County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Please stand for the pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Roll call, please. Russo Mley here. Wolson here. Here approval of the agenda. I would like to add under new business a drain commissioner. So move madam chair. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mley, yes. Yes. Yes.

Motion carried. Approval of the consent agenda. The items in the consent agenda are meeting minutes from February 11th, 2026 board meeting correspondences A through E, which include St. Joseph County data centers, MAC legislative letter from Mark Schaefer, and MSU regarding data. [clears throat] data center information, monthly department report from the Russ common county animal shelter and control stats or administrator controller report. Do I have a motion to accept the consent agenda? Make a motion to approve the consent agenda A through D as presented.

I'll second, Madam Chair. Um, roll call, please. Nope. not in consent unless you want to pull something out. Wolson Wolsonly. Yes. Spencer. Yes. Yes. Motion carried.

Public comment on agenda items only. Are there any public comments on agenda items? Visitors. Oh, we did. Okay. Wait until public comment. Okay. Yep. Okay. Good morning. Morning, gentlemen. Morning. Good morning. Good morning. Um, thank you for having us. My name's Oh, okay. Sorry. Couldn't see it from here.

Oh, my name is Heath Neoth. I'm the director for Veterans Affairs. I'm with Ken Melvin. and he is our new elected chairman of the board for our veterans board. And what you guys have in your packet is annual update. Um there's three reports that are going to highlight the activity of the office. Um the overall state as far as the monetary awards that we bring in. And then the last report shows you broken down by disability percent how many veterans are in our county. Um, and the first report, the accumulative totals, that far left column, that's our annual numbers. That's what we did in 2025. A big takeaway in there. And you'll see um the far right that says cost, burial cost. That is one of our statutory requirements. That is $300 for every veteran and spouse that resides in Roscom County at time of death. Um, and that reflects the 70 burials we had just above that. If you see any numbers in there that you want highlighted or you have any question about, please ask. The next report, and this is an annual [snorts] annual report, they put it out every year. We're waiting on 2024. This is the most current. And it shows you down there in the bottom where it says Ross Common. the amount of veterans 2731. And those next two columns, total expenditures and comp and pension, those are the ones we focus on. These are in millions of dollars. So in total benefits, those 2731 veterans bring in $35 million to Ross Common County. Now, straight hard cold cash, what we do in the office is file for disability and pension claims. Those

are monetary awards. Um, that is $19 million. And I always like to go back to 2015 when I came on because I saw the office grow from then. At that point, we had 270 2,770 veterans in Ross Common. The total expenditures was 19 million. It is now 35 million. And then straight comp and pension monetary awards was at 10 million. So that shows the growth. Um even though our veteran population declines by our outreach, um our board getting out there spreading the word, educating veterans to these benefits that we continue to grow. In the last sheet, I put I was working with the state to get some numbers that everybody wants to know. you live in an area, you know, and it says that those are that's the total number of Michigan veterans. Below that is the total number of Ross common veterans. Once again, total expenditures and total comp and pension. But the part that I focus on a lot is this service connected veterans. Those are veterans who receive money in the county that we do that claim work for. Um, now we can probably almost double our veteran population in the summertime because we're a big snowbird state, but most of those people call Florida, Arizona home, so they're not counted in our numbers, but we they're still here and we work with them. Um, service connected veterans, 711. That's how many we have. That's being tracked by the state and federal numbers. That's where I pulled these from. And then right below that you're going to see 20, 30, 50, 70, and 100%. Every time we do a claim, a veteran is awarded a percent. With that is a

monetary amount. 10% 0 to 20 up there, we have 239 veterans. A veteran who is 10% service connected receives $170 a month. And so from that point, every time you file for an increase or your injury gets worse, you file a claim and you get more money. Down at the bottom, 100%. Those veterans, just the veteran alone receives $4,000 a month. And we have 106 of those veterans. And then right below that, it's going to specify how many service connected males and females. And then below this, and this is an interesting number, you can see by the age um how many service connected veterans we have. And then we look at age 65 years and older, 445. And then we sit back and go, what does our our area look like 10 years from now, and those veterans that are bringing that money into this county, you know, they move on to Florida, Arizona, whatever happens. Um, so it tells me that we've got to increase our outreach to capture whatever young vets we have in this area to educate them to how important these benefits are, not just monetary, but healthc care benefits. Um, and so that's that's mostly what we focus on now in the office. A lot of listen and learns, education, and just reinforcing that as veterans here in Ross Common County, we do have a golden ticket. Um, and so just good information. Does anyone have any questions about anything there?

Thanks, Phyllis. No, Madam Chair. Yes. Sorry, I know we just got this, so sorry if I haven't looked at it all. So, [clears throat] in 2023, there were,731ish Yep. veterans. About how many in 2025? 20. We haven't gotten the 20. Okay. Just the they'll actually come out with 2024 hopefully by the end of this month or next month. Okay. Got it. And you mentioned that some of the people if they if they call Florida their home, we can't count them as that number of numbers. They're not counted in this number. They're counted. So we can pull up Florida's GDX and those people would be counted in there in their numbers.

Yep. Wherever they call their home could be Arizona, California. Okay. So if they But we still help them. Like you said, if they're here, we help them. Correct. Where does that revenue come to cover them if they're not in our county? Well, so they are in our county. And the only way we help them is because they pay taxes here. Oh, they they're snowbirds, so they're here for 6 months. They own a home, but they still they're not counted just because they're Florida residents. They still pay taxes here, so they still pay their millage and everything. So that comes back. At least we had that money coming through to pay. Yes. For those. Okay. Super. This was a great report. Yes. Yeah. Very informative.

I'd like to add there that I I've been on this board of directors longer than Heath.

We had a couple of couple of directors before him. When I started here 20 years ago, we were in a broom closet and we had one person in the office one day a week for four hours trying to trying to do this kind of a job. We had the money coming in to help veterans from the state of Michigan. We were number 52 out of the 50 states. We were behind Puerto Rico and Guam for spending on helping veterans 20 years ago. Now, the a couple of governors since then have seen that and have taken corrective action. our office benefited in our growth from funds from the state of Michigan uh which we do not require or want to use anymore because they've added too many uh conditions on it. We're better off just staying the way we are. And now we have three full-time people working in that office to take care of these veterans and we make a difference in their lives. And if you see on the report here, we have COVID 19 or suicide deaths. It's zero across there. Knock on wood. We haven't had a veteran suicide since Tom Felton, father of five, Marine, took his life here. It was very tragic and we were all we were all upset by that and we wanted to try and start doing something to address that because it wasn't being addressed obviously through any other channel. We still continue to have suicides. And so we started these programs out of donations where we encourage the veteran and their whole family to get out in the community

together and do things. Right now we have tubing at Hansen Hills. We have swimming at the Lakeside Resort for the whole family. And then we have like pizza and and and pop at a a restaurant free for the veterans so they can go out and make a day of it. And we want to keep that number at zero. We don't want to have another veteran suicide in this county. Not that anybody says that's our job or that's our task. We saw that as a as a need and stepped up and all of that money for the programs comes from donations, not from the taxpayer money. So Mark, Mr. Milbour, the hero, the man that went to Ukraine and took humanitarian aid across the border from Poland in a van and then came back across the border and bought more humanitarian aid and took it into the war zone. You have a hero sitting amongst you. He I I can't I can't say enough about Mr. from Milbourne and and it's a he has had a lot of ideas that he would give to me and and say let's let's do this and we've done it and uh a tremendous asset you have on your board of commissioners. Thank you.

Thank you. Um not not during the meeting. Yep. Thank you.

Unfinished business. Lake level control structure updates. Lake manager Chase Shepki. [clears throat] You want all of them or Let's start with H Hotton Lake first. All right, let me get it straight in my head. Um, we're going through design. Um, sounds like the consensus is to get rid of hi-fi. Yep. The consensus. Yep. We already did that. Yep. Brandon, all that.

Beautiful. Um, no update on the down river study. Last time I talked to Tom on that, you didn't think you'd be able to get any more capacity down that river. Any questions on that?

I think they're Yeah, they're gonna kind of peter it out. I'd have to reach out for him more of where that's at. The the big concern is, and I sent you two pictures, is um the operation of Reedsburg and how high it is. you know, um, in I think I want to say in January, usually we have about a foot foot and a half of head between the two areas over six miles. And, uh, based on their hi-fi gauge, we're we're only looking at six inches of fall over six miles. So, it's hard to push water six miles if you're only dropping six inches. So that that's a concern I'd like to look into more about making sure they're operating correctly so that we have get rid of as much water as possible when we need to.

I I don't want to speak I don't want to speak ill, but they essentially they do what they want. That sounds like I do I do plan to foya the their design plans for the structure that was put in 2021. The [clears throat] design elevation because when they when they build it, there should be a design elevation for the the repairs or the structure and then there should also be like a generic operation um in there as well that it was designed to. That's what I'm curious about because there should not be over six miles at six inches of drop. That's essentially your groundwater table has that kind of elevation drop, not a river. Very difficult to get rid of water when you're not giving us a place to put it. I did get an email from Tom um that I need a consensus to from the lake manager and the board that it says the Michigan Stormwater Flood Plane Association holds its annual conference in Marquette this year. There was an interest in having Prime and Newuhof present on the Hotton Lake study modeling process due to the complexities and the significance of the lake and we would like to share this project with the others at the conference. Please let us know if you approve of them presenting the project.

Yes. I'm sorry. I couldn't hear. Approve that. [clears throat] What are your thoughts? Have no downsides to that? Sounds like it's only a benefit to share the lessons that we've learned or is there any downsides to us sharing it? and think it would it kind of puts Ross Common on a map so it' make it I think also it's showing that what a thorough investigation we did. Yeah, I agree. [clears throat and cough] How about Lake St. Helen?

A lot of communication. I've fallen a little behind on the emails, but a lot of communication. It sounds like we is not as viable as originally thought. Um what Spicer Group has done out there so far, they've done borings which would have needed to be done regardless of what structure you put in. They've done uh of the area around the structure which regardless of the structure you had to put in would be done. So, no design has actually been done and that was the whole point of reaching out was getting the public's opinion on whether or not they thought a weir was viable versus keeping a similar structure. So, from what I've read and what I've heard from people, people aren't really they don't really want the weir. The big concerns that I have heard are who owns the bridge in front of the structure and what's being done with that because that limits the capacity that can go through the structure and drain the lake during high rain events [snorts] or large [clears throat] rain events. Um, the other questions I've heard are kind of where we think we're going to go with the design and what's going on with that. And then also I think a meeting with Luke should be set up. We should get an updated timeline for people be important with the change from a to the dam because the engineering is you're adding a little more engineering having a similar structure. What's there? What is there now? Are you sure?

Yes.

In getting information back about um I had a person send me a picture last year. I met with him on Sunday evening and I looked over the situation skepticism about it. Went backed It does in the spring bites really hard, really high, real fast. If we were seven in six inches higher in the spring than the normal winter levels also drove down on first street types even the way it is now take on some water. Not quite to the water. talked to one lady at her street and she says, "Yeah, we get water in the yard. My recommendation is not remove. In order to do that, we'll have to

um anything else for chair?" I think we asked this the last time too, so you're closer to it, Commissioner Wilson. So the committee that is put together for Lake St. Helen, right? That group is also saying yes, we recommend that group has been put together yet. That has not been put together. Okay, this is just yours. Okay, that clarifies. Thank you. And I want to remind that there's still a court date held for that. So to let Peggy Schultz know as soon as possible would be good on on what the board's decision informal. Okay. Forward.

Okay. Thank you. Yep. So, we should reach out to both Luke and Behe, correct? Okay. I I pinged them to kind of tell them go go on hold until a decision was made today. Okay. I can do that. Uh, a question for you guys. I don't know if I can ask questions. Yes. Perfect. What is your timeline on the advisory board for St. Helen? I have to meet with Township. Okay. Okay.

Should be pretty soon. Okay. Okay. Yeah. I just would like So, we can give the engineers I'd like to give Luke an updated time. Well, I'd like Luke to give us an updated timeline. And I have some suggestions based on structures, similar structures I've worked in the past I thought would be cost-effective. But I'd like to also get the advisory board's opinion or have some ideas on those because I don't live in St. Helen. So I don't know what kind of use that gets or what would be best for that structure.

Some of the feedback I've been hearing that people actually idea advisory committee would be the ones deciding right and that that would be my big concern. The the structure itself is pretty self-explanatory. The little add-ons are things that could add some extra time but might be necessary or worth it. And that's what I would like to find out before going to, you know, going to Luke. We can get him going in the right direction.

Yeah. And I and I I will I'd like to meet with Luke or have a group, you know, us meet with Luke and because I have some suggestions. I think would be very cost effective. Okay. Um in Higgins Lake,

boy. Okay. Um I met with the advisory group and we had lots of ideas. Um some of the one of the things that came out of that meeting and I will share it with you guys is we're going to reach out to Eagle right away probably after this meeting you the board the delegate authority approves that that is okay and I have four questions that would I would like to run by them based off the ideas that were posed in the advisory board advisory group meeting so one what eagle would require to design and or install a restrictor plate in front of the LLC CS I want to come out with the question and say what are you looking for and I'd like Tom to be there so that there is more oomph behind it saying we are moving forward make a decision because we're moving forward with something the next would what eagle would require to completely replace structure is it the same as a restrictor plate are you going to need more you going to need less what what are they looking for my concern is is Eagle is going to be hesitant and Tom in the meeting also said they'd be hesitant on adding a restrictor plate because you're adding something new to a structure that's already been in the water for what 30 on the one side, you know, 20 30 years. You don't know what you're getting into. So, that would be my I don't know how they're going to react to that, but I wanted to ask the question because it was brought up, well, what about the restrictor plate idea that was brought by Spicer way back in the day? My concerns about the restrictor plate is yes, it's a nice fix. I think timeline it would take the same amount of time to do a restrictor

plate as it would to replace the structure because of the engineering that Eagle will want. But the restrictor plate doesn't stop the wave action going over top. There are plates that were added on to the gates now, but those are those are temporary. Those are not an end all beall fix for stopping waves going over the structure that is limiting the amount of water that goes over the structure, not stopping it. Third question, what variations Eagle will allow? I know this is a hot topic. variations mean up down you know what what can we expect for evaporation in the study that Tom did we found the evaporation was the number one factor that's partially why the lake drops four to six ines sometimes more every summer because the evaporation rate is so high versus the recharge from the groundwater or the little tributaries that that enter the lake we want to what I would like to know was what variations Eagle likes to see. What are they looking for? What they deem as realistic when posed with look we did a water budget. This is what you can expect based on these rates. What are you going to try to hold us to? And the last one is what are the the required flow requirements down the cut on H Hotton Lake? We have a flow requirement, a minimum, and then we have um front of the river. So once when we're doing that minimum, if we're in a drought situation and the water goes below this the boards, then we don't have to send any more down. Is that what will be required on uh sorry, Higgins Lake or there other requirements they're going to have? I think those are all important questions that we can get relatively quick and have an idea of

where to go based on those. um answers. I don't know if you guys have anything on that. We you're going to address it new structure in new flow rate.

