video

Genesee County Board of Commissioners Meeting 1-21-26

Genesee County, Michigan
Jan 22, 2026
3h 18m
948 views

TLDR

The Genesee County Board of Commissioners met to conduct business across several committees, focusing on significant grant awards for infrastructure, community health, and public safety. The meeting was marked by intense debate regarding personnel management, specifically concerning salary adjustments and performance improvement plans for the Corporation Counsel and the Director of Administration.

General Summary #

The meeting involved multiple committees, including Community and Economic Development, Finance, Government Operations, Human Services, and Public Works. A primary focus of the Community and Economic Development committee was the importance of broadband infrastructure, highlighted by guest speaker Gigi Son, who advocated for the necessity of a county-owned fiber network to drive economic development 7:26.

The Finance and Government Operations committees engaged in lengthy and contentious discussions regarding county leadership. Significant debate occurred over the implementation of performance improvement plans and the ethics of tying salary increases to performance evaluations for direct reports, such as the Corporation Counsel and the Director of $Administration$ 1:57:00. While some commissioners advocated for accountability, others expressed concern regarding the fairness of the process and the potential for divisive politics 2:18:04.

The meeting also processed various grant approvals, including substantial funds from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for trail projects 26:38 and state health grants for weatherization 33:36 and crime victim support 1:00:18. Public safety was also a recurring theme, with discussions on Flock camera surveillance technology 51:55 and the expansion of sheriff's vehicle leases 3:15:05.

Community and Economic Development Committee #

Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the meeting minutes from December 3rd 0:20.
Public Comment:
- John Toos, an applicant for the Airport Authority vacancy, introduced himself and discussed his aviation background and desire to see the airport play a larger role in the community 1:02.
- Travis How, Davidson Township Treasurer, shared his application for the Parks and Recreation Commission 3:09.
Guest Speaker: Gigi Son, a senior fellow at the Benton Institute, presented on the importance of investing in a fiber broadband network to attract businesses and residents 5:16, 8:09.
Resolutions:
- Resolution 2025 2755: Approval of a $730,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for the Fenton Road phase one non-motorized trail project 26:38. Passed.
- Resolution 2025 2756: Approval of a $275,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for trail staff support, website design, and marketing 30:49. Passed.
- Resolution 2026 0035: Approval of a $441,282 grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for the county weatherization program 33:36. Passed.

Finance Committee #

Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the meeting minutes from December 3rd 34:42.
Commissioner Statement: Commissioner Lloyd addressed the importance of following bylaws regarding speaking time and suggested commissioners focus on information-seeking rather than argument-driven debate 35:47.
Resolutions and Agreements:
- Resolution 25-2619: Approval to create the position of Chief Strategic Growth Officer 39:47. Passed.
- Resolution 25-2782: Approval of a contract with Flint Odyssey House Incorporated for $226,283 for substance abuse treatment services 41:17. Passed.
- Resolution 25-2796: Approval of a $5,000 purchase order to the University of Michigan for law books 44:04. Passed.
- Resolution 25-2832: Approval of a $40,416 purchase order to Heron Valley Guns for uniforms 44:46. Passed.
- Resolution 25-2861: Approval to receive and file paid county bills totaling approximately $5.2 million 45:28. Passed.
- Resolution 25-2868: Approval of a budget amendment for various line items 46:11. Passed.
- Resolution 26-0047: Approval of the Corporation Counsel's salary to remain at $140,000 with a $600 bonus 46:33. Passed with a 6-2 vote 2:27:19.
- Resolution 2026 0030: Approval of the Board of County Commissioners' focus areas 1:13:28. Passed.
- Resolution 2026 0028: Proposed change to the Planning Ordinance regarding appointment processes 1:16:56. Postponed to the next Government Operations meeting 1:27:36.
- Resolution 2026 0029: Approval of an agreement with the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) for technical assistance regarding the Opioid Settlement 1:36:46. Passed.
Add-on Resolutions (Evaluations & Personnel):
- Add-on 1: Performance Improvement Plan for Corporation Counsel Brian McMillan 1:38:31. Postponed 1:46:06.
- Add-on 2: Performance Improvement Plan for Director of Administration Joshua Freeman 1:52:51. Postponed 1:46:06.
- Add-on 3: Recognition of January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month 1:53:11. Passed.
Salary and Pay Adjustments Discussion:
- A motion to postpone all salary/pay adjustment items to the next Finance meeting 1:58:44 failed in a 4-5 vote 2:11:13.
- Director of Administration Salary: A motion to provide a one-time 2.5% cost-of-living increase 2:44:09 passed with a 6-3 vote 2:58:31.

