Benzie County commissioners rescind political-activity policy and approve routine bills, grants and infrastructure items

Benzie County commissioners on Nov. 26 voted to rescind the county's Political Activity Policy and approved a slate of routine financial and infrastructure items, including payment of $440,557.63 in bills and the purchase of fiber service for the county's emergency communications tower.

The board voted 7–0 to rescind the Political Activity Policy on a motion by Commissioner Warsecke, seconded by Commissioner Nye. On a separate roll-call vote to approve payment of the county's bills for Nov. 7–21, 2024, six commissioners voted yes and Commissioner Jeannot voted no; the bill payment totaled $440,557.63.

Other actions approved included declaring two vehicles surplus (a 2018 Dodge Charger and a 2015 Chevy Suburban) and authorizing their sale, allocating proceeds to the equipment replacement and EMS refunds lines. The board approved a service order, service agreement and quote 589 from Peninsula Fiber Networks to provide internet service to the Emergency Communications Tower, subject to legal review and available general fund dollars. The board also authorized a Clinical Affiliation Agreement with the Northwest Regional Fire Training Center to provide required clinical hours for paramedics and EMTs.

The board passed a motion authorizing county staff to apply for Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development infrastructure funding to support a proposed natural gas expansion project. Commissioners also approved a proposal from TKS Security for security system upgrades at the Government Center in a not-to-exceed amount of $25,000, with funds to come from the Capital Projects fund.

The board approved several letters of support: for the Frankfort City-County Airport Authority's application to the Michigan Department of Transportation (vote 6–1, Commissioner Sauer voting no); for pending revenue sharing trust fund legislation; and for a Benzie Conservation District application supporting the Northwest Michigan Watershed Coalition. The board recorded motions and roll-call tallies in the official minutes.

Votes at a glance

• Approve bills, $440,557.63 — mover: Markey; second: Sauer; yes: Cunningham, Markey, Nye, Roelofs, Sauer, Warsecke; no: Jeannot — outcome: approved.

• Rescind Political Activity Policy — mover: Warsecke; second: Nye; yes: Cunningham, Jeannot, Markey, Nye, Roelofs, Sauer, Warsecke — outcome: approved.

• Surplus 2018 Dodge Charger (sale to equipment replacement fund) — mover: Sauer; second: Markey; outcome: approved.

• Surplus 2015 Chevy Suburban (sale to EMS refunds and rebates) — mover: Markey; second: Cunningham; outcome: approved.

• Peninsula Fiber Networks service order/quote 589 for Emergency Communications Tower — mover: Jeannot; second: Markey; outcome: approved.

• Letter of support, Frankfort Airport MDOT application — mover: Cunningham; second: Jeannot; yes: Cunningham, Jeannot, Markey, Nye, Roelofs, Warsecke; no: Sauer — outcome: approved.

• Authorize MDARD grant application for natural gas expansion — mover: Jeannot; second: Nye; outcome: approved.

• Clinical Affiliation Agreement with Northwest Regional Fire Training Center — mover: Markey; second: Warsecke; outcome: approved.

• Letter of support for revenue sharing trust fund legislation — mover: Cunningham; second: Markey; outcome: approved.

• Security-camera upgrade (TKS Security), not to exceed $25,000 — mover: Nye; second: Markey; outcome: approved.

• Letter of support for Benzie Conservation District/Northwest Michigan Watershed Coalition grant — mover: Nye; second: Warsecke; outcome: approved.

The board received administrative updates from County Treasurer Kelly Long and County Administrator Katie Zeits and heard routine commissioner reports before adjourning at 12:22 p.m.