Commissioners approve service renewals, funding for the Commission on Aging
The Isabella County Board of Commissioners approved four items on their agenda to renew several services and funding for the Commission on Aging.
The center provides events, meal assistance, classes and more for the older adult population in the county. The renewal of service contracts were approved, which supply Aging with many of its activities such as tai chi and Zumba.
“People put in a lot of time and effort,” Tobin Hope, District 7 representative, said. “The money is well spent on this, and the volunteer and efforts that these people put in.”
The nutrition site agreement was also renewed until the end of FY29. This program's purpose is to bring meals and socialization to older people in rural communities.
The locations and rates per month are the Shepherd United Methodist Church at $150, Fremont Township-Winn Community building at $300, the Rosebush Presbyterian Church at $100 and the Sherman Township-Wiedman at $250.
The area on aging contractual agreement was also approved for $277,971 to help fund the $1,420,055 that goes into personal care and caregiver training.
Lastly, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Fall 2026 2% requests were approved. These are semi-annual requests submitted by the county to the SCIT, which if granted, could direct portions from 2% of the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort revenues help fund operations and grants.
The county approved the four requests that could provide $572,554 to the Commission on Aging, $47,500 to the Isabella County 911 Emergency Management, $50,000 to the Human Animal Treatment Society and $53,00 for the county’s cupola restoration project.
At the meeting, Chairman Frank Engler said that minutes should be changed to what was done, such as motions and items approved, instead of what was said.
He said this would avoid any misinterpretation when the minutes are approved to avoid any legal action against the commissioners. This would also be done so the recorded meetings do not have to be revisited for the accuracy of meeting minutes.
Engler said, that personal comments, debate, summaries or opinions from the public and commissioners should not be added to the minutes by the County Clerk, Minde Lux.
Jerry Jaloszynski, District 3 Representative, said the commissioners should postpone a decision until they consult their prosecuting attorney to review what they should add to the minutes.
Lux said that if they change how the minutes are written, that would assume previous minutes would be wrong or need to be rewritten. She said she spoke to other county clerks to confirm the methodology of the meeting minutes.
“The minutes are as I take them,” Lux said. “These are the meeting minutes of the clerk.”
Meeting minutes for Aug. 26, Sept. 1 and Sept. 8 were not approved and await future discussion at the Oct. 6 meeting.
In other news:
- Camp reservation increases were approved to keep up with rising costs that will go into effect Oct. 3, Engler said. Deerfield Nature Park will go up to $25 from $20, Herrick Recreation Area will go up to $40 from $25, Coldwater Lake Family Park will go up to $45 from $25 and the cabins for both will be $60 from $45, according to the FY27 fee changes.
- A replacement patrol vehicle for the Isabella County Sherriff’s Office was approved for $46,743. Roughly $40,000 will be recovered by two Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority claims.
- The contract with Gratiot Isabella Regional Education Services district was renewed. They had a $10,000 funding increase which is covered by state and federal funds.
- An appointment for Tim Lannen, trustee of Union Township, was approved for a vacant spot on the Parks and Recreation Board.
