Oceana County board approves contracts, payments and one-day courthouse closure after Christmas

The Oceana County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of routine contracts and payments and voted unanimously to close the county courthouse the day after Christmas.

At the Dec. 4 meeting in Hart, Chairperson Robert Walker and the four-member board approved Remonumentation Peer Group Agreements for land surveyors Patrick Bentley, Patrick Johnson and Stephen Vallier for the 2025 calendar year. Commissioner Paul Erickson moved the peer-group motion, seconded by Commissioner Joel McCormick; a voice vote carried.

The board reappointed Benjamin Kaat to the Oceana County Veterans Affairs Committee for a four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2029 (moved by Commissioner Tim Beggs; supported by Commissioner Paul Erickson; voice vote carried). The board also authorized a $627.49 reimbursement to the County Clerk to correct wages associated with a 2019 promotion to chief deputy; the County Attorney identified a six-year statute relevant to the request. The motion authorizing the reimbursement (Motion 2025-138) passed on a unanimous roll-call vote (McCormick, Erickson, Beggs, Walker — yes).

For winter services, the board accepted a snow-removal bid from Hallack Contracting for the 2025–2026 season covering the Courthouse (including steps, ramp and city-block sidewalks) and other county facilities; the courthouse sidewalks are listed at $300 per occurrence with other facilities at $50 per occurrence. That motion (Motion 2025-139) passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

A separate motion on lawn-care bids was recorded as Motion 2025-140 with no action taken; the board left award of lawn-care contracts pending further consideration. The board approved Motion 2025-142 to close the Oceana County Courthouse on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, as a gesture of appreciation for county employees; the motion passed by unanimous roll-call vote.

The board also approved payment of accounts payable and release of funds for Dec. 4, 2025 (Motion 2025-141). The board packet lists line-item claims across multiple funds, including Indigent Defense ($51,789.23), Veterans Affairs ($12,376.90), Building Department ($21,638.73) and a General Fund line of $496,422.63; the packet shows a Grand Total of $596,333.67. A related committee claims packet in the record lists a different 'Total Claims' figure ($305,308.79); staff did not identify the discrepancy on the meeting record, and the two totals appear in different parts of the published materials.

Commissioners used their reports to note local matters: Commissioner Beggs said the Hart Fire Department will begin responding to Priority 2 calls at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes and said the Ambulance Fund will require monitoring; Commissioner McCormick said American Classic will assume operation of the Transfer Station next week; Commissioner Erickson reported on township road concerns and a medical-facility administrator resignation; and Chairperson Walker said he is pursuing transportation and lodging conversations with neighboring jurisdictions related to area events.

The meeting adjourned at 11:48 a.m.

Actions recorded in the meeting minutes will be followed up through staff and will appear on future agendas if additional approvals are needed.