Author Archives: bcasey
December 16, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, James, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
The agenda for December 16, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meetings – December 2, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
12/4/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $160,016.73
Bills:
12/4/25
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48196 | Aaron Boeske | $941.88 |
| 48197 | Action Traffic Maintenance Inc | $818.00 |
| 48198 | Alec Belson | $80.00 |
| 48199 | Bert Keeler | $380.00 |
| 48200 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $2,815.20 |
| 48201 | Brandy Casey | $308.51 |
| 48202 | Brian Donnini | $80.00 |
| 48205 | Capital One Bank | $26,310.65 |
| 48206 | Charles Benedict | $552.54 |
| 48207 | Chris BeBeau | $80.00 |
| 48208 | Christyl Burnett | $45.00 |
| 48209 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $65.00 |
| 48210 | D & K Truck Company | $7,024.09 |
| 48211 | David Liddell | $80.00 |
| 48212 | Delta Dental | $57.66 |
| 48213 | Detroit Salt Company LLC | $88,160.91 |
| 48214 | Dylan Kennedy | $260.09 |
| 48215 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $2,380.50 |
| 48216 | Gary Vandecar | $552.54 |
| 48217 | Geiger Printers | $524.36 |
| 48218 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $267.50 |
| 48219 | Jake Welch | $300.00 |
| 48220 | Jonathan Norris | $787.43 |
| 48221 | Kalamazoo Valley Comm. College | $130.00 |
| 48222 | Kendall Pranshka | $276.28 |
| 48223 | Kent Rubber Supply Co. | $632.48 |
| 48224 | Key Cleaning Services, Inc. | $681.00 |
| 48225 | Kimball Midwest | $1,239.61 |
| 48226 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $23,457.50 |
| 48227 | Larry Maupin | $552.54 |
| 48228 | LRE Engineers & Surveyors | $22,037.55 |
| 48229 | Mark Weeks | $340.00 |
| 48230 | Mika, Meyers, Beckett & Jones | $170.00 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48231 | Morgan Site Services | $921.00 |
| 48232 | Patricia Wolf | $276.28 |
| 48233 | Priority Health | $24,565.03 |
| 48234 | Reed & Hoppes, Inc. | $1,050.00 |
| 48235 | Ridderman Oil | $23,050.00 |
| 48236 | Robert Nagel | $276.28 |
| 48237 | Scott Bond | $80.00 |
| 48238 | Scott Schantz Jr. | $80.00 |
| 48239 | Shannon Elston | $45.00 |
| 48240 | Tom Chaffee | $276.28 |
| 48241 | Truck & Trailer Specialties | $5,198.29 |
| 48242 | UniFirst Corporation | $133.60 |
| 48243 | US Hydraulics LLC | $1,049.62 |
| 48244 | Valley Truck Parts, Inc | $3,938.99 |
| 48245 | Vork Brothers Painting, LLC | $24,540.00 |
| 48246 | Wayne Moore | $407.20 |
| 48247 | Wayne Roush | $276.28 |
| 48248 | Yellow Rose Transport, Inc. | $254,109.47 |
| Total | $522,662.14 |
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch gave the Board an update on the Road Funding and when the funding might be available. Mr. Welch also reviewed with the Board the adjustments to the list of projects and equipment the Road Commission is planning to do with this funding.
______________________________________________________________________________
The following bids were opened on December 4, 2025 at 10:30 A.M.
Spray Foam Installation:
| BID ITEMS | Devos Insulation | RAM Construction Services |
| Spray Foam Insulation | $198,805.60 | $299,875 |
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to award the Spray Foam Insulation to Devos Insulation as low bidder.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Used Excavator:
| Bid Items | Units | MacAllister Equipment | Reco Equipment | AIS Equipment | Alta Equipment |
| Used Excavator | ea | $225,750.00 | $232,750.00 | $239,500.00 | $222,500.00 |
| Option #2 | $212,500.00 |
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to award the Used Excavator bid to MacAllister Equipment for a 2019 330 Excavator for $225,750.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Used Loader:
| Bid Items | Units | MacAllister Equipment | Reco Equipment | AIS Equipment | Alta Equipment |
| Used Loader | ea | $249,950.00 | $209,500.00 | $249,500.00 | $257,500.00 |
| Option #2 | $244,900.00 | $305,000.00 | |||
| Option #3 | $307,500.00 |
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to reject all bids in the best interest of the Barry County Road Commission.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch and Equipment Superintendent Scott Schantz explained to the Board that the Tar Distributor that was approved to be purchased at the November 18, 2025 Board Meeting for $444,343 was not available until after the sealcoat season next year. AIS Construction has a 2025 Etnyre Distributor through the MiDeal program that has upgrades and is available immediately for $469,998.00. The warranty would not begin until we started using the Distributor.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to amend the motion from November 18, 2025 Board Meeting regarding the purchase of a Tar Distributor. The revised purchase price through the MiDeal program is $469,998.00.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to set the bid date of January 15, 2026 for IT Upgrades, Well, and Overhead Crane.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
The bids for Timber Harvesting in the Chaffee Pit were opened on December 12, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.
Bidder Amount
Benner Logging, Inc. $26,301.00
Buskirk Lumber $23,374.00
Northwest Hardwoods, Inc. $25,798.00
Quality Hardwoods, Inc. $25,441.00
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to award the Timber Harvesting bid for Chaffee Pit to Benner Logging, Inc. for $26,301.00 as high bidder.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
.
Managing Director Jake Welch invited the Board Members to return at 1:00 p.m. today to attend a ceremony in which the Barry County Road Commission will receive the TAMC Culvert Award. This new award recognizes a program that documents the locations of culverts throughout the county. To date, 2,165 culverts in Barry County have been recorded, including their size and GPS location.
