Steve Yoder

The board received an update from the interim administrator regarding the upcoming budget process and software requests for proposals, as well as an update on veterans affairs services. The board approved multiple consent items including a marine safety grant, a radio tower lease agreement, an emergency preparedness grant, and various surveying and insurance agreements. Key actions included approving the hiring of financial analysis software, authorizing an extension for the 2025 audited financial statements, setting the salary for the interim administrator, and ratifying the termination of a consulting services agreement. The meeting also included a closed session regarding attorney-client privileged communication and the approval of claims and accounts.

The Board of Commissioners discussed several topics including the distribution of Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) funds to townships, the appointment of new members to the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, and the status of the housing coordinator position. Additional agenda items included the renewal of various insurance and maintenance contracts, the authorization of fuel cards for the Sheriff's department and maintenance staff, the approval of a multi-year plan for the Area Agency on Aging, the ratification of a community corrections grant application, and the acceptance of donations for victim services, youth programs, and senior services. The Board also reviewed the Administrator's performance evaluation and handled various budget transfers and outstanding claims.

The board received an update from the 86th District Court regarding their annual activities, budget, and staffing. Several administrative actions were approved, including a contract for services with the Village of Suttons Bay, the county apportionment report, an application for the Marijuana Operations and Oversight Grant, and the establishment of a revolving drain fund. The board also approved a contract renewal for drain services, authorized staffing level changes for the IT department, approved Microsoft Office license upgrades, and sanctioned refurbishment projects for Old Settler's Park and the Myles Kimmerly Disc Golf Course. Furthermore, the board authorized an RFP for a courthouse lighting system upgrade, awarded a contract for IT support services to Karhu Cyber, entered into closed session to discuss collective bargaining, ratified a tentative agreement with the FOPLC dispatch bargaining unit, appointed new members to the Board of County Canvassers, and issued a formal statement regarding the outcome of an internal personnel investigation.

The board met to discuss union negotiations and the ratification of the COAM Corrections bargaining agreement. Following a closed session for deliberations, the board voted to ratify the agreement with the COAM command corrections unit, including a specific modification to the contract language regarding lump sum payments.

The Board of Commissioners discussed administrative updates, including the development of the budget for 2027 and the status of requests for proposals for an enterprise resource management system and benefits management. The meeting also featured a presentation from the Veterans Affairs department regarding service statistics, funding allocations, and ongoing outreach efforts aimed at increasing veteran support and awareness.