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Oceana County approves POAM letter allowing non‑union staff to fill office manager duties
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a Letter of Understanding with the Police Officers Association of Michigan that allows non‑union employees to cover Office Manager duties as needed through Dec. 31, 2028; the measure passed 4‑0 in a roll call vote. County officials said the agreement formalizes an existing practice.
The Oceana County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 18 approved Motion 2025-145, a Letter of Understanding with the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) and the Oceana County Sheriff that documents a system for covering front‑office duties. The measure passed on a 4‑0 roll call vote: Tim Beggs yes; Paul Erickson yes; Craig Hardy yes; Robert Walker yes.
County Administrator Tracy L. Byard presented the agreement, saying it records a practice already in use to ensure the front office is covered by the Office Manager, the Administrative Assistant or other trained personnel through Dec. 31, 2028. Byard told the committee and board the document was being added to the agenda to formalize that arrangement.
Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast described the letter as a notification to POAM that non‑union employees may fill in for the Office Manager role when necessary. “The letter of agreement just details that fill‑ins will be utilized when needed and they may be non‑union employees,” Sheriff Craig Mast said, explaining the county’s intent to use trained personnel to maintain coverage without changing the Office Manager’s duties.
Byard said the county attorney is expected to attend the next board meeting by Zoom to discuss the contract language further. The board did not amend the terms and allowed the chair to sign the letter of understanding.
The action is administrative in scope: officials said it clarifies who may perform temporary coverage for front‑office duties and does not change the Office Manager’s permanent job description or compensation. The agreement runs through Dec. 31, 2028.
