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Benzie County commissioners approve budget amendment, contracts and appointments; accept EDC action plan
Summary
At a March 24, 2015 meeting in Beulah, the Benzie County Board of Commissioners approved a $27,577.40 budget amendment shifting funds to cover sergeant correctional wages, authorized contracts with C M Rubber Technologies and a $15,000 scrap-tire cleanup contract with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, appointed members to boards and accepted an EDC Action Plan for referral.
The Benzie County Board of Commissioners on March 24, 2015 approved a series of administrative and fiscal measures, including a $27,577.40 amendment to the 2014–15 budget to move funds into the Sheriff/Jail wages line, authorized vendor contracts and a $15,000 scrap-tire cleanup contract, and accepted an Economic Development Committee (EDC) task-force action plan for referral.
The board approved the budget amendment — described as an increase to account 213-351-707.03 (Wages - Sergeant Corr.) and a corresponding decrease to account 213-351-699.00 (Transfer In - General Fund) — on a roll-call vote after discussion. The motion to adopt the amendment (moved by Commissioner Walterhouse and seconded by Commissioner Bates) carried with Commissioners Bates, Griner, Sauer and Warsecke voting yes and Commissioners Carland and Walterhouse voting no; Commissioner Tucker was excused.
The board also approved payment of bills dated March 11–24, 2015 totaling $299,382.72. The motion to pay bills (moved by Commissioner Walterhouse, seconded by Commissioner Griner) passed by unanimous roll call of those present.
On administrative and programmatic items, the board:
- Reappointed Mark Roper and Terry Money to the Land Bank Authority for three-year terms ending April 5, 2018, and appointed Evan Warsecke and Coury Carland to the Planning Commission (motions passed unanimously).
- Adopted Proclamation 2015-007 declaring April 12–18, 2015, as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week and appointed Charlie Thompson as the fire chief representative to the ALS Advisory Board through Dec. 31, 2016.
- Authorized three contracts with C M Rubber Technologies, Inc., and approved a contract with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for scrap-tire cleanup in the amount of $15,000; in both cases the chair was authorized to sign and roll-call votes were recorded as aye among those present.
Rob Richardson, representing the EDC Task Force, presented the group’s Action Plan, which the task force framed around three primary goals: infrastructure, skilled trades development and value-added agriculture/agri-tourism. The board voted to accept the Action Plan, place it on file and refer it to the EDC for follow-up.
On operational items, Craig Johnson, EMS Director, told commissioners “the new ambulance is out front for you to see — radios will be installed tomorrow and will be up and running on Thursday.” Prosecuting Attorney Sara Swanson reported she had researched whether the sheriff may authorize purchase of plaques for retiring employees and said she found no law prohibiting the practice, describing Department of Treasury guidance as “guidelines, not laws,” and recommending the board adopt a policy with a dollar limit for such expenditures.
County Administrator Karl Sparks reported four website design presentations had been held and that FOIA training would be scheduled ahead of statutory FOIA changes effective July 1. The board recessed at 5:03 p.m., reconvened at 5:16 p.m., and adjourned the public session at 5:45 p.m. to meet next on April 14, 2015 or at the call of the chair.
The meeting record lists correspondence received (including Road Commission minutes and a township ORV resolution) and brief public comments late in the meeting by Jim Evans and Steve Cridler.
