Oscoda County board approves EMS staffing changes, contract termination and materials‑management payments

The Oscoda County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 27 approved a package of administrative and financial measures, including EMS staffing changes, a contract termination and funding to support multi‑county materials‑management planning.

The board acknowledged moving Gerald Hendrix from a full‑time EMT to a contingent EMT, effective July 22, 2024; the change removes county benefits for Hendrix. It also approved hiring Christopher Palmer as a full‑time EMT with a start date of Aug. 21, 2024, at a starting wage of $17.49 per hour, with eligibility for county benefits. The motions were introduced during the EMS staffing item and carried on recorded votes (motions 2024‑222 and 2024‑223). County staff amended the budget to reflect the new hire.

Separately, the board voted to terminate the janitorial contract with Shine Cleaning Service, Inc., effective Sept. 1, 2024, and to amend the budget to reflect that change (motion 2024‑227). The board also agreed to temporarily suspend the Memorandum of Understanding between Michigan Works Northeast Consortium and Oscoda County through Sept. 30, 2024 (motion 2024‑226).

On intergovernmental planning, the board authorized payment of $8,000 to the Alpena County Treasurer to fund Phase I (pre‑planning) and Phase II (forming a planning committee and developing a work program) of a multi‑county materials‑management planning effort. The payment is to be charged to the Gov Adm Material Management budget line 101‑115‑919.00; the motion carried 5‑0 and the budget was amended (motion 2024‑225).

A small accounting motion moved $24 from a General Fund line into a Trust & Agency line to cover restitution expenses paid out; that transfer was approved (motion 2024‑228).

All motions listed above passed unanimously on roll call votes. The board’s formal actions were routine and administrative in nature; no votes failed or were tabled during the meeting. The board adjourned at 11:21 a.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2024.

Votes at a glance: • Motion 2024‑219 — Approval of the meeting agenda: McCauley/Marsh; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑220 — Consent calendar (including July expenditure report): Marsh/Handrich; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑221 — Constitution Week proclamation (Sept. 17–23): McCauley/Bondar; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑222 — Acknowledge moving Gerald Hendrix to contingent EMT (no benefits): Marsh/McCauley; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑223 — Hire Christopher Palmer, full‑time EMT at $17.49/hr, start Aug. 21, 2024: Bondar/Handrich; outcome: approved 5‑0; budget amended. • Motion 2024‑224 — Appoint Michelle Knepp as Materials Management Planning Committee representative: McCauley/Handrich; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑225 — Authorize $8,000 payment to Alpena County Treasurer for materials‑management planning (from 101‑115‑919.00): Handrich/Bondar; outcome: approved 5‑0; budget amended. • Motion 2024‑226 — Temporarily suspend Michigan Works Northeast MOU through Sept. 30, 2024: McCauley/Handrich; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑227 — Terminate janitorial contract with Shine Cleaning Service, Inc., effective Sept. 1, 2024: Handrich/McCauley; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑228 — Move $24 from General Fund to Trust & Agency to cover restitution: McCauley/Handrich; outcome: approved 5‑0. • Motion 2024‑229 — Adjourn: Marsh/Handrich; outcome: approved 5‑0.

Clarifying details: Christopher Palmer’s start date and hourly wage ($17.49/hr) were recorded in the motion; the $8,000 materials‑management payment is charged to budget line 101‑115‑919.00; the janitorial contract termination is effective Sept. 1, 2024. The restitution transfer amount was $24. Where the minutes did not specify additional procurement or personnel file details, those items are recorded here as “not specified.”