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
December 2, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, James, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
The agenda for December 2, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meetings – November 18, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
11/20/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $160,263.75
Bills:
11/20/25
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48157 | Bauer Built Tire | $487.60 |
| 48158 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $694.14 |
| 48160 | Capital One Bank | $34,871.75 |
| 48161 | Carpenter Gravel Inc | $270.82 |
| 48162 | CDW Government | $1,522.16 |
| 48163 | Consumers Energy | $3,438.64 |
| 48164 | Corewell Health Occupational | $1,374.72 |
| 48165 | County Rd Association Self Ins | $16,901.00 |
| 48166 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $112.00 |
| 48167 | D & K Truck Company | $8,329.30 |
| 48168 | Detroit Salt Company LLC | $23,432.70 |
| 48169 | DLZ | $16,704.62 |
| 48170 | Dylan Kennedy | $53.00 |
| 48171 | Floyd’s Electric Service Inc | $675.00 |
| 48172 | Foster Swift Collins & Smith | $100.00 |
| 48173 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $7,156.50 |
| 48174 | Granger | $191.29 |
| 48175 | J & H Oil Company | $3,079.18 |
| 48176 | Jim Raulston | $613.63 |
| 48177 | John Deere Financial | $350.08 |
| 48178 | Joshua McConnon | $137.79 |
| 48179 | Kalamazoo Valley Comm. College | $780.00 |
| 48180 | Kimball Midwest | $1,021.54 |
| 48181 | Lincoln National Life Ins | $595.23 |
| 48182 | MCRCSIP | $1,000.00 |
| 48183 | NEXUS RC, LLC | $47,125.00 |
| 48184 | Pratt Industries US | $7,450.00 |
| 48185 | Priority Health | $22,125.07 |
| 48186 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $224.92 |
| 48187 | Ridderman Oil | $26,169.52 |
| 48188 | Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge | $180.00 |
| 48189 | State Of Michigan | $363.42 |
| 48190 | Tele-Rad, Inc. | $267.80 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48191 | Tom Boulter | $367.09 |
| 48192 | Tractor Supply Company | $452.77 |
| 48193 | UniFirst Corporation | $583.76 |
| 48194 | View Newspaper Group | $82.00 |
| 48195 | Yellow Rose Transport, Inc. | $82,099.49 |
| Total | $311,383.53 |
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to enter into a Brush Maintenance and Mowing Contract with Frontline Maintenance and to authorize payments of $32,355.55 per month for these services.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made and seconded to hereby determine and declare that it is in the best interest of the public to absolutely abandon and discontinue 1638 feet of the highway, to include the bridge, known as Scott Road, reserving easement for existing public utilities and described as follows: Scott Rd between M-79 and Morgan Road, from Morgan Rd east for 1638 feet, in the Township of Castleton, Barry County, Michigan.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to accept extending the 2025 Pavement Marking bid from Michigan Pavement Markings for 2026 at the cost listed in their letter.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Michigan Pavement Markings LLC would like to renew the pavement marking contract with your Road Commission for the 2026 season. We will be happy to honor the same unit prices from the 2025 season. Thank you for the work you have awarded us in the past. It was greatly appreciated. I hope we can keep a good working relationship for the future. These prices will be extended through the 2026 season.
WATERBORNE PAINT
4” White .053/lft 4” Yellow . .056/lft
12” Crosswalk 1.00/lft 24” Stop Bar . 1.25/lft
Left Arrow $30/ea Right Arrow $30/ea
Thru Arrow $25/ea Combo Arrow $45/ea
ONLY Symbol $30/ea SCHOOL Symbol $70/ea
STOP AHEAD $100/ea Removal $1/lft
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to purchase a Chloride Containment System at Management discretion from Ironclad Environmental Solutions, Inc. from the Wexford County Road Commission bid for $19,000.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 7:36 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
November 18, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, James, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
The agenda for November 18, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meetings – November 4, 2025 & November 10, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
11/6/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $160,349.33
Bills:
11/6/25
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48100 | Alec Belson | $376.67 |
| 48101 | Bauer Built Tire | $454.42 |
| 48102 | Ben Byle | $118.71 |
| 48103 | Bert Keeler | $380.00 |
| 48104 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $233.91 |
| 48105 | Brandy Casey | $80.00 |
| 48106 | Brent Cisler | $190.79 |
| 48107 | Brian Donnini | $80.00 |
| 48110 | Capital One Bank | $56,255.53 |
| 48111 | Carleton Equipment Co | $686.51 |
| 48112 | Charles Benedict | $552.54 |
| 48113 | Chris BeBeau | $80.00 |
| 48114 | City Of Hastings | $781.84 |
| 48115 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $78.00 |
| 48116 | D & K Truck Company | $5,543.62 |
| 48117 | David Daniels | $208.69 |
| 48118 | David Liddell | $80.00 |
| 48119 | Dylan Kennedy | $291.97 |
| 48120 | Floyd’s Electric Service Inc | $299.00 |
| 48121 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $7,366.50 |
| 48122 | Gary Vandecar | $552.54 |
| 48123 | Great Lakes Cleaning Systems | $292.48 |
| 48124 | H.S.V. Redi-Mix | $256.28 |
| 48125 | Hall’s Septic | $95.00 |
| 48126 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $268.04 |
| 48127 | J & H Oil Company | $1,370.27 |
| 48128 | Jake Welch | $311.36 |
| 48129 | Keizer-Morris International | $894.03 |
| 48130 | Kendall Pranshka | $276.28 |
| 48131 | Key Cleaning Services, Inc. | $981.00 |
| 48132 | Kimball Midwest | $462.30 |
| 48133 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $211.70 |
| 48134 | Larry Maupin | 552.54 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48135 | Leaping Lizards | $600.00 |
| 48136 | Luke Selby | $435.83 |
| 48137 | Mark Weeks | $340.00 |
| 48138 | Parts and Service Financing | $4,700.91 |
| 48139 | Patricia Wolf | $276.28 |
| 48140 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $92.38 |
| 48141 | Robert Nagel | $276.28 |
| 48142 | Rocket Enterprise, Inc. | $7,000.00 |
| 48143 | Scott Bond | $80.00 |
| 48144 | Scott Civil Engineering Co | $5,480.00 |
| 48145 | Scott Schantz Jr. | $80.00 |
| 48146 | Scott Swen | $375.30 |
| 48147 | SME Inc. | $3,000.00 |
| 48148 | Todd Wenzel Buick GMC | $33,998.00 |
| 48149 | Tom Chaffee | $276.28 |
| 48150 | Truck & Trailer Specialties | $38,233.87 |
| 48151 | UniFirst Corporation | $267.20 |
| 48152 | Van’t Hof Door & Gate Systems | $255.00 |
| 48153 | Verizon | $1,263.05 |
| 48154 | Wayne Roush | $276.28 |
| 48155 | Wyoming Asphalt Paving Co | $1,722.08 |
| 48156 | Yellow Rose Transport, Inc. | $90,785.48 |
| $270,476.74 |
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to schedule a Board Meeting for December 31, 2025 at 6:30 A.M.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to set the Public Hearing for the Proposed 2026 Budget for December 31, 2025, at 6:45 A.M.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded authorizing Chris BeBeau, Finance Director, to sign the engagement letter from Gabridge & Company for the 2025 Financial Audit not to exceed $16,500 pending approval from the County Board of Commissioners.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve and sign the employment contract with Managing Director, Jake Welch, effectively extending his current contract through the end of 2028.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Managing Director Jake Welch briefed the Board on the MTF increase and the items that the BCRC identified as the most beneficial to pursue. Bonding was also discussed.
