Kalkaska County approves amended Non‑Union personnel policy, enters attorney‑client closed session

The Kalkaska County Board of Commissioners voted 7–0 on March 19 to approve an amended Non‑Union Personnel Policy dated 3‑19‑2025 to address upcoming state changes to sick‑leave and related employment rules for non‑union county staff. The motion was made by Commissioner Robert Baldwin and supported by Commissioner David Comai; the roll‑call was recorded as unanimous.

County Administrator David Schaeffer had advised the board earlier that the state will implement changes affecting employee sick leave and domestic‑partner provisions, and that union contracts remain unchanged. Counsel Gordon Love provided an overview by telephone of the legal implications and indicated the county currently exceeds required paid time off for many employees; the board directed counsel to produce a draft policy for final review to meet a statutory deadline. Later in the meeting, the board approved a motion by Commissioner Truman Bicum to enter closed session at 6:19 PM under MCL 15.268(h) to consider attorney‑client privileged information; the board returned to open session at 6:39 PM.

The action places the amended Non‑Union policy into the county record immediately; the minutes show no dissenting votes. Next steps noted in the meeting included review of counsel's draft and administrative implementation details for non‑union staff accruals and related payroll adjustments.