Board accepts apportionment report, approves September expenditures; clerk reports voting‑equipment change

The Clare County Board moved through routine fiscal and administrative business including acceptance of the apportionment report, approvals of finance minutes and county expenditures, and an elections update from the county clerk.

Keith Preston (Equalization) explained that local taxing units submit levy information on the 4029 form and that the county compiles the apportionment report for submission to the State Tax Commission. A motion "to accept the apportionment report as presented and authorize the equalization of records for tax relief" was moved and seconded, a roll‑call was taken and the chair announced the motion carried.

The finance committee minutes for Sept. 15 ($143,741.50) and Sept. 29 ($90,680.06) were approved. The board then approved county expenditures for September 2025 totaling $3,888,861.78, with general‑fund expenditures of $968,331.79; roll‑call votes were recorded and the motions carried.

County Clerk Lori reported that public accuracy testing was underway for the November election and that there are two school bond proposals on the ballot (Harrison Community Schools and Gladwin Community Schools). She said Dominion Voting Equipment has been sold to Liberty Vote but that "it is the same equipment" and the vendor Election Source will continue to manage the machines. Lori also said the Michigan Association of County Clerks unanimously passed a resolution opposing the ranked‑choice voting proposal on the ballot, citing constitutional conflict and concerns about ballot length and voter confusion.

In public comment, residents raised concerns about use of grant funds for private businesses and noted rising tax‑delinquency pressures in the community; one commenter said local community action assisted about 200 families with tax help last year. The board did not change grant or tax policy during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned later in the session following routine closing motions.