BOC Meeting Largely Legislation, Finances Focused

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The June 18 meeting of the Clare County Board of Commissioners saw all members present except for Marlene Housler, whose absence was excused.

After approval of the agenda with an addition, and the previous meeting’s minutes, Clare County Administrator Lori Phelps presented her report. She first noted the previous week’s meeting of the Labor Relations Board where it reviewed legislation that would make minimum staffing levels mandatory, subject to negotiations between public employers and employee unions.

“SB 319 reintroduces a proposal that failed to advance during the 2024 lame duck session due to strong efforts including the Michigan Association of Counties, a bill that seeks to amend the Public Relations Act by explicitly including minimum staffing levels as part of the other terms and conditions of employment that must be bargained.

“This change would apply specifically to employees covered under Public Act 312 which was expanded in 2024 t include corrections officers,” Phelps said. “If enacted, SB 319 could lead to higher staffing costs for County. Many counties are already grappling with workforce shortages and the mandate to meet minimum staffing thresholds could strain our ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel.”

Phelps further reported that according to some preliminary data from the Department of Health and Human Services, opioid overdose deaths declined by about 34% in 2024, resulting in about 1,000 fewer deaths than in 2023 (a year wherein deaths also had decreased).

She also noted the Senate Energy and Environment Committee had the previous week reviewed legislation that would raise fees on hazardous waste disposal and landfill tipping beginning in 2026.

SB 246, 247 propose raising hazardous waste disposal fees from $10 to $25 per ton, and landfill tipping fees from 36 cents to $1.20 per ton. The additional revenue would be directed toward environmental cleanup, remediation efforts, community grant programs, and emergency preparedness resources for affected areas. Later in the meeting, District 6 Commissioner Jack Kleinhardt expressed doubt as to whether the House would pass those two Senate Bills.

Phelps further reported that she has been working on the FY 2026 Budget, adding that she was pleased to report there is a balanced budget in place. She also had begun a Capital Improvement Plan which she would distribute for commissioners’ review. Phelps added that she is continually monitoring the county’s retirement system, and that a Municipal Employee Retirement System representative will be attending an upcoming meeting, and will provide a comparison between two models: information that will help the Board with future decisions. She did make clear that any changes wouldn’t make a difference for the next 15-20 years.

Other tasks Phelps has been tackling include updating the Wage and Benefits Study; attending meetings on operations with Strategic Planning; collaborating with Gladwin County on contract negotiations/service consolidations/expansion of the Recovery Court program.

The Maintenance Department is currently gathering items for the Sheriff’s Sale later this summer, date TBD.

Phelps advised that as of June 16 the budget was 58.63% expended [compared to the expected 70.84%] which she said puts the county in a solid financial position. In light of that status, Phelps said she and Treasurer Jenny Beemer-Fritzinger has conferred and determined it would be beneficial to begin discussions of a Fund Balance Policy which would specifically set a target percentage to be maintained in the Fund Balance. She said any amount exceeding that threshold would be considered for transfer into a restricted fund dedicated to capital improvements.

“This would support long-term planning and responsible fiscal management,” Phelps said.

Roxanne Foster or the Michigan Department of Treasury, senior auditor for this year’s Clare County audit, provided an overview, noting  an unmodified opinion. After her somewhat detailed report, she closed by saying the audit was a positive experience and expressed her appreciation for assistance from staff.

The Board then went into closed session to discuss the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement under MCL 15.268(c).

Upon return to open session, Phelps passed out the 2026 Budget for the commissioners to review, saying a line-by-line presentation would be done at the next meeting. It was decided that meeting should be a Special Budget Review meeting, and one was scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, July 14.

Later, under Commissioner Reports, Kleinhardt spoke of having attended the recent MAC meeting, and said revenue sharing still appears to be “a go.” He said everyone remains concerned about cuts to Medicaid, referred to financial dilemmas in other counties, and then complimented the work being done by staff on behalf of the county.

“I just want to thank the staff: Jenny, Lori and others,” he said. “We’re lucky here because we don’t have those problems. You guys have done a great job.”