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Barry County committee recommends Pella window contract, emergency grant acceptance and chief deputy salary setting
Summary
At its Oct. 15 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Barry County commissioners recommended that the full board accept a Pella Window proposal for the former FOC building ($185,095.67), approve acceptance of FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant EMC-2024-EP-05005, and set chief deputy salaries under scenario #4 contingent on union acceptance.
Barry County's Committee of the Whole met Oct. 15 and voted to recommend three administrative actions to the full Board of Commissioners: a window-replacement contract recommendation for the former Friend of the Court (FOC) building, acceptance of a state Emergency Management Performance Grant, and adoption of a proposed pay schedule for chief deputies.
The committee voted unanimously to recommend the county accept a proposal from Pella Window of Grand Rapids to replace windows at the former FOC building, with a not-to-exceed amount of $185,095.67. Commissioner Bob Teunessen moved the recommendation and Commissioner Mark Doster supported it; the committee recorded "All ayes. Motion carried." The recommendation is subject to final action by the full board.
The committee also recommended acceptance of State of Michigan grant number EMC-2024-EP-05005, the Fiscal Year 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant, and authorized that the county board chair and the county administrator be authorized to sign the grant agreement. Commissioner Mark Doster moved the recommendation and Commissioner Jon Smelker supported it; the motion passed unanimously at the committee level.
On personnel matters, County Administrator Eric Zuzga presented options for setting salaries of chief deputies for elected offices as required by state statute. The committee voted to recommend setting salaries according to "scenario #4," as moved by Commissioner Catherine Getty and supported by Commissioner Jon Smelker. The motion included contingency language that any positions covered by union contracts would be excluded from the changes unless the union agrees to remove those positions; the committee recorded unanimous approval.
Public comment at the meeting included a request from Rick Moore of the Thornapple Trail Association that speakers use the microphone and an invitation to a walking tour of the Nashville segment of the trail. Commissioners used the closing portion of the meeting to share local updates: David Hatfield reported on the Royal Coach Project and encouraged attendance at an upcoming economic development conference; Getty noted daycare and kitchen opportunities connected to the Royal Coach Project and an upcoming Parks Board meeting on a five-year plan; Callton, Smelker and others shared municipal schedules and community events. Commissioner Mark Doster raised a suggestion about touring the Barry County Jail before a proposed visit to Branch County; County Administrator Zuzga invited interested commissioners to contact him.
The committee adjourned at 9:58 a.m. The committee's approvals are recommendations to the full board, which must take final action on the Pella Window proposal, the grant agreement and the proposed salary changes.