Correct. because that based off the new Noah data that Eagle kicked out, 14 cubic feet was what was posted for Higgins Lake. Um, in the in the water budget, I originally thought of going doing a groundwater water study based on the comments and what came out of the water budget. I think it's not worth doing groundwater study unless Eagle is going to require that. I think between what we have and piece together information in the past, we can gather a relatively good idea of what's going to happen. It's just what Eagle is going to see as viable for for looking at alterations to the structure.

Yes, I would agree. Um, I don't know whether you or Tom will set it up, but I would be in favor of you guys. I was going to I was going to have Fagi set it up. Okay. They have a They communicate with Eagle a lot more than Tom. Okay. Madam Chair, I I agree with Chase that I think understanding what Eagle's going to require saves us a lot of money. When we think we know what we need and it never works and they shoot it back, it's just been an ongoing back and forth. So, I do agree with that. I do have a question about and [clears throat] I haven't read the whole study. We just got that one. I'm glad the other group

not yet. Yeah. But since it just came to the rest of the board, but is there I heard maybe wrong. So let's clarify that some of this report shows that it there's really not much with that we can do a new structure, an old structure, fix a structure that can really help us maintain legal level. So clarify if that's a true statement or not. Yeah. So it's not a pond. Um, it's not a a pool. You can't just add more water. It all comes down to consistent precipitation, okay? Because you have a consistent evaporation rate most of the summer, okay? So, you're losing it at a steady rate

because there is no banking or variation above. It's not like you can have that buffer to have, you know, wait until the next rain event. So, if a rain event gives you more than what you need, you got to get rid of it, right? So that's where I want to talk about variations. What Eagle's looking for when they know, look, we you we lose this much consistently over the summer and evaporation and we get big rain events. Now it's not little rain events that kind of counteract that all summer. We get a big one, we got to get rid of it knowing that we will need it in a week or two, right? What what are they looking for?

Got it. And that and the problem with the current structure is because everything minus the new gates come up about six inches maybe eight higher than they were but that sheep pile on the right side you you can't retain anything more with that structure because it just goes over the top. That was helpful. Thank you for Thank you. Um Chase on each of the structures. Um, so for H Hotton Lake, the gates are they still Everything's open. Okay. Wide open. Lake St. Helen,

I think there's one board in one bay that was stuck at the bottom and wasn't ripped out because it was a little cold. Okay. And how about Higgins? Uh, the far bay is cracked about 4 in. There's 4 inches of flow going over that. We're 3/4 of an inch below um summer level. And next week looks really warm. I was hope I only want to do a little bit at a time incremental. If it doesn't bring it down a little bit probably going to go either probably sometime tomorrow and open it up a little more because I we're going to get a you know a week of 4550 and some rain that's going to come up and I don't I'm just trying to

keep it just keep it just right until until the ice goes. Okay. Any other questions or comments? Well, that's on today's We can talk about that right now if you want.

Yep. We passed a resolution to pass the attorney on that resolution. [clears throat]

And currently we didn't have that on as a motion. Is okay. Is everybody okay if we add that today? Yes. Okay, you guys done with me for now. Thank you. And like water study. Chase went over that. So we are at B wildfire protection. Vanessa Verer.

Good morning. I've got Julie Crick here with me as she was on the committee reviewing the uh consultant proposals with us. We had a committee of eight people, seven that met yesterday to review the uh six proposals that we received for the community wildfire protection plan rewrite. Uh with that, the agreement with the Michigan DNR is that if we exceed the $50,000 budget, uh all work has to be halted until uh we can come to an agreement uh for additional funds uh to come in. So, uh that immediately kind of took out of play three of the six um proposals because they were over that $50,000 budget. uh of those uh the highest scoring and I think we talked over an hour almost as to which uh firm was ideal for us. Crisis Ready Lab out of Denver, Colorado uh really fit our our goals. Uh we had five criteria that we scored on at a out of a 100. Uh two of the scores that I uh took uh one was 96 out of 100 and one was 85 out of 100. Uh we looked at experience, understanding of community needs, work plan and approach, cost and value, and then references. And they were willing to come in person and meet with our community and stakeholders. uh they're willing to uh do GIS uh updates and support uh with uh the wildfire urban interface and uh also do an inerson presentation of the final plan. So whereas some of the other consultants didn't have that uh planned

out. You guys have any questions? It's the the total amount for that uh consultant is $46,215 what their their final budget is. Madam chair. Yes.

Just a few things to add. I did I helped serve on that group. I have to give a lot of credit and I don't know if you shared as much of what you put into this. There was a great criteria form for all of us to review. Everyone came had already looked at all those proposals and there were what six there there was a packet that thick of thinking about what worked for our community not just what they show in a proposal we talked about that rural experience talked about coming before the board that needs to be a part if you're going to present it they're coming in front of us just some of the things and I think the whole group really worked well at kind of debating the pros and cons of everyone and not just going by price we wanted to pick the right group so that we don't have to redo this all the time and and waste the money that we're spending. And it fit within the budget. And I just thought that they did a great job selecting criteria and making that decision because they were all really good. It's just a matter about who fit us. So kudos to Vanessa and her team.

Thank you. Anyone else have any questions? All right. Thank you. Um C acceptable use policy discussion. Mr. Wilson, do you want to start this?

Um several places that should was used. One of my concerns we were that I am technology policy others question one of the questions I have is you can haven't addressed happens if someone brings in a zip drive and plugs in don't know how that works challenged We all know, but I know zip drives exist. I didn't see anything in there to control use of zip drives or similar items. Um, also mobile devices that access Ross common email must have a pin. I don't know of it. I have a county phone. I use a pen. Also in the policy allowing use of your cell phones, only phones while driving. No, not even

I would say I know Andy was out last week or with it. He was sick, but I would say that some of these can probably be answered by him. Um, like with the zip drive, it could be as simple as our virus system already before it actually opens automatically scans it and won't open it if it's corrupted or something like that. So, also we have security training and awareness. All personnel must training Keep that in there. Still do that.

And if you wish, I'll get with Jody and it and go over their concerns. I would say to go over those with them and anybody that has any additional, get that to Rex by ne before next Wednesday. That way they can incorporate or answer anything and then hopefully a new draft can come out and then we can look that over before we actually have a motion to approve anything. I love that we redline from this original all the things you know that we've adjusted. That really does help. So thank you.

So Commissioner Wilson since before next Wednesday if there's something other than what you've already listed then send it. But we don't have what you've already said. If we found that, if there's nothing else and you don't hear from me, then that means there's nothing else in there. Is that okay? Any other questions?

No worries.

And I'm guessing that once Andy And you guys look through that some of these that might need to be say shall or should or require. He would know which paragraphs that's between him and Jod. I Yeah, I would say yes. Okay. Our next discussion is um CMDHD and the GIS discussion. Um Steve was here last um meeting from district health and we also had a letter that was given to us um regarding that and the board thoughts on the um GIS information that district health is asking for. I know this has been an ongoing topic a little bit. Um it started last year and it's kind of rolled into this year. Um I know that I have spoken with um Jody. I've also spoken with our equalization director as well um on this. And I think we should talk about the actual statutory requirements and the functions and our GIS as a whole. Madam Chair, I can start because I kind of did a little bit of that background work when we heard from Central Michigan District Health Department that we were the only county that would not give it to them for free. and it it spread through other townships and other groups kind of pushing like we were the bad guy. That's the facts. So, I took it upon myself to reach out. I think you shared a little bit of the summary, but for those who are in the audience today, I'll recap. Um,

Isabella, Oyola, Claire, Gladwin, and Arinac are other groups. Several of those groups, the reason they get it for free is they don't go through the county. They use a fetch system just like the health department uses. So the health department just goes and gets it. They don't have to pay because they can access the system. We don't use fetch if I understand correctly. We have a different system. The other two who don't use fetch, their comments were they went over our head. The equalization department said here's the fee. They didn't like that. Went to the board and the board said oh you can have it for free. but then were not consistent with how they charged other people which caused problems within the equalization department who does their GIS. So the statement that we didn't do it is not true. We're the only ones. It's how that went about is how they got it for free. That's my take. That's my opinion on what I cover uncovered. Oh, Glavin was also partly well they were in that. So, knowing that we spend how much? 200 and something. What's our number that we give to the health department?

226. I'll have to pull it up. It's 226.

226. Okay. If this is a thing that they have to do that the state makes them do, then that should come through their original budget. If we are charging our own internal departments money to get GIS since we don't have a true GIS department, I don't believe that's fair. If the board would like to say there are certain groups we would do this for, then that's one thing, but we don't have that in writing. We don't have that as a policy today. It is if you need it, there's a fee. And I would not be in support of paying additional money for them to do something that I think they should be putting out of their general fund. That's that's my take.

Yes. This is the way we fund our system. Fund it this way or don't have it. Not be fair. Urge some people This is our system and if I'm not mistaken I believe that GIS is not a statutory requirement. Is that correct?

That is correct and that's originally um after all the millillage attempts failed and the trims had to be made. GIS was actually we had a full-time GIS supported by the general fund and so when the board at that time had to make those trims to fit it within the budget GIS went um the only thing that we have to do for GIS is the mapping portion that our equalization department does. So for about a year we outsourced for that and the charges for anything else were $8,000 is low. I'll just put it that way. So, and then the board allowed the next year basically if we could have a very part-time GIS person if we were self-funded. Um, no money is allocated from the general fund. So, essentially what we make is I'm reviewing on an annual basis. If we can afford GIS, I have to come and talk to you and tell you they were not self-sufficient and we lose them. So,

Madam Chair, yes. And I don't want it to sound like I'm against what the health department does. That is not the case. But as we'll probably talk about when we think about strategic plan and how we use our money in this county, I think it's prudent that that information and the money that we give, we understand exactly how it's impacting us in Ross Common. I have a few updates from our meeting that there's things that get cut in Ross Common, but yet we contribute quite a bit of money. I was not at the meeting when Steve Hall presented. Um is there any summary did he was he able to share of the budget what is happening out of that budget that we give him that goes to Ross common only or was it kind of more general?

So basically out of the budget the 226,000 he basically showed us that about a million dollars is put back into Ross common county and then he laid it out and through a graph and between what they provide to the different citizens and stuff like that of that. So they're providing more than just the 226. Part of that money is not our money. Part of that is their grant money, their fed money, and their state money that they're funneling in. Correct. But he believes that the 200 and something thousand is 100% flowing only to Ross comment and not used for his staff and everything else because I have not seen that in the major budget.

Yeah. I'm not positive if you could exactly say that all 26 and I and Oh, absolutely. Commissioner Milbour and I sit on that and make sure that as we look at that budget going forward that is they normally don't break it down like that, making sure that that those dollars that we're getting are coming back here. Also, a point that I wanted to make is that district health does have the ability to manually update the parcels using the online access that we do allow. They just don't want to do that because it's time consuming. Got it.

Um through the different emails that went back and forth with equalization. Yeah. Yep. So, um, may I ask I thought I heard that they did go ahead and proceed to get something and pay some fee. Did that transpire or No,

it did. So, they had a very um there was a very generous donor for the specific project um that was occurring in Gish Township for the health of Higgins Lake is where they were looking for that information to be more accurate to map to have some good data to work with. Um, and I'm not sure which one of our foundations around the lake, but somebody did pay for the um, data specific to uh, Lion Township and Garish Township. So, that was 1,500 and that was that was obtained. Okay. So, they were able to get what they needed. They found another source of revenue. Okay. Okay.

Any other comments, concerns on that? It sounds like we're all kind of on the same page as far as these are our fees and if that's exactly there's ways to get the information that they're looking for. It's just not as quick as what they wanted. Kind of goes for anyone and and I'll bring up some of the conversation we had when we were looking at the community wildfire group and those proposals. The question was they have GIS info. They need GIS info. So the followup is what would you need from our GIS because we're going to charge you like we would anyone else. So make sure that you get that in your budget because it's not going to be given to you for free. That am I correct controller?

Absolutely. We were very clear that goes for you too. Doesn't matter. So I think that's a consistency. If we ever want to change that procedure or policy or how we handle it, we should bring it to the table. But today I think the consistency is the most critical thing we can do. Thank you. Thank you.

New business drain commissioner. [clears throat] Hello. Um, tomorrow I will be presenting to Lake Township because they want to sign a resolution to start or start the process for two drain districts in Lake Township. One would be West Shore Drive and the other one would be behind Nineham Barack in there. both. Um, when I took over, the road commission left a list of 10 to 15 areas that have flooding problems. Those were two of the top five on that list when I took over. I have never done a drain district. I don't know what it takes. It's very similar to setting up an SAD. Um, if these were the go this year, um, I would drain office. Rex knows more than I do. The drain office would like additional help to manage both these drain districts because I won't be able to do it by myself, at least with what I get paid as drain commissioner.

Rex, do you want to chime in on that? Didn't you set up some drain districts? Yeah, [laughter] but you didn't have as many hats in the fire, did you? Okay. Um, explore Yeah. So, every everything gets done can get build back to the SAD or sorry, the drain district. I'm getting lakes and drains mixed up. Yeah, but you might not be able to charge office verify that Scholes has the

I would I'd probably just reach out to Pam. She would know. Yeah, there you go. After last year, I think she's about over it. [clears throat] So, when I when I when I took over for her, she said she put in about 400 hours, which equals out to about 12 to 14 bucks an hour. She was like, "It's not worth it." I do. Yeah.

We can recoup administrative cost. somebody that knows more about

Okay. I also didn't know if this was a good time to kind of start um moving towards a water resources department with the two drain districts going. to kind of compile everything in the one office. I know that's been talked about for the last couple years growing soil erosion, drains, sads, all in the same office.

Yes. I think we're growing to the point where that's the biggest question is how fun it expert on that. I think we I think we're reaching or oversight on all this stuff. How do we Do you want to chime in?

I do. I just um two things because um well actually Commissioner Wolson probably remembers this, but he was drain commissioner Wolson then. So just because you're new and I have newer board members, we do um Ross Common County does have a policy in place where if there is a new drain project presented, they have to pay to get that project started. So whomever brings that forward, there is not funding from the county to start the project. So a drain petition and I believe it was 10,000. Yep. 10,000. So that would kind of be your startup money. Um that goes back to Yes.

Yes. Yep. Um Clerk Stevenson and I have had some conversations that might actually allow us to free up some some secretarial help. So, I will talk to you about that prior to um and then the only other thing that I would say is as far as putting together the water resource department, if that's something that uh drain commissioner Shepki and I can sit down and maybe kind of start looking at what a budget cost would be, maybe that's something we could aim to have in the budget as of January 1st if the drain commissioner then ends up accepting that um assignment. Yeah, I just it nice it was all in one room and that way people aren't walking into the commissioner's office.

Well, I think we can serve the public. Yep. We've grown from just Yeah. more different issues to

Yeah. And I also see that if this goes well [clears throat] and Lake Township has positive things to say about it, I can definitely see Denton following with a couple drain districts or stuff because I know they have water problems of their own following it. So I don't think if if it if it goes bad then everyone might be like we're never doing it again. But um I I don't know what to expect to be honest with you. But I I do know I used to live on West Shore. I do know both areas need it. Well, we have areas where there

Yes, I agree. I think it is something and I as we think about our strategic plan and what are our key priorities and what we want to focus on this year may not be 100% all of this first year but to start that conversation in preparation so that we use the money wisely number one number two your plate is full there I mean how I don't know how many times no offense it's like well I haven't got to that yet I haven't got to that yet so to add more money to you just to do stuff that you can't continue to do today is not the way to to work it. Yeah.

