[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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],{"_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",6629527,"mediaKeyId","2703609-85f2fc6702158fc1555a062035e2fcaf","parentId",2703609,"title","Eaton County commissioners approve multiple resolutions including park land grant application, public safety and emergency-alert agreements","audioSeconds",3879,"startMs",1066000,"endMs",4945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703609-85f2fc6702158fc1555a062035e2fcaf&start=1066&end=4945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703609-85f2fc6702158fc1555a062035e2fcaf/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629527/Eaton-County/Michigan/Eaton-County-commissioners-approve-multiple-resolutions-including-park-land-grant-application-public-safety-and-emergency-alert-agreements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629527-d53b8f573bd5fc8a787ae7787ee7e9d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193587&Signature=XnIZ0ngKZAuI7Gx-ald5b26nKH-juv8mo7PpalrzLfwg0gCi5VZ89z-V~l4cec5LuYqY2279mDUdyTjXNTcC6A8NeRyDUgf9gElOLQFKElgZ67AP1eHhcRFvWqAZ9P78KeB7Pxh0q7-S4HPW1TcesIB69MgvPRRcxW-DCAMCJKx1B64J5dr-SC5UD3RExzdaagmjsF4d1Y2yuNlHYAq2RHTWPwSJ-BXwnJrrceSWFDvYFjE0IhHa6N~mFrJgqy-5g7znL0WjZF-MEfh1lZHB32pgSW7E0wDLjD2Oj8mI~875Ix3NiM~-DPKqAIyaEeKKjitPISvJfQmtAaLVsqeLtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Eaton County","date","2025-03-20T01:05:12.147Z","article","The Eaton County Board of Commissioners approved several resolutions and motions during its public meeting, including a memorandum of understanding with the city of Grand Ledge on construction codes, multiple grant applications and funding agreements for public safety and elections, and a Department of Natural Resources trust fund grant application to expand Lincoln Brick Park.

The actions, taken largely by voice vote with “Aye” recorded, included authorization to apply for and accept outside funding and to enter intergovernmental memoranda of understanding. Many items were presented with short staff remarks and little discussion before approval.

Why it matters: The votes authorize use of outside funding and intergovernmental agreements that affect county emergency alerting, traffic enforcement, parkland acquisition, election security and drain-related contractual work. Several of the approvals also commit county staff time and, in one case, budget amendments to cover contracted services.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Construction codes MOU with the city of Grand Ledge: A resolution to enter a memorandum of understanding to share construction-code services was moved by Commissioner Barber and supported by Commissioner Droshear. The motion carried by voice vote.

- Strategic Traffic Enforcement Program grant application: The board authorized application for a $75,000 Strategic Traffic Enforcement Program grant (Office of Highway Safety and Planning) to fund overtime and eligible equipment; no local match was required. Commissioner Holmes moved the resolution; it was supported and approved by voice vote.

- Integrated Public Alert and Warning System MOU: Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Delta Township to use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System; the agreement runs through March 2028. Commissioner Holmes moved the resolution and it passed by voice vote.

- FY24 Homeland Security grant subrecipient agreement: A resolution approving entrance into a subrecipient agreement with Ingham County (the fiduciary agent) for Eaton County’s share of training and equipment was approved. Eaton County’s portion was stated as $21,719.60. Commissioner Holmes moved the resolution; it passed by voice vote.

- County clerk election security grant reimbursement: The county clerk asked the board to accept a reimbursement from the Michigan Department of State under the Help America Vote Act to reimburse election security purchases (ballot security bags and electronic pollbooks) totaling $2,248.24. The board approved the reimbursement resolution.

- DNR trust fund acquisition grant application for Lincoln Brick Park expansion: The board authorized submitting a Michigan Department of Natural Resources trust fund acquisition grant application to acquire approximately 49 acres adjacent to Lincoln Brick Park. Commissioner Drosius moved the resolution and it passed by voice vote. Commissioner Haskell clarified on the floor that the purchase would be funded by the grant and Parks millage monies and would not draw on the county general fund.

- FY24–25 budget amendment for the Drain Commissioner’s office: The board approved budget amendments to move funds into contractual services for soil-erosion enforcement due to two staff vacancies in the Drain Commissioner’s office. The county presented the reason as temporary contractual support while staff positions are filled; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Bills to pay: The board moved and approved payment of the county’s bills; motion carried.

