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Benzie County commissioners approve colocation, personnel moves and service extensions in unanimous package
Summary
At their Aug. 22 meeting, commissioners approved a slate of motions — including a five-year colocation agreement with Merit Network, the accretion of three positions into the POAM corrections unit, a three-year extension of Benzie Senior Resources' services agreement, adoption of a Bomb Swatting Policy, multiple maintenance agreements, and a small animal-control contract — nearly all by unanimous vote.
The Benzie County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 22 approved a series of contracts, personnel and policy items with little debate and unanimous support from those present.
Among the actions, the board approved an amended five-year colocation agreement with Merit Network, Inc. allowing Merit to lease space for fiber equipment and network access points; the agreement includes one automatic five-year renewal and will pay the county per the schedule outlined by the county administrator. Commissioners also voted to accrete three positions — Jail Secretary, Detective Secretary and Maintenance Coordinator — into the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) Corrections bargaining unit.
The board approved a three-year extension of the services agreement with Benzie Senior Resources to continue senior services funded by county millage dollars, subject to legal review. Commissioners adopted a Bomb Swatting Policy and rescinded related prior policies. They established an ad hoc interview committee to recommend an appointment to the DHHS Board for a term expiring Oct. 31, 2026.
Other approvals included road maintenance agreements with the Benzie County Road Commission (expiring Sept. 30, 2028), authorization for the county administrator to make interfund transfers to balance 2022/2023 budgets, and a professional services contract with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for animal-control services at $300 per quarter through Sept. 30, 2025. The board also authorized a letter of support for Grow Benzie as a Rural Prosperity Incubator.
Several items were accompanied by brief comments or written reports: Treasurer Michelle Thompson noted a foreclosure sale of five properties scheduled for the coming Friday; Grow Benzie's Josh Stolz described the group's reorganization and role in county services; and state Representative Betsy Coffia thanked local officials and discussed infrastructure and household services.
Public comment included James Dulzo urging support for PACE-style energy-efficiency programs and Mike Ross urging the board to keep discussion of a Headlee-related funding action available for future consideration. The meeting adjourned at 11:16 a.m.
Votes at a glance (each motion passed with six ayes; Commissioner Jeannot excused unless otherwise noted): • Approve agenda (remove Action Item F — Headlee reset): motion by Sauer, seconded Warsecke — approved. • Approve minutes (Aug. 8, 2023): motion by Nye, seconded Cunningham — approved. • Approve bills ($602,088.76): motion by Warsecke, seconded Markey — approved. • Merit Network colocation agreement (5-year lease plus one 5-year renewal): motion by Markey, seconded Warsecke — approved. • Accretion of three positions into POAM Corrections: motion by Sauer, seconded Nye — approved. • Benzie Senior Resources services agreement (three-year extension): motion by Markey, seconded Cunningham — approved. • Bomb Swatting Policy adoption: motion by Warsecke, seconded Sauer — approved. • DHHS ad hoc interview committee appointment: motion by Sauer, seconded Markey — approved. • Road maintenance agreements with Road Commission (through Sept. 30, 2028): motion by Sauer, seconded Warsecke — approved. • Authorize County Administrator to balance 2022/2023 budgets: motion by Cunningham, seconded Nye — approved. • Grand Traverse Band animal control contract ($300/quarter through Sept. 30, 2025): motion by Warsecke, seconded Cunningham — approved. • Letter of support for Grow Benzie: motion by Cunningham, seconded Warsecke — approved.
What this means: Most measures were routine approvals that allow county administration to proceed with contracts, human-resources actions, and service funding. The board did not take formal action on a Headlee reset resolution after removing it from the agenda at the start of the meeting.