We either need to have the money to find somebody different to take the workload off, spread the money that we've got today, but I believe that going forward, it could possibly be something that's very valuable for the county over the next few years. That's something to you just don't make those decisions today in one year. And I think having that help and if this goes well is truly something I would like to say could be a priority for us to look at. I think it's important. I'd add that most counties in the state

as a growing county. Got it. Thank you, Chase. That's good for us to start thinking about. Thank you. Thank you. Um, we are on to motions and resolutions, but we have to create a motion. Okay. Awesome. This was the wording I put. Move to rescend resolution number 2026-01-02 as adopted at the January 14th, 2026 regular meeting.

Awesome. So, now we are on to motions and resolutions whenever our clerk is ready. Motion number one, move to authorize Sheriff Ed Stern and EMD Vanessa Varner to support on behalf of Ross Common County a grant application to the Michigan public safety critical incident mapping program grant program grant award of up to $75,000 with no local match. move. Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Mley, yes.

Spencer, yes. Wolson, yes. Yes. Motion carried. Number two, move to award the consultant contract for the update of the Rascom County Community Wildfire Protection Plan to Crisis Ready Lab LLC at a cost not to exceed $46,215 with all eligible expenses to be reimbursed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources up to $50,000 per agreement signed 17206. Elected consultant will conduct the multimonth update process with work beginning March 1, 2026 and to be completed by September 1, 2026. Second.

Any discussion? Roll call, please. Milbour, yes. Worley, yes. Sensor, yes. Motion carried. Number three, move to rescend resolution number 2026-01-02 as adopted at the January 14th, 2026 regular meeting. I'll second. Any discussion? Roll call. Yes. Spencer, yes. Yes. Wolson,

yes. Motion carried. Committee reports. Commissioner Mley.

All right. I know we're coming on the hour here, so I'll try to be somewhat brief. Some of the meetings during my travels for the downtown development authority, the village, and the townships. I wasn't able to attend some of their meetings over the past several weeks. So, I sent them an email to all of them recapping what has happened over the last several months at our board for new board rules, new time changes so that they're all aware, um, things like that. So, then January 28th, Central Michigan District Health Department met, they reviewed policies, their code of conduct, conflict of interest, and there was really a report from the medical director around the increase in flu rates. I don't think that's anything people don't already know about in this community, but um and Steve Hall did do a director's report and I think it would take me a little long just to highlight a couple things that he said. I might summarize some of the concerns or some of the comments that he made about some funding that is leaving Ross Common from groups, the SAMA money coming back in and some of the big issues with child care groups that may not be funded anymore. So, I might I'll just summarize that and maybe do that at another time where we have a little bit more. Um, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health on February 19th. Um, as I've told you in the past, the Department of Health and Human Services was putting out to bid how mental health groups would work, trying to condense the districts from 10 to six as well, offering it to private organizations, Blue Cross, things like that. That has now been pulled. The RP process has pulled. It doesn't mean that they may still not condense the regions. More to come on that. We don't know. But at this point, that process is halted. That's a positive at least from Northern Lakes Community Mental Health eyes. They feel that's a good thing.

[clears throat] So, I'll I'll leave it at that for now. Thank you. Commissioner Melbourne.

Thank you. The serenity lodge will be closed for Thursday, February 26 for March and April. They do have an open house though Friday, March 20 28th between 10 and 6. I recommend the commissioners to be there. is located over there by the animal. Uh they're also doing also working with less than $100,000 tax returns by Monday your tax forms. Um, we had the agenda meeting on February 18th, conversations um in the lake committee with Commissioner Wolson and Chase on all the lakes. Um, I had the Hotton Lake Improvement Board meeting on February 12th. RLS gave their official report. I do have that report if anybody is interested. Um, I can also email the report out if need be. Um they will also be looking at the assessment role this year um with the Holton Lake Improvement Board. There will be public hearings. The approval will have to be made before any future assessments are able to be made. Um our next meeting with that we're going to look closer at mechanical harvesting and the potential. Um I will be attending the Michigan Lake and Stream Conference in Moskegan this year. This will be the first year that I'll be able to attend it. So, I'm kind of excited about that. I am also registered with the MAC legislative conference in Lancing this year as well. Commissioner Wilson.

Yes. Been dealing with some correspondents regarding the round two of funding for materials management planning. I have a meeting with our consultant at 12:00 today to go over tagging that money because we were told couple months ago, tag all the money you can get because there might not be more coming sometime. So, we're going to get a plan of where we're moving forward with that. Okay. Thank you. Do we have any public comment? Good morning. Good morning.

My name is James Johnson. I am a member and the board secretary of the St. Helen Shooting Club. If anybody doesn't know about us, we own most of the property on the northshore of Lake St. Helen. We have grave concerns with the structure that we've you've been discussing this morning. [snorts] Now, some of them have been relieved. Number one was that the citizens advisory committee was never established. I've heard here that yes, it will be. We certainly as a club ask that at least one of our members is part of that and certainly for Chase to be part of it. Um, I tried to submit some things. I didn't do it properly, so I'm going to quickly read them. A lot of them have been relieved by what I've heard from Commissioner Wolson this morning, but we'd like to get these on record. The dam located on Lake St. Helen is not in emergent need of replacement. This gives all stakeholders, including the public, the opportunity to collaborate with county officials on the available options to set appropriate lake levels, determine the proper dam structure, and review cost options. This process will position the group to determine the best long-term decision solutions for the lake, the county, property owners, recreational uners, users, and water fowl habitat. Now, some of this is was set up before you decided not to attack the winter lake level and raise it. So, some of it the current lake level for years has eroded our property,

significantly altered the contour of the lake, and destroyed natural habitat and food sources for many species of waterfall and fish. We have the opportunity to address multiple long-term issues prudently. We must take the time to do this project correctly. We must take the considerations listed above and those that will be brought forward with a collaborative approach from the stakeholders partially listed above to drive the optimal decisions of this project. Exercise good leadership and stewardship of resources being assessed on individual property owners by having a collaborative approach. Engage together the stakeholders mentioned above, the current consulting contractor responsible for the dam recommendations, design and installation and outside experts as needed. Ensure the entirety ma entity maintaining the dam is involved in the discussion with the stakeholders. We were told that an advisory committee was going to be formed. That never happened. Let's take every opportunity for valuable input from all stakeholders. Form an advisory committee with the above mentioned entities that can be worked together for the good of the community. And then a couple of our main concerns are the shoreline erosion and has any modeling been done to determine potential flood? Some modeling suggests extreme participation, heavy rainfall, and that recent catastrophic events over the last few decades should be treated as the new normal. Does modeling show how long it will take for the lake to return to the proposed fixed level after winter melt, heavy rainfall, 100red-year

event? Does it show the amount of shoreline erosion with various events? Does the modeling project financial loss due to shoreline erosion, aquatic aquatic plant loss, wild rice? Our corporation is required to pay an assessment for the new lake control structure. This new structure as proposed will not only continue to contribute to shoreline loss and deterioration of wild rice fields, it will accelerate it. This action as proposed puts shareholders in a position of financial loss in the value of their stock. By majority, the stockholders voted that the county considered the lake level be lowered to the previous 1998 level during the engineering phase of the project. We were not made aware of any communication for notices of meetings of this project for us to present this request. Is it too late for this discussion? And how do we receive notifications of any meetings pertaining to this project? Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Any other public comment?

Come on up. Uh Craig Cman Hotton Lake. Oh, Chase is still here. I'm sorry, Jason. If I bring something up that you discussed, I just couldn't hear you that well. When I get home, I'll I'll look at it at on the laptop and I can hear what you're saying. So, your last meeting, I gave uh Darlene Sensor a copy of this. I think it's accurate. Darlene. Uh, excuse me. Chairman Sensor, chairwoman's I don't know. Chair

person, life gets complicated. Uh, I don't think you've at any one time been in compliance with the operations manual. Uh, gave you a copy of this. I was hoping maybe you would say something. It was I didn't phrase it as a question, but uh if I did, maybe you would answer it. Uh at the next meeting, I guess if that's the way it works. Uh uh I guess has this board or has the designated authority been in compliance with the operations manual since the court date? Just wondering if you have uh [clears throat] I guess uh lake levels as of this morning 3/4 of a foot over uh over legal winter level which is 9 in. Of course, the operations manual uh uh raised our winter level. Uh well, I don't know if it raised it or not. It's kind of complicated. It said if it if we had a snow pack, I think we're over 150% of snow, that you were supposed to reduce the uh the uh operations manual by 2 or 3/10 of an inch if I remember right, which would probably put it very close to the uh winter level we already have. Again, uh we're 9 in over winter level as of this morning. And according to what I read, uh, one [clears throat] other thing, we have all three lakes here. And, uh, oh, thanks Jodie. I I got the, uh, for you.

And, uh, I'm going through trying to correct that record. Uh, the oper or the operation, not manual, the P procedures, they they represent two datams. They represent the 88 datam and the 29 datam. And this is systemic for all all three lakes. Uh uh Higgins Lake. Uh you have the 88 datam. And depending on how you do your math, you can actually increase your lake level. Uh if you use the wrong datams, Holton Lake consistently uh comes in uh 4.8 in over 4.8 8 8 in over whatever you thought it might have been. Uh, and this goes back for 20 to 30 years. Uh, if we intend to proceed, uh, I believe it's necessary that we correct the record. Uh, on your website, you still list, uh, 8.1 as the legal summer level. Uh, and that's in 29 datam. Uh, we need to go through the data and put it all in 88 datam. This is what print newhoff said let's go with all 88 datam. Uh, but then the control structure you were reporting in 29 datam. Uh, we need to get it all on 88. And for this board to go further, I think we need an understanding that everything has to be in 88. We can't be switching these things around. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other public comment? Okay. board comment. Commissioner Moley? No, I think well, first off, I brought this up and we may talk about it during strategic plan session. So, I think I can table a couple of these statements. They'll just fit right in during our work session. We talk about what we want to work on for strategic plan. So, I can hold for now. Thanks. This time, Madam Chair, Commissioner Wolfson.

Okay. With no board comment, this meeting is adjourned and our next meeting will start at 10:25 discussion regarding grant writer discussion of the whole. Commissioner Wolson, would you like to start?

Yes. I was at a um Northern Michigan Association of Counties meeting last couple weeks ago and it was brought to our attention county has hired a grant writer. Um they use this grant writer at the township levels and also the county level. They claim the claim was made of about seven half million dollars brought into the county through this process and I was wondering if there wasn't some way that we may be able to put on board a grant writer for our county either through EDC or some other way. I just thought it was something we should explore and maybe we'll be getting more monies into the county. He explained that the way it works is this grant writer is always on the lookout for grants for at different levels and different things and then when they find one they want to go with they write it. So it was just a thought that maybe we could do something like that somehow. Looks good to me.

Thoughts? Are you thinking that we hire that as an employee or grant writers traditionally make a percentage of what they earn? So, it's not a hiring. I don't know. It doesn't matter, okay,

which way we go. Um, as long as we have a grant writer watching out for monies for our county at all times, I would think. Now, one thought was EDC is trying to reform and maybe that would be one way to for them to reform and get buyin from the townships and the county is to provide a rant grant writer for. I don't know. It's just something I'd like to explore.

I I agree with you, Commissioner Wilson. think it's something to explore for sure because I think you hear it in even the township levels and other groups too that that role can be pretty critical. I know from a you know emergency management perspective getting those grants written and done does help offset our general fund if we can do that which is great. Um, I would like to see how that rolls possibly with EDC and what other groups are doing grant writing right now like where they're get like to me once again this is a collaborative effort not duplicating money not duplicating people's time and figuring out how does that wrap around how we want to do that especially when we think about our strategic plan you know how does this fit our budget is this one of the action items we want to focus on to help us with budget, help us with trust in our community. I think there's a place for it. I just don't know exactly how to make it work today. Right.

But yeah, it was mentioned that the townships pay some of the cost of this. Um if the board would like, I could contact somebody at Iasco County that has done this and see what kind of a program they had put in and yeah, how they wrapped it, get some ideas from them perhaps. That would be helpful as we think through that. Yeah, absolutely. they'll make a contact with somebody there. What about our townships? Find out what their needs are too because they're going to be looking for grants as well that probably are competitive with what we do countywise at times.

Yeah. Because the townships um there seems to be more grants for townships than countywide. I know Bakis Township has just put in for an infrastructure grant on recycling. Okay. Um, they got notice that the committee that approves the grant would like to see them apply for more money, include some other things into that project. So, it's, you know, sounds like it's a good thing going to happen. Um, and that came through from a a recycling infrastructure grant. Okay. Um, most of the townships didn't even apply for any of that money,

right? Um, so yeah, if we had a grant writer, it would, you know, because I know it's a lot of work for the townships to try and keep track of it and also to to implement a grant writer. So, I'll I'll make county because they're the ones that had brought it to the table that they had put on a grant writer. Do you think they would be willing to come and share with us at a board meeting and a work session like what's their process? How did they do that? What groups did they support? And you know, would they be willing to share? I don't know, but I can ask them. Might not hurt. Be nice for all of us to kind of hear if that's kind of our group to look at as a model and maybe see if they can come and Sure. present to us possibly.

Yep. Okay. I'll do I'll do more research on this then. Good. Thank you. Thank you for bringing that up. Um has something to say on it? Yes, Vanessa.

One thing to inquire with the grant part of things is if they're writing the grants, that's great. But the administrative part after you obtain the grant, is that person following up on that or is that becoming the responsibility of the township or the administration? because um that can be a significant part of it can it can become a huge burden um for administration or you know is the grant writer specifically just getting paid for writing those look into tracking the project correct that followth through because it's great to get all the money brought in but there's

the grant management piece the grant management piece is is huge so taking that into consideration when you're looking at that and and what their role if need be when you write a grant you can put in management of the grant is part of the grant too correct but but making sure that you have that that role identified I'd add another thing to think about I know we're not on a decision- making but just popped in my head the other piece when we think about grants is the sustainability of that if we're hiring an employee but grants don't come I I just think that it should be sustainable if the grant goes way that job goes away

because if not many times we end up continuing to try to keep a person on when the grant's gone because we like the program but I think if the grant I just I would like to make sure that it's sustainable in the future do that

thank you two code of conduct discussion of the whole um Jod and I um have spen spoken about this. Um, and I'm going to let her kind of elaborate cuz she has actually had a few more conversations with some other department heads and things like that on this. Um so obviously in the wake of some of the comments and concerns of the board of commissioners at the last meeting there have been um discussions between department heads, elected officials and myself about what a fair equitable buyin looks like to creating something that helps alleviate um and establish processes for concerns like this to be to be addressed in the future. Um and obviously buyin from all of those is important um especially when you consider that you have um various co-employers or additional employers um legally in regards to just not just the board of commissioners as a whole. Um that being said, the idea that has kind of been most um most soughtafter, most respected was bringing everybody to the table, calling a department head meeting and then having our personnel committee also attend and facilitating kind of an open discussion of what does a code of conduct look like that we can all agree to. Um obviously your courts have through the state um state court administration association supreme court they do have a code of conduct that is specific to court behaviors that would be considered I think in that as well but the idea was to maybe have our personnel committee uh give a couple dates out for availability to the department heads and then let's just get something scheduled have a roundt meeting and all have some open honest discussion and buy in and come up with

thoughts on that. Yes.

