Isabella County commissioners approve grants, contracts and facility projects; clerk objects to records-storage cost

The Isabella County Board of Commissioners voted on Nov. 18 to approve a set of FY26 grants, contracts and facility projects and to authorize several budget amendments and contract signatures.

At the start of the finance portion of the meeting, County Administrator/Controller Brian Smith reviewed invoice lists. The board ratified and placed on file the Oct. 31, 2025 invoice list ($434,138.06) and the Nov. 7, 2025 invoice list ($453,384.44) after a motion by Commissioner Steve Weber, seconded by Commissioner Tobin Hope. The motion carried with all members voting in favor.

The board unanimously approved three state grant contracts intended to support local court programs: the FY26 Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program contract for $83,277 (moved by Commissioner Tobin Hope, seconded by Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski); the FY26 Adult DWI/Drug Court grant for $122,880 (moved by Commissioner Bob Campbell, seconded by Commissioner James Moreno); and the FY26 Juvenile Drug Court grant for $104,448 (moved by Commissioner James Moreno, seconded by Commissioner Steve Weber). Each motion included authorization for the Court Administrator to sign the contracts electronically via DocuSign.

The board approved facility and safety projects on unanimous votes. Commissioners approved a Remer Plumbing quote to replace three boilers at the Commission on Aging at $23,908 per boiler, and approved Budget Amendment 2026-04BOC (motion by Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski, seconded by Commissioner Tobin Hope). The board also approved SecurAlarm’s proposal for panic-button installation at a cost of $5,296.71 for installation and $45 per month for service and approved Budget Amendment 2026-03BOC (moved by Commissioner Tobin Hope, seconded by Commissioner James Moreno).

A change order to the Isabella Corporation contract added $7,320 for campground bathhouse renovations at Herrick Recreation Area, bringing that contract to a not-to-exceed total of $400,320; the board authorized the chair to sign the change order (motion by Commissioner Bob Campbell, seconded by Commissioner James Moreno).

The board approved a proposal from US Archives, Inc. for one year of records storage at a cost of $13,262.80 and authorized an elected official to sign the agreement. That motion (moved by Commissioner Steve Weber, seconded by Commissioner Tobin Hope) passed on a 5–2 vote, with Commissioners Bob Campbell and Steve Weber recorded as voting no.

Following formal business, during general public comment Isabella County Clerk Minde B. Lux spoke against the board’s decision to spend $13,262.80 on records storage with U.S. Archives. Clerk Lux’s remarks were recorded in the public-comment portion of the meeting; the board had already approved the storage contract earlier in the session.

Other administrative items the board approved included ratifying invoice lists, approving an Electronic Recording application for Direct Submission eRecording’s, approving a delinquent water-bill roll for properties in Lake Isabella Forest No. 2 Subdivision (to be applied as liens pursuant to Ordinance No. 1 of 1975, as amended), and enacting a personnel change to eliminate a Human Resources Specialist position and create a Human Resources Manager position at pay grade(s) 11/9. The board also approved a Letter of Agreement allowing Isabella County Dispatchers (POAM) to voluntarily donate accumulated sick time to one another, subject to mutual agreement and county policies.

The meeting ended with announcements about recent conferences and upcoming intergovernmental meetings. The board adjourned at 5:54 p.m.