Oceana County board approves MDOT transit amendment, 2025 equalized valuation and claims

The Oceana County Board of Commissioners approved several administrative and finance items at its April 10 meeting, including an amendment to the Michigan Department of Transportation contract extending Council on Aging transit service through September 2026 and the county’s 2025 equalized valuation reports.

Chairperson Robert H. Walker opened the meeting and the board voted unanimously to approve MOTION #2025-40 to accept the MDOT master agreement amendment and authorize the chair to sign. Lisa Nagel, Transportation Director for the Oceana County Council on Aging, told commissioners that bus trips increased 8.5% from 2023 to 2024 and rose a further 4.5% in the first quarter of 2025, citing growing transportation needs among elderly and disabled residents.

The board also adopted the Equalization Director’s report and authorized the County Clerk and chair to sign the statutory forms L-4037 and L-4024. Edward VanderVries of V & V Assessing LLC presented the equalization findings, reporting a 10.23% increase in county-wide Equalized Value to $2,853,731,515 and a 6.92% increase in Taxable Value to $1,723,788,766 compared with 2024.

MOTION #2025-46, approving payment of accounts payable and release of funds for April 10, 2025, was adopted. The board’s roll call cited a grand-total ledger figure of $518,527.37 for the meeting-level claims; the Finance Committee materials listed packet-level items totaling $205,754.70, including a $44,932.55 Animal Control truck purchase and a $42,788.75 Health Department quarterly appropriation.

The board also approved MOTION #2025-45 appointing Scott Karaptian to fill an unexpired term on the Veterans Affairs Committee through Dec. 31, 2026.

Votes at a glance: • MOTION #2025-40 (MDOT amendment): passed, roll call 4–0 (McCormick excused). • MOTION #2025-41 (additional Treasurer staff with equipment cap): passed, roll call 4–0. • MOTION #2025-44 (Equalization report, L-4037/L-4024): passed, roll call 4–0. • MOTION #2025-46 (payment of claims): passed via roll call (recorded as yes votes by Hardy, Beggs, Erickson, Walker; McCormick absent). • MOTION #2025-45 (Veterans Affairs appointment): passed by voice vote.

The board discussed facilities work, including bids to replace windows at the County Services Building and a plan to identify the 12 windows in worst condition for final bid consideration. Chairperson Walker disclosed that a family member of the county Maintenance Supervisor works for the low bidder, West Michigan Restoration, and said the disclosure was made and the board saw no impropriety before moving to seek written price confirmation for a reduced scope.

With no further business, Chairperson Walker adjourned the meeting at 12:20 p.m.