Cass County public meetings in 2024
36 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will meet as a Committee of the Whole on December 19, 2024. The agenda includes approvals of minutes and the November 2024 financial report, appointments to several boards and commissions, and discussion of opioid settlement requests and a police services contract with Marcellus Township. Public comment will be limited to three minutes per person. The meeting will also recognize new sheriff deputies.
- Appointments to the Kinexus Board (Anna Murphy, Arlandar Washington) and other boards and commissions
- Opioid Settlement Request for Cass County Problem‑Solving Courts
- Opioid Settlement Request for Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network – Additional Distribution Boxes
- Discussion of the Marcellus Township Police Services Contract
- Approval of the November 2024 Financial Report
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will discuss funding for blight elimination and opioid settlement projects. The body is also deciding on a commissioner salary schedule for 2025 to 2028 and several board appointments.
- Proposed $2 million General Fund advance for CCLBA Blight Elimination Grant funding
- Proposed $13,071 from Opioid Settlement Fund for Cass Family Clinic Naloxone Vending Machines
- Resolution R-119-2024 to establish Commissioner Salary Schedule for 2025 to 2028
- Proposed allocation of $15,018 in CSLFRF Program funds toward the Robin Grant Match
- Appointment of Dwight Dyes to the Cass County Road Commission
Cass County Planning Commission
The Cass County Planning Commission will meet on December 18, 2024. The commission will discuss a rezoning request from Pokagon Township and review the draft Cass County Master Plan prepared by McKenna. No decisions have been recorded yet.
- Pokagon Township rezoning request
- Cass County Draft Master Plan — McKenna
General
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting on December 13, 2024. Commissioners will consider a motion to enter a closed session pursuant to MCL 15.268(a) and include the Clerk/Register, Administrator, Finance Director, and Human Resources/Payroll Director. The meeting will also cover routine items such as public comment limits, agenda approval, and adjournment.
- Motion to enter Closed Session under MCL 15.268(a) with specified officials
- Public comment limited to 3 minutes per person
- Approval of the meeting agenda
Economic Development Corporation/Brownfield Development Authority
The Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will approve the agenda and the March 27, 2024 meeting minutes. They will receive a financial report from the treasurer. New business includes a discussion of the authority's goals and objectives.
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of March 27, 2024 meeting minutes
- Treasurer's financial report
- Discussion of goals and objectives
Board of Commissioners - Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
The Cass County Board of Commissioners' Appointments Committee will meet to review and likely approve nominations for various county boards and commissions, including the Road Commission, Kinexus, and the Health Department.
- Cass County Road Commission (1 appointment)
- Kinexus (2 appointments)
- Van Buren/Cass District Health Department (1 appointment)
- EDC/Brownfield (2 appointments)
- Board of Public Works (4 appointments)
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss several new business items, including a budget amendment for fiscal year 2025. The meeting also includes a financial report for October 2024 and a discussion on substance abuse and drug-free workplace policies.
- FY 25 Budget Amendment
- Placement of Flock Cameras
- ABM - Technical Audit LOI
- Appointment of Cade Michael Ford Stephenson to Remonumentation Peer Group
- Substance Abuse/Drug-Free Workplace discussion
Board of Commissioners - Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
The Cass County Capital Projects Committee meeting on November 20, 2024 will follow standard procedures, including call to order, roll call, public comment, and approval of minutes. The only substantive agenda item is the ABM Technical Audit listed under new business. The committee will discuss that audit and then adjourn.
- ABM Technical Audit (new business item)
Cass County Planning Commission
The Cass County Planning Commission will meet to discuss a specific application in La Grange Township and a Master Plan amendment for Jefferson Township. The commission is also scheduled to discuss a general Master Plan update.
- La Grange Township PA 116 Application
- Jefferson Township Master Plan Amendment
- Master Plan Update
Policy Committee
The Cass County Policy Committee will meet to discuss DC vesting periods and matching contributions for non-union new hires. The committee will also review old business regarding drug-free workplace policies and county building parking rules.
