On the agenda: Mecosta County 2026-10-01 BOC Minutes — Data Center (Oct 1)

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MECOSTA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS %,
OCTOBER 1, 2026 CP 3-1 %

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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, Allitta Hren and William Routley.

Others present: Mindy Taylor - County Administrator, Melanie Doughty — Finance Officer and
Marcee Purcell - County Clerk. Public attendance was 15 in-person, 5 on Zoom.

REVIEW & APPROVAL OF AGENDA - ADDITIONS:
G. Lambrix moved to approve the Agenda with the addition of #14-1 Closed Session for the
purpose of discussing contract negotiations. W. Routley seconded; motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
R. LaPreze moved to approve September 17, 2026 Board Minutes as presented. A. Hren
seconded; motion carried.

PUBLIC MATTERS & COMMENTS:
Richard Cochran — City of Big Rapids — appeared before the Board regarding last meeting’s
Public Comment from Mark Klumpp and minutes’ requirements.

Mark Klumpp — Morton Township Supervisor — appeared before the Board and noted that he
was not at the last Commission Meeting.

SCHEDULED APPEARANCE:
Adam Wright — Midwest Strategy Group of Michigan — appeared before the Board and gave a
presentation on their representation as our lobbyist.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

RESOLUTION URGING APPROVAL OF HB 6324 AND 6325

Chair Zimmerman drafted and distributed a copy of the above resolution at the 9/17/26
Commission Meeting and requested discussion at today’s meeting. He had further requested
Karla Miller’s input on the resolution.

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Karla Miller — Drain Commissioner — addressed the Board with her thoughts on the resolution
,.and proposed revisions.

After discussion, W. Routley moved to table the matter to the January Board Meeting. A. Hren
seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

5.1 BOARD LETTER TO ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
A letter dated 9/18/26 was sent to the Attorney Grievance Commission, on behalf of the Board,
as voted on at the 9/17/26 Commission Meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

6.1 FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDING AGREEMENT — DRAGON TRAIL,
Patrick Maddox — Emergency Management Coordinator — appeared before the Board and presented the
FEMA Agreement for approval and signature. G. Lambrix moved to approve the FEMA Agreement and
authorize the Chair to sign. J. Jackson seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Patrick noted that FEMA would like to see a public opinion survey on the hazard mitigation plan, which
will be made available on Mecosta Emergency Management Facebook page and the County’s website.

6.2 MICHIGAN DRUG COURT GRANT ACCEPTANCE — SOBRIETY COURT

A. Hren moved to accept the Michigan Drug Court grant, in the amount of $116,619, and approve
payment of the allocated balance for Mecosta County of $13,851.92. G. Lambrix seconded; roll call vote:
7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

6.3 BOARD REAPPOINTMENT J. MCBRIEN - DHHS
A. Hren moved to reappoint Janice McBrien to the DHHS Board for a 3-year term. G. Lambrix
seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

6.4 JOB DESCRIPTION REVISION — PROBATION OFFICER
A. Hren moved to concur with the revised Juvenile Probation Officer job description as presented.
J. Jackson seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

FINANCIAL MATTERS:

Fund 263 K9 Budget Amendment - Sheriff

W. Routley moved to approve a budget amendment for Fund 263 K-9, utilizing $12,561 from
Fund Balance, increasing revenue lines by $7,816 and increasing overtime, FICA, MERS,
supplies, training and telephone to cover overages. G. Lambrix seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas,
0 nays; motion carried.

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FY 27 Local Emergency Mgt Program Work - Administrator

W. Routley moved to approve a request from the Emergency Management Coordinator to accept
and execute the FY 2027 Local Emergency Management Program Work Agreement. R. LaPreze
seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

COA Resolutions #2026-12 & 13

W. Routley moved to accept and place on file Mecosta County Resolution 2026-12 — Signature
Resolution for Master Agreement Only, and #2026-13 — Master Agreement Resolution, as
required by MDOT. J. Jackson seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Baldwin Family Health Care Contract — Administrator

