Board of Commissioners Special Meeting - July 13, 2026

The Benzie County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on July 13, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing and discussing the county's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Key procurement-related topics included budget allocations for various departments such as the airport authority, health department, animal control, central dispatch, EMS, and general fund operations. The board reviewed specific funding requests, including a $15,000 general fund appropriation to the airport authority as part of a partnership agreement, and discussed staffing and equipment needs for animal control and EMS, including the potential purchase of a second vehicle and hiring of additional personnel. The EMS department proposed creating a deputy director position to improve billing and operational efficiency, aiming to increase revenue collections. Budget adjustments also addressed rising costs in utilities, janitorial services, software, and retirement contributions. The board considered the impact of state and federal grants, payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, and revenue from court fees and licenses. Several departments noted challenges with staffing shortages and overtime costs. The meeting concluded with plans to continue budget discussions in a subsequent session, including capital projects and benefits review. No formal votes on contracts or procurement awards were recorded during this session, but multiple budgetary decisions and funding allocations were discussed that will influence future procurement and spending.