Barry County committee recommends joining nationwide insulin lawsuit, OKs storage purchase and appointments
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Summary
At its Nov. 19 Committee of the Whole meeting, Barry County commissioners recommended a slate of items to the full Board including joining a nationwide insulin lawsuit, approving farmland preservation applications, authorizing a records vault purchase of $34,628.51 and several reappointments; the MSU Extension MOA passed with one dissent.
The Barry County Committee of the Whole on Nov. 19 recommended multiple actions to the full Board of Commissioners, including joining a nationwide lawsuit over insulin pricing and approving several administrative and land-use items.
Chair David Jackson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and Senior Deputy Clerk Sarah VanDenburg said elected officials will be ceremonially sworn in in December. The committee first approved the Nov. 5 meeting minutes on a motion by Commissioner Mike Callton, seconded by Bruce Campbell.
Jon Smelker moved to recommend approval of the revised 2024 Apportionment Report; the committee voted all ayes. The committee also recommended that the Equalization Department be permitted to maintain two appraiser positions until one appraiser meets the senior appraiser qualifications (motion by Smelker, seconded by Mark Doster).
The committee voted to recommend adoption of Resolution #24-26 to join a nationwide insulin lawsuit (moved by Mike Callton, supported by David Hatfield). Jim McManus presented applications under Michigan PA 116 (Farmland and Open Space Preservation) for Michael Pickard; Commissioners recommended approval of applications #24-2, #24-3, #24-4 and #24-5 for property in Irving Township.
Senior Deputy Clerk Sarah VanDenburg presented a quote from Casper Corporation for a rolling file (vault storage) system. Commissioners voted to recommend purchasing the system for $34,628.51 with funds to be paid from the CPL Fund (motion by David Hatfield, second by Catherine Getty).
County Administrator Eric Zuzga presented a proposed 2025 Memorandum of Agreement with Michigan State University Extension. The committee recommended approval (moved by Bruce Campbell, supported by David Hatfield). The recorded vote was Ayes: Callton, Campbell, Doster, Getty, Hatfield, Jackson and Teunessen; Nay: Smelker. The motion carried.
Commissioner Getty moved, seconded by Commissioner Teunessen, to recommend an updated county credit card policy as required by Public Act 266 of 1995; the motion carried. The committee also recommended reappointments: David Tripp to the Barry County Building Authority for a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and Cindy Vujea and Commissioner David Jackson to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
During public comment, Rick Moore, chair of the Thornapple Trail Association, asked speakers to use the microphone and invited the board to a walking tour of the Paul Henry Trail in Nashville and to the association's regular meeting at Nashville Village Hall. Commissioners closed with local updates on the Royal Coach Project, parks planning, community garden expansion and village events. The meeting adjourned at 9:58 a.m.
Votes at a glance: The committee approved recommendations to the full Board on the revised apportionment report; temporary Equalization staffing; Resolution #24-26 to join the nationwide insulin lawsuit; PA 116 farmland preservation applications for Michael Pickard; a $34,628.51 rolling file system from Casper Corporation paid from the CPL Fund; the MSU Extension 2025 MOA (7–1); an updated credit card policy (per PA 266); and multiple reappointments to county authorities.