Closed session authorization: The board voted to enter closed session under section 15.2681(h) of the Open Meetings Act to discuss an attorney-client-privileged memorandum from Cole, Staker & Toski PC dated March 13, 2025. That motion was moved and supported; the roll call vote on entering closed session was recorded as “yes” by the clerk for commissioners present.

What the votes did not do: None of the recorded motions in the public record adopted new ordinances or made long-term policy changes beyond approving agreements, grant applications, reimbursements and budget amendments. The items authorizing applications (grants) will require later approval if awards are offered and accepted.

Ending note: Most items were approved with minimal debate; the board recorded that some grants and acquisitions would be funded by outside sources or designated millage funds rather than county general fund revenues.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3-19-2025 Board of Commissioners","oneSentenceSummary","The Eaton County Board of Commissioners approved several resolutions and motions during its public meeting, including a memorandum of understanding with the city of Grand Ledge on construction codes, multiple grant applications and funding agreements for public safety and elections, and a Department of Natural Resources trust fund grant application to expand Lincoln Brick Park.","taxTitle","Eaton County, Michigan","taxId",53092,"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},6629517,"Resident raises alarm over Bank Intercounty Drain assessments, questions county communication",60,2801000,2861000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703609-85f2fc6702158fc1555a062035e2fcaf&start=2801&end=2861","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703609-85f2fc6702158fc1555a062035e2fcaf/thumbnail_2801000.jpg","/articles/6629517/Eaton-County/Michigan/Resident-raises-alarm-over-Bank-Intercounty-Drain-assessments-questions-county-communication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629517-9865c0ed062a931cff1feb877ba94263/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193587&Signature=XsNIXQkyxagrZv19M327-Poo6e4eIZOV7KqaVrBxk9riWOVR28UjMMjf8V039ZuOQ~sprw77bLxDir4h5ywdPqFlkSCa4r~RALrS9KgG~InEFvd1q8q~cWX0ImyFy4xRev3h89RXi3I5cFCv9E~XHW221uByUD3iKoRlA1ev0UeW2SMPmtLCcGbntJMFlnsa6YR2kvwgAnVe9vaP5c3mCX3-s-yej09N4ljwf0bCM8jZHuKcnM0dhOq~VXfrTNc2InPB4WWT3iSItZS36L6d5eXnBSrhwEXezFGcbmHSuxWSaNgr9mupYdqHSVtbJife6vnqbJ4OcCS7vm9ia3Q-NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the limited public-comment period, a Delta Township resident told the Eaton County Board of Commissioners that homeowners assessed for the Banks (Bank) Intercounty Drain had received large apportionment letters and that public outreach had been insufficient.

Sherry Ritchie said a friend in the assessed area received a letter with a multi-thousand-dollar apportionment and that, based on presentations she has seen, a $15,000 apportionment could cost roughly $28,000 over a 30-year payment plan. She criticized a local publication advertisement for the drainauthority’s information hub (bankdrain.org), saying the ad’s language was unlikely to prompt urgency or understanding among affected homeowners.

Ritchie told the board she attended a Delta Township trustees meeting where the drain-construction group presented again and noted a low public turnout at trustees’ meetings. She urged more visible and clearer communication to homeowners who will face long-term payment obligations.

Why it matters: Drain assessments can create large, multi-year financial obligations for property owners. The commenter described a mismatch between the scale of assessments and the apparent reach of public notices. Commissioners and county staff did not take a formal vote on the issue during the meeting; it was raised as public comment and flagged for awareness.