You know, we talked about this last meeting and I made made the comment bullying and intimidation will not be tolerated. Bottom line, professional decorum at all times. Fail to adhere to the highest standards of public trust and confidence will result in documented corrective counseling or termination of employee. That's how I feel. Thank you. Professional decline at all times. Madam Chair, so um I I believe in order for anything to change us all sitting down as key leaders, board included, to discuss what does that mean? Does a definition of bullying to you is not the same definition of bullying to another person? I'm not saying bullying is right in any regard, but a person's interpretation of that is different. I've gone on record before to say I believe that the culture in this county has been an issue for a while. We have been trying to build trust, build a county where people want to be here, whether it's as a resident or an employee. And if behaviors that we have seen in the past few years continue, not just what just happened, but retaliations or we can't come and speak about a problem. That should not be accepted. We should all be on the same page as to how we want this county to run and behave. I don't know what that looks like perfectly either. I'm sure we all have our own opinion, but I appreciate that they would be willing, controller, that let's sit down and let's hash this out. We don't need 15 million meetings. This is not hard. We just need to come together and say this is how we want to behave. You know, anything particular? No,

I was just commenting if you want that, it can't be the whole board. No, I don't. I meant we have to be on the same page as saying we have to behave the same. I mean this is not exclusive of us. It is all of us who are really here for the same reason to have the best county and we all probably truly believe that we can be the best county and we want that. So I would be very much in support of us picking I don't know who our two personnel people are to serve on this and get the input from the group. We don't have to have a I don't know if it needs a policy, if it needs a code of conduct piece. I don't know that yet. I think it's I you know I can't remember who was on I think it's Commissioner Wolson and myself.

Commissioner Wolson and Commissioner Sensor or Commissioner Sensor and yourself. So I'm I think I was a backup if needed. Um I don't mind either way because this is in a wheelhouse of mine. This is stuff that is important to me. So, um, it was somewhat disheartening to hear as I was traveling that some things have transpired, but I also know there's two sides to every story. And until you get the truth and people can be upfront and feel okay telling the truth, we won't be able to move forward. Madam Chair,

yes. Are at this point are we talking code of conduct for elected officials and department heads or are we talking also employee conduct? I think it's a combination of everything but we have to start at the top obviously and make sure that everybody because as you know elected officials operate kind of under a different realm of things. So you have to be able to have their cooperation and buy in and stuff like that. to be able to filter down. Okay, that's my opinion anyway. But I would say yes, the goal would be that it would be applicable to everyone, all of us, right? Venders, you know, everybody.

It is so funny because in that little break room when I went to eat up my coffee, there's this big little poster that says, "Be respectful, be kind, be honest." I'm like, I guess that sign has not been listened to for a while. It was just it was how convenient that I was seeing that today. Um if if other groups um especially elected officials because we know that there is that fine line. We don't run their departments. We only run appropriations. But in order for us to all be together, I think those conversations are important for us as a board and to get all of them on that same page. If they have code of conducts that they can share about their own department, what a great starting point. Like look, all the elected officials have these already. What else are we doing? I just think that comparison is helpful as well.

Any negative to doing that controller? I haven't heard any negative and I actually I mean it's more of a positive and I think um some of the feedback that I got after the meeting was well nobody talked. Um assumptions are made. Nobody talked. I'd love an opportunity to sit at a round table and let's all hash this out. So, I haven't heard anything. I mean, the hardest part will be getting things scheduled. Yeah. Correct. Right. Understood. Is and and maybe it's if we can't get them all on one Friday seem to be some of the better days for some of those, but you can't get them all all on one day. I mean, you have to have a couple meetings.

A couple just to summarize all that was presented. Oh, I would like this to be a joint decision. This isn't just the board directing that. This is a joint decision that we can all wrap our arms with and and be accountable for and live with and try to make happen. Maybe that's too pie in the sky, but that would be my I don't think so.

I don't either. I also want to mention though that um after our last meeting in the resorter came out an article um psychological safety more than being nice. It was a guest opinion. It's an actually a great article if anybody gets the opportunity to read it. It kind of fell in this type of discussion. I love the copy.

Any other comments? HSA funding gap discussion of the whole. Um Jody had made mention of something like this in one of her comments and I just wanted to bring it up because I know the audit's going to be coming up and that's kind of when we know for sure what 2025's end was and where we're shooting for 2026. I do believe that it's the board's desire, like we've stated, to continue to fund the HSA and things like that. So, um I think we're going to have to help Jod and make sure instead of waiting to the last minute, um there's some possibilities. I know that I've spoken with her um and she's made um depending on what our fund balance is once the audits happened, you know, what do we do with that extra if there is extra, do we put some away? I know in the past we put some away for capital improvements, we put some away for the child care fund in case, you know, because that's always an up in the air type of a thing. So, is it time to maybe look at putting some of that those funds away? And I think Noel was giving you some numbers and stuff like that.

So we are looking at this year um obviously this year is going to be bigger than the year before because now we have everybody on the HSA. Um but we are looking at this year for 2026 334,900 is what we have currently allocated um for healthcare spending. That is the you know January 1 transfers that Noel has made. Um, additionally, as we have those changes throughout the year with um, employees leaving, employees coming on and getting partials, you normally see about, I think last year you said about 37,000 that we had to put in more additionally. Um, so I would think honestly if we could find a way to lock up $400,000 um, if that's available through our through our fund balance and we'll talk about that in the budget of the whole um, and just put that into a you have the ability to create a specific fund balance line item that that is all the money could be utilized for transferred into that and the only people who would make a change of use for that would be the board of commissioners as a whole. thoughts, comments on that.

So, we're about close to maybe 400 highend range of a gap for 2027. 2026 budget, we're okay. 2026 budget, we're fine. And it's not even so much that we have a gap. It's just if we know that we have that money from the fund balance to set aside, then that gives us that one up moving forward. We have pre-planned to continue to fund the HSA, which is I know a concern of the boards is trying to move forward with pre-planning and savings for some specific instances. I

I would agree with that because that has been a strong commitment of ours because it's been a strong need from our employee base, right? Um did our policy state that anything over our certain percentage fund balance went to capital or is it open? It does say capital, but It leaves the discretion to the board of commissioners to Okay. I just want to make sure our policy doesn't need to be revised if we do that. Okay.

I like the discretion because at times it might be if we can make that commitment, you know, as we look through budgets and stuff, that's great and we be we're ahead of the game, but I also want to make sure that if the fund balance is over certain that we don't drain things for capital, you know, and maybe that's a decision like, okay, this is where you're going to be. Where do you want to spend it this year? Above and beyond what we set aside for HSA, maybe. I don't know. It's a thought as I'm talking to think through options, but I would support trying to figure out a way to be ahead of the game and not behind the game, right? When budget season comes, Madam Chair. Yes.

Um, we made a commitment to all our employees. We will continue doing this. So, I think it's just a matter of where do we get the funding for this. And I think being proactive is better than correct not. Agreed. We're going to build trust. We have to honor our commitment. Yep. Thank you. Ros Common County Road Commission Improvement Mill. The Russ County Road Commission is here to [clears throat] present. [laughter]

It' be nice to have a different face than Neil all the time. Roger's here. Every place I go, it's Neil. Yeah, I'm seeing I just call Roger. So, [laughter] morning everyone.

Good morning. Why? I think we know why we're here. To request the uh countywide local road millillage renewal get put on the ballot for August. Um I'm not I'm not much of a public speaker or presenter. So you guys should have a hand out there. Uh looks something like this. and I'm going to turn it over to Neil and he's going to go through this and then towards the end I've got some comments on the last few. Okay.

Yes. So, I gave everybody two handouts actually. Uh the bigger one is all of the individual township maps um basically from the inception of the renewal to um up to now. And then we've also got it planned out if this millillage does get renewed what where we're going to be hitting the roads. And it is an everchanging document. Material prices, if we could predict what material prices we're going to do every year. Um, we could have it planned out forever, but unfortunately we can't. This year, well, last year we finally seen the material price kind of plateau out instead of skyrocketing. So, we're hoping that, you know, it's going to continue to just kind of stay where it's at and that next fiveyear plan is going to kind of um stay where it's at. So, those are just kind of a visual to see for everybody to see what we've hit and where we plan on hitting and that money has been going to. Um so going to the um other handout there fun facts for our county because there's 83 counties in Michigan. So I just like to always share like where we kind of stand compared to other counties. Um we do have a small urban area um around H Hotton Lake there. We're number 65 for square miles of land, number 60 in population, and we're number 46 for the MTF funding that all everybody gets. So, just some fun facts just to kind of look at. Um, the millage distribution breakdown. Um, I think we get this from the county. I'm not sure, Michelle or Jody, whoever we get, but

actually Marcy now.

Marcy, thank you. So when we initially put this millillage out, we said every dollar that we collect from every township will go back into that township. We track this every single year. So every township gets exactly what they get. So we we track it. We make sure that every single penny pretty much to the penny is put back into the township that we pull it from. So that's just what that slide is. Um the asphalt pacer. Um so all of our roads in the county are pacer rated. So, when we're talking about good, fair, poor, or a number [clears throat] scale, it's a 1 through 10 scale based on the condition of the road. I'm not going to go through this whole table of what a one to um all those pacer numbers are, but if you want to get crazy later and you want to look at it over, you can see how we're rating all of our roads. Um we do it every single year. The um our locals get rated every three years. So, um that's that's where all the numbers that I'm about to talk to come from is that pacer scale. It's it's statewide accepted. Everybody in the state, every county pretty much runs off that same pace with scale. Going to the townships. Um so [clears throat] I put on every township for the next 11 slides. Um how much money was spent in each township from 2016 until um what they're going to spend this year because we still have the millage we collected this winter and we're going to it's this is going to be used this summer. So you can see on Asabo how 16 to 20 not much spending save money they had to carry over allocation um once the millillage took place in 2021 that's when the spending could actually start um the table in the top right so red is poor yellow is fair green is good and you can see from 16 to 19 to 26 how much more green is in in Osabo township alone now it's not a big township But um there's some you can definitely see that the trend with the millillage is definitely trending to the

better side. Our townships get their road funding from the millillage now allocation which is the road commission gives them and then the township funding. We probably have the best township match in the state of Michigan. I haven't heard of one better. We only the match for the townships is 20%. That's all they have to contribute to get a project done. most other counties in the state of Michigan, it's a 5050. So, we're doing everything that we can to get the projects done, get the material laid. Um, as you can flip through, um, Bakis and you can kind of see some of these townships, of Sabo Township, you'll see Bakus, these smaller townships um, that couldn't do projects every single year. Um, now they are, and they're they're doing some pretty big projects. Um, Bakus went from, you know, going They were declining to 2019 and now they're back into the good. Um you can flip to Denton. Denton has a big um big system. Some of these townships had local millages prior to countywide. Some of them have given that up. Some of them have maintained it. So there's going to be those. I [snorts] didn't want to get too deep in the weeds, but I just wanted to show you the visual of how much they've spent, how much they've spent since the millillage, what they're getting, and what their what their road system is doing. Um and and you can see I mean some of these townships they didn't spend anything prior to that millillage coming into we let them use the millillage for their match money. Um there was a few townships we struggled to get $5,000 out of but now that they have that millillage it's dedicated to that match money so they can do projects every year. You can see Garish went from $50,000 to over $300,000 a year into the road structure. So um Higgins Township is some They have a lot of land in township. They get a lot of our allocation, but the population base isn't there. So, against township didn't have a lot of match money. Now, they

have something that's dedicated for them to do projects every year with. [snorts] So, just kind of something for for you guys to stay through and check out. Uh Lake Township, we're trending towards the good. We're putting the best management practices we can on these roads. Eventually the pacer and the asset management principles are going to have to put better fixes on the roads. We're putting overlays on think Roger's going to talk kind of about the the life cycle of what a road, you know, how to fix it throughout its life cycle and eventually we're going to hit the point where we're going to have to start rebuilding some of these roads. So the money is not going to get stretched as far as what we're doing now. We're doing really good. um Parky, Nester, Richfield. Um basically, if you just look at that top right picture, you can see we're getting more green. So, that's what we want. That's what everybody that travels the roads wants. More green, less potholes, less [snorts] rough roads. I know when I started here, we had roads in the county that we were looking at grinding up because the township couldn't do anything with them. They just didn't have the money. We haven't even talked about grinding roads since the millillage, since that took place. So, It's making a huge difference to the locals. Um hopefully it'll continue. I don't want to see it go backwards. You can just reverse my graphs if you want to see without the mill what's going to happen. So I think if you go to local road overview, I think you from here.

I have one question for Neil. Huh? Is this money only spent on ashvalt roads? No, it is spent on gravel roads. So, if you get like an Asabo or a Higgins or a Nester, they have a lot of gravel roads. Um, I know in Higgins Township, they've had a couple that were kind of peppered gravel. We we were able to repave those so it's not, you know, paved gravel paved, so we've been able to fill those pieces in for them. And then we've been doing a lot of gravel upgrades. Lion Township, there's a lot of gravel roads. We've been able to make the drainage better, add a better gravel base. It's helped a lot with potholes and chuck holes on those gravel roads. But yeah, so yeah, we use it anywhere on the local system basically. Madam Chair,

yes. Question while we're on it so I don't lose my train of thought. Will you get me more info? So each of the townships, it sounds like they see this information and you work with them on, okay, here are our funds. What are your needs? So, for lack of better words, you pretty much customize how you want to use those funds according to what their need is, whether it's ashvault, whether it's gravel or is that correct? And they they get this report and updates when you talk to them. Is that right? Yes.

Cool. Thank you. So, we actually we actually update a five-year plan for every township every year and then we go sit down with that township every year, discuss that five-year plan. Most of our townships follow our recommendations. Now, once in a while there'll be a political road that you have to do something about, but most of the time they follow our recommendations. Take a township like Lion Township. uh they don't have a very big pave system and they got a huge gravel system. We've actually got their pave system to the point where we can start worked for four or five years on their gravel system along with their pages.

Does this does the millillage cover the brining that you do on the roads as well or is that something you still pay for with the townships?

