Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Finance And Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Barry County commissioners approve Kofile imaging contract, MOA with MSU Extension and a package of routine fiscal and personnel measures
Summary
At its Nov. 10 meeting the Barry County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a set of routine contracts, claims and personnel changes, including a $179,366.20 imaging contract with Kofile, two farmland preservation approvals and a change to employee dental/vision benefits effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 10 to approve a series of routine contracts, financial claims and personnel changes during a meeting at the Commission Chambers.
The Board approved a Memorandum of Agreement for 2026 with Michigan State University Extension, authorized a preservation-and-imaging contract with Kofile not to exceed $179,366.20 to process 926 pages from the Register of Deeds Plat Collection, and approved two Farmland and Open Space Preservation applications for Kuperus Family Farms, LLC covering parcels in Irving and Carlton townships. All motions passed 5–0 (Bassett, Getty, Hatfield, Jackson and Teunessen).
In personnel and benefits action, the Board approved replacing the General Fund non‑represented employees’ and elected officials’ dental/optical/hearing reimbursement accounts with fully insured dental and vision plans, at an 80% employer / 20% employee cost share effective Jan. 1, 2026; the motion included cash‑out provisions for remaining reimbursement balances (less taxes) and allowed employees to submit eligible expenses through Dec. 31, 2027.
The Board also adopted Resolution #25‑30 approving fees for the Barry County Clerk’s Office and approved an Agreement for Economic Development Services with the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance for the 2026 calendar year. Financial approvals included prepaid invoices totaling $15,163,977.39, claims of $70,392.25 and commissioner mileage reimbursements of $282.80. Each of those measures passed 5–0.
Votes at a glance: • MOA with Michigan State University Extension — approved 5–0. • Kofile imaging contract (Register of Deeds Plat Collection, 926 pages) — approved 5–0; amount not to exceed $179,366.20 (Register of Deeds Automation Fund). • Farmland & Open Space Preservation applications (2025‑4 and 2025‑5, Kuperus Family Farms, LLC) — approved 5–0. • Resolution #25‑30 (Clerk’s Office fees) — adopted 5–0 (transcript heading references FY 2026; motion text references FY 2025; no clarification recorded in the minutes). • Dental and vision fully insured plans for General Fund non‑represented employees and elected officials (80% employer / 20% employee) effective 1/1/2026, with cash‑out provisions — approved 5–0. • Agreement for Economic Development Services (Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance, Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026) — approved 5–0. • Prepaid invoices — approved 5–0; total $15,163,977.39. • Claims — approved 5–0; total $70,392.25. • Commissioner mileage reimbursements — approved 5–0; total $282.80.
Why it matters: The approvals advance records preservation, farmland protection and local economic development work and set benefit costs and fee structures that will affect county operations and employees in 2026. The Register of Deeds imaging contract uses the Register of Deeds Automation Fund; the dental/vision change sets the employer/employee premium split and effective date.
What’s next: Administrator Eric Zuzga told the board that demonstrations of a proposed ERP system are scheduled this week and a recommendation will be presented at the board’s next meeting in two weeks. The meeting adjourned at 10:21 a.m.
