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Benzie County approves pay increases, $13,000 jail GED program and multiple contracts
Summary
At its Dec. 10 meeting in Beulah, the Benzie County Board of Commissioners approved increases to commissioner per diems and base salaries, authorized a $13,000 jail GED program, and signed contracts for countywide aerial imagery, inmate legal resources and debt-collection services.
The Benzie County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 10 in Beulah to raise commissioner per diems and approve a series of contracts and program funding, including a $13,000 budget amendment for GED schooling at the county jail.
The board approved a per-diem increase, effective Jan. 1, 2025: $50 for a half day and $100 for a full day. Commissioner Warsecke moved the per-diem motion and Commissioner Sauer seconded; the roll call showed five ayes (Jeannot, Markey, Roelofs, Sauer and Warsecke) and one nay (Nye). The motion carried with Commissioner Cunningham excused.
Separately, the board approved base salary increases for the chair, vice-chair and commissioners of 3% on Jan. 1 of each year 2025–2028. Commissioner Sauer moved that motion and Commissioner Markey seconded it; the roll call was four ayes (Markey, Roelofs, Sauer and Warsecke) and two nays (Jeannot and Nye). The increases are budgeted to take effect in annual increments through 2028.
The board also authorized a $13,000 budget amendment to the Jail Fund to provide GED programming for Benzie County inmates. Undersheriff Hubers answered questions about the program before the motion by Commissioner Jeannot, seconded by Commissioner Sauer, passed unanimously with Commissioner Cunningham excused.
On county contracts, commissioners approved participation in the Michigan Statewide Authoritative Imagery and Lidar Program (MiSAIL) buyup for 2025 aerial imagery, authorizing up to $19,000 for countywide flyover photography, subject to legal review and funded from the equipment replacement and general funds. Commissioner Warsecke moved the MiSAIL approval and Commissioner Nye seconded.
The board authorized a five-year FASTCASE licensing agreement to provide online legal resources for inmates, with an initial annual cost of $600 and a 3% increase each year thereafter; the motion was made by Commissioner Jeannot and seconded by Commissioner Markey and will be paid from the Jail Fund.
Commissioners also authorized an agreement with CBM Services, Inc. for jail inmate debt-collection services, subject to legal-form review and the chair’s signature. Motion to approve the agreement was made by Commissioner Warsecke and seconded by Commissioner Jeannot.
Other procedural items included approval of bills totaling $222,238.97 for Nov. 22–Dec. 5, 2024, and adoption of regional Materials Management Planning Committee bylaws. The board carried votes on these items unanimously (with Commissioner Cunningham excused where noted).
The meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m. on Dec. 10. The board asked staff to draft a resolution confirming that the chair will be elected annually for consideration at the Organizational meeting; there was no binding vote changing statutory term limits during this session.