The brining comes out of our uh routine maintenance budget which is Michigan transportation funds. All right. So, this next slide is just an overview of the of our local road system. Um, there's 235 miles of pave, uh, 196 miles of gravel, and we're using that gravel term kind of loosely. And then the the 235 miles of seasonal roads, those are the ones that we don't snowplow in the winter and do very little maintenance on them in the summertime. That's that's the kind of that's our local road system that we have. Um then you go on to uh uh local paved road expenses. So what we what we did is we took and when you look at the best management practices for a paved road um we push our practices to the limit so we can get enough roads covered um get the maximum cover we can. What this is based on is this is based on trying to extend the life of a paved road for 30 years. So basically we take a poor road, we crush, shape and pave it. Um three to five years later we crack seal it. Three to five years after that we durapach it. Few years after that we chip seal it. Quite a few years after that we overlay it. And then normally at the end of that 30 years you'd start that cycle over again. But our current cost right now um to do that you're looking at about $18,000 per mile per year is how you want to look at it. We have 235 thou or 235 miles of roads. So that uh that adds up

to just a little over $4 million is what you would need per year to do that process through the local road system. Next page is gravel. Um, basically this is saying that you need about $3,000 per mile per year to keep our gravel roads graveled. And this is based on placing about three inches of gravel on a road every 10 years and maintaining it with grading and brining. Okay. cost of that's just a little over 500,000 almost $600,000 per year. So you add them two together and you're at 4,800,000. So then you go on to the local road. This is the revenue that that uh pays for all this. First one you got here is uh our our allocation that we give the townships. We we give them $1.1 million. It's spread to the townships based on miles of road and population. That's the allocation that you've seen in the charts. We also we also spread $200,000 in in money to do preventative maintenance work for the townships. And then the the last four-year average for township contributions, which is their money, has been around 350,000. Um the Treasury finally come out with estimates for the new uh neighborhood road funds and our share of that that $600,000 for the local roads. The way the neighborhood road fund works and that's a whole different topic and I ain't

ready to cover that the new [laughter] funding yet. So we'll do that later. But basically the neighborhood road fund when it ended up coming out of the lawmakers and becoming law, 75% of it goes to primary roads, 25% goes to local roads. That's that 25%. And then the last thing down here is uh this year's estimated countywide local road millillage at that 875. You add all that up, that's at 3 million1. If you move on to the next page here, this is this is where it leaves us. Um, right now based on how I showed you to do the the estimates for what it what we need to maintain all of our roads in good condition, you know, we're still, you know, like a million almost a million and a half dollars short every year to do that process. And that kind of shows when you look at those charts and see how we've improved everything, that shows you how far we're pushing the limits of our fixes and becoming very I don't know what the right word is, but we we figure out some pretty unique things to go improve these roads. Um, like jumping back to that $1.1 million in allocation that we give the townships, when you when you talk to other road commissions, that's just unheard of. Just no other road commissions are on top of that that we we also have a this year it's up around $1.4 million in routine maintenance budget. That's snow plowing, all all the things listed down there.

We pay for our brining with. That's what we pay for grading with a lot of our seasonal roads. That's the only money that gets spent on them. So, that's kind of where we're at. So, I think you can kind of see why we really need to renew this countywide local millillage. In my mind, for a lot of years, it's always been if if we actually had the road commission's $1.1 million and a full mill, we would that number would be a lot smaller. But we're just back here asking for a renewal of the the half a mill or whatever it boils down to. Anyways, that's kind of our presentation. Like I said, I'm not much of a presenter for any questions, Madam Chair.

Yes.

Um, I've been in this county since 1971. Our roads have been improving really well since this new plan had come in place. Roads are really important for the growth of our county. I've actually had people tell me they bought property on such and such a road because the road was in good shape. It really makes a difference in what we attract for people to come here. Also, our rural roads are where our expansion is. that's where the property acreage is to become subdivisions or smaller parcels and that's where our growth is. So our rural roads are extremely important in keeping up and so I think we need to support this effort fully. I travel the roads quite extensively and uh especially down state. It's nice to get back to Roscom County and uh thank you for what you've done for Netor. Appreciate it.

Um second to the last slide just make sure I understand because you said you also have to put in 1.4 roughly to routine maintenance. Is that number a part of your total expenses of the 4.8 or is this on top of 4.8? That would be what your total expenses are for to run it. Yes. Okay. So, it's this deficit is even more than the one six. Well, the the $1.4 million in routine maintenance that comes out of the Michigan transportation funds. Okay. And that's every year. That's what we you know, it used to be 1.1, then it went to 1.2, 1.3, 1.4. So,

okay. That's additional revenue. you get get spent on local roads get spent on local. All right. Snow plowing, sanding. So these top two bullets with the 1.6 deficit, which you'll still be in even if this gets passed, if I'm understanding you correctly, you will still be at a deficit even if we renew with no increase. Correct. Is that right? Okay. Yeah. The 1.4 million isn't figured into that 4.8. We didn't figure that into the life cycle cost analysis. All right. That is what we do with the because we didn't figure like all the drainage work, the snow plowing, that kind of stuff.

This is just what you use millillage money for. Basically, those first two. Okay. Great presentation though. You say you didn't you don't present, but that was some really good information. For sure. Yeah. And just so you guys are aware, so prior to there being a milligen price, um the townships, very similar to what we do with our general fund were trying to decide in their general fund if they could afford to take any money and put it towards local roads. That's which of just like us has shrunk and shrunk and shrunk through the years. So this has taken the place of that for them, given them general fund money back to put into other okay

parks, wrecks, different things like that. Um, and then for your purposes, um, we will draft I will we'll draft a resolution to put on approving or disapproving for you guys to vote on that millage at your next meeting if you so desire. Okay. So, okay. My only question is is I know that you guys are just going for a renewal. Is there a reason for only going for a renewal versus upping it to cover the deficit that you see coming? This millage barely passed the first go round. We don't one vote. We don't want the You don't want to shake the apple tree. Okay.

Yeah. We're trying to help, but not everybody sees it as help. Have the everything to show that it helps. Not everybody believes it. No, we we get that, too. We get it. I just wanted You're supposed to pay for it. Yeah. Yeah. And it's it's the local governments, you know. I mean, it's like with the brine. The townships used to have to pay for all the brine 120,000 plus per per brining. We took that over so that they could take that money and put it into the road fund, but they had needs elsewhere. So, they took that money that they were spending on brine and put it into building funds and art funds. That's why we have to do something. Okay.

I have one more question. Sorry. And maybe I don't know if you can help with this out or not, but if they're already at a deficit, where does that get how does that get paid? Where does that come from? Yeah, go ahead. We just don't do the work services. Yeah, it doesn't happen. Got it. All right. I was just like, who's footing that bill? [laughter] What we're doing is we're stretching the limits of our fixes. Sure. so that we can improve the road conditions, but we can't keep doing this forever. Correct. I hear you. Eventually, you're going to have to reconstruct one of them roads. So, but no, there it the work just doesn't you just don't do the work.

Do you have any inclination as to why it barely passed? Like what was the feedback you got from people or was it just not explained well enough?

So, my father, rest his soul, um was actually the person who did the whole county recount, just so you know, on that. Um, and I will tell you from his perspective, it was not clearly supported by the townships as being unnecessary. Um, and was not presented in a manner that made it clear that this is what you'll get, your bang for your buck basically. So, like now you have proof of what you've done. Um, so that was the Yeah. lack of information on what you were clearly voting for.

I think that's pretty similar to quite a bit of the millages that go out. I just think the information unless there's a ton of leg work done amongst everyone, sometimes people don't get it and it doesn't pass. Plus, we have a culture right now that's not interested in paying more for the services. But I can tell you from just listening to what I've learned today, and this is not my wheelhouse, that if roads are important and people need to know that we can't do that because we're not asking you for more money. I don't know. I mean, it might be worth thinking about. When's the last time you went out? When was the four years ago? I don't know. All right. Go ahead.

It's just a thought because I think at some point you're not going to be able to serve the needs of the county the way you need to if they're not willing to because I know that roll back changes stuff. So they are they are in the point right now with the the increase of our taxable value that it is actually more right now with the roll back slightly more not a lot more than what the original milled. Um, and I think I know you guys have looked at the economics of it that that that would kind of trend through. So I think, and correct me, I know you will if I'm wrong, but I think with that climate of voting, with four years ago, people being more apt to vote for things that status quo was good right now.

Better than nothing. Well, we have a whole new statewide road funding package, too. Right. This first year is there's just a lot of unknowns. Mhm. So, well, I think we need to let that sort itself out. I don't want to say history. Well, history shows from other road commissions that if they go for a renewal, it has a way better chance of succeeding. I versus something

elaborate a little bit on your question that you asked. uh when the first millillage was get when this was first getting ready to go out there. I honestly don't think we had a lot of township support because we had townships that were worried the money that was generated in their township was not going to go back to their township. Okay. That that whole first year might go all to one township with the poorest system and that was not very popular with the townships.

Understood. townships know now that this raising your township is going back to your township. I believe that we'll have way more township support than what we did the first time. If you get township support, then you also get resident support. And I think with us understanding exactly how it goes, then when people come to us, we can better explain it 100%.

Great presentation. You can stick a sign in my yard. Not a problem. Well, and that that allocation breakdown table um it was some sort of algebraic formula that we had to figure out. Jamie and I figured out for the treasurer's office. It is actually set in statute how that millage money has to be set, which is that spreadsheet now that Marcy maintains and updates on an annual basis. So, it's not like they have the ability to pick and choose who gets what off of that. Each township gets a set allocated amount. So, [snorts]

this might be a little bit offtarget. I don't know. Not offt target, but it's a question that I think a lot of people in the community don't understand. There's many times I think road commission is a part of us. That's not we don't I'll say manage the road commission. We just hold those millillage funds so that you can do that. Is that correct?

So all we do and that's just based on the way it is. They are their own entity. They've got their own tax ID. They apply for all their own grants. there is a fidic fidiciary link between us that the state maintains. But back in the I could I can I don't even think we've even found it's past the 70s when the board of commissioners at that time had the opportunity to let them carve out a separate road commission um that they made that happen. So yes, they are not a um they have their own commissioners. They Right. Yeah. The money comes in, the money goes out. I think that's important because sometimes people forget that especially when we're talking about when things come to the public

sometimes they think oh because I think there are counties who do have that within the county and not separate. So I think it's helpful for people to know that you guys do your work. So thank you

Madam Chair. Um, I think some of the problem with getting road millillage passed is if you live on a good road, you forgot who helped pay for that and you don't want to vote for millage for the guy that has lives on a poor road and he helped pay for yours. I think that's, you know, so the better they make our roads, the more no votes they get in my opinion. Um, because plain and simple, people live on a nice road, they're not going to vote for paying more tax money. They don't, but they forget people that live on the poor roads help pay for theirs. You know what I mean? It's our road [snorts] system is our road system in our county, and that's the way it needs to be viewed, not just what's in front of my house.

So, and sooner or later, that road that they're that may be great right now may not be, and they need to remember that. That's correct. Thanks, That was nice. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So, we will have that on our next meeting then.

Yes.

Okay. Authorization for correction for the special assessment role. Our controller So, as Miss Marcy is not here, I know she had something out to do. So, um the board of commissioners in order to allow our treasurer who you have placed um placed the responsibilities of maintaining the roles, updating the roles, and collecting taxes for those special assessment districts. In order for our treasurer to be able to make dayto-day corrections, um, clerical error corrections, it is necessary for a resolution to be passed that authorizes her to do so. Otherwise, any individual change would need to be brought to the board of commissioners for approval. Um, since you are the delegated authority and the fidiciary, I love that one. Um so there is a um sample resolution that was handed out with the packets I believe.

Okay. Um and that would be the appropriate motion based on what um Treasurer Dankard or myself have looked at for the townships because this is very this is much more common in townships where they have um the garbage special assessments. So that's where this process comes from. Um, so that resolution would need to be put on and passed. And that's as simple as authorizing um, every year when they update things, we may or may not have somebody that they combine their properties together. Well, they have two assessments still, but the combination didn't get on the role as approved. So, in order for our treasurer to only charge one assessment to the person, they have to have this authorization or bring it to you as the delegated authority to make that approval before it can be handled. There's other language.

All right. Any other questions on that? We'll have that on our next meeting. Strategic plan updates, discussion of the whole. Commissioner Mley, would you like to start on that?

Sure. Um, I know Spencer sent us out kind of a summary of some thoughts around it. Um I think I think it's really important in order to set goals going forward and measure it's good to go what did we do well look back on we tried this last year what could we get to and what could we not get to um just off the top of my head I know that we have worked let's let's talk about the financial strength that first goal I think we did a better job with our budget planning process this year. Um, I think when you think about the trust and unity amongst all our stakeholders, I think that we have improved some of that as far as following up with comments that come properly to the board during meetings. Um, whether it's putting out the little brochures, whether it's talking to our townships and reporting back, um, getting feedback from those people on this process. um the lake level management is although there's I feel like there's two steps forward and a a step back maybe two steps back sometimes I think we have worked diligently at trying to do the right thing to maintain those legal levels. It is not as quick as a flip the switch and it happens. I think of all the boards I have listened to, I think we have really tried this year, um, advocating for our social issues, working with the opioids, starting that process, thinking about those things with all the groups that come before us. So, I I think we've made progress. This is my opinion. Do I think we can do better this year now that we've laid some foundation and we're working well together? Yes, we do. Um

my top in my perspective for discussion would be top priorities this year would truly be around this budget. We're talking about millages. We're talking about people don't understand it. I would be willing to support trying to do what I would call a a road show. County budget 101. Whether that's recorded, we take, we go to our townships, a town hall, however we can do that over the rest of this year that explain to people how does our clerks department work? What are the courts work? How does our sheriff's department how does this really work? Because I I truly believe that a lot of people don't understand the statutory requirements. They believe we just have money, we can spend it. So, if we find out we do, then we should use that instead of asking for more. I don't have a crystal ball. I can't imagine us trying to keep up with the demands of the county from pay and benefits and all the statutory stuff that comes before us that we will have enough revenue to never go out for a millillage for a while. And I don't believe it's I don't believe it's time to ask people for that until we have proven to them how we do what we do. There's a little naysay on that that no one's going to listen anyway maybe. But if we haven't tried to get this information out to people in buckets

and help them understand or ask questions, I I just I think it's a great way to help us with budget and I think it's a great way that to think about the trust amongst our own employees as well as our community. I just think it's a big that to me is a big priority. Um, I think there's other action items that you know in each of these goals that we could do and I think you've kind of mentioned on some of those already that we should go through. I think the lake level piece another key priority is to continue to finish that I'll say fight for lack of better words. The continuation of lawsuits is not helpful and that discussion amongst us as a board where do we go from here? Do we keep draining because of that or do we make decisions? Do we drop? I don't know what the answer is, but in the next three years because I believe there will be a different board here probably after this next three years of our term. There's no guarantee that that's going to go well. don't know. But I think it is incumbent upon us to try to do something within these next three years and make that continue to be a focus. Um I I really love our opioid wraparound. I think those that's another really key issue. The mental health and how we handle that is critical for this community. um really a collaborative effort amongst every group. I mean, if you go to the collaborative meeting, I didn't list them all, but I'm telling you, there is like pages of resources in this community. And if we don't use those well and not use our funds well, then we're just reinventing the same thing.

That to me is a really key another if I had to pick three it would be the budget lake level cleanup and work through our opioid wraparound. But those are we can only accomplish so much especially with only four of us. So what what can we realistically accomplish and focus on? So that's just some of the thoughts that I brought.

