Ways & Means committee recommends approval of $5.75 million in May claims and payroll

Susan Zielinski, Manistee County finance officer, presented the committee with claiming summaries for May 1–31, 2026 and a summary of on‑demand checks and ACH payments. The report showed total payments across county funds of $4,127,330.99 in paper checks and $959,026.45 in ACH for a grand total of $5,086,357.44, and total payroll for the period of $667,525.84; the meeting minutes record a final grand total including separations of $5,753,883.28.

Moved by Richard Schmidt, seconded by Chairperson Jeff Dontz, the committee voted to recommend approval of the on‑demand checks, bills and payroll and to place the records on file. The motion in the minutes reads: "Moved by Schmidt, seconded by Dontz to recommend the approval of the on‑demand checks, bills and payroll, be accepted in the amount of $5,753,883.28; and that the same be placed on file." Ayes were recorded as all present; Member Eric Gustad was absent.

Why it matters: the monthly claiming summary tallies operating expenditures across multiple county funds, including general fund disbursements, payroll and large delinquent tax settlement runs. The committee's recommendation moves the claims forward to the full board or the next required approval step in the county's process. The minutes show routine fiscal oversight actions (payments, payroll and accounts payable runs) and do not record additional follow‑up requests by the committee.