Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Budgeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioner warns of staffing and budget cuts at Barry-Eaton Health Department
Summary
Commissioner Bob Teunessen reported recent budget and staff reductions at the Barry-Eaton Health Department and said there may be further cuts; Commissioner Marsha Bassett summarized a regional behavioral-health annual report and local emergency-services changes.
Commissioner Bob Teunessen told the Barry County Board of Commissioners on April 22, 2025, that the Barry-Eaton Health Department has experienced budget and staffing cuts and that additional reductions could follow. He gave the update as part of the commissioner-report section of the meeting.
Commissioner Marsha Bassett said she attended the Southwest Michigan Behavioral Mental Health meeting and reviewed information from its annual report; she also said Yankee Springs Township has established standalone emergency services. Later in the meeting, Rich Thiemkey of Barry County Community Mental Health thanked Bassett for her participation on the Community Mental Health Board and clarified differences between CMH and funding to a traditional community-based behavioral health (CCBH) model.
The meeting record does not include figures for cuts, affected positions, or timelines; Teunessen described the cuts in general terms and said additional reductions "could be more to come." No formal action was taken on the report; it was given as an informational update during the commissioner reports portion of the agenda.