- Discussion on DC Vesting Periods and Matching Contribution for Non-union New Hires
- Substance Abuse/Drug-Free Workplace policy
- County Building Parking Rules
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will consider a consent agenda that includes approval of claims, meeting minutes, the CY 2025 annual salaries of county elected officials, annual wage adjustments for non‑union employees, and hiring authority for the undersheriff up to step 6. Additional items on the agenda are a hazard mitigation plan, an FY24 emergency management performance grant agreement, and a FY24‑25 Michigan Indigent Defense Commission grant contract. A presentation of a preliminary facilities assessment report will also be given. Public comment is limited to agenda items only.
- Resolution to approve the CY 2025 Annual Salaries of County Elected Officials (R-110-2024)
- Resolution to approve Annual Wage Adjustments for CY 2025 for Non‑Union Employees (R-112-2024)
- Resolution to authorize Cass County Administrator to approve step‑level hiring of Undersheriff up to Step 6 (R-111-2024)
- Resolution to approve Hazard Mitigation Plan (R-113-2024)
- Motion to approve FY24‑25 Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) Grant Contract (M-153-2024)
General
The Cass County Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will hold its regular meeting. The board will approve the agenda, approve the March 27, 2024 meeting minutes, receive the treasurer’s financial report, receive an update on the Market One project, and discuss the board’s goals and objectives.
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of March 27, 2024 meeting minutes
- Financial report by Treasurer
- Market One update (old business)
- Discussion of goals and objectives (new business)
Cass County Planning Commission
The Cass County Planning Commission will meet to discuss the Edwardsburg/Ontwa Township Master Plan review and the Decatur/Hamilton Joint Comprehensive Plan. The commission will also address old business regarding the Master Plan.
- Edwardsburg/Ontwa Township Master Plan review
- Decatur/Hamilton Joint Comprehensive Plan
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting to approve the agenda, consider any new business, and vote on a motion to enter a closed session under MCL 15.268(e). The meeting includes standard items such as call to order, invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, and public comment limited to three minutes per person. A closed‑session motion lists Clerk/Register McMichael, Treasurer Anderson, Administrator Newton, Finance Director Rentfrow, and Attorney Nic Spigiel as participants.
- Approval of the meeting agenda
- Consideration of any new business
- Motion to enter closed session per MCL 15.268(e) with listed officials
Appointments Committee
The Cass County Appointments Committee will meet on October 17, 2024 at 4:00 PM. It will approve the September 12, 2024 meeting minutes. The committee will consider one opening on the Cass District Library Board and one opening on the Cass County Medical Care Facility/Department of Human Services Board. It will also discuss any upcoming openings.
- Approval of September 12, 2024 meeting minutes
- Consideration of one opening on the Cass District Library Board
- Consideration of one opening on the Cass County Medical Care Facility/Department of Human Services Board
- Discussion of upcoming openings
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will consider Resolution R-108-2024 to approve the 2024 Cass County Apportionment Report. The meeting also includes standard procedural items such as call to order, roll call, public comment, and agenda approval. The board will decide whether to adopt the apportionment report before adjourning.
- Resolution R-108-2024 – Approve the 2024 Cass County Apportionment Report
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will discuss several new business items, including the salary for elected officials in 2025, a step-level hiring request for the undersheriff, a non‑union cost‑of‑living adjustment for 2025, the 2025 holiday schedule, and the appointment of a deputy medical examiner. Additional items include a furniture and facility enhancement policy, a grant budget for child and parent legal representation, and FY 2025 problem‑solving court budgets.
- 2025 elected official salary
- Undersheriff step‑level hiring request
- 2025 non‑union cost of living adjustment
- 2025 holiday schedule
- FY 2025 problem‑solving court budgets
Board of Commissioners - Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
The Cass County Policy Committee will consider approval of the agenda and approval of the September 12, 2024 meeting minutes. The committee will discuss two old‑business items: the Furniture and Facility Improvement Policy and Substance Abuse and Testing. Public comment will be accepted before the meeting adjourns.
