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Barry County commissioners approve inmate health contract, CDBG administration and cybersecurity purchase
Summary
At the May 26, 2026 meeting in Hastings, the Barry County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved multiple contracts and purchases — including an inmate health services contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield, a CDBG administration contract and a cybersecurity contract approved after a closed-session discussion — and denied a FOIA appeal.
Barry County commissioners unanimously approved a set of contracts and purchases at their May 26, 2026 meeting in Hastings, and denied a citizen's FOIA appeal.
Chair David Jackson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Old Courthouse commission chambers. The board approved claims totaling $33,124.77 and accepted several consent items, then heard annual reports from the Barry County Economic Development Alliance, the Health Department and Central Dispatch.
On the business agenda, the board authorized the Court Administrator and Jail Administrator to purchase replacement PolyZoom units for the magistrate and referee hearing rooms and three units for the Barry County Jail. The board approved a one-year Barry County Inmates Administrative Services Contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and approved a contract with Smith Housing Consulting to administer the CDBG Housing Improvement Grant (NDD-2023-769-CDB). The board also adopted the 2027 budget calendar as presented.
A FOIA denial appeal filed by Abdibasid Abukar was considered and denied by the board. The commissioners then voted to enter a closed session under Public Act 267 of 1976, Section 8(h), and related MCL provisions. After reconvening, on a motion supported in open session the board approved purchase of a cybersecurity contract as discussed in the closed session; the minutes note the approval but do not disclose details of the closed-session discussion.
All roll-call votes recorded in the minutes were unanimous among the seven commissioners present; Commissioner David Hatfield was absent. County Administrator Eric Zuzga highlighted leadership by Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman, Health Department Director Rebecca Condon and BCCEDA Director Jennifer Heinzman, and welcomed Deputy Administrator Tammi Price on her first official day.
The meeting closed with routine commissioner reports — including a parks grant for Johnstown Township and ongoing discussion of short-term rental rules in Prairieville Township — announcements about a July 4 Delton VFW event and adjournment at 11:34 a.m.
