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Oscoda County board ratifies USW contract, approves EMS monitors and maintenance staffing changes
Summary
At its April 23 meeting, the Oscoda County Board of Commissioners ratified a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers, authorized purchase of four Zoll cardiac monitors for $73,840 (billing deferred to 2025), and approved promotions and hires in the maintenance department, among other routine actions.
The Oscoda County Board of Commissioners on April 23 ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers (USW) covering Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2026 and approved several operational and personnel items, including the purchase of additional cardiac monitors for the county EMS.
The board voted to ratify the USW contract after a closed-session negotiation under the Open Meetings Act (1976 PA 267 MCL 15.261 et seq.). The motion to ratify (motion 2024-121) carried on roll-call votes recorded in the minutes.
In a financial decision affecting county emergency services, EMS Director Robert Stankiewicz told the board the agency had recently received two previously approved cardiac monitors and requested authorization to purchase two more to bring the total to four. The board authorized procurement from Zoll Medical Corporation for $73,840.00 and agreed to defer billing to 2025 with no interest or fees (motion 2024-118). "For full transparency, we recently purchased two monitors that were previously approved by the board and were delivered on Monday, April 22, 2024," Stankiewicz said, describing the need for the additional units and the financing arrangement.
County Administrator and Human Resources Director Michelle Knepp presented staffing changes in the Maintenance Department prompted by the upcoming retirement of Maintenance Supervisor Joe Breaugh, effective June 30, 2024. The board approved promotion of Rick Burton to Maintenance Supervisor effective June 30 with a starting salary of $43,000 annually (motion 2024-114). The board also authorized advertising to hire a replacement for a Maintenance Custodian III position (starting wage $16.90/hr) and a Custodian II replacement (starting wage $15.68/hr), and formally acknowledged the retirement of Custodian II Lori Warren, effective April 13, 2024 (motions 2024-115, 2024-116, 2024-117). All personnel motions passed by recorded votes.
The board approved a request from Al Chaney representing Veterans Affairs to relocate the existing memorial at M-33 (in front of the government center) to the county’s new Veterans Memorial site, reusing original panels and bricks and soliciting contractor quotes for removal and reassembly (motion 2024-113).
During the consent calendar the board approved several budget amendments, including adding a Special Occurrence Expense line (298-682-998.00) for Veterans Affairs, a Postage line (101.270.730.00) to the Motor Pool budget, and an increase for BS&A software in the Building Department (249.371.819.00) of $2,803.00. The March 2024 expenditure report was presented showing a Grand Total of $1,070,609.54 and an audit docket of $42,709.04.
In public comments, Sarah Haynes of Fairview raised concerns about actions at the District Library; Commissioner Charles Varner clarified that the board does not conduct Q&A during public comment and noted the county board is separate from the District Library, which partners with Comins Township though the county appoints library board members.
Sheriff Grace reported a recent 'Take Back Drug Day' event in which the department collected approximately 40 pounds of medication for disposal. Commissioners provided routine committee reports on local projects, public health trends, and economic development activities.
The board adjourned at 10:54 a.m. and scheduled its next regular meeting for May 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., with teleconference and Zoom access information provided in the meeting notice.
