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Barry County commissioners approve grants, vehicle purchase, appointments and authorize CDBG LOI
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Summary
At the March 24 meeting commissioners approved a Michigan DNR Recreation Passport project agreement for Charlton Park boat-ramp improvements, accepted an EMP grant ($11,385), authorized purchase of three police vehicles ($227,609.43), approved opioid settlement signings, reappointed two Brownfield members and authorized a CDBG LOI for the Stepping Stones housing project.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners on March 24 approved a package of routine and project-specific actions, including grant acceptances, appointments and a purchase of three police-package vehicles.
The board adopted resolution 26-13 to authorize the county to proceed with a Michigan DNR Recreation Passport grant (RP25-0019) for improvements at the Trauma Park boat ramp in Charlton Park. The resolution delegates authority to Chair Anne Jackson and designates Dan Patton as the county project designee. County staff said the application scored highly among roughly 144 applicants and that construction is expected to begin in 2027, with a special fund to track reimbursements.
Separately, the board approved acceptance of the FY2025 Emergency Management Performance (EMP) grant, allocating $11,385 to the county for the reimbursement period 10/01/2024——6/30/2025. Commissioners noted the program is reimbursable and often processed in arrears.
The board also approved the purchase of three Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4 police-package vehicles from Berger Chevrolet at a total cost of $227,609.43, including worst-case equipment estimates. County representatives said much equipment transfers from old to new vehicles, but changes in vehicle models can force additional purchases; the vehicles are budgeted in the 2026 vehicle replacement fund.
In other business, commissioners authorized the county administrator to sign remnant-defendant opioid settlements (an additional estimated allocation of roughly $13,000 was mentioned), reappointed Doug Powers and Dan King to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for three-year terms, and authorized submission of a Community Development Block Grant letter of intent and application for the Stepping Stones housing project (a proposed 33-unit subdivision in Dalton/Berry Township), with the county administrating compliance and third-party administrator fees paid from the grant.
Votes at a glance: Each board motion was approved by roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes; recorded votes and roll-call ayes were read into the record.
What—happens next: Staff will create the project fund for the Recreation Passport grant, implement procurement and equipment installation for vehicles, issue an RFP for a third-party CDBG administrator, and carry out required grant reporting.
