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Commissioners split over Economic Development Partnership dues and clerk’s request to oppose ranked-choice ballot initiative
Summary
After a lengthy debate on the county's role in economic development, commissioners approved a $2,500 payment to the Economic Development Partnership by a 3–2 vote; a separate resolution urged by the county clerk opposing a statewide ranked‑choice voting petition failed on a 4–1 vote.
Hillsdale County commissioners on Oct. 14 narrowly approved payment of a $2,500 invoice to the county Economic Development Partnership (EDP) while declining to adopt a clerk‑sponsored resolution opposing a state ranked‑choice voting ballot initiative.
EDP representatives described recent work they said brought grants and contracts back to the county — citing figures including about $315,000 in locally directed contract/grant work and $160,000 in training funds — and argued a modest county dues payment preserves the county's seat at the table for workforce and site‑readiness projects. "We brought ... about $315,000 that we brought," an EDP speaker said during the presentation.
Opponents on the board argued the county should not use general‑fund dollars to subsidize an organization that may favor particular projects, and some commissioners questioned whether EDP adequately serves villages and rural areas. After extended discussion about budget timing and how a $2,500 amendment could be accommodated, the board approved payment by roll call (3–2).
Separately, the county clerk sought a resolution to publicly oppose an initiative to adopt ranked‑choice voting statewide; the clerk told the board the County Clerk's Association had voted to oppose the measure. Several commissioners said adopting an opposition resolution before signatures are certified was premature or too broad, and some urged any county action focus on local administrative impacts (extra staff time and ballot complexity). The resolution failed on roll call, recorded in the transcript as 4–1 against adopting the countywide opposition.
The decisions leave the petition process to proceed at the state level unaffected; the clerk said petition sponsors must still collect valid signatures and that final placement on the ballot would be subject to state certification requirements.
What this means locally: the EDP will receive the county dues payment and continue operations with Hillsdale County representation; the clerk retains discretion to provide local administrative cost estimates if the petition clears signature thresholds and the initiative is certified for the ballot.
Next steps: finance staff will process the EDP payment and prepare a budget amendment; the clerk will provide commissioners with impact estimates if and when the ballot measure is formally submitted and certified.
