The Barry County Commission Tuesday recommended amending Hastings City Barry County Airport Manager Mark Noteboom’s three year agreement with the Airport Commission to clarify his status as an independent contractor in matters to do with local, state and federal law.
The airport board has approved the agreement, which provides for management services at the airport. County Commissioners who sit on the board, Jon Smelker and Vivian Conner, stressed that the $79,000 Noteboom will get annually is not a raise in salary becasue Noteboom will pay for gas, oil and insurance as an independent contractor.
With the modification of the agreement, it fully meets the IRS requirements for Noteboom's independent contractor status, which Noteboom requested, County Administrator Michael Brown said.
The Hastings City Council, as part of a Joint Operating Agreement of the airport with the county, must also approve the amended contract.
In other business, several citizens for positions on county boards and committees were recommended which includes:
*reappointing Craig Stolsonburg to a one-year term on the Tax Allocation Board, with Commissioner David Jackson as commission representative.
*reappointing Bob Becker, Deborah Hyatt, Linda Maupin and Gerald Pattock for three-year terms on the Community Health Authority Board.
*appointing Frank Jesenek to the remainder of a three-year term on the Parks & Recreation Board that ends 12/31/2018, filling one of two empty seats.
*appointing Joyce Snow to the Planning Commission for a three-year term. Michael Barney withdrew his application for the second open seat.
Other recommendations for approvals include:
*applications for the Michigan Department of Agricultural Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program (PA-116) for Jeffrey and Stacey Morton for property in Section 2 of Hastings Township and Robin Flessner in Sections 15 and 18 in Woodland Township, recommended by Planning Director James McManus.
*a new three-year contract for broadband internet and telecom services with MEI Telecommunications, Inc. of Delton for a one-time $5,000 payment and $1,177.75 monthly service charge. The $5,000 initial startup and hardware fee would be waived if the internet and telephone service is bundled and a contract signed within 30 days of March 13. IT Director David Shinavier said going with MEI will result in speeds up to 10 times faster and improved stability and reliability than from the previous provider iserv.
*permission to purchase a 2018 Ford Escape for $19, 209.90 through MiDeal for the IT department, paid for by the vehicle fund, also requested by Shinavier.
The board will act on the committee of the whole’s recommendations at the March 27 regular board meeting
