Isabella County commissioners approve invoices, grants, contracts and Heartland MRF expenditures

On May 6, 2025, the Isabella County Board of Commissioners met in hybrid session in Mt. Pleasant and approved a package of routine finance actions, including ratification of invoice lists totaling more than $1.33 million across three weekly lists, grant approvals, service agreements and contract amendments. The board also approved the Heartland Material Recovery Facility (MMP/MRF) work-plan projected expenditures after a resident urged the county to avoid the expense and consider privatization.

Why it matters: The votes finalize vendor agreements and grant applications that preserve county services and facilities and set short-term expenditures for the county’s material recovery operations. Several items carried unanimous recorded support from the five commissioners shown in the vote tallies.

The board began the meeting with a pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence for a county employee who died. The agenda was approved on a motion by Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski, seconded by Commissioner Steve Swaney.

Finance and contracts: The board ratified invoice lists for April 11 ($187,947.25), April 18 ($793,082.37) and April 25 ($349,317.73), and approved a Remonumentation Grant of $52,145 executed by Register of Deeds Karen R. Jackson. The board approved a second amendment to the inmate health-care services agreement with Wellpath LLC covering Jan. 1–Sept. 30, 2025, and authorized a 2025 Marine Patrol Services agreement among Isabella County, the sheriff’s office and the Village of Lake Isabella.

Capital and service agreements: Commissioners approved Prime Contract Change Order No. 35 with Clark Construction for a net additional $10,955.00; a three-year service agreement with Weather Shield Roofing Systems (Commission on Aging: $6,200.00; Courthouse: $12,400.00); and a three-year Synario software subscription at $20,295.00 annually. The board also authorized a grant application to the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation requesting $12,000 for renovation of the Deerfield Nature Park fishing platform and approved a professional audit-services agreement with Clark Schaefer Hackett for fiscal years ending Sept. 30, 2025–2027 (with options to extend).

Heartland MRF projection and public comment: The board voted to approve the Heartland MMP (Material Recovery Facility) work-plan projected expenditures as presented by the Isabella County Material Recovery Facility. Earlier in the meeting, resident Aaron Pestel spoke against that agenda item, saying the projected expenditures were an expense the county cannot afford given its financial situation and urging privatization. The transcript records the public comment and the board’s subsequent vote to approve the projection; no response from facility staff or commissioners reversing the vote is recorded in the meeting minutes.

Personnel timing: Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski asked County Administrator/Controller Brian Smith when commissioners would receive more information on a county wage study; Smith said the wage study will be presented with the county budget.

Other business and adjournment: Chairman Frank Engler presented the Michigan Fair Elections Institute Sunlight Award to County Clerk Minde B. Lux. Engler also announced county tire pickup dates (May 10 and Oct. 4) and hazardous-waste/electronic drop-off dates (June 14 and Sept. 14). The meeting was adjourned at 5:49 p.m.

Vote reporting note: The meeting’s roll call listed Commissioners Tobin Hope, Frank Engler, Jerry Jaloszynski and Steve Swaney as present and listed James Moreno and Bob Campbell as absent. Vote tallies recorded in the minutes list Yeas for Hope, Engler, Swaney, Weber and Jaloszynski on multiple motions; Commissioner Weber is recorded in vote tallies though not included in the roll-call line in the minutes.