Commissioner Melbourne, do you have any thoughts? It's a collaborative effort as was stated a little story that happened about three or four years ago. I had a gentleman came to one of the meetings and he said to me, I'm going to foil you after the meeting. And I said, "Sir, if you just wait after the meeting, I'll get all the information to you right now." Was he didn't know what to say. He was actually he was mad. He went, "I want it for you guys so I can make you guys work extra." I says, "Do you want the information or you want to wait?" He said, "I want the information." 15 minutes later, he walked out of the office with all the information. He was happy as a clam. The bottom line is we're doing a good job. The road commission is doing a good job. We're doing the best we can. We do have some issues that we have to work through. Obviously, that's all I got. Thank you,

Commissioner Wolson. Um, I did kind of send out an email that talked about different goals um in each of them. Um, like goal one, I know Commissioner Wolson has kind of taken over the policy review and things like that. If I know um Commissioner Morley has this template that she likes to put the months in and us kind of plug stuff in. So if Commissioner Wolson could get some policies, I'll put it together a list and somebody else can pick the dates.

Okay, that'll work. Um, Commissioner Morley kind of discussed the budget one road show, how in the future this may help with the millillage. If she can maybe put some stuff together and see how we could incorporate that, whether it's us going to our townships, whether it's putting it somewhere on a website and directing people to that. Not sure how that's going to look, but I do think that that would be quite beneficial for us in the future because there's a lot of people that don't understand statutory versus non-stutory and where we're exactly at with everything.

May I add to that just because I would love to hear if if it's worth all of us saying yes, let's work on that. I'd like to hear it. If not, it it's just my thought, so I'm willing to secede if I need to. Um, one of the other counties downstate did a really good video that they put on their website and the commissioners got to use when they went as well. So, it really walked through. Let's say there's a picture of the roads. This money goes here or whatever your tax dollars or oh, here's a picture of the park. I don't know what I mean. I haven't seen the whole thing. I've just heard it and the lady supposed to send them to us. that just gave a visual that we can put out there that gives people a better explanation of kind of how these dollars that this is really what you see as well. So, it's just another venue or option of showing not just a presentation. So, we could get some of that. Well,

but you know, Commissioner Wilson, Commissioner Milbour, what are your thoughts? Is that something we should focus on and try to do? Look at a road show. I mean, obviously, we've done things of that in the past. It depends on how it's ruled out. I mean, you might have five people to stand. You might have 50. It's hard to say. Yes. Can you explain I'm sorry. Can you explain what has been done in the past because you've been here longer than me. What has been done? And

we've gone, you know, commissioners have gone like I know Rex has come to the Roscom township. You know, we as individuals and collectively we've gone different townships and given information. The bottom line in my personal experience, we have very small turnouts. So, you've had a town hall meeting to explain the budget or did you just give updates at a township meeting? More more updates. I I see what you're saying. Trying to put something together. My my my guess is that we'll have small turnouts. However, it depends on how it's rolled out. You do Facebook, you do Instagram, you do X, you do the resort, you there's there's different ways you can activate this. Uh,

you know, I think it's worth a shot. Is Elizabeth a shot? Yes, Jody.

I was only going to say um you guys actually have a really good opportunity to kind of kill two birds with one stone. Um we do have two more than two, not only theirs, but we have several millages that will come up for renewal this year. Um, traditionally we have not had a lot of commissioner support in the community for our sheriff's road patrol or our 911 milliges. And since those are things um that I've already committed myself to speaking, that's kind of a part of that is explaining to why a separate mill is necessary. Um,

under sheriff's back, they're nodding. So I think that this would be a really good opportunity for the board to to do both of those things. Absolutely. I do. So [snorts] sorry, Mr. Wilson.

Well, I know when we tried to remove the headley, we went to a township meeting. One person showed up. We went to the second one. It was cancelled because nobody showed up. Getting community participation is going to be a big issue. When I go to my townships, which has four meetings, I like to bring things to light at those meetings, and that's the best way I know how to get things out there.

I I think that that is definitely one venue that doesn't add more to all of our plates because we go to those meetings anyway. and giving you the right tool or the information to share I think is helpful. You know, do those meetings only get one people or get you said you went to township meetings, one person and another one got cancelled. Is that a regular township meetings or were those those were special meetings called for public might have a few more if it's a regular meeting? I don't know. Well, what I'm wondering is, and you and I talked about this kind of towards the November, December, um, if we're going to them instead of asking them to come to us, um, we discussed senior centers,

asking for an audience at the senior center during lunch and, you know, where are people? Um, where can we go to where the people are? Township meetings are going to be one. Um, shoot, we can go to the road commission when somebody's angry about road end during the summer. Um, it'll be filled. Um, so there are I think maybe looking at it from that position is how do we go to them instead of asking them to come to us and that's I'm over here happy birthday happy 70th birthday to Mark and he's talking about Instagram and X and that's actually fabulous ideas. Right. You got to do that because that's not my wheelhouse either.

Making a put mention the co mention the commission on aging. Jody, the bottom line is I go there quite often to have lunch and meet with some of the folks.

There's there's a good turnout there. It's always the same people. But if you had a couple presentations there that they they do have programs from time to time where they have people come in and talk. However, try not to get too political. They're there to somebody to eat and enjoy and be entertained. I I think maybe a small presentation because you're going to lose their interest real quick. So presenting facts and information to at the township meetings. I mean we can have a leazison from the board or someone make these presentations at each of the township meetings and like the COA meetings and stuff. that might be the way to get word out of why and how come we need things.

Um, well, it's my experience that no one wants to go to a meeting, including some of us from time to time. They go on forever. Fiveminute presentation is your best. You capture an audience, you give them some information, you move on. Yep. You wouldn't want to make it too long. Um because you don't want number one, you don't want to overtake their township meeting. Correct. So, that's an option. So, if I hear you correctly, it's okay to at least put together a draft of what I think over the next several months could be an action or schedule of what we think and then give it back to you guys and you can say, "Yay, nay."

And, you know, maybe this would be ongoing in years every time a millage is called for or renewed. One way to getting the word out, you know, like the road commission has this one this time. Maybe we need to help and going into our townships and explaining why this millillage is needed and how

I think that millillage wraparound I say wraparound you know that incorporation of that is probably really important. Um it's on top of this or in it could be an annual state of the county address. Invite people in. We're doing a state of the county address. We're giving all the updates of what's happened. you know, just kind of I mean, we got it. We have the state of the state, we have the state of the union. I mean, others do this as well, and it might be another way to just share in summary what's happened over the past year and what we're focusing on on a new year. I don't know. I know. I know the meetings I go to in most cases, the township asked the commissioners or commissioner,

what do you got for us today? Yeah. Update, you know, and that's that's the time to bring this stuff forward, I think. I'll pull that together and have that for the next meeting. You look at it.

Um so those those all happen in goal one. Goal two um increase trust and unity with all the stakeholders going through 2025 kind of looking at 2026. Um I have sent out the annual review for our controller to all of the commissioners. Um, I would like those back no later than March 17th so that um, Rex and I have time to go over them and can get with Jody before the end of March. When did you send them out? Yesterday. I'll have to look for it. [laughter]

Um, in there we also talked about the budget format and information. Again, same thing. if you want to see something specific. Basically, we want the information to start in July up to August because we can't expect her to implement something or change something if we don't give her time to do so. So, between now and then, as things roll in, we can always plug those different things in. That way, she's kept in the loop and we're not springing something on her at the last second. Um and then at some point we'll once budget gets further down the road the department heads signing up commissioners being appointed those types of things. Go to three finalized lake level management plans and process. Not sure if it'll ever be finalized but um the Higgins Lake advisory group has been formed. Um after some of the meeting itself went very well I believe. Um we have those select few that like just to stir the pot as I call it. Um so I am not opposed to both Commissioner Wolson and or I stepping away from that advisory or group per se and letting Chase handle it with the members that are in there. That's where I am on that one. And actually, I'm at that with all of them at this point to be honest. I The lakes are important. There's no question. Right.

But this county has much more to focus on than just that. And the amount of energy that it takes just because a select few want to fight and that's all they want. You do what they ask, then they have an issue with that. and they keep moving that little pin down the road and all over the place and I have better time and better quality time putting my energy someplace else than fighting with them.

Madam Chair, do you mind while you're on that? I 100% agree. I think that we have a lake manager. That committee is not a decision-making. They're not a committee. There's no bylaws. There's no this. They are to give advice and suggestions whatever committee all lakes all three of them they're the same way if I don't if I understand correctly it is to say this is how we would like that to look it is not about lake level it is not about this that or the it is only about how does this next step look what can we get whether it's a new structure a fixed structure what do you want that comes before us anyway

but to allow our lake manager to bring that forward. And personally, it's not even 100% their recommendation. When it comes back before us, it should be here is everything we have heard. So there's no misunderstanding that the decision was made at that meeting because that will come back to bite us, right? Bring all the information so that we have that discussion. I I would agree. And allow us to focus, especially with only four of us right now, on some of these other key areas amongst our employees, getting them going, making sure we have HSAs. I mean, the other stuff that keeps this county going. I 100% support that. Madam Chair,

yes.

Go ahead. Go ahead. It's just sad because if I understand correctly, because I'll put it out in public, this group that was supposed to be convened only get to see that lake level water study table in advance out of courtesy before the meeting so they could review it and have questions. They were specifically asked out of trust not to share it and it was shared. Correct. We get just beat up that we are not transparent, that we are hiding, that you can't trust us. We extended an olive branch to say because I was very clear. I did not want people on that committee who were in lawsuits with us. We took a step back and said, "Okay, you say we're not playing. You're invited." And that happened day one. Yep.

Hours after Chase shared it. Hours. And that went to Mr. Austrian if I'm not mistaken. You are correct. That the amount of energy and effort and time that it takes. Why the commissioners should be battled about that when the own people who want to be a part of it won't take ownership?

That is disappointing. So if they want to have their group and bring the for information together, but for us to continue to sit here and fight lawsuits, is that the only way you can get influence is to sue? You don't have the ability to influence the people that you need on your side by doing it the right way. You just have to sue it. It's a waste and it distracts from the things we need to do in this county for our departments.

Correct. So I I'm just I know I repeated that the last time and I caved and went okay invite them and day one it didn't work. I'm talking Michelle and I are talking because I similar I like the comment I shared with you that um we were talking about there's a lot of people that don't want to pay taxes for anything um and talk about we charge too much this entity charges too much they always want more taxes but they don't realize when they utilize the court system especially the local court system those are your tax dollars

so your ad valorum tax dollars run circuit court and that small fee that you pay to file certainly does not cover all of the wages time, energy, paperwork that go into that. Um, so not only do you cost frustration time, trust, but you are actually physically costing money when you could be a good neighbor and come and have open conversations about things. So, I support what you're suggesting, Commissioner Wson.

It's all right. Um, I'm going to continue working on the Holton Lake advisory group because so far I'm the only one that has information on that and getting it set up. Lake or Lake? St. I mean, um, so I'll go along with it. Okay. I'd like to make one comment about Commissioner Mortley's comment. Not all people on the advisory group for Higgins Lake was our decision or picked. Some were picked by an association that we allowed to be picked. I agree.

Yep. Um the next thing was regarding website and this goes for and I believe we have most of the updates on the county website but we also need to look at the lake level website and make sure that anything that needs to be uploaded gets uploaded. I will make sure you have a copy of the um water budget study. I think that we need to get that to Andy and get that uploaded on there as well. I think there's some changes on the St. Helen lake level that need to be cleared up on the website because there was a 1998 change and what the lake level was prior to that is still on there I think in some place.

We need to get that cleared up. So, we'll just kind of have to go through and make sure that updates that need to be done are done. Um, and kind of spoke about the water resource division that came up again. Goal four, Commissioner Wolson and Commissioner Milbour have the task of the opioid task force wraparound services. I'm sure they're going to continue to work on that. I'd like to speak on that today. Okay, it's a big task. Yes,

Commissioner Morley mentioned all these services available. We have nothing in this county that someone that needs help can go to and find help. We have nothing on our website. I've tried researching where all this help is. There is no place you can go to get updated information. I think and I presented to the board before because we do have funding for it. It would be beneficial if we had a opioid coordinator and part of it would be making sure all this information is updated so that it's available to our public and also directing people to services when they make contact with this person. And it also the person could coordinate services between the jail and when the inmates get out. Um I think it'd be beneficial if we had a coordinator to try and make sure we get the help to everybody we can and that wants it. Right now we have nothing really in place. If if a person was wanted help and picked up the phone today in our county, they'd be hardressed to find help. Um and and you know, there's a lot of organizations that have different services for this and if with a coordinator can have this all listed. You know, housing might be an issue. Um um meeting with mental health people could be an issue. um groceries could be an issue. There's a lot of different avenues that help needs to come from and with a

coordinator they could put this together so we have a complete program that you know no matter what your issue is you call and need help will try and get you going in the right places.

Um would you be opposed? I know when um Commissioner Mley and I went to the Matt conference, we actually sat down with a group. I actually have their business card and they stated that they would be willing to come and present to the board at any time. Um that talks about that and how to go about doing that properly. Um, I've gotten a couple emails during this process being warned about organizations coming for this money. I think we can handle this at our county level with our own people so that we have a finger on the pulse of what's going on with it and our directions followed. I'm not I guess I'm not suggesting we can't handle it at the county level, but I would like to hear a presentation and information about what and how maybe that should be done properly because if you just hire somebody that maybe has never done this before, they are not going to know necessarily all the different avenues. in a presentation doesn't mean that you're giving them the right or the funds to go and do the service.

That should be able to help us. Even MTA, we have we have two two avenues right off the bat. You just read so much information about different groups who have created a true wraparound template. And if we're not taking advantage and we're just having sidebar conversations with different agencies, I'm not against that we may not need somebody in the future. I'm not ready to hire that person today until we understand what that program looks like. And that's what

this group wants some money. Whether it's the assessment center, whether it's the sheriff's department, they all want money. But what does that wrap look like? And how do we make sure that the resources in this big packet that we have that says, "Wow, how do you get there? What does that look like?" Because I think a piece of what we hear is the gap comes, the circle continues when they get released, they come out, they don't have services or they don't have housing, they commit or they do something else because of drugs or whatever and they're back in the system again. How do we as a county learn from others who have built this structure so that we can pull that together and then maybe we do need to hire with our money? I'm just not ready to give personally just not ready to give that up yet until I understand are we what does this look like for our county? That's just me.

Would would not training for this individual be part of this? I mean, I'd like to hear what other to be real about it. The only good money has not been been spent that long that somebody else has the answer. Well, presentation everything has been I got the answer, but well, you haven't been in business long enough to really have the answer. Sometimes

say that again. When someone says they've got all the answers to it and comes and presents to us, I would have to question whether they truly have all the answers since the longevity of this has not existed for that to be sold.

So I understand that as we look at groups who have done this, that is a question that we should be asking them. But just individual agencies who continue to come to get money from us. I am about reducing the redundancy of effort of our tax dollars. I I just I can't honestly come and say yes, that's how we're going to spend our money when I don't know what that program looks like. A coordinator to pay that. I I that's just a struggle for me. I think the idea is good. I just don't think it's today. The program has to be kind of outlined before

how do you do a job description for somebody who doesn't know what the job description and program is going to be to run. That's just me. That's why I just thought that the presentation might be helpful. I think anybody who's willing to come and share what they have done is valuable education for any of us. But that's me. I think Rex just Commissioner Wilson just doesn't want a sales pitch. Correct. Is that what you're thinking? And I think the group that you're talking about is I'm sorry. I'm listening to everybody. Sorry. So, not a sales pitch, but I believe the group that you're talking about is the one that MAC actually has paid for. We don't have to pay. They're going to come and say like, "Okay, this is a good way to go about this." This is our approach.

