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Isabella County commissioners ratify $642,825.36 in invoices, approve $20,207 jail change order, adopt market study plan and oppose MDHHS PIHP procurement
Summary
At its June 3 meeting the Isabella County Board of Commissioners unanimously ratified two invoice lists totaling $642,825.36, approved Prime Contract Change Order No. 36 adding $20,207 to the county jail contract, adopted the 2025 Equalization Report, approved the Amy Cell Market Study Implementation Plan (effective Oct. 1, 2025), and authorized Resolution No. 2025-06 opposing MDHHS’s planned competitive procurement of PIHPs.
The Isabella County Board of Commissioners on June 3 voted unanimously to ratify two invoice lists totaling $642,825.36, approve a $20,207 change order for the county jail project, adopt the county’s 2025 Equalization Report and approve the Amy Cell Market Study Implementation Plan effective Oct. 1, 2025. The board also authorized Resolution No. 2025-06 opposing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ plan to implement a competitive procurement process for Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs).
Chairman Frank Engler called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission on Aging building in Mt. Pleasant. County Administrator/Controller Brian Smith presented the invoice lists and explained line items; Commissioner Steve Swaney moved to ratify the May 16, 2025 invoice list for $406,519.45 and the May 23, 2025 list for $236,305.91, and Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski seconded. The motion carried with the recorded yeas of Commissioners James Moreno, Frank Engler, Steve Swaney, Bob Campbell, Steve Weber and Jerry Jaloszynski.
On the jail construction project, Commissioner Bob Campbell moved to approve Prime Contract Change Order No. 36 with Clark Construction in the net additional amount of $20,207; Commissioner James Moreno seconded. Sheriff Main explained that the changes reflect items "that have been discovered or things that didn’t work right or missed in the vision of the building to begin with." The board approved the change order and authorized the chair to sign.
Commissioner Steve Weber moved adoption of Resolution No. 2025-06 opposing MDHHS’s proposed competitive procurement for PIHPs; Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski seconded and the motion carried, authorizing the board chairperson and county clerk to sign the resolution.
The board also approved the 2025 Equalization Report on State Tax Commission form L-4024 and directed that the chairperson and county clerk sign it for filing with the County Clerk’s Office and the State Tax Commission, as required by state statute.
Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski moved to approve the Amy Cell Market Study Implementation Plan as modified, effective Oct. 1, 2025; Commissioner Steve Swaney seconded. Four members of the study committee—Chris Witmer, Jennifer Crawford, Tim Nieporte and Kathleen Schafer—were present to answer questions. County Administrator Brian Smith said the plan will require a rewrite of existing job policy, with clear instructions for department heads on how to challenge position ratings; he said department heads should review positions yearly and that, starting next year, March 1 will be the deadline to file challenges, while there is no challenge deadline this year.
During public comment, Bree Moeggenberg asked whether Prime Contract change orders represent work that was partially or already completed before board approval. Later, Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski raised concern that there might be asbestos in the old jail; Commissioner Steve Swaney and Sheriff Main said the county continues to use the secured hallway known as the "green mile" to transport inmates to court.
The meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m. following a motion by Commissioner James Moreno and support from Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski.
