Barry County commissioners advance PACE program plan with 7–1 vote, call public hearing
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Summary
The Barry County Board unanimously approved several routine items and voted 7–1 on Feb. 18, 2025, to adopt Resolution No. 25-7, signaling intent to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program and to schedule a public hearing; one commissioner said his opposition could shift after further outreach.
Barry County commissioners voted 7–1 on Feb. 18 to recommend adoption of Resolution No. 25-7, a resolution of intent to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program and to call a public hearing on the proposal.
The proposal was presented by Mary Freeman of Lean & Green Michigan with assistance from Nicole Lyke of the Barry County Economic Development Alliance. Commissioner Catherine Getty moved to recommend adoption of the resolution, and Commissioner David Hatfield seconded the motion. The motion carried with seven commissioners voting yes and one voting no.
Commissioner Jon Smelker cast the lone negative vote; he told the board his position “could change” after further discussions with the City of Hastings, area banks and county residents to gather more information about the program. The resolution directs the county to hold a public hearing to allow public input before any final adoption steps by the Board of Commissioners.
Why it matters: PACE programs let property owners finance energy-efficiency and renewable-energy improvements through assessments on their property tax bills. Adoption of a resolution of intent is an early procedural step that sets a public hearing and moves the county closer to creating the financing mechanism; it does not itself authorize assessments or obligate property owners.
Other board actions: The committee recommended several routine items to the full board, all by unanimous votes unless otherwise noted. These included approval of the Feb. 4, 2025 Committee of the Whole minutes; recommending that the Barry County Local Emergency Planning Committee submit the FY 24–25 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant and authorize the LEPC chair to sign; two PA 116 farmland-preservation applications (#25-1 for Miriam Raines in Maple Grove Township; #25-2 and #25-3 for Michael and Jeanette Pickard in Carlton Township); Budget Amendment 25-A; and a reimbursement of up to $1,500 from the Barry County Agriculture Preservation Fund for Heather Wing to attend the ACEP-ALE Summit in Dallas, April 21–23, 2025. The committee recessed at 10:15 a.m., reconvened at 10:22 a.m., and adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
On personnel policy: County Administrator Eric Zuzga explained a draft policy (#400–404) to align county practice with the Earned Sick Time Act (PA 338 of 2018). The committee received the explanation but took no action at the Feb. 18 meeting.
Commissioner remarks: Commissioner Catherine Getty noted a recent fire that destroyed the Middleville business Gymnastics in Motion. Commissioner Jon Smelker reiterated that he plans to consult with local officials, banks and residents about PACE before making a final decision.
Next steps: Resolution No. 25-7 schedules a public hearing; the county will publish notice and take public comment before the Board of Commissioners considers final adoption.