Bay County board approves appointments, routine tax-exemptions and contractor resolutions; health department update provided

The Bay County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 received and appointed candidates to several county boards, approved tax-exemption applications, and passed routine resolutions. Commissioners also heard an update on the new county health department construction and on liability coverage costs.

During the meeting the board moved to receive and appoint names for October appointments to the Bay County Department of Health and Human Services Board, including Brian Benchley and Kenzie Colton. The transcript records a roll-call spelling and a reported tally of "7 votes for Brian Benschley" and then a unanimous 'Aye' voice vote on the motion to receive and appoint; the Chair declared the motion carries.

Glenn Rowley was received and appointed as the township representative to the Bay County Land Bank Authority for a three-year term. A commissioner noted Rowley was the sole applicant and the board acted without a roll-call vote.

The board received an industrial facilities tax exemption application for AcroCast LLC at 18991 1st Street, Bay City, and a separate obsolete property rehabilitation exemption application for Red Hawk Opportunities LLC at 30308 Center Avenue; motions to receive both applications were moved, supported and approved by voice vote.

Commissioner Crete moved several Committee of the Whole referrals: a resolution declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in recognition of the Bay Area Women’s Center’s 50th anniversary; a resolution naming October 2025 as Michigan Library Appreciation Month; and a resolution approving the 2025 apportionment report for equalization. All passed by voice vote. The board also approved renewal and expansion of the KnowBe4 cybersecurity training platform; during discussion a staff member explained that training is scheduled quarterly, completion (not scores) is recorded, and October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

County executive (introduced in the transcript as "Mister Barcia") reported work at the new health department is progressing — drywall, offices, electrical and plumbing are underway and the roof is being worked on. He also said the county’s liability coverage costs through MMRMA will increase by 2.86% this year, which he described as a relatively low increase.

The board made no new funding commitments at the meeting beyond the routine actions taken and adjourned following brief commissioner comments about stormwater and sanitary sewer connections.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution honoring Pier 360 Recovery Alliance — adopted (voice vote). - Receive & appoint to Bay County Department of Health & Human Services Board (Brian Benchley; Kenzie Colton) — motion adopted (voice vote; transcript records 7 votes in favor for Brian Benchley). - Appointment of Glenn Rowley to Bay County Land Bank Authority — adopted (voice vote; sole applicant). - Industrial facilities tax exemption (AcroCast LLC) — application received (voice vote). - Obsolete property rehabilitation exemption (Red Hawk Opportunities LLC) — application received (voice vote). - Multiple Committee of the Whole resolutions (domestic violence awareness month; library appreciation month; apportionment report) — adopted (voice votes). - KnowBe4 training platform renewal — adopted (voice vote). - Independent contractor agreement (Resolution 2025-202) — adopted (voice vote).

The board announced upcoming appointments in November and adjourned the meeting.