On the agenda: Mecosta County 2026-08-20 BOC Minutes — Data Center (Aug 20)

MECOSTA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AUGUST 20, 2026

Clerk Purcell called the morning session of the Mecosta County Board of Commissioners to
order at 9:00 AM with access to the public via Zoom. All those present stood and recited the
Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag.

Commissioners present on roll call: Chris Zimmerman, Jeff Jackson, Greg Adams, Gary
Lambrix, Randy LaPreze, and Allitta Hren; William Routley not present.

Others present: Mindy Taylor — County Administrator, Melanie Doughty — Finance Officer and
Marcee Purcell - Mecosta County Clerk. Public attendance was 9 in-person, 3 on Zoom.

REVIEW & APPROVAL OF AGENDA - ADDITIONS:
G. Lambrix moved to approve the Agenda as presented. J. Jackson seconded; motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

C. Zimmerman noted a correction to the minutes under the 2"4 Public Comment, “Jerry Everin”
should be Jerry Everett. J. Jackson moved to approve July 16, 2026 Board Minutes and Closed
Session Minutes with the correction. A. Hren seconded; motion carried.

PUBLIC MATTERS & COMMENTS - AGENDA:
Richard Cochran — City of Big Rapids resident — appeared before the Board regarding the
presentation of AI installation being suggested in the Morley area.

Brad Deal — Big Rapids Township resident — appeared before the Board regarding the Tonkin
Drain report.

SCHEDULED APPEARANCE:

Jennifer from Mid-Michigan Medical Examiner Group appeared before the Board to give the
2025 Annual Report. Jennifer gave some highlights from the report and noted there are now 20
counties using Mid-Michigan Medical Examiner Group.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None

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NEW BUSINESS:

6.1 SECONDARY ROAD PATROL AGREEMENT —- MECOSTA COUNTY SHERIFF
A. Hren moved that the Sheriff Dept be authorized to apply for the FY27 MI Secondary Road
Patrol grant in the amount of $106,404. G. Lambrix seconded; roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays;
motion carried.

6.2. PUBLIC SAFETY REVENUE SHARING FUNDS - REQUEST FOR ZODIAC
John Boyd, Mecosta Township Supervisor, addressed the Board on the matter as to his
participation in locating the potential dive boat. G. Lambrix moved that the Sheriff be
authorized to use Township Revenue Sharing funds to purchase a Zodiac dive boat from Coral
Gables for $58,000. A. Hren seconded; roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

Purchasing Policy — Finance Officer

G. Adams moved that the updated Purchasing Policy be approved. G. Lambrix seconded; roll
call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Intergovernmental Contract for Police Services - Administrator

G. Adams moved to approve the Intergovernmental Contract between the Charter Township of
Big Rapids and the County of Mecosta Sheriff's Department to provide sheriff patrol services
and liquor licenses. R. LaPreze seconded; roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

County Veteran Service Fund Grant — Finance Officer

G. Adams moved to approve the FY27 Michigan Veterans Agency County Veterans Service
Fund Grant in the amount of up to $63,086. G. Lambrix seconded; roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays;
motion carried.

G. Adams moved to approve the Sub-Lease Agreement for the Veterans’ office space with
Michigan Works West Central. A. Hren seconded; roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Listed Bills:

G. Adams moved to pay the pre-approved vouchers in the amount of $1,492,856.42 and approve
and pay bills requiring full Board approval in the amount of $188,067.22. J. Jackson seconded;
roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Other Business:
None

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

R. LaPreze reported attending the Data Center Meeting/Morley, MDOT Meeting regarding
Northland Drive/8 Mile, EMS Committee, MOTA Meeting, Finance Committee and today’s
Commission Meeting.

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G. Lambrix reported attending the Data Center Meeting/Morley, MDOT Meeting regarding
Northland Drive/8 Mile, Road Commission Meeting and today’s Commission Meeting.

G. Lambrix moved that the recent MET funding allocated to the townships for brining be turned
over to the Road Commission instead for ease of distribution. After discussion, Gary withdrew
his motion and will request a Road Commission representative appear at a future meeting to
discuss and give more information.

C. Zimmerman reported attending Village of Mecosta Meeting, Finance Committee, Building &
Zoning Committee, Northern Michigan County Alliance via Zoom, Parks Meeting, Wheatland
Township Meeting, Data Center Meeting/Morley and today’s Commission Meeting.

C. Zimmerman distributed a packet of information to Board Members regarding legislative
oversight, drainage governance in other states and a write-up regarding an article in the Pioneer.
He is requesting the Board work together with the Drain Commissioner and townships to come up
with solutions to prevent a similar Tonkin Drain situation from happening again.

A. Hren reported attending Youth Attention Center Meeting, City Commission Meeting and
today’s Commission Meeting.

J. Jackson reported attending EMS Committee, Building & Zoning Committee, Colfax Township
Meeting and today’s Commission Meeting.

EMS:

J. Jackson moved to approve the July 2026 contractual write-offs of $267,91398, non-contractual
write-offs of $3,527.42 and collections write-offs of $8,420.94. G. Lambrix seconded; roll call
vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

J. Jackson moved to approve attendance at an out-of-state billing conference in Hersey,
Pennsylvania for 2 billers. R. LaPreze seconded; roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

J. Jackson moved to approve the purchase of a drone through Carahsoft, and that documentation
be submitted to the fiduciary for approval by the Region and State, with any excess cost being
covered by the City of Big Rapids’ Drone Team. G. Adams seconded; roll call vote: 6 yeas, 0
nays; motion carried.

J. Jackson moved that the Homeland Security Grant Program FY25 grant, in the amount of
$14,286, be allocated to purchase ballistic helmets and vests. A. Hren seconded; roll call vote: 6

yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

G. Adams reported attending Chippewa Township Meeting, Building & Zoning Committee,
Finance Committee, Martiny Township Meeting and today’s Commission Meeting.

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ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Mindy Taylor reported on the following:
e There is a vacancy in the Accounts Payable position. It is a Union position that starts at
$22.50/hour; if no bids are received, it will be advertised to the public.
e Donna from District Health #10 reached out to request using Opioid funds awarded for
their media campaign at gas stations in addition to billboards and radio ads. The Board
felt gas station advertising falls within the media campaign category.

PUBLIC MATTERS & COMMENTS:
Richard Cochran — appeared again before the Board regarding Sheriff Miller’s Letter to the
Editor re: law enforcement recruitment.

Brad Deal — appeared before the Board again to continue his personal analysis of the Tonkin
Drain Report.

J. Jackson commented on the passing of Scott Gilmore, who was a former Corrections Officer at
the Mecosta County Sheriff Department.

COMMUNICATIONS, MINUTES & REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS:
J. Jackson moved to receive and place on file Communications #1-7 and Minutes & Reports
#1-4. A. Hren seconded; motion carried.

MISCELLANEOUS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None

ADJOURNMENT:
G. Lambrix moved to adjourn at 10:28 AM. G. Adams seconded; motion carried.

axeutBe?

Marcee Purcell, Mecosta County Clerk and
Clerk to the Mecosta County Board of Commissioners

Chris Zimmerman, Chair
Mecosta County Board of Commissioners

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