Several county employees were recognized at the Barry County Commission meeting Tuesday for their years of service to the county, including Joseph Cooper, Shawn Olmstead, Susan Zeeryp, and Jennifer Daley.
Commissioners re-appointed June Behrendt to the Department of Health and Human Services Board, appointed Kristen Laubaugh to the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority Board, and voted to de-activate the Barry County Animal Shelter Advisory Board.
Barry County has been awarded an Emergency Management Performance Grant in the amount of $53,088.00 for fiscal year 2022. Commissioners approved the Grant Agreement with the State of Michigan.
The Board continued discussion of the 2023 Barry County Proposed Budget and departmental budget appeals. Part of the discussion involved the staffing positions within the Sheriff’s Department. A Deputy Detective position and vehicle for that position were added in November, 2021. Commissioners decided to remove that position and vehicle from the proposed 2023 budget. It will not affect any of the current employees in the department because there are currently open positions. Undersheriff Jason Sixberry told the Board that the department is having difficulty attracting and hiring new deputies to fill open positions.
A public hearing on the 2023 Proposed Budget is set for October 25th at 9am, after which Commissioners will vote on the County Budget for 2023.
