Gratiot County commissioners approve $41,000 shift to cover district court overtime

The Gratiot County Board of Commissioners on an unanimous voice/roll-call vote approved Resolution 26-345, shifting a little over $41,000 from the district court’s salary and wage line to its overtime line to compensate staff covering additional duties while the court undergoes a judicial transition. Commissioner Gay moved the resolution; Commissioner Bailey seconded, and the motion carried.

Administrator staff explained the transfer is strictly an intra-departmental reallocation that does not change the overall county budget but allows other employees to take on tasks the vacant position would normally handle. The board was told the arrangement would be temporary and the open position could be filled at the start of the next fiscal year if the board so chooses.

The administrator said the adjustment follows requirements in the county’s appropriations resolution that any wage-line changes be approved by the board. Commissioners asked for clarification on the title affected (district court executive/judicial assistant) and confirmed the transfer is intended to fund overtime rather than a permanent hire.

The board approved the resolution; the motion was introduced and read into the record by Commissioner Gay and seconded by Commissioner Bailey. The resolution was presented as administrative housekeeping tied to the court’s operational needs and does not increase the county’s budget total.

Next steps: the county will leave the position unfilled for now and re-evaluate staffing needs when the fiscal year begins.