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Barry County commissioners approve year-end transfers, 3% pay increase and health department contract
Summary
At a Dec. 16 special meeting, the Barry County Board of Commissioners authorized year-end transfers, approved a contract with the Barry Eaton Health Department to limit fee increases, and adopted a 3% wage increase for certain county employees effective Jan. 1, 2026. All motions passed with the chair absent.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16 approved a series of year-end administrative actions including a contract with the Barry Eaton Health Department, a 3% pay increase for General Fund department heads and non-represented employees, and two resolutions authorizing auditor transfers of surplus funds.
County Administrator Eric Zuzga asked the board to authorize him to approve county claims on Dec. 30, 2025; Commissioner Catherine Getty moved the authorization, seconded by Bob Teunessen, and the board approved the request with all seven members present voting yes (Chair David Jackson was absent). The authorization allows routine processing of year-end claims before the board’s next meeting.
The board voted to approve a contract with the Barry Eaton Health Department intended to provide additional support aimed at minimizing fee increases that could affect Barry County residents and businesses. Commissioner Catherine Getty moved the contract approval; Bob Teunessen supported the motion and it passed unanimously among those present.
Also on the consent agenda, commissioners adopted the 2026 pay scale for General Fund department heads and non-represented employees subject to the Grade and Step pay scale and approved a 3% wage increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. The pay-scale motion was moved by Jon Smelker and supported by Catherine Getty and carried with all present voting aye.
Votes at a glance
- Authorization for County Administrator to approve claims on Dec. 30, 2025 — Moved: Catherine Getty; Second: Bob Teunessen; Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent (Jackson). Outcome: approved. - Contract with Barry Eaton Health Department to minimize fee increases — Moved: Catherine Getty; Second: Bob Teunessen; Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: approved. - Pay scale and 3% wage increase effective 1/1/2026 — Moved: Jon Smelker; Second: Catherine Getty; Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: approved. - Resolution #25-33 authorizing auditor to make final year-end transfers — Moved: Bob Teunessen; Second: Bruce Campbell; Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: adopted. - Resolution #25-34 to transfer 2025 General Fund surplus to internal service funds — Moved: Mike Callton; Second: Bob Teunessen; Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: adopted.
Why it matters: The actions finalize year-end accounting steps, move surplus funds into internal service accounts, and set compensation levels for select county employees for 2026 — all measures that shape the county’s starting financial position for the new year.
County officials said the decisions were procedural and administrative; minutes record unanimous support among the commissioners present. The Board’s annual organizational meeting is scheduled for Jan. 2, 2026, when committee assignments and board rules may be revisited.
