Van Buren County public meetings in 2024
22 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will discuss a resolution of support for the Palisades deployment of Small Modular Reactors. The body will also review several capital improvement project updates and administrative requests.
- Resolution of Support - Palisades Deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- KL Avenue Landfill - Restricted Use Zone
- CIP Updates: Sheriff's Admin & Jail HVAC, HSW Roof, DHHS Roof, and Courthouse Facade Repair
- Letter of Understanding - Police Officers Labor Council, Command Unit
- Public Transit Third Party Contract Amendment
Board of Commissioners
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will discuss a resolution supporting the Palisades deployment of Small Modular Reactors. Several capital improvement projects will be updated, including the Facilities Master Plan contract and various roof and HVAC repairs. Finance items include a dispatch refresh project quote and a camera replacement. Public transit items cover the purchase of a service truck and a contract amendment.
- Resolution of Support - Palisades Deployment of Small Modular Reactors (EXPEDITED)
- Facilities Master Plan - Tower Pinkster Contract Approval
- CIP - Administration Window Replacement Project Update
- CIP - Dispatch Refresh Project - Xybix Quote
- Purchase of Service Truck
Committee of the Whole
The Van Buren County Committee of the Whole will meet on November 26, 2024 to consider a range of updates and proposals, including a purchase of a service truck for public transit and a quote for a dispatch refresh project. The agenda also includes updates on building projects, finance items, and administrative affairs, along with public comment periods. No formal decisions are listed beyond the presentations.
- Purchase of Service Truck – Public Transit (presented by Laurie Schlipp)
- Dispatch Refresh Project – Xybix Quote (presented by Tim McGee)
- Administration Window Replacement Project update – Buildings & Grounds (presented by John Small)
- Historical Museum brick and wall repair update – Buildings & Grounds (presented by John Small)
- 2024 Equalization Apportionment Report amendment (presented by Anthony Meyaard)
Board of Commissioners
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will meet on November 26, 2024. The agenda includes approval of minutes, public comment, and several contract and grant items. Notable items include a contract with Abonmarche for engineering and construction administration services for the Hartford Kayak Launch, a grant agreement for the Paw Paw River Water Trail, and a renewal of the Recovery Zone Services Agreement. The board will also receive updates on the courthouse painting project and finance reports.
- Contract with Abonmarche for Engineering and Construction Administration Services for Hartford Kayak Launch
- MNRTF Grant Agreement for Development of Paw Paw River Water Trail Access
- Recovery Zone Services Agreement Renewal FY 2024‑2025: Contract Correction
- Tyler Technologies Software Agreement
- Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health (SWMBH) Substance Use Disorder Net Cost Contract
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will review administrative updates, financial reports, and several contracts. Key discussions include public defender agreements and infrastructure projects for river access.
- MNRTF Grant Agreement for Paw Paw River Water Trail Access
- Contract with Abonmarche for Hartford Kayak Launch engineering and construction
- Office of the Public Defender Michigan Indigent Defense Commission FY 24-25 Contract
- Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health (SWMBH) Substance Use Disorder Net Cost Contract
- Tyler Technologies Software Agreement
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will meet to review administrative affairs, finance items, and department contracts. Key items include a grant application for the VBCBRA and updates to the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Ordinance.
- VBCBRA $500,000 EPA Grant Application
- Amendments to the Van Buren County Farmland and Open Space Preservation Ordinance (2C)
- Sheriff's Office Lease Agreement for Waverly Township
- FY25 contracts for Allegan County Juvenile Center, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and VBCMH
- Michigan State Police 2024 Emergency Management Grant Agreement
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will review several administrative and funding items, including a $500,000 EPA grant application and a lease agreement with the Sheriff's Office in Waverly Township. It will also consider an AI Steering Committee report, amendments to the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Ordinance, and a Michigan State Police emergency management grant. The meeting includes public comment and updates from the Road Commission.
