Oceana County adopts FY2026 budget and approves package of contracts, purchases and staffing change

The Oceana County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and property tax millage rates during its Nov. 13, 2025, meeting and approved a set of administrative motions covering contracts, capital purchases and a personnel reclassification.

County Administrator Tracy Byard thanked the board for a “seamless budget process” after the board adopted Resolution #25-05 following a brief public hearing in which no members of the public spoke. The vote on the budget (Motion #2025-134) was moved by Commissioner Craig Hardy, seconded by Commissioner Tim Beggs, and carried on a roll-call vote with all five commissioners voting yes.

Why it matters: Adopting the FY2026 budget and millage rates sets spending and revenue levels for county operations for the upcoming fiscal year and clears the way for the county to complete contract signings and position postings tied to the approved funding.

Votes at a glance

• Motion #2025-134 — Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and property tax millage rates. Moved: Commissioner Craig Hardy. Second: Commissioner Tim Beggs. Vote: Hardy—yes; Beggs—yes; McCormick—yes; Erickson—yes; Walker—yes. Outcome: approved.

• Motion #2025-129 — Purchase of 14 replacement jury chairs for the Circuit Courtroom, not to exceed $16,000 from the capital project (405 Fund); replaced chairs to be given to the Oceana County Historical and Genealogical Society. Moved: Commissioner Paul Erickson. Second: Commissioner Craig Hardy. Vote: Erickson—yes; Hardy—yes; Beggs—yes; McCormick—yes; Walker—yes. Outcome: approved.

• Motion #2025-130 — Five-year preventative elevator maintenance contract with McNally Elevators at $118 per month; County Administrator authorized to sign. Moved: Commissioner Joel McCormick. Second: Commissioner Tim Beggs. Vote: McCormick—yes; Beggs—yes; Hardy—yes; Erickson—yes; Walker—yes. Outcome: approved.

• Motion #2025-131 — MidMichigan Medical Examiners Group contractual increase in investigator per-case fee to take effect FY2026 (committee discussion noted the requested increase would not exceed $800 per case). Moved: Commissioner Tim Beggs. Second: Commissioner Craig Hardy. Vote: Beggs—yes; Hardy—yes; McCormick—yes; Erickson—yes; Walker—yes. Outcome: approved.

• Motion #2025-132 — Project Authorization with MDOT for the Council on Aging FY2026 Specialized Services Operating Assistance Program (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026); Chair authorized to sign. Moved: Commissioner Joel McCormick. Second: Commissioner Tim Beggs. Vote: McCormick—yes; Beggs—yes; Hardy—yes; Erickson—yes; Walker—yes. Outcome: approved.

• Motion #2025-135 — Reclassification of the maintenance supervisor position to require related plant operations experience, moving the position from pay level 5 to level 8; County Administrator authorized to make necessary budget adjustments. Moved: Commissioner Paul Erickson. Second: Commissioner Craig Hardy. Vote: Erickson—yes; Hardy—yes; Beggs—yes; McCormick—yes; Walker—yes. Outcome: approved.

• Motion #2025-133 — Payment of accounts payable and release of funds for Nov. 13, 2025 (claims packet). Moved: Commissioner Craig Hardy. Second: Commissioner Paul Erickson. Vote: Hardy—yes; Erickson—yes; Beggs—yes; McCormick—yes; Walker—yes. Outcome: approved. The claims list presented included fund-level detail and a grand total of $702,572.99 as reported in the meeting packet.

Details and next steps: The board authorized the County Administrator to sign contracts where noted and to make the budget adjustments needed for the reclassification posting. The Council on Aging MDOT authorization will be signed by the board chair to continue transportation-related operating assistance for the coming fiscal year. The board did not discuss any changes to the adopted millage rates after the vote.

The meeting record shows no public comment on the budget during the hearing; the regular meeting proceeded to department reports and other business before adjourning.