The Barry County Commission held two meetings Tuesday. The first , a regular meeting, had a light agenda, the second a special meeting was to last from 1p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to interview five consulting firms to determine the one that will facilitate the new jail and COA building projects.
At the 1 p.m. meeting, the five firms, DLZ, Tower Pinkster, BYCE & Associates, BFK Group, and Hooker DeJong/Landmark Design made presentations, with no final decision reached by commissioners.
“All were educational, some with different strategies,” Commissioner and Vice Chair David Jackson said of the presentations. “The board wanted more time to delve more into references, some firms were in closer proximity and more familiar with Barry County and the fees for service will also factor into it,” Jackson said. “All the firms are very qualified.” The continuing discussion is expected to be on the Oct. 2 agenda.
In the 9 a.m. meeting, the commissioners paid the bills and approved four items recommended the week before by the committee of the whole:
* a zoning ordinance amendment allowing adult care foster facilities in Rural Residential (RR) districts by special use.
* a State of Michigan Emergency Management Performance Grant and Grant Agreement.
* a PA 116 application request from Richard and Pamela Palmer in Section 29 in Irving Township.
* re-appointment of Teri Enrietti and Steve Buehler to the County Officer’s Compensation Committee for four year terms.