______________________________________________________________________________
A motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to authorize Management to set the bid dates for a used loader, a used excavator, and insulation for the garage.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to authorize Management to purchase a Tar Distributor through the Mi-Deal program for $444,343.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
The Board had discussion on the Public Hearing at the Irving Township Hall held on November 10, 2025. It was noted that the vast majority of the residents in attendance at the meeting were wanting the designation removed. The petition presented to the Township Board with our 50% of the residents signed in favor of removing the designation was also mentioned.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to remove the Natural Beauty designation on Engle Road.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to accept the offer from Lakeland Asphalt Corporation to extend the 2025 paving cost of $65.50/ton to 2026.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting adjourned at 7:39 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
November 10, 2025
The special meeting of the Barry County Road Commission was called to order at the Irving Township Hall at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Solmes.
Members present: Solmes, Knight, James, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
BJ Donnini, Director of Operations, and Dylan Kennedy, Engineering Technician were at the meeting.
The agenda for the Special Meeting of November 10, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
An overview of Engle Rd & Natural Beauty Road PA 451 was given. Natural beauty Designation Review Public Hearing procedures were discussed.
______________________________________________________________________________
Public comment was allowed and none was presented.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to open the Public Hearing for Engle Road’s Natural Beauty Road Designation Review at 7:06 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
The following residents spoke during the discussion:
Dawn Irwin- 5434 Grange Road – Drives bus for TK on Engle Road is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back.
Kristine Palambos – 5475 Engle Road – is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back. Would like hill signs.
Lucas Galaviz – 3220 Engle Road – is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back. Noted that snow removal is tight and doesn’t let kids near the road.
Staci Kruisenga – 5354 Engle Road – is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back. Noted the young drivers in the area.
Jeff Harthy – 3455 Engle Road – Asked what a significant project is and discussion was had regarding the tree cutting plan moving forward.
Melissa Kalkofen – 4224 Woodchuck Run – Asked about spraying for vegetation control. The BCRC advised that spraying was not part of the plan moving forward.
Paula Pauloski – 5304 Engle Road – is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back. Noted the change in traffic.
Diane – 5280 Engle Road – Did not sign in on the sign in sheet but was not in favor of the removal of the designation and was concerned with the growth on the road if the designation was removed. She was also wanting the speed limit reduced and was concerned regarding the posting of the public hearing. The advertisement was in the Hastings Banner which is the County newspaper and posted on the roadway as required by statute.
Pat Jenny – 3510 Engle Road – is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back. Noted she has lived there 35 years and the trees are the worst it’s ever been.
Lenny Brummel – 5275 Engle Road – is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back. Noted the change in traffic.
Elizabeth Chivis – 4991 Engle Road – is in favor of the removal of the designation and would like to see the trees cut back. Noted she bought her house because of the designation but would like the regular maintenance of it not being designated.
Mr. Welch read the following statement from a resident that had emailed:
“Good afternoon,
I apologize for sending a delayed email about this matter. I had planned on attending the meeting tonight, but have run into a conflict with my children’s schedule.
I hope you’ll still permit me to send this written response to the issue at hand tonight.
While I initially signed the petition to remove the natural beauty designation from Engle rd (back in July), I am not certain that I still believe this designation should be removed.
I say this for a number of reasons, but primarily do not want further development on our road to encroach upon wildlife and the current residents. I am concerned this will happen if the designation is removed.
What I am concerned about is SAFETY. I do not see why a natural beauty designation should lead to a lack of speed limit on the road, warning signs about blind hills (which are very narrow), convex mirrors to show motorists of oncoming traffic on these hills, and an overall lack of concern for safety which is currently being shown by the UPS, FedEx, and other delivery drivers who speed down our road every day.
I feel as if we can reach a compromise where the designation is not removed, but steps are taken by the township and road commission to improve these safety issues. And, certainly widening the road in a few areas, should still allow us to keep with the spirit of the law and this designation.
Lastly, we should have a new natural beauty sign, since ours is old and dilapidated. It just seems better signage and safety features on the road are needed, not a removal of the designation, as I think more about it.
Thank you and please email or call me with any input.
Sincerely,
John Lipford
3825 Engle Rd.”
Additional discussion was had with multiple parties speaking back and forth.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to close the Public Hearing for Engle Road’s Natural Beauty Road Designation Review at 7:45 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
November 4, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch. Commissioner James excused.
The agenda for November 4, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner Knight and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meeting – October 7, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
10/9/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $155,697.07
10/23/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $165,296.82
Bills:
10/9/25
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47984 | Aerial Hydraulic Repair, Inc. | $4,300.81 |
| 47985 | AIS Construction Equipment Corp | $475,940.00 |
| 47986 | Alec Belson | $80.00 |
| 47987 | Bauer Built Tire | $2,070.71 |
| 47988 | Behrens LTD | $54.00 |
| 47989 | Bert Keeler | $380.00 |
| 47990 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $694.83 |
| 47991 | Black Gold Transport, Inc. | $3,180.90 |
| 47992 | Brandy Casey | $80.00 |
| 47993 | Brian Donnini | $80.00 |
| 47994 | Brian Heath | $227.88 |
| 47995 | Bronson HelpNet | $283.50 |
| 47996 | C Stoddard & Sons Inc. | $2,875.00 |
| 47999 | Capital One Bank | $23,759.81 |
| 48000 | Charles Benedict | $552.54 |
| 48001 | Chris BeBeau | $80.00 |
| 48002 | Chris BeBeau BCRC | $608.39 |
| 48003 | City Of Hastings | $883.84 |
| 48004 | Complete Auto Glass | $600.00 |
| 48005 | Consumers Energy | $21.36 |
| 48006 | Corewell Health Occupational | $249.00 |
| 48007 | County Road Association | $15,884.31 |
| 48008 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $244.30 |
| 48010 | D & K Truck Company | $10,663.06 |
| 48011 | David Liddell | $80.00 |
| 48012 | Delta Dental | $57.66 |
