Personnel Committee forwards multiple staffing changes, policy updates and two union extensions to Lapeer County Board

The Lapeer County Personnel Committee on Feb. 12 recommended a series of staffing changes, policy approvals and union contract extensions and forwarded them to the full Board of Commissioners.

Chairman Brad Haggadone convened the meeting at 11:29 a.m. Commissioners Greg Wise and Gary Howell and county staff were present.

Community Mental Health changes Brooke Sankiewicz, executive director of Community Mental Health (CMH), asked the committee to eliminate four vacant full‑time ABA Technician positions because CMH has shifted to more part‑time staffing driven by block scheduling and Medicaid rules that limit services to school‑aged children during school hours. The committee voted to recommend eliminating the four vacant positions.

Sankiewicz also requested two new positions to address administrative and billing needs after Region 10 relinquished PIHP Access Center responsibilities effective Oct. 1, 2025. The committee approved creating a part‑time IT Technician in CMH’s Data Department to handle electronic health record (EHR) compliance, Medicaid and CCBHC requirements, vendor coordination, audit preparation and intake technical support, to be funded from CMH’s budget. The panel also approved creation of a full‑time Professional BA in CMH’s Finance Division to support direct claims submission through the CHAMPS system and to assist clients who lost Medicaid coverage following the end of the COVID public health emergency.

During the CMH discussion, Interim CFO Jacky Bennet and Sankiewicz discussed how appropriations routed to CMH through the county general fund affect the county budget and the need to clarify what impacts the county general fund versus CMH’s internal budget.

Parks and seasonal staffing JT Anderson, Buildings & Grounds and Parks Director, and Jillian Clark, Support Services Manager, sought wage increases for seasonal staff and a new seasonal supervisory role. The committee recommended increasing the Seasonal Concession/Pool Attendant rate from $12.50 to $13.75 per hour and the Seasonal Maintenance rate from $13.00 to $14.50 per hour; both changes will be paid from the department’s budget line (208‑756‑705.000). The committee also approved creating a Seasonal Shift Leader position at $17.00 per hour (the previously budgeted Assistant Manager position will remain vacant while the department tests this new role).

Health Department staffing Health Director Jim Henry and Nursing Director Toni LaRocco requested creation of a full‑time Dietician (Non‑Registered) position (Pay Grade 18) to replace a recently retired employee. The hire would be contingent on the employee obtaining Registered Dietitian credentials within one year, at which point the employee would transfer into the vacant Registered Dietitian position (Pay Grade 19), and contingent upon a mutual Letter of Agreement with AFSCME Michigan 925. The committee recommended the change.

Administration and policies County Administrator/Controller Moses Sanzo asked the committee to temporarily transfer the Senior Programs Department under Administration, with the intention of creating a standalone department later. The committee authorized the Administrator and Human Resources to proceed with a restructuring plan, contingent on a Letter of Agreement with AFSCME and a future Board approval of the final proposal.

Sanzo also reviewed the county’s Dec. 26 closure due to inclement weather and, after discussion with labor counsel, presented a revised Lapeer County Building Closure Policy with language changes related to remote work; the committee recommended approval of the revised policy.

Union agreements Sanzo presented tentative agreement extensions for the Sheriff’s Department: POLC Unit A (Command) and POAM Unit B (Deputies). Both motions were recommended to the full Board. On both motions Commissioner Greg Wise voted aye, Commissioner Gary Howell voted nay, and Chairman Brad Haggadone voted aye (2 ayes, 1 nay); both motions carried.

Human Resources policy and adjournment Human Resources Director Natasha Kugler presented a Workplace Relationship Policy that requires disclosure, HR intake reviews, management plans to mitigate conflicts and personnel file acknowledgment agreements. The committee approved the policy effective immediately. The meeting adjourned at 12:36 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Eliminate four full‑time CMH ABA Technician positions: recommended to Full Board; vote recorded as unanimous by committee. - Create/fill CMH part‑time IT Technician: recommended to Full Board; unanimous. - Create/fill CMH full‑time Professional BA: recommended to Full Board; unanimous. - Parks wage increases and Seasonal Shift Leader: recommended to Full Board; unanimous. - Create Health Department Dietician (Non‑Registered) contingent on credentialing and AFSCME agreement: recommended to Full Board; unanimous. - Temporary transfer of Senior Programs to Administration (contingent restructuring/AFSCME LOA): recommended to Full Board; unanimous. - Approve revised Lapeer County Building Closure Policy: recommended to Full Board; unanimous. - Tentative Agreement Extension — POLC Unit A (Command): recommended to Full Board; committee roll call 2–1 (Wise aye; Howell nay; Haggadone aye) — motion carried. - Tentative Agreement Extension — POAM Unit B (Deputies): recommended to Full Board; committee roll call 2–1 (Wise aye; Howell nay; Haggadone aye) — motion carried. - Approve Workplace Relationship Policy (HR): recommended to Full Board; unanimous.

What’s next All recommended changes and policy approvals will be forwarded to the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners for final action at a future meeting. The Administrator will return a final restructuring proposal for the Senior Programs transfer for Board approval.