[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6303650,"mediaKeyId","2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d","parentId",2471038,"title","Consultant from Yo & Yo outlines interim administrator option and timelines; commissioners ask for proposal","audioSeconds",495,"startMs",771000,"endMs",1266000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d&start=771&end=1266","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d/thumbnail_771000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303650/Gratiot-County/Michigan/Consultant-from-Yo-Yo-outlines-interim-administrator-option-and-timelines-commissioners-ask-for-proposal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303650-a335c8aaca557ef030a131f59469075d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915311&Signature=DClYmdW7UpoOSD7bTxmxw-EACwpe3F4yk8LpGIyF3-78gtgadKTPqcTvS3EBPhtR7HLe01~pJ2e3QascVy7yx4SgankOrfHX-IM56sVZvjr~8FCfIFO6jjIrTMwqxVDKEpzISRZEVsonM8ojgVTRElkG42zTE8X2J7gi0j3BXbm0yYxmHfdnbEmnkfApF35tAd3~YBN-5gLA5kMADxjUR7bmCu98j9e~wk3H9JSfu9J7r4hq0N1tGoEWQpjqHDXyerImALMJvDEAv0Vq1xdqOknbdeTa2mvAgenuK6Sku9juDzUnpycCM4ZmEK5knM551q4gE8pMT5kZqvzAkihZvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gratiot County","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Amy Sal of Yo & Yo told the Gratiot County Board that hiring an interim municipal executive can provide immediate stability, help address urgent matters, and position the county to attract a permanent candidate. She described prior experience placing interim leaders in communities facing turnover, litigation and organizational dysfunction.

Sal said Yo & Yo can typically source an interim very quickly — sometimes within a week if a known qualified candidate is available — but that a posting and vetting process commonly takes two to three weeks. For a permanent hire she said the search process typically reaches an offer within roughly 12 weeks; after an offer the candidate’s notice period and relocation commonly extend the timeline a few months.

Commissioners asked questions about whether Yo & Yo was offering the placement service or presenting an interim consultant itself; Sal clarified that Yo & Yo provides the placement/search service rather than proposing herself as the interim. Commissioners discussed whether to conduct interim and permanent searches in parallel and raised concerns about attracting candidates while an open forensic audit and other investigations are ongoing. Several commissioners asked Yo & Yo to provide a written proposal, and the board asked administration to circulate the proposal to commissioners for review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gratiot County Board of Commissioners Meeting 2/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","A Yo & Yo consultant described interim county administrator recruitment and fractional/turnaround management options, suggesting 2–3 weeks to vet candidates and about 12 weeks to fill a full‑time administrator; commissioners asked for a written proposal.","taxTitle","Gratiot County, Michigan","taxId",51990,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303655,"Residents raise noise, property value and wildlife concerns about solar projects and battery storage",3179,181000,3360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d&start=181&end=3360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d/thumbnail_181000.jpg","/articles/6303655/Gratiot-County/Michigan/Residents-raise-noise-property-value-and-wildlife-concerns-about-solar-projects-and-battery-storage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303655-34a523176bd9d322b5fe1a1dca831f58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915311&Signature=ewk4pX0IbjKuR1~uOFQedZJTB~jiTYnneErVl03TtKuV3PJoBH6azhOcLoFuMEfcrVP-y9d8gAk1UGAP-I66UOiA48GD1czE3e7LHkMCHbwWCO1zzyO-0hN8LeqFUNrjbGrsc3K4IYvv6aWG~0hCsl91zHY8KU0P1rhT2MThy7ZJXOmtAIzW4sV82mgmAXP22-f1vTlFjypb6fXKfrdKlJL9TfI0CbXzrRr4BJWjmdc8XNPuH5W5nFGHU1KcpZK2RsWrLC0Zp9-g3z0gospXMgFCSvkBd3cP11UfkjqNjpy0NOO1qw-vFXo2myje2k-E-hnGqcj5U-twkp~wfyBPyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents used public comment time at the Gratiot County commissioners meeting to voice concerns about existing and planned solar projects, lithium battery storage and the county’s planning and master‑plan process.

