Barry County commissioners approve claims, contracts and grant applications; appoint deputy medical examiner

The Barry County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 unanimously approved routine claims and several contracts and grant applications, adopted an update to the county’s 9-1-1 service plan, approved the purchase of Microsoft Office 2024 licenses and appointed a deputy medical examiner.

The unanimous votes (8-0) included approval of claims totaling $254,973.07 and a one-year agreement allowing Barry County residents to use the Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste drop-off service with county coverage up to $7,500 for calendar year 2026. Commissioners also approved submitting a Michigan EGLE Recycling Infrastructure Grant application to install three cardboard compactor units across the county.

The votes were routine and passed without discussion. "Moved by Bassett and seconded by Getty," the minutes record for the claims approval; similar motions and seconders were recorded for the other items and each action was carried by all eight commissioners.

Steph anie Lehman presented and the board adopted Resolution #26-05 to update the county’s 9-1-1 Service Plan. The board also adopted Resolution #26-06 authorizing Barry County to apply for FY 2027 state formula operating assistance under Act 51 and naming Transportation Director Mary Bassett as the county’s official representative for public transportation matters and signatory for related documents.

Matt Ward requested and received approval to purchase 170 Office 2024 Standard licenses and eight Office 2024 Professional Plus licenses; the motion was moved by Commissioner Mike Callton and seconded by Commissioner Marsha Bassett.

The board appointed Dr. Anna Tart as Barry County deputy medical examiner, effective immediately; that motion was moved by Vice Chair David Hatfield and seconded by Commissioner Jon Smelker.

The board also authorized submission of a $500,000 Community-wide Brownfields grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and authorized the county administrator to sign necessary documents. That motion carried unanimously.

The votes and motions are recorded in the meeting minutes as unanimous for each item. The board did not take public comment specifically on the grants or appointments during the motions and carried the items under regular agenda consideration.

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.