Benzie County commissioners approve $952,147.54 in bills, adopt purchasing and IT policies, and sign grants and wage adjustments

At its May 14 meeting the Benzie County Board of Commissioners approved a range of routine and operational actions, including payment of $952,147.54 in county bills for the April 19–May 9 period, adoption of an amended Purchasing Policy and related procedure, and the adoption of three information-technology policies (Technology Acceptable Use Policy, Written Information Security Policy and an amended Cyber Incident Response Policy).

The board approved consent-calendar budget adjustments recognizing $3,500 in refunds/rebates tied to the Code Red notification system and adjusted the Central Dispatch fund to cover employee benefit expenses. Commissioners also approved a 2% Tribal Council grant application on behalf of Benzie Area Christian Neighbors and accepted the county’s audited financial statements for fiscal year 2022–2023.

Personnel actions included approval of a reclassification and wage increase for the Animal Control position with a $1,372.14 budget adjustment from contingency (effective May 26, 2024) and a wage increase for the Sheriff’s Administrative Assistant with a $492.03 contingency transfer (effective June 3, 2024 when the new employee starts). The board approved an interlocal equipment-maintenance agreement with the City of Frankfort for a UTV and trailer and authorized the chair to sign a Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant agreement with the Michigan State Police.

Most motions were adopted unanimously by roll call; all recorded votes list Commissioner Jeannot as excused. The board also appointed Katherine Ralston to a six-year term on the Economic Development and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, expiring May 7, 2029.

Votes at a glance: approve agenda (unanimous among present); approve minutes (regular and closed session) (unanimous among present); payment of bills $952,147.54 (roll call unanimous among present); consent calendar items A–C (unanimous among present); adopt Purchasing Policy (unanimous among present); approve 2% Tribal Grant application (unanimous among present); accept audited financial statements (unanimous among present); reclassification/wage adjustments (unanimous among present); interlocal UTV agreement (unanimous among present); HMEP grant (unanimous among present); appoint Katherine Ralston (unanimous among present).

The approvals advance routine county operations, authorizations to execute grants and contracts, and budget adjustments necessary to reflect recent staffing changes and program reimbursements.