Government Operations Committee #

Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the meeting minutes from December 3rd, 2025 51:12.
Resolutions and Agreements:
- Resolution 2778: Approval of $30,000 for the renewal of Flock camera services 51:55. Passed.
- Resolution 2833: Approval of $60,000 for Flock software and hardware renewal 58:13. Passed.
- Resolution 2836: Approval of $71,750 for crime victim sustainability efforts 1:00:18. Passed.
- Resolution 2843: Approval of $2,451 for a podium and chair for the Clerk's office 1:01:00. Passed.
- Resolution 2854: Recognition of February 2026 as Black History Month 1:05:17. Passed.

Human Services Committee #

Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the meeting minutes 3:01:02.
Resolutions and Agreements:
- Resolution 2780: Approval of the 2026 Veterans Organization Relief Program 3:01:23. Passed.
- Resolution 2800: Approval of carryover funds for the Great Start Readiness Program 3:02:29. Passed.
- Resolution 2806: Approval of an agreement with Preferred Removal Service for drug death analysis positions . Passed.
- Resolution 2807: Approval of case management services from Compasses MIHP 3:04:44. Passed.
- Resolution 2822: Approval of $5,000 for drug and pharmaceutical purchases 3:05:04. Passed.
- Resolution 2828: Approval of an affiliation agreement with Grand Valley State University for student internships 3:05:27. Passed.
- Resolution 2864: Approval of a $12.3 million agreement with Oakland Livingston Human Services for Head Start staffing [3:6:50]. Passed.
- Resolution 2867: Approval of a $687,300 agreement with the Genesee Intermediate School District for Great Start Readiness [3:7:13]. Passed.
- Resolution 2277: Approval of a $7.7 million agreement with Genesee Health Plan for healthcare delivery [3:7:58]. Passed.

Public Works Committee #

Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the meeting minutes from December 3rd, 2025 3:09:24.
Resolutions and Agreements:
- Resolution 2791: Approval of a $75,000 purchase order to SHI International for software and technology 3:09:45. Passed.
- Resolution 2.815: Approval of $75,000 for additional door access and camera locations via Sentinel 3:11:52. Passed.
- Resolution 2821: Approval of $51,500 to modernize the Emergency Operations Command (EOC) 3:12:36. Passed.
- Resolution 2870: Approval of an easement for the Genesee County Road Commission 3:12:57. Passed.
- Add-on 1: Approval to lease three additional vehicles for the Sheriff's Office from Susky Chevrolet Buick 3:15:05. Passed.

Who #

Delrico J. Loyd: Commissioner 0:00.
Charles H. Winfrey: Commissioner 0:00.
Gary L. Goetzinger: Commissioner 0:00.
Dr. Beverly Brown: Commissioner 0:00.
James Avery: Commissioner 0:00.
Shaun Shumaker: Commissioner 0:00.
Martin L. Cousineau: Commissioner 0:00.
Dale K. Weighill: Commissioner 0:00.
Brian K. Flewelling: Commissioner 0:20.
Josh Freeman: Director of Administration 40:08.
Brian McMillan: Corporation Counsel 1:38:31.
Gigi Son: Guest Speaker, Benton Institute Senior Fellow 5:16.
John Toos: Public Commenter, Airport Authority applicant 1:02.
Travis How: Public Commenter, Davidson Township Treasurer 3:09.
Captain Jason Murphy: County Sheriff's Office representative 54:01.
Kevin Sylvester: Deputy Drain Commissioner 3:13:19.

Comments Summary #

Overall Sentiment

The tone of the viewer is polite and constructive, offering specific technical suggestions to improve the broadcast experience for online viewers.

