Committee approves Health West staffing change, remodel contract and operational spending after financial update

Muskegon County’s Human Services Committee on Aug. 12 heard a financial update from Health West and approved a series of operational items including a temporary recipient-rights officer appointment, a building remodel contract, a software renewal used for telehealth, insurance coverage for clinicians, a deputy medical-examiner appointment and a modest procurement increase.

Brandy Carlson, chief financial officer at Health West, presented the agency’s balance sheet and revenue/expenditure reports. "The current year cash in bank is, 7,900,000.0," Carlson said, noting an equipment-revolving account near $2.4–$2.5 million. She reported year-to-date revenue of about $67,500,000 and expenditures near $68,200,000, producing a projected net change that would reduce the fund balance to approximately $575,000; she said ongoing quality-improvement efforts should help performance before year end.

Under motion HS25/08-41, the committee approved creating a temporary recipient-rights officer position (effective Nov. 1, 2025) and appointing employee E93033587 at step 2, with authorization to eliminate the position roughly in late winter 2026. Susan Potts, Health West’s human-resources manager, said the temporary position allows the current rights officer to be moved into a training role so a replacement can be hired and complete required state trainings. "We’re creating a temporary recipient rights officer position to move our current recipient rights officer into it so that we can backfill her position while she's still here so that she can train her replacement," Potts said. The motion passed by voice vote.

The committee approved HS25/08-42 to award the Health West western-remodel solicitation to Trident Construction Company for a base bid of $199,960 and authorized the Health West executive director to execute change orders up to 10% of the original contract. Staff said the restroom in the original portion of the building at 376 East Apple Ave requires a full gut and rebuild because the stalls are failing and the space is not currently ADA compliant. "It is currently not ADA compliant," staff said, adding funding will come from savings.

Motion HS25/08-43 authorized renewal of a license/subscription for Sept. 28, 2025, through Sept. 28, 2026 at an approximate cost of $47,004.64; staff explained the subscription covers Zoom-equipped rooms used for telehealth visits, adding, "We utilize Zoom because it's HIPAA compliant, and it's easiest for our consumers to use." The committee also directed the procurement department (HS25/08-44) to solicit snow-removal services for two Health West locations for the 2025–2026 season.

Under HS25/08-45, the committee authorized the Health West executive director to accept a professional-liability insurance policy proposed by GenCap Insurance Services Inc., brokered through Hub International, not to exceed $55,000 for the policy period Aug. 7, 2025, through Aug. 7, 2026. Staff clarified the policy covers psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who provide medical and psychiatric services (including at the jail and youth detention center) and does not cover outpatient therapists, who are insured under a different plan.

The committee approved HS25/08-46 to appoint Dr. Nicholas Castellicki, MB, as an additional deputy medical examiner under the county medical-examiner contract. Cathy Moore said the county board appoints the medical examiner and must approve deputies; the current contract is a flat-rate RFP, so adding deputies does not increase contract costs.

Finally, HS25/08-49 authorized Public Health to increase a purchase order with Grand River Office by $45,000, not to exceed a total of approximately $145,076, using state grant dollars available before a Sept. 30 forfeiture deadline; staff said this will allow purchase of matching modular furniture consistent with earlier buys.

All motions on the agenda were approved by voice vote. The committee had no public comment at adjournment.

What’s next: staff will implement the approved contracts, hires and budget adjustments and proceed with procurement solicitations as directed.