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Isabella County commissioners review 2025 goals; discuss road patrol staffing, admin building remodel and record office staffing
Summary
At an April 14 special meeting in Mt. Pleasant, the Isabella County Board of Commissioners reviewed 2025 goals, received budget and staffing updates, discussed road patrol funding options and the administration building remodel timeline, and heard a staffing request from the Register of Deeds office.
The Isabella County Board of Commissioners met April 14, 2026, at the Commission on Aging in Mt. Pleasant for a special goal-setting session during which county leaders reviewed 2025 goals and operational priorities.
County Administrator/Controller Brian Smith reviewed the prior year's goals and told commissioners that "10-year projections are now being done" to inform longer-term budgeting. He reported the county examined converting landfill property to a solar power site but that it was determined not feasible for the county. Smith also said progress is being made on restoring road patrol capacity, with two road patrol officers back on duty and budgeting work underway to restore additional staffing.
The meeting included an update on the administration building remodeling project. Smith reported the architect/firm Progressive is on track and expected to finish its portion by June 1, 2026, after which the county can go out to bid. The board noted that a completed wage study will inform pay decisions; commissioners are considering consolidating the remaining two years of scheduled step increases into a single-year budgeted adjustment. Human Resources has hired a new full-time employee who is currently in training.
Finance Director Chris Witmer presented and reviewed the county's budget financials during the session. The board also noted the formation of an OPIOID Committee composed of 11 members with two subcommittees and two openings remaining.
Commissioner James Moreno proposed exploring whether townships could help fund road patrols; Sheriff Main outlined pros and cons of township funding during the discussion. Commissioner Bob Campbell proposed selling an unneeded parcel by the jail and raised questions about future options for the old jail facility. Campbell also asked whether a county data center might be feasible. Commissioner Moreno inquired about progress on a land bank; the minutes do not record a substantive update on that item.
Register of Deeds Chief Deputy Betty Wright read a letter on behalf of Register of Deeds Karen Jackson requesting an additional staff position and describing substantial overtime in the office. The board closed the goal-setting discussion and adjourned at 2:38 p.m.
Procedural notes: the agenda was approved after a motion by Commissioner Jerry Jaloszynski and second by Commissioner James Moreno; the minutes record the motion carrying. The meeting opened at 1:00 p.m. with Vice-Chairman Tobin Hope calling the session to order and Chairman Frank Engler leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
