Hillsdale County commissioners approve park grant match, insurance-pool membership, fee changes and pay adjustments

The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners approved a package of administrative and budget measures that county leaders said align with ongoing capital and operational priorities.

The board unanimously adopted Resolution 25-148 to authorize a revision to the county27s monumentation and remonumentation plan, clearing the way for an updated single-document approach to surveying work that was last revised in 2020. "We will probably be working on a revision to that... and bring it back for updated approval," a commissioner said during debate.

Commissioners next approved Resolution 25-149, authorizing county membership in the West Michigan health insurance pool for a minimum three-year period and designating trustees to the pool27s board. The county will move employee health coverage into the pool and continue dental coverage separately; employees will receive guidance on enrollment through ADP.

On park improvements, Resolution 25-150 accepted terms from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund and committed the county to provide up to $89,800 (26 percent) in matching funds for improvements at Lewis Emery Park, including handicap docks and trail access. County officials said the grant is reimbursement-based and that the parks trustees must keep total project costs within the grant27s approved amount of $345,300.

The board also adopted Resolution 25-151 to update the county clerk27s fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026. The primary change raises the first certified vital-record copy from $15 to $20. The clerk cited MCL 3 3 3.2891 and said the increase would fund preservation and imaging of deteriorating vital records; the clerk estimated the fee change could yield about $20,0002424 to $25,000 annually.

Finally, commissioners approved two payroll-related measures. Resolution 25-152 grants a 2.7 percent pay increase to a set of elected positions effective Jan. 1, 2026 (specific salaries for the treasurer, register of deeds and other elected offices were listed in the resolution). Resolution 25-153 applies a 2.7 percent adjustment to the county27s wage schedule for employees (excluding positions covered by separate collective bargaining agreements). Board members noted county commissioners themselves were not included in the elected-official increase because state rules limit midterm adjustments for their office; commissioners will instead receive a previously-authorized 2 percent increase next year.

What happens next: officials said the county will implement the fee change and wage adjustments on Jan. 1, 2026, and the parks trustees will proceed with grant administration and required budget amendments for the Lewis Emery Park project.

Vote record: All resolutions referenced above passed by roll call with recorded tallies of 5-0 where roll calls were taken.