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of September 12, 2024 meeting minutes
- Discussion of Furniture and Facility Improvement Policy
- Discussion of Substance Abuse and Testing
- Public comment period
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will review several appointment recommendations for county boards and commissions. The meeting includes reports on the state of the courts and materials management planning. The board will also consider approving the 2024 Special Assessment Rolls.
- Appointments to the Economic Development Corporation/Brownfield Development Authority
- Reappointments to the Historical Commission
- Appointment of Barbara Grennan to the Community Corrections Advisory Board
- Approval of 2024 Special Assessment Rolls
- Approval of Cost Allocation Plan Agreement
Board of Commissioners - Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
The Cass County Salary Committee is meeting to review compensation for various county roles. The body will discuss salaries for elected officials, commissioners, and chief deputies, as well as retirement and cost-of-living adjustments.
- Elected Official Salaries
- Commissioner Salaries
- Chief Deputy Salaries
- MERS Retirement for Elected Officials
- Non-union Cost of Living Adjustment
Board of Public Works
The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate. The board will review the June 12, 2024 meeting minutes.
- Approval of June 12, 2024 meeting minutes
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the FY 2025 budget and vote on a resolution to adopt the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act. They will also consider motions to approve FY 2024 budget amendments, accept a cleaning and janitorial services proposal from The DM Burr Group costing up to $114,958, and purchase a new secondary road patrol vehicle with a $5,000 down payment from FY 24 funds.
- Public hearing on FY25 budget (motions to open and close)
- Resolution to adopt FY2025 General Appropriations Act
- Motion to approve FY24 budget amendments
- Acceptance of Cleaning & Janitorial Services Proposal from The DM Burr Group, cost not to exceed $114,958
- Purchase of new Secondary Road Patrol Vehicle with $5,000 down payment from FY24 and grant funds
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will discuss the FY 2025 Administrator's Recommended Budget and FY 2024 budget amendments. The meeting also includes a review of cleaning RFP bids and real property foreclosure sales.
- FY 2025 Administrator's Recommended Budget
- FY 2024 Budget Amendments
- Cleaning RFP bid review
- Foreclosing Governmental Unit Report of Real Property Foreclosure Sales
- Cost Allocation Plan Agreement
Board of Commissioners - Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
The Cass County Policy Committee will consider and adopt policies and procedures for the Veterans Relief Fund/Peactime Veterans' Fund. The committee will also discuss furniture and facility enhancements and set priorities for the remainder of the year. Standard agenda items such as approval of the agenda, minutes, and public comment will also be addressed.
- Veterans Relief Fund/Peactime Veterans' Fund Policies and Procedures
- Furniture and Facility Enhancement (Discussion)
- Priorities for Remainder of Year
- Approval of August 8, 2024 meeting minutes
Appointments Committee
The Appointments Committee will meet to discuss appointments for several county entities. The agenda includes reviews for the Economic Development Corporation/Brownfield Development Authority, the Cass County Medical Care Facility/Department of Health and Human Services, and the Cass District Library Board.
- Economic Development Corporation/Brownfield Development Authority appointments
- Cass County Medical Care Facility/Department of Health and Human Services appointments
- Cass District Library Board appointments
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will hold a Truth-in-Taxation public hearing and vote on approving a revised 2024 tax rate request, upgrading the county phone system, and installing a jail duress alarm system. The meeting also includes approval of the August meeting minutes and a resolution for the FY 25 Child Care Fund Budget.
- Truth-in-Taxation public hearing and vote on revised 2024 L-4029 tax rate request
- Approval of phone system upgrades from Symplicity Communications and InDigital
- Approval of jail duress alarm system installation quote from SAS
- Approval of Dr. Lawless Park Renovation Project engineering services from OCBA
- Approval of FY 25 Child Care Fund Budget
Cass County Planning Commission
The Commission will review the county’s Master Plan update as old business. It will also consider the Porter Township Fence Ordinance as new business. No other items are on the agenda.
