Montcalm County meetings focus on FY2027 budget; minutes pending for recent sessions
Montcalm County's recent government meetings centered on the upcoming FY2027 budget, union contracts, and several township-level items, but official minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions held in the past two weeks. The summaries below reflect what was listed on each agenda; outcomes and any votes cannot be confirmed until minutes are released.
Board of Commissioners — July 13
The Board of Commissioners met July 13 with a broad agenda. Listed items included discussion of the FY2027 budget and the 2026–2028 COAM and POAM union contracts. The board was also scheduled to review properties slated for the 2026 Tax Foreclosure Auction and enforcement requests for Sidney, Douglass, and Richland Townships. A job description and wage scale for an IT Technician rounded out the agenda. No minutes are available yet, so it is not confirmed which items were acted on or discussed.
Board of Commissioners — July 17
A second Board of Commissioners session on July 17 was listed as a work session focused on the FY2027 budget. The agenda included time for public comments. As with the July 13 meeting, minutes have not been published, so no decisions can be confirmed.
Community Advancement Committee — July 8
The Community Advancement Committee met July 8 with several items on its agenda, including a vote on reimbursing Pine Township for a project. The committee was also scheduled to receive updates on the Crystal DDA and Village of Lakeview projects, consider updated CAC funding guidelines and an application, and review a letter of support for the Crystal Township DDA. A committee vacancy was also listed. Minutes are not yet available, so the outcome of the Pine Township reimbursement vote and other items is not confirmed.
What this means for residents
The FY2027 budget discussions are the most consequential items across these meetings, as county spending decisions affect services, staffing, and property tax considerations. The union contracts for COAM and POAM cover county employee groups and could affect labor costs. The Pine Township reimbursement and Crystal Township DDA letter of support involve county-level support for local projects. Until minutes are published, residents should treat all outcomes as pending.
Coming up
- **July 20 — Board of Commissioners budget work session:** FY2027 budget discussion with public comments before and after. No votes or decisions are scheduled.
- **July 21 — Election Commission equipment testing:** Public testing of voting equipment for early voting in the August 4, 2026 Primary Election. Scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
- **July 24 — Board of Commissioners budget work session:** FY2027 budget discussion with two public comment periods.
- **July 27 — Board of Commissioners budget work session:** FY2027 budget discussion. No other items listed.
- **July 29 — Opioid Committee meeting:** Oversight of county opioid funding. Scheduled for 8:00 a.m. in the Administration Building's 3rd-floor conference room. No specific agenda items listed beyond the oversight purpose.