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Isabella County commissioners approve contracts, fee increases and policy updates; assume regional workforce role
Summary
At their Aug. 5 meeting the Isabella County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved multiple contract actions, a $439,746.80 radio tower payment, processing fee increases at the county Material Recovery Facility, new internal finance policies and a transfer of administrative duties for Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works.
The Isabella County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 unanimously approved a package of contracts, fee changes and administrative policies intended to advance county infrastructure, strengthen fiscal controls and adjust employee benefit contributions.
The most immediate financial item was approval of a $439,746.80 payment for Motorola Milestone 10 tied to a county radio tower project. Commissioners also approved two Clark Construction contract change orders: Change Order No. 37, a net addition of $30,479.00, and Change Order No. 38, a net deduction of $937,234.00. All votes were unanimous.
Why it matters: the contract adjustments and payment move long-running infrastructure work forward and change the county's contractual obligations and project budget trajectory. The net deduction in Change Order No. 38 reduces the contract amount by more than $900,000; the board authorized the chair to sign the documents.
Other finance actions included ratifying four weekly invoice lists for July (totaling $1,225,256.82) and adopting two policies intended to strengthen internal controls: Bank Reconciliation Policy No. 418 and Vendor Approval Policy No. 419. County leaders said these policies respond to repeated audit recommendations.
Waste and fees: the board approved a new rate schedule for the Isabella County Material Recovery Facility and a separate motion to increase processing fees. The board raised the fee for clean separated material from $60.00 to $65.00 per ton and the fee for single-commodity material with 10% or greater residual from $85.00 to $90.00 per ton; the processing fee changes take effect Oct. 1, 2025.
Public comment: Robert Nagy, a resident of Chippewa Township, addressed the board during the public comment period opposing the county Recycling Center. "There is enough traffic coming in and out of this community as it is," Nagy said, and added, "we do not need Pods," urging that major building projects be presented to voters.
Workforce, benefits and intergovernmental moves: the board approved Isabella County assuming the role of Administrative Unit for Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works and authorized the chair to sign related assignment-language contracts. The board also approved a Joint Transfer Agreement with Saginaw County and the Municipal Employees' Benefit System of Michigan to transfer administration of MERS plans. Commissioners adopted a health insurance cost-share structure for employees effective Jan. 1, 2026, setting Plan C employee share at 0%, Plan B at 7.5% and Plan A at 15%.
What didn't change: none of the votes recorded in the public minutes showed dissent; all listed motions passed on unanimous votes.
The board adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
