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Barry County committee recommends appointments, grants and contracts; meets in closed session
Summary
At its Nov. 5 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Barry County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved or recommended a series of administrative actions — including recommending Steven Wilson to the Community Mental Health Authority Board, accepting a $10,000 TNR grant, and approving a $17,000 airport taxiway share — and met in closed session to review privileged legal advice.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners’ Committee of the Whole met Nov. 5 in Hastings and approved or recommended a slate of administrative actions, including appointments, grant acceptances and contract renewals. All committee votes were recorded 'all ayes'; Commissioner Catherine Getty was absent.
The committee recommended that the full Board appoint Steven Wilson to a partial term on the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority Board (term noted in the minutes as beginning April 1, 2024 and expiring March 31, 2027). The committee also recommended the Board accept a $10,000 grant from Two Seven Oh Inc. to support the county’s Trap, Neuter and Release program.
Other actions approved or recommended by the committee included a slate of appointments to the Barry County Materials Management Planning Committee for terms beginning Dec. 1, 2024 and ending Nov. 30, 2029; approval of five FY2025 Adult Specialty Court grant/funding contracts for Adult Drug Court, Sobriety Court and the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program (with the chair authorized to sign specified contracts); and approval of the Hastings City/Barry County Airport’s $17,000 share of the 2025 taxiway project under the Airport Commission Joint Operating Agreement.
The committee approved renewing the Agreement for Economic Development Services with the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025, set the base salary for Barry County Road Commissioners at $5,000 effective Jan. 1, 2025, and approved hiring a temporary part‑time Deputy Treasurer for December 2024 at $20.87 per hour. The committee also recommended approval of a Human Resources Manager job description and the reclassification of the Deputy County Administrator from DH‑14 to DH‑15, effective immediately.
Chair David Jackson moved, supported by Commissioner David Hatfield, that the committee enter closed session under Public Act 267 of 1976, MCL 15.268(8)(h), to consider a written legal opinion covered by attorney‑client privilege; the board entered closed session at 10:04 a.m. and reconvened at 11:06 a.m. After returning to open session the committee moved to accept the county attorney’s recommendation and proceed as advised.
Votes at a glance: • Approval of Oct. 15, 2024 Committee minutes — mover: David Hatfield; second: Bob Teunessen; outcome: approved (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Recommend appointment of Steven Wilson to Barry County Community Mental Health Authority Board (partial term 4/1/2024–3/31/2027) — mover: Mark Doster; second: David Hatfield; outcome: recommended to Board (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Recommend acceptance of $10,000 from Two Seven Oh Inc. for TNR — mover: Bob Teunessen; second: Bruce Campbell; outcome: recommended to Board (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Recommend appointment of MMPC members for 12/1/2024–11/30/2029 (list of appointees recorded in minutes) — mover: Jon Smelker; second: Bob Teunessen; outcome: recommended to Board (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Approve five FY2025 Adult Specialty Court grant/funding contracts and authorize chair to sign DocuSign/SWMBH contracts — mover: Jon Smelker; second: David Hatfield; outcome: approved (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Approve $17,000 Airport share for 2025 taxiway project (Hastings City/Barry County Airport) — mover: Bob Teunessen; second: Jon Smelker; outcome: approved (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Renew Agreement for Economic Development Services (Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025) with Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance — mover: David Hatfield; second: Bruce Campbell; outcome: approved (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Set base salary for Road Commissioners at $5,000 effective 1/1/2025 — mover: Bob Teunessen; second: David Hatfield; outcome: approved (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Approve hiring temporary part‑time Deputy Treasurer for December 2024 at $20.87/hr — mover: David Hatfield; second: Bob Teunessen; outcome: approved (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Approve HR Manager job description — mover: David Hatfield; second: Jon Smelker; outcome: recommended to Board (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Recommend reclassification of Deputy Administrator from DH‑14 to DH‑15 — mover: David Hatfield; second: Bob Teunessen; outcome: recommended to Board (all ayes; Catherine Getty absent). • Enter closed session under MCL 15.268(8)(h) to consider attorney‑client privileged written opinion — mover: David Jackson; second: David Hatfield; outcome: approved by roll call; board entered closed session at 10:04 a.m.; reconvened 11:06 a.m.; subsequently the committee accepted the attorney’s recommendation (mover: Jon Smelker; second: David Hatfield).
Commissioner remarks included a Branch County Jail tour report from Mark Doster, discussion of an Expo Center event expected to draw 20,000–25,000 people referenced by Jon Smelker and Bob Teunessen, Veterans Day program notices, and announcements about an Economic Development Alliance summit and a Hastings Downtown Development Authority information session. The committee adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