| 48013 | Dylan Kennedy | $80.00 |
| 48014 | Floyd’s Electric Service Inc | $590.00 |
| 48015 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $49,440.00 |
| 48016 | Gary Vandecar | $552.54 |
| 48017 | Hall’s Septic | $95.00 |
| 48018 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $44.99 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48019 | Huizinga Rebuilding And Truck | $380.38 |
| 48020 | J & H Oil Company | $29,077.39 |
| 48021 | Jake Welch | $144.16 |
| 48022 | Jason Mishler | $1,900.00 |
| 48023 | Kendall Pranshka | $276.28 |
| 48024 | Key Cleaning Services, Inc. | $681.00 |
| 48025 | Kimball Midwest | $1,493.22 |
| 48026 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $3,658.17 |
| 48027 | Larry Maupin | $552.54 |
| 48028 | Leaping Lizards | $480.00 |
| 48029 | LRE Engineers & Surveyors | $740.00 |
| 48030 | Mark Weeks | $340.00 |
| 48031 | Michigan Turbo | $685.00 |
| 48032 | Patricia Wolf | $276.28 |
| 48033 | Priority Health | $22,125.07 |
| 48034 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $749.62 |
| 48035 | Quadient Finance USA Inc | $250.00 |
| 48036 | Quadient, Inc | $98.85 |
| 48037 | Reurink Roofing & Siding Sales | $1,004.74 |
| 48038 | Rob Garrett | $150.00 |
| 48039 | Robert Nagel | $276.28 |
| 48040 | Rohr Gasoline Equipment, Inc. | $7,937.91 |
| 48041 | S & M Liquid Tirefill Inc | $12,395.40 |
| 48042 | Sandman Trucking, Inc. | $166.50 |
| 48043 | Scott Bond | $80.00 |
| 48044 | Scott Civil Engineering Co | $14,055.00 |
| 48045 | Scott Schantz Jr. | $80.00 |
| 48046 | State Of Michigan | $404.00 |
| 48047 | Tele-Rad, Inc. | $239.64 |
| 48048 | Todd Wenzel Buick GMC | $41,283.00 |
| 48049 | Tom Chaffee | $279.25 |
| 48050 | Tractor Supply Company | $77.04 |
| 48051 | Truck & Trailer Specialties | $1,177.56 |
| 48052 | UniFirst Corporation | $400.08 |
| 48053 | Verizon | $1,263.05 |
| 48054 | Vork Brothers Painting, LLC | $24,540.00 |
| 48055 | Wayne Roush | $276.28 |
| 48056 | White Cap L.P. | $959.95 |
| 48057 | Wightman | $1,300.00 |
| 48058 | Wyoming Asphalt Paving Co | $41,050.07 |
| 48059 | 123ocp | $3,599.00 |
| 48060 | CSX Transportation, Inc. | $5,074.00 |
| Sub-Total | $816,711.14 | |
| 10/23/2025 | ||
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48061 | Bauer Built Tire | $114.20 |
| 48062 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $2,272.17 |
| 48065 | Capital One Bank | $38,379.46 |
| 48066 | Chris BeBeau | $207.95 |
| 48067 | Complete Auto Glass | $400.00 |
| 48068 | Consumers Energy | $2,339.22 |
| 48069 | Corewell Health Occupational | $635.00 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 48070 | D & K Truck Company | $1,929.47 |
| 48071 | Delta Dental | $57.66 |
| 48072 | Floyd’s Electric Service Inc | $624.00 |
| 48073 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $12,800.00 |
| 48074 | Granger | $191.29 |
| 48075 | Greg Shook | $482.64 |
| 48076 | H.S.V. Redi-Mix | $140.51 |
| 48077 | Hall’s Septic | $285.00 |
| 48078 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $133.15 |
| 48079 | Isolved Benefit Services | $617.99 |
| 48080 | J-Ad Graphics, Inc. | $499.00 |
| 48081 | Johnnie Stayton Jr. | $148.39 |
| 48082 | Joshua McConnon | $352.92 |
| 48083 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $190.32 |
| 48084 | Lewman Wesley | $38,170.00 |
| 48085 | Lincoln National Life Ins | $598.53 |
| 48086 | LRE Engineers & Surveyors | $5,427.45 |
| 48087 | Luke Selby | $73.24 |
| 48088 | Michigan Pavement Markings LLC | $4,005.25 |
| 48089 | Miller Financial Services LLC | $3,000.00 |
| 48090 | Parts and Service Financing | $1,127.77 |
| 48091 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $834.85 |
| 48092 | Sand Creek Dairy, LLC | $725.00 |
| 48093 | Scott Bond | $44.48 |
| 48094 | Scott Schantz Jr. | $91.00 |
| 48095 | Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge | $729.00 |
| 48096 | UniFirst Corporation | $450.90 |
| 48097 | Van’t Hof Door & Gate Systems | $255.00 |
| 48098 | White Cap L.P. | $1,771.90 |
| 48099 | Wyoming Asphalt Paving Co | $1,046.44 |
| Sub-Total | $121,151.15 | |
| Total | $937,862.29 |
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch discussed with the Board the new Transportation Funding Package.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner Knight and seconded to accept extending the Guard Rail Brush Spraying from the The Daltons of .10¢/ft and the “Brush Control” at .32¢ per lineal feet for 2026.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
As has been our long-running tradition with our best friends and partners in custom chemical vegetation maintenance/management…..
For your commitment by December 1st to a similar amount of application work in the 2026 season, we will commit to our 2025 pricing, for both the “Total Vegetation Control” at $.10 per lineal feet and “Brush Control” at $.32 per lineal feet furnished and applied.
Motion was made by Commissioner Knight and seconded to accept the offer to extend the 2023 Gravel Crushing bid from Halliday Sand and Gravel, Inc. of $3.95 for Doster Pit for the current crushing in the other pits.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch gave the Board an update on the Duncan Lake Drain project. The Barry County Road Commission offered to pay $430,000 for 3 projects on 108th Street, Noffke Drive, and Duncan Lake Road.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner Knight and seconded authorizing Managing Director Jake Welch to sign the service agreement with Land & Resource Engineering (LRE) to provide Civil Engineering Services for the Wabascon Creek Crossing Replacement Project at Lacey Road for a total not to exceed $70,500 with the option for wetland delineation of $3,125.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner Knight and seconded authorizing Managing Director Jake Welch to sign the service agreement with Land & Resource Engineering (LRE) to provide Civil Engineering Services for the Cedar Creek Crossing Replacement Project at S. Broadway Road for a total not to exceed $72,350 with the option for wetland delineation of $3,290.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner Knight and seconded authorizing Managing Director Jake Welch to sign the service agreement with Scott Civil Engineering Company to provide Full Construction Engineering Services for the Quaker Brook Lane and Barger Road Bridge Project for cost proposal of $156,580. Fabrication Inspection estimates for Concrete Box Beams would be $30,000 and Steel Bridge Rail would be $10,000.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner Knight and seconded to accept the Village of Freeport Resolution for Road Work
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
A summary with estimated budgetary numbers from Barry County Road Commission regarding proposed scraping and snow removal services on Hammond Road for the village was reviewed by council. Moved by Slagstad and supported by Faunce to accept Barry County Road Commission’s proposal for snow removal $1,500.00, scraping services $3,000.00, and gravel placed $30.00/cyd as presented. Upon roll call, all voted “Aye”. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
NOTICE OF DETERMINATION REVIEW HEARING
The Barry County Road Commission will be holding a Natural Beauty Determination Review Hearing to hear support or objection to the abandonment of the Natural Beauty status for Engle Road. The review hearing will be held at the Irving Township Hall, 3425 Wing Road, Hastings, Michigan, at 7 PM on November 10, 2025. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to submit a response to the road commission up until November 7th. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Barry County Road Commission at (269) 945-3449 or by email at jwelch@barrycrc.org.
