Lapeer County board approves $1.24M indigent defense grant, license‑plate camera system and multiple grants, hires and appointments
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Summary
At its Nov. 20 meeting the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners accepted a $1,240,580 MIDC indigent defense grant, authorized purchase of a 24‑camera Flock license‑plate reader system and approved a series of grants, contracts, personnel actions and two civic appointments. Several budget amendments were approved; public comment periods were held.
Lapeer County commissioners on Nov. 20 approved a package of grants, contracts, personnel actions and appointments, including acceptance of a $1,240,580 Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) grant for fiscal year 2026 and authorization to purchase a 24‑camera Flock license‑plate reader system.
The board, chaired by Gary Howell, authorized the MIDC grant for the period Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026 and approved related contracting steps to implement the county’s indigent defense program. The board also approved renewal of the Independent Contractor Agreement for the Managed Assigned Counsel Administrator with Attorney Kayleen Hendler for the same grant period, at no additional cost to the county’s general fund.
Commissioners approved several other grant acceptances and budget adjustments: a Mental Health Court grant for $67,522 and a DWI/Drug Court grant for $43,732 (both for Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026), a FY2026 EGLE Local Health Department grant for $176,428, and a $2,400 grant for senior programs tied to services provided with ELM, SHIP and PCOC.
On departmental and operational items, the board authorized a one‑time payment of $3,902.50 to Lexipol/Police One to cover required state continuing professional education credits for the Sheriff’s Department and approved renewal of the county’s Barracuda Backup Appliance subscription through CDW‑G at a cost not to exceed $16,524 (to be paid from the IT line item as budgeted). The board also authorized up to $20,000 for four leadership development workshops with Dion Leadership, LLC.
In a notable law‑enforcement procurement, the board approved the purchase of a Flock license‑plate reader system consisting of 24 cameras at an initial cost of $104,600 and an annual recurring cost of $83,500 for the following four years, to be funded from line 207‑301‑850.200; the motion included approval of an associated budget amendment. The motion was moved and supported pursuant to the Properties Committee recommendation.
The board also approved administrative and personnel measures recommended by the Personnel Committee: overlap training for a new Court Clerk I position to address staffing shortages, authorization to hire two prosecuting interns (one transitional, one temporary) at $20/hour with no benefits, designation of the board chairman as authorized plan signer for the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) to enable timely plan change implementation, and authorization to hire a Public Health Nurse I at Step/Year 1. Commissioners additionally directed the County Administrator to research and negotiate with MERS regarding a possible minimum employment requirement for future eligibility and to report back.
Two appointments were confirmed: Benjamin Cummings was appointed to the GLS Region V Planning board for a three‑year term ending Dec. 31, 2028 after ballots were cast (4–2 with one absence), and Chris VanBelle was appointed to the Lapeer District Library Board for a four‑year term ending Dec. 31, 2029 after unanimous votes among those present (6 votes, 1 absent).
Early in the meeting County Clerk Theresa Spencer reported a donation drive organized by Chief Deputy Jennifer Hadden to collect socks, gloves and hats in memory of Mavis Roy; donations will be provided to Pete Kirley of Veterans Affairs. Sheriff McKenna provided an update on a recent shooting in the Almont area and thanked law enforcement partners and prosecutors for assistance. The meeting included two public‑comment periods (the transcript records six speakers in the first period and one in the second; individual speakers are not named in the record).
The board approved an authorization allowing county staff to accept the best offer for the county‑owned property at 279 N. Court (the former Register of Deeds building) with no special accommodations; the board indicated it will enter the official sale action in the Dec. 18, 2025 minutes. The meeting adjourned at 10:18 a.m.
What’s next: several matters were referred to committee (including the Health Department software agreement moved to the Dec. 11 Committee of the Whole), and the sale of 279 N. Court will be recorded on Dec. 18, 2025 for final action.