County Board OK’s Partnership With NC RESA, Sends Lansing a Message

After years of struggling with being able to recruit and retain qualified IT staff two years ago the County and NCRESA forged an agreement allowing NCATS to provide network administration and technical support to the myriad of county offices.
Wednesday the Board of Commissioners approved a 3 year contract that will see services expanded to fit the current needs of the county departments.
“The partnership has proven very successful with substantial progress made without IT infrastructure,” said County Administrator Chris Wren.

The board unanimously passed a resolution encouraging the Governor and Legislature to support funding for the  Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners programs that would allow inclusion for Newaygo County residents. Currently the programs that provide free tuition to front line workers exclude persons that are considered to be out of district from the eligible institutions which effects all  residents of Newaygo County as well as  those throughout many rural counties in the state.
“I think it is important for the State to remember that residents in rural communities need to be fairly represented in programs focused on increasing employment opportunities and potentially higher wages,” said Board Chair Bryan Kolk.

In other business the board approved a contract for the repair of electrical damage at White Cloud County Park that resulted from a lightning strike this past fall, approved contracting for the demolition and asbestos assessment of the former Hardy Grocery building, and accepted a proposal aimed at augmenting the current emergency notification system.
Commissioners also approved the updated Emergency Operations Plan.

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