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Van Buren County Court approves grants, budget transfers, bonuses and appointments
Summary
During the February court meeting the panel approved multiple budget amendments and grants, a vehicle purchase for the sheriff's office, employee bonuses and an appointment to the Burke Memorial Library board; most items passed by unanimous roll call.
Van Buren County Court members approved a series of budget amendments, grants, personnel bonuses and an appointment during their February meeting. Most measures passed on roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes.
Key votes and outcomes included:
- Approval of full commission minutes and committee minutes: The court approved minutes from the full commission meeting of Sept. 15, 2025, Committee A (Oct. 6, 2025) and Committee B (Oct. 9, 2025).
- Transfer of $13,494.75 (assessor payroll/vendor pay): Motion to transfer $13,494.75 from the assessor payroll line to vendor-pay line passed by roll call.
- Transfer of $50,000 (ARC grant): Motion to move $50,000 from ARC funds to the appropriate line item passed by roll call.
- School systems fund amendments: The court approved amendments to the school fund (Fund 141) and school systems fund (Fund 880) as presented.
- Sheriff reimbursement for overtime ($4,442.64): Approved by roll call.
- TCI training grant ($15,000): Approved by roll call.
- Sheriff deputy vehicle ($55,968): Approved; discussion noted purchase follows a state contract.
- $1,000 employee bonus (with exclusions): A $1,000 bonus for employees was approved with stated exclusions for PRN employees hired after July 1, elected officials, and employees earning over $70,000; the motion specified payroll and withholding guidance (federal taxes, Social Security and Medicare withheld; retirement excluded).
- Transfers from fund balances to cover bonuses: The court approved transfers from specified fund balances and reviewed a spreadsheet with fund-level amounts (see clarifying details).
- Appointment to Burke Memorial Library board: Kristen Everett was appointed to the Burke Memorial Library board following Janet Burke's resignation.
- Grant transfers for 3-Star and museum grants: The court approved a $250,000 transfer for a 3-Star grant and a $25,000 transfer for a museum grant; meeting comments described both as 100% funded.
- Uncollectible accounts write-off policy (solid waste): The court approved a policy and procedures for writing off uncollectible solid-waste accounts; commissioners asked about the hardship application and verification process and were told verification uses state resources.
All items above were recorded in the meeting as passing on roll-call votes. Where the meeting transcript recorded "all members voting yes," that roll-call outcome is reflected here.
