Board approves routine claims, Poly/Zoom replacements, inmate-health agreement and CDBG contract; sets 2027 budget calendar

The Barry County Board of Commissioners approved several routine but consequential items during its meeting.

Claims and transfers: The board approved claims and disbursements totalling $33,124.77 by motion and roll-call vote.

Courtroom and jail audiovisual upgrades: Commissioners authorized the court administrator and jail administrator to purchase replacement Poly/Zoom units for the magistrate and referee hearing rooms and to add three self-contained units for the Barry County Jail. Staff said the state is supplying judge replacements free; the county requested about $29,000 from existing maintenance and software lines to acquire additional units for courtrooms and jail use.

Inmate services contract: The board renewed an annual administrative services arrangement allowing the county to use Blue Cross pricing for inmate health care from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Staff explained that the county is self-pay and that Blue Cross administers negotiated rates; the contract includes a 13% administrative fee and charges are incurred as services are used.

CDBG housing administration: The board approved a contract with Smith Housing Consulting to administer the CDBG housing improvement grant (NDD-2023-769-CB). Staff said Smith was the sole responsive bidder and that administrative fees will be covered by the CDBG grant, not the county general fund.

Budget calendar: Commissioners approved the proposed 2027 budget calendar, with the final budget hearing and adoption expected in October.

FOIA appeal denial: The board voted to deny FOIA appeal 26-008, which sought investigative materials related to a homicide. County administration, the sheriff and the prosecutor recommended denial because release could jeopardize witness cooperation and an ongoing prosecution for a second suspect.

Closed session purchases: The board entered closed session under Michigan statutes to consider exempt security and cybersecurity information and subsequently approved purchases discussed in that closed session (the transcript references a cybersecurity contract approved by motion).

Votes and procedure: Each action above was moved and seconded on the record and approved by roll-call where noted in the transcript.