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Chippewa County commissioners approve pay-grade changes, multiple procurements and opioid-settlement RFPs
Summary
At its March 23 meeting the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners approved pay-grade adjustments for prosecuting-office staff (including an amendment to add the magistrate), authorized equipment purchases and RFPs for central dispatch and IT, approved grant participation for jail mental-health services, and moved to release applications and RFPs for opioid-settlement funding.
The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners on March 23 approved a package of personnel and procurement actions intended to address staffing shortages, update county technology and facilities, and begin distribution of opioid-settlement funds.
Commissioners voted unanimously by voice vote to approve grade changes for positions in the prosecuting attorney’s office to make salaries more competitive and to retain staff. During debate a commissioner moved to amend the motion to include increasing the magistrate’s grade from 20 to 22; the board approved the amendment and then approved the amended motion.
The board approved an amendment to the agreement between NorthCare Network and the county Public Defender allowing a $1,000 or 5% deviation (excluding wages and benefits) to permit continued delivery of behavioral-health services through that contract. The board also authorized the Sheriff’s Office to make equipment purchases via an $11,000 budget amendment (fund 2232) for two cameras, a laptop, a Knox box, an 800 radio and 12 chargers.
Emergency Services: commissioners authorized purchase of a central dispatch uninterruptible power supply (UPS) from Insight Public Sector for $44,882.74, including a required bypass panel, and approved releasing a second RFP for the corresponding central-dispatch electrical upgrade after an initial no-bid result.
Information technology actions included approval of a 24-month retainer renewal with Abilitia at $690 per month (a 2% increase) for telecommunications services and authorization to release RFPs for 23 desktop computers, a virtual-machine server, a Rally Bar unit and an IBM Power-system upgrade.
Administration items approved included a cost-allocation plan contract with Maximus Consulting Services at $5,000 per year for fiscal years 2024–2026 and a $3,900 contract with UP Engineers & Architects to design and administer installation of quieter air-conditioning in both county courtrooms.
Grants and inspections: the board authorized the Sheriff’s Office to participate in the Rural Jails Mental Health Partnership Initiative (a zero-match grant for inmate mental-health care and medication) and approved Ayers Associates to perform the required three-year inspection of the Caribou Lake level-control structure at a cost not to exceed $2,530 after receiving a notice from the state’s Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) department.
Opioid-settlement process: commissioners approved releasing applications for a steering committee (applications due April 9) and a request for funding proposals (due May 5) to govern award decisions for opioid-settlement monies.
Finance committee reported and the board approved county claims and payroll for February after reviewing general claims, other fund claims, payroll and health-department claims. The totals were read aloud by the finance chair and approved by voice vote.
The board made procedural motions to accept correspondence, approve minutes and accept a Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation board resignation and to advertise the vacancy. All procedural motions were approved by voice vote.
The board scheduled consideration of a Police Week resolution for the April meeting so it could be in place before the statewide Police Week observance in May.
The meeting concluded after commission comments and closed following a motion to adjourn.
