‑auto‑renewing part‑time contract for an outside prosecutor at $75 per hour, and a services contract for the county prosecutor’s office to handle prosecution services for the City of Greenville, contingent on city council approval.

Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Ginster presented both items. Ginster recommended hiring Betsy Hartley, a 20‑year Macomb County prosecutor, on a temporary contract to help the office manage a transition and address caseload needs. Ginster described Hartley as a seasoned trial attorney who does not want full‑time payroll work and asked for a limited contract for six months at $75 an hour, citing her experience and that the rate is about half of bills Ginster said other counties were paying private defense contractors.

Commissioners pressed for fairness with an ongoing county wage study. Commissioner Peterson said the contract rate is higher than some assistant prosecutor pay scales and suggested offering the candidate the prorated rate derived from the county’s current scale instead of a stand‑alone hourly rate; other commissioners noted Hartley would not be on the county payroll and would not receive benefits. After discussion the board approved the part‑time contract on a motion that included a limit (no auto‑renewal after six months); the motion specified payment at $75 per hour, described the arrangement as contractual without benefits, and set a six‑month review.

Separately, the board authorized the county controller/administrator to enter into a prosecution services contract with the City of Greenville, contingent on Greenville’s approval. Ginster said the county has billed Greenville in the past and that the proposed contract averages roughly $4,510 per month based on prior billing patterns (he estimated about 50 hours per month at a $125 per‑hour billing history), with seasonal variation. Ginster told the board he expects economies of scale, noted Greenville’s use of body‑worn cameras will increase discovery work, and said proceeds help offset prosecution costs such as expert witnesses and transcripts.

The Greenville City Council was scheduled to consider the contract at its next meeting; the board’s motion made county approval contingent on Greenville’s acceptance.

Votes: The board approved the part‑time assistant prosecuting attorney contract and authorized the controller to execute the service contract with Greenville, both by voice vote recorded as carried.