Committee approves winter tax rate form and several budget and contract actions; items 3–9 forwarded to full board

The committee consolidated items 3 through 9 into a single motion and approved sending them to the full board.

Item 3: Scott Vandermergl, director of assessment and equalization, presented the Michigan Department of Treasury Form L-4029 winter tax resolution for the 2025 tax rate request. Vandermergl said the resolution covers the county levy line items not included on the summer bills, including the veterans millage and the three voted millages for jails, general operating and parks, and that the millages have been reduced in accordance with the Hadley Amendment. He asked the committee to levy them on the winter tax bills in anticipation of the Dec. 1 billing.

Item 4: A one-year comparable-source professional services contract with Korn Ferry (executive-search firm) was presented for recruitment of hard-to-fill executive positions in Management and Budget. Commissioners questioned the fee structure; counsel read contract language stating the contractor will receive "a fee not to exceed 30% of the total first year base compensation" for hires and that a reduced 20% fee applies for county-sourced candidates. Staff agreed to provide written clarification about the criteria for the 20% vs. 30% fee. A procurement/cumulative-contract issue was raised and staff said they will memorialize guidance in writing.

Items 5, 6 and 9: Brief budget adjustments were presented (decertifying revenue in the county health fund and reallocating expenditures in the general fund and county health fund). The finance director clarified that the items reconcile salaries to business units and staff answered technical questions.

A consolidated motion to approve items 3–9 was moved by Commissioner Badoon and supported by Commissioner Baker McCormick; commissioners voted in favor and "the item passes." Staff noted one incorrect account number on item 2 that will be corrected before the full board packet is finalized.