- Sheriff's Office – Lease Agreement with Waverly Township
- Digital Information Department – AI Steering Committee presentation
- $500,000 EPA Grant Application for Van Buren County
- Amendments to the Van Buren County Farmland and Open Space Preservation Ordinance (2C)
- Michigan State Police – 2024 Emergency Management Grant Agreement
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss administrative appointments, travel requests, and financial claims. The body is considering a contract extension for the County Administrator and a salary exception for an IT Infrastructure Engineer.
- County Administrator contract extension
- Salary exception for IT Infrastructure Engineer
- 2024-2025 Snow Removal Bids
- Specialty Court Grants contracts
- Road Commission re-appointments for W. Nelson and W. Askew
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will address routine administrative business, including approval of minutes and public comments. It will discuss a housing target market analysis, re‑appointments of two road commissioners, a $12,000 grant award to the Van Buren Youth Initiative, a request for proposals for the Facilities Master Plan, snow‑removal bids, and a contract extension for the County Administrator. Additional finance and equalization reports will also be presented.
- $12,000 grant award to Van Buren Youth Initiative (Michigan Arts and Cultural Council)
- Request for Proposals for the Facilities Master Plan
- 2024‑2025 Snow Removal Bids
- County Administrator contract extension
- Re‑appointment of Road Commissioners Nelson, W. and Askew, W.
Board of Commissioners
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will discuss appointments to the Planning Commission and the Deputy Medical Examiner position. It will review a continuation of services for the jail elevator and multiple finance items, including a county drain resolution, policy updates, and several service contracts. The meeting also includes a proposal to convert part‑time juvenile court family aide positions to full‑time youth mentor roles.
- Appointment to Planning Commission – Gordon Andrews
- Appointment to Planning Commission – Nicholas Carlson
- Appointment of Deputy Medical Examiner – Dr. Koster
- Jail Elevator Replacement – Continuation of Services
- ARPA VBISD Youth Center – Subrecipient Agreement
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will review several administrative and financial matters. Items include appointments to the Planning Commission and Deputy Medical Examiner, a resolution to give full faith and credit to the Evan’s County Drain Note, and proposed budget adjustments. Additional updates cover well‑water testing, a jail elevator service continuation, and various service contracts.
- Appointment of Gordon Andrews to the Planning Commission
- Appointment of Nicholas Carlson to the Planning Commission
- Appointment of Dr. Koster as Deputy Medical Examiner
- Evan’s County Drain Note – Full Faith and Credit Resolution
- Budget Adjustments presented by the Finance Director
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will review several service agreement renewals for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The meeting includes an expedited discussion regarding a FY2024 USDA Housing Preservation Grant and a closed session regarding litigation.
- FY2024 USDA Housing Preservation Grant (Expedited)
- MSUE Memorandum of Agreement Renewal FY 2024-2025
- Domestic Violence Coalition Services Agreement Renewal FY 2024-2025
- VBCD Resource Recovery Services Agreement Renewal FY 2024-2025
- MDOT Contract 2022-0144 P7
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will review the Medical Examiner Annual Report and several FY 2024-2025 service agreement renewals. The body is also discussing a Request for Proposals for a Facilities Master Plan and budget adjustments.
- MSUE, Domestic Violence Coalition, VBCD Resource Recovery, and Recovery Zone service agreement renewals
- Facilities Master Plan Request for Proposals
- Termination Agreement for Whelan & Co/Acrisure
- MDOT Contract 2022-0144 P7
- Appointments to the Materials Management Planning Commission and Building Authority
Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss financial requests and administrative agreements. The agenda includes a review of the current fiscal year budget and a tax rate request.
- FY 24-25 Budget
- L-4029 Tax Rate Request
- Materials Management Interlocal Agreement Amendment
- Disposal of seized and unusable Sheriff vehicles
- Out of State Travel Request for International City/County Management Association Annual Conference
Committee of the Whole
The Van Buren County Committee of the Whole will review and vote on the FY 24-25 budget, a tax rate request (L-4029), and related financial invoices. The meeting also includes a closed‑session discussion of litigation matters and a resolution to amend the Materials Management Interlocal Agreement. Public comment periods are scheduled before and after the agenda items.
