Barry County commissioners approve $3.28 million in prepaid invoices, reclassify court and prosecutor staff, and abolish Solid Waste Oversight Committee

The Barry County Board of Commissioners approved a package of routine payments, personnel reclassifications and governance changes during its March 11 meeting.

The Board voted to approve prepaid invoices totaling $3,275,476.19 and claims of $57,032.76, and authorized commissioners' mileage reimbursements of $424.80. The prepaid-invoice motion was moved by Commissioner Mike Callton and supported by Commissioner Bob Teunessen; the roll-call vote recorded ayes from Commissioners Bassett, Callton, Campbell, Getty, Hatfield, Jackson and Teunessen, with Commissioner Jon Smelker absent.

In personnel actions, the Board approved revised job descriptions and pay-grade reclassifications on the BCCEA pay scale for several positions. The Assistant Public Defender position was moved from Grade 11 to Grade 12, and the Sr. Assistant Public Defender from Grade 13 to Grade 14. Likewise, the Assistant Prosecutor position moved from Grade 11 to Grade 12 and the Sr. Assistant Prosecutor from Grade 13 to Grade 14. The Board also approved reclassifying the Trial Court Staff Attorney from Grade 12 to Grade 14. The motions were moved by Callton and supported by Commissioner David Hatfield and recorded as approved with Smelker absent.

The Board approved the Second Reaffirmation and Amendment of a Right of Way Easement Agreement between Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. and Barry County after a motion from Callton supported by Campbell.

The Board adopted Resolution #25-08, abolishing the Barry County Solid Waste Oversight Committee effective immediately. The resolution cites changes in Michigan statutory language that now require a Managed Materials Planning Committee to develop a managed materials plan; the county noted an ad hoc committee and the Managed Materials Planning Committee have taken the place of the former oversight committee. The resolution was moved by Callton, supported by Hatfield, and approved by roll-call vote.

Votes at a glance:

- Prepaid invoices: $3,275,476.19 — Moved: Callton; Second: Teunessen; Outcome: Approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 1).

- Claims: $57,032.76 — Moved: Callton; Second: Campbell; Outcome: Approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 1).

- Commissioners reimbursements: $424.80 — Moved: Callton; Second: Getty; Outcome: Approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 1).

- Job reclassifications (Assistant Public Defender, Sr. Assistant Public Defender, Assistant Prosecutor, Sr. Assistant Prosecutor, Trial Court Staff Attorney) — Moved by Callton; Outcome: Approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 1).

- Wolverine Power easement agreement — Moved: Callton; Second: Campbell; Outcome: Approved (Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 1).

- Resolution #25-08 (abolish Solid Waste Oversight Committee) — Moved: Callton; Second: Hatfield; Outcome: Adopted (Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 1).

One personnel-policy vote drew recorded opposition. The Board adopted policy #400-404 to update sick-leave rules to comply with the Earned Sick Time Act (effective Feb. 21, 2025). That motion, moved by Callton and supported by Campbell, passed with Ayes from Bassett, Campbell, Getty, Hatfield and Jackson and Nays from Callton and Teunessen; Commissioner Smelker was absent.

The Board also approved a change to personnel policies governing wage-setting for promoted non-union employees; that motion was recorded as approved with Smelker absent.

The meeting concluded with routine commissioner reports and announcements. Chair David Jackson adjourned the meeting at 10:01 a.m.

(For specific roll-call tallies and motion text, see the Board's official minutes.)