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Barry County commissioners approve grants, vehicle purchase, appointments and opioid settlement
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Summary
Barry County commissioners unanimously approved multiple administrative items March 24, including a Michigan DNR Recreation Passport Grant for Historic Charlton Park, acceptance of an EMP grant, purchase of three police vehicles for $227,609.43, reappointments to the Brownfield authority, and authorization to sign an opioid settlement; the board also authorized a CDBG Letter of Intent for the Stepping Stones Housing project.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners on March 24 approved a series of administrative measures including grants, purchases and appointments, acting unanimously on each vote with one commissioner absent.
Chair David Jackson and county staff presented the items, which included adoption of Resolution #26-13 to accept Project RP25-0019, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport Grant to support improvements at Historic Charlton Park. The board authorized the chair or a designee to sign grant documents and allowed the Barry County Parks and Recreation Commission to complete grant requirements.
Emergency Management Coordinator Pattrick Jansens requested approval to submit and accept the FY 2025 EMP (Emergency Management Performance) Grant and to authorize the county’s Chief Elected Official to sign related documents. The board approved submission and acceptance by unanimous vote.
Undersheriff Kevin Erb described a request to purchase three Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD police-package vehicles from Berger Chevrolet. The initial vehicle-only price listed in staff materials was $167,388; after discussion the board approved $227,609.43 to permit installation of additional in-vehicle equipment.
County Administrator Eric Zuzga was authorized to sign the Six Remnant Defendants Opioid Settlement on behalf of Barry County. The board also approved reappointments of Doug Powers and Dan King to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Note: the meeting materials and the formal motion contain inconsistent end dates (the staff text lists Dec. 31, 2029, while the motion recorded in the minutes lists Dec. 31, 2028); the board voted to approve the reappointments as presented.
The board approved submission of a Letter of Intent and application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support the Stepping Stones Housing project and authorized the County Administrator to sign required documents.
Votes at a glance: - Consent items (minutes for March 10 and March 17, 2026): Approved (Ayes: Bassett, Callton, Getty, Hatfield, Jackson, Smelker, Teunessen; Absent: Campbell). - Claims: $93,793.03 — Approved (same vote tally). - Resolution #26-13 (DNR Recreation Passport Grant RP25-0019): Adopted (same vote tally). - FY 2025 EMP Grant: Approved (same vote tally). - Purchase of three Tahoe 4WD police vehicles (incl. equipment): $227,609.43 — Approved (same vote tally). - Authorization to sign Six Remnant Defendants Opioid Settlement: Approved (same vote tally). - Brownfield Redevelopment Authority reappointments (Doug Powers, Dan King): Approved (same vote tally). - CDBG Letter of Intent for Stepping Stones Housing project: Approved (same vote tally).
The approvals complete the board’s immediate administrative business and position the county to pursue grant funding and implement the authorized vehicle purchases and legal settlement. The meeting record includes a discrepancy in the Brownfield reappointment end date that the county clerk’s office may need to clarify in subsequent minutes or documentation. The board recessed briefly at 9:40 a.m. and reconvened at 9:45 a.m.; the meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m.