banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner

Local News

Michigan State University Extension recommended to continue services to Barry County

The Barry County Commission’s committee of the whole meeting Tuesday covered several topics, all recommended for approval at the next board meeting.

Administrator Michael Brown explained resolutions covering a budget amendment, year end transfers and a construction manager’s contract for courthouse renovations.

 

Commissioners recommended a contract with Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) for services to Barry County residents for 2017 for $52, 745 for operating expenses and $60,701 for a clerical person for the local office, for a total of $113,446. The MSUE provides educational programs in the areas of agriculture and agribusiness, children and youth development, including 4-H, health and nutrition, community and economic development and natural resources.

Answering a question, District Coordinator for MSUE District 8 Don Lehman said the 4-H program has some1,000 youths involved in 45 to 50 clubs and numerous programs and one-time events.

 

Also moved ahead to the regular board meeting was a three year renewal of a Veterans Affairs Services agreement with the Barry County United Way to provide services to Barry County veterans for $28,417 in 2017, $29,270 in 2018 and $30,148 in 2019. Barry  County United Way Executive Director Lani Forbes said the agreements have been in one year increments while they got the program up and running, but now three years is a better option.

 

Other recommendations were for approval of:

*a year end amendment, or 11th hour look at the budget, showing the total budget remain balanced at $15,790,653. While the revenues increased by $207,208, departmental expense increased by $9,982, so the remaining $197,226 is placed in contingency. Other smaller amendments were for special revenue and other funds. The information is from budget reports though November, with $1,261,000 still uncollected, Brown said.

 

*allowing auditors to determine the amounts to transfer from the general fund to Special Revenue programs, the Friend of the Court, Juvenile Drug Court, Adult Drug Court and Child Care funds, to ensure the fund balances do not grow and to make the necessary transfers during the 2016 budget year audit.

 

*an agreement for Beckering Construction to provide construction manager services for the county courthouse improvements for $47,575 to come from the Building Rehabilitation fund. The commission had previously approved the concept of a construction manager.

Listen Live

DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP

FOR YOUR PHONE OR TABLET!

     

Weather

On Air Now

Best Country Hits
Best Country Hits
12:00am - 6:00am
Overnights