Barb Litwiller told the board she and her husband bought a 10‑acre parcel on Tyler Road to enjoy hunting and rural life; she said a single neighboring farmer has signed up for a large solar project that would surround their property on three sides and would leave them effectively “surrounded by solar panels.” She cited fire risks associated with lithium‑ion battery storage, saying local fire chiefs had told her that battery fires can reignite and require specialized training and equipment. Litwiller also raised concerns about noise from inverters and transformers, potential soil contamination requiring removal of topsoil, electromagnetic frequency effects, and possible property value declines.

Later in public comment, Sheila (last name not specified) presented photos and a long statement criticizing how renewable energy projects have been sited and planned in the county. She said the county’s planning commission is updating ordinances for solar and battery storage and that an environmental consultant (Spicer Group) is advising on battery storage language. Sheila urged wider setbacks, landscaping/berms, placing inverters centrally in arrays, greater transparency about master‑plan objectives and survey methods and questioned whether economic development organizations or donors affiliated with energy companies had undue influence on the master plan process. She also referenced Public Act 233 (statutory sections cited in her remarks) regarding state siting considerations for energy projects.

Commissioners responded by noting jurisdictional limits: county staff said township planning commissions control zoning in some areas and that the county only directly zones six of 16 townships; staff pointed residents to starting points for appeals or ordinance changes (township planning commissions). No formal board action on solar siting or ordinance text was taken at the meeting; commissioners encouraged residents to work with township boards and planning commissions and to attend upcoming local hearings (the transcript records a Pine River Township meeting about a DTE tax‑exemption request scheduled for 7 p.m.).","Two residents and public commenters urged the board to consider setbacks, battery storage safety and transparency in master‑plan and permitting processes for utility‑scale solar and storage projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303660,"Community development staff report highlights busy year, blight enforcement strains and ordinance updates",1476,1833000,3309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d&start=1833&end=3309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d/thumbnail_1833000.jpg","/articles/6303660/Gratiot-County/Michigan/Community-development-staff-report-highlights-busy-year-blight-enforcement-strains-and-ordinance-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303660-e1f9b2ed0cd8c567294f7b2e20a0e8b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915311&Signature=QyOkIeKn1Rr6-2CxOPSBOibteWJuLJdyUZb9Z1JTDwQx6HNGupAzkF8M-cx3QLc~sSWy8JZR26cXKP2fw-IRwEANukwN0dEUSsL1gbU1efYXljs8j2s3IzeDl4SH-U~OleTOZTpZpy8hnfKvYn7tmqE6507FplzfXnWotSi0TNbasw5UxY8zKxlogYh5ZSQwA-f6VS4MSxfYXl5l8G~kSBMsaYYiMWfXnlqk0sJPoFPvKId~N10NTOReYMyQ~N5ToIWL0k9rt2i3wQysqYyZwEPuYKqnfbaAGEYCDc1Ynu~iTMNs3lnOoQB3xQmoLWCH4wJgwLj5gamRdzZNKDDCnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gratiot County’s Community Development Department reported to the board Wednesday that inspection workloads rose in 2024 while permitting activity remained variable, and staff urged changes to the county’s blight enforcement program to reduce time demands and clarify liability.

Department head Tony Miller and Deputy Permits Officer Deandra Messer presented permit and inspection statistics covering building, soil erosion and blight enforcement. Inspecting staff said permit volumes have been up and down over the last four years; inspections rose last year in part because of turbine closeouts and new solar projects as well as the department taking on additional inspections for the City of St. Louis.

Messer, who oversees the county’s blight enforcement service offered to participating townships, told commissioners the office logged more hours on blight cases in recent years and that amendments adopted in 2024 were intended to streamline enforcement. She said townships may submit up to two complaints per year under the intergovernmental agreement; the county limits its intake so available staff time is not overwhelmed. Messer described a complex Sumner Township case involving a deceased property owner that required counsel and a suggestion to pursue probate to allow corrective action, and she said not all complaints proceed quickly because of difficulty contacting property owners.

