Shiawassee County board abolishes elected county surveyor, approves contracts and appointments

The Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14 voted to abolish the elected office of county surveyor and convert it to an appointed position, and approved a slate of routine financial and personnel items during a meeting in Corunna.

The board approved Resolution No. 26-01-01, which cites Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.643(1)), MCL 54.95 and the Occupational Code (1980 PA 299, MCL 339.101–339.2721), and states the board "abolishes the elected office of County Surveyor, effective immediately" and will fill the position by appointment based on professional qualifications and licensure. Commissioner Cindy Garber moved to approve the resolution and renew the 2026 contract with the county surveyor; Commissioner Brad Howard seconded. The motion carried on a 7–0 roll call vote (Garber, Howard, Shepard, Haley, Holzhausen, Johnson, Brodeur).

Why it matters: the change moves selection of the county surveyor from a public election to a board appointment, which the resolution says will allow the county to ensure the holder meets licensure and professional qualifications required under state law.

The board also approved routine financial items. Commissioner Cindy Garber moved to approve multiple Invoice Edit Reports, payroll batches and electronic payments totaling $11,016,088.76 and to authorize warrants from the Treasury; Commissioner Brad Howard seconded. That motion passed on a 6–0 roll call vote recorded before Commissioner Josh Haley's arrival (Holzhausen, Johnson, Garber, Howard, Shepard, Brodeur voting yea).

Other actions taken included approval of a rehabilitation mortgage discharge for Mary J. Buckley of 520 E. Comstock, Owosso (motion by Commissioner Brad Howard; seconded by Commissioner Bill Johnson; 6–0 roll call); confirmation of Drs. Micheal Markey and Christopher Hauch as deputy medical examiners in addition to Dr. Rahaman under the county's contract with a university-affiliated medical examiner service (motion by Commissioner Cindy Garber; seconded by Commissioner Bill Johnson; motion carried 7–0); and confirmation of several board appointments (Rich Folaron to the 911 Board, Barry Culham to the Mid-West Michigan Trail Authority, Mark Agnew to the Veterans Advisory Board) and approval to refill a part-time Family Court youth center position not to exceed 30 hours per week (motion carried 7–0).

Chairman Gregory Brodeur reported on Community Mental Health and said the county Landbank is "doing great." County Administrator Dr. Boggs will present a three-year Landbank accomplishments report and the county audit is scheduled to begin with a presentation planned for May.

Votes at a glance: • Resolution No. 26-01-01 (abolish elected County Surveyor; convert to appointed): Passed, 7–0 (Garber, Howard, Shepard, Haley, Holzhausen, Johnson, Brodeur). • Approve Invoice Edit Reports, payroll and payments totaling $11,016,088.76: Passed, 6–0 (Holzhausen, Johnson, Garber, Howard, Shepard, Brodeur). • Rehabilitation mortgage discharge for Mary J. Buckley (520 E. Comstock, Owosso): Passed, 6–0 (Johnson, Garber, Howard, Shepard, Holzhausen, Brodeur). • 2025 budget adjustments: Passed, 7–0 (Howard, Shepard, Haley, Holzhausen, Johnson, Garber, Brodeur). • Confirm Drs. Micheal Markey and Christopher Hauch as deputy medical examiners (addition to Dr. Rahaman): Passed, 7–0. • Board appointments (911 Board, Trail Authority, Veterans Advisory Board) and refill of part-time Family Court youth center position (≤30 hours/week): Passed, 7–0.

The meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m. The board record shows routine approvals and the one substantive policy change on the surveyor’s office; the resolution directs that future incumbents be appointed and meet applicable licensure requirements.