Residents criticize use of nonlocal firm after Isabella County approves $8,500 Spicer Group change order

The Isabella County Board of Commissioners voted April 15 to approve Work Directive Change Order No. 3 with Spicer Group for $8,500 to produce conceptual floor plans, exterior elevations and a conceptual site plan for a potential new county administration building.

After the vote, resident Aaron Pestel addressed the board, saying he would have spoken against the item had he known it would be added to the agenda and arguing that a local contractor had offered to review the current administration building. "If he would have known, he would have spoken against it before the commissioners voted. ... local companies need to be used as they pay taxes in this community," Pestel said.

Public commenter Bree Moeggenberg also criticized the board’s use of taxpayer money, urging the board to review the current budget for cuts in dues, subscriptions and insurance before approving new spending.

Commissioner Tobin Hope responded to questions about vendor selection, saying administration issued an RFP for an architectural firm for renovation of the Administration Building and received no bids; as a result, the county reached out to Spicer Group because of prior familiarity working in Isabella County.

The motion to approve the change order was moved by Commissioner Hope and seconded by Commissioner Weber and carried with unanimous recorded votes.

Why it matters: procurement of professional services and the use of out-of-county vendors were central to public concern at the meeting. The vote advances conceptual planning for an administration building, but speakers pressed the board for more transparency about vendor selection and budget priorities.

The board did not record an analysis of comparative proposals or a cost-benefit assessment on the record at the meeting.