You don't have to pay them to be the coordinator. They're just going to provide you with a road map. Jody and I have talked and we were struggling with how we come up with yes job description and yeah from my understanding this group if that's what you're talking about that's fine originally few months back the talk was this guy offers his service oh before you no before me I think what happened is is Rex is talking about one thing you're talking about one we had a guy come here a couple years ago ago or so made a made a pitch to the to the board. It was more of a presentation to offer services. Oh.

So, you weren't here. So, I think I think you guys are on the same page, but but yes, Matt Matt has I think her name is Amy is she's pretty much on top of this and for her to come and give us a presentation and an outline of kind of what we could expect from a coordinator that would be helpful, right? But I just didn't want to get into a situation where this salesman and this salesman's coming. I would agree with you there. So I don't want that either. I don't even think we're there yet. No. I think we need to understand what that program looks like for our county. Yeah. But but the magnitude of getting all this worked out,

it's a full-time job. It is. Oh, absolutely it is. Because you know there's a lot and to spend the funds wisely. And you know, we have a lot of things in our county available, but there's also some times when it's going to have to go out. That service might have to go out of our county. Correct. Um, and we need somebody in place that can facilitate it. Yeah. It's kind of like when you go to the doctor, he refers you to something else. You know, we need someone to be able to help walk these people through the process. I would support having that group and any other who have done this kind of wraparound.

Um I read something. I'll try to look at that group and see if there's another one just to give us some ideas of what they have done. All that is is a case study. It's all they're doing. They're not selling anything. They're sharing a case study of what they've done. Okay. As long as it's not a state employee. A what? State employee. It's not a state employee. And then last but not least is the USA 250th year celebration which Commissioner Melbourne is already on top of. So to go so far chair

that was all that I have. So, I think if um between Commissioner Mley and I if we can clean this up a little bit and then if you guys have additional ideas and you want to send them in, we can incorporate them and then we'll just kind of review every Agreed. Yeah. Yep. Update it and just send it out. Quarterly review. Oh, absolutely.

Y Okay. Any other comments on strategic plan? Okay. This meeting is adjourned. We do have another meeting. Um we'll do a 10-minute break and then we'll meet back. They're like, "Hallelujah. See you later." Commissioners Budget and Finance Committee of the whole for February 25th, 2026 at 1210. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Roll call, please. Spencer here. Milbour here. Wolson. Laurley here. Russo. Approval of the agenda. Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

Mley, yes. Milbour, yes. Spencer. Yes. Motion carries. Public comment on agenda items only. Is there any public comment on agenda items? New business. Russ County 2025 year end closing process. You're lying to me, Angie.

Yes. Oh, see I can't make it bigger. So, I apa. It's like he heard me down the hallway. Okay. So, this is really just a refresher for the board of how that 2025 year-end closing works. Um, in my office as we move forward, we do approvals for both payroll and we do acrruels for expenditures. um those acroals go through are reviewed and and allocated through the end of March of 20 of 2026. So obviously it's just any of the bills that should have been paid or were invoiced um dates in 2025. So then those expenses can be credited correctly. Um, additionally, we do the payroll acrual for those days of the um, beginning fiscal year's payroll that were actually days that occurred in 2025, which this year we actually have 10. So, it'll be a much larger number than normal. Um, leaves [clears throat] it through. On top of that, then I will go through and I do the review of all of the journal entry transactions, both manual, um, and the ones that run specifically for payroll accounts payable, um, purposes. And that's just a line item review of all of the budget transactions. Um, and that's just to make sure everything went in and out of the right spots, that we didn't pay somebody out of a revenue line item when it should have been an expense line item. So, just that kind of day-to-day accounting. Um, and this is my like last look of everything that I've looked at as a year year goes on. Um, and then obviously any corrections and adjustments in accordance with the financial policies that are in place. Um, at the end of that then is those final appropriation transfers, the transfers of the general fund appropriations to other funds as approved. And then once we've gone through and looked at these acrruels and all the journal entry transactions that

I do um that would be then when I would need to come to the board to say hey child care fund which doesn't appear to be the childcare fund is going to need an additional allocation this year to cover their overall expenses. Um and normally this case is simply when you have bills that come in that are for December or November that you weren't aware were going to happen. Um that being said it is normally in a couple very specific places. is the airport, which I'm going to be honest, I think is fine this year again, which will make three years in a row. Um the airport is one occasionally the law library pops up and um child care fund, but I don't believe the childcare fund will be an issue this year because we do have that set aside money for them. So, that should be a good one. And then at the end of all of that, before I send everything over to our auditor, I go through just the trial balance, the balance sheets, and the cash balance. Um, now the treasurer and myself, it is balanced out as of December 31st um, when she does her year-end balancing um, for the cash to the jour general ledger. So, really what I'm looking for is a couple things. The first is just to make sure I didn't change the overall cash balance on her when I was doing journal entries because that's bad. Um, see, she's looking at you. Don't do that. Um, and then the second thing of that is, um, we will sometimes have cash balances that are in the negative, but their fund balance will be in the positive, but just making sure that that's notated. And then I'm I'm talking to Marcy about that as well, so she understands. So, I do not like this thing. Oops. There we go. Okay. Um, so the really fun part, and it's just we've touched on this so many times today that I just wanted to kind of blurt out and start talking about this sheet. Um, so looking

at where we are, um, in including in here the estimated expenditures that might be acred back into 2025 and 2026. And that's just using a rough estimate of the last three years by fund. Um, obviously we began our audited fund balance as of January 1 of 2025 2,167,3919. Currently, our 2025 year-end estimated revenues, and this would be not accounting for um not accounting for revenues that maybe we haven't we didn't get in by the end of 2025 that will be audited back. um 12,380,4746 and that actually is over the actual budget by $880,86. So, and a large chunk of that comes into play. Um we had [snorts] almost $300,000 more in taxable value um or collections of taxable revenue for the advalorum. So that's a large chunk of that and we honestly ended up with about $114,000 more in the general marijuana tax that were allowed to come back in for the county saying that they could come in basically. Um and the good news for the marijuana one is if we got more so did those townships that allowed them to come in as well. So, um, our estimated expenditures as of to date, um, and this number includes the addition of this number actually includes the addition of what would be rolled back for acrruals, 10,733,59547. Um, that is actually under the budget by $854,52768. Um that brings us to an anticipated estimated fund balance for 2025 or a beginning fund balance for 2026 of 3,698761.18.

So comparing that to our um general fund expenses that we have knowing we will maintain a minimum of 18% um that puts our fund balance percentage at 30.45%. Garnering any mistakes or errors or big expenses that come through. Um to me that's that's a really great thing. I mean I think that on both ends we were um a lot of very good budget management from our department heads, elected officials um due diligence to you know the commissioners were making sure that we are investing back into the things want to invest into the things that are important. Um and a lot of this is you know we are focusing on statutory and support of statutory functions that is what the people say they want. Don't do more than you have to do. Um, so your 18% fund balance goal for 2026 based on those expenditures is 2,186,59046, which leaves us with a potential excess of that 18% of 1,512,170.72. Um, so that being said, um, even if we're $500,000 off, that will leave you with money to make decisions with after the final audit. Um and that was in my presentation. So I was laughing because I in my head I was like okay I've got to tell them start thinking. Um yes we are going to have Justin is getting um he is working with an engineer which was in his budget right now for an actual plan of replacement for our boiler systems. That is a must. So we will have a cost for that before we have this final number. So that can be kept in there. Um, we also know that we have that possibility and that future foresight of being able to take that HSA money and doing a set aside in the fund balance for it. Um, that being said, you'd still want to budget for HSA money, but that

is shoring up that promise to the employees to try to carry it through for as long as possible. So, we've got that can roll into the plan as well. Um and then additionally if there's any you know any overall projects that you guys think you know after the kind of important things that would be my recommendations to you. So that is 2025 in a nutshell. Um on the next page if I can get there. Nope. That's the backwards one. Um really small which is why you have your printout. So this is just estimates of the other major funds that we have of where they will be for fund balances. Um, we do have two two of our major departments that did see a decrease in their fund balance. I don't want to say there was a marked decrease. Um, but the sheriff road patrol fund um is estimated to end at about 1,259,3675. Um, and that is actually a decrease from about 1.6. And that is truly just an investment into um [clears throat] vehicles that were on hold from COVID that came up. Um there was an investment into new softwares to come in. So just putting putting into upgrading things that haven't um it's lovely to not see the AS400 green screen with the black anymore in the DOS system. Um which was there before before Mark was born I think. Um, happy birthday. So,

by the way, [laughter]

so it I mean that's fair enough. So, yes. So, and that was a major purchase on their part. So, I mean it was an intended usage. It was a budgeted, but it did decrease their fund balance. Um, the other one that has seen a small decrease of 2025 was the central dispatch. Um, they originally had roughly 2.1 million in their central dispatch fund. that wasn't ear tagged for capital improvements and are down to the 1.8. Now, um some of the other ones that are kind of back to what I would call a more manageable level, Veterans Affair, um the goal with Veterans Affair is that they always have a year's worth of um ideally we'd like this for all of our special millages that are voted in. A year's worth of expenses. So, to be able if that millillage were to fail, we could still support those veterans for a year. we could still support road patrol for a year um 911 for a year. So ideally we would like to be able to carry those fund balances and this is for you guys and for the public members here but just to if you look at Isabella County which is probably the best example that I can provide for road road patrol millillage here their road patrol millillage failed and then it failed again in November. Um they shut their doors and sold started selling assets the day after the millillage was certified because there was no money left in the coffers to run again. Um they couldn't continue running into another election or even a special vote to put it back up again. They're done. Um so that is a kind of to me why that is an important aspect of that because temperaments do change of how people consider things being important to vote for. Um and I would love to be able to for for us to give us time to come up with a reorganization. So that is always there. So when you see those fund balances that

is specific administrator controller drilled into their head. So quick question um of [clears throat] all these we have about how many I mean have to be exact that don't follow that same let's keep one year in the coffers. [sighs] So, all of our It's a fine question and I actually do have one negative I have to talk about. Um I would tell you that our animal control program has tried to build that. Um this year with the um major project, right?

It wipes them out. They are down below. Um so they would be littleer. Now the benefit with our animal control program is that they do have some strong orders that I think would help continue them through with the donations. Um, but they traditionally have tried, but it did it just I mean they spent $300,000 this year.

So, that was a planned. The other one that I would say um voted millages, I'll go specific for voted millages. Um, the other one that I would say that we do not carry through for votage millage is well, spongy moth is a hit or miss. So they traditionally have tried to carry a year's millage worth. Um obviously they were wiped out by a million dollar spray year.

So bad things can happen. Um so for the voted millages that's where it stands. The one area that I do want to point out to you is we have not yet received our MIDC reimbursement for the last quarter. Um it has been a slew of a mess down there with the budgeting that has gone on. So we still are due for them um it's a little it's roughly it's about $297,000 that we are due for them. But that currently leaves our fund balance estimate of 29,57432 in the whole. So, if for some reason that does not come in in time to be counted back to be allocated back, that would be where I would come to the board and say, "Okay, in order to make us whole, because we have to be whole in all of our funds, I need you to approve a transfer from the general fund." But then when we do finally get our money, we move it back into the general fund. So, so then obviously we are we aren't really far into 2026. Um, but just a quick reminder of what our overall general fund budget looks like. We do have uh 12,147,724.78 budgeted for revenues in the general fund and then 11,936,861.35 in budgeted expenses for the general fund. Um that actually places our revenue stream 1.87% above the actual revenues. So not our budgeted last year, but our actual revenues collected. Um and then our 200 our 2026 expenses are 12.4% above the 2025 actual expenses and majority of those costs 70% of those costs are directly related to um our people. They

are they are personnel costs related to that. So we are currently for January 1 at 8.49% of the fiscal year completed. So just a quick highlight of the revenues by fund. Um the ones that are higher again at beginning of the year, those are your millages that are collected on your winter taxes that are already those buckets start to come over um in 2026 from the treasurer's office. um as they are collecting and moving through. Um some of the ones that we see uh opiid settlement would be one that is simply that is the amount that we are scheduled to get for settlements. The 290 um when they come we don't know that's up to the state of Michigan to make those distributions to us. um several of the ones that are um a little lower in task, a general fund. Obviously, we are a summer tax collection, so you will not see the majority of those funds coming in. Um but now you've been on the board a year, so you'll be used to that, so that makes me feel a little bit better. Um landfill is an appropriation over. Um brownfield redevelopment, that is they go out and they are looking for grants and money to to offset those things. Um [snorts] on the second page, this time. So, it was a little bit bigger. So, hopefully that helps. Um, we obviously our EDC special projects revenues that is that is their their leftover fund balance. So, we will see that move forward once hopefully a group comes and and you guys are willing to to allocate that to um a new new EDC um projects that may come through. Um, in addition to that with the EDC and we will work on that. Um, I'm going to throw it out there as we come to next. Um, we do need to make sure that we are saving um saving money under that EDC special projects to finalize the freshwater trails and then

I will come to the board here once Brenda's back and settled. Um, we want to make sure that the board will commit to putting some money aside for upkeep of of the fish and the promotional materials that are are already planned because I think that's probably one of the best things I've seen happen um for bringing kind of fun countywide and creating that excitement. So, let's see some of the other ones that don't come up until summertime or spring. Um, your automation fund is one as certain areas increase for collections. Um, M. Cole's indigent defense, we just have not received the money from the state as to this. Law library does not have a transfer over yet. Um, juvenile adjustment justice is a quarterly reimbursement, so we won't see that for another couple months. Um, and then looking at just some of your smaller the um child care fund is reimbursement and allocation from us as well. [snorts] on the third page is is just the last of those revenues by fund for um the month of January. Um cash has already or Marcy is it shouldn't say percent today should not say 100% it should say 10%. But um that is money that as um Marcy has that become available she has allocated allocated to us through the interest that comes through. So as of today um we are looking at 17,57518 just from the month of technically that's yeah that has come into interest to that capital improvement. So thank you for carving that out and making sure that's there for [snorts] you as well. So

does this number also when we take certain money from the unbalance that we are allocating that go into that same line?

It will. Yes, it will. Yeah. So, when you look at the um if you scroll if we go backwards to the 2025 fund balance page, if you go back and look at that projected year-end fund balance um for the opiate fund, which I have to find um right now, not the opiate fund, the capital improvements. [snorts] Yes, right now that balance is 415,97602. So, and that is the initial setup. Um, and this is really, so this was something that, um, Rebecca and I discuss and Rebecca helped Marcy figure out how to how they were going to allocate once Matt Marcy took over um, certain interests that come in and putting into that fund to help build that up for the county. So, yeah. So,

this 300 here today we have the 17 is from the So, we are hoping to over the interest period. So that's that 300 is really doesn't include anything set in by extra by the board of commissioners. That is a that is where our interest will maintain off the initial money that's in there. But when we look at our potential fund balance of more than 18 which that's going to go there according I think according to what we've talked about then that number could even go higher.

