The Newaygo County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution opposing the latest salvo from Lansing that threatens to impact county budgets throughout the state. The current situation has to do with funding for indigent defense to comply with standards established by legislators.Originally the costs for implementation was mandated to the state but proposed legislation would kick these costs back to the counties. This was passed by a 6-0 margin with Commissioner Ortwein absent. County Administrator Chris Wren also spoke to another legislative initiative that would result in assessments being removed from townships with populations under 5000, including all of our 24 townships, and placed under the umbrella of the county. The increased responsibility combined with the task of finding an assessor qualified to meet the standards set by the state would also place a significant financial burden on the county according to Administrator Wren. A motion was presented by Commissioner Vern Willett to eliminate health care insurance for commissioners effective January 1 2019.The motion was seconded and some discussion ensued. Commissioners Phil Deur and Jim Maike both spoke to the need for some incentive in order to attract qualified people to the board as did Board Chair Patrick Gardner while Mr. Willett expressed the opinion that the health insurance was more compensation than the position required. A voice vote by the board rejected the motion. Commissioner Chuck Trapp reported that the Board of Public Works will be hosting their annual Hazardous Waste Clean-up Day at the Newaygo County Road Commission building on Saturday June 2nd from 8am-2pm and encouraged all who can spare a bit of time to volunteer by contacting the Drain Commissioner Office at 231.689.7214. The next Board of Commissioners meeting will be Wednesday May 23rd at 9:30 am. Meetings are held in the County Administrative building in White Cloud. Comments are closed.
|
CategoriesArchives
April 2024
|