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Montcalm County prosecutor reports caseload jump; board votes to seek legal opinion on union status of two grant‑funded positions
Summary
The county prosecutor told commissioners the office saw a roughly 30% increase in referrals in 2025 and asked the board to seek a legal opinion on whether two grant‑funded positions should be exempt from the collective bargaining agreement; the board voted to direct the county controller to seek that opinion.
Montcalm County's prosecutor reported a sharp increase in the office's workload during a Jan. 12 meeting and asked the Board of Commissioners to request a formal legal opinion on whether two grant‑funded positions should be removed from the county's collective bargaining agreement.
The prosecutor said his office experienced about a 30% increase in caseload over 2024: "a total of 1,800 cases versus 1,400 in 2024," including 423 felony cases compared with 336 the prior year and 1,700 misdemeanors versus 1,241, and singled out a 61% rise in domestic‑violence cases (85 to 137).
He told the board those increases reflect referrals to the office and do not necessarily mean overall crime rose by the same percentage; statewide audits and the uniform crime report will provide further context later in the year.
Separately, the prosecutor asked the board to seek a written legal opinion from county counsel about whether the victims' rights coordinator/manager position and a child‑support specialist — positions funded largely by offender assessments and grant allocations rather than general tax dollars — are exempt from the collective bargaining agreement. The prosecutor said the positions have traditionally been union roles but that grant funding and job requirements may change their classification.
Commissioners discussed the practical consequences and likely union reaction, noting that removing positions from a contract could lead to mediation or arbitration and that incumbents might prefer union protections. They also acknowledged pay and staffing pressures in those offices and that losing current staff would be difficult.
Vice Chairman Peterson moved to "direct the controller to seek legal opinion on our crime victim rights coordinator and child support specialist to see if they are exempt from collective bargaining agreement." The motion was moved and supported and recorded as carried in the meeting transcript.
The vote directs county staff to obtain a formal legal opinion; it does not change employment status. Commissioners noted any change would likely require additional steps, negotiations or bargaining processes and could be subject to grievance or arbitration if the union contests it.
The record shows the board approved the motion by voice vote; no roll‑call vote or tally was included in the transcript.
