Benzie County commissioners approve opioid grants, cybersecurity agreement, credit-card policy and road-millage filing

The Benzie County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 28 approved a package of routine and policy actions including awards from opioid settlement funds, approval of a state cybersecurity grant Local Consent Agreement, adoption of an amended credit-card policy and the filing of an amended L-4029 to add a recently approved road millage.

The board voted unanimously in favor of each motion with Commissioner Gary Sauer recorded as excused. Motions were made and seconded by various commissioners and passed by roll call.

Bills and administrative matters The board approved payment of county bills dated Nov. 10–17, 2023, totaling $498,135.96 after a motion by Commissioner Warsecke and a second by Commissioner Cunningham. Commissioners also approved the Nov. 14 regular-session minutes as amended to note that Westshore Plumbing and Heating won and was awarded the bid for restroom remodeling.

Cybersecurity and financial policy Commissioner Cunningham moved and Commissioner Markey seconded approval of the Local Consent Agreement for the Fiscal Year 2022 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Project and authorized the chair to sign. The board also adopted an amended Credit Card Use Operational Policy, which, according to the motion, supersedes the previously adopted policy.

Opioid funds On a motion by Commissioner Markey, seconded by Commissioner Jeannot, commissioners voted to award and fully fund the Centra Wellness request proposal and a Benzie County staff request proposal from opioid settlement funds. The motion carried on a roll call vote with Sauer excused.

Road millage filing and tower resolution The board accepted an amended L-4029 adding the recently approved Benzie County Road Millage and authorized the chair to sign. Separately, commissioners adopted Resolution 2023-015, authorizing the Emergency Management Coordinator and the county administrator to sign agreements to integrate the county’s emergency communications tower onto the Michigan Public Safety Communication System; Rebecca Hubers was present to answer questions during that item.

Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: Motion by Warsecke; outcome: approved (Ayes: Cunningham, Jeannot, Markey, Nye, Roelofs, Warsecke; Excused: Sauer). - Approve minutes (Nov. 14) as amended: Motion by Nye; outcome: approved. - Approve bills ($498,135.96): Motion by Warsecke; outcome: approved. - Authorize Local Consent Agreement, FY2022 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Project: Motion by Cunningham; outcome: approved. - Adopt amended Credit Card Use Policy: Motion by Jeannot; outcome: approved. - Award opioid funds to Centra Wellness and county staff proposals: Motion by Markey; outcome: approved. - Adopt Resolution 2023-015 (Emergency Tower integration): Motion by Nye; outcome: approved. - Accept amended L-4029 adding Road Millage: Motion by Warsecke; outcome: approved.

Why it matters The approvals advance short-term county operations (bill payments and equipment procurement) and authorize the county to participate in a state cybersecurity grant program, update internal financial controls and use opioid settlement funds for local recovery and treatment programs. The emergency-tower resolution moves forward integration with the Michigan Public Safety Communication System, a step county officials said was necessary for interoperability.

What’s next County staff will execute the authorized agreements and complete filings; the board’s next regular meeting was noted to include updates from state Rep. Betsy Coffia and a broadband update by Tim Maylone.