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Commission approves court reclassifications, jail and community contracts, and several small law‑enforcement grants
Summary
The commission approved grant-funded court reclassifications (saving roughly $30,000 general fund), five-year contracts for cognitive-behavioral services in jail and community programs, and multiple small DNR and state training grants.
Muskegon County commissioners approved a set of personnel reclassifications, program contracts and grant acceptances addressing court operations, jail programming and outdoor-law-enforcement funding.
Circuit Court Administrator Alicia Bridal told the board a reclassification (CPS 24/11-43) shifts a family court counselor into a family-division supervisor role, is fully grant-funded and "is going to save about $30,000 in general fund by doing the changes that we're doing." Commissioners were told the supervisor will oversee four staff and that the change is part of a federal pilot to help survivors of domestic violence access child support safely in partnership with Every Woman's Place.
The board awarded a five-year contract for "Thinking Matters" cognitive-behavioral classes in the jail and a separate five-year community contract to Catholic Charities. Scott Lamberman of Community Corrections said "we've been really pleased with her services in the past" and that the jail program has run more than 10 years. Commissioners asked about recidivism; Lamberman said one-year outcome reporting is required by the state and two-year figures were not calculated in the meeting but could be provided.
The commission also accepted several small law-enforcement grants: a FY2025 Michigan Department of Natural Resources enforcement grant of about $2,000, an ORV (off-road vehicle) grant of $14,000 to support trail enforcement, and $25,000 from the Michigan State Police under Public Act 1 of 2023 to fund professional education. Each grant was approved by roll-call vote.
Finally, the board approved multiple reclassifications and pay-scale adjustments for court clerical and administrative roles and discussed countywide wage-study implications. District court administrator Benjamin Ruby and HR staff said reclassifications address workload and recruitment; commissioners asked for cross-departmental comparisons and more data before further changes.
Next steps: staff will return with requested metrics (recidivism and arrest counts) and implement approved contracts and reclassifications.
