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Board approves FY2026 child-care funding and MSU Extension contract amid public questions over spending
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Summary
The Board authorized $2.23 million in FY2026 Child Care Funds and a $173,519 Michigan State University Extension contract for FY2026; public commenters questioned county spending levels for 4‑H and requested more budget transparency on rental and administration-building costs.
Isabella County commissioners voted Sept. 2 to approve several budget-related items, including authorization of $2,230,322.58 in FY2026 Child Care Funds and a $173,519 agreement with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension for FY2026.
The Child Care Funds request was approved on a motion by Commissioner Tobin Hope, seconded by Commissioner James Moreno; the motion carried with five yeas. The MSU Extension agreement was approved on a motion by Commissioner Steve Weber, seconded by Commissioner Steve Swaney, and also passed unanimously. Earlier during the public-comment portion, Aaron Pestel said he is a "big fan of 4‑H" but questioned the county's level of spending for MSU Extension and proposed that a half‑time FTE program coordinator would be sufficient for 4‑H services.
Other budget and finance items handled by the Board included ratification of two invoice lists and an adjustments list presented by the Finance Committee, and approval of the consent agenda items (minutes from Aug. 19 and Aug. 26). Commissioners approved each item by recorded roll call with five yea votes and no nays.
Pestel also asked where rent costs appear in the budget and urged the Board to consider alternatives to borrowing for a new Administration Building without consulting voters, to charge market rates for county building rentals, and to consider downsizing the Material Recovery Facility (MRF). The Board did not adopt any immediate changes in response to those requests at the meeting.
The Board authorized relevant signatures for the FY2026 funding forms and contracts and carried motions to place the approved items on file for implementation during the coming fiscal year.