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Commissioner Tim Rujan stated that if the Board of Commissioners are excluded from the increase for reimbursement, then all county elected officials should be excluded too.

He did make a motion to include fellow commissioners, however, it did not pass because no one seconded the motion. He also requested the increase be at 45 cents per mile; that didn't pass either.

Commissioner and Chair Robert Haldane agreed somewhat with Rujan. "I think this is totally asinine that the commissioners don't get this increase; I guess you boys will be saddled with it, I will not vote for it," Haldane said.

The resolution, effective July 1, is to increase the mileage reimbursement from 35 cents to 40 cents per mile.

The resolution did pass to increase the mileage reimbursement to 35 cents per mile for all employees, with the exception of the Board of Commissioners by a 5-2 vote, with Rujan and Haldane voting against the resolution.

In other news, Commissioner James Leonard informed the board that all the core samples at the Huron Community Fairgrounds are complete and have been sent off to be analyzed.

The sampling is caused by a possible loss of antifreeze, and is being required by the Michigan Department of Environmental quality.

Also at the meeting, Huron County resident Jim Mazure appeared before the board to voice some concerns.

"I think it is time here this board starts to cut back on the benefits of county employees and the use of cars," Mazure said .

He also questioned the commissioners regarding the dropped lawsuit by Sheriff Tibbits and others regarding the possible violation of the Opens Meeting Act. Some discussion was held, with no real explanations except that the matter has been settled.

He asked, "How many employees are having their health insurance paid for life?"

"The amount is huge, we cannot just up and take away these benefits that were promised to them. We have an obligation from prior boards to pay these," said Commissioners Ron Wruble.

"In 1999, the Board of Commissioners voted and not all employees will be paid benefits for life," he added.

Wruble also explained that approximately four years ago, the board rescinded the resolution where as commissioners received health benefits.

According to Commissioner Dave Peruski, there are 49 retirees now receiving benefits. "New hires do not receive health insurance for their full retirement," said Peruski.

In other business, commissioners:

*Authorized and directed the County Clerk to transfer sick, vacation, and/or comp. days from various employees to the account of Sharon McLeod.

*Employed Kendra Bismack as a full time dispatcher in Central Dispatch.

*Employed Mary Ahearn as a full time Deputy Clerk in the 73B District Court.

*Employed Albin Murawski as a part time inspector to assist with the inspections in Ubly due to the new water system.

*Authorized the clerk to advertise for vacancies on: the Construction Code Board of Appeals, one vacancy for a one and a half year term and Zoning Board of Appeals, one vacancy for a two year term.

*Accepted the retirement of Gerald Stocker from the position of Dispatcher in Central Dispatch.