Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health And Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Health & Human Services committee recommends multiple medical contracts and approves millage for Martha T. Berry repairs 7–6
Summary
The Macomb County Health & Human Services committee on Nov. 5 recommended contract renewals for two body-transport vendors and a forensic lab provider, and it approved a millage resolution to fund repairs at the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility by a 7–6 roll-call vote.
The Macomb County Health & Human Services committee on Nov. 5 recommended several contract renewals for medical examiner services and approved a resolution to levy a county millage to support capital improvements at the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility.
Medical examiner staff told commissioners they received four bids for body-transport services and recommended two local contractors. Andrew, presenting for the medical examiner, said Paradigm Removal Services has been a contractor for several years and recommended a three-year renewal for Paradigm at $75,000 beginning Jan. 1. The committee voted to recommend Paradigm's contract to the full board.
The committee also recommended entering a backup contract with Heritage Services LLC for $75,000; staff said Heritage’s pricing was comparable and that both Paradigm and Heritage are Macomb County companies. A separate renewal for National Medical Services (forensic laboratory services) totaling $150,000 was recommended; staff cited the lab’s specialized testing panels as a reason to continue the existing relationship.
A separate and more contested agenda item was a resolution to levy a millage to fund capital improvements at Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility (listed in packet as resolution 2025-141186). Commissioner Van Sickle argued against adding another tax, saying, "Many people are struggling. I don't want to add to their problems." Other commissioners, citing building needs and state-mandated repairs such as red-tagged elevators, said the facility requires immediate capital attention. Commissioner Zinner said the tax would amount to "less than a dollar a month for 1 year" for most taxpayers and argued the request was modest given the facility’s condition. The roll-call vote passed 7–6; the clerk recorded Commissioners Goicky, Groat, Kraft, Romano, Van Sickle and Sabatini voting no.
Committee members also recommended a budget amendment for Macomb Community Action and a No Wrong Door contract (Ageways) for long-term care options; those items were advanced with unanimous committee support.
Public comment later included a representative of Paradigm Removal Services asking about how proposers could address the commission before committee votes and raising concerns about bid documentation for Heritage’s submission; the chair offered to speak with the commenter after the meeting.
The committee’s recommendations will move to the full board for final action.