- Master Plan update – review of the county comprehensive plan
- Porter Township Fence Ordinance – proposed ordinance regulating fences
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will conduct a budget workshop on August 23, 2024, beginning at 8:00 AM. The workshop includes scheduled presentations from the Prosecutor's Office, Veterans Affairs, Law & Courts, Treasurer, Clerk/Register, Sheriff's Office, Drain Commission, IT, GIS, Parks, Equalization, Administration & Finance, and Facilities, with two 15‑minute breaks. No formal decisions are listed; the agenda is for informational sessions.
- Prosecutor's Office presentation at 8:00 AM
- Veterans Affairs presentation at 8:20 AM
- Law & Courts presentation at 8:30 AM
- Treasurer presentation at 9:00 AM
- Sheriff's Office presentation at 9:45 AM
Appointments Committee
The Cass County Appointments Committee will meet on August 15, 2024 at 4:00 PM. The agenda includes standard procedural items and a discussion of new appointments to the Historical Commission, the Economic Development Corporation/Brownfield Development Authority, the Cass County Medical Care Facility/DHHS, and the Community Corrections Advisory Board. No specific decisions are detailed in the agenda.
- Appointment to the Historical Commission
- Appointment to the Economic Development Corporation/Brownfield Development Authority
- Appointment to the Cass County Medical Care Facility/DHHS
- Appointment to the Community Corrections Advisory Board
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will meet on August 15, 2024. The meeting will include routine items such as approval of the agenda, minutes, and the July 2024 financial report. New business items include a revised L‑4029 report, appointments to the Materials Management Board, the FY 25 Child Care Fund budget, an attendance policy for boards and commissions, a duress alarm system for the jail, engineering and design services for the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park, and a TruNarc drug‑testing system.
- Duress Alarm System for Jail
- Engineering/Design Services for Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park
- FY 25 Child Care Fund Budget
- Boards and Commissions Attendance Policy
- TruNarc Drug Testing System
Board of Commissioners - Standing & Ad Hoc Committees
The Capital Projects Committee will review two new business items. One item concerns a duress alarm system to be installed at the county jail. The other item concerns engineering and design services for the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park. The committee will also approve minutes from the July 9, 2024 meeting.
- Duress alarm system for the county jail
- Engineering/design services for Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park
Policy Committee
The Cass County Policy Committee will approve the meeting agenda and the minutes from the July 11, 2024 meeting. It will also discuss the Boards and Commissions Attendance Policy. Public comment and member comments are scheduled, but no new contracts or ordinances are on the agenda.
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of July 11, 2024 meeting minutes
- Discussion of Boards and Commissions Attendance Policy
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will meet to approve a proposed consent agenda including claims, minutes, and interlocal agreements, as well as consider a budget amendment and a parks secretary appointment.
- Approval of claims dated July 6th through August 2nd
- FY 24 Budget Amendments
- CCIEA LOU #002 - Parks Secretary appointment
- Material Management Interlocal Agreement - Amendment
- Animal Control Vehicle Replacement
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss the FY 25 draft budget and FY 24 budget amendments. The agenda includes decisions on equipment replacements and funding for public safety initiatives.
- Discussion of FY 25 Draft Budget
- FY 24 Budget Amendments
- Opioid Funding Request for Narcan Distribution Boxes
- Animal Control Vehicle Replacement
- 911 Center/EOC Flooring
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee will review the minutes from the May 9, 2024 meeting. The agenda also includes a discussion regarding the attendance policy for boards and commissions.
- Approval of May 9, 2024 meeting minutes
- Discussion on Boards and Commissions Attendance Policy
Board of Commissioners
The Cass County Board of Commissioners will meet on July 11, 2024, to review several proposed motions. Key items include approvals for vehicle replacements, software agreements, and cleaning services. The board will also discuss jury fees and the dissolution of the MERS Committee.
- Squad car replacement program up to $146,000
- ESRI GIS Software 3-Year Agreement at $58,000 annually
- Interim cleaning contract with Cleanest Co. at $17,780 per month
- Service weapon replacement program costing $43,919
- Classification & Compensation Study proposal up to $60,000