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Commissioners approve MERS service-credit purchase after brief discussion
Summary
The board approved a resolution allowing employee Scott Robinson to purchase five years of MERS service credit at an estimated employee cost of $98,560; commissioners noted the high cost and flagged questions about policy and retirement practices.
The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners approved a request by Human Resources to allow employee Scott Robinson to purchase five years of service credit through the Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS).
After moving the item forward for discussion, the board passed Resolution #2025-012 authorizing the purchase of five years of general service credit at an estimated employee cost of about $98,560, to be paid by the employee. Commissioner Rick Robbins said he would support the purchase but raised concerns about employees buying time to enable earlier retirement and asked whether the county should review policy. Commissioner Mark Walter said the practice is common in other workplaces but noted variations such as age limits.
Administrator James Dyer and Human Resources staff reviewed the application process. The resolution notes the cost is an estimate based on actuarial assumptions and that any difference between assumptions and actuarial experience may affect the true employer cost.
The motion passed on a roll-call vote of 7–0.
