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Barry County board approves $3.5 million in prepaid invoices, adopts grant agreement and sets PACE hearing
Summary
The Barry County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved prepaid invoices totaling $3,489,873.89, claims and reimbursements, adopted a Homeland Security intergovernmental funding agreement (Resolution #25-06) and included text calling for a PACE program public hearing on March 25, 2025 (appended resolution shows adoption date Feb. 25, 2025).
The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 11 approved a series of financial and programmatic items, including prepaid invoices of $3,489,873.89, claims of $54,847.86 and commissioner mileage reimbursements totaling $627.20. Each of these actions passed by roll call after motions from Commissioners Jon Smelker and others.
In consent and action items the board also approved: adoption of Materials Management Planning Committee (MMPC) bylaws and a year-one MMPC work program and grant budget; a one-year contract with the Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Center allowing Barry County residents to use the HHW drop-off service up to $5,000 in calendar year 2025; a preliminary budget for a new COA facility; and authorization for the county administrator to sign an employment contract for County Administrator Eric F. Zuzga effective Feb. 11, 2025 through Jan. 31, 2028. The packet additionally included approval to submit a grant application to the Michigan Department of State (HAVA Election Security Grant) to purchase ballot storage bags, tabulator storage cases and media transfer bags.
The board voted to adopt Resolution #25-06, authorizing the 2024 Homeland Security Grant Program intergovernmental funding agreement with the County of St. Joseph and authorizing the chairman and administrator to sign. The transcript also contains the text of Resolution #25-07, which states the board’s intent to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, to utilize Lean & Green Michigan as program administrator, and sets a public hearing for March 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. The appended resolution text includes a clerical certification indicating adoption on Feb. 25, 2025; that date appears in the appended document and is not consistent with the Feb. 11 meeting date in the minutes.
Votes and procedure: Consent items were approved in a single roll-call motion (moved by Bob Teunessen, supported by Jon Smelker). Specific expenditure approvals were moved by Jon Smelker and supported by Catherine Getty or Bruce Campbell depending on the item; all recorded votes among members present were unanimous. Absent from the Feb. 11 meeting was Commissioner David Jackson, as recorded in roll call.
Why it matters: The prepaid invoices total nearly $3.5 million and the contract approvals and grant submissions shape county operations for 2025 (waste disposal access, materials management planning, HAVA election-security purchases and administrator employment terms). The PACE resolution, if implemented following required procedures and public hearing, could enable property-assessed financing for renewable-energy and efficiency projects across the county.
Next steps: Staff will execute approved contracts and submit the HAVA grant application. The PACE resolution text sets a public hearing for March 25, 2025; the appended resolution document records adoption language dated Feb. 25, 2025, which appears to be clerical material appended to the minutes.