County prosecutor and other commissioners supported staff’s assessment that the program, originally piloted with higher fees, does not currently cover the hours required. Deputy Messer said the current fee structure provides roughly 22 staff hours per complaint but actual work averaged about 25 hours per complaint in the recent year; staff recommended reviewing the fee and intake limits. Miller also described SESC (soil erosion and sediment control) activity, noting Part 91 obligations to protect waters of the state and the heavier inspection load tied to large projects such as turbines and solar fields.

No formal board action was required on the annual report; commissioners thanked staff and asked for follow‑up on recommended adjustments to blight fees and capacity.","Gratiot County Community Development presented its 2024 annual report; staff told commissioners inspection activity rose while permitting fluctuated, and said blight enforcement hours and legal complexity are straining capacity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303665,"Board authorizes forensic audit engagement after annual audit raised concerns",308,3728000,4036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d&start=3728&end=4036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d/thumbnail_3728000.jpg","/articles/6303665/Gratiot-County/Michigan/Board-authorizes-forensic-audit-engagement-after-annual-audit-raised-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303665-861fa27076e8d226e6942abfd2bc0878/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915311&Signature=AxlGr7GBAb7Un0XoiP8htTDLcICS-~i91uXD7CNBiwYLkd7FvQ0zK63ZUjejZ1AzXu-dSzTS51hAXnK2YQBE2YbSmKKq9X7VwLISnjM~mXmIYEp2Drfjed9kE12FYkwrC6b7W8f-u-kfv4tjWtqFKGulWF07qa4wOQPHKSxVi2a4zqUrCVhSnyTQ8lzGBfvqYiaK8VldIH4i452T~fkCZiU4WLHI5146wn0aYcC0FoadjJ~7rA6phjZRM5qqfg1nGJJizbjcNZBr9npmXPqSJfBd8Ay2LU9Q5A45~DUKhi2l2BvD0KFz8Dsv1yGOKsdoiLaq23i3kGnuaQjpK9mE0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gratiot County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize a forensic audit engagement with Yo & Yo after the county's financial statement audit raised questions that commissioners said require a focused investigation.

Ally (administration staff) presented an engagement letter from Yo & Yo describing a forensic audit to investigate questionable transactions arising from the financial statement audit. The board approved an initial scope covering January 2017 through the present and authorized Chair Owens to sign an amended engagement to extend the look‑back period if staff and counsel identified further need. The board also authorized payment of the retainer required to begin work.

Yo & Yo representatives said the duration of a forensic audit can vary: a focused review can be completed in about three months, while deeper examinations of multiple years can take nine months or longer depending on document availability and cooperation. Commissioners said some asked that the audit go back two additional years to provide full assurance to the public; staff and the vendor said expanding the time frame is possible but that the board should specify the additional target and expected procedures.

The forensic audit engagement is separate from the annual financial statement audit, which staff and outside auditors said is not designed primarily to detect fraud. Commissioners emphasized the need for independence in the investigation and said Yo & Yo will assign personnel with certified fraud examiner credentials.

The board requested periodic progress updates and directed staff to finalize the engagement letter so field work can begin.","Commissioners authorized an engagement with Yo & Yo to perform a forensic audit of county finances, expanding the initial scope to include records back to Jan. 2017 and giving the chair authority to finalize the engagement and pay the retainer.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303669,"Board approves advisory committee, forensic audit engagement and multiple administrative contracts; several policy votes carried",2129,1740000,3869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d&start=1740&end=3869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471038-63c31f6aa0a18e37e5557a766b225a4d/thumbnail_1740000.jpg","/articles/6303669/Gratiot-County/Michigan/Board-approves-advisory-committee-forensic-audit-engagement-and-multiple-administrative-contracts-several-policy-votes-carried","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303669-131638766ed091979d0065afe5d86a54/orig.mp4?Expires=1770915311&Signature=AU2A2CvGKTuB~JQ2NuEeBBA2-9OtMcHKMNP9M2XXs4Y5197BqzxIs2lt2O7N0xEqRU8UzuUKOdHHUaOsrSBq4tF0tdjpG6Eza1Xavd7kXEwXL52gTHRSB2FezvQPT1KgnehzORyS6~LsSCuW21PxWDpX~24hQ6-twWL5EBxlPrBu8k8w0v5UR1qb4Ho5fYGKHs-nG3w32M~fmO0Oe~~em9d5hOCYtUk4a9n6og9m~QCT6gCFaKrcNriEtPEBChG4HMb33NocjQiWyNoaoje7EdVl8t7~8jRLqt3Ys6ehyydnVzZcjnpnnjnjBvNiLnKRyOrRVVZrSzTf-0o23xMV2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gratiot County Board of Commissioners voted on multiple items Wednesday, approving motions to form an opioid‑fund advisory committee, authorize a forensic audit engagement, hire a quality assurance specialist under juvenile justice reform, and enter service agreements for accounting and other administrative matters.

