The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the county and the Police Officers Labor Council representing the sheriff's supervisory unit.

Chair Mark Wiley read the resolution authorizing approval of the agreement, telling the board the contract was agreed to on Dec. 10, 2025 and ratified by the union Jan. 1, 2026. The resolution authorizes the chair and vice chair to sign on the county's behalf for the term commencing Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2030.

During discussion commissioners pressed on language that affects continuation of fringe benefits and the interaction with workers' compensation. One participant said, "I do not like that language," expressing concern about whether covering the first year of certain benefits could reduce other survivor benefits; negotiators said that changing the provision at this stage would jeopardize the agreement and that the language was important to the bargaining unit.

After debate the board approved the authorization by roll call, 5-0. Commissioners asked for a red-line copy of the final agreement to review clerical edits before signatures and directed staff to circulate the updated documents.