W. Routley moved to approve a contract with Baldwin Family Health Care for use of the already
approved $50,000 opioid settlement funds to add the position of Integrated Behavioral Therapist.
J. Jackson seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Listed Bills:

W. Routley moved to pay the pre-approved vouchers in the amount of $1,738,590.13 and
approve and pay bills requiring full Board approval in the amount of $112,430.08. A. Hren
seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Other Business:

Health Care Medical Plans

W. Routley moved that the 3 medical plans selected by the Unions, which include a Priority PPO
$3,000/$6,000 deductible, BCBSM HSA $3,000/$6,000 deductible and Priority HSA
$2,500/$5,000 deductible, be offered to all employees for 2027. J. Jackson seconded; roll call
vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Area Agency on Aging Contract Amendment

W. Routley moved that the Contract Amendment from Area Agency on Aging of West
Michigan, increasing Nutrition Services Incentive Program funding by $1,150, be approved.
G. Lambrix seconded; roll call vote: 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
R. LaPreze reported attending Save the Ponds Groundbreaking Ceremony, Buckhorn Creek
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Courts Open House and today’s Commission Meeting.

G. Lambrix reported attending Millbrook Township Meeting, Hinton Township Meeting, District
#10 Health Department Meeting, Save the Ponds Groundbreaking Ceremony, Courts Open House
and today’s Commission Meeting.

C. Zimmerman reported attending Finance Committee, Conservation District Tree Day, Station 2
Ambulance, Save the Ponds Groundbreaking Ceremony and today’s Commission Meeting.

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A. Hren reported attending Heartland MMP Meeting, District #10 Health/Personal (2 days), DHHS
Meeting, Mid Michigan Community Action/Farwell, Courts Open House and today’s Commission
Meeting.

J. Jackson reported attending today’s Commission Meeting.

G. Adams reported attending Fork Township Meeting, Courts Open House, Save the Ponds
Groundbreaking Ceremony, Chippewa Township Meeting, Barryton Village Meeting, Martiny
Township Meeting and today’s Commission Meeting.

W. Routley reported attending Sheriff Department Union Negotiations, Buckhorn Creek Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony, Courts Open House, Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan Meeting,
Finance Committee, Community Mental Health of Central Michigan Meeting and today’s
Commission Meeting.

Bill noted he will be touring a Data Center in Grand Rapids in October that has been arranged
through Michigan Association of Counties; he will report to the Board following the tour.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Mindy Taylor reported on the following:
e The Dep Treasurer has resigned; search efforts have begun.
e Jason Kellogg, Maintenance Director, appeared before the Board to introduce himself.

PUBLIC MATTERS & COMMENTS:
Richard Cochran, appeared again, apologized to Mark Klumpp for his earlier comments and
discussed Al.

Joe Bechaz — Big Rapids Township — appeared before the Board regarding hiring of Midwest
Strategy Group and thanked the commission, especially Chair, on the Tonkin Drain issue.

Pete Kent — Big Rapids Township — appeared before the Board regarding the Tonkin Drain.

Mark Klumpp, appeared again, regarding good things happening in the county with township
collaboration, and questioned Sid Lockhart’s bill.

Karla Miller, appeared again, thanked the Board for the updated letter to the Attorney Grievance

Commission and noted the matter had been dropped.

COMMUNICATIONS, MINUTES & REPORTS, RESOLUTIONS:
J. Jackson moved to receive and place on file Communications #1-9, Minutes & Reports #1-4
and Resolution #1. A. Hren seconded; motion carried.

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MISCELLANEOUS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
G. Lambrix moved to go into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Union Negotiations.
R. LaPreze seconded; roll call vote 7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

Recess: 10:27 AM; return: 11:04 AM

G. Lambrix moved to ratify the contracts with POAM Corrections and POAM Corrections
Command Units that were discussed in Closed Session. W. Routley seconded; roll call vote:
7 yeas, 0 nays; motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT:
J. Jackson moved to adjourn at 11:07 AM. G. Adams seconded; motion carried.

yarn uw
Marcee M. Purcell, County Clerk and Clerk to the
Mecosta County Board of Commissioners

Chris Zimmerman, Chair
Mccosta County Board of Commissioners

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