The board approved a motion allowing Mid Michigan District Health Department officer Liz Breck to form a Gratiot County advisory steering committee to recommend distribution of opioid settlement funds estimated at about $120,000 annually over 18 years. The motion was moved by Commissioner Tim (Tim) and supported by Commissioner Steve (Steve); the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The board also authorized an engagement letter with Yo & Yo (forensic/audit services) to perform a forensic audit expanding initial scope to include records back to Jan. 2017 and gave the chair authority to sign a negotiated engagement that could extend further if needed. Commissioners moved and approved authority to pay the required retainer to begin fieldwork.

Other approved items included:
- A contract to compensate Julie Frick up to $18,400 annually (up to 460 hours) to serve as a local quality assurance specialist to help the county meet Michigan juvenile justice reform requirements and protect a 75% reimbursement rate from the state. Motion moved by Commissioner Steve and seconded by Commissioner Jan; motion carried by voice vote.
- Authorization to engage Woodhill Group for accounting/finance support, including monthly completion (not just review) of the general fund bank reconciliation process. Motion moved by Commissioner Steve, supported by Commissioner George and approved by voice vote.
- Approval of the Heartland (regional) materials management plan bylaws (the MMP governing documents for a multi‑county recycling/materials effort). Motion moved by Commissioner George, supported by Commissioner Steve; motion carried.
- Adoption of a county earned sick time policy aligned with a pending Michigan law (1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked) for nonunion employees. Motion moved by Commissioner George, supported by Commissioner Steve; roll call recorded and motion carried.
- Approval of Resolution 20‑5‑330 to accept credit card transaction services for county payments. Motion moved and approved by roll call.
- Authorization for county counsel to seek outside counsel (Cole Stoker & Toske) to pursue enforcement of a zoning violation in Newark Township; motion passed.
- Correction and approval of a park grant payment to the City of St. Louis (adjustment of the approved amount to $39,061.31). Motion moved and approved.

Several agenda items were tabled for legal review, including a wind‑farm decommissioning study, and the board voted to move forward with the forensic audit and related retainer to begin the investigation. The board approved entering closed session to discuss pending litigation and union negotiations.

Votes at a glance
- Opioid advisory steering committee: moved Tim / supported Steve — approved (voice) [see provenance].
- Forensic audit engagement (Yo & Yo) and chair signing authority: moved Steve / supported Tim — approved (voice) [see provenance].
- Hire Julie Frick as QA specialist (up to $18,400): moved Steve / supported Jan — approved (voice) [see provenance].
- Woodhill Group accounting services (including bank reconciliations): moved Steve / supported George — approved (voice) [see provenance].
- Heartland materials management plan bylaws: moved George / supported Steve — approved (voice) [see provenance].
- Earned sick time policy (county): moved George / supported Steve — approved (roll call) [see provenance].
- Resolution 20‑5‑330 (credit card transactions): moved (staff) / second Steve — approved (roll call) [see provenance].
- Authorization to seek outside counsel on Newark Township zoning violation: moved Steve / second Jan — approved (voice) [see provenance].
- Park grant correction for City of St. Louis ($39,061.31): moved George / supported Jan — approved (voice) [see provenance].

The board recorded several other routine approvals (consent calendar, minutes) and agreed to return later for closed‑session matters.","At its meeting the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners approved a set of motions and resolutions including formation of an opioid advisory steering committee, authorization for a forensic audit engagement, hiring a part‑time quality assurance contractor for juvenile justice reform, and several administrative service agreements and policies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

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