Gladwin County board approves $50,000 transfer to Probate Court and accepts two union mediation agreements

During its May 13 meeting, the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners approved a $50,000 transfer from the general fund to Fund 292 to cover pending Probate Court foster‑care expenses and later accepted mediation agreements reached for two bargaining units.

Deputy Administrator Melanie Thume and County Treasurer Christy VanTiem reported that S&P Global had assigned the county an AA‑ rating. Probate Court Administrator Worpell told the Board the court had about $10,000 remaining and requested an additional $50,000 to cover the remainder of the year for foster-care obligations; the Board approved the transfer (motion by Commissioner Winarski, supported by Commissioner Visnaw). The roll call vote recorded Ayes: Visnaw, O'Donnell, Moore, Winarski; Abstain: Donaldson.

The Board then moved into a closed session at 11:33 a.m. under MCL 15.268(1)(c) to discuss collective bargaining strategy. After returning at 11:46 a.m., the Board approved mediation agreements reached for Unit 6 and Unit 7 by roll-call votes; both motions passed with all five commissioners voting Aye.

Why it matters: The transfer provides short‑term funding to maintain foster-care services managed through Probate Court for the remainder of the fiscal year. Acceptance of the mediation agreements concludes a negotiated settlement process for the two bargaining units recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes and motions (as recorded): The $50,000 transfer to Fund 292 passed with one abstention (Commissioner Alan Donaldson). The Unit 6 and Unit 7 mediation‑agreement acceptances passed unanimously on recorded roll-call votes.

Next steps: No further county appropriation for Probate Court beyond the approved $50,000 was recorded at the meeting. The mediation agreements were accepted by the Board and recorded in the minutes.