Notable Comments

"Please check Commissioner Dale Weighill's mic, as his voice often sounded muffled and crackly." — @truthbetold4178, 1 like

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00:00 Delrico J. Loyd : Commissioner
00:20 Approval of Minutes : The committee approved the meeting minutes from December 3rd
01:02 John Toos, an applicant for the Airport Authority vacancy, introduced himself and discussed his aviation background and desire to see the airport play a larger role in the community
03:09 Travis How, Davidson Township Treasurer, shared his application for the Parks and Recreation Commission
05:16 Guest Speaker : Gigi Son, a senior fellow at the Benton Institute, presented on the importance of investing in a fiber broadband network to attract businesses and residents
07:26 A primary focus of the Community and Economic Development committee was the importance of broadband infrastructure, highlighted by guest speaker Gigi Son, who advocated for the necessity of a county-owned fiber network to drive economic development
26:38 The meeting also processed various grant approvals, including substantial funds from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for trail projects and state health grants for weatherization and crime victim support
30:49 Resolution 2025 2756 : Approval of a $275,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for trail staff support, website design, and marketing . Passed
35:47 Commissioner Statement : Commissioner Lloyd addressed the importance of following bylaws regarding speaking time and suggested commissioners focus on information-seeking rather than argument-driven debate
39:47 Resolution 25-2619 : Approval to create the position of Chief Strategic Growth Officer . Passed
40:08 Josh Freeman : Director of Administration
41:17 Resolution 25-2782 : Approval of a contract with Flint Odyssey House Incorporated for $226,283 for substance abuse treatment services . Passed
44:04 Resolution 25-2796 : Approval of a $5,000 purchase order to the University of Michigan for law books . Passed
44:46 Resolution 25-2832 : Approval of a $40,416 purchase order to Heron Valley Guns for uniforms . Passed
45:28 Resolution 25-2861 : Approval to receive and file paid county bills totaling approximately $5.2 million . Passed
46:11 Resolution 25-2868 : Approval of a budget amendment for various line items . Passed
46:33 Resolution 26-0047 : Approval of the Corporation Counsel's salary to remain at $140,000 with a $600 bonus . Passed with a 6-2 vote
51:12 Approval of Minutes : The committee approved the meeting minutes from December 3rd, 2025
51:55 Public safety was also a recurring theme, with discussions on Flock camera surveillance technology and the expansion of sheriff's vehicle leases
54:01 Captain Jason Murphy : County Sheriff's Office representative
58:13 Resolution 2833 : Approval of $60,000 for Flock software and hardware renewal . Passed
1:01:00 Resolution 2843 : Approval of $2,451 for a podium and chair for the Clerk's office . Passed
1:05:17 Resolution 2854 : Recognition of February 2026 as Black History Month . Passed
1:13:28 Resolution 2026 0030 : Approval of the Board of County Commissioners' focus areas . Passed
1:16:56 Resolution 2026 0028 : Proposed change to the Planning Ordinance regarding appointment processes . Postponed to the next Government Operations meeting
1:36:46 Resolution 2026 0029 : Approval of an agreement with the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) for technical assistance regarding the Opioid Settlement . Passed
1:38:31 Add-on 1 : Performance Improvement Plan for Corporation Counsel Brian McMillan . Postponed
1:52:51 Add-on 2 : Performance Improvement Plan for Director of Administration Joshua Freeman . Postponed
1:53:11 Add-on 3 : Recognition of January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month . Passed
1:57:00 Significant debate occurred over the implementation of performance improvement plans and the ethics of tying salary increases to performance evaluations for direct reports, such as the Corporation Counsel and the Director of $Administration$
1:58:44 A motion to postpone all salary/pay adjustment items to the next Finance meeting failed in a 4-5 vote
2:18:04 While some commissioners advocated for accountability, others expressed concern regarding the fairness of the process and the potential for divisive politics
2:44:09 Director of Administration Salary : A motion to provide a one-time 2.5% cost-of-living increase passed with a 6-3 vote
3:01:02 Approval of Minutes : The committee approved the meeting minutes
3:01:23 Resolution 2780 : Approval of the 2026 Veterans Organization Relief Program . Passed
3:02:29 Resolution 2800 : Approval of carryover funds for the Great Start Readiness Program . Passed
3:04:44 Resolution 2807 : Approval of case management services from Compasses MIHP . Passed
3:05:04 Resolution 2822 : Approval of $5,000 for drug and pharmaceutical purchases . Passed
3:05:27 Resolution 2828 : Approval of an affiliation agreement with Grand Valley State University for student internships . Passed
3:09:45 Resolution 2791 : Approval of a $75,000 purchase order to SHI International for software and technology . Passed
3:11:52 Resolution 2.815 : Approval of $75,000 for additional door access and camera locations via Sentinel . Passed
3:12:36 Resolution 2821 : Approval of $51,500 to modernize the Emergency Operations Command (EOC) . Passed
3:12:57 Resolution 2870 : Approval of an easement for the Genesee County Road Commission . Passed
3:13:19 Kevin Sylvester : Deputy Drain Commissioner