Isabella County commissioners approve sheriff fee changes, multiple budget amendments and ratify $1.73M in invoices

Chairman Frank Engler called the Isabella County Board of Commissioners to order March 3 at the Commission on Aging in Mt. Pleasant and the board handled a series of routine financial and administrative items, including approval of new sheriff’s office fees and multiple budget amendments.

The most consequential votes came from the Finance Committee, which the full board adopted. Commissioners ratified invoice lists totaling $1,730,814.46 — $1,213,829.97 and $516,984.49 — after Administrator/Controller Brian Smith reviewed the items. Commissioner Steve Swaney moved the ratification and Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski seconded; the minutes record unanimous Yeas and no Nays on that motion.

The board approved adjustments to fees charged by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Steve Weber moved and Commissioner Tobin Hope seconded a motion establishing a $10 notarization fee, raising Live Scan fingerprinting to $25 for individuals who live or work in Isabella County and setting Live Scan at $50 for those who live or work outside the county. Commissioner Jaloszynski asked that the phrase "OR WORK OUTSIDE OF ISABELLA COUNTY" be removed from the motion language; the board carried the item with recorded Yeas and no Nays.

On personnel costs, the board approved Budget Amendment 2026-13BOC to authorize temporary premium pay for direct care workers and directed the chair to sign the amendment. The minutes record the motion carried; the recorded Yeas listed in the minutes for that item include Commissioners Hope, Moreno, Engler, Swaney, Campbell and Weber (see audit note below regarding a roll-call inconsistency).

Other approved financial items included: - Acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement for $5,830 and authorization for the chair to sign (moved by Commissioner Tobin Hope, seconded by Commissioner Steve Swaney). - Approval of the FY27 Budget Calendar as presented. - Budget Amendment 2026-14BOC to increase the budget for previously approved on-call stipends (motion carried). - Budget Amendment 2026-15BOC to adjust indirect costs and defined benefit allocations to Isabella County (motion carried). - Placement on file of the Preliminary FY25 4th Quarter Financial Reports and the FY26 1st Quarter Financial Reports and administration-approved budget amendments.

During general public comment, Craig Russon spoke about a recent Special Assessment District meeting for Stevenson Lake, saying "there was not one person present who was in favor of this special assessment." No formal board action followed that comment.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by Commissioner James Moreno, seconded by Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski; the board adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Ratify invoice lists (Feb. 13 and Feb. 20, 2026): motion carried; Yeas recorded — Hope, Moreno, Engler, Swaney, Jaloszynski, Weber; Nays — none. - Sheriff’s Office fee adjustments (notarization and Live Scan fees): motion carried; Yeas recorded — Hope, Moreno, Engler, Swaney, Jaloszynski, Weber; Nays — none. - FY2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant ($5,830): motion carried (Yeas recorded). - FY27 Budget Calendar: motion carried (Yeas recorded). - Budget Amendment 2026-13BOC (temporary premium pay for direct care workers): motion carried (minutes list Yeas including Campbell). - Budget Amendment 2026-14BOC (on-call stipends): motion carried (Yeas recorded). - Budget Amendment 2026-15BOC (indirect costs/defined benefit adjustments): motion carried (Yeas recorded). - Preliminary FY25 4th Quarter reports: placed on file (motion carried). - FY26 1st Quarter reports: placed on file (motion carried).

The board took no votes to change policy beyond the fee adjustments and budget amendments noted above. The meeting record shows no presentations or appointments and lists no unresolved motions pending further action.