Transcript evidence: Ritchie stated that she examined recent issues of a local magazine and found only one explicit ad for the drain information hub in fall 2024 and that, in her view, the messaging was insufficient for homeowners who would be assessed thousands of dollars.","A Delta Township resident told commissioners that many residents receiving large apportionment letters for the Banks (Bank) Intercounty Drain were surprised and concerned, and criticized county communications and the drain authority’s advertisements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6629522,"Eaton County officials warn of staffing shortages, fiscal strain and push public-safety millage ahead of upcoming ballots",0,2555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703609-85f2fc6702158fc1555a062035e2fcaf&start=2555&end=2555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703609-85f2fc6702158fc1555a062035e2fcaf/thumbnail_2555000.jpg","/articles/6629522/Eaton-County/Michigan/Eaton-County-officials-warn-of-staffing-shortages-fiscal-strain-and-push-public-safety-millage-ahead-of-upcoming-ballots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629522-96f4ef3ce6e86a0c3e7f07ef27f856dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193587&Signature=Efd0V9zRfX56dHoilGOETEMKdC4k~G61W0hnyehmtokIy0nItJmpyCx8IBzj32CIfgsVqntIivjTxRKWlAo1CCjQn5ck4had72MMWVck2-sTkW7ZTMBxVbFqJwWDn7aDhP7eUNoupnqREI1924QAFqRmGl2Dv2uNLEGdT7yKZ4UyXHbxXePZ9Tn9mHt7ca7xmy6mcm2byK6l0M0KRPSxc988dbPpOHCdqS9BxNsupRG3XtkR3PEEKblOP6QRJ110eBjbSyf9NxFL6TsZy-P3pPBwp7t0O3obKlUmXqwV8KYEMUSiG3fKsKzqAARNmV9XKm8smiwkXxGJ4b7ap0--vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eaton County elected officials and administrators used the board meeting to brief commissioners about staffing shortages, audited financial results and the need for a public-safety millage, while the prosecutor publicly criticized social-media attacks on county employees.

Comptroller Sobey told the board the county’s audited financial statements were complete and would be submitted to federal and state audit repositories. She said municipal finance reports and pension/OPEB reporting will be presented next month and that Standard & Poor’s had reduced a district rating from AA to AA-minus because of the county’s reliance on fund balance: \"When they look at our fund balance and they consider the fact that we may need to utilize fund balance next year, that's a risk,\" she said.

Eaton County Treasurer Jeris Rainette said staff are completing annual tax settlement work and assisting departments with updated payment processing systems. The treasurer also said she planned a meeting with local municipal leaders and a state representative on a redevelopment project at the Hohner Mill.

Prosecutor Doug Lloyd described his office’s caseload and operations — citing 5,700 open cases, hundreds of hearings and referrals — and objected to social-media postings that had published employee names and salaries after a FOIA. \"It is heartbreaking when individuals make statements against my office or against individuals saying things such as we are corrupt,\" Lloyd said, adding that many county employees were surprised to see salary information circulated publicly.

County Clerk (name not specified in the transcript) described election operations and staffing constraints: the clerk said the elections team currently includes one chief deputy and that election planning for primary and general contests overlaps many months. \"You as the board and the residents rely on me to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities,\" the clerk said, describing the office’s statutory duties and emphasizing the operational burden of running multiple elections and audits.

Several commissioners used their remarks to urge public support for the proposed public-safety millage. Multiple commissioners — including Commissioners Haskell, Christiansen, Droshear, Mudry, Whitaker, Holmes and others — expressed support from the dais and suggested additional public outreach; some commissioners said they had been speaking at civic meetings in recent weeks.

Why it matters: Officials tied staffing and operational problems back to long-term funding decisions and one-time pressures on fund balance. The comptroller’s comments about the S&P outlook and the prosecutor’s concerns about FOIA-driven disclosure both underscore fiscal and personnel challenges facing the county as commissioners approach ballot and budget decisions.

What commissioners said and next steps: Commissioners encouraged increased public communication, suggested town-hall style forums and reiterated that the board will make final budgetary decisions. The comptroller and finance staff plan to present audited financial statements and pension/OPEB reporting at upcoming committee and board meetings. The board also voted to enter closed session later in the meeting to consider legal counsel correspondence.","County leaders — including the comptroller, treasurer, prosecutor and clerk — told commissioners the county faces staffing shortages, reliance on fund balance and reputational pressure from social media; multiple commissioners voiced support for a new public-safety millage.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Eaton County commissioners approve multiple resolutions including park land grant application, public safety and emergency-alert agreements

Resident raises alarm over Bank Intercounty Drain assessments, questions county communication

Eaton County officials warn of staffing shortages, fiscal strain and push public-safety millage ahead of upcoming ballots