Isabella County board approves five-year ambulance contract, grants and equipment purchases; rejects $150,000 fund reclassification

Mt. Pleasant — The Isabella County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 approved a series of contracts, grants and equipment purchases and rejected a proposed reclassification of a $150,000 long-term advance.

The board unanimously approved an Ambulance Service Agreement with Mobile Medical Response, Inc., effective Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2030, and authorized the board chair and county clerk to sign. County Administrator/Controller Brian Smith reviewed the terms for the commissioners.

The board also approved a Community Corrections Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Award from the Michigan Department of Corrections for $123,125; Trial Court Administrator Kerri Curtiss participated by Zoom to review the award. Commissioners approved participation in the Tri-County Community Adjudication Program (TRI-CAP) in an amount not to exceed $36,890; Curtiss explained the program during that presentation.

Separately, commissioners approved a contract between the county (as fiscal agent for Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works) and Cindy VanSumeren for case management services covering Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026. That motion carried with Commissioners Hope, Moreno, Jaloszynski, Engler and Swaney voting yes and Commissioners Campbell and Weber voting no.

The board authorized purchase of a John Deere 554P wheel loader at a cost of $258,529.44 using tribal 2% funds; the county will submit the purchase for reimbursement under the terms of its agreement with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe tied to an EPA Infrastructure Grant.

Other routine items approved included a one-year lease with Broadway Land Management, LLC (Nov. 19, 2025–Nov. 19, 2026), Budget Amendment 2026-05BOC for fund 519-PA123 (attorney fees), and ratification of invoice lists presented by the administrator.

A proposal to remove a $150,000 long-term advance from the General Fund to the Drain Revolving Fund and to reclassify the original 2020 transaction as a permanent use of General Fund unassigned fund balance failed on a roll call vote; Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski was the lone aye, and Commissioners Tobin Hope, James Moreno, Frank Engler, Steve Swaney, Bob Campbell and Steve Weber voted no. A separate procedural motion to table the item also failed.

Administrator/Controller Brian Smith told the board that at the next Finance Committee/Committee of the Whole meeting on Dec. 9, departments reporting to Administration will present snapshots of their FY25 performance; elected officials may also present. During announcements Commissioner Jaloszynski said he had heard that Coldwater Lake was taken out of a sewer project in Shepherd; the board did not act on that report during the meeting.

Votes at a glance • Ratify invoice lists (Nov. 14, 2025 $348,977.73; Nov. 21, 2025 $247,584.53): motion carried, Yeas: Hope, Moreno, Engler, Swaney, Jaloszynski, Campbell, Weber. • Ambulance Service Agreement with Mobile Medical Response, Inc. (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2030): approved unanimously. • Community Corrections FY2026 Grant Award (Michigan DOC) — $123,125: approved unanimously. • TRI-CAP participation (not to exceed $36,890): approved unanimously. • John Deere 554P wheel loader — $258,529.44 (tribal 2% funds/reimbursement): approved unanimously. • Lease with Broadway Land Management, LLC (11/19/25–11/19/26): approved unanimously. • Contract with Cindy VanSumeren (10/1/25–9/30/26): approved, Yeas: Hope, Moreno, Jaloszynski, Engler, Swaney; Nays: Campbell, Weber. • Budget Amendment 2026-05BOC (fund 519-PA123): approved unanimously. • Proposed removal/reclassification of a $150,000 long-term advance (General Fund → Drain Revolving Fund): failed (Aye: Jaloszynski; Noes: Hope, Moreno, Engler, Swaney, Campbell, Weber).

The board adjourned at 5:46 p.m.