- Resolution to approve the Materials Management Interlocal Agreement Amendment
- Out of State Travel Request for the International City/County Management Association Annual Conference
- FY 24-25 Budget presentation by Finance Director Rebecca Grabemeyer
- L-4029 Tax Rate Request presented by County Administrator John Faul
- Disposal of seized and unusable sheriff vehicles presented by Captain Jim Charon
Board of Commissioners
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will approve the meeting agenda and minutes, and discuss several grant contracts and appointments. Items include two legal representation grant contracts, appointments to the Southwest Michigan Materials Management Planning Committee and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the use of county property for the 2024 Grape Lake 5K race. The board will also hear presentations on finance claims, disposal of county property, and three MDOT transit contracts.
- Child & Parent Legal Representation Grant Contract
- Quality Legal Representation Grant Contract
- Appointment to the Van Buren County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority – Bryan Myrkle
- Use of County Property – 2024 Grape Lake 5K Race
- MDOT Contract 2017-0136 P12 R2 (Public Transit)
General
The Board of Commissioners is holding a public hearing to review the draft budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. Finance Director Rebecca Grabemeyer will present the draft budget.
- Public hearing on FY 2024-2025 Draft Budget
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will approve the July 23rd meeting minutes and hear public comments. It will receive updates on the DCS Broadband Implementation Project, the MSU Extension 2023 Annual Report, and a proclamation for Pete Sinclair. Administrative items include several grant contracts, appointments to regional committees, and the use of county property for the 2024 Grape Lake 5K race. Finance items cover commissioner per diems, claims, budget adjustments, an ARPA quarterly update, and disposal of county property, followed by discussion of three MDOT transit contracts.
- MDOT Contract 2017-0136 P12 R2 (public transit)
- MDOT Contract 2017-0136 P14 R2 (public transit)
- MDOT Contract 2017-0136 P15 R2 (public transit)
- Child & Parent Legal Representation Grant Contract (Family Division)
- Use of County Property – 2024 Grape Lake 5K Race
Board of Commissioners
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss administrative affairs and county operations. Key items include a grant application for Access and Visitation and the management of county vehicles.
- Access and Visitation Grant Application
- Purchase of Vehicle
- Disposal of Vehicles
Committee of the Whole
The Van Buren County Committee of the Whole will approve the agenda and minutes, hear public comments, and consider several administrative items. Key agenda items include a draft budget for fiscal years 2024‑2025 with a proposal to schedule a public hearing, a Foster Swift invoice, and an expedited amendment to the New Age Landmark loan agreement. The meeting also includes presentations on vehicle purchase and disposal, a proclamation, and routine updates from various commissioners.
- Purchase of a county vehicle (Buildings & Grounds)
- Disposal of county vehicles (Buildings & Grounds)
- Draft Budget FY 2024‑2025 and setting of public hearing (Finance)
- Foster Swift invoice (Finance)
- New Age Landmark amended loan agreement (expedited) (Finance)
Board of Commissioners
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will meet to review administrative requests and financial agreements. Key items include a loan agreement for New Age Landmark and various travel and appointment requests.
- New Age Landmark Amended Loan Agreement
- Saddle Lake - Legal Lake Level Control Structure
- VBCMH Board Appointment for Annie Brown
- Out of State Travel Requests for Specialty Courts and Sheriff's Office
- Public Transit vehicle disposal request
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole will discuss administrative matters including travel requests and board appointments. The agenda also includes presentations on the Saddle Lake control structure and the Van Buren Housing Assistance Program.
- Saddle Lake legal lake level control structure discussion
- Out of state travel requests for Specialty Courts and Sheriff's Office
- Appointment of Annie Brown to the VBCMH Board
- Van Buren Housing Assistance Program (VBHAP) presentation
- Expedited CPM Construction Contract review