October 7, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, James, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
The agenda for October 7, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meeting – September 16, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
9/25/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $168,986.45
Bills:
9/25/25
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47952 | Bauer Built Tire | $10,971.40 |
| 47953 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $7,247.76 |
| 47954 | Brian Donnini | $103.56 |
| 47955 | Brian Heath | $150.00 |
| 47958 | Capital One Bank | $33,404.38 |
| 47959 | Carleton Equipment Co | $578.99 |
| 47960 | Consumers Energy | $3,093.31 |
| 47961 | Corewell Health Occupational | $150.00 |
| 47962 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $58.50 |
| 47964 | D & K Truck Company | $3,944.02 |
| 47965 | Dylan Kennedy | $37.49 |
| 47966 | Floyd’s Electric Service Inc | $295.00 |
| 47967 | Fox Chevrolet Buick | $40.02 |
| 47968 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $40,207.00 |
| 47969 | Hall’s Septic | $285.00 |
| 47970 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $93.86 |
| 47971 | Imperial Dade | $1,441.06 |
| 47972 | J & H Oil Company | $2,931.28 |
| 47973 | Kimball Midwest | $586.65 |
| 47974 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $2,413.16 |
| 47975 | Lincoln National Life Ins | $598.53 |
| 47976 | Mika, Meyers, Beckett & Jones | $255.00 |
| 47977 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $96.51 |
| 47978 | Reurink Roofing & Siding Sales | $896.19 |
| 47979 | S & M Liquid Tirefill Inc | $9,723.26 |
| 47980 | Truck & Trailer Specialties | $1,015.80 |
| 47981 | UniFirst Corporation | $130.90 |
| 47982 | Woodland Auto Body | $599.05 |
| 47983 | Wyoming Asphalt Paving Co | $13,837.19 |
| Total | $135,184.87 |
Mark Bishop from Quality Forest Management spoke to the Board about trees in the Chaffee Pit that need to be harvested. The last time BCRC had trees harvested at the Chaffee Pit was in 2019 in a different location in the pit.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to take bids on December 12, 2025 to harvest approximately 103 trees from the Chaffee Pit.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch and the Board discussed the new Transportation Funding Package that was signed by the Governor.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to accept extending the Liquid Asphalt bid from Bit-Mat Products of $2.148/Gallon from 2025 to 2026.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
By this letter, we would like to extend our prices from 2025 construction season through 2026 construction season as follows; these maximum prices are not subject to increase but subject to price reductions by Bit-Mat Products at time of shipment:
HFRS-2M $2.148/Gallon delivered
All bids specifications from the 2025 bid will remain the same for 2026.
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch explained to the Board that CRA for the last few years has been in touched with companies to create a new accounting software. The software is now available and will integrate with our Nexus RC App were our current accounting software will not. Mr. Welch and Accounting Manager Chris BeBeau have previewed this new Acumatica software and recommend switching companies. This process will take approximately six months.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to proceed with Acumatica accounting software at an approximate cost of $99,375.00 and then an Annual Subscription rate of $38,170.00.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to adopt the Road Warrior Training Operational Guidelines and the Introduction & Index Policy and place it in the policy book.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the 2026 Township Contribution costs.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the TDS Telecom Variance Agreement
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
A copy of the Variance Agreement is in the Board Minutes Letter and Petitions file
______________________________________________________________________________
BCRC has received an e-mail from Irving Township requesting the removal of the Natural Beauty Road Designation from Engle Road.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to set a Public Hearing at the Irving Township Hall for November 10, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. to review the designation of Natural Beauty Road on Engle Road.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Barry County Road Commission had contacted each township that has a Natural Beauty Road and asked about trimming/cutting of trees and brush on these roads. Thornapple Township and Irving Township responded with approval, without a public hearing, to complete the project on Robertson Road.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to have Natural Beauty Road Robertson Road on the township line of Thornapple Township and Irving Township cut to normal road standard.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Direct Jake Welch spoke to the Board about the Succession Plan for the Barry County Road Commission.
______________________________________________________________________________
The 2025 – 2026 Strategic Planning Goals were discussed.
The Strategic Planning Goals are:
Strategic Plan Goal #1 – Facilities & Mineral Pits
Strategic Plan Goal #2 – Bridges & Culverts
Strategic Plan Goal #3 – Organizational
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to go into Closed Session upon Jake Welch’s request to discuss performance evaluation and negotiations
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to open the Board Meeting back up to the public.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to adopt the updated Pay Schedule. All applicable benefits of the current Barry County Road Commission Employees’ Association contract will also apply to the Non-Association regular full time employees of the Barry County Road Commission with the exception of Line 8 under Schedule A.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
September 16, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, James, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
The agenda for September 16, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meeting – August 19, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
8/28/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $171,542.59
9/11/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $158,056.87
Bills:
8/28/25
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47846 | Advantage Plumbing & Drain LLC | $1,512.00 |
| 47847 | Arcadia Chemical, Inc. | $871.94 |
| 47848 | Bauer Built Tire | $3,326.44 |
| 47849 | Bit Mat Products of Indiana | $140,406.05 |
| 47850 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $14,436.18 |
| 47854 | Capital One Bank | $29,936.93 |
| 47855 | Complete Auto Glass | $1,204.00 |
| 47856 | Consumers Energy | $451.40 |
| 47857 | Corewell Health Occupational | $91.00 |
| 47858 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $71.50 |
| 47859 | D & K Truck Company | $2,119.73 |
| 47860 | Delta Dental | $57.66 |
| 47861 | Floyd’s Electric Service Inc | $300.00 |
| 47862 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $54,970.50 |
| 47863 | H.S.V. Redi-Mix | $100.81 |
| 47864 | Hall’s Septic | $285.00 |
| 47865 | Halliday Sand & Gravel | $20,145.00 |
| 47866 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $249.88 |
| 47867 | Huizinga Rebuilding And Truck | $82.16 |
| 47868 | John Deere Financial | $174.47 |
| 47869 | Johnnie Stayton Jr. | $101.30 |
| 47870 | Joshua McConnon | $76.29 |
| 47871 | K M International, Inc. | $1,294.43 |
| 47872 | Ketchum Machine Co | $1,701.00 |
| 47873 | Kimball Midwest | $846.11 |
| 47874 | LRE Engineers & Surveyors | $2,009.30 |
| 47875 | Michigan Chloride Sales LLC | $27,792.83 |
| 47876 | Mika, Meyers, Beckett & Jones | $680.00 |
| 47877 | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | $128.56 |
| 47878 | Peter Meyers & Tony Muka | $1,250.00 |
| 47879 | Priority Health | $22,125.07 |
| 47880 | Ridderman Oil | $27,703.32 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47881 | S & M Liquid Tirefill Inc | $27,006.59 |
| 47882 | Sherwin Industries Inc | $28,147.50 |
| 47883 | SME Inc. | $3,810.60 |
| 47884 | SMRC – Finance & HR Assoc. | $20.00 |
| 47885 | Staples Advantage | $121.93 |
| 47886 | Todd Wenzel Buick GMC | $33,998.00 |
| 47887 | Top Grade Site Management LLC | $900.00 |
| 47888 | Total Energy Systems, LLC | $725.00 |
| 47889 | Truck & Trailer Specialties | $8,227.47 |
| 47890 | US Hydraulics LLC | $1,343.50 |
| 47891 | Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro | $1,171.39 |
| 47892 | Wightman | $1,300.00 |
| 47893 | Wyoming Asphalt Paving Co | $225.24 |
| Sub-Total | $463,498.08 | |
| 9/8/825 | ||
| 47894 | Moser Motor Sales, Inc. | $66,648.00 |
| Sub-Total | $66,648.00 | |
| 9/11/2025 | ||
| 47895 | Alec Belson | $80.00 |
| 47896 | Bauer Built Tire | $3,722.01 |
| 47897 | Bert Keeler | $380.00 |
| 47898 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $22,972.17 |
| 47899 | Brandy Casey | $80.00 |
| 47900 | Brian Donnini | $80.00 |
| 47902 | Capital One Bank | $29,886.21 |
| 47903 | Charles Benedict | $552.54 |
| 47904 | Chris BeBeau | $80.00 |
| 47905 | City Of Hastings | $973.54 |
| 47906 | Complete Auto Glass | $200.00 |
| 47907 | Consumers Energy | $21.28 |
| 47908 | Corewell Health Occupational | $654.00 |
| 47909 | D & K Truck Company | $4,958.20 |
| 47910 | David Liddell | $80.00 |
| 47911 | Dylan Kennedy | $80.00 |
| 47912 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $35,293.25 |
| 47913 | Gary Vandecar | $552.54 |
| 47914 | Granger | $191.29 |
| 47915 | Greg Shook | $459.24 |
| 47916 | H.S.V. Redi-Mix | $58.99 |
| 47917 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $207.63 |
| 47918 | J & H Oil Company | $1,410.81 |
| 47919 | Jake Welch | $180.00 |
| 47920 | Jamar Technologies, Inc. | $2,749.00 |
| 47921 | Jim Raulston | $100.28 |
| 47922 | John Deere Financial | $54.78 |
| 47923 | Kendall Pranshka | $276.28 |
| 47924 | Key Cleaning Services, Inc. | $681.00 |
| 47925 | Larry Maupin | $552.54 |
| 47926 | Leaping Lizards | $1,800.00 |
| 47927 | Lincoln National Life Ins | $598.53 |
| 47928 | Lyonnais, Inc. | $44,850.00 |
| 47929 | M & K Quality Truck Center | $14,382.21 |
| 47930 | Mark Weeks | $340.00 |
| 47931 | Parts and Service Financing | $3,250.00 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47932 | Patricia Wolf | $276.28 |
| 47933 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $95.75 |
| 47934 | Ridderman Oil | $24,850.00 |
| 47935 | Robert Nagel | $276.28 |
| 47936 | S & M Liquid Tirefill Inc | $22,019.79 |
| 47937 | S A Morman & Company | $8,386.50 |
| 47938 | Scott Bond | $80.00 |
| 47939 | Scott Civil Engineering Co | $26,855.00 |
| 47940 | Scott Schantz Jr. | $80.00 |
| 47941 | SME Inc. | $4,375.95 |
| 47942 | Tele-Rad, Inc. | $3,450.00 |
| 47943 | The Daltons Inc. | $41,600.00 |
| 47944 | Tom Boulter | $265.00 |
| 47945 | Tractor Supply Company | $23.34 |
| 47946 | Truck & Trailer Specialties | $5,144.44 |
| 47947 | UniFirst Corporation | $523.60 |
| 47948 | Verizon | $1,263.05 |
| 47949 | View Newspaper Group | $126.00 |
| 47950 | Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro | $117.94 |
| 47951 | Wayne Roush | $276.28 |
| Sub-Total | $312,873.52 | |
| Total | $843,019.60 |
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to authorize Chairman David Solmes and Accounting Manager Chris BeBeau to sign the Public Act 325 Certification of Transportation Asset Management Plan.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
2025 – 02
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded WHEREAS, the Barry County Road Commission recognizes the value of maintaining and updating current Pavement and Bridge Asset Management plans;
WHEREAS, the Barry County Road Commission values a high quality road asset network;
WHEREAS, the Barry County Road Commission intends to maintain a current Compliance plan in accordance with PA 325;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; that the Board of County Road Commissioners for Barry County adopt the FOLLOWING:
- Barry County Road Commission 2025 Bridge Asset Management Plan
- Barry County Road Commission 2025 Pavement Asset Management Plan.
- Barry County Road Commission 2025 PA 325 Compliance Plan.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ALSO RESOLVED; that the Chairman of the Board of County Road Commissioners and the head of the Finance Department sign the PA 325 Certification of Transportation Asset Management Plan
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch explained to the Board the annual “Small Group” meetings we have with the employees. Mr. Welch recapped the meetings he had with each group with the Board and felt the meetings with the employees this year were more detailed and plans to continue this practice.
______________________________________________________________________________
The board received a letter stating that the 2025 Act 51 Mileage Certification was reviewed and approved by MDOT.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded authorizing DLZ to provide Bridge Design Services for Martin Road and Jordan Road over the Little Thornapple River for a cost of $117,950.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Barry County Road Commission had contacted each township that has a Natural Beauty Road and asked about trimming/cutting of trees and brush on these roads. Barry Township and Orangeville Township responded with approval, without a public hearing, to cut the Natural Beauty Roads Gurd Road and Guernsey Lake Road.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to have Natural Beauty Road Gurd Road in Barry Township and Guernsey Lake Road in Orangeville Township cut to normal road standard.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
A new Employee Training Check List form was discussed with the Board.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded accepting the Resolution from the Southwest Barry County Sewer & Water Authority for Parking Lot repair.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Motion to approve the parking lot repair not to exceed $20,000.00 to crack seal all, slag seal driveway from Barry County Road Commission made by Campbell, supported by Earl. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to cancel the Board Meeting of October 21, 2025.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
August 15, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, James, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
The agenda for August 19, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meeting – August 5, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
8/14/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $162,974.15
Bills:
8/6/25
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47782 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $619,771.54 |
| Sub-Total | $619,771.54 | |
| 8/14/2025 | ||
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47783 | B & B Truck Equipment | $3,115.00 |
| 47784 | Bauer Built Tire | $24,648.52 |
| 47785 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $18,663.12 |
| 47786 | Brandy Casey | $250.88 |
| 47789 | Capital One Bank | $18,144.48 |
| 47790 | Carleton Equipment Co | $76.57 |
| 47791 | Carpenter Gravel Inc | $199.84 |
| 47792 | City Of Hastings | $874.54 |
| 47793 | Complete Auto Glass | $175.00 |
| 47794 | Consumers Energy | $2,969.55 |
| 47795 | County Rd Association Self Ins | $16,901.00 |
| 47796 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $58.50 |
| 47798 | D & K Truck Company | $4,081.35 |
| 47799 | David Liddell | $489.77 |
| 47800 | Floyd’s Electric Service Inc | $295.00 |
| 47801 | Foremost Graphics | $318.17 |
| 47802 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $14,007.00 |
| 47803 | Granger | $191.29 |
| 47804 | Hall’s Septic | $95.00 |
| 47805 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $178.92 |
| 47806 | John Deere Financial | $375.94 |
| 47807 | Kimball Midwest | $185.36 |
| 47808 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $102,457.05 |
| 47809 | Leaping Lizards | $480.00 |
| 47810 | Par-Tee Ventures, LLC | $2,065.41 |
| 47811 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $92.38 |
| 47812 | S A Morman & Company | $4,000.00 |
| 47813 | Sherwin Industries Inc | $3,379.67 |
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47814 | SME Inc. | $10,144.40 |
| 47815 | Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge | $2,790.00 |
| 47816 | Tele-Rad, Inc. | $40.00 |
| 47817 | Top Grade Site Management LLC | $3,150.00 |
| 47818 | Tractor Supply Company | $1,788.73 |
| 47819 | Truck & Trailer Specialties | $332.40 |
| 47820 | UniFirst Corporation | $261.80 |
| 47821 | US Hydraulics LLC | $911.00 |
| 47822 | Varipro Benefit Administrators | $275.95 |
| 47823 | Verizon | $1,263.05 |
| 47824 | View Newspaper Group | $164.00 |
| 47825 | Welton’s Heating & Cooling | $315.00 |
| 47826 | White Cap L.P. | $755.45 |
| 47827 | Wyoming Asphalt Paving Co | $4,245.78 |
| 47828 | Alec Belson | $80.00 |
| 47829 | Bert Keeler | $380.00 |
| 47830 | Brandy Casey | $80.00 |
| 47831 | Brian Donnini | $80.00 |
| 47832 | Charles Benedict | $552.54 |
| 47833 | Chris BeBeau | $80.00 |
| 47834 | David Liddell | $80.00 |
| 47835 | Dylan Kennedy | $80.00 |
| 47836 | Gary Vandecar | $552.54 |
| 47837 | Jake Welch | $80.00 |
| 47838 | Kendall Pranshka | $276.28 |
| 47839 | Larry Maupin | $552.54 |
| 47840 | Mark Weeks | $340.00 |
| 47841 | Patricia Wolf | $276.28 |
| 47842 | Robert Nagel | $276.28 |
| 47843 | Scott Bond | $80.00 |
| 47844 | Scott Schantz Jr. | $80.00 |
| 47845 | Wayne Roush | $276.28 |
| Sub-Total | $249,409.61 | |
| Total | $869,181.15 |
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to authorize Chairman David Solmes and Accounting Manager Chris BeBeau to sign the Public Act 51, Section 18j, MCL 247.668j Annual Certification of Employee Related Conditions form and to check box B to show that we are in compliance.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch explained to the Board the weekly management meetings the staff has and the outline of these meetings.
______________________________________________________________________________
Director of Operations, BJ Donnini, presented to the Board a Snow Plow Presentation that a BCRC committee had created. Mr. Donnini then accepted any questions on the presentation.
Managing Director Jake Welch discussed with the Board the order/purchase of the 2026 Pickup Trucks and received their approval.
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch explained to the Board the “Small Group” meetings we have with the employees. The breakdown is five groups. There is one group for Commissioners, one group for Management, and the Hourly employees are broken up into three groups by years of service. The two questions brought up at these meetings were discussed by the Commissioners.
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting adjourned at 8:09 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman
August 5, 2025
Chairman Solmes called the regular meeting of the Barry County Road Commission to order at the Road Commission’s Board Room at 6:30 A.M.
Members present: Solmes, James, Knight, and Managing Director Jake Welch.
The agenda for August 5, 2025 was approved.
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to approve the following consent items:
- Minutes of Previous Board Meeting – July 15, 2025
- Payroll
- Bills
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
CHECK NAME AMOUNT
7/17/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $167,401.41
7/31/25 Barry County Road Commission Payroll $182,031.46
Bills:
7/17/25
| Check Number | Vendor Number | Vendor Name |
| 47704 | Bauer Built Tire | $16,081.55 |
| 47705 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $1,727.07 |
| 47706 | Bronson HelpNet | $283.50 |
| 47708 | Capital One Bank | $26,297.74 |
| 47709 | City Of Hastings | $874.54 |
| 47710 | Consumers Energy | $2,902.21 |
| 47711 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $58.50 |
| 47712 | D & B Heat Transfer Products | $910.00 |
| 47713 | D & K Truck Company | $3,343.32 |
| 47714 | Foremost Graphics | $2,161.66 |
| 47715 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $115,055.00 |
| 47716 | Granger | $191.29 |
| 47717 | Hall’s Septic | $285.00 |
| 47718 | Halliday Sand & Gravel | $748,251.75 |
| 47719 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $57.97 |
| 47720 | J & H Oil Company | $1,260.52 |
| 47721 | Key Cleaning Services, Inc. | $681.00 |
| 47722 | Kimball Midwest | $674.87 |
| 47723 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $211,634.54 |
| 47724 | MCRCSIP | $25.00 |
| 47725 | Michigan Pavement Markings LLC | $58,555.17 |
| 47726 | Michigan Sidewalls | $890.00 |
| 47727 | Miller Financial Services LLC | $3,000.00 |
| 47728 | Parts and Service Financing | $187.33 |
| 47729 | Reed & Hoppes, Inc. | $1,000.00 |
| 47730 | Ridderman Oil | $26,594.35 |
| 47731 | S & M Liquid Tirefill Inc | $36,466.55 |
| 47732 | Sherwin Industries Inc | $28,147.50 |
| 47733 | Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge | $720.00 |
| 47734 | The Huntington National Bank | $561,000.00 |
| 47735 | Todd Wenzel Buick GMC | $67,584.00 |
| 47736 | Tom Boulter | $119.50 |
| 47737 | Tractor Supply Company | $1,320.00 |
| 47738 | UniFirst Corporation | $130.90 |
| 47739 | Van’t Hof Door & Gate Systems | $43,991.30 |
| 47740 | Varipro Benefit Administrators | $275.95 |
| 47741 | Verizon | $1,263.05 |
| Sub-Total | $1,964,002.63 | |
| 07/31/2025 | ||
| Check Number | Vendor Name | Check Amount |
| 47742 | Advantage Plumbing & Drain LLC | $1,575.00 |
| 47743 | Bauer Built Tire | $1,752.78 |
| 47744 | Behrens LTD | $59.00 |
| 47745 | Black Gold Holdings LLC | $14,838.45 |
| 47746 | Brian Heath | $148.36 |
| 47748 | Capital One Bank | $25,642.46 |
| 47749 | Cody Metzger | $565.60 |
| 47750 | Coleman Agency | $55.00 |
| 47751 | Complete Auto Glass | $200.00 |
| 47752 | Consumers Energy | $489.44 |
| 47753 | Culligan Water Conditioning | $121.00 |
| 47755 | D & K Truck Company | $8,319.76 |
| 47756 | Dell Marketing L.P. | $1,963.76 |
| 47757 | Delta Dental | $57.66 |
| 47758 | Foremost Graphics | $159.15 |
| 47759 | Fox Chevrolet Buick | $331.71 |
| 47760 | Frontline Maintenance & Serv. | $23,062.50 |
| 47761 | Hall’s Septic | $95.00 |
| 47762 | Hastings Ace Hardware | $174.04 |
| 47763 | Johnnie Stayton Jr. | $150.80 |
| 47764 | Key Cleaning Services, Inc. | $981.00 |
| 47765 | Kimball Midwest | $248.49 |
| 47766 | Lakeland Asphalt Corp | $1,887.95 |
| 47767 | Lincoln National Life Ins | $598.53 |
| 47768 | MCRCSIP | $20.00 |
| 47769 | Overhead Door Co | $682.38 |
| 47770 | Parts and Service Financing | $2,165.08 |
| 47771 | Priority Health | $22,125.07 |
| 47772 | Purity Cylinder Gases Inc | $69.35 |
| 47773 | Ridderman Oil | $25,049.94 |
| 47774 | S & M Liquid Tirefill Inc | $33,996.63 |
| 47775 | Scott Civil Engineering Co | $8,810.00 |
| 47776 | Sherriff-Goslin Company | $60,000.00 |
| 47777 | Sherwin Industries Inc | $120.60 |
| 47778 | SME Inc. | $5,151.68 |
| 47779 | Stephan Satterly | $200.00 |
| 47780 | UniFirst Corporation | $261.80 |
| Sub-Total | $242,129.97 | |
| Total | $2,206,132.60 |
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to purchase a 2025 Sullair 185 DLQ Air Compressor from MacAllister Equipment through the MiDeal program for $27,250.00
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded authorizing Managing Director Jake Welch to sign the service agreement with Land & Resource Engineering (LRE) to provide Civil Engineering Services for the Augusta Creek Crossing Replacement Project at Hickory Road for a total not to exceed $42,500.00.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
Bids for Concrete Shop Floors were opened on July 16, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.
| Bidder | Removal | Reinforcing Materials & Placement | Concrete Placement & Finishing | Total | |
| RLE Concrete | $29,448.00 | $5,269.00 | $19,212.00 | $53,929.00 | |
| Lyonnais, Inc. | $8,000.00 | $3,500.00 | $33,350.00 | $44,850.00 | |
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to award the Concrete Shop Floors to Lyonnais, Inc. for a total of $44,850.00.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Bids for Exterior Painting of (3) Buildings were opened on July 30, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.
| Bidder | Preparation, Painting, & Clean-up Maintenance Shop/Parking Garage | Preparation, Painting, & Clean-Up Cold Storage/Sign Shop | Preparation, Painting, & Clean-up Building #3 | Total |
| Austin Painting, LLC | $49,700.00 | $27,000.00 | $7,000.00 | $83,700.00 |
| Dave Cold Decorators, Inc. | $32,661.00 | $29,849.00 | $7,370.00 | $69,880.00 |
| G.A.M. Decorating Company | $40,615.00 | $39,262.00 | $7,297.00 | $87,174.00 |
| Progressive Building Services | $43,132.00 | $36,825.00 | $14,305.00 | $94,262.00 |
| Vork Brothers Painting | $24,480.00 | $20,400.00 | $4,200.00 | $49,080.00 |
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to authorize Management to award the bid in the best interest of the Barry County Road Commission.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch discussed with the Board cutting/trimming of trees on Natural Beauty Roads. At this time the BCRC has 10.73 miles of Natural Beauty Roads in four Townships.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to authorize Management to send a letter to the Townships that have Natural Beauty Roads in reference to doing a significant cutting on these roads.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
The CRASIF Board of Trustee Ballot was discussed.
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch discussed hiring one or two Road Workers to train to replace upcoming retirements. The Board was in agreement.
______________________________________________________________________________
Managing Director Jake Welch discussed with the Board the information he received from the County Road Association in regards to the Monarch Butterfly being a threatened species. As of December 2025 there will be a rule that requires road agencies to obtain federal approval every time we work in the Right of Way, including mowing and ditch work. The County Road Association has created the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) which enrolls the county Right of Way for exemption of the outer 3 feet of Right of Way along the county rural roads. There is an estimated cost of $393.12 per year for this service.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded to authorize Managing Director Jake Welch to sign a three-year commitment to the Michigan Monarch CCAA.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Equipment Superintendent Scott Schantz spoke to the Board about the upcoming need for more flagger trucks.
Motion was made by Commissioner James and seconded authorizing the purchase of three (3) GMC Sierra Trucks from Todd Wenzel GMC through the MiDeal program.
2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab 4×2 WT Pickup
with Loyalty Rebate $33,998.00
2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab 4×2 WT Pickup $36,722.00
2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4×2 Pro Pickup $41,283.00
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Motion was made by Commissioner Solmes and seconded to cancel the Regular Board Meeting of September 2, 2025.
ROLL CALL: Yeas, Solmes, James, & Knight
Nays, None
Motion Carried
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting adjourned at 7:47 A.M.
________________________________ __________________________________
Secretary Chairman