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Grand Traverse County approves 24/7 jail nursing, opens ORV route and OKs arena repairs
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners approved a budgeted expansion to 24/7 nursing coverage at the county jail, voted to allow an ORV route in Paradise Township, and approved replacement dehumidifiers at the Civic Center arena.
Grand Traverse County commissioners approved three motions at their regular meeting that change enforcement and service levels for public safety and county facilities.
The board voted to amend the county jail’s health-care contract so nursing coverage increases from 152 hours per week to full 24/7 staffing, an expansion Sheriff Mike Shea said the department has sought “for quite some time.” The sheriff told commissioners the amendment would add about $302,103 annually to the contract but said the increase is accounted for in the 2025 budget. "We are now asking for your support to go from 152 hours a week of nursing coverage to 208 or 24/7 coverage," Shea said. Carrie Patrick, ACH’s health service administrator, told the board ACH "is already fully prepared to start today" with 24/7 staffing and said she has no gaps in the schedule.
Several commissioners expressed concern about rising jail-related health costs. One commissioner noted overall jail health spending rose from about $1.4 million to $2.2 million year-to-year and said the trend merited more analysis. Sheriff Shea and administration said they plan to issue a request for proposals when the current three-year contract ends and will report back on whether the change reduces off-site transports and other costs.
The board also approved a Paradise Township request to allow off-road vehicle (ORV) traffic on a roughly half-mile stretch of Garfield Road south of Mayfield Road. Paradise Township had posted the ordinance for the required 45 days; Charles Williams, speaking for the Northwest ORV Association and Paradise Township residents, urged approval, saying the change would connect trails and benefit local businesses. Sheriff Shea said his office is neutral on the change but will enforce any ordinance as written and announced he will ask commissioners soon to allow purchase of an ORV-capable patrol vehicle using non-expended funds so deputies can patrol off-trail areas more effectively.
Finally, the board approved a parks and facilities contract to replace two ceiling-mounted dehumidification units at the Civic Center arena. John Chase, director of parks and facilities, said contractors were told the arena must be available in mid-March and that the project must be complete by July 15 to avoid disrupting scheduled rentals. Chase said much of the work can occur while mid-ice activity continues and that staff will coordinate to minimize interruptions.
Votes at a glance - Jail nursing contract amendment (ACH): Motion moved and seconded; board approved. Additional annual cost: $302,103; stated as budgeted for 2025. (Proponent: Sheriff Mike Shea; provider: ACH.) - Paradise Township ORV route: Motion moved and seconded; board approved to allow ORV traffic on Garfield Road south of Mayfield Road. (Proponent: Administrator / Paradise Township request.) - Civic Center dehumidifier replacement contract: Motion moved and seconded; board approved (project window mid-March to July 15).
What’s next: Administration and sheriff’s office said they will return with performance and cost updates, including procurement plans when the current jail health contract is reissued for bids later this year.
