Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Barry County commissioners approve consent items, hire COA director; public comments press for ARPA updates and question DEI funding
Summary
The board approved consent items including a $16,395.87 clerk workstation purchase, replacement of an animal shelter position, appointment of an MERs delegate and the hiring of Courtney Ziny as Commission on Aging executive director; residents spoke on workforce shortfalls, ARPA project updates and DEI funding.
The Barry County Board of Commissioners approved a package of consent items on July 26, 2022, and heard public comment focused on workforce and housing shortages, requests for ARPA updates, and concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) funding.
Consent items approved by roll call included: replacing County Clerk work stations through Interphase Interiors at a cost of $16,395.87 to be paid from the Capital Replacement Fund; replacing a vacant full‑time Kennel Worker position with a second full‑time Animal Shelter Technician (funded from the Animal Shelter Donation Fund); appointment of David Shinavier as Officer Delegate and Vivian Conner as Officer Alternate to attend the 2022 Municipal Employees Retirement System annual meeting (scheduled Sept. 26–27 at the Grand Traverse Resort); and hiring Courtney Ziny as the Commission on Aging Executive Director, per the Commission on Aging Board recommendation.
The board also approved claims in the amount of $95,436.68 (motion moved by Jon Smelker; seconded by David Jackson). The Committee of the Whole minutes from July 19, 2022, were amended to revise a public comment by Joel Ibbotson and then approved.
During the public comment period, speakers raised local concerns: Mike Snyder said a company relocated from Hastings because of workforce and housing shortages; Michele Peltier requested updates on ARPA projects approved roughly four months earlier and praised the hiring of Courtney Ziny; Joel Ibbotson raised concerns about discrimination against Asians and linked such concerns to broader equity and diversion conversations; Adam Heikkila noted the Kellogg Foundation had donated $400,000 for DEI training, describing it as "big business" in the minutes. The minutes do not record staff responses or verification of the donation amount.
Vice Chair Vivian Conner reported an accessory dwelling approval in Barry Township and said the Middleville water and sewer project is on schedule. Commissioner David Jackson reported the Barry Township water tower ARPA project is on time and on budget; Commissioner Smelker said the county is in the process of securing property for a 911 tower. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