Absolutely. Okay. Yep. And that is um not only with the boiler, but um with our director now with Justin being here long enough to go, "Oh my gosh, there's so much that needs to be done." Um he is creating a plan, a five-year plan and getting monetary amounts to them so that we can put that to that capital improvement plan and say, "Okay, these are our goals." And then update that on an annual basis for us. um so that we're aware that this is this is why that money is there and this is where it's going to go instead of oh my gosh something broke how do we fix it suggestion for a plan [snorts] together

he is a asset to us as well so so overall um same thing on page three for the revenues I do always love um obviously our revenues news by fund come in and you'll you'll see that you know your to dates versus your forward thinkings. Okay. So then for expenses by fund to date um general fund um is slightly over but we pay some things ahead of time um with looking forward to like I pay in full um I will pay I paid in full our insurance for the year like our bill for the insurance I just pay it we got to pay it it's going to be there so that's already gone um the HSA funding the 337,000 of of HSA funding um that expense is incurred and gone. So you will see some of those things. We also have um several several expenses related to um just initial like okay we're not going to pay this until the new budget because it's not due. So a lot of the annual memberships people have come in as well. self um county road commission. So that's their money that comes into us. That is not the uh road millillage money that they were talking about and essentially it gets given to the county. It's receded into the county and then expended through our treasurer's office as far as issuing that to them. So that's that fidiciary responsibility. The special road millillage um just to give you an idea. So their tax collection this year is 897 to2842. So um and that is kind of a slow go too. And then once all of that is collected and the treasur's office knows how much um was actually received from collections that is when she goes in and

uses the fancy spreadsheet to allocate that appropriately. So um sheriff road millillage most of them are fairly low. the animal control program um is a little bit higher as well as emergency management, but emergency management um they had purchases for a fully reimburseable grant that comes through. So that's why you see that a little bit higher than it was initially budgeted for. Um Brownfield Development, they just had an expenditure. Um you have a grant that there's a grant that comes in for reimbursement for that one as well. So you'll see that change. little dot. Okay,

on the EBC special projects, it looks like they budgeted the 46. Is that when I go back to the original revenues like we need to make sure we hold money for? Yes. Water trail. Is that 46 grand that they think we still haven't paid for? It will be um and yes, Brenda has an actual figure that she's going to come so that we can present that to you. Um, so she was going to get with the marketing and make sure that is a finalized number so we can bring that to the board and make that request. And I mean, but that does not include the maintenance that you told us we need to start thinking about. It does not. So that is and I don't think that's going to be a lot based on what Brenda said, but that was information she was going to get from me as well. So I think there's only a few thousand that's owed on the freshwater yet.

Yeah, only a few thousand.

Yeah. So Al's sitting in the back and I want to say with the commitments that the EDC had made as far as the one fish still has to be paid for. Um [snorts] the marketing material still have to be purchased. Um it's only a couple thousand a year for the maintenance of the fish. I do know that. Um and then there is one other we have scholarships that they had entered into with the with seniors from each of the area schools that will need to come. And I want to say that we figured it was about 41,000 total. Does that sound right to you, Al? About 41,000 that EDC had committed when everything broke up that we still need to honor. Does that sound okay?

Okay, that helps.

Yeah, but we that is Yeah, we're going to the plan is to give a formal presentation to the board on that. So um the rest of the expenses that have come through are all mostly in line. Um Ross common county commission on Aging again that's another pass through. So that is your millillage that you contract with the commission on aging for. So as the millillage is collected it is given to the commission on aging to honor those contract that contract for those services that the commissioners utilize. um final expense by fund that come through. Um so just looking through so one of the things that I will I will tell you as you look to the bottom of the page um those SAD expenditures funds 839 840 and 841 um those do not include billings that we have received for payroll from the lakes manager. Um there will be some changes with those billings after they're paid because one of the billings was for October, November, and December. Um, but those will be payroll acral. So, you'll see a big jump in the payroll for that and the 2025 budget. And so, that'll be something that we will have to look at of do we balance out with the money that was allocated in there because obviously at the end of December, we would not have any money collected yet on the winter taxes. So, there may have to be some swapping that goes on between that, but I will let you know as soon as we have that information for you. Um, capital improvement. We don't have any budgeted expenditures this year for capital improvement. Um, not knowing the actual costs of the projects, that may be something that as Justin moves forward, if it's workable um, by midsummer to move forward with that project, then the board would be requested based on that to do a budget adjustment to allow for that change as it comes forward. Um

just little expenses by fund and obviously those expenses that come in the highest are always associated with the um general fund as they as they move forward and that is just because that is the majority of the things that we do that are statutory. So on the next slide is just a month nemon month snapshot of our payroll by fund. Um, so overall everybody is pretty well in line. Um, there's a couple that are a little bit higher, but we do have um we do have some people that have received and it's it's really hard because Vanessa, like with your department, you're one person for the most part. So 13.3% sounds like a oh my gosh, why are they so far over? But if somebody got say their longevity in this pay period or so just so you know that those are not that out of line um in those percentages while you're looking for them. So and the same would go for animal control program as well. We had two people that received longevity and so that's going to make it look a little heavier until it until it evens out at the end. So next slide is just your payroll by fund as of 13126 or a benefits by fund. Um so the benefits number does actually include the total allocation of HSA dollars. So as you look at higher percentages, the 20s and 29% um as they move forward, these are actually inclusive of that HSA, which is roughly 45% of the overall total benefits allocation that has been spent to date. So we [snorts] are pretty well in line with everything. And then just because I thought it might help um based on some of the things we were

talking about today. So the this is our HSA is 100% funded as of 13126. So this is everybody that is enrolled and has received their full HSA allocation. Um it is a total investment of $334,900 at the beginning of the year. And then there's the breakdown by fund for you as well. Question. Yeah. So around the HSA which great we paid it up. It's kind of we've already done this. were fully loaded, which is great. [clears throat and cough] Let's say an employee leaves because it's their money and HSA goes with you. Correct. Correct. So,

and you hire a new person. Does that double our expenses for HSA? Depends on when you hire them, but it does. You are paying now an additional HSA. Um, and it is it's prrated to when they are hired in. So, if I hired in in June, I get half an HSA. But yes, and that is the um as I [snorts] mentioned earlier, Noel ended up doing an additional 37,000 approximately for the HSA for mid-year HSAs on top of what was initially budgeted for as an estimate or because of us rehiring people. That was specifically because of us rehiring people. Okay. So, all right.

Yeah. And I will tell you though, um because that always interests me as well because that's a how do you budget for that because we're budgeting based on what we have. What I have what I noticed in in going through and putting all these together is um for instance in the general fund based on we budget based on what we anticipate employees to enroll in family or single um changes in enrollment that happen because those don't happen till December. We've already it's gone. Um we've got roughly 28,000 like in the general fund of budgeted HSA dollars that were not allocated because of those changes. So hopefully, you know, hopefully we're protect is what you're saying. We're It is we kind of got a way to say

it's hard to judge if somebody's going to come or go in a department. Y once it's gone, it's gone. if they left and however you're

and it is a um it [clears throat] is one of those areas to me that we have employees that certainly um or other to say other counties counties that have the same plane that we do some at front load some allocate quarterly and some allocate twice a year um January 1, June 1st or July 1. So there are other options as you move forward out there. Um, I will tell you, and I'm going to guess that any of my department heads that are out here in Noel would tell you that our employees hit the ground running with their medical expenses in January.

Um, so I think having as much of that available to them. Um, so maybe in three years when we sit down, let's sit down and look in three years and say what is the risk versus the gain on doing that. Um, so I'm okay to Yeah. No, I'm saying I think that would be good because I think it does help the employees. I'm just curious about when we think about budgeting and if there's a huge turnover, we've we're almost paying. We could absolutely and more than we anticipate. And honestly, I mean, that's another thing. If we've got that fund balance set aside, that specific specific HSA um in there, that then is an area that you could use for protection for the budget as well. Asel,

thank you. I love talking to Kim. Just another fun graph. And as usual, most of our benefit costs come from general fund, but again, that's 70% of our people as it rolls through. Um Noel tricked me with retirement. Okay, technically it was MS that tricked me. So, there's a little caveat at the bottom. So, the retirement totals actually represent the defined benefit only. And this is because we had that blackout period with MRS where she couldn't download the data. So you will see that January Mrs. defined contribution payment. It'll be bigger in February than every other month normally is. Um so that'll catch up at the end of February in the budget in and of itself. So what you see actually represents all of our defined benefit payments. So just kind of an interesting So now at least we have a snapshot of what a monthly defined benefit cost is per fund. So [snorts]

yeah. Yeah.

She just likes to make things tricky for me. So which is okay. It's really M's fault. Let's let's just say that. So, um, oops. So, then retirement fund by date. Um, looking again, obviously the general fund is going to be your largest. Um, and then followed by your road patrol and your central dispatch as that comes through. [snorts] The last kind of portion being that it's January, I just wanted to go back um and give a highlight as we move forward because in in March, I believe will be our our next presentation March or the beginning of April. Obviously um the acruals from 2026 back to 2025 those expenditures in payroll um will change the overall expenditure amounts. So you will see a reduction of overall expenditures once those are once those are put into play. Um and then those approvals are always completed as of April 1st. So I just keep a running list as I'm going bill by bill um to then make that final journal entry and update all of them as a whole. and then I will make sure that you guys get like a total of my funds so you know what that acrrual amount is. Um some of the considerations starting in January for us um we do have some current staffing shortages in a few departments. Um so that initially will provide us a reduction in payroll benefits and retirement um and hopefully offset the HSA that we have to pay on the new people that come in or has been distributed. Um obviously the general advalorum tax collections um occur during the summer billing and then the millillage fund tax collections occur in the winter. So and obviously just having looked at this now if you go through if you see questions concerns errors or issues please email me or ask me at the next meeting. This [snorts]

any questions? Thank you. Excellent report. Thank you.

Awesome. Very very we have no motions or resolutions. So we are on to public comment. Come on up. Sorry I wanted to do public comment um during your regular meeting but I had to step out. I just want to let the board know today was the oral arguments with the US Supreme Court in the Pong versus Isabella County case that will ultimately affect our entire foreclosure process across the nation really because there's other states that follow a similar path as Michigan. Um so I stepped out to listen to those oral arguments. They um I thought the justices had a lot of very good questions for both sides. So, um, they will have, my understanding is a decision sometime late May or early June. So, we should have a a decision coming down with with how that is going to look going forward. But basically, it was it was said if depending on the ruling of the Supreme Court, it could eliminate basically tax foreclosures and property foreclosures as a result of delinquent taxes. And there would have to be obviously another method of recovering delinquent taxes whether it's individual cases. You're suing the individuals or um something along those lines. So that um was a very important um case to to go be I was very surprised the Supreme Court agreed to to hear it but um so we're looking for a decision there.

That that doesn't sound positive. Okay. I'm just like correctly and my hope is that they agreed to hear this case so that they can put an end to all of the questions. That's what I was going to say. I have a feeling they agreed to this case so that it can just kind of squash kind of like the whole lake. That's kind of what I mean. I know that was the premise for them doing it, but I kind of heard that they could just say we're eliminating it all. You go figure out how you're going to sue on your own. which would be more work on that would be an what they're asking for, right? That is the ask. They're saying that's what the people are asking for.

That's Yes. Um so the lead attorney, Phil Ellison, um [laughter] enough said. Got it. But they're they're arguing fair market value is the threshold for what we have to pay excess proceeds out on, not sale price at an auction. Right. I remember that. I would just so which yeah that's not good either lots of questions and they the justices did say well that would basically so you're asking the government to pay back to the homeowner or the prior owner more than what they collected

collected at an auction. Um and they're basing that on the constitution and the takings clause and excess fines. cross our fingers. So, I missed the um discussion about the set aside $400,000 to fund HSA from the work session. Doesn't have anything to do with the tax payment fund. It has to do with our fund balance. Okay. And is that 400,000 enough to cover every fund even if they're typically like millillage based in the millillage normally funds that department?

So, as of this year, we have allocated 337,000. That's our overall um last year Noel had to do about $37,000 in um additional so the 400,000 would put us plus the increase that you'll see the $100 upkeep that you'll see in it next year. So that'll put us right at a year's worth. Okay. And so that covers every fund. Yes. So, even if it's um road patrol, who normally pays their own HSA, we'll say out of their millillage money, we're going to take that out of general fund fund balance to cover. My thought would be that we set it aside

and then the board has the decision of how they want to make that allocation. Okay. Um because what I don't know moving forward is what passes and what doesn't pass this year. Um, and knowing that we would have both 911 and road patroller up um, as you guys are aware and it is like they have substantially done very well, but it is not a positive voter atmosphere out there. And I will say there is a lot of talk at the state level of restructuring property tax. Yes, the way that they are, you know, that we're able to collect

property taxes. That is an excellent point. If that changes and eliminates our ability to collect for these departments via a millillage, then that would Yeah, that would have a negative effect. It's scary and I'm trying to save. Okay. Okay. So, if I'm correctly, if by chance or millillage doesn't get passed, unless we have money set aside to fund their HSA, which has been our commitment, it may not.

I'd have jobs anyhow, but yes, that would that would allow us that would take a portion of that and I'd have to look at like what the sheriff's road patrol is. Technically, if their millage fails, they wouldn't have jobs. We will we won't have a we would have it for a year if the millage doesn't pass the next time. Um, so ideally that would allow the general fund, which now we don't allocate any money to them right now. None of our special funds, none of our special millages get anything. But that would allow the general fund the opportunity to actually honor the contracts that we have where we have promised to fund that um without reducing services to the public. So if their mill doesn't pass

are union contracts, let's say something didn't pass the union contract, we still pay. So no. So as I was saying before, they're keeping everybody is instructed to keep a year's worth. Basically try to keep a year's worth of that millage run for a year. Um it would just allow us the ability to fund our promise via the contract. No. If the millillage were to fail and there's no money to run the department, there are no employees. Okay. I mean, that's there are no people driving around in vehicles. So, and that's why I tell everybody look to Isabella County. Yeah. Wow. It is sad. Thank you.

Lots of things. Of

course, now I'm depressed. Um, any other public comment? Come on up. Everybody come all at once. Al Cambridge is here to the meetings. [laughter] I'll tell you why. Um, for for the last 20 years, I've been working for Robinson Industries down south of Beaverton. Coleman and our meetings were always on Wednesdays, so I was never able to attend these meetings. Well, my 20-year goal was to build the company back to a point where it could be sold for enough to satisfy all the family shareholders. And we accomplished that January 31st. So, I'm now retired.

Wow. Oh, nice. So, uh, you'll be seeing me, uh, here. I'm very interested, uh, in what you're all about. Uh, I know all but Darlene very well. Uh, but, uh, I have talked to Darlene on the phone. Yep. But Jody and Michelle and Mark and Kim, uh, I know very well. And I just tell you that's why I'm here. And I was impressed with your presentation of of the budget. Thank you. Thank you.

Any other public comment? Okay, with no other public comment, this meeting is adjourned.

I didn't have it on there. Sorry. Board comment. Whoops. Sorry. You've had our comments throughout the day, don't you? We'll have to put that on our little