Barry County commissioners approve $6.54 million in prepaid invoices, adopt salary and compensation resolutions

The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 8 approved $6,541,306.80 in prepaid invoices and a set of routine financial and administrative actions during a 9:00 a.m. meeting in the commission chambers.

The board also approved claims totaling $121,224.42 and commissioner reimbursements for mileage totaling $1,051.23. Commissioners adopted three resolutions: No. 24-23 naming a trustee and alternate trustee to the West Michigan Health Insurance Pool board; No. 24-24 approving 2025 salaries for non-judicial countywide elected officials; and No. 24-25 setting commissioner compensation for 2025–2028. The board confirmed the appointment of Bruce Campbell to replace Michael Callton on the Personnel & Human Services Standing Committee and approved several consent items, including reappointment of Sarah Moyer-Cale to the Barry County Solid Waste Oversight Committee (term 11/1/24–10/31/27) and the appointment of Dr. Thomas Koster, D.O., as Deputy Medical Examiner effective 8/1/24.

Most votes were taken by roll call and recorded as unanimous among the five commissioners present (Mike Callton, Mark Doster, Catherine Getty, David Hatfield and Bob Teunessen); Jon Smelker, Bruce Campbell and David Jackson were recorded as absent. Motions to approve the consent items, invoices, claims, reimbursements, resolutions and the committee appointment were generally moved by Commissioner Bob Teunessen and supported by other commissioners as noted in the minutes; each motion was adopted by roll-call vote and recorded as carried.

Key dollar amounts noted in the meeting record: prepaid invoices $6,541,306.80; claims $121,224.42; commissioner reimbursements (mileage) $1,051.23. Consent approvals included a PA 116 farmland and open-space preservation application (24-1) for Shane Hickey in Section 25 of Castleton Township and purchase agreements/conservation easements with the Alvin E. and Susan Kay Butler Trust and with Vanessa S. Carpenter for properties in Maple Grove and Assyria Townships.

Limited public comment included a speaker, Gary White, who referenced recent Personnel and Human Services committee actions; the minutes do not record any formal board response or follow-up directive. Commissioner reports noted upcoming township meetings and a comment from Commissioner Mark Doster about Oklahoma’s property-transfer procedures. The meeting adjourned at 9:27 a.m.

Votes at a glance • Consent items approval (multiple items listed in the agenda): Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Mark Doster. Vote: Callton, Doster, Getty, Hatfield, Teunessen — yes; Smelker, Campbell, Jackson — absent. Outcome: approved. • Prepaid invoices ($6,541,306.80): Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Catherine Getty. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no; 3 absent. Outcome: approved. • Claims ($121,224.42): Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Mike Callton. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no; 3 absent. Outcome: approved. • Commissioner reimbursements (mileage) ($1,051.23): Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Mark Doster. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no; 3 absent. Outcome: approved. • Resolution #24-23 (WMHIP trustee appointment): Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Catherine Getty. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no; 3 absent. Outcome: adopted. • Resolution #24-24 (2025 salaries for non-judicial countywide elected officials): Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Catherine Getty. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no; 3 absent. Outcome: adopted. • Resolution #24-25 (2025–2028 commissioner compensation): Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Mike Callton. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no; 3 absent. Outcome: adopted. • Confirmation of Bruce Campbell to Personnel & Human Services Standing Committee: Motion moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Catherine Getty. Vote: 5 yes, 0 no; 3 absent. Outcome: approved.

The board recorded no presentations or public hearings during the meeting. The next procedural step recorded in the minutes is the meeting’s formal